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HONORING OUR HEROES: Recognizing local veterans PAGES 10-11
Press Publications has helped deliver letters to Santa. Each year, Press Publications asks children to drop off their letters to Santa in the big red mailbox outside of the office in White Bear Lake, or to mail them in. Some of the desired items this year included Legos, Pokemon cards, stuffed animals and more. See pages 12 and 13 for more Santa letters. And be sure to read even more Santa letters online at presspubs.com.
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Objections raised ahead of assessment hearing BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR
HUGO — An assessment hearing for the proposed 2026 street improvement project won’t take place until this spring, but several residents have already voiced their concerns and objection to the projected assessments. The Bald Eagle Industrial Park street improvement project consists of full-depth pavement removal, paving, mill and overlay improvements, spot curb and gutter replacement, trail improvements, street lighting improvements and minor utility improvements. The project is proposed to include 130th Street N., 140th Street N., Fenway Boulevard North, Fenway Boulevard and Farnham Avenue N. (See “Council sets public hearing for street project,” The Citizen, Nov. 28, 2025.) In addition to two formal objections to the project the city received in writing, four residents along with a business owner and business representative shared their opinions on the project with the City Council during the recent public hearing. Jarard Torenvliet said he objects to the assessment because he felt the businesses were receiving value from the project but not the residents. “I would be fine paying a special assessment if I felt like my property was getting a benefit from the improvements that you are proposing. They are good improvements, I don’t contest the improvements, but as far as I’m concerned, if that road became worse for trucks to drive down, my life would get better,” he said. “I’m really challenged by the assessment because it really feels like it is making the life of the industrial park better, which is a general benefit to all of Hugo; it is not a special benefit to me or my neighbors.” Torenvliet added that he felt the condition of the roadway was fine and said it is actually better than some other streets in the neighborhood behind him. Tyler Lessard said when he moved to the area 15 years ago, traffic was low, but it has significantly increased as the companies in the industrial park have expanded. “I do have young kids, so improvements on that road would be more appealing to heavier traffic, and I don’t see the value to my house by increasing industrial traffic into the neighborhood that I live in,” Lessard said. “I don’t see the benefit for my property or any of the properties at all on that road to increase traffic.” SEE STREET PROJECT, PAGE 20
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