The Roundabout

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District 622 Recess And Traffic Monitor Faces Child Porn Charge

_{By Pat Mack}

A recess and traffic monitor at Cowern Elementary, Richardson Elementary, and North High School faces ten counts of possession of child pornography. The case against William M. Haslach, 31, of Maplewood, was filed Tuesday in Ramsey County District Court.

In the complaint, police say Haslach admitted he is sexually attracted to children but denied that he ever has had sexual contact with a child. Detectives with the Maplewood Police Department received information from the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit at the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension on Jan. 2. Videos stored to Dropbox in November contained child sexual abuse material.

Officers executed a search warrant of Haslach’s Dropbox account and say they found ten child abuse videos. A search of his home found about 800 porn files, according to the complaint.

School District 622 said in a message to the community that Haslach is on administrative leave and will not be on school property or have any contact with students. Superintendent Christine Tucci Osorio said the district did not receive any complaints about Hasblach’s conduct toward students during his employment from September 2021 to 2025.

“The district takes the safety and security of our students extremely seriously. We have been cooperating fully with law enforcement in their investigation and will continue to do so as the process unfolds,” the message states. “We understand the gravity of these charges and remain committed to maintaining a safe and supportive environment for our students.”

The superintendent urged anyone with information that might assist law enforcement in its investigation to contact the Minnesota BCA victim relations coordinator for the predatory crimes section at (651) 793-2465 or [email protected]. 

Haslach is scheduled to appear in court Feb. 27.

No Charges Filed Against Substitute Teacher

Authorities have decided not to file criminal charges against a substitute teacher who allegedly re-enacted the chokehold that killed George Floyd in a classroom at Woodbury High School last fall. 

“Both the county and city attorney looked at it independently and determined that while the situation was awful, it wasn’t criminal,” Woodbury Police Commander Tom Ehrenberg said in an email. 

Students told police the substitute English teacher placed a student on the ground during class to reenact the police restraint used in the murder of George Floyd. It was just one of several “racially harmful” actions by the teacher, according to an email from the school and district to students, staff and families. 

Floyd, 46, died in May 2020 after Minneapolis police officers pinned him to the ground and ignored his pleas that he could not breathe. His killing sparked protests of racial injustice in Minneapolis and around the world.

The substitute was banned from the district after the Oct. 14 incident and fired by the agency that supplies fill-in teachers. He resigned his position as a police officer in Prescott, Wisc.

Our Earlier Coverage:

Substitute Teacher Banned After Allegedly Reenacting George Floyd Restraint At Woodbury High

Principal Hopes For Healing After Reported Racial-Harming Incident

Equality Group Formed In Woodbury In Wake Of George Floyd’s Murder Calls Substitute’s Alleged Behavior ‘Despicable’

Woodbury Man Faces Felony Charge In Donut Franchise Sale

_{By Pat Mack}

A criminal complaint filed in Washington County District Court charges a Woodbury man with one count of theft by swindle. Justin A. Butler is accused of falsifying documents in the sale of two Duck Donut franchises.

The buyer, an adult male identified only by his initials, LDS, paid $975,000 on Nov. 14, 2022 for a store at the Mall of America and another one at 7455 Currell Blvd. in Woodbury. He contacted Woodbury police after growing suspicious when the stores were not as profitable as Butler had claimed, especially the catering part of the business. The buyer also hired a forensic computer firm.

“The forensic analysis revealed that the defendant had edited several of the PDF documents that were supplied to LDS,” the complaint states. “The edited documents purported to show that the businesses were profitable, however in reality, the businesses were losing a considerable amount of money prior to being sold to LDS.”

Butler then arranged to buy back the businesses from LDS who had filed for bankruptcy. LDS said he lost $300,000 due to the fraudulent sale, according to the court document.

An operations manager for the Duck Donuts franchises in 2020 to 2023 told police the locations were losing $20,000 to $30,000 a month. He said in July 2022 Butler offered to sell him the locations for $400,000, and then dropped the price to $350,000 after he reacquired the stores from LDS.

Butler told the Minnesota Star Tribune that he had no knowledge of the criminal complaint and had no comment on it. The court document provides no connection between the felony charge and Baker’s job as the chief risk officer for St. Paul-based Bremer Bank.

Judge Delays Sen. Mitchell’s Trial Until May

A Becker County District Court judge has approved a motion by attorneys for Sen. Nicole Mitchell, DFL-Woodbury, to delay her criminal trial until after the legislative session.

Judge Michael D. Fritz issued his ruling Jan. 17. “There is no question here that Minn. Stat. § 3.16 creates a privilege for members of the Legislature,” the judge wrote in a memorandum attached to his order. The statute allows lawmakers to postpone not only trials but any type of hearing in a civil or criminal proceeding until the Legislature has adjourned, he wrote.

“The breadth of the statute identifies that the Legislature was deeply concerned with making sure court proceedings would not threaten the functions of the legislative branch while in session,” Fritz added.

Click here for the rest of the story.

Woodbury Police Busy With Holiday DWI Enforcement

The Woodbury Police Department made the 4th most DWI arrests among local police agencies during the 2024 holiday season.

A new report from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety shows during the holiday enforcement campaign from November 27 through December 31, Woodbury Police made 37 DWI arrests.

The Minnesota Highway Patrol was the busiest agency by far making 550 arrests. Woodbury enforcement followed that of three larger cities. The Washington County Sheriff's Office arrested 25 impaired drivers county-wide.

 Machine Shed Restaurant In Lake Elmo Closes

_{By Pat Mack}

The Machine Shed Restaurant - across the Interstate from Woodbury in Lake Elmo -  closed Jan. 15 after 24 years. The location was one of six in the Midwest, offering homestyle food and farm-to-table cooking from scratch. 

A sign taped to the front door states: “Unfortunately, the Machine Shed has permanently closed its doors… We’d like to thank all of our patrons for your support throughout the years.”

A spokeswoman said the restaurant is preparing for an extensive renovation and remodel. “At this time, we are unable to share details about our future plans for the space,” Lesley Uehran, marketing director for Heart of America Group, said. She added that the adjacent Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites remains open.

Heart of America Group Founder/CEO Mike Whalen added: "Heart of America Group is excited to be part of an rapidly expanding community and that we will be re-concepting the restaurant. We will be coming forward with those plans in the relatively near future."

Click here to read the rest of the story.

Chicken So Hot You’ll Need To Sign A Waiver

Nashville hot chicken style restaurant Hangry Joe’s is planning to open in Woodbury. The restaurant announced that its newest franchise will be at 1960 Donegal Drive, near the intersection of Valley Creek Road and Radio Drive. A Hangry Joe's spokesperson tells Woodbury News Net an opening date has yet to be set.

Hangry Joe's says its secret sauce elevates Nashville hot chicken, blending tradition with a unique kick with flavors from mild to "Angry Hot." Diners who go all the way to their "Angry Hot" need to sign an on-line waiver.  You can read the waiver here.

Joe's currently has dozens of locations mostly in the East and South with many in Maryland and Virginia.  They're starting to open in the Midwest including a location in Inver Grove Heights and plans for another location in Edina.

Woodbury Lions Announce Dates For Citywide Garage Sale

The Woodbury Lions Club announced its 48th Annual Citywide Garage Sale will be held May 8–10. Registration begins Feb. 15 and ends Apr. 27 at midnight. The widely anticipated sale spans neighborhoods across Woodbury, drawing crowds in search of unique finds, bargains, and a chance to support a great cause. It is one of the few annual events sanctioned by the City of Woodbury. Participating households showcase everything from gently used furniture and clothing to antiques and toys. Registration details will be available on the Woodbury Lions website.

Woodbury Student Wins Fourth Congressional District App Challenge

Idrees Ahmad of Woodbury won the 2024 Fourth Congressional District App Challenge. The contest was sponsored by the office of Congresswoman Betty McCollum.

Ahmad's app, “MinnVotes,” is designed to boost voter turnout among young voters and students by helping users develop and build a plan to vote. It aims to streamline the voting process by offering a modern user-friendly approach to retrieve voting information.

During the virtual event, Congresswoman McCollum also congratulated Riddhi Singhvi & Coolsjes Singhvi from Stillwater Area High School, who took second place with their app "Green Grub: Reducing Waste, Feeding People."

The Congressional App Challenge is a nationwide STEAM competition for students interested in tech. Middle and high school students are encouraged to enter next year's competition by submitting an app of their own creation by late October 2025.

New Chamber Orchestra Forming In Area

Musicians are being sought to help create the River Valley Chamber Orchestra. The group will hold a music sight reading event Sunday, Jan. 26, at 2 p.m. at the Hastings Art Center. Organizers are looking for people who want to connect with others and share their love of chamber music. “Are you missing the days of being in an orchestra, like when you were in high school or college? Join our friendly and welcoming ensemble, the River Valley Chamber Orchestra!,” the group’s news release states. The orchestra plans to meet regularly to play a variety of chamber music from classical to contemporary. No auditions are necessary. The group needs adult wind, string, and percussion players.

Name A Washington County Snowplow

Polls close tomorrow for Washington County’s contest to name two snowplows. The county says 1,200 submissions were narrowed down to 10 finalists: Snowby Keith, Land of 10,000 Flakes, Stone Cold Steve Frostin', Sir Plows a lot, De-Ice Ice Baby, Just Scrapin' By, Mr. Clean, Snow Problem, SKOL Plow, and Hotdish Hauler. Click here to cast your vote.

Boys Swim And Dive Teams Place At State True Team Meet

Woodbury was well-represented in this past weekend’s Boys’ True Team Swimming and Diving competition held at the University of Minnesota Jean Freeman Aquatic Center on January 18. Unlike the Minnesota State High School League’s state tournament, where individuals qualify to compete, entire teams qualify to compete in True Team competitions. Woodbury High School placed 5^th out of 12 teams with 1421.5 points. East Ridge came in 6^th place with 1312.5 points. Individual event results and scores can be found here.

Word Scramble 5

Rearrange the letters to make words relating to stories in this week’s Roundabout.

Words

1. EHSD

2. OWLP

3. IOLNS

4. UCESA

5. GRAGEA

Click here for bonus words, hints, and the answers!

Events Of Note

Coin Quest, Woodbury parks. Coins will be hidden the weeks of Jan. 13, 20 and 27 in Woodbury’s fifth annual winter medallion hunt. Clues will be provided throughout the week to help seekers find the hidden coin! Follow Woodbury Parks and Recreation and Woodbury MN Police Fire EMS on Facebook to see the clues. The individuals who find each coin will receive the original coin as a keepsake and $100 worth of gift cards to Woodbury businesses. No registration is required and the Coin Quest is open to all Woodbury residents.

The Murder Mystery Co.’s Dinner Theater Show, Sat., Jan. 25, at 6:30 p.m. at Stillwater Event Center. Step right into a hilarious, and interactive murder mystery where you might just be the killer! It’s the thrilling event everyone’s dying to attend—don’t let this unforgettable night pass you by!

Stillwater Fat Bike Rally 2025, Sun., Jan. 26, starting and finishing at River Siren Brewing, 225 Main St N, Stillwater.

Bridging the Divide: Hopes and Concerns for the Trump Presidency, Tuesday, Jan 28, at 7 p.m., Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Woodbury, MN. Our feelings and thoughts about the outcome of the election are as divided as the election itself. We don’t need to agree, but our democracy will be stronger if we at least understand and respect the other side. Hosted by Braver Angels.

Seussical: The Musical, Jan. 31 through Feb. 8, Open Door Community Theatre. Family friendly performances at King of Kings Lutheran Church, 1583 Radio Dr, Woodbury.

Click here for more events.

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