North/east news briefs: Deer thinning in Roseville parks is on for the next few weeks

Roseville has released details on deer hunts planned for its public parks this winter.

The deer kills, which were approved by the City Council in December, will take place over several weeks' time and should be done by the end of February. U.S. government sharpshooters will work in Ladyslipper Park, Owasso Hills Park, Harriet Alexander Nature Center and the Leaf Recycling Center area between dusk and dawn on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evenings.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources believes there are more deer in the suburb than its habitat can support, leading to incursions into yards and gardens. City and county aerial surveys of the deer population since 2004 have shown "unchecked growth" in numbers, officials say, and the number of citizen complaints and reports of property and vehicle damage has risen.

For more information, go to www.cityofroseville.com/wildlife or call 651-792-7107. Venison from the hunts will be donated to people needing food.

David Peterson

Nonprofit leaders packed a Brooklyn Park City Council meeting last week to plead their case for funding from this year's federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.

The council plans to make available about $62,000 from CDBG funds for community organizations, for which 14 nonprofits applied. The funding requests totaled more than $140,000.

Nonprofit leaders made their case last week for their projects, which ranged from youth outreaches to immigrant education programs to senior services. "It's a tough night because everybody here is trying to do good things," Mayor Jeff Lunde said.

The council is expected to make its final decisions and allocate funding at its Feb. 27 meeting, officials said.

Brooklyn Park is expected this year to receive about $401,000 in CDBG funds. The city, which has participated in the program for more than three decades, also has $204,139 left over from previous years to distribute. The federal grant program, administered by Hennepin County, awards funds based on factors like poverty levels and overcrowded housing.

Hannah Covington

Youth Service Bureau, Inc., has received grants totaling $400,000 from the Otto Bremer Trust to help youth and families learn skills for success at home, school and in the community, the agency said last week.

The campaign is intended to launch chemical health programs in school districts, hire additional therapists, and expand education programs. Youth Service Bureau has offices in Stillwater, Woodbury and Cottage Grove.

Kevin Giles

The fifth annual "Great Idea Challenge" sponsored by the Stillwater Area Foundation, offering up to $10,000, is now open for suggestions.

The winning idea should benefit Stillwater or the nearby communities of Bayport, Baytown Township, Grant, Lake Elmo, Marine on St. Croix, May Township, Oak Park Heights and West Lakeland Township. It should "enhance our community's quality of life, strengthen local connections and enhance civic pride."

Last year's $10,000 winner was Robert Molenda, who proposed a free smartphone app to enable people to view a location in Stillwater and then see the same scene as it appeared in the past. The app should be out later this year.

David Peterson

The Columbia Heights City Council is seeking applicants to fill a council seat left vacant when former Council Member Donna Schmitt took office as mayor earlier this month.

The City Council will interview applicants in February and March and will make an appointment by April 9, said City Clerk Katie Bruno.

Interested residents can pick up applications at City Hall, 590 40th Av. NE. Applications must be delivered to the city clerk's office by 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 23.

Schmitt defeated longtime Mayor Gary Peterson in a tight November election.