PRNewswire  -- Northcott Hospitality International, a privately held company with extensive holdings in the lodging and hospitality industries, announced today that it has commenced a search for a buyer. The Chanhassen, Minnesota-based company is the parent of the AmericInn(R) Lodging System which owns and franchises 216 hotel properties across the United States, as well as 21 Perkins(R) restaurants and four Houlihan's(R) restaurants.

The sun was bright, the sky was blue, and the crowds turned out to cheer for nearly 800 kids who ran, biked and swam Saturday morning in Lake Ann Park for the annual MiracleKids Triathlon. MiracleKids Spokesman Tony Schiller said this year's numbers are the highest ever. Watch a video of the action below.

Somebody had to step up: Arb turn lane was Chan woman’s effort to make a difference

By Unsie Zuege

As the Southwest Corridor Transportation Alliance refocuses its efforts from Highway 212 to improvements to Highway 5, it might do well to look to Liz Nystrom for some tips on how to best argue its case.

Family of Christ team returns from El Salvador
See El Salvador forum for video and photos

By Forrest Adams

The 2008 Family of Christ mission trip to El Salvador has ended, but the seeds that were planted are growing.

Through laughter and tears, joy and sadness, hard work and sweat, the Family of Christ delegation members served and were served by their Salvadoran brothers and sisters in the faith.

Carver County Commissioners were scheduled to begin discussions on the 2009 budget at a work session Tuesday.

The preliminary property tax levy for 2009 needs to be set by Sept. 15.

The preliminary request going before the board is asking for a  $10.6 million increase in the property tax levy, a 25 percent increase.

On Sept. 2 or Sept. 9, commissioners will set the preliminary property tax increase.

More details will be in next week's print edition. 

Dragonfly Theatre Arts Camp will present "Ludwig," the musical story of a gentle spider and his adventures.
The free performances will be at Chaska Community Center Theater, 1661 Park Ridge Road, Chaska, at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22.