South news briefs: Watch for delays on County Road 21 in Prior Lake

Watch for delays on County Road 21Prior Lake is warning folks to look for alternate routes for months this spring and summer because of construction near Arcadia Avenue and County Road 21.

Work is due to start early next month and last until July.

County Road 21 will be down to one lane of traffic in each direction from West Avenue to just east of Hwy. 13. The intersection at Main Street will remain open.

There will be widening of 21 from Duluth Avenue to Main Street, together with sewer and water work on Arcadia, which will close for about two months. Duluth also will close toward the end of the construction for two or three weeks as a section gets worked over.

Arboretum to boost admission pricesThe Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is raising its daily admission from $9 to $12 for adults, effective Sunday.

Youths between the ages of 13 and 15 also will have to pay a $12 admission. Previously, children 15 and under were admitted free. Ages 12 and under will still be admitted free of charge.

In a new policy, however, visitors will receive a voucher for a free return visit within 30 days.

The arboretum, operated by the University of Minnesota, is located at 3675 Arboretum Drive in Chanhassen.

Orchid exhibit opens this weekendThe Minnesota Landscape Arboretum will present a "Living with Orchids" preview from 5:30-8 p.m. Thursday in advance of the opening of its orchid exhibit Friday. The exhibit in the arboretum's visitor center will continue through April 29.

It will feature hundreds of orchids, including many unusual species and hybrids grown by orchid experts Jerry and Jason Fischer at their Orchids Limited greenhouse in Plymouth.

The Fischers will be on hand for the preview, and visitors will have a chance to see interior designs that incorporate orchids.

Admission to the sneak preview is $30, which includes appetizers and drink tickets. Reservations are required.

Jerry Fischer also will offer an "Orchid Culture 101" class from 9:30 a.m.-noon on April 21 at the arboretum. He will discuss how to grow orchids in your home.

Call 952-443-1422 or visit www.arboretum.umn.edu to sign up for the class.

Blood drive coming up April 12The next chance to take part in one of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community's blood drives is April 12.

The drive runs from 11 a.m.- 7 p.m. at Dakotah Sport and Fitness near the Mystic Lake Casino. The address is 2100 Trail of Dreams in Prior Lake.

Those willing to offer blood are asked to call 952-233-2965 for an appointment, as few walk-ins will be accepted.

STAFF REPORTS

Grass will burn as part of plan in Scott CountyThe Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is alerting nearby residents that it plans to deliberately burn native prairie this spring, partly to head off uncontrolled fires that could spread to nearby homes.

About 275 acres will be burned beginning perhaps as early as this month and into April. Two will be off-reservation, including Shakopee Memorial Park -- in particular, a five-acre oak savanna off Hwy. 101, and a four-acre, oak-and-wetland area at Lakefront Park in Prior Lake.

On the reservation, burn sites will include:

• Two acres at Pow Wow Prairie along Dakotah Parkway;

• Two acres south of Dakotah Meadows RV Park;

• Lucky Seven Prairie, 35 acres between McKenna Road and County Road 83;