Last week started cold with the first reading in the single digits of the season, but the period ended with temperatures a bit above average.

By Shannon Fiecke, Correspondent

Library hours may be cut, the visitors’ center at Cleary Lake Regional Park will likely close for the winter and additional squad car cameras won’t be purchased because of nearly $1.7 million in budget reductions agreed to last week by Scott County commissioners.

In the quest to fill an anticipated $3 million budget hole,
commissioners slashed funding for roads, parks, libraries, capital
improvements and a retirement benefit fund, as well as reduced support for outside agencies.

By Lori Carlson, Editor

An ingredient bakers will use this holiday season also will be applied to some Prior Lake streets.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) warns parents to caution their children to stay off ponds and other water bodies that now have a thin coating of ice.

This year’s Turkey Trot 5K race sponsored by Dakotah! Sport and Fitness saw 152 runners brave the cold on Nov. 22 during the run that started at Dakotah! Sport and Fitness wound through the paths of The Meadows at Mystic Lake.

The 16-day statewide muzzleloader season that begins Nov. 29 and ends Dec. 14 is now open to any eligible hunter, even if that hunter participated in the regular firearm season.

By Keighla Schmidt, Correspondent

Like hot dishes, northern accents and Paul Bunyan, a new book is uniquely Minnesotan.

“Merging in Minnesota” is a work of fiction following the work of a highway investigator, Zeke Martin, who looks into the art -- or rather the lack of -- merging on Minnesota highways.

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community will hold a holiday blood drive Tuesday, Dec. 9 from noon to 7 p.m. at Dakotah! Sport and Fitness, 2100 Trail of Dreams.

Bebe was born Sept.