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4TH OF JULY : Calendar of events PAGE 5
Police department recaps 2024, looks ahead BY MADELINE DOLBY EDITOR
between 25 and 30 minutes. Krieger said the show does not have a specific theme or soundtrack, except for independence. As lead organizer for the event, Krieger works with other departments and the National Sports Center on all the details. He said planning for the fireworks show includes budgeting; coordinating with the fireworks company on the date, time and location; coordinating with the National Sports Center regarding the use of its land and parking availability; and meeting with safety services for police and fire
CIRCLE PINES—According to Centennial Lakes Police Department Chief of Police James Mork, the Centennial Lakes Police Department has seen many positive changes over the last year. “Over 2024, we hired three officers and two community service officers,” Mork said. Changes also included upgrading graphics on the squad cars and adding pickup trucks to the patrol fleet, two new power bikes with lights and sirens, and a new entry gate at the police department. According to Mork, the Anoka County Prescription Drug Drop-off Program continues to be popular. “Last year, we had over 125 pounds of different narcotics and medications that were turned in,” he said. The program gives community members the opportunity to bring in unwanted or expired prescription medications to be disposed of in a way that is safe for the community and environment. The police department is one of many sites where residents can leave unused prescription medications.
SEE FIREWORKS SHOW, PAGE 5
SEE ANNUAL REPORT, PAGE 6
PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED
The city of Blaine will put on a fireworks show Friday, July 4, at the National Sports Center in Blaine to celebrate Independence Day. The show is scheduled to start at 10 p.m. Blaine Senior Parks and Recreation Manager Jerome Krieger grabs a photo with an eight-inch mortar. A mortar launches the firework shells into the air.
Blaine celebrates Independence Day in style BY MADELINE DOLBY EDITOR
Since the late 1960s, the city of Blaine has put on a fireworks show to celebrate the Fourth of July. This year, the show is scheduled to take place at 10 p.m. on Friday, July 4, at the National Sports Center. “The show used to be a collaboration with the Blaine Jaycees, the Sergeant John Rice VFW and the city of Blaine. The city of Blaine handles everything now,” said Blaine Senior Parks and Recreation Manager Jerome Krieger. This year, viewers can expect the show to last
Local mayor receives highest honor for elected city officials Circle Pines Mayor Dave Bartholomay has received the C.C. Ludwig Award, presented by the League of Minnesota Cities. The award is the highest honor for elected city officials in the state. The C.C. Ludwig Award was established in 1962 and is named for Clarence C. Ludwig, who served as the League’s executive director from 1935-1959. The award is presented to a city official for their vision, statesmanship and commitment to the public good. Bartholomay has served as mayor of Circle Pines for more than 20 years, following four years on the city council. “Dave is extremely humble. He’s very affable. Mayor Dave gives speeches all the time, and he always likes to start off the speech with a lighthearted remark of being ‘I was born and raised in Fargo, North Dakota.’ And that always starts off the speech with a chuckle from the crowd,” said
Circle Pines City Administrator Patrick Antonen. During his time as mayor, Bartholomay helped instigate the city’s road reconstruction program and kept the Centennial Library on the city’s civic campus. “He isn’t just here as a figurehead and mayor of the council. He is deeply embedded with the community. And we can see that not only from the time that he spends on city-related affairs, but the time that he spends invested in the school district,” Council Member Matty Percy said. In addition to his mayoral role, Bartholomay has served on the Centennial Lakes Police Governing Board since 2006 and previously spent two decades as a Centennial Utilities Commissioner. His resume also includes positions as assistant
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SEE MAYOR, PAGE 8
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Circle Pines Mayor Dave Bartholomay receives the C.C. Ludwig Award at the League of Minnesota Cities conference in Duluth.
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