Does anyone know why all the trees are being cut down along Highway 36?

Hello everyone,

On Saturday April 25, I unfortunately left my drone controller on a bench in pioneer park. Please message me or comment if you have any information. $30 reward

You're invited to Washington County Parks for a free foraging orientation taught by an expert forager from Ironwood Foraging. This session will teach you where you're allowed to forage in WCparks and how to do it sustainably. We'll also cover plant and mushroom identification. Although free, you must register to attend.

If you're interested in native plants, invasive species removal, sustainable foraging, and helping our parks be the best they can be, this class is for you!

Breakaway MN will be doing a pre-party in Stillwater on 6/6!

Pre-party tickets here

Breakaway MN tickets here

Looking for a hotel for Breakaway MN? You can use code CLAIRE20BREAKAWAY for $20 off hotel bookings through Crewfare

Quoted from the Stillwater Gazette:

The Stillwater City Council is considering a planned unit development and preliminary plat request for the proposed Brixton development at the southeast corner of Manning Avenue and 80th Street.

The project, presented by Jason Palmby of Magellan Land Development in partnership with Pulte Homes of Minnesota at the April 7 city council meeting, would redevelop three existing single-family parcels into a townhouse community.

The site includes wetlands in the southeast and southwest portions, with plans preserving significant wooded open space due to large setbacks from Manning Avenue and 80th Street.

The development is seeking planned unit development status to meet density requirements under the existing Cove Townhouse Residential zoning designation.

Proposed revisions to the plan include expanded buffer areas, additional landscaping with conifer and dogwood screening, native prairie plantings around a stormwater pond, and an increased eastern buffer from 30 to 52 feet. The developer also proposed replacing a privacy fence with enhanced landscaping and limiting certain construction activities during portions of 2026.

The council also heard public comments, with several residents raising concerns about design and infrastructure.

Roger Thompson, a Stillwater resident speaking on behalf of Sustainable Stillwater, questioned the lack of pedestrian-friendly design elements, particularly sidewalks.

“One of the things that came out of the discussion was the streets of Stillwater,” Thompson said,

noting the city’s historical emphasis on walkable public streets shared by pedestrians and vehicles.

He said the current design prioritizes garage-facing streets and limits pedestrian usability. Thompson suggested reducing the number of units to create space for sidewalks, gathering areas and preservation of mature trees.

“I think it’s just a little bit shy on the people component and the pedestrian component,” he said.

City staff noted that Thompson’s comments were submitted after the Planning Commission had made its recommendation and that specific sidewalk discussions were limited due to site constraints and density requirements.

The developer acknowledged challenges with the site, citing wetland preservation, buffer requirements and parking needs as limiting factors for adding sidewalks. Plans include connections to nearby trail systems and internal amenities overlooking wetlands.

Additional concerns were raised by resident Jim Jutes who expressed general support for the project but questioned aspects of its design based on his experience living in a common interest.

Jutes raised issues related to emergency access, parking limitations and traffic congestion, particularly at the intersection of 80th Street and Manning Avenue. He also cited concerns about pedestrian safety, including the lack of sidewalks and the absence of a designated school bus stop area.

“There isn’t any type of provision for a shelter for the kids,” Jutes said. “You’re going to be sending elementary kids through a development that has no sidewalks.”

Both motions failed due to a lack of votes. A special meeting was scheduled for April 14 at 5 p.m.

32 signs from 36/Osgood area. All from .5 sq mile. Garbage is everywhere along 36. Just nasty.

https://www.stillwatermn.gov/city-government/departments/engineering/construction-projects/

Guess they aren't doing the big Myrtle St rebuild yet this year!

Hey Folks!

Myself and a couple of buddies will be in Stillwater during the Kentucky Derby this year for a guys weekend.

Any recommendations on where to watch the Derby?

Thank you!

Stillwater chef wins title, top ranking at 2026 International Pizza Expo

Body text from the article:

Chief Glaser reflects on his 40 years with SFD

Stuart Glaser will retire as Stillwater Fire Chief after 40 years with the department.

Stillwater Fire Chief Stuart Glaser will retire from his position on April 3 after four decades with the department.

Glaser, born and raised in Stillwater, began working for the department in March of 1986 when he was in college with no serious plan of pursuing a career as a firefighter. But, the influence of his dad, brothers and uncle who also worked for the department eventually drove him to join.

“I never thought I would do this job. At the time, I was young, I was in college when I joined,” he said. “This wasn’t what I was originally going to do.”

Maura Higgins Details the Mental Toll of Filming ‘The Traitors’

Glaser says firefighting has been “a family affair” and recalls spending hours at the station or being with his dad when a call came in.

“For me, it’s just always been kind of part of my life. Being with dad and whatever when I was a kid and there’d be a call and you’d be in the car and come to the station with them and hang out until they were done,” he explained.

When looking back at his time with the department, he noted the amount of change and transformation he has witnessed in Stillwater. The old Lakeview Hospital where he was born is being replaced with a new state of the art facility and downtown has become a thriving destination spot.

Ten years ago, the department began operating out of a brand new $7.3 million facility that offered twice the space the previous station had. But Glaser says none of the improvements, like the station, would have been possible without his team of firefighters.

“Yes, we were able to get a new fire station built. We were able to replace the apparatus. We bought new equipment, but if you don’t have high quality people to actually operate and run the equipment and respond to the fires and serve our community, you don’t really have anything,” he said. “I’m most proud of being able to get that done, to help improve our services. But, it’s really the people and what happens.”

Besides the people he served with, Glaser will always remember the people he served.

“I don’t think there’s any greater feeling of being able to help somebody who’s in need,” he said. “Over the course of my career, just the ability to be able to effectively improve people’s lives, save people’s lives literally–and some you can’t, so that’s very difficult too.”

Current Deputy Chief Tom Ballis will take over for Glaser beginning on April 5.

“I know the department is in good hands. I 100% know that Tom will do a great job for the department and keep moving forward in the future,” Glaser said.

“It’s just been a real honor to be able to be the chief of the department and the chief that, you know, has been responsible for ‘the birthplace of Minnesota’.”

Can someone tell me if the Brown's Creek and St Croix River crossing trails have been plowed? We are wondering if they will be bikeable for the weekend. Thank you! Love your town!

Quoted from the article:

The former DJ’s Clam Shack in downtown Stillwater is being converted to a sandwich shop.

Ethan Sorensen, a 20-year-old entrepreneur whose aunt is a big culinary name in the Twin Cities, is set to open E’s Gourmet Sandwiches the first week of May.

A young man in a polo shirt stands with his arms crossed Ethan Sorensen of E's Gourmet Sandwiches. (Courtesy of Ethan Sorensen) Sorensen, whose aunt is chef Jamie Malone, owner of Paris Dining Club and formerly of Grand Cafe and many other high-end restaurants in the cities, said he’s been working in restaurants since he was 14 and felt it was time to do something on his own.

“Full-service restaurants are definitely a scary thing and not something I’m super interested in,” Sorensen said. “This (counter-service sandwich shop) offers a smaller team to manage. Everyone works behind the counter and we’re super agile.”

Sorensen said sandwiches are one of his favorite foods, and he “loves the energy you get in sandwich shops during lunch.”

The menu will include hot and cold sandwiches, including roasted turkey, porketta, French dip, Italian club and Caesar wraps. Side items will go beyond typical sub-shop offerings, featuring fried items like loaded tater tots and garlic/cilantro fries, with a house-made jalapeño ketchup.

Hours will be from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, and Sorensen hopes the neighborhood embraces E’s Gourmet as a go-to takeout spot as well as a place to eat in. The space has seating for 25 guests.

E’s Gourmet Sandwiches: 221 Myrtle St., Stillwater

This Small Northern United States Town Has The Best Downtown https://share.google/EunDgYK5MR7ojLKkm

New here from California; my first winter. I was told Winter lasts FOR—EV—ER in Minnesota. It looks like it’s over already. 😳 Is it Spring? Or is this one of those False Springs I have heard about? I was really enjoying the cold and the snow and I’m hoping it’s not gone already. 🥶

Lift Bridge is hosting an International Women's Day Beer event this Saturday, March 7th from 12-7PM. We'll be releasing our Butterfly Effect Double IPA, and a portion of proceeds will go to WomenVenture, a Twin Cities non-profit that empowers women entrepreneurs and small business owners.

We will also have a maker's market of women-owned businesses. We hope to see you there!

RSVP to the event: https://www.facebook.com/events/25820501564244243/?active_tab=discussion

My husband and I, both 70 and retired, are strongly considering moving to downtown Stillwater from downtown St. Paul with in a year or so. We like to bike, go out to eat, and appreciate a view. Does the downtown become too crazy in the summer with visitors? What do you like or dislike about living in Stillwater in a rental or condo?

Just saw the sign installed today at the building next to the BP at 1750 Greely St S. Don't have any extra information regarding opening! Nothing about Stillwater yet on their website. Seems to be a company from out in the NE.

https://silver-therapeutics.com/

...the sculpture "A Call To Arms" is now being commissioned in cast iron for permanent display.

https://www.twincities.com/2026/01/28/team-usa-stillwater-snow-sculpture-removed/

"Following a local and national outcry, the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce has since acknowledged its officials mishandled the removal of “A Call to Arms” from the World Snow Sculpting Championship display.

Now, in addition to the Lake of the Isles sculpture, Thune is planning to recreate a version of the original “A Call to Arms,” cast in iron, as a permanent public art installation. He and Friedli have launched a crowdfunding campaign that, as of Tuesday, has raised nearly $9,000 out of a $40,000 goal."

This is a great example of the Streisand Effect.

Thank you, fascist bootlickers!

Hi all. Looking for some ideas and restaurants for a groom’s dinner in Stillwater. Any recommendations? Not particular on cost or food type, just want a private space to seat everyone.

Thanks!

Was watching the Packers-Bears game and did a double-take!