News & Views of Phillips Since 1976
Sunday December 21st 2025
Tales from Pioneers & Soldiers Cemetery: 207th in a Series
City Leaders at an Impasse, Garbage Piles Grow
In the cemetery’s early years, the city’s center was located near what is now the intersection of Hennepin and Washington Avenues. A visit to the cemetery was regarded as a day-long excursion. Over the next 50-75 years the city moved steadily southward and the land around the cemetery, and on occasion the cemetery itself, had been involved in disputes over land use near Lake Street. The most obvious dispute came to a head in the late 19-teens, early 19-twenties, when an effort was made to vacate parts of the cemetery and develop the land for commercial purposes. More recently, in the mid-1960s, one City Council Member, most likely unaware that there are 22,000 people buried there, floated the idea that the cemetery would make an ideal location for the new South High School. Both ideas failed.
In 1938, one of the city’s biggest problems was garbage. Hundreds of stories, many of them on the front page, appeared in the local papers as local politicians struggled to find a solution to the problem.… Read the rest “Tales from Pioneers & Soldiers Cemetery: 207th in a Series”
From the Desk of State Representative Hodan Hassan
By HODAN HASSAN, District: 62B
Hi neighbors, State Representative Hodan Hassan here. It is an honor and privilege to represent you at the State Capitol as your House Representative. For some of you, I have been your representative for the last four years; for others, I am your new representative because of recent district boundary changes. These changes now include Phillips as part of district 62B. I want to take this time to introduce myself and the work I intend to do for you in the next two years.
By trade, I am a social worker and a mental health clinician who found herself in politics when I saw a need in my community for strong representation. I am a mother of two wonderful kids, my youngest being three years old. So when I say I understand the struggles our families are facing with childcare expenses skyrocketing, food prices being unreasonable, and gas prices out of reach, it is an understatement.
After weathering the worst of the COVID pandemic, the murder of George Floyd, and the civil unrest followed by a period of safety concerns and instability, our community continues to face many challenges. I strongly believe that our state is in a strong position to address the urgent needs facing Minnesotans, and we must do the work to expand economic opportunities and build a state that works better for everyone.… Read the rest “From the Desk of State Representative Hodan Hassan”
Keep citizen journalism alive!
Something I Said: 3 Pound Cats
By DWIGHT HOBBES
3 Pound Cats partners with clinics to provide seniors affordable pet care. A true godsend. After all, who is hit harder in these tough economic times? Yet nonetheless need to safeguard our furry, four-footed loved ones? Do a little price comparison at just a few animal hospitals and the picture comes into focus. For a still clearer idea, visit 3poundcats.com.
“I originally was trying to place 3 rescue – or pound – cats into assisted living facilities”, recalls owner-operator Dr. Marie Louderback, DVM (call her Dr. Marie). “To get the cats out of the shelters and into homes with people to love them and pet them!” So, she isn’t only giving elders a break but has a heart for homeless would-be pets. Yes, including dogs.
Ani-Meals executive director Melanie La Pointe remembers how she met 3 Pound Cats. “When I was unemployed and had 3 little dogs to take care of, my groomer introduced me to Dr. Marie. She helped me keep them healthy. When I got involved with Ani-Meals, I figured out a way to get grants to pay for vet care for my clients and she was the logical person to provide it.… Read the rest “Something I Said: 3 Pound Cats”