There will be plenty of activities to fill the long Fourth of July holiday weekend in Chaska this year.

The Jonathan Association will hold its annual Jonathan Fourth of July Fun Run Friday. The run begins at 8:15 a.m. at the Early Childhood Center (110600 Village Road) and goes through Jonathan and along the shores of Lake Grace. Runners, walkers and strollers are welcome. Participants will receive a commemorative T-shirt.

At last week’s Highway 212 grand opening, after hands had been shaked and a ribbon had been cut, there was one more small detail to take care of.

A bet had to be settled.

Years ago, city of Chaska attorney Luke Melchert and former Carver County engineer/public works director Pat Murphy made a wager.

In the 1970s, the pair served on an ad hoc committee for new Highway 212. However, after hitting dead end after dead end to get the project funded, they quit in aggravation, related Melchert.

It has been a freeway over 50 years in the making.

Since at least 1957, residents and local leaders alike have dreamt of and hoped for a lifeline from the Twin Cities to the southwest metro.

Sunburn was on the menu as residents, construction workers and local lawmakers gathered on a warm, sunny summer day to celebrate the opening of the final segment of new Highway 212.

The grand opening celebration for the final segment of new Highway 212, connecting Eden Prairie to Carver, was held Tuesday afternoon. The roadway will open to drivers on July 14.

County examines fiber optic ring

Do you think Carver County should pursue a fiber optic ring to bring high speed communication to the area? Carver County is in the early stages of exploring a high-speed fiber optic ring. Here's a letter on the topic from Randy Maluchnik and Tim Lynch, Carver County commissioners:

Fiber optic