The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office last week opened a second office to deal with the increasing number of applications for permits to carry a handgun.

In 2015, the county got 6,421 applications, 16 percent more than in 2014 — part of a statewide increase in permit holders.

Permits surged earlier this year in Minnesota as well as in Hennepin County, where 733 new permits were filed in January alone.

The new office is located at the Sheriff's Office Enforcement Services Division headquarters, 9401 83rd Av. N., Brooklyn Park. It will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more details, go to hennepinsheriff.org/permit-carry-handgun/.

KELLY SMITH

WAYZATA

City Council approves lakefront designs

The Wayzata City Council approved a resolution in a 3-2 vote last week accepting designs of the lakefront project called the Lake Effect.

Earlier this year planners unveiled designs of the plan including bike lanes, docks, an expanded city beach with swimming and diving piers, a lake walk, an eco park and pedestrian crossings over the rail tracks that cut off downtown from the lake.

The city of 4,200 residents launched the 10-year concept plan in 2014 to make Wayzata a year-round destination, and the lakefront more pedestrian- and bike-friendly.

Some residents have called for a public referendum on the plan, while other critics say it doesn't fit Wayzata's small-town character and could cost too much. The entire plan would cost an estimated $19 million if all potential projects are built, plus annual operating expenses.

The resolution doesn't commit the city to doing all the projects, city leaders said, but accepts the designs as the next steps are explored. For more details, go to wayzatalakeeffect.com/.

KELLY SMITH

MINNEHAHA CREEK

Annual cleanup event to cover entire creek

Registration has opened for the 10th annual Minnehaha Creek cleanup event on July 24, one of the Twin Cities' biggest environmental events.

The goal is to get more than 2,000 people to help pick up four tons of trash along the creek, starting at three locations in St. Louis Park, Minnetonka and Minneapolis. Volunteers will get a free breakfast, T-shirt, water bottle, trash bags, gloves and a barbecue lunch at Lake Hiawatha.

The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District is expanding the annual event to Minnetonka this year to cover the entire 22-mile creek, from its headwaters near Grays Bay Dam on Lake Minnetonka to Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis.

The event is sponsored by the watershed district, Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company's "Canoes for a Cause" campaign, Metro Blooms, the Freshwater Society and Target. For more information and to register, go to minnehahacreek.org/register/.

KELLY SMITH

PLYMOUTH

Construction closes portion of Luce Line trail

A part of the Luce Line Regional Trail in Plymouth will close Monday, May 9, for construction.

Three Rivers Park District announced the closing of the trail near Hwy. 55 from May 9 to May 27, weather permitting, to allow for construction by the state Department of Transportation of the highway bridge over the trail and railroad tracks.

The paved trail, which goes nearly nine miles through Plymouth and Golden Valley, will be closed between 15th Avenue and West Medicine Lake Road. There will be a detour for bicyclists and pedestrians.

KELLY SMITH

ROBBINSDALE

City honors Historic Terrace Theatre

The Robbinsdale City Council last week approved a proclamation declaring May 23 to be Historic Terrace Theatre Day in the city.

It's part of the community's efforts to honor the theater, which opened on May 23, 1951. Residents are trying to preserve and reopen the 1,300-seat midcentury movie house, which closed in 1999 and has been called by the State Historic Preservation Office "one of the most distinctive buildings in Robbinsdale."

A 65th anniversary celebration will take place at 6:30 p.m. May 23 at The Lodge/Stage 81 in Robbinsdale. The event will be free and open to the public. The Save the Historic Terrace Theatre group will host a block party at 7 p.m. May 28 with a bring-your-own-picnic, followed by a 9 p.m. free outdoor screening of "Father's Little Dividend" at the Robbinsdale Historical Society, 4915 42nd Ave. N.

For more information, go to HistoricTerraceTheatre.com.

KELLY SMITH