South metro news briefs: Meeting on plans for downtown Prior Lake

City officials in Prior Lake are inviting residents to what they're calling a "critical" meeting on the reshaping of roads downtown.

The session is Monday, Oct. 28, at 7 p.m. at the council chambers in City Hall.

Three options for recasting traffic flow have been distilled out of a much longer list. They are posted online on the city's website, www.cityofpriorlake.com.

The council will make its call on the matter after the meeting, based in part on citizen reactions.

The issue is how to keep south downtown viable, and traffic moving, as congestion rises on the main roads and some accesses are blocked.

Hundreds of kids will turn up for the Savage Fire Department's Halloween open house, which takes place Oct. 31.

The event runs from 5 to 7 p.m. and is meant to provide a safe alternative to traditional trick-or-treating.

Residents of Burnsville, Apple Valley and Eagan can drop their pumpkins off for free organic recycling this year.

Collection is on Saturday, Nov. 2, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Eagan Community Center parking lot, 1501 Central Pkwy., Eagan.

Candle wax must be removed, and no painted pumpkins are allowed. Kids who come along will get treats.

The event is coordinated by Dakota Valley Recycling at 651-675-5011.

Scott County has upgraded its process for sending out e-mails on what's going on, including meetings and services.

Current subscribers' arrangements stay intact. But you're encouraged to check in on the process so your messages can be more personalized.

The Metropolitan Council is offering public workshops to hear what you think about preliminary trail maps for a new Regional Bicycle System Master Study.

Versions of the maps will be part of a 2040 transportation plan by late 2014.

The workshops are:

• Wednesday, Oct. 23, from 6:30-8 p.m. at Hallie Q. Brown Community Center, 270 N. Kent St., St. Paul.

Nearly 30 types of trees are being offered in the annual tree and shrub sale held by Scott County's Soil and Water Conservation District.

In addition to 29 species of deciduous and coniferous seedlings, there are four native seed mixes, rain barrels and tree supplies.

Customers can pick up their orders on April 19 or 20 at the county fairgrounds in Jordan.

The district's staff recommends these selections:

• Lakeshore residents: white cedar, willow, maple, American linden (basswood) and oak.

• City neighborhoods: maple, oak, spruce and crabapple.

• Farm windbreaks: red osier dogwood, highbush cranberry, black walnut, oak and spruce.

• Undeveloped woods and wildlife areas: red osier dogwood, oak, maple, basswood, serviceberry, highbush cranberry and chokecherry.

The district sells thousands of bare-root seedlings each year, in bundles of 25. Call 952-492-5425 or e-mail dhrabe@co.scott.mn.us for more information.

You can order online, including payment with MasterCard or Visa.