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WATER GREMLIN: Parties agree to end lawsuit, judge signs off PAGE 9A
Pumpkin competition blossoms into yearly tradition
CONTRIBUTED
A sign in the excavated dirt indicates the new White Bear Area High School will open Fall, 2024.
Schools build for the future CONTRIBUTED
Hugo resident Jeff LeClair tries to outdo himself, and his father Mark LeClair, when it comes to pumpkin weight each year. Jeff is pictured with his children 7-year-old Hunter and 3-year-old Brynley. BY SHANNON GRANHOLM LEAD EDITOR
Every year, a father and son try to outdo each other in weight — that is, when it comes to growing pumpkins. For the past five years, Hugo resident Jeff LeClair has tried to grow a pumpkin that not only beats his previous year’s pumpkin, but
eventually his father Mark LeClair’s pumpkin. Mark has been honing his pumpkin growing skills for quite some time, but son Jeff said he hopes it eventually gets to the point where “the student can outteach the teacher.” Mark, a Maplewood resident, started growing pumpkins back
in 2001 as part of a contest with his brother-in-law to see who could grow the largest pumpkin. “It has just grown from there,” Mark explained. A couple years in, Mark was having a problem with a disease affecting his pumpkins, so he reached out to the St. Croix Growers Association. Intrigued by their helpfulness
“Our students, staff and community members are seeing firsthand the phases of construction we talked about at length with the community in the fall of 2019. We are grateful to district residents for seeing both the need and the vision, and for supporting the bond referendum,” said Dr. Wayne Kazmierczak, White Bear Lake Area Schools superintendent. “Much has been planned and built in the two years since that time, and we are excited to successfully complete all of the construction phases in the summer of 2025.” The first project to be completed in the fall of 2020 was the creation of a secure office and vestibule area at the district’s. The second phase of the ALC, which is scheduled to be completed during summer 2023, will include renovations to create a learning commons/flexible learning space, kitchen improvements and mechanical upgrades. SEE SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION, PAGE 8A
SEE GIANT PUMPKINS, PAGE 9A
Mora administrator named next city manager Following a comprehensive search and interview process, the mayor and City Council announced their selection of Lindy Crawford to serve as the next city manager for the city of White Bear Lake. Crawford will vacate her current position as city administrator/public utilities general manager for the city of Mora, where she has served since 2018. Prior to her time in Mora, Crawford was city administrator for the city of Tonka
Bay. Her first official day of duty in White Bear Lake will be Dec. 20, 2021. “Lindy is an excellent fit for the organization and the community,” said Mayor Jo Emerson. “Her talent, energy and commitment to public service are the characteristics we sought and found in Lindy." Crawford was among five finalists selected by the mayor from a field of 13 semifinalists. A consulting firm vetted
a total of 33 applicants to provide the semifinal list. Crawford is replacing Ellen Hiniker, who is retiring from city management on Dec. 17 after 21 years of service to the city of White Bear Lake, the last six as city manager. From press release CONTRIBUTED
Lindy Crawford
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