Officials Sticking With Stoner Avenue

Officials in a Minnesota town have shelved plans to change the name of Stoner Avenue, despite having about 15 of the street’s signs stolen each year. The Bemidji City Council put plans to change the name of the street on hold after residents complained it would force them to update their driver’s licenses and other documents, including bank records. Council members said they will instead seek options for making the signs less prone to theft. City officials said about 10 of the signs currently need to be replaced. Theft of the signs has cost the city about $20,000 during the past decade. The avenue was named for 19th century area surveyor Marcus Stoner.