The Citizen

Judge releases findings regarding appropriation permits

BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANGING EDITOR

After months of waiting, a judge has weighed in on the appeals made by several cities in the north metro regarding the White Bear Lake level lawsuit.

Administrative Law Judge Eric Lipman issued his Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Order regarding the amendments made several years ago by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to some area water appropriation permits.

Seventeen permit holders — including 10 municipalities, three country clubs, several businesses and St. Paul Regional Water Services — formally contested changes to their permits. In 2018, the DNR amended the cities’ water appropriation permits to require those cities to:

1. Plan on converting water supplies from groundwater to surface water sources

2. Prohibit lawn irrigation on residential properties whenever the elevation of White Bear Lake falls below 923.5 feet

3. Plan to phase down the average amount of water used in the community

4. Report on efforts to collaborate with neighboring communities on reducing water usage.

Each city challenged the lawfulness of one or more of the amended conditions, which resulted

Solar farms: City Council chooses to take 2nd pause

BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR

HUGO

— For the next six months, no new solar farm development applications will be accepted by the city. For the second time, the City Council has approved an interim ordinance that establishes a moratorium

on new solar farms. To date, the city has received two solar farm applications, but Community Development Director Rachel Juba said the city knows of one more application that is in the works that remains incomplete.

“Staff recommends the council discuss whether to revise or add any regulations,

restrictions or prohibitions to the ordinance,” Juba said.

Council Member Phil Klein asked whether city staff had any issues with the city’s current ordinance.

Juba responded, “I guess what we are trying to tell you is that we are getting the same feedback from the residents even though we have increased

the restrictions for solar farms … We could put some siting criteria, but my guess is we are probably going to hear the same feedback every time (solar farms) are proposed.”

Juba added that city staff have watched what has been happening in other communities where similar solar projects are proposed, and they have received the same feedback from residents. Klein questioned the need for a moratorium. “We have made the restrictions much more restrictive … When we have new additions put in place in the community, I know that there is always pushback

The annual Good Neighbor Days celebration will be June 7-9 at Hugo Lions Volunteer Park. See special section inside for

We Do the Heavy Lifting for You!

District continues to refine budget for 2024-2025 school year

BY LOGAN GION CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The board will take action on the preliminary budget in June.

District staff have been working on forming the budget since October.

“As the Legislature goes through its process, they wind up having much better numbers, which informs our preliminary budget, which we bring to the school board at the planning session in May. Then in June, we’ll bring it to [the board],” said Finance and Operations Tim Wald.

The primary budgetary concern, as has been the case for the past 20 years, continues to be the General Education Allowance’s failure to keep

up with inflation overtime.

This will cause the district to experience an $11,206,315 shortfall this coming year. “This is something that every school district in the state is painfully aware of,” Wald reported, “We continue to challenge leaders in the State of Minnesota to fully fund public education…”

Director of Finance Andi Johnson highlighted that projected revenue minus projected expenses showed “more revenue than expenses to the tune of about $818,000.”

This money will be rolled into the unassigned fund balance, adding to the districts goal of an 8% leftover ending fund balance.

“Based on what we know, we’re looking at a fund balance of $11,821,000,” she continued,

“We’ll continue to monitor and make changes as we know more.”

“We’ve had a lot of budgetary changes regarding nutrition services,” Johnson said in regards to the reinstatement of free meals. The expenses here will be higher than funds received in order to “spend down that balance,” Johnson explains. Because White Bear’s expenses were under projections during COVID years, more will be spent this year to maintain the nutrition fund balance goal. Johnson reiterated that the numbers were healthy and that “this is not a structural imbalance.”

Conversely, COVID had a negative impact on the community service fund. “We

CONTRIBUTED

District staff continue to work on and revise the budget before the school board adopts the preliminary budget in September. The tax levy will be finalized in December after a Truth in Taxation hearing.

had a lot less kids signing up during those years, but still had fixed costs,” Johnson stated, “so

we’re working our way out of a deficit there.”

APPEAL: Irrigation ban nixed

FROM PAGE 1

in the contested case hearing before Judge Lipman at the end of 2023.

In last week’s ruling, Judge Lipman found that amended permit conditions 1, 3 and 4 are “reasonable and lawful” measures to protect groundwater supplies.

Judge Lipman found that permit condition 2 does not treat all of those who irrigate lawns in the east metro similarly and is not reasonable or lawful. Additionally, he found that the broader solution to the overuse of local groundwater supplies and lower levels of White Bear Lake is to convert cities in the northeast metro area to surface water sources, and to do so as quickly as possible.

The cities are still evaluating what this ruling will mean for them and their residents, but they are happy to see the irrigation ban will not continue.

“We are very pleased that the draconian, unenforceable and unfair

irrigation ban has been obliterated,” Hugo City Administrator Bryan Bear said. “The rest of the ruling is being evaluated.”

Vadnais Heights City Administrator Kevin Watson added, “The city of Vadnais Heights is happy to see that Judge Lipman heard the city’s concerns about the residential irrigation ban, its ineffectiveness for increasing White Bear Lake levels, and its arbitrary application to only residential water users. We are currently reviewing the judge’s decision to determine the next steps for promoting water conservation within our community.”

For more information, visit mn.gov/ oah/assets/2002-37733-dnr-variouswater-appropriation-permits-report_ tcm19-624584.pdf.

Managing Editor Shannon Granholm can be reached at 651-407-1227 or citizennews@presspubs.com.

Background: White Bear Lake level lawsuit

The water appropriations issue dates back to the White Bear Lake level lawsuit, filed in 2012. In 2017, the plaintiffs, the White Bear Lake Restoration Association and intervening homeowners association, prevailed. The defendants, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and intervening cities that included Hugo, lost.

District Court Judge Margaret Marrinan ruled that the DNR’s current and planned permitting of high-capacity wells and management of White Bear Lake and the Prairie du Chien-Jordan aquifer violated both the Minnesota Environmental Rights Act (MERA) and the public trust.

The DNR’s conduct, the judge decided, impaired White Bear Lake and its underlying aquifer by allowing excessive pumping, all the while

knowing that the withdrawals were not sustainable.

The court order required enforcement of a residential irrigation ban when the level of White Bear Lake falls below 923.5 feet; a phase-down of daily per capita residential water use to 75 gallons; contingency plans for partial or total conversion to use of surface water; and a requirement that all groundwater permittees report annually to the DNR on their collaborative efforts toward those mandates.

The order also mandated that the DNR could not issue any new groundwater appropriation permits or authorize increases in existing permits within 5 miles of the lake, at least not until there is sufficient data to understand impacts on water levels and the underlying Prairie du Chien aquifer.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

ONGOING EVENTS

HUGO SENIOR CITIZENS PLAY ‘500’

When: 12: 45 p.m. Thursdays May 30 and June 6; and every 1st, 3rd & 5th Thursday of each month.

Where: Rice Lake Centre in Hugo, 6900 137th Street N. Details: Games begin promptly at 12:45 p.m. Refreshments and coffee will be served. All senior citizens from the area are invited. Join us and bring a friend.

Contact: Barb @ 651-592-0369 or barbconnolly1958@ yahoo.com

CURRENT EVENTS

COMMUNITY MARKET RIBBON CUTTING & OPEN HOUSE

When:  4:30 p.m., Thursday, May 30

Where: Community Market, 2446 County Rd F

Details: Everyone is welcome to the opening of the Community Market, a new free food market and community resource hub by the White Bear Area Food Shelf. Remarks by state and local leaders followed by self-guided tours of Community Market.

Movie in the park

When: Dusk, June 8

Where: Polar Lakes Park,1280

Hammond Rd., White Bear Township

Details: Bring a lawn chair or banket and bug spray and watch a free family-friendly movie outdoors.

“Super Mario Brothers” shows on June 8. See weather updates on facebook.

Contact: facebook.com/ WhiteBearTownshipMNOfficialSite

Not a food distribution.

Contact: whitebearfoodshelf.org

LOCAL AUTHOR EVENT

When: 6-8 p.m. Thursday, May 30

Where: Anchor Coffee House, 4742 Washington Square, White Bear Lake

Details: Visit with 10-12 local authors and other book lovers. Coffee and hot chocolate available. Contact; catalystwbl.org

BEARS EXPLORE OUTDOORS

When: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, May 31

Where: Bald Eagle-Otter Lakes Regional Park, 5785 Hugo Road, White Bear Lake

Details: Community event with fishing, activities, games, food, music, demonstrations, bike giveaways and more.

Contact: WBLAS Community Services & Recreation at 651-407-7500

LANDSCAPE REVIVAL

When: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, June 1

Where: Rockpoint Church, 5825 Kelvin Ave. N., Lake Elmo

Details: 13th Annual “More than a plant sale” expo includes local conservation and restoration groups discussing how to grow native plants to benefit pollinators, wildlife, and water quality. Purchase plants from local growers. Food truck on site. Contact:tiny.cc/LR24

KIDS BIKE RODEO

When: 9-11 a.m. Saturday, June 8

Where: White Bear Lake Public Works facility, 3950 Hoffman Rd.

Details: Kids can get bikes tuned up, helmets fitted, rider safety information, demonstrations, prizes and ride through courses. Registration required. Contact: whitebearlake.org/publicsafety/webform/ kids-bike-rodeo

BASICS OF SQUARE DANCING

When: 6-7:45 p.m. Monday, June 10

Where: White Bear Lake Library, 2150 2nd St.

Details: All are welcome to learn sqare dancing, including solos, couples, and families. Casual attire; partners provided.

Contact: 651-208-5807

SKILLS FOR DISAGREEING BETTER

When: 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, June 11

Where: White Bear Schools District Center, 4855 Bloom Ave.

Details: Braver Angels-led workshop helps participants learn strategies to have better conversations with family and friends who disagree about politics. Register online.

Contact: //bit.ly/3UZYfpr

MINNESOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL RODEO CHAMPIONSHIP

When: 7 p.m. Friday, June 14 and Saturday, June 15; noon Sunday, June 16

Where: Dead Broke Arena, Hwy 61 and 170th St., Hugo

Details: Top high school contenders compete to win a trip to nationals. Free pony rides, cowboy hats for kids, vendors, and food trucks one hour before each rodeo. See ticket information online. Contact: deadbrokesaddleclub.org/mn-high-schoolrodeo-state-finals

New updates revealed on I-35E reconstruction project

BY ERIK SUCHY STAFF WRITER

Ramsey County Public Works

unveiled updates to its ongoing County Road J & I-35E Interchange reconstruction planning at its May 17 open house event. The event, which was hosted at the Ramsey County Public Works Office from 4 to 6 p.m., is the second open house related to the project. The first open house, held last summer, introduced some initial concepts.

The project was first introduced in late 2021. Project members identified several traffic congestion and access issues affecting pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. The proposed solutions included creating access from southbound I-35E to County Road J, creating access from County Road J to northbound I-35E, and improving County Road J between Centerville Road and Otter Lake Road.

One new change concerns a roundabout at Centerville Road and County Road J. “We considered an option to make it potentially bigger,” said Project Consultant Chris Hiniker. “We backed off on doing that to reduce costs and right-of-way impact.” Hiniker also highlighted potentially higher traffic congestion as a reason why plans did not move forward.

Anoka County Assistant County Engineer Jerry Auge further emphasized the changes during the open house. “We’re working to improve the intersection at Otter Lake Road,” said Auge. “Right now, it’s a T-intersection that will turn into a roundabout. It’ll connect into the east side ramps, both the northbound off-ramp and the northbound on-ramp to I-35E.” Auge said this would give greater access to motorists coming from the road to I-35E.

Auge also spotlighted other CONTRIBUTED improvements, specifically the four-

way intersection of 20th Avenue South and County Road J in White Bear Township. “We’re going to turn that into a roundabout as well,” said Auge. “We’ll also add an off-ramp going southbound in that location. It’ll improve the safety and speed of the vehicles in the area.”

After the first open house, Lino

Lakes resident Amy Donlen said she was happy with the changes in plans for County Road J. “I think they made some good changes to the first several plans,” said Donlen, who lives on Centerville Road. One initial plan involved extending County Road J through a conservation easement on a neighbor’s property. This was scrapped

after significant pushback arose at the first open house.

Despite this, Donlen still voiced concerns she had regarding traffic congestion. “I live in an already busy area,” said Donlen. “An access ramp to the northbound freeway and southbound exit from I-35E to County Road J will bring more traffic. I’m worried that this will make it harder for people who want to exit their driveways.”

More concerns were echoed by White Bear Township residents. Jean Cook, who lives on Otter Lake Road, expressed similar concerns about traffic. “I’m worried about the commercial and manufacturing companies off Centerville Road,” said Cook. She said her biggest fear was that more access from these businesses to I-35E would bring traffic closer to Otter Lake Road.

“If there’s more freeway access from different directions, that’s going to bring that traffic closer to our residential area,” explained Cook. “There could be a greater chance of someone taking Otter Lake Road as a shortcut to get onto I-35 E.”

Elise Raburn, who lives next door to Cook, also voiced her concerns. “I don’t know what the environmental impact on this will be,” said Raburn. “From what I heard, they aren’t going to install any noise barriers along I-35E. That bothers me.”

When asked about these concerns, Project Manager Joey Lindquist said that through future open houses, new changes will be made to the project before its scheduled 2025 construction start date.

Erik Suchy is a writer at Press Publications. To reach him, contact him at 651-407-1229, or email at whitebearnews@presspubs.com

The department will also be working on improving County Road J between Centerville Road and Otter Lake Road.

The Ramsey County Public Works department has been updating planned changes to connect Centerville Road and Otter Lake Road to I-35E.

The strength of local news in an era of division

In their hit song, “Bad Moon Rising,” Creedence Clearwater Revival writes, “I see trouble on the way/I see earthquakes and lightnin’/I see bad times today.” Though a product of its time, these lyrics still hold true regarding the tensions surrounding divisions in politics and social justice. I see these tensions constantly made worse by various national news channels, which seek to fan these flames of divisiveness solely for ratings.

It is here where I must stress the importance of local news and its effects on readers. Specifically, I want to highlight the warmth and joy it can spread through human interest and community-driven stories. These intended effects are crucial to one’s mental health in a time of anxiety and uncertainty.

I was first drawn to the appeal of local journalism when I was beginning college. Before that, I read every edgy, political/world event-driven story I could find. I was bizarrely fascinated by reading about this kind of drama from left and right-wing perspectives. It was as though the very sense of division I find myself rallying against now entranced me into reading more and more without stopping.

But then came the stress. The often-sleepless nights. The mentality of dependency I got caught in. My mood became based on not knowing if the next story I read was about civilization’s proximity to the brink of destruction. I knew I had to stop reading if it meant being at peace, but I couldn’t. I was too far down the rabbit hole of world drama to even care.

Who knew that a random visit to the Press Publications website would help change my entire outlook on news?

But alas, one random click was all it took for me to get hooked. And boy, was I lucky to reap the benefits of what I saw. No headlines expressed distaste for anyone with differing political ideologies, and there was no anticipation of how close World War III was.

People discussed their love for volunteering to make a difference in their local communities. There were human interest stories on different organizations and businesses. Often, there were previews of upcoming events around town. People seemed happy to be alive and honored to call the north metro their home.

No anger. No spite. Just pure, unrefined happiness sprouting from a desire to highlight the best of people. In short, the perfect template for what I should follow as a creative writing major and soonto-be journalist.

However, this isn’t just an example others should follow for pursuing journalism as their dream career. It’s also an opportunity for readers to escape the stressful hubbub of national news and focus on something much brighter. True, there is still a time and place to read about events in the greater scheme of things. We always want to know about forces outside of our control that have the potential to impact the way we live. Yes, they do deserve our attention from time to time.

But as humans, we also deserve a chance to break tradition and uncover positivity in our communities today. That alone is worth picking up a copy of your local paper today.

Erik Suchy is a staff writer at Press Publications. To reach him, please contact him at 651-407-1229, or email at whitebearnes@presspubs.com

MTransforming learning and seeing results

Movers & Shakers

Wayne Kazmierczak

ost of us are familiar with Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland.” In the child’s fairy tale, Alice asks the mysterious Cheshire Cat, “Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?” “That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the Cat. “I don’t much care where–” said Alice. “Then it doesn’t matter which way you go,” said the Cat. For far too many American youth over recent decades, this conversation mirrors their school experience. Many students navigate their education with uncertainty, going through the motions, following instructions, and collecting diplomas, yet they leave still wondering. This passive learning, a remnant of the Industrial Revolution, prepared students in an assembly-line fashion but fails to equip them for a rapidly changing world.

Recognizing this problem in 2017, the White Bear Lake Area Schools Strategic Planning Team set a vision to transform learning. What if our schools could ensure students realize their unique talents and abilities to make meaningful contributions with

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local and global impact? What if we promote, encourage, and support students’ personal learning experiences and aspirations? What if we built a future where students design and create their future?

Today, the work of our Strategic Planning vision is evident. Recent interviews with elementary students about their learning experiences revealed significant insights. Students as young as 8 and 9 described making daily decisions that impact their learning, from choosing where to sit for focus or collaboration to managing their schedules and transitioning between activities. These students are no longer passive recipients of information but active participants in learning.

A district-wide commitment to student success has led to gains for high school students as well. Our graduation rates lead state averages across all demographic groups. In 2023, our South Campus boasted a graduation rate of 93%, including 82% of special education students, 94% of Black or African American students, 95% of White students, and 75% of Hispanic/Latino students. Additionally, our district was recognized on the College Board AP Honor Roll for maintaining high expectations, expanding access to advanced coursework, and closing achievement gaps. This investment in our youth has profound community

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implications. A high school diploma significantly increases lifetime earnings—by an average of one million dollars per student. Thus, as we transform individual lives, we infuse over $24 billion into our economy over their lifetimes.

Our students are succeeding. Our girls soccer, girls basketball, and boys hockey teams earned bids to state tournaments; our Knowledge Bowl team reached state for the first time; our theater program excelled in the Spotlight Theatre Awards (with the most awards in the last 15 years); and our high school bands and robotics team earned regional recognition. Two of our students completed the highest number of Ford Automotive Career Exploration program modules in the United States, supported by our partnership with Ford Motor Company.

The future demands variety in skills and talents, and children driven by their intrinsic interests and motivations will excel. Rather than filling students with information, authentic learning ignites curiosity and creativity. Unlike Alice in Wonderland, in White Bear Lake Area Schools, students discover their talents and design their futures from an early age. The days of “I don’t much care” need to be well behind us.

Dr. Wayne Kazmierczak, Superintendent, White Bear Lake Area Schools

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Suchy’s Scoop

Erik Suchy

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The opposite of ‘woke’ is ‘conked’

The claims and concerns of some Republican politicians over how “woke” ideology is infiltrating and threatening our society can best be served with a large side of irony.

“Woke” is now a derogatory moniker used by the right to name anything that threatens the conservative status quo. For example, great “anti-woke” crusader Gov. DeSantis (aka DeSanctimonious) of Florida refuses to acknowledge the human causes of climate change. He recently made a big show of not accepting federal funding that would address controlling emissions. “Florida gave up $3 million in federal grant funding and as much as $500 million more by declining to participate in a Biden administration program aimed at helping states address the human-caused emissions warming the global climate.” (Inside Climate News, Amy Green 5/24)

And yet, here is the big serving of irony: To date, federal support following Hurricane Ian for Florida totals $8.69 billion: FEMA provided $1.13 billion in grants to more than 386,000 households in 26 counties. The U.S. Small Business Administration approved $1.94 billion in disaster loans for homeowners, renters and

BUSINESS BRIEFS

businesses. FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program paid $4.38 billion for more than 47,300 claims filed. FEMA obligated more than $1.8 billion to reimburse state and local applicants for emergency response, debris removal and repair or replacement of public facilities. (From the FEMA website). And undoubtedly, there is more federal funding going to support other damage attributable to increased hurricane activity in Florida.

No, Florida Republicans are not so much “anti-woke” as they are just plain conked to the realities of human-caused climate change. An amazing Minnesota Republican congressperson recently entitled a bill “Trust the Science Act”. So, yes let’s wake up and trust the science of climate change.

Will Perry Hugo

Living under an insane government

Things I believe the current government is doing:

1. Spending us into hyperinflation and bankruptcy, which means bank and currency failure.

2. Invading the country with illegal aliens — most of whom we know nothing about.

Nystrom expands Hugo Clinic

Nystrom & Associates recently celebrated the expansion of its Hugo clinic. The expansion will almost double the clinic’s size and will enable more providers to meet the community’s mental health care needs. It will also eventually allow the addition of medication management services, ensuring prescribed medications are used effectively and safely, and will incorporate Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), a specialized talk therapy program that promotes self-acceptance and equips individuals with emotional management and coping skills. Nystrom’s Hugo location currently offers individual

3. Not defending the country and even giving away or abandoning much of our military equipment.

4. Using money meant for defense to fill our atmosphere with tons and tons of particulates (chemtrails) that will have who knows what effect on the environment going forward.

5. Running a “justice” department that wants to throw you in jail (and throw away the key) if you oppose their ideology and want to support America.

6. Wants to raise taxes to confiscatory rates so it gets harder and harder to own property.

7. Increases regulation on private business to try to force them out of business.

8. Tries to get us to take unnecessary “vaccines” that do more harm than good.

9. Buys votes by paying off education debt and gives away money to illegals.

10. Fouls up the education system by teaching kids about sex and race instead of the three Rs.

11. Is abandoning Israel to its “neighbors” — something God Himself has warned us not to do.

But what else should we expect from a leader who’s in bed with those who hate America and want the country destroyed to create a new world order?

Robert Kluk Hugo

outpatient therapy, couples and family therapy, substance use treatment and psychiatric services. By broadening its capacity, Nystrom aims to meet the growing demand for mental health support and ensure patients receive timely and effective care.

“We have an amazing team in Hugo who demonstrate clinical excellence and compassion for our clients,” said Doug Foote, Nystrom’s chief operating officer.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 819,000 people in Minnesota have a mental health condition, yet many do not receive the care they need. As mental health care needs continue to rise, the clinic expansion highlights Nystrom’s dedication to providing accessible and comprehensive mental health care options to individuals across the state and region.

For more information on services available and to schedule an appointment, please visit: www. nystromcounseling.com.

Premier Banks hosts open house, grand opening

Premier Banks of Hugo will host a Good Neighbor Days open house from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 8 at its new location, 14773 Flay Ave. N. Attendees have the chance to win a “cash tornado.”

Premier Banks will also host a grand opening party

CHURCH DIRECTORY

advertise here, call Randy at 651-407-1212 or email

WEEKLY WAG

Puppy alert! Meet Jessie, a 5-month old Labrador retriever/ mastiff mix. Jessie is a gorgeous pup with a smooth, glossy coat and soulful eyes. She is charming, playful, curious, cuddly and ready to become part of a loving forever family. Jessie arrived at Ruff Start Rescue from Texas as part of the Lone Star to North Star Program. She has a wonderful personality and a heart as big as her paws. Jessie would do best with a person or family who is patient and understanding and has the time to help and train her to be her best self. Being a Labrador mix, training should come relatively easily. Thanks to the combination of her mixed Labrador and mastiff breeds, Jessie is naturally smart, gentle and loyal.

She will make the perfect playmate for a family with or without children. She is sweet, spirited and eager to bring joy and a lot of wet kisses to you and your family. If you are interested in learning more about Jessie or adopting her, please fill out an application at www.ruffstartrescue. org. Once your application is received, Ruff Start Rescue will contact you as soon as possible.

from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 11. The event will include dinner, refreshments, ice cream and more family fun. Festival wins award, donates to food shelf

CONTRIBUTED

Nystrom & Associates hosts a ribbon cutting to celebrate the expansion of its Hugo clinic.

SHANNON GRANHOLM | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

Festival Foods of Hugo won the Best Innovative Marketing Silver Plate Award for its 2023 Bag Hunger Campaign. Through the campaign, it was able to raise enough funds to donate $1,000 to the Hugo Good Neighbors Food Shelf.

COPS&COURTS

HUGO POLICE REPORTS

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office reported the following incidents:

• An identification card was reported found at 3:16 p.m. April 14 in the 12000 block of Janero Avenue N. and turned into Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies.

• A Minnesota motorist was cited at 12:41 a.m. April 15 on Forest Blvd. N. and 152nd Street N. for failure to present a valid driver’s license, following a traffic stop.

• A resident in the 5000 block of Evergreen Drive N. at 10:06 a.m. April 15 reported an attempted scam on Instagram from a male wanting bank account information.

• A license plate was reported stolen from the 5000 block of 165th Street N. at 2:52 p.m. April 16.

• Downed trees blocking the road were reported on 125th Street N. at Upper Heather Avenue N. at 7:10 p.m. April 16, following afternoon thunderstorms. More downed trees blocking the road were reported at 9:03 p.m. that same evening on Irish Avenue at 152nd Street N. The Public Works Department was called out to remove them.

• A suspicious light pole reported to have been knocked down by a vehicle at 11:55 p.m. April 16 on 132nd Street N. and 132nd Way N. turned out to have been knocked down by the wind.

The Public Works Department was advised to come out to rescue the pole.

• Residents in the 1000 block of Finale Avenue N. at 11:12 a.m. April 17 reported fraudulent activity on their banking account. Residents in the 5000 block of 140th Street N. at 12:36 p.m. that same day reported a check stolen from their mail, after which it was washed and fraudulently used.

• A resident in the 4000 block of Evergreen Drive N. at 12:46 p.m. April 17 reported receiving a scam phone call from strangers stating they knew where the complainant and his family lived.

The complainant hung up on the scammer.

• Animal control officers were reported at 5:56 p.m. April 17 for removing animals from the 15000 block of Forest Blvd. N. due to deficient living conditions.

• A motorist was issued a written warning at 10:14 p.m. April 17 in the 15000 block of Forest Blvd. N. for displaying vehicle tabs that had expired in September 2023.

• Management at a restaurant in the 14000 block of Victor Hugo Blvd. N. at 8:16 p.m. April 18 reported a suspicious and unwanted person on the premises, requesting that the subject be trespassed. Deputies arriving on scene complied by presenting the trespass notice to the suspect.

• Deputies on rolling patrol on Frenchman Road and Oneka Parkway N. at 11:06 a.m. April 19 observed a driver with a cell phone attached to the right ear and talking into the phone. During the traffic stop, the driver admitted to the violation.

• A motorist was cited at 5:32 p.m. April 19 on Forest Blvd. N. and 147th Street N. for failure to display current vehicle registration and for driving on an expired commercial drivers’ license, following a traffic stop for the tardy tabs.

PUBLIC SAFETY BRIEFS

Lino Lakes man missing after canoe goes over waterfall

A search is underway for two canoeists who went missing after going over a waterfall in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The incident occurred on the evening of Saturday, May 18, at Curtain Falls, which is located on Iron Lake in St. Louis County. According to a press release from the local sheriff, two canoes went over the falls shortly before 7:21 p.m. One person was badly injured and two were still missing as of press time.

The wounded person and another individual who was uninjured were airlifted from the scene by a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources helicopter around 12:30 a.m. The

• A motorist pulled over for a traffic violation at 9:16 p.m. April 19 on Forest Blvd. N. and 130th Street N. was arrested on an outstanding warrant.

• An eastbound motorist was cited for speeding 65 mph in a 55 mph zone at 8:55 a.m. April 20 on 122nd Street N. at July Avenue N. by west-facing deputies on stationary patrol, who clocked the vehicle on radar. The driver would admit to going only 62 mph.

• Deputies took a phone complaint from a man in the 15000 block of Forest Blvd. N. at 1:50 p.m. April 20 about having to pay impound fees for his dog at the Otter Lake Animal Hospital.

When deputies advised the complainant that it was a civil matter between him and the animal hospital, he became upset, cursed at them and hung up.

• Debris was reported in the middle of the roadway on 170th Street N. and Forest Blvd. N. at 10:15 p.m. April 20. Deputies arrived on scene and removed the paper from the street.

• Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) deputies responded to a harassment report in the 15000 block of Forest Blvd. N. at 6:59 p.m. April 21.

• Deputies initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for speeding 48 mph in a posted 35 mph zone on Frenchman Road and Oneka Parkway N. at 12:10 a.m. April 22.

• A male causing a disturbance with employees and customers in the Kwik Trip store in the 14000 block of Victor Hugo Blvd. at 2:36 a.m. April 22 was issued trespass papers by store management.

• An adult male was arrested for undisclosed violations at 5:49 p.m. April 22 in the 14000 block of Everton Avenue N., following a traffic stop for expired registration.

• A Minnesota motorist was cited at 9:38 p.m. April 22 on Frenchman Road after deputies on patrol conducted a random computer check and discovered the vehicle in front of them was tagged for revoked license plates.

• Another motorist was issued insurance forms to complete at 11:59 p.m. April 23 on Forest Blvd. N. and 130th Street N., following a traffic stop for driving conduct. When his identification and insurance were requested, the driver was unable to provide current proof of insurance.

The driver had 10 days to provide proof of being insured to avoid being mailed a citation.

• A trailer-towing driver was mailed a citation for two violations, following a traffic stop at 6:33 a.m. April 24 on a private road for being on the phone while driving. In addition, no plates were displayed on the trailer being towed.

• A business in the 15000 block of Jeffrey Avenue

sheriff’s office said the injured party was flown to a hospital in Duluth with serious but not life-threatening injuries.

The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office identified the missing canoers as Reis Melvin Grams, 40, of Lino Lakes and Jesse Melvin Haugen, 40, of Cambridge.

Washington County recognizes Explorers

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office recently hosted the 2024 Exploring Awards Celebration at the Washington County Government Center. The presentation included scholarships for youth leadership achievement, advisors and posts recognitions. This year, Explorer Tyler Harris received the “Learning

N. at 4:32 p.m. April 24 reported that a check had been stolen and washed for a new amount, which was likely greater than the original amount written.

• A motorist was arrested for DWI at 12:58 a.m. April 25 on Forest Blvd. N. and 147th Street N., after deputies initiated a traffic stop for speeding 55 mph in a 35 mph zone and expired registration. On contact, deputies observed signs of impairment and bloodshot, watery eyes in the driver and a moderate odor of an alcoholic beverage in the vehicle. The last straw was the enlarged pupils, after which deputies requested the driver to complete standardized field sobriety testing and a portable breath test. After she registered a blood alcohol content of 0.10, the driver was arrested and transported to jail, where she was booked and released with a citation.

• Deputies took a fraud report from the 12000 block of Goodview Avenue N. at 1:39 a.m. April 25.

• Residents in the 12000 block of Fondant Trail N. at 10:11 a.m. April 25 reported receiving emails from an outfit claiming to be Experian, a consumer credit reporting company, regarding their child’s identity being stolen. The complainants use Experian, but when they called Experian for clarification, the company was not at all helpful in confirming they sent the email. The complainant didn’t provide any information to the emailer, and deputies advised them not to respond until Experian verifies they sent the email. Deputies also advised the complainant that companies do not request personal information via email.

• Property owners in the 5000 block of 138th Street at 12:27 p.m. April 25 reported being harassed by hunters who used to hunt on their land and who are now upset that the former owners sold the land.

• Residents in the 15000 block of Farnham Avenue N. at 4:08 p.m. April 25 reported receiving a phone call from an individual claiming to be a Dakota County Sheriff’s Office deputy and saying that the complainants have a warrant out on them. WCSO deputies confirmed that the complainants did not have a warrant out on them and they were being scammed.

• A motorist was cited at 9:38 p.m. April 25 on Frenchman Road and Victor Hugo Blvd. N. for multiple traffic violations and also investigated for possible domestic abuse no-contact order violations.

• A resident in the 13000 block of Forest Blvd. N. at 6:18 p.m. April 26 reported receiving a phone call purporting to be from Publisher’s Clearinghouse and urging him to buy gift cards so that he could receive his winnings. The complainant reassured us all that he did not buy gift cards and that he is not out any money.

• An eastbound motorist was cited at 9:25 a.m. April 27 on Oneka Lake Blvd. N. at Goodview Avenue N. for speeding 44 mph in a 30 mph zone by westbound deputies on rolling patrol, who clocked the vehicle on radar at 44 mph in a 30 mph zone. Deputies described the driver’s attitude as “good”.

for Life Youth Leadership Award.”

This nationally recognized award is given to tenured Explorers who have demonstrated leadership within the program and the community and is the highest honor an Explorer can receive.

McKenzie Springborn received a $1,000 Scholarship from the Major

The recipient of this scholarship is decided on by a volunteer committee of law enforcement and community leaders, and is selected based on their academic achievements, leadership ability, and strong record of school participation and community activities.

Loretta Harding

Mahipathi Scholarship foundation.

Explorer McKenzie Springborn receives a $1,000 scholarship from the Major Mahipathi Scholarship Foundation.

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

Explorer Tyler Harris received the “Learning for Life Youth Leadership Award.”

SOLAR : Hugo City Council pauses new solar farm development, approves 2nd moratorium

FROM PAGE 1

because they don’t want those people moving in next door to them because it is a change,” he said. “I don’t see any difference in the responses that we would get regardless of the changes that we would make.”

Juba explained the moratorium was just a way to continue the discussion if the council so desired.

City Council Member Becky Petryk said she wanted to make it clear that the city of Hugo does encourage rooftop solar panels or smaller arrays in yards. Juba explained the moratorium would not apply to those types of solar panels referred to as “accessory solar.”

City Administrator Bryan Bear explained that the moratorium process was led in part by the “community opposition” to these types of projects. “Despite the city adding more and more restrictions to solar farms, that community opposition doesn’t change,” he said.

He said the conversation was not necessarily about what restrictions could be added to the ordinance, but rather whether certain locations within the city would be acceptable for that kind of development and what the location criteria would be. Currently, solar farms are allowed in agricultural zoning districts, including agricultural, rural residential and future urban

COUNTY BRIEFS

service. They are also allowed in other districts within floodplains or wetlands.

“If you like the ordinance the way that it is, we are OK with leaving it as it is, but we wanted to float this idea for you to determine whether you think there should be changes to that ordinance or whether you think they should be prohibited completely,” Bear said.

Council Member Mike Miron said he would be okay with “taking a pause” so the council and Planning Commission could further discuss the criteria for acceptable locations in areas having particular characteristics.

“I think those pieces of the ordinance are fairly restrictive or aggressive, but there is that outstanding character piece that might be worthwhile to continue to have a discussion to get that part of the conversation right,” he said, adding that the council and Planning Commission should do some joint workshops. “Those two groups looked at that a bit differently in the most recent application,” he said. (See “Council sides with neighbors, says no to solar farm” May 16.)

Council Member David Strub said he was still concerned. “I think the ordinance is very good in quantifying setbacks and sightlines,

County board accepts $715,016 grant for homelessness prevention

The Washington County Board of Commissioners recently accepted a $715,016 grant agreement for homelessness prevention for families and for securing housing for families experiencing homelessness. The Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program (FHPAP) grant was awarded by the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MN Housing) to provide supportive services and/or financial assistance to families who are experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of homelessness.

The county has applied for and received FHPAP grant funding since 2007. It has contracted with community providers to utilize the funds to stabilize families in their existing homes, shorten the amount of time that families spend in emergency shelters and assist families with securing transitional or permanent affordable housing. Agencies that will receive funds from the second round of FHPAP funding are Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, Solid Ground, and Valley Outreach.

County board authorizes issuance, sale of up to $30 million in bonds

Commissioners have authorized the issuance and sale of up to $30 million in county bonds. The board passed two parameter resolutions setting the terms and conditions for the issuance and sale of general obligation capital improvement plan bonds, Series 2024A, in an amount not to exceed $30 million, and general obligation capital improvement plan refunding bonds, Series 2024B.

Washington County is allowed by law to finance certain capital improvements under an approved capital improvement plan by the issuance of general obligation bonds to be repaid through property taxes. The county board will use the bond sale to fund two projects from the county’s 2023-2027 Capital Improvement Plan — the Central Service and License Center construction project and the Central Park improvement project in Woodbury.

CALENDAR BRIEF

Forest Lake Masons hosts barbecue drive-thru

The Forest Lake Masons will host a barbecue drive-thru from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday, June 9. Those who participate can decide between a savory smoked Italian pork sandwich or a smoked pork with plum sauce sandwich.

The Masons will match funds donated at the drive-thru to Rangers Supporting Rangers (RSR). RSR provides food support to the district’s students and families with a financial need. The Forest Lake Masonic Lodge is located at 119 Eighth Avenue SE.

History of Hugo’s solar farm ordinance

• In 2016 City Council adopted an ordinance that regulates solar energy systems.

• In 2018 City Council approved its first solar farm from FastSun LLC Solar, located on 165th Street west of Henna Avenue.

• In February 2023, City Council established a six-month moratorium that prohibits new solar farms

but I don’t know how we can quantify neighborhood character,” he said. “When the second applicant came in, he jumped through a lot of hoops that we required of him, and at the end, he was denied because of subjective criteria … I agree the discussion needs to go on.”

Petryk said she agreed more discussion would be a good idea. “I think the review committee did a great job drafting up our ordinance and doing everything they could possibly do, but also I do not think it would hurt for us to take a pause and look at this again.”

Klein pointed out that Strub had previously brought up a great point

The county will have bond rating discussions with Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s this May, and the pricing committee will consider bids and award sale of bonds in June. The county expects to receive funds from the bond sale in July.

County board approves contract for crack sealing program

Washington County has selected Fahrner Asphalt Sealers LLC to provide crack sealing services on county roads in 2024 for a total of $228,075. Crack sealing is performed annually within the county system on various county roads, county highways and county facilities. Crack sealing is a maintenance process that seals cracks in roads. This reduces the amount of water that can infiltrate the cement and road base, which reduces freeze-thaw damage. Reducing the freeze-thaw damage helps to slow down road degradation. Prolonging the life of the road helps to preserve the financial investment in the road and extends the amount of time until the next reconstruction is needed. The contract will be funded through county wheelage tax and the capital repair fund.

Library kicks off summer programs for all ages June 1

Washington County Library’s summer programs for kids, teens and adults begin Saturday, June 1, and continue through Saturday, Aug. 17.

Through the Summer Adventure program, kids ages 0-11 can read, learn, listen and explore with an alien friend, Zorb. This flexible program can be tailored to each child’s interests and learning needs.  Teens ages 12-18 can Level Up! their summer with a video game-themed program that promotes literacy of all kinds, including reading, crafting, cooking and gaming. Adults can join in the fun, too. With the 10,000 Experiences at Your Library program, participants can check out librarian-recommended reads, explore the community and take home a prize. Participants complete activities on a game card for each program and return it to the library to collect a

and directed the ordinance review committee to study the ordinance and consider revisions.

• In June 2023, City Council extended the moratorium for another six months.

• In May 2024 City Council denied a solar farm application from Enterprise Energy LLC for a 12acre parcel of land located east of Everton Avenue North and north of 149th Street North.

about property owners having rights too. “The people who own these properties should have an opportunity or at least be allowed to put a business that is conducive on their property,” he said. “In this last vote that we had, I had a hard time with it, I still do … What about the owner? We just reduced their property values by not approving that solar farm.”

Ultimately, the council unanimously (Mayor Tom Weidt was absent), voted to enact the six-month moratorium.

Managing Editor Shannon Granholm can be reached at 651-407-1227 or citizennews@presspubs.com.

reward. Each person who completes a game card is also entered in a drawing for the chance to win grand prizes.

This summer, performers visiting Washington County Library include the Great Brodini, Hooperina, Bill the Juggler, the Roe Family Singers and more. All programs are free and open to the public, although some require registration. For additional information, visit  www.WashCoLib.org.

Free admission to Washington County parks

Celebrate National Get Outdoors Day June 8 by taking advantage of free entry to all Washington County parks during the normal hours of operation. Since 2008, communities have been celebrating National Get Outdoors Day. The goal is to inspire and motivate people to get outside and enjoy a day of healthy and fun outdoor adventures and exploration.  Washington County Parks designates the second Saturday in June as a free day to visit the county parks without requiring a vehicle permit. The county operates 10 parks and regional trails. For more information about county parks, visit co.washington. mn.us/Parks or contact staff by calling 651-430-4300 or emailing parks@co.washington.mn.us.

County board honors traffic engineer for lifetime achievement award

The Washington County Board of Commissioners recently honored Traffic Engineer Joe Gustafson for receiving the David P. Brand Safety lifetime achievement award. Gustafson received the award at the National Association of County Engineers (NACE) annual conference last month. The award is given to an individual who has improved safety on the local, regional, state and national levels and recognizes the individual’s efforts to join forces with other organizations to build partnerships with the goal of improving safety performance and eliminating fatalities and serious injuries.

June

June 1 Music: Andrew Spreck and Bob Colbert

June 2 Music: Sarah VanValkenburg 3

June 2 Yoga in the Vines 10 –

St. Croix Vineyard

June 2 Music: Tuscany Trio 2 – 5 p.m. 7 Vines Vineyard

June 2 Art at the WineryPlant & Sip 6 - 8:30 p.m. Dancing Dragonfly Winery

June 4 Yoga in the Vineyard 6 – 7 p.m. Rustic Roots

June 4 Trivia with Ryan 6:30 – 8 p.m. Rustic Roots

June 4 D&D learn-to-play session 7 p.m. White Bear Meadery

June 5 Music: Gary LaRue 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. 7 Vines Vineyard

June 5 Trivia Night 7 p.m.

White Bear Meadery

June 5 Keychain Kash drawing 8:30 p.m. Big Wood Brewerys

June 7 Music: Corey White 6 – 9 p.m. Big Wood Brewery

June 8 Music: Mike Salovich 1 – 4 p.m. St. Croix Vineyard

June 9 Yoga in the Vines 10 – 11 a.m. St. Croix Vineyard

June 9 Music: Patrick Allen 3 – 6 p.m. Rustic Roots

June 11 Yoga in the Vineyard 6 – 7 p.m. Rustic Roots

June 11 Bingo 6:30 – 8 p.m. Rustic Roots

June 12 Cribbage Tournament 6 – 8 p.m. Rustic Roots

June 12 Keychain Kash drawing 8:30 p.m. Big Wood Brewery

June 13 Jigsaw Puzzle contest 6 p.m.

White Bear Meadery

June 13 Music: High & Mighty: $12.18 advance $14 day of 6 – 9 p.m. Big Wood Brewery

June 15 Saigon Delicious food truck 2 – 7 p.m. Big Wood Brewery

June 15 Live Music 1 – 4 p.m. St. Croix Vineyard

June 16 Yoga in the Vines 10 – 11 a.m. St. Croix Vineyard

June 16 Music: Jeff Brooks 3 – 6 p.m. Rustic Roots

June 16 Music: Becky Rae 2 –5 p.m. 7 Vines Vineyard

June 18 Trivia with Ryan 6:30 – 8 p.m. Rustic Roots

June 18 One shot D&D adventure 7 p.m. White Bear Meadery

June 19 Keychain Kash drawing 8:30 p.m.

June 20 Farmer & Artisans Market 4 – 7 p.m. Rustic Roots

June 20 Music: Tim Cheesebrow 4 7 p.m.

June 20 Devon Worley Band:

June 21 Smug Pug Food Truck

June 22 Live Music

June 23

June 23

June 23 Music: Irish Diplomacy

June 23

June 23 Music: Michael August

June 25 Yoga in the Vineyard

June 25 Bingo 6:30 –

June 26 Keychain Kash drawing 8:30 p.m.

Roots

June 26 Monthly Book Club Mtg 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Rustic Roots

June 26 Cribbage Tournament

June 26 Music: Patrick Allen

June 27 Music: Lonesome Losers

June 29 5th Anniversary Celebration Noon White Bear Meadery

June 29 Live Music 1 – 4 p.m. St. Croix Vineyard

Jun 29 Intuitive Living Summer 11 a.m. - Expo 4 p.m. Dancing Dragonfly Winery

June 30 Music: Steve Poynter 3 – 6 p.m. Rustic Roots

June 30 Yoga in the Vines

Croix Vineyard

High school wrestler meets toughest opponent yet

Facts about diffuse midline glioma

• It is one of the rarest kinds of brain tumors in the United States; only 150 to 300 new cases are reported each year.

• It is most common in children between 5 and 7, but can be found in teenagers.

• Fewer than 10% of children diagnosed with diffuse midline glioma survive two years after the initial diagnosis.

• It is currently unknown how diffuse midline glioma forms in children or teenagers.

White Bear Lake Youth

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

Gabe Kessel, a wrestler and junior at White Bear Lake Area High School, was recently diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer. Kessel has had a lifelong passion for wrestling. His coaches describe him as a funny and respectful team member.

Kessel poses with his wrestling medals for a senior portrait.

• There will be fireworks at Good Neighbor Days on Saturday, June 8! The Hugo Lions Club recently received a fireworks display permit. PC Pyrotechnics, a licensed operator, will discharge fireworks on city-owned property located north of the wellhouse adjacent to the northwest corner of St. John’s Cemetery. The Hugo Fire Department will have an apparatus on standby.

• M/I Homes has requested an amendment to its planned unit development (PUD) general plan for the Shores of the Oneka Lake 4th Addition to create 25 single-family detached lots where 24 twin home lots were previously approved by council. The council also approved the final plat and development agreement. The council approved the request.

• City Administrator Bryan Bear’s performance review (a closed session) is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, June 3.

• City Hall and the public works building will be closed on Friday, July 5. Each full-time employee is allowed one day of their choosing as a personal holiday with the same benefits as a reg-

ular holiday. Staff members collectively agreed to take their holiday July 5.

• The council will conduct interviews to fill vacancies on the Economic Development Authority, Parks Commission and Historical Commission at 7 p.m. Monday, July 22. City Administrator Bryan Bear said the city has received some applications but encourages other residents to apply.

• The council will not take any action at this time regarding the judge’s ruling in the water appropriation permit appeal from the Office of Administrative Hearings. (See full story in this week’s paper). The council recently held a closed session pursuant to Minn. Stat. D.05 Subd. 3(b) to discuss information relating to the lawsuit. City Attorney Dave Snyder said he wanted to update the council on the results of the judge’s findings and update them on options going forward.

The next City Council meeting will be at 7 p.m. Monday, June 3, at City Hall.

Shannon Granholm

Dear readers, Have something you are curious about in the community? Submit your questions to the news team.

Send your questions to news@presspubs. com

If every person takes one small step toward being more conscientious of the environment, the collective effort will change the planet.

Remembering the forgotten war with Dr. Don Sonsalla

BY LOGAN GION CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Nestled in downtown White Bear Lake are Dr. Don Sonsalla and his wife of 70 years, Verna. From an employment standpoint, Sonsalla’s retirement is well deserved: He hauled cement blocks for a trucking company; got a bachelor’s degree from Winona State and two doctorates from the University of Minnesota; and was a teacher, then counselor, then principal in St. Paul Public Schools for 40 years. All the while, his co-workers never knew that he was also a Purple Heart recipient and Korean War veteran. “Multiple schools. None of my teachers knew about it,” Sonsalla said. He noted that once the war was over, he went back to his old job: “Just walked in, started driving truck again, and nobody said anything … It wasn’t until my grandkids started growing up and asking a whole bunch of questions that Verna said, ‘You better write this down.’”

The result of Verna’s suggestion is “A Purple Heart Story: My Experiences in the US Army and the Korean War,” a concise book that nonetheless etches its words into its readers’ brains. If simply reading about a soldier’s experiences is this upsetting, it is no wonder why veterans are reluctant to recount their experiences.

Tragically, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was only first diagnosed in 1980; effective treatments were not standardized until 2003. “PTSD is an interesting thing; each person has to deal with it differently,” Sonsalla explained. “Those who have been in combat … bury it and want to keep it buried.

“To solve my PTSD was to put it in writing.”

The following is just an outline of his remedy: Sonsalla became part of Baker Company, 15th Regiment, 3rd Division. “In November 1950, we did a beach landing in Wonsan, North Korea … That’s when I saw the first kid killed. A kid right next to me—Bernie (Stover) got shot, and then we made the landing,” Sonsalla describes.

A newspaper at the time estimated that Sonsalla’s division saw combat 95% of the days they were on Korean

soil. In his first five weeks in Korea, Sonsalla participated in the defense of the Majon-ni mountain base, Operation Revenge (aka the retaking of Ambush Alley), the Chosin Reservoir campaign and the Hungnam Evacuation.

“General William Sherman said, ‘War is hell.’ He forgot to add—not only is war hell, but also the recollection of war is hell to a combat veteran. During night terrors, I visit hell.”

Donald R. Sonsalla PhD, “A Purple Heart Story”

The Battle of Chosin Reservoir alone claimed 70,000 casualties—20,000 more than the Battle of Gettysburg. Because of a Siberian cold front, temperatures during this battle were often colder

than those on the surface of Mars! Historians consider the subsequent Hungnam Evacuation to be one of the prominent military rescue operations of history, a feat on par with Dunkirk.

Sonsalla earned his Purple Heart three months later at the Battle of Easter Egg Hill on Easter Sunday 1951. “I’m going up that hill, sneak behind a mortar position … knocked out all of the guys (there),” Sonsalla remembers, “and right in front of me, a Chinese soldier jumped out … lobbed several grenades down at me … and I’m getting ready to go up and get that guy, but I couldn’t stand …”

Sonsalla spent six months regaining use of his legs in a hospital in Tokyo before returning stateside. He spent another eight years battling blood poisoning due to embedded shrapnel.

When asked what his Purple Heart means to him, Sonsalla replied, “I bled my heart for our democracy. I actually put blood out, not just rhetoric.”

In addition to his Purple Heart, Sonsalla earned the rank of Corporal, became a squad leader and received four Bronze Stars and the Combat Infantry Badge. While he felt heroic, he no longer felt human.

“My parents picked me up in Chicago. I’d just gotten off the hospital boat. We went to a bar for a drink, and I was not 21 yet … and a bartender wasn’t gonna serve me. So, I came across that bar, grabbed that guy, and started throwing him around, and I said ‘I’ll kill you right now if you don’t serve me,’” Sonsalla admits, slapping the table with finality, “That time, I swore I’d never do that again. That’s the day I forgave myself.”

Sonsalla credits his wife, Verna, for much of his healing, confessing, “She saved me. I was a killer. I was angry. And she rehabilitated me.”

Letting go, however, is a process that has taken Sonsalla his entire life. “The one that sticks with me is when we were in the mountains,” Sonsalla remembered. “There was a Buddhist temple—very small. There was one Buddhist statue that stood 4 feet high, and behind it was a North Korean soldier … I threw an incendiary grenade in there and burned the church down.

“Forty years after the war, I went back to Korea … and there was a Buddhist temple. Through an interpreter, I talked to the monk—told him what a terrible thing I did, that it’s haunted me all my life. And he said, ‘Son, those things happen. It’s war.’ … and he gave me a tiny Buddhist statue. “When (my granddaughter) got her commission in the JAG program, I gave her that statue to wish her good luck. And so it’s on her desk wherever she goes.”

Now, more than 70 years after his service, Sonsalla is the last remaining veteran of his division.

“At 93, I’ve outlived ‘em all. That, I know,” he said. Memorial Day, then, gains more significance for Sonsalla as each fellow veteran passes on. “It’s an opportunity to think about all the guys I lost.”

Sonsalla’s main focus now is helping living veterans. “We have a small group of veterans that meet here once every two months,” he noted, “and we have the Ramsey County Veteran Affairs officer meet with us, so all of our vets are caught up to date.” Working with these veterans has shown Sonsalla a pattern.

“In war,” Sonsalla said, “There are no unwounded soldiers.”

Centerville home values up, residents will be relieved of some tax burden

BY LORETTA HARDING CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The big news from Centerville’s Local Board of Appeal & Equalization for taxes payable in 2025 is that the share of the tax burden has fallen slightly for residential properties.

Centerville’s team of assessors recently paid their annual visit to City Hall to provide a summary of the city’s property values over the past year.

Presenting the city’s valuation numbers were city residential assessors Mary Wells, senior accredited Minnesota assessor (SAMA); Chris Larson, accredited Minnesota assessor (AMA); Erik Skogquist, city commercial/industrial/apartment assessor, SAMA; and Ben Hamill, Anoka County assessment compliance manager.

Annually, the city must hold a public hearing, called the Local Board of Appeal & Equalization, on the city assessor’s classification and valuation for each property within the city’s jurisdiction. No citizens stepped up to speak, although assessors fielded about five phone questions.

Residential property owners may have calmed down in 2024, after the gob-smacking valuation increase of 25% in 2022 and the much more tame increase of 5.4% in 2023. This year, in 2024, the valuation increase is even more quiet with an increase of a mere 3.16% from last year.

That 3.16% increase is shown in the 2024 preliminary value, minus new construction, of $677,958,200

for taxes payable 2025. The city value, minus new construction, from last year for taxes payable 2024 was $638,325,700. With new construction, the 2024 preliminary total value is $704,174,300, or an overall increase of 7.15%.

Every property in the city must be inspected every five years (a quintile review). That means that 405 properties out of 1,663 parcels within the city were physically inspected for this year. For last year, 350 properties were inspected. Appraisal staff also inspected 85 properties this year where building permits were issued for improvement, remodeling or deconstruction.

Combined with inspections are sales figures. The 2024 values are determined using qualified sales that took place between Oct. 1, 2022, and Sept. 30, 2023. During that time, there were 52 residential sales, of which 32 were qualified. The number of sales went down considerably from a total of 97 last year. For valuation, ratios are calculated by dividing the 2023 values by the adjusted sale prices.

Broken down, single-family non-waterfront property values increased by 3.07%; single-family waterfront values increased by 1.22%; townhome values increased by 2.32%; commercial values increased by 0.98%, industrial property values increased by 7.42%; agricultural property values increased by 14.56%; and apartment properties decreased in value by 4.01%. Skogquist said that apartment units went up substantially last year and have now self-corrected. And now here is the exciting news for residential

property owners, especially those feeling as though they’re doing all the heavy lifting to pay the city’s bills: the share of market value in each major property classification has shifted due to the recent new construction of several commercial and industrial properties, Skogquist said.

In 2021, residential properties carried 92.32% of the city’s tax burden, but in 2024, residential properties will now pay 83.89% of the bills. During the interim, the value of commercial and industrial properties has almost doubled, and apartment property values have more than quadrupled.

With the Amazon facility coming completely on line by next year at this time, residential property owners can expect to see their share of the tax bill shrink even further, Skogquist said.

Residents around town may groan a bit when they see beautiful and quiet vacant lands taken up by commercial enterprises. But the payoff comes around this time of year, when they see somebody else is helping to pay the bills.

Now that the Centerville Local Board of Appeal was held May 8, the Anoka County Board of Appeal will be held at 6 p.m. June 17. The proposed 2025 tax statements will be mailed in mid-November 2024, and tax court actions must be filed by April 30, 2025.

Loretta Harding is a contributing writer for Press Publications. She can be reached at news@presspubs. com or 651-407-1200.

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

“A Purple Heart Story: My Experiences in the US Army and the Korean War” was written by Don Sonsalla, PhD, to answer his grandchildren’s curiosity about his service.

On Memorial Day back in 2016, Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan flew the American flag in honor of Dr. Don Sonsalla and his service during the Korean War. His granddaughter, a Marine, witnessed the occasion.

With Great Love: Q&A with Hugo mother, business owner

Hugo native Michelle Kolb is a mother and a business owner. After having her fourth child in 2016, she realized having a full-time career was becoming too difficult and decided to shift gears and create a business where she could show her creative side.

Press Publications recently sat down with Kolb to learn more about her and her business, With Great Love.

Q. Tell us a little bit about yourself. You are from Hugo, correct?

A. My husband, Nate, and I moved to Hugo in 2008 with our two oldest sons, Brayden (18, senior at WBLAHS) and Jackson (15, freshman at WBLAHS) and welcomed two

more kiddos to our family after moving to Hugo, Talia (9, third grader at North Star Elementary) and Cal (7, first grader at North Star Elementary). Nate and I grew up in St. Paul and both knew city life was not for us. We looked around at many communities when deciding where we wanted to take root and absolutely fell in love with Hugo. We’ve now lived here for 15 years and love it as much now as we did back then!

Q. When and how did With Great Love come about?

A. I was working a corporate career in marketing and after having my fourth child in 2016, it became clear that juggling a full-time career and family life was becoming too much, so I

took the leap of leaving my 9-5 and stayed home with the kids. I had been dreaming for years about creating a business where I could be creative and own my own business. From that dream, With Great Love was born.

Q. How did the name come about?

A. I knew that I wanted to use this business as a means to help feed the hungry. My heart breaks when I think of a mom who is not able to feed her kids. I’ve been so blessed to never have to worry about such things. Feed My Starving Children has always had a special place in my heart, so I decided that 10% of every sale would be directed to support their mission. I found myself wondering if 10% would make a difference and remembered this quote from Mother Teresa, “Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” From that inspiration, the name of the

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KATHLEEN RUSSELL

DEBORAH MILLER

SHERI PETERSON

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company easily became With Great Love. To remind me that each and every creation, no matter how small, would help someone in some small way.

Q. Is this your full-time job? If not, what is your “day job?”

A. My primary “job” is stayat-home mom. With Great Love gives me the flexibility to work as much or as little as needed to make time for my family.

Q. What sort of things do you make?

A. I make farmhouse-inspired decor — mainly signs that feature inspirational messaging or custom designs.

Q. Do you have any help for these creations?

A. My husband is a general contractor, and he helps tremendously by crafting every frame and cutting all of my backgrounds. I couldn’t do this without him! Otherwise, it’s just me ... the creator, the bookkeeper, the marketer, the janitor — ha!

Q. Tell us about your mission to feed the hungry.

A. I wanted my kids to see what it looks like to chase a dream while making a positive impact on your community. I’m so hopeful that this will trickle down to them and they will continue this mission to serve others, in whatever way they are called.

Q. Where can people find your items? Can they find you in any local stores or online? Do you have a website?

A. I primarily sell through the Argyle Moose in Hugo and through word of mouth that I’ve built over the years. I’ve had an Etsy shop in the past and may have one in future, but right now, with my oldest graduating and my others in ALL the activities, I’ve decided to push pause on Etsy.

Q. Is there anything else you want people to know about With Great Love?

A. Gosh, just that if you have a dream, chase it. If you can do some bit of good in the world, do it. I walked away from a great career, and many wondered (including myself) if this was a wise decision. It was scary, but I’ve never regretted it. I listened to the calling on my life, followed my path, and have never been happier!

Editor’s note: Michelle Kolb can be reached at mkolb@ madewithgreatlove.com or through Facebook or Instagram. Compiled by Shannon Granholm

Seniors receive Quilts of Valor

KRISTY ANN PHOTOGRAPHY | CONTRIBUTED

Michelle Kolb pictured with her family – husband Nate; sons (from left) Callahan, Jackson and Brayden; and daughter Talia.

Michelle Kolb’s business, With Great Love, specializes in farmhouseinspired decor – mainly signs that feature inspirational messaging or custom design.

Doug Sontag Bob Henk

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

Two residents of Keystone Place at LaValle Fields in Hugo recently received Quilts of Valor, right before Memorial Day. The quilts are handmade and awarded to a service members or veterans who have been touched by war. Pictured above, Alan Anderson, talks about Memorial Day.

Crunch time

Noelle Hemr, the Centennial lacrosse team’s leading scorer with 23 goals, gritted her teeth as she charged up the field during a loss to Elk River/Zimmerman on Monday. Hemr’s team and all the other Cougar teams are wrapping up their regular seasons and heading into their respective playoffs.

CENTENNIAL SPORTS BRIEFS

Editor’s note: The Quad Press had an early deadline due to Memorial Day. Look for more sports coverage in next week’s issue.

SOFTBALL

Centennial lost its Section 5AAAA opener to Maple Grove 3-0 on Wednesday. Jordan Brustuen of the Crimson blanked the Cougars on four hits and two walks, striking out eight. Riley O’Connell pitched well in the loss, allowing seven hits, striking out seven. The Cougars (10-10) dropped into the elimination bracket Friday, after press deadline.

BASEBALL

Centennial edged East Ridge 4-3 in the regular-season finale there Wednesday. Aiden Lieser knocked in two runs with a solo homer and basesloaded walk. Luke Gunderman worked 5 1/3 innings (four hits, no walks, no strikeouts) and got the win. Lieser got the last two outs in the sixth via strikeouts, while also walking three batters. Josh Lee threw a scoreless seventh for the save. The Cougars (10-10) will start Section 7AAAA on Wednesday. They finished 4-8 in the Northwest Suburban. Rogers was 10-1 for the championship.

GIRLS LACROSSE

Centennial has lost five straight, most recently to Elk River/ Zimmerman 15-7 on Monday and Rogers 19-8 on Wednesday to close conference play. The Cougars are 6-6 overall and finished 5-4 in the Northwest Suburban, tying for fifth place among 13 teams. Maple Grove was champion with an 8-0 mark.

May 28

8 a.m. – Girls golf vs. multiple opponents at Links at Northfork Golf Course

May 28

10:30 a.m. – Track and field vs. multiple opponents at Forest Lake Area High School

Zephyrs edge Mustangs, return to state

BOYS LACROSSE

Centennial defeated Robbinsdale Armstrong 18-9 there Monday and lost to Rogers 13-11 at home Wednesday, closing the regular season. Against Armstrong, Brol Scherman and Gavin Cunningham each tallied four goals, Kellen Krumweide and Logan Adams three each, and Solomon Marshall two. David Moran led with 11 ground balls and Trenton Kramer made 12 saves. The Cougars, 6-7 overall, finished 6-2 in the Northwest Suburban, tying for third place among 12 teams. Rogers was champion with a 9-1 record.

TRACK

Centennial had a pair of secondplace finishes in day one of the Northwest Suburban Conference track meet on Tuesday at Elk River — by Kylie Nelson in the 3200 run with 10:56 and by Timothy Ball in shot put 55-6 3/4. Nicholas Jean placed sixth in the triple jump (42-6 1/2). Kyra Fjeld was ninth in high jump (4-10). Most of the events finals were held on Thursday and will be noted in next week’s Quad Press.

BOYS GOLF

Centennial finished ninth of 13 teams in the Northwest Suburban Conference. The Cougars’ top finishes in five conference meets were fourth and seventh place. Cooper Daikawa made the all-conference team and Tanner Youngbauer got honorable mention. Maple Grove was conference champion.

Bruce Strand

May 30

8 a.m. – Girls golf vs. multiple opponents at Links at Northfork Golf Course

May 31

5 p.m. – Track and field vs. multiple opponents at Forest Lake Area High School

BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR

Mahtomedi (23-2) will make a return trip to the state tournament after pulling out a 4-3 win over Mounds View in the Section 4AA finals.

Aidan Wald and Zach Burge got the clinching fourth point when they finished a 6-3, 6-2 win against Sidharth Sharma and Michael Wang. Zephyr teammates mobbed their No. 1 doubles team that had made the score 4-2.

Action took place at the University of Minnesota’s Baseline Courts, where Mahtomedi will return for the state tournament June 4-5.

“This was truly a state caliber match, with two teams in the top six vying for one spot,” reflected Aaron Freer, Zephyr coach. The Zephyrs (23-2) are ranked third and

Mounds View (14-4) sixth by the coaches association.

Mahtomedi won the top three singles slots — Sam Rathmanner over Soren Swenson 6-0, 6-3; Brandon Pham over Nolan Jones 6-1, 6-1; and Jack Allaben over Anders Swenson 6-1, 6-2. Mounds View’s Max Daigle edged Will Lieberman 7-6 (6), 6-4 at No. 4 in the last match to be completed.

In doubles, Mounds View’s Parker Bryntesen/Andrew Hermes tripped Max and Eli Hendrickson 6-2, 6-2 at No. 2, and Christian Forbes/ Bryan Huie topped Luke Roettger/Reese Nelson 6-3, 6-2 at No. 3. That left it up to 1-doubles. Freer said it “brought tears to my eyes” to watch Wald and Burge nab the clincher.

“I was a mess, in the best of ways,” he said, adding, “They picked the

best day to have their best match of the year, and it was so inspiring to watch the team rush their court.” Mahtomedi’s losses came against No. 2 ranked Rochester Mayo 6-1 and No. 1 Wayzata 4-3 early in the season. In last year’s section finals, Mahtomedi won by the same 4-3 score over Mounds View.

In section singles competition, Rathmanner and Pham placed first and second, respectively, advancing to state individually. Each reached finals with three wins and Rathmanner topped Pham 6-3, 6-3. Meanwhile, Allaben and Wald went 4-0 to capture the doubles title. In the finals, they beat Mounds View’s Bryntesen/Jones 6-4, 6-3. State singles and doubles will be held Thursday and Friday.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Brol Scherman

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Luke Gunderman

Centennial Baseball

Centennial

Brol Scherman, Centennial junior lacrosse standout, has netted 22 goals and provided seven assists for the Cougars (4-2) while notching 17 ground balls (a change of possession statistic). Scherman was all-conference as a sophomore with 36 goals and 28 assists. The recruiting website ILMCA said of him: “Endto-end playmaking machine with striking confidence both on and off the field. Versatile offensive threat with strong outside shooting and crease finishing skills. Magnetic team leader and positive influencer.”

Luke Gunderman has pitched in 11 of Centennial’s 20 games, posting a 1.22 earned-run-average and a 2-2 record in 23 innings, with only six strikeouts but only six walks as well. Hitting .170, he’s most valuable on the mound and in the outfield. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound senior lefty has pitched in the Cougars’ last four games, notching five scoreless innings in three relief stints, then picking up a 4-3 win in a start (5 1/3 innings) against East Ridge. “He’s such a good kid, and he competes every day,” coach Robert Lynch. Gunderman was also a baseball starter at guard, averaging 8.5 points.

BRUCE STRAND | CONTRIBUTED

Aidan Wald (dark cap) and Zach Burge (behind Wald) were rushed by teammates Sam Rathmanner, Jack Allaben and Brandon Pham after clinching the 4-3 win over Mounds View.

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FINANCIAL PLANNING

Communities benefit when consumers shop local

Ideas about shopping are never set in stone, and the pandemic illustrated just how quickly consumer trends and opinions can change. Many individuals are now reevaluating how they spend their hard-earned money, particularly since inflation has affected just how far a dollar can be stretched. When consumers think about which stores to patronize, locally owned businesses may be the smartest option for a number of reasons - not the least of which is the way such enterprises benefit the communities they call home.

More money kept in the community

Shopping locally means that more money will stay in the community. According to recent research from Civic Economics, local eateries return nearly 79% of revenue to the community, compared to just over 30 percent for chain restaurants. Overall, for every $100 spent at a local business, around $73 remains in the community, verus roughly $43 when shopping at a non-locally owned business.

Get a personal touch

Local business owners typically are inclined to go the extra mile for their customers and are personally invested in the services and products they are selling. As a result, shopping locally tends to be a personalized experience. Furthermore, a local business owner may be more amenable to ordering products for specific clientele. Such personalized service is typically not

Lines

checkout or to pick up merchandise ordered online can drain consumers’ energy and

contribute to stress. Local businesses tend to have short lines and small crowds, which can lead to a more pleasant shopping experience.

Generates tax revenue

Local businesses generate more tax revenue per sales dollar, according to Rubicon, a digital marketplace for waste and recycling businesses. Taxes paid by local small businesses go to support schools, parks, roads, and other programs that benefit the community as well.

Support nonprofits

Local businesses often support good work in the community, such as nonprofit groups. These can include schools and sports teams, among other groups. According to Dr. Sue Lynn Sasser, professor of economics at the University of Central Oklahoma, studies indicate nonprofits “receive 250% more support from small businesses than larger ones.”

Support other local businesses

Local business support other local businesses by buying and selling among each other. A local, independently owned restaurant may source its ingredients from local farms, which means visitors to such eateries are supporting multiple local businesses each time they dine out.

Small businesses are a boon to the economy, particularly local economies. These enterprises help their communities in a multitude of ways.

accessible when shopping big box stores or other shops where owners are off-site.

are short Waiting in long lines for

time to get squirrely

These first awesome clues released oh so early Plot and conspire with your get-rich-quick scheme

When you find ol’ Spike – hurrah! - create a meme

You

Stay

No

Hugo Good Neighbor Days returns to Lions Volunteer Park

BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR

After a two-year hiatus from the city’s main park, Hugo Good Neighbor Days is set to return to Lions Volunteer Park June 7-9.

While the park was under construction, the event was moved to Hanifl Fields Athletic Park.

Many Good Neighbor Days staples will return, including carnival rides, food trucks, music and fireworks. This year’s parade, scheduled for 11 a.m. June 8. The cornhole tournament and vendor craft fair will also return.  Bingo will return, but it will be indoors. Escape the heat and enjoy the

air conditioning in the Peder Pederson Pavilion.

New this year, is Hugo’s Got Talent. From 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 8 a talent compeititon will happen on the Hugo Good Neighbor Day stage. The winning act will receive a cash prize. Any age or talent is welcome to participate. To sign up, or for questions, email tbl222@aol.com.

Another new addition will be a pickleball tournament for all skill levels, and Hang Time Boardshop will host various free events at the skatepark. In addition to the popular Kidzone (carnival), children may also enjoy visiting with animals from Sustainable Safari.

The 4th annual Ribfest competition will also return to Good Neighbor Days. The past couple of years it has been offered as a separate event in the fall. In addition to prizes for first, second and third place, there will also be a People’s Choice award. Members of the public are invited to purchase tasting tickets and vote for their favorite. Tickets will go on sale on Saturday at noon. Music on Friday night will feature Coconut Tiger at 7:30 p.m. The band was formed in 2021 and prides themselves on being a fun and collaborative interactive show, where people from all over can come together to enjoy a night of “pure rock.” Saturday night, Six to Midnight will

play at 7:30 p.m. The cover band plays everything from the ’60s to the ’80s to Justin Timberlake. “No gimmicks, no costumes, just a bunch of music-loving guys in jeans with some really bad jokes.”

And who could forget the hunt for the Golden Spike?! The first three clues are included in this edition of The Citizen, and additional clues will be posted once a day at 8 a.m. beginning Monday, June 3 until the spike is found.

For more information, visit www. goodneighbordays.com.

Managing Editor Shannon Granholm can be reached at 651-407-1227 or citizennews@presspubs.com.

Official Good Neighbor Days Shuttle Routes

1996-Lois and Henry Vietor

1997-Gert Granger

1998-Marlene and Darrell Granger

1999-Pat Wittkop

2000-Kathy Marier

2001-Viola Maslowski

2002-Jim Gits

2003-Judy Olinger

2004-Sharron and Deane Vail

2005-Jim Leroux

2006-Karen and Len Charpentier

2007-Pete Pedersen

2008-Gene, Theresa, Katrina and Paula Zerwas

2009-Floyd Petty

2010-Ray Pribnow

2011-Jim and Karen Bever

2012-Marlys Schaefer

2013-Kris Emerson

2014-Marilyn and Myles Stomberg

2015-John and Donna Kostuch

2016-Michele Anderson

2017-Barb Connolly

2018-Rick Kissner

2019-Bob Hanson

2020- Celebration canceled due to COVID-19

2021- Dr. Bill Barrett

2022- George Reus 2023- Jimmie and Rick Gregoire

Sustainable Safari makes stop in Hugo

Hunt for the Golden Spike returns

Ketchup and mustard, Bert and Ernie, and … Hugo and the Golden Spike. Some things just naturally go together. The 2024 Hunt for the Golden Spike, Hugo’s very own treasure hunt, is a great way for Hugo residents to connect with the city’s parks and trails system. Back just in time for Good Neighbor Days, June 7-9, Spike will be found on

public property somewhere within Hugo city limits. Courtesy of this year’s hunt sponsors, the lucky Spike finder will win $600 in cash and, if a completed Golden Ticket is submitted, some great additional prizes.

Appearing for the first time in 2006, Hugo’s Centennial Year, Spike continues to commemorate the city’s early

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years as a railroad town. In 2006 Spike was an authentic rail spike; since then, it’s been a plastic tent peg painted gold by none other than Spike’s official painter: Galen Carlson, owner of North Country Auto Body in Hugo. Clues #1-3 and rules are printed on Page 20 of the May 30 issue of The Citizen. Clue #4 will be posted at ap-

proximately 8 a.m. Monday, June 3, on The Citizen’s website (presspubs.com/ citizen) when the hunt officially begins. Just click on the link (and don’t forget to refresh the page). Take the whole family: Spike-hunting is even more fun than snipe-hunting — and it pays better, too.

Meet the man behind the clues

This is the second year Mathias Baden has written the clues for the Hunt for the Golden Spike. He replaces former Citizen Managing Editor Deb Barnes, who wrote the clues for 12 hunts, dating back to 2006. Baden, along with his wife and three kids, have long enjoyed deciphering clues around the Twin Cities. He also writes the clues for Woodbury Days’ medallion hunt. Baden was a journalist for 17 years and is now a Realtor at Edina Realty’s North Suburban office. For more information, see (“Hunt for Golden Spike returns with new clue writer” on presspubs.com.)