🌱 Patch AM: Are your muddy tires quietly breaking the law in Minnetonka?

Hi there, Minnetonka! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Are your muddy tires quietly breaking the law in Minnetonka?
• How Minnetonka’s legislator wants to shield you from big data centers

Today's riddle: What did the little needle say to the mother needle when it brought home a failing report card? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: A bit of freezing drizzle, with a high of 36 and low of 33 degrees.
• Friday: Cloudy, temps: high: 39, low: 32.
• Saturday: Cloudy, with a high of 43 and low of 16 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!

📰 News we're reading

• The 22 Weirdest Driving Laws in the Country (rd.com) — Minnetonka drivers might be surprised to learn it’s illegal for vehicles to track mud or other debris onto local streets, making a post–off-roading car wash more than just courtesy. This quirky law appears in a national roundup of unusual driving rules, but it has real implications for anyone who hauls, off-roads, or drives dirty tires around town.
   

• Legislators Talk About Desired Policy (womenspress.com) — Minnetonka’s state representative Patty Acomb is pushing for stricter, more transparent rules on massive data centers so local residents aren’t stuck with higher utility costs or weaker environmental protections. She and other legislators describe bipartisan efforts to rein in tax breaks for tech giants, require clearer public engagement, and create data-center-specific environmental reviews. Residents are encouraged to stay involved as the 2026 session begins.
   

📸 Around Minnetonka

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 Minnetonka

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Saturday December 27

• Baby Storytime
  Ridgedale Library , 12601 Ridgedale Drive , Minnetonka
  10:00 am
• Family Storytime
  Minnetonka Library , 17524 Excelsior Boulevard , Minnetonka
  10:30 am
• Arts and Crafts
  Minnetonka Library , 17524 Excelsior Boulevard , Minnetonka
  2:00 pm

Tuesday December 30

• Crafternoon
  Hopkins Library , 22 11th Avenue North , Hopkins
  1:00 pm
• LEGO速 Lab
  Minnetonka Library , 17524 Excelsior Boulevard , Minnetonka
  5:30 pm

Wednesday December 31

• Family Storytime
  Minnetonka Library , 17524 Excelsior Boulevard , Minnetonka
  11:30 am
• Noon Year's Eve Celebration
  Ridgedale Library , 12601 Ridgedale Drive , Minnetonka
  11:30 am

📣 Minnetonka 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 December 26

• Connect and Play
  Saint Louis Park Library , 3240 Library Lane , St. Louis Park
  9:30 am
• Dan Israel plays solo at LTD Brewing in downtown Hopkins from 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm
  LTD Brewing Co. , 8 8th Ave N , Hopkins
  7:30 pm

Saturday December 27

• Baby Storytime
  Ridgedale Library , 12601 Ridgedale Drive , Minnetonka
  10:00 am
• LEGO速 Lab
  Excelsior Library , 343 Third Street , Excelsior
  10:00 am

Sunday December 28

• St. Louis Park PetSmart Adoption Day Event
  PetSmart , 5640 Cedar Lk Rd S , Minneapolis
  12:00 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 Minnetonka PatchAM possible:

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

• I am looking for a Myra Karlen.
  I have two packages that were sent to this address with her name on them. If she would contact me and tell me where they may be from I’ll get them to… (Nextdoor Ridgedale)
• All city facilities, including the community center, The Marsh and Williston Fitness Center, will close to the public at noon Dec.
  24 through Dec. 25 in observance of Christmas. Regular office hours will resume Friday, Dec. 26. (Nextdoor )

• Aerotek posted a job opening for CNC Swiss Machinist in Minnetonka. Apply here.
• Coffee & Bagel Brands posted a job opening for Team Member in Minnetonka. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Minnetonka here.

🗞 Nearby News

Wayzata

• Wayzata swimmers sink Buffalo boys 95-80 (hometownsource.com)
• Why These Chefs Opened Suburban Restaurants (mspmag.com)
• Minnetonka police reports Dec. 14-20 (hometownsource.com)

Edina

• Big nonconference wins for Tonka and Wayzata (hometownsource.com)
• Freeloader Friday on a Tuesday: 77 Free Things To Do This Week (racketmn.com)

Ok Minnetonka! 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 guess I’m not as sharp as I thought.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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