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WHAT’S HAPPENING: Halloween party at Community Park and more PAGE 4B
Pumpkin competition blossoms into yearly tradition
CONTRIBUTED
A sign in the excavated dirt indicates the new White Bear Area High School will open Fall, 2024.
Schools build for the future
CONTRIBUTED
Hugo resident Jeff LeClair tries to outdo himself, and his father Mark LeClair, when it comes to pumpkin weight each year. Jeff is pictured with his children 7-year-old Hunter and 3-year-old Brynley. BY SHANNON GRANHOLM LEAD EDITOR
Every year, a father and son try to outdo each other in weight — that is, when it comes to growing pumpkins. For the past five years, Hugo resident Jeff LeClair has tried
to grow a pumpkin that not only beats his previous year’s pumpkin, but eventually his father Mark LeClair’s pumpkin. Mark has been honing his pumpkin growing skills for quite some time, but son Jeff said he hopes it eventually gets to the point where “the student can outteach
the teacher.” Mark, a Maplewood resident, started growing pumpkins back in 2001 as part of a contest with his brother-in-law to see who could grow the largest pumpkin. “It has just grown from there,” Mark explained.
“Our students, staff and community members are seeing firsthand the phases of construction we talked about at length with the community in the fall of 2019. We are grateful to district residents for seeing both the need and the vision, and for supporting the bond referendum,” said Dr. Wayne Kazmierczak, White Bear Lake Area Schools superintendent. “Much has been planned and built in the two years since that time, and we are excited to successfully complete all of the construction phases in the summer of 2025.” The first project to be completed in the fall of 2020 was the creation of a secure office and vestibule area at the district’s. The second phase of the ALC, which is scheduled to be completed during summer 2023, will include renovations to create a learning commons/flexible learning space, kitchen improvements and mechanical upgrades. SEE SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION, PAGE 8A
SEE GIANT PUMPKINS, PAGE 9A
Council greenlights cleanup at Talmadge Circle BY CYNTHIA SOWDEN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The Vadnais Heights City Council passed resolutions Oct. 19 seeking grants for soil contamination remediation at Talmadge Circle. Saturday Properties plans to build a 223unit apartment building called Walden at that location. Although the city is applying for the grants, the developer will provide the matching funds.
Saturday Properties seeks $30,000 from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED); $700,000 from the Metropolitan Council’s tax base revitalization account; and $182,000 from the Ramsey County Environmental Response Fund. The planned unit development (PUD) features a six-story building that will provide a mix of studio, alcove, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Talmadge Circle is east of I-35E and East County Road E, near Speedway.
The council also OK’d a feasibility study for the 2022 rehabilitation of Oakcrest Drive, South Oak Drive and a nearby cul-de-sac. Jesse Farrell, city engineer, said these streets generate the most complaints from drivers. He said many people use them to get to other roads. The feasibility study is required by Minnesota law so the city can make special assessments on adjoining properties. The study will also take a tree inventory and include the refurbishing of a parking lot.
Farrell said the public works department will reach out to neighbors to tell them about this project and get their input. The go-ahead allows the department to begin design work. Farrell said his goal is to start looking at projects a few years ahead to allow more time for planning. Cynthia Sowden is a contributing writer for Press Publications. He/she can be reached at news@presspubs. com or 651-407-1200.
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