More local news
Mark Wiens accepting the Minnesota Court of Honor medallion at Camp Ripley on Sept. 29.

Mark Wiens Inducted into Minnesota National Guard Court of Honor

Camp Ripley – Mark Wiens, a non-partisan candidate for Washington County Commissioner in District 3, was honored by being inducted into the Minnesota National Guard Court of Honor during a …

Food scraps program expanding to 19 new communities

Ramsey and Washington counties’ Food Scraps Pickup Program is now available to 19 new communities. This includes all residents of • Afton • Bayport • Baytown Township • …

Hamlet Park to host inaugural ‘Run Like Laura’ event Oct. 19

A local foundation named Live Like Laura will host an inaugural 5K run and one mile walk as well as a kid’s run and walk at Hamlet Park Oct. 19. Named for Cottage Grove resident and elementary …

Schweisguth new Executive Director at SWCTC

For over 40 years the South Washington County Telecommunications Commission (SWCTC) has been producing video content for the communities of Cottage Grove, Newport, St. Paul Park, Woodbury and Grey …
Crime
Considered a pre-trail fight risk, Jonathan Velancour remains in custody of law enforcement.

CG man arrested, charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, illegal possession of a firearm

A Cottage Grove man is in police custody on drug and weapons related charges, following the carrying out of a search warrant July 16 in Cottage Grove. Jonathan Henry Valencour, 44, is charged in an …
On the calendar
Business

New Business in Cottage Grove

City, county, and chamber officials helped welcome O2B Kids Cottage Grove to town with an official ribbon cutting Friday, Aug. 23 at 7781 Hardwood Ave. S. Located off Hardwood Avenue South near East …

Government

Absentee voting now open for August 13 primary

Opening June 28 and continuing through August 12, pre-election day (early) voting is now open in South Washington County for the August 13 fall primary. Candidate registration for fall ballot access, …

Community News
Obituaries
Michael Kriel
Michael R. Kriel Age 81, of Newport passed away on Aug 19, 2024. Survived by wife Linda, children Kelly (Angela) Christopher (Tracy), step-son Theodore Sitz, grandchildren and canine companions. …
Earnestine Watson
Earnestine Watson, aged 73, of Cottage Grove, Minnesota, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, September 20, 2024, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. Her life began on May 19, 1951, in …
Bill 'Billy' Rhode
Bill (Billy) Rhode passed away at his home in Hastings, MN on June 8, 2024, at the age of 64. He is survived by his loving wife, Kristi, son, Matt Doublin of Minneapolis, MN, and his furbaby, …
Lynette Shablo
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved wife, mother, sister and grandmother, Lynette Ann Shablo (Schinke), who departed this world on Thursday, May 9, 2024 at 82 years …
Eileen Janssen
Eileen M. Janssen, age 91 of Cottage Grove passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on May 16, 2024. Memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, June 2, 2024 at Zion Lutheran Church …
Local sports

Wallfred named new Park boys basketball coach

New Park boys basketball coach Isaiah Wallfred brings a wealth of experience to the program.
Veteran coach Isaiah Wallfred has been hired as the new boys' basketball coach at Park High School. He takes over for Mike Weah, who has led the program for the past seven years. “I …
Park’s Sonja Lind sends a hit past a pair of Mounds View defenders in game three Thursday.

Volleyball team spikes Roseville, Mounds View

With wins over a pair of Suburban East Conference contenders, including eighth-ranked Roseville, Park just spiked its best week of an already strong season. The Wolfpack won at Roseville Tuesday in …
Park played its best game of the season, and this time it was the defense which rose to the occasion. A week after giving up 57 points and 507 yards in offense to Hopkins, the Wolfpack took down …
Park’s extended stay at the Heartbreak Hotel got extended for another night Saturday. Leading 2-0 early in the game and then 2-1 at the half, Park suffered another second-half collapse and …
What a difference a year makes. Last season, Park dominated a Hopkins Royals team that wouldn’t win a game in a 48-14 victory. Friday night in Minnetonka was a completely different story. …
Park’s boys braved an initial storm, then put one of their own on Saturday, running to a team title in the 13-team Osceola Invitational. The meet was delayed for about 90 minutes at the …
Education
Cottage Grove farmer Gene Smallidge presents to the Prescott Community Club Aug. 1 at Freedom Park in Prescott. Smallidge was invited to present by a community club member after they asked the story behind a sign on the Smallidge Farm.

Cottage Grove farmer tells story behind mystery sign at Prescott Community Club

Gene Smallidge knows a thing or two about farming. Now 84 years old and a farmer for 64 years (including 55 years at his current location), Smallidge comes from a farm family, the tradition starting …

Features

2024 Matt VanHorn Cornhole Tournament planned at St. Paul Park

In search of something fun to do? The 2024 Matt Van Horn Cornhole Tournament will take place at Park Place Sports Bar in St. Paul Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Registration begins at noon. Named for …

Opinion

My View: A Hot Topic

I blinked first this year. Every heating season, like many households, we play the game of waiting as long as absolutely possible to begin the flow of gas to our furnace. I was humiliated in that …

My View- Seasons of John

We’ve finally landed in part two of my season. There are 365 days of the year divided into 12 months. There are four seasons. They’re determined by the earth’s orbit around the sun …

My View: A different world

I was in a different world altogether on Saturday. I saw and experienced things I’ve never seen in more than six decades on this planet. It was somewhere I never intended to be. We …
Web Extras
Celebrate Diwali with the Many Flavors of Tradition
(Family Features) Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is a celebration of togetherness, prosperity and the rich, authentic flavors of Indian cuisine. A perfect dish for the occasion is Jodhpuri Kabuli.
9 common techniques casinos use to keep you spending
OLBG reveals 9 common casino tactics to keep customers staying and playing.
Economic factors and currency volatility in the 2024 US presidential election
OANDA spotlights the currency pairs most likely to be affected by the volatility surrounding the U.S. presidential election.
Factory in-car navigation accuracy
CheapInsurance.com examines the accuracy of factory-installed car navigation systems, compares them to smartphones, and shares essential safety tips to help drivers navigate the road with confidence.
How to increase your credit limit and keep a good credit score
Money.ca shares tips and steps to increasing your credit limit while also maintaining a good credit score in Canada.