More local news

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. …

St. Paul Park Council hears presentation from Met Council representative

The St. Paul Park City Council met Monday, Oct. 5, with changes to the city's special event permitting process, acceptance of donations and an appearance by Metropolitan Council District 12 Council …

Packed ballot for Nov. 3 election

South Washington County voters will head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 3, to decide a number of contested races in the 2026 general election, including seats on the Cottage Grove, Newport, and Woodbury …

Newport Council approves water treatment design, well investigation

The Newport City Council approved more than $567,000 in engineering services for improvements to the city's drinking water system during its Thursday, Oct. 1 meeting, advancing plans to address water …
Crime

Hugo woman sentenced for threatening House Speaker Lisa Demuth

Stillwater, Minn. — A Hugo woman who left a series of threatening voicemails for Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth was sentenced today in Washington County District Court to three years of …
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

SoWashCo Schools outlines financial pressures

South Washington County Schools is preparing for a significant financial adjustment as district leaders work to address deficit spending, declining enrollment and a state funding system they say has …

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
Hit by an uninsured driver? What to know
TheZebra.com reports that 1 in 3 drivers are uninsured or underinsured, increasing financial risk for insured motorists in accidents. 
How a smarter home can help families reclaim their time
(BPT) - It's a Thursday evening at home, and all you want to do is relax with your family. However, the mental list of possible to-dos stops you from being fully present with your loved ones. …
10 best cities to rent rather than own a house in 2026
TheZebra.com reports that Salt Lake City, Denver, and Austin are among the top 10 U.S. cities where renting is more affordable than buying.
6 Ways to Create a More Sustainable Bathroom
(Feature Impact) Conserving water, energy and resources is key to running an environmentally friendly household, and one of the best places to start is your bathroom. As one of the most frequently used rooms in the house, it's a small space that makes a big difference. Every flush, shower, twist of the tap and restock of restroom essentials is an opportunity to manage your ecological footprint.
Instacart's Halloween report: Reese's is No.1, regional candy quirks and the iconic banana costume
Instacart reports that Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are the top Halloween candy in 40 states, with regional quirks like HI-CHEW in Montana.