Government - Cottage Grove Journal

The Grey Cloud Island Town Board awarded a repair and reconstruction bid for 105th Street to Bituminous Roadways Inc. in the amount of $190,150.02 Sept. 9, following the advice of WSB Project Engineer Nick Guilliams.

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 … more

By Joseph Back | 9/27/26

St. Paul Park Finance Director Dawn Monahan presented to the council Sept. 22, with council members voting to set the property tax levy at $3.377 million, a 1.8 percent increase from 2026.

St. Paul Park holds preliminary tax levy increase to 1.8 percent

In a time of inflation and cost increases, holding the line can be nice. Meeting Monday, Sept. 22 in city hall, the St. Paul Park Council set 2027 preliminary city tax levy at $3,377,264, … more

By Joseph Back | 9/26/26

Geneva Meadows Second Addition was approved at the Wednesday, Sept. 16 Cottage Grove City Council meeting.

City awards contract to decommission interim Well 10

The Cottage Grove City Council met Wednesday, Sept. 16 in the St. Croix Room at City Hall, approving the next steps for a 23-lot residential development, awarding a contract to dismantle the city’s … more

By Joseph Back | 9/26/26

Newport Fire Chief Derek Marson gave the Fire Chief’s Report at the Thursday, Sept. 3 Newport City Council meeting.

Newport Council approves public works paving project

The Newport City Council met Thursday, Sept. 3 in city hall, considering a repaving project at the city’s Public Works facility and a joint road-maintenance agreement with neighboring Maplewood for … more

By Joseph Back | 9/14/26

Cole Pfeiffer was sworn in as a new police officer at the Wednesday, Sept. 2 Cottage Grove City Council meeting.

City sets $32.91 million preliminary budget levy

The Cottage Grove City Council met Wednesday, Sept. 2 in the St. Croix Room at City Hall. Among agenda items was the swearing-in of a new police officer and selection of new sergeants and captains, … more

By Joseph Back | 9/13/26

Kingston Park will host a food truck festival Sept. 19, with Marketplace vendors as well. Details were shared at the Aug. 25 Convention and Visitor’s Bureau meeting.

Convention and Visitor’s Bureau hears update on lodging taxes, upcoming Food Truck Festival

The Cottage Grove Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) heard several updates at its Aug. 25 meeting. Among them, Cottage Grove lodging tax collections showed a modest increase during the second … more

By Joseph Back | 9/6/26

Newport City Engineer Jon Herdegen gave several updates at the Thursday, Aug. 20 Newport city council meeting.

Newport connects to Cottage Grove water

The Newport City Council approved several changes and payments related to major street and utility projects during its Thursday, Aug. 20 meeting, including a $632,735 addition to the Third Avenue … more

8/31/26

Cottage Grove Public Safety Director Brad Petersen was sworn in by City Administrator Jennifer Levitt at the Wednesday, Aug. 19 city council meeting.

Brad Petersen appointed as new public safety director

The Cottage Grove City Council appointed longtime department veteran Brad Petersen as the city’s new public safety director and chief law enforcement officer during its Wednesday, Aug. 19 meeting. … more

By Joseph Back | 8/30/26

The Grey Cloud Town Board met Wednesday, Aug. 12 in the town hall.

Grey Cloud given chloride education

Efforts to reduce road salt use, questions about groundwater conditions and the future of the Grey Cloud Island channel were among the major topics before the Grey Cloud Island Township Board during … more

By Joseph Back | 8/23/26

Cottage Grove honors gardeners, approves EMS service-area change

The Cottage Grove City Council met Wednesday, Aug. 5 at 7 pm. in city hall. On the night's agenda were several items, including garden awards, an EMS service change for Newport and St. Paul Park, and … more

8/16/26

Newport earns state award for pedestrian and trail planning

The Newport City Council met Thursday, Aug. 6 at 5:30 p.m. in city hall. Prominent on the agenda was a parks award, the second in two years. J.J. Williams presented the award on behalf of the … more

8/16/26

Marathon Petroleum recently donated $52,800 to train all St. Paul Park firefighters and police as Emergency Medical Technicians, recognized by the city at its Monday, July 20 council meeting. Above from left to right are St. Paul Park Fire Chief Mike Kramer, Council member Charlene Whitbred-Hemmingson, Council Member Jeff Swenson, Police Chief Scott Whiteford, Council Member Jeff Haggerty, Mayor Keith Franke, Marathon General Manager Eric Bohnert, Marathon Environmental Safety and Security Manager Kristin Heutmaker, Marathon Fire Chief John Wright, Marathon Community Relations Representative Heather Kieckhofer, and Council Member Tim Conrad.

St. Paul Park council recognizes Marathon grant

A clean audit, recognition of a major public safety grant from Marathon Petroleum and approval of several infrastructure-related projects highlighted the St. Paul Park City Council's July 20 meeting. … more

By Joseph Back | 8/7/26

St. Paul Park put out statement on ambulance service

The City of St. Paul Park put out a statement recently amidst news of a potential change in the primary service area (PSA) for ambulance services. “Recently the City of St Paul Park became aware … more

8/2/26

The City of Newport has received a $486,093 grand the 3M PFAs settlement to help fund a future riverfront park along Cedar Lane.

Newport receives $486,093 PFAS settlement grant for future riverfront park

The City of Newport has been awarded a $486,093 grant through Minnesota’s 3M PFAS Settlement to help develop a future public riverfront park along Cedar Lane. The Priority 2 Grant is one of 26 … more

By Joseph Back | 7/28/26

Newport audit shows strong financial position as city advances major infrastructure work

The Newport City Council met Thursday, July 15 at 5:30 p.m in city hall. Prominent on the night’s agenda was the annual audit, with Newport receiving a clean audit opinion from L.B. Carlson, … more

By Joseph Back | 7/28/26

Michael Tobritzhofer (right) was sworn in as an officer by City Administrator Jennifer Levitt at the Wednesday, July 15 Cottage Grove City Council meeting.

Cottage Grove welcomes new officers, recognizes public safety and parks

The Cottage Grove City Council met Wednesday, July 15 at 7 p.m. in the St. Croix Room at City Hall. Included on the night’s agenda were several items, including the swearing-in of two police … more

By Joseph Back | 7/28/26

The City of Cottage Grove recently announced $3.018 million in 3M Priority 2 Settlement funding, to be used towards improving Mississippi Dunes Park Reserve off Grey Cloud Trail South.

City announces $3.018 million in 3M Priority 2 Settlement funding.

The City of Cottage Grove has been awarded $3.018 million from 3M Priority 2 Settlement funds, with plans to turn the Mississippi Dunes Park Reserve off Grey Cloud Trail South into a local riverfront … more

By Joseph Back | 7/10/26

Olsen to be temporary mayor

Justin Olsen will be temporary mayor in Cottage Grove as Mayor Myron Bailey recovers from surgery related to a car accident last year. Bailey suffered pain and numbness in his right leg after a car … more

By Joseph Back | 7/10/26

Building addition at Newport

Slated for Newport Plan Commission on Tuesday, July 7 after press time, Daley Electric has submitted plans for a proposed building addition at 222 21st Street in Newport. Founded in 2011 and located … more

7/10/26

East Ridge La Crosse Coach Aaron Peterson speaks at the June 25 school Board meeting. Ryan Shanley, Bradley Johnson, Willem MIddlecamp, and Aiden Huseboe.

South Washington County schools celebrate student success

Student achievement in athletics, fine arts and extracurricular activities took center stage during the South Washington County School Board's June 25 meeting, where district leaders celebrated … more

By Joseph Back | 7/6/26