The Roundabout

Thursday, May 1, 2025

May 01, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 7 minutes

As May begins in Woodbury, city crews are conducting prescribed burns to strengthen natural habitats and protect water quality. Meanwhile, a new trail connection project is moving forward to improve access throughout Washington County, and local teens can now apply for the summer session of the Youth Engagement Leadership Academy.

And remember the three ways you can help support WNN’s mission and reach:

Now, on to the news …

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Top Story

Watch crews conduct a prescribed burn in Woodbury’s Colby Lake area on April 25, part of a seasonal effort to restore native prairie grasses and improve long-term water quality.

by Doug Schultz | Published on April 30, 2025

Tom Kohm aimed his torch at a patch of dried prairie and within seconds flames leapt five feet in the air and began rolling up the hillside toward the walking path along Hawthorn Trail on Woodbury’s west side.

The flames died almost as quickly as they started when they reached a line of charred ground, a fire break, that Kohm and his partner Ella Stone had made earlier, just below the green grass along the walking path.

“That’s about all it takes, just remove the fuel” and the fire stops, Kohm said.

News

by Margaret Wachholz | The Youth Engagement Leadership Academy is accepting applications from students for its July sessions. The free program is open to Woodbury’s rising high school seniors.

by Kathy Saltzman | The Woodbury Ambassador Royal Family is inviting candidates to apply for its 2025–26 leadership and scholarship program.

City & County

by Staff Report | An engineering firm based in Burnsville will complete the design of several trail projects for Washington County. The County Board of Commissioners approved a $474,875 contract with Stonebrooke Engineering at a meeting this month.

Schools

Skyview Middle School Teacher Charged With Sexual Abuse

by Staff Report | A math teacher at Skyview Middle School in Oakdale has been placed on leave after being charged with one count of criminal sexual conduct with a child under the age of 13.

Events Calendar

Volunteers in Corrections Flower Sale,  through the month of May, Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Fridays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sundays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.,  297 Century Ave South, St. Paul. Garden plants grown in the greenhouses at “the county workhouse” for sale.

Woodbury Ambassador Royal Family Candidate Information Meetings will be held the first week of May for candidates wanting to learn more about serving as Ambassadors for the 2025-26 year.  The six-week candidate program focuses on developing life skills such as public speaking and networking with business leaders.

SoWashCo Cares May Mixer, Friday, May 2, from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the Cottage Grove VFW, 9260 E. Point Douglas Road, S. Fundraiser benefits a new scholarship fund for 833 students. Dance to the cover band Basic and Boring. Admission $35.

Fun & Games