More local news

Repair work to result in overnight closure of Prescott lift bridge

The bascule (lift) bridge that carries US 10 over the St. Croix River from Prescott to Point Douglas Park in Denmark Township, Minn., will be closed overnight for up to three nights, so bridge …

Basic Needs named one of five Midwest nominees in Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Awards

South Washington County, MN — Basic Needs Inc. of South Washington County has been selected as one of just five Midwest regional nominees for the Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Awards, and we need …

Grey Cloud awards bid for 105th Street

The Grey Cloud Town Board awarded the bid for 105th Street to Bituminous Roadways Inc. of Mendota Height Sept. 9, following the recommendation of WSB Project Engineer Nick Guilliams. The successful …

K-Beauty Experience Medical Spa celebrates grand opening.

K-Beauty Experience Medical Spa celebrated its grand opening in Cottage Grove Thursday, Sept. 17, bringing what its owners describe as an authentic Korean approach to beauty and skin care to the …
Crime

Hugo woman sentenced for threatening House Speaker Lisa Demuth

Stillwater, Minn. — A Hugo woman who left a series of threatening voicemails for Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth was sentenced today in Washington County District Court to three years of …
Community News
Obituaries
Arlan 'Gil' Gilmeister
Arlan ‘Gil’ Gilmeister, age 86 of Hastings went to be with the Lord on July 31, 2026. He is survived by his son Michael (Ann) Walker, daughter Jodi (Tom) Reimers, daughter Jill Roy, and six …
Gary Spooner
Gary Spooner age 87of Cottage Grove, MN passed away on March 23, 2026 from leukemia surrounded by his family. Gary Spooner has been a real-bearded Santa for 57 years and is truly a cornerstone of …
Mark Haesly
Mark Warren Haesly, 70, passed away Sunday, March 1, 2026, after a nearly 7 year battle with lymphoma, leaving behind a life defined not by any single role, but by all of them at once: husband, dad, …
Douglas 'Bill' Farone Sr.
Farone Sr., Douglas “Bill” Age, 90, of St. Paul Park Passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 12, 2026. Preceded in death by his wife, Beverly of 54 years; parents, Louis and Mary; …
James 'Jim' Haugen
James “Jim” Oliver Haugen, 84, of Maiden Rock, Wis., passed away at his home on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, surrounded by his family. He was born on Nov. 23, 1941 in Newport, Minn., to Oliver Haugen …
Local sports

Three generations of home runs!

Hitting home runs in the Cottage Grove Strawberry Fest Softball Tournament are (left to right) David Slack, Johnny Slack and Chris Slack. 
Wolfpack linebacker Demetrius tracks down Forest Lake back Mack Jurkovich in the second quarter.

Second half drought again doom the Wolfpack

It as rinse and repeat night for the Wolfpack. Once again, Park found themselves in an early hole, climbed out of it, but then couldn’t sustain the momentum In the second half. The result …
Grace Sahli won both the 100-yard butterfly in 1:03.55 and the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:11.07 to lead the Park High swim and dive team Thursday against visiting Woodbury at Cottage Grove Middle …
Park dropped a hard-fought match to visiting Cretin-Derham Hall in girls tennis Thursday, losing 4-3. Park’s Alivia Luu won 7-6, 6-2 at No. 1 singles and Nada Hafiz won 6-4, 6-4 at fourth …
Joa, Walker led Wolfpack cross country teams Park senior Henry Joa finished seventh overall in the boys 5K, and Park was fifth in the 10-team competition Saturday in the Oceola cross country …
Park girls tennis had close to a perfect week, sweeping Irondale Tuesday, dropping a close 4-3 decision to White Bear Lake on Thursday, and then winning twice on Saturday in a triangular, blanking …
Education

SoWashCo Schools outlines financial pressures

South Washington County Schools is preparing for a significant financial adjustment as district leaders work to address deficit spending, declining enrollment and a state funding system they say has …

Features

The Story of the American Flag

The Washington County Historical Society is excited to continue our USA 250 programs with Rocky Bliss about the history of the US Flag at the Washington County Heritage Center, 1862 S. Greeley …

Opinion

Legislative Update

On Friday May 15, the Senate passed an e-bike and motorized bicycle safety bill to update state law in response to the rising use of these vehicles and to help protect Minnesotans from injuries. …

Winter After Everything

Wayne Schlicht has shared another update in his cancer treatment journey. Readers can follow Schlicht’s journey and assist with treatment costs at his Go Fund Me entitled “Stage 4 Cancer Took …

Update from Wayne Schlicht

I made it. Thank God — I made it. This year, I will be sitting at the table with a heart that’s fuller than any plate in front of me. 2025 has been a year of highs and lows, hope and …
Web Extras
How to stay healthier this year: Schedule your flu shot
(BPT) - It's that time of year again: Temperatures are dropping, kids are heading back to school — and cold and flu season isn't far behind. To help you and your family stay healthier this fall …
Running a small business means making sacrifices. Are they permanent?
Rocket Lawyer reports that small business owners often sacrifice time and income for flexibility and control, but these sacrifices can become permanent if not reassessed.
Sequoia Grove Winery’s playbook for elevating game day entertaining
(BPT) - For decades, hosting a football game meant the same thing: buffalo wings, a bowl of dip and a cooler of canned beer. But as the sport has evolved over the past 30 years, your Sunday spreads …
Unwrapping Holiday Shopping: What 44 Billion Emails Reveal About When Consumers Really Buy
Unwrapping Holiday Shopping: What 44 Billion Emails Reveal About When Consumers Really Buy
(NewsUSA) - Analysis of more than 44 billion emails and 83 million text messages uncovers surprising patterns in when holiday shoppers buy, and what brings them backBlack Friday and Cyber Monday …
Protect Yourself and Others This Flu Season
Protect Yourself and Others This Flu Season
(NewsUSA) - Several seasonal celebrations are nearly upon us, but an unwelcome time of year also awaits—flu season.The “flu,” short for influenza, is a viral respiratory illness that often …