Photo by Joseph Back.

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

Perhaps among the biggest news to come off the Saint Croix Trail recently is worth that Afton native Jessie Diggins closed out the 2022 Beijing Olympics with a second medal, this time for silver in the 30 kilometer cross-country freestyle, after previously winning a bronze in the cross-country freestyle sprint at Beijing. The silver medal to close out Beijing Olympics gives Diggins a full slate of gold, silver, and bronze, after she took a gold medal in the 2018 Winter Olympics at Pyeongchang South Korea.

Cottage Grove

Alongside the many other items to appear from Cottage Grove in this paper, is the news that the second annual medallion hunt will soon be underway. With a $250 prize for the winner on the line, Journal readers can look for clues on the Cottage Grove Recreation and Ice Arena Facebook page, starting at 9 a.m. on March 7.

Also of note for Cottage Grove are the volunteer opportunities touted by Mayor Myron Bailey in his February Mayor’s Moment. Speaking in a video posted February 17 to the City’s YouTube channel, Mayor Bailey calls volunteers, “the lifeblood of our community,” saying that their hard work is “critical to building and maintaining a healthy and vibrant place to live, work, and play.” Bailey goes on note that the City currently has openings for volunteers on the Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation, as well as the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, Planning Commission, and Public Services Commission. Those potentially seeking to volunteer on one of the boards or Commissions are directed by Bailey to the city website at www.cottagegrovemn.gov, with many other opportunities to volunteer as well.

Denmark township

Located in the southeastern corner of South Washington County, the big news out of Denmark township this week is the upcoming annual meeting at the local town hall. Located online at https://www. denmarktownship.org with a street address of 14008 90th Street South at Hastings Minnesota, the town of Denmark will hold its annual meeting this March 8 at 7 p.m. Complete with burn permits, fee schedules, a link to the adopted 2040 Comprehensive Plan and more, the Denmark township website is sure to inform visitors. Once again, that annual town meeting is March 8 at 7 p.m.

Grey Cloud Island township As to Grey Cloud township in the southwest corner of South Washington County, the news for March includes an upcoming Plan Commission meeting to be held Monday, March 7 via Zoom. Meeting details include a meeting ID of 825 1789 5964 and a passcode of GCIT. Those wishing to join via telephone may do so by dialing 1-312-626-6799 with the same meeting ID of 825 1789 5964 being used, and a passcode of 768361.

Following the March 7 Plan Commission, meanwhile, is an annual town meeting for Grey Cloud Island Township, to be held Tuesday March 8, at the town hall, beginning at 7 p.m. The monthly town board meeting will also be at the town hall, one day later on March 9, at 7 p.m.

Lakeland

Listed on the website for Lakeland Minnesota at http:// ci.lakeland.mn.us is the news that the Washington County Library has expanded internet access with 400 mobile hotspots and 100 Chromebooks now in its collection and available for checkout. Helping keep citizens linked in during COVID-19, improved mobile internet service leads into the next item, a link to city meeting videos under the ‘Council’ link. The most recent meeting at Lakeland posted this past February 15, just after Valentine’s Day.

Lakeland Shores

Located online at https:// lakelandshores.govoffice. com, the news out of Lakeland Shores includes upcoming Council meeting, the most recent being February 3 with another to come this March 3.

Also listed on the city website for Lakeland Shores, meanwhile, is a public notice related to an application for “a Home Builder and Remodeling Business use” to be be located at 157 Saint Croix Trail South in Lakeland Shores. Covered in more detail in the online council packet, the application in question has to do with a conditional use permit for 1st Choice Builders out of Stillwater, after the applicant moved his business from Stillwater to the commercial district at Lakeland Shores, which requires said permit.

In the meantime, the Council was also due at its March 3 meeting to re-establish the unchanged precinct boundaries as a result of the 2020 Census. Lakeland Shores is nestled along the St. Croix River.

Lake St. Croix Beach

Originally laid out as a dense lakefront development in 1925 by Warren Smadbeck of New York, it was reported on the city website at https:// ci.lakestcroixbeach.mn.us that the Planning Commission will convene “electronically and telephonically” this March 2 at 7 p.m. for a proposed ordinance “Amending and Updating City Chapter 505 – Fire Prevention and Life Safety Code.” All who are interested are encouraged by the city to take part in the public hearing, with a variance and conditional use permit also on the Plan Commission agenda for Lake St. Croix Beach. More information is available on the city website, with facilitation of public comment through emailing to [email protected] net, referencing the subject headings provided on the city website.

Newport

Founded in 1837 along the east bank of the Mississippi River, the largely residential community of Newport is due to hold a council meeting March 3, with more details under the ‘Government’ tab followed with ‘Mayor and Council,” thereby giving one access to both city agendas and meeting packets.

Due to the new City Hall and Public Safety building being under construction and set for completion this May, meanwhile, the Lion’s Park ice rink would not be open, the Winter 2021 newsletter reported.

At the same time and more to the point, the newsletter for Winter 2021 reported that ‘once it gets cold enough’ (we assume that’s now), an ice rink at Loveland Park would be open in Newport. With rink hours for the open ice rink at Loveland Park running Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., there might or might not be just enough time to cross this one off your bucket list before the ice thaws, with rising temperatures expected to return relatively soon, and in seasonal order.

St. Mary’s Point

Alogn with rising temperatures come a rise in the river levels, as water that used to be snow runs on down to the Gulf of Mexico. In line with this ands pertinent for residents of the small but historic community of St. Mary’s Point on the St. Croix Point comes the report from Stillwater that the river stage is still relatively low as of yet, measured at Stillwater to be 75.65 feet as of Monday February 28 at 10:15 p.m., almost 12 feet below flood stage of 87 feet.

Back in 2020, meanwhile, the NOAA Stillwater reporting station for the river level indicated a flood forecast just over flood stage at 87.5 feet, leading the city to order sand delivered as a precaution. With Spring 2022 still in the future, river levels are something to keep close track of when you live on the riverbank.

St. Paul Park Contenting the water theme but on a different water’s edge, St. Paul Park counts among its many perks the offering of a reduced water rate to seniors who are 65 years of age or older.

In order to qualify for the reduced rate of 50 percent, the property owner and head of household must be 65 or older and use less than 8,000 gallons of water per quarter. The discounted rate does not apply to rental properties or multiple family dwellings and applicants must apply annually between October 1 and November 1. The time to apply may be up for now, but it could be something to plan for, depending on one’s age.

Woodbury

Finally from Woodbury comes the news that mayor Anne Burt will soon be giving the State of the City address, beginning on March 3 any 6:30 p.m. from the Central Park Amphitheater at 8595 Central Park Place, in Woodbury.

The approximately 15-minute video presentation will feature updates on water, development, city projects, and policing, per the city website at www. woodburymn.gov.

Masks are recommended in indoor places in Woodbury, though no mandate is in place.