Governor Tim Pawlenty on Monday issued an executive order declaring a State of Emergency in many counties that could experience flooding. The counties include Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Chippewa, Clay, Dakota, Goodhue, Hennepin, Kittson, Lac Qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lyon, Marshall, Nicollet, Norman, Polk, Ramsey, Redwood, Renville, Scott, Sibley, Swift, Traverse, Washington, Wilkin, Wright, and Yellow Medicine.

Jim Keeler will officially announce his bid to be elected as Carver County Attorney on Wednesday, March 17, according to a campaign press release.

Keeler will gather with family, friends and supporters for breakfast from 7-9 a.m. at the Chanhassen American Legion, 290 Lake Drive East.

Keeler currently holds the position of Carver County Attorney. He was appointed to be County Attorney in 2007 by a unanimous vote of the Carver County Board of Commissioners when the previous county attorney, Mike Fahey, was appointed to the bench.

Carver County is the fourth healthiest county in Minnesota, according to a recent health ranking.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute released today their 2010 County Health Rankings, a collection of 50 reports that reflect the overall health of counties in every state across the country.

Carver County residents continue to make use of recycling programs in increasing numbers – especially in the areas of electronic and other special wastes. Participation in Carver County’s recycling and special waste programs in 2009 increased by 24 percent with 23,450 participants compared to 18,900 in 2008.

Attachments: To see copies of the letters from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and Carver's County response, click on attachments below.

 By Richard Crawford

Concerns about the former septic system at the county-owned ballroom in Waconia haven’t been fully put to rest.

Carver County Attorney Jim Keeler announced today that he signed an Employer Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve showing support for his employees who are also members of the military. In signing the document, Keeler agrees to:

By Richard Crawford

Carver County commissioners conducted annual business on Tuesday, selecting a new chairman for the coming year and deciding on other routine organizational matters.

The first order of business was naming Commissioner Jim Ische, of Norwood Young America, board chairman. He was unanimously approved. He’ll replace Commissioner Gayle Degler, of Chanhassen, who will shift to the position of vice chairman. Historically, commissioners have routinely alternated who leads the board.

By Forrest Adams

The message from state legislators was glum- the state is looking at a massive deficit and will need to make cuts. But the phrase, “Merry Christmas,” was used more than once as a euphemism to illicit laughter.

By Richard Crawford

A group of 61 high-ranking Carver County employees are planning to vote this month on whether to form a union.

If a majority votes in favor, the Supervisors and Managers Association of Carver County (SMACC) would represent supervisors and managers in most departments countywide.