Stillwater Current (http://www.stillwatercurrent.com/)
The Stillwater Area Public Schools Board of Education approved a motion to investigate a complaint filed by a district employee against two Board members during a closed meeting this week. A complaint was filed against Board Members Sarah Stivland and Mike Ptacek, Stillwater Area Schools Executive Director of Administrative Services Cathy Moen confirmed in an email this week. Both Stivland and Ptacek have been vocal critics of the School Board’s decision to close three elementary schools. Stivland was elected to her seat on the Board last November.
Stillwater Police are investigating an armed robbery that happened at an ATM at US Bank, 213 E. Chestnut St., in downtown Stillwater just before noon on Sunday. At about 11:50 a.m., a Stillwater Township woman was robbed at gunpoint in the lobby of US Bank with what appeared to be a semi-automatic hand gun, Stillwater Police Sgt. Jeff Stender said.
The city of Stillwater and the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce are hosting a street dance downtown on Saturday to celebrate — and commemorate — the closure of the historic Lift Bridge. The street dance — Saturday, Aug. 12 from 5- 10 p.m. — will feature music by the Alpensterne Polka Band, food trucks and a beer tent.
Now that the St. Croix Crossing is open — let’s help put it on the map. Go to Google Maps, click on the “Send Feedback” link in the bottom right corner, and Report a Missing Road.
Lost Cat
$100 Reward if found and returned
• Male (Neutered) Tabby Cat
• Tan/Orangish Color
• Name: TJ
• Went missing on October 5th
• Please Call 651-430-9278 or 651-315-0302 with any information
• TJ’s home is 4860 Normandale Ct N – Stillwater- that is where he was last seen
*****TJ required prescription medication so please help find him ASAP
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP! Continue Reading →
Dr. Zis Weisberg’s September 18, 2017 opinion piece in the Stillwater Current provides enough tosspottery for a week long seminar on political dishonesty and deception. For now, let’s start with his false claim that something was amiss in Stillwater Area Schools paying its financial advisor, RW Baird, $115,000 for work on a “competitive” sale bond issue, compared to the Sartell (Sartell-St. Stephen) School District paying its financial advisor, PMA, about $10,000 for work on a “negotiated” sale bond issue. The two companies did completely different types and amounts of work on two different types of debt sales. The types of work that must be completed on the two types of sales are not identical. Continue Reading →
Let’s dissect the central theme of Zis Weisberg’s 9/18 Local Views column: “We deserve the best possible value for the dollar, not cronyism.”
First, the dictionary definition of “cronyism” is “the appointment of friends and associates to positions of authority, WITHOUT REGARD TO THEIR QUALIFICATIONS” (emphasis added). Is Weisberg claiming that BWBR, the architectural firm, and Baird, the financial services firm, are not qualified to do the work they were contracted to do? BWBR is one of the Upper Midwest’s oldest and largest design solutions firms and is consistently ranked in the top five architectural firms in the region. They have been working with the district for more than 20 years going back to Rutherford Elementary and, more recently, the ECFC. In addition to education, BWBR regularly handles multi-million dollar projects for the Mayo Clinic and Fortune 500 companies like 3M. Continue Reading →
Who is 834VOICE? According to a letter published in the Stillwater Gazette Aug. 12 by Mr. Blondin, we’re a “dark money group funded by hidden political agents.”
Mr. Blondin asked, “who are the special interests out to harm public education in our community by funding 834VOICE?”
He also attacked my credibility. These attacks are nothing more than a disingenuous attempt to divert attention away from district wrong-doing. This same strategy is being used by the District’s legal team instead of addressing serious allegations. Continue Reading →
The St. Croix River Crossing will open to traffic at 8 p.m. today, Gov. Mark Dayton announced at a ribbon-cutting ceremony this morning. Three MnDOT vehicles will be the first to cross, Kevin Gutknecht, an agency spokesman told the Pioneer Press. Mark Desch, a longtime Stillwater business owner and classic-car collector, will be the last to cross the Stillwater Lift Bridge driving his 1931 Stutz DV-32 Convertible Sedan. The city of Stillwater will commemorate the official closing of the Lift Bridge with the Cruisin’ to Closure event beginning at at 6 p.m. in Lowell Park. Continue Reading →
The Minnesota Department of Transportation closed the Highway 243 bridge between Franconia Township and Osceola this afternoon after a hole was discovered in the deck. MnDOT bridge maintenance staff are on the scene and are assessing bridge damage. It will remain closed through the weekend until repairs are made. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes to reach their destinations. It is recommended that travelers use the Highway 8 bridge at Taylors Falls/St. Continue Reading →
Stillwater Lumberjack Days 2017 is on. The vendor market, activities and the Lumberkids area open at 10 a.m. Friday. The Shackletons, Porcupine, Crankshaft and HALEY close out the night on the main stage. Here’s a look at Friday’s schedule:
11 a.m.-6 p.m. — Helicopter Rides (Riverside Park – just South along the trail)
Noon-6 p.m. — Pontoon and Gondola Rides ($5 each)
1-4 p.m. — Bingo in the Park (Beer Garden)
1 p.m. — Reading of 2nd Clue for the Medallion Hunt at the Warden’s House Museum
2-5 p.m. — Lumberjack Days Down Hill Derby on 2nd Street
4-7- p.m. — Lumberjack Demonstrations
Live Music:
Michelle Katz: National Anthem 5 p.m.
The Shackletons 5-6 p.m.
Porcupine 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Crankshaft 8-9:15 p.m.
HALEY 9:45-11 p.m.
The Stillwater Lumberjack Days Historic Medallion Hunt is on. The first clue was read Thursday night at the Ice Cream Social. Here it is:
Clue #1
Good Evening Hunters! The time is upon us
To play the giant game of clues and discuss. We hunters are a curious breed
We seek out of fun, not out of need. Continue Reading →
Stillwater Lumberjack Days kicks off Thursday with an Ice Cream Social at the Washington County Historic Courthouse. The Ice Cream Social begins at 5 p.m.
The first clue in the Lumberjack Days Historic Medallion Hunt will be read at 7 p.m. during the Ice Cream Social. Buttons will be sold until 6:59 p.m.
There will be live music by Scrapegoat Skin & Bones and Blue Groove Bluegrass, as well as a petting zoo, children’s games and activities. The Civil War exhibit is open in the Historic Courthouse, and you can take jail tours. There will also be hotdogs and brats, $.50 root beer floats, doughnuts and penny candy. Continue Reading →
The Locals are still looking for volunteers to help with Lumberjack Days. The Locals are looking for help setting up the Lumberjack Days music stage at the corner of Water and Myrtle streets starting at 10 a.m. Thursday. The Locals are also looking for help as set-up and tear-down crew members, volunteers for the downhill derby, music stage hands and helping with the parade. Check out the available times and positions, and sign up to help
Lumberjack Days is happening this week, July 21-23, in downtown Stillwater. Continue Reading →
Stars of the Week for July 16:
The Dave’s Sport Shop Hitter of the Week is Isaac Schlichting. Isaac hit a clutch lead-off triple in the bottom of the last inning of a tied game and eventually scored the winning run walk-off style. Sam Olson and Andy Wiederholt are the Stillwater Motors Players of the Week. The 12A players played with the 13A team who needed a couple players and combined for 3 hits, 7 RBI’s and a fantastic catch in CF. Reece Bastyr is the Bayport Printing House Sportsmanship Star of the Week. Continue Reading →
Powerful storms that moved through the area early Wednesday morning left thousands of people without power. Xcel Energy reported that about 14,000 customers in Washington County were without power, including more than 5,700 in the Stillwater area. Crews are working to restore power as quickly and safely as possible. You can check the Xcel Energy Power Outage map for updates. Continue Reading →
Stillwater announced plans for a couple of events to celebrate the closure of the Stillwater Lift Bridge to automobile traffic next month. “We don’t know what time MnDOT will throw up the ‘Bridge Closed’ sign and do the permanent traffic shift, but we’ll be downtown celebrating until they do,” Kozlowski said in a news release. “This is a significant moment in the history of our town, and we know people are going to want to get together and be part of it. It’s going to be one of those events that you’ll tell your grandchildren you attended.”
City leaders will reconvene in south Lowell Park at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 2 for a public festival being called “Cruisin’ to Closure.”
Cruisin’ to Closure adds to the already-scheduled Cruisin’ on the Croix classic car show, to accommodate the large crowds expected to gather downtown for the final closure of the bridge to automobile traffic. Continue Reading →
Needed: Your nominations for stars of the week. Even though regular season and tournament season are now ending, we will continue Stars of the Week for the next two weeks through playoffs and state tournaments. Please continue to submit nominations at goo.gl/GzAhkJ. Stars of the Week for July 9:
Quinten Howe is the Bayport Printing House Sportsmanship Star of the Week. Quinten is enthusiastic, never loses his smile, the first to cheer his teammates on. Continue Reading →
Summer Tuesdays kicks off this week in Lowell Park with LEGO Batman on the big screen, and music by Lars Carlson & the Secondhand Hipsters. The Summer Tuesdays marketplace opens at 5 p.m. Live music begins at 6 p.m. and the movie starts about 10 minutes after sunset in north Lowell Park. Now in its 15th year, Summer Tuesdays will run through Aug. 22. Here’s a look at this year’s lineup:
July 11
Music: Lars Carlson & the Secondhand Hipsters
Movie: LEGO Batman
July 18
Music: Scrapegoat
Movie: Princess Bride
July 25
Music: 40 Below
Movie: Moana
August 1
Music: Vinny Rose
Movie: Trolls
August 8
Music: Tommy Bentz Band
Movie: Finding Dory
August 15
Music: Third Wheel Project
Movie: Sing
August 22
Music: Army Band
Movie: The Sandlot Continue Reading →
Stillwater is gearing up for its annual Fourth of July celebration with live music and a fireworks display. This year’s celebration will feature the largest fireworks in Minnesota, City Council Member Mike Polehna said. Because of the location and space, pyrotechnicians are able to launch 12-inch diameter shells, 1,200 feet in the air. The fireworks will begin at about 10 p.m. Music for the fireworks show will be simulcast on KLBB Radio, AM 1220. 4 Downtown Parking Lots Closed July 3-4:
Several downtown parking lots (map) — 2, 4, 5 and 9 — which are located adjacent to Lowell Park will be closed to vehicles Monday, July 3 and Tuesday, July 4. Continue Reading →