Dakota County briefs: Bike trails at Lebanon Hills reopen

The mountain bike trails in Lebanon Hills Regional Park have reopened after volunteers repaired segments and bridges that suffered flood damage following the recent record rainfall.

At the west trailhead, 860 Cliff Road, Eagan, a 65-foot segment of bridge used for mountain biking was beneath 16 inches of water, forcing Dakota County parks staff to close the surrounding miles of trail.

Fifteen volunteers with Minnesota Off Road Cyclists (MORC) spent six hours over the course of two nights performing maintenance on the trail so that it could be reopened. That included raising the bridge onto cement posts purchased by MORC so the bridge would be clear of the water.

The west trailhead area of the park offers more than 12 miles of single track trails for beginner, intermediate, advanced and expert mountain bike trail riders. The trails are free to bike and hike.

For more information about MORC, visit www.morcmtb.org.

For updates on trail conditions throughout the Dakota County system, visit www.dakotacounty.us/parks and search trail conditions.

Dakota County

Volunteers sought for recycling assistance

Dakota County is looking for volunteers to help with the collection of food waste and related paper products at the Dakota County Fair so that it can be recycled as compost.

Volunteers are needed at waste stations throughout the fairgrounds to help instruct the public on what to recycle and highlight why recycling is important. Volunteers get free admission to the fair on the day of their shift.

To sign up, visit http://tinyurl.com/nz3mjsy.

The fair will be Aug. 4 through 10 at the fairgrounds, 4008 220th St. W., Farmington.

For more information about volunteering, contact call 952-891-7017 or steve.pincuspy@co.dakota.mn.us.

Opening is created on library board

Beth Jenson Prouty, representing Apple Valley on the Dakota County Library Board, has resigned.

The County Board last week agreed to take steps to fill the vacancy.

The seven member board, all appointees of county commissioners, meets monthly.

Burnsville

Police academy offers peek at a cop's life

Burnsville is offering a police academy for members of the public to learn more about police operations.

The free class is open to persons 18 years and older. It will be offered Thursday nights from Sept. 4 to Nov. 12 at City Hall, 100 Civic Center Parkway.

The class is limited to 24 participants, who must live or work in Burnsville.

To participate, fill out an application online at www.burnsville.org/citizensacademy and return it to the Burnsville Police Department no later than Aug. 9.

Boating restriction lifted on Crystal Lake

Dropping water levels have allowed the "Slow NO Wake" restrictions to be lifted on Crystal Lake in Burnsville.

The temporary ban kept boaters from traveling fast enough to create a wake.

For more information contact the city's Natural Resources Department, 952-895-4550.

Burnsville woman gets volunteer award

Tami Jensen of Burnsville has received the 2014 American Red Cross Northern Minnesota Region's volunteer of the Year award.

During the past year, Jensen completed several projects that have improved disaster response capability for Red Cross. The projects include organizing the Red Cross warehouse and building shelter kits.

She helped the Red Cross better respond quickly during disaster response and recovery," officials said.

Comprised of six community chapters, the Northern Minnesota Region serves 4.3 million people in 45 counties in Minnesota and three in western Wisconsin. Chapters are located in Minneapolis, Duluth, Bemidji, Alexandria, St. Cloud, and Bayport.