Here's what's been going on in and around Belle Plaine lately, according to the Belle Plaine Herald:

- Scott County Commissioner Jon Ulrich of Savage and the rest of the
county board unanimously directed staff to look into ways of opening
Cedar Lake Farms regional park in 2009. The land, which is owned by the
county, is located along Cedar Lake in Helena Township.

- One headline says, "Transportation committee will review school busing options," but Mike Daly, chairman of Belle Plaine's school board, says the "imperfect system" isn't going to change without additional buses and the money to pay for them.

- For a lifetime of achievement, Dr. Roger Hallgren received a propellor trophy from the Flying Physicians Association.

- Michael Shawn Klappenbach, 34, of Belle Plaine has been charged with two counts of criminal sexual conduct involving a 15-year-old girl he allegedly met online.