It was a bitterly cold night on Jan. 24 when White Bear Lake Police Officer Ryan Sheak put on his uniform and headed to work. He called home to say goodnight to his three kids and his wife Amber before heading out to deliver a few arrest warrants.
Big Wood Brewery is moving its taps from White Bear Lake to Vadnais Heights later this year.
Jason Medvec, owner of Big Wood Brewery, purchased the property at 3429 Centerville Road, known as “Garceau’s Corner,” in 2021.
“This is a famous corner, and it's home to the oldest two buildings and first homestead in Vadnais Heights,” Medvec said. “We ran out of space in 2018 at the White Bear location. We love White Bear, and it's a great community, but we can't make any more beer.”
Medvec and his crew are excited about the new location, which sits on approximately 3.67 acres.
“We're going to have a lot more room for activities with the big outdoor space,” Medvec said. “The building portion here is about three times the size of our existing location. We have a view of Lake Vadnais across the street, and the
sunsets are just gorgeous.”
The new location will have 16 beers or seltzers on tap, a more extensive patio, a bonfire pit and live music.
“We're going to have great music,” Medvec said. “It's going to be top-notch, and it's going to be the best in the area.”
Jamey Worley, Big Wood’s vice president, said the new building will have an event center for weddings, parties and corporate and private events.
“The events that we wanted to do at White Bear we can now do here,” Worley said. “The taproom is so small, and it really did limit our capacity for the things we really wanted to do. We were able to be successful to a certain degree, but we always were a bit handcuffed just by our indoor space size and then our outdoor space was owned by the city.”
Master brewer Ty Mcbee said the brewery is in a great location.
“By moving 10 or 15 minutes
closer to the cities, our home turf is within a 20-mile circle of cities like Little Canada, North St. Paul, Maplewood, Roseville, Shoreview and even Hugo,” Mcbee said.
Medvec said the White Bear Lake location will remain open until the opening in Vadnais Heights. “We would like to open on New Year's Eve,” Worley said.
Big Wood Brewery's first event will be Oktimberfest, from Sept. 29-Oct. 1. Worley said it will be held outdoors at the Vadnais Heights site. Future events planned include a car show, a swap meet and a farmers market in the parking lot. “We want to do more community centered events like outdoor movie nights,” Worley said.
“We're really excited to be moving,” Medvec said. “I think this is a great location for us and for our customers to come to relax and drink a cold beer.”
To learn more about Big Wood Brewery, go to bigwoodbrewery. com/.
“After he called that night I put the kids to bed and I was just about to put my phone down and it beeped and I saw it was a dispatcher,” Amber recalled. “Then she immediately called me and said a White Bear Lake Police officer was shot. She also said she tried to call Ryan and he didn't answer.”
CONTRIBUTED Amber Sheak stands by her husband Ryan’s hospital bed during his recovery after he was shot three times in the line of duty.
She said she didn't want to believe it was Ryan, but had a gut feeling it was him.
“I didn't want to think those thoughts and it might not be him, but then if it's not him, then it's someone else that I care about like family,” Amber said. “I didn't even have time to set my phone down and it started ringing with a random number. And I knew right then it wasn't good. So I answered and it was one of the firefighters Josh (Thermack) and he just said, 'Ryan's been shot, and we're headed to the hospital.'” Thermack put the phone on speaker so Amber could talk to Ryan.
“Ryan said, ‘I'll be okay. Get to the hospital and drive safe,’ and I'm thinking in my head, ‘I'm not driving to the hospital, someone's gonna be driving me,’” Amber recalled. “I said, ‘I love you’ and that was hard for me, because I didn't know if that was the last time I would hear his voice." Amber called her parents, and they rushed over to the Sheak's home in Cottage Grove. Amber said all she wanted to do was get to the hospital to see how Ryan was doing. Her mom drove her.
Meanwhile, Ryan — a six-year veteran of the police department — was fighting for his life after being shot in the thigh, stomach and pelvis at an apartment building while delivering one of those arrest warrants.
SEE ROAD TO RECOVERY, PAGE 18
Good news for those who’d appreciate taking a step back in time 100 years.
The White Bear Lake Area Historical Society’s Armory exhibit, called “Bears Building Community,” is open at least through Labor Day.
The comprehensive exhibition emphasizes the local impact of the 1920s on a young White Bear Lake. “The decade was pivotal,” said Sara Hanson, the society’s executive director. “So many things changed. The golden resort era ended in the 19-teens and people started to settle here and invest in infrastructure, taking us to the year-round community we all know and love today.”
The horseless carriage was a big piece of the community’s transition, and its influence a significant part of the exhibit. “The popularity of the automobile was a game changer,” noted Dan Jones, the society’s creative director.
“People could come and go as they pleased without the need to follow railroad and streetcar routes.”
When World War I came to an end, entrepreneurs invested in the city by opening auto-related services like dealerships, gas stations and repair shops. Their surnames are familiar to the area.
“Three families, in particular, stuck it out for the long haul,” said Jones, who had the pleasurable task of collecting oral histories of those businessmen, as told by their
After nearly 30 years of public service, Ramsey County Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt will not seek reelection next year.
grandsons: Jack Reed, Jerry Vadnais and Paul Auger. They are part of the exhibit.
A North Dakota meat processor, Reed’s grandfather, Jacob, opened J.A. Reed Oil Company in 1919 on the corner of Washington Avenue and Fourth Street. Manitou Grill now sits on the site. Mechanics were available 24 hours a day. “My grandfather thought it was a new thing and wanted to get involved,” Jack recalled. The business flourished for decades,
SEE EXHIBIT, PAGE 11
Sept
Mark your Calendars for this fun event. Starting at 3:00 Twin Cities Wedding DJ will be spinning tunes. Then at 6:30 Them Pesky Kids will entertain you well into the night. Utepils will be here doing the Stein Challenge and giving away swag. Along with White Claw sampling and many others. Bring your kids early to have their face painted by Starburst face painting or bounce in our bounce house.
Since taking office in 1996 as District 7’s representative, Reinhardt, of White Bear Lake, has worked on a variety of issues: renewable energy, transportation, housing, public health and safety, libraries and regional governance. As longtime chair of the budget committee, Reinhardt is proud the county has earned the highest bond rating, triple A, for 21 consecutive years.
“It is an honor to serve the people of Ramsey County, and I look forward to continuing to work hard through the end of my term next year,” Reinhardt said. “The time has come, however, for a new commissioner to represent the people of Maplewood, North Saint Paul and White Bear Lake on the county board.”
It was Reinhardt’s environmental activism that inspired her to run for a seat on the county board. She was a founding board member and chairperson of the Recycling Association of Minnesota and chairperson of the City of White Bear Lake Recycling Advisory Committee. As a commissioner she is recognized as a regional, national and international leader advancing environmental stewardship and addressing climate change. While in office, she also earned a doctorate in public administration from Hamline University.
In her Aug. 15 announcement to the board, Reinhardt, who turns 70 this year, said she looks forward to spending more time with her grandchildren, family and friends and being active in a variety of community organizations. She will leave office in January 2025.
Ramsey County
Professional Scottish tuba player Jon Hodkin will be a special guest at a WBLAHS Band practice that will take place from 6-9 p.m. Tuesday Aug. 29 in the WBLAHS - South Campus Theater. Community members are invited to sit in and watch the lesson. Hodkin is riding his tricycle, towing his tuba behind him, up the Mississippi River from New Orleans to Lake Itasca performing along the way. He will share his story with the students and audience members and will do some performing and playing.
CONTRIBUTED
When: 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27
Where: Little Goose Lake
Details: White Bear-based team of 120 amateur skiers perform last show of the season. Contact: skiotter.com
LUNCH AND TABLE GAMES
When: Noon Wednesday, Aug. 23
Where: Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, 3676 Centerville Road, Vadnais Heights
Details: Bring a bag lunch and play table games with friends. Coffee provided.
Contact: 651-204-6000 or cityvadnaisheights.com/seniors
FREE PRODUCE MARKET
When: 10 a.m.-noon Thursday, Aug. 24
Where: White Bear Lake Senior Center, 2484 County Rd. F. East
Details: All are welcome to pick up free produce. Bring your own bag. Contact: 651-407-5310 or whitebearfoodshelf.org
AUTHOR VISIT
When: 10-11:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 25
Where: Lake Country Booksellers, 4766 Washington Square, White Bear Lake
Details: Jo Prouty will sign copies of her book 'Love of a Dog', and will be joined by Sarah Nintzel signing a new children's book “The House We Sheltered In.”
Contact: 651-426-0918
MUSIC ON THE LAWN
When: 4-5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27
Where: White Bear Lake United Methodist Church, 1851 Birch St.
Details: Local singer/songwriter Peter Mayer performs. Open to the public.
Contact: 651-429-9026 or wblumc. org
BIRCHWOOD MUSIC IN THE PARK
When: 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27
Where: Tighe-Schmotz Park, Birchwood
Details: Any Day Now band performs, rescheduled from rained out June concert. Bring a blanket or lawnchair for the final concert of the season.
Contact: cityofbirchwood.com
READING TIME FOR KIDS
When: 1:40-2:40 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29
Where: White Bear Lake Community Health Club, Healthpartners clinic, 1430 Highway 96 E.
Details: Reading time with Dr. Sharma, Nurse Carrie and Duke the dog. Bring a book to donate or trade.
Contact: 651-653-2100 or facebook.com/groups/ hpcommunityhealthclub
ST. PAUL HIKING CLUB
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29
Where: White Bear Lake County park, 5050 Lake Ave.
Details: Hike approx. 3 miles along White Bear Lake.
Contact: stpaulhike.co
WHITE BEAR FARMERS MARKET
When: 8 a.m.-noon Friday, June 30 through October.
Where: Clark Street between 2nd and 3rd Streets
Details: More than 50 vendors and growers each week.
Contact: whitebearlake.org
MAHTOMEDI AREA FARMERS MARKET
When: 8 a.m.-noon Saturdays, through Sept. 30
Where: Veterans Memorial Park, 109 Mahtomedi Ave.
Details: Local growers, artisans, community resources. Contact: ci.mahtomedi.mn.us
22ND ANNUAL BEAR WATER RUN
When: 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 9
Where: Ramsey County Beach, 5050 Lake Ave., White Bear Lake
Details: Ten or 20-mile course options around White Bear Lake. Event benefits the White Bear Lake Lion's Club programs. See details and registration information online.
Contact: whitebearlions.org/bearwater-run
TASTE OF WHITE BEAR LAKE
When: Saturday, Sept. 9
Where: Pine Tree Apple Orchard, 450 Apple Orchard Rd
Details: Sample food and beverages from local establishments while supporting White Bear Rotary programs. Also music, silent auction, games, and more. Ticket information online.
Contact: tasteofwhitebearlake.com
Au gust marks the 55th wedding anniversary for Kathy and I. Talking with friends, it was suggested we spend a couple days at Naniboujou Lodge on Lake Superior north of Grand Marais.
It was built in the early 1920s with a limited membership of 1,000 people of wealth. “Black Tuesday” in the 1929 depression changed all that. T his facility of peaceful elegance has been owned by Tim and Nancy Ramey for the last 35 years.
T he Great Hall has a rock fireplace which stands at one end of the 30 x 80 foot dining room. It was decorated in designs of the Cree Indians and has never been repainted.
Gene Johnson
W hen you are at this beautiful lodge without cell phone service or TV, you have a choice to go out on the walking trails through the woods or walk along the Brule River to enjoy three different falls, one of which is Devil’s Kettle Falls.
A nother choice is to sit back with a good book or visit with people.
It was in this process of visiting that we met brothers Brent and Brian Bohne and their wives, who grew up on Lake Peltier in Centerville, Minnesota, and attended the Centennial School District.
Brent is a Bethel University graduate and for the last ten years has been the Senior Political Advisor to NATO at the Allied Air Command at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.
Brian graduated from Northwestern College in Roseville and then was on the faculty and a soccer coach. He had the privilege of taking their soccer team to Ukraine (1989-90) and bringing the Ukraine players back for a visit here in Minnesota. T his is just another example that the world is small and it doesn’t take much conversation to uncover a connection.
A nother recommended stop for an overnight which proved fascinating and comfortable was the Northernrail Traincar Inn north of Two Harbors owned by Jeff and Cyndi Ryder. It proved to be a good spot, especially for someone who loves trains as I do.
Hazards on water and land
O ver the years living on White Bear Lake, neighbors having boats with outboard motors have experienced the wrath of muskrats. They chew away parts so the motors won’t start. That’s not unusual living on a lake.
Now on land, I had our SUV parked under an oak tree in the parking lot of our complex. A week ago, all the lights lit up on the dash with a message to go to the dealer immediately. We did that and learned that rodents had chewed away at the wiring I think it was the small red squirrels.
My son Carter said to spray around the vehicle with peppermint oil. In our boating experience in the Caribbean Islands, we always did that when we had lines tied directly to shore or when we were in older marinas with the pier close to shore to keep rodents away.
A s I have shared my story, people have told me when they put their motor home away for a period of time, they soak cotton balls in peppermint oil and place them throughout. Another solution can be moth balls, but the odor tends to stay. Maybe our readers will have other solutions they would like to share.
Gene Johnson is publisher emeritus of Press Publications.
Every year around this time
I start thinking, “Where did summer go?”
A nother wedding anniversary and birthday are now in the books. My family vacation to Wisconsin Dells has come and gone and most of the city festivals have already happened.
W here has the time gone? Can we hit pause or rewind? I can’t believe it’s already State Fair time.
always celebrate with presents and pupcakes. I’m really praying that Frosty is still around for her 10th birthday. (See dog update below for more info.)
Something readers can look forward to this fall is finding out the results of our Readers’ Choice Best Of the Press Contest. Winners will be announced in a special publication in October.
to get worse and I’m not sure how much longer her body will let her make it. She can no longer do the things she so loved to do like playing fetch, going for long walks or swimming.
We do have a doggy wheel chair to help her get around when she is outside of the house, but our split-entry home has too many steps for a wheel chair to work. She still seems like a happy girl but I dread the day when she no longer is.
T hankfully she is not in pain, but it must be scary having your feet fall out beneath you all the time.
Shannon Granholm
Before we know it, the school year will be here and it will be the season of pumpkin spice lattes. I do love fall, but it never lasts long enough. And I HATE what comes after fall. I do have some things to look forward to this fall and winter though. This fall, I’m looking forward to the Sunflower Festival at Waldoch Farm, Fall Fest in Lexington and the Withrow Car Show.
Each fall my family and I always have to visit the apple orchard, specifically Applecrest orchards in Hugo, Pine Tree Apple Orchard in White Bear Lake or Aamodt’s Apple Farm in Stillwater.
My dogs, Frosty and Twinkie’s, birthdays are also this fall. Frosty’s birthday is Oct. 26 and Twinkie’s birthday is Nov. 16. We
T his winter, the main thing I’m dreading (and looking forward to at the same time) is my son Royce’s first birthday the day after Christmas. That will be quite the milestone for him and our family. I’m especially looking forward to watching him devour a smash cake.
I f you read my previous column you probably recall that both of my dogs have had quite the year. Frosty, 9, was diagnosed with degenerative myelopathy (DM) and Twinkie, 5, had to have her left eye removed.
DM is a disease that affects the spinal cord in dogs, causing progressive muscle weakness and loss of coordination. It acts similarly to Lou Gehrig’s disease, or ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), in humans.
It has been so heartbreaking to watch my once able-bodied German shepherd not be able to go up and down stairs and to fall over doing simple things like going to the bathroom or eating her food.
Every day her condition seems
T winkie, who was diagnosed with neurogenic dry eye, didn’t have any luck with any of the eye drops we tried. Right after Royce was born, she developed an ulcer on her eye, so we had to remove her eye before it ruptured or we would have lost her.
T winkie didn’t skip a beat thankfully. The worst part was coming off anesthesia and having the incision heal. But she was back to her sassy self almost immediately and doesn’t seem to notice the loss of her eye at all. D ear time, please slow down. Please and thank you.
Shannon Granholm is the Managing Editor at Press Publications.
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Letters reprinted as part of letter-writing campaigns are paid letters.
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The deadline to submit a letter is 5 p.m. Wednesday the week prior to publication. The last batch of letters to be printed before the Nov. 7 election will be printed in the Oct. 25 issue and must be received by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct.18.
To submit a letter, email news@presspubs. com, fax it to 651-429-1242 or mail/deliver it to Press Publications.
The end of summer is comingBrent Bohne, left, and his brother Brian, dining at the Naniboujou Lodge. The brothers were graduates of the Centennial school system in Lino Lakes. PHOTO BY GENE JOHNSON.
I’m writing in response to a letter to the editor, essentially demonizing abortion care. Some individuals feel that enshrining human rights is a step in the wrong direction, despite all the recent legislative accomplishments uplifting Minnesota families.
It strikes me as odd that the physician describes abortion as “an irrefutable end of human life,” implying that it is comparable to murder. The medical definition of abortion acknowledges that “miscarriage” and “abortion” appear physically by describing one as “spontaneous abortions” and the other as “elective abortion.” These patients tend to present in exactly the same way and that is important. However, this obfuscation is deliberate.
I have little patience for the right-wing narrative that hospitals and doctors simply aren’t understanding that they are free to treat patients appropriately under these bans. The criminalization and neglect of patients was always understood by those pushing these policies.
It’s simply important for carrying a pregnancy to be voluntary. I can appreciate that some folks feel that there is a violation of the sanctity of life in abortion. For me, and for so many of us, there is violation of the sanctity of human life in forced motherhood. With a lack of consensus on what honors the sanctity of life, we should simply opt for policies that ensure the best public health outcomes.
We know that states with abortion restrictions have significantly poorer maternal and fetal outcomes. We have all seen the anecdotes of patients turned away, children forced to give birth, even the criminalizing of miscarriage.
Finally, dredging up Nazi imagery to disparage abortion rights is simply inappropriate. Just this summer Germany revoked a law that limited providers giving information about abortion options. That’s what Nazi Germany did, they restricted abortion access. They
criminalized abortion care.
I can’t understand healthcare workers supporting policies that cause a hemorrhaging patient to be discharged because the hospital is afraid of criminal consequences. If I were facing these ethical dilemmas, I’d have to leave the bedside. I’m grateful my hardworking state senator protected me from that fate.
Paula Fayter, RN, BSN White Bear Township
Two letters to the editor in the Aug. 9 edition of the White Bear Press piqued my interest. First, I appreciate very much Dr. Johnson's comments concerning the beginning and sanctity of life. As a scientist in a humanitarian profession, his words should, and do carry weight.
Second, in another letter the author uses concepts which at best are seriously disconcerting. First, what is meant by the term "fully formed human being" (she also used the word "person")? I know of no legal or moral definition that would afford protection and sanctity to all humans. Beyond those in the womb, is a completely dependent two-month-old baby fully formed? Or a child whose reproductive system hasn't yet activated? Or the handicapped? The phrase can open the door to a decline in value and protection to some deemed to be of lesser quality, the creation of a caste of untouchables. Healthiest culturally and personally is to see all humanity-every person-as made in the image of God, and thereby worthy of utmost respect and dignity.
The author also sought refuge for abortion in the First Amendment's protection of religious freedom. Such a perspective can give license to any and all evil perpetrated on others, simply because it is an expression of one's faith. The list of those evils, unfortunately, is too
long and the examples too many. And contempt for life cannot be isolated to the womb alone, as it rarely, if ever, honors boundaries.
I too would love to hear from Sen. Gustafson and Rep. Curran concerning their votes in favor of one of the most liberal abortion laws in the world, including their perspective on the origin and dignity of life.
Yogadevotion is kicking off fall classes in September, with in-person and virtual options available. Classes run for eight weeks, and participants may choose to register for a full or partial session.
In-person classes beginning Monday, Sept. 11, include a 9 to 10 a.m. class at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Mahtomedi (hybrid class) and a 5 to 6 p.m. class at the Parish of St. Genevieve in Centerville. Tuesday classes beginning Sept. 12 include a 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. class at Redeemer Lutheran Church in White Bear Lake; a 6 to 7 p.m. class at White Bear Lake United Methodist Church; and a 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. class at St. Andrew’s. A class at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church in Vadnais Heights will begin Thursday, Sept. 14, from 3:45 to 4:45. For a list of class options and to register, visit yogadevotion.com
The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office reports the following selected incidents in Vadnais Heights and White Bear Township:
Vadnais Heights
• An Eden Prairie man, 22 was arrested and cited for assault at 9:23 p.m. July 19 after Ramsey County Sheriff's Office deputies received a report of a scene of a disorderly conduct near the intersection of Greenbrier Street and Monn Avenue where two brothers were fighting. The male remaining on scene was taken into custody, and a Keep Our Kops Safe (KOPS) alert was issued on the male who fled prior to deputies' arrival.
• A Hugo woman, 55, was mailed a citation after she was identified as the driver who left the scene of an accident July 19 on Centerville Road and Greenhaven Drive.
• A resident in the 200 block of Oak Ridge Drive reported various items stolen from the inside of his unlocked vehicle parked in the driveway overnight July 19-20.
• A resident in the 900 block of County Road D reported losing $2,000 by swindle on July 20 after she was approached by an old high school friend via Facebook about a tax-free program. After purchasing and sending $2,000 in gift cards, the victim learned that her friend's Facebook account had been hacked several months earlier.
• A Maplewood man reported his work vehicle parked in the 1100 block of County Road D was broken into July 21, and a lunch box, work tablet and personal vehicle keys stolen, after he returned to where his personal vehicle used to be parked in an employee parking area in the 4200 block of Centerville Road to find it gone. The personal vehicle has been entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database.
• A Centerville man, 44, was mailed a citation for misdemeanor theft July 21 from the Famous Footwear store in the 900 block of County Road E after he was seen entering the store, taking shoes out of their boxes and replacing them with old shoes before leaving the store without paying for the shoes he took.
• Motor vehicle theft was reported July 22 from the 1100 block of County Road D.
The White Bear Lake Police Department reports the following selected incidents:
• Officers responded to a hit and run Aug. 9 in the 1800 block of Buerkle Road.
• Debit card fraud was reported Aug. 11 in the 1700 block of Cedar Avenue. Loss of over $5,000.
• A dog bite occurred Aug. 11 in the 3600 block of White Bear Avenue. A minor injury was reported.
• Officers responded to a fireworks complaint Aug. 12 at the intersection of Miller Avenue and 4th Street.
• Officers responded to
• An Oakdale man was arrested for burglary at 2:36 a.m. July 22 in the 1100 block of County Road D after deputies responded to a a report of criminal damage to property and found signs of forced entry into the victim's apartment and damaged property inside. After the victim received a FaceTime call from an ex-boyfriend while he was damaging her property, a KOPS alert was issued for his arrest. On July 24, deputies located the suspect's vehicle in St. Paul and arrested him without incident.
• A male in the 3400 block of Highway 61 on July 24 reported his email accessed and used to send spam and phishing emails to hundreds of people. The complainant didn't know whether any of the potential victims had responded.
• Pet Supplies Plus in the 900 block of County Road E reported items stolen from the retail store by a group of people on July 24.
• A couple reported being harassed at 6:57 p.m. July 24 on the dog park trail on Vadnais Blvd. E. and Edgerton Street.
• A Shoreview man, 28, was cited July 25 in the 800 block of County Road E for driving after revocation, operating a motor vehicle with expired registration and failure to provide proof of insurance, following a traffic stop for no license plate. The vehicle was towed with holds for proof of ownership and proof of insurance. Meanwhile, deputies provided the motorist a courtesy ride to his residence in Shoreview.
White Bear Township
• A resident in the 5200 block of East Street reported damage from a fallen tree on July 22.
• A floating dock was reported stolen sometime overnight July 23-24 from the 2700 block of South Shore Blvd.
• A resident in the 5400 block of Provence Lane reported being defrauded after she sent a person on Facebook $6,000 to purchase a dog and received nothing in return, including the dog.
• A resident in the 2600 block of Paul Place reported receiving blackmail threats July 26 after he exchanged photos with someone on social media.
a report of disorderly conduct Aug. 13 in the 900 block of Wildwood Road.
• Officers assisted another agency Aug. 13 at the intersection of County Road J and Otter Lake Road.
• Officers responded Aug. 13 in the 3200 block of White Bear Avenue for a report of disorderly conduct.
• Officers assisted other agencies Aug. 13 in the 3000 block of White Bear Avenue N. for a report of a burglary. A theft from auto was reported Aug. 14 in the 1800 block of County Road E. An estimated loss of $100.
• A vehicle was stolen Aug.
The League of Women Voters (LWV) –White Bear Lake Area invites the public to its meeting at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 14 at the Mahtomedi District Education Center, 1520 Mahtomedi Ave. Two speakers will present the 2023 legislative accomplishments and progress on implementation.
Lilly Sasse, campaign director of “We
Washington County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of a woman struggling in White Bear Lake near Dellwood Beach in Birchwood Village around 10:20 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19. The sheriff's office confirmed the death of a 45 yearold female from Birchwood Village. They are investigating the incident.
The Washington County Sheriff's Office reports the following selected incidents in Birchwood, Dellwood, Grant, Mahtomedi, Pine Springs and Willernie:
Dellwood
• Washington County Sheriff's Office deputies issued a written warning to a motorist July 15 on Dellwood Avenue and Echo Street for speeding 48 mph in a 35 mph zone.
• A motorist was cited July 16 on Dellwood Avenue and Mahtomedi Avenue for speeding 45 mph in a 35 mph zone by deputies, who clocked the vehicle at 60 mph.
Grant
• Deputies on patrol in the 9000 block of Jeffrey Blvd. N. cited a vehicle for a parking violation July 16.
• An unidentified motorist was arrested for DWI at 10:02 p.m. July 9 on 75th Street N. and Lake Elmo Avenue N. after deputies were called to the scene of a vehicle in the middle of the intersection.
14; the renter also admitted damaging the fence to the property manager. The civil issue was resolved without further assistance from deputies.
• A Warner Avenue resident reported theft July 14. Deputies advised the complainant that, as the crime had been committed in a different county, to report it to that county.
• An unidentified motorist was arrested for DWI at 12:39 a.m. July 15 near Wildwood Road and Century Avenue N.
• A resident in the 1000 block of Warner Avenue was reported July 15 for leaving timber around the fire hydrant in front of her residence. The homeowner said she would call the tree service company to remove the timber as soon as possible.
• A Forest Avenue resident reported property damage on July 15.
14 in the 3800 block of Van Dyke.
• A catalytic converter was stolen Aug. 14 from a vehicle parked in the 3100 block of Karth Road. An estimated loss of $1,000.
• Fraud was reported Aug. 14 in the 1400 block of Highway 96 in White Bear Lake. An estimated loss of $29,775. The case was forwarded to investigations.
• A catalytic converter was stolen off of a vehicle Aug. 15 in the 4600 block of Otter Lake Road. An estimated loss of $1,000.
Choose Us,” will present the voter rights, voter access and election law changes via Zoom. Sam Streukens, the civic engagement director of LWVMN will present the legislative accomplishments in climate change, firearm safety, civic education and more. Registration is not required, but those who plan to attend are encouraged to fill out the form at https://bit.ly/ LWVWBL2023. Those who plan to participate virtually will then be sent a Zoom link.
• A motorist was cited for speeding 87 mph in a 65 mph zone at 1:10 a.m. July 17 on Keats Avenue N. and 60th Street N. by westbound deputies on patrol, who clocked the vehicle in front of them on radar after she started to accelerate away from them. The driver said she knew she was speeding, but was trying to get home and, besides, there was no one else around.
Mahtomedi
• A verbal altercation was reported July 12 at the gas station in the 1000 block of Wildwood Road after things became heated when a station employee asked several women congregating in the lot to leave.
• An anonymous motorist received several citations at 2:43 a.m. July 14 on Wildwood Road and Old Wildwood Road, following a traffic stop for failure to maintain a lane.
• Deputies gave a female juvenile a courtesy ride home at 3:52 a.m. July 14 from Dartmoor Road and Warner Avenue S after they found her walking around in public well past curfew.
• A Griffin Court renter was reported for causing damage to a fence July
• A water main break was reported July 16 on Wildwood Bay Drive. The public works department was notified.
• A man was reported for falling out of a sailboat on White Bear Lake opposite Spruce Street on July 16. The male declined medical assistance, and deputies concluded that the reasons for his inadvertent swim were not suspicious.
• The driver of an orange SUV was reported July 16 for driving by and aggressively yelling at the complainant and her daughter at Southwest Park.
Pine Springs
• A motorist was cited for driving after revocation at 12:29 a.m. July 17 on Hilton Trail N. and 60th Street N.
Willernie
• A neighbor dispute was reported July 10 on Kimberly Road after one of the neighbors was reported to have failed to remove their property from the complainant's property, per their prior agreement
• A motorist received a verbal warning about a moving violation July 15 near McGregor Avenue N. and Stillwater Road.
Scammers pressure you to wire money to them because it’s easy to take your money and disappear.
Wiring money is like sending cash — once it’s gone, you probably can’t get it back. Never wire money to a stranger — no matter the reason they give.
If you need to send money to someone you know and trust, wiring money through companies like Western Union and MoneyGram can be a useful way to get money there quickly. But scammers also find wire transfers useful.
Scammers know that
• once you wire money to them, there’s usually no way to get your money back
• they can pick up your money at any of the wire transfer company’s locations it’s nearly impossible to identify who picked up the money, or track them down
Never wire money to anyone
• you haven’t met in person
• who says they work at a government agency like the IRS, SSA, or a well-known company
• who pressures you into paying immediately
• who says a wire transfer is the only way you can pay
Also don’t wire money to someone who tries to sell you something over the phone. Not only will you not have the same protections you would paying with a credit card, but it’s illegal for a telemarketer to ask you to pay with a wire transfer, like those with
MoneyGram and Western Union. Report them if they ask you to pay this way.
Fake check scams
Someone sends you a check and tells you to deposit it. They tell you to wire some or all of the money back to them — or to another person. The money appears in your bank account, so you do it. But the check is fake. It can take weeks for the bank to figure it out, but when it does, the bank will want you to repay the money you withdrew.
Scammers make up lots of stories to try to convince you to deposit a check and wire money:
• Scammers say you’ve won a prize and need to wire money back to cover taxes and fees.
• Scammers say it’s part of a mystery shopping assignment to evaluate a wire transfer service.
• Scammers overpay you for something you’re selling online, then ask you to wire back the extra money.
• Scammers say you got a job you
applied for, send you a check to buy supplies, but tell you to wire back part of the money.
Romance scams
Romance scammers create fake profiles on dating sites and apps. They strike up a relationship with you and work to build your trust, sometimes talking or chatting several times a day. Then, they make up a story — like saying they have an emergency — and ask for money. A romance scammer might also contact you through social
media sites like Instagram, Facebook, or Google Hangouts.
Family emergency scams
You get an unexpected call from someone who pretends to be a friend or relative. They say they need cash for an emergency and beg you to wire money right away. They might say they need your help to get out of jail, pay a hospital bill, or leave a foreign country. They often ask you not to tell anyone in your family. Their goal is to trick you into sending money before you realize it’s a scam.
Apartment rental scams
You respond to an ad for an apartment with surprisingly low rent. Before you’ve even seen the apartment, you apply and are told to wire money — maybe for an application fee, security deposit, or the first month’s rent. After you wire the money, you find out that there is no apartment for rent, or that the scammer put their contact information on someone else’s photo or rental ad. Scammers run a similar scam with vacation rentals. Learn more about scams involving paying with gift cards and cryptocurrency — two other ways that scammers like to tell you to pay because it’s hard to get your money back.
MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE CERTIFICATE AND ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION FOR A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
I, Steve Simon, Secretary of State of Minnesota, do certify that: The following business entitly has duly complied with the relevant provisions of Minnesota Statutes listed below, and is formed or authorized to do business in Minnesota on and after this date with all the powers, rights and privileges, and subject to the limitations, duties and restrictions set forth in that chapter. The business entity is now legally registered under the laws of Minnesota.
File Number: 1398205300023
Minnesota Statutes, Chapter: 322C
ARTICLE 1. NAME OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY: Cities Title LLC
ARTICLE 2. REGISTERED OFFICE AND AGENT AT THAT ADDRESS: Jamie Jungmann 2732 County Road D E White Bear Lake, MN 55110
ARTICLE 3. DURATION: Perpetual
ARTICLE 4. ORGANIZERS: Jamie Jungmann 2732 County Road D E White Bear Lake, MN 55110
Dated: June 30, 2023
Signed: Jamie Jungmann
Published two times in the White Bear Press on August 16 and 23, 2023.
BAIRD HOLM LLP
1700 FARNAM STREET, SUITE 1500, OMAHA, NEBRASKA
NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF B&M PROPERTIES LLC NO. 1
B&M Properties No. 1, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company (the “Company”), filed a Statement of Dissolution with the Secretary of State on August 2, 2023. Notice is hereby given to all creditors or others with claims against the Company that claims must be sent to: B&M Properties LLC No. 1, 8362 Tamarack Village, Suite 119-145, Woodbury, MN 55125, and must document the basis for the claim and attach documentation in the possession of the claimant substantiating the claim. Any claim must contain sufficient information for the determination of whether it is a valid claim. A claim against the Company will be barred unless a proceeding to enforce the claim is commenced within five (5) years after the publication of this Notice.
Published one time in the White Bear Press on August 23, 2023.
PUBLIC NOTICE
The following vehicle must be claimed by 09/06/2023 or it will be disposed of or sold:
TAN FORD EDGE, SOUTH DAKOTA PLATE – 6F6516
VIN- 2FMDK49CX7BA79794
Budget Towing Inc, St.Paul, MN 55102, 651-771-8817
Published one time in the White Bear Press on August 23, 2023.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PRELIMINARY BUDGET
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Gem Lake City Council will discuss the 2024 Preliminary Budget. State Statutes require Cities to certify their preliminary property tax levies by September 30th. There will be a public hearing on September 19, 2023 at the City Council Meeting. The City Council meeting is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at 4200 Otter Lake Rd, Gem Lake.
Gretchen Artig-Swomley, Mayor
August 17, 2023
Published one time in the White Bear Press on August 23, 2023.
CITY OF MAHTOMEDI
PUBLIC NOTICE - SUMMARY ORDINANCES
SUMMARY PUBLICATION ORDINANCE NO. 2023-04
A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PUBLICATION OF A SUMMARY O
F ORDINANCE NO. 2023-04, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING MAHTOMEDI CITY CODE CHAPTER 11, SECTION 11.01. SUBD. 7.0 RELATED TO DEFINITIONS
On August 15, 2023, the City Council of the City of Mahtomedi, Washington County, Minnesota (“City”) adopted Ordinance No. 2023-04, (“Ordinance”) an Ordinance Amending Mahtomedi City Code Chapter 11, Section 11.01, Subd. 7.0 Related to Definitions.
The Ordinance adds a number of definitions to the City’s zoning ordinance and amends several existing definitions, including definitions related to trees, commercial wind energy conversion systems, developers, electric vehicles, and vertical axis wind turbine systems.
SUMMARY PUBLICATION
ORDINANCE NO. 2023-06
A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PUBLICATION OF A SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE NO. 2023-06, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING MAHTOMEDI CITY CODE CHAPTER 11, SECTION 11.01. SUBD. 10.3 RELATED TO PARKING AND LOADING
On August 15, 2023, the City Council of the City of Mahtomedi, Washington County, Minnesota (“City”) adopted Ordinance No. 2023-06, (“Ordinance”), an Ordinance Amending Mahtomedi City Code Chapter 11, Section 11.01, Subd. 10.3 related to Parking and Loading.
The Ordinance amends the City’s zoning ordinance related to the base number of off-street parking spaces required for various uses within the City and eliminates existing requirements for additional parking spaces for certain uses; revises certain shared parking standards; reduces the minimum area of standard parking spaces and allows for certain required parking spaces to be marked and sized as compact stalls; establishes electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSW) parking regulations; and makes additional changes to the zoning ordinance related to parking matters.
SUMMARY PUBLICATION ORDINANCE NO. 2023-07
A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PUBLICATION OF A SUMMARY OF
Years and age listed here followed by the names of family members, life accomplishments, places traveled, jobs held, or descriptions of what was important to the person the obituary is about.
ORDINANCE NO. 2023-07, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING MAHTOMEDI CITY CODE CHAPTER 11, SECTION 11.01. SUBD. 10.4 RELATED TO LANDSCAPING, BUFFERS AND SCREENING
On August 15, 2023, the City Council of the City of Mahtomedi, Washington County, Minnesota (“City”) adopted Ordinance No. 2023-07, (“Ordinance”), an Ordinance Amending Section 11.01, subd. 10(4) Related to Landscaping, Buffers and Screening.
The Ordinance amends the City’s zoning ordinance and establishes standards for general landscaping; revises the definition of significant trees; exempts EVSE from screening requirements; and makes other similar revisions.
SUMMARY PUBLICATION
ORDINANCE NO. 2023-08
A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PUBLICATION OF A SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE NO. 2023-08, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING MAHTOMEDI CITY CODE CHAPTER 11, SECTION 11.01. SUBD. 10.5 RELATED TO SLOPES/WOODLAND PROTECTION, PRESERVATION AND REPLACEMENT
On August 15, 2023, the City Council of the City of Mahtomedi, Washington County, Minnesota (“City”) adopted Ordinance No. 2023-08, (“Ordinance”), an Ordinance Amending Section 11.01, subd. 10.5 Related to Slopes/Woodland Protection, Preservation and Replacement.
The Ordinance amends the City’s zoning ordinance to add additional tree preservation requirements for developers and home and business owners when trees are removed during grading or construction activities; adds requirements for tree preservation plans; establishes mandatory and discretionary protection measures to protect heritage and significant trees; revises the tree replacement formula; and makes additional related revisions.
SUMMARY PUBLICATION
ORDINANCE NO. 2023-10
A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PUBLICATION OF A SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE NO. 2023-10, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING MAHTOMEDI CITY CODE CHAPTER 11, SECTION 11.01, SUBD. 8.3 RELATED TO THE PERIOD OF VALIDITY OF A BUILDING PERMIT
On August 15, 2023, the City Council of the City of Mahtomedi, Washington County, Minnesota (“City”) adopted Ordinance No. 2023-10, (“Ordinance”), an Ordinance Amending Chapter 11, Section 11.01, Subd. 8.3 Related to the Period of Validity of a Building Permit
The Ordinance adds a requirement that all exterior finishes of any structure shall be completed within twelve (12) months from the date of permit issuance, unless a request for an extension has been submitted and approved by the Building Inspector or other Authorized Agent.
SUMMARY PUBLICATION
ORDINANCE NO. 2023-11
A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PUBLICATION OF A SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE NO. 2023-11, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING MAHTOMEDI CITY CODE CHAPTER 11, SECTION 11.01, SUBD. 10.7 RELATED TO SIGNS
On August 15, 2023, the City Council of the City of Mahtomedi, Washington County, Minnesota (“City”) adopted Ordinance No. 2023-11, (“Ordinance”), an Ordinance Amending Chapter 11, Section 11.01, Subd. 10.7 Related to Signs.
The Ordinance makes a number of changes to the regulations related to signs, including: permitting a sign not to exceed 2 feet in all districts; deleting language related to electronic graphic display signs; redefining electronic changeable copy signs; updating the number and types of signs allows in the B3 zoning district; adding digital directory signs in the PB district; revising the regulations for electronic changeable copy signs; updating related definitions; and related changes.
It is hereby determined that publication of the ordinance titles and summaries will clearly inform the public of the intent and effect of Ordinance Nos. 2023-04, 2023-06, 2023-07, 2023-08, 2023-10 and 2023-11. A copy of the entire Ordinances shall be posted at Mahtomedi City Hall, located at 600 Stillwater Road, Mahtomedi, MN 55115.
It is directed that only the above title and summary of Ordinances, conforming to Minn. Stat. Sec. 331A.01 be published, with the following: NOTICE
A printed copy of the full text of Ordinance Nos. 2023-04, 2023-06, 202307, 2023-08, 2023-10 and 2023-11 are available for public inspection by any person during regular office hours at the office of the Mahtomedi City Clerk, 600 Stillwater Road, Mahtomedi, MN 55115, by standard mail, or by electronic mail, and at any other public location which the Council designates. Published one time in the White Bear Press on August 23, 2023.
The City of White Bear Lake Planning Commission will hold a public hearing in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 4701 Highway 61, White Bear Lake, Minnesota on Monday, August 28, 2023 beginning at 7:00 p.m. to hear and make a recommendation to the City Council on the following requests:
A. Case No. 23-25-V: A request by Michael Chilson, for a variance from the 4 foot maximum height allowed for a fence located in the front yard, per code section 1302.030, subd.6 in order to construct a 6 foot PVC privacy fence along the property line at the property located at 2175 Gardenette Drive.
B. Case No. 23-26-V: A request by BCD Homes, for a variance from the 4 foot maximum height allowed for a solid wall, per code section 1302.030, subd.6 in order to allow two 64 inch stone pillars to remain at the property located at 4669 Lake Avenue.
A previous public notice in the White Bear Press included an error stating the meeting would take place Monday August 25. The correct date and time are Monday August 28, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. A mailing providing notice of the public hearing with the correct date and time was also mailed directly to all property owners with 350 feet of each property noted above.
Unless continued by the Planning Commission, these items will be heard by the City Council on Tuesday, September 12, 2023.
Comments may be presented at the public hearing or filed with the Planning Department until 12:00 p.m. on the Thursday before the hearing in order to be included in the packets. Each response will be considered before the Planning Commission makes a recommendation to the City Council. If there are questions concerning these applications, please call the City’s Planning Department at (651) 429-8561.
Caley Longendyke, City Clerk
Published one time in the White Bear Press on August 23, 2023.
MINUTES, JULY 10, 2023
Abbreviated Minutes-complete information available from the Superintendent’s office or online at www.isd624.org
A meeting of the White Bear Lake Area School Board was held on Monday, July 10, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. in Room 112 at District Center, 4855 Bloom Avenue, White Bear Lake, MN. This meeting was open to the public and a recording is posted on the website. PROCEDURAL ITEMS 1) Chair Ellison called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. 2) Roll Call - Present: Thompson, Arcand, Daniels, Ellison, Newmaster, Streiff Oji. Absent: Beloyed. Ex-Officio: Dr. Wayne Kazmierczak. 3) Pledge of Allegiance. 4) Newmaster moved and Daniels seconded to approve the agenda as presented. Voice vote: Ayes, all. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5) Daniels moved and Streiff Oji seconded to approve the consent agenda consisting of: a) Minutes for regular Board meeting on June 12, 2023; b) Invoices based upon a random sample, all of which met the standards and guidelines as set by the School Board; c) Resolution regarding acceptance of gifts with thank you letters directed to the donors; d) Field trips; e) Resolution regarding personnel items; and f) Quarterly investment update. Roll call vote: Ayes, all. Nays, none. Motion carried. PUBLIC FORUM - Rebekah Bradfield. INFORMATION ITEMS 1) Superintendent’s ReportDr. Kazmierczak gave information about the Bear’s Update publication, the upcoming July 12 Community Workshop, and National Communications Awards earned in 2022-23. He spoke about the district Marketfest booth, Free Summer Meals, Extended Day and FLEX summer activities, and the upcoming August 1 community picnic. He finished with information about employment opportunities and enrollment for the 2023-24 school year. DISCUSSION ITEMS. OPERATIONAL ITEMS 1) Arcand moved and Newmaster seconded to approve the action on the Resolution for Membership in the MSHSL. Voice vote: Ayes, all. Nays. Motion carried. 2) Arcand moved and Daniels seconded to approve the action on Resolution Approving the 916 LTFM Plan. Roll call vote: Ayes, all. Nays, none. Motion carried. 3) Daniels moved and Streiff Oji seconded to approve the action on 10-Year LTFM Plan. Roll call vote: Ayes, all. Nays, none. Motion carried. 4) Arcand moved and Newmaster seconded to approve the action on Designation of IOwA. Voice vote: Ayes, all. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5) Daniels moved and Arcand seconded to approve the action on Official Depositories for the School District Funds and Authorized Bank Accounts and Signatures. Roll call vote: Ayes, all. Nays, none. Motion carried. 6) Streiff Oji moved and Newmaster seconded to approve the action on School Board Policies: a) 204, School Board Meeting Minutes; b) 205, Open Meetings and Closed Meetings; c) 206, Public Participation in School Board Meetings/ Complaints About Persons at School Board Meetings and Data Privacy Considerations; d) 207, Public Hearings; e) 208, Development, Adoption, and Implementation of Policies; f) 209, Code of Ethics; and g) 525, Violence Prevention. Voice vote: Ayes, all. Nays, none. Motion carried. 7) Daniels moved and Newmaster seconded to approve the action on Property Purchase Agreement for the property described as PID #143022120018 located in the City of White Bear Lake, County of Ramsey, State of Minnesota. The Board authorizes the Superintendent and the Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations to sign all documents as necessary to acquire said property. Roll call vote: Ayes, all. Nays, none. Motion carried. BOARD FORUM. LABOR NEGOTIATIONS *This portion of the meeting may be closed to consider strategy for labor negotiations, including negotiation strategies or developments or discussion and review of labor negotiation proposals, conducted pursuant to Minn. Stat. 179A.01 to 179A.25. Thompson moved and Arcand seconded to move into closed session at 5:51 p.m. Voice vote: Ayes, all. Nays, none. Motion carried. The meeting went into closed session at 5:56 p.m. Closed session ended at 6:21 p.m. Back into open session at 6:22 p.m. ADJOURNMENT - Arcand moved and Newmaster seconded to adjourn the meeting at 6:22 p.m. Voice vote: Ayes, all. Nays, none. Motion carried. Submitted by: Angela Thompson, clerk.
Published one time in the White Bear Press on August 23, 2023.
WHITE BEAR LAKE AREA SCHOOLS
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 624 RAMSEY, ANOKA, AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES, MN
NOTICE OF INTENT TO ISSUE FACILITIES MAINTENANCE BONDS TO FINANCE PROJECTS INCLUDED IN THE DISTRICT’S TEN-YEAR FACILITIES PLAN
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The School Board of Independent School District No. 624 (White Bear Lake Area Schools), Ramsey, Anoka, and Washington Counties, Minnesota (the “District”), intends to issue its general obligation bonds (the “Bonds”), in the aggregate principal amount not to exceed $42,835,000, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 475, as amended, and Minnesota Statutes, Section 123B.595, as amended. A portion of the proceeds of the Bonds (the “School Building Portion”), in the principal not to exceed $13,000,000 will be used to finance the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities. A portion of the proceeds of the Bonds (the “Facilities Maintenance Portion”) in the principal amount not to exceed $29,835,000 will be used to finance certain projects included in the District’s ten-year facilities plan and related financing costs. A general description of the projects to be financed is as follows: Facilities and site maintenance projects included in the District’s ten-year facilities plan approved by the Commissioner of Education.
The total amount of District indebtedness as of August 1, 2023, is $395,165,000. If these proposed Bonds were issued after that date, the total indebtedness of the District at that time would be $438,000,000.
Submitted by Order of the School Board of Independent School District No. 624 (White Bear Lake Area Schools), Ramsey, Anoka, and Washington Counties, Minnesota.
Dated: August 14, 2023.
Signed: Angela Thompson, Clerk of the School Board.
Published one time in the White Bear Press on August 23, 2023.
WHITE BEAR BEACH COMMUNITY CLUB
PUBLIC NOTICE
Sept 11 Meeting will be a vote on boundary changes. To protect our membership from large multiple dwellings, which could overwhelm our limited Beach access we are proposing West side of Northwest Avenue from 1st Street to Buffalo be out of bounds. Also the east side of East County Line from 1st Street be out of bounds.
Published one time in the White Bear Press on August 23, 2023.
DROUGHT WARNING! – The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has issued a drought warning which impacts the Township. We cannot stress the importance of water conservation enough. Here are several ways to conserve water:
Take shorter showers, which saves gallons of water. Use a shower timer and aim for a shower length of 3-5 minutes. Turn the water off while shampooing and lathering.
• Purchase toilets with a WaterSense label, that are dual flush, and use less than 1.6 gallons per flush.
• Only wash full loads of laundry and choose shorter cycles for lightly soiled clothes.
• Consider updating faucets and installing water saving devices or water efficient appliances.
Take advantage of the Water Efficiency Rebates offered through the Township by
replacing existing products with specified water efficient products. The Township website features additional information on this program.
POLLING LOCATION CHANGE FOR
THE MARCH 5, 2024 PRESIDENTIAL
PRIMARY ELECTION – Due to the unavailability of Otter Lake Elementary School, the Township was required to establish a new polling location for the March 5, 2024 Presidential Primary Election. Precinct-1 and Precinct-5 are the only affected precincts. The new polling location for these two precincts is the Garden House at Tamarack Nature Center, 5287 Otter Lake Road. Continue to check the “Election Information” section on our website for updates.
SNOWPLOW NAMING CONTEST – A new snowplow will join the Township fleet before winter! This vehicle will replace one that is over 15 years old and will be used for snow and ice control, along with hauling logs/brush, street sweepings, and street maintenance materials. Staff want to be able to give the snowplow a proper welcome into the fleet… with a name – which will require help from the community! Check the Township Facebook page after Labor Day for your chance to submit name ideas and vote on the winner.
BACK TO SCHOOL MEANS SHARING
THE ROAD WITH YOUNG CHILDREN & SCHOOL BUSES
• Don’t block the crosswalk when stopped at a red light or waiting to make a turn.
Always stop for a school patrol officer or
crossing guard holding up a flag.
• Never pass a bus from behind – or from either direction if you’re on an undivided road.
If the yellow or red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, traffic must stop.
• The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children; stop far enough back to allow them space to safely enter and exit the bus.
And most importantly, be alert as children often are unpredictable and tend to ignore hazards.
Did you know Republic Services offers a senior rate for residents 65+ years old? If you are over the age of 65, call 320-252-9608 to inquire about qualifying for a rate change (only for the 68-gallon).
WHITE BEAR LAKE — A Commercial Bay marina operator assured the entity that controls slip numbers that he is working to get in compliance.
Docks of White Bear manager Brian McGoldrick said he’s doing his best to juggle boats around while dismantling docks that extend more than 300 feet, the maximum allowed by ordinance of the White Bear Lake Conservation District (WBLCD). The district gave him until Aug. 19 to comply.
McGoldrick’s marina, which is in a shallow corner of the bay, received special permission in the past to push docks into deeper water.
Water level continues to be an issue for the marina. “It’s going to get tough,” McGoldrick said. “There is a misnomer that the bay is really shallow, but it’s the darn muck. That gets accentuated when water level goes down. Boats kick up the muck and suck in muck in the impellors, causing problems. I inquired about dredging but the quote was high. I was told unless everybody does it, it won’t be successful.”
Board member Mike Parenteau shared that the southeast corner of the bay was dredged decades ago. “That’s how they created Lions Park,” he said.
Parenteau reported that lake level is 922.58 feet on Aug. 15, “basically the same as last month.” Asked what elevation was a year ago, the answer was 923.23 feet.
McGoldrick told the board at the July
meeting that he appreciates the flexibility given him to maintain 250 slips and explained he plans to use transient slips in front of Admiral D’s to make up for shortening his docks and moving boats. Ordinance allows 240.
Getting a hardship variance for the 10 extra slips was McGoldrick’s intention, but he missed the deadline to get on the Aug. 15 agenda. “I didn’t understand the timing,” he said, which is apparently 14 days. “It was not an intentional slight, just a lack of experience (with variances). We are making our best efforts to cooperate with the board’s issues.”
The marina operator said he’s made a commitment with the city, his son and the other marinas that he will be “accommodating” in the future.
“It’s in everyone’s best interest that we all get along and make it a good experience for people who come to White Bear Lake,” McGoldrick said. “If you look around the lake, people are struggling. Boat lifts are out past docks.”
District Chair Bryan DeSmet, White Bear Township, reminded McGoldrick the board will be out after the deadline to confirm compliance.
According to DeSmet, if the marina is not in compliance, the board will make a decision as to how best to proceed at its Sept. 19 meeting.
A mandatory public hearing will be held on the variance issue at the September meeting.
The board also welcomed a guest from
the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District during public open time. District Secretary Mike Kirkwood said he wanted to say “hello” and share the sister organization’s mission statement, strategic plan, lake rules and map.
Lake Minnetonka is a much bigger lake, he noted, with 14 surrounding cities, versus five on White Bear Lake, and 14 board members. Asked by Chris Churchill, Mahtomedi’s director, to name their biggest headache, Kirkwood replied, “docks. We are good at dock adjudication,” he said. Minnetonka’s board includes two marina owners and “they are vocal.” Boat traffic and safety are ongoing issues, as well, and the district has fundraised to finance two more water patrol officers on the lake.
Speed is a big issue; last year, the board passed a 300-foot setback for wake boats, which Kirkwood added is not being obeyed or monitored. “The research study may find more damage being done by wake boats than we’re willing to admit,” he added.
DeSmet asked the representative how they enforce ordinances, noting the marina owner situation in Commercial Bay. “Lawsuits, if we have to,” Kirkwood said. “But for the most part, we haven’t had problems with marinas following ordinances. We have had variance requests, frequently, and we try to be supportive because we feel marinas are an asset to the lake.”
Maximum dock length in Minnetonka, by the way, is 200 feet.
1 Bald Eagle Island owner Nathan Landucci has co-listed the property with a highend luxury specialist from Sotheby’s International. The price is just under $5 million. Sales literature for the island describes it as “one of the most highly coveted trophy properties” in the state. “This exquisite property promises an unparalleled lifestyle of opulence,” it reads.
“With over 2,800 feet of shoreline, this home has undergone a complete transformation, elevating it beyond its original iconic modern design conceived by Rust Architects.”
The five-bedroom, nine-bath, 9,400-squarefoot home features numerous amenities on 2.3 acres. It also comes fully furnished.
To see the new listing, go to www.zillow. com/homedetails/1Bald-Eagle-Is-WhiteBear-TownshipMN-55110/2038701_zpid/. Agent Ilya Zderchuk is representing Sotheby’s International Realty.
bi-weekly section where readers will be informed on subjects of seasonal interest, upcoming events and other timely topics.WHITE BEAR LAKE CONSERVATION DISTRICT |CONTRIBUTED This aerial photo shows the layout of Docks of White Bear in Commercial Bay.
dren with special needs, will host an open house from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10.
Research shows that the rhythm of a horse’s movement improves a rider’s posture, balance, communication and muscle control. Participants at RVR have special needs such as autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, spinal bifida and other disabilities. The open house will be held at RVR's new facility, located on 38 acres at 2007 Neal Avenue South, Afton.
White Bear Center for the Arts is preparing to launch the next National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read program, which will begin Sept. 9 and run through November. For the second year in a row, WBCA has been selected to be part of the nationwide
gratitude.
The NEW Big Read program will kick off with an event from 1 to 3 p.m. Sept. 9. The event will feature an augmented reality exhibit by artist Marlena Myles and an interactive musical performance with Pete Widin, a botanical expert, permaculturalist and musician.
For more information about the NEA Big Read or kickoff event, visit whitebeararts.org.
finally closing in 1981.
Adlore J. Vadnais opened White Bear Oil Company in 1920 with his partner Louis J. Crawford.
It was the first fuel oil delivery company in the city. After their partnership dissolved in ’28, a gas pump was installed at the Vadnais home, 1309 Fourth St., where Mrs. Vadnais pumped the gas. The business expanded over the years following Station No. 1, built in 1932 on the northwest corner of Bald Eagle Avenue and Fourth Street. Members of the Vadnais family still own the property. Five of Adlore’s sons stayed in the business.
Jerry noted that they earned a low wage, but their father bought each son their first house in return.
The third oral history focused on the Auger Brothers garage, opened by Henry L. and M.S. Auger in 1921 on the corner of Fourth and Bald Eagle Avenue. The repair shop was another player on the auto scene.
Henry honed his mechanic skills working on airplane engines in WWI. Stationed in France, he fixed shot-up biplanes, Paul said. When Henry returned to White Bear, he and his brother opened a small repair shop and sold gas. They also diversified by opening a
Dodge dealership in the late ’20s.
A 1932 Dodge fire truck that’s part of the exhibit was purchased from the Auger dealership. According to the society, the city paid $850 for the pumper.
An area devoted to the city’s fire department includes the original fire truck, No. 3, and other memorabilia. Although technically organized in 1885, the city heavily reinvested in the fire department in the 1920s, according to Hanson.
“The department wasn’t doing well. The technology wasn’t there,” Hanson said.
“But by the end of the ’20s, the community jumped in; investing in a fire station (now Domino’s Pizza), the 1929 LaFrance fire truck (No. 2) and the Dodge.”
There’s even a chief’s
logbook detailing fire calls in the exhibit, like the one April 18, 1923, that nearly destroyed the historic Town Hall. The grass fire started at 1:30 p.m., used 1,000 feet of hose and caused $1,600 in damage to the structure, according to Fire Chief Richard Brachvogel.
Hanson pointed out other “fun stuff” on display like a receipt for $2.80 to replace a megaphone smashed in the ticket booth at a fire carnival.
“It makes you wonder what was going on in the ticket booth,” she quipped. Fire carnivals were held to raise funds for the fire department in the 1920s. Money raised in a carnival was used to buy the ’29 LaFrance after a fire ripped through the Armory in December 1928 and the Auditorium burned a week
later.
The early auto industry was represented in the exhibit by a restored 1924 Model T roadster owned by Steve and Patty Wiberg.
The Model T, first introduced in 1907, was one of about 1.5 million to roll off Ford Motor’s assembly line in the early ’20s. Top speed was 35 mph.
The automobile was in pieces when Wiberg purchased it from Walter Preisler of Preisler Roofing in 1984. Preisler had taken it in trade from Wayne Brogren of White Bear Machine next to Benson Airport. Brogren’s father Charles was the original owner. He bought it new from the Bert Arcand Ford dealership on Fourth Street. The sticker price was about $300.
Al Podvin, another familiar name in White Bear, bought Arcand’s dealership in 1923 and changed the name to White Bear Motor Sales, eventually moving it to Clark Avenue. Herb Tousley bought the dealership in 1956.
Also celebrating 100 years of history is the Armory, a society-owned building that will soon undergo extension renovation, inside and out. Bids are still out for the work, which is why the exhibit has
been extended.
The main floor space will become a local history museum with an adjacent office suite. Classroom and meeting space will be upstairs, as will a resource library.
A capital campaign will kick off once they have a better sense of the numbers, Hanson said. The society has already received several significant gifts totaling $1.3 million. She figures the project, which includes HVAC and electrical work, will cost $5 to $6 million.
Of course, the Armory, once home to the Minnesota National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry, isn’t the only venue owned by the society open for exhibition. Hanson would be remiss, she said, not to mention the Lake Avenue Fillebrown House, built in 1879 and open for Friday tours this summer, and events at the Town Hall, located at the township’s Polar Lakes Park. See the Press “What’s Happening” for dates or whitebearhistory.org.
Exhibit hours may vary at the Armory, so look for the “Open” flag in front of the building on Fourth Street. Typically, hours are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
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Above: Addison Weber was among the attendees at the recent Back to the 50’s party, dancing to some old fashioned rock and roll music in the parking lot outside the Waters of White Bear Lake senior living facility.
At right: Husband and wife musicians Mark and Lisa Flora played a variety of classic rock and roll tunes, including songs made famous by Elvis Presley and Bill Haley and his Comets.
Above: Active Life Coordinator Anna Breen dances with Ray during the event, which also featured a car show and picnic. Along with socializing with members of different age groups, at left, staff gratitude and employee engagement were also among the objectives of the late summer celebration. Upcoming events at The Waters include a Wellness Fair on Sept. 9 and an Alzheimer’s benefit walk on Sept. 29.
White Bear Lake and Mahtomedi have both been formidable in girls soccer for many years, and that should be the case again this fall. The Bears and Zephyrs don’t play in the same conference or section but always clash early in the season for neighborhood bragging rights.
Their 2023 duel will take place in Mahtomedi Tuesday, Aug. 29, at 7:15 p.m., after the Bears open Thursday at Centennial and the Zephyrs open with two games in Rochester on Friday and Saturday.
Mahtomedi has a 7-5-2 edge since the neighbors started playing each other in 2011, including 2-1 in section games when the Zephyrs were moved up to the big school class for four years. Mahtomedi is a ten-time state champion, nine of those in Class 1A in a two-class system and the last one in Class 2A in a three-class system. The Bears have six state trips and no championships in the largest class.
The Zephyrs cruised in
the first three meetings, 2011-12-13, by a combined 11-1. There was a 0-0 tie in the 2014 regular season, but the Bears won 2-0 in Section 4AA and went on to a state runner-up finish in their last state trip. The Bears won the next three years, 3-2, 3-2 and 1-0. When Mahtomedi won state in 2018 they beat the Bears 2-0. When they repeated as champs in 2019 they tied the Bears 2-2.
They didn’t meet in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. In 2021, another state champion Zephyr team beat the Bears 3-2.
Last year, the Bears won 1-0 over the eventual state runner-up Zephyrs.
White Bear Lake had just two seniors last season when they went 13-5 overall and 7-2 in the Suburban East. Among their veterans are top scorers Jenna Maloy and Becca Smith, who were two of the only three sophomores named to Class 3A coaches all-state. Captains are midfielder Gabby Hofeld, goalie Autumn Maki and defender Anna Marie Millard.
“We are returning 10 starters, and have a
large senior class and a very experienced and skilled junior class that should help us compete for a conference title, and ultimately a section title,” said John Dierkhising, co-head coach with Dave Ashley.
The Bears have lined up challenging nonconference schedule. Along with perennial powers Centennial and Mahtomedi early in the season, they have added Edina (two straight state tourney seasons) and two teams ranked in the top 12 last year, Andover and Champlin Park.
Mahtomedi, coached by Dave Wald, was 18-3 and state Class 2A runnerup last season, losing to Holy Angels in overtime in the state finals.
Outstanding scorer Katelyn Beulke, who was Class 2A Miss Soccer, graduated, but most of their squad is back. This includes all-metro and all-state picks Savannah Stockness (defense) and Sophia Peer (midfield); and all-tournament picks Aynslea Ulschmid (mid), Emily Muetzel (defense) and Kaitlyn Moltzan (forward).
Mike Baumann, Baltimore Orioles pitcher from Mahtomedi, has a 9-0 record this season as a middle reliever for the East Division leaders.
Baumann, 27, in his third big-league season and first full season, has appeared in 55 games, throwing 60 1/3 innings, giving up 48 hits and 30 walks, striking out 58, with an earnedrun-average of 3.58.
The pitcher getting credit for the win, normally, is the one who is the pitcher of record when the team takes the lead for good. In one case, he got the win by recording the third out in the fifth inning of a 9-3 win over the Yankees. The starter doesn’t get credit for the win if he doesn’t go five
innings.
CONTRIBUTED
Baumann's won-lost mark is getting some attention from the press and fans in Baltimore. The record for most wins without a loss in major league history is 12, by Tom Zachary of the Yankees in 1929. The most wins without a loss by a reliever is 11 by Dennis Lamp of Toronto in 1985.
In Baumann’s first two partial seasons, he had a 2-4 record in 17 games. The 6-foot-4 right-hander’s emergence as a dependable middle reliever has helped the Orioles post a 77-47 record through Sunday, best in the American League. They have a three-game lead over Tampa Bay in the East, the strongest of three divisions in the American League.
Bruce StrandThe following article was written by Jane Hammerstrom Hoffman as a memorial to former White Bear Lake cross-country coach Lyle Helke, who died on Aug. 1.
My twin sister came home from track practice one day in the spring of 1976, her sophomore year, raving about a coach she adored, Lyle Helke. I scrutinized her praise in my cheerleading uniform, having spent one year as a Dolphin cheerleader in a role I wasn’t suited for. My glam outfit and heavily laden makeup struck a bell in my head, wondering if I could be successful in this sport that seemed to cause mesmeriza-
tion of others by a single-minded coach. My junior year, I joined the illustrious Mariner Cross Country Team, in the fall of 1976. Women’s distance running was on the rise. In the public eye, besides local favorites like Gary Bjorkland and Dick Beardsley, there were also women to admire like Greta Waitz from Norway and Mikki Gorman. An untouchable runner named Kitty Ho was on our team that year and seemed to be the runner to emulate. Lyle Helke, our coach, would follow us in his compact car, which I believe was a Gremlin, while we ran the streets of South White Bear. He would yell out split times and encourage us on the way. He always wore a white Adidas jacket with dark stripes down his shoulders, Nike shoes and half-calf crew socks. In his sense of Zen calmness, he
CONTRIBUTED
would rattle off parables that half sunk into our heads and slowly morphed us into strong believers in our self. We took fourth that year in cross-country, and I was only the fifth-best runner on the team, my twin often beating me, which I did not like.
By spring track, I was giving Kitty Ho a run for her money. She finished fifth at State that year in the mile, and was ninth in the same event, 5 seconds behind at 5:19.
Beginning our senior year, Lyle was more than just a coach. He determined the steps of my summer workout and five months in advance before the state meet had already given us mental conditioning to win the championship. That’s right. The fact was not conditional. It was a prophetic goal he outlined, not a half-baked desire. Lyle gave us chants to say in our mind like, “I am, I can, I will.” He asked us to visualize the state meet and its very difficult course by the University of Minnesota golf course. He told us to be in the lead before we hit the forest, which narrows the footrace. Our team finished in five of the top 10 places
at Regions that year, which got us into State. I ran 11:30 on the Goodrich course, leading the team, and all the other four runners, including my twin, ran under 12 minutes for 2 miles. We looked like the team to beat coming out of Region 4.
However, when we got to State that day, the course was more difficult, the race was harder and I only finished 12th out of team runners. It was one of the worse races I had all season. The scoring got mixed up and we had to stand in line until the places were recounted. Donna Gathje dropped out ill from Rochester Lourdes; if she had not, we would have lost. The White Bear Press took a picture of Angie King, Joan Hammerstrom (my sister) and me running all together. Although it was tough, we pulled out as State Champs. Lyle converted an individual sport to a team sport and developed a conscious thread of knowing where our teammate was at all times. I tried hard to be in front and maintained that position but wanted to pull off State for his sake.
Despite the glory day statistics, Lyle Helke changed my life forever. I always thought of myself as an athlete first and able to succeed at anything I put my mind to. He provided necessary parenting and confidence building that I needed that was sometimes lacking in my personal life. I looked to him as the beacon that infused me with capability and success. His design for success went beyond the trophies, but the result transformed me from fifth on the team to first in the state in one year, including a first-place win at the Gold Country Classic mile and fifth-place win at the state track meet 1978 in the 2 mile.
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When the school year begins in September, the Oneka Elementary addition and renovation that was under construction during the 202324 school year will be completed.
The addition contains five classrooms that were designed to allow for collaborative learning between multiple classrooms. Unique glass walls can be opened to create one large space, or they can be kept closed for a more traditional classroom feel. The walls also can be used as white boards, giving students and staff more visual writing
opportunities in the classroom.
The addition also has multiple flex rooms that teachers can use for a variety of student experiences. It will serve as the school’s tornado/severe weather shelter area, as it is rated to withstand extremely high wind speeds.
The original media center has been remodeled; the space now opens up to the main hallway. There is a small, open group area that can be used for breakout learning or a space for students to read and work. Two glassenclosed small group collaboration spaces were also added inside the new learning commons space.
The overall goal in mind as the five-classroom addition and learning commons renovations were being
designed was to provide our students with flexible, inviting spaces that encourage collaboration and promote creative, innovative teaching and learning for our students.
The project is part of the districtwide comprehensive facilities plan that was made possible through the community’s support of the 2019 bond referendum.
Community members can follow along in the district’s Building Our Future Facilities Process to see all of the projects that are happening right now, what has been completed, and the projects still to come. Visit the district’s website, isd624.org/ BuildingOurFuture.
“When I was shot, it shocked my central nervous system because it was right by my spine and my legs went dead,” Ryan said. “I just fell backward, and then I was able to talk with my buddies who helped drag me out, and then we went into the hallway and took all my gear off and did an assistance check. My partners checked my wounds to make sure that I had an exit wound because if you get shot through the pelvis and the bullet doesn't come out, you're basically dead. Luckily, one bullet blew out of my lower back.”
Ryan then saw the firefighters, and he felt a sense of calmness and reassurance that he might make it.
“I've run through that scenario so many times in my head,” Ryan said. “I've been on the force awhile, and wear a bunch of different hats like SWAT. You gotta think about those scenarios and you got to build a file for it. Because when it happens, you can't build a file while you're working through it. You need to be prepared.”
Ryan said when he arrived at the hospital and the rear doors of the ambulance opened, there was a sea of people looking at him.
When Amber got to the hospital she saw that Ryan was coherent and a little loopy.
“He was able to give me a kiss and talk to me, and then the resident surgeon came in and told me they were bringing him to the OR (operating room),” Amber said. “Then she started listing all the things that were wrong with him, and I almost passed out.”
“We thank God that he spared Ryan’s life that night, and thank all our family and friends who were praying for him that night and the weeks and months following,” Amber said. “We’re thankful for the trauma doctors that performed emergency surgery and the doctors, nurses and staff at Regions Hospital.”
The surgery was successful and Ryan was able to leave the hospital after a week. Amber, a medical assistant, took 12 weeks off from work to care for him.
“It's good I work in health care, or we might have
had to have a nurse come out,” Amber said.
“There were a lot of appointments we had to go to … like two or three a week, but Ryan's recovery has been pretty good.”
Part of Ryan's recovery is physical therapy for his back.
“I can run and jump and do basically everything I was able to do before,” Ryan said. “There's just some pain in range of motion and some soreness still lingering. It's going to be a while before I really know what the long-term effects are going to be.”
Ryan and Amber say they are thankful to everyone who has supported them for the past six months. They received gift cards, meals and care packages from people coast-to-coast.
“I just want to let people know, thank you, we’re just so grateful,” Ryan said. “The White Bear Lake
community from individuals to local businesses have also been so amazing, and it was so overwhelming in a great way.”
“We thank God that he spared Ryan's life that night, and thank all our family and friends who were praying for him that night and the weeks and months following,” Amber said. “We're thankful for the trauma doctors that performed emergency surgery and the doctors, nurses and staff at Regions Hospital.”
They also received support from the Frontline Foundation, which helps families of fallen law enforcement, first responders and the Minnesota National Guard in their time of need. Ryan is a foundation board member.
“The Frontline Foundation is a great organization, and when officers go through these scenarios where their world just stops, there's so much red tape that they have to go through,” Ryan said. “Our world stops, but the world doesn't stop and things still need to be paid.”
Ryan earned the Medal of Valor award for his bravery that night.
“I'm honored and I'm thankful, but I defer right back to my team, because it was a team effort,” Ryan said. “The only reason why we came out winning that game was because of the team. I wouldn't have been able to get out of there without us working together and just having each other's backs.”
Ryan grew up in White Bear Lake and graduated from White Bear Lake High School in 2002. He said he's wanted to be a police officer since he was a kid.
“Anytime I would hear a siren, something would fire up inside of me and I was so intrigued and drawn to what was going on,” Ryan said. “I would jump on my bike and try to chase down the siren. I didn't have a high success rate, but I wanted to be there to see what was going on. It's definitely a calling and I'm doing what I was put here on this earth to do.”
The horrible events that happened on Jan. 24 didn't deter Ryan from going back to the job he loves. He's been back at the police department for a few weeks. He and Amber said they are ready to move forward.
“It's been an ordeal, but I'm happy to be alive and back with my team,” Ryan said. "I'm not embellishing when I say I would do this job for free."
BY NOELLE OLSON EDITOR
The city of Vadnais Heights is looking for a natural resource specialist to help with environmental and sustainability goals.
Under the direction of Public Works Director Jim Hauth, the natural resource specialist will be responsible for research, planning and community education surrounding the White Bear Lake lawsuit (currently in mediation) and conservation efforts required to meet the Ramsey County judge’s order. “We did research to determine the job duties that would best fit the position and the needs that the city has,” Hauth said.
According to City Administrator Kevin Watson, a natural resource specialist will provide the necessary knowledge and experience in areas of grant writing and management, stormwater management, sustainable best management
• White Bear Lake Area Schools are included in the Minnesota free school meals program. Tim Wald, assistant superintendent for finance and operations said all students can get one breakfast and one lunch free of charge each day at school for the upcoming school year. “Even with the free meal benefit being available to all, it's still very important that families fill out the application for educational benefits because children may qualify for other benefits such as reduced sports or activity fees,
practices and community outreach and collaboration. The $41,787 position will be funded by the water utility fund budget.
Council Member Steve Rogers is the council's liaison for the Ramsey County League of Local Governments. He said at a recent meeting there was a presentation on climate action.
“The state of Minnesota has a climate action framework which is going to align with Ramsey County, which is going to roll down to us,” Rogers said. “The Ramsey County League of local governments, the member cities and school districts are discussing joint climate action plans to align with state and county, so I think it's important that we hire a natural resource specialist because this person is going to be very involved in a topic that is going to affect all of us for a long time.”
Mayor Mike Krachmer and council members Erik Goebel, Kelly Jozwowski and Katherine Doll Kanne also support the hire.
“I fully support adding this position,” Goebel said.
reduced internet access and utility bills, reduced AP test fees, reduced Internet access and utility bills and college application fees,” Wald said. He noted there are also discounts on driver training. To complete the application for educational benefits online go to https://www.schoolcafe. com/isd624. Applications can also be requested by contacting Nutrition Services at 651-407-7515.
• Families can find back-toschool information for the 2023-24 school year including school supply
“I think that this council is very interested in environmental sustainability, and adding this position will help our community achieve those goals.”
Other council notes:
• The city will donate $8,000 to Vadnais Heights Elementary to assist with the installation of new playground swings, which will be funded through the gambling fund. Watson said students have been requesting additional swings for some time.
• Ramsey County Parks and Recreation will host special permit archery hunts at Vadnais-Snail Lakes Regional Park Oct. 23-25 and Nov. 13-15. According to Watson, these hunts are part of the deer management plan adopted by Ramsey County in 1999.
The next Vadnais Heights City Council meeting is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 5, at City Hall, 800 East County Road E in Vadnais Heights.
lists, parent view information, the beginning of the school year events and the district calendar at the district's website at www.isd624.org/ about/back-to-school.
• Students and families across the district are invited to attend a fun and informative event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 26 at White Bear Lake Area High School North Campus. The event is free and will include the opportunity to get backpacks and school supplies, vaccines, physicals, assistance with
registration forms and activities for the whole family.
• Wald said the district wants to remind the senior community who are age 65 and older to join the approximately 1,000 senior activity pass holders across the district who enjoy a lifetime complimentary admission to school activities. For more information go to https:// bit.ly/3KQd0W9 or contact Rachel Markuson at 651-407-7563.
Noelle Olson
Age 80, of Stillwater and White Bear Lake, passed away peacefully surrounded by family Aug. 11, 2023. Dick was a talented bricklayer, horse breeder and race car enthusiast. He was preceded in death by parents Carleton and Lily Smith, and 5 siblings. Dick is survived by his children, Michelle (Gus) Wagner and Shannon (Shawn) Wacker; grandchildren Jack (Kario), Sam, Paige, Charlie and Mara; siblings Roger Smith, Gloria (Dave) Savino, Durelle Frogner, Dave (Judy) Smith and Vicki Kleis. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church, on Saturday, August 26, 2023. Visitation will be from 10 - 11 a.m. Following Mass, Dick will be laid to rest at St. Mary of the Lake Cemetery. MuellerMemorial.com 651-429-4944
James A. Just passed away Aug. 4, 2023 in Tucson, Arizona at the age of 80. Jim grew up in White Bear Lake, Minnesota with parents Leonard & Maybelle Just. He is a graduate of Cretin High School (class of 1961) and the University of Minnesota. He is survived by his wife Kathryn, sons Christopher (Molly) and Travis (Kara), grandsons Benjamin and Marvin, and extended family Betty Pomeroy, Linda Kay & Michael Smith, Kathleen Kravik & Russ Pearson, Mark & Deborah Kravik, plus many nieces and nephews.
James started a business that provided residential treatment for at-risk youth in Minneapolis, Minnesota for 25 years. Following a move to Breckenridge, Colorado, he worked in property management and served on multiple planning commissions for over 12 years. After 19 years in Breckenridge, Jim & Kathryn retired to Tucson, Arizona in 2016.
James enjoyed his family, politics, skiing, boating, and was a lifelong supporter of the New York Yankees.
The family suggests sending memorial contributions to The American Cancer Society.
Dick, Rich, Ritchie, Pods, Papa Pods, Grandpa Pods, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota passed away unexpectedly at his home in Pathfinder Village, Hinckley, Minnesota on Aug. 9, 2023 at the age of 76. Born on May, 6, 1947 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Preceded in death by his parents, Garnet and Richard Podewils; sister, Sue Thayer; and Barb’s daughter, Julie. Survived by the love of his life and soul mate, Barb Hamilton; children, Chuck (Aimee), Katie, Ryan (Nicole), and Patrick; Barb’s children, Jody (Kristi), Tomi (Dennis), Patrick (Carrie); grandchildren, Joe, Jordan, Bailee, Riley, Kennedy, Trevor, Logan, and Connor; great grandchildren Saylor, Wilson, and Aiden; numerous, nieces and nephews; Barb’s numerous grandchildren; and sister, Linda Podewils Crawley.
Dick served in Vietnam in the Marine Corps and was a Purple Heart recipient, retired White Bear Lake Police Reserves Officer, Original member of The Good Guys of White Bear Lake, a long time Business Owner in White Bear Lake, A long time Security Officer at Pathfinder Village, A White Bear Lake hockey player, and so many more things. He was very active in the communities in which he lived. Always putting others needs ahead of his own and very modest about his own accomplishments. His favorite past time was undoubtedly fishing with “the guys”, his children, and grandchildren. He also enjoyed golfing, being with his good friends, hunting, anything outdoors, sports, helping others, projects, splitting and stacking wood, or just hanging around a campfire.
Friends and family are invited to join us at one or both Celebrations of Life. We will celebrate in his current community where he has spent most of his life volunteering his time at Pathfinder Village, 49200 State Hwy 48. Hinckley, MN 55037, held at the Pathfinder River pavilion from 3 - 7 p.m. on Saturday, August, 19 2023.
A second celebration will be held in the community where he was born and raised, served as a reserves officer, and operated multiple businesses; at the American Legion, 2210 3rd St, White Bear Lake, Minnesota from 4 - 8 p.m. on Wednesday, August 30 2023.
A graveside service with military honors will take place at Fort Snelling National Cemetery on Tuesday, Sept. 12 2023 at 10:30 a.m. Details for burial to be posted on Mueller Memorial website closer to the date. Mueller Memorial-White Bear Lake, www.muellermemorial.com, 651-429-4944.
Beverly Jean Gray, age 98, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on June 10, 2023. Beverly was born on February 4, 1925, to John and Evangeline Schelen in St. Paul, Minnesota. Preceded in death by her husband, Earle Gray and son David Gray. Survived by Kathy Gray, Ronald Gray (Kathy), Tutti Vik (Duane), Michael Gray, Gary Gray (Debbie), Janet Travis (Ron), Cheryl Stutsman (Jay), Joann Kriegler (John), 22 Grandchildren, 39 Great Grandchildren.
Beverly dedicated her life to her family and will be dearly missed. Active in the White Bear Lake Senior Center. Former member of Roseville Lutheran Church. A Celebration of life is planned for August 30, at Manitou Event Center, 2171 4th St., White Bear Lake, 55110. Visitation 4:00 – 5:30, Service at 5:30 with dinner to follow.
Memorials preferred to: Feed My Starving Children.
(nee Johnson), age 66 of Lindstrom, Minnesota died peacefully on Friday, August 11, 2023.
Kim was born on April 1, 1957 in Minneapolis to David and Carolyn Johnson. She grew up in Mahtomedi and graduated from Mahtomedi High School in 1975. On Nov. 1, 1975 she was united in marriage to John Race, Jr. They welcomed their son John in 1978 and their son Stephen in 1979. Kim worked all of her adult life in health care. She began as a nursing assistant working at several nursing homes and hospitals through the years. Eventually, she went back to school and graduated from the nursing program at Century College in White Bear Lake with her LPN. Most recently she worked as a Night Supervisor at Cerenity Care in White Bear Lake.
Kim is survived by her husband John of 47 years, children John Race III, Stephen (Tracy) Race; grandchildren Dakota, Isaac, Wyatt, and Austin; siblings Carny (Dan) Berg, Brent (Cheryl) Johnson, Scott (Deb) Johnson, Darcy (LeRoy) Metz, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services were held at 11:00 am on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023 at Trinity Lutheran Church.
Arrangements are by Grandstrand Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Lindstrom. www.grandstrandfh.com.
Age 61 of Hugo, Minnesota. Passed away suddenly Aug. 10, 2023. Preceded in death by parents Richard and Yvonne Fish, mother-in-law Kay Kronberg and brother-in-law Nick Kronberg. Survived by wife Lisa, sons Adam and Jeremy (Karine), sister Jodi, father-in-law Ned Kronberg, and nephews Charles Kronberg, Sam Rosenberger and Jack Rosenberger. A private family gathering will be held in his honor.