North news briefs: Eagle Scout carries on family tradition

Paul Fisher of Champlin, a member of Anoka Troop 606, recently became an Eagle Scout, joining his father and two brothers in attaining Boy Scouting's highest rank.

Fisher's father, Brian, became an Eagle Scout as a member of Troop 50 in Duluth. Paul's brothers Peter and Jack achieved the rank in 2007 and 2009, respectively. They also belonged to Anoka Troop 606.

For his Eagle project, Paul Fisher organized and led scouts and others in efforts to beautify the Champlin Cemetery. They cleared a hedge that bore invasive foliage and cleaned up the cemetery. The Eagle rank was presented to Fisher at a July 12 ceremony at the Champlin Ice Forum.

"Paul has been a great leader and mentor to the younger scouts in the troop," said Carl Ellingson, Troop 606 scoutmaster.

Peter and Jack Fisher's projects also involved efforts in Champlin. Peter's included planting 200 trees in Andrews Park and Jack's made fire hydrants more visible for the fire department.

Entries for New Hope's annual In Focus photo contest are due Aug. 15.

Photographs can be entered in one of three categories: nature, people, or places. You must live or work in New Hope to enter. Photos must be taken in New Hope.

The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office will host a town hall forum on Thursday, July 31, to discuss the growing spread of heroin in the metro area and how the community can stop it.

The event, "Keep Heroin out of Hennepin County," will take place from 6:30-8 p.m. at Shiloh Temple at 1201 West Broadway, in Minneapolis. The town hall forum is for any young adults, parents, educators or concerned citizens in the community.

The event is organized by or includes representatives from the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, Minneapolis faith leaders, the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, RS EDEN, the Hennepin County attorney's office, North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale and the Minneapolis Police Department.

Anoka County Parks will host a Nordic walking tour along the shorelines and woods of Riverfront Regional Park in Fridley on Saturday afternoon.

Nordic walking is walking with specialized poles that uses 90 perecent of your muscles, burns more calories, and distributes your weight to minimize stress on your knees, according to Anoka County Parks. Specialized poles will be provided .

Pre-registration is required https://www.anokacounty.us/.

The event runs from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Riverfront Regional Park, 5100 East River Road NE, Fridley. Cost is $5 per person plus tax.

Sherburne County law enforcement and community groups will discuss heroin addiction at a forum on Wednesday, July 30.

The Sheriff's Office and Know the Truth is hosting the event, which is free and open to the public. It will run from 7 to 9 p.m. at Becker High School.

The forum will include a panel discussion and a question-and-answer session. Members of the Sherburne County attorney's office; Elk River, Becker and Big Lake police departments; and the Drug Enforcement Administration will be on the panel.

Amateur photographers have until Sept. 15 to enter the Coon Rapids photo contest.

Entrants can be from anywhere, but photos must be taken in Coon Rapids.

The Coon Rapids Arts Commission is organizing the competition. Entries can be submitted electronically via Twitter, Facebook or email.

Physical submissions can be dropped off at or mailed to Coon Rapids City Hall, ATTN: Coon Rapids Photo Contest, 11155 Robinson Dr., Coon Rapids, MN 55433.

First-place prize is $150, second place is $100 and third place is $50.

The Tamburitzans, a performance group from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh that highlights Eastern European culture through costumes, dance and song, will perform on Wednesday, Aug. 13, at the Roseville Area High School Auditorium.

The event will begin at 7 p.m. and will feature folk music, traditional dances and more than 400 costumes.

The Tamburitzan troupe is composed entirely of students at the university who train with masters of various Eastern European traditions.

Tickets for the performance are $15 for students and senior citizens, and $20 for other adults. Reserved tickets are available by calling 651-604-3509 or going to www.isd623.org/tamtickets. Tickets will also be available the night of the performance. Doors will open at 6:30 PM.

The high school is located at 1240 County Rd. B2 W, Roseville.