Chaska Education Association teachers approved a proposed two-year contract on a 406-108 vote Tuesday afternoon.

The school board will take action on the contract at its Thursday, April 15 meeting.

The contract will result in an overall increase of $1.66 million over the current contract.

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By Chuck Friedbauer

Theater aficionado’s, especially those looking for plays filled with emotion, won’t want to miss Chaska High School’s upcoming spring production.

“If you like roller coasters, emotionally speaking, come see us perform ‘The Crucible,’” said Caitlin Robertson.

By Forrest Adams

An environmentally friendly composting site that was the focus of neighborhood odor complaints last spring and summer now sits mostly empty.

Gone from the 5 acres on University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum property are piles of decomposing food waste and grass clippings that many residents said attracted flies and gnats. Absent are the tractors turning the compost over and stirring up the material, which residents say created dust and foul odors.

The newly formed Chaska Chapter of Let’s Go Fishing will be hosting a meeting for all volunteers at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 14 at The Lodge at the Chaska Community Center.

This chapter already has signed up over 40 volunteers in a number of different areas who will assist with taking Active Older Adults (AOA’s) ages 55-plus on fishing trips on area lakes, according to a Chaska Parks and Recreation press release. There is no cost for participants who want to go fishing or ride the water on a pontoon.

All fire departments in Carver County, the St. Bonifacius Fire Department and the Department of Natural Resources fought an 85-acre grass fire Sunday afternoon in Laketown Township at Airport Road.

A Carver County deputy called in the fire at approximately 3:16 p.m. after seeing smoke in the area. Since the area is in the Waconia Fire District, the Waconia Fire Department was the first on the scene.

Waconia Fire Chief Randy Sorensen called for mutual aid from 11 additional fire departments soon after arriving and evaluating the scope of the fire.

The 2010 Carver County Dairy Princesses will be crowned Saturday, April 17 at the 58th Annual Carver County Dairy Day Dinner.

The dinner will be held at the New Germany Hall in New Germany, starting with a social hour at 6:30 p.m., dinner at 7:30, and the program beginning at 8:15. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door. For advance tickets, call barb Grimm at (952) 657-2476.

What do people like about downtown? Two traits immediately come to mind – historical and small-town feel.

Without downtown, it’s doubtful Chaska would even strive to become the “best small town in Minnesota.” Instead, we’d be trying to shake off the “suburban” moniker like skunk stink on a wet dog.

Historic and small-town feel are perhaps our strongest traits. But there are others – so let’s build on them.

History

Does anyone know about all the police action this morning around 1:30am at the bus garage off of Old Hwy 212...Lights everywhere.

Ellie Zanger, 82, of Waconia, passed away Thursday, April 8, 2010 at The Lutheran Home in Belle Plaine of complications from Alzheimer’s.

A celebration of Ellie’s life was held Sunday, April 11, at Waconia Moravian Church.

Each week we publish a detail of a local building. The next week we indentify the building. Do you know where the heck this is? Post your answer; e-mail [email protected]; or call (952) 345-6574.

Commuters rejoice. Highway 41, south of downtown Chaska, has reopened to traffic.

As of about 2 p.m. Sunday, April 11, barriers had been removed and traffic was flowing up and down Chaska’s main thoroughfare.

Drivers can now go to and from Highway 169 without taking alternative crossings, such as the Bloomington Ferry Bridge.

Since March 19, traffic has been blocked, due to Minnesota floodwaters.

There is a chance Highway 41 in Chaska could reopen in time for Monday morning's commute.

According to a report from Scott County Emergency Management Director Chris Weldon, the state is making steady progress on fixing the damaged river crossing. Repairs on the shoulders are complete and crews are now concentrating on the slopes and pavement repairs.

The state had been estimating Highway 41 would repon Tuesday.