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BANS AND BIKE TRAILS: Lasting accomplishments of Earth Day founder PAGE 10
False threats, real fear: Community deals with aftermath of racist messages BY JACKIE BUSSJAEGER STAFF WRITER
they felt had not been adequately addressed. Police have stated the student does not pose a threat to the community. In one of its messages to parents, the district referred to the incident as a “hoax,” which caused confusion and upset among some families. It later issued an apology for the wording. “In no way do we want to minimize the impact that racism or racist acts has on students and families who have been marginalized throughout history and in
The district announced last week that the culprit behind a series of racist messages to students has been identified as a juvenile female student at White Bear Schools. The person responsible for the messages explained to investigators that the intent was to raise awareness of past racial incidents within the district that
White Bear Lake Area Schools,” read the email statement from Superintendent Dr. Wayne Kazmierczak. The district stated that the behavior was a violation of school policies related to bullying and harassment, and that it will be pursuing disciplinary actions. This will include a recommendation of expulsion for the individual(s) involved with the social media posts. While the messages may have been empty threats, SEE WHITE BEAR SCHOOLS, PAGE 13
Water Gremlin corrects violations, charged penalty
PAUL DOLS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
Buckthorn removal Above: Shawn Gregory adds to a sizable pile of buckthorn trees while his mother Elaine offers treats to some of the Boy Scouts from Troop 494 who were helping remove the non-native, invasive species from an area near Moon Lake in White Bear Township last weekend. At left: Event organizer Mark Gregory drags a buckthorn tree he chopped down out from a wooded area. He made advance arrangements with White Bear Township officials, who agreed to pick up and dispose of the hundreds of harvested trees that the volunteers piled up near the trail.
ST. PAUL — Water Gremlin and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) have signed a stipulation agreement that resolves alleged hazardous waste and stormwater issues identified during previous inspections. The agreement, signed April 13 by company President Scott Schulz and MPCA Commissioner Laura Bishop, “continues to hold the company accountable for serious violations that put the environment and health of its workers and area residents at risk,” read a statement from Darin Broton, MPCA’s director of communications. “The enforcement agreement recognizes that Water Gremlin failed to take reasonable steps to prevent pollutants and hazardous waste from discharging into the environment.” The White Bear Township company is required to implement rigorous training and safeguards to prevent further contamination, as well as pay a $325,000 civil penalty. Noted in the agreement is Water Gremlin’s completion of 31 corrective actions regarding its handling and management of lead, lead-contaminated hazardous waste, TCE-contaminated hazardous waste, used oil and used oil-contaminated materials. SEE WATER GREMLIN, PAGE 13
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