To place an obituary, please email the following information to [email protected]. Note that obituaries cannot be placed through our website. For any questions, contact our obituary desk at 651-228-5263.
**General Information:**
– Your full name
– Address (City, State, Zip Code)
– Phone number
– Alternate phone number (if any)
**Obituary Specifications:**
– Name of deceased
– Obituary text
– Photo in JPEG or PDF format is preferable; TIF and other formats are also accepted. We will contact you if there are any issues with the photo.
– Ad run dates (Discounts apply for multi-day runs if scheduled on the first run date. Photos must be included for all days to qualify for the discount. Contact us for details.)
**Policies:**
*Verification of Death:*
To publish an obituary, we require the name and phone number of the funeral home or cremation society handling the arrangements. We must verify the death by contacting them during business hours. If the deceased donated their body to the University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program, or a similar program, please provide their phone number for verification. A death certificate is also acceptable as verification. Either the funeral home/cremation society contact or the death certificate must be provided.
*Guestbook and Outside Websites:*
We do not allow references to other media sources for guestbooks or obituaries in print and online. However, websites for funeral homes or family emails for contact can be included. Contact us with any questions.
**Obituary Process:**
Once you submit your obituary, we will send a proof via fax or email for your review prior to publication. This proof will include pricing and scheduled dates. Please review carefully and notify us of any changes before the deadlines. We are not responsible for errors after final proof approval.
Changes to online obituaries can be managed through the obituary desk. Call us for help.
**Payment Procedure:**
Pre-payment is required before publication. After approval of the proof, please call 651-228-5263 with your payment information.
Payment options:
– Credit Card (by phone only due to PCI regulations)
– EFT (provide routing and account numbers by phone)
– Cash (accepted at our front counter Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM)
**Rates:**
– Minimum charge: $162 for the first 10 lines
– Each additional line for the first run: $12.20
– Any ad under 10 lines is charged the minimum $162
– Second run date lines: $8.20 per line starting from the first line
– Photos: $125 per photo per day
(Example: 20 lines on first run = $164; 2 photos on 2 days = $500)
**Deadlines:**
Please adhere strictly to deadline times (no exceptions) to ensure your obituary runs on the requested date.
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### Memoriam (Non-Obituary) Requests
Memoriam submissions are tributes remembering loved ones and have separate rates. For details, contact us at 651-228-5280 or email [email protected]. Our office hours are Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (closed weekends and holidays).
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### Community Support for Washington County Food Shelves
Several Washington County nonprofits that aid the hungry are receiving assistance amid the government shutdown that halted Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in November.
At a special meeting, the Washington County Board of Commissioners approved $250,000 in one-time funding for 10 local food shelves serving area communities. Approximately 10,400 residents (around 5,000 households) receive SNAP benefits in Washington County, with an average benefit of about $5 per day or $310 per month.
Jennifer Castillo, Director of Community Services, acknowledged the challenge but highlighted the county’s ability to respond swiftly and compassionately.
The shutdown has also impacted federal workers who are furloughed or working without pay, leading to increased demand at food shelves. Open Cupboard’s Executive Director, Jessica Francis, reported a significant rise in demand over several days.
The funding allocations for the food shelves are as follows:
– Open Cupboard: $75,000
– Basic Needs: $37,500
– Valley Outreach: $37,500
– Family Pathways: $37,500
– Friends in Need: $18,750
– Hugo Good Neighbors: $18,750
– St. Andrew’s Community Resource Center: $6,250
– Community Helping Hands: $6,250
– Mahtomedi Area Food Shelf: $6,250
– Scandia Marine Food Shelf (Elim Lutheran Church): $6,250
Allocations consider organization size, traffic volume, nearby communities, and proximity to SNAP households. This funding supplements a $4 million state aid announced by Governor Tim Walz.
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### Assistance in Other Counties
**Dakota County:**
Dakota County urges residents to support local food shelves via donations or volunteering, as about 10,000 residents face a lapse in SNAP benefits. The county is actively raising awareness through social media and other campaigns.
**Ramsey County:**
Ramsey County has yet to announce specific plans. However, Catholic Charities is offering free community meals and other support services at the Dorothy Day Place campus. More info is available at cctwincities.org.
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### Federal Court Developments
A Boston federal judge is considering an emergency funding request from 25 Democratic-led states, including Minnesota, to continue SNAP benefits during the shutdown. U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani indicated support for emergency funds despite acknowledging potential delays or reduced benefit amounts.
Her remarks included, “If you don’t have money, you tighten your belt… You are not going to make everyone drop dead because it’s a political game someplace.”
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Reporters Imani Cruzen, Mars King, and Frederick Melo contributed to this report.
https://www.twincities.com/2025/10/31/washington-county-board-approves-one-time-funding-for-area-food-shelves/