Government - Cottage Grove Journal

Election results are in for the fall election, with many winners. Winning a fifth term to make history, Mayor Myron Bailey took 94.87 percent of the vote with 18,174 votes to 983 write-ins. The … more

By Joseph Back | 11/14/24

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.

Voters reject city parks referenda

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 … more

By Joseph Back | 11/14/24

The council approved an item in its consent agenda for a no parking zone on the north side of 90th Street South, meant to increase pedestrian safety in the absence of sidewalks.

Council holds three public hearings Oct. 16

The Cottage Grove City Council met Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m in the St. Croix Room at City Hall for its regular bimonthly council meeting. On the agenda for the night were several items, including … more

By Joseph Back | 10/30/24

Election Day arrives Tuesday, Nov. 5

The fall election is here. With Election Day Tuesday, Nov. 5, polls open in South Washington County at 7:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m. In person absentee voting meanwhile is already happening in … more

By Joseph Back | 10/30/24

Washington County Commissioner Karla Bigham appointed to NACo committees

The National Association of Counties (NACo) announced on Thursday that Washington County Commissioner Karla Bigham, District 4, has been appointed to four of the association’s committees. These … more

8/9/24

Absentee voting now open for August 13 primary

Opening June 28 and continuing through August 12, pre-election day (early) voting is now open in South Washington County for the August 13 fall primary. Candidate registration for fall ballot access, … more

8/9/24

Among the topics listed for the July 18 Newport Council meeting, an Xcel Corridor Improvement Grant woudl help improve habitat and plant diversity at Bailey School Forest.

Newport Council to meet July 18

Due to meet Thursday, July 18 at 5:30 p.m. at city hall, the City of Newport Council will cover several agenda topics. Of note at tonight’s meeting is the SWCTC Annual Report, followed by … more

7/18/24

Cottage Grove Public Engagement Officer Ryan Pierre gives details of the Craig Woolery Scholarship awards to the City Council. Photo courtesy of the City of Cottage Grove Public Safety 2 2024 Craig Woolery Scholarship award winners Cottage Grove Firefighter/EMS Medic Chris Vierling, Cottage Grove Community Service Officer Peyton Taylor, Colin Schmit, and Avery Christopherson. Photo courtesy of the City of Cottage Grove Public Safety 3 List of actions provided by the Cottage Grove Public Safety Board. Graphic courtesy of the City of Cottage Grove Public Safety 4 Cottage Grove Public Safety Board president Julie Rice.

Cottage Grove Public Safety Board awards 2024 scholarships

The Cottage Grove Public Safety Board announced the winners of the 2024 Craig Woolery Scholarship at the city council meeting on June 5. The awards of $1,000 or more are given annually to young … more

By Dan Solovitz | 6/26/24

Fall election has many open offices

Need a reason to vote this November? We’ve got several—and that’s not counting state or federal offices. Come Nov. 5, Cottage Grove voters have four council seats and a referendum … more

By Joseph Back | 5/22/24

Members of Accacia Lodge #51 join the Cottage Grove City Council with donated fire suppression devices.

Accacia Lodge donates fire suppression devices to CG police

Local Masonic organization Accacia Lodge #51 donated six fire suppression devices to the Cottage Grove Police Department, which were presented to the city at the May 1 city council meeting. The local … more

By Dan Solovitz | 5/9/24

Sales Tax for Parks

The City of Cottage Grove is committed to high-quality public services that empower our community to connect, play, and thrive. In 2022, the city embarked on a journey to reimagine recreation. We … more

From the Mayor | 5/2/24

Op Ed: Missing Middle

Cottage Grove, along with much of Minnesota, has struggled with housing affordability and availability over the last few years. We have seen tremendous growth in the greater Twin Cities area and … more

By Mayor Myron Bailey | 4/4/24

City Planner Amanda Meyer prefaces the 2024 Pavement Management project to the council.

City Council faces pushback over 2024 Pavement Management project, still approves

At the March 20 regular meeting, the Cottage Grove City Council took heated comments from residents of the Prestige Estates neighborhood (west of Keats Avenue and north of 80th Street South) over a … more

By Dan Solovitz | 3/27/24

Pictured from left are Washington County Board Supervisor Karla Bigham, Afton City Councilmember Lucia Wroblewski, Hastings City Councilmember Jen Fox and District 41 State Sen. Judy Seeberger. Wroblewski was endorsed by Senate District 41 for her run for the Minnesota House District 41A seat, and Fox in District 41B.

Senate District 41 DFL Endorses Local Elected Officials Wroblewski and Fox

Excited Senate District 41 DFL Party convention delegates unanimously endorsed Afton City Councilmember and retired St. Paul police officer Lucia Wroblewski and Hastings City Councilmember and Spiral … more

3/21/24

Tom Dippel (left) and Grayson McNew have been endorsed by the GOP as candidates for Minnesota House. Dippel will run in district 41B, and McNew will run in 41A. 41B is the southern part of Senate District 41 and includes Hastings and southern Cottage Grove. 41A encompasses the majority of Cottage Grove and northern communities in the district.

Senate District 41 GOP Delegates Endorse McNew and Dippel for House

Cottage Grove, Minn. – On Saturday, March 9, delegates gathered at the Historic Furber Farm in Cottage Grove to endorse candidates for House Districts 41A and 41B. These are open seats, as … more

3/21/24

The Wayne Johnson family. From left to right are Nate, MaryBeth, Wayne, and Lexi.

Wayne Johnson announces run for Minnesota House seat in District 41A

COTTAGE GROVE – Local business owner and long-time Cottage Grove resident Wayne Johnson has thrown his hat into the ring for the Minnesota House of Representatives in District 41A. Known in the … more

2/28/24

Public Safety Director Pete Koerner addresses the Cottage Grove City Council, flanked by CG firefighters.

CG City Council recognizes part-time retiring firefighters

The Cottage Grove City Council honored eight retiring part-time firefighters at the Feb. 7 regular meeting. Ranging in years of service from 5 to 17.5 years, Mike McCoy, Ryan Sundell, Tony Rich, Alex … more

By Dan Solovitz | 2/21/24

Contest shaping up for Minnesota House seat 41A

With party caucuses arriving Feb. 27, two candidates are seeking the support in their respective parties for House seat 41A. Those two candidates are Lucia Wroblewski (DFL) and Grayson McNew (R). … more

2/21/24

Released Wednesday, Feb. 7 at 6 p.m. from City Hall, a prerecorded State of the City Address by Mayor Bailey sought to highlight developments in the city and a road ahead.

Mayor Bailey gives State of the City Address

It’s a tradition as old as the U.S. Constitution, and on Wednesday Feb. 7 it streamed from City Hall. “Thank you for joining me for the 2024 State of the City Address for the City of … more

By Joseph Back | 2/15/24

Keith Franke (right) is sworn in as Saint Paul Park Mayor by council member Jeff Swenson, appointed to fulfill mayoral duties.

Franke sworn in as St. Paul Park mayor

There’s a new mayor at the helm of St. Paul Park, who also happens to have held the post before. Keith Franke, elected this past fall to succeed Sandi Dingle, was sworn in at the Jan. 2, 2024 … more

By Joseph Back | 1/10/24