By Mark W. Olson

Carver County Republicans planned to endorse county commissioner candidates at a Wednesday night endorsement convention in Norwood Young America.

It’s apparently the first time in recent history that county Republicans have endorsed candidates for nonpartisan races – contests with no party affiliation listed on the ballot.

By Carolyn Spargo

The Nordic countries, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, have high standards for their educational systems. The education system is similar among the countries. The literacy rate among the Nordic countries is 99 percent. The students begin school at age 6 with more than half of the population in daycare before they start the primary grades. School lunch is free for all Nordic students.

(Carver County news release)

Carver County learned this week it will receive nearly $6 million in
federal stimulus funds to expand its fiber optic ring project to provide
high-speed Internet connectivity to 86 community partners throughout
the county. The formal announcement of the competitive grant from the
National Telecommunication and Information Administration (NTIA) on Aug.
18 stated Carver County will receive $5,995,600 in federal funds.

Photo by Forrest Adams

Ed Schneider is the new Minnesota Landscape Arboretum director. Previously he headed the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. He has also served as adjunct professor at the University of California at Santa Barbara. Prior to that, he held faculty appointments at Texas State University.

By Forrest Adams

The new director of the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum gave up Southern California for this.

The Chanhassen Crime Prevention Specialist reports that on July 29 six thefts from vehicles were reported in Chanhassen.

Thefts from unlocked vehicles appeared to have occurred overnight. Items that were taken included an MP3 player, GPS units, and keys. The incident locations were Del Rio Drive, Sierra Court, Sierra Trail, Iroquois Avenue, Kiowa Circle.

The city of Chanhassen and Carver County Sheriff’s Office are asking residents to exercise the following prevention measures:

• Keep vehicles locked.

Photo by Mollee Francisco

Clark Bandimere and his 1912 Case Steam Tractor are regular fixtures at the Scott-Carver Threshing Festival.

By Mollee Francisco

File photo by Unsie Zuege

The 2010 Carver County Fair will include staples such as 4H events and new attractions, including daily canine stunt shows.

 By Michelle Stevens

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.

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: