News - Cottage Grove Journal

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 … more

9/30/26

Longtime Hastings sports figure charged with 13 felonies

Derrick Lee Pfeffer, a former Hastings athlete with decades of connections to the local baseball community, is facing 13 felony charges in Washington County involving allegations of sexual conduct … more

By Bruce Karnick | 9/30/26

Cottage Grove Public Safety Director Brad Petersen (right) recently appeared on The Grovecast with hosts Emily Schmitz and Phil Jents.

Public Safety Director appears on Grovecast

Cottage Grove Public Safety Director and Police Chief Brad Petersen discussed his new leadership role, the challenges of budgeting and the city’s ongoing transition toward a full-time professional … more

9/27/26

K-Beauty Experience Medical Spa is now open in Cottage Grove.

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 … more

By Joseph Back | 9/27/26

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.

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 … more

By Joseph Back | 9/27/26

Basic Needs has been named one of five Midwest nominees in the Chick-fil-A True Inspiration awards. Included in the above photo from left to right are Basic Needs Executive Director, Meghan Gattorna - CFA Woodbury Marketing Director, Angela Lindblom - CFA Area Marketing Director, The Chick-fil-A Cow, Bob Lee - CFA Woodbury Owner, Kim Powell - Basic Needs Operations Director .

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 … more

9/27/26

Contractor dies at St. Paul Park refinery

Police were called to Marathon Petroleum in Saint Paul Park at 4:15 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, after a contractor reportedly lost consciousness while working on a refinery unit. The worker was … more

By Joseph Back | 9/26/26

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

A ribbon cutting for Watersedge at Lochridge was held Friday Sept. 11 in the new Lochridge development off Jamaica Avenue.

Ribbon cutting held for Watersedge at Lochridge

Cottage Grove celebrated new homes Friday, Sept. 11 with a ribbon cutting for Watersedge at Lochridge, a new lakefront neighborhood off Jamaica Avenue South below Military Road. Taking part in the … more

9/26/26

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 … more

9/19/26

Above, a rendering of the finished bridge.

North parking lot at Osceola Landing to close for bridge construction

St. Croix Falls, Wis. — The northernmost parking lot and co-located boat ramps at Osceola Landing will close next week as part of the upcoming Hwy 243 Osceola Bridge replacement project. The … more

9/18/26

Majestic Ballroom torn down

They called it the Majestic Ballroom in its day. Located at 9165 West Point Douglas Road in Cottage Grove, the Majestic Ballroom opened in November 1973, its first discernible Bulletin mention coming … more

By Joseph Back | 9/18/26

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 … more

9/18/26

In Memory of 9/11

The Newport Fire Department took part in the #343run on 1-94 and Stagecoach Trail in Afton last week in memory of 9/11. more

Image courtesy Newport Fire Department Facebook. | 9/18/26

Club Pilates sets September opening in Cottage Grove

A new fitness option is preparing to open its doors in Cottage Grove, bringing reformer Pilates, strength training and private instruction to Oak Park Commons. Club Pilates Cottage Grove will hold a … more

By Bruce Karnick | 9/18/26

Hadley Ridge!

Now rising off Hadley Avenue and 100th Street in Cottage Grove, the Hadley Ridley Apartments will feature 164-units of affordable and mixed income apartment once complete. With 30 one bedrooms, 88 … more

Photo by Joseph Back. | 9/14/26

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

County Road 74 Reopens!

65th Street/County Road 74, stretching from County Highway 38/Hastings Avenue to Goodview Avenue in Cottage Grove and Newport, has reopened to traffic following construction. more

Image courtesy Washington County. | 9/14/26

County Board continues review of 2027 budget recommendations

The Washington County Board of Commissioners continued its review of the recommended 2027 departmental budgets in livestreamed and recorded workshops Aug. 25. The countywide budget recommendation is … more

9/14/26