Quad Community Press

City determines further investigation isn’t necessary

BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR

LINO LAKES — City staff is of the opinion that no additional information is required when it comes to possible environmental impacts related to the development of Robinson Sod Farms.

The developer, Integrate Properties LLC, is proposing a residential development project on approximately 158 acres abutting Main Street (CSAH 14) and Sunset Avenue (CR 53) in the northwest quadrant of the city. Due to the proposed number of residential units (707), preparation of an environmental assessment worksheet (EAW) was required per state statute.

The 30-day comment period has closed. The city received a number of written comments from agencies and citizens. Comments were related to land use, water resources, potential flooding, wetland buffers, sediment control, permits, groundwater, aquifers, traffic impacts, pedestrian connections, and other topics.

The city must respond to every substantive comment. Substantive comments are comments that address the accuracy and completeness of the materials contained in the EAW, potential impacts that may warrant further investigation before the project is commenced and the need for an environmental impact statement (EIS) on the proposed project.

Area police departments use power of social media

BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR

These days, social media newsfeeds can be filled with a lot of negativity. However, some area police departments won’t let that stop them from using the power of the online tool for something positive. A couple of years ago, the White Bear Lake Police Department (WBPD) started posting photos of lost pets, mainly dogs, on its Facebook page in hopes of finding their owners. Chief Julie Swanson explained that the department was utilizing a provider in Maplewood to bring lost pets home too, but the facility closed down. The department then signed a new contract with St. Paul Animal Control, which was quite a bit farther away than the previous provider.

“As a result, we started posting the dogs, because the reality is that most people go looking for their dog as soon as it’s missing,” Swanson said. “We are always looking for things to post, to have fun with the public, and just having fun with the dogs, because we all love dogs.”

The department now contracts with the Woodbury Humane Society. Before bringing lost pets there, however, the department checks to see if the pet has a microchip, tags or if the dog is licensed with the city. If all of that fails, the department will immediately post a photo of the dog and where it was found on Facebook.

On average, Swanson says the department probably sees about 30 lost dogs a year. Of those,

CENTENNIAL LAKES POLICE DEPARTMENT | CONTRIBUTED

After a couple of puppies could not be returned to their owner, two Centennial Lakes Police Department Officers, Logan Larson and Bryan Johnson, adopted them.

north metro police departments in returning lost pets

almost all of them are reunited with their owners.

In fact, she said most of the dogs are reunited with their families quickly. “It’s been tremendous,” she said. “It doesn’t usually take more than an hour to get a pet back to someone.”

In the rare cases that it takes a bit longer to find the owner, the department will keep the dog in its care for up to 12 hours before bringing it to the humane society. If the dog is very anxious, sick or injured, the department will transport them right away.

“Sometimes social media can take a turn with comments … People need to recognize that we all are animal lovers, we care about them and we are taking good care of them. If we had to bring them at the humane society, it’s because that’s what was best for the dog,” Swanson explained.

Centennial Lakes Police Department (CLPD) is another organization that often posts lost dogs on its social media.

“We get an unbelievable response,” CLPD Chief James Mork said. “People just absolutely go crazy for looking for lost dogs. It seems like it has worked over and over and over again.”

Although reuniting lost pets with their owners is not the department’s primary mission by any

means, Mork says the department has “kind of found a niche.”

CLPD has also found that it is typically a pretty quick turnaround once word gets out.

“We realize that for a person that has a pet, that’s a big part of their family,” Mork said. “A lot of the officers are pet owners, so we are thrilled when we can get that member of their family back to the rightful owner. It’s fantastic.”

In fact, last year when CLPD posted a photo of a couple of puppies that were located in the community and the owner ended up not being interested in keeping them, two CLPD officers ended up adopting the puppies themselves. “They still have them to this day,” Mork said.

Lino Lakes Public Safety Director John Swenson said the vast majority of found dogs that the department posts on its social media have a positive resolution. In addition to the lost dog posts, the department also sees high traffic on other posts involving dogs, such a post about their K-9 Argos.

“Anything dog related just blows up,” he said.

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

ROBINSON SOD FARMS: Council approves document, not development

FROM PAGE 1

City staff determined that an EIS is not necessary. Alison Harwood, of WSB, explained that there are certain thresholds that would require an EIS: 1,000 unattached homes or 1,500 attached homes.

“In my experience, I haven’t seen a development of this size ever require an EIS,” she said.

Resident Randy Rennaker encouraged council members to watch the recent environmental board meeting where the topic was discussed, as a lot of the back-andforth discussion was not included in the council packet.

Resident Carol Featherstone said that in her opinion, the

council always leans toward the side of the developer. “I think an environmental study should be done. I know it is probably a lot of money,” she said. “Listen to the people before you jump in with the developers.”

The council ultimately approved the record of decision. Mayor Rob Rafferty reminded residents, “This isn’t approving a development, it is approving a document.”

Managing Editor Shannon Granholm can be reached at 651-4071227 or quadnews@presspubs.com.

WEEKLY WAG

Koda, a 2-year-old husky/Labrador retriever mix, is playful, affectionate and smart. She arrived at Ruff Start Rescue from South Dakota. Koda is a big girl, about 60 pounds, and likes to snuggle and give kisses. She knows her basic commands and is eager to learn more; as she is treat-motivated, her training is fairly easy. She would do well with a family that is committed to working with her and training her to be her best.

Koda likes to go on walks and explore. However, she is prey-driven, fast and strong, and can jump like a gazelle, so proper leashing and harnessing is required. She would do well in a home with a securely fenced yard where she can eventually run and explore on her own. Koda is social with people and friendly to all. She is social with other dogs after slow, patient introductions are completed and trust is developed.

If you are interested in learning more about Koda or adopting her, please fill out an application at www.ruffstartrescue.org. Once your application is received, Ruff Start Rescue will contact you as soon as possible.

St. Joseph hosts trick or treat

Put on your costumes and join St. Joseph of the Lakes Catholic Church to trick or treat from 6:15 to 7:45 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29. The free event will be held in the Great Hall and includes Halloween games, crafts and more. Trick or treaters are asked to bring nonperishable food items as well as monetary donations for those in need. For more information, visit www. mystjoes.me.

CENTENNIAL LAKES POLICE DEPARTMENT | CONTRIBUTED

Several area police departments have found social media to be a great tool to help find the homes of lost dogs.

PUBLIC NOTICES

Any eligible voter residing in the school district may vote at said election at the polling place designated above for the precinct in which he or she resides.

The polls for said election will open at 7:00 o’clock a.m. and will close at 8:00 o’clock p.m. on the date of said election.

A voter must be registered to vote to be eligible to vote in this election. An unregistered individual may register to vote at the polling place on election day.

Jody Josephson, School District Election Clerk

Published two times in the Quad Community Press, Oct. 11 and 18, 2022.

INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 12

Any eligible voter residing in the school district may vote at said election at the polling place designated above for the precinct in which he or she resides.

The polls for said election will open at 7:00 o’clock a.m. and will close at 8:00 o’clock p.m. on the date of said election.

A voter must be registered to vote to be eligible to vote in this election. An unregistered individual may register to vote at the polling place on election day.

Jody Josephson, School District Election Clerk

Published two times in the Quad Community Press: October 11 and 18, 2022.

CITY OF CIRCLE PINES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC ACCURACY TEST

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public accuracy test of vote counting equipment to be used in the November 8, 2022 General Election will be held on Monday, October 31, 2022 at 10:00 AM at Circle Pines City Hall, 200 Civic Heights Circle, Circle Pines, MN 55014.

Chandra Peterson, Assistant City Administrator for Public Services.

Published one time in the Quad Community Press on October 18, 2022.

CITY OF LEXINGTON ANOKA COUNTY, MINNESOTA

PUBLIC NOTICE — PUBLIC ACCURACY TEST

The City of Lexington will be conducting the Public Accessory Test on the Optical Scan Voting Equipment to ascertain that the equipment will correctly tabulate the votes for the General Election on Tuesday, November 8, 2022.

The public test is scheduled for Wednesday, October 26, 2022, at Lexing ton City Hall, 9180 Lexington Avenue, Lexington, MN 55014. Time commenc ing at 10:00 A.M.

PUBLIC IS WELCOME TO ATTEND

Mary Vinzant, Deputy City Clerk

POSTED: October 12, 2022

Published one time in the Quad Community Press on October 18, 2022.

The polling places for this election and the precincts served by those polling places will be as follows:

BLAINE W 1 P 8 National Sports Center The Welcome Center 1750 105th Ave. NE Blaine, MN 55449

BLAINE W 1 P 9 Our Savior’s Lutheran Church 9185 Lexington Ave. NE Circle Pines, MN 55014

BLAINE W 2 P 5 Eagle Brook Church 3603 95th Ave NE Blaine, MN 55014

BLAINE W 2 P 6 Blaine City Hall 10801 Town Square Dr. NE Blaine, MN 55449

BLAINE W 2 P 7 Bridgewood Community Church 11670 Lexington Ave. NE Blaine, MN 55449

BLAINE W 2 P 8 Renovation Church 12390 Frazier St NE Blaine, MN 55449

BLAINE W 2 P 9 Centennial Sr. High (Performing Arts Center) 4757 North Road Blaine, MN 55014

CENTERVILLE P 1 St. Genevieve’s Community Parish 6995 Centerville Road Centerville, MN 55038

CIRCLE PINES P 1 St. Mark Lutheran Church 1 North Road Circle Pines, MN 55014

CIRCLE PINES P 2 Circle Pines City Hall 200 Civic Heights Circle Circle Pines, MN 55014

LEXINGTON P 1 Lexington City Hall 9180 Lexington Ave. Lexington, MN 55014

LINO LAKES P 1 Lino Lakes Senior Center 1189 Main Street Lino Lakes, MN 55014

LINO LAKES P 2 Lino Lakes Fire Station #1 7741 Lake Drive Lino Lakes, MN 55014

LINO LAKES P 3 Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church 171 Elm Street Lino Lakes, MN 55014

LINO LAKES P 4 Lino Lakes City Hall 600 Town Center Parkway Lino Lakes, MN 55014

LINO LAKES P 5 Rice Creek Covenant Church 125 Ash Street Lino Lakes, MN 55014

LINO LAKES P 6 Lino Lakes Fire Station #2 1710 Birch Street Lino Lakes, MN 55014

LINO LAKES P 7 Living Waters Lutheran Church 865 Birch Street Lino Lakes, MN 55014

The polling places for this election and the precincts served by those polling places will be as follows:

BLAINE W 1 P 8 National Sports Center

The Welcome Center 1750 105th Ave. NE Blaine, MN 55449

BLAINE W 1 P 9 Our Savior’s Lutheran Church 9185 Lexington Ave. NE Circle Pines, MN 55014

BLAINE W 2 P 5 Eagle Brook Church 3603 95th Ave NE Blaine, MN 55014

BLAINE W 2 P 6 Blaine City Hall 10801 Town Square Dr. NE Blaine, MN 55449

BLAINE W 2 P 7 Bridgewood Community Church 11670 Lexington Ave. NE Blaine, MN 55449

BLAINE W 2 P 8 Renovation Church 12390 Frazier St NE Blaine, MN 55449

BLAINE W 2 P 9 Centennial Sr. High (Performing Arts Center) 4757 North Road Blaine, MN 55014

CENTERVILLE P 1 St. Genevieve’s Community Parish 6995 Centerville Road Centerville, MN 55038

CIRCLE PINES P 1 St. Mark Lutheran Church 1 North Road Circle Pines, MN 55014

CIRCLE PINES P 2 Circle Pines City Hall 200 Civic Heights Circle Circle Pines, MN 55014

LEXINGTON P 1 Lexington City Hall 9180 Lexington Ave. Lexington, MN 55014

LINO LAKES P 1 Lino Lakes Senior Center 1189 Main Street Lino Lakes, MN 55014

LINO LAKES P 2 Lino Lakes Fire Station #1 7741 Lake Drive Lino Lakes, MN 55014

LINO LAKES P 3 Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church 171 Elm Street Lino Lakes, MN 55014

LINO LAKES P 4 Lino Lakes City Hall 600 Town Center Parkway Lino Lakes, MN 55014

LINO LAKES P 5 Rice Creek Covenant Church 125 Ash Street Lino Lakes, MN 55014

LINO LAKES P 6 Lino Lakes Fire Station #2 1710 Birch Street Lino Lakes, MN 55014

LINO LAKES P 7 Living Waters Lutheran Church 865 Birch Street Lino Lakes, MN 55014

CITY OF LEXINGTON

ANOKA COUNTY, MINNESOTA

NOTICE OF CITY AND GENERAL ELECTION

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, the City of Lexington will be holding a City Election in conjunction with the General Election on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, for the purpose of electing candidates for the City offices listed below:

• Mayor (Two Year Term)

• 2 - Councilmember Seats (Four Year Terms)

The polls are located at 9180 Lexington Avenue, Lexington, MN. The polls are open at 7:00 A.M. and will close at 8:00 P.M.

Mary Vinzant, Deputy City Clerk

Published two times in the Quad Community Press: October 11 and 18, 2022.

CITY OF LINO LAKES

NOTICE OF SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL/ PLANNING & ZONING BOARD SESSION OCTOBER 19, 2022

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Lino Lakes City Council and Planning and Zoning Board has scheduled a special work session to be held on Octo ber 19, 2022, beginning at 6 p.m. to discuss design of a Gateway Planning Project. The meeting will be conducted in the Community Room at Lino Lakes city hall at 600 Town Center Parkway. If you have any questions, please call 651-982-2406. Julie Bartell, City Clerk

Published one time in the Quad Community Press on October 18, 2022.

CITY OF LINO LAKES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC ACCURACY TEST

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public accuracy test of vote counting equipment to be used in the November 8, 2022 General Election will be held on Wednesday, November 2, 2022 at 2:00 PM at Lino Lakes City Hall, 600 Town Center Parkway, Lino Lakes, MN 55014-1182.

Questions regarding the City’s election system and testing procedures can be directed to the City Clerk’s office at 651-982-2406.

Julie Bartell, City Clerk

Published two times in the Quad Community Press on October 11 and 18, 2022.

CENTENNIAL INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT 12 DISTRICT REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2022 AND FY 2023

OPINION

Vote the future

EA RLY VOTING IS now underway in Minnesota and the in-person Election Day is Nov. 8, 2022. Minnesotans have a good record of election turnout and credibility at the polls. The key is for voters to be informed. Our news staffs have been working hard to provide you voter guides with the candidate’s views on a number of key issues. Please take advantage of these guides and review them before going to the polls or voting early.

Everyone has their own priorities, but here are my issues of concern for Minnesota that need to be addressed:

• Violent crime needs to be reduced. It is increasing in many areas of the state, especially in Minneapolis.

• Solving the shortage of workers.

• Reduce the state financial surplus without rebates. Cutting state income tax rates is preferred.

• Abortion, now basically a state issue.

• Medical, hospital and prescription costs are too high.

About the Town Gene Johnson

• We need more affordable housing throughout the state.

• Food affordability or money for lowincome families.

• We need more transparency in curriculum in our public schools.

T he rising cost of higher education. We need to redevelop vocational education.

• More competent auditing of state government programs.

On the national level:

• I nflation must be brought under control. High inflation raises the cost for food, fuel and electricity.

• T he increasing global dangers of the war in Ukraine and China’s threat to Taiwan.

• L ack of compromise and civility in Congress. They have forgotten who elected them.

• Excessive spending and increasing the national debt. Reduce trend toward more government control.

• I ncrease the percentage of people in the labor force, which has been declining over the past 20 years. Capable jobless people need to get off their butts and get a job to share in the cost of government.

• I llegal immigration is out of control. Congress needs to pass a coherent immigration policy. We need better immigration processing, education, and safety.

• Our infrastructure is deteriorating. We need to fix our highways, bridges and the electric grid.

• We need to rebuild our middle class.

• Our two major political parties are too polarized and dominated by the extreme wings of their parties. We need more independent voters.

OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, especially the Internal Revenue Service, is behind in reviewing tax returns and answering taxpayer questions.

T he government also knows there are leaks in the system. They are going to make a renewed emphasis on auditing and recovering taxes that are due. They see an opportunity here, and they may be right, to gain needed revenue for all the new programs that have recently been approved.

High income earners and corporations are regularly audited. This time it appears that middle class and lower will be the focus. If you don’t think growing inflation is hitting your budget, think about what the extra costs will be connected with audits.

YOU MIGHT BE surprised on your next air travel when boarding passes might not be required for airport security. The TSA staff is now using credential authentication technology to scan drivers’ licenses or other government identification. Maybe that will save time and reduce the lines at check in.

Adding structure to enhance your landscape design

if you don’t have these skills, you can work with a landscaper (or handy friend) to create your own structures. The internet has many great resources to help you find design ideas, and some sites provide step-by-step instructions and supply lists, too.

If you like the challenge of building things, here are some tools and materials that I recommend:

• A table saw, power miter box, jigsaw and good drill are important for accurate cutting and fastening.

a few hours to build, but they made the most visible impact. Providing structure for our languishing clematis allowed it to climb and spread, and we have been rewarded by an unprecedented influx of pollinators and hummingbirds. Our arbor and bridge gave us the opportunity to amend the soil and introduce additional plant species, which also benefit the pollinator ecosystem.

Gardener’s Grapevine Nyle Zikmund

Our first foray into landscaping occurred more than 30 years ago and consisted of traditional spireas, mugo pines and dogwoods, all surrounded by landscape rock. As we learned more about gardening, we wanted to make our yard stand out. After consulting with a local designer, we learned more about the concept of structure, and how adding simple objects like trellises and raised beds can add height and interest to the landscape. Our structure journey started with a simple fence. This provided a focal point, demarcation, and a foundation to build on. Since then, we have added trellises, a garden bridge, raised planters, and an arbor. Each of these additions had a purpose, usually related to plant needs, but we also thought about how a structure could add beauty, height, or color to tie in the surrounding landscape.

I am comfortable working with wood and building things;

Election

• Mechanical fasteners in stainless steel, if possible, work great. Adhesives tend to lose cohesion in our extreme thaw and freeze cycles.

• Brazilian Ipe wood (a renewable hardwood) is ideal for trellises and non-planter structures. It is extremely hard and requires sharp tooling. Cedar is a less-expensive alternative, requiring staining every other year.

• Ipe oil is a commercially available finish that does an excellent job of sealing wood and protecting it from the elements.

Professional grade treated landscape timbers work well for structures that will hold soil and water, such as raised beds.

The trellises were the simplest of our projects and took only

As our structure adventures continue, we often find new projects to enhance our landscape. Instead of staking our hydrangeas to protect them from the wind, we plan to build another fence that will offer both physical support and an aesthetic focal point.

W hether you spend just a few hours on a simple trellis, or you build multiple garden structures as we have, you’ll find that adding visual interest to your landscape can be both beneficial and beautiful.

The University of Minnesota Extension has several resources for home gardeners who want to learn more about landscape design. For more details, visit: https://extension.umn. edu/lawns-and-landscapes/ landscape-design.

Nyle Zikmund is an Anoka County Master Gardener.

LETTER GUIDELINES FOR ELECTION SEASON 2022

Letters for or against a candidate will qualify as paid letters.

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

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

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

published as space permits.

Four weeks (or issues) must pass between publication of unpaid letters from the same writer.

Exceptions may be made for rebuttal letters at the editor’s discretion.

Submissions containing libelous or derogatory statements will not be published.

Letters by campaign managers or candidates designed to champion the candidate’s position on a specific issue will be accepted as paid letters.

Letters reprinted as part of letter-writing campaigns are paid letters.

All letters are subject to editing.

We reserve the right to not publish any letter.

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. 8 election will be printed in the Oct. 26 issue and must be received by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct.19.

To submit a letter, email news@ presspubs.com, fax it to 651429-1242 or mail/deliver it to Press Publications.

letter.”

Gene Johnson is publisher emeritus of Press Publications.

PAID LETTER

Sen. Chamberlain failed us

We best be infuriated with Sen. Chamberlain. Do not continue to vote against your self-interest. Minnesota had over a $9 billion surplus to work with at the end of the last session. There was an agreement among top legislators to spend $4 billion on tax cuts and investments in our state and put the rest in reserve.

Chamberlain and the GOP party would not negotiate in good faith, nor complete any compromise, on solutions. He was only thinking about himself and his party, hoping they will control the Legislature this coming session and then have complete control as to how OUR surplus is spent. That is hardly representing all your constituents. As a result of his selfishness, ALL Minnesotans lost, no matter what your political leanings.

A tax cut for the middle class would have helped us all tremendously in this current economy. The state lost out on millions of dollars of matching federal funds for our roads, bridges and other infrastructure by not passing a transportation budget. Our schools need additional funding. As Heather Gustafson stated at the Sept. 13, 2022 League of Women Voters forum, “Our schools need our support. Funding has not kept up with inflation and when there isn’t enough money for mandated special education and ELL, schools must dip into general education funds. This past spring, the largest school districts in our senate district (Centennial and White Bear Lake) faced budget shortfalls of more than $6.2 million. We talk about inflation in all other walks of life like groceries or gas prices, but schools are still expected to absorb those costs with no adjustments from the Legislature.”

Do not be swayed by Chamberlain, who blames the DFL for not passing the budget. The facts are clear as to who walked away from the table without compromising. This is NOT leadership. After 10 years, it is time for a change and to get a Senator in our district who will accomplish things. I will be voting for Heather Gustafson.

Jim Cox Circle Pines

her tactics, she is clearly not a serious person and shouldn’t be representing us in the Legislature.

In the fall of 2020, when she was again fighting the Vadnais City Council, the agenda of the meeting included the topic: “Law and order and protecting the suburbs from riots.”

In response, in a Twitter post @ HeatherHGus, she referred to the agenda item as “Trump talking points.” Such a partisan and flippant attitude toward safe communities demonstrates she is not serious about important issues that impact all of us.

Wanting safe communities and protecting families is not a “Trump talking point.” Clearly, Ms. Gustafson is quick to judge, unwilling to listen and highly partisan. She is not someone who can be trusted to fairly represent this community or this state.

Allen Thomsen Vadnais Heights

Innovation is critical to chronic patients

Last year, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, which has been one of the hardest experiences of my life. People can Google the symptoms and try to relate, but until you are the one keeled over in pain, it is unimaginable.

I have worked with my doctors to test several different medications, but none of them have completely alleviated my symptoms. In fact, some of my symptoms worsened with certain treatments.

My search to find a cure for myself and my fellow patients has pushed me to share my story today, as there is a dire need for innovation and access to care right now. Crohn’s disease has no cure, and it is critical that our nation devote the necessary resources towards finding new solutions and breakthroughs.

As I continue to age and my condition progresses, I want to know that lawmakers haven’t forgotten my struggles in the midst of their tireless arguments. I hope that they pass policies that don’t harm my chances of finding a cure, but rather continue to support the many scientists and researchers working to find new treatment solutions for patients like me.

Riley Mosser Centerville

But did you know that your voice being used locally can actually have the largest, direct impact on you and your family? Whether you are new to the area, elderly, retired or a new voter, YOUR VOTE MATTERS to all of us!

I have found that many people who do not have children in the district feel they do not need to worry about the school board. Many of us came here for the great teachers, staff, academics and high graduation rates. However, the district is now struggling with how to manage the loss of many of those teachers and staff, falling test scores, water concerns in some of the buildings, technology equipment that is aging out, bullying in the middle/high schools and the large number of families concerned about what their child(ren) may learn while at school, etc.

When these issues come about, we need people who can prioritize the urgent needs of the students and staff, and this will determine the future of OUR community. When our students do well, the community does well. When students’ mental health declines and there is no support there, they tend to stop showing up to school, and when large numbers of kids stop showing up, they go out into the community and look for alternatives, often with no adult oversight. It is urgent that we keep our amazing teachers, that we get them the help, support and training they need to support ALL of their students so that those young people stay in school and find a path to a career. Whether that is college, a trade school or taking over a family business, they ALL need us to be sure we are showing up for them! Join me in supporting 4CENTENNIAL!

Krista Morey Circle Pines

People, please don’t fall for Republican Roger Chamberlain’s lies on abortion. Vote for Heather Gustafson, who will be honest about protecting a woman’s right to make a difficult and heartbreaking decision to terminate her pregnancy.

Ian Olson Lino Lakes

PAID LETTER

Elections do have consequences

Minnesota elections come down to this obvious fact: Democrats now run for office claiming to support a strong economy, world-class schools, safe communities and law enforcement.

However, if they win office, do DFL/ Democrats actually support a strong economy, world-class schools, or safe communities/law enforcement?

Democrats/DFL as office holders do not actually support our economy, children’s education, safe communities and law enforcement. We now have high inflation and prices, surging crime due in part to illegal aliens and drugs, well-financed but failing public schools as in reading test scores, and much more.

All five state executive offices up for election this year are now occupied by Democrats: for example, Walz, Ellison, Simon and Blaha. How are they doing for Minnesotans? Minnesota is obviously being moved backward by Democrats.

Gaslighters have learned to skillfully manipulate voters with lies. Remember when riots, arsonists and looters were regularly called “mainly just peaceful protestors?” Our eyes saw the truth on the news! They really are gaslighters.

PAID LETTER

Protecting women’s rights

PAID LETTER

Public safety is not a talking point

By now, voters should be aware that DFL candidate Heather Gustafson has a history of not being happy with the Vadnais Heights City Council. As a citizen and resident, she had her own agenda and used her organization (VH4Change) to berate those who didn’t agree with her. Despite what you might think about her grievances or

PAID LETTER

Everyone should vote in school board elections

When people think about voting, it often comes first, with a thought about the president, then state politics, trickling down to local elections (city council/school board). By that time, people are feeling overwhelmed by all the things that could matter and all the names to remember!

Over and over we hear that “abortion isn’t on the ballot;” however, that’s exactly the type of phrase used by newly appointed conservative judges when they claim it to be settled law. Now, with the overturning of Roe v Wade, we know this to be completely untrue. Several Republican candidates have changed their tune and modified their websites once they realized how we the people feel about this issue. Others may not like abortion, but they have no business getting the government involved in a woman’s choice, especially when it involves a lifesaving situation.

There are many women whose pregnancies will be high risk and may have to make the most difficult decision of their life to terminate their pregnancy. Is their life less meaningful than an embryo? If you consider yourself pro-life, I humbly ask you, what about those women’s lives?

The fact that most Democrats even hide from debating Republicans is another strong indication of gaslighting. Most do not attempt to justify their radical policy failures. For example, Minnesota Public TV scheduled debates were cancelled at the last minute by Democrats Walz and Simon.

Don’t be gaslighted by radical leftists who campaign wearing “Pro-America” clothing.

The weekly letters in this column are full of examples recognizing this reality.

Most Democrats have become subtle, manipulative and dishonest gaslighters.

The outstanding public servant, state Sen. Roger Chamberlain (SD 36), faces such an opponent, as do Rep. Donald Raleigh (HD 38A) and candidates Elliot Engen (HD36A) and Heidi Gunderson (HD 36B) for Minnesota House of Representatives. Trust your instincts and avoid voting for gaslighters!

Vote Republican.

Brian Davis Lino Lakes

WHAT’S HAPPENING • WHAT’S HAPPENING • WHAT’S HAPPENING • WHAT’S HAPPENING

HUGO SENIOR CITIZENS PLAY ‘500’

When: 12:45 p.m. Thursday Oct.20 and Nov. 3; and the 1st, 3rd and 5th Thursday of every month

Where: Rice Lake Centre, 6900 137th Street N.

Details: Games begin at 12:45 p.m. Refreshments and coffee served. All senior citizens from the area invited.

Contact: 651-592-0369 or barbconnolly1958@yahoo.com

HUGO SENIOR CLUB

When: 1 p.m. Nov. 21; the 3rd Monday of every month

Where: Rice Lake Centre, 6900 137th Street N.

Details: Monthly meeting followed by afternoon of games. November meeting will include planning future activities and monthly luncheon. Refreshments and coffee will be served.

Contact: 651-592-0369 or barbconnolly1958@yahoo.com

CRIBBAGE

When: 12:45 p.m. Monday, Oct.24; the 4th Monday of every month

Where: Rice Lake Centre, 6900 137th Street N.

Details: Senior citizens from Hugo and surrounding area are invited to an afternoon of cribbage. Coffee and refreshments served.

Contact: 651-429-4413

8TH ANNUAL NORTHSTAR WATERMEDIA NATIONAL

JURIED EXHIBITION

When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, through Nov. 3

Where: St. Paul Monastery Gallery, 2675 Benet Rd, Maplewood, MN

Details: 50 Selected paintings by national and regional artists. Proof of vaccination and masks required.

Contact: northstarwatermedia.com

DROP-IN 55+ FITNESS CLASSES

When: 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays

Where: Rice Lake Centre, east end of Hugo Public Works building, 6900 137th Street N.

Details: Free fitness classes for Hugo-area adults 55+ by Live 2B Healthy. Class designed for seniors to help improve balance, strength, and flexibility in a group setting. Periodic fitness tests so participants can track their progress.

Contact: Barb @ 651-592-0369 or barbconnolly1958@ yahoo.com

HAUNTED HISTORY TROLLEY TOURS

When: 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 8:15 p.m., 8:45 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, Oct 13-28

Where: Stillwater Zephyr Theatre, 601 N. Main St.

Details: Learn the history of Stillwater’s haunted past

told by creepy characters aboard a trolley. $45 per person includes movies, scavenger hunt, bonfires, s’mores and prizes.

Contact: mywahooadventures.com/haunted-history-trolley

TEEN GAME NIGHT

When: 2:45-4 p.m. Fridays, Oct. 21 & 28

Where: Hardwood Creek Library, 19955 Forest Rd. N., Forest Lake

Details: Teens ages 12-18 can drop in to play board games and video games at the library. No registration required. Contact: 651-275-7300 or washcolib.org/events

HAUNTED ROUNDHOUSE

When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays, Oct. 22 & 29

Where: Jackson Street Roundhouse, 193 Pennsylvania Avenue E., St. Paul

Details: Family-friendly event hosted by the Minnesota Transportation Museum at one of the state’s most historic, iconic, and likely haunted locations. Railroad history, haunted train cars, a railway hobo, bonfire, train rides, treats, and music by the Teddy Bear Band from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. each day. Tickets $5 for a family up to six; or $15/adults, $10/children 5-15; $7 toddlers 2-4. Children under 2 free.

Contact: trainride.org

The Lino Lakes Police Department reported the following incidents:

• An officer stopped a vehicle traveling the wrong way near the intersection of Main Street and 21st Avenue N Oct. 4 and found the driver to be impaired. The driver was arrested for DWI and booked into jail.

• Fraud was reported in the 7300 block of Stagecoach Trail Oct. 4. The incident was documented and the caller was provided a case number.

• Suspicious activity was reported in the 7900 block of Highland Drive Oct. 4. Extra patrol will be provided.

• An officer responded to assist a neighboring agency with a building search Oct. 4. During the search, the K-9 located a male, who was taken into custody without incident.

• A community service officer received a report of someone draining their pool into a storm drain in the 400 block of Post Road Oct. 5. The owners of the pool were advised of city ordinances.

• Officers ran a registration check on a vehicle and observed the adult male owner had an outstanding warrant for his arrest Oct. 5. Officers located the adult male at a residence in the 7600 block of 20th Avenue N and he was arrested and booked into jail.

• Officers responded to a road rage complaint in the 400 block of Birch Street Oct. 6. Officers spoke to the caller who wanted the incident documented.

CENTENNIAL LAKES POLICE REPORTS

The Centennial Lakes Police Department reported the following incidents:

• Officers collected information from the 1800 block of Fox Run in Centerville Oct. 5.

• An officer observed a motorcycle with no license plates traveling from Lexington Avenue to Lake Drive in Lexington Oct. 5. Further follow-up is being conducted.

• Police were dispatched to the intersection of Lake Drive and Griggs Avenue in Lexington Oct. 5 for a property damage accident.

• An officer took a walk-in report of damage to property at the police station Oct. 6 from the 0 block of Golden Lake Road in Circle Pines. There are no suspects at this time.

• Fraud was reported in the 2000 block of Gateway Circle in Centerville Oct. 6.

• Police responded to a three-vehicle property

Officers were requested to check an address in the 1000 block of Lois Lane related to a possible unreported stolen vehicle Oct. 6. Contact was made with the owner. The investigation is ongoing.

• Officers received information about a vehicle that fled from officers Oc. 6. The vehicle was located in the 7500 block of Lake Drive and the driver was booked into jail for multiple offenses.

• Officers responded to a physical domestic in Lino Lakes Oct. 6 and arrested a male, who was booked into jail.

• Officers responded to a report of a disorderly student at a school in the 7400 block of Fourth Avenue Oct. 6. After investigation, a juvenile was arrested for assault and disorderly conduct and booked at a detention facility.

• Officers responded to a domestic assault involving a party who was out of control in Lino Lakes Oct. 6. The involved party was placed on a medical transport hold and charged out of custody for domestic assault.

• Officers responded to a residence in Lino Lakes on a report of a female who was said to be suicidal and may have possibly taken an unknown number of pills Oct. 6. The female was found to have taken pills and was transported to an area hospital by ambulance.

• An officer took a dog bite report from the 7100 block of Snow Owl Circle Oct. 7. The case is under investigation.

• An officer assisted a neighboring agency with

damage accident in the area of Lexington Avenue and Woodland Road in Lexington Oct. 6.

• Police responded to a civil dispute in the 200 block of North Star Lane in Circle Pines Oct. 7.

• Police responded to a neighborhood dispute in the 1900 block of 72nd Street in Centerville Oct. 7. Officer documented information in a report.

• Officers were dispatched to a neighbor dispute in the 7200 block of Clear Ridge in Centerville Oct. 7. Officer documented information in a report.

• Police responded to a report of a theft from motor vehicle in the 9200 block of South Highway Drive in Lexington Oct. 7. There are no suspects at this time.

• Officers took a phone call report regarding a threat in the 10 block of Pine Drive in Circle Pines Oct. 8.

• Police responded to a theft report in the 20 block

a K-9 sniff on a vehicle Oct. 7. The driver of the vehicle was subsequently arrested.

• An officer stopped to check on a suspicious occupied vehicle in the 200 block of Rohavic Lane Oct. 8. The adult male driver was arrested and booked into jail for driving after suspension, no proof of insurance and failure to transfer a motor vehicle title.

• An officer responded to a complaint of go-karts in a city park in the 600 block of Arlo Lane Oct. 8. The officer was not able to locate the go-karts.

• An officer responded to a call of suspicious activity involving two individuals believed to be juveniles on Deerwood Lane Oct. 8. Upon arrival, it was determined chalk writing was left in a driveway. The incident was documented.

• An officer took a report of a theft in the 500 block of Apollo Drive Oct. 9. The complainant became uncooperative and refused to speak with officers.

• Officers responded to a report of possible damage to property in the 6600 block of Lacasse Drive Oct. 9. Officers learned it was an attempted catalytic converter theft and checked the area but did not locate the suspect vehicle.

• Officers responded to a report of a disorderly driver possibly threatening a homeowner in the 8000 block of Fourth Avenue Oct. 9. The driver was not located, and no suspect information was available.

• Officers were requested to assist a neighboring agency with a building search following a burglary in Oct 10. The building was clear.

of West Road in Circle Pines Oct. 8. A suspect stole prescription pills.

• A driver was warned for violations after a caller reported a traffic complaint in the area of 20th Avenue and Main Street in Centerville Oct. 8.

• A property damage accident was reported at the intersection of Lake Drive and Lexington in Lexington Oct. 9.

An officer responded to the 6900 block of Lamotte Drive in Centerville Oct. 10 on a report of theft. The city reported two trail stop signs were stolen over the weekend. The estimated loss is $200.

• Police responded to possible suspicious activity in the 900 block of North Highway Drive in Lexington Oct. 10. Business owners advised police that over the last couple of weeks vehicles have been rummaged through but nothing was taken.

Join Us for Mass

Aliens, helicopters, monsters … All in a day’s work

BY KELLY JO MCDONNELL CONTRIBUTING WRITER

In the world of haunted attractions, a normal workday might involve full stage makeup, life-size monsters and a lot of spooky props. It may also involve shipping a full-size retired military he licopter across the country by truck in time to drop it into a military set, com plete with aliens. This is all in a day’s work for The Dead End Hayride and its owner, Jeremy Hastings, in Wyoming.

The helicopter is part of the newest haunted set on the 160-acre Hastings family farm that is home to The Dead End Hayride haunted attraction.

Hastings said he got word about the old helicopter for sale down in Texas about this time last year. It is 53 feet long and 16.5 feet wide, so that’s when logistical planning began. “We had to hire a trucking service that specializes in oversize loads. Pilot cars in the front and the back,” said Hastings. “It took them two to three days to truck it up. Even without its propellors, it looked pretty cool coming in.”

Hastings and his crew own a crane already onsite to help with other set installments, so when the helicopter ar rived last November, they were ready.

“We started planning out the military base and how we were going to incor porate it into the show,” he explained.

“We spent the winter and spring doing just that.” The concept started around aliens, which is an idea that Hastings and his team had wanted to expand on. So why not an idea that involved a mili tary base that was doing tests on aliens — and the aliens escaped? “Our guests are going to go through the military base just when its alien patients are breaking loose,” said Hastings.

While the haunted military set is the newest creation this year, Hastings’

PINES CITY COUNCIL SNIPPETS

popular “prison” set was unveiled in 2021. “The guests loved it,” Hastings said, “it got fantastic reviews from cus tomers. We had put quite a few props in the prison set last year, and will contin ue to add more to it as the years go on.”

This year, Hastings employs over 300 seasonal monsters.

The team at The Dead End Hayride are always thinking of what the next set will be, even during the busy fall months. “When the guests arrive for the fall season, a switch flips in our brains and we move right into planning into the next year,” explained Hastings.

“We don’t have a meeting or anything, it happens to all of us at the exact same time.” He said the full-time staff of eight people are busy sketching and plan ning projects for the next year, even as guests are going through the sets for this year.

This year, Hastings took his full-time crew on a field trip for some extra inspi ration to Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando, Florida. “It just puts gasoline on that fire inside our brains on coming up with new concepts,” said Hastings. “There’s parts of Halloween Horror Nights that Universal Studios just knocks it out of the park. There are things that we do a little bit better. There are benefits to learning and seeing how they entertain 30,000 to 40,000 people a night. It defi nitely inspires us to up our own game and to push us even harder.”

Despite fall being the busiest time of year for Hastings and his family, it’s still his favorite and continues to inspire his ideas. “I’m still absolutely in love with the season!” Hastings said.

“No matter how many times I see the maple and birch trees turning yellow and red, I always appreciate fall. I can’t wait to provide a better form of enter tainment every year. And I want every

one to come and enjoy fall with us.”

The Dead End Hayride is in its 13th season, and is now open on Wednesday through Sunday nights until Oct. 31. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit www.TheDeadEndHay ride.com .

IF YOU GO

What: The Dead End Hayride When: Wednesday through Sunday nights through Oct. 31

Where: 28186 Kettle River Blvd. N., Wyoming Details: One of Minnesota’s most terrifying hayrides. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit www.TheDeadEndHayride.com .

•

•

The city will receive $44,259 from Anoka County in Select Committee on Recycling and the Envi ronment (SCORE) funds. The city utilizes SCORE funds each year for its recycling programs. City Administrator Patrick Antonen said that the city of Circle Pines is usually in the top one or two in the entire county when it comes to tonnage per capita.

Property owners who find themselves on the city’s delinquent utility accounts list have until Nov. 15 to pay their bills before the balance will be certi fied to Anoka County to be paid through property taxes. Antonen explained that the total delinquent amount usually starts off around $70,000 to $80,000 and eventually works its way down to the $25,000 to $30,000 range by the time it is certified. Last week, the balance was sitting at $41,269 and has likely already come down some.

One property (10 Shepherd Court) will also be assessed $2,500, after the city had to remove a tree from the property due to oak wilt, a serious disease that can cause the rapid mortality of trees within the red oak group. Antonen said the city will likely see more of these removals in the city in coming years.

One hundred and twenty-six properties will be assessed a total of $617,400, or $4,900 per unit, for

the 2022 street and utility project. The 2022 proj ect included the roads of Galaxy Drive, Twinkle Terrace and Stardust Boulevard. The 2022 project is the last project in a series of eight projects that started in 2006.

The total project cost is $5,156,250. The utility will completely fund the utility portion of the project, whereas property assessments and the city will fund the street portion of the project.

City Engineer Eric Eckman, of WSB, explained that the project is pretty much complete at this point with the exception of some punch list items, site cleanup, crosswalk striping and the installa tion of signs. Some concrete repair work will also be needed next year for some private driveways. “There is a concrete shortage right now. It is very difficult to come by,” he said. “Unless it is a major project, contractors are needing to hold off until next year.”

Residents have until Nov. 15 to make a full or par tial payment of the assessment before it is certified to the county for collection over a 10-year period via property taxes.

Council Member Matt Percy said, “The more you pay up front, the more you are going to save in interest.”

Antonen said the $4,900 per benefiting property

breaks down to about $50 a month for 10 years.

• The city will likely only have one or two pay vouchers to pay related to the 2022 street and utility project. Most recently, the City Council approved pay voucher No. 6 in the amount of $166,083 to Kuechle Underground for work certi fied through Sept. 30. Eckman explained that the project is currently “101% complete” because a few things were added to the project that were not included in the original bid to improve the water system in the area by creating a looped system. A future pay voucher will likely just include cross walks, signs and necessary retainage. A five-year contract is now in place with the Min nesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). Eckman explained that anytime work is done on a state aid roadway, MnDOT requires that materials such as asphalt and concrete be inspected. If the city did not have the partnership with MnDOT, it would need to pay its own contractor to do the test ing, which would not be as cost-effective, Eckman said.

The next City Council meeting will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25, at City Hall.

Blaine mayor endorses US bid for World’s Fair

After a formal review of the site, infrastructure, financial and project plans, the country is one step closer to bringing a specialized expo back to the U.S. in 2027.

Blaine Mayor Tim Sanders joins dozens of communities from across the country in support of the USA Expo 2027 bid.

For more than 150 years, the country has had a long and successful history with Expos, more commonly referred to as World’s Fairs, in the United States. These global events have reshaped the economic and cultural

trajectory of U.S. cities like Seattle, San Antonio, San Francisco, St. Louis, New York and Chicago. However, it’s been 38 years since the United States last hosted a World’s Fair.

Last week, a delegation from the Bureau of International Expositions (BIE) traveled to Minnesota and Washington, D.C., on an Enquiry Mission to assess the feasibility and viability of the USA Expo 2027 project. The BIE is the international organization responsible for evaluating proposals and deciding the location of Expos.

The United States’ proposal is based on the theme “Healthy People, Healthy Planet: Wellness and WellBeing for All.” If successful, the Expo would take place in Bloomington, Minnesota, near the Mall of America from May 15 until Aug. 15, 2027. This 93-day extravaganza would include participation from as many as 200 countries and is projected to attract 14.3 million in visits and one billion global viewers. Recognizing that more than $12 trillion is spent every year on health and wellness, Expo 2027 would also be a platform to forge the global

partnerships needed to advance the United Nation’s sustainability goals for good health and well-being for all.

“In Blaine, we have a long history of welcoming the world to our community, and we stand ready to help our neighbors in Bloomington with USA Expo 2027,” Sanders said.

The U.S. is competing against Argentina, Serbia, Spain and Thailand to host Expo 2027. The BIE will vote in June 2023 to determine where Expo 2027 will take place.

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

The full-size retired military helicopter is part of the newest haunted set on the 160-acre Hast ings family farm that is home to The Dead End Hayride haunted attraction.

Shannon Granholm

10/21 Art at the Winery/Painted Wine Bottle 6-8 pm

COME TASTE

Dancing Dragonfly

10/22 Vinyasa Yoga Class 10-11 am Rustic Roots

10/22-23 Winery Tour & Tasting Noon-3 pm Rustic Roots

10/23 Music: Billy Johnson 1-4 pm Dancing Dragonfly

10/23 Music: Steve Poyner

2:00-5:00

7 Vines Vineyard

10/25 Tuesday Trivia w/ Ryan 6:30-8 pm Rustic Roots

10/29 Halloween in the Vineyard 10 am – 8 pm Dancing Dragonfly 10/29 Vinyasa Yoga Class 10-11 am Rustic Roots

10/29-30 Wine-O-Ween

Noon-5 pm St. Croix Vineyards

10/29-30 Winery Tour & Tasting Noon-3 pm Rustic Roots

10/30 Music: Tim Cheesebrow 1-4 pm Dancing Dragonfly

2:00-5:00

10/30 Music: Paul Berger

7 Vines Vineyard

11/2 Charcuterie Workshop: The Board Loon 6:30-8 pm Rustic Roots

11/5 Vinyasa Yoga Class 10-11 am Rustic Roots

11/6 Wine & Canvas Painting Party 3-6 pm St. Croix Vineyards

11/6 Music: Billy Johnson 1-4 pm Dancing Dragonfly

11/8 Tuesday Trivia w/ Ryan 6:30-8 pm Rustic Roots

11/10 Stand-up Comedy Night 7-10 pm Rustic Roots

11/12-13 Cheese & Chocolate Weekend Noon-5 pm St. Croix Vineyards

11/12 Vinyasa Yoga Class 10-11 am Rustic Roots

11/12 Holiday Market Noon-5 pm Rustic Roots

11/13 Music: Tim Fast 1-4 pm Dancing Dragonfly

11/18 Art at the Winery/Paint & Sip 6-8 pm Dancing Dragonfly

11/19 Songwriting Workshop w/ David Roth 1-3 pm Dancing Dragonfly

11/19 Vinyasa Yoga Class 10-11 am Rustic Roots

11/20 Music: Tim Cheesebrow 1-4 pm Dancing Dragonfly

11/22 Tuesday Trivia w/ Ryan 6:30-8 pm Rustic Roots

11/26 Small Business Saturday

7 Vines Vineyard

11/27 Music: Vinnie Rose 1-4 pm Dancing Dragonfly

11/27 Music: Steve Poynter 2:00-5:00

7 Vines Vineyard

Cougar boys third of 14 in NWSC x-country

BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR

The Centennial boys placed a close third among 14 teams in the Northwest Suburban Conference meet and had four all-conference runners last Wednesday.

The Cougars had senior Eli Berg in eighth place (17:00), senior Charlie Bolkcom in 14th (17:30) sophomore Alex Persing in 15th (17:31), senior Evan Pouliot 26th (17:47) and senior Kavan Johnson in 39th (18:10). Top 28 make allconference.

Robbinsdale Armstrong was champion with 90 points at Elk River Golf Club, followed by Blaine with 96, Centennial 102, Osseo 105, Andover 128, Maple Grove 148, Champlin Park 158, Totino-Grace 177, Coon Rapids 190, Anoka 225, Spring Lake Park 265, Rogers 337, Elk River 439, Park Center 453. Individual champion was Noah Breker of Armstrong in 15:27.

The Cougars, who were conference and section champs last year, took a bigger graduation hit than the girls and have had a more up and down season.

“They have noticed the girls get more of the recognition this year, the attention they were getting last year,” coach Ryan Evans said. “But they have been patient with themselves, and with the process of training, and they’ve been improving slowly but surely every week.”

Cougar girls in section final after tripping Andover in shootout

BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR

Needing to reverse two regular-season defeats to return to the state tournament, the Centennial Cougars achieved the first of those quests, squeezing past Andover with a shootout victory, 2-1, Thursday evening.

The No. 3 seeded Cougars (13-2), state runner-up last year, now face No. 1 Blaine (15-2-1) in the Section 7AAA finals there Tuesday, 7 p.m. Otherwise unbeaten, the Cougars lost to Andover 1-0 and Blaine 2-0 in conference play. In the final state Class 3A rankings, Andover was fifth, Blaine seventh and Centennial eighth.

Centennial led 1-0 at halftime with Addison Van Zee scoring in the 15th minute in unusual fashion. Off a free kick from Nora Helvig, Van Zee leapt and whipped

her right leg into the ball and drove it past the diving goalie from about 20 yards out. A minute later, Van Zee ripped a powerful shot that glanced off the right post.

Centennial’s 1-0 lead stood until Andover’s Addie Dobratz scored on a header off a crossing pass from Skylyn Jorgensen in the 65th minute.

After two scoreless 10-minute overtimes, Centennial won a shootout 2-1 with

Marisa Frost and Naasifaayee Bula finding the net against Huskie goalie Hailey Mau, who stopped two others. Cougar goalie Jordan Metz was able to foil three Andover shots with another saying over the bar.

The Cougars beat Cambridge-Isanti 7-0 in the first round Tuesday as Van Zee and Frost booted three goals each and Addison Wittenberg had the other.

In new role, Whiting sparks Cougars to 8-7 win over Tonka

BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR

To perk up a stagnant offense, the Centennial Cougars turned to one of their best defensive players against Minnetonka on Friday evening. And Marcus Whiting made the surprise move pay off in a game-winning fourth quarter drive to deliver an 8-7 win over the Skippers.

With the Cougars down 7-0, they installed Whiting at fullback.

The 5-foot-11, 215-pound junior lineman carried 10 times for 45 yards in the drive, capped by his one-yard plunge into the end zone with 2:37 left in the game and his two-yard conversion run for the winning points.

The Cougars, 5-2 and ranked No. 9 in Class 6A, will close the regular season at Woodbury (6-1) on Thursday evening.

Minnetonka held the Cougars to 184 net yards — 159 rushing and 25 passing. Quarterback Daylen Cummings gained 67 yards on 16 keepers while completing four of nine passes. Whiting totaled 57 yards in 12 carries.

Whiting and his defensive teammates were, always, hard to move against, holding Minnetonka (4-3) to 130 yards rushing and 75 passing. The Cougars stopped the Skippers at the four-yard line in the second quarter.

Henry Pirner made 19 tackles (four solo), Reese Littlefield 16 (seven solo), Timmy Ball 12 (two solo), and Melvin Wallace nine (two solo). Littlefield and Whiting each made a quarterback sack.

Tonka quarterback Milos Spasojevic hit Roman Johnson for a five-yard score late in the third period, capping a 13-play, 52-yard drive. Johnson was their workhorse with 29 carries for 104 yards.

The Cougars, in their five wins, have allowed only 27 points. They have lost to a pair of 7-0 teams — Stillwater 29-28 and Maple Grove 24-17.

Cougar girls take NWSC by wide margin, have 8 all-conference

BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR

Seeking their school’s first conference title since 2007, the Centennial girls cross country squad ran away with top honors in the Northwest Suburban Conference meet last Wednesday.

In action at Elk River Golf Club, Centennial had five of the top 15 runners, and eight of the 28 who made all-conference.

The Cougars logged 54 points. Champlin Park was a distant second at 109, followed by Maple Grove 119, Andover 127, Robbinsdale Armstrong 138, Rogers 147, Osseo 171, Elk River 201, Anoka 214, Coon Rapids 228, Blaine 270, and Totino-Grace 293.

“What has really impressed me is their enthusiasm — for their goals, for the process, for each other,” coach Ryan Evans said about the champs. “They’re having fun together and enjoying being a great team. They just seem dialed in right now.”

Centennial had none of the top six but it was a Cougar parade after that. The five counting scores were by sophomore Kylie Nelson placing seventh (19:32), eighth-grader Abby Smith eighth (19:52), freshman Anna Swanson 11th (20:25), junior Julia Zalewski 13th (20:52), and junior Abby Wood 15th (20:42). Swanson made a big jump after running fourth or fifth on the team previously.

Skates &

Also all-conference were CHS sophomore Annelise Offerdahl was 22nd (21:05), seventh-grader Annabelle Steinhoff 24th (21:09) and sophomore Miranda Sawvel 27th (21:16).

Caitlyn Osanai of Robbinsdale

Armstrong was conference champion with a time of 19:07. Action was held during a couple thunder claps, some rain, and finally hail for about two minutes.

Three Cougar veteran captains, Emma Magnuson, Zalewski and Emilia Lauinger, set a “whole new tone” starting with summer practices, Evans said, getting the team “moving as a unit since June.” The top 12 participate in any optional practices and any opportunity to go above and beyond the expectation, he said.

Since the 2007 first-place finish, the Cougars have had three secondplace finishes and three third-places, including last year, said assistant coach Eric Hotakainen, a Cougar alum.

Next challenge for the Cougars will be Section 7AAA on Oct. 27.

JON NAMYST/NAMYSTPHOTOGRAPHY.COM | CONTRIBUTED Marcus Whiting takes a handof from Daylen Cummings during the Cougars’ late touchdown drive.

BRUCE STRAND | CONTRIBUTED

Addison Van Zee (16) leg-whipped the ball (at far right) past the goalie in the first half against Andover.

SHANNON SWANSON | CONTRIBUTED

The conference champions — First row, from left: Abby Wood, Kylie Nelson, Abby Smith, Annabelle Steinhof, Anna Swanson. Second row: Audrey Julson, Miranda Sawvel, Julia Zalewski, Annelise Oferdahl, Mackenzie Sawvel.

THE GENERAC PWRCELL a solar plus battery storage system Save money reduce your reliance on the grid prepare for power outage s and power your home. Full installation services available. $0 Down financing option. Re qu est a free, no ob ligation quote today Call 888/913 5895

CASH FOR MENS

WANTED: ALL 19 70 S MOTORCYCLES

ing or not

change.

Stillwater Fall Craft & Gift Show

Over 140 talented crafters & vendors at this popular show 6th Annual!

Saturday October 22nd, 2022

10 am - 4 pm

Stillwater High School 5701 Stillwater Blvd N, Stillwater MN

Senior Software En gineer for Trane Technologies Company LLC in White Bear Lake, MN:

on the inception phase of projects, includi ng collecting requirements suggesting methodologies and technolo gies,

Apply in Person

PARTS RUNNER - SHOP HELPER

DIRECTV STREAM CARRIES the mo st local MLB Games! CHOICE Pa ckage, $89.99/mo for 12 months Stream on 20 de vice s in your home at once. HBO Max included

(w/CHOICE Package or higher.)

annual contract

hidden fees!

restrictions

855/803-9309

DISH NETWORK $64.99 fo r 190 Channe

fast internet, $19.99 /mo. (where

t a

Switch

$100

FREE

remote FREE HD DVR. FREE streaming on ALL de vice

today! 855/562-4309

DONATE YOUR CAR TRUCK OR BOAT to He ritage For The Blind. Free 3-day va cation, tax deductible, free towing, all paper wo rk taken care of 844/220-9501

SAFE STEP North Amer ica's #1 Walk-In Tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Topof-the-line installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower pa ckage and $1600 off for a limited time! Call today! Fi nancing available. Call Safe Step 855 /4408982

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY, all real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Ho using Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any prefer en ce limitation or discriminat ion based on race co lo r, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or nationa l origin, or an intention, to make any such prefer en ce limitation or discriminat ion.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 livin g with parents or legal cu stod ians; pregnant women and peop le securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not kn owingly ac cept any ad vertising for real esta te which is in violation of the law. Our readers ar e hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newsp ap er are available on an equal oppor tunity basis To complain of discrimi nation call HUD toll free: 1-800-669-9 777. The toll-free number for hearing impaired is 1-800-927-92 75

IMMEDIATE - Full-Time employment opportunity with great benefits for a parts runner / shop helper at our Lino Lakes facility.DAYTIME HOURSIMMEDIATE OPENINGS Emergency Apparatus Maintenance, Inc provides full service and repair of fire apparatus, ambulances and other emergency vehicles. Due to our rapid growth and expansion we are looking for professional, reliable parts runner and shop helper to join our team. Job Requirements: Pre-employment physical and drug screen required. Good driving record. Must have a Class B CDL license. Excellent Benefits: medical/dental/life insurance, Holiday/Vacation pay and a HUGE retirement plan. Also, uniforms provided.

Go to our website to apply, www.eamservice.com or call (651) 786-4463

Administrative Assistant Part Time, Mon. & Tues., 7:55am-5:05pm

Press Publications

Skills

tively.

Experience:

Centennial toppled Anoka 3-0 in the first round of Section 7AAA on Tuesday in Anoka but lost to Andover 4-1 there Friday, ending their season with a 10-7 record. The Cougars reversed a 3-2 conference loss to Anoka. They were sparked by goalie Vinny Wry, who made eight saves in the team’s fourth consecutive shutout and ninth of the season. Minty Shady, Lance Laden and Numeryi Ame scored, with Cal Babiash providing two assists. Against top-seeded Andover (13-3-2), Shady notched the game’s first goal and the score was 1-1 at halftime, but the Huskies drilled three goals in the second half. Baraka Tarleton had two goals.

TENNIS

In the Section 4AA individuals tournament Wednesday, Centennial’s Anna Jarpy and Lauren Klein, seeded fourth, beat teams from North 6-0, 6-1, Stillwater 6-3, 6-4, and White Bear Lake 6-1, 7-5. They face a Mounds View duo on Tuesday in the semifinals with the finals to follow. In singles, Anya Sugden won one match, then lost.

SWIMMING

Centennial defeated Rogers 101-85 on Thursday evening, giving the Cougars a 2-4 record. Winners for the Cougars were Sophia Nguyen (individual medley, 2:21.65), Jaden Ruegsegger (50 freestyle, 25.70), Kathryn Woelfel (diving, 233.50), and Lauren Kajer (100 freestyle, 59.81). The Cougars had the top three divers with Rylie McCulloch (194.55) second and Melanie Bjerketvedt (183) third. Centennial won the medley relay Brooke Halverson, Laura Zebell, Ruegsegger and Abigail Stang (2:03.72) and the 200 freestyle relay with Kajer, Brooke Halverson, Nguyen and Ruegsegger (1:46.52).

VOLLEYBALL

The Centennial Cougars were runners-up in the Apple Valley Invitational on Friday and Saturday. The Cougars (20-4) beat PlainviewElgin-Millville 25-15, 25-19; Legacy Christian 25-10, 25-19; and Anoka 25-18, 25-12. Zumbrota-Mazeppa (21-3) edged the Cougars in the finals 25-20, 19-25, 15-13. In the tournament, Elena Hoecke led with 10 aces, 32 Kills and 10 blocks. Cassi Sosinski made 18 kills, Makayla Speed nine blocks, and Mattie Petersen 27 digs. The Cougars closed the regular season at Roseville on Monday and will start Section 7AAAA on Oct. 25.

Bruce Strand

Wargo hosts Fall Festival

BRUCE STRAND | CONTRIBUTED Vinny Wry was about to make a leaping save against Joey Tarp (31) of Andover.

PHOTOS BY NAMYST PHOTOGRAPHY CONTRIBUTED Families crank up the cider press, play pioneer games, pile up leaves and tour the Wargo Nature Center in Lino Lakes as part of the annual Fall Festival.

white

• Landings of Lexington has been granted a six-month extension to its letter of credit. City Administrator

Bill Petracek explained that the developer, Dominium, still owes the city some items, specifically a set of engineering plans.

“The letter of credit ensures that we will get it,” he said. Petracek added that city staff will likely come back to the council in a month or two to ask to council to rescind the letter of credit. “They just need a little more time.” The original letter of credit expired earlier this month.

• The fire department has been given the OK to spend up to $15,000 on various equipment at the upcoming Minnesota Fire Chief Association (MSFCA) annual conference Oct.

19-22 in Duluth. Fire Chief Erik Edwards explained that he is not expecting the fire department to spend anywhere near that amount this year, but he said you never know what kind of deals the fire department will stumble upon.

“We are pretty well supplied right now,” Edwards said, adding, “there are some great bargains and demos out there right now.”

Edwards mentioned the fire department was especially going to be on the lookout for various nozzles that might be helpful to fight fires at apartment complexes.

• The city of Lexington has two new firefighters, Eric Quigley and Zachary O’Connell. Edwards explained that both individuals are

new to the fire industry and will need to go through the fire academy. Quigley and O’Connell both live within the required seven-minute response time range and will need to complete a two-year probationary period.

• The city has finished paying its bills related to the 2022 street improvement project on North Highway Drive. Most recently, the council approved payment No. 2 for $2,596 to Asphalt Surface Technologies Corp.

• H&R Block, located at 9350 Lexington Avenue, is the latest recipient of a business license renewal.

• Beginning Jan. 1 2023, the city of Lexington will have another agreement in place with Anoka

PUBLIC NOTICES

Section 2. Effective Date. This ordinance takes effect upon its adoption and publication.

ADOPTED after a first reading on the 28th day of September 2022, and there after by a unanimous vote of the City Council of the City of Centerville, Minne sota, this 12th day of October 2022.

Published one time in the Quad Community Press on October 18, 2022.

CITY OF CENTERVILLE

ANOKQ COUNTY, MINNESOTA RESOLUTION 22-28

CITY OF CENTERVILLE ANOKA COUNTY, MINNESOTA ORDINANCE NO.126 — SECOND SERIES

AN ORDINANCE TO REVISE CHAPTER 111 LIQUOR REGULATION

The City Council of the City of Centerville hereby ordains: Section 1. That Chapter 111 shall be amended, as follows: § 111.16 RESTRICTIONS ON ISSUANCE.

(A) Each license shall be issued only to the applicant for the premises described in the application.

(B) No license shall be granted or renewed for operation on any premises on which taxes, assessments, utility charges, service charges or other financial claims of the city are delinquent and unpaid.

(C) No license shall be issued for any place or business ineligible for a license under state law.

(D) No new license shall be granted within 500 feet of any school. The distance is to be measured from the closest side of the church or school to the closest side of the structure on the premises within which liquor is to be sold. The provisions of this division (D) shall not apply to any existing license existing on the effective date of this chapter or to the renewal of an ex isting license as long as the establishment is in compliance with applicable zoning regulations. Further, this section shall apply to issuance of a wine license or on-sale 3.2 percent malt liquor license issued to a restaurant.

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF CENTERVILLE, MINNESOTA, APPROVING SUMMARY PUBLICATION OF ORDINANCE

WHEREAS, September 28, 2022, the City Council adopted ORDINANCE NO. 125, SECOND SERIES, STORMWATER MANAGEMENT.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Centerville, due to the lengthy nature of this Ordinance has directed that this title and summary be prepared for publication pursuant to Minn. Stat. 412.191, Subd. 4

The Council finds that the following text clearly informs the public of the in tent and effect of this Ordinance, and hereby approves the following summary text for publication. Only the following text shall be published by the City’s legal newspaper:

“SUMMARY PUBLICATION OF ORDINANCE 125, STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

Said ordinance was approved by the Centerville City Council on September 28, 2022. This Ordinance updates the standards governing stormwater management, including changes to the City’s governance of its municipal separate storm sewer system.

NOTICE: the full text of Ordinance 125 and its attachments are available for public inspection at Centerville City Hall located at 1880 Main Street, Centerville, MN 55038, during regular office hours, or will be mailed or emailed to anyone so requesting.”

PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED this 12th day of October 2022 by the City Council of the City of Centerville.

Published one time in the Quad Community Press on October 18, 2022

County for the residential recycling program. The purpose of the agreement is to provide for cooperation between the city and the county to implement solid waste recycling programs to help both entities meet goals set forth in the county’s Solid Waste Management Master Plan. By participating in the program, the county will distribute state Select Committee on Recycling and the Environment (SCORE) funds to the city.

The next City Council meeting will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, at City Hall.

Shannon Granholm

CITY OF CENTERVILLE, MINNESOTA

PUBLIC NOTICE OF ELECTION & SAMPLE BALLOT

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a General Election will be held in the City of Centerville, Minnesota, on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 at the polling locations listed below for the purpose of voting for candidates of the offices specified below. The polls for said election will be open at 7:00 AM and will remain open until closing at 8:00 PM.

CITY OF CENTERVILLE OFFICES

• Mayor • City Council Member at Large, 2 seats

Centerville’s polling location:

Precinct Name Voting Location

Centerville P-1 St. Genevieve Community Parish Center, 6995 Centerville Road, Centerville, MN 55038

Teresa Bender, City Clerk

Published two times in the Quad Community Press, Oct. 18 and 25, 2022.

•

•

A second reading of an ordinance regulating edible cannabinoid products will be held Oct. 24. The city of Lino Lakes is currently in the middle of a 120day moratorium, which prohibits the sale, testing, manufacturing and distribution of THC products.

Public Safety Director John Swenson explained that in order to have an ordinance on the books by the time the moratorium expires, the ordinance would need to be adopted after the second reading and published Nov. 1 to take effect Dec. 1.

Swenson said the department has done its research on what other cities in Minnesota are doing to regulate cannabinoid, has attended several meetings with the League of Minnesota Cities and has had the city attorney review the proposed ordinance language. The ordinance will add a new chapter (619 Edible Cannabinoid Products).

• City staff is of the opinion that no additional information is required when it comes to possible environmental impacts related to Robinson Sod Farms. (See full story on pages 1 and 2.)

• The council has established a tax increment financing (TIF) plan to assist Ryan Companies with $2.9 million. Ryan Companies has a purchase agreement to acquire 33 acres north of Clearwater Creek, west of I-35E. The developer is also coordinating plans for development of the 10 acres south of Distribution Alternatives proposed by MSP Commercial. Ryan Companies proposes construction of three buildings totaling approximately 451,000 square feet of manufacturing, office and warehouse space with an estimated market value of $31 million.

The Ryan Development is estimated to generate $3,444,854 in increment over the full nine-year term of a district. The city expects to retain 5% ($172,240) for administrative expenses and pooling purposes, leaving approximately $3.27 million available for project use.

During a public hearing, resident Scott Featherstone said he hopes the project is completed, but if it isn’t, what is the city’s liability? Community Development Director Michael Grochala said, “We are setting this up as a pay-as-you-go project. They will be putting up all of the dollars, and we are essentially reimbursing them as they pay taxes once they have met all the minimum requirements.”

A second reading of an ordinance amendment for the Marketplace planned development overlay (PDO) will be held Oct. 24. The applicant, Java Lino Retail LLC, submitted a land use application for two separate commercial buildings (a 4,200-squarefoot dental clinic and a 2,240-square-foot coffee shop) and a drive-thru ATM on one lot located at 601 Apollo Drive. Per the Marketplace PDO Design Guidelines Ordinance No. 03-05 and site plan, the lot is to be developed as a bank. An amendment to the ordinance is required to change the site use

Residents getting ready to move in to NorBella

this month, residents will begin to move into the new assisted living and memory care building known as

located

facility recently held a grand opening

offered tours of the building, which can house up to 40 residents,

from a bank to the proposed uses.

• The city of Lino Lakes will receive $73,699 from Anoka County in Select Committee on Recycling and the Environment (SCORE) funds. The city utilizes SCORE funds each year for its Recycling Saturday events, promotional materials, the organics drop-off program as well as labor and staffing.

Lino Lakes will also receive an additional $25,000 in grant funding from Anoka County that it plans to use for the construction of an organics enclosure at Sunrise Park.

Environmental Coordinator Andy Nelson explained that the organics program has been growing rapidly and currently has approximately 470 participants. Participants can drop off their organics materials at four sites in the city. As use of the sites increases, more carts are added to accommodate the increased use. Eventually, the carts must be replaced with roll-off dumpsters in enclosures in order to keep the sites tidy while accommodating the increased use, Nelson said. The low bid for an enclosure at Sunrise Park came in at $29,198. The difference of $4,198 will be paid by SCORE grant funds.

• An additional street project has been added to the docket for 2023, thanks to cost underruns and unused contingency funds of approximately $437,000 in the city’s street fund.

City staff recommended the city take care of Pheasant Run. Grochala explained that the overall condition index rating of the street is 11 on a scale of 0 – 100 (0 being poor condition). The street has undersized water main and poor stormwater drainage. The project would include full replacement of the water, sanitary and storm facilities. The estimated project cost is $850,000; approximately 50% of the cost is related to the street. A 30-day period must now elapse during which time a petition may be submitted requesting an election. If no petition is received, the city may proceed with the project for 2023.

• The council has accepted bids and awarded a construction contract to low bidder Minger Construction Co. Inc. in the amount of $512,928 for the I-35E pipe crossing project. The project is the second phase of the Northeast Drainage Improvements as outlined in the city’s Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan. It includes constructing a stormwater conveyance system under I-35E to the east side of the freeway, north of Main Street. The pipe system will tie into the Watermark development systems.

The substantial completion date for the project is Jan. 31, 2023. WSB will complete construction services for the project for $32,036.

• Two property owners, at 617 Apollo Drive and 6134 Ware Road, will be assessed a total of $96,189 ($77,948 and $18,241) after they requested to be

hooked up to city utilities. Two properties in the Butler Addition development, 7870 Meadow View Trail and 540 Lois Lane, will also be assessed a total of $14,128 ($5,487 and $8,642) for trunk water, sanitary sewer and surface water fees.

Lastly, approximately 90 properties in Watermark 5th addition will be assessed a total of $516,463 for trunk water, sanitary sewer and surface water fees.

The next City Council meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24, at City Hall. There will also be a work session immediately beforehand at 6 p.m. in the community room.

in memory care and

in assisted living.

Business Event

Centerville’s Parks & Recreation and Economic Develop ment Authority are sponsoring a Trunk or Treat event on October 29 from 9:45am-noon at Centerville Elementary School located at 1721 Westview Street, Centerville, MN.

Please join businesses, the Centennial Lakes Police Depart ment, Centennial Fire District, M-Health Fairview, Scouts BSA and Cub Scouts, along with others. The Scouts inflat able S.A.F.E. Archery will also be available. Treats will be awaiting! This event is following the Centennial Halloween Hustle.

Shannon Granholm

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

The Lino Lakes Public Safety Department, along with the City Council, recognize individuals who have recently been promoted. Matt Carlson and Dan Thill have been promoted to police sergeant and Brian Gustafson and Paul Kartman have been promoted to fire lieutenant.

2022-23 Miss Lino Lakes Ambassadors Lauren Scheurer (left) and Selah Hunt visit the City Council to formally introduce themselves and talk about some of the events they plan to attend in the near future. Not pictured is Ambassador Emily Sorem.

FINANCIAL PLANNING

Reactions mixed on student loan reduction plan

BY ABE WINTER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The White House recently released state-by-state data on how the Biden Administration’s plan for student debt relief will benefit borrowers in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.

Check out these estimated numbers in Minnesota: 729,700 would be eligible for student debt relief up to $10,000 and 416,000 Pell borrowers would be eligible for $20,000 in relief. Minnesota numbers pale in comparison to states such as California (3.549,300 and 2,340,600) and Texas (3,323,200 and 2,306,700).

President Biden states, the plan is aimed at giving working and middle-class Americans more breathing room by providing the funds to the borrowers. The Biden Administration expects that more than 40 million borrowers are eligible for its student debt relief plan, and nearly 20 million borrowers could see their entire remaining balance discharged.

The plan has met with considerable opposition even though the numbers may sound good for those with student loan debt.

The administration believes the student debt relief plan will help borrowers and families recover from the pandemic and prepare to resume student loan payments in January 2023. Nearly 90% of relief dollars will go to those earning less than $75,000 per

year – and no relief will go to any individual or household in the top 5% of incomes in the United States.

By targeting relief to borrowers with the highest economic need, the Administration believes these actions are also likely to help narrow the racial wealth gap. Nearly 71% of Black undergraduate borrowers are Pell Grant recipients, and 65% of Latino undergraduate borrowers are Pell Grant recipients.

Jasmine Whebbe, who graduated in 2017, is making payments on her student loans. She has a bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in animation but is working as at a retail clothing store.

Whebbe, who is married and has an infant son, is emphatically in favor of the debt

reduction plan. “I don’t see how anyone could be against student loan forgiveness,” the 28-year-old said. “I only qualify for $10K in forgiveness under the current plan and that doesn’t even come close to half of what I still owe in loans.”

She added, “It’s absolutely criminal that we are able to sign up for that level of debt as a literal teenager not even legally able to drink. With the cost of living skyrocketing faster than minimum wage could even dream of covering, milestones like owning a home that generations before me were able to attain are so intangible towards people my age.”

Mary Beth Vanyo, 63, said two of her three children took out student loans. One has repaid the loan in full and the other is paying his off. “I don’t mind people who have been

working hard to pay off their loans get some relief,” she said. “I think it depends on their circumstances. Maybe there’s legitimate reasons they aren’t able to pay off their loans.”

Some borrowers with federal student loans that are held by private lenders are now ineligible for the Biden administration’s debt relief if they haven’t already applied for consolidation, which allows federal student loan borrowers to combine multiple loans into one.

Ron Kimmel, 66, was quick to voice a strong opinion against Biden’s plan. “I think it’s unconstitutional, to take our money and give it to people who don’t need it,” he said.

“They have a college degree … they should have a good income and greater job stability because of their education.”

Kimmel said he was the oldest of six children in a family that would be considered “lower class laborers.” “There was no way they could send me to college,” he said, adding that one way to help with college funds is the Armed Services GI Bill.

He said the $1.6 billion that is proposed for the loan reduction plan “is just going to increase inflation, which we’re all going to have to pay for.”

For more information, visit StudentAid. gov/debtrelief.