Celebrate Wildlife at the 30th Annual Wildlife Festival!
Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, in partnership with the Friends of Sherburne, invites families, nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts to celebrate the 30th Annual Wildlife Festival on Saturday, September 27, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Oak Savanna Learning Center. This free, family-friendly event celebrates National Wildlife Refuge Week (Oct. 11–18), Urban National Wildlife Refuge Day (Oct. 11) and National Public Lands Day (Sept. 27) while showcasing the incredible wildlife and habitats
Elk River Walmart unveils remodeled supercenter
By Jim Boyle, EditorElk River Star NewsAug 26, 2025 The Elk River community joined local and regional Walmart officials on Aug. 15 to celebrate the newly remodeled Elk River Walmart Supercenter with a program and ribbon-cutting ceremony in the store’s garden center. The morning event included check presentations to local nonprofit organizations, food trucks, vendor mascots and free samples for customers. Store manager Adam Luck emceed the 9 a.m. ceremony. He used the moment to thank his management team,
Janet McCarty named Elk River’s 2025 Volunteer of the Year
By Jim Boyle Editor July 29, 2025 Updated Aug 4, 2025Elk River Star News Janet McCarty has been named the 2025 Elk River Volunteer of the Year. She joins Dave Anderson and Donita Grell, who received the honor in 2023 and 2024, respectively. Elk River Mayor John Dietz, who founded the Volunteer of the Year Award, announced McCarty as the winner during Elk RiverFest at Orono Park, shortly before Audio Circus took the stage for the final concert on July 26. The selection committee included Debbi
Citizen's Academy Application
Citizen's Academy is designed to help strengthen the partnership between public safety professionals and the community by sharing information and promoting a better understanding of public safety services. Applications are now being accepted until 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.Fall 2025 SessionTuesday eveningsSeptember 30 - October 286:00 - 9:00 p.m.For adults 21 years or older Topics include: Use of force, investigative functions, firearms and range shooting, ride-along, patrol functions,
Enterprise Academy for Sherburne/Wright Counties
Sherburne/Wright County Entrepreneurs: Apply Now! The Initiative Foundation is accepting applications for a September-December Enterprise Academy cohort in Sherburne/Wright counties. Enterprise Academy is the single-largest early-stage entrepreneur training program in Central Minnesota. At the heart of the program is a 12-week business course that provides training and individualized advising to help underserved entrepreneurs start and grow small businesses.What You Will Learn Enterprise Academy is the
Cyclists pedal 500 miles for River of Life Church expansion
Elk River Star News A group of cyclists pulled into River of Life Church in Elk River on Aug. 3, having just completed a 500-mile trek from the church to Duluth and back to raise money for the church’s “Expand the House” initiative. Each rider trained and raised funds to support the first phase of a three-part expansion project, which will begin with new space for children’s ministries, including classrooms, an indoor playground and sensory room. Ten cyclists, including seven who completed the entire
Living Waters Church has opened an expanded restroom
Elk River, MN – Living Waters Church in Elk River has opened an expanded restroom featuring a public universal changing table for both children and adults with disabilities—the closest facility of its kind is 38 miles away. According to the Changing Spaces Campaign, fewer than 20% of public buildings in the U.S. offer adult-sized changing tables. The restroom is open to the public Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., and during Sunday services. Church leaders say the project aims to raise awareness of a
How to Start and Run a Successful Home Services Business
Starting a home services business isn’t just about knowing your craft—it’s about building something that works when you’re not watching. The right client base, the right tools, and the right decisions early on can mean the difference between a steady calendar and a mess of cancellations. You need rhythm. From the first booking to your tenth month of recurring customers, every choice you make becomes muscle memory in your business. This isn’t about turning wrenches; it’s about building an operation that
Union Congregational Church to celebrate 150th with homecoming
Union Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, in Elk River is inviting the community to join its 150th anniversary celebration Sept. 13–14 with a weekend of food, music, and reflection. With the theme “Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, and Embracing the Future,” the two-day homecoming event will blend fellowship, entertainment and worship, said the Rev. Nora P. Elliott, pastor of Union Church. The celebration begins Saturday, Sept. 13, with a family-friendly BBQ dinner from 5:30 to
The end of the line for Northstar rail service will be Jan. 5, 2026
A Metropolitan Council Committee of the Whole heard an update Wednesday, Aug. 6, regarding the plans to cease service of the Northstar Commuter Rail Line. They were told the last train will bring Vikings fans home on Jan. 3 or 4, 2026, depending on when the game against the Green Bay Packers is played. The last commuter train service will be provided on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. Craig Lamothe, director of the Northstar transition for Metro Transit, and Adam Harrington, director of service development for
