South metro briefs: Activity fees may increase

Students at the three high schools in the South Washington County school district could pay $25 more per activity during the 2012-13 school year under a proposal being considered by the school board. The board is expected to act on the measure Thursday.

Students who participate in sports sanctioned by the Minnesota State High School League would pay fees in the range of $155 to $180. Activities such as speech and drama would cost $120 to $125. No fee increase would be assessed for activities such as working on the newspaper or yearbook.

This would be the first fee increase since 2003, said Keith Ryskoski, assistant superintendent for secondary education. The increase is tied to a $1.2 million reduction in the district's budget, resulting in a $100,000 cut to athletics and activities.

Ryskoski said raising fees is seen as preferable to dropping activities or cutting such services as transportation. Even with the increase, participation fees would be below those of most other schools in the Suburban East Conference, Ryskoski said. Woodbury, Park and East Ridge high schools are members of the conference.

United Way hires new leader for east citiesAngie Lien is the new executive director of United Way of Washington County East. Lien will begin work at the nonprofit on Monday .

Lien brings more than 20 years of experience in strategic marketing, communications and public relations, program management and fundraising to the United Way of Washington County East, which has served residents in Marine on St. Croix, Grant, Stillwater, Lake Elmo, Woodbury and Afton for more than 60 years. She most recently was marketing and communications director at the Basilica of St. Mary and the Basilica Landmark Foundation, both in Minneapolis.

"She is a person of integrity and compassion who will continue our focus on achieving our mission," said Keith Radtke, the board president.

Registered voters who have a valid reason for missing the election may cast an absentee ballot in person through Aug. 13 at Washington County Service Centers.

The centers are at 2150 Radio Drive, Woodbury; Cottage Grove Senior Center, 13000 Ravine Pkwy., Cottage Grove; Washington County Government Center, 14949 N. 62nd St., Stillwater, and Headwaters Service Center, 1995 N. Forest Road, Forest Lake.

Hours will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 11. Residents may also call 651-430-6175 to request an absentee ballot application.

Couple in motorcycle accident get safety awardThe Minnesota State Patrol gave its "Saved by the Helmet" award to motorcyclists Richard and Elizabeth Jones, of Woodbury, during a presentation June 12 at the State Patrol's headquarters in Rochester. Lt. Jeff Westrum recognized the couple for wearing their helmets on June 24, 2011, when they hit a deer and crashed while traveling on Hwy. 63 in Fillmore County.

KFAN, Wild players will be featured at fundraiserKFAN radio (100.3-FM) will broadcast its morning show from the St. Paul Park American Legion from 6 to 9 a.m. Monday. Minnesota Wild players will be present. The occasion is a pancake breakfast and fundraiser for girls hockey teams and for the city to repair one of its rinks. The event at 328 Broadway Av. also includes a silent auction.

Red Wagon youth leadership awards bestowedDistrict 622's Youth Leadership Council (YLC) was one of five groups given a Red Wagon Award presented by Lt. Gov. Yvonne Prettner Solon and the Minnesota Alliance With Youth during a ceremony June 12 at the Governor's Residence in St. Paul.

The Red Wagon Awards recognize outstanding youth leadership and civic engagement, and honor individuals and groups of young people who work hard to create positive change in their communities by increasing civic engagement and academic achievement and by providing exemplary leadership.

Elementary school gets sports equipmentThe St. Croix Valley Foundation recently awarded Afton-Lakeland Elementary School a $4,982 grant for its health and wellness initiative. The school will use $1,600 to buy archery equipment to be used by students in grades four through six. The Minnesota Department of Resources matched the $1,600 to promote the sport as part of its Archery in the Schools program. The remaining money will be used to buy 63 pairs of snowshoes that will be available to all students at the school.