North/east metro briefs: St. Anthony branch library to close this fall for renovation

Work on the building will include a larger meeting room and interactive learning space in the children's area. Walls and ceilings will be changed to create a more open feel, and new comfortable seating areas will have natural light and power outlets.

Carpets, furniture and shelving will be replaced, and computers will be rearranged for both individual and collaborative work. Behind the scenes, the handling of books and other materials will be newly automated.

While the library is closed, patrons who asked to have material delivered there will be able to pick things up at the Northeast library, 2200 Central Av. NE., Minneapolis. Library users can select a different pickup location for holds by calling 612-543-KNOW (5669) or making the request in person at any Hennepin County Library branch.

Library materials may be renewed or returned to any Hennepin County branch. To renew materials by phone, patrons may call a renewal line at 612-543-8811.

David Peterson

Trails in Washington County's Lake Elmo Park Reserve are now lighted for evening hiking.

The trails are accessible from the Nordic Center, with three routes totaling more than 5 miles: Northern Lights, Lake Elmo and Brown's Pond.

The Big Bluestem Trail, a year-round trail accessible from the Eagle Point trailhead across the park road from the Nordic Center, also is open for hiking. The Big Bluestem trail is not lighted and closes a half-hour after sunset.

All hikers must leave the park by 10 p.m. Lighted night hiking will continue until snow allows for trail grooming for the cross-country ski season.

Trail maps are available at the park contact station, and an outdoor trail map is viewable on the Nordic Center trailhead kiosk. The Lake Elmo Park Reserve entrance is at 1515 Keats Av. N., Lake Elmo.

Kevin Giles

Brooklyn Center is seeking nominations for its annual Random Acts of Kindness Awards. Nominations are due by 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 22.

The City Council will recognize the winning good-deed-doers in October.

SHANNON PRATHER

The Washington County Sheriff's Office is recruiting volunteer reserves to assist with lake and river patrols, natural disaster response, traffic and crowd control, water patrol safety presentations, missing person searches and crime scene security.

Ideal candidates, according to Sgt. Kyle Schenck, "are highly motivated individuals who want to give back by spending meaningful time in an activity dedicated to community welfare and safety."

Applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or equivalent, a valid driver's license, reliable transportation and insurance, pass a background investigation and be able to respond to call-outs.

More information is available at www.co.washington.mn.us/.

Kevin Giles

The New Hope City Council has voted to raise monthly gas and electric franchise fees from $1.50 to $3 per customer per utility.

The city typically collects about $440,000 a year from franchise fees. The new fees will bring that total to around $940,000 a year, money that officials say will be used for pavement repair.

State law allows cities to charge utility companies a franchise fee to compensate for the damage and disruption that utilities may cause in the public right of way.