Metro briefs: Hennepin County launches new map with places to cool off

No AC during the latest sweltering heat wave? No sweat, says Hennepin County.

The county announced Friday that it was launching an online service to give residents tips on several public and private places where they can escape the heat and cool off this summer.

The new map, online at hennepin.us/cool, includes information about "cooling centers" such as libraries, recreation centers, movie theater and shopping malls across the county's 45 cities.

The service is a collaboration between Hennepin County Geographic Information Systems and Hennepin County Public Health, part of the county's larger initiative to make public information more usable for residents — and also a way for the county to get word out about the dangers of heat.

In Minnesota, as many as 51 people died from heat-related illnesses from 2000 to 2014, according to the state Department of Health.

KELLY SMITH

Eden Prairie Police Chief Rob Reynolds is retiring at the end of the month, when Deputy Chief Jim DeMann will take over the top job at the west metro department.

He assisted with the policing of the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul and the investigation three years ago into the disappearance of 24-year-old Mandy Matula.

Several metro-area cities recently have lost police chiefs to retirement, such as Minnetonka and St. Paul.

KELLY SMITH

Minneapolis park officials are ready to present what they know about water conditions at Hiawatha golf course, months after they last met with area residents and golfers.

A public meeting has been scheduled for 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 14, at Pearl Park, 414 E. Diamond Lake Road.

The studies take into account what would happen if pumping from stormwater ponds into adjacent Lake Hiawatha ceases; that pumping lacks a state permit.

Much of the 18-hole course was damaged by torrential rains that flooded the course two years ago this month. The front nine holes later reopened, and the back nine — described as playable but not in prime shape — opened Friday.

Schroeder said that specific recommendations for reconfiguring the course to adjust to water conditions are not ready. Some neighbors have pressed to use more of the course for non-golf recreation.

STEVE BRANDT

St. Paul's outdoor pools and Phalen Beach opened Saturday, and the city's Parks and Recreation officials were inviting residents to "get your splash on."

The pools offer splash pads, lap pools, children's pools, diving boards, climbing walls and water slides. Locker rooms and concessions are available.

At Como Pool, the splash pad will be open for Tot Time swimming from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Saturdays.

People who want to avoid admission lines can buy membership cards ahead of time at Oxford Community Center. Memberships can be used at any city aquatic facility and are available online as well.

For more information on pool times and prices, go to www.stpaul.gov/departments/parks-recreation/aquatics.