County buys more regional park land in Cottage Grove

A park in south Washington County grew by nearly five acres last week when commissioners voted unanimously to buy the parcel for inclusion in Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park, near Hwy. 61 and Keats Avenue.

The county had intended to buy the 4.86-acre parcel, known as the Anderson/Ott property, to provide a buffer between the roadways and heavily used parts of the park.

Money for the $164,000 purchase will come from county parks permits and the county property tax levy. Reimbursement will come from either the City of Cottage Grove, as part of a land swap involving the city's new city hall and public safety complex, or from the Metropolitan Council.

Commissioners Gary Kriesel, Bill Pulkrabek, Autumn Lehrke and Dennis Hegberg voted in favor. Lisa Weik didn't attend last Tuesday's meeting.

Lakeview ranks high in flu vaccination ratesLakeview Hospital was among 137 hospitals and nursing homes recognized by the Minnesota Department of Health for high influenza vaccinations of employees during the 2010-11 flu season.

The FluSafe program aims to vaccinate all health care personnel at hospitals and nursing homes in Minnesota, except those with medical exemptions.

Last year, 76 percent of Lakeview employees were vaccinated, said spokeswoman Kristin Hoel.

Bids for the project were opened Sept. 20. The contract was awarded to Hardrives, Inc., on Oct. 4. Bailey Road is also known as County Road 18.

Public can check out proposed zoning mapThe Woodbury Planning Commission and City Council want community feedback before formally adopting changes to the city's zoning map and ordinance.

An open house will be held Thursday, 4:30 to 7 p.m., at City Hall, 8301 Valley Creek Road. Residents will be able to see the approved land use map and proposed zoning map and learn about regulations.

Monster bash with eats, treats and beatsFriday evening, the Cottage Grove Strawberry Festival will host a Halloween "Monster Bash" from 5 to 11 p.m. at the VFW (Red Barn) in Cottage Grove. Enjoy a taco dinner, Halloween activities for the kids, including a costume contest, as well as a dance and a Silent Auction. The two-day bash continues with a parade at 10 a.m. Saturday.

The VFW is seeking donated items for the silent auction before Tuesday, such as baskets from your business, quilts, gift certificates, games, movie tickets, sport tickets, hotel stays, vacation packages or cash.

The buck(thorn) stops here ... on SaturdayThe 2011 Annual Buckthorn Removal Day is from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Newport Bailey School Forest Park.

The city is looking for volunteers to help. If interested, contact City Hall at 651-459-5677 to sign up.

New signal timing on Stillwater Blvd.Washington County, the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the City of Oak Park Heights recently worked together to install a new coordinated traffic signal control system along Stillwater Boulevard, also known as County Road 5, which should reduce travel times.

The new timing system will span from 58th Street North in Oak Park Heights to Croixwood Boulevard in Stillwater.

Green lights should occur sequentially whenever possible, to allow for more efficient traffic flow. The system will automatically report equipment malfunctions.

Halloween costume drive is under wayDonations of new or clean and gently-used Halloween costumes are being sought to be distributed to students in the Stillwater Area School District.

The fourth annual effort on behalf of Valley Outreach's clothing shelf program, Dawn's Closet, runs through Friday.

Items can be dropped off at Collaborations Boutique, Main and Chestnut streets, between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily. Donations also will be accepted at Valley Outreach, 1911 W. Curve Crest Blvd., from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday.

Women's nonprofit cited for excellenceThe East Metro Women's Council was one of six organizations to earn the 2011 Minnesota Nonprofit Award for Excellence. The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits announced the award Oct. 7 during its 25th annual conference.

East Metro was selected for excellence in a small organization and lauded for its efforts in community engagement, planning and evaluation and financial management.