By Shawn Hogendorf, Correspondent 

The Dakota County Attorney’s Office amended the criminal charges that were filed on April 25 in connection with the fatal hit-and-run that killed Carlos Noriega of Prior Lake in the parking lot of the Event Center in Burnsville on April 5.

By Shawn Hogendorf, Correspondent

The Burnsville Police Department have arrested a 19-year-old Faribault man and a 36-year-old Owatonna woman in the hit-and-run homicide that occurred at the Event Center, 1998 Highway 13, in Burnsville on April 5.

The two people are being held in Dakota County Jail.

Following a Planning Commission recommendation, the Prior Lake City Council on April 7 approved a plan for a larger YMCA than initially proposed on the Shepherd's Path campus at county roads 42 and 21.

The YMCA of Metropolitan Minneapolis asked for approval to construct a 50,000-square-foot facility instead of the 40,000-square-foot building originally requested.

The Federal Bureau of Investigations says the reported dollar loss from Internet crime reached an all-time high in 2007 amounting to nearly $240 million, a $40 million increase in losses from 2006.

According to the 2007 Internet Crime Report:

By Shawn Hogendorf, Correspondent 

A 29-year-old Prior Lake man was sentenced to serve two years in jail and eight years of probation for fourth-degree assault of a police officer, domestic assault and second-degree driving while impaired test refusal by Judge Thomas McCarthy in Scott County Court Jan. 16.

LoVerna Schlueter, 94, of Waconia, passed away Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at The Waconia Good Samaritan Center in Waconia.

Funeral service is Saturday. March 22, at 11 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Benton Township, Cologne.

Arrangements were handled by the Johnson Funeral Home of Waconia; online guestbook at www.johnsonfh.com.

By Shawn Hogendorf, Correspondent 

It was a case of senseless violence, but then again, violence never makes sense for victims.

By Shawn Hogendorf, Staff Writer 

A nearly six-year run from Scott County authorities is over for Miguel Alberto Garcia as he was sentenced to serve 364 days in Scott County Jail by Judge Mary Theisen on Feb. 20, for leaving the scene of a fatal accident in Credit River Township on Jan. 28, 2002.

Steve Sarvi, who is seeking the DFL nomination to run for Congress against incumbent John Kline in the 2nd Congressional District, will stop in Shakopee as part of a “listening tour” on Wednesday.

Sarvi will visit Coffee Ta Cream, at Shakopee Town Square, at 5:30 p.m. where he will discuss transportation issues.

Members of Shakopee new community theater group is seeking help for its first production.

Chaska High School is sponsoring a Breast Cancer Fund-raiser Feb 19-22.

All proceeds will go to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation under Carver County.

Mail donations to Chaska High School, 545 Pioneer Trail, Chaska, MN 55318. Make checks payable to “Susan G. Komen for the Cure.” Also look for donation boxes in local businesses.

Chaska High School is sponsoring a Breast Cancer Fund-raiser Feb 19-22.

All proceeds will go to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation under Carver County.

Mail donations to Chaska High School, 545 Pioneer Trail, Chaska, MN 55318. Make checks payable to “Susan G. Komen for the Cure.” Also look for donation boxes in local businesses.

Anthony “Tony” Hernandez, 54, of Prior Lake and formerly of Hudson, Wis., passed away Friday, Feb. 15, 2008 at his home.

Visitation is Thursday, Feb. 21, from 9-10 a.m. at Church of St. Michael in Prior Lake. Mass of Christian Burial follows at 10 a.m at the church.

Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Prior Lake, provided arrangements. 952-447-2633.

By Mollee Francisco 

Correspondent

Though the suburbs have traditionally played the part of the picture-perfect neighborhood, they have not been the stuff of art.

Until now.

Saturday, the Walker Art Center unveiled a new design exhibit entitled “Worlds Away: New Suburban Landscapes.” The show features more than 75 pieces of art and architecture all garnering inspiration from the ’burbs.

The Miss Shakopee Ambassadors will tell fairy tales and princess stories beginning at 1:30 p.m. today at Shakopee Library, 235 Lewis St.

Boy Scout troops in the area and their families are invited to visit the Shakopee Culver's Restaurant for dinner on Wednesday, Feb. 20 from 4 to 7 p.m.

During the annual Dan Patch Friends of Scouting Community Campaign, the Shakopee Culver's will donate 15 percent of all receipts during that time to troops in the Dan Patch District.

The proceeds support scouting activities. 

This is the second year Culver's has hosted the event. Culver's is located on County Road 83, just north of Highway 169.  

The following are Scott County District Court felony and gross-misdemeanor dispositions. Defendants either pleaded guilty or were found guilty by the court unless otherwise indicated.

James Lawrence Smuk, 45, Minneapolis, driving after cancellation (inimical to public safety), a gross-misdemeanor. Two years’ probation, 15 days under electronic home-monitoring, $580 in fines.

The fifth annual Lions Club Golf Tourney on Ice starts at noon today at Jackson Town Hall in Shakopee.

This will be an 18-hole course with only one golf club allowed. Registration is at 11:30 a.m. and the cost is $20 per golfer.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is encouraging people to take time this weekend to introduce a few kids — and maybe even an adult or two — to ice fishing, one of our state's most popular winter outdoor activities.

Three Rivers Park District is offering several scouting opportunities throughout the metro area in March. Whether it is building a badge, learning about Minnesota animals or native birds or how to make maple syrup, Three Rivers has a Scouting event that is right for your Scout or den.

Reservations for these programs are required; call (763) 559-6700 and reference the appropriate activity number below:

By Mollee Francisco 

Though the suburbs have traditionally played the part of the picture-perfect neighborhood, they have not been the stuff of art.

Until now.

Saturday, the Walker Art Center will unveil a new design exhibit entitled “Worlds Away: New Suburban Landscapes.” The show features more than 75 pieces of art and architecture all garnering inspiration from the ’burbs.

By Mollee Francisco

Correspondent

 The Chaska Planning Commission Wednesday night got its first look at a proposed development that would include an emergency room. If built, it would be the state’s first free-standing emergency department.

CHASKA — An overhead heating unit fell in a kindergarten classroom at Guardian Angels Catholic School Thursday, striking three students.

One student was transported to the hospital via ambulance with a reported broken leg, said principal Nancy Ronhodve. The other two students remained at school and even participated in the relocated class Valentine's Day party.

The following are selected initial-complaint reports filed by Shakopee police.

Feb. 13

Planning for the 2008 Shakopee All Night Graduation Party is in full swing, with its major fund-raiser planned Thursday, Feb. 21.

Boy Scout troops in the area and their families are invited to visit the Shakopee Culver's Restaurant for dinner on Wednesday, Feb. 20 from 4 to 7 p.m.

During the annual Dan Patch Friends of Scouting Community Campaign, the Shakopee Culver's will donate 15 percent of all receipts during that time to troops in the Dan Patch District.

The proceeds support scouting activities. 

Junior royaltySam Anderson and Andrea Scanlan were named Shakopee High School Snoball Week Junior Prince and Princess. Other junior candidates were Ben Vigil, James Felker, Joe Danielson, Max Timm, Kirstin Molsather, Kayle Undesser, Ellie Riffe and Kelsey Menden.

Hey, daddies, it’s time to take your daughters out.

Shakopee Community Education’s Third Annual Daddy-Daughter Dance is set for 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 29 at Shakopee High School.

Lee Shimek of Prior Lake has been elected board chair at St. Francis Regional Medical Center in Shakopee.

Come see the full moon disappear before your eyes, then begin to reappear, on Wednesday, Feb. 20.