The Roundabout

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^{Newsletter Editors: Pat Mack and Manali Shah | Copy Editor: Beth-Ann Bloom}

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Election 2024: Early Voting Through Monday, Polls Open Tuesday

_{By Beth-Ann Bloom and Pat Mack}

Polls are open on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 16 locations in the city. Early voting continues every day through Monday at Woodbury City Hall.

As of last Friday, 9,178 people had voted at city hall, which is higher than during the same period in 2020 when 7,363 votes had been cast.

Amy Stenftenagel with Washington County said voter turnout on Election Day is expected to be high. “There may be a wait particularly at larger precincts,” she said in an email. “Traditionally in Washington County polling places tend to be busy in the morning when polls open, slower mid-morning into the afternoon, and become busier in the late afternoon and evening.”

She encouraged voters to double check their polling place here.

Remember absentee ballots must be received by Election Day to be counted. That means if you haven’t mailed your ballot yet, it’s best to take it to the election center you received it from. You cannot drop your absentee ballot off at your polling place on Election Day. If you’ve changed your mind, you can go to your polling place and vote in person on Tuesday but, again, do not bring your absentee ballot with you.

Residents of nursing homes are generally given options to vote early at their facilities. If you planned to vote on November 5 but are suddenly hospitalized or incapacitated you can vote with the help of an agent. These rules need to be followed exactly.

Our 2024 Election Guide includes:

• Where to vote

• What’s on your ballot

• Early voting hours

• How to register on Election Day

• An overview of the city council race

• What to know about the Public Safety Campus Project ballot question

• Links to forums for city council, state Legislature, and school board races.

We plan to post election results on election night for races affecting Woodbury at www.woodburynewsnet.org.

City Council Limits Signage For Cannabis Businesses

_{By Pat Mack}

The Woodbury City Council voted last week to restrict signage by cannabis and hemp businesses. The hope, as expressed by council member Steve Morris at the council’s Oct. 9 meeting, is to avoid catchy, colorful signage along I-94 and I-494 sending a message of “welcome to Woodbury, pot central.”

The state Legislature approved adult-use cannabis businesses in 2023 but allowed cities to impose a one-year ban to consider their approach to regulation. Woodbury’s ban expires at the end of the year and its new rules will go into effect in January. That’s when the state Office of Cannabis Management is expected to give these businesses approval to launch.

The ordinance the council approved last week prohibits cannabis and hemp businesses from posting signs that depict a cannabis flower, cannabis product, hemp edibles, or a hemp-derived edible consumer product.

State law does not allow any cannabis businesses to operate within 1,000 feet of a school or 500 feet of a childcare or residential treatment facility.

The council also approved zoning restrictions that limit the retailers to development areas zoned B2 or B3 and cannabis and hemp manufacturers and warehouses to areas zoned I-1. “The good news is it appears these can be regulated in a fairly straightforward manner,” Eric Searles, city planner, told the council at its meeting last week.

The B2 and B3 zoning areas include the major retail developments in the city including Tamarack Village, Woodbury Lakes and developments on Woodbury Drive off I-94 and Valley Creek Road off I-494. The I-1 zone is primarily south of Hudson Road.

In addition to zoning, the council approved performance standards for the businesses that include buffer zones, parking, odor, signage, lighting, noise, water conservation, outdoor use, security, and hours of operation.

Rules will also prohibit on-site consumption during temporary cannabis events. Groups would need to secure a permit for those events. The city standards include a buffer zone, hours of operation, and security that would have to be considered before granting a permit.

In November, the council will consider registration requirements that could limit the number of cannabis and hemp businesses in Woodbury.

I-94 Construction Dates Changed

The Minnesota Department of Transportation has changed the dates of parts of the I-94 project from Woodbury to the Wisconsin border.

Through tomorrow, traffic is being stopped in the overnight hours between Century Avenue and Woodbury Drive for 10-15 minutes at a time for overhead signs to be installed.

Then beginning tomorrow at 7 p.m., eastbound I-94 will be reduced to one lane overnight in that same stretch to allow crews to shift traffic. By 5 a.m. Saturday morning, eastbound I-94 will reopen to two lanes between Century Avenue and Woodbury Drive on the east side of the interstate. Both directions of I-94 will be reduced to two lanes until mid-November for construction of a center median.

These westbound I-94 entrance and exit ramps will be closed starting at 5 a.m. Nov. 7 through Nov. 13 for the median construction (see graphic above):

• Ramp from westbound from I-94 to southbound I-494

• Ramp from northbound I-694 to westbound I-94

Motorists can bypass the closures using the 10th Street interchange.

Halloween Decorating Contest Winners Announced

Winners of Woodbury’s first Halloween House Decorating Contest were announced on Sunday with nine houses receiving recognition. Pam Van Muijen, who organized the contest, thanked everyone who participated. “We couldn't have done it without you,” she noted. According to Van Muijen, every home received at least one vote for People's Choice.

 Best Theme

• Winner: Terror Lane - 6080 Woodbine Avenue

• Runners-Up: HillCrest Haunt (aka Golf Graveyard) - 1157 Hillcrest Drive and Dead End Truckstop - 2301 Lamplight Drive

 Family Friendly

• Winner: Lights on Copper Oaks - 3173 Copper Oaks Place

• Runners-Up: Super Creepy Haunted Forest - 7032 Windgate Road and HillCrest Haunt (aka Golf Graveyard) - 1157 Hillcrest Drive

People's Choice

• Winner: Dead End Truckstop - 2301 Lamplight Drive (35.3%)

• Runners-Up: Sporty Skeletons - 9045 Cambridge Road (18.9%) and The Haunted Stonemill Farm - 11488 Wagon Wheel Curve (18.4%)

Prizes were donated by Paula Molnau Real Estate, Rock N' Block Outdoor Solutions, Woodbury 10 Theatre, Cornerstone Chiropractic, and Woodbury Auto Wash & Detailing Center.

County Commemorates 175th Anniversary At Historic Courthouse

The Washington County Board of Commissioners Tuesday passed a resolution proclaiming Oct. 27, 2024 as the county’s 175th anniversary. The board fittingly convened at the historic county courthouse in Stillwater. The resolution notes the key services provided by the county including elections administration, record keeping, road maintenance, parks, law enforcement, probation supervision, social services, courts, libraries, and public health programs.

East Ridge Girls Soccer Place Third In State Tournament

The East Ridge High School girls soccer team capped its season with a third place finish in the Class AAA state tournament after a tie with Eagan on Wednesday morning. The Raptors defeated Maple Grove in the first round before falling to Edina in the semi-finals at US Bank Stadium.

Throughout the section tournament, the Raptors scored key goals late in the game, and this trend continued in the state tournament. Reese Tovar scored the lone goal against Maple Grove in the last minute to secure a 1-0 win. Elle Wildman scored the Raptor goal with 4 minutes left in a 3-1 loss to Edina. Down 2-0 against Eagan, East Ridge’s Liv Penman and Kate Murphy, both assisted by Elle Wildman, scored late goals.

Four Raptors earned Minnesota State High School League All-State honors, including Wildman, Penman, Isabel Oferosky, and Claire Williams. East Ridge last made the state tournament in 2017.

East Ridge Girls Volleyball Advances To State

The East Ridge girls volleyball team upset Eagan yesterday to win the 3AAAA sectional championship and advance to the state tournament. The Raptors will play next Thursday in the first round of the tournament.

Theatre Plans Game Show Cabaret Fundraiser

_{Submitted by Winnie Williams and Debbie Musser | Open Door Community Theatre}

Open Door Community Theatre will host “What is Broadway?” – a Jeopardy-themed cabaret fundraiser Nov. 15 and Nov. 16 at Mounds Theatre in St. Paul.

The non-profit theater in Woodbury has staged a variety of shows since its founding in 2019, including “Cinderella,” “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” “School of Rock,” and “The Little Mermaid.”

“We are so excited about what is happening at Open Door right now,” said Justin Madsen, the show’s director. “This is our first season of three performances, and we are starting things off with a fundraising cabaret, featuring 12 of our audience's all-time favorite performers. The talent of this cast is jaw-dropping, and audiences are in for a fun-filled evening of Broadway's biggest hits over the years. It takes a lot of resources to make a non-profit theatre organization work, and this will be a great opportunity to jump-start what we need to continue bringing fantastic productions to the Woodbury community.”

Information on tickets and a party bus from Woodbury can be found here.

The 2025 Open Door Community Theatre season includes “Seussical the Musical” in February and “The Producers” in June.

Open Door Community Theatre’s mission includes giving back to the community by donating a portion of each show’s proceeds to a community nonprofit partner as well as spotlighting the incredible work these organizations are doing. Partners have included Open Cupboard, Coco’s Heart Dog Rescue, Aspire Music Foundation, SoWashCo CARES Educational Foundation, Angels of Hope Memorial, Hopewell Music, Joseph’s Coat, and Joy Collaborative. The nonprofit also gives back to the community by including sensory-friendly, ASL interpreted and pay-as-you-are able performances each season.

Local High Schools Present Fall Theater Productions 

Fans of theater will be treated to four productions this coming month as the four high schools serving Woodbury present their fall student productions. Theater-goers can choose from a Tony Award winning musical, Shakespeare, and plays inspired by Alice in Wonderland and Dr. Suess.   

• Woodbury High School Royal Theatre – Urinetown | Nov. 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9 | Tickets here. 

• Tartan High School Theatre – Seussical, the Musical (Theatre for Young Audiences) | Nov. 1, 2, 3 | Tickets here.

• New Life Academy Theatre — Beauty and the Beast | Nov. 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10 | Tickets here.

• East Ridge High School Theater– Alice by Heart | Nov. 8. 9, 10, 15,16 | Tickets here.

• Stillwater Area High School Theatre – A Midsummer Night’s Dream | Nov. 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17 | Tickets here.

How To Recycle Your Pumpkins

Don’t toss your pumpkins in the trash or place them with your food scraps for recycling since the program doesn’t accept them. Instead, take your pumpkins to the South Environmental Center at 4039 Cottage Grove Dr. in Woodbury. While you’re at it, bring your plastic bags to the center as well since they aren’t supposed to be thrown in your recycling bin.

Events Of Note

• Talamore Senior Living Woodbury and the American Legion Woodbury Post 501 are joining forces to collect new, unwrapped toys for the Toys for Tots program. Toys are being accepted at Talamore Senior Living and the Valley Creek Mall, near Keys Cafe, beginning tomorrow until Dec. 12. 

• Stillwater Area High School’s Boys Cross County Team will run this Saturday at 1 p.m. in the state meet at the University of Minnesota Les Bolstad Golf Course. George Nelson and Andrew Walsh, both from Woodbury, will represent the Ponies. This marks the 23rd time in 25 years that the Stillwater team has qualified for the state meet.

• 4-H New Family Night, Monday, Nov. 4th at 6 p.m. in the Washington County Government Center in Stillwater. New and interested 4-H families with kids in grades K-12 can learn about upcoming programs and joining a 4-H club. Register here.

• St. Croix Valley Symphony Orchestra Concert, Sat., Nov. 2, at 3 p.m., Abbott Concert Hall, UW-River Falls.

• Holmes/Poirot through Sunday, Nov. 3 at Park Square Theater in St. Paul. A star-studded cast brings to life this world premiere mystery by nationally acclaimed Twin Cities playwright Jeff Hatcher and Steve Hendrickson.

• Clocks fall back an hour at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 3 as daylight savings time ends.

Update on Woodbury News Net

We received so many compliments on our work at last week’s Woodbury New Resident Event! Many people told us they’re excited to have a dedicated, local news source they can trust. Thank you to everyone who stopped at our table. If you would like a lawn sign to tell your neighbors about WNN - or if you’re able to volunteer to help us - contact us at [email protected].

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