Brindisi, Kangas among new ownership group

By Forrest Adams

Chanhassen Dinner Theatres is now under new ownership, though some of the owners have familiar faces.

The Chanhassen Dinner Theatres was sold this morning. The new managing partners of the 41 year-old theatre include: Michael Brindisi, Chanhassen Resident Artistic Director; Tamara Kangas Erickson, Professional Choreographer; and Steven L. Peters, Owner and President of VenuWorks.

A flood warning has been issued for the Minnesota River at Savage effective immediately, according to the National Weather Service office in Chanhassen.

As of noon today, the water stage was at 688.9 feet with minor flooding forecast. The flood stage is 702.0 feet.

The weather service also issued a flood watch for the Minnesota River at Shakopee until further notice. Flood stage is 708.0 feet. The flood stage could be reached sometime in the next seven to 14 days, said the weather service.

Chanhassen firefighters responded early Monday morning to an alarm at Applebee's (590 West 79th Street). Chief Roger Smallbeck reported the fighters were dispatched at 12:16 a.m.

On arrival, they observed flames on the roof of the popular family eatery.

The University of Minnesota carp research team from Sorensen Labs successfully removed approximately 7,000 pounds of carp from Lake Riley on Friday. The carp seine was deemed a success by Przemek Bajer, a post-doctoral associate working on the carp research.

By Forrest Adams

An estimated 403 active Licensed Acupuncturists are treating patients in the state, according to the Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Association of Minnesota.

Two of them are now practicing in Chanhassen under one roof.

Ronald Rudolph Ernst, the Level 3 sex offender who moved into Chanhassen on Monday, has moved away from the city and the state, according to Carver County Sherrif's Lt. Jim Olson.

Just as Ernst registered at the Carver County Courthouse on Monday, he informed the county on Friday that he's leaving and has no specific destination. The sheriff's office will notify the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension of the change in Ernst's status, said Olson.

"When he came in, he said it was temporary. Now he has decided he wants to go out of state," Olson said.

University of Minnesota researchers, after a disappointing carp catch several weeks ago, are back on Lake Riley with their nets.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued an air pollution health advisory for the Rochester area for today, Wednesday, March 3, through Saturday, March 6. An air pollution health advisory has also been issued for the Twin Cities metropolitan area starting tomorrow, March 4 through Saturday, March 6.

By David C. Olson

Are you frustrated with the direction Minnesota and the nation are heading? Do you feel like policy-makers - whether in St. Paul or Washington, D.C. - really don't understand what it takes to run a business? Do you have the impression that some leaders don't listen at all?

Two important events warrant your attention and participation.

First stop: Join the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, our local chamber partners and your colleagues March 10 at the annual Minnesota Business Day at the Capitol.