Vadnais Heights Press

Alleycat’s Manager opens up on addiction, recovery, faith

BY ERIK SUCHY STAFF WRITER

To the many who have seen him, Alleycat’s Gourmet Sandwiches manager Matthew Schirmer is always on duty, helping to serve up gourmet sandwiches, wraps and burgers to customers. To those who know him, a different picture is painted. Underneath is a story of hardship, addiction and a long road to recovery filled with trials and tribulations. But within that story is the power of Schirmer’s persistence and the strength he has found to live his best life possible.

“I had to forgive myself for the things I’ve done,” Schirmer said. “It was a big thing for me, as well as making amends. What it took was finally realizing that I was not the person that I was when I put drugs and alcohol in my body. Once I figured that part out, I realized, ‘Hey, I’m a good person.’ I just want to help and give back, and it’s all love.”

White Bear Lake Farmers Market: ‘Keeping it old-school’

BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR

Nothing says summer is here like the return of farmers market season.

The White Bear Lake Farmers Market, a tradition that dates back to the ’70s, is now in full swing and runs through the last Friday in October.

“It originally started to bring people downtown,” explained Mary Helmerick, who has served as the market coordinator for 24 years.

All the vendor spots, 48 to be exact, are full for this year, which is not uncommon.

“I have a very long waiting list,” Helmerick said. “I never discourage people from getting on list. I encourage that.”

That’s because, if a vendor has to cancel, Helmerick will search the list to find a similar vendor. “I don’t go by order they call in, I go by how unique they are,” she explained.

Helmerick, who starts planning for the market in January, is always on the hunt for variety. The market does not allow craft items, food trucks, ready-made foods, or businesses trying to promote themselves, such as an insurance agency or window company.

IF YOU GO

WHITE BEAR LAKE FARMERS MARKET

When: 8 a.m. to noon Fridays (June through October)

Where: Downtown on Clark Avenue between Second and Third streets

Details: The market features approximately 50 vendors.

At 13, Schirmer developed an addiction to both alcohol and marijuana, which he sold mainly to earn extra money. “I came from a family that didn’t have much money,” he said. “My needs were met, but my wants were a little short-handed. I always wanted more, so I was looking at ways to hustle when I was younger.

SEE MATT SCHIRMER, PAGE 15

BY ERIK SUCHY STAFF WRITER

What does celebrating the Fourth of July mean to the average White Bear Lake resident? For most, if not all, it involves celebration. Families gather to enjoy outdoor barbecues, games and other slices of community fun. To top off the night, they gather in a public setting to watch the city’s annual fireworks SEE FIREWORKS, PAGE 9

The city and the Main Street organization actually have a “no compete” agreement in place, so the market doesn’t compete with downtown businesses.

The farmers market also won’t compete with Marketfest.

“I like keeping it an

old-school farmers market,” Helmerick said, adding that she grew up on a farm. “I always keep it simple, down to earth and homegrown.” The farmers market is just a small portion of Helmerick’s job as an administrative assistant for the city’s public works department. Although she is not sure why the job falls within the purview of that department, she says she is thankful. “It is by far, my favorite part of the job,” she said.

This year’s market features vendors selling items including honey, syrup, jams, wild rice,

CONTRIBUTED

Alleycat’s Manager Matt Schirmer (right) has opened up about his struggles with addiction and how he beat the odds to be the man he is today. Schirmer is pictured here with Sak’s Sports Bar/Alleycat’s owner Al Landerville.

SHANNON GRANHOLM | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

Jennifer Conners, a frequent foster with Coco’s Heart Dog Rescue, shows off a foster puppy named Kilo at the market while selling her homemade dog treats.

FARMERS MARKET: A Friday summer staple returns to White Bear Lake

cheeses, meats, produce, eggs, fruits, vegetables, flowers, micro greens and beverages.

Meet the vendors

Brayden Meckley, of Maplewood, returns to the market for a second year with his high-end infused salts, sugars and gourmet spices. Customers can also find him at the Lake Elmo, Mahtomedi and Maplewood farmers markets.

Meckley, 29, is a disabled Army veteran. In 2017, he was deployed to Iraq. During a training operation in an unarmored vehicle, his hand was crushed. After being airlifted to the hospital for emergency surgery, he spent three years doing physical therapy twice a week to recover.

“I was not able to do any physical labor jobs. The only thing I could really do was make pizzas, flip burgers,” Meckley said. “I fell in love with cooking.”

At the time, Meckley was living in Kansas. He got a job at Munson’s Prime, a high-end steak restaurant run by Tim Bailey, where he made a rosemary-infused sea salt. “He pushed my love for cooking. Ever since then I’ve cooked, cooked and cooked,” Meckley said.

When he moved back to Minnesota, he started wondering if he could make other salt flavors; he soon developed a lemon thyme salt for a restaurant in Excelsior. His business, Meckley’s Kitchen, started out as what he called a “side hustle.” After three years, it has grown into a full-time job.

“I infuse sea salts without oils, flavors, colors. It is all about technique,” he explained. He grows all the herbs and veggies he can on his own, but to keep some spices authentic, he will import necessary ingredients. For example, he makes togarashi, a Japanese spice blend often referred to as “seven-flavor chili pepper.” He imports the Szechuan peppercorns from Japan.

“A lot of work goes into it,” he explained.

This will also be Marcus McGee’s second year at the farmers market. Several years ago, McGee, of White Bear Lake, entered and won a food truck competition. As he was gearing up to launch his food truck business, he asked a friend if he could use his relish recipe.

Unfortunately, his friend passed away before the launch.

“I tried to give the relish recipe back to his family,” McGee explained. “His family told me, ‘He gave it to you for a reason, because he wanted to see you succeed.’”

McGee sat on the recipe for a while and ultimately decided the food truck business was not for him. When his son Kellen was 8, the two started experimenting. “It was something for us to do,” McGee said. The fatherson duo tweaked the relish recipe a bit and started selling their relish back in 2019.

“It’s an everything condiment … It's not your normal relish. It's more of a mustard-based relish. It is a Chicago-style hot dog in a jar,” McGee explained. “There's nothing like it in the in Minnesota that I that I have seen.”

The versatile relish can be used on all sorts of things, including hot dogs, hamburgers, brats, sausages, chicken, crackers and pretzels. McGee says some customers use it to make deviled eggs.

For Jennifer Conners, of White Bear Lake, this year’s market will be a first-time experience. Conners, owner of Kol-Bee’s Kitchen, received her cottage food license in December. She also works part-time at the Maplewood Hy-Vee as a cake decorator. When she talked to Helmerick, she was thinking about selling cakes, cookies and dog treats.

“We are very dog-friendly in White Bear Lake,” Helmerick explained, adding that she has been trying to secure a dog treat vendor for several years.

Conners has four dogs and often fosters puppies for Coco’s Heart Dog Rescue, so she already was planning to start making dog treats. “I said, ‘Let’s do it,’” she recalled.

In addition to showcasing a variety of dog treats, she plans to bring foster puppies with her to the market in hopes of securing their forever homes.

Helmerick says all the market’s vendors are “diehards” who will brave the weather, so the event happens rain, snow or shine. “They are tough. They do not give up,” she said. “They are even tougher than the postman.”

For more information about the market, visit www. whitebearlake.org/ourcommunity/page/farmersmarket.

Dr. Jordan Dittberner and Dr. Tom Hauge

PHOTOS BY SHANNON GRANHOLM | PRESS PUBLICATIONS Marcus McGee, of White Bear Lake, can often be spotted at the market with his son.

When: 4-5 p.m. Sunday, July 6

Where: White Bear Lake United Methodist Church, 1851 Birch St.

Details: Jennifer Grimm and Joe Cruz perform jazz, R & B and Latin standards at the free concert series held on the first Sunday of the month during summer. Held indoors if rain. Contact: 651-429-9026 or wblumc.org

ONGOING EVENTS

MARKETFEST

When: 6-9 p.m. Thursdays

Where: Downtown White Bear Lake

Details: Community summer festival with over 200 food and vendor booths, live music, car show, kids activities, specials at local merchants. Contact: marketfestwbl.com

WHITE BEAR LAKE FARMERS MARKET

When: 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Fridays

Where: Clark Ave., between Second Street and Third Street

Details: A tradition since the 1970s, the farmers' market features more than 50 vendors.

Contact: whitebearlake.org or 651-4298526

MAHTOMEDI AREA FARMERS MARKET

When: 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Saturdays, starting June 28

Where: Veterans Memorial Park

Details: Local vendors offer fresh produce, honey, artisan breads, handmade crafts and much more.

Contact: mahtomedifarmersmarket@ gmail.com

CURRENT EVENTS

STAND UP PADDLE BOARDING

When: 3-4:30 p.m. Thursday, July 3

Where: Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve

Details: Instruction followed by getting out on the water. Registration information online.

Contact: anokacountyparks.com

AUTHOR VISIT

When: 10-11:30 a.m. Friday, July 4

Where: Lake Country Booksellers, 4766 Washington Square, White Bear Lake

Details: Jack Stoltzfus will sign copies of his new book “The Parent's Launch Code.”

Contact: 651-426-0918

GREENHORN WEDNESDAY SERIES BASS TOURNAMENT

When: 4-9 p.m., Wednesday, July 9

Where: Bald Eagle Lake, 5589 Hugo Road, White Bear Township. Details: Approximately 50 entrants participate as part of the Twin-Citiesbased nonprofit Bass fishing league. Contact: greenhornbasstour2011@ gmail.com

Editor’s note: Find 4th of July events on page 9.

Eat Local

Rudy’s Redeye Grill

Upscale Steakhouse, Pan Fried Walleye, Drunk ‘N Dirty Pork Chops, Bull Bites and Martinis

Smokeys

Craft smoked meats, classic Memphis style BBQ & comfort food since 2012 552 Lincoln Drive, East Bethel

Hwy 61 North, White Bear Lake

Pizza, Burgers, Pastas, Hot Hoagies, Wraps, Soup & Salads

OPINION

Black marks increase

The political assassinations of a state representative and spouse and the shooting injuries of a state senator and spouse are adding to the black marks that once was called “Minnesota Nice.”

The shooter was caught after 60 hours of searching by Minnesota and federal law enforcement people. The motivation is still unclear.

Here in Minnesota our political parties appear to publicly be at complete odds. Neither party holds a meaningful majority.

I can’t imagine they are as angry at each other in closed door sessions as they are in public.

Political parties have a political agenda they promote and expect the elected people to follow those standards publicly for the benefit of the party.

The recent tragedies will cause security of legislators to be increased at an unknown cost. It will also have people thinking twice about running for office. Then we have the growing unrest throughout the nation with unsafe protests and increased use of federal authorities where law enforcement is required.

As we continue to learn, threats against public officials have been increasing in the last several years and now the threats have turned to murder.

The public needs to wake up and know who they are voting for and better understand the issues.

Families have a value

Earlier this month our oldest daughter, Julie, and her husband Craig, hosted a family gathering at Breezy Point Resort between Brainerd and Pequot Lakes.

For years they have been hosting the family gathering of their children, grandchildren, and our great-grandchildren using timeshares. We were honored to be guests and it was very enjoyable.

The resort is very large so the family was scattered in accommodations throughout the large resort. We were either delivered breakfast or we were picked up to join in one of two of the homes that were used for group gatherings, generally three times a day.

Golf was the primary activity. There were checkers tournaments, miniature golf tournaments, and activities that lasted from early morning to sunset.

The youngest great-grandchild was a month old. I took the honors of being the oldest at 89.

Our four-year-old great-grandson loves numbers and was talking with great-grandma about how old I am. When he learned of it, he said, “Oh, he’s going to live a long time yet. I think 16 years.” What his curious mind had put into his head is that the longest living person on earth is 116. That was encouraging and remarkable on how they pick up on information and apply it at an early age.

The checkers tournament was won by great-grandson Adam, age 11. Rob Foster and Mara Schneider, age 13, won the pickleball tournament. The golf scramble was won by Paul Schneider, Craig Johnson and Olivia Foster.

Breezy Point was established in 1921 and has 250 rooms plus timeshare homes and rentals.

The value of aging

Kathy and I have been blessed in our marriage of 56 years. It has given us the privilege of watching our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow up, which many people miss. We also have the benefit of good medical care, and probably most important things in addition to each other is friendships and family.

Also, a big thank you to our readers who say they enjoy the column and provide suggestions, and even those who disagree. It helps me broaden my view on our community, state, nation and world.

It’s very remarkable to have so many letters to the editor. The community cares. Also, thank you to those who provide extra support through their subscriptions to support journalism, our carriers, and all the volunteering that goes on within our communities. People make the difference and you are part of it.

Gene Johnson is publisher emeritus of Press Publications.

Step back from the political violence boiling point

Dear readers, let me set the scene before I write another word about what I want to discuss in this column. I have been writing for Press Publications for almost a year and a half. In that time, I have written numerous columns. Most have rarely touched on the social and political climate plaguing our world today.

Suchy’s Scoop

Erik Suchy

However, after the tragic shooting and murder of State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, I don’t feel like I can keep silent. This column is not intended to be a rant against the politics of gun violence, nor is it meant to attack either side of the political aisle for their faulty actions - or lack thereof - to do something about the state of gun laws in our country.

Instead, I am appealing to a select group of our population.

A group with such a fractured psyche that is driven by a shocking hatred towards local politicians. A hatred that can lead them to commit an act of evil not unlike what Vance Luther Boelter

• Limited to 350 words.

committed two weekends ago.

To them, I ask, “Why?”

Why are you allowing yourself to let your anger get the better of you? Why are you letting it dictate your every move throughout every second of your day?

Why would committing such a heinous act somehow move the conversational goalpost on politics in the right direction? Better yet, will doing this spark a positive dialogue on how or why things need to change in terms of how our leaders do things?

I’m sure as I type this, there are probably millions of conversations already happening about how to get guns off the streets, much less into the hands of disturbed individuals such as Mr. Boelter. I’m also sure there are just as many discussions happening on what to do about our world’s “mental health crisis” - and how it is leading to more acts of gun violence occurring, at least from their perspective.

Personally, my response to these incidents is less about asking how we can change laws and more about questioning the human mind itself. In my defense, I don’t claim to be thoroughly educated on politics or the right/ wrong answers to gun safety. However, that still doesn’t mean I don’t care or worry about where we are heading the more these things happen.

WHITE BEAR/VADNAIS

• Submissions must Include a full name, address and daytime phone number for verification.

• Letter writers must live, work or have another connection to Press Publications coverage area.

• 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.

• Due to space limitations, letters that don’t address local issues are not guaranteed publication.

• Repeat letters by the same writer about the same subject matter will not be published.

Nevertheless, I’m just one man with the power to express my honest thoughts about these tragedies. While I have the power to influence how to prevent more catastrophes like this from happening, I wouldn’t know the first thing about how to make that happen. The answers I hear from our politicians are constantly split over this being a gun law problem or a mental health one, and it makes my head spin on whose side I need to take.

So now, we reach the end of this column. While I’m tempted to tell you all, “Please just learn to be kind to one another,” how far will these words go in stopping something like this from happening again? At what point do we stop our minds from reaching a crisis-level point? What actual conversations do we need to have, whether in our homes, at local city halls or on Capitol Hill, to stop others from becoming another stain of political violence on the ground we walk on?

Let’s start talking the talk and stop arguing for the sake of arguing.

Staff Writer Erik Suchy can be reached at 651-407-1229 or lowdownnews@presspubs.com

| LETTER GUIDELINES

• Submissions containing libelous or derogatory statements will not be published.

• Submissions containing facts not previously published in the Press must be accompanied by factual verification.

• All letters are subject to editing.

• Deadline is 5 p. m., Thursday of the week prior to publication.

• To submit a letter, e-mail it to whitebearnews@ presspubs.com, fax it to 651429-1242 or mail or deliver it to Press Publications, 4779 Bloom Ave., White Bear Lake, MN 55110.

HEIGHTS PRESS

About the Town

Gene Johnson

Parade a showcase of community

Congratulations to all the people who were part of putting on the Manitou Days parade. It was a great showcase of local dignitaries, acknowledging special activities, bands, dancers, organizations, churches, businesses and members of White Bear Lake. We were especially happy to see the large group of White Bear Lake student band members marching in the parade. It makes us proud to be a part of such a special community!

Sharon Nelson Nan Carlson White Bear Lake

Attack on environment

“Pave paradise and put up a parking lot.” These lyrics from a classic song from the ’70s by Joni Mitchell is how many of us feel as we watch the current GOP/Trump administration’s attack on the environment. In the big ugly budget bill, currently in the Senate, there was

language that would require selling off millions of acres of public lands to help pay for tax cuts for billionaires. Over 70% of the public disapprove of the selling of public lands, but how else is the GOP going to pay for the tax cuts? But it was not the public outcry that brought the GOP to their senses; it came down to the Senate parliamentarian ruling today that this language is outside the scope of budget process.

Another wildly unpopular attack on our environment is the GOP/Trump’s decision to open up 58 million acres of back country in national forests to road construction, mining, drilling and development, removing protections that had been in place for a quarter century.

The “roadless rule” has preserved the wild nature of nearly a third of the land in national forests in the United States and has been hailed as the most significant step since President Theodore Roosevelt laid the foundation for the national forest system.

And let us not forget the GOP/ Trump recent rallying cry to bring back asbestos, which is linked to more than 40,000 deaths in the US each year, or

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18)

Pastor’s Ponderings

James Muske

The last year of my life has been one filled with gratitude. Grateful to be newly married to my wife Mary. Grateful that I have been called as the newest pastor at St. Stephen Lutheran Church (1965 County Rd E East). And, most recently, I’m grateful to be a new resident of White Bear Lake! Thank you all so much for this amazing community!

That being said, Paul’s advice in his letter to the Thessalonians has always seemed like a tall order. Give thanks in all circumstances? Even when we experience changes in our lives that are

the weakening of regulations on PFAS, “forever chemicals” which are linked to cancer and other developmental problems and are already present in the blood of nearly every American. All these actions are extremely unpopular and have disastrous ramifications for future generations. Are any of these actions helping American families deal with kitchen table issues like health care or the cost of living? We must constantly speak up about what matters and is important to all of us.

Aliyah

Lamb

Vadnais Heights

Event represents hope, unity

I volunteered at the Freedom Day Festival held for Juneteenth on Saturday, June 21, at Kohler Meadows Park in Vadnais Heights. I was so proud of our community for having this event, particularly during these divisive times when other communities were canceling similar events.

The event was extremely well-attended with over 500 people. There was free

positive overall, we can still experience stress and grief. We have to say goodbye, we have to learn new things, and it can be difficult to carve out time in our busy lives to slow down, reflect, and catch our breath. Sometimes gratitude comes easy, but often enough it requires a conscious effort on our part.

One adjustment for me since joining St. Stephen is the design of our worship space. Our sanctuary was built with pews surrounding a circular communion railing on three sides. Preaching from the middle means frequently turning to one side or the other to make a connection with the entire congregation. I have already requested we install a motorized rotating platform, but evidently it is not in the budget this year.

Yet there is something beautiful about the design. Not only is the congregation able to see me, but, just as important, they are able to see each other. When we pray, we pray together, in full view. Prayers for healing. Prayers for forgiveness. Prayers for gratitude. We might

food, games for the kids, resources for adults, opportunities for everyone to learn about Black history and a fabulous live band and DJ. It was a great event that represented hope as we strive to all come together in unity for our future. Attendees came from all over the Twin Cities and were introduced to our welcoming community of Vadnais Heights. Kudos to Vadnais Heights Community Action Network members, who organized the event. An extra bonus of the event was that the event was waste free! VHCAN partnered with the Vadnais Heights Green Team to ensure all the products used by the food vendor(s) were compostable. The Green Team provided volunteers, who helped to educate and guide people on how to compost their waste. When VH Public Works arrived later that evening to handle the trash, they were astounded and asked where all the trash was. I look forward to next year’s Freedom Day Festival.

be praying for family, friends, and people and places across the world, but if we are praying for someone in that room with us, we see them.

It can be easy in our modern world to feel disconnected from one another, even those living right next to us. Empathy for others can be challenging enough, but even harder if we never even see our neighbors. We rely on each other, and there are so many people out there that help keep our community happy and healthy. It is why at Marketfest this summer, our church is going to host a Table of Gratitude, lifting up different groups of people over 4 different weeks. We hope you can stop by and help share your thanks for some of the folks and groups that make White Bear such an amazing place to live! Thanks be to God, and thanks be to God for all of you!

James Muske is the pastor at St. Stephen Lutheran Church in White Bear Lake.

White Bear Lake Area Church Directory

Jean Crow Vadnais Heights

COPS&COURTS

WHITE BEAR LAKE POLICE REPORTS

The White Bear Lake Police Department reported the following selected incidents:

• Theft from vehicles occurred June 18 in the 3100 block of Karth Road and the 2100 block of Orchard Road.

• Criminal damage to property was reported in the 3700 block of Bellaire Avenue June 18.

• Burglary of a storage unit occurred in the 1800 block of Buerkle Road June 18.

• A man was trespassed from a business in the 3200 block of White Bear Avenue June 18.

• A disorderly customer at a business in the 3200 block of White Bear Avenue was arrested on a felony warrant June 19.

• A dog bite was reported in the 2000 block of Dotte Drive June 19.

• Officers responded to disorderly conduct in the 4700 block of Bald Eagle Avenue June 19.

• A White Bear Lake man was arrested for obstructing the legal process following a report of disorderly conduct in the 4700 block of Banning Avenue during Marketfest June 19. Another man, also from White Bear Lake, was cited for disorderly conduct and obstruction for interfering with the arrest.

• A Columbia Heights man was arrested for DWI following a traffic stop in the 1900 block of Highway 96 June 20.

• Theft was reported in the 2600 block of County Road D June 20.

• Officers responding to a report of dogs off leash at the Lake Avenue dog beach June 20 warned the owners.

• Fraud was reported in the 2200 block of Birch Street June 20. Officers responded to a dispute between family members in the

4900 block of Birch Lake Circle June 20.

• Disorderly conduct was reported in the 3800 block of Linden Avenue June 20.

• Officers responded to a disturbance in the 3100 block of Manitou Drive June 20.

• Officers responded to disorderly conduct near the intersection of Washington Avenue and Fourth Street June 21.

• A South St. Paul man was arrested for DWI following a traffic stop near Interstate 694 and McKnight Road June 21.

• Officers responded to a disturbance in the 1900 block of Eugene Street June 21.

• Officers gave a verbal warning to the owner of a dog at large in the 2500 block of Orchard Avenue June 21.

• Officers responded to a noise complaint in the 3600 block of Hoffman Road June 22.

• Assault was reported in the 3100 block of Karth Road June 22.

• A White Bear Lake man was arrested for misdemeanor domestic assault in the 4800 block of Centerville Road June 22.

• Officers mediated a dispute June 23 in the 3800 block of Saint Regis Drive.

• Disorderly conduct was reported in the 2000 block of County Road E June 23.

• Officers mediated a dispute in the 1800 block of Cedar Avenue June 23. Officers responded to a report of ding dong ditching in the 1700 block of Eugene Street June 23.

• Officers responded to a robbery in the area of Highway 61 and County Road F June 24.

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:

Grant

• A suspicious vehicle reported roaming around the 11000 block of July Avenue N. at 8:03 a.m. May 11 turned out to be the newspaper delivery person.

Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies on May 11 left their costly calling card under the windshield wipers of a vehicle parked in a “no parking” zone on Jamaca Avenue N. at Jamaca Court N., despite the highly visible “no parking” sign posted permanently at the side of the road.

• Residents in the 9000 block of Jeffrey Blvd. N. on May 14 reported a mattress dumped in front of their residence. The public works department was summoned to pick up and dispose of the mattress.

• A motorist on Jamaca Avenue N. and Dellwood Road N. on May 11 reported himself for being about to be handed a citation the previous day before deputies suddenly drove off to answer a priority call. Deputies on duty May 11 found a record of the citation and advised the complainant that the citation was mailed and to expect it within the next couple of days.

A motorist on 75th Street N. and Keats Avenue N. at 1:14 a.m. May 16 was arrested on an outstanding warrant out of Isanti County following a traffic stop for expired registration.

Mahtomedi

• Deputies responding to a report of threats made at 4:46 a.m. May 11 at an apartment house on Stillwater Road arrived on scene and found a male and female in the middle of an argument. Following a conversation, deputies determined

PUBLIC SAFETY BRIEFS

Second tragedy in White Bear Lake within a week

A Twin Cities area man, 64, whose identity has not been released, died while participating in the swimming portion of the Manitou Triathlon event organized by MMRaces.

According to Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO), the man was unresponsive as he was pulled from the water off of Ramsey County Beach at 9:02 a.m. Sunday, June 29. The cause of death has not been determined pending an autopsy.

According to RCSO, White Bear Lake Fire Department and eyewitnesses at the scene, a lifeguard associated with the event observed the man not moving in the water. She immediately flagged down a water patrol boat and responders reached the man quickly.

“A fantastic job by that young lady,” said RCSO Patrol Commander Ryan Hankee about the lifeguard’s quick action.

White Bear Lake Fire Chief Greg Peterson said the man was believed to be in cardiac arrest. Deputies and medics attempted CPR at the scene and on the way to the hospital but were unsuccessful.

This is the second death in White Bear Lake in a week. Beverly Rodriguez, a Metro Transit Police Sergeant, drowned off the Dellwood shoreline on June 22.

The Press will provide updates to this story as more information becomes available.

DNR adds Ramsey County to deer feeding/attractant ban

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has added Ramsey County to its deer feeding and attractant ban as part of ongoing efforts to reduce the spread of chronic wasting disease in the state’s wild deer population. The addition brings the total number of counties under the ban to 33, following new detections of the disease in wild deer in previously unaffected areas.

“The feeding and attractant ban is one tool to reduce unnatural congregating of deer and lower the risk of CWD spread,” said Paul Burr, acting big game program coordinator for the DNR. “We use this tool where it provides the greatest benefit to the health of Minnesota’s white-tailed deer.”

The DNR also clarified the wording of the ban to ensure it does not apply to natural or manufactured products that do not contain added attractants. Items such as unscented ropes and mock scrapes with no added scents are not prohibited under the updated language. Although the ban does not apply statewide, the DNR urges residents in nonrestricted areas to refrain from feeding deer. Instead, wildlife officials recommend improving natural habitats to provide long-term food sources and shelter for deer and other animals.

A map of the affected counties is available at www.dnr.state.mn.us/ cwd/feedban.html. Information on enhancing private land for wildlife can be found at www.dnr.state.mn.us/ privatelandhabitat/index.html.

RAMSEY COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORTS

Editors note: Press Publications is working with the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office to ensure that we continue receiving requested information about incidents within our coverage area.

that both parties were intoxicated and that the male had thrown the female’s keys into the ditch somewhere. Discovering why the scene was created and why the female was unhappy, deputies attempted to resolve the issue by sending the female inside and advising the male on ways to keep the peace. It is unknown who was assigned the task of exploring nearby ditches for the keys, but they were not found.

• Pedestrian crossing signs at Wildwood Road and Old Wildwood Road were reported knocked down by a vehicle at 8:04 p.m. May 12. Prior to reading the original report from other deputies, the second set of deputies on patrol at 11:44 p.m. also noticed several pedestrian crossing signs knocked down.

• A motorist in the 800 block of Woodland Court at 2:34 a.m. May 13 was issued a citation for missing license plate lights, following a traffic stop for deputies not being able to see the license plate number, or even the license plate itself.

• Multiple homeowners on Woodland drive reported their mailboxes gone through overnight May 12-13. A complainant advising others on Mahtomedi Area social media about what to do called deputies for advice on what to tell the others. Deputies’ advice was to contact banks or credit card companies first to ensure their credit profiles were locked. If their banks needed a case number, each complainant must contact deputies individually to report the incident and obtain a case number.

• Two women at 10:38 p.m. May 14 reported that their property, which hopefully didn’t include their house or car keys, was locked in the public bathroom at Mahtomedi Beach in the 1000 block of Park Avenue. After public works employees called out to open the door didn’t have the correct key, deputies advised the women that they would have to wait until the following

morning to get their items because the park bathrooms unlock automatically at 6 a.m. and lock automatically at 10 p.m. each day. Deputies called out to investigate a fight in progress at 5:07 p.m. May 16 on Quail Street arrived and found the parties separated. Both parties stated that the fuss was mostly a verbal argument. On second thought, one party did push the other party. The pushed party would not press charges -- at the time. Therefore, a rekindling of the fight was abated -- for the time being.

• Deputies on May 17 received a follow-up phone call regarding possible harassing behavior on Wildwood Road. It seems that the complainant had registered a noise complaint the previous evening, and in the morning, found someone pounding loudly on their door. The complainant was wondering whether the two events were related and just wanted to know what to do if the behavior continued. Deputies advised the caller about options in taking out a Harassment Restraining Order.

• A fight reported at 9:45 p.m. May 17 outside an address on Woodland Drive turned out to be people chasing a puppy around inside a vehicle. Deputies confirmed that they didn’t observe anything suspicious and that no one appeared to be suffering from injuries.

Willernie

• Deputies on daily stop sign violation patrol at the corner of Stillwater Road and Warner Avenue N., conducted two traffic stops and issued two citations for failure to stop at the stop sign -- one at 1:33 a.m. May 12 and the other at 10:40 p.m. May 15.

Loretta Harding

Sean Michael Wagner

Age 58, answered the call of a new adventure beyond this world June 23, 2025, notably on his wife’s birthday (one of few transgressions—all forgiven—in their 35 years of marriage). He moves onward without his truest life-companion, Melissa A. Martyr-Wagner, who lit his heart like lightning the first time he met her at Iowa State University in 1986. He also leaves behind what he called his greatest achievements, his son, Rowan T. MartyrWagner (Lily Martyr-Warnberg) and daughter, Livia M. Wagner, as well as his beloved Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Henry and Halsey, who have preferred the pool over Sean’s rigorous hunting trips in Nebraska, North Dakota, and Mississippi.

Born to Nancy E. Wagner (née Foley) and Daniel J. Spillane, Jr., on February 15, 1967, in Evanston, IL, Sean embraced his nearly 100% Irish heritage. He particularly enjoyed its penchant for storytelling, music, and convivial tippling, maintaining a Spotted Cow keg in his boathouse and a well-stocked liquor cabinet for his revered vintage cocktails. This Boy Scout Bartender was prepared.

The Irish Democrat in Cedar Rapids, IA, remained one of Sean’s all-time favorite pubs long after he moved away to college and pursued his master’s degree in architecture at Princeton University. It was also one of his first stops after returning from studying abroad at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Victoria, Australia.

Sean recently retired as CEO/President of NewStudio Architecture, the successful design firm he founded in 2011. He was one of the first LEEDaccredited professional architects in Minnesota and received the Minnesota AIA Young Architect Award in 2010. Among his many projects across the U.S. and Canada, his ties to treasured clients in Philadelphia were exceptionally strong, in part because of longstanding work with URBN and its partners. In his professional “spare time,” he earned several patents, taught at the University of Minnesota, and mentored young protégés with deep discourses on everything from architectural history to wabi-sabi to the merits of a well-tied knot.

For more than 25 years, Sean was an active member in Ducks Unlimited, even if his dogs weren’t. Sean also spent many years volunteering for the Leukemia Cup Regatta and recently received the Inland Lakes Yachting Association (ILYA) Huse Sportsmanship Trophy. He kept his boats on White Bear Lake, where he hoped to spend his retirement sneaking cigars and rocking to his favorite bands (especially the Grateful Dead, Foo Fighters, and James Brown). He dreamed of sailing the ocean with his wife and scuba diving around the world. Since his glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) diagnosis in February 2024, Sean visited Malibu, New York City, Philadelphia, and Madeline Island, and snorkeled in Aruba, the Turks and Caicos, and Bonaire. A good start ended too soon.

Barbara

Ann Smith Olsen Schwartz

9/7/1933 - 6/15/2025

Barbara Ann Smith

Olsen Schwartz departed gracefully and peacefully from this world on June 15, 2025. She is survived by her daughters, Kimberly Barksdale (David), Kandace Olsen (Scott Peterson), and Alana Voll (Fred). A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, July 9th, 11:00 AM at White Bear United Methodist Church, 1851 Birch St., White Bear Lake, MN. A visitation will begin at 10:00 AM.

Maureen Raymond (nee Flanagan)

71, of White Bear Lake, passed away in her home surrounded by family on June 28, 2025. She is survived by her husband of 51 years, JT; daughters, Rheanna (Patrick) O’Brien, Katherine (Christopher) Leibel, and Marie; grandchildren, Fiona and Freddy; siblings, Mary Pat, Michael, and Margaret Flanagan; and other nieces, nephews, family and friends. Maureen was a longtime teacher at St. Pius X Catholic School. A celebration of her life will be held from 5-8 pm on Monday, July 7, 2025 at Mueller Memorial-White Bear Lake, 4738 Bald Eagle Ave. Mueller Memorial, www.muellermemorial.com , 651-429-4944

Sean is preceded on the Great Journey by his birthfather, Daniel J. Spillane, Jr.; grandparents, Daniel J. and Dorothy Spillane, Sr., Edmond and Florence Foley, and John and Margorie Wagner; uncles, Timothy Spillane, William Spillane, Michael (Mickey) Spillane, Kevin Spillane, and Phillip Foley; sister-in-law, Sheryl Martyr; and two squirrely GBM tumors dispatched by the fine doctors and nurses at United Hospital.

In addition to his loving family, Sean is survived by a loyal clan that includes his step-father and mother, James and Nancy Wagner; in-laws, Mark and Maryanne Martyr, and Jon and Blair Martyr; stepsiblings, Jim Wagner, Bob (Carla) Wagner, Dan (Barb) Wagner, and Dana Wagner; nephews, Gunner Martyr, Caleb Wagner, Adam Wagner, and Zach Wagner; nieces, Allison (Caleb) Martyr, Abbey Wagner, and Ellie Wagner; uncles, Richard (Marlene) Foley, Stephen (Linda) Foley, Sr., Michael (Leanne) Foley, Thomas (Juli) Foley, Larry (Diane) Wagner, John (Angie) Wagner and Rick (Peggy) Wagner; aunts, Suzanne Foley Smith, Karen (Eugene) Nardo (née Spillane), and Sister, Maureen Spillane; too many cousins to name (clearly, it’s an Irish family); Adam Jarvi and the entire team at NewStudio Architecture; Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity brothers; and cherished friends and “adopted” family around the world.

Melissa’s heartfelt gratitude goes to the medical professionals at the University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center Neuro-oncology program, including Dr. Lindsey Sloan, Dr. Elizabeth Neil, PA Cara, neuroophthalmologist Dr. Michael Lee, and the nurses, schedulers, and visual and speech therapists there; Regions Hospital emergency and hospital care; United Hospital neurological surgery and intensive care staff; Erin and staff at Optune; Sean’s private nursing and PT team: Ana, Jenny, Claudia, Vilma, Emily, and Doug; Nightingale Nursing Support: Amy, Anna, and Steve; therapist Rachel; the fantastic and supportive staff of Lakeview Hospice; and end-of-life doula Wendy Longacre Brown.

In lieu of flowers, any effort to prevent dastardly glios from torturing other good folks is highly appreciated. Consider a memorial donation to the Glioblastoma Research Organization, the White Bear Sailing School (please write in the notes field: in memory of Sean Wagner) or any nonprofit that supports mental health awareness, improves women’s health, promotes wildlife conservation, or fights diseases.

Friends and family are invited to a Buddhist SendOff gathering at the White Bear Unitarian Universalist Church (328 Maple St, Mahtomedi, MN) on Monday, July 14, at 11AM, followed by an opportunity for sharing good memories and good drink at an Irish Wake from 1-3PM at the White Bear Lake Yacht Club (56 Dellwood Ave #1401, Dellwood, MN). SendOff –Funeral Reimagined is assisting with the memorial plans.

Fare thee well, Sean. SendOff - Funerals Reimagined. 612-236-0141 www.SendOff.co

Lake Links to hold 8th annual guided bike ride

The Lake Links Association will host its eighth annual community bike ride around White Bear Lake Saturday, July 12, starting at the Saputo Station rest stop at Bellaire Beach, 2500 South Shore Blvd.

Registration will begin at 8 a.m., with the first contingent of riders leaving at 8:30 a.m.

The 10-mile guided ride will include views of White Bear Lake as well as surrounding wetlands, woods and ponds. New this year, the 9 a.m. wave of riders will be guided on a “History Mystery” tour, with stops at key points of historical interest along the way. Adults and youth over age 12 are encouraged to join the fun. Helmets are required, and a parent or guardian must accompany children

under 16.

“I really look forward to gathering up supporters for our annual slow ride around the lake,” said Lake Links Association Chair Mike Brooks. “The lakeside communities have a relaxed vibe that you really feel on the completed sections. That’s been our objective around the lake for the last eight years. So it’s satisfying to see so many people get out to experience the sights, sounds and fragrance of this wonderful lake, knowing—and this is what makes it all happen—the vision and commitment of legislators and area decision-makers to get this decades-old project completed.”

Find more information and sign up at lakelinks. net.

Thursday, July 3, 2025

6 p.m. - 9 p.m. | Rain or Shine! Downtown White Bear Lake www.marketfestwbl.com Theme Week: Independence Day

Sponsored by White Bear Lake VFW

Gazebo Stage

Salsa Del Sol | 6-9 p.m.

Intermission - Mother’s Band

3rd Street Stage No Limits B Sides| 6-9 p.m.

Intermission - School of Rock

Marketfest runs Thursdays, June 19 - July 31

Featuring live music, children’s games and activities, pony rides, a classic car show, and 180+ vendors, FREE admission

Sponsors: Kowalski’s Markets, Walser Polar Chevrolet & Mazda, Timberline Roofing, City of White Bear Lake, White Bear Lake Main Street, Frandsen Bank & Trust and Tommy’s Express Car Wash

LAKE LINKS | CONTRIBUTED

The Lake Links Association will host its eighth annual community bike ride around White Bear Lake on Saturday, July 12.

MAHTOMEDI

Semester 2 2024-25

9th Grade High Honors:

Raymond R. Acesor, Aisha L. Ahmad, Tamilore M. Akintola, Alaina B. Albrecht, Logan A. Albrecht, Stuart C. Anderson, Victoria B. Barfuss, Evalyn R. Barta, William S. Barton, Christopher W. Bennett, Adalyn G. Beulke, Schooner R. Bird, Lucinda E. Black, Thomas D. Boe, Aidan M. Boex, Sydney M. Bohm, Ella R. Boulos, Margaret C. Bruner, Sophie A. Campbell, Ella M. Carion, John W. Chlebeck, Elizabeth J. Churchill, Jack R. Cisek, Samuel T. Coles, Quinn O. Decorsey, Isaac D. DeGrote, McKenna L. DesJardins, Naisha Didwania, William A. Donovan, Audrey K. Doriott, Elizabeth R. Driscoll, Ryker G. Dunbar, Adam J. Edwards, Wyatt S. Ehart, Owen T. Eklund, Logan M. Ellingson, Liliana J. Englund, Josephine F. Erickson, Tegan M. Evans, Fergus A. Fedie, Layla N. Franco, Autumn N. Groneberg, Naomi E. Hall, Dana B. Hamdan, Emelia A. Hammer, Avery D. Hensel, Irina E. Hill, Wesley M. Hoadley, Elise R. Hochban, Harley H. Hohenstein, Sienna R. Iverson, Norah G. Jansen, Annika N. Johnson, Margo O. Kiely, Cullen R. King, Everett J. Kirkwood, Sidney R. Kolbet, Micah G. Korus, Maci J. Kruse, Xiaobao Q. Liang, Jack M. Lindstrom, Parker T. Maas, Mason A. Mahmood, Abigail J. Manger, Magdalena G. McCloy, Gavin M. McDonough, Carys Y. McNaughton, Andrew T. Moran, Natalie L. Moran, Grace N. Moua, Samuel K. Nasvik, Anders E. Nelson, Oliver S. Nestrud, Caleb J. Nyquist, Charlotte I. Olsen, Olivia J. Opel, Clara L. Otto, Riley K. Parizek, Lila G. Pollock, Rose M. Prescott, Parker W. Reagan, Vincent C. Redpath, Vivienne E. Roeller, Vanessa M. Rogosheske, Vivian F. Ruzynski, Molly A. Schifsky, Estelle J. Seuffert, Glory I. Shadrack, William G. Siedow, Lila E. Stephens, Aubrianna M. Stupnik, Eloise J. Taylor, Tumsa Temesgen, McCoy R. Tennyson, Rachel G. Thalacker, Brody R. Traxinger, Lexi H. Unger, Riley D. Vosooney, Ingrid G. Wirtz, Kennedy R. Wolfsberger, Brandon W. Wright, Annika G. Young

10th Grade Honors:

Lyric Y. Aceves, Ellie L. Anderson, Matthew N. Arumba, Amatulillah Bato, Rena M. Becker, Cameron A. Behnke, Berkley A. Blaisdell, Nora K. Bonifas-Johnson, Finbarr D. Borowska, Margaret E. Bowen, Lorelai K. Bracken, Ella E. Buivid, Madison G. Campbell, Isabelle G. Carle, William P. Carter, Alexander J. Cepress, Sienna A. Clark, Ericdarren Daafour, Ana E. Dahl, Reginald R. DeBruin, Kendall S. DeMars, Madelyn J. Dexheimer, Anna L. Dimopoulos, Grace M. Doebler, Hailey R. Ellingson, Charles J. Fernandez, Kylie A. Flannigan, Anthony S. Foster, Grace J. Gilbert, Charlie J. Gillet, John G. Goebel, Katie K. Gogberashvili, James J. Gonzalez, Samuel J. Gravley, Ruby A. Greer, Liana J. Grillo, Anya O. Hague, Ella M. Haraldson, Logan J. Hargrove, Edwin L. Henderson, Emmett J. Henderson, Josephine M. Hochradel, Henry P. Honmyhr, Sadie L. Hughes, Hailey J. Hunter, Emilia L. Jensen, Reagan E. Juhl, Gavin M. Kruse, Greta M. Lahr, Claire S. Langhoff, Joshua S. Larson, Lyla L. Lear, Lily E. Lockbaum, Mia A. Loosbrock, Ahnasophia I. Lorinser, Logan P. Malone, Andersen W. Martin, Kyle A. Mathis, Alayna M. McCarthy, Ryan A. McCoy, Evelyn R. McMahon, Emmett D. Melchert-Zimmerman, Emerson K. Meyers, Brody C. Moen, Owen M. Moffitt, Charlotte M. Monette, Liesel E. Mueller, Callie R. Mullaney, Camille K. Myhre, Lola M. Neely, Sophia E. Nelsen, Reese J. Nelson, Sean T. O’Connor, Georgia L. Olson, Addison R. Otto, Logen A. Pendleton, Isabel A. Poness Ruiz, Graydon E. Poppelman, Evelyn L. Richie, Allissa M. Robinson, William R. Roelofs, Aubrey M. Saterbak, Joseph R. Sauer, Garrett N. Schlagel, Brody J. Schrankler, McCauley W. Schulz, Mila S. Semerad, Grady L. Severson, Grant E. Severson, Bemnet H. Shekur, Amber L. Shell, Cody D. Siewert, Jacob R. Sokoll, Barrett S. Sorum, Sawyer R. Sphuler, James B. Theuninck, Phoebe M. Tong, Blake A. Udelhofen, Gabrielle N. Vang, Finn T. Wiesen, Matthew R. Wolfsberger, Sommer S. Wood, Nolan S. Wyse

12th Grade High Honors:

Zakariyya J. Adams-Hladio, Audrey A. Aflakpi, Presley R. Albers, Georgia M. Alfonse, Lydia J. Armstrong, Julia B. Atkins, John L. Aufderhar, Alayna M. Bartylla, Akaycia L. Belisle, Rylee M. Bogren, Betsy N. Boland, Audriana L. Bostic, Collin E. Bromeland, Riley C. Burke, Evan S. Carion, Elizabeth L. Carlon, Audrey A. Carlson, Janeea L. Chlebeck, Samuel P. Churchill, Addison C. Crep, Cathryn G. Curran, Addisyn J. DeMars, Elise F. DeMars, Ana M. Detert, Ava F. Donna, Joshua B. Drivdahl, Max J. Egan, Breanna L. Elbers, Cecilia A. Emery, Kylee L. Farmer, Dorian E. Fedie, Reagan R. Flaherty, Rowan G. Flanary, Logan K. Garcia, Daniel D. Gibbens, Silvia K. Graetzer, Connor J. Gray, Anna L. Greene, Ruby E. Grinstead, Benjamin A. Hammond, Samuel M. Harris, Sarah R. Haveman, Maria C. Horsager, Vincent W. Humpal, Jacqueline J. Igel, Oliver J. Jaroslawski, Kellen C. Johnson, Soleil L. Johnson, Taylor C. Johnson, Hayden M. King, Camron A. Knapstein, Xavier J. Knauss, Gabriella M. Kraai, Kajia J. Krull, Cendall Q. Kurr, Sidney J. Leciejewski, Wyatt T. Lorinser, Clara G. Loss, Gavin E. Maas, Matthew T. Macdonald, Jillian G. Mack, Drake A. MacLean, Ella A. Madson, Kaili A. Malvey, Lauren R. Marinac, Annika J. Martin, Allison L. McCleery, Riley S. McGrane, Thomas S. Meader, Joel W. Melby, Maxwell D. Milbrandt, Ashley A. Moeller, Julia G. Morreim, Emily K. Muetzel, Greta J. Munson, Ayla R. Nasvik, Maxwell R. Newcome, Elesia R. Newfield, James A. O’Connor, Zoe J. Peterson, Brandon Q. Pham, Miles H. Poppelman, Eden E. Puchreiter, Indra M. Ramaley, Jacob R. Rank, Keira L. Redpath, Alexander H. Reister, Henry R. Roelofs, Luke T. Roettger, Olivia C. Ross, Esme E. Roux, Julia S. Ruzynski, Kimberly L. Ryan, Addison L. Saterbak, Amber H. Schaefer, Zhenghong L. Schlechte, Madison C. Schmidtz, Madeline M. Schoenecker, Stella M. Schroeder, Timothy A. Schussler, Gunnar J. Sellman, Joy O. Shadrack, Adona H. Shekur, Isabella C. Smieja, Shey P. Sorenson, Charlotte V. Steele, Jack T. Stepan, Wesley J. Strub, Evalyn S. Suchy, Anne M. Tanner, Mykenna H. Theuninck, Aida W. Thiam, Olivia J. Thiele, Cecelia K. Thielen, Emma G. Thron, Isaac G. Tilsen, Luke R. Vipond, Olivia L. Wendorff, Nicholas E. Whitney IV, Abigail A. Wiebe, Ronan R. Wise, Winston E. Wisely, Jude F. Zeck

9th Grade Honors:

Yasmin K. Abdi, Mariam L. Abraham, Davlenn R. Acesor, Hafsa M. Adam, Henry K. Aflakpi, Alana G. Alvarez, Dulo J. Aman, Alia V. Anderson, Adelaide R. Badini, Dani A. Baker, Delaney E. Benz, Brooke E. Berg, William T. Bidon, Peyton A. Birch, Charlotte C. Bishman, Adalyn V. Bjorkman, Sophia M. Boberg, Peter K. Boyum, Caleb J. Brann, Michael K. Breien, Easton J. Buche, Lilith J. Bush, Camryn Q. Chilson, Han B. Connell, Levi S. Cosby, Austin R. Damlo, Isabella J. Davini, Janessa J. DavisHarris, Chloe L. Deans, Konur O. Drivdahl, Colton A. Duckson, Maxx E. Efiong, Adeline R. Erickson, Brooklyn A. Erickson, Madison E. Erickson, Xiaohan Fang, Allicia F. Farrington, Melania J. Fitzgerald, John R. Gill, Austin J. Gunderson, Lilia R. Haile, Luke J. Hanley, Hunter M. Hansen, Eve C. Hanzely, Cassia G. Hartmann, Alaina N. Hass, Elsi N. Hauer, Jack J. Herschbach, Maria A. Hutton, Kallen G. Johnson, Sawyer M. Johnson, Jenna N. Keane, Lila J. Kruse, Laela P. Lee, Xiaofeng H. Liang, Hayden W. Mans, Leo T. Miller, Jaxon C. Mitchell, Henry L. Mizinski, Elizabeth A. Moscou, April J. Nelson, Kylie E. Nelson, Lyla M. Nelson, Quinlan H. Nettleton, Berea K. Nicholson, Lily Y. Nyberg, Chase R. Olson, Parker P. Paraschou, Joshua G. Parton, Jemma K. Pecchia, Charles D. Peck, Lyla K. Peper, Kate E. Peterson, Sidney E. Peterson, Luke W. Pfeiffer, Lucia J. Phoenix, Allana I. Pierce, Sarah V. Poepard, Adyson M. Pulver, Hailey N. Reich, Daniel J. Reierson, Carly A. Roubik, William G. Russell, Adele H. Schroeder, Sterling R. Schroeder, Alexa S. Schubert Beltran, Ava J. Sheppeck, Braelyn A. Skow, Olivia R. Sowada, Brynn M. State, Lucy M. Teich, Connor M. Tempelis, William M. Tronrud, Evelyn M. Tykeson, Troy J. Verbout, Zoey G. Williams, Finn Winke, Carter N. Wojtowicz, Jordyn R. Woodford, Tensae F. Yigermal, Lucy L. Zelch, Ella A. Zerwas, Jack E. Ziemann

11th Grade High Honors:

Yusra K. Abdi, Ethan W. Albrecht, Bjorn Z. Anderson, Zoe A. Anderson, Ava M. Arcand, Elena N. Atkinson, Joseph D. Bance, Connor L. Barry, Amber J. Becker, Layla J. Befidi, Thomas M. Bengtson, Chase M. Benning Swanson, Samuel R. Beulke, Keely J. Bohm, Julia M. Boogren, Cael M. Brummel, Aidan D. Carlson, Collin G. Carlson, Lily V. Carlson, Noah X. Carlson, Bao-Hien Chu, Julian T. Cisek, Julia M. Clayton, Alexis N. Collins, Anna S. Cosby, Claire N. Crothers, Brennan W. Dambowy, Bethel K. Darik, Casey S. DeFor, Riley S. DeFor, Lawson J. DeGezelle, Haley L. DesJardins, Ethan J. Dvorak, Abigael E. Edwards, James S. Egan, Owen G. Eigen, Myles A. Flaherty, Sarah A. Frazer, Oliver D. Gadbois, Julia J. Gill, Mark S. Graff, Natalie J. Gruba, Eleanor C. Halsten, Sanyi T. Hamine, Lily V. Harnisch, Charles J. Hauer, Eli L. Hendrickson, Cameron P. Hentsch, Katie C. Hergenrader, Gabriella R. Hernandez, Wyatt J. Herschbach, Aoife L. Hiniker, Noelle E. Jackson, Elianah J. Jespersen, Paige M. Johnson, Kendall A. Kapfer, Kento S. Kedrowski, Ian T. Kiely, Ellis L. Krause, Sydney R. Kuschke, Mallory M. Langer, Teagan J. Larson, Neven E. Leopold, Hannah M. Lindstrom, Alexander W. Livingston, Alexis K. Lum, Alasdair M. MacChesney, Evan R. Marty, Riley J. McAuley, Teagan C. McCloy, Nolan E. McCutcheon, Evan J. Miller, Ashley M. Motz, Adam J. Nelson, Sophia N. Paraschou, Jocelyn R. Parker, Kayla M. Poirier, Eve C. Porter, Caroline W. Potjer, Sahar A. Ramaley, Taelin L. Richmond, Jaelyn R. Schany, Josephine E. Schifsky, Blair W. Smith, Hannah A. Smith, Katherine A. Smith, Ava E. Sorum, Annika M. Sowder, Ruby A. Stembridge, Jackson A. Stout, Matthew J. Studenski, Jack T. Tarnowski, Louisa K. Tarnowski, Alexia A. Tempelis, Lauren M. Thalacker, Ada J. Thompson, Claire D. Tofte, Olivia M. Tofte, Grace A. Van Hout, Gavin G. Vennemann, Martina B. Villagra Phillip, Isabel M. Vipond, Joud F. Wadi, Carter S. Whitman, Nicholas G. Wisniewski, Taylor J. Wojtowicz, Jacquelyn M. Worden

12th Grade Honors:

Winston S. Adams-Hladio, Nathan B. Affolter, MacKlin C. Appert, Arianna J. Baskfield-Reiter, Dylan J. Bauman, Michaela M. Bergman, Anna L. Bierwerth, Ethan P. Boeke, Nathan A. Brinker, Addison L. Briske, Garrett C. Brown, Natalya D. Brown, Zachary D. Burge, Ean S. Carlson, Sean M. Chevalier, Dehvin D. Chu, Nhat T. Chu, Lauren A. Clark, Nicholas J. Clark, Connor J. Curran, Laken W. Decker, Eily F. DeMars, Alexis E. Efiong, Malia K. Erickson, Ethan A. Felling, Gabriela A. Fox, Leland J. Hanley, Karl R. Hochradel, Anna K. Holley, Gabrielle S. Hull, Gavin R. Hutchinson, Matthew T. Johnson, Jordan M. Jonas, Evelyn P. Karle, Mason G. Kipp, Joshua M. Kirkwood, Dylan J. Klingbeil, Oleksii Klymenko, Samuel J. Knapp, Oliver W. Ko, Christina H. Kochanski, Landon A. Kruse, Anthony J. Kurn, Gunnard N. Larson, Yulian Lazutin, Ryan L. Lipovetz, Oskar J. Magnusson, Emma N. Marty, Madison E. McCoy, Shelby L. McFetridge, Evan M. McGuire, Owen J. Mead, Owen D. Meier, Andrew Micetic, Jess B. Miller, Reese E. Mitchell, Matheu M. Mizinski, Molly A. Moffitt, Miranda J. Monteiro, Haley M. Moosbrugger, Rhiana J. Murray, Helayna L. Nelson, Joseph T. Nelson, Abriella L. Niehaus, Nellie M. Odushkin, Pierce M. Paddock, Leah K. Panagiotopoulos, Sophia K. Peer, Tyler J. Pendleton, Mason D. Peterson, Khang D. Pham, Nicholas A. Pietig, Joseph A. Pipes, Cadence L. Pompilio, Sierra R. Poul, Tanner D. Reagan, Colton G. Robbins, Audrey T. Roling, Sophia G. Rude, Reese E. Saenger, Mason P. Schultz, Ella K. Schumann, Karin M. Sheeser, Daniel K. Short, Greta S. Siess, Sienna G. Sjostrom, Ethan J. Sockalosky, Andrew M. Sokoll, Carmen L. Sorenson, Nathan S. Stooksbury, Douglas W. Strand, Cadmus J. Tank, Sawyer F. Tokay, Grace A. Tronrud, John H. Vander Louw, Erika J. Verbout, Adam J. Voegele, Karen S. Wiesen, Walker J. Willett, Jacob W. Wilson, Isaac K. Wooi, Winston D. Wright, Sophie G. Wynne, Yiyan Yang, Mistere F. Yigermal, Alana I. Zinkgraf

10th Grade High Honors:

Gavin M. Adams, Elise A. Aflakpi, Emily K. Alexander, Evyn R. Alexander, Mejken R. Amiot, Jessica E. Aufderhar, Jameson D. Barrett, Amelia C. Barron, Azariah A. Barta, Lydia L. Bartness, George R. Beckman, Marija A. Berkner, Gavin W. Bifulk, Isabella S. Bixby, Rachel F. Brings, Jasper J. Buerger, Cole W. Burkel, Eli R. Buttke, Lorraine K. Campbell, Shawn E. Carlon Jr., Noah E. Carlson, Sailor P. Carlson, Halyn R. Chaffee, Coen A. Chavarria, Mabel J. Curtis, Maya K. Dahl, Lola K. Dambowy, Charles R. DeHaan, Shea O. Deneen, Paige L. Detert, Cerwyn D. Dobbelmann, Nolan J. Dock, Annika L. Drimel, Jackson W. Drimel, Delaney A. Dumermuth, Erica F. Ekpruke, Amelia M. Englund, Katherine L. Fanta, Cullen E. Faulkner, Caitlin A. Glaser, Alexander Goldfine, Ellen K. Gruba, Natalie K. Haase, Gannon J. Hamen, Ava L. Hanson, Mahdi M. Hanson, Cameron L. Harris, Capri E. Hartmann, Aidan L. Hastings, April M. Hoffoss, Micah J. Horsager, Isaac H. Iten, Abraham D. Jansen, Kristen M. Johnson, Kaylen L. Jones, Anton T. Kastler, Adelric A. Koenig-Kali, Broderick A. Kraai, Lucas J. Kraft, Elsie M. Krull, Jessica D. Kuchar, Yeupheng D. Lee, Jocelyn A. Lidle, Ava B. Lockbaum, Anthony M. Longen, Aritza Lopez Nandho, Amelia J. Lucke, Lily M. Lutgen, Addison J. Mack, Reagan N. Mamer, Isabella Micetic, Brynna R. Newfield, Devin S. O’Donnell, Grant J. Oien, Paige A. Olsen, Isaac T. Opitz, Lucille L. Petersen, Molly R. Peterson, Danielle Paulene B. Pineda, Henry A. Pompilio, Grace A. Prose, Molly L. Roettger, Trevor W. Rogosheske, Yuktika Samtani, Fiona Q. Sawyer, Maria G. Schlegel, Frank T. Schwieters, Emmett C. See, Will D. Seevers, Kai A. Seidl, Senna S. Semaan, Adam R. Sixt, Isabel A. Steffen, Ethan M. Stout, Eliana W. Suchy, Sophia M. Syring, Katherine I. Taylor, Maria J. Tkachuck, Luke A. Torgrude, Anneliese Z. Ulschmid, Lucas J. Vander Louw, Kieran J. Vik, Jozie B. Wetzel, Alayna J. Whitson, Tirzah L. Whitson, Eve C. Wiebe, Maximus D. Winegar, Alexander K. Wooi, Abigail A. Wright, Caroline K. Wright, Melanie Zhang

11th Grade Honors:

Jocelyn R. Aguilera, Mason D. Amberg, Sally H. Amundson, Sachie K. Arumba, Rowan A. Berger, Ethan R. Berglund, Lillyan J. Birkeland, Joseph V. Borovsky, Siochain E. Borowska, Maya S. Brendmoen-Butler, Jerrick J. Brown, Emerson A. Buckley, Robert J. Burkel Jr., Tyler J. Busson, Avery D. Campbell, Harrison J. Carroll, Arjun Chandra, Jackson S. Chesak, Betselot T. Daba, Alyssa J. Damlo, Maia K. Daniels, Seanna R. Davis, Easton A. DeZelar, June E. Duclos-Beecher, Addison R. Eitel, Seth J. Erickson, Nicholas J. Fiola, Kyler J. Gunderson, Alex N. Haase, Noah A. Hahn, Chace P. Hallin, Austin J. Hanft, Piper R. Hanson, Finn J. Hemenway, Brianna L. Hilton, Nolan J. Hochban, Haley L. Hohenstein, Nicholas P. Huberty, Hawii H. Hussein, Rahama A. Hussein, Lauren A. Jacobson, Henry D. Johnson, Jayden T. Jones, Jaylen T. Jones, Noah M. Kamrath, Kallie P. Kolbet, Liam J. Kutzer, Sylvie A. Lavigne, Tyler J. Leciejewski, Cody M. Loida, William B. MacChesney, Grace E. McCarthy, Eliah L. McCormick, Lexie M. McGrane, Payton A. Mielke, Robel G. Milion, Ryan M. Nelson, Lucille K. Otto, Tyler K. Parizek, Amyah R. Perkins, Greta E. Plugge, Eva I. Pulver, Layla M. Ragan, Audrey M. Reid, Danielle R. Ricci, Allison J. Rippentrop, Leila L. Roubik, Madeline N. Ruppel, Andrew I. Russell, Kai A. Schwartz, Joseph P. Sevenich, Cullen D. Taylor, Simon A. Taylor, Levi A. Ternberg, Aspen S. Tillges, James L. Unger, SuabCua Vang, Samuel L. White, Annika Winke, Sasha L. Wuori

4th of July calendar of events

Mahtomedi

BOAT PARADE

When: 1-3 p.m. Friday, July 4

Where: Mahtomedi Beach, 1045 Park Ave., Mahtomedi

Details: Decorate your boat, play patriotic music and celebrate our community and country in the annual Fourth of July boat parade.

Contact: Facebook: White Bear Lake Boat Parade

White Bear Lake FIREWORKS

When: 8-10:30 p.m. Friday, July 4

Where: Memorial Beach, 4980 Lake Ave., White Bear Lake

Details: In West Park is the Shoreview Northern Lights Variety Band, followed by a flyover of T-6 Navy fighter planes at 8:30 p.m. The night ends with a spectacular fireworks display at 10 p.m.

Contact: info@explorewhitebear. org or 651-272-3799

VFW 1782 AUXILIARY PANCAKE BREAKFAST & 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION

When: 8-10:30 a.m. Friday, July 4

Where: VFW Post 1782, 4496 Lake Ave. S., White Bear Lake

Details: Pancake breakfast supports programs and services for veterans. $8 ages 8 and older. Contact: 612-269-8709

Stillwater

LIGHT A SPARK

When: 7:30 - 10:30 p.m., Friday, July 4

Where: Stillwater Public Library, 224 Third St. N.

Details: Annual Fourth of July extravaganza hosted by the Stillwater Public Library Foundation. Featuring live music, dinner, cash bar and games followed by fireworks. Tickets can be purchased at www. stillwaterlibraryfoundation.org/ light-a-spark. Contact: 651-504-2350 or stillwaterlibraryfoundation.org

Birchwood 74TH ANNUAL INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE

When: 10 a.m. Friday, July 4. Line up at 5 Birchwood Ave. at 9:30 a.m.

Where: Birchwood Avenue Details: Kids - decorate your bikes, wagons or make a small float to join in the fun! After the parade, join us for free snacks, games and the annual tug-of-war at Wildwood Park. Contact: communityclubbirchwood@ gmail.com

Forest Lake

FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION

When: 10 p.m., Friday, July 4

Where: Lakeside Park, 95 E. Broadway Ave., Forest Lake Details: Presented by the city of Forest Lake and American Legion Post 225. Come celebrate the Fourth of July with a dazzling fireworks show from Lakeside Memorial Park. Contact: 651-464-3550

White Bear Lake Area High School culture check: Is this meaningful?

BY LOGAN GION CONTRIBUTING WRITER

When White Bear’s 9-12 high school opened its doors last fall, principal Russ Reetz said that the year would be divided into three 60-day sections. Each segment has a question to which, by the end of the 60 days, students will hopefully answer yes. The first question was, “Do I belong here?”

Reetz and his team focused on welcoming classroom environments, engaging after-school activities and meaningful attendance conversations. The second question — “Is this meaningful?” — measured student engagement.

“‘What do you know and how do you know?” asked White Bear Lake Area Associate Principal Joe Held. “We think kids are finding meaning, but then the natural extension question of that is … ‘How are you measuring that?’”

The White Bear administration uses the University of Washington’s Five Dimensions of Teaching and Learning model to gauge student engagement. In this model, teachers peer-review other classrooms, evaluating a teacher’s quality of questioning as well as a student’s opportunities to take ownership of their learning.

“We do that over the whole year across all of campus, and then we present to our staff, ‘This is the common thing

FIREWORKS: ‘A real team effort’

show at Memorial Beach Park.

But just what does the planning and set-up process look like for the show in question?

According to Dick Galena, chair of the city’s Fireworks Committee, preparations for the event typically begin in mid-February, with monthly meetings continuing until July.

“It includes the band concert, the B-25 flyover in the morning, the four T-6 Navy fighter planes flyover, as well as organizing and giving permits to various concession stands at both Memorial Park and West Park,” he said.

He added that committee members take on various showpreparation tasks.

“Three members of our committee work on raising the funds to put the show on,” he said.

“We also find various concessions, such as drinks and food. One member takes care of obtaining permits and coordinating with the fire and police departments and public works, including the Ramsey County Water Patrol. Everybody on the committee has certain sections that they handle. It’s a real team effort.”

the White Bear Lake Conservation District, because we’re shooting the fireworks over the lake,” continued Galena. “We also need a permit from the fire department.”

“The city has to insure the show,” added Assistant City Manager Rick Juba. “That’s where our liability coverage comes into play, and the firework technician also has to insure their work and then name the city as an additional insurer on their policy.”

we’re seeing on campus. How do we improve upon this?’” Held asked. A thriving classroom, he explained, is one that is student-driven through relevant content. “They have work time and they're collaborating and they're getting their hands dirty with the content, instead of just absorbing it and downloading it from a teacher.”

Held mentioned that administration focus on “Is this meaningful?” overlapped with student registration for 2025-2026. What’s more, the school unveiled a streamlined course selection process that highlighted elective options and industry-specific classes, called Career Pathways.

“Our Career Pathways is doubling in enrollment for next year,” Held remarked. “What (students) are doing now matters, and it's meaningful and not just the thing you have to do because the state of Minnesota says you have to.”

The final instructional cycle of the school year is “Can I do this?”

Reetz and his team are gathering student feedback regarding both this question as well as student experience of the entire first year at the 9-12 building. Findings will likely be available this fall.

Contributing writer Logan Gion can be reached at 651-407-1200 or savoureditor@presspubs.com.

“We used to have to start earlier because we just had a lot more work to do,” said long-time Fireworks Committee Member and Former City Manager Mark Sather. “However, we’ve been working together as a group for a long time and have developed a reputation with the Lake Conservation District and the sheriff’s and fire departments, so we know what we’re doing.”

Securing permits is not limited to just one from the city. “We need permits first from

On the morning of the Fourth, a safety perimeter is established around Matoska Park, where the pyrotechnics crew loads the fireworks. From there, the park’s dog beach and Seventh Street swim dock become officially closed.

“As the day goes on, the fire department has the boat staffed and is in charge of setting the safety perimeter on the lake,” said Juba. “They will do that during the afternoon while the pyrotechnics crew is still setting up. The fire department boat crew will be out setting up the perimeter around the launch site on the water. Once that’s established, the fire boats and the Ramsey

County Water Patrol keep people out of that perimeter once the barge is placed.” The fireworks are placed on a 20-by40-foot aluminum barge bolted together from four sections. Typically stored by the city’s Public Works Department during the off-season, the barge is assembled at Matoska Park before the show. At 7:30 p.m., depending on the water level, it is moved 600 to 900 feet from shore, although in the same general location as the previous year. Should there be inclement weather on the day of the show, Galena said that the committee will wait for an opening to shoot the fireworks. If not, the show will be deemed a rainout and will be rescheduled for later in the month.

“It takes a lot of resources to put on, but it’s a worthy cause and a fun event,” said Juba. “We just want to make sure it’s safe and enjoyable for everybody. It wouldn’t happen without the generosity of the community.”

Staff Writer Erik

Suchy can be reached at 651-407-1229 or vadnaisheightsnews@ presspubs.com.

A flyover of T-6 Navy fighter planes is planned prior to the fireworks show at 8:30

10 VADNAIS HEIGHTS PRESS

PUBLIC NOTICES

www.presspubs.com

CITY OF VADNAIS HEIGHTS

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Vadnais Heights City Council will meet and consider Ordinance No. 790: Repealing Cannabinoid Licensing at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at City Hall, 800 East County Road E.

The materials are available for public review at City Hall during normal business hours. Questions or comments should be directed to Phillip Lundquist, Deputy City Clerk at phillip.lundquist@cityvadnaisheights.com or 651-204-6011.

FOR THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF VADNAIS HEIGHTS

Kevin P. Watson, City Administrator

Dated: June 16, 2025

Published two times in the Vadnais Heights Press on July 2 and 9, 2025. CITY OF VADNAIS HEIGHTS

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR A CONSTRUCTION MANAGER AT RISK

The City of Vadnais Heights requests qualification information in order to evaluate and select a Construction Manager at Risk for the renovation and expansion of the South Fire Station, located at 3595 Arcade Street. The current 20,000/sf station is 35 years old, and no longer meets the needs of VHFD’s staffing model, which includes 43 full-time and part-time fire staff working daytime and overnight shifts 24/7. The proposed redesign will add approximately 15,000/sf added to the first, second levels, and mezzanine with a proposed building footprint of 25,000/sf, and total square footage of almost 40,000. Full RFQ can be found at cityvadnaisheights.com/bids

Qualifications must be received by 10 a.m. July 11, 2025. Questions should be directed to Chief Kurt Frison at kurt.frison@ cityvadnaisheights.com or (651) 204-6043.

Published three times in the Vadnais Heights Press on June 25, July 2 and July 9, 2025.

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 15, 2025 at 7:00 PM at Vadnais Heights City Hall, 800 County Road E East, to consider an application submitted by Walmart for a Minor Site Plan at 850 COUNTY ROAD E E (PIN 333022220036).

Anyone wishing to be heard in regard to this matter will be given an opportunity at this time. The application is available for public review at City Hall during normal business hours and will be posted on the City’s website in advance of the meeting. Questions or comments should be directed to Nolan Wall, Planning/Community Development Director, at 651-204-6027 or nolan. wall@cityvadnaisheights.com.

FOR THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF VADNAIS HEIGHTS

Kevin P. Watson City Administrator

Dated: July 3, 2025

Published one time in the Vadnais Heights Press on July 2, 2025. DUININCK GOLF ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS RAMSEY COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION MANITOU RIDGE GOLF COURSE CART PATH COUNTY PROJECT # PRK0000020122

Duininck Golf invites prospective bidders to submit bids for an upcoming project at Manitou Ridge Golf Course for their new Cart Path Improvement Project. Manitou Ridge Golf Course is located at 3200 McKnight Rd. N, White Bear Lake, MN 55110

The construction work at Manitou Ridge Golf Course is expected to begin in September 2025 and finish no later than October 24, 2025.

A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held via Microsoft Teams on July 16, 2025, at 10:00 am CST. Use the following to join the meeting: Meeting ID: 219 669 664 233 2

Passcode: yS7eQ6WU SEALED BIDS ONLY. Bids are required to be received in a sealed envelope. Bids shall be received at the Duininck Golf Office located at 1010 McKinley Pkwy, Delano, MN 55328 by August 06, 2025, by 3:00 pm. Bids received after this date and time will be returned unopened. Bids not sealed, filled out properly, or not on the appropriate scope documents are subject to rejection. Bids can be emailed to Kevin.Markhardt@Duininck.com Bids shall be addressed to: Duininck Golf Attn: Kevin Markhardt, 1010 McKinley Pkwy, Delano, MN 55328

All Questions shall be submitted by July 30, 2025, an addendum will be issued by no later than August 01, 2025, addressing any questions. BID OPENING. All bids will be opened at 4:00 pm on August 6th, 2025. Bidders may attend virtually via Microsoft Teams: Meeting ID: 245 486 072 197 2 Passcode: u78gv9Q2

Bidders may request the plans and specifications from Duininck Golf. Email Kevin at Kevin.Markhardt@duininck.com. Electronic files will be available at no charge. Bid Security in the amount of 5 percent of the amount of the Bid must be submitted and accompany each Bid in accordance with the Instructions to Bidders. A plan set and specifications for viewing will be available in Duininck’s Conference room in Delano, MN.

This project requires Prevailing Wage in Ramsey County. Certified Payrolls shall be submitted through LCP TRACKER. Published three times in the Vadnais Heights Press on July 2, 9, and 16, 2025.

GENTRY ACADEMY REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

ATTENTION: CATERING COMPANIES

Gentry Academy is requesting proposals for a Catering Company. The Catering Company would provide meals to Gentry Academy Students

To obtain a copy of the Request for Proposals, contact: Jennifer Kurth, Executive Director Jennifer.Kurth@gentryacademy.org

Caterers may submit proposals to: Gentry Academy 1420 County Road E East Vadnais Heights, MN 55110

Gentry Academy reserves the right to reject any proposal for a sound, documented reason or to reject all proposals if there is an insufficient number of proposals.

A pre-proposal meeting is scheduled for July 15th, 2025 at 11:00 AM at 1420 County Road E East, Vadnais Heights, MN 55110. All proposals must be submitted no later than 3:00 PM on July 29th, 2025. All proposals should be delivered in a sealed envelope and addressed to the Gentry Academy and be clearly marked: Catering Proposal

Published one time in the Vadnais Heights Press on July 2, 2025. RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA OFFICE OF THE COUNTY MANAGER ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MINUTES

JUNE 17, 2025

The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners met in regular session at 9:00 a.m. with the following members present: Jebens-Singh, McGuire, Miller, Moran, Xiong and Chair Ortega. Commissioner McMurtrey was absent. Also present were Ling Becker, County Manager, and Jada Lewis, Civil Division Director, Ramsey County Attorney’s Office.

AGENDA of June 17, 2025 was presented for approval. Motion by McGuire, seconded by Miller. Unanimously approved.

MINUTES of June 10, 2025 were presented for approval. Motion by Miller, seconded by Moran. Unanimously approved.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Read by Commissioner McGuire.

PROCLAMATION

Human Resources – Proclamation: Juneteenth Proclamation. Presented by Commissioner Jebens-Singh. Discussion can be found on archived video.

ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS

Sheriff’s Office – Agreement with Sheehy Company for Security Fencing at the Ramsey County Law Enforcement Center Campus. Motion by McGuire, seconded by Miller. Unanimously approved. (B2025-121)

Parks & Recreation – Appointments to the Parks and Recreation Commission. Motion by Jebens-Singh, seconded by McGuire. Unanimously approved. (B2025-113)

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

County Manager’s Office – Ramsey County Legislative and Federal Response Update. For information and discussion only. Discussion can be found on archived video.

COUNTY CONNECTIONS

Presented by County Manager, Ling Becker. Discussion can be found on archived video.

OUTSIDE BOARD AND COMMITTEE REPORTS

Discussion can be found on archived video.

BOARD CHAIR UPDATE

Presented by Chair Ortega. Discussion can be found on archived video.

ADJOURNMENT

Chair Ortega declared the meeting adjourned at 10:49 a.m.

CLOSED MEETING

Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13D.05, subdivision 3(b) in order to discuss the Ramsey County 2024 Litigation Report. The Ramsey County Board met in a closed meeting, which was not open to the public.

In Re: Ramsey County 2024 Litigation Report

The Closed Meeting was called to order at 11:00 a.m.

Present: Commissioners Jebens-Singh, McGuire, Miller, Moran, Xiong and Chair Ortega. Commissioner McMurtrey was absent. Also Present: Ling Becker, County Manager; Jada Lewis, Civil Division Director, Ramsey County Attorney’s Office; Kristine Nogosek, Assistant County Attorney, Brett Bacon Assistant County Attorney; Deanna Pesik, Chief Compliance and Ethics Officer, Compliance and Ethics Office; Jason Yang, Chief Clerk, County Manager’s Office.

The closed meeting was adjourned at 12:30 p.m.

Published one time in the Vadnais Heights Press on July 2, 2025.

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-PRMG34685-0-2025/KB

OPENING DATE: 7/17/25

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: RAMSEY COUNTY THROUGH PROPERTY MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT, SEEKS A PRIME CONTRACTOR TO PROVIDE ALL SUPPLIES, EQUIPMENT, MATERIAL, LABOR AND INCIDENTALS FOR THE LANDMARK CENTER LOADING DOCK IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT.

PRE-SOLICITATION RESPONSE CONFERENCE: LANDMARK

CENTER FRONT ENTRANCE, 75 W 5TH STREET, ST PAUL, MN 55102, JULY 17, 2025, 9:00 AM CST

SOLICITATION: RFB-PRMG34607-0-2025/KB

OPENING DATE: 8/7/25

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: RAMSEY COUNTY THROUGH PROPERTY MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT SEEKS A PRIME CONTRACTOR TO PROVIDE ALL SUPPLIERS, MATERIAL, EQUIPMENT, LABOR, AND INCIDENTALS FOR RAMSEY COUNTY COURTHOUSE/ CITY OF ST PAUL CITY HALL JUDICIAL CHAMBERS CONSTRUCTION PROJECT.

PRE-SOLICITATION RESPONSE CONFERENCE: ST PAUL CITY HALL/ RAMSEY COUNTY COURTHOUSE, 15 WEST KELLOGG BLVD, LOBBY, ST PAUL, MN 55102, JULY 21, 2025, 8:30 AM CST

Published one time in the Vadnais Heights Press on July 2, 2025.

VERIZON WIRELESS

PUBLIC NOTICE

Cellco Partnership and its controlled affiliates doing business as Verizon Wireless is proposing to install a monopole telecommunication pole located near 1125 Willow Lake Blvd, Vadnais Heights, Ramsey County, Minnesota 55110 (45-2-48.44 N, 93-3-14.36 W). The overall structure height (including attachments) is 35-feet AGS. Public comments regarding potential effects from this site on historic properties may be submitted within 30 days from the date of this publication to: Terracon Consultants, ATTN: Jennifer Shepard, 15080 A Circle, Omaha, NE 68144, 651-894-6625 or jennifer.shepard@ terracon.com.

Published one time in the Vadnais Heights Press on July 2, 2025.

NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE – POSTPONEMENT

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that default has occurred in the conditions of the following described mortgage:

DATE OF MORTGAGE: February 4, 2022

ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE: $1,010,200.00

MORTGAGOR(S): GreenHalo Builds, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company

MORTGAGEE: Lake Elmo Bank, a banking corporation

DATE AND PLACE OF RECORDING:

Recorded: February 24. 2022 Ramsey County Registrar of Titles

Document No. T02726766

ASSIGNMENT OF MORTGAGE:

Assigned to: DRB #24, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company

Recorded: November 30, 2023 Ramsey County Registrar of Titles

Document No. T02674878

COUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED: Ramsey

Property Address: 3550 Rooney Place North, White Bear Lake, MN 55110

Tax Parcel ID Number: 353022220119

LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY: Lot 9, Block 1, Rooney 2nd Addition, Ramsey County, Minnesota AMOUNT DUE AND CLAIMED TO BE DUE AS OF DATE OF THIS NOTICE: $530,272.88 THAT all pre-foreclosure requirements have been complied with; that no action or proceeding has been instituted at law or otherwise to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof;

PURSUANT to the power of sale contained in said mortgage, the abovedescribed property will be sold by the Sheriff of said county as follows:

DATE AND TIME OF SALE: February 15, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.

PLACE OF SALE: 25 W. 4th Street, Suite 150, St. Paul, MN 55102

Mortgagor(s) released from financial obligation: GreenHalo Builds, LLC

THIS COMMUNICATION IS FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. THE RIGHT TO VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT AND IDENTITY OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY LAW IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS ACTION. THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE

JULY 2, 2025

MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR’S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINN. STAT. § 582.032, DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED.

DATED: February 13, 2024

ASSIGNEE OF MORTGAGEE: DRB #24, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company

Thomas H. Olive Law, P.A. Attorneys for Assignee of Mortgagee 5270 W. 84th Street, Suite 255 Bloomington, MN 55437 (952) 831-0733

NOTICE OF POSTPONEMENT OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE

The above-referenced sale scheduled for February 15, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. has been postponed to April 18, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at 360 Wabasha Street North, Suite 111, St. Paul, MN 55102.

DATED: February 13, 2024

ASSIGNEE OF MORTGAGEE: DRB #24, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company

Thomas H. Olive Law, P.A.

Attorneys for Assignee of Mortgagee 5270 W. 84th Street, Suite 255 Bloomington, MN 55437 (952) 831-0733

NOTICE OF POSTPONEMENT OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE

The above-referenced sale scheduled for April 18, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. has been postponed to July 18, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at 360 Wabasha Street North, Suite 111, St. Paul, MN 55102.

DATED: April 15, 2024

ASSIGNEE OF MORTGAGEE: DRB #24, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company

Thomas H. Olive Law, P.A.

Attorneys for Assignee of Mortgagee 5270 W. 84th Street, Suite 255 Bloomington, MN 55437 (952) 831-0733

NOTICE OF POSTPONEMENT OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE

The above-referenced sale scheduled for July 18, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. has been postponed to October 17, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at 360 Wabasha Street North, Suite 111, St. Paul, MN 55102.

DATED: April 15, 2024

ASSIGNEE OF MORTGAGEE: DRB #24, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company NOTICE OF POSTPONEMENT OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE

The above-referenced sale scheduled for October 17, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. has been postponed to February 20, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at 360 Wabasha Street North, Suite 111, St. Paul, MN 55102.

DATED: October 9, 2024

ASSIGNEE OF MORTGAGEE: DRB #24, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company NOTICE OF POSTPONEMENT OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE

The above-referenced sale scheduled for February 20, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. has been postponed to June 26, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at 360 Wabasha Street North, Suite 111, St. Paul, MN 55102.

DATED: February 18, 2025

ASSIGNEE OF MORTGAGEE: DRB #24, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company NOTICE OF POSTPONEMENT OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE

The above-referenced sale scheduled for June 26, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. has been postponed to September 4, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at 360 Wabasha Street North, Suite 111, St. Paul, MN 55102.

To pay the debt secured by this mortgage and taxes, if any, on said premises and the costs and disbursements, including attorney’s fees allowed by law, subject to redemption within two (2) months from the date of said sale by mortgagor(s), their personal representatives or assigns.

If the Mortgage is not reinstated under Minn. Stat. § 580.30 or the property is not redeemed under Minn. Stat. § 580.23, the Mortgagor must vacate the property on or before 11:59 p.m. on November 4, 2025, or the next business day if November 4, 2025 falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday.

DATED: June 25, 2025

ASSIGNEE OF MORTGAGEE: DRB #24, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company

Thomas H. Olive Law, P.A.

Attorneys for Assignee of Mortgagee 5270 W. 84th Street, Suite 255 Bloomington, MN 55437 (952) 831-0733 Published one time in the Vadnais Heights Press on July 2, 2025. STATE OF MINNESOTA, COUNTY OF RAMSEY DISTRICT COURT, SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT CASE TYPE: INFORMAL PROBATE COURT FILE NO. 62-PR-25-491

NOTICE OF INFORMAL PROBATE OF WILL AND APPOINTMENT OF CO-PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS In re the Estate of Deborah L. Peterson, a/k/a Deborah Lynn Peterson, Decedent TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND CREDITORS:

Notice is hereby given that an Amended Application filed on June 11, 2025 for informal probate of the above-named Decedent’s Last Will dated February 24, 2016 (“Will”) has been filed with the Probate Court, and the Amended Application has been granted.

Notice is also given that the Probate Registrar has informally appointed the following: Alisha N. Gillen, 819 Moonlight Place, Woodbury MN 55125 Tyler J. Peterson, 275 McDonnell Road, Duluth MN 55804

Notice is also given that, subject to Minn. Stat. § 524.3-801, all creditors having claims against the Estate are required to present the claims to the co-personal representatives or to the Court Administrator within four (4) months after the date of this Notice, or the claims will be barred. as co-personal representatives of the Estate of the Decedent. Any heir, devisee or other interested person may be entitled to appointment as personal representative or may object to the appointment of the co-personal representatives. Unless objections are filed pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 524.3-607, and the court otherwise orders, the co-personal representatives have full power to administer the Estate, including, after 30 days from the date of issuance of letters, the power to sell, encumber, lease or distribute real estate.

Any objections to the probate of the Will, or to the appointment of the copersonal representatives, must be filed with this court, and will be heard by the court after the filing of an appropriate petition and proper notice of hearing.

Laura J. Stevens, Probate Registrar

Michael F. Upton, Court Administrator

Date: June 12, 2025

Attorney for Personal Representative

Andrew David Tiede

Attorney License No.: 504811

GDO Law

4770 White Bear Parkway

White Bear Lake MN 55110

Telephone: 651-426-3249

E-Mail: andrewtiede@gdolaw.com

Published two times in the Vadnais Heights Press on June 25 and July 2, 2025.

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Above: Lacey, a 12-year-old Pet Haven rescue dog from the Red Lake Reservation, receives a blessing from Rev. Arthur Hancock during the recent Blessing of the Animals at St. John in the Wilderness church in White Bear Lake. Lacey has also been trained as a therapy dog.

Below: Rosie, a Cavapoo, gets a bonus ear massage during her blessing.

Top photo: Katie Boyd and Jen Sauer hold Cavapoos Margo and Frankie during the annual pet blessing and parade that was attended by dozens of pets, representing a wide variety of sizes, above, and their owners. They were also promoting the upcoming Links 4 Love, Canine inspired Change, Therapy Dog Golf Fundraiser at Dellwood Country Club they are helping to organize in September.

At left: Rose DeMay, 4, poses with Luna, a Labradoodle, after participating in the parade in downtown White Bear Lake. Find more photos online at presspubs.com.

MATT SCHIRMER: Road to recovery

A lot of them turned out to be illegal.” By adulthood, Schirmer’s habits involved using and selling a wider range of drugs, including cocaine, methamphetamine and hallucinogens. Those activities frequently led to multiple prison sentences. “I did a year at 21, and then from 24 to 30, I ended up going to prison from 2005 until 2011,” he said. “The whole time, I had an addiction problem but I always thought I could control it on my own. I never really sought any help or treatment, and I never willingly wanted to do any Alcoholics Anonymous programming or reach out for help from anyone in the sober community.”

transformed it into Alleycats, Schirmer joined the team as general manager, partly due to his background in culinary school. Since then, Schirmer finds himself not only in management but also engaging in public speaking at treatment centers. “I do all I can to give back, in any way possible, to those still suffering from drug and alcohol addiction,” he said. “I’m just doing positive things for the community, especially the city of White Bear. It holds a special place in my heart.”

“Helping others and wanting to be a good father and example to my son is what recovery has allowed me to do. It’s brought me a new outlook on life and a new sense of joy, happiness and meaning.”

As he was serving an eight-year jail sentence in 2016, hope came to Schirmer in the form of a boot camp program that would allow him an early release from prison in February 2019. “I started praying to God: ‘If I get out early, I’ll change my life, and I’ll surrender to you, and I’ll live right,’” he recalled. “I was working in the kitchen at Lino Lakes Penitentiary at the time. It takes about three months for them to respond to your application. One day, the sergeant said, ‘Yep, you’re going.’ At that moment, I kissed the floor and surrendered myself to God.”

Matthew Schirmer Alleycat’s Manager

He said his mother has been among his biggest supporters during his recovery process. “My mother’s always been supportive; she’s on cloud nine now that her son is finally the great man she raised him to be,” he said. “She’s a great woman herself, and she’s so happy to see me.”

After completing the boot camp program, Schirmer began working at what was then called the Meet Market on Whitaker Street. He also attended AA meetings at Sak’s Sports Bar, which are run by owners Dave Cossack and Al Landerville. Schirmer, who attends the meetings to this day, took note of how large they have grown since he joined: “It started out very small, and now we got every seat in the place filled every Thursday morning. It just grew into this massive meeting bar, and it’s changed my life.”

When Cossack and Landerville acquired the market and officially

He cites the AA program for helping him remain sober. “Recovery means everything to me,” Schirmer said. “Without my sobriety, I probably wouldn’t even be here or be free. It’s also about learning how to stay sober and put the bottle and drugs down. The AA program allows me to become a good man, rather than just living my old ways and attitudes. It allows me to grow, make the right decisions, analyze my thoughts and see how my behaviors can affect others. Helping others and wanting to be a good father and example to my son is what recovery has allowed me to do. It’s brought me a new outlook on life and a new sense of joy, happiness and meaning. That’s what brought meaning to my life where I had none before.”

Sak’s Sports Bar’s AA meetings are open to the public. They take place at 7 a.m. every Thursday at the restaurant, located at 1460 County Road E E., Vadnais Heights.

Staff Writer Erik Suchy can be reached at 651-407-1229 or vadnaisheightsnews@presspubs. com.

Celebrating community volunteerism

The Greater White Bear Lake Community Foundation is seeking nominations of exceptional volunteers for the 2025 J. Stanley and Doris Hill Legacy Award. The award was created in 2006 by the White Bear Lake Area Education Foundation, the Mahtomedi Area Education Foundation and the Century College Foundation to honor the Hills’ legacy of volunteerism. Since then, it has been awarded 15 times to outstanding community volunteers. The award, based on community service,

acknowledges people who have given many years of service to their community, have demonstrated outreach beyond our borders, and yet remain connected to our geographical area. The recipient(s) are very active in one or more of the communities encompassed by the Greater White Bear Lake Community Foundation. This geographical area is composed of communities that share the shore of White Bear Lake: Birchwood Village, Dellwood, Grant, the

city of White Bear Lake, the city of Mahtomedi, White Bear Township and Willernie.

A reception honoring the recipient(s) will be held at Boatworks Commons on Oct. 22. Nomination forms will be available beginning July 1 through the Greater White Bear Lake Community Foundation. The deadline to submit nominations is Friday, Sept. 5. For more information, visit www.gwblcf.org or call 651-408-5412.

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The Newspaper shall not be liable for slight changes or typographical errors that do not lessen the value of the advertisement. The Newspaper shall not be liable or responsible for any error in any advertisement except to give the Advertiser credit for so much of the space occupied by the advertisement as is materially affected by the error; credit shall be by refund or republication of the advertisement at the election of the Newspaper. Such credit shall not be given for more than one incorrect insertion unless the Publisher is notified in writing of the error before the repetition of the insertion. When the Advertiser wishes to correct or change copy submitted as a "proof," the Newspaper shall not be liable for the changes or corrections unless they are received by the Newspaper within a reasonable length of time before the deadline for publication. If an advertisement is requested to run after copy deadline, the Newspaper will not honor an adjustment request if an error occurs. No specific page or position shall be guaranteed. The Advertiser or Agency shall indemnify the Newspaper for any attorney 's fees incurred in defending against claims, pay any judgments against the Newspaper, and pay associated expenses and losses that are caused by the publication of any advertisement submitted by or published at the direction of the Advertiser or Agency, including claims for libel, copyright infringement, and invasion of privacy.

NAMES IN THE NEWS

Coloring Contest

Congratulations

winners

Classic and Vintage Boat Show June 21. From left, Sailboat; Lisa & Kevin Westman - boat 4, Motorized / Runabout; Pete Johnson - boat 46, Canoe / Rowboat; Robert Engstrom - boat 59, Peoples Choice winner; Pete Byrnes - boat 1, Award Presenter; Emcee Joe Soucheray.

People’s Choice: Pete Byrnes - 2020 Glen L Home Built Crackerbox - “Tally-Ho”

Motorized/Runabout Category: Pete Johnson - 1951 Larson CabinSpecial Joe Soucheray was the emcee of the show.

Sailboat Category: Lisa and Kevin Westman - 1955 Fairey Marine Ltd. Sailboat“Waawaatesi”

MAHTOMEDI & WILLERNIE

BY LORETTA HARDING CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Mahtomedi’s small-town feel is the biggest reason residents love living in the city, according to a survey conducted by The Morris Leatherman Company. That response was chosen by 25% of those responding to the question.

Mahtomedi’s schools came in as the second most popular reason for living in the city, with 14%. Peter Leatherman, owner of Morris Leatherman, recently presented the results of the citywide telephone survey at a City Council meeting. The survey asked 400 randomly selected Mahtomedi residents 111 questions about living in the city. The January survey was a follow-up to a 2021 survey taken amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, when people had a slightly different outlook on life.

This sampling of results gives an overview of how much Mahtomedians love their city. Of those surveyed, 93% said that the quality of life

in Mahtomedi is excellent or good, 89% said that the city is headed in the right direction, and 60% rated the general sense of community as good, a result that went unchanged from the 2021 survey.

In listing things that are very important to the community, 82% of respondents named public safety, 81% named schools, 61% named parks and trails, and 50% named open space and lakes.

How excellent is the city at meeting the above needs? Fifty-four percent said schools are excellent, 47% said public safety is excellent, and 42% said parks and trails are excellent.

When asked about the most serious concern in Mahtomedi, the largest percentage, at 32%, said nothing is the most serious issue. When asked what in the community needed to be fixed, 37% said nothing needs fixing; 13% said streets need to be fixed. Growth is a serious issue for 16% and taxes for 14% of respondents.

One issue of concern, as was the case in 2021, is the lack of starter homes. Respondents said they would like to see homes priced so their children could return to live in Mahtomedi as adults. In other words, people love Mahtomedi so much they want their children to live out their lives there as well.

Ninety-six percent of respondents said they have a positive feeling about public safety, and 94% to 96% said that police protection, fire protection and Emergency Management Services are excellent or good.

When it comes to Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies on patrol around town, 80% of those surveyed thought the patrolling is the right

amount, and 17% said the city needs more.

When asked if deputies are respectful to people of all backgrounds, 97% agreed or strongly agreed; 98% agreed or strongly agreed that deputies are fair to people of all backgrounds, and 93% agreed or strongly agreed that deputies are trustworthy to residents of all backgrounds.

Living on the shores of White Bear Lake and having wetlands throughout town are positives for the city’s residents. Of those surveyed, 73% said that the water quality of lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands in Mahtomedi is excellent or good.

Respondents are mostly pleased with City Hall. In terms of how the city is run, 87% said the city does an excellent to good job in providing city services. When asked if they could have a say about how the city run things—other than voting—66% of respondents agreed. Eighty-five percent rated the city’s efforts at keeping its citizens informed in a timely manner as excellent or good.

In summary, respondents view the city positively coming out of the pandemic, Leatherman said. He said Mahtomedi has seen growth in areas that are now rebounding to prepandemic levels, compared with other communities that have not recovered as well. Mahtomedi is so unique in its recovery that he uses the city as an example in his presentations about recovery from COVID, Leatherman said.

Mayor Richard Brainerd said it was pleasing to see the survey acknowledge the work of the city.

Loretta Harding is a contributing writer for Press Publications. She can be reached at news@presspubs. com or 651-407-1200.

Rejuvenated: Hugo man rehabs knees to run marathons

BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR

Brian Lahr had doctor’s orders to never run again when he was 24. Wrestling injuries had damaged both knees to the extent that he said he was noticeably bowlegged

Two decades later, the Hugo resident is not just jogging again but running marathons. This past April, Lahr was pounding the pavement at that Holy Grail for runners, the Boston Marathon. It was his fifth 26-miler in two years.

“I felt like I had an opportunity to inspire those who have been told they can’t do something in life and who, like me, believed that lie,” said Lahr, 44, a financial advisor.

Lahr’s first marathon was Grandma’s in Duluth in June 2023 where his time was 3:22:42. He has improved with each succeeding race: 3:07:55 at Kiawah Island, South Carolina, in December 2023; 2:55:27 at Grandma’s in June 2024; 2:54:06 in Indianapolis in November 2024; and, having qualified to run Boston, he knocked off almost four more minutes with 2:51:34.

The Boston experience was exhilarating, said Lahr, who placed 288th of 2,259 men in the 40-44 group and 2,510th of 28,809 overall.

“Everyone running that race has a story and their own struggles they had to battle along the way. It was incredible hearing everyone’s stories.

I pictured the endless sea of people as one giant family, running through life together. At the finish, runners who were total strangers were high-fiving, fist-bumping, and congratulating each other.”

Getting a personal best on that hilly

course, he added, was “the icing on the cake.”

Lahr’s only previous racing experience had been one season of JV cross country in high school. There was no second season as he had knee surgeries twice for wrestling injuries. He had another operation in his 30’s after jumping off the retaining wall in his backyard. “Pretending like I was 14,” he explained. Both knees had meniscus tears, resulting in the bowlegged look.

Wrestling for Cambridge-Isanti, he was ranked first at his weight class as a senior, but suffered an upset loss in the first round at state. “I wanted to quit and run 40 miles back home to Cambridge,” he recalled. But he shook it off and battled back to win several matches and place third.

At St. John’s University, Lahr qualified for nationals as a sophomore and lost to the defending champion by one point in the first round. However, his freshman and junior seasons ended with neck injuries, and he was done with wrestling.

“My most notable takeaway from wrestling was the mindset,” he said. “I realized it’s not about how many times you get knocked down. It’s about how many times you get back up.”

Told to give up running, he heeded that warning until three years ago, after he read “Can’t Hurt Me” by David Goggins while going through a difficult time in his life. Goggins wrote about doctors sometimes being wrong about knee injuries. That got Lahr going.

“So, after not running more than half a mile on the roads since 2005, I decided in January 2022 to give it a try,” Lahr said. He ran five miles that day, seven the next day, took a break on

David-Edwins boutique continues family tradition with modern twist

The David-Edwins Casual Times Boutique has operated out of its current space at 4719 Clark Ave. since 2023, after relocating from several other locations throughout White Bear Lake since 2008.

In 1941, David Edwin Mutchler and his wife, Bernice, opened the original DavidEdwins store in downtown St. Paul. The business spent 50 years at the original location and had a second store in Roseville’s Har Mar Mall for nearly 40 years.

The current location is now operated by second-generation owners Jack Mutchler and his wife, Verna. Jack Mutchler said the boutique’s direction has become more casual over time to reflect changing fashion trends.

The store carries designer fashions, in sizes ranging from XS to 3X, as well as jewelry, handbags and some home decor items.

day three, and a confidence-boosting 12 miler on the fourth day.

“I felt alive! Being outside, feeling the wind in my face, and the pain of running — the good pain, the burn in my legs and my lungs — felt like

therapy, like God gave me the gift.”  Next is the Chicago Marathon in October with his wife Marsha. At Grandma’s, Marsha camped at the finish line early to pick out a good spot and stood in bone-chilling rain for several hours. “Just so she could see me for ten seconds at the finish,” he said.

Lahr operates One Life Financial Group in Hugo. The Lahr’s have seven kids ranging from 10 to 18. Some of them ran the Goldy’s 5K with him the last two years. Hunter, 11, enjoys biking alongside him as he trains. Greta, ninth-grader, is a track team member at Mahtomedi. Ellie, seventhgrader, plans to start cross country this fall.

Asked what resuming his athletic career in his 40’s has done for him, he assessed: “The pain and the grind of running on the challenging workouts makes me feel grateful for the pain that my Lord Jesus went through for us. The pleasures and pains of running are therapy; they help me appreciate what I have and to process any pain or struggles that I might be working through in life.”

Bears Legion team has 7-3 record

The White Bear Lake Legion baseball team has a 7-3 overall record through last weekend and 4-0 in league play. Hitting leaders are Kevin Zollinger with a .500 average, Tyler Allshouse with .414, and Isaiah Weber with .407 and one homer. Pitching leaders are Evan Newlander with a 2-0 record and 0.56 ERA in 12 innings, and Christian Humphrey with three saves and a 0.00 ERA in six innings. The usual starters are Allshouse at catcher, Zollinger at first base, Riley Helmberger at second base, Jace Lombardi at third, Owen Farrington at shortstop, Luke Bush in left field, Humphrey in center and Weber in right. Matt Seiler is their coach.

In response to rising consumer costs, Mutchler said the store has adopted a permanent markdown model starting this summer, with most items discounted between 20% and 75% year-round.

Tucked between Second and Third streets on Clark Avenue, the store brands itself as “Downtown White Bear’s Hidden Treasure Store,” according to its website.

Liberte Construction opens White Bear office, announces internship program

Liberte Construction LLC has opened an office in White Bear Lake at 1387 Highway 96 East. The company also has locations in Minneapolis, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and Denver, Colorado.

Liberte Construction was founded in 2009 and is a regional contractor. The White Bear Lake office will manage accounting, finance and legal for the Twin Cities and Denver offices. The office is headed up by Chief Financial Officer Stephen Laliberte, a resident of White Bear Lake.

Laliberte has created an internship program and hired Nicholas Pettman, a White Bear Lake graduate. Pettman is studying finance and accounting at Northwestern University. The program is geared toward construction management and provides real-world experience of managing an operating company.

For more information about Liberte Construction LLC, visit www. liberteconstruction.com.

Wildwood Library Thursday hours to change starting July 10

Wildwood Library (763 Stillwater Road, Mahtomedi) will have new Thursday hours of 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. beginning July 10. Hours on all other days of the week will remain the same.

Shifting Wildwood Library’s Thursday hours is a response to community requests for additional morning hours at the library. Morning hours allow library staff to provide more early learning programming for families and better access to the library for area seniors.

Library users who need access to library services on Thursday evenings can visit the Lake Elmo Library or Oakdale Library branches of the Washington County Library.

For a complete list of library hours, visit www.washcolib.org/450/ Wildwood-Library.

Register your party for Night to Unite

Night to Unite (formerly known as National Night Out) takes place on the first Tuesday of August, which is Aug. 6 this year. The event is sponsored by the Minnesota Crime Prevention Association, AAA of Minnesota/Iowa, and local law enforcement agencies.

Night to Unite is designed to promote strong, safe communities. It encourages block groups and neighbors to come together, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police/community partnerships, and heighten crime and drug awareness.

White Bear Lake residents should register their party during July by visiting www.whitebearlake.org/nighttounite. If you have any questions about Night to Unite, contact Captain Isaac Tuma at 612-803-4071 or at ituma@whitebearlake.org.

Press Publications wants to speak to ‘sandwich generation’

Press Publications is looking for some locals who fall into the “sandwich generation.” We would love to talk to a couple of families who are open to talking about what it has been like to care for their children and their aging parents simultaneously. Please email whitebearnews@ presspubs.com.

A jubilant Brian Lahr at the Boston Marathon finish line.

TYLER QUATTRIN | CONTRIBUTED

A view inside the David-Edwins Casual Times Boutique.

Nicholas Pettman

3 4 1 2

SP TTED

AROUND TOWN

1. Wanda the White Bear not only celebrates many festivities during the year, but she also has her own Facebook page and can be found near the former Sunrise Park Middle School. — Karrie Gal, contributed 2. The Southwood Drive neighborhood invited the White Bear Lake Police Department to its block party. A reminder to register your upcoming Night to Unite parties with the police department. — WBPD, contributed

3. Kyle, Stephanie and Kevin Geyer are back-to-back medallion finders. The three found this year’s medallion in the playground area of Columbia Park and last year’s at Memorial Beach. — Contributed 4. A new Little Free Library, modeled after the original Mahtomedi Northern Pacific Depot, has sprung up along the Lake Links Trail in Mahtomedi. Check out the awesome craftsmanship, select a book to take home with you, and snag a treat for your canine companion on Park Street between Birch and Crocus. — Dorian Grilley, 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.

Mahtomedi &

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