Fifty years ago, when Scott County went to 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week police and deputy dispatching by radio, Paul "Bucky" Beckman of Jordan was one of three dispatchers.

For more information, read the Looking Back column in the July 10 issue of the Jordan Independent. Read it online in the Print Edition section, or subscribe by going to www.jordannews.com/subscribe.

Simon and Hans Peterson of Belle Plaine Township rode together on the
35-mile leg of the Jordan Valley Bike Tour, sponsored by the Jordan
Area Chamber of Commerce.

They stopped at Cedar Summit Dairy in Helena
Township, had their photo taken by reporter Patrick Fischer, and were
pictured on the front page of the June 26 issue of the New Prague Times.

225 Water Street Creative Arts is holding our second Recycled Art Contest in Jordan, Minnesota.

Our last contest was won by 14 year old, Storm Moll of Belle Plaine, Minnesota with her winning entry "Don't throw Peace Away."

We're in search of our next best “Trashformation” artist! The Recycled Art Contest is open to recycled artists ages 10 and older.

Entries will be displayed at 225 Water Street starting September 1st and the winning entries will be announced September 6th and cash prizes will be awarded for the top three finalists.

Here's what's been going on in and around New Prague lately, according to the New Prague Times:

- Mayor W.A. "Wink" Bender of New Prague followed his own neighborly
advice. After advocating that city residents help out their neighbors
in need, Bender mowed the lawn of the vacant home next door to his own
home. Bender's photo on a riding lawnmower was printed on page 7B of
the June 19 issue of the Times.

- Joe Shuster of New Prague wrote the book "Beond Fossil Fools: The Roadmap to Energy Independence by 2040."

Seventy years ago, the Spring Lake Pavilion hosted the hottest Bohemian and German dance orchestra in the Northwest. 

For more information, read the Looking Back column in the July 10 issue of the Jordan Independent. Read it online in the Print Edition section, or subscribe by going to www.jordannews.com/subscribe.

The Jordan American Legion baseball team will play their regular season finale tonight at 6:30 p.m. when they face Holy Family in Victoria.

The Jordan Brewers play a crucial Section 3B game tonight at the Mini-Met.

Jordan plays Green Isle at 7:30 p.m. The Brewers hold a game and half lead over Green Isle in the Section 3B standings. 

Scott County and its partners in SCALE are pleased to welcome the public to attend the SCALE Regional Public Safety Training Facility Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting on Wednesday, July 16. This event – which will feature keynote speakers, refreshments, and interesting exhibits and safety-related displays -- will be held from 2:30 p.m. (remarks at 3:00) to 8:00 p.m.

This event will be held at the Regional Public Safety Training Facility, located at 17706 Valley View Drive in Jordan.

Today, Tim Rud, the three-term mayor of Lonsdale, filed for office in Minnesota House of Representatives District 25B. He is a Republican.

He will run against state Rep. David Bly, DFL-Northfield, who filed for re-election on July 1. Bly, who has served one two-year term in office, represents a district that includes Helena Township.

Here's what's been going on in and around Belle Plaine lately, according to the Belle Plaine Herald:

- Belle Plaine issued four permits for new home during the first six months of the year. Ten years ago, the city saw the number more than double, increasing from 19 in 1997 to 46 in 1998.

- The Belle Plaine school board will dip into its budget reserves, despite receiving a surprise one-time increase in funding from the state.

- Three seats for the Belle Plaine City Council are open. Former Councilmember Cary Coop was the first to file.

Seventy years ago, the Veterans of Foreign Wars organized in Jordan with a post membership that consisted of 15 men.

For more information, read the Looking Back column in the July 10 issue of the Jordan Independent. Read it online in the Print Edition section, or subscribe by going to www.jordannews.com/subscribe.

The Jordan Millers had little trouble with Prior Lake as they defeated the Mariners 8-1 on Monday night at the Mini Met.

With the win the Millers are now in first place in the league with a 5-2 record.

Troy Mahoney pitched all seven innings giving up only one hit and striking out eight.

Jordan's 2008 comprehensive plan is out for formal review by adjacent units of local government and for informal review by the Metropolitan Council.

The city of Jordan is considering a dangerous-dog ordinance that would establish a procedure by which a dog may be declared dangerous or potentially dangerous.

"It is very important that we closely monitor and regulate dogs after
they have attacked or bit someone," Police Chief Bob Malz wrote in a
report to the council.

The proposed ordinance also allows, among other things:

- an animal control officer to designate dogs as potentially dangerous;

- potentially dangerous dogs to be impounded if they are an "immediate threat to public safety";

A few parking citations given out by police at the Mini-Met ballpark during the Jordan Art Festival have been dismissed.

The ballpark parking lot near the intersection of Rice and Water streets filled up during the Jordan Valley Bike Tour, which was attended by about 300 bicyclists. Overflow parking trickled into the street leading behind the outfield fence and into the parking lot.

Barry Hager, a representative from CenterPoint Energy, presented a check for up to $2,500 to the Jordan Police Department tonight.

The business is paying for half of a radio unit for the city's emergency management mobile command center, which was obtained through a separate grant last year. The 800-megahertz radio system, expected to cost $4,873.75, will eventually broaden Jordan's connection to other law enforcement agencies. 

Boy, oh boy. The Twins are hot.

So I hate to be the downer during a nice, little season that we're having, but I'm going to do it. This has to be said. I apologize in advance.

Doris (Krauth) and Jim Wermerskirchen invite all family and friends to an open house in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary.

The open house will take place from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, July 13, 2008, at the Shakopee Knights of Columbus Hall, 1760 Fourth Ave. E.

The couple has asked that guests bring no gifts.

Dorothy (Tellers) Schmidt passed away Sunday, July 6, 2008 at St. Francis Regional Medical Center in Shakopee.

Visitation will be Wednesday, July 9, from 9-11 a.m. at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Shakopee.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, July 9, at 11 a.m. at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Shakopee.

Funeral arrangements by Ballard–Sunder Funeral Home, 833 South Marschall Road, Shakopee. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com

A press release written by Dane Smith, president of Growth & Justice:

There’s much ado these days about our crumbling public infrastructure, focused understandably on bridges, highways and even the falling slabs on the façade of the Minnesota Department of Transportation Building in St. Paul.

But neglect of public structures also is hitting home, literally.