Quad Community Press

Local sailor’s remains to receive long-anticipated burial

BY ERIK SUCHY STAFF WRITER

After 80 years, the search is over.

On September 23, 2021, members of the Defense POW/ MIA Accounting Agency were able to identify remains found in the wreckage of the USS Oklahoma. Those remains were identified as belonging to William F. Gusie, a 1939

White Bear Lake Area High School graduate. Gusie had worked on the ship as a 3rd Class Navy Fire Controllman. During the onslaught of World War II, Gusie was killed during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Now, Gusie’s remains have returned to Minnesota, which will receive a special burial at Fort Snelling State Park on June 12.

Gusie was one of 429 crewmen killed during the attack. At the time, Gusie was one of only 13 crew members identified as missing by the Department of Defense. The department was in charge of locating American soldiers who were declared prisoners of war or missing in action.

SEE WILLIAM F. GUSIE, PAGE 7

moratorium

BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR

LINO LAKES — The City Council has yet to take official action on enacting a moratorium on new residential development in the northwest quadrant of the city. In the meantime, residents continue to share their opinions concerning both the proposed moratorium and Madinah Lakes.

City staff members continue to work with City Attorney Jay Squires to draft the ordinance, on which the council would need to take official action.

Council Member Michael Ruhland suggested a moratorium on residential development last month after expressing concerns about the city’s water infrastructure and the potential restrictions that may be enacted because of the White Bear Lake lawsuit. (See Quad article “Lino Lakes considers pause on residential development” April 9.) The moratorium would affect several large subdivisions that are currently in the planning process.

One of those subdivisions, Madinah Lakes, is proposed by Zikar Holdings on land located on the south side of Main Street (County Road 14) near the city’s border with Blaine. The 156acre development would include a $15 million, 40,000-square-foot masjid, or mosque.

SEE MADINAH LAKES, PAGE 2

Centerville home values up, residents will be relieved of some tax burden

BY LORETTA HARDING CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The big news from Centerville’s Local Board of Appeal & Equalization for taxes payable in 2025 is that the share of the tax burden has fallen slightly for residential properties.

Centerville’s team of assessors recently paid their annual visit to City Hall to provide a summary of the city’s property values over the past year.

Presenting the city’s valuation numbers were city residential assessors Mary Wells, senior accredited Minnesota assessor (SAMA); Chris Larson, accredited Minnesota assessor (AMA); Erik Skogquist, city commercial/ industrial/apartment assessor, SAMA; and Ben Hamill, Anoka County assessment compliance manager.

Annually, the city must hold a public hearing, called the Local Board

of Appeal & Equalization, on the city assessor’s classification and valuation for each property within the city’s jurisdiction. No citizens stepped up to speak, although assessors fielded about five phone questions.

Residential property owners may have calmed down in 2024, after the gob-smacking valuation increase of 25% in 2022 and the much more tame increase of 5.4% in 2023. This year, in 2024, the valuation increase is even more quiet with an increase of a mere

3.16% from last year. That 3.16% increase is shown in the 2024 preliminary value, minus new construction, of $677,958,200 for taxes payable 2025. The city value, minus new construction, from last year for taxes payable 2024 was $638,325,700. With new construction, the 2024 preliminary total value is $704,174,300, or an overall increase of 7.15%.

OKLAHOMA HISTORICAL SOCIETY CONTRIBUTED

Gusie was a sailor onboard the USS Oklahoma during Pearl Harbor.

MADINAH LAKES: Residents question need for residential moratorium

FROM PAGE 1

President Faraaz Yussuf of Zikar Holdings said he was disappointed about the recent discussions on a possible moratorium. He said the council had already undertaken planning efforts for the area when it developed the 2040 Comprehensive Plan.

“The plan meticulously outlines the development trajectory of Lino Lakes and includes designated parcels of land and timelines for such development. Specifically, the parcels we are interested in are slated for 2025 with clear provisions of a mix of low-, medium- and highdensity housing along with commercial components,” Yussuf said. “This plan was not formulated in isolation. It was a product of extensive deliberation and community input. To now suggest a one-year moratorium to reevaluate this or to master plan with a very specific part of Lino Lakes less than four years after this discussion was done is not only redundant but financially irresponsible.”

He added that Zikar Holdings was not requesting any amendments to the city’s comp plan. “Any delay would only serve as a convenient deferral of real decisionmaking by this council rather than a genuine effort to improve the planning process.”

He said the proposed moratorium does not deter them from continuing to pursue the Madinah Lakes project.

Resident Noni Karkoska spoke in support of Madinah Lakes and against a moratorium.

“I am welcoming of all folks coming into this community because I believe we are stronger together. Lino has an incredible opportunity to demonstrate that we believe that we are stronger together,” she said. She said she was especially looking forward to all of the proposed green space and walking trails/sidewalks within the development.

“After listening to the last City Council meeting, it left me curious why a moratorium is needed … Any of the concerns regarding water, infrastructure, etc. would be addressed in the rules and process laid out by the state,” Karkoska said. “This seems like excessive measures to impose measures of accountability. Why just in the northwest quadrant? Why not citywide, if this is a concern of the entire city?”

Resident Christina Turner said she was concerned about the proposed development. “The development is reminding me of the time during the civil rights movement when segregation was going on …” she said. “If you are going to do this, then you open up the possibility

PUBLIC SAFETY BRIEFS

Crowd of juveniles at Carnival leads to fights; officer injured

Crowd of juveniles at Carnival leads to fights; officer injured

On May 11, at approximately 7 p.m., Blaine Police Officers who were working security at a carnival at Northtown Mall reported that approximately 200 juveniles, ages between 14-17 years old, were gathering and being rowdy. At approximately 7:30 p.m., several juveniles started physically fighting. Multiple officers stepped in to break up the fight, and they were physically attacked. As officers were restraining the active participants, other juveniles from the crowd continued to kick and punch others who were on the ground. One juvenile jumped on the back of an officer while another struck the officer in the head with her elbow. That officer was later diagnosed with a concussion. As officers continued to try and disperse the crowd, juveniles continued to step around officers to kick others who were on the ground. Additional juveniles swung at officers and tried to pass by them to continue fighting while others in the crowd were recording the ordeal on their phones.

Additional officers from the Blaine Police Department as well as other agencies throughout Anoka County responded to help disperse the crowd. The mayhem continued for approximately three minutes until an officer threatened the use of a chemical spray.

A large group of juveniles ran into Northtown Mall but were quickly dispersed by officers. The mall was forced to close as a precaution. This is the second year in a row that Northtown Mall was forced to close early due to a disturbance at the carnival. The carnival management has been working with the city and Police Department to tighten security around the event and create a more family-

of having an all-white-only development, an all-black-only development and an all-Asian-only development, an allMexican-only development so on and so forth.”

Resident Luke Walter spoke on behalf of the newly formed “Love Lino Lakes” group. “The Love Lino Lakes group opposes all large-scale developments within Lino Lakes. We do not discriminate,” he said. “I will fully acknowledge that the Madinah Lakes proposal was the catalyst for the forming of this specific group but only in the sense that the residents were awakened to the relentless construction that is carpeting our cities.”

He added, “Our concerns are reasonable, and they merit discussion without the bullying or intimidation tactics we have seen online and in our City Hall these past weeks.”

Architect Dean Dovolis questioned why a moratorium would be needed now. He reminded the council that the environmental assessment worksheet (EAW) that the developer would be required to complete would likely take nine months.

“There will be debate and discussion like every development has, but the sudden appearance of a moratorium at this time with a project that has a mosque labeled on it is quite shocking … I won’t question the motives, but if there was a Catholic church with this development, would it have the same reaction and the same issues?” Dovolis asked.

“What worries me more, is the message that is going to be sent out about Lino Lakes, which is ‘you are not welcome here.’ There is a lot at stake in this project and a lot at stake in this process. We are not afraid to go through the city process … What we do regret is the sudden appearance of a moratorium, which seems highly unusual at this point, at this time, and it is creating a lot of suspicion on both sides.”

Resident Tracie Shroyer spoke in support of a moratorium and listed a few questions she wanted the council to have answers to before planning development in the area.

“If there is one thing I know about the history of the Lino Lakes City Council, it is that you do not rush into development. It is sort of the legacy of the council … It was that reluctance to quickly approve projects that made Lino what it is today,” she said.

Resident Brian Robinson wanted to draw attention to an article he read in the Quad Press back in February (“Lino Lakes considers community concept.”) The article was about a concept proposed for the northwest quadrant of the city by Pulte Homes for a Del Webb community. At the time, council members were planning to take a trip

friendly environment.

Two juveniles have been charged with assault, and additional charges are possible.

Blaine Police Department Lino Lakes secures firearms grant

The Lino Lakes Police Department is the recipient of a $5,049 grant from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety to use for firearms storage. Since 1999, the agency has used simple storage lockers to hold firearms that have been entered into evidence for various reasons. According to Public Safety Director John Swenson, as the Lino Lakes population has increased, the department has experienced an increase in the number of firearms taken in and anticipates a continued increase to the number of firearms in the future.

In 2023, Minnesota implemented a new Extreme Risk Protection Order program, which affords the LLPSD another means of actively preventing tragedy by removing firearms from some who pose the greatest statistical risk of domestic violence. In addition, the department’s evidence technicians have found it increasingly difficult to store firearms in a way that ensures damage to those firearms doesn’t occur while in police custody.

Swenson said the existing storage is currently nearing capacity. The grant will fund a wire enclosure to increase the agency’s secure firearm storage capacity from 24.2 square feet to 89.5 square feet. Within the enclosure, the agency plans to purchase and install a shelf to increase storage space for the firearms currently stored in lockers. The new shelf would hold 64 long guns and 76 handguns using current evidence packaging practices. Currently, the agency has 38 handguns and 17 long guns in custody.

CONTRIBUTED

Lino Lakes Council Chambers continues to be packed during City Council meetings, as several residents are showing up to voice their opinions on the proposed moratorium and Madinah Lakes development.

to Corcoran, Minnesota, to see an example of a Del Webb community.

“Why all the talk of the moratorium when a few short weeks ago you guys were willing to take a trip to Corcoran to look at development?” he asked. “Along comes Zikar Holdings in mid-March and all of a sudden, all the talk is we need a moratorium. Seems a little suspicious to me.”

Executive Director of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations Jaylani Hussein said 90% of projects presented by the Muslim community have been objected to.

“I’m extremely hopeful because the U.S. has the Constitution that protects the freedom of religion. In that Constitution, there is a provision that talks about specifically what we are talking about tonight that says cities and counties cannot create policies different for different people based on them,” Hussein said. “You can’t add a moratorium to the Muslim project, where you would not do for another project … that’s the law.”

Hussein added that they have requested the Department of Justice to get involved.

If the council decides to move forward with the moratorium, the topic will be forwarded to the Planning and Zoning Board for a public hearing and a recommendation to the council. The council would then need to consider both the first and second reading of the ordinance.

Managing Editor Shannon Granholm can be reached at 651-407-1227 or quadnews@presspubs.com.

ED AND MARY HEMAUER

JOHN AND LINDA STRICKLAND

WENDY JENZ

MARLENE HOULE

MAXINE PROKOP

PAUL WIKSTROM

MARLENE AND ROBERT HARMS

JOYCE THOMPSON

SALLY BROWN

MARLYS NELSON

TAMMY LARSON

TONYA LELEUX

DEBORAH MILLER

DARLENE NADEAU

KATHY DUDDING

SHERI PETERSON

TOM AND LINDA BEATSON

MARY RYAN

NANCY AND LARRY ROGERS

NANCY KATZENBERGER

KATHLEEN RUSSELL

PAM BLANDING

JANET AND STEVEN SOMMER

ROSLYN YEAGER

ALEX ECKERT

WHAT’S HAPPENING

CURRENT EVENTS

BABY SOCIAL HOUR

When: 10:15 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 21

Where: Centennial Library, 100 Civic Heights Circle, Circle Pines

Details: Drop in and stay connected with friends that you have made during baby story time. Share activities, playtime and socialization for babies and caregivers during our story time break. For babies 0-24 months and a caregiver. Contact: (763) 324-1540

DOWNSIZING WITH EASE

When: 10-11 a.m. Tuesday, May 21

Where: The Rookery Activity Center, 7690 Village Drive, Lino Lakes

Details: Join us for a seminar hosted by local Realtors Kristi and Garrett Ganske, Executive Closer Burgundy Johnson; Peggy Anderson of Interior Staging and Styling; and Diane Gilmore, an organizing and moving specialist.

Contact: Garrett Ganske (651) 303-1139

NOSH & NETWORK

When: 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 22

Where: Two Silos Winery & Vineyard, 7040 117th Street N, Grant

Details: Join us the fourth Wednesday of the month for free appetizers and networking. Attendees will

have the opportunity to create a professional intro video. Register and we’ll send you a sample script, you’ll customize your own, email it ahead of time, and it will be on a teleprompter for you to read from. Matt Perkins from Perkins Media Group will record and edit your video at no charge. If you don’t wish to create a video you’re still welcome to come for the networking.

Contact: Kellie Schmidt quad.chamber.director@ gmail.com

ST. PAUL HIKING CLUB

When: 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 26

Where: 4658 Fable Rd. N., Hugo

Details: Hike is approx. 5 miles on the Lino Lakes trail.

Contact: stpaulhike.com

BURGER NIGHT

When: 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, May 27

Where: Hugo American Legion, 5383 140th Str N, Hugo

Details: Support our Troops by joining us for Hugo Yellow Ribbon Burger Night.  All are invited. Families of deployed military eat free. Event proceeds support military families.

When: Noon-4 p.m. Saturday, May 25

Where: Centennial High School, 4747 North Rd., Circle Pines

Details: Food, performances and more by Centennial Students for Change. Contact: Facebook: centennialstudentschange

Guns N Hoses hosts 1st golf tournament

This summer, police officers (guns) and firefighters (hoses) will exchange their hockey skates for golf clubs for the first Guns-N-Hoses Golf Tournament.

Now in its eighth year, the annual Guns N Hoses Charity Hockey Game pits law enforcement officers against firefighters from Anoka County and surrounding counties. To date, the event has raised more than $310,000 for benefactors that serve first responders.

On Friday, Aug. 23, Lino Lakes Volunteers in Public Safety (LLVIPS) will host its first charity golf tournament at Chomonix Golf Course in Lino Lakes. Fifty percent of the proceeds from the tournament will be donated to The Front Line Foundation (TFLF).

TFLF was recently granted one of its largest donations to date, $60,015, from LLVIPS. The funds were raised from this year’s charity hockey game at

the Blaine Super Rink. The charity game was played just five days after three Burnsville first responders were killed in the line of duty. Even before the game took place, TFLF had already granted a total of $60,000 in death benefits to the families of Burnsville police officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, both 27, and Adam Finseth, 40, a firefighter and paramedic for the city. The three were killed while reporting to a domestic violence and hostage crisis in the city.

“We are beyond humbled for this substantial and thoughtful donation,” said Suzanne Holt, president and CEO of TFLF. “As organizations, we are closely aligned to do all we can to support the men and women who put their lives on the line for us every single day.”

Since its inception in late 2018, TFLF

has supported law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs and members of the National Guard across Minnesota to grant financial support to families of first responders who have died in the line of duty. The foundation’s mission is to bridge the gap between the death and benefits being paid, which can help families with ongoing expenses. The foundation also provides support in the purchase of tactical equipment for first responders, which is not included in department budgets. To date, The Frontline Foundation has paid out $520,000 in death benefits and equipment funding.

Wes Pederson, chair of LLVIPS, said that the outpouring of support for TFLF and its mission was a win-win situation for all involved.

“The bottom line is that this event made a difference at a very sad and challenging time,” said Pederson. “People stepped up

to the plate big time. We are extremely fortunate to have the support we have seen through the years at this event.”

Because of the success of the charity hockey game back in February, both organizations are once again teaming up to support Minnesota’s first responder community.

“We are thrilled to once again work with Wes and his group,” said Holt. “To say we are humbled by this support would be an understatement.”

LLVIPS is currently looking for volunteers and sponsors for the golf event. For more information, to register or donate, visit https://birdease.com/ GNHgolf2024.

Upcoming Games

May 21 - 26 vs. Buffalo Bisons May 28 - June 2 vs. Rochester Red Wings

Saturday at 4:30 pm Parish Community Center  6995 Centerville Rd, Centerville  Sunday at 8:30 am St. John’s Site  14383 Forest Blvd N, Hugo  Sunday at 10:30 am Parish Community Center  6995 Centerville Rd, Centerville  www.stgens.org 651‐429‐7937

Front Line Foundation

OPINION

Steve Job’s observation

Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Corporation, died in 2011 at age 56, losing the battle with pancreatic cancer. Prior to his death, he made some observations about life. He was making reference that material things lost can be found or replaced, but when the curtain comes down on life, it can never be replaced.

About the Town

He was trying to make the point that inner happiness does not come from material things. Whether you have a $300 or a $30 watch, they both tell the same time.

He makes the following recommendations:

• Don’t educate your children to be rich. Educate them to be happy so when they grow up they will know the value of things and not the price.

• Eat your food as your medicine. Otherwise, you will have to eat medicine as your food.

Then he goes on to recommend the six best doctors in the world are sunlight, rest, exercise, diet, self-confidence and friends.

I think he overlooked a significant part of this life that has been provided through our creator, Almighty God, who we can know in a personal way through his son Jesus Christ who came and died on the cross and rose from the dead. The prophets in the Old Testament predicted a Savior would come. The New Testament makes it clear on what is necessary to have that relationship with the Heavenly Father and to understand the Triune God.

Management training

In 1972 Phil Bonin and I attended a management course held at 6 a.m. in Forest Lake under the direction of Sheehan’s Target Training, Don Sheehan.

Here were some of the stats on why it is important to learn more about management:

• 92% of companies fail because of poor management.

• Out of every 100 companies that start, 75 are out of business in five years.

• The average company stays in business 7-1/2 years.

• 77% of companies have from three to seven employees.

• 50% of the people in management break down emotionally annually.

• *Between 1900 and 1940, 19 million companies went into business, 16 million went out, for an 85% failure rate of all businesses.

Young people coming up are usually better educated than their managers.

At the age of 88, I am still learning. The younger generation suggests I’m obsolete and should be put on a shelf.

Preparation for life

Accomplishments, goals attained, and meeting a mark, are why we celebrate graduations, whether they be from kindergarten, middle school, high school, college or special degrees.

Education is very important, whether it be on to college or tech schools, and the opportunities are varied, readily available and achievable.

So whatever you are celebrating, be thankful and take the next step. We can call that “commencement.”

Support appreciated

My son, Carter, and I have a number of community newspapers in Minnesota and Wisconsin. They are small businesses and oftentimes it is challenging to achieve a bottom line. We are very thankful for our readers and advertisers. Subscription renewals have been good this spring. I think a lot of our readers appreciate our community newspaper, especially in light of the news that community papers in other parts of the state are closing due to mismanagement by hedge funds. Thanks again, subscribers, for helping keep the community informed through your support of print and online editions developed by professional journalists. You can count on us for important, truthful information.

Gene Johnson is publisher emeritus of Press Publications

JGardener’s Grapevine

Nyle Zikmund

Take note – journaling can improve your garden

ournaling is something I’ve been doing since 1987, when I wanted to offer a place for siblings and guests to share their memories of our family cabin. However, it was not until 2018 that I “remembered” I should start journaling about our yard activities at home. This idea was so enlightening that it caused me (and Mrs. Me) to enroll in the Master Gardener program as we realized how much we did not know about plants. Horticulture homicide is an emotionally and fiscally draining endeavor!

While the written log we started was helpful, the turning point for our journaling occurred when we thought to add digital photographs. Photos allow you to see how areas of your yard transform over the years and through the seasons. They can help remind you about when your fruit trees set blossoms or note that your alliums popped up two weeks earlier than usual.

Journaling can be used for

Limited to 350 words.

Submissions must Include a full name, address and daytime phone number for verification.

Letter writers must live, work or have another connection to Press Publications coverage area.

• Letter writers are limited to six letters per year and at

variety of gardening purposes. For example, you could include weather conditions that impact certain plants, log when those pesky Japanese beetles emerge, track the costs for bringing in a yard of mulch, or monitor how often you need to water a new shrub. If you treat your ash trees for emerald ash borer, keeping a treatment journal and calendar will make the difference in ensuring its survival.

Technology has evolved to give us new ways to journal. This past year I discovered a new mobile application called “Gardenize,” and there are several other journaling apps available. Everything I previously put on paper can be stored in the app. It provides reminders about key tasks, such as when to water specific plants, and it allows you to create to-do lists. It also includes a handy plant identification tool for those times when you didn’t save the tag with the plant you brought home from the greenhouse.

While entering the data in an app can be time intensive at first, having a digital record of what you planted where removes the need to have a paper record (which can be lost or destroyed). It also helps organize all of your photos, so you don’t have to scroll through hundreds of vacation

pictures to find the shot of where you planted those dahlia tubers. The app gives information about specific plant needs and growth habits. I typically have my phone with me when I’m out in the garden and find that using an app to make notes and add photos at the same time is extremely valuable, especially as I sometimes forget to do the logging later.

Whether you prefer to use pen and paper, digital photography or an app, journaling is an important and enjoyable gardening task that will help you make plant and design choices, keep up on seasonal chores, and document what you have planted. For more information about how keeping a journal can improve your garden, visit the University of Minnesota’s Extension page: https:// extension.umn.edu/yard-andgarden-news/take-notes-nowhealthier-garden-next-year Meet with an Anoka County Master Gardener volunteer about your yard and garden question or issue, in-person or online. For more details, visit anokamastergardeners.org

Nyle Zikmund is an Anoka County Master Gardener with the University of Minnesota Extension.

QUAD COMMUNITY PRESS | LETTER GUIDELINES

least four weeks must lapse between publication. Exceptions may be made for rebuttal letters.

• Due to space limitations, letters that don’t address local issues are not guaranteed publication. Repeat letters by the same writer about the same subject matter will not be published.

Submissions containing libelous or derogatory statements will not be published.

• Submissions containing facts not previously published in the Press must be accompanied by factual verification.

• All letters are subject to editing.

Deadline is 5 p.m. Wednesday of the week prior to publication.

• To submit a letter, e-mail it to quadnews@presspubs. com, fax it to 651-429-1242 or mail or deliver it to: Press Publications, 4779 Bloom Ave., White Bear Lake, MN 55110.

Gene Johnson

COPS&COURTS

The Lino Lakes Police Department reports the following incidents:

• An officer received delayed information about a neighbor dispute in the 400 block of Arrowhead Drive May 7. The incident was documented.

• Officers responded to a residential burglary in the 6100 block of Centerville Road May 7. The investigation is ongoing.

• A community service officer observed a damaged crosswalk sign while on patrol near the 1100 block of Holly Drive May 8. The appropriate department was notified.

• Officers responded to a report of boaters on a local lake shining lights at homes and making noises in the 6700 block of West Shadow Lake Drive May 9. Officers located the boaters and informed them of the complaint.

• An officer investigated a fight that occurred between two juvenile females on a school bus May 9. Both females were medically evaluated and later charged for assault.

• An officer was dispatched to a phone call report regarding a theft from motor vehicle in the 700 block of Fox Road May 9. The investigation is ongoing.

• An officer spoke with an individual in the 7800 block of Marilyn Drive who said she received a phone call from someone claiming they were holding her parents for ransom May 9. The person eventually hung up, no money was sent and her parents were found to be at home with no problems.

• Officers responded to a welfare check of a male who was observed walking on I-35E near Ash Street May 11. Officers located the male and determined he was a juvenile. He was returned home to a parent.

• An officer responded to a grass fire in the 6200 block of Centerville Road May 11. The fire was put out by fire personnel.

• An officer responded to an illegal burn complaint

PINES CITY COUNCIL SNIPPETS

• A reminder to residents that the city is accepting applications to fill a vacancy on the City Council through the end of this month. Those interested in applying should contact City Hall. The council will make an appointment in early June.

• The city continues to plan for its 75th anniversary celebration in 2025. The next meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 10, at City Hall. Feel free to share your ideas with Chandra Peterson via email at cpeterson@ci.circlepines.mn.us or 763-231-2611.

• In addition to the vacancy on the council, there is now a vacancy on the Park Board. Jamie Dolieslager recently resigned from her position on the board because she moved outside of the city. City Administrator Patrick Antonen said the city will look to fill that vacancy once it fills the vacancy on the City

in the 2100 block of West Cedar Street May 11. The officer observed an illegal recreational fire and contacted the resident, who was educated on the city ordinance. The fire was extinguished.

• Officers responded to a report of juveniles running through a neighborhood and causing a disturbance in the 900 block of Lantern Lane May 12. Officers located the juveniles, and they were cited with curfew violations and returned to parents.

• Officers were requested by the State Patrol to assist with a possible personal injury accident in the 700 block of I-35W May 12. An adult male driver was subsequently arrested for DWI.

• An officer responded to a report of two vehicles that were broken into in the 600 block of Aqua Lane May 12. The incidents were documented, and evidence was collected. There is no suspect information at this time.

• An officer responded to a noise complaint involving a group at a park in the 7100 block of Mound Trail May 12. The officer located the group making the noise and advised them of the complaint. They agreed to leave and did so without incident.

• An officer responded to a report of a unoccupied vehicle in the ditch in the 8000 block of Fourth Avenue May 12. The officer attempted to locate the owner of the vehicle but was unsuccessful. The vehicle was secured.

• Officers assisted another law enforcement agency with a pursuit wherein the suspect crashed in the 7300 block of Main Street May 13. The suspect was arrested and booked into jail by the initiating agency.

• Officers were dispatched to a call of a single-vehicle personal injury accident in the 6600 block of 20th Avenue May 13. The patient was transported to the hospital by ambulance.

Council. Park Board member Sada Ganske has been appointed the board’s chair.

• For the first time in quite a while, the Centennial Lakes Police Department (CLPD) is fully staffed with 17 sworn officers. The Police Governing Board has decided to increase pay for part-time officers so it is line with the rest of the department.

Captain Pat Aldrich explained that historically, part-time police officers have always made significantly less pay compared to full-time officers. An officer who has worked part time for the department for eight years has not received any spike in pay rate since he was hired. “The cities have agreed to bump up his pay to the starting officer’s pay rate,” he explained.

are more successful. Council representative Matt Percy explained that the council received an “adverse opinion” on its most recent audit due to some late payments and issues with financial policies and procedures. He said that although the fire protection council has procedures in place, they are not written down.

• The Cable Commission continues to discuss possible merger opportunities, but after a split vote the endeavor seems to be on hold.

The Centennial Lakes Police Department reports the following incidents:

• Officers were dispatched to a domestic assault in Circle Pines May 8.

• Officers were dispatched to the 4100 block of Lovell Road in Lexington for a possible assault May 8.

• An officer conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Lexington Avenue and West Road in Circle Pines May 8. The driver was subsequently arrested on an outstanding warrant.

• An officer responded to a business in the 9300 block of Lexington Avenue in Lexington for an unwanted person. A male was subsequently trespassed from the location.

• Officers responded to Circle Pines for an uncooperative child May 9. The officer attempted to speak with the juvenile male and recommended resources.

• An officer conducted a traffic stop in the 1900 block of Main Street in Centerville May 9. The driver was found to have a canceled driver’s license and an outstanding warrant. He was arrested.

• Police took a delayed report of a theft from motor vehicle in the 1800 block of Main Street in Centerville May 9.

• Officers responded to the 9400 block of Lexington Avenue in Lexington May 10 for a harassment report.

• Police responded to the 4000 block of Concord Road in Lexington May 10. The complainant reported items being knocked over in their yard and a phone box cover being tampered with.

• Officers responded to an animal complaint in the 30 block of Village Parkway in Circle Pines May 11.

• Officers were dispatched to a fight in the 8800 block of Arona Avenue in Lexington May 11.

• Police responded to a grass fire in the 0 block of School Road in Circle Pines May 13.

• The Anoka County Fire Protection Council has some work to do so its future audits

The next City Council meeting will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 28, at City Hall.

Shannon Granholm

CIRCLE

Top 5 at PressPubs.com:

Week of May 12 – 18, 2024

Editor’s note: Visit www.presspubs.com to read the full versions of these most-visited stories

1. Social media posts swirl about Madinah Lakes. Quad Community Press > Obituaries

2. Patrick George Churchill. White Bear Press > Obituaries

3. Nominations sought for ‘Best of’ contest. Quad Community Press > News

4. New menu, same hangout: Dugout’s new partnership. White Bear Press > News

5. Big love felt for Mahtomedi Teacher of the Year winner. White Bear Press > News

Chris Jarombek REALTOR®

Chris@ChrisJarombek.com cjarombek.remax.com

Mobile: (612) 508-3753

Office: (612) 464-7070

Brandyn Christman DC, CCSP

Memorial Day Events

WHITE BEAR LAKE

Memorial Day Boat Parade

When: 11:45 a.m. Monday, May 27

Where: Mahtomedi beach, 1000 Park Ave., Mahtomedi Details: Start at Mahtomedi beach and end at the White Bear Lake VFW. Contact: www. facebook.com/ groups/565317421894931

Memorial Day at VFW Post 1782

When: Monday, May 27

Where: 4496 Lake Ave. S. Contact: 651-426-4944

LINO LAKES

Post 566 Memorial Day Ceremony and Community Picnic

When: 5 – 8 p.m. Monday, May 27

Where: American Legion Post 566, 7731 Lake Dr. Details: Ceremony will start at 5 p.m. and a community picnic will follow once complete. Food will include burgers, hot dogs, chips and potato salad. Free to the public. Contact: 651-783-0055

FOREST LAKE

Memorial Day celebration

When: 9 a.m. Monday, May 27

Where: Lakeside Memorial Park, 95 E. Broadway Ave. Details: Hosted by the American Legion post 225. Features guest speaker Major General Linda Parenteau Marsh.

Contact: 651-464-4538

STILLWATER

Stillwater Veteran’s Memorial Day Ceremony

When: 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Monday, May 27

Where: Vets Memorial Parking Lot, 138 Pine St. W.

Details: Honor the St. Croix causalities of war.

Contact: 651-439-4350

HUGO

Memorial Day Car Show

When: 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Monday, May 27

Where: Blacksmith Lounge, 17205 Forest Blvd. N.

Details: Presented by the North Star Chapter of the Studbaker Drivers Club. Memorial Day flag raising at noon.

Patients and Friends,

During the past 45 years, it has been my honor and pleasure to provide care for patients.

As of June 1st, Dr. Brandyn Christman will be integrating into caring for patients at Hugo Chiropractic Clinic, and I will be staying on for a while to aid in the transition so together we continue providing all of you the same quality care you have come to know.

Dr. Brandyn Christman is originally from Rice Lake, WI. He attended the University of Wisconsin – Stout as well as the University of Minnesota – Duluth.

Upon graduating, he attended Northwestern Health Sciences University for his doctorate in chiropractic and graduated early in 2021.

Dr. Christman kept expanding on his education with additional certifications in Webster Technique for pregnancy, SMFA movement assessments, TPI Golf, DOT physicals, soft tissue therapies and he went

After considerable thought and extensive searching, I believe Dr. Christman is the right person to continue our award-winning legacy of empathetic, excellent and caring chiropractic care.

In addition to conditions that normally present in our office, Dr. Christman has extensive experience treating sportsrelated injuries, auto injuries and pregnant patients.

Contact: 612-839-2490

American Legion Post 620 Cemetery Tour

When: Monday, May 27

Where: Hugo American Legion Post 620, 5383 140th St. N.

Details: For the 78th consecutive year, the American Legion Post 620 will visit the following cemeteries to conduct Memorial Day Services. Join the tour at any point in time. Meet at the Hugo American Legion at 6:45 a.m. Walker Cemetery will be at 7:30 a.m; return to Legion Clubroom for coffee at 8:30 a.m.; Gethsemane Methodist Cemetery at 9 a.m.; Incarnation Lutheran Cemetery at 9:25 a.m.; St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery at 10 a.m.; Twitchell Cemetery at 10:30 a.m.; Lino Lakes Legion at 10:45 a.m.; St. Genevieve’s Catholic Cemetery at 11:25 a.m.; the last cemetery on the tour will be St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery at 11:55 a.m. Contact: 651-255-1432

Dr. Christman will continue to provide for all the major health insurance plans.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the journey of serving you through chiropractic and thank you for your friendship and loyalty. You are like family to me. The memories of providing you care will always remain in my heart.

William Barrett, D.C.

on to receive his CCSP (Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician.)

His experience also includes more than 200 hours of continuing education, treating over 1,000 patient cases, and running a new clinic from the ground up.

The opportunity to purchase Hugo Chiropractic from Dr. Barrett was like a dream come true because he always knew the northeast suburbs were the area he wanted to build a life and raise a family.

Dr. Brandyn resides in Blaine with his wife, Carly, and their 1 year old daughter, Lennon.

5673 147th St. N. Hugo, MN 55038 (at the corner of Hwy 61 and 147th) 651-429-9010

WILLIAM F. GUSIE: Forever lost... until now

Between December 1941 and June 1944, the department collected the remains of several different crew members from the USS Oklahoma. They were brought to the Halawa and Nu’uanu Cemeteries in Oahu, Hawaii, for burial. In 1947, the American Graves Registration Service took the remains from both cemeteries in an attempt to identify the individuals killed. However, the service could only recognize the names of 35 of the men. Gusie, at the time, was not among them.

However, that all changed during the summer of 2015.

The accounting agency decided to take another shot at uncovering the deceased sailors’ identities. By then, new technological developments had been made in DNA, dental, and anthropological analysis. The remains were then exhumed from the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, where they had been re-buried following the 1947 identification attempt.

By 2021, Gusie’s remains received proper identification. However, attempts to give him a proper burial were frequently delayed. According to Gene Huges, a public affairs officer with Navy Personnel Command, this was due to a pile-up by the COVID-19 pandemic. This prevented military personnel from identifying and returning previous remains of soldiers killed in action.

Despite the delay, Gusie’s remains remain on track to receive his official Fort Snelling burial June 12. Additionally, a rosette will be placed next to Gusie’s name on the Walls of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu. This will show that the agency has officially identified Gusie’s remains.

Erik Suchy is a writer at Press Publications. To reach him, contact him at 651-407-1229, or email at whitebearnews@presspubs.com

FROM PAGE 1

Every property in the city must be inspected every five years (a quintile review). That means that 405 properties out of 1,663 parcels within the city were physically inspected for this year. For last year, 350 properties were inspected. Appraisal staff also inspected 85 properties this year where building permits were issued for improvement, remodeling or deconstruction.

Combined with inspections are sales figures. The 2024 values are determined using qualified sales that took place between Oct. 1, 2022, and Sept. 30, 2023. During that time, there were 52 residential sales, of which 32

AROUND TOWN

were qualified. The number of sales went down considerably from a total of 97 last year. For valuation, ratios are calculated by dividing the 2023 values by the adjusted sale prices.

Broken down, single-family non-waterfront property values increased by 3.07%; single-family waterfront values increased by 1.22%; townhome values increased by 2.32%; commercial values increased by 0.98%, industrial property values increased by 7.42%; agricultural property values increased by 14.56%; and apartment properties decreased in value by 4.01%. Skogquist said that apartment units went up substantially last year and have now self-corrected.

And now here is the exciting news

for residential property owners, especially those feeling as though they’re doing all the heavy lifting to pay the city’s bills: the share of market value in each major property classification has shifted due to the recent new construction of several commercial and industrial properties, Skogquist said.

In 2021, residential properties carried 92.32% of the city’s tax burden, but in 2024, residential properties will now pay 83.89% of the bills. During the interim, the value of commercial and industrial properties has almost doubled, and apartment property values have more than quadrupled.

With the Amazon facility coming completely on line by next year at this time, residential property owners can expect to see their share of the tax bill shrink even further, Skogquist said.

Residents around town may groan a bit when they see beautiful and quiet vacant lands taken up by commercial enterprises. But the payoff comes around this time of year, when they see somebody else is helping to pay the bills.

Now that the Centerville Local Board of Appeal was held May 8, the Anoka County Board of Appeal will be held at 6 p.m. June 17. The proposed 2025 tax statements will be mailed in mid-November 2024, and tax court actions must be filed by April 30, 2025.

The council next meets at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 22, at City Hall, 1880 Main St.

Loretta Harding is a contributing writer for Press Publications. She can be reached at news@presspubs.com  or 651-407-1200.

1. Volunteers gathered to clean up Hodgson Road from Lake Drive to County Road J in Lino Lakes. Resident Sam Bennett adopted that section of the highway through the state’s Adopt A Highway program. — Sam Bennett, contributed.

2. Students from Centennial Elementary recently visited Olson’s Market in Circle Pines to learn more about counting change and money. — Contributed 3-4. Area photographer LeAnn Michael is capturing a lot of wildlife now that spring is here. Recently she captured this sandhill crane and robin. — LeAnn Michael, contributed.

CLASSIFIEDS

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DONATE YOUR CAR, truck, or SUV to assist the blind and visually impaired. Arrange a swift, no-cost vehicle pickup and secure a generous year-end tax credit. Call Heritage for the Blind Today at 844/220-9501

Wanted to Buy WANTED: ALL 1970S MOTORCYCLES Running or not Titled or not Will pick up. Cash in exchange. Sell now before prices fall. Call Dan at 612/720-2142

NOW HIRING PRESCHOOL TEACHERS - UP TO $1,500 SIGN ON BONUS

2 Garage sales TWO sales at Second St and Lake Ave. Fri-May 31/ 9-2pm Sat-June 1/ 9-2pm Tools,HH goods, jewelry portable air conditioners,books,antiques and more! 4681 Lake

We are currently seeking fun-loving, caring, and compassionate educators for our full day Christian preschool program in Mahtomedi. We have FT and PT positions available. Must be Teacher or Assistant Teacher qualified under MN DHS Rule 3 guidelines. Visit www.saintandrews. org/careers or email ahuntley@saintandrews.org for more information.

DONATE YOUR CAR, truck, or SUV to assist the blind and visually impaired. Arrange a swift, no-cost vehicle pickup and secure a generous year-end tax credit. Call Heritage for the Blind Today at 844/220-9501

PUBLIC NOTICES • PUBLIC NOTICES

CITY OF LINO LAKES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Lino Lakes, Minnesota will hold a public hearing on May 28, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Lino Lakes City Hall, 600 Town Center Parkway, Lino Lakes, Minnesota, to consider the following:

Applicant: City of Lino Lakes

Proposed Project: The City is considering vacating a trail easement located on Lots 1-14, Block 5, Shores of Marshan Lake. For further information regarding the above item, contact Rick DeGardner, Public Services Director at 651-982-2444.

Anyone wishing to be heard regarding these items will be given the opportunity at the time of the hearing. If you have any questions or need special accommodations, please call 651-982-2400. Hannah Lynch City Clerk Published two times in the Quad Community Press on May 14 and 21, 2024.

CITY OF LINO LAKES

ANOKA COUNTY, MINNESOTA

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

WATER TREATMENT PLANT

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Bids for the construction of the Water Treatment Plant will be received online through QuestCDN vBid™ until Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at 2:00 pm local time. Immediately following expiration of the time for receiving bids, representatives of the City of Lino Lakes will publicly view Bids at an online Bid opening meeting. Those interested in viewing the online Bid opening are welcome to join the meeting by logging on to https://zoom.us/join or calling 3092053325 and entering Meeting ID 976 4944 7938 and Passcode 340897. The as-read online Bid results will be available at www.questcdn.com following the Bid opening.

The Project includes the furnishing of all labor and materials for the construction complete in-place, of a Water Treatment Plant.

The provisions of MINN. STAT. 16C.285 Responsible Contractor are imposed as a requirement of this contract. All bidders and persons or companies providing a response/submission to the Advertisement for Bids of the City of Lino Lakes shall comply with the provisions of the statute. Information and Bidding Documents for the Project can be found at www. questcdn.com. Bidding Documents may be downloaded from the website for a nonrefundable fee of $55 by inputting Quest project #9049474 on the website’s Project Search page.

The website will be updated periodically with addenda, lists of registered plan holders, reports, and other information relevant to submitting a Bid for the Project. All official notifications, addenda, and other Bidding Documents will be offered only through the website www.questcdn.com. Neither Owner nor Engineer will be responsible for Bidding Documents, including addenda, if any, obtained from other sources.

Bids will only be accepted via the electronic bidding service through QuestCDN. The City Council reserves the right to reject any and all Bids and to waive any Bids received without explanation. No Bid may be withdrawn for a period of 60 days. For all further requirements regarding Bid submittal, qualifications, procedures, and contract award, refer to the Instructions to Bidders that are included in the Bidding Documents.

DATED: May 13, 2024 BY THE ORDER OF THE CITY COUNCIL

s/s Michael Grochala Community Development Director Lino Lakes, MN Published two times in the

from suppliers and performs related work as required, operates City vehicles and equipment to perform testing, servicing and deliveries as required. May assign and direct the work of seasonal/temporary workers. Performs Maintenance Operator duties as directed.

High School diploma or GED; and moderate experience in auto/truck repair and heavy equipment mechanics, or equivalent combination of education and experience is required. Associate/Technical degree preferred. ASE Certified Master Medium/Heavy Technician Preferred. Must possess or be able to obtain a valid Commercial Driver’s License with Class B air brake and tanker endorsements within six months of hire. Must meet Department of Transportation drug and alcohol testing requirements. A Minnesota Class D Water License and Class S-D Wastewater License is preferred.

The starting salary is $32.09 - $38.43 per hour, depending on qualifications, plus benefits. Must complete city application. For a copy of the application packet and complete job description visit the city website at www.ci.mahtomedi.mn.us. Submit application material via email to: sneilson@ci.mahtomedi. mn.us or in person at 600 Stillwater Road, Mahtomedi, MN 55115. Deadline for submission is 4:00 p.m., June 7, 2024. Equal Opportunity Employer.

If you are looking for a loving little companion and a wonderful lap partner, then Geoffery is waiting for you. Geoffery is a Dachshund mix and weighs about 16 pounds. He is pleasant and committed to his person/people. Geoffery will entertain you with his goofy and playful nature. He likes his toys and his chewy bones.

Geoffery is 3 years old and arrived at Ruff Start Rescue from Texas as part of the Lone Star to North Star Program. He is house-trained, crate-trained, and leash-trained. Geoffery loves to go on walks and explore his surroundings. He is also social with other dogs. Geoffery warmed up quickly to his fosters but he is typically very cautious around new people. Slow introductions and time for trust-building are essential.

Geoffery would do best with a person or family who is patient and understanding, and has the time to help Geoffery be his best self. If you are interested in learning more about Geoffery or adopting him, please fill out an application at www.ruffstartrescue.org. Once your application is received, Ruff Start Rescue will contact you as soon as possible.

• The city continues to hire part-time staff for the Rookery Activity Center. Most recently, three lifeguards joined the team.

• Residents may receive a visit from Gary Jenson of Ace Solid Waste at their door now that a solicitor’s permit has been approved.

• An amendment to an open space easement is now in place to protect the parks, open space and wetlands from any land disturbance that is not consistent with the restoration and management plan for Watermark. Watermark is a 372-acre master planned residential community consisting of 692 single family lots and 172 townhome units totaling 864 housing units. The amendment clarifies and confirms that the open space easement covers the appropriate outlots.

• Two additions have been made to the city’s personnel policy, including Section 8.12 about smoking and tobacco and Section 8.11 regarding artificial intelligence.

• For the first time since January, the city’s full-time building inspector position is no longer vacant. Jamie San Nicolas was previously an inspector for Chisago County. His hourly rate of pay will be $40.52 per hour, step four of a sixstep wage scale.

The city also recently filled another vacancy in the public works department. Derek Engstrom is the new full-time streets maintenance worker. He will start at $32.43 per hour, step three of a six-step wage scale.

• The city has a new paid-on-call firefighter, for nine firefighters at Station 1 and 10 firefighters at Station 2. (Twenty firefighters at each station is considered fully staffed.) Benjamin Searles will start at $21.79 per hour. Upon five years of service, he will be eligible for a pay increase.

• After completing her Peace Officer & Standards Training (POST) mandated law enforcement curriculum this June, Lauren Clayton will join the city as a new police officer. Clayton’s starting wage will be $39.42 per hour, the starting step of a six-step wage scale. There are currently three vacant police officer positions within the Public Safety Department.

• The city will work with Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus to market and sell some equipment. Deputy Director of the fire division, Daniel L’Allier, explained that last month, the council authorized the sale of Tender 1, Tender 2 and Engine 5. Although the city has received some inquiries, they believe broadening the buyer pool

may aid in the sale of the apparatuses. Brindlee Mountain will only receive a commission if they secure a buyer; if the city secures a buyer, the firm would not be compensated.

• The council is expected to consider a second reading of a text amendment to its zoning ordinance regarding sacred communities/micro unit dwellings May 28. Beginning Jan. 1, Minnesota Statue 327.30 requires that cities must allow religious institutions to site micro units on religious property.

• On May 28, the council will also hold a second reading for the vacation of a drainage and utility easement at 202 Elm Street. The current owner, John Grattan III, would like to vacate a portion of the easement area where there is an existing concrete pad. He plans to construct a 16-by-20-foot building in that location. City Engineer Diane Hankee explained that the city doesn’t allow for structures larger than 120 square feet within drainage and utility easements. The property owner would like to vacate the easement so that their property is in compliance. At that same meeting, the council will also hold a second reading for the vacation of a drainage and utility easement at 6590 12th Avenue for the new water treatment plant. Hankee

explained that during the project the sanitary sewer and watermain will be re-routed and the water treatment plant building will be constructed in the center of the site; therefore, the easement will no longer be needed.

The council has approved plans and specifications for the project and will authorize the project for bids. The council is expected to award a contract June 24, and construction will begin this summer or fall. The project will be complete in 2026.

• The city will work with Dreamscapes Landscaping & Design ($38,144) for the landscaping in and around the new roundabout at Hodgson Road and County Road J and Valley-Rich Co. Inc. ($28,042) for water service improvements. The project is funded through State Aid funds and the city of Shoreview cost share.

City Hall will be closed in observance of Memorial Day on Monday, May 27. The City Council’s next work session will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 28. The regular meeting will follow at 6:30 p.m.

Shannon Granholm

Cougars cap 2-2 week hosting future Youth Day

BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR

Centennial closed a busy week by hosting Youth Day on Saturday and playing two games for the kids: a loss to Mahtomedi 3-1 and a win over Moorhead 5-4.

The Cougars lost to Anoka 7-6 Monday and thumped Buffalo 11-2 Tuesday, both games also at home. They are 9-10 overall and 4-8 in the NWSC with one game left and will start Section 5AAAA on May 28.

Against Anoka (6-12), Jack Dagostino was 2-for-3 with

three RBI’s, and Ben Clauson and Luke Gunderman also 2-for-3. Josh Lee and Tyler Gruye pitched. Jackson Provoncha had three hits and two RBI’s for Anoka. Parker Nedland was winning pitcher. Against Buffalo (3-14), Aiden Lieser rapped two hits and knocked in three runs. Tyler Escobedo and Gunderman each had two hits and an RBI. Lieser threw four innings (two runs) for the win, and Gunderman three scoreless innings.

Against Mahtomedi (154), Josh Lee took the loss (5

2/3 innings, three runs, five strikeouts) and Gunderman got the last four outs. Peyton Streit was 2-for-3 with a double and RBI. Against Moorhead (10-7), Tyler Gruye labored 6 1/3 innings for the win (nine hits, four runs, one walk, two strikeouts) and Gunderman got the last two outs for the save. Streit had two hits and two runs. Lieser,  Matthew Siegler and Clauson had RBI hits.

Strong week for Cougar softball; playoffs next

BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR

Centennial closed conference play with a victory over St. Anthony Village 4-1 last Monday, then defeated Suburban East Conference champion Forest Lake 6-3 Tuesday and was nipped by another SEC power, White Bear Lake, 1-0, Wednesday. The Cougars (10-9), seeded fifth

in Section 5AAAA, will open at Maple Grove on Tuesday, with the winner playing at top-seed Rogers on Thursday.

Kendall Cochran and Riley O’Connell hit solo home runs against SAV (13-6). O’Connell and Abby Wallraff  combined for a five-hitter and 12 strikeouts. Cochran, O’Connell and Lily Gilmore were all 2-for-3 and Maddy Abernathy had an RBI single. The Cougars were 7-5 in the NWSC, tying for fifth among 13 teams. Andover and Champlin Park shared the title, each 10-2.

In the upset of No. 4 ranked Forest Lake (15-4), Gilmore knocked in four runs with a single and double, and O’Connell spun a four-hitter with nine strikeouts. Cochran was 2-for4 (double, two RBI’s) and Allison Hemming 2-for-3.

O’Connell struck out 12 and allowed six hits against White Bear Lake (14-6) but Bear sophomore Lily Martin threw a two-hit shutout with 11 strikeouts. Gilmore had both hits and stole second base each time. The lone run scored on an infield hit with two outs and basesloaded in the first.

BOYS LACROSSE

Centennial is 5-6 after losing three games to strong teams last week: Maple Grove 13-12 Monday, Chahassen 11-8 Thursday and Edina 16-11 Saturday. Against Maple Grove (8-3), Logan Adams netted five goals, Brol Scherman and Gavin Jorud two each, and Kellen Krumweide, Tyson Bautsch and Kasey Burgwald one each. Against Chanhassen (6-5), Scherman had four goals, Adams three and Gavin Cunningham one. Against Edina (9-3), Adams had four goals, Scherman and Krumweide two each, and Gavin Cunningham and Solomon Marshall one each. Goalie Trenton Kramer made 13, 11, and eight saves.

GIRLS LACROSSE

Centennial lost close games to Maple Grove 11-10 in overtime on Monday and to Simley 7-6 on Thursday. The Cougars are 6-4 overall and 5-2 in conference. Karley Lacis netted five goals against Maple Grove while Annabelle Moua, Noelle Hemr, Makenzi Munger, Maria Walker and Ella Weist added one each. Goalie Peyton Brezney faced 25 shots and stopped 14. Lillian Iverson led the Crimson (7-2) with four goals. Scoring against Simley were Weist (two), Lacis, Moua, Lillian Brauson and Hemr. Simley (7-5) connected on seven of nine shots.

BOYS GOLF

Centennial placed third among 10 teams in a Spring Lake Park invitational last Monday and eighth

of 14 teams in a conference meet Tuesday. The Cougars shot 305 at the invitational, which Rogers won with 295, at Victory Links in Blaine. Harper Searles shot 75, Jack Shoemaker 76, Tanner Youngbauer 77 and Kaden Flint 77. The Cougars shot 324 in the NWSC meet at Loggers Trail in Stillwater, won by Maple Grove with 283. Searles again led with 78 while Youngbauer, Joey Perzichilli, Shoemaker and Flint all shot 82’s.

GIRLS GOLF

Centennial had a solid week, highlighted by a third-place finish in the 21-team Andover Invitational on Thursday at Bunker Hills. The Cougars won two of three conference dual meets. “We’ve been dropping a few strokes,” said coach Nicole Christensen. “Our girls have really worked as a team, which was shown this past week.” She noted that they beat some section rivals at Andover. The Cougars shot 344, trailing Wayzata, 328, and Mahtomedi, 336. Taylor Thor was seventh with 82, Taylor Nelsen 14th with 84, Marina Allen 24th with 88 and Lily Rupert 32nd with 90, among 126 entrants. The Cougars beat Coon Rapids 183 to 219 with Thor shooting 44, Allen and Nelsen 45’s and Gabby Steele 49. They beat Champlin Park 176 to 212 with Thor at 39, Allen 41, Nelsen 43 and Steele 53. Maple Grove beat the Cougars 148 to 167 led by McKenna Hogan with 35. Allen shot 39, Thor 40, Nelsen 42 and Rupert 46.

Bruce Strand

SPORTS BRIEFS

JON NAMYST CONTRIBUTED

Peyton Streit slides into second with a steal against Mahtomedi.

BRUCE STRAND | CONTRIBUTED

Riley O’Connell cranked up during the Cougars’ 1-0 loss to White Bear Lake. She struck out 12.