Briefs: Washington County highway volunteers thanked for cleanup work

Ten volunteer groups and families that have cleared litter from county roadsides through the Adopt-A-Highway program for 20 years were recognized at a recent Washington County Board meeting.

The county began its highway program in 1991. An initial 36 groups began collecting litter from 78 miles of county roads. Now the program has grown to 119 groups collecting litter and trash along 252 miles of county roads. Last year, nearly 800 bags of trash and litter were collected. Work by volunteers saves taxpayers more than $82,000 in maintenance costs annually, the county has determined. Recognized for 20 years of service were:

• Elim Lutheran Church, which cares for County Road 3 (Olinda Trail) between County Road 52 and 195th Street;

• Peetron Bush School, which cares for County Road 55 (Norell Avenue) between County Roads 4 and 7;

• Tri-Lakes Improvement Association, which cares for County Road 13 (Olson Lake Trail) between County Road 35 and County Road 6;

• Youth Service Bureau, Inc., which cares for County Road 11 (Otchipwe Avenue North) between County Road 5 and Hwy. 96;

• First United Methodist Church, which cares for County Road 12 (75th Street) between County Road 15 and Brick Street;

• Lake Elmo Lions Club, which cares for County Road 15 (Manning Avenue) between Hwy. 5 and Manning Trail North;

• Kern Family, which cares for County Road 21 (St. Croix Trail) between County Road 78 and 122nd Street;

• Whistling Well Farm, which cares for County Road 21 (St. Croix Trail) between County Road 20 and County Road 76 and County Road 76 between Hwy. 95 and County Road 21;

• Coldwell Banker Burnet, which cares for County Road 16 (Valley Creek Road) between Woodland Drive and County Road 13.

Groups and families that have adopted highways for 10 years are Ascension Church; Building Services and Property Records and Taxpayer Services from Washington County; Afton Tree Works; Krueger's Sprucegate Farm; Mariners 4-H Club; Trudeau Families; Warner Nature Center; Mike, Russ and Budd Bludorn; Bailey Road Neighbors; P B and J Mudd Club; Sego Family; Keller Williams; Woodbury Days Royal Family, and Kris and John Miller.

River cleanup is the most popular event of River Awareness Week, but the association encourages organizations to sponsor water quality workshops, art projects and parties along the river banks.

The St. Croix River is one of the cleanest tributaries leading into the Mississippi River, but high levels of phosphorus and invasive species among them have hurt water quality in recent years.

Questions about River Awareness Week can be addressed to St. Croix River Association at 715-483-3300.

The Gateway Corridor Commission seeks community members to serve on a new Gateway Corridor Community Advisory Committee (CAC).

The CAC will advise the commission throughout preparation of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS), which is a step in the federal process to study potential transit service. The CAC will be asked to advise the commission on several aspects: how to best inform the public about the work, meaning, and conclusions of the Draft EIS; identifying potential concerns in the Gateway Corridor that will need to be addressed in the Draft EIS; providing information related to potential social, economic or community issues as a result of the transitway; and advising the commission on key project decisions.

Applications are online at http://www.startribune.com/a2333 and due by July 19.

Plans to build a 100,000-square-foot Cabela's outdoors store near the junction of Radio Drive and Hudson Road in Woodbury won final approval from the Woodbury City Council.

The project, in conjunction with Jerry's Enterprises Inc., submitted an application to the city for a planned unit development, conditional-use permit, preliminary plat and site and building plan. All four elements were approved unanimously. The applicant is requesting to build a Cabela's retail store and seeks approval for several nearby retail sites that may include fast food, convenience store, or multitenant retail businesses.

The city's Planning Commission reviewed the application June 17 and recommended approval.

The Cottage Grove Recreation, Police, and Fire departments are teaming up to encourage youth safety for children 8-11.

Cost of $50 includes safety presentations, T-shirt, team hat, lunches, snacks, water bottle, and an all-sport helmet. A graduation ceremony closes the camp on Wednesday, July 10 at 5 p.m.

The camp will run from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Hamlet Park. Register online at https://activenet002.active.com/cottagegrovemn/

Cottage Grove City Council members Dave Thiede and Justin Olsen invite residents to a "coffee and doughnuts" neighborhood chat from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, July 13, at Park High School, 8040 80th St. S. The chat will be held in the lecture hall on the left side of the main entrance foyer.

Thiede and Olsen said they want to hear thoughts and opinions on city operations, budget issues, current policies and anything else in a respectful and constructive conversation. Coffee and doughnuts will be provided by the council members.

Century College has named two new academic deans beginning July 1.

Nicholson, a longtime resident of Mahtomedi, will supervise technical and career programs such as Auto Service Technology, Criminal Justice, Paramedics, Business, Marketing and Interior Design. She started at Century in 1991 in the Continuing Education/Customized Training Division. She became the dean there in 2004. Before her work at Century, she was employed as a social worker in Washington County.

Nicholson has a master's degree in adult education from the University of Minnesota and a bachelor's degree in social welfare from the same school.

Nesset began teaching English at Century 14 years ago and has been active on many committees outside of the classroom. He earned a master's degree in English from Idaho State University and a bachelor's degree in English from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.

Dunrovin Christian Brothers Retreat Center will host a "Sunset Benefit Cruise" on July 29 from 6-9 p.m. at the St. Croix Boat and Packet Co., 525 Main St. S. Tickets cost $40 each. For more information, see www.Dunrovin.org or call 651-433-2486.