Squishing Invasive Fish, Signs for Little Caesars: South Metro Roundup

Take a trip around Dakota County and the south metro with this week's rundown of top news. 

For the original story, simply click on the link in the headline. 

Apple Valley-Rosemount

Apple Valley Council Strikes a Conciliatory Tone with Spoon

Just two months after shutting down alcohol sales at the restaurant, council members reissued the restaurant's beer and wine licenses.

Rosemount Firefighters Get a Pay Raise

Firefighters compensation will go from $6 per call to $10 per call under a plan approved by the Rosemount City Council.

Surprise Discovery May Complicate Rosemount Park-Building Efforts

Rosemount city staff found something unexpected while taking soil samples at the 57-acre site of a proposed athletic complex.

Eagan

Back to Business for Little Caesar's Wavers

A dispute over whether two autistic men can carry Little Caesar's advertisements and wave to passing motorists touched on city regulations and freedom of speech issues, according to city staff.

Local Artist Turns Back Time with Eagan Fire Department Painting

Eagan resident Larry Landis was asked to paint a 50th anniversary piece for the fire department. The end result is a rich tribute to the city's history.

The Eagan Police Department completed 65 compliance checks by March 18 this spring.

Eagan May Seek Public Funding for Redevelopment of Lockheed Martin Site

Eagan city officials say they would like to consider the use of Tax Increment Financing to help fund improvements on the property. But first, they have to change a state law.

Burnsville

ISD 191 Expands Strings Program to Rahn Elementary

Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District is going ahead with an expansion of the strings program, though some have raised concerns about whether the program is financially viable over the long term.

Burnsville Firm Wins $10.8 M Bid to Install Carp-blocking Gates

Edward Kraemer & Sons has been chosen by the Department of Natural Resources to build five huge gates which will hopefully stem the spread of Asian carp.

BHS Nominated for 13 Regional Film Awards

Burnsville High students were nominated in 13 different categories for the Upper Midwest Chapter of The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences' Regional Student Production Awards.

Burnsville Names Three Finalists for City Manager

The city has narrowed a field of more than 30 applicants to just three: An insider, an administrator of a nearby city and a contender from the northern Twin City suburbs.

Lakeville

Lakeville's School Board Approves Orchard Lake Elementary Impact Academy

The program will have room for 108 students in year one, with registration beginning in April.

Magnetic Metal Plate Brings Music into Lives of Two Lakeville Girls

Two Lakeville girls were the first Minnesotans to benefit from a medical hearing device approved by the FDA in 2011.

Northfield

$4 Million Highway 3 Repairs to Cause Traffic Headaches in Northfield

The city will feel the effects of some of the 280 projects statewide.

Over the years the book fair has raised more than half a million dollars for projects at Northfield Hospital & Clinics and for other community health initiatives, such as HealthFinders.