Friends,
I have had a great time traveling around our community meeting with community leaders, small business owners, and so many more of the people that make our community such a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family. This will be the last update I can send out for a while, more on that below, but know you can always contact me for anything you may need or any questions you may have.
New Laws Taking Effect
A number of new laws passed in 2018 are set to take effect August 1st. Click here for more information on what new laws will hit the books on August 1st.
One of the new laws that go into effect on August 1st includes the law I authored to close a DWI loophole. In response to an October 2017 ruling by the Minnesota Supreme Court, the law replaces “hazardous substance,” which has a defined list of substances, and establishes that it is a crime to operate a motor vehicle under the influence of an “intoxicating substance” defined as “a drug or chemical … that when introduced into the human body impairs the central nervous system or impairs the human audio, visual, or mental processes.” It does not include alcohol or controlled substances, which have their own statutory definitions. I am proud to be a part of making our roads safer by getting this important update of our DWI law passed.
New Driver License Design
This past week, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety released a new look and features for Minnesota Driver's Licenses. These will be the new designs for orders processed after August 6th. Included is a new vertical orientation for those under 21 and a preview of the REAL ID-compliant license option available beginning this October. Full details are available here.
The standard Minnesota Drivers Licenses available beginning August 6th.
Vikings New Training Facility
This past weekend I attended the opening celebration of the new Twin Cities Orthopedic Performance Center in Eagan with my family. This is where the Vikings will hold training camp and practice during the season. It was a great time and a wonderful facility. Go and check it out!
Rep. Wills and family a the TCO Performance Center in Eagan.
IN OUR COMMUNITY
National Zookeeper Week
This week is National Zookeeper Week. You can send the zookeepers at the Minnesota Zoo a thank you for all the great work they do here.
Blood Drives
There will be 2 blood drives in Apple Valley next week on Wednesday, July 25th:
- School of Environmental Studies 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM
- Old National Bank 10 AM - 4 PM
The American Red Cross is now facing an emergency blood shortage and has issued an urgent call for eligible individuals of all blood types to give now and help save lives.
Music in Kelley Park
Every Friday evening this summer in Kelley Park in Apple Valley, there will be a free concert in the park! This fun concert series is sponsored by the Apple Valley Arts Foundation, Uponor, and Think Mutual Bank. For the full line-up of concerts and additional details, visit: http://avartsfoundation.org/events/
Rosemount Fire Waffle Breakfast
The annual Rosemount Fire Relief Association Waffle Breakfast is Saturday, July 21st from 7:00 AM - 11:00 AM at Rosemount Fire Station #1, 14700 Shannon Parkway. Tickets are $7 at the door but can be purchased ahead of the event from any Rosemount Firefighter for $6. Eat some waffles and support our local firefighters!
Leprechaun Days
The 40th Leprechaun Days in Rosemount returns today, Friday, July 20th through July 29th. There are events for the whole family, check out the full schedule here.
Open Your Heart Challenge
July is the Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless Food Shelf Challenge, a time for food pantries around the state to bolster their food shelves when food donations are low, and there is a high demand for support. To participate in this month’s challenge by supporting 360 Communities, visit this link.
Beyond the Yellow Ribbon
Save the date for the Rosemount Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Fundraiser at Rudy's Redeye Grill in Rosemount on Monday, August 6th, 3-10PM to support their efforts to raise funds to help local veterans and their families.
Night to Unite
On Tuesday, August 7th, is this year's Night to Unite. Each Night to Unite, communities across Minnesota get together with their neighbors and enjoy special events such as block parties, cookouts, visits from Police, Fire, and local officials, contests, and youth activities. If you would like to organize a Night to Unite block party in your neighborhood, you can visit here for Rosemount and here for Apple Valley.
I will be joining other community leaders in making it to many of these great events throughout our community.
Warrior 196 Memorial 5K
Save the date for the 6th Annual Warrior 196 Memorial 5K Run/Walk in memory of five brave young men from our community who have given their lives serving our country.
Please Contact Me
Because of a 60-day post-session rule, I’ll be unable to send email updates after today due to this being an election year. Thank you for the honor and privilege you have granted me to serve you and your family in the Minnesota House of Representatives. If you would like to get in touch with me during the interim, please email me at rep.anna.wills@house.mn or call my office 651-296-4306. I welcome and appreciate hearing from you and look forward to assisting you in any way I am able.
Have a great summer and fall!
Sincerely,
Anna Wills
State Representative District 57B