The Anoka County Board has recently made headlines with a string of new resolutions and recognitions. In their latest meeting, they proclaimed the first week of May as National Corrections Officers Week, paying homage to the county's corrections staff for their dedication to public safety. Dylan Warkentin, Anoka County director of Community Corrections, and Sheriff Brad Wise commended the employees for their service. Further, they released a video about the contributions of these diligent workers, which can be viewed here.

In another nod to local law enforcement, May 12-18 has been designated National Peace Officers Week by the county board. This week serves to honor the law enforcement agencies in the county. According to a statement obtained by Anoka County's officials, Sheriff Brad Wise and Chief Deputy Bill Jacobson highlighted the significant contributions of these officers.

The county board isn't just about recognition; they've also moved to designate April 30 as Therapy Animal Day in Anoka County. Celebrating the unique bond between therapy animals and their handlers, they shared the story of therapy dog Deano, working with crime victims in the County Attorney’s Office. Victim Witness Services Manager, Holly Lammers, and Victim Witness Specialist, Andrea Kohner, spoke about how Deano has been a comforting presence since 2023, assisting dozens of victims.

On the development front, Anoka County is preparing for infrastructure improvements, with roundabouts on the way for two problematic intersections. The first roundabout, scheduled for a fall 2025 construction start, will be located at Centerville Road and Ash Street. The project aims to tackle the traffic issues of the City of Lino Lakes. The second roundabout project, with construction awarded to Forest Lake Contracting, will address the high crash rate intersection at 125th and Sunset Avenues. This safety improvement is set to alleviate congestion in the area.

On April 18, county officials broke ground on the Coon Lake Maintenance Shop, a project expected to be a boon for the Highway Department, Parks Department, and Sheriff’s Office. The new facility will replace the aging 60-year-old building and provide space for plow trucks and other essential equipment.

The board has also greenlit purchases to bolster data security within the county's digital infrastructure. The adoption of Security Information and Event Management (SEIM) and Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) systems is set to enhance the county's ability to efficiently detect and respond to security events. More details are outlined on the county's official website here.

In an act of civic generosity, resident Scott Mehl has donated ammunition to the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office for firearms training. Lastly, the board has approved tax abatement for the expansion project at the National Sports Center in Blaine, which includes the installation of synthetic turf fields and lighting improvements. Expected to drive economic development in the area, more on the Blaine Sports Center project can be found here. Viewers can also watch the full board meeting, including in-depth discussions on these issues, by clicking here.