South news briefs: Dakota forum to offer help on insurance programs

Dakota County will host a health care forum with presentations on Medicare and MNsure from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, at Lutheran Church of the Ascension, 1801 Cliff Road E., Burnsville.

Those attending will be able to get assistance from counselors about signing up for MNsure health care programs.

The presentation on Medicare will be from 6:15-6:45 p.m., followed by the MNsure presentation from 6:45-7:15. General information and MNsure assistance will be available from 6-8 p.m.

To sign up for MNsure, bring the name, date of birth, Social Security number and income information for any individual with whom you jointly file taxes or whom you declare as a dependent.

Scott County

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is planning to set more fires — about 140 acres' worth — this fall.

A so-called "prescribed burn" is done to replicate natural fires after green foliage dies and turns brown. Locations include:

• 30 acres at Spring Lake Park Reserve, southeast of County Road 82 and Howard Lake Road

• 20 acres of Scott County land southwest of Hwy. 282 and Redwing Trail

• 5 acres northwest off Hwy. 13 and Five Hawks Avenue in Prior Lake Lake.

Burns release native seeds, add nutrients to soil, rejuvenate native grasses, remove dead biomass, kill invasive species and reduce the risk of later wildfires.

Other fires are being started on land within the reservation, but all are being done by tribal staff at no cost to the requesting jurisdictions.

The meetings are in the City Council chambers, 100 Civic Center Parkway.

Burnsville Community Television (BCTV) has produced a video, "Budget Open House," highlighting the services provided by the city and explaining how they are funded.

View the BCTV program on cable channels 14 and 16 or at www.YouTube.com/cityof burnsvillemn.

The Kukowski Center, an integrative mental health clinic in Burnsville, is conducting a free open house from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 9, and Iraq war veteran Sgt. Daniel J. Hanson of Cottage Grove will speak about adjusting to life after Iraq and overcoming the physical and mental effects of combat.

Hanson spent four years with the Marine Corps in Iraq and received the C-Service Ribbon, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.

"After returning home, Hanson lost his brother, a fellow Iraq veteran, to suicide," the news release said, and "Hanson battled drug and alcohol ­addiction, had several DUIs and was in and out of jail. He then entered treatment for alcohol, received counseling for PTSD and has testified on veterans issues in both the U.S. Senate and Congress."

A recent study from the RAND Corp. found that of the veterans who seek treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), only half get "minimally adequate" treatment.

"The Kukowski Center offers quality services to veterans that are practical and can actually help us get better," Hanson said in the news release. "I know, because I've used them."

The center takes an integrative approach that treats the whole person using therapy, acupuncture, massage, nutrition and yoga to fully address PTSD and other issues.

The Nov. 9 open house, which is free, will feature mini sessions of massage, yoga and acupuncture, plus healthy snacks from a registered dietitian and a chance to meet the Kukowksi Center staff.

Kids can try out costumes on the Wednesday before Halloween in Shakopee.

The city park department's Scary Skate and Spooky Family Fun Night takes place Wednesday, Oct. 30, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Community Center.