Metro briefs: New position at Medical Examiner's Office in Ramsey tries to keep up with growing workload

County officials voted March 26 to appoint Gary Alberts, who for years has worked as the office's part-time administrator, to the role.

Alberts will earn about $157,000, according to his new contract.

Since the Ramsey facility opened in 2009, the office has expanded its medical examiner work from eight counties to contracting with more than 20 in recent years — growth that Alberts has helped foster, county officials said.

It's now one of the largest medical examiner's offices in the state.

Hannah Covington

The Three Rivers Park District has received an Environmental Innovation Award for a series of educational programs about climate change held in Three Rivers parks.

The award was presented by the Minnesota Environmental Initiative, a nonprofit organization that works with business, nonprofit and government leaders to develop collaborative solutions to Minnesota's environmental problems.

Climate Conversations is a two-year series presented in Three Rivers parks to discuss how changing climate is affecting parks and natural resources.

The Three Rivers Park District serves suburban Hennepin, Carver, Dakota, Scott and Ramsey counties.

KATY READ

Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community staff members returned Monday from the Santee Sioux Nation reservation in northeastern Nebraska, an area hit hard by flooding.

The Prior Lake-based tribe sent its mobile medical unit there to provide basic medical care after the Santee Sioux Nation's health clinic flooded. The two staff members also brought supplies, donating a total of 12,468 freeze-dried meals and 4,320 bottles of water.

"We are the mother tribe of the Shakopee so we were very grateful to see them extend a helping hand," he said.

Erin Adler

Voters in May Township voted this month to combine the positions of township clerk and treasurer.

Of the 74 people who voted in the township election, nearly three-fourths supported the measure.

"The notion of combining the positions provides the town with more flexibility," said Bill Voedisch, the township's board chairman.