By Shannon Fiecke, Staff Writer

It almost seemed too good to be true when a provision allowing consideration of commuter rail on the Dan Patch Line sailed through the state Legislature this session.

Given the substantial support for the provision, neighboring state Sens. Kevin Dahle and Claire Robling were shocked when the proposal was pulled from a transportation policy bill last week.

Are you a high school senior in need of volunteer credits to graduate or to beef up your college applications? Are you a young professional looking to give back to the community? Are you a senior citizen looking to stay active?

Why not be a summer camp volunteer in Three Rivers Park District? Help children explore nature, outdoor recreation, farming and history.

ALBANY, Minn. — Two Shakopee residents were critically hurt about 2 p.m. Friday after their vehicle rolled Friday in Stearns County in the westbound lanes of Interstate Highway 94, according to the State Patrol.

She has been called quirky, unforgettable, a scene stealer, and even “one of the great moms of American fiction,” but to Shannon Olson, she’s just Flo.

For four decades, Shannon and her mother Florence Olson have played their roles as daughter and mother to perfection. Most of the time, those roles were played out in real life, but occasionally, they have found their way to the pages of Shannon’s books.

The city of Savage and the Lower Minnesota River Watershed District will be holding a Rain Garden Education Workshop for local residents on Wednesday, May 21 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Savage City Hall (6000 McColl Drive). The workshop will be taught by Metro Blooms with local landscape ecologist Rusty Schmidt.

By Jim Kakalios

U of M News Wire 

Although summer vacation for most students is weeks away, the Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota (BBB) suggests teens and parents begin discussing summer employment now.

On Monday, the U.S Postal Service will be adjusting prices for mailing and shipping services, including first-class mail, standard mail, periodicals, package services and special services.

As of Monday, a first-class mail stamp will be 42 cents. (Customers can continue to use the “Forever Stamps” that they purchase prior to May 12 at 41 cents, even after the price change.) To accommodate increase demand, the USPS will have 5 billion “Forever Stamps” in stock before the price change.

Although summer vacation for most students is weeks away, the Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota (BBB) suggests teens and parents begin discussing summer employment now.

The Valley News once again plans to publish a special keepsake graduation section for this year’s Shakopee High School seniors. Parents should have received a mailing from the newspaper. It includes a form with information about the graduate that can be included in the graduation section.