Firefighting
BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR
When the pager goes off in Hugo, it’s not unusual to see Bob Bieniek answering the call alongside his son, Chris, a firefighter who once tagged along to the station as a 5-year-old with his toy-sized air pack.
The Bieniek family is made
up of not one, not two, but three firefighters. Bob’s brother Greg, Chris’ uncle, also serves as a firefighter, but on a different department.
Bob and his wife Julie moved to Hugo in 2003. When Bob joined the Hugo Fire Department in December 2008, Chris was 5 years old. A couple of years later, Greg joined
the Inver Grove Heights Fire Department.
“I remember I had just started on Inver Grove. Chris was 5 years old, and he was pointing stuff out on the trucks. I was like ‘this kid knows more about trucks than I do,’” Greg recalled.
SEE BIENIEKS FIREFIGHTERS, PAGE 2
WBLAHS hosts 1-act play competition, performs ‘Curious’ selection
BY LOGAN GION
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The Performing Arts Center at White Bear Lake Area High School (WBLAHS) will host the Minnesota State High School League’s (MSHSL) Section 4AA one-act play sectional
tournament Jan. 22-23. The school will also compete in the tournament, performing “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.”
The last time the school hosted this tournament was in 2018. WBLAHS one-act Director Braylon Lane explained
that, when the 12 schools in the section asked for hosting volunteers, “I very gleefully and loudly went, ‘We can; our theater’s done.’ And then I got handed a big ol’ packet with, ‘Here’s the amount of work that goes into it for free.’” SEE ONE ACT PLAY, PAGE 5
Legislators highlight public safety at Chamber legislative reception
BY MAYA BETTI NEWS INTERN
Before the 2026 legislative session starts, state legislators and county commissioners are discussing top priorities with local business leaders.
The annual legislative reception, hosted by the White Bear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, fosters a dialogue between community leaders and business leaders.
The event featured two moderated panels, one with state legislators and another with county commissioners, taking place amid what multiple speakers described as “an uncertain moment for Minnesota communities and businesses.”
Public safety dominates discussion
Senator Heather Gustafson (DFL) opened the legislative panel by acknowledging recent events that have weighed heavily on both lawmakers and residents alike.
“We're on our third crisis in a row here in Minnesota,” Gustafson said, citing the killing of House Speaker Melissa Hortman, the Annunciation school shooting and, most recently, ongoing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity across the state.
“It is not normal that communities and schools should have to come up with safety plans in order to protect their families and their students from the federal government,” Gustafson said. “But that’s where we’re at right now.”
Several legislators, including Rep. Peter Fischer (DFL), described ICE activity as having a direct impact on local business.
SEE LEGISLATIVE RECEPTION, PAGE 9
White Bear Lake Area High School will compete in the Minnesota State High School League’s Section 4AA one-act play sectional tournament Jan. 22-23.
SHANNON GRANHOLM | CONTRIBUTED (From left) Greg, Chris and Bob Bieniek are all firefighters. Greg is a firefighter at the Marathon Refinery in St. Paul Park and also on the Hudson Fire Department; Bob and Chris are firefighters on the Hugo Fire Department.
BIENIEKS FIREFIGHTERS:
FROM PAGE 1
Bob said when Chris was little, he made him his own self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) harness. “When he would put it on, he would kind of jump and in real life, that’s what you do,” Bob said, laughing. “He would just watch me and pick up the smallest things.”
Bob was the first firefighter in the family. Years later, now Bob and Chris have many memories of watching the show “Emergency” that was popular in the ’70s. While Bob was going through his EMT training, Chris said, “I just remember watching that all day.”
Bob was interested in becoming a firefighter because he felt like he had the time and would be able to respond to calls during the day. Bob was a public defender at the time.
“I felt like I had time to be able to commit to something and was kind of looking for some opportunity,” he recalled. Bob served as a lieutenant and captain for a while until he had to step back from an officer role, but he remained on the department. “I was a prosecutor in Cambridge, I had pretty much an hour drive there and back, and so it was just getting to be too much,” he explained. Bob has now shifted back to the public defender role and is once again a lieutenant.
Greg described himself as the “big kid” of the family. “I like the big red trucks,” he said, adding that he was inspired to become a firefighter, both by an experience when he was a child and because of his father.
At the age of 9, a house one block from their family home in Maplewood exploded. Greg rode his bike over there and saw the rapid response of a firefighter, who later went on to become the fire chief of Vadnais Heights, Ed Leier.
Greg added that although his father, Bob, was not a firefighter, he was always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need. “I remember he would make time or drop whatever he was doing to help people out. I saw what he does, and I think that kind of drew me to the service of people,” Greg explained. “We would
pull over on the side of the road to help somebody in a snowstorm. He would say, ‘It’s the right thing to do.’”
Since July 2024, Greg has worked full time as a firefighter at the Marathon Refinery in St. Paul Park. He is also on the Hudson Fire Department. This year marks his third year of teaching for the fire and EMS programs at Century College.
Chris, of course, grew up at the fire station. “I thought it was really cool,” he said. During his senior year of high school, he became CPR-certified through health class. From there, he decided he wanted to know more about the medical side of firefighting. He talked to his father, and his dad encouraged him to become a certified EMT. He did just that. While attending college for earth science and anthropology, Chris began working part time as an EMT for HealthPartners EMS, a job he still holds today. The same week he graduated from college in December 2024, he officially joined the Hugo Fire Department, 16 years after his father did.
Chris is currently in school to become a paramedic with the hope of becoming a full-time firefighter someday. He will graduate this June.
“It’s neat to see. Some people out here remember when he was little,” Bob said. “I remember when he applied, they were really pulling for him to make it onto the department … Now that he is on the department, it is the same. Everyone is pulling for him.”
Greg added, “Chris has got a lot of uncles and aunts on this department. He grew up here. He’s part of the family.”
Perhaps it is that reason that Bob says he isn’t worried about his son responding to situations that could be dangerous.
“He does what he needs to. I don’t have to keep an eye on him. He can handle himself,” Bob said. “I know he is trained. He is with people that I know aren’t going to take crazy risks … I trust the system and everyone around him to do the right thing.”
Perhaps the best part about having a brother who is also a firefighter, Greg says, is being able to bounce things off each other and compare notes.
“Every time we talk, we go through fire calls, and he gives me his thought process,” Greg explained. “Fire service is the same. There’s standard tactics, standard outcomes, but then there’s just the little nuances of how each department varies. He’ll give me his take on something, and I’m like, ‘This is the way we kind of handled it.’”
Bob added, “I have Hugo’s perspective. There might be something that I can bring to Hugo that he (Greg) has experienced.”
There is a really good chance there might be a fourth firefighter in the family in the not-so-distant future. Chris’ younger brother Sam, who is a junior at White Bear Lake Area High School, seems to be very interested in the career too.
Managing Editor Shannon Granholm can be reached at 651-407-1227 or citizennews@presspubs.com.
Bob and his son Chris, age 5, at the Hugo Fire Department open house in in 2008.
PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED
Greg and Chris take a “selfie” at Chris’ first live burn in March 2025. Greg was one of the instructors.
ONGOING EVENTS
HUGO SENIOR CITIZENS PLAY ‘500’
When: 12:45 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29; and the 1st, 3rd and 5th Thursday of every month
Where: Rice Lake Centre, 6900 137th Street N.
Details: Games begin at 12:45 p.m. Refreshments and coffee served. All senior citizens from the area invited. Contact: 651-592-0369 or barbconnolly1958@yahoo.com
CRIBBAGE
When: 12:45 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26; and the 1st and 4th 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
CURRENT EVENTS
THANK GOODNESS IT’S FOOD
When: 11:15 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23
Where: White Bear Senior Center, 2399 Cedar Ave.
Details: Lunch for seniors catered by Donatelli’s. Register by phone or online. Contact: 651-653-3121 or whitebearseniorprogram.org
GATEWAY STATE TRAIL CANDLELIGHT WALK
When: 5-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23
Where: Gateway State Trail at Stillwater Road/Wildwood Elementary School
Details: Two-mile walk on a trail lit with hundreds of luminaries. Bonfires, hot beverages and marshmallows for roasting. Leashed dogs welcome. Contact: 651-677- 8483 or Clara.Brown@ state.mn.us
‘THE 39 STEPS’
When: Jan 23-Feb. 7
Where: Hanifl Performing Arts Center,
BUSINESS BRIEF
Applecrest Orchards for sale
The owners of Applecrest Orchards are hoping to find someone new to take over the business.
Stillwater residents Chris and Shelli Ellis purchased the property and business, located at 7306 24th Ave. N. in Hugo, in November 2019. Applecrest Orchards has been around since 1985 and had a few different owners. The 10 1/2-acre property boasts about 1,400 trees surrounding an 1884 farmhouse. The Ellis’ purchased the orchard from Dave Graetzer, who bought the property back in 2003.
“It was just a business decision, and we are hoping the orchard goes to good people,” Chris said. “We are hoping to sell it to another group that will keep it going as the beautiful orchard it is.”
The property is currently listed for sale for $1.35 million.
White Bear Lake
Details: Live performance of a fastpaced whodunnit comedy. Ticket information online. Contact: lakeshoreplayers.org
INTRODUCTION TO ICE FISHING
When: 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25
Where: Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park, 7373 Main St., Lino Lakes
Details: Participants will be shown ice fishing techniques, fish identification, how to drill a hole in the ice and try their luck at fishing on a frozen lake. All equipment is provided. Anyone ages 16 to 89 will need a Minnesota fishing license. Registration information online. Contact: anokacountyparks.com
MAHTOMEDI OUTDOOR SKATE PARTY
When: Noon-3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25
Where: Mahtomedi District Education Center ice rink
Details: Celebrate winter with community skating party, bonfire, hot beverages and food. No registration required. Contact: mahtomedi.ce.eleyo.com
PUZZLE COMPETITION
When: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29
Where: Mahtomedi District Education Center, Room 103
Details: Friends and family members in groups of 4 will complete a 500 piece puzzle in a 2-hour event with prizes for top 3 teams. Ages 9 and up. Registration information online. Contact: 651-407-2018 or mahtomedi. ce.eleyo.com
MEET YOUR LEGISLATORS
When: 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31
Where: White Bear Lake Library, 2150 2nd St.
Details: League of Women Voters-White Bear Area invited residents to meet Sen. Heather Gustafson (District 36), Rep. Elliot Engen (District 36A) and Rep. Brion Curran ((District 36B), who will share in-
Polar Plunge
When: Saturday, Jan. 31
Where: White Bear Lake County Park, 5050 Lake Avenue
Details: The White Bear Lake Plunge has raised over $3M for Special Olympics Minnesota in its 22-year history. Sign up as an individual or team.
Contact: plungemn.org
sights about the upcoming legislative session and answer questions.
Contact: lwv-wbla.org
SNOW DAY AT WARGO NATURE CENTER
When: 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31
Where: Wargo Nature Center, 7701 Main St., Lino Lakes
Details: Participants will have the opportunity to try a variety of outdoor and indoor winter activities including snowshoeing, ice fishing, kick sledding, winter crafts and a live animal presentation hosted by the Raptor Center.
Contact: anokacountyparks.com
ONCE UPON A STORYTIME: ANIMAL HOMES
When: 9-10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3
Where: Wargo Nature Center, 7701 Main St., Lino Lakes
Details: Step into a world where imagination knows no bounds as our storyteller takes you on nature adventures through stories, songs, and crafts. Registration is encouraged to ensure there are enough craft supplies for all attending. Register through Anoka County Parks. Contact: anokacountyparks.com
WHIMSICAL WIGS CRAFTER AND CROCHETERS NIGHT
When: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3
Where: Centennial Library, 100 Civic Heights Drive, Circle Pines Details: Crochet and help decorate envelopes, silk flowers and wig packaging. RSVP required. Contact: whimsicalwigsmn@gmail. com
SCHOOL BRIEF
2026 Teacher of the Year nomination process now open
It’s time once again to celebrate professional excellence as part of the White Bear Lake Area Educators’ Teacher of the Year program. The process begins with nominations from community members, parents, students and colleagues. Nominate an exceptional teacher who goes above and beyond and who makes White Bear Lake Area Schools a great place to send students every day. The nomination form can be found online at www.isd624. org. Nominations are open until 4 p.m. on Monday, Feb.9.
UAV VISION MEDIA | CONTRIBUTED
Applecrest Orchards, located on the border of Lino Lakes and Hugo, is for sale.
A political mess
AAbout the Town
lthough many past presidents have dealt with immigration challenges, Congress could not get things passed during the Biden Administration and the doors stayed opened for millions to enter our country illegally. We now have unrest in many major cities in the United States, our Twin Cities being among the worst. Minnesota has historically been a very kind and welcoming state. Over the years immigrants from many areas around the world have been welcomed to settle here. Minnesota’s “sanctuary” policies, similar to 13 states in the U.S., has put us at odds with the Federal immigration laws of the Trump Administration. It is also unfortunate that the actions of a few immigrants here have caused billions of dollars to be stolen from taxpayers for fraudulent programs that purported to benefit children, the homeless, the unemployed and those suffering from health issues.
It appears that many of these programs were never audited and funding was inappropriately awarded, which helped drained our state’s financial surplus that we had a few years ago. It seems the discovery of this fraud is, in part, what has led to the federal government’s involvement and the resulting civil unrest. Its disturbing what is happening with the protests in our larger community, from the killing of a protester, to the protesters entering a protected place of worship in St. Paul. People need to understand the First and Fourth Amendments of our Constitution.
The First Amendment reads, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise there go or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press; or the right of the people peaceable to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
The Fourth Amendment declares, “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized.” These amendments to the Constitution - the Bill of Rights - were ratified Dec. 15, 1791. There were ten amendments in total.
We need a de-escalation of the protests and conflicts all over the country or we could be headed toward a Civil War. Business, schools, political services, safety on our streets and in our homes are all being affected.
From George Washington:
“However (political parties) may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterward the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion.” Farewell Address, Sept. 17, 1796
Love your neighbor
Jesus Christ who came into the world in a non-traditional way. He spent the last three years of His life training and teaching His disciples.
God had a message of how we are to live: To love our neighbor. It was hard for the 12 disciples to understand that He would go to the cross and suffer that we might have eternal life, grace and forgiveness.
The Bible is there for us to read, to learn how to live and how to care for others. This time of year is not always bright and cheery. Some are unemployed, others homeless, others have experienced the loss of loved ones. We have veterans who have been injured and are in the state of recovery. We need to remember these people who have risked their lives so that we might enjoy the freedom of this country.
Our world today needs more people recognizing the gifts from above and sharing a spirit of gratitude. We need to love our neighbors as ourselves.
Gene Johnson is Publisher Emeritus of Press Publications.
The YMCA: A Lasting Community Anchor in White Bear Lake
For generations, The White Bear Community has been a place where neighbors look out for one another.
Cynthia Ellickson
From community gatherings, to supporting our school teams, and the local traditions that bring families together year after year, the strength of our area has long come from people caring for one another. That same spirit is at the heart of the White Bear Area YMCA—a place that has long served as more than a gym, but as a cornerstone of community wellbeing for decades.
Rooted in a long history of community involvement, the YMCA has evolved alongside the White Bear Area to meet changing needs. While many recognize the Y as a place for fitness and recreation, its role has always been broader. Guided by its enduring mission— to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all—the YMCA focuses on whole-person wellbeing and a sense of belonging for everyone who walks through its doors.
At the Y, spiritual health is recognized as an essential part of overall wellbeing. The YMCA strives to be a welcoming space where people of all beliefs feel respected, supported,
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and valued. We believe faith and personal values are central to an individual’s identity, and we want everyone who walks through our doors to feel free to live out what they believe in a way that is meaningful to them.
At the same time, the YMCA was founded on Christian principles, which continue to guide our mission today. A meaningful example of this is our partnership with Catalyst Church, which meets within our YMCA and works alongside us to serve the community. In addition, the Y offers a chaplaincy program and other mission-driven opportunities that allow individuals to explore or deepen their Christian faith if they choose. This is how our enduring mission guides us to help our communities achieve spiritual health in an increasingly diverse world.
Beyond its mission, the YMCA plays a vital role in supporting people at every stage of life. From swim lessons that promote safety and confidence, to youth programs that build character and leadership, to family activities that strengthen relationships, the Y meets people where they are. Through scholarships and financial assistance, the YMCA ensures access for families, seniors, and individuals who may otherwise be unable to participate—because everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive.
For many, the YMCA serves as a “third place”—a welcoming space outside of home and work where relationships are built and community is strengthened. This
THE CITIZEN | LETTER GUIDELINES
• Letter writers are limited to six letters per year and at least four weeks must lapse between publication. Exceptions may be made for rebuttal letters.
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• Submissions containing libelous or derogatory statements will not be published.
is especially meaningful for older adults. Staying active, socially connected, and engaged is essential for healthy aging, and the YMCA provides opportunities for seniors to maintain strength, mobility, and independence while forming lasting friendships and reducing isolation. This reality became even clearer with recent changes to some Medicare programs that no longer include YMCA memberships. The fear and concern among members were real and deeply felt. One member shared that without access to the gym, her classes, and the community she relies on, she worried her health would decline and she would once again need to use a walker. Others described the loss as more than a membership—it felt like losing an old friend, a place where they find connection, purpose, and a true sense of belonging in the community. Being able to help members navigate this change and continue to participate at the Y was a top priority.
In White Bear Lake, the YMCA is more than a facility. It is a place where youth discover potential, families find support, seniors stay strong, and people of all backgrounds feel they belong. As our community continues to grow and evolve, the YMCA remains committed to strengthening the White Bear community—body, mind, and spirit—for generations to come.
Cynthia Ellickson is the Associate Executive Director of the White Bear Area YMCA.
• Submissions containing facts not previously published in The Citizen must be accompanied by factual verification.
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• Deadline is 5 p. m., Wednesday of the week prior to publication.
• To submit a letter, e-mail it to citizennews@presspubs. com, fax it to 651-429-1242 or mail or deliver it to Press Publications, 4779 Bloom Ave., White Bear Lake, MN 55110.
Movers & Shakers
Gene Johnson
Mayhem in Minneapolis
This week, a terrible scene played out in Minneapolis. Masked thugs, posing as ICE agents and spurred on by the rhetoric of irresponsible politicians such as Donald Trump, Kristi Noem and Pete Stauber, were deputized and encouraged to rip people from homes, shopping centers, day cares, schools, churches and off the streets, and to unlawfully attack citizens exercising their constitutional rights. These thugs created a tense, dangerous environment which ultimately led to the loss of a life when one ICE agent with untreated PTSD and at nerves’ end from the highly emotional situations he is constantly put in, shot and killed a mother of three who was trying to leave the area.
As a current citizen of the United States, I can personally attest that this is a situation no citizen ever wants to face. The hard truth is that Trump, Stauber, Kristi Noem and many Republicans are spewing hateful rhetoric toward immigrants and American citizens who are lawfully protesting and observing the ICE thugs’ activities. The supposed ICE agents dress up as and behave like the Gestapo— they act with violence against American citizens and other taxpaying, hardworking, family-supporting contributors to our economy and society that happen to be undocumented. These spewers of hateful rhetoric that create and encourage these ICE political vigilantes are in fact criminals who should be arrested.
As a current American citizen, I am greatly bothered by the inflammatory statements of Trump, J. D. Vance, Stauber, Noem, and others. We need to encourage our politicians to respect the rule of law and not criticize citizens for exercising their constitutional rights, demonizing them by labeling them domestic terrorists. And we need our politicians to practice their oaths to uphold the Constitution while creating law enforcement that truly keeps our communities safe. Trump, Vance, Stauber, Noem, and others are the true domestic terrorizers.
Will Perry Hugo
WEEKLY WAG
Stacy is a happy, sweet, playful and independent young girl. She is just over a year old and has plenty of puppy energy. Stacy is a beagle/ Jack Russell terrier mix and she weighs about 30 pounds. She is social with other dogs and she is friendly to everyone she meets. Stacy is housetrained, crate-trained and leash-trained. She is even-tempered and listens well. Stacy enjoys playing with her toys and playing fetch. She is food-motivated and eager to please. When she’s not playing, Stacy can be a very affectionate lap dog. Stacy arrived at Ruff Start Rescue from Texas as part of the Lone Star to North Star Rescue Relief Program. She was found on a roadside with her sister, searching for food. Stacy is anxiously awaiting a patient, loving family and forever home that can provide her with structure and enrichment. If you are looking for a goofy, affectionate best friend, then Stacy is the companion for you. If you are interested in learning more about Stacy or adopting her, please fill out an application at www.ruffstartrescue.org. Once your application is received, Ruff Start Rescue will contact you as soon as possible.
ONE ACT PLAY: ‘Considering others’ perspectives’
FROM PAGE 1
In addition to hosting 11 other schools, Lane has chosen a challenging play for WBLAHS’ entry. “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” is traditionally a three-hour drama about Christopher, a British boy with autism who tries to solve the murder of his neighbor’s dog, a mystery that reveals devastating secrets about his family’s past.
“This is the hardest play I’ve ever had to cut,” Lane said. “Cutting it from three hours to half an hour is hard.”
The play’s cast, however, has found that the cut portions of the script can provide powerful subtext for what remains. “A lot of the moments that don't happen on stage now, I still try and make it part of him that these things still happen,” said Christopher’s actor, Brady Milles, who also has autism.
Lane stated that the script cuts have also been a collaborative
COUNTY BRIEFS
County Board adopts 2026 legislative platform
effort with the cast. “While it is more challenging for them as actors to know what's getting cut,” he said, “It has allowed them to understand the script on a deeper level.”
Cast member Conner MacDonald added, “You’ve done the work as an actor. Cutting isn’t taking away from the work.” MacDonald believes that the economical format of the competitive one-act forces each scene to do heavy dramatic lifting. “It puts theater to the extreme.”
Lydia Jersak, who plays Christopher’s school counselor, Siobhan, agrees. “How can we still get the core message of what’s really going to resonate with the audience in only 35 minutes?” she said. “It's a more stressful experience, but the result becomes more tight-knit, more emotional and more impactful as a result.”
Neola Luswata, who plays Christopher’s mother, hopes the show’s impact will allow audiences to consider other people’s
The Washington County Board of Commissioners set the county’s 2026 legislative priorities in January and shared them with local lawmakers. Each year, the County Board outlines key issues and funding requests that are important to Washington County.
For 2026, the board is asking the Legislature for:
• $4 million for land and equipment to process wood waste and diseased trees.
• $1.1 million for conducting an updated biomonitoring of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the East Metro.
• $2 million to design and construct intersection improvements at County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 10, CSAH 17, and County Road 17B in Lake Elmo.
• $500,000 for intersection improvements at CSAH 18 (Bailey Road) and CSAH 19 (Woodbury Drive) in Woodbury.
• $22.5 million to build the County Road 19A and 100th Street Realignment Project in Cottage Grove.
• $3 million for a trailhead and trail connection from CSAH 5 to the Brown’s Creek State Trail in Stillwater.
• $3 million for trail lighting at Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park.
• State bonding funds for capital projects in the Metropolitan Regional Park System.
• Legislation protecting the current formula for distributing Transportation Advancement Account funds and Regional Transportation Sales Tax.
For more details on the county’s legislative priorities or specific projects, visit WashingtonCountyMN.gov/LegislativePriorities.
CHURCH DIRECTORY
perspectives. “Every individual sees something differently,” she said. “Although we’re focused on how Christopher views his world, you can focus on the different elements and aspects of the world as a whole.”
To tackle such a theme in half an hour may seem daunting, but cast member Audrey Gallagher is not concerned, referencing White Bear’s 2025 sectional tournament win for “She Kills Monsters,” a play about struggles young LGBTQ+ people face.
“We can take any social issue, and we can make it work,” Gallagher said. “This theater? This group of people can do anything we put our minds to.”
White Bear Lake Area High School will perform “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” as part of the MSHSL competitive one-act play sectional tournament at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23 at the White Bear Lake Area High School Performing Arts Center, 5040 Division Ave., Door A.
Test your home for Radon Action Month
January is Radon Action Month. Radon is a colorless and odorless gas that comes from the soil. The gas can accumulate in the home and become a health risk. Exposure to radon over a long period of time can lead to lung damage or cancer. Radon is the No. 1 cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers and the second leading cause in smokers. A radon test is the only way to know how much radon is in your home.
Short-term radon test kits are available to Washington County residents at no cost. Kits can be picked up at five locations throughout the county, including the North Environmental Center in Forest Lake. For more information, visit www.washingtoncountymn.gov/2481/Radon.
Take the Plastic-Free Challenge
Kickstart your plastic-free journey with the Plastic-Free Challenge this February. Be part of the solution to reduce waste, protect water and wildlife, address climate change and look after the health of ourselves and future generations. For the third year, Ramsey and Washington counties are joining forces with Hennepin County for the Plastic-Free Challenge. Hennepin County launched the challenge in 2021. The eco-challenge gives residents the tools and inspiration to reduce their impact on the planet and contribute to a healthy and sustainable future. For more information, visit https://tcplasticfree.ecochallenge.org.
County hosts winter clothing swap Washington County will host a winter clothing swap from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, and Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Washington County Historic Courthouse. Stop by to shop for gently used winter apparel and accessories. Donations are not required to participate. Unclaimed clothing will be donated.
Sunday at 10:30 am Parish Community Center 6995 Centerville Rd, Centerville www.stgens.org 651‐429‐7937
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
COPS&COURTS
POLICE REPORTS
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office reported the following calls for service:
• Patrolling Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies on Highway 61 at 140th Street N. at 1:08 a.m. Nov. 27 located a male stumbling around in the lanes of traffic.
After identification, deputies gave the male a ride home.
• Deputies patrolling Forest Blvd. N. at 140th Street N. at 11:55 a.m. Nov. 28 observed a driver using a cellphone while driving and cited him for that offense, following a traffic stop.
• During the all-day snowfall on Nov. 29, deputies received a report about terrible driving conditions on 125th Street N. at Goodview Avenue N. at 1:55 p.m. Deputies took the welcome-to-winter report and alerted the Hugo Public Works Department. At 8:58 p.m. that same evening, a motorist who went into the ditch at that same location was issued a welcome-to-winter citation for failure to drive with due care.
A son in the 15000 block of Europa Avenue N. at 4:38 p.m. Nov. 29 reported that his parents had taken his keys as part of a dispute.
• Deputies pulled over a distracted Amazon driver in the 17000 block of Farnham Avenue N. at 2:04 p.m. Dec. 1 to have a chat.
• Occupied vehicles in the 15000 block of Foxhill Avenue N. at 4:14 a.m. Dec. 2 reported to be “suspicious” turned out to be ice anglers waiting to fish.
• A nylon hoisting rope with drums was reported stolen from a power pole near 140th Street N. and Hyde Avenue N. at 7:39 a.m. Dec. 5.
• A driver reported for going off the road at 11:02 p.m. Dec. 5 on Forest Blvd. N. and 130th Street N. was arrested for DWI.
• A noise complaint reported at 10:59 p.m. Dec. 6 from the 13000 block of Flint Circle N. turned out to have stemmed from a parent-supervised birthday party that was winding down.
• A motorist speeding along the 6000 block of 170th Street N. at 5:08 p.m.
Dec. 7 was cited for that violation. A second motorist was cited for failure to yield at 5:02 p.m. Dec. 8, following a collision on Forest Blvd. N. and 120th Street N. A third motorist was cited at 11:59 a.m. Dec. 11 in the 14000 block of Forest Blvd. N. for using a cellphone and not wearing a seatbelt. A fourth motorist was cited for driving after revocation on Highway 61 at 152nd Street N. at 12:18 a.m. Dec. 12. A fifth motorist was cited for poor driving conduct at 9:25 p.m. Dec. 12, after causing an accident in the 7000 block of 157th Street N. After being dispatched out to the scene of an accident in the 7000 block of 157th Street N. at 9:25 p.m. Dec. 12, deputies cited a sixth motorist of the week for driving behavior that caused the accident.
A seventh motorist was cited at 6:09 p.m. Dec. 13 on Oneka Parkway N. and Heritage Parkway N. for failing to stop at a stop sign at a four-way intersection. The eighth driver to receive a citation this week was pulled over on Forest Blvd. N. and 159th Street N. for expired registration at 9:58 p.m. Dec. 13.
• An alarm signaling a burglary at 2:30 a.m. Dec. 9 at a business in the 14000 block of Forest Blvd. N. was likely triggered by plow trucks in the parking lot.
• Deputies dispatched out to the scene of a loud noise and smoke on Fanning Drive N. and French Drive N. at 9:31 p.m. Dec. 11 arrived on scene to find a laundry vent spewing an extraordinary amount of smoke. When alerting the homeowner, deputies learned that the residents were doing their laundry.
• After conducting a traffic stop on Highway 61 just north of 159th Street N. at 1:51 a.m. Dec. 12 for speeding and because the registered owner had a warrant, deputies noticed signs of impairment and arrested the driver for DWI. On being administered standardized field tests and portable breath tests, the driver displayed a 0.14 blood alcohol content.
• A possible burglary reported at 9:19 a.m. Dec. 14 in the 12000 block of Foxhill Avenue turned out to be a family member arriving home without advising the parties at the residence about it beforehand.
• A motorist was arrested for DWI at 6:11 p.m. Dec. 14 at a residence near Frenchman Road and Victor Hugo Road, following a driving complaint
PUBLIC SAFETY BRIEFS
at the above intersection.
• A motorist on Highway 61 just south of 170th Street was cited at 1:49 p.m. Dec. 16 for displaying registration that expired in January 2025. A motorist on Highway 61 at 152nd Street N. was also cited at 12:31 a.m. Dec. 19 for registration that expired in April 2025. A speeding motorist was cited at 1:15 a.m. Dec. 19 on Forest Blvd. N. and 147th Steet N. for that offense. A fourth motorist was cited at 2:20 a.m. Dec. 20 on Elmcrest Avenue N. and Frenchman Road N. for driving with an identification only and no driver’s license, following a traffic stop for failure to yield the right of way. A fifth motorist received citations at 11:51 p.m. Dec. 20 in the 15000 block of Forest Blvd. N. for presenting a fake driver’s license and for speeding following a traffic stop for speeding. A sixth motorist was cited for equipment violation at 4:37 p.m. Dec. 21 on Everton Avenue N. and Rosemary Way N. The motorist had previously been cited for the same offense. A seventh motorist was cited at 5:19 a.m. Dec. 24 on Frenchman Road and Forest Blvd. N. for equipment violation.
• A stolen vehicle report from the 14000 block of Forest Blvd. N. at 5:18 p.m. Dec. 16 turned out to be a civil issue.
• The horse, well known to deputies as a runner, was reported loose in the 6000 block of Egg Lake Road at 5:21 p.m. Dec. 18. Deputies, now experienced in wrangling, secured the horse and tried to contact its owner multiple times but received no answer.
• After deputies received a report of a set of keys found in a mailbox lock on 132nd Way N. at 132nd Street N. at 3:48 p.m. Dec. 19, they inspected the keys and opened the mailbox with the keys. Inside the mailbox was the residence number. The occupants at that residence confirmed the keys belonged to them.
• A person of undisclosed identity was arrested on a warrant at 6:12 p.m. Dec. 21 in the 14000 block of Victor Hugo Blvd. N. A second person was arrested for unknown offenses at 11:14 a.m. Dec. 22 on Garden Way N. and Cosette Lane N. following a traffic stop.
• An opossum was reported in a grill in the 4000 block of Prairie Trail Court N. at 4:50 p.m. Dec. 22. Deputies removed the grilled opossum and released it.
Man charged with felony after chase
Mitchell William Sprick, 35, from North Branch, has been charged with fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle.
According to the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, at approximately 2:25 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11, a deputy on routine patrol attempted to make a traffic stop on a vehicle that passed him at a high rate of speed. The driver fled, and the deputy pursued until he terminated the pursuit for safety reasons.
Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies found the suspect vehicle in the ditch near the 14000 block of Finale Road in the city of Hugo. Witnesses say they saw the driver run toward the Subway restaurant.
A perimeter was established, and K-9 officers tracked the suspect. Sprick was subsequently transported to Regions Hospital for evaluation, where he declined treatment and was subsequently booked into the Ramsey County jail.
• Deputies responded by phone to the scene of a neighbor dispute over the location of a driveway and property lines in the 13000 block of Forest Blvd. N. at 9:00 a.m. Dec. 23. Both parties were provided with possible outcomes and were advised to erect a fence to forestall any further property line disputes due to parking and proximity of driveways.
• The driver of an SUV reported her vehicle shutting down suddenly at 10:31 a.m. Dec. 23 just as she tried to make a left turn into a driveway in the 5000 block of 159th Street N. As the vehicle had stopped diagonally to block the road on a curve with poor visibility, deputies stood by for traffic direction while the complainant called for an area tow truck.
• A resident in the 13000 block of Flay Avenue N. at 12:31 p.m. Dec. 23 reported that an anonymous person had been posting a picture of her on a dating site. Deputies advised the caller on possible ways to remedy the situation.
• A resident in the 14000 block of Finale Avenue N. at 12:37 p.m. Dec. 23 reported damage to the door handle to her apartment door.
• A possible body reported found lying in a creek on 147th Street N. and Oneka Parkway N. at 12:53 p.m. Dec. 23 turned out to be an empty bag of dog food.
• A renter of City Hall in the 14000 block of Fitzgerald Avenue N. at 9:07 p.m. Dec. 23 reported that she couldn’t lock the door behind her when she was leaving. When deputies arrived on scene, they met with a city employee the complainant had summoned who had just locked up.
• A speeding motorist was arrested for DWI on Frenchman Road and Forest Blvd. N. at 1:35 a.m. Dec. 27. During the stop, deputies noticed signs of intoxication and asked the driver to exit the vehicle for standardized field sobriety testing. The driver registered a 0.09 blood alcohol content on the portable breath test. On the way to jail, the driver became colorfully ill in the squad’s back seat.
Loretta Harding
Forest Lake man indicted with production of child pornography
Damien William Quinn, also known as Ryan William Shattuck, age 34, of Forest Lake, has been charged with four counts of production of child pornography, two counts of attempted production of child pornography, one count of receipt of child pornography and five counts of cyberstalking, According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Damien Quinn allegedly owned multiple Snapchat and Instagram accounts that he used to “catfish” minor victims in order to receive sexually explicit photographs and videos. Quinn is accused of using those accounts to cyberstalk women who attended high school with him, claiming he had nude photos of them and sharing nude photos of one victim. Per the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Quinn
allegedly modified at least one photograph of a victim to make the victim appear nude.
To date, law enforcement says they have identified 11 victims of Quinn, including six minors and five adults. The case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Forest Lake Police Department and the Eden Prairie Police Department. Investigators believe there may be other victims relevant to the investigation. If you attended North Branch High School and have experienced suspicious online behavior from a known or unknown account, or if your child has reported being contacted online by an unknown account seeking sexually explicit material, contact the FBI Tip Line at 1-800-CALLFBI (1-800-225-5324).
United States Attorney’s Office
How to confront frequent increases in costs of living FINANCIAL PLANNING
Prices on the majority of goods and services have increased significantly over the last couple of years. Financial analysts report that inflation has reached heights that haven’t been seen in 41 years. According to the United States Department of Labor, the consumer price index, which measures changes in how much Americans pay for good and services, rose 0.4% in September.
As prices soared, families’ budgets were being pushed. What can people do in the face of rising costs on items they need, including those who may be on fixed incomes? These suggestions may help.
• Frequently review your budget. Keep track of how much items cost right now. Document all spending by writing down a list of weekly expenses or utilizing any number of free budgeting apps available. Tracking what is going out may make it easier to cut costs on less essential items, such as streaming services or gym memberships.
• Contact service providers. You may be able to negotiate better deals with a service provider, such as a mobile phone company or a cable television provider, if they learn you are considering leaving. If they can’t work out a deal, go with the less expensive provider. You can always switch back at the end of the term if you desire.
• Stop automatic payments. Having subscriptions and other bills automatically deducted from your checking account is convenient, but those rising costs may be overlooked. By viewing your bill and paying it each month, you can see where costs have increased and where you might need to rethink services.
• Carpool to work or school. Reduce expenditures on gasoline by sharing the costs with another person. Determine if public transportation is more cost-effective than driving to work or school each day.
• Consider alternative retailers. Brand loyalty to one supermarket or a particular retailer is quickly becoming a thing of the past. Nowadays it is wise to comparison shop across various stores to figure out where you’re getting the best deal. Venture into stores you may not have considered previously. Divide your shopping list by store category, visiting several for different items if it leads to big savings.
• Unplug, literally and figuratively. Cut down on energy costs by unplugging items when not in use. Reduce dependence on devices to further stem costs on electricity and gas-powered appliances. Prices continue to rise and consumers can explore various ways to stick to their spending budgets.
LEGISLATIVE RECEPTION: Leaders talk water, labor pressures
FROM PAGE 1
“Some of the businesses have ICE going into them or hanging out on their doorsteps, hour after hour, same day after day, week after week,” Fischer said. “So, if you wonder why a business is closing, this is why, because they don't feel safe, or their customers don't feel safe.”
Rep. Brion Curran (DFL) echoed those concerns, calling the situation unprecedented.
“If you want businesses to thrive in Minnesota, ICE needs to leave,” Curran said.
Water infrastructure top priority in bonding year
Water infrastructure emerged as a major focus as the state approaches a bonding year.
Sen. Karin Housley (R) said nearly every community she visits identifies water as its most pressing need.
“99.9% of the time, it is water,” Housley said. “Water is going to be the new gold.”
She noted that the Legislature approved more than $87 million in clean and drinking water grants last year and said she hopes to pass a similarly focused bonding bill in 2026.
Washington County Commissioner Stan Karwoski said sustainable water use will be critical in the years ahead.
“We can’t just assume water will always be there,” Karwoski said, adding that prioritizing the environment can also drive job growth.
Workforce development and access to child care
County leaders also emphasized that building a strong workforce in the Twin Cities requires practical training and access to child care.
Ramsey County Commissioner Kelly Miller said the county has focused on making workforce education “less siloed and more practical” by connecting schools, higher education and local businesses, citing programs like Construct Tomorrow, Trades Right Track internships, and Tech Squad.
Karwoski highlighted the importance of offering multiple career pathways.
“There’s this cultural belief that the American Dream is a four-year degree. Short-term certificates and two-year programs can build a workforce across the region that attracts and retains companies,” Karwoski said.
Workforce challenges are compounded by gaps in child care and caregiving, Ramsey County Commissioner Tara Jebens-Singh said. “If you don’t have somebody to care for the people you need cared for, you don’t get to work. Employees will be at work, but not really at work.”
She cited recent cuts to Medicaid payments, child care programs and legal immigration pathways as additional pressures on the labor pool.
“We’re not going to be able to homegrow enough people to take care of our aging communities,” Jebens-Singh said.
“That makes caregiving a workforce issue, not just a family issue.”
HUGO BITS & PIECES
• Council Member Mike Miron will serve as the acting mayor for 2026. That means Miron will fill in if Mayor Tom Weidt is absent.
• Meredith St. Pierre will serve as chair and Cathy Moore-Arcand will serve as vice chair of the Parks Commission. Pierre was appointed chair in September 2022, and Moore-Arcand has served as vice chair since January 2017.
• Brad Letourneau has been appointed chair of the Historical Commission. He has served as the chair of the commission since September 2023.
• Council Member Ben Krull and Mayor Weidt will serve as the City Council representatives on the Economic Development Authority (EDA). Each year, the council appoints two representatives to serve on the EDA.
• Mayor Weidt, Planning Commissioner Cindy Petty and
resident Scott Arcand will serve on the Board of Zoning Appeals and Adjustments. Weidt will serve as the chair of that group.
• The city plans to continue its partnership with WSB as the city engineer. WSB has served as city engineer for 22 years. The average rate adjustment for 2026 is 4%. The city also plans to continue working with other longstanding consultants including Landform as city planner, Johnson & Turner as city attorney, Baker Tilly as financial advisor, U.S. Bank as depository for city funds and The Citizen as the legal newspaper.
• The Hugo American Legion continues to support the Hugo Fire Department by donating pull-tab proceeds. Most recently, the Legion donated $1,500 to the department.
• The City Council has scheduled its annual goal-setting session for 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26, in Council Cham-
bers at City Hall.
• The Board of Appeal and Equalization will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 2, in the Oneka Room at City Hall. Prior to the meeting, property owners can mail or provide electronic documentation (such as a recent appraisal or sale of the property) that supports their claim of overvaluation or erroneous classification prior to the meeting. An in-person review of the property will be required before any value adjustment is made. Based on the documentation, the appraiser may be able to adjust the valuation or classification of the property without further appeals. For more information, visit www.washingtoncountymn.gov/3076/Appealing-Your-Value.
The next City Council meeting will be at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 2, at City Hall.
Shannon Granholm
MARVIN
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Sen. Heather Gustafson talks to a Hugo business owner before the panel.
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Educational foundation hosts annual Bear Legacy Breakfast
The White Bear Lake Area Educational Foundation (WBLAEF) will host its annual Bear Legacy Breakfast fundraiser event from 8 to 9 a.m. Friday, Feb. 13, at the White Bear Lake Area High School Student Union. This breakfast event is free to attend, but advance registration is required and donations are encouraged.
Speakers will include:
• Sarah Forestell - Spanish teacher | Mariner Middle School and WBLAHS
• Katie Harding - second grade teacher | Lakeaires Elementary
• Angela Drange - assistant director of student support services ECSE | Normandy Park
• Kristi Giles - Child and Family Advocate | Normandy Park
• George Kimball - retired WBLAS teacher and Closet volunteer
All proceeds from the annual fundraising event benefit students and educators in the White Bear Lake Area School
District. Online registration is available at: wblaef.org/bear-legacy. For more information, or to support the foundation, visit wblaef.org/bear-legacy or mail to 2399 Cedar Avenue, White Bear Lake.
Peace Poster Contest entrants on display at arts center
The Lions Club has collaborated with the White Bear Center for the Arts (WBCA) to display this year’s entries for the International Peace Poster Contest in the Community Hall. The posters were created by seventh-grade students at Central Middle School, and all reflect this year’s theme “Together as One.”
“The collection truly reflects creativity, thoughtfulness and the spirit of peace,” said Lion President Ivy Hunt. The posters will be on display through Jan. 23. WBCA is open 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Lions Club President Ivy Hunt stops by the White Bear Center for the Arts to see the Peace Posters on display. The winners have yet to be decided.
Hugo City Council authorizes review for 165th Street corridor
BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR
HUGO — A 120-day clock is now ticking for the completion of the alternative urban areawide review (AUAR) that will analyze multiple development scenarios along the 165th Street corridor, including land use, infrastructure, environmental assessment and costs.
There is increasing development interest along the corridor that would require both utility extensions and roadway improvements. Last April, city staff presented to the City Council the constraints to development in the area, and council authorized staff to work with consultants in drafting the AUAR. (See “Hugo undertakes comprehensive study on 165th Street corridor,” The Citizen, May 1, 2025.)
City Planner Rachel Juba explained that approximately 100 residents from the area attended an open house in July 2025. In addition, she says the city held approximately 20 meetings with individual property owners.
“We heard a mix of opinions. While some do not support development, they understand that it is planned, that infrastructure plans are headed that way, and they did support the paving of 165th Street.” Juba added that there were some property owners who were interested in the extension of municipal sewer and water to their properties for development.
In September 2025, the City Council, Planning Commission and Economic Development Authority held a joint workshop to discuss land use, utilities
and streets, along with three different land use scenarios. Scenario 1 is consistent with the land uses in the city’s current comprehensive plan. Scenario 2 and Scenario 3 involve a varying amount of residential, industrial and mixed-use development. (See chart for full breakdown.)
Juba said there was general support from the group for maintaining the industrial and mixed-use land use at 165th Street and Highway 61. She added that Scenario 2 was the favored option.
“We talked about how to plan for the oversizing of utilities to serve eastern Hugo far into the future. We decided that the oversizing will happen north of 165th Street, so it will be a significant cost savings for the city of Hugo to make that decision further down the road,” she said. “The consensus was that the exact location of utilities will be worked out with engineering as those properties develop.”
Juba noted that much of the discussion has centered around the improvements to 165th Street.
“The comp plan states that 165th is going to be an urban section road with curb and gutter. Right now, it is a gravel road (from Highway 61 to Elmcrest Avenue), so for development to be able to occur there are some improvements that need to happen,” Juba explained. She added that there was support for the paving of the roadway, which is included in the city’s capital improvement program for 2026.
Council Member Dave Strub asked Juba to explain the overall goal of the AUAR process. “The real goal of the
This chart breaks down the three land use scenarios the city of Hugo considered as part of the alternative urban areawide review for the 165th Street corridor.
AUAR is to smooth the development requests going forward? Our goal is to make it smoother rather than piecemeal what we are going to do there over the next 25 years.”
Juba explained that the AUAR will confirm what land uses are in the area, where utilities are supposed to go and also address what kind of street improvements are needed. “The recommendation out of AUAR talks about what kind of street improvements we are going to need … it includes cost, (and) what escrows we need to get from property owners as they develop for the ultimate buildout of 165th Street,” Juba explained. She added that certain levels of development require environmental review per state law, which will be included in the AUAR, so developers will not have to go through that process themselves.
The City Council voted unanimously (Mayor Tom Weidt was absent) to order the preparation of the AUAR. For now, city staff will continue preparing the draft AUAR, which is expected to be presented to the council at its second regular meeting in February. If approved by the council, the draft will then be distributed to property owners, adjacent jurisdictions and other agencies like the DNR for comments during a 30-day comment period.
In March, the city plans to host another open house on the AUAR and will take that feedback to refine the plan before bringing it back to the council for final approval in May.
Managing Editor Shannon Granholm can be reached at 651-407-1227 or citizennews@presspubs.com.
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E R V I C E D I R E C T O R Y
White Bear Lake School Board weighs self-evaluation amid disputes over procedures
BY MAYA BETTI NEWS INTERN
Members of the White Bear Lake Area School Board are looking into a board self-evaluation “to better serve” the community as they head into 2026 after repeated discussions on proper board procedures.
During the annual reorganization meeting, Board Member Jessica Ellison shared a statement outlining what she describes as the board’s legal and ethical responsibilities. Ellison said that, even after nine years on the board, she continues to learn what governance requires.
“We govern — we’re not legislators, we’re not judges,” Ellison said. “We operate as a governing body, and the only power that we have is as a quorum of members.”
Ellison explained that the board’s role is to set a strategic vision, approve budgets and establish policy. She said it’s up to the superintendent and staff to determine how to implement those decisions.
Once the board has done its job, she said, it’s the duty of the board members to uphold it.
“After a vote, it’s our job to speak with one voice,” Ellison said. “I carry the label of school board member everywhere I go in this community, and it’s important for people to see that I support the decisions of the board, regardless of how I vote.”
CENTERVILLE TIDBITS
• A vital function of the year’s first meeting is to appoint council members to the city’s boards and committees. The Centerville City Council did just that at its first meeting of the year. The liaisons remain mostly unchanged from 2025, although some changes were made as Wednesday is a difficult day for most council members, four of whom are new. These new council members found the regularly scheduled Wednesday council meetings problematic and switched the regular meeting days to Thursday. The same holds true for commissions that meet on Wednesday, most notably the Parks and Recreation Committee. Council Member Linda Broussard-Vickers will take over as council liaison to the Parks and Recreation Committee from Council Member David Kubat.
• The fee schedule is reviewed yearly, and proposed amendments are presented to council for consideration, usually at the first meeting of the year. State statute requires that a public hearing be published in the city’s official newspaper before the meeting is held. Council opened and closed the public hearing without input from the public. Minor changes and clarifications were made in the electrical, water usage, variance deposits, development, and retail sales portion of the fee schedule. Council unanimously (5-0; Council Members Anita Rios and Broussard-Vickers attended via Zoom) approved it.
• Every year, the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT) asks city councils, as part of the insurance contract renewal process, whether they want to waive the Minnesota State statutory liability limits. These limits are $500,000 for an individual claimant and $1.5 million for all claimants in a single incident. If liability limits are waived, the liability increases to $2 million per claimant and per incident. As it has done every year, staff recommended that council not waive the liability limits.
• The property owners at 1952 Eagle Trail and at 1765 Partridge Place will be able to construct their fences in the city’s right-of-way/ drainage/ utility easements until the city needs those spaces, after council approved an encroachment agreement for each.
• Three massage/therapist enterprises in town have received their license renewals for 2026. They are Schlavin Family Chiropractic (establishment license and massage); Shauna Stelter
Ellison then referenced remarks made by Board Member Dan Skaar during the board’s Dec. 8 meeting regarding an education finance analysis attributed to Ken Wolf and Bob Fallen of Local Elections Matter. The analysis was covered previously in the Press (see “White Bear Lake Area School District’s budget discussion brings conflicting numbers, viewpoints,” White Bear Press, Dec. 17). Ellison says she reviewed the meeting video and later researched the individuals named.
“I Googled these two individuals and found that Mr. Wolf passed away in October 2024,” Ellison said. “The report provided was dated July 2024 and, as of today, the board has not received an answer about when he made this request and when the report was delivered to him.”
Ellison also noted that board policies prohibit members from conducting independent investigations.
She recommended that the board conduct a self-evaluation in the coming year.
“As we move into a new year, we must model the behavior we expect of our students and publicly uphold our policies,” Ellison said.
In response to Ellison, Skaar read from a Minnesota statute outlining school board duties, stating that boards are responsible for managing schools, adopting rules and prescribing courses of study. According to Skaar, board policies are being used to suppress dis-
(massage therapist at Schlavin Family Chiropractic) and Jodi Cruz (massage therapist at Connor James Salon).
• The Amazon facility will receive its $80,000 in escrow funds, after council approved their release at the Jan. 8 meeting. As part of the developer’s agreement, Amazon gave the city $80,000 to be held in escrow in case noise mitigation measures needed to be implemented. A noise study was conducted one year after the facility was fully operational and concluded that the noise level complied with the stated goals of the development. Earlier this year, council approved a mitigation plan that included 27 mature trees planted in strategic locations. After city staff confirmed that the trees were planted, Amazon requested the escrow money be released.
• For several years, the city has been working with residents at 6996 Brian Drive and their neighbors to fix the drainage issues caused by a private pond in the neighborhood. At the Dec. 11 meeting, council approved special assessment agreements and waivers for the Brian Drive Pond Drainage and Utility Improvement Project. At the Jan. 8 meeting, council approved a temporary drainage and utility easement agreement for 6996 Brian Drive. City Engineer Kellie Schlegel reached out to the contractor, who she said was still interested in doing the work. Schlegel said she didn’t think the work would take long (a week or so) but would be unlikely to start before summer due to wet conditions usually experienced in the spring. Private utility work and fence removals need to be performed, which are also difficult in winter, she said.
• The city has received an escrow agreement from Southwind Holdings LLC to continue review of a proposed development project for Block 7. Council approved the $5,000 escrow agreement to continue the plan review for a proposal to build 15 small-scale detached cottages of one or two stories. The intent of the escrow is to cover the city’s costs associated with planning and consulting fees.
• Council said goodbye to Junior Council Member Sophie and hello to Junior Council Member Garrett. Sophie Wynn served as high school representative for the 2025 calendar year and was presented with a proclamation for her dedicated year of service to the city in December. The 2026 high school representative Garrett Schnei-
senting voices.
“Policy 209 and 215 are being used as a way to intimidate minority board members,” Skaar says, adding that he has raised concerns with the Minnesota School Boards Association and expects those policies to be reviewed.
According to the district website, Policy 209 and Policy 215 establish the ethical standards, expected conduct and accountability procedures for School Board members.
Skaar said Ellison’s characterization of the financial data was incorrect, stating that the information came from publicly available district documents and the Minnesota Department of Education, not Wolf and Fallen.
Skaar added that he does not dispute the district’s numbers but believes the presentation to the board lacked context.
Board Chair Scott Arcand said that the board’s procedures are intended to maintain order and ensure clarity.
“We’re trying to have people not talk over each other,” Arcand said. “Otherwise, we get two or three people talking, and then nobody hears.”
The White Bear School Board will reconvene for a work session on Jan. 26 at the District Service Center at Sunrise Park, 2399 Cedar Avenue, White Bear Lake.
der took the Oath of Office prior to the start of the regular meeting.
• In her report, City Administrator Athanasia Lewis noted that the Centennial Fire District Santa Parade raised $487 and 1,983 pounds of food from Centerville residents for the local food shelf.
• The second annual Centennial Area Chamber Winterfest 2026 is scheduled for Feb. 13-22 and will coordinate with the Centerville Lions fishing event. Activities will take place throughout the Centennial Area with opportuni-
ties to win gift cards, find a medallion and more.
• The Planning and Zoning Commission recently held interviews to fill a vacancy on the commission and will bring a candidate recommendation to council at a future meeting.
The council next meets at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22, at City Hall, 1880 Main St. Loretta Harding
celebrated his 1,000th
Roelofs passes 1,000 points
Willie Roelofs poured in 43 points — and went over 1,000 in his career — as Mahtomedi boys basketball defeated Two Rivers 72-54 on Friday evening. Roelofs shot 17-for-26 on field goals and 8-for-9 on free shots, and nabbed 10 rebounds. With his 36th point he reached 1,000. The 6-foot-8 junior had a 40-point effort five
games earlier against South St. Paul. He’s averaging 22.4 points. Mark Graff had 12 points, five assists and three steals, and Noah Carlson seven rebounds, six assists and three steals. Two Rivers made 11 three-pointers and kept it close until four minutes left. Mahtomedi, ranked No. 6 in Class 3A, is 11-2 after
a 3-0 week. The Zephyrs beat St. Anthony Village 61-50 on Tuesday with Graff hitting 24 points, Carlson 15 and Roelofs 10, and beat North St. Paul 81-39 on Wednesday as Roelofs netted 25 points, Carlson 11, Graff 10, and Mo Mouacheupao eight.
Bruce Strand
Bear icemen have won 5 of last 6
BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR
White Bear Lake hockey had a strong week, starting with a close loss to conference leader Cretin-Derham Hall (CDH), followed by home wins over Forest Lake and Mounds View. The Bears are 8-7-1, winning five of their last six.
Against CDH, the Bears had the lead three times at Highland Arena on a goal by Magnus Benz and two by Liam Maloy. The Raiders’ Max Thompson tied it up in the third period at 13:24 and Maverick Timmons gave them a 4-3 win, scoring with 14 seconds left. Bear goalie Riley Helmberger made 32 saves.
The Bears defeated Forest Lake 7-2 Thursday, powered by Benz with four goals. Also scoring were Tanner Olsen, Wyatt Raleigh (short-handed) and Nash Roed (power play). Roed assisted on four goals. Helmberger made 27 saves. Against Mounds View, the Bears punctured the nets for a 15-1 win
BRUCE STRAND CONTRIBUTED
Magnus Benz (27) tallied seven goals in three games last week for the Bears.
Saturday. Nine players had goals: Roed (three), Logan Docken (three), Lukas Mork (two), Benz (two), Tyler LaLonde, Luke Larsen, Hunter Doroff, Carson Richie and Gavin Wippler.
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Isabelle Kane
White Bear Lake Wrestling January 22, 2026
Isabelle “Izzy” Kane, White Bear Lake junior wrestling cocaptain, was named Outstanding Wrestler at the 15-school Park Center tournament Saturday after pinning all three opponents to win the 130-pound title. Kane is 20-9 for the season with 18 pins. “Izzy is extremely dedicated and hard-working,” head coach Jeffrey Isaac said, “and it has shown as she continues to shine. She is an outstanding leader, and an asset to the growth of girls wrestling in the area.” Added girls coach Jon Shellenberger, “We are proud of the example Izzy sets for her team. She has reached a new level as a competitor.”
Cougars place 2nd in true-team section
Centennial placed second of eight teams in the Section 7AA meet at home Friday and Saturday. The top three teams were Duluth with 1286, the Cougars 1185 and Andover 1066. Benno Schuhbauer placed second in the medley (2:00.66), and backstroke (53.99). Grant Page was third in backstroke (59.37) and fourth in butterfly (58.34). Isaac Nguyen was third in 100 free (50.43) and fifth in medley (2:09.51). Eliot Shepard was third in the 50 free (23.65).
Other top-ten finishes were Brendan Chretien, fifth, 500 free, and sixth, 200 free; Blake Thorson, sixth, diving (324.95); Sawyer Celotta, sixth, breaststroke, and 10th, 50 free; Brennan Nelson, eighth, butterfly; Eli Hoerl, ninth, breaststroke; and Devin Swenson,
10th, 100 free. In relays, the Cougars were second in the 200 freestyle, with Nguyen, Swenson, Celotta, Shepard (1:34.13); third in the medley with Schuhbauer, Celotta, Page and Shepard (1:44.34); and third in the 400 free with Page, Chretien, Nguyen and Schubauer (3:23.74).
Centennial (5-1 in duals) beat Park Center 99-58 on Thursday. Event winners were Nguyen (200 free, backstroke), Celotta (butterfly), Page (medley), Swenson (50 free), Thorson (diving), Shepard (100 free), Schuhbauer (500 free), Harvey Czapko (breaststroke) and all three relays.
Cougars win round 4 against Holy Family
CONTRIBUTED
Kathryn Genia delivered the game-winner in overtime.
BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR
Centennial/Spring Lake Park (CLSP) dueled Holy Family Catholic for the fourth time this year and gained a split by edging the Fire 3-2 in overtime at home, Kathryn Genia delivering the
game-winner. If the top two teams in the state rankings meet again it will be for much bigger stakes.
A power play goal by Jozie Kenzenberg with 26 seconds left in regulation, assisted by Brenna Nowling, pulled the Cougars into a 2-2 tie. In the overtime, the two powers slugged it out for almost eight minutes before Genia scored at 7:56 on their 10th shot, assisted by Annabelle Buccicone. Cougar goalie Kaia Wieland made five of her 31 saves in overtime.
Holy Family won the first two bouts 2-0 and 3-2. CSLP won 4-3 in the finals of an Edina holiday showcase. The Cougars are 16-2-1 and the Fire 18-2-0. CSLP’s
other non-win Is a tie with No. 3 Minnetonka. Madeline Wolter scored for CSLP in the first period, assisted by Ella Perrault. Ella Nonweiler drilled both of Holy Family’s goals. Their goalie, Kayla Swarthout, made 36 saves. After three non-conference matchups and the holiday tournament matchup, the Cougars and Fire might meet for the rubber game at the state tournament, barring upsets. The Cougars defeated Rogers 9-1 there Tuesday on goals by Kelzenberg (three), Lillian Renslow (two), Avery Wagner, Mia Sutch, Perrault and Grace Laager. Madison Orlett made 20 saves.
Zephyr junior Willie Roelofs
point after the Two Rivers game with the Mahtomedi coaching staff (l-r) Keith Newman, George Palke, and Jordan Goodmanson.
Bruce Strand
BRUCE STRAND | CONTRIBUTED
Isaac Nguyen placed high in four events, including relays, in the true team section.
andArts Culture2026
EMERGING ARTIST: LUCA ACKERMAN
BY LOGAN GION CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Band, orchestra, drumline, sound design, stage management—White Bear Lake Area High School senior Luca Ackerman’s daily rhythm seems to revolve around the concept of rhythm itself.
“I’m just always at school for one reason or another relating to arts,” Ackerman said. A percussionist since middle school, Ackerman’s start in theater sound design was more roundabout than one might expect. After a friend in drumline suggested attending a crew meeting for the fall musical, Ackerman accepted a position in costuming. One week later, a student dropped out of the sound crew.
“Our technical directors were like, ‘Hey, you seem like you’re interested in this. Do you want to do something that’s a little more intensive?’” Ackerman remembered. “All of a sudden— poof— there I was in the tech booth, finding sound effects and teaching myself how to get everything to work the way I wanted it to. I loved it, and I just kept coming back.”
Theater technical capabilities have grown at a rapid tempo over the last decade. When White Bear Lake Area High School performed “Little Shop of Horrors” in fall 2006, for instance, the sound technician manually rang an egg timer each time a phone went off on stage. When the high school performed the show in fall 2023, Ackerman used a more sophis-
ticated approach.
“We had four phones on stage, I found a different ring for each one that was fitting with the time,” Ackerman compared. “One of them, I sped it up a little bit to have a higher pitch to
differentiate it and have it tuned with the music and give them notes that made a fun little melody that matched the melody of the song.”
Flourishes like this have earned Ackerman praise from the Hennepin Arts Spotlight Education. In 2024, Ackerman received an evaluator shout out for his work on “Legally Blonde.” This year, he received outstanding technical leadership as tech manager for “Cinderella.”
Now, Ackerman is transitioning to stage manager for White Bear’s competitive one-act “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.” A theater stage manager runs point on communication and organization, ensuring a production runs smoothly and helping to
‘THE 39 STEPS’ HAS ACTORS PLAYING 39 ROLES
BY LOGAN GION CONTRIBUTING WRITER
“The Thirty-Nine Steps” is a 1915 spy thriller novel by John Buchan about a man named Richard who finds himself sucked into an international spy scheme. Alfred Hitchcock filmed an adaptation of the book in 1935, a movie that Orson Welles praised as a masterpiece. Lakeshore Players’ upcoming production of “The 39 Steps” is based on the Tony-Award-winning parody play of the material, which recreates the book’s plot, but with a Monty Python comedic sensibility and precise physical comedy.
Most notably, the play has hundreds of characters, but a cast of four.
“One person plays Richard, and that’s his only role. The other three play probably over 40 characters,” explained the play’s director, Sarah Nargang. “We try to lean into the suspense of Hitchcock in the silliest way we can manage.”
Silliness, in this case, takes serious work. Nargang taught her cast Lecoq techniques—derived from a
French school of dynamic movement—so that the physical gags and rhythm of the show would be comedically effective.
“By the end of it, the actors are sweaty and exhausted and have had a blast. Hopefully, the audience feels that way too,” said Nargang before adding, “Maybe not the sweaty part.”
Cast member Hannah Steblay agreed, “It requires this unrelenting precision, carving and continuing to carve until you find the nut of the joke … [Nargang] is so good at sticking with something until you can distill it into exactly what the audience needs it to be.”
What the audience needs at this moment in time, according to Steblay, is levity. “It’s a heavy world right now for a lot of people,” said Steblay. “It’s also the middle of winter … It’s nice to go into a space with a bunch of people and collectively laugh.”
Nargang added, “[‘The 39 Steps’] doesn’t take itself too seriously. There’s no deeper message. Sometimes the most healing thing art can give is just a giggle.”
“The 39 Steps” runs from Friday, Jan. 23 through Saturday, Feb. 7. For tickets and details, visit lakshoreplayers.org or call the box office at 651-478-7427.
‘MATILDA JR.’ RESPECTS THE FUNDAMENTALS
BY LOGAN GION CONTRIBUTING WRITER
“Matilda,” written by renowned children’s author Roald Dahl—about a girl who develops psychic powers and uses them to combat her neglectful parents and abusive school principal—teaches audiences of all ages valuable lessons. Children’s Performing Arts’ upcoming junior adaptation of the material, however, must balance showing a dark reality while working with children.
“This story does a great job of teaching the importance of children standing up and saying something’s not right,” said Kathryn Mooers, the show’s director. “Adults tune out children so often—‘They’re learning,’ ‘They’re not quite there yet’—but you’ve taught them the fundamentals. When they see the fundamentals not being followed through, they’re going to be the ones to say, ‘Uh-uh. That’s not it.’” Mooers has focused on teaching her cast fundamentals of respect as well, though calibrated to different grade levels. “If you saw somebody
hit somebody else, whether that be somebody your own age or an adult, is that okay?” Mooers explained. “I have one rule; it’s called the respect rule. It has three parts: You have to respect yourself, you have to respect each other and you have to respect your space.”
Mooers believes focusing on this rule fosters better performances. “The goal is to develop the child while creating great art,” Mooers stated. “That's how you get real success, because then, the kids's going on stage with confidence. They’re going to find more success. They're finding who they are. They're creating stronger relationships with each other.”
Once Mooers feels the cast members understands themselves and their relationships to one another, she asks them to do something the same with the play’s characters. She described, “Talk to the person next to you. Who are you to this person? Create that relationship within your characters because that's going to lead to a successful portrayal of the scene on stage.”
This process has led to inventive thinking from the cast. Cooper Vanyo, an 11-year-old who plays Matilda’s father, Mr. Wormwood,
found that he had little trouble portraying an adult. “It makes it a little easier because my character doesn't act like he's mature, like an adult. So I don't have to.”
Eleven-year-old Juniper Rains, who plays Mrs. Wormwood, found a similar connection. “I love dancing, and my character loves dancing,” Juniper said. “She’s in her own world … She’s in the dancing world and the sassy-queen world.”
Nine-year-old Joey Hultgren and 12-year-old Brynn Vinck, who take turns playing Matilda, both respect the show’s fundamental message to its audience. “I think it’s important to understand how people should be treated as equal as possible,” said Hultgren, “and I think that people should watch the show because the actors put a lot of time into it.”
“Everybody should know the story of Matilda,” added Vinck. “How she’s treated, how she overcomes her life and how she gets good things out of bad things.”
“Matilda Jr.” runs Feb. 13-22 at Forest Lake Area High School, 6101 Scandia Trail N., Door 32, Forest Lake. For more information, visit childrensperformingartsmn.org.
maintain a director’s vision. Ackerman believes his skills have translated well because of his background in band and orchestra.
“Both theater and music, they’re not sports, but they’re team sports. In order to have a good concert, everybody in the band has to work together,” Ackerman explained. “It’s the same thing in theater.”
White Bear Lake Area High School will perform “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” as part of the MSHSL competitive one-act play sectional tournament at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23 White Bear Lake Area High School Performing Arts Center, 5040 Division Ave., Door A. The tournament runs Jan. 22-23.
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR WINTER THEATER CLASSES
All classes take place at Hanifl Performing Arts Center, 4941 Long Ave., White Bear Lake. To register, visit childrensperformingartsmn.org/classes-workshops
SATURDAY MORNING DROP-IN
Grades: K-2
Dates: 9:30-11:30 a.m. Saturdays, Jan. 24, Feb. 21 and March 21
Details: Classes focus on creative play and fostering imagination. Each week students will read books, play games, do crafts and create characters.
PIZZA PERFORMANCE POP UPS
Grades: 6-12
Dates: 6-9 p.m. Saturdays Jan. 24, Feb. 21 and March 28
Details: Students will come together for socializing and pizza, then break into groups to work on scenes assigned to them. At the end of the night, all students will get to perform for each other.
FEBRUARY EVENTS
DONUTS AND DOORMATS
Location: Mahtomedi High School, 8000 75th St., Room 1066
Dates: 5:30-7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6
Details: Woodbury Board and Brush is partnering with Mahtomedi Community Education, offering adults and accompanied teens a chance to paint their own 18 x 30 inch doormat, all while snacking with donuts. Register at mahtomedi.ce.eleyo.com/courses/category/51/ adults.
‘A YEAR IN VIETNAM’
Location: White Bear Lake Armory, 2228 Fourth St.
Dates: 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10
Details: Darryl LeMire, helicopter mechanic, Vietnam Veteran and lifelong White Bear Resident, will share his experiences as aircraft support during the Vietnam War.
GALENTINE’S DAY BINGO
Location: White Bear Lake City Hall, 4701 Highway 61
Dates: 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12
Details: Take your gals and pals out on the town. Grab a Bingo card from participating businesses, then get stamps as you visit shops. A regular bingo enters you for a gift card drawing; a blackout enters you for a chance to win the grand prize.
‘CHART TOPPERS & SHOWSTOPPERS! FROM BROADWAY TO BILLBOARD’
Location: Hanifl Performing Arts Center, 4941 Long Ave., White Bear Lake
Dates: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22
Details: For theatre fans and pop music lovers, this show features smash hits from Broadway musicals that crossed over to become chart toppers.
CONTRIBUTED
Luca Ackerman
White Bear Lake High school students find unity in walkout
BY SHANNON GRANHOLM AND MAYA BETTI MANAGING EDITOR AND NEWS INTERN
High school students are sharing their voices following the killing of Renee Nicole Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent.
Hundreds of White Bear Lake Area High School students walked out of classes at noon Friday, Jan. 9 and into the streets of downtown to protest recent ICE operations in the Twin Cities metro area.
Press Publications randomly asked four students who participated in the walkout if they would agree to being interviewed. These students (two boys and two girls) are not identified in this story, as there was insufficient time to seek parental permission for use of student names before press time.
Students say they learned about the walkout after seeing the news shared by one of their peers on Instagram.
One sophomore says she participated to raise awareness. “I think people are making it smaller than it is… this is important and we don’t want anything like this to happen again.”
A freshman added that recent events are impacting students. “People are really emotionally impacted. It is bigger than it seems, and we want to make sure people see that,” she said.
Another freshman said he wanted to participate because it was a chance to show his discontent with recent events. “I really didn’t like what's been happening lately,” he said. “It just seems against everything that we should stand for.”
He noted that before Good’s death, there had not been much conversation among students about recent ICE activities. However, after a video circulated that showed Good being shot by the ICE agent, people began to mobilize,
including himself. “It just seemed really unjust and honestly horrible,” he said.
A third freshman said he felt motivated to participate for similar reasons.
“It's just been really difficult to see every person that's engaged with ICE, and how random some of these attacks have been on these people,” he said.
Students say the walkout was peaceful overall but brought up that there was one guy who covered his face with a black mask, did the Nazi salute and was calling students “terrorists” and telling them to “go back to your country.” Students shared that there were some vehicles that drove by on Highway 61 that revved their engines, honked or shouted out windows.
Police Chief Dale Hager says the police department was notified about the walkout a few hours before it occurred. He noted there were no incidents, and no one was taken into custody.
“It was generally peaceful. Kids are kids, so language and gestures are to be expected, but I would classify it as peaceful,” he said.
High school students say they were given the option to walk out or stay in school. White Bear Area Schools sent out the following message to families ahead of the event.
“The White Bear Lake Area School District supports students’ rights to free speech and peaceful assembly, so long as doing so is not disruptive and is done in accordance with district policies. It is important to note that per the district’s attendance policy, if students walk out of school unexcused, they may be prohibited from participating in after-school activities.”
The message went onto detail as to what would happen if a walkout occurred and warned that leaving the building could result in an unexcused absence unless parent/ guardian permission was provided. The district also
encouraged families to have conversations with their students about their expectations.
“Our priority as a school is to maintain an environment that is conducive to student learning. The school days will proceed as regular days, with all class periods in session.”
Students were surprised to see how many of their peers showed up and say it brought a sense of unity.
“It was really cool that this many people at school, most of whom, don't usually talk to each other or know each other,” the third freshman said. “We’re all kind of united.”
Rep. Brion Curran (District 36B) attended the walkout and said they were honored to stand in solidarity with the students.
“More than ever, our younger generation is looking to the adults, local leaders and elected officials in their lives to both uplift and encourage their
WHY BE A BEAR?
• Student-centered instruction.
We believe all students grow and learn in different ways and at different rates — that all can achieve.
• Expanded academic opportunities.
Our students explore their interests, excel and design their futures.
• Empowered, supported learning.
Students are agents and owners of their learning in an environment that is safe, supportive and challenging — with high expectations for student success.
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Our educators facilitate learning and challenge students — fostering curiosity and confidence.
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Our flexible learning spaces and learning studios ignite opportunities for communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking.
civic engagement and their voice in our democracy,” Curran said. “Our students need to know they are valued members of our community and that they have the collective power to make a change and stand up for their neighbors.” Curran continued, “I am grateful for the students and their bravery and courage. Our students should be focused on their studies and spending the school year with their friends and school community — yet they know in this historic moment it’s important to join the movement in denouncing the brazen actions of the federal government against Minnesotans. Our community is so proud of these young leaders.”
Curran thanked law enforcement for monitoring the walkout for the safety of students and giving them the space to exercise their constitutional rights.
PAUL DOLS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
High school students show off a variety of signs they made with messages like “ICE off campus,” “The wrong ICE is melting,” and “Ice is for drinks not communities.”