PHOTO: 'Pray for Boston'

After 102 hours of mourning, striving and struggle, police have killed one marathon bomber suspect and captured another, bringing a week of terror to an end in the Boston area.

Are We Doing All We Can for Our Veterans?

State Rep. Bob Dettmer (R- Forest Lake) went on the record last week questioning the priorities in omnibus capital investment bill HF270.

Army Corps Awards Contract for Levee Project in Lowell Park

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded a $722,000 contract to the St.. Paul-based Povolny Group to begin construction of Stage 3A of the Lowell Park levee project in downtown Stillwater.

Oak Park Heights City Council Appoints Mike Liljegren to Fill Vacant Seat

Mike Liljegren was appointed to fill the council seat that will be left vacant by Les Abrahamson at the end of the month.

McCollum Submits ‘Beef, Beer & Biscuits’ at Delegation Hot Dish Event

Rep. Tim Walz's 'Hermann the Germann Hotdish' won this year’s competition.

Restrooms, Public Safety a Stinky Issue for Lake Elmo Park Reserve

Washington County is studying a slate of solutions to issues popping up at the popular park, including overflowing restrooms and a high rate of safety incidents.

Council Approves Freight House's Request to Expand Caboose Bar and Kitchen

Stillwater's Freight House Restaurant's patio expansion will include a new roof over the bar area on the south side of the Caboose, and a second, smaller roof addition over a food-ordering counter.

City Council Approves Discounted Parking Ramp Vouchers to Grand Banquet Hall

Other than the Fourth of July, and when Lumberjack Days was held downtown, the city's parking ramp can always accommodate more vehicles, so the idea is that discounted parking vouchers could be beneficial to both the city and the Grand.

Study: No DNA Evidence of Asian Carp in the St. Croix River; Scientists Urge Continued Action

Scientists believes that despite the lack of eDNA evidence reported in this study, there are very good reasons to believe Asian Carp are routinely entering Minnesota waters from the south and could eventually breed here.

Stillwater City Council Directs Staff to Look into Creating Event Coordinator Position

The Stillwater City Council directed staff to look into the cost of hiring an event coordinator to help organize a large-scale community event in downtown Stillwater.

StillwaterEats!: Commander Building to Become Downtown's Newest Restaurant

Tin Bins will be a coffee shop, café and bar owned by the Dock Café’s proprietors Sherri Hopfe Franke and Mike McGuire. The hope is to open the new restaurant with a patio this spring.

Les Abrahamson to Resign from Oak Park City Council April 30

Oak Park Heights City Councilman Les Abrahamson is resigning from his position effective April 30. He will be relocating to the Dallas, Texas area in May for his job at State Farm.

County Hopes to Rebuild Part of Orleans with Narrower Lanes, Room for Snow Storage

Washington County is requesting a variance from the state to rebuild Orleans Street from South Fourth Street to Fourth Avenue in Oak Park Heights and Stillwater, with narrower driving and parking lanes, and a boulevard for snow storage.

Teacher Found Dead at House Fire, Runaway Car Makes Woodbury Drive-Thru: East Metro Rewind

Looking back at the news of the week from east metro Patch sites.

Felon Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Wielding Gun During Burglary

An Xcel Energy meter reader showed up at a Baytown Township home and had a gun pointed at him by a man who was burglarizing the home. Today, the burglar was sentenced to more than 15 years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Council to Consider Three Road Race Events in Stillwater

Run Stillwater Inc. will ask the Stillwater City Council to allow city staff to process the necessary permits to host three road races this year.Currently, the council has imposed a moratorium on “any community-wide celebrations" in downtown.

VIDEO: Dettmer Details Bill to Ban School Construction Near Landfills

Rep. Bob Dettmer (R-Forest Lake) talks about House File 957. Dettmer represents part of Stillwater in District 39A in the Minnesota House of Representatives.

UPDATED: Council Tables Discussion on Next Steps for Lumberjack Days Replacement Event in Stillwater

The City Council on Tuesday will discuss what the next step will be in crafting what future events will look like in Stillwater. The discussion will begin at 4:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers at City Hall.

Road Work: MnDOT's Highway 36/Hilton Trail Project Underway

The $13.8 million Highway 36/Hilton Trail improvement project started today. Construction is expected to continue through the fall.

One Year Ago: President Obama Signs St. Croix River Crossing Legislation

On March 14, 2012, one of the longest unfinished bridge projects in the history of the United States began to come to a close, when President Obama signed the St. Croix River Crossing Project legislation.

Dettmer Sponsors Bill Seeking Public Safety Officer Training for Helping Veterans in Crisis

One goal of the specialized training course would be to provide public safety officials with an ability to recognize and understand the various types of mental illness and behavioral disorders of returning veterans.

Army Corps Grants MnDOT Permits to Complete Construction of St. Croix River Crossing

Both authorizations were required due to the construction involving work within the St. Croix River.

Minnesota Health Insurance Exchange Passes Senate

"The legislation we passed doesn’t guarantee better healthcare or lower insurance premiums," Sen. Karin Housley said. Even after passing this bill, we still don’t have answers to the most basic questions Minnesotans are asking."

City Council Hears Plans for Stillwater Police Department Expansion

"What we have now is basically people working out of closets,” Stillwater Police Chief John Gannaway told the Council.

Lily Lake Wrongful Death Lawsuit will be Heard in Washington County

A lawsuit seeking $1.5 million, and asking for a judge’s order to require the city of Stillwater to post warnings about the risk of Naegleria floweria at area lakes, and to build a chlorinated swimming facility will be heard in Washington County Court.

Dettmer: 'No Lawmaker Can Safely Say Health Care Exchange Will Make MN Better Off'

Dettmer says the Health Care Exchange passed by the House is cause "for substantial concern from consumers, small businesses, and health care providers." DFLers say it is the most significant health reform the state has seen in 50 years.

REMINDER: Winter Parking Rules in Effect in Stillwater

Unless posted with signage stating otherwise, people parking on the street during odd days of the month must park on the side of the street with odd-numbered addresses. Parking on the wrong side of the road may result in a parking violation.

Wisconsin Company Named Contractor for St. Croix River Crossing Foundation Work

Wisconsin-based contracting company Edward Kraemer and Sons has been awarded the contract for constructing the foundation of the new St. Croix River Crossing.

City of Stillwater Accepting Applications for Various Commissions

Applications are now being accepted for openings on the Charter Commission, Downtown Parking Commission, Heritage Preservation Commission, Human Rights Commission and Traffic Safety Review Committee. Deadline is March 29.

A Long, Spirited Debate on Healthcare Exchange Expected Today in MN House

Minnesota legislators will work to turn the Healthcare Exchange bill into law by March 31 otherwise the state would operate under a national exchange run by the federal government.

REPLAY: Same-Sex Marriage Bill to Be Announced Today

Opponents vow half-million dollar offensive to counter legalization.

What Should Stillwater’s Lumberjack Days Replacement Look Like?

What would you like a replacement to Lumberjack Days look like? Check out the results of the ReadEx Community Events survey and share your ideas in the comment section below.

Sequestration Could Hurt Thousands of Federal Workers, Retirees in Minnesota

Minnesota has about 59,000 federal employees and retirees. Washington County accounts for about 3 percent of that total.

What is Sequestration?: Deadline Looms, Cuts Could Hit Minnesota Education Programs

Minnesota's Congressional delegation has weighed in on the series of cuts that could hit the country March 1. The rollbacks would hit everything from education to senior care, the White House states.

Minnesota Pollution Control Issues Pollution Warning for Twin Cities Area

Fog and fine particles have combined to create unhealthy air for at risk populations in the Minneapolis and St. Paul metro area.

Woodbury Plans State's Largest Playground for Kids of All Abilities: Twin Cities East

The Woodbury City Council got a look at drawings for Madison’s Place, which would be built at the Bielenberg Sports Center.

Stillwater Music Teachers Ask Board to Save Elementary School Programs

“If there must be cuts," Music Department Chairman Erik Christiansen said, "it is the music department’s professional staff’s recommendation that the roots of the three programs be left alone, with the trimming occurring at the top.”

Stillwater Coaxes Vista Tek to Town with a $250K TIF Loan

The TIF funds would be used for down payment, renovations and to help offset the cost of moving the business, Managing Director of Vista Tek Dan Mishek said.

Final Town Hall Meeting Tonight: What's at Stake Without Levy Renewal?

If the expiring $11 million levy is not renewed, Stillwater Area School District officials say it could mean cutting more than 50 teaching positions, eliminate free, all-day kindergarten and restructuring or closing one of the district’s elementary scho

Dettmer Calls on IOC to Reconsider Decision to Drop Wrestling in 2020

“As a competitor in the 1972 Olympic trials, I know first-hand that Minnesota has strong ties to the games each year they are held," Dettmer said. "I hope the IOC will reconsider the decision.”