Watertown
GOVERNMENT
Waconia council denies request for sober living house
Battlefield Ministries has been denied again in its request to operate a sober living house for up to six individuals at a downtown Waconia residential property at 415 West First Street. The decision followed earlier conversations this spring and questions from the city council about the plan, and an extended public hearing that began at the council’s June 3 meeting and carried into its regular session June 17. While council...
Yetzer resigns council seat, city seeks applicants
Waconia city council member Steve Yetzer has resigned his council seat effective June 30 leaving a vacancy that will be filled by appointment. The announcement and decision were made at the June 17 council meeting, and Yetzer was recognized for his service at the meeting. Yetzer indicated he is departing his seat because of a property development project he is beginning work on downtown at Second and Olive streets that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest and make it awkward and uncomfortable...
Bridge Over Clearwater River to Close Monday
FAIRHAVEN TOWNSHIP (WJON News) -- A bridge replacement project on the Stearns County/Wright County border will prompt traffic to detour around the work zone. Starting Monday, the Stearns County Road 7 and Wright County Road 2 Bridge over the Clearwater River will close. Crews will be replacing the bridge forcing...
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announces "Conviction Integrity Unit"
MINNEAPOLIS — Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty on Monday announced a new unit to review past cases for mistakes and unjustified convictions.The "Conviction Integrity Unit" is "another step toward ensuring justice, accountability and transparency," Moriarty's office said in a release."No prosecutor here wants to see someone convicted for a crime they did not commit, the actual perpetrator free to do more harm, or victims left with questions," Moriarty said. "I'm honored to establish the Hennepin County Attorney's Office's first Conviction Integrity Unit to ensure that when mistakes are made, they will be remedied, and justice will be done."The unit will...
Goodwill gets OK for Marketplace Drive site
A site plan and design for a Goodwill store to be located on property at 860 Marketplace Drive in Waconia’s highway business district was approved June 17 over objections from advocates for downtown thrift shops Freshwater Furniture Depot and Trending Upward. Goodwill Industries has plans for a 20,867 square-foot facility like other Goodwill locations that have sprung up in Chanhassen, Chaska, and other communities statewide. The new facility will be built on property next to Valvoline near Mackenthun’s Fine Foods and a growing number of...
A brush with history: new Winsted mural pays tribute to town’s past
A project many years in the making has come to a close. On Sunday, the Winsted Arts Council’s new mural was hung on the south side wall of the Corner Bar. The design for the mural shows what the town looked like in the early 1900s. The image shows the town from a viewpoint above Winsted Lake, and the bottom of the mural features the phrase “Winsted: The Village by the Lake.”
Minnesota River in Shakopee starts to recede after cresting Friday
SHAKOPEE, Minn. — In Scott County, the Minnesota River is finally starting to come down. Its crest Friday afternoon in Savage made the top five highest water levels in its history there. But with levels still in major flood stage, the water is still impacting summer fun. "It took a little longer than expected but it is what it is," Brent Johnson said. His family spent Sunday at Valleyfair in Shakopee. While the park remains open, the parking lot is still covered in water. They're offering visitors shuttle bus rides to and from other parking areas nearby. "When you are on the Wild...
Officials: River level in Shakopee higher than 1993 flood
SHAKOPEE, Minn. — If the partially submerged rollercoaster tracks at Valleyfair weren't enough proof, Shakopee city officials confirmed on Tuesday that this year's flooding was significant. According to a press release, the Minnesota River crested at 719.4 feet in Shakopee early Saturday morning, slightly higher than the 1993 flood,...
Some cities adjust fireworks shows ahead of Fourth of July weather
EXCELSIOR, Minn. — Eyes are typically on the sky each Fourth of July but our soaking summer could complicate Independence Day plans. Showers may steal the fireworks show depending on where you live. After a five-year hiatus, Red, White and Boom in Minneapolis will return on the Fourth of July — pending no severe weather."They will be monitoring it throughout the food trucks and the live performances and live bands as people gather and we'll be calling it as the evening progresses," Minneapolis Parks Spokesperson Dawn Sommers said.Sommers says the decision to cancel the fireworks show will be made that evening,...
Sparkle and shine on the Fourth
Eden Prairie's two-day Independence Day celebration includes Sparklefest with a drone show and foam party on July 3, plus more festivities on July 4. Eden Prairie's two-day Independence Day celebration includes Sparkle Fest with a drone show and foam party on July 3, plus more festivities on July 4.
2024 Fourth of July Celebrations Begin in Annandale, Delano
Two of the biggest Independence Day celebrations in the state of Minnesota take place here in Wright County each year, and the communities of Annandale and Delano kick off their celebrations today (Wednesday). Events open in Annandale today with the opening of the carnival, bingo hosted by the Boy Scouts,...
Music in the Park brings twilight tunes to Mound
Minnesotans eagerly anticipate warm summer nights all year long, and what better way to spend them than enjoying local music with friends and neighbors? The Northwest Tonka Lions, Mound-Westonka Rotary Club, the City of Mound, and Westonka Community Education are proud to sponsor monthly a Music in the Park summer concert series at Surfside Park. The series kicked off on June 13 with Chris Kelly Live and the opening of...
Longtime Lester Prairie teacher selected as 2024 Prairie Days grand marshal
Last year, longtime Lester Prairie kindergarten teacher Jan Smith was recognized by the school when she retired after 50 years of service. This year, she is being honored on an even grander stage as she has been selected as the grand marshal for the 2024 Prairie Days parade. Smith’s selection...
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