News - Cottage Grove Journal

Washington County Sheriff Dan Starry (right) shared words as Sheriff’s Department Sergeant Bill Harrell (front left) was recognized for seven years of service to Newport at the Jan. 2 Newport Council meeting.

The Newport City Council has a new council member. Sworn in to replace Kevin ChapdeLaine on the council was new member Josh Schmidt, elected this past November along with returning members Mayor … more

1/8/25

Laws coming into effect in Minnesota in 2025

Jan. 1, 2025 saw several new laws take effect across Minnesota ranging from protections for ticket buyers to stricter laws regarding PFAS to mandatory salary ranges and an increase to … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 1/8/25

Grey Cloud Plan Commission recommends permit and variance denial

Meeting at the Grey Cloud Town Hall Dec. 19, the Grey Cloud Plan Commission recommended denial of a 2025 administrative permit and related non-conforming use request from Holcim to the Grey Cloud … more

Photo by Joseph Back | 12/30/24

Packed house greets Holcim presentation at HERO Center Dec. 19

Appearing to a packed house Dec. 19, Holcim US laid out its Nelson Backwater Mine Proposal at the HERO Center in Cottage Grove. Now in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) phase of the project, … more

By Joseph Back | 12/30/24

Keith Franke was sworn in as Saint Paul Park Mayor in January by council member Jeff Swenson. Also sworn in were Tim Conrad and Charlene Whitbred-Hemmingson for the council, along with City Clerk Amy Truhlar.

2024 Year in Review

A lot happened in 2024. Below are outtakes from some top stories for 2024. Jan. 4, 2024 K9 Officer Gunnar retired after seven years K9 Officer Gunnar has retired. The Polish-born police dog … more

Compiled by Joseph Back from stories by himself, Bruce Karnick, Dan Solovitz, John Molene, and contributors | 12/30/24

County Board approved county cannabis ordinance

The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved Washington County Cannabis Ordinance #219 Dec. 17. State law requires that cannabis and hemp retailers obtain a registration from the city or … more

12/24/24

Winter Makers Market returns to Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park Jan. 18

Winter Makers Market in the Ravine is set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, in Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park. Browse a curated selection of handcrafted items in the Ravine Landing … more

12/24/24

Commissioner Gary Kriesel holds a plaque in recognition of his 20 years of service on the Washington County Board of Commissioners. (From left): Stillwater City Council Member Larry Odebrecht (Ward 3), State Sen. Judy Seeberger (District 41), Stillwater City Council Member Mike Polehna, Washington County Commissioner Karla Bigham (District 5), Lake Elmo Mayor Charles Cadenhead, Commissioner Gary Kriesel (District 3), State Sen. Karin Housley (District 33), Commissioner Fran Miron (District 1), Stillwater Mayor Ted Kozlowski, Commissioner Michelle Clasen (District 5), and Commissioner Stan Karwoski (District 2).

County Board approves 2025 levies and budget

The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved the county’s 2025 budget Dec. 17, and the property tax levy that will support it. The approved amounts are: • $140,479,200 for the … more

12/23/24

Park’s Leo Eiden-Giel goes in for a layup in the second half against Irondale.

Park boys steamroll past Irondale

Park’s Wolfpack got a big boys basketball win Wednesday, taking out visiting Irondale 62-51. But the thing that really got the Wolfpack fired up was a charge taken by senior guard Mac Maluski … more

By John Molene | 12/23/24

County acquires right-of-way, easements for road improvement projects in Cottage Grove, Stillwater

The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved the acquisition of necessary right-of-way and easements for two road construction projects in Cottage Grove and Stillwater at its meeting Dec. … more

12/23/24

A St. Paul Park man was taken into custody after leading police on a 28-minute pursuit at speeds up to 100 mph on Dec. 12.

Michael Dennis Jerry, 55, St. Paul Park, was charged with fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, a felony carrying a maximum sentence of three years in cancelation and a fine of up to $5,000. A … more

Staff Report | 12/23/24

Recognized for saving a life

St. Paul Park Mayor Keith Franke reads from an award at the Dec. 2 St. Paul Park City Council meeting to recognize St. Paul Park Speedway manager Kassie Hannon for demonstrating exceptional heroism … more

Image courtesy City of St. Paul Park | 12/23/24

City Finance Director Melody Santana-Marty gave a quick budget summary Dec. 2, the full presentation being given earlier this fall.

St. Paul Park passes 2025 budget and levy

It’s that time of year again, when local governments decide what their budgets will be for the ensuing year. Approved Dec. 2 at St. Paul Park is a 2025 total levy totaling $3,021,332, … more

By Joseph Back | 12/23/24

Washington County Commissioner Fran Miron (District 1) cuts the ribbon at the county’s North Environmental Center. Miron is joined by fellow Washington County Commissioners Stan Karwoski (District 2), Gary Kriesel (District 3), Karla Bigham (District 4), and Michelle Clasen (District 5), along with U.S. Representative Pete Stauber (MN-08), Ramsey County Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt (District 7), and local officials from Hugo and Forest Lake.

Washington County North Environmental Center opens Dec. 18

The North Environmental Center will open in Forest Lake on Wednesday, Dec. 18, offering residents a second location to drop off items that don’t belong in the trash, like household chemicals, … more

12/23/24

Nexus Family Healing to continue providing emergency youth shelter services

The Washington County Board of Commissioners at its Dec. 17 meeting renewed a contract with Nexus Family Healing to provide emergency youth shelter services at Aspen House Youth Shelter Dec. 17. The … more

12/23/24

Changes due at Park High

Presenting to the Council Dec. 4 at its regular meeting, Cottage Grove Community Development Director Emily Schmitz filled in the council on planned improvements at Park High School. Plans in the … more

Images courtesy City of Cottage Grove. | 12/18/24

City Finance Director Brenda Malinowski explained budget details at the Dec. 4 City Council meeting.

Cottage Grove Council passes 2025 budget

Cottage Grove has an official 2025 budget. Approved at the Dec. 4 Council meeting after a presentation and public hearing, the 2025 city budget is $28,446,310, and includes $26.128 million from … more

By Joseph Back | 12/18/24

Friends of Grey Cloud hold first annual meeting

Friends of Grey Cloud held its first annual meeting Thursday, Dec. 12 at 6:30 p.m. Lasting an hour, the online meet via Zoom contained many items. Chief among them was the need for a few board … more

By Joseph Back | 12/18/24

Members of the public safety board, Kent Ripplinger of Panamint Capital, and City council members look on as Officer Matt Soorgaard speaks during a public safety board presentation Dec. 4. Panamint Capital donated funds to the Public Safety Board for K9 Odin to have a ballistics vest.

Public Safety Board presents at Dec. 4 Council

Fresh off adopting the agenda Dec. 4, the Cottage Grove City Council saw a presentation from the Public Safety Board. A non-profit citizens board that works with the city's public safety department … more

By Joseph Back | 12/18/24

Park Sports Roundup

Boys basketball goes 1-1 in first week Park got the basketball season off to a good start in the first week of play, losing a competitive game to always strong Park Center Thursday, then coming … more

By John Molene | 12/16/24