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New Year’s wishes Students at Centerville Elementary School recently shared their wishes for 2022 with the Quad Community Press and The Citizen newspapers.

Quinn, kindergarten Q “My wish would be to have a slinky dog park where e everyone got a turn to ride, a and school at bedtime so we c could come in our pajamas!”

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Now more than ever, your Quad Community Press newspaper needs your support. In order to continue to provide great news content, we need 644 more paid subscribers to get to our sustainable goal of 20%. See page 8 for more information. Thank you,

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GRASS FIRE: 118 acres burn in Lino Lakes PAGE 3 7111 21st Avenue N Centerville, MN

LINO LAKES — The YMCA plans to vacate its facility in Lino Lakes by March 1. In an email sent out to a stakeholder group Monday, Jan. 4, Amanda Novak, senior director of New Development, announced the YMCA intends to vacate the facility a couple months. “With your guidance and expertise, we conducted a thorough and careful review of available options and the Lino Lakes YMCA has determined it is unable to develop a sustainable operating model per the agreement with the city. According to our agreement with the city of Lino Lakes, if the facility is not operated as a YMCA recreational facility, the title reverts back to the city,” Novak wrote. “Today the YMCA officially shared its intentions to vacate the facility by March 1. We will work closely with the city to facilitate a smooth transfer and sincerely hope to help set the stage for future successful operations of the facility within the community.” The Lino Y announced it would not reopen its ﬁtness and well-being center in July 2020 and has been going through the “reimagine” process with LES Architects and a steering committee to ultimately recommend programming and operating models. The city of Lino Lakes is also currently going through its own “reimagine” process. The City Council has approved Isaac Sports Group (ISG) to complete a

This is the opening week of the ninetysecond session of the Minnesota Legislature. Members take oaths of office, elect leaders and officers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there are many priorities. Learn local lawmakers priorities in Press Publication’s Legislative Preview inside. NOW IN SESSION, page 5

LOCAL LAWMAKERS SHARE TOP PRIORITIES

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BY SHANNON GRANHOLM LEAD EDITOR

SEE PANDEMIC WEDDINGS, PAGE 6 LAND OF 10 10,000 000 PHOTOS | SUBMITTED

BY THE NUMBERS

2 in 3

36%

47%

feel the pandemic has changed their expectations for their wedding

said that living through the pandemic has made them want to marry their significant other more

couples had to postpone their wedding due to COVID-19

of couples decided to still have their wedding during the pandemic

23%

of couples are of couples are still planning to downsize planning to host a their guest list destination wedding

Source: 2020 American Wedding Study from brides.com

SEE VACCINATION SITE, PAGE 5

Kids Cooking School rebrands to Kids Creative School

SEE BREWERIES, PAGE 6

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From distance learning to canceled activities to social distance in the classroom, the class of 2021 has endured a lot in their final year of high school. In light of the isolation of COVID-19, the fact that

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Harley as well. If not for a 48-hour shift change, he would also have delivered Harley’s sister. “My mom was like, you have to have him be your doctor,” Harley said.

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found his profile. Anderson also delivered Harley’s older brother, and her mother liked him so much that she scheduled an induction to make sure he could deliver

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students will be able to celebrate prom and graduation in person this year is more meaningful than ever. Last year, most of the major milestones for seniors weren’t able to happen in person at all. This year’s seniors are fully aware of how lucky they are to be able to take part in these important senior

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SEE CLASS OF 2021, PAGE 7

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milestones, even if those events look a little different. “Each and every one of us had already settled on that we were not going to get it, so it’s like a nice little end of the year goodbye that we at least get to have something,”

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“Like everyone, it's been challenging for us. We got just enough federal funding last year to make it through the summer,” Cavegn explained. “Due to the nature of classes, when we had to reduce capacity by 50%, it reduced our revenue but did not reduce our expenses. We are currently running at 50% revenue and 110% expenses when you take on the extra sanitizing required and because students can't share anything, so we have to order more individual ingredients.”

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zation, Healthy Strong Kids of Minnesota, whose mission is to provide food assistance to families in need while teaching young people how to cook healthy recipes. After she taught community education classes, she realized there was a need for a local children’s cooking school. The business had to close its doors in September 2018. The Kids Cooking School found a temporary home at Oak Hill Montessori School in Shoreview in 2019. Two weeks before the March 2020 shutdown, Cavegn signed a lease for the school’s new (and current location) in Circle Pines.

Baby Benjamin, Harley’s third child, arrived on April 16 at St. John’s Hospital (coincidentally, the same hospital where his father,

Dr. Matthew Anderson delivered Danielle Harley at a hospital in Burlington, Iowa in 1994, and Harley’s third child Benjamin April 16, 2021 at St. John’s Hospital.

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The pandemic has forced the owner of Kids Cooking School to get even more creative. Kids Cooking School, located at 307 Village Parkway in Circle Pines, has rebranded as “Kids Creative School.” This summer, in addition to cooking classes, the business will also offer art and crafts classes. Lino Lakes resident Tiffany Cavegn opened the business in Lino Lakes in February 2017. Cavegn, a chef and health coach, is the founder of a nonprofit organi-

W IT H F L IT

BY SHANNON GRANHOLM LEAD EDITOR

HammerHeart Brewing Co. HammerHeart Brewing Co. has been around since August 2013. Co-owner Nathaniel Chapman said that from the very beginning of the pandemic, his business chose to be cautious. “If there was a recommendation to do something, even before it was mandated, we did it,” he explained. “Once the first shutdown happened, that’s when we just settled into the new normal.”

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and had to adhere to a long list of guidelines. On Dec. 18 Gov. Walz revised the executive order to prohibit indoor dining but allow breweries to serve patrons outdoors. The executive order is effective through Sunday, Jan. 10. Restrictions may be dialed back at that time or remain in place. Press Publications spoke to the owners of HammerHeart Brewing Co. in Lino Lakes, Lakes & Legends Brewing Company in Minneapolis and Big Wood Brewery in White Bear Lake to learn more about how the pandemic has impacted the industry.

BY LORETTA HARDING CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Danielle Harley thought it was a funny coincidence that the White Bear Lake doctor she’d chosen to deliver her third child happened to be from the same town where she was born in Iowa. “I looked up his bio, and it said he practiced in Burlington, Iowa,” Harley said. “I thought, small world, that’s where I’m from, and I texted my mom. She texted me up a little later and said wait a minute, is that Dr. Anderson?” It turned out that Dr. Matthew Anderson was the same doctor who delivered Harley in 1994. Dr. Anderson practiced in Burlington for 22 years before he moved to Minnesota. He joined AALFA Family Clinic in White Bear Lake in 2010, which is where Harley

AY • SA SD Y R’

BY SHANNON GRANHOLM LEAD EDITOR

If it wasn’t for government funding, customer support and the innovation of business owners, several more breweries would have closed their doors since the pandemic began. Breweries are now weathering their second shutdown. The ﬁ rst shutdown began last year on March 17 and lasted 2 1/2 months. From June 10 until the second shutdown, which began Nov. 21, breweries were allowed to operate at 50% capacity indoors

Project and inadequate notice irks residents

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SEE YMCA, PAGE 2

Brewery owners ﬁnd it difficult to see the future

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BEST OF CONTEST: Seeking nominations PAGE 7

Later this week, north metro residents could have another option to be vaccinated close to home. The Lino Lakes City Council has approved a resolution authorizing city staff to enter into a license agreement with the state of Minnesota to use the YMCA building/future recreation center, as a COVID-19 vaccination site. Jamie Wallerstedt, of the State Emergency Operations Center, thanked city staff for working so quickly to get the site up and running. “Staff really responded well, fast, were very willing to talk about all of our ideas to bring this vaccination site to your community,” she said at the March 30 special meeting. “We are really looking forward to having this opportunity for your city, your county and the surrounding communities in the north metro.” Last winter, the city was approached by the state to possibly use the YMCA facility as a testing facility, but nothing ever transpired. Community Development Director Michael Grochala explained that under the agreement, which runs from April 5

Molly Lund and Chris Kieger will get married April 30 despite a last minute change of plans.

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BY SHANNON GRANHOLM LEAD EDITOR

Molly and Chris Seven weeks before Molly Lund and Chris Kieger were supposed to say “I do,” everything turned upside down. Lund grew up in Hugo and Kieger in White Bear Lake. They are both White Bear Lake grads (2009 and 2008, respectively). They became engaged in August 2020. Lund is a site manager for Kids Club at Rice Lake Elementary School in Lino Lakes, and Kieger is a document control specialist at Sensata Technologies in White Bear Lake. The Forest Lake residents were planning to get married at a small ceremony at a resort up north on April 30. In March, they found out they would need to cancel and start their venue search all over again.

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When students return to Centennial Schools next week, they will not be required to wear masks while in school. However, school ofﬁcials recommend that they do so. That could change, as the pandemic remains a “ﬂuid” situation, explained Board Chair Suzy Guthmueller. At the last school board meeting, the board considered a resolution adopting health and safety measures for the 2021-22 school year. The resolution gives Interim Superintendent Jeff Holmberg the authority to make changes to COVID protocols and mitigation efforts as deemed necessary, while continuing to follow the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). Per the resolution, all staff, students and visitors to the district are recommended to wear a mask regardless of their vaccination status.

Filling the Learning Gap As a district, we will focus on welcoming and re-engaging all students in their schools and their learning. As teachers assess students through assessment tools and getting to know their students, teachers will continue to differentiate instruction as they had for students before last year and offer support to help the student reach their highest potential. Q. Is your school district making any curriculum changes as a result? A. Our teachers continue to improve, enhance, and utilize curriculum resources to meet the needs of our students. We will continue to connect with our students, help our students

Q. Do you anticipate any changes in Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments, or MCA tests this year? A. As a district, we will continue to work

M later

Meet new Lino Lakes Ambassadors

Jeff Holmberg Interim Superintendent

with the Minnesota Department of Education regarding the upcoming MCA tests in the spring and implementing any new procedures as required for a successful testing experience for students. The Centennial School District will continue to prepare the students to do

Circle Pines celebrates census victory

Kenley Smith, Morgan Lesch and Rachel Strantz have been selected as the next Lino Lakes Ambassadors. Eight candidates vied for three spots. The Miss Lino Lakes Ambassador program was established in 2004 as part of Blue Heron Days. The ambassadors will represent the city at various parades, coronations, volunteer events and fundraisers throughout the Twin Cities. The goal of the program is to empower young women by giving them the opportunity to be leaders, strengthen their communication skills and build their confidence. The Quad Community Press recently interviewed the three young women to learn more about them and introduce them to the community.

SEE BACK TO SCHOOL, PAGES 8-9

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arissa Blahnik has lived in White Bear Lake for the past 13 years, but grew up in New Jersey. On Sept. 11, 2001, at the age of 22, Blahnik was living in northern New Jersey and commuted to Midtown, New York, for her job at Court TV. She has kept two emails she sent in the wake of the event 20 years ago that details her experience and reflections in the aftermath of 9/11, and she shared them with Press accompanied by these comments: “I had already completed my commute and was sitting in an edit suite with some colleagues when someone ran in and said to put on the TV. It wasn’t clear what was happening yet — if I recall correctly, initially it was reported as one plane and an unfortunate accident. That quickly changed, and we watched together as the second plane hit and then later as the towers collapsed. I remember fi nally getting through to my mother on the phone to let her know I was OK. I remember deciding to stay at the office all day rather than wait for hours in line to take a ferry home — the bridges and tunnels were closed to cars, and the only way off the island was on a boat or on foot. “The next day I typed up my experience and shared it with friends and family. I’ve kept a printout all these years and have retyped it.

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militants associated with the Islamic extremist group al Qaeda hijacked 4 planes

planes were flown into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York

plane hit the Pentagon just outside Washington, D.C.

plane crashed in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania

3,000

people were killed during the terrorist attacks

8:45 a.m.

— the time an American Airlines Boeing 767 crashed into the north tower

9:45 a.m.

— the time American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the west side of the Pentagon

110 18 125

stories made up the skyscrapers minutes after the first plane hit, a second Boeing 767 sliced into the south tower military personnel and civilians were killed in the Pentagon attack

Macie Lillyblad “I would cook it on the stove for 30 minutes. Then I eat it. I wash my hands before I eat.”

Charlie Carlson “I would roast it on the grill.”

Scarlett Gardner “We would put it in a pan and then we would fry it.”

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Holiday lights still offer feeling of hope for future

“I will cook it in the oven for 20 minutes. I will put cheese on it. Then I will heat it up again for 30 seconds. I will put bacon and eggs on it and then I will eat it.”

Frontline workers provide hand to hold throughout pandemic

Logan Dixon “I would make him ﬂat and make him have eyes.”

Etta Hall

Lainey Anderson “Get it from the farm. Cut off the feathers and head and legs. Then I would put it in the oven. Then I would eat it.”

Benjamin Durand “I would get it from the farm. Then I would cook it in my grill for 10 minutes. Then I would slice it up and eat it with my mom and dad.”

Etta Hall

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year … time for Press Publications’ Holiday Lights Contest, that is. Press Publications is eager to see everyone’s displays. The second annual contest will kick off the week of Dec. 22 and run through Dec. 31. With COVID-19 still hanging around this holiday season, many families are looking to get out and about to ﬁ nd a way to celebrate. “Everybody is at a different point in their COVID journey, and people have different levels of concern, so this activity is open to most people,” said Publisher Carter Johnson. Last year’s holiday lights contest was created out of a pandemic year, and while this year may feel a bit different with the return of holiday concerts, plays and family events—all thanks to increased vaccinations—the holiday lights still offer a feeling of hope for the future. “The lights have different meanings to different people,” Johnson noted. Whether it’s to celebrate the birth of Christ or to cope with the gradual onset of the shortest days of the year, an opportunity to

“I will cook it in the oven for 20 minutes. I will put cheese on it. Then I will heat it up again for 30 seconds. I will put bacon and eggs on it and then I will eat it.”

SEE GRAND MARSHALS, PAGE 8

Lauren, fourth grade L

BY CORINNE STREMMEL STAFF WRITER

Jackson Steinert “Get a turkey and take the bones off it. Cook it on the grill. Then eat it.”

BY SHANNON GRANHOLM LEAD EDITOR

LINO LAKES — When family members were not allowed to visit their loved ones during the early months of the pandemic, frontline workers provided a hand to hold and a smile, even though you couldn’t always see it behind their personal protective equipment (PPE). Though the Blue Heron Days parade was initially canceled for this summer, Council Member Dale Stoesz led the charge to bring back the event not only for the community, but also the heroes within the community. “I believe in the strength of our community, and in the necessity

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“I was incredibly lucky in that I didn’t lose anyone directly on that terrible day. Sept. 11, 2001, stands out in my mind as a turning point, both individually and collectively. I can only imagine how people who were more directly impacted must feel, and I hold them and their families in my thoughts as we mark this tragic anniversary.”

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Centennial Schools, preschoool at Blue Heron Elementary School

If 25 fewer people would have been counted in the Circle Pines’ 2020 Census, the city would have had a lot to lose. In the 2010 Census, Circle Pines had a population of 4,918. Subsequently, it just missed out on the 5,000 count it needed to qualify for approximately $150,000 a year in state aid funding. Circle Pines was granted an unusual legislative exemption to be treated as a city of more than 5,000, but it was uncertain if it would have been able to secure that exemption again. “It’s one thing to hit the 5,000 mark and get state aid funding for streets, but it is a whole other thing when you look at this

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Press Publications reached out to area school districts to ask pre-K and elementary-aged students, “How do you make a turkey?”

BY SHANNON GRANHOLM LEAD EDITOR

SEE CENTENNIAL SCHOOL BOARD, PAGE 10

to achieve their highest potential, and prepare students for their future. Q. What advice do you have for students or parents to ﬁll in any gaps and make the most of the new school year? A. Developing strong relationships between teaching staff, students, and parents is critical to student success. We encourage parents to express their concerns to the student’s teacher/s as soon as possible to allow the teacher to work with the parent and student to provide support as needed.

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Centennial School District Q. With the challenges of teaching last year during a pandemic, some are reporting learning gaps of 30% or more in math and possibly other subjects. Do you anticipate learning gaps among students? If so, how will your schools know which students need additional instruction and which students do not? A. As the previous school year was a challenge for some of our students, we anticipate some learning gaps. Our educators will work with our students as they return this fall to determine students’ academic levels and determine additional support as needed, as has been the custom in the Centennial School District.

Special section inside

Remembering 9/11

BY SHANNON GRANHOLM LEAD EDITOR

It’s that time of year when students are heading back to school. Press Publications asked four school districts, including the Centennial School District, about challenges in learning gaps among students in their district and how schools plan to respond to these challenges during the 2021-22 school year.

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Holiday CENTENNIAL SCHOOL BOARD: Selects 4 candidates to interview PAGE 6 How is a turkey made?

FALL SPORTS: Cougar previews PAGES 6-7

Mask debate: ‘No easy answers’

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2021

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SPORTS: Shrinking rosters of refs are growing problem PAGE 11

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As each year comes to an end, it is a tradition of the Quad Community Press to look back at some of the most memorable stories of the year. Although we would all like to “get back to normal,” the COVID-19 pandemic persists. School board meetings continue to draw a crowd. Nearly two years after the YMCA closed its doors, the city of Lino Lakes plans to open the Rookery

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POLICE REPORTS cited for driving after revocation, driving without insurance and displaying an expired temporary registration. • An officer stopped a vehicle for not displaying a front license plate and for an equipment violation in the 6500 block of Otter Lake Road Dec. 20. The adult male was arrested and booked at jail for possession of a stolen vehicle, driving after renovation, possession of drug paraphernalia and displaying the wrong plates and tabs.

The Centennial Lakes Police Department reported the following incidents: • Officers received an anonymous tip advising about the presence of a male in the 1700 block of Meadow Lane in Centerville Dec. 16. Officers subsequently arrested the male on multiple warrants. • Officers were dispatched to the area of Lake Drive and Lexington Avenue on a report of a personal injury accident with three vehicles involved Dec. 16. There were minor injuries. • Officers were dispatched

to the 300 Block of Civic Heights on a report of a vehicle fire Dec. 16. • An officer conducted a traffic stop with a wanted vehicle at Edgewood Road and Aspen Lane in Lexington Dec. 17. The male driver was taken into custody. • Officers were dispatched to the 9000 block of South Highway Drive in Lexington on a complaint about an intoxicated driver Dec. 17. Officers located the driver in question and sober rides were called. • Officers conducted a traf-

fic stop on a vehicle for a violation that occurred in the area of Naples Street and Flowerfield Road in Lexington Dec. 17. A probable cause search was conducted and a citation was issued. • Officers were dispatched to the 1 block of North Road in Circle Pines on a DUI complaint Dec. 19. • Officers were dispatched to the 6900 block of Brian Drive on a report of mail tampering Dec. 20. • An officer took a walk-in report regarding a delayed theft from the 20 block of Center Road in Circle

Pines Dec. 20. There are no suspects at this time. • Officers were dispatched to a phone call of a delayed hit-and-run report in the 4100 block of Lovell Road in Lexington Dec. 21. Officers took information for the report. • Police fielded a report of mail theft in the 10 block of Park Drive West in Circle Pines Dec. 21. • Police were dispatched to the intersection of Lake Drive and Lexington Avenue in Lexington on a report of a three-car property damage accident Dec. 21.

RATE INCREASE NOTICE XCEL ENERGY MINNESOTA ELECTRIC PRICES Interim Change in Electric Rates Starting January 1, 2022 XCEL ENERGY’S RATE INCREASE REQUEST

PROPOSED CHANGES FOR MONTHLY ELECTRICITY BASE RATES

Xcel Energy has asked the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) for an increase in electric rates to be phased in over a three-year period beginning Jan. 1, 2022. The requested increase for 2022 is about 12.2% or $396.0 million. Xcel Energy requested an additional 4.8% or $150.2 million for 2023, and an additional 4.2% or $131.2 million for 2024. The total increase requested for the threeyear period is 21.2% or $677.3 million.

This chart shows the current and proposed electricity base rates for each customer type. AVERAGE MONTHLY BILLS Current monthly cost

2022 Interim monthly increase

Proposed 2022 monthly cost

Proposed 2022 monthly increase

Proposed 2023 monthly increase*

Proposed 2024 monthly increase**

Residential – Overhead line service

514

$77.57

$4.98

$87.49

$9.92

$12.27

$14.75

Residential – Underground line service

752

$111.78

$7.13

$125.60

$13.81

$17.24

$20.87

Energy-Controlled (Dual Fuel)

1,019

$93.43

$6.85

$106.40

$12.97

$17.78

$21.41

Small General Service

794

$109.15

$10.21

$119.10

$9.95

$12.46

$14.63

Customer type

State law allows Xcel Energy to collect higher rates on an interim (temporary) basis beginning Jan. 1, 2022, while the MPUC reviews Xcel Energy’s request. The total interim rate increase for 2022 is 8.1% or $247.1 million over total current rates. This appears on customer bills as an Interim Rate Adjustment and is calculated as a percentage of base rates. Base rates include the Basic Service Charge, Energy Charge, and, if it applies, the Demand Charge. The Interim Rate Adjustment does not apply to charges for fuel and cost recovery riders. The Interim Rate Adjustment for residential customers is billed as an 8.92% increase, or $5.54 per month, for a typical residential customer using 601 kWh. The Interim Rate Adjustment for all other customers is billed as a 13.52% increase. Because Xcel Energy is requesting a multiyear rate plan, the company is requesting an increase to the interim rate starting Jan. 1, 2023. If approved, the company will provide additional details before this increase happens. The MPUC will likely make its decision on the overall rate request in 2023. If final rates are lower than interim rates, Xcel Energy will refund the difference with interest. If final rates are higher than interim rates, Xcel Energy will not charge customers the difference.

Average 2022 monthly kWh usage

Small General Time-of-Day Service

1,089

$134.93

$12.01

$147.71

$12.78

$15.72

$18.21

General Service

14,670

$1,679.88

$145.19

$1,867.18

$187.30

$213.28

$226.47

General Time-of-Day Service

123,490

$11,699.82

$918.85

$12,966.05

$1,266.24

$1,326.92

$1,872.25

Peak-Controlled Service

67,093

$9,040.31

$825.69

$10,100.96

$1,060.65

$1,265.88

$1,383.12

Peak-Controlled Time-of-Day Service

605,194

$66,153.60

$5,562.15

$73,651.86

$7,498.26

$9,421.86

$11,190.54

Small Municipal Pumping Municipal Pumping *

615

$86.84

$8.22

$94.79

$7.96

$9.77

$12.84

8,369

$1,082.84

$98.44

$1,202.67

$119.83

$152.06

$166.11

Cumulative: 2022 + 2023 Cumulative: 2022 + 2023 + 2024

WHY IS XCEL ENERGY ASKING FOR AN INCREASE? Xcel Energy’s last request for a rate increase was in 2015, when it received approval for its current multiyear rate plan. Under that plan, Xcel Energy’s base electric rates increased in 2016, 2017 and 2019. During this time, Xcel Energy has continually invested in strengthening the energy grid and enhancing the reliability of the service our customers count on while expanding clean energy. These projects are key to meeting our customers’ needs today and in the future, as we build toward our vision of providing 100% carbon-free electricity to customers by 2050. A three-year rate plan provides Xcel Energy and our customers with more predictable rates for a longer period.

WHAT IS XCEL ENERGY DOING TO CONTROL COSTS? • Providing energy conservation options such as weatherization, LED lighting measures and energy design assistance for new construction projects to help customers manage energy use and save money on their bills. This also helps to delay generation investments. • Reviewing and monitoring our business to minimize operating and maintenance cost increases. • Operating power plants efficiently. • Using a variety of fuel sources to manage costs and protect the environment.

ENERGY (PER KWH) AND DEMAND (PER KW) RATES Customer type

Current

Proposed 2022

Proposed 2023

Proposed 2024

Energy: Summer (June-September)

10.301 ¢

12.994 ¢

13.748 ¢

14.453 ¢

Energy: Winter (Other months)

8.803 ¢

11.285 ¢

11.980 ¢

12.640 ¢

Energy: Winter – Electric heating

5.988 ¢

8.136 ¢

8.831 ¢

9.491 ¢

Energy: Summer

9.256 ¢

11.372 ¢

11.980 ¢

12.554 ¢

Energy: Winter

7.757 ¢

9.663 ¢

10.212 ¢

10.740 ¢

Residential

Small Commercial

Small General Time-of-Day Energy: On-Peak Summer

14.880 ¢

18.449 ¢

19.586 ¢

20.560 ¢

Energy: On-Peak Winter

11.723 ¢

14.679 ¢

15.686 ¢

16.558 ¢

Energy: Off-Peak

4.170 ¢

5.506 ¢

5.677 ¢

5.918 ¢

Energy

3.407 ¢

4.738 ¢

4.993 ¢

5.213 ¢

HOW WILL THE RATE CHANGE AFFECT MONTHLY BILLS?

Demand: Summer

$14.79

$17.48

$18.10

$18.52

The proposed rate increase will affect individual monthly bills differently depending on electricity use and customer type. The proposed rate increase mainly affects the Basic Service Charge, Energy Charge, and, if it applies, the Demand Charge. These charges cover the cost of providing electric service and represent about 66% of your total bill. This rate increase request does not affect the Fuel Cost Charge.

Demand: Winter

$10.49

$12.89

$13.50

$13.92

Energy: On-Peak

4.855 ¢

6.502 ¢

6.851 ¢

7.154 ¢

Energy: Off-Peak

2.341 ¢

3.422 ¢

3.606 ¢

3.765 ¢

HELP WITH BILLS If you are having trouble making regular payments on your Xcel Energy account, contact us as soon as possible. We’ll work with you to arrange a payment plan and connect you to other resources that can help.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR REVIEWING XCEL ENERGY’S RATE INCREASE REQUEST? The MPUC, the Minnesota Department of Commerce, the Office of the Attorney General Residential Utilities and Antitrust Division, public interest groups, and large commercial and industrial customer groups will review and investigate our request. The MPUC will hold public hearings and accept written comments about our rate increase request. Customers and others will be able to comment on our rate increase request at public hearings. You may add verbal comments, written comments, or both into the record. Notice of public hearing dates and locations will be published in local newspapers and included in monthly bills.

TO LEARN MORE Xcel Energy’s current and proposed rate schedules are available at: Xcel Energy Online: xcelenergy.com/2022MNRates Phone: 800-895-4999 U.S. Mail: 414 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55401 Minnesota Department of Commerce Online: https://www.edockets.state.mn.us/EFiling/search.jsp. Select 21 in the year field, enter 630 in the number field, click on Search, and the list of documents will appear on the next page.

General

General Time-of-Day

Demand: Summer

$14.79

$17.48

$18.10

$18.52

Demand: Winter

$10.49

$12.89

$13.50

$13.92

Note: Proposed lighting rate changes vary according to the type of lighting. The proposed final increase is 23.9% for full-service street lighting, 15.6% for energy-only street lighting service, and 23.9% for residential and commercial protective lighting.

Phone: 651-539-1500 or 800-657-3782 U.S. Mail: 85 Seventh Place East, Suite 280 St. Paul, MN 55101 Citizens with hearing or speech disabilities may call through their preferred Telecommunications Relay Service.

MONTHLY CUSTOMER CHARGES Customer type

Current

Proposed

Residential Overhead line

$8.00

$9.50

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission is asking customers to comment on Xcel Energy’s request for a rate increase. Send comments to: Phone: 651-296-0406 or 800-657-3782 Email: consumer.puc@state.mn.us Online: https://mn.gov/puc/consumers/public-comments/ See section “How to Submit a Comment” to find a list of ways to comment. U.S. Mail: 121 7th Place East, Suite 350 St. Paul, MN 55101 Be sure to reference docket number 21–630.

Overhead line – Electric heating

$10.00

$11.50

Peak-Controlled

$55.00

$60.00

Important Public comments may be read by anyone who reviews the case record. Except in limited circumstances consistent with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, the MPUC does not edit or delete personally identifying information from submissions.

Peak-Controlled Time-of-Day

$55.00

$60.00

Underground line

$10.00

$11.50

Underground line – Electric heating

$12.00

$13.50

Small Commercial Small General

$10.00

$11.50

Small General Time-of-Day

$12.00

$13.50

Commercial and Industrial General

$25.64

$25.98

General Time-of-Day

$29.64

$29.98

8.56x12_MN-InterimRates-Electric_Nov2021_P05.indd 1

723876

The Lino Lakes Police Department reported the following incidents: • A community service officer responded to a report of snow being blown onto a neighbor’s property in the 7100 block of Lakeview Drive Dec. 14. The residents were made aware of city ordinances. • An officer took a report of a theft of license plates in the 6100 block of Hodgson Road Dec. 14. The incident was documented and the plates were entered as stolen. • An officer responded to a suspicious activity report involving a letter received by the caller in the 1200 block of Chokecherry Road Dec. 14. Information was taken for the report, and the caller was given safety tips and was asked to call if any other suspicious incidents occur. • Officers and the fire department responded to an odor of natural gas in a residence in the 700 block of Town Center Parkway Dec. 14. It was determined to be a problem with the furnace, and the gas was shut off until a maintenance worker could service the furnace. • Officers responded to a walk-in report regarding drugs found in the 600 block of Town Center Parkway Dec. 15. Officer documented the incident and disposed of the found drugs. • An officer responded to a hit-and-run property damage accident report in the 6200 block of Red Maple Lane Dec. 16. The officer made contact with all involved parties and documented the incident. • An officer stopped a vehicle on Main Street and Lake Drive when the driver was observed to have drug paraphernalia Dec. 16. The driver was cited and released. • An officer took a phone call report regarding a damaged mailbox lock in the 600 block of Aqua Circle Dec. 17. The caller was advised to contact their homeowner’s association. • Officers responded to assist the Minnesota State Patrol on a vehicle accident with possible injuries on I-35W and Sunset Avenue NE Dec. 17. Upon arrival, it was determined there were minor injuries. The Minnesota State Patrol handled the investigation. • An officer responded to a report of damage to property in the 6900 block of Black Duck Drive Dec. 17. The incident is under investigation. • An officer received an identity theft report in the 7100 block of Snow Owl Lane Dec. 18. There is no suspect information available at this time. • Officers responded to a call of someone smoking marijuana in a vehicle in the 8000 block of Danube Street Dec. 18. The vehicle was located and stopped. The driver was

12/16/21 12:57 PM

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DECEMBER 28, 2021

Predictions you can bet on

ITH THE NEW year, what will our economic forecast be? The old brokers would say, “Just watch the first five days of January and that will tell you what the month will be like, and January will tell you what the year will be like.” ONE OF THE traditions for Kathy and I is to deliver homemade cookies to each of our newspaper offices. It’s an opportunity to say thank you and wish a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of our dedicated staff, who like a lot of other people, have gone through a very difficult year asked our management staff what to expect and predict for 2022. The following is a compilation of those questions and answers: • Inflation will continue. It has risen higher than it has for decades. It could be like the 70s when interest went to 20%. The Federal Reserve has already announced they expect to raise interest rates three times in 2022 and that should have a slowing effect. • Petroleum or gasoline at the pump, heating oils and diesel fuel will likely settle down, but we need to open some pipelines and get our refineries up to previous levels so we could export rather than import. About the • The virus will linger and there will be different mutations. As it spreads Town through more of the population and we get more vaccinated, it will begin Gene Johnson to die off. • Small business, especially in the h it lit industry, i d hospitality will continue to have challenges. • We have noticed that the delinquent tax lists were down from last year. More people are conserving their cash, especially those above 60 years of age with the concern of the cost of care as they age. • As salaries increase, businesses are looking at more ways for efficiencies. You have probably noticed a lot of fast food places are encouraging online orders. More people are being cross-trained to be able to handle a variety of jobs to help cover the shortage of employees and the difficulty in hiring. • The great resignation that has been taking place across the nation is an indication that lifestyles are changing and household incomes are dropping. People appear to be adjusting accordingly. • Health care workers who have been under a lot of pressure for the last couple years are retiring, which is a serious concern as the pandemic continues. • Supply chain interruptions will continue in 2022. Grocery stores, hardware stores and others who depend on the supply chain are not getting their orders filled and are finding it difficult to have preprints distributed when their customers will not find all of the specials available. • Home prices continue to increase significantly, in many cases faster than inflation driven by low mortgage rates, which will likely move up as the feds increase the interest rates. • Pricing of medical care continues to rise as so many of the facilities are now operated like big business. • Social media will continue even though over 70% of the population has indicated they do not trust the information on many of the social media venues. • Newspapers and their websites will continue to work harder to bring essential news to their readers even though many of the staffs have been depleted. • The federal government will have more difficulty in passing spending bills with the high debt that has accumulated. Political parties will continue to battle and it will not always be in the interest of the American people. • Crime will continue, especially in large cities, but it is also moving into the suburbs. Keep the faith. Predictions like this have been made many times over and we grow and survive, but at times it appears to me as Americans we are losing freedoms, our democracy and our moral fiber. Keep praying. Gene Johnson is publisher emeritus of Press Publications.

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Safely enjoying winter activities in Lino Lakes

or those who love outdoor winter activities, the unusually warm weather and lack of snow base this December has worked against their plans. As some winter sports enthusiasts are itching to get out and put their fi nelytuned equipment through the paces, we recognize there are others in our community who aren’t nearly as excited about the next few months of cold and snow. The Lino Lakes Public Safety Cops Department is Corner geared up and prepared for Kyle Leibel outdoor winter activities as well. Because of unpredictable ice conditions, our agency is always prepared for cold water rescues, both in the police and fi re divisions. Already this year, one water rescue has taken place for a fisherman who ventured out on ice that was too thin. Additionally, the Lino Lakes Public Safety Department has a remote area rescue vehicle

and our staff trains for rescues in those hard-to-reach areas of the city where winter activities can result in a rescue need. One of the most common winter activity concerns the Lino Lakes Police Division hears about from residents in the winter months involves snowmobiles. Thanks to the Rice Creek Snowmobile Trail Association, in partnership with Anoka Count Parks, Lino Lakes has roughly 17 miles of maintained snowmobile trails which afford snowmobile operators an incredible opportunity to enjoy the outdoors very close to home. The many area lakes offer additional riding opportunities, but respect and care needs to be shown to those who are ﬁshing, skiing or enjoying the winter resources in ways other than by snowmobile. In addition to meeting the snowmobile operator certiﬁcation requirements set by the Minnesota DNR, the Lino Lakes Public Safety Department asks all snowmobile operators to be very familiar with the snowmobile ordinances for the city of Lino Lakes, Anoka County Parks and surrounding communities before operating.

The responsibility of knowing the rules is on the operator. Please drive responsibly, stay on designated trails, follow safe operation and speed laws, respect property owners and respect those who use the same incredible resources in multiple ways. Our agency plans to deploy more snowmobile patrols this year in an effort to hold accountable those few operators who violate laws and ordinances, negatively impact trail safety, and who disrespect the opportunities they’ve been provided. Please help us by monitoring activity and reporting as you see problems by calling 911. Our agency highly values our partnerships with those who are willing to help protect the Lino Lakes community and we look forward to another great Minnesota winter. For more information about ordinances in Lino Lakes, please visit the city of Lino Lakes website or call the Lino Lakes Public Safety Department at 651-982-2323. Kyle Leibel is the deputy director for the Lino Lake Public Safety Department.

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PUBLIC SAFETY BRIEF

CONTRIBUTED

The Anoka County Sheriff’s Office has hired new staff and made promotions.

The Anoka County Sheriff’s Office recently promoted three individuals and welcomed three new staff members. “Promotional and hiring decisions cannot

be taken lightly, or be made in haste, because our citizens deserve that we put forth our best to ensure that our team continues to lead, to serve and to protect to the best of our collective ability,” said Sheriff James Stuart at the swearing-in ceremony.

CALENDAR BRIEF 4-H hosts family dance party The Lino Lakes 4-H club will host a dance party from 7-10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 7, in the Great Hall at St. Joseph of the Lakes Catholic Church in Lino Lakes to raise money for Anoka County 4-H Camp Salie. The night is sure to be fun-filled with a DJ, face painting and games. Cost is $5 per person (at the door). Concessions will be available. Contact Christy Joyer at 612-750-0252 with questions.

LEXINGTON CITY COUNCIL SNIPPETS • Erik Edwards has a new role within the Lexington Fire Department. (See full story on page 16.) • Improvements on North Highway Drive between Woodland Road and Hamline Avenue will begin this summer. The surface will be milled, and a bituminous overlay will be placed, with street repairs as needed within the budget set aside for the 2022 street improvements. • Improvements will begin this summer on Hamline Avenue between Edgewood Road and 97th Lane NW by reclaiming or completely reconstructing the roadway to

include concrete curb and gutter and an adequate sewer system. This construction project will be a joint project with the city of Blaine, and requires cooperation between the two cities to assess the total cost within the budget for the 2022 street improvements joint project. • The Centennial Lakes Little League will be allowed to use Lexington Memorial Park ballfields from April 1 through Sept. 30, 2022. The league will be allowed to use all fields, Monday through Friday, from 4 to 10 p.m. Corinne Stremmel

TOP 10 BABY NAMES 2021

Top (10) Website stories 2021 - Quad Community Press

RANK

GIRLS

BOYS

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Olivia Emma Amelia Ava Sophia Charlotte Isabella Mia Luna Harper

Liam Noah Oliver Elijah Lucas Levi Mason Asher James Ethan

1. Help or hinderance? The best time to take in your hummingbird feeders 2. ‘Don’t ignore the warning signs’ 3. Best of The Quad Communities 4. Lino Lakes Council takes action against Ware Road property owner 5. Equity topic takes over school board meeting 6. Construction begins on ‘largest private investment’ in Lino Lakes’ history 7. Lino Lakes YMCA will vacate facility by March 1 8. Bakery and coffee shop set to open soon in Blaine 9. Circle Pines developing offer for Down Under property 10. Baby Miss Lino Lakes is headed to national pageant

Source: babycenter.com

WHERE ARE SPORTS? Check out presspubs.com for this week’s sports coverage.

WEEKLY WAG Puff the Magic Dragon (typically just called Puff) is a little go-getter. This 14-pound terrier mix is about 9 months old. Puff is intelligent, goofy, affectionate and eager to please. He is still a puppy and likes to do puppy things, but he’s quick to learn, especially when treat rewards are involved. Puff is happy to be a little shadow and he also loves to be carried.

Being so young, Puff is high energy, and will need a forever family that will be patient and willing to spend the time to teach him how to be the best boy he can be. Puff is very social and likes to play with other dogs of all sizes, and his foster mom believes he would do well with cats, too. If you are interested in adopting Puff and would like to learn more about him, please fill out an application at ruffstartrescue.org. Once your application is received, Ruff Start Rescue will contact you as soon as possible.

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CITY OF CIRCLE PINES ANOKA COUNTY, MINNESOTA AD FOR BIDS 2022 STREET AND UTILITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Bids for the construction of the 2022 Street and Utility Improvement Project will be received by the City of Circle Pines at City Hall located at 200 Civic Heights Circle, Circle Pines, MN 55014, until Tuesday, January 25, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. local time. At that time the Bids received will be publicly opened and read. The Project includes the furnishing of all labor and materials for the construction complete in-place, of the following approximate quantities: 19,700 SY Remove Bituminous Pavement 11,300 LF Remove and Replace Concrete Curb and Gutter 4,400 CY Excavation – Common (P) 1,780 TON Type SP 9.5 Wearing Course Mix (3,B) 2,370 TON Type SP 12.5 Non Wear Course Mix (3,B) 5,600 LF 8” – 12” PVC Sanitary Sewer 5,700 LF 15” – 36” RCP Storm Sewer 5,700 LF 8” PVC Watermain 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 Circle Pines 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 $30 by inputting Quest project #8064623 on the webVLWH·V 3URMHFW 6HDUFK SDJH The website will be updated periodically with addenda, lists of registered plan holders, reports, and other information relevant to submitting a Bid for WKH 3URMHFW $OO RIÀFLDO QRWLÀFDWLRQV DGGHQGD DQG RWKHU %LGGLQJ 'RFXPHQWV 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.

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JULY Residents show support for community and recreation center Members of the public have now had their first opportunity to weigh in on turning the former YMCA building into the Lino Lakes Recreation & Community Center. Mayor Rob Rafferty invited residents to share their comments and concerns. All of the residents who spoke said they were in support of the project, but some shared concerns regarding the management model.

Students encourage others to speak up FILE

A father helps his daughter navigate the ﬂoating monkey bars on the NINJA Anywhere course. New this year, NINJA Anywhere was a big hit for all ages and featured obstacles including the Warped Wall, Hamster Wheel, trapeze bars, ﬂoating monkey bars, climbing ropes, Ninja Rings and a rock-climbing wall.

Centennial Students for Change (CSC) continues to encourage the school district and the community to do better and hold people accountable for their words and actions. CSC was organized last summer and has now held two marches in Circle Pines to amplify student voices, specifically students of color, and to encourage change. Even though the march didn’t draw quite the same large crowd it did last summer, student organizers

did not let that stop them from sharing what was on their minds and reminding people that “racism is not a trend.”

Centennial School Board selects interim superintendent The Centennial School District has a new interim leader. The school board held a special meeting last week to announce its selection of Jeffrey Holmberg as the district’s interim superintendent following the resignation of former superintendent Brian Dietz in June. Holmberg comes to Centennial from Prior Lake – Savage Area Schools, where he worked for the last 12 years as director of curriculum, instruction and assessment and served as assistant superintendent. Prior to that he worked as director of teaching, learning and school improvement at Big Lake Public Schools in Big Lake, Minnesota, and completed an administrative assistant and administrative internship at Minnewashta Elementary School in Minnetonka, where he was an elementary school teacher.

AUGUST of the program is to empower young women by giving them the opportunity to be leaders, strengthen their communication skills and build their confidence.

Circle Pines approves ordinance on targeted residential picketing

FILE

Morgan Lesch, Kenley Smith and Rachel Strantz are selected as the next Lino Lakes Ambassadors.

Meet new Lino Lakes Ambassadors Kenley Smith, Morgan Lesch and Rachel Strantz have been selected as the next Lino Lakes Ambassadors. Eight candidates vied for three spots. The Miss Lino Lakes Ambassador program was established in 2004 as part of Blue Heron Days. The ambassadors will represent the city at various parades, coronations, volunteer events and fundraisers throughout the Twin Cities. The goal

The city of Circle Pines has joined the growing list of cities to put an ordinance banning targeted residential picketing on its books. After the topic was initially brought up at a meeting in May, the council tabled the item to seek more clarity and answers to questions. The topic was discussed again at length during a work session in June with Centennial Lakes Police Department Chief Jim Mork in attendance. The council wanted to make sure that the issue wasn’t already covered by existing city ordinances. The city of Hugo was one of the first communities in the north metro area to adopt the ordinance in September 2020. The move was in response to the Black Lives Matter protest that took place last August outside the Hugo home of Minneapolis Police Federation President Bob Kroll. Other communities have followed suit, including Blaine, Lino Lakes, Shoreview, Centerville and Lexington.

Longtime ﬁreﬁghter ‘will be deeply missed’

own way too soon. Mike Schweigert, 47, passed away unexpectedly July 31. Schweigert graduated from Mid Peninsula High School in 1992. Following high school, he attended Northern Michigan University and earned a degree in information technology (IT). Mike eventually moved to Circle Pines and joined the CFD in 2001, where he was promoted to captain in 2010. He retired from CFD in 2016. Most recently, Schweigert was employed at Hennepin County as an IT administrator. Schweigert also served on the City Council from 2015 to 2019.

Food shelf renovation will improve client experience Before the snow flies, clients of the Centennial Community Food Shelf (CCFS) may find a more inviting environment when they visit. For the last few months, city staff members have been working with food shelf volunteers toward a renovation of the organization’s space in the lower level of City Hall. The food shelf pays $1 a year to lease the space from the city. Prior to moving into the space at City Hall in 2013, the food shelf was located at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Circle Pines. The City Council has now given its blessing for the project, which will make a difference for not only clients but also the volunteers who spend time there.

Residents of Circle Pines and the Centennial Fire District (CFD) are mourning the loss of one of their

SEPTEMBER

If 25 fewer people would have been counted in the Circle Pines’ 2020 Census, the city would have had a lot to lose. In the 2010 Census, Circle Pines had

a population of 4,918. Subsequently, it just missed out on the 5,000 count it needed to qualify for approximately $150,000 a year in state aid funding. Circle Pines was granted an unusual legislative exemption to be

Frontline workers provide hand to hold throughout pandemic

Community rallies together to support veteran

When family members were not allowed to visit their loved ones during the early months of the pandemic, frontline workers provided a hand to hold and a smile, even though you couldn’t always see it behind their personal protective equipment (PPE). Though the Blue Heron Days parade was initially canceled for this summer, Council Member Dale Stoesz led the charge to bring back the event not only for the community, but also the heroes within the community. In an effort to provide some much-deserved recognition, Stoesz selected frontline workers — specifically, the caregivers at Gracewood Senior Living in Lino Lakes — to be this year’s parade grand marshals.

Later this week, a local veteran will lace up his running shoes and attempt to do the nearly impossible — all in hopes of spurring conversations and raising awareness of veteran suicide. Caleb Wedger served in the Minnesota Air National Guard for nine years. In 2012, he was deployed for six months. He spent half of his time in Kuwait and the other half in Afghanistan. Two weeks before he left for basic training, his father took his own life. Wedger will begin his run north along the Hardwood Creek Trail along Highway 61 to North Branch and then head back toward Hugo. It’s all in an effort to not only start a conversation about veteran suicide and the importance of mental health, but to raise money for the Freedom Fishing Foundation.

Legion honors Lino Lakes officer and ﬁreﬁghter American Legion Post 566 has made its picks for the Outstanding Police

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Dozens of hot rod and vintage car owners gathered recently in the early evening sun outside Cowboy’s Saloon during the fourth annual car show featured during the Lexington Fall Festival.

treated as a city of more than 5,000, but it was uncertain if it would have been able to secure that exemption again.

DECEMBER 28, 2021

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OCTOBER Severseike was born and raised in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. While in elementary school, her fourth grade teacher was friends with a fourth grade teacher in Michigan, and the two decided to have their students exchange names. Each student was paired with a student in the other teacher’s class. Severseike was paired with Carla Heck from Pleasant Lake, Michigan. The two began writing letters in the early ’70s.

Lexington family opens new mobile smoke pit

FILE

Dozens of local residents enjoyed near-perfect autumn weather while visiting Wargo Nature Center for its annual Fall Fest. The event featured a variety of outdoor activities, including a scavenger hunt, apple cidering, leaf raking and hopping, pioneer games and a story walk.

Gentz Family Owned Smoke Pit started out of a love of cooking and an even stronger love of family. Lexington husband-and-wife duo Jeff and Marianne Gentz are known in their community for making meals for their friends and neighbors and helping folks get the meals they need during a tough time. Both Jeff and Marianne’s affi nity for cooking sparked the idea to start a family business around their love for smoking meats.

Circle Pines resident’s ‘Nightmare Before Christmas’ display back for 3rd year

Chance pen pal pairing lasts half a century Circle Pines resident Mildred Rivera Severseike finally got to meet her pen pal. She’s been writing to her since she was in the fourth grade — almost 50 years ago.

No one decorates for spooky season quite like Mike Pederson of Circle Pines. For the last 15 years, Pederson has been finding ways to welcome in the holidays with elaborate

light displays. His love for Halloween stems from his love for Christmas, especially because of his fond memories of his grandmother, who was big into decorating herself.

Coalition members celebrate completion of I-35W project After more than two decades of gathering funds, planning and designing, and three years of construction, the north metro has a lot to celebrate now that the improvements to I-35W from Sunset Avenue in Lino Lakes to County Road C in Roseville are complete. Construction of the project began in 2019 and was complete in August 2021. Improvements included concrete repairs, repairs/reconstruction of bridges, seven noise barriers and mobility improvements such as the addition of E-ZPass (formerly known as MnPASS) Express lanes. MnDOT Project Manager Jerome Adams explained that as a part of this project, enough new pavement was laid to stretch for 135 lane-miles. Specifically, the 12-mile project included eight bridges and 50 ramps. Construction costs totaled approximately $208 million.

NOVEMBER Council gets ﬁrst glance at possible rec center name The City Council has directed city staff to continue moving forward with plans for the recreation center with a target opening date of April 1. Consultants (GameDay Sports and WSB) kept coming back to one of the things that makes Lino Lakes unique — the fact that Lino Lakes is home to one of the state’s largest great blue heron rookeries, located on an island in Peltier Lake. Although the name has not been selected, one suggestion was the Rookery Activities Center.

Construction begins on ‘largest private investment’ in Lino Lakes’ history FILE

Circle Pines resident Emily Arnett reads to Lucilla and Bucky at the Centennial Library.

‘Scratch ‘n sniff’ enhanced reading aloud The Read to a Dog program at Centennial Library could not have come at a better time for Golden Lake Elementary fourth grader Emily Arnett, who just lost her family dog. The program has been offered on and off for the past several years, but started back up this fall after Lino Lakes resident Amanda McGivern contacted the library. McGivern owns two rescue pups, 3-year-old Lucilla, a Great Pyrenees/collie/Lab mix, and 2-year-old Bucky, a shepherd/husky/“super mutt.” Both are certified therapy dogs.

If all goes as planned, Lyngblomsten will open its doors to tenants on a second campus in Lino Lakes 110 years after it fi rst opened its doors to the fi rst resident at its Como Park campus in St. Paul. The Minnesota senior services organization has broken ground on its senior living campus in Lino Lakes. The campus will be located on a 20-acre site at the corner of Hodgson Road and County Road J.

School board conducts interviews, ﬁlls board seat After conducting interviews with the top four candidates, the Centennial School Board has now decided who will fill the one-year term until the special election next November. School Board Director Stephanie Carlson, whose term was supposed to run through 2024, submitted

her resignation last month. The school board received nine applications and decided to interview four of those candidates at a special school board meeting last week. The candidates interviewed included: John Burns, Laura Gannon, Cindy Hansen and Robert (Bob) Vollbrecht. The school board then appointed Vollbrecht to the vacant school board seat. He will be sworn in Jan. 10. In November 2022, voters will have the opportunity to fill three board seats in addition to the seat vacated by Carlson. The winner of that special election will serve a two-year term.

Lexington and Blaine can’t agree on interconnected water system If the cities of Blaine and Lexington can’t come to an agreement soon, they may find themselves in a courtroom. The two cities have an interconnected water system that dates back to the ’70s, when there was a joint powers agreement (JPA) in place. The JPA has since been dissolved, but the cities still have a permit through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) that requires both cities to use each other as a water resource. The city of Blaine just finished a long list of improvements to its water infrastructure, most recently this summer, when its fourth water treatment facility was completed. Blaine Mayor Tim Sanders, who took office last January, said there is a concern about Lexington’s water, which is of poorer quality, mixing with Blaine’s water.

DECEMBER Anderson Companies and partners Ron Clark Construction and Bader Development are considering their options for redevelopment of approximately 10 acres at the prominent intersection of Lake Drive and Main Street. The northwest quadrant of Lake Drive and Main Street currently includes a mix of commercial and quasiindustrial uses, including an automobile salvage yard. City staff has been working with the property owners and potential developers regarding development options on approximately 10 acres in the northwest quadrant of the intersection immediately north of Tavern on Main. The development team is looking into having approximately three-quarters of the property dedicated to market-rate housing (on the north side) and senior living. The southern portion of the property along Main Street could be a to-be-determined commercial use. Brianna, a kindergartner at Golden Lake Elementary School, decorates Christmas cookies with her grandpa Scott Fischer after visiting with Santa at Centennial Community Education’s Breakfast with Santa event at Centennial Elementary.

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Lino Lakes council turns down car wash and oil change concept A developer would like to build a car wash and oil change facility in the Market Place development,

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but the council says that’s not the right location for the business. Boing US Holdco Inc. submitted a land use application for planned unit development (PUD) concept plan for a proposed car wash facility and separate oil change facility at 601 Apollo Drive. The 1.32-acre site is located within the Lino Lakes Market Place master planned shopping/retail center, which was approved in 2001. The development includes Target and Kohl’s, four retail buildings on Apollo Drive, and additional commercial buildings and lots along Lake Drive. Ultimately, the council did not support a car wash and oil change use on that corner, but encouraged the development team to look at other locations in the city.

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EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY, all real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians; pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD toll free: 1-800-669-9777. The toll-free number for hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275.

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Lexington swears in new fire chief BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR

LEXINGTON — For the first time in over a decade, a new face will lead the fire department. Capt. Erik Edwards has been sworn in as the new chief of the Lexington Fire Department (LFD). Former Chief Gary Grote, who has been chief since April 2009, retired earlier this month. “I have had the opportunity to work with Captain Edwards over the past few years, and have gotten to know him quite well. I believe he is the person with the right leadership qualities and personality to lead this fire department and to be a strong partner with the city to provide quality Fire and EMS services to our community,” said City Administrator Bill Petracek. “He has a strong passion for LFD and the services they provide to our residents; his passion for the fire services is very evident every conversation I have with him.” Edwards has lived in Lexington for 22 years. He joined the department as a firefighter in August 2006 and was promoted to captain in 2013. For several years, he has served on the Anoka County Hazardous Materials Team and is an instructor at the Anoka County Fire Training Academy. He also serves on the Minnesota Fire Certification Board. Edwards never joined the fire department with the intent of becoming an officer or chief, but rather because of his desire to serve. The Gulf War veteran served in the Navy for six years. “I have always really worked hard. I care about what I do,” he explained. “I’ve always wanted new challenges; that's what keeps me going, and I have

CORINNE STREMMEL | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

Lexington Mayor Mike Murphy swears in new Lexington Fire Chief Erik Edwards at a City Council meeting. Edwards joined the department in 2006 and has served in the role of captain since 2013.

every intention to keep on going.” Edwards says he isn’t planning to make any big changes during his first year in the new role. “In my experience in any leadership role, you don't want to come in as the so-called ‘new sheriff in town.’ You keep this the status quo for a period of time; there has to be an adjustment period and growth,” he said. “I need to grow into the role, the firefighters need to understand the new role, and then we all kind of create our own dynamic and then from there we move on together.” The first year Edwards said will be all about maintaining — maintaining both training and infrastructure. “For 12 months we will maintain. We will maintain the calls, we will maintain our training, we will just learn and grow together,” he said. “Training is so important. We have new apartment buildings that require

some different skill. Four years ago, we never had an elevator in town, and I think we have got nine now.” His number one goal will be recruitment. Currently, LFD has 13 firefighters, which is seven short of what is considered a full staff. Despite not being fully staffed, Edwards said the department continues to show up to calls. “When the pager goes off, we are there,” he said. Recruitment and retention continue to be the main challenge for the department, which is a problem paidon-call fire departments are facing all across the state and the nation. In the 15 years Edwards has served on the department, he says he has likely seen 35 people come and go. He explained that on average, a paid-oncall firefighter will stick with a department for seven years before they move on. “They have a baby, they move, they get a job, they get married; all of these other life factors move these paid-on-call men and women in and out,” he said. The department’s growth not only depends on the number of individuals that are involved, but also how involved they want to be. “I have some firefighters that just want to go on calls, and I have some firefighters that want to be officers that want to join a special team like the hazmat team or fire investigation team and the whole time maintain families and their current jobs,” Edwards explained. “We have some big achievers, and some people who are just okay with being a member.” This time next year, Edwards said he will likely have a list of six to eight goals he plans to implement for LFD. Managing Editor Shannon Granholm can be reached at 651-4071227 or quadnews@presspubs.com.

Jury trials set for suspects in Lino Lakes homicide Jury trials have been set for a brother and sister who were allegedly involved in the homicide of a Lino Lakes man. Melissa Madelyne Zielinski, 48, of Sandstone, was charged with first-degree murder (with intent while committing a felony) and murder in the second degree (with intent) in August 2020. Melissa’s brother, Nicholas Walter Zielinski, 44, of Hermantown, also received the same charges. According to the criminal complaint, a Lino Lakes man came home Aug. 27, 2020, to find two unknown individuals in his residence; one was later identified by authorities as Nicholas Zielinski. After the individuals left, the man found his gravely injured 22-yearold son lying on the floor. The victim, Karl Mitchell Henderson, 22, had been shot in the abdomen and was declared dead by first responders. As the investigation continued to identify the female involved, officers spoke with a number of people who independently reported that the female was likely to be Mr. Zielinski’s sister. Officers obtained cell phone tracking information for both siblings’ phones. The tracking data shows the phone belonging to Nicholas traveling from the Duluth area to the Twin Cities on the day of the shooting; the phone belonging to Melissa was in the Twin Cities metro area that morning. Later in the day, both phones were shown to be in the immediate area of the shooting within the appropriate time frame. In addition, an outgoing text message on Melissa’s phone read, “We are going to collect some money owed to me hopefully.” Melissa entered a plea of not guilty on the second-degree murder charge in October 2020 and another plea of not guilty on the first-degree murder charge in December 2021. Nicholas entered a plea of not guilty to the second-degree murder charge in June 2021. Melissa’s jury trial is scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 10; Nicholas’ jury trial is scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 31. Shannon Granholm

AROUND TOWN

2. 4.

1. Advent elves change over the decorations in the worship space from Advent purple to the joyous colors of Christmas at St. Joseph of the Lakes Catholic Church in Lino Lakes. — Contributed

and Blaine Police Department volunteer with Heroes and Helpers to help bring about an extra special holiday season for children in local elementary schools. — Centennial Lakes Police Department, contributed

2. Santa arrives by plane in Lino Lakes. — Lino Lakes Public Safety Department, contributed

4. The Quad Area Chamber of Commerce hosts a Workforce Lunch and Learn event at the Centennial Library in Circle Pines. Forest Lake Area School District, Centennial School District, Chain of Lakes

3. Each year, officers from the Centennial Lakes Police Department

Rotary and other community partners also attended the event, which shared an overview of what area schools are doing to partner with the business community to prepare students for their individual careers. Pictured are Circle Pines City Administrator Patrick Antonen, Quad Chamber Executive Director Dorothy Radermacher, Lino Lakes Mayor Rob Rafferty and Rep. Donald Raleigh (R-Circle Pines). — Centennial Library, contributed

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