Dakota County news briefs: Plan ahead for parking at Eagan Funfest Fireworks

There will be fewer parking spots for Eagan's Funfest Fireworks on July 4, and city officials are asking fest-goers to plan ahead.

In past years, parking was available in lots at the Lockheed Martin building near Yankee Doodle and Pilot Knob roads. That building has been demolished, and no parking is available there. The 50-acre area has been cleared for construction of a new retail and mixed-use development that will be done in 2016.

Fireworks watchers and those who plan to attend the Funfest carnival and music beforehand may need to park farther away and allow extra time to walk to their preferred spot.

Funfest happens in Central Park, next to the Eagan Community Center. Fireworks can be seen from many locations around Eagan. The show started about 10 p.m. and lasts about a half-hour.

The Lakeville Fire Department is hiring on-call firefighters for three fire stations. Applicants must be at least 18 and live within two miles of a fire station. They must have a valid driver's license and pass a written test, a physical agility test, an oral interview, a pre-employment physical and a criminal-background check.

The application deadline is July 14. The fire stations are at 20190 Holyoke Av.; 17490 Kenrick Av., and 9465 185th St. W.

For more information or to apply, call 952-985-4700.

Registration is open until Aug. 11 for the Burnsville Police Department's 2015 Citizens Academy. The 11-week course meets from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday evenings, from Sept. 10 to Nov. 19.

Participants will learn about the history of the Police Department, common police calls, the laws of arrest, handcuffing procedures, traffic stops and DWIs, the bike patrol and K-9 units, domestic abuse response team and the SWAT team.

Students can be involved in a Taser demonstration and shooting in the indoor range. For more information, call 952-895-4596.

The Burnsville WorkForce Center will hold a free workshop called "Successful Job Search over 40, 50 and 60" on Monday. It will take place from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at the Workforce Center, 2800 W. County Road 42.

The center's website said the workshop is for "experienced job seekers" who will learn "how to use age to your advantage, discover techniques for marketing your expertise to employers and explore new job search strategies and resources."

Apple Valley's 49th annual Freedom Days started Friday and runs through July 4 at Johnny Cake Ridge Park East. Events include a parade and fireworks on the 4th. For a complete schedule, go to www.avfreedomdays.com.

A class on Microsoft Excel spreadsheet software will be held at 6 p.m. Monday at the Galaxie Library, 14950 Galaxie Av.

Students must have a basic knowledge of Microsoft Word or a similar product. Registration is required. Go to www.co.dakota.mn.us/library and click on events.

Rosemount's 10-day community festival will be held from July 17 to 26. For a schedule of events, information on how to volunteer and where to buy buttons, go to www.rosemountevents.com.

Dakota County residents can rent canoes, kayaks and paddleboards during the summer season at Lebanon Hills Visitor Center for use in Lebanon Hills Regional Park.

The rentals are available from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily though Sept. 7. The last rental is at 6:45 p.m. Canoe and kayak rentals include paddles and life jackets and cost $8 per hour, $20 for three hours or $35 for the day. Paddleboards cost $10 per hour and include paddles and a life jacket.

For those who want to fish, bait also can be bought at the Visitors Center.

All equipment is rented on a first-come, first-served basis. Renters must be 18 or older and have a photo ID.