Bank Robbery, Fatal Crashes and Bacteria at the Beach: Pick of Our Patches

Editor’s Note: Every week we will bring you a sampling of stories from Patch sites in the west metro: Edina, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Lake Minnetonka, Maple Grove, Plymouth, Richfield, Shakopee, St. Louis Park and St. Michael.

(Click on the headline to read the full story.)

Richfield Police and the FBI ask that anyone with information contact them. The robber approached a bank teller before vaulting over the counter and was described as wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black face covering, black baseball cap, black jacket and dark pants.

Pam Rykken, the St. Louis Park School Board vice chair, announced her resignation from the board on Wednesday, effective immediately due to personal and family commitments. The board's remaining six members will meet nest month to discuss how to fill the remainder of Rykken’s term, which expires in December of 2015.

The community is mourning the loss of Plymouth resident Barry Pankonin and remembering him for his cheerful approach.

Police say the woman was hit by a vehicle around 1:36 a.m. Thursday morning near the intersection of Weaver Lake Road and Main Street in Maple Grove.

The presumed Republican nominee made his way to the Twin Cities Thursday night at the Lafayette Club on Lake Minnetonka. He was greeted by reporters and protesters.

The beach on Medicine Lake at French Regional Park in Plymouth closed Aug. 22, 23 and part of Aug. 24 due to higher than average bacteria levels, but it reopened the afternoon of Aug. 24.

After winning a head-to-head competition at the Minnesota State Fair a year ago, Jennifer Folkens' Kemps Ice Cream creation is now a reality.