A Chaska crash involving a semi truck and a sedan caused minor injuries Friday morning on eastbound Highway 212, according to Julie Janke with the Chaska Police Department. 
Alexis Saborit charged with 2nd-degree murder in death of girlfriend America Thayer
A criminal complaint filed Friday details the circumstances surrounding the alleged gruesome murder of a Shakopee woman at a busy residential intersection this week. 
Victoria City Council studies ordinances related to sex offenders
A number of Victoria residents want to update an ordinance on residency restrictions. It involves predatory offenders in the city, particularly the highest — level 3. 
Sculpture commemorating Chaska brickyards donated to Carver County Historical Society
On July 15, the Waconia Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting at the Carver County Historical Society for the unveiling of “Break’s Over,” a sculpture recently donated by Dan Klein and Old National Bank. 
Taylor Koenen returns to Shakopee to host basketball camps
Taylor Koenen still gets the feels when entering the gymnasium at Shakopee High School. A place where many of her more than 2,000 career points were scored on the basketball court over five varsity seasons. 
Letter: The tale of two Roberts
If you have a Minnesota driver’s license, here is a heads up for a new requirement. The name on your license must be identical to the name on your Social Security card. 
Yellow-headed blackbirds look amazing, but sound like a rusty door
Blackbirds always seem to get a bad rap. As the late Rodney Dangerfield was fond of saying, they “get no respect” in the bird world. 
Southwest Christian High School releases spring honor roll for 2020-21 school year
Southwest Christian High School recently released its spring honor roll for the 2020-21 school year.
Starwatch: Not a supermoon, but close
Venus glimmers in the sun’s afterglow, where it will stay for months to come. Look for the planet low in the west-northwest about 40 minutes after sunset. The best days may be the 11th and 12th, when a young moon… 
Hazy skies throughout the metro as air quality alert continues through Friday
The area is experiencing “unhealthy” air quality, as northerly winds bring in smoke from Canadian wildfires in Ontario and Minnesota, according to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. 
Friends remember America Thayer as kind, hard-working following her death in Shakopee
Many in the Shakopee community are expressing feelings of shock and sadness following the death of one of their own this week. 
Chanhassen Dinner Theatres reopens to happy audiences
The stage at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, like many other venues around the world, sat empty amid the COVID-19 shut-down. 
Eastern Carver County School Board gives superintendent Lisa Sayles-Adams good review
The Eastern Carver County School Board gave Superintendent Lisa Sayles-Adams her one-year review on July 19. 
Endangered rusty patched bumble bee making rare appearances in southwest metro
Sightings of Minnesota’s state bee continue to excite bee surveyors in the Twin Cities metro who say the endangered pollinator has recently been spotted in residential gardens and other urban landscapes. 
Rod Carew: One of the toughest outs in baseball
In today’s Major League Baseball, finding three infielders on one side of the diamond is a regularity. Often times a third baseman is positioned where the shortstop generally would be. A 4-5-3 double play — second baseman to third baseman… 
Commentary: Don’t panic about critical race theory
If you heard or read about CRT (critical race theory) be patient, be curious, and try not to be judgmental. 
City of Carver discusses splash pad and performance stage for downtown
The concept of a park with a splash pad, performance stage and multiple gathering areas in downtown Carver was discussed during a recent work session by the Carver City Council. 
Eastern Carver County School Board launches new equity website
The Eastern Carver County School Board discussed equity initiatives at its July 19 meeting. 
Amazon’s Shakopee fulfillment center celebrates five-year anniversary
Amazon MSP1 in Shakopee, the company’s largest fulfillment center in Minnesota, celebrated its fifth anniversary on July 27. 
Fans welcomed back to watch the Vikings at training camp
Fans are welcome at the TCO Performance Center next week to watch the Minnesota Vikings in their 61st training camp. 
