Briefs: Eagan police seek help in solving historic town hall arson

The Eagan Police Department is looking for the public's help in locating the owner of a bicycle found near the city's historic town hall after a serious fire at the building Sept. 8.

Eagan firefighters extinguished the blaze, and even though the building sustained considerable damage, a majority of it was saved.

Arson is suspected, and an investigation is continuing by the city's police and fire departments. The bicycle may have been used by a suspect to flee the fire scene.

Police said the bike is a blue-and-white, 21-speed mountain bike, Make K2, Mode Zed 24, Serial Number G100200340. It had a black "Master" combination lock and cable wrapped beneath the handle bars. It may have been purchased from the Sports Authority and would have been missing before Sept. 8.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Eagan police at 651-675-5700 or eaganpd@cityofeagan.com.

Unsure about MNsure? Questions on Medicare?

Dakota County will host a health care forum from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, at Lutheran Church of the Ascension, 1801 Cliff Road E., Burnsville.

The presentation on Medicare will be from 6:15 to 6:45 p.m., followed by the MNsure presentation from 6:45 to 7:15 p.m.

General information and MNsure assistance will be available from 6 to 8 p.m.

Those seeking assistance in signing up for MNsure programs should bring the name, date of birth, Social Security number and income information for any individual with whom they jointly file taxes or whom they declare as a dependent.

There is no cost to attend.

Just in time for the start of the holiday shopping season, the Eagan Art House will hold its annual pottery and art sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 23.

This is a free event, with partial proceeds benefiting the Dakota Center for the Arts in support of the arts in Eagan.

The Eagan Art House is at 3981 Lexington Av. S. For more information, call 651-675-5521 or visit the website at www.eaganarthouse.org.

Burnsville, Eagan and Apple Valley will continue their joint recycling program next year. The three cities formed Dakota Valley Recycling in 2003.

Last week, Burnsville City Council approved a joint application for funding for the program from Dakota County's landfill abatement fund.

They will ask for $173,604 to run the recycling program in 2014.

The community health assessment is intended to update residents on health issues that affect the quality of life and cause illness, injury and death in the county. It summarizes the top health concerns reported by residents and examines trends and issues that affect community health.

The community health assessment will be used by the Healthy Dakota Initiative to establish health priorities and identify strategies to improve health in the county. Guided by representatives from area organizations, including hospitals, clinics, schools and nonprofits, the county's health improvement plan will be completed by fall 2014.

To review or download the draft report and provide feedback through an anonymous response form, visit www.dakotacounty.us and search for HDI. Comments will be accepted through Nov. 21.