A press release from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources:

Citizens who want to view video and presentations from this year’s Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) annual gathering of conservation leaders can do so by visiting the agency’s web site.

The DNR Roundtable Web page at http://mndnr.gov/roundtable includes information from conservation and DNR experts, including a brief video in which DNR Commissioner Mark Holsten speaks to opportunities and challenges facing Minnesota.

Jordan Elementary School principal Stacy DeCorsey let her students turn her into a human ice cream sundae Friday afternoon to reward them for their participation in a fund-raiser. Watch this video to see just how sticky the situation got!

The Minnesota Army National Guard Red Bulls 34th Infantry Division saw its last soldiers back in Minnesota Tuesday afternoon. Watch a video of the soldiers stepping off the plane to be greeted by Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Maj. Gen. Richard Nash, who led the troops overseas.

See these videos of a pair of skiers who dream of ski jumping in the Olympics someday:

On Tuesday, Jan. 19, the Jordan Area Chamber of Commerce gave special awards to the Jordan Fire Department and ERA Sandey Real Estate, the Anna Sandey (businessperson of the year) award to Sharon Velishek, and the business of the year award to Insurance Brokers of Minnesota.

The 2010 chamber board includes Velishek, Troy Schuette, Cathy Isles, Howard Senske, Jason Hombach, Elizabeth Thelemann, Jo Erp, Allen Houdek, Amy Radermacher, Dave Holzer, Vicki Borowicz, and Dr. Jeff May.

See the videos from the event:

With the permission of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Jordan, I gave myself a self-tour of the historic building's tower. It's five stories high with three bells. Years ago, the brothers stood in the entryway of the church, pulling with all their might, as parishioners flooded into each mass. For a few years, the bells have been fully electronic, but a recent project much improved them and ensured that they will ring throughout each day.

See my photos of the bell tower here: http://www.jordannews.com/news/church/church-bells-ring-again-slideshow-....

See my impromptu self-tour:

A couple of videos from the last Jordan City Council workshop, which included discussion of a Sand Creek Township gravel pit:

The Scott County Association for Leadership and Efficiency (SCALE) facility, located north of Jordan in Sand Creek Township, recently installed a new driving simulator. The simulator is geared to public safety and public works drivers who want or need to get a little extra practice behind the wheel without endangering themselves, others, or their vehicles. Watch the video below to see what it's like.

Jordan High School students are preparing for their Knowledge Bowl season. Their first meet will be Jan. 18. Watch this video to see some of their practice.

St. John the Baptist Catholic School girls basketball team played its first game in 50 or more years.

Here are some videos from the game: