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Tag: Stillwater News

  • A look at the changes inside Stillwater prison as closure looms

    One of the state’s largest prisons must close by 2029, but it’s not closed yet.

    Minnesota Correctional Facility – Stillwater’s staff and population have been cut in half in the last year, but the campus remains a hub of activity as both offenders and corrections officers test new programs and initiatives, including Earned Living Units (ELUs). 

    “I would say this was a place of despair and a hopeless place and now it’s a place of hope and a place of change,” Lt. Sam Marks, a 20+ year veteran officer for the Minnesota Department of Corrections, told WCCO News. “I see these changes every day just in the dynamics in the way we’re talking to each other.”

    Inside B East, inmates were seen working out on new gym equipment, tending to an indoor garden and even baking cookies. The inmates can only reside in the unit if they demonstrate “sustained positive behavior, accountability, and personal growth,” according to officials.

    “They’re telling us we’re closing in three years and we don’t want to close but they’ve provided us with this kind of diamond in the rough where we can make this into something great and I’ve seen this start to happen,” Marks added. “I think the lessons are we look at the communication tools we’ve built here with these guys and we translate that around with the rest of the department.”

    The planned closure was announced last spring as part of a budget agreement struck by the Legislature, with Gov. Tim Walz (D) saying the operational costs of the 111-year-old building had become “untenable.”

    Over the years, inmates and staff have criticized the conditions inside the site. In 2023, Stillwater went into lockdown after inmates protested water quality issues within the prison. More than 100 men refused to return to their cells, decrying the extreme heat conditions — as the prison has no air conditioning — and limited access to ice and showers. 

    State officials estimate that maintenance costs would hover around $180 million, and the cost of replacing the facility would be upwards of $1.3 billion. The four-year phased closure will result in annual state savings of $40 million. 

    The department will conduct a management study to guide the operations, as well as a decommissioning study to plan for the long-term future of the site. The facade of the facility is a national historic site, which must be taken into consideration.

    Beginning in July 2027, the department will start vacating the facility entirely. The full closure is expected to be complete by June 30, 2029.

    Aki Nace

    contributed to this report.

    Jonah Kaplan

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  • Families, businesses capitalize on MEA weekend

    As Minnesota’s MEA weekend enters its third day, families are making the most of it – as are Twin Cities fall staples. 

    At Aamodt’s Apple Farm in Stillwater, owner Chris Aamodt says the 4-day weekend is still impactful for his orchard’s 77th year.

    “MEA has gotten to be one of the biggest weekends that we have, when you combine all four days,” Aamodt said. “We’ve just seen it continue to grow as one of the biggest weekends of the year.”

    Aamodt says on a good MEA weekend, they’ll host anywhere from 25,000-35,000 guests at their family farm. This includes the Colbertson family from Centerville, who came to pick apples on Saturday.

    “It’s gorgeous. This is probably the best week for MEA – it’s the perfect temperature, you throw the hoodie on, it’s good to go,” said Jesse Colbertson. 

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  • One month in, businesses say Shakopee Social District isn’t bringing in crowds

    Shakopee Brewhall – Taproom & Coffeehouse sits nestled in the one-month-old Shakopee Social District in the southern Twin Cities metro community.

    The district is split into two zones: Downtown, where the brewhall is, and the other just outside Canterbury Park.

    The initiative lets people bring open alcoholic drinks onto the streets and inside participating businesses, so long as you have a social district cup that’s provided by area establishments.

    The goal? Boost foot traffic for area businesses. A social district in Anoka has been an apparent success, while residents in Stillwater remain split over the idea.

    “The first week was, I would say, pretty busy. A lot of people were really interested in finding out what this was all about,” said John Nguyen, a bartender and barista at Shakopee Brewhall.    

    Ever since that first week, Nguyen said it’s gotten a bit slow. Those with other businesses in the area agree.

    No social cups were spotted during Tuesday’s early evening hours.

    “I hope it picks up,” said Nguyen.

    Michael Kerski, director of planning and development for the City of Shakopee, is pinning his hopes on the upcoming 19,000 Mystic Lake Amphitheater, adjacent to Canterbury Park.  

    “I think it’s still a little early, it’s only been about a month, literally,” said Kerski.

    He said he thinks the large shows will bring in crowds and more open containers when it opens next summer.

    “You’ll see a lot more Canterbury people leaving Badger Hill and some of the other places walking to the amphitheater, so they’ll be able to carry their drink with them,” said Kerski.

    The social district is open everyday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. through Halloween, with additional holiday hours for a few days in December.

    Jason Rantala

    Jason Rantala joined WCCO as a reporter in June 2023. He’s a Minnesota native and is thrilled to be telling the stories of those in his hometown.

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  • Cyclist hit by car in Stillwater; in serious condition




































    NEXT Weather: 8 a.m. report for Minnesota on Sept. 27, 2025



    NEXT Weather: 8 a.m. report for Minnesota on Sept. 27, 2025

    02:33

    A bicyclist is in serious condition after being struck by a car on Saturday morning in Stillwater, Minnesota. 

    The Washington County Sheriff’s Office said officials responded to the 12000 block of Dellwood Road North just before 9 a.m. for a report that a man on a bike had been struck by a car. The man was treated at the scene then taken to a local hospital. 

    Officials did not say if the driver remained on scene or if anyone was in custody. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the Minnesota State Patrol are investigating the incident. 

    Chloe Rosen

    Chloe is a digital producer at CBS Minnesota in Minneapolis and has worked in numerous positions at the station, including Assignment Editor, Digital Line Producer and Web Producer. She started her career at CBS Minnesota in 2015.

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  • Apple picking season underway at Minnesota farms




































    Minnesota apple growers ready for picking season



    Minnesota apple growers ready for picking season

    00:48

    Apple picking season is in full swing.  

    Weather conditions leading up to it have been great this year. Apple farmers say that, with the exception of storms on Sunday night, there hasn’t been much hail to ruin the crop. 

    Even though there was quite a bit of moisture in the spring, trees are running about ten days behind schedule.

    WCCO spoke with Chris Aamodt with Aamodt’s Apple Farm in Stillwater, Minnesota, about what people who visit his orchard can expect over the next month or so. 

    “They should expect to have some fun,” he said. “They can pick apples for the next few weeks until we run out. But otherwise, we have apples through the holidays. We’ve got goats, we’ve got wagon rides on weekends. Folks just come out and enjoy all the great food that we have. Plus, they can visit the winery. They can visit our Thor’s Hard Cider. So, there’s a lot going on.” 

    The peak apple harvest season is on for the next four weeks.

    Lisa Meadows

    Lisa has been fascinated by the weather all her life. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology with a minor in mathematics from Valparaiso University. She also obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications, and has the American Meteorological Society Certified Broadcast Meteorologist designation, as well as a NWA Seal of Approval from the National Weather Association.

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  • Minnesota prison guard describes dangerous encounters with drug smuggling: “It’s scary for everyone”

    Minnesota prison guard describes dangerous encounters with drug smuggling: “It’s scary for everyone”

    BAYPORT, Minn. — Sgt. Staci Stone had just begun her shift on a Thursday morning at Minnesota Correctional Facility-Stillwater when a nurse called for Narcan, the antidote to a drug overdose.

    Stone, a veteran corrections officer for more than 15 years, explained the Narcan was actually for a colleague, another CO who had just caught an inmate smoking a synthetic narcotic.

    “It was just in the air. Whatever he smoked, he blew it out,” Stone said. “And from being out in the air is where we started exhibiting symptoms.”

    Starting in June, staff at Stillwater, Rush City and Faribault correctional facilities began screening, scanning and reprinting mail after investigators discovered pieces of legal and personal mail stained and contaminated with synthetic narcotics.  

    This incident at Stillwater, however, happened in September and led to a two-day lockdown. Nine staff members, including Stone, were hospitalized.  

    WCCO


    “We went and laid down in health services and then all of a sudden it was just vomiting. The nausea and vomiting were escalating our symptoms,” she said. “It’s scary for everybody.”

    So far this year, the Minnesota Department of Corrections says there have been at least 70 cases of suspected overdoses in state prisons, with most leading to lockdowns that frustrate inmates, staff and their families.

    The DOC has stressed that its Office of Special Investigations will continue its investigation into the Stillwater incident, as well as crackdown on drug smuggling. 

    “At what point do you say enough is enough and try something else? I guess don’t know what the answer will end up being, but I’m open to everything,” Stone said. 

    Also last month, a former correctional officer at Faribault — 43-year-old Lindsey Adams of Farmington — was arrested and charged with third-degree possession of methamphetamine and introducing contraband into a state correctional facility, the Rice County Attorney’s Office said.

    According to prosecutors, authorities saw the inmate and guard making an exchange on live video.

    Jonah Kaplan


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    Jonah Kaplan is WCCO and CBS News Minnesota’s investigative reporter and has built a strong reputation for his balanced and in-depth coverage of high-impact issues including the economy, immigration, education, public safety, and the military, among others.

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  • Stillwater football player saved by AED after going into cardiac arrest

    Stillwater football player saved by AED after going into cardiac arrest

    STILLWATER, Minn. — The gridiron is where winners are crowned and incredible comebacks happen.

    Stillwater High School Sophomore Keegan Hawke has one great comeback story.

    On Sept. 24, Hawke went into cardiac arrest and collapsed during football practice.

    “All I remember is him saying ‘coach, coach,’ then he’s right in front of me on the ground,” said Assistant Coach Matt Hemenway.

    With no pulse and no time to spare, coaches and athletic trainers jumped into action with a critical piece of equipment and saved his life.

    Stillwater High School Athletic Trainers Olivia Dubois and Mike Renfro started CPR while preparing the Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

    “Knew he didn’t have a pulse, wasn’t breathing. We knew we needed the AED,” Dubois said. “It advised a shock. We pressed a button to administer a shock,” added Renfro.

    The AED did what it was supposed to, restarted Hawke’s heart as he was rushed to Regions Hospital.

    After days in the hospital, he was diagnosed with an uncommon heart rhythm that doctors hadn’t detected before when he went to get checked for an irregular heart beat.

    “When playing sports, my heart would go from normal to super-fast but it would go away,” Hawke said.

    After 72 hours in an induced coma and a total of 11 days in various hospitals—Keegan returned home Friday with a device that’ll monitor his heart and deliver a shock if and when he needs it.

    “Really grateful, very thankful for my teammates and coaches and trainers that helped me,” Keegan said.

    Katie Hawke credits the quick use of the AED for saving Hawke’s life.

    “We want to create awareness that this can really happen to anyone at any age,” Katie said.

    Hawke’s family is ready to champion for the miracles of that day and a lifetime with their son.

    “We want to make sure anyone who’s coaching sports, at grocery store, anywhere knows CPR and how to work an AED,” Katie said.

    An online fundraiser has raised nearly $5,000 for that goal.

    On Friday, Hawke was back on the field to thank the trainers that saved him and see the friends he missed dearly.

    Keegan is bummed he can’t play football anymore, but he’s still going to be on the sidelines for his Stillwater teammates.

    Ubah Ali

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  • Minnesotans, Wisconsinites share thoughts on Harris-Walz ticket during National Night Out

    Minnesotans, Wisconsinites share thoughts on Harris-Walz ticket during National Night Out

    STILLWATER, Minn. — Voters in Minnesota and western Wisconsin got a chance Tuesday to chat with neighbors about all the political news during National Night Out.

    The annual event focuses on connecting communities with local law enforcement.

    This year, it happened to fall on a day Minnesota and its governor came under a national spotlight.

    “I was thinking [Tim Walz] was kind of a far-fetched choice, because a lot of people don’t know him,” said Emily Krawczewski from Stillwater.

    While the rest of the country will now get to know Walz better, he already has fans in Stillwater.

    “My neighbor called me and I was so happy,” said Linda Hansen. “I was thinking, ‘I just hate to see him leave,’ but then again, I want him to go.”

    Krawczewski says she thinks it’s wonderful to have a representative on the ticket who would keep Minnesota in mind.

    “I think it’ll, if anything else, increase voter turnout,” she said. “Voting is one of the most important things we can do and if it gets people to the polls, I’m happy.”

    Wisconsin is set to welcome both campaigns for rallies in Eau Claire on Wednesday.

    “As someone who’s very passionate about the state of our country, I think it’s super cool they’re going to all lengths to reach everyone,” said Molly Peterson, a teenager from Hudson.

    In western Wisconsin, the Democratic ticket faces an uphill battle.

    Some in Hudson question Walz’s leadership and policies.

    “When he makes those kinds of decisions for the people of Minnesota, I’m worried he’s going to make some bad decisions for the nation,” said Tom Nordahl.

    President Biden won Wisconsin in 2020, but in the state’s four westernmost counties, Donald Trump took nearly 60% of the vote. Mr. Biden did win Eau Claire County, though.

    David Schuman


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    David joined the WCCO team in April 2020, previously working at CBS 58 in Milwaukee. Prior to that, he worked in Las Vegas. While there, David covered several stories in the national spotlight, including the October 1 mass shooting and political visits from President Barack Obama and candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.

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