The Google Fiber project is drawing out all manner of promotional antics from cities around the country in a bid to be the chosen site for a pilot project to test an ultra-high-speed broadband network. The enticement for cities is that such a project could offer their citizens Internet speeds 100 times faster than what they currently have access to.

Quick turnaround of suspect information in a Richfield robbery led to an arrest in Eden Prairie on March 12. The same day that a robbery occurred at a Bremer Bank in Richfield, Eden Prairie police were able to arrest the suspect, Reginald Dewayne Jackson, 31, of Eden Prairie.

Jackson has been charged with aggravated robbery in the first degree.

Beginning Tuesday, March 23, and continuing for three to six weeks, Xcel Energy will conduct a visual inspection of its electric transmission lines in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota by helicopter, according to a news release.

"Xcel Energy’s transmission lines stretch across southern Minnesota from the Wisconsin border to the South Dakota border, crisscross the central portion of the state from the Twin Cities to the St. Cloud area, and span an area from the Twin Cities north to the Canadian border," the release said.

Huey’s Nut-free Chocolate offers an alternative for families with allergies

By True Grimes

Kristen Rice recalls the many times her son came home with a look of disappointment on his face because he couldn’t eat the treats that someone brought to school or a party. Matthew “Huey” Rice is allergic to peanuts, diagnosed when he was 18 months old.

The Anaphylaxis and Food Allergy Association of Minnesota reported

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.

By Shannon Fiecke, Correspondent
Having lost out on the last batch of federal stimulus dollars, the next best shot for the Interstate Highway 494 and Highway 169 interchange will come next Wednesday, March 17 at a meeting of an important, but little-publicized advisory board.

Eden Prairie’s most historic piece of property is now in the keeping of the Eden Prairie Historical Society. The Eden Prairie City Council approved a lease agreement Tuesday evening that would allow the historical society take responsibility for upkeep and improvements to the Cummins-Phipps-Grill Homestead, 13600 Pioneer Trail.

The National Weather Service Office in Chanhassen is watching a series of weather systems it says will affect the Upper Midwest through the end of the week and could result in rapid snow melt.

"Although it is early for a rapid snow melt for Minnesota, conditions over the next few days will aid in the melting process," according to the weather service office.

Liquid precipitation amounts are expected to range between 0.75 to around 1.25 inches through Thursday Night across Minnesota River Valley.

The Eden Prairie City Council approved a conditional-use permit for the Eden Prairie Dunn Bros. within the Smith-Douglas-More house. The business, which has grown over the years to be a community gathering spot, now has a clearer set of guidelines about what can and cannot go on at the property, which is owned by the City. Among the official allowed uses is amplified music on the patio, something that the tenant, Ann Schuster, was looking to secure.

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.

To see a video from on the lake while the carp counting and sorting was taking place, click below.