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Recent content from Kevin Giles
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.
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.
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.
Forest Lake reverses decision to disband police department
The mayor and City Council voted 4-1 in favor of a new three-year contract with the force.
Forest Lake appears to buck trend of closing police departments
Outsourcing trend weighs cutting costs, local control.
Cop who played football with kids influenced new Washington County sheriff
A local officer connected with Washington County's Dan Starry and his brother.
Forest Lake HS students walk out to protest police department disbanding
More than 1,000 students left the school.
Former Woodbury principal pleads guilty to stealing school money
Aaron Harper, former head of East Ridge High School, resigned in 2014.
Parents offer settlement to keep Stillwater district schools open
Stillwater attorney hadn't yet responded to proposal to back away from suits.
Trout stocking suspended in Washington Co. lake
Water clarity was suffering at the Washington County recreational gem.
In Forest Lake, proposal to cut city's police department angers some
Anger is running high in Forest Lake over a proposal to eliminate the city's police department and contract instead for law enforcement services with the Washington County Sheriff's Office.
Wisconsin girl accused of 'first kill' goes into juvenile jurisdiction
Adult charges dropped for now after deal reached in St. Croix County.
Outdated south Washington County park soon to become new and improved
A $3.5 million construction project will transform the tattered Cottage Grove site.
Missing police evidence in Newport can't be found, sheriff tells city
Poor procedures blamed for loss of money, drugs and guns; no criminal charges expected.
Bail set at $1M for school bus employee accused of molesting young girls
Harvey Kneifl, charged on six counts, made his first appearance in court Friday.
Woodbury bus assistant suspected of molesting 6 girls
The school district has placed the suspect on leave. Allegations involve at least six preschool girls, and police are investigating whether there are more.
Jury awards $11.5 million to assaulted Polk Co., Wis., jail inmates
Female inmates in Wisconsin were assaulted dozens of times by guard.
Woodbury's CityPlace producing hundreds of jobs
More than 20 businesses are open or are under construction now at the site of the former State Farm headquarters.
End of Backpage.com adult ads doesn't slow torrent of sex trafficking in metro area
Washington County investigators tracked nearly 75,000 ads in different categories.
Cottage Grove murder-for-hire suspect back in jail after allegedly trying to track son via smartwatch
Stephen Carl Allwine charged with killing wife alleged to attempt contact with son through GPS on a smartwatch.
Stillwater school closings debated before state appeals court
Parents allege district lacked sufficient evidence to close the schools, while the district says board has 'wide latitude' to decide.
Turned away in Chisago County, Muslims seek new cemetery site
The dispute resembles arguments over proposed Muslim cemeteries in other parts of the country, as well as a recent example in Dakota County.
Appeals court will hear arguments over Stillwater school closings
Opponents of Stillwater board's decision point to insufficient evidence.
Murder charges: Cottage Grove man staged wife's suicide after searching for hitman on 'Dark Web'
Stephen Carl Allwine, 43, is accused of shooting Amy Allwine and trying to disguise the death as suicide.
Melting closes Stillwater ice castle temporarily
Thick walls will sustain in the warm weather, but walking surfaces will be getting slippery, organizers say.
Criminal sentencing for ex-Stillwater mayor delayed again
Ken Harycki pleaded guilty in January 2015 to tax evasion in his private accounting business.
Ice castle built to bring surge of winter tourism to downtown Stillwater
Latest ice castle breaks playfully from tradition in Stillwater.
In Washington County, sheriff embraces body-worn cameras
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office, recognizing that various forms of multimedia recordings already are in wide use among law enforcement officers and citizens alike, will…
Historical Society determined to save early Stillwater house, despite mounting costs
It has taken on the job of restoring the Boutwell house with a semblance of historical accuracy and then selling it to someone who wants to live there, with certain restrictions.
City of Forest Lake, residents have had enough of Halfbreed Lake
The Washington County lake, known to many as Sylvan Lake, is the latest in Minnesota proposed for renaming because of racist connotations.
If the shoe fits, start an events venue in Stillwater
Hulking old factory becomes an upscale entertainment attraction, bringing more life to the city's downtown district.
Free-flowing or not? River Falls embarks on a debate over its Kinnickinnic River
Kinnickinnic River's future could be free of dams.
Roy L. Huddle, co-owner of northern Minnesota resort, dies at 78
When Roy Huddle wasn’t on the lake teaching people to water ski, he was driving a golf cart through his northern Minnesota resort announcing Sunday…
Delta passenger objects to in-flight movie as "perpetuating racism"
She asked the airline to let ethnic communities review the film.
'Selling' Washington County: A business salesman's view
It's all a matter of getting the word out on opportunities in the east metro, Chris Eng says.
CAIR-MN calls on schools to protect Muslim students after threat
The incident, involving two Afton-Lakeland students, was among several recent metro area episodes.
Dad who beat daughter to death in Cottage Grove gets 36 years
Sentence came after outburst in courtroom in Stillwater.
In Stillwater, a revamped school board could look anew at closings plan
Following Tuesday’s election, the dynamics have slightly shifted in a controversy over school closings in the Stillwater district. What happens next depends on the willingness…
Woodbury, Oakdale warming to new Gold Line route
Leaders in those east-metro cities see advantages in rapid-bus service plan.
Washington County project will cool Brown's Creek water for trout
An unusual underground cooling project aims to restore Brown's Creek in Washington County.
St. Paul man sent to prison for prostituting Forest Lake teenage girl
Damon Michael DiMartino denied guilt after unsuccessful attempt to change his plea.
Washington County land purchase helps protect impaired trout stream
Under conservation agreement, a portion of Brown's Creek will remain undeveloped.
Newport's taxing district vote pushes Red Rock Crossing redevelopment forward
Advocates say it will provide for more than 500 housing units and generate as many jobs.
Washington County Board has three contested races
Six candidates — each with backgrounds in public service — will compete in November for three seats on the Washington County Board. Two of the…
Majority of Stillwater school board candidates favoring keeping elementary schools open
Board candidates are split on whether to implement new superintendent's plan.
New St. Croix bridge meets in the middle, will open next fall
The two-state project, now estimated to cost $617 million to $646 million, includes extensive highway construction on both sides of the river to funnel traffic onto the four-lane structure.
New Lake Elmo golf course promises royal competition in east-metro market
Annika Sorenstam and the late Arnold Palmer designed overhauled Lake Elmo course.
St. Croix Riverway superintendent takes new Park Service job in Nebraska
Chris Stein became known as a champion of water quality, builder of partnerships.
Friends in Need Food Shelf expands, goes to grocery store model in Washington County
The move to a larger building is meant to accommodate "clients' choice" shopping.
Metro parks will set aside more Legacy money to connect people with outdoors, Met Council says
The 16-1 Met Council vote sets in motion a plan to dedicate an increasing percentage of Park and Trails Legacy funding to that mission.
Paving project at Forest Lake airport raises taxpayer questions about cost and use
Questions arise over hangar rent, business use and spending priorities. 'It's been a little heated,' council member says.
Brooklyn Park chemist behind Woodbury girl's drug death pleads guilty
He "very likely" brewed the dose that killed teenager, prosecutor says.
Phone apps are predators' new gateway, parents are warned
Authorities say they see internet crime "everywhere."
Controversial parks plan to attract underserved populations moves to Met Council
Metro-area communities may be required spend up to 10 percent of their share of state parks Legacy funds to attract more youth, new immigrants, and racial and ethnic minorities to regional parks under a proposal approved Monday by a committee of the Metropolitan Council.
Mining ends near St. Croix River; solar garden proposed for that land
The Scandia mining operation caused a stir when it resumed in 2013.
Wisconsin veterinarian charged in Woodbury sex trafficking
Brian L. Kersten allegedly brought a Chinese woman to Woodbury.
Obituary: Inez Oehlke, Woodbury history and civic activist, dies at 96
It was a day in June, only months before her death, that Inez Florence Oehlke reminded the citizens of Woodbury once again that old age…
At St. Croix State Park, planning looks at next generation of users
Volunteers help to guide vision for Minnesota's largest state park
Refreshed, St. Croix River's Boom Site opens to a new era
With a prominent new sign, the gateway to one of Minnesota's national parks can more easily show off its fresh facelift.
Dark days past, fortunes improve for downtown Stillwater
Only a few short years ago, a messy summer festival and bitter disagreements over a new bridge trapped Stillwater under dark clouds of controversy. Soon…
Controversial Stillwater schools issue won't go back to voters
Voters were misled, a Stillwater parent argued, but the judge ruled that the law was on the side of the district.
Cottage Grove rezones land for new middle school
Plan for new Oltman Middle School is "great for the kids."
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