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The Washington County Law Enforcement Center illuminated green for Operation Green Light for Veterans in 2024.

Washington County to light buildings green in recognition and honor of veterans

From November 4-11, Washington County will illuminate several county buildings in green for Operation Green Light for Veterans. Operation Green Light for Veterans is a nationwide initiative led by …

Gary Spooner retires from Santa role

Local Cottage Grove Santa Gary Spooner is retiring. Shared on Facebook and in an email letter from the Cottage Grove Area Chamber to members Oct. 14, Spooner laid out the reasons for his retirement: …
Last week Carbone’s Pizza filed a lawsuit against the city of Hastings regarding the sale of 1290 North Frontage Road “which resulted in their loss of lease and income,” according to the city’s November PFAS update. The business’s previous building on the site was demolished earlier this fall.

Carbone’s sues city of Hastings

Last week Pizza on 50th and France DBA Carbone’s Pizza filed a lawsuit against the city of Hastings regarding the sale of 1290 North Frontage Road “which resulted in their loss of lease …

Local restaurants serve more than meals as Hastings faces SNAP cuts

It started with a social media post, a borrowed idea, and a big heart. When Jennifer Melecio, co-owner of Lock and Dam Eatery in downtown Hastings, saw a friend share what a restaurant in Texas was …
Jose Miranda crosses the plate after hitting a 434-foot homerun in the Saints opening day game against the Guardians AAA team, the Columbus Clippers.

Saints hit 3 homeruns, win 8-1 on opening day

The Saint Paul Saints won their home opener on Saturday evening defeating the Columbus Clippers at CHS Field in St. Paul’s Lowertown by a score of 8-1. We can all breathe a sigh of relief; …

Dave Wood

Woodworking again: How my Jazz Age kin survived the Great Depression

Last week I regaled readers with songs my father sang, songs he learned in those glorious years of the Jazz Age when stock prices went up and moral behavior went down. I once asked him to give me his …

From the editor’s desk: It’s a small world

This is my favorite time of year, but a twinge of sadness sneaks in from time to time. As I’ve mentioned in past columns, the cold of fall is woodcutting weather. And it’s when I miss my …
Lisa Hardy, Director of Marketing Graphics & Communications at River County Co-op wrote a grant for the bike trail. Pictured on the bike trail with the big check are Owen Mayor Scott Jalling, Bruce Mlsna, CEO River Country Co-op, and Owen Clerk Tracy Rau.

Owen Council approves projects

The Owen Common Council held their regular meeting on Tuesday, October 28, 2025. The budget for 2026 was discussed and approved for the budget hearing. Clerk Tracy Rau found additional state aid that …

O-W Theater Dept. to present Booby Trap

The students in the Owen-Withee theater department have been hard at work putting together a meaningful play, Booby Trap by Ed Monk. The play honors the sacrifices men and women make to serve our …
Bonus, web-only content

Is AI powering the next wave of financial scams?

Finder.com reports AI is increasingly used in financial scams, including deepfakes. Protect yourself by verifying identities and avoiding suspicious requests.

Meet the U.S. Army Soldier-athletes on a mission to compete for gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics

(BPT) - The United States' top athletes are aiming to secure their spot on Team USA for the 2026 Winter Olympics. This group includes 15 Soldier-athletes and coaches from the U.S. Army's World Class …

Beyond the diagnosis: What people with diabetes wish you knew

(BPT) - Diabetes is one of the most common chronic health conditions worldwide.1 Daily management is tough, but one of the biggest challenges for those living with diabetes is confronting stigma, …

Are STIs truly declining, or is our data just not very good? What the 2024 CDC STI report really shows

Healthbeat reports a 9% decline in STIs in 2024, but data limitations suggest caution in interpreting this trend. Congenital syphilis cases rise.

10 most common full names in America and their effect on online persona

Anywho reports on the top 10 most common full names in the U.S. and how sharing a popular moniker can affect searchability, privacy, and lead to mistaken identity in the digital world.

A researcher’s view on using AI to become a better writer

The Hechinger Report explores the potential of AI, like ChatGPT, to improve student writing while cautioning against over-reliance on technology.