South news briefs: Shakopee police offer scam awareness seminar

Thomas Egan will serve as chairman of the Dakota County Board in 2015, replacing Commissioner Liz Workman. Nancy Schouweiler was elected as vice chair.

Egan has served on the County Board for a decade and represents District 3, which includes part of Eagan, Lilydale, Mendota and Mendota Heights. Schouweiler's District 4 includes the rest of Eagan, Inver Grove Heights and Rosemount.

The board chairperson presides over meetings and signs documents on behalf of the board.

Egan said the board's priorities for the year include removing buckthorn from Lebanon Hills Regional Park, completing the Cedar Avenue Transitway and expanding recycling efforts.

Applications are being taken for community grants from the Eagan Foundation. Nonprofit community organizations are encouraged to submit proposals to fund projects in Eagan. Past grants have typically been $1,000 or less, but applicants may submit detailed requests for the amount they are seeking.

Since 1991, the Eagan Foundation has contributed more than $1 million to the Eagan community through scholarships, local initiatives and community grants, including $8,600 to 10 local nonprofits last year.

For applications and grant criteria, visit www.eaganfoundation.org. Applications are due Jan. 21 and can be mailed to: Eagan Foundation, Inc., c/o Community Grants Committee, P.O. Box 211192, Eagan, MN 55121. Awards will be announced in February. For more information, e-mail admin@eaganfoundation.org.

The seminar, scheduled for 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, will teach residents how to identify and avoid scams, including phone scams, e-mail phishing, cyber fraud and identity theft.

It will take place at the police department, 475 Gorman St. Registration is requested, though not required, and can be completed online at www.ShakopeeMN.gov/crimeprevention.

Residents curious about their family history can learn more at a workshop being offered by the Scott County Historical Society.

Participants in Genealogy 101 will learn from local genealogist Betty Dols how to decipher census, courthouse, church and naturalization records.

The workshop is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 17, at the Scott County Historical Society research library. Participation costs $13 for historical society members and $15 for nonmembers. To register, contact Shakopee Community Education (952-496-5029) or Prior Lake-Savage Community Education (952-226-0080).