Rural residents across Scott County will gather this evening for their annual town meetings.

The meetings, which are run directly by the residents, decide routine business, such as what banks and newspapers to use for the coming year. Citizens also review last year's budget and approve the proposed budget and levy for next year, either at today's discussion or in a meeting continued to this fall.

There are also four townships holding elections today: Jackson, Cedar Lake, Credit River and New Market. The others have moved to fall elections.

A team of Southwest Newspapers reporters are covering the gubernatorial debate from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Bloomington. The Uptake will broadcast the debate live:

St. Francis Regional Medical Center in Shakopee is among several Twin Cities hospitals that have implemented restrictions on visitors due to the spread of the H1N1 virus.

By Shannon Fiecke, Correspondent

Although he doesn’t have the backing of all of the townships, Scott County Sheriff Kevin Studnicka is proceeding with a proposal that makes it illegal for rural residents to knowingly host or allow underage drinking parties.

By Shannon Fiecke, Correspondent

It may not amount to much at first, but Scott County will make a profit from re-opening a day resort on Cedar Lake.

In a unique public-private partnership, Lancer Hospitality will operate the site for free for Scott County, in exchange for being able to host private functions, while allowing the public free entry to picnic and swim on weekends and holidays. 

By Shannon Fiecke, Correspondant

In just over a month, a former day resort will open to the public for picnicking, swimming and other fun in southern Scott County.

Cedar Lake Farm, long a place for family reunions and corporate events, was sold to the county in 2007 for a regional park. The county has secured a vendor to operate the site so the formerly private day resort can reopen for public and private use this summer.

Those who work at the Scott County Fair Office in St. Lawrence Township, near Jordan, took the Jordan Independent staff on a tour of the grounds and told about their favorite things at the fair. This year's county fair runs July 23-27. Check out these videos:

First-half property taxes are due by Thursday, May 15. There are several payment options:

•  At the Customer Service window at the Scott County Government Center in Shakopee. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

•  By mail, postmarked on or before May 15. (Those who mail should keep in mind that postage will increase to 42 cents on May 12.)

  
  

By Shannon Fiecke, Correspondent

Drama over the statewide smoking ban spilled into Judge Jerome Abram’s Shakopee courtroom Tuesday with the first court hearing in Minnesota on the issue.

An Elko New Market bar faced the state in Scott County District Court, where attorneys debated whether "theater performance" smoking at Bullseye Saloon violates the state ban.

BlueXpress, the local commuter connection from Scott County to downtown Minneapolis – operated jointly by Shakopee Transit, Prior Lake Laker Lines and Scott County Transit – is changing its schedule effective Monday, April 14.