Letters Santa to
Press Publications has helped deliver letters to Santa. Each year, Press Publications asks children to drop off their letters to Santa in the big red mailbox outside of the office in White Bear Lake, or to mail them in.
Some of the desired items this year included: a fart gun, cotton candy and size 6 shoes. See pages 10 and 11 for more Santa letters. And be sure to read even more Santa letters online at presspubs.com.
JACKIE BUSSJAEGER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Now in its 125th year, the Christmas Bird Count is a tradition that began as a conservation measure, but has evolved into one of the longest-running citizen science projects in history. For many in Minnesota, it has become a yearly tradition and a way to get outdoors and enjoy the winter landscape—and wildlife.
When the Christmas Bird Count started in 1900, it was a time when Christmas “side hunts” were a popular part of holiday celebrations. People gathered for the holidays would challenge each other to take their firearms outdoors and bring home as much furred-andfeathered game as possible. Conservationists proposed a less lethal alternative: a bird census to count as many birds and bird species as possible rather than kill them. This has led to more than 100 years of consistent data collection that can provide insight into changing bird populations.
BIRD COUNT, PAGE 6
BY MADELINE DOLBY EDITOR
CIRCLE PINES — While the budget, levy and city taxes for 2025 are set to increase, the market value of a median home in Circle Pines will decrease.
The 2025 general fund has been set at $3,662,802, which is a 2.4% increase from $3,577,890 in 2024.
City Finance Director Kate Manson explained that contributing factors that led to
JACKIE BUSSJAEGER | CONTRIBUTED One of Minnesota’s yearround residents, the Blue Jay, appears frequently on Christmas Bird Counts.
increased expenditures include cost of living adjustments for staff, capital purchases and projects, street maintenance and equipment that is due for replacement. Another item impacting the budget is the 75th anniversary for the city of Circle Pines, which will be celebrated sometime in August next year.
“About half of that $3.6 million is spent on police and fire, or public safety,” said
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Winter Solstice Celebration
When: 3-7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21
Where: Wargo Nature Center
Details:
the shorter day and longest night of the year. Try a self-guided activity, sit at the campfire or join a naturalist for a silent night hike. Contact: anokacountyparks.com
of every month
ONGOING EVENTS:
HUGO SENIOR CITIZENS PLAY ‘500’
When: Dec 19 at 12:45 p.m. and on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Thursday of every month
Where: Rice Lake Centre, 6900 137th Street N. Details: Games begin at 12:45 p.m. Refreshments and coffee served. All senior citizens from the area invited.
Contact: 651-592-0369 or barbconnolly1958@ yahoo.com
LIVE TRIVIA
When: 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays
Where: Lino Lakes American Legion Post 566, 7731 Lake Drive
Details: General knowledge trivia. No limit on team sizes. Every player will receive a raffle ticket for a drawing to win a free drink. The top three teams will earn a gift card, and the last place team wins a “mini trophy.”
Contact: (651) 783-0055
CRIBBAGE
When: 12:45 p.m. Monday, Dec. 23; the 4th Monday
Where: Rice Lake Centre, 6900 137th Street N., Hugo Details: Senior citizens from Hugo and surrounding area are invited to an afternoon of cribbage. Coffee and refreshments served. Contact: 651-429-4413
CURRENT EVENTS:
LAKESHORE QUILTERS GUILD MONTHLY MEETING
When: 6:30-9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17
Where: Shepherd of the Hills Church, near entrance, Door G, 3920 Victoria St. N., Shoreview
Details: Annual Christmas party. Pillowcase lollapalooza and bring a new wrapped quilting notion gift. There will be games and refreshments. Visitors are welcome. Contact: lakeshorequiltersmn.org
CANDLELIGHT TOUR AT THE FILLEBROWN HOUSE
When: 6-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19
Where: Fillebrown House, 4735 Lake Ave., White Bear Lake
Details: Guided tour of
the local landmark as it's decorated for the holidays. Cocoa and cookies served. See website for ticket information. Contact: 651-407-5327 or whitebearhistory.org
GINGERBREAD HOUSE MAKING
When: 6-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20
Where: Wargo Nature Center
Details: Build a gingerbread house and enjoy a warm cup of hot chocolate. Vote for your favorite gingerbread house at the end of the night. Registration required. Contact: anokacountyparks.com
THE OK FACTOR: HAVE YOURSELF AN OK CHRISTMAS
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20
Where: Hanifl Performing Arts Center, 4941 Long Ave., White Bear Lake Details: Celebrate with the classical crossover duo as they celebrate the holidays with traditional carols, seasonal songs, and original versions of holiday favorites. Ticket information online. Contact: lakeshoreplayers.org
SANTA'S TRAIN SHOP
When: 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21 and Sunday, Dec. 22
Where: Minnesota Transportation Museum, 193 Pennsylvania Ave. E., St. Paul
Details: Ride on a caboose, take a photo with Santa, and explore the Christmas Lego Land. Guided tours, museum exhibit, food and beverages, entertainment, kids play area and gift shop. Tickets online. Contact: trainride.org/ santa.
CITY BRIEFS
Circle Pines receives award for conservation efforts
The Anoka Conservation District has awarded the city of Circle Pines with the Anoka County Conservationist of the Year award. Each year, the Stillwater Conservation District works with various partners throughout the county. At the end of the year, district staff put together a list of candidates that they believe are the most outstanding conservation partners. The Anoka Conservation District then looks through that list and chooses a candidate. Circle Pines has received the award due to the work that went into restoring Golden Lake, which was recently removed from the Minnesota Impaired Waters list in 2024.
Lexington Fire Department brings Santa around town
The Lexington Fire Department will bring Santa around the town from 5 to 9:20 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21.
The Centennial Food Shelf will be collecting food and cash donations along the different routes. They ask that food donations be left at the end of your driveway.
The department is looking for new or gently used soft toys to be donated for Santa to toss out to kids during the parade. If you or your organization are able to donate new or gently used soft toys, please drop them off at Lexington City Hall at 9180 Lexington Ave., NE.
Lino Lakes continues search for city administrator
The city of Lino Lakes continues to search for a new city administrator. The council has authorized contracting with DDA Human Resources to conduct the executive search process. The council anticipates a May 2025 hire date.
Saturday at 4:30 pm Parish Community Center 6995 Centerville Rd, Centerville Sunday at 8:30 am St. John’s Site 14383 Forest Blvd N, Hugo
Sunday at 10:30 am Parish Community Center 6995 Centerville Rd, Centerville www.stgens.org 651‐429‐7937 761757
The City of Circle Pines has been named the Anoka County Conservationist of the year.
OPINION
A recap of the past year
Icannot believe that 2024 is almost over. It feels like only two short months ago I was gathering articles, snippets and photos for the “2024 Year in Review” special section to run in the Shoreview Press. In the last year, a lot has happened: I started graduate school, my sister got engaged and I reached my goal of reading 27 books. I read close to 60, almost double what I had intended.
Last December, I wrote about Christmas traditions that my family has latched onto over the years. Those traditions still stand strong. On top of our traditions, we are trying new things to incorporate into our routine. Last year, my mom bought us all paint by the numbers to do on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. My dad and sister painted a moose, my mom painted a Christmas tree and my sister’s fiancée created a winter bird landscape. Of course, I painted a girl holding a large stack of books. My sister planned a bunch of odd winter-themed games for us to play leading up to opening our presents. It was a very eventful, and busy, Holiday season. We even did a Secret Santa among the five of us. Currently, I am in the process of helping my sister plan her wedding. It is so exciting to say that. She is getting married in less than year and her venue is absolutely beautiful. I am not heavily involved in the planning process, but my sister is always sending me things here and there on social media about ideas for her special day. I like to say I am her “wedding advisor” even though I do not know much about wedding planning.
Now time to talk about one of my favorite subjects: books. Every year, I make a reading goal for myself. I try to focus on reading a book series every year, one year I read the whole Harry Potter series in one month. On top of that, I chose a genre to read more of. In the past, I have focused on reading more creative nonfiction novels or self-help books. And lastly, I set a number of books I want to read. Last year, I set my goal for 20 books, which I easily surpassed. The same with this year.
Most of my reading gets done in the summer and over the holidays. During the summer, I read about two to three books in a single week. In January, which is when I have a month off of school, I can consume anywhere from five to seven books. If you have any book recommendations, please do not hesitate to send them to me. I love when family, friends and readers recommend books to me. I will read everything and anything.
For next year, I will have to increase the number of books I read by a landslide. I am going to try and tackle the “Game of Thrones” series by George R.R. Martins. One of my favorite television shows is “House of Dragon,” so it only seems fitting. Another trilogy I want to tackle is called “Prelude to Dune,” which covers the backgrounds of the Dune characters leading up to the universe’s main plotline.
I hope everyone has a great holiday season. May it be merry and bright!
Madeline Dolby is editor of the Quad Community Press. She can be reached at 651-407-1226 or quadnews@presspubs.com.
That is the question, and the answer is: it depends. Tillage, or tilling, is the agitation of soil by digging, stirring and turning over the soil in preparation for growing crops. Garden tilling can be accomplished with hand tools, including shovels or hoes, or with mechanical devices such as rototillers. Commercial farmers recommend cultivation twice a year, in the spring and fall, but home gardeners have mixed opinions.
Advantages of tilling
Tilling changes the structure of the soil, loosening the particles and incorporating organic matter needed for plant growth. In the spring, tilling allows the soil to warm more quickly by increasing the air in the soil. Loosening the soil particles makes it easier for plants to send down roots. The additional air in the soil also stimulates aerobic bacteria, which helps break down organic matter more quickly. The increased organic matter, together with the physical mixing of the tilling process, makes the nutrients in
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To till or not to till
the organic matter and water more available to new plant growth. However, this also makes the nutrients more available to weeds, which tend to grow faster than vegetables and flowers. In the fall, tilling mixes organic matter from dying garden plants, grass clippings and leaves into the topsoil. This mixture will compost over the winter and increase organic matter for the next growing season.
Disadvantages of tilling
The surface soil helps retain moisture and nutrients, and that process is disrupted with tilling. In addition, tilling increases the likelihood of soil erosion through the action of wind and water on the overturned and loosened soil. Essential nutrients can be lost due to water runoff, which creates the potential for water pollution depending on how much water runs off and where it goes. Also, soil type matters when deciding whether to till. For example, sandy soil with its larger, loose particles might be more susceptible to erosion from cultivation than loam, which has a higher percentage of smaller, more densely packed particles. Additionally, tilling can expose the soil’s nitrogen-producing microorganisms to the sun, which kills them and eliminates a source of this essential element for plant growth. Tilling can increase the
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need to fertilize. It can even promote compaction when done too often; over time, tilling allows smaller particles to work their way down into the soil and form hardpan (also called tillage pan), which blocks water and nutrient absorption. Finally, tilling is time consuming and hard work whether it is done by hand or mechanically. For home gardeners, whether to till or not is a personal choice to be made after considering all the pros and cons. You should factor in your soil type, the size and location of your garden, your goals for production and the time, energy, and money you are willing and able to devote to site preparation. You could also decide to till but do so only once a year instead of twice. For information about tilling alternatives, check out this Extension article: https://extension.umn. edu/managing-soil-and-nutrients/ reducing-tillage-your-garden
Follow Anoka County Master Gardeners on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube to learn more gardening tips and watch our educational videos. Find our social media channels and subscribe to our community e-newsletter by visiting www. anokamastergardeners.org
Jennie Johnson is an Anoka County Master Gardener with the University of Minnesota Extension.
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Madeline’s Mail
Madeline Dolby
Quad Dogs
The real dogs of the Quad Press: Meet Blu
Does there exist a better mischief maker than a merry dog? One look from eyes that plead innocence and tails that wag with pleasure are all we humans need to cave to their cavorting.
Quad Dogs
Such is the story of my neighbor dog, Blu. She’s part blue heeler nicknamed the “Blu Stealer.” When I told my daughter I planned to meet Jane and Jon Peterson to talk about Blu, she sent me a text, “Maybe she’ll return some of your Halloween decorations!” followed by laughing emojis.
Jane and Jon and their three sons adopted Blu nearly a decade ago after their beloved Bauer left this world following a long bout of illness. Still rattled with grief, Jane didn’t think she was ready to open her heart. A friend had been perusing an adoption website when she spotted Betty, a Bauer-like puppy bearing a brown dot over each eye and a patch of marled fur in a sea of onyx. She forwarded the information to Jane.
“I thought, what could it hurt to complete the application?” Jane said.
When their adoption paperwork was approved, Jane prepped her son, “Will, we’re just going to meet Betty. We aren’t going to adopt.” She didn’t want Will to build up hope should she need to say no. But Betty did what puppies do. She wiggled in Jon’s arms, climbed his chest, licked his ears and stole their heart.
Betty was renamed Blu and began stealing the hearts of the neighborhood. To this day, her excite -
LEXINGTON CITY COUNCIL SNIPPETS
• The proposed 2025 budget for Lexington will be $7,689,190. The budget includes funds for park maintenance, water and sewer services and street improvements.
• Concerned citizens asked the council about the planned construction on Lovell Road. Residents who live on the street expressed their concerns
ment for people leaves no room for interpretation. Her bottom starts wiggling. Her front feet prance. Her tail flaps wildly as her big head moves side to side. At nearly 80 pounds, one has to brace themselves for the force of happiness that is Blu.
Say, “Grandpa,” to Blu and the house reverberates with the thumping of tail and dancing of feet. Grandpa, like a “Disney dad,” takes Blu on fun trips to dog parks and off-leash areas. His truck is Blu’s happy sound. But so is Jon’s. When his car is within blocks of home, Blu’s ears stand taller, her head cocks to the side, listening. Then ever so slowly, her body winds like an alarm clock.
She’s a smart girl, easily picking up on the rhythm of the house and the buttons she can push. Jane exercises in the morning then works on her computer with fresh coffee cup nearby. It’s only when the computer closes that Blu’s steely eyes assert her want of a walk. Jane indulges. “Which way, Blu?” she asks when they reach the intersection by the lake. Blu’s choice is always the long way—the one with the most leaf piles and snowbanks and marsh grasses hiding little creatures for pouncing or treasures for taking. I’ve passed Blu and Jane hundreds of times with Blu proudly carrying sticks, balls and plush toys. Maybe she’s happy because she’s the victor, or maybe she’s happy because she’s Blu.
Cindy Ojczyk writes a weekly post, Like People, Like Pets, at cindyojczyk.substack.com. If you have a dog you’d like featured in “Quad Dogs,” please contact quadnews@presspubs.com.
about vehicles consistently speeding. The council informed citizens that the project will not start for another two years. Citizens were told to contact the police department to ask about reinstalling a radar speed sign to deter speeding, as this has helped in the past.
2025 budget: Lino Lakes levy set to increase by 10.41%
BY MADELINE DOLBY EDITOR
The final 2025 tax levy for the city of Lino Lakes represents a $1,470,162, or a 10.41%, increase over its 2024 levy. The levy is estimated to result in a city tax rate of 39.065, an increase from the 2024 tax rate of 36.084.
Hannah Lynch, finance director, noted that the levy supports, most notably, the city’s general fund. The levy also supports the Rookery Activity Center, equipment replacement, street maintenance and park and trails improvements.
“The tax levy for 2025 is financing about a $14 million general fund budget broken up into different departments,” Lynch explained. The general fund budget expenditures are set at $14,050,323, which represents an increase of $881,355 (6.69%) from 2024. The largest portion of that goes toward public safety, followed by public services and administration.
“One of the biggest changes (in the general fund) is personal services. Personnel services have increased about 5.5% over the previous years, as well as
other services,” Lynch explained. Other services will increase by $334,296, or 19.86%, and include engineering services, auditing services, software programs, annual maintenance and more.
According to Lynch, the estimated market value of a median-value home in Lino Lakes is $396,400. The city property tax on a median-value home is estimated at $1,506.
“Something to note, the city has brought their levy down from September,” Lynch said. “So, what we are approving tonight is a lesser amount than what we certified (to) the county in September.”
The 2025 budget and levy were approved by the City Council in a 5-0 vote. For more information on the 2025 budget, visit the city’s website at https://linolakes.us/.
Madeline Dolby is editor of the Quad Community Press. She can be reached at 651-431-1226 or quadnews@presspubs.com.
• The council held a closed meeting to discuss litigation concerning the city of Blaine and the cities’ interconnected water and sewer systems.
The next City Council meeting will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, at City Hall.
Hannah Testa
PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED
Cindy Ojczyk
BIRD COUNT: More than 100 years of data provides insight
The National Audubon Society is the organizer for this yearly event, which began in the U.S. but now ranges from the Arctic Circle to the tip of South America. The count window takes place between Dec. 14, 2024, and Jan. 5, 2025. It’s up to the local organizations to choose which day they will perform the count. This year the Northeast Suburban will count on Dec. 28. Each count area is a designated circle 15 miles in diameter. These circles are designed to capture a snapshot of the bird populations within the area. Every bird that is heard and seen within this area will be recorded and submitted to the National Audubon Society’s database. The long history of these count circles allows researchers and curious bird enthusiasts to observe patterns of population change over time.
Jim Howitz is the count coordinator for the St. Paul Suburban Northeast count circle, which centers on Withrow and includes parts of Washington and Ramsey County.
“It’s a really good way of tracking the birds that we have that don’t migrate to South America,” Howitz said. “It doesn’t really tell us anything about orioles or grosbeaks, but the south has been reporting a lot of
hummingbirds. That wasn’t true 30 years ago. Some are ruby-throats that don’t bother to cross the Gulf of Mexico. Others are birds from the West that their navigational apparatus is screwed up, and they end up in Texas or Florida. Those are places they could spend the fall and maybe the winter. It’s really interesting from an evolutionary standpoint, because these are birds that should be dead. But they’re coming back year after year and presumably reproducing. You can pick up trends like that that are of scientific interest.”
Although many birds have migrated away from Minnesota for winter, the volunteer counters never quite know what they will find when they set out on count day.
“So much depends on the weather,” Howitz said. “We’ve had a very wet summer and a dry fall, and I expect the usual trends that have been going on for the last 10 or 20 years to continue. Some of the less hardy birds like robins, bluebirds and titmice, especially, should show up in pretty decent numbers.”
Last year’s mild winter allowed a lot of waterfowl to stay deep into the winter season; Howitz expects the freeze this year to concentrate waterfowl in small areas of open water.
The number of woodpeckers observed on the count has grown over the years, likely due to maturing trees planting in suburban neighborhoods, Howitz said. However, open country birds such as horned larks, common redpolls, and snow buntings have become less common.
With warming winter conditions, Howitz expects to see more southern species making their way northward in the coming years. Tufted titmice, for example, have been showing up more and more often.
“The St. Croix Valley is a good place to look for them and other things like Carolina wrens. Eventually, mockingbirds should begin showing up more and more on Christmas counts. They’re all birds that do well with people. There’s no reason they shouldn’t be showing up more often.”
Now that we have freezing conditions, most of the regular migratory birds should have disappeared by this year’s count, Howitz said. Red-winged blackbirds, for example, may have stayed late to take advantage of the warm autumn but should be gone by the time of the count.
If you are interested in participating, you can visit the National Audubon Society website and type in “Christmas Bird Count” to view count circles, contact your local count coordinator and view past year’s data. Anyone interested in participating in the Northeast Suburban count circle can contact Jim Howitz directly at 763-783-3521 or jlhror@aol.com. Bird feeder data is also welcome. Those who live within a count circle and would like to stay home and watch feeders on count day can contact their count coordinator to learn the protocol for collecting feeder data.
• The Lino Lakes City Council and city staff discussed the 2025 municipal election. The discussion included the topics of possible polling locations and absentee voting. The city’s election budget for next year is currently $21,000. Staff has budgeted approximately $18,000 to help pay election judges and seasonal election staff. Other funds include ballot printing and the supplies provided to polling locations. City staff recommended that Lino Lakes City Hall be the single polling location for residents. Council Member Michael Ruhland recommended that all seven polling locations be available for residents to use, not just one. City staff and City Council also discussed changing the city’s municipal election year. Council encouraged staff to look into the possibility of moving from an odd election year to an even election year.
• Police Captain William Owens discussed the possible cannabis regulations ordinance with the council and city staff. During the 2023 and 2024 session, the Minnesota
If
have questions, please call MNA at 612/332-8844. Thank you.
Legislature approved statutes regarding the use and possession of cannabis, as well as regulations for cannabis businesses. The new laws legalize possession use, manufacturing and sale of certain cannabis products. They also establish the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). Similar to the edible cannabinoid regulations, cities are able to enact local regulations regarding the use of cannabis, such as defining public places where cannabis use is prohibited, capping the number of registrations the city issues and identifying where cannabis businesses are allowed. Cities can also limit the maximum number of licensed retailers based on population, which is a minimum of one store per 12,500 residents. Due to this requirement, the city would need to have at least two cannabis businesses.
• The city will enter a memorandum of understanding with Vadnais Lakes Area Water Management Organization and the North Oaks Company for the preparation of a feasibility study for stormwater treatment for Wilkinson Lake, which is in the southeast portion of Lino Lakes. The watershed area is approximately 1,000 acres. About 300 acres of the watershed is located within city limits. The total cost for the study will be $38,780. The city’s share of the project is $11,061. These funds will come from the city’s surface water management fund.
• C.W. Houle Inc. will be responsible for completing the Red Hawk Trail storm sewer improvement project in the amount of $23,998 after council accepted its bid. The completion date for the project is April 30, 2025. Funding for the project is through the city’s surface water utility fund.
The next City Council session will be at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6, at City Hall, followed by a regular meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Madeline Dolby
Tufted titmice are a species that has been increasingly observed in Minnesota bird counts, and will likely grow in numbers over the coming decades, according to count coordinator Jim Howitz.
PHOTOS BY JACKIE BUSSJAEGER | CONTRIBUTED Downy woodpeckers and other woodpecker species have been increasing in number, according to local bird count data.
The Centennial Lakes Police Department reports the following selected incidents:
• Police conducted a traffic stop Dec. 4 at the intersection of Lovell Road and Dunlap Avenue in Lexington.
• Police responded to a property damage accident involving a single vehicle Dec. 4 in the 9300 block of Dunlap Avenue in Lexington.
• Police responded to the intersection of North Road and Pointcross Drive in Circle Pines Dec. 5 for a property damage crash.
• Police responded to a theft report Dec. 5 in the 0 block of Central Street in Circle Pines.
• Officers took a phone call Dec. 6 regarding lost property in the 6900 block of 21st Avenue S. in Centerville.
• Officers received a phone call regarding an informational report Dec. 6 in the 9000 block of Griggs Avenue in Lexington.
• Property was found Dec. 7 in the intersection of Civic Heights and Pine Drive in Circle Pines. The found property was turned in at base.
• Police received a delayed report of theft Dec. 7 in the 1900 block of Main Street in Centerville.
• Officers conducted a traffic stop Dec. 8 near the intersection of County Road J and Indian Hills Drive in Circle Pines, which resulted in a warrant arrest.
• Police responded to an animal complaint Dec. 8 in the 7200 block of Mill Road in Centerville. This was the third complaint regarding the same incident at the same location.
• Police were dispatched Dec. 9 for a motor vehicle personal injury in the intersection of Heritage Street and Goiffon Road in Centerville. The driver was the only occupant of the vehicle. They refused to perform a field test and was arrested for third-degree DWI.
• An officer took a report of suspicious activity Dec. 9 in the 1600 block of Lakeland Circle in Centerville. The Lino Lakes Police Department reports the following selected incidents:
• Officers responded to a report of a residential burglar alarm Dec. 3 in the 6300 block of Red Fox Road. Officers located the front door of the home ajar and entered the house. Officers determined there were no problems upon speaking with the homeowners.
• An officers responded to a call reporting a runaway juvenile Dec. 3 in the 7000 block of Ivy Ridge Lane. The male was entered as a runaway.
• An officer took a report of a property damage accident
PUBLIC
SAFETY BRIEF
Hugo fire responds to fire at Wilson Tool
Just after 6 a.m. on Nov. 27 the Hugo Fire Department, and several other agencies, were called to a commercial fire at Wilson Tool near 130th Street and Farnham Avenue N in Hugo. Initially, HFD received auto aid from Forest Lake, Centennial, Lino Lakes and White Bear Lake Fire Departments, along with M Health Fairview EMS and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
Upon arrival, there was smoke showing from multiple areas of the building. Fire crews worked for hours, and when fire breached the roof, more help was called in from Stillwater, Mahtomedi and Vadnais Heights Fire Departments to assist with roof operations. An air boat from Forest Lake was also called in to ventilate the large building.
Crews were able to contain the fire and salvage the office area and important electronics. A bus from Metro Transit was called in to assist with keeping firefighters warm during their breaks. All employees made it out safely and no injuries were reported.
The fire started in the machine shop area of the building and spread to the roof. The cause of the fire and the extent of the damage to the building is under investigation. Wilson Tool fed the firefighters, who were on scene for nine and a half hours.
Dec. 3 in which a vehicle struck a deer in the 6000 block of Ware Road. The vehicle sustained moderate damage.
• An officer located an open car door Dec. 4 at a residence in the 6600 block of Black Duck Road and made contact with the registered owner. The officer determined there were no problems and the door was likely left open accidentally.
• An officer investigated a fight that occurred between two juveniles Dec. 4 in the 300 block of Elm Street. The juvenile victim’s family requested that no charges be pursued.
• A community service officer received information about a parking complaint Dec. 4 in the 2100 block of Ash Street. The situation was resolved.
• A community service officer responded to an animal complaint Dec. 4 in the 800 block of Lois Lane. The situation was resolved.
• An officer took a delayed report of a protection order violation Dec. 4 in the 200 block of Baldwin Circle. The officer determined there was no violation of the order for protection. The suspected was later located and arrested for the violation.
• Officers responded to a report of a deceased male Dec. 4 in the 8300 block of 20th Avenue. The death was investigated and nothing suspicious was found. The male’s body was released at the scene to family and staff of a funeral home.
• An officer responded to a local roadway in the intersection of Village Drive and Eagle Court Dec. 5 on a report of a parking complaint. Contact was made with one of the registered vehicle owners and a voicemail was left with the other registered owner. A report was documented.
• An officer took a report regarding a missing person Dec. 5 in the 300 block of Ware Circle. It was determined the male was already reported as missing and no additional assistance was needed.
• An officer responded to the intersection of Hodgson Road and Birch Street Dec. 5 on a report of a panhandler. The officer responded to the area and located a male. There were no violations of city ordinance or state statute.
• An officer took a report of a vehicle stolen from a business Dec. 5 in the 6000 block of Hodgson Road. The details were documented, and the vehicle was entered as stolen. The investigation is ongoing.
• Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a speeding vehicle Dec. 6 in the intersection of Interstate 35W and Lake Drive. The driver refused to stop for police
initially, but eventually did. The driver was arrested for fleeing in a motor vehicle, DWI, refusal, open container and speeding.
• An officer responded to a two-vehicle property damage accident Dec. 6 that occurred in the intersection of Sunset Avenue and Elm Street. No injuries were reported. Both vehicles were driven from the scene.
• An officer responded to a report of suspicious activity Dec. 6 at a gas station located in the 7500 block of Lake Drive. The incident was investigated, and no crime was found to have occurred.
• Officers received information of a possible intoxicated driver Dec. 6 in the intersection of Main Street and Otter Lake Road. The vehicle was located, and the officer found the driver was having vehicle mechanical problems and was waiting for help.
• Officers were dispatched Dec. 7 to a threat report in the 700 block of Town Center Parkway. Officers escorted the adult female complainant to her apartment and determined the threat was not chargeable.
• An officer responded to a noise complaint Dec. 7 in the 7700 block of Lake Drive. The officer was not able to locate any noise disturbance.
• An officer was dispatched to a report of a suspicious vehicle Dec. 7 in the 7700 block of Lake Drive. The officer determined there were no problems.
• An officer was dispatched to a gas station Dec. 7 in the 6700 block of Hodgson Road for a delayed report of theft. The customer returned and paid for the unpaid merchandise.
• An officer responded to the 6400 block of Fawn Lane Dec. 7 on the report of a suspicious vehicle. The officer searched the area and was not able to locate the vehicle in question.
• Officers responded to a residence in the 7800 block of Meadow View Trail Dec. 8 for a burglary in progress. An adult female was arrested and booked at the Anoka County Jail.
• An officer and the fire department responded to a report of a battery pack on fire Dec. 8 in the 6300 block of Painted Turtle Road. On arrival, the battery pack was no longer on fire and there were no problems.
• Officers assisted another agency Dec. 9 on a warrant arrest in the 8600 block of Tessman Circle N. The male was arrested and booked.
• An officer took a runaway juvenile report Dec. 9 in the 800 block of Orange Street. The juvenile was later located and the parent was notified.
PUBLIC NOTICES • PUBLIC NOTICES
CITY OF LINO LAKES
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE CITY OF LINO LAKES IS ACCEPTING COMMENTS ON THE NORTH OAKS MIXED USE
DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT WORKSHEET
The Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) for the proposed the North Oaks Mixed Use Development is available for a 30-day public review. City of Lino Lakes Announces Availability of Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) For the Proposed North Oaks Mixed Use Development Project Public comments may be submitted regarding the Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) which has been prepared for the Proposed North Oaks Mixed Use Development Project in Lino Lakes, Minnesota. The preparation of this EAW was mandatory per Minnesota Rules 4410, Environmental Review. The North Oaks Company LLC is proposing construction of a mixed-use development located in the City of Lino Lakes, Anoka County, Minnesota. The project will include the construction of senior housing, market-rate apartments, affordable housing, commercial space, and single-family lots.
The public comment period for this project is open for thirty (30) days and will run from Tuesday, December 17, 2024, until Thursday, January 16, 2025. Comments must address the potential for significant environmental effects, adequacy of information available, type, extent, and reversibility of environmental effects and extent to which environmental effects are subject to mitigation by ongoing public regulatory authority.
Comments must be submitted in writing via mail or email by 4:30 pm, Thursday, January 16, 2025. Submit comments to: Tom Hoffman, Environmental Coordinator, City of Lino Lakes, 600 Town Center Parkway, Lino Lakes, MN 55014-1182, thoffman@linolakes.us.
Copies of the EAW are available for review during regular business hours at: City of Lino Lakes, 600 Town Center Parkway, Lino Lakes, MN 550141182.
The EAW will also be posted during the 30-day comment period on the following website: https://linolakes.us/459/Public-Review-Documents Published one time in the Quad Community Press on December 17, 2024. CENTENNIAL INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT 12 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)
MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE AND SINGLE SORT RECYCLING HAULING Notice is hereby given that sealed proposals will be received by Centennial Independent School District 12 located at 4707 North Road, Circle Pines, MN 55014 until 12:00 PM CST, Friday, January 31, 2025, for Municipal Solid Waste and Single Sort Recycling Hauling. Proposals received after the time stated will not
Ice is never 100% safe
The Department of Natural Resources reminds Minnesotans to be safe about ice this winter. When is ice safe? There really is no sure answer.
You can't judge the strength of ice just by its appearance, age, thickness, temperature or whether the ice is covered
with snow. Strength is based on all these factors — plus the depth of water under the ice, size of the water body, water chemistry and currents, the distribution of the load on the ice, and local climatic conditions.
Many factors other than thickness affect ice strength, including air temperature,
wind, snow, streams, narrow areas or bottlenecks, sun, shade, fish communities, plant decay and more. When a layer of snow melts and refreezes on top of lake ice, it creates white ice, only about half as
strong
Thank you! You’re the best Santa ever!
Finly
P.S. Please tell Mrs. Claus and the elves Hi! for me.
Dear Santa Claus,
My name is Charlie. I am 4 years old! I live in the great town of White Bear Lake. This year I’ve been really good and it would be super good if you could bring me these things this year:
Hulk Thor
Iron Man
Captain America
Falcon
Legos
Scooter
Thank you! You’re the best Santa ever!
Charlie
P.S. Please tell Mrs. Claus and the elves Hi! For me.
Dear Santa Claus,
My name is Jensen. I am 4 years old! I live in the great town of White Bear Lake. This year I’ve been really good and it would be super good if you could bring me these things this year:
New Marble Track
Classic Sonic Classic Knuckles
Classic Amy
Squishy Eyeball
Squishy Brain
Thank you! You’re the best Santa ever!
Jensen
P.S. Please tell Mrs. Claus and the elves Hi! for me.
Dear Santa Claus, My name is Hunter. I am 4 years old! I live in the great town of White Bear Lake. This year I’ve been really good and it would be super great if you could bring me these things this year:
Car Truck
Candy Cane Toy
Scooter
Train toys
Legos
Thank you! You’re the best Santa ever!
Hunter
P.S. Please tell Mrs. Claus and the elves Hi! For me.
Dear Santa Claus,
My name is Amelia. I am 4 years old! I live in the great town of White Bear Lake. This year I’ve
Letters to Santa
been really good and it would be super great if you could bring me these things this year:
Rollerblades
Ice skates
Santa toy
Barbie
Puzzles
Thank you! You’re the best Santa ever!
Amelia
P.S. Please tell Mrs. Claus and the elves Hi! for me.
Dear Santa Claus,
My name is Rowan. I am 4 years old! I live in the great town of White Bear Lake. This year I’ve been really good and it would be super good if you could bring me these things this year:
White and blue striped
skateboard
Legos
Trucks
Spy glass
Dinosaur book
Thank you! You’re the best Santa ever!
Rowan
P.S. Please tell Mrs. Claus and the elves Hi! for me.
Dear Santa Claus,
My name is Audrey. I am 4 years old! I live in the great town of White Bear Lake. This year I’ve been really good and it would be super good if you could bring me these things this year:
LOL dolls
Sheep that toots
Puppy in a kennel
Magna Tiles
Thank you! You’re the best Santa ever!
Audrey
P.S. Please tell Mrs. Claus and the elves Hi! for me.
Dear Santa Claus,
My name is Ada. I am 5 years old! I live in the great town of Hugo. This year I’ve been really good and it would be super nice if you could bring me these things this year: Pink Roller Skates
Pink Squish Mallow
Pink Hammock
Barbie
Art Kit
Paint Kit
Thank you! You’re the best Santa ever!
Ada
P.S. Please tell Mrs. Claus and the elves Hi! for me.
Dear Santa Claus,
My name is Kenzie. I am 4 years old! I live in the great town of White Bear Lake. This year I’ve been really nice and it would be super great if you could bring me these things this year:
New Books - Kitty Cat
New Bike
Princesses
Magna Tiles
Unicorns
Thank you! You’re the best Santa ever!
Kenzie
P.S. Please tell Mrs. Claus and the elves Hi! for me.
Dear Santa Claus, My name is Addison. I am 4 years old! I live in the great town of Hugo. This year I’ve been really good and it would be super nice if you could bring me these things this year:
Light up Beast toy (Beauty and the Beast)
Star Jack in the box
Purple Roller Skates
Thank you! You’re the best Santa ever!
Addison
P.S. Please tell Mrs. Claus and the elves Hi! for me.
Dear Santa Claus, My name is Reid. I am 5 years old! I live in the great town of Hugo. This year I’ve been really nice and it would be super fun if you could bring me these things this year:
Race Track
Giant Lego Set
Remote Control Car
Science Experiments
Basketball Hoop
Piggie and Gerald Books
Glow in the dark things
Thank you! You’re the best Santa ever!
Reid
P.S. Please tell Mrs. Claus and the elves Hi! for me.
Dear Santa Claus, My name is Will. I am 4 years old! I live in the great town of Hugo. This year I’ve been really nice and it would be super great if you could bring me these things this year:
Werewolf Costume
Monster Truck Sweatshirt that says Monster Jam
Duplos Legos
Thank you! You’re the best Santa ever! Will
P.S. Please tell Mrs. Claus and the elves Hi! for me.
Dear Santa Claus, My name is Elsa. I am 5 years old! I live in the great town of Mahtomedi. This year I’ve been really good and it would be super nice if you could bring me these things this year: Rainbow Rollerskates
Duplos
Trampoline
Barbie Santa Hat
Ring Toss
Snow Globe
Thank you! You’re the best Santa ever! Elsa
P.S. Please tell Mrs. Claus and the elves Hi! for me.
Dear Santa Claus, My name is Leo. I am 5 years old! I live in the great town of White Bear Lake. This year I’ve been really good and it would be super nice if you could bring me these things this year: Electric Scooter
Pet Snake Ninja Turtle Mask
Art Kit
Knee Hockey Stick Squish Mallow
Thank you! You’re the best Santa ever!
Leo
P.S. Please tell Mrs. Claus and the elves Hi! for me.
Dear Santa Claus, My name is Ethan. I am 4 years old! I live in the great town of Vadnais Heights. This year I’ve been really good and it would be super nice if you could bring me these things this year: Fastest Motor Bike Toys with batteries Legos
A little car to drive in Pet Turtle Doggie Book
Thank you! You’re the best Santa ever!
Ethan
P.S. Please tell Mrs. Claus and the elves Hi! for me.
Dear Santa Claus, My name is Charlie. I am 4 years
old! I live in the great town of Birchwood Village. This year I’ve been really good and it would be super nice if you could bring me these things this year:
Strawberry Mints
Fan
Owl Puzzle
Legos
Thank you! You’re the best Santa ever!
Charlie
P.S. Please tell Mrs. Claus and the elves Hi! for me.
Bera santa, I have been year, this I want for cristmas
More monster trucks
Nerf guns
Kt kats
Monster play set
iPad apple red clngunboa mistury mudders race car play sets
rc
Frum Joey
Dear Santa I have been good this year. This is what I want for Christmas.
Every single Minecraft diamond level
N series pinpoint nerf gun
Sonic charaacters
A good gaming computer
Thank you for the presents Santa. From, Wally
Dear Santa One thing I want for Christmas is a X shot and Legos. I love you.
From: Jakobi
Dear Santa, What I want for Christmas is, new shoes.
P.S. I hope you can find are house!! Are door is greenish blue.
From, Quinn
Mara Christmas List
Mama Chicken puffed feathers with babies
Lakeshore Learning Clubhouse
Trang Projector
Paintable rocks
Eva’s Christmas List
Purple frog
Moma frog
Dada frog
Purple poopy butt
Dear Santa
I whant a desk and I whant a Fonko Pop collection. I whant takis and I whant V-bucks. And I whant a kiten. And I whant color pastels. And I whant a Greek Myth book. And I whant a N plush from Glich. Then I whant a water proof camera. And I whant movie views for fazbeard and plush. And I whant a X-box and I whant a ruby necklace. And I whant a tv. And I whant a keyboard that lights up. And I whant a bike with no training wheels and I whant a bonnie plush. And I whant sower candy’s in my stoking. And I whant a poster.
From Axel
Dear: Santa, im sorry for, cussing, being rude, its because I just keep getting stresd from my finger. I want a cat for the family. I want the curces plus cfnda and iphone 16. I want diminds from msm. Ill be good. Can I also have my own YouTube channel with coo subscribers.
From pretzel the champion ptc.
From: Ayden
Necratbee 8 plush
Rory Santa, maiteimi, fsonicith eh I would like!
BEYBLAOEX!
PIXEL PET
NERF CROSS BOW!
RCCREEPER!
FART GUN!
GODZILLA SONICS QUI
Bobs a spong
Thank you
Dear Santa, Will you please help people who are sick or hurt to feel better and will you also help poor people
Letters to Santa
get money to buy food for the holidays and have proper clothes for the cold weather. That;s the big thing but other things I would like are a hover bored, cotton candy and a very happy holiday for everyone!From: silas
Dear Santa, I wan an Agility blaster and X box series X console college football 25 X box. Razor scooter and dudes shoes, size 6 T-shirts. Merry Christmas, Santa
Dear Santa, I want a Glitter Girls Bluebell Doll and a Wild Republic Cuddlekins Eco Jumbo Axoloti and a Littlelest Pet Shop Play Set Bitzee Magicals Pet Rainbow Loom Treasure trove and a gumball machine maver I have been super good this year.
Sylvie Arola
Dear Santa for crhist-mass I would like to have 1) Hoverborad - go cart
2) fortnite Vbucks
3) Vidio games
4) pegs for “new bike”
5) mini Stanly 6) phone 7) chrome book for home 8) lap-top 9) personal computer 10) a good Christ mas 11) new friend for rowdy Sincerely, Scotty
Dear Santa I want
1) hover board go cart attachment
2) fortnite vbucks card
3) Dog man big gim begins Book
13.
4) a new freande for rowdy/new dog
Chip is a good elf and really good hider.
From JT to Santa
Dear Santa, I would really like a Barbie airplane and a Barbie Dreamhouse. And a KIDS motorcycle. What I really want are tu-tus and skirts.
Love, Junie (Age 4-1/2)
To Santa Mini cavases Easy bake oven Mini stuff but not mini vetsel
3D printer
Polaroid camera
Dear Santa, For crismas I would like a Panda stuffy, a watch, a under water camera, a icy machine, a harry potter necklace and a electric scoter and that is it. And by the way how did elfie get in side our house last night? hope you stay warm!
Viv
Squishmellow, Unicorn squishy Natalie, age 4
Dear Santa, I would like a changing color cars and a not wheels track and a new squishmellow. Love, Eian, age 6
Dear Santa, I really want a Ronaldo soccer jersey for boys. Dolanus remote control transform robot, RC cars contolns, better ies, off button. Technic off-road race buggy buildable car, cowboy boots. Dirt bike, please. Andrew
Dear Santa, I really want a Lego technic Ford Mustang. Seed champions 2023 McLaren, super sport car building kit, a Christmas shirt, please. Love, August Dear Santa, I been good all year. All I want for Christmas is to be with my frend HANK!!
White Bear Lake. This year I’ve been really good and it would be super good if you could bring me these things this year:
Stuffed Zebra Noisy Cow Firetruck Book
Thank you! You’re the best Santa ever!
Olivia
P.S. Please tell Mrs. Claus and the elves Hi! for me.
Dear Santa Claus, My name is Lucille. I am 4 years old! I live in the great town of White Bear Lake. This year I’ve been really good and it would be super good if you could bring me these things this year: Curious George Books Squish Mallow Daniel Tiger Legos Cookie Stampers Art Kit
Wooden Castle Figurines Yo-yo
Merry Christmas!
Dear Santa, I hope you come this year! Here is some things I would like . . . Dog man: Bio Jim begins #13 book Hotel Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins Book Dog man and cat kid book Dog man mothering heights book Shredderman #1 by Wendein van Draynen Scarefy squirrel visits the doctor by Melanie Watt Dog man mission impawsible video game on Nintendo switch Thank you and have a merry Christmas Santa!
Miles
Dear Santa, I would like a Barbie suitcase,
Phil
P.S. Also a whale for tubber time.
Dear Santa, how are you doing? I am good. I want ohora nalis, a pair of flare pants, color of orange, a pack of Squishy. Thank you from Zoey. I am 8. You are the best!
Dear Santa, How are you? I am doing good. For Christmas, I would like anything that is Paw Patrol. Especially anything that has Sky. Thank you, Amie (3)
Dear Santa Claus, My name is Olivia. I am 4 years old! I live in the great town of
Thank you! You’re the best Santa ever!
Lucille
P.S. Please tell Mrs. Claus and the elves Hi! for me.
Dear Santa Claus, My name is Finly. I am 4 years old! I live in the great town of White Bear Lake. This year I’ve been really good and it would be super good if you could bring me these things this year: Sisu Dragon Raya Raya
Unicorn Doll Barbie Doll Makeup
Vacuum Shop Remote Control Car - Pink and Purple
Wed. December 18th at 10 AM
Need a new direction?
Look here for your next job!
Director
selling vendor spaces, obtaining sponsorships, booking musicians and managing the budget.
• Strong organizational and communication skills required
• Background in festival and event planning required
Send inquiries and resumes to Dan Perry at dan.perry@edwardjones.com
Local author draws inspiration from old St. Paul neighborhood
Local author Peter Gallanger recognizes that in fiction, authors are making subliminal statements about themselves and their views of the world around them. In his own fiction writing, Gallanger has always centered it around the ambient attitude of his old St. Paul neighborhood where he resided for around three decades.
In “Backwashed,” his most recent novel, the reader follows Dion Drury on the 20th anniversary of his father’s murder and mother’s disappearance.
Recently, Press Publications sat down with Gallanger to learn more about himself and his latest novel.
Q. Tell us about yourself.
A I retired from the City of Saint Paul after thirty-four years, most spent in the engineering sector as a technician and supervisor. I've been working at writing since I was young, with varying degrees of success and frustration. I've lived in Shoreview, Arden Hills, and now back in Shoreview again for about as long as I was employed by Saint Paul. You might see me in warm months on a local bike trail or tennis court, giving a faint impression of spontaneous motion.
Q. Tell us more about your book, “Backwashed.”
A. The novel centers around Dion Drury on the twentieth anniversary of his father's murder and his mother's disappearance. Police investigator Kady L'Orient reopens the file and ingratiates herself into the tension between Dion and his older sister with results complicated by her own troubled past. Her superiors intervene in the case at the behest of a local restaurateur who might be implicated in the crime, but everyone's priorities soon become muddled. Police sergeant Arno St. Albans begins to question his loyalties. Dion is forced to confront the emotionally destructive nature of his youth while nurturing a newfound hope for the future. It's a story of damaged people finding each other.
Q. How did you come up with the idea for the book?
A. I've read a lot of fiction since my teens, and recognized that authors, no matter the story, are primarily making subliminal statements about themselves and their views of the world around them. My efforts in writing fiction have always centered on the ambient attitude of my old St. Paul neighborhood and populating the place with
characters who have evolved from within that collective energy. This book is the culmination of many hours of ruminations and typing.
Q. What was the most difficult thing about writing this book?
A. Figuring out how to take what I wanted to say, and why I wanted to say it, and finding a structure to make it work. There is a prehistoric axiom in fiction to write what you know, which is what I was doing, but you need to sculpt your musings around a compelling narrative framework, which is a challenge.
Q. Is this the first book you’ve ever published?
A. It's not the first one I've tried to publish, but it's the first one to make it through. I've been writing for quite a few years. An instructor in a short story class at the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis once encouraged me by saying that I wrote good sentences, the insinuation being that I just wasn't quite writing good stories. This book overcame that barrier for me.
Compiled by Madeline Dolby
Marketfest is seeking an Event Director for 2025
Director is responsible for the full operations of Marketfest including: selling spaces, obtaining sponsorships, booking musicians, and managing the budget.
Strong organizational and communication skills required along with a background in festival and event planning.
Send inquiries and resumes to Dan Perry at dan.perry@edwardjones.com
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North Metro residents rev up the racing scene with passion, speed and singing
BY ERIK SUCHY STAFF WRITER
Speed, singing and sportsmanship; those are the three s-words that make up the lives of Wyoming residents Kevin, Eli and CC Kramer.
Eli, now 19, has been passionate about racing fast for as long as he can remember. This love took him from racing BMX bikes at only 3 years of age to competing in multiple side-by-side races throughout many different states. CC, 11, has been singing since she started practicing at 5 and is now dedicated to singing the National Anthem at past and upcoming races her brother has/will be participating in.
“For Eli, I enjoy watching him do what God made him to do,” said Kevin, CC and Eli’s father. “I like to think he came out of the womb with a steering wheel and handlebar in his hands; he was born to race. For CC, I love seeing how she gains confidence every time she sings. She was a bit nervous to start, but now she’s bold and confident.”
Eli, for his part, says that his love of motorsports has always been with him. “I’ve liked it pretty much ever since I was born,” said Eli. “I had a small electric ATV (all-terrain vehicle) when I was younger, and I just wanted to race something.”
Eli’s first race, when he was just 3 years old, took place at Rehbein Arena in Lino Lakes, an indoor BMX racing track that, while since permanently closed, is still a memory he recalls 16 years later. In his own words, Eli described the event as “a bunch of little kids on tiny bikes on a dirt course.
“It was nothing super fast,” Eli added. “But we were all pretty competitive.”
While he played hockey on his high school team (prior to his graduation from Forest Lake High School in 2023), Eli continued to compete in BMX and dirt bike races until 2020, when a newfound interest in side-by-side racing prompted him to switch to the latter for competitive racing. This switch also prompted Kevin to form a side-by-side racing team for Eli to participate in: Kramer Motorsports.
“Racing was kind of just a hobby for us when we were doing BMX and dirt bike racing,” explained Kevin. “But when Eli got into side-by-side, that triggered us to start Kramer Motorsports. I could see it was getting more serious, and we wanted to run it more like a business.”
Since helping form Kramer Motorsports, Eli has taken to competing in 25 side-by-side races per year across five different states: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Missouri and California. Of these 25 races, 16 of them were in the Amsoil Champ Off-Road Series, a short-course off-road racing series, while the remaining are smaller race series not run by Amsoil. These additional races include the Iceman 500 in Balsam Lake, Wisconsin, the SRX Off-Road Ranch IRACE Series in Poplar, Wisconsin, Hay Days National in North Branch, and the MacLeod County Fair Races in Hutchinson.
Although Eli is the only official racer on the Kramer Motorsports team, Kevin refers to it as a “team” because other people join them during the racing season. “We usually have four to five people who make up different roles, including Eli as the driver, Cole, our spotter, Brian, our engineer, myself, the team owner, and the sponsor relations,” said Kevin. “That’s why we refer to it as a team.” Some of Eli’s notable racing wins include winning the 2024 Iceman 500 in the Pro-Stock category, second place at the 2022 2nd Place Hay Days
National in Pro-Stock, Runner-up at the 2024 2024 SRX Off-Road Ranch in Pro-Turbo and third at the 2023 Hay Days National.
But in the Kramer family, it isn’t just speed and aerodynamics that make up the trio’s core. For CC, 11, her biggest hobby is singing. “I watched a lot of people having fun singing, and I kind of just wanted to be like them,” said CC. She officially made her debut singing the National Anthem at the July ERX Off-Road National in Elk River this past summer and will also be singing at the ERX Snocross National on March 8 and at next summer’s ERX OffRoad National (both held in Elk River) on July 13.
In addition to singing, CC has also performed on stage in different plays, including the leading role in “Ashti’s Journey to Jazz” at Hanifl Performing Arts Center in White Bear Lake, which was held in July. Kramer will also perform in the center’s production of “Alice In Wonderland” next February at Forest Lake High School. “I would like to sing in front of everybody,” said CC, who said she hopes to see herself singing on Broadway someday.
For the 2025 racing season, Kevin says that Kramer Motorsports will jump from racing at the amateur level to professional, where they will compete against the best races and race teams nationwide. Eli will be racing in the Pro SxS (sideby-side) class. Although he has racked up his fair share of awards in past racing seasons, he and Kevin maintain that it is never the physical prizes they receive that motivate them to do well.
“We don’t view losing as bad,” said Kevin. “We try to say, ‘If we didn’t win a race, we don’t say we lost. We say that we learned. It’s also a learning opportunity, and we think about something we could have done differently or better. I think that perspective has helped, because when you get to this level, the competition is so intense that it’s
hard to be on the podium every week. That’s why we don't consider it losing, but learning.” Kevin said that he thanks both God and Kramer Motorsports sponsors for allowing them to keep racing. These sponsors include PleasureLand RV Center, Blake Drilling, Meyer Contracting, Up North Retreats, Chick-fil-A, Black Label and Co., Polaris RZR, Keizer Aluminum and I Am Second. More information on Kramer Motorsports and the Amsoil Champ Off-Road Series can be found on their official websites at www.kramer-motorsports.com and www.champoffroad.com, respectively. More information on the races not associated with the Amsoil Champ Off-Road Series can be found at www.iceman500-race.com, www.srxoffroad.com, www.haydays.com and www.mcleodcountyfair.com.
Erik Suchy is a staff writer at Press Publications. To reach him, please contact him at 651-407-1229 or email him at lowdownnews@presspubs.com.
CC, Eli and Kevin Kramer are three Wyoming residents who have dedicated themselves to competitive racing and singing.
Eli poses beside his side-by-side vehicle at the 2024 Bark River International Raceway in Bark River, Michigan. This race is part of the Amsoil Championship Off-Road Racing Series.
PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED
Eli has been performing an average of 25 side-by-side races since switching to the sport in 2020.
CC, 11, has been singing since she was 5 years old, and made her first appearance singing the National Anthem at the July ERX Off-Road National in Elk River this past summer.
Multiple police departments to receive funds for training, recruitment
The Lino Lakes and Blaine police departments will receive grants to help support training and recruitment after Governor Tim Walz awarded $4.5 million in grants to 46 law enforcement agencies across Minnesota. These funds will help sponsor 94
WEEKLY WAG
Tux is a 2-year-old sheepadoodle (Old English sheepdog/ standard poodle mix). His foster describes Tux as a giant, fuzzy, lovable, happy teddy bear. Tux weighs 73 pounds. He is house-trained, cratetrained and leashtrained. He knows his basic commands and he is eager to please. Tux is friendly to everyone he meets, and he is social with other dogs. In fact, he would do very well in a forever home with another dog or dogs. He may not do well with cats, however.
Tux is playful, affectionate, eventempered and intelligent. He would enjoy a home with a securely fenced yard where he can roam and play freely. And when he’s not playing, he loves to snuggle with his people. Give him space on the couch and part of your blanket, and you’ll have an instant buddy.
candidates with two-and four-year degrees who want to make a career transition into law enforcement. All candidates will attend a training program at Alexandria Technical & Community College or Hennepin Technical College, where they will go through the same training that traditional peace officer students complete.
Tux arrived at Ruff Start Rescue as a local owner surrender. If you are looking for a happy and friendly companion, then Tux is waiting for you. If you are interested in learning more about Tux or adopting him, please fill out an application at www.ruffstartrescue.org. Once your application is received, Ruff Start Rescue will contact you as soon as possible.
LISA OLSON
POLITICAL BRIEF
Holiday Worship
CHURCH OF ST. GENEVIEVE
CHURCH OF ST. GENEVIEVE
• Student-centered instruction. We believe all students grow and learn in different ways and at different rates, all can achieve.
• More academic opportunities to explore interests, excel and design your future.
• Students are agents and owners of their own learning in an environment that is safe, supportive and challenging — with high expectations for student success.
• Our educators inspire, facilitate, and challenge students, nurturing curiosity and confidence. We provide a window to their future.
• We are transforming learning. Our flexible learning spaces and learning studios ignite opportunities for communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking.
Board and Commission positions open in Circle
Pines
The City of Circle Pines City Council is looking for applications for commission and advisory board positions. There is one position open on the Utilities Commission, two on the Planning Commission and two for the Park Board.
Additional information for each board or commission can be found on the city website. Applications must be received by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 8. Applications should be dropped off at Circle Pines City Hall. Applications are available at city hall or can be found on the city’s website at www.ci.circle-pines.mn.us.
COUNTY BRIEF
Anoka County hosts multiple blood drives
Anoka County will host multiple blood drives throughout the winter at various locations throughout the county. The next blood drive will be from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19 at the Anoka County Government Center, 2100 3rd Ave. Anoka. There will also be a blood drive on Monday, Dec. 30 at the Rum River Library and Wednesday, Jan. 29 at the Blaine Humane Service Center.
For more information go to www.redcrossblood.org.
Stay Connected
• E-Newsletter - The Community e-Newsletter is sent out each week, with alternating text and video editions. Text editions cover student and staff successes, school and Community Education offerings, and School Board proceedings. Request to be added to the list by sending an email to us at communications@isd624.org.
• Construction Updates - Find updates about the construction projects happening throughout the district at isd624.org/BuildingOurFuture.
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Overtime win keeps No. 1 Cougars unbeaten
The Centennial/Spring Lake Park (CLSP) girls hockey team remains undefeated. The team edged Maple Grove 2-1
BOYS BASKETBALL
Centennial is 4-0 after two wins last week, over Cambridge-Isanti 79-71 on Tuesday and Elk River 53-47 on Wednesday. “This team takes a ton of pride in getting it done on the defensive end,” Coach Spencer Waldvogel said. “We have also shown a lot of grit. When things aren't going our way, it doesn't seem to bother us, and we just keep fighting.” Jackson Driessen scored 26 points against Cambridge-Isanti. Tristan Hanson added 15 points, Max Johnson 11, Marshawn Carlvin 10 and Kellen Binder 10. Driessen tallied 27 points against the Elks. Hanson had 11 points and Binder 10.
BOYS HOCKEY
Centennial journeyed to Duluth and picked up an overtime win 5-4 over Duluth East on Tuesday evening. Nolan Barber netted the game-winner, assisted by Joey Hemr and Nick Carls, at 4:52 in overtime. Gavin Cunningham had two goals and Matthew Siegler and Hemr each had one. Easton Cody made 20 saves. Hermantown, top-ranked in Class 1A, beat Centennial 5-2 Friday at Centennial, led by River Freeman with two goals, and Henry Peterson with a goal and two assists. Centennial was 2-for-4 on power plays with Cooper Hehir and Nick Carls finding the net.
DANCE TEAM
In their last two meets, Centennial won High Kick and placed fifth in Jazz among 12 teams at Forest Lake on Dec. 7, and placed fourth among 12 teams in both events at Totino-Grace on Dec. 11.
in overtime at home on Saturday. Teagan Kulenkamp delivered the game winner for the No. 1 ranked Cougars, 5:54 into the extra session.
CSLP outshot Maple Grove 50-24 with Crimson goalie Bella Prosser stopping 48 shots. Kaia Wieland made 23 saves for the Cougars. Cate Fischer gave the Crimson a 1-0 in the second period and Alexis Larsen tied it for the Cougars later in the period, assisted by Mia Sutch.
Kulenkamp tallied four goals — three of them in a span of 1:45 in the second period — as the Cougars beat Anoka 7-0 at home Tuesday. Also scoring were Annabelle Buccicone, Katie Ball, and Ella Perrault. The Cougars held Anoka (3-5-1) to six shots, stopped by Celina DeWandeler.
The Cougars are 10-0 overall, with two wins over Maple Grove, and 7-0 in the Northwest Suburban Conference. Maple Grove is 6-4-1 overall and 3-3 in conference.
Bruce Strand
GYMNASTICS
Elk River/Zimmerman outscored Centennial 137.0 to 122.325 on Thursday evening, led by Ally Rekstad with 34.65 points and Kendall Cole with 34.55. Michaela Osland was third with 34.40 and won balance beam with 8.95. Ellary Vo was seventh on bars (7.075) and floor (7.85). Lily Kissick was seventh on beam (7.575).
SWIMMING
Centennial placed first of six teams in the Northwest Suburban Relays to open the season on Saturday at Spring Lake Park. “The boys showed they will be a very challenging team to beat,” Coach Pete Crawford said. The Cougars won two relays, placed second in five and third in the other two. Team scoring was Centennial 356, Osseo 330, Maple Grove 300, Blaine 292, Spring Lake Park 270 and Park Center 194. Caleb Cregan, Ethan Stager, Isaac Nguyen and Benno Schuhbauer won the 400 butterfly in 3:59.60. Schuhbauer, Nielsen, Jaden Manthey and Grant Page won the 400 backstroke in 4:01.15.
WRESTLING
Centennial defeated Champlin Park 57-13 and Delano 47-23 on Thursday at Champlin Park. Against Delano, Evan Boesch, Gage Stenger, Logan Fu, Jaden Lilly, Evan Just, Tyler Cook and Aidan Ford had pins, Ben Johnson a major decision and Tate Olson a tech fall.
Bruce Strand
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Jackson Driessen
Centennial Basketball
December 17, 2024
Jackson Driessen has led the Cougar boys basketball team to a 4-0 start, averaging 26.5 points per game among other contributions. The senior guard is shooting 48 percent on field goals. He logged nine assists along with 26 points in a win over Cambridge-Isanti. “Jackson has been a do-it-all kid for us, offensively and defensively. He can score at all three levels, efficiently, and gets other guys involved, too, leading us in assists.” Driessen averaged 15.2 points as a junior.
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Centennial Girls Basketball brings awareness to mental health
On Thursday, Dec. 5, the Centennial and Blaine junior varsity and varsity girls basketball teams put on a Mental Health Awareness night, raising over $200 for Sophie’s Squad and the National Alliance for Mental Illness. The teams started the game with a moment of silence for those lost from a mental health crisis.
McCall shines in back to back wins
BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR
Autumn McCall tallied 58 points in two games as Centennial defeated Elk River 72-66 and Delano 56-47, both on the road, last week, improving to 5-1.
The 6-foot-2 center had the two highest games of her four-year career with 34 against Elk River and 24 against Delano. Her previous high was 23 points twice last season.
The Cougars also had a big game from Sydney Schmitz against the Elks as she shot 10-for-21 on the way to 21 points, despite missing much of the first half with foul trouble.
“We’ve been getting contributions from different people on a nightly
basis, just not always consistent,” said Coach Jamie Sobolik. “The next most consistent offensively has been Sydney Schmitz.”
Elk River had Ellie Ostmoe with 25 points and Lilly Osterman 21. Delano had a 7-1 record coming into the game. While McCall dominated the lanes again, Schmitz added eight points and Kaylin Green seven. Abbie Pietila led Delano with 15.
Other players stepping up, Sobolik said, are Green, Clare Pullman, Kate Lee, Katelyn Peterson, Amelia Delmedico, Ava Taylor and Sydney Sears. “Most of them have had a solid game that contributed to wins,” he said. “We’re just waiting for nightly consistency from that crew.”
Looking ahead in SPORTS
BOYS BASKETBALL
5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20—at Forest Lake
GIRLS BASKETBALL
7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20—at Forest Lake
GYMNASTICS
6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19—at Park
BOYS HOCKEY
7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19—vs. TotinoGrace
1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21—vs. Champlin Park
GIRLS HOCKEY
2:45 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21—at Wayzata
BOYS SWIMMING
6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19—vs. Blaine 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21—vs. multiple schools
WRESTLING
1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20—at Pequot Lakes
9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21—at Hastings 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21—at Pequot Lakes
SPORTS BRIEFS
JON NAMYST | CONTRIBUTED
Teagan Kulenkamp had a four-goal game, and an overtime game-winner.
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2025 BUDGET: Property values decrease
FROM PAGE 1
The median market-value home in Circle Pines will decrease by 5.8% in value. For example, a $300,000 home will now be valued at $282,600 for tax purposes.
Manson. “We gauge things, based on that service, in our annual city survey. Last year’s survey indicated that 98% of residents feel safe in our city. That is really important and reflected in how we are spending our funding.”
Manson added that other budget expenditures include parks and streets maintenance and administrative costs.
The levy has been set at $3,233,670, which represents a 6.02% increase from $3,049,945 in 2024. The city’s tax rate is expected to increase from 2024’s rate of 42.84 to 47.10 in 2025. The levy and total tax capacity for all properties in the city are used to calculate the local tax rate, which is the local tax levy divided by the total tax capacity.
According to Anoka County, the median market-value home in Circle Pines will decrease by 5.8%. A medianvalued home is a home where half of the homes in the city are valued higher than that home, and half are valued lower.
“I’ve been in this position about 6-7 years now, and this is the first time I’ve seen that median decrease,” Mason explained. “We’ve been seeing a rise in market value in properties. So, (there)
could be a little bit of overvaluing in the past years is what we are chalking it up to. A lot of our on-water properties rose (in value) quite substantially in the last few years.”
She added that not all homeowners will experience the decrease. Manson provided an example of what it will look like.
“So now, a $300,000 home is a $282,600 value, and you’re ultimately back to more of that $1,200 cost annually for taxes,” she explained. “Which is about a $2.93 increase per month (in city taxes).”
“We spent a good chunk of the summer discussing the budget,” said Council Member Steve McChesney. “We didn’t just arrive today and see this for the first time. It’s well thought out by a lot of people. City staff did a great job.”
“I feel really comfortable where it is as well,” added Council Member Matt Percy.
The next City Council meeting will be at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 23.
Madeline Dolby is editor of the Quad Community Press. She can be reached at 651-431-1226 or quadnews@presspubs.com.
Most of Circle Pines’ revenue comes from property taxes (80%).