White Bear Press

New police chief drawn to city’s ‘small-town feel’

BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR

After spending his entire law enforcement career in Columbia Heights, the new police chief says White Bear Lake’s small-town feel and the close-knit community drew him to the position.

Erik Johnston, who has more than 23 years of experience in law enforcement, has taken over as the White Bear Lake Police Chief following the retirement of Dale Hager.

Johnston got his start as a computer technician for IBM for a few years before he decided to go into law enforcement.

“It was either computer science or law enforcement, and law enforcement seemed more interesting to me at that time,” Johnston explained.

“It sounds cliché, but it really is about helping people. I think if you are not interested in helping people, this isn't the right job for you. You are not going to be able to weather the challenges that come with the

job, because it's really about getting out there and being there for people.”

Johnston has a bachelor's degree in business administration, a master's degree in police leadership and completed the Northwestern University's School of Police Staff and Command. He started his career with the Columbia Heights Police Department in 2002 and has held the titles of captain, sergeant,

featuring the music of “Footloose.” Performances are set

Penguin Players put on summer celebration

BY LOGAN GION STAFF WRITER

Food scrap pickup program expands this summer

BY MADELINE DOLBY SHOREVIEW PRESS EDITOR

Beginning on July 6, more Washington and Ramsey County residents will be able to have their compost collected directly from their homes as part of the Ramsey County/Washington County Food Scraps Pickup Program.

Currently, the program is offered in more than 28 cities and towns within the two counties. In Ramsey County, the program has been implemented in Maplewood and North St. Paul. This summer, cities within Ramsey County such Gem Lake, White Bear Lake, White Bear Township, Vadnais Heights, North Oaks, New Brighton, Shoreview, Mounds View and Arden Hills will also roll out the program.

In Washington County, the program has already been implemented in several cities including Birchwood Village, Lake Elmo, Mahtomedi, Oakdale, Stillwater, Willernie and Woodbury. This summer, five more communities will be added including Forest Lake, Hugo, Marine on St. Croix, May Township and Scandia.

School may be out at White Bear, but their theater lights are staying on. This weekend, the Penguin Players—a theater troupe for people with developmental disabilities, ages 16 and up—will perform a musical revue featuring selections from the musical “Footloose.”

Penguin Players is one of three programs for people with disabilities that is run out of Northern Starz Center for Performing Arts, a nonprofit theater in the City of Ramsey. While

the Ramsey location boasts an entire season worth of programming, executive director Rachel Bohnsack saw a need in White Bear as well.

“More individuals with special needs need more things to do,” Bohnsack stated, “and theater has never been

one of those things that has been accessible to them on a larger scale.”

Northern Starz’ creative director, Kyle Frederickson, explained that all three Penguin programs stage wellknown shows, such as “Annie” or “Willy

Ramsey and Washington counties have worked together since the 1980s to manage trash responsibly, according to Annalee Garletz, who supervises the Food Scraps Pickup Program for Ramsey/ Washington Recycling and Energy.

“We’re always finding ways to reduce, reuse, recycle,” Garletz said.

Food scraps comprise more than 20% of household trash by weight. By separating these materials, residents can help turn it back into soil instead of becoming waste, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and converging resources.

SEE FOOD SCRAPS, PAGE 18

SHANNON GRANHOLM | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

White Bear Lake’s new Police Chief Erik Johnston is officially sworn in at a City Council meeting.

Love Seniors!

Family

Students perform at Minnesota’s largest theater celebration

Students from White Bear Lake Area High School (WBLAHS) will join more than 1,200 students from across Minnesota at the Spotlight Showcase, the state’s biggest high school theater celebration. WBLAHS students will perform a medley from “Cinderella” on Tuesday, June 9.

Spotlight Showcase celebrates student achievement in theater performance, technical theater, student journalism and musical performance after a year of participation in Hennepin Arts’ statewide Spotlight Education program.

In addition to feature school performances, the showcase highlights Minnesota theater educations and alumni. It includes opportunities for students to

participate in specialized learning tracks. It also provides select students the opportunity to compete for national recognition through the National High School Musical Theatre Awards.

Also performing are the Triple Threat Honorees Ethan Christensen, Holly Flood and Eli Murphy. Evan Smejkal will play the violin in the student orchestra.

Spotlight Showcase takes place Monday, June 8 and Tuesday, June 9, at the State Theatre in downtown Minneapolis, 805 Hennepin Ave. Tickets can be purchased at hennepinarts.org/events/spotlightshowcase-2026. For more information about Spotlight Education and the showcase, visit hennepinarts.org/ education

3375 Willow Ave, White Bear Lake June 18, July 16, Aug 20

Podvin Park

1700 9th St, White Bear Lake

June 25, July 23, Aug 27, Sept 24

St. Andrews

900 Stillwater Rd, Mahtomedi July 9, Aug 13, Sept 10

Community of Grace

4000 Linden St, White Bear Lake July 2, Aug 6, Sept 3, Sept 17 All are welcome!

WHAT’S HAPPENING

BIRCHWOOD MUSIC IN THE PARK

When: 6-7:30 p.m. Sunday, June 7

Where: Tighe-Schmitz Park, Birchwood

Details: Sweet Rhubarb performs three-part harmonies melding folk, bluegrass, country and pop. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Concerts every Sunday during the summer, except July 5.

Contact: cityofbirchwood.com

COMEDY IN MAHTOMEDI

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 4 Where: Dugout Bar, 96 Mahtomedi Ave., Mahtomedi Details: Monthly standup show hosted by local comedian and promoter Nate Hood. Food and beverages available for purchase.

Contact: 651-440-9128

COMMUNITY & COFFEE WITH MAYOR NICKLAWSKE

When: 9:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 6

Where: Stellmacher Park, 3930 Linden St., White Bear Lake Details: The mayor will visit parks in each ward over the summer/fall to chat with residents about ideas, questions, concerns or just conversation. Drop-in event.

Contact: 651-429-8526

LANDSCAPE REVIVAL 2026

When: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, June 6

Where: Rockpoint Church, 5825

Kelvin Ave. N., Lake Elmo

Details: Visit with local conservation and restoration groups to learn how to select and grow native plants to benefit pollinators, wildlife and water quality.Purchase native plants from a variety of local growers. Food truck on site. Contact: tiny.cc/LR26

SUMMER KICKOFF: UNTAMED MAGIC'S TRAVELING READING SHOW

When: 10:30-11:15 a.m. Saturday, June 6

Where: Wildwood Library, 763 Stillwater Road, Mahtomedi Details: Kickoff summer programming at the library with a ventriloquist and magic show that reinforces the

importance of reading. Contact: washcolib.org

MICK STERLING PRESENTS: HEART & SOUL! THE MUSIC OF HUEY LEWIS AND THE NEWS

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 6 and 2 p.m. Sunday, June 7

Where: Hanifl Performing Arts Center, 4941 Long Ave., White Bear Lake Details: Three-piece horn section and vocals pay tribute to Huey Lewis and the News. Ticket information online. Contact: 651-478-7427 or lakeshoreplayers.org

CAR CARE 101: ESSENTIAL VEHICLE MAINTENANCE SKILLS

When: 9 a.m.-noon Tuesday, June 9

Where: 916 Intermediate

School District Body Shop, 3300 Century Ave. N., White Bear Lake

Details: Hands-on class for ages 13+ covers the basics of vehicle maintenance. Registration required. Contact: 651-407-2018 or communityed.mahtomedi. k12.mn.us

CAR SEAT CLINIC

When: 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, June 9

Where: Mahtomedi Fire

Department Details: Certified car seat technicians will help properly install child car seats. Appointment required. Contact: cpsdiana@hotmail. com

100 YEARS OF THE HIPPODROME

When: 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, June 9

Where: White Bear Lake Armory, 2228 4th St. Details: Hear the stories of the White Bear Hippodrome, from its beginnings as an exhibition building for the Ramsey County Fairgrounds to one of the metro area's first indoor rinks. Contact: whitebearhistory.org

RED CROSS BABYSITTER TRAINING

When: 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 10

POLITICAL BRIEF

Where: Mahtomedi Middle School room 123

Details: One-day certification course teaches basic care of infants and children, basic first aid, emergency protocols, home safety, age-appropriate activities, leadership and more. Registration required. Contact: 651-407-2018 or communityed.mahtomedi.k12. mn.us

GET HELP WITH MEDICARE

When: 12:30-4:15 p.m. Wednesday, June 10

Where: Wildwood Library, 763 Stillwater Road, Mahtomedi

Details: Free service for those with questions about Medicare, Medigap, or Medicare Advantage plans. Call to make appointment, required. Contact: 651-426-2042

CONCERT IN THE PARK

When: 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, June 10

Where: Mahtomedi District Education Center parking lot

Details: Outdoor concert featuring music and entertainment by the Teddy Bear Band. Treats available; bring a lawn chair or blanket. Canceled if inclement weather. Contact: 651-407-2018 or communityed.mahtomedi.k12. mn.us

Postal service policy changes could affect newspaper delivery

Sen. Amy Klobuchar has asked USPS Postmaster General David Steiner to reconsider policy changes that will lower postal standards and eliminate end-of-day mail collection at most of the nation's post offices.

A news release issued by Klobuchar's office said the changes disrupt service for local newspapers, with two Minnesota newspapers citing they expect delivery delays of at least one additional day.

“Local newspapers are already facing an existential crisis....  The United States Postal Service should be helping these local newspapers reach their communities, not making it more difficult for them to do their critical work,” Klobuchar wrote in a letter to Steiner.

Welcome to the neighborhood

Hi! I’m Logan Gion, and I’m joining Press Publications as its newest staff writer.

For the past three years, I’ve worked as a contributing writer for Press Publications, covering the Arts and Culture page, the White Bear Lake Area School Board and the White Bear Township Board. Over the past two years, I’ve also served as the editor of SaVour: The joy of living magazine, Press Publications’ quarterly food and lifestyle imprint covering the northeast metro.

Looking Out with Logan Logan Gion

Writing has been a part of my life since I was 6 years old, when my first-grade teacher praised a story I wrote about a man who wanted to be green and met a mad scientist in need of a Frankenstein. The font color of that story? Definitely green.

Since then, I’ve produced all types of writing. I graduated from the University of Miami, Florida, in 2011 with degrees in communications and English From 2012-2015, I wrote and co-produced a movie. After that, I read submissions for the Austin Film Fest, the largest screenplay competition in the world. During that time, I gravitated to editing, becoming a communications coordinator and curriculum editor for a tutoring agency, liaising with the Stillwater School District.

T hroughout COVID, I helped many students and their families navigate the rapidly changing education landscape. Because of these students, I gained an interest in how local school boards and city councils functioned. The assignments available at Press Publications were the perfect fit.

P ress Publications has skyrocketed my writing and editing capabilities over the past three years. Writing is a craft; the more a person does it, the better they get. That’s true for a writer’s entire career. That means the baseline quality of my work is higher this year than it was in 2024 or 2025. What I produce next year will likely be superior to what you read this year. What that means for profile pieces is continually finding or rediscovering people and places in our community. What that means for traditional news is constantly sharpening my ability to fairly report the facts with necessary context, giving appropriate space to multiple perspectives without minimizing or over-representing them.

Separate from what I share in opinion columns here, I paradoxically hope readers find my writing full of personality yet devoid of slant. The highest compliment I’ve received on this job came from a council member at a previous assignment: “Logan, you’ve always treated us fairly, and that’s all we’ve ever asked for.” In my position as staff writer, I’ll aim not to tell readers what to think, but rather what to think about.

I n my time at Press Publications, I’ve learned one lesson above all else—no one can keep their eye on everything. That’s what the local newspaper is for; that’s what local readers are for.

My email is quad news@presspubs.com if you have a story idea or need to reach me.

I n my free time, I obsesses over the latest movies and television shows, take drawing classes at White Bear Center for the Arts and sample the latest specials at local cafes. Feel free to send me recommendations.

Logan Gion is a staff writer at Press Publications.

Understanding PFAS and their local impacts

In the Land of 10,000 Lakes, fishing is a treasured pastime and a major source of tourism revenue. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) sells 1.4-1.5 million fishing licenses each year, and it is estimated that fishing in Minnesota generates between $4.2 billion and $5.9 billion in economic activity annually. Unsurprisingly, state and local partners also dedicate countless hours and dollars toward protecting Minnesota lakes from a wide variety of threats, including pollution, development, over-fishing, and aquatic invasive species.

In spite of our hard work and collective action, however, some kinds of water pollution remain nearly impossible to resolve.

This March, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) issued updated fish consumption advisories for several lakes and rivers statewide. In northeastern Minnesota (St. Louis, Lake and Cook Counties) the MDH updated its guidelines for mercury, a toxin that comes from the atmosphere (major sources include coal burning and artisanal gold mining) and can reach even the most pristine and remote locations. In the Twin Cities metro, the MDH updated its fish consumption advice for several lakes and rivers that have recently been impacted by PFAS (perfluori-

nated alkylated substances).  PFAS are a group of chemical compounds used to manufacture Scotchguard, nonstick coatings, and fire-fighting foams and are commonly known as “forever chemicals” because they are incredibly long-lasting and slow to break down. According to a 2019 report by CHEMTrust, PFAS polymers can have half-lives as long as 8.5 years in human blood, 40 years in water, and more than 1000 years in soil. The term “half-life” is used to describe the length of time it takes for half of the molecules in a sample to decay.

Locally, 3M disposed of manufacturing waste containing PFAS in landfills in Oakdale, Lake Elmo, Woodbury, and Cottage Grove during the 1950s and ‘60s. Over time, the chemicals leached into groundwater aquifers used as a source of drinking water for communities in the area. The Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) first discovered the groundwater contamination in 2002 and has been continuously working with 3M, local communities, and the MDH ever since to ensure that local residents have safe water to drink.

In 2018, the State of Minnesota and 3M agreed to an $850 million settlement to address PFAS contamination in the Twin Cities east metro. The majority of these funds have been used to treat and provide safe drinking water in 14 communities in central and southern Washington County. In addition, $20 million in funding will be distributed later this spring to support natural resources restoration, as well as fisheries and education projects in the region.

Though scientists are still researching the long-term human health impacts from PFAS exposure, we know that it can affect people’s immune systems, decrease the success of vaccinations, and cause higher cholesterol, elevated liver enzymes, and kidney cancer. Pregnant women exposed to PFAS can also have babies with lower birth weights.

While the MDH still encourages people to eat fish as part of a healthy diet, they do urge caution in some of our local lakes and rivers. In the east metro, this includes:

• Clear and Mud Lakes (City of Forest Lake), Tanners Lake (Oakdale), Battle Creek Lake (Woodbury), Johanna and Little Johanna (Arden Hills), Gervais (Little Canada), Keller (Maplewood), McCarron (Roseville), Phalen (St. Paul), and Mississippi River (Pool 2 – Ford Dam to Hastings Dam): Those not planning to get pregnant can eat one meal of fish a month. Children and all other women should not eat fish from these water bodies.

• Centerville and Peltier Lakes (Lino Lakes): Those not planning to get pregnant can eat one meal of sunfish a week. Children and all other women can eat one meal of sunfish a month.

Learn more about Minnesota’s work to address PFAS on the MPCA’s website: www.pca.state. mn.us/air-water-land-climate/minnesotas-pfas-blueprint.

Angie Hong is the coordinator for Minnesota’s East Metro Water Resource Education Program.

will not be published. Submissions containing libelous or derogatory statements will not be published. All letters are subject to editing. Deadline is 5 p. m., Thursday of the week prior to publication. To submit a letter, e-mail

to 651-429-1242 or mail or deliver it to Press Publications, 4779 Bloom Ave., White Bear Lake, MN 55110. Press Publications publishes 99% of the letters to the editor that meet the guidelines.

Carter C. Johnson -

WHITE BEAR/VADNAIS HEIGHTS PRESS | LETTER GUIDELINES

Movers & Shakers

Angie Hong

Proud of community

A huge thank you to everyone involved in planning and carrying out Mahtomedi's Memorial Day ceremony. I am so very proud of my community for honoring in this special way those who have given and continue to give their lives in the pursuit of liberty and justice for all. Extra thanks as well to the Mahtomedi High School band for its outstanding contribution to the event. You were amazing!

Mary Hoff Stillwater

Superintendent is CEO

Under White Bear Lake Area Schools Policy 302, the superintendent serves as the district's Chief Executive Officer—the highest-ranking executive in the organization. CEOs are entrusted with significant responsibility, compensated accordingly, and routinely subjected to criticism from employees, board members, taxpayers, and stakeholders.

Strong leaders understand that scrutiny comes with the job. In healthy organizations, criticism is not treated as a threat but as valuable feedback that promotes accountability and improvement.

That is why the board's recent censure of a member who questioned district leadership is troubling. If asking tough questions and expressing criticism warrants censure, then perhaps the board should also censure every parent, taxpayer, employee, and community member who has ever publicly disagreed with the superintendent. Public institutions are strengthened by transparency and open debate—not by silencing dissent.

Scott Smith White Bear Lake

Give residents opportunity to vote

Residents of Vadnais Heights are not asking to eliminate public safety. We are asking for transparency, accountability, and the right to vote on a major public debt decision that could

affect taxpayers for decades.

The proposed South Fire Station project involves millions of dollars in long-term bonding obligations. Residents deserve clear answers about the project’s necessity, total cost, alternatives considered, projected tax impact, and whether renovation or modernization could meet operational needs.

Democracy works best when citizens have a voice in decisions that carry significant financial consequences. Public debt on this scale should not move forward without meaningful public participation.

Asking questions, reviewing the facts, and seeking voter input is not obstruction—it is responsible civic engagement.

Many residents have been surprised by how quickly this project advanced and believe the community should decide whether this level of spending is justified. If the project is truly necessary and broadly supported, then allowing voters to weigh in should strengthen public confidence in the outcome.

This effort is about more than one building. It is about a fundamental democratic principle: the people who will pay for a major public investment should have the opportunity to vote on it. Regardless of where residents stand on the project itself, most can agree that democracy is stronger when citizens are informed, engaged, and included in decisions that affect their community.

The petition effort provides a legal and constructive way for residents to participate in that process. It gives voters the opportunity to review the facts, ask questions, and decide for themselves.

Visit LetVHvote.com for information about the proposed South Fire Station project, petition updates, FAQs, and ways to get involved. Residents can also print and sign the petition. This legal process allows voters to decide whether this issue should be placed on the ballot, ensuring the community has a direct voice in this important decision.

Troubling pattern

Joe “Liberty” Kincaid’s May 20 letter about the White Bear Lake Area Schools continues a troubling pattern. Over the past several months, a small but organized group of letter writers has worked to discredit the school board and district administration through selective data, misleading claims, and repeated assumptions of bad intent.

Most concerning is the false claim that the district’s move toward some 4th/5th grade multi-age classrooms is financially driven because “there is not enough money for teachers.” The district has never said that.

White Bear Lake’s neighborhood elementary schools are one of the district’s greatest strengths. Families value their close-knit atmosphere and community identity. But because many schools have only two or three sections per grade level, small enrollment shifts can create large class-size differences between grades. One grade may average 19-20 students per classroom while another has 29 or more. Multi-age classrooms are intended to create more balanced and consistent learning environments while preserving the neighborhood school model families support.

Mr. Kincaid’s staffing claims are also misleading. He cites national data suggesting major administrative growth, yet an independent audit of the district’s records shows an overall reduction of eight employees during the period he referenced. That net reduction of staff is even after part-time positions were added in nutrition services and extended-day care, positions that are funded through food service revenue and childcare tuition, not classroom dollars.

Reasonable people can disagree with district decisions. Parents should ask questions and expect transparency. But productive public discussion requires facts and context, not exaggerated claims designed to undermine confidence in public schools.

The White Bear Lake area deserves honest debate, not organized efforts to erode trust

White Bear Lake Area

in the people serving students and families every day.

Dawn

Hank White Bear Lake

Pay attention to talk of fraud

As we move into this year’s election season, we’ll be hearing a lot from candidates about fraud. Candidates will take one of two approaches. Some of them will be committed to the hard work of fighting fraud. It will take time, effort, and funding. Others will use claims of “fraud” as a way to attack communities or institutions they don’t like. They won’t be particularly interested in actually doing anything about the problem, because they don’t care about fixing it. They don’t care about how fraud negatively impacts essential government services, like ones that feed kids, take care of people with disabilities, or provide critical health care. Some candidates will even attack whole communities in an attempt to link all people from an ethnic group to fraud.  When a candidate asks for your vote and talks to you about fraud, pay attention to how they talk about it. Make sure that candidate actually intends to do something about fraud while preserving the government services we all rely on. And, make sure that candidate isn’t linking whole communities to fraud— that’s just racism.

Cathy Crea White Bear Lake

Safety concerns at intersection

We are asking too much of the intersection of Highway 61 and Buffalo Street. Highway 61, the north/south railroad tracks and Hugo Road are intersected by Buffalo Street within a very small space. This bottleneck becomes a free-for-all twice a day during the academic year before and after the school day. With the completion of the new White Bear Lake Area High School, an increased significant portion of school traffic converges on this intersection in or-

der to get to and from Hugo and other points north. At the end of the school day on Thursday, May 28, this came to a head. I was biking from the east on Buffalo St. crossing Hwy 61 with a green light into the confluence of traffic as a school bus from the west turned left to go north. As I proceeded through the intersection, a vehicle of young people behind the bus cut into my path. Had it not been for my evasive action, I would have been taken out. As I made my way over the railroad tracks, I came upon a head-on collision at Hugo Road and Buffalo Street with airbags deployed and smoke coming from the crashed vehicle. With this increase in traffic, I hope the County or MNDOT are studying traffic patterns and looking at options to improve safety. As Eagle Brook Church has scheduled police officers for their Sunday services to facilitate safe traffic flow, scheduled County Sheriffs at this intersection might be another option during these times of congestion.

Pathetic parade

I am not sure if I should laugh or cry after watching the City of Mahtomedi Memorial Day Parade this year. It lasted about 30 seconds. It consisted of the Color Guard/Scouts, the Fire Chief's SUV, one ambulance and one fire truck. That was it! The Mayor of Mahtomedi and the City Council should be ashamed and embarrassed about this parade. There are no words to describe how pathetic it was. But a BIG shout out to the Mahtomedi Fire Department and Wildwood Lions for hosting the annual pancake breakfast. The fire fighters/ EMTs handed out junior fire fighter badges, interacted with the kids and the kids were able to explore the many vehicles at the station. Plus, the Wildwood Lions had their Lion Mascot there too. The parade was a disaster, but the Fire Department and Lions saved the day for the kids.

Terry Nyblom Vadnais Heights

Brett Smith White Bear Township

Scott Bocklund Pine Springs

COPS&COURTS

REPORTS

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

A woman was arrested for misdemeanor domestic assault-harm in the 1500 block of Fifth Street May 20.

• Officers responded to a domestic incident in the 1900 block of Eugene Street May 20.

• Officers responded to disorderly conduct reported in the 1900 block of Whitaker Street and the 3200 block of White Bear Avenue May 20.

• Officers responded to a report of weapons in the 1900 block of Highway 96 May 20.

• A noise complaint was reported in the 3500 block of Century Avenue May 20.

• Officers responded to a dispute in the 4000 block of Cranbrook Drive May 21. Shortly after, a disturbance involving an intoxicated female was reported in the same area.

• Harassment was reported in the 2600 block of County Road E May 21.

• Officers mediated a civil dispute in the 3600 block of Howard Avenue May 21.

A black bear was reported roaming around Gem Lake May 21, but was not located.

• Theft was reported in the 2700 block of County Road E May 21.

• Officers responded to a juvenile incident in the 4800

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

• Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) deputies received a report from a person at 6:20 a.m. April 22 about being dropped off in an area unknown to them after meeting with a male in Minneapolis. No assault was reported, and deputies gave the complainant a courtesy ride from 75th Street N. and Kimbro Avenue N. to the White Bear Lake Speedway on Century Avenue. On April 22 deputies received a call from the 11000 block of 80th Street N. regarding a scam incident. The complainant stated that her Amazon account had been hacked. The complainant was later able to contact Amazon and Delaware Police Department, where the packages were supposed to be delivered. Amazon cancelled the orders, refunded the complainant and cancelled her account, so in the end, the complainant experienced no financial loss.

• A motorist on Manning Trail N. and Manning Avenue Court N. was cited for expired registration on April 24, following a traffic stop for that violation

Mahtomedi

An Iris Street resident reported that his daughter had been followed home by a male in a white sedan flashing his lights at 10:07 p.m. April 21. The complainant noted that the male looked familiar from around the area and didn’t know why his daughter was followed. He stated that there appeared to be no issues with her vehicle and that his daughter was driving just fine.

• After deputies received a report of a traffic hazard at the Stillwater Road at Hilton Trail traffic lights April 22 and arrived on scene to find a driver who explained that her vehicle had stalled at the light. Deputies directed the driver to shut the vehicle off and restart it. Then the driver was instructed to drive to a nearby parking lot while deputies followed behind with their emergency lights activated.

• Wedgewood Drive residents on April 22 reported a dog bite incident that had happened earlier in the week.

• A resident in the 1000 block of Griffin Avenue N. on April 22 reported a dogbiting incident that had happened the previous week. The victim said he was the one bitten and had been to the doctor. Furthermore, he stated the owners had

block of Highway 61 May 21.

• Disorderly conduct was reported in the 1700 block of Cedar Avenue May 21. Fraud was reported in the 3900 block of McKnight Road May 21.

• A Minneapolis man was arrested for DWI after being reported for erratic driving at the intersection of Highways 96 and 61 May 22.

• Officers investigated a report of child abuse in the 2400 block of Floral Drive May 22.

• Officers responded to a juvenile incident in the 3700 block of Bellaire Avenue May 22.

• Harassment was reported in the 4900 block of Birch Lake Circle May 22.

• Officers responded to a noise disturbance in the 3800 block of Oak Terrace May 22.

• Disorderly conduct was reported in the 3400 block of Willow Avenue May 23.

• Officers responded to an assault in the 1000 block of Highway 96 May 23.

• Harassment was reported May 23 in the 3500 block of Century Avenue N. May 23.

Theft was reported in the 2100 block of 12th Street May 24.

• Disorderly conduct was reported in the 4900 block of Johnson Avenue May 24.

• Disorderly conduct was reported in the 4400 block of

confirmed that the dog was vaccinated and just wanted the incident reported.

• Deputies spoke to Ridge Way residents about a trespassing incident on April 22 and learned that a no trespass order was in place. Deputies took care of that formality immediately and issued a trespass notice.

• In this week’s NERF wars update on April 22, deputies address juveniles on Mahtomedi Avenue who were doing it this week and informed them they needed to be more respectful and drive carefully.

• A View Road resident reported his mailbox struck by a moving vehicle April 24 and that he had yet to hear back from the driver since the day of the incident. Later in the day, the complainant followed up to say he had received payment for the damage and didn’t need anything more.

• After deputies responded to an April 24 report of a male potentially trying to steal bicycles from Stillwater Road, they found the male who had gone to the location to retrieve mail. Deputies gave him a courtesy ride to a metro bus stop.

• Deputies were dispatched to the scene of a reported restricted burn on Iris Street on April 24 and found an unattended fire that was mostly burnt down. They advised the homeowner that there should be a readily available water supply nearby and the fire should be put out before the homeowner leaves the scene. The homeowner put out the fire and deputies carried on with their patrols.

• Suspicious activity reported in a wooded area on 72nd Street N. on April 25 turned out to be two male youths building a fort out of sticks. As deputies observed no damaged trees or trash in the area, they advised the juveniles to keep the noise down and clean up their mess.

Pine

Springs

Deputies initiated a traffic stop April 21 on a vehicle traveling along Hilton Trail N. headed toward the ramp to westbound Highway 36 with registration that expired in September 2020 and cited the driver.

• Deputies assisted the State Patrol at 4:51 a.m. April 22 on northbound I-694 at the ramp to eastbound Highway 36 in investigating a single-vehicle accident. After contacting the registered owner, deputies learned that the driver had fallen asleep on his way home from work at around 11p.m. and had walked home from the crash. After deputies relayed the individual’s insurance and contact information, the State Patrol took over from there.

Lake Avenue S. May 24.

• A Chisago City man was arrested for DWI following a traffic stop in the 2000 block of County Road E May 24.

• A barking dog was reported in the 3700 block of Howard Avenue May 24.

• A Ramsey resident was arrested for DWI following a traffic stop in the 1700 block of County Road D May 24.

• A Coon Rapids resident and a Rosemount resident were arrested for DWI in back-to-back early morning traffic stops May 25 in the 3200 block of White Bear Avenue.

• Theft was reported in the 2000 block of County Road E May 25.

• Animal complaints were reported May 25 in the 4800 and 4300 blocks of Lake Avenue.

• Officers responded to a verbal family argument in the 4500 block of Bald Eagle Avenue May 25.

• Officers responded to a juvenile runaway in the 4800 block of Centerville Road who later returned May 25.

• Officers responded to disorderly juveniles near the intersection of County Road E and Century Avenue May 26.

• A Minneapolis man was arrested for misdemeanor theft in the 3200 block of White Bear Avenue May 26.

RAMSEY COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORTS

The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office reported the following selected incidents in Vadnais Heights and White Bear Township: Vadnais Heights

• An animal control officer responded April 26 to a report of a dog that escaped from a neighbor’s yard in the 4300 block of Jay Circle and charged at someone. It had returned to its yard upon arrival.

• Deputies responded April 26 to a report of a tree that fell on a vehicle in the 100 block of County Road F East. Deputies made sure nobody was hurt and kept the area safe while the Vadnais Heights Fire Department cleared the fallen tree. The vehicle was damaged but drivable.

• Deputies cited a 58-year-old man from North St. Paul April 26 for trespassing after he entered a store in the 800 block of County Road E East from which he has been trespassed.

• A 44-year-old woman in the 4400 block of Bramblewood venue reported April 27 that her credit card was used by an unknown person at a gas station. The incident is under investigation.

• Deputies arrested a 19-year-old Minneapolis man for theft April 28 after he was caught by loss prevention employees at a business in the 800 block of County Road E East attempting to leave the store without paying for more than $150 worth of fishing equipment.

• A 33-year-old St. Paul woman in the 300 block of County Road F East reported April 28 fraudulent transactions on her bank account. The incident is under investigation.

• Deputies issued a theft citation to a 34-year-old woman April 29 after

PUBLIC SAFETY BRIEF

she was caught by loss prevention employees at a business in the 800 block of County Road E East attempting to conceal merchandise in her coat and leave the store without paying for it.

• Deputies responded to a restaurant in the 1000 block of Highway 96 East on April 30, where a vehicle being parked by a 74-year-old woman struck the building causing significant damage.

• Deputies recovered a baggie of suspected controlled substance April 30 from a 64-year-old Elk River man, who found it while he was mowing grass in the 1000 block of Kristen Court. The incident is under investigation.

• Deputies responded April 30 to a report of a 14-year-old male throwing dishes and punching staff at a group home in the 500 block of Spring Hill Road. No injuries were reported, and the situation was calm when deputies arrived.

• A 36-year-old woman from Cannon Falls reported May 2 that someone struck and damaged her Dodge Durango while it was legally parked on the side of the road in the 4300 block of Buckingham Court before driving away. The incident is under investigation.

White Bear Township

Deputies responded April 28 to a report of someone in the 5800 block of Mallards Ponds Drive allegedly posting photos of themselves online with guns and drugs. The incident is under investigation.

• Deputies arrested a 50-year-old man from North Branch April 28 in the 5600 block of Otter View Trail for violating a non-contact order after his girlfriend reported that he took her personal property and refused to return it.

Punch Pizza damaged after accident

Punch Pizza, located at 1018 County Highway 96 in Vadnais Heights, is currently undergoing renovations after a vehicle crashed into its building April 30. According to the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, a man suffering from a medical situation crashed into the building. He was transported to the hospital.

NEW POLICE CHIEF: Community-focused policing tops priority list

investigator, school resource officer, street crimes unit member and patrol officer. He most recently served as the deputy chief of police.

“I've always been satisfied with where I'm at in each step, because you're always learning something along the way and developing the skills to do the job a little bit better,” he said. “This looked like a good opportunity when it came up, and I’m glad I took the chance on it.”

So why White Bear? Johnston says when the opportunity arose for the police chief position, people only had good things to say about the department and the city.

“Columbia Heights is often referred to as that smalltown feel in the big city, and I think that’s very applicable here as well. Even as big as it is, it has this smalltown, close-knit community feeling. It felt like a good fit,” he explained.

During his first year on the job, Johnston says his

Wonka,” then fit the show to the cast’s abilities without simplifying the content.

“This is not a sideshow attraction,” Frederickson said. “There’s not one person who goes and doesn’t come out of it crying because it’s so well done.”

‘The actors are doing what they should be doing at their age and ability level,” Bohnsack added.

Bohnsack used Northern Starz’ recent production of “Aladdin” as an example, in which the actor who played The Genie was nonverbal. To work around this,

the actor delivered her lines through a voice box, and a “genie choir” performed all of her musical numbers. This version’s Genie, then, had a unique, mystical feel, and the actor still delivered an effective performance.

“That’s what the fun part about the Penguin Players is,” Frederickson said. “It does not matter if you are wheelchair bound or if you are nonverbal. You have a good chance of getting a lead.”

Northern Starz is also home to Penguin Pals, for ages 5-12, and Penguin Project, for ages 10-21. Having programming

focus will be getting to know everybody in the department, city and community. He plans to continue Hager’s initiative to drive up community engagement opportunities.

“I’m highly motivated to continue the community engagement part of things. That’s a piece that this department is already doing very well. They are engaged in a lot of community activities,” he said. Policing is a partnership with the community and the police officers. We can't police to a community; we have to police with the community.”

Johnston said it’s important, for both officers and community members, that the interactions between the two are not always negative.

“You don't want to have all your interactions be those moments in people's days when something bad has happened or they needed to call the police. We want to have those positive interactions with them; we want to meet them in those low-stress environments. We want to get

to know people,” he said. “Having those positive, meaningful interactions with our community and the public is important because we need to remember, they're not all like the people that we interact with at 2 a.m. There are a lot of positive and supportive people out there.”

Johnston plans to attend many community events this summer, including Marketfest. When Johnston is not at work, much of his time is dedicated to his family. He and his wife Stephanie have a blended family of five ranging in age from high school to college as well as two golden doodles. Johnston enjoys being outdoors, deer hunting, learning to golf, reading, experimenting with recipes in his smoker and playing video games when he can find the time.

Managing Editor Shannon Granholm can be reached at 651-407-1227 or whitebearnews@presspubs.com.

The Vadnais Heights Lions recently awarded scholarships to area high school seniors. Scholarships were given to: Anna Fink, Ella Paradise and Jacob Baltzer from White Bear Lake Area High School; Kiyo Ziegler from Gentry Academy; William Danielson from Mounds View High School; and Katie Fisher from the Academy for Sciences and Agriculture (AFSA).

Black Bear Yacht Racing Association (BBYRA) held its annual Mayhem Regatta May 2324 on White Bear Lake. The event featured PHRF and Capri 22 One Design keelboats with 10 boats racing.

The BBYRA held its annual Mayhem Regatta May 23-24.

The top finishers were:

1. Capri 22 - #571 - Swamp Critter - Charlie Helmes

2. Capri 22 - #965 - Echo Too - Mark Berens

3. Capri 22 #972 - Hausboat - Craig Witthaus Visit bbyra.com to learn more.

Nearly 200 community members came together to support the nursing and orthotics and prosthetics programs at Century College through the Futures in Bloom breakfast event, which raised $100,000 to support students.

for all ages, Bohnsack described, helps foster a continued sense of confidence in people with developmental disabilities.

“We had a nonverbal kid last year,” Frederickson recalled, “and we gave him the part of a dog. He was so excited. That’s what he wanted to do, and he was so happy … on stage, and everybody gave him encouragement. So now, he’s starting to be verbal, and his parents are like, ‘This is amazing.’”

Each Penguin artist also has a peer mentor, someone close by in age who can confidently support an individual

with special needs.

“Theater kids and choir kids love being mentors because they’re back on stage,” Frederickson stated. “They have to get costumed, and they have to know all the lines.”

While peer mentors serve as a kind of understudy, they almost always become dear friends with the artists.

“Spending so much time one-on-one with each other?”

Frederickson remarked. “The mentors start to realize Penguins are just like everybody else.”

The Penguin Players perform “This is Me: An Inclusive Cabaret Celebration,” featuring

City enters partnership to collect mattresses in June

Residents can recycle their old mattresses and box springs at no charge. The city of White Bear Lake has partnered with Ramsey/ Washington Recycling and Energy and Second Chance Recycling to offer free curbside mattress and box spring recycling collection on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the month of June. Pick-ups must be pre-scheduled. Schedule your pick up and learn more at whitebearlakemn.gov/recycle.

the music of “Footloose,”

7 p.m. Saturday, June 6, and 2 p.m. Sunday, June 7, at the White Bear Lake Area High School

Theater, 5040 Division Ave., Door A. For tickets and details, visit northernstarz.org/ns-offsite-events-and-shows.

Cerenity Senior Care: Council to consider parking lot expansion

BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR

WHITE BEAR LAKE —

Benedictine Cerenity Senior Care, located at 1900 Webber Street, would like to expand its parking lot to alleviate staff from parking on the neighboring streets.

Cerenity submitted a concept plan to expand the parking lot on the north side of the building with an additional 35 stalls.

Community Development Director Jason Lindahl explained that Cerenity decided to go the concept plan route in order to gather feedback on the proposal from the neighbors, planning commission and city council before its formal application for a planned unit development (PUD) amendment.

“We are really trying to add additional parking to the facility. With staffing increases, we want to get parking off the streets and get people in the parking lot where they belong,” said Jim Jonson, architect for the project. “We will add some nice landscaping to the parking lot, and we added some additional islands that were not required just to get more green space in there.”

The subject property is a 5.6acre site. The property extends the full block between Second and Fourth Avenue, with one remaining single-family home located along the northwest corner. According to Ramsey County records, the building was originally constructed in 1956, prior to the first adopted

zoning code. Throughout the years, Lindahl explained that the property has been granted PUD approvals to expand the campus. In 2012, the property was granted approvals to repurpose and renovate the nursing care facility and expand the campus to add transitional care and assisted living buildings to the site. Also included was an off-site 31-stall parking lot across the street on Second Avenue and 26 angled street parking stalls along Florence Street.

Cerenity purchased two adjacent properties along Webber Street and demolished the two single family homes in 2024 to provide additional on-site parking. They have since combined those two parcels with their property at 1900 Webber.

The concept plan proposes to add the 35 new stalls in the parking lot where the two single family homes were previously located. The existing lot contains 105 parking stalls. The proposal to expand the parking lot onto the newly acquired land would reconfigure the lot by eliminating 11 of the existing stalls and adding 46 stalls, resulting in a net gain of 35 additional parking stalls. Six of the proposed stalls will be ADA accessible. The plan also includes three parking lot islands. No new street access point is proposed.

Four residents attended the neighborhood meeting and shared concerns about on street parking on Webber Street, construction and

property maintenance.

“The planning commission was generally supportive of the concept,” Lindahl said. One resident, Andrew Enright, spoke during the public hearing about his concerns regarding the construction phase of the project. He requested that Cerenity provide a temporary parking plan that the neighbors could review and provide feedback on ahead of the project.

City Council Member Kevin Edberg wanted to know how much on street parking is used currently and how that might shift if the parking lot was expanded.

Ariel Miller, Executive Director of Cerenity, said she wasn’t sure on a specific number of vehicles, but said the topic of street parking, especially along

Webber Street, has come up many times in discussion over the years with neighbors.

Edberg said, “I do not object (to the concept), especially if it means adding parking spaces and getting parking off of Webber.”

City Council Member Ellen Gurrola commented that when she drives by the property, there always appears to be spots available in the existing lot. Miller said it really comes down to the shift change for staff. She explained that when the new shift is coming in and the other shift is leaving, there tends to be overflow of parking onto the streets.

Gurrola questioned what could be done to save the trees slated to be removed. Johnson explained that the trees slated

to be removed were in “pretty rough” shape. He added that they are not planning to touch any of the trees on the neighboring residential lot, and they are planning to add trees to the lot, as well as a stormwater basin to create a buffer. “The landscaping there will be increased,” he said.

City Council Member Bill Walsh described Cerenity as a “great neighbor” and said he was supportive of the concept. The council already held the first reading for the PUD amendment and will conduct the second reading June 9.

Managing Editor Shannon Granholm can be reached at 651-407-1227 or whitebearnews@ presspubs.com.

The City Council will conduct the second reading for a Planned Unit Development amendment for a parking lot expansion at Cerenity Senior Care June 9.

• The district is revising its consent agenda policy. While the March 2, 2026, revision required a motion, second and majority approval to remove an item from the consent agenda to independent consideration, the May 11, 2026, revision—which the School Board Policy Committee and Cabinet submitted for expedited approval—removes this requirement. Now, a school board member needs only make a “timely request,” i.e. prior to the vote approving the consent agenda, to set aside items for discussion. Board Member Christina Streiff Oji, who voted in favor of the March 2 version of the policy, supported its reversion, explaining, “I voted in favor of the original motion because the consent agenda is meant to promote efficiency … I’m voting in favor of the motion to rescind this because maintaining the trust of the community is more important than the considerations that led me to vote in favor of this motion. I’m fully committed to strong governance, and that means listening, reflecting and making adjustments when needed.” Board Member Daniel Skaar commented, “Thank you for correcting this judgment error and getting back on track to what I would call good governance.” Addressing the entire body, Board Member Chair Dr. Scott Arcand stated, “I have the expectation that, if you’re going to want to pull something, that a board member is going to reach out to the superintendent … Truly, if it’s about getting that information, I don’t know why you wouldn’t reach out.”

• The district is putting surplus property, located at 4871 Bald Eagle Ave., up for sale. Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations Tim Wald explained that the district bought the property in 2020 using proceeds from the General Obligation School Building Bonds for the purpose of providing a connecting path from the high school and Central Middle School to Lincoln Elementary. Because district administration no longer believes this project necessary, the parcel must be declared as surplus property.

• The district is continuing its milk-product contract with St. Paul Beverage Solutions, LLC for the 2026-2027 school year, with an option to extend for up to three years. The contract bid is just over $290,000. “Milk is kind of a big deal in schools. We serve over 63,000 gallons of milk each year,” stated Wald. When Board Member Deb Beloyed asked for amounts of the previ-

ous milk contracts, Wald informed her that the price of milk has risen 60% since 2019. Wald added that, should the federal government’s estimation of the market value price of milk rise or fall, the contract’s amount will be adjusted accordingly. “These contracts take the risk out of it for school districts and the risk out of it for the vendor,” Wald said.

• The board will hold a second reading next month of numerous policies. The district’s student attendance policy will now include a subsection requiring the district to count a student in attendance each day the student receives supervision, instruction or services from school staff during scheduled hours. While the current policy already has language regarding reasonable accommodations for excuse from curricular activities on religious grounds, the new version will add provisions for American Indian cultural practices, observances, and ceremonies. The policy will also clarify that, to find a child under 12-years-old habitually truant, a school must present clear and convincing evidence that a child’s absence is not due to a failure of the child’s parent, guardian or custodian. Other changes are largely being made for grammatical or clerical reasons.

• Similarly, the board approved numerous policies. Their mandated reporting of maltreatment of vulnerable adults policy now defines “mandated reporter” as “a professional or professional’s delegate while engaged in education.” The board’s video recording other than on buses policy now requires the school district retains video recordings for at least 45 days. This version of the policy also allows no reason to record bathrooms or locker rooms, whereas the previous version allowed surveillance of those area in extreme situations with extraordinary controls. All school district policies may be viewed at www.isd624.org/about/district-policies.

• The school board is recognizing middle school students for achievements in History Day. This includes two state champion group exhibits: “Jenson v. Eveleth” and “The Love Canal.” Both exhibits qualify for National History Day. The board is also highlighting Triple Threat Finalists in the Hennepin Arts Spotlight Showcase. To view a video listing each student’s accomplishment, visit youtube. com/@ISD624.

During June, the White Bear Lake Area School Board does not meet for monthly work sessions. Therefore, the board will next convene for its monthly regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday, June 8, at the District Service Center at Sunrise Park, 2399 Cedar Ave., White Bear Lake. The public may both livestream the meeting and find the schedule for future board meetings at isd624.org/about/school-board/ meeting-materials.

• The city will pay $16,000 to MP Asphalt Maintenance for the 2026 crack sealing project. The project includes cleaning cracks in bituminous street pavements with a router and then filling the cracks with a hot, liquid, rubberized sealant. The crack sealing process prevents water from penetrating through the street pavement and entering the gravel base where it weakens the street and causes failures.

• MnDOT has secured a temporary construction permit from the city for the replacement of the signal system at Highway 61 and Second Street. (See “MnDOT plans 2027 improvements for White Bear Lake, Vadnais Heights, White Bear Press, May 20, 2026.)

• An agreement is already in place for the next school year between the city’s police department and White Bear Area Schools for school resource officers (SROs). Since the mid-1990’s, the police department has provided support to the White Bear Lake Area School District by staffing two SROs in district buildings during regular school hours.

For the 2026-2027 school year, the district will contribute $295,821 to the city for the SRO program. Assigned officers remain as city employees and are still able to support regular operations at the police department during non-school days/hours.

• The city will enter another contract with Republic Services for residential

refuse and recycling collection.

Republic Services has been the city’s hauler since 2017. The current seven-year contract is set to expire in August. The contract, which runs through 2031, includes an annual 3% increase in rates.

“Per staff’s review of similar contracts in the area, even with those increases, we will remain below market,” said Assistant City Manager Rick Juba.

Bev Mathiasen, Municipal Sales Manager for Republic Services, recently provided an update to the council. She shared that the company currently operates 50 land-based and 15 marine-based response teams throughout North America. Other highlights include:

- By 2028, electric vehicles will represent half of Republic Services’ fleet.

- Starting July 6, White Bear Lake residents will be eligible to participate in the Washington County/Ramsey County Food Scraps program

• The city has also entered another contract with Eureka Recycling for recycling processing. The city has contracted with Eureka Recycling since 2006. Eureka is a nonprofit recycling processing center that relies on local markets to ensure that the materials are managed responsibly. Juba explained that the recycling market remains volatile. Eureka has been able to maintain its

local markets, but sale revenues are typically less that the cost of processing. Recently, the city has been paying between $3,000- $5,000 per month. When markets are stronger, the typical monthly revenue receipt is approximately $2,000- $3,000 per month due to the revenue sharing arrangement in the City’s contract. The existing contract was entered into in 2019 and includes a flat processing fee of $106.32 per ton. To account for projected annual increases in the costs of processing, the new contract includes annual increases of 2% or the Consumer Price Index (CPI), whichever is greater. The revenue sharing formula will remain the same at 100%, meaning the city receives all revenues received minus the processing costs.

Miriam Holsinger, co-president and chief operations officer at Eureka, shared some updates with the council, including:

- Eureka processes an average of 100,000 tons per year.

- Eureka has a 10% residual (contamination) rate, which is one of the lowest in the country.

- 52% of recyclables stay in Minnesota and 95% stay in the Midwest.

- Eureka’s facility in Minneapolis underwent an $11 million upgrade in 2025.

- Eureka continues to see an average employee turnover rate of about eight

years, which Holsinger described as “unheard of” explaining many places are lucky if they can keep an employee for a year.

Both Mathiasen and Holsinger brought up extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation. After Jan. 1, 2032, all packaging, food packaging and paper products must be one of the following:

• refillable and supported by a refill system

• reusable and managed through a reuse system

• recyclable and collected through a curbside or alternative system

• compostable and collected through a curbside or alternative system

“We are the fifth state to roll it out so it’s still a little bit new and we are figuring out how it’s going to look,” Holsinger said.

• Mayor Mary Nicklawske will host Community and Coffee at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, June 6 at Stellmacher Park, located at 3930 Linden Street. Once a month, the mayor will visit a park over the next few months to enjoy conversation over a cup of coffee at local parks. “It’s a way for us to highlight the different parks in each ward,” Nicklawske said.

The next City Council meeting will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 9 at City Hall.

Shannon Granholm

PUBLIC NOTICES • PUBLIC NOTICES • PUBLIC NOTICES

OFFICE OF THE MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME

Pursuant to Chapter 333, Minnesota Statutes; the undersigned, who is or will be conducting or transacting a commercial business in the State of Minnesota under an assumed name, hereby certifies:

1. The assumed name under which the business is or will be conducted is:

Bob Ray

2. The street address of the principal place of business is or will be:

444 Maple Ln, Shoreview, MN 55126-3009

3. The name and street address of all persons conducting business under the above Assumed Name, including any corporation that may be conducting this business.

Robn D. Raygor

444 Maple Ln, Shoreview, MN 55126-3009

I certify that I am authorized to sign this certificate and I further certify that I understand that by signing this certificate, I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in section 609.48 as if I had signed this certificate under oath.

Dated: May 16, 2026

Signed: Robin D Raygor

Published two times in the White Bear Press on May 27 and June 3, 2026.

OFFICE OF THE MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME

Pursuant to Chapter 333, Minnesota Statutes; the undersigned, who is or will be conducting or transacting a commercial business in the State of Minnesota under an assumed name, hereby certifies:

1. The assumed name under which the business is or will be conducted is: Booger & Toots

2. The street address of the principal place of business is or will be: 1572 5th St., White Bear Lake, MN 55110

3. The name and street address of all persons conducting business under the above Assumed Name, including any corporation that may be conducting this business.

JRKS LLC

1572 5th St., White Bear Lake, MN 55110

I certify that I am authorized to sign this certificate and I further certify that I understand that by signing this certificate, I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in section 609.48 as if I had signed this certificate under oath.

Dated: April 27, 2026

Signed: Raine Gaynor Ekman

Published two times in the White Bear Press on May 27 and June 3, 2026.

OFFICE OF THE MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE AMENDMENT TO ASSUMED NAME

Pursuant

2. The street address of the principal place of business is or will be: 2271 2nd

3. The name and street address of all persons conducting business under the above Assumed Name, including any corporation that may be conducting this business.

Multifarious Inc.

2271 2nd St. N., Suite 3, North St. Paul, MN 55109

I certify that I am authorized to sign this certificate and I further certify that I understand that by signing this certificate, I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in section 609.48 as if I had signed this certificate under oath.

Dated: May 8, 2026

Signed: Thomas R. Roering, President

Published two times in the White Bear Press on May 27 and June 3, 2026. OFFICE OF THE MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE

CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME

Pursuant to Chapter 333, Minnesota Statutes; the undersigned, who is or will be conducting or transacting a commercial business in the State of Minnesota under an assumed name, hereby certifies:

1. The assumed name under which the business is or will be conducted is:

Crunch St. Paul Highland Park

2. The street address of the principal place of business is or will be:

2128 FORD PKWY SAINT PAUL MN 55116

3. The name and street address of all persons conducting business under the above Assumed Name, including any corporation that may be conducting this business.

Undefeated Tribe St. Paul, LLC

2128 FORD PKWY SAINT PAUL MN 55116

I certify that I am authorized to sign this certificate and I further certify that I understand that by signing this certificate, I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in section 609.48 as if I had signed this certificate under oath.

Dated: March 10, 2026

Signed: Jonathan Acevedo

Published two times in the White Bear Press on June 3 and 10, 2026.

CITY OF WHITE BEAR LAKE

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of White Bear Lake will accept proposals for group Life Insurance until 3:00 p.m. on June 30, 2026. Request for Proposal specifications may be obtained from Integrity Employee Benefits at 866-437-7977, or email integrity@integrityeb.com. The City of White Bear Lake reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, waive formalities, and to make the award that is in the best interests of the group. The City of White Bear Lake desires a long-term relationship for this program and will maintain so, as long as cost and services are satisfactory. Published one time in the White Bear Press on June 3, 2026.

WHITE BEAR TOWNSHIP

NOTICE OF HEARING ON REQUEST FOR A VARIANCE IN THE TOWN OF WHITE BEAR, RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, That the Town Board of the Town of White Bear, Ramsey County, Minnesota, will meet at Heritage Hall, 4200 Otter Lake Road, in said Town on Monday, June 15, 2026, at 7:00 p.m., to consider Variances to construct a new single family dwelling unit encroaching 5 feet inches into the required 35 foot front yard setback and exceed the impervious surface coverage maximum by 7.5% for property at 5255 Grand Avenue (Parcel ID 123022420011). The full legal description is on file available at the Township and the applicant providing the following legal description as: LOT 5, BLOCK 21, WHITE BEAR BEACH, RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA. and to hear and pass upon objections and recommendations, if any, and to conduct any and all business incident thereto.

Given under my hand this 29th day of May, 2026. PATRICK CHRISTOPHERSON, Clerk-Treasurer Published one time in the White Bear Press on June 3, 2026.

STATE OF MINNESOTA, COUNTY OF RAMSEY DISTRICT COURT, SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT PROBATE COURT DIVISION COURT FILE

62-PR-26-332 SECOND NOTICE FOR REMOTE HEARING ON PETITION FOR SUMMARY ASSIGNMENT OR DISTRIBUTION – EXEMPT ESTATE In re the Estate of: Kathleen Flora Matolo, Decedent.

Notice is given that a petition has been filed requesting that the Estate assets be summarily assigned and distributed without probate administration. Information on how to participate in the remote hearing can be obtained by calling the Court at 651-266-8145.

Any objections to the Petition must be filed with the Court prior to or raised at the hearing. If proper, and no objections or claims are filed, the Court may issue a decree distributing or assigning the Estate’s assets. If objections are filed, another hearing may be scheduled.

Any charitable beneficiary may request notice of the probate proceeding be given to the attorney general pursuant to Minnesota Statute Section 501B.41, Subdivision 5. NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Petition will be heard by this Court using remote technology via zoom on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, from 2:15 p.m. until 2:30 p.m.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that this Notice shall be published once per week for two consecutive weeks in a legal newspaper in Ramsey County and a copy of this Notice shall be mailed at least 14 days prior to the hearing date to all interested persons (Minn. Stat. 524.1-401) and persons who have filed a demand for notice pursuant to Minn. Stat. 524.3-204. BY THE COURT: Theresa Ames, Court Administrator BY: Michael Syverud, Deputy Court Administrator Date: April 30, 2026

Attorney for Petitioner: Nicholas Doenges (MN Bar No. 0395876)

428 Minnesota Street, Suite 500 St. Paul, MN 55101 612-430-8540 nick@ncdlegal.com

Published two times in the White Bear Press on May 27 and June 3, 2026. STATE OF MINNESOTA, COUNTY OF RAMSEY DISTRICT COURT, SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT PROBATE DIVISION COURT FILE NO. 62-PR-26-444

NOTICE OF REMOTE HEARING ON PETITION FOR DESCENT OF PROPERTY

In re the Estate of:

Mabel F. Boogren, a/k/a Mabel Francis Boogren, a/k/a Mabel Okeson, Decedent.

A Petition for Determination of Descent has been filed with this Court. The Petition represents that the Decedent died more than three years ago, leaving property in Minnesota and requests the probate of Decedent’s last Will, if any, and the descent of such property be determined and assigned by this Court to the persons entitled to the property.

Any objections to the Petition must be filed with the Court prior to or raised at the hearing. If proper, and no objections are filed or raised, the Petition may be granted. If objections are filed, another hearing may be scheduled. Any charitable beneficiary may request notice of the probate proceeding be given to the attorney general pursuant to Minnesota Statute Section 501B.41, Subdivision 5. NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Petition will be heard using remote technology on Wednesday,

CLERK’S CORNER – Greetings from the Township! First, huge thanks to everyone who was able to participate in another highly successful Township Cleanup Day! The amount of trash our residents can process never ceases to amaze me & this year was no different! With that as a backdrop, it’s clear to see that even with the end of the school year not quite here yet, we are all in full summer mode. Soccer & baseball are in full swing at our parks & movies at Polar Lakes Park begins this month. One of the highlights everyone should keep in mind as we get into the summer is the Wall That Heals event in the first week of August. Watch for announcements about the event from the Township & the White Bear Historical Society in the coming weeks! Enjoy the season.

LAST CALL FOR WATER EFFI-

CIENCY REBATES – The Metropolitan Council, through funding provided by the Clean Water, Land & Legacy Amendment, has awarded White Bear Township a Water

Efficiency Grant for the fifth time. The goal of the Water Efficiency Grant Program is to improve municipal water use through conservation & efficiency efforts. This funding will allow White Bear Township to continue offering rebates to residents who replace existing fixtures with qualifying water-efficient alternatives, including toilets, dishwashers, irrigation controllers, & more.

The current rebate program ends on June 30, 2026, & the new program will begin on July 1, 2026. Additional information about the new rebate program will be available on the Township’s website beginning July 1. Please note that June 30, 2026, is the purchase deadline for the current Water Efficiency Rebate Program, & all rebate applications for the current program must be postmarked by July 31, 2026.

MATTRESS RECYCLING PROGRAM – White Bear Township is partnering with Ramsey/Washing-

ton County & Second Chance Recycling to offer free curbside recycling of mattresses, box springs, & metal bed frames on Tuesdays & Thursdays for the month of June. Each household can recycle up to four mattresses. Please note that registration must be completed online; the link can be found on our website. Mechanical beds, headboards, & footboards are not accepted.

RECYCLING 101 – Recycling contamination is anything that doesn’t belong in your recycling cart. Do you know what to recycle & what to toss?

TRASH: Styrofoam, foods & liquids, plastic bags or film, soiled paper & cardboard, hoses, wires, chains, electronics, & wood. RECYCLE: plastic bottles & jugs, soda cans, clean paper plates, cardboard boxes, plain wrapping paper, & glass. DONATE: packing materials, clothing & shoes, gift bags, & decorations.

REMINDER OF THE TOWNSHIP’S SPRINKLING ORDINANCE – The use of the Town Water Supply System for lawn sprin-

kling & irrigation shall be limited to the following hours & days for the entire year:

• Even numbered house addresses may use their Water System on even numbered calendar days, & odd numbered house addresses may use their Water System on odd numbered calendar days.

• The watering hours are from 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM & 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

• If you have seed or new sod, you may get a 2-week exemption from the restrictions by calling the Township at 651-747-2764.

BELLAIRE BEACH LIFEGUARDS ARE ON DUTY NOW – Bellaire Beach is now staffed with lifeguards until Labor Day, September 7. Beach hours are 12 PM to 7 PM, though lifeguards will use their discretion & provide services up to 30 minutes later if a significant group is at the waterfront. During periods of bad weather, the closing of the beach will be up to the YMCA & the lifeguards. Lifeguards will be provided seven

days a week from June 8 through August 16. Lifeguards will be present on weekends only prior to June 8 & after August 23 through Labor Day.

PEDDLERS & SOLICITORS – With summer around the corner, door-todoor peddling & soliciting will start to be more frequent. The Township regulates these activities as much as possible, but they cannot be prohibited entirely. All regulated solicitors are required to obtain & wear a license that is visible while going doorto-door. For your safety, do not let anybody into your home even if they have a visible license & report all suspicious persons to the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office at 651-767-0640.

MOVIES IN THE PARK ARE BACK! FIRST SHOWING IS JUNE 13 – Bring your lawn chair or blanket & don't forget bug spray for a FREE, fun, & family-friendly movie night at Polar Lakes Park. The Minecraft Movie will begin at dusk on Saturday, June 13th.

2025 audit: City’s long-term debt continues to increase

BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR

WHITE BEAR LAKE — When it comes to property taxes, the city’s financial advisor says the city of White Bear Lake’s tax rates are lower than all of its peer groups.

The city has once again received a clean or unmodified opinion on its audit for 2025. Brad Falteysek, of Abdo, recently visited the City Council to present the results of the audit. He reported that there were no instances of noncompliance.

Per the city’s fund balance policy, the city is required to keep 35 to 50% of last year’s budget in the General Fund. “At 48.9% you’re right at the top end of that,” Falteysek said.

When it comes to tax rates, the city of White Bear Lake comes in lower than other cities in Ramsey County and other cities with comparable population sizes. For 2024, the city of White Bear Lake’s tax rate was 27.32% compared to 32.19% of other cities in Ramsey County or 43.29% for cities with a population of 20,000 to 30,000. For 2025, the city of White Bear tax rate was 30.40%, compared to 47.48% for Washington County and 35.28% for White Bear Area Schools. Falteysek noted one thing that is starting to change is the city’s long-term debt per capita, which has been increasing during the last four years. “Given the general trajectory of the peer groups, they probably are pretty close to where you are right now … You are probably right in line with your peers,” he said. The long-term debt per capita was

WHITE BEAR TOWNSHIP NOTES

Key takeaways

• The city received an unmodified, or clean opinion on its financial statements for the 2025 audit.

• There were no findings of noncompliance with state statute.

• In 2025, S&P Global Ratings affirmed their AA+ long-term rating for the city. The AA+ rating is one step below the highest possible rating of AAA.

$1,490 in 2025 compared to $665 in 2021. Falteysek noted that the city of White Bear Lake is spending a higher percentage of its expenditures on its debt than its peers. (See chart for more information.) However, the city of White Bear Lake is spending less in overall expenditures than other comparable cities.

City Council Member Kevin Edberg asked Falteysek if he had any advice on where the city gets its revenue streams from. “I’m interested in your perception of our revenue mix. We don’t get very fancy in terms of sources of revenue, in my opinion. What’s your take on the mix of revenues that we make use of compared to some of our peers in the metro area?”

Falteysek said he didn’t think the city of White Bear Lake’s revenue sources were very different from other cities, however he did note that some communities collect more franchise fees and suggested it might be a good idea to look

• Pollinators and their champions will be happy to learn that the township has amended its ordinance limiting vegetation height, adding an exception to indicate that vegetation over 8 inches tall will be allowed for native vegetation that is maintained and set back at least two feet from lot lines.

• Rails into trails: White Bear Township officials are exploring the idea of applying to a federal grant program that provides funding for communities to make railroad crossing areas safer. Town Supervisor Beth Artner stated that the idea of converting the rail line running alongside Highway 61 into a pedestrian trail has been explored before, but never took root. She suggested that this grant program may be a possibility to extend the existing Hardwood Creek Trail from its terminus in Hugo into downtown White Bear Lake. Township staff will learn more about the eligibility requirements and potentially send in a preliminary application if the grant is a good fit for White Bear Township.

• Food trucks? Saunas? What’s next? After a request from a mobile sauna company that wants to operate in White Bear Township, the township’s legal coun-

CONTRIBUTED

The above graph depicts various governmental activities and shows program revenues and expenses directly related to those activities.

at what other communities are charging. Edberg said in the next one to three years, he expects cities will have challenges relating to local government aid (LGA). “If that goes down, we either have to decrease services, increase taxes or find other sources of revenue. Before it gets to be an emergency, I’m thinking we would be wise to think about what are other communities doing? What are other options available to us to maintain revenues in the event of state reductions?”

Falteysek said some communities are trying to “ween” themselves off of LGA and suggested the city try not to count on LGA for general operations. “That way … you may have to cut a capital project

sel Chad Lemmons questioned where the township would draw the line when it comes to operating mobile businesses in areas that are not zoned for commercial use. A similar mobile sauna business has been located at Tamarack Nature Center in the past. This business was permitted by Ramsey County, which owns the property. The topic will be further discussed by the township’s park board.

• An undisclosed political group has inquired about renting park facilities for an event at Polar Lakes Park this summer, causing some concern to township officials. As township staff pointed out, representatives from political organizations are often present during other public events and rent their space just like any other vendor. Lemmons stated that any requirement applied to this renter’s request would have to be applied to anyone renting park facilities to avoid discrimination and infringement of free speech. The board discussed safety and security concerns, and explored the idea of requiring different levels of security management based on event attendance numbers. The topic will be discussed by the park board and brought back to the township board at a later time.

or purchase of some nature, but it won’t affect your day-to-day operations,” he said.

“This really showcases another really good year of solid financial management,” said City Manager Lindy Crawford. “That really does extend to our department heads who pay very close attention to their department budgets. It really does take a village to make sure that our finances are running smoothly in addition to our finance department.” The full 2025 audit report and presentation are available on the city’s website.

Managing Editor Shannon Granholm can be reached at 651-407-1227 or whitebearnews@presspubs.com.

• The township will award contracts to Park Construction Company for the planned Anderlie Lane and Bloom road improvements projects this summer. The Anderlie Lane project, which involves more intensive replacement, will cost $2.2 million. The Bloom project, a mill and overlay of the road surface, will cost $9,900.

• Town Administrator Patrick Christopherson shared that the township will retain its AA+ financial rating after he spoke with representatives from S&P.

• Purchase of a new turf mower at $84,000 has been approved. The new mower is a Toro model that will replace the township’s six-year-old Jacobson mower, and will provide better maneuverability for the operator and better precision to mow around obstacles and barriers.

The White Bear Township Board next meets at 7 p.m., Monday, June 15 at Heritage Hall, 4200 Otter Lake Road.

Jackie Bussjaeger

James “Jim” J. Kohler

Age 85 of Hugo. Loving Dad, Grandpa, Great-Grandpa & Brother, passed away surrounded by family on May 20, 2026. Preceded in death by wife of 59 years, Kathleen; brothers, Leonard, Dennis. Survived by children, Lori (Boyd) Metcalf, Jaime; Jon(Trisha); grandchildren, Tanya (James) Dessner, Tara (Kyle) Breitbarth, Taylor (MacKenzie) Metcalf, Chris Kohler, Kacie (Kirk) Nelson, Cydney Kohler; greatgrandchildren, Jayci, Layne, Jack, Isla, Rhet, Dutton, DeEtta, Jonathan, Nora, Joey; brother, Jerry (Marilyn); many nieces, nephews, other relatives friends. Jim was born in White Bear Lake and was a lifelong resident. He was the owner of Bald Eagle Sports in White Bear Lake. Jim’s life will be celebrated with a gathering from 4-8 PM Friday, June 5th at Roberts Family Funeral Home, Forest Lake. Private interment at St. Genevieve Cemetery, Centerville. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Beyond Hospice/The Pillars of Oakdale. www.RobertsFamilyFH.com 651-464-4422

Obituaries celebrate and honor unique lives.

To Submit an obit

Email obits@presspubs.com Call 651-407-1225

Visit us at

All American Bears Contest White Bear Lake

Decorate your bear in honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States of America! How to Participate:

• Decorate your concrete bear in red, white and blue

• Enter contest by uploading a photo online at presspubs.com/ allamericanbears and filling out contact information

• Enter between May 14th and June 9th

• Voting online from June 10th - 21st

• All American Bear winner will be highlighted in Press Publications 250 American Anniversary special commemorative, printed in the July 1st edition of the White Bear Press.

Darwin D. Demeny

Age 76, of White Bear Lake, MN, formerly of Krakow, WI, passed away peacefully after a courageous four-year battle with cancer on May 27, 2026. Born May 21, 1950, in Oconto Falls, WI, he graduated from Pulaski High School (1968) and UW-Madison with a BS in Chemical Engineering. His career with 3M brought him to MN. He later earned an MBA from the University of St. Thomas and worked for several area companies, alongside his passion for home restoration. Darwin was a proud lifelong Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers fan, and he deeply loved coaching his children and grandchildren in soccer and softball. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Linda; children, Angela (RJ) Safranek, Aaron (Angela), and Andrew (Kelly); nine grandchildren; brother, Roger; and sisters, Clarice Miller and Chris Holewinski. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Helen; brothers, Gary and Lee; and sister, Sandy Czachor. Family and friends are invited to gather on Friday, June 12, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Church of St. Pius X, 3878 Highland Ave, White Bear Lake, MN, followed by a Memorial Mass at 12 p.m. Private family interment. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation (T2T.org). Arrangements with Honsa Family Funeral Home, 651-429-6172, honsafamilyfuneral.com.

Mary C. Kuehn (Banken)

Age 64. Of White Bear Lake. Memorial Services will be held at 1PM, Friday, June 12, 2026 at Honsa Family Funeral Home, 2460 East County Road E, White Bear Lake. Visitation 11a.m. – 1p.m. Memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society. Honsa Family Funeral Home, 651-429-6172

Rodney L. Glem

Age 87 of White Bear Lake.

Passed away peacefully on May 25, 2026 in the Memory Care unit of Maplewood Care Center. Rodney was born in Ellsworth, WI. Graduate of White Bear Lake H.S. and went on to serve his country in the Army.

Rodney’s professional journey spanned over three decades with Xcel Energy, where he worked in the Electrical Department for 33 years. He was a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW).

A devoted family man, Rodney held a special place in his heart for his wife, Karen, who was truly the love of his life. Together, they created a warm home filled with love.

Though Rodney was often quiet and reserved, he will always be remembered for his kindness and dedication in everything that he did.

Preceded in death by his wife, Karen Glem.

Survived by son, Mike (Julie) Glem and their daughter, Alexis; and daughter, Diane (Debbie) Glem. Mueller Memorial, 651-429-4944 www.muellermemorial.com

David Charles (Wolverine) Tatreau

Passed away May 2026 at Riverwood Hospital in Aitkin, MN. His Godson and sister were by his side.

David was born January 29, 1955 and spent most of his life living in White Bear Lake, MN.

Dave graduated from White Bear High in 1973, where he was known for his extraordinary wrestling skills. David also enjoyed hunting up North.

He is survived by brother Donald Tatreau, Jr. (Gail), sisters Sandra Wilson, Laurie Tatreau (Chris), Mary Jo Tatreau (Nick) and seven nieces and nephews and multiple great nieces and nephews. Father Donald Sr. passed in 2023 and mother Laura June, passed in 2004. Celebration of Life to be held June 21st at Best Western Plus White Bear Country Inn, Hwy 61, White Bear Lake, MN. from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Weekly Outlook

We finally received some much needed rain late Sunday and early Monday. I totaled nearly a half inch. For the month of May, I totaled 2.47” which is just over an inch less than normal. With the late surge in above normal temperatures the last week of May, we finished near normal on temperatures; otherwise, we were on pace to finish cooler than normal. It should be also noted this past May didn’t feature many thunderstorms, windy days or smoky skies. This week’s forecast calls for above normal temperatures and the threat of showers and thunderstorms. Nature Notes: Red-wing Blackbirds are aggressive, Cottonwood seed season is here, clover is seeding and dandelion season is tapering.

“Small Job Specialist” 45+

Clint Hallmark Enterprises is your small job specialist. Clint specializes in small jobs that the others don’t do. Clint Hallmark is a lifelong area resident who has been meeting the community’s carpentry needs for over 45 years.

Hallmark Enterprises also does windows, doors, locks, siding, small roofs, odd jobs and decks as well as ceiling texturizing winter damage repair, tree and hedge trimming and roof snow removing. Free estimates are cheerfully given. The small job specialist with the small price and high quality that counts. Call 651-653-9920. See Clint’s ad weekly under “Carpentry.”

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MAHTOMEDI & WILLERNIE

Students write letters, mayor responds in person

BY ALICE SEUFFERT SPECIAL TO THE PRESS

When students in Mahtomedi High School’s Advanced Placement Language and Composition (APLAC) class sent letters to Mayor Richard Brainerd, they didn’t expect him to show up in person. Recently, he did just that.

APLAC (a college-level course with the opportunity to earn college credit while still in high school) is taught by Elisabeth Haen, Brenda Wagner and Katlyn Bailey. The letter-writing assignment helps students examine how audience and purpose influence a speaker's writing. They practice

MAHTOMEDI CITY COUNCIL NOTES

that skill by writing letters about a community issue that interests them. Students research an issue, identify their reason for advocacy, gather information, conduct interviews and eventually craft a letter. The objective of the activity is to reinforce analysis of the rhetorical situation (values of the audience, positionality of the speaker, overarching purpose of the letter) and to encourage students to utilize the power of their own voice. When the mayor came to speak, students from all MHS APLAC courses filled the room. At the start of the conversation, he called down the students' names to sit alongside him as he went through their

• The council had approved the reappointment of Mark Ganz to the White Bear Lake Conservation District Board.

• James and Ann Woodruff can now install an awning after being granted approval by the council for their residence at 1356 Griffin Avenue.

• In honor of Arbor Month (in May), three trees will be planted in Hallam Park to celebrate — two redbuds and one quaking aspen.

• Deputy Roser from the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office recently visited the council to share that there were 309 incidents and 121 traffic violations within the city during April. Deputy Roser also provided an update on the 14-year-old girl who went missing on April 19. After being found at MSP Airport, she was brought back to Mahtomedi and is now back home.

Deputy Roser also highlighted a handful of incidents at Vista Point Apartments on Wildwood Road, including a shots fired report on April 13 and a domestic dispute on May 3. City Administrator Scott Neilson shared that

letters. Surprise and a bit of fear ran across their faces as they took a spot next to the mayor. One by one, the mayor had the students stand up and summarize their letters to their peers. For each question, the mayor gave the students background information and solutions. The letters included ideas and questions on subjects ranging from bike safety to affordable housing. Students offered ideas to improve access to dog waste bags across the city, as well as new opportunities to gather and connect, such as an annual car show.

The mayor discussed effective letter-writing tips for contacting an elected official. “All your

there are plans to have monthly meetings with the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, Vista Point Apartments managers and Real Estate Equities Apartments to find a solution to reduce frequent police calls and visits to Vista Point Apartments.

• The council has approved the temporary expansion of licensed premises for on-sale liquor license to Quinny’s Sports Bar, allowing them a “temporary expansion...to allow the sale, service and consumption of alcoholic beverages inside a tent which will be erected adjacent to the north door of the restaurant.”

• The city will pay $138,000 to MN Boardwalks, LLC to build a boardwalk in Katherine Abbott Park.

• Derek Hansen and Jolene Resemius requested to detach their property at 245 Dwinnell Avenue from the city of Mahtomedi and “place their entire property into the city boundaries of Dellwood.” The council approved the request.

• A dog park is in the works for Southwest Park. Candace Amberg, of WSB, said plans include an area for small breed dogs, an agility course and wire fencing around the walking

correspondence should be concise, clear, professional and have integrity and honesty,” he said. Note whether you are a constituent, include your address, and always ask for a followup, like “I look forward to hearing from you,” were additional tips he shared.

The mayor concluded the event by answering students’ questions about city ordinances and open meeting law, and he complimented the students on the quality of their letters.

Alice Seuffert is the director of communications for Mahtomedi Public Schools.

path in the woods that border the park.

Hannah Testa

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

Mahtomedi Mayor Richard Brainerd recently visited students in Mahtomedi High School’s Advanced Placement Language and Composition (APLAC) class in response to their letters. He took time out of his day to discuss effective letter-writing tips for contacting an elected official.

FOOD SCRAPS: More residents gain access to program

According to Reyna Chavez from Ramsey County, there are a few ways residents can recycle food scraps at home. One of the ways Chavez mentioned is at home composting.

“Many people do it…It does have its limitations such as its seasonal and you can’t put your bones in there or dairy,” she said. Residents who do participate can compost their fruit and vegetable scraps, however.

The second way is through drop off sites. Residents can bring collected food scraps, such as fruit, vegetables, meat and bones, to compost facilities located throughout the county. The third way residents can recycle food is through the pickup program.

Residents who participate in the Food Scrap Pickup Program can choose between 6-gallon and 13-gallon sized bags to use. Households will receive 60 bags per order and are able to receive two orders for free per calendar year. The bags are BPI-certified and are 100% compostable according to Chavez.

Garletz said the Food Scraps Pickup Program is in the process of being rolled out to all Ramsey and Washington County residents. The program will be available to all residents of the two counties by the middle of 2027.

In 2025, 13,531 total residents participated in the program. From that total, 1,891 reside in Ramsey County. Thanks to this program, 210 tons of food scraps have been composted through the program.

Learn more about the program by visiting FoodScrapsPickup.com or by calling 651-661-9393.

Shoreview Press Editor Madeline Dolby can be reached at 651-431-1226 or shoreviewnews@presspubs.com

Whats accepted

All food items are accepted. This is a list of common food scrap items:

• Coffee grounds and filters

• Beans and lentils

Fruits and vegetables (including peels, pits and rinds)

• Tea leaves and paper tea bags

• Dairy products (including cheese and yogurt)

• Corn cobs, corn husks and popcorn kernels

• Nuts and nut shells (except black walnut shells)

Pastries, pies, dough and candy

• Bread, tortillas, pasta, rice and cereals

• Herbs and spices

• Eggs and eggshells

• Seeds (including bird seeds)

• Moldy or rotten food

• Pet food

• Meat and seafood (including bones, scales and shells)

next to emagine theater

Bear flag footballers earn state trip

BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR

The White Bear Lake girls flag football team emerged as champion of the district tournament in dramatic fashion at Forest Lake. They’ll play in the state tournament June 8.

The Bears (8-3) opened with a lopsided win over Mt. Iron-Buhl, then tripped top-seeded Mahtomedi 25-12. The Bears and Zephyrs had split two regular season games. Mahtomedi beat Cloquet 32-0 in the first round.

In the finals, the Bears won 13-12 over Forest Lake, a team that beat them twice in the regular season.

Freshman Stella Hemquist returned an interception for a touchdown early in the game, and Chloe Thiessen passed to Elaina Hosfield for the extra point. The Bears gave up two touchdowns but stopped both point-after attempts and trailed 12-7 late in the game.

BEARS SPORTS BRIEFS

BOYS TRACK & FIELD

White Bear Lake was runner-up behind host Stillwater in Section 4AAA, led by triple gold medalist Tomi Animasaun. Animasaun won 110 high hurdles (14.76) and 300 intermediates (38.50). Dashawn Ballinger was second in the 300 (39.61). The Bears won the 4x100 in 43.26 with Animasaun, Brian White, Antonio Brown and Otis Buffalo. Easton Miles won long jump (22-5). Max Popp was second in the 3200 (9:37). All will compete at state Thursday and Saturday at St. Michael-Albertville. Popp placed third in the 1600 (4:32.31), Animasaun third in long jump (21-10), White fourth in the 100 (11.26) and Vincent Kazmierczak fifth in discus (145-11).

GIRLS TRACK & FIELD

White Bear Lake has five state entrants after placing second behind host Stillwater in Section 4AAA. Qualifying with second-place finishes were Madelyn Erickson in discus (115-2) and shot put (38-4 1/2), Piper Heinsohn in 400 dash (57.46), Mabel Nethercut in 1600 run (5:13.99) and Taylor Comer in 300 hurdles (46.27). Other top-five finishes were: Brynn Heinsohn, third, 800 run (2:22.72); Grace Weierke, fourth, 100 dash (12.50); Khloe Pankonien, fourth, triple jump (34-11); Sophie Sargent, fifth, pole vault (8-4); and Pearl Niemioja, fourth, shot put (34-11) with Karen Enow fifth (34-9). The 4x800 team also heads to state, after a sec-

With 1:40 left, Thiessen passed to Sophie Menier, who made a remarkable over-the-head catch while twisting her body, and ran into the end zone for a 13-12 lead. Another interception by Hemquist sealed it.

“We had some injuries during the season but we knew with everyone back, if we played at the level we can, that we could win it,” said coach Taelynn Gittins. “The main thing we worked on was the girls' confidence that they could do it.”

The state tournament

ond place finish (9:49.56) with Logan Bailey, Isla Bloomquist, Grace Laszio and Brynn Heinsohn.

BOYS GOLF

Easton Fiddle, Bear sophomore, placed third in Section 4AAA at Bunker Hills and will go back there June 9-10 for his fourth state tournament. The Bears placed third behind Cretin-Derham Hall and Stillwater. Fiddle shot 72-68-140, two strokes behind the co-medalists from CDH. Grady Giefer placed 10th (73-80-153), Easton Jensen 18th (78-81159) and Cody Olinger, the lone senior, 22nd (75-86161).

GIRLS GOLF

Adelle Blasing and Maddy Vang of White Bear Lake qualified for the state tournament while the Bears placed third in Section 4AAA at Goodrich in St. Paul. Blasing, an eighth-grader, placed fourth with 83-85168. Vang, a senior, placed eighth with 98-88-178. State will be June 9-10 at Coon Rapids. Lilly Maietta was 13th (189) and Mila Palmer 14th (190).

SOFTBALL

White Bear Lake’s season ended with 6-4 loss to Mounds View/Irondale in Section 4AAAA. Lily Martin allowed five hits and struck out 12 but walked seven. Allie Castro knocked in three runs with a double and single. The Bears, defending champions and seeded No. 2, went 2-2 in the section and finished 12-11.

Zephyr tracksters win section, gain state in 8 events

BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR

(21.92) and took second in the 100 (11.06).

will be Monday, June 8, at the Minnesota Vikings  practice facility in Eagan. Flag football is sponsored by the Vikings. Thiessen got the district’s top quarterback award while Marin Peterson and a Forest Lake player were named top defensive players.

Other Bear team members are Natalie Peltier, Katie Koller, Josie Butters-Levahn, Vanessa Fyksen, Katelyn Palmgren, Jordyn Johnson, Jordan Hillestad, Ella Paradis, and Madeline Thompson.

BASEBALL

In Section 4AAAA, White Bear Lake won 7-6 over East Ridge (169), lost to Stillwater 8-3 and beat Roseville Area 4-2. Against East Ridge, Jackson Kolb pitched the distance, with nine strikeouts. Riley Helmberger had a triple and double. Jack Kook and William Connor also had two hits. Kook was the starter against Stillwater and took the loss. Against Roseville, Kolb spun a three-hitter with nine strikeouts. Getting RBI’s were Max Butters (single), Kook (sac fly), Connors (single) and Helmberger (ground out).

GIRLS LACROSSE

White Bear Lake beat Mounds View 19-7 in a Section 4 game at home. The No. 2 seeded Bears (11-3) hosted Gentry Academy on Monday, with the winner advancing to the finals Wednesday against No. 1 Stillwater or Roseville Area at high seed.

BOYS LACROSSE

White Bear Lake defeated Totino-Grace 18-1 in Section 4. Colton Butts had five goals, Gavin Huot three, Wyatt Raleigh three (with seven assists), and Nolan Buetow two. Adrian Eicher had a goal and won 81 percent of face-offs. The No. 2 seeded Bears (12-2) hosted Hill-Murray on Monday, with the winner advancing to the finals Wednesday vs. No. S Stillwater or Centennial at high seed. Bruce Strand

The Mahtomedi boys captured the Section 4AA track-andfield championship and qualified for state in eight events Wednesday and Friday at St. Anthony Village.  Ericdarren Daafour was champion in both long jump (22-3 1/2) and triple jump (45-7 1/2). Jaxon Mitchell won the 200 dash

GIRLS TRACK

Parker Maas won the 800 (1:59.72) and placed second in the 1600 (4:21.20).

Andrew Russell (6-8) and Eliah McCormick (6-4) placed 1-2 in high jump. The 4x100 relay placed first (42.82) with Cael Brummel, Russell, Daafour and Mitchell. All the firsts and seconds advance to state Friday/Saturday at St.

SPORTS BRIEFS

Mahtomedi finished a close second in Section 4AA and qualified for state in five events. Top three teams were Hill-Murray with 144.33, Mahtomedi 142.5 and DeLaSalle 133.66. Mahtomedi had two first places — Giada Garrity in the 400 dash (59.16), and the 4x800 team (10:07.9) with Eloise Taylor, Julia Clayton, Elizabeth Driscoll and Garrity. Placing second were Xiaobao Liang in both the 100 (12.22) and 200 (25.01) dashes and Jacquelyn Worden in shot put (34-2). The Zephyrs scored heavily in relays, also placing second in the 4x400 and third in the 4x100 and 4x200.

BOYS GOLF

Mahtomedi’s Brooks Ashfield and Leo Miller qualified for the state tournament while the Zephyrs placed fourth in the team standings Friday at Bunker Hills.  Ashfield, a junior, tied for sixth place with 74-74-148. Miller, a sophomore, was eighth with 73-78-151. Chace Swanson was 15th with 76-80156 and Malik Washington 20th with

Michael-Albertville.

The Zephyrs placed 4-5-6 in pole vault with Evan Miller (111), McCormick (10-1) and Aidan Carlson (10-1). Placing fourth were Anders Nelson (110 hurdles), Daniel Ruiz (discus), Thomas Bengtson (shot put) and Alexander Hotoveck (high jump).

Top three teams were Mahtomedi with 176, Blake 132 and St. Paul Como Park 114.5.

80-80-160. The state tournament will be June 9-10 at Bunker Hills.

GIRLS GOLF

Mahtomedi junior Reagan Juhl was medalist while Lily Carlson also qualified for state in Section 4AAA at Goodrich in St. Paul. The  Zephyrs totaled 693 and placed second behind Stillwater (672). Juhl shot 78-75-154 and won by three strokes. Carlson, a senior, placed sixth with 88-84-162.The state meet is June 9-10 at Bunker Hills. Sailor Carlson placed 10th (91-91-182) and Lexie McGrane 11th (93-92-195).

BASEBALL

Mahtomedi, defending state Class 3A champion, is one win away from a return trip to state after defeating Minneapolis South 17-0 and Hill-Murray 11-3. The Zephyrs (20-4) will have two chances to win one at Northwestern on Thursday. Against South, Tino Foster, Peyton Erickson and Zach Harrod combined for a five-inning no-hitter. Cody Loida delivered a threerun double and a two-run triple. Isaac Iten had two hits, two walks and four runs. Against Hill-Murray, Connor Finn threw 4 2/3 innings (two runs, 10 strikeouts) and Alex Kurpis finished. Finn had two hits, two walks and two RBI’s. Peyton Whitbeck was 2-for-4 with three RBI’s.

SOFTBALL

Mahtomedi’s season ended with a 7-4 loss to St. Anthony Village. The Zephyrs were 1-2 in the section and 7-15 overall. Kristen Johnson’s two-run homer was the highlight for Mahtomedi. Bruce Strand

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Reagan Juhl

Mahtomedi Golf June 3, 2026

Reagan Juhl, Mahtomedi junior golfer, was individual champion in Section 4AAA, shooting 78-75-154 at Goodrich in St. Paul to win by three strokes. She nailed it down playing even par the last four holes. “Reagan drove the ball very well and did what she always does,” coach Matt Huss said. “She has the great ability of taking the round one shot at a time and always looking forward.” Juhl also placed second in the Metro East Conference individual standings. She is averaging 78 strokes for the season. Next for Juhl is the state meet June 9-10 at Bunker Hills.

ZEPHYRS

CONTRIBUTED

White Bear Lake players and coaches waved No. 1 fingers after edging Forest Lake 13-12 in the finals.

BRUCE STRAND | CONTRIBUTED

Leo Miller is one of four Mahtomedi state qualifiers.