SAVAGE

Water tower to lose horse, color

Savage's lone blue water tower, the one with the likeness of a horse, is losing its distinctive look.

Over the next 10 weeks, the landmark north of 138th Street and Woodhill Park is being repainted in a color known as "Sahara," same as the others around town.

The city's name will go on two sides but the image of a horse and cart — alluding to the celebrated racehorse Dan Patch, who trained in Savage — will vanish.

The mechanical system on the tower, built in 1995, also will be upgraded. This required draining the 500,000-gallon tower and diverting flow to another reservoir, which will serve customers at a change in water pressure that should be slight to zero, city officials promise.

Antennas for companies that lease space for wireless communication have been relocated.

Drop off school supplies for needy students

Savage city workers are hosting a school supply drive for kids in Scott and Carver counties who are less able than others to turn up in class with a pile of purchased goods.

Items will be collected through Aug. 11 at City Hall, 6000 McColl Drive; the public works building, 13770 Dakota Av.; and city liquor stores, including Marketplace, 8200 County Road 42, and Dan Patch, 4425 W. 123rd St.

Items must be new and can include blue, black and red pens, colored pencils, crayons, dry-erase markers, blunt-edged scissors, pencils, markers, pencil cases, erasers, rulers, folders, glue, loose-leaf paper, spiral notebooks and scientific calculators.

SHAKOPEE

Find out how the cops really work

Shakopee's annual Citizen Police Academy starts this fall, and you're invited to apply.

The free course takes place Thursday evenings from Sept. 12 to Oct. 17 and is open to "anyone who lives, works or has a vested interest in Shakopee and who wishes to experience the many facets of law enforcement as encountered by Shakopee officers."

The hands-on approach includes Taser demonstrations, SWAT team talks, DWI enforcement, a jail tour, critical-incident scenarios and a briefing on a homicide.

Applicants must be 21 or older and pass a background check. Applications are due by Sept. 2. To learn more, go to www.ci.shakopee.mn.us/pd_citizenpoliceacademy.cfm or contact the Crime Prevention Unit at 952-233-9441.

SCOTT COUNTY

Story trailer will be open at county fair

The Scott County Historical Society will once again invite county fairgoers to share stories about the history of the area in an innovative "story trailer" equipped with high-tech gear.

"Stories are the meat and potatoes of history," the society stresses. "They remind us of who we are and what we experienced. They are instructive, emotional, entertaining and very difficult to preserve."

The trailer will be at the fair through this weekend. Folks who are game to help out will wind up with their stories on a CD they can take home.

To learn more, call 952-445-0378 or e-mail info@scottcountyhistory.org.

Scott County wins military recognition

Scott County is getting an award for its support of the National Guard.

The county jail has had full-time staff deployed during 2012 and 2013, helping earn the county what's called an Above and Beyond Award.

The award goes to local employers "who have gone above and beyond the legal requirements of the [law] by providing their Guard and Reserve employees additional, non-mandated benefits," county officials said.

PRIOR LAKE

Shakopee tribe's dance show will be Aug. 15

Folks who are more at ease checking out native dancing at a mall rather than venturing onto a reservation can find an exhibition next month at the Mall of America. Singers and dancers will perform for free in the mall rotunda on Aug. 15.

Dancers will be from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community and other tribes throughout the United States. Performances are at 2 and 5 p.m.

A master of ceremonies will explain what is happening as drum groups sing traditional songs connected to each style of dance.

A traditional teepee will be erected in the Sears Court.