North/east metro briefs: Sheriff, state launch sex crimes internet task force

Sheriff, state work together on sex crimes

The Washington County Sheriff's Office will continue to work with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension on the Minnesota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The three-year joint powers agreement between the two agencies was approved Tuesday by the County Board.

The intent of the task force is to investigate and prosecute crimes against children, and the criminal exploitation of children, committed through the use of computers, and to disrupt and dismantle organizations committing the crimes.

The BCA will provide funding for equipment, training and expenses, including any travel and overtime expenses incurred by the Sheriff's Office during such investigations. The BCA receives a federal grant to fund the task force, formed in 2000.

Kevin Giles

Officials are seeking help from park visitors to help plot changes in the coming decades for Minnesota's largest state park, the 34,000-acre St. Croix State Park east of Hinckley.

The park is still recovering from the mighty blast it suffered in 2011, when a windstorm mowed down 13,000 acres, leaving decisions over where to replant and where to let nature run its course. Now it's time for master planning over new directions for the park over the next 20 years.

The campsites are "small and close together," he said. "Should we make some more spacious, with more separation?" The park has more than 200 campsites," he said, "which is a lot … [but] we haven't used the place up."

A committee will continue to meet in the coming months. Those wishing to contribute can contact Templin at 651-259-5598 or jade.templin@state.mn.us. The planning page can be found at dnr.state.mn.us/input/mgmtplans/parks/st_croix.html.

David Peterson

Nine sites in the city of Anoka on the National Register of Historic Places are getting interpretive historical markers, which will be dedicated July 22. at the Woodbury House, one of the properties being recognized.

The city's National Register sites are the Anoka Post Office, 300 E. Main St.; the Anoka-Champlin Mississippi River Bridge; Colonial Hall, 1900 3rd Av. S., and Masonic Lodge #30, 1908 3rd Av. S.; Jackson Hotel, 214 Jackson St.; Kline Sanitarium, 1500 S. Ferry Road; Shaw-Hammons House, 302 Fremont St.; Ticknor House, 1625 3rd Av. S.; Windego Park Auditorium, 1830 Ferry St.; and Woodbury House, 1632 Ferry St. S.

The dedication event will begin at 3 p.m. at the Woodbury House, followed by self-guided walking tours of each of the nine sites from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. A social hour will be held at Billy's Bar & Grill (the former Jackson Hotel) from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. The public is invited; for more information, go to ci.anoka.mn.us or contact Anoka associate planner Clark Palmer at cpalmer@ci.anoka.mn.us.

Kevin Duchschere

The Andover Pollinator Awareness Project is sponsoring two events to raise awareness of bees' need for protection and new habitat.

From 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday a Pollinator Party will be held on the north lawn of the Andover YMCA, 15200 Hanson Blvd. NW., featuring bee displays, children's activities and experts to share tips on pollinator-friendly landscaping.

Residents are welcome to take an Andover garden tour from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on July 23 and see pollinator-friendly landscaping plans at seven homes. The yards on display include straw bale gardens, shade and native plantings, rain gardens, beekeeping and a prairie landscape.

Erin Adler

The Lake Elmo Farmers Market has begun its second season, opening from 8 to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays (through Sept. 10) at Lake Elmo Elementary School, 11030 Stillwater Blvd. N.

The market features local vendors offering organic fruits and vegetables, handcrafted goods, honey, breads and other foods. For more information, contact Jill Lundgren at 651-261-4493.