Briefs: Stillwater Lift Bridge work starts Monday

The Stillwater Lift Bridge will remain open until Sept. 10, but work begins Monday at the water level on a $3.4 million rehabilitation project.

Workers will repair the historic bridge's steel, concrete, electrical and mechanical components. The project also will include painting and replacement of guardrails, curbs and gutters.

The Stillwater Lift Bridge rehabilitation project is needed to maintain a safe crossing and to preserve the bridge until it can be converted to a bike and pedestrian facility in 2017, the Minnesota Department of Transportation said.

A new bridge between Oak Park Heights and St. Joseph Township, Wis., is expected to open at that time. The full closure that begins Sept. 10 will continue into early December.

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Young Newport poets will be publishedSecond graders in Susan Wilson's class at Newport Elementary School will see their writing in print. The 23 students' poems will be published in the 2012 Young American Poetry Digest, a national poetry publication. Each student created and typed up their poems. One copy of the digest will be sent to the school this fall.

Making a splash with new water attractionThe city's first splash pad, an increasing popular form of public recreation that sprays or bubbles water, will have its grand opening from 6-8 p.m. Friday.

The city's old municipal pool, built in 1962, had drained the city each year of $50,000 to $100,000 in losses until it was closed last year.

"This aquatic venue will be within reach of virtually everyone in the community regardless of their physical abilities," said Parks and Recreation Director Zac Dockter. "It's a great way to get people from all walks of life together -- that's what a community is all about."

Cities share services to cut costs, earn feesFrom street maintenance to inspections, Cottage Grove has joined with Afton, Newport, St. Paul Park and Denmark Township to cut costs for seal coating, building inspections and other services, and to earn fees.

In 2011, Cottage Grove inspected 344 properties in Denmark Township, 231 in Newport and 249 in St. Paul Park, officials said.

Cottage Grove building inspectors are on pace to beat those numbers this year. "Inspecting in other cities is definitely keeping us busy," said Andy McLean, an inspector.

New principal takes over at Tartan HighAdam Ehrmantraut is the new man in charge at Tartan High School. He began his duties as principal last week.

Ehrmantraut has been an assistant principal at Minnetonka High School for the past six years. He takes over at Tartan for John Bezek, who left the school of 1,900 students to become an assistant superintendent in the Shakopee School District. Bezek was named Minnesota's High School Principal of the Year by the Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals earlier this year.

Foundation honors two educatorsNicholas George, a science teacher at Woodbury Middle School in the South Washington County School District, and Barbara Kearn, principal at Willow Lane Elementary in the White Bear Lake Area School District, were named as regional honorees in the WEM Foundation's annual Outstanding Educators Awards program. Both will receive $1,000.

George was selected in the Teacher Achievement category, given to educators who help advance student academic achievement. Kearn won in the Ethics in Education category for educators who promote ethical development for students.

M Club to hold golf scramble MondayThe Mahtomedi Zephyr M Club, a group that supports fundraising events and oversees charitable contributions for Mahtomedi High School activities, will hold its ninth annual Golf Scramble on Monday at Indian Hills Golf Club in Stillwater. Registration begins at 11 a.m. with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. Dinner and silent auction follow. The entry fee is $125. Registration forms and information are at www.startribune.com/a1435.

Students in kindergarten through eighth grade wrote letters to authors whose writing inspired them or made a difference in their lives. The winners and students named as honorable mention had their letters published in the White Bear Press online edition and were invited to ride in a float in the Manitou Days parade.