Briefs: Stillwater's Sawmill Golf Course to close by month's end

The Sawmill Golf Course in Stillwater will close permanently Oct. 31 after 30 years of play to allow the staff and management team to focus its efforts on its sister course, the Loggers Trail Golf Course, officials said. Both courses are owned and operated by Sawmill Golf Club, Inc.

"Thirty years ago a small group of golfers signed a lease on a nine hole cow pasture and turned it into an eighteen hole golf destination that focused on providing a great golf experience at a great price," company President Dan Pohl said. "We are very proud of what we accomplished, and we want to thank all the people who played and contributed to the great golf experience at Sawmill."

Sawmill officials also announced plans for construction at the Loggers Trail course, at 11950 80th St. in Grant, including a pro shop, restaurant and special events venue.

"We hope to be breaking ground on the new facility next year," Pohl said.

Washington County is holding an open house to discuss the future of a structure on the site of an emergency communications tower in the Afton Hills neighborhood.

County officials will present information and answer questions as the county decides whether to tear the house down. The public will be allowed to comment and review a proposed landscaping plan for the site

The open house will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. at Afton City Hall, 3033 St. Croix Trail S. Contact Public Works Director Don Theisen for more information at 651-430-4304.

Workers are needed to help with the setup and cleanup of the sale room, and to assist customers during the sale. To volunteer, call 651-426-2042, or sign up at Wildwood Library.

Donations for the sale, such as books, CDs, and DVDs, will be accepted at the library's front desk. Donations should be in good condition. Textbooks and magazines won't be accepted. Gently used children's materials are needed. Find library hours on the web at www.co.washington.mn.us/library, or call the library hours line at 651-275-8525.

For the first time, bow hunters will be permitted to hunt deer in Loveland Park and Bailey School Forest for two weekends in late October and early November.

In 2012, the City Council voted to amend the city ordinance governing deer archery hunting, allowing for a controlled hunt conducted by licensed hunters after Oct. 15 of each year. The change goes into effect this year.

Officials said the hunt would be limited to Loveland Park and Bailey School Forest, which would closed to the public, on the weekends of Oct. 19-20 and Nov. 2-3. Residents who live near the parks will be notified.

The Newport Public Library and Community Center will close on Fridays beginning Oct. 4 due to a staffing shortage, officials said.

"Right now we just don't have anybody to fill that Friday slot, which actually had the smallest attendance of the week," said City Administrator Deb Hill.

Officials are seeking volunteers over the age of 18 to cover two-hour shifts on evenings and weekends. Anyone interested in volunteering is asked to contact City Hall at 651-459-5677.

Washington County residents who have questions about MNsure, the state's new online marketplace for health insurance, are invited to an informational session at 7 p.m. on Oct. 24.

The forum will be held at East Ridge High School, 4200 Pioneer Drive in Woodbury. Sens. Susan Kent, DFL-Woodbury, and Katie Sieben, DFL-Cottage Grove, and Rep. Dan Schoen, DFL-Cottage Grove, will be on hand, as will MNsure officials.

The Stillwater Area Foundation, an affiliate of the St. Croix Valley Foundation, is seeking proposals for its fall grants. The foundation will make grants up to $3,000 available to organizations with a charitable purpose for Stillwater residents.

The foundation's service area generally coincides with the geographic boundaries of School District 834, north of Interstate 94. Examples of projects include recreation, historic preservation, visual or performing arts, community health, education, safety, environment and encouraging charitable giving. No general operating funds will be considered.

To obtain an application form go to the Stillwater Area Foundation website, www.stillwaterareafoundation.org, or call Margi Miller, 715-386-9490. Proposals should be submitted to the Stillwater Area Foundation at 1809 Northwestern Av., Stillwater, 55082.

Applications must be postmarked by Nov. 15. Grant recipients will be notified by Dec. 1.

Washington County has tabled a proposed study of changes to the intersection of Owens Street (County Road 5) at Myrtle Street (County Road 12) in central Stillwater.

The owner of a family grocery store at the intersection had criticized a proposal for a traffic roundabout because it would have removed a few parking spaces and hurt his business.