By Shawn Hogendorf, Correspondent

PRIOR LAKE - Police are investigating a report of ongoing “sexting” communications between a 31-year-old Maple Lake, Minn. man and a 12-year-old Prior Lake girl.

As a result of an Apple Valley Police Department investigation into a separate harassment complaint, Prior Lake police received information that the man was sending and receiving text messages with the girl, Detective Chris Olson said.

Drop off new toys at Shakopee High School for the annual Toys For Tots drive.

The Shakopee High School Student Council will be collecting toys beginning Monday. The last collection day is Friday, Dec. 11.

Toys can be dropped off at the high school's greeter’s desk during school hours. Toys for children age 10 and older are requested.

Community members are invited to submit naming suggestions for the Shakopee School District's new elementary school. The deadline to submit suggestions is Monday, Nov. 30.

Canterbury Park in Shakopee received approval from the Minnesota Racing Commission on Thursday to conduct a 62-day thoroughbred and quarter-horse race meet in 2010.

The meet, which will mirror the 2009 season, will begin Friday, May 14 and run through Sunday, Aug. 29 with Thursday and Friday post times of 7 p.m. and weekend and holiday post times of 1:30 p.m.

Shakopee police arrested an 18-year-old Prior Lake man early this morning for the armed robbery of Burger King late Tuesday night.

The man is also suspected of attempting to rob Payless Gas Station on Monday evening. 

The suspect was booked into Scott County Jail at 4:21 a.m. on suspicion of aggravated robbery. Formal charges are pending with the Scott County Attorney's Office.

No more information was immediately available from police. Check shakopeenews.com later for further updates.

A traveling businessman lured the Mendez family to Minnesota to start a Mexican fast-food eatery. They found success in Shakopee and developed a cult-like following for their authentic burritos and tacos. Their unique drive-up store is closing at the end of the month after more than six years of business. The family will carry on at a new indoor space across town. Learn more about the family's history in today's Shakopee Valley News. Share your memories below. 

 Shannon Fiecke

By Kristin Holtz, Staff Writer

Lynda Otten laughs when she recalls her high school career counselor’s advice after announcing her career goal to show dogs.

“You’ll never make a living,” the counselor told her.

Fifty years after first stepping into the show ring, Otten, 60, continues to parade her beloved dogs at shows around the United States.

News this week that a federal advisory panel, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF), recommended reversing long-standing and widely promoted guidelines for when to screen for breast cancer has brought a wide range of responses.

Because of Thanksgiving, next week's Valley News print edition will arrive in mailboxes and be available on newsstands on Wednesday.

Because of that, our deadlines for next week have changed. Submitted news items must reach us by 5 p.m. Friday.

Letters to the editor must arrive by noon Friday.