The job to count everyone in the United States has begun and getting an accurate count will benefit the population, U.S. Census Bureau officials and the state demographer say.

Representation in Congress and federal aid to localities are some of the benefits, and those who are needed to help take the count can also benefit through employment. The U.S Census Bureau makes the head count every 10 years and it will require hiring enumerators, also known as census takers. See more in Princeton Union-Eagle story by Joel Stottrup.

A predatory sex offender considered at high risk for reoffending is moving Tuesday, Feb. 9, to the vicinity of Walden Road and Parkwood Drive in Burnsville.

Burnsville police will hold a community notification meeting Monday, Feb. 8, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 13901 Fairview Drive. See more in ThisweekLive story.

In December the Meadow Creek Christian School second-graders carefully wrapped and mailed Christmas gifts to soldiers serving in Iraq. On Jan. 20 the class got a surprise visit from Air Force Reservist Tech. Sgt. Jason LeMire.

In all, the Minnesota Red Bulls unit he was with received five boxes from this school, LeMire told the excited second-graders in Karen Carter’s class. See more in Tammy Sakry's ABC newspapers story.

Air Force Reservist Tech. Sgt. Jason LeMire, from the Fort Snelling unit, visits the Meadow Creek Christian School second-graders Jan. 20 to thank them for the Christmas gift they send to him Minnesota Red Bulls unit.

John Kuester has been appointed to fill out the remainder of Laurie Kerr’s term on the Elk River Area School Board. He was sworn in Monday night (Feb. 1) after being selected on a 6-0 vote at a special meeting of the School Board.

“Laurie Kerr had a high standard of public service and I will try to maintain that high standard during my year on the School Board as her replacement,” Kuester said. See more in Editor Jim Boyle's Star News story.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty focused on health care reform and government spending at all levels during a Tuesday morning (Jan. 26) MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce breakfast event in Blaine.

Politicians at all levels of government need to be mindful of spending and not always say yes to be popular, Pawlenty said as he stood before local business owners and public officials in the Tournament Players Club clubhouse. See more in Eric Hagen's ABC Newspapers story.

The Anoka County Board has approved contracts for the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office to provide law enforcement coverage in seven communities in the county.

Acting on the recommendation of County Commissioner Scott LeDoux, Public Safety Committee chairman, contracts with Andover, Bethel, Columbus, East Bethel, Ham Lake, Oak Grove and Linwood Township were approved. See more in Editor Peter Bodley's ABC newspapers story.

Anoka-Washington County Head Start literally gives kids a head start on their journey of lifelong learning.

Jan. 5, Gov. Tim Pawlenty gave the program a head start on national recognition for its excellence when he nominated it for the federal Center of Excellence Award. “The Head Start program...is a valuable asset for children and families in Minnesota,” the governor said in his nomination letter.

“We are just truly thrilled with this honor, with the governor’s high opinion of our work here,” said Head Start director Jacqueline Cross.See more in Sue Austreng's ABC Newspapers story.

During November’s Families Doing Good Together event at Anoka-Washington County Head Start, three-year old Jessica Olson took a last look at the greeting card she made before dropping it into the mailbox. Jessica’s homemade card was sent to a hospitalized child and was one of several projects Head Start children and their families completed during the event, which was offered in order to give young families an opportunity to volunteer together. (Photo by Sue Austreng)

by T.W. Budig
ECM Capitol reporter

Two north metro lawmakers gearing up for the legislative session are representatives Gail Kulick Jackson and Mary Kiffmeyer. Jackson, DFL-Milaca, views the ailing state budget as more than a ledger failing to add up.

“(It) would only be a number problem except it affects people’s lives,” she said of the budget. A common phrase at the Capitol is “sharing the pain,” Jackson explained.

Read more: Representatives Kulick Jackson, Kiffmeyer ready for the session