SAVAGE

New headaches for drivers on Hwy. 13

The ease in reaching downtown Savage from Hwy. 13 changed drastically this week and will stay changed, for the most part, permanently.

As part of a plan to turn Hwy. 13 into a faster-flowing major highway and less of a local road, four streets that had been accessable with left turns going westbound will be cut off. Most will stay shut off.

Installation of storm sewers and work on the concrete median is the immediate cause for the changes, officials say. Traffic will go to just one lane in each direction for that work, and westbound motorists won't be allowed to cross over to Quentin, Princeton, Ottawa or Natchez avenues.

The only one that will reopen is Quentin, around the end of April or beginning of May. Drivers will still be able to make right turns at all of them. There's no change to nearby Lynn Avenue, either.

The entire project around the Hwy. 13/Hwy. 101 intersection should be done this year. To learn more, go to www.cityofsavage.com/ engineering-projects.

SOUTH METRO

Yikes! Stoplights back at 169 & 494 till fall

One of the hated stoplights at the Hwy. 169/I-494 interchange in Bloomington is being reinstalled -- for a while.

Motorists on northbound 169 in Bloomington and Edina are being warned to expect delays, but also assured that none of the other lights will return.

The signal, located on northbound 169 just north of I-494, is needed because of a change in traffic flow that's required as part of the construction project at the interchange. The signal is to stay in place through this fall.

All traffic has shifted to northbound lanes so southbound lanes can be reconstructed. The merge lane from westbound I-494 to Hwy. 169 north will remain out of use during the shift, and the signal will allow traffic heading in that direction to get onto northbound 169.

The overall project aims to turn an "expressway" into a "freeway," with smooth-flowing traffic and no stoplights.

To learn more, call the project's hotline at 1-877-563-4768, e-mail Hwy169-I494@rranow.com or go to www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/169/.

SCOTT COUNTY

Millions to be saved in jail refinancing

Scott County expects to save more than $4 million by refinancing its law enforcement center.

The County Board last week approved a bond refunding scheme that is estimated to save $230,000 annually over the remaining 19 years, or a total of $4.37 million.

The first bite of that occurs in 2014, officials said, and should amount to about $98,000, depending on the interest rates at the time the refinancing occurs.

The sheriff's offices and jail opened in 2005.

DAKOTA COUNTY

Learn about the St. John's Bible

Representatives of the extraordinary St. John's Bible project will be speaking at two area libraries this month.

The nearly 10-year project out of St. John's University, launched in 1998, involves the commissioning of a calligrapher to create a hand-written, hand-illustrated -- or "illuminated" -- Bible.

The upcoming events will feature pages from the Bible and a talk about the medieval techniques using turkey, goose and swan quills to apply ink to calfskin vellum.

Sites for these discussions are the Hastings library, known as Pleasant Hill, from 6-7 p.m. April 16 and at the Eagan library, known as Wescott, the following day, from 1-2:30 p.m. April 17.

To learn more, visit www.saintjohnsbible.org.

CHASKA

Job, education fair at Chaska High

Businesses and schools will be on hand to meet with job candidates and students during the Southwest Metro Job and Education Fair scheduled for 3:45-6:30 p.m. on April 12 at Chaska High School, 545 Pioneer Trail in Chaska.

Counselors from the Carver County Workforce Services will review resumes and offer other advice for job seekers, including information on social networking. All ages are welcome to attend.

The event is sponsored by Carver County Workforce Services, Partners in Excellence and School District 112.

For more information, call Emily Mattran at 952-556-3545.

CHANHASSEN

Arboretum warming up to springtime

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, which has its annual Orchids Exhibit continuing through April 29 in its visitor center, is also celebrating spring's early arrival of blooms outdoors.

Yellow daffodils are popping up on the slopes near the arboretum's entrance, and flowering white magnolias are evident near the visitor center. Apricot trees are blooming in the perennial garden, and pink rhododendrons can be found near the green heron pond. There are also crocuses and hyacinths in the home demonstration gardens and yellow forsythia shrubs and lenten roses near the Snyder building, according to the arboretum.

And by late April to mid-May, 32,000 short- and long-stem tulips will be blooming.

Some other upcoming events at the arboretum include:

•All About Dogs Day. 9-11 a.m. Saturday. Stroll along the arboretum's Three-Mile Drive with your pet and check out a pet expo; $25 per dog for arboretum members, $30 for non-members, which includes admission for two humans.

•Easter Bunny Brunch on Sunday. Seatings are at 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at the visitor center. $21.49 for arboretum members and children 8 and older, $23.49 for non-members, and $9 for ages 4-7; ages 3 and younger can eat free. Make a reservation at 612-626-3951.

•Gardening classes, including "Grow Your Own Food" from 10 a.m.-noon on Saturday. $35 for arboretum members and $45 for non-members. To sign up, call 952-443-1422 or go to www.arboretum.umn.edu/learn.aspx.

For more information on these and other activities, go to www.arboretum.umn.edu. The arboretum is located at 3675 Arboretum Drive in Chanhassen.

STAFF REPORTS

CARVER-SCOTT

Humane Society sets 20th annual 'Walk Fur Love' fundraising event

The Carver-Scott Humane Society's 20th Annual "Walk Fur Love" is scheduled for May 20 to raise funds for the society's programs for homeless animals.

Dogs are invited to come along for the walk as it gets underway at noon at McKnight Park in Chaska and proceeds through the surrounding community.

Registration will begin at 10 a.m.

Pledge forms will be available at www.carverscotths.org, or they can be e-mailed or mailed to walkers; call 952-368-3553 or ask for the forms at a local veterinarian's office.

McKnight Park is located at 110400 Pioneer Trail, west of Hwy. 41.