Wendi Russo, 2010 Mrs. Minnesota U.S.A. came close, very close to winning the Mrs. U.S.A. title at the national pageant in Las Vegas last Thursday.

Russo is an Eden Prairie resident, and an on-air TV host at Shop NBC, a TV shopping network, broadcast from Eden Prairie. She won the Mrs. Minnesota U.S.A. pageant in May, winning the opportunity to compete in the national pageant.

Russo, 43, was first runner-up in the pageant, one of three national pageants that celebrate family and married women.

Photo by Mark W. Olson

Jim Bauck explains his management style. He previously served as superintendent of the Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose school district.

By Chuck Friedbauer

Jim Bauck began his tenure as the District 112 Superintendent on July 1, replacing David Jennings, who served in the position for the past five years prior to his retirement.

Chanhassen

Where: Chanhassen City Hall, 7700 Market Blvd.

When: Aug. 3-Aug.17

What: Candidacy for two Chanhassen City Council positions and mayor of Chanhassen

How: Meet the requirements, file paperwork, pay fee

Victoria

Where: Victoria City Hall, 7951 Rose Street,

When: Aug. 3-Aug.17

What: Candidacy for two Victoria City Council positions and mayor of Victoria

By Forrest Adams and Unsie Zuege

Two council positions and the office of mayor will be up for election in Chanhassen and Victoria this fall. Candidates interested in those positions will need to file paperwork between Aug. 3 and Aug. 17.

Chanhassen

The terms of Mayor Tom Furlong and Councilors Vicki Ernst and Bryan Litsey will expire at the end of 2010. Furlong was first elected the city’s mayor in 2002. Ernst and Litsey have been on the council since 2006.

Photo by Forrest Adams

The canopy over the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres entrance collapsed Sunday afternoon when a vehicle ran into one of the canopy’s supporting poles.

By Forrest Adams

Organizers of the campaign to self-fund and launch a Chanhassen High School debate team have posed the following, in keeping with classic debate protocol.

Opening Statement (pro): Chanhassen needs a debate team for three primary reasons:

To help grow and develop the skills of argumentation and communication in students of Chanhassen,

to help complete an already strong forensics program by offering both speech and debate,

Submitted photo

Wendi Russo of Eden Prairie is competing in the Mrs. United States Pageant this week in Las Vegas. Russo won the 2010 Mrs. Minnesota United States title in May.

By Unsie Zuege

Fashion designers can be so picky.

Photo by Unsie Zuege

David Stauffer and Allie Vreeman, students at Chanhassen High School, have some fun with their mission to start a debate team this fall.

By Unsie Zuege

David Stauffer, Allie Vreeman, Louis Baker, and Tony Stauber have something to say, and will say it persuasively, convincingly, and with conviction, just as any top notch debaters would.

By Richard Crawford

As candidates prepare to head into the home stretch for this year’s early primary election on Aug. 10, one topic that is rising to the top of many lists is the tax climate in Carver County.

There will be contested primary elections for two County Board seats.

And there are divergent views on whether the County Board has been good stewards of taxpayer dollars. (See the candidates’ answers on their view of the tax climate in the county on page 8).

A primary election will be conducted on Tuesday, Aug. 10. There will be two county commissioners races on ballots in Carver County: District 1 and District 3.

Carver County Board District 3 covers the city of Carver, Chaska Ward 1 and Chaska Ward 2, precincts 1 and 2, and the city of Victoria. The candidates are Debbie Boe, Randy Maluchnik (incumbent), Kevin Masrud and Jay Swenson. The two candidates who receive the most votes in the primary race will be on the ballot in the November general election.

By Brian Dixon

Chanhassen and Carver County Day at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum will be Friday, Aug. 6. On this special day, residents of Chanhassen and/or Carver County will be admitted free of charge to the Arboretum (with proof of residency).

Local government and Arboretum officials will speak at a public welcoming ceremony, with complimentary refreshments, at 10 a.m. in the Oswald Visitor Center. Immediately following, free gift bags will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Also on tap this special day:

Photo by Unsie Zuege

Waconia Branch Librarian Heidi Hoks places
an order for a book at the Victoria Express Library kiosk.

Victoria residents can now pick up and drop off Carver County Library materials without ever leaving the city. The Carver County Library recently installed and Express Library at the Victoria Recreation Center at 8475 Kochia Lane.

Residents of all ages and families are invited to Lions Park on Wednesday nights for great music and family fun. Bring your family, lawn chairs, blankets, and a picnic supper, and then settle back for an evening of music.

Date: July 21

Group: Minneapolis Commodores

Music style: Men’s Acapella Choir

Details: Free party pizza, locally made, and starting at 6:30 p.m.

The sixth annual Mount Olivet Motorheads show is Tuesday, July 20 at Mount Olivet West Campus, 7150 Rolling Acres Road, Victoria. The show includes classics, muscle cars, boats, motorcycles, tractors, fire trucks—anything with a motor.

Exhibitors arrive at 4 p.m. and the show starts at 5 p.m. The service to bless motors and drivers begins at 7 p.m. with a free raffle drawing following immediately. The free event includes a picnic dinner, ice cream, and a moon walk!

Stubby the Elephant is coming to the Victoria Recreation Center on Monday, July 19, as part of a visit by the Climb Theater. The performance will be at 10 a.m.

The third annual Holy Family Fire 5K and Kids ½ mile Fun Run is 9 a.m., Saturday, July 17, at Holy Family High School, 8101 Kochia Lane, Victoria. Same day registration is 7:30—8:45 a.m. Entry fee is $20 and includes a T-shirt, a drawing for prizes and more. Parking available on site at Holy Family. Restrooms available at the start/finish line.

Location: Holy Family Catholic High School

Schedule:

7:30 a.m.—8:45 a.m.—Same day registration.

9 a.m.—Fire-5K Fun Run/Walk

By Linda McNulty

Let’s pretend that your adult children have just told you that you shouldn’t drive any longer; or worse, a judge has given you the same sentence. Other than failing health, giving up the keys to your car is the most serious threat to independent living. Surrendering the keys without an alternative plan can lead to loneliness and depression, which can lead to poor health. Knowing independence during our entire adult lives, suddenly being housebound can be a personal catastrophe.

The Senior Commission recently appointed Sis Coenen to the commission. Currently the senior commission has nine members and is allws up to eleven members. Sis Coenen’s term will end March 31, 2012.

The City Council rejected a business exterior improvement loan program proposal. The revolving loan program was proposed earlier this year, as a way to support local business.

A city survey showed that local businesses would rather have the city create a robust marketing program to offset disruption from the 2012 Highway 5 improvement projects. Victoria businesses want to make the public aware in the city and surrounding communities that downtown Victoria will still be accessible.

The city has also applied for a grant that would enable planning for the city’s 13.5 acres, west of the central downtown district. The Metropolitan Council has funding for the Livable Communities Demonstration Account for 2010, and has a new category called the Pre-development Grant.

A dangerous intersection could be fixed if MnDOT approves the city’s funding application. (See MAP).

Victoria City Council approved a request for funding from the Minnesota Department of Transportation through the Municipal Agreement Program for roadway improvements the intersection of Highway 5 and County Road 11, located near the Victoria Dairy Queen.

The Carver County deputies assigned to the cities of Chanhassen, Victoria, and Carver and the townships of Laketown, San Francisco and Dahlgren responded to the following calls from July 5 to July 11.

July 5

At 12:13 a.m., responded to 1500 block, Lake Lucy Road, Chanhassen, for fire call. There was an attic fire with no injuries. Estimated damage was $3000.

At 3:46 p.m., responded to 8100 Paradise Lane, Laketown Township, where an adult male was cited for disorderly conduct.

By Richard Crawford

A new state law that takes effect this election cycle builds in more time for military personnel and others who are overseas to participate in this November’s general election.

To accomplish that, the date for the primary election has been moved up a month. Instead of the second Tuesday of September, the primary will be on the second Tuesday of August.

The following students were named to the Chanhassen High School Dean’s List 1 for the second semester:

Grade 9

Photo by Forrest Adams

Between 2006 and 2008 there were 14 rear-end collisions, with three of them resulting in injuries, at this Highway 101 and Highway 5 intersection. Some residents, including Neil Libso, are concerned the intersection is a safety hazard.

By Forrest Adams

Neil Libso, a resident of Chanhassen, calls it a “death trap.”

Estimated completion  date: December 2011

Chan transit station groundbreaking .

By Mark W. Olson

River City Days, Chaska’s unofficial mid-summer mark, is coming earlier
than usual this year.

The core of Chaska’s big city celebration will still be the last full
weekend of July. However, in an effort to create more family and
recreational events, organizers will also be holding activities in the
events leading up to July 23-25, according to organizer Tim Sebenaler.
It’s a way to get families “off the couch,” he said.

Carver County Sheriff Bud Olson said there were four residential
burglaries that occurred in rural Carver County on July 12.