South metro news briefs: Shakopee superintendent resumes cancer treatment

Shakopee schools Superintendent Gary Anger resumed treatment last week for an aggressive form of small cell carcinoma.

Anger announced Monday that recent scans showed that the cancer had returned to his lymph nodes, requiring another round of chemotherapy.

However, he assured people on his CaringBridge page that the news did not mark a change in his prognosis, just the latest step in managing the disease.

"Emotionally, I'm still really strong. One reason I wanted to start chemo tomorrow is so that I could sing at church through the Easter season," said Anger, 53. "Happily, I was able to sing at five services over the past four days including one of my favorites, the Exodus reading at the Easter Vigil."

He plans to adjust his treatments to limit time spent away from school district operations. He will receive chemotherapy the first week of each month for the next four months, with the intent of working the remaining three weeks of the month.

Anger returned from a three-month medical leave in late January. During his absence, his spirits were buoyed by thousands of notes he received from students, teachers, colleagues and neighbors, all wishing him a speedy recovery.

"I continue to marvel at how lucky I am to have all of you in my life," he wrote. "As you are there for me, you all know I am there for you."

The Farmington City Council officially named the city's newest park Flagstaff Meadow Park at its April 3 meeting, choosing from among 39 suggestions submitted as part of a contest.

The city's parks and recreation commission had recommended the name for the new park, located in the Regetta Fields housing development. Other suggestions included Bancroft's Backyard Park, Great Gopher Park, Medicine Wheel Park and Tiger Shadow Park.

LeAnna Morgan of Port Aransas, Texas, submitted the winning name and was supposed to receive prizes that included food and gas gift certificates, a stereo headset and a punch-card for free open skate days at the Schmitz-Maki Arena.

However, Morgan wanted her prizes to go to Mayor Todd Larson and his wife, Lena, since the couple had organized a supply drive for Hurricane Harvey victims. Since Larson is prohibited from receiving such gifts, other arrangements were made.

Erin Adler

Hicks served on the City Council for four terms before becoming mayor and twice winning reelection.

"Local government indeed impacts people's lives so profoundly, and to have such solid support from the people of Hastings over these many years is humbling," Hicks said in a statement. "It has truly been exciting."

Hicks listed the new bridge over Hwy. 61 as among his biggest accomplishments. He also noted creation of the Hastings Economic Development and Redevelopment Authority and revitalization of the riverfront area.

Erin Adler

The Hennepin County Board has reappointed two managers to another term on the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Board.

From Minneapolis to Maple Plain, the watershed district covers parts of 27 cities and contains 129 lakes, and manages everything from flooding to the spread of invasive species. Six of the seven board managers are appointed by Hennepin County and one is appointed by Carver County.

White, who lives on Lake Minnetonka, has worked to save her shoreline from polluted runoff. Rogness, a retired architect, has lived near Minnehaha Creek and Lake Harriet for more than four decades.

White said that she looked forward to continued service on the board "which, together with the organization's committed staff, has forged strong relationships with its partners to make lasting water resource improvements."

Rogness said he was grateful to have the chance "to help the district and its partners align investments and identify mutually beneficial goals that protect and improve the quality of water and the quality of life in this beautiful watershed."

David Chanen

Upcoming meetings will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Kaposia Education Center, 1225 1st Av. S.; 6:30 p.m. on April 26 at South St. Paul Secondary School, 700 2nd St. N.; and 6:30 p.m. on May 23, also at South St. Paul Secondary School.

Erin Adler

The Belle Plaine City Council last month approved a 21-year agreement to help finance pool operations at the school district's proposed community center.

The five-member body voted 3-2 in favor of the contract, which promises an annual city contribution of $250,000 toward staffing the aquatics facility should voters approve a referendum on the community center May 8.