South Washington County is a place made up of many different places and communities. Here’s an update with some of what’s been happening or else is due to take place soon around the area: Afton

In Afton news this week, the snow at Afton Alps is still good for the present. Those wishing more information on the popular ski resort off the Saint Croix reached by traveling east on 70th Street South to Pellar Avenue South may do so by heading over to www.aftonalps.com—and remember, that snow, won’t last forever.

Cottage Grove

Following Woodbury from last week, the City of Cottage

Still open for now as temperatures inch up with Spring, Afton Alps is located off the St. Croix River, and reached by traveling east on 70th Street South past the St. Croix Trail. What could be easier or more enjoyable this time of year? Trail map courtesy www.aftonalps.com. Grove likewise seeks to reassure residents that their water is safe, as the East Metro Area and South Washington County continue to deal with fallout from 3M and PFAs. Revealing that it would receive $90 million as part of a state plant to operate two permanent water treatment plants, the City also revealed that it would extend city water “to certain rural properties” and construct a new city well.

In the meantime, three interim treatment plants provide water protection while the permanent plants are built.

Denmark township

Nestled away in largely rural Denmark, the Lost Valley Prairie Scientific and Natural Area off Nyberg Avenue after traveling east on 110th Street gets 4.7 out of 5 stars on Google review, with rolling prairie hills and “lots of species,” but also “no dogs and no bathrooms,” the latter from a 5-star review. It might not be for everyone, but this 320-acres of land before settlement does have its fans.

Grey Cloud Island township Named for the sister of Wabasha II, Grey Cloud Island is a miles-long lens shaped island in the Mississippi.

The upper portion, meanwhile, which pertains to the township itself, is due to have a continued AI variance hearing at the town hall this March 29 set to run from 7 p.m to 8:30 p.m. With town meetings viewable on YouTube at the South Washington County Telecommunications Commissions (SWCTC) channel, town board contact information is listed at https://www. greycloudislandtwp-mn.us/ contact for interested readers.

ISD 200

Centered at Hastings but with a portion located in Southwest Washington County, the last ISD 200 school board meeting was held March 9, while the next regular meeting is scheduled for March 23 at 6 p.m. in the HMS Media Center. For those not into traveling, the meetings are viewable on YouTube, at the Hastings Community TV channel.

ISD 834

Centered north of I-94 but with borders touching on ISD 833 to the north and west in South Washington County, the news out of ISD 834 for the week of March 17 is that a special board meeting will be held March 24 at 5:30 p.m. to determine finalists in the district’s superintendent search, position starting this summer. Taking place at the Oak Park Building at 6355 Osman Avenue North in Stillwater, school board meetings are also viewable online, with stillwaterschools.org also allowing visitors to sign up for public comment. All meetings are open unless specified as closed or executive session, in accordance with Minnesota state law.

Newport

In Newport news if just past, a COVID-19 Vaccine Event with the Pfizer vaccine took place Wednesday March 16 at the Newport Library, located at 405 7th Avenue. Just in case you happen to read this in time Wednesday morning, the event runs from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., with no appointment necessary and free at-home COVID-19 tests available as well.

St. Paul Park

Not quite yet but something to keep in the calendar for St. Paul Park, is an Easter egg hunt coming up April 16 at Heritage Park, put on through the Parks and Recreation Department for St. Paul Park. Planned to host three sessions for Easter egg hunting beginning at 12 p.m, 1 p.m, and 2 p.m respectively, Heritage Park is located at 1345 Laurel Avenue— bring your own bag or basket to collect!

On the meantime, the newsletter for Spring 2022 is out, with news that the parking ban ends April 1, while the compost site is open on weekdays in April. Perhaps anticipating a common tax complaint just about anywhere, the City of St. Paul Park further reminds its residents that, “the property tax statement that homeowners receive form Washington County includes taxes for multiple taxing authorities,” of which the city is only one taxing authority in particular. Other sources of the property tax bill that St. Paul Park residents receive are Independent School District 833, the Metropolitan Council, Metropolitan Mosquito Control, the South Washington County watershed, and the Washington County CDA (Community Development Authority). Near to closing out the week’s update for St. Paul Park, the City has announced the winners of the 17th Annual Holiday Lighting Contest, these being Christopher Davidson and family for first place and Cison’s Winter Wonderland in second. Along with the lights is a food drive by Mr. Cison, with 725 pounds of food collected.

Last but not least, the police department has a new officer: Brian Kammerer. Coming to St. Paul Park from the County Sheriff’s Office at Stillwater, Kammerer had been assigned to Newport and loved the area, leading him to apply for the open position at St. Paul Park.

Woodbury

Coming in for review at Woodbury, the City Council agenda for March 16 includes an Arbor Day Proclamation, along with consent agenda items listed A through S in sequence.

Among the consent agenda items are those approving amendments to chapter 27 -Environmental Management- Division 3 of the city code, along with three -year lease agreement worth $13,143 to farm agricultural lands at Andy’s Bark Park, while the total three-week bill abstract for the city totals $1,145,771.27, per the agenda summary. Also included (but not exhaustive) in the March 16 consent agenda are amendments to the City Code affecting “Chapter 2 Administration, Article II City Administrator and Article V Personnel.” More online at www.woodburymn. gov.