The Roundabout

February 13, 2025

Editor’s Note: We love this comment we recently received from a reader: “Unbiased news reporting is so amazingly useful.” We hope you agree and will donate to our cause if you’re able! Thank you to everyone who has donated already! Also, please share and encourage people to join our email list.

Woodbury Weather via National Weather Service

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

H: 6 L: -6

Sunny

H: 24 L: 13

PM Snow Likely

H: 20 L: -5

Chance of Snow

H: 4 L: -16

Mostly Sunny

H: 2 L:-15

Partly Sunny

Editor: Matt McConico | Lead Contributors: Pat Mack and Manali Shah | Copy Editor: Beth-Ann Bloom

Woodbury Population Projected To Close In On 100,000

The Metropolitan Council released a population estimate that projects Woodbury will grow to 94,200 in 2050.
READ MORE about the growth by CLICKING HERE.

Senator Mitchell Facing Additional Charge

Nicole Mitchell on Senate Floor

State Senator Nicole Mitchell (DFL-Woodbury) is now facing an additional charge from her alleged burglary.

She is now facing Felony “Possession of Burglary or Theft Tools” along with her prior charge of Felony Burglary. To READ what Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson said after the latest charge, CLICK HERE.

Ask WNN: Do Woodbury Police Help ICE?

Mark C. writes, “Thank you for reporting on how our local schools would respond should ICE agents try to gain access to our schools… Could you also report on how Woodbury city officials, including law enforcement, would react if they were to be asked to assist ICE officials?”

Woodbury News Net asked Woodbury Police Patrol Commander Tom Ehrenberg what the police department’s policy is for working with ICE. Commander Ehrenberg told us they have a long standing policy.  In part the policy states, “The Department may provide available support services, such as traffic control or peacekeeping efforts”.

CLICK HERE to READ the full policy.

Bridge to Basics: Working Hard To Fill A Basic Need

Bridge To Basics co-founders Kristie Thibodeau (Left) Rana Khoury (Right)

Bridge to Basics, as the name implies, is trying to fill the gap for Hygiene Poverty. Lack of access to basic hygiene products like soap, shampoo, deodorant and even toilet paper.

Started in February 2024 by two longtime friends, Rana Khoury and Kristie Thibodeau, Bridge to Basics is the first hygiene bank in the Twin Cities.

Woodbury resident Rana Khoury, co-executive director of the nonprofit says, “The lack of essentials can have a profound effect on a person’s life. We want to change that.”

CLICK HERE to learn more about the charity and how you can DONATE.

JOANN Fabrics Store In Woodbury To Close

The Woodbury JOANN Fabrics Store is set close as part of the company’s bankruptcy plans. The craft and fabrics store plans to close about 500 of its 850 locations nationwide.

The exact date of the closure has not been announced. CLICK HERE to see all of the Minnesota stores slated to close.

PGA Super Store Opening In Woodbury

Example of a PGA Superstore

National retailer offering golf gear, hitting bays, putting greens, and golf simulators PGA Superstore will open in Woodbury late this spring or by early summer. It will be located at 1555 Queens Dr. in a space formerly occupied by Xperience Fitness.
CLICK HERE for more information on the PGA Superstore.

Dasio Opening In Woodbury

The Japanese dollar store-style outlet plans to open in Summer 2025.

The Daiso communication team tells Woodbury News Net they will make an official opening announcement date about one month prior to opening.
To learn more about Daiso CLICK HERE.

Council Approves Loan Program To Remove Ash Trees

The Woodbury City Council approved a loan program to help homeowners pay for the removal of trees infected by the Emerald Ash Borer.

“This is a great new policy, and I’m so glad council has been incredibly supportive of this,” City Administrator Clint Gridley told the council. The program will provide loans up to $20,000. CLICK HERE to learn more about the program.

Seminar To Stop Child Sex Exploitation

Citizens Against Sex Trafficking (CAST) is holding an event called “Sexual Exploitation: Power Over Predators”. The curriculum is geared toward helping adults raising middle and high school students.

The free event will be Tuesday, Feb. 18 from 6:30-8:30 p.m in the Education Center of the Public Safety building, 2100 Radio Drive.  CLICK HERE for RSVP information.

Bailey Nursery’s GRAMMY Moment

Ryan McEnaney, Bailey’s Marketing and Communications Manager (left) Floral Designer Tu Bloom (right)

Bailey Nursery’s “Endless Summer Hydrangeas” were featured along red carpet at the 67th GRAMMY Awards.

The hydrangeas were used by designer Tu Bloom.  Three varieties called Pop Star, Summer Crush, and BloomStruck were featured.  They anchored large planter boxes along the red carpet. CLICK HERE to read what the designer & Nursery had to say.

Woodbury Native On Team USA for NHL Exhibition

Jake Guentzel

Woodbury-Native Jake Guentzel is one of the skaters selected to represent Team USA in the 2025 NHL 4 Nations Face-Off.

The 4 Nations Face-Off will replace the NHL's annual All-Star Game for 2025.

Woodbury Native MIAC Men’s Hockey Defensive Player of the Week

Marko Belak

Marko Belak was named Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Men’s Hockey Defensive Player of the Week for February 10.

Belak helped the Gusties to their first victory over Saint John’s since 2015 with a 3-0 shutout win on February 8.

Word Scramble 8

Your words for this week. CLICK HERE for answers and the BONUS WORDS.

  1. FLOG

  2. ETER

  3. ONLA

  4. KALFE

  5. RWGTHO

EVENTS IN OUR AREA

Take and Make: Snowflake Suncatcher, Saturday, Feb. 15, all-day event, R.H. Stafford Library, 8595 Central Park Place, Woodbury. Celebrate winter with a take and make kit to create your own snowflake suncatcher! 

Blizzard Bash, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 15, at at Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park 9653 Keats Ave. S., Cottage Grove, Minn. Washington County Parks is providing this opportunity to sample winter recreational activities, including free use of snowshoes and an opportunity to learn to kick-sled. Fishing for All will be on-site for a drop-in ice fishing program from 11 am – 1 pm (weather dependent).

STEM: Electricity and Lewis Latimer, Thursday, Feb. 20, and Sunday, Feb. 23, from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., R.H. Stafford Library, 8595 Central Park Place, Woodbury. In this special Black History Month program, students will learn about Lewis Latimer, an inventor who helped create the first light bulbs. Then, we will explore circuitry principles to make our own light-up inventions. This program is for children ages 7 to 12, and registration is required.

Community Blood Drive, Saturday Feb. 22, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Woodbury High School, 2665 Woodland Drive, Woodbury. This event is hosted by WHS Red Cross Club. Visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter WHS to schedule your appointment.

Game Night at the Historic Courthouse, Saturday, Feb. 22  at 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Washington County Historic Courthouse, 101 West Pine Street, Stillwater, Minn. Stay cozy and warm this winter and join us for a fun-filled Game Night. Bring your family and friends to engage in a little friendly competition. A variety of board games will be available to play. The event is free to attend. All ages are welcome.

CLICK HERE for more information on those events and MANY more.

In Case You Missed It: Last Week’s Most Clicked Stories

Update on Woodbury News Net:

We are a non-profit organization creating a credible news source for Woodbury. Our leadership team includes Paul Huffman, Susan Kent, Pat Mack, Rich Radke, Kathy Saltzman, Manali Shah and Matt McConico.

Please continue to share this newsletter with friends and encourage them to join our email list. It’s free and always will be!

Please donate as generously as you can!
We are committed to offering our news and information for free! But we need help to cover expenses and reach sustainability. Please donate as generously as you can to help us build this fact-based source of news! 

Volunteer!
Wanna help us build this news source? We welcome volunteers! We need help raising money, spreading the word, and other tasks. [email protected]

Let us know what’s happening!
Send us your news items! We can’t promise we’ll use them all but we’d love to consider them! [email protected].