The Farmington, Lakeville and Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan school districts will ask voters to approve tax increases on 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.

Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan officials are requesting $180 million, including a $50 million capital levy to fund technology updates and $130 million for security upgrades, technology infrastructure, building a new school and several additions.
South Metro

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.

Prior Lake

Historian to discuss Armistice Day storm

Blizzards may seem far off, but a local historian will be talking about one of Minnesota's biggest winter storms Nov. 3 at Club Prior. Dan Hartman's presentation on the Armistice Day Blizzard will start at 1 p.m. During that snowstorm, which began Nov. 11, 1940, Minnesotans saw snowfalls of up to 27 inches, 20-foot drifts, sudden temperature drops and high winds. Forty-nine people died in Minnesota in the three-day storm.

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

Eagan

Focus groups to talk about city's future

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.

Lakeville

Savor Iron Range flavors at library

The cuisine of the Iron Range, from potica and kolache to lutefisk and baccala, will be the topic du jour Nov. 5 at Heritage Library, 20085 Heritage Dr., in Lakeville.

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.

South St. Paul

Marie Av. hosts Halloween fun

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.

Staff reports