A late comeback helped the Twin Cities Salvation Army raise $9 million for its 2008 Christmas Campaign, surpassing its goal of $8.5 million.

The comeback started Dec. 23, when The Salvation Army raised $1 million in a single day: Cargill Inc. donated $500,000, while an anonymous donor gave a $250,000 matching gift that was met with more than $300,000 in community donations.

“There is a great desire in our community to reach out to others and to have a positive impact,” said Cargill CEO Greg Page, Christmas Chair of the Twin Cities Salvation Army.

Minnesota health care providers will soon have a new way to find interpreter services for patients with limited English skills.

The Minnesota Department of Health is about to launch a new "Interpreter Services Quality Initiative," designed to improve health care access for Minnesotans who face significant language barriers. The interpreter initiative was established through legislation passed by the 2008 Minnesota Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Tim Pawlenty on May 29.

The "pavement tenting" problem that occurred on County Road 18 in Shakopee last winter and spring appears to be part of a system-wide issue, primarily in the metropolitan area, and may be related the use of chemically treated de-icing salts, Scott County officials said today.

By Shannon Fiecke, Staff Writer

A sheriff's deputy responding to a domestic violence call in rural Scott County on Sunday broke into the wrong home and fired five shots.

The deputy broke in through the locked front door and upon seeing one of the men had a firearm, started shooting. No one was injured.

Two men at the house had mistaken the deputy for an intruder, refusing to let him in and grabbing a gun.

By Shawn Hogendorf, Correspondent

The 43-year-old husband of murdered newspaper reporter Ruth Anne Maddox waived his right to a speedy trial during a hearing in Scott County District Court Wednesday afternoon.

A new face joined the five-member Scott County Board on Tuesday, replacing that of outgoing board Chair Bob Vogel.

Savage resident Tom Wolf, a stay-at-home dad and former financial planner, was sworn into office, along with returning Commissioner Barb Marschall of Prior Lake, by 1st Judicial District Chief Judge William Macklin.  

The family of Jennifer Hentges, who suffered a near fatal bee sting this summer, is scheduled to appear on Fox 9 newscast tonight at 5 p.m.

KMSP-TV was at the Scott County board meeting on Tuesday morning as Hentges' daughters received awards for calling 911 and directing emergency responders when their mom passed out June 14 after being stung.

The Hentges family, who lives in Spring Lake Township, were featured in a Jordan Independent news article on June 26.

By Lori Carlson, Correspondent 

Widening Prior Lake’s highest-traveled road isn’t necessarily a top priority for the city – or the county, for that matter.

That’s because much of the land east and west of County Road 83 is owned by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Dakota Community, and much of the traffic on the road is headed to the tribe’s casinos.

A Scott County sheriff's deputy is on paid administrative leave after shooting into a home where he thought a domestic assault had occurred.

The deputy was responding to a call of domestic abuse at 23884 Logan Way in New Market Township on Sunday evening when he knocked on the door of a house there. Turns out that the call actually came from a large pole building at the rear of the property, which shares the same address.

The general manager of the Savage American Legion said Tuesday that despite rumors in the area, the club is not shutting down.

“I want the public to know that we continue business as usual, and nothing negative is imminent,” said Tom Anderson, general manager of the Legion.