Briefs: Liquor license fees going up in St. Paul Park by $1,500

St. Paul Park's five liquor license holders will pay more for the privilege of serving booze after the City Council last week voted to raise fees by $500 a year for the next three years.

Establishments currently pay $2,500 a year for a license. That will rise to $3,000 on Jan. 1, $3,500 on Jan. 1, 2014, and to $4,000 on Jan. 1, 2015. Licenses for 3.2 malt liquor on-sale and temporary licenses would go up from $25 to $50 and licenses for clubs such as the American Legion would rise from $250 annually to $300. It is the first time that liquor license fees have been raised since 1983.

Retailers that sell tobacco also will pay more for licenses, which would rise from $100 a year to $125.

City officials said the increase is necessary to cover the costs when police are called out.

The council voted 3-1 to approve the increase. Mayor Keith Franke, owner of Franke's Bar on Broadway, abstained.

Croone property added to Big Marine Washington County will purchase property on Margo Avenue to add to Big Marine Park Reserve, the county board has decided. The $465,000 purchase of the 2 1/2-acre parcel owned by the Croone family is the latest in a series of county purchases at Big Marine since 1989. The Washington County Parks and Open Space Commission had recommended purchasing the property.

The county's Land and Water Legacy program will pay for the purchase, but the Metropolitan Council will reimburse the county 75 percent of the acquisition cost, or $348,750.

The SPC is dedicated to preventing teen suicide in the east metro by teaching awareness of depression and other mental illnesses, the warning signs of suicide, and the need for professional treatment.

Members of SPC include local teenagers and representatives from PrairieCare, Central and Priority Pediatrics, Penticoff Community Counseling Inc., Fuerst Child and Family Psychological Services, Counseling Psychologists of Woodbury P.A., Sentier Psychotherapy, Washington County Teen Health Fund and Youth Service Bureau Inc.

For more information and pre-registration, see www.suicidepreventioncollaborativemn .org. Click on news and events.

Teacher presents at technology conference Mahtomedi High School language arts teacher Sarah Lorntson was one of the presenters at the International Society for Technology in Education in San Diego, talking about "Using SMART Response for Meaningful Assessment in the English Language Arts Classroom" during the world's largest educational technology conference.

"I love learning new and effective ways to use my SMART Board and other technology tools in the classroom," Lorntson said. "I [was] honored to be selected for this program and to represent Mahtomedi Public Schools." The conference was in late June.

The foundation also named its officers for the 2012-13 year. They are chair Jim Widen, first vice chair Jack Lanners, second vice chair and secretary Dick Hanson, past chair Dixie Ewing, treasurer Joan Guider and assistant secretary Jack Clinton.

north st. paul-maplewood-oakdaleFour board seats up for election Superintendent Patty Phillips will talk about the roles and responsibilities of school board members and how to become a candidate during an information session from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the District Education Center, 2520 E. 12th Av., North St. Paul.

Residents in District 622 will elect four members to the school board during the Nov. 6 general election.

Anyone interested in serving a four-year term can file between July 31 and Aug. 14 at the District Education Center. An affidavit of candidacy and a $2 filing fee must be turned in to the district's election clerk by 5 p.m. Aug. 14.

Benefit run set for Saturday The 622 Education Foundation will sponsor a 5K run Saturday to raise money to benefit students in the North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District. The race will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday at North High, 2416 11th Av. N. Registration is $25. Forms are available at 622educationfoundation.com.

The Public Works Department will replace three culverts in the area. No detour will be posted. Questions regarding the closure of St. Croix Trail should be directed to Carol Hanson at 651-430-4313.

Hastings VFW gives $1,000 memorial World War II veteran and former VFW commander Walter Pechacek died in May, and recently his post presented a $1,000 check to help save the historic one-room Valley School.

The gift was to the Denmark Township Historical Society, of which he was a past president. The historical society, including Pechacek, have been working to raise money to buy and restore the school, built in 1852 and still located on its original site at the southern tip of Washington County.