Bloomington

Crosswalk coming near Washburn

The city of Bloomington will install pedestrian-activated warning signs at a newly created crosswalk on W. 84th Street at Thomas Avenue, east of the Washburn Elementary School driveway.

A rapid flashing beacon will be activated when pedestrians want to cross W. 84th Street at the new crosswalk, which is scheduled to be installed in 2014.

Funding for the project comes from the Minnesota Department of Health's Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP). Bloomington has been a SHIP partner since 2009 and has worked with Bloomington Public Schools to develop a comprehensive Safe Routes to School (SRTS) plan for students who wish to walk or bike to school.

The Bloomington Safe Routes to School work group, which includes Bloomington community members along with city and school district employees, is helping to develop the SRTS Plan.

Robbinsdale

Students picked for exchange program

About two dozen Armstrong High School students have been selected to participate in the Kakahashi/New Youth Exchange Program and will leave for Japan on Monday.

Armstrong was awarded an $82,500 grant to participate in the Japanese government program. The grant covers airfare, lodging, meals and travel within Japan. Students will stay with host families.

While in Japan, students will visit schools and give presentations about Armstrong. Many of the students traveling to Japan as part of the program take Japanese language classes at Armstrong or are enrolled in 11th grade world history classes. They must have at least a 3.0 grade-point average and have a strong interest in Japanese culture.

Japanese students participating in the program are expected to visit Armstrong in the future.

Cooper debate team wins national honors

Graduating senior Celisia Stanton from Cooper High School took home third-place honors in the nation in the Lincoln-Douglas debate.

Her finish topped Cooper's previous two trips to the national tournament. Stanton will receive a scholarship from Lincoln Financial Group as a result of her performance.

Cooper student Claire Peavy also competed at the national tournament, and ­Cooper Debate Team received a Debate School of Honor award.