White Bear Press by Press Publications

Township Day is scheduled for 2-8

Polar Lakes Park ‘ready to go’

BY LOGAN GION CONTRIBUTING WRITER

White Bear Township consists of five noncontiguous patches of land, which township

staff internally call “islands.” Some township residents live near Hugo; some live near Gem Lake. No matter the island township

BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR

WHITE BEAR LAKE — City Manager Lindy Crawford, on behalf of the City Council, is sending a letter to the U.S. Postal Service to share its opposition on the current proposal to relocate retail services outside of downtown.

The letter, which is drafted to Greg Shelton, a real estate specialist at USPS, CC’s U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Sen. Tina Smith, U.S. Congresswoman Betty McCollum, State Sen. Heather Gustafson, State Rep. Brion Curran and Ramsey County Commissioner Kelly Miller.

residents reside in, all are welcome to attend Township Day Celebration from 2-8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at Polar Lakes Park.

“We’ve got the new

playground, the new restrooms. The parking lot’s been redone, and we’ve done extensive work on the ball fields,”

SEE TOWNSHIP DAY, PAGE 13

“I have received an overwhelming amount of community feedback in opposition of that potential relocation,” Crawford said. (See “Postal service says White Bear Lake Post Office relocation needed due to ‘space deficiency,” White Bear Press, Sept. 3, 2025.)

“The post office has been conveniently located in downtown White Bear Lake since the 1930s. It was located previously on Third Street in a couple of different locations prior to the construction of its current location in about 1976,” she said.

Crawford noted that she was able to get in touch with someone from USPS on the real estate side,

BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR

Now that a Level 3 sex offender has moved into the area, staff from the Minnesota Department of Corrections and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office want the community to be informed and to reach out if they have concerns.

Christian David-Robert Wille, 37, was scheduled to move into the vicinity of Dellwood Avenue and Peninsula Road last week, according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. A couple of days before, a community meeting was held at the Mahtomedi District Education Center. After a formal presentation, neighbors were able to ask questions and share their concerns.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office was notified by Ramsey County that Wille would be relocating to the area at the end of August. Sergeant Dani Erickson of the East Metro Human Trafficking Task Force added they were given about a two-week window to get the notification out. The sheriff’s office was only required to inform the city of Dellwood, but it also chose to alert the cities of Mahtomedi and Willernie. She added that the information was also shared with Mahtomedi High School’s school resource officer, who shared it with administration.

The state’s Community Notification Act requires a risk level to be assigned to persons who are subject to registration under Minnesota Statute 243.166 or 243.167 before they are released from confinement in a Minnesota correctional or treatment facility. Risk levels range from Level 1, low risk, up to 3, higher risk

SEE COMMUNITY MEETING, PAGE 19

Two Minnesota firefighters embark on 150-mile walk for firefighter health

Backed by Minnesota Firefighter Initiative (MnFIRE), a nonprofit dedicated to providing Minnesota’s firefighters with tools to prioritize their health and wellness, Doug Foote and Kyle Bode will journey over 150 miles from Duluth to St. Paul to raise awareness and funds for firefighter health resources and services.

“Firefighters are suffering and dying at alarming rates from cardiac, cancer and mental health issues, and we need to bring attention to this ongoing problem,” said Foote, firefighter and founder of Miles for MnFIRE. “MnFIRE has done so much for all of us in the fire service. More people need to know about it.”

Miles for MnFIRE kicked off at 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at Duluth Fire Station No. 1. Over the course of a week, Doug and Kyle will make their way through numerous communities, including Duluth, Esko, Carlton, Mahtowa, Barnum, Moose Lake, Sturgeon Lake, Willow River, Rutledge, Finlayson, Groningen, Hinckley, Mission Creek, Pine City, Rock Creek, Rush City, Harris, North Branch, Stacy, Wyoming, Forest Lake, Hugo, White Bear Lake, Vadnais Heights, Little Canada and St. Paul.

“It’s crucial to educate firefighters about the occupational risks that we face on the job,” said Bode, firefighter and peer supporter for MnFIRE. “I hope this walk inspires other firefighters to take their health seriously. A good friend of mine recently passed away and I’m walking to honor him and others we’ve lost in my department and throughout the state.”

The walk ends at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, with a celebration and closing ceremony at the Minnesota Fallen Firefighter Memorial at the state Capitol

in St. Paul, where Doug and Kyle will be warmly welcomed and presented with a commemorative award.

More than 90% of Minnesota’s fire service is volunteer or noncareer, so many firefighters have limited access to health and wellness benefits through their departments. “MnFIRE provides support with no-cost training, emotional trauma resources and access to critical illness insurance up to $20,000 for a qualifying diagnosis,” said Rebecca Otto, executive director of MnFIRE.

“Miles for MnFIRE means so much more than just a walk. It’s an event to let firefighters know it’s OK not to be OK, and that there’s help and support around the corner with MnFIRE,” said Mike Dobesh, president and co-founder of MnFIRE.

For more information visit mnfirehealth.org.

CONTRIBUTED

Miles for MnFIRE will likely go through White Bear Lake and Vadnais Heights Sept. 20-21.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

13TH ANNUAL GLORIA'S SHORTEST MARATHON

When: 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20

Where: Bald Eagle Ave., from 3rd to 2nd Street, White Bear Lake

Details: White Castle carb load at 10:30 a.m. followed by one block walk/run/roll to benefit the White Bear Area Food Shelf with treats along the way. Register by Sept. 10 to get a t-shirt. Contact: whitebearfoodshelf.org

AUTHOR VISIT

When: 10-11:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 19

Where: Lake Country Booksellers, 4766 Washington Square

Details: A.W. Powers will sign copies of his “Psychic Guardian Angel Series” and is joined by Judy Kerr with her M.C. McCall mysteries. Contact: 651-426-0918

COMMUNITY BRIEFS

Xcel Energy seeking input on proposed increased rates

Xcel Energy is inviting the public to share their input on a proposed increase to electric rates. The increase, according to the company, is designed to support customers in obtaining safe electrical services by funding investments in various areas. These include clean energy projects that secure fuel savings and carbon-free nuclear plants, which help the company meet its clean energy goals.

Residents will have the opportunity to share their opinions through two virtual hearings. The first will be held

VADNAIS HEIGHTS FOOD SHELF

When: 9-10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20

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

TOWNSHIP DAY

When: 2-8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20

Where: Polar Lakes Park

Details: Community event featuring live music, vendor market, car show, food trucks, beer garden, inflatables, petting zoo, games and fireworks display at dusk. Free admission. Bring a lawn chair. Contact: ci-white-bear-township.mn.us

ABBASOLUTELY FAB

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20

Where: Hanifl Performing Arts Center, 4941 Long Ave., White Bear Lake

Details: Tribute band plays the music of ABBA. Ticket information online.

Contact: 651-478-7427 or lakeshoreplayers.org

BEAR BIKE RIDE

When: 9 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 21

Where: WBLAHS Stadium parking lot

Details: Three routes: 50-mile route begins at 9 a.m.; 25mile route at 10 a.m.; and 10-mile route at 11 a.m. Also a family fund ride around the school campuses at noon. Registration required; fundraiser supports youth access to sports and activities.

Contact: whitebear.ce.eleyo.com

at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16, and the second at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23. The link for both these meetings can be found at www.minnesota.webex. com. More information on the proposed rates can be found at www.tinyurl. com/7a59wjb4.

Social Security to begin issuing payments electronically

Beginning Sept. 30, the U.S. Social Security Administration will issue federal benefit payments electronically with the intention of replacing paper checks. Additionally, the administration

HOMECOMING 2025 CARNIVAL

When: 4-7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21

Where: WBLAHS, Bald Eagle parking lot

Details: School district-sponsored bounce houses, carnival booths with prizes, food trucks and guest DJ. Wristband fee supports local PTA/PTO's.

NO DIG + HÜGELKULTUR GARDENING

When: 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23

Where: White Bear Center for the Arts, 4971 Long Ave.

Details: Discover what no-dig gardening looks like for home gardeners, from building garden beds to harvesting and preparing for winter, and learn how to build a Hügelkultur bed. Free; register online. Part of Rice Creek Watershed District event series. Contact: whitebeararts.org/inspire_events/no-dighugelkultur-gardening

IMMIGRATION BASICS AND HUMAN RIGHTS

When: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23

Where: Vadnais Heights Commons, 655 County Rd. F East

Details: Presenter Julia Decker will outline the principles of U.S. immigration law, the various immigration statuses, and the rights and responsibilities associated with each; Professor Christopher Roberts will follow with a presentation on connecting laws, policies and facts to the lived experiences of immigrants. Register online. Contact: manyfaceswblarea.org

DESIGN YOUR OWN WILL

When: 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24

Where: White Bear Area Senior Center

Details: Get guidance to create and sign a will. Registration required. Contact: 651-653-3121 or whitebearseniorprogram.org

will no longer offer a temporary check option when processing initial claims.

There are two ways for beneficiaries to receive electronic payments. The first is through direct deposit to a checking or savings account. Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance beneficiaries can use or sign up for a my Social Security online account at www.ssa.gov/myaccount to manage direct deposit information and access benefit details. Supplemental Security Income recipients and international beneficiaries can call 1-800-772-1213 for assistance.

The second option is through a Direct Express card, a prepaid debit card

option for those without a deposit bank account. Those interested can enroll by calling 1-800-333-1795 or visiting www. usdirectexpress.com.

The administration is encouraging beneficiaries who currently receive physical checks to switch to electronic payment options before the deadline. Beneficiaries who request an exemption from the electronic payment requirement must file a waiver with the U.S. Treasury by calling 1-800-967-5042. Administration technicians will be available to assist beneficiaries with this transition and answer any questions.

My little heart dog

If you have been reading the Press for quite some time, chances are you have probably read a column or two about my miracle pup Twinkie or seen a photo of her in the Spotted Around Town section.

Twinkie, a one-eyed Pembroke Welsh corgi, will celebrate her 8th birthday this November. When she was just 8 months old, Twinkie was diagnosed with Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA), a congenital heart defect that was causing too much blood to flow into the left side of her heart. At the time we were told if she didn’t have surgery, she would likely only live to be 1 or 2 years old before dying from congestive heart failure. The surgery was successful.

Shannon’s Shenanigans

Shannon Granholm

Twinkie has been relatively healthy over the years, except for some eye problems. In 2022, she was diagnosed with neurogenic dry eye. Her left eye wasn’t producing any tears. We tried multiple drops, but none of them worked and she had to have her eye removed after developing an ulcer. That surgery saved her life, again.

It’s hard for me to wrap my brain around the fact that Twinkie will soon be a “senior” and some may even consider her a senior already. This summer, I started to notice her slowing down a bit while we were out on a walk. I wasn’t sure if it was just her being the spoiled little princess she is and wanting to ride in the bottom of our son’s stroller, or if something was wrong and causing her to get tired faster.

I decided to make an appointment with the cardiologist who performed her PDA surgery all those years ago to check things out and make sure the device they placed in her heart ago was still doing what it was supposed to and was in the right spot.

Thankfully, I was reassured it was just my anxiety talking. Twinkie’s echocardiogram looked as great as it could for a dog of her age. The device is still where it is supposed to be and doing what it is supposed to do. He was very pleased with how everything is looking and doesn’t have any concerns for her related to her heart. She really is my little heart dog.

I will forever be grateful to the cardiology team and Bandit’s K-9 Care, a nonprofit organization that has followed Twinkie’s story since she was a puppy. I now have some peace of mind that my little corgi is well — being a corgi. She does what she wants to do, when she wants to do it.

Shannon Granholm is the Managing Editor at Press Publications.

SGardener’s Grapevine Timothy Newcomb

Nasturtiums: A nifty addition

tarting a vegetable garden involves more than just giving plants space and water. We are creating a tiny ecosystem by providing a diverse mix of plants that contribute to the soil, pest protection or bringing in pollinators. One nifty addition to any vegetable garden is the nasturtium. It is easy to grow, provides pest protection for other plants and its leaves and flowers are edible.

Nasturtiums have peltate (disclike) leaves that are typically two to four inches around and resemble tiny lily pads. Their flowers most commonly range in color from yellow to reddish orange though other varieties can be found. The flowers attract a range of pollinators including bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.

planted next to brassicas (like broccoli and cabbage), squash and pumpkin plants.

While they are relatively resistant to pests, nasturtiums can attract cabbageworms and aphids. Diseases like bacterial leaf spot, and wilt may occur, but can generally be prevented by good watering practices including keeping the leaves dry when watering and pruning to promote airflow.

While nasturtiums offer many benefits to your garden, from attracting pollinators to deterring pests. They also remind us that gardening thrives on connection, and we gardeners grow stronger when we learn from each other’s experiences and offer a helping hand.

visits the cardiologist for an echocardiogram.

Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum) originate from central and South America where it grows as a perennial (zone 9-11). Up here in the chilly Midwest, our winters limit nasturtiums to being grown as an annual. They can be either started indoors in mid to late April or outdoors towards the end of May and will last until the first hard frost. If starting indoors, use paper-type starting trays that can be planted directly in the soil when ready to avoid transplant shock. The annual life cycle of nasturtiums can be a benefit for a garden because this matches the cycles of other vegetable plants.

• Election season is considered to be when filing first begins until the day of the election.

• Limited to 350 words. Paid letters running longer will be charged $10 per 30 words after that.

• Letters are free unless endorsing a candidate, party or question on the ballot. Endorsement letters will have a $50 fee. Please call 651-407-1200 to arrange payment by credit card or mail a check payable to Press Publications to 4779 Bloom Ave, White Bear Lake, MN, 55110. Endorsement letters are labeled, “paid letter.”

Nasturtiums can either be bush types around 12” tall while others are trailing and make excellent additions to pots, hanging over walls, or trained to grow up trellises. They grow best in full sun with well-drained soil. They will tolerate shade but will not bloom as abundantly there. Interestingly, nasturtiums tolerate and bloom best in poor, low nitrogen soils. Too much nitrogen encourages leafy growth at the expense of flower production. Be sure to deadhead flowers regularly to prolong the blooms.

The leaves and flowers have a spicy, peppery taste similar to watercress, that make great additions to salads. For the best flavor, harvest younger leaves and flowers, as older ones can be bitter. The flowers are milder in flavor than the leaves. When the summer turns hot the flavor gets spicier.

Several university studies have shown that nasturtiums can reduce pest pressure when

• Letters for or against a candidate will qualify as paid letters.

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

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

• Letters are meant to express opinions. If letter-writers include facts, they must attribute those facts to a reputable source.

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

• Repeat unpaid letters by the same writer about the same subject matter will not

Every year, Master Gardeners across Minnesota partner with the University of Minnesota to test different plant varieties for ease of growing, productivity and flavor. This year, six varieties of nasturtiums are being trialed, and we’re excited to share the results with you early next year.

Until then, consider adding nasturtiums to your garden—not just for their beauty and utility, but as a reminder that vibrant gardens grow best in vibrant communities. Happy gardening!

Timothy Newcomb is a Master Gardener with the University of Minnesota Extension.

be published. Repeat paid endorsement letters will be published as space permits.

• Four weeks (or issues) must pass between publication of unpaid letters from the same writer. Exceptions may be made for rebuttal letters at the editor’s discretion.

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

• Letters by campaign managers or candidates designed to champion the candidate’s position on a specific issue will be accepted as paid letters.

• Letters reprinted as part of

letter-writing campaigns are paid letters.

• All letters are subject to editing.

• We reserve the right to not publish any letter.

• The deadline to submit a letter is 5 p.m. Wednesday the week prior to publication.

• The last batch of letters to be printed before the Nov. 4 election will be printed in the Oct. 22 issue and must be received by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct.15.

• To submit a letter, email news@ presspubs.com or mail/deliver it to Press Publications.

SHANNON GRANHOLM | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

Twinkie

Meeting coverage attacked character

I am responding to the article (“Birchwood requests representative resign from conservation district,” Aug. 27) requesting my resignation from the White Bear Lake Conservation District Board. The article failed to mention the core issue that prompted our complaint. In January 2017, the WBLCD Board ordered specific placement of our dock and our neighbor’s docks. We believe the WBLCD has not enforced the order equally. Rather than address this legitimate concern about unequal enforcement, the Aug. 27 article instead attacked our character with inaccurate information.

By making front page news out of false allegations by neighbors at a meeting we were not notified about, the White Bear Press has participated in the besmirching of our character and reputation. The suggestion that we “have brought many lawsuits against the Harrods and even a few against their neighbors on the other side” is false and unfounded. Other than filing a Torrens property registration, the only lawsuit we have ever filed is a single suit in small claims court in Washington County.

The suggestion that I used my volunteer board position for personal advantage is baseless. I recused myself from discussions involving our property. Every resident has the right to file a complaint against a public committee they believe is applying rules unequally as the White Bear Lake Conservation District has.

Our mistake was remaining silent about ongoing unneighborly disputes while our neighbors spoke publicly. We attempted to negotiate a solution that wouldn’t require moving any docks, but this effort was ignored by the White Bear Conservation District and in the article’s biased coverage.

After more than a decade of volunteer service, I deserved better than a public smearing based on incomplete and inaccurate information. I find that I no longer want to serve on a board that will not enforce its own order. I submitted my resignation on Aug. 29, after more than a decade of service on the White Bear Lake Conservation District.

Susan Mahoney Birchwood

More on ‘Too much distracted driving’

I’d like to expand on Erik Kalthoff’s letter in the Aug. 13 issue of the Press. Add to his comments all the “Karens” and “Kevins” driving with their dog on their lap. After reading Mr. Kalthoff’s letter, my wife commented that recently a woman passed her with her dog on her lap, and the dog was eating the ice cream cone the lady was holding! How could these people possibly be ready to effectively respond to an emergency situation? Holding cell phones to text or talk these days is really inexcusable, since most modern cars have had some sort of hands-free phone technology for almost 20 years.

And of course, let’s not forget those who are running red lights. If I am correct, Minnesota traffic laws state that, if a driver does not completely clear an intersection before the light turns red, they are deemed to have run the light. (I tried calling the Minnesota Department of Public Safety to get the specific statute/ordinance number, but was on hold for almost 30 minutes before giving up.) Now, I don’t mean to be the kettle calling the pot black. Yes, I have entered an intersection showing a yellow light, knowing there was a good chance it would turn red before I got all the way through the intersection, and indeed it has happened. But I’m speaking of those who enter the intersection when the light is already red, and those who obviously accelerate to get through the intersection before the cross traffic gets a green light and starts into the intersection.

Yes, Erik, there needs to be something to make drivers think twice before using their phone or running a red light. Sometimes I think I’d like to stand at the intersection of Highways 61 and 96 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on a weekday evening with a video camera just to see driver’s reactions.

John Parenteau White Bear Lake

Regarding relocation of post office

The post office is located in downtown White Bear Lake. White Bear Lake is a small town with a vibrant downtown area. Our downtown is our center. Our library is there; our favorite locally owned coffee shops are there; we walk downtown to our favorite breakfast place and then we walk to our post office to mail a letter before we go home. Our downtown is the center of our community, and our post office is an integral part

of that community. We can walk there to mail our Christmas packages, mail letters to our family members, buy stamps, meet a neighbor and chat while we wait in line.

Unlike most small-town post offices, ours is bordered by two senior living communities with a third a short walk away. Our seniors can easily walk to mail their letters, buy stamps and mail Christmas packages to loved ones. While this might not seem like much, it fosters a sense of community.

Our downtown is very busy and thriving, so there is a lot of on street parking making large truck traffic a problem logistically and environmentally. Bordering the downtown area and post office are residential neighborhoods, senior housing and lake homes so large that truck traffic would be disturbing and disrupting. Making this post office a truck hub would be a mistake for these reasons.

Updating and expanding the customer service portion of this post office would make more sense than adding truck traffic.

Move is terrible idea

The USPS is proposing to relocate the White Bear Lake Branch to a new building, keeping only carriers in the existing building. I think this is a terrible idea. Our branch is a critical component of our community.

• It brings people into the downtown area to shop and dine, helping to sustain local small businesses.

• It is walking distance for residents in downtown White Bear Lake, reducing car trips needed to go to the post office and making postal services accessible for those without transportation.

• It is a community hub that provides a centralized essential service and reinforces community identity.

To lose any of these elements would be damaging to our community. In addition, using the building for delivery only, with just trucks coming and going, is not a productive use of our valuable downtown space.

As a community member, I would have liked to have had more information about the issues that led to the proposed relocation and an opportunity to propose other solutions. I am very disappointed that the U.S. Postal Service has not engaged residents more fully in this process.

We residents have until Sept. 30 to send comments on the proposal to: St. Paul - White Bear Lake BR Relocation, USPS, P.O. Box 27497, Greensboro, NC 27498-1103. We can also contact our representatives.

Amy Okaya White Bear Lake

Response to letter

Carol Berg’s recent letter to the editor suggested community publications should not address politics and, moreover, that voters should simply accept the election results. In her words: “I want to say to all the repeat letters of hatred toward Trump: you lost, Trump won. Move on, get over it, there will be another election.”

While that might be true in normal times, these are NOT normal times. Trump is doing everything in (and exceeding ) his power to implement his agenda in almost complete disregard of laws and the constitutional limits of the presidency. It is more important than ever to have our voices heard.

The courts have been inundated with cases challenging Trump’s efforts to implement his agenda; hundreds have been successful. The courts have reversed Trump’s executive order to end birthright citizenship, the illegal firings of independent commissioners and thousands of other federal employees, the illegal deportations under the Alien Enemies Act, and its attempts to take control of leading universities.

The recent sinking of the Venezuelan ship in international waters is but the latest example of the lawlessness of this administration. Trump’s order to summarily kill 11 civilian citizens of another nation with which we are not at war without due process (or criminal evidence) is the very definition of a war crime. This administration has become a lawless tool of retribution and autocracy that requires our protests.

Their efforts to erase the principle of “one man-one vote” must also be protested. On Trump’s orders, Texas gerrymandered its congressional districts so Republicans would likely take 5 additional seats; yesterday Missouri initiated efforts to do the same. Perhaps we should take Trump at his word, i.e., after asking for votes during the last election, he said “in four years, you don’t have to vote again. We’ll have it fixed so good, you’re not gonna have to vote.”

Trump’s use of the military for crimefighting appears to be an effort to “normalize” the use of troops in American cities, possibly in anticipation of imposing martial law to control future elections. A Trump attorney recently admitted as much.

Post office solution

Simple solution: Add a second story to the existing building. What expansion is needed? For packages? And add an “Ikea escalator” for people and carts. A better and more efficient use of the property footprint.

PAID LETTER

Campaign finance question response

I want to thank Dr. Sonsalla for bringing this to my attention. I had no idea the report had not been published.

My campaign report was filed on time. I am sorry that you had to speculate on the reason for its absence. Turns out that Ramsey County failed to publish the report. See the letter below.

I learned that you are a decorated hero from the Korean war. My father served in Korea after his duty in WWII. He never talked about Korea. I would like to meet you and learn your story. Perhaps you crossed paths with my dad.

Hello Steve,

Thanks for bringing this to my attention. Upon investigation, it appears staff responsible for posting these reports online missed the email containing your 2025 pre-primary report. That report is now published online here. For the record, you properly submitted your pre-primary report on time and to the correct authority.

I apologize for this error and will work with the responsible staff to create a verifiable process to ensure all reports get published in a timely manner. This error was unacceptable.

Please contact me directly if you need anything further to resolve this issue.

Take care,

David Triplett Deputy Director | Property Tax, Records and Election Services

Stephen Laliberte Candidate for Mayor of White

Upcoming Games

September 16 - 21 Memphis Redbirds

Linda Ohme White Bear Lake

Larry Satrom White Bear Lake

Tom Vanderpool White Bear Township

Bear Lake

COPS&COURTS

RAMSEY COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORTS

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

• Officers took a fraud report in the 2200 block of Spruce Place Sept. 3.

• A Maple Grove man was arrested for a misdemeanor order for protection violation on Hazel Street Sept. 3.

• A disorderly man was issued a trespass citation in the 1900 block of Buerkle Road Sept. 3.

• Fraud was reported in the 2600 block of Sumac Ridge Sept. 4.

• A resident was trespassed from a business in the 2600 block of County Road E following a disorderly conduct incident Sept. 4.

• Officers responded to a neighbor dispute in the 3600 block of Howard Avenue Sept. 4.

• Officers mediated a verbal domestic incident in the 3500 block of White Bear Avenue Sept. 4.

A St. Paul woman was arrested for DWI following a traffic stop near the 2400 block of White Bear Avenue Sept. 4.

• A White Bear Township man was arrested for DWI near Fourth Avenue and Highway 96 Sept. 4.

• Officers responded to a burglary in the 4300 block of Centerville Road Sept. 6.

• Officers responded to a loud party in the 3400 block of

Willow Court Sept. 7.

• A vehicle was reported stolen in the 3100 block of McKnight Road Sept. 7.

• Officers responded to a barking dog complaint in the 1600 block of Fourth Street Sept. 7, and advised the homeowner.

• Officers assisted Blaine police in the arrest of a wanted suspect, a Little Canada man, in the 4600 block of Second Avenue Sept. 7.

• Officers mediated a noise issue between neighbors in the 3500 block of Century Avenue Sept. 7.

• A White Bear Township man was arrested Sept. 7 following an investigation of a burglary in the 4400 block of White Bear Parkway where he was found to be hiding stolen items.

• A mountain bike was reported stolen Sept. 8 in the 5000 block of Division Avenue.

• Officers responded to a report of a missing person in the 2000 block of Dotte Drive Sept. 8.

• Disorderly conduct was reported in the 3200 block of White Bear Avenue Sept. 8.

• Officers mediated a verbal argument between neighbors about dog behavior in the 1800 block of Webber Street Sept. 8.

• Officers mediated a family dispute in the 1900 block of Orchard Lane Sept. 9.

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:

Dellwood

• Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies conducted a traffic stop for speeding July 20 on Dellwood Avenue and Echo Street and cited the driver for that offense and for failure to provide proof of insurance.

Grant

• Deputies conducted a welfare check on a man with a cart not quite walking to New Orleans, but walking to Stillwater at 3:54 a.m. July 21 from Dellwood Road N. and Manning Avenue N. The male stated he could get to Stillwater just fine without deputies’ help.

• On the other hand, a male thought it was too far to walk to Minneapolis at 8:12 a.m. July 22 from 75th Street N. and Leeward Avenue N. and requested transport. Deputies thought it was too far for them to take him to Minneapolis and gave him a ride as far as the Maplewood Transit Center.

• A motorist was cited July 23 for stop sign violation and failure to maintain a lane on 75th Street N. and Keats Avenue N., after being pulled over for running a stop sign. A different motorist was cited at 1:29 a.m. July 24 on Manning Avenue N. for driving after suspension.

Mahtomedi

• A stop sign on Park Avenue and Hickory was reported tagged with profanity on July 20.

• Deputies issued a citation for assault on Stillwater Road at 6:54 p.m. July 20, after meeting with the victim and suspect on scene.

• As this was the week for people walking around under odd circumstances, deputies on July 21 assisted the Mahtomedi Fire Department who found an adult male walking down Stillwater Road at Mahtomedi Avenue in the rain with bare feet. The male said he was sad that his girlfriend broke up with him. His parents came to take him home.

• A juvenile was cited July 21 on Hickory Street following a complaint about motorized scooters. Later that day, deputies received a complaint about juveniles riding around Arbor Avenue and Juniper Street on minibikes. They found one of the three youths who admitted to being involved and who had a 49cc motor on his bike. After the youth told deputies his two friends had gone home, deputies advised him about some of the laws surrounding the use of minibikes and to ride responsibly. An hour later, another juvenile was sighted and cited for running a

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

Vadnais Heights

• A St. Paul woman, 26, was arrested on an outstanding warrant Aug. 1 in the 800 block of County Road E, following a traffic stop generated by a Flock alert. A “Flock alert” refers to the automated license plate recognition (ALPR) system created by the public safety technology company, Flock Safety. “Flock” is not an acronym. A flock alert is a notification sent to law enforcement when a vehicle flagged in a crime database passes one of Flock Safety’s ALPR cameras.

• Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office deputies on Aug. 1 stopped a vehicle in the 800 block of County Road E with an active Keep Our Kops Safe (KOPS) alert out on it issued by the Woodbury Police Department. The occupants of the vehicle were identified as part of an ongoing investigation in Woodbury. After information was gathered the suspects were released.

• A catalytic converter was reported stolen from a 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Aug. 2 while it was parked in the 900 block of County Road D.

• A St. Paul man, 43, was issued a trespass notice Aug. 3 after he refused to leave a business in the 1000 block of County Road E despite being asked to do so by staff.

• A Coon Rapids man on Aug. 3 reported from the 800 block of County Road E that he had uncovered three fraudulent transactions on his bank account totaling more than $2,000 that had

stop sign on Wildwood Beach Road and Birchwood Road on his electric motorized minibike as well as driving on the sidewalk, operating an unregistered vehicle, riding without a helmet and for not having a license.

• A group of people reported for drinking alcohol at Mahtomedi Beach in the 1000 block of Park Avenue at 6:05 p.m. July 21 turned out to be drinking sparkling water, according to the lifeguard on duty. No one in the group appeared to be intoxicated when the lifeguard spoke to them.

• After deputies took a call about a possible physical domestic at an address on Wildwood Road July 21, they learned that the dispute was verbal only and that the mother involved had confiscated her child’s phone. Deputies advised the complainant that parents are allowed to take phones for disciplinary purposes.

• On July 22, deputies conducted a traffic stop on Old Wildwood Road and Lincolntown Avenue on two motorized bikes driving in the roadway that were not displaying registration. One driver fled the scene and was located 45 minutes later on Maple Street. He received a citation for the unregistered motorized bike, driving without a license, driving on the sidewalk, stop sign violation and driving through a city park. The driver who remained on scene was given a verbal warning and instructed on what to do to legally while riding the motorized bike.

• On July 23 a pedestrian reported “minibikes” on the sidewalk near Warner Avenue N. and Greenwood Street that startled him when they drove by him. When deputies caught up to the e-bikes, they realized e-bikes are allowed to be on the sidewalk per state statute.

A Gosiwin Avenue resident on July 24 reported that someone had left a note with a pile of dog feces on his project site.

• A Shamrock Way resident on July 25 reported finding personal property belonging to another person behind a CVS store. Deputies used their records management systems to locate the owner, who lived nearby, and return the items.

Pine Springs

• Deputies conducted a traffic stop for speeding at 11:37 p.m. July 24 on Highway 36 and ended up issuing a verbal warning. During the stop, however, a motorist buzzed deputies by failing to move over for the emergency vehicles on the shoulder. Another partner squad on scene left quickly to pull that vehicle over.

Loretta Harding

occurred at a Walmart store and at a Speedway store ATM.

• An Eden Prairie woman, 25, was cited Aug. 3 in the 3800 block of Centerville Road for failure to stop at a stop sign.

• After a New Ulm woman reported losing her driver’s license at a store in the 900 block of County Road E on Aug. 5, deputies went to the store and recovered the item for her.

• Deputies on routine patrol at 12:20 a.m. Aug. 6 in the 3200 block of Highway 61 responded to the report of a man inside the Kwik Trip gas station wearing a red mask and potentially carrying a weapon. On further investigation, it was determined that the man, 29, was wearing the red mask because he was insecure about his acne and was not armed. His surreptitious behavior was likely due to his trying to buy cigarettes that his girlfriend did not want him to have. He was asked to leave the area.

White Bear Township

• An Oakdale woman, 29, was cited for shoplifting Aug. 4 in the 1000 block of Meadowlands Drive, after she was found to have stolen more than $300 worth of merchandise from Cub Foods.

• On Aug. 6, deputies responded to the report of a theft totaling more than $20 from the Cub Foods store, spoke with employees, collected evidence and began an investigation.

• A Blaine woman on Aug. 7 reported from the 1000 block of Meadowlands Drive that nearly $500 was withdrawn from her bank account without her permission through an ATM.

Loretta Harding

DNR BRIEF

DNR updates fall hunting regulations

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has updated its regulations for the 2025 fall hunting season.

For deer hunting, the shotgun zone will remain in effect for the current fall season, while the state Legislature has repealed the zone for the 2026 deer season. The B-season license has also been eliminated; only one statewide firearms license is now available. This license can be used during both the statewide firearms season and the late southeast season. Hunters with the statewide firearms license can hunt both the statewide firearms and late southeast seasons in any deer permit areas that are open to each season.

All special deer hunts that require a permit will be listed online only. The bag limit for the late chronic wasting disease season has also been changed from unlimited to five male or female deer. Self-service stations will not be available outside of opening weekend and late disease hunts. Sampling stations will only be available on Saturday, Sunday and Monday following the opening weekend of firearms season.

Hunters who would like to have their deer sampled for chronic wasting disease but aren’t covered by the mandatory sampling regulation may do so by using hunter mail-in kits, partner sampling programs or by scheduling an appointment at a DNR wildlife office. A complete list of these new rules and regulations can be found on the DNR website at www.tinyurl.com/y9uhrctd.

Hunting season dates

• Early teal season runs Sept. 6, through Sept. 10, with shooting hours from sunrise to sunset.

• Early goose season also kicks off Sept. 6 and runs through Sept. 21.

White Bear Lake Council sets preliminary budget, tax levy

BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR

WHITE BEAR LAKE — The 2026 tax levy is estimated to increase by 9.5 percent, or approximately $1.3 million from 2025.

The city is required to certify its proposed tax levy to the county by Sept. 30. That levy may be reduced before final adoption in December, but it cannot increase.

City Manager Lindy Crawford noted the proposed levy has already been reduced from what staff originally proposed. “At a work session in August, staff presented a 9.97% levy increase, so that has decreased with the removal of the communications specialist position,” she explained.

When it comes to the preliminary budget for 2026, some notable changes in revenues include:

• Franchise fee revenues decrease

• Non-business license and permit revenues are trending down with the completion of extensive school district facility projects, and no new significant development projects planned.

• Local Government Aid funds have been retained in the general fund to reduce the proposed tax levy increase.

• The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources shade tree grant funding for removal of emerald ash borer and tree replacement has been adjusted to match the planned use of funds.

• Ambulance revenues increase based on 2024 actual and 2025 year-to-date receipts.

• Interest revenues increase based on the current year’s receipts.

Some notable changes in expenditures include:

• Salary adjustments per the adopted pay plan and labor contracts (including benefit factors) and a 3% cost of living adjustment. (Public works labor contract is currently open for negotiation.)

• Additional personnel

• Forestry management

• Highway 61 median maintenance and required additional safety measures.

Forest Lake man sentenced for fatal overdose

A Forest Lake man has been sentenced to a year in the Ramsey County workhouse and seven years of probation for selling fentanyllaced heroin to a friend who later died of an overdose at a White Bear Lake hotel.

William James Dykes, 31, has been charged with third-degree murder by Ramsey County District Court in connection with the death of 28-year-old Joseph Michael Nash at the Best Western Plus. According to reports, officers responded to the hotel at 11 a.m. Nov. 8, 2021, regarding a possible overdose. They found Nash unresponsive in a second-floor room, and medics transported him to Regions Hospital. He was later pronounced dead, and a subsequent autopsy showed he died of mixed drug toxicity, with both fentanyl and alcohol in his system.

A 27-year-old woman and a 25-year-old man were also found in the room when officers arrived. Both said Nash had used heroin shortly before his death. However, neither told officers where Nash got the heroin and chose not to participate in any follow-up interviews during the investigation.

Time to sign up for Citizens Police Academy

Those who are interested in a behindthe-scenes look at local law enforcement should apply for the 2025 Citizens Police Academy by Oct. 1. Classes will be from 6 to 9 p.m. on Mondays, beginning Oct. 6. The immersive academy will cover a variety of topics including police training, community engagement, traffic enforcement, SWAT, K-9 demonstrations, ridealongs and more. Residents of White Bear Lake and Gem Lake can apply online at /www. whitebearlakemn. gov/publicsafety/ page/citizens-policeacademy or may drop off an application at the White Bear Lake Police Department. For questions, contact Sgt. John Vette at jvette@ whitebearlakemn.gov.

• Website hosting and federal ADA compliance add-ons.

• Required Minnesota Family Leave Program expenditures added with a 50/50 cost share between the city and employees.

That projected 9.5% increase in the tax levy for 2026 boils down to:

• 6.8% or $946,987 for general operations, including personnel and benefit expenses.

• 1.8% or $241,000 for debt service related to the 2025 street reconstruction project and equipment certificates for the replacement of a fire truck.

• 0.3% or $37,000 for the Public Safety Facility debt service.

• 0.6% or $79,013 for one IT technician.

Crawford noted the taxable market value from 2025 to 2026 grew by 3.3%, while the net tax capacity grew by 3.8%. “No city in the state sets values for homes. That is done by the county. If there was no change to the market value of property, that levy increase would truly feel like 5.76%,” she explained. When compared to tax levies of other metro cities, Crawford notes that White Bear Lake’s proposed tax levy is less than what the city of New Brighton is proposing and similar to the city of Shoreview’s 2023 tax levy.

Mayor Dan Louismet said the council’s August budget work session was “really good.”

He said, “We had a good, vibrant debate. The consensus was probably the same as our average resident, which is to provide the best services as frugally as possible, and I think you have delivered another budget that effectively does that.” He added, “I don’t have any fundamental qualms with this.”

Council Member Bill Walsh wanted to know more about the city’s option when it comes to paid family leave. “Have we looked at alternatives to being in the state family leave program?” he asked.

Crawford responded, “From my understanding, we have the option to go with the state-administered program or go through private broker. We are choosing to go through a private broker because it is cheaper, but we don’t have an option to not be part of paid family and medical leave.” She said that she would dig into the topic further and would bring that information back to council.

The council ultimately set the preliminary tax levy and will hold its truth-in-taxation hearing at

7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, at City Hall before adoption of the final tax levy and budget. The council also plans to have a work session Oct. 21 to discuss budgets for special revenue funds, enterprise funds and the draft fee schedule.

It’s booyah season at the VFW

Beginning at noon Sunday, Oct. 5, the VFW Keep-Zimmer Post 1782 will serve up booya. Booya originated in Belgium; the name is a French mispronunciation of “boullion”. The hearty communal stew consists of vegetables, potatoes, chicken and beef.

Lawrence Mahoney, VFW Post 1782 communications officer, says White Bear Lake’s booya will be made with oxtail, a cut of meat from a cattle's tail, known for its rich, flavorful and gelatinous quality. VFW Post 1782 is located at 4496 Lake Ave., White Bear Lake.

White Bear Lake Area Church Directory

John Joseph Steinworth, Jr.

Karen Kay Mickelson

age 75, passed away peacefully at home on August 16th, 2025 surrounded by loved ones. John was known for his love of music, dedication to justice, and spirit of wonder and awe toward nature and the modern world. He championed water rights in Minnesota, notably through his efforts with the White Bear Conservation District and in protecting Camp Coldwater in Minneapolis. In retirement he volunteered his time to many projects and endeavors including Friends of the Boundary Waters and Burning Man’s perimeter crew. Throughout his life John tried to give back to the world.

John’s passion for nature and exploration drove him to travel throughout the United States and Central America, but his love of his hometown came first; John often called himself “The first and last hippie of White Bear Lake.”

John is survived by his children: Jessa Baker (Ryan) and their daughters, Grace and Rose; Joe Steinworth (Annelise); and Liz Holmes (Chris). He is also survived by his siblings: Jim Steinworth; Jerry Steinworth (Fran); Jeff Steinworth (Deb); Jill Pitera (Rudy) and Jay Steinworth (Francoise); as well as a niece and several nephews.

Instead of a traditional service, John requested we throw a party as a memorial that was held September 15th at 4 Deuces Saloon in White Bear Lake. Visitation was held at Bradshaw Funeral Home in Stillwater September.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to https://www.friends-bwca.org/memorial/

Barbara V. Etcheson Douglass

beloved mother, grandmother, greatgrandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on September 7, 2025 at the age of 86 in White Bear Lake. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday September 17th at 11:00am at St. Andrew’s Church 900 Stillwater Rd Mahtomedi, MN 55115 Visitation at 10:00am.

January 24, 1942September 5, 2025

Karen Kay (Svihel) Mickelson, 83, of Stillwater, Minn., passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on September 5, 2025. A Minnesota resident for more than 60 years, Karen raised and nurtured her family while also teaching, volunteering, serving her community, and cultivating lasting friendships.

Born in Volga, S.D., on January 24, 1942, to Tabitha K. (Russell) and Leonard B. Svihel, Karen spent her childhood in Lake Preston, S.D. Karen graduated from Lake Preston High School in 1960 and earned her undergraduate degree in education from South Dakota State University in Brookings in 1964. It was there that she met and married her husband of 61 years, Micheal Mickelson.

Karen taught English for many years and served as education lead at the Minnesota History Center. She served at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Mahtomedi for 48 years, holding roles as church council member, youth choir director, usher, greeter, and more.

A lover of books, theater, inspiring quotes, conversation, a good belly laugh, and helping others, Karen held her friends close and her family closer. Ever the teacher, she taught others how to love by example. She always had a funny story to share, a great book to lend you, and a birthday card in the mail (early, of course). Her strong faith, great love for God and humanity, and irresistible bright light guided her rich life of service to others. She will be greatly missed.

Karen is survived by her loving husband, Mike; her children, Michele Belisle (John), Cindy Von Oehsen (Stephen), and David Mickelson; her grandchildren, Ashley Belisle (Michael Wegter), Claire Ellenberger (David), Stender, Evan, and Lucas Von Oehsen, and Errol and Rosie Mickelson; and her sisters, Margaret Nelson (David) and Hallie Kline (Steve). She was preceded in death by her sister, Lenarda Andersen.

A memorial service will be held at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Mahtomedi on Thursday, September 18, with visitation at 10 a.m. and the service at 11 a.m., followed by lunch.

Memorials preferred to St. Andrew’s Community Resource Center.

www.bradshawfuneral.com - (651) 439-5511

FINANCIAL PLANNING

Watch out for scams all around us

The digital era has its benefits. People from all over are able to connect almost instantaneously. Computers have made fast work of many tasks that once took hours or days to complete. Information or even funds can be shared at the click of a button. But for all of the benefits technology has provided, there is a darker side to the connectivity of the modern world. What has become easier for the general public also has become easier from those looking to take advantage of others.

Scams and internet crimes are now commonplace. The Federal Bureau of Investigation reported that a record $16.6 billion in losses due to scams were reported to them in 2024. The Pew Research Center indicates 73 percent of adults in the United States have experienced some kind of online scam or attack.

The office of Ken Paxton, the Attorney General of Texas, reports various ways to recognize scams, and that spotting these tactics can help people avoid being taken advantage of.

· Someone contacts you. When a party contacts you first, you can't be certain of their legitimacy. Also, email addresses and caller ID can be faked.

· Easy money is offered. Many scammers dangle a promise of some sort of financial gain, whether it's a prize or an easy loan. These are usually too good to be true.

time someone asks for personal information, whether it's a bank account number or other identifying information. You could become a victim of identity theft.

· Counterfeit merchandise: A scammer can replicate the look of a legitimate retailer's website. Purchasing items online through a link may lead you to a counterfeit site selling merchandise that is not legitimate and/or will not even arrive.

· Charity and disaster fraud: Charity fraud scams typically emerge in the wake of a natural disaster or another sudden, tragic event. Scammers may target generous individuals through email, social media posts, crowdfunding platforms, and cold calls. Never donate to charities you have not verified as legitimate.

payment on a debt that you haven't heard of. These scams work because some people are scared and take the bait. Legitimate creditors will produce proof of an actual debt.

· Home repair scams: Unsolicited companies may offer a "limited-time deal" and rope you into having a job done with "materials left over from another job." Be very cautious in these scenarios, as they may take money and run.

· Personal information is requested. Be on alert any

· Easy money is offered. Many scammers dangle a promise of some sort of financial gain, whether it's a prize or an easy loan. These are usually too good to be true.

· Personal information is requested. Be on alert any

· A request for money up front. If someone requests money to pay off a debt or to receive a prize, it is likely a scammer trying to take your money. There are many types of scams, and the following are some prominent ones.

· Cryptocurrency investment fraud: Scammers convince victims to deposit more and more money into financial investments using cryptocurrency. These investments are fake and all the money is under control and stolen by overseas criminal actors, says the FBI.

· Bogus debts: You may receive a message or threatening correspondence that demands

· Emergency scams: These are sometimes called Grandparent Scams because they often target the elderly. A criminal may claim to be a friend or family member in dire need and request money. Some scammers sound like the person a senior knows thanks to technology that enables them to do so. Scams are a continuous problem and everyone needs to be on their guard. Safeguard your personal information and avoid paying out any money without first conducting thorough research.

16TH ANNUAL

WHITE BEAR TOWNSHIP DAY

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 • 2-8 PM

• POLAR LAKES PARK

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

• Food Trucks/Beer Garden

• Giant Sandbox

• Inflatables & Bounce Houses

• Pony Rides, Face Painting, Henna Tattoos

• Town Hall Tours and BINGO

• Touch-A-Truck, sponsored by Trinity Automotive

• Viking Automotive Car Show (awards at 5:30pm)

• White Bear Lake Archery

• Children’s Activity Zone, Sponsored by Royal Credit Union

• Children’s Entrepreneur Market

EVENT PARKING

Free parking will be available in the lower parking lot, with overflow parking in designated area business lots near the park.

MAIN STAGE ABOUT THE BAND

Hurricane Blaze Band

When the members of Hurricane Band aren’t rocking events with live band karaoke, you can catch them performing as a variety cover band with the one and only Mikko Blaze on lead vocals. If you’ve been to a Hurricane Karaoke Band event in the last four years, then you’ve seen Mikko perform and you know it’s no surprise that he won the World Karaoke Championship in 2018. The band met Mikko when he won a karaoke competition Twin Cities Live put on with Hurricane Karaoke Band at the Minnesota State Fair.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS & DONORS!

Bill Wiegel Signs

VFW Post 1782 Auxiliary

WBL Area Historical Society

White Bear Township Park Board

All Around Fun

Down on the Farm Press Publications

Ramsey Country Sheriff’s Department

Royal Credit Union

White Bear Fire Department

White Bear Township Public Works

Park Board & Event Support:

Scott Lombardi: chair

Cory Huberty

Bernard Krupowicz

Patricia Lee

Michael Sachi

Curt Akenson

Tim David: vice-chair

Steve Ruzek: Commissioner

Dale Reed: Advisor, Public Works Director

5:00 PM - Hurricane Blaze Band

8:00 PM - National Anthem: Laila Elazab

8:05 PM - Fireworks over the Park

City responds to anarchy on the byways

BY LORETTA HARDING CONTRIBUTING WRITER

MAHTOMEDI — The City Council is making some revisions to its existing ordinance to address the problem of motorized vehicles in city parks. Below are several incidents involving youths on motorized conveyances that occurred over the summer, courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

• On July 21, deputies received a complaint about juveniles riding around Arbor Avenue and Juniper Street on minibikes. They found one of the three youths, who admitted to being involved and who had a 49cc motor on his bike. After the youth told deputies his two friends had gone home, deputies advised him about some of the laws surrounding the use of minibikes and to ride responsibly. An hour later, another juvenile was sighted and cited for running a stop sign on Wildwood Beach Road and Birchwood Road on his electric motorized minibike, as well as driving on the sidewalk, operating an unregistered vehicle, riding without a helmet and for not having a license.

• On July 22, deputies conducted a traffic stop on Old Wildwood Road and Lincolntown Avenue on two motorized bikes driving in the roadway that were

not displaying registration. One driver fled the scene and was located 45 minutes later on Maple Street. He received a citation for the unregistered motorized bike, driving without a license, driving on the sidewalk, stop sign violation and driving through a city park.

• On July 23 a pedestrian reported minibikes on the sidewalk near Warner Avenue N. and Greenwood Street that startled him when they drove by him. When deputies caught up to the e-bikes, they realized e-bikes are allowed to be on the sidewalk, according to state statute.

And on and on it went all summer.

At its Sept. 2 regular meeting, the council made some revisions to its existing ordinance to address the problem of motorized vehicle anarchy by approving an ordinance amending Mahtomedi City Code Chapter 10 related to the use of motorized vehicles in city parks.

Last month, the council directed the city attorney to review the city code and determine if there are any changes that should be considered to better address concerns about these types of vehicles on city streets, sidewalks, trails and park property.

City staff submitted, and the council unanimously approved an ordinance amendment that focuses on the use of motorized vehicles in city parks and trails only, as state statutes already regulate the use of electric

scooters, motorcycles, dirt bikes, motorized bikes and electric bikes on city sidewalks and streets.

The amendment says that under city code, “vehicle” and “motor vehicle” shall now have the definitions given them in Minnesota Statutes Chapter 169. The amendment also says that “it is unlawful for any person to operate a motorized bicycle, off-highway motorcycle or other motor vehicle on any city trail, in any city open space area or in any other city park area. This shall not prohibit operation of such properly registered motorized vehicles by licensed or otherwise legal drivers in a city parking lot and on driveways into and out of a city park solely for ingress or egress purposes.”

These changes may have clarified matters a little bit for now, but council asked city staff to draft a letter to legislators to consider creating a clear and uniform set of statutes regarding motorized vehicles throughout the state. Mayor Richard Brainerd offered up the city’s new amended ordinance as a possible model.

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

CITY OF WHITE BEAR LAKE AND WHITE BEAR LAKE MAIN STREET INC.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING 2026 AND 2027 SPECIAL SERVICES DISTRICT LEVY

Notice is hereby given that the City Council of White Bear Lake, Minnesota will hold a public hearing in the City Hall Council Chambers located at 4701 Highway 61 on September 23, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. to re-establish the “Downtown Special Service District Service Charge Levy” (“Levy”) pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Sections 428A.01 to 428A.10, inclusive. The properties to be included in the Special Service District, and thus subject to the levy, are illustrated on the Downtown Service District map available for review at City Hall.

The general nature of the improvements and services to be provided within the district and paid for (in whole or in part) with Levy proceeds includes payment for general promotions including: beautification, recruitment and district-wide marketing and advertising. The proposed Levy is for two years with the total amount of all service charges proposed for calendar years 2026 and 2027 not to exceed $45,000 per year. The service charge for each affected property shall again be based on each property’s building square footage. The formula is based on the gross square footage of each business with the multiplier for the first floor of .09432 and all other non-resident floors at .01960. The proposed minimum for first floor properties is $135 and the proposed maximum for any property is $1,600.

A petition of affected property owners, as required by Minnesota Statutes, Section 428A.08, is in the possession of “Main Street, Inc.” representing downtown business establishments.

All interested parties will be given an opportunity to be heard at the hearing regarding the proposed service charge.

Signed: Kristin Cranmer, President, Main Street Board Kerri Kindsvater, Finance Director, City of White Bear Lake

Published one time in the White Bear Press on September 3 and 17, 2025.

STATE OF MINNESOTA, COUNTY OF RAMSEY DISTRICT COURT, SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT CASE TYPE: QUIET TITLE COURT FILE NO. 62-CV-25-6988 SUMMONS

White Bear Lake Area Schools, Independent School District No. 624, Plaintiff,

v. Lowell H. Long, Lorraine Long, and Harriet E. Oestreich; Also the unknown heirs of Lowell H. Long, Lorraine Long, and Harriet E. Oestreich, and all other persons unknown claiming any right, title, estate, interest, or lien in the real estate described in the complaint herein, Defendants.

THIS SUMMONS IS DIRECTED TO: Lowell H. Long, Lorraine Long, and Harriet E. Oestreich, also the unknown heirs of Lowell H. Long, Lorraine Long, and Harriet E. Oestreich, and all other persons unknown claiming any right, title, estate, interest, or lien in the real estate described in the complaint herein.

1. YOU ARE BEING SUED. The Plaintiff has started a lawsuit against you. The Plaintiff’s Complaint against you is attached to this Summons. Do not throw these papers away. They are official papers that affect your rights. You must respond to this lawsuit even though it may not yet be filed with the Court and there may be no court file number on this Summons.

2. YOU MUST REPLY WITHIN 21 DAYS TO PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS. You must give or mail to the person who signed this Summons a written response called an Answer within 21 days of the date on which you received this Summons. You must send a copy of your Answer to the person who signed this summons located at: Squires Waldspurger & Mace, P.A. 333 South Seventh Street, Suite 2800 Minneapolis, MN 55402

3. YOU MUST RESPOND TO EACH CLAIM. The Answer is your written response to the Plaintiff’s Complaint. In your Answer you must state whether you agree or disagree with each paragraph of the Complaint. If you believe the Plaintiff should not be given everything asked for in the Complaint, you must say so in your Answer.

4. YOU WILL LOSE YOUR CASE IF YOU DO NOT SEND A WRITTEN RESPONSE TO THE COMPLAINT TO THE PERSON WHO SIGNED THIS SUMMONS. If you do not Answer within 21 days, you will lose this case. You will not get to tell your side of the story, and the Court may decide against you and award the Plaintiff everything asked for in the Complaint. If you do not want to contest the claims stated in the Complaint, you do not need to respond. A default judgment can then be entered against you for the relief requested in the Complaint.

5. LEGAL ASSISTANCE. You may wish to get legal help from a lawyer. If you do not have a lawyer, the Court Administrator may have information about places where you can get legal assistance. Even if you cannot get legal help, you must still provide a written Answer to protect your rights or you may lose the case.

6. ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION. The parties may agree to or be ordered to participate in an alternative dispute resolution process under Rule 114 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice. You must still send your written response to the Complaint even if you expect to use alternative means of resolving this dispute.

COMPLAINT

Independent School District No. 624, White Bear Lake Area Schools, (the “District” or “Plaintiff”), as and for its Complaint against Lowell H. Long, Lorraine Long, and Harriet E. Oestreich, also the unknown heirs of Lowell H. Long, Lorraine Long, and Harriet E. Oestreich, and all other persons unknown claiming any right, title, estate, interest, or lien in the real estate described in the complaint herein (“Defendants”), states and alleges as follows: PARTIES

1. The District is a political subdivision of the State of Minnesota, organized and existing pursuant to the Minnesota law, with all of the powers granted to it by law.

2. Defendant Lowell H. Long is one of the individuals who signed the May 20, 1958 quit claim deed granting the District with a perpetual easement for a public roadway on the South sixty-six (66) feet of the Southwest Quarter of the Southeast Quarter (SW of SE) of Section Eleven (11), Township Thirty (30), Range Twenty-two (22).

3. Defendant Lorraine Long is one of the individuals who signed the May 20, 1958 quit claim deed granting the District with a perpetual easement for a public roadway on the South sixty-six (66) feet of the Southwest Quarter of the Southeast Quarter (SW of SE) of Section Eleven (11), Township Thirty (30), Range Twenty-two (22).

4. Defendant Harriet E. Oestreich is one of the individuals who signed the May 20, 1958 quit claim deed granting the District with a perpetual easement for a public roadway on the South sixty-six (66) feet of the Southwest Quarter of the Southeast Quarter (SW of SE) of Section Eleven (11), Township Thirty (30), Range Twenty-two (22).

5. All other Defendants, including the unknown heirs of Lowell H. Long, Lorraine Long, and Harriet E. Oestreich, if any, are unknown to the District.

JURISDICTION AND VENUE

6. Jurisdiction is proper under Rule 4.04 subdivision (a) of the Minnesota Rules of Civil Procedure because the subject of this action is real property within the state upon which Defendants have interest and the relief demanded consists wholly in excluding Defendants from any such interest.

7. Venue is proper under Minnesota Statutes Section 542.02 because the property at issue is located in the County of Ramsey. FACTUAL BACKGROUND

8. The District is in possession of the land located at 5045 Division Avenue, White Bear Lake, MN 55110 (the “Property” or “Parcel 37”) and legally described as follows: The Southwest 1/4 of the Southeast 1/4 of Section 11, Township 30, Range 22, Ramsey County, Minnesota, EXCEPT North 330 feet

of the West 660 feet, and EXCEPT the right-of-way of the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault St. Marie Railroad, also, EXCEPT the following

a. Commencing at the intersection of the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault St. Marie Railroad right-of-way and the East line of Bald Eagle Avenue, thence North along said East line of said Bald Eagle Avenue, 160 feet more or less; thence East 410 feet more or less, to the right-of way of the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie railway; thence Southwesterly along said right-of-way to place of beginning, being part of the Southwest 1/4 of the Southeast 1/4 of Section 11, Township 30, Range 22.

b. The tract of land lying South of Lots 6 and 7, Block 16, Town of Bald Eagle, to the North line of the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railway Company right-of-way, being in the Southwest 1/4 of the Southeast 1/4 of Section 11, Township 30, Range 20.

c. The South 66 feet of said Southwest 1/4 of the Southeast 1/4 of Section 11, Township 30, Range 22, Ramsey County, Minnesota.

d. The North 150 feet of the South 516 feet of the West 333 feet of the Southwest 1/4 of the Southeast 1/4 of Section 11, Township 30, Range 22.

e. Commencing at a point on the East line of said Southwest 1/4 of the Southeast 1/4 of Section 11, Township 30, Range 22, 285.11 feet South of the Northeast comer thereof, thence West at an angle of 90 degrees 30 feet to the place of beginning of the land to be described, thence continue West 578.00 feet to the Southerly line of right-of-way of the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railway, thence Northeasterly on -of-way of the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railway, thence Northeasterly on said Southerly line 629.80 feet to a point 30 feet West of the East line of said Southwest 1/4 of the Southeast 1/4 of Section 11, thence South 250.00 feet to the place of beginning.

9. For over fifteen continuous years, the District has maintained a publicschool building located on the Property. See Declaration of Scott Arcand ¶ 3.

10. Currently, the Property is the site of White Bear Lake Area High School. See Declaration of Tim Wald ¶ 3.

11. There are three gaps in the District’s legal title to Parcel 37. The three gaps are described below:

a. The District has a deed to the portion of land described as South 66 feet of said Southwest 1/4 of the Southeast 1/4 of Section 11, Township 30, Range 22, Ramsey County, Minnesota dated May 20, 1958 signed by Defendants Lowell H. Long, Lorraine Long, and Harriet E. Oestreich. See Exhibit 1; Exhibit 2. The District is unaware of any interest of this portion claimed by, or appearing of record to be claimed by, any Defendant.

b. The District is further unaware of any interest of this portion claimed by, or appearing of record to be claimed by, any Defendant to the portion of land legally described as that part of the East 180.00 feet of the Southeast Quarter of the Northwest Quarter of the Northeast Quarter of Section 14, Township 30, Range 22, Ramsey County, Minnesota, lying South the of the North 320.00 feet and North of the of the South 335.00 feet of said East 180.00 feet of the Southeast Quarter of the Northwest Quarter of the Northeast Quarter of Section 14. See Exhibit 3.

c. Finally, the District is unaware of any interest of this portion claimed by, or appearing of record to be claimed by, any Defendant to the portion of land legally described as that part of the North Half of the Southwest Quarter of the Northeast Quarter of Section 14, Township 30, Range 22, Ramsey County, Minnesota, lying South of the North 358.75 feet, of said North Half of the Southwest Quarter of the Northeast Quarter and lying North of the South 300.00 feet thereof lying West of Murray’s Second Addition to White Bear Lake, Ramsey County, Minnesota. Together with that part lying East of the West 924.00 feet thereof and lying West of said Murray’s Second Addition to White Bear Lake. See Exhibit 4.

STATEMENT OF CLAIM: ACTION TO DETERMINE ADVERSE CLAIMS

12. For over fifteen continuous years, the District has had actual, open, hostile, continuous, and exclusive possession of the Property. Specifically, the District has operated the White Bear Lake Area High School on the Property.

13. The District is unaware of any Defendants claiming any right, title, interest, estate, or lien in or upon the Property, or any part thereof.

14. The District should be determined to be the owner of the Property by virtue of adverse possession. See Ehle v. Prosser, 293 Minn. 183, 189, 197 N.W.2d 458, 462 (1972); Minn. Stat. § 541.02.

WHEREFORE, the District prays for the following relief:

1. For a judgment pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Section 559.01 determining that it has legal title to and is in possession of the entirety of Parcel 37 by virtue of adverse possession and that the Defendants herein have no estate or interest therein or lien thereon adverse to the interest to the District’s possession of the Property, and for costs and disbursements herein.

2. For such other relief as the Court deems just and equitable.

SQUIRES, WALDSPURGER, & MACE P.A.

Date: August 25, 2025 /s/ Jay Squires

Jay T. Squires, Atty. No. 204699

Molly M. Fischl, Atty. No. 402964

333 South Seventh Street, Suite 2800

Minneapolis, MN 55402

Telephone: 612-436-4300

E-mail: jay.squires@raswlaw.com molly.fischl@raswlaw.com

ATTORNEYS FOR INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 624

Published three times in the White Bear Press on September 3, 10 and 17, 2025.

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

COURT FILE NO. 62-PR-25-765

NOTICE OF REMOTE HEARING ON PETITION FOR FORMAL PROBATE OF WILL, APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

In re the Estate of: Alice Kay Dalager, Decedent.

NOTICE is given that on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, from 1:15 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. a hearing using remote technology will be held by this Court for the formal probate of an intrument purporting to be the Decedent’s last will dated June 15, 2025 (“Will”), and for the appointment of Nissa Parmar, whose address is 1678 Hague Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55104, as personal representative of the Estate of the Decedent in a supervised administration. Information on how to participate in the remote hearing can be obtained by calling the Court at 651-286-8145.

Any objections to the petition must be filed with the Court prior to or raised at the hearing. If proper and if no objections are filed or raised, the personal representative will be appointed with full power to administrator the Estate including the power to collect all assets, to pay all legal debts, claims, taxes and expenses, to sell real and personal property, and to do all necessary acts for the Estate. If objections are filed, another hearing may be scheduled.

Any charitable beneficiary may request notice of the probate proceeding be given to the attorney general pursuant to Minnesota Statute Section 501B.41, Subdivision 5.

Notice is also given that (subject to Minn. Stat. § 524.3-801) all creditors having claims against the Estate are required to present the claims to the personal representative or to the Court Administrator within four months after the date of this Notice or the claims will be barred.

BY THE COURT: Michael F. Upton, Court Administrator

BY: Elizabeth Girling, Deputy Court Administrator

Date: August 29, 2025

Petitioner is a Self-Represented Litigant: Nissa Parmar 1678 Hague Avenue St. Paul, MN 55104

Published two times in the White Bear Press on September 10 and 17, 2025.

VADNAIS LAKE AREA WATER MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION (VLAWMO)

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL: AUDIT SERVICES. The Vadnais Lake Area Water Management Organization (VLAWMO) is requesting proposals from qualified firms of certified public accounts for audit of its financial statements for fiscal years ending December 31, 2025 and 2026. VLAWMO will select a firm based on experience, capacity, billing rate, familiarity with VLAWMO financial systems, responsiveness and the other evaluation criteria listed in the RFP. A full copy of the RFP is available on the VLAWMO website at https://www.vlawmo.org/news/

Please submit proposals electronically via PDF by 4:00 PM on Thursday September 25, 2025 to phil.belfiori@vlawmo.org. Questions should be addressed to Phil Belfiori, Administrator, by email. Both questions and proposals: phil.belfiori@vlawmo.org. 651-204-6073. Published two times in the White Bear Press on September 10 and 17, 2025.

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

COURT FILE NO. 62-PR-25-734

NOTICE OF REMOTE HEARING ON PETITION FOR FORMAL ADJUDICATION OF INTESTACY, DETERMINATION OF HEIRSHIP, APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTIVE In re the Estate of: Thomas Kubitschek, a/k/a Thomas Adrian Kubitschek, Decedent.

NOTICE is given that on Friday, October 17, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. until 2:15 p.m., a hearing will be held using remote technology by this Court on the petition for formal adjudication of intestacy, determination of heirship, and for the appointment of Daniel Kubitschek, whose address in 10690 Inwood Ave. N., Mahtomedi 55115, as personal representative of the Estate of the Decedent in an unsupervised administration.

Information on how to participate in the remote hearing can be obtained by calling the Court at 651-266-8145.

NOTICE SHALL BE GIVEN by publishing this Notice as provided by law and by mailing a copy of this Notice at least 14 days prior to the hearing date to all interested persons and persons who have filed a demand for notice. BY THE COURT: Michael F. Upton, District Court Administrator BY: Elizabeth Girling, Deputy Court Administrator

Date: August 18, 2025

Petitioner is a Self-Represented Litigant: Daniel Kubitschek 10690 Inwood Ave N., Mahtomedi, MN 55115

Published two times in the White Bear Press on September 10 and 17, 2025.

INDEPENDENT

SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 624

WHITE BEAR LAKE, MN 55110

MINUTES AUGUST 11, 2025

Abbreviated Minutes—complete information available from the Superintendent’s office or online at www.isd624.org.

A meeting of the White Bear Lake Area School Board was held on Monday, August 11, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. in Boardroom 200 at the Sunrise Park District Service Center, 2399 Cedar Avenue, White Bear Lake, MN. This meeting was open to the public and a recording is posted on the website. PROCEDURAL ITEMS 1. Chair Arcand called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. 2. Roll Call - Present: Ellison, Skaar, Streiff Oji, Thompson, Arcand, Daniels. Absent: Beloyed. Ex-Officio: Dr. Wayne Kazmierczak. 3. Pledge of Allegiance. 4. Thompson moved and Ellison seconded to approve the agenda as presented. Voice vote: Ayes, all. Nays, none. Motion carried. 5. Ellison moved and Streiff Oji seconded to approve the consent agenda consisting of: a. Minutes for Board meeting on July 14, 2025; b. Monthly invoices, all of which met the standards and guidelines as set by the School Board; c. Resolution regarding acceptance of gifts with thank you letters directed to the donors; d. Field trips; e. Resolution regarding personnel items; and f. Quarterly investment update. Roll call vote: Ayes, all. Nays, none. Motion carried. PUBLIC FORUM. INFORMATION ITEMS 1. Superintendent’s Report - Dr. Kazmierczak highlighted several news items in the White Bear Lake Area School District. DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. Summer Construction Update. 2. White Bear Lake Area High School Radon Testing Report. 3. Summary of Superintendent’s Evaluation. 4. First Reading of School Board Policies: a. 414, and b. 516.5. OPERATIONAL ITEMS 1. Daniels moved and Thompson seconded to approve the action on Proposed Substitute Teacher Rate Change. Roll call vote: Ayes, all. Nays, none. Motion carried. 2. Ellison moved and Streiff Oji seconded to approve the action on Superintendent’s Contract for 2026-2029. Roll call vote: Ayes, Ellison, Streiff Oji, Thompson, Arcand, Daniels. Nays, none. Abstention, Skaar. Motion carried. 3. Thompson moved and Ellison seconded to approve the action on School Board Policies: a. 418, b. 501, c. 503, d. 515, e. 516, f. 534, g. 621, h. 707, i. 709, j. 802, and k. 806. Voice vote: Ayes all. Nays, none. Motion carried. BOARD FORUM. ADJOURNMENT Skaar moved and Ellison seconded to adjourn the meeting at 6:27 p.m. Voice vote: Ayes, all. Nays, none. Motion carried. Submitted by: Kathleen Daniels, clerk. Published one time in the White Bear Press on September 17, 2025.

INDEPENDENT

SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 624

WHITE BEAR LAKE, MN 55110

MINUTES AUGUST 25, 2025

Abbreviated Minutes—complete information available from the Superintendent’s office or online at www.isd624.org.

A work session of the White Bear Lake Area School Board was held on Monday, August 25, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. in Boardroom 200 at the District Service Center at Sunrise Park, 2399 Cedar Avenue, White Bear Lake, MN. This meeting was open to the public and a recording is posted on the website. PROCEDURAL ITEMS 1. Call to Order - Chair Arcand called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. 2. Roll Call - Present: Skaar, Streiff Oji, Arcand, Beloyed, Daniels, Ellison. Absent: Thompson. DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. Overview of Back to School Events. 2. Educators Thriving Update. 3. Academic Data Overview. Ellison moved and Streiff Oji seconded to go into closed session at 6:39 p.m. Voice vote: Ayes, all. Nays, none. Motion carried. The meeting went into closed session at 6:42 p.m. LABOR NEGOTIATIONS *This portion of the meeting may be closed to consider strategy for labor negotiations, including negotiation strategies or developments or discussion and review of labor negotiation proposals, conducted pursuant to Minn. Stat. 179A.01 to 179A.25. Ellison moved and Skaar seconded to go into open session at 7:07 p.m. Voice vote: Ayes, all. Nays, none. Motion carried. ADJOURNMENT Ellison moved and Beloyed seconded to adjourn the meeting at 7:08 p.m. Voice vote: Ayes, all. Nays, none. Motion carried. Submitted by: Kathleen Daniels, clerk. Published one time in the White Bear Press on September 17, 2025.

TOWNSHIP DAY: Attendees will feel ‘small-town connectedness’

said Town Administrator Patrick Christopherson. “It’s ready to go.”

Township Day Director Beth Anderson explained that the updated space has allowed her to expand offerings for this year’s bash.

Here are some of the highlights:

Kids’ All-Around Fun Area

Anderson mentioned that because of the increase in vendors, the Kids’ All-Around Fun Area is now in the northwest portion of the park. “We have bounce houses, pony rides, face painting and tattoos,” Anderson listed. “The archery club will be out there to teach kids about archery.”

Touch-a-truck and car show

In the center of the upper lot, the White Bear Lake Fire Department and Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office will show off their fleets of vehicles for children to explore. “They want to teach kids that these (vehicles) aren’t scary. These are here to help you,” Anderson said. “This year, we also have some construction companies coming out that are bringing dump trucks and excavators.” Meanwhile, in the lower parking lot, the Viking Automotive Car Show will have over 200 different vehicles on display.

Children’s Entrepreneurship

For the first time, Anderson said, Township Day is partnering with Children’s Entrepreneurship, a

nonprofit that focuses on middle-age schoolchildren and gives them education and practical experience on starting a business. Fifty to 75 kid vendors will be part of this program in the vendor area in the northeast upper lot.

Fur trader historical reenactment

In addition to running bingo on the west side of the upper lot, the White Bear Lake Area Historical Society will host La Compagnie des Hivernants la Rivière Saint Pierre, a fur-trader reenactment group, from 4-6 p.m. Per the society’s executive director, Sara Hanson, “(La Compagnie) will have canoes, costumed interpreters and a camp set up for people to explore our fur-trade history.”

Food and drink

“Last year, we only had 12 food trucks,” stated Anderson. “This year, we have 22 … Then, of course, we have the beer garden for the adults.” Food trucks will line the upper lot while the VFW will have two beer gardens on the south and west sides. Neighboring the south location will be a root beer garden.

Live entertainment and fireworks

Starting at 5 p.m., Hurricane Blaze Band will perform on the lower lot stage. The set will go until 8 p.m., at which time the event will close with a spectacular fireworks display.

Christopherson hopes that those who attend feel a small-town connectedness. “The majority of people I

PUBLIC NOTICES • PUBLIC NOTICES • PUBLIC NOTICES

WHITE BEAR LAKE AREA SCHOOLS

INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT 624

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

Bids close at 2:00 P.M. (local time) on Thursday, October 9, 2025

By order of the School Board of the White Bear Lake Area Schools, sealed bids for construction of the Birch Lake Boiler Replacement Project at Birch Lake Elementary School in White Bear Lake, Minnesota will be received at The District Office of 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 Thursday, October 9, 2025, 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 steam boiler plant and all steam and condensate piping with a new hot water boiler plant and all new hot water heating piping with HVAC equipment either being replaced or steam heating coils being replaced with hot water heating coils as identified in the documents at the Birch Lake 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, September 24, 2025 at 3:30 PM at Birch Lake 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 September 17 and 24, 2025.

STATE OF MINNESOTA, COUNTY OF RAMSEY DISTRICT, COURT SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT FILE NUMBER: 62-CV-24-4115

CASE TYPE: CHANGE OF NAME In the Matter of the Application of Kayla Wieck OBO Minor for a Change of Name NOTICE OF HEARING BY PUBLICATION (NAM209) MINN. STAT. § 259.10

Name of parent to be notified: Jerry Alexander

Last known address: Unknown, White Bear Lake, Minnesota

An Application for Name Change has been filed by Kayla Wieck for a change of name for the minor child Lillie Rose Wieck-Alexander to Lillie Rose Wieck. A hearing on this Application will be held Remotely via Zoom on November 5, 2025, at Zoomgov.com. Meeting ID: 161 026 9548 ; Passcode: 192182

You may obtain a copy of the Application for Name Change from 5 West Kellogg Boulevard, Court Records - Room 72, St. Paul, MN 55102. If you do not appear at the scheduled hearing, the Petitioner’s Application for a Name Change for the minor child may be granted.

Date: September 2, 2025 Amanda Boomgaarden, Court Administrator/Deputy 2ndcasesscheduling@courts.state.mn.us

Published three times in the White Bear Press on September 17, 24 and October 1, 2025.

speak with are happy that the township still feels the same way it did 20, 30, 40, 50 years ago,” he said. “I hope we see all of our regulars out there this year.”

PAUL DOLS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

The Cliff Jump is one of the popular attractions in the Kids’ All Around Fun Area.

1. Members of the VFW Auxiliary display their patriotism at Veterans Park on Sept. 11. — Debra Neutkens, Contributed

2. Paul (the Plumber) Carlson takes a picture with Kendall Qualls, one of the candidates running for Minnesota governor, at a recent meet and greet event at the White Bear Country Inn. — Contributed

3. Amelia Reigstad, owner of The Women Collective, gifts flowers to White Bear Lake Police Officer Samantha Moriarty in honor of National Woman Police Officer Day. — Contributed

My name is Brian Roelofs and I have been assisting families and businesses just like yours for over 23 years in finding the right insurance company to fit your specific needs. Our agency represents over 50 insurance companies that we can shop to find the best fit for you. As the insurance industry experiences historic increases across the marketplace. Our selection of companies to shop and offer our clients has never been more valuable.

Here are just a handful of some of the companies we represent and can be your agent and advocate with.

If you are looking for a second option for your insurance needs. Please give us a call today!

Thank you so much, — Brian Roelofs

entire catalog of stories from

THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

14th Annual

THANK YOU SPONSORS

GOLD SPONSORS

• RAO Manufacturing Co.

• Mans’L

SILVER SPONSORS

• Commercial Plumbing and Heating

• Royal Credit Union White Bear Lake

• Alstatt Consulting

• Comcast

• Joy Erickson Real Estate Team

• Hallberg Engineering

• The Carlson Clinic of White Bear Lake

• Dennis Properties

• Ryan Family Foundation

• Kim and Michael Esch

BRONZE SPONSORS

• Cerenity Senior Care of White Bear Lake

• Goldwood Kennels

• White Bear Country Inn

• Jim Hunt and Deb Lauer

• White Bear Rental

• White Bear Boat Works

• Western Spring Mfg Co

• State Farm – Scott Bohnen Agency

• Edina Realty – Kathy and Lisa Madore

• Frandsen Bank & Trust

ROTARY SPONSORS

• Ken Baltzer

• Bryan and Lael Belisle

• Craig & Gloria Drake

• Mike and Sylvia Lovett

• Carol Nelson & Keith Henry

• Rick & Cathy Storey

• Control House

• Technie Dudes

• Darrell & Kathy Stone

• Bob & Vivien Timmons

• The Inn on Madeline Island

• Galena Law Firm, P.A.

• Greg & Sandy Bartz

• Jim Hansen

• Paul Keleher

• Pat McFarlane

• Craig & Betsy McNulty

• Rust Architects

• Galloway Culinary

• Pam Johnstone – Edward Jones

• Fred and Stella Treiber

• Connie Bossard

• Honsa Family Funeral Home

• Premier Banks

• Ramsay & Associates

• Shear reflections

• Reed Walhof

• White Bear Area Chamber of Commerce

• Jim Dwyer

• Great Lakes Baseball Academy

• HTF Solutions

IN-KIND SPONSORS

• White Bear Press

• Pine Tree Apple Orchard

• Rudy’s Redeye Grill

• Pine Tree Apple Orchard

• Chick-fil-a Maplewood

• Porterhouse Steak and Seafood

• Quinny’s Sports Pub and Grill

• Donatelli’s

• Outback Steakhouse

• QC Pizza

• Keys Café & Bakery White Bear Lake

• Young’s Korean Barbeque

• Little Village Pub

• Luke’s Soups

• Washington Square Bar & Grill

• 7 Vines Vineyard

• Two Silo Winery

• Dapper Barons

• Tifler Wines

• Rustic Roots Winery

• Paustis Wine Company

• Dapper Barons Spirits

• Western Son Distillery

• Elm Creek Brewing

• Lift Bridge Brewery

• Dancing Dragonfly Winery

• Bigwood Brewery

• Oliphant Brewing

• Schell’s Beer

Call Herita ge for the Blin d Today at 844/220-9501 today!

GET BOOST IN FINITE! Unlimited talk text and data for just $25/mo! The power of 3 5G networ ks, one low price! Call today and get the latest iPhone every year on us! 855/849-66 21

GET DISH SATELLITE TV + INTERN ET! Free in stall, free HDDVR upgrade, 80,000 on-demand movies plus limited time up to $600 in gift cards. Call today! 855/562-4309

SAFE STEP NORTH Amer icas #1 Walk-In Tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Topof-the-line installation and se rvice. Now featuring our FR EE shower pa ckage and $1,600 off for a limited time! Call to day! Financing available. Call Safe Step 833/96638 82

WE BUY HOUSES for cash AS IS! No repairs No fuss Any condition. Easy three step process: Call, get cash offer and get paid. Get your fair cash offer today by calling Liz Buys H ouses: 844/978-06 83

NAMES IN THE NEWS

Local jazz vocalist and songwriter Jennifer Grimm recently released a new single, "For the Record", billed as a genre-bending blend of hip hop, pop and indie sounds. She describes it as "an anthem for mothers, rebels, movers and shakers, and protectors."

Grimm and partner Joe Cruz perform on Thursdays from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Ingredients Cafe in White Bear Lake. For a schedule and to learn more, visit jennifergrimm.com.

WBLAS BOARD NOTES

• The Minnesota Elementary Principals’ Association recognized Mariner Middle School, with Principal Christina Pierre, as well as Otter Lake Elementary, with Principal Angela Nelson, as “Schools of Excellence.” The schools are among 13 chosen from across the state. ISD 624 is the only district in the state to have more than one school recognized.

• The school board recognized students for participation in the 2025 Minnesota Junior B.A.S.S. Nation high school tournament. To view a video listing each student’s accomplishment, visit youtube.com/@ISD624.

WANTED: ALL 1970S MOTORCYCLES

Running or not Titled or not Will pick up. Cash in exchange. Sell now before prices fall. Call Dan at 612/720-2142

and

Job duties to include keeping job sites clean and organized both inside and outside, and maintaining equipment.

TOOLS-TOOLSTOOLS Misc HH items, baby clothes, etc, and much more!

• The board is considering a request to reorganize the monthly check registers included in the meeting agenda packets. Board Member Dan Skaar commented that many of the invoiced line items have a financial-check-type letter associated, but no legend is provided to the public. He also asked that a description be provided on invoice items on amounts to entities whose services were not apparent. This past month, for example, ISD 624 paid $105,000 to the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. When Skaar asked Director of Finance Andi Johnson about this check, she explained that it went toward the district’s BARR program. Skaar suggested that if such information was present in the school board packets, the district’s finances would be more transparent to the public. Johnson responded that making such a change could add 50 to 100 pages more to an already unwieldy document. The packet from August 2025’s regular meeting, for comparison, was 255 pages. Board Member Angela Thompson said, “If anybody in the community wanted to ask any question about what is on our finance report, they are welcome to call.” Skaar responded, “There are other ways to simplify this … to make this report more meaningful and not put the onus on the public to call the district, but put the onus on us to be clear in our reporting to the public.” Thompson concurred with Skaar regarding provision of a check-type legend. “Adding a table at the end with the letters—R, C, A—that might be something that’s simple and doable. I’ve had to ask those questions with the ones I couldn’t figure out.” Board Chair Dr. Scott Arcand stated that changes regarding the check register will be discussed as an agenda item at a future meeting.

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY, all real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Ho using Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preferen ce limitation or discriminat ion based on race co lo r, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or nationa l origin, or an intention, to make any such preferen ce, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 livin g with parents or legal custod ians; pregnant women and peop le securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not kn owingly accept any ad vertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers ar e hereby informed that all dw ellings advertised in this newsp ap er are available on an equal oppor tunity basis To complain of discrimination call HUD toll free: 1-800-669-9777. The toll-free number for hearing impaired is 1-800-927-92 75

• Thomas Reese, a senior, will serve as student representative for the 2025-26 school year. Reese acted as alternate student representative last school year. Lillian Johnson, a junior, will serve as this school year’s alternate student representative.

• The board approved updates to its mandated reporting of child neglect or physical or sexual abuse policy as well as its overdose medication policy. All school district policies may be viewed at www.isd624.org/about/district-policies.

The White Bear Lake Area School Board will convene for its monthly work session at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 22, and for its regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 13, both at the new District Service Center at Sunrise Park, 2399 Cedar Ave., White Bear Lake. The public may both livestream the meeting and find the schedule for future board meetings at isd624.org/about/school-board/meetingmaterials.

Logan Gion

The local newspaper helped us find local candidates to fill our parttime positions –Stacy

Thank You God, Saint Mary an d Sain t Jude for favors granted!

COMMUNITY MEETING: ‘Broad awareness’ is key

(see pullout for more information).

Since July 1, 1991, registrants in the state have been required to provide their addresses to local law enforcement agencies, who then forward the information to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, which maintains a database that can be used by law enforcement agencies. (The BCA also maintains a searchable predatory offender registry for noncompliant offenders for the public at https:// por.state.mn.us.)

According to the Minnesota Department of Corrections, a Level 3 offender requires “broad public notification,” which is usually done by hosting a public meeting, but that is not necessarily required.

“It wasn’t because the person was so extreme, it was mainly because we haven’t had a Level 3 move into our jurisdiction for a long time. Dellwood and Mahtomedi are small communities; people are going to talk anyway, so it is better to get that information out there and have that conversation rather than rumors,” Erickson said.

Brad VanderVegt, notification coordinator with the Minnesota Department of Corrections, shared some notable statistics. As of last week, there were 19,028 registered predatory offenders throughout Minnesota. Of those, 434 registrants were subject to broad public disclosure (Level 3). There are 320 offenders who have a primary residence in Washington County. Of those 320, only two of them are Level 3 offenders. VanderVegt noted that there were currently no offenders living in Dellwood (prior to Wille) and six living in Mahtomedi. Of the 1,523 offenders living in Ramsey County, 76 of them are Level 3.

Although the number of registrants varies, one thing that VanderVegt says remains “fairly static” is the breakdown of risk levels. Approximately 56% of registrants are Level 1, 29% are Level 2 and 15% are Level 3.

VanderVegt says it is important for the public to know that the majority of offenses occur between acquaintances (59%), followed by a family member (34%) and strangers (7%), according to a study by the U.S. Department of Justice. “The much more likely scenario is going to be somebody who achieved or attained a relationship of trust and is abusing it,” he said.

Wille was convicted of assault consummated by battery in Quantico, Virginia, against a peer (adult female) while serving in the Navy in 2014. He returned to Minnesota and was convicted of two counts of criminal sexual conduct in 2016. Wille served 96 months in prison before being released in 2023. He is now on intensive supervised release (ISR). The program requires that very high-risk persons under supervision for violence or repeat sexual offending are placed on ISR upon release from prison. People remain on ISR until they reduce at-risk behavior or reach expiration of their sentence.

VanderVegt noted that Wille will be under supervision until October 2031 and be subject to registration until August 2033. One thing he asked community members to keep in mind is the three 90s:

• 90% of those who engage in sexual harm do not go on to reoffend once they have gone through the full array of the risk management system (been convicted, assigned a risk level, received intervention and been rereleased into the community.)

Resources

• Minnesota Department of Corrections Public Registrant Search: https://coms.doc.state. mn.us/publicregistrantsearch

• For more information on community notification, data or to search information on incarcerated individuals, visit https://mn.gov/ doc

• Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension searchable predatory offender registry: https:// por.state.mn.us

Advocacy Resources

• Jacob Wetterling Resource Center: 1-800325-4673 or www.zeroabuseproject.org/victimassistance/jwrc

• Outfront Minnesota: 800-800-0350 or www. outfront.org

• ThinkSelf Minnesota: 651-829-9089 or https:// thinkself.org

• Minnesota Office of Justice Programs: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ojp/for-crimevictims/finding-help/crime-victim-resources

• Minnesota Department of Corrections Victim Services: 651-361-7250 or victimasssistance. DOC@state.mn.us

Levels explained

Level 1

• The offender has a lower risk of reoffending.

• Law enforcement may share information about these offenders with other law enforcement agencies.

• Law enforcement may notify victims or witnesses who have requested disclosure.

Level 2

• The offender has a moderate risk of reoffending.

• In addition to Level 1 notifications, law enforcement may share information about Level 2 offenders with staff members of organizations that serve those likely to be victimized by the offender, such as schools and day cares.

• Law enforcement may also notify individuals likely to be victimized by the offender as determined by examining the offender’s past patterns of behavior and victim preferences.

Level 3

• The offender has a higher risk of reoffending.

• Law enforcement may share information with any other member of the public likely to encounter the offender.

Source: Jacob Wetterling Resource Center

hope? That they come out and they don’t reoffend. That we never see them again. They don’t make the news. They don’t have another victim. They don’t get a new charge and go back to prison.”

“People are going to talk anyway, so it is better to get that information out there,”

Sgt. Dani Erickson East Metro Human Trafficking Task Force

• 90% of people who engage in sexual harm know the people they are hurting.

• 90% of people who engage in sexual harm are not yet known to the system.

Kelsie Hensley, a correction agent with the Department of Corrections, said they take the program seriously. “No matter what, a lot of these folks are coming back out; whether we like it or we don’t, they are going to come back out in the community,” Hensley said. “What is our number one

She added, “The good thing is he is on ISR. You guys get to know about this guy … I know it sounds scary, that probably is not very comforting, but for us that have done this job, you get to know about him. You see what he looks like. You have an idea of what his crime is and you know the vicinity where he lives … you know if you see concerning behavior, to report it.”

Hensley explained while Wille is on ISR he has to check in on a daily basis and is subject to random, unannounced visits as well as drug and alcohol testing. Most people on ISR are supervised by a team of four to five agents, and agents work 24 hours a day every day of the year.

If residents have concerns, they are encouraged to contact 911 or the Washington County Sheriff’s Office at 651-430-7600. Residents can also contact Wille’s ISR team at 651-361-7625.

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

County Board approves design contract for Century Avenue North reconstruction project

Kimley-Horn will perform final design services for the Century Avenue North reconstruction project for $699,990. The project includes Highway 120 (Century Avenue North/East County Line Road) from Interstate 694 to County State Aid Highway 12 (Wildwood Road/County Road E).

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) transferred jurisdiction of Highway 120 to Washington and Ramsey counties. Washington County accepted jurisdiction of the east side of the road in the city of Mahtomedi, and Ramsey County accepted jurisdiction of the west side of the road in the city of White Bear Lake. Washington County is leading the design and construction phases of this project on behalf of both counties.

Prior to the jurisdictional transfer, Washington County was awarded $7 million in federal funding to be used for construction. The board approved a contract with Bolton & Menk in September 2023 for preliminary design services and community engagement. From the community engagement phase, the project improvements were determined to include pavement reconstruction; intersection improvements, including traffic operations enhancements at critical intersections with unique traffic patterns; new pedestrian and bike facilities; improved access to local transit stops; and stormwater treatment.

The county posted a request for proposals for final design services in June 2025 and received four proposals. County staff, in partnership with Ramsey County staff, selected Kimley-Horn as the final design consultant.

The final design phase will occur now through 2026. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027.

Let Beautiful Valley Quilts help you turn those quilt tops into finished quilts. Services include Longarm quilting, cleaning up the edges of the quilt and attaching the binding. Batting available for purchase if needed.

612-200-2683 | beautifulvalleyquilts.com

Highway 96 opinions wanted

Washington and Ramsey counties are seeking citizen input on the future of Highway 96 from Highway 61 to Highway 95. The counties will hold an open house from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24, at Mahtomedi High School Commons, 8000 75th St. N., Mahtomedi (park in the blue lot). There will not be a formal presentation.

Washington and Ramsey counties, in partnership with MnDOT, are leading a corridor study for the 10-plus-mile segment of Highway 96 between

CHURCH BRIEFS

9th annual Walk for Peace

Celebrations

Saint Mary of the Lake will host its ninth annual Walk for Peace from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20. The walk is meant to coincide with the International Day of Peace on Sept. 21. The walk is intended to be an opportunity for members of various faith communities to experience a brief pilgrimage where they can quietly reflect on and bear witness to the importance of peace in our divided world. Participants should meet at the peace pole outside of the east entrance of the church for the approximately 2-mile walk. There will be 12 stations for prayer and reflection along the route. After the walk, attendees are invited to join in a brief

Centerville resident, Karen Schultz, 82, has been a proud member of the St. Paul Hiking Club since 1975.

SEPTEMBER 17 - 23, 2025

is turning red as well as maples. How is your garden harvest coming? Fall begins on Monday, September 22! Weather calendar note: I’m looking for pictures for my 2026 weather calendar. Email me at watsonwx@aol.com. Thanks to White Bear Lake Realty for sponsoring weather tidbits!

Sponsoredby

Highway 61 in White Bear Lake and Highway 95 in Stillwater. The purpose of this study is to better understand existing conditions and corridor needs to help develop a long-term plan for improvements that has stakeholder and public support.

If you are unable to attend the in-person open house, there will be an opportunity to review and comment on the material shared at the in-person open house on the project website from Sept. 24 through Oct. 8. Visit www.washingtoncountymn. gov/highway96study for more information.

closing prayer service at 9:45 a.m. at the peace pole. Participants are asked to not bring any signs or banners supporting a specific cause or issue. Saint Mary of the Lake is located at 4741 Bald Eagle Ave., White Bear Lake. For more information, contact Michael Lien of the Justice, Peace and Outreach Committee at 651-216-9507 or michael.lien09@gmail.com.

Garage sale to support church programs

St. Stephen Lutheran Church will hold an indoor garage sale from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20. The sale includes household items, toys, books, floral arrangements, seasonal and holiday décor, artwork and more. Hot dogs, chips and beverages also available for purchase.

St. Stephen is located at 1965 East County Road E, White Bear Lake.

Frank Watson

WASHINGTON COUNTY | CONTRIBUTED

The corridor study for Highway 96 between Highway 61 in White Bear Lake and Highway 95 in Stillwater is underway. An open house is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 24.

Upcoming events

RED

The Hanifl Performing Arts Center

September 26-October 12, 2025

John Logan’s fiery drama about abstract painter Mark Rothko examines the nature of art and our relationships to it. Seating is limited for this intimate play, presented in the Royal Credit Union Foundation Black Box Theatre--make your plans today!

ABBAsolutely Fab

The Hanifl Performing Arts Center

September 20, 7:30 PM

ABBAsolutely Fab brings an all-star lineup for a high-energy tribute to the iconic pop/disco supergroup, ABBA. Sing along, dance it out, and be the “Dancing Queen” that you were born to be!

Writer’s Speak: An Open Mic Night for the Community White Bear Center for the Arts

October 1, 6:00-8:00 PM

Join fellow writers for an open mic night to share your latest work, test new ideas, or soak in the words around you. Please register in advance and let us know if you’d like to read. Readings should be under five minutes.

The Magic of Watercolor

White Bear Center for the Arts

Oct 10-12, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM

Immerse yourself in value and color study in this three-day workshop with visiting artist Telagio Baptista. Open to students at any level, learn the power of value and color as you complete several paintings that you’ll be proud to take home. Each day includes instructor demos, guided paintings, and feedback.

You can find a full list of classes in WBCA’s quarterly printed catalog and online at WhiteBearArts.org/ classes.

WBCA’s “Futuros Posibles” artists on creating a shared future

Latin America, including Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, and Peru.

Each piece in the exhibit acts as a vision, delving into an imagined future where indigenous languages, traditions, and spiritual beliefs have continued to flourish

futuros posibles or possible futures

exhibit focuses on health, arguing

Hot Cheetos, literally transferring

Posibles” he created an abstract video of [...]. For Jesús, the idea of possible futures is about” materializing a community ideal, a collective memory, the utopian vision of our future,” he shares. That shared vision, of dreaming together, is at the heart of the exhibit.

Co-curator María José Castillo embraced the prompt as a shift in perspective, breaking from their traditional printmaking practice

and future.

Together, the artists of “Futuros Posibles” aren’t simply imagining new futures, they’re reclaiming the past and building a world where Latinx creativity doesn’t just survive but thrive.

Catch “Futuros Posibles” in WBCA’s Ford Family Gallery through October 31 and find related programming at WhiteBearArts. org/exhibitions/futuros-posibles

White Bear Center for the Arts

MAHTOMEDI & WILLERNIE

What’s the latest on those 3 developments in south Mahtomedi?

BY LORETTA HARDING CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The former BP site on the southeast corner of Century Avenue and Long Lake Road

The city and Press staff have fielded many questions from curious citizens about what is going to happen on the old BP gas station site that has sat abandoned for years.

Mahtomedi City Engineer John Sachi said that the property owner has not applied for any permits that he is aware of. The fence that surrounded the property this past winter was taken down some time ago. It was put up to keep people from entering the abandoned gas station and from being injured on the rubble after demolition. Aside from a semi-tractor seen on Sept. 4, no other activity has been detected. Sachi said he didn’t know why the corner has just sat there vacant all these years. It could be that the owners are waiting to see how the improvement project on Century Avenue turns out before making any financial commitments.

Sachi reminds us that properties can remain vacant for decades. The old SuperAmerica station on the corner of Bellaire Avenue and County Road E in White Bear Lake has been vacant for 25 years. The gas station property at the southeast corner of that intersection remained vacant for years until multiunit housing started going up earlier this year. This is a valuable property to leave undeveloped, Sachi said of the BP site. “It’s at a major entrance to the city.” Sachi said he believed the property is owned by the same people who own the Speedway station across Century Avenue in White Bear Lake.

Old Wildwood Oaks

The former residential property with the glorious woods at the top of Old Wildwood Road is long gone, and the five homes developed on that site are nearing completion without incident, save a few erosion issues. The adjacent neighbor to the east of the development sold their home earlier this year. Sachi

MAHTOMEDI CITY COUNCIL NOTES

• Mahtomedi Finance Director Scott Schafer presented the city’s preliminary budget for 2026, after which council passed motions to approve it and certify the 2026 levy to Washington County. Council also scheduled the annual truth in taxation public hearing for Dec. 2 and the 2026-2030 capital improvement plan hearing for Nov. 18.

Revenues and expenditures are expected to increase by 8.1% with a budget of $8,977,287. For 2026, the notable expenditure increases are due to a 21.36% ($164,031) rise in staffing costs for the fire department, including a full-time assistant fire chief. Ambulance costs increased by 43.6% (or $424,621), and planning costs increased by 53.3% (or 40,000), primarily to prepare the 2050 Comprehensive Plan. At 41.4% of the city’s costs, public safety takes the biggest piece of the budget pie. Debt service for 2026 will increase by less than 1%. The city is expected to be staffed by six full-time administrative positions; eight full-time fire/ambulance positions; nine full-time public works positions and four summer seasonal public works positions. The total proposed property tax levy for 2026 is $6.6 million, an increase of 10.5% from last year. The city receives 74.2% of its revenue from taxes. With the 2026 budget set at $8.9 million, the tax impact on the $461,900 median homestead value will be $139 per month.

• Following a slide show and discussion, council passed a resolution to receive the feasibility report from and call for a hearing concerning the Mahtomedi Avenue (TH244) reconstruction project. As Washington County turns back jurisdiction of the road to the city, a major reconstruction

said that the current owner of that property at 223 Old Wildwood Road also owns one of the five homes in the new Old Wildwood Oaks development and has received the necessary permits and variances from the city to subdivide that neighboring lot.

A few trees were to be sacrificed for excavation of the property to be subdivided, causing a bit of concern over further loss of the woods and the possible nibbling away at the stately leafy arch that remains over the lower portion of Old Wildwood Road. The trees slated for removal have already been cut down, yet the leafy arch that will be golden in fall and snowy in winter remains.

Work was scheduled to begin in earnest next door to Old Wildwood Oaks on Sept. 9, as the existing driveway and garage are slated to be moved. The property is expected to receive city water and sewer, so expect the road to be torn up and put back together within the month. Meanwhile, the five new Old Wildwood Oaks homes should be completed by winter.

The Lakes of Mahtomedi

A recent article in this publication reported that

project will be conducted from Stillwater Road to the Dellwood border at Tamarack Road. The total cost of the project is set at $13.7 million and will be funded largely by the city’s various enterprise funds. Special assessments to impacted property owners will amount to $1.1 million.

General improvements include water main replacement, sanitary sewer improvements, roadway improvements with curb, gutter and storm sewer, and streetlighting. Optional improvements, such as a sidewalk at $499,000 and corridor street lighting at $1.2 million could be added to the $13.7 million price tag. Neighborhood meetings were held during spring and summer of 2025. A third neighborhood meeting will be held prior to construction. A public improvement hearing will be held at the Oct. 7 City Council meeting, and final designs will be submitted by fall of 2026 for construction from spring through fall of 2027. “This (action) moves Mahtomedi Avenue from a county street to a city street,” Mayor Richard Brainerd said. “And we want the city street to be what we want it to be. A lot of questions have yet to be answered.”

• Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies attended the meeting to provide an update on activities in the city during the past two weeks. The sheriff’s office conducted 99 traffic stops and issued 42 traffic citations, which is unusually high. Most of those citations were issued during the crosswalk violation patrol on Mahtomedi Avenue at Ridge Way, just east of the traffic light at Wedgewood Road. Eleven of those citations involved cell phone use, during which the driver was distracted and didn’t see the decoy officer decked out in red clothing in the

Nottingham Construction had failed to notify the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency in a timely manner that it was demolishing the property that contained asbestos at the east end of Old Wildwood Road. The MPCA said that Nottingham also failed to have a trained person monitor asbestos removal on site or send the asbestos demolition debris to a permitted facility.

Because of these violations, Nottingham Construction paid a $17,938 fine. During public hearings before the city granted approval for the development a few years ago, neighboring residents attended public hearings to voice their concerns about how asbestos and other toxic substances would be disposed of.

Sachi said the violation had to have occurred at least a year ago, well before the structure would have started to go up. The construction company paid the fine at that time, he said.

Meanwhile, the giant complex is now rising over the trees and the outline of the patio area facing Lincolntown Avenue has started to appear, as has the finishing edge of the roof at the back of the building.

crosswalk trying to cross the street.

• Occasionally, the Mahtomedi Fire Department comes into possession of an actual building to burn down for training purposes. Recently, the contractor/owner of a house at 1130 Griffin Ave. approached the city with the intent of donating the house for fire training. For liability purposes, an agreement between the city and property owner must be undertaken, and council approved the controlled burn agreement to allow the fire department to destroy the building by fire. The house will be razed in early October.

• The fire department needs to replace its aging portable radios, which are at the end of their expected life span. This is a significant project that would qualify for FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program, which provides funding to fire departments to assist with firefighting and emergency response needs. Lexipol LLC offers grant writing services to assist with the application process. The fire department would enter into an agreement with Lexipol amounting to $4,500 for the 2025 fiscal year cycle. The application period typically opens in November, and the grant is awarded a few months later. Funding will come out of the both the fire and ambulance budgets.

• The roadway and utility improvement work on Briarwood Avenue from Quail Street to Hallam Avenue is nearing completion; council passed a resolution setting an assessment hearing for 7 p.m. on Oct. 7. Council also passed a resolution declaring costs to be assessed and ordering preparation of proposed assessments. The total project cost is

$469,400. The amount to be assessed is $47,445, or 10.1%. The remaining amount will be financed through the general tax levy, city utility funds and available city reserves as determined by council.

• The city is required to abide by the Americans with Disabilities Act, and that compliance also applies to the city website. Council approved the statement of work from CivicPlus, which will provide continuous review software known as AudioEye Managed. This product provides the city with tools to maintain ADA compliance for the city’s website, such as tools to make sure text is read aloud and clearly for the sight impaired and that text is provided for the hearing impaired.

• City Administrator Scott Neilson reminded the public that the used appliance drop-off is from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept 20, at Wildwood Park.

• An open house on plans for the intersection of TH244 (Dellwood Avenue) and TH96 will be held from 4-6 p.m. Sept. 24 at Mahtomedi High School. Due to the crash history at that junction, options for improvement might include a roundabout.

• Improvements to various parking lots around town were due to begin by Sept. 5 and be substantially completed by Oct. 15, said Project Engineer Amanda Sachi. Measures will be taken to avoid interfering with appliance drop-off day in the Wildwood parking lot on Sept. 20, she said.

The council next meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16, at City Hall, 600 Stillwater Road.

Loretta Harding

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

Construction of The Lakes at Mahtomedi continues.

The five new Old Wildwood Oaks homes should be completed by winter.

Reubish leads Zephyrs’ 38-13 win over Orioles

BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR

Jacob Reubish barged for 216 yards and three touchdowns as Mahtomedi posted a 3813 win at St. Louis Park in a duel of unbeatens. The Zephyrs (3-0) will host Bloomington Kennedy (1-2) on Friday. The 5-foot-8, 180-pound senior

carried 32 times, averaging 6.8 yards, with a 78-yard touchdown along with eight- and one-yard scores. Mahtomedi (3-0) totaled 309 yards rushing. Gavin Kruse had 50 in seven carries and Mark Graff 47 in 10 carries with a nineyard touchdown. Graff completed nine of 15 passes for 99 yards with no interceptions

Farmington deals Bears first loss

BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR

and threw a sevenyard TD pass to Joseph Sevenich. Harlow Berger, female placekicker, also girls soccer goalkeeper, booted a 23-yard field goal and five extra points. Sevenich snagged four passes for 32 yards, Gavin Bifulk three for 33 and Kruse one for 26.

Zephyrs compete against 2A swim powers

Mahtomedi’s top-five ranked Class A swim and dive team has competed twice in invitationals against strong Class 2A fields, placing third of 10 teams at Blaine (won by Maple Grove) and fourth of six in the Maroon & Gold (won by Stillwater) at the University of Minnesota. Shaela Murphy won diving in both invitationals with 403.0 and 429.5 points. At Blaine, the 200 free relay won in 1:44.82 with Delaney Dumermuth, Maddie Ruppel, Adalyn Miller and Abigail Wright, while Wright was second in the 50 (25.36) and fourth in the 500 (5:23) and

BEARS SPORTS BRIEFS

VOLLEYBALL

White Bear Lake is 4-3 after winning two non-conference matches and losing two in conference. The Bears beat Hill-Murray 25-18, 25-20, 22-25, 25-14 as Martina Callegari delivered 14 kills, Abby Meyer 25 assists, Maya Link seven blocks, Kailey Gieske 18 digs, and Meyer and Maddie Pearson three aces each. The Bears beat Mahtomedi 25-21, 25-22, 18-25, 25-22. They lost to Roseville Area 25-13, 25-20, 25-14, and lost to East Ridge 25-12, 25-13, 25-16

CROSS COUNTRY, BOYS

White Bear Lake placed seventh of 18 teams with Max Popp placing third of 124 runners at the Rochester Mayo Invitational. Popp finished in 16:32 while Logan Schaefer was 30th (17:44), Lachlan Ellison 57th (18:33), Elijah Kennedy 61st (18:38) and Daniel Arrowood 66th (18:50). “While the effort was there, the team's overall strategy and execution left room for improvement,” coach Dan Kovacich said. At the mile mark, all seven were grouped with Popp, not a good pacing strategy for them. The hilly course, heat, and early pace cost the one runner to ankle injury and another to heat fatigue. Rosemount won team and individual honors.

CROSS COUNTRY, GIRLS

White Bear Lake had two of the top six runners and placed fourth of 16 teams in the Rochester Mayo Invitational. Bear sophomore Logan Bailey placed fifth in 19:50 and eighth-grader Mabel Nethercut sixth in 19:55. Also in their top five were eighth-grader Gianna Alver in 46th (22:09), senior Brynn Heinsohn 52nd (22:30) and senior Irene Bakke 73rd (23:34). Winona was team champ. Rochester John Marshall’s Abigail Tri was first in 19:17.

Riley Parizek second in backstroke (1:04.76).

At the U of M, Wright was second in the 200 free (1:58.63) and 100 free (54.55), Dumermuth fifth in the 50 (26.04), Aria Armstrong fifth in butterfly (1:02.59) and sixth in the medley (2:16.43), Miller sixth in the 100 (56.97) and seventh in the 200 (1:58.63) and Lena Granovsky sixth in breaststroke (1:15.88).

The Zephyrs have also won conference duals over Simley 103-71 and Hill-Murray 99-78.

Bruce Strand

SWIMMING

White Bear Lake lost to Stillwater 97-80. Winning against the perennial conference champions were Charlotte McIntyre in butterfly (1:02.89) and backstroke (1:05.77) and Audrey Borofka in the 50 (27.27). Anna Miller was second in the 100 free and third in the medley.

TENNIS

White Bear Lake (4-3) has played in four straight 4-3 matches and won three of them, over Park, Forest Lake and East Ridge, while losing to Mahtomedi. In that span, freshman Lisa Gritzmacher was 2-2, seventh-grader Hadley Farrell 2-2, and sophomores Lucy Wolfe and Sophie Sargent each 3-1, at 1 through 4. Senior doubles teams Josie Guidinger/ Sophie Menier were 2-2 and Mallory Peltier/Chloe Thiessen 3-1.

GIRLS SOCCER

Defending champion White Bear Lake started 0-2 in the Suburban East, losing to Mounds View 3-2 and Woodbury 2-1, before beating Irondale 9-0. In the last two weeks the Bears (5-3-1) also beat Maple Grove 3-2 and Lakeville South 2-0. Ellyse Oelker leads with 10 goals. Piper Heinsohn has six and Grace Weierke five. Against Irondale, Weierke booted three in the first 12 minutes, and Iris Bloomquist (two), Vanessa Fiksen and Kennedy Becher notched their first goals.

BOYS SOCCER

White Bear Lake (1-5-1) lost to St. Paul Harding 3-1, Duluth East 3-0 and Woodbury 6-3 in the last two weeks while tying Irondale 2-2 with Diego Rios and Ike Barghini scoring. Barghini has five of the team’s 11 goals.

Bruce Strand

A ninety-nine yard “pick six” was the gamebreaker for Farmington as the Tigers handed White Bear Lake a 22-6 loss in an early duel of unbeatens Friday night.

Before a huge home crowd, the Bears were down 12-6 and perched on the Tiger 12 in the fourth quarter. On fourth down, backup quarterback Wyatt Stachowiak aimed for a receiver near the flag. Danny Sather picked it off at the one and rambled the length of the field. Instead of 12-12 it was 19-6 with eight minutes left.

The Bears (2-1) gained 362 yards but managed just one score. Tomi Animasaun completed 12 of 31 passes for 162 yards, and scrambled 15 times for 91 yards, with a three-yard touchdown. Easton Miles gained 69 yards in 16 totes.

Colton Butts caught five passes for 75 yards, and Brian White III

III caught a pass for a 37-yard gain.

caught one for 37 yards. Butts was overthrown three times while open downfield.

Farmington (3-0), in a wishbone offense, piled up 334 rushing yards with no turnovers. They had a 31-yard touchdown by Christopher Rah, who ran for 167 yards, along with a 12-yard scoring pass from Cade Boyles to Darren Neubert and a short field goal. The Bears will play at East Ridge (2-1) on Friday.

ZEPHYRS SPORTS BRIEFS

BOYS SOCCER

Mahtomedi (4-2) won conference games over St. Thomas Academy 2-1 and Tartan 4-0 in the last two weeks while losing to Cretin-Derham Hall 2-0 and Blake 5-3. Against STA, Noah Carlson and Weston Gahm scored while Finn Hemenway made eight saves. Against Tartan, Gagnelius and Max Pollock notched two goals apiece. Hemenway made seven saves. Against Blake (7-1-1), Sam Buelke, Carlson and Gahm had goals.

GIRLS SOCCER

Mahtomedi (5-1-2) handed Shakopee its first loss 2-1, capping a strong two weeks where they posted four wins. Emely Lopez scored for Shakopee (8-1-1) in the first half. Kayla Poirier and Kennadee Cummins scored in the second half, both unassisted. Harlow Berger in goal stopped eight of nine shots. In a 4-2 win over CretinDerham Hall, Poirier netted three goals and assisted on Rose Prescott’s goal. They won 3-0 over Chisago Lakes with Prescott, Oona Lienke and Elise Aflakpi scoring, and 3-0 over Tartan on goals by Lienke, Poirier and Charlotte Olson. Aflakpi made two assists.

VOLLEYBALL

Mahtomedi has won its first two Metro East meets while posting a 5-5 record overall. In the last two weeks, the Zephyrs beat South St. Paul 25-18, 25-9, 25-8 and North St. Paul 25-12, 25-16, 25-13 in conference play, and edged St. Louis Park 25-19, 22-25, 26-24, 25-19. White Bear Lake beat them 25-21-25-22, 18-25, 25-22. In the Farmington tournament, the Zephyrs clipped Medford 25-12, 25-14, then losit to Jordan, Red Wing and Waterville-Elysian-Morristown.

TENNIS

Mahtomedi is 8-3 after a busy two weeks in which they beat White Bear Lake 4-3, Duluth East 6-1, North St. Paul 7-0 and Hill-Murray 5-2, while losing to Elk River 4-3 and Stillwater 5-2. The Zephyrs are 27-6 in doubles matches and 21-21 in singles. Katherine Smith is 10-1 at No. 1, mostly with Berkley Blaisdell. Alexa Tempelis/Brooke Berg are 8-1 at No. 2 and Ellis Krause/Ellie Driscoll 8-2 at No. 3.

Bruce Strand

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Katherine Smith

Mahtomedi Tennis September 17, 2025

Katherine Smith has been a fixture at No. 1 doubles for three seasons with Mahtomedi tennis, racking up 44 wins against 12 losses with three different main partners. Smith is 10-1 this year, mostly with Berkley Blaisdell. She was 15-7 last year with Mallory Langer and 13-2 as a sophomore. That includes 3-1 each year in section doubles. “Katherine has high energy and a positive attitude that helps build her and her partner up,” coach Nate Tretsven assessed, adding that Smith hits many winners with aggressive play at the net.

Brian White

POST OFFICE: ‘City opposes relocation ’

FROM PAGE 1

Shelton, who informed her that USPS is considering a space within one block of US Bank for retail. She said there could be a chance that there are two post office locations in downtown, one for retail at a new location, and the warehouse (existing location on 5th Street).

Despite the further information, Crawford still recommended the council send the letter.

Mayor Dan Louismet said he was supportive of sending the letter encouraging to leave the retail location downtown, but he said if that wasn’t an option, he would like to see the post office vacate the downtown location completely.

“To me there is one terrible, worst-case scenario and that is to remove retail and still have a fulfillment center in what is prime real estate in downtown White Bear Lake,” he said. “If retail has to leave, then the whole post office at that location leaves in its entirety and then at least we have an opportunity for redevelopment in downtown White Bear. That could provide some pretty cool options.”

Council Member Kevin Edberg said he wasn’t sure the rest of the council, or the community, agreed with that stance and mentioned he was struggling with how to word the letter because USPS is looking for ways to “do their job better and be more efficient,” which is something the city constantly tries to do too.

Edberg wanted to know what constituted “overwhelming feedback” on the topic. Crawford noted she had received emails and phone calls from about a dozen community members, in addition to reading letters to the editor, hearing conversations around town and council members sharing feedback they have received with her.

Ultimately, the council agreed to send the letter. The letter reads in part, “Given the rich history of USPS’ location downtown, convenience of retail services for customers without transportation, area business owners, and visitors, economic benefit to downtown, and overwhelming community feedback opposing the potential relocation, the city opposes the relocation of retail services and respectfully requests the USPS team partner with the city to find other viable solutions, which jointly meet the needs of our community and USPS.”

A reminder to residents. Those wishing to provide feedback on the proposal have until Sept. 30 to send in their feedback. Comments should be sent to:

United States Postal Service

ATTN: St Paul-White Bear Lake MN Relocation PO BOX 27497, Greensboro, NC 274981103

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

• White Bear Lake Pizzeria Pezzo, located at 2143 Fourth Street, has a new liquor license in place through March 31, 2026. Kris Kowalski Christensen, on behalf of Pezzo White Bear Lake LLC, applied for on-sale and Sunday liquor licenses for White Bear Lake Pizzeria Pezzo. Kowalski Christensen will take over ownership of the establishment, which was previously owned by Pezzo Per Pezzo White Bear Lake LLC and held the same liquor licenses. A background report submitted by the White Bear Lake Police Department found nothing to preclude issuance of the license to the applicant.

• The city has contracted with Ecoscapes Sustainable Landscaping to construct a raingarden. Each year, the city offers

a voluntary curb cut raingarden program for interested landowners as part of its street rehabilitation project. This year, one landowner is participating in the program. The city partnered with the Rice Creek Watershed District and Ramsey County Soil and Water Conservation Division to design and construct the curb-cut raingarden.

• Analytica Inc. has been granted a conditional use permit to allow a cannabis testing facility at 4459 White Bear Parkway. (See city briefs for more information.)

• The City Council recently held a closed session to consider an offer to purchase property located at 2224 County Road E East. Crawford noted there was no action taken, and the city will not make an offer on the property.

• Residents are invited to attend the White Bear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce’s 35th annual Adopt-AHighway clean up as part of World Clean Up Day. Volunteers are needed from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, to clean up litter along a one-mile stretch along Highway 61. Volunteers should plan to meet at the chamber office, located at 4751 Highway 61 N. Reflective vests, trash bags, litter pickers and gloves will all be provided. Volunteers are encouraged to wear appropriate clothing.

The next City Council meeting will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23, at City Hall.

Shannon Granholm