South metro news briefs: Rosemount Citizens Police Academy starts soon

Learn more about the Rosemount Police Department through the 2013 Citizens Police Academy.

The academy will meet Mondays from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. starting April 1 and ending May 13. Most classes will meet at City Hall.

The academy is free and open to those who live or work in Rosemount and are at least 18 years old. Participants will be subject to a criminal-background check.

For more information, contact officer Beth Richtsmeier at 651-322-2012 or at beth.richts meier@ci.rosemount.mn.us. Applications will be accepted through March 4 and are available in the lobby of the Rosemount Police Department or at www.ci.rosemount.mn.us.

We're nearing the moment for icehouses to come off lakes in the southern part of Minnesota, the Department of Natural Resources is cautioning.

The deadline in the state's southern two-thirds is midnight March 4, before the March 18 date for the northern third. The agency warns of "enforcement action" if the deadlines aren't met.

Officials are entitled to remove, confiscate or destroy structures that don't meet the deadline.

The aim is to create rain gardens that soak up stormwater which would otherwise carry pollutants to lakes and streams through storm drains. Beautifying yards is a side benefit.

The workshops are March 4 and April 9 at City Hall, 100 Civic Center Pkwy.

Experts from the Dakota County Soil and Watershed Conservation District will showcase "dozens of affordable and inspirational local native gardens, rain gardens and native shoreline stabilization projects that transform bland urban landscapes into beautiful retreats," an official announcement says.

You may qualify for a $250 county grant or up to $1,000 city grant to install a new garden.

Registration is required. Go to www.dakotacountyswcd.org/bluethumb.html or call 651-480-7777. For more information, go to www.burnsville.org/bluethumb.

Last month the City Council approved the sale of the building at 334 2nd Av. W., but the sale terms required the buyer to secure several needed permits.

That process is running into hurdles, officials say, enough so that while they aren't giving up, they are encouraging other potential users to contact Realtor Randy Kubes at 952-445-9110.

The initial prospect is thought to be in the antique vehicle business.

The lifesaving basics of CPR will be covered in a free session from 7 to 8 p.m. tomorrow in Shakopee.

The Scott County Historical Society and St. Francis Regional Medical Center are offering the lesson in connection with an exhibit on medicine in the county.

The society is located at 235 Fuller St. S., Shakopee.