Shoreview Press by Press Publications

YEAR IN REVIEW 2024

A look back with

Before we say goodbye to 2024 and hello to 2025, it is a tradition of the Shoreview Press to look back at some of the most memorable stories of the year.

In 2024, pages were filled with a variety of news, including stories about crime, events, schools, community groups, city government, sports and more. Perhaps some of the most memorable stories are the ones that feature local residents—like Mounds View sophomore Linnea Ousdigian grabbing a state title and national title, or a long time Dairy Queen employee continuing to bring smiles to her customers even after 51 years; and many more had a busy year in the community.

The 2024 winner of the Shoreview Caring Youth Award is Mounds View High School sophomore Zoe Buzan.

Buzan has been volunteering since 2022 when she first learned about the Silverwood Teen Arts Council. Her experience volunteering with the council inspired her to also volunteer as a junior assistant naturalist at the Tamarack Nature Center.

Recently, Press Publications sat down with Buzan to learn more about her, her involvement in the community, and what it means to receive the award.

Q. Tell us about yourself.

A. I’m a sophomore at Mounds View High School. I’m very passionate about art, nature and education. In my free time, I like to listen to music, go for walks and draw. I love learning about new and interesting topics and sharing fun facts with my family and friends.

Q. What do you like most about Shoreview?

A. I love how connected Shoreview is. It’s easy to finds things that you enjoy and connect with

Mounds View sophomore receives Caring Youth Award

them. For example, we have wonderful trails and paths that help me (and others) connect with our love for nature. Besides this, there are always activities at the library and community center, like Maker Teen. Shoreview has a unique variety of options to choose from, and this greatly impacts its residents.

Q. What does it mean to you to receive the Caring Youth Award?

A. It’s really an honor. Although it’s very rewarding to volunteer

and I have gotten so much from it alone, it feels nice to be awarded in a more official manner. I’ve put a lot of time, energy and hard work into volunteering. I feel so appreciated. I know I have been able to make a positive impact on my community, and this is the greatest award one can achieve.

CARING YOUTH AWARD:

‘I’m very proud of the impact I’ve had on my community’

Q. What was your reaction when you found out you had won?

A. I had just hopped into my mom’s car, and we were on our way to a Silverwood Teen Arts Council meeting. I was surprised and was so proud. It was a full-circle moment. As I’ve said before, I’m very proud of the impact I’ve been able to make, and it feels amazing to be recognized for this.

Q. What is something you are most proud of?

A. I’m very proud of the impact I’ve had on my community, especially when it comes to the campers at Tamarack Nature Center. I felt like I was able to

help. Very small, positive experiences with campers can have such a huge impact. There were several times where I was able to uplift campers through playing games, like I-Spy. I think that having a positive role model who shows genuine interest in activities, is vital for kids. I’m proud to say that I think I was successful in this.

Q. What was your first volunteer experience in Shoreview?

A. In the fall of 2022, I learned about the Silverwood Teen Arts Council. Immediately after learning about it, I knew it was something I needed to do. It combined all of my interests,

art, nature education … What more could I want! I’ve met so many talented, wonderful people through the Silverwood Teen Arts Council. It’s an amazing group of kids, and our teen events are always a highlight. We work together to throw giant get-togethers with our peers and get to showcase unique forms of art while also teaching them about our environment. The fun that I have at Silverwood inspired me to volunteer more. My mom found a Junior Assistant Naturalist position at Tamarack Nature Center and much like the Silverwood Teen Arts Council, I was drawn to it.

Q. What drives you to volunteer?

A. When I was younger, I always looked up to the volunteers and counselors at camps and events that I went to. I never realized that I would be able to be one of them until I joined the Silverwood Teen Arts Council. I realized that everyone carries the powering of having a positive impact on their community. This drives me to volunteer. I know that I can be that “role model” figure, but also helpful. Volunteering is rewarding in this way.

Compiled by Madeline Dolby

The Caring Youth Award was created by the Shoreview Human Rights Commission.

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED Shoreview Mayor Sue Denkinger presents Zoe Buzan with her Caring Youth Award.

Zoe Buzan has volunteered at the Tamarack Nature Center as a junior naturalist assistant and is on the Silverwood Teen Arts Council.

Finance director, council member recognized for their service

MADELINE DOLBY EDITOR

At the most recent Shoreview City Council meeting, Mayor Sue Denkinger and council members recognized Fred Espe, the city’s finance director, and Emy Johnson, council member, for their service and contributions to the community.

Espe will retire at the end of this year. Johnson has served on the City Council for three terms. Her term expires on Dec. 31, 2024. She did not seek reelection.

Fred Espe

Espe has been the city’s finance director since February 2014. He began working for the city in 1998 as the assistant finance director. He will retire at the end of this year.

During his time as finance director, he was helped create financial plans and documents such as the biannual budget, five-year operating plan, capital improvement plan, compressive infrastructure plan and the community benchmark booklet to help guide the city’s financial decision-making and provide transparency to Shoreview residents.

“Espe has managed the city’s debt issuances in a careful way, resulting in significant savings in overall debt costs and guided the investments of the city, ensuring the best possible returns,” said Mayor Denkinger. “And the exceptional financial management has resulted in the city maintaining its Triple A bond rating, which reduces the costs associated with issuing debt.”

He also helped guide the city through the COVID-19 pandemic by implementing strategies to help mitigate revenue loses.

“Espe has been a strong mentor to the finance team,” Denkinger added.

Espe thanked the council, and previous councils, for allowing him to serve the residents of Shoreview.

“Shoreview is an amazing community, and I’ve been very fortunate to have been allowed to work here, so thank you,” Espe concluded.

Emy Johnson Johnson has lived in Shoreview for 25 years. She has served the city for over 12 years on various boards such

as the Lake Johanna Fire Department Relief Association, Northeast Family and Youth Services, the Shoreview Community Foundation, the Upper Midwest Community Policing Institute and more.

“Johnson has served the city with great leadership, ethics and integrity along with a commitment to make the community better for current, and future, residents,” said Denkinger.

Former Shoreview Mayor Sandy Martin also spoke about Johnson’s service.

“It was an honor and a privilege to serve with Emy on the council from 2012 till my retirement in 2022,”

Martin said. “We shared a decade of working together for the good of our community. This represents more than 1,000 meetings. Emy understood that local government is where projects affect our friends and neighbors, and she was always mindful of the impact on neighborhoods, and she encouraged reconciliation when tough issues had to be made.”

She added that Johnson brought her leadership skills to every initiative and her commonsense approach was critical during evaluation.

“Shoreview was fortunate that Emy Johnson stepped up to run for election in 2012 and was willing to serve three terms as a city council member,” said Martin. “We have all benefitted from her leadership. On behalf of the residents of this great community, I want to say ‘Thank you, Emy. Job well done.’”

“It’s been an honor to be a leader in this community,” said Johnson. “It’s been an honor to work next to really, really talented people.”

Johnson thanked her family, Shoreview residents and neighbors, city staff and the council.

“We will greatly miss both of these individuals,” Mayor Denkinger concluded.

Madeline Dolby is editor of the Shoreview Press. She can be reached at 651-431-1226 or shoreviewnews@ presspubs.com.

Paul, Roseville, Arden Hills, Shoreview, North Oaks, New Brighton, Little Canada, and surrounding areas with dedication and passion. Our commitment to automotive care excellence has made Brausen Repair the hallmark of quality in the area, and we couldn’t be more proud!

New year safety

As we slide into the new year, it’s important to prepare for cold weather situations while driving. We have all heard about the winter safety kit that should be kept in the vehicle and include a blanket/sleeping bag, water, snacks, flashlight, matches, jumper cables, first aid kit, ice scraper, etc. These items could come in handy not only in the case of a breakdown, but also in case of an accident where you may not be able to wait inside the vehicle after calling for help.

Publisher’s View

We also need to be especially careful in non-driving situations this winter. Kids should be dressed properly as they walk to and from school or the bus stop. With regard to ice safety, the DNR puts together general thickness guidelines, although they are clear in saying that ice is never safe. We see anglers out on the ice now with a variety of methods to check the ice thickness. If cutting ice blocks to spearfish, push the block under the ice, don’t leave it sitting on top of the ice and risk a snowmobile, vehicle or ice boat could crash into it. Ice boaters, snowmobilers, UTV's and skaters need to watch out for anglers using tip ups ice fishing rigs. If you are out on the lake, keep clear of fisherman and lets all do our part to keep the lake clean and free of trash. When you let your pets out in the winter, set a timer. Small pets can get frostbite quickly, so setting a timer can help remind you so you don’t find your friend frozen to the step in the morning. Have dogs wear boots if they are taking a long walk in freezing temps or walking on the ice. Dog boots can protect from harmful ice melting chemicals too.

Efficiency in home heating shouldn't be overlooked. This summer I reglazed some of the old windows on our home. Glazing seals the glass to the wood. Many of our windows are more than 100 years old, but are still solid when maintained properly. With two dogs we have had some damage to our doors because they scratch when they want to come inside. I ordered a new door seal from a Minnesota based window manufacturer and was surprised at how easy it was to install. I picked up some new gaskets to go around three of our doors when they were on sale. A local door company recommended adjusting the sill plate to make sure there’s a tight gap at the bottom so it doesn't let in cold air.

Being in an old house, I also had to adjust the water pressure in our hot water radiant heat system. It’s a good time to have furnaces and water heaters checked and filters changed. Be sure to have a carbon monoxide detector in your house. I added one to our garage last year and found it to be annoying when I would do projects from soldering, cutting or starting a chain saw or leaf blower, as they’re extremely sensitive, but important and could be life-saving. If you’re a wood burner, make sure you have your chimney cleaned and inspected. Indoor wood fireplaces have limits and can be damaged with improper use. My brother-in-law taught us a tip of using a permanent marker to write on batteries when you change out smoke detectors, and we do this now on most items. Remember to change the batteries on your digital thermostats too. Our thermostat went out at the Press a couple years ago, which turned into a pretty expensive service call that only required changing out two AA batteries. Write the date on furnace filters and put a reminder in your calendar when they should be changed. In the new year set a goal of calling or checking in on your neighbor who might need a hand. Stopping by to say ‘hello,’ helping with shoveling or carrying in groceries can be a way to be the neighbor we all need sometimes. It can be special for a neighbor to have someone nearby that cares enough to connect with them during these winter months.

Carter Johnson is publisher of Press Publications.

New beginnings, get involved in the community

S& Shakers

itting here watching the swirling snow, I’m reminded of the flurry of emotions we all often experience this time of year swirling in our minds. Hope and excitement, regret and despair; joy and gratitude, fear and anxiety. It’s normal to have a mix of feelings as we end the year and prepare for new beginnings. I remember receiving some advice, a long time ago, that it is healthy to do some ‘housecleaning’ of our thoughts to start the year fresh! That means decluttering our minds as we would our possessions. Sorting out what should be kept and what should be tossed applies to all those memories. Keep those that give you joy and release those that cause you angst. Take control and exercise the practice just like a muscle!

Speaking of new beginnings, is one of your New Year’s resolutions to become more

involved with your community? Or perhaps, find some service opportunities? Meet new neighbors? If so, the Lions would love to invite you to join their activities that would meet all those goals! Our next event is on Martin Luther King Day, Monday, January 20, 2025. We will be holding a morning of service at the Shoreview Community Center from 9:00 a.m. to noon. All are invited and everyone can choose from a variety of projects such as blanket tying, dog and cat toy making, letter writing and more! Snacks and drinks are provided. This is a great opportunity to start the year with giving back to others. Being kind not only benefits yourself and those around you, but helps you live longer as well! According to research from UC Berkeley, people 55 and older who volunteer for two or more organizations are 44% less likely to die early!

• 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

One of our newest Lion members, Dr. Kyle Sorenson, has a long history of service starting with the National Honor Society in high school! Dr. Sorenson contacted our Lions group with the desire to learn more about how he could become involved in the community where he recently opened his practice, Chiroway Chiropractic. Dr.

Sorenson’s philosophy is to “specialize in proactive wellness and family care by offering a simple, affordable approach to chiropractic care.” One of the unique concepts of his clinic is that no appointments are necessary! That type of flexibility allows for efficient visits that fit your busy schedule. Chiroway also offers youth memberships. Dr. Sorenson would love to work with you or your whole family to support your lifestyle, enhance your well-being, and promote strength and balance for whatever life brings your way! Please visit his website, www. chiroway.com to learn more about how you can live a more vibrant, viable and vitality-filled life. Chiroway Chiropractic is located at 3673 Lexington Ave. N., Arden Hills. Whether your New Year’s resolutions include improvements in your physical health, emotional health, spiritual health or financial health, there are numerous support systems and businesses right in your neighborhood to get you off to a great start in 2025! Happy New Year!

Jodi Laliberte is the president of the Shoreview Arden Hills Lions Club. Movers

SHOREVIEW PRESS | LETTER GUIDELINES

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.

• 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.

Carter Johnson

COUNTY BRIEFS

Ramsey County names new director of Workforce Solutions

Ramsey County has named Catrice O’Neal as the director of Ramsey County Workforce Solutions and the executive director of the Workforce Innovation Board.

Previously, O’Neal worked for the city of Brooklyn Park.

“I am truly excited about the

CITY BRIEF

opportunity to join the Workforce Solutions team to continue making a meaningful impact on our local workforce,” said O’Neal.

“I am particularly energized to continue fostering new and existing partnerships and work toward building a more inclusive and equitable workforce across Ramsey County.”

She will begin working for the county on Jan. 6.

Public feedback sought on updated Americans with Disabilities Act

Transition Plan

Ramsey County is seeking public feedback as it works on an updated Americans with

Mounds View works to restore statue

The city of Mounds View is working towards restoring the mermaid statue that was previously located at the Mermaid Entertainment and Event Center, 2200 Mounds View Blvd. The statue was removed from the rooftop of the entertainment center in 2018 due to concerns that it was sinking into the roof.

POLITICAL BRIEF

House District Seat 40B vacant after trial

The seat for House District 40B is now vacant after a decision was made in the Wikstrom v. Johnson case that was filed in Ramsey County District Court in November. Republican candidate Paul Wikstrom sued race winner Curtis Johnson (DFL) after he claimed Johnson lived outside the district.

House District 40B is compromised of the cities of

Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan for pedestrian facilities within its public right-of-way. The plan outlines how public works will make all relevant assets ADA-compliant, including timelines and funding sources. These assets include curb ramps, crosswalks, sidewalks and traffic control signals. Any and all submitted public feedback will be incorporated into the plan presented to the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners in early 2025. Those interested in submitting their thoughts can do so through an online survey at www.cityofvadnaisheights.com or by phone at 651-286-8472. Questions can be directed via email to PublicWorksADA@ramseycounty. us.

The mermaid will be restored and placed near its original location. It will cost around $30,000 to repaint, repair and restore the statue. It should be ready by next spring or early summer.

Mounds View will designate the statue as a historic landmark.

Shoreview and Roseville. The entirety of House District 40B is located within Ramsey County. The state Constitution’s eligibility requirements that that legislative candidates must live in their district for six months before an election.

In the Roseville area, Wikstrom claimed in the lawsuit that Johnson did not live in the studio apartment listed on his paperwork. Wikstrom formed an investigation team that used

• The council authorized the execution of a tax increment financing (TIF) development agreement and approved the first amendment of the purchase agreement for the Rice Street Crossing Redevelopment Project proposed by Enclave Companies. A TIF is a public financing tool that uses future real estate tax gains to fund public infrastructure projects. Over the past two years, the city of Shoreview has been working closely with Enclave Companies on the redevelopment of the city-owned 11-acre property generally located at 3377 Rice Street. The development plan includes approximately 293 apartments, eight live/work units and retail/restaurant space. A housing tax increment district has been established to financially assist with the project’s costs to clean up the brownfield site and support affordable housing for 59 apartment units. These units will be available to people at 50% of the area median income. The construction value of the building is estimated at $65 million. The developer would receive $9.8 million in assistant through a “pay-asyou-go” TIF for eligible reimbursement costs, including land costs, demolition, site cleanup, affordable housing rent loss and more.

• The council approved the partnership agreement with Northeast Youth and Family Services (NYFS) for 2025. NYFS has required all of its partner cities to approve the agreement that outlines the services and obligations that are provided by NYFS as well as the financial obligations of the cities. For more than 40 years, the city has partnered with the organization for promote mental health counseling and other services to residents in the north metro.

• The city will enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Ramsey-Washington

videotape and other methods to determine where Johnson was residing. They concluded Johnson was residing at his home in Little Canada, outside the district.

Johnson, a Roseville school board member, defeated Wikstrom by more than 30 percentage points.

There are several procedural options available for Johnson, including an appeal to the Supreme Court.

Metro Watershed District for the 2025 stormwater treatment pond maintenance project after council approval. The ponds selected this year are within the Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District. The watershed district has offered to complete the required maintenance activities as part of its contract. Based on the priority list and available funding, one pond located north of the Harbor Lane cul-de-sac and others located northwest of Highway 96 and Hodgson Road will undergo maintenance. Shoreview’s estimated share of the cost is anticipated at $80,000. The project is financed by the surface water management fund.

• City staff will now order the taking of bids for the City Hall and parks and recreation office remodel project following council approval. The adopted capital improvement program includes the project. The project’s estimated cost, including construction and finishes, is $1.6 million. It will be funded through a general obligation bond. The bid opening is scheduled for Jan. 23. The project will likely be awarded at the Feb. 3 City Council meeting and construction will begin soon after in the parks and recreation offices.

• The council adopted the 2025 tax levy. The total city levy will increase by $1,046,881, or 6.53%, from 2024. The Housing and Redevelopment Association (HRA) levy is increasing by $15,000 for a total increase of 4.84%. The median-value home in Shoreview is $421,800. The city property tax on a median-value home will be $1,336.

The next Shoreview City Council meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6, in council chambers.

Madeline Dolby

- CREATE YOUR LEGACY BUILD THE FOUNDATION

BUILD THE FOUNDATION

- CREATE YOUR LEGACY

- CREATE YOUR LEGACY BUILD THE FOUNDATION

BUILD THE FOUNDATION - CREATE YOUR LEGACY

IRA Charitable Distribution

Carbones

Building a Better Community through Charitable Giving

IRA Charitable Distribution

Building a Better Community through Charitable Giving

Make a tax-free gift to the Shoreview Community Foundation from an IRA in 2019

By connecting the generosity of people with the evolving needs of Shoreview, the Shoreview Community

Make a tax-free gift to the Shoreview Community Foundation from an IRA in 2019

Details:

Individuals who are age 701/2 or older can make gifts of up to $100,000 directly from their IRA to one or more qualiﬁed charities, without paying federal income tax of the withdrawal. This option provides tax savings to donors even if they do not itemize deductions.

By connecting the generosity of people with the evolving needs of Shoreview, the Shoreview Community Foundation enriches our quality of life. The Foundation provides grants according to predetermined guidelines to non-proﬁt organizations or units of governmental from its permanent endowment fund.

• Donors must be age 701/2 or older at the time the gift is made.

There are many options for making undesignated or designated, tax deductible gifts or bequests by will or trust. BUILD THE FOUNDATION - CREATE YOUR LEGACY - CREATE YOUR LEGACY BUILD THE FOUNDATION

• Gifts cannot be used to fund a gift annuity or charitable remainder trust.

• The funds must be transferred directly to a qualiﬁ charity. It is important not to withdraw the funds before making a gift.

• The funds must be transferred directly to a qualiﬁed public charity. It is important not to withdraw the funds before making a gift.

• Each donor may give up to $100,000 per year.

• Gifts can be used to satisfy the donor’s required minimum distribution.

There are many options for making undesignated or designated, tax deduct-

There are many options for making undesignated or designated, tax deductible gifts or bequests by will or trust.

• Donors can exclude the distribution from income on their federal tax returns. If they do, they will not receive a charitable income tax reduction.

• To qualify for tax-free treatment, donors cannot receive goods or services, or a personal beneﬁt (such as tickets for events) in return for the IRA charitable distribution.

Contact the Shoreview Community Foundation at: www.shoreviewcommunityfoundation.org

Happy Holidays from the Shoreview Community Foundation Board! The SCF seeks to maintain, enhance and enrich the quality of life in Shoreview by connecting the generosity of people who appreciate Shoreview with the evolving needs of the community

The Shoreview Community Foundation does not give tax or legal advice. We recommend that donors consult their own professional tax advisor before making a gift.

For further information visit: www.shoreviewcomunityfoundation.org Facebook.com/theshoreviewcommunityfoundation

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Catrice O’Neal

COPS&COURTS

RAMSEY COUNTY SHERIFF REPORTS

The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office reported the following selected incidents in Shoreview:

• Suspicious people reported for trespassing on a construction site in the 500 block of Highway 96 at 9:13 p.m. Nov. 24 and being up to no good turned out to be a group of seven teenagers, 16-19, doing some urban adventure exploring. After Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office deputies spoke to the teens, they agreed to leave the area.

• A Maple Grove man, 22, was arrested for assaulting a woman during an argument at 12:25 a.m. Nov. 25 in the 3500 block of Owasso Street.

• Deputies recovered clothing and suspected drugs from a hotel room in the 5900 block of Rice Creek Parkway after the guest checked out on Nov. 25. The property was collected and logged into evidence.

• Deputies responded to a report of shoplifting at the Target store in the 3800 block of Lexington Avenue N. on Nov. 26, by several people

suspected of being involved in an organized theft operation.

• A Jordan woman, 34, was arrested on several warrants Nov. 26 at the Shoreview Target after she was caught stealing Apple TV products. This known shoplifter observed concealing items has been charged.

• Two kayaks were reported abandoned on private property near the shores of Snail Lake in the 4300 block of Snail Lake Blvd. on Nov. 27 and recovered by deputies.

• A man was reported at 10:22 a.m. Nov. 27 for using Ramsey County public resources to disseminate antisemitic material in the 4500 block of Victoria Street N. The man was refusing to leave the property from which he’d been trespassed but managed to be gone when deputies arrived.

• Management of an apartment complex in the 4000 block of Chatsworth Street N. reported an unwanted party hiding in the electrical room on Nov. 27. The suspect held the door to the room shut, then raced away down the

hallway when the building manager was finally able to push his way into the room. The suspect was not located afterward. He had caused damage to the building door to gain entry to the building.

• A Maple Grove man, 39, was cited at the intersection of I-694 and Lexington Avenue N. for speeding on Nov. 27. A Shoreview youth, 16 was also cited that day for speeding in the 5100 block of Lexington Avenue N. A Minneapolis woman, 22, was cited that day for speeding in the 5200 block of Lexington Avenue N. A Circle Pines man, 37, was cited for speeding in the 5500 block of Lexington Avenue N.

• The Shoreview Target reported another shoplifter Nov. 27. Deputies arriving on scene gathered evidence and began an investigation.

• A Stillwater youth, 17, was cited at 12:43 a.m. Nov. 28 for speeding in the 5200 block of Lexington Avenue N.

• Deputies recovered a vehicle stolen out of Brooklyn Park in the 3800 block of Lexington Avenue N. at 5:04 a.m. Nov. 28.

• A Minneapolis man, 40, was cited Nov. 29 in the 3800 block of Lexington Avenue N. for driving on a public roadway with expired motor vehicle registration.

• A St. Paul woman, 19, was cited Nov. 30 at the intersection of I-694 and Lexington Avenue N. for driving without a valid driver’s license.

• A Shoreview woman, 26, was cited at 10:02 p.m. Nov. 30 at the intersection of Owasso Street and Victoria Street N. for driving with a nonfunctioning headlight.

• The owner of a 2021 Dodge RAM pickup truck on Dec. 1 reported that someone had drilled a hole into the gas tank and had drained it of gasoline.

• A Lino Lakes woman on Dec. 2 reported that someone had tampered with her 2017 Honda Civic and had damaged the license plate and registration tabs while it was parked in the 5900 block of Rice Creek Parkway.

Loretta Harding

Slice of Shoreview Committee welcomes questions at informational meeting

Those interested in joining the Slice of Shoreview Committee have the opportunity to learn more about the committee from 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, at the Shoreview Community Center.

At the Slice of Shoreview Committee Event, current and past committee members will be there to provide information about volunteer opportunities at next year’s Slice of Shoreview, answer questions and share their experiences about their time on the committee.

According to Stephanie Schutta, recreation program advisor for Shoreview, volunteer opportunities include involvement in the parade, food, family activi ties and entertainment.

The Slice of Shoreview Committee is made up of 12 volunteers. This year, the committee is looking for four to five new volunteers to help plan the Slice of Shoreview celebration that takes place in July at Island Lake Park.

Jacci Krebsbach, Slice of Shoreview Committee chairperson, included that non-Shoreview residents can also apply to be a part of the committee. There will be light refreshments and food served at the event. For more information, email sliceofshoreview@gmail.com or go to sliceofshoreview.com.

Madeline Dolby

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Community Press/The Citizen: Tommy Chandler (605) 290-9131

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CITY OF SHOREVIEW

ORDINANCE NO. 1042

AN ORDINANCE REPLACING EXHIBIT C

THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SHOREVIEW ORDAINS:

Pursuant to Minnesota Law and the Shoreview Municipal Code, an updated fee schedule for Exhibit C, Building Permits and Fees is hereby adopted.

Fee Schedule:

a) The Code of the City of Shoreview establishes that certain rates and fees be set from time to time by the Shoreview City Council.

b) City staff has reviewed the Exhibit C fee schedule and is hereby recommending adjustments to permit fees and refunds, along with reformatting of the entire exhibit be adopted, replacing the existing Exhibit C of the Municipal Code.

c) Upon consideration and review of the Shoreview City Council, the reformatted Exhibit C, hereto attached, for replacement of the existing Exhibit C of the Municipal Code, is hereby adopted.

Adoption Date: Passed by the City Council of the City of Shoreview on the 18th day of November, 2024.

Effective Date: This ordinance shall become effective the day following its publication in the city’s official newspaper.

Publication Date: Published on the 31st day of December, 2024.

Sue Denkinger, Mayor

Attest: Brad Martens, City Manager

EXHIBIT C

BUILDING PERMITS AND FEES CITY OF SHOREVIEW, MN Adopted Nov 18, 2024

Building Permits – Valuation Based

Valuation Fee

$1.00 to $2,000.00

$2,001.00 to $25,000.00

$25,001.00 to $50,000.00

$50,001.00 to $100,000.00

$100,001.00 to $500,000.00

$500,001.00 to $1,000,000.00

$1,000,00.01 and up

Residential Mechanical Permits

$80.00

$80.00 for the first $2,000.00 plus $16.55 for each additional $1,000.00, or fraction thereof, to and including $25,000.00

$464.15 for the first $25,000.00 plus $12.00 for each additional $1,000.00, or fraction thereof, to and including

$50,000.00

$764.15 for the first $50,000.00 plus $8.45 for each additional $1,000.00, or fraction thereof, to and including $100,000.00

$1,186.65 for the first $100,000.00 plus $6.75 for each additional $1,000.00, or fraction thereof, to and including $500,000.0

$3,886.65 for the first $500,000.00 plus $5.50 for each additional $1,000.00, or fraction thereof, to and including $1,000,000.00

$6,636.65 for the first $1,000,000.00 plus $4.50 for each additional $1,000.00, or fraction thereof.

Oil or gas appliances, heating, air conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation systems

Base Permit

Each Item installed or replaced.

Commercial Mechanical

Residential Plumbing

Base Permit

Each fixture installed or replaced

Commercial Plumbing

Demolition of Buildings

Plan Review Fee

$65.00

$15.00

1.5% of the total market value of the installation, minimum $80 fee.

$65.00

$15.00

1.5% of the total market value of the installation, minimum $80 fee.

$80.00

65% of Building Permit Fee – except for residential projects requiring plan review that do not exceed $15,000 in valuation

Re-inspection or Missed Inspection Fee

License Verification Fees

Building Contractors required to be

licensed with the State of Minnesota

Verification of licenses in City Code

Section 10-166 (a)

1,001 to 10,000 cubic yards

$75.00 per trip

$5.00

$23.50

$37.00

$37.00 for the first 100 cubic yards plus $17.50 for each additional 100 cubic yards or fraction thereof

$194.50 for the first 1,000 cubic yards plus $14.50 for each additional 1000 cubic yards or fraction thereof 10,001 -100,000 cubic yards

$325.00 for the first 10,000 cubic yards plus $66.00 for each additional 10,000 cubic yards or fraction thereof

Circuits, installation of additions, alterations, or repairs of each circuit or sub-feeder shall be computed separately, including circuits fed from sub-feeders and including the equipment served, except as provided in the next section.

0 to and including 100 amp capacity $9.00 per feeder/circuit

Each Additional 100 ampere capacity or fraction thereof $16.00 per feeder/circuit

The following sections do not have circuits, installations of additions, alterations, or repairs of circuits or sub-feeders charged separately except as provided

Maximum fee for single-family dwellings, duplex, and townhouse with or without separate services

Shall not exceed $200.00 if not over 200-ampere capacity (No max if service is over 200 Amps). This includes service, feeders, circuits, fixtures and equipment. The maximum fee provides for not more than 2 rough-ins and 1 final inspection. Additional inspections are at the reinspection rate.

Maximum fee on an apartment building $90.00 per dwelling unit. This does not include the service, unit feeders or house panels.

In addition to the above fees:

Each street lighting standard $5.00

Each traffic signal standard $8.00

In addition to the above fees all transformers generators and energy storage systems shall be computed: up to 10KVA $5.00

11KVA to74KVA $40.00

75KVA to 299KVA $60.00 over 299KVA $165.00

In addition to the above fees, all transformers and drivers for signs $9.00 each

In addition to the above fees, lighting retrofits, low voltage fire alarm, low voltage heating and air conditioning control wiring

In addition to the above fees, the inspection fee for inspection of a swimming pool and hot tub shall

$0.85 cents per opening or device of each system

$100.00 plus circuits at $9.00/each This includes 2 inspections.

When re-inspection is necessary to determine whether unsafe conditions have been corrected $50.00 fee will be assessed in writing by the inspector

For inspections not covered herein, or for requested special inspections or services

$80.00 per man hour

For inspection of transient projects, including but not limited to, carnivals and circuses, the inspection fees shall be computed as follows:

Power supply units according to the transformer fee schedule.

A like fee will be required on power supply units at each engagement during the season, plus a fee of $90 per hour.

Rides, Devices or Concessions: Shall be inspected at their first appearance of the season and the inspection fee shall be $45.00 per unit.

Work starts before permit issued Fee is doubled.

Solar Fees:

0kw to 5kw $90

5.1kw to 10kw $150

10.1kw to 20kw $225

20.1kw to 30kw $300

30.1kw to 40kw $375

40.1KW and larger $375 plus $25 for each additional 10kw

Refunds must be requested in writing. No refunds on minimum fee permits, expired permits or state surcharge fee. Refunds are minus the city handling fee of 20%.

Electronic inspection for select items pre-approved by electrical inspector $40.00

Commercial Electrical Permit Fees

A $50.00 per trip or the fees below, whichever is greater.

Valuation Fee

$1 to $1,000

$1,001-$2,000

$2,001 - $25,000

$25,001 - $50,000

$50,001 to $100,000

$100,001 - $500,000

$500,001 - $1,000,000

$50.00 per trip

$50.00 for the first $1,000 plus $3.25 for each additional $100 or fraction thereof, to and including $2,000

$82.00 for the first $2,000 plus $14.85 for each additional

$1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including $25,000

$423.55 for the first $25,000 plus $10.70 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including

$50,000

$691.05 for the first $50,000 plus $7.45 for each additional

$1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including $100,000

$1,063.55 for the first $100,000 plus $6.00 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including $500,000

$3,463.55 for the first $500,000 plus $5.10 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including

100,001 cubic yards or more

$919.00 for the first 100,000 cubic yards plus $36.50 for each additional 10,000 cubic yards or fraction thereof Driveways / Sidewalks / Patios

$49.00 Fences

$49.00

Refunds

Refund request must be in writing and will only go to the payee.

No refunds if:

● 180 days from the issue date

● An inspection has been done

Base/Minimum Fee will not be refunded.

License check fee will not be refunded.

Plan review fees will not be refunded.

Residential Electric Permit Fees

Minimum fee for each separate inspection of an installation, replacement, alteration or repair is limited to one inspection only

$50.00

New service or power supply: Services, changes of service, temporary services, additions, alterations or repairs.

Replace a service panel in

$1,000,000

$1,000,001 and greater

Re-inspection Fee

$6,013.55 for the first $1,000,000 plus $4.00 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof

$50.00

Investigative / Work without permit Fee is doubled

Refunds issued only for permits over $100.00

Published one time in the Shoreview Press on December 31, 2024.

CITY OF SHOREVIEW ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

SHOREVIEW CITY HALL AND PARKS AND RECREATION OFFICE REMODEL PROJECT

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that sealed bids for the city hall and parks and recreation office remodel project shall be received electronically through www.questcdn.com until 2 pm on January 23, 2025 local time. All bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at that time at Shoreview City Hall, 4600 Victoria Street North, Shoreview, MN 55126. Those interested in viewing the bid opening online are welcome to join the meeting by logging on to https://app.zoom.us/wc/ join or calling 312-626-6799 and entering meeting ID 852 5509 5609 and passcode 035828. The as-read online bid results will be available at www.questcdn.com following the bid opening. Bids received after this time will not be accepted. The city reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive informalities in bidding and to accept the bid most advantageous to the city. A pre-bid conference will be held at city hall on January 9, 2025 at 1:30 PM local time. Attendance is recommended for all general contract bidders. Subcontract bidders may also attend. A walkthrough of the project area will be conducted following the pre-bid conference. The provisions of MINN. STAT. 16C.285 Responsible Contractor are imposed as a requirement of this contract. All bidders and persons or companies providing a response/submission to the advertisement for bids of the City of Shoreview shall comply with the provisions of the statute.

Bidding documents can be viewed at www.questcdn.com and may be downloaded from the website for a fee of $22 by inputting Quest project #9468767 on the website’s project search page. 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. For assistance and free membership registration, contact QuestCDN at 952-233-1632 or www.questcdn.com . It is expected that the City of Shoreview will consider the bids at their council meeting on February 3, 2025. By Order of the City Council Brad Martens, City Manager, City of Shoreview, Minnesota Published one time in the Shoreview Press on December 31, 2024.

JANUARY

Year in Review 2024

Shoreview/Arden Hills Rotary Club sponsors students for Camp Enterprise

The Rotary Club of Shoreview-Arden Hills provides four scholarships for one junior and three senior students from Mounds View High School to attend Camp Enterprise. This threeday camp is designed to introduce high school students to the free enterprise system and encourages entrepreneurship. This year, Chris De La Torre, Nicholas Thao, Thankishka Shetty and Yohans Yemane attended the camp. “It’s a great opportunity to improve your confidence with networking and public speaking.

FEBRUARY

Year in Review 2024

Environmental Quality Committee encourages green thumbs in Shoreview

Since 2009, the Shoreview Environmental Quality Committee has encouraged residents of Shoreview through its Speaker Series to learn more about how they can take action to help the environment. “The speaker series is a way to share information on a variety of relevant topics with an emphasis on actions that residents can take themselves,” said Krista Billerbeck, the natural resources coordinator in Shoreview. Presentations includes topics such as recycling, climate change, carp in urban waters and lawn care.

Human Rights Commission poster winners

receive recognition

Every year, the Shoreview Human Rights Commission sponsors a poster contest titled “One Community of Many Colors.” The art contest is for fourth graders in Mounds View Area School District in honor of Martin

MARCH

Year in Review 2024

Not only does Camp Enterprise offer these amazing opportunities, but it also made us aware of our strengths and weaknesses,” Thao said about his experience.

Students bring Shakespeare classic to life on Mounds View High School stage

As has been a tradition for years at the high school, the annual Shakespeare performance is a student-

Luther King Jr. Day. This year was the 31st year of the poster competition. The third-place winner was Pranjali Verma from Island Lake School. Receiving second place was Penny Lindberg of Emmet D. Williams. First place went to Bailey Hanson from Turtle Lake School.

Mustang freshman comes out victorious at state

Linnea Ousdigian, now a sophomore, went into the state Nordic meet as a conference and section champion and ranked fifth in the state. At the state meet, Ousidigian

Bobby Theisen Park, Commons building, plans see revisions

At the city council workshop, the design options for the new Bobby Theisen Park and Shoreview Commons buildings were revised. The Commons building design proposal includes updated bathrooms and two covered picnic areas off each side of the building. One side will include a countertop that can be used to sell concessions. The Bobby Theisen Park design proposal includes a meeting room for recreation programs and rentals. It will also serve as a warming house for the outdoor ice-skating season. The design plans also include a covered picnic area.

Quin Morgan, Brett Swenson become state champions

Mounds View senior Quin Morgan at 215 pounds and junior Brett Swenson at 114 pounds both took home state titles this season. Morgan closed out his season 53-0. Swenson finished his season with a record of 46-3. Overall, Morgan posted a 162-37 career record and signed with South Dakota State. Four teammates also medaled — juniors Ethan Swenson at 172 and Colton Loween at 160 both placed fifth, while sophomore Owen LaRose at 107 and senior Joey Muhlstein at 189 placed sixth — in

led production, presenting the Bard’s classics in a way you’ve never seen them before. “The Comedy of Errors: Masquerade” took the stage four times this year. The show was directed by student directors (from left) Hridi Ghosh, Ray Cook and Eva Manrodt. Mounds View matmen have remarkable season, multiple victories

The Mounds View wrestlers had a remarkable season. At the beginning of the season, the Mustangs were 20-0 in dual meets and ranked No. 1 in the Class 3A section for several weeks. The team won the two biggest

captured the individual title. She had a time of 14:55:3 in Classic and 12:48:6 in Freestyle for a total time of 27:43.8. “My goal was top seven — to get on the podium,” said the Mounds View freshman. “Then after I did well in the classic race, I thought maybe I could get second, but I didn’t want to get my hopes up too high.”

Local students launch their solution to less screen time

Four Mounds View High School students came together in hopes

the Class 3A individuals’ competition March 1-2 at the Xcel Energy Center.

The Easter bunny comes to McCullough Park

The Easter bunny made an appearance at McCullough Park this spring just in time for Easter at Shoreview’s annual egg hunt. “We have had the egg hunt for many years,” said Stephanie Schutta, a recreation program supervisor for

tournaments in Minnesota, the MatBoss MN Christmas tournament in Rochester and the Rumble on the Red in Fargo.

Shoreview adopts cannabis ordinance

In 2023, the Minnesota Legislature approved a new law related to the use and possession of cannabis. As of August 2023, adults that are 21 and older can possess, use and grow cannabis up to certain amounts in Minnesota. The Shoreview City Council approved an ordinance that defines public places where cannabis use will be regulated in Shoreview. Those public places include parks, beaches, parking lots and public trails. Exceptions to this are private residences, private properties not generally accessible to the public and the premises of an establishment or event that has a license to permit onsite consumption. The city has had a smoke-free park policy since 2004.

of helping people improve their mental health, lower screen time and strengthen in-person relationships with their card game, Relataspace. The Relataspace team consists of sophomores Lennox Tan, Isabella Shi and Sidharth Sharm, along with senior Sorelle Tan. The group is a part of the StartUp Club at Mounds View. Relataspace is an original card game designed to inspire connection and spark conversation by using real-life situation prompts that are easy for everyone to understand, relate to and bond over. Players choose how they would react to the situation and also guess what others would do in these situations. This format allows people to get to know each other better and have a good laugh over the fun scenarios.

Shoreview. “Our staff and volunteers hide the eggs or put them in the field.” They place up to 2,000 eggs around the park for participants to find.

Mounds Views Linnea Ousgian is a national champion

Ousgian went from winning the state nordic ski championship to earning two top-ten finishes and a national crown. She qualified for nationals in regional events during the high school season, competing with the Loppet Nordic Racing club. In Lake Placid, New York, Ousdigian placed first out of 75 entrants in the 5K Classic Mass Start race on Friday, March 15, in the U16 division at the XC Junior National Championships. She had a time of 14:42. She won by 12 seconds.

APRIL

Year in Review 2024

Shoreview hosts first ever Springfest to celebrate Earth Day

Shoreview hosted the first ever Springfest in honor of Earth Day at the Shoreview Community Center. Those who attended had the chance to visit ecology related vendors, enjoy activities for kids, watch live entertainment and the family puzzle competition. As well as having multiple vendors at the event, families could participate in the parking lot sale.

Robotics team heads to world championships

A robot named Ajay that was built in a North Oaks basement by a team of Mounds View High School students headed to the FIRST Robotics World Championships in Houston in April. The team was made up of Abby, Antonin, Ayana, Harry, Isaac, James, Saniyah and Sidharth. The group has been a team since 2021. Potential Energy took fourth place at the FTC state championship in mid-February, advancing to the

world championships. They hope that their success will inspire other young people to look into this unique extracurricular activity. “We want to tell everyone how awesome robotics is and encourage kids to look into it if they’re interested. They can email us and we can do a demo for them. We do demos at the schools and at the library,” Saniyah said.

The Cafesjian Art Trust announces new exhibit in light

of summer

The Cafesjian Art Trust (CAT) Museum announced their new exhibition “From Origins to

Mustang baseball has good showing early in the season

The Mounds View baseball had a good showing at the start of the season, holding first place in the Suburban East Conference with an 8-2 record. In conference play, the Mustangs (9-2 overall) beat Park 10-2 and 7-1, Cretin-Derham Hall (5-4), Irondale (5-4), East Ridge (10-4), Roseville Area (6-0), Woodbury (4-1) and Forest Lake (6-0). They lost twice to Stillwater, 9-3 and 8-6. In non-conference, they beat Rogers 8-0.

Dairy Queen employee continues to serve smiles and ice cream

Carol Levy works a variety of tasks at the Shoreview Dairy Queen. The Dairy Queen, located on Hodgson Road, has been open for 51 years. Levy has been working there for 50 of them. During that time, Levy has worked as a worker and a manager, and is currently a shift supervisor. She was manager from 1993 up until 2000. In 2009, she became a shift supervisor.

Horizons: The American Studio Glass Movement,” which surveyed studio glass from its beginnings in the 1960s through today, presenting a wide variety of works and themes throughout its history. There was 34 pieces featured in the exhibit, all from the museums collection. Unique works by American artists Harvey K. Littleton, Debora Moore, Therman Statom and Amber Cowan as well as Dale Chihuly, Mary Ann ‘Toots’ Zynsky, Flora Mace and Joey Kirkpatrick were part of the collection on display.

Incarnation Lutheran Church hopes to pack 600,000 meals

Incarnation Lutheran Church, located in Shoreview, hosted its 17th All Hands on Hope MobilePack event

Levy still works at the Dairy Queen three times a week, Monday through Wednesday. “I just came in here for a part-time job because I got laid off my other job,” said Levy, “and I just stayed. I never left because there are so many nice people here.”

Turtle

Lake

teacher becomes finalist for educational award

at the end of April. This event was in partnership with Feed My Starving Children (FMSC). The goal of this year’s event was to pack 614,304 meals to feed 1,683 children around the world for one year. Meals were packed onsite at the church and loaded into a semitrailer parked there throughout the weekend. Meals then traveled and were distributed to the FMSC partners located in 70 countries across the globe. “Our hope at Incarnation is that we can be co-creators of a better, more loving world. FMSC is one significant movement in that direction,” said Pastor Kai Nilsen, lead pastor at Incarnation.

about having a platform to advocate for schools and students,” said Morse. “So that was something that was very, very appealing to me, less so the title.” Mustangs capture state true-team track crown

It has been a while since Mounds View was the state true-team track champion. On May 17, the Mounds View boys track and field team captured the title by a comfortable margin of 98 points.

Union Gospel Mission site: Villas and beachfront a new possibility

Seventeen single-family villa lots and a controlled access beach lot were proposed to take over the former Union Gospel Mission site. Urban Works Architecture LLC, on behalf of Tycon Companies, proposed the development. The proposal also included eight riparian single-family lots for a total of 25 homes. The site was previously used for a variety of programs associated with the mission, including day camps for children, staff and corporate retreats, special events and other activities.

Concert in the Commons returns for the summer Shoreview residents got their lawn chairs, blankets and their favorite snacks ready—Concert in the Commons made a return this June. The popular community event returned to the Haffeman Pavilion. There were nine performances int

Michelle Morse, from Turtle Lake Elementary School, was named one of the eleven finalists for 2024 Minnesota Teacher of the Year. The Minnesota Teacher of the Year award has recognized excellence in teaching in Minnesota for the last 60 years. The program selects one teacher to represent the state’s thousands of educators. She has been teaching for the last 15 years. She was a fifth grade teacher for nine years before making the switch to fourth grade, which she has taught for six years and counting. “Ultimately, what I’ve learned is that being Teacher of the Year is really

“That’s our ninth one — but our first since 2007,” Coach Ross Fleming said about the program’s list of state true-team titles. “We’re in the hunt most of the time, but it’s been 17 years, a long time. People were surprised when I told them it had been that long.” The Mustangs’ best events were long jump with Amber Safi second, Ben Mugisa fourth and Colin Elliott sixth, and triple jump with Elliott first and Toni Torboh third. They also had Luke Van Ort winning the discus, and Ryan Wirrer eighth and Lincoln Maloney tenth in pole vault.

total and took place at 7 p.m. every Wednesday night beginning on June 12. The first performance will feature The Backyard Band, a Shoreview based cover band. Other performances included The Raptor Center, Mr. Norman, Dueling Pianos with Alyssa and Maxwell and Kidpower with Rachael.

Mustang track and field grab section title, multiple advance to state

Both Mounds View track and field teams found success at the Section 5AAA meet. The boys were able to grab the section title and send athletes

to state in 10 events. They were able to score 215.5 points. Colin Elliot won the triple jump with a jump of 45-9. Also advancing to state were athletes Godson Rufus-Okomhanru, Ethan Zhao, Sam Simone and Cooper Fellman in the 4x200. The girls took second as a team overall, with 155.5 points, and three athletes advanced to state. Kyra Marshall and Linnea Ousdigian were section champions for Mounds View. Marshall won the 100 hurdles in a time of 15.55 and placed third in the 300 hurdles. Ousdigian won the 1600 and 3200 with two personal bests.

Player of the Year sparks Mustangs to state finals

Just before Mounds View entered the state baseball tournament, their 6-foot7 standout Tyler Guerin was named Metro Player of the year by the Star-Tribune. Guerin blasted a base-loaded home run that sailed literally out of the ballpark to open an 8-0 lead against Minnetonka on the way to an 11-1 win in five innings. Mounds View (20-8) dueled conference rival East Ridge (207) in the Class 4A state championship game on Monday, June 17, at Target Field. “I forgot that the bases were loaded, and then I saw all the runners going around the bases, and I thought, I just hit a grand slam,” beamed Guerin. Surprisingly, it was his first homer of the season. “I’m good for about one year and that was a good time for it.” The Mustangs would finish second at state.

MADELINE DOLBY | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

JULY

Year in Review 2024

Mounds View is first city in Minnesota removing harmful covenants from deeds

The City of Mounds View moved towards requiring homeowners to remove racist language in property titles before selling their homes. At the city’s 2024 Juneteenth Celebration, Mayor Zach Lindstrom announced he and the Mounds View City Council were making plans to renounce the city’s restrictive covenants. Multiple Mounds View residents stepped forward in support of the ordinance and expressed their appreciation for the lengths taken by the Mayor, City Council and City staff. “When I learned that Mayor Lindstrom was proposing to remove the racist language from the land deeds in Mounds View, this affirmed in me that we have a mayor that not only love this community but is committed to making it better,” said resident Joyce Jones Strait.

AUGUST

Slice

of Shoreview

returns for another year to Island Lake Park

This year’s Slice of Shoreview welcomed the return of old favorites and new entertainment for visitors to enjoy. The carnival made a comeback this year. Attendees got to see new forms of entertainment; “Shrek the Musical” took the main stage. The performance was put on by the Education Theater Community group. In previous years, Gallery 96 hosted the “Chalk Art by You!” throughout the weekend on Carnival Lane. Due to a grant, Gallery 96 was able to hire Minnesota-based chalk artist

Shoreview adopts new energy action plan

The city of Shoreview began to follow a new Energy Action Plan after approval by city council. The plan was created by city staff and community representatives through the Partners in Energy program. The plan provides community-based actions and energy goals that offers opportunities to reduce fossil fuel use, save energy and money and increase renewable energy. The focus groups will be residents, businesses and municipal buildings. Partners in Energy is a two-year program through Xcel Energy. The program helps develop and implement an energy action plan for municipalities and creates community energy goals and strategies for achieving them. Shoreview has been in the program since 2023.

Tracy Pluim is from a small town in Southern Minnesota. His family moved to Shoreview from Coon Rapids in 2018. That following summer, Bees and Trees was created. Pluim

Mustang Cross Country teams strong at Griak, Metro meets

To start of their season, the Mounds View boys placed 12th of 44 teams overall, and sixth among Minnesota teams, in the huge Roy Griak Invitational hosted by the University of Minnesota on Friday at their golf course in Falcon Heights.The Mustangs competed in the top race, the Championship division, against strong teams from several states. There were also Gold and Maroon races. Leading the Mustangs were Casey Poppler in 37th place (16:51) and Owen Kalmes in 42nd (16:56). The Mounds View girls placed 13th of 45

Tara Aiken, who created a pond with jumping fish, cattails and more. Attendees were able to help by adding on a stream with a drawn in cross.

Shoreview Commons gardens dedicated to former Mayor Sandy Martin

The Shoreview Commons Garden and pond have been dedicated to former Shoreview mayor Sandy Martin. A lifelong resident of Shoreview, Martin served the community for over 50 years as a planning commissioner,

became interested in beekeeping after watching Youtube videos about it. He had found a guy in New Hampshire who recorded his process of starting with nothing and learning his way through. From there, Pluim bought a single beehive. Now, he has three hives that he collects honey from and sells it. Bees and Trees products can be purchased Churchill St. in Shoreview and at Olive Branch Oil & Spice Company located in White Bear Lake.

Festival in the Park: New additions and old return to Mounds View

View Festival in the Park made its return to City Hall and various locations throughout the community in August. New attractions included senior activities such as yoga, giant Jenga and a jigsaw puzzle. A bag toss tournament and a penny

teams, and fifth among Minnesota teams, with Linnea Ousidgian seventh overall, in the Roy Griak Invitational.

Culture in the Commons celebrates the Shoreview community

Residents celebrated the various cultures in Shoreview at Culture in the Commons in September. Attendees experienced an interactive afternoon of music, dance and singing. All performances took place at the Haffeman Pavilion at the Shoreview Community Center. The first concert celebrated Afoutayi. Later in the month, attendees experienced Haitan and Afro-Caribbean dance, music and storytelling.

councilmember, founds member of the Shoreview Community Foundation and the city’s longest serving mayor.

Shoreview native Lara Dallman-Weiss sets for second Olympic Games

Lara Dallman-Weiss, a Shoreview native and former Mounds View athlete, went to the Olympic Games for a second time. The 35-year-old Miami resident teamed up with Boston native Stu McNay, 42, in the new mixed twoperson dinghy 470 class. This was the first Olympics with a mixed gender sailing category. In 2020, DallmanWeiss teamed with Nikole Barnes of Florida; they placed 12th in two-person dinghy. At the Paris Olympics games, McNay and DallmanWeiss finished 13th overall.

carnival were added to the docket too. Old favorites returned, such as the parade, car show and the craft and vendor sale. Power of 10, which features dynamic vocalists, an awe-inspiring horn section and a superb rhythm section performing a mix of timeless and current hits and will take the stage on Saturday night.

Mustang soccer teams open season with wins

The boys’ soccer team opened their season with a 3-2 win over Rochester Lourdes. A pair of Ashton Compton goals in the second half helped Mounds View win. Compton’s goals in the second half were assisted by Ike Snider and Ali Ahmed. Mustang goalie Justin Suarez stopped five of seven shots on goal. The girls’ soccer team won their season opener with a 1-0 win over Champlin Park. Berklee Reelfs delivered the goal in the second half with Ida Wynn and Veronica Warren assisting. Mustang goalie Finja Poescher stopped eight shots in the shutout.

Shoreview resident baked thousands of cookies, brings joy

Sweet Cheeks Bake Shop, run by Shoreview resident Bonnie Matrious, brings cookies and joy to customers on a weekly basis. During the summer, Matrious goes to multiple farmers markets during the summer. She goes to the Champlin market on Tuesdays, Circle Pines and Lexington on Wednesdays, the Centerville market on Thursday and the Isanti farmers markets on Friday if she still has baked goods left. “It’s long nights, but it’s fun,” Matrious said. “I love to see people’s reactions to getting the cookies.” In the future, Matrious hopes to expand the business to a food truck or standalone bakery in Shoreview.

Shoreview residents, businesses, receive Green Community Awards

The Environmental Quality Committee announced the winners of this year’s Green Community Awards. The winners were recognized by Mayor Denkinger and the Shoreview City Council. Heather Vassilev converted the turfgrass on her property to native plants, benefitting water quality and wildlife. Tom Warner implemented numerous renewable-energy and energy-efficient projects on his property, such as installing solar panels, smart outlets and LED lighting, and converting vehicles and lawn equipment to electric.

Mounds

OCTOBER

A spooky trail and more at the Boo Bash

To celebrate Halloween, Shoreview hosted a family friendly event filled with spooky fun at the Boo Bash at McCullough Park. Those who attended put on their best costumes and enjoyed trick-or-treating along a spooky trail walk, enjoyed a hayride, music and a bonfire with build your own s’mores.

Shoreview City Council updates, enacts, new city code

In early October, the Shoreview City Council approved that a new city code be enacted. It had been 20 years since Shoreview has recodified its code. Major changes included updates to Chapters 2,

4, 10, 14, 20, 22, 26 and 107. The city hired Municode in early 2023 to undertake the project, which include conducting a thorough review of the code, organizing and indexing the code, recommending updates to outdated ordinances or inconsistencies and providing the city with an ordinance to adopt a new code. Language was updated to the various chapters along with clarifications to confusing language.

First USA women’s bobsled team reconnects after 30 years

Liz Parr, a Shoreview resident, was an original member of the first national U.S. Women’s Bobsledding team. On September 26, 1994, a group of nine women were officially named to the first-

ever United States women’s bobsled team. Parr was one of those women. “For me, it was great because I was with strong women again,” she explained. “And I really enjoyed being part of a team again, having been part of a team and an athlete all my life. So that part was great.” She added that some of her teammates are still friends today. Now the team will be able to tell their story in a documentary titled “Icebreakers.” The documentary will follow the group of athletes that made up the original team and showcase their journey leading up to the first U.S. Women’s Bobsled Push Championship.

Wahlstrand sisters win the state doubles tennis title for the first time

Chippewa Middle school student plays Cindy-Lou Who Chloe Hu, from Shoreview and eighth grader at Chippewa Middle School, played Cindy-Lou Who in the Children’s Theatre Company’s production of Dr. Seuss’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” The show incorporated music, dance, vivid and fun costumes and the traditional story of the Grinch realizing the true meaning of the holidays and community. Hu has been a part of the Children’s Theatre Company for two-and-a-half years. Her first show was in 2022, “Something Happened in Our Town,” where she was the understudy for Ling.

Local boy scout troop gets banding lesson from legend

On one recent weekend, 18 Scouts from BSA Troop 639, with Scouts from Shoreview, North Oaks and Vadnais Heights, held a “bird banding campout” in northern Minnesota. The experience was a first for all involved, and made possible by one Scout’s grandfather, master bander and White Bear Lake resident Frank Taylor. Taylor asked Scouts to help him again with measuring and banding

the birds at his sanctuary. When all the paperwork was done, Owen Tollefson picked the lucky number and was allowed to release it. “It was very cool,” recalled Tollefson, his face lighting up. “He taught me how to hold it and stuff. So, I had to hold it in my hand, and on the count of three I released it and it went straight back into the woods.”

Cafesjian Art Trust Museum creates first ever teen council

Six highschoolers from around the Twin Cities will spend the next eight months learning about museum work through the Cafesjian Art Trust (CAT) Museum Teen Council. This is the first year of the council’s existence. Staring in November, the group began to discuss what pieces from the museum’s collection would be featured in the council’s own exhibition. They also learned about the different career paths in museum work. The council’s

exhibition will be showcased in May in the museum’s Focus Gallery. Council members included Irondale students Alyssa Frazier and Rediat Tekabe, Claira Curwick from the Area Learning Center, Kiera Cottle from Centennial High School and Sophia Tranberry and Penelope Figueroa-Ray from Central High School in St. Paul.

Shoreview’s 2024 Citizen of the Year

Since 2007, the city of Shoreview has honored an outstanding volunteer citizen with the title of “Citizen of the Year.” The recipient who receives this title is elected by the members of the community. The winner of this award participates in organizations that benefit Shoreview and give back to the community. The 2024 winner of the Shoreview “Citizen of the Year” award is longtime Shoreview resident Carol Brown-Mills. She actively serves on the Shoreview Community Foundation Board as its secretary.

Holiday lights participant continues to spread holiday cheer despite injury

Kurt Thompson, of Shoreview, has put up thousands of lights between his current home in Shoreview and previous home in Maplewood. Last year, Thompson won second place in Press Publication’s Holiday Lights Contest. Thompson has lived in Shoreview with his wife, Lisa, for around 6 years. He has been putting up holiday lights since 1990. Thompson said he got into it after his sister gave him a mold of Santa Claus. For the past two years, he has been entering his home into the Holiday Lights Contest.

Mounds

View sophomore receives Caring Youth Award

Every year, the city of Shoreview has honored an outstanding volunteer youth citizen with the Caring Youth Award. The recipient who receives this award is elected by the members of the community. The winner of this award participates in organizations that benefit Shoreview and give back to the community. The 2024 winner of the Shoreview Caring Youth Award is Mounds View High School sophomore Zoe Buzan. Buzan has been volunteering since 2022. She is on the Silverwood Teen Arts Council and a junior assistant naturalist at the Tamarack Nature Center.

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

NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY

When: 5-8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 31

Where: Shoreview Community Center, 4580 Victoria St. N.

Details: Bring the whole family to ring in the new year at the community center. Registration required. Register through the Shoreview Parks and Recreation catalog till Dec. 31. Contact: 651-490-4700

LUNCH WITH A NATURALIST: OPOSSUMS

When: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8

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

Details: Free naturalist-led program for those 50+. May include trail hike. Registration not required; equipment provided. Contact: 763-324-3350

HISTORY CHATS WITH LINDA HOPKINS: FREE SPEECH IN AMERICA TODAY

When: 1-3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9

Where: Shoreview Community Center, 4580 Victoria St. N.

Details: Linda Hopkins is an author and speaker on constitutional law. She will talk about what is protected free speech in our country, what isn’t protected and what are the future controversies of free speech. Registration required. Sign up through the Shoreview Parks and Recreation catalog. Contact: 651-490-4700

andArts Culture

EMERGING ARTIST: YAHAIRA NOK-CHIDANA

BY LOGAN GION CONTRIBUTING WRITER

In sixth grade, Yahaira NokChidana played Violet Beauregard in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” a role played by a white actor in both movie versions. “A woman came up to me with her Black daughter,” NokChidana recalled, “and she goes, ‘… I just wanna thank you because she doesn't see people who look like her doing the things that you do.’” This past November, Nok-Chidana, now a senior, took center stage as Elle Woods in “Legally Blonde,” the role made famous by Reese Witherspoon. “I think that people don't really understand what a privilege it is to

be able to look in media or to look around you and see people who look like you,” Nok-Chidana stated. While she believes that people of color should also have new stories and original roles, Nok-Chidana acknowledges the situation is not that simple. “We are still ingrained in our past and we still carry it with us. So I think that being able to see a person of color play a traditionally white role—It’s a way for us to see how things can be or how things could have been.”

The role of Elle Woods was not simply given to Nok-Chidana, though. Since sixth grade, she has earned a spot in eight White Bear productions and two all-state choirs. Last year, she won the Hennepin Arts Spotlight Award for Best Supporting Actress in White Bear Lake Area High School’s “Little Shop of Horrors.” This summer, she was a finalist in the Minnesota State Fair’s Talent Show. Still, though Elle Woods has long been Nok-

Chidana’s dream role, she was aware of the questions people would ask should she get the part.

Part of the power of Nok-Chidana’s performance, then, came from underestimation. “Her story lies within not just the experience of what it's like to be a girl, but also like what it's like to be a person of color,”

DAN JONES MAKES HISTORY INTERSECTIONAL

BY LOGAN GION CONTRIBUTING WRITER

White Bear Lake Area Historical Society Creative

Director Dan Jones frequently drives past an intersection near his house: Cedar Avenue and Dennis Lane. Cedar Avenue, Jones figured, was selfexplanatory. But who was Dennis?

Thoughts like these drove Jones to investigate the history of the White Bear Lake area street signs. At 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27, Jones will present the fifth annual installment of the Historical Society’s “What’s in a Name?” series at the White Bear Lake Library.

Each past installment has focused on a different neighborhood: Downtown White Bear, Ramaley Park to Gardenette, or Podvin. Last year’s presentation started to cover Bald Eagle Lake. “We literally hugged the lake for the most part,” Jones explained. “That’s why I was like, ‘The next one we're calling Bald Eagle Revisited and Historic White Bear Township.’”

In his presentations, Jones ignores the obvious street names, mainly flora and fauna. Seemingly mundane names, though, may surprise. Elk Street, one block east of Division Avenue, for instance, used to host an Elks Club. This leads Jones to talk about the cultural meetings there and at the nearby Bald Eagle Depot in the 1930s.

Many streets’ stories also prove handy for drivers today. Traveling up Highway 61, drivers can easily clock County Roads B through F, then much later, County Road J. Where are G, H, and I? Jones explains that Ramsey County built these roads one mile apart from one another. County Road G exists; we just know it as Highway 96. County Road H is Ninth Street, crossing Podvin Park before meeting Central Middle School. County Road I starts in Moundsview, but three different lakes interrupt it before it becomes Buffalo Street. What, then, to call the unaligned-to-mile-marker exchange from Centerville Road to Bald Eagle Boulevard? Ramsey County went with H2. Jones also offers glimpses into a parallel history that might have been. In 1939, the town considered land between Highway 96 and Ninth Street (County Roads G and H, respectively) for a regional US aviation center, 25 years before the Lindbergh Terminal. Imagine MSP airport stretching from Lincoln to Birch Lake Elementary.

Ultimately, Jones believes the “What’s in a Name?” series makes history personal for locals. He remarked, “You might put it on your Christmas card address or return label … I think it's a way to bring history into our neighborhood.”

To watch part one of “What’s in a Name?” Visit the White Bear Lake Area Historical Society’s Facebook page, at fb.watch/wyXxYbWBw0/.

MEET DAVID HAMILTON: CPA INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

BY LOGAN GION CONTRIBUTING WRITER

With executive director experience from Youth Farm to the Cedar Cultural Center, David Hamilton has extensive expertise coming aboard as Children’s Performing Arts’ interim executive director. Hamilton will be at the helm for the next several months as CPA’s board looks for a someone to fill the position permanently. What can, or should, a leader accomplish in such a short period?

“Usually, they come into an organization and they fix messes,” Hamilton explained before stating this is not the case with CPA. “My immediate impression of CPA is that it's a very strong impact organization in the community. I really love the work CPA does. The programming is great, and there's a very strong passionate

Nok-Chidana explained. “People are doubting you because of what you look like. Just because she is blonde doesn't mean that she's dumb … I have felt her story throughout my life. And I think that Elle's story is a story that can relate to so many people no matter who you are.” She, along with her director, Wendy Suoja, bet correctly—all six performances sold out.

Going forward, Nok-Chidana is headed to college, then to Broadway. Such a lofty dream seems not just plausible, but likely for Yok-Chidana because she has already received the most crucial advice, the advice that gave her the courage to try out for Elle Woods. “My mom, she always says, ‘Remember Yahaira, you have the talent inside you already, you just have to show people it.’ I think that we spend so much of our lives trying or waiting to be something or to be someone, when we could realize that we are somebody already.”

JANUARY EVENTS

Explore upcoming Avenue of the Arts events with CPA, LPT and WBCA

CHASE & OVATION: A SALUTE TO THE MUSIC OF PRINCE

Location: Lakeshore Players Theater

Date: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5

Details: Chase has been traveling North America performing the music of Prince live in concert for the past 16 years. Fans of the show include many of Prince’s former bandmates and family members who all give Chase & Ovation the highest marks for reproducing Prince’s music “the way it is meant to be played, heard, and felt.”

SLEUTH MYSTERY BOOK CLUB

Location: White Bear Lake Library

Date: 1:30–3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8

Details: Guess what the collection noun is for a group of bears? A sleuth. Every month members read any book on the same theme and discuss their selections with each other. This month’s theme is Freedom/Your Choice.

WINTER OPEN HOUSE

Location: White Bear Center for the Arts

Date: 1–3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11

staff.” Hamilton specifically praised CPA’s low-cost admission options and funding to address inclusivity. Instead, Hamilton hopes to provide illuminate possibilities on where CPA could go next. “Eight hundred kids participated in performances, camps, classes and workshops this year … We know that we have certain revenue programs that are doing better than others, should we be focused more on the educational one?” he offers as an example.

He also commented on a possible future for intentionally diverse programming. “So a challenge that

happened post-George Floyd was that some foundations just asked every single organization to present their racial equity or DEI statement,” Hamilton said. While Hamilton stressed that having such a statement is a fine goal, he believes organizations and communities need to communicate to find a pledge that is supported, real and important. “Of course, you have to sometimes push people, but it has to be done in a learning way, in an engaging way that people can accept. Otherwise, it's not going to be successful.”

Hamilton will be rooting for CPA’s success, whatever path they choose, because of the mission, programming and staff. “That's what makes it easy to be involved with such an organization,” he concludes. “I really want to see a success and have no doubt that that will happen.”

Details: Bundle up embrace the magic of winter with our annual, festive Winter Open House. Outside, brave the elements and watch St. Paul Winter Carnival award-winning ice sculptor John Njoes take a chainsaw to a block of ice to create an intricate work of art. Inside, make a macramé keychain take the clay wheel for a spin and more!

MISERY

Location: Lakeshore Players Theater

Date: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24—Sunday, Feb. 9

Details: A heart-pounding play based on the novel by Stephen King, “Misery” is a 100-minute thrill ride with no intermission. Romance novelist Paul Sheldon is rescued from a car crash by his “number one fan,” Annie Wilkes. Annie forces Paul to write her a new novel as if his life depends on it… and it does.

PAUL DOLS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

Mustang wrestlers 2nd behind St. Michael- Albertville

BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR

Mounds View placed second behind St. MichaelAlbertville (STMA) in the MatBoss Minnesota Christmas Tournament on Friday and Saturday in Rochester.

The No. 1 ranked Knights had 282 points and No. 2 Mounds View, the defending champion, 277.5. Shakopee was third with 261 points among 41 teams.

Mounds View had three wrestlers place second. Joey Muhlstein was second at 189. He reached finals with two pins, tech fall, and a 2-1 win over Vristol Short of Simley. STMA’s John Murphy beat him 10-2 in the finals.

Ethan Swenson placed second at 215 pounds. He reached finals with four wins (two pins), edging Waconia’s Cooper Jahnke 6-4 in the semifinal. In the finals, Mahtomedi’s Evan McGuire beat him 18-14.

Alpine skiers gear up for opener

The captains for Mounds View’s alpine team, slated to open Tuesday, Jan. 7, at Wild Mountain, are seniors Isaac Tsai (returning all-conference) and Sam Simone and juniors Cate Winters and Alianne Grelling.

Last year, Mounds View boys placed 10th and girls 16th in the 20-team section. New members who will help make the team faster, Coach Erik Saari reports, are senior Leonard Schriber from Austria, freshman Charlotte Hanson and seventh-grader Alex McNamara.

“Collectively, we are working to be

Leather & Laces kicks off competition season

Leather & Laces adult synchronized skating team’s season is officially underway.

The team recently competed at the Maplewood Synchro Classic at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis, placing first in it the open adult vision.

Leather & Laces practices at Polar Arena in North St. Paul and is coached by Andrea Hall. Team members range in age from 19 to 46. Skaters hail from Hugo, Lino Lakes, Lexington, Roseville, Minneapolis, Lakeville, Bloomington, Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, Woodbury and Moose Lake, among other cities.

quicker around the gate and on and off our edges,” Saari said. “There is also a power shift in the conference, so a championship is up to any team.”

Other returning members alphabetically are Laken Bartel, Josh Bowler, Will Center, Austin Delahay, Gwen Gruman, Beck Holzemer, Ahnna Johansen, Ella Kirkman, Anthony Kurilov, McKenna Miller, Lucy Niewert, Garrett Nelson, Reid Perkins, Ethan Saari, Jack Sanford, Henry Simone, Arthur Wing and Grant Wood.

Bruce Strand

Laces adult

first at the Maplewood Synchro Classic at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis Dec. 14.

The team is now preparing for the Midwestern Synchronized Skating Sectional Championships in Kalamazoo, Michigan Jan.29 through Feb. 1. The team will host a beer bash fundraiser from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25 at Roddy’s Bar, located at 2543 7th Ave. E, North St. Paul. There will be raffles for two grand prizes, a pair of Gopher football tickets for the home opening game and a one-night stay at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Ethan Swenson

Mounds View Wrestling December 31, 2024

Ethan Swenson, Mounds View senior wrestler, placed second at 215 pounds at the MatBoss Minnesota Christmas Tournament, which has 41 teams. He reached finals with two pins and two decisions, then had a very exciting finals match, falling short 18-14 against top-ranked Evan McGuire of Mahtomedi. Swenson, 13-2 this year, placed fifth in the state at 172 pounds last season and reached state as a sophomore. He has committed to Augsburg.

4457 White Bear Parkway, Ste B, White Bear, MN 55110 651-426-5254 info@4seasonsairwbl.com

Brady Swenson placed second at 133 with a pin, two tech falls and a major decision before losing in the finals at STMA’s Chase Mills 4-1 in overtime. Colton Loween at 160 placed third, going 5-1 with two pins and a tech fall. He won his third place match 17-3.

Owen LaRose placed fourth at 121. Caden Grenier placed fourth 172. Eli Claseman was ninth at 152. Braeden Maxey was 11th at 285.

Dance team season under way

The Mounds View dance team captains are Luca Galvin, Maddie Thyren and Eleni Van Cleave. The team placed second in both High Kick and Jazz in the first two Suburban East Conference meets.

For High-Kick, they are dancing to “Lucky Star” by Madonna. “We tried a new concept for our team this season,” Coach Katie Amundsen said. “With dancing unhooked from each other during a majority of our kick-sets for the bulk of our dance. This is very difficult and requires our dancers to be strong individually both

physically and technically.” Their jazz routine is a lyrical piece with visual and interesting choreography to the song “Ever Changing.” Amundson described it: “Our dance is filled with emotion, and we really focused on our use of the floor and musicality this season — not only using the beat of the music but the accents of the syllables of the lyrics and the meaning behind them.”

Bruce Strand

Looking ahead for SPORTS MUSTANGS

ALPINE SKI

Coming up

Tuesday, Jan. 7: Conference race at Wild Mountain, 5 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 9: Conference race at Afton Alps, 4:30 p.m.

BASKETBALL, BOYS

Results last 2 weeks

Mustangs 62, New Richmond 54 Mustangs 60, Roseville Area 54 Mustangs 64, Waconia 63 Record

6-1 overall, 2-1 Suburban East Conference

Coming up

Monday, Dec. 30: Andover, 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 3: at Chisago Lakes, 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7: White Bear Lake, 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10: at Forest Lake, 7 p.m.

BASKETBALL, GIRLS

Results last 2 weeks

Stillwater 52, Mustangs 49 East Ridge 68, Mustangs 33 Roseville 42, Mustangs 36 Vs. Duluth East (Friday Record

6-3 overall, 2-3 Suburban East Conference

Coming up

Tuesday, Jan. 7: at White Bear Lake, 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10: Forest Lake, 7 p.m.

HOCKEY, BOYS

Results last 2 weeks

White Bear Lake 7, Mustangs 1 Park 4, Mustangs 2 Cretin-Derham Hall 5, Mustangs 1 Eastview 6, Mustangs 5 Vs. East Ridge (Saturday) Record

1-9 overall, 0-6 Suburban East Conference

Coming up

Tuesday, Jan. 7: at Champlin Park, 7 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 9: Forest Lake, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 11: at St. Cloud, 3 p.m.

HOCKEY, GIRLS (Mounds View/Irondale)

Results last 2 weeks

Roseville/Mahtomedi 3, MVI 0 MVI 4, Osseo/Park Center 3 Vs. Pine City (Thursday) Record

2-10-1 overall, 0-8-1 Suburban East Conference

Coming up

Thursday, Jan. 2: White Bear Lake, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 3: at Park-Cottage Grove, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 7: at Woodbury, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 11: Stillwater, 2 p.m.

NORDIC SKI

Coming up

Thursday, Jan. 2: Conference race at Battle Creek, 4:20 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 7: Conference race at Irondale, 3:15 p.m.

SWIMMING

Coming up

Friday, Jan. 3: Cretin-Derham Hall, 6 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 9: at East Ridge, 6 p.m.

WRESTLING

Results last 2 weeks

Mustangs 64, Roseville 7 Mustangs 2nd of 41 teams at Minnesota Christmas Tournament in Rochester Record

8-0 overall, 4-0 Suburban East Conference

Coming up

Thursday-Friday, Jan. 2-3: Rumble on the Red in Fargo

Thursday, Jan. 9: Stillwater and Woodbury, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 11: Mounds View Invitational, 9 a.m.

If every person takes one small step toward being more conscientious of the environment, the collective effort will change the planet.

SPORTS BRIEF

CONTRIBUTED

Leather &

synchronized skating team placed

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COPS COURTS • & COPS&COURTS

To celebrate the new year, below are some of the best Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office reports of 2024. Ranging from dazed raccoons to fraud there is something for everyone to enjoy.

BIZARRE BEHAVIOR

• A resident in the 900 block of Monterey Court N. at 2:50 a.m. Feb. 25 reported her ex-boyfriend for slashing four tires on her vehicle, after she had invited him over to her residence. An argument ensued, followed by his committing criminal damage to her vehicle as she watched. In response, the complainant took a kitchen knife and slashed two tires on her ex-boyfriend’s vehicle. With only half of his tires slashed, the exboyfriend was able to drive two blocks away before having to abandon the vehicle. This is where deputies located the ex-boyfriend’s vehicle.

• A Pengilly man, 43, was arrested for assault at 7:02 p.m. March 28 in the 1000 block of Gramsie Road, after he walked up to a half-naked man he knew in the hotel and punched him squarely in the face, which knocked him to the ground. Although circumstances of the incident remain under investigation, it seems that a “copious amount of Karkov vodka was a contributing factor.”

• A resident in the 5200 block of Oxford Street N. on March 29 reported that someone driving a Jeep kept driving by and throwing empty alcohol bottles into her yard. After deputies did a little investigating, they tracked down the Jeep driver, who admitted to littering the complainant’s yard on purpose because he thought she’d previously been rude to him at a dog park.

• A resident in the 5600 block of Donegal Court on May 10 reported that several rubber snakes had been spread around her yard next to several duck decoys she’d colorfully decorated.

• A Shoreview man, 25, was arrested at 9:43 a.m. June 1 in the 100 block of Grass Lake Place for burglary, and probably other offenses, after he broke into a couple’s apartment, stripped naked and smiled at the occupants while using their bathroom. Charges are pending.

• A resident in the 3500 block of Owasso Street on July 2 reported that someone had dumped a mattress set onto her vehicle while it was parked outside her building.

• A store in the 1000 block of County Road E at 11:07

a.m. July 14 reported a customer and lottery winner becoming upset and pushing candy off a checkout counter after she was told the store would not be able to pay her $21 for a winning ticket because they were closing.

ANIMALS

• Deputies were called out to the 1200 block of Woodcrest Avenue on an emergency opossum extraction mission March 11, after the creature had become stuck in the complainant’s window egress. On finding freedom, the opossum boogied into the nearby woods.

• A resident in the 3500 block of Tiffany Lane called 911 to report a dog for trespassing on her property April 7, after its owner walked it on a retractable leash that extended at least 15 feet and allowed it to stray onto the complainant’s land.

• Deputies responding to a burglar alarm in the 400 block of Suzanne Avenue at 4:17 p.m. April 18 found a suspicious turkey flapping its wings in the kitchen of a house whose owner was on vacation in Hawaii. Furthermore, deputies said, “the non-compliant wild turkey was destroying” all evidence that the residence existed. Deputies “removed the fowl intruder” from the premises “by utilizing their extensive training and experience.”

• A baby racoon was reported for trespassing in the 700 block of Mound Avenue June 26 and refusing to leave the shallow window well of a residence when asked. Rather than issue trespass papers on the unwanted party, deputies captured the animal and transported it to a safe area in the wilderness.

• A resident in the 200 block of Jansa Drive at 12:33 p.m. Sept. 6 reported the neighbors for letting their cats roam the neighborhood. One of the cats was singled out for frequenting the complainant’s home, pouncing on the window and aggravating his cats. An animal control officer spoke to the cats’ owner about keeping the pets off other people’s property.

CATCHING THE BAD GUYS

• And now, here is a happy reunion story about a stolen guitar, as deputies assisted a complainant in the 1100 block of Woodcrest Avenue March 23 in recovering it after the complainant reported seeing it for sale on

Facebook Marketplace. When deputies confirmed that the guitar was stolen, they contacted the person trying to sell it and learned that he had recently purchased it, also on Facebook Marketplace. Deputies collected the guitar and returned the instrument to its rightful owner. The case remains open and active as investigators try to get to the bottom of who stole the guitar in the first place.

• A Shoreview youth, 15, was arrested at 3:34 a.m. Aug. 23 in the 200 block of Jansa Drive, after deputies were dispatched out to the scene of people rummaging through parked vehicles. They arrived in time to catch the thieves in the act, and a foot pursuit took place. Deputies quickly apprehended the suspect, and conducted all the usual formalities, including taking an evidential inventory of all the property that was stolen.

• A South St. Paul man, 35, was arrested for burglary at 3:01 a.m. Oct. 13 in the 3700 block of Rustic Place, after deputies caught him in the act of forcing his way into a home through the front door. In addition to burglary, he was nabbed on an outstanding Ramsey County warrant for threats of violence.

FRAUD

• An employee of a gas station in the 5900 block of Hodgson Road on Jan. 5 reported receiving a scam call from someone posing as a supervisor who convinced him to deposit a significant amount of the company’s money into a bitcoin machine. Unfortunately, the caller was not the supervisor, and the company did not want its money converted into bitcoin.

• A loss prevention professional at the Target store in the 3800 block of Lexington Avenue N. on Feb. 19 reported a man believed to be a serial shoplifter take an Apple watch to the toy section, where he swapped it out for a “toy”. He paid for the “toy” at the self-checkout and returned later to exchange the Apple Watch for gift cards. This scheme, which Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office deputies called, “byzantine” is currently under investigation by at least two agencies. The male was identified and cited.

Loretta Harding

PUBLIC NOTICES • PUBLIC NOTICES

CITY OF SHOREVIEW

ORDINANCE SUMMARY - ORDINANCE 1044

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND EXHIBITS A AND B TO THE MUNICIPAL CODE

On the 16th day of December, 2024 the Shoreview City Council adopted ordinance 1044 amending exhibit A, utility fee schedule, and exhibit B, administrative fees to the municipal code. On the same day, pursuant to Minn. Stat. §412.191, Subd. 4, the Shoreview City Council directed that a summary of ordinance 1044 be published.

Ordinance 1044 amends the following utility fees: water, sewer, surface water management, and street lights. It also amends the following administrative fees: animal licenses, adult establishments, cannabis businesses, charitable gambling, council chambers rental, domestic partner registration, bulk water purchases, right-of-way permits and escrows, water meters, and soil erosion control. The ordinance is effective January 1, 2025. A copy of the ordinance is available for inspection by any person during regular business hours at the office of the city manager, 4600 North Victoria Street, Shoreview, Minnesota 55126.

Brad Martens, City Manager

Published one time in the Shoreview Press on December 31, 2024.

CITY OF SHOREVIEW NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Shoreview Planning Commission will hold a Public Hearing at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 28, 2025 in the City Council Chambers at Shoreview City Hall, 4600 Victoria Street North, Shoreview, Minnesota to consider a text amendment to Section 101-2 and 107-67 of the Development Regulations in the Shoreview Municipal Code.

APPLICANT: City of Shoreview

LOCATION: City wide

PROPOSAL: To amend City Code Section 101-2 (Definitions) and Section 107-67 (Detached Residential District) with regard to solar energy system definitions and residential standards.

Persons who want to submit written comments on this proposal can email Allison Eddins, Senior Planner, at aeddins@shoreviewmn.gov. All written comments received before January 23rd will be included in the staff report. Those who wish to give oral testimony are invited to attend the meeting on Tuesday, January 28th at 7:00pm.

Residents are encouraged to call the Shoreview Community Development Department at 651-490-4680 after Thursday, January 23rd to find out where this item will be located on the meeting agenda. BY ORDER OF THE CITY COUNCIL Brad Martens, City Manager

Published one time in the Shoreview Press on December 31, 2024.

CITY OF SHOREVIEW

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

APPLICANT: ACR Properties, LLC

LOCATION: 3854 Lexington Ave, Shoreview, MN 55126

PROPOSAL: To consider a conditional use permit amendment to allow for proposed vehicle rentals at the property located at 3854 Lexington Ave (Amoco Gas Station).

Persons who want to submit written comments on this proposal can email Izaak Peterson, Associate Planner, at ipeterson@shoreviewmn.gov. All written comments received before January 23rd will be included in the staff report. Those who wish to give oral testimony are invited to attend the meeting on

Tuesday, January 28th at 7:00pm.

Residents are encouraged to call the Shoreview Community Development Department at 651-490-4681 after Thursday, January 23rd to find out where this item will be located on the meeting agenda.

BY ORDER OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Brad Martens, City Manager

Published one time in the Shoreview Press on December 31, 2024. CITY OF NORTH OAKS SUMMARY PUBLICATION, ORDINANCE NO. 151 AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING NORTH OAKS CITY CODE TITLE XI, CHAPTER 115, CANNABIS AND HEMP BUSINESS REGULATIONS

On December 12, 2024, the City of North Oaks, Ramsey County, Minnesota adopted Ordinance 151, an ordinance Adopting North Oaks City Code Title XI, Chapter 115, Cannabis and Hemp Business Regulations.

Ordinance 151 adopts regulations for cannabis and hemp businesses, including establishing a retail registration requirement for cannabis retail businesses and lower potency hemp edible retailers; limits the number of registered cannabis retail businesses within the city to 1; establishes buffer requirements for cannabis retail businesses and lower potency hemp edible retail businesses; establishes a process for application for registrations and adopts cannabis retailer and lower potency hemp edible retailer operation regulations; establishes requirements for temporary cannabis events; and adopts additional regulations and restrictions on cannabis and hemp businesses.

It is hereby determined that publication of this title and summary will clearly inform the public of the intent and effect of Ordinance No. 151, and it is directed that only the above title and summary of Ordinance No.151 conforming to Minn. Stat. Sec. 331A.01 be published, with the following: NOTICE

A printed copy of the full text of Ordinance No.151 is available for public inspection by any person during regular office hours at the office of the North Oaks City Clerk, 100 Village Center Drive, Suite 230, North Oaks, MN 55127, by standard mail, or by electronic mail, and at any other public location which the Council designates. Published one time in the Shoreview Press on December 31, 2024.

CITY OF NORTH OAKS

SUMMARY PUBLICATION, ORDINANCE NO. 152

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING NORTH OAKS CITY CODE TITLE XV, CHAPTER 151 RELATED TO CANNABIS AND HEMP BUSINESSES

On December 12, 2024, the City of North Oaks, Ramsey County, Minnesota adopted Ordinance 152, an ordinance amending North Oaks City Code Title XV, Chapter 151 Related to Cannabis and Hemp Businesses. Ordinance 152 adds cannabis retail businesses and lower-potency hemp edible retail businesses as conditional uses in the C-Commercial and CS-Commercial/Service zoning districts.

It is hereby determined that publication of this title and summary will clearly inform the public of the intent and effect of Ordinance No. 152, and it is directed that only the above title and summary of Ordinance No. 152 conforming to Minn. Stat. Sec. 331A.01 be published, with the following: NOTICE

A printed copy of the full text of Ordinance No. 152 is available for public inspection by any person during regular office hours at the office of the North Oaks City Clerk, 100 Village Center Drive, Suite 230, North Oaks, MN 55127, by standard mail, or by electronic mail, and at any other public location which the Council designates. Published one time in the Shoreview Press on December 31, 2024.

Existing Headquarters 5545 Lexington Avenue North Shoreview, MN. 55126 BIDS DUE: 2:00P.M. CDT, THURSDAY JANUARY 30, 2025

Sealed proposals from General Contractors will be received at the Existing Headquarters of Lake Johanna Fire Department (reception counter), Shoreview, until 2:00 P.M. CDT, January 30, 2025 for bidding: New Lake Johanna Fire Department Headquarters 3535 Pine Tree Drive

Arden Hills, MN

The project consists of the following: The construction of a two story fire station of 41,000 SF. Precast concrete panel walls, steel frame with bar joist roof structure. No bids shall be withdrawn for a period of sixty (60) days after opening of bids. A Performance Bond and Labor and Material payment Bond will be required.

Buetow 2 Architects, Inc. was the Architects of Record for Design & Construction Documents.

Feders Architects, LLC is the Architect for Bidding & Construction Administration (refer all bid questions to Feders Architects 612-270-8168).

Bidding documents including proposal forms, specifications, plans, etc. will become available at the printers ARC Document Solutions, St. Louis Park, MN 55416 email minnesota@e-arc.com 952-697-8822

Bidders, General Contractors and other sub-contractors may secure electronic or hard copy documents at ARC beginning Friday January 3, 2025.

Bidding Documents will also be on file at the following locations: Minnesota Builders Exchange, Quest CDN, Rochester Builders Exchange, Blue Book and Dodge Construction Network.

Bids must be placed in a sealed envelope marked “Bid for Lake Johanna Fire Station Headquarters” and addressed to the Fire Chief Tim Boehlke, 5545 Lexington Avenue North, Shoreview, Minnesota 55126.

Bids shall be accompanied by a Bid Security in the form of a cash deposit, a bid bond or certified check payable to the Lake Johanna Fire Department in the amount of at least 5% of the Base Bid amount.

Bids will be publicly opened and read in the large meeting room at the existing fire station headquarters.

The Owner reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive informalities or to award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder, in the interest of the Owner. Tim Boehlke, Fire Chief Published three times in the Shoreview Press on December 17, 31, 2024 and January 14, 2025.

RICE CREEK WATERSHED DISTRICT RAMSEY COUNTY DITCH 1

DRAINAGE SYSTEM RECORD CORRECTION PUBLIC HEARING

The Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) will hold a Public Hearing on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. The RCWD established the option for the public to participate in its meetings either in person or virtually. The in-person public hearing

Residential care home a possibility in Shoreview

BY MADELINE DOLBY EDITOR

A residential care home facility is a possibility in a Shoreview neighborhood after council approved a conditional use permit (CUP) proposed by Distyle Design Architects on behalf of ACR Homes. The home would be able to house eight adults.

Currently, ACR Homes operates adult residential and dementia care facilities around the Twin Cities. It currently operates one home in Shoreview.

ACR Homes recently purchased the two vacant lots located at 0 Emmert Street. These two lots were created as part of the 3330 Victoria Street subdivision that the council approved in March 2024. Within the CUP, ACR Homes has proposed to consolidate the two lots into one for the project.

From the outside, the care facility will look like a large single-family home. It will be approximately 5,000 square feet with a detached three-car garage.

“It does have to be one story because most of these residents have mobility issues,” said Senior Planner Allison Eddins. “Most of these folks are in need of assisted living, at the end of their life or suffering from dementia.”

The facility will also include two four-season porches and a fenced-in patio area at the back of the house.

Eddins said that as proposed, the facility would meet all R1 standards for a single-family dwelling unit, except for the front yard setback minimum requirement of 77 feet. The proposed front yard setback is 35 feet. Distyle Design Architects did request a variance for the front yard setback, which was granted by the Planning Commission at its November meeting.

“The facility anticipates having two staff on site at all times,” she added. “And

with the three-car garage and the standard-size residential driveway, along with parking along the north side of the garage, staff does not anticipate that there would be a need for daily parking on street.”

The applicant also proposed a 22-foot parking pad that can be utilized by guests and staff. There will be no commercial advertisement on the property.

Distyle Design Architects also proposes a 1,377-squarefoot infiltration basin in the rear of the property for stormwater runoff. The basin will be created with the construction of the facility. It has been designed to work with the existing topography of the site.

Eddins stated that residents in the neighborhood raised concerns regarding traffic and street parking in the area.

She explained that when city staff looked at the possible peak a.m. and p.m. trips for the facility, they would be less than one. Staff compared these findings to the average a.m. and p.m. trips for a single-family home. They found that a singlefamily home averages one trip in the a.m. and 1.2 trips in the p.m.

“So, when we’re looking at these two types of uses, the traffic that is generated from this facility, staff believes, will not generate more trips than a standard, singlefamily home,” she said.

Eddins noted that these trip counts do not take delivery trips into account.

Shoreview resident Mike Black raised concerns regarding the size of the house itself and the proposed facility being across the street from an existing six-person care facility.

“ACR Homes is already operating a six-person facility across the street. So effectively, allowing the conditional use permit to place an eight-person facility

on the opposite side of the street, we have ACR Homes operating 14 beds on Emmert Street,” he explained. “My concern is the concentration of commercial activity and what it does to the fabric of the neighborhood.”

Black’s second concern was the design of the proposed home.

“If you look at the sixperson facility that is across the street today, it is well designed. It fits well within the neighborhood, and you don’t really notice that it is a care facility. The eight-person facility does look like other (care) facilities that we’ve seen, which I think detracts from the residential aspect of the neighborhood.”

Marcia Sullivan expressed her concerns about the facility, too.

“It’s not at all in harmony with the neighborhood. A private for-profit facility is very expensive, and would a Shoreview resident be able to afford it long (-term) is, I think, very difficult to believe,” she said. “I don’t know if it is necessarily benefitting the Shoreview community.”

Eddins said Minnesota state statutes require communities to treat residential care facilities that are for six or fewer residents as they would any other detached singlefamily home. Municipalities

are allowed to have more regulations for facilities that house more than six people, which is why this eightperson facility requires a conditional use permit.

The Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of the conditional use permit, but raised concerns regarding the surrounding neighbors and how they could potentially be negatively impacted by emergency

vehicles entering the care facility. The commission suggested a condition be added in order to ensure that landscaped screening would be along the driveway.

is editor of the

Press. She can be reached at 651-431-1226 or shoreviewnews@presspubs.com.

Madeline Dolby

Shoreview

Two vacant lots will be consolidated into one for the project.

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

Distyle Design Architects, on behalf of ACR Homes, has proposed a residential care home facility be built at 0 Emmert Street. The home would be able to house eight adults

Shoreview hosts naturalization ceremony; 99 individuals become U.S. citizens

Earlier this month, 99 individuals from 35 countries became United States citizens at a special naturalization ceremony that took place at the Shoreview Community Center. Mayor Sue Denkinger was present at the event alongside Magistrate Judge Shannon Elkins. Both encouraged everyone to stay engaged within the community through voting, volunteering and serving on various boards.