COVID-19 drive-thru testing expanded to West St. Paul Free testing available at Burnsville clinic and at Northern Service Center Dakota County and Dakota Child and Family Clinic are adding a second location — Northern Service Center in West St. Paul — for free drive-thru COVID-19 testing.

Drive-thru testing is available at: Dakota Child and Family Clinic, 2530 Horizon Drive, Burnsville

•Wednesdays, 3–7 p.m.

•Sundays, noon –4 p.m.

Northern Service Center, 1 Mendota Road West, West St. Paul

•Saturdays, beginning Sept. 12, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

Testing is open to anyone. You do not need to have COVID-19 symptoms, and no health insurance or personal identification is required. The nose swab viral test will be administered by professional medical staff.

To make an appointment, call 612-223-8838. You can make an appointment for yourself, family members and friends. Interpreters are available.

Test results should be available 3–7 days after the test day. Wait times may be longer depending on number of tests conducted daily around the state. Those who test negative for COVID-19 will be notified by email, text or phone call. If a test is positive, a clinic team member will call to discuss what next steps should be taken.

Testing is one of the best ways to control the spread of COVID-19. Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms or anyone who has been around someone with symptoms should be tested.

The testing clinics are funded with the county’s share of federal CARES Act funding in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

For more information, visit www.dakotacounty.us, search drive-thru testing.

Dakota-Scott Workforce Development Board seeks award nominations Awards recognize efforts to improve workplaces The Dakota-Scott Workforce Development Board (WDB) is accepting nominations to recognize individuals, programs, companies, and organizations that improve workplaces in Dakota and Scott counties. The awards will be presented at the WDB’s annual Legislative and Employer Awards event in December.

Award categories include: The Mark McAfee Friend of Workforce Award is given to an individual who has championed workforce issues at the local, state or federal level.

The Business Champion Award recognizes an outstanding company that also uses CareerForce services such as the job fairs, job postings or working with counselors.

The Bob Killeen Award recognizes companies for their use of innovative or quality practices. Killeen was a former WDB member and advocate for quality efforts.

The Willis E. Branning Excellence in Youth Employment Services Award recognizes an organization or program, an employer or an individual who has demonstrated a commitment to preparing young people ages 14-24. Two awards will be given — one for Dakota County and one for Scott County. Awards sponsors are the WDB and the Dakota Electric Association.

The Bob Klas Sr. Entrepreneur Award recognizes a local entrepreneur success story. The inaugural award was presented to Bob Klas Sr. Criteria includes the entrepreneur’s success as evidenced by business growth, the individual’s leadership in the business or civic communities and the mentorship they provide to other entrepreneurs.

Employer of the Year for People with Disabilities will be presented to an employer who has improved the lives of people with disabilities through employment.

The nomination deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30. For more information or to submit a nomination, call the Workforce Development Board at 651 554-5633 or email mark. [email protected]

Dakota County recognizes 125th anniversary of Rock

Island Swing Bridge

Constructed in 1895, bridge now a destination for bicyclists and pedestrians Dakota County is recognizing the 125th anniversary of the Rock Island Swing Bridge, a historic structure that once spanned the Mississippi River from Inver Grove Heights to St. Paul Park, linking Dakota and Washington counties. What once served railroads and early 20th century industry along the river now serves as a popular recreational attraction for walkers and cyclists in search of river views.

The bridge was completed in 1895 and opened first to wagons and trains, providing an important connection between stockyards in South St. Paul and main rail lines across the river. Its unusual double-decker design later served motor vehicles on the lower deck while trains continued to rumble above on the upper deck.

The bridge closed to rail traffic in 1980, vehicle traffic in 1999. In 2008, a 200-foot segment of the eastern span of the bridge collapsed into the riverbank and the remaining bridge spans were scheduled for demolition. State legislation in 2009 spared the western bridge spans from demolition. In 2010, the remaining sections were turned into a recreational pier and city park.

Dakota County opened the Swing Bridge Trailhead in 2015, providing another point of access to the Mississippi River Greenway. Located near the bridge pier, the trailhead features parking, bathrooms, picnic seating and a bike repair station.

The Rock Island Swing Bridge’s 125th anniversary is being celebrated as part of Inver Grove Heights Days on Saturday, Sept. 12. Bicyclists participating in the Bike the Bridges event, beginning at 3 p.m., will depart from Swing Bridge Park and pedal along the Mississippi River Greenway to the Wakota Bridge in South St. Paul and then return. The event is open to the public. Participants must follow COVID-19 safety precautions.