SCOTT COUNTY

A mobile public health clinic will be offering free services to Scott County residents from 2 to 6 p.m. Thursday in Savage.

The mobile clinic, which offers information on health and community resources, will be parked outside the Savage public library at 13090 Alabama Av. S. It is aimed at serving the uninsured or underinsured as well as those on medical assistance, a prepaid Medical Assistance Plan or MinnesotaCare who do not have a regular medical clinic.

A doctor and public health nurses will serve people with chronic conditions such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes, including giving out prescriptions. They also can connect them to a low-cost prescription drug program and affordable medical clinics.

To learn more, call Scott County Public Health at 952-496-8584.

SCOTT COUNTY

A sobering look at the farm economy in Scott County, depicting farmers sinking financially even as a fortune is spent to bring in food from afar, is now available for viewing on the Internet.

The presentation was given by Ken Meter to the second annual meeting in New Prague last month of the Local Harvest Alliance, a group striving to preserve local farming within the county. Meter is with the Crossroads Resource Center in Minneapolis,

Farmers are losing millions each year, he reported, at the same time as local residents spend hundreds of millions buying food from more distant sources. He offers ideas on ways to bridge that gap, including harnessing the buying power of school districts' lunch programs.

The presentation -- a large file that could take some time to download -- can be found at www.crcworks.org/crcppts/kmlha10.pdf.

DAKOTA COUNTY/ ROSEMOUNT

Lessons in ancient writing and the evolution of the alphabet will be offered at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Robert Trail Library in Rosemount.

The "Alphabet Adventure" program will offer insights into 10 different cultures and their writing. Participants also will learn about the evolution of the alphabet "from caves to clay to cursive," according to a library notice on the event.

At 2 p.m., children ages 5 to 12 will have a chance to try their hand at ancient writing techniques. There will be opportunities to draw hieroglyphics on papyrus and make imprints of ancient cuneiform letters on a clay tablet.

More information is available online at www.dakotacounty.us/library.

ROSEMOUNT

The city of Rosemount now has an online reporting form that residents can use to submit maintenance requests to the public works department.

The form, available online at www. ci.rosemount.us, can be used to report potholes, vandalism to city property, playground maintenance and damage from snowplowing. The requests will be compiled in an internal tracking system used by work crews.

Requests also will be accepted by telephone.

SHAKOPEE

Scott County's historical society in Shakopee has been given a grant to gather and publish oral histories of World War II from a generation that is now rapidly passing from the scene.

Drawing from funds generated by the 2008 Legacy Amendment approved by state voters, the Minnesota Historical Society awards committee approved a Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grant of $6,770 to help support the county's WWII Veteran Manuscript project.

The project involves collecting oral histories from local residents. Launched in 2006, it's aimed at military experiences, life on the home front and local connections to major battles and historic figures. A manuscript is to be complete by November.

SOUTH METRO

The Minnesota Valley Transit Authority has bestowed "Driver of the Year" honors on Joni Hamilton and Tony Carlisle.

The awards were given at a recognition dinner Feb. 24 where MVTA also gave a special award to Jesse Borchowiec for his efforts training bus drivers.

Hamilton, of Burnsville, drives full-time for Schmitty & Sons Transit, the company MVTA contracts with for service. She came to the company in 2008 and primarily drives on routes 426, 441 and 445. Riders on the 426 route have been particularly complimentary of her, writing to MVTA saying that she is "pleasant, courteous and knows how to communicate with people."

Carlisle, of Eagan, has been driving for Schmitty & Sons for about five years, servicing a variety of routes. He got into bus driving after a 20-year career in television writing and production. MVTA customers praised his friendly greetings and safe driving.

The special award for Borchowiec, of Lakeville, recognized his work training other drivers. He worked his way up to that position after being a bus driver himself. Drivers have complimented his professionalism, attention to detail and enthusiasm.

STAFF REPORTS