A Belle Plaine police officer has been charged with three counts of criminal vehicular operation, a gross misdemeanor, and two counts of driving under the influence, a misdemeanor.

The Carver County Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday that charges had been filed against Richard Olsen. The 40-year-old was driving on County Road 40 in Carver County on July 26 when he allegedly lost control of his motorcycle.

LuAllen Kettner will face misdemeanor charges for allegedly hitting and killing a construction worker in Carver earlier this year.

Leo Kuisle, 47 of Stewartville, died when Kettner’s Ford Excursion reportedly struck him as he was attempting to control traffic near the intersection of Mount Hope Road and Chaska Boulevard. The incident occurred on May 15 around 7 a.m.

It's Just Perfect, located in the Chaska Depot, now offers homemade fudge.

Owner Barb Bach said the addition is called "Grandma Becker's Fudge Factory. All fudge is made on site with real butter and cream.

For more information, visit 3115 Chaska Boulevard, or call (952) 361-4900.

Marion Michel, 82, of San Diego Calif. and formerly of Chaska, died Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008 in San Diego.

Funeral service will be held Thursday, Dec. 11, at 11 a.m. at the Bertas Funeral Home, 200 West Third Street, Chaska, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment is at St John’s Lutheran Cemetery, Chaska.

Funeral arrangements were with the Bertas Funeral Home of Chaska, MN, (952) 448-2137.

Floyd Ebert, 62, of Linn Creek, Mo. and formerly from Chaska, went home with our Lord on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008.

Memorial service is Saturday, Dec. 13, at 1 p.m. at 18705 Stratford Woods Apartments, Minnetonka.

Memorials should go to the family in lieu of flowers. Contact Bill Bennetts at 952-474-4359 for information.

If you’re looking for some Scandinavian fun this season, there are a few area events coming up next week commemorating Saint Lucia Day.

“A favorite Swedish holiday tradition is tied to the saintly figure of Lucia. She is the ‘bearer of light,’ who illuminates the darkness of winter each Dec. 13,” according to the American Swedish Institute’s Web site. The celebration includes a girl wearing traditional clothing with a wreath of lights on her head.

Here are a few of the Saint Lucia celebrations:

Dec. 12

Among the items on tonight's Chaska City Council agenda are:

* Public hearing: Truth in Taxation

* Approval of lease for old water treatment plant to Love Inc.

* Approval of city administrator contract

Chaska City Council meetings are held the first, third and fifth Mondays of each month at 7 p.m. at Chaska City Hall, One City Hall Plaza.

By Chuck Friedbauer

A drug dog sweep of the Chaska High School student parking lot on Nov. 21 resulted in the alleged discovery of six student vehicles containing marijuana and illegal contraband.

“The students involved face criminal and school consequences and have lost their privilege to park at the Chaska High School,” said Chaska Police Chief Scott Knight in his weekly e-mail newsletter.

Jacob Melina, 15, takes a successful crack at a Piñata during the Multicultural Holiday Celebration on Sunday night in City Square Park.

Chaska held its annual Muliticultural Holiday Celebration last Sunday in City Square Park.

The event included presentations by teenage students from several different countries, who related their holiday traditions.

Santa Claus visited the crowd, which was entertained by the Chaska High School choir. Kids also had a chance to take a crack at a pinata.

Peggy Babcock, 57, of Victoria, died Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2008 in Minneapolis.

Memorial service was held Saturday, Nov. 29, at 11 a.m. at Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Chanhassen.

Funeral arrangements were with the Bertas Funeral Home of Chaska, (952) 448-2137.