Briefs: Eagan seeking tips on road sign vandalism

Eagan police and the Eagan Citizens Crime Prevention Association are asking for the public's help to catch whomever is responsible for damaging more than $7,000 worth of road signs.

In April and November last year, numerous signs were damaged with paint or obstructed with duct tape, which required replacing many of the signs. The damage happened throughout the city, but most of it was concentrated in the areas of Westcott Road, Elrene Road and Dodd Boulevard.

A reward of up to $500 is offered for information leading to an arrest in the cases. Anyone with information is asked to call detective Joe Marshall at 651-675-5836 or e-mail jmarshall@cityofeagan.com.

Citizen advisory boards seek members Residents who have a special interest in development, parks, telecommunications, cemeteries or other topics can help out their community by volunteering to serve on one of the city's many citizen advisory commissions and committees.

The city is putting out a call for new members for its six committees: the planning commission, the parks and recreation commission, the cemetery advisory committee, the telecommunications advisory committee, the traffic safety advisory committee and the urban affairs committee.

The bodies meet anywhere from twice a month, in the case of the planning commission, to quarterly, in the case of the cemetery and telecommunications boards.

To apply, pick up an application at the Apple Valley Municipal Center, 7100 W. 147th St., or fill one out at www.startribune.com/a2052. Applications are due by Wednesday.

Climate, soil experts will speak at Crops Day The impact of changing weather patterns on agriculture will be a topic of discussion at the annual Crops Day held at Dakota Electric Association on Feb. 26.

The event, aimed at farmers and ag professionals, will include a look at drought trends with University of Minnesota Extension climatologist Mark Seeley; a presentation on the use of nitrogen stabilizers with Extension soil scientist John Lamb; a soil health demonstration by Douglas Miller, a Natural Resources Conservation Service soil scientist; and a discussion on evolving issues in managing corn rootworms by Extension entomologist Ken Ostlie.

Mike Plutowski of Dakota Electric will complete the morning program with information about energy conservation programs for producers.

Lunch and a trade show will follow the morning program.

The registration deadline for the free program is Feb. 21; contact Phyllis Bongard at 651-480-7757 or bonga028@umn.edu.