Annual wedding show takes place March 23 Swenson captures state mat champion title again
BY MADELINE DOLBY EDITOR
Save the date for Press Publication’s annual wedding show, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, March 23, at the White Bear Country Inn. This year marks the show’s 40th anniversary. To celebrate the 40th anniversary,
Press wants to help a couple get hitched during the show. Press will provide the music, officiant, florals and more. Lunch will be provided at Rudy’s.
Over the years, Press Publications has done a variety of different things for brides to experience.
In 2019, there was a bridal suite, a
special offered by Press. According to Press Publications General Manager Patty Steele, the bride who purchased the suite was able to enter the show half an hour early and walk around to visit the various vendors. The bride and her party also got a special room they could stay in during the show.
BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR
Brett Swenson, Mounds View senior, captured the 127-pound state championship — his second straight gold medal finish — to end his stellar high school career.
“I was just happy to see my hard work pay off and leave on a good note,” Swenson said. “I was also a little emotional, knowing it was my last time putting on a Mounds View singlet.”
13 single-family homes a possibility at former apple orchard
BY MADELINE DOLBY EDITOR
Thirteen single-family homes have been proposed for the property that was formerly known as the Papenheim Victoria Valley Apple Orchard, located at 4304 Victoria Street. A preliminary plat was submitted by Harstad Hills to the Shoreview Planning Commission, whose members unanimously agreed to send it to the City Council.
The orchard has been closed for almost two years. The family sold the land to Harstad Hills last year.
The subdivision will require the applicant to plat an extension of Brigadoon Drive, a public street. The applicant is proposing to extend the right of way approximately 275 feet and create a cul-de-sac turnaround. The proposed right of way would be 50 feet in width; the street itself would be be 25 feet wide. According to
the city staff report, these are the standard dimensions for a local street. When measured from the Highland Drive intersection, the street and culde-sac would be approximately 550 feet in length.
According to Allison Eddins, senior planner, nine lots will have frontage and access on the new street, three lots would have access on Victoria Street and one lot would have access on Vivian Avenue.
The 40th Annual Press Publications Wedding Show will take
The former Papenheim Victoria Valley Apple Orchard, located at 4304 Victoria St., may be subdivided into 13 lots for future single-family homes.
CONTRIBUTED
Brett Swenson beamed after his 4-2 win over an Albert Lea opponent in the state finals.
Lifting for
WEDDING SHOW: Will
include over 30 local vendors that cover ‘must-haves’
Previously, there was a discounted wedding dress shop at the show where gently used, donated dresses were resold for $10 each. Since a wedding dress can be a large part of a wedding budget, the show aimed to make one’s dream dress more accessible.
“One of the best memories was when a bride found a never-worn dress in our used dress sale for $10! She was in tears,” Steele said.
“What was fun (about the show) was all the volunteers who helped with the dress sale,” added Carter Johnson, publisher of Press Publications.
The show will include approximately 35 vendors covering wedding must-haves like venues, catering, officiants and flowers. Many of the vendors have continued to return to the wedding show to keep their business local.
“Our vendors keep coming back because they like the quality time with the brides to have conversations about their big day,” Steele explained.
This year, there will be new vendors for brides to talk to regarding venues, catering options and potential
“It’s fun to connect with everyone involved,” LaRue said, “behind the scenes with the Press, all of the vendors and, of course, the brides/grooms and their families!”
He added that he enjoys sharing in the couple’s excitement while providing them with information and expertise that may help them achieve the wedding they are dreaming about.
“There are just so many moments of people having fun, working together and helping each other,” said LaRue about his favorite moments during the show. “Maybe the impromptu dance party that breaks out once in a while!”
Steele said that the first 50 brides who register for the wedding show will receive a swag bag. Tickets are available for $5, but brides attend the event for free. To register, go to www.presspubs.com/weddingshow. If you, or someone you know, is looking to get married, please call 651-407-1200 or email Patty Steele at
WHAT’S HAPPENING
CONTRIBUTED
ST. PATRICK’S DAY BASH
When: 3-5 p.m. Sunday, March 16
Where: Mounds View Community Center, 2401
Mounds View Blvd.
Details: Includes family friendly games, a scavenger hunt and Irish music performed by Fiddle and Flannels with The Spanier Brothers.
Contact: 763-717-4040
ONGOING EVENTS
DROP IN MAH JONGG
When: 1 p.m. Thursdays
Where: Shoreview Community Center, 4580 Victoria St. N.
Details: Bring your tiles and your friends for drop-in play. All levels welcome. No registration required. Contact: 651-490-4700
500 CARD CLUB
When: 12:30 p.m. Mondays
Where: Shoreview Community Center, 4580 Victoria St. N.
Details: Cards and conversation. No partner required. Contact: 651-490-4700
CURRENT EVENTS
CONCERT AT THE CAT
When: 5 p.m. Thursday, March 13
Where: Cafesjian Art Trust Museum, 4600 Churchill St., Shoreview
Details: In a special collaboration with the Minnesota Opera, the Cafesjian Art Trust Museum will host its first ever concert. Attendees will enjoy refreshments, a live vocal performance and a private viewing of the museum’s new painting exhibit, “Echoes of Life.” Tickets are available at cafesjianarttrust.org.
Contact: cafesjianarttrust.org or 612-359-8991
‘THE BOOK CLUB PLAY’
When: March 14-23
Where: Hanifl Performing Arts Center, White Bear Lake Details: Comedy performance about books and the people who love them. Ticket information online. Contact: lakeshoreplayers.org
SHAKE YOUR SHAMROCK RACE
When: 10 a.m. Saturday, March 15
Where: Kelly’s Korner Bar, 7098 Centerville Road, Centerville
Details: Runners participate in a 5k or 7k hosted by the Minnesota Multisports Races. It is a St. Patrick’s Day themed run. Contact: www.mmraces.com/shake-your-shamrock
AARP SMART DRIVER
When: 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 18
Where: Shoreview Community Center, 4580 Victoria St. N.
Details: Taught by AARP trained instructors. Learn safe driving techniques to help keep you and your loved ones safe on the road. Register a week before class through the Parks and Recreation catalog. Contact: shoreviewmn.gov or 651-490-4700.
MILITARY ARTIFACTS
When: 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 18
Where: Roseville Skating Center Banquet Facility, 2661 Civic Center Dr.
Details: Roland Wells, NE Metro Golden K Kiwanis Club president, will describe his exploration of military artifacts.
THE WRITER’S ROOM: AN OPEN STUDIO FOR WRITERS
When: 1-4 p.m. Friday, March 21
Where: White Bear Center for the Arts, 4971 Long Ave.
Details: Write in the company of fellow writers in an inspiring space, led by Amber Guetebier. For adults and teens 16+, all levels.
Contact: 651-407-0597 or whitebeararts.org
MAPLE SYRUP FESTIVAL
When: Noon-2 p.m. Saturday, March 22
Where: Wargo Nature Center, 7701 Main St., Lino Lakes
Details: Learn how to gather maple sap and cook it down to make syrup. Maple crafts, scavenger hunt and maple treats.
Contact: anokacountyparks.com
ACOUSTIC ROCK FOR KIDS WITH JOHN KERNS
When: 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 24
Where: Ramsey County Library – Shoreview, 4560 Victoria St. N.
Details: John Kerns plays music for kids to inspire them to be rock stars of their own kind someday. His music gets kids on their feet to dance, sing, follow instructions, learn about food, and party like kids should party. This high-energy show is made for children ages 2-12 and for all families to participate in. No registration necessary. Contact: rclreads.org or 651-724-6006
EQC SPEAKER SERIES: LAKES AND CHLORIDES
When: 7-8 p.m. Monday, March 24
Where: Shoreview City Hall, City Council Chambers, 4600 Victoria St. N.
Details: Rice Creek Watershed District will present on the impacts winter deicing products, such as salt, have on water quality and the lakes in the community. Contact: 651-490-4665
North Oaks resident behind CAT Museum
CONTRIBUTED
Residents in North Oaks and Shoreview may have already found themselves drawn to the Cafesjian Art Trust Museum, also known simply as “The CAT.” The museum, which is situated just off of Highway 96 and Lexington Avenue in Shoreview, has introduced bright colors and intrigue into an otherwise nondescript part of town speckled with strip malls, warehouses, and office parks since it opened in the fall of 2022.
But what people might not know is that the CAT was founded by Kathie Cafesjian Bardaran, who has lived in the area since 1997. When Bardaran’s father, Gerard Cafesjian, passed away in 2013, she began the process of combing through the massive art collection that he spent over six decades acquiring, and which included over 4,000 pieces—many of which Bardaran had never even seen.
With her work on the Cafesjian Art Trust and its accompanying museum—which offers free admission and, just this year, the chance to drop in without an appointment every Saturday—Bardaran is determined to give the north metro access to her father’s world-class archive of contemporary art.
Q: What made you want to start displaying your father’s art collection?
A: My father was from Brooklyn, New York, and we moved here in the ‘60s when he started at West Publishing. He was one of the executives at West Publishing Company. Ever since I can remember, he was collecting art. He would buy what he could afford in his younger days, and we would go to museums all the time. And as he was able to collect more, he started collecting a lot of different art, and a lot of glass art. When he passed away, I became the executor of his estate and the chairman of the foundations that were left in the trusts. And so it was my responsibility to gather all of the art from wherever it was—he had several different residences, and it was scattered—and to preserve it. And as that went on, I thought, why just have it sitting around? It’s part of an art trust. We had to buy space to store the art collection permanently, and an engineering firm came up for sale. It was during COVID that this was all happening. And so I bought that, and we started renovating it, and I realized that there was enough space that we could have a very tiny but suitable museum space.
I thought, why not? I would have loved to have that available when I was growing up here; I went to the Roseville schools, and I would have just adored having something like that in the neighborhood. And we’ve just gotten a wonderful response from the area.
Q: The first exhibits at the CAT featured modern glass pieces. Do
you know what it was specifically about glass art that your dad enjoyed?
A: He had a friendship with Dale Chihuly, so that influenced him a great deal. But mostly what he liked about it was the light, the color—it’s a fascinating medium. We’ve done a lot of glass exhibits, and we’ve got a wonderful glass collection, but we have other art as well, and we’re trying to emphasize that. Our new exhibit is all paintings.
Q: How did you choose the paintings to put on display?
A: This was put together mostly by our assistant curator, Linnea Seidling, but with a lot of input from Laura Steefel-Moore and Ashley Walker. The three of them worked on this together, and they came up with different themes. They looked at everything we had in the collection, and they said, what could we do to draw this together and to make an exhibit showing what can be done in a painting? And they came up with five themes that they could illustrate with a grouping of paintings from our collection.
Q: Your home must be welloutfitted with artwork.
A: Not as much as you would think! It takes a lot of space and climate control to store an art collection, it’s not an easy thing to do. You have to have a proper place. There are paintings, even in this exhibit, that I’ve never seen. There are paintings that were never displayed in any of his residences, or the residences I grew up in, and some of them were never opened after he bought them. So it’s not like my home has a lot of art. That’s why I did this—we don’t really have that lifestyle. We’re just a family in North Oaks with lots of kids running around, and a dog.
Q: Do you feel connected to an artistic or creative community in North Oaks?
A: There were some artists living in North Oaks about 10 years ago, and
we would get together for art dates, and we would paint or make things. I have had less time for that as I got older. More recently, there are a lot of neighbors who have been very enthusiastic and supporting us and coming to the exhibits, and we’re very happy to have their support.
Q: As a creative person living in North Oaks, are there things that have kept you rooted here, that have fed your creative spirit or inspired you?
A: It’s so beautiful. Especially on the island, there are people that come just to walk on the island in the fall, it’s so beautiful there with the leaves turning, and there’s so much of a connection to nature. That’s always inspiring. We are able to live a different lifestyle in North Oaks that many people are not privileged to have. I know it can get annoying for people driving, with the lack of lights and the wildness. We invited some friends from Spain, and we never realized how much difficulty they had driving out of North Oaks until we visited them in Spain this summer, and the father was saying, “There I was alone in the forest with no lights!” But I think it’s wonderful. We see more stars, we have less light pollution. We have a deeper connection to nature, and I think that sparks creativity.
Q: What else you want people to know about the CAT?
A: We have glass art, but we have more than that. We want you to see our collection. We have about 4,000 works of art in our collection. It’s a lot, and as I say, some of them I haven’t even seen. So we’ll be changing our exhibits on a regular basis. Come see us. Come see us again. Tell your friends. And remember, it’s free!
Compiled by Andrea Swensson, editor of the North Oaks News.
Kathie Cafesjian Bardaran
Bees
APublisher’s View Carter Johnson
fter years and years trying to keep our bees alive over winter it looks like we might have done it. My neighbor, Paul, and I share beekeeping duties and it has been a huge help as we join forces to work on the hives and other projects. I was so excited to receive a text message from a neighbor to let me know she saw honey bees in her yard. She has one of those magnificent gardens, so I am also excited that the bees are getting out to find food. With the warmer days we have seen a lot of activity around the hives. The bees fly around and do a cleansing flight and it’s noticeable when you have a base of white snow on the ground. It is an amazing feeling to be this close to having a hive make the Minnesota winter. The main thing we did differently this year is that we changed how we treat for mites and added extra insulation and wind breaks with paper leaf bags from fall clean up. We literally built a fortress around the hives to help insulate and protect them from the wind. We have always treated for mites, but this year we upgraded to a vaporizer with a Oxalic acid (wood bleach). This vaporizing treatment requires extra safety equipment such as a respirator. As we began to study and understand this vaporization style of treatment, it’s interesting to note how Europe recommends a heavier dosage for treating mites than the US.
If you have extra time and are interested in taking on a new hobby, consider beekeeping. My recommendation is to partner with a friend or neighbor on the project, and then get a mentor or someone who is an experienced beekeeper who can help guide you through the process and be present during your first year. It’s also nice to share equipment. Not everybody needs a vaporizer or an extractor, as sharing among a neighborhood group is sufficient. In fact we pull a few neighbors together to spin the frames of honey on the same evening and share in the cleanup. It makes it more fun. Most cities require a permit and a small fee. They typically ask you to get neighbors’ permission on the permit. What continues to fascinate me is the more than 500 species of bees in Minnesota. Honeybees are not native to the US, and are not found regularly in the wild. When people think of bees I often hear them describe a yellowjacket or the wasps with long legs. Yellowjackets get a bad name because they are pests, and they’re also meat eaters. They love to bug you at a picnic or in your yard. They want meat, where honeybees want nectar. I rarely see our honeybees around us when we’re when we’re dining outdoors.
If you decise to jump into beekeeping, you will need to order your bees. We buy our bees from Mann Lake and Nature’s Nectar. Bees require constant weekly monitoring, but they are fascinating. Mow in May
I’m happy to see that cities have turned back No Mow May. Although the intentions were good, it has probably caused more problems in neighborhoods and communities. Cities have turned the emphasis to planting pollinator-friendly gardens, versus encouraging residents to refrain from mowing their yards. We’ve all driven through a neighborhood in the spring and noticed somebody who thought they were doing the right thing by not mowing their lawn only to cause their neighbor to double their weed and feed treatments to keep their own yard looking good. The concept is changing for a good reason. If your children have talked to you about not mowing your lawn because it’s helping the bees, get them a shovel and help them start a pollinator-friendly garden.
Carter Johnson is publisher of Press Publications.
Food share month: A small,
good thing
IMovers & Shakers
t’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the challenges facing our community. In Minnesota, 27% of households spend 30% or more of their income on housing alone. Inflation remains high, wages haven’t kept up and essential government programs are facing deep cuts.
Shane Johnson
More and more families, seniors and disabled individuals are being pushed to the edge.
One of the hardest things to endure in tough times is hunger.
Feeding America reports that 537,890 Minnesotans are facing food insecurity, including 34% who are children. In 2024, food shelves across the state saw a recordbreaking 9 million visits—a 20% increase from the previous record. The need has never been greater.
This is where March FoodShare Month (March 1-April 16) makes
• Limited to 350 words.
• Submissions must Include a full name, address and daytime phone number for verification.
Letter writers must live, work or have another connection to Press Publications coverage area.
Letter writers are limited to six letters per year and
a difference. As the largest grassroots food and fund drive of the year, it allows participating food shelves to receive matching donations, stretching the impact of every dollar or pound of food given. The Ralph Reeder Food Shelf alone serves over 4,000 children, adults and seniors each month, distributing more than a million pounds of food and essentials last year.
Food won’t solve every struggle someone is facing. But for someone in need, knowing where their next meal is coming from is one small, good thing. And sometimes, that small thing means everything.
Join us. Donate food, funds, or spread the word. Together, we can ensure that no one in our community goes hungry.
The Ralph Reeder Food Shelf is located at 2544 Mounds View Blvd., Mounds View.
Shane Johnson is the basic needs manager for the Ralph Reeder Food Shelf.
at least four weeks must lapse between publication. Exceptions may be made for rebuttal letters. Due to space limitations, letters that don’t address local issues are not guaranteed publication. Repeat letters by the same writer about the same subject matter will not be published.
Minnesota FoodShare Month
When: Saturday, March 1Sunday, April 6
Where: Across Minnesota Details: The Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign brings together organizations, businesses, faith communities and individuals to help keep 300 food shelves statewide stocked throughout the year. Minnesota FoodShare has distributed over $18 million to March Campaign participating food shelves via the Minnesota FoodShare FoodFund. Contact: gmcc.org/ minnesota-foodshare
• Submissions containing libelous or derogatory statements will not be published. Submissions containing facts not previously published in the Press must be accompanied by factual verification. All letters are subject to editing.
• Deadline is 5 p. m. , Wednesday of the week prior to publication. To submit a letter, e-mail it to shoreviewnews@ presspubs.com, fax it to 651429-1242 or mail or deliver it to Press Publications, 4779 Bloom Ave., White Bear Lake, MN 55110.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
SAVE money: Eliminate Department of Education
The new name could be called X-Department of Education, or X-ed for short. A glimpse of what is to come is provided by a formalized system now offered by a conservative college, which has been adopted in many states. K-thru-12 standardized lesson plans come with vetted books, stories to tell, questions to ask and other recommendations: this is a complete, very conservative system. And money can always be saved if you’re told what and how to do your job like a programmed robot.
Teachers’ lives will be easier: less thinking, less planning, less paperwork, less individual teaching. In fact, it may be easier to hire cheaper teachers from any state, because they would all teach the same way from the same lesson plan.
Key educational issues and equal access to education will be decided by the X-govt and dictated to the X-ed to become policy, and to be enforced.
The Minnesota Department of Education could also be eliminated or drastically reduced because all guidelines come from supreme leaders via X-ed. Any best practices would only be passed on if they promote the X-government. More and more money would be saved.
Green Community Award applications now available
Each year, the Shoreview Environmental Quality Committee recognizes residents and businesses that have had a positive impact on the environment. The green community awards are given to those who improve water quality, install renewable energy or use eco-friendly practices.
Winners will receive a small lawn stake and are recognized at a City Council meeting in early fall. Applications are now open and be found online at shoreviewmn.gov. They are due by Friday, July 11. If you have questions, call 651-490-4665.
Shoreview 2025 tree sale underway
The 2025 Shoreview tree and shrub sale is underway. Residents can purchase up to five trees and 10 shrubs per household at wholesale prices. Watering bags are available for purchase with the purchase of a deciduous tree. Watering bags are not suggested for evergreen trees or shrubs.
MDAN ads to run ONE TIME, the week beginning 3/9/2025 Metro
If you don’t like this system from X-ed, the government could possibly withhold education financial aid, school loan guarantees or possibly any federal funding for state projects. Extortion? NO, this is not extortion. This is how our new X-government says it can save money. Don’t like it? Then create a lawsuit against the federal government. Eventually, years later, the lawsuit may end up in the Supreme Court. By then, it will be too late. Generations will be adversely affected.
And what will the new X-govt do with all this saved money? Why not give tax breaks to businesses or those who don’t pay fair share or those that don’t need a tax break?
Minnesota is ranked high for our education system. We can now lower our standards to meet the new X-dept standards. Minnesota will no longer be outstanding. Our children and our grandchildren are our future. Is this what we really want for them?
Tom Kramer Shoreview
Disappointment in political ad
I was truly disappointed by a recent political ad. Do we really want leaders who resort to outdated Halloween photos for attacks? We can do better—let’s aim for more meaningful dialogue!
Colin Cook Shoreview
Participate in the Tropical Puzzle Palooza March 27
Shoreview Parks and Recreation will host a Spring Break Tropical Puzzle Palooza from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, March 27, at the Shoreview Community Center. Teams of up to four people will try to finish a 500-piece puzzle as fast as possible. The top three teams will receive door prizes. Participants are also encouraged to dress in tropical-themed attire. Registration is required by March 13. Those interested can register through the Shoreview Parks and Recreation catalog.
The Newspaper shall not be liable for slight changes or typographical errors that do not lessen the value of the advertisement. The Newspaper shall not be liable or responsible for any error in any advertisement except to give the Advertiser credit for so much of the space occupied by the advertisement as is materially affected by the error; credit shall be by refund or republication of the advertisement at the election of the Newspaper. Such credit shall not be given for more than one incorrect insertion unless the Publisher is notified in writing of the error before the repetition of the insertion. When the Advertiser wishes to correct or change copy submitted as a "proof," the Newspaper shall not be liable for the changes or corrections unless they are received by the Newspaper within a reasonable length of time before the deadline for publication. If an advertisement is requested to run after copy deadline, the Newspaper will not honor an adjustment request if an error occurs. No specific page or position shall be guaranteed. The Advertiser or Agency shall indemnify the Newspaper for any attorney 's fees incurred in defending against claims, pay any judgments against the Newspaper, and pay associated expenses and losses that are caused by the publication of any advertisement submitted by or published at the direction of the Advertiser or Agency, including claims for libel, copyright infringement, and invasion of privacy.
Orders are due by Friday, April 11. Trees will be delivered to your home by crews in mid-to-late May. Open to Shoreview residents only. For more information or to fill out an order, go to www.shoreviewmn.gov/services/environmental-services/ trees/tree-sale.
Take the 2025 equity and inclusion survey by March 14
The Shoreview Human Rights Commission (HRC) is conducting an online equity and inclusion survey through March 14. Through the survey, the city will be able to learn about residents’ experiences and identify strengths and challenges within the community.
Once completed, the HRC will review the results to see if there are any areas to focus on. Survey answers are confidential; the survey takes around 10 minutes to complete. To fill out a survey, go to www.shoreviewmn.gov/our-city/community/community-engagement.
Tree sale open to Mounds View residents
Mounds View residents can order trees from Mounds View Public Works through March 31. Residents can purchase two trees per address. Trees must be planted on private property. There is a limited number of trees available, and they must be purchased online.
Trees will be available for pick up between 3 and 6 p.m. Friday, May 2, and between 9 a.m. and noon Saturday, May 3, at the Mounds View Public Works facility, 2466 Bronson Ave. To place an order, go to tinyurl.com/3pptvaan.
Your newspaper has agreed to participate in the Minnesota these ads in the main news section of your newspaper (not per). At times, advertisers may request a specific section. each newspaper. Ads may need to be decreased/increased
Please do not bill for these ads. If you have questions, please
Your newspaper has agreed to participate in the Minnesota these ads in the main news section of your newspaper (not per). At times, advertisers may request a specific section. each newspaper. Ads may need to be decreased/increased
Please do not bill for these ads. If you have questions, please
Your newspaper has agreed to participate in the Minnesota Display Ad Network program by running these ads in the main news section of your newspaper (not the classified section of your newspaper). At times, advertisers may request a specific section. However, the decision is ultimately up to each newspaper. Ads may need to be decreased/increased slightly in size to fit your column sizes. Please do not bill for these ads. If you have questions, please call MNA at 612/332-8844. Thank you.
MDAN ads to run ONE TIME, the week
RAMSEY COUNTY SHERIFF REPORTS
The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office reported the following selected incidents in Shoreview:
• Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office deputies on patrol Jan. 28 in the 5300 block of Hodgson Road were flagged down by a resident seeking information about what to do about harassment from an ex. Deputies provided possible options to obtain a harassment restraining order (HRO).
• A Shoreview man, 63, was arrested for theft Jan. 28 in the 600 block Pinewood Drive, after a resident saw him stealing a bicycle.
• A 2024 Toyota Corolla was reported stolen Jan. 28 from the 4100 block of Sylvia Lane. After the case was turned over to investigations, the motor vehicle theft case turned into a civil case involving a lockout and narcotics.
• A resident in the 600 block of Harriet Avenue on Jan. 29 reported being contacted by a man, 45, against whom she had an order for protection (OFP).
• An Eden Prairie woman, 57, was cited for speeding Jan. 30 in the 1800 block of Park View Drive.
• A resident in the 2000 block of Blazing Star Lane on Jan. 31 reported his credit card used fraudulently to make a purchase at the Maplewood Best Buy. The thief then tried to return that item to the Eden Prairie Best Buy in an attempt to receive cash back.
• A White Bear Lake man, 58, was arrested on a warrant at 1:26 a.m. Jan. 31 at the intersection of North Owasso Blvd and Soo Street. The outstanding warrant was for
COPS&COURTS
fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle. Deputies trying to conduct a traffic stop on the suspect had to pursue him again, after he fled on his bike. Eventually, he was taken into custody.
• A Shoreview man, 25, was cited Jan. 31 in the 1000 block of County Road E for driving after revocation.
• A Fridley man, 30, was cited Jan.31 on I-694 and Victoria Street N. for driving after suspension.
• A Hibbing man, 27, was cited Jan. 31 in the 3400 block of Owasso Street for distracted driving.
• An Andover man reported felony theft Jan. 31 after a generator valued at more than $2,500 was stolen from the 3700 block of Victoria Street N.
• A Ramsey woman, 45, was cited at 2:21 a.m. Feb. 1 for failure to move over for an emergency vehicle at the intersection of I-694 and Lexington Avenue N.
• A St. Michael man, 53, was cited for speeding at 3:24 a.m. Feb. 2 at the intersection of I-694 and Victoria Street N.
• A Shoreview man reported being bitten by a dog in the 200 block of Bridge Street on Feb. 2 while he was being interviewed for a job as a personal care attendant.
• Construction tools were reported stolen from a construction site in the 3700 block of Victoria Street N. on Feb. 3.
• A Minneapolis woman, 23, was cited Feb. 2 at the intersection of Highway 96 and Victoria Street N. for driving without a valid license and failure to yield, after she ran
MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH BRIEF
New map shares results of tests for lead in drinking water
A new interactive map created by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will show families how much lead, if any, has been detected in the drinking water at all public and charter schools and at licensed child care centers.
Since 2017, Minnesota law has required public and charter schools to test for lead in drinking water every five years and to make their test results available to the public. As of July 1, 2024, a new law required licensed child care centers to begin testing drinking water for lead as well, and for both schools and child care centers to report their test results to MDH. The map fulfills a reporting requirement of the new law.
Testing for lead in drinking water in schools and child care centers is important because water usage patterns that cause water to remain in pipes during long breaks and closures can cause elevated lead levels in water. Elevated blood lead levels in young children are linked with adverse health effects, including learning and behavior problems, but elevated blood lead levels are rarely caused by drinking water alone. In Minnesota, most elevated blood lead levels are caused by exposures to lead paint and dust.
More information and a link to the map can be found at tinyurl.com/2r4ay3mf.
Minnesota Department of Health
PUBLIC SAFETY BRIEF
a red light at that intersection and collided with a vehicle driven by an Andover woman. No series injuries resulted from the accident.
• A resident in the 3400 block of Kent Street on Feb. 2 reported that someone has been stealing her mail.
• A case of shoplifting was reported Feb. 2 at the Shoreview Target in the 3800 block of Lexington Avenue N. Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived on scene to collect evidence and interview possible witnesses.
• A resident in the 5700 block of Prairie Ridge Drive on Feb. 4 reported fraudulent activity on her checking account. The case is under investigation.
• The Amoco gas station in the 3800 block of Lexington Avenue N. on Feb. 4 reported an incident of shoplifting from the station.
• A Minneapolis woman, 35, was cited Feb. 5 in the 3800 block of Lexington Avenue N. for driving after revocation.
• A resident in the 5800 block of Savannah Lane on Feb. 6 reported receiving a counterfeit check from a company that had hired her to perform voiceover services.
• A North Oaks youth, 17, was cited for speeding Feb. 6 in the 1000 block of County Road I.
• A Mounds View man, 61, was cited Feb. 6 in the 4300 block of Hodgson Road for failure to provide proof of insurance after being pulled over for an undisclosed motor vehicle violation.
• A Trader Joe’s customer reported finding a firearm in the parking
Mounds View woman to serve 41 months in prison
Twenty-year-old Isis Martinaz Brent, also known as Jayda Marie White, of Mounds View, will serve 41 months in prison for aiding and abetting a Minneapolis carjacking, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.
According to court documents, on Oct. 6, 2023, Brent and Carvon Antonio Saine, 19, of St. Paul, approached an elderly victim who had parked a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu on the street in South Minneapolis. Brent brandished a Carl Walther 9mm semiautomatic pistol and demanded the victim’s keys. During the carjacking, the victim’s bag was forcefully snatched by an associate, causing the victim to fall and suffer bodily injuries. The Malibu experienced mechanical issues. It was later found abandoned.
Later, Brent and Saine approached a second victim in a parking lot. Brent knocked on the window, demanded the victim’s keys and brandished the pistol at the victim. The second victim was able to escape the attempted carjacking.
lot in the 1000 block of Red Fox Road on Feb. 6. Deputies arrived on scene to take custody of the weapon.
• A resident in the 4100 block of Lexington Avenue N. on Feb. 6 reported that his daughter and their family dog were attacked by a neighbor’s dog that attempted to bite them. The rogue dog’s bite attempts did not break the skin, but the case is under investigation.
• A Shoreview man, 39, was arrested for shoplifting Feb. 6 at the Shoreview Target. The shoplifter was cited for misdemeanor theft before being released.
• A couple in the 1000 block of Highway 96 on Feb. 6 reported that a former domestic partner had been harassing them and showing up unexpectedly to confront them.
• A resident in the 4100 block of Lexington Avenue N. on Feb. 7 reported an Amazon package stolen from his front step.
• A resident in the 4100 block of Lexington Avenue N. on Feb. 8 called 911 to report that her boyfriend, 45, had assaulted her before leaving the scene.
• A Minneapolis woman, 24, was arrested for DUI at 2:21 a.m. Feb. 8 in the 3600 block of Victoria Street N. after deputies responded to the report of a person passed out behind the steering wheel.
Loretta Harding
CITY COUNCIL SNIPPETS
• The council has approved the removal of the onstreet parking permit zone on Chatsworth Street between County Road F and Gramsie Road. The parking permit zone on Chatsworth Street was established by the City Council on Feb. 2, 2015.
• The council approved the revocation of a rental license for the property located at 670 Doris Avenue pursuant to Section 30-91 of the municipal code. The property owner failed to provide an adequate timeline for compliance in getting a 2025 rental license.
• Jim Diffley, Denise Firkus and Jessica Daniels will join the Economic Development Commission following council appointment. Diffley’s term will end on Jan. 31, 2028. Firkus will be on the commission through Jan. 31, 2026. Daniels will serve as a member partner, representing the Mounds View school district.
• Shiman Khalif, a junior at Irondale High School, will serve as the student representative on the Human Rights Commission through May 31, 2026.
• Mayor Sue Denkinger told residents to mark their calendars for the city’s annual Clean Up Day on Saturday, May 17, and the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Lake Johanna Fire Department headquarters on Thursday, May 1.
The next Shoreview City Council meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Monday, March 17, in council chambers.
Madeline Dolby
READ • REUSE • RECYCLE
Mounds View district teacher named semifinalist
Zoe Kourajian, a social studies teacher at Edgewood Middle School, has been named a semifinalist for the 2025 Minnesota Teacher of the Year award.
A selection panel will review the semifinalists’ portfolios again, along with a semifinalist video submission, in mid-March. The panel will select around 10 finalists from among the group of 31 semifinalists. The winner will be announced May 4.
District students win State Emergency Care Competition
Mounds View High School students
Liza Mushel (senior) and Maddie Schnieder (junior) and Spring Lake Park High School students John Hahnfeldt (junior) and Ellaree LaPara (senior) took first place in the 38th annual Minnesota State Youth EMS Competition. They are students in the Opportunities in
District students John Hahnfelt, Liza Mushel, Maddie Schnieder and Ellaree LaPara placed first at the annual Minnesota State Youth EMS Competition.
Emergency Care program offered to Mounds View High School students at Spring Lake Park High School. They competed in three emergency response scenarios and had to take a written test.
“Is Neck Or Back Pain Ruining Your Life? ” This
Is What You Need To Know
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Shoreview Village Mall MyDrLowell.com
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DIGITAL, EMAIL, MOBILE MARKETING CONFUSING?
Digital ad expert Aaron Rother will be in the office the week of April 7, 2025. Schedule a free consultation. Times are limited.
Aaron demystifies search engine marketing, online display, email e-blasts, mobile marketing, and traditional media marketing.
Stayingtopofmindwith local consumers doesn’t needtobeconfusing.
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The Golden Path hosts seminar for seniors
The Golden Path, a real estate group, will host a seminar called “Move with Simplicity, Purpose and Peace,” from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 15, at the Shoreview Community Center.
The seminar will provide resources and answer common questions regarding the process of selling your
home, the benefits of renting versus buying a house and more. It will also provide the next steps for navigating the transition to downsize or move into senior living. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.
For more information, call Sandy Erickson, a Realtor with The Golden Path, at 651-2693487. The Shoreview Community Center is located at 4580 Victoria St. N.
her DVM, Dr. Lohmer is also a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist.
Prior to joining WBAH, Dr. Lohmer was practicing in Scottsdale, Arizona. While every patient has a special place, she loves helping sick pets regain their health to enjoy life with their families again. Her areas of interest include: pain management, dentistry, preventative care, and dermatology.
Dr. Lohmer looks forward to meeting you and caring for your four-legged loved ones!
Nearly 70% of U.S. adults read newspapers each month.
7 out of 10 newspaper readers report taking action after seeing an ad in a circular. >>Newspaper
HARSTAD HILLS: Survey in the works
“The road design that is being proposed and the lot layout is keeping with the character of the surrounding neighborhood,” Eddins said.
Victoria Street has a multiuse trail, but Brigadoon Drive does not.
According to Eddins, staff found that, because of the street network layout, if a resident wanted to walk or bike from the end of the new cul-de-sac to the Victoria Steet trail, they would have to travel half a mile to get there.
If a trail were to be constructed with the proposed development, it would be approximately 500 feet from the end of the cul-de-sac to Victoria Street, making it a much shorter route.
“There is some concern about the topography,” Eddins said regarding the trail. “The site is pretty steep. If this was going to be public access, there would likely need to be pullouts to allow places for people to pull off the trail to rest.”
Martin Harstad, of Harstad Hills, explained that due to the proposed drainage and utility easement on the site and the elevation change, an ADAcompliant trail would be difficult to construct.
“I’m open to talking about a trail in here, but I don’t know if it is possible,” he said.
Currently, the site has over 200 apple trees that the applicant intends to remove, along with 113 other trees. Twenty-three are landmark trees. Landmark trees must be replaced at a six-to-one ratio. Subsequently, the tree replacement requirement would be close to 430 trees.
“The applicant does intend to preserve 54 trees. However, 14 of those trees are ash trees,” explained Eddins, “and because of the prevalence of the emerald ash borer, the city would prefer that the ash trees be removed from site.” This would mean only 40 trees would be preserved, assuming all ash trees are removed.
She added that staff are asking for a revised tree survey that shows the health of the trees so they can assess the health of the ash trees prior to final plat and subdivision agreement finalization.
Resident Amy Workman, who lives in the Brigadoon neighborhood, shared her thoughts about the proposed development.
“My concerns are the construction, traffic and the future traffic with the additional homes,” she said. “Because of the way the developer is planning to sell custom homes in this neighborhood and not build the homes all at once, we are looking at unknown years of traffic where there are small children who run around consistently, and adults.”
She brought up the possibility of reducing the speed limit to 20 mph in the neighborhood, adding more stop signs, adding temporary speed bumps during construction, and limiting construction hours.
Eddins addressed Workman’s concern about construction hours. She said that in the city’s noise ordinance, construction hours are limited to 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m.-9 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
She added that when there is construction like this going on in the city, the city requires that the developer sign agreements with the city that allows city officials to place further restrictions.
“There is opportunity to make sure that the neighborhoods needs and concerns are addressed once we get through the preliminary plat process,” Eddins said.
Commissioner Barb Yarusso showed her support for the project.
“Overall, I like the development proposal,” she said. “This proposal is something that, which I think we can see from the lack of consternation from the neighborhood, is going to fit in with the neighborhood.”
The Planning Commission recommended approval 6-0. The preliminary plat will be presented to the City Council on Monday, March 17.
Madeline Dolby is editor of the Shoreview Press. She can be reached at 651-431-1226 or shoreviewnews@ presspubs.com.
The development would be incorporated into the Brigadoon neighborhood.
Fish Fry: Who will be the best?
For Christians, Lent is a season of solemnity, where people practice self-denial and atonement. Lent is the period leading up to Easter when Christians commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
So how do fish fries at local restaurants, Legions and VFWs and churches fit into it?
Traditionally, a fish fry is strongly associated with the Roman Catholic community, but churches and organizations of all denominations—or none—have participated.
The ritual of fasting during the Lenten season dates to the first century CE. The practice has changed quite a bit over the centuries. It originally started as a fast and was eventually established as a 40-day abstinence from the meat of warm-blooded animals. This form of penance was meant to recognize the suffering and forbearance of Christ’s 40 days in the desert while he was tested by the devil.
This year’s Lenten season will begin Wednesday, March 5, and last until Thursday, April 17.
Fish fries are also a way to
celebrate Midwestern roots, since many places in Minnesota and Wisconsin were settled by German and Polish Catholics who did not typically eat meat on Fridays. Proximity to freshwater lakes means that a fish fry might feature fresh walleye, bass, perch, bluegill
or even catfish, in addition to a more widespread choice such as cod and tilapia.
As you visit fish fries this season, think about which one you would deem “the best” because Press Publications’ Best of the Press Readers’ Choice Contest is
Try a local
just around the corner, and one of the many categories is “Best Fish Fry.”
In the White Bear Lake and Vadnais Heights area last year, VFW Post 1782 won the title and Cabin 61 and Manitou Bar & Kitchen were finalists.
In the Hugo market, St. John the Baptist Men’s Club of St. Genevieve’s Church earned the title, followed by Blacksmith Lounge & Broaster and Cabin 61 as finalists.
In the Shoreview market, Cabin 61 earned the Best Fish Fry title and Welsch’s Big Ten Tavern and Oliver’s were finalists.
In the Quad market, Smokey’s Pub N’ Grill won the title followed by St. John the Baptist Men’s Club of St. Genevieve’s Church, Kelly’s Korner Bar and VFW Post 1782 as finalists.
Who will the title go to in 2025? Be sure to nominate your favorite beginning April 30 so they appear on the ballot. Then don’t forget to vote once a day.
Fish Fry
Talking tax season tips with the U of M
As the tax filing deadline approaches, being prepared can save you time, money and stress. David Horn, director of the Master of Business Taxation Program at the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management, shares his insights on what to keep in mind this tax season.
Q: Are there any significant changes this year?
A: One thing is constant: the deadline to file your tax return is April 15. However, you may file an automatic extension to file your return six months after April 15. It’s important to remember if you extend your return, you’re still required to pay any taxes owed by April 15. 2024 was pretty light with federal tax legislation for the everyday individual taxpayer. It was an election year, which often means there isn’t a lot of activity from Congress because no one wants to rock the boat. Other than brackets, deductions and thresholds being indexed to inflation, the tax laws are mostly the same as 2023 for individual taxpayers.
Q: What are some of the biggest challenges this tax season?
A: One of the Trump administration’s first actions was to announce a hiring freeze and personnel cuts across the federal government, which includes the IRS. There is some uncertainty about how this will impact the agency during filing season; however, a reduction in IRS staffing may result in the delayed processing of returns and issuing of refunds. Filing early is always a good rule of thumb. The earlier you file, the sooner your return will be processed and the sooner you will receive any potential tax refund. As we get closer to the filing deadline, contacting the IRS with questions gets more difficult.
Q: What is your advice to make tax preparation go smoothly?
A: It’s all about understanding your sources of income and deductions. I advise clients to go through all their financial accounts and understand where they potentially could be receiving tax documents. That may include a W-2 for wages from your employer, 1099 forms for investment and savings accounts, a 1098-E for student loans, etc. Gathering all the relevant documentation will streamline the return preparation process.
Another issue affecting more people this year is increased reporting around peer-to-peer payment systems such as Venmo and PayPal. In 2024, the threshold for reporting transactions from these services was reduced from $20,000 to $5,000. If you received $5,000 or more in payments through one of these applications for goods and services sold, you’re going to get a 1099-K document. However, using these platforms to collect expense reimbursements among friends and family should not be reported on Form 1099-K. Consult with a tax professional to help decipher the reporting requirements if you receive a 1099-K.
Q: How do I avoid tax scams?
A: The IRS generally initiates contact through the mail. If you ever get a phone call or email from someone claiming they’re from the IRS stating that you owe money and threatening to call law enforcement, that is a scam and you should hang up. The IRS also doesn’t accept payments through unusual sources, such as Apple gift
cards. That is another red flag that it is a scam. For more tips to avoid potential scams, visit the IRS website.
Q: What is the University of Minnesota doing in regard to the ongoing shortage of tax professionals?
A: The University of Minnesota plays an important role in the pipeline of developing tax professionals. For nearly 45 years, the Carlson School’s Master of Business Taxation (MBT) program has built a reputation as one of the top graduate tax programs in the nation. Its 1,300-plus alumni are influencing some of the world’s largest companies and firms; many hold top positions as senior corporate tax executives and managing tax partners.
David Horn joined the Carlson School of Management in 2024 and currently serves as the director of the MBT program. David began his career in the tax department at Ernst & Young, where he specialized in corporate and partnership taxation, and then served as the head of the tax department at Proto Labs Inc., managing the company’s global income tax function. Prior to the Carlson School, he was an associate professor at Metropolitan State University.
DOCUMENT 00
PUBLIC SAFETY BRIEF
Be careful of scam impersonators
The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office has received reports of scammers calling community members using the names of actual deputies. These scammers are claiming that residents have missed jury duty and/or have a subpoena or warrant for failure to appear in court. Additionally, the scammers have demanded payment from residents by claiming they will go to jail immediately if they don’t pay. Residents who do not know whether someone on the phone is a scammer or law enforcement should know that the latter will never contact them to request payment or personal information. Those who have sent money or personal information should call 911 to file a report. Anyone with general questions can call the Crime Prevention line at 651-266-7339.
DNR BRIEF
Public input needed on Turtle Lake fishery management plan
This month, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources fisheries offices will connect with residents across Minnesota about 151 lakes in 40 counties that will have their fisheries lake management plans updated in 2025. Turtle Lake, located in Shoreview, is on the list to receive updates.
Area fisheries teams will consider the observations and comments obtained during this step of the process as they begin developing updates for each lake fisheries management plan.
People might ask themselves:
• “What kind of fishing experience am I looking for?”
• “Are there fish habitat concerns I’d like to share?”
• “What kinds of fish do I like to catch?”
• “Do I like catching big fish or a lot of fish?”
• “Do I have concerns about the fishery’s draw or popularity among anglers or other social concerns?”
University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management
PUBLIC NOTICES
Please
CITY OF SHOREVIEW
ORDINANCE NO. 1050
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A FEE SCHEDULE FOR THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE AUGMENTATION AND INVASIVE PLANT TREATMENT OF SNAIL LAKE
The Shoreview City Council ordains that Exhibit A: 2025 Utility Fee Schedule (quarterly charges), of the Shoreview Municipal Code is amended to add the following: Homeowner with the Snail Lake Improvement District: $97.96 per unit
Adoption Date: Passed by the city council of the City of Shoreview on the 18th day of February, 2025.
Effective Date: This ordinance shall become effective the day following its publication in the city’s official newspaper.
Publication Date: Published on the 11th day of March, 2025. Sue Denkinger, Mayor Attest: Brad Martens, City Manager
Published one time in the Shoreview Press on Maarch 11, 2025.
CITY OF SHOREVIEW, MINNESOTA
2025 STREET LIGHTING REPLACEMENT
CITY PROJECT NO. 25-05
SEH NO. SHORE 181031
Notice is hereby given that Online Bids will be received by the City of Shoreview until Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., via QuestCDN for the furnishing of all labor and material for the construction of the 2025 Street Lighting Replacement project.
The bid opening can be attended in person and virtually, at which time the Online Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud: Join in-person: City of Shoreview, 4600 Victoria Street, Shoreview, MN 55126
The virtual bid opening will be conducted via Microsoft Teams.
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet, or smartphone: https://bit.ly/2025StreetLighting Or call in (audio only) +1 872-242-7640 United States, Chicago Phone Conference ID: 858 721 553 #
Any
Any person monitoring the meeting remotely may be responsible for any documented costs. Message and data rates may apply. Major quantities for the Work include:
Comments on the future management of Turtle Lake can be shared before March 31 to TJ DeBates, Metro East area fisheries supervisor, at timothy.debates@state.mn.us or 651-259-5570.
The Issuing Office for the Bidding Documents is: Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. located at 3535 Vadnais Center Drive, St. Paul, MN 55110-5196, Ken Taillon, 651.490.2000 The Bidding Documents may be viewed for no cost at http://www.sehinc. com by selecting the Project Bid Information link at the bottom of the page and the View Plans option from the menu at the top of the selected project page. Digital image copies of the Bidding Documents are available at http://
www.sehinc.com for a fee of $30. These documents may be downloaded by selecting this project from the “Project Bid Information” link and by entering eBidDocTM Number 9551404 on the SEARCH PROJECTS page. For assistance and free membership registration, contact QuestCDN at 952.233.1632 or info@questcdn.com
For this project, bids will ONLY be received electronically. Contractors submitting an electronic bid will be charged an additional $42 at the time of bid submission via the online electronic bid service QuestCDN.com. To access the electronic Bid Worksheet, download the project document and click the online bidding button at the top of the advertisement. Prospective bidders must be on the plan holders list through QuestCDN for bids to be accepted. Bids shall be completed according to the Bidding Requirements prepared by SEH dated February 28, 2025.
In addition to digital plans, paper copies of the Bidding Documents may be obtained from Docunet Corp. located at 2435 Xenium Lane North, Plymouth, MN 55441 (763.475.9600) for a fee of $70.
Bid security in the amount of 5 percent of the Bid must accompany each Bid in accordance with the Instructions to Bidders.
A Contractor responding to these Bidding Documents must submit to the City/Owner a signed statement under oath by an owner or officer verifying compliance with each of the minimum criteria in Minnesota Statutes, section 16C.285, subdivision 3.
The Issuing Office for the Bidding Documents is: Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. located at 3535 Vadnais Center Drive, St. Paul, MN 55110-5196, Ken Taillon 651.490.2000
This Work shall be subject to minimum wages and labor standards in accordance with State Funded Construction Contracts, Exhibit A. The City reserves the right to reject any and all Bids, to waive irregularities and informalities therein and to award the Contract in the best interests of the City.
The Bidding Documents may be viewed for no cost at http://www.sehinc.com by selecting the Project Bid Information link at the bottom of the page and the View Plans
from the menu at the top of the selected project page.
Brad Martens City Manager, City of Shoreview,
Advertisement for Bids SHORE 181031 00 11 13 - 1
The deadline to file your tax return is April 15.
STATE CHAMPION: ‘I would say
FROM PAGE 1
The Minnesota Gophers recruit reached the finals for the third straight year at the Xcel Energy Center. He was 46-2 this year and 168-21 with 80 pins in his career. “Brett is always working and uses every available moment to train and get better,” Coach Daniel Engebretson said. “He has won every mile and two mile run we do at practice, and he stays after practice every day
to work on his craft.”
Swenson cruised through two rounds at state with two technical falls, then got a medical forfeit in the semifinals from a Rosemount opponent.
In the finals, Swenson scraped out a 4-2 win over Logan Davis (48-4) of Albert Lea. He was down 2-1 before maneuvering for a takedown early in the third period.
“I just knew if I kept moving forward and
my
style is hard hand fighting and pressure’
‘I just knew if I kept moving forward and pressuring, he would make a mistake.’
Brett Swenson Mounds View High School Senior
pressuring, he would make a mistake,” Swenson said. “That’s what our (Assistant) Coach Marty Morgan always preaches.”
When asked what key moves or holds he uses, Swenson said none in particular. “I would say my style is hard hand fighting and pressure.”
In last year’s 114-pound finals, Swenson won 5-1 over St. MichaelAlbertville’s Lincoln Robideau, who was the
state champion at 133 this year. As a sophomore he lost 6-4 to Hastings’ Trey Beissel in the 107 finals.
Brett’s twin, Ethan, was runner-up at 215 pounds. When asked if they spar, Brett said no, not regularly, quipping, “He hates losing to a 127 pounder, so we try to keep his confidence up.” A third Swenson to grace Mustang lineups
CLASSIFIEDS
at Augsburg this year. Ethan will join him there next year.
Mounds View has nine state championships.
E R V I C E D I R E C T O R Y
Stellar senior quartet among seven Mustang state medalists
BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR
Seven Mounds View wrestlers earned medals at the state Class 3A tournament on March 1, including four seniors who finished with a combined 667 career wins.
Brett Swenson was 127-pound champion (See full story in this week’s issue)
Ethan Swenson, Brett’s twin brother, was runnerup at 215 pounds. After 10-0 and 4-0 wins, he got past Ben Schultz of Maple Grove 4-2 in the semifinals. He lost to William Ward (27-1) of Moorhead 7-0 in the title match. Swenson, fifth at 172 last year, was 41-4 this year and 147-45 career with 67 pins. He will wrestle at Augsburg.
Joey Muhlstein, a senior, placed fourth at 189 pounds. He lost in the second round, then won 17-2, 15-1 and 17-2 in wrestle backs, and lost the third-place duel to Lakeville North’s Tyler Ruff 8-3. Muhlstein was 38-5 this year and 160-36 career with 74 pins. He placed sixth at 189 and fourth at 182 previously. Also, a football standout, he has not decided on college.
Mustangs finish 20-6 with close loss to Rebels
Mounds View’s boys’ basketball season ended with a close loss at No. 6 ranked Champlin Park, 72-66, on Friday evening.
The Mustangs finished 20-8. They had beaten Spring Lake Park (SLP) 7363 in the first round of Section 5AAAA on Tuesday at home. Cody Loegering led the upset bid against Champlin Park, scoring 26 points. Alex Kriauciunas and Jacob Sampson scored 12 points each and Nate Edelman 11 for the Mustangs, who led 32-28 at halftime.
The Rebels (23-4) had Kyler Pust with 20 points, Gavin Walter with 17 and Tyler Wagner 13. In the win over SLP, Jonny Gale scored 18 points, Sampson 13, Loegering nine, Kriauciunas eight and Royce Kytola eight.
Mounds View was 12-6 in the Suburban East Conference for third place among 10 teams, behind CretinDerham Hall (17-1) and East Ridge (16-2).
Bruce Strand
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Owen LaRose
Mounds View Wrestling
March 11, 2025
Owen LaRose will be the top returning wrestler for Mounds View next season. LaRose, a junior, placed fifth in the state Class 3A tournament at 114 pounds on March 1, after placing sixth at 107 last year. His record in those two seasons is 91-16. “Owen is a tireless worker and continues to get better at every position,” Coach Daniel Engebretson said. “He never takes a second off at practice. He is always working.”
Senior Colton Loween placed fifth at 172 pounds. He won 10-0 and 11-0, then lost in the semifinals to St. Michael-Albertville’s (STMA) four-time champion Landon Robideau 21-4. In wrestle backs, he lost to Albert Lea’s Nick Norman 10-3 and won the fifth-place match 4-2 over Michael Gillette of Chaska/ Chanhassen. The Augsburg recruit, who also placed fifth last year at 160, was 49-4 this year. He logged a school record 193 career wins, 40 losses and 109 pins.
Owen LaRose (41-7), a junior, placed fifth at 114 pounds. After winning 17-0 and 7-2, he lost in the semifinals to Eli Schultz (413) of STMA and to Willmar’s Caden Kassel 4-1. He got a forfeit in the fifth-place match. He was sixth at 107 last year.
Placing sixth, each winning three of six matches, were Will Schneider (36-13), a junior, at 133, and Caden Grenier (46-10), a sophomore, at 172.
Other state entrants were sophomore Braeden Maxey at 285, freshman Silas Helmer at 145 and junior Paxton Carl at 121. Maxey had one win.
Mustang swimmer Bai nabs 4th and 5th place medals at state
BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR
CONTRIBUTED
Danny Bai, Mounds View junior swimmer, earned fourth- and fifthplace medals in the sprint events at the state Class 2A swimming meet on Saturday evening.
Bai placed fourth in the 100 freestyle in 46.19 seconds and fifth in the 50 freestyle with 21.37 at the University of Minnesota. In prelims on Friday, he advanced with fifth-place finishes in 45.88 and 21.04.
“Even at a big season-end meet like this, Danny is always focused and collected,” Coach Chris Yauch said. “It is also great for our younger athletes to see how a dedicated veteran swimmer goes about his business at meets.”
In the sectional held a week earlier, Bai won the 100 free in 46.18 and the 50 in 21.37. He now ranks No. 2 all-time in Mustang history in the 100 and fifth in the 50.
Bai’s success, Yauch said, is due to “consistent off-season training with his club team (North Suburban Aquatic), focus and hard work at practices, and always having an optimistic attitude about anything that comes his way.” Also, Bai’s technique is always proper: “When you’re already swimming so fast for such a short race, every little detail counts.”
Mounds View’s other state qualifiers did not make the top 16 on Friday to advance. Luke Schmitzer was 17th in the 500 freestyle and 29th in the breaststroke. (The top 16 advance and score points.) The medley relay team of Bai, Schmitzer, Holden Then and Ben Lawrence placed 17th. The 200 free team of Bai, Peyton Kwan, Schmitzer and Lawrence placed 19th. Two junior high divers, freshman Micah Prindle and eighth-grader Charlie Hieb, got state experience but did not make the top 25.
CONTRIBUTED
Mustang state medalists, left to right: Joey Muhlstein, Owen LaRose, Ethan Swenson, Brett Swenson, Colton Loween, Caden Grenier and Will Schneider.
Danny Bai beamed on the medal podium at the state meet.
CALENDAR BRIEF
Mounds View Senior Center puts on resource fair
The Mounds View Senior Center will be sponsoring its first ever Senior Resource Fair at 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 26 at the Mounds View Community Center. It will feature 13 vendors, prizes and speakers. Attendees will be able to ask questions and seek assistance with issues they may be facing or gather information for the future.
Vendors include Caring Transitions, fiNest Home Services, Minnesota Hearing Aid Professionals, Assisted Living Locators, Mounds View Lions, Bel Rae Senir Living and more.
For more information, call 763-717-4043. The Mounds View Community Center is located at 5394 Edgewood Drive.
