Metro briefs: Savage rejects ordinance on zoning for gun shops

The Savage City Council has rejected an ordinance to regulate the distance of gun shops from certain establishments, such as schools.

The council's unanimous vote on Monday followed an hourlong public hearing earlier this month, when residents and business owners offered mixed opinions on gun shop zoning.

In Minneapolis and St. Paul, zoning ordinances require firearms dealers to be at least 500 feet away from schools. The last gun shop in Minneapolis closed in August amid zoning fights. But suburban areas are less likely to regulate such zoning.

Savage's third gun shop, Modern Sportsman, opened last summer near Harriet Bishop Elementary School. Parents criticized the location and expressed concerns for students.

City staffers ultimately recommended against adopting the ordinance. Council members on Monday cited a lack of evidence that such an ordinance would enhance safety.

Natalie Daher

Metric Giles, a longtime employee of St. Paul Regional Water Services, on Friday was named this year's winner of the city's Karl Neid Community Involvement Award.

St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman called Giles "a man who has dedicated his life to our community." The award, named after a community activist who served on the City Council, honors a city employee with an outstanding record of public service.

According to city officials, Giles' interests range from urban farming to dispute resolution. He served on the Metropolitan Council's Central Corridor Community Advisory Committee and pushed for more stops on the Green Line. He also sits on several community boards.

Giles, a longtime Frogtown resident who now lives in Maplewood, said the award was "totally unexpected." He said his community involvement is motivated by his family and a desire to create projects that continue on after he is done putting his own time and energy into them.

JESSIE VAN BERKEL

A Twin Cities family this month made an anonymous $1 million donation to promote youth literacy and tutoring programs at the Hennepin County Library.

The family "believe[s] strongly in the library as an institution that's critical to a thriving metropolis like Minneapolis," said Kristi Pearson, executive director of the Friends.

The Hennepin County Library, the state's largest library system, uses donations and investments to support programs and outreach services. In the 2015-16 school year, the library held 12,000 tutoring sessions at 12 libraries. This summer, more than 16,700 kids and teens participated in the library's summer reading program.

KELLY SMITH

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community has announced that Angela Heikes will be the new president and CEO of the tribe's Mystic Lake Casino and Little Six Casino in Shakopee.

Heikes, who had been chief operating officer, will replace Ed Stevenson as president and CEO of the largest casino hotel enterprise in the Midwest.