Chamber’s New Food Truck Extravaganza Event is Today at Stillwater Area High School

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The Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce’s inaugural Food Truck Extravaganza is happening today at Stillwater Area High School. The Food Truck Extravaganza includes 18 food trucks, a market place, live music, a business area, kid’s activities, bingo, a military row and a pizza eating contest at 3 p.m. The Chamber’s newest event is Saturday, June 24 from 11 a.m. t0 6 p.m.

“We are excited to launch this new community event” Chamber Director Robin Anthony said. “We hope to make this an annual community event and grow this event to be one of the biggest food truck events in the state.” Continue Reading →

Former Ponies Hockey Coach Phil Housley Named Head Coach of Buffalo Sabres

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Former Stillwater Area High School boys hockey coach Phil Housley has been named head coach of the Buffalo Sabres. Housley was drafted by the Sabres in the first round (6th overall) of the 1982 NHL Draft. He went on to play 21 seasons in the NHL, and be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Housley’s 1,232 career points (338 goals and 894 assists) rank third among American players and fourth among defensemen all-time. He is also the Sabres’ career and individual-season leader in goals, assists and points by a defenseman, according to NHL.com. Continue Reading →

Zephyr Theatre Offers Rare Glimpse into 20th Century Artist Donato Frisia’s Renowned Paintings

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The Zephyr Theatre has partnered with the family of 20th century artist, Donato Frisia, to present a collection of his rarely-seen famed paintings. Local relatives of the late Donato are offering a rare look into the artist’s celebrated works – allowing the community at large to experience firsthand the positive impact the arts have throughout the greater Saint Croix Valley. The public is invited to enjoy a collection of works by Donato Frisia on Saturday, June 10 from 11-5 p.m., and on Sunday, June 11 from noon to 5 p.m. at the Depot building, 600 North Main St. Admission is $20 per person and will help support the mission of The Stillwater Zephyr Theatre. Donato Frisia was born Aug. Continue Reading →

Living with Black Bears: Several Bear Sightings Reported in Bayport on Tuesday Morning

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Several black bear sightings were reported Tuesday morning in and around Lakeside Park in Bayport. An adolescent black bear was seen meandering around Lakeside Park, and according to one report, the bear charged a man and his dog, stopping about 10-15 feet away from them. It’s not uncommon for black bears to be seen in the Stillwater area in the spring and early summer. There have been dozens of black bear sightings reported in the area in recent weeks. If you encounter a black bear:

Don’t panic. Continue Reading →

Stillwater Baseball Stars of the Week Awards: Week of June 4

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Every week this baseball season, we will announce Stillwater Area Baseball Weekly Stars here on Stillwater Current. Here’s our weekly award winners for the week of June 4. Zac Litzow is the Stillwater Current Volunteer of the Week. Zac coordinated two cookouts for both teams’ families for doubleheaders the 11AA team hosted on back to back Sundays. Coaches and the families of both teams raved how fun it was to have a double header with a meal in between. Continue Reading →

6-Year-Old Girl Dies After Apparent Drowning in Lake Elmo Swimming Pond

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A 6-year-old child died after an apparent drowning in Lake Elmo Park Reserve’s swimming beach on Sunday afternoon. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office responded at 1:17 p.m., Sunday to a report 6-year-old Saint Paul girl who had been pulled from the water and was not breathing. Resuscitation efforts were performed on the victim at the scene. The girl was transported to Regions Hospital where she was pronounced dead. The name of the child is not being released at this time. Continue Reading →

Washington County Celebrates 150th Anniversary of Historic Courthouse Today

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Washington County is celebrating 150 years since the groundbreaking of the county’s Historic Courthouse, the 100th anniversary of the Soldiers and Sailors Civil War Monument and special dedication of its 2017 Time Capsule. The 150th Anniversary Celebration will be 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 3, at the Historic Courthouse. There will be a time capsule ceremony, live music, Civil War re-enactors, $1 hot dogs, old-fashioned candy, picnicking on the lawn and a Civil War exhibit grand opening. The public is invited to enjoy a picnic on the Washington County Historic Courthouse lawn. A program by Arn Kind, “Minnesota in the Civil War,” will be presented at 11 a.m. Civil War reenactor Ken Martens will be on hand at 12:30 p.m. giving a speech on Sam Bloomer, a Stillwater area soldier who fought with the First Minnesota in the Civil War. Continue Reading →

Stillwater Lift Bridge Reopens to Motor Vehicle Traffic after Boat Crashes into Bridge

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The Stillwater Lift Bridge has reopened to motor vehicle traffic after a cabin cruiser trying to make the 7 p.m. lift hit the bridge. The boat struck the Lift Bridge as it was coming down from the up position, according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. The vessel, a 1967 37-foot cabin cruiser was driven by a Marine on the St Croix resident at the time of the crash, according to the Sheriff’s Office. As the boat travelled under the bridge, the upper portion of the boat struck the bridge and was sheered off. A Stillwater woman was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries, according to the sheriff’s office. Continue Reading →

Updated: Stillwater Lift Bridge Reopens after Boat Crash

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Updated at 9:23 p.m., Friday, June 2:

The Stillwater Lift Bridge has reopened to motor vehicle traffic after a cabin cruiser trying to make the 7 p.m. lift hit the bridge. The boat struck the Lift Bridge as it was coming down from the up position, according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. The vessel, a 1967 37-foot cabin cruiser was driven by a Marine on the St Croix resident at the time of the crash, according to the Sheriff’s Office. As the boat travelled under the bridge, the upper portion of the boat struck the bridge and was sheered off. A Stillwater woman was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries, according to the sheriff’s office. Continue Reading →

State Patrol: Roseville Teen Dies in Oak Park Heights Crash

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A 17-year-old Roseville boy died Thursday afternoon after his motorcycle struck an SUV in Oak Park Heights. The driver of the motorcycle, Declan Ronan Raverty, died in the crash, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. The passenger on the motorcycle, Katie Rose Pagel, 20, of Roseville was transported to Regions Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the fatal crash happened at about 4:45 p.m. on Highway 95, just north of Highway 36. A Harley Davidson was traveling northbound on Highway 95 when a Cadillac Escalade exited the Sunnyside Marina and crossed the highway, according to the State Patrol. The motorcycle struck the rear quarter panel of the SUV. Continue Reading →

Chamber Celebrates Washington County Historic Courthouse 150 Year Anniversary

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The Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce celebrated the 150 year anniversary of the Washington County Historic Courthouse on May 30 in Stillwater at a ribbon cutting ceremony. Groundbreaking for the construction of the building took place in 1867, and the Courthouse opened in 1870. It is the oldest standing courthouse in the state of Minnesota. Commanding a beautiful view of Stillwater and the St Croix Valley, the Washington County Historic Courthouse portrays the substance and elegance of a bygone era and offers public tours that include courtroom, jail, and history exhibits. The public is invited to attend a 150th anniversary celebration on Saturday, June 3 from 11am – 3pm. Continue Reading →

Stillwater Baseball Stars of the Week Awards: Week of May 28

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Every week this baseball season, we will announce Stillwater Area Baseball Weekly Stars here on Stillwater Current. Here’s our weekly award winners for the week of May 28. Cameron Parent is the Pitcher of the Week after throwing three sharp, scoreless innings for the win over Red Wing in a tournament. Despite the cold and steady rain, Cameron gave up just one walk and had no wild pitches. He also picked off two baserunners and struck out five! Continue Reading →

Photos: Several Black Bear Sightings Reported in Stillwater

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There have been a few black bear sightings in — and around Stillwater — this week. Thomas Stanislaw posted several photos in the Pictures of Stillwater Facebook group of a black bear he spotted Wednesday morning a couple blocks from the Harbor Bar off of Mckusick Road. The black bear was also spotted Wednesday morning near County Road 5 and Wilkins Street, and at Fifth Street and Laurel on the North Hill. Useful Links:

DNR: Living with Bears

DNR lists tips for avoiding conflicts with bears

This photo taken by Brynna Turnau‎, and posted to the Pictures of Stillwater group was taken Wednesday morning on Mckusick (County 64) next to Oak Glen where the Brown’s Creek Trail crosses. This video and photo were posted by Karen Arai at Fairy Falls:

According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources:

“Most bears are wary of people and will usually leave when encountered. Continue Reading →

Stillwater Baseball Stars of the Week Awards: Week of May 21

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Every week this baseball season, we will announce Stillwater Area Baseball Weekly Stars here on Stillwater Current. Here’s our weekly award winners for the week of May 21. Posch Builders recognizes Gray Fleming, 10A assistant coach, as the Coach of the Week. Gray took over head coaching duties for the tournament this weekend. “Gray is a dedicated coach with such a positive attitude that helped keep the boys engaged and into the game despite the bad weather. Gray was instilling good Pony baseball with strong defense, hitting it down and hard and being aggressive on the bases. Continue Reading →

Stillwater’s Memorial Day Ceremony is Monday, May 29

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Stillwater’s Memorial Day ceremony to honor St. Croix Valley casualties of war will begin at 11:30 a.m. Monday, May 29 at the Veterans Memorial. The ceremony will include a wreath laying to recognize the fallen soldiers from each of the branches of the armed forces. The ceremony will include music by the Stillwater Wind Symphony and the Croix Chordsmen, a T-6 Thunder Flight Team flyover and a rifle salute by local Veterans of Foreign War members. The guest speaker for this year’s event is Lieutenant Colonel Bill VandenBergh, U.S. Army. Continue Reading →