Briefs: Met Council to help pay for Big Marine land

Washington County will receive a grant from the Metropolitan Council to help pay for the purchase of land that will be added to Big Marine Park Reserve.

The County Board approved the reimbursement agreement Nov. 20. It will pay for 75 percent of the cost of the parcel in May Township.

The $468,516 purchase of the Croone parcel was approved by the Washington County Board of Commissioners July 10. The Metropolitan Council will reimburse the county's Land and Water Legacy Program funds used to purchase the property, up to $353,996.

Nominations open for volunteer award Representatives from the Century College Foundation, the Mahtomedi Area Educational Foundation and the White Bear Lake Area Educational Foundation will select the next recipient of the J. Stanley and Doris Hill Legacy Award. The nomination deadline is Feb. 22.

Created in 2006, the award acknowledges an area resident who has given a lifetime of volunteer community service, has been committed to helping others and has demonstrated leadership qualities. The recipient must live within the school district boundaries of Mahtomedi or White Bear Lake.

Forms are available through these sponsoring foundation offices and their websites: Century College Foundation, 651-779-3355, www.century.edu/foundation/awards.aspx; Mahtomedi Area Educational Foundation, 651-407-2006, www.maefgives.org; and the White Bear Lake Area Educational Foundation, 651-407-7696, www.wblaef.org.

New clinic opens, includes urgent care The Stillwater Medical Group has opened a new primary care clinic in Mahtomedi at 700 Wildwood Road.

For more information , visit www.lakeviewhealth.org.

Homelessness issue will be discussed today A forum on homelessness will be held at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church Great Hall, Community Resource Center, 900 Stillwater Road, Mahtomedi, on Sunday.

The forum is scheduled for 10:30-11:30 a.m. Martha Eaves, director of Project Hope, will speak on the topic, "What is the Cost of Doing Nothing?"

Questions can be directed to pastor Sarah Breckenridge at 651-762-9122. The forum is sponsored by the St. Andrew's Homelessness Task Force.

Signal to remain at Radio Drive/Hargis A major upgrade of Radio Drive south of Bailey Road in Woodbury next year will not include construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Hargis Parkway near East Ridge High School.

One factor was problems with the two-lane roundabout at Radio Drive and Bailey Road about a mile north of Hargis Parkway. It was the first two-lane roundabout in Minnesota and crashes are becoming a concern because drivers seem confused, despite the signs.

The city is still planning to acquire the needed rights-of-way around the intersection in case a roundabout is considered in the future.

The $3 million project will widen Radio Drive from two to four lanes between Radio Drive and Hargis Parkway. The county is paying $1.8 million and the city will provide $1.2 million.

The city's portion includes the cost of a pedestrian underpass at Bailey Road and Radio Drive, funded through a grant.

Winter parking rules now in force Woodbury's snowplowing crews are preparing for the winter season, making sure equipment and de-icing supplies are ready for the first snowfall.

Woodbury's winter parking regulations - banning on-street parking between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. - went into effect Nov. 1. The parking restrictions, which are designed to facilitate plowing during the snow season, will continue through April 1.

City ordinance also prohibits on-street parking anytime two or more inches of snow have accumulated until after the street has been completely plowed. The two-inch guideline applies to any hour of the day, anytime of year, on public roadways.

Santa Claus to stop for breakfast Santa will be taking a break from making toys and wants you to join him and a few of his elves for what has become a holiday tradition in Woodbury.

A catered breakfast, holiday crafts and picture with Santa will be part of the fun starting at 9 a.m. Saturday at Woodbury Central Park. Breakfast will be catered by Dorothy Ann Bakery and will include French toast sticks, an egg dish, hash browns, apple sauce, coffee, juice and donut holes.

Cost is $15 per person, and adults must register with their children. For more information and to register, go to www.startribune.com/a1921 or call 651-714-3583.

A native of Cottage Grove, Redenius first took an interest in public safety as a Fire Explorer in junior high school in the early 1980s. After graduating from Park High School, he became a part-time firefighter with Cottage Grove and graduated from Inver Hills Community College with a degree in law enforcement. He then began work with the Eagan Police Department before being hired as a police officer in St. Paul Park.

In Cottage Grove, he also served as a firefighter, rising to the rank of captain, then deputy chief. Redenius is pursuing his bachelor's degree. He also has been active in the city as a volunteer and coach.

Holiday tree to be lit at new city building The holiday tree at the city's new Public Safety building and City Hall will be lit during a celebration from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday. The building is located at 12800 Ravine Parkway S.

Refreshments will be served, and festive music will be presented by the Park High School Choir. Santa Claus will make an appearance as well.