North news briefs: Mental health issues discussed in Anoka County

Mental health issues discussed"Let's Talk About It, Anoka County," a program to encourage the discussion of mental health issues and in particular suicide prevention, will hold its next session on Feb. 27 at the Fridley High School Auditorium. St. Francis High School hosted such an informational meeting earlier this month.

"Our job is to listen," said Dr. Dan Reidenberg, executive director of Suicide Awareness Voices of Education. "Everyone has the ability to save a life by listening to someone who's hurting and getting them connected to resources."

Mental health, like physical health, is on a continuum, Reidenberg explained. Early recognition and treatment are critical components to successful long-term treatment.

St. Francis was the second high school to host "Let's Talk About It, Anoka County." Anoka High had an event in October. For more information, go to SAVe.org.

Beware of overpriced death certificatesDeath certificates are available through Anoka County's Vital Statistics Office and the Anoka County License Centers in Columbia Heights and Coon Rapids. The cost is $13.

Reports have surfaced recently of commercial websites, including several popular genealogy sites, charging $100 or more for a death record.

"Since in most cases these sites obtain their information from government sources, it's completely unnecessary to spend more than the $13 fee charged by the county," said Anoka County Board Chair Rhonda Sivarajah. "Certified death records are often required for insurance and other legal purposes; Anoka County makes obtaining them safe and convenient."

Three Rivers debates subsidizing parksThree Rivers Park District board members voted 5-1 on Dec. 15 to use surplus funds to retire the operating deficit for two parks the district owns and operates in Scott County.

The deficit added up to $850,000 over 10 years.

The park district is principally supported by taxpayers of suburban Hennepin County and all board members come from suburban Hennepin County.

Park board member Joan Peters of Golden Valley cast the one vote against the move, saying it's wrong for the park district to take "money from Hennepin County that our taxpayers paid for our parks and our use" and use it to subsidize parks in Scott County.

Three Rivers bought Cleary Lake Regional Park and Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve, both located in central Scott County, in the 1970s.

There are unmet park needs in Hennepin County, with some suburbs still waiting for trails and some communities questioning why Three Rivers does not keep regional trails open in the winter, Peters said.

Park board member John Gibbs of Bloomington said he thinks a "healthy percentage of Hennepin County taxpayers" use the parks. Three Rivers estimates that 9 percent of the users at Cleary and Murphy-Hanrehan are from suburban Hennepin County.

Many residents of Eden Prairie find the parks in Scott County to be closest and most convenient, Gibbs said.

Because Scott County pays for most of the cost of operating the parks and the park district receives regional park funds that come from taxpayers outside of Hennepin County, Gibbs said he finds the arrangement with Scott to be workable.

"We have to keep a close eye on this, but I think that is true of all of them," Gibbs said.

Experts will inspect installed car seats, give installation tips and check seats for any recalls. For further information or to make an appointment, call Crime Prevention Specialist Andrea Hunt at 763-785-6113.

Public health award nominations soughtNominations are being sought for the 2012 Anoka County Public Health Recognition Awards, which recognize citizens in the county who strive to improve public health in their communities.

There are two categories:

• Youth-focused, individual or group. This award recognizes an individual who is 18 or younger at the time of nomination, or an organization that is led by youth.

• Adult, individual or group. This will be presented to an individual who is 18 years or older at the time of nomination, or to a group, such as a partnership, a community coalition or other organization.

Drop-off trash will no longer be acceptedThe Brooklyn Park Drop-Off Facility will no longer accept trash from residents beginning in January.

The space currently used for residential drop-off will be leased to a company that will separate metals and plastics for recycling from trash that's brought in by haulers.

The center will still accept electronics, mattresses, appliances, recyclables, automotive waste and hazardous household wastes, as well as organic waste.

The company, Rational Energies, will pay Hennepin County nearly $1 million a year for the lease and share revenue from the sale of recyclables. The county figures it will save another $1.1 million a year in disposal costs.

For more information, contact Hennepin County Environmental Services at www.henn epin.us/dropoffs or call 612-348-3777.

Games, crafts and snacks are on the agenda, and a bonfire will be lit at noon -- in celebration of the "Noon Year," as it's being dubbed.

Cost is $3 per person. Pre-registration is required. Call 763-572-3588.

Ice Center plans New Year's Eve partyThe Plymouth Ice Center is inviting families to "jump, slide, glide and splash" their way into the new year at a party from 6-9 p.m. New Year's Eve at the center, located at 3650 Plymouth Blvd.

There will be skating, swimming, entertainment and activities for the family. Food will be available, including a hot dog meal that's included in the price of admission.

Register before 4:30 p.m. on Friday and pay $9 for ages 2 through adult; kids under 2 are free. After that, admission will cost $12. Call 763-509-5200 to register.

Most ticket prices will increase by 25 cents. The increase will help offset operating costs.

STAFF REPORTS

Low-cost vaccinations offered in JanuaryHennepin County will offer low-cost immunizations to uninsured adults and children at several sites throughout January. No appointments are needed.

Donations will be requested but not required. Immunizations available include flu and tetanus and others generally needed by adults or children.

The January schedule includes:

• Jan. 6 at the Hennepin Health Services Building, 525 Portland Av., Minneapolis, from 8:30 to 11 a.m.

• Jan. 3 and 17 at the Bloomington Division of Health, 1900 W. Old Shakopee Road, Bloomington, from 3 to 5:30 p.m.

Similar immunization clinics will be offered throughout the year. For more information, call 612-348-2284 or go to www.hennepin.us/vaccines/ to get monthly schedules.