Minneapolis tornado | The UpTake

Energy

Disaster Turned Into Opportunity in North Minneapolis

By Allison Herrera | September 20, 2012

Minneapolis’ Green Homes North project aims to build 100 ecological homes in North Minneapolis that are based on green standards and do it with local minority and women contractors and locally-sourced green products.

Economy/Jobs

Occupy-backed Homeowner Wins Renegotiated Mortgage

By Jacob Wheeler | July 27, 2012

Ruby Brown, a North Minneapolis hairdresser and pillar of her church community, won a renegotiated mortgage from Bank of America this week — just days before her home was to be auctioned off in a sheriff’s sale.

Minnesota

From Cookbooks to Tornado Memoir: Northside Survivor Tells All in “Twisted”

By Jacob Wheeler | June 6, 2012

A year after the North Minneapolis tornado that caused $150,000 worth of damage to Marie and Michael Porter’s home, Marie found a unique way to deal with the trauma and tell her story. She published a book called Twisted: A Minneapolis Tornado Memoir.

Media

What Brought MPR’s Live Coverage to North Minneapolis

By Jacob Wheeler | May 23, 2012

Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) News set up shop and broadcast live at the University of Minnesota Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center (U-ROC) Tuesday for the one-year anniversary of the North Minneapolis tornado.

Economy/Jobs

NCRT Didn’t “Wander in Circles” Following North Minneapolis Tornado, Says Louis King

By Jacob Wheeler | May 23, 2012

Following last year’s May 22 tornado that devastated North Minneapolis, a coalition of nearly 60 local organizations came together to form the Northside Community Response Team (NCRT) to confront both the short-term and long-term needs.

Environment

Compiling Personal Stories Of The Minneapolis Tornado

By Jacob Wheeler | May 23, 2012

The Stuart Pimsler Dance & Theater company has undertaken a community connections program called “Temporary Shelters: Tales from the Minneapolis Tornado” — to tell the stories of people who survived the North Minneapolis tornado.

Education

“You can fix a building, but emotional scars remain”-Mayor Rybak On Tornado Recovery

By Jacob Wheeler | May 23, 2012

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak reflected on the anniversary of the North Minneapolis tornado that fixing a building is easy compared to healing someone’s emotional scars following a traumatic event.

Education

Releasing North Minneapolis Tornado Anxiety and Pain Through Balloons

By Jacob Wheeler | May 23, 2012

Students at Lucy Laney School in North Minneapolis released 200 blue balloons into the air, thereby freeing themselves of the anxiety and pain that the community has carried since the May 22 tornado.

Minnesota

Insurance, Contractor Headaches Haunt Minneapolis Tornado Victims

By Allison Herrera | May 22, 2012

Eric Reichwald’s home in North Minneapolis suffered over $60,000 worth of damage. He claims an enormous contractor and insurance headache after the fact.

Minnesota

Tornado And Foreclosure Double Whammy For Minneapolis Homeowner

By Allison Herrera | May 22, 2012

A tornado and a foreclosure fight has chased Homeowner Gwendolyn Onikoro has been chased from Minneapolis’ North side.

Minnesota

“There’s so much good on the north side”

By Jacob Wheeler | May 22, 2012

Natasha Mitchell misses North Minneapolis. The 38-year-old mother of two had to leave the neighborhood after the house they were renting was struck by last year’s tornado, leaving serious water and mold damage in every corner.

MN

Neighbors Helping Neighbors, Across Downed Power Lines, Broken Trees

By Jacob Wheeler | May 22, 2012

A lot has been done, but there’s more to do to recover from the Minneapolis tornado that happened one year ago. Residents on the 3000 block of Logan in North Minneapolis were among many who came to each other’s aid following the May 22 tornado.

Minnesota

Northside Resident says, “Thank You Habitat for Humanity!”

By Allison Herrera | May 22, 2012

Robert Mcclennon had insurance at the time of the May 22nd tornado, but not enough to repair the damage. Habitat for Humanity stepped in. And, for that he is grateful.

Economy/Jobs

One Year After Storm, a Void in North Minneapolis

By Jacob Wheeler | May 21, 2012

Many of DeWayne Thornton’s North Minneapolis neighbors left for Brooklyn Center or other parts of the Twin Cities following the tornado. Others are living day-to-day in shelters on the South Side of Chicago.

Minnesota

Lack of Liquor Store Reduces Crime in North Minneapolis Neighborhood

By Jacob Wheeler | May 16, 2012

One year after the tornado that ravaged North Minneapolis, things are looking up for Anthony and Shemeika Strong. The absence of the Broadway Liquor Outlet has also been a blessing for their neighborhood.

Economy/Jobs

Does North Minneapolis Need Pie in the Sky Ideas or Roofs Overhead?

By Jacob Wheeler | April 25, 2012

Nearly a year after the tornado that ripped through North Minneapolis, opinions vary greatly on what the poverty-stricken community needs most from local and state government. Should the City introduce “pie in the sky” ideas or focus on more immediate problems?

Economy/Jobs

Saving North High School, Preserving a Community Stalwart

By Jacob Wheeler | October 13, 2011

When administrators revealed a plan last spring to shut down North High School — one of only two public schools on Minneapolis’ embattled north side — MN Neighborhoods Organizing for Change and other activists answered the call.

Economy/Jobs

Kindred Kitchen Empowers North Minneapolis Through Food

By Jacob Wheeler | October 5, 2011

North Minneapolis food entrepreneurs use Kindred Kitchen to learn about starting their own business, making their food safely and legally in a commercial kitchen, and marketing it within the community.

Economy/Jobs

“We’re Treated like Bums” Despite Holding Jobs, Paying Taxes

By Jacob Wheeler | August 20, 2011

After their home in North Minneapolis was destroyed by the May 22 tornado, Dennis and Deborah were forced to seek refuge in the local Armory and at the North Commons Recreation Center. For weeks, they and their five children slept on cots on the floor of a gymnasium.

Economy/Jobs

“I’m sure I need it worse than you, because I have nothing.”

By Jacob Wheeler | August 4, 2011

Her home destroyed and now condemned, north Minneapolis tornado victim Joyce Chineth feels abandoned by the system.

Economy/Jobs

“Not only is it an injustice to us, but this neighborhood.”

By Jacob Wheeler | August 1, 2011

North Minneapolis resident Leonard and his family live in a house with broken windows near the corner of Knox and Lowry. For a month after the May 22 tornado that devastated the neighborhood, their gas was still turned off. Nevertheless, their landlord continues to force Leonard’s mother to pay rent, under threat of court action.

Economy/Jobs

“They’re Trying to Make us Homeless!”

By Chuck Olsen | July 26, 2011

North Minneapolis resident DeWayne refuses to leave his home on Logan Avenue, which was damaged during the May 22 tornado, but which is still structurally sound and safe. The City of Minneapolis condemned the house and urged DeWayne and his children to go to a shelter.

Education

Rybak Sees Solution in North Minneapolis Neighbors Helping Neighbors

By Jacob Wheeler | June 21, 2011

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak talked to The UpTake’s Chuck Olsen at Netroots Nation about the Minneapolis Promise, the mayor’s plan to export Minnesota’s crazy politicians (and keep the sane ones) and how he will appeal to the White House for federal aid for North Minneapolis, which was ravaged by a tornado on May 22.

DC

Minneapolis Seeks Tornado Damage Help

By Jacob Wheeler | June 21, 2011

U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) met with Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and Minneapolis City Council President Barbara Johnson in Washington, D.C. to discuss the aftermath of the tornado that hit North Minneapolis on May 22 and caused millions of dollars in damage and resulted in the death of two Minnesotans.

Environment

Revitalizing North Minneapolis in the Wake of the Tornado

By Jacob Wheeler | June 18, 2011

Following the spring tornado that wrought destruction on North Minneapolis, local activist Anthony Newby stopped by Netroots Nation to tell The UpTake about systemic problems facing the community, and how local citizens are finding solutions.