South metro briefs: New superintendent in Northfield

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 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.

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

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.

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.

NATALIE DAHER

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.