Recent content from Kevin Giles
Minnesota, Congress look to rally to improve tattered national parks
A backlog of repairs in five Minnesota sites alone now will cost more than $20 million; the bill nationally is in the billions.
Maplewood man sentenced for sexual assaults of girls
A Maplewood man was sent to prison Thursday for sexually assaulting two Oakdale girls. Timothy James Niedermayer, 47, was convicted in Washington County District Court…
H. Peter Meyerhoff, who founded national 'Buy Black' business campaign, dies at 92
He was an engineer at Honeywell, designing laser guidance systems for jet planes, when he decided to work for better race relations in Minneapolis.
Belfrey brothers sent to prison for health care fraud involving ex-Stillwater mayor
Roylee Belfrey and Thurlee Belfrey admitted "using for their own benefit" $3.96 million in withheld taxes between 2007 and 2014, according to court documents.
Stephen Allwine, speaking for the first time, insists he didn't kill his wife
The judge called the Cottage Grove man "an actor" in court Friday before sentencing him to life in prison without parole.
Stephen Allwine found guilty of killing his wife, staging death as suicide
The Washington County jury deliberated for about eight hours after getting the case earlier in the day following six days of testimony.
Cottage Grove man killed wife after failing to hire assassin, prosecutor says
Defense attorney tells jury there's no evidence Stephen Allwine committed murder.
Aggressive search launched for Lake Elmo woman missing for 30 years
19-year-old disappeared 30 years ago today, riding in a car with an unidentified man.
Decisions begin flowing in Kinnickinnic River dam debate
River Falls City Council will vote in February for one of three options.
Investigator finds no bullying by Stillwater school board members
Investigation followed complaint by Stillwater schools employee.
Crash-prone Hwy. 36 intersection in Oakdale headed for $23 million reconstruction
Hadley Avenue overpass will be built over Hwy. 36 and Gateway State Trail.
Hudson Hot Air Affair is taking off earlier due to Super Bowl
A week before the NFL title game in Minneapolis, Hudson Hot Air Affair showcases football in the sky and on the ground.
Bill Hargis, ex-Woodbury mayor, has brain cancer
He led the eastern suburb from a patchwork of farms to metro's most populous.
Lake Elmo closes the book on its city library
Washington County will take over the city library, promising a wider range of services that residents want.
St. Croix River bridge inspiring shifts in regional transportation
Business owners in downtown Stillwater say that more locals are shopping now that the commuter frenzy over the Lift Bridge is gone.
Crack along water main caused I-694 shutdown; road closed until at least Friday
Ground heaving or roadwork might have forced damage to pipe beneath freeway, city official said.
Washout in Oakdale could keep I-694 closed into next week
Traffic was jamming up or crawling along on east metro highways as they absorbed traffic detoured from I-694, which is closed in Oakdale because of a sinkhole resulting from a water main break.
Maplewood man gets 20 years for hammer attack on mother
David Edward Williams Jr. pleaded guilty last summer to attempted murder.
New Wisconsin property rights law could spur development on St. Croix River
Legislation seen as a victory for Murr family, who lost their case before U.S. Supreme Court in June.
Call of the wild: Minnesota women explore public lands, by bicycle
Four Minnesotans on bikes explore the southern U.S. on three-month journey.
Judge dismisses final lawsuit against Stillwater school district
Attorney for 834 Voice, the group that sued, objects to order handed down while dispute is being mediated.
Anita E. Buck, who put her stamp on St. Croix River Valley history, dies at 92
Once Anita E. Buck found her love of history, it caught on big, inspiring a passion for chronicling the St. Croix River Valley’s rich past.…
New crossing fixes long-standing problems at Grey Cloud Island Township
The updated crossing in Washington County will help clear clogged portion.
Trail work will close area around Stillwater Lift Bridge temporarily
The span will close in April for conversion and not reopen until June 2019.
Interest surging in Washington County Veterans Campground
Reservations surge for camp in Washington County that has been helping veterans heal since the 1920s.
New faces ready to take over in Falcon Heights
Voters in Falcon Heights were opting for new faces at City Hall on Tuesday in the wake of the fatal shooting within their borders of…
Long-awaited St. Croix bridge is feat of engineering, political will
The $646 million bridge, with a design so rare it's only the second of its type in the U.S., required a congressional exemption to span the federally protected river prized for its natural beauty.
Stillwater school board votes to investigate two members
Board won't say what the probe is about, but one member insists it has nothing to do with the recent controversy surrounding the closing of three schools.
Washington County charter school opens in the woods in a summer camp setting
River Grove charter school near Stillwater sticks with nature.
Mahtomedi neighbors go to court over stormwater flooding
Homeowners blame a street project for poor drainage. City says it's searching for a permanent solution.
Baby who survived Guatemala earthquake now embraces motherhood in White Bear Lake
Ali Adsit will tell her story at an October fundraising event for the EVOLVE adoption agency.
How much growth can the new St. Croix River bridge drive?
Housing starts in western Wisconsin's St. Croix County show signs of recovery after a flood of foreclosures during the Great Recession.
High water prompts no-wake zone on St. Croix this weekend
Weekend boaters warned to keep speeds to 5 mph.
St. Croix bridge project spawned dozens of environmental improvements
Environmental improvements on both sides of the St. Croix River are driven by an influx of funding.
Hotel workers in Washington Co. will be trained to spot sex trafficking
The "Speak Up" campaign is designed to protect women and girls.
Four more girls added to list of Woodbury school bus sex assaults
Harvey Kneif, employed by Washington County schools, now charged with 10 counts.
Washington County's little Valley Library hoping for big changes
Users want more space, defying a recent trend to shrink in favor of digital collections.
Counties, school districts set maximum tax levies for 2018
Washington County's is up from recent years; Hennepin and Ramsey stay about same.
More traffic crossing new St. Croix River bridge than old Stillwater bridge
Some motorists might have avoided the old Stillwater Lift Bridge.
Repairs close Main Street Stairs, in Stillwater, into November
Repairs will be made to the second landing of the stairway, as well as an adjoining wall.
Brothers tied to former Stillwater mayor plead guilty to tax crimes in federal court
Thurlee and Roylee Belfrey withheld taxes but never paid the government. Ex-mayor, in separate case, admitted to tax fraud.
Hautman wins again: Minnesotans keep up duck stamp dominance
Bob Hautman painted a pair mallards to win his third contest.
New regional trail opens in southern Washington County
Point Douglas Trail will connect to Hastings bridge next June.
Judge tosses lawsuit against city of Grant
Council member alleged retaliation over his views on waste site near school.
'Don't trust anyone:' Hard-to-pin-down scammers flourish in Minnesota
The state doesn't have a comprehensive database tracking the fraudsters, who are getting increasingly creative.
Mahtomedi sex trafficker who brags of 'running 6 girls' goes to prison
Shaun Michael Maubach was also dealing methamphetamine, Washington County complaint alleges.
John Runk's movie clips of Stillwater show everyday life
The postwar films created a precious archive of city's rich history.
Attorney says school districts need to improve their response to Minnesota data law
Public records attorney says districts need to improve their response to Minnesota law.
Julie Galonska named superintendent at St. Croix National Scenic Riverway
The National Park Service job oversees two major rivers that were placed into federal protection in 1968.
Former Woodbury high school principal sentenced for stealing funds
Aaron Harper, who led the opening of East Ridge, won't serve time in jail, a judge decides.
Reconstruction of historic thoroughfare planned in Stillwater
Planning begins for short but well-traveled stretch of Third Street, post-Lift Bridge.
Judge finds that Cottage Grove golf course owner sexually harassed employees
Incidents occurred at Mississippi Dunes, where women were groped and a bar manager was fired, order says.
Dorothy McNeill Tucker dies at 93, funded U women's sports research
The Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport remains the only research center of its kind.
Maplewood man pleads guilty to threatening his parents and beating his mother with a hammer
David Edward Williams Jr. beat his mother with a hammer, complaint says.
Washington County's proposed tax hike is biggest in years
New construction in the east metro county could ease homeowners' burden of 6.9% property tax increase.
New era begins for fabled Lift Bridge in Stillwater, now closed to motorists
The bridge is permanently closed to car traffic, but the bridge will endure as a pedestrian and bicycle path.
Thousands celebrate as new St. Croix River bridge is now open
Hours earlier, hundreds of onlookers applaud a four-lane crossing, decades in the making.
Stillwater plans big party when historic Lift Bridge closes to traffic
Celebration will combine with classic car show.
Woodbury day cares get extortion letter threatening false police report of sex abuse
Hush money would buy "silence" on false accusation of child sexual assault. Police are investigating.
St. Croix River bridge ribbon-cutting expected to draw a crowd
Buses will ferry spectators to the Wednesday event in Oak Park Heights.
Cottage Grove rescinds summerlong watering ban effective Aug. 1
The shutdown over contamination ends Tuesday, but restrictions will be in place and enforced.
Grant resident files suit against fellow City Council members
A City Council member in the Washington County city of Grant is suing the mayor and other City Council members, alleging retaliation for his “environmental…
Wisconsin legislator will introduce his second St. Croix River private property bill
Rep. Adam Jarchow takes on Murr land-rights issue despite high court ruling.
Wisconsin legislation seeks to benefit for-profit wedding business on St. Croix River bluff
Wis. legislators offer bills allowing firm on St. Croix to bypass zoning laws.
Afton parades its new look in midst of major infrastructure project
The city, and Washington County, teamed up to correct long-standing problems with streets, sewage and flooding.
Dakota, Washington counties approve transportation taxes
The move replaces an existing quarter-cent tax before CTIB dissolves itself.
Lake Elmo rejoins Washington County library system
City had checked out after dispute over services.
Ready? St. Croix River bridge ribbon cutting set for Aug. 2
Cars will begin to cross "within a day or two" of the ribbon-cutting, MnDOT official says.
Lifeguards will watch over weekend crowd at Lake Elmo swim pond where drowning occurred
Parents, at Lake Elmo park and elsewhere, warned to be vigilant with children in water.
Booklet about St. Croix River regulations helps landowners go with the flow
Color guide explains what must be done before investing money in new buildings or remodeling.
Principal found in park died of self-inflicted gunshot wound
An Oakdale school principal found dead in a Woodbury park died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said Thursday.
Oakdale middle school principal found dead in Woodbury park
Cause of death under investigation, police say.
Pedestrians are front and center as Stillwater reclaims its core
Plaza will replace traffic jams when Stillwater Lift Bridge closes.
Dr. Arnold S. Anderson, who helped found two major Twin Cities medical centers, dies
On a July night in 1951, a young doctor was sweeping the floor at the new St. Louis Park Medical Center when parents with a…
Minn. Supreme Court rejects further appeal of Stillwater school closings
Denial means district could proceed with shutdowns if the school board decides to do that.
More from Star Tribune
StarTribune.com welcomes and encourages readers to comment and engage in substantive, mutually respectful exchanges over news topics. Commenters must follow our Terms of Use.
Comments will be reviewed before being published.