The Roundabout

Editor’s Note: Welcome to our first newsletter! We intend to start fulfilling our mission of providing fact-based news and information about Woodbury through a weekly newsletter. As we grow, the newsletter will become more frequent, and we will fully launch our news website with more in-depth reporting and a calendar of events. Please share and encourage people to join our email list. It’s free and always will be! Donate to our cause if you’re able!

Newsletter Editor: Pat Mack

Woodbury Weather via National Weather Service

Ten Things to Know

1. Washington County Fair Begins

Happy 153rd Birthday to the Washington County Fair! The fair runs through Sunday, August 4. It features grandstand events like tractor pulls, barrel racing, and bull riding. Musical acts include rock and roll, country, and an Elvis impersonator. The fair also boasts a carnival, favorite foods, bingo, and a talent competition.

2. City Council Filing Period Opens

The filing period for this fall’s city council elections began Tuesday, July 30 and continues until 5 p.m. on August 13. Voters will elect two council members to four-year terms. Council members Andrea Date and Kim Wilson are the incumbents whose terms expire December 31. Anyone interested in serving can file with the city clerk at Woodbury City Hall.

3. Woodbury Applauded As Top Choice for Families 

Fortune Magazine ranks Woodbury as the 12th best place in the nation to raise a family. The publication points out that Woodbury offers more than 170 miles of nature trails, as well as plenty of family activities at its indoor park complex, Central Park, which is currently closed for renovation. The local library also provides educational activities for children and adults.

4. Life-Saving Action Honored

The Woodbury City Council recently honored a Woodbury teen for his life-saving action. Chizim Abagi, 18, saved a 10-year-old girl from drowning in a backyard pool on May 27. “Your quick and courageous actions saved the life of this young child,” Woodbury Police Sgt. Scott Melandar said during the council award presentation on July 10. Abagi was alerted by the girl’s mother and dove into the pool and brought the unconscious girl to the surface. Abagi and the mother, a nurse, administered CPR, and the girl began breathing again. She has since recovered. “I did get swimming lessons as a kid, but I was actually even surprised by my capabilities,” Abagi said. “I’m just glad God gave me the ability to do what I did that day.”

5. Night to Unite August 6

Woodbury will participate in the annual Minnesota Night to Unite on Tuesday, Aug. 6. Woodbury Public Safety encourages neighbors to host get togethers to create stronger connections. Suggested activities include block parties, potlucks, ice cream socials, barbecues, bike parades, and children’s games. Public Safety is fully booked and has closed requests for appearances but you can complete the form on this page in case capacity allows a visit to your party. Gift cards are being collected for South Washington County Schools to distribute to those in need of supplies for the school year. They also can be dropped off at the Woodbury Public Safety Building. Another drive gives you a chance that night from 4-6 p.m. to donate a new backpack with supplies at Green Mill, 6025 Hudson Rd. You also can donate new supplies and money. The drive is being organized by the Woodbury Community Foundation’s Woodbury Champions and SoWashCo Cares. Note: The Woodbury Community Foundation is our fiscal sponsor.

6. School Supplies Sought

In addition to the Minnesota to Unite options, you have another chance to donate school supplies for the upcoming school year. The drive is August 7 from 4-6 p.m. at the Environmental Center, 4039 Cottage Grove Drive, in Woodbury. You’re asked to donate gently used items that are in good condition, including pencils, erasers, backpacks, notebooks, pocket folders, three-ring binders and more. Click for a complete list.

7. Southern-Style Restaurant Opens in Woodbury

This spring, Southern Social opened its second location, adding a store in Woodbury. The restaurant serves southern comfort food and punchbowl cocktails among other specialties. The restaurant is located at 1424 Weir Drive in the former Bonfire space. Reviews have been good with a 4.6-star rating on Google. Bloomington-based Trellis Hospitality opened the first Southern Social in Eagan. The group also owns Tamarack Tap Room in Woodbury.

8. Council Extends Ban on Hemp Businesses

The Woodbury City Council extended a temporary moratorium on hemp businesses at its July 24 meeting. The council’s one-year ban was set to expire Aug. 12 but now continues into December. A new state law allows businesses to sell edible cannabinoid products, and city staff plan to work with the council to set local regulations before the city ban expires. State law does not allow for another extension.

9. Residential Building Permits Increase But Units Fall

The number of residential building permits increased slightly in Woodbury in 2023. A city financial report shows 463 permits were issued compared to 445 in 2022. But the number of units fell, and 2023 did not match 2021 for permits. Apartments comprise a significant portion of the units for the last five years.

10. Woodbury Grads Unite on Miami Marlins

Two former standout pitchers for Woodbury High School are now teammates on the Miami Marlins. San Diego traded Adam Mazur to the Marlins Tuesday where he joined Max Meyer. Mazur started for the Padres Friday night, allowing one run on two hits and two walks in 2.2 innings in a no decision. He was selected in the second round of the 2022 MLB Draft. Meyer also recorded a no decision Saturday night against the Milwaukee Brewers. He gave up three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out three batters in four innings. It was his first major league appearance since April. Meyer was selected third overall in the 2020 draft.

Update on Woodbury News Net:

This newsletter represents our first step in keeping Woodbury residents informed on what’s happening in the community. We plan to publish the newsletter weekly at first and add frequency as we grow. We also are working toward hiring a professional editor and making WoodburyNewsNet.org a dedicated source for local news and information. Click the subscribe button to make sure you receive this newsletter in your inbox. And, please, share the newsletter with friends!

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