South metro community news briefs

Scott County is launching next month a series of public outreach sesssions aimed at both explaining how it chooses transportation projects and hearing back about highway improvements that residents want.

The context is the county's 10-year Transportation Improvement Program, and sessions with the county's highway engineer are to be held in each of the five commissioner districts.

The program involves reconstruction or other forms of improvement for highways, trails, bridges and transit facilities, with an emphasis on safety concerns.

For more details, contact Mitch Rasmussen, highway engineer, at 952-496-8026 or mrasmussen@co.scott.mn.us.

The sessions that have been scheduled:

• April 3, 6 to 8 p.m., Elko New Market Library, 110 J. Roberts Way.

• April 9, 6 to 8 p.m., county board room, 200 4th Av. W., Shakopee.

• April 23, 7 to 9 p.m., Parkview Room at Prior Lake City Hall, 4646 Dakota St. SE.

• April 30, 7 to 9 p.m., Marion Hall at Savage City Hall, 6000 McColl Drive.

There's a spring tea for girls next month at the Scott County Historical Society.

From 1:30 to 3 p.m. April 13, girls will sew doll pillows, tour the 1908 Stans House, and have tea and treats.

Reservations are required, and there's an $8 fee for supplies.

Half the recipients of the $900,000 windfall from the Shakopee tribe have decided what use to make of the gift, tribal officials say.

Jordan, Prior Lake and Savage have relayed word of what's to be done with their $150,000 grant, the tribe says. Scott County and the cities of Belle Plaine and Shakopee have not.

• Jordan plans to use the money to upgrade its adult softball and youth baseball campus at Holzer Park, including restroom improvements and a Little League field.

• Prior Lake plans to use it on parks projects, with $50,000 to complete the master plan at Pike Lake Park, 49 acres alongside tribal land, and $10,000 for a trails gap analysis. The remainder could be used to improve Pike Lake Park or fill in trails.

• Savage plans to spend $85,000 for economic development programs aimed at improving the tax base, perhaps including buying or improving decayed commercial properties. It will spend $50,000 for three landscaping projects in parks and open spaces. And it will spend $15,000 to renovate library space for use by artists and seniors.

The unit provides health screenings, mammograms, vision and dental services, as well as other prevention and education services for people in need.

With each session lasting from 2 to 5 p.m., the health clinic is scheduled:

• April 4 at the Russian Church, 1205 10th Av. in Shak­opee;

• April 18 at Rademacher's Fresh Market, 500 2nd St. W. in Jordan;

• May 2 at the Public Library in Savage;

In an effort to recognize volunteers who improve Rosemount's quality of life, the Rosemount City Council is asking residents to nominate local volunteers to be honored at the April 16 City Council meeting.

For the 10th year, the city will hold the ceremony during National Volunteer Week. The council plans to recognize as many volunteers as possible. Last year, 125 individuals, families or groups were honored.

The deadline to submit a nomination is April 8. Nominations should be sent to the city's communications coordinator, Alan Cox, 651-322-2078 or alan.cox@ci.rosemount.mn.us.

Contact information for the volunteers should be included.

Farmington's residential garbage customers will have a chance to dispose of large household items during Curbside Cleanup Days beginning April 20.

Acceptable items include TVs, computers, monitors, carpet, appliances, mattresses, box springs and furniture.