New Heights mayoral candidate
On December 19, Rachel James, a member of Columbia Heights’ City Council, announced her candidacy for the city’s Mayoral race.
“I am deeply grateful for (current Mayor
Amáda Marquez Simula’s) leadership in our city and throughout our region,” she wrote in a statement .
Simula has announced her intention to run for Representative in Minnesota House District 39B. The current Representative, Sanda Feist, announced in November that she plans to retire from the House at the end of her current term.
“With that same commitment to progress, collaboration, and innovation, I am proud to announce my candidacy for Mayor of Columbia Heights. I love this city. Over the past several years, I’ve seen us take tremendous steps toward becoming a more connected, vibrant, and forward-thinking community. I want to continue that momentum and ensure our city keeps moving in the right direction.”
Congratulations, students
On December 15, 2025, the latest class graduated from Minnesota State University-Mankato. Congratulations to Chiedozie Osigwe, of Columbia Heights, who graduated with a MS in Information Technology.
Congratulations to Minneapolis’ Jamal Adigun, who earned a Professional Science Master’s in Health Informatics and Analytics at Mankato; to Brayden Evenson, who earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing; and to Greta Thun, who earned a SPEC degree in Educational Leadership.
Congratulations to St. Anthony students as well: to Gemechis Benti, who earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing and graduated Summa Cum Laude; to Emma Bourgeois, who earned a Master’s of Science in Biology; to Mia Jax, who earned a GC Business Leadership degree and an MBA in Business Administration; and to Erin Przybilla, who graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s of Science in Alcohol and Drug Studies.