North news briefs: Sheriff's office urges water safety after near-drownings

The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office is highlighting a set of safety reminders after several near-drownings over the weekend. The advice centers on three words: watch, wear, learn. The office says:

• Avoid distractions such as using cellphones or talking with other adults.

• Parent supervision is needed even when there are lifeguards on duty.

• Drowning is typically a silent event. Parents needs to keep visual contact with their children who are in the water.

• Weak swimmers or non-swimmers may wear life jackets in lakes, pools or any body of water. Adult supervision is still needed.

• State law requires life jackets for kids under age 10 when boating. All people in a boat must have life jackets accessible while boating.

• Don't rely on water wings or other inflatable devices.

• Learn about safety equipment; for example, keep a shepherd's hook near pools for rescues.

• Learn about recommendations for pool drains; teach kids not to play with drains.

• Learn CPR and more about water safety.

The Burman Family Farm in Oak Grove will be honored as an Anoka County Century Farm at the county fair on Wednesday. William Burman, a native of England, purchased the farm for $1,500 in 1913. The award from the Anoka County Historical Society will be presented to the farm's current owners — a family corporation made up of William Burman's great-grandchildren and their mother.

The Historical Society presents awards to farms that have been farmed within the same family for 100 years or more and consist of the original 40 acres or more. The Burman farm will be the 37th in Anoka County, and sixth in Oak Grove, to receive the award since the society began the program in 1978.

The city of Lino Lakes and Linwood Township earned "Most Improved Municipal Drop-off Program" awards. Nine individuals were honored as "Recycling Champions" for their efforts: Sarah Filipi, Mark Junghans, Laurie Kimball, Theresa Klaman, Patricia Ludens, Mary Schuster, Amy Sykes, Barb Reichel and Douglas Jones.

Officials said 22,473 more tons of materials were recycled in Anoka County last year than in 2012. They also said 43 percent of waste generated in the county in 2013 was recycled.

For further information on recycling in Anoka County, go to http://tinyurl.com/ol73kfg

Brooklyn Park has launched a partnership with Nextdoor, a private social network for neighborhoods, in conjunction with the city's effort to improve communications among neighbors.

As part of its initiative, the city has issued a map with neighborhood names and boundaries that residents identified earlier this year ("In Brooklyn Park, neighborhoods take shape and get names"; North extra, June 25, 2014).

For more information, go to www.nextdoor.com. For more about Brooklyn Park's neighborhood initiative, including a map of the neighborhoods, go to www.brooklynpark.org/neighborhoods.

Ramsey's Thursday farmers market season began last week and continues each Thursday through Aug. 28, from 3-7 p.m. at the Draw Park. Also taking place on Thursdays is the Draw Summer Event Series, at the Draw Amphitheater, 7401 E. Ramsey Pkwy. This week features country music by Two Hicks and a Chick. from 6:30-8 p.m.