State Fire Marshal Jerry Rosendahl announced Tuesday that 2007 fire deaths in Minnesota reached a new record low of 40, a number which breaks the previous lows of 41 deaths in 2005 and 1987.

It continues a downward trend in fire fatalities in Minnesota and across the country — a trend that Rosendahl attributes to code enforcement, public education, fire investigation, new technology and firefighter training.

“In the past 30 years, annual fire deaths have plunged from 125 to 40 because of several factors that impact each other,” he stated in a press release.

New fire department officers were approved by the city council Monday night. Tim Weibe was named new fire chief following the resignation of Chief James Van Eyll who left to take a full time fire chief position for the City of Long Lake.

Blair Malmgren was named first captain/training officer and Jeff Lenzen was named third lieutenant.

Ryan Carl Lindeen, 44, has been charged with five felonies in the May 1, shooting in Watertown Township, according to a press release from Carver County Attorney Jim Keeler.

Lindeen was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, two counts of first-degree burglary and two counts of second degree assault for the shooting that occurred in the early morning hours of Thursday, May 1, the press release stated.

The Chaska Police Department is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of persons responsible for vandalizing two cars at Lenzen Chevrolet last month.

Between 7:30 p.m. on April 22, and 7:15 a.m. on April 23, two vehicles were damaged at Lenzen Chevrolet, 480 Hwy 212 E. The person or persons responsible threw rocks through the windows of two parked motor vehicles causing over $ 1200.00 in damage.

A woman was shot in Watertown on May 1, according to a press release from Carver County Sheriff Bud Olson.

At 6:21 a.m., the Carver County Sheriff’s Office received a 9-1-1 call of a shooting at a residence located in the 13000 block of Hwy 25, north of Watertown in Carver County.

Responding deputies learned that an adult male relative had come to the home early this morning where there was a dispute and struggle over a .22 caliber rifle, the release stated.

Today's tornado drills are still a go, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, which received this notice from the National Weather Service in Chanhassen at about 10 a.m.:

"The test watch was just issued, and all offices are still "a go" for the test tornado warning at 1:45 p.m. and again at 6:55 p.m. Nothing has been cancelled at this time. 

The Carver County Health Partnership is sponsoring a public forum, called “Teens, Technology and Trouble: With Overview Discussion of Student Survey Data.”

The forum is 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 22 at the Pioneer Ridge Freshmen Center. Another forum will be held at 7 p.m., Tuesday April 29 at Waconia High School, 1400 Community Drive in Waconia.

The forum will address public safety concerns involving young people and the Internet, including sites such as MySpace and Facebook.