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FALL SPORTS PREVIEWS: Centennial Cougars details and schedules PAGE 8
Lino Lakes City Council approves senior housing funding agreement BY MADELINE DOLBY CONTRIBUTING WRITER
ST. MARK LUTHERAN CHURCH | CONTRIBUTED
Anita Pouchnik, volunteer blood drive coordinator, gives a donation at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Circle Pines.
Blood drives draw attention BY LOGAN GION STAFF WRITER
Once every two seconds: that is how often someone in the U.S. needs blood, according to American Red Cross Regional Communications Manager
Samantha Solberg. “This summer, we were facing a national blood crisis for only the second time in Red Cross history. We were at a point in July when we had half a day supply of type O blood on hand, which is very
dire,” said Solberg. “We're in a much better place now, but the blood supply does remain extremely vulnerable.” Solberg said that the Red Cross is looking for eligible SEE BLOOD DRIVES, PAGE 2
The Lino Lakes City Council has approved a housing program and issuance of a senior housing revenue funding note related to the Lyngblomsten Senior Housing Project in a 4-0 majority vote (Council Member Michael Ruhland was absent). According to Lino Lakes Finance Director Tracy Thoma, in July 2021 the city granted “host approval” for the city of Bethel to issue a $42.7 million senior housing revenue note to Lyngblomsten at Lino Lakes, also known as the “borrower.” The note was issued to finance the development of the senior community located at Hodgson Road and Ash Street. Lyngblomsten has requested the city issue the tax-exempt or taxable bonds in the estimated principal amount not to exceed $60 million and loan the proceeds to the developer. According to Thoma, Old National Bank has agreed to purchase the note from Lino Lakes. “Private activity tax-exempt financing allows the city to issue bonds on behalf of a private entity,” Thoma explained, “enabling the borrower to access lower, tax-
exempt interest rates.” She clarified that the city is not financially liable for repayment; the private borrower is. The city’s role is regulatory and facilitative, not fiscal. Lyngblomsten will pay the out-of-pocket expenses of the city related to this transaction, including legal fees, as well as Lino Lakes’ negotiated administrative fee equal to $60,000. The issuance of the note requires Lino Lakes to prepare a housing program for the project, according to Thoma. “The housing program sets forth the general description of the project, its geographic location and overall purpose,” she added. “The city is in no position of risk at all,” Council Member Randy Rennaker said. “As a matter of fact, there’s even a small chunk of revenue that we’re going to see for this.” Council Member Julia Nelson said that while this “makes her a little nervous,” there is no obligation on the part of the city, and this is common practice among cities so developers can get a lower interest rate. The city’s attorney has reviewed the documents on the city’s behalf and did not find any issues.
Centennial Cougars’ new boys hockey coach has long resume Dan Charleston is Centennial’s new boys’ hockey coach, continuing a career that spans two state championships with Benilde-St. Margaret’s, a solid Division I career, three pro seasons, and 13 years as a high school coach. Charleston was named Aug. 24 to succeed Ritch
in a news release from the school. “But more importantly, his coaching philosophy and program vision aligns with the Centennial School District strategic roadmap.” In the same press release, Charleston was quoted: “My goal is to build more than a hockey team. It is to build a culture where players are challenged to become
Menne, the Cougar head coach for 15 years, who garnered four state trips and just one losing season. Menne stepped down after receiving a business promotion that was too good to turn down. “Dan brings over 15 years of high school hockey coaching experience with him,” said Matt St. Martin, activities director,
Fa i rwaY
the AHL, Finnish Elite League and ECHL. Charleston started his coaching career as an assistant at BSM for one season, helping the Red Knights capture the 2012 state Class AA championship. He was head coach at Robbinsdale Armstrong two years, then the Armstrong/ Cooper pairing for 11 years, collecting 131 wins in 13 seasons.
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Dan Charleston
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better hockey players, better teammates and better people.” Charleston, 41, was one of the leaders of BenildeSt. Margaret’s 2001 Class A state championship team, contributing 20 goals and 22 assists. He played four seasons with Nebraska-Omaha in the WCHA, logging 43 goals and 73 assists in 159 games. He played parts of three pro seasons in
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