Township plans road improvements
BY LOGAN GION CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The White Bear Township Board will host a public hearing for two road improvement projects — Portland Woods and Anderson Lane — at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 22, at Town Hall, 4200 Otter Lake Road.
Portland Woods
Portland Woods, an offshoot of Portland Avenue, was originally constructed in 1988, then sealed in both 2005 and 2011. During 2024’s feasibility study, Portland Woods scored 0.8 out of 5 on MnDOT’s pavement condition rating, which is a “very poor” rating.
The township, pending a public hearing, has plans for a “reclamation-size” project. The project would involve recycling salvageable road material and mixing it with new asphalt. Such an option is significantly less expensive than using all-new material, according to Town Engineer Larry Poppler.
Additionally, the monolithic curb and gutter will be replaced with “surmountable curb,” which gently slopes. The gentle slope makes the road easier for cars and bicycles to drive over. The entrance to the road will also be widened, although trees and utilities bar prohibit the widening of the road itself.
Preliminary total project cost is projected at $464,300 with assessments estimated at $12,000 per unit.
Anderson Lane
Near Centerville Road, Anderson Lane was constructed in 1986. Like Portland Woods, Anderson Lane was sealed in both 2005 and 2011 and scored a “very poor” rating during its 2024 feasibility study.
Steering committee will present parking, mobility study to council
BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR
WHITE
BEAR LAKE — The
city’s parking and mobility steering committee will present its findings to the City Council Jan. 14 following 21 months of discussion.
The city of White Bear Lake has been pursuing the downtown parking and mobility study to review pedestrian, bicycle and vehicle traffic; evaluate current and future parking needs; and
explore concepts for landscaping, public spaces, lighting and wayfinding.
The steering committee was organized to review the data, conduct an analysis, generate concepts and make final recommendations to the City Council. The committee consists of elected officials, downtown property and business owners, city commission members, civic organization representatives, residents and city staff.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
MAHTOMEDI OUTDOOR SKATE PARTY
When: Noon - 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 12
Where: Mahtomedi District Education Center ice rink
Details: Celebrate winter with community skating party, bonfire, hot beverages and food. No registration required; check website for weather updates.
Contact: mahtomedi.ce.eleyo
Divas Gone Country
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10
Where: Hanifl Performing Arts Center, White Bear Lake
Details: Musical trio celebrates the sounds of America's Heartland and favorite rock hits. Ticket information online.
Contact: lakeshoreplayers.org
White Bear Lake Winter Farmers Market
When: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11
Where: Normandy Park Education Center, 2482 County Road F E., White Bear Lake Details: 20+ farmers and vendors sharing locally-grown food and crafted items and gifts. Most booths inside; firepit and hot cider outdoors. Contact: forksinthedirt.com/winterfarmers-market
St. Paul Hiking Club
When: 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 12
Where: Costco parking lot, 1431 Beam
Avenue, Maplewood
Details: Hike paved trails, streets and a short boardwalk, approximately 5 miles.
Contact: stpaulhike.com
World Snow Sculpting Championship
When: Jan. 15-26
Where: Lowell Park, Stillwater
Details: Competition brings top snow sculptors from around the world. Walk through the finished sculptures, visit the indoor market and concessions tent, and listen to live music at the block party Saturday from 6:30-9 p.m. Full list of activities online.
Contact: worldsnowsculptingstillwatermn.com
County Road E Corridor Action Plan Open House
When: 4:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16
Where: White Bear Lake Fire Station #2, 2240 County Road E East
Details: Learn more about the latest phase of the County Road E Corridor Action Plan and share feedback about County Road E branding concepts. Open to the public. Hosted by the Cities of White Bear Lake, Vadnais Heights and Gem Lake.
Contact: whitebearlake.org
Snowshoe at the Winery
When: 5:30-9:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17; and select Fridays and Saturdays in Jan. & Feb.
Where: 7 Vines Vineyard, Dellwood
Details: Explore the vineyard on snowshoes. Guided walk lined with ice luminaries. Live music, bonfire, mulled wine and Bingo. Registration information online.
Contact: mywahooadventures.com
• Student-centered instruction. We believe all students grow and learn in different ways and at different rates, all can achieve.
• More academic opportunities to explore interests, excel and design your future.
• Students are agents and owners of their own learning in an environment that is safe, supportive and challenging — with high expectations for student success.
• Our educators inspire, facilitate, and challenge students, nurturing curiosity and confidence. We provide a window to their future.
• We are transforming learning. Our flexible learning spaces and learning studios ignite opportunities for communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking.
SCHOOL BRIEF
Schools host welcome events for prospective families
The White Bear Area Schools are hosting special opportunities for families to learn about early childhood programs during the month of January. “Welcome to White Bear” open houses will be held will be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4 at Birch Lake, Lakeaires, Oneka, Otter Lake, Vadnais, and Willow Lane elementary schools, and at Normandy Park Education Center. A preschool open house will also be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Feb. 11 at Tamarack Nature Center. For additional information about the early childhood program, go to isd624.org/academics/earlychildhood.
Additionally, the District is launching a new Spanish Dual Immersion Program in the fall of 2025 at two elementary schools, Otter Lake and Matoska International. Families across the district will be able to choose this immersion option during kindergarten registration. The program is designed to serve both Spanish-speaking and nonSpanish-speaking students in a bilingual environment. Tours are scheduled at Matoska and Otter Lake from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 8 and Thursday, Jan. 9. For information on the immersion program, go to isd624. org/academics/immersion.
Stay Connected
• E-Newsletter - The Community e-Newsletter is sent out each week, with alternating text and video editions. Text editions cover student and staff successes, school and Community Education offerings, and School Board proceedings. Request to be added to the list by sending an email to us at communications@isd624.org.
• Construction Updates - Find updates about the construction projects happening throughout the district at isd624.org/BuildingOurFuture.
• Stay Social - Join the district’s social media circlesFacebook, Instagram and YouTube for daily 624 Fact posts and weekly video share-outs. Find links on the District’s website.
IMeeting Jimmy Carter
have fond memories of our 39th president of the United States which go back to 1977 when he was elected. I was included among six publishers of community weekly newspapers from around the United States to visit with President Carter in the Oval Office to share conditions of the state of the country from a small town perspective.
About the Town
It was an awesome, almost speechless, experience. I had voted for this president for his fundamental character and Christian principles. He set out to make government competent and compassionate. As we all remember, it was a time of inflation and a difficult time to meet those high expectations.
Another one of our favorite memories includes visiting Plains, GA, while our daughter, Stephanie, spent a year with Habitat for Humanity in nearby Americus, GA. We would visit with Stephanie and go to the president’s church in Plains and sit in on the service as well as his Sunday school class. We were even there on his 70th birthday and had a family picture taken with him.
Jimmy Carter’s contributions were perhaps most significant following his presidency for his leadership in brokering peace and conflict mediation throughout the world.
He was awarded the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize for work to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.
Carter was the author of 32 books, and he his wife Rosalynn founded the Carter Center in Atlanta, GA.
President Carter decided to spend his remaining time at his home with his family and receive hospice careat age 100, he was the longest-lived president in U.S. history.
Owl and fisher with a side of fox
It’s a quarter past ten and a great horned owl is softly hooting outside my bedroom window. Hoo hoo hoo hoo. Pause. Hoo hoo hoo hoo. Is it an omen of bad luck or a talisman for good fortune? A shape-shifter? Protector for my army as I prepare to enter battle? Perhaps it’s just a fluffy bird that likes to eat mice and sing sad songs at night.
Great horned owls are one of twelve species of owl that call Minnesota home, and they’re common throughout the state. Famous for their silent flight, great eyesight, and uncanny ability to turn their heads 270 degrees, a great horned owl can also eat more than 4,000 mice per year, a statistic that makes them a great addition for any backyard. Great horned owls will take over abandoned squirrel, crow, and hawk nests and are well-adapted to living with people. In fact, wildlife biologists believe that they may be more common now than they were in pre-colonial times.
Another family of animals that is making a comeback in Minnesota are the mustelids. These slender and adorable (though entirely ferocious) animals include weasels,
minks, martens, fishers, otters, badgers, and wolverines. Minks and otters are water-loving mammals, while martens and fishers are forest dwellers. Badgers prefer prairies and open areas, and weasels are found throughout the state. The last known wolverine in Minnesota was seen in Itasca County in 1899, but biologists believe that they once lived here in the most remote reaches of the northern forests.
Unfortunately, martens, fishers and otters were hard-hit by trapping and lost most of their woodland habitat during the 1800s logging era. By the early 1900s, martens and fishers were nearly extinct and otters had disappeared from southern Minnesota. Now, however, all three animals have rebounded and are expanding their territories.
In the example of martens and fishers, populations have climbed as second growth forests continue to grow and mature in New England and the Upper Midwest. More protective rules for hunting and trapping have helped as well. This year, I’ve heard reports of fishers in Afton, Stillwater and Scandia, and the Minnesota DNR notes that fisher sightings are up in southeastern Minnesota as well. A fisher was found in northeastern Ohio this spring for the first time in nearly 200 years.
In southwestern Minnesota, Minnesota DNR Biologist Carrol Henderson led a successful effort to reintroduce river otters to the
Minnesota River Valley between Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge and Lac qui Parle Wildlife Refuge in 1980-82. In subsequent years, otters have also found their way back to southeastern Minnesota, using the Mississippi River as a habitat corridor.
One last animal enjoying a renaissance in our modern-day era is the red fox, which lives throughout Minnesota, including in the Twin Cities area. Though foxes will usually avoid people, I’ve recently seen one in my front yard and another in my Stillwater neighborhood. Unlike their larger canine relatives, foxes only weigh 8-15 pounds and are not dangerous to humans. They eat rats and mice, rabbits, ground squirrels, birds, snakes, fish, insects, berries nuts, and seeds. As a redhead, I feel a natural affinity for foxes and am always excited to see them.
Be not afraid if you hear an owl hoot gently in the night or see a bushy-tailed fox in the woods. Instead, celebrate the fact that nature is resilient and that forests and wildlife return.
Angie Hong is the coordinator for Minnesota’s East Metro Water Resource Education Program, a local government partnership with 31 members in Washington, Ramsey, Chisago and Isanti Counties.
Gene Johnson is publisher emeritus of Press Publications. Editor’s note: Press Publications is re-running Gene Johnson’s column about meeting Jimmy Carter, in honor of his passing.
President James Earl Carter Funeral Information:
Wednesday, Jan. 8 —Jimmy Carter lies in state at U.S. Capital
Thursday, Jan. 9 —Jimmy Carter is laid to rest
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BEAR/VADNAIS HEIGHTS 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.
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• To submit a letter, e-mail it to whitebearnews@presspubs. com, fax it to 651-429-1242 or mail or deliver it to Press Publications, 4779 Bloom Ave., White Bear Lake, MN 55110.
This photo of our family in 1995 at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, GA where former President Jimmy Carter attended church and taught a Sunday School class. Following the church service on August 20, the Carters posed with the attenders. Left to right: Kathy Johnson, Rosalynn Carter, President Jimmy Carter, Meredith Johnson, Stephanie Johnson, Melva Struckmann and Gene Johnson.
Gene Johnson
Movers & Shakers
Angie Hong
LETTERS TO EDITOR PUBLIC SAFETY BRIEF
Just a thought It's undeniably one of economist Milton Friedman's most famous sayings about the failures of central planning: "If you put the federal government in charge of the Sahara Desert, in five years there'd be a shortage of sand."
Dave Brockel White Bear Township
Save the dog beach
The Nov. 27 issue of White Bear Press informed us that the city council is once again discussing the fate of the dog beach. This beloved space has been a community-founded area, serving as a dog beach long before the city officially recognized it in 2007. Proponents of closure often cite stories of poorly behaved visitors, but where is the hard evidence? The only verifiable fact we have is
that the dog beach is less polluted than the human beaches. The truth is this area was already serving as a dog beach long before its formal designation.
So, to those advocating for closure, I ask: What is your plan? Will you propose fencing the area off from public use? Will you hire security to monitor it and turn away all dogs? Simply closing the dog beach seems shortsighted and unlikely to satisfy anyone.
Let’s save our dog beach. Let’s demand that those pushing for its closure provide concrete proof that it is the “horrible menace” they claim it to be.
To this end, I have started the Save White Bear Dog Beach campaign. Visit https:// savewhitebearbeach.dog to join the fight.
When cold weather strikes, so can thieves
As cold weather approaches, many drivers will want to warm up their vehicles before hitting the road. It may seem like good idea to start the car, blast the heat and wait inside until it’s time to leave, but it can also be a dangerous one. In fact, in some states and municipalities, warming up a vehicle and leaving it unattended is illegal.
During the winter, thieves are on the lookout for vehicles that are “puffing”. Puffing refers to the practice of leaving a vehicle running while unattended.
As the vehicle’s exhaust runs, it will emit puffs of steam when warming up, making it an easy target. With no one around to stop them, and the key already in the ignition, criminals only need to hop in and drive off. Unfortunately, insurance may not cover the cost of the theft because it was the owner that left the vehicle running. Thankfully, there is a solution. Remote starters that allow car owners to start the engine while keeping the vehicle safely locked up, without the presence of a key or fob, are usually considered a safe alternative.
The day I met President Jimmy Carter
BY JULIA TRUSO SPECIAL TO THE PRESS
In the spring of 2018, I had a very special experience. I got to meet former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, at their church in Plains, Georgia.
It’s not very well known, but after President Carter left the White House, he returned to his hometown in Georgia and was very active in his church. On most Sundays before the regular Sunday service, President Carter, or “Mr. Jimmy” as he was affectionately called in church, would teach Sunday School. There are only a few dozen members of his church, so most of his Sunday School students were people visiting from other places. On this Sunday, a tour bus arrived
with enough passengers to fill most of the pews in the small church. There weren’t enough seats for me and my family to get in, so we waited outside the church and waved to President
Carter as he walked in from the parking lot.
That’s when something amazing happened! A very kind Secret Service Agent named Clint Bush came over and introduced himself. He was interested to learn that we had come all the way from Minnesota to see President Carter and he was sad that we couldn’t fit inside the church. But it turned out that he had a trick up his sleeve. Actually, it was a hidden radio up his sleeve, but the result was still magical! After getting the “okay” from “Miss Jan,” the head church lady (who joked that she outranks the Secret Service on church grounds), we were let in the back doors of the church and given seats in the choir stalls right behind President Carter for Sunday School!
After the church service, we were invited to meet President and Mrs. Carter. President Carter asked me my name and when I told him it was “Julia,” his face lit up and he told me that his favorite teacher was named “Miss Julia.” I think that’s really cool, because I want to be a kindergarten teacher when I grow up! I am sad that President Carter has died. He was a very nice man! It’s amazing that he lived to be 100 years old! I’m so glad that I got to meet him and Mrs. Carter. I pray that they are reunited in Heaven.
Julia Truso is a fifth grade student at Saint Jude of the Lake Catholic School in Mahtomedi.
White Bear Lake Area Church Directory
Conner McCall White Bear Lake
CONTRIBUTED
George Truso, Nicholas Truso, First Lady Rosalynn Carter, Julia Truso, President Jimmy Carter and Taylor Truso.
COPS&COURTS
WHITE BEAR LAKE POLICE REPORTS
The White Bear Lake Police Department reported the following selected incidents:
A White Bear Lake man was arrested for domestic assault in the 2400 block of Gisella Blvd Dec. 25.
• A suspicious person was reported in the area near Highway 61 and County Road E Dec. 25.
• A vehicle window was shattered while parked in the 2100 block of Division Court Dec. 25.
• Officers responded to a disorderly conduct incident in the 3800 block of Hoffman Road Dec. 26.
• Property damage was reported in the 2600 block of County Road E Dec. 26.
• A garage burglary was reported in the 3600 block of Auger Avenue Dec. 26.
YEAR IN REVIEW
CATCHING THE BAD GUYS
(and the ways it can happen)
Vadnais Heights
Ramsey County Sheriff's Office deputies have advanced tools and training to aid them in arresting suspects who need to be brought in. But most of the time, help from citizens, help from the criminals themselves and pure serendipity can bring about an arrest.
A Minneapolis woman, 44, was arrested on an active motor vehicle theft warrant Feb. 14, after she called 911 to report that she needed medical attention. When Ramsey County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to her call in the 700 block of Berwood Avenue W., they found her to be heavily intoxicated, and assisted Emergency Medical Services personnel in transporting her to hospital. She was treated at the hospital before being transported to jail and booked.
A 28-year-old Almena, Wisconsin, woman was arrested Feb. 22 in the 900 block of County Road E for check fraud and receiving stolen property after a bank called 911 to report that she was attempting to cash a stolen check.
A White Bear Lake man, 34, was arrested for DWI at 2:20 a.m. March 15 at the intersection of I-694 and Edgerton Street following a traffic stop during which he performed poorly on field sobriety tests. The reason he was pulled over in the first place was that good Samaritans flagged down deputies on patrol and pointed out a driver they believed to be intoxicated.
A Vadnais Heights male, 27, was arrested for DUI March 17 at the intersection of Highway 61 and I-694 following a single-vehicle crash, after which he wandered away from the scene. Ramsey County Sheriff's Office (RCSO) deputies assisted the Minnesota State Patrol in locating the driver, who was thought to have returned home.
A St. Paul woman 34, was arrested March 17 at the intersection of I-35E and County Road E for being in possession of a stolen vehicle, following a traffic stop. Investigation of the vehicle determined it had been stolen out of Minneapolis and had been given a different vehicle identification number.
A New Brighton man, 35, was arrested on an active DWI warrant at 12:55 a.m. March 20 in the 3200 block of Highway 61, after deputies found him inside a secure storage facility without permission.
A Maplewood man, 58, was arrested March 26 in the 3500 block of Labore Road for receiving stolen property, after deputies responded to the report of a trailer loaded with snowmobiles parked in a parking lot where it should not have been left. On further investigation, deputies learned that the man in possession of the trailer had stolen it and the snowmobiles. He had parked the vehicles in the lot after a tire on the trailer blew out.
A man of no permanent address, 47, was arrested for mail theft Aug. 13, after Ramsey County Sheriff's Office deputies were dispatched out to the 900 block of County Road D following several 911 reports of an individual checking mailboxes and taking mail out. Deputies located the subject near a playground holding the stolen mail.
A White Bear Township woman, 40, was arrested at 3:31 a.m. Aug. 17 in the 4400 block of Otter Lake Road on several active and outstanding warrants out of Hennepin County
• Officers responded to a family dispute in the 1700 block of Fourth Street Dec. 26.
• A White Bear Lake resident was arrested for an active felony warrant following a traffic stop in the 3200 block of Highway 61 Dec. 27.
• A Blaine resident was arrested for DWI and child endangerment following a traffic stop near Interstate 694 and Highway 61 Dec. 28.
• Officers responded to a juvenile incident in the 1700 block of Fourth Street Dec. 28.
• Officers responded to a noise complaint in the 3900 block of Hoffman Road Dec, 28.
• A man was issued a citation for misdemeanor theft in the 1900 block of Buerkle Road Dec. 29.
• Officers responded to a noise complaint in the 3100
after deputies conducted a traffic stop for people in the vehicle not wearing seatbelts and conducted a computer check of the occupants.
A Vadnais Heights man, 26, was arrested on a felony warrant for robbery at 12:04 a.m. Sept. 3 in the 1100 block of County Road E after Ramsey County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to the report of a domestic fight. His arrest also included his violation of an order for protection resulting from that fight.
A Chisago City man, 47, was arrested for assault at 2:02 a.m. Sept. 9 in the 4200 block of Bridgewood Terrace, after a Keep Our Kops Safe (KOPS) alert was issued for him. It all started when he barged into the home of his ex-girlfriend, assaulted her and another adult male, and left before deputies arrived.
Deputies were dispatched out to a retail business in the 900 block of County Road E at 8:49 p.m. March 27 after employees reported a woman for coming into the store, loading up with stolen merchandise and leaving the store before realizing she'd “misplaced her cell phone during the plundering”. When she returned to the store (in “the postman rings twice” fashion) to retrieve her phone, she became verbally abusive. It was not disclosed whether store employees held her phone hostage until she gave the merchandise back, or whether deputies arrived in time to cite and/or trespass her.
A Little Canada woman reported that someone stole her wallet July 11 while she was shopping at Marshall's in the 900 block of County Road E. Video surveillance showed the suspect crawling under a clothes rack, reaching up and snatching the wallet while the victim's attention was directed elsewhere. The thief then fled the area. The proof is there, whenever law enforcement catches up to the suspect.
A Vadnais Heights man, 43, was arrested on an active warrant July 16 while committing another crime, after deputies responded to the report of a burglary in the 700 block of Parkside Drive and found him at the scene.
An Oakdale man, 21, was cited July 29 after he was seen by store employees in the 900 block of County Road E stealing several pairs of sneakers. He managed to escape the store without being caught, but officers of another agency located him nearby.
A Forest Lake man, 64, was arrested at 2:21 a.m. July 30 in the 3900 block of Labore Road, after deputies responded to a burglary report. His accomplice was not apprehended, after the two suspects fled on foot. Video surveillance footage of the incident was captured, so the other suspect may not be incognito for long.
A Vadnais Heights man, 42, was arrested Aug. 5 in the 1400 block of County Road E after he fraudulently purchased a motorcycle and the paperwork caught up with him.
Caught skipping school. A suspicious person reported on a roof in the 800 block of Berwood Avenue at 12:46 p.m. Oct. 10 turned out to be a girl, 16, who appeared to be hiding out on the neighbor's roof until her father left for the day so that she could skip out of school.
A Vadnais Heights man, 24, was arrested Oct 13 for assault in the 3500 block of Vadnais Center Drive, after he pushed the mother of his child during a custody exchange and a Keep Our Kops Safe (KOPS) alert was issued for him.
A Vadnais Heights man, 61, was arrested for third-degree DWI at 7:11 p.m. Oct. 22, after he was
block of Glen Oaks Avenue Dec. 29.
• Officers responded to a disturbance in the 3200 block of White Bear Avenue Dec. 29.
Milk was stolen from a store in the 1400 block of Highway 96 Dec. 30.
• A White Bear Lake woman was arrested at the police station Dec. 30 for an outstanding misdemeanor arrest warrant.
• Officers assisted with a large group of disgruntled persons at a business in the 3000 block of White Bear Avenue Dec. 30.
• Officers responded to a noise complaint in the 3600 block of McKnight Road Dec. 31.
• Fraud was reported in the 4500 block of Centerville Road Dec. 31.
found racing through a trailer park in the 100 block of Skyline Drive in a pickup truck.
A St. Paul man, 20, was arrested for DWI in the 3400 block of Rice Street after deputies were dispatched out to the scene of a drunk driver at 8:58 p.m. Oct. 25. A St. Paul man, 22, was also arrested for DWI at the same location at 9:18 p.m. Oct. 25, after deputies were dispatched out to the scene of a property damage auto accident.
An unidentified person was arrested for DWI Nov. 20, following a hit-and-run accident in the intersection of Vadnais Blvd. E. and Vadnais Blvd. W. As expected, the arrested party was the culprit who drove off without stopping, before being caught.
Recognition — and not the good kind. A White Bear Lake man, 60, was cited for theft Nov. 24 after he tried to steal more than $450 worth of merchandise from the Kwik Trip in the 3200 block of Highway 61. The man, who is known to store employees, grabbed a large box intended for donation collections and filled it up with armfuls of candy valued at more than $456 before making a break for it. Luckily, store employees were on to him, because they apprehended him before he could leave the store.
Catching herself. A Vadnais Heights woman, 40, was arrested on a warrant Nov. 24 at the intersection of Mayfair Road and Twin Lake Blvd. after she phoned RCSO deputies to turn herself in.
White Bear Township
A Hugo woman, 57, was cited for shoplifting May 11 at the Cub Foods store in the 1000 block of Meadowlands Drive after she stole a hanging plant and made a break for it when confronted by loss prevention personnel. The employees were able to take down the license plate number of her get-away vehicle when the suspect paused long enough to make an obscene gesture to them.
A Vadnais Heights man, 35, was arrested June 30 in the 5200 block of Elk Street on an active Ramsey County warrant for receiving stolen property, after deputies were called out to a report of a domestic disturbance.
Deputies on Sept. 5 arrested a male, 26, at his address in the 5500 block of Otter View Trail on an outstanding Hennepin County Sheriff's Office felony warrant for third-degree murder. Deputies try to find and arrest miscreants on warrants by first trying at their addresses. Most of the time, the suspects are not at the address, but this time, the subject was at home.
A Vadnais Heights man, 52, was arrested for shoplifting Sept. 11 at the Cub Foods store in the 1000 block of Meadowlands Drive after loss prevention personnel reported the theft.
A Brooklyn Park man, 37, was mailed a citation for misdemeanor theft Oct. 16 after he was found to have stolen items from Cub Foods in the 1000 block of Meadowlands Drive. Thanks to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database, deputies had an address for the suspect on file.
Calling attention to yourself. A Minneapolis woman, 40, was arrested Nov. 25 on active warrants out of Wright, Dakota and Washington counties after deputies responded to a civil dispute in the 1200 block of Bibeau Road. The subject was also issued a harassment restraining order short form.
Loretta Harding
CHURCH BRIEF
Program explores Winter Carnival history
Treasure Hunt historian Jesse Anibas will share memories of the St. Paul Winter Carnival's 'Hunt for the Medallion' at an upcoming Redeemer Primetime event at Redeemer Lutheran Church at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 16.
Anibas has a wealth of stories from his
RSVP
years with the Winter Carnival and will provide insight as to what has made the Carnival popular over the years.
The event is held in the atrium at Redeemer, located at 3770 Bellaire Avenue, White Bear Lake. Those interested in attending should sign up by Jan. 12 at the church office or by phone at 651-429-5411.
POLITICAL BRIEF
Meet local legislators
The League of Women VotersWhite Bear Lake Area is hosting an opportunity to meet local legislators on Saturday, Jan. 11 from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the White Bear Lake Library.
Senator Heather Gustafson (District 36) and Representative Brion Curran (District 36B) will be available to answer questions about upcoming bills at the legislature. Attendees can submit questions on index cards, which will be provided at the event. For more information, visit lwvwbla.org.
Winter Preview Day
Thurs. Jan. 16 | 9 AM
Liberty Classical Academy | Preschool - 12th Grade
Cafesjian Art Trust Museum announces new exhibit
39
The Cafesjian Art Trust Museum’s (CAT) new exhibit “Echoes of Life: Paintings from the Collection” will showcase a selection of diverse moments that make up the human experience. The exhibit will open on Jan. 24, and run until Sep. 6.
“This selection of paintings collected by my father Gerard Cafesjian (1925-2013) throughout his lifetime is another wonderful example of his diverse and eclectic artistic tastes,” said Kathie Cafesjian Baradaran, president and CEO of the CAT.
The artwork featured in the exhibition will focus on universal elements of our shared humanity—a strong sense of place, a specific moment in time or a particularly relatable character. These painted “echoes of life” may feel familiar or may introduce an entirely new way to see the world.
"What unites our different artworks in this exhibition is their shared ability to capture the essence of everyday life,” said Linnea Seidling, director of communications and events. “Each piece is easy to understand and relate to, and offers a unique perspective on a universal theme, inviting us to consider the interconnectedness of our experiences. We think that in our divided times, works like these might particularly resonate.”
The CAT has designed multiple
ways for visitors to engage with the exhibition content. For the first time in the museums, history, visitors will be able to come to the museum without a reservation every Saturday from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. throughout the run of the exhibition.
“We have had so much interest from visitors that getting a coveted tour reservation has become a challenge,” Baradaran said. “So, we’re making a change and encouraging visitors to drop by any time on Saturdays – no reservation or ticket needed! We hope to welcome even more people through our doors, especially families and those who work during the week.”
The museum will continue to offer docent-led guided tours on Thursdays and Fridays, still by reservation only. Docents will be available on Saturdays for visitors to answer questions and lead tours.
An opening reception for “Echoes of Life” will be held on Friday, Jan. 24. Drop-in Saturdays will begin Jan. 25. Tickets for the reception will be available starting Jan. 3. See www. cafesjianarttrust.org for more details. The CAT is located at 4600 Churchill St., Shoreview.
Madeline Dolby
PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED
David Rickert (American, born 1939). Minneapolis Sunday Morning, 1991. Acrylic paint on canvas. 27 1/2 ×
3/4 in. Cafesjian Art Trust 2024.321.1.
Viacheslaw Pereta (Ukrainian, born 1977). Playtime, in the Garden, 2003. Oil paint on canvas. 18 3/4 × 26 3/4 in. Cafesjian Art Trust 2024.124.34.
PAI participants showcase their creativity
Throughout 2024, Phoenix Alternatives Inc.'s (PAI) participants had the opportunity to work with Cow Tipping Press, an organization dedicated to amplifying neurodiverse voices and changing the narrative on disability. Through the partnership, participants explored creative writing, crafting stories that reflect their unique perspectives.
The collaboration culminated at Cajeta Coffee last week, where participants read their newly published stories, sharing their creativity and insights with the community.
“At Cow Tipping Press, we aim to change the narrative on disability both in practice and in print, encouraging more people to seek out and celebrate neurodiverse people and stories, on the page and beyond,” said Rachel Lieberman, its program director. “It has been an absolute joy to work with the authors and support staff at PAI this past year, and we're so glad to have these whimsical, goofy and poignant stories out in the world.”
PAI partnered with Cow Tipping
Press not once, but twice, giving over 15 participants the opportunity to transform their thoughts and imaginations into powerful stories.
“These narratives, read aloud in a public space, showcase their introspection and creativity, leaving a meaningful impact on our community. We are proud of the participants’ accomplishments and excited to continue this collaboration, fostering inclusion and understanding through the transformative power of storytelling,” said PAI President Mike Miner. “These experiences are made possible by the generosity of our supporters. We look forward to the incredible self-expression and creativity that the upcoming year will bring.”
PAI was founded in 1990. The nonprofit organization serves people with developmental disabilities by maximizing their integration into the community and helping individuals pursue meaningful, personalized activities. For more information, visit www.paimn.org.
Shannon Granholm
NAMES IN THE NEWS
Following the publication of two picture books in 2024, White Bear Lake author David LaRochelle has released the first two books in a new interactive series: “This Sheep Needs Your Help!” and “This Pirate Needs Your Help!” They are the first books that LaRochelle has both written and illustrated in over 10 years. The books come with a dry erase pen so readers can complete the illustrations however they want. Once they reach the end of the book, they can wipe the pages clean and test their drawing skills, again and again.
For more information visit https:// davidlarochelle.com/childrens_books/ draw_erase_adventures.
Wyatt Tarnowski was selected for the 2024 Advanced Placement (AP) Art
CONSTRUCTION BRIEFS
County Road F sidewalk construction rescheduled
Final concrete work on the new sidewalk on the north side of County Road F between McKnight Road and Jay Lane has been rescheduled for spring 2025. There was a significant delay in the project progress because a gas service needed to be relocated for proper installation of a retaining wall. To get the best results for the sidewalk, the project area will be graded and made safe for the winter, and the concrete will be installed in the spring when temperatures and weather permit.
STATE OF MINNESOTA CLEMENCY REVIEW COMMITTEE LEGAL NOTICE
The following individuals who were convicted of crimes in Ramsey County have applied for relief from the Clemency Review Commission. The applications will be considered at the meeting scheduled for Feb. 7, 2025, commencing at 9:00 a.m. at 1450 Energy Park Dr., St. Paul, MN:
Jerri Linda Malone
2nd Degree Assault - dangerous weapon
Convicted: 11/28/2012
Scott Jay Debban
1st Deg. Murder – 2 counts, Attempted 1st Deg. Murder
Convicted: 11/4/1993
Daniel James Valtierra
Aid/Abet 1st Degree Felony Murder - 3 counts, Aid/Abet 2nd Degree Murder with intent
Convicted: 2/10/2005
Ethan Robert O’Connor
Misdemeanor domestic assault
Convicted: 2/14/2013
Victims have a right to submit a statement at this meeting. For more information, email the Clemency Review Commission at clemency.review. commission@state.mn.us or call 651-539-2610. Published one time in the White Bear Press on January 8, 2025. OFFICE OF THE MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED
2599 Fairview Ave N, Roseville MN 55113
I certify that I am authorized to sign this certificate and I further certify that I understand that by signing this certificate, I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in section 609.48 as if I had signed this certificate under
TOWN OF WHITE BEAR, RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, That the Town Board of the Town of White Bear, Ramsey County, Minnesota, will meet at Heritage Hall, 4200 Otter Lake Road, in said Town on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at 7:00 p.m., to consider amending Sections 3, 6, and 7 of Ordinance 35 related to Cannabis Uses and businesses, and to hear and pass upon objections and recommendations, if any, and to conduct any and all business incident thereto.
Given under my hand this 26th day of December, 2024. BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
PATRICK CHRISTOPHERSON, Clerk-Treasurer
Published one time in the White Bear Press on January 8, 2025.
and Design Digital Exhibit. Tarnowski is one of 50 students among 80,000 student portfolios selected for the honor. His portfolio was completed during his senior year at Mahtomedi High School (MHS) in his AP 3-D Art and Design class. In his portfolio, he explored using thrown pottery pieces with negative space and unique textures.
Wyatt Tarnowski
“Wyatt came into his senior year determined to push his artistic skills to create his AP 3-D portfolio. His ‘out of the box’ thinking allowed him to explore a wide variety of techniques and styles. This exploration paid off with Wyatt receiving a perfect score on his AP-3D portfolio as well as being showcased at the White Bear Center of the Arts student art show,” said MHS Pottery teacher Jan Nelson.
Tarnowski is currently attending the University of Minnesota Duluth and working on his Master of Business Administration.
Larpenteur Avenue, White Bear Avenue, North Saint Paul Road improvements mostly complete North St. Paul Road and Van Dyke Street are open to traffic. Signals are completed on White Bear Avenue, and the road will be fully open to traffic by December 6. There will be sod installation and minor work this spring, which is expected to be complete by the end of June, weather permitting. Long-term lane closures are no longer anticipated or scheduled.
WHITE BEAR LAKE AREA SCHOOLS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 624
INVITATION TO INTERESTED SERVICE PROVIDERS STUDENT TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Independent School District No. 624, located 4855 Bloom Avenue, White Bear Lake, MN 55110, will receive written quotations until 10:00 AM CST, February 11, 2025 from qualified service providers interested in being considered as the District student transportation services provider commencing with school year 2025-26. On the above date and time authorized persons representing Independent School District No. 624 will publicly open the written
CONTRIBUTED
A Phoenix Alternatives Inc.’s (PAI) participant reads his recently published story aloud at Cajeta Coffee in downtown White Bear Lake.
David LaRochelle
The existing pavement has minimal thickness; the township plans to increase the thickness of the
new road pavement section. The township also plans to increase the width of the road by 6 feet and add storm sewer and curb and gutter. Special
care will be taken to avoid wetlands in the area. Residents also requested a larger culde-sac.
The project is estimated at $961,100 with
assessments estimated at $12,000 per unit.
In March, the township will host an open house where residents will be able to see finalized plans
White Bear Lake Lions
and ask questions of the town engineers. A specific date has not yet been set.
For more information on the Portland Woods road improvement, visit www.ci.whitebear-township. mn.us/492/PortlandWoods-Reconstruction.
For more information on the Anderson Lane road improvement, visit www.ci.whitebear-township. mn.us/490/AndersonLane-Reconstruction.
Gem Lake seeks to fill vacancy
The Gem Lake Planning Commission has at least one seat open as of Jan. 1. Being a commission member involves tasks such as evaluating development requests, helping to draft new or improve existing ordinances and generally all matters pertaining to planning and zoning.
Duties include attending monthly meetings and reading the packet in advance of the meeting. To serve on the commission you must be a resident of Gem Lake. Those who are interested should contact City Clerk Melissa Lawrence at Heritage Hall of download the application from the city website at https://gemlakemn.org.
Gem Lake residents can get NOAA radio discount
Residents of Gem Lake are eligible to receive a NOAA weather radio for 50% off thanks to a new program. The program is through an initiative at the county level to help citizens become more prepared for emergencies, such as flooding, severe weather, pandemics etc.
The city of Gem Lake has set two goals — one encouraging residents to use NOAA weather radios in their households; and two installing a building power generation system. If you are interested in a discounted radio, contact City Clerk Melissa Lawrence at Heritage Hall and put your name on the list by Jan. 31.
STEERING COMMITTEE: City Council will need to discuss next steps
“The focus of the study was to review the mobility of vehicles and pedestrians in the downtown area along with parking availability, utilization and potential opportunities. The study was based on input from data reviews, community engagement and input and review of the steering committee and staff,” explained Public Works Director/City Engineer Paul Kauppi. “The report includes concepts for each of these elements for consideration by council as future projects are considered.”
Eli Rupnow, a business representative on the committee, said many of the concepts “make sense” but he has some concerns. “They have done a lot of things that are overall good,” he said, adding that he as well as other committee members have “a bunch of concerns.” As of last week, he had yet to see a final draft of the
Roberta E. Vadnais (Denfeld)
Of White Bear Lake, Mn, age 91, passed away peacefully 12/22/2024. Preceded in death by her beloved husband Gordon F. Vadnais. She leaves behind her 3 children, Rick Schwalbach, Deb Waag (Robert) and Connie Schwinn (Michael), 6 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, her sister Carol Bourquin and many nieces and nephews. She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed. Special thanks to the staff of Keystone Place at LaValle Fields and the wonderful volunteers. A Celebration of Life will be held this summer.
Georjann Deutsch
study report. “I don’t know if we are even going to see the final version before the council meeting,” Rupnow said. He shared that what he views as the two most controversial parts of the plan is the proposal to close the access to Third Street from Highway 61 and the recommendation to remove trees.
Kim Schoonover, a business representative on the committee, was unable to attend the last meeting but said she felt like it was “a good process.”
“I felt like they were very open to the community, having various community meetings, having a website that gave all the information that they were proposing. I appreciated being a part of it being a business owner so I could understand what was going on,” she said. “I think that in general it is very positive things that are going to be happening, so I’m really encouraged by it.”
Schoonover added, “It was a good, well-rounded group of people to address all of the different concerns … I was
John E. Olsen, Jr.
aka Johnny, Hugo John, or Old Man died from cancer at his home on Half Moon Lake in WI December 24, 2024.
Born August 25, 1955, John was the oldest of fifteen, all half siblings to him. He grew up without his father but was able to have a close relationship with him in later years. He met most of his siblings in his 3rd and 5th decades. He was with his third, and most patient wife, Sydney for 32 years. He had two sons, Zeb and Harry and was preceded in death by Zeb. Zeb left him with three grandsons, that he adored: Keegan, Zeb Jr and Grayson. John leaves behind many friends, the number is staggering. He made friends everywhere he went no matter what he was doing. He had a memory for faces.
surprised at how they listened to everybody and how we would talk through things. I feel like everybody’s opinions were addressed and respected.”
The White Bear Press requested the final draft of the study report from the city but has yet to receive it.
“We really don’t have any information to share at this point except that the project steering committee will be presenting the final study to council for acceptance at the Jan. 14 meeting,” Kauppi said.
Following acceptance of the report, the council will need to discuss it further and determine the next steps for any upcoming projects in the downtown area.
According to the project website, the final product will be a plan to guide future road and infrastructure projects in the downtown area. The first project is anticipated to include the area south of Fourth Street and various municipal parking lots.
David A. Clarke
Born on April 13, 1946, in St. Paul, Minnesota, passed away on December 19, 2024, in Peoria, Illinois, due to heart failure.
David was preceded in death by his parents, Stephen and Mary Clarke. He is survived by his beloved wife, Patricia, and his brother, Jerome.
A proud graduate of White Bear High School’s Class of 1964, David was an active participant in a variety of sports during his school years. His dedication and enthusiasm for athletics were a hallmark of his youth.
David built a fulfilling career with the Burlington Railroad and later with the Colorado Department of Revenue. His work ethic and commitment were evident throughout his professional life.
Age 89 of Hugo. Georjann passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Wednesday, December 25, 2024. She was born June 28, 1935 in Davenport, IA to Harry and Marie Paulsen. She is preceded in death by husband, Hal; son-in-law, Brian Preisler; her parents, siblings & many friends. She is survived by daughters, Holly Preisler and Lisa (Rick) Heroff; and sons, Greg Deutsch, Mark (Barb) Deutsch, and David Deutsch; grandchildren, Jaime, Rebecca, Jaclyn, Kevin, Kyle, Kate, Karina, William; and 11 great grandchildren. Georjann graduated from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa with a degree in elementary education and was a part of the Tri Delta sorority. She was married to Hal on June 22, 1957, in Davenport, Iowa and they began their lives together in El Paso, Texas at Fort Bliss. After Texas, they moved to White Bear Lake where she taught for many years at St. Pius. Upon her retirement Georjann and Hal moved permanently to their lake home on Little Whitefish Lake near Garrison, they lived there for 22 years until returning to the Twin City area. While living at the lake, Georjann was active in the Garrison Lions Club. She also enjoyed her beautiful flower and vegetable gardens at her lake home. Georjann was a teacher by profession, but also at heart. She was always excited to read to her grandkids and great grandkids as well as help them design and sew their first quilts. Georjann was a social butterfly, she loved playing cards with friends and going to her sewing classes. To know Georjann is to know that she was a beautiful seamstress and quilter. Everyone who met her instantly knew she was a compassionate, gentle, patient, funny, open minded, encouraging, and a generous longtime friend. Her friends and family will miss her dearly, but think of her often especially while cozying up under one of her quilts.
A celebration of Georjann’s life will be held in the Spring of 2025.
Roberts Family Funeral Home, 651-464-4422, RobertsFamilyFH.com.
John was raised by his grandparents in Waukegan, Illinois but when his grandmother died, he moved to Amherst, WI where he went to high school. Amherst molded John more than anything. He was emancipated while still in high school, which might have helped his popularity. John always said that he learned to work from the farm families he got to know in the central WI area. He took that work ethic, founded two tree removal businesses and climbed trees until he was 62. John developed client relationships that lasted nearly 50 years.
During his illness he received many kind cards and letters from clients. John retired from Hugo Tree, but never stopped cutting trees for friends. He was known for his honest opinions and approach to business. He treated everyone like family.
When not slaying trees, John was an avid motorcyclist, card player, golfer, boater, fisherman, gun sports (but no hunting) and all-around fun guy to have at a party. With a sharp wit and harmless charm, he was known for his jokes and storytelling at any party that he attended.
He loved to turn trees he had cut into usable lumber, and his lake home is a testament to a lifetime of accumulating (and moving) boards and slabs.
In addition to his wife, son and grandsons, John leaves behind his one-eyed dog, Captain. The latest in a long line of rescue dogs he adopted. John also leaves behind close siblings, extended family, and many friends that have become family. He leaves a legacy of “if you love what you do then you will never work a day in your life”.
Memorials preferred to Northwoods Humane Society in Forest Lake, MN or Hugo Good Neighbors Food Shelf in Hugo, MN.
Drinks and stories Friday January 10, 4-7pm at the Hugo American Legion.
Eugene H. “Gene” Nissen
Age 91 of White Bear Lake, MN. Formerly of Shafer, MN passed away on December 31, 2024. Survived by wife Bev (Molly) Faffler; daughters Connie (Bob) Linder, Cindy (Fred Pfannes) Anderson, Ruth (Ken) Larson. Celebration of Life 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. Saturday, January 11, 2025 at Grandstrand Funeral Home, Lindstrom, MN.
Condolences may be shared online at www. grandstrandfh.com.
In accordance with David’s wishes, no services are planned. May his memory bring comfort to those who knew him.
Nancy J. McAllister Brock
Age 86 of White Bear Lake.
Preceded in death by parents Carl and Edna Yunkherr and husband E.C. Mike McAllister.
Survived by husband John Brock; children Michael McAllister, Amy (Scott) Holerud, Patrick (Holly) McAllister; grandchildren Alexandra, Julia, Emily, Megan, and Matthew; great-grandson Cooper. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11AM Friday, January 10, 2025 at ST. MARY OF THE LAKE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 4741 Bald Eagle Avenue, White Bear Lake, with a visitation one hour before Mass at Church. Interment St. Mary’s Cemetery, White Bear Lake. In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Northern Sky Theater, WI, or Alzheimer’s Association.
“Miss White Bear Lake Never Leaving” Honsafamilyfuneral.com, 651-429-6172
Cecil C. Van Booven, Jr.
Age 72, of White Bear Lake. Passed away surrounded by family on December 30, 2024. A service is planned for the Spring of 2025. Arrangements with Honsa Family Funeral Home, Honsafamilyfuneral.com, 651-429-6127
Karen Lee (Bakke) Sisterman
Age 84 of White Bear Lake, passed away Dec. 17th, 2024. Born in Duluth, MN January 27, 1940. Survived by her husband of 36 years, John, her daughters Lisa Annand, Kim Scherer and blended children Wendy Sisterman, Christopher Sisterman, and Matthew Sisterman. Sisters Claudia Aronsohn, Linda Johnson and Laurie Bakke.
Karen spent years supporting Al-onon families. Her passion was animal rescue and working with in the veterinary world. She was the original cat woman. Every feline that crossed her path was special and if you were lucky enough to be invited to live in her home, you were exceptional,
A special thank you to St. Croix Hospice and the extraordinary care given to her during this trying time.
A celebration of Karen’s life will be held on January 24, 2025 at the White Bear Unitarian Universalist Church, 328 Maple St., Mahtomedi, MN 55115, from 12 Noon to 4 pm. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to Animal Humane Society, Golden Valley, MN.
A special thank you to the White Bear Lake Fire Department for the numerous calls to Karen’s home while in Hospice. It was greatly appreciated.
Weekly Outlook
Weather Tidbits
Brought to you by WeathermanWatson.com
As the eastern half of the nation reels from a major winter storm and now an Arctic blast, we finally get to enjoy some much needed sunshine. With that sunshine comes
winter. We did experience some below 0º this past weekend but it “only” dipped to -3º. Winds were fairly light and the sun was out. It was great! Area lakes and ponds are like glass. The total lack of snow cover on lakes has made for ideal ice boat conditions. I’ve seen a few zipping along on White Bear Lake. I’ve also spotted just a few pickups on the ice. With the lack of snow cover and the cold we need to watch out for frozen water lines. Note: My 2025 Weather Calendar is available online at WeathermanWatson.com or Lake Country Booksellers.
Rocky “RJ” James Kaupp
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Rocky “RJ” James Kaupp, who brought joy to this world for a brief but unforgettable time. RJ was born on November 5, 2012, and departed on November 29, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of love and light.
RJ is survived by his parents, Jessica Kaupp (Rutten) and Michael Kaupp; his sisters, Hayden and Lainey Kaupp; as well as his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Richard “Rocky” George Kaupp, and his uncle, Justin Wade Rutten, who now welcome him into their arms.
During his short life, RJ blessed his family with his beautiful smile that could light up any room. He had a love for music, enjoyed swimming, and being outside. He cherished every moment spent with his family. Though his time here was far too brief, RJ left an indelible mark on the hearts of all who knew him.
His family takes comfort in the knowledge that RJ is now held in the embrace of his Grandpa Rocky and Uncle Justin, surrounded by love and peace. He will forever remain in our hearts, a bright star shining in the heavens above.
A Celebration of Life will be January 31st from 10am-2pm at BRADSHAW, 4600 Greenhaven Drive, White Bear.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for acts of kindness or donations to causes that have supported RJ: Make-A-Wish America, Spare Key - Providing Assistance to Families Facing A Medical Crisis, Home - Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota, UCP of Minnesota, Hydrocephalus Association | We’re Here To Support You. Bradshaw Funeral home, 651-407-8300
Gary Baumann
70, of Grant, passed away on December 21,2024. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Bernice Baumann. He was an Army Veteran and retired from the St. Paul Regional Water Dept. Interment with Honors at Fort Snelling National Cemetery on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at 1:45 PM, directions on Mueller Memorial Website.
Mueller Memorial White Bear Lake, 651-429-4944, www.muellermemorial.com
is a local Meteorologist who operates a weather station in White Bear Lake. Weather data and observation are
weather
meta l appliance pick up 65 1-329-0815 Frank
and trips around the area. Frank can be found on the internet at WeathermanWatson.com.
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What you should know: Ice fishing on the St. Croix
BY ROY HEILMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Minnesotans are used to seeing ice shanty “villages” this time of year. Those who glance out onto the frozen St. Croix River may not realize that what they’re looking at may be something like a true community centered on one species.
The scenic river is one of a handful of places in the Upper Midwest where lake sturgeon thrive. Naturally, they attract anglers looking for a chance at battling the prehistoric beast.
Unlike the famously secretive devotees of crappies and walleyes, sturgeon anglers are an open and welcoming bunch. Many of the most fervent have coalesced around the “Minnesota Catfish and Sturgeon” Facebook group where photos, fishing reports and advice are freely shared.
One such angler is Jake Odonnell, of South St. Paul. While children everywhere scanned the skies for a flying sleigh on Christmas Eve, his eyes were fixed on a sonar screen near Bayport, the de facto capital of sturgeon ice angling in this area. He immediately welcomed a wandering writer into his pop-up shelter and began to explain what was happening. Fortunately for the uninitiated, it’s uncomplicated.
“A lot of guys will go in the deeper areas, you know,
A
35 or 40 feet. I stay in the shallow from 13 to about 25. You can go anywhere,” explained Odonnell. “Set up with a bait on the bottom and hope for the best. You just wait for them to come by and watch that bobber.”
That night, he used a sucker minnow on a plain J hook. Nightcrawlers and other kinds of minnows are also frequently employed.
Odonnell had yet to catch the first sturgeon for the season at that point but knows that is par for the course. “You can have nights when you have a bunch of action, and you’re catching four or five a night. Or you can go a couple weeks on end and not catch anything. It’s a big gamble,” he said.
It is common for sturgeon to pass by, with no indication of interest in the bait. “That might be a sturgeon here,” he said, pointing to his sonar. While sturgeon fishing is a known waiting game, long times between bites does not mean they are scarce.
The number of lake sturgeon in this stretch of the river has been estimated to be well into the thousands. They are highly migratory — especially during spawning season — just one reason an exact figure is elusive, if not impossible. Nonetheless, the population is considered healthy, and has been studied by both Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Wisconsin DNR for decades.
A few members of the Minnesota sturgeon angling community participated in ongoing research in 2023 and early 2024 by helping the Wisconsin DNR install new tags on over 500 fish. For their part, the rank-andfile sturgeon anglers routinely catch tagged fish (some date to the 1980s) and report tag numbers and fish measurements.
All that data helps fisheries managers understand things like population size, growth, migration habits, and more. Some individual fish have been caught many times over the years, showing that sturgeon are hardy fish and that they can thrive for years after being released.
Ice fishing for sturgeon on the St. Croix is solely a catch-and-release activity, as harvest is restricted to a few weeks in September. The season will close on March 1.
Shortly before that, the sturgeon fishing community will likely hold “Sturgeon Camp,” an annual event full of food and camaraderie and a friendly fishing tournament. The tournament portion is conducted virtually through the FishDonkey phone app, which
allows for best handling of the sturgeon. A 54-inch fish was tops in 2023. Anglers were restricted to revelry on the shore in 2024, since ice conditions did not permit the usual all-weekend gathering on the ice.
Staying out on the ice for days at a time is not uncommon for sturgeon chasers, including Odonnell. He caught his personal best a few years ago in the middle of the night. It measured 77 and 1/4 inches, just shy of the Minnesota catch and release record (78 inches).
“That was at, I want to say, 1 a.m. It took a little over an hour to get it in. Pretty much in this spot right here,” he said.
Anyone interested in besting Odonnell’s record, or catching any sturgeon at all, can do so with their 2024 fishing license until February 28. Basic information about sturgeon, their biology, safe handling and more can be found at: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ gofishing/how-catch-lake-sturgeon.html
Roy Heilman is a contributing writer for Press Publications. He can be reached at news@presspubs.com or 651-407-1200.
Sturgeon angler Jake Odonnell hoists a lake sturgeon caught this season on the St. Croix River.
SPORTS
Bear girls win 3 of 5 over holiday break
BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS WRITER
Showing marked improvement, the White Bear Lake girls hockey team won three of five games over the break, including two of three at a Lakeville tournament followed by a conference win, and a 2-0 loss to a team that beat them 9-1 earlier.
The Bears had just two previous wins but are now 5-10-2.
“The girls worked hard and have proven their strength of character through adversity this season,” said Claudia Verkerke, cocoach with Jeanette Bealke. “They are starting to reap their reward of hard work and diligence during the first half of the season.”
At Lakeville, the Bears won 4-0 over Shakopee (11-4-1) on goals by Madelyn Lee
(two), Paige Downey and Amanda Smythe, and 20 saves by goalie Macie Marston. They won 3-1 over Lakeville South (6-8-1) with Marston stopping 30 of 31 shots while
Roed shines for USHL team
Nolan Roed, who last winter scored 33 goals to help White Bear Lake reach the state tournament, is one of the leading scorers in the USHL this season, centering the top line for the Tri-City Storm, based in Kearney, Nebraska.
Nolan Roed
Heading into the holiday break, Roed had tallied 14 goals and 17 assists in 28 games, for 31 points, fourthmost in the USHL. Roed played for Tri-City before and after the high school season last year, so he is a second-year player.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Mahtomedi won three games over the break while losing to No. 1 ranked Benilde-St, Margaret’s. The Zephyrs (83) fended off Stewartville 66-58 in a tournament at Northwestern, then lost to BSM 72-59. Sarah Poepard sank 27 points against Stewartville, shooting 5-for-7 on three’s. Anna Greene added 10 points and Grace Prose and Berkley Blaisdell nine each. Against BSM, Greene had 19 points and Poepard 14. Zahara Bishop hit 22 for BSM. The Zephyrs beat Tartan 74-25 as Greene netted 19 points, Poepard 18, Blaisdell 13 and Prose 12. They topped Austin 74-52 in an expo at KassonMantorville, led by Prose with 20 points and Poepard with 18. Berkley Blaisdell added 10 points and Greta Siess nine.
BOYS HOCKEY
Mahtomedi tallied three goals in the third period — by Brayden Fuerst, Laken Decker, and Mac Appert at 13:06 for the lead — to defeat Orono 4-3, then lost an overtime game to Cloquet-Esko-Carlton 3-2. Winston Wright had the first goal against Orono (7-6-2) and Wes Strub made 23 saves. No. 3 ranked C-E-C (12-1) beat the Zephyrs (4-8-1) on Bobby Thornton’s goal 15 seconds into overtime. Scoring for Mahtomedi were Cody Loida (power play) and Decker. Zephyr goalie Jackson Chesak made 24 saves and CEC’s Jacob Iallonardo made 25.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Mahtomedi is 4-5 after losing three games over the break — to Wisconsin teams Menomonie 61-45 and New Richmond 67-62 at River Falls, and to Tartan 6954. Against Menomonie, Mark Graff sank 25 points. Against New Richmond, Graff notched 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists while Willie Roelofs had 15 points, seven rebounds and two blocks and Hank Roelofs 14 rebounds and nine points. Against Tartan, Graff logged 18 points and nine rebounds, Hank Roelofs 16 points and 14 rebounds, and Willie Roelofs 12 points
“Last year was huge, and honestly, coming into the (USHL) was really eyeopening,” Roed stated in a feature story in minnesotahockeymag.com. “It showed you how fast the pace is and how strong guys are, and how much work you have to put in if you want to be on top of your game.”
Tri-City coach Marco Trevino cited Roed, a St. Cloud State recruit, as an excellent skater and “really smart player” who creates opportunities for himself and others.
Nolan’s older brother Lleyton, who previously played for Tri-City, currently plays for the Coachella Valley Firebirds of the AHL.
Bruce Strand
and eight rebounds.
GYMNASTICS
Mahtomedi placed third of eight teams in Class A at the annual Minnesota Girls Gymnastics Officials Association (MGGOA) in Park Center. Breck scored 136.45, Eastview 135.575 and Mahtomedi 132.900. Earning medals with top 10 placements were Lucy Otto, Margo Bruner, Cassia Hartman, Adele Schroeder, Lily Bush, Addi Eitel and Addison Briske.
BOYS WRESTLING
Mahtomedi won two of five matches at the UW-Eau Claire Holiday Duals. The Zephyrs had multiple forfeits due to injuries and absences. Evan McGuire was 5-0 at 215, Aidan Carlson 4-1 at 126, Aidan Boex 4-1 at 175, Sam White 4-1 at 160, and Shelby McFetridge was 3-2 against boys at 132. Owen Eigen, Lucas Iverson, and Henry Johnson each won two. The Zephyrs placed sixth of eight teams at Cambridge-Isanti. Carlson and McGuire were champions. In the finals, Carlson beat Seth Ramsdell of Little Falls 13-2 and McGuire beat Ivan Petrich of Little Falls 15-2. Boex placed second at 172. McGuire is 25-0 and ranked first in Class AA. Carlson is 19-5 and ranked ninth. Boex, a freshman, is 18-9.
GIRLS WRESTLING
Mahtomedi girls had two tournaments over the break. At St. Paul Harding, Shelby McFetridge was 3-0 to win her division and was named Outstanding Wrestler. Ranked No. 5 at 124 pounds, she pinned No. 6 Kalia Moe of Harding in the finals. Olivia Tofte was 3-0 and won her division. Elizabeth Carlson was 2-1 and placed second. Evie Karle was 1-2 to place third. At Champlin Park, McFettridge was 3-1 with two pins and placed fifth. Tofte, Carlson and Parker Pentilla each won one match.
Bruce Strand
Downey, Kendall Roeser and Lee found the net. Marston was named star of both games along with Lee against Shakopee and Roeser against Lakeville.
BOYS BASKETBALL
White Bear Lake raced to a quick 14-2 lead and stayed in control to defeat Centennial 73-61 in Circle Pines. Colin Piper led the Bears (3-3) with 21 points, including 9-for-11 on free shots. Rithy Sain sank 17 points and John Johnson 14. Centennial (6-2) kept some pressure on the Bears with Jackson Driessen pumping in 30 points but could not get within single digits. Max Johnson added 10 points.
BOYS HOCKEY
In a duel of teams unbeaten in conference, White Bear Lake tipped Stillwater 3-1 at home. The Bears (82-1) are 6-0 in the Suburban East with Cretin-Derham Hall 5-0 and Stillwater 5-1. Evan Newlander scored twice against Stillwater, including a power play goal with 1:15 left for a 3-1 lead. Tyler Lalonde had the other goal and Leo Gabriel made 31 saves. Lute Myers scored short-handed for Stillwater (9-2). The Bears beat Class A power Hermantown 5-2 at home with
Against Anoka (4-9-2), the Bears fell behind 4-0 and closed within 5-4 before falling 6-4 with an empty-net goal. Scoring were Talia Domschot, Lee, Smythe and Maddie Belisle. In goal were Jillian Kopp (eight shots, five saves) and Marston (11 shots, nine saves). Lee made three assists. Anoka goalie Lauren Lafferty made 41 saves and Leah Amsler scored twice.
Returning to conference play, the Bears beat Mounds View/Irondale 5-2 as Lee blasted three goals, two on power plays, and Smythe netted two while Domschot made two assists. Marston saved 12 of 14 shots.
Woodbury (14-0-1) beat the Bears 2-0. Marston stopped 33 of 35 shots. Woodbury won their first meeting by eight goals in November.
goals by Jack Stanius (two), Hunter Doroff, Nash Roed, and Noah Norman. Gabriel made 23 saves against the Hawks (7-4-2).
GIRLS BASKETBALL
White Bear Lake was 2-2 over the break, including a near-upset of No. 5 ranked Wayzata and a last-second win over Stewartville. Senior guard Addison Post tallied 75 points including a gamewinner. The Bears (7-6) lost to Wayzata 56-55 in the Granite City Classic, after trailing 35-22. Sophie Hawkinson led the Trojans (7-2) with 19 points. Post netted 16 points, Elise Dieterle 11, Abby O’Brien 10 and Chloe Theisen eight. The Bears made 20 of 29 free shots. “The whole team played well. We had them beat but couldn't finish it,” coach Jeremy Post said. The Bears came out flat and lost to Brainerd 52-36 the next day. Post had 14 points. The Bears won at Centennial 55-49 with Post hitting 21 points and Dieterle 15. The Bears nipped Stewartville 62-60 in an expo at Kenyon-Wanamingo as Post drove for an uncontested layup with 1.5 seconds left and totaled 24 points. Dieterle supplied 16 points and eight rebounds.
GYMNASTICS
White Bear Lake scored a season-best 140.3 and placed second of eight teams at the Princeton Invitational. Hopkins won with 140.75. Addy Mueller was third all-around (36.9), won bars (9.5), tied for third on floor (9.2) and was fourth on vault (9.2). Josie Mlejnek was seventh all-around (34.6), fifth on floor (8.95) and eighth in bars (8.4). Amelia Ahrens scored 34.15 and placed seventh on beam (9.0). Grace Mueller totaled 33.0 and was sixth on vault (8.95). Harlie Peloquin tied for seventh on bars (8.5).
Bruce Strand
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Madelyn Lee
White Bear Lake Hockey January 8, 2025
Madelyn Lee has racked up 11 goals in nine games for White Bear Lake hockey, along with five assists. She was sorely missed when she sat out eight games with an injury. Lee logged five goals and four assists as the Bears won two of three in a Lakeville holiday tournament, then drilled three goals in a 5-2 win over Mounds View/Irondale. She has committed to St.
Cloud State.
PAUL DOWNEY | CONTRIBUTED
Amanda Smythe (right) blasted a shot that found the net against Mounds View/Irondale.
BRUCE STRAND | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
Rithy Sain sliced to the hoop for two of his 17 points against Centennial.
BEARS SPORTS BRIEFS
ZEPHYRS SPORTS BRIEFS
A bi-weekly section where readers will be informed on subjects of seasonal interest, upcoming events and other timely topics.
CLERK’S CORNER – Greetings from the Township! Hello & happy holidays from the entire staff working on your behalf at White Bear Township! It is the end of 2024 & the beginning of 2025, which means a full reset on what to look forward to over the next 12 months. Just want to reiterate a point though as a reflection on this past year…the Township now officially has the 2nd lowest tax rate in all of Ramsey County! Just another great reason to be here.
Something else we all should take note of in the next couple of weeks is the renewal of our contract with Republic Services & how that will impact all of us. The Township extended our current contract out to the end of 2026, during which time our residents will all notice an increase in cost. If you have any questions about
your new bill, please contact the customer service line for Republic Services at 320252-9608.
Along those same lines, the Township’s Utility Commission has decided to reopen discussions on seasonal holds while our residents are away for extended periods of time over the winter months. We hope to have something in place for fall 2025.
That’s it for now… see you in 2025!
SPECIAL TOWN BUDGET MEETING
REVIEW – Residents in attendance of White Bear Township’s Special Town Budget Meeting on December 3rd approved a final 2025 property tax levy of $6,210,324.00. The levy is a 9.30% increase over the 2024 tax levy.
The typical home in the Township saw market values increase of about 4.8% which when added to the property tax levy results in a property tax increase between $4.12 & $12.27 per month for homes valued at $256,624 & $513,247 respectively. Residents also recommended to the Town Board a 2025-operating budget for the Township of $6,740,979, which is a 7.95% increase over the 2024-operating budget. The main reason for the levy & budget increases are inflation & public safety increases.
For more information, visit the Town’s website at www.whitebeartownship.org or call Finance Officer Tom Kelly at (651) 747-2760.
TREE SALE REMINDER – The Township is offering a limited quantity of trees for sale at wholesale prices. Ordering can be made by mail or in person with cash, check, or credit card. Ordering is open NOW through March 1, 2025. Order forms can be found on our website or at Town Hall. The following types of trees are available to order: Princeton American Elm, Greenspire Linden, Sunburst Locust, Prairifire Crabapple, & Japanese Lilac. The price range is $32.51 – $43.75. Visit the Town’s website for more information.
Snow Sculpture Contest returns to Stillwater
BY ERIK SUCHY STAFF WRITER
Now in its fourth year, Stillwater’s Lowell Park will host an eye-popping handful of finely carved snow sculptures.
Twelve teams from 12 different countries will participate in the annual World Snow Sculpting Championship in January. Among many others, the teams will include Team Fjordwitches from Canada, Team Falcon from Mongolia, the Bocanegra Team from Spain and Sculptora Borealis from Wisconsin. All teams will compete for not just prize money, but also to take home the title of World Champion. The championship will be held from Jan. 15 through Jan. 26.
“It’s a great way to get outside, have a little wellness and come down at your leisure,” said Stillwater Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Robin Anthony.
All 12 teams will arrive at Lowell Park at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, for the Kickoff Ceremony, which will feature a welcome by Mayor Ted Kozlowski. Following a Tools Up! countdown at 9 a.m., when the teams will begin sculpting their creations, an opening ceremony will be held at the JX Event Center from 5 to 8 p.m. The ceremony will allow attendees to meet with the teams during a social hour and dinner.
Starting from Jan. 15 through Friday, Jan. 17, the teams will build their sculptures between 9 a.m. and midnight
each day. By Saturday, Jan. 18, the teams will have from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to finish sculpting before the closing ceremony at 6 p.m. The ceremony will take place on the Main Stage, where the winning teams will be awarded first, second and third place, as well as the Artist’s Choice and People’s Choice awards. Trophies and prize money will be given to the winning teams.
While attendees can expect the return of past favorite activities, such as the Water Street Inn’s Indoor Market and Warming House (held from Jan. 17-19), new activites will make their official debut. This includes a monthlong “Taste of the Nations,” from Jan. 1 to 31. Twelve local restaurants will feature the cuisine of one of the 12 participating teams’ homelands and serve a special entrée native to that country. The Chamber of Commerce has not yet confirmed a list of participating restaurants. Event buttons will be sold from Jan. 13-26, allowing shoppers to get special features at different businesses throughout the area.
Other new features will include an “Accessibility Day” for seniors, veterans and disabled individuals from 10 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21. In partnership with American Legion Bayport, Limitless Cycling and Hometown Hero Outdoors, this day will allow these individuals to explore the area using Limitless Cycling-brand Action Freechairs. These chairs are specially made, all-terrain wheelchairs designed to “offer a new
World Snow Sculpting Championship event highlights:
• Taste Of The Nations: Jan. 1-31
• Snow Slide: -Friday, Jan. 17, 4 - 9 p.m. -Saturday, Jan. 18, 10 a.m.- 9 p.m.
-Sunday, Jan. 19, 10 a.m.- 9 p.m.
• Candlelit Winter Walk: Friday, Jan. 17, 5-8 p.m.
• Snowman Building Experience: Monday, Jan. 20, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Accessibility Day: Tuesday, Jan. 21, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Fat Tire Bike Rally: Sunday, Jan. 26, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.
sense of freedom, joy, and independence in nature,” according to the company website. The Bayport American Legion will sell water and hot chocolate on-site during this day.
Additional events will include a Candlelit Winter Walk from 5 to 8 p.m. Jan. 17 along the Browns Creek Trail, and a “World’s Coolest Block Party” from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Jan. 18, featuring a live DJ playing family-friendly music.
There will also be a Snowman Building Experience held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, where kids will get to build their own snowmen for display.
The Fat Tire Bike Rally, which
White Bear Cheer
The White Bear Lake varsity and elementary cheerleading teams competed at the Frosty Fest competition held at St. Michael-Albertville High School Dec. 21, earning top honors. The 14-member varsity team was named champions of the Varsity Non-Tumbling I game day and traditional divisions, taking the highest traditional routine score of the entire competition. The 13-member elementary team placed first in its division. Both teams will perform at the White Bear Lake Cheer JamBEARee, to be
recently became a part of the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s “World Snow Celebration” festivities, will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26. The course will start and end at River Siren Brewing on Main Street N., and participants can choose from three trail options. These include riding the 10-mile course or bypassing the two technical “racing” segments in Valley View Park (1.2 and 1.7 miles), shortening their course to 7.1 miles. More information on the ride can be found at www.bikereg.com/stillwaterfat-bike-rally-2025.
Anthony said that she hopes this year’s contest will allow attendees to appreciate different kinds of art and diversity from all the teams competing against one another. “There’s something for everybody,” noted Anthony, “for toddlers all the way to seniors. It’s a beautiful backdrop against the St. Croix River, and a wonderful, family-fun experience to appreciate the state of the arts.”
For a complete list of dates and events to register for, please visit the World Snow Celebration 2025 website at www. worldsnowcelebration.com/activities.
Erik Suchy is a staff writer for Press Publications. You can reach him at lowdownnews@presspubs.com or 651-407-1229.
CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL BRIEF
What’s your radon story?
January is National Radon Action Month. Over the last few years, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has chosen the last week of January to observe Radon Awareness Week.
The awareness campaign sheds light on the dangers of radon, the second leading cause of lung cancer deaths in the United States after cigarette smoking. Radon is a naturallyoccurring, radioactive gas. It is odorless, tasteless and invisible.
The scene is your house and your community. The bad guy is radon, an invisible, silent homeinvader. You are the main character. Your family, friends and community members are in supporting roles. Your state radon control officer, radon mitigation (reduction) contractor and health care providers may be woven into your story as heroes.
January 27-31 is Radon Awareness Week. This year’s theme is “What’s Your Radon Story?” Each day of the week features facts about radon with related graphics, social media messages and a highlighted radon story:
• Monday: Who is affected by radon?
• Tuesday: What are the health effects of radon?
• Wednesday: Where are people exposed to radon?
• Thursday: When should I install a radon reduction system?
held at White Bear Lake Area High School Jan.18.
Pictured (front row, from left) are Autumn Kohler, Angelina Marino, Hadley Thorson, Presley Manship, Sophia Tveit, Mara Upsend, Madisyn Hood, Malena Zacharias, Keira Keese, Arabella Karp and Jolene Poindexter; middle row, Nora Elliott, Addison Pierce, Jensen Brown, Katelyn Kaehler, Peyton Lee, Evelyn Nicholas, Holly Anderson, Eliana Jacoway, Briana Caliendo, Mikaela Caliendo and Sydney Leach; back row, Willow Maxwell, Reyna Piper, Avery Bach, Anna Lindholm and Ali Carnes.
CONTRIBUTED