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COUNTY ROAD E: Residents invited to take survey. PAGE 17
Dog beach: Community to weigh in Feb. 25
Breaking winter weather records
BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR
WHITE BEAR LAKE — Community members on both sides of the argument are invited to share their thoughts with the City Council on what they think should happen with the Lake Avenue dog beach. The City Council has scheduled a public hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 25, and Mayor Dan Louismet says a decision will be made at the March 11 meeting. The Lake Avenue dog park was approved in 2007. It's located between Sixth and Seventh Streets and is accessed by stairs from the Mark Sather Trail. Dating back to 2016, there have been several discussions and debates as to whether the dog beach should close. The Park Advisory Commission was tasked with making several visits to the dog beach and gathering data about the impacts recent facility improvements have had, if any. The commission has ultimately recommended to the council that the dog beach remain open and that some changes/ improvements be made. (See “Lake Avenue dog beach future up in air, again” Nov. 27, 2024.) The council has yet to take any action on the dog beach, as it wants to hear from the public. Louismet said in the three years he has been
PAUL DOLS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
Jack Hamel and Kate Canty took advantage of the late afternoon light and recent record breaking warm temperatures for a skate on White Bear Lake before sunset. A high of 52 degrees was reached, breaking the previous record of 48 degrees set in 1989 and 1879. Temperatures are expected to return closer to average this week with a string of below freezing highs and lows predicted.
SEE DOG BEACH, PAGE 22
Mahtomedi High School grad victim of DC plane crash BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR
The Mahtomedi and White Bear Lake communities are mourning the loss of one of their own — Wendy Jo (Wigstrom) Shaffer. Shaffer was one of 67 people killed on board of American Airlines Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas when it collided with a military Black Hawk helicopter last week in Washington, DC. She was traveling home from a work trip. “She was a radiant soul, a devoted wife … an incredible mother to her two beautiful boys ages 3 and 1. Her love, kindness, and unwavering spirit touched everyone who knew her, and her absence leaves a void that can never be filled,” said a GoFundMe post. “Wendy was the heart of her family—a loving partner to her husband and a nurturing, joyful mother to her children. She dedicated her life to creating a warm, loving home filled with laughter and care. Her boys were her greatest pride and joy, and she dreamed of watching them grow into the amazing individuals she knew they would become.”
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Shaffer, a 2007 Mahtomedi High School graduate, resided in North Carolina with her husband and two children. Many of Shaffer’s family members live within the White Bear Lake/Mahtomedi area. Shaffer’s mother, Mary Wigstrom, has been a longtime employee at a local elementary school. Mahtomedi Public Schools Superintendent Barb Duffrin released the following statement, “Wendy Jo (Wigstrom) Shaffer graduated from Mahtomedi High School with the Class of 2007. During this difficult time, our Zephyr school community extends our deepest sympathies to Wendy Jo’s friends and family.” Shaffer’s husband Nate wrote in part in a social media post, “I’m still waiting to wake up from this nightmare, but I fear this is the truth … She was the best wife, mother and friend anyone could ever hope for. Her love, kindness and strength touched everyone she met. We will miss you more than words can express.” The family has requested privacy at this time. “We are devastated. Words cannot truly express what
Wendy Jo meant as a daughter, a sister, a friend, a wife and most importantly, a mother.” As of press time, the GoFundMe has raised over $359,000. For more information, visit gofundme.com/f/ in-wendys-memory-support-for-the-shaffer-family.
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Wendy Jo Shaffer, formerly of Mahtomedi, was killed in a plane crash last week. She leaves behind her husband Nate and two young children.
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