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The Roundabout
February 20, 2025
Editor’s Note: We’ve reached 2,600 subscribers to The Roundabout! Thank you for sharing this with others and recruiting more people to join our email list. Also, special thanks to those who have donated! Your support is helping us provide this impartial news source to everyone in the community for free!
Woodbury Weather via National Weather Service
Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday | Monday |
---|---|---|---|---|
H: 14 L: -5 Mostly Sunny | H: 18 L: 9 Sunny | H: 30 L: 21 Sunny then Cloudy | H: 40 L: 34 Sunny then Cloudy | H: 43 L: 32 20% Rain |
Editor: Matt McConico | Lead Contributors: Pat Mack and Manali Shah | Copy Editor: Beth-Ann Bloom
Woodbury Teen Killed In Crash

Elizabeth “Libby, Liz” Marion Radecki
17-year-old Elizabeth “Libby” Radecki, of Woodbury died following a vehicle crash Friday afternoon. The cause of the collision remains under investigation, but the Washington County Sheriff’s Office says Friday’s snow “appeared to be a factor.”
School: Libby Radecki had the most contagious, authentic smile
Elizabeth “Libby” Radecki attended St. Croix Preparatory Academy. Elaine Bransford, the Upper School Teaching and Learning Coordinator at St. Croix Preparatory Academy, said Libby was so beloved.
Brandsford wrote in part, “Libby (Liz) Radecki was a beloved member of our Upper School Community. She had the most contagious, authentic smile, and she was generous with it. Her optimism and enthusiasm brightened every space she entered, and our small community feels her loss profoundly.” CLICK HERE to read the full statement.
Libby Radecki Funeral & Fundraiser
Her visitation will be on February 21st, with her funeral on February 22nd. Both will be at Woodbury Lutheran Church – Valley Creek Campus. CLICK HERE to read her full obituary.
Her obituary asks people to “consider a donation in her memory” to Camp Daniel located in Northeast Wisconsin. Libby was counselor at the camp. CLICK HERE to learn more about the camp and how to give.
Republicans To File Second Ethics Complaint Against Sen. Nicole Mitchell

Sen. Nicole Mitchell (DFL - Woodbury)
Republicans argue Sen. Mitchell should not have been able to vote on any measures that would expel her from the Senate.
Sen. Steve Drazkowski (R-Mazeppa) said Mitchell has a conflict of interest in any vote about her political future. “Any vote to expel her from the Senate would result in the loss of her employment as a Senator and would immediately end access to the salary and benefits afforded to a legislator,” he said in a news release. “Members are expected to abstain from votes for which they have a financial interest.” CLICK HERE to read more about the GOP’s filing.
Woodbury-tied Business Ordered To Shutdown

Attorney General Keith Ellison
The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office reached a settlement with Community Blacktop, LLC to pay the $100,000 to the State of Minnesota that the Attorney General’s Office will use for restitution to victims.
The Attorney General’s Office says the company “victimized consumers in Minnesota and across the country, targeting the elderly in particular, by promising quality asphalt work at a discount, but delivering subpar results and subsequently demanding outrageously inflated prices multiple times in excess of what was initially quoted.”
The owner of the company is Woodbury man Brandon Michael Ferguson. His business had an office in Hastings but operated around Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. The Attorney General’s office is asking people that lost money to contact them. You can find out more information by CLICKING HERE.
East Ridge High School Construction To Begin In March
Updated East Ridge High School Plaza Artist Renderings
Construction on updates to East Ridge High School are slated to start in March.
The construction will consist of a number of things including an addition to increase the capacity of the school to 2,300 students, additional Career and Technical Education & STEM spaces, plus reconfigured drive lanes and parking lot.
CLICK HERE to see what else is part of the additional work and more artist renderings of the work.
Woodbury Resident On National Dressage Team
Ella Fruchterman
Ella Fruchterman has been named to the United States CDIU25 Nations Cup Team. She rides Hannah Montana W, a 2009 Danish Warmblood mare. To learn more CLICK HERE.

Pioneer/Lake roundabout from 2022
The city of Woodbury has many, many Roundabouts (actually 26) and navigating them can be torturous, hazardous or just a breeze. The seamless flow of a roundabout depends on all drivers following the rules and etiquette when using the roundabout.
CLICK HERE to learn about roundabout etiquette AND where the newest roundabouts are planned for Woodbury.
Will Woodbury’s Public Lands Store Remain Open?

Public Lands Logo
There are now only three Public Lands stores open nationwide. There were 8 open across the country as off a few months ago. Public Lands is owned by Dick’s Sporting Goods. CLICK HERE for more information on the store.
Woodbury Has A “Beautiful” Costco
In the hit Netflix Show “Love Is Blind” the Woodbury Costco got a shout-out. The show has a Twin Cities based cast. READ MORE about the show HERE.
Woodbury High Grad Named MIAC Player of the Week

Bradley Cimperman
Bradley Cimperman was named the MIAC Men's Basketball Offensive Player of the Week. CLICK HERE to learn more about his great week.
WHAT A PICTURE!!!

Laney Schwellenbach competing in floor exercise at the Lakeville Invitational in January. Laney will be competing in the all-around competition at the MSHSL State Tournament [Photo: Patrick Donaghy]
East Ridge Gymnastics is competing in the State Tournament on February 21 & 22 at the Roy Wilkins auditorium.
In addition to the team competition, Junior Laney Schwellenbach will compete for the individual all-around championship, while Freshman Norah Wiggins will compete for the floor exercise individual championship.
Event Calendar

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. This program is for children ages 7 to 12, and registration is required. Please register each child only once, at whichever time best suits your schedule.
Community Blood Drive, Saturday Feb. 22, 9 a.m. to 2 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.
Spirit Song Choir’s Winter Concert: “This Little Light of Mine,” Sunday, Feb. 23 at 3 p.m., King of Kings Lutheran Church, 1583 Radio Drive, Woodbury. Need a little inspiration? The concert is free, and everyone is welcome! A free will offering will be taken with all proceeds going directly to support the work of our community partner, Peace Maker Minnesota.
Scout Night, Tuesday, Feb. 25, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. or 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., Public Safety Education Center, 2100 Radio Drive, Woodbury. Public Safety’s Scout Night is a great way for scouts in kindergarten through fifth grade to accomplish certain requirements for various patches or badges. Scouts tour the public safety building, get up-close looks at equipment and meet and learn from our police, EMS and fire team members. Free to attend but troops must register because space is limited.
Black History Month: Celebrating Black Arts and Culture, Thursday, Feb. 27, 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., JX Venue, 123 Second Street North Stillwater, Minn. Hosted by the Black Employee Network, an employee resource group at Washington County, the event will feature an experience of live performances to recognize the rich history and vibrant future of Black arts and culture.

Weekly Word Scramble
Hints for your first three words
Unhot
Slide downhill
Ice crystals
CLICK HERE FOR THE SCRAMBLE
In Case You Missed It: Last Week’s Most Clicked Stories
1) JOANN Fabrics Store In Woodbury To Close
2) Daiso Opening In Woodbury
3) Ask WNN: Do Woodbury Police Help ICE?
Update on Woodbury News Net:
We are a non-profit organization creating a credible news source for Woodbury. Our co-founders - Susan Kent and Kathy Saltzman - were among the authors of an opinion piece published this week in the Minnesota Star Tribune. The submission is a manifesto for why we believe Woodbury News Net - and other members of the Metro Nonprofit News Network - are critical to building community.
CLICK HERE to read the piece on the Star Tribune’s website.
Our leadership team includes Paul Huffman, Susan Kent, Pat Mack, Rich Radke, Kathy Saltzman, Manali Shah, and Matt McConico.
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