Summer sounds return
Voting begins: Best of contest is here
The nominations are in, and voting is open for Press Publications’ annual Best of the Press Readers’ Choice contest.
Community members will vote for a wide variety of their favorites, including restaurants, doctors, schools, artists, services, events and much more.
This year’s contest features more than 149 categories, including eight new categories: sweet shop, chicken wings, brat/hot dog, mocktail at a bar or restaurant, meal for the money, apple orchard, electrician company and dispensary.
New categories
• Sweet shop Chicken wings
• Brat/hot dog
• Mocktail at a bar or restaurant
• Meal for the money
• Apple orchard
• Electrician company
• Dispensary
The contest helps recognize exceptional businesses, Press Publications General Manager Patty Steele said. Winning a badge adds credibility to a business for someone making a buying decision.
“Six years strong and readers still love to vote for their favorites in the local communities, and businesses love to be recognized by their customers,” Steele said. “It’s also a great guide for our readers to take a look at the top three and decide to try somewhere new they might not have otherwise tried.”
The contest continues to gain popularity each year. Voting is available 24/7 on the Press Publications website at presspubs.com/white_bear/bestof. Each reader may vote once per day.
Voting ends at 5 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 2.
Winners and finalists will be recognized in a special section the first week of October. Winners will also be posted online.
A painting a day: A lifetime of painting with Frank Kuettel
BY GRAHAM JOHNSON CONTRIBUTING WRITER
It all started with the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria.
A nun noticed a then-sixth grade Frank Kuettel’s drawing of Columbus’ three ships on the blackboard and told his mother he had a gift for drawing. Eight decades later, Frank continues to draw and paint each and every day with the paintings stacked six-deep against the walls of his apartment, at the landings of his New Perspectives home in White Bear Lake, in two separate storage units, and in the homes of his children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren.
Frank’s works are mostly watercolor views of forests, north shore landscapes, mountains, streams and flowers in anatomical detail from beneath the watchful gaze of a portrait he painted of his now late-wife, Nancy.
“I find painting very therapeutic,” said Frank with a shrug about the habit.
Frank took art classes on the weekends after being pointed out by the nun. He would eventually go on to graduate with a fine arts degree from what is now the Minneapolis College of Art and Design before launching into a career of commercial art across some the biggest companies in Minnesota like 3M, the St. Paul
SEE FROM LOGOS TO LANDSCAPES, PAGE 10
CITY OF VADNAIS HEIGHTS | CONTRIBUTED
The city of Vadnais Heights’ Music in the Park series will continue this week with a performance by the St. Peter Street Stompers from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday July 8 at Lily Pond Park. Next up will be a special edition concert with Little Canada Parks and Recreation featuring the Kendra Glenn Band from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 15 at Thunder Bay/Westwinds Park in Little Canada. The concert series will return to Vadnais Heights Wednesday, July 22 at Bridgewood Park featuring the Roe Family Singers.
ROSEANNE TRIPI | CONTRIBUTED
Frank Kuettel poses alongside his great-granddaughter Aria with floral watercolors in his studio.
VADNAIS HEIGHTS MUSIC IN THE PARK
When: 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, July 8
Where: Lily Pond Park, 325 Lily Pond Lane
Details: Free outdoor concert featuring the St. Peter Street Stompers. Seating provided or bring your own. Come at 5:30 for free mini yoga, and visit with Mayor Krachmer prior to concert. Contact: cityvadnaisheights.com/264/Music-in-thePark-Series
RAMSEY COUNTY DISTRICT ONE PICNIC
When: 6-8 p.m. Thursday, July 9
Where: Snail Lake County Park, 4191 Snail Lake Blvd., Shoreview
Details: Commissioner Tara Jebens-Singh hosts community picnic with food and beverages, resource table, and the Serenity Mental Health bus. Contact: tara.jebenssingh@ramseycountymn.gov
FRIDAYS WITH FIREFIGHTERS
When: 10 a.m.-noon Friday, July 10
Where: White Bear Lake South Fire Station, 2240 County Road E Details: Get outside for free activities and fire safety education.
Contact: whitebearlakemn.gov
SUMMER SIGNINGS
When: 10 a.m.-noon Friday, July 10 during the Farmers Market.
Where: Lake Country Booksellers, 4766 Washington Square, White Bear Lake
Details: Authors Dean Hovey and D.L. Dixon will sign copies of their latest collaboration “Woke Up Dead,” #13 in the Pine County mystery series; and Laurie Lynnsee with sign copies of “The Song Calls,” the first in a new mystery series co-written with A.W. Powers. Contact: lakecountrybooksellers.com
When: 9:30-11 a.m. Saturday, July 11
Where: Lions Park, 4410 Lake Ave. S, White Bear Lake
Details: The mayor will visit parks in each ward over the summer/fall to chat with residents about ideas, questions, concerns or just conversation. Drop-in event.
Contact: 651-429-8526
ST. PAUL HIKING CLUB
When: 2:30 p.m. Sunday, July 12
Where: Keller Regional Park, shelter #3
Details: Three-mile hike on paved trail followed by annual potluck picnic.
Contact: stpaulhike.com
BIRCHWOOD MUSIC IN THE PARK
When: 6-7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 12
Where: Tighe-Schmitz Park, Birchwood
Details: Artrio, comprised of three local bassoonists, perform an eclectic program featuring ancient, classical, contemporary, jazz and new music from around the world. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. At city hall in case of rain.
Contact: cityofbirchwood.com
THE MUSIC OF THE BEACH BOYS
When: 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday, July 12
Where: Hanifl Performing Arts Center, 4941 Long Ave., White Bear Lake
Details: Pet Sounds Live presents the music of the Beach Boys. Ticket information online.
Contact: lakeshoreplayers.org
BOBBER-STYLE FISHING CAMP
When: 10 a.m.-noon Monday, July 13 – Wednesday, July 15 and Monday July 27 to Wednesday, July 29
Where: Tally's Dockside, 4441 Lake Ave. S.
Details: Kids who have completed grades 1-5 can experience the fun of “bobber-style” catch and release fishing at various spots around White Bear Lake with a guide. Equipment provided to bring your own. Registration required. Contact: 651-407-2018 or communityed.mahtomedi.k12. mn.us
VADNAIS HEIGHTS MUSIC IN THE PARK
When: 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, July 15
Where: Thunder Bay/Westwinds Park, Thunder Bay Road, Little Canada
Details: Outdoor concert featuring the Kendra Glenn Band, in coordination with the City of Little Canada. Seating provided or bring your own. Come at 5:30 for mini yoga, and visit with Mayor Krachmer prior to concert.
Contact: cityvadnaisheights.com/264/Music-in-thePark-Series
Rooting for us
Arecent article in the White Bear Press about a local Revolutionary War connection sparked a grade school history lesson memory. When I was in about third or fourth grade, I shared with the teacher that one of the ancestors on my family tree had fought at the battle of Bunker Hill during The Revolutionary War. She expressed skepticism and suggested that maybe I was making it up. I told my mother what happened after I got home from school and she proceeded to find a newspaper clipping that I could use to help verify the ancestral connection. If I remember correctly, the gist of the article was about how Josiah Pierce, an ancestor on my mother's side of the family, travelled a considerable distance (at the time) to attend an anniversary gathering of the historic battle. Mom placed the yellowed newspaper clipping in an envelope and allowed me to take it to school — with the promise that I would treat it with care and keep it safe. The teacher responded graciously when I showed her the clipping and encouraged me to use it for a future show and tell session.
With surprising and sometimes humbling results, I've occasionally shared family history with friends and colleagues. I recall sharing with a former editor in the newsroom about the ancestor on my family tree who fought at the battle of Bunker Hill. He politely listened and then shared that his wife (who was originally from the east coast) could trace her ancestry back to the family that owned the land (actually Breed's Hill) where the historic battle took place. After reading the book “Mayflower: A Story of Community, Courage, and War” by Nathaniel Philbrick, I shared with a colleague that an ancestor on my mother's side of the family tree was a passenger on the Mayflower. She shared that she also had an ancestral connection to that time in history and was a descendant of Massasoit, the chief of the Wampanoag tribe who befriended the Pilgrims. According to Philbrick, the Pilgrims likely would have perished during the first winter without the assistance of Massasoit. As it was, nearly half of the colony died during the first winter, including my ancestor Thomas Rogers. His children survived and were most likely adopted by William Bradford.
One of my favorite TV shows is “Finding Your Roots” with Henry Louis Gates Jr. Throughout the run of the show, the Harvard professor has presented detailed family histories to numerous famous and notable people ranging from America Ferrera to Sharon Stone, who was quite surprised to discover that she was a direct descendant of Charlemagne, the first Holy Roman Emperor. A recent interview with Professor Gates revealed that researching genealogical history is complicated and the findings are not always good news. He said that he has an ethics protocol. If something is discovered that will forever change someone's understanding of their family, he won't surprise them but will reach out first to ask if they want to know. Secret affairs and involvement in the slave trade are among the surprise findings that have required the use of the ethics protocol. As an example of how personal family history can be complicated; along with researching direct lineage going back to the Mayflower and the Revolutionary War, my father also discovered a branch of our family tree that includes the notorious Benedict Arnold. Reading well researched historical books like “Mayflower” have helped me keep ancestoral heritage in perspective. I find that when a more complex and detailed explanation of the myths we grew up with is revealed, it can help to better comprehend the complicated and messy period of history we're currently experiencing and maybe help infuse us with the strength and perspective we need to successfully move forward.
Paul Dols is photojournalist/website editor for Press Publications. He can be reached at 651-407-1238.
OPINION
WMovers & Shakers
Tara Jebens-Singh
hen asked whether the United States would be a republic or a monarchy, Benjamin Franklin famously replied, “A republic, if you can keep it.” In this time of polarization and uncertainty, it is so important to lean into our collective responsibility to preserve our democracy. I encourage us all to remain active, informed and civically engaged. Join me in celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary by exercising your right (and responsibility) to vote in the primary and general elections.
Eligibility and registration
To be eligible to vote in Minnesota, a person must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old on election day, a resident of Minnesota for 20 days, not currently incarcerated for a conviction of a felony offense, and not under guardianship status in which a judge has removed your right to vote. You can register to vote before or on an election day, with proof of identification and residence.
Primary election (Aug. 11)
There are many important primary races for federal, state and lo-
• Election season is considered to be when filing first begins until the day of the election. Limited to 350 words. Paid letters running longer will be charged $10 per 30 words after that.
• Letters are free unless endorsing a candidate, party or question on the ballot. Endorsement letters will have a $50 fee. Please call 651-407-1200 to arrange payment by credit card or mail a check payable to Press Publications to 4779 Bloom Ave, White Bear Lake, MN, 55110. Endorsement letters are labeled, “paid letter.”
cal offices this year. While political party delegates endorse candidates at their conventions, primary election voters ultimately determine which candidates from each party will appear on the general election ballot (Nov. 3). Make your voice heard in both.
Early voting
All voters can vote early in Minnesota. Early in-person voting opened on June 26 at Ramsey County Elections (90 Plato Blvd. W, St. Paul). Two additional early voting locations at the Ramsey County Libraries in Roseville (2180 Hamline Ave. N, Roseville) and Shoreview (4560 Victoria St. N, Shoreview) will be open July 14 through Aug. 10. Voters may use whichever location is most convenient, regardless of the city in which they live. Hours vary by location and date. Please find poll hours, dates and locations for both the primary and general election, and other helpful voting information at www.ramseycountymn.gov/residents/elections-voting.
Vote from home
You do not need to provide a reason to vote by mail. You can request an absentee ballot on the Secretary of State’s website. Please follow all instructions on completing and preparing the ballot, including verification from a witness and proper mail or in-person return of the ballot.
• Letters for or against a candidate will qualify as paid letters. Submissions must include a full name, address and phone number for verification. Letter-writers must live, work or have another connection to Press Publications coverage area.
Letters are meant to express opinions. If letter-writers include facts, they must attribute those facts to a reputable source.
• Due to space limitations, letters that don’t address local issues are not guaranteed publication. Repeat unpaid letters by the same writer about the same
Voting on election day
On elections day, voters must vote at their assigned polling place. Be sure to look up your polling place in advance at www.pollfinder.sos.mn.gov. Polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.
More information about voting in the primary and general election including registration, requesting an absentee ballot, and who is on you ballot can be found on the Minnesota Secretary of State election page mnvotes.gov or by calling 1-877-600-VOTE (8683). For additional questions on voting in Ramsey County please contact the Ramsey County Elections office at 651-266-2171 or Elections@ramseycountymn. gov.
Stay connected
All are welcome at the District One Community Picnic Thursday, July 9 from 6–8 p.m. at Snail Lake County Park (4191 Snail Lake Blvd). Please join us for a family-friendly gathering to connect, eat, hear Ramsey County updates, learn about community resources and visit the Serenity Mental Health Bus. Please RSVP to the picnic by contacting alexis.varner@ramseycounty.us.
Tara Jebens-Singh is Ramsey County Commissioner for District 1. She can be reached at Tara.JebensSingh@ramseycounty.us or 651-2668362.
GUIDELINES
subject matter will not be published. Repeat paid endorsement letters will be published as space permits.
Four weeks (or issues) must pass between publication of unpaid letters from the same writer. Exceptions may be made for rebuttal letters at the editor’s discretion. Submissions containing libelous or derogatory statements will not be published.
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Angle of View
Paul Dols
WHITE BEAR / VADNAIS HEIGHTS PRESS | ELECTION LETTER
Responsible governance should be focus
I have lived in and cared deeply about White Bear Lake for more than 30 years. I have always believed that those who sit on the school board do so because they want what is best for our students, staff, and schools. Apparently that is not the case for one current board member whose goal seems to be to disrupt the district.
Board member Dan Skaar has been censured for violations of the Open Meeting Law and the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. If anyone, especially an elected official, doesn’t follow the rules, there should be consequences.
It is entirely appropriate for residents—and school board members—to ask questions and hold the district accountable. At the same time, accountability is most effective when it follows established processes that allow concerns to be reviewed carefully and resolved appropriately. New board members receive training on district policies, governance, and their responsibilities, and those procedures exist for a reason: to ensure concerns are addressed fairly, legally, and effectively. Mr. Skaar did not heed what was taught at the training. School board members are responsible for setting policy and providing oversight, not managing the day-to-day operations of the district. Professional administrators are hired to understand the complexities such as appropriations, enrollment, and revenue figures. Maintaining this distinction is essential because effective governance depends on
POLITICAL BRIEFS
Candidate hosts ‘250’ event in Township Heidi Heino, Republican candidate for Minnesota State Senate District 36, will host a community fundraiser 5 to 9 p.m. July 15 at Polar Lakes Park Amphitheater. The family-friendly event, Celebrate 250: A Night of Faith, Freedom & Family, will include live music with Kayley Bishop, a special message titles
CITY BRIEF
clear roles, trust, and the ability of each part of the organization to do its work.
Claims that the district lacks financial transparency are simply untrue. Comprehensive financial information is publicly available, only a few mouse clicks away to anyone with a computer, their own, or one at a public library. I located detailed financial information on the district’s website in just a few minutes.
Our students, staff, and community deserve a school board that is focused on responsible governance and spending resources in the best way to improve student learning. The best outcomes will come from leaders who ask thoughtful questions, respect established processes, and work together toward the shared goal of supporting our students.
Look at voting record
After reading the piece submitted by State Senator Gustafson, I was confused. Sen. Gustafson claimed she helped secure a reduction in cost for vehicle tabs for one year. The fact is she and every other member of the DFL voted against a standalone bill reducing the cost of vehicle tabs. What passed this past session regarding the tabs was a deal made between leadership in both caucuses with no votes taken by the legislative members.
“Freedom has a Cost” with Gary Borgendale, and live acoustic karaoke. Admission is free. Polar Lakes park is located at 1280 Hammond Road, White Bear Towsnhip. For more information, visit heidiheino.com.
Election season letter guidelines return
Letter writers who want to endorse a candidate or issue on
White Bear Lake publishes revenues, expenses
In this week’s issue, you will find legal notices from the city of White Bear Lake that lay out the city’s revenues and expenditures for 2024 and
Movie in the Park
Saturday, July 11, 2026
Movie begins at dusk 9:00 p.m. FREE ADMISSION
Bring your own lawn chair or blanket and don’t forget bug spray for this FREE, fun and familyfriendly movie night at Polar Lakes Park. Park Opens at 7 p.m.(ish)
Movie hosted by:
the ballot will need to pay a fee to have their letter published. Press Publications’ election letter guidelines state that election season is when filing first begins until the day of the election. Letters not relating to the election are still free. Paid letters longer than 350 words will be charged extra. Paid letter writers must call the front desk 651-407-1200 to arrange payment prior to publication. For the full list of guidelines, see page 4.
2025. The legal notices also include a statement of net positions as well as a statement of cash flows for propriety funds. See the full notices on pages 9, 13 and 24 in the White Bear Press for more information, or find them at presspubs.com/white_ bear/legals.
In the 2024-2025 session controlled by DFL in both chambers, many new taxes and fee increases were passed. Among them are a delivery tax, metro sales tax, increased taxes on cigarettes and cannabis, fuel tax increases, surcharge on prepaid phones, increase fee for driver licenses, and payroll tax increases among others.
Sen. Gustafson claims she wants to make affordability a priority. She may want to look back at her past voting history. Affordability to me is having more money in my pocket to spend as I choose.
Congrats on journalism award
Congratulations on your Page One award! You do an excellent job of finding and covering very interesting and often very touching stories. I am proud that our local newspaper has employees of such a high caliber. Well done!
2026 – 8 AM
Ramsey County Beach, White Bear Lake Register by 9/10 to save on fees!
Help us spread the word! Share this information with your running friends and training groups-let’s make this the biggest Bear Water Run yet! Registration Link: https://endurancecui.active.com/.../96132114/select-race #WhiteBearLakeMN #minnesotarunner #communityRun #RunMN #Lionsclub
Sheryl Bolstad White Bear Lake
Ramona Jwanouskos White Bear Lake
Deb Courts Brown White Bear Lake VFW Post 1782 Auxiliary
COPS&COURTS
WHITE BEAR LAKE POLICE REPORTS
The White Bear Lake Police Department reported the following selected incidents:
Officers helped free a turkey stuck in a fence in the 3800 block of Linden Avenue June 24.
• Officers responded to a report of a disorderly male in the 3500 block of Century Avenue June 24.
• Officers responded to a dispute in the 1700 block of Florence Street June 24.
• Graffiti was found June 24 in the women's bathroom at Spruce Park.
• A Hammond, Wisconsin woman was arrested for DWI following a traffic stop near Interstate 694 and Century Avenue June 25.
• The lock was stolen from the launch pay box at Matoska Park June 25.
• A Stillwater man was mailed a citation for misdemeanor fleeing police on foot after he fled from officers responding to a trespassing call in the 1700 block of Cedar Avenue June 25.
• Officers responded to juvenile incidents June 25 in the 2000 block of Ronald Avenue, the 3800 block of Highland Avenue, and the 1900 block of Florence Street.
• Disorderly conduct was reported June 26 in the 1900 block of Buerkle Road.
• A pedestrian on an e-scooter was injured after being hit by a vehicle near the 1000 block of Highway 96 June 26. No citations were issued.
Officers responded to a report of disorderly conduct in the 4700 block of Bald Eagle Avenue June 26.
• On June 26, officers responding to a report of a single vehicle accident in the 4100 block of White Bear Avenue where the driver was witnessed fleeing the scene eventually located and arrested the driver, a White Bear Township man who showed signs of impairment.
• Theft was reported in the 3600 block of East County Line Road June 26.
• Disorderly conduct was reported in the 2600 block of County Road E June 26.
RAMSEY COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORTS
The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office reported the following selected incidents in Vadnais Heights and White Bear Township:
Vadnais Heights
• On June 21 on E. County Road E, deputies issued a theft citation to a 26-year-old man from St. Paul after he was caught by Walmart loss prevention employees attempting to leave the store with merchandise for which he did not pay.
• On June 21 in the 700 block of Manor Street, A caller reported a stray dog in the neighborhood. An animal control officer responded, but the dog was gone upon arrival.
• On June 24 in the 1100 block of E. County Road D, deputies located and recovered a blue Chevrolet Silverado that was stolen during a burglary.
• On June 24 in the 3500 block of Centerville Road, a 19-year-old man from Apple Valley reported being bitten on his leg by a dog owned by a 68-year-old man. The older man was notified that Animal Control would follow up with him. The person bitten was not seriously injured.
• On June 26 in the 1200 block of County Road D, a 911 caller reported packages stolen from her front step. The matter is under investigation.
• On June 26 in the 20 block of W. County Road F, deputies collected a small bag with a white, crystallized substance inside that a 40-year-old man found in a Porta Potty. The incident is under investigation.
• At 6:59 p.m. on June 27 on E. County Road E, deputies issued a theft citation to a 37-year-old man from St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, after loss prevention employees at Walmart caught him pretending to scan and pay for merchandise in the self-checkout aisle.
• At 10:46 p.m. on June 27 on E. County Road E, a 71-year-old man report-
• Officers responded to a dispute in the 1900 block of Orchard Lane June 26.
• A Maplewood man was arrested for DWI following a traffic stop neat Seventh Street and Highway 61 June 26.
• Officers responded to a dispute in the 1700 block of County Road E June 26.
• Officers responded to a dispute June 27 in the 1400 block of Park Street.
• Multiple dogs were found to be off leash at Matoska Park June 27 and 28, and owners were warned.
• Damage to property was reported June 27 in the 5200 block of Northwest Avenue.
• Disorderly conduct was reported in the 2500 block of Elm Drive June 27.
• Theft was reported June 27 in the 3500 block of Century Avenue N. and the 1900 block of Buerkle Road.
• Disorderly conduct was reported in the 4400 block of Lake Avenue June 27.
• Officers responded to a domestic incident in the 3600 block of Hoffman Road June 27.
• Harassment was reported in the 1800 block of Buerkle Road June 28.
• Officers responded to a noise complaint in the 4100 block of White Bear Avenue June 28.
• Officers mediated a dispute in the 4700 block of Centerville Road June 28.
• A Zip-loc bag containing white powder that was found in the bathrooms in the 4800 block of Lake Avenue June 28 turned out to be a bar of soap.
• Officers responded to a juvenile incident around Carolyn Lane and Seventh Street June 28.
• Theft was reported in the 2100 block of Orchard Lane June 28.
• A driver reported being followed by a Tesla after an altercation near County Road E and Bellaire June 28. The Tesla moved on after the driver pulled into the WBLPD lot.
• A male was reported loitering at a business in the 4800 block of Highway 61 June 28.
• Harassment was reported in the 2100 block of Floral
ed that his credit card was stolen and used without his permission to purchase gift cards. The matter is under investigation.
White
Bear Township
• On June 22 in the 1600 block of Stillwater Street, deputies assisted medics with a 33-year-old man who had apparently fallen off an E-bike. He was transported to a relative’s home.
• On June 23 in the 2300 block of Taylor Avenue, deputies responded to a report of a vehicle blocking the road with a driver who was aggressive towards people when they asked him to move. When deputies arrived, the 74-year-old man from St. Paul who was behind the wheel told them he was experiencing a medical incident and was transported to a hospital for evaluation and treatment.
• On June 25 in the 1000 block of Meadowlands Drive, deputies issued theft citations to a 28-yearold woman from Lakeville and a 33-year-old man from Little Canada after they were caught by Cub Foods employees attempting to leave the store with plastic bags they’d filled with frozen goods.
• On June 25 in the 5600 block of Otter View Trail, deputies arrested a 19-year-old man from St. Paul after he violated a protection order after he messaged and visited a 19-yearold woman from White Bear Lake and pushed her during an argument.
On June 27 at the intersection of E. County Road F and E. County Line Road, deputies responded to a report of a Kia Soul that hit a stop sign and drove onto a bike path. After collecting a bumper and other debris, they located the 79-year-old driver who may have suffered a medical incident while driving. He was transported to a hospital for evaluation and treatment.
Drive June 28.
• A White Bear Lake man was arrested for DWI following a driving complaint in the 3100 block of White Bear Avenue June 28.
• Criminal sexual conduct was reported in the 3900 block of Hoffman Road June 28.
• A dispute between neighbors was reported near Hazel Street and Dotte Drive June 29.
• Fraud was reported in the 3700 block of Midland Avenue June 29.
• Officers responded to a report of an unhoused party who refused to leave a business in the 4900 block of Highway 61 June 29.
• A White Bear Lake man was arrested for an order for protection violation and an outstanding warrant after officers responded to a report of an in-progress domestic assault at a Hoffman Road residence June 29.
• A White Bear Lake man was arrested June 29 in the 3600 block of Highland Avenue for his outstanding gross misdemeanor DWI warrants.
• Theft was reported June 29 at a business in the 900 block of Wildwood Road.
• Officers responded to a dispute in the 3300 block of Bellaire Avenue June 29.
• Officers took a missing persons report in the 1800 block of Cedar Avenue June 30.
• A Maplewood man was arrested after officers located a vehicle wanted in connection to a domestic assault case on Banning Avenue June 30.
• A man was arrested for an active felony warrant after officers responded to a welfare check in the 3100 block of White Bear Avenue June 30.
• Officers responded to a domestic dispute in the 3500 block of Century Avenue June 30.
• Officers mediated a dispute in the 1900 block of Webber Street June 30.
• A fireworks complaint was reported in the 2000 block of County Road F June 30.
• Vandalism was reported June 29 at Spruce Park and Lakewood Hills Park.
WASHINGTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORTS
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office reported the following selected calls for service in Birchwood Village, Dellwood, Grant, Mahtomedi, Pine Springs and Willernie:
Birchwood Village
• In the Case of the Filibustering Fido, Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies mailed a citation to a Birchwood Avenue resident, following a report at 12:03 a.m. June 3 of a dog barking for an extended period that night. After listening on scene and confirming a violation of the noise ordinance, deputies could not contact the resident.
Grant
• The driver of a red pickup truck received a written warning at 2:21 a.m. May 31 for operating a vehicle without license plates on a public road, after deputies westbound on Highway 36 spotted the vehicle at Lake Elmo Avenue N. without any plates. The owner of the vehicle, who sat in the passenger seat, produced a bill of sale for the truck and said he was waiting for the title so that he could register the vehicle in his name.
• Deputies on routine patrol at 4 a.m. June 2 cited a driver on Manning Avenue N. at 97th Street N. for a equipment violation after observing the vehicle with no rear lights activated.
• At 9:34 p.m. June 3, deputies assisted a motorist in the 11000 block of 60th Street N. with a wheel that had come off while driving.
A motorist on 75th Street N. at Keats Avenue N. was arrested and caught the book at 10:51 p.m. June 4, after deputies attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle failing to maintain a lane while the driver was using a wireless device. The vehicle fled deputies before losing control into a ditch. The violations included DWI, fleeing, reckless driving and drug possession.
• A motorist on Manning Trail N. and 115th Street N. was warned at midnight June 5 for speeding. Residents in the 10000 block of 65th Street N. on June 5 reported ongoing trespassing by golfers encroaching onto their property to look for lost golf balls. Deputies advised the golf course management of the issue.
• A Minnesota motorist was cited on westbound Highway 36 for speeding 88 mph in a 65-mph zone by deputies on stationary patrol at 2:36 a.m. June 6 who clocked the vehicle on radar. Deputies said the driver apologized for his speed and chuckled a bit. The chuckling driver’s attitude was described as “good.”
Mahtomedi
• A scooter was reported stolen from a Mahtomedi Avenue address on May 31.
• A motorist on Stillwater Road and Hilton Trail N. was cited May 31 for overtaking other traffic against a double yellow line.
• Two hungry people were made to leave Katherine Abbott Park on Lincolntown Avenue at 12:19 a.m. June 1, after patrolling deputies encountered their vehicle in the park after hours. The occupants of the vehicle stated they were just eating. Deputies shooed them home since one of them was out past curfew and parks were closed.
• Following a complaint about loud music coming from Wedgewood Park at 10:07 p.m. June 1, deputies found a party walking in the park with a speaker and children before advising them to leave due to the park being closed.
• Mahtomedi residents reported their property damaged June 3 and wanted the person who caused it banned from the premises. Deputies went to suspect’s residence and issued the trespass order in person.
White Bear Lake Conservation District looks ahead while trimming 2027 budget
BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR
The White Bear Lake Conservation District’s 2027 budget has been reduced by approximately $6,000 from the 2026 budget, which will translate to smaller assessments for the communities within the district.
Mike Parenteau, treasurer/secretary for the district, noted that the city of White Bear Lake’s assessment will be reduced by $4,160. “It’s a happy budget,” he said.
Mayor Mary Nicklawske asked about the formula used to determine each community’s assessment to the district.
“You pay the most because you have the highest tax capacity, but per person you pay the least because you have more citizens,” Parenteau explained. He added that a resident in the city of White Bear Lake pays 79 cents per year compared to a resident in Dellwood who pays 2.48 cents per year.
Council Member Kevin Edberg said, “I really appreciate … the work that went into the budget, the growth in interest earnings that have come during your term as treasurer. I appreciate the work that you are doing.”
Nicklawske also wondered whether Parenteau was happy with the city of White Bear Lake having two representatives serving on the board, or if three would be better. Parenteau said he would love to have three, but that would require a change in legislation.
Parenteau reported that all the dock permits for the 2026 season are now approved and the district has shifted its focus to annual treatment protocols. On June 25, the district was scheduled to do a survey around the lake to look for Eurasian watermilfoil.
“Last year, we hit about 400 GPS sites on that survey,” Parenteau said. A total of 30.8 acres of the lake was treated in 2025 for Eurasian watermilfoil, which is about average. That survey will determine how much acreage is in need of treatment, and after a permit is secured (after July 4), the treatment will be scheduled. Two to three weeks after the treatment, a survey crew will return to the lake to see if there are any areas in need of further treatment.
The district continues to do monthly checks, mainly at the boat launches, for the invasive species Starry Stonewort. Parenteau noted that most of the lakes where Starry Stonewort has been discovered, it was located at the boat launch.
This August or September, Parenteau will offer up his pontoon so experts from the University of Minnesota can conduct a survey looking for phragmites.
• A motorist failing to stop at the stop sign at East Avenue and Stillwater Road was cited June 5 for that violation.
Pine Springs
BY THE NUMBERS
Ramsey County Water Patrol Unit 2025 Recap
hours spent patrolling on White Bear Lake boat safety checks completed assists to boaters written citations written warnings verbal warnings tows
BWIs (boaating while intoxicated)
ensure the watercraft itself was safe, not necessarily the person operating it.
Parenteau noted the watershed district does have an ordinance that prohibits unsafe behavior or erratic driving of watercraft. As of July 1, 2025, Minnesota began phasing in a law that requires younger operators to have a valid watercraft operator’s permit.
• As of July 1, 2026, people born on or after July 1, 2000, are required to have a permit;
• As of July 1, 2027, people born on or after July 1, 1996, are required to have a permit;
• As of July 1, 2028, people born on or after July 1, 1987, are required to have a permit.
“Anyone driving erratically should be turned in. The sheriff would be glad to confiscate things and give them a ticket,” Parenteau said.
Edberg wanted to know what the biggest issue would be in the near future for the conservation district. Parenteau said the district does its best to plan for things and pointed out the recently completed lake use study. The district has also begun the process to update its Lake Management Plan, a process it has not gone through since 1999.
“It’s hard to plan ahead for how many docks you are going to have or how many boats people are going to have on a dock or how much milfoil we are going to have other than setting aside money to treat it and we do that,” he said. “So many things we have to react on; we are reactionary.”
He added that the board does its best job to “keep the peace.” “We want people to enjoy the lake, keep it clean, fresh and safe.”
City Manager Lindy Crawford pointed out that the city receives a lot of complaints regarding jet ski rentals on the lake. “We try to combat that when we can when its operating on a city property, but if it is off of Ramsey County property, the city doesn’t have much weight there,” she said. “Are there any approvals needed from those private rental companies from the conservation district?”
Parenteau noted that Ramsey County does not allow jet ski rentals on its beach and Crawford added that the city also doesn’t allow that at Matoska Beach.
“If they are renting it at a sporting goods store in St. Paul, there is really nothing you can do about it, but they should have a sheriff’s sticker on it. Anyone who is in the rental business needs to have that for any watercraft they rent,” Parenteau explained. “If it has that, it means they have passed all the tests and requirements to be safe.” Crawford pointed out that it was her understanding that sticker was more so to
• A westbound motorist was cited for failure to carry proof of insurance at 12:37 a.m. May 31 following a traffic stop for speeding on Highway 36 and Hilton Trail N. and failing to maintain just one lane while doing it.
Willernie
• A motorist ignoring the stop sign at the intersection of Stillwater Road and Warner Avenue N. was cited at 11:23 p.m. June 5 for that violation. 388 108 22 7 10 199 6 0
• Deputies dispatched out to a residence on Stillwater Road June 5 had a back-and-forth discussion with the complainant about a potentially stolen vehicle. The caller gradually came to realize that the vehicle had been repossessed due to failure to make payments and was not stolen.
White Bear Lake Area
Edberg pointed out that recently, the council has had discussion on short-term rentals, and he questioned whether there was a connection between the people renting out their homes for short term uses and people renting out watercraft.
Parenteau said he wasn’t sure the two were necessarily connected, as he knows of some people who do not live on the lake, but have a dock space and rent out their boat from the dock.
“We would like to get a handle on it. It’s not a big problem, but it’s happening,” he said.
Managing Editor Shannon Granholm can be reached at 651-407-1227 or whitebearnews@presspubs.com.
Church Directory
OBITUARIES
Allan “Jocko” & Carol Wilke
Allan “Jocko” Wilke, age 93, of Vadnais Heights, MN passed away June 17, 2026. Born April 5, 1933. Carol “Cuts” Wilke, age 81, of Vadnais Heights, MN, passed away October 22, 2014. Born November 10, 1932. Preceded in death by sons, Thomas Wilke, Donald Wilke, and Scott Wilke. Survived by sons, David Wilke, Rick (Kathy) Wilke, Gary (Pam) Wilke, and Stephen Wilke. www.BradshawFuneral.com 651-407-8300.
Jeffrey L. Peterson
Age 75 of White Bear Lake. Passed away on June 29. Preceded by parents, Chet & Marj; and brother, Steve. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, & grandfather by his wife, Kathy; sons Brandon (Jackie) & Ryan (Ashley); and grandchildren Kira, Theodore, & Amelia.
Visitation for Jeff will begin at 2:00 PM on Saturday, July 11, followed by a Celebration of Life at 4:00 PM, both at MUELLER MEMORIAL, 4738 Bald Eagle Ave, White Bear Lake.
Obituaries celebrate and honor unique
To Submit an obit Email obits@presspubs.com Call 651-407-1225
Visit us at 4779 Bloom Ave, White Bear Lake, MN
Jeffery Allen Lerol
Died unexpectedly June 23rd, 2026. Age 67 of St. Paul, MN. Born February 17, 1959. Proceeded in death by father, Marvin J. Lerol, brother Patrick and significant other, Laurie Magnuson. Survived by mother, Eleanor, brothers Mike, Greg (Karen), Johnny, Marvin (Karen) and sisters Trudy (Hasson) Khodabande and Tonna (James) Ptacek and many more relatives and friends. Service at Community of Grace Lutheran Church 4000 Linden Street, White Bear Lake. Monday, July 13th, 2026. Visitation 10:30am. Service 11:00am. Lunch following.
Terry Teppen
Born September 23, 1951, lived a life marked by curiosity, courage, humor, and love. He was a scientist, a teacher, an environmentalist, and a friend to many. Terry is survived by his wife, Joan; his son, Louie; his grandson, Jarue; his sister, Kim; and his brothers, Rick and Lynn. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Moana; father, Tep; and mother, Margareth. He was loved deeply and will be painfully missed. Wherever there is a trail through the woods, a canoe on quiet water, a student asking why, or a songbird waiting to be noticed, something of Terry remains. Honoring Terry*s life July 17th (please arrive before 1pm service) at White Bear Unitarian Church, 328 Maple St, Mahtomedi. Donations to The Parkinsons Foundation in place of flowers.
Wilson Tool founder recognized with Ken Wilson Way
Ken Wilson, founder of Wilson Tool International, will be recognized with a new honorary street sign designation, Ken Wilson Way, as he celebrates his 95th birthday on July 10.
The designation will appear beneath the existing Farnham Street sign in Hugo near Wilson Tool, honoring Wilson’s role in building a company that began in 1966 as a small Minnesota tool shop and has grown into a global manufacturer serving the sheet metal fabrication industry.
The recognition comes as Wilson Tool marks 60 years in business in 2026, while maintaining strong roots in the White Bear Lake and Hugo communities where the company set foundation in its early years.
For employees, neighbors and others familiar with the company, Ken Wilson Way is a modest but meaningful tribute to Wilson’s lasting impact through the jobs created, opportunities supported and local manufacturing presence strengthened throughout nearly six decades.
For more information about Wilson Tool International, visit https://wilsontool.com/en-us.
Ken Wilson, founder of Wilson Tool
celebrates the company’s 60th anniversary with two of his daughters Dianne Carlson (left) and Shelley Renner.
Kudos to carriers
I am writing a short letter to give a compliment to the route carriers for the Vadnais Heights Press. Anyone who has tried to navigate Greenhaven Drive and surrounding streets lately knows what a nightmare the construction zone is for everyone. Simply getting where you need go with the oneway road is challenging and frustrating. Even the side streets that are two-way traffic aren’t easily accessible...there are construction trucks, heavy equipment, mounds of gravel, etc. on those roads that make it just as challenging to drive on them. Getting to and from our own houses requires a lot of patience!
I would like to recognize what a good job the route carriers do to make sure that the Vadnais Heights Press is delivered each week, considering how difficult it must be for them. A lot of people look forward to and rely on getting news and updates about the community from the Vadnais Heights Press and I just wanted to pass on a “thank you” for the extra time it must take for them to complete their routes each week.
Mike Richards Vadnais Heights
City should invest in communication
A recent writer in the Vadnais Heights Press expressed frustration that I and others mentioned fellow residents by name during our debate over the proposed fire station. While I never intended to offend, I will respect that request moving forward. At the heart of the questions and resistance to the new fire station, I believe, is a valid concern: residents are frustrated by recent, sharp property tax increases. This skepticism is natural. When families feel the pressure of rising costs, they rightfully question whether the city is managing their money with enough care.
I have attended nearly every city council meeting and workshop for many months. Because of this, I have seen firsthand that our leaders have carefully studied every option to ensure they are being fiscally responsible. They have not pursued
a new fire station lightly, and I am confident that the new station is truly necessary. However, I also recognize that most of our neighbors are busy balancing full-time jobs and families. They simply do not have the time to track every document, budget report, or meeting packet posted online. This gap between the city’s complex work and the public’s understanding has caused a lack of trust. We cannot expect our mayor and council— who serve in part-time roles alongside their own careers—to spend their limited time acting as fulltime communication directors. Their main duty is to govern.
We need a simple, effective solution. The city should use tax dollars to hire a person dedicated to public communications. This professional would turn complex government decisions into clear, easy-to-read information for every resident.
Investing in clear communication is not a waste of money; it is a vital step toward rebuilding trust. It would ensure that when we ask taxpayers to fund our city’s future, they have all the information they need to understand why it matters. By focusing on better communication, the city can finally bridge the gap between our necessary infrastructure needs and the concerns of the taxpayers.
Thanks for Freedom Day Festival
As a resident of Vadnais Heights for almost 40 years, I want to thank the Vadnais Heights Community Action network for organizing the 3rd annual Freedom Day Festival on June 20th at Kohler Meadows Park. This was the second year I have volunteered for this celebration of Juneteenth, now a national holiday. Last year we served over 500 free community meals. This we served 750 free meals to attendees who reflected the increasing diversity of Vadnais Heights, White Bear Lake and surrounding communities. Thanks to Mayor Mary Nicklawske for her welcoming statements and a shout out to her for participating in the “Double Dutch” demonstration. The Festival
truly had something for everyone: African American entertainers including a drumming group, a live band and a DJ who played music that added to a feeling of community and celebration. There were tents promoting local non profits, organizations and businesses. Vendors were selling a variety of products and a local artist helped us paint a community mural. And of course there was the beloved “Bouncy House”. The history tent in picture and words explained that June 19, 1865 was the day that the Emancipation Proclamation finally made its way to Texas and freed the last remaining slaves in the United States.
Again, thanks you VHCAN and the many volunteers who helped make this festival welcoming, inclusive and meaningful for our community.
CALENDAR BRIEF
Speaker Series: Next up, summer foraging
Learn about summer foraging at the city of Vadnais Heights’ next Speaker Series from 10 to 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 21 at City Hall. Summer offers many tasty opportunities for the growing forager. Join Maria Wesserle, of Four Season Foraging, for an introductory presentation about common wild edibles. The session will cover laws and ethics, identification, harvesting and preparation of edible species. Attendees will leave with a new appreciation for the wild plants growing all around us and more confidence to begin foraging your own food.
On the third Tuesday of each month, the city hosts a session featuring an engaging topic from a local speaker. RSVP online at www. cityvadnaisheights.com/speakerseries.
Peter Helgeson Vadnais Heights
Sheila Thomas Vadnais Heights
FROM LOGOS TO LANDSCAPES: Minnesota
Pioneer Press and Campbell-Mithun Advertising.
During his long career as a commercial artist, Kuettel’s hand touched many of the logos, designs and iconography across Minnesota.
“Mad Men was his life,” laughed Janelle Kuettel, Frank’s daughter, about his career.
While at the Golden Rule, his office was alongside the writer’s room where they were workshopping a new jingle for Hamm’s beer, what would eventually become the company’s legendary “from the land of sky-blue waters” slogan.
“They created the jingle in that office. I could hear them singing,” said Frank. Years later, a co-worker from the Golden Rule, Ray Barton, would join Frank in an independent design studio called Studio One where he created and
sold the Twins logo of the two baseball players shaking hands over the Mississippi river.
“I don’t know how it got into the hands of the owner, but he really liked it,” said Frank about Barton’s design.
According to legend, Barton was paid $25 for the design, although Frank can’t confirm that sale price.
At 3M, Frank was tasked with creating the initial logo for Scotchgard.
“It was one of our new products and we had to come up with a logo,” said Frank. While he quickly zeroed in on the castle motif off a suggestion from a fellow artist, management “insisted on having plaid in there,” which required Frank to simplify the castle design to an outline of what would later go on to be the initial Scotchgard logo.
When he retired in 1993, Frank can’t pinpoint why he began to paint, just that he hadn’t in more than a decade.
“There was no time I guess, or I didn’t
make time. I just lost interest,” said Frank.
His return to watercolors was a surprise to even him as it was never a medium that he preferred either in school or across his career. Now it is how he paints each day.
Despite his now-decades of daily painting, Frank is blithe about his method and even subject matter.
“All art is impressionist,” he says simply stating that art, no matter how realistic is a 2D impression of a 3D space.
Many of his paintings are not real vistas, using reference photos he finds online. His thoughts as he sits down to paint each day are on the scenery, be it types of trees, the bend in rivers or family of flower. He holds no special regard for mountains.
“If you’ve seen one mountain, you’ve seen them all,” quips Frank.
while he painted. Some of those songs, he still can’t listen to.
Splitrock Lighthouse and the St. Paul Basilica are notable subject matters across Frank’s paintings.
He mainly uses just five colors, Cadmium Yellow, Cadmium Red, Prussian Blue, Burnt Ciena and Pane’s Gray and cuts his own matting and frames his own paintings, making so many trips to local Goodwills, he is known as ”The Frame Guy” by staff.
During their 70 years of marriage, Nancy took a particular joy in watching Frank paint, especially floral designs which were her favorite. She passed last December and while in hospice, Frank would bring her up to his room each day and play her favorite songs from his CD collection, like Roger Whittaker,
“When you lose a loved one, a special loved one, you can’t bring yourself to play those tapes,” said Frank.
Frank has no plans of stopping his daily paintings, even as arthritis has forced him to hold the paintbrush different, a change that Janelle had to point out to him.
The paintings are gifts for loved ones, prizes for New Perspectives BINGO and a daily meditation, but for Frank, their meaning is clear.
“If you can make something that makes people happy, that’s what it’s all about.”
For more information about Frank’s paintings, email dkuettel@gemmpls. com.
ROSEANNE
CONGRATULATIONS
RUBY
SP TTED
1. The public beaches in White Bear Lake were packed for Fourth of July weekend before the
— Carter Johnson, Press Publications
2. Three barges are set up to prepare for the Manitou Days Fourth of July fireworks display July 4. Despite a longer than expected rain delay, the show went on as planned. — Carter Johnson, Press Publications
3. A beautiful sunset of White Bear Lake. — Corie Reif Lindemann, contributed
4. The beautiful sunset was also spotted over Bald Eagle Lake. — Ben Williams, contributed
5. The streets of Birchwood Village were packed full of patriotic fans gathered for the annual Fourth of July parade and festivities. — Shannon Granholm, Press Publications
6. VFW Keep-Zimmer Post 1782 was on hand for the Independence Day-themed Marketfest July 2. The Minnesota Air National Guard brought a F-4 Phantom Jet, and Believet had a booth and K-9 to spread awareness of their organization. — VFW, contributed
Send us your photos for possible inclusion in Spotted Around Town. Please email your best shot to whitebearnews@presspubs.com. Please include information about when and where it was taken and who is in the photo. 2 5 3 6
PUBLIC NOTICES • PUBLIC NOTICES • PUBLIC NOTICES
DISTRICT COURT
CLARK COUNTY, NEVADA
CASE NO.: A-26-938523-C DEPT NO. 9
UNITED FINANCIAL CASUALTY COMPANY, an Ohio Corporation, Plaintiffs, vs. YOANNA MARTINEZ PELEGRINO, an individual; ALEXIS CARILLO, an individual; JOSE CHACON OLIVA, an individual; ANIS ALEX ZARANDIOON, an individual; an individual; STIEG ANTONIO BOLIVAR RAMIREZ, an individual; CRISTIAN OSBALDO CORTEZ, an individual; and DOES 1-25, INCLUSIVE; Defendants.
SUMMONS
NOTICE! YOU HAVE BEEN SUED. THE COURT MAY DECIDE AGAINST YOU WITHOUT YOUR BEING HEARD UNLESS YOU FILE A RESPONSE WITH THE COURT WITHIN 21 DAYS. READ THE INFORMATION BELOW CAREFULLY.
TO THE DEFENDANTS:
ALEXIS CARILLO, an individual; JOSE CHACON OLIVA, an individual, and STIEG ANTONIO BOLIVAR RAMIREZ, an individual; CRISTIAN OSBALDO CORTEZ, an individual
A civil Complaint has been filed by the Plaintiff(s) against you for the relief set forth in the Complaint, which is for Declaratory Relief for claims of Rescission, No Duty to Indemnify and Defendant, Breach of Contract, Unclean Hands, Breach of Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing, and Fraud.
1. If you intend to defend this lawsuit, within 21 days after this Summons is served on you exclusive of the day of service, you must do the following:
a. File with the Clerk of this Court, whose address is shown below, a formal written response to the Complaint in accordance with the rules of the Court.
b. Serve a copy of your response upon the attorney whose name and address is shown below.
2. Unless you respond, your default will be entered upon application of the Plaintiffs and this Court may enter a judgment against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint, which could result in the taking of money or property or other relief requested in the Complaint.
3. If you intend to seek the advice of an attorney in this matter, you should do so promptly so that your response may be filed on time.
4. The State of Nevada, its political subdivisions, agencies, officers, employees, board members, commission members and legislators each have 45 days after service of this Summons within which to file an Answer or other responsive pleading to the Complaint.
IV. CONCLUSION
Based on the foregoing, Plaintiffs respectfully request that this Court grant this application and provide them with an additional 90 days in which to serve Defendants Carillo, Oliva, Ramirez, and Cortez and to be able to do so via publication.Dated: 2nd day of June 2026
COLMAN PERKINS LAW GROUP
Dated: 2nd day of June 2026 By: SEAN P. FLANAGAN, ESQ.
RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA
PUBLIC NOTICE
SOLICITATION OPPORTUNITIES
Ramsey County releases solicitation opportunities on DemandStar as an alternative method of public notice pursuant to Section 331A.03 of the Minnesota Statutes. Individuals may go to the “How to Contract with Ramsey County” section of the “Doing Business with Ramsey County” webpage at ramseycounty.us/ContractWithRamsey to access registration information. If you are new to DemandStar, please follow the DemandStar registration instructions on the “How to Contract with Ramsey County” webpage. Access to all Ramsey County documents is free if the instructions that are posted are followed. You may call 651-266-8072 or email ProcurementTeam@ ramseycounty.us if you need assistance.
Ramsey County is accepting only electronic Request for Bids (RFBs) responses submitted through DemandStar. Public openings are conducted digitally, as a video conference. See the link above for details. To view current solicitations, please go to: https://bit.ly/3W8XWan SOLICITATION: RFB-PRMG37683-KB
OPENING DATE: JULY 30, 2026
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: RAMSEY COUNTY, THROUGH THE PROPERTY MANAGEMNT DEPARTMENT, SEEKS A PRIME CONTRACTOR TO PROVIDE ALL SUPPLIES, EQUIPMENT, MATERIALS, LABOR AND INCIDENTALS FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY SLAB REPAIR AND ROOF DRAIN PIPING PROJECT WHICH WILL INCLUDE THE REMOVAL, SALVAGE OR DISPOSAL, STORAGE OR REPLACEMENT, AND RESTORATION OF INTERIOR FINISHES, CONCRETE MASONRY UNITS AND GYPSUM PARTITIONS, FLOOR SLABS, CEILING GRID AND TILE, EQUIPMENT, FURNISHINGS, FIXTURES, ELECTRICAL, HVAC, AND PLUMBING TO FACILITATE REPAIR OF UNDER SLAB STORM AND SANITARY PIPING. PRE-SOLICITATION RESPONSE CONFERENCE: 1425 PAUL
KIRKWOLD DRIVE, MARSDEN ROOM (WEST ENTRANCE) ARDEN HILLS, MN, 55112 - JULY 16, 2026, 9:30 AM CST
Published one time in the Vadnais Heights Press on July 8, 2026. STATE OF MINNESOTA, COUNTY OF RAMSEY DISTRICT COURT, SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT CASE TYPE: QUIET TITLE SUMMONS Herbert Darnell Steele Plaintiffs, vs. Estate of Corene Neal, Bonita W. Carruthers, Veronica Warmsley, and any unknown heirs of Corene Neal, Defendant. TO: ESTATE OF CORENE NEAL, BONITA W. CARRUTHERS, VERONICA WARMSLEY AND ANY UNKNOWN HEIRS OF CORENE NEAL
1. YOU ARE BEING SUED. The Plaintiff has started a lawsuit against you. The Plaintiff’s Complaint against you is attached to this Summons. Do not throw these papers away. They are official papers that affect your rights. You must respond to this lawsuit even though it may not yet be filed with the Court and there may be no court file number on this summons.
2. YOU MUST REPLY WITHIN 20 DAYS TO PROTECT
RIGHTS
signed this summons located at: KUEPPERS, KRONSCHNABEL & SKRYPEK, P.A. ATTN: Sean O. Skrypek, Esq. 2805 Dodd Road, Suite 160 Eagan, Minnesota 55121
4. YOU WILL LOSE YOUR CASE IF YOU DO NOT SEND A WRITTEN RESPONSE TO THE COMPLAINT TO THE PERSON WHO SIGNED THIS SUMMONS. If you do not Answer within 20 days, you will lose this case. You will not get to tell your side of the story, and the Court may decide against you and award the Plaintiff everything asked for in the complaint. If you do not want to contest the claims stated in the complaint, you do not need to respond. A default judgment can then be entered against you for the relief requested in the complaint.
5. LEGAL ASSISTANCE. You may wish to get legal help from a lawyer. If you do not have a lawyer, the Court Administrator may have information about places where you can get legal assistance. Even if you cannot get legal help, you must still provide a written Answer to protect your rights or you may lose the case.
6. ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION. The parties may agree to or be ordered to participate in an alternative dispute resolution process under Rule 114 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice. You must still send your written response to the Complaint even if you expect to use alternative means of resolving this dispute.
7. THIS ACTION INVOLVES, AFFECTS, OR BRINGS INTO QUESTION FEE OWNERSHIP OF REAL PROPERTY. The real property is situated in the County of Scott, State of Minnesota commonly known as 1319/1321 Dayton Avenue, Saint Paul, Minnesota and legally described as follows: Lot 1, Block 1, Amberwood KUEPPERS, KRONSCHNABEL & SKRYPEK, P.A.
Dated: June 10, 2026
By: Sean O. Skrypek #331028
2805 Dodd Road, Suite 160
Eagan, MN 55121
Telephone: (651) 222-5000; Fax: (651) 222-1313
Email: sskrypek@kuepperslaw.com
Attorney for Plaintiff
Published three times in the Vadnais Heights Press on July 8, 15 and 22 2026.
CITY OF VADNAIS HEIGHTS
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Vadnais Heights City Council will meet and conduct a public hearing on July 21, 2026 at 7:00 PM at Vadnais Heights City Hall, 800 County Road E East, to consider an application submitted by Real Estate Equities for a Concept Planned Unit Development
rain rolled in.
The Loon family survived the Fourth of July weekend! Artemis and Apollo are ready to start their flying lessons, The next two weeks will be quite the ride. Hang on!
Loon Chronicles XI: So happy together
We are happy to report that the Loon family survived the Fourth of July weekend! The chicks, who have nearly completed molting, remain inseparable and under their parents’ constant supervision. We have never seen more attentive parents. Even when fishing and diving, one parent will wait to make sure both chicks are accounted for, before diving for more fish. Artemis and Apollo are enthralled with their huge wings and have added some forward propulsion to their wingflaps. Flying lessons
should start this week. Both chicks regularly circle their parents’ necks, trying to touch their feathers. We have observed this comical and affectionate behavior for years. We are starting to see more drop in Loons, including three new subadults. Expanding flocks of Canada geese can be seen all over the lake. Last week, we joined our Northern Minnesota Loon friends to take in the Mantrap Lake Wildlife Management Area Grand Opening. We spent two days, on the lake, photographing scores of chicks, ranging in age from 2 days to 4 weeks. I included a photo of the two-day old chicks, napping on their mama’s back. We counted more than 80 adult Loons, including parents, interlopers, and rafting bachelors. The last chick hatched on July 3. Mantrap Loons call to each other all night long. Somehow, the 22 nesting families, have enough territory to stay focused on their own families in relative harmony. Ellen Maas
Above: Members of Scout Troop and Pack 434 lead Birchwood’s 75th annual 4th of July Parade along crowd lined neighborhood streets.
At right: Wearing colorful, patriotic accessories, Jill Schwantz and Luke, Krista, Jack and Lydia Stanek found a good spot to watch the parade as it traveled toward Wildwood Park.
Above:
CONGRATULATIONS
CHLOE
CLARA
GIONNI
CONGRATULATIONS to the 2026 Graduating Class of White Bear Lake High School and the Top Academic Achievers!
Bald Eagle Yacht Club sails against exclusivity
BY LOGAN GION STAFF WRITER
For many, the term “yacht club” bubbles up images of “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.” The Bald Eagle Yacht Club, however, takes a different approach: Their membership costs about as much as an electric toothbrush and there is no official clubhouse.
“We’re a social club with a sailing problem,” joked Ted Jagger, Bald Eagle Yacht Club chair. Ted has been a member of BEYC for more than 40 years. While he and his wife, Annette Jagger, sail five-to-six times a week on multiple classes of boats, BEYC’s summer regatta mainly focuses on Hobie 16-foot and Hobie Wave catamarans.
“Fleet 52 is one of the oldest Hobie fleets in the country,” said Annette. Ted added that the club’s summer regattas—whose winners receive points for the Hobie Class Association of North America (HCANA) racing season—have been going on since 1972. BEYC itself has been around since 1899.
One of the reasons the Hobie regat-
ta has continued for more than half a century, longtime club member Kevin Chase explained, is that the Hobie 16’s design has remained consistent during that time.
“My boat’s 31 years old,” Chase said, “and if you put that side-by-side with (my neighbor’s boat), which is two years old, you’d be hard-pressed to see much of a difference in the boats.”
Annette stated that one can find a used Hobie 16 for a reasonable price. Indeed, looking online, they run about half of a month’s rent, with minimal upkeep expenses. Ted added that the Hobie 16’s design does not leave room for many modifications. Chase explained that fewer modification options keep spending down.
“It’s all about one design,” Chase said. “Because as soon as you start getting into the formulas … it becomes a checkbook kind of thing. Who’s got enough money to keep it competitive?”
One does not even need to own a boat to join BEYC, as plenty of veteran members are happy to have novices on their crews, during practice runs at first,
then during official races. Families who join may also enroll their children in the club’s annual sailing school.
Members can also be as casual or competitive as they want. Ted, for instance, was ranked fifth in the nation in the late 1980s. Both he and Annette will compete at the HCANA World Championship in September, held in Mississippi.
“We are so old, we get to be in the—not just Masters, not just Grandmasters—
but Great Grandmasters Class,” Annette chuckled. The club’s attitude towards competition, however, keeps the social aspect in mind.
“Be competitors, but be better friends,” stated Ted.
“It’s fun to be in the pack,” Annette added. “If you win by a leg, then it’s boring.”
Chase agreed, “We have this thing in common, this love of sailing. You like to see friends do well with things, so you help each other out.”
In a time when hobbies are expensive and socializing is digital, BEYC presents a reasonable, analog alternative. A clubhouse does not tie BEYC together. Members are instead moored by community and shared enthusiasm.
“The fun part about it is that it’s fun,” Annette said before bursting out laughing.
The Bald Eagle Yacht Club races Hobie boats every Saturday and Sunday throughout the summer and into fall. For information on how to join BEYC, contact Kevin Chase at kcchase@comcast.net.
GRAHAM HENNIG Drake University: Actuarial Science and Music
HADLEY SEATON University of WisconsinMadison: Kinesiology
HAZEL DUFRESNE University of North Dakota: Occupational Therapy
IRENE BAKKE Northern Michigan University: Radiographic Sciences
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New tees better greens: A look inside Manitou Ridge’s renovation
BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR
Now that renovations are nearing completion, Manitou Ridge Golf Course hopes to attract a wider variety of golfers.
The $3.5 million upgrade modernized the 98-year-old golf course. Improvements include a new irrigation system, refined bunkers, forward tees and cart paths.
“It’s made a huge difference to this place. It’s been years coming and now we get to show it off (at the Community Classic),” said Mark Foley, PGA professional at Manitou Ridge.
Liz Flinn, Ramsey County director of park operations, says planning for the project began three years ago, but construction kicked off last August and wrapped up in November. Some landscaping remains, but that will likely be complete by the end of June, provided the weather cooperates.
About 10 years ago, Ramsey County conducted a user survey that revealed Manitou Ridge played too long for the average golfer.
“For us to keep up with what the consumer wants, we really wanted to widen our appeal to all kinds of golfers. We really listened to that feedback,” Flinn said. For that reason, 14 forward tees were installed. According to the United States Golf Association (USGA), forward tees, historically known as the “ladies tee,” are the closest set of tee boxes to the green on
a golf course. They are designed for beginners, juniors and golfers with slower swing speeds to speed up play and lower scores.
“This is an old course … it was designed around men,” Foley explained. “Modern golf is not like that. You have to put these tees in to accommodate all the users. The target market is not just heavy hitters.”
On average, the forward tees make it 50 yards shorter to the hole.
The bunkers on the course were also improved. Some bunkers were removed, and some were redone for better playability. Foley explained that by eliminating the bunkers that were “out of play,” less maintenance will be required.
“A lot of them were just scenic,” Foley said. “The square footage is about a third of what it was before, so aesthetically it is 100 times better and plays way better.”
Four new green complexes were also installed. Prior to the project, many of the course’s greens were very slanted. “The greens here, like everything else, were very old… In modern golf, green speeds are faster, and it just doesn’t work,” Foley explained. “It is a playability issue. The (slanted greens) are a nightmare and slow play down.”
The course’s cart paths were also redone. The asphalt was torn out and replaced and some of the paths were re-routed for efficiency and to ensure safety.
“We're trying to create a better expe-
rience for the golfer long term ... You lead these paths into the wrong area, you are going to be in the hitting zone. It seems boring, but it is super important,” Foley said.
An improvement that might not be as forward facing, is the replacement of the 50-year-old irrigation system.
“It's a big deal. It's going to alleviate a lot of over-watering,” Foley explained. “Water is a big deal. It is our lifeline, so we have to be really care-
ful with it.” He added that they also turned several areas of the 140-acre golf course into nature areas that will not require mowing or sprinkling.
The new system allows a single sprinkler head to be turned on where needed, versus having to water an entire zone. The sprinklers also rotate better, so as not to water the asphalt.
“One of the things the county feels is very important at all of the golf courses is to be a good environmental stewards … Being good stewards of the environment is just as important as putting out a fun product,” Flinn said.
Foley projects that the new irrigation system, which is expected to last approximately 75 years, will allow the golf course to use between 30 to 35% less water.
The hope is that newly improved playability of the course will attract new golfers.
“The hope is that we can attract a different customer base. We were basically stuck in the guy business,” Foley said. “All of our leagues were male-dominated and that’s not true anymore.” Foley said over the last two years, Manitou Ridge’s leagues have grown by about 35%. He attributes the growth to the excitement generated by the planned investments into the course.
Managing Editor Shannon Granholm can be reached at 651-407-1227 or whitebearnews@presspubs.com.
PHOTOS BY SHANNON GRANHOLM | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
The $3.5 million upgrade at Manitou Ridge modernized the 98-year-old course. Improvements include a new irrigation system, refined bunkers, forward tees and cart paths.