Age limit on mandated hearing aid insurance coverage eliminated

BY SEBASTIAN STUDIER PRESS INTERN

Thanks in large part to Dr. Rebecca Younk, an audiologist and governmental chair for the Minnesota Academy of Audiology, hearing aid insurance coverage is now available to all people in Minnesota, regardless of age. Younk owns 21 audiology clinics throughout the metro area, Wisconsin and West Central Minnesota, including Beltone Hearing Aid Center in White Bear Lake.

As of May 24, in Minnesota’s most recent Omnibus bill, section 62Q.675, the language that once read “a health plan must cover hearing aids for all individuals 18 years of age or younger for hearing loss,” now reads without the “18 years of age or younger” part. The broke college students, middle-aged parents unable to hear their children, and anyone else struggling to afford hearing aids across Minnesota are now able to receive the help they need.

This issue is something Younk holds deeply, because she believes that hearing is a vital part of society and something that all people should have access to.

“Hearing is so critical, and it keeps

$89.95 us running as a society,” Younk said. “Hearing loss can break down good communication between loved ones, family members and friends.”

In 2005, Younk and her colleagues — along with the help of the Minnesota Academy of Audiology — were able to get coverage for Minnesota residents under 18 because as Younk says, “let’s face it, kids are cute.”

It has been a different story getting coverage for adults, though, as Younk and her team have been working behind the scenes since 2005 in an attempt to remove this age barrier.

Younk and other audiologists went to their lobbyist and put an entire proposal together two years ago, but were told that the bill would not go anywhere because any mandate for insurance would have to go through a fiscal policy review to see what the impact would be on the cost to the consumer and to the state. This was going to cost tens of thousands of dollars and, as a small profession, was not something that the audiologists could afford to help.

The audiologists continued to try and get coverage for those in need over 18 by finding grassroots sponsors and

SEE HEARING AID INSURANCE, PAGE 5

Baseball

Will Whelan, Centennial senior pitcher/first baseman, is a finalist for the Mr. Baseball Award, along with making the all-Northwest Suburban Conference and All-Section 5AAAA teams. Also making all-conference are junior pitcher/outfielder Josh Lee, senior outfielder Anders Wessman, and junior shortstop Peyton Streit. Also making all-section were Streit and senior outfielder Vinny Wry.

The Cougars were 15-10 overall, 8-4 in the conference, and section runner-up. Whelan, a Minnesota Gophers’ recruit, pitched 46.3 innings with a 6-1 record, 2.27 ERA, 83 strikeouts and 13 walks. Josh Lee threw 42.7 innings with a 3-4 record, 2.56 ERA, 27 strikeouts and six walks. Wessman batted a team-high .338 with 25 runs and 10 RBIs. Streit led with 24 RBIs while hitting .300 with 10 runs. Vinny Wry hit .289 with 27 runs

Thomas Motors

(team high) and 12 RBIs. Owen Hackett batted .277 with 18 RBIs and had two of the team’s five home runs. Tyler Gruye hit .310 in 14 games. Tyler Escobedo, as a pinch runner, was 14-for-16 in steals, and scored 17 runs.

Boys Lacrosse

Four Centennial players were named to the all-Northwest Suburban Conference team. They are senior defender Reese Littlefield and three juniors: midfielder Brol Scherman, attacker Logan Adams and long stick midfielder Jacob Robinson. Littlefield, Scherman and Adams were also named to the all-section team. Top honors went to Scherman, named second-team all-state by the state coaches association and second-team all-metro by the Star Tribune. Getting all-NWSC honorable mentions were seniors Cooper Larson and Kai Hermodson and junior Kellen Krumwiede. The Cougars were 11-5 overall and 9-2 in the conference. Most of their scoring came from Scherman with 58 goals and 13 assists and Adams with 47 goals and 27 assists. Krumwiede and Solomon Marshall had 12 goals each. Goalie Triton Kramer compiled a .570 save percentage. Ground ball leaders were Jacob Robinson with 47, Tyler Case 46, Adams 44, Scherman 42, Krumwiede 36, and Larson 35.

Tennis

Centennial had four players named to the all-Northwest Suburban Conference team. They are seniors Sean Oslund, Zack Chaffey, and Joaquin Bliss, and junior JJ Bliss. Oslund was named team MVP, Ian

Centennial School Board Snippets

• Mark Grossklaus, executive director of teaching and learning, says staff will be busy this summer. He detailed important upcoming dates for summer professional development, which include a Professional Learning Communities at Work Institute Jun. 26-28; a retreat at Bethel University Aug. 1-2 for district administrators to receive professional development from Bethel’s Education Department; a math expressions training Aug. 9 including new math curriculum for grades K-5; and an Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) training for staff Aug. 14-15.

• District staff are working to update K-1 literacy curriculum and middle school science courses, and are continuing work on new K-5 math standards to pair with the new math curriculum.

• The Centennial School District is still in the midst of hiring new teachers, but Grossklaus said new

Gangle most improved, and Joaquin Bliss most inspirational. The Cougars were 9-1 in conference and 14-4 overall. Oslund was 21-5 and Chaffey 20-8, mostly in singles, and they were state doubles consolation champions. Joaquin and JJ Bliss were 14-3 at 1-doubles.

Boys Golf

Centennial golfers named to the all-Northwest Suburban team were senior Hayden Frank, who averaged 77.3 strokes, and junior Harper Searles, who averaged 78.8. Getting honorable mentions were senior Hunter Ubel and freshman Cooper Daikawa. Centennial placed fifth of 13 teams in the conference and placed fifth in Section 5AAA.

Softball

Three Centennial players were named to the all-Northwest Suburban Conference team. They are Celsi Burn, senior outfielder; Lily Gilmore, junior outfielder; and Riley O’Connell, sophomore pitcher. Named to the all-section were Burn, O’Connell and Peyton Corbin, sophomore outfielder. The Cougars were 14-10 overall, 7-5 in conference, and section runner-up. Burn hit .414 with two homers, 20 steals, 15 runs and 20 RBIs. Jordan Lemire, a senior, hit .344 and led with 28 RBIs. Gilmore hit .298 with 14 runs. O’Connell pitched 120.7 innings with a 9-9 record, 1.39 ERA and 135 strikeouts.

Bruce Strand

teacher workshop week plans include a new teacher orientation Aug. 21-24 where new teachers will be able to get acquainted with school policies, payroll benefits, mentor/mentee policies, building principals and classroom time. During the following week, Aug. 28 - Sept. 1, all staff will return to school. Staff will participate in a convocation, Aug. 18 benefit fair and Aug. 29 classroom workday. They will listen to keynote speaker Joe Beckman talk about human connections and will listen to Director of Student Services Kathy Zwonitzer speak on emotional development and support of students Aug. 30, and will conclude the workshop week with staff development for the K-5 group and 6-12 group as well as a standard response protocol training led by Bob Stevens, the middle school principal. Paraprofessionals will come in to work with teachers on Aug. 28 and Aug. 31.

• The district agreed to certify a population increase of 35,321 in 2021 to 36,156 currently, which Executive Director of Business Services Patrick Chaffey says will help the district earn more revenue in community education calculations on the new levy coming in September.

• Student parking fees will change for the 2023-2024 school year. The tiered structure of student parking fees ranging from $210-290 per semester will change to a flat rate of $225 per semester for all students. Rates for athletic and fine arts events will also change to $8 for an adult and $5 for a student, and are free for senior citizens. Chaffey explained that the new rates are based on what other districts have implemented and will not increase revenue but will keep it the same.

• The district will purchase 1,100

SEE SCHOOL BOARD, PAGE 9

Saturday at 4:30 pm Parish Community Center

6995 Centerville Rd, Centerville

Sunday at 8:30 am St. John’s Site

14383 Forest Blvd N, Hugo

Sunday at 10:30 am Parish Community Center

6995 Centerville Rd, Centerville

Ongoing Events

CIRCLE LEX FARMERS MARKET

When: 3-7 p.m. Wednesdays, June 14-

Oct. 4

Where: Back parking lot, Lexington Municipal Liquor Store, 4139 Woodland Rd.

Details: Open air market with local vegetables, crafters, and baked goods. Rain or shine.

Contact: 612-272-3386

CENTERVILLE MAIN STREET MARKET

When: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursdays, July

6-Aug. 10

Where: 1721 West View Ave., next to Centerville Elementary

Details: Items made by local artisans, produce, live music, and food trucks. Stay to watch Bald Eagle Water Ski Show.

Current Events

GUIDED WALKING TOUR OF WHITE BEAR

LAKE

When: 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays, June 21 & 28

Where: White Bear Lake Armory, 2228 4th Street

Details: Guided walking tour of downtown White Bear Lake highlighting the history of the buildings, businesses, and organizations that make this community unique. Registration required.

Contact: whitebearhistory.org

FREE PRODUCE MARKET

When: 10 a.m.-noon Thursday, June 22

Where: White Bear Lake Senior Center, 2484 County Rd. F. East

Details: All are welcome to pick up free produce. Bring your own bag.

Contact: 651-407-5310 or whitebearfoodshelf.org

Lino Lakes City Council Snippets

• Resident Christopher Stowe has been told to work directly with Community Development Director Michael Grochala after he received a letter in the mail from the city attorney regarding scheduling an inspection for his property. He said that after a lengthy process he completed all of the requirements to get a conditional use permit (CUP) for his property at 426 Pine Street. He said he never agreed to the annual inspections and wanted to know if other similar properties in town were subject to the same requirements or if they were grandfathered in.

• Several liquor, tobacco, massage and cannabinoid licenses have been renewed for 2023. Many of the licenses were set to expire June 30. Liquor licenses include: American Legion; Campanelle Restaurant; Casey’s General Store; Chili Thai Cuisine; Chomonix Golf Course; Don Julio Mexican Restaurant; Eagle Liquor; El Zocala Grill & Cantina; Fiesta Mexican Restaurant; G-Will Liquors; JP’s Liquor, Wine and Beer; Mama Mia Mexican Grill; MC’s Tap House; Target; The Tavern on Main; and Trapper’s Bar & Grill.

Tobacco licenses include: AK Smoke Zone; Bill’s Superette; Casey’s General Store; Chomonix Golf Course; Corner Express; Eagle Liquor; G-Will Liquor; Holiday Station Store; JP’s Liquor, Wine & Beer; Lakes 1 Stop; Lino Lakes One Stop; and Lino Lakes Tobacco 1.

Massage licenses include: Allure Salon & Spa, Revitalize Therapeutic Massage, and Heather’s Healing Hands. Cannabinoid licenses include: AK Smoke Zone and Lino Lakes Tobacco 1.

Lyngblomsten at Lino Lakes, a 55-plus living community, is set to open in July. The business has been granted an on-sale/Sunday sale liquor license so it can serve residents intoxicating beverages at its onsite restaurant and pub.

• An individual claimant can recover no more than $500,000 on a claim now that the council has updated its liability coverage waiver form through the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT). On an annual basis, members who obtain liability coverage through LMCIT must complete the form, electing to waive or not waive the monetary

'HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL'

When: 7 p.m. Thursday, June 22 and Friday, June 23; 2 p.m. Saturday, June 17 and Sunday, June 18

Where: Hanifl Performing Arts Center, 4941 Long Ave., White Bear Lake

Details: Student actors with Children's Performing Arts perform the story of a teenage misfit and a high school clique. Tickets information online.

Contact: childrensperformingartsmn. org

WHITE RACISM AND PERSONAL IDENTITY

When: 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, June 22

Where: White Bear Center for the Arts, 4971 Long Ave.

Details: Discussion with Kennedy Simpson, part of the AHHA! Series. Free with registration.

Contact: whitebeararts.org limits on municipal tort liability established by Minnesota Statute 466.04. The city chose to not waive the monetary limits. The total all claimants could recover for a single occurrence is limited to $1.5 million.

• The city continues to hire staff for the Rookery Activity Center. Most recently, the council approved the hiring of seven lifeguards, four aquatics leads, one guest services representative, one recreation attendant and one swim instructor.

• Eagle Brook Church will host a student ministries high school event from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday, June 21, at its campus located at 7775 20th Ave. N. The event will include a large outdoor tent, food trucks and amplified music.

• Going forward, Juneteenth will now be a recognized city holiday. June 19 is designated Juneteenth in recognition of the historical pronouncement of the abolition of slavery on June 19, 1865, when the Emancipation Proclamation was said to have been read publicly for the first time to Union Soldiers who were led by General Gordon Granger in Texas. Per Minnesota statute, no public business shall be transacted on any holiday, except in cases of necessity and except in cases of public business transacted by the Legislature, nor shall any civil process be served thereon.

• Michael Lockman is the city’s newest utilities maintenance worker. His start date will be June 27, and his hourly rate of pay will be $28.81, the starting step of the six-step wage schedule.

• Gabrielle Streater is the city’s newest part-time firefighter. Streater has completed Firefighter 1 and 2 as well as the hazardous materials training. Streater will start in the position June 26 with an hourly rate of pay of $18.66, the starting rate for part-time firefighters.

The next City Council meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 26, at City Hall in the Council Chambers. There will be a work session immediately beforehand at 6 p.m. in the Community Room.

Shannon Granholm

KIDS BIKE RODEO

When: 1-3 p.m. Saturday, June 24

Where: White Bear Lake Public Works Facility, 3950 Hoffman Road

Details: Kids and parents can come to get bikes tuned up, helmets fitted, rider safety information, demos, prizes, and ride through the course. Registration required.

Contact: whitebearlake.org/ publicsafety/webform/kids-bike-rodeo

WHITE BEAR LAKE CLASSIC & VINTAGE BOAT SHOW

When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, June 24

Where: Lakefront of the White Bear Lake Shopping Center, 4391 Lake Avenue S.

Details: Display of classic and vintage boats-inboards, outboards, row boats and sailboats. Live fishing and “ask and expert” fisherman, vendors, nautical market, food, and vendors.

Contact: facebook.com/WhiteBearPress

Phone and Internet Discounts Available to CenturyLink Customers

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission designated CenturyLink as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier within its service area for universal service purposes.

CenturyLink’s basic local service rates for residential voice lines are $16.32-$29.50 per month and business services are $34.61-$48.61 per month. Specific rates will be provided upon request.

CenturyLink participates in the Lifeline program, which makes residential telephone or qualifying broadband service more affordable to eligible lowincome individuals and families. Eligible customers may qualify for Lifeline discounts of $5.25/month for voice or bundled voice service or $9.25/month for qualifying broadband or broadband bundles. Residents who live on federally recognized Tribal Lands may qualify for additional Tribal benefits if they participate in certain additional federal eligibility programs. The Lifeline discount is available for only one telephone or qualifying broadband service per household, which can be either a wireline or wireless service. Broadband speeds must be at least 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload to qualify.

CenturyLink also participates in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides eligible households with a discount on broadband service. The ACP provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands.

For both programs, a household is defined as any individual or group of individuals who live together at the same address and share income and expenses. Services are not transferable, and only eligible consumers may enroll in these programs. Consumers who willfully make false statements to obtain these discounts can be punished by fine or imprisonment and can be barred from these programs.

If you live in a CenturyLink service area, visit https://www.centurylink.com/aboutus/community/ community-development/lifeline.html for additional information about applying for these programs or call 1-800-201-4099 with questions.