After getting dropped off following a brief tractor wagon ride, a group of visitors begins their hike through a sunflower field at Waldoch Farm in Lino Lakes. The sunflowers and other varieties of flowers are currently in bloom at the family farm, which has been part of the community for more than 100 years. Find more information about tours and events at waldochfarm.com. Find more photos online at presspubs.com.
For over a year now, the boardwalk near Rice Creek Elementary School on the Rice Creek Chain of Lakes trail has been closed down due to safety concerns. Anoka County Parks staff are hopeful that the boardwalk will once again be ready for use next month.
LINO LAKES — Lariat Companies Inc. will likely return to a future City Council work session to share some changes to a concept plan for a proposed 36,000 square-foot multitenant industrial and indoor self-storage building located at 440 Park Court.
The City Council first needs to tell Lariat Companies whether the project has any support.
Lariat Companies Inc. (Ed Flaherty) submitted a land use application for a concept plan to construct the building on the south end of the site. The north end of the site is the existing Lino Lakes Storage.
On Sept. 10, 2018, the council passed a resolution approving a conditional use permit (CUP) for the mini self-storage facility located on the north half of the 440 Park Court site as part of Phase I. Phase II, the south half of the site, was intended for additional mini selfstorage facilities. In January 2023, the new zoning ordinance was adopted and mini selfstorage facilities are no longer allowed in the Light Industrial zoning district.
Lariat Companies Inc. is proposing to construct an industrial building with 11 multi-tenant industrial units to be used by construction related businesses as well as indoor self-storage, all in one building. The site is a little over 5 acres, but Phase II would use a little over 2.5 acres. A representative of Lariat Companies told the council to think of the units/bays as incubators for small businesses. The Planning and Zoning Board is generally supportive of the concept, but wants to make
CONTRIBUTED
Andy Soltvedt, Anoka County parks assistant director, says around this
time last year, park keepers were doing their routine inspections of decking on boardwalks and bridges throughout the county when they noticed failure in some of the deck boards. “It was more than what should have been happening at the time,” Soltvedt explained. A bridge inspector took a look at things and found subsurface rot in some of the deck boards. “On top, most
CONTRIBUTED Lariat Companies Inc. is considering a 36,000 squarefoot multi-tenant industrial and indoor self-storage building at 440 Park Court in Lino Lakes.
SEE TECH CENTER, PAGE 2 SEE BOARDWALK, PAGE 5
sure only permitted uses for the LI district would be allowed, and that a buffer along Lake Drive would be maintained. The board also wants more information about how the indoor self-storage facility would function.
Council Member Michael Ruhland wants to see the garage doors on the front of the building (along Lake Drive) be moved to the back of the building.
Mayor Rob Rafferty and Council Members Chirstopher Lyden and Ruhland all say they don’t care for the look of the business that is there now and want this phase to be more “aesthetically pleasing.”
“I don’t like how it looks … You are going along and all you see is a big fence and the tops of buildings,” Ruhland says. If it was more aesthetically pleasing, I’d be in favor of it.”
Honor Chef Hot Hands
Community members can support the Larry Jiles Jr. Scholarship Fund by attending the Chef Hot Hands tribute night at the T & Nae Flower Farm in Hugo from 5 to 8 pm. Wednesday, Aug. 23. Chef Hot Hands was a regular at the flower farm’s Wednesday market. Smug Pug food truck and Little Hot Hands will both be on site along with other local vendors and, of course, flowers. The flower farm is located at 15815 Elmcrest Avenue in Hugo. For more information, visit www.tandnae.com.
“It doesn’t feel right, it doesn’t look good,” Lyden says “We would like to think that Lino Lakes is a beautiful city and perhaps the first thing we did wrong was putting that on Lake Drive. We have a lot of neighborhoods right there… Lino Lakes may be the only place that puts LI in your front yard.”
Community Development Director Michael Grochala says the area was always planned to be industrial, long before any of the residential was developed. He says Lariat Companies and the council, should focus on making the building fit within the city’s design standards.
Lariat Companies will likely be at a council work session in September or October for further discussion on the concept before submitting formal applications.
Managing Editor Shannon Granholm can be reached at 651-407-1227 or quadnews@presspubs.com.
Public invited to CSAH 54 open house
Anoka County, in partnership with the cities of Centerville and Lino Lakes, is studying the CSAH 54 corridor between 73rd Street/21st Avenue and Birch Street (CSAH 34), as well as the intersection of Main Street (CSAH 14) and 21st Avenue. A recent development project prompted the need to further evaluate the corridor with a focus on access, safety and operations. The primary goal of the study is to identify the future vision for the corridor that addresses known issues while providing safe and efficient mobility for all users. Study staff and consultants are currently seeking feedback from the
public on goals for the corridor. An open house will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29, at Centerville City Hall. Representatives from both cities and the county as well as the consultant team will be available to discuss the study and listen to public feedback on needs of the corridor. There will be a brief presentation at 5:15 p.m. For more information, visit tinyurl. com/csah54corridorstudy.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is gathering ideas for the 2024 Minnesota legislative session.
Farmers, food businesses and others impacted by food and agriculture systems are invited to share policy and program suggestions.
The department is hosting two virtual public input sessions in addition to an online form (www.mda. state.mn.us/2024-legislative-ideas) for written submissions open through Sept.1.
The two sessions are on Zoom. Participation is free, but registration is required. The sessions are:
• Monday, Aug.21 from noon – 1 p.m. Register at tinyurl.com/mu6jhk6j
• T uesday, Aug. 22, from 5 – 6 p.m. Register at tinyurl.com/3hppz62u
(651) 413-6056
CONTRIBUTED
Connect with nature at Wargo Nature Center Aug. 26. See calendar listing for more information.
Council OKs tower addition
LEXINGTON—The city now has a lease agreement in place with American Tower Corporation.
“American Tower is asking to add dish network onto the tower. We get an additional $500 a month with an upfront payment of $6,500,” Attorney Kurt Glaser said.
City Administrator Bill Pe -
CIRCLE LEX FARMERS MARKET
When: 3-7 p.m. Wednesdays, June 14Oct. 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
LUNCH AND TABLE GAMES
When: noon Wednesday, Aug. 23
Where: Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, 3676 Centerville Road, Vadnais Heights
Details: Bring a bag lunch and play table games with friends. Coffee provided.
tracek said it will actually be closer to $700 a month but that it will be a three-year process, maybe longer.
Glaser said the bottom line is the city will get an extra $700 a month. The new equipment will go on with the rest of the equipment that’s already on the tower He said right now they collect roughly $70,000 a year off of the tower.
“You’ll get dish wireless. You’ll probably get better reception,” said Petracek.
The council unanimously approved of t he lease agreement.
Contact: 651-204-6000 or cityvadnaisheights.com/seniors
RICE CREEK PADDLING ADVENTURE
When: Noon-4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24
Where: Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park, 7401 Main St., Lino
Lakes
Details: Paddle 5-8 miles of the most scenic and wild sections of the creek. Boat rentals available; see registration information online.
Contact: 763-324-3300 or co.anoka. mn.us
AUTHOR VISIT
When: 10-11:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 25
Where: Lake Country Booksellers, 4766 Washington Square, White Bear Lake
Details: Jo Prouty will sign copies of her book ‘Love of a Dog’, and will be joined by Sarah Nintzel signing a new children’s book “The House We Sheltered In.” Contact: 651-426-0918
FOREST BATHING
When: 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 26
Where: Wargo Nature Center, 7701 Main St., Lino Lakes
Details: Connect with nature through an immersive, meditative walk based on the Japanese practice of shinrinyoku with a forest therapy guide. See registration information online. Contact: 763-324-3350 or anokacountyparks.com
BIRDING BY BOAT
When: 9 a.m.-noon Tuesday, Aug. 29
Where: Wargo Nature Center, 7701 Main St., Lino Lakes
Details: Paddle areas most birders can’t get to and see a variety of waterfowl, shorebirds, and upland bird species. No experience in boats or birding required. See registration information online.
Contact: 763-324-3350 or anokacountyparks.com
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
“Because we’re in this together.”
Call 763-784-1607
3860 Flowerfield Rd, Circle Pines togetherplacechurch.org facebook.com/togetherplacechurch 761679
Every year around this time I start thinking, “Where did summer go?”
Another wedding anniversary and birthday are now in the books. My family vacation to Wisconsin Dells has come and gone and most of the city festivals have already happened. Where has the time gone? Can we hit pause or rewind? I can’t believe it’s already State Fair time. Before we know it, the school year will be here and it will be the season of pumpkin spice lattes.
Shannon’s
Shenanigans Shannon Granholm
I do love fall, but it never lasts long enough. And I HATE what comes after fall. I do have some things to look forward to this fall and winter though. This fall, I’m looking forward to the Sunflower Festival at Waldoch Farm, Fall Fest in Lexington and the Withrow Car Show.
Each fall my family and I always have to visit the apple orchard, specifically Applecrest orchards in Hugo, Pine Tree Apple Orchard in White Bear Lake or Aamodt’s Apple Farm in Stillwater.
My dogs, Frosty and Twinkie’s, birthdays are also this fall. Frosty’s birthday is Oct. 26 and Twinkie’s birthday is Nov. 16. We always celebrate with presents and pupcakes. I’m really praying that Frosty is still around for her 10th birthday. (See dog update below for more info.)
Something readers can look forward to this fall is finding out the results of our Readers’ Choice Best Of the Press Contest. Winners will be announced in a special publication in October.
This winter, the main thing I’m dreading (and looking forward to at the same time) is my son Royce’s first birthday the day after Christmas. That will be quite the milestone for him and our family. I’m especially looking forward to watching him devour a smash cake.
If you read my previous column you probably recall that both of my dogs have had quite the year. Frosty, 9, was diagnosed with degenerative myelopathy (DM) and Twinkie, 5, had to have her left eye removed.
DM is a disease that affects the spinal cord in dogs, causing progressive muscle weakness and loss of coordination. It acts similarly to Lou Gehrig’s disease, or ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), in humans.
It has been so heartbreaking to watch my once able-bodied German shepherd not be able to go up and down stairs and to fall over doing simple things like going to the bathroom or eating her food.
Every day her condition seems to get worse and I’m not sure how much longer her body will let her make it. She can no longer do the things she so loved to do like playing fetch, going for long walks or swimming.
We do have a doggy wheel chair to help her get around when she is outside of the house, but our split-entry home has too many steps for a wheel chair to work. She still seems like a happy girl but I dread the day when she no longer is.
Thankfully she is not in pain, but it must be scary having your feet fall out beneath you all the time.
Twinkie, who was diagnosed with neurogenic dry eye, didn’t have any luck with any of the eye drops we tried. Right after Royce was born, she developed an ulcer on her eye, so we had to remove her eye before it ruptured or we would have lost her.
Twinkie didn’t skip a beat thankfully. The worst part was coming off anesthesia and having the incision heal. But she was back to her sassy self almost immediately and doesn’t seem to notice the loss of her eye at all.
Dear time, please slow down. Please and thank you.
As students enjoy this new school year, the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office would like to share strategies to keep your students safe inside and outside of the classroom.
Transportation to and from School
by an adult or older sibling. Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks, wear appropriate gear (helmets, protective clothing, etc.), and always stay focused on the road and not electronic devices.
www.presspubs.com
651-407-1200
Brad Wise
T ransportation to and from school can be some of the most dangerous times of the day for students. Teach your students who take the bus to always play it SAFE. Stay five steps away from the curb. Always wait until the bus comes to a complete stop and the driver gives instructions to board. Face forward when sitting in your seat. Exit the bus when it stops and look both ways before crossing the street.
Students who walk and bike to school incorporate some great exercise into their school day. For some younger students, it may be beneficial for them to be accompanied to and from school
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Some high school students may also be able to drive themselves and others to school. While this is an exciting time, it is important that parents remind their students of safe driving techniques. Limit the number of passengers in the vehicle to reduce distractions. Make sure to obey all traffic laws, including the posted speed limits and refrain from the use of electronic devices while driving.
Be a safe
Technology continues to increase capabilities to students’ learning from home. Yet it also brings potential risks along. Especially in scenarios where parents may not be home or are busy with their own work while their children are learning. Instilling strong digital citizenship practices in the home will help keep children safe when they are online for educational and social activities.
It is important that parents monitor the use of online
labeled, “paid letter.”
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communication forums and that students understand appropriate online dialogue. Caution them that their messages are never truly private, and they shouldn’t type anything that they wouldn’t be okay with others such as parents, teachers, etc. reading. Advise your students that information such as location, phone numbers, etc. is not appropriate to share online. They should never be afraid to say no and block online “friends” who ask for these types of information.
Continuously refresh the message to your students that if things are happening online that are upsetting or making them feel uncomfortable, they should always report it to a trusted adult. Establishing an open and trusting communication channel with your student could be your first way of detecting any issues they are experiencing.
If you have further questions about keeping your students safe this school year, don’t hesitate to give us a call at 763-324-5000. We wish all the residents of Anoka County a safe and healthy school year.
Brad Wise is the Anoka County sheriff.
2023
published as space permits.
• Four weeks (or issues) must pass between publication of unpaid letters from the same writer. Exceptions may be made for rebuttal letters at the editor’s discretion.
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• Resident Christopher Stowe, who has visited the council several times to speak during open mike, has said he may sue the city of Lino Lakes. Stowe has continued to visit the council and ask questions about his property located at 426 Pine Street and some requirements that are in place by the city. Stowe said a couple of years ago he was contacted by the Rice Creek Watershed District about the property, but hasn’t heard from them since. Now, since visiting the council, Stowe says he has heard from them again. “I haven’t heard anything from Rice Creek, and then I come and talk to you guys and all of a sudden Rice Creek fires back up again,” he said. “It’s on … I was hoping you guys would just leave me alone and we could walk away.”
• Kwik Trip has donated $1,000 to the city’s Department of Public Safety.
• T he City Council will hold second readings for two ordinances Aug. 28. The first ordinance (05-23) amends Chapter 301 to prohibit the use of cannabis in/on public parks or grounds. The second ordinance (06-23) enacts Chapter 502, which prohibits the consumption of cannabis in any form and through any manner of ingestion, in a public space or on public property.
Public Safety Director John Swenson says staff obtained and reviewed various cannabis-related ordinances from other cities in the area to draft a new ordinance and tweak an existing ordinance.
“We believe that these ordinances will give staff the tools to address any issues that may arise, as we live in the age of legal cannabis in Minnesota,” Swenson said.
In addition, the council will also hold a second reading Aug. 28 for an ordinance (07-23) to amend Chapter 617 regarding licensing eligibility for cannabinoid licensing. City Clerk Jolleen Chaika explained that in November 2022 the council passed an ordinance regulating edible cannabinoid products following the 2022 Minnesota legislative session in which Minn. Stat. §151.72 was modified to allow for the sale of
certain lower-potency cannabinoid products. In the 2023 Minnesota legislative session, §151.72 was further modified to remove restrictions placed on exclusive liquor stores; sale of lower-potency cannabinoid products is now allowed at all exclusive liquor stores. The ordinance amendment will remove the prohibition of the sale of edible cannabinoid products (which includes beverages) at exclusive liquor stores in the city, thus liquor stores can apply for licenses through the state.
• T he city no longer needs an ordinance meant to address catalytic converter theft. Swenson explained that because a law is now on the books statewide that addresses the thefts, the city ordinance is no longer needed. The amendment to state statute makes it illegal to possess a used catalytic converter that is not attached to a motor vehicle except in clearly defined exceptions.
• T he city now owns the elevated platform located inside Water Tower No. 1, located on Fourth Avenue. The purpose of the elevated platform is to supply cell service providers elevated space to allow for the floor level tower space to be occupied by city equipment and supplies. Justin Williams, public works superintendent, said the elevated platform is in good condition and is no longer serving a purpose for the current owner/tenant, Sprint/TMobile. Sprint/T-Mobile prefers to donate the platform to the city rather than bear the cost to disassemble and remove it from the site.
• T he city will pay $468,258 to complete plans and specifications for the extension of Otter Lake Road. The Otter Lake Road master plan study was completed in December 2022. The study identified the preferred alignment for the extension of Otter Lake Road from Main Street (CSAH 14) to its intersection with 24th Avenue, which lies on the city’s border with Hugo.
The project is currently identified
in the city’s long-range financial plan for construction in 2025. Phase 1 stormwater improvements are scheduled for construction in 2024. The project would include the extension of trunk sanitary sewer and water main, storm sewer and regional ponding, and pedestrian/ bicycle facilities along with the roadway. The project length is approximately 3/4 of a mile. The preliminary estimated cost is $8.4 million.
• By November, the water main along Lake Drive will see significant improvements. The council has awarded a construction contract for $315,650 to low bidder Geislinger & Sons. The project is located on the easterly side of Lake Drive between Forsham Lake Drive and Park Court. The project consists of directional drilling in new water main to loop the two existing stubs on both ends of the project. City Engineer Diane Hankee says the project, which provides redundancy, improved pressure and circulation, will strengthen the city’s system. WSB will also provide project construction services for $31,450. • C ity staff are preparing a purchase agreement for the sale of property in Carol Estates 2nd Addition. A developer is offering to buy 2.24 acres of city property at the corner of Lake Drive and 77th Street and a remnant of 7685 Lake Drive. A developer submitted an offer to purchase Lots 12 and 13 (Carol Estates 2nd Addition) along with the remnant of 7685 Lake Drive. Community Development Director Michael Grochala says the city has several details of the purchase agreement that need to be worked out, and the item might not come back in front of the council for consideration until September.
The next City Council meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 28, at City Hall. There will also be a work session immediately beforehand at 6 p.m. in the Community Room.
Shannon GranholmEvie is an American pit bull terrier mix. She is just over a year old and weighs about 40 pounds. Evie is playful and affectionate. She has an abundance of wiggles when she is with her people, and she likes meeting new people. She is very friendly. Evie knows her basic commands, she is leash-trained and she likes to go on walks. After a nice long walk, Evie loves to cuddle.
CONTRIBUTED Evie
She is intelligent, likes to learn new things and is always eager to please her family. Evie is gentle, even-tempered and a bit goofy. She likes going on car rides, playing with her toys, swimming, and playing fetch. Evie is housetrained, crate-trained and social with other dogs.
Evie is a wonderful young girl who is ready to find and settle in with a loving forever family. If you are interested in learning more about Evie 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.
Northtown Mall sells for $31M
Northtown Mall in Blaine has been sold to 4th Dimension Properties for $31 million. The Florida-based company has ownership stakes in more than 25 regional malls across the U.S. Washington Prime Group, based out of Ohio, previously owned the Northtown Mall but filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2021. Washington Prime also owned the Maplewood Mall, which was sold for $27.5 million in 2022.
FROM PAGE 1
of the boards looked okay, but once you got into guts of all of them, we were finding rot within the core of those boards,” Soltvedt said. “As a result, we closed the bridge out of concern for public safety, not knowing what the integrity of those boards would be.”
An engineer subsequently evaluated the boardwalk and recommended all the boards of the decking, approximately 1,100 feet, be replaced.
Soltvedt said the county was hopeful that it could complete the project over the winter months, but winter had other plans in store. “Due to the record snowfalls that we had over the course of the winter, our park keepers were stuck in plow trucks all winter long and really didn’t have time for a whole lot else,” he said.
This spring, the county got a contractor lined up, RAK Construction Inc., and the work began in July. While the boardwalk has been closed, a detour has been posted for pedestrians and bicyclists but Soltvedt says that unfortunately, not everyone is abiding by that.
“We are still seeing a lot of foot traffic of people going by the closure signs. Not only is it dangerous for people to take, but it impedes the work that is being done out there,” he said. “Still use the trail, but follow those detours. It is a little bit out of the way, but it still allows you to use that trail.”
Crews are working as fast as they can, Soltvedt added.
“We know that it is a nice route for people to take. It is a great corridor for us to get reopened. We know people want to use it, and we want people to use it,” he said.
The project should be complete mid-to-late September. Once the boardwalk reopens, the
county will still need to complete some cosmetic improvements, like hand railings.
Managing Editor Shannon Granholm can be reached at 651-407-1227 or quadnews@presspubs. com.
The Lino Lakes Police Department reports the following incidents:
• O fficers responded to a juvenile facility in the 7500 block of 4thAvene to search for a juvenile female who had left the facility on foot Aug 8. The female was located and ultimately taken to a secure facility for new criminal charges.
• A n officer took a delayed report of a license plate theft in the 8000 block of Lake Drive Aug. 8. The incident was documented and the license plate was entered as stolen. The investigation is ongoing. A n officer took a report of an assault in the 6600 block of Chesnut Street Aug. 8. The caller did not know if they wanted to pursue charges and said they would call back once a decision was made. The investigation is ongoing.
• A n officer received a suspicious activity phone call report in the 700 block of Fox Road Aug. 9 involving social media. The complainant was provided options on how to handle similar situations in the future.
• A n officer responded to a report of a disorderly male at a gas station in the 7500 block of Lake Drive Aug. 9. After an investigation, the male was trespassed from the store.
• O fficers responded to a fully engulfed vehicle fire on the roadway in the area of Lake Drive and Main Street Aug. 9. There were no injuries and the Lino Lakes Fire Department responded and extinguished the fire.
O fficers responded to a domestic incident Aug. 10. After an investigation, an adult male was arrested and booked into the Anoka County Jail for domestic assault.
• A c ommunity service officer responded to a report of an illegal burn in the 200 block of Apple Lane Aug. 10. The Lino Lakes Fire Department responded to assist with putting out the fire. Further investigation revealed an arrest warrant for the individual responsible for the fire. They were arrested and booked into the Anoka County jail.
• A n officer was dispatched to a report of a grass fire in the 7100 block of Lake Drive Aug. 10. Officers and fire personnel were able to contain the fire and the fire was extinguished.
O fficers responded to a report of a theft from a business in the 700 block of Apollo Drive Aug. 10. The officers located the male suspect and later cited them for theft.
• A n officer responded to a business in the 6700 block of Hodgson Road for a report of receiving counterfeit currency Aug. 10. The investigation is ongoing.
• A community service officer received an anonymous complaint about dogs being off leash in the 200 block of Linda Avenue Aug. 11. The owner was educated on city ordinances.
• A n officer conducted a traffic stop in the 6800 block of Otter Lake Road Aug. 11. The officer found the driver showed signs of impairment. The driver was arrested for a driver’s license alcohol restriction violation and booked into jail.
• A n officer stopped a vehicle for illegal driving conduct and suspicious activity in the 1000 block of Main Steet Aug. 11. The adult male driver was arrested and booked into the Anoka County Jail for third-degree DWI, alcohol content 0.08 or more within two hours, and violation of an alcohol restriction.
• A n officer stopped a vehicle for illegal driving conduct in the area of I-35E and Main Street Aug. 12. The adult male driver was arrested and charged with fourth-degree DWI, alcohol content 0.08 or more within two hours and carrying a firearm under the influence of alcohol.
• A n officer responded to an animal complaint inside a residence in the 1200 block of Peregrine Circle Aug. 12. The animal was removed and released outside.
• O fficers responded to a call involving a ruptured natural gas line in the 7500 block of Jeanne Drive Aug. 12. Officers monitored the area until fire
personnel arrived. Officers stood by until the gas company repaired the damaged line.
• A n officer was dispatched to assist another law enforcement agency in the 6800 block of Black Duck Drive Aug. 12. The officer determined a vehicle had been stolen from the attached garage of a Lino Lakes residence. The investigation is ongoing.
• A n officer responded to assist boaters who were stranded on a lake Aug. 12. The officer assisted fire personnel in towing the boat to shore.
• O fficers responded to assist Minnesota state patrol on a report of a vehicle crash involving a driver who fled the damaged vehicle on I-35E near Main Street Aug. 12. A drone was used to check the area but the driver was not located.
• A n officer responded to a delayed burglary report at a residence in the 1000 block of Lantern Lane where an unknown suspect entered the attached garage Aug. 13. The incident is related to others in the area and is under investigation.
• A n officer took a phone call regarding a burglary in the 6900 block of Black Duck Drive Aug. 13. The officer documented the incident. The investigation is ongoing.
• A n officer took a delayed report of tampering with a motor vehicle in the 100 block of Appaloosa Court Aug. 13. The incident was documented and there is no suspect information at this time.
• A n officer stopped a vehicle for speeding in the 2200 block of Main Street Aug. 14 and the driver was subsequently arrested for DWI and later charged with DWI-related offenses.
The Centennial Lakes Police Department reports the following incidents:
• A property damage crash was reported in a business parking lot in the 0 block of South Pine Drive in Circle Pines Aug.9.
• A n officer stopped a suspicious vehicle in the 9100 block of South Highway Drive in Lexington Aug. 9.
• A n officer stopped suspicious vehicle in the 10 block of School Road in Circle Pines Aug. 10.
• A n officer was contacted regarding a delayed criminal sexual conduct report from another county Aug. 11. The incident was reported to the criminal investigations division.
• O fficers were dispatched to the 9000 block of Griggs Avenue in Lexington for a disorderly conduct Aug. 12.
• O fficers were dispatched to the 30 block of East Road in Circle Pines for a civil dispute Aug. 13.
• A n officer observed a vehicle in near Main Street and Centerville Road in Centerville Aug. 15 that had multiple equipment violations and the driver’s license had been revoked. The vehicle was ultimately towed from the scene.
& Labor Day Holiday Early Deadline Wednesday, Aug. 30 @ 2 p.m. 651-407-1250 classified@presspubs.com
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Press Publications publishes 6 community newspapers, magazines and coupon books, serving White Bear Lake and surrounding communities. Our publications brings news of school events, government, business, politics, and social events to local residents.
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Libbie Vander Vegt, Carley Gooder and Katie Kerr are the next Lino Lakes Ambassadors.
Ten candidates vied for three spots. The Miss Lino Lakes Ambassador program was established in 2004 as part of Blue Heron Days. The ambassadors will represent the city at various parades, coronations, volunteer events and fundraisers throughout the Twin Cities. The goal of the program is to empower young women by giving them the opportunity to be leaders, strengthen their communication skills and build their confidence.
The Quad Community Press recently interviewed the three young women to learn more about them and introduce them to the community.
Libbie Vander Vegt
Q: Do/did you attend Centennial High School? If so, what year are you in school or what year did you graduate? If you graduated what are you up to these days?
A: I will be a junior at Forest Lake High School this fall.
Q: Why did you want to be a Lino Lakes ambassador?
A: I wanted to be an ambassador because I wanted to be someone that people could look up to and be able to help everyone in our community.
Q: What other organizations/activities are you involved in (sports, clubs, organizations, jobs, etc.)?
A: I am on the Forest Lake Dance Team along with being a competitive dancer and teacher assistant at Lorenz Dance and Tumbling Studio and this year I will also be a Link Leader at Forest Lake High School.
Q: What are you looking forward to about your time as an ambassador?
A: I’m looking forward to meeting so many people from our community and from other communities all over the state and also being able make a positive impact in our community.
Q: What do you hope to get out of your experience as an ambassador?
A: I hope to better improve my public speaking and also really use my year to get out of my comfort zone and try new things.
Q: What are your plans after your time as an ambassador?
A: After High School I hope to attend a 4 year college where I can major in sports management along with a minor in dance education.
Q: Is there anything else you want the community to know about you or the program?
A: Something I think people should know is if you are thinking about joining the program give it a try. Because I have grown so much just
through the candidacy process and made lifelong friendships that I would have never made without this amazing program.
Q: Do/did you attend Centennial High School? If so, what year are you in school or what year did you graduate? If you graduated what are you up to these days?
A: I am a senior at Centennial High school (class of 2024).
Gooder
Q: Why did you want to be a Lino Lakes ambassador?
A: I wanted to be a Lino Lakes ambassador to be a role model for younger girls as well as gaining confidence in public speaking.
Q: What other organizations/ activities are you involved in (sports, clubs, organizations, jobs, etc.)?
A: I currently work at TPC Twin Cities which is a golf course located in Blaine, Minnesot A:
Q: What are you looking forward to about your time as an
ambassador?
A: What I’m most looking forward to as my time as an ambassador are the skills and friendships I will gain.
Q: What do you hope to get out of your experience as an ambassador?
A: My hope is to gain self-confidence as an ambassador.
Q: What are your plans after your time as an ambassador?
A: After being an ambassador and graduating high school, I plan to go pursue my career in orthodontics with hopes of going to Iowa University.
The candidate filing period has closed, and we now know who will run for local offices this November. In Circle Pines, Mayor Dave Bartholomay will run for reelection unopposed, along with City Council Members Steve McChesney and Matt Percy. Circle Pines will also have a special election for one seat. Nici Dorner has filed for that seat.
In Lino Lakes, Mayor Rob Rafferty will run unopposed. Four candidates will run for two City Council seats. Candidates include current members Chris Lyden and Michael Ruhland, as well as Christopher Stowe and Catherine Decker. There are no local elections in Centerville or Lexington or for the Centennial School District.
Alex Rogan came from behind in the final nine to capture his fifth Chomonix Golf Club championship on Sunday.
Rogan shot 39-38-77 in 90-degree heat Saturday and 40-35-75 on a pleasant Sunday, 80 degrees with a breeze, for a 152 total to win by two strokes. The former Centennial (five times all-conference) and UWEau Claire golfer, now 25, notched his first club title at 16.
Carter Korkowoski, another exCougar golfer, was runner-up with
74-80-154. Korkowski, 21, led by four at the turn Sunday but couldn’t hold off Rogan.
Brandon Lee placed third with 7877-155. Jack Sabian was fourth with 71-76-157. Tying for fifth were Eric Pearson with 80-78-158 and Carter Anderson 81-77-158. Nick O’Neill, who was champion the past two years, faded on Sunday and placed sixth with 78-83-161.
Dave Hoehl won the Senior Flight, shooting 79-81-160. Brian Bole placed second with 87-85-172. The first flight winner was Dave Hensel with 77-79-156.
With the new school year only a few weeks away, state officials and educators are promoting Minnesota’s new Free School Meals for Kids Program. The new program provides state reimbursement to schools participating in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. Students can have one breakfast and one lunch at no cost at school. The new program was signed into law by Gov. Tim Walz in March.
FROM PAGE 9
Q: Is there anything else you want the community to know about you or the program?
A: This program is truly amazing and I encourage all young women to join. I learned a lot during my candidacy experience from interview tips, professionalism attire, how to give a good speech, and I met a lot of incredible women.
Katie KerrQ: Do/did you attend Centennial High School? If so, what year are you in school or what year did you graduate?
If you graduated what are you up to these days?
A: I am currently still attending Centennial High School going into my junior year.
Q: Why did you want to be a Lino Lakes ambassador?
A: I wanted to become a Lino Lakes Ambassador because of Lauren Scheurer (2022-2023 Ambassador). Lauren had so many great things to say about the program and I love getting to know people around the community as well as volunteering.
Q: What other organizations/ activities are you involved in (sports, clubs, organizations, jobs, etc.)?
A: I am a Centennial Varsity cheerleader and a girls Lacrosse player.
Q: What are you looking forward to about your time as an ambassador?
A: I am looking forward to bonding with my crown sisters (Carley and Libbie) and attending so many great events around Minnesota.
Q: What do you hope to get out of your experience as an ambassador?
A: I hope to become even more confident in public speaking and stepping out of my comfort zone when talking to new people.
Q: What are your plans after your time as an ambassador?
A: I plan on finishing my senior year at Centennial High, then go on to getting a degree in business administration at the University of St. Thomas.
Q: Is there anything else you want the community to know about you or the program?
A: I am so honored to be a Lino Lakes Ambassador and I encourage young woman around Minnesota to step out of their comfort zones when new opportunities come their way because you never know you might just do great things.
“Providing free breakfast and lunch at school is one of the best investments we can make in our students to support Minnesota’s working families, and care for our young learners and the future of our state,” said Minnesota Department of Education Commissioner Willie Jett. Educators say children who aren’t hungry during the school day are more attentive and learn better than those who haven’t had enough to eat.
“Kids come to school with a lot on their minds, and for many, that worry includes where their next meal will come from,” says Staci Murphy, a fourth-grade teacher at Hoover Elementary School in North Mankato. “Providing young people with healthy meals reduces student stress, improves their focus, and makes them better learners.”
For more information about the Free School Meals Program, visit https:// education.mn.gov/MDE/dse/FNS/SNP/ free.
Minnesota Department of Education
• Now that is legal to possess and enjoy, note that there are certain parameters to that in each city. Centerville joined many municipalities in wasting little time to revise Chapter 91 of an ordinance prohibiting its use in public places. Although people may use pot on their own property, they may not smoke in parks or roadsides. As recommended, the ordinance was adopted after the first reading, without a second reading, by unanimous vote of the council and will take effect on its adoption and publication. Unlike other cities, however, Centerville didn’t prohibit tobacco use in public places at the same time, in order to get the ordinance on the books immediately. City staff thought that the discussion about whether to include a prohibition against tobacco might delay the marijuana prohibition ordinance from passing. The reason for the public space ban on pot is to protect the public from second smoke and other consequences of intoxication. Until January 2025, cities can enjoy a moratorium on marijuana sales, while dispensaries and licensing infrastructure are set up around the state. The moratorium period will give cities time to learn what works and provide an opportunity to tweak their ordinances, City Attorney Kurt Glaser said. “It’s important to protect the public,” said Mayor D. Love.
• T he Centerville public will be glad to know that their Centennial Lakes Police Department is fully staffed with 16 officers, (although two of them are still in training), said Chief James Mork in his CLPD Annual Report presentation. The department hired a half dozen staff members in 2022 and expects to hire approximately the same number in 2023. However, challenges to keep fully staffed are the new normal, as in nearly every jurisdiction, he said. The department experienced five vacancies in 2022, and the number of calls officers could respond to were lower, as a consequence, Mork said. The annual report is available at the city website at www.centervillemn. com.
• L ooking toward its other public safety responsibilities, council approved the Centennial Fire District (CFD) proposed 2024 budget. Centerville’s share of the budget is $375,264, and will use funds from the General Fund Levy, along with $51,300 from the Public Safety Funds Allocation to pay for the contribution. Total CFD revenues and expenditures for 2024 are set at $855,402, an increase of $150,093 or 21.3%
• City staff and citizens have noticed a decline in water clarity of Centerville Lake in recent years. Algae blooms are common and occasionally severe. It is generally understood that internal phosphorus loading (fertilizer) is a major contributor to algae blooms. The city and its citizens are anxious to restore water clarity to their lakes, and council approved a letter of support for the Centerville Lake Water Quality Project toward this goal.
The Rice Creek Watershed District and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources are studying ways to remove Centerville Lake from the list of lakes
in crisis and are applying for a grant in cooperation with the lake homeowner’s association and the Anoka Conservation District. The letter of support will not commit the city to having to provide funding. Once Centerville Lake has been improved and removed from the list of troubled lakes, the goal is to then advocate for the removal of Peltier Lake from the list.
• T he city’s water tower will be well coated and also display the new logo the next time it is due for repainting, after council approved the water tower coating inspection contract for $3,200 to KLM Engineering. The project will use money from the Water Utility Fund. In 2019, the city contracted with KLM to have the paint on the city’s water tower inspected. The inspection report found the tower’s coatings to be in good condition and recommended at five-year re-inspection. After city staff recently found issues with the coating system that required repair, staff considered moving the re-inspection up one year. The upcoming inspection will examine the strength of the coating system and its viability for an overcoating project (as opposed to stripping off the old paint and reapplying primer and new paint). Another goal of the inspection report will be to estimate the cost and timing of the recommended re-coat. The inspection is expected to help city staff budget for the project and make decisions pertaining to changes to the city’s logo.
• Visitors to Eagle Park will be glad to know that their wishes will be fulfilled, after council approved the purchase and installation of a park bench facing the play structure. The Parks & Recreation Committee had received several requests to add an additional bench to Eagle Park. During their meetings, the committee discussed cost, installation and need of a new bench at that location. To help with the decision making, the Kwik Trip and Centerville Lions made recent donations that could offset the costs of the new bench. City staff might still also reach out to several residents who have shown an interest in donating to the same installation. The city will spend no more than $2,000, using money from the Parks Capital Fund.
• Due to the changes in the current economic environment, it has gotten more difficult for municipalities to purchase vehicles through the state contract system. The uncertainty has come at
a time when the city is scheduled to replace three of its pickup trucks. Staff requested council approval to replace two Chevrolet 2500 pickup trucks and a Chevrolet 3500 pickup truck with a utility body and plow. The state bidding system is currently closed and is planning to re-open Sept. 1. Last year, the ordering window was only one day, City Administrator Mark Statz said. Staff has sent a request for pricing to the dealer for Chevy trucks. The dealer is waiting to hear back on pricing and how many trucks GM motors will allot to the city. Council gave staff authorization to move forward in a timely manner when the ordering window opens. As city staff doesn’t have quotes, they now have permission to buy if these vehicles are within 20% of the prices listed on the Capital Improvement Projects spreadsheet.
Homeowners on Widgeon Circle and Oak Circle still won’t know whether the city will implement the Backyard Drainage Projects Policy to subsidize drainage work on their properties, after council tabled action on amendments to the policy. After three meetings of discussing this item, council was not yet ready to take action on potentially allowing single homeowners to receive a $5,000 subsidy from the city. Other changes to the proposed amendment address interest rates and other logistical issues with the program. The proposed maximum annual cost to the city as a result of a policy change would be $20,000, using money from the Storm Water Utility Fund. Glaser also suggested additional wording to the amendment to put the city on stronger legal ground. Love said he was involved in city government some years ago when the policy was first drafted. “I’m not for individual property owners taking part in this program; it was put in place for groups,” he said. A s a result of council tabling the amendment to the Backyard Drainage Issue Cost Participation Policy, council also tabled action for the two properties involved, as they were contingent on navigating potential changes to the policy. Action on city participation, encroachment and assessment agreements for the Widgeon Circle and Oak Circle properties will have to wait until a future meeting.
The council next meets at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 23 at City Hall, 1880 Main St.
Loretta Harding
