West news briefs: Carver County Veterans Court seeks mentors

Carver County Veterans Court is actively recruiting male and female mentors from Carver County and surrounding areas.

Mentor candidates must have served in the U.S. military and been honorably discharged.

The court provides veterans who become involved in the criminal justice system the opportunity to change and improve their lives through a program that promotes consequences and accountability, with services tailored to the veteran's specific needs.

Mentors assist veterans in these programs as they seek to fulfill their court requirements. Mentors receive training before being paired with a veteran.

Mentor candidates should contact Bill Preiss at 612-868-6592 or preissment@gmail.com.

Minnetonka recently celebrated the opening of a new on-ramp at Ridgedale Drive to westbound Interstate 394.

A grand opening for the new ramp was held Nov. 5 and opened to traffic that day, creating a full-access interchange to help relieve traffic congestion in the area.

The Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners (IOCP), a Plymouth nonprofit, will host a Dec. 3 event for their annual Sleep Out campaign.

The event, "Midnight Madness and Clergy Sleep Out" will take place from 8 p.m. to midnight. Residents can shop during that time at ReSale 101, IOCP's resale shop, which will put all proceeds that evening to the Sleep Out campaign. During that time, area clergy members will be sleeping out that evening in the IOCP parking lot at 1605 County Road 101 N., Plymouth.

Three Rivers Park District has received the 2014 Barb King Environmental Stewardship Award from the National Recreation and Park Association. The award is given annually to one parks and recreation agency in the nation that has achieved excellence in environmental stewardship.

"It's rewarding to receive this honor because environmental stewardship is at the very core of our mission," said Three Rivers Park District Superintendent Boe Carlson.

The association recognized Three Rivers for its efforts in environmental stewardship, which included adopting guidelines for purchasing environmentally preferable products, planning and constructing environmentally sustainable sites and adopting maintenance practices and community outreach campaigns that are environmentally sensitive.

The traditional German event will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7. The evening meal will include a scrumptious homemade German buffet consisting of schnitzel, bratwurst, spätzle, mashed potatoes, gravy, red cabbage, sauerkraut, a variety of Christmas cookies, lemonade and coffee.

There will also be children's Christmas crafts and gift bags.

All donated toys and money will be go to local families in need in the area.

St. Nikolaus requests that you RSVP to admin@stpeterlc.org or leave a message on the St. Peter answering machine at 952-955-1679 so he will know how many goody bags to have on hand. Please note number of adults and number of children in your group.

Frohliche Weihnachten!

The purpose is to gather public comment and participation on the adequacy and effectiveness of the county's program, which is required by the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Storm Water Phase II Rules.

The SWPPP is essentially a stormwater management program that uses best management practices in support of defined control measures. An advance copy is available by calling 612-596-0299, or for review at the Hennepin County Public Works Facility, 1600 Prairie Drive, Medina.

Hennepin County's Transportation Department is responsible for development and administration of the program with the intent of minimizing the discharge of pollutants from the county's storm sewer system.