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VOL. 39 NO. 13 www.quadcommunitypress.com $1.00
ROBINS: Why
some birds are
changing where they spend winter PAGE 6
Arrest in CLPD attack BY SHANNON GRANHOLM LEAD EDITOR
A man is facing multiple charges after shooting at a squad car that was parked in the Centennial Lakes Police Department (CLPD) employee parking lot. The incident happened around 7:12 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 10. An officer who was in the building at the time of the incident reported hearing a muffled boom and went to check the area. The officer found a window of one of the squad cars smashed as well as the glass door that employees use to enter the building. CLPD Chief Jim Mork explained at first it was believed that someone had fired two shots; upon examining the scene, however, it was determined that that the bullet likely ricocheted off of the squad car and hit the glass door.
Winter sports to open with masks, discipline, empty seats
SEE CLPD ATTACK, PAGE 11
Centennial grad sheds light on holiday traditions BY SHANNON GRANHOLM LEAD EDITOR
BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR
The winter sports season, twice delayed by COVID-19 restrictions, will launch next week, albeit with most participants wearing masks, few spectators allowed and shorter seasons. Season previews for all teams appear in a special section in this edition of the Press. Cougar teams opening Thursday will be girls basketball at home against Spring Lake Park, boys basketball at Spring Lake Park, girls hockey hosting Elk River, boys hockey at Anoka, and swimming at home against Champlin Park. The wrestlers
will host Totino-Grace on Friday evening. The gymnasts open Monday at Elk River in a triangular. While players, coaches and families are excited to be soon back in action, all are mindful that discipline and discretion will be watchwords. “Trying to keep players healthy during the pandemic is of utmost concern and easily the most stressful part of the job this season,” said Jamie Sobolik, girls basketball coach. “Main concern is staying healthy with Covid and making sure the guys are making good decisions,” said Ritch Menne, boys hockey coach. Winter sports, which normally start in November to early December,
were cleared by the Minnesota State High School League to start practices Monday, Jan. 4, and competitions Thursday, Jan. 14, after Gov. Tim Walz lifted restrictions that had twice delayed the start of these activities. “These experiences are so important to students, and they have been anxiously waiting to get these winter seasons started,” MSHSL Executive Director Erich Martens said in a statement released Dec. 28 when he announced the starting dates. “By implementing these safety protocols recommended by the
Circle Pines resident Mike Pederson, 30, has been decorating for Christmas since he was 14 years old. He now has over 150 plastic blow mold characters as part of his evergrowing collection. Pederson, a 2008 Centennial grad, took third place in Press Publications’ first holiday lights contest for his display at his parents’ home, located at 3871 Flowerfield Road. The contest received more than 400 votes. “I was over-the-moon excited. I was not expecting it, as there was so many great displays in the contest,” Pederson said when asked about his reaction to the recognition of his display, which uses many of
SEE WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW, PAGES 7-8
SEE HOLIDAY LIGHTS CONTEST, PAGE 12
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