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.”

Stillwater City Council to Hear Results of Events Survey, Discuss Next Steps

A representative of Readex will present the findings of the full $15,000 events survey to the Stillwater City Council tonight. The council will then discuss the next steps moving forward.

Tolls on the St. Croix River Crossing?

“I think this is a crazy proposal,” Rep. Bob Dettmer (R-Forest Lake) said. “I will not be voting for any kind of toll road or toll bridge between the great states of Minnesota and Wisconsin.”

City Council: Staff Proposes $250K TIF Incentive for Vista Tek to Relocate in Stillwater

Stillwater city staff believe Vista Tek would be a positive addition to the city and a great fit for the vacant UFE facility on Greeley Street.

MnDOT Selects Maple Grove Contractor for First Phase of St. Croix River Crossing Project

C.S. McCrossan, will lead the reconstruction and realignment of Highway 36. This is the first phase of the St. Croix River Crossing Project. Construction will begin this spring.

Rep. Bob Dettmer Takes on Veterans Issues at the State Capitol

“Veterans in Minnesota who have served since 2001 have an unemployment rate of 23%, the third-highest in America,”Dettmer said. "We must do all we can to encourage businesses to hire these highly-skilled professionals."

Oak Park Heights Will Contribute to Stillwater's Fourth of July Fireworks Display

The Oak Park Heights City council voted 4-0 to approve a contribution from city coffers to help the city of Stillwater offset the cost of fireworks.

UPDATED: Oak Park Heights City Council Approves $3K Contribution to Coalition

The Oak Park Heights City Council on a 3-2 vote Tuesday night decided to contribute $3,000 from city coffers to the Coalition for the St. Croix River Crossing.

Stillwater Area Reps Weigh in on State of the State, Gun Control and Same-Sex Marriage

Stillwater area representatives all said they believe the budget, state economy, job creation and healthcare need to be the priorities this session, not “divisive social issues.”

Minnesota Gun Debate: Proposed Gun Ban Pits Safety vs. Second Amendment Rights

HF241 would ban assault weapons and provide a way to dispose of those lawfully possessed prior to the ban.

Roadwork for St. Croix River Crossing Will Begin in April

Work on the project—building highways and bridge approaches on the Minnesota and Wisconsin sides of the St. Croix River—will include rebuilding frontage roads on both sides of Highway 36 in Oak Park Heights and Stillwater.

U.S. Post Office Announces End of Saturday Mail Delivery

The U.S. Postal Service announced it will end Saturday mail delivery by Aug. 1. Does it matter to you?

VIDEO: Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton's State of the State Address

Dayton defended the work of his administration over the last two years, and made the case for his vision of the future, discussing the need for a healthy environment and affirming his support for same-sex marriage.

Minnesota Gun Debate: Protecting the Public Proposals Proffered

The House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee is scheduled to hear more bills at 10 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday.

Survey: Stillwater Residents Want a New Event to Replace Lumberjack Days

Community Development Director Bill Turnblad told the City Council on Tuesday that 66 percent of the people surveyed by Readex are in favor of a new community event to replace the now defunct Lumberjack Days.

Bill to Lift Ban on Sunday Liquor Sales in Minnesota Reintroduced, But is it a Good Idea?

Do you support Sunday liquor sales in Minnesota? Tell us why or why not in the comment section below.

Wisconsin Republican to Minnesota Business Owners: Come to the Land of Lower Taxes

In response to Gov. Mark Dayton's budget proposal, Rep. Erik Severson (R-Osceola) sent an open letter to Minnesota business owners on Tuesday encouraging them to relocate to Wisconsin, where their business will be welcomed with "open arms

STORIFY: Social Media Reacts to Obama in Minneapolis

Here's what people are saying around Twitter about the president's visit to Minneapolis Monday on the theme of gun violence.

President Obama's Visit to Minnesota Kicks Off a Week of Gun Control Debates

Several bills concerning gun laws will take center stage in the Minnesota Legislature starting Tuesday with discussions and public testimony in the House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee. Rep. Kathy Lohmer (R-Stillwater) sits on that committ

Rep. Bob Dettmer on Taxes, Veterans Benefits, School Funding and Health Care

Dettmer (R-Forest Lake) represents the Stillwater area in Minnesota House District 39A.

Forgotten Firearm, Doing Good for Dani and a Big Loser Goes Home: East Metro Rewind

Also in our new weekly feature: Breweries battle in Hudson and someone sends a message about dog poop.

Rep. Lohmer: Dayton Budget Proposal Hits Middle Class Families Hardest

Lohmer describes a day in the life under Gov. Dayton's budget proposal.

PHOTOS: Rep. Betty McCollum Visits Stillwater

McCollum made a stop at Valley Outreach, took a tour of Lift Bridge Brewery and visited with students at Stillwater Junior High on Thursday. The Fourth District Congresswoman also announced she will hold local casework hours the second Tuesday of every

Sen. Housley Appointed to Commission Overseeing Construction of New Vikings Stadium

Sen. Karin Housley, who is serving in in her first term in Minnesota State Senate 39, has been appointed to the newly-created Legislative Commission on Minnesota Sports Facilities.

Meetings Set to Discuss How Levy is Invested, What a Failed Renewal Would Mean for Stillwater Schools

Next week, the Stillwater Area School District will hold a series of meetings for families to learn about the "cost centers" work, view potential budget-reduction lists and share input about school funding.

Governor Dayton's Budget Scrutinized During First House Hearing

“This budget looks, to many of us, like it’s a good deal for government, like it’s a good deal for bureaucracy, but it’s a bad deal for small businesses and it’s a bad deal for the private economy,” Rep. Matt Dean said.

Stillwater Native Denis McDonough Named Obama's Chief of Staff

President Barack Obama has chosen Stillwater native Denis McDonough as his fifth chief of staff.

Rep. Bob Dettmer Reacts to Gov. Mark Dayton's Budget Proposal

Dettmer discusses Gov. Mark Dayton's budget proposal.

Is Gov. Dayton's Tax Plan 'A Budget for a Better Wisconsin'?

Rep. Kathy Lohmer (R-Stillwater) says Gov. Mark Dayton's proposed budget and tax plan will hurt the middle class and local businesses. “It’s just a bad bill," Lohmer said. "We're in the minority, but I really hope we can stop some of

Obama's Inaugural Food: Duff Goldman's Cakes had Stillwater Ties

Did you know the products Goldman and his Charm City crew used to bake and decorate President Barack Obama's Inauguration cakes have Stillwater ties?

Gov. Dayton's Budget Proposal Draws Mixed Reaction

“Governor Dayton's budget proposal raises taxes on all Minnesotans,” Sen. Karin Housley (R-St. Mary's Point) told Stillwater Patch on Tuesday. “Everyone – not just the rich – will pay more to grow government.

Stillwater City Council Will Hold 'Executive Session' to Discuss City Labor Negotiations

Contract negotiations between the city of Stillwater and 17 of its AFSCME Local 517 union employees have been going on for more than a year now. The City Council on Tuesday will go into closed session to discuss labor negotiations.

UPDATE: OPH Tables Vote on $3K Contribution to Coalition for the St. Croix River Crossing

“While we remain optimistic construction can begin, opposition still hopes for delays, as in the past when we have repeatedly seen efforts to replace the old lift bridge get stopped at the last minute,” a letter from Coalition Co-Chair Ken Harycki reads

VIDEO: President Barack Obama Makes an Appearance at Sixth and Myrtle in Stillwater

“People look, they laugh, they smile, and they waive,” Pat Zanko said as she stood on Myrtle Hill Saturday, holding a life-size cutout of President Barack Obama. “People from Stillwater get why I’m here, on this particular corner.”

Senate Recognizes Minnesota’s Contribution to USA Hockey

Sen. Karin Housley congratulates five Minnesota hockey champions on their gold-medal win at the International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship in Ufa, Russia.

Micky Cook Focuses on Gratitude when Reflecting on Time Spent on City Council

“I’ve decided that I really have no regrets," Cook said. "I just want to stick with my gratitude, because everything else is just water under the bridge at this point. No pun intended.”

Minnesota has Second Lowest Incarceration Rate in the US; Inmate Jobs Take a Hit

Of the estimated 9,500 inmates in state prisons, 1,604 people are incarcerated at Stillwater Prison and 439 inmates are at the state’s maximum-security facility in Oak Park Heights. In 2012, the average per diem cost of an inmate was $84.59.

Washington County Requests $1.5 Million for Brown's Creek Trail Crossing

Rep. Bob Dettmer (R-Forest Lake) plans to author a bill seeking state funding for the Brown's Creek Trail crossing at Manning Avenue. Without funding, a grade-separated crossing at Manning Avenue will not occur, or will be delayed.

PHOTO: House Members Version of Their 'Get Out of Jail Free' Card

According to the state constitution, House members cannot be arrested while the Legislature is in session or when they are on their way to or from the session, except in cases of felony, treason or breach of the peace.