South town briefs

Coming soon: High-tech police Burnsville police will be the first in Minnesota to use a new technology that allows an officer on foot to record exactly what's happening in the same way that squad-car cameras have done for years.

The so-called AXON system is produced by TASER International, makers of the device that delivers disabling shocks. It has a miniature computer with one piece perched on the officer's ear, and it records audio and video in real time. The information is transmitted to a central computer.

Police Chief Bob Hawkins said the technology will reduce costs by leaving less room for dispute over what happens, and "eliminate false accusations against our officers."

The AXON system has multiple pieces, including a "headcam," a computer and a communications hub.

Burnsville's role is being described as one of testing and evaluation, at a relatively early point in the technology's development. It is to be delivered this fall.

Buck Hill benefit for adaptive skiers Buck Hill Ski Area will host a benefit from 6 to 11 p.m. Friday to raise money for adaptive ski equipment to be used by both kids and adults at Buck Hill this coming winter.

A new program, Padraig's Place Adaptive Winter Sports, will be offered at Buck Hill during the 2010-11 ski season. Padraig's Place and SpecialKidCare.org is sponsoring the fundraiser in partnership with Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare and Buck Hill.

Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare and Padraig's Place teamed up last February to host the Gillette Children's Family Ski & Outdoor Sports Day at Buck Hill, and nine adaptive skiers participated in the event, eight of whom had never skied before.

To continue to offer such programs, more equipment is needed, and that's the purpose of the fundraiser.

The benefit will include an Oktoberfest-inspired party with food, drinks, live music and activities for kids, including admission for ages 12 and older to the haunted houses of "Frightmares" at Buck Hill.

Tickets are $20 for ages 12 and older and free for younger kids.

For more information or tickets, go to www.specialkidcare.org.

The League of Women Voters is sponsoring the two-hour event, which starts at 7 p.m. in the council chambers at New Prague City Hall, 118 Central Av. N.

The candidates surviving an Aug. 10 primary were veteran incumbent Joe Wagner and challenger Jerry Kucera.

The two will respond to one set of questions and then take questions from the audience.

Flu shots available at county libraries Flu shot clinics will be held Thursday through Oct. 8 at several Dakota County Library branch locations.

The clinics, run by the Minnesota Visiting Nurse Agency, are being offered at:

• Pleasant Hill Library, 1490 S. Frontage Road, Hastings, 4-8 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 8-9;

• Heritage Library, 20085 Heritage Drive, Lakeville, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday and Oct. 8.

• Wentworth Library, 199 E. Wentworth Av., West St. Paul, 4-8 p.m. Oct. 7 and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 8-9;

Bring health insurance cards for billing insurance and a photo ID such as a driver's license or employee ID. Children age 3 and older may receive the flu vaccination.

For those who wish to pay cash, fees are $26 for a flu shot or $32 for a flu mist.

Buy trees, cheap! More than 30 varieties of starter trees and shrubs will be sold this year by Scott County's soil and water conservation district.

The cost is minimal, usually around a dollar apiece, although the seedlings are also small: 6 to 24 inches tall. The program is aimed at large-acreage properties, though there's nothing keeping anyone else from buying them.

Varieties include aspen, birch, cherry, fir, hazelnut, linden, oak, Norway pine, poplar, spruce and walnut.

Pickup is in April of next year.

This year the district is also selling 55-gallon rain barrels and seed mixes of native grasses, prairie grasses and bird/butterfly mix.