Inver Grove Heights Week in Review Aug. 8-14

More than 25 firefighters from three departments spent four hours that began early last Sunday. The home, on Rich Valley Boulevard, was unoccupied when the fire began. Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the fire.

On a related note, the over the next several years, according to Fire Chief Judy Thill. The department is considering the purchase of a fire/rescue truck, a river rescue boat and other gear for firefighters.

Simley High School graduate . Rud recently resigned as head coach and General Manager of the Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League (USHL) to take an assistant coaching position with Colorado College.

Police and school district officials believe that Ryan Prail, the city's , is having a positive impact on student behavior in the district. Officials say Prail's presence in the schools improves relationships between law enforcement and youth in the community and helps the district and the police deal more effectively with juvenile incidents.

The Inver Grove Heights City Council made progress on two financial issues facing the city during a work session early last week. Council members to a plan to spend roughly $8.5 million on maintenance for the city's park system over the next 20 years. In the , several council members also spoke out against raising the city’s tax rate, a move that will likely lead to $292,000 in budget cuts in 2012.

Already this summer, four high school athletes and one coach have died from heat-related illness this summer. With that in mind, Patch spoke to Simley High School fall sports coaches and sports officials about the .

A Dakota County couple —nearly $229 million—this week. Thomas and Kathleen Morris, of Burnsville, say they plan to retire after winning the lottery. The couple but the winning ticket at a gas station in Lakeville.

Lumberjack competitions, tractor pulls and . Over the course of the week, Patch has documented the Dakota County Fair with a series of photo galleries.