Quad Community Press

Christmas in the park

New day care license suspended until conditions are met

BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR

LEXINGTON — A new day care will need to meet a couple of conditions before it can open its doors to children.

A city license for Little Rabbit’s Hole, located at 9012 Griggs Ave., was approved back in May. Last month city staff and City Attorney Kurt Glaser recommended the council either suspend the license and develop some conditions under which it could be reinstated, or revoke it.

Ultimately, the council decided to table the item from November to December, as an inspection with the Department of Human Services (DHS) was scheduled for Nov. 30. (See “Council tables action to suspend, revoke day care license,” Nov. 29.)

City Attorney Kurt Glaser reminded the council of its options: It could revoke the business license indefinitely; suspend the business license until a time when it meets specific requirements set forth by the council; or it could take no action on the business license.

Deputy Clerk Mary Vinzant provided an update. She said business owner Abdilahi Botan had contacted her the same day of the inspection saying he passed the inspection with DHS and could open for business Dec. 5. She explained that she then followed up with DHS and was told that Botan was given a deadline to provide documentation of compliance (for teacher credentialing) by noon Friday, Dec. 2.

In addition, she said although the business’s workers' compensation insurance was current,

Get ready to brave the cold for the 2022 Christmas Bird Count

JACKI BUSSJAEGER STAFF WRITER

A pair of binoculars, an ID guide, and a healthy sense of adventure are all it takes to become a citizen scientist in this year’s Audubon Christmas Bird Count.

This century-old tradition will take place in regions across the U.S. and internationally between Dec. 14 and Jan. 5, including several locations in the Twin Cities area.

On count day, groups of volunteers, organized by a count coordinator,

will divide their count area—a circle with a 15-mile radius—into several routes. From dawn until afternoon, and sometimes later, count volunteers will travel these routes with eyes and ears highly tuned for the appearance of their winged quarry.

Volunteers identify and tally every individual bird they observe. It takes some practice with bird identification, but most groups include experienced birders. The CBC is a great opportunity for new birders to gain experience and confidence in bird identification, and perhaps form a new holiday tradition.

Ornithologist Frank Chapman, an early member of the Audubon Society, was the first to suggest a holiday bird census in the year 1900. Previously, many households took part in a Christmas side hunt, which consisted of killing birds for entertainment during holiday gatherings. Chapman’s suggestion redirected the hunt into what has become the longest-running citizen science project in history.

“Christmas Bird Counts have some scientific validity, but they’re mostly

The tufted titmouse, a relative of the black-capped chickadee, may become more common in coming years as its range shifts northward.

JACKIE BUSSJAEGER | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

SHANNON GRANHOLM | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

The Centerville Lions and the Centennial Fire District teamed up to host Christmas in the Park at Laurie LaMotte Memorial Park in Centerville. Over 500 people attended the event. Next up in Centerville will be the annual skate/sled night from 6 to 9 p.m. Jan. 14, also at Laurie LaMotte Memorial Park. See more photos on page 10.

Spiced is a cuddly, affectionate sweetheart who will melt in your lap while she melts your heart. She’s a 3-year-old Australian cattle dog/blue heeler/ German shepherd mix who arrived at Ruff Start Rescue from Texas, where she was found as a stray.

Despite her long journey to the north, she is enjoying her new life and is anxiously waiting a forever home and family who will return the love she gives. Spiced weighs just under 30 pounds, is super smart and trains very well. She knows her basic commands and is eager to please. She has a lot

of energy and would fit in well with a family who enjoys walks during all seasons.

She is still a bit reactive to other dogs, so she would do best in a home as an only pet. Spiced would also do well in a home with a fenced yard where she can run and explore and expel her energy. If you are interested in learning more about Spiced 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.

POLICE REPORTS

The Lino Lakes Police Department reported the following incidents:

• An officer took a theft report from the 6100 block of Oak Hollow Lane Nov. 29. The investigation is ongoing.

• A theft was reported in the 6600 block of Enid Trail Nov. 29. The investigation is ongoing.

• A resident in the 800 block of Fox Road reported an identity theft attempt. There was no financial loss.

• An officer responded to a motorist assist for a vehicle blocking the roadway in the 7500 block of Lake Drive Nov. 29. The officer arrived to find a vehicle stuck in the snow and helped push the vehicle out.

• An officer located a suspicious vehicle parked at a closed business in the 7500 block of Lake Drive Nov. 30. The driver was subsequently arrested on an outstanding warrant and booked into the Anoka County Jail.

• A resident in the 100 block of Egret Lane reported a scam Nov. 30. There was no financial loss.

• Officers responded to the 600 block of Town Center Parkway for a driving complaint Nov. 30. Officers documented the incident, which involved an industrial truck.

• While on patrol, an officer stopped a vehicle for multiple traffic vio -

lations in the 2100 block of Main Street Nov. 30. After an investigation, an adult male driver was arrested and booked into jail.

• A resident in the 6300 block of Cripple Creek Court reported receiving suspicious mail. The caller was given options for how to handle the mail.

• Officers located a stolen vehicle at a residence in the 400 block of Birch Street Dec. 1. The vehicle was recovered, and statements were taken from the involved parties. The investigation is being handled by another agency.

• An officer responded to a report of a suspicious individual walking around a residence in the 600 block of Lois Lane Dec. 2. The suspect fled from officers and was located a short time later in Blaine. An adult male was subsequently taken into custody.

• A school bus stop-arm violation was reported in the 7400 block of Lake Drive Dec. 2.

• A theft was reported in the 600 block of Market Place Drive Dec. 2. The investigation is ongoing.

• Officers and fire personnel responded to the 800 block of Old Birch Street Dec. 2 on report of a tree that had fallen on a power line and started a fire. The scene was secured

until the power company was able to respond to the scene and fix the line.

• An officer observed a damaged light pole in the area of Birch Street and Kingfisher Court Dec. 2. The damage appeared to be from a vehicle that had left the scene. The investigation is ongoing.

• Suspicious activity was reported in the 300 block of Ravens Court Dec. 4. The incident was documented, and officers were instructed to provide extra patrol in the area.

• An officer stopped a vehicle for speeding in the 400 block of Main Street Dec. 5. The officers noticed an open container of alcohol and conducted a field sobriety test to determine the driver was not impaired. The driver was subsequently cited for speeding and possession of an open container.

The Centennial Lakes Police Department reported the following incidents:

• Officers spoke with an adult male in Circle Pines Dec. 1 who reported he was being harassed by another adult male in the 300 block of Civic Heights Drive.

• Officers took a phone call report of harassment from a female and male in the 40 block of East Road in

Circle Pines Dec. 1.

• Police were dispatched to the 200 block of North Star Lane in Circle Pines Dec. 1 for a suspicious occupied vehicle.

• Officers responded to a fraud report in the 20 block of Ridge Road in Circle Pines Dec. 1. The complainant advised she received a fraudulent check and, as a result, she was out $1,840. The bank is investigating.

• Police responded with fire and EMS personnel to the 4000 block of Lovell Road in Lexington on report of a structure fire. Upon arrival, the house was fully involved and found to be vacant. Officers stood by to help with traffic control and scene security.

• Property damage was reported in the 9200 block of Ryan Place in Lexington Dec. 3. There is no suspect information at this time.

• Officers responded to the 9100 block of South Highway Drive in Lexington Dec. 4 for a hit-and-run property damage accident. There is no suspect information at this time.

• Police fielded a report of theft by coercion in the 8700 block of Dunlap Avenue in Lexington Dec. 6.

• Officer mediated a civil dispute in the 9000 block of Griggs Avenue in Lexington Nov. 30.

• The city of Lino Lakes continues to work with WSB to develop a master plan for the Otter Lake Road area. The northeast quadrant of I-35E and Main Street has been the focus of a number of planning and infrastructure projects over the past 10 years. Community Development Director Michael Grochala explained that development along Main Street has reached a point where trunk drainage improvements are required to provide a stormwater route to the I-35E crossing. These improvements also need to consider location and stormwater requirements for the Otter Lake Road extension. Because much of the infrastructure planning is interrelated, council authorized a master plan covering approximately 400 acres lying north of Main Street and east of I-35E. The purpose of the plan is to determine a preferred alignment of Otter Lake Road, create a regional stormwater plan and routing for the area, determine sanitary sewer and water routing, and obtain land and engineering information necessary to apply for various state and federal funding economic development grant opportunities.

After completion of the study and selection of a preferred alignment alternative, the city will be able to move forward with preparation of construction documents for future improvements to both Otter Lake Road and the trunk stormwater system.

• The city is considering terminating its contract for cleaning services at city buildings (civic complex, public works and both fire stations) and instead hiring two part-time employees to work 25-29 hours per week. Public Services Director Rick DeGardner explained that the city has utilized three different providers over the past 12 years and is not satisfied with the overall cleanliness of the buildings. He mentioned attempts to address the city’s concerns have been made but have not resulted in improvement.

By hiring its own cleaners, DeGardner said the city will be able to provide better quality control and have the ability to address items outside of a

COUNTY BRIEF

Salaries set for commissioners, attorney, sheriff

The 2023 salaries have been set for county commissioners, county sheriff and county attorney. Anoka County commissioners' salary for 2023 will be $87,984 in addition to an expense allowance not to exceed $7,500 for each commissioner and $8,500 for the board chair. The county attorney’s salary will be $193,731 and the county sheriff’s $180,003.

typical cleaning contract.

The existing contract to clean the Civic Complex, public works, fire station No. 1 and fire station No. 2 amounts to $78,422 annually. The pay rate for the two additional staff would be between $20-$23 an hour, which amounts to approximately $70,000. Therefore, the city could see an annual savings of $8,000.

• The city is considering updates to its stormwater management ordinance. Grochala explained that the city is required to adopt an ordinance that is consistent with the requirements of the state’s general permit to operate a municipal storm system (MS4). Most of the updates to the ordinance would be to ensure that the city’s rules and requirements are consistent with those of local water management organizations, including the Rice Creek Watershed District and the Vadnais Lakes Water Management Organization. The council was expected to consider the first reading of the ordinance at its Dec. 12 meeting (after press deadline).

As a part of the update, the city will also need to adopt an ordinance that requires proper salt storage at commercial, institutional and industrial facilities. The ordinance would establish minimum requirements for the safe storage of deicer materials. Grochala said the ordinance would typically affect entities that have large parking areas and routinely use deicers as part of their snow removal procedures. The threshold of 5 tons equates to approximately one dump truck load of material. He said city staff was not aware of any facilities, other than public works, that has this amount of deicer store on-site; however, there may be construction and landscaping businesses that perform winter snow removal that do meet this threshold. The council is expected to consider the ordinance in January.

• The city is still struggling to find community members who are interested in joining one of the city’s advisory boards. Cotton said although several people have applied to serve on the Planning and

Zoning Board, there are still vacancies on the Park Board, Environmental Board and Economic Development Advisory Committee. Because of the lack of applicants, Cotton said it was unlikely that the new members would be seated by the first meetings of 2023. Those interested in learning more or applying for one of these boards can visit https://linolakes. us/473/Advisory-Board-Applications .

• WSB will begin assisting the city on right of way acquisition for a pedestrian trail extension along Hodgson Road (CSAH 49). In September, the council approved a joint powers agreement (JPA) with Anoka County for the reconstruction of the Hodgson Road and Ash Street (County Road J) intersection. During the discussion, the council requested that the pedestrian trail along the west side of Hodgson be extended from the Lyngblomsten project to Rohavic Lane.

While the trail can be incorporated into the project, the city is responsible for acquisition of the required right of way, Grochala explained. One parcel will be impacted by the proposed improvements. The preliminary design identified the need for approximately 1,700 square feet of permanent right of way and 2,205 square feet of temporary easement. The areas may change based on final design of the trail and the need to avoid existing utility poles.

Once the construction limits are confirmed, WSB will contact the property owners to discuss the proposed improvements and acquisition process. Any proposed acquisition settlement will be brought to the council for approval.

The next City Council meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 26, at City Hall. Be sure to check the city website for updates, as in the past the council has decided to cancel the second meeting in December if there is a light agenda.

Happy Holidays

Shannon Granholm

LINO LAKES CITY COUNCIL SNIPPETS

Year end giving

This is the time of year to support our local community organizations, if you can. Our own communities have community foundations, churches, food shelves, arts and theatre organizations, and many other nonprofits that are based right here. Many nonprofits outside our communities do good work, too, but it is those right here that help in sustaining the local economy-paying wages to local people and rent on buildings while they are helping our neighbors. When you’re at the checkout line of our local stores, look for opportunities to round up for a local cause, make a donation, or purchase an extra item to donate. Making a cash donation directly to your favorite local organization is even better. Often nonprofits can leverage their purchasing power so your monetary donation goes even further than donating items. Donating non-perishable food items to the food shelf is great, but know that if you give through their website or send a check, they will use your money to buy even more of what they need. Some organizations, like community foundations, can accept unusual donations such as property, boats and stocks. Staff can be a helpful with setting up a donor-advised fund that carries out your desired plans for giving. What is so unique about a community foundation is that you can you can designate your annual giving to specific programs, or you can choose to give across the spectrum of organizations and initiatives that have the most pressing needs. Donations can be leveraged to fund major projects. Staff and board members will work with you to help you determine what kind of impact you want to make. There are also tax advantages. Look into our local community foundations – the Shoreview Community Foundation, Vadnais Heights Community Foundation, Greater White Bear Lake Area Community Foundation, and the St. Croix Valley Foundation are a few.

More than ever our local organizations need support. During the pandemic the staff were often overworked and are now catching up from the past few years. Many have seen donations slip or move in the wrong direction. One reason may be that people have paid more for gas, groceries and other goods, and they simply don’t have as much to give this year. It also could be caused from less or ineffective communication with the public. Many organizations have dropped printed newsletters and communications and relied on social media and websites to stay in touch with supporters, which can be an expensive, tricky process to make work. The internet is intentdriven, which means most people don’t take the initiative to visit a nonprofits social media page unless they have a reason to. Donors lose sight of organizations that do not communicate in other ways.

We hope our print and digital readers can keep an eye on local needs, from making donations or volunteering in any capacity where the need is. Keeping your gifts of time and money local makes a difference in your community.

T hank you for subscribing C ongratulations to our subscriber campaign winner. Tom Weidt won $250 in gift cards for being a loyal reader and subscriber. We appreciate every subscription we receive, and every dollar our readers contribute helps us bring you honest local news every week, online and in print.

Carter Johnson is publisher of Press Publications.

I’m grateful and optimistic for 2023

2023 is going to be a very good year, one in which we continue to spring back and try to figure out what ‘normal’ means going forward.

I believe the key to a good attitude is gratitude. Yet in our day-to-day life we often don’t see how grateful we could be for what we have. Here are a few of my favorite perspectives on gratitude:

many people don’t realize how much a simple gesture of thanks can mean.

us understand:

“Sometimes the bad things that happen in our lives put us directly on the path to the best things that will ever happen to us.” – author Nicole Reed

“If you believe it will work out, you’ll see opportunities. If you believe it won’t, you’ll see obstacles.” – author Wayne Dyer

Movers & Shakers

Dave Bartholomay

“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” – author Robert Brault Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Lutheran German pastor and anti-Nazi dissident, said: “In ordinary life, we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich.”

“I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual.” — poet Henry David Thoreau

“In everyday life, we seem to not fully realize the magnitude of the impact that we’re having on other people.” — Professor Amit Kumar, author of research suggesting that

Reflect for a moment and consider all you have to be grateful for, both personally (such as a family, friends, a job, a roof over your head, being respected by the community) and professionally (for example, a set of skills, a job, and hopefully a good boss and supportive co-workers). What are you grateful for? And do you tell people how appreciative you are for the good they do, the support they show you? Expressing gratitude in 2023 can make a big difference for you and for the recipient.

You don’t have to look too hard to find people that have a lot less and who would be very happy to change places with you. Yet we often complain about our situation and our bad luck compared to others, rather than seeing that we are indeed often receiving more than we give. 2023 could be the year that you cut back on your worrying, avoid partisan TV news shows by going for a walk instead, and take back control of your attitude by being more grateful. Realizing what you have, and not focusing on what you are missing, can lead to a greater sense of optimism in 2023. Not an optimism that is out of touch with reality, but one that can help lift your mind to a better place. Again, a few perspectives to help

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Carter C. Johnson Publisher cjohnson@presspubs.com

Shannon Granholm Managing Editor quadnews@presspubs.com Patty Steele Director of Sales & Marketing marketing@presspubs.com

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Two of my favorite authors, Brene Brown and Arthur Brooks, write wonderfully on joy and happiness. They remind me that we are constantly searching for the special keys to find this joy, to live our best lives. And yet, sometimes we may have the cause and effect backwards. As David Steindl-Rast, American Catholic Benedictine monk, says “For it is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful.“

Let 2023 be the year that we began to actively practice gratitude. That we work on improving ourselves so that we can help others. Because remember “2023 is not the year to get everything you want. 2023 is the year to appreciate everything you have.” – author unknown. My wish for you is to have a great and grateful 2023!

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ments will not be published.

• Submissions containing facts not previously published in the Press must be accompanied by factual verification.

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• Deadline is 5 p.m. Wednesday of the week prior to publication.

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Dave Bartholomay is the mayor of Cirlce Pines.

Publisher’s View

Carter Johnson

A more diverse work force helps agency and community

According to the most recent census, women make up over 50% of the United States population. In law enforcement, across the US, the population of female police officers is much lower at approximately 13%. There is a trend in law enforcement, in which agencies are striving to have a more diverse representation of police officers, to match the demographics of the communities in which they serve. If you look at the total population numbers, as well as the number of female police officers, our profession is way below in this particular endeavor.

The 30 x 30 Initiative is a program, which focuses on advancing the number of women in policing by 30% by the year 2030. There are several large police agencies, such as the Minnesota State Patrol (MSP), who have put specific emphasis on diversity recruitment.

We here at the Centennial Lakes Police Department (CLPD) are trying to do our part. In the past month, we were fortunate to hire two new female police officers. Ashley Koivisto and Danielle Wressell have accepted police officer positions with our agency and have recently started their field training process. With the addition of these two energetic and motivated officers, along with Corporal Katy Mannin, we now have a total of three licensed female officers. In a department of 14 currently sworn officers, this brings our female officer representation up to 21%. With two additional current vacancies we may be able to increase this percentage.

Officer Koivisto comes to us from the Federal Re -

• The city of Lexington has set its general fund budget for 2023 to be $2,309,980, which represents a 6.96% ($155,394) increase from 2022. The main challenge the city faced with the 2023 budget has to do with its increased obligation to the Centennial Lakes Police Department (CLPD). In 2023, the city of Lexington’s portion of the CLPD budget will increase by $144,083, which represents a 17.6% increase from 2022.

The one saving grace, according to Finance Director Chris Galiov, is that the city added an additional $28 million in taxable market value from new construction (residential and commercial), enough to offset the increase to the general fund levy.

The council also certified the 2022 tax levy (collectible in 2023) in the amount of $1,468,655.

Mayor Mike Murphy said, “It’s a good budget, and I think most of the residents’ taxes went down, which is good news.”

serve Bank where she worked as a sworn officer. She was a part of the marksmanship team where she has excelled as a firearms technician. She has completed a four-year degree in criminology and sociology, and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in forensic psychology. Koivisto enjoys outdoor activities and playing guitar. When asked about her joining the CLPD, she said she is “super excited to be here and looks forward to meeting everyone.”

Officer Wressell has come to us from the MSP where she has over six years of experience as a dispatcher and a commercial vehicle inspector. Her husband, who was a former CLPD community service officer, is currently a sergeant with the MSP. Wressell has received numerous awards and recognition for her performance within the MSP.

She enjoys spending time with her family and pets, partakes in a wide variety of outdoor activities and she also volunteers as a missionary. Wressell stated she could not be happier to start the next chapter of her life with the CLPD.

When asked about her experience as a female police officer, Corporal Mannin believes female officers have the opportunity to bring characteristics to the profession, which are vastly different than her male counterparts. Female officers “generally have a less intimidating demeanor, offer softer tones and possess a motherly nurturing aspect,” which may lead to fewer confrontations when involved in adverse scenarios. Corporal Mannin does not see the job as being more challenging for women. But the job could be difficult for anyone, male or female, if they are not in good physical condition. She feels if female applicants were able to see agencies such as ours, strengthening ranks with more female officers, it may be more attractive to applicants to apply.

Having a more diverse work force not only helps our agency, but the community as a whole. Having both “brothers and sisters” working together strengthens the family-like culture we are trying to maintain here at the CLPD. We strive to hire all of our officers with character like we have with Ashley and Danielle. Our goal is to fill our ranks with people, male or female, who will help accentuate this culture and improve our department. With these like-minded partners, our officers are better able to serve our communities with courage and compassion.

Aldrich is the Captain of the Centennial Lakes Police Department.

• The City Council supports extending the Anoka County public safety levy through 2033. The levy is set to expire Dec. 31, 2023, and the Joint Law Enforcement Council (JLEC) had requested that its members support legislation that would extend the levy authority through 2033.

CLPD Chief James Mork John explained that the JLEC was formed in 1970 as a joint powers board to benefit public safety efforts for all residents of Anoka County. JLEC is comprised of 26 voting members, including the Anoka County Attorney, 11 chief law enforcement officers (10 municipal chiefs and one county sheriff), and 14 elected officials (12 representing municipalities within the county and two representing Anoka County). The levy authority granted by Minnesota Statute 383E.21 authorizes the Anoka County board to levy property taxes to fund public safety projects and equipment projects approved by the JLEC.

“We are not asking the county to put a levy in place at this time, but just to have the ability to have that levy extended so that if we do need to use it, we do have an ability to use it. It has served us well in the past, and I think it would be a very good thing going forward.”

• Little Rabbit’s Hole day care’s business license has been suspended until a couple of conditions are met. (See full story on pages 1 and 11.)

• A reminder to residents that winter parking rules are in full swing. From Nov. 1 to April 1, the city of Lexington prohibits parking vehicles on any street between the hours of 2 and 6 a.m. without a parking permit issued by Lexington City Hall. By ordinance, it is unlawful for any person to park a vehicle on any street after a continuous or intermittent snowfall during which there has been an accumulation of 2 inches or more of snow until all snow, ice and similar debris has been plowed or removed from the

paved portion of the street. Vehicles not adhering to the ordinance are subject to a parking ticket and towing at the owner's expense.

Council Member Kim DeVries has mentioned he has noticed some cars parking on the street on Restwood Road. City Administrator Bill Petracek explained that eventually the city may need to consider tighter parking restrictions on Restwood and Griggs, but for now it is probably best to sit tight until construction in the area is complete. “I believe we need to be patient right now,” he said. “We just have to wait until these buildings are done and they are full before we get excited about putting in parking regulations … I think we might be a little premature on that.”

The next City Council meeting will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, at City Hall.

Shannon Granholm

LEXINGTON CITY COUNCIL SNIPPETS

Pat

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

Officer Koivisto (left) and Officer Wressel (right).

Cop’s Corner

Pat Aldrich

Centennial, chamber team up to ‘build a bright future’

BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR

No matter what path students may take after graduation, the Centennial School District wants to make sure it does all it can to prepare students for the workforce.

Superintendent Jeff Holmberg explains that the district and the Quad Area Chamber of Commerce is just one of many partnerships in place to help do that.

“We want people to work here, we want people to live here, we want people to grow up here and raise families,” Holmberg said. “As a school district, our focus is birth to earth. We want to be relevant and connected to families and individuals in all aspects of their life. We want to continue to be able to meet families where they are at, because that’s how we build a stronger community together.”

The district and chamber recently teamed up to host the “building a bright future” event in which community members and members of the business community got to see firsthand some of the classes that are preparing students for what lies beyond Centennial High School.

“You are taking a peek at the future workforce,” Holmberg said. “Whatever we can do to prepare kids while they are still in school is so important to us, because at the end of the day when they graduate, they are going to be better prepared for that four-year college, for that trade, for that internship, or for going right into the workforce.”

Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), small engines, welding and manufacturing are just some of the different courses that can give students an introduction into possible careers before graduation.

Andrew Angell, a technology education teacher, introduces students to small engines and welding.

“As a teacher, it is really fun to see. When (students) start out, they are so scared, but as they progress in the course, it is really cool to see how their confidence builds in these skilled trades areas,” Angell said. “A lot of these kids are thinking about this as a future career path.”

Angell and Centennial High School Principal Tom Breuning both agree that one instruction

area the high school can and should expand is its manufacturing offerings. “Manufacturing is the second-leading employer in the state,” Angell explained.

In addition to course offerings, it’s the partnerships that can often make the biggest difference. A vision of the district’s strategic plan is to build and strengthen relationships and partnerships in the community to offer educational programs and opportunities for all.

“If a student is taking a welding or tech ed class, working with someone who is in the industry can have a profound effect on their ability to stick with it and see that there is an option for them if they continue pursuing this possible career option,” Holmberg explained.

“We are always looking for partnerships. A partnership is not always money; it’s time, talent, expertise, mentoring our students (and) talking

WHAT’S HAPPENING

SANTA’S TRAIN SHOP

When: First three weekends in Dec. Where: Minnesota Transportation Museum, Jackson Street Roundhouse, 193 Pennsylvania Ave., St. Paul Details: Music, vendors, games, snacks, caboose rides and Santa. Reservations required. Contact: trainride.org

OUR MINNESOTA WATERS AND CLIMATE CHANGE

When: 7-8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13 Where: Online Details: Paul Gardner, Administrator for the Clean Water Council, will present on what the state is doing with the intersection between climate and water, including the state's 2020 Water Plan and the recently released Climate Action Framework. Hosted by Northeast Metro Climate Action. Contact: bit.ly/NEMCA1213

HOLIDAY CHEER DRIVE-THRU

When: 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15 Where: The Waters of White Bear Lake, 3820 Hoffman Rd. Details: Take a photo with the Grinch, see the holiday lights, enjoy hot chocolate and take home a giveaway. Free community event. Contact: 651-313-6440 or thewaters.com

TEEN HOLIDAY CARD DRIVE

When: 4-5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16 Where: Shoreview Library,4560 Victoria St. N.

Details: Teens can create cards to be donated to

‘THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE’

When: 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16; 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17; 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18 Where: Lakes International Language Academy (LILA), 19850 Fenway Ave. N., Forest Lake

Details: Dramatization of C.S. Lewis’ classic performed by actors from Children’s Performing Arts. Contact: 651-336-8613 or childrensperformingartsmn.org

SANTA AROUND TOWN

When: 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17 Where: Lexington Details: Get your donations of nonperishable foods and new/gently used toys ready for the Santa Around Town event. The Lexington Fire Department and Santa will stroll through the streets of Lexington beginning at 5 p.m.

2022 CHS ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

When: Saturday, Dec. 17

Where: Centennial High School, 4757 North Rd., Circle Pines

Details: First Annual 3v3 basketball tournament hosted by CHS Basketball teams, Alumni Association, and Chain of Lakes Rotary Club. Coed divisions; register by team or individual by Dec. 3. Free general admission, concessions, and merchandise.

Contact: caefoundation. org/3v3alumbasketball

WINTER RECREATION SAMPLER

When: 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18

Where: Wargo Nature Center, 7701 Main St., Lino Lakes

Details: Sample a variety of winbter activities including kick sledding and snowshoeing, and lern how to dress for cold weather. $7/adult; $5/child; registration required.

Contact: 763-324-3350 or anokacountyparks.com

Submit your events to calendar@presspubs.com

with our teachers about those best practices in the industry so we can continue to make our curriculum relevant.”

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

PHOTOS BY SHANNON GRANHOLM PRESS PUBLICATIONS

The Centennial School District is doing all it can to prepare students for entering the workforce. Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), small engines, welding and manufacturing are just some of the different courses that can give students an introduction into possible careers before graduation.

PHOTOS BY SHANNON GRANHOLM PRESS PUBLICATIONS

The Christmas in Centerville event included photos with Santa, a bonfire, horse carriage rides and more. While waiting in line for the horse carriage rides, children kept busy by building a snowman. Centerville’s annual skate/sled night events are scheduled for January and February.

Renee and John Dietz and their grandchildren Ellis and Delilah Hubert were among the local residents outside watching the parade and also donating food shelf items to Centennial Fire District representatives. The Lexington Santa Around Town event begins at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17.

PHOTOS BY PAUL DOLS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

Santa begins his recent journey around neighborhoods in Circle Pines aboard a decorated Centennial Fire District truck.

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT: Provides baseline to compare against previous seasons

trees and shrubs also make it much easier to spot the animals in question.

recreational,” said Jim Howitz, who coordinates the St. Paul Northeast Suburban and Cedar Creek Bog counts. “People really like doing them, finding the odd species or two, and there’s a good deal of competition to see who can get the most species.”

The data collected by CBC counters in the last 122 years has added to the understanding of population trends over the decades, giving scientists an idea of how the world of birds is changing.

Although many birds have already flown south, counting birds in the winter has a lot of advantages. It minimizes identification mistakes, since there are fewer species likely to be present, and provides a good baseline to compare against previous seasons’ data. Leafless

Weather patterns have a lot to do with the success of the count. This is a La Niña year, which means winter conditions are likely to be colder and harsher. Waterfowl that rely on pockets of open water may be forced to move from their usual locations this year.

Some of the most reliable spots to find winter waterfowl are coal-powered electric plants, such as the Xcel Energy plant in Bayport, which happens to fall within the Northeast Suburban count circle. This is one of several electric plants that will be making the switch from coal to renewable energy sources, eliminating the need for the warmed water that keeps a section of the St. Croix River open all winter. Howitz expects this will affect the count numbers for waterfowl species in the future.

However, the gradual creep of climate change may also open up river waters farther and farther north over time. Soon there may be new havens for waterfowl that prefer to stay in the north to avoid hunting seasons in southern regions.

Bird count data has shown that species seem to be shifting their ranges

DAY CARE LICENSE: Suspended

FROM PAGE 1

its general liability insurance policy expired back in August. DHS only requires workers' compensation insurance, but the city of Lexington requires that all businesses carry general liability insurance.

“That’s where we are at,” she explained.

Botan said he planned to send an email to DHS that night (Dec. 1). “I’m doing my best to get it done,” he told the council.

Glaser suggested that if the council wanted to suspend the license, conditions the council should consider implementing included requiring Little Rabbit’s Hole to obtain its license from DHS, and meet necessary

requirements for the city business license (securing general liability insurance) to the city administrator’s satisfaction.

Council Member Brandon Winge said he didn’t think setting conditions was necessary. “You need those two things to open, so it really shouldn’t matter … If it is suspended or if it isn’t suspended, you still need to have those things regardless,” he said.

Ultimately, the council decided to follow Glaser’s recommendation to suspend the license until those two conditions were met.

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

northward over time. Wild turkeys, northern cardinals and tufted titmice were once highly unusual, but are becoming a common sight in Minnesota backyards. Meanwhile, the birds that once wintered here from the northern reaches of Canada—such as evening grosbeaks, gray jays, and crossbills— don’t show up as often.

Humans are partly to blame. We have dramatically altered the landscape over time, making it more appealing to some species and inhospitable to others.

“Cardinals used to be very rare; now they’re everywhere,” Howitz said. “They nest in bushes and use feeders, which lots of people have in their yards. Ruffed grouse are much harder to find, and a lot of the open country species like horned larks and snow buntings aren’t in the fields anymore. The real winners in the long term are species that can tolerate humans.”

Some count volunteers stay at home and observe the species they see in their yards and at their feeders during the day of the count. Anyone who lives within a count circle can participate this way, and Howitz encouraged people to look at the map on the Audubon website to see if their residence falls within a count circle. For the best accuracy, home feeder watchers should count only the maximum number of a species as they can see at one time. They can submit their observations to a count coordinator to be included in the final tally.

To participate in the Audubon Christmas Bird Count or learn more, contact your local count organizer. Find contact

Winter is a good time to spot northern species such as snowy owls, which seek out open farm fields that resemble their tundra habitat.

information and a full map of count locations at www.audubon.org/conservation/join-christmas-bird-count. Happy birding!

PHOTOS BY JACKIE BUSSJAEGER | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

Trumpeter swans are common in areas of open water, such as fast-flowing segments of the St. Croix River.

AUDUBON.ORG

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PUBLIC WORKS MAINTENANCE WORKER FULL TIME POSITION AVAILABLE

White Bear Township, in Suburban Ramsey County, is accepting applications for a Full Time Public Works Maintenance Worker position. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to water, sewer, streets, parks, buildings, and equipment operation and maintenance activities. Applicants must be able to obtain a Class B CDL driver’s license, with air brake and tanker endorsements, within 6 months of employment and have a good driving record. Starting wage is $27.48/hr plus benefits. The application and complete job description is available for pickup at the Township office located at 1281 Hammond Road, White Bear Township, Minnesota 55110, or by calling 651.747.2750, or on the Township’s website at www.whitebeartownship.org.

Applications will be accepted until 4:30 p.m., Friday, December 16, 2022.

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EQUAL HOUSING

OPPORTUNITY all real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference limitation or discrimination based on race color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference,

A business’ advertising schedule should be consistent with their weekly income, and ads should run on a regular schedule, not just in “spurts.”

Advertisers should try to reach a lot of customers with every ad, not just a few people with a few ads. To get the most out of your advertising dollars, plan your ads and follow your plan . . . Contact an ad

GIRLS BASKETBALL

The Centennial Cougars won their first two conference games last week at home while losing in overtime at No. 12 ranked Lakeville South. The Cougars beat Totino-Grace 70-33 on Tuesday as Marisa Frost pumped in 22 points (4-for-8 on three’s), Macey Littlefield 17 (4-for-4 on three’s) and Kate Lee 10. The Cougars lost to Lakeville South 61-59 Thursday, after rallying from a 13-point deficit. Frost had 27 points (5-for-10 on three’s), Littlefield 14 points and eight rebounds, and Autumn McCall 10 points and seven rebounds. The Panthers, 10-for-22 on three’s, were led by Gabriel Betton with 15 points and Gracie Winge with 14. The Cougars topped Armstrong 71-36 on Friday with Frost logging 30 points and eight steals, shooting 9-for-14 overall, 3-for-4 on three’s. Emma Walsh added 12 points and McCall 10.

GIRLS WRESTLING

The Centennial girls had a good outing Saturday in a tournament at Hastings. Placing first in their divisions were senior Jaden Ruegsegger, sophomores Alaina Franco and Sophia Nurkka, and freshman Nora Akpan. Placing second were junior Lucy Drops and sophomore Peyton Corbin. Placing third was senior Ade Flaschberger.

BOYS WRESTLING

Centennial defeated Blaine 45-30 in their dual meet opener Thursday after losing the first five weights to fall behind 24-0. Winning for the Cougars were Dylan Larson (pin) at 138, Evan Just (pin) at 145, Andrew Person (pin) at 152, Alhaji Harris (4-2) at 160, Tyler Cook (pin) at 170, Michael Streff (default) at 195, Marcus Whiting (pin) at 220 ad Owen Hackett (pin) at 285.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Cambridge-Isanti held off Centennial 80-75 on Thursday evening in Cambridge, powered by John Trolling with 25 points and Kabe Karels with 23. For the Cougars, Ty Burgoon netted 22 points, Randolph Cooper 14 and Will Quick 13. Each team is 1-1. That was Centennial’s lone game of the week.

SWIMMING

Centennial placed second of six teams, behind Maple Grove, in the season-opening Northwest Suburban Conference Relays on Saturday at Anoka. Top Cougar finishes were second places by the 800 freestyle George Atkinson, Garrett Clark, Isaac Nguyen, and Benno Schuhbauer; the 400 butterfly with Atkinson, Schuhbauer, Charlie Bryant and Ben Condon; and the 400 backstroke with Atkinson, Brennan Nelson, Bryant, and Caleb Cregan.

Bruce Strand

Cougar girl skaters extend win streak to seven

BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR

Centennial/Spring Lake Park extended its win streak to seven last week by defeating Anoka 5-0 there Tuesday and Mounds View/ Irondale 4-2 on Thursday at home.

The Cougars are 7-1 and ranked No. 8 in Class 2A, losing only to No. 5 Maple Grove 2-0 in their opener.

Scoring against Anoka (1-4-1) were Katie Ball, Noelle Hemr (twice), Ella O’Hearn, and Lauren O’Hara. Jaycee Chatelain made two assists. Kaitlin Groess made 15 saves for the shutout.

CSP fell behind MVI (2-6-1) in the first period 2-0 as Sarah Johnson and Lauren Ballinger each got one past goalie Anna Peterson, who stopped everything after that and finished with 17 saves.

The Cougars quickly pulled even with goals from Sophie Shimabukuro and Chatelain, the latter on power play with :04 left in the period. O’Hara broke the 2-2 tie at 6:58 of the third period. Grace Laager made it 4-2 at 14:57. O’Hara and Hannah Thompson each assisted on two goals.

Cougar icemen tie Class A champ Hermantown

BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR

Centennial came within eight seconds of beating Class 1A’s topranked Hermantown and wound up tying the Hawks 3-3 at home Saturday. The Cougars (3-2-1) also beat Blaine 9-0 last week.

Against Hermantown, the Cougars were outshot 45-20 but got 42 saves from junior goalie Gavin Schahn, including nine in overtime.

“It was a great game vs. Hermantown, with way too many penalties by our guys,” coach Ritch Menne said. “The whole

team played extremely hard. Schahn made some terrific saves. He is our rock, and bails us out on a regular basis.”

With two goals by Peyton Blair and one by Palmer LeMay, the Cougars led 3-1 after two periods. George Peterson scored for Hermantown (2-0) on a power play at 7:57 of the third period. The Hawks pulled even at 16:52 on a goal by Joshua Kauppinenen, off what Menne described as a bad bounce that put the puck in good position.

The Hawks outshot the Cougars 9-3 in the overtime but the score stood.

“Our guys did a terrific job of matching Hermantown's speed and skill,” Menne said. “It proved that we can play with anyone in the state.”

Hermantown captured its third state title last season and has qualified for state 18 times. They were added to Centennial’s schedule this year.

The Cougars beat Blaine 9-0 on Tuesday as Blair and Brock Carls each scored twice, and Caleb Krinkle, Heath Nelson, Harper Searles, LeMay and Alex Clampitt once each. Easton Cody made 13 saves in the shutout.

JON NAMYST | CONTRIBUTED Lauren O’Hara unleashed a shot against Mounds View/Irondale.

• Craig Johnson is the Centennial School Board’s newest member after winning the most votes in the special election for a two-year term.

• The district says it is continuing to see a positive impact from the addition of three student and family advocates, positions that were added this year as a part of the district’s Achievement and Integration Plan.

Advocates Kathy Berrios Cordero, Ramla Iman and Matthew Thao recently visited the school board to share a little bit more about the position.

Although the advocates serve all students, the district says there is especially a need for the positions for students who have a home language that is not English. Advocates help students and families navigate technology and language barriers and work to ensure they are engaged with the school and broader community and connected to resources beyond what the district can offer.

“We want to continue to build impactful and meaningful relationships with our students and families, we want to extend our list of resources available to students and families, and we want to

COMMUNITY BRIEF

Watershed district seeks Stewards program participants

The Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) is looking for community members for the 20222023 Stewards Program. The program is for people who want tot be leaders in improving and protecting water quality in the Rice Creek Watershed. Participants will attend online courses to learn more about water quality and complete a project within the watershed with guidance from RCWD staff.

RCWD pays for the program feeds and awards funds to support the projects each Water Steward will implement, such as a rain garden. Applications are being accepted now at www. minnesotawaterstewards.org. Contact Kendra Sommerfeld at ksommerfeld@ricecreek.org if interested in applying or if you have questions about the program.

engage and participate in outreach activities … and represent the district in positive manner,” Thao said.

• By Dec. 15, the district will submit its World’s Best Workforce (WBWF) plan for 2023-2024. The plan must be submitted to the Minnesota Department of Education each year. The WBWF was developed in 2013 (Minnesota Statutes, section 120B. 11) to ensure that school districts and charter schools in Minnesota enhance student achievement through teaching and learning supports.

The plan identifies five key goal areas, which include: All children are ready for school; all third graders can read at grade level; all racial and economic achievement gaps between students are closed; all students are ready for career and college; and all students graduate from high school.

• The calendar for the 2023-2024 school year has been set. Executive Director of Teaching and Learning explained that come January 2023, the calendar committee will begin working on a calendar for two school years, a practice it dropped during the COVID-19 pandemic. For 2023, the first day of school will be Sept. 5 or 6, depending on grade level.

• The district continues to work on the best solution to address water quality issues it has been facing since 2017. Executive Director of Business Services Patrick Chaffey explained that the district has continued to have issues with discolored water at the high school and Centennial Elementary. He said although the water is safe for consumption, the issues stem from water pipe sizing, water pressure and flow and functionality of the filtration systems.

He explained that the district has continues to work with the Minnesota Department of Health as

well as a couple of contractors on how to best address the issue, a process that has taken a lot longer than expected amid the pandemic.

Chaffey said he will keep the school board updated on progress and which route the district decides to go to correct the issue.

• The school board has adopted both nonsubstantive and substantive policy changes. The updates, which are recommended by the Minnesota School Board Association (MSBA), are to ensure that each reference reflects current federal and state statutes.

• The district has scheduled a closed session Dec. 5 for the midyear evaluation of Superintendent Jeff Holmberg.

• The district once again plans to hold its legislative breakfast event to share its ask/legislative platforms with area legislators. The event will happen in January, but a date has not yet been set.

• Potential changes may be coming to the district’s Power of Centennial (POC). POC, a subcommittee of the Centennial Area Education Foundation (CAEF), meets twice each year to determine where it would like its dollars to go within the community. Members meet in the fall and spring and commit to giving $50 at each meeting. All dollars raised are given as grants to support education in the Centennial area.

A meeting for POC members is scheduled for Dec. 6 to discuss future goals and wishes for the program.

• Winter break will be Dec. 26 through Jan. 2.

The next school board meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19, in the District Office.

Shannon Granholm

sonline.rog

CONTRIBUTED Centennial School Board Chair Suzy Guthmueller officially swears in the school board’s newest member, Craig Johnson. Johnson won the special election for a two-year term.