Matthew Hillmann will become the new superintendent of Northfield Public Schools on July 1, replacing Chris Richardson, who is retiring after 12 years in the district.

Hillmann, currently the district's administrative services director, has been with the district for seven years. He came to Northfield from the Belle Plaine district to serve as the director of human resources and technology. In Belle Plaine, he was a principal, curriculum director and assessment director. He began his teaching career in the Madelia district.

He lives in Northfield with his wife and three children.

Erin Adler

EAGAN

City names new parks and rec chief

Eagan has hired a new director for its parks and recreation department.

Andrew Pimental, 41, will fill the position vacated by Juli Seydell Johnson. After a decade in Eagan, Seydell Johnson took the parks and recreation director job in Iowa City late last year.

Pimental comes to Eagan by way of northeast Minneapolis, where he oversaw recreation programs, facilities and services during the past three years. He previously worked as general manager for Colorado's Green Valley Ranch Metropolitan District.

In Eagan, Pimental will oversee 56 parks, 52 full-time staff members and hundreds of seasonal employees. He'll begin the job May 2 and earn a starting salary of $123,339.

DAKOTA COUNTY

Call goes out for art submissions

Dakota County is inviting local artists ages 8 and up to submit work for its annual Community Art Exhibition.

This year's theme is "Landscapes of Dakota County." Each piece must be two-dimensional, and only one entry is allowed per person.

The exhibition, now in its sixth year, is sponsored by the Dakota County Public Art Citizen Advisory Committee. The committee reviews submissions and makes a recommendation to the Board of Commissioners, which decides which artwork will be shown. The exhibition lasts four months, and work is installed in county buildings.

Submissions are due July 8. For more information, contact Jean Erickson at 651-438-4286 or jean.erickson@co.dakota.mn.us.

Emma Nelson

South St. Paul

City invites community to learn about bees

South St. Paul will host an informational session on bees to support the community's pollinator-friendly efforts. In November, the city adopted a resolution declaring South St. Paul a pollinator-friendly city.

At the event on April 26, residents can learn about neonicotinoids and how the insecticides are affecting bees and butterflies. The event will take place in City Hall from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Erin Rupp from Pollinate Minnesota, an organization working to create a healthier environment for pollinators, will speak about how bee populations are decreasing and what the community can do to help.

The "What's All the Buzz" event will be free and open to the public.

Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community

Tribe to deploy mobile health care unit

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community released the schedule for its statewide tour offering medical, dental and vision services on wheels.

Since 2007, the tribe has deployed a mobile unit to communities to offer free mammograms, chest X-rays, cancer screenings, diabetes screenings, dental services and other health care.

The local groups hosting the services, which range from one to four days, include libraries, churches and reservations in northern Minnesota and the central and south metro areas. The earliest service available in Minneapolis-St. Paul will be on April 27 for the American Indian Wellness Fair at the Minneapolis American Indian Center.

More information is available at shakopeedakota.org, and appointments must be scheduled through local groups coordinating the unit's visit.

NATALIE DAHER

PRIOR LAKE

Curbside recycling of large items offered

The city of Prior Lake and Buckingham Companies are offering curbside recycling of computers, TVs, mattresses and other large items. Pickup will be available April 18 through April 29 for residents of Prior Lake, Spring Lake Township and Credit River Township.

To schedule a pickup, call Buckingham at 952-226-6441 before April 28. A fee will be charged for pickup and disposal. A list of prices is on the city's website: www.cityofpriorlake.com.