By Mollee Francisco

The first piece of the city’s long-anticipated Biotech Center could be en route to Chaska at last.

According to a Friday story in the Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal, UnitedHealth Group Inc is moving in.

Chaska Public Works Superintendent Tim Wiebe’s morning report states that this morning’s Minnesota River reading was 6.33 feet over flood stage, with a rise of 1.86 feet over the past 24 hours.

Current flood forecast by the National Weather Service indicates a crest level for the Minnesota River at 11 feet over flood stage (at Chaska) on or near Wednesday, March 24.

The Jordan river crossing is already closed.

The Minnesota River's storied rise in pictures and video. Includes several photos from local residents. Send your high water shots to mfrancisco@swpub.com.

This spring, Chaska property owners again can purchase shade trees at wholesale prices.

The program, sponsored by the Chaska City Council and the Chaska Public Works Department is designed to replace lost trees and add to the city’s tree population, according to a Public Works press release.

They’re cleaning out Athletic Park.

With the Minnesota River reaching flood stage in Chaska on Tuesday, and the crest not expected to occur until next Wednesday, it seems all but certain that Athletic Park will get wet in the days ahead.

“The initial games for the [Chaska] Cubs probably won’t be there,” City Administrator Matt Podhradsky told the council Monday night, adding that the high school likely wouldn’t be able to utilize the baseball field either.

Among the items on tonight's Chaska City Council agenda are:

* Preliminary/final plat for West Creek Corporate Center Addition

* Conditional use permit for Jonathan Association/Karen House

 ** There will be a work session at 6 p.m. to discuss County Road 10 improvements.

Chaska City Council meetings are held the first, third and fifth Mondays of each month at 7 p.m. at Chaska City Hall, One City Hall Plaza.

By Mark W. Olson

Life, liberty and the pursuit of fish.

Minnesota doesn’t have its own Declaration of Independence, but if it did, there’s no doubt that the unalienable rights would include fishing.

However, some local residents worry that seniors are missing out on the action. So a group of volunteers and the Chaska Parks and Recreation Department, is starting a “Let’s Go Fishing with Seniors” Chaska chapter.