BROOKLYN CENTER

Wal-Mart opens hiring center for new storeWal-Mart has opened a hiring center at 1200 Shingle Creek Crossing and plans to hire about 300 workers, full- and part-time, for jobs in its new Brooklyn Center store.

The hiring center will accept applications from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. To apply online: www.careers. walmart.com.

Wal-Mart said the majority of employees will start work in August as the store prepares to open late this summer.

North metro

CEAP conducting back-to-school programFor the 22nd year, the Community Emergency Assistance Program (CEAP) is gathering school supplies for needy kids in northwestern Hennepin and Anoka counties. CEAP's Back to School program will give supplies to parents of students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

CEAP says it welcomes anyone who would like to host a school supply drive or volunteer during the distribution.

Donations need to be dropped off by Aug. 17 at CEAP offices in Brooklyn Park at 6840 78th Av. N, or in Blaine at 1201 89th Av. NE., No. 130.

For further information, go to www.ceap.org/backto school.html. If you have donation questions or would like to help starting a drive, call 763-450-3664; for volunteer opportunities, call 763-450-3679.

COON RAPIDS

City Manager Matt Fulton steps downCoon Rapids City Manager Matt Fulton has resigned after six years in the post. The resignation came the day after the City Council's biannual review of his job performance. City officials said that they wish Fulton well.

No other information was available in the days after his resignation, pending completion of negotiations over his severance package.

The city will appoint an interim city manager soon, and then look for someone to take the job long-term. In the meantime, Public Services Director Steve Gatlin and City Attorney David Brodie will share city manager duties.

While in Coon Rapids, Fulton served on the board of the League of Minnesota Cities and as regional vice president of the International City/County Management Association.

Family Fun Night includes "The Lorax"The Family Fun Night sponsored by the city and the Community Strength Foundation on Aug. 10 at Sand Creek Park, 1008 Northdale Blvd., will feature a screening of the movie "The Lorax." Inflatable gyms will be available for play from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The free movie starts at 8:30. To learn more: www.star tribune.com/a1537.

GOLDEN VALLEY

League to hold two forums on primaryThe League of Women Voters will sponsor a judicial election forum at 7 p.m. today at Golden Valley City Hall, 7800 Golden Valley Road.

Featured will be candidates for the 4th Judicial District, Seat 22, in the Aug. 14 primary. The candidates are Steve Antolak, Elizabeth Cutter, Diane Krentz and Deborah Russell.

On Thursday at 7 p.m., also at the Golden Valley City Hall, there will be a forum for candidates for Hennepin County commissioner in District 2. Nine candidates have filed: Leslie Davis, Steve Dehler, Rolf Erickson, Linda Higgins, Tonia Johnson, Kathleen Murdock, Paula Pentel, Roger Smithrud and Blong Yang.

The forum will be cablecast live on Channel 12 and rebroadcast Sunday and Tuesday at 8:30 and 11 p.m.

Teacher wins honor for STEM leadershipA fifth-grade teacher at Noble Elementary School in Golden Valley has been named the Junior Achievement elementary teacher of the year for the Upper Midwest. Carrie Casey has been a leader in developing the Robbinsdale school district's Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics curriculum, said Lachelle Williams, a Junior Achievement executive.

ROBBINSDALE

Prostate cancer support group to meetA free prostate cancer support group will meet at 5:30 p.m. today at North Memorial Outpatient Center, 3435 W. Broadway, Robbinsdale. Kristi Crep, a physical therapist with the Sister Kenny Institute, will discuss survivorship training and rehabilitation for cancer survivors. Call 612-388-3588 to learn more.

FRIDLEY

Unity Hospital offers healthy living programUnity Hospital, 550 Osborne Road, is offering a program combining exercise, diet, meditation and group therapy to help people learn techniques to more skillfully deal with emotional states that often accompany anxiety and depression. The fee is $900 and the first session begins in August. For more information, call 763-236-5629.

STAFF REPORTS