South metro briefs: Four-alarm apartment fire displaces residents

Four-alarm apartment fire displaces residents

A four-alarm fire early Tuesday morning at the Pines of Burnsville apartment complex has displaced the building's residents.

The Burnsville Fire Department responded to a fire at the complex on the 1000 block of Burnsville Parkway just after 1 a.m., according to a Nov. 8 news release from the department.

The fire grew into a four-alarm blaze, drawing crews from Apple Valley, Bloomington, Eagan, Lakeville and Savage.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, the department said. The complex did not have sprinklers.

All apartment occupants have been temporarily displaced, and at least 18 units will have to remain vacant for an extended period until repairs can be made.

Emma Nelson

Elliot Johnson will lead the program from the Shakopee Chamber and Visitor's Bureau. He most recently worked as executive director of Downtown Brookings in South Dakota. Main Street's former coordinator, Laura Pecaut, resigned in September.

Natalie Daher

The city of Carver is seeking nominations for the community's top historic properties.

Residents can nominate properties that have been restored or enhanced in some way. Have you admired the exterior of a barn in Carver's historic district? Or have you noticed the finishing touches on a porch or an outhouse?

Submissions made be made online at cityofcarver.com or in person at City Hall on Broadway by Dec. 2.

The Chaska City Council voted Nov. 7 to approve concept plans for an 14,400 square foot electric plant in the southeastern part of the city. The Minnesota Municipal Power Agency plant will provide extra energy the area can use during periods of peak energy use.

City officials had tabled voting on the plans in September, citing concerns about its proximity to residences, the height of its smokestack and noise.

Councilmembers visited a nearly identical plant in Shakopee at an Oct. 24 work session to see it in person. Mayor Mark Windschitl said he was reassured by the visit. If a person didn't know what the power plant was, they wouldn't guess what was happening there, he said.

The concept plans were approved with the condition that the council will continue to study the plant's noise impact.

The plant has been controversial, with residents circulating an online petition protesting the plant's bright lights as well as the noise and pollution they believe it will cause.

Carver County is honoring veterans and promoting its Veterans Court during the month of November. The county is seeking mentors for the court, which assists veterans or current military members who are charged with criminal offenses. The court provides treatment and supervision to veterans with substance abuse and mental health issues in an effort to help the veterans graduate from the program to a more stable life.

Anyone who has served in the U.S. military can be a volunteer mentor. Call 612-868-6592 for information.

Erin Adler

Rosemount is about to get a new city administrator, fresh out of the city of Bayport in Washington County.

The Rosemount City Council decided Nov. 5 to appoint Logan Martin to the job.