South metro briefs: Scott County OKs project to expand County Road 83

The County Board approved the agreement at its meeting Tuesday; the county will cover $950,000, while the tribe will cover the remainder. The 1.3-mile stretch of County Road 83 will be expanded from two to four lanes and improve surrounding trails and traffic flow, Deputy County Administrator Lezlie Vermillion said. An additional southbound ramp will also connect the road to Mystic Lake.

Construction is slated to begin by the end of the summer, alongside construction for the tribe's 180-room hotel in Prior Lake that broke ground in May. Both projects are expected be complete by the Minneapolis 2018 Super Bowl, which is expected to drive overnight guests to the new hotel.

Natalie Daher

The Dakota County Historical Society will turn back time to 1830 for history buffs taking part in a fur trade event this month.

The society will host a Fur Trade Weekend from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 23 and 24. Visitors to the Sibley Historic Site will get a hands-on fur trading experience. At the event, visitors will hear from re-enactors and see live demonstrations.

The event will also showcase Mendota's history as a fur trading post and its tribal importance. They will also get the chance to learn about Henry Sibley's part in the fur industry. A re-enactment group, La Compagnie, will offer stationary interpretation at the Sibley site, 1357 Sibley Hwy. in Mendota. The Dakota County Historical Society and Minnesota Historical Society are offering free admission to members.

Nonmembers pay $9 for adults and $8 for seniors and college students. Children ages 5 to 17 are $7. Admission for children under 4 is free.

Burnsville is calling for "dedicated patriots" to help raise and lower flags at city buildings.

Volunteers will be responsible for the flags on designated holidays, as well as when flags are ordered to be flown at half-staff.

Between seven and 14 volunteers are needed to raise and lower flags at seven sites around the city.

Those interested in volunteering can contact community services specialist Amber Jacobson at 952-895-4575.

Burnsville is offering the chance to travel the world — to Ireland, Brazil, India and beyond — all without leaving town.

The event, now in its 10th year, is funded in part by the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment. It'll take place between 3 and 9 p.m. and is open to all ages.

Emma Nelson

The Dakota County Board appointed two members representing the private sector and organized labor to the Dakota-Scott County Workforce Development Board.

Marcus Thomas and Doug Suchanek were appointed at the County Board's meeting on June 21. Thomas is principal owner of civil engineering company Bolton & Menk Inc. in Burnsville, while Suchanek is a representative for an electrical workers' labor union in St. Paul.

The Dakota-Scott County Workforce Development Board oversees employment and training programs in the south metro area. The three workforce centers it oversees are located in Burnsville, Shakopee and West St. Paul.

State officials are warning of delays and congestion on Hwy. 61 in Washington County, from Cottage Grove to the south.

A road realignment project got underway last week. Work will take place in both directions from north of Hwy. 10 in Cottage Grove to just south of 127th St. in Hastings.

It's part of a larger intersection project. Crews will realign Maycrest Avenue, resurface pavement, constructing southbound turn lanes and close a median crossing.

To keep informed, including signing up for e-mail alerts, visit mndot.gov/metro/projects/hwy61and10.

David Peterson

ArtReach St. Croix, a Stillwater-based regional nonprofit group, is planning to build a pull-behind trailer for the art gallery. The gallery is to function in part as a "Fresh Art" roadside stand, a bit like a produce stand, as well as host "pop-up performances."

ArtReach St. Croix hopes to raise $5,000, to go with an existing grant from the St. Croix Valley Foundation and the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council.

To learn more, go to www.ArtReachStCroix.org; for donations, go to their Indiegogo page at igg.me/at/artreachgoesmobile.