Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Ricky Harry Gruber resigned from his post in February following accusations that he stole from the county’s prescription drug drop box.
The former Washington County Deputy accused of stealing prescription drugs from a public drop box made his first court appearance last week. Ricky Harry Gruber, 43, of Oakdale, faces three felony counts and two gross-misdemeanor charges after surveillance footage purportedly showed him taking drugs from the drop box, a means for the public to dispose of unwanted or unused prescription medications in a safe manner. Gruber in February since resigned from Washington County Sheriff’s Office. A jury trial is set for this fall, and his attorney did not say how Gruber intends to plead on the charges, according to the Pioneer Press. A Wright County judge is hearing the case in order to avoid a conflict of interest, the newspaper reports. A …
Sunday, May 19, 2013
In all, Minnesota’s prisons house approximately 9,500 adult inmates at an annual cost of approximately $465 million.
You probably know that there are two prisons in Washington County: The Stillwater prison (which is actually in Bayport) and the Oak Park Heights prison. Did you know that there are also eight other prisons in Minnesota? Nine are for men. The state’s only women’s prison is in Shakopee. Why are there so many prisons? Aren’t they all the same? First, understand that a prison is different than a jail. Prisons are set up in a number of different ways, one of the main ways deals with the “custody classification system.” This system differentiates between the levels of security necessary for inmates. The most dangerous offenders are kept at a level 5 maximum-security prison. Those who are considered the least dangerous, including some who are …
Saturday, May 18, 2013
“Listen at the Library” musical programs are being offered once again at the Oakdale Library.
With inspiration from the Buffalo Gals folk song, children’s book author Joanne Ryder wrote the words to the picture book Dance by the Light of the Moon. In the story, she has animals gathering for a barnyard dance organized by Farmer Snow. I recently re-read the book to a favorite little person. Charlotte said, “Sing it, Gramma!” And I did, because somehow it’s best that way. And so librarians are saying, “Sing together!” Baby and preschool storytimes around the County feature not just reading, but singing, as well. Children’s picture books, or sometimes phrases from them, just beg to be sung. In Dooby, Dooby, Moo by Doreen Cronin, the author has the animals practicing for a talent show; Duck takes home first prize with his rendition of …
44.963706
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Washington County Library, Oakdale
1010 Heron Ave N, Oakdale, MN
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Thursday, May 16, 2013
The decomposed body was found Tuesday in the St. Croix River.
The body of a man found in the St. Croix River has been identified as Donald D. Marklowitz Jr., 54, according to a Washington County Sheriff's Office news release issued Thursday. The Washington County Sheriff's Office was called to the 900 block of Quentin Avenue South in Lakeland at about 11:38 a.m. Tuesday, May 14, on a report of a possible deceased body on the shore. When authorities arrived on the scene, they found the body. The body was turned over to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner's Office, which identified the man as Marklowitz, who was last seen in Hudson, Wis., on April 1, according to the release. The cause of death is still under investigation. At this time, neither the Washington County Sheriff's Office nor Wisconsin …
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
The cost of colonoscopies, MRIs, CT scans and mammograms can shift a lot from place to place.
It costs $1,370 less to get a colonoscopy in Washington County than the state average. That's according to data from New Choice Health, a private company that encourages people to become smarter healthcare consumers. While Washington County posts lower-than-average costs, it is even lower in neighboring Ramsey County. For example, the average cost in Minnesota for a CT scan is $2,960, and the Washington County average is $1,860, while the Ramsey County average is just $1,430. Big regional cost differences have been in the news lately: As the Washington Post wrote on Wednesday, "One hospital charges $8,000 - another $38,000." Using the same data as the Post, The New York Times listed out the prices of a series of procedures in hospitals …
Thursday, May 9, 2013
The performance is part of Explore Your Parks Day, which will feature a number of events.
As part of Washington County’s Explore Your Parks Day, the Grammy-winning music group the Okee Dokee Brothers will perform at the Lake Elmo Park Reserve. The event is set for Saturday, June 1, when it will be free to enter all Washington County parks. There are several events at the Lake Elmo Park Reserve in the works, including outdoor recreation demonstrations, live entertainment, food and more, according to a release from Washington County. Events run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., centered at the beach area. The day kicks off with 5K and 1K fun runs. Free registration is from 9-9:45 a.m. The kids 1K run begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by the 5K at 10 a.m. starting at the beach building. Fun run participants will be included in a raffle for a …
Monday, May 6, 2013
Here’s a weekly listing of crime incidents and police and fire related calls in Washington County.
The following is a collection of articles that appeared on Stillwater Patch, Woodbury Patch and Oakdale Patch April 7-12. Click on the headline to read the full article. Stillwater Couple Arrested on Suspicion of Felony Assault of a Baby Two Stillwater residents were arrested Tuesday on suspicion of felony assault of an 8-month old baby. The case remains under investigation. UPDATE: Washington County Commander in 'Good Condition' after being Shot by Hunter Jerry Cusick, 53, of Stillwater, was shot by a turkey hunter while he was scouting a hunting area in the Town of Somerset early Tuesday morning. The St. Croix County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate the incident Stillwater Prison Guard Charged With Intent to Deal Cocaine A 20-…
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Jerry Cusick, 53, of Stillwater, was shot by a turkey hunter while he was scouting a hunting area in Somerset Township early Tuesday morning.
Authorities are investigating a Tuesday morning shooting incident in the Town of Somerset that sent a longtime Washington County Sheriff’s deputy to the hospital. The victim has been identified as Jerry Cusick, 53, of Stillwater. “Cusick suffered a single shotgun blast to the head, face, neck and shoulder,” according to an update from the St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office. “He is listed in good condition. The shooter has been identified as Anthony Cardarelli of White Bear Lake, according to the news release. Cusick was on private property scouting for an upcoming turkey hunt when he was allegedly shot by Cardarelli. Cusick was able to make his way to a neighbor’s home where he was transported by Lakeveiw EMS to Regions Hospital. “There is …
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Here’s a weekly listing of crime incidents and police and fire related calls in Washington County.
The following is a collection of articles that appeared on Stillwater Patch, Woodbury Patch and Oakdale Patch April 14-19. Click on the headline to read the full article. UPDATE: Massage Parlor Owner Deported after Fondling Female Clients Land of Pharaohs owner Amir Abd El Malak, 36, of Stillwater, was deported after a jury convicted him of two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct in the nonconsensual fondling of female customers. Grand Jury Indicts Little Falls Man on Two Counts of Murder for Thanksgiving Day Shooting The Washington County Attorney’s Office is handling the Thanksgiving shooting case for the Morrison County Attorney’s office because of a conflict of interest. Firearm-Safety Instructor Resigns after Accidentally…
Monday, April 22, 2013
Bill Hutton agreed to the exercise as part of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office employee survey.
At the St. Croix Valley Recreation Center on April 16, Washington County Sheriff Bill Hutton made good on a promise. If sheriff’s office workers did well in turning in employee surveys, he would take a bite from a K-9. “K-9 Xander was very excited to assist with this,” reads a note Monday on the Washington County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page. “The Sheriff fled on foot with Xander in pursuit. Xander bit the sleeve and took the Sheriff to the ground. The Sheriff was a good sport and here is the video. Thank you Sheriff, Deputy Volk and K-9 Xander.” Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Sign up for our free newsletter
Keith O.
12:39 pm on Sunday, April 28, 2013
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