South news briefs: Open house coming on I-35, 35E project in Lakeville

There's a chance in Lakeville next week to be briefed on the severe disruptions expected this summer when a major freeway repair project begins on Hwys. I-35 and I-35E.

Southbound I-35E between County Road 42 and I-35 will be closed for up to 30 days, the state is warning, and four-lane segments will squeeze to two at times, one in each direction.

The open house is March 28 at the Lakeville Water Treatment Facility, 18400 Ipava Av., from 4 to 7 p.m. Officials will be there to discuss it and answer questions.

Lots of details are on a web site at http://tinyurl.com/czaz553. To request an ASL or foreign language interpreter, call 651-366-4720.

Nancy Huddleston, former editor of the Savage Pacer weekly newspaper, will offer a talk this week on her book, "Savage: Images of America."

The book has to do with the town's storied past, including the legendary race horse Dan Patch.

The talk takes place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. March 21 at the Scott County Historical Society. Museum admission will be charged: $4 for adults, $2 for students, members for free.

Prior Lake is promising a "new, expanded format for playground and tot lot" and new trips and adventures as part of its summer recreation program.

Registration starts April 1. Until then, you can examine what's on tap online at www.priorlakerecreation.com/insight/registry/catalog.asp .

As an incentive to act fast, the city is offering registered youth participants free City of Prior Lake youth sweatshirts at City Hall while limited quantities and sizes last, so don't delay.

There's a vocal competition next month with scholarships at stake. Singers are invited to take part on the event on April 18 at Inver Hills Community College as part of a Fine Arts Festival.

Those age 18 and under can compete in a high school category. For those 19 and up there's an adult track.

Everyone prepares two songs of different styles, limited to classical or musical theater. Scholarships go to winners and runners-up in each group.

Applications are due by March 31 and can be submitted online at www.inverhills.edu/fafestival.

Auditions on April 18 are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Winner and runners-up perform at 7:30 p.m. April 19 at a college concert.

An opening reception is coming up next week for a display of paintings by a local artist, and there's a class in April.

Sue Melchior is the featured artist at both events:

• On March 28 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Scott County Historical Society, there's an opening for an exhibit of 20 watercolors and pastels, with the artist present. Admission is free and there are refreshments. The exhibit will run through April 27.

• On April 11, Melchior will demonstrate and teach the basics of watercolor painting at the same location from 7 to 8 p.m.

For details, call 952-445-0378 or e-mail info@scottcountyhistory.org. The society is located at 235 Fuller St. S. in Shakopee.

SouthWest Transit will have two new members on its seven-person commission.

Chaska City Council member Jay Rohe and former Chaska Mayor Bob Roepke join the commission in 2013.

One elected official and one appointed citizen from each of the agency's three founding cities — Chanhassen, Chaska and Eden Prairie — serve three-year terms.

The seventh member is a rider representative who also serves a three-year term and is appointed by the commission members.

For more information, go to www.swtransit.org.