South Metro Roundup: Dog Left in 98-Degree Car, City Contends for 'Best of the Road' Dining

Though you might live or work in , chances are you're curious about what's happening in your neighboring communities. Here are some of the stories posted on our neighboring Patch sites last week that could impact, help or be of interest to you. Read each story by clicking on the headline link.

Burnsville

After losing to Lafayette, LA last year, Burnsville is once again a contender for "Best Food" in Rand McNally's "Best of the Road" contest. This time around the city is up against Lewiston, NY; Walla Walla, WA; Santa Fe, NM; Bloomington, IN; and Charlottesville, VA. As a part of the contest, Rand McNally sends out judges to see the competing towns in person. This year Burnsville will be judged by the Road Bros.

Push•Pedal•Pull, an exercise equipment dealer from Sioux Falls, is going through a bit of a growth spurt. This year, the company added two Minnesota stores to its growing list of locations, which are spread from Oklahoma to the Dakotas. The location has been "phenomenal," according to the store manager.

Most people are happy with the way things are in Burnsville—or so it would seem based on a survey commissioned by the City of Burnsville. Surveyors spoke with 700 randomly selected people; 28 percent said quality of life was excellent, while 61 percent rated life in Burnsville as good and 11 percent said quality of life was fair. One percent judged life in Burnsville to be poor.

Eagan

It was a blistering 98 degrees inside the car—too hot for the panting, cowering dog Eagan police found shut inside the vehicle. A concerned passerby had alerted officers to the pet, which was left unattended in parked car. Police eventually removed the animal from the car—and issued a ticket to the dog's owner under a Minnesota law that prohibits people from leaving pets unattended in vehicles in a way that endangers the animal's safety.

Nobody saw District 51A candidate Milton Walden coming. Not even Milton Walden. A property inspector and former small business owner, Walden has never run for office. Nor has he actively participated in local politics. Which is why his surprise entry as a Democratic challenger to DFL-endorsed candidate Sandy Masin in House District 51A caught nearly everyone off guard—including his opponent.

Lakeville

Three of the four students charged with gross misdemeanors for their alleged roles in taking and sharing inappropriate photos and videos of two female students undressing in a locker room of Century Middle School have entered guilty pleas in juvenile court. The three students—two boys, one 13 and one 14-years-old, and a 14-year-old girl—pleaded guilty to once charge each of Conspiracy to Interfere With Privacy.

Mark Bellows has offically announced he's running for a second two-year term as mayor of Lakeville. Bellows said he's running because an “overwhelming number of residents who asked me to serve again and to be a voice for the conservative values of this community.” He'll be facing City Council Member Matt Little, who announced his candidacy late last year.