Sun Patriot

08/04/2025

Carver County is getting ready to celebrate one of its most beloved summer traditions. The Carver County Fair returns Aug. 6–10 for its 113th year, bringing with it five days packed full of excitement, entertainment, and community spirit.

Carver County is getting ready to celebrate one of its most beloved summer traditions. The Carver County Fair returns Aug. 6–10 for its 113th year, bringing with it five days

07/31/2025

One reason lake w**ds are thriving is lack of snow cover this winter which can make aquatic w**ds grow more because they are getting more sunlight through the ice during the winter, say aquatic experts. Another is wet weather coupled with bursts of heat which further accelerated w**d growth — although the amount and how problematic they are may be, is in the eye of the beholder, the kind of lake activity in which one is participating, and the lake itself.

If you are a beach-goer who has encountered an unusual number of w**ds while trying to wade or swim in local waters this summer, you are not alone.

07/24/2025

The property owned by Song River Holdings in Waconia Township has been considered for development in the past and is being proposed now for a residential development called Elm Creek Ridge by Magellan Land Development. Approval followed a public hearing during which one resident expressed concerns of the few residents now on Elm Creek Road about additional traffic resulting from the development of potentially 50-60 lots. One concern is the amount of traffic on Hwy. 284 at Elm Creek Road with new developments to the east and west. Another is impacts to Elm Creek Road itself, which has been privately maintained.

Another 29 acres of land south of the Waterford development in Waconia will be annexed for development.

07/21/2025

The COVES is the community envisioned in Waconia for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The concept started almost five years ago as Kris Lamkin’s and Holly Meyer’s daughters were graduating from the Waconia school district’s transition program with really no place to go for semi-independent living as young adults.

The COVES of Waconia has been a long time coming — in fact, it isn’t even built yet — but already there is plenty of interest.

07/17/2025

Carver County welcomed its first cannabis microbusiness to the area when county commissioners on July 1 approved an interim use permit for a cannabis cultivation, processing, and manufacturing operation in Laketown Township. Retail sales are not part of the permit.

Carver County welcomed its first cannabis microbusiness to the area when county commissioners on July 1 approved an interim use permit for a cannabis cultivation, processing, and manufacturing operation in

07/17/2025

Duck, ducks, loose...

07/17/2025

“Minnesotans want their state back,” said Jensen in announcing his candidacy. “We remember the days when our communities were safe, our schools were strong, and our leaders put people—not politics—first. That’s the Minnesota we’re going to fight to bring back.”

Former Minnesota Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Jensen has formally announced his intent to seek the state’s highest office again in 2026.

07/17/2025

Community theater returns to Waconia this summer for the first time in decades with the staging of “The Wizard of Oz” July 18-20 at the Waconia High School performing arts center. A cast and crew of nearly 100 have been assembled and in rehearsals since June 2.

Community theater returns to Waconia this summer for the first time in decades with the staging of “The Wizard of Oz” July 18-20 at the Waconia High School performing arts

07/14/2025

The new $3.15 million science suite is the second of three Challenges the school has laid out as part of its current fund-raising campaign. Challenge One, the addition of a full-time campus pastor to help ML meet the spiritual challenges facing young people today, has already been launched with the hiring of Pastor Luke Onken in the fall of 2024.

Mayer Lutheran Middle and High School held a ceremonial groundbreaking service on Sunday, June 29 for a state-of-the-art suite of science labs and classrooms. Construction for the addition will begin

07/10/2025

Ruck’s Meat Processing in Belle Plaine is voluntarily recalling a variety of ready-to-eat sausage products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes (Listeria). The products tested positive for Listeria during routine sampling by Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) inspection personnel.

Ruck’s Meat Processing in Belle Plaine is voluntarily recalling a variety of ready-to-eat sausage products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes (Listeria). The products tested positive for Listeria during

07/10/2025

The tournament is held on 16 different sites throughout the Twin City Metropolitan area and each team will participate in a pool of 6 teams while playing five games in three days. All of pool games will be played at the same host site.

Waconia is set to host 15 baseball games this weekend as a part of the Gopher Classic Legion Baseball Tournament. The tourney consists of 96 teams, 40+ that come from

07/07/2025

Voters in the Waconia school district will weigh the district’s request for $3 million in additional annual revenue at the ballot box in November. The Waconia school board agreed to that request at its June 23 meeting following a decision earlier in the month to proceed with an operating referendum.

Voters in the Waconia school district will weigh the district’s request for $3 million in additional annual revenue at the ballot box in November. The Waconia school board agreed to