Teen Fights For Her Life, Bachmann and Car Chases: Pick of Our Patches

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

Flu-Stricken SLP High School Student Has '50-50' Chance: WCCO

She was sickened Christmas Eve and is struggling for her life at Minneapolis Children's Hospital, WCCO reported.

VIDEO: ‘This is Drama:’ Bachmann Blasts Obama's 'Cynical' Pay Hike for Congress

The congresswoman introduced legislation to rescind the increase, and called the raise a "cynical effort on the part of the president." 

Updated: Police Chase Stolen Car Through Golden Valley And St. Louis Park

Brooklyn Center police say two suspects led officers down Highway 169 before they were arrested near Minnetonka Boulevard.

Woman Charged with Leading Eden Prairie Police on High-Speed Chase

Police say My Thi Do of Shakopee fled through residential neighborhoods at speeds that reached 60 mph.

POLL: Should You Know Which Homes Have Guns?

An article-gone-viral by The Journal News in White Plains, NY has sparked debate about whether gun permits should be public records.

Plymouth and Maple Grove Open Renovated Shooting Range

Two cities team up to operate a shooting range for law enforcement agencies. The range will be open to the public two days a week. Opening day is set for Jan. 8.

PHOTOS: Who Are Cuter—Vikings Or Packers Fans?

Submit a photo of your child or pet in Green Bay or Minnesota gear in honor of this weekend's game.

Photos: 2013 Lake Minnetonka Ice Dive

Hundreds of people rang in 2013 with a Jan. 1 dip in the icy waters of Lake Minnetonka. Have a photo from this year's ice dive? Post them below by using the upload button and share them with the community!

And Edina's 2012 Person of the Year Is...

The people have spoken: Alec Fischer is Edina Patch’s 2012 Person of the Year. Alec is a 2012 Edina High School graduate and director of the documentary film Minnesota Nice?

Reach and Restore to Lose Current Facility

Hopkins nonprofit Reach and Restore learned just before the holiday that its landlord would not be renewing its lease. The organization had a three-year, reduced-rate lease, but the tenant next door wants to expand into Reach and Restore’s space. Now the organization must be out of its current location by March 31.

New Maple Grove Businesses in 2013

A look at some of the new businesses that are reportedly opening in Maple Grove during 2013.

Should Richfield Go to a Single Garbage Hauler System?

While the item isn't on the city council's agenda, it has been looked at before and will likely be again. Residents' opinions are mixed, with most expressing feelings against changing the current system. Where do you stand?

Could Big Corporation Muscle In On Local Nonprofit?

Zipcar is bought by the Avis rental car company, putting locally-grown car sharing nonprofit HOURCAR in direct competition with the car rental giant.

Watch this clip from surveillance video during what authorities say was a strong-arm robbery Sunday at a Coon Rapids jewelry store in which the suspect grabbed a $15,000 diamond ring.