Around the metro: Maple Grove cold case still active

A year after authorities converged on a Maple Grove home and a central Minnesota farm to investigate the disappearance of Amy Sue Pagnac, they haven't disclosed any new details.

The 13-year-old Pagnac disappeared Aug. 5, 1989, after a trip to her family's rural farm. She would have turned 39 this Monday.

The case received little attention until May 2014, when three dozen police, FBI and state investigators showed up with a sealed search warrant, doing a six-day search of the family's Maple Grove home and tearing up the back-yard patio. Last June, authorities did a four-day dig at the family's 140-acre Isanti County farm.

Now, a year later, police still haven't disclosed what prompted the searches or whether anything was found; no suspects have been named. Last week, Capt. Keith Terlinden said the case remains open and active. Pagnac's family has said they're hopeful she's still alive.

KELLY SMITH

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently awarded the city of Hastings three $200,000 grants to clean up the site of the former H.D. Hudson manufacturing building along the Mississippi River.

The site is part of the city's revitalization efforts along the stretch, and the building was the last industrial site along the riverfront. Plans call for the 100,000-square-foot building to be turned into apartments, a community events space, food services and a riverfront landing connecting a nearby trail to a future transit corridor.

Stephen Montemayor

Swimmer's itch, known scientifically as Cercarial dermatitis, has been reported at the swimming beach at Big Marine Park Reserve in northern Washington County.

Swimmer's itch is a skin rash caused by a parasite that usually infects birds, semiaquatic mammals and snails. The parasite often causes an allergic reaction when it penetrates the skin.

Swimmers at the Big Marine beach are being encouraged to shower in the park and completely dry off with a towel after leaving the water. The beach will be treated in the next few weeks, the county said, and then will be closed to swimming for 48 hours. Notices will be posted at the park and on the county website when the dates are determined.

For swimmers wanting to avoid the Big Marine beach, nearby Square Lake Park has 950 feet of sandy beach, the county said.

kevin giles

Hennepin County is piloting a new volunteer program to train residents to identify aquatic invasive species not yet found in Minnesota lakes. The goal is to detect those species early, when management options are still available. Ideal volunteers are individuals who enjoy spending lots of time on or near lakes in the county, including people who boat and fish, and who live, walk or run near lakes. Monitoring for signs of aquatic invasive species can easily be incorporated into these activities. Participants should be able to contribute at least 15 hours from July through November.

Volunteers will be trained to look for signs of aquatic invasive species at a session on June 30 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Sheriff's Water Patrol office in Spring Park. The session is limited to 30 participants. For more information or to become a volunteer, call Tony Brough at 612-348-4378 or go to www.hennepin.us and search "volunteer."