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 sixth annual graduation ceremony for pupils of rural schools in Scott County took place in Shakopee.

For more information, read the Looking Back column in the June 26 issue of the Jordan Independent. Read it online in the Print Edition section, or subscribe by going to www.jordannews.com/subscribe.

The Jordan School Board approved a preliminary budget for the school district for next year.

The rough budget includes approximately $16,900,000 in budget revenue and $17,200,000 in expenses.

Superintendent Larry Kauzlarich said he is usually conservative on the district’s revenues and often overestimates the district’s expenses. The budget numbers are also likely to change throughout the year as the amount of funding the state gives to the district changes, he said.

Jordan still has a school resource officer, but for how long?

The Jordan School Board is still waiting for a final decision from the Minnesota River Valley Special Education Cooperative as to whether or not the special education cooperative that calls Jordan home will continue to fund its third of the officer’s salary.

The Jordan board voted last month to continue funding its third of officer Shane Schultz’s salary contingent on the cooperative’s board voting to continue funding it’s portion. The third and final portion of the officer’s salary is paid by the city.

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

- Visiting fans won't share the bleachers at Belle Plaine High School's football field and track next year. The school district approved spending almost $40,000 to purchase seating for 269 fans. Several games last year, though, drew more out-of-towners than that. They'll have to stand.

- The Belle Plaine Municipal Pool opens on Monday. A new patio is being constructed this week.

- Belle Plaine High School will graduate 102 students this weekend.

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

- Dr. Troy Hanson of New Prague earned a 2008 Bush Medical Fellowship,
one of nine physicians in the state to receive the honor. Formerly a staff member at the Belle Plaine Clinic, Hanson is a locum tenens physician in the area, the Times said. 

- New Prague High School principal Tom Doig applied for an open position as a superintendent in International Falls.