West news briefs: County will provide 911 service to Hopkins

County will provide 911 service to the cityHopkins will drop its independent dispatch service and begin using Hennepin County's 911 service, perhaps as early as Aug. 1. The County Board last week approved a resolution proposed by Commissioner Jan Callison to allow the switch.

Hopkins requested the switch in the spring because of rising costs and significant technical upgrades that were going to be required to maintain its independent 911 service. The city's request was tabled once but after two city dispatchers announced that they were leaving for new jobs, the resolution was reintroduced and passed by the board.

The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office has said it will have no problems adding Hopkins to the 23 law enforcement agencies and 19 fire departments that already get 911 service from the county. Nine cities in the county, including Hopkins, operate their own systems or contract with other jurisdictions.

Hopkins will pay the county a one-time setup fee of $54,000, and transfer its annual 911 state reimbursement (currently $24,859) to the county.

Firefighters to compete in international contestThe Plymouth Fire Department will send its extrication team to compete in an international contest this fall.

The seven-member team will be among 30 crews from across the world competing Sept. 11-15 at the 2012 North American Challenge after doing well at a regional contest.

The five-day competition in Halifax, Nova Scotia, includes classes teaching firefighters new rescue techniques,

Neighborhood names meeting set next weekThe second community meeting to name Edina neighborhoods will be held at 6:30 p.m. on July 11 at the Edina Senior Center at 5280 Grandview Square, next to the Edina Community Library.

Residents will have the opportunity to give feedback on maps with proposed neighborhood names and boundaries that were developed after the first meeting on naming neighborhoods in May. The final naming meeting is scheduled for Sept. 12.

The city's goal is to set neighborhood boundaries and names, opening the door for residents to form neighborhood associations. More information is available from City Executive Assistant Susan Howl at 952-826-0403 or by e-mail at showl@edinamn.gov.

Police focus on pedestrian safetyOn Monday, the Edina Police traffic unit will begin a two-week safety initiative aimed at pedestrian safety.

The city is concerned about traffic areas where there are a lot of walkers, such as around 50th and France, the Edina Promenade and crosswalks near city parks.

Information will be placed on the city's website, in publications and will be distributed through city e-mails. The Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety is helping with the effort.

Minnesota law requires drivers to stop and yield to pedestrians where there is a marked crosswalk and at intersections. For more information, call the Edina Police at 952-826-1610.

Pickleball instruction clinics to be heldEdina's Parks and Recreation Department is hosting two free, hour-long pickleball clinics on July 11 from 9-10 a.m. and 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Garden Park, 5520 Hansen Road.

Pickleball can be played by both children and seniors and combines elements from tennis, badminton and ping pong.

The game is played with a wiffle ball and wooden paddles on a court about half the size of a tennis court.

To reserve a spot in the free class, call Phyllis Gwiazdon at 952-833-9572.