Politics & Government

South Metro Roundup: Dog Left in 98-Degree Car, UMore Causes Stir

In other south metro news, three juveniles pleaded guilty to charges in the Lakeville middle school photo scandal.

You can't be in front of your computer 24 hours a day, so each weekend, Patch reviews the most important recent news from across the region. Here are some of the past week's stories that may have affected you. To see the whole stories, click on the headline.

Apple Valley/Rosemount

A planned open house-format presentation on UMore Park contamination quickly turned into an open forum as residents insisted on transparency.

Burnsville

Find out what's happening in Lakevillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

After losing to Lafayette, LA, last year, Burnsville is once again a contender for "Best Food" in Rand McNally's "Best of the Road" contest. As a part of the contest, Rand McNally sends out judges to see the competing towns in person. This year Burnsville will be judged by the Road Bros.

Find out what's happening in Lakevillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Push•Pedal•Pull, an exercise equipment dealer from Sioux Falls, is going through a bit of a growth spurt. This year, the company added two Minnesota stores to its growing list of locations, which are spread from Oklahoma to the Dakotas. The location has been "phenomenal," according to the store manager.

Eagan

It was a blistering 98 degrees inside the car—too hot for the panting, cowering dog Eagan police found shut inside the vehicle. A concerned passerby had alerted officers to the pet, which was left unattended in parked car. Police eventually removed the animal from the car—and issued a ticket to the dog's owner under a Minnesota law that prohibits people from leaving pets unattended in vehicles in a way that endangers the animal's safety.

Nobody saw District 51A candidate Milton Walden coming. Not even Milton Walden. A property inspector and former small business owner, Walden has never run for office. Nor has he actively participated in local politics. Which is why his surprise entry as a Democratic challenger to DFL-endorsed candidate Sandy Masin in House District 51A caught nearly everyone off guard—including his opponent.

Lakeville

Three of the four students charged with gross misdemeanors for their alleged roles in taking and sharing inappropriate photos and videos of two female students undressing in a locker room of Century Middle School have entered guilty pleas in juvenile court. The three students—two boys, one 13 and one 14-years-old, and a 14-year-old girl—pleaded guilty to once charge each of Conspiracy to Interfere With Privacy.

Mark Bellows has offically announced he's running for a second two-year term as mayor of Lakeville. Bellows said he's running because an “overwhelming number of residents who asked me to serve again and to be a voice for the conservative values of this community.” He'll be facing City Council Member Matt Little, who announced his candidacy late last year.

Inver Grove Heights

Mayor Tourville: 'I Have Prostate Cancer'

Mayor George Tourville announced Monday evening that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Mendota Heights

Lilydale's Bluff Forum Underscores Cooperation

Many residents voiced a concern for invasive species and overgrowth on the bluff.


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