Friday, April 5, 2013
Meanwhile, Minnesota continues adding jobs.
Dakota County posted a 5.2 percent seasonally-unadjusted jobless rate in February, down eight-tenths of 1 percent from the same month a year earlier, according to data released late last week by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. The county's total workforce was 232,614 with 220,460 people employed and 12,154 unemployed. Monte Hanson, a DEED spokesman, said recently, "Seasonally unadjusted unemployment numbers tend to jump in January and February because of cold weather (affecting construction and other outdoor jobs) and because of post-Christmas retail layoffs. "The statewide numbers that come out every month are seasonally adjusted to account for that impact, but there isn’t a big enough survey sample at the…
Monday, April 1, 2013
Also in this week's roundup: A purse snatcher is nabbed and another is caught by a K9.
The following is a rundown of crime-related stories from our Dakota County sites this last week. All stories have been verified, and those accused are innocent until proven guilty. For the complete story, click on the link in the headline. Eagan Eagan Man's Death Ruled a Homicide, Medical Examiner Says Jonathan Thomas Lahr died of blunt force injuries to his head and neck following a fight with his roommate, Samuel Walter Petersen. Eagan Crash Killed Woman; Now Minneapolis Man Faces Careless Driving Charge Bashir Ahmed Abdulahi, 24, faces one count of careless driving in connection with a September crash that killed a Lakeville woman. Burnsville Burnsville Man Arrested for Refusing to Come Out of Closet, Tussle with Police Dog Houseguest …
Sunday, March 24, 2013
January jobless rate not seasonally adjusted.
Dakota County posted a 5.8 percent seasonally-unadjusted jobless rate in January, the same rate during the same month a year earlier, according to data recently released by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. The county's total workforce was 232,293 with 218,764 people employed and 13,529 unemployed. Monte Hanson, a DEED spokesman, said, "Seasonally unadjusted unemployment numbers tend to jump in January and February (and March this year) because of cold weather (affecting construction and other outdoor jobs) and because of post-Christmas retail layoffs. "The statewide numbers that come out every month are seasonally adjusted to account for that impact, but there isn’t a big enough survey sample at the county …
Friday, March 22, 2013
Dakota was ranked the 15th healthiest county in Minnesota, thanks to lower mortality rates and high quality "clinical care," but lagged with respect to physical environment factors such as pollution and fast food restaurants.
Dakota County's a relatively healthy place to live, statistically speaking. Of 87 Minnesota counties, Dakota was ranked 15th for overall health, according to a study by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Wisconsin Population Health Institute released Wednesday. Dakota had the fifth-lowest premature death rate and was ranked fourth in the quality of its clinical care, with far more doctors per capita than the state average. The county also stood out for its healthy behavior, a category in which it was ranked eighth. Dakota County residents smoke less, exercise more, experience fewer vehicle crashes and are less likely to contract a sexually transmitted disease. Plus, its teens are less likely to give birth. But the county lagged …
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Also in this week's rundown: A proposed expansion in Eagan gets widespread support and a Burnsville grad takes center stage in New York City.
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. Burnsville Sen. Hall Takes Aim at Critics—Gay Marriage Bill Passes Committee "I'm trying to be a nice guy but I have an opinion," Burnsville Sen. Dan Hall told supporters of gay marriage during a hearing on Tuesday. A Switch and a Surprise Round Out the Night at 'Bite' A newcomer, a local favorite and a legacy restaurant all won honors at this year's "Bite of Burnsville. From Mraz to the Met: BHS Grad Makes Splash on NYC Opera Scene Thomas Richards, a bass-baritone and 2006 graduate of Burnsville High, blew judges away with his performance at the 60th annual National Council …
Monday, March 4, 2013
Keep track of local politics with Patch's weekly southeast metro legislative review.
A proposal to appropriate $15,000,000 for improvements to the Minnesota Zoo has the support of Rep. Sandra Masin (51A, DFL), who serves both Burnsville and Eagan. Masin is listed as a co-author on HF 928, authored by District 56B Rep. Will Morgan (DFL), a legislator representing Burnsville and northern Lakeville. Under the bill's provisions, the money would be used to improve the infrastructure and exhibits at the zoo. In other political news from around the southeast metro: Rep. David Bly (20B, DFL) believes the food and agricultural systems in Minnesota are in need of improvement, which is why Bly authored HF 874, which would establish a 20-member Minnesota Food Council responsible for communication, research and reporting of policy …
Friday, March 1, 2013
A recent change implemented by the U.S. Department of State means the county can no longer process passports in the same building as birth and death records.
Dakota County residents interested in obtaining birth or death records will have a few more options starting on April 1, thanks to new rules issued by the United States Department of State. Currently, county birth and death records are only available at the Western Service Center at 14955 Galaxie Avenue in Apple Valley. A recent rule change initiated by the Department of State, however, means that birth and death records must be processed in a separate building from passport applications, according to a report in the Pioneer Press. Beginning April 1, birth and death records will no longer be available at the Western Service Center. Instead, they can be found at the Administration Center, 1590 Highway 55, Hastings; the Northern Service …
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Minnesota has about 59,000 federal employees and retirees, many of whom live in our county. See where they’re located and which agencies they work for in Patch’s interactive table.
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Wednesday, February 27
Washington, D.C., may be the hub of the federal workforce, but Minnesota has tens of thousands of federal employees and retirees who could be hurt by the looming sequestration crisis. If the president and Congress can’t strike a deal by Friday, a series of mandated federal budget cuts would automatically kick in. That would force more than a million federal employees to take unpaid leave, according to the Washington Post. Minnesota, alone, has about 59,000 federal employees and retirees. Dakota County accounts for 4,897 of that total, or about 8.5 percent. Use the table above to see how many federal employees and retirees Minnesota’s counties have. Just use the search box to select the county you’d like to see then click on “Details” in …
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Dakota County Sheriff Dave Bellows updates you on the latest county happenings.
Like us on Facebook | Get our newsletter | Follow us on Twitter | Start a blog Each week, Dakota County Sheriff Dave Bellows releases a newsletter recapping the most interesting news. From this issue: Even with the freezing temperatures, driving on the ice can be dangerous. This fact was highlighted again this weekend when a family of five traveling on Spring Lake broke through the ice. The family, with children ages three, two, and eight months, were visiting friends at a bonfire on the lake. Getting into their car, the dad decided to take a tour on the lake when the car went through thin ice in approximately ten feet of water about 50 feet from the shore. Fortunately, the family was able to get out of the car before it became …
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
A monthly rundown of the top suspects wanted by the Dakota County Sheriff's Office.
The Dakota County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) has issued warrants for all the individuals shown here. If you encounter them, the DCSO asks that you please take caution: All should be considered dangerous. If you know the whereabouts of any of the people featured in this gallery, you can contact your local police or the DCSO at (651) 438-4740. You can also leave an anonymous tip. The Most Wanted List can be viewed at anytime on the county's website by clicking here.
Clare Kennedy
11:16 pm on Friday, April 5, 2013
That's an excellent idea, Dian. We'll see what we can do. more ›