More local news

River Valley Band Begins 17th Season

bruce@hastingsjournal.news Autumn fills the air as community music begins another amazing season.  The River Valley band will begin its 17 th season with its annual Veterans Day Concert on …
The St. Paul Park police department accepted a blanket donation recently from Youth Service Bureau - Cottage Grove as part of the Bureau’s Blanket Blitz kickoff. The blankets handmade by youth in the YSB diversion program to give to first responders.

Donations for the community!

The City of St. Paul Park Police Department recently accepted several donations, including a $6,800 donation by the Newport Masonic Lodge 118 from funds raised at the silent auction and with a …
Monique Garza

Local races on ballot Nov. 3

It’s a packed ballot on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Included in the mix are several local races, including for Cottage Grove, Newport, Woodbury and Denmark Township. Woodbury council candidates registered at …

District outlines policy for responsible AI use

Permitted but regulated, used as a supplement, not a replacement, and retaining teacher control over classroom use. These in summary are the main points of ISD Policy 625 on the Responsible Use of …
Crime
Michael Dennis Jerry.

Washington County man sentenced to prison

A Washington County man has been sentenced to the Minnesota Correctional Facility at St. Cloud for charges stemming from an Aug. 2025 offense in St. Paul Park. Michael Dennis Jerry, age 59, St. …
Community News
Obituaries
Arlan 'Gil' Gilmeister
Arlan ‘Gil’ Gilmeister, age 86 of Hastings went to be with the Lord on July 31, 2026. He is survived by his son Michael (Ann) Walker, daughter Jodi (Tom) Reimers, daughter Jill Roy, and six …
Gary Spooner
Gary Spooner age 87of Cottage Grove, MN passed away on March 23, 2026 from leukemia surrounded by his family. Gary Spooner has been a real-bearded Santa for 57 years and is truly a cornerstone of …
Mark Haesly
Mark Warren Haesly, 70, passed away Sunday, March 1, 2026, after a nearly 7 year battle with lymphoma, leaving behind a life defined not by any single role, but by all of them at once: husband, dad, …
Douglas 'Bill' Farone Sr.
Farone Sr., Douglas “Bill” Age, 90, of St. Paul Park Passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 12, 2026. Preceded in death by his wife, Beverly of 54 years; parents, Louis and Mary; …
James 'Jim' Haugen
James “Jim” Oliver Haugen, 84, of Maiden Rock, Wis., passed away at his home on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, surrounded by his family. He was born on Nov. 23, 1941 in Newport, Minn., to Oliver Haugen …
Local sports

Park Homecoming!

Park High School’s student body gets fired up after the Wolfpack jump out to a 21-0 lead in the first half of Friday’s Homecoming game against Hopkins.
Park junior Mallorie Yang (4) makes it a 2-0 game with a goal in the second half.

Wolfpack soccer team gives up late tie to Rangers

With a seemingly safe 2-0 lead fairly late in the second quarter, Park looked like a winner against the visiting Forest Lake Rangers Thursday night. But the game turned on the Wolfpack in the …
Quite unlike last season’s defensive-dominated 9-7 win by Coon Rapids over Park, Friday’s night game features lots of offense. Coon Rapids did its damage in the first half, Park the second. …
After no wins in his previous seasons, Park senior Henry Joa is on a roll this fall. Joa won his third meet of the season Saturday, finishing first in the 17-team Simley Invitational. Joa covered …
All of a sudden, Park’s offense can’t be stopped. After slugging through most of the season with an offense that had trouble finding the back of the net, Park’s Wolfpack have now scored 22 …
Playing before a jam-packed Homecoming crowd of more than 2,500, 12th-ranked Wayzata overpowered the visiting Park Wolfpack Friday night, winning 43-6. A surprising 1-8 last season, the Wayzata …
Education
Brian Boothe is the new principal at Park High School.

Park High School principal sees destination school future

For new Park High School Principal Brian Boothe, leading the Cottage Grove school represents more than a professional milestone. It is an opportunity to serve a community with deep family connections …

Features

The Story of the American Flag

The Washington County Historical Society is excited to continue our USA 250 programs with Rocky Bliss about the history of the US Flag at the Washington County Heritage Center, 1862 S. Greeley …

Opinion

Legislative Update

On Friday May 15, the Senate passed an e-bike and motorized bicycle safety bill to update state law in response to the rising use of these vehicles and to help protect Minnesotans from injuries. …

Winter After Everything

Wayne Schlicht has shared another update in his cancer treatment journey. Readers can follow Schlicht’s journey and assist with treatment costs at his Go Fund Me entitled “Stage 4 Cancer Took …

Update from Wayne Schlicht

I made it. Thank God — I made it. This year, I will be sitting at the table with a heart that’s fuller than any plate in front of me. 2025 has been a year of highs and lows, hope and …
Web Extras
If you're going with a lower-cost health insurance plan, make sure to read the fine print.
Plans with cheaper premiums are risky business for Americans seeking lower healthcare costs
Some options that might look like health insurance actually aren’t – and they may leave you stranded with large, unexpected medical expenses.
What 8 hours on your feet really does to your body
KURU Footwear reports that being on your feet for eight hours can cause various physical issues like muscle fatigue, pain, and cardiovascular risks, emphasizing the need for varied movement and better workplace design to mitigate discomfort.
Can feng shui lower stress? What the research on clutter actually shows
Closets by Design reports on feng shui's potential to reduce stress by organizing spaces for energy flow, aligning with research on clutter and well-being.
Scammers are finding new ways to target your phone. Here are 5 ways to protect yourself
Malwarebytes reports scammers are targeting mobile users with increasingly sophisticated scams.
Your 2026 tax return just got easier: Here's what's coming this filing season
(BPT) - Filing your taxes is never a top item on anyone's fun to-do list, but it's definitely a must, and can lead to a very welcome refund. The good news is, there's a new service that can help make …