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PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 9 CIRCLE PINES, MN
VOLUME 119 115 NUMBER 44 26
WEDNESDAY, WEDNESDAY,SEPTEMBER JANUARY 26,2,2011 2015
Press Publications 4779 Bloom Avenue White Bear Lake, MN 55110
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Record gift funds teachers’ growth
At a
Glance
Sports previews
by Kristine Goodrich Editor
See pages 8A-10A for White Bear Lake and Mahtomedi high schools fall sports previews.
News inside See inside for the following news items: city still looking for sports center funding partners, man charged in White Bear Lake home invasion robbery and Vadnais Heights man charged with threatening his girlfriend and her roommate.
Upcoming events See page 6A for details on the following upcoming events: mystery book club and League of Women Voters meetings, hiking club hikes through Birchwood and around White Bear Lake, fall Yogadevotion classes at area churches and Waldfest at Gasthaus.
- Photo by Paul Dols
Miniature maneuvers Emerson Thies-Huber, 5, creates his own obstacle course while piloting his remote-controlled speedboat in White Bear Lake near Bellaire Beach Sunday, Aug. 30. A variety of conventionally sized watercraft were also spotted on the lake during one of the last weekends of the summer.
Public notices See pages 3B-4B for public notices, including city of White Bear Lake City Council public hearings on road improvement assessments and proposed new regulations on massage businesses.
MAHTOMEDI — District 832 teachers are gaining enrichment opportunities thanks to a sizable gift from a former teacher and school board member. Jim Hansen has pledged $10,000 a year for the remainder of his lifetime to support teacher grants awarded via the Mahtomedi Area Educational Foundation Hansen (MAEF). The Dellwood resident also has committed to a $1 million endowment, to be awarded upon his death, to sustain the annual grants. It's the largest gift the foundation has ever received. “This endowment is truly a game-changer for MAEF, said Executive Director Jen Ruhland. “The endowment will fund transformational opportunities for inspired educators in Mahtomedi Public Schools.” An $11,000 gift in 2001 from former school board members Lael Ramaley and Sarah Weddell started the MAEF tradition of giving grants to teachers for professional development opportunities. Those gifted funds have all been utilized and the foundation has been devoting approximately $2,000 a year out of its general fund toward teacher development. That amount is increasing tenfold this year. Educational foundation leaders have agreed to match Hansen's annual $10,000 gifts during his lifetime. As in year's past, teachers must propose a specific professional development opportunity when they apply for funds.
Endowment/see page 7A
Long days make the shows go on by Kristine Goodrich Editor
Early deadline Most news and advertising submissions for the Sept. 9 edition must be received by the afternoon of Sept. 3. Obituaries deadline is 9 a.m. Sept. 4. The Press office will be closed on Sept. 7.
Weather Tidbits
Week of Sept 2 - 8, 2015 Weather tidbit: September Outlook: Temperature near normal. Rainfall drier than normal. Averages: High 71º. Low 52º. Rainfall 3.39” Year Ago this week: Aside from a shower on September 3, .37”, it was a very pleasant week. Humidity was low while high temperatures were in the 70’s
Weekly Averages High Low %Sun PCP 77° 57° 62% 0.67”
– Photo by Paul Dols
Grandstand manager Craig Flor readies for the Alan Jackson concert on Aug. 30.
(More weather on sports page)
Few people have spent more time at the Minnesota State Fair than Craig Flor. As the manager of the grandstand, the Vadnais Heights resident works 12 to 16 hours per day each of the 12 days of the Great Minnesota Get-Together. He's been at every grandstand performance since 1989. But he typically only pauses long enough to observe a song or two. From checking weather radar to directing backstage traffic, he's usually too busy taking care of a myriad of tasks: “anything that's needed to keep things running smoothly and the fans happy,” he said. If he's lucky enough to find himself with a break, he usually starts prepar-
ing for tomorrow's show. Of course there have been a few shows where Flor couldn't resist pausing longer to observe more of the action, even though it meant he wouldn't get home until 3 a.m. instead of 2 a.m. The “spectacle” of Motley Crew and Kiss have been personal favorites. A 60-piece orchestra accompanying Martina McBride was another most memorable show for him. While he gets to be backstage with the likes of Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood and Garrison Keillor, Flor doesn't ask for autographs or photos. He doesn't approach the stars; he usually only interacts with them if they come to him in need of assistance. “We try to be professional and
Grandstand/see page 7A
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by Debra Neutkens Regional Editor
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VT
Abandoned station becoming hazardous WHITE BEAR LAKE — For fear a lit match could have tragic consequences, the city may force the owner of the former Petro gas station to remove underground fuel tanks. The topic of the abandoned station at 2502 County Road E came up for City Council discussion Aug. 25 after police reports prompted the city building inspector to pay a visit. The city was well aware the building was vacant, but did not know it was subject to vandalism and unauthorized occupancy. A steel roof had also collapsed over the car wash area. City Planner Anne Kane told council a letter has
been sent to the property owner, a Twin Cities resident, explaining that the building is hazardous and a public nuisance. Instruction was given to remove the collapsed roof within 20 days. The owner also had five days to secure the building and steps have been taken to board up windows, she said. "It's not looking too attractive," Mayor Jo Emerson noted. As for the tanks, the city knows they have not been removed but doesn't know if they contain petroleum products. "We don't know the condition of underground tanks," said City Manager Mark Sather. City Attorney Roger Jensen suggested staff look into the situation, which he said "has the potential of being extremely dangerous.
Gas station/see page 7A
– Photo by Kristine Goodrich
As of Aug. 29, broken windows had been boarded up and the offensive graffiti had been painted over.
HOURS: MON - FRI 7:00 am - 6:00 pm • SAT 7:30 am - 2:00 pm • SUN CLOSED Sept. 28th Annual Golf Tournament! Call for details.
“IF WE PLEASE YOU, TELL OTHERS. IF NOT, TELL US.”
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3001 Hwy 61 N. Maplewood, MN 55109
AUG 28 through OCT 31, 2015
Monday Night 35¢ Wings & Beer Special Taco Tuesday 5-9pm • $1 Tacos With purchase of beverage. Must be 21 years or older • No takeout
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