Briefs: Nutrients, irrigation, energy among Crop Day topics March 6

Information about the latest crop nutrient and irrigation management strategies will be available to local farmers and agricultural professionals at the 6th Annual Crops Day on March 6.

The free event at the Dakota Electric Association, 4300 220th St. West in Farmington, runs from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and includes multiple presentations, lunch and a trade show.

Tom Scherer of North Dakota State University will discuss irrigation scheduling to optimize water use and crop yield. Dan Kaiser and John Lamb of the University of Minnesota will talk about nitrogen, sulfur and potassium management in corn, and Mike Plutowski from Dakota Electric Association will discuss energy conservation programs.

Register by March 1 by contacting Phyllis Bongard at the University of Minnesota Extension's Dakota County office, at 651-480-7757 or bonga028@umn.edu.

Local government HEROES recognized A team of county employees who led an effort to reduce abuse of prescription and over-the-counter medications won Dakota County's annual HEROES Award that recognizes county employees who work together to achieve "efficient, effective, responsive government."

The team that won the award for work in 2011 held public forums to learn what to do about drug abuse. The members designed and distributed bookmarks, pamphlets and drug abuse prevention kits to schools, faith communities and other sites across the county. And after a one-day drug collection event in 2010 brought in hundreds of pounds of drugs, they established three permanent and secure dropoff sites for unused medications.

Those who worked on the project include Sheriff Dave Bellows and Capt. Joe Leko, Shannon Bailey of Public Health, Lori Frekot and Laura Villa of the Environmental Management Department, and Monica Jensen from the County Attorney's Office.

Sports dome would be permanent structure If West St. Paul builds a sports dome, it will be a permanent dome -- not a seasonal one that can taken down in the summer.

A majority of City Council members gave that direction last week to the architect hired to design the field-sized athletic dome proposed for the lot beside City Hall.

The council has not made a final decision to build the dome but has directed an architect to design it and refine cost estimates so it can make a decision about whether to go ahead.

At the same meeting, council members said they no longer want to entertain the idea of leasing space for City Hall offices and want instead to get a refined cost estimate and design for a City Hall addition.

City looking to add patrol officer to force Lakeville has an opening for a patrol officer.

Benefits include a starting salary of $24.09 per hour, or $50,107 a year. Candidates must be licensed police officers by April 23, 2012. To apply, visit the city website at www.lakevillemn.gov or call 952-985-4400. Application deadline is Feb. 24.