🌱 Patch AM: What do this week’s Minnetonka police calls reveal about your neighborhood?

Hey there, Minnetonka! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• What do this week’s Minnetonka police calls reveal about your neighborhood?
• How much of Excelsior’s 2026 tax hike funds Minnetonka schools?

Also on today's calendar: Pet Mondays – Photos with Santa and 4 more events.

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Strong winds, with a high of 38 and low of -4 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Friday: Colder; a bit of p.m. snow, temps: high: 21, low: 16.
• Saturday: Breezy; morning flurries, with a high of 25 and low of 0 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Minnetonka police reports Dec. 7-13 (hometownsource.com) — Minnetonka residents can see a day-by-day breakdown of police calls from Dec. 7–13, including thefts, crashes, assaults, and suspicious activity across familiar streets and intersections. Use this snapshot of recent incidents to stay aware of what’s happening in your neighborhood and along major routes like Highway 7, Ridgedale Drive, and Minnetonka Boulevard.
   

• Excelsior approves 2026 tax levy, budget (hometownsource.com) — Excelsior’s newly approved 2026 tax levy will send the largest single share of local property tax bills—39%—to the Minnetonka School District, directly affecting school funding for area families. The city’s levy will rise 8.5%, modestly increasing the city portion of homeowners’ taxes to support public safety, streets, parks, and other core services next year.
   

📸 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!

★ Featured events ★

Monday December 22

• Pet Mondays – Photos with Santa
  Eden Prairie Center, 8251 Flying Cloud Dr, Eden Prairie, MN, 55344,
  11:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Friday December 19

• Computer Tutor
  Hopkins Library , 22 11th Avenue North , Hopkins
  9:30 am
• Caregiver Night Off
  Gatewood Elementary School , 14900 Gatewood Dr , Minnetonka
  4:00 pm

Saturday December 20

• Family Storytime
  Minnetonka Library , 17524 Excelsior Boulevard , Minnetonka
  10:30 am
• Nutcracker — Metropolitan Ballet
  Hopkins High School , 2400 Royals Dr , Minnetonka
  7:00 pm

Monday December 22

• Perler Palooza
  Hopkins Library , 22 11th Avenue North , Hopkins
  3:30 pm

Tuesday December 23

• Crafternoon
  Hopkins Library , 22 11th Avenue North , Hopkins
  1:00 pm

📣 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

Thursday December 18

• Heritage Preservation Board
  Wayzata, MN Calendar
  11:30 am
• Hanukkah Bingo at the J! - Sabes Center Minneapolis
  Sabes Center Minneapolis
  1:30 pm
• Teen Games and Hangout
  Ridgedale Library , 12601 Ridgedale Drive , Minnetonka
  4:00 pm
• Create & Celebrate: Festival of Lights Family Chanukah Event with PJ Library
  Sabes Center Minneapolis
  5:00 pm
• Candlelight Yoga (Sabes Center Minneapolis)
  Sabes Center Minneapolis
  5:15 pm
• Board Game Night
  Saint Louis Park Library , 3240 Library Lane , St. Louis Park
  5:30 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:

• 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

• Multiple reports indicate a large number of police cars with sirens blaring leaving downtown St. Paul, prompting speculation about a possible VIP visit.
  8:36AM on Dec 16: Police activity affecting vehicle at Twin Cities, Minnesota, per local source (Nextdoor )
• I recently had my roof replaced, ( im in a twinhome) my neighbor as well had a new roof installed.
  I have American Family ,my neighbor has Allstate. My insurance would only pay 48% plus I had to pay my deductible of $3386. The reason was my roof… (Nextdoor Spring Lake)

• Presbyterian Homes & Services posted a job opening for Life Enrichment Assistant / Recreation Assistant in Minnetonka. Apply here.
• Harvard Maintenance, Inc. posted a job opening for Floater Janitorial Cleaner- (Must be able to drive to multiple locations ) 35423 in Minnetonka. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Minnetonka here.

🗞 Nearby News

Hopkins

• High school boys state basketball polls: Dec. 15, 2025 (postbulletin.com)
• Wayzata City Council Denies Retail Variance at 401 Lake Street East (wayzata.com)

Edina

• POLICE REPORT: Noise protest held at Edina hotel allegedly hosting ICE agents (hometownsource.com)
• Minikahda Vista residents rally against traffic control changes (hometownsource.com)
• Marc Heu Pâtisserie Paris Brings Holiday Pop-Up to Linden Hills (mspmag.com)

Minneapolis

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 don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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