South news briefs: Free vaccinations coming up next week

A "Back2School" vaccination clinic for Dakota County students entering grades 7–12 this fall will be held on Aug. 27.

Three free immunizations will be provided:

• Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis/whooping cough (Tdap);

• Meningococcal, a bacteria that causes meningitis or brain inflammation; and

• HPV (human papillomavirus, which can cause cancer).

Changes in state law that go into effect this fall require all students entering grade 7 to show proof of Tdap and meningococcal vaccinations. Students entering grades 8–12 must prove these vaccinations if requested by the school.

HPV vaccination is "highly recommended" beginning at age 11, officials say.

The clinic is walk-in, no appointment is required.

Children must be accompanied by an adult and each child must have a signed permission form from a parent or guardian. Parents should bring the child's immunization records, if they can.

The time and place: from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at the Dakota County Western Service Center in Apple Valley.

More information and forms are available on the Dakota County website or by calling the Public Health Immunization Information Line: 952-891-7999.

Norm and Lori Pint have been named the 2014 Scott County Farm Family of the Year.

Norm Pint's family has farmed the acreage outside New Prague since the 19th century.

For the past 12 years they have run a lamb and wool business.

Lori is secretary of the Scott County Agricultural Society while Norm is general manager of the Scott County Fair.

Express transit service to the Minnesota State Fair will be offered on weekends and Labor Day out of the new Marschall Road Transit Station, 1615 Weston Court, Shakopee.

Rides to the fair are hourly between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Return trips leave the fairgrounds hourly from 2 to 10 p.m.

The station officially opened this month and is the new transfer point for the Shakopee Circulator.

Parts of the parking area at Burnsville's Heart of the City, home to its performing arts center, are closing for a time.

The reason is expansion of the deck, adding a second level with 40 more spaces on the west side.

The project is to be complete in December.

The surface lot to the west of the deck and the westernmost rows on the first and second level will be closed.

The project includes a new sidewalk, updated streetlights, security cameras, another emergency phone and stormwater upgrades.

Burnsville Community Television will hosting an Open House next week with an inside look at what it takes to create and edit programming.

One goal is to familiarize folks with how to create their own programming using equipment available to the public, as well as volunteer opportunities.

There's also a broadcast Virtual Open House, enabling you to see from home what it's like to read from a teleprompter, go behind the camera, experience the control room, and the like.

The event is Aug. 27 from 3-7 p.m. For anyone attending in person, it's at the BCTV studio, Room C214, second floor of Burnsville High School, 600 E. Hwy 13.

Crews will grind up existing asphalt and base in order to reuse it.

Weather permitting, they plan to pave the trails next week.

The project will result in an 8-foot-wide trail system throughout the park.

The park and its disc golf course will remain open throughout.

Shakopee police are offering a second annual coloring contest for kids.

Children age 12 and under who live in Shakopee are eligible.

Entry forms and coloring sheets are available at www.ShakopeeMN.gov/crimeprevention.

Entries are due by 4:30 p.m. Sept. 5 by mail or in person at Shakopee Police, 475 Gorman St.