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Centennial Food Shelf volunteer searches for kidney donor
BY MADELINE DOLBY EDITOR
About seven years ago, Shoreview resident Karen Stauder received a kidney through a paired matched kidney exchange chain at Mayo Clinic. Now, Karen is searching for a donor for her second kidney transplant after being diagnosed with stage 5 kidney failure, or end-stage kidney disease.
Karen and her husband, Dan, have lived in Shoreview since 1990. She taught special education within the Mounds View School District for over 20 years. Now, she performs student evaluations for multiple schools within the district, including at Turtle Lake Elementary, Valentine Hills Elementary, Pine Lake Education Center and Chippewa Middle School. She and Dan also volunteer
with the Centennial Community Food Shelf and at two churches, Incarnation Lutheran Church in North Oaks and St. Joseph of the Lakes Catholic Church in Lino Lakes. In 2018, Karen underwent her first kidney transplant surgery due to kidney stones caused by Chron’s disease.
SEE KIDNEY SEARCH, PAGE 5
The more you know: Native bees in Minnesota
BY MADELINE DOLBY EDITOR
From mid-April until mid-October each year, residents can find all kinds of bees in their yards.
According to Elaine Evans, a University of Minnesota Extension educator and bee research, there are currently 518 species of bees that are native to Minnesota.
“The number is (kind of) increasing, as there is more research going on and we’re learning more,” Evans said. “Our partners at the (Minnesota) Department of Natural Resources, they’ve been doing a lot of bee surveys, finding a lot of new species and new habitats.”
According to Evans, there is one species of honeybee that lives in Minnesota, and it is not native.
“There are no native honeybees in North America. So, there is just the one Western honeybee that’s been imported; it’s primarily managed by people,” she explained.
Recently, some native bee species like the rusty patched bumblebee and the Dakota skipper have experienced declines in population and distribution. For bumblebees, roughly one out of four species are in decline.
There are a few different ways that non-native bees can impact those native to Minnesota.
SEE NATIVE BEES, PAGE 2
Every blood donor can be a hero — even your pets
BY MADELINE DOLBY EDITOR
Just as humans require blood transfusions for emergency situations and medical conditions, so do pets. The BluePearl Pet Hospital relies on the contributions of dog and cat blood donors to help save and improve the quality of pets’ lives. The pet hospital currently has 17 blood bank locations across the United States, including one in Arden Hills.
“Our national pet blood bank started in 2022,” said Meghan Respess, who serves as national blood bank director for BluePearl. “This is the first of its kind at this kind of scale.”
BluePearl started this initiative because the company recognized that blood products are in high demand, but not in high supply.
“There is only a handful of commercial blood banks in the country (where) their sole responsibility is to
through May 18 at
provide blood products to the veterinary community. Being as large as we are, we saw an opportunity to start an initiative where we can educate and set some best practices,” she said.
The Arden Hills blood bank was originally located in Blaine and was started in 2017. Around four years ago, BluePearl opened up a location in Arden Hills and the blood bank was moved there.
SEE ANIMAL BLOOD BANK, PAGE 6
CONTRIBUTED
Karen and her husband, Dan, both participated in a paired matched kidney exchange chain at Mayo Clinic about seven years ago.
SHANNON GRANHOLM | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
A BluePearl blood donor attends the Walking for Animals.
NATIVE BEES: Minnesota pollinators face challenges on many fronts
Bee families:
• Apidae: Bumblebees, non-native honeybees.
• Megachilidae: Robust with large heads and large mandibles. Commercially managed for crop pollination. Large black bees. Also can have blue metallic sheen to them.
• Halicitdae: Ground-nesting. Commercially managed for crop pollination. Black bees with slight metallic sheen.
• Andrenidae: Ground-nesting, and can usually be seen in early spring. Shiny black bees with tan to reddish hair. Can also look wasp-like.
• Colletidae: Closely resemble mining bees. Also can be seen in the early spring. Yellow-faced and carry pollen in their stomachs due to lack of any hair on their bodies.
• Melittidae: Collect floral oils instead of pollen to feed their young. Typically, completely dependent on flowers. Small- to medium-sized black bees with or without abdominal bands of hair.
• Stenotritidae: Smallest family of bees, and only found in Australia. Large, hairy and black, black and yellow-striped or bright metallic green.
Ways you can help pollinators:
• Plant a variety of flowers native to your area that bloom in the spring, summer and fall.
• Providing nesting sites by allowing dead branches, stems and logs to remain. Leave bare earth for groundnesting insects.
• Reduce the use of pesticides.
• Allow native flowering plants to grow along roadsides and drainage ditches.
• Tell your family and friends about pollinators and how to help them.
CORRECTION
In the May 6 edition of the Quad Community Press, there was an error in the city briefs. It should have read “This means that addresses ending in an odd number can water on odd days while even-numbered addresses water on even days.” The Press apologizes for the error.
FROM PAGE 1
The spreading of diseases happens mainly at flowers. The bees are landing on the same plant and diseases move around between them that way.
“We know that the diseases are moving around,” Evans said. “What we don’t know is what the impact of those diseases are on the other pollinators.”
Just like humans, bees can pick up a virus but not get sick from it. Some diseases and viruses make certain species of bees sick, while other species are not affected. Currently, the University of Minnesota is doing research on how some of these diseases are being picked up by bumblebees from honeybees, but the viruses aren’t replicating in the bumblebees.
“There’s definitely spillover that these diseases are moving from honeybees to bumblebees, but the bumblebees aren’t spreading it to each other,” Evans said. “We know that we have bee populations in Minnesota that are threatened with extinction. We want to keep bees from going extinct.”
In order to set seed and reproduce, many plant species rely on animal pollinators to move pollen from flower to flower. Bees are some of the most efficient pollinators because their bodies are designed to collect and store pollen to feed their young.
Honeybees are good at finding the most productive
flowers and collecting resources from them. When there are a lot of honeybees being kept in one area, there are not enough flowers around to support both the honeybees and all the other species of bees living there.
“There is a concern that having a lot of honeybees in an area cannot leave enough flowers for everyone else,” Evans said. “We know that there are areas where there’s not a lot of floral resources. Then there can be concerns about the environmental impact that honeybees would have on that.”
Minnesota’s pollinators are facing challenges on many fronts. These challenges include habitat loss, pesticides, climate change, diseases and parasites. Pollinators help provide food and habitat for animals, buffer waterways and store carbon. Without pollinators, it would be difficult for fruits, vegetables and nuts, like almonds, to grow.
“Twenty years, 40 years ago, there were a lot more flowers that were out there. And just on the landscape broadly overall. Even just in roadsides, agricultural areas,” Evans said. “In recent decades there’s been more use of herbicides to control weeds in crops, but then it also spills over into those roadsides that used to be full of plants that would bloom that bees could eat. Now, there’s fewer and fewer flowers in those areas.”
Evans said that one of the
exciting things about working with pollinators is how quickly they respond to people planting them. Pollinator habitats do not have to be large; they can be planted in a small space in your yard or in a boulevard.
“We call them pocket prairies, these kinds of smaller plantings, where you have particular native plants, native prairie plants. They are something that the pollinators can find really quickly, and they’ll start using it right away,” Evans said. “So pretty much as soon as you have things blooming, you’ll start seeing a lot of pollinators that are using that habitat.”
Other ways residents can help pollinators is provide places for them to live. Pollinators typically create their homes in the ground or in plant stems. Evans said that having less-tended corners in resident’s yards can help create areas where bees can live.
Residents can also help collect pollinator data. Residents can take photos and share them to INaturalist, an online portal where you can record any kind of plant or animal that you see that is not domesticated.
For more information on bees in Minnesota, visit beelab. umn.edu or www.dnr.state. mn.us/mbs/mn-bees.html.
Editor Madeline Dolby can be reached at 651-431-1226 or quadnews@presspubs.com.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Fat Tire Biking
When: 4-6 p.m. Thursday, May 15
Where: Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park, 7373 Main St., Lino Lakes
Details: Fat tire biking allows you to get off trail and experience new areas. Within a few minutes of instruction participants will head out, on trails and off, to explore one of Anoka County’s beautiful parks. Register through the Anoka County Parks website. Contact: anokacountyparks.com
ONGOING EVENTS
LIVE TRIVIA
When: 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays
Where: Lino Lakes American Legion Post 566, 7731 Lake Drive
Details: General knowledge trivia. No limit on team sizes. Every player will receive a raffle ticket for a drawing to win a free drink. The top three teams will earn a gift card, and the last place team wins a “mini trophy.”
Contact: (651) 783-0055
LINO LAKES TOASTMASTERS CLUB
When: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays
Where: Zoom
Details: Develop your communication and leaderships skills.
Contact: Phyllis Moore: 763-268-9366
Upcoming Games
May 13 - 18 Iowa Cubs May 20 - 25 Norfolk Tides
CRIBBAGE
When: 12:45 p.m. Monday, May 19; fourth Monday of every month Where: Rice Lake Centre, 6900 137th St. N., Hugo Details: Senior citizens from Hugo and surrounding area are invited to an afternoon of cribbage. Coffee and refreshments served.
Contact: 651-429-4413
RECYCLE SATURDAYS
When: 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Saturday, May 17; third Saturday of every month
Where: Lino Park, 7850 Lake Drive, Lino Lakes Details: Recycle appliances, electronics, furniture, scrap metal and more.
Contact: www.linolakes.us/recyclesaturdays.
CURRENT EVENTS
BIRDING BY BOAT
When: 9 a.m.-noon Wednesday, May 14
Where: Wargo Nature Center, 7701 Main St., Lino Lakes
Details: Bird watching while on the water in a canoe or kayak allows you to access different habitats, see a wider variety of birds, and have fun paddling. All equipment is provided, and no birding or paddling experience is needed. Register online through the Anoka County Parks website.
Contact: anokacountyparks.com
LUNCH WITH A NATURALIST: SPRING WILDFLOWERS
When: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, May 14
Where: Wargo Nature Center, 7701 Main St., Lino
Lakes Details: Free naturalist-led program for those 50+. May include trail hike. Registration not required; equipment provided. Ages 16+.
Contact: anokacountyparks.com
AGING WELL SENIOR EXPO
When: 9 a.m.-noon Thursday, May 15
Where: St. Genevieve’s Parish Community Center, Centerville Details: Area seniors and caregivers can connect with local businesses and organizations. Medication and eyeglasses collection. Contact: centennialarechamber.com
WHIMSICAL WIGS ‘MAKING SMILES’ WORKSHOP
When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 15
Where: Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 9185 Lexington Ave., Circle Pines
Details: Make soft wigs and beanies, including Belle, Moana, and Sleeping Beauty for kids going through cancer treatment. Materials provided and no experience necessary.
Contact: WhimsicalWigsMN@gmail.com
CABARET!
When: 7 p.m. Friday, May 16
Where: Performing Arts Center, Centennial High School, 4757 North Road, Circle Pines
Details: Centennial High School choir students will be singing pop and Broadway selections. Dessert will be served during intermission. Purchase tickets online or at the door.
Contact: tinyurl.com/5fz39cjp or www.facebook. com/centennialhighschoolchoir
WARGO RESTORATION PROJECT DAYS
When: 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 17
Where: Wargo Nature Center, 7701 Main St., Lino Lakes
Details: Help restore the natural environment at Wargo Nature Center. Register online through the Anoka County Parks website.
Contact: anokacountyparks.com
GENERATION JAM
When: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, May 17
Where: Aquatore Bandshell, 9191 Lincoln St. NE, Blaine
Details: Twelve bands will perform throughout the day. Enjoy live music, food trucks and giveaways. Contact: blainemn.gov/4104/Generation-Jam
TEDDY BEAR BAND
When: 2-3 p.m. Sunday, May 18
Where: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1 Shepherd Court, Circle Pines
Details: Come and see the Teddy Bear Band. Event will be held indoors. Free.
Contact: office@goodshepherdlink.org
BIRD WALK
When: 9-11 a.m. Tuesday, May 20
Where: Pioneer Park, 2491 125th Ave. N, Blaine
Details: An experienced staff will be along to help identify the birds we observe. No experience required and binoculars are available to use. Register online through the Anoka County Parks website.
Contact: anokacountyparks.com
MEET THE AUTHOR AND BOOK SIGNING
When: 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, May 21
Where: Kelly’s Korner, 7089 Centerville Road, Centerville
Details: Meet local author Thia Nova and celebrate the release of her collection of poems titled “Cause Mama Said So.” Books will be available for purchase. Cash only. Contact: ThiaNova.com
Church Directory
Saturday at 4:30 pm Parish Community Center 6995 Centerville Rd, Centerville Sunday at 8:30 am St. John’s Site 14383 Forest Blvd N, Hugo Sunday at 10:30 am Parish Community Center 6995 Centerville Rd, Centerville www.stgens.org 651‐429‐7937
The Centennial Community Backpack Program
The Centennial Community Backpack Program (CCBP) is proud to launch its 30th year of support for the students in the community! As a volunteer, non-profit community organization sponsored by Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, our mission is “to provide students in need with the supplies to succeed.”
In the past 17 years, over 6,300 kindergarten through high school students have received support through this program. This school year, with the help of
KIDNEY SEARCH:
FROM PAGE 1
She received the kidney through a paired kidney exchange program, which is a transplant option that allows incompatible living donors and recipients to donate and receive kidneys from one another. Dan donated a kidney as part of the exchange chain but wasn’t a match for Karen.
“There were complications with that surgery. But we came home and lived on,” Karen explained. “In April, just a year ago, we came home from a trip and the kidney was blocked. I didn’t realize it. He (Dan) realized it because all I was doing was sleeping. Things got pretty bad.”
Karen had multiple appointments split between Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids and Mayo Clinic. During this time, Karen also dealt with multiple infections.
“As time went on, the doctors down at Mayo, but also locally, said ‘Your kidney is probably operating 10-11%,’” she said. “Usually, a person goes on dialysis. I had done dialysis seven to eight years ago. I can’t do it now because my veins are too small.” A kidney transplant is now Karen’s only option.
many individuals, businesses and organizations in the community, CCBP was able to provide over 472 Centennial students with school supplies. While this school year is winding down, we are getting geared up to ensure students in the Centennial district have the supplies they need to start school in the fall. Our current model is a two-pronged approach: Adopters sign up to purchase and custom-pack backpacks with supplies for elementary students and we use financial grants and donations to purchase the materials and pack middle school and high school
‘This
is our only hope’
Over the last seven years, Karen said that her and Dan have spent almost a collective 300 nights at Mayo Clinic.
She added that a major side effect is how tired she is, which causes her to sleep a lot. She also experiences cramping in her legs and difficulties breathing.
“She used to be the energizer bunny,” Dan said, “and we would go walking all the time and I couldn’t keep up with her. Now it’s like, ‘slow down, Dan!’ due to the low efficiency of her kidneys.”
“You don’t realize how much your kidneys do,” Karen added.
backpacks with supplies. The need is greater than ever, so here’s how you can help:
1. Adopt an elementary backpack!
a. Go to our website (centennialbackpack.org) and click on the link for the registration form.
2. Make a tax-exempt donation that will be used to provide backpacks and supplies for middle and high school students, as well as extra supplies for schools.
a. Go to oursaviorsonline.org/give to make an online donation (select Backpack/School Supplies in the first drop down).
b. Write a check payable to Our
Both said that they have received a lot of support from their closest friends, neighbors and those at church.
“There are so many people willing to try and help,” Karen said.
“One of her school coworkers paid for a week at the transplant house for us after Karen underwent her first transplant surgery,” Dan added. “The Knights of Columbus collected money and they gave us a check to help.”
Karen and Dan have two sons who live in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They have two grandchildren and two on the way.
“This is our only hope,” Dan said. “Somebody has to come forward and match or do the paired match exchange.”
For more information about Karen’s story, visit www.nkr.org/ ZQR454.
If you are interested in possibly donating your kidney, visit mayoclinic.org/livingdonor or email LIVINGDONORORGANTP@ mayo.edu for more information.
Editor Madeline Dolby can be reached at 651-431-1226 or quadnews@presspubs.com.
Savior’s Lutheran Church with Backpack written in the memo line and mail it to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church (9185 Lexington Ave., Circle Pines, MN 55014).
Please contact us at centennialbackpack@gmail.com with any questions.
Together we can provide Centennial “students in need with the supplies to succeed!”
Juli Smith Co-coordinator of the Centennial Community Backpack Program
LEXINTON CITY COUNCIL SNIPPETS
• Derek Lind, from the Anoka County Election Integrity Team, followed up with the council about potentially eliminating the use of poll pads during elections. Poll pads, according to verifiedvoting.org, are tablets used in place of paper poll books to check in voters or direct voters to their correct voting location. Lind argued that while mail-in ballots and voting machine tabulators are widely used, poll pads are not as popular, and voting against the use of them could “be very impactful in improving the trust in our election process.” The council has not made a decision on poll pads at this time.
• City Administrator Bill Petracek mentioned that the construction on the restrooms in Memorial Park has improved their quality, although there are “a few punch list items that need to be completed.”
• City Administrator Petracek also mentioned that health insurance premiums for private insurance have increased by 16%. The council will be hearing negotiations concerning the collective bargaining agreement with city staff sometime in the future. Petracek said it’s “the first time since I’ve been here” that an increase has occurred.
• Kelly Green Irrigation will be responsible for the installation of a sprinkler system in Field 1 of Memorial Park after the council accepted its quote of approximately $19,400.
• The council approved a new business license for Learning Support Center, pending a successful background check and general liability insurance submission. Learning Support Center is looking to fill the vacant space in the lower level of the Broadview Builders building.
• The council will not meet on July 3 due to the July 4 holiday.
The next City Council meeting will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 15, at City Hall.
copyright infringement, and invasion of privacy.
CONTRIBUTED
Karen and Dan with their two grandchildren.
Hannah Testa
ANIMAL BLOOD BANK: Arden Hills
location has 75 dogs, 39 cats who donate
FROM PAGE 1
In the next year, the Arden Hills location will help launch an expansion project that will allow the blood banks to grow and become selfsustaining within the next five years.
“We’re a location that’s had a community presence in our program,” said Emily Elmer, the blood bank coordinator at Arden Hills. “Some community members have had their pets in the program for a couple of years now. This year specifically, with the expansion project, we’re working hard to expand into the community even further and talk to people and let them know that their pets can donate blood.”
Currently, the Arden Hills donor program has 75 dogs and 39 cats who donate blood every eight to 12 weeks.
“We’re fortunate that we have a large enough donor pool where we’re just more or less routinely bringing in donors and replenishing our supply. And if we use more this week, then we can bring in, as long as the time frame fits, more donors to fill that need,” said Dr. Sean Teichner, an internal medicine veterinarian at the BluePearl Pet Hospital in Arden Hills.
The blood bank in Arden Hills supplies blood to local BluePearl Pet Hospital locations in Blaine, St. Cloud and Golden Valley. It also sends blood to pet hospitals throughout the United States when needed.
For a dog or cat to be eligible to donate blood, they have to meet certain requirements set by BluePearl.
Dogs must weigh 50 pounds or more to be eligible. Cats must weigh 10 pounds or more. Pets are also required to be between the ages of 1 and 8 years old, have to be up to date on vaccines and have no chronic diseases. If pet owners are unsure whether their animal is eligible due
to medications they may be on, they should consult with the blood bank clinicians and staff.
“We want to ensure that this is not a stressful process for the animal,”
Respass said. “So, if your dog or cat is easily stressed, as much as we need the product, their welfare and wellbeing is the most important aspect. So, if they seem stressed by the situation, we’ll say, ‘Maybe they aren’t a good candidate,’ and they can be withdrawn from the program at any point.”
Teichner, who also serves as the lead clinician that overlooks the donor program at Arden Hills, said donors are examined by a vet before every donation to make sure they’re healthy. Respess noted that the donation itself takes around five to 10 minutes. A dog will donate a pint of blood, just like a human blood donor would. A cat will donate around 20 ounces.
“Each donation can save up to three lives,” she concluded.
Currently, the Blaine location serves as an emergency pet hospital. The emergency pet hospital is open every day and night, on weekends and holidays. It is available for pet owners to use when their family veterinary office is closed. Conditions that the hospital typically treats is vomiting, bloating, roadside trauma, seizures, foreign item extraction and more.
The Arden Hills BluePearl Pet Hospital is located at 1285 Grey Fox Road, Suite 100. To contact the blood bank, email bloodbank.mn.ah@ bluepearlvet.com.
The Blaine location is at 11850 Aberdeen St. NE. If needed, to contact the emergency hospital before your arrival, call 763-754-9434.
Editor Madeline Dolby can be reached at 651-431-1226 or quadnews@ presspubs.com.
CONTRIBUTED
Depending on their size, donors will come in every 8 to twelve weeks to donate blood.
NAMES IN THE NEWS
Two Centennial School District nutrition employees were recognized by the Minnesota School Nutrition Association (MSNA) for their service. Barbi King, food service assistant for Centennial Middle School, was named the Midwest region Employee of the Year. The award was created to recognize school nutrition employees who influence the quality of school meals through customer service, an interest in young people, cooperation, work attendance, creativity, participation in professional development and their
Press Publication cities BluePearl Pet Hospital serves:
• Mounds View • Shoreview • Vadnais Heights • White Bear Lake
New Brighton
Criteria for pets to donate blood:
• 1-8 years old
North Oaks
Roseville
Blaine
Circle Pines
Lino Lakes
• Dogs must weigh at least 50 pounds or more.
• Cat must weigh at least 10 pounds or more.
• No chronic diseases.
willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty.
Donna Walter, cook manager at Centerville Elementary School, was recognized by the MSNA as the Minnesota Manager of the Year. The award recognizes the dedication, ingenuity and compassion shown by cafeteria managers who have excelled in providing high-quality, nutritious meals to students throughout the school year.
COMMUNITY BRIEF
Honor local veterans on National Poppy Day May 23
The Lino Lakes American Legion will be passing out poppies from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at the Cub Foods in Blaine in honor of National Poppy Day on Friday, May 23. On National Poppy Day, millions of poppies are distributed to help raise money for veterans, active-duty service members and their families. The auxiliary promotes the poppy as a symbol of sacrifices service members have made.
Poppy cards will also be available at the Lino Lakes American Legion for pickup. The Cub Foods in Blaine is located at 4205 Pheasant Ridge Drive NE. The Lino Lakes American Legion is located at 7731 Lake Drive.
SCHOOL BRIEF
Spanish immersion programs across Forest Lake Schools merge into 1
The Forest Lake Area School Board has made the decision to merge the Lino Lakes Elementary Spanish Immersion Plus program with the programs at Forest View and Forest Lake Elementary schools in an effort to strengthen it. According to Forest Lake Area Schools Superintendent Steve Massey, the centralized program will be offered at Forest View Elementary School.
“Offering one program in the center of the school district will allow the program to be more accessible to families across the district,” said Massey. “A centralized program will enable the district to centralize resources and foster greater collaboration amongst the teaching staff.”
Busing will be provided for district families who attend the Immersion Plus program.
1. Robin on Dogwood: Every year, Lino Lakes resident LeAnn Michael gets quite a few friendly robins as they choose to nest under her deck in her backyard. —LeAnn Michael, Contributed
2. Superhero day: Students at Centennial Middle School celebrated the nutritional service staff by having a “Superhero Day.” —Madeline Dolby, Press Publications
3. the Bald Eagle Waterski dock is in at Centerville Lake. The Bald Eagle Waterski Show take place on Thursday nights starting in midJune. —Contributed
MADELINE DOLBY | PRESS PUBLICATIONS Barbi King has been named the Midwest region Employee of the Year by the Minnesota School Nutrition Association.
CONTRIBUTED
Donna Walter has been recognized by the Minnesota School Nutrition Association as the Minnesota Manager of the Year.
Show off your Classic or Vintage boat at the 18th annual free White Bear La ke Classic and Vintage Boat Show, June 21, 2025. Register today at www.presspubs.com/site/forms/contest/boat_show/ or call 6 51_407_1200
AN NANDALE SC HOOLS are seeking a Full Time Night Cu stodian; H ours: 210:30PM, M-F yearro und. Excellent pay benefits, and work environment Apply online at: jobs.r edroverk12.co m/org /1848
Ru ddy's Rental hiring Yard/Lot Person. Duties: Load & unload tables chairs tr ailers
JOIN OUR TEAM Coon Rapids MN and surr ou nding areas We are looking for Skilled La borers and Heavy Equipment Operators/HDD Operators with a CD L. Competitive pay and full benefits package. Opportunities for growth and advancement Immediate openings, start your career with us! Apply to day: andersonug.com/jobs 302/20 3-1830
Hourly Range: $32.79 - $43.51/hour Th e position will work primarily out of one of the eight MN Veterans Homes as agreed upon by the ag ency and incumbent The Vete rans Home s ar e locat ed in Minneapolis Hastings Bemidji, Fergus Falls, Luverne, Montevideo, Preston and Silver Bay. For full job details and to app ly, go to www.minnesotaveteran. org/careers and click on current jobs Type in Job ID 80077 in the search field. Deadline to apply is 5/27/2025. Question s? Text/Call Anjali Bajracharya, HR Business Partner at 612-209-5031 or email Anjali.bajracharya@state.mn.us The MN Dept of Veterans Affair s is a Veteran-fr iend ly, equal opportunity and affirmative action employer and service provid er
Maids of White Bear hiring house cleaners No exp needed will train 651.*247*2807
Chisago County is hiring!
Corrections Officer
Provides care and supervision of inmates housed in the jail facility, transports inmates, juveniles, and mentally ill; performs all intake procedures for incoming prisoners; supervises the daily housing area and periodically must subdue prisoners. Must be willing and able to work a variety of assigned shifts. Must be able to perform CPR and emergency first aid. $26.83 to $35.34 DOQ. Apply online at www. chisagocountymn.gov. Open until filled.
Traveling Dental Hygienist – MN Veterans Homes
Hourly Range: $32.79 - $43.51/hour
We are seeking an individual to join our team to provide dental hygiene and preventative services to our Residents in multiple MN Veterans Homes. The position will work primarily out of one of the eight MN Veterans Homes as agreed upon by the agency and incumbent. The Veterans Homes are located in Minneapolis, Hastings, Bemidji, Fergus Falls, Luverne, Montevideo, Preston and Silver Bay.
For full job details and to apply, go to www.minnesotaveteran. org/careers and click on “current jobs”. Type in Job ID 80077 in the search field. Deadline to apply is 5/27/2025.
Questions? Text/Call Anjali Bajracharya, HR Business Partner at 612-209-5031 or email Anjali.bajracharya@state.mn.us The MN Dept of Veterans Affairs is a Veteran-friendly, equal opportunity and affirmative action employer and service provider.
County is hiring!
Engineering Technician
Senior
Reviewing construction plans, conducting engineering inspections and investigations, and reviewing the work of contractors for conformance to approved specifications. Independently monitors and inspects the progress and construction methods to ensure construction projects meet approved specifications.
$38.07 to $50.13 DOQ. Apply online at www.chisagocountymn.gov. Open until filled.
Summer vacation and need something to do? Want to make some money?
Ruddy’s Rental is looking for HELP!
We are looking for a Yard/Lot Person. Duties Load and unload tables, chairs, trailers and rental equipment. Some cleaning involved. Also a Counter Person. Duties Answer phone, write up contracts for customers, and some cleaning. Looking for a great attitude and a willingness to grow and learn. Flexible hours. Part time 10-30 hours per week. Immediate openings. Apply in person at 21380 Forest Blvd Forest Lake. Across from Forest Lake High School. No evenings and closed Sundays.
Meet Your Specialist
Mark and Barbara Letourneau have been running our family landscaping business since 1989.For over 36 years we have created beautiful landscapes in the North Metro area. Mark operates our heavy equipment, and has extensive experience with Grading, Excavating, Brush Removal, and all kinds of equipment work. We also specialize in Landscape Renovations and creating Curb Appeal. We were born and raised in White Bear Lake and continue operating our business there. Working in the area, ensures great customer service for our community.
Letourneau Landscaping are proud members of the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association. We are licensed and insured. We have won landscape awards in the White Bear Lake and North Oaks News Magazines.
You can contact us at (651) 426-0410 You can also see all our services on our website at letourneaulandscaping.com
You can simply go to Services & Estimates page on our website, and enter your contact information, or call us at 651-426-0410 www.letourneaulandscaping.com
S E R V I C E D I R E C T O R Y
Cougars win 3 of 5 in busy week, hold lead
BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR
Centennial’s first place softball team had a two-game losing streak last week but went 3-2 over six days and still leads the Northwest Suburban Conference. The Cougars are 13-4 overall and 11-1 in the conference.
The Cougars beat Armstrong 11-2 Monday with Kendal Saffert going five innings (two runs, six strikeouts). Their 1-2-3 hitters swung hot bats: Peyton Corbin 3-for-4 (double, two runs, RBI), Kendall Cochran 2-for-4 (triple, two RBI’s) and Addison Border 2-for-4 (two RBI’s).
Andover handed Centennial its lone conference loss 3-1 behind pitcher Alex Kostecka on Tuesday. The Cougars had four errors leading to three unearned runs. Riley O’Connell allowed just four hits and struck out nine. Corbin was 2-for-4 with an RBI.
St. Michael-Albertville (114) beat Centennial 14-2, in five innings, on nine hits and five errors. Kendra Behrens fired a four-hitter and struck out seven. Saffert and Abby Wallraft pitched for the Cougars. Maddy Abernathy had two hits and an RBI.
O’Connell tossed a three-hitter
BASEBALL
with 11 strikeouts as the Cougars beat Anoka 6-0. Border was 3-for-3. Border, Sofia Anderson and Grace Nickel had RBI hits. Kendall Cochran walked twice, stole three bases and scored two runs.
A two-run home run by Border (her fourth of the season) helped O’
Centennial is 6-8 after winning three of four games last week. The Cougars beat Robinsdale Armstrong 6-1 behind Tommy Meyer, who pitched six innings (one run, six hits, one walk, four strikeouts). Nolan Border was 4-for-4 and knocked in three runs. Calvin Coppersmith was 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI’s and two runs. Matthew Siegler pitched one scoreless inning. Andover (13-2) blanked the Cougars 8-0, holding them to three hits. Steele Johnson, Jaden Anderson and Jack D’Agostino pitched for the Cougars. Centennial beat Osseo 8-3 with freshman Cooper Sanders going five innings (three runs, three hits, four walks, seven strikeouts). Siegler threw two shutout innings. Jaden Anderson hit a two-run double. Caden Coppersmith
Connell and the Cougars win 3-2 over Rogers (13-4) there Saturday. Each team had only three hits. O’Connell (8-3) spun the threehitter with three walks and five strikeouts.
and Jack D’Agostino hit sacrifice flies. The Cougars won at Moorhead 7-5 on Friday, using four pitchers, with Siegler getting the win. Ben Clauson was 3-for-3 with a double.
BOYS TRACK
Centennial placed sixth of nine teams in Section 5AAA true-team Tuesday in Forest Lake. Blaine was champion. The Cougars’ best event was the 400 with Maxwell Johnson placing third (50.70), Cole Nelson fourth (51.35) and Liban Ahmed fifth (51.41). Noah Berg was fourth in the 800 (2:01.72). The Cougar 4x400 team placed second in 3:24.22 with Johnson, Nelson, Trystan Green and Ahmed. The 4x200 relay placed third in 1:31.18 with Chaysen Hollen, Gamada Bullo, Finn Wold and Gavin Moore.
Looking ahead for SPORTS
COUGARS SCOREBOARD
BOYS GOLF
Coming up:
10 a.m. Wednesday, May 14—at Blackberry Ridge Golf Course
GIRLS GOLF Coming up:
11:30 a.m. Thursday, May 15—at Bunker Hills Golf Course
Noon Monday, May 19—at The Links at Northfork
BASEBALL Coming up:
4:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 14—vs. Minneapolis Southwest
10 a.m. Saturday, May 17—vs. White Bear Lake
4:45 p.m. Monday, May 19—vs. St. Thomas Academy
SOFTBALL
• Coming up:
4:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 14—at White Bear Lake
6 p.m. Thursday, May 15—vs. Forest Lake
GIRLS LACROSSE Coming up:
6 p.m. Wednesday, May 14—vs. Maple Grove
7 p.m. Thursday, May 15—at Hudson (WI)
6:30 p.m. Monday, May 19—at Elk River
BOYS LACROSSE
• Coming up:
6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 14—at Maple Grove
Noon Saturday, May 17—vs. Roseville Area
6 p.m. Monday, May 19—vs. Armstrong BOYS VOLLEYBALL
• Coming up: 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 14—vs. Mounds View TRACK AND FIELD
• Coming up: 4 p.m. Thursday, May 15—at Irondale
Cougar girls 3rd in true-team section
BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR
The Centennial girls track and field team placed third in the Section 5AAA trueteam meet Tuesday in Forest Lake. The top three teams among nine were Blaine with 983.5, Forest Lake 824.5 and Centennial 819.5.
Top scorer for the Cougars was Lauren Klein, who won the 800 in 2:15.54, took second in the 400 with 58.66 and anchored a second-place relay team.
Reginae Tandoh placed second in the 200 dash (25.79) and fourth in the 100 (12.39). Kylie Nelson was second in the 1600 (5:03.82) and third in the 3200 (11:18.55). Hailey Peterson was third in high jump (4-10) and seventh in triple jump
GIRLS LACROSSE
Centennial beat Andover 6-4 and lost to Champlin Park 14-7 last week. Against Andover (4-5), Lillian Brausen and Ella Weist had two goals each, and Paige Clausen and Keira Briggs one each with Briggs making two assists. Goalie Delaney Linser made 10 saves. Against Champlin Park (9-1), Weist netted three goals and Annabelle Moua, Brausen and Clausen one each. Reese Hagenbart notched six goals for the Rebels. The Cougars are 4-3.
BOYS LACROSSE
Centennial lost to two strong teams, Edina (9-1) by 16-6 and Andover (6-1) by 9-8, last week. The Cougars are 4-3. Against Edina, Solomon Marshall and Gavin Cunningham had two goals each, Gavin Krage and David Moran each had one.
BOYS GOLF
(33-6). Madeline Wood was fourth in the 300 hurdles (49.15) and sixth in 100 hurdles (16.48). Amelia Sutch was fourth in triple jump (35-1), Deborah Timothy fifth in discus (103-8) and sixth in shot put (32-11 3/4), Miranda Sawvel fifth in the 800 (2:26.81) and Emily Stokkeland seventh in shot put (32-6). The 4x400 team was second (4:08.67) with Natalie Launder, Sawvel, Nelson and Klein. The 4x200 team was third (1:48.85) with Tandoh, Kathryn Woelfel, Madison Schuneman and Sutch. The 4x800 team was third (10:15.92) with Anna Swanson, Madison Chrusciel, Emma Delf and Sawvel.
In two North Suburban Conference meets last week, Centennial placed 10th of 13 teams Tuesday at The Refuge and seventh Thursday at Rush Creek. The Cougars totaled 323 on Tuesday as Joey Perzichilli shot 75, Brady Zins 77, Cooper Daikawa 84 and Caleb Loumsbrough 87. They shot 315 on Thursday, as Jack Shoemaker shot 76, Perzichilli 79, Zins 79, and Daikawa 81.
GIRLS GOLF
Centennial defeated Coon Rapids 178 to 197 on Tuesday at Oneka Ridge. Taylor Thor shot 39, Taylor Nelson 43, Gabby Steele 47 and Marley Lutz 49. In a three-team meet Thursday, Maple Grove totaled 162, Centennial 195 and Blaine 214. Emerson Soderberg of Maple Grove was low with 39. For the Cougars, Thor shot 42, Nelson 46, Lutz 53, and Lauren Setterholm 54.
Bruce Strand
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Peyton Corbin
Centennial Softball May 13, 2025
Peyton Corbin excels in the batter’s box, on the base paths and in center field for the Centennial softball team. “She is an absolute lock-down outfielder with great range,” Coach Rick Thomas said. “Offensively she is a tough out and brings speed on the bases.” Corbin is hitting .345 with 15 runs, 16 stolen bases and nine runs-batted-in for the NWSC leaders. Also, a wrestler, she made all-conference this winter and placed fourth in the section at 124 pounds. She has committed to St. Cloud State.
4457 White Bear Parkway, Ste B, White Bear, MN 55110 651-426-5254
info@4seasonsairwbl.com
BRUCE STRAND | CONTRIBUTED
Addison Border chased an STMA baserunner in a hot-box play before throwing her out.
• Following the local Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting and prior to discussion, Alex Guggenberger, Anoka County assessor, suggested using an open book meeting format in the future. The local board is a forum for property owners to appeal their valuation or classification. It operates at the city level, and appeals must be made to the local board before they proceed to the county Board of Appeal and Equalization. The less-formal open book meeting is directly hosted by the county, and county assessors meet with property owners as part of this process. The advantage of the open book meeting is that property owners can attend the county Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting without having to attend the local board meeting, extending the time for property owners to submit their next level of appeal. They are otherwise required to attend the date-specific local Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting held by their city or township to appeal the decision to the county.
• Environmental Coordinator Tom Hoffman provided the council with an update regarding the watershed based implementation funding grant. In 2022, the council authorized a partnership with the Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) to identify potential water quality improvements to reduce the volume and sediment/nutrient loading in Rice Lake. A private ditch system maintained by the city runs through Shenandoah Park and under Birch Street, and discharges into Rice Lake. City staff believe there is an opportunity to enhance water quality and provide an improved greenway element to the park. In the final report, the RCWD provided four alternatives for the project. Due to estimated costs, it was recommended that the city pursue grant funding through the RCWD. The Board of Water and Soil Resources has established the watershed-based implementation funding grant program, which allocates funding to each watershed
area for allocation in a collaborative local process. The city’s project was selected to move forward as part of the program. The grant, in the amount of $52,650, is to complete the design of the Shenandoah Park stormwater improvement project. Hoffman said that once the design is complete, the city and RCWD will pursue additional funding through the program to complete the project.
• Community Development Director Michael Grochala presented the planned unit development (PUD) preliminary plan for the Natures Refuge North development (See “Board, residents opine on Natures Refuge North development,” Quad Community Press, April 22, 2025) to the council for feedback. Council members expressed their thoughts about the proposed stormwater reuse irrigation system, the parks trail system dedication and the Andall Street, or “Street E”, connection.
• City Planner Katie Larson presented a PUD concept plan, known as Wilkinson Waters, to the council for feedback (See “Revised Wilkinson Waters development moves forward,” Quad Community Press, April 22, 2025). The council had questions regarding proposed setbacks, the request for height flexibility on a proposed threestory apartment complex and whether the buildings would fit into the surrounding neighborhood due to the exterior building materials. Mayor Rob Rafferty expressed his concerns about the proposed commercial development. At this time, it is planned for construction in phase 4. Rafferty asked if the development could possibly be built in an earlier phase. The council will vote to approve or deny the concept plan at the May 27 City Council meeting.
The next City Council work session will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, at City Hall followed by the regular meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Madeline Dolby
