Week in Review: Feb. 27 Edition

Here is a brief summary of what made news in Oakdale this past week:

• Rep. Nora Slawik (DFL-District 55B), of Maplewood, authored a bill that would penalize adults who smoke in the car with children.
• Skyview Middle School students put on a Kids Conference where they chose their own topics—which included puppy mills, assassins and vegetarianism—and spoke on them for a group of parents and others.
• The District 622 School Board set the date of a public hearing on proposed budget cuts for March 8. The board wants to make $4 million in cuts. They are considering a teacher pay freeze or a reduction in the number of teachers among other cuts. 
• Staff members from throughout District 622 are organizing an event called 622 Project Family Connect that will bring together representatives from about 50 organizations that provide services for low-income people. The event is intended to connect struggling families with the resources available to them. They're seeking 150 volunteers to help with the event.
• Girl Scout cookie sales are in full swing, and a local group of dynamic saleswomen were featured as last week’s Whiz Kids. 
• The Oakdale City Council voted Tuesday to stop funding lifeguards at Tanners Lake Beach and put the money saved toward other parks and recreation programs. 
• held a cultural fair Thursday night that featured music, dancing art and food from around the world. 
• The Gateway Corridor Commission held an open house Thursday in Woodbury to talk about and get feedback on the seven transit options it is considering along Interstate 94 between Eau Claire, WI, and Minneapolis. Three of those options pass through Oakdale. 
• In sports, the Tartan boys hockey team is out of tournament play after losing 5-1 Saturday to Stillwater Area High School.