Metro briefs: 1 in 5 drivers in Edina is distracted, city traffic study finds

City staff undertook the study after complaints about safety in the Galleria area, on W. 70th Street between France and York avenues.

Two separate studies found that between 15 percent and 22 percent of the drivers were distracted, most commonly by cellphone use, eating and using the radio.

The city plans to increase police traffic patrols in the area and re-mark pedestrian crossings with a new, more durable marking material.

A search group is asking for more volunteers to help look for Martise Windom, 39, who has been missing since Nov. 7.

Searchers continued efforts through the Thanksgiving holiday and numbers have averaged in the 40s, said Beth Wilson, a member of the volunteer search group United Legacy.

The search continued through the weekend, with volunteers meeting each morning at Savage Sports Center, 13450 Dakota Av. Windom is black, 6 feet 2 and 240 pounds.

Foul play is not suspected. Police Chief Rodney Seuer said Friday that no new information was available.

Tickets are now on sale for a Jan. 10 fundraiser that will help pay for restoration of the Washington County Historic Courthouse.

The theme for this year's Victorian Tea and Program is "Old, New, Borrowed, Blue — Victorian Weddings," led by the Minnesota Historical Society.

The event will last from noon to 2 p.m. Tickets are $40 and must be purchased in advance at the Washington County Historic Courthouse, 101 W. Pine St., Stillwater, or by calling 651-275-7075 for credit card sales.

The 145-year-old domed courthouse, a commanding presence on Stillwater's skyline, was nearly demolished in the 1960s when the county considered building a new government complex on the site.

The county instead built about a mile away, leaving the old courthouse to overlook downtown Stillwater from its hilltop at Pine and 3rd streets.

Kevin Giles

An exhibit entitled "Labor Through the Ages: A Visual Celebration of Collective Bargaining," is on display at the Hennepin Gallery in the Hennepin County Government Center in downtown Minneapolis through Dec. 24.

The exhibit, sponsored by the county's communications office and AFSCME Locals 34, 552, 1719, 2822, 2864 and 2938, features a collection of historic images from the U.S. labor movement.

The images, which date back to 1895, cover a wide range of issues, including civil rights, pay equity and workplace safety.

The gallery is on the A level of the Government Center, 300 S. 6th St.

Three Rivers Park District will host mountain bike racing this winter at Elm Creek Park Reserve and Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve.

The races, which are 10.5-mile loops, will take place on Saturdays from Dec. 5 to Feb. 27, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

They include a time trial format. Studded tires are approved and helmets are required.

The cost is $12 to preregister and $15 for registration the day of the event, or $60 for all six races at both parks.

Call 763-559-6700 to preregister or for more information.