White Bear Press

Bald Eagle Lake may be removed from impaired waters list

BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR

Since 2002, Bald Eagle Lake has been one of the many lakes included on the state’s impaired waters list. That just might be changing.

Bald Eagle Lake is one of seven lakes slated for possible removal from Minnesota’s impaired waters list. White Rock Lake, located on the edge of Hugo and Scandia, is also on that list.

“That’s a positive development and a big deal. This is rare,” said Matt Kocian, lake and stream program manager at Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD). “Statewide, there is not a lot of delistings. There are thousands of impairment listings and less than 50 cases of delistings.” He added that the RCWD, which includes 55 lakes and 186 square miles, has only had one delisting approved.

The 1,010-acre lake has been deemed “the most popular muskie lake in the East Metro” by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The lake extends into Washington and Anoka counties and lies between I-35 E and Highway 61 just north of White Bear Lake.

According to the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR), Bald Eagle Lake was added to the list of impaired waters in 2002. As required by the federal Clean Water Act, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) assesses all state waters and creates a list of impaired waters every two years. The

Public discussion brought to forefront of city project

BY ERIK SUCHY STAFF WRITER

Residents of White Bear Lake raised concerns about the City Council’s planned 2024 pavement rehabilitation project during the March 12 meeting.

The project involves the residential neighborhood north of Birch Lake Avenue and west of Bald Eagle Avenue. Pavement rehabilitation is proposed for Third Street, Second Street, Krech Avenue, Wood Avenue, and Campbell Avenue. More pavement reconstruction will take place on both parking lots for the White

Bear Lake Sports Center. The city also plans to replace the existing sidewalk along Wood Avenue. The project will include storm sewer and water main repairs, as well as curb and gutter replacements. The construction is scheduled to take place from May to October. An assessment hearing is planned for September.

Terrance Berg was the first to speak once the public hearing began. Berg, who resides on Wood Avenue, expressed concern about parking availability during the project. “Where are we going to be able to park?” Berg asked the council. “How will we be notified about

getting into our homes while away?” Director of Public Works and City Engineer Paul Kauppi wasted no time answering Berg’s questions. “As soon as we get a contractor on board,” Kauppi began, “we’ll begin sending notices out to homeowners before work starts.” Kauppi said city representatives would notify homeowners through mailing, door hangers and door-to-door visits. The city will also work to provide homeowners with alternative parking spots on unaffected streets.

SEE PAVEMENT REHABILITATION, PAGE 11

Bears’ skaters nab hockey honors

White Bear Lake hockey players Nolan Roed and Leo Gabriel were honored by both metro daily papers, with Roed snagging a major award. Roed, who logged 33 goals and 25 assists, was named East Metro Player of the Year by the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Gabriel, junior goalie, was also one of the six finalists for the award.  Roed and Gabriel were both named to the Star-Tribune’s All-Metro second team. Gabriel had a .922 save

percentage and 1.95 goals-againstaverage.

A St. Cloud State recruit, Roed was also named one of 11 finalists for Mr. Hockey award.

The Bears (20-9-1) were Suburban East Conference and Section 4AA champions, and lost to Grand Rapids and Elk River/Zimmerman at the state tournament.

Bruce Strand

and tuition college grant offered to golf caddies. Kedrowski is a caddie at White Bear Yacht Club and is expected to attend the University of Minnesota as an Evans Scholar.

at Mahtomedi High School, is one of 9 students in Minnesota to be awarded an Evans Scholarship – a full housing

Bill Foussard, owner of Best Western Plus White Bear Country Inn and Rudy’s Redeye Grill-White Bear Lake was recently honored with the Explore Minnesota 2024 Tourism Industry Leader Award.

BALD EAGLE LAKE: Watershed, resident efforts have improved water quality

list includes waters that fail to meet water quality standards and uphold that water body’s designated use. The list is used to set pollutantreduction goals needed to restore impaired waters, called the total maximum daily load (TMDL).

Although it is not the only factor that can lead to algae blooms, phosphorus is one of the main drivers of algae blooms. Kocian explained that RCWD staff are out on Bald Eagle about every two weeks during the open water season to collect water samples.

The RCWD has data dating back to 1980. Kocian said both phosphorus and algae have historically been “very high” in the lake; as a result, the lake was experiencing frequent and severe algae blooms every summer.

Some projects that have improved water quality include the $689,000 Oneka Ridge Golf Course stormwater

reuse project in Hugo, which was completed in 2014. Now, stormwater runoff from 915 acres irrigates 116 acres of the golf course — keeping an estimated 75 pounds of phosphorus out of the lake annually.

Back in 2014 and 2016, the RCWD completed an aluminum sulfate (alum) treatment.

The $499,900 iron-enhanced sand filter and pond project on Ramsey County Ditch 11 was finished in 2020. It pumps ditch runoff to a series of iron-enhanced sand filters on township-owned land adjacent to the ditch. The constructed pond allows sediment and the pollutants it carries to settle out. The project keeps an estimated 43 pounds of phosphorus out of the lake annually.

“(The lake) is now regularly meeting the standards for both (phosphorus and chlorophyll-a (algae),” Kocain explained. “We are in a much better place.”

Kocian credits the above mentioned projects as well as a number of smaller projects completed by residents along the shoreline with the water quality improvement.

If residents are interested in learning more, there are some opportunities for them to partner with the RCWD on projects like rain gardens that can impact the shoreline. For

more information, visit www. ricecreek.org/grants/waterquality-grants.

As for Bald Eagle being removed from the impaired waters list, the MPCA is currently going through comments it received during a comment period, which ended

in January. The MPCA will need to submit the list of waters to the EPA by April 1. The EPA then has 30 days to respond.

Managing Editor Shannon Granholm can be reached at 651-407-1227 or citizennews@ presspubs.com.

RICE CREEK WATERSHED DISTRICT PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

Bald Eagle Lake is now meeting the standards for both (phosphorus and chlorophyll-a (algae).

Bald Eagle Lake may be removed from the state’s impaired waters list.

Frosty’s legacy rolls on W

Shannon’s Shenanigans

ell, I did it. I finally summoned up the courage to donate my late German Shepherd Frosty’s pink wheelchair to help another dog in need. Back in December, my husband Patrick and I made the gut-wrenching decision to end Frosty’s journey with degenerative myelopathy (DM) at the age of 3. DM is disease that affects the spinal cord, resulting in slowly progressive hind limb weakness and paralysis. DM is like some of the forms of human ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Some of her things have been easier to let go of than others, but perhaps one of the hardest possessions for me to let go of was those wheels. They became such a part of her identity and allowed her to create so many happy memories at the end when there wasn’t much happiness left.

Shannon Granholm

Frosty received her wheels through KC’s Kruisers, a loaner cart program named after “KC,” a corgi who lost her battle with DM in 2017. The program provides new or gently used carts and other mobility equipment to all breeds of dogs with a variety of medical conditions. When you no longer need the cart, you send it on to the next dog in need.

It took me a few months of walking by that bright pink wheelchair just sitting in our garage and collecting dust before I was able to begin the process of sending the cart to the next dog. I was just about to pack up the chair when I saw a social media post in a local dog group about someone with a white German Shepherd named Ghost who had been diagnosed with DM and needed a set of wheels.

I reached out to the KC’s Kruisers to see if they would be okay with me donating the cart to a local dog, versus shipping it out of state and they quickly agreed if the owners filled out an application.

I met up with Ghost’s owner to hand over the wheels. During the meet-up, I found I was the one comforting her, but after she left I found all the memories of Frosty and the pain of losing her came rushing back. It hit me like a ton of bricks. We had been exactly where she was once.

A few days later the owner tagged me in a video online of Ghost using his pretty pink wheels for the first time and I lost it — again. It is so bittersweet to see Frosty’s wheels on a dog that isn’t her, but I know she would be so happy to know that they are helping another pup.

In a way, Frosty, and my love for her, are living on through Ghost.

Fly high my sweet Frosty.

Shannon Granholm is the managing editor at Press Publications.

How the Postal Service is Failing Minnesotans

My mom was born in 1932 and grew up outside Bourbon, Indiana, a tiny town in the northern part of the state. Everyone knew everyone, and everyone read the local paper, the Bourbon News-Mirror, which they fondly nicknamed “The Bourbon Blab.” Throughout her life, no matter where she lived, from Ohio to Alaska, California, and New Mexico, she always made sure she got that local paper in the mail. These weren’t just headlines; they were the stories of her friends, their children and grandchildren, and the issues that connected them all.

stories from postal workers who are struggling to handle the physical and emotional stress, and some are even retiring early.

The stories from Minnesotans are alarming. Residents waiting weeks for mail, career mail carriers quitting because of bad working conditions, and in Bemidji, the fire marshal had to intervene because of a dangerous pileup of packages at the Post Office. These are not isolated incidents; they paint a picture of systemic problems with serious consequences for Minnesotans.

Legislator Lingo

Sen. Tina Smith

I believe every Minnesotan should be able to count on the same dependable mail service my mom had. But today, dependable delivery—affecting far more than just newspapers—is increasingly unreliable, as the U.S. Postal Service faces a crisis of delayed deliveries, overworked carriers, and a concerning lack of transparency.

What does this mean for Minnesotans? Critical medications, paychecks, and bills are delayed. Rural communities are hit especially hard, as rural mail carriers struggle to deliver an influx of packages from Amazon and other retailers while getting regular mail to people on time. For mail carriers servicing rural communities, this often means longer hours, wear, and tear on their personal vehicles, and even delivery routes that extend past midnight. I’ve heard countless

But here’s the other problem. Despite these legitimate complaints, the response from Postmaster General Louis DeJoy and USPS leadership has been inadequate. They have dismissed our concerns, offered vague reassurances, and told me and others that all is well. Hundreds of Minnesotans have contacted my office expressing their frustration, and I can promise you that all is not well.

The USPS Inspector General recently completed an audit of operations in the St. Paul Processing and Distribution Center and south metro post offices. The audit found that what Minnesotans have been saying is accurate. It found that the Post Office is failing to meet basic service standards because of systemic understaffing, overwhelming package volume, and an inability to track and report on what’s actually happening with service day by day. This is not a matter of perception, it’s reality. I’ve asked the Inspector General of the USPS to complete an audit of the full Minnesota-North Dakota District, which should be completed later this spring.

In the Senate, I’ve teamed up with Senator Amy Klobuchar to introduce the Postal Delivery

not guaranteed publication. Repeat letters by the same writer about the same subject

Accountability Act, which

Representative Angie Craig from Minnesota’s Second Congressional District first authored and introduced in the House. Our bill would bring much-needed accountability by requiring that the Post Office track delivery disruptions, so we have a clear picture of exactly what’s happening with service. We need better service from the Post Office, and our bill is an important step in getting us there.

We count on the hard-working people of the U.S. Postal Service to deliver our mail, but they do more than that. They may be the only person our elders in rural communities see every day. They connect people to their jobs, their paychecks, their medicines, their families and friends, and their communities – just like my mother, who counted on the mail to deliver the Bourbon News-Mirror every week. Postal workers deserve to be respected and supported in their jobs by management that makes sure they have the tools and resources they need. Postal service is a part of the very fabric of our communities. It connects rural residents, ensures timely delivery, and is the thread that links our communities and businesses to essential goods and services.

It’s time for the Postmaster General and the USPS to listen to the voices of Minnesotans, acknowledge the crisis, and work collaboratively towards delivering on their core mission: serving the public with reliability and respect. Our communities depend on it.

Sen. Tina Smith is a United States senator representing Minnesota.

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. , Thursday of the week prior to publication. 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.

Frosty’s wheels (left) were donated to another white German Shepherd named Ghost.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Questions accomplishments

What can we say about Joe Biden?

A politician for 50 years. His one and only claim to fame is a 1994 crime bill. Since then, he has ridden the government gravy train while enriching himself and his family. He claims to be a Christian, yet supports many things the Christian faith and the Bible do not. The list includes abortion, same-sex marriage and transgenderism, jut to name a few.

Day 1 in the Oval Office, he issued 17 executive orders to overturn the policies of President Trump with no concern for the positive impacts of those policies. What did this accomplish? It drove up the price of oil and gasoline by revoking the permit for the Keystone pipeline and immediately lost 10,000 jobs, increased the cost of goods and services with the increased cost to transport and removed the USA from energy independence to begging for oil from other countries.

He created a catastrophe by opening the southern border, which has effectively produced an invasion of illegal aliens, given power to the Mexican cartel, killed thousands of Americans with fentanyl and dramatically increased human

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trafficking. You may recognize the name Laken Riley. If not, look it up.

Biden stopped the 1776 Commission to teach our children the truth about American history and left the bigoted 1619 project and critical race theory in place. Stumbling and bumbling, Joe Biden has done nothing in the last three-plus years to improve the lives of the American citizens or their safety.

Dale Firebaugh White Bear Lake

Not in favor of rematch

Many recent national polls have found that over 70 percent of our voting population is not in favor of a presidential rematch of the 2020 candidates. Yet, the major political parties are driving the country toward that inevitable conclusion. Why, then, is this once great country being driven into such a disagreeable situation?

Simply, the major parties no longer represent the interests of the American people. The political elite are more concerned about their grip on power, maintaining their cushy jobs and pushing their agenda in lieu of what’s best for the future of the country.

What do we get in return? One party wants to take away our gas stoves, the other wants to ban books. And neither can bring themselves to address the important issues that are creating a country that is rapidly deteriorating by the day.

But what should we expect from a country that is more concerned with pronouns than with the host of adult issues in the room? It goes back to the old saying, “You get the government you deserve.”

Dave Isberner

White Bear Lake

Wishes reporter well

Mr. Suchy, this is for you. A former White Bear denizen, I was visiting my parents and came across the March 6 issue on their kitchen table. After reading your work, I was struck by how lucky Press Pubs is to have such a bright, dedicated and true writer on their staff. Passion and love shines through your every word. I hope you are blessed with a long and joyful career.

Austen Eberhardt St. Paul

Otter Lake Technologies ready to engage with the community

BY ERIK SUCHY STAFF WRITER

Although it was just established, Otter Lake Technologies is prepared to make its mark in town with product offers and services.

“We’re definitely committed to the community,” said company President Nathan Prussing. “We believe in protecting the environment and people and being engaged with them all around. These are all strong core values for us.”

Otter Lake recently acquired certain U.S. assets of Water Gremlin after the latter filed for bankruptcy in November. The company manufactures battery terminals and other metal components for industrial applications. It is headquartered in White Bear Township, and currently has 130 employees. Prussing has run multiple battery casting businesses in the past. He noted that the battery terminal business is a relatively small industry. As such, Prussing believes it deserves more recognition and that White Bear Township is a great home for the company. “We think the battery terminal business is a nice market,” Prussing said. “There’s not a lot of manufacturing being built in these markets because it’s so difficult to do.”

Prussing also touched upon

another vital component of Otter Lake, specifically its manufacturing processes. The company, he said, is dedicated to using environmentally friendly means to build its battery terminals. Otter Lake’s lead components come from past batteries that other companies have disassembled, after which the lead is reprocessed. This, Prussing said, ensures no pure lead is put into Otter Lake’s battery terminals during the manufacturing process. “When we talk about caring for the environment because of how the industry is set up, it always ensures that recycling occurs,” Prussing said.

Another environmentally friendly method involves how Otter Lake coats its battery terminals. The company is developing a process that uses ultraviolet light, rather than chemicals, to cure the terminal coating. However, Prussing said implementing the process in all castings will still require more time to develop. “It’s going to require more qualification runs between us and our customers,” Prussing said. Nonetheless, Prussing noted that the public feedback from customers so far has been very positive.

Prussing also said he hopes Otter Lake will bring together better community engagement.

One option being considered is to offer public tours of the facility. Prussing said this could help change public misconceptions about the factory’s physical layout. This would also allow the public to examine how its environmentally friendly practices operate behind the scenes.

Another idea came from a meeting Otter Lake held with the White Bear Area Neighborhood Concerned Citizens Group. After the meeting, both Otter Lake and the group decided to work on creating a community engagement gathering that would happen once a year. Prussing said these meetings would provide the public with an opportunity to voice feedback and concerns. Although no exact time frame is set, Prussing hopes for a summer 2024 date as a potential start.

“There’s a lot of people out there who will say this type of manufacturing can’t be done here in Minnesota,” Prussing said, “or that we can’t compete with other companies facing the same obstacles as we are. That’s not our opinion. We believe we can do it and do it well.”

Erik Suchy is a staff writer at Press Publications. To reach him, contact him at 651-407-1229, or email at whitebearnews@ presspubs.com

Limit water use

I have been hearing so much about the need for water conservation. I agree that we should all be concerned about this precious commodity. Homeowners should be vigilant about only watering our lawns during certain hours on specified days, limiting how long we run our showers and only running full loads for dishes and laundry. There have also been discussions about restricting water even further and/or increasing the rates and fines for using excessive water. But city/town leaders, how about restricting the number of automated car washes that our town will allow if indeed there is such a strong need for water conservation? Also, how could we curb the car wash “monthly memberships” that encourage folks to get their cars washed even when they may not be that dirty?

Let’s get proactive about water conservation!

Marie Mortek White Bear Township

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Step into spring with fashion show

Kowalski’s Market will host a ladies night full of spring fashion, wine and appetizers from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. March 26 at 7 Vines Vineyard. The fashion show will begin at 6:30 p.m.; shopping will be available before and after the show. Tickets include admission to the show, a glass of wine and gift bag. For information, go to kowalskis.com/classes or call 651-313-6870.

See improvements at golf course

Manitou Ridge Golf Course is under new management and invites the public to meet the new team and see the property enhancements that have been taking place. Foley Professional Golf Services will host an open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 23. All golfers and community members are welcome to attend. There will also be prize drawings for gift cards, greens fees, range tokens and private golf lessons, as well as a special sale of equipment, clubs and other merchandise. RSVP to KellerManitouGolfEvents@gmail.com.

Business leaders to be recognized

Nominations are being accepted for the Vadnais Heights Economic Development Corporation’s Business Leader and Rising Star awards. Winners will be recognized at the VHEDC Business Appreciation event on May 14. To learn more or to nominate someone, go to vhedc.com/doingbusiness/rising-star-and-business-leader-awards.

Otter Lake Technology employees work on building new battery terminals.

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

An overhead view of Otter Lake Technologies’ main factory floor.

COPS&COURTS

WHITE BEAR LAKE POLICE REPORTS

The White Bear Police Department reported the following selected incidents:

Damage was reported inside a store on Banning Avenue March 6.

• Officers assisted the Maplewood Police Dept. in setting up a perimeter following a burglary in the 3000 block of White Bear Avenue.

• A door was kicked in causing criminal damage to property in the 1900 block of Florence Street March 6.

• A man was arrested for DWI March 7 following a traffic stop in the 1800 block of County Road F.

• Officers trespassed a person from a business in the 4800 block of Highway 61 March 7.

• Officers are investigating financial transaction fraud that occurred March 7 in the 4700 block of Clark Avenue.

• Officers assisted the Roseville Police Dept. with a large, unruly crowd in the area of Fariview Avenue N. March 7.

• Harassment was reported in the 1800 block of Seventh Street March 8. Fraud was reported in the 2100 block of Seventh Street March 8.

• Officers responded to a complaint of a barking dog in the 3800 block of Oak Terrace Court March 8.

• Suspicious activity was reported in the 4300 block of Lake Avenue S. March 8.

• A vehicle was stolen in the 1400

block of Highway 96 March 8.

• Officers responded to a domestic dispute in the 4000 block of Cranbrook Avenue March 9.

• A vehicle was damaged in the 4500 block of Lincoln Avenue March 9.

• Harassment was reported in the 2200 block of South Shore Blvd. March 10.

• Officers responded to a disturbance in the 3700 block of Highland Avenue March 10.

• Officers responded to a verbal dispute in the 1800 block of Pine Street March 10.

• A wallet was stolen from a vehicle in the 2600 block of County Road E March 10.

• Disorderly juveniles were reported in the 3800 block of Highland Avenue March 10. Officers mediated a harassment incident in the 1700 block of Fourth Street March 10.

• Theft of construction equipment was reported in the 4700 block of Lake Avenue March 11.

• Officers assisted the Oakdale Police Dept. and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office with a shooting incident on Greystone Avenue, Oakdale.

• A passport was reported stolen in the 1600 block of Ninth Street March 11.

• Loud music was reported in the 2100 block of Division Court March 12. Officers responded to a dispute in the 1500 block of Park Street March 12.

WASHINGTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORTS

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office reported the following selected incidents in Birchwood, Dellwood, Grant, Mahtomedi, Pine Springs and Willernie:

Birchwood

• A resident in the 300 block of White Pine Lane reported receiving a fraud alert text Feb. 15. When the complainant clicked on the number listed, the phone was then taken over by the scammer.

A suspicious male reported Feb. 16 at a foreclosed residence in the 200 block of Cedar Street turned out to be the former resident’s boyfriend, who came to clean out her personal items. When the complainant followed up about the status of the house and how it was not occupied, deputies stated that it was not currently a criminal offense for people to be at the residence.

Mahtomedi

• A motorist was cited Feb. 12 on Mahtomedi Avenue and Fir Street

RAMSEY COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORTS

The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office reported the following selected incidents in Vadnais Heights and White Bear Township:

Vadnais Heights

• A Mahtomedi man, 28, was cited at 11:38 p.m. Feb. 18 at the intersection of Buerkle Road and Highway 61 for possessing an open container of alcohol, following a traffic stop on a vehicle in which he was a passenger.

• A resident in the 4500 block of Bramblewood Avenue reported mail theft Feb. 19.

• A North Branch man, 44, was trespassed from a gas station in the 1000 block of County Road E Feb. 19, after he opened and began eating a box of Lucky Charms cereal in the store without paying for the product.

• A vehicle was reported damaged at midnight Feb. 20 in the 800 block of County Road D, after someone broke the passenger-side exterior mirror on the complainant’s vehicle. No suspect information is available, and the investigation is underway.

• Deputies took a report from a St. Paul woman in the 1200 block of Willow Lake Blvd. Feb. 20 saying she was being harassed by a former co-worker and former fellow carpooler, after she told him he was a terrible driver for crashing the company vehicle without ever reporting it to the insurance company.

• An Almena, Wisconsin woman, 28, was arrested Feb. 22 in the 900 block of County Road E for receiving stolen property and check fraud, after a bank called 911 to report that she was attempting to cash a stolen check.

• A resident in the 4200 block of Bridgewood Terrace on Feb. 23 reported that someone had stolen envelopes addressed to him out of his mail box.

for failure to display current registration, after deputies on patrol observed a vehicle traveling on a public roadway go through an intersection controlled by a stop sign “without coming to a complete cessation of movement.” During the traffic stop, deputies discovered that the license plates on the vehicle were expired.

• A suspicious, unknown individual reported for standing on the complainant’s patio in the 700 block of Griffin Court at 5:56 a.m. Feb. 13 and trying to open the door while attired in dark clothing turned out to be a lost Door Dash driver looking for an address to drop off some food.

• Deputies looking for a convicted felon suspected in a weapons incident located the person at 1:48 p.m. Feb. 13 at a residence in the 100 block of Iris Street. The suspect was armed with a handgun with no serial number and had magazines on his person.

• Following the lone snowstorm of the season, deputies issued a winter

• Five people were arrested Feb. 23 in Minneapolis, after deputies attempted a traffic stop of a vehicle in the 900 block of County Road E for driving around at night without exterior lights activated. Following a pursuit with the assistance of a Minnesota State Patrol helicopter, the vehicle was tracked to Minneapolis, where the group tried to sprint away from deputies and officers. In addition to being arrested for fleeing officers, the fearless five were also arrested for shoplifting, following the discovery of a large amount of merchandise stolen from the Vadnais Heights Target.

• An alert citizen reported a possible burglary at the Subway restaurant in the 1600 block of County Road E at 7:07 a.m. Feb. 24, after observing a window open at the business, even though there were no “sandwich artists” on duty inside the building. Deputies collected evidence of a burglary, and the case is now under investigation.

• Deputies on routine patrol in the 100 block of Skyline Drive Feb. 24 located an abandoned stolen vehicle.

• Employees at a gas station in the 1000 block of County Road E reported gross misdemeanor criminal damage to property Feb. 26, after one of the customers drove off with the gas nozzle still in the vehicle. As expected, the handle broke off from the pump, and gas leaked all over the place.

White Bear Township

• A juvenile girl, 16, was arrested Feb. 18 on Otter View Trail for threatening to cut her grandfather with a knife during an argument.

• A patron of a restaurant in the 1100 block of County Road J reported her AirPods stolen while she was dining on Feb. 20.

parking violation citation for real at 10:42 a.m. Feb. 15 in the 100 block of Juniper Street. The snowplows were in the process of clearing the street and the vehicle was in the way. The vehicle was eventually moved after it was discovered that the owner was unavailable, but the owner’s friend had the keys to move it off the road.

• A motorist was arrested on a warrant Feb. 15 in the 800 block of Wildwood Road following a traffic stop.

• An electric scooter was reported found Feb. 15 near Mahtomedi Beach Park in the 100 block of Park Avenue. Deputies took the scooter to be logged into evidence. An electric scooter had been reported stolen Feb. 6 from an address in the 7000 block of Kale Street.

• A suspicious male reported Feb. 15 for looking into a truck in the 300 block of Wedgewood Drive turned out be be waiting for a tow truck for the vehicle.

• A suspicious vehicle reported parked in the library parking lot in the 700 block of Stillwater Road during closing hours turned out to

belong to a driver who was lost. This time, a suspicious vehicle report hit paydirt at 3:27 a.m. Feb. 16 after deputies checked up on the vehicle parked in the Triangle Park lot. Two occupants in the rear of the vehicle were not wearing clothes, so deputies advised them to go home. It was not reported whether the occupants were completely dressed during their evacuation.

Grant An assault was reported Feb. 12 in the 800 block of 75th Street N., as part of an ongoing issue.

Willernie

• A motorist of undisclosed identity was arrested for DWI at 12:07 a.m. Feb. 17 in the 400 block of Stillwater Road following a traffic stop.

• A vehicle owner was cited for expired registration Feb. 18 on Wildwood Road and Sargent Road after deputies on routine patrol observed the vehicle parked on a public roadway in that condition.

PURPLE LINE BRT COMMUNITY MEETING

When: 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, March 20

Where: Maplewood YMCA Community Center, 2100 White Bear Ave.

Details: Drop-in meeting to review the design options for the METRO Purple Line Bus Rapid Transit Project and provide feedback.

Contact: metrotransit.org/purple-linepublic-engagement

WILDWOOD LIONS CLUB FOUNDATION

39th Annual Sportsmen’s Dinner

When: 6 p.m. Thursday, March 21

Where: Lake Elmo Inn Event Center, 3712 Layton Ave. N.

Details:  Enjoy a buffet dinner of fish and wild game.  Fabulous door prizes, games and silent auction. Proceeds support local charities.

Contact: kmurphy630@gmail.com for tickets

FIVE WAYS YOU CAN SUPPORT LGBTQ+ YOUTH IN YOUR LIFE

When: 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, March 21

Where: Parkview United Church of Christ, 3737 Bellaire Ave., White Bear Lake

Details:  Workshop is for parents, grandparents, caregivers, educators, and anyone who loves or works with kids who are on a journey to support and undertand LGBTQ+ kids. Register online.

Contact: drmsky.us/5waysregister

SPRING BOUTIQUE & BAKE SALE

When: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, March 22

Where: White Bear Area Senior Center, 2484 E. County Rd. F

Details: Annual spring sale of handcrafted items and baked goods.

Contact: 651-653-3121

SAP TO SYRUP

When: Noon-2:30 p.m. March 23

Where: Tamarack Nature Center, White Bear Township

Details: Tap maple trees, boil sap, enjoy maple crafts and treats, and take a self-guided tour. All ages.

Registration required.

Contact: ramseycounty.us/residents/ parks-recreation/tamarack-naturecenter

GREENWING DAY PANCAKE BREAKFAST

When: 9 a.m. Saturday, March 23

Where: St. Croix Event Center, 5880

Omaha Ave. N., Stillwater

Details: Event for kids 17 & under sponsored by St. Croix Valley Ducks Unlimited and Dead Broke Saddle includes numerous games, activities, exhibits and prizes.

Contact: Facebook: St Croix Valley Chapter Ducks Unlimited

A BILLY JOEL STATE OF MIND

When: 2 & 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 23

Where: Hanifl Performaing Arts

Center, White Bear Lake

Details: Mick Sterling leads a tribute concert featuring the hits of Billy Joel.

Ticket information online.

Contact: lakeshoreplayers.org

39TH ANNUAL WEDDING SHOW

When: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, March 24

Where: Best Western Plus White Bear Country Inn, White Bear Lake

EASTER FESTIVAL AND EGG

HUNT

When: 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, March 23

Where: South Shore Trinity Lutheran Church, 2480 South Shore Blvd., White Bear Lake

Details: Free family event with indoor mini golf, Bingo, egg hunt, crafts and other games.

Contact: sstwbl.org

Details: Local, trusted vendors, door prizes, samplings and more. Brides free.

Contact: 651-407-1213

THE MUSIC OF PATSY CLINE WITH JOYANN PARKER

When: 2 p.m. Sunday, March 24

Where: Hanifl Performaing Arts Center, White Bear Lake

Details: Performance features the hits by Patsy Cline weaved in with stories about her life. Ticket information online.

Contact: lakeshoreplayers.org

VINTAGE BASE BALL

When: 6-7 p.m. Monday, March 25

Where: White Bear Lake Library, 2150 2nd St.

Details: Washington County Historical Society Executive Director and Base Ball Aficionado Brent Peterson shares some of the history of America’s favorite pastime including the story of Bud Fowler, Stillwater resident and the first Black professional baseball player. Free, no registration necessary.

Contact: whitebearhistory.org

MINNESOTA SOLAR: SAVING GREEN BY GOING GREEN

When: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 27

Where: White Bear Lake Library, 2150 2nd St.

Details: Kyle Poston, Residential Solar Project Developer for Cedar Creek Energy, will speak about solar energy options for homeowners.

Contact: bit.ly/NEMCA0327

NATIVE NATIONS 101

When: 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 28

Where: Zoom

Details: Learn more about how Tribal governments work and the nations represented in the White Bear Lake Area with a program from the Native Governance Center. Free; registration required.

Contact: whitebearhistory.org

NOURISH!

When: 6-9 p.m. Thursday, March 28

Where: Willow Lane Elementary, 3375 Willow Ave., White Bear Lake

Details: Make community connections and enjoy a free community feast with items from vegan to carnivore using the Marnita’s Table model of Intentional Social Interaction.

Sponsored by Many Faces; childcare, interpreters, and transportation help provided. RSVP.

Contact: manyfaceswblarea.org/ nourish

NATIONAL VIETNAM WAR VETERAN’S DAY

When: 10-11:30 a.m. Friday, March 29

Where: White Bear Area Senior Center, 2484 E County Rd F

Details: Honor Vietnal Veterans and their families for the service and sacrifice. Event features presentation by the VFW 1782 Color Guard, the Nathan Hale Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and Army Specialist 4th Class Daryl LeMire. Coffee and treats served. Registration appreciated.

Contact: 651-653-3121

Tips to improve financial literacy

Financial planning is a key component of successful money management. When financial plans are established and put in place, individuals are in much better position to achieve both shortterm goals, like financing a dream vacation, and long-term aspirations, like retiring with enough money to live your golden years without worry.

No one is born knowing how to handle and manage money.

Financial literacy is an acquired skill, which means anyone can learn how to manage money effectively. The following are a handful of ways individuals from all walks of life can improve their financial literacy.

• Crack the books (and magazines). A wealth of resources are available to anyone looking to become better at managing money, and many of those resources are books and magazines. Printed works are available for people with varying levels of financial literacy, so it’s unlikely that any single text

online entities and cable television channels are now exclusively devoted to financial news. Anyone can benefit from paying attention to financial news, which can shed light on investments, real estate and financial industry trends that can help people better understand their portfolios and assets.

• Read your emails. Adults who already have retirement accounts and other investments may also have an invaluable resource right inside their email inboxes.

Investment management firms like The Vanguard Group, Inc., routinely host online information sessions and discussions for investors that are promoted through email and other lines of communication with account holders. When promotional emails announcing these sessions are announced, take note and resolve to participate. Many don’t require active participation, but they often provide insight into financial products, markets and strategies to successful investing.

EASTER MASSES

Holy Thursday, April 6

JOIN US TO CELEBRATE EASTER Easter Vigil

MARCH 30 AT 8:00 PM*

Easter Sunday

MARCH 31 AT 7:30, 9:00* & 11:00 AM

*LIVESTREAMED AT WWW STMARYS-WBL ORG

HE IS RISEN!

April 2th at 10:15 a.m.

Palm Sunday Service

April 2th at 10:15 a.m.

Friday Service

April 7th at 6:30 p.m.

Good Friday Service

The Lord’s Supper 7:00 pm (with incense)

Good Friday, April 7 Veneration of the Cross 7:00 pm

April 7th at 6:30 p.m.

Easter Sunday Service

April 9th at 10:15 a.m.

930 Mahtomedi Avenue Mahtomedi, MN 55115 admin@majesticpines.com 651-653-4950

Holy Saturday, April 8 Easter Vigil Mass 8:00 pm (with incense)

Easter Sunday, April 9 Mass 9:00 am (with incense) & 11:00 am with overflow in Kohler Hall

700 Mahtomedi Ave Mahtomedi, MN 55115 651-426-3245

www.stjudeofthelake.org

Palm Sunday Worship: April 2 at 9 a.m.

Palm Sunday Worship: March 24 at 9:30 a.m.

Easter Sunday Worship: April 9, 7:30 & 9 a.m.

Easter Sunday Worship: March 31 at 7:30 & 9:30 a.m.

Pastor Jon Yurk

Pastor Jon Yurk

Worship with us this Easter!

3676 Centerville Rd., Vadnais Heights, MN 651-429-6595 | www.cslcvh.org

Christ the Servant Lutheran Church 768164

767977

733003

Another speaker was Jordan Hann, who lives on Second Street. Like Berg, Hann voiced concern about how street reconstruction would affect residents. “There’s no curbs or sewers on the street,” Hann said, referring to Second Street. “Is the street going to be lowered to accommodate this?”

“It depends where on the street we need to extend the sewers to,” Kauppi said. “When the city looks at these areas that don’t include curbs or sewers, we send a surveyor to examine it. They will make sure what we install will empty into the street. Because of this, some parts of the street may go up or down.”

Hann also wondered if residents’ personal utility use would be affected. “Will this impact our plumbing?” he asked. “Will we not have access to our utilities while this happens?”

“As far as public utilities go,” Kauppi stated, “we may have brief water shut-offs. We will notify people in advance if we have to do it.”

Katherine Knudsen, who lives on Third Street, also asked additional questions. She noted that several houses on Third Street do not have adequate drainage. “How do we get help looking at this from one of the city’s surveyors?” Knudsen asked the council.

Kauppi said Knudsen’s questions must be deferred to the city’s engineering department. “We can send someone out there to help look at that,” Kauppi said.

Knudsen also worried that the lack of drainage to divert water from these homes would create safety hazards. “We will do our best to regrade these things during construction,” Kauppi answered. “If there is a specific issue about that,” Kauppi said, “I would be

happy to meet one-on-one with you and other individuals expressing their concerns.”

Erik Suchy is a staff writer at Press Publications. To reach him, contact him at 651-407-1229, or email at whitebearnews@presspubs.com

Sunday March 31st, 2024 10:00am to 3:00pm Adults $33 Kids $15 (10 and under) Reservations are required (651)

Easter Buffet

Buffet Items Include

Kids Buffet

City staff updates residents on Public Safety project

In 2019, the City of White Bear Lake started the process of creating a plan to renovate the public safety facility adjacent to City Hall, which houses both the police department and fire station. Construction began in 2023 and is scheduled to be completed this summer. The White Bear Press asked City Manager Lindy Crawford, Fire Chief Greg Peterson, and Police Chief Dale Hager to provide an update on the project.

Q: What is the current state of construction? What is complete and what still needs to be done?

A: Construction is about 75% complete. The project is being completed in phases to allow police to continue to operate out of the facility. Phase I of the project focused on renovations to the main office spaces, the 1995 addition area, underground utilities, and site work. Phase 2 includes the demolition and reconstruction / expansion of the fire apparatus bay and addition of the squad garage. The majority of the exterior and site work is complete, with just final paving, landscaping, and other minor exterior finishes to be done later this spring. Remaining miscellaneous interior work is ongoing, and will continue until project completion.

Q: Is the project on schedule or have there been some delays? If there have been delays, what caused those?

A: As of now the project remains on schedule with an anticipated completion in July 2024.

Q: Remind our readers why this renovation was needed? What will this space do that the former space couldn’t?

A: In the 1960s, the fire department responded to a few hundred calls per year out of the fire station. Now we respond to approximately 5,000 calls per year. The old station was designed for volunteers that would go to the station when a call came out. We now have full-time and part-time staff that work shifts which provides coverage 24/7, 365 days a year. Because of this, there is a need for facilities that support the operation.

In addition, the facility will have additional and better functioning office space for all police and fire personnel, sleeping quarters for fire personnel, and an indoor space to park police fleet, for the first time ever. The fire apparatus bay will have up to date zones for equipment and uniforms and modernized space for fire and EMS fleet. Besides operational reconfiguration, the facility was in need of routine maintenance including,

reroofing, mechanical, and HVAC improvements, windows, doors, etc.

Q: The estimated project cost was $14.4 million. Has the price increased or decreased? If it has changed, what is driving that change?

A: Prior to bid opening last year, the final project cost estimate was $14.7 million. However, due to industry uncertainty, supply chain issues, and construction material availability, the final project budget was set at $17.8 million.

Q: What challenges have you faced with this project? Have you run into any unexpected surprised during construction?

A: Like with any renovation project, unexpected repairs or surprises are inevitable as the project layers are peeled back and the inner workings become exposed. Overall, the project has progressed with only minor additional work necessary resulting in no major delays. Outside of the building itself, the only other issues have included sorting out private underground utilities associated with the communications tower, prior 911 dispatch center, and communication services to the City campus.

Q: Are there any cool or unique features about this building that you would like the public to know about?

• The public will be able to view the Fire Department LaFrance truck from the outside of the facility on 2nd Street through tall windows. We are working with the Historical Society to design and add signage and plaques explaining the history of the truck. The LaFrance is the truck that the City Council rides in during the Manitou Days parade.

• Since the 1960’s, we have learned that cancer is the leading cause of firefighter deaths. This is due to the carcinogens they are exposed to while fighting fires. The new facility is designed to help mitigate this exposure in a number of ways. This includes a truck exhaust ventilation system that evacuates the hazardous fumes outside. The turnout gear firefighters wear will be stored in a room with negative pressure ventilation that removes the gases that come off the gear by directing it outside through the vent system. There are also showers and a locker room nearby that allow them to easily change into clean clothes before they enter the rest of the building. This design will help to foster a healthier environment for everyone and is common practice in today’s fire station renovations.

Q: What safety protocols are being installed to ensure the security of the new space?

• Improved security access and camera systems

• Improved access control between public and secured areas of the building

• Windows with enhanced security features

• Locked indoor squad garage

• Rapid opening and closing fire apparatus bay doors Lighted walkways

Q: Are there any green elements to this project or sustainable building practices?

A: An underground stormwater infiltration system was installed in the parking areas, energy efficient LED lighting upgrades, higher efficiency HVAC equipment and upgraded building system controls, including occupancy sensors for lighting and heating/cooling. The new roof areas were designed to be solar ready for future considerations.

Q: Are there any other updates to City Hall that are happening in conjunction with this project?

A: No. The project was designed to match the existing façade of City Hall to tie the City campus together.

Q: What will this project mean specifically for the fire department?

A: The ability to provide better service to the communities we serve – White Bear Lake, White Bear Township, Gem Lake, Dellwood and Birchwood Village. Additionally, the new facility will help to retain and attract new firefighters to the department. This is important as the world of firefighting has become a competitive job environment.

Q: How will the new space impact the fire department? Will any efficiencies be created?

A: Year after year, the north station has the most calls for service. Prior to the new facility being built, we did not have the proper amount of space within the building to support operations. Moving forward, we will have more staff on duty at the station which will provide us the ability to respond to emergencies in a timely fashion to the area which has the highest demand for service.

Q: Is there anything else you would like the public to know about this project?

A: First and foremost the City would like to thank our community and those we serve for always supporting our police and fire departments, as well as this project. The new facility was designed to fit our public safety needs both now and what is anticipated in the future.

In addition, we would like to thank our direct neighbors, City campus visitors, and city staff for their patience throughout the project. There have been road closures, detours, and added congestion from construction activity.

BY THE NUMBERS

• 31 the number of officers on the White Bear Lake Police Department

• Approx. $102.10 the annual tax impact of this project on a median-valued home of $312,100

• 19 the number of police vehicles in the White Bear Lake fleet

• 17 the number of fire vehicles in the White Bear Lake fleet

• 4,955 the number of fire calls per year

• 1961 the year the public safety building was constructed

Separate police and fire buildings were constructed at this time.

• 1995 the year the public safety building was renovated

A renovation was completed, including an addition, which connected the separate police and fire buildings. That addition between the buildings added office space and became the main entrance to the public safety building which remains today.

• $17.8 million the price tag for the public safety renovation

• 41,390 the square footage of the public safety building

PAUL DOLS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

A view inside the expanded apparatus bay which, along with the modern equipment, will also have room to house the department’s vintage LaFrance firetruck.

Construction

Above: Volunteer Lynn Berens pours syrup produced at the nature center on ice cream to make Log Cabin Sundaes for visitors returning from sugar bush tours.

left: Because many of the trees were tapped earlier in the season, Cora Wilson learns how to tap on a practice tree.

can

Sap to Syrup event, scheduled

OBITUARIES

Carol A. Carver

of White Bear Lake died Saturday, March 2, of recently-diagnosed cancer two days shy of her 84th birthday. A native of Crosby, Minn., she was preceded in death by her husband, Lee; parents Harry and Avis Nyberg; and only sibling Richard Nyberg. She is survived by aunts Joyce Mailhot, Deerwood; Marie Hammond, Lino Lakes; and Glenda Nyberg, Lindstrom; sisters-in-law, Joan Nyberg, St. Paul; and Margaret Davis, Bethel, Maine; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Memorials are encouraged to the White Bear Area Food Shelf and the Nature Conservatory. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 am, Fri., March 22, at St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church, 4741 Bald Eagle Ave., White Bear Lake. Visitation will be held at the church 1 hour before the service. Mueller Memorial, White Bear Lake 651-429-4944, www.muellermemorial.com

Judith (Judy) Ann Ottman

Age 77; b. 1946; d. Mar 12, 2024. Judy Wikle grew up in Rice Lake, WI (grad. H. S. 1964); was raised by her grandparents (Gerda & Sam Nelson) and her mother (Jane Tackett). Judy went to Carroll Univ., Waukesha, WI, and then the Univ. of WI – Superior (grad. 1968 with a B.S. in History and Political Science). In 1968 she married Richard (Dick) Ottman. They met at Carroll. Judy and Dick lived in White Bear Lake, MN from 1980 – 2019.

1. Judy was responsible for raising nearly $1 million for the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC). The UUSC is a social justice/ human rights organization that started during World War II when a Unitarian minister and his wife went to Nazi occupied Europe and smuggled adults and children, who were being persecuted by the Nazis, out of Europe. Today the UUSC helps people help themselves in the US and the world.

2. Judy created 5 microlending banks in Nicaragua. Microlending banks are women-run neighborhood banks.

3. In 1991 Judy provided critical support to establish the East Metro Place facility (now Solid Ground) near Century College. The White Bear Lake City Council changed their vote from 4 to 1 against to 5 to 0 in favor after Judy’s lobbying and letter to the editor. Solid Ground provides housing and services for families who have experienced homelessness.

4. Judy was interviewed twice on local TV as a war toy protester and once for “Reading for the Blind”.

5. Judy worked in Medical Records for St. John’s Hospital, Maplewood from 1986-2002.

6. Judy joined the League of Women Voters in 1977 and is a past President.

7. When Judy went into Memory Care in 2019, she said “I regret that I did not earn more money, so I could have given more money away”.

8. Judy had progressive and pro-labor views and frequently expressed those views.

Judy’s final request is to have people donate to the UUSC (UUSC, Box 808, Newark, NJ 07101-0808) in her name (Judy Ottman on memo line of check). The Ottman family will MATCH ALL contributions to the UUSC, dollar for dollar with NO LIMIT. All contributions of $150 or more are matched by a foundation, so a donation of $150 or more is multiplied by four (4).

Dick Ottman will speak at a Memorial Service at the White Bear Unitarian Universalist Church, 328 Maple St., Mahtomedi, MN, on March 23 – 11am. A collection for the UUSC will be made.

Judy is survived by her husband, Dick Ottman of Vadnais Heights, MN; sister, Maren Ray of Ft. Myers, FL; daughter Gerda Ottman of Circle Pines, MN (husband Wade Eckhoff, son William); daughter Kaarin Ottman of Minneapolis (husband Isaac Larson, daughter Freya, son Torin); ½ sisters, Barb Sharp/Jeanne Smith; cousins Patti Knapp/ Sam Nelson; nephew David Levin.

www.presspubs.com

Dennis Leroy Carlson

Age 69 of White Bear Lake passed away peacefully on February 22, 2024. Denny was born on December 24,1954 in Stillwater, MN to Norman L. and Frances M. Carlson.

He will be sadly missed by bonus mom Linda Rohda Carlson.

Denny was a 41-year retired employee of XCEL ENERGY – IBEW 110 Union.

He is survived by his loving daughter Jessica (Chris) Cummings; two granddaughters, Skyler and Tayler of Connecticut; his son Michael of Somerset, Wisconsin; grandson, Damien Michael Lee. He will be sadly missed by his brother Gary (Maureen) Carlson of White Bear Lake; nephew Travis Carlson, bonus nephew Matthew (Jade) Pennig and family of West St. Paul, and bonus niece Leah (Steve) Pennig-Matson and family of Arizona. Denny will be deeply missed by his longtime partner of 20+ years, Nancy Nifke of Maplewood and her son Travis, along with Nancy’s extended family. He will be sincerely missed by many cousins and numerous friends.

In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred.

A “Celebration of Life” will be held on Friday, May 3, from 4:00 – 9:00 at the American Legion, North St. Paul.

Please join us to celebrate Denny’s life.

Arrangements by Honsa Family Funeral Home.

Thomas M. Seidl

Age 60, of White Bear Lake.

Family and friends are grieving the unexpected loss of this exceptional man who passed on March 5, 2024.

Tom is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Maria (Ficcadenti); children Kalvin and Sabrina; parents Dennis and Marilyn; siblings siblings Steve (Molly) Seidl, Kim Seidl, Dana Bolton; and many in laws, nieces, nephews and other extended family members.

Memorial Service will be at 12:00 pm on Friday, April 12, 2024 at ST. ANDREW’S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 900 Stillwater Road, Mahtomedi, MN with a visitation from 10:30 am-12 pm. Arrangements with Honsa Family Funeral Home, 651-429-6172

March 2024 Carrier of the Month

Jennifer Brown

Congratulations to Jennifer Brown! White Bear Press carrier for 5 years. Thank you for all your hard work.

Nonprofit reels in relief for veterans

BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR

An area nonprofit continues to refine its offerings so that it can have a deeper impact on veterans.

A lot has changed since The Freedom Fishing Foundation was started by veterans Jim Flermoen, Eric Anderson and Joe Scavo in March 2017.

In the organization’s early years, the focus was taking as many veterans as possible on a fishing trip, but Flermoen says the foundation has come to focus on quality over quantity.

“It has turned out to be so much better than what we were doing originally,” Flermoen reflected. “If you are doing too much you get burnt out, and it was costing the foundation too much to try to do all of those trips … The quality wasn’t there and the veterans weren’t quite getting what they needed out of it.”

On average, the Freedom Fishing Foundation takes 50 to 60 veterans out on trips each year. The foundation hires a guide and makes sure to have a board member or ambassador (veteran) on board.

“It makes it easier for them to open up and have fun, and they have a much better chance of catching a fish,” Flermoen explained.

Trips take place on local lakes, but Freedom Fishing Foundation has also taken veterans on trips to Mille Lacs Lake, Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Erie and Lake of the Woods. Veterans are also able to bring a spouse or child with them.

“It is a once-in-a-lifetime trip for so many people; it is so much more than just going out in a boat one day and fishing,” Flermoen explained. “I have had so many veterans that have broken down at the end and said, ‘Thank you, I’ve never experienced anything like this.’”

Freedom Fishing Foundation President Ben Elfelt got involved with the organization about five years ago after meeting Flermoen at Gander Mountain in Forest Lake. “We connected over fishing, but we never talked about veteran stuff at all,” Efelt recalled.

Elfelt, an Amery, Wisconsin, resident who grew up in Forest Lake, was a Navy Seabee for five years. At the time when he met Flermoen, he was building his business, Prime Time Guide Service. “(Jim) asked if I would take him and Eric out to give them some tips on catching walleyes,” Elfelt said.

He says he wanted to get involved in th organization because he wanted to help and give back to veterans. He said he also really enjoys the teaching aspect of being a guide.

“For me, it is about facilitating that experience of fishing for the first time,” he said. “Introducing someone to a new sport or a hobby that maybe they thought was unattainable or the learning curve was too steep, or it was too expensive to get into.”

Recently, the organization hosted its first gala, which raised over $12,000. Board member Dorothy Radermacher says that amount will support 45 veterans. “We support veterans from all over the country; they simply need to get themselves to the launch,” she said.

In 2023, the organization had a total of 89 applications from veterans. So far in 2024, 67 applicants (and counting) have already applied for trips.

“It’s all about conversation and connections. Fishing is the vessel, if you will … That’s the excuse to get these guys and gals out in the boat and away from whatever situations might be dragging them down at home or at work or whatever the case might be,” Elfelt said.

The organization would like to see more female veterans go on fishing trips. The organization is also always looking for volunteers to get involved in the organization; no fishing experience is necessary.

For more information on Freedom Fishing Foundation, or to get involved, visit freedomfishingfoundation.com.

ABLE MINI STORAGE

04/10/24 Wed, 1:00. 1810 Gervais Ct, Maplewood, MN; Storage Unit Auction; shovels, snowblower, mics items; My’Kar Groves, owner; Auction by Able Storage

04/10/24 Wed, 1:00. 1810 Gervais Ct. Maplewood, MN; Storage Unit Auction; furniture; Oscar Sackie, owner; Auction by: Able Storage

04/10/24 Wed. 1:00. 1810 Gervais Ct. Maplewood, MN; Storage Unit Auction; various household items, clothing; Stewart Fruquan, owner; Auction by: Able Storage.

800141

2021 Coachman BHS Pull behind trailer $29,900 Sleeps 10

Queen bed,bunks, couch,dining

NEON BAR SIGNS Coor's Light: $250 Miller Light: $150 Jose Cuervo: $300 OR BEST OFFER 651-248-9307

100%

Pets

SAFE

limited time! Call today!

Financing available. Call Safe Step 833/966-3882

Wanted to Buy

WANTED: ALL 1970S

MOTORCYCLES

Running or not Titled or not Will pick up. Cash in exchange. Sell now before prices fall. Call Dan at 612/720-2142

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY, all real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference limitation or discrimination based on race color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference,

Part-time Public Works Employee

The City of Lexington is accepting applications for a permanent, part-time public works employee to assist the public works department in regular maintenance and repair work associated with the city’s parks, buildings, streets, and utilities. The position is 20-30 hours per week – flexible hours. A high school diploma and a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record is essential.

Applications available Monday – Friday, 8 am – 4:30 pm, at Lexington City Hall, 9180 Lexington Ave, Lexington, MN 55014 or online at www.ci.lexington.mn.us/.

Starting salary $18.76/hour. For more information call 763-784-2792.

Position is open until filled.

White Bear Township is accepting applications for Seasonal Maintenance Worker positions to assist in routine maintenance work including, but not limited to, the following: general maintenance of parks, streets, water, storm water, sanitary sewer, etc. Up to 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (subject to change, between Memorial Day – Labor Day). Salary range from $17.00/hour to $20.00/hour depending on qualifications. A valid driver’s license with a good driving record is essential.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old and be able to pass pre-employment drug screening.

Applications are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., at the Township Administrative Office, 1281 Hammond Road, White Bear Township, MN 55110 or online at www.whitebeartownship.org. No application deadline; open until positions are filled.

CITY OF MAHTOMEDI

SEASONAL FULL TIME EMPLOYMENT MAINTENANCE WORKER

The City of Mahtomedi has openings for up to (4) full time Seasonal Maintenance Worker positions. All positions are for 67 days. Duties include assisting the Public Works Department with street, water, sewer, and park maintenance. Must have a High School diploma or GED, the ability to lift/ move 25-100 Lbs., be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license. The pay range is from $18.00/hr. to $20.00/hr. depending on qualifications. Applications will be taken until positions are filled. Applications can be obtained at City Hall, 600 Stillwater Road, Mahtomedi, MN 55115 or at its website at www.ci.mahtomedi.mn.us. Mahtomedi is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Seasonal Public Works Maintenance Employee

The City of Lexington is accepting applications for a seasonal Public Works Maintenance employee (20-40 hours/week), to assist in regular and recurring maintenance, installation and repair work associated with the City’s parks, streets, utilities, and buildings. The position starts before Memorial Day and ends after Labor Day (start and end time is flexible). Position pays $18.00/hour. A valid driver's license with a clean driving record is essential.

Applications available Monday – Friday, 8 am – 4:30 pm, at Lexington City Hall, 9180 Lexington Ave, Lexington, MN 55014 or online at http://www.ci.lexington.mn.us/.

Position is open until filled.

SUMMARY: This is a temporary/ seasonal, flexible part-time position, (not to exceed 40 hours per week), and not to exceed 180 days within a 12-month period. Under supervision, the primary purpose of this position is to coordinate the Town’s water conservation program through the Public Works

Must have commitment to serve public, positive attitude, demonstrate initiative, and have the ability to collaborate with others, work independently and take on new tasks.

WORK SCHEDULE: Mon. - Fri. 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Variable in accordance with established Township Ordinance.

2024 COMPENSATION: $27.88 per hour, non-benefit eligible.

APPLY: For more information and to apply, visit the Employment Opportunities section of the Town’s website: www.whitebeartownship. org. Send Resume and Town application by April 12th, 2024.

651.426.4433 www.wbrental.com

COME JOIN OUR TEAM!

Now hiring Seasonal Rental Yard Crew Positions!

After school and weekend hours available.

Perfect job for high school and college students!

Competitive Pay Stop in for an application

Notice of Intent to Fill Vacant Township Board

Seat by Appointment

A vacancy has occurred on the White Bear Township Board of Supervisors.

Notice is hereby given that the council will appoint a person to fill this vacated position until December 31, 2024.

Notice is further given that the Board will accept resumes and written letters of interest for the vacant seat from qualified Township residents (18 years of age required) until 12 p.m. on April 15, 2024. Letters should be submitted to the Deputy Clerk. The current Township Board will review applicants and conduct interviews the first week of May 2024. POSTED: 3-13-2024.

Housecleaners Needed!

Up to $18/hr

3-5 days/wk

Must be thorough cleaner!

Maids of White Bear

651-247-2807

Looking for a Job?

Scan this QR Code to see Employment opportunities in Eastern Minnesota and Western Wisconsin communities.

We look forward each week to receiving our White Bear Press in our mailbox. We even gave a subscription to our daughter and sonin-law who live in the Shoreview area. It always has very well written articles.

- Linda Reeves

City of Hugo is Hiring an Administrative Intern

Salary: $18-$20/hour

Application Deadline: April 5, 2024

Job Summary: The City of Hugo, (pop. 15,766) is offering an Administrative and Communications Intern position to a capable individual who will receive comprehensive exposure to local government management. This individual will perform highly responsible organizational and policy related work and collaborate with and receive mentorship from City leaders. Anticipated work will involve the fields of communications, finance, human resources, parks, planning, public works, engineering, and fire & rescue. The Intern will act as the primary contact for citywide communications and will assist with the rental of public facilities. The Intern serves as a fully functioning member of the City Hall team and will generally work 40 hours per week for six months to one year. Applicants should be a recent college graduate with a degree in public administration, communications, political science, urban studies, history, or a related field. Master’s students working toward completion of a graduate program are encouraged to apply. Contact City Clerk Michele Lindau, (651)762-6315 or mlindau@ci.hugo.mn.us

https://www.ci.hugo.mn.us/jobs_volunteer

WHITE BEAR CITY COUNCIL NOTES

• The council approved a resolution allowing the White Bear Lake Lions Club to conduct charitable gambling at Washington Square Bar & Grill. Currently, the Lions Club runs charitable gambling activities at two downtown White Bear Lake locations: Carbone’s Pizzeria & Pub and 617 Lounge. Washington Square Bar & Grill will be the third and final location in which the Lions Club may conduct these activities. City code limits charitable organizations that conduct charitable gambling activities to no more than three locations.

• The council approved a temporary liquor license for the Church of St. Pius X to serve alcohol at its spring festival on April 28. Minnesota Statute Section 340A.404, Subdivision 10 states that cities may give temporary on-sale liquor licenses to nonprofit organizations that have existed for at least three years. Reverend Thomas McKenzie Jr. previously notified the city that experienced bartenders would check for identification. During

the festival, designated monitors will also oversee proper alcoholic consumption.

• The council voted to move forward with its 2024 Strategic Plan, which consists of various short-term, long-term and organizational expectations and values. Short-term goals will include assessing city facilities, updating employment recruitment policies and completing the city’s downtown reconstruction project. Long-term goals involve keeping a welcoming presence for all residents, strategically approaching city changes through public participation and supporting long-range financial planning efforts. Through organizational expectations and values, the council will continue to respect the chain of command for its staff. Additionally, city staff will remain professional, committed to the council and transparent about providing information and options for solving problems.

Erik Suchy

Learn how to join Daughters of the American Revolution

Women who can show ancestral lineage to a patriot in the Revolutionary War can learn more about membership in the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) at an upcoming workshop from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 6 at the Shoreview Library.

DAR is a service organization that honors and preserves the legacy of patriot ancestors. Members work to promote patriotism, preserve American history, and secure better education for children. Membership eligibility in DAR is for any woman 18 years or older who can prove to be a descendant of someone who served in the American Revolution. The ancestor must have served between April 19, 1775 (Battle of Lexington) and Nov. 26, 1783 (withdrawl of British troops from New York).

DAR members can provide assistance with documenting lineage. Participants are asked to bring genealogy information, or information about any relative who is or was a member of DAR.

To register, call Marilyn at 518-9287819.

Donate a vehicle to education

The 916 Career and Tech Center Automotive programs are looking for donated vehicles or small engines for students to learn on. The most desired items include vehicles, lawn mowers, snowblowers, motorcycles, dirt bikes and snowmobiles. For more information on how to make a donation, contact 651-415-5590 or careertech.916schools.org.

Township looks to fill board vacancy

White Bear Township residents ages 18 and older may apply to fill a vacancy on the Township Board of Supervisors. Resumes and written letters of interest may be submitted by noon April 15 to the deputy clerk, 1281 Hammond Road, White Bear Township, 55110. The Board of Supervisors will review the applications and conduct interviews in May. The appointed supervisor will serve through Dec. 31, 2024.

RETHINK.

RETHINK.

RETHINK.

BY ERIK SUCHY STAFF WRITER

Xcel Energy plans to help customers save money and bring more reliable energy into their homes. This multistate project will replace

current electric meters with smart meters.

“We’re always trying to better inform our customers about how and when they’re using their energy,” said regional Vice President of Community Relations

John Marshall. “These meters will allow our customers to save money and enhance their choices in their usage.”

Xcel Energy serves customers across eight states: Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Colorado, New Mexico and Texas. The company began replacing its customers’ electric meters with smart meters in Colorado in late 2022. It has now expanded this work to North Dakota and South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin and Minnesota. As of 2024, 2 million smart meters are operational across these locations; there are currently 740,000 active meters in Minnesota alone. Marshall said that Xcel Energy will finish installing the rest of the meters throughout the states by sometime in 2025.

The benefits of owning a smart meter include a wide range of methods for customers to save money and energy; users can view these in the company’s My Account app. One is that the meters will alert users if their energy usage is too high and pinpoint where their homes or businesses use the most power. The meters are also designed

to connect wirelessly to an Xcel Energy grid system to acquire clean, environmentally friendly energy. An additional benefit includes a faster service response in the case of a power outage; Xcel will be able to resolve it wirelessly without sending a crew.

Another advantage of smart meters is the way they connect. The meters utilize radio frequency signals emitting lowenergy radiation waves, similar to what people are exposed to from Bluetooth and WiFi. According to the American Cancer Society, these signals are determined safe; its online discussion about smart meters reports that the radiation is

too weak to cause DNA damage or long-term health complications.

Marshall also highlighted how the current line of smart meters will be able to provide self-updating procedures to their systems. “This technology allows for firmware updates on its own, which is great,” he said. “We’ll be able to see that here soon; it’s much different from what we’ve seen in all the current meters that have been around for the past 15 to 20 years.”

While Xcel Energy provides customers with an alternative if they decline to have a smart meter put in, the company warns it will come with limitations. In this case, a customer can opt to have

a non-communicating meter installed instead but energy usage reports are much more limited than from a smart meter. Another drawback is that customers cannot receive high usage-related alerts nor see how much energy is used per appliance. Access to tools for energy and bill management will also be limited.

By the end of March, Xcel Energy will begin installing meters in White Bear Lake an effort that will continue until June.

Erik Suchy is a staff writer at Press Publications. To reach him, contact him at 651-407-1229, or email at whitebearnews@ presspubs.com

BY ERIK SUCHY STAFF WRITER

Talon Pederson is on a mission to bring something new to Otter Lake Dog Park. His goal is to create a one-of-a-kind display to leave an impact on local dog owners.

For his Eagle Scout project, Pederson is constructing a memorial bridge to commemorate deceased dogs. The bridge will feature a “riverbed”

underneath, full of flat landscape rocks. Each one will be submitted by a different owner whose dog recently passed away. They may include various messages, memories and pictures of their lives.

“This will be something people can connect over,” Pederson said. “It will help show others in the community how much they care for their dogs in a public display.”

As Pederson began thinking about fire pits and other project she could complete for his Eagle Scout rank, his mother, Monica, suggested something different. She had seen a similar memorial bridge at a park in North Carolina. This featured collars of recently deceased dogs attached to the railing. After relaying this to Talon, he decided to pursue it as his main focus.

Pederson’s project received approval by the Otter Lake Dog Park and several local representatives of Boy Scouts with whom Pederson had discussed his project. Some offered to submit their own rocks to the bridge once it was complete. “This really touched my heart,” said Pederson, “especially coming from people who’ve just heard of my project for the first time.”

Pederson and his family hope the memorial will be more than a monument through which these deceased companions can be remembered. They anticipate seeing it grow into a bridge connecting various White Bear residents. “It’s going to bring a greater sense of community to all the other dog park users,” said Pederson’s father, Cory. “It’ll give people a chance to talk about their dogs, remember them and see they’re not alone.” Pederson said a mailing list is also in the works. This would allow dog park users who don’t usually meet to connect more easily.

Pederson said he plans to complete the project by his 18th birthday on April 3.

Erik Suchy is a staff writer at Press Publications. To reach him, contact him at 651-407-1229, or email at whitebearnews@presspubs.com

SPORTS

Bears fall to Hopkins at state tourney

BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR

After White Bear Lake qualified for the state girls basketball tournament, coach Jeremy Post surveyed the state tournament field and was impressed.

“There are a lot of good teams here this year. No sleepers. So we probably would have been an eight seed even if it wouldn’t have been for the draw,” said Post, after the Bears lost their quarterfinal game to No. 2 ranked Hopkins 66-39 at Williams Arena.

The No. 12 ranked Bears then lost to No. 7 Lakeville North 56-38 in the consolation round at Concordia-St. Paul.

The Bears, Suburban East Conference and Section 4AAAA champions, were one of three unseeded teams at state that were paired up against 1-2-3 seeds via a random draw. They finished with a 22-8 record.

Number 1 ranked Minnetonka beat Hopkins 64-56 in the championship game.

Two years ago, when the Bears placed third in the state tournament, they lost 52-27 to Hopkins, the eventual champion, in the first round. The Bears fared better this time, trailing 39-16 at the half

but playing the Royals almost even in the second half.

“Once we settled down, we did OK,” Post said. Eighth-grader Sarah Poepard led the Bears with 11 points. Senior standout Jordyn Schmittdiel had nine points, eight rebounds and four steals. Junior guard Abby O”Brien notched seven points.

Lauren Hillesheim sank 17 points and made five steals for Hopkins. Liv McGill, a leading Miss Basketball candidate, had 14 points, seven rebounds, eight assists and four steals.

Tatum Woodson notched 12 points and Emma Walker nine. Schmittdiel, bearing the brunt of Hopkins’

defensive efforts, spent much of the game getting knocked to the Williams Arena floorboards. “Yeah, my body’s gonna be sore tomorrow,” grinned Schmittdiel, explaining that it usually happened when she was “just trying to make the right pass” while heavily guarded.

Against Lakeville North, top scorers were senior guard Elizabeth Wallek with 10 points, Schmittdiel with nine and senior forward Heidi Barber with six. For Lakeville North, post Trinity Wilson was high scorer with 16 points while guard Gabby Betton added 14. The Panthers made nine 3-point shots.

Bear ‘trailblazers’ compete at girls wrestling nationals

CONTRIBUTED

reports Jeffrey Isaac of the Bears coaching staff.

Jinet, competing in the 16U division, 190-pound weight class, lost in the quarterfinals to the Texas state champion, but wrestled back to finals to finish third overall after pinning Utah’s state placer.

Calli Lacktorin, another Bear sophomore, also competed at 132 pounds, but fell short of placing. Both first-year wrestlers, they were the first White Bear Lake females to compete in the MSHSL section tournament in February, making them letter winners and the first to compete in a national tournament.

“White Bear Lake wrestling’s coaching staff is extremely proud of our trailblazers, Calli and Jinet,” said Isaac. “They’ve put in a lot of hard work in training, and also in taking on the challenge of competing at high levels with only one season of development thus far.”

Isaac added that the Bear program is “proud to contribute to the growth of girls wrestling” starting with these two.

BRUCE

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Kesean Lipscomb

White Bear Lake Wrestling

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Brol Scherman

Centennial Lacrosse

Kesean Lipscomb had a solid senior year for White Bear Lake in two sports. In wrestling, Lipscomb posted a 24-12 record and placed third in the Section 4AAA tournament at 152 pounds. He was 27-17 as a junior, also placing third in the section at 152. In football, as a 5-foot-6, 160-pound ball-carrier who could take punishment and keep going, he was named offensive MVP, rushing for 799 yards and an average of 5.5 per carry. He scored three touchdowns.

Brol Scherman, Centennial junior lacrosse standout, has netted 22 goals and provided seven assists for the Cougars (4-2) while notching 17 ground balls (a change of possession statistic). Scherman was all-conference as a sophomore with 36 goals and 28 assists. The recruiting website ILMCA said of him: “Endto-end playmaking machine with striking confidence both on and off the field. Versatile offensive threat with strong outside shooting and crease finishing skills. Magnetic team leader and positive influencer.”

We Buy used vehicles FAMILY OWNED SINCe 1981

3555 Hoffman Rd White Bear Lake, MN 651-488-8400 | www.longsauto.com

We Buy used vehicles FAMILY OWNED SINCe 1981

3555 Hoffman Rd White Bear Lake, MN 651-488-8400 | www.longsauto.com

Kesean Lipscomb

White Bear Lake huddled with coach Jeremy Post during the Hopkins game at Williams Arena.

Jordyn Schmittdiel raced to the basket after making a steal, pursued by Lauren Hillesheim of Hopkins.

White Bear Lake sophomore Jinet Demanou earned a third-place finish at the USA Wrestling Folkstyle National Tournament in Cedar Falls, Iowa,

Bruce Strand

White Bear wrestlers Calli Lactorin (left) and Jinet Demanou competed in folkstyle nationals in Cedar Rapids. Demanou placed third in her division.

How WBCA Cultivates Emerging Artists from A Young Age

at White Bear Center for the Arts (WBCA) can attest to the Center’s spirit of nourishing imagination and cultivating creativity in every artist. And now, WCBA is extending this creative spirit to the youth.

a place at WBCA. Back in 1969, when WBCA was still known as the White Bear Arts Council, they hosted a yearly Youth Art show in the spring to feature artwork from public and parochial schools in the area. For nearly 40 years, the annual WriteNow! High School Writing Contest has been a staple at WBCA, inviting high school writers to submit original literary pieces. Nine years ago, the High School Visual Art Contest joined the tribe of youth exhibitions to celebrate the artwork of students in grades 9-12 in the Northeast Metro Region of the Twin Cities.

The high school competitions will look a little different this

on the wall or a recording of them reading, as a way to be more visual too,” Karna said.

hybrid exhibition with visual arts in the Ford Family Gallery and writing

Looking ahead to Imagine Art

the year. “Previously, we focused more on summer classes or the summer camp aspect,” Katie said, “but we’re trying to up our number of classes—not only for the younger kids, but the teens too—all year long.”

As the youth programs, including Imagine Art, grow, the core mission stays the same. “We just want art accessible to everyone no matter where they’re from or their background.” Katie said, “whether they love art or they just want to dabble.” Katie said she dreams of incorporating programming for homeschool families, and scout troops, and making things much “more affordable, more achievable, and more graspable.”

Upcoming events

The Music of Patsy Cline with Joyann

The Hanifl Performing Arts Center

High School Contests Community Reception & Award Ceremony

White Bear Center for the Arts

April 25, 2024, 6:00-8:30 PM

In this powerful stage performance, Joyann Parker and her seasoned band showcase the most popular and best-loved of Patsy’s songs. including “Walking After Midnight,” “Sweet Dreams,”

Celebrate the talent and expression of young artists. Everyone is invited to come see the High School Visual Arts and WriteNow! Exhibition featuring artwork and writing by students in grades 9-12 from the Northeast Metro of the Twin Cities.

You can find a full list of classes in WBCA’s quarterly printed catalog and online at WhiteBearArts.org/classes.

Jess Olson, 2023 High School Visual Arts Contest winner.