News - Cottage Grove Journal

Area residents are invited to a project open house on Monday, April 28 for the Park Grove Library redesign. The project open house will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. at Park Grove Library, located at 7900 Hemingway Avenue South in Cottage Grove.

Redesign Open House for Park Grove Library project on April 28

See initial drawings and ideas for a redesigned Park Grove Library at a project open house on Monday, April 28 from 6 to 7 p.m. The open house at Park Grove Library (7900 Hemingway Ave S, Cottage … more

4/18/25

Emma Woodhouse (Sasha McCauley) and Mr. Knightley (Lex Hidlebaugh) interact on the set for "Emma: A Pop Musical" at Park High. The drama debuts April 25 at 7:00 pm.

Park High Theater to present ‘Emma’ A Pop Musical’

Jane Austen’s hit novel “Emma” is coming to Park High Theater. First published in 1815 and reimagined for Broadway in 2017, the stage production makes its local debut April 25 … more

4/18/25

Spring Cleanup Day May 3

Got junk? Public Works will be hosting its annual Spring Cleanup Day from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 3 at Cottage Grove Public Works Garage, 8635 West Point Douglas Road. Cottage Grove residents … more

4/11/25

Carpenter Nature Center’s Abbey Holden holds a feathered friend at Saturday’s Woodbury Community Expo.

Connections Made at Woodbury Community Expo 2025

Energy abounded Saturday, April 5 at Woodbury High School with flying sidekicks and awesome board breaking from Master Kim’s World Class Taekwondo. Lively performances by Aspire Music Academy, … more

By Nerissa Solovitz | 4/11/25

Park Grove Library hosted an event March 29 to rethink library design. The event moderated by Juxtaposition Arts used questions and building activities to draw out attendee response.

Park Grove Library holds community feedback event on library redesign

Brand new in 1984, the Park Grove Library is now several decades old. As such, it’s time for a redesign. Commissioned by Washington County and Alliiance Architects and hosted by Juxtaposition … more

By Joseph Back | 4/10/25

The Newport Dog Park will have its grand opening April 17 from 3 p.m to 5 p.m., festivities to take place at 298 Fifth Avenue.

Newport Dog Park grand opening April 17

Newport Minnesota is having a grand opening soon for its dog park—and you’re invited! The official festivities for Newport’s Dog Park will take place Thursday, April 17th from 3 to … more

By Joseph Back | 4/10/25

Mary Boujold of Maxfield Research presented on a housing needs study to the Plan Commission March 24. Image courtesy City of Cottage Grove

CG Plan Commission hears 2025 housing needs study

The Cottage Grove Plan Commission met Monday, March 24 at City Hall. Included in the night’s business was a 2025 Housing Needs Analysis from Mary Boujold of Maxfield Research. “The … more

By Joseph Back | 4/10/25

Riggs made his debut at the March 19 Council meeting. Riggs is an emotional support dog with Cottage Grove Public Safety, enhancing mental health and therapy support.

Council awards bids for Hidden Valley Pavement Management

Bids are in for the Hidden Valley Pavement Management Project. Acting at the March 19 regular meeting, the city awarded pavement management for the project to McNamara Contracting Inc in the … more

By Joseph Back | 4/3/25

Police Chief Jessica Danberg presented on a newly created Community Service Officer position at the March 20 St. Paul Park Council meeting.

St. Paul Park Council updates mayoral appointments

Meeting March 20 at City Hall, the St. Paul Park Council conducted regular business, including one resolution and two ordinances, as well as the updating of mayoral appointments. As for the … more

By Joseph Back | 4/3/25

Minneapolis-based Yellow Tree Development has proposed a five-story 160-unit apartment complex off East Point Douglas Road, presenting in a workshop at the March 19 city council meeting.

CG Council hears apartment plan March 19

A Minneapolis developer is looking to work with the city of Cottage Grove in the interest of helping bring new housing to the city. Coming to a workshop at the March 19 City Council meeting, Yellow … more

By Joseph Back | 4/3/25

Washington County Parks Spring Maker’s Market in the Ravine returns April 12

Washington County Parks will again host a Spring Maker’s Market from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 12, at Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park. Visit the Ravine Landing to browse a curated … more

4/3/25

Mayor encourages residents to talk with state representatives

A long time ago in an age now past, the prairies stretched for miles north of St. Anthony's Falls. That time is gone. With housing at a premium and three bills impacting local government authority, … more

By Joseph Back | 4/3/25

Dan Dolan holds a Commissioner Service Award. He is joined, left to right, by Washington County Commissioners Stan Karwoski, Karla Bigham, Fran Miron, Bethany Cox, and Michelle Clasen.

Dan Dolan recognized for years of service to University of Minnesota Extension Committee

Convening at Stillwater March 25, the Washington County Board of Commissioners covered much business. Prominent on the day’s agenda was recognition for Dan Dolan, who recently retired after … more

4/3/25

The Cottage Grove Strawberry Fest Program is now taking applications for the next Strawberry Fest Ambassadors. And Information meeting will be held at Carbone’s CG on April 2 at 6 p.m.

Strawberry Fest program seeking next ambassadors

It’s that time of year again, when spring is about and summer plans begin to take shape. With Cottage Grove Strawberry Fest 2025 just months away, the Strawberry Fest Royal Ambassadors … more

3/29/25

Peterson Park?

A long-serving Cottage Grove mayor and his wife have been nominated as namesakes for a new park near Roberts Lake, located off Jamaica Avenue in north Cottage Grove. The nomination, made by city … more

By Joseph Back | 3/29/25

Washington County Procurement Manager Nicki Castro holds the NIGP Purchasing Manager of the Year Award. Castro is joined, left to right, by Commissioners Karla Bigham, Bethany Cox, Fran Miron, Michelle Clasen, and Stan Karwoski, and Accounting and Finance Director Cat Piepho.

County partners with Minnesota DNR on new Pine Point Regional Park trailhead kiosk

The Washington County Board of Commissioners accomplished much business at the March 18 County Board meeting. Starting out the meeting review, Washington County and the Minnesota Department of … more

3/29/25

Sen. Judy Seeberger spoke before the Senate Education Policy Committee on Monday, March 24 on her bill S.F. 1687, which would allow high schoolers to carry opioid antagonists with parental permission.

Seeberger announces bill to allow high schoolers to possess opioid antagonists

Seeberger Sen. Judy Seeberger spoke before the Senate Education Policy Committee on Monday, March 24 on her bill S.F. 1687, which would allow high schoolers to carry opioid antagonists with parental … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 3/27/25

A planned levee breach at Newport for an area on Cedar Lane will equalize pressure and help control the risk of flooding moving forward, following a buyout of homes in the flood prone area.

Cedar Lane Levee Breach to equalize water levels

Water often tends to seek its own level. Sometimes the best thing to do is let it. Now in progress following a FEMA buyout of homes along Cedar Lane, a levee breach at Newport will help control the … more

By Joseph Back | 3/20/25

Peter Leatherman of the Morris Leatherman Company presented results of a parks survey March 6 to the Newport City Coucil.

Newport Council hears survey results

Meeting March 6 at Newport City Hall, the Newport City Council heard results of a survey with information on parks and other city related matters. Conducted last fall, the survey showed strong … more

By Joseph Back | 3/20/25

Medallion found! The Cottage Grove Medallion has been found. Hidden at Hamlet Park South, the medallion was found by Wesley Schumacher and Jon Zurbey.

Medallion Hunt ends in success

The Fifth Annual Spring Break Cottage Grove Medallion Hunt is over, with the see-through medallion found. Hidden at Hamlet Park South, the medallion was found on Day 4 by Wesley Schumacher and Jon … more

By Joseph Back | 3/20/25