North news briefs: Anoka County compost site will take Christmas trees

Compost site will take Christmas treesAnoka County's compost site in Bunker Hills Regional Park, located one mile north of Main Street on Hanson Boulevard in Coon Rapids, will re-open for two weekends in January to receive Christmas trees and evergreen garland, as well as other types of yard and tree waste.

The site closed for the season on Nov. 30 but will reopen from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 5 and 12 and from noon to 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 6 and 13.

Examples of acceptable yard and tree waste include leaves, grass clippings, garden waste, weeds, brush, logs, and stumps. Christmas trees should be free of tinsel and any ornaments, wire, and stands. There is a $1.50 charge per Christmas tree.

No Northstar Link bus on New Year's DayThe Northstar Link bus, which connects St. Cloud to the Northstar station in Big Lake, will not operate on New Year's Day.

Northstar Link will run a modified schedule on New Year's Eve, in conjunction with Northstar rail service. Regular fares will apply.

Complete schedule details are available at www.CatchThe Link.com for the bus and www. metrotransit.org/northstar for the train.

Family-friendly New Year's eventIce skating, basketball and other gym activities will be part of the family-friendly New Year's event hosted by the City of Andover.

Admission wristbands cost $5, which includes access to an open skate and gym activities. All ages welcome. Skate rental available, $3 per pair. Cash only.

Networking, resources for small businessesSmall-business owners and entrepreneurs are invited to a Golden Valley-New Hope Open to Business networking meeting at 8 a.m. on Jan. 3 at Golden Valley City Hall, 7800 Golden Valley Road.

Open to Business is a partnership between the two cities and the Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers. The program provides one-on-one business counseling to current and prospective entrepreneurs.

Upcoming office hours for walk-in meetings are from 9 to 11 a.m. on Jan. 11 at Golden Valley City Hall and from 2 to 4 p.m. on Feb. 12 at New Hope City Hall, 4401 Xylon Av. N.

School board member honoredLinda Johnson, treasurer of the Robbinsdale Area School Board, has been named to the Minnesota School Board Association (MSBA) All State School Board.

Only six school board members receive the award each year.

Johnson has served on the Robbinsdale board for nearly 11 years. She is active in many other school organizations, including the district's Financial Advisory Council, Interschool Council, Robbinsdale Area Schools Redesign, and the Board Policy and Results Committee. She also serves as the Robbinsdale Area Schools representative on the Association of Metropolitan School Boards.