According to a press release from the United States Attorney's Office a Chaska woman was sentenced today in federal court in connection with a money laundering scheme involving the theft of more than $2.5 million from the clients of her real estate closing company.

Molly L. Heise, 50, was sentenced to 70 months in prison and three years supervised release Aug. 19 in Minneapolis by United States District Court Judge John R. Tunheim.

The Minnesota Renaissance Festival holds its Highland Fling this weekend, Aug. 23 – 24. In addition to the traditional bag pipe, visitors can watch the World Amateur Highland Heavy Games and the Minnesota Amateur Highland Heavy Game Championships, according to a Ren Fest press release.

In addition to the World and Minnesota Amateur Championships, the Festival will host the Minnesota Coalition of Scottish Clans, The Celtic Croft, The St. Andrew’s Society and many other local Scottish groups.

Chaska's football team is sweating out two-a-day practices this week to get ready for a Saturday scrimmage at Wayzata.

The Hawks kick off the season on Thursday, Aug. 28 at home against Lakeville North.

Enjoy this selection of photos.

David Philip Thompson, 68, of Spring Lake Township/Prior Lake, died quietly at a local hospital surrounded by family and friends on Wednesday evening, Aug. 13, 2008.

There will be a memorial service in David’s honor at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Shakopee (County Road 69/ Old Brickyard Road and County Road 78) on Saturday, Aug. 23, at 3 p.m.

A former Jonathan Association employee has been charged with felony theft.

According to a press release from the Carver County Attorney's Office, Kimberly Sue Ferrari, 37, was previously employed as the association's bookkeeper.

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

* Site/building plans for Block 11 (Cy's corner)

* Concept plan for Ed Campus

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.

The second day of the state Class B Amateur Baseball Tournament at Shakopee’s Joe Schleper Stadium had a handful of fine games, punctuated by a big upset.

Savage edged Cold Spring 5-3 on Sunday night to advance to the double-elimination round next weekend.

Savage pitcher Brandon Walczak gave up two runs on seven hits, while striking out eight.

Chaska's Chris Brown

Dundas scored an 8-3 victory over the Chaska Cubs on Saturday at Athletic Park, knocking the home team from the state amateur baseball tournament.

The 2008 State Amateur Baseball Tournament got under way at Chaska's Athletic Park on Thursday, Aug. 14 with Fergus Falls facing Detroit Lakes in the first round of Class C competition.

Fergus Falls won the game 3-2 in the 11th inning, as Alex Conboy singled in Ben Brimhall.

Detroit Lakes tied the game with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning, thanks to a two-run single by Matt Olson that scored Terry Haus and Phil Kirchner.

The tournament continues at Shakopee and Chaska with Class C action on Friday night.

Carolyn Nelson, 63, of Shakopee, died Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2008 at Fairview Southdale Medical Center in Edina.

Funeral service is Monday, Aug. 18, at 1 p.m. at the Bertas Funeral home in Chaska with the Rev. Martin Cloeter from St. John’s Lutheran Church, Chaska.

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