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1 year later, Wendy Jo Shaffer’s legacy lives on

BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR

If you ask anyone who knew Wendy Jo Shaffer (Wigstrom) what they remember about her, they won’t start with her resume or her lengthy list of accomplishments; they’ll tell you how she made them feel with her positive attitude, leadership and kindness.

One year after her tragic death, that feeling hasn’t faded.

It’s multiplied, as Wendy’s spirit and legacy lives on through the people she loved and a new opportunity for mentorship and scholarship.

Wendy, 35, was one of 67 people killed on board American Airlines Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas, when it collided with a military Black Hawk helicopter in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 29, 2025. She was traveling home from a work trip.

“She was the happiest person.

She was very joyful and so insanely driven,” said Wendy’s younger sister, Emily Wigstrom. “She had that perfectionist mindset. She was so good at everything, so it was hard to keep up. As a big sister, she wanted me to tag along … She shared everything. She wanted me to be with her friends, copy everything she did, and I did.” Emily, who is only 16 months

Signs of life germinate on blighted corner

BY LORETTA HARDING

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Much concern has been expressed about the prime piece of commercial real estate on the southeast corner of Century Avenue and Long Lake Road in Mahtomedi, as tumbleweeds have bounced around on that vacant property year after year.

Seeds of a viable commercial enterprise moving into that empty lot at 3122 Century Avenue have sprouted. It’s not a five-star restaurant, but a car wash.

But there are still traffic flow logistics to be worked out at that difficult intersection.

In the meantime, the Mahtomedi City Council has moved the project forward under nine original conditions and an added 10th condition. Specifically, the council has approved the site plan application, the conditional use permit (CUP) application to develop a car wash, and a setback variance to move the proposed parking lot closer to the city-owned right of way near the eastern border of the property.

Council members expressed delight at the prospect of having a commercial enterprise return to the former BP site. At the same time, council was not prepared to approve a gap through the proposed median to allow access for traffic from the car wash. Although no median currently exists just east of the nearby intersection, Washington County plans to install a median at that location for safety reasons during its 2028 reconstruction of Century Avenue.

This is one of the last photos the family has together before the tragic passing of Wendy Jo Shaffer (Wigstrom).

shores of White Bear Lake. A shotgun start will kick things

SEE WENDY JO SHAFFER, PAGE 7

CHURCH BRIEF BUSINESS BRIEF

Share good news over a beverage

Redeemer and St. Stephen Lutheran Churches are joining forces for a shared ministry event called “Good

News on Tap” from 7 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8 at the Dugout Bar in Mahtomedi. All adults 21+ are invited for fellowship, theology and refreshments. Arrive by 6 p.m. to order dinner. The Dugout is located at 96 Mahtomedi Ave.

Chamber hosts ribbon cutting for Resourced & Resilient Counseling

The White Bear Area Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon cutting at the Resourced and Resilient Counseling at 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6.

Resourced and Resilient is a holistic health group dedicated to supporting the

POLITICAL BRIEF

Craig Johnson announces candidacy for House District 36A

Craig Johnson, of Lino Lakes, has announced that he is running for the Minnesota House of Representatives and will seek the Republican endorsement for House District 36A, which includes North Oaks, White Bear Township, Centerville, Circle Pines and Lino Lakes. Johnson is a twiceelected member of the

whole being — mind, body and spirit. Providers offers integrative care across a wide range of healing modalities, including therapy, nutrition, energy work, sound healing, movement-based practices, art therapy, yoga and more. The business is located at 2180 4th St, White Bear Lake.

For more information, visit https:// www.resourcedandresilient.com.

Centennial School Board and a licensed insurance agent. He has spent nearly two decades actively involved in local civic life, education leadership and public service. Johnson has held leadership roles within local and state civic organizations, served on advisory boards and commissions and volunteered for community and nonprofit initiatives.

“I’m running for the Minnesota House because our communities deserve a strong voice

FAIR February 12, 2026

in St. Paul, one that understands the realworld impact of state decisions on families, schools, and local taxpayers,” Johnson said.

“People in our district are doing everything right, yet they’re being squeezed by rising costs, higher property taxes, and policies that shift financial burdens downward instead of taking responsibility at the state level.”

To learn more about Johnson’s campaign, visit craigjohnsonformn.com.

GOOD NEWS IN MINNESOTA FOR CLEAN ENERGY AND CLIMATE ACTION

When: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4

Where: White Bear UU Church, 328 Maple St., Mahtomedi

Details: Keynote speaker is J. Drake Hamilton of Fresh Energy, an expert in climate and energy policy at state and national levels.

Contact:whitebearunitarian.org

BEAR’LY OPEN PRE-PARTY

When: 7-11 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6

Where: Best Western Plus White Bear Country Inn, 4940 Highway 61 N.

Details: Dance to the sounds of Wildcat Combo while supporting the Bear'ly Open fundraiser for the food shelf. Hors d'oeuvres, cash bar and contests.

Contact: bearlyopen.org

THE OLDER THE BETTER VINTAGE SLED SHOW

When: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7

Where: Blacksmith Lounge and Broaster, 17205 Forest Boulevard N., Hugo

Details: See old sleds and support the Stillwater Snowmobile Club. Free admission for spectators. Food, drinks and raffle tickets available for purchase.

Contact: Facebook: Stillwater Snowmobile Club

BEAR'LY OPEN

When: 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7

Where: White Bear Lake County Park at Ramsey Beach

Details: Golf-on-ice fundraiser for the White Bear Area Food Shelf. Players use golf clubs, hockey sticks, tennis rackets, or anything else that can propel a tennis ball through an 18-hole course.

Games, entertainment food, beverages and activities along the way. Registration required. Contact: bearlyopen.org

HORSESHOES ON ICE

When: 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 7

Where: White Bear Lake VFW, 4496 Lake Ave. S.

Details: Two person teams can participate in the annual fundraiser. Registration 9:30-10:30 a.m.; call to register in advance. Contact: 651-426-4944

ST. PAUL HIKING CLUB

When: 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10

Where: White Bear Lake County Park/Ramsey County Beach, 5050 Lake Ave.

Details: Hike along the lake and through downtown, approx 3 miles. Contact: stpaulhike.com

A YEAR IN VIETNAM

When: 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10

Where: White Bear Lake Armory, 2228 Fourth St. Details: Guest ppeaker Darryl LeMire, a helicopter mechanic, Vietnam Veteran, and lifelong White Bear Resident, shares his own experiences as aircraft support during the Vietnam War through photos and stories with a local perspective. Contact: whitebearhistory.org

OPINION

And that’s a wrap

Iblinked, and just like that, my skating season was over. It always amazes me how fast the five months go.

For several years now, I’ve been a member of the Northern Fusion Leather & Laces adult synchronized skating team. We typically practice once a week at Polar Ice Arena in North St. Paul or the Vadnais Heights Sports Center. This year, team members ranged in age from 23 to 58, and skaters hailed from all over the metro, including White Bear Lake, Hugo, Shoreview, Lino Lakes and Blaine.

Shannon’s Shenanigans

Shannon Granholm

Our first competition was the Maplewood Synchro Classic at 3M Arena at Mariucci in December.

Unfortunately, we didn’t have any teams to compete against in our division, but it was great practice for our biggest competition of the year, the Midwestern Synchronized Skating Sectional Championships, Jan. 22-Jan. 24 at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Michigan.

We competed against six other teams, including Allegro from Michigan, Arctic Edge Unity from Michigan, Austintatious Stars from Texas, Lake Effect Flurries from Michigan, KC Momentum from Missouri and the Texas Chilly Peppers. We just missed 2nd place by .08 of a point, but we made the podium and came home with bronze medals.

Even though our season just ended, I find myself already missing my teammates and the ice. I’m so grateful I get to still do what I love with amazing people by my side. I’ve developed such great friendships with the other skaters along the way that I absolutely cherish. Some of us have children who were born days apart. I’m not sure what I’ll be doing every Wednesday night now, but I’m looking forward to our upcoming team dinner in February and edge class in March.

Wendy Jo Shaffer

Every once in a while as a journalist, you cover a story that hits too close to home. That’s how I felt last year after it happened and again this year while talking to people who knew Wendy Jo Shaffer (Wigstrom).

I remember this time last year sitting at the airport waiting to board a plane with my skating team when I heard the news that American Airlines Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas, collided with a military Black Hawk helicopter in Washington, DC. The news spread very quickly across the skating community, as 28 members of the U.S figure skating community were aboard the plane. I remember returning to White Bear Lake to learn about Wendy.

She was a wife, mother, friend and athlete. From everything I have read about her to every conversation I have had with people who knew her, one thing sticks out — her positive mindset. Everyone I talked to told me about Wendy’s ability to remain positive, even in tough times. One year after her tragic death, what lingers most is not just the shock of the loss, but the example Wendy leaves behind. In a world that can be unforgiving, Wendy chose positivity and friendship, choices that continue to ripple through the people who loved her and even those of us who only came to know her story afterward. Remembering Wendy isn’t just about honoring a life cut short; it’s about carrying forward the mindset she lived by.

Shannon Granholm is the managing editor at Press Publications.

Aperson or group participating in a peaceful public protest or demonstration is protected by the First Amendment freedoms of speech, assembly and petition. However, that protected activity can cross the line into unlawful conduct or unlawful assembly when it turns violent, becomes unsafe, involves trespassing, or violates other laws such as public health or noise ordinances. Protesting can become illegal when it becomes violent:

Movers & Shakers

• Anyone who commits an act of violence against another person, destroys or vandalizes property or engages in other illegal acts can be arrested.

• Protest leaders or speakers can be held accountable when they intentionally incite others to immediate violence, vandalism or harassment, even when expressing a protected idea or view.

Protesting can become illegal when it moves into places closed to protest. Some examples of instances when peaceful protests are no longer protected by the First Amendment based on location include when:

• A protester or group moves from public spaces onto private property without permission from the property owner.

• A lawful demonstration moves from a public space into a restricted area such as a military base or other secure government

Limited to 350 words.

Submissions must Include a full name, address and daytime phone number for verification.

buildings or installations.

• Demonstrators violate various court-established protest "bubble zones" litigated through the years around abortion and health care facilities or places of worship.

• Demonstrators protest in the immediate area around the U.S. Supreme Court, violating a revised rule, Regulation 7, that limits demonstrations there to public sidewalks bordering surrounding streets in Washington, D.C. More broadly, a 1950 federal law makes it illegal to picket or parade in front of a courthouse or a judge's home "with the intent of interfering with, obstructing, or impeding the administration of justice, or with the intent of influencing any judge."

Protesting can become illegal when it becomes unsafe:

• There is a clear and present danger to public safety, such as when demonstrations expand from a public sidewalk onto the lanes of a busy highway.

• An otherwise lawful protest violates health or sanitation regulations, such as long-term occupation of a public campus space or a public-access beach that has no sanitary facilities.

Protesting can become illegal when it violates other legitimate limits on protest that are unrelated to the message the protesters are sending:

• Time, place and manner restrictions forbid protest activities at certain hours or locations, such as marching at 3 a.m. through a residential area or making loud speeches near a hospital.

When protesters violate temporary, specific curfews that can be justified to protect public safety

or to prevent imminent violence or theft involving property.

• Authorities may disband a protest or other protected demonstration activity, if they have good reason to believe violence is imminent, or when the activity has failed to obtain or observe permit conditions.

• Permits for marches, demonstrations or protests may set certain requirements or limits: fee, route, times of day or size of the group, for example. But approval of a permit must not be based on the content or views expressed, and permit requirements or fees cannot be used to discourage the activity.

Many states have laws criminalizing the wearing of a mask during a protest or march or other public activity, generally adopted decades earlier in response to Ku Klux Klan activity. Such laws vary by state and must be rooted in the prevention of harassment or intimidation. Some states revised those laws during the COVID-19 outbreak to allow masks in public for health reasons.

The First Amendment freedom of assembly is not unlimited. It does not protect violent protests or illegal acts within a protest, like blocking a street. Nor does it protect protest speakers who incite others to engage in immediate acts of violence, who threaten others or who seek to provoke others into a violent response.

Gene Policinski is a senior fellow for the First Amendment at Freedom Forum. He can be reached at gpolicinski@freedomforum.org.

WHITE BEAR/VADNAIS HEIGHTS PRESS | LETTER GUIDELINES

four weeks must lapse between publication. Exceptions may be made for rebuttal letters.

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

• Letter writers are limited to six letters per year and at least

Due to space limitations, letters that don’t address local issues are not guaranteed publication. Repeat letters by the same writer about the same subject matter will not be published.

Submissions containing libelous or derogatory statements will not be published. Submissions containing facts not previously published in the Press must be accompanied by factual verification.

• All letters are subject to editing. Deadline is 5 p. m., Thursday of

the week prior to publication. To submit a letter, e-mail it to whitebearnews@presspubs.com, fax it to 651-429-1242 or mail or deliver it to Press Publications, 4779 Bloom Ave., White Bear Lake, MN 55110.

ICE eroding principles

As a longtime Republican supporter and conservative, it’s been tough for me to see the devolvement of the GOP, once a responsible conservative party, into what it’s become today, which in my view is an echo chamber for reactionary thought with overtones of a weird religious cult.

To my point: on the issue of immigration enforcement, it’s distressing to see the rationalizations used for ICE tactics that have contributed to such tragic outcomes here in Minnesota. To be clear, though I’m not unaware of the hardships involved with getting legal status to enter the U.S., I have no problem with someone who decided to go around the law to enter the country being given a free ride to the border. As others have pointed out on these pages, deportations were occurring at the same or higher rate under DFL leadership, particularly under Obama. The underlying problem, however, was a porous border with lax enforcement which, to the current administration's credit, has been largely corrected. But what’s happening in Minnesota right now bears little resemblance to enforcement previously done by ICE. I have friends who work with refugee and immigrant communities, and our church network has several Spanish-speaking congregations that were targeted by ICE. Long story short, the numbers of folks with no criminal record and legal residency, even citizenship, detained by ICE is nothing short of alarming. This, on top of lack of transparency and rationalizing the circumvention of Fourth Amendment rights on forced entry — to say nothing of agents who appear badly trained on the use of deadly force.

I am not saying I look with favor on all the protest actions we’ve seen, nor the unhelpful rhetoric from Minnesota leaders. But these ICE tactics are wrong on many levels and need to stop, along with the weaponization of the DOJ, making veiled military threats against NATO allies, and other reckless, dangerous things our current executive branch is doing that are eroding foundational principles of our Republic. How that's to happen is a good question, but citizens speaking up is an important, essential first step.

John Connerton White Bear Township

We understand Fourth Amendment

With all due respect to Gene Johnson, I believe those of us who are protesting ICE actions understand the Fourth Amendment quite well. It talks about "unreasonable searches and seizures"

and that warrants shouldn't be issued without "probable cause," So many of the ICE actions are done without the proper warrants. People are being stopped and asked for papers to "prove" citizenship and then are rebuffed when they attempt to produce said documents. De-escalation of the protests, as Mr. Johnson wishes, will not stop ICE's illegal and cruel activities. It will only reinforce the current administration's march toward an authoritarian government.

Stephanie Wolkin White Bear Township

Response to ‘Minnesota Mad’

I would like to respond to the letter by saying that the letter promotes misinformation about Gov. Walz and the reason why ICE is occupying the Twin Cities. It states that “the governor running our state stole taxpayer dollars …” This is false. There is no evidence that Gov. Walz or Rep. Ilhan Omar personally stole taxpayer dollars or were directly involved in criminal activities. It was in March 2020 that a $2.2 trillion stimulus bill was passed to counter the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This led to widespread fraud throughout the country, not just in Minnesota, as a result of rapid unprecedented distribution of funds designed to save the economy, but that lacked sufficient oversight. It created an environment that attracted fraudsters. Over $200 billion in fraudulent loans were disbursed through the Paycheck Protection Program, and the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program. Up to $135 billion of unemployment insurance payments went to fraudulent actors. Gov. Walz and his administration caught the fraud and alerted the state Department of Education that has been working with the FBI to control and stop it.

The rest of the story is that our president is very unhappy that he didn’t win the state of Minnesota in two elections, so he aims to destroy our elected Democratic leaders. This is his common response to not getting what he wants. He wants to shut down Democrats throughout the country. He is a bigot, so when the fraud taking place in some Somali-run businesses here caught his attention, he had his “reason” to go after the state of Minnesota with ICE agents to detain mostly people of color. The partially staged video made by MAGA influencer Nick Shirley that caught national attention regarding possible fraud in a Somali-run day care also caught Trump’s attention. It was like throwing a match on a tinderbox. The video contained misinformation that Trump supporters hunger to promote. Trump wants all Somalis out of the

White Bear Lake Area

country, despite the fact the vast majority of them are naturalized and natural-born U.S. citizens. Citizens and leaders of Minnesota are not “inciting” violence, as Dionne wrote. They have not committed crimes, so stop stating these lies. People that promote this misinformation are why ICE has descended on our cities. You are Trump’s minions. Your lies fit right into his manifesto. Our suffering from ICE is your fault. Trump and ICE are inciting violence against peaceful citizens and manipulating the narrative.

As far as anyone serving time in jail, Trump is the 34-count convicted felon. One last thing: Gov. Walz did not “stand by and do nothing” during the riots in Minneapolis after the murder of George Floyd. He was in communication with Mayor Frey regarding calling in the National Guard, and on the phone with Trump the whole time. There was needed discussion about which divisions would be deployed depending on what was needed and where. Despite Trump saying that he called in the National Guard to Minneapolis, it is documented that Gov. Walz (the 24-year National Guard veteran) had already called in the Guard. It’s also documented that Trump announced that he was very pleased with Gov. Walz’s handling of the situation.

Look it up. Get the facts. Speak the truth.

Owed an audit, explanation

Residents in White Bear Lake voted to approve a school bond referendum in 2019 not to exceed $326 million. At the time, it was one of the largest referendums in Minnesota history.

The construction manager, Kraus-Anderson, published the cost for this project at $463 million. This isn’t a difference of 2-3% over the approved bond total. This dollar amount is massive.

The current school board (except for one) has refused to ask for a construction audit as to why this project came in over the voter referendum total. They would not even second a motion to discuss it when it was brought up.

I only have one question: Why not?

As taxpayers here, I think we are owed an explanation. School Board members, do your job; have the construction audit, or at least explain why you don’t want the audit, because currently it looks like you are trying to hide something.

Church Directory

Jackie Colaizy Hugo

Jeff Voeller White Bear Lake

COPS&COURTS

POLICE REPORTS

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

• Officers responded to juvenile incidents in the 4800 block of Bloom Avenue Jan. 21.

• Officers mediated a domestic dispute in the 3200 block of White Bear Avenue Jan. 22.

• A Ham Lake resident was arrested for felony theft in the 1800 block of Buerkle Road Jan. 22. Estimated loss was $22,580.

• Package theft was reported in the 3600 block of Hoffman Road Jan. 22.

• Disorderly conduct was reported in the 3900 block of Hoffman Road Jan. 22.

• Officers responded to a report of a missing juvenile in the 4000 block of Hazel Street Jan. 22, who was later found.

• A Maplewood man was arrested for DWI following a traffic stop near White Bear Avenue and Highway 36 Jan. 23.

• A person was arrested for trespassing, obstruction and possession of a dangerous weapon Jan. 23 after officers responded to a report of a domestic incident in the 3500 block of Century Avenue. Fraud was reported in the 2100 block of Second Street Jan. 23.

• A Coon Rapids man was arrested for DWI after his vehicle spun out near Interstate 35E and County Road E Jan. 24.

• Officers responded to an animal complaint in the 2200 block of 12th Street Jan. 24.

• Officers responded to a robbery in the 4700 block of Highway 61 Jan. 24.

• A Hugo man was arrested for disorderly conduct in the 4600 block of White Bear Parkway Jan. 24.

• A Washington man was arrested for DWI following a traffic stop near Rice Street and Iona Lane Jan. 24.

• A St. Paul man was arrested for DWI following a traffic stop near I-35E and Wheelock Parkway Jan. 25.

• Officers assisted the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office with a drone and perimeter following a report of a gunshot victim inside a Birch Trail residence.

• Officers took a report of a house being egged in the 4700 block of Lake Avenue.

• Harassment was reported in the 4700 block of Centerville Road Jan. 25.

• A Clark Avenue resident was warned following an animal complaint Jan. 25.

• Disorderly conduct was reported in the 4400 block of Lake Avenue S. Jan. 25.

• Officers responded to a verbal argument in the 3900 block of Hoffman Road Jan. 25.

• A garage was broken into in the 1800 block of Cedar Avenue Jan. 25.

• Officers assisted with a drunk person in the 1000 block of County Road E near the border of Gem Lake Jan. 25.

• Officers responded to a noise complaint in the 3600 block of Hoffman Road Jan. 25.

• Theft from a vehicle was reported in the 4400 block of Lake Avenue S. Jan. 26.

• Harassment was reported in the 3500 block of Century Avenue N. Jan. 26.

• A detached garage was burglarized in the 1800 block of Cedar Avenue Jan. 27.

• Officers served a search warrant in the 2200 block of Sixth Street Jan. 27.

WASHINGTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORTS

Washington County Sheriff Reports

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

Birchwood Village

• Residents on Five Oaks Lane reported fraudulent activity on their bank account on Jan. 7.

• A broken water main was reported Jan. 8 near Birchwood Avenue and East County Line Road.

• Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies dispatched out to a Birchwood Avenue residence Jan. 10 warned the homeowners that they would receive a citation if they continued to let their dog outside to bark 24/7. Grant

• A motorist was cited for driving after revocation at 1:56 a.m. Jan. 5 in the 10000 block of 62nd Street N. Deputies also served a court order short form.

• In the Case of the Defensive Doberman, a runner in the 9000 block of Ideal Avenue N. on Jan. 6 reported a dog chasing him out of town while barking the whole time.

• A case of assault was reported Jan. 7 on Dellwood Road and Ideal Avenue N.

• After an apparent early winter’s resumption of overnight door-knocking activities, residents in the 9000 block of Ideal Avenue reported a woman

RAMSEY COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORTS

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

• A 58-year-old man near the intersection of Egerton Street and Vadnais Boulevard East reported Dec. 28 that another vehicle hit his Dodge pickup truck while both vehicles were making their way through an intersection. The other driver drove away without stopping. The incident is under investigation.

• Deputies responded Dec. 29 to a crash near the intersection of Rice Street and I-694 involving a tractor-trailer and a Subaru. There were no injuries, and the drivers exchanged insurance information.

• A 20-year-old woman in the 900 block of County Road E East reported Dec. 29 that someone stole her purse while she was at Chipotle. The incident is under investigation.

• A 49-year-old woman in the 500 block of Belland Avenue reported Dec. 29 that someone stole a package of mail that had been delivered to her front door. The incident is under investigation.

• Deputies cited a 21-year-old man Dec. 29 near the intersection of Fanum Road and Buerkle Road for driving without a valid license and for driving an uninsured vehicle, after they responded to a crash involving a Chevy Malibu and a Toyota RAV4.

• Deputies responded Jan. 2 to a report of an intoxicated person trying to drive

away from a bar in the 700 block of County Road F East and transported a 50-year-old woman from White Bear Township to the hospital for evaluation.

• Deputies arrested a 64-year-old woman Jan. 2 for criminal vehicular operation and assault, after responding to a domestic assault in the 100 block of Mayfair Road and learning that another woman was standing in front of the vehicle the driver was in when she put it in “drive” and drove over the other woman’s leg.

• Deputies arrested a 24-year-old woman from St. Paul Jan. 2 and a 41-yearold man from St. Paul after they were caught by loss prevention employees at a business in the 800 block of County Road E East attempting to leave the store with merchandise they did not scan or pay for at the self-checkouts.

• Deputies responded Jan. 3 to a report of a vehicle crash near the intersection of County Road D East and Labore Road and arrested a 41-year-old woman from Maplewood for DWI test refusal and DWI after learning she was swerving into oncoming traffic before hitting a snowbank and getting stuck.

White Bear Township

• Deputies responded Dec. 29 to a report of two dogs fighting in the 5700 block of Otter View Trail. Deputies spoke with both dog owners, made sure the dogs were not seriously injured, and referred the case to an animal control officer for follow-up.

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES BRIEF

Minnesota urges snowmobile riders to prioritize safety

Snowmobiling is a common activity on Minnesota’s trails, frozen lakes and road ditches when the weather permits. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources remind riders to be safe when they head out.

The followings tips can help ensure a safe ride:

• Know where you can ride: Riders who stay on marked trails are less likely to strike an obstacle or trespass onto private property. Riders should also check trail conditions before heading out.

• Avoid alcohol before and during a ride: Drinking plays a role in about 60% of fatal snowmobile crashes.

knocking on their front door at 2:03 p.m. Jan. 7.

• The driver of a vehicle with no lights illuminated at 5:46 p.m. Jan. 8 was cited on Jamaca Avenue N. and 75th Street N.

Mahtomedi

• A set of license plates was reported lost Jan. 4 in the 1000 block of Mahtomedi Avenue, after the complainants drove off with them sitting on the bed of their truck. The complainants scrounged the area and later found the plates.

• Wildwood Road residents reported a debit/ credit card lost Jan. 5, after which it was used by unauthorized parties.

A Minnesota motorist was cited late Jan. 5 on northbound Mahtomedi Avenue at Stillwater Road for not wearing a seat belt.

• Wedgewood Drive residents on Jan. 5 reported two males for going door to door selling items for a school fundraiser and were upset that the males did not have a permit to solicit.

A motorist on Grove Street and Park Avenue was arrested on a warrant at 5:44 a.m. Jan. 6, after deputies were dispatched out to the scene of a suspicious vehicle.

• Road rage, where the suspect vehicle followed the complainant’s vehicle home to Park Avenue, was reported at 6:21 p.m. Jan. 6.

• Hickory Street residents reported Venmo fraud to the tune of $2,300 on Jan. 7.

• A suspicious juvenile was reported for playing in Glendale Park on Jan. 8. On further

Watch your speed: Going too fast is another main factor in crashes. Many serious and fatal crashes occur when a speeding snowmobiler loses control or strikes an object.

• Ride on the right: This is an important factor in helping prevent head-on crashes on trails.

• Be careful on ice: Obstacles such as pressure ridges have been common this year. Also, be aware of ice thickness — there must be at least 5 to 7 inches of new, clear ice to support the weight of a snowmobile and rider.

• Take a snowmobile safety course: It’s required for anybody born after 1976 and recommended for everyone. People with a snowmobile safety certification are less likely to be involved in serious or fatal crashes. For more safety tips, visit mndnr.gov/ snowmobiling/safety.html.

investigation, deputies confirmed that the juvenile was, indeed, playing in the park and not covering up a more sinister activity.

• Deputies on routine patrol at 5:35 p.m. Jan. 8 on Wildwood Road and Century Avenue N. observed a vehicle traveling against traffic while on a public road. During the traffic stop, deputies discovered the driver could not provide proof of insurance and cited them for it.

• A motorist on Century Avenue and Long Lake Road was arrested for undisclosed reasons at 3:56 a.m. Jan. 10, following a traffic stop.

Pine Springs

A Wisconsin motorist was issued a written warning at 11:40 p.m. Jan. 6 on Viking Drive and Hilton Trail N. for speeding 73 mph in a 60 mph zone by deputies on stationary speed patrol, who clocked him on radar.

Willernie

An inadequately dressed male was arrested on multiple warrants Jan. 5 on Darby Lane, after deputies conducted a welfare check on a male reported walking around the area while not dressed for the weather. Deputies also discovered the male had a Keep Our Kops Safe (KOPS) alert out on him.

• Stillwater Road residents on Jan. 8 reported a package containing ammunition stolen from their front doorstep 10 days earlier.

WENDY JO SHAFFER: Community remembers Mahtomedi native, launches scholarship program

younger than Wendy, described her sister as smart, athletic, kind and perfect. “She had everything going for her, but she made you feel seen. She was so kind to everyone,” she said.

While attending Mahtomedi High School (MHS), Wendy was a three-sport athlete: hockey, lacrosse and soccer.

MHS soccer coach David Wald only coached Wendy for one year but says she taught him an important lesson as a coach. At the time, Wald and then-head coach Mike Redmond, debated whether to put Wendy on the varsity team as a sophomore.

“His reasoning for picking her for varsity was all of the intangibles. She was an incredible worker, had a positive attitude and was a team player; she had all those intangibles that you want from an athlete,” Wald said. “It was good for me to see it is not all about skill, necessarily. She was a very talented player, but her other life skills were way more important and valuable to the team.”

After being deemed “best personality” and graduating from MHS in 2007, Wendy attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she studied chemical engineering. She was active in student clubs, including the Society of Women Engineers and completing a service trip to Haiti with Engineers Without Borders. Wendy ultimately decided to move to Charlotte, North Carolina, and work for Cargill after graduating in 2012.

Wendy dedicated over 12 years of her

career to Cargill, most recently as a senior director of business process management food manufacturing and supply chain. Emily says Wendy excelled in a professional space dominated by men and felt it was important to help other women succeed in that field.

“She was such a big advocate for other women,” Emily recalled. “She could feel people’s potential. She knew you could do more, believed in you and would help you get there.”

Bonnie Ewald, who grew up with Wendy and also attended UW-Madison, says family was always important to her. “She loved her family deeper than anyone I know,” Ewald said.

Wendy was all about creating memories and experiences with her husband Nathan and their two young sons, Shields and Bennett. Emily and Wendy even had a plan that they were going to both be pregnant the same year.

“There are a lot of things she doesn’t get to see and be a part of. She wasn’t able to be an aunt, and she now has a nephew and a niece. She sent me a baby. I’m struggling to go into motherhood without her,” Emily explained, adding that she is pregnant with her first child, who is expected to arrive in a couple of months.

“She showed me so much (about being a mom), but we were supposed to do that together. It was something we dreamed about as little girls. Living down the street from each other, having kids around the same age and doing life together,” she said.

Emily says perhaps the hardest thing to navigate now is her new identity without her sister.

“She was my best friend. She was my favorite person in the world. We were each other’s everything. She was my safe person that I could just bounce ideas off of, and she would make

WHITE BEAR LAKE AREA SCHOOL BOARD NOTES

• The board has appointed Scott Arcand as chair, Angela Thompson as vice chair, Kathleen Daniels as clerk and Deborah Sharpee Beloyed as treasurer of the School Board for the 2026-2027 school year.

• During the public forum, community members have spoken on a range of topics, including district finances and transparency, recent student walkouts and requests for expanded academic offerings such as AP Physics Electricity and Magnetism. Some speakers praised district staff and programming, while others urged greater financial oversight and communication with the public.

• Superintendent Wayne Kazmierczak presented updates on district operations and enrollment trends, followed by an overview of the “Welcome to White Bear” initiative and early registration information for the 2026-27 school year.

• The board has approved tentative labor agreements for the 2025-27 fiscal years with multiple groups, including clerical school service employees represented by

SEIU Local 284, the principals’ association, nonaffiliated employee groups and the White Bear Lake School Nutrition Association.

• The board has approved 2026 compensation levels for board members, which remain unchanged from the previous year at $5,450 for the chair, clerk and vice chair. The treasurer will receive $5,250 and regular board members will receive $5,050.

• The board has approved the regular and work session meeting schedule for the 2026-27 school year. Regular meetings are generally held on the second Monday of each month and work sessions on the fourth

Monday, with limited exceptions.

The White Bear Lake Area School Board will convene at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9 at the District Service Center at Sunrise Park, 2399 Cedar Ave., White Bear Lake.

Maya Betti

me feel okay,” Emily said. “She always led the way … It is hard to navigate a new identity without her. I always just kind of followed in her footsteps. She would lead me and guide me. I still feel that in a different way now, but I miss that.”

Everyone who knew Wendy is determined to keep her memory alive, both for her children and everyone who loved her, but also for the greater community.

Wendy Jo Shaffer Foundation

The Greater White Bear Lake Community Foundation has established the Wendy Jo Shaffer Foundation to support women in professional spaces, with a focus on engineering, math, and science. The foundation will be dedicated to uplifting women in STEM fields by providing mentorship, advocacy and resources. This year, the foundation has teamed up with the Mahtomedi Area Education Foundation to offer a scholarship to a graduating female senior at MHS who plans to pursue a career in a STEM field.

The foundation is also working to develop a mentorship program in the future, that will pair female high school students with adult female mentors in engineering careers. For more information, visit www.communitygiving.org/ wendy-jo-shaffer-foundation-fund.

“The idea is that hopefully people will hear Wendy’s story and learn more about her professional path, and it will help inspire others to pursue it,” Ewald said.

Emily added, “This feels like a good way to honor her and keep her legacy alive.”

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

wblrotary1@comcast.net

Carly is a fifth grader in the Explorations program at Lincoln Elementary who exemplifies what it means to be an academic achiever. As a leader in the Lincoln House system, she demonstrates responsibility, maturity, and leadership—qualities that carry over into her schoolwork. Carly approaches learning with curiosity and determination and is always eager for challenge and growth. Carly uses her skills to create the Explorations newsletter, she is passionate about theater, and will star as Willy Wonka in Lincoln Elementary’s musical, showcasing her talents. Carly is a competitive gymnast, a commitment that builds discipline and perseverance. Carly is a natural-born leader who consistently strives to do her best.

Carly Amundsen Lincoln Elementary

Rotary Matters

Sponsored by Irina and Richard Fursman

White Bear Lake Rotary ACADEMIC

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

Wendy and Emily pictured at Wendy’s wedding in 2019. On the right, kindergartner Emily and second grader Wendy take a picture before their first day of school at St. Jude of the Lake Catholic School in Mahtomedi. Growing up, Emily says Wendy was the best big sister who always wanted her to tag along.

Bonnie Ewald, left, and Wendy Wigstrom grew up together and stayed friends after graduating from Mahtomedi High School in 2007. The two are pictured at a high school football game during their junior year.

Council, police chief discuss impact of federal enforcement

BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR

WHITE BEAR LAKE — “I want to begin by acknowledging that there are law-abiding citizens and people in our community who are afraid to go out into the streets of our very own city because of the color of their skin. As the mayor of this city, I find that extremely appalling and concerning,” said Mayor Mary Nicklawske, after holding a moment of silence to remember Alex Pretti and Renee Good and “stand in solidarity” with those who are grieving.

“As public servants, we bear a responsibility to recognize the gravity of these lives lost tragically and the impact they have on our families and neighbors,” she said.

Nicklawske said it has been deeply frustrating to watch outside forces come into the community and disrupt the peace and trust the White Bear Lake community has come to value.

The mayor and city staff requested that Police Chief Dale Hager provide an update to the City Council and residents about Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in White Bear Lake and the role of the police department.

Since mid-December, Hager said the department has received 10 calls related to immigration officials. Of those 10 calls, six were from citizens who called the police department because they believed ICE agents were in the area. Hager noted that so far, there seems to be two areas of town where federal agents have focused much of their attention: an apartment complex on the north end of town and an apartment complex on the south end of town.

Six calls were from apartments, and four calls originated in residential neighborhoods. Hager noted officers also responded to a call from a citizen during a traffic stop who wanted to verify why they were being stopped and requested assistance.

“All the calls we responded to were either suspicious activities or an arrest was made. We didn’t assist with arrests,” Hager said. “One situation, we were there to try to diffuse the situation, and we did successfully.”

City Manager Lindy Crawford asked the chief to explain the role of the police department in general, specifically Policy 413 (Immigration Violation Policy).

“Our policy is that we don’t enforce immigration

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Week of Jan. 25–31, 2026

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Outlook

Weather Tidbits

Frank Watson

weeks

law,” Hager said. “Our goal, if ever called to incidents like that, is very clear, written in our policy, that we are to provide support services if needed, and those support services generally fall within the categories of traffic control and peacekeeping.”

He added, “Our goal is to ensure that all residents and all visitors to our city are safe. That is our number one goal when responding to a scene.”

Council Member Bill Walsh asked Hager to address the fact that the city of White Bear Lake does not have a jail. Hager explained that most municipal police departments, including White Bear Lake, do not have a jail, so if someone is arrested, they go to the sheriff’s office.

“When we arrest somebody that we fear might fall into the category of an undocumented individual, we have no part to play in informing anybody of their status or recording their status. It is none of our concern,” he said. “That is up for the sheriff and the jail, the state and federal partners to deal with.”

City Council Member Andrea West praised the city’s police department for all it has done to build trust with the community and pointed out that not everybody has the same experience with federal law enforcement.

“ICE in our community has led to some community members feeling less safe. I worry about ICE in our community discouraging people from calling 911, from reporting domestic violence and seeking mental and physical health care,” she said. “I also worry about how it is impacting our trust with our White Bear Lake Police Department.”

West asked Hager how the officers were handling the current environment.

“There were some somber moments in roll call. People were kind of thinking, ‘What’s next?’” Hager said. “… We had this exact same feeling five and a half years ago during the protests and riots and craziness that happened in 2020. We continually push out to our officers that this, too, shall pass, and we will get through this just like we did that.”

Hager added, “If I’m being completely honest, this is a federal law enforcement issue, and it is not my issue. I have to deal with some of the fallout that happens here in White Bear Lake, but the citizens of White Bear Lake, the visitors of White Bear Lake, they are the people I’m worried about and making sure we serve our people.”

City Council Member Kevin Edberg said he was appalled by the treatment of citizens and the disregard for the First, Fourth and Fifth Amendments.

“Thomas Jefferson wrote about the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The

enough with the first

10º warmer than normal. The last two weeks we averaged 15º colder than normal. For the month of January, we finished 2.5º colder than normal. Snowfall was scant. I totaled 3.5” while the airport totaled 4.1”. We’re enjoying somewhat of a thaw right now but it may not be until the latter half of February when we really begin to thaw out. Note: My 2026 weather calendar is available. Check WeathermanWatson.com or call 651-206-5364 for more info.

Resources

Contact your federal representatives: To share your thoughts on the federal immigration presence in Minnesota, reach out to your federal representatives.

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar: 612-727-5220

U.S. Senator Tina Smith: 651-221-1016

U.S. Representative Betty McCollum: 651-224-9191

Federal Action Reporting Form Report incidents or effects related to or caused by recent actions in Minnesota by Federal agencies online at www.ag.state.mn.us/Federal-Action

To locate someone in federal immigration custody: Visit the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Online Detainee Locator System at locator.ice.gov/odls/#/search&nbsp or contact the St. Paul ICE Field Office: stpaul.outreach@ice. dhs.gov or 612-843-8600

next sentence of that declaration says to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed …” Edberg said. “Citizens have rights. And he made it clear that the role of government is to secure rights. We also plow snow and do a lot of other stuff, but a core function of government is to secure rights.”

Edberg said the question before the city was what it looks like to protect and secure those rights. He suggested that the council hold a work-study session to discuss the topic further and learn more about what options the city has under the law and city charter that could give them “leverage.”

Council Member Ellen Gurrola encouraged everyone to lean into their community.

“I think sometimes when you are a part of a group, and maybe the system hasn’t always been in your favor and hasn’t always worked for you, your first thought isn’t to look at the system and fix it, you look at your community …” she said. “I turn to community, and our communities are so strong. It is hard when you can’t gather right now with the community that is most impacted, but I just want to encourage us and others to lean into those communities where we can, to help one another.”

The City Council has scheduled a work-study session for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10, at City Hall.

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

Hub and Patti Meeds! January 29th, 1956 Love, Pam, Joe, Jerome, Lauri, David, and Grandchildren

The city of White Bear Lake has added a list of immigration resources to its website.

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

2 first-ever species spotted in 2025 Christmas Bird Count

BY JACKIE BUSSJAEGER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

For some bird lovers, it just isn’t the winter holidays without the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count. In 2026, volunteers in the Northeast Metro headed afield to count as many birds as possible, contributing to one of the longest-running community science projects in history.

The annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC), which takes place internationally in late December and early January, has collected data about bird populations for more than 100 years. In the St. Paul Northeast Suburban count area, which includes portions of White Bear Lake, Hugo, Withrow, Stillwater and Marine on St. Croix, volunteers have been conducting this annual survey since 1958.

“The Christmas counts are a good example of science and citizens cooperating, because they’ve been going on now for more than a century,” said count coordinator Jim Howitz. “It’s a reasonably accurate log of where birds are in the winter.”

Howitz collects the data collected by volunteers at the end of the count, then formally submits the information to the National Audubon Society. The records are public, and available to help map changes in bird populations and behaviors over time.

“It’s very good at detecting trends. Plus, it’s a nice recreational event. People do the same areas year after year,” Howitz said.

Uncommon visitors

There are always a few surprises in store for count volunteers. This year, those included two species that have never been sighted in the Northeast Suburban bird count before.

The first was a sighting of two sandhill cranes, which are a familiar sight in the warmer months, but very uncommon this late in the winter.

The most unusual bird, however, was a single American pipit spotted near the St. Croix River. These robin-size birds are usually only seen in Minnesota during migration in the spring and fall.

There are many possible reasons an unexpected bird might be spending the winter here. It may have been blown off course or be suffering from an illness; there could also be some other reason it cannot complete its migration. Or, it might have found a niche of available food and water resources, making migration unnecessary.

“The fact we added two new species, that’s tough to do,” Howitz said. “It only happens about once every three years.”

Changing trends

Count data over the last few decades has shown that many bird species are ranging farther and farther north as climate conditions change. Northern finches that used to be regular visitors have become less frequent over the years. Meanwhile, species from south of Minnesota, such as tufted titmice, have been ranging farther north. Feeder birds are still well represented and have been rising in number over the last 30 years.

In addition to the count’s important scientific purpose, it serves as an annual occasion for community members to connect over common interests.

“It’s a nice combination of recreation, science and getting out in the winter, which Minnesotans are good at,” Howitz said. He said there has been an uptick in interest in bird-watching over the last few years, and it has become more accessible to newcomers with tools such as the app Merlin Bird ID.

“Merlin is magic. Someone who knows nothing about it — they can put that app on. I think it’s really revolutionized birdwatching, because you can take that anywhere. You can go to a place you’ve never been, and you’re not digging in your book, you get a little glimpse of the thing and Merlin knows it.”

The app is not 100 percent accurate

BIRD COUNT BY THE NUMBERS

Black-capped chickadee

Dark-eyed junco

Blue jay

American crow

European starling

American goldfinch

Rock pigeon

White-breasted nuthatch

Northern cardinal Wild turkey

Total species

5,564

Total number of birds

and in some cases requires some additional research, but it provides a good starting point.

If you missed the count but would like to participate in bird-watching or citizen science, the Great Backyard Bird Count is coming up Feb. 13-16. Visit www. birdcount.org/ to learn more about this opportunity. 842

PHOTOS BY JACKIE BUSSJAEGER

Mourning doves are a common winter species, often flocking and roosting in groups together.

Cardinals are a reliable year-round visitor bound to brighten any backyard bird feeder.

A juvenile red-tailed hawk.

CITY BRIEF

Last chance to join the City

Engagement & Events Committee

connections among residents, local partners and

The city of Birchwood seeks volunteers to serve on its newly formed City Engagement & Events Committee. The committee will support the planning of community celebrations, concerts, workshops and seasonal events while fostering

are encouraged to apply. Letters of interest may be submitted to info@cityofbirchwood. com.

CENTURY AVENUE: Car wash plan advances

Safety concerns involve long lines of vehicles, made up mostly of extended FedEx trucks, waiting at the traffic light. This traffic creates a dangerous situation when cars try to cut through or into the line.

Project Manager Michael Leidig, representing the developer, said that without the gap to permit its patrons to turn left onto Long Lake Road out of the car wash, Club Car Wash of Columbia, Missouri, and property owners Northern Tier Retail of Irving, Texas, would not continue with the project. Leidig said that patrons leaving the car wash need to be able to turn left to enter the strip mall on the other side of Long Lake Road or to make a U-turn to reach the I-694 ramps.

Since Long Lake Road is a cityowned street, Mahtomedi owns the final decision about whether to allow traffic through the median. Torn between losing a potential commercial enterprise and keeping the intersection safe, council approved the site plan review, which allows left turns onto Long Lake Road.

In the meantime, Washington County, Mahtomedi city staff, and engineers from Club Car Wash will explore other means of allowing traffic from the car wash to turn left safely. The city owns the road to the east of the potential car wash property. That road used to lead to a nursery and now leads behind the FedEx property. Changes to this right of way may allow the car wash to have an exit that is farther east of the intersection to create a separation and allow U-turns to get into the traffic line.

The car wash will take up 4,754

square feet and offer only a car wash and vacuum bays. The projected clientele is expected to be pass-by customers. Traffic in and out of the car wash is expected to proceed at the rate of a trickle, City Planner Hannah Rybak said during her presentation. The developers have also promised to take care of other obligations requested by the city, such as trash maintenance and landscaping.

The proposed car wash would be the third Club Car Wash in the Twin Cities; the first was established in 2008 in Eagan and there is another facility under construction in Eagan. These car washes are corporately owned.

The city’s Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval subject to nine conditions, stating that development of this $6 million parcel was a priority and that they were not all that concerned about the traffic situation. Rybak also recommended approval, as the proposal satisfied all of the city’s criteria. “Development on the site would be a vast improvement over existing conditions today,” she said.

The planned building will be pearly white with slate-colored brick and black and red accents. In addition to 20 vacuum parking stalls and four standard parking stalls, the car wash would include a double-lane entrance into the car wash around the south side of the property

The site plan received approval of the left turn onto Long Lake Road, but not a formal median break, Rybak said. That could come about through a future resolution.

Loretta Harding is a contributing writer for Press Publications. She can be reached at news@presspubs.com.

SCHOOL BRIEF

Construction advances at Liberty Classical Academy

Construction of Liberty Classical Academy’s new high school in Hugo continues at a rapid pace to meet a substantially complete deadline of Aug. 1. The project is led by Gunderson Construction.

Precast concrete walls have been installed, transforming the site from its foundation phase to a clearly defined structure. Among the most visible additions is a 12-foot-high Liberty Lion logo embedded on the west exterior wall. Walls for the gymnasium and stage are complete, along with the corridor connecting the gym to the classroom wing.

Placement of structural steel beams and roofing is scheduled to begin in early February. Gunderson representatives said interior construction is expected to move quickly once the building is fully enclosed, keeping the project on track for an early August

move-in. Site grading completed in the fall is expected to be followed by grass and landscaping installation in the spring.

The new high school, located at 10158 122nd Avenue N., is scheduled to open for the upcoming academic year.

Students and staff participated in a hard-hat and bus tour of the construction site, followed by lunch at Sal’s Angus Grill Jan. 20. During the visit, students used paint markers to write names, messages of encouragement and scripture on the interior walls of what will become the gymnasium.

12 WHITE BEAR PRESS

CITY OF GEM LAKE

RAMSEY COUNTY MINNESOTA

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

NOTICE OF HEARING FOR CONSIDERATION OF A RENTAL LICENSE RENEWAL FOR THE PROPERTY AT 3930 SCHEUNEMAN ROAD

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the City of Gem Lake City Council will meet at Heritage Hall, 3930 Scheuneman Road, on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, beginning at 7:00 p.m., for the consideration of a rental license renewal for the property at 3930 Scheuneman Road.

Barbara Suciu, City Clerk

Published one time in the White Bear Press on February 4, 2026.

CITY OF GRANT, MINNESOTA ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

2026 STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

General Notice – NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Bids for the 2026 Street Improvement Project will be received online through QuestCDN vBid™ until Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. local time. Immediately following bid close, representatives of the City of Grant will publicly view Bids at an online Bid opening meeting. Those interested in attending the online bid opening may join the meeting by logging on to: 2026 Street Improvements Project or calling: 218-216-6191 and entering Conference ID: 740 360 706#. The asread online Bid results will be posted on QuestCDN after the Bid opening. The Project includes the furnishing of all labor and materials for approximately 2,880 lineal feet of roadway improvements consisting of the reclaiming and blending of the existing roadway bases, installation of new bituminous surface, and culvert replacement along Great Oaks Trail North and 66th Street North. Below are the following approximate quantities: 100 Cu Yd Excavation - Subgrade 4,610 Sq Yd Full Depth Reclamation

840 Ton Type SP 12.5 Wearing Course Mix (2;B) The provisions of MINN. STAT. 16C.285 Responsible Contractor are imposed as a requirement of this contract. All bidders and persons or companies providing a response/submission to the Advertisement for Bids shall comply with the provisions of the statute. Obtaining the Bid Documents and Submitting an Online Bid – Bid Documents will be available for viewing on February 4, 2026 at no cost at https://lhbcorp.com/, click on “Bidding” located at the bottom of the webpage, or at www.questcdn.com, Quest Number #10032773. To be considered a plan holder, register with QuestCDN for a free membership and download the Bid Documents for a non-refundable fee $22. Plan holders that have downloaded the documents will receive all official notifications, addenda, bid updates, and access to vBid online bidding. Neither Owner nor Engineer will be responsible for Bid Documents, including addenda, if any, obtained from other sources. To access the electronic bid form, download the bid documents and click the “Online Bid” or Online Bidding “available” button on the bid posting page. After the close of bids, bidders will be charged a fee of $42 for successful bid submission. Bids will only be received and accepted through vBid on QuestCDN. Please contact QuestCDN Client Success at (952) 233-1632 or success@ questcdn.com for assistance in membership registration, downloading documents, and vBid question.

The City Council reserves the right to reject any and all Bids and to waive any Bids received without explanation. No Bid may be withdrawn for a period of 90 days. Refer to the Instructions to Bidders in the Bid Documents for further requirements.

DATED: January 6, 2026, BY THE ORDER OF THE CITY COUNCIL Kristina Handt, Interim Administrator/Clerk, City of Grant, MN Published two times in the White Bear Press on February 4 and 11, 2026.

WHITE BEAR TOWNSHIP

NOTICE OF HEARING FOR A ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT TO ORDINANCE NO. 35 – ZONING IN THE TOWN OF WHITE BEAR, RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, That the Town Board of the Town of White Bear, Ramsey County, Minnesota, will meet at Heritage Hall, 4200 Otter Lake Road, in said Town on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at 7:00 p.m., to consider a proposed amendment to Ordinance No. 35, Zoning Ordinance initiated by the Town of White Bear, including new and amended definitions in Section 3 – Definitions; new and amended use tables and language in Section 6 – District Regulations; new and amended regulations in Section 7 – General Regulations, Section 8 – Management of Shoreland Areas, and Section 9 – Administration and Enforcement, and to hear and pass upon objections and recommendations, if any, and to conduct any and all business incident thereto. The full text description of the proposed zoning amendments are on file upon request at the Township Administrative Offices and posted within the Planning Commission and Town Board packets. Given under my hand this 27th day of January, 2026. PATRICK CHRISTOPHERSON, Clerk-Treasurer

Published one time in the White Bear Press on February 4, 2026.

WHITE BEAR TOWNSHIP LEGAL NOTICE – BIDS WANTED

BIDS DUE: 10:00 A.M., FEBRUARY 19, 2026

Notice is hereby given that sealed bids will be received, publicly opened, and read aloud by representatives of the Town of White Bear, Minnesota, in the Administration Conference Room of the Town Administrative Offices, 1281 Hammond Road, White Bear Township, Minnesota 55110, in said Township at 10:00 a.m., on Thursday, February 19, 2026, for furnishing all work and materials for the construction of 2026 Sealcoating, Town Project PW-SM-26-01: 2026 BITUMINOUS SEALCOAT ON VARIOUS STREETS AND PARKING LOTS

Unless otherwise specifically indicated under the item description of the legal advertisement, all bids shall be subject to the following: No bids shall be withdrawn for a period of thirty-five (35) days after opening of bids. The Town reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive technicalities, and to award bid in the best interest of the Town.

Bidding documents, including proposal forms, specifications, plans, etc., may be obtained from:

Mailed: Administrative Offices

WHITE BEAR TOWNSHIP 1281 Hammond Road White Bear Township, MN 55110

Pick-Up: Administrative Offices

WHITE BEAR TOWNSHIP 1281 Hammond Road White Bear Township, MN 55110

Proposals must be placed in a sealed envelope marked “BID WHITE BEAR

TOWNSHIP 2026 BITUMINOUS SEALCOAT ON VARIOUS STREETS AND PARKING LOTS” and addressed to the Town Clerk/Treasurer, White Bear Township, 1281 Hammond Road, White Bear Township, Minnesota 55110. Bids shall be accompanied by a Bid Security in the form of a cash deposit, a Bid Bond or certified check payable to the White Bear Township in the amount of at least 5% of the Base Bid amount. Patrick Christopherson, Town Clerk/Treasurer Published two times in the White Bear Press on January 28 and February 4, 2026.

www.presspubs.com

INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 832

MAHTOMEDI, MN 55115

MINUTES JANUARY 5, 2026

A Special/Organization Meeting of the Board of Education of Mahtomedi Public Schools was held January 5, 2026, beginning at 7:00 PM.- CALL TO ORDER- The meeting was called to order by Temporary Chair Stacey Stout at 7:00 p.m ROLL CALL OF ATTENDANCE- Present: Ryan Domin, Paul Donna, Jenny Peterson, Kelly Reagan and Stacey Stout. Drew Whitson was absent. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: Peterson motioned, Reagan seconded, Approval of the Agenda. Carried 5-0. ACTION ITEMS: – A.) Approval of Policies. Policy 306 – Administrator Code of Ethics; Policy 414 – Mandated Reporting of Child Neglect or Physical or Sexual Abuse; Policy 501 – School Weapons Policy; Policy 514 – Bullying Prohibition; Policy 516 – Student Medications; Policy 534 - School Meals Policy; Policy 606 – Textbooks and Instructional Materials; Policy 709 – Student Transportation Safety Policy; Policy 712 – Video Surveillance Other Than on Buses and Policy 722 –Public Data Requests. Donna motioned, Peterson seconded; Approval of Policies. Carried 5-0. ADJOURNMENT - Domin motioned, Stout seconded, Adjournment. Carried 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 7:59 p.m. Submitted by Paul Donna, Acting Clerk. A full version of the minutes are available at www. mahtomedi.k12.mn.us. Published one time in the White Bear Press on February 4, 2026.

INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 832

MAHTOMEDI, MN 55115

MINUTES JANUARY 13, 2026

A Special Meeting of the Board of Education of Mahtomedi Public Schools was held on January 13, 2025, beginning at 7:00 a.m. CALL TO ORDER- Meeting was called to order by Vice Chair/Clerk Drew Whitson at 7:00 a.m. ROLL CALL OF ATTENDANCE - Present: Ryan Domin, Paul Donna, Jenny Peterson, Stacey Stout and Drew Whitson. Kelly Reagan was absent Also present: Barb Duffrin, Superintendent; Alice Seuffert, Director of Communications; Tim Erickson, Director of Business Services, Matthew Hammer, Ehlers, Inc; Leslie Lovas, Executive Assistant to Superintendent & School Board./ APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA - Domin motioned, Stout seconded, Approval of the Agenda. Carried 5-0. ACTION ITEMS – A.) Approval of the Resolution Ratifying Award of Sale of Bonds. Matthew Hammer, Senior Municipal Advisor for Ehlers, Inc, presented the Sale Report for the $14M General Obligation School Building Bonds, Series 2026A. Hammer explained to the School Board that on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, they had 13 bidders, with the lowest bid coming from Huntington Securities, Inc., of Chicago, at a true interest rate of 3.65%. Hammer explained that these were good results so early in the calendar year due to the high demand, and that it put the school district in a position with more flexibility to maximize the dollar for the voter. The true interest cost of 3.65% was lower than the maximum rate of 4.50% approved by the School Board on December 15, 2025. The next step would be to go out for the second issuance of the bond in early 2027 for the remaining $14M. Domin motioned, Donna seconded, Approval of the Resolution Ratifying Award of Sale of Bonds. Domin - aye, Donna – aye, Peterson – aye, Stout – aye and Whitson. Carried 5-0. ADJOURNMENT - Stout motioned, Peterson seconded, Adjournment. Carried 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 7:18 a.m. Submitted by Paul Donna, Acting Clerk. A full version of the minutes are available at www.mahtomedi.k12.mn.us.

Published one time in the White Bear Press on February 4, 2026.

SUMMIT MINI STORAGE

SELF STORAGE SALE

Tenant: Daniel O’Connor, Unit #136A

Contents: Miscellaneous items

Time of sale: February 20, 2026 at 5:30 pm 3716 Scheuneman Rd, Gem Lake, MN 55110; (651) 429-1311

Published two times in the White Bear Press on February 4 and 11, 2026.

VADNAIS LAKE AREA WATER MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION (VLAWMO)

PUBLIC HEARING

The Vadnais Lake Area Water Management Organization (VLAWMO) will hold a Public Hearing for the Metro Update of the 10-year Watershed Management Plan (WMP) on February 25, 2026, in the City of Vadnais Heights Council Chambers, 800 County Road E East, Vadnais Heights, MN, at 7:00 pm. Review the draft WMP online at www.vlawmo.org.

Published two times in the White Bear Press on February 4 and 11, 2026.

WHITE BEAR LAKE CONSERVATION DISTRICT (WBLCD)

ORDINANCE 9, PART III, SECTION 3.01, SUBD. 3

HOURS OF OPERATION FOR PERSONAL WATERCRAFT

ORDINANCE AMENDMENT

SUMMARY PUBLICATION: The following summary is approved by the White Bear Lake Conservation District Board of Directors and shall be published in lieu of publishing the entire ordinance:

On January 20, 2026, the District adopted an amendment to Ordinance 9, Section 3.01 Subd. 3 to align hours of operation for personal watercraft locally with those of the Minnesota DNR from an 8AM-8PM restriction to, “one hour before sunset and 9:30AM,” on any given day.

A copy of the full adopted ordinance is available for inspection: at the District Office, White Bear Lake City Hall, 4701 Hwy. 61, White Bear Lake, MN; on the wblcd.com website; or by means of standard or electronic mail.

Summary complies with Minn. Stat. §§ 331A.05 subd. 8. & 412.191 subd 4.

Approved January 20, 2026

BY ORDER OF THE WBLCD BOARD Cheri Howe, Administrator

Published one time in the White Bear Press on February 4, 2026.

STATE OF MINNESOTA, COUNTY OF RAMSEY DISTRICT COURT, SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT CASE TYPE: CIVIL, OTHER NOTICE OF SHERIFF’S SALE UNDER JUDGMENT AND DECREE (REAL PROPERTY)

Court File No.: 62-CV-25-8334 CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC, Plaintiff, vs. Denysha Camille Ward and the United States of America by and through the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Defendants. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that under and by virtue of a Judgment and Decree entered in the above-entitled action on December 17, 2025, a certified copy of which has been delivered to me directing the sale of the premises hereinafter described to satisfy the amount found and adjudged due of $349,308.50 in the above-entitled action, as prescribed by the Judgment, the undersigned Sheriff of Ramsey County will sell at public auction, to the highest bidder, for cash, as follows: DATE AND TIME OF SALE: March 19, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. PLACE OF SALE: Ramsey County Sheriff, 360 Wabasha Street N, Suite 111, St. Paul, MN 55102 LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPERTY: Lots 13 and 14, of Block 13, Fairview Addition to the City of St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota PROPERTY ADDRESS: 467 Case Avenue, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55130 PROPERTY ID: 292922240154 THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR’S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES Section582.032, DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITYH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT ABANDONED, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED. Dated: 1/13/26 Bob Fletcher Sheriff of Ramsey County, Minnesota By: Michael E. Frank, Deputy Drafted by: Michael Everson, #0388310 RANDALL S. MILLER AND ASSOCIATES 8525 Edinbrook Crossing – Suite 210 Brooklyn Park, MN 55443

(612) 223-6873 File No. 25MN00185-2 A-4863379 01/28/2026, 02/04/2026, 02/11/2026, 02/18/2026, 02/25/2026, 03/04/2026

Published six times in the White Bear Press, on January 28, February 4, 11, 18, 25 and March 4, 2026.

OFFICE OF THE MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME

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

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

2. The street address of the principal place of business is or will be: 1718 LEXINGTON AVE N, STE A ROSEVILLE MN 55113

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

Mjau Group, Inc. 730 N 4TH ST UNIT 401 MINNEAPOLIS MN 55401

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

Dated: January 10, 2026

Signed: Scott Cumming Published two times in the White Bear Press on February 4 and 11, 2026.

OFFICE OF THE MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME

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

1. The assumed name under which the business is or will be conducted is: World Around Us Childcare

2. The street address of the principal place of business is or will be: 5065 Stewart Avenue, White Bear Lake, MN 55110

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

Early Childhood Academy NSP & WBL, LLC 90 S 7th St., STE 3840, Minneapolis, MN 55402

Dated: January 20, 2026

Signed: Jeff Smiens Published two times in the White Bear Press on January 28 and February 4, 2026.

OFFICE OF THE MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME

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

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

The Ivory

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

125 9TH ST E, STE 127, SAINT PAUL, MN 55101

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

Luxe Event Planning and Decor

125 9TH ST E, STE 127, SAINT PAUL, MN 55101

Dated: January 14, 2026

Signed: Peter Chang Published two times in the White Bear Press on January 28 and February 4, 2026.

OFFICE OF THE MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE

CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME

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

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

ProfileSure

2. The street address of the principal place of business is or will be: 2775 LEXINGTON AVE N, APT 104, ROSEVILLE, MN 55113

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

Reliance LLC

2775 LEXINGTON AVE N, APT 104, ROSEVILLE, MN 55113

Dated: January 7, 2026

Signed: Anuja Dilip Sarate Published two times in the White Bear Press on January 28 and February 4, 2026.

OFFICE OF THE MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE

CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME

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

1. The assumed name under which the business is or will be conducted is: Auri’s Fabrics

2. The street address of the principal place of business is or will be: 1200 HEWITT AVE, SAINT PAUL, MN 55104

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

Auri Bates 1200 HEWITT AVE, SAINT PAUL, MN 55104

Dated: January 16, 2026

Signed: Auri Bates Published two times in the White Bear Press on January 28 and February 4, 2026.

CLERK’S CORNER – Greetings from the Township! I hope everyone is staying warm during this very typical January cold snap. Public Works crews are doing their best to keep sidewalks & roads ice free; however, when the temperature never gets above zero degrees, we are fighting a losing battle.

Friday, January 30 was our long time Public Works Director, Dale Reed’s, last day at the Township. After 16 years of service & dedication to making this the best place in the metro to live, Dale retired & will be finding a whole new way to stay busy. All of us here wish him the very best in his journey & will think of him every time we drive over a pothole. THANKS, DALE!

SPRING TREE SALE IS OPEN – The Township is offering a limited quantity of trees for sale at wholesale prices!

• Township residents ONLY

• Limit of five (5) trees per household

• For planting on private property in the Township; planting in the boulevard is not permitted

• No refunds or warranty

Ordering can be made by mail or in person with cash, check, or credit card. Order forms can be found on our website or at Town Hall. Orders close March 15, 2026. All credit cards will have a 3.95% processing fee added. No online ordering. More information can be found under the Township Government, Public Works Department, Forestry tab on our website or by searching ‘tree sale.’

HOA's is required on the Irrigation Audits.

WATER EFFICIENCY REBATES ARE STILL AVAILABLE – Water Efficiency Rebates are available to White Bear Township utility customers who replace existing products with specified water efficient products now through June 30, 2026 or until the remaining $20,732.28 is depleted. The rebate is for 100% of the pretax cost of the item, up to the maximum rebate amount allowed on eligible water efficiency products. A minimum investment of $75.00 for homeowners or $200 for Commercial /

WHITE BEAR LAKE CITY COUNCIL NOTES

• The Minnesotan has been granted permission to use the city parking lot at Banning Avenue and Third Street for the second annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 14. The business also received a liquor license extension for the event.

• The city is soliciting quotes for the 2026 ash tree removal and replacement project. The city’s received a DNR Shade Tree grant for $499,800. According to a tree inventory completed in 2018, the city has over 2,000 ash trees in its boulevards and active park spaces.

Per the grant, cities are required to remove the infested ash trees and replace

them with a diverse blend of tree species appropriate for Minnesota’s climate. The focus area for the project area is generally located east of White Bear Avenue between County Road F and County Road E.

• Sen. Heather Gustafson recently visited the council to provide a legislative update. She reminded the council that the legislative session will start Feb. 17 and it will be a policy year, not a bonding year. She noted that although there are no bonding projects in the works for the city of White Bear Lake currently, she is hoping to secure funding for the Vadnais Heights Boulevard Trail project. This session, Gustafson

• Halfway through every fiscal year, the district’s finance team normally provides an update on how the district is working its way through its revenues and expenditures. Tim Erickson, director of business services, provided the midyear financial report of the fiscal year 2026 budget at the Jan. 26 meeting. Halfway through the budget year, approved last June, the district has received 42.73% of its revenue, or $21.9 million of the $51.3 million planned for in the fiscal year 2026 budget, Erickson said in his report. On the expenditure side, the district has already spent 41.47% of its planned expenditures, or $21.7 million of the $52.4 million the district was projected to spend. The district now has $29.4 in revenues to look forward to and $30.7 million left to spend.

The bulk of the district’s revenues come from state and federal aid, property taxes and local fees. In decreasing order, the bulk of the district’s expenses go toward salaries and wages, employee benefits, purchased services, supplies and equipment. “Although you’ll see ups and downs, overall we’re tracking well in the budget and are where we should be,” Erickson said. Donations are running strongly this year, as the district is already $377,000 ahead in that area, he said.

• Following the success of the November 2025 bond referendum, the Facilities Steering Committee was tasked to oversee and manage the design and construction of facilities associated with the referendum. The committe‘s charge statements were drawn up to articulate and agree with the expectations the board has for decision-making and communication. The board reviewed the draft of the charge statements at its Jan. 6 meeting and approved them Jan. 26.

• The board conducted the second reading of three appendices pertaining to Policy 902, Use of School Facilities, including Appendices A, B and D.

The Policy Committee studied Policy 902 and made several changes. Duplicate language was consolidated, and the policy was updated with more efficiency in some of the rental language dealing with weather cancellations. After the first reading was conducted at a previous meeting, board members were given the opportunity to present Community Education Director Kate

Residents can get up to a maximum of $150 for Energy Star washers; $200 for Energy Star Certified Dishwashers; $200 for Water Sense toilets; $75 for Water Sense Showerheads; & $200 for Water Sense irrigation controllers; & up to $500 for Irrigation Audit by a Water Sense certified professional. Commercial / Homeowners Associations can also get rebates for irrigation improvements visit www.whitebeartownship.org/165/waterefficiency-rebate-program for more information about the Water Efficiency Rebate program.

SAVE THE DATE!

• ANNUAL TOWN MEETING – The Annual Town Meeting is Tuesday, March 10th at 7:00 PM at Heritage Hall, 4200 Otter Lake Road. Your voice will be heard as those residents in attendance will approve the Town’s Preliminary Tax Levy by vote & hear updates on Township activities as well as comments from public officials in attendance.

• SPRING CLEAN-UP DAY – The annual Spring Clean-Up Day is scheduled for the Saturday, May 16, 2026 from 7 AM to 2 PM at Otter Lake Elementary. More information to come.

SEASONAL MAINTENANCE WORKER –White Bear Township is accepting applications for Seasonal Maintenance Worker positions to assist in routine maintenance work including, but not limited to, the following: general maintenance of parks, streets, water, storm water, sanitary sewer, etc. Up to 40 hours per week, Monday – Friday, 7 AM to 3:30 PM (subject to change between Memorial Day – Labor Day). Salary range from $18 to $21/hour, depending on qualifications. A valid driver’s license with a good driving record is essential. Applicants must be at least 18 years old & be able to pass pre-employment drug screening. Applications are available at the Administrative Office, 1281 Hammond Road, White Bear Township, MN 55110 or online at www.whitebeartownship.org. Open until positions are filled.

says one of her priorities will be a property tax relief bill that would provide cities some direct funding, since most of the cities she represents do not receive local government aid.

Council Member Kevin Edberg informed Gustafson that per the council’s legislative priorities, one of the topics the city hopes to discuss further is some potential tweaks to state regulations regarding Local Affordable Housing Aid, which is meant to help local governments develop and preserve affordable housing within their jurisdictions.

• Since 2021, the council has adopted a legislative priorities agenda annually.

City Manager Lindy

Crawford explained that the council’s priorities generally align with the priorities set by the League of Minnesota Cities and Metro Cities. 2026 priorities include:

- Support legislation which prioritizes safety, defines permissible operation areas, establishes reasonable speed and age guidelines, and provides clarity for enforcement regarding electric-assisted bicycles and the like.

- Oppose legislation that would limit or preempt local government zoning authority.

- Support legislation to increase revenues for deputy registrars to maintain office viability and support

Anderson with any questions. The final reading will be held at the next meeting.

• In her report, Superintendent Barb Duffrin highlighted news, awards and upcoming events from around the district. Around the district, the Mahtomedi Middle School spelling bee was held on Jan. 21: “synonym” was the winning word. A screening of “Screenagers” (Elementary Edition) was hosted Jan. 15 by the K-12 counseling team. Families and students learned about the latest research and gained expert insights and advice to help them navigate the digital age. Two groups of students recently presented their Future City project with this year‘s theme, “Farm to Table.” Participants were challenged to design a city that eliminates food waste from farm to table and keeps its citizens healthy and safe. Future Cities is an elective course for eighth grade students.

Mahtomedi High School earned the Gold Advanced Placement Award, which recognized that 74% of the Class of 2025 took an AP exam; 64% of that class scored three or higher on an AP exam (Platinum Award); and 13% of took five AP exams during high school, including at least one taken during ninth or 10th grade (Gold Award).

Georgia Birkeland (Class of 2020) is back in the Olympics and will compete with Team USA at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Italy. She will compete for the USA Long Track Team in Team Pursuit Skating. Birkeland also competed in the Olympics in Beijing in 2022.

Aidan Hastings (Class of 2027) was accepted into Film North’s Studio Thirteen Future Filmmakers Lab and was one of 13 Minnesota students selected for the program.

Upcoming events around the district include:

• Feb. 12 - K-8 conferences (evening)

• Feb. 13 - No school and conferences

• Feb. 13 - Community Baby Shower 10-11:30 a.m. at the District Education Center (All parents who had a new baby within the last eight months are invited to a resource fair, with handouts and freebies from local business, along with a tour of Early Childhood rooms.)

• Feb. 16 - No school (President’s Day)

customer needs through sharing the online filing fees collected by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety from Driver and Vehicle Services transactions and increasing filing fees on transactions.

- Oppose legislation that would allow a single stairway in multifamily residential buildings.

- Support legislation providing funding for law enforcement training.

The next City Council meeting will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10, at City Hall. There will be a workstudy session at 5:30 p.m. Shannon Granholm

• Feb. 17 - No school (Teacher Professional Day)

• Feb. 20 - Sweetheart Dance open to ages 3-9

• Feb. 23 - Coffee & Conversations 4:30-5 p.m.

• March 23 - Zephyr Learning Showcase from 6:15-6:45 in District Center Room 103

The board next meets at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, in the District Center Community Room, 1520 Mahtomedi Avenue.

STATE OF MINNESOTA CLEMENCY REVIEW COMMITTEE LEGAL NOTICE

The following individuals who were convicted of crimes in Ramsey County have applied for relief from the Clemency Review Commission (CRC). The applications will be considered on March 6, 2026, commencing at 8:30am at 1450 Energy Park Drive, St. Paul, MN: Namaly Lor 5th degree drug possession; Convicted: 12/6/2012 Anthony Gonzalez Canas 2nd degree driving under the influence of alcohol; Convicted: 9/15/2011 Mohamed Aboubaker Give peace officer a false name;

Loretta Harding

1. An eagle-eye view at the stoplight at County Road D and East County Line Jan. 29. — Karen Eian, contributed

2. The family of Wendy Jo Shaffer attended memorial events in Washington D.C. last week to honor all the lives lost on American Airlines Flight 5342. Pictured are Wendy’s parents Mike and Mary Wigstrom along with Wendy’s sister Emily Wigstrom and Wendy’s aunt and uncle Laurie Moga and Greg Shields. Contributed

CLASSIFIEDS

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MAHTOMEDI VOLUNTEER FOR CITY COMMISSIONS

The City of Mahtomedi is accepting applications from residents interested in serving on advisory commissions. Openings for three-year appointments exist on the Planning Commission, Parks Commission, Environmental and Finance Commission. The Commissions serve as advisory bodies making recommendations within their areas of responsibility to the City Council.

If you are interested in serving the community in any of these capacities, please contact City Hall at 651-426-3344 for an application form. Applications are also available on the City’s website at www.mahtomedimn.gov. Applications will be taken through March 2, 2026.

JERENE ROGERS CITY CLERK

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For more information please contact us : Transportation@marinevillageschool.org or check out marinevillageschool.org/careers/

Seasonal Maintenance Worker

White Bear Township is accepting applications for Seasonal Maintenance Worker positions to assist in routine maintenance work including, but not limited to, the following: general maintenance of parks, streets, water, storm water, sanitary sewer, etc. Up to 40 hours per week, Monday – Friday, 7 AM to 3:30 PM (subject to change between Memorial Day – Labor Day).

Salary range from $18 to $21/ hour, depending on qualifications. A valid driver’s license with a good driving record is essential. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and be able to pass pre-employment drug screening.

Applications are available Monday – Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM, at Township Administrative Office, 1281 Hammond Road, White Bear Township, MN 55110 or online at www.whitebeartownship. org. Application deadline: Open until positions are filled.

STAFF ENGINEER SPEARFISH, SD Responsible for CAD activities, engineering support (office/field) administering the city s floodplain ordinance. Starting range. PE $96,512.00, FE $87,4 22.40 www .cityofspearfish.com

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Area musician teaches the ‘things that can’t be Googled’

A White Bear Lake native with deep roots in Minnesota’s music scene, Joseph Schertz has spent decades turning creativity into community. As the founder of The School of Music & Mayhem, Schertz teaches students of all ages that rock ’n’ roll is best learned by doing — writing songs, playing loudly and discovering their own artistic voices. He is also an active songwriter and recording artist. His new album, “Sweet Nothings and Other Weapons,” which features performances by many of his students, will be released this week. Schertz recently spoke to the White Bear Press about his musical journey, his teaching philosophy and why the next song is always the most important one.

Q. Tell us a little bit about yourself. You are a White Bear Lake grad, right?

A. I graduated from Golfview Elementary, then moved into Sunrise Jr. High, then slid into Mariner High, which then merged with White Bear High, all at the time when “Stranger Things” took place … except we didn’t have Demogorgons to run from! Although we did have cool banana-seat bikes. I was about 9 years old when I saw this odd-shaped thing in our house and I asked my mom, ‘What’s that?’ She said, “That’s a guitar. Let me show you a couple of chords.” My life has never been the same since. I ran into my room and wrote my first song right then!

Q. For readers who may not be familiar, what is The School of Music & Mayhem?

A. The School of Music & Mayhem is a creative outlet for students to learn the art of songwriting, guitar, drums, bass, ukulele and the hard knocks of rock ’n’ roll. Students experience lessons, jam sessions, songwriting and recording sessions. I believe that if you’re going to get great at baseball, you can’t spend 20 years in a batting cage all by yourself … you’ve got to get on a team and learn the subtle skills of playing with other people. There are undefined nuances of the game that can only be learned through experience. The same is true in music; you have to play with other musicians to learn the craft of how to be in a band. And it’s even harder to learn that everyone needs to serve the song! There are a million variables you can’t read about or study in a textbook; you’ve got to experience them firsthand. So, at The School of Music & Mayhem, we often get a drum student, a bass student and few guitarists together, turn it up louder than we should and scream our hearts out into the microphone.

It turns out, rock ’n’ roll is alive and well, and it lives in Minnesota!

Q. What sets Music & Mayhem apart from traditional music lessons?

A. Songwriting! … and mayhem!!! When you watch a movie, there’s often a scene in a teen’s room; they always have cool posters on the wall. Those are never posters of cover bands; those are posters of cool bands that are writing their own original songs. Ever since I was a tween at Sunrise Jr. High, I somehow instinctively knew this. The idea of mastering cover songs was always silly to me … I mean, there’s no way I want the epitaph on my grave to read, “He was great at copying someone else’s art.” I always wanted to pursue my own art … and now I get to share that passion with Music & Mayhem students. When it comes to the creative arts, we don’t put a box around it or have

restrictions. Any subject is available for expression. If a student is having a bad day, they are welcome to sing and write about it. If they need to work through something, they are welcome to express whatever it is they need to. It can be therapeutic and a real mental health pressure release. Sometimes you just need to scream it out and get it off your chest. All forms of expression, from happy to sad, fact or fiction, serious to silly, are in bounds. There are millions of words in the English language, let’s use them all!

Q. You’re also an active songwriter and recording artist. How does that influence your teaching?

A. It IS my teaching. I’m writing songs right alongside my students; sometimes in jam sessions, sometimes in cowriting situations, and sometimes through mistakes we’ve made that sound cool. We jump in and get messy and born out of that mess can be something beautiful. Sometimes we jump in with the intention of songwriting, while other times it happens out of serendipity; once, while I was teaching a guitar student how to play “Day Tripper” by The Beatles, I made a major blunder of a mistake while playing the main guitar riff … but my blunder sounded so cool that we dropped working on “Day Tripper” right then and wrote a super cool song with that brand-new riff! Once, while teaching a Taylor Swift song, I sang the wrong words. Turns out, my goof-up was a twisted gem of a lyric line. So, in a sense we learn from the best out there, then take that cool thing our favorite artists did, get inspired by it, twist it around and smash it with other ideas and create our own art from the wreckage … that’s Music & Mayhem!

Q. Speaking of releasing music, you have a new album coming out soon. What can you tell us about it?

A. This new album is very student-driven. My last album, “The Scuffs,” was just me on all writing and performances. But this new record, “Sweet Nothings and Other Weapons,” is almost entirely driven by student involvement. For example, on the song, “Giddy Up! Let’s Go,” two teen girls performed on it: one played drums and other played bass. On the song, “Share

Q. What can you tell us about your students? What sort of things do they come to you for, and what towns do they travel from?

A. There’s a sticker on the music stand in the studio that says, “I teach things that can’t be Googled.” Throughout the decades of doing this, I’ve done thousands and thousands of songwriting and jam sessions, and no two have ever been the same. Each and every day is a new experience for me and the Music & Mayhem students. There is no chapter one, to chapter two, to chapter three manual for the creative arts. Not only do students not know what expect when we jump in and get rockin’, neither do I! When things are going right, there’s a buzz of magic in the air. I’m located near Lake Elmo and have students that come from as far away as River Falls, Roseville, Forest Lake and Eagan. Most are from Stillwater, Woodbury, Hudson and White Bear Lake/ Mahtomedi. My furthest-away students come from up near Luck, Wisconsin.

A Cell,” there is a husband-andwife combo: he played drums and she played the bass (she gave him drum lessons as a holiday gift and here they are a year later, published performers). “Leaving Hurts, Staying’s Worse,” is a song cowritten with a 22-year-old student. Three Stillwater teen girls punk-rocked guitars and bass on the song “Gotta Be.” And on the song, “Donate Me to a Good Cause,” there is an entire family on it (an 8-year-old who played cool synth keyboard parts, her dad played lead guitar, and her mom played bass). All of these students are now published performers. In my mind, that’s a big deal. I can’t imagine how awesome it would have been to have performed a published song at 8 years old… how cool is that!

Q. Tell us about how you came up with the album title.

A. The new album is titled, “Sweet Nothings and Other Weapons.” It’s always a fun challenge to think of unique album titles. I strive to find titles that have never been published before. With the passage of time, as more albums are released every day, rare and unique album titles are getting harder and harder to find. But in this case, I enjoyed the playful way “sweet nothings” played against the words “other weapons.” So, I smashed them together. Lyrically, I like to play with words that juxtapose each other; salt/ pepper, light/ dark, bitters/ sweets, etc. I’m fascinated by the way that bitters always taste more bitter after experiencing sweets, and sweets taste sweeter after experiencing bitters. The new album title felt like an extension of this smashing together of juxtaposed notions.

Q. How do your students respond to seeing you actively releasing music?

A. I challenge them to write and release music of their own! Not only have many of them performed on my albums, but many are also artists and are releasing music of their own. In a certain sense, “Sweet Nothings and Other Weapons” isn’t a solo Joseph Schertz album, it’s a School of Music & Mayhem team effort. When a student gets a band going or finishes a song, it’s really cool to see rock and roll being passed on from one generation to the next.

Speaking of White Bear Lake, I’m lucky enough to pass the rock ’n’ roll baton off to Miss Vera Castillo, of Birchwood. Vera is a drum student here and she’s rockin’ Mariner Middle School, which is the old Mariner High that I used to walk to everyday from Orchard Lane. In addition to her sharing my passion for creating great music, I’m pretty sure she’s got my old locker!

Q. As we head into the new year and the album release, what’s next for The School of Music & Mayhem?

A. The next song! And more mayhem, of course. We typically write about 100 songs before we find a gem of a song that’s worth pursuing further. Much like the miners who have to throw out a lot of dirt while digging for gold, we have to throw away a lot of scrap songs to find the good ones! Songwriting is an endless well of frustration and highs at the same time. Frustration when we’ve haven’t written anything great for a while and the feeling seeps in that just maybe you’ll never find another great idea again. And highs when you work through those frustrations to finally find the next hint of an idea, the next feeling to chase, the next song.

I often get asked two questions; 1) “What is your desert island song, your favorite, if you could only bring one with you for the rest of your life?” and 2) “What’s the hardest song you can play?” My answer is the same for both questions; it’s “The next song!”

Songwriting will outlive me for thousands of years to come. There will never be an end to the process of digging deep and finding new, creative, song ideas. I will never learn it all, never know it all, never write it all. But I sure am lucky to be part of this great adventure!

Q. Where can people find the album and learn more?

A. Back in the days of growing up in White Bear Lake, we used to make glitchy, scratchy, hissy cassette tapes and hand them out one by one to anyone that would listen. Now, with the internet and streaming services, an independent artist can put their music up for the entire world to hear. “Sweet Nothings and Other Weapons” is available on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music and Pandora, and is streaming in over 250 countries around the world.

Compiled by Shannon Granholm

CONTRIBUTED

Joseph Schertz, founder of The School of Music & Mayhem, works with drum student Vera Castillo, of Birchwood. Castillo attends Mariner Middle School in White Bear Lake.

Carol Lyn Jacobson

59, of White Bear Lake, ended her long struggle with cancer and joined her lost loved ones in heaven on January 30, 2026. She was welcomed by her mom, Evelyn Vermeersch; her father, Frank Jacobson; and her grandparents. Carol is survived by her brothers, Rick (Joleen) Jacobson, Jim (Ann) Jacobson, and Steven (Carisa) Vermeersch; long time partner, Danny Teich; as well as many nieces; nephews; and other extended family members. A memorial service will be held at 10 AM on Monday, February 9, 2026 at Community of Grace Lutheran Church, 4000 Linden St, White Bear Lake, MN 55110, with visitation beginning at 9 AM. Interment at Chisago Lakes Cemetery at a later date. Mueller Memorial-White Bear Lake, www.muellermemorial.com, 651-429-4944

Press Publications takes home 3 Minnesota Newspaper Association Awards

Press Publications has received three awards from the Minnesota Newspaper Association (MNA) as a part of the 2024-2025 Better Newspaper Contest (BNC).

Every year, dailies and nondailies with circulations from 1,500 to over 10,000 enter the contest from all over the state. The contest is made up of several categories in the areas of advertising, stories, breaking news, investigative reporting, design, photography, sports and more.

The 2024-2025 contest had 4,100 entries. Winners were recently honored at the BNC Awards Gala during the annual MNA Convention & Trade Show at the Minneapolis Marriott Northwest in Brooklyn Park.

Managing Editor Shannon Granholm received first place in the Human Interest Story category

Diane D. Johnson

Age 80 of Lake Elmo, peacefully left us on December 13. She was known at St Andrews, Community of Grace and Rockpoint churches. Diane is survived by husband Jim, Carla Goetz, Erik and Mark Johnson, 7 grand and 3 great grandchildren. To know her is to love her! Celebration of life in Spring.

Gerald R. “Jerry” Wilharber

Sixty year resident of White Bear Lake, age 92, passed away peacefully on January 2, 2026 after a long struggle with dementia. Preceded in death by his first wife, Kathleen (Meade); infant children, Margaret and Paul; his parents, Walter and Winifred (Burgy); his sister, Patricia Wilharber; and second wife, Patricia (Gamble) Wilharber.

Survived by children, Jennifer (Jeremy) Lloyd, Gerard (LeAnn); granddaughter, Lauren (Weston) Myers, grandson, Jake Karmann, great granddaughter Camryn Myers; and brother, Thomas (Mary Lou) Wilharber. Stepchildren Lisa (Roger) Pfiffner, Patrick (Cindy) Gamble, Kathy (Ty) Walchak; four step grandchildren; five step great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Jerry worked for 44 years in the Twin Cities commercial glass business primarily at Harmon Inc as a Draftsman Estimator.

Service to be held on February 21, 2026 at St Pius Catholic Church, White Bear Lake. Visitation at 10AM and Mass at 11AM. Private interment to be held at Ft. Snelling at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations preferred to the Dodge Nature Center in West St Paul, MN.

More information about Jerry’s life can be found on the Cremation Society of MN website.

Obituaries celebrate and honor unique lives.

To Submit an obit Email obits@presspubs.com Call 651-407-1250

Visit us at 4779 Bloom Ave, White Bear Lake, MN

for her story, “Quadruple amputee part of Tillges family,” which ran in the White Bear Press. Granholm also received first place in the Social Issues Story category for her story, “Scam victim, detective share tips to protect others,” which ran in The Citizen. Judges commented, “The story grabs a reader's interest with a compelling account from a scam victim whose bank account was drained. It also serves the public by outlining common types of scams and how to prevent them.”

The Citizen received third place in the General Excellence category. Judges said, “A lot of great graphic flourishes here on the pages. Great advertisement and news content variety, consistent quality and style guide of appropriate content.”

STUDENT

The following students were named to the dean's list or received academic honors at a college or university in Fall 2025:

Capital University: Dylan Christopherson of White Bear Lake.

College of Charleston: Rowan Flanary of Mahtomedi.

Iowa State University: Maxwell Johnson, Patrick Kosel and Olivia Wendorff, all of Mahtomedi; Lily Schneider of Vadnais Heights; William Bruentrup, Katelyn Harrington, Karen Miller and Sydney Plumb, all of White Bear Lake.

Miami University: Mac Appert of Mahtomedi.

North Dakota State University: Quinn Whitehead and Natalie Beaulieu, both of Mahtomedi; Harry Mcnerlin of Vadnais Heights.

Northwest Technical College: Aloysius Walsh of White Bear Lake.

St. Cloud State University: Wyatt Hawks of White Bear Lake.

South Dakota State University: Dallas Bush, Clara Cunningham and Noelle Wilding, all of White Bear Lake.

Southern New Hampshire University: Aveline McCabe of White Bear Township.

University of Mary: Ryan Pavlick of Mahtomedi.

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire: Mason Hughes of Mahtomedi; Olivia Balk, Gabe Eberhardt, Bailey Eddicus, Elaine Eddicus, Kayele Grealish and Ben McLaughlin, all of White Bear Lake.

University of Wisconsin-Madison: Alexander

COMMUNITY BRIEFS

Senior Community Center invites adults to connect, create, celebrate

Adults over 60 can stay active and engaged through a variety of creative, educational and social programs this winter at St. Andrew's Senior Community Center, located in the Great Hall, 900 Stillwater Road, Mahtomedi. Participants will have daily social activities and games, free coffee and treats, and access to support services from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday. “Pay as you're able” lunch is also offered at noon for all seniors regardless of financial circumstances, and free bus transportation is available for those who need a ride.

Seniors can drop in for games and socializing during the center's operating hours, though registration is requested for lunch.

Upcoming special events include a Valentine's Party on Thursday, Feb. 12, that includes music, treats and lunch. A guided tour of the Cathedral of St. Paul is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 17.

Bixby, Olivia Decker, John Diffley, Kathryne Foley, Lauren Heinsch, Kate Hoffman, Mary McCormick, Lauren Mitchell, Riley Schweitz, Katherine Swanson and Audrey Barry, all of Mahtomedi; Luke Blaska and Olivia Gentile, both of Vadnais Heights; Tashvi Johnson, Kaia McKeown and William Simpson, all of White Bear Lake.

University of Wisconsin-Superior: Owen Farrington and Sophia Sagerer, both of White Bear Lake.

Western Technical College: Jack Volkmeier of White Bear Lake.

The following students graduated from a college or university in Fall 2025:

Iowa State University: Ty Decker of Mahtomedi, Bachelor of Science, cyber security engineering; Ernest Mattson of Vadnais Heights, Bachelor of Science, industrial engineering, summa cum laude. Minnesota State University-Mankato: John Pusung of Vadnais Heights, Registered Nurse Baccalaureate completion, cum laude; Samantha Ackerknecht of White Bear Lake, Master of Science, elementary education; Brian Luprelow of White Bear Lake, Registered Nurse Baccalaureate completion; Jonathan Morris of White Bear Lake, Bachelor of Science, aviation; Mary Namondi of White Bear Lake, Registered Nurse Baccalaureate completion; Anna Quaas of White Bear Lake, Bachelor of Science, law enforcement; Samuel Swiden of White Bear Lake, Bachelor of Science, computer information technology.

Registration is required for special events, and some may have a fee.

To learn more or to register for lunch or events, call 651-426-3261.

Nominations sought for Hill Legacy Award

The Greater White Bear Lake Community Foundation seeks nominations of exceptional volunteers for the 2026 J. Stanley and Doris Hill Legacy Award. The award was created in 2006 by the White Bear Lake Area Education Foundation, the Mahtomedi Area Education Foundation and the Century College Foundation to honor the Hills’ legacy of volunteerism. Since then, it has been awarded 15 times to outstanding community volunteers.

The community service-based award acknowledges those who have given many years of service to their community and has demonstrated outreach beyond our borders, yet also remains connected to our geographical area. The recipient(s) will be very active in one or more of

the communities encompassed by the GWBLCF: Birchwood Village, Dellwood, Grant, city of White Bear Lake, city of Mahtomedi, White Bear Township and Willernie.

Nomination forms can be found at gwblcf.org. The deadline to submit nominations is Friday, April 3.

Learn the power of laughter

Laughter is known to reduce pain, strengthen immunity and decrease stress. An upcoming program will help participants discover easy-to-use tools to cultivate humor and incorporate more laughter into their lives. A presentation by Jenny West of Family Means titled “The Power of Laughter” will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 1965 County Road E, White Bear Lake. It is a free community event. Doors open and refreshments will be served at 9:30 a.m. Call the church at 651-777-1107 with questions.

CONTRIBUTED

Managing Editor Shannon Granholm receives three awards from the 20242025 Better Newspaper Contest.

High school trap and skeet team hosts Boom Stick Bingo

The White Bear Lake High School Trap and Skeet Team recently hosted a successful bingo fundraiser, “Boom Stick Bingo,” at the Hugo Legion on Jan. 23 and community members turned out in strong numbers to support the team. The event benefited the White Bear Lake Trap and Skeet Team as it prepares for an upcoming season beginning in April, followed by the state tournament in June and national competition in July.

The White Bear Lake Trap and Skeet

Association extended its thanks to the athletes and parents who volunteered their time, the Hugo Legion and its staff, and Ducks Unlimited for its generous sponsorship. Organizers credited the strong local support for making the fundraiser a success.

They are hopeful to have more fundraising events in the near future, according to Bri Schwab of the White Bear Lake Trap and Skeet Association.

Maya Betti

Former Bear hockey standout Lleyton Roed, a left wing and center with the American Hockey League Coachella Valley Firebirds, visited with fans Rob, Patrick, Olivia and Meredith Foster of Indio, California after a game. Meredith is a niece of Press Publications Publisher Carter Johnson.

SPORTS

Zephyr gymnasts finish

5-0 in MEC

The Mahtomedi gymnasts posted a 5-0 record in Metro East Conference dual meets, capped by defeating Hastings 137.625 to 107.25. The Zephyrs will host the full conference meet on Thursday at 6 p.m. At Hastings, Lucy Otto was first in the all-around (34.925) and floor exercise (9.30), second on vault (8.80) and third on bars (8.125) and beam

GIRLS BASKETBALL

White Bear Lake is 7-14 after losing to Mounds View 62-57 and Woodbury 54-45. The Bears led Mounds View 36-26 at halftime but the Mustangs (11-8) rallied as Taylor Whitehill hit 21 points and Jaycie Helmer 17. Sophie Menier tallied 22 points and Chloe Theissen 20 for the Bears. Woodbury (11-9) was led by Harper Vossen with 24 points against the Bears. Theissen had 21 points, Menier eight and Amelia Post seven.

BOYS BASKETBALL

White Bear Lake stymied Mounds View 52-36 and lost to Woodbury 62-59. The Bears are 4-13. Against Woodbury, Colin Piper sank 16 points, Will McQuay 15 and Nick Cardenas 12.

GIRLS HOCKEY

White Bear Lake finished the regular season last week with a 6-5 win over Park and a 3-0 loss to Mounds View/ Irondale (MVI). The Bears were 5-10-1 in the Suburban East Conference (SEC) and take an 8-16-1 overall record heading into sectionals starting Saturday. Woodbury was SEC champion at 15-0-1. Against Park, Madeline Lee scored the game-winner with 13 seconds left. Lee had two goals and two assists while Paige Downey also notched two goals and Carlie Griffin and Kendall Roeser one each. The Bears took early 4-0 lead and held on. The Bears were foiled by MVI (13-9-2) with their goalie Kayla Kearin making 28 saves.

BOYS WRESTLING

White Bear Lake split in a home triangular Wednesday, defeating Tartan 64-12, then losing to Centennial 39-12. The Bears (4-9) then lost three matches at Park-Cottage Grove, to Park 34-31,

(8.70). Addi Eitel won vault (9.05) and beam (8.85). Cassia Hartman won bars (8.90). Adele Schroeder was second on beam (8.70) and floor (8.675). Lily Bush was second on bars (8.35), Keely Bohm third on floor (8.425) and Maria Tkachuck third on vault (8.65).

Bruce Strand

Coon Rapids 38-30 and Hastings 4921. Winning against Tartan were Hunter Lo, Galvin Nathanson, Donovin Wolfgram by pins, and Tristan Moen and Joseph Smaker by tech falls. They had six forfeits.

SWIMMING & DIVING

Woodbury defeated White Bear Lake, winning 10 of 12 events. Benedict Hoefer won the medley (2:12.59) and was second in the 500 freestyle (5:19.46). Henry Bowlin won diving (199.60). Placing third were Dylan Allshouse in the 200 freestyle and Finnian McVeigh in backstroke

BOYS HOCKEY

White Bear Lake cruised to a 6-1 win at Woodbury, outshooting the Royals 35-13. Scoring were Hunter Doroff (twice), Tyler LaLonde, Gavin Wippler, Liam Maloy and Wyatt Raleigh. Magnus Benz made two assists. The Bears lost to Stillwater 2-1 Thursday. Rian Marquardt had the Bears goal, while Liam McGlynn and Luca Francine scored for

Bear girl wrestlers see action

White Bear Lake placed 11th of 25 teams in an Eau Claire tournament on Saturday, led by Jinet Demanou, who placed second at 185 pounds. Demanou advanced with three pins and was pinned by an Eau Claire opponent in the finals. Calli Lacktorin placed third at 126 pounds, getting her fourth pin of the day in the third-place match. Merrick Jensen placed sixth at 165 pounds, Isabelle Kane seventh at

132 pounds and Amber Pax 13th at 100 pounds. On Wednesday, Lacktorin and Kane each had a quick pin in matches

BOYS BASKETBALL

Mahtomedi (14-2) routed Hastings (8-9) 82-52 led by Willie Roelofs who poured in 34 points on 15-for-20 shooting and grabbed 11 rebounds. Mark Graff sniped for 21 points, including five 3-pointers, and made six steals. Noah Carlson had nine points, seven rebounds and seven assists, and Andrew Russell 10 points, seven rebounds and two blocks.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Hastings (12-7) handed Mahtomedi a 51-44 loss. Grace Prose had 16 points and four steals for Mahtomedi (6-14). Berkley Blaisdell notched 10 points and four steals, and Rena Becker eight points.

BOYS HOCKEY

Mahtomedi lost to No. 8 ranked Hill-Murray 5-3 in a Metro East game Thursday after beating section rival Chisago Lakes 4-1 on Tuesday. Hill-Mur-

ray is 15-3-2 and leads the conference at 6-1-1. Mahtomedi is 11-9-2 and 3-2-2. The Zephyrs took a 2-0 lead with Devin O’Donnell and Ryker Dunbar scoring but Hill-Murray rattled off five straight goals. Easton DeZelar got the final Zephyr goal. Scoring against Chisago Lakes (12-5-3) were Will Seevers, Kaden Gagnelius, Dunbar (power play), and Vinny Redpath (power play). Jackson Chesak made 23 saves.

GIRLS HOCKEY Roseville/Mahtomedi skated to a scoreless tie with Osseo/Park Center in the regular season finale. The Marauders are 10-12-3 overall and finished 5-9-1 in the Northwest Suburban Conference for seventh place among nine. Section 5AA will start Saturday with all games at Roseville.

the Ponies (13-6-1). The Bears are 9-9-1 overall and 7-4-1 in the conference.

NORDIC SKIING

The Bears competed in the Suburban East Conference meet at Battle Creek Regional Park on Wednesday and Thursday. In girls freestyle, Brigid McVeigh placed ninth, Lydia Moore 23rd and Irene Bakke 27th. In the tandem classic race, Grace Reeves/Isabelle Treft placed eighth. In the classical pursuit, McVeigh held her position to place ninth overall and make all-conference. Moore was 21st and Bakke 23rd, each getting honorable mention. In boys freestyle, James Bowen placed 25th, Joe Rogers 27th and Ben Rogers

31st. In the tandem, Ben Miller/James Sprafka placed 13th. In classic pursuit, Joe Rogers moved up one spot while the other two Bears held their places. Next is Section 4 on Thursday at Battle Creek.

GYMNASTICS

Stillwater edged White Bear Lake 133.075 to 132.775. Grace Mueller won allaround (32.775) and vault (9.325) and was second on floor (8.625). Maddie Erickson was second on vault (8.70) and Ariana Minor fifth (8.575). Harlie Peloquin was second on bars (8.40), Mira McQuay second on beam (8.725), and Mo Conroy fourth on bars (7.80) and floor (8.45). Stillwater’s Elorah Donner won bars and beam.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Madelyn Lee

White Bear Lake Hockey February 4, 2026

Madelyn Lee is the White Bear Lake hockey team’s top scorer with 16 goals and 11 assists. The 5-foot-7 senior notched two goals and two assists in a 6-5 win over Park last week, including the game-winner with 13 seconds left. This is Lee’s third year as a prime scorer for the Bears as she led the team as a sophomore also and was second as a junior while racking up 49 career goals and 56 assists for 105 points so far. She has signed with St. Cloud State University.

Bruce Strand

ZEPHYRS SPORTS BRIEFS

against Tartan at home during the boys teams’ triangular meet. Bruce Strand

Bruce Strand

BRUCE STRAND CONTRIBUTED

Cassia Hartman got a 8.90 on bars against Hastings, finishing first.

BRUCE STRAND | CONTRIBUTED Calli Lacktorin pinned a Tartan opponent last week.

BRUCE STRAND | CONTRIBUTED

Tristan Moen of the Bears tangled with a Tartan opponent on the way to a 15-0 technical fall at 127 pounds.

Brigid McVeigh

MAHTOMEDI & WILLERNIE

Dugout Bar begins major rebrand, major renovations to come

BY MAYA BETTI NEWS INTERN

The Dugout Bar in Mahtomedi is undergoing a significant rebrand designed to take its traditional bar roots into a more complete community destination.

The effort is being led in part by Trou Dornfeld-von Hussen, a consultant who became involved with the bar about four months ago.

“We want to be a communitybased sports bar that has an elevated experience,” Dornfeld-von Hussen said. “Before we were just kind of like the bar and had music on the weekends.

Now, we're expanding that whole profile and flipping that on its head.”

According to Dornfrield-von Hussen, the goal is to keep the heart of the community bar while raising the quality of the food, the experience and the programming.

One of the first changes patrons noticed was the food. Dornfeld-von Hussen said Dugout’s previous menu lacked versatility. Since the start of the year, the bar has launched a new menu developed with a hired chef, featuring higher-quality ingredients.

The kitchen now partners with White Bear Butchery as its primary meat vendor, offering Wagyu-blend

• In his report, City Administrator Scott Neilson reported that the city’s 2026 street project would not take place this year. Drainage and stormwater costs included in the project turned out to be so excessive that the project will have to be done at another time, he said. The city was planning

burgers along with filet and tenderloin sandwiches. Each item on the menu includes suggested beer, wine or cocktail pairings, reflecting a broader push to elevate the dining experience.

Inside the bar, some cosmetic updates have already begun. Walls have been repainted, log décor removed and additional televisions installed to reinforce the Dugout’s goal of being a sports-focused bar.

A new retro-style logo has also been created and will soon be featured on a neon sign outside the bar.

“I want this to become a destination spot, a place that people can come to have great events,” Dornfeld-von Hussen said. “Yes, it's a bar, but it's the community and getting together and being able to share experiences with your loved one [that makes it].”

Live entertainment is a key part of that vision. While Dugout has long hosted bands, Dornfeld-von Hussen said future bookings will be more intentional, drawing from the Twin Cities music scene and including genres like jazz, blues and funk. Live music will now primarily take place on Saturday nights, with occasional Friday performances.

The bar is also introducing weekend brunch with live music, as well as wine-focused programming. As part of a new wine club initiative, a ticketed wine tasting event, scheduled for Feb. 12, will feature offering tastings and discounted bottles from distributors.

Larger renovations include building an expanded, more open bar area

• The Washington County Sheriff’s Office saw the normal volume of calls during the past month, said Deputy L. Prindley in her report. During January, the WCSO also logged a few related thefts and noted that there was some fraud when debit and credit cards were found and used online and at local businesses. Traffic stops around town included multiple drug, DWI and open-bottle arrests along with citation stops for seat belt violations, no auto insurance and failure to obey traffic control devices.

Prindley said there has also been a huge increase in overnight parking violations this winter. Deputies out on patrol look for parking violations, especially during snowstorms. “Hopefully, a citation deters them a little bit,” she said. During every visit to council chambers, deputies stress the need to “say something when you see something.” When the community lets the sheriff’s office know about speeders in the area, “we can sit in that area,” Prindley said. “I do sit in spots with the radar and give verbals and citations,” she said. Prindley also noted that the WCSO had a suspicious vehicle parked outside a residence called in. It turned out that person had a warrant and went to jail, she said.

• The city now has the money for Mahtomedi residents who are eligible to remedy inflow and infiltration issues with their sanitary sewer systems, now that council has approved the

capable of seating more than 30 people. Construction is tentatively expected to begin later this spring or early summer, depending on permitting and final approvals. During the project, the bar will remain open at partial capacity.

Throughout the process, Dornfeldvon Hussen said community feedback will be important. Dugout plans to distribute a survey through its social media platforms to gather input.

“In today's world, we won't be able to survive if we don't evolve, and that's really where we're pushing,” Dornfeldvon Hussen said.

initial $38,000 grant agreement with Metropolitan Council for 2026.

• The Mahtomedi Fire Department is looking for an assistant fire chief, and council approved the job description and salary range for the assistant fire chief/ fire marshal position. The department hopes to have someone on board by June 1, said Fire Chief Joel Schmidt. The recommended salary range is Grade 14 ($110,032 to $135,304) and is included in the 2026 budget.

• For the next year, at-risk youth and families will receive help from Northeast Youth and Family Services, following council approval of an agreement with the NYFS in the amount of $19,511, which is included in the 2026 budget.

• Every year, the city receives audit services from CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, and council approved the statement of work for audit services performed during the 2025 audit. The firm will bill the city $36,500 for the audit of its financial statements; $8,000 for financial statement preparation and $750 for preparation of the state reporting form.

• After paying city bills, council adjourned to closed session pursuant to Minnesota Stat. 13D.05, subd. 3(c)(3) to determine, develop or consider offers or counteroffers for the sale of real property owned by the city located on Glenmar Avenue.

Loretta Harding

MAHTOMEDI CITY COUNCIL NOTES

PHOTOS BY MAYA BETTI | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

A new retro-style logo has been created and will soon be featured on a neon sign outside the bar. Pictured is the old logo.

Additional televisions have been installed to reinforce The Dugout’s goal of being a sportsfocused bar.