More local news

Environmental study for Grey Cloud Island quarry expansion available for public comment

An environmental study for a proposed new Larson Quarry Expansion is now available for review. Washington County ordered preparation of an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) to assess the …
Deputy Fire Chief Peter Fisher was sworn in
by City Administratory Jennifer Levitt at the
Nov. 20 City Council meeting.

New fire officers sworn in at Nov. 20 Council

Meeting in the St. Croix Room Nov. 20, the Cottage Grove Council covered much business. Starting out with Open Forum, city resident Bonnie Matter spoke on the 2025 -2029 Capital Improvement Plan, or …
Greg Gutterman

Park High inducts Hall of Fame members for 2024

Park High School inducted new Hall of Fame members Saturday, Nov. 23. The event at River Oaks Golf Course and Event Center started with a social gathering at 4:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 6 p.m. …

2024 Annual Photo Contest now open

Have a photo from around Cottage Grove you think is award worthy? Enter it in the annual Capture Cottage Grove photo contest! Submissions may fall into four categories: -- Life in Cottage Grove -- …
Crime

Cottage Grove man charged in equipment theft

A Cottage Grove man was charged in Dakota County Nov. 14 with felony theft over $5,000. Christopher Lee Kujawa, 45, Cottage Grove, and William Raymond Walter, 50, Chicago, allegedly stole a pierce of …
On the calendar
Business

Christmas at the Courthouse Holiday Bazaar returns Nov. 23-24

Experience the splendor of the holiday season with Washington County’s Christmas at the Courthouse Holiday Bazaar Saturday, Nov. 23, and Sunday, Nov. 24. For 31 years, visitors have begun the …

Government

Voters reject city parks referenda

Mississippi Dunes Park, Hamlet Park , and River Oaks Golf Course will have to wait for improvements, after voters rejected a half percent sales tax for park improvements at the Tuesday, Nov. 5 election. Mississippi Dunes received the smallest margin of difference in votes for and against a sales tax, River Oaks Golf Course receiving the largest.

The city called its plan Preserve. Play. Prosper. The voters appear to have disagreed. Heading to the polls Nov. 5, Cottage Grove voters rejected all three parks referenda questions, the greatest …

Community News
Obituaries
Michael Kriel
Michael R. Kriel Age 81, of Newport passed away on Aug 19, 2024. Survived by wife Linda, children Kelly (Angela) Christopher (Tracy), step-son Theodore Sitz, grandchildren and canine companions. …
Earnestine Watson
Earnestine Watson, aged 73, of Cottage Grove, Minnesota, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, September 20, 2024, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. Her life began on May 19, 1951, in …
Bill 'Billy' Rhode
Bill (Billy) Rhode passed away at his home in Hastings, MN on June 8, 2024, at the age of 64. He is survived by his loving wife, Kristi, son, Matt Doublin of Minneapolis, MN, and his furbaby, …
Lynette Shablo
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved wife, mother, sister and grandmother, Lynette Ann Shablo (Schinke), who departed this world on Thursday, May 9, 2024 at 82 years …
Eileen Janssen
Eileen M. Janssen, age 91 of Cottage Grove passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on May 16, 2024. Memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, June 2, 2024 at Zion Lutheran Church …
Local sports

Wallfred named new Park boys basketball coach

New Park boys basketball coach Isaiah Wallfred brings a wealth of experience to the program.
Veteran coach Isaiah Wallfred has been hired as the new boys' basketball coach at Park High School. He takes over for Mike Weah, who has led the program for the past seven years. “I …

Ten Park athletes sign National Letters of Intent

It was quite a haul for Wolfpack athletes Wednesday as three lacrosse players, two volleyball athletes, along with baseball, soccer, softball, basketball and wrestling stars all signing letters of …
Park ended an up-and-down week with a big win Saturday, knocking off Mounds View/Irondale 5-1 at the NSC Super Rink. The game was tied 1-all after the first period, but the Wolfpack won the next two …
The South Washington Country Thunderbolts are headed back to state for the 25th time, and made it look easy Thursday. The Thunderbolts dominated visiting Mounds View/Irondale/Roseville in adapted …
Trailing by a 3-2 count with three minutes to play, Park had a golden opportunity to score and tie, but it was not to be. The host Wolfpack dropped a tough 3-2 decision to visiting Apple Valley …
ark bid farewell to several seniors, but the future looks bright for the Wolfpack swimmers and divers. Seventh graders Chloe Micek and Grace Sahli, along with eighth grader Evelyn Sahli, all …
Education
Cottage Grove farmer Gene Smallidge presents to the Prescott Community Club Aug. 1 at Freedom Park in Prescott. Smallidge was invited to present by a community club member after they asked the story behind a sign on the Smallidge Farm.

Cottage Grove farmer tells story behind mystery sign at Prescott Community Club

Gene Smallidge knows a thing or two about farming. Now 84 years old and a farmer for 64 years (including 55 years at his current location), Smallidge comes from a farm family, the tradition starting …

Features
The folks at Barks & Rec did a great job laying out their new space in Hastings. The setup inside both sets of garages is very similar. There are several fenced in play spaces inside and out with the indoor space being climate controlled when needed. The space outside has turf and inside has heated rubber flooring that covers the play space and the kennels.

Doggy Daycare comes to Hastings, introducing Barks & Rec

Barks & Rec is a doggy daycare and boarding service located just north of Hastings at 12260 Margo Ave. S., the same building as Rio Grooming School and Salon. Barks & Rec owners Kirk and …

Opinion

My View: Changing opinions

There’s a lot of debate going on in our country right now. Sometimes, the discourse is less than civil. Sometimes, opinions of other people offend us. But let’s not let that ruin the …

My View: Moving on

Just like that, it was over. After being inundated with negative information from both sides seemingly since the last election, I was able to wade through the garbage and cast my ballot. I walked out …

An Outdoorsman's Journal

Hello friends, As you read this I am high up on a Montana mountain with my 23-year-old daughter Selina Walters hunting elk and mule deer. I have to meet two deadlines as this is a 12-day trip so …
Web Extras
Top 10 casino streamers
OLBG ranks the best of the best casino streamers amid a booming gambling and social media landscape.
AI was everywhere in 2024. Here are the biggest stories of the year.
Creatie.ai curated five of the biggest AI stories in 2024, including copyright issues, creative control, and the intersection of AI and business.
Philadelphia had 1,250 fewer Black teachers in 2022 than in 2000.
We interviewed 30 Black public school teachers in Philadelphia to understand why so many are leaving the profession
Experiences of racism affected Black teachers across the district but manifested in different ways depending on their school’s location.
73% of small business owners optimistic about 2025 economy
NEXT surveyed 1,500 small business owners aged 18-64 across industries and regions in late October and November 2024 to share findings about how economic factors are shaping business in the new year.
Assisted living options for wheelchair users
Caring.com outlines what makes assisted living for wheelchair-bound seniors a viable option, including benefits, costs, and how to pay for it.