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VADNAIS HEIGHTS: Seeks volunteers for Partners in Energy team PAGE 20
Study provides ‘first step’ for downtown’s future
PAUL DOLS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
Preparing to take the plunge Above: Andy Wietecki clears the surface of White Bear Lake near Ramsey County Beach in preparation for the upcoming Polar Plunge fundraising event for Special Olympics Minnesota scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 25 starting at 12 p.m. At left: Members of the Frozen Dunkers hit the water during last year’s event. The Polar Plunge event on White Bear Lake, presented by Law Enforcement Torch Run, has helped kick off a season of plunges around the state for 23 years. Find more information at plungemn.org.
organized to review the data, conduct an analysis, generate concepts and make final recommendations to the City Council. (See “Steering Committee will present parking, mobility study to council,” Jan. 8.) SEH Senior Planner Mark Nolan recently presented the study’s findings to the City Council. “Ultimately, the City Council will decide if anything gets implemented from this plan. It is really up to the city and council to move things forward from here,” Nolan explained.
BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR
WHITE BEAR LAKE — City staff and the City Council now have a framework to help guide them in decisionmaking regarding future projects in the downtown area. Public Works Director/ City Engineer Paul Kauppi described the downtown parking and mobility study as a “large brainstorming exercise” that provides a “framework” for future projects. The study, which took nearly two years to complete, reviews pedestrian, bicycle and vehicle traffic; evaluates current and future parking needs; and explores concepts for landscaping, public spaces, lighting and wayfinding. A steering committee was
Nolan described the study report as the “first step” that provides some possible concepts for future projects based on input from staff, the steering committee and SEE MOBILITY, PARKING STUDY, PAGE 7
Plastic-free February: Challenge empowers residents to reduce plastics BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR
In Minnesota, only about 10% of the 656,420 tons of plastic that gets thrown out each year becomes new products, according to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). Plastic is everywhere: the bag you go shopping with, the cup you drink your coffee out of, the film on top of your leftovers. For the second year, Ramsey and Washington counties are joining forces with Hennepin County for the PlasticFree Challenge 2025 this February.
Hennepin County launched the challenge in 2021. “(Hennepin County) invited us to join last year, and we thought it was a super cool initiative. We don’t usually have many of our programs cross and touch paths, so it was a cool opportunity,” explained Ramsey County Health Educator Kaija Schlangen. “We tried (the challenge) for the first time last year and we had some great participation from residents from all three counties and wanted to continue to provide it this year as an opportunity SEE PLASTIC-FREE FEBRUARY, PAGE 7
2024
WINNER Best of the Press
BY THE NUMBERS Plastic-Free Challenge 2024:
1,755 19,000+ 11,900 5,200 2,000+ 29,300+ 1,2 or 5
people across 3 counties participated actions were completed by participants plastic straws, cups, utensils and bottles were not used pounds of carbon dioxide emissions were prevented pieces of litter were picked up minutes were spent on learning to become plastic-free are the only plastics that are acceptable in your recycling bin
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