🌱 Patch AM: How Stillwater’s crypto ATM ban ended up in court

Good morning Stillwater! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How Stillwater’s crypto ATM ban ended up in court
• Why a Stillwater man avoided prison in a serious assault case
• How close Stillwater came to stealing this Christmas wrestling crown

Also on today's calendar: Puzzle Contest to Benefit the Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center and 8 more events.

Today's riddle: I think I’ll wear only one boot today. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: Colder with a bit of snow, with a high of 19 and low of -4 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Thursday: Partly sunny and cold, temps: high: 11, low: 3.
• Friday: Cold with sun and clouds, with a high of 11 and low of 1 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Bitcoin Depot ATM network sues St. Paul for banning cryptocurrency kiosks (twincities.com) — Stillwater’s spring ban on cryptocurrency ATMs has drawn a legal challenge from Bitcoin Depot, which is already suing the city in Washington County District Court and recently updated its complaint. The same company just filed a nearly identical lawsuit against St. Paul, arguing its state money-transmission license should override local bans that officials say protect residents from high fees and fraud risks.
   

2. Stillwater man sentenced for sexually assaulting vulnerable adult (postbulletin.com) — A Stillwater resident has been sentenced to four years of probation after pleading guilty to a felony sexual conduct charge involving a vulnerable adult. Authorities say the woman, who has limited mental capacity, was transported through several cities, including Stillwater, before the assault occurred in Rochester in late 2021. Additional, more serious charges were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.
   

3. Knights add Xmas title to cap off 2025 on a high note (hometownsource.com) — Stillwater’s wrestling team finished second at the prestigious Matboss Minnesota Christmas Tournament, highlighted by a tight 1-0 title match loss for Chase Larence at 107 pounds. Several Stillwater wrestlers figured into key bouts as St. Michael-Albertville claimed the team championship over a deep, statewide field.
   

4. Residents express concern over ICE, call for city to take stance against cooperation with the agency (hometownsource.com) — Stillwater residents packed a recent City Council meeting to urge local leaders to formally reject cooperation between city police and federal immigration authorities. Speakers described fear among residents of color and called for a written policy barring participation in immigration raids. Mayor Ted Kozlowski said the city has no plans to partner with ICE and invited residents to help craft next steps.
   

📸 Around Stillwater

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Stillwater

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Thursday January 1

• Root to Rise Yoga
  Mudita Wellness , 1650 Market Drive , Stillwater
  9:00 am
• Thursday at CURRENT is our Ribeye Special For only $28!
  Current / Afton House Inn , 3291 St. Croix Trail S. , Afton
  4:00 pm
• Gentle Yoga
  Mudita Wellness , 1650 Market Drive , Stillwater
  5:00 pm
• Mindful Movement & Meditation
  Mudita Wellness , 1650 Market Drive , Stillwater
  6:30 pm

Friday January 2

• What's better than a wine tasting? A free wine tasting! Every Friday from 6 to 8 pm
  Swirl/Afton House Inn , 3291 St. Croix Trail S. , Afton
• Open Meditation
  Mudita Wellness , 1650 Market Drive , Stillwater
  6:30 am
• Gentle Yoga
  Mudita Wellness , 1650 Market Drive , Stillwater
  9:00 am
• It’s always a good Friday for crab legs. Only $29.99 every Friday!
  CURRENT/Afton House Inn , 3291 S. St. Croix Trail , Afton
  4:00 pm

Saturday January 10

• Puzzle Contest to Benefit the Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center
  Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center , Entry Road , Lake Elmo
  12:30 pm

Tuesday January 13

• Toddler Tuesday: Animal Winter Fun
  Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center , Entry Road , Lake Elmo
  10:00 am
• World Snow Celebration 2026
  Lowell Park , 201 Water St N , Stillwater
  5:00 pm

📣 Stillwater Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Wednesday December 31

• Gentle Yoga
  Mudita Wellness , 1650 Market Drive , Stillwater
  9:00 am
• It's Date Night! Need something fun to break up the week? Bring someone to Swirl tonight!
  Swirl , 3291 St. Croix Trail S. , Afton
  4:00 pm
• New Years Eve Dinner
  Manger Restaurant & Wine Bar , 320 5th Ave N , Bayport
  5:00 pm
• Ziggy's On Main Triva Night
  Ziggy's On Main , 132 Main St S , Stillwater
  8:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Stillwater PatchAM possible:

• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• What a lovely letter from the city last Wednesday.
  Seems like the connections to the city waterlines may cause lead in the water. The fix, go out and buy a water purifier (I use to use one of these… (Nextdoor Stillwater North Hill)
• Looking for someone to replace a toilet in an older home.
  If anyone knows a decent plumber or handyman I’d like to get to know them! (Nextdoor Perkins)

• United Natural Foods posted a job opening for Retail Associate Category Manager - Hybrid- Stillwater, MN in Stillwater. Apply here.
• CDS (Club Demonstration Services) posted a job opening for Part Time Product Demonstrator in Costco in Stillwater. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Stillwater here.

Ok Stillwater! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I heard there’s only a 50 percent chance of snow.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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