Town briefs

Major arteries are getting extra lanes Ramsey County has begun construction to transform Century Avenue and Valley Creek Road (west of I-494) into four-lane divided highways. The project extends along Century Avenue from Lake Road to Woodbine Avenue and on Valley Creek Road from Weir Drive to Century Avenue.

Northbound and southbound Century Avenue, as well as eastbound and westbound Valley Creek Road, will be maintained at one lane of traffic in each direction through 2009. Some short-term full road closures of both roads are expected.

KEVIN GILES

Money sought to keep Asian center running Two supporters of the Asian Pacific Cultural Center are challenging people to match their $50,000 donation by the end of the year.

A total of $100,000 would help the center keep operating through the 2009 legislative session, during which it will reapply for funding.

The center had $5 million earmarked in the 2008 bonding bill, but it was line-item vetoed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

The nonprofit organization's mission is to celebrate, promote and foster cultural heritage. It's seeking to occupy a 55,000-square-foot space at the former Hamm's Brewery and will include a theater, banquet hall, resource center and offices.

CHRIS HAVENS

College seeks input on chancellor search Community members can comment on the search for a new University of Wisconsin-River Falls chancellor from 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday at the River Falls Public Library.

UWRF is seeking a new chief executive officer to replace Chancellor Don Betz, who resigned in July to become president of Northeastern State University in Oklahoma. The chancellor is the highest administrative position on the UWRF campus and reports to the president of the University of Wisconsin system.

For more information: www.uwrf.edu/chancellor search/welcome.htm.

Kevin Giles

"Over the past three years, the number of hungry families and individuals turning to us for food has increased by 60 percent and in the last six months, the number of seniors we are serving has doubled from 10 percent to 20 percent of those we serve," said Cara McLain, Valley Outreach's director.

KEVIN GILES

Preview of rebuilt 7th Street interchange An open house to review the proposed I-494 and 7th Avenue S. project is scheduled from 5-8 p.m. on Aug. 27 at South St. Paul City Hall, 125 3rd Av. N. Residents, commuters and business representatives can view the conceptual plans of the proposed ramp widening and installation project. There will be a short presentation at 6 p.m. Representatives from the Minnesota Department of Transportation will be available. KEVIN GILES

'Disturbia' playing at teen movie night South St. Paul's youth task force will host a teen movie night on Sunday at the South St. Paul High School football field. Gates will open at 7:30, and the movie begins at 8 p.m.

In the movie "Disturbia," Kale Brecht finds himself under house arrest after his latest run-in with the law. He is unable to leave his home and he turns his attention to a new family next door. He notices some strange behavior and becomes convinced that his neighbor is a serial killer.

KEVIN GILES

Fundraising effort for city police dog The owner of a local pet food distributor is seeking donations to start a canine unit for the Bayport police department.

Bayport resident David Levy, owner of Zeus and Company, said in a news release that a police dog would be a fitting tribute to his dog, Zeus. The dog died Aug. 3 of cancer.

Levy estimates that it would cost the police department $10,000 to purchase and train a narcotics detection and tracking dog. He has pledged to provide a lifetime supply of food for the dog.

The dog would visit schools to promote awareness about the dangers of drug use, he said in the release. It also would be used at the Stillwater prison to detect smuggling of controlled substances.