ANDOVER
Andover state House member to leave post Watching Little League games and swimming lessons, and taking a family vacation. That's on the agenda for Rep. Chris DeLaForest, R-Andover, after the legislative session ends. DeLaForest announced last week that he will not seek a fourth term, citing difficulty balancing his professional and home life with his political career. He will serve out the remainder of his third term.
"I'm just not in the same place I was six years ago," DeLaForest said in a news release Feb. 18. He said he plans to focus on the legislative session, then spend more time with his family and "recharge my batteries and plot new goals."
COON RAPIDS
City assembles panel to guide new center Mayor Tim Howe and Coon Rapids High School Athletic Director Kelley Scott are among members of a task force the city has formed to guide it through the process of building a new community center. The task force also includes people from the city's hockey, swimming and soccer groups, in addition to other residents.
The city has committed $100,000 to planning for a new center, which could include a new ice arena. The city expects a report from the task force sometime in the summer.
ANOKA COUNTY
Job fairs will recruit for summer parks jobs Anoka County is recruiting for summer parks jobs. Positions include maintenance workers, gatehouse attendants, natural resources technicians, park rangers and lifeguards.
The Parks and Recreation Department is holding a summer job fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Chomonix Golf Course, 700 Aqua Lane, Lino Lakes. A second job fair is scheduled for the same time March 8 at the Bunker Hills Activity Center in Andover.
Supervisors will be on hand to answer questions and meet potential candidates. Anyone interested can apply at the fairs or online at www.anokacounty.us/jobs. For more information, contact the Parks and Recreation office at 763-757-3920.
BROOKLYN PARK
Nominations sought for human rights prize The city is seeking nominations for its annual human rights award, which recognizes groups or individuals who have worked to improve relationships between people of different backgrounds. Nomination forms are available on the city's website at www.brooklynpark.org. The award is sponsored by the Human Relations Commission, which will select the recipient. Nominations are due by March 21, and eligibility rules apply.
HENNEPIN COUNTY
Foreclosure sales going at record pace The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office reports record numbers of foreclosure sales so far in 2008.
During January, there were 711 foreclosure sales, nearly 275 more than in January 2007.
October 2007 also was a record-breaking month with 561 foreclosure sales.
NORTH METRO AREA
A free way to unload unwanted electronics Waste Management and Sony are offering free electronics drop-off at several sites around the Twin Cities from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. April 11 and 12.
The sites will accept electronic devices made by any manufacturer. Acceptable items will include televisions, computers and their peripherals such as mice and speakers, printers, fax machines, photocopiers, VCRs, DVD players and recorders, and cell phones and PDAs.
The sites will not accept items such as microwave ovens or large appliances.
The drop-off sites include:
• National Sports Center, 1700 105th Av. NE., Blaine.
• Minnesota State Fairgrounds, 1265 N. Snelling Av., St. Paul.
RAMSEY COUNTY
Some library branches open extended hours The Ramsey County library system has added hours at some branches. The Shoreview, Maplewood and Roseville libraries are open on Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. Two hours were added Tuesdays and Thursdays at the North St. Paul library, which is open 1 to 8 p.m. The White Bear Lake library added three hours on Monday evenings, so its hours are now 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
STAFF REPORTS
