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PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 9 CIRCLE PINES, MN

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017

VOL. 121 NO. 25 www.presspubs.com $1.00 Look for your subscription L Lo e n envelope subscribe today!

Little creatures create big problem in local lakes BY JACKIE BUSSJAEGER STAFF WRITER

WHITE BEAR LAKE — In many ways, muskrats aren't much different from “Star Trek’s” tribbles — both are cute, furry creatures that multiply quickly and overwhelm their environment. But while the U.S.S. Enterprise contends with tribbles in fiction, cities in the northeast metro are dealing with the problem of rapid muskrat proliferation in real life. Mostly nocturnal, muskrats are aquatic rodents that live in marshy wetland areas. They build small huts out of reeds and cattails, which also serve as a food source. This spring, many residents have noticed that there seem to be more muskrats than usual, and that they are becoming a nuisance. Muskrat activity is highly visible at the Rotary Nature Preserve near Birch Lake. President of the Birch Lake Improvement District (BLID) Dale Bacon said that the muskrats have been in the area for a long time because the park is natural habitat for them. “A couple of issues have come up in the last few years,” he said. “The population seemed to explode, and whether it's linked or not, most of the cattails around the lake have disappeared. (Cattails are) part of the forage food of muskrat.” White Bear Lake City Engineer Mark Burch said approximately 150 muskrats were trapped on Birch Lake last year. Andy Shoemaker, a May Township resident, has been trapping muskrats and other wildlife for more than 40 years. He said that the muskrat population is at one of the highest levels he's ever seen. Shoemaker credits wildlife management with the resurgence in many types of animals — he remembers a time when he was limited to only 10 beavers because the waters were not as clean and the animals were not as common. Conservation efforts have led to an environment that is perfect for the proliferation of birds of prey, waterfowl, deer, beaver and many other species, but right along with them come muskrats. Bacon said that the high water quality in Birch Lake is likely one of the many reasons the population has increased. Lake levels have also played a role. “What's really changed the last few SEE MUSKRATS, PAGE 8A

EDUCATION BILL: Water conservation excluded PAGE 2A

Lionmobile takes final ‘joyride’ around lake BY SARA MARIE MOORE VADNAIS HEIGHTS EDITOR

WHITE BEAR LAKE — Area seniors took a final joyride on the Lionmobile around the lake last week. “We will sure miss this Lionmobile,” said Dorothy Mueller. “Today we are just joyriding.” Four seniors and several staff took a 10-mile ride around White Bear Lake just for sentiment on its final day of operation March 31. Lion Lynn Amon was the driver; he's been driving the bus for about five years.

He and six other drivers were paid to drive the Lionmobile. He plans to stay on with the district to drive a school van. “I'm going to miss our riders,” he added. He said it was too bad the Lionmobile had to end due to funding constraints. The Lionmobile stopped service because of laws regarding how school district funds can be used, said Tara Jebens-Singh, district adult programs coordinator. SEE LIONMOBILE, PAGE 9A

SARA MARIE MOORE | PRESS PUBLCATIONS

Residents Dorothy Mueller, left, and Marlene Durand, center, receive a final Lionmobile ride from Lion Lynn Amon March 31.

Lighting out along the lake

PAUL DOLS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

The morning sun burns off the mist on White Bear Lake as a couple of participants in the Rotary Strive Scholarship Race run a route along Lake Avenue Saturday, April 1. Runners could choose between a 5-mile or 5K course. Proceeds benefit the Strive Scholarship Inc. Fund, which rewards students who commit to improving their cumulative GPA over their senior year.

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