Recent content from Jim Anderson
![Fire broke out Wednesday afternoon in the roof of Grove United Methodist Church in Woodbury.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/OAGWQ43H3J5A3LPIYLNKODXCT4.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Fire damages Woodbury church roof
The cause of the fire is unknown, but the blaze appeared to have started near some solar panels installed several years ago, Grove United Methodist's pastor said.
![Jim Wiesner](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/XDPEV7CHUBUEKB6MY26VH3A35U.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Longtime Twins clubhouse attendant Wiesner dies
Jim Wiesner, a beloved baseball lifer who worked for the Twins since their arrival in 1961 as a clubhouse attendant and equipment manager for 37 years, died Sunday, a day after his 77th birthday.
![May 14, 1953 State Parks Permit sticker No. 1 is purchased by Conservation Commissioner Chester S. Wilson from Miss Doreen E. Anderson, Division of St](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/S7MX3NB3OLMMXWTR4CT5GWSLPE.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Stillwater attorney made his mark on state parks
A longtime Stillwater lawyer was instrumental in creating today's Department of Natural Resources, and his influence carries through today.
![Aaron Schnagl](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/X2KBGV5W4DMBYT6VVVZJK6UMKI.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Danielle Jelinek murder trial delayed indefinitely
The key issue in the trial of Aaron Schnagl stems from the revelation of new statements from a witness questioned early in the investigation of Jelinek's five-month disappearance and death.
![Aaron Schnagl ] The trial for Aaron Schnagl, indicted by a grand jury in December of 2013 for third-degree murder in the death of 29-year-old Danielle](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/S2BWZ7IH5QSXIN3CHTXL7DAY6A.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Trial opens this week in 2013 death of Oakdale's Danielle Jelinek
After months of delay, jury selection begins Monday in the death of Danielle Jelinek of Oakdale.
![Gene DeMontreville](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/LTMUFUZH6XGFUGKOINYRTYVJ7Q.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Old-time major league siblings called Washington County home
Long before the Twins came to Minnesota, this pair of Washington County siblings made it to the majors.
St. Paul attorney guilty of laundering drug money through law firm
St. Paul-based lawyer was convicted of conspiring with his brother-in-law to launder proceeds from drug sales.
![Wayne Schilling, a fifth-generation farmer in Woodbury, and his wife, Betty, auctioned off all their farm equipment and machinery Saturday, Oct. 4, 20](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/73QIZPTDRKD74WB3URCZKCK6UU.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Oct. 12: Woodbury farm's sale makes way for development
It's a familiar story in Woodbury and the county's other growing communities: Vestiges of rural life making way for the suburbs.
![The front page of the Svenska Americkanska Posten, the foremost Swedish language newspaper in Minneapolis on April 24, 1912, the day it published thei](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/LJTHFW2XYVYQVPAJLG3MPGES3Q.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Swedish-language newspapers archived online
Archival project, begun in 2008, is to be completed by late 2015.
Former Bayport developer convicted of fraud, tax evasion
Bayport businessman guilty on all 3 counts.
![Aug. 29, 2013: Receding lake levels on White Bear Lake have left behind a giant sand beach at West Park Memorial Beach.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/JH2MDCRMD7MGFGB4RDVS2EFW6Y.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Deal reached in suit over White Bear Lake's disappearing water
The dramatically receding water level has alarmed homeowners and affected property values. The agreement will seek to limit use of well water that drew down lake levels.
![Justin Atkinson, a producer for South Washington County Telecommunications Commission, edits a video.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/N7VUQTQHHWMWIXDLXRGZWPIOZI.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Cottage Grove planning community film festival
The "Films in 5 Festival" is the first big project of the city's new Arts Commission.
![Some of the St. Paul riverfront, seen from the south side of the Mississippi River and under the new Wabasha Street Bridge. (Similar to historical vie](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/ZXRKD4W474E6AWVWIV76PQAPME.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Ramsey County to raze riverfront buildings
The $11.5 million project will demolish buildings and make site shovel-ready for investors.
![Rinko Kikuchi in "Kumiko, Treasure Hunter" directed by David Zellner.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/NTTXIJDNHJAWSNKJZYDBG23GUM.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
The County Line: All right, Hollywood, we're ready for our close-up
Washington County's rural landscapes, unspoiled small-town charms and the beauty of the St. Croix River have been drawing filmmakers to the area for years.
Washington County following trend of shifting tax burden
Residential property values jumped nearly 14 percent, leading to homeowners picking up a greater share of the tab.
![A runner enjoys isolation along the Mississippi River Trail in St. Paul during the first snowstorm of the season on Monday, November 10, 2014.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/AEPRMDA3U5IXA7TXMEA75NQCJE.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Ice brings early closure to river shipping
The icy conditions have put an end to the 2014 shipping season, the earliest closing in the past 45 years.
![ELIZABETH FLORES • eflores@startribune.com July 20, 2010 - Cottage Grove, MN - Atkinson Cemetery. IN THIS PHOTO:] It is evident that the Atkins](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/RSU6GEZWE62HUED4JNFDK7MFWY.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Cottage Grove cemetery links county to a candy dynasty
A small Cottage Grove cemetery bears witness to the Mars company's roots in the Washington County city.
![Steve Bohnen; Grant City Council member; 2010.myVote id: 46813](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/M6X6VWYHGWK2URCBU543PKQFUU.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Legal battle over election signs in Grant reignited
Stephen Bohnen's City Council term is almost over, but he's now suing a rival for legal costs.
![Aaron Harper](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/UV4MG3V5FF6S5BBEBBZLB2J22U.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Police investigating former East Ridge principal
Aaron Harper, who resigned last week, is accused of public misconduct over alleged misuse of funds, police say.
FBI probe sidetracks Maplewood's effort to reform image
An FBI probe is thwarting efforts by the city to clean up its image as the "most dysfunctional suburb" in the Twin Cities metro area.
![Ken Harycki sat during a Stillwater City Council meeting in April, when he was mayor.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/F2WGPNOV4LLIDHSMJDKZOD2G54.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Stillwater mayor, citing "personal issues," quits abruptly
The resignation of Ken Harycki comes after an IRS raid at his accounting business last spring.
New clinics in Woodbury healthy sign for growth
HealthEast and Children's Hospitals, along with other firms, are making the city a medical care destination.
![Kathy Cunnien and Dave Dalton examine absentee ballots on Election Day at the Washington County Government Center. The county received about 10,400 re](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/XMEGCDTSIVMA27FMQ6MBUDEN4E.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
New Washington County Board member: 'We connected with voters'
Karla Bigham, who defeated County Board member Autumn Lehrke, said she knocked on doors since May. Her to-do list includes roads, libraries, jobs and Red Rock transit ridership..
![Jdenko Jakisa](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/GQNXUAV3CIMKW3GGONYG66ENWA.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Time gap, lost evidence weigh in Bosnian immigration case
A federal judge heard arguments on whether to dismiss charges against Zdenko Jakisa of Forest Lake, accused of lying in order to emigrate to the United States 16 years ago.
![Barges on the Mississippi River on Tuesday, October 21, 2014 in St. Paul, Minn. ] RENEE JONES SCHNEIDER • reneejones@startribune.co](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/2MFMLCWQ5MJO4GY42ILIYHI3EM.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Shipping infrastructure problems roiling the river
A rough season on the Upper Mississippi has disrupted barge traffic and the flow of commodities.
![July 31: Big river, big trouble: Dredges work OT to open Mississippi River](https://arc-vid.stimg.co/01-30-2024/t_07055cfe3d584e77945547cfec8d5d14_name_ows_140720722634863_scaled.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
July 31: Big river, big trouble: Dredges work OT to open Mississippi River
Over the past several weeks, a 52-member crew from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been feverishly battling the clock and Mother Nature to clear the river of silt deposited by this year's relentless floodwaters.
Two candidates vying for judgeship in Washington County
Susan Miles, who is seeking a fourth term, faces a challenge from attorney Julie LaFleur.
![Zdenko Jakisa, 45 credit: Washington county sheriff](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/6XBAHA2ZPFSTPZEXAW4JEW3PDQ.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Bosnian native living in Forest Lake may be tied to 3 slayings
Zdenko Jakisa, facing deportation, is accused of immigration fraud and of hiding war crimes in 1990s.
Elections focus on local issues, economy
Candidates across the county are focused on finding ways to attract development and jobs and expand tax bases in the postrecession marketplace.
![Ted Kozlowski, candidate for Stillwater mayor 2014](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/EADUO2RSNUYM4AV4IBYQEZTL5M.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Key Washington County cities could see turnover at mayor
With incumbents stepping down, at least a half-dozen communities will have new mayors. Elsewhere, several officeholders face challengers.
Solar farm in the works in Denmark Township
The 40-acre site in Denmark Township is part of a proposed network of sites.
![Locomotives traveled on tracks next to Highway 61 near the Canadian Pacific rail yard by Pig's Eye Lake.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/LQLECX4VLKCCGSNNDNLXCP44QI.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Railroad steams ahead with St. Paul rail yard expansion
City concerns on noise, wetlands and more get bypassed as Canadian Pacific Railway takes its case to the U.S. Surface Transportation Board.
![Locomotives traveled on tracks next to Highway 61 near the Canadian Pacific rail yard by Pig's Eye Lake. ] JIM GEHRZ • jgehrz@start](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/TK3VUWL64TTDFUTNB5UKQP4QJE.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
June 7: St. Paul rail yard expansion plan met with opposition
Congestion, noise, impact on the wetlands being filled in among concerns of St. Paul residents.
![Canadian Pacific Railroad wants to expand its rail yard southeast of St. Paul to accommodate 2-mile-long trains by filling in about 7 acres of wetland](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/OQKT55N6F3RMKTQBLECWDZBJBU.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
June 15: St. Paul: How will Dunn Yard expansion affect environment?
Dunn Yard expansion project is on hold as St. Paul asks Canadian Pacific to provide more details on the environmental impact.
![Students filled the hallway at Park High School before the start of their first hour class at 8:35 a.m. Wednesday, March 18, 2014, in Cottage Grove, M](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/TUIAS5KNJRVQZPCUO57YNPCIZM.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Upon review, Washington County stacks up well
Outsiders rank Washington County among the best places to live, on several scores.
Suit over White Bear Lake depletion heads to trial
Judge has stern words for DNR over its lake management plan.
![Fans watched a fireworks show at the end of the St. Paul Saints final game at Midway Stadium on Thursday night. ] CARLOS GONZALEZ cgonzalez@startribun](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/ATZDDSHWDJPPHHQXXBG2LXZKNM.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
St. Paul Saints, fans say farewell to Midway Stadium
Though Thursday was the closing of one chapter, it was also the last step toward a new era with the opening next spring of the team's new stadium in Lowertown.
New Brighton, Army trying to resolve clash over water treatment
New Brighton says the military is reneging on paying for groundwater treatment from a former ammunition plant.
![Tara Fitzgerald](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/X6QNLJWJ5KTUKKKHO2MPC2ETPA.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Woodbury teen pleads guilty in designer-drug death of 17-year-old girl
The Woodbury 19-year-old helped sell a designer drug that killed a 17-year-old girl.
![City Place, Woodbury, Minn. Kraus-Anderson](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/XWC7CNWUXZARRQ75QIJ3HNDWG4.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Plans for State Farm campus shift to fast track
Woodbury has waited for eight years to see a rebirth at the abandoned site at a busy intersection. With City Council approval, work could start in September.
![The St. Paul Union Depot opened in 1924, after two previous train stations downtown burned down. The last Amtrak train pulled out of the station, an e](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/HBHFP3YQTC6VDGXQMOD64DFCYY.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Route set for Gateway Corridor transit line
The bus rapid-transit line would start at Woodbury's eastern edge and run west along Interstate 94 and end at St. Paul's Union Depot.
![A mayfly clings to the bark of a tree.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/HXG6APP325YSXVXNYKCTO2XK6U.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Mayfly's adult life is fleeting but very eventful
On the five-point Johnson Scale, Sunday night's spectacularly freakish mayfly emergence and hatch along much of the Upper Mississippi was a doozy, rating a 4.5.
![Receding levels on White Bear Lake have created this large green space.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/G4HOPJ4QFQ6PPW4ZJXSIBFHM4U.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
$600 million solutions on table for thirsty White Bear Lake
Two of three solutions proposed for dwindling lake top $600 million and would shift how many cities get their water.
![This this October 2012 file photo, White Bear Lake families needed to walk a long dock over dry shore land to get to their boats and water's edge](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/TSST6MPWN2WMOT4W6KIGO4DOBE.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
June 24, 2013: As White Bear Lake shrinks, property values sink
While home values are recovering elsewhere, the loss of once-prime lakeshore on White Bear Lake is having devastating financial effects.
![A swarm of mayflies attacked a gas station pump in Trempealeau, Wis.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/H5SU7YNJZAU3DRDLLTH6IZS6QI.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Massive mayfly swarm blamed in 3-car accident near Red Wing
The phenomenon could be detected on radar across the Mississippi River Valley Sunday night. The onslaught left behind a huge, slimy mess and got the blame for a three-vehicle accident on the Hwy. 63 bridge linking Red Wing and Hager City, Wis., that left one person hospitalized.
![An ongoing dispute between neighbors over feeding deer erupted in gunfire Monday night in New Brighton. One man is dead, another victim is hospitalize](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/LVHPO5F6BFRQCO2KEC5UJXJU5U.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
May 24: Years of records show neighbors' discord
Before New Brighton feud erupted in fatal shooting, cops were called to neighboring homes dozens of times on a variety of complaints.
![New era is teeing off at Maplewood's Keller Golf Course](https://arc-vid.stimg.co/01-30-2024/t_c4db86f84f514049aa243f6fc451a482_name_gtf_1280x720.jpeg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
New era is teeing off at Maplewood's Keller Golf Course
After 2 years of improvements, the historic Maplewood course will officially reopen Saturday.
![Valley School in Denmark Township.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/5IQQJETHKA3RMUTHSYVWYDGE24.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Denmark Township school placed on historic register
The listing means the work of fundraising and restoration will be made a little easier for members of the local historical society.
![Oct. 27, 2013: Mandy Matula's family says body found near Sartell is hers](https://arc-vid.stimg.co/01-29-2024/t_2f1d080bfa3f43479d2b117eabc974a1_name_1matula050713_scaled.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Oct. 27, 2013: Mandy Matula's family says body found near Sartell is hers
The remains were found in a shallow grave by a hiker north of Sartell, Minn. With them was a sweatshirt with the University of Minnesota Duluth logo and No. 14 — Matula's softball number.
![St. Paul riverfront.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/BVECFZXFA2KPAXY27D26JKJF2Y.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
DNR land-use rules draw concerns along the Mississippi riverfront
Cities, developers, environmentalists at odds over land use in metro area.
Convicted murderer sentenced in rampage at Stillwater prison
Convicted murderer gets eight years on top of the life term he is serving.
![This limstone kiln dating from the 1840s, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and considered an important remnant of early Minnesota in](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/62PV3FU6BBWFDOQZGV56QVSLIQ.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Cottage Grove's historic 1840s limestone kiln collapses after flooding
The 1840s landmark came tumbling down along a channel of the Mississippi.
![The swollen Mississippi River overwhelmed the levee in Newport, inundating several buildings and homes. The city declared a state of emergency last we](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/CVZZBUQNVRQJRY6VPN5JHY2NW4.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
In Washington County, all eyes are on the rivers
The swollen Mississippi and Lower St. Croix rivers continue to rise. County is stockpiling sandbags.
![A forester uses a feller buncher to remove dead wood from the forest.] St. Croix State Park is in the process of recovery of 13,000 acres of trees tha](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/EJU2USJ22PFMH37VRIBLHBOZOI.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
St. Croix State Park: Recovering 3 years after devastating windstorm
On the third anniversary of a massive blowdown that affected 13,000 acres of St. Croix State Park, signs of recovery are emerging.