North news briefs: Sale to benefit women in addiction recovery

Sale to benefit women in addiction recoveryProceeds from a rummage sale to be held this weekend will go to Embers in the Fire, a Park Rapids, Minn., conference being planned for next spring to help women recovering from addiction.

The sale is 7:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sunday at the Andover Community Center/YMCA, 15200 Hanson Blvd. NW.

Organizers have men's, women's and children's clothing in every size, furniture, housewares and more. They still are taking donations. Call Pam at 763-443-5287.

Sand Creek Park hosts family activitiesThe City of Coon Rapids and the Community Strength Foundation are sponsoring a free movie night, featuring "Dr. Seuss' The Lorax," at 8:30 p.m., Friday, at Sand Creek Park, 1008 Northdale Blvd. Viewers are encouraged to bring a blanket or a chair. Earlier, starting at 6 p.m., unlimited inflatable gyms will be available, at a fee of $6. Concessions will be available all evening.

Coon Rapids Night at Minnesota LynxResidents can get discounted tickets to see Minnesota's WNBA team -- including Seimone Augustus, Lindsay Whalen and Maya Moore - battle the Washington Mystics at 7 p.m. Aug. 17. Using the special offer code "Coon Rapids," $30 tickets are $20; $20 tickets are $15 and $10 tickets are $8. Tickets are available for purchase now, at www.startribune.com/a1581.

College Possible seeks mentors for studentsThe student advocacy group College Possible is looking for 120 new college-educated "Idealistic Mentors" to advise students from 12th grade through college graduation.

Students are paired with mentors based on education and career interests. The duos exchange weekly e-mails and meet at monthly events.

Admission Possible runs the mentor program at Highland Park High School in St. Paul, Columbia Heights High School and Coon Rapids High School. For more information, visit www.collegepossible.org/ IdealisticMentors.

Anoka County Road 14 open after roadworkAfter nearly two years of construction, the new Anoka County Road 14, also known as Main Street, officially reopened Thursday.

Improvements to the primary west-east route across the county included widening the roadway from two lanes to four, adding a raised median with curb and gutter, constructing a pedestrian trail, constructing an overpass at the BNSF rail line, and replacing the existing traffic signals and turn lanes.

The project was the first time that a Minnesota county received approval to design a highway as it was being constructed, said county spokeswoman Martha Weaver. Usually, the entire project would be designed before construction begins, she said.

The process cut nearly three years off construction time, lowered costs and helped businesses stay open because the project was completed more quickly, she said. The county also communicated with residents through Facebook, and suggestions from residents were incorporated into the highway's design, she said.

The county was one of eight winners of Awards of Excellence from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA).

The award recognizes contributions to the practice of government finance that exemplify outstanding financial management.

The association said Anoka County's video "demonstrates the power the medium can have to bring a concept to life."

Clear and concise information helps citizens understand how the budget is developed and how it relates to the property taxes they pay, the association said. The presentation also provides a "what you get for your money" report of how much each component of the tax levy costs per household.

To watch the video, go to www.startribune.com/a1588.