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WINTER CARNIVAL: Klondike Kate hails from White Bear Lake PAGE 5

White Bear Lake High School hosts 36th MLK Holiday Breakfast BY MAYA BETTI NEWS INTERN

White Bear Lake Area High School will be a northeast metro satellite site for the 36th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Breakfast on Monday, Jan. 19, bringing together students and community members for a locally planned program alongside a livestream of the Minneapolis event. The annual breakfast, hosted by General Mills in support of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), will be broadcast from the Minneapolis Convention Center to satellite locations across the region. The local White Bear program and panel discussion were planned by students from the high school’s Black Student Union (BSU) in partnership with three local churches. Attendees are expected to include members of the White Bear Lake Rotary Club, Many Faces White Bear Lake, the White Bear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and local public officials, including Minnesota Senator Heather Gustagason, Mayor Mary Nicklawske and Ramsey County Attorney John Choi. According to the site co-lead, Heidi Vlasak, the event is expected to draw 300 to 350 people. This year’s theme, “Making a Career of Humanity,” is inspired by Dr. King's message: “Commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights. You will make a greater person of yourself, a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in.” The breakfast will begin at 8 a.m. with welcoming remarks from Vlasak, followed by an opening song.

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Hundreds of White Bear Lake Area High School students staged a walk-out and protest march to City Hall and along Highway 61.

High school students find unity in walkout BY SHANNON GRANHOLM AND MAYA BETTI MANAGING EDITOR AND NEWS INTERN

High school students are sharing their voices following the killing of

SEE BREAKFAST, PAGE 14

Renee Nicole Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent. Hundreds of White Bear Lake Area High School students walked out of classes at noon

Friday, Jan. 9 and into the streets of downtown last Friday to protest recent ICE operations in the Twin Cities metro area. Press Publications randomly asked four

students who participated in the walkout if they would agree to being interviewed. These students (two boys and two girls) are not identified SEE WALKOUT, PAGE 7

Mahtomedi’s Birkeland earns 2nd trip to Olympics Giorgia Birkeland, Mahtomedi 2020 graduate, will compete in her second Winter Olympic Games in speed skating in February. Birkeland made the USA Long Track Team in Team Pursuit Skating, in which two teams of three skaters each combine to cover a specific distance. They will compete in Italy in February. Birkeland, incidentally, was born in Italy. In the 2022 Olympics, the White Bear Lake native competed in the Mass Start event in Beijing, China. “As she enters her second Olympic Games, she looks to solidify her legacy in the sport with the women’s team pursuit,” stated Team USA’s press release in their Jan. 6 announcement of the 13 members of the Olympics lineup.

TEAM USA PHOTO | CONTRIBUTED

Giorgia Birkeland will compete in Team Pursuit at the Winter Olympics in Italy.

Athletes qualified through a matrix of performance criteria for direct nomination and performance at the team trials at the Pettit National Ice Center in Milwaukee from January 2-5. Birkeland also just missed qualifying in the 1,500, placing third. Speed skating at the Milano Cortina 2026 Games will take place Feb. 7-21 at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium. The opening ceremonies will be held Feb. 6. In the 2024 World Championships, Birkeland placed fourth in Team Pursuit and ninth in the Mass Start semifinals. In 2023, she earned bronze with Team Pursuit. She has been a member of the Long Track National Team since 2020, living and training in Utah, where she moved immediately after graduation from MHS.

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DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES BRIEFS Take a Kid Ice Fishing Weekend scheduled for Jan. 17-19

Take a Kid Ice Fishing Weekend is a three-day winter event organized by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) that encourages families to enjoy ice fishing together. From Saturday, Jan. 17, through Monday, Jan. 19, Minnesota residents age 16 and older can fish or spear fish without a license as long as they are accompanied by a child age 15 or younger. Youth 15 and younger already fish license-free year-round, but this weekend lets adults

join them without a license, making it easier to introduce kids to ice fishing and spend quality time outdoors. For more information, visit www. dnr.state.mn.us/minnaqua/icefishing/ index.html.

Minnesota DNR looks to fill paid summer internships The Minnesota DNR is looking for students interested in learning more about natural resource-related careers through paid summer intern-

ships. There are a variety of internship opportunities throughout the state, including in fisheries, forestry, park operations, watercraft inspections, communications and more. Interns work 20 to 40 hours per week and receive a competitive wage. To be considered for an internship, applicants must either need to complete an internship to fulfill an academic requirement or receive academic credit for completing the internship. To review the internship opportunities and apply, visit mn.gov/mmb/ careers. The DNR is accepting applications through Feb. 2.

Deer harvest increased in 2025 Deer harvest rose across Minnesota

during the 2025 hunting season. Hunters took 186,203 deer — a 9% increase from 2024 and 5% above the five-year average, according to preliminary data from the DNR. Favorable weather and increased deer activity during the breeding season contributed to hunter success. Archery harvest increased by 8% — crossbows accounted for half of the archery take. Hunters also submitted nearly 14,000 deer samples for chronic wasting disease testing; there were 117 positive detections statewide, most in southeast Minnesota. The DNR invites Minnesotans to submit feedback about their experiences with deer and deer hunting in 2025 via an online questionnaire at mndnr.gov/hunting/deer.

COMMUNITY BRIEFS

849128

Tax help for seniors

AARP TaxAide service will be available at South Shore Trinity Lutheran Church by appointment only, most Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, Feb. 9 through April 14. Service is meant primarily for senior citizens and others with moderate to low income. Appointments can be made beginning Monday, Jan. 26, by calling 651-653-3122. Phones will be staffed from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. weekdays. Calls that go to voicemail will receive callbacks throughout the day. Please leave only one voicemail and do not call the church, as church personnel cannot make appointments.

Parent’s Night Out open to all

St. Stephen Lutheran Church is offering a free child care opportunity to the wider community. Parent’s Night Out is a chance for parents to have an evening to themselves while children receive dinner and participate in activities at the church from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16. The event is open to children ages 2 through fifth grade. Space is limited, and registration is required by calling 651-777-1107. St. Stephen is located at 1965 East County Road E, White Bear Lake. Learn more at ststephenwbl.org.

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WHAT’S HAPPENING • WHAT’S HAPPENING • WHAT’S HAPPENING NE METRO DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. BREAKFAST

WBCA WINTER OPEN HOUSE

When: 8-11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 19 Where: White Bear Lake High School Details: Livestream of Minneapolis MLK event followed by live music and community program and panel led by students from the high school Black Student Union and local churches; other participants include police chief, school and county officials, community and business leaders. Contact: 612-747-5025 or mlkbreakfast.com

When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17 Where: White Bear Center for the Arts, 4917 Long Ave. Details: Make-and-take art projects, sled dogs, facepainting, and hot cocoa. Check website for weather updates. Contact: whitebeararts.org

SPEAKER SERIES: HEALTHY EATING FOR 1 OR 2

COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE

When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15 Where: Vadnais Heights Commons Details: Sign up at redcrossblood.org

WORLD SNOW CELEBRATION

VADNAIS HEIGHTS FOOD SHELF DISTRIBUTION

When: 9-10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 17 and the third Saturday of the month Where: Vadnais Heights Commons, 655 E. County Road F Details: Distribution of food to any family in need and considered low income. May register day of event. Contact: 651-246-3638 or cityvadnaisheights.com/ foodshelf

GO DISCOVER.

CONTRIBUTED

When: Jan. 13-25 Where: Lowell Park, Stillwater Details: The celebration brings together 16

international teams participating in the World Snow Sculpting Championship, along with 13 days of community festivities and cultural experiences. Contact: worldsnowcelebration.com

When: 10-11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20 Where: Vadnais Heights City Hall Details: Learn how to make a meal for 1 or 2 people with dieticians from local senior living communities. Cooking demo, sampling and take-home recipes. Registration requested. Contact: cityvadnaisheights.com/register

TRIVIA BINGO

When: 1-2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20 Where: White Bear Lake Senior Center, 2399 Cedar Ave. Details: Take a nostalgic trip through the 50s, 60s and 70s with a fun twist on the classic game. Call to register. Contact: 651-653-6121

CHECK US OUT! Find complete info at www.isd624.org/ kindergarten FALL ‘26 KINDERGARTEN ENROLLMENT IS NOW OPEN!

WHY BE A BEAR? • Student-centered instruction. We believe all students grow and learn in different ways and at different rates — that all can achieve.

• Expanded academic opportunities.

Video message from WBLAS principals!

Our students explore their interests, excel and design their futures.

• Empowered, supported learning. Students are agents and owners of their learning in an environment that is safe, supportive and challenging — with high expectations for student success.

• Inspiring, nurturing educators. Our educators facilitate learning and challenge students — fostering curiosity and confidence.

• Transformative learning.

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Our flexible learning spaces and learning studios ignite opportunities for communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking.

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JANUARY 14, 2026

Breaking free of my curse

hen I was younger, my mom used to say I was “painfully shy.” It was hard for me to make new friends at school, talk to new people on my gymnastics team and put myself out there. I don’t know why I was so shy. Maybe it was because I was worried to say the “wrong” thing or ask the “wrong” questions when trying to get to know someone. I also think a part of me was scared they would run off to their typical friend group and say I was “strange” or “weird” and never talk to me again. I was shy all throughout middle school and high school. I had a close group of friends, and I was content with my inner circle. During random car ride conversations, it would occasionally come up that when my friends first met me, they couldn’t believe how quiet I Madeline’s was. Honestly, I never knew how to respond to their comments. So, Mail I would smile and say, “My mom Madeline Dolby likes to say I’m ‘painfully shy.’ I’m working on it.” As a freshman in college, I was determined to break out of my comfort zone and make new friends on the track team. It was the first time I didn’t know a single person, not even through a mutual connection. So before practice officially started, I had set a goal for myself. If my new teammates would not approach me, I would approach them and try to start conversation. The first day of practice I introduced myself to Rachel, who was also a freshman and is still one of my closest friends. We had a class together and I recognized her from it. During warm up, I walked up to her and said “Hi, my name is Maddy. I think we’re in the same microeconomics class.” And we’ve been friends ever since. I would love to say from that moment forward I was nothing but a chatterbox, but I was “painfully shy” up until about my sophomore year. I can’t pinpoint the exact moment I no longer was “painfully shy.” Between making new friends on the track team and in my classes, I think my fear of saying the wrong thing or asking the wrong questions disappeared. Honestly, I think the reason I stopped being extremely shy is because I became comfortable with who I am as a person. If someone and I don’t get along, I no longer put all the blame on myself if the conversation is a bit of a disaster or the relationship doesn’t stem into a friendship. Sometimes people’s personalities don’t always match. I realized I am not going to be friends with every single person I meet, and that’s totally okay. Two weeks ago, I was in a New Year’s Eve wedding. I knew three of the nine bridesmaids through mutual connections, but I had never talked to them one-on-one. I knew where the girls lived and what they did for work, but that was about it. It was a bit awkward at first, but by the end of the rehearsal dinner you would have thought we’d been friends our whole lives. What I’ve realized over the years is that growing up is weird. It can be a bit painful at times. But those growing pains can encourage growth and change. If I hadn’t put myself out there and introduced myself to Rachel first, I would’ve never broken free of my “painfully shy” curse. On Friday, students from White Bear Lake Area High School participated in a peaceful protest against the recent ICE raids in Minnesota. As part of their route, they walked down Bloom Avenue. One of the things that crossed through my mind was how much courage it took some of the students to stand up for what they believe in, even if some of their other classmates or even friends decided not to participate. Madeline Dolby is editor of the Quad Community Press. Distributed weekly in: White Bear Lake • White Bear Township • Mahtomedi Birchwood • Dellwood • Willernie • Gem Lake Pine Springs • Portions of Grant • Vadnais Heights

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Talking responsible AI use with University of Minnesota

ov. 30 marked the three year anniversary of ChatGPT — its launch changed the way everyday people access and interact with Generative AI (GenAI). People use GenAI for both academic and personal reasons — like grammar editing, note taking, meal planning and activity scheduling — to name just a few examples. Understanding how to be an effective and responsible user of GenAI is important not just for students, but for anyone who uses these tools. Lindsay Matts-Benson, Movers & teaching and learnShakers ing program lead at University of MinLindsay nesota Libraries, questions Matts-Benson answers about how you can be a better user of GenAI.

Q: What are some ethical concerns adults may have when using AI in daily life? A: The balance between protecting privacy and sharing information with the tool is one concern. There is not a lot of transparency as to what is powering many of these tools and what information is collected about users. For example, there are tools that can take a photo and turn it into various cartoon-style images. But there’s not a lot of transparency around what is done with the uploaded photos and that could be an ethical

consideration. Is using a cool tool worth losing privacy and agency over our own information? This also goes for GenAI tools for legal documents and health information. Adults may have concerns about the environmental impact of AI tools and the potential construction of data centers in their communities. I think adults are also aware of the potential malicious use of AI to create harmful viral or biased content. Q: What tips do you have for people to ensure they are using AI responsibly? A: All users of AI should understand what GenAI tools learn from — what is in the data set. This data set doesn’t include all of the available information, but instead a curated collection of resources that can consciously exclude information. That can lead to one-sided or biased answers. GenAI output is just a game of probability — coming up with the most likely response based on what the system knows. Sometimes the responses make sense and other times they are like word salad. Most of all, I think folks need to consider when it is appropriate to use AI and what is okay to upload into a tool. AI tools aren’t the best for diagnosing medical issues or addressing mental health concerns. The best thing to do to be a responsible user of AI is to think about the why — why would I use AI for this, and why is AI the route to go? Q: How can people identify if AI-generated information is true and reliable? A: While there are some things that are very clearly AI-generated,

it is getting harder to discern what is real. I ask myself a few questions when I’m trying to figure out if something is true and reliable. How plausible is the thing that I’m reading or watching? Can I find this information in multiple places from identifiable sources? What information is backing up the claims in the content — is there evidence and citations? Is this a balanced or biased perspective on the topic? For videos, just remember that you know more about the real world than AI does. Do the things in the video move naturally? Does the background repeat itself on a loop? Are there nonsensical elements? Look for watermarks of AI creation tools on videos and watch for audio syncing issues. GenAI has a difficult time generating signs and text in images, so look for misspellings or words that don’t make sense. Q: What are the most common ethical dilemmas students run into when using GenAI? A: Students see this presumed efficiency of GenAI for completing certain coursework and have to strike the balance of completing assignments and the idea of experiencing the subject matter. This adds to the question of what learning experiences are appropriate for GenAI use. GenAI can augment the learning experience, but can’t learn things for you, and sometimes its responses are incorrect or inefficient. Lindsay Matts-Benson is the teaching and learning program lead at University of Minnesota Libraries.

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WHITE BEAR/VADNAIS HEIGHTS PRESS

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Misdeeds and mischief As a senior resident in Birchwood, I always look forward to sitting down with tea, chocolate and my weekly White Bear Press. It starts off sadly, as I usually flip to the obituaries to see which friend or neighbor has passed away. However, I have broken that habit. I am so charmed and amused by the reporting of Loretta Harding in the Cops and Courts section that I eagerly read that section first. Crime and misfortune are serious stuff, but Loretta’s humorous descriptions of minor offenses are hilarious. The Case of the Temperamental Turtle is a comedic delight! Keep your crime tales coming, Loretta! I’m a fan! Mary Sue Simmons Birchwood

Our dear Bernice I saw our dear Bernice on the front page of the White Bear Press — we are so thrilled!! Thank you so much for honoring our sweet resident in such a lovely way. We can't wait to share it with our whole community. Thanks again so much for sending your photographer (Paul Dols). He did a great job capturing our residents and their joy in celebrating with Bernice. Enjoying the synchronicity with our Bernices: your fabulous VW van and our 102-year-old female Marine. I love it! Sara Ring The Lodge at White Bear

Show up, get answers Over five years have passed since White Bear Lake Area Schools received approval for a large building bond by a narrow margin. Despite the rhetoric you may hear from board members and the administration, it was not widely supported by the community. The vote was only 57.4% in favor of the building bond.

NAMES IN THE NEWS To make matters worse, there have been numerous changes that were not part of the original presentation. Based on “Twelve Facts Every Voter Should Know,” the combined high school could work with existing district property. Instead, the final project required the district to buy multiple neighboring homes as well as move the district transportation center. The transportation center not only required unnecessary construction dollars to be spent but has caused long-term expenses because the new facility is no longer centrally located. The bond was passed at $326 million, yet Kraus-Anderson published the project at a price tag of $463 million. That is almost 50% more than taxpayers expected. The high school alone was $226 million, which includes a significant amount of sports fields and facilities. I have nothing against athletics, but that shouldn’t be the focus of these projects. When presenting updates, the focus has been on pictures and not the price tag. Although the school board has voted on numerous contracts, I haven’t seen a single presentation that includes whether projects were completed as budgeted. Dan Skaar has asked for these numbers and been told they aren’t available. Seeing as numerous projects are completed, I see no valid reason there wouldn’t be numbers available for those. Taxpayers deserve to know where our money is going, and that it is being used in a fiscally responsible way. It’s time for Tim Wald, Andi Johnson and the rest of the administration to provide transparency to the taxpayers. Some school board members seem to think it isn’t necessary unless we ask questions, so it’s time for community members to make their voices heard. Show up to a school board meeting (usually the second Monday of each month) or send an email. It's time for answers. Rebekah Bradfield White Bear Lake

Moment for care, kindness

Many people in our community are experiencing uncertainty and change right now. Many Faces is a collaboration of local organizations that brings people together to listen, learn and share the stories of our community. Our work centers on understanding one another across different experiences and perspectives. We believe this is a moment that asks for care and attention, and for kindness toward one another. Sara Nephew Birchwood Many Faces Board Member

Thank you for letters Thank you to the residents of White Bear who are questioning the fiscal responsibility and results received for our tax dollars. Kristi Swanson slammed it out of the park this week questioning the school board. Thank you, Jennifer Thayer, for your comments on public dialogue. Previously, one school board member, Dan Skaar, questioned Tim Wald, assistant for finance and operations for our school district, questioning his numbers. One school board member with little or no support from other board members raised concerns. Where is the superintendent for finance and operations? Thank you to Michael McCurdy and Pat Kolb for speaking at the City Council meeting. Our government and school districts rely on tax dollars from its residents and need to use them responsibly. I can see my street is plowed, emergencies are handled, and lots of new equipment and facilities but all I see are “Big Beautiful” school facilities producing average results. Gregg “Whitie” Johnson White Bear Lake

White Bear Lake resident Ruby Ericson has been named Klondike Kate of the Saint Paul Winter Carnival. She had beauty and charm, and she struck it rich in the Gold Rush of 1898 as the most famous Dance Hall girl in the north. She so charmed the legions of miners that they showered her with gold dust and nuggets, nicknaming her "Klondike Kate." In 1971, a contest was initiated for choosing a new Kate each year, but she became so in demand that past Klondike Kate Contest winners continue to perform to fulfill more performances. She has since become Saint Paul's ST. PAUL WINTER CARNIVAL | CONTRIBUTED Ruby Ericson mistress of fun, frivolity and good fellowship, and her role in the Saint Paul Winter Carnival Legend is to bring song, fun and merriment to all activities. This year’s Klondike Kate, Ericson, has always enjoyed entertaining through dance, singing and acting, as she started at a young age. She joined Sweet Adelines International in 1987 and continues to perform with them. Ericson sings in a contemporary ensemble through church. She has worked as a karaoke host and for Eastern Onion, performing singing telegrams. She has also performed in many community theater productions, including musicals. Ericson has been a member of the local VFW Auxiliary since 2006. The 140th celebration of the Saint Paul Winter Carnival presented will take place Jan. 22 through Feb. 1. For more information, please visit wintercarnival.com. White Bear Center of the Arts (WBCA) has announced the retirement of Development Manager Lori Swanson after a decade of service to the organization. A community celebration in Swanson's honor is planned from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, at WBCA, 4971 Long Avenue, White Bear Lake. All are welcome and no CONTRIBUTED RSVP is necessary. Lori Swanson (right)

White Bear Lake Area Church Directory Sunday Worship Join us on Sunday:

10:15 am in-person Worship Livestreaming on and Live-streaming on YouTube: YouTube:FPCWBL FPCWBL 787260

836604

Children 5 years to 5th grade may participate in Children’s Church during worship.

5th and Bloom Ave, White Bear Lake • 651-429-3381 • www.fpcwbl.org 5th and Bloom Ave, White Bear Lake • 651-429-3381• www.fpcwbl.org

Worship: Sunday, 9am & 10:30am Wednesday, 6:30pm Daily prayer meetings and Spiritual Growth classes throughout the week. Call the church office for more information.

2425 White Bear Avenue • Maplewood • 651-777-5200

Christ the Servant Lutheran Church

787263

LUTHERAN CHURCH

Christ the King Lutheran Church

Join our Community! Saturday 4:00pm Sunday 9:00am Sunday soCOOL ~ for ALL ages Education Hour Sunday 10:15am

2480 South Shore Blvd | WBL | sstwbl.org

office@ctkwbl.org | 651-429-4828

Reconciliation: Wednesday 5:00-5:45 PM, Thursday 8:45-9:15 AM, Saturday 3:15-3:35 PM, Sunday 6:00-6:20 PM

794438

(Just off Hwy 96 & Otter Lake Road)

848716

CHURCH OF ST. PIUS X

3878 Highland Avenue White Bear Lake • 651-429-5337 www.churchofstpiusx.org Masses: Sunday 9:30 AM & 6:30 PM, Monday, Thursday, & Friday, 8:00 AM, Wednesday 6:00 PM, Saturday 4:00 PM

1660 Birch Lake Ave., White Bear Lake

9 am worship in person & online at www.ctkwbl.org.

842779

Masses: Saturday - 5:00 PM Livestream Sunday - 9:00 & 11:00 AM

831310

785863 764532

1851 Birch St | WBL 55110 | wblumc.org

Sout h Shor e Tr inity

651-429-7771 Opt 1 www.stmarys-wbl.org

Service times are subject to change. Contact your local church or check church web sites for service times and online service information.

9am Traditions | 10am online | 10:45am New Crossings 831312

818979

All Are Welcome!

Church: 4741 Bald Eagle Avenue, White Bear Lake Parish Life Center/School: 4690 Bald Eagle Avenue, White Bear Lake

Pl ve re

All Are Welcome!

3676 Centerville Road, Vadnais Heights, MN 55127 www.cslcvh.org / 651-429-6595 Sunday 9:00 AM worship in person/on-line Adult Bible Study 8:00 AM

rlcstpaul

751042

847494

redeeminglovechurch.com

6 WHITE BEAR/VADNAIS HEIGHTS PRESS

COPS&COURTS www.presspubs.com

JANUARY 14, 2026

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

• Deputies were called Dec. 7 after a truck was driven over a yard near the intersection of Belland Avenue and Arcade Street, causing damage. Deputies spoke to the complainant, who said he’s already been in touch with the person who caused the damage, and the issue had been worked out. • Deputies issued a citation Dec. 7 for driving after revocation to a 28-year old St. Paul man near the intersection of Highway 61 and County Road E East. • Deputies arrested a 22-year-old man from Minneapolis for DWI Dec. 7 in the 3200 block of Highway 61 after he performed poorly on field sobriety tests during a traffic stop. • On Tuesday, Dec. 9 a caller in the 3900 block of Clover Avenue reported hearing two dogs barking for 20 to 30

minutes. An animal control officer responded, and the dogs were not barking. • Deputies arrested a 40-year-old woman from St. Paul Dec. 9 for arson after responding to a domestic in the 800 block of Heritage Court West and learning she had tried to set the house on fire by igniting clothing, which was extinguished by other people in the residence. • Deputies responded Dec. 10 to a crash in the 3600 block of Edgerton Street between a Jeep and a truck owned by the city of Vadnais Heights. Deputies called medics for one of the drivers. • Deputies issued a trespass notice Dec. 10 to a 45-year-old man from Mahtomedi after he was found sleeping in the lobby of a private building in the 1200 block of County Road D. • A 34-year-old woman from St. Francis reported Dec. 10 that someone stole her belongings out of a rented room at a hotel in the 1100 block of County Road E East. Deputies collected evidence and information. The incident

is under investigation. • An 83-year-old man in the 4100 block of Thornhill Lane reported Dec. 10 that someone had used his debit card without his permission to make cash withdrawals at a Target and Cub Foods. The incident is under investigation. • Deputies issued a theft citation Dec. 11 to a 50-year-old woman and a 34-yearold man, both from Maplewood, after store employees at a business in the 800 block of County Road E East caught them attempting to leave the business without paying for merchandise. • Deputies issued a theft citation Dec. 11 to a 24-year-old Minneapolis woman after a loss prevention employee at a business in the 800 block of County Road E East caught her attempting to leave the store without paying for more than $90 worth of merchandise. • Deputies issued a trespass notice Dec. 12 to a 20-year-old woman from Minneapolis after a gas station manager in the 3200 block of Highway 61

said she stole merchandise from the store and sat in a pickup truck in the parking lot.

White Bear Township

• Deputies arrested a 38-year-old White Bear Lake woman Dec. 7 for drunk driving after pulling her over near the intersection of Otter Lake Road and Whitaker Street for expired registration and having noticed signs of possible impairment. • Deputies issued a trespassing notice and a theft citation Dec. 11 to a 23-year-old man from Farmington after he was caught by a grocery store employee in the 1000 block of Meadowlands Drive leaving the store without paying for flowers and a candy bar. • A 37-year-old man in the 5400 block of Jefferson Court reported Dec. 13 that his neighbor’s dog ran into his yard several times and aggressively growled at him. A deputy noted the concerns in a report and forwarded the case to an animal control officer.

WASHINGTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORTS The Washington County Sheriff’s Office reported the following selected calls for service in Birchwood Village, Dellwood, Grant, Mahtomedi, Pine Springs and Willernie:

Birchwood Village

• Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched out to Wildwood Avenue Nov. 13 about a bicyclist and motorist dispute after the vehicle passed the bike. Both upset parties called each other out about their conduct on the roadway. The driver reamed the biker about being in the middle of the roadway, and the biker accused the driver of trying to wipe her off the planet. The roadway was narrow, and deputies cleared the call unable to determine which side held the higher claim.

Dellwood

• Deputies were called out Nov. 10 to an address on Dellwood Avenue to check on a person selling magazines.

Grant

• Deputies on patrol at 12:30 a.m. Nov. 23 approached a vehicle parked in the Mahtomedi High School parking lot in the 8000 block of 75th Street N. and learned the occupant was returning items to the school following a performance that evening. • The right rear driver’s side tire was reported Nov. 25 for falling off a vehicle in the 9000 block of Manning

White Bear Lake Rotary ACADEMIC ACHIEVER Isabella (Bella) Dahlen

Mahtomedi

• An Iris Street resident on Nov. 13 reported two elderly females for ringing her doorbell and saying, “I’m more afraid than anything,” before leaving in a vehicle driven by another person. The complainant surmised the ladies were either being kidnapped or were Jehovah’s Witnesses. Or they could have been canvassing the neighborhood to make social commentary. • An employee at the Fed Ex facility on Long Lake Road reported a gas tank for falling out of a vehicle Nov. 13 and spilling gasoline all over the parking lot. • A motorist with Illinois plates was reported at 9:32 a.m. Nov. 17 for driving the wrong way up Old Wildwood Road and making suspicious “porch pirate” stops at every house along the way. Deputies spoke to the subject, now located on Arcwood Road, who said she was handing out absentee ballots. As deputies found no evidence of misbehavior, the excuse became the last word, even though the incident occurred two weeks after the last election of the year in the city. • A resident in the 1000 block of Park Avenue at 8:35 p.m. Nov. 23 reported teenagers persisting in dingdong-ditching her house. She had video footage of the teens, which helped deputies locate them in a nearby neighborhood. Deputies advised the teens to stop or be brought home in shame to mom and dad. Deputies found the same juveniles again reported for ding-dong-ditching at 8:49 p.m. that same evening near Warner Avenue N. and Hickory Street and gave them a talking to. At 8:29 p.m. Nov. 26, deputies took a report of juveniles throwing snowballs at cars and spoke to them as well. Deputies said these were children with whom they had had contact with many times in the past for various things, and that they’d had many chats with their parents at home about these same behaviors. • Deputies responded to a Nov. 25 report of an intoxicated person walking in the roadway on

Otter Lake Elementary

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Bella Dahlen is a 5th-grader at Otter Lake Elementary and has been selected as this year’s Academic Achiever. Bella sets a positive example by following classroom expectations and demonstrating empathy for her peers. Bella is also a member of the Otter Lake Student Ambassador program and has participated in several service learning projects. Bella sets goals for herself and works hard to achieve them. Her favorite subject in school is literature. Outside of school, Bella is active in soccer. She enjoys baking, planning, and journaling.

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JANUARY 14, 2026 www.presspubs.com

WHITE BEAR/VADNAIS HEIGHTS PRESS

COUNTY BRIEF

Richard “Dick” Wicklund

Betty Lou Goodale

Passed away Jan. 3, 2026. Preceded in death by wife, Jane Wicklund. Survived by nieces and nephews, Karen (Jeffrey) Brabant, Gail (Chauncy) Durdin, Anita (Joe) Knapp, Barbara (Armond) Stelli, Elizabeth (Doug) Pohl; and many other family and friends. Services to come spring 2026. Honsa Family Funeral Home.

81, departed this life on January 9, 2026. She was with her sisters and under the care of the team at Oak Park Senior Living and St. Croix Hospice. Prior to moving, she resided in Highland Park where she enjoyed her bungalow home and profuse garden. Betty cultivated life long friendships and was an active member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church from childhood. She retired after over 40 years serving as a legal assistant with Robins, Kaplan, LLC. Outside of work, she was always supportive of all things Minnesota, especially the sports teams. Her ready smile and loving nature will be missed. She is survived by sisters Gloria (Richard) Wachtler and Sharon (Richard) Gilbert; niece Susan Wachtler; and a great niece Hannah Newberry. Funeral Services will be at Honsa Family Funeral Home, 2460 East County Road E, White Bear Lake, MN on Thursday, January 15, 2026 with visitation at 10:00 am and service at 11:00 am. Interment will be in Evergreen Memorial Gardens, Mahtomedi, MN. Arrangements with Honsa Family Funeral, 651429-6172.

Age 73 of White Bear Township. Survived by wife Mary & son John. Gathering Wednesday, January 14, 2026 from 1:00-3:00 pm at MUELLER MEMORIAL, 4738 Bald Eagle Avenue, White Bear Lake. 651-429-4944.

Shelly Tripp Passed peacefully at home surrounded by family on January 6, 2026 at the age of 57 years. Gathering of family & friends Thursday, January 15, 2026 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at MUELLER MEMORIAL, 4738 Bald Eagle Avenue, White Bear Lake. Muellermemorial.com 651-429-4944

Carole Ann Bjornson “Viking Lady” Age 82 of Hugo Passed away on January 7, 2026 at Gable Pines in Vadnais Heights. Carole was born on Novemeber 5, 1943 in Owattona, MN. She received her Master’s in Education from MN State University, Mankato. Carole spent her career as a teacher at Gulfview and Otter Lake Elementaries. She was very hardworking and cared for all of her students. She loved to spend her free time gardening, reading, and of course watching the MN Vikings. Carole was adventurous, witty, and sarcastic in the best way. Preceded in death by her parents, Alfred & Alice (Gerns) Jacobsen; husband, Glen Bjornson; sister, Mary Alice Krick (Jacobsen); niece, Natalie Krick. Survived by son, Bart Bjornson; daughter-inlaw, Annette Bjornson (Tuckner); granddaughter, Emma Bjornson; nephews, Shane and Lafe Krick; niece, Rachel Bumgarner; best friend, Karen Colwell (Rice). Celebration of Life will be held from 5-8pm on Friday, January 16, 2026 at Mueller Memorial, 4738 Bald Eagle Ave, White Bear Lake. Memorials preferred to Catholic Charities Twin Cities. Mueller Memorial, 651-429-4944 www.muellermemorial.com

Washington County residents are invited to choose a name for two county snowplows from the 1,400 submissions received. The submissions have been narrowed to 10 finalists. The voting form will be open until Friday, Jan. 23. The two names with the most votes will be announced as the winners at the end of January. Vote at https://www. surveymonkey.com/r/WCNameAPlowFinalist

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students’ artwork which will be on display in the Community Hall until January 23rd. We invite you to go to the White Bear Center For the Arts, 4971 Long Avenue in White Bear Lake, to help us celebrate what a 7th graders vision of a united world looks like!

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students at Central Middle School, under art teacher Carrie Reisdorfer, participated in the contest and created some remarkable peace poster creations. This year the White Bear Lions, Central Middle School and Karna Holub of The White Bear Center For the Arts partnered to put on a display of the

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The theme for the 20252026 International Lions International Peace Poster Contest is Together As One. This year, they are inviting students ages 11 – 13 around the world to envision what can happen when a diverse group of people unites around a common cause or goal. Once again, the 7th grade

PUBLIC NOTICES

10 WHITE BEAR PRESS

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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: Blue Elm Talent Partners 2. The street address of the principal place of business is or will be: 1760 Elm Street 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. Scharff Enterprises LLC 1760 Elm Street 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: December 30, 2025 Signed: Sarah Scharff, Managing Partner Published two times in the White Bear Press on January 14 and 21, 2026.

make a recommendation to the City Council on the following requests: A. Case No. 26-2-CUP: The applicant, St Anne’s Academy, is requesting a conditional use permit amendment, per code section 1305.060.7, in order to construct a new building to relocate and expand the number of classrooms on site at the property located at 2445 County Rd E. B. Case No. 26-4-CUP: The applicant, White Bear Lake Area Schools, is requesting a conditional use permit amendment, per code section, 1305.060.7, in order to expand the parking lot at White Bear Lake Area High School located at 5045 Division Avenue. C. Case No. 26-5-CUP: The applicant, White Bear Lake Area Schools, is requesting a conditional use permit amendment, per code section 1305.060.7, in order to expand the parking lot at the Sunrise District Center located at 2399 Cedar Avenue. Unless continued by the Planning Commission, these items will be heard by the City Council on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. Comments may be presented at the public hearing or filed with the Planning Department until 12:00 p.m. on the Thursday before the hearing in order to be included in the packets. Each response will be considered before the Planning Commission makes a recommendation to the City Council. If there are questions concerning the application, please call the City’s Planning Department at (651) 429-8561. Caley Longendyke, City Clerk Published one time in theCITY WhiteOF Bear Press on January 14, 2026. WILLERNIE 2026 MINNESOTA CITY SUMMARY BUDGET DATA

CITY OF WILLERNIE

OFFICE OF THE MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE

A REPORT ON MINNESOTA CITY BUDGETS FOR ALL GOVERNMENTAL 2026 MINNESOTA CITY SUMMARY BUDGET DATA FUNDS FOR WHICH ANNUAL BUDGETS HAVE BEEN ADOPTED

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: You’re Right to Repair 2. The street address of the principal place of business is or will be: 2499 ALBERT ST N ROSEVILLE MN 55113 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. Dosh LLC 2499 ALBERT ST N ROSEVILLE MN 55113 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: December 31, 2025 Signed: Gregory Dosh Published two times in the White Bear Press on January 7 and 14, 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: Joie Lesin 2. The street address of the principal place of business is or will be: 1769 Lexington Ave N, PMB 248, Roseville, MN 55113 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. Joy Elizabeth Nisell 1769 Lexington Ave N, PMB 248, Roseville, MN 55113 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: December 22, 2025 Signed: Joy Elizabeth Nisell Published two times in the White Bear Press on January 14 and 21, 2026.

A REPORT ON MINNESOTA CITY BUDGETS FOR ALL GOVERNMENTAL FUNDS FOR WHICH ANNUAL BUDGETS HAVE BEEN ADOPTED

REVENUES

2025 ORIGINAL 2025 AMENDED 2026 BUDGET BUDGET BUDGET __________________________________________________________________________

Property Taxes 394,343 All Other Taxes 2,300 Licenses and Permits 22,110 State General Purpose Aid 77,844 State Categorical Aid Charges for Services 10,600 Fines and Fees 3,800 Interest on Investments 1.400 Miscellaneous Revenues 2,000 TOTAL REVENUES 514,397 Transfers from Other Funds TOTAL REVENUES AND OTHER FINANCING SOURCES 514,397 EXPENDITURES (EXCLUDE CAPITAL OUTLAY) General Government 200,035 Public Safety 91,329 Streets and Highways 229,074 Sanitation Culture and Recreation 10,000 Miscellaneous Current Expenditures 1,900 TOTAL CURRENT EXPENDITURES 532,338 Capital Outlay TOTAL EXPENDITURES AND OTHER FINANCING USES 532,338 INCREASE (DECREASE) IN FUNDS (17,941)

408,145 2,300 22,730 77,996 10,600 3,900 6,580 10,000 542,251 542,251 216,725 103,609 173,499 10,000 1,900 505,733 505,733 36,518

Victoria R. Keating, Clerk-Treasurer Victoria R. Keating, Clerk-Treasurer Published one time in the White Bear Press on January 14, 2026. PUBLISHED IN THE WHITE BEAR PRESS, JANUARY 14, 2026

WHITE BEAR LAKE AREA SCHOOLS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT #624

NOTICE TO BIDDERS Independent School District #624, White Bear Lake Area Schools, White Bear Lake, Minnesota, will receive sealed bids for: PARTIAL ROOF REPLACEMENT WHITE BEAR LAKE AREA SCHOOLS – MARINER MIDDLE SCHOOL ROOF AREAS G, H, I, J, J1, & L 3551 MCKNIGHT RD. N WHITE BEAR LAKE, MN 55110 City of Grant Until 2:00 P.M. February 2, 2026, at the White Bear Lake Area Schools, CITY OF GRANT 2026 Minnesota City Summary Budget Data Sunrise Park, 2399 Cedar Avenue, White Bear Lake, Minnesota 55110 at 2026 MINNESOTA CITY SUMMARY BUDGET DATA A report on Minnesota City Budgets forgovernmental all governmental funds which which time and place all bids will be opened and read aloud in the board A report on Minnesota City Budgets for all funds for for which room. Bidders are invited to attend. Bids received after 2:00 P.M. will be annual budgets have been adopted. annual budgets have been adopted. returned unopened. A Pre-bid meeting will be held at White Bear Lake Area Schools – Mariner Revenues 2025 Budget 2026 Budget Middle School, 3551 McKnight Road N, White Bear Lake, MN at 11:00 AM on Property Taxes $1,507,910 $1,715,836 January 21, 2026. All Other Taxes $110,507 $139,460 Bids shall be upon bid forms provided within specifications. No oral, Special Assessments $20,000 $20,000 telegraphic, or telephonic proposals or modifications will be considered. Licenses and Permits $171,350 $151,450 Separate envelopes containing bids must be sealed, marked (PARTIAL State Categorial Aid $63,082 $74,315 ROOF REPLACEMENT WHITE BEAR LAKE AREA SCHOOLS – MARINER Grants from County $8,166 $8,000 MIDDLE SCHOOL) with the name and address of the bidder and the date Charges for Services $100 $40 and hour of the opening, addressed to Kevin Fernandez, Director of Building Operations. Fines and Forfeits $10,000 $10,000 The complete form shall be without alterations, additions, or erasures, all Interest on $90,000 $90,000 bids must be on a lump sum basis. White Bear Lake Area Schools reserves Investments the right to accept or reject any or all bids or parts of such bids and to waive Miscellaneous $11,000 $11,000 any informalities or irregularities in bidding. Revenues Bidding documents, including the Bid Form, Drawings and Specifications, Total Revenues $1,992,115 $2,220,101 will be available upon request by email to Andrea Noonan, RSI Building Total Revenues and Envelope andien@roofspec.com. The copies will be available January 7, other 2026. The following information must accompany the request: Contact name, Financing Sources $1,992,115 $2,220,101 email, Company name, mailing address, street address, and phone numbers. Expenditures Hard copy sets will also be available for pick up upon request. General Government $350,044 $405,479 Each Bidder must accompany his bid with a Cashier’s Check, Bid Bond, or Certified Check equal to 5% of the total amount of the Bid payable to Public Safety $800,543 $728,818 Independent School District #624 as a guarantee of prompt execution of the Streets and Highways $784,023 $968,122 contract in accordance with the Proposal and Contract Documents. Sanitation $93,408 $96,210 The successful bidder will be required to furnish satisfactory Labor and Miscellaneous $30,448 $29,918 Material Payment Bond, and Performance Bond. Total Current Bids may not be withdrawn within sixty (60) days after the scheduled time Expenditures $2,058,466 $2,228,547 of opening bids, without the consent of the School Board of Independent Debt Service-Principal 0 0 School District #624 of Minnesota. Interest/Fiscal Charges 0 0 Published two times in the White Bear Press on January 7 and 14, 2026.

Total Expenditures and Other Financing Uses Increase (Decrease) In Fund Balance

$2,058,466

$2,228,547

($66,351)

($8,446)

Kristina Handt, Administrator/Clerk

Kristina Handt Published one time in the White Bear Press on January 14, 2026. Administrator/Clerk

CITY OF WHITE BEAR LAKE

PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE The City of White Bear Lake Planning Commission will hold a public hearing in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 4701 Highway 61, White Bear Lake, Minnesota on Monday, January 26, 2026 beginning at 7:00 p.m. to hear and

WHITE BEAR LAKE AREA SCHOOLS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT #624

JANUARY 14, 2026

room. Bidders are invited to attend. Bids received after 2:00 P.M. will be returned unopened. A Pre-bid meeting will be held at White Bear Lake Area Schools – Sunrise Park 2399 Cedar Avenue, White Bear Lake, MN at 10:00 AM on January 21, 2026. Bids shall be upon bid forms provided within specifications. No oral, telegraphic, or telephonic proposals or modifications will be considered. Separate envelopes containing bids must be sealed, marked (PARTIAL ROOF REPLACEMENT WHITE BEAR LAKE AREA SCHOOLS – SUNRISE PARK) with the name and address of the bidder and the date and hour of the opening, addressed to Kevin Fernandez, Director of Building Operations. The complete form shall be without alterations, additions, or erasures, all bids must be on a lump sum basis. White Bear Lake Area Schools reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids or parts of such bids and to waive any informalities or irregularities in bidding. Bidding documents, including the Bid Form, Drawings and Specifications, will be available upon request by email to Andrea Noonan, RSI Building Envelope andien@roofspec.com. The copies will be available January 7, 2026. The following information must accompany the request: Contact name, email, Company name, mailing address, street address, and phone numbers. Hard copy sets will also be available for pick up upon request. Each Bidder must accompany his bid with a Cashier’s Check, Bid Bond, or Certified Check equal to 5% of the total amount of the Bid payable to Independent School District #624 as a guarantee of prompt execution of the contract in accordance with the Proposal and Contract Documents. The successful bidder will be required to furnish satisfactory Labor and Material Payment Bond, and Performance Bond. Bids may not be withdrawn within sixty (60) days after the scheduled time of opening bids, without the consent of the School Board of Independent School District #624 of Minnesota. Published two times in the White Bear Press on January 7 and 14, 2026.

INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 832 MAHTOMEDI, MN 55115

MINUTES DECEMBER 15, 2025 A Regular Meeting of the Board of Education of Mahtomedi Public Schools was held December 15, 2025, beginning at 7:00 PM.- CALL TO ORDERMeeting was called to order by Chair Stacey Stout at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL OF ATTENDANCE- Present: Ryan Domin, Paul Donna, Jenny Peterson, Kelly Reagan, Stacey Stout and Drew Whitson. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDAPeterson motioned, Reagan seconded, Approval of the Consent Agenda. Carried 6-0. Kelly Reagan left meeting at 7:20 p.m. ACTION ITEMS –A.) Approval of Donations/Grants for October 2025 totaling $36,961.24 and November 2025 Totaling $100,734.13. Peterson motioned, Domin seconded, Approval of Donations/Grants for October 2025 totaling $36,961,24 and November 2025 Totaling $100,734.13. Carried 5-0. B.) Truth-in-Taxation Presentation Hearing. Tim Erickson, Director of Business Services, presented to the School Board the Truth and Taxation for taxes payable in 2026, funding the 2026-2027 School Year. Erickson reviewed the levy deadline process that included notifying MDE with election results, the deadline for Schools to adopt the final property tax levy and submitting the Certificate of Truth in Taxation Compliance to the Department of Revenue by December 30. Domin motioned, Whitson seconded; Approval to Certify Pay Levy 2025-2026. Carried 5-0.C.) Approval of Resolution Stating The Intention of the School District To Issue General Obligation School Building Bonds, Series 2026A, In The Maximum Aggregate Principal Amount of $28,535,000; And Taking Other Actions With Respect Thereto. Jody Zesbaugh, Senior Municipal Advisor from Ehlers Financials Inc, walked through the Presale Report with the School Board. The recommendation is to split with two issuances on January 5, 2026, being the date to go out for bid at a 4.5% rate or less. The school board gave directions to change the date after January 5 with two issuances. Domin motioned, Peterson seconded, Approval of Resolution Stating The Intention of the School District To Issue General Obligation School Building Bonds, Series 2026A, In The Maximum Aggregate Principal Amount of $28,535,000; And Taking Other Actions With Respect Thereto. Carried 5-0. ADJOURNMENT - Domin motioned, Peterson seconded, Adjournment. Carried 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 8:34 p.m. Submitted by Paul Donna, Acting Clerk. A full version of the minutes are available at www.mahtomedi.k12.mn.us. Published one time in the White Bear Press on January 14, 2026.

WHITE BEAR LAKE AREA SCHOOLS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT 624

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS White Bear Lake Area Schools is accepting sealed bids for construction of the Oneka Elementar y – 2026 Chiller Replacement Project at Oneka Elementary School in Hugo, Minnesota. Bids will be received at The District Office o f the White Bear Lake Area Schools at 2399 Cedar Avenue, White Bear Lake, MN 55110, Attention: Kevin Fernandez, until 2:00 PM (local time) on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, in accordance with the specifications set forth herein and the “other” terms, conditions and instructions to the specifications. At that time all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. All bids received after the time stated will not be considered. The bidder assumes the risk of any delay in the mail or on the handling of mail by employees of the school district. Whether the bid is sent by mail or by means of personal delivery, the bidder assumes responsibility for having their bid clocked in on time at the place specified. Fax or telephone amendments will not be accepted at any time. Bidders shall submit bids in duplicate on the forms provided in the Project Manual. No oral, facsimile or telephone bids or modifications of bids will be accepted. All sealed bids are to be labeled with the project name. The Project consists of the Mechanical/Electrical and General Construction work required to replace the existing air-cooled chiller located on grade within an enclosure and any pump and hydronic piping work shown and identified in the documents at the Oneka Elementary School. You may view and order bid documents by going to the Franz Reprographics web site at www.franzrepro.com , and selecting the Franz Public Plan Room. Please login with your email address and password or Register if this is your first time in the Plan Room. Select the project from the list of public projects. Once you have selected the project, please review the Bid Details for information on ordering documents. Each bidder shall submit with the bid, a cashier’s check or bid bond, made payable to White Bear Lake Area Schools, in the amount of five percent (5%) of the maximum amount of its bid. All vendors entering into a contract with the District for $10,000 or more are to provide a Labor and Material Payment and Performance Bonds for 100% of the contract. Bonds must be furnished within 10 days of notice of award of the Contract. Contract is subject to compliance with the applicable Schedule of Prevailing Wage issued by the Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry. Provide all State required Responsible Contractor Forms with your bid. There will be a pre-bid meeting and walk through on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 3:30 PM at Oneka Elementary School. Bids may not be withdrawn for thirty (30) days after the scheduled closing time for the receipt of bids without the consent of the White Bear Lake Area Schools. The School Board reserves the right to accept any bid, to reject any or all bids, to waive irregularities and informalities in the bidding procedures, and to act in its best interest. WHITE BEAR LAKE AREA SCHOOLS 2399 CEDAR AVENUE, WHITE BEAR LAKE, MINNESOTA 55110 Published two times in the White Bear Press on January 14 and 21, 2026.

JANUARY 14, 2026 www.presspubs.com

WHITE BEAR PRESS

A bi-weekly section where readers will be informed on subjects of seasonal interest, upcoming events and other timely topics. CLERK’S CORNER – Good tidings & Happy New Year! We are looking forward to another busy year at the Township in terms of improving what we think is the best place to live in the region! Road projects, park improvements, & our overall commitment to augmenting what is already a premiere community. Public Works crews have been working diligently to maintain our roads during this early season snow fall. Please help them out by following established parking restrictions within the Township; it makes their job much more efficient. Thank you! SPECIAL TOWN BUDGET MEETING WAS HELD ON DECEMBER 1 – White Bear Township’s Special Town Budget Meeting, was held on Tuesday, December 1 at Heritage Hall. This was a meeting of

the residents, where those in attendance approved by vote the amount to be levied for the 2026 property tax & provided a recommendation of the Town’s 2026 operating budget to the Town Board after a presentation from Town staff. Visit the Township website for more information including a video of the meeting. GARBAGE & RECYCLING CONTAINER PLACEMENT – Please place garbage & recycling containers behind the curb / street edge in your driveway. Containers may not be placed in the street or on sidewalks. This creates problems with traffic & interferes with snowplowing & maintenance. WINTER PARKING RESTRICTIONS – No vehicle may park on any road or street in the Township between the hours of 2 a.m. &

6 a.m. from November 1st through April 1st, or any time after a snowfall of one or more inches until the road is cleared curb to curb. SHOVELING, PLOWING, SNOW BLOWING, ETC. – It is a violation of Township Ordinance No. 39 to shovel, snow blow or plow snow or ice into any public street, alley, sidewalk, bike path, improved trail, or parking area. ADOPT A FIRE HYDRANT NEAR YOU THIS WINTER – Help keep your neighborhood safe this winter by “adopting” a fire hydrant near your home! You should start by removing any snow & ice from the hydrant as best you can, clear about a 3’ perimeter around the hydrant for firefighters, & clear a path from the hydrant to the street.

STILL NEED TO RECYCLE YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE? Real Christmas trees can be brought to the White Bear Township yard waste collection site, 5900 Sherwood Rd, open Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. & Sunday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. COFFEE WITH A COP – The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office is hosting Coffee with a Cop to welcome community members to ask questions & learn more about the services the Sheriff's Office provides. This is an informal gathering which encourages open conversation to share concerns, ask questions, or simply get to know deputies in a relaxed setting. Join them at Caribou Coffee, 113 Village Center Drive, North Oaks, on February 13 from 8-9 a.m.

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whitebeartownship.org | 651.747.2750 |1281 Hammond Road, White Bear Township, Minnesota 55110

WHITE BEAR LAKE POLICE REPORTS The White Bear Lake Police Department reported the following selected incidents: • Officers responded to disorderly conduct in the 4300 block of Lake Avenue S. Dec. 24. • Officers assisted another agency with locating a subject of an alert near the 5300 block of Hugo Road Dec. 24. • Disorderly conduct was reported in the 1600 block of Ninth Street Dec. 24. • Disorderly conduct was reported Dec. 25 in the 3700 block of Kenny Lane and at the intersection of Van Dyke Street and Hazel Street N. • Officers mediated a civil matter in the 2500 block of Sumac Ridge Dec. 25. • A Vadnais Heights man was arrested for DWI following a traffic stop Dec. 25 near Highway 61 and County Road E. • Officers responded to a report of a vehicle driving the wrong way on Interstate 694 near McKnight Road Dec. 26. • A White Bear Lake man was arrested following a stop in the 3200 block of Buerkle Road Dec. 26 for a felony warrant issued by the Department of Corrections. • A license plate was stolen in the 1000 block of Meadowlands Drive Dec. 26. • Disorderly conduct was reported at the intersection of White Bear Avenue and Cedar Avenue Dec. 26. • A Maplewood woman who was pulled over in the 4400 block of Highway 61 Dec. 27 was arrested for DWI and for having a felony-level amount of cocaine and ecstasy (MDMA) in her possession. • Damage to property was reported Dec. 27 in the 3100 block of McKnight Road, the 1800 block of Buerkle Road and the 3400 block of Willow Avenue. • Officers searched for a theft suspect in the 4800 block of Banning Avenue Dec. 27. • Disorderly conduct was reported in the 2000 block of County Road E East Dec. 27. • A White Bear Lake man was arrested for DWI following a traffic stop near County Road E and Auger Avenue Dec. 28. • Officers responded to a disturbance between several individuals in the 2100 block of Fourth Street Dec. 28. • Officers responded to a domestic incident in the 3600 block of Hoffman Road Dec. 28. • Theft was reported in the 2000 block of Dotte Drive Dec. 28. • A White Bear Lake man was arrested for misdemeanor domestic assault following a report of disor-

derly conduct in the 3900 block of Hoffman Road Dec. 28. • A vehicle was stolen in the 3500 block of Hoffman Road Dec. 28. • Officers assisted a state trooper whose squad car had been hit while responding to an accident on I-35E at County Road H2 Dec. 28. • Theft from a vehicle was reported in the 2300 block of Dorothy Avenue Dec. 28. • Officers responded to disorderly conduct in the 1900 block of Highway 96 Dec. 29. • Unlocked vehicles were rummaged through on Saint Regis Drive Dec. 29. • Officers responded to a noise complaint in the 3500 block of Century Avenue N. Dec. 30. • Officers responding to the 1800 block of Birch Street for a welfare check Dec. 30 arrested a person on multiple warrants. • Counterfeit money was used at a Hoffman Road bar Dec. 30. • Fraud was reported in the 3700 block of Highway 61 Dec. 30. • A Roseville man was arrested on multiple warrants after officers located his vehicle in the 1800 block of Buerkle Road Dec. 30. • Officers mediated a verbal dispute in the 3500 block of Century Avenue Dec. 30. • A resident in the 2400 block of Mayfair Avenue was issued a citation for not having a dog license following a barking complaint Dec. 30. • Officers responded to a report of juveniles screaming and playing hockey late at night Dec. 31 in the 2100 block of County Road F. • Officers conducted a warrant search in the 4700 block of Wood Avenue Dec. 31. • Officers responded to a report of a man yelling and causing a scene in the 2400 block of County Road E Dec. 31, but he was not located. • Mail theft was reported in the 1700 block of Cedar Lane Dec. 31. • A dog owner was issued two citations after the dog was found running at large in the 2000 block of Roth Place Dec. 31. • Officers and Ramsey County Water Patrol responded to a report of fire on the lake in the area of Lake Avenue and Shady Lane Dec. 31. • Officers responded to disorderly conduct in the 2200 block of Birch Street Dec. 31. • Fireworks were reported in the area of Carolyn Lane and Highway 61 Jan. 1. • Officers responded to a noise

disturbance in the 1700 block of County Road E Jan. 1. • A South St. Paul resident was arrested for DWI following a traffic stop near White Bear Avenue and Woodlyn Avenue Jan. 1. • A noise complaint was reported in the 1600 block of Ninth Street Jan. 1. • Officers mediated a domestic situation in the 3500 block of Ebba Street Jan. 1. • Officers mediated a dispute between a man and his son Jan. 1 near the intersection of County Road E and Hoffman Road. • A White Bear Lake man was arrested on an outstanding warrant on Sixth Street Jan. 1. • Officers responding to a welfare check in the 4000 block of Bellaire Avenue Jan. 1 arrested a St. Paul man on an outstanding felony probation violation warrant. • Officers assisted Cottage Grove police in searching for a suspect wanted on domestic assault charges in the 4900 block of Campanaro Lane Jan. 2. • Officers responded to a domestic incident in the 1800 block of Birch Street Jan. 2. • Harassment was reported in the 3700 block of White Bear Avenue and the 2300 block of Jansen Avenue Jan. 2. • A Wyoming, Minnesota, man was arrested for DWI following a traffic

stop on County Road E Jan. 3. • Officers assisted the St. Paul police with drone surveillance in the 600 block of Fourth Street to locate a suspect who fled on foot after making threats of violence Jan. 3. The suspect was taken into custody. • Officers responded to a domestic situation in the 2700 block of Crown Hill Court Jan. 3. • Disorderly conduct was reported Jan. 3 in the 4400 block of Highway 61 and the 4400 block of Lincoln Avenue. • A St. Paul man was arrested for DWI following a traffic stop Jan. 4 on I-694 near Century Avenue. • Officers mediated a domestic dispute in the 2600 block of Aspen Court. • Officers responded to a noise complaint in the 1400 block of Park Street Jan. 4. • Officers responded to a domestic incident in the 1600 block of Ninth Street Jan. 4. • Officers assisted the State Patrol with a vehicle fire in the area of I-694 and White Bear Avenue Jan. 4. • Officers assisted an outside agency with an arrest in the 1600 block of Ninth Street Jan. 5. • Officers responded to disorderly conduct in the 4700 block of Highway 61 Jan. 6.

PUBLIC NOTICES•PUBLIC NOTICES NOTICE OF ELECTION

SPECIAL ELECTION FOR HOUSE DISTRICTS 47A & 64A JANUARY 27TH, 2026

RAMSEY COUNTY ELECTIONS

Notice is hereby given that Special Elections forNOTICE House District 47A and 64A will occur on January 27th, 2026. Visit OF ELECTION ELECTION FOR HOUSE DISTRICTS 47A &will 64A mnvotes.org to view a full listSPECIAL of candidates and ballot content. The following offices be on the ballot in their JANUARY 27th, 2026 respective jurisdictions:

Notice is hereby given that Special Elections for House District 47A and 64A will occur on January 27th, 2026. Visit mnvotes.org to House view a of fullRepresentatives list of candidates and ballot • Minnesota - District 47A content. (Special)The following offices will be on the ballot in their respective jurisdictions: • • Minnesota Minnesota House House of of Representatives Representatives -- District District 47A 64A (Special) (Special) • Minnesota House of Representatives - District 64A (Special) The following polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on January 27th, 2026: The following polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on January 27th, 2026:

House Distri ct 47A: MAPLEWOOD P-11 MAPLEWOOD P-12 MAPLEWOOD P-13

MAPLEWOOD YMCA/COMMUNITY CENTER LUTHERAN CHURCH OF PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH OF PEACE

2100 WHITE BEAR AVE N 47 CENTURY AVE S 47 CENTURY AVE S

MAPLEWOOD MAPLEWOOD MAPLEWOOD

MARTIN LUTHER KING REC. CENTER UNITY UNITARIAN CHURCH LINWOOD REC. CENTER SUMMIT CHURCH MACALESTER/PLYMOUTH UNITED CHURCH GLORIA DEI LUTERAN CHURCH EDGCUMBE REC. CENTER MERRIAM PARK REC. CENTER ST THOMAS UNIVERSITY – MCNEELY HALL MERRIAM PARK LIBRARY GROVELAND REC. CENTER

271 MACKUBIN ST 733 PORTLAND AVE 860 ST CLAIR AVE 845 SUMMIT AVE 1658 LINCOLN AVE 700 SNELLING AVE S 320 GRIGGS ST S 2000 ST ANTHONY AVE 2060 SUMMIT AVE 1831 MARSHALL AVE 2021 ST CLAIR AVE

SAINT PAUL SAINT PAUL SAINT PAUL SAINT PAUL SAINT PAUL SAINT PAUL SAINT PAUL SAINT PAUL SAINT PAUL SAINT PAUL SAINT PAUL

House District 64A: SAINT PAUL W-1 P-2 SAINT PAUL W-1 P-7 SAINT PAUL W-2 P-5 SAINT PAUL W-2 P-6 SAINT PAUL W-3 P-7 SAINT PAUL W-3 P-8 SAINT PAUL W-3 P-13 SAINT PAUL W-4 P-4 SAINT PAUL W-4 P-5 SAINT PAUL W-4 P-6 SAINT PAUL W-4 P-12

A public test of the voting system to be used for the Special Election will occur at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, January 16th at the Ramsey Elections Office (located at 90 Plato Blvd, Saint MNat55107). Foronmore elections and voting A public testCounty of the voting system to be used for theWSpecial Election willPaul occur 9:00 a.m. Friday, January 16th at the information, contact Ramsey County Elections Office at elections@ramseycounty.us or 651-266-2171. Ramsey County Elections Office (located at 90 W Plato Blvd, Saint Paul MN 55107). For more elections and voting Following the Election, Ramsey County Elections will also host the Canvass at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January information, contact Ramsey County Elections Office at elections@ramseycounty.us or 651-266-2171. 28th in the office lobby. Published one time in the White Bear Press on January 14, 2026.

Following the Election, Ramsey County Elections will also host the Canvass at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 28th in the office lobby.

12 WHITE BEAR/VADNAIS HEIGHTS PRESS

JANUARY 14, 2026

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BUSINESS BRIEFS Kowalski’s announces the acquisition of Pizzeria Pezzo

More than 12 years ago, Kowalski’s partnered with the late Gary Bougie and his wife Keri to bring the flavors of authentic Chicago-style deep dish pizza to the Twin Cities. After Gary’s passing in 2014, Keri continued his legacy by expanding Pizzeria Pezzo into Kowalski’s stores in Woodbury and Edina. Recently, as managing the business from her new home in California has become increasingly challenging, Keri decided to sell Pezzo. “I’ve always loved dining at Pezzo,” said Kowalski’s CEO Kris Kowalski Christiansen. “From day one, it felt like home. The staff was warm and welcoming, and the food — absolutely incredible. The recipes that Gary started Pezzo with have always been the soul of the menu and will forever be its foundation.” Now, as full owners, the Kowalski’s team plans to refresh Pezzo while honoring its roots. The White Bear Lake

pers can enter to win prizes, including gift cards and a coal-fired pizza every week for a year.

Entirely Bonkers Media Co. merges with Beecroft Marketing

KOWALSKI’S | CONTRIBUTED

Kowalski’s now owns Pizzeria Pezzo.

location will see new pendant lighting and a redesigned bar as well as curated wines and special menu additions. Kowalski’s will host a grand reopening celebration Jan. 27–31 at both the White Bear Lake and Woodbury Pezzo locations. Guests can enjoy a week of specials, culminating in an event on Saturday, Jan. 31, at White Bear Lake featuring live music, prize drawings, select house wines and tap beers, and gelato. During the weeklong celebration, shop-

Entirely Bonkers Media Co., a White Bear Lake-based, women-owned creative studio known for its community-first approach to social media and storytelling, is merging with Beecroft Marketing, effective January 2026. The merger will expand the social media-focused studio into a full-service digital marketing studio to offer web design, web hosting, web strategy and ongoing web content services in addition to its established social media management, content creation, event coverage, coaching and education offerings. Beecroft Marketing founder Lisa Beecroft joins Entirely Bonkers Media Co. as head web strategist, bringing de-

CONTRIBUTED

Lisa Beecroft and Makenna Cabrera have teamed up to offer more services.

cades of experience in web development, hosting and strategy. “At the heart of this merger is a shared belief that marketing should feel human, thoughtful and sustainable,” said Makenna Cabrera, founder of Entirely Bonkers Media. “This partnership allows us to better serve community-rooted businesses with both strong digital storytelling and solid web foundations all under one roof.”

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Q & A: Children’s book allows grief to be felt rather than explained PAGE 19

PHOTOS BY PAUL DOLS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

Embracing winter with a shindig Above: Catherine and Mila Nelson were at the center of outdoor activity on one of the ice rinks at Community Park during the recent Winter Shindig in Vadnais Heights.

Above: Henley, Selah and Megan Stafki provided a unique mix of rich colors that contrasted with the white snow surrounding the skating rink. At left: After some outdoor activity, cocoa and cookies were offered in the warming house. Next up is the Vadnais Heights Winter Games on Feb. 14 at Westfield Park.

At right: The weather was favorable for the dozens of community members of all ages who made use of the hockey and open skating rinks maintained at the park.

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BREAKFAST: To bring community leaders, students together for conversation FROM PAGE 1

Manha Hussein, a BSU member, will perform “Rise Up,” accompanied by C. Harris and José James. From 8:15 to 9:30 a.m., attendees will view the livestream from Minneapolis, which will feature keynote speakers Soledad O’Brien and Freeman Hrabowski III. Refreshments will be available during the broadcast. After a brief break with live jazz music by C. Harris, the program will transition to the local program at 9:40 a.m. Planned elements include a video highlighting the BSU’s HBCU (Historically Black College or University) college tour, and a panel discussion followed by table group conversations centered on the theme of humanity. The discussion will be facilitated by Nate Beulah, assistant principal at White Bear Lake Area High School. Vlasak, who is in her third year with the program and in her first year serving as site co-lead, emphasized the importance of community participation during the planning phase of the breakfast. “I am so thrilled that the Black Student Union students and advisors here at the high school are so involved, and the staff as well are so involved in planning the local department program,” Vlasak said. “That is really important to me — that it’s not just

A student playing trumpet during last year’s breakfast.

community members that are planning it.” White Bear sophomore Trinity Swims, who has been involved with the BSU since middle school, said the group has provided a sense of belonging in a predominantly white school district. This is her first year on the planning committee for the MLK Day programming, and she hopes that this will bring more visibility to the club. “I want this event to be the ‘thing.’ I want it to be (something) everyone looks forward to every year, like they have to have this on their calendar,” Swims said. “I want it to be so big that we can't use our school

anymore, and everyone to see that this is us, and we are all human.” At 11 a.m., closing remarks will be delivered by Aaron Turner, an equity specialist at the high school and an advisor to the BSU. For Turner, he hopes the event will make people reflect on their roles within their community. “At the end of the day, we all play a role,” said Turner. “Big fan of MLK, obviously, but we all play a role in this humanity piece, right?”

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

Members of the Black Student Union pose for a picture at the 2025 MLK Breakfast.

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Rentals/ Commercial EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY, all real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians; pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD toll free: 1-800-669-9777. The toll-free number for hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275.

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Weather Tidbits Brought to you by WeathermanWatson.com Is this January? Sure doesn’t feel like it. I’m not particulary fond of the extreme cold but I do like some cold. I don’t care so much for the mornings with roads glazed in ice like we had last week. Our upper winds (which had been bringing us more Arctic type of air masses) flatten, bringing in milder Pacific flow. Highs in the upper 30’s is reserved more for late February and early March, not this time of year when, on average, we experience our coldest temperatures. Our snow pack has become crusty and holding around 5-6 inches. It was a fun December with plenty of snow and cold. January is not over so there Frank Watson is hope for cold and we just might get some Sunday and early next week, but hopefully My 2026 not too cold. “We’re creatures of comfort” my grandma used to say. Note: My 2026 weather weather calendar is available. Check WeathermanWatson.com . Also available at Lake calendar is available now. Country Booksellers in Downtown White Bear Lake (call 651.426.0918).

WEEKLY AVERAGES HIGH LOW SUN PCP

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Frank Watson is a local Meteorologist who operates a weather station in White Bear Lake. Weather data and observation are from his weather station and trips around the area. Frank can be found on the internet at WeathermanWatson.com.

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

JANUARY 14, 2026 www.presspubs.com

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Strong week for Zephyr icemen BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR

Mahtomedi pulled out three close wins last week, including a 5-4 upset of No. 3 ranked Delano. The Zephyrs, 8-5-2 overall, 2-0-2 in the Metro East, beat Northfield 3-2 Tuesday and Tartan 2-0 Saturday. Brock Gutterman scored twice against Delano (11-4-1), one of them during their four-goal burst in the third period along with Vinny Redpath, Henry Sampair and Easton DeZelar. Cody Loida assisted on four goals. Jackson Chesak stopped 27 of 30 shots by the Tigers. Against Northfield (10-2), the Zephyrs scored three goals in the second period as Redpath tied the score 1-1, Tommy Boe tied it 2-2 and Sampair made it 3-2 with seven seconds left. Assisting were Loida, Sampair, Zach Zins and Kaden Gagnelius. Chesak made 30 saves. The Zephyrs overcame a hot goalie against Tartan (6-9) as they outshot the Titans 4612 but got only two past Nathan McGuire. Gutterman and Sampair had the goals. Nico Huberty was in the net for Mahtomedi.

JANUARY 14, 2026

ZEPHYRS SPORTS BRIEFS GYMNASTICS

Mahtomedi achieved their team score season high of 138.00 points and won their annual invitational on Saturday over Mounds View Irondale (133.05), Champlin Park (123.450) and Park Center (113.60). Zephyr senior Lucy Otto was first all-around with 35.50, her career best, and the Zephyrs had four different event winners — Otto on floor exercise (9.35), senior Addi Eitel on vault (9.20), sophomore Cassia Hartman on uneven bars (8.60) and sophomore Margo Brunner on balance beam (9.20). Otto was second on bars (8.40) and beam (9.00) an third on vault (8.85). Eitel was third on beam (8.70) and fourth on bars (7.75). Ruby Greer was fourth on vault (8.80). Keely Bohm was fourth on floor (8.90).

BOYS BASKETBALL

Willie Roelofs pumped in 40 points to lead Mahtomedi in an 83-61 win over South St. Paul (SSP). The Zephyrs then lost to St. Thomas Academy (STA) 82-65 and edged Anoka 74-72 Saturday at Minnehaha Academy. The Zephyrs are 8-2 overall, 1-2 in conference. Roelofs, 6-foot-8 junior, shot 14-for-24 on field goals and 11-for-12 at the line while snagging 14 rebounds against SSP (8-3). Chase Benning-Swanson logged 11 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals. Noah Carlson had 10 points and seven rebounds. The Zephyrs were 24-for-25 on free shots with freshman Joey Wright 8-for-8. Against STA (5-6), Roelofs hit 24 points (11-for-13 at the line) and

Mark Graff 16 points and seven rebounds. The Cadets made 13 three-pointers. Against Anoka, Andrew Russell’s dunk with 1:05 left gave the Zephyrs a 73-71 lead and they held on. Graff had 27 points (six 3-pointers), Roelofs 20 points and nine rebounds and Carlson 15 points and a key steal.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Mahtomedi defeated South St. Paul 62-19, led by Berkley Blaisdell with 21 points, eight steals and eight rebounds. Grace Prose had 12 points and four steals, and Delaney Dumermuth nine points, 10 rebounds and four steals. No. 2 ranked Orono routed Mahtomedi 69-29 on Friday. Mya Moore, a 2,000-point scorer, sank 23 for the Spartans (11-2). Dumermuth had 11 points and eight rebounds.

BOYS WRESTLING

Mahtomedi hosted two triangulars, losing to Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg (KMS) 59-15, St. Thomas Academy (STA) 53-22 and South St, Paul 51-23 and beating St. Paul Highland Park 56-18 when they got seven forfeits. Aidan Carlson and Aiden Boex were each 4-0. Sam White won against KMS and Highland, Owen Eigen won against Highland and STA. Lucas Iverson won against STA. Henry Johnson and Elizabeth Carlson had pins against SSP. Carlson, who was pinned against KMS, placed second at 100 pounds in Eden Prairie’s girls 31-team invitational on Saturday. Bruce Strand

BEARS SPORTS BRIEFS for third place. At Grand Rapids (410), the Bears got first-period goals from Magnus Benz, Nash Roed and Hunter Doroff (power play). Gavin Veneruzzo scored in the second period (power play) and Hunter Doroff in the third. Max Butters assisted on three goals. At East Ridge (6-9), Riley Helmberger made 24 saves for the shutout while Liam Maloy delivered two goals and two assists. Roed and Benz had the other goals.

GIRLS HOCKEY

White Bear Lake lost to Suburban East powers Stillwater 4-0 and Woodbury 7-1. Macie Marston made 38 saves against Stillwater. Woodbury is 11-0-1 in conference for first place and Stillwater is 8-3-1 for third. The Bears are 2-8 in the SEC and 5-13-1 overall.

SWIMMING & DIVING

KELLY RIVERS | CONTRIBUTED

Grace Mueller won all-around, bars and vault for the Bears in a double dual meet.

GYMNASTICS

White Bear Lake, in a conference double dual at home, scored a season-best of 134.50, beating Mounds View/Irondale (130.15) and losing to Forest Lake (135.20), on Tuesday. Grace Mueller won allaround (35.15), vault (9.50) and bars (8.675), and was second on floor (9.25), all personal bests (PB). On floor she had a new leap series: a switch side to a “strug.” Taylynne McMahon was fourth all-around (33.75, PB), second (tied) on bars (8.425, PB) and fifth on beam (8.55) with no falls. Harlie Peloquin was second (tied) on bars (8.425) and fifth on floor (8.625, PB) with a new front handspring to front layout to front tuck. Mira McQuay took sixth on floor (8.60, PB).

BOYS BASKETBALL

White Bear Lake (3-8) lost in double overtime to Stillwater 69-65, after falling to No. 5 ranked CretinDerham Hall (CDH) 79-38 Tuesday. Against Stillwater, regulation ended

55-55 and the first overtime 6060. Colin Piper notched 19 points, Jonathan Woods 14, Will McQuay 13 and Nick Cardenas 10 for the Bears (3-7). Against CDH, Piper had 11 points and Zach Turner nine.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

White Bear Lake (5-9) lost to Cretin-Derham Hall (CDH) 6432 , then turned around to rout Stillwater 62-34. Against CDH, Sophie Menier and Chloe Thiessen had nine points apiece. Against Stillwater (7-7), Theissen sniped for 24 points, shooting 10-for-20, including 4-for-10 from 3-point range. Maddy Thompson added 12 points and Sophie Menier nine.

BOYS HOCKEY

White Bear Lake has a threegame win streak following a fivegame losing streak. The Bears won road games against Grand Rapids 5-2 on Friday and East Ridge 5-0 on Saturday. The Bears are 6-6-1 overall and 4-2 in the Suburban East

White Bear Lake placed third of seven teams at the Tartan/North Invitational, behind Osseo and Tartan/North. Benedict Hoefer won the 200 free (1:52.44) and placed third

in the 200. Henry Bowlin won diving (294.15). Dylan Allshouse was second in backstroke and sixth in butterfly, Ethan Arrington third in the 500, Sam Tarau fourth in the medley and sixth in butterfly, Finnian McVeigh fifth in breaststroke and sixth in butterfly, and Lincoln Medin sixth in backstroke. The Bears lost to Stillwater 99-79 at home Thursday. Hoefer won the 100 free (50.95) and was second the 200. Also placing second were Allshouse (backstroke), Arrigoni (500 free) and McVeigh (breaststroke).

WRESTLING

White Bear Lake finished fourth of nine teams in the Elk River Invitational. Placing second were Muayeng Lee at 114 and Galvin Nathanson at 139. Placing third were Indiana Kane third at 121 and Nickolai Mulligan at 133. Donovin Wolgfram was fourth at 152. Placing fifth were Hunter Lo at 107, Riley Mailer at 172, Alex Semilis at 189 and Alexander Kringle at 215. Bruce Strand

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Lucy Otto

Mahtomedi Gymnastics January 14, 2026

Lucy Otto, Mahtomedi senior gymnastics co-captain, scored a career best 35.50 to lead the Zephyrs to first place in their four-team invitational on Saturday. Otto won all-around and floor exercise while placing second in bars and beam. A returning all-conference gymnast and state qualifier (floor exercise), she has been all-around leader in two conference wins also. “As a senior, Lucy continues to push herself and upgrade her routines,” said coach Debbie Driscoll. That includes adding a one-and-a-half back flip to twist to front tuck on floor, and a half-on, half-off yurchenko vault.

JANUARY 14, 2026 www.presspubs.com

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Children’s book allows grief to be felt rather than explained Mahtomedi-based author and speech-language pathologist Jane Grothaus has spent more than 20 years helping children and families navigate moments when words are difficult to find. Drawing on her professional experience as a clinician, educator, and researcher, she recently turned to visual storytelling to explore one of life’s most universal, and often unspoken, experiences: Jane grief. Her new children’s Grothaus picture book, “One Duck’s Journey,” is a wordless story that invites readers to sit with loss, connection and healing. The White Bear Press recently asked her about the inspiration behind the book, her work with children and the power of stories told without words. Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself. A: I’m a speech-language pathologist, educator and researcher. I’ve spent more than two decades working with children and families during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Much of my work focuses on communication, emotional processing and helping people make meaning when words feel hard to find. “One Duck’s Journey” grew out of both my professional experiences and my belief that stories — even wordless ones — can hold space for healing. Q: Is this your first published work? A: This is my first children’s picture book, but I’ve previously contributed to academic books and scholarly publications. “Writing One Duck’s Journey” was a very different kind of project — more personal, more visual and intentionally openended — and that made it especially meaningful. Q: What inspired you to create a wordless book about grief? A: Grief often lives beyond language, especially for children. In my clinical work, I’ve seen how hard it can be for kids to explain what they’re feeling and how limiting words can sometimes feel. A wordless book invites readers to bring their own experiences, emotions and interpretations. It allows grief to be felt rather than

explained, which can be incredibly powerful. Q: Why did you choose animals — specifically a duck and ladybug — to explore themes of loss and healing? A: Animals create emotional safety. Children often find it easier to explore big feelings through characters that aren’t human, because there’s less pressure and less fear of “getting it wrong.” The duck represents vulnerability and persistence, while the ladybug offers quiet companionship. Together, they model connection without judgment — something children deeply need when navigating loss. Q: The book shows that “being present” can be enough. Why was that message important for you to highlight? A: Adults often feel like they need to say the right thing when a child is grieving, but the truth is that presence matters more than words. Sitting with someone, staying close and allowing feelings to exist without fixing them can be profoundly comforting. I wanted the book to gently reinforce that message for children and adults alike. Q: Is there a scene or image in the book that feels especially meaningful to you? A: There’s a quiet moment where the duck isn’t “better,” but isn’t alone anymore. That space — where grief hasn’t disappeared, yet connection exists — feels very true to real life. Healing doesn’t mean forgetting or moving on; it means learning how to carry loss differently. Q: From your experience working with families, what is something adults often misunderstand about how children grieve? A: Adults often expect grief to look consistent or linear, but children move in and out of grief in waves. We all do, actually. We all grieve differently. I know I did when we lost my brother. Children often reflect these feeling shifts more directly. They may be deeply sad one moment and fully engaged in play the next. That doesn’t mean they aren’t grieving — it means they’re processing in developmentally appropriate ways. Children remind us all that we may grieve in pieces, not all at once.

Most of all, I hope the book gives them permission to grieve in their own way. Q: Where can people find your book? Is it available anywhere locally? A: “One Duck’s Journey” is published by Wise Ink and distributed through Itasca Books, as well as on Amazon.

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

“One Duck’s Journey” is a wordless story about loss, connection and healing.

Q: What do you hope a child who is experiencing loss feels after spending time with this book? A: I hope they feel seen, understood and less alone. I hope they realize that it’s okay to feel sad, confused or quiet and that they don’t have to explain those feelings to be accepted.

Q: What’s next for you? Are there any other themes or projects you hope to explore in the near future? A: I’m interested in continuing to explore how visual storytelling can support emotional understanding, particularly around topics like change, resilience and connection. I’m also excited to keep bridging my clinical and academic work with creative projects that support families in meaningful, accessible ways. Compiled by Shannon Granholm

WHITE BEAR TOWNSHIP NOTES • The 2026 special annual budget meeting—during which attending township residents vote to approve 2027’s property tax levy and general fund budget—will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7, 2026, at Heritage Hall, 4200 Otter Lake Road. During last month’s annual budget meeting, a resident had requested to move the meeting to Otter Lake Elementary. “We took it under advisement,” stated Town Clerk Patrick Christopherson. “The reason we’ve been holding it here is the convenience of all the broadcast equipment.” Town Attorney Chad Lemmons added, “The school district has indicated they prefer we do not use the school district.” Town Supervisor Steve Ruzek proposed partnering with Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office to direct traffic during the meeting. Town Supervisor Chair Ed Prudhon, meanwhile, suggested that staff could carpool to the meeting and Public Works could perform an extra snow removal check before the meeting. Both measures would maximize available parking. Christopherson stated these “logistical caveats” would be kept in mind. • Benson Airport is building a new

60-foot-by 60-foot airport hangar at the back of its property, immediately east of the township’s water tower. Upon reviewing the airport’s conditional use permit (CUP), Ruzek reminded Benson Airport’s contact, Jim Baker, that the airport is required to provide the township with an annual report including number of aircraft, number of hours flown and gallons of fuel sold. • Resident Greg Hubinger thanked township staff for the work they did adjusting the township’s 2026 budget to match the numbers approved during the 2025 special annual budget meeting. “I suggest the board consider establishing a Citizens’ Budget Advisory Committee,” said Hubinger. “There is, I think, a lot of interest by residents of the town in the complexities of the budget and better understanding that, and, perhaps, providing a perspective on budget proposals.” The White Bear Township Board next meets at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, at Heritage Hall, 4200 Otter Lake Road. The change is to accommodate the Martin Luther King Day holiday. Logan Gion

MAHTOMEDI SCHOOL BOARD NOTES • The Mahtomedi School Board underwent an organizational tweak for 2026 as outgoing Board Chair Stacey Stout handed over the gavel to new Board Chair Kelly Reagan. As Stout handed over the gavel to Reagan, she noted how much she enjoyed her four years at the helm. The board unanimously (5-0, Drew Whitson was absent) approved the slate of nominations Stout presented. • Ryan Domin returns as treasurer. • Taking meeting minutes and calling roll for the foreseeable future will be second-year board member Whitson. Although he was absent, Whitson accepted his nomination as vice chair/ clerk prior to the meeting. He’ll be rewarded with a raise for doing so, because he is now an officer with increased compensation to go with his increased responsibilities. • All board members received a modest raise this year to keep pace with member district school boards. Each year, District 832 administrators calculate the average of Northeast Metro 916 compensation of school board members to determine Mahtomedi School Board member compensation. All board members received a $35 annual raise. The board chair will now be paid $6,443; the vice chair/clerk $5,960; the treasurer $5906 and the directors $5,805. Compensation for school board members includes reimbursement for gas and required meals, as well as attendance at 20 meetings per year. • As part of their duties, board members also serve as liaisons and sit on advisory committees.

Earlier, board members submitted their areas of interest to Superintendent Barb Duffrin; there was little change from last year. The board unanimously approved the slate of appointments; Whitson will now replace Reagan on the Mahtomedi Area Educational Foundation. District committees include Facilities, Finance, Policy, Calendar, Community Education, Curriculum, Elementary PTO, Advanced Elementary Parent Group and Special Education. Advisory boards include the Association of Metropolitan School Districts (AMSD), Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) and the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL). Governing boards include the Integration District-Educational Equity Alliance, Mahtomedi Area Education Foundation, Brightworks and Northeast Metro 916. • In discussing the calendar for January and February, the board lamented the poor attendance at Coffee and Conversation opportunities for the community. After briefly considering eliminating them altogether, the board set the next two Coffee and Conversation dates for Feb. 23 and April 27 at 4:30 p.m. More dates could be scheduled if there is more interest. Coffee and Conversation is an opportunity for members of the community to visit with individual board members to talk about any topic. “I like that we offer (Coffee and Conversation) even though no one attends,” said Board Member Jenny Peterson. • A more popular community engagement opportunity is Dessert and Dialogue, which is

a roundtable discussion between school board members and anyone from the community. A recent topic was Portrait of a Graduate. The board is considering AI as an upcoming topic for Dessert and Dialogue. • The board conducted the first reading of three policies, all appendices of Policy 902 – Use of School Facilities. These policies were reviewed by the Policy Committee and resulted in several changes, said Community Education Director Kate Anderson. There was plenty of duplicate language to consolidate, as well as needed updates, depth and clarification, she said. Many of the changes dealt with weather-related cancellations. Board members were instructed to study the changes and come to the next meeting with questions for Anderson to address. • The Policy Committee also submitted 10 policies with minor changes that do not affect the substance of the policy or were modified because of a legal change over which the school board had no control. Pursuant to School Board Policy 208, the board can adopt the modified policies in a single meeting. All the listed policies, approved unanimously, were reviewed by the administration, Policy Committee and School Board. The board next meets at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26, in the District Center Community Room, 1520 Mahtomedi Avenue. Loretta Harding

20 WHITE BEAR PRESS

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JANUARY 14, 2026

D E T T SP WN AROUND TO

1. Theresa Lydon and her pal Rhodey enjoy the covered bridge at Streetcar Park in Mahtomedi as part of the Lake Links Association’s third annual Winter Walk Jan. 9. — Ben Creagh, contributed 2. White Bear Lake resident Ruby Ericson’s first stop after being named Klondike Kate of the Saint Paul Winter Carnival was the White Bear Lake VFW. Ericson has been a VFW Auxiliary member since 2006. — Contributed 3. Mahtomedi resident Loretta Harding poses for a photo in a streetcar cutout during the Winter Walk event. — Contributed 4. The White Bear Lake Winter Farmers Market continues to be a popular event. There is one more market scheduled for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 14 at the White Bear Lake Area High School Student Union. — Michelle Bruhn, contributed 5-7. Hundreds of protestors lined both sides of Hwy. 61 in White Bear Lake on Saturday, Jan. 10 in response to the fatal shooting in Minneapolis by a federal ICE agent and other foreign and domestic policies of the current administration. — Paul Dols, Press Publications Send us your photos for possible inclusion in Spotted Around Town. Please email your best shot to whitebearnews@presspubs.com. Please include information about when and where it was taken and who is in the photo.

CONSERVATION DISTRICT BRIEF Public hearing set on proposed ordinance amendment

consistent with Ramsey County and Department of Natural Resources laws. More information on Ordinance 9 and other WBLCD ordinances is available at www.wblcd.org.

amendment to WBLCD Ordinance 9 at its board meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 20, at or after 7:10 p.m., at the White Bear Lake City Hall. The amended ordinance will align personal watercraft (PWC) operation hours on White Bear Lake to be

The White Bear Lake Conservation District (WBLCD) will hold a public hearing on a proposed

BOOMSTICK BINGO WHITE BEAR LAKE

Friday, January 23, 2026 Doors Open at 5:30pm Bingo Starts at 7:00pm

We Work Through the Winter!

Hugo American Legion 5383 140th St N, Hugo, MN $750 Reserved Table Sponsor for Eight Receives: One Special Firearm for Your Table $200 Food and Drink Voucher Business/ Family Sponsor on Team’s Jersey

Permanent home performance solutions for healthy, safe, and comfortable homes all year long.

Event sponsored by:

Free RSVP Space is limited to 175

Foundation Repair

Insulation

Waterproofing

Crawl Spaces

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF WINTER SCHEDULING — BOOK YOUR REPAIR NOW AND SAVE!

Questions? Call Tim at 651-500-0044

848790

849013

Proudly serving homeowners across MN and WI even in the coldest months.

$250

OFF

INSULATION, BASEMENT REPAIR, & CRAWL SPACE ENCAPSULATION OFFER EXPIRES: 3/31/26 *Cannot be combined with any other offers. Must be presented at the time of the appointment.

Call or Visit Our Website Today for a Free, No-Obligation, Estimate! DBSthecitizen.com

651-240-2266

849111

10 Games for $60 Event is cash only Pre-sale and same day raffle tickets available