By Keighla Schmidt, Staff Writer

When compared to state averages, students in the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District are producing better science test scores.

The Minnesota Department of Education released results from the inaugural online Science MCA-II tests. In each of the three levels tested, fifth, eighth and students in high school who have completed life science, District 191 students scored higher than state averages.

By Joanna Miller, Staff Writer 

The hypothesis that Minnesota students meet or exceed standards in science was put to the test this spring, and the results are in.

About 184,570 Minnesota students in grades 5, 8 and high school took the first-ever Science Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment – Series II (MCA-II) in 2008.

The conclusion for Prior Lake-Savage Area students was positive – the district topped statewide proficiency levels with 47 percent of fifth-graders, 49 percent of eighth-graders, and 73 percent of 10th-graders meeting or exceeding standards.

By Ruth Anne Maddox, Correspondent

Another set of test scores was released today by the Minnesota Department of Education, and while fifth-graders and high school students in Shakopee schools are nearly on par with state averages in science, eighth-graders show a need for improvement.

By Tom Schardin, Staff Writer

The Savage Outlaws pulled off the upset of perennial power Cold Spring in the first round of the Class B state tournament on Aug. 17.

Pat Abbe went three for four with two RBIs and Chris Steenburg also had three hits and RBI in a 5-3 win. Cold Spring was 40-4 heading into the game and was making its 21st straight appearance at the state tourney.

A 23-year-old woman from Savage was fatally injured in a car crash Saturday morning (Aug. 16) in Shakopee and a 26-year-old man from Redwood Falls was arrested on suspicion of criminal vehicular homicide and driving under the influence of alcohol.

By Nancy Huddleston, Editor

The city has received a letter from the attorney representing Prior Lake Aggregates that the gravel pit owner intends to file a petition for the annexation of 200 acres in Credit River Township into Savage.

 The five parcels are on the south side of County Road 44 and are part of an overall redevelopment plan for the aggregate company’s gravel mining operation.

City Administrator Barry Stock said the letter is simply a notification of the company’s intent and no formal petition has been forwarded to the city.

By Shawn Hogendorf, Correspondent 

People who use canes are often perceived by the public as vulnerable and handicapped, but those prejudices can be misleading.

A prime example is Cane Master Bill Neher of Savage. Neher carries a cane with him, but he is anything but vulnerable. In fact, he is the only registered cane master in Minnesota.

Neher will present a workshop at Club Prior Thursday, Aug. 28 at 11 a.m. to teach people how the perception of vulnerability for people who use canes may be a misperception.

By Keighla Schmidt, Staff Writer 

Anglers are notorious for exaggerating.

But when Mike Reese tells you he caught a 600 pound, 15-foot long hammerhead shark – he’s not lying. For proof, check out what’s hanging in his garage.