🌱 Patch AM: What we know about the machinery fire at a Maple Grove plant

Coffee in hand, Maple Grove? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• What we know about the machinery fire at a Maple Grove plant
• Which Maple Grove stories grabbed the most clicks in 2025?
• How a Maple Grove volunteer treasurer allegedly hid $110K in thefts

Today's riddle: I quit my job as a banker. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Friday: Cold with clouds and sun, with a high of 12 and low of 8 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Saturday: Mostly cloudy, temps: high: 19, low: 1.
• Sunday: P.M. freezing drizzle; cloudy, with a high of 30 and low of 24 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Fire breaks out at packaging plant in Maple Grove (bringmethenews.com) — Firefighters quickly contained a machinery fire Wednesday morning at the Smurfit WestRock packaging plant on Valley Forge Lane in Maple Grove, with no injuries reported after employees evacuated safely. Sprinklers helped control the blaze before crews from Maple Grove, Brooklyn Park, and Osseo fully extinguished it, and officials say the incident does not appear suspicious as the investigation continues.
   

2. Top 10 read Press online articles for 2025 (hometownsource.com) — Maple Grove residents can look back at 2025’s biggest local stories, from finalized designs for the Highway 169/Elm Creek bridge interchange and a major Weaver Lake Road upgrade to plans for a new Life Time facility and a new elementary school in town. The list also revisits notable public safety incidents and school and city decisions that shaped the year across Maple Grove and nearby communities.
   

3. Youth softball association treasurer stole $110K, withdrew from casino ATMs: Charges (fox9.com) — A Maple Grove woman who served as treasurer for the Plymouth Wayzata Youth Softball Association is charged with felony theft by swindle, accused of taking more than $110,000 over five years. Investigators say unauthorized ATM withdrawals, including at local casinos, and falsified financial reports were uncovered after the association lost its tax-exempt status and bills went unpaid.
   

4. Team USA Excited For World Juniors Quarterfinal Game (usahockey.com) — A Maple Grove native, forward Will Zellers, is emerging as a key scorer for Team USA at the World Junior Championship, playing less than 30 miles from home. He’s continuing a growing Maple Grove-to-Team-USA pipeline while the Americans regroup from a loss to Sweden and prepare for a high-stakes quarterfinal against Finland, with injuries testing the roster’s depth.
   

5. House Oversight Committee Schedules Hearing on Alleged Minnesota Fraud – [your]NEWS (yournews.com) — Maple Grove residents will see their state Rep. Kristin Robbins testify in a high-profile U.S. House Oversight hearing on alleged large-scale fraud in Minnesota’s social services programs. The Republican-led committee, sharply critical of state leadership, plans January and February hearings, document demands, and broader investigations into how billions in federal funds may have been misused.
   

📸 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!

Saturday January 3

• Drop-in Tech Help
  Maple Grove Library , 8001 Main Street , Maple Grove
  1:30 pm

Monday January 5

• City Council meeting
  Maple Grove, MN Calendar , 12800 Arbor Lakes Parkway N , Maple Grove
  7:30 pm

Wednesday January 7

• Community of Crafters: Beaded Earrings
  Maple Grove Library , 8001 Main Street , Maple Grove
  2:30 pm

Thursday January 8

• Genealogy Discussion Group
  Maple Grove Library , 8001 Main Street , Maple Grove
  2:00 pm
• Drop-in Tech Help
  Maple Grove Library , 8001 Main Street , Maple Grove
  4:00 pm
• Arbor Committee meeting
  Maple Grove, MN Calendar Maple Grove, MN 55369
  7:00 pm

📣 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

Friday January 2

• PreK Friday
  Plymouth Library , 15700 36th Avenue North , Plymouth
  10:00 am

Saturday January 3

• Drop-in Tech Help
  Maple Grove Library , 8001 Main Street , Maple Grove
  1:30 pm

Sunday January 4

• Computer and Tech Help
  Plymouth Library , 15700 36th Avenue North , Plymouth
  1:00 pm

Monday January 5

• English Conversation Circle
  Plymouth Library , 15700 36th Avenue North , Plymouth
  10:00 am
• Baby Storytime
  Plymouth Library , 15700 36th Avenue North , Plymouth
  10:00 am
• French Club
  Plymouth Library , 15700 36th Avenue North , Plymouth
  1:00 pm

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+
• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

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

• My New Year's resolution was to quit procrastinating...
  which I will start tomorrow. HaPpY nEw YeAr!!!! (Nextdoor North Eagle Lake)

• David's Bridal, Inc. posted a job opening for Seasonal Alterations Specialist in Maple Grove. Apply here.
• Domino's Pizza posted a job opening for Assistant Manager(07357) - 13590 Grove Dr in Maple Grove. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Maple Grove here.

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 just lost interest.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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