The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is reporting that abnormally dry conditions are causing concern in much of Minnesota.

"Wildfire suppression officials are concerned about potential fire danger since much of Minnesota has been unusually dry since mid-June," according to a DNR news release.

The release said:

Twelve Eden Prairie Police Officers will be assigned to assist with Republican National Convention duties in St. Paul. According to Police Chief Rob Reynolds, the officers will be providing assistance starting Saturday through the following Sunday. Reynolds gave the update during last Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

Two Eden Prairie homes were damaged by fire after lightning hit both sites Wednesday morning.

“Both of them lost a chunk of their roof,” noted Eden Prairie Fire Marshal Allen Nelson.

According to a news release, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office Water Patrol located a body that is believed to be that of a man reported missing in Deephaven.

Just before 5 p.m. Sunday, a Water Patrol diver found the body of a deceased male in about six to eight feet of water in St. Louis Bay on Lake Minnetonka.

By Nancy Huddleston

SAVAGE -- An air-conditioning unit at Prior Lake High School caught fire Thursday night, but there was no extensive damage inside the school.

Savage police officer Gene Miller was on routine patrol at about 9:10 p.m. and observed smoke coming from the roof of the building.

“Something didn’t look right to him so he got out to take a closer look,” said Savage Police Chief Rodney Seurer. “Right then, he heard a sizzle and a loud pop and flames started coming from the roof.”

Protesters arrested at ATK site

For most businesses within Eden Prairie, the daily ins and outs of making a living take more attention then planning for the big “what if.”

 What if a disaster hits Eden Prairie and you need to access your business? What if your business has tools that could be invaluable in such as disaster?

At 5:02 a.m. July 13, three male suspects broke into a Subway on 7725 Flying Cloud Drive. The suspects broke the front store window leave $1000 damage and left an additional $600 in damage to the cash register. An undisclosed amount of cash was taken from the register and safe. Someone staying in a nearby hotel saw the three suspects running from the scene.

According to a news release from MnDOT, the loop from Carlson Parkway to eastbound Interstate 394 and the ramp from eastbound I-394 to Carlson Parkway will close from 5 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6, until 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 11, as crews continue work on a pavement rehabilitation project.
In the release, Mn/DOT reminds motorists to slow down in work zones and never enter a roadway that has been blocked with barriers or cones. For statewide traffic, construction and travel information visit www.511mn.org, call 5-1-1 or log on to www.mndot.gov.

The following is a compilation of stories printed in the Eden Prairie News following the I-35W bridge collapse in August of 2007.

EP firefighter part of early response to disaster