Chaska's special election to fill the vacant mayor's seat is now a two-man race. Former Cubs GM, Mark Windschitl filed his affidavit for candidacy Friday afternoon. He joins Jay Rohe as the first two candidates to file for the position.

The special election for mayor will take place on Jan. 19. Candidate filing closes Nov. 25 at 4:30 p.m.

Read more about Windschitl in next week's Herald.

The year was 1953 and Joan Rein was getting her first taste of cribbage, as a girlfriend’s uncle taught her to play. The card game, characterized by the use of a wooden board and pegs to count points, struck a chord with Rein almost instantly.

“I’ve always liked numbers and this is a number’s game,” said Rein.

Fifty-three years later, the Carver resident is still moving the peg around the board. In late September, her skills earned Rein her first ever title at the Grand National cribbage tournament in Grand Rapids, Mich.

By Richard Crawford

It may be the most studied septic system in the state, according to county officials on-site at the Waconia Event Center last Friday.

In an effort to determine whether the septic system serving the Waconia ballroom meets codes, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency recommend that Carver County bring in outside inspectors to do a thorough review.

By Richard Crawford

Beginning in January, townships in Carver County that don’t pay for contract police services can expect to see a decline in selected services from the Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Bud Olson has put township officials on notice.

“We’ve been talking about it for years,” Olson said Tuesday, regarding the plan to cut non-emergency services in eight townships that have chosen not to pay for them in 2010.

Hate looking at a collection of trash cans on the curb multiple times a week? Sick of refuse trucks rumbling down quiet neighborhood streets day after day?

In the New Year, garbage pickup may be getting an overhaul in Chaska.

During a work session Monday night, the Chaska City Council discussed its options for streamlining garbage service throughout the city. The council previously voiced a desire to seek ways to improve aesthetics and safety, while reducing wear and tear on streets by standardizing the service.

By Chuck Friedbauer

Each year, District 112 sets a number of different goals to drive improvement in areas ranging from student achievement to teacher quality. Last year, the district missed more than it made.

Superintendent David Jennings recently provided comments about the highlights and lowlights of last year’s goals.

Anna Mapes is just like any other player on the women’s volleyball team at Metro State University in Denver.

She goes to class. She goes to practice. She plays hard and studies harder.

But that is about where the similarities end.

“I’m playing volleyball, I’m going to school,” She said. “I’m married and I have two kids. It’s a lot.”

Mapes graduated from Chaska High School in 1997 – then known as Anna Hackbarth. It was about the time when many of her current teammates were just starting elementary school.

Writer: Caryl B. Storrs

Year: 1916

What: A vivid description of a German wedding in Chanhassen.

Published: Originally published in the Minneapolis Tribune, then reprinted in the book “Visitin’ ‘round in Minnesota.” The book includes short stories on several towns throughout the state. Storrs gives this description: “The inconsequent sketches included in this book represent a portion of a most interesting summer spent in rambling over this wonderful State of Minnesota.” A portion of this story was reprinted in “Chanhassen: A Centennial History.”

Each week we publish a detail of a local building. The next week we indentify the building, along with a detail of a different building. Do you know where the heck this is? Post your answer; e-mail editor@chaskaherald.com; or call (952) 345-6574.

Gone are the days of the stereotypical bully, towering over smaller students and demanding lunch money while threatening with a menacing fist. And while today’s bullies may not always be obvious in their looks or their methods, they remain a presence in local schools. National Anti-Bullying Week is Nov. 16-20.

“It’s happening at all of our schools, whether they report it or not,” said Chaska High School Resource Officer Mike Kleber.