South news briefs: School district referendums slated for Nov. 3

Farmington residents will vote on two requests. The first, an operating levy increase, would raise an additional $3 million annually to lower class sizes and maintain kindergarten aides and elementary band. The second asks for a $45 million bond for security improvements, building maintenance and more kindergarten classrooms.

Lakeville district leaders are requesting approval of two questions. A $20 million capital levy would pay for technology improvements, science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) equipment, and security upgrades. A $1.2 million per year operating levy increase would hire seven high school teachers and restore elementary art and fifth-grade band.

MnDOT shares plans for new 35W bridge

There will be two open houses this week for residents to learn more about the Minnesota Department of Transportation's plans to replace the Interstate 35W bridge between Burnsville and Bloomington.

The project is slated to begin in 2020 and be completed in 2021. It will include reconstruction of the bridge over the Minnesota River, the addition of a northbound lane and construction of a trail between Cliff Road and 106th Street.

The first open house is from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Bloomington Public Works, 1700 W. 98th St. The second will be Thursday, also from 5 to 7 p.m., at Burnsville City Hall, 100 Civic Center Pkwy.

MnDOT representatives will be on hand to answer questions and solicit input on the location of a proposed trail facility and aesthetic aspects of the project.

The presentation at Club Prior, 16210 Eagle Creek Av., is free. Registration is not required.

Residents are invited to share their ideas for Eagan's future at focus groups being held this week through the Eagan Forward program.

The groups will meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Eagan Community Center and 8:30 to 10 a.m. Oct. 29 at Eagan Civic Arena. People interested in participating can sign up at the city website, www.cityofeagan.com, or by calling 651-675-5005. Space is limited.

Eagan Forward is a citywide visioning project that aims to develop a plan for making Eagan "an even better place to live, work, and play." The city advertises the focus groups as "candid discussion about the Eagan we want to leave for the next generation."

Residents can also submit ideas on an anonymous online message board, via Facebook and Twitter with the hashtag #eaganforward, by sending an e-mail to forward@cityofeagan.com, and by writing a note on whiteboards and chalkboards set up across the city.

Cookbook author B.J. Carpenter will discuss her book "Come, You Taste: Family Recipes from the Iron Range" at 7 p.m. The book "celebrates the cuisine of numerous ethnic groups and features fond memories of neighborhoods now gone," according to its publisher, the Minnesota Historical Society Press.

Carpenter will be joined by Tom Forti of Sunrise Creative Gourmet, who will share samples of products with origins on the Iron Range. The program is free and open to the public.

Have a costume ready and wondering where to go on Halloween? There will be a celebration on Marie Avenue during South St. Paul's Great Halloween Get Together.

The 14th annual event from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31 will include music, games and treats along Marie Avenue, starting at 7th Avenue. Kids can trick-or-treat at local businesses, and nonprofit Neighbors Inc. will collect nonperishable foods for its food shelf. Last year's event drew nearly 2,500 participants.

Businesses or organizations that would like to participate and people who would like to volunteer for the event should contact Deb Griffith, community affairs liaison at 651-554-3230 or deb.griffith@southstpaul.org.