Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How a Maple Grove firefighter’s legacy reshaped federal benefits for families
Be sure to catch Maple Grove Christmas Craft and Gift Show on the Maple Grove Patch calendar
Hi there, Maple Grove! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How a Maple Grove firefighter’s legacy reshaped federal benefits for families
- How early snow is filling trails and tills across Minnesota
- Why Maple Grove’s legislator is clashing with state fraud investigators
Also on today's calendar: Bring the Family & Ring in 2026 EARLY at D&B.
Find out what's happening in Maple Grovefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: What did one astronaut stranded on the moon say to another? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Maple Grovefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Friday: Snow late in the afternoon, with a high of 21 and low of 16 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
- Saturday: Morning flurries, then breezy, temps: high: 24, low: -4.
- Sunday: Partly sunny and cold, with a high of 17 and low of 14 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• After Minnesota family's advocacy, Congress adds cancer to list of line-of-duty benefits for firefighters (kare11.com) — A Maple Grove firefighter’s legacy just helped change federal law for first responders nationwide. After years of advocacy by the family of firefighter Mike Paidar, Congress and the president approved the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act, adding many cancers to the list of line-of-duty conditions covered by federal survivor benefits. Families of firefighters who died from covered cancers dating back to 2020 can now qualify for substantial financial and education support. 
• ‘One hell of a blessing': Winter recreation businesses cash in on early-season snow (macon.com) — Early-season snow is already drawing skiers to Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove, boosting interest in local winter recreation. Across Minnesota, snowmobile dealers, ski areas, and dogsled outfitters report surging sales and reservations, while trail groups urge riders to enjoy the conditions but stay cautious as grooming and freezing on some routes continue. The strong start could revive winter businesses after several mild seasons.
• Fraud chair alleges defendant received state money while awaiting trial (sctimes.com) — Maple Grove’s state representative Kristin Robbins is raising new questions about whether a defendant in the Feeding Our Future case continued receiving state-assisted living payments while awaiting trial. State human services officials pushed back during a fraud committee hearing, saying they’ve seen no such case and would stop any improper payments if given evidence.
📸 Around Maple Grove
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Maple Grove
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Maple Grove Christmas Craft and Gift Show
Maple Grove Community Center, 12951 Weaver Lake Rd, Maple Grove
9:30 am
Saturday December 20
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Drop-in Tech Help
Maple Grove Library , 8001 Main Street , Maple Grove
1:30 pm - Bring the Family & Ring in 2026 EARLY at D&B
Dave and Buster's - Maple Grove (map) 11780 Fountains Way Maple Grove MN 55369
4:00 pm
Saturday December 20
Wednesday December 31
📣 Maple Grove Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Minnetonka Center for the Arts 2025 Arts of the Holidays Show & Sale
Minnetonka Center For the Arts , 2240 N Shore Dr , Wayzata
10:00 am - Family Storytime
Rockford Road Library , 6401 42nd Avenue North , Crystal
10:00 am - Connect and Play With ECFE / Conéctate y jugate con ECFE
North Regional Community Library , 1315 Lowry Avenue North , Minneapolis
10:00 am - Coffee, Cocoa, Cookies and Connections
Centennial United Methodist Church – Roseville , 1524 W Country Road C2 , Roseville
10:00 am - Sensory Friendly Storytime
Anoka County, MN Calendar , 711 County Rd 10 NE , Blaine
10:15 am - MNSure Help and Enrollment
Brookdale Library , 6125 Shingle Creek Parkway , Brooklyn Center
1:00 pm - Knitting Club
Plymouth Library , 15700 36th Avenue North , Plymouth
2:00 pm - Total Wine & More - Coon Rapids — Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery & Distillery
Total Wine & More , 3400 124th Avenue Northwest , Riverdale Blvd , Coon Rapids
3:00 pm - MUSIC CONCERT
Perpich Center for Arts Education , 6125 Olson Mem Hwy , Golden Valley
3:45 pm
Friday December 19
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Maple Grove PatchAM possible:
- AnnapurnaBlue Heath and Wellness — (952) 405-0342
You Are The Sun ~ Costa Rica Women's Retreat ages 35 - 70+
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Thank you everyone who donated and spoke kind words with helping me get some stuff for a family in need for Christmas!
I’m pretty much done with getting items, now just to put them together and deliver! Merry Christmas, and Happy New Years! (Nextdoor Weaver Lake) - Final update: Maple Grove Police say owners were located and dog is back home!!
Update: police are taking dog as neighbor has no where to keep it and it’s late. Will likely be at PUPS. My neighbor found this cute pup on 68th… (Nextdoor 68th Ave N/Bass Lake Rd.)
- Arby's Restaurant posted a job opening for Team Member in Maple Grove. Apply here.
- Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc. posted a job opening for Command Center Associate in Maple Grove. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Maple Grove here.
🗞 Nearby News
Brooklyn Park
- Brooklyn Park expands staffing, scope for Health on the Go (hometownsource.com)
- Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center police reports Dec. 11-17 (hometownsource.com)
- Anoka-Hennepin Teachers To Vote on Possible Strike (ccxmedia.org)
Plymouth
- What's next for Friends of Plymouth Library after raising $42K in 2025? (hometownsource.com)
Minnetonka
Ok Maple Grove! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t think you know the gravity of this situation.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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