In other big headlines from the past week, Burnsville has a new city councilwoman and Lakeville's school board has a new leader.
Each week, Dakota County Sheriff Dave Bellows releases a newsletter recapping the most interesting news.
Whether you haven’t been on the ice for a while or have never skated before, here’s your chance to get prepared, be inspired, and have fun.
Students in Lakeville's schools will be going to class two fewer times next year. The move allows teachers to have more time for grading, training, and ultimately, teaching, administrators say.
Residents have until Jan. 24 to apply to fill the open City Council seat; review will be held Jan. 29 with a final selection will be made in February.
Sen. Al Franken met this afternoon with counselors, safety experts and ISD 196 administrators at Dakota Hills Middle School.
Dakota County residents can review and comment on two greenway plans at two meetings hosted by county officials in January.
In other news around the South Metro area, the Rosemount Marching Band is selected to appear in next year's Tournament of Roses, and the Burnsville School Board hires an executive search firm in its quest for a new superintendent.
Also, Sen. Al Franken will be at Dakota County school on Monday to discuss school safety.
If you received new electronics for the holidays, now is a great time to recycle the old at the Dakota County Recycling Zone.
Legislative Clerk David Surdez places the names of the 2013-2014 House members on the voting board in the House Chamber. The legislative session is scheduled to begin Jan. 8.
After more than a year of talks, the police officer's union and the city are going to arbitration to settle contract depute.
Rep. John Kline (R-Burnsville) was the only Minnesota Republican to vote yes on the House bill.
Here's what you need to know to start the year off right.
These were the most read stories on Lakeville Patch in December.
The total number of Sheriff Sales in the first 11 months of 2012 was 1,422, compared to 1,821 for the same period last year.
Thanks to the holiday, Lakeville's City Council and School Board, as well as Planning Commission and smaller governmental boards and councils are off until after the New Year.
In other news from around the South Metro region, Burnsville's 'first police chief' dies at 74, and the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Board of Education does away with late-start days.
More than 260 cases of whooping cough, or pertussis, have been reported in Dakota County this year
With no wheels, a pilot made a nearly perfect "belly landing" of his airplane when his landing gear failed.
Residents are reminded that from Nov. 1 to April 1 there is no on-street parking allowed between 2 and 6 a.m. on any day. There is also no on-street parking allowed after a snowfall of two or more inches until the streets have been cleared.
On Dec. 3, the City Council passed a new mailbox replacement resolution for the current snow and ice control season. The new resolution replaces the former mailbox policy.
After numerous public meetings, Rosemount City Council approves mining permit on 5-0 vote.
Letter writer: "Congressman Kline, I ask that you seriously consider a ban of assault weapons and high capacity magazines."
Thompson was also appointed to three committees: education, state and local government, and tax committees.
Charlie Thomas, of Lakeville, was one of eight alternate electors, and 10 electors in the Minnesota Electoral College who met to vote on Monday, Dec. 17.
Homebuyers in Dakota County can now access fixed, low-interest mortgage financing along with a Mortgage Credit Certificate and up to $10,000 in downpayment and closing cost assistance.
Last week, the Dakota County Community Development Agency put plans into motion for a 27-unit affordable housing townhome complex in Eagan.
The task force will look at security and make recommendations to the school board if needed.
The second district's Congressman John Kline has been a consistent supporter of gun rights.
Candidates stop for a portrait and answer one seemingly simple question
Also: if you’re changing out your old lights for new LEDs, don’t forget to “Recycle Your Holidays” by recycling any old lights. You can drop them off at City Hall.
The decrease is larger than expected thanks to some debt refinancing.
A special reception will be held at 6 p.m. Monday for Mayor Mark Bellows and Councilor Laurie Rieb—both of whom are participating in their final City Council meetings—which will begin at 7 p.m.
The Minnesota American Public Works Association named Ken Seurer, Lakeville's long-time utility superintendent, State Superintendent of the Year.
Business in Lakeville can now have electronic signs that display images that change—just not too often.
Lakeville Patch looks back at the Top 10 most read stories of the year.
Lakeville's School Board has two meetings this week—its regular meeting and a special session.
John Stephen Woodward was charged by the Rice County Attorney’s Office after Minnesota Correction Facility—Faribault officials uncovered a plot by Woodward to murder Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom.