Recent content from Matt McKinney
Eyesores or necessary clean energy? Solar garden growth sparks debate in Hugo
Cities with land that appeals to solar farm developers are trying figure out how to balance the push for renewable energy with neighbors' concerns about the solar panel arrays.
Is your city asking you to vote on a sales tax hike this election? These Twin Cities suburbs are.
Cities pitch sales tax increases as a way to shift the burden of funding projects from residents and business owners who pay property taxes to anyone who makes a purchase that includes a sales tax.
New painting depicts Cottage Grove city history
The jigsaw puzzle of the artwork by Eric Dowdle will be available for sale at City Hall starting Monday.
Maplewood City Council pushback imperils Purple Line bus rapid transit project
The mayor and two council members say they object to the previously approved plan and want to explore alternatives for the route from St. Paul to White Bear Lake.
Cottage Grove man drowns in St. Croix River
Friends told authorities that Keith Taylor, 66, dove off a pontoon parked at Kinnickinnic State Park and didn't resurface.
Nancy Olkon, first woman chair of Hennepin County Board, dies at 82
Nancy Olkon served as a Hennepin County commissioner for six years beginning in 1977, at a time when women were discouraged from seeking political office.
Stillwater's Zephyr Theatre building to become Manitou Fund Arts and Education Center
Programming hasn't been announced, but the former Stillwater train depot building includes space for classes, food preparation and performances.
Apple River tubing carries on 2 years after teenager's death
A buoyant local economy around Somerset, Wis., and a more family-friendly emphasis for tubing will keep remaining operators afloat, locals say.
With city approval in hand, Afton vintner plans tasting room
Local winemaker Cody Kaye of Yellow House Vineyard lobbied city to allow for expansion of his agriculture business.
Cost rises for missing segment of Lake Links bike trail in Dellwood
The city had eyed $4.4 million in grant funding for one of the missing pieces of the route around White Bear Lake, but cost estimates ran higher.
Woodbury wants to expand its Fire Department, but applicants are in short supply
Firefighter hiring and retention has grown increasingly difficult across the Twin Cities metro in recent years. Some point to low-pay and increased demands of the job.
Woodbury man charged with stealing more than $400,000 from his 93-year-old father-in-law
Private school tuition, a Porsche and family European vacation are being investigated as elderly man tells authorities he hadn't seen his bank records in a long time
Mike McGuire, St. Croix River valley architect and entrepreneur, dies at 95
The longtime architect designed homes and found new uses for historic St. Croix River buildings, including several in downtown Stillwater.
Distressed Bayport homebuilder files for bankruptcy
John Sharkey's company built high-efficiency homes before debts mounted.
Nicolae Miu sentenced to 20 years in prison for stabbings at Apple River
Miu will be eligible for release under supervision after his prison term for the 2022 stabbing death of Isaac Schuman, 17, and the wounding of four others.
Sentencing up next for Prior Lake man who fatally stabbed one teen, hurt four others at Apple River
Nicolae Miu, who was convicted in April of the 2022 attack, faces decades of imprisonment.
Woodbury city lodging tax raises less than expected
The new 3% lodging tax raises money that has to be used for city promotion as a tourist and convention destination.
Circle White Bear Lake by bike? Much of the route is complete
Volunteers have been working for years to make the 10-mile Lake Links biking route a reality, but a few gaps remain, including a tricky one to fix in Dellwood.
Oak Park Heights seeks grant money to address PFAS water contamination
The city is applying for state funds that are available due to expected closing of Allen S. King power plant in Oak Park Heights.
Marine on St. Croix City Council clamps down on the party at the town's only bar
The owners of the Brookside Bar & Grill canceled the live music set for this past weekend after the council put liquor license restrictions in place
Woodbury teen awarded for pulling unconscious child from pool, saving her life
College student Chizim Abagi, 18, was relaxing in his bedroom when his brother barged in, yelling:"Come, they need you!"
Old bike paths east of Mahtomedi and in Stillwater get redo
Two sections of bike trail, one along Hwy. 12 and the other along Hwy. 5, will be repaved as Washington County focuses on the worst-condition trails.
Afton State Park drowning victim identified as Minneapolis dancer and yoga instructor
The river was about 12 feet deep in the area where he had been swimming.
Sailboat was built to travel the world. Instead, it has commanded the St. Croix River since 1951.
The Dar-Ja was built to sail around the world, but the Lown family has kept it local for more than 70 years.
Minneapolis man drowns at Afton State Park Beach
Witnesses saw him swimming 20 to 30 feet from shoreline before he disappeared, authorities said.
Somerset Village Board president charged with sexual assault, battery
Michael Kappers issued a statement disputing the allegations outlined in the charges filed by the St. Croix County District Attorney's Office in Wisconsin.
Rising waters a threat to summer fun in Twin Cities metro
Swollen rivers in the area are likely to crest in the coming days, and rising waters have put the kibosh on some summer recreational opportunities.
Woodbury public safety campus costs rise as city asks voters to approve new sales tax to fund it
A sales tax referendum on ballot for this fall would raise most, but not all, of the needed funds for the expansion.
Design for new St. Croix River bridge at Osceola to be unveiled
The existing bridge, built in 1953, is scheduled for replacement.
Stillwater City Council member David Junker to retire at end of term
The longtime council member ran for mayor twice and first served on the city's parks commission in 1989; his father, Dave "Choc" Junker served as Stillwater's mayor.
They paid for dental implants that were never completed. Then their Woodbury dentist closed his doors.
Marko Kamel of Woodbury Dental Arts lost his Minnesota dental license after reports of "demonstrated incompetence" in providing dental implant procedures — and patients say they lost tens of thousands of dollars for dental work that was never performed.
Just four women have served on the Stillwater City Council. Next year, there will likely be a fifth.
No woman has run for Stillwater City Council since 2012; this year two women are vying for the open Ward 2 seat.
Stillwater voters will consider sales tax for riverfront improvements
If approved by voters this fall, the 0.5% sales tax would raise $6.2 million for Aiple House renovations and other improvements along Stillwater's riverfront.
PFAS contamination in Stillwater's water has city racing to catch up and pay up
Questions about health, source of contamination and who will pay for cleanup arise as city grapples with PFAS contamination in the water supply.
Minn. woman gifts parkland to Washington County, with a catch
In her will, Joyce Heinisch gifted the county with a 300-acre parcel for a public park, as long as some of her family members can live out their lives on it first.
Minneapolis Muslims fear further attacks after alleged hit-and-run in mosque parking lot
A 37-year-old Minneapolis man was charged Friday with second-degree assault and could also face prosecution for bias-motivated crime.
Judge strikes down watering ban implemented over White Bear Lake water fight
Ruling stems from 2012 lawsuit over falling water levels at White Bear Lake
Open house will highlight Woodbury's solution to PFAS contamination: $400M water treatment plant
A May 22 event at City Hall will provide more information about the new water treatment plant, which is expected to be operational in 2028.
White House environmental official tours PFAS site in Lake Elmo
Visit follows new EPA rule that sets enforceable limits on contamination in drinking water.
Stillwater to host dinner on Historic Lift Bridge
The May 18 public dinner will be held as a grand opening celebration for the city's new Chestnut Plaza, located immediately west of the bridge.
Stillwater outdoor educator turns nature nerdery into TikTok gold
Angie Hong's upcoming book, to be released this summer, guides readers through the St. Croix River valley
Peter Hall, architect and preservationist, dies at 82
He helped kick-start renovation along the Mississippi River in Minneapolis.
Remade Stillwater riverfront could bring new parks, boat launch, picnic space and fishing piers
Stillwater is embarking on a year of transformation along its historic St. Croix River site, with multiple projects in the works or under consideration.
A Minnesota sailor killed at Pearl Harbor to come home, 83 years later
William F. Gusie, 19, was aboard the Oklahoma when it was torpedoed and sunk
The story of Hercules the cat: Rescued in 2022, Target model in 2024
Hercules, the cat with the lovable face, now appears on cartons of Target brand kitty litter.
Mary Johnson-Roy, who drew on faith to forgive the man who killed her son, dies at 71
Renewing her life after the death of her son, Laramiun Lamont Byrd, Johnson-Roy went on to champion mercy and peace.
Judge stops St. Croix apartment project, reversing Wisconsin board's approvals
Citing evidence and "public outcry," Judge Daniel Tolan ruled the building would be visible from the St. Croix River in violation of environmental protections.
Ex-wife testifies that Apple River stabbing suspect a peaceful person
Sondra Miu testifies in court that feared for her ex-husband's safety when she saw young men surround him on the Apple River; Nicolae Miu has claimed self defense in the fight that left four people seriously injured and one person, Isaac Schuman, 17, dead.
Friend of stabbing victim who made key video testifies at Apple River stabbing trial
Jawahn Cockfield said he didn't realize what was happening as stabbings took place.
Gruesome video shown at trial on fatal Apple River stabbing
Prior Lake man's defense attorney and prosecution both say chaotic footage will prove their case in teen's death.
Apple River stabbing trial to begin Monday
Nicolae Miu, a 54-year-old Prior Lake man, is charged with homicide and faces life in prison in the 2022 killing of teenager Isaac Schuman.
Washington County Historic Courthouse in Stillwater reopens after renovation
The building had been closed since June 2023 and is now open Wednesday through Sunday for guided and self-guided tours.
Arne Carlson: Why wasn't public told sooner about Stillwater PFAS contamination?
The former governor says the delay in notifying residents about the contamination is "stunning," and calls on government officials to act.
![At the Lake Elmo Park Preserve swimming beach, hundreds of people enjoyed the weather on Memorial day .] rtsong-taatarii@startribune.com, ORG XMIT: MI](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/NKLO3G6Y54LE7YCCJSLUS6IP6U.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Washington County sets public hearing on new park rules about marijuana, mushroom hunts and e-bikes
A public hearing will be held April 23 on the new rules, which were reviewed by the county Parks and Open Space Commission but still need approval of the County Board.
New Prague attorney drowns in Puerto Rico
Ben King, 51, was one of four drowning deaths this month in the U.S. territory
Minnesota city rethinks its flag policy after Burnsville tragedy
Bayport to lower U.S. flag for statewide days of mourning, in addition to federal ones.
Riverside portion of William O'Brien State Park in Marine on St. Croix closed until 2025
A section of the park is now closed for a $4.1 million remake of trails and buildings, including accessibility updates.
Washington County, probation officers reach contract agreement
The union representing the county's probation officers will vote on the agreement March 20; members had earlier threatened to strike over a disagreement about making Juneteenth a paid holiday.
Stillwater to notify residents of PFAS contamination
The Minnesota Department of Health issued a health risk advisory on well #6, which was closed last year; seven other city wells remain active.
Two former Minnesota legislators to launch Woodbury news site
The nonprofit, nonpartisan publication initially would be staffed by volunteers.
Judge: City of Hudson board broke law in riverfront development case
In the St. Croix River protections case, the Hudson Zoning Board of Appeals ignored DNR concerns, erroneously granted hardship variances, the ruling says.
Cottage Grove City Council approves development near Mississippi River despite opposition
Some 377 housing units, 3 miles of trails and sidewalks are planned on the site of a shuttered golf course.
Burnsville officer Matthew Ruge wanted to 'make a difference in this world'
Ruge, 27, grew up near Wabasha before studying law enforcement at Minnesota State University, Mankato and joining the Burnsville Police Department.
Washington County buys land to add to Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park
The 11-acre parcel along East Point Douglas Road cost $525,000.
From Mumbai to Minnesota, Srimati Neenaben Gada shared her native Indian culture
Arriving as an immigrant in her 20s, Neena Gada helped create a home for Indian culture in Minnesota.
USPS: Someone stole three blue mail collection boxes off St. Paul streets
The large mailboxes boxes were later recovered; an investigation is underway.
Cottage Grove couple's son died on a basketball court. Now they hope to save others.
The Dowdle family of Cottage Grove spreads the word about AEDs and quick action.
Judge: Hudson used 'ridiculous' reasoning to OK riverfront development
The suit says the four-story project proposed for downtown violates the federal Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.
Hudson installs 'largest dock' on St. Croix River
Longer than two football fields, the dock has been in the making for seven years.
Soaring home values seen across St. Croix Valley
A confluence of market forces are driving double-digit hikes in the area, popular for its rural feel.
Washington County probation officers move to strike over Juneteenth holiday dispute
The county and the union representing probation officers disagree on how a newly added holiday should affect employees' existing paid holiday schedule.
Rising home values behind big property tax increases for some in Washington County
Rising home valuations and school bond referenda are contributors to increases, but some in Washington County will see their tax bill drop.
Forest Lake fires city administrator — and hires interim city administrator let go by Lake Elmo
City officials gave no explanation for Patrick Casey's abrupt dismissal; Kristina Handt to serve as interim for now.
DNR offers to double Lake Elmo's legal water supply
City Council will consider the proposed permit at a closed-session meeting Jan. 16.
Machine-made snow will save Stillwater's snow sculpture championships
A crew from Afton Alps ski area swooped into Stillwater with a snow gun to save the snow sculpture championships.
