White Bear Press

Tug-of-war over dog beach continues

BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR

Whether the City Council will decide to permanently close the dog beach remains to be seen.

The council is expected to discuss the topic again at its March 11 meeting.

Lake Avenue residents, White Bear Lake residents and nonresidents were all invited to share their opinions with the City Council in person at the public hearing or virtually via phone calls, voicemails, emails and letters.

“Over the last two years we have done about 100 visits,” explained Parks Advisory Chair Bill Ganzlin. “The majority of residents that we met with like the dog beach, and they want to keep it open. It provides a social connection for not only the dog owners, but there’s also individuals who want to watch … I think the benefits far outweigh any problems or concerns, and we have to remember that nothing is 100% perfect.”

Resident input

Rachel Bonin said she is not opposed to having a dog beach in the city, but suggested the council move it to a different location.

“This is just not the location for such a populated and popular dog beach. A postage stamp of land virtually in the front yards of citizens cannot support this amenity,” she said. “… We have identified and suggested alternative locations and cooperated with city officials and public safety personnel to attempt to problemsolve all of these issues, to no avail.”

Jeff Johnson echoed those thoughts on location. “This is not a fight against dog parks. I love dogs. I love having my dog have fun. The location is simply not suited to safely and respectfully accommodate all the stakeholders in the small space.”

Ann Lingle said her and her husband’s quality of life has decreased since the beach was established in 2007 and specifically noted the barking and dogs leaving the beach area.

“We have had dogs break loose from down there come ripping down the beach, come up into gatherings, take food off the toddler table sitting there eating hot dogs,” Lingle said. “It happens, and it is scary.”

Jason Sherrett said he has two young children and has had to grab unleashed, aggressive dogs while at the beach. “At a minimum, I think dogs need to be on a leash. At best, I think relocation is the best option,” he said.

Gene Peterson suggested moving the beach to the area near Speiss landing and the bridge to Manitou Island. “It would solve a lot of problems. It is a win-win,” he said.

SEE DOG BEACH, PAGE 22

Zephyrs’ McGuire (51-0) cruises to state wrestling title

BY BRUCE STRAND CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Evan McGuire of Mahtomedi was dominant to the end as he captured the 215-pound state wrestling championship in Class 2A Friday and Saturday. McGuire, ranked first all season after a close runner-up finish at state last year, ascended to the top of the podium with a 51-0 ledger, cruising to a 19-4 technical fall in 2:25 against Ivan Petrich (40-4) of Little Falls in the finals at Xcel Energy Center.

STRAND

“It’s been a great year,” he acknowledged. “I had fun dominating (opponents).”

A year ago, McGuire came very close to a championship, at 189 pounds, losing 10-8 in the finals to unbeaten Zac McPhee of Proctor. Asked if he expected to be champion this year, he said, “Yes, I did. Placing second really inspired me to work harder.” Soft-spoken and modest, he was poker-faced as he raised his arms in victory after the finals.

Local scout troop members and community volunteers will again be collecting and disposing of trash around White Bear Lake during the annual Saturday morning lake and park cleanup scheduled for March 8. The question of an ice or land-based cleanup is still in question. Organizers may switch to a land-based cleanup depending on the weather this week and how quickly ice conditions deteriorate. Contact Jim at jschust64@gmail.com for more information.

BRUCE

| CONTRIBUTED

Evan McGuire’s arms went up after completing an unbeaten season with a 19-3 win in the state finals.

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Family continues service business tradition in White Bear Lake

BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR

Since 1977, one family has had roots in the White Bear Lake business community.

What does each generation have in common? A service-related business.

It all started when Jerry Griffith started White Bear Glass in 1977. He chose White Bear Lake because he found “very reasonably” priced property off Highway 61 and Cedar Avenue. “There were no glass businesses out here at all,” he recalled.

Griffith said he wanted to own a business to have “personal freedom.”

“You create your own world. You try to build your world and bring people with you,” he explained. “You teach a lot of people a lot of things. People go through your fingers, through your business and learn from you and they go on (to other things).”

He continued to own and operate

the company until 1994, when he sold it to his nephew, Jeff Meyer. Griffith lived in White Bear Lake for several years before moving to Hugo.

Griffith always told his children, “Learn how to do something that everybody needs; then you will always have work.”

His daughter, Chris Dittberner, and her son, Dr. Jordan Dittberner, took that advice.

“They are all service businesses,” Chris reflected. Chris owns Salon Cheveux with her husband Joel, and Jordan recently purchased Lake Area Dental with his business partner, Dr. Thomas Hauge.

Grant residents Chris and Joel have owned Salon Cheveux for 35 years. The business started out in Roseville before it made its way to Maplewood and, ultimately, White Bear Lake in 2015.

"I always loved driving through White Bear Lake. It had the hometown-feel connection of

community,” she explained. Joel added, “Our lease was up in Maplewood. One day Chris was driving down Highway 61 and she said, ‘That’s where I want to be.’”

The two happen to know Brian McGoldrick, owner of Admiral D’s, who introduced them to Ron Trach, owner of the Kowalski’s strip mall. “The rest is history,” Joel said.

Their son Jordan, a 2010 Mahtomedi High School graduate, began his dental career in 2018 after earning a bachelor’s degree in physiology from the University of Minnesota and his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. Since then, he has practiced at Hauge Dental in Osceola, Wisconsin.

A mutual friend of Hauge’s let him know that Dr. Stephen Jaksa was planning to sell his business, Lake

Area Dental. Hauge and Jordan officially took over the practice in January.

“I probably would have been a business owner earlier if I didn't have five kids, that kind of delayed things,” Jordan explained. Jordan and his wife Kaylee are parents to two sets of twins (ages 2 and 6) and a 4-year-old.

Jordan, a Mahtomedi resident, now splits his time between Osceola and White Bear Lake.

One thing all three generations can agree on is that it is all about relationships.

“That’s what makes your business the most successful,” Griffith explained.

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

SHANNON GRANHOLM | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

Pictured (from left) are Jerry Griffith, Chris and Joel Dittberner and Jordan Dittberner. Griffith owned White Bear Glass, Chris and Joel own Salon Cheveux and Jordan owns Lake Area Dental with his business partner, Dr. Thomas Hauge.

OPINION

I’ve only read banned books and that’s okay

What if I told you that I have only ever read banned books? When I saw the current list of banned books, I was shocked to see that almost every title I have ever read is on that list for different reasons. And as someone who has an education specifically in literature it made me wonder how we ended up here.

My top three favorite novels “Dune” by Frank Herbert, “Call Me by Your Name” by Andre Aciman and “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald all are included on the current banned books list for different reasons. I admit, it stunned me.

“Dune” is featured on the list for its religious themes and violence. “The Great Gatsby” is on the list for adult themes and mentions of addiction. “Call Me by Your Name” falls onto the list for its depiction of romantic and domestic relationships, whatever that means.

As someone who has studied literature for almost seven years, I have read a lot of books that all vary in different genres, themes and subject matter. Not every book is a “fluffy fun” read and I sometimes find myself uncomfortable when reading, but I understand the importance of it. Every book that I have read has provided me with an important message or lesson. Every book has had a purpose. It saddens me to see the ever-growing list of books that are no longer available on school and public library shelves. I saw that “Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White is included on the list, specifically in Kansas, because it contains speaking animals. That was the first chapter book I ever read as a kid. It was my favorite book.

According to the American Library Association, as of 2023, there are 4,420 book titles that have been censored. In Minnesota, there are currently nine books that are banned from public schools. On that list, I have read five of them. And I like to think that I turned out okay.

I understand that children should not be reading specific themes. One may view these themes as encouraging specific behavior. I read “The Great Gatsby” when I was 16, 18, 20 and 23. Each time, I found a new meaning for the green light at the end of the dock. At 18, I read “Call Me by Your Name” and finished the book with a very different outlook on love. It was the first book that truly broke my heart. It made me understand what it means to love someone and be hurt by it. I have read it every year since to remind me of this message. When I was 20, I read “Dune” for the first time. It is the book that made me fall in love with literature. It encouraged me to think outside of the book. It is hard for me to say I agree with certain titles on the list because, truthfully, I don’t. There are books that I have been nervous to read due to the difficult subject matter. Reading certain titles will make you uncomfortable. That is okay. My sister and I don’t like the same genre of books, but I don’t punish her for it by taking them away from her. She did not like the science fiction novels I recommended to her, but that didn’t mean she took them away from me because of it. Every reader likes different genres. Every reader walks away with a different message. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. We should allow those opinions to form instead of just making them for one another. Just because one reader has a negative experience with a novel doesn’t mean you will.

When I see another book added to the ever-growing list, my heart breaks for the author because it means they can no longer share their art with the world. A book is art. Literature is art. And art is created to be shared, to be seen, not hidden.

Madeline Dolby is editor of the Quad Community Press. She can be reached at 651-431-1226 or quadnews@ presspubs.com.

Lake Links centered on supporting community involvement

It has been eight years since local residents formed the Lake Links Association as a Minnesota not-for-profit to complete the decades-old vision of a safe walking/biking path through communities around White Bear Lake. We were excited in 2017 to receive resolutions of support from all of our area communities and counties. Resolutions in hand, we walked the halls of the State Legislature. What our area legislators achieved couldn’t have been more inspiring. To date, their work has brought into the region almost $10 million in State bonding funding to complete a trail circumnavigating the lake.

As local and county-level units of government and MnDOT work to complete the final two segments of the trail-aroundthe-lake, the Lake Links Association is working to make completed segments of the trail better, safer and more inspiring

• Limited to 350 words.

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

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

• Letter writers are limited to six letters per year and

places to spend time.

To assist residents with grassroots projects that enhance their community and the trail experience, we have added a page to our website where we can feature a particularly exciting local project and provide an opportunity to donate to its completion. Our current trail / community enhancement project is Streetcar Park in Mahtomedi. The park is located at Quail and Briarwood, where the Lake Links Trail rumbles across the covered bridge over Depot Creek.

This expansive green space is on the site of the northern terminus of the streetcar line that once ran from St. Paul to Mahtomedi, bringing city residents to our resort community to enjoy lake breezes and local entertainment. Last year, using funds from the Wolgamot Lake Links Trail Enhancement Fund, set up by the Greater White Bear Lake Community Foundation, the Association joined the City of Mahtomedi and the Mahtomedi Garden Club to get this project through its initial phase of restoration. With this funding and over 2,000 hours of labor

from 37 volunteers (estimated value of volunteer labor $40,000) and support from local residents, the Streetcar Park revitalization project was able to proceed. Enhancements included removing invasive weeds, adding native plantings that attract birds and butterflies, creating a picnic area and play spaces for children and more.

Now in the final phase, the project requires some additional funding for volunteers to plant native bushes and trees and pollinator plantings. We are also looking for donations to build a natural play area, including an in-ground slide by the creek. If you wish to learn more about project and donate, please visit www.lakelinks.net . If you have questions about the project or the natural play area, or if you live in a lakeside community with a completed trail segment and have an idea you believe enhances the trail and your community, let us know at lakelinksmn@gmail. com.

Mike Brooks is chair and John C. Carr is vice chair of the Lake Links Association.

BEAR/VADNAIS HEIGHTS PRESS | LETTER GUIDELINES

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

• 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 651429-1242 or mail or deliver it to Press Publications, 4779 Bloom Ave., White Bear Lake, MN 55110.

Madeline’s Mail

Madeline Dolby

Mike Brooks & John C. Carr

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Response to letter

In response to Craig Johnson's letter Feb. 19 in which he thinks that Democrats and the mainstream media aren't concerned about fraud and believes Musk is trying to protect us, here are reasons Elon Musk has numerous conflicts of interest in heading DOGE and has an interest in saving himself billions of dollars:

1) DOGE is going after agencies that regulate his companies, Tesla and Neuralink. The FDA was previously reviewing Neuralink, Musk's brain implant company, and DOGE has cut the department that was overseeing clinical trial applications. Cuts were made to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that were focused on overseeing the safety of autonomous vehicles like Tesla, including an engineer who worked with crash test dummies. These cuts will put people at risk of illness or death.

2) DOGE has been dismantling agencies that have dozens of investigations with Muskrelated companies, including 24 investigations from the National Labor Relations Board and Securities and Exchange Commission arguing that Musk owes the federal government $150 million.

3) DOGE has essentially shut down the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which was investigating hundreds of complaints about Tesla, again putting people at risk.

Democrats are interested in reducing and preventing fraud, but there are ways to do it that are careful, that don't risk causing unnecessary harm, and that don't reward bad actors who are presumably in charge (and who are unelected and without Senate approval). These agencies exist to protect us.

With all of the benefits to Musk (and Trump and other billionaires), who is the real fraudster?

The fact that no one seems to know what sensitive data DOGE is collecting about all of us and what they might do with it is beyond concerning, given his ties to technology.

Also, not enough attention is being paid to the legislation in the House and Senate designed to give huge tax breaks to the wealthy at our expense, with potential cuts to Medicaid and other important and beneficial programs.

Musk has made billions of dollars since the election, which makes his oversight of federal employee firings all the more distasteful.

Louise DiCesare Mahtomedi

America, not Germany

I am responding to a letter from George Kimble. He starts out saying it's a humiliating time to be an American because we are cozying up to dictators and then goes on to compare what Trump is doing is what the Nazis were doing because Trump is talking to Putin to end this ridiculous war in Ukraine. He seems to be upset that we finally have someone in the White House that is taking charge of the problems in Ukraine and Gaza. He then goes on to say that everyone that voted for Trump has sold their souls to the devil.

Trump has been in office for approximately two months and is trying to fix what Biden or whoever was actually in charge screwed up in four years. If George Kimble actually was a history teacher like he claims, he might want to remember that this is America, and not Germany.

John Cundy White Bear Lake

Press holds up mirror

I disagree with the Feb. 26 letter suggesting that the White Bear Press editors promote an “underlying agenda.” The agenda seems obvious: give us glimpses into how our neighbors think, regardless of their level of awareness. For example, they published a reader’s letter complaining about Mr. Kimball’s Jan. 29 letter quoting the president’s “F--k it. Release ‘em all,” while the writer also uses the F-word in their letter, suggesting the language is inappropriate and toxic. To reiterate, the reader’s problem wasn’t that the president released criminals who attacked the capital and the police officers protecting it; rather, it was “inflammatory and toxic” to quote the president as he released violent criminals. Then, the editors, by brilliance or coincidence, published the letter attacking Mr. Kimball right next to another one of Mr. Kimball’s letters as Mr. Kimball stated, “MAGA followers have sold their souls to the devil.”

While it feels like we are moving toward a more gruesome version of the movie “Idiocracy,” I am glad I can count on our local press to hold up a mirror to our lack of logic and empathy simply by placing our words next to our neighbors’ words. If the editors had an underlying agenda, they would highlight narrow, selfish thinking on the front page with the snarky headline, “Does fascism feel like an easy solution to the problems your leader manufactured and lied about? Read how your neighbors justify it.”

I apologize to the editor(s) if this causes extra work as you decide where to place this letter. I sincerely appreciate your work.

Robert Anderson White Bear Lake

WBLAS community survey: An alternate reality

As I read the victory lap penned by Superintendent Kazmierczak on the positive community survey results recently in the White Bear Press, I find it very difficult to reconcile the survey results with reality. WBL ISD624’s actual academic and attendance performance is significantly below our neighboring districts — and is the worst-performing district in math and science. In reading and attendance, WBL ISD624 is nearly at the bottom. Here are the facts: WBL grade level proficiencies: math 47.5%, reading 50.7%, science 38.1%. From 2021 –2024, WBL has continually dropped in reading and science with only math showing any improvement.

The facts are that WBL Area Schools are in a spiraling decline. Academic performance and student attendance are now three points lower than the state average. It’s an alarming trend.

The district projected growth in its enrollment (to justify the $326 million levy in 2019) at about 10,000 students in 2024/2025 — currently the district has fewer than 8,500 students. Parents are choosing alternatives to WBL Area Schools.

While the community has always enjoyed a strong connection to the schools in our district, the connections are becoming strained with the loss of students amidst the abysmal academic and attendance results. It is time for stakeholders to demand more accountability. The WBL district needs to face reality, rather than taking a victory lap on subjective surveys that measure perceptions, rather than results. Facts matter. To quote Super Bowl winning coach Bill Parcells, “You are what your record says you are.”

Scott Smith White Bear Lake

No sympathy for offenders

Offenders have paid. Wait, What?! This is in response to James Nash’s letter in the Feb. 12 edition of the White Bear Press. I must make note here that I did not read the letter by Mr. Kimball that Mr. Nash referred to. Mr. Nash is apparently sympathetic toward the J6 offenders over their lost time, money, jobs and reputations. Perhaps the offenders should have considered these consequences before acting. These acts were no less than an attempted coup (per MerriamWebster dictionary “Coup: a sudden decisive exercise of force in politics and especially the violent overthrow or alteration of an existing government by a small group.”) While the offenders were ultimately unsuccessful, it was nonetheless an attempt at stopping due process, i.e., stopping Congress from certifying the 2020 presidential election results. I might add here, kudos to Mike Pence. Mr. Nash points out the tab for investigation and prosecuting the offenders comes to “about $7 per American resident”. Does he feel $7 is too much for each American to pay for her or his freedom?

Mr. Nash makes reference to a Pioneer Press article asking why the J6 event captured national attention more than “the previous summer’s vandalism, rioting,” etc. I assume he is referring to the civil unrest in Minneapolis following the death of George Floyd. I agree, these were also acts against government, but my personal thought is that it was a more localized event. And I doubt the insurance companies felt much impact, as they undoubtedly passed their losses on to their policy holders.

My last comment is to say that ALL of the J6 offenders should be thanking who or whatever God they pray to that they did not commit their acts in a country and against a form of “government” where they would have been locked in the bowels of that judicial system and the keys to their cells dropped in the deepest part of the ocean.

Damage to military

I recently read a letter to the editor by Dr. Sonsalla, a Purple Heart Korean War vet, who wrote about his experience in the military serving with a diverse group of soldiers. In the same edition as Dr. Sonsalla’s letter, there was a letter writer who called Elon Musk, a billionaire from South Africa who has never served our country, a “patriot”.

I have known Dr. Sonsalla for many years and can assure you that Elon Musk is not in the same category as this Purple Heart veteran patriot.

Dr. Sonsalla pointed out that a diverse military makes us stronger and that the current administration wants to eliminate those who support diversity. Sadly, his comments are ringing true. Last Friday night, there was a purge of the Pentagon’s top officer and five other senior officers. They were not fired for performance; in fact, no reason was given. They are being replaced with loyalists to Trump and not loyalists to the Constitution, to which all military personnel take the oath.

Equally concerning is that the purge included the top JAG officers. These are the top military lawyers that interpret laws made by Congress. These laws are to protect our country and our soldiers from making bad decisions in the heat of battle. We should be genuinely concerned that this guardrail is being removed while Congress continues to ignore the damage to our military.

Rob Larson Vadnais Heights

Cuts affect everyone

The numbers don't add up. Tax cuts for the wealthy on the backs of the poor is currently what the GOP wants to do. Cutting federal programs and firing hundreds of employees doesn't even make a dent in our federal deficit. The GOP's proposed budget is increasing by 4 trillion (yes, trillion) dollars so they can extend tax cuts to the wealthy and cut social programs (like Medicaid) to make up for it. To get the numbers to balance, they need to increase the debt ceiling. Not long ago, the GOP was loudly complaining about increasing the debt ceiling. Where are the loud voices now?

So many people are being hurt by this cruel and hasty process of cutting staff, program funding and aid. As many who voted for Trump are now finding out —it’s not just the "others" who are being hurt. This is affecting all of us, and rural areas will be hit the hardest. Cuts include grants for special education teachers, food for hungry kids, grants for domestic abuse/protection of children, cuts to inspectors who keep our food/medicine safe and park rangers who keep our national parks clean and safe. The list goes on and on. Trump talked a lot about reducing inflation, and none of these actions will do this. If you don't like cuts to programs that benefit you, call your representatives and let them know this is not what you voted for.

Shelley Jokinen Vadnais Heights

Dog park no longer a fit

I had every intention of attending our last City Council meeting but a family medical event prevented my attendance. Here is what I wanted to share at that meeting.

I was on the City Council at that time the dog water park was introduced. At that time it was envisioned to be a nice, unobtrusive exercise area for the neighborhood dog owners. I liked the idea and voted for it. Little did I know that with and after the pandemic it was to become a popular regional - to repeat, regional - destination. I’ve listened to and read the comments. Some say it is a peaceful place for the dogs and their owners to recreate and others threaten to take “all their business” from the downtown area. A few dogs, or enough dogs and their owners to cripple our shop owners? Which exaggerated version should we believe?

I have also heard comments from city officials stating that this wouldn’t be such a big deal if a City Council member didn’t live in the area. As if to say that a City Council member doesn’t have the right to weigh in or obligation to comment on an issue in their own neighborhood?  At this point I’m asking City Council to determine a date to remove the park from its current location and to engage with our Ramsey County Commissioner to begin the process of searching for an appropriate area for our area dog owners and remove this popular regional feature from a neighborhood. It is obvious that it is no longer a good fit.

John Parenteau White Bear Lake

Tom Frazer White Bear Lake

COPS&COURTS

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 Vadnais Heights woman, 44, was arrested for DWI at 3:31 a.m. Jan. 26, following a traffic stop at the intersection of Twin Lake Blvd. and Vadnais Blvd.

• Ramsey County Sheriff's Office deputies were dispatched out to the scene of a domestic disorderly conduct in the 600 block of County Road D Jan. 26 and mediated the situation, ultimately to arrange for both parties to separate for the night.

• An Appleton man, 49, was arrested and cited for misdemeanor theft Jan. 26 at the Walmart in the 800 block of County Road E, after he was discovered stealing items from the store. Deputies responded to another shoplifting report at the Walmart on Jan. 27, collected evidence and launched an investigation.

• A Roseville woman, 42, was cited at 6:53 a.m. Jan. 28 on Edgerton Street and Vadnais Blvd. for failure to obey a traffic control device.

• A Vadnais Heights man, 90, was cited Jan. 28 in the 100 block of Martin Way for failure to provide proof of insurance, after he created a single vehicle crash with injuries while trying to pull a van out of his driveway.

• A Shoreview woman, 60, was cited Jan. 29 in the 4400 block of Centerville Road for driving after revocation, after deputies on patrol received a license plate recognition hit on their mobile computer.

• A Vadnais Heights man, 46, was arrested on an outstanding gross misdemeanor warrant out of Ramsey County on Jan. 29 in the 400 block of Magnolia Lane.

• Deputies responded to a report of shoplifting from the

Kwik Trip in the 3200 block of Highway 61 on Jan. 29.

• A resident in the 800 block of County Road D on Jan. 29 reported a window of her vehicle broken in.

• An Anoka man, 46, was cited Jan. 29 in the 3200 block of Highway 61 for failure to provide proof of insurance.

• A White Bear Township woman reported that someone committed hit and run to her Honda Odyssey Feb. 1 while it was parked in the Walmart parking lot in the 800 block of County Road E.

• A Bloomington man, 44, was cited Feb. 1 on Centerville Road and Koehler Road for driving on a public roadway without proof of insurance.

• A resident in the 4200 block of McMenemy Street on Feb. 3 reported being brought to the bank against her will by family members to make a financial transaction.

White Bear Township

• Deputies responded to the scene of a deer-on-vehicle crash on County Road H2 and Fisher Street Jan. 26. Both players in the clash sustained damage.

• A resident in the 5400 block of Saxony Court at 7:21 p.m. Jan. 27 reported that someone may have entered her house without permission. The complainant did add that her house was for sale and that a realtor may have entered it to conduct a showing.

• Deputies deployed a drone at 8:10 a.m. Jan. 29 to document a vehicle partially submerged in White Bear Lake near the intersection of South Shore Blvd. and Bellaire Avenue.

• An Otter Ridge Road resident on Jan. 29 reported his neighbor for harassing him by turning on floodlights that were pointed at his house and taking photos of him while he was outside.

Spring weight restrictions for county roads in effect

Spring weight restrictions are now in effect in Washington and Ramsey counties. Restrictions will be in effect for eight weeks, unless extraordinary conditions require extending them.   The restrictions apply to Washington County roads and do not include city or township roads. Any county

WASHINGTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORTS

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

Birchwood

• Washington County Sheriff's Office deputies on Feb. 5 took a complaint from a Lake Avenue resident that city employees were not keeping the ice rink property maintained. Deputies advised the complainant that rink maintenance was not a law enforcement issue and to speak with City Hall.

• Birchwood Lane residents reported extension cords stolen Feb. 7. There are no known suspects.

• Deputies were flagged down on Wildwood Avenue at 5:40 p.m. Feb. 8 to be advised that a neighbor was blowing snow into the complainant's driveway while the complainant was shoveling. Deputies quickly advised the complainant that this was a civil issue and that blowing snow onto the neighbor's driveway was not a crime. Blowing snow onto a public roadway, however, is a different matter.

Dellwood

• Deputies on speed patrol in the 2000 block of Dellwod Avenue on Feb. 2 stopped four different vehicles within a half hour. Three vehicles were stopped for speeding and one for expired registration. All four drivers were provided with verbal warnings.

Grant

• Multiple rooms in the Mahtomedi High School building on 75th Street N. were reported tampered with overnight Feb. 2-3, and small items stolen.

• Deputies on Feb. 6 cited a motorist on Highway 36 for hands-free violation. Deputies on speed patrol along Manning Avenue and 97th Street N. Feb. 6-7 issued multiple citations for speeding. A motorist speeding at 72 mph in a 55 mph zone was cited on Feb. 6, and another motorist was cited for speeding on Feb. 7.

Mahtomedi

• A motorist along Wildwood Road and Century Avenue N. Jan. 29 received a citation for littering, after Washington County Sheriff's Office deputies on patrol observed the driver throw a glowing cigarette out of the driver's window. The drover admitted to the deed.

• A motorist on Century Avenue and Woodland Drive was cited Jan. 30 for displaying tabs that expired in April 2024, as well as for using a cellular device. The driver admitted to checking text messages while driving. A different driver was cited Jan. 31 on Stillwater Road and Warner Avenue N. for the same offense.

• A motorist on Hallam Avenue and Stillwater Road was cited Jan. 30 for driving without wearing a seatbelt, following a traffic stop for window tint violation and for not wearing the seatbelt.

• Deputies made a fightrelated arrest at 9:23 p.m. Jan. 31 outside the Wildwood Tavern on Mahtomedi Avenue, after arriving on scene and separating all parties involved. When deputies took statements from the brawlers, the aggressor was picked out and charged with assault. The next day, one of the parties involved with the fight phoned deputies with questions. Deputies advised the complainant

road without a posted weight limit is 10 tons per axle. During spring weight restrictions, Washington County does not issue permits for transport over the axle weight limit, except in cases of a serious public health emergency.

Washington County road users may call 651-430-8355 for a recorded message with the latest spring weight restriction information. For additional information, call Washington County Public Works at 651-430-4300.

Bald Eagle public access closed

Ramsey County Water Patrol has closed the public boat launch to Bald Eagle Lake due to unsafe ice conditions. Barriers have been installed and will remain in place until the ice is off the lake.

Be careful of scam impersonators

The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office has received reports of scammers calling community members using the names of actual deputies. These scammers are claiming that residents have missed jury duty and/ or have a subpoena or warrant for failure to appear in court. Additionally, the scammers have demanded payment from residents by claiming they will go to jail immediately if they don’t pay. Residents who do not know whether someone on the phone is a scammer or law enforcement should know that the latter will never contact them to request payment or personal information. Those who have sent money or personal information should call 911 to file a report. Anyone with general questions can call the Crime Prevention line at 651-266-7339.

they had reviewed the camera footage of the incident.

Deputies conducted a traffic stop at 11:51 p.m. Jan. 31 on Wildwood Road and Birchwood Road for failure to stop at a stop sign and cited the motorist for failure to provide proof of insurance. On Feb. 1 a different motorist also received a citation on Birchwood Road and Lost Lake Court for not providing proof of insurance, following a traffic stop for a missing brake light. A third motorist was cited Feb. 1 on Wildwood Road at Old Wildwood Road for driving after revocation, following a traffic stop for a burnt out headlight.

• A motorist on Century Avenue was cited at 1:05 a.m. Feb. 3 for failure to dim high beams.

A vehicle parked in the 100 block of Dunbar Way received a citation under its windshield wipers at 2:27 a.m. Feb. 3 for violating the city winter parking ban prohibiting vehicles from being left on the street overnight. A second set of windshield wipers received a parking ticket for the same reason at 2:30 a.m. in the 1000 block of Ashley Lane.

Pine Springs

• Deputies cited a motorist on I-694 and Highway 36 at 1:17 a.m. Feb. 4 for undisclosed moving violations.

• The driver of a pickup truck was cited Feb. 6 on Highway 36 and Hilton Trail N. for hands-free violation, after deputies on rolling patrol observed the motorist holding a cellular device up towards his chin as if using a speaker phone. The driver admitted to taking a work call.

White Bear Lake woman convicted of theft by swindle

Monica Carol Pederson, 49, of White Bear Lake has been convicted of theft by swindle of over $5,000.

According to court documents, on Dec. 15, 2023, an officer with the White Bear Lake Police Departmental received a report of theft against Flips Gymnastics (FGC) Booster Club, located at 3505 Commerce Boulevard in White Bear Lake. The president of the club reported that Pederson, the vice president of the booster club, defrauded members of the club by asking them to make direct payments to them.

Pederson contacted the parent of a new member and told her send money to cover her fees to Pederson’s personal Venmo account. Her Venmo account had the account name “FGC Boosters Club,” using the handle @monicapederson. That parent subsequently sent $4,700 to Pederson’s Venmo account.

An investigation revealed that other parents had paid Pederson directly to her personal Venmo account and other personal accounts from October 2020 through May 2023, totaling $17,260.

According to court documents, Pederson said she made a mistake and admitted to taking the money. Her employment with Flips Gymnastics was terminated. Pederson was convicted of a felony (theft value over $5,000). She received a stay of imposition. Successful completion of her five-year probation would result in a reduction of her felony charge to a misdemeanor conviction. Other conditions include staying away from Flips Gymnastics, mental health counseling and attending Gambler’s Anonymous programming.

PUBLIC SAFETY BRIEFS

'THE BOOK CLUB PLAY'

When: March 14-23

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Where: Hanifl Performing Arts Center, White Bear Lake

Details: Comedy performance about books and the people who love them. Ticket information online. Contact: lakeshoreplayers.org

ST. JOHN'S MEN'S CLUB FISH FRY

When: 4:30 -7:30 p.m. Fridays, March 7-April 11

Where: Church of St. Genevieve, 14383 Forest Blvd. N., Hugo Contact: stgens.org/mens-club

ANNUAL WHITE BEAR LAKE CLEANUP

When: 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, March 8

Where: Frozen White Bear Lake Details: Local Scouting groups partner with the White Bear Lake Conservation District, area Geocachers, and community volunteers to pick up trash on the frozen lake before the ice melts.

Becomes a land-based clean-up if iceout is early. Contact: wblcd.org or jschust64@gmail. com

ST. PIUS X LENTEN FISH FRY

When: 4-6:30 p.m. Friday, March 14 & 28; April 11

Where: St. Pius X, 3878 Highland Avenue, White Bear Lake Details: Dine in or curbside to go in northeast parking lot. Stations of the

Cross at 7 p.m.

Contact: 651-429-5337 or churchofstpiusx.org

TAIZE PRAYER

7 p.m. Friday, March 14

Where: St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church, Details: All are welcome to enter into a time of prayerful contemplation through music, scripture, and silence. Contact: stmarys-wbl.org

Save the date: Annual wedding show takes place March 23

BY MADELINE DOLBY QUAD PRESS EDITOR

Save the date for Press Publication’s annual wedding show, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, March 23, at the White Bear Country Inn. This year marks the show’s 40th anniversary.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary, Press wants to help a couple get hitched during the show. Press will provide the venue, music, officiant, florals and more. Lunch will be provided at Rudy’s.

Over the years, Press Publications has done a variety of different things for brides to experience.

In 2019, there was a bridal suite, a special offered by Press. According to Press Publications General Manager Patty Steele, the bride who purchased the suite was able to enter the show half an hour early and walk around to visit the various vendors. The bride and her party also got a special room they could stay in during the show.

Previously, there was a discounted wedding dress shop at the show where gently used, donated dresses were resold for $10 each. Since a wedding dress can be a large part of a wedding budget, the show aimed to make one’s dream dress more accessible.

“One of the best memories was when a bride found a never-worn dress in our used dress sale for $10! She was in tears,” Steele said.

“What was fun (about the show) was all the

volunteers who helped with the dress sale,” added Carter Johnson, publisher of Press Publications. The show will include approximately 35 vendors covering wedding must-haves like venues, catering, officiants and flowers. Many of the vendors have continued to return to the wedding show to keep their business local.

“Our vendors keep coming back because they like the quality time with the brides to have conversations about their big day,” Steele explained. This year, there will be new vendors for brides to talk to regarding venues, catering options and

potential honeymoon destinations. Big Wood Brewery, one of the new vendors, will provide samples of their beverages for attendees.

The show will be emceed by Gary LaRue, who has been participating in the show for about 10 years.

“It’s fun to connect with everyone involved,” LaRue said, “behind the scenes with the Press, all of the vendors and, of course, the brides/grooms and their families!”

He added that he enjoys sharing in the couple’s excitement while providing them with information and expertise that may help them achieve the wedding they are dreaming about.

“There are just so many moments of people having fun, working together and helping each other,” said LaRue about his favorite moments during the show. “Maybe the impromptu dance party that breaks out once in a while!”

Steele said that the first 50 brides who register for the wedding show will receive a swag bag. Tickets are available for $5, but brides attend the event for free. To register, go to www.presspubs. com/weddingshow. If you, or someone you know, is looking to get married, please call 651-407-1200 or email Patty Steele at marketing@presspubs.com.

Madeline Dolby is editor of the Quad Community Press. She can be reached at 651-431-1226 or quadnews@presspubs.com.

White Bear Lake Area Church Directory

In previous years, models would show off various wedding dress styles during a fashion show.

BEAR LAKE

Faith M. Agnew, Dylan L. Allshouse, Parker C. Anderl, Elizabeth A. Anders, Ella R. Anderson, Rylan C. Anderson, William P. Anderson, Whitney M. Asiago, Mariangel V. Baca, Avery S. Bach, Sienna Bacha, Thomas W. Bahnemann, Logan A. Bailey, Olivia S. Baker, Lawrence N. Ballanger, Rylee E. Baltzer, Tessa A. Bartocci, April J. Baumler, Ethan J. Beck, Megan M. Becker, Andrew D. Bell, Jake C. Bergerson, Emily A. Bieniek, Brecken R. Birch, Sadie J. Blauer, Jayden R. Blick, Elizabeth L. Borle, Charles O. Brandon, Brooklyn E. Brown, Tobias B. Bruhn, Daniel J. Buege, Max J. Butters, Meredith A. Bye, Elijah J. Cade, Eleanor Cannon, Aryanna Charles, Nader Chehouri, Delma A. Chi, Solomon M. Cina, Gabriela M. Cinqueonce, Elisa Colon, Taylor L. Comer, Madeline L. Conroy, Cole Cortus, Bennett T. Curren, Addison J. Degnan, Sydney R. Denker, Charlie C. Deruyck, Abigail J. DeWitt, Ridley C. Dittler, Julia G. Dumroese, Lucy H. Ehrenkrook, Laila A. Elazab, Ali Ellis, Lachlan C. Ellison, Mina M. Engelmayer, Madelyn G. Erickson, Clara F. Esterly, Jacob Farrington, Isabella Ferderer, Lynnea S. Fields, Mitchell Ganyaw, Sidney R. Getschel, Piper M. Goeken, Finley E. Grier, Caleb J. Grund, Rachel J. Hackbarth, Myles R. Heath, Shaun M. Hebaus, Macayla K. Helmberger, Angelie P. Her, Aiden S. Hermann, Eleanor A. Hern, Ollie M. Heskett, Courtney A. Hesse-VanCura, Nicholas Hilgers, Giada Hoag, Isaac T. Hoffman, Alecya G. Holm, Marlo A. Holmstrom, Kane Hommell, Mallory M. Hoops, Ian J. Hopkins, Ryan J. Houchins, Joseph J. Jaurides, Ruby K. Jerry, Violet M. Johnstone, Natalie K. Jones, Eli N. Kam, Jacqueline E. Keppers, Max J. Kern, Micah Kettunen, Coraline S. Klawiter, Henry A. Koenigs, Maxwell C. Kong, Rita B. Kozhimannil, Jameson T. Krier, Meira G. Kruse, Kaylin L. Lacktorin, Megan E. Lamb, Shelby H. Larson, Caylista N. Lee, Yeng H. Lee, Carter M. Lee, Royce W. Lemke, Nadine Francheska C. Leonado, Fiona G. Lessard, Anna L. Lindholm, Makenzie H. Lohmann, Luciana M. Lombardi, Charles J. Lonsky, Jr S. Lumbo, Neola B. Luswata, Elizabeth L. Luther, Kiera K. Macdonald, Aila J. Macewen, Samuel J. MacGillis, Keagan D. McGovern, Charlotte R. McIntyre, Elizabeth J. McMahon, Madeline S. McMillen, Brigid McVeigh, Ellen P. Meir, Reave C. Meyer, Lucy B. Miehe, Sophie L. Moen, Sophie G. Montgomery, Matilda L. Moore, Lukas G. Mork, Livia L. Nash, Andrew A. Niemi, Landon M. Nord, Carina Nicole R. Obay, Helen J. Olson, Nathan J. Olson, Cody D. Olson, Kaylee L. Olson, Zaida A. Omar, Vicente Ordas Bonnet, Alyson R. Parenteau, Payton Paulson, Harlie Peloquin, Owen G. Peltier, Sage J. Piehl, Wyatt H. Piilola, Reyna G. Piper, Addyson M. Pitlick, Molly M. Quigley Swanson, Keller F. Radebaugh, Amelia C. Rahn, Ryder J. Retzack, Nash L. Roed, Benjamin R. Rogers, Jovanny Rubio Martinez, Sophia D. Sargent, Hannah Saw, Logan R. Schafer, Ava M. Schlotfeldt, Nathali L. Schneemann, Drew R. Seeley, Eva L. Segroves, Alexander W. Sells, Whitney J. Semlak, Zoe Siverson, Lillian K. Sjostrom, Simone M. Skoge, Bailey C. Spicer, Natalie M. Steffensmeier, Charlie Strong, Taylor J. Tasler, Max Taylor, Frances M. Telsrow, Nangtamouan C. Thao, Katelyn R. Thomalla, Octavia J. Tice, Joseph L. Trepanier, Karen A. Tristan Medina, Utaa D. Tufa, Audrey J. Turville, Alexandra Utzka, Chloe Utzka, Madalynn Vang, Callie J. Vetsch, Seth Vlieger, Lyly X. Vo, Mason L. Voeller, Aiden J. Walters, Nolan Weaver, Addison Webster, Juliette A. Weier-Rauscher, Evelyn J. Wiener, Max J. Willemssen, Lucy I. Wolfe, Cole D. Wolters, Cameron N. Wolters, Quentin B. Wright, Caitlin W. Wrisky, Hlee A. Xiong, Luke F. Xiong, Shianne D. Xiong, Shouana M. Xiong, Phenghoua L. Yang, Halena N. Yang, Zoey A. Youngblood, Anna N. Zarambo, Molly A. Zender, Marley R. Zerwas, Mariam N. Zewdie, Luke Zisla, Abeni S. Zollinger

HONOR ROLL

Sidra A. Abdirahim, Rilea E. Acciari, Anthony B. Alt, Emmett D. Anderson, Nathan V. Atchison, Lucas R. Austin, Isaac L. Barghini, William P. Bartolain, Alexander D. Bartos, Ruth M. Beale, Evelyn M. Bender, Tyler A. Blaisdell, Alexander L. Blomgren, Daniel R. Bly, Patrick B. Bohnen, Lynnea C. Borja, Brendan G. Boucher, Benjamin R. Bower, Lilly S. Bowie, Benjamin K. Brickner, Amelia L. Brynildson, Alexander J. Carroll, Isla C. Chase, Charles G. Clark Jr., William S. Connors, Talen C. Coopet, Zebediah J. Dermody, Madisyn C. Douvier-Buus, Ryan P. Dowdle, Victoria M. Dowdle, Kullen J. Dunbar, Rachael Eder, Keanen W. Enz, Andrew R. Espinosa, Conner D. Fetrow, Braden C. Fleek, Louise R. Fowler, Lucinda D. Frakes, Charles R. France, Livia Fyksen, Karley Gannon, Katelyn Ganyaw, Leo Gerst, Joseph T. Gerten, Grady C. Giefer, Brienna R. Gilbert, Judah R. Gillet, Ryan J. Glick, Tavio U. Gomez, Brady W. Griffin, Joshuan E. Guerra-Cuevas, Henry F. Guttormson, Hannah M. Hanson, Elyn G. Harding, Gabriella A. Hartzel, Gavin D. Hawes, Allie L. Hedenstad, Piper F. Heinsohn, Aaron A. Hilderman, Carter G. Hoel, Parker J. Hoel, Jacob M. Holm, Jaxon L. Houkom, Alexander M. Hurley, Landon R. Jadwin, Colton R. Jansen, Devin A. Johnson, Samuel W. Johnson, Olivia H. June, Brylie J. Kaphing, Quentin E. Kapisak, Maxwell A. Kelley, Alex R. Khatiwada, Hiram M. Kibagendi, Dalton Klamerus, Kaio N. Koch, Edasa G. Kurkura, Kenna G. Kurkura, Bercan E. Larson, Harlow G. Lattimore, Joleigh L. Lee, Liam O. Long, Luke H. Luadtke, Lilly F. Maietta, Dax D. Malec, Zachary W. Manke, Emma M. Martin, Chayce C. Mathiowetz, Lillian A. Mattson, Jake W. McCrady, Olivia S. McMahon, Mira R. McQuay, Benjamin D. Miller, Liya K. Misganaw, Mason Mortenson, Vegas K. Moua, Naly E. Mua, Gracelyn E. Mueller, Joseph S. Myatt III, Noah R. Nelson, Sorren B. Nelson, William D. Newton, Maeve D. O’Brien, Jack R. Orthaus, Lilly J. Oswald, Leila P. Otto, Abigail V. Parker, Adrianna K. Paulbick, Trianna V. Phan, Addison K. Pierce, Taysia L. Prasomsack, Matthew I. Prausa, Chase J. Ramse, Kaitlyn O. Rankin, Hanley J. Reigstad, Wyatt Reilly, Albert E. Reinhardt, Evelyn R. Rivard, Olivia T. Rodrigue, Malakai T. Rogers, Isaac A. Ross, Drew Rudeen, Frances M. Rudy, Diego A. Santos, Jack Schulz, Grant M. Schurhamer, Jack R. Sears, Jasmine R. Sheta, Asiya S. Sirko, Kellan M. Smentek, Carson J. Sonnek, Davien L. Soto, Abdullateef T. Sowemimo, Benjamin L. Starke, Raymond A. Strobel, Tyler J. Suko, Katherine R. Swierczek, Gavyn D. Thell, Andrew J. Thinesen, Tessa N. Tollefson, Taylor M. Turenne-Morris, Zachariah A. Turner, Evelyn R. Turrentine, Henry M. Turrentine, Colin W. Vander Hart, Leona N. Vang, Croix R. Wanka, Rylan J. West, Gavin J. Wippler, Ryan M. Worms, Abigail M. Xiong, Gabriella Xiong, Hunter T. Xiong, Nova K. Yang, Finnegan J. Young, Weston F. Young, Sarah F. Younis, Salvador A. Zambrano, Sebastian Zarraga-Solorio

Elizabeth G. Achterling, Lily M. Adey, Sophie L. Aldana, Ashraf S. Alzoubi, Nutcha Amornvejsonti, Grayson C. Anderson, Avery G. Anderson, Addison R. Andrekus, Chase R. Arvig, Logan J. Ascheman, Jonah B. Baber, Ava K. Barth, Lyla M. Beck, Matthew R. Becker, Mark M. Berry, Angela J. Beuning, Jesse J. Bigbear Jr, Silvija L. Birmanis, Logan T. Blalock, Audrey A. Borofka, James C. Bowen, Nolan A. Buetow, Madelyn G. Burket, Chanceler Burrington, Nova Bute, James J. Colby, Sophie S. Collins, Madelyn M. Compton, Miles O. Cork, Savannah P. Culbertson, Kaeden O. Darko, Alexander M. Davids, Elodie M. Dikeman, Logan G. Docken, Cameron Donahoe, Paige M. Downey, Tatum M. Drusch, Meredith R. Evans, Hadley J. Everhart, Vivian S. Finger, Jack E. Firkus, Sabrina A. Fish, Whitney M. Fleming, Amelia J. Funkhouser, Brynn S. Gamradt, Cindy E. Garcia, Blanca Garcia-Loygorri Fuente, Caiden J. Gatto, Valina O. Gatzke, Moo Gay, William J. Ghilardi, Kevin T. Golaski, Madison R. Graff, Ivanna L. Graterol, Ella M. Graupe, Colin W. Greene, Toby T. Hagen, Willow A. Hall, Katelynn J. Harper, Sydney K. Harris, Michael J. Haselman, Violet S. Heiden, Emma P. Heller, Grace K. Her, Ian J. Hoff, Thilde S. Hogen, Naomi R. Holm, Dylan A. Hood, Elaina J. Hosfield, Bode M. Hosmer, Estella N. Hurwitz, Hannah Huynh, Connor W. Jamieson, Grace M. Jara, Olivia R. Johansen, Lillian S. Johnson, Blake T. Johnson, Claire A. Jozwowski, Cason T. Juergens, Jeffrey J. Keenan, Daniel W. King, Ethan L. Kinsella, Trevor W. Klier, Kallen A. Koester, Jackson G. Kolb, Alyson M. Kolenich, Clara L. Kolstad, Raia K. Konn, Eli J. Lalonde, Lucas K. Larsen, Theodoric Lawson, Gretchen K. Leder, Addison Lee, Haaken K. Lein, Nolan J. Lilja, Fiona G. Lingerfelt, Kayla M. Longhenry, Riley M. Lukachek, Alexander M. Maher, Juliette M. Malek, Leila B. Mallow, Liam T. Maloy, Ellie J. Maranda, Aubrie M. Marrinan, Scottlyn E. Mauch, Jonah D. McEwen, Andrew R. Melde Jr., Adelia G. Metzger, Samuel A. Meyer, Erika A. Milhofer, Grace C. Miller, Wyatt R. Mlejnek, Eleanor E. Mooers, Francis F. Moua, Carson D. Muehlstedt, Molly J. Nohr, Emma S. Nomura, Caleb T. Nord, Ava R. Noren, Miriam E. Novotny, Alexandria R. O’Hern, Chloe A. Olness, Sophia J. Orsello, Piper J. Osborne, Khloe J. Pankonien, Lila M. Paradise, Jayden D. Parker, Elizabeth K. Payne, Natalie C. Peltier, Nora S. Pratt, Aiden Reinier H. Puerto, Royce D. Ragland, Madeline J. Rahman, Wyatt R. Raleigh, Sienna L. Rediger, Thomas L. Reiland, Kendall M. Roeser, Madison C. Roth, Xavier F. Servian, Joseph G. Setter, Lauryn K. Setterlund, Joseph M. Sheta, Sophie E. Simanek, Lauren M. Simmons, Carson A. Skildum, Ella R. Smith, Holly A. Solum, Wyatt M. Stachowiak, Charles C. Stepnick, Brayden J. Stewart, Levi E. Strong, Brianna K. Tapia-Landa, Roa J. Thayer, Alexander J. Thielen, Lily A. Thompson, Charlie P. Thompson, Fengshiqi Tian, Christnina To, Konnor T. Tran, Amelia C. Vadnais, Tchuexeng B. Vang, Lexus P. Vang, Kimora P. Vang, Isabel T. Vang, Athena E. Vazquez, Madelyn V. Vermeersch, Sophia G. Vidnovic, Francis J. Volkmann, Emily M. Warling, Noah G. Watson, Grace E. Weierke, Kaleb M. Wielinski, Sophia B. Wilding, Jack G. Wilson, Leigha N. Wong, William Wood, Andy S. Wu, Yengkong Yang, Evelyn P. Yang, Will C. Zafft, Carter L. Zwirn

Briana B. Adams, Jayla M. Aichele, Jayna R. Altman, George V. Anderson III, Lilian T. Anderson, Evangeline B. Aune, Sophia L. Bakken, Zoe A. Barry, Rhys Berger, Samuel R. Bieniek, Laila Bigelbach, Jovanni A. Blomgren, Iris E. Bloomquist, Anthony P. Blue, George J. Bowlin, Alexander Brown, Anthony Brown, Jacob S. Brown, Ruby A. Brown, Lyla I. Burke, Josephina M. Butters-Levahn, Kate O. Campbell, Alison M. Carnes, Allie M. Casemore, Dylan T. Cha, Alexa J. Chaves, Saydee J. Churchill, Allison L. Conelly, Preston A. Crider, Carla-Maelle K. D’Almeida, Rebecca E. Dahler, Joseph A. Degneau, Dominique G. Demanou, Favour O. Doghor, Hunter C. Doroff, Shailey M. Douglas, Logan H. Ehlers, Adrian M. Eicher, Gavin G. Elgard, Anna L. Engelmayer, Croix D. Erickson, Laila S. Estis, Chloe J. Finney, Lilly G. Fisher, Ella Rose L. Fitzgerald, Maxwell O. Flahavan-Olson, Vanessa M. Fyksen, Niko R. Gandolfo, Zoey A. Gannon, Mssariyaha I. Gilliam, Reid W. Golda, Benjamin J. Granger, Tyler D. Griffin, Matthew S. Grisdale, Maison J. Haas, Ella G. Hang, Daryn A. Harper, Gaberiella L. Hendrickson, Nancy Her, Anthony A. Hernandez, Christopher Herr, Jordan Z. Hetchler, Taylor J. Hocking, Jordyn M. Huber, Savannah J. Huebscher, Madison R. Jesmer, Jessica R. Johnson, Malachi D. Jones, Avery I. June, Kailee J. Kam, Kasandra L. Kammueller, Ana V. Kavacila, Ava M. Kehrer, Elijah X. Kennedy, Kaneda S. Keokeutla, Allison G. Knoebel, Janica G. Kottke, Skyler G. Kurkoski, Janessa L. Lang, Nathan P. Lannier, Blake A. Larsen, Brody A. Lashomb, Lincoln T. Le, Anissa N. Lee, Nathan H. Lee, Jaxon C. Lind-O’Neal, Maya S. Link, Nickalas L. Lockbeam, Dylan T. Long, Aubrey E. Lund, Trenten L. Lunde, Conner S. Macdonald, Dakota A. Mann, Macie J. Marston, Nolan M. McCabe, Taylynne S. McMahon, Brooklyn McPhail, William J. McQuay, Lincoln J. Medin, Isabelle M. Meiers, Isla J. Mejia, Megan K. Mills, Arianna M. Minor, Maggie G. Moua, Baron K. Mua, Tolman J. Murray, Mayar B. Musa, Graham E. Newlander, Kerry N. Nfor, Pearl A. Niemioja, Henry S. Olive, Alexa R. Olson, Lillyana E. Oswald, Cecelia G. Otto, Taylor A. Paciorek, Riley J. Parvin, Ruby J. Paulson, Katherine R. Pederson, Vincent J. Pekala, Anessa B. Pena-Zerwas, Lillian J. Perron, Miles E. Peschman, Ailey A. Petersen, Eleanor M. Piri, Brennan A. Pongratz, Eli M. Rauschendorfer, Jeremiah T. Regal, Abigail A. Reineke, Diego A. Rios, Aleigha Riser Billinger, Lilly E. Rodriguez, KyLynn G. Roweton, Ella M. Samuel, Hannah L. Schmidt, Lucus D. Schmidt, Tyler J. Schmittdiel, Carter S. Selbitschka, Jacob B. Servatka, Nikolas T. Setley, Evan R. Smejkal, Amelia M. Storelee, Mary A. Stout, Hank A. Stuemke, Barrett M. Swanson, Ian G. Telsrow, Nathen P. Thao, Tyzon O. Thao, Joshua K. Va, Elijah N. Vang, Theodore Vang, Jameson R. Varco, Jacob D. Veith, Gavin J. Veneruzzo, Reid L. Vickstrom, Kyle T. Watson, Graysen T. Weber, Kenna L. Wicklander, Alexander A. Wilson, Addison J. Witzel, Donovin L. Wolfgram, Connor A. Wright, Cascade T. Yang

Semester 1 2024-25

A HONOR ROLL Grade 11

Lucas J. Ackerman, Marian A. Ahmed, Nolan J. Altringer, Ethan G. Anderson, Daniel J. Aubin, Zachary J. Baay, Lincoln D. Bacha, Irene K. Bakke, Julia L. Bakke, Samuel M. Bartocci, Sydney E. Bartsch, Joseph D. Bauman, Oliver E. Beck, Gianna R. Bell, Lauryn L. Belz, Magnus R. Benz, Benjamin W. Berentson, Zachary W. Bertelsen, Noah G. Blaisdell, Clara M. Blauer, Tatum M. Boudewyns, Ingrid L. Bowman, Jake H. Buche, Charlotte F. Cannon, Darby E. Carpenter, Gianna G. Caruso, Cole A. Casa De Calvo, Madelyn E. Castro, Nathaniel M. Celski, Carter D. Cessna, Ethan C. Christensen, Caitlyn S. Clark, Teagan C. Coopet, Abigail K. Davis, Hazel L. Debauche, Cj DeRay, Cyrus F. Dermody, Lily M. DeWitt, Kathryn L. Deyo, Elise Dinh, Chloe M. Dougherty, Andrew C. Dufresne, Hazel M. Dufresne, Claire N. Dusing, Piper J. Ellis, Ava R. Ellis, Cooper L. Feirn, Anna S. Fink, Luke A. Fisher, Keira J. Fitzsimmons, Laney Fliehler, Rylee E. Frost, Chloe K. Gale, Zoe M. Geir, Logan L. Gibson, Kailey R. Gieske, Oliver G. Grawe, Aidan M. Grendahl, Sophia R. Griefenhagen, Keenan P. Griffin, Carlie J. Griffin, Josie M. Guidinger, Behave Gurung, Aubrey J. Gutierrez, Brooklyn M. Gysbers, Alia R. Haberer, Charles J. Hamer II, Ayaan D. Hamza, Audrey M. Heiden, Graham R. Hennig, Martin J. Hennig, Linkin C. Her, Sydney J. Hernandez, Steven E. Hernandez III, Selah E. Highland, Lucas P. Hilgers, Raegan E. Holm, Elizabeth A. Horowicki, Lyman A. Howard, Lydia M. Jersak, Brooke M. Johnson, Brynn M. Johnson, Phillip R. Johnstone, Caroline M. Jonell, Josephine E. Jorgenson, Weston A. Joy, Ausrine N. Kairys, Vincent W. Kazmierczak, Kiera F. Keene, Noelle J. Keene, Paige M. Kirvida, Ryan D. Kissner, Oliver E. Klawiter, Alana M. Kohler, Wyatt K. Kolkmeier, Katie A. Koller, Milkoftu G. Kurkura, Samuel G. Lahmann, Tyler B. Lalonde, Rilynn J. Lange, Ruby H. Lange, Molly M. Laplante, Becca A. Larson, Kim B. Larson, Grace A. Laszlo, Matthew M. Law, Melanie T. Le, Samuel R. Le Blanc, Jude T. Lee, Madelyn K. Lee, Zachary M. Lehn, Angus J. Levins, Eve M. Lomoro, Alex L. Loomis, Maddison J. Lydon, Ava D. Maas, Ada R. Mair, Alexander W. Maki, Gabriel J. Markuson, Lilly E. Martin, Olivia L. Martinez, Luisa M. Maruyama, Dylan G. McCormack, Finnian McVeigh, Sophia B. Menier, Abigail S. Meyer, Easton E. Miles, Brady W. Milles, Greta G. Misgen, Valerie M. Moen, Kayla K. Mokaya, Lydia K. Moore, Aiden K. Moua, Hannah N. Moua, Blake A. Munyer, Eli M. Murphy, Avery E. Nelson, Joseph M. Nicklason, Evelyn D. Niemiec, Quinn M. O’Brien, Alexis R. O’Neill, Tanner G. Olsen, Madilynn J. Olson, Ryley T. Oswald, Stella R. Otto, Ella A. Paradise, Madelyn M. Pearson, Ashley R. Peltier, Mallory S. Peltier, Gionni E. Pescosolido, Marin E. Peterson, Abigail F. Pilla, Payton E. Pogalz, Isabelle J. Pomorin, Maxwell J. Popp, Isabella S. Redlund Spieker, Grace E. Reeves, Emily E. Reeves, Carson A. Richie, Evalyn R. Robasse, Linnea C. Rose, Natalie C. Rosenthal, Sara M. Sanango, Freya Sanders, Brooke A. Saunders, Branden A. Schmid, John W. Schmitt, Grace M. Scott, Hadley S. Seaton, Clara J. Seeley, Colin J. Semlak, Hannah R. Sjostrom, Kian C. Skiba, James A. Sprafka, Theodore C. St Martin, Kayleigh R. Stabenow, Hannah H. Steffensmeier, Cecelia E. Swenson, Claire E. Tainter, Ujwal Tamang, Jessica E. Thompson, Madeleine N. Thompson, Justine E. Thompson, Abigail Thorson, Chloe J. Tocko, Meriel Torenvliet, Isabelle L. Treft, Peter M. Tucker, Jensen R. Vadnais, Matthew R. Van Dyke, Madelyne N. Vang, Kaycee A. Victorio, James D. Wallek, Xiaolei Wang, Daniel J. Wickum, Austin J. Wieler, Molly A. Winkel, Joseph T. Wolfe, Ethan R. Woods, Teng Cheng Xiong, Amaya K. Xiong, Jim Yang, Chloe E. Yung, Aubrie A. Zimmerman

HONOR ROLL

11TH & 12TH

B HONOR ROLL Grade 11

Josephine V. Adsitt, Jayden M. Anderson, Oluwatomi S. Animasaun, Jacob T. Baltzer, Timothy L. Barghini, Nathaniel X. Barker, Ava E. Bedell, Wyatt L. Beissler, Skyler D. Bengtson, Gavin Blomgren, Zachary P. Brock, Alexander T. Cantwell, Arlo R. Castonguay, Tatum J. Cermak, Nathan R. Christensen, Jayvelyn Chuy, Caleb M. Cieslak, Easton J. Clancy, Josephine R. Coffey, Oliver J. Curren, Ella R. Dargay, Matthew S. Davis, Jinet S. Demanou, Rylie C. Demars, Trent M. Doten, Tyler V. Doten, Faith E. Ehrenkrook, Lauren R. Elias, Grant Elliott, Scarlett J. Ellison, Mason Engwer, Norah E. Esterly, Beau B. Eyler, Raegan S. Farmer, India G. Fawcett, Max D. Fields, Holly E. Flood, Carter D. Fox, Audrey L. Gallagher, Samuel J. Gallichant, Maria K. Garrido, Elias B. Gillet, Tyler J. Gipple, Grant A. Golaski, Emma E. Gorski, Habon M. Hajin, Nora A. Hall, Brynn L. Heinsohn, Riley G. Helmberger, Zachary W. Hern, Adam Hernandez Falk, Jordan A. Hillestad, Benedict P. Hoefer, Jack B. Hoenshell, Christian M. Humphrey, Gavin B. Huot, Natalie A. Jents, Peyton L. Jordahl, Ian J. Jorissen, Katelyn G. Kaehler, Abby J. Keeling, Brigid R. Kehoe, Akira X. Keokeutla, Jocelyn K. King, Karina King, Charlotte A. Klamerus, Logan R. Kowitz, Alexander J. Kringle, Emily W. Kum, Roman P. Kurynytskyi, Anna C. Lachenmayer, Henry J. Lamb, Horacio Lazcano, Iris C. Lee, Shuayi D. Lee, Kylee A. Lehman, Logan J. Lofquist, Ava M. Lovelett, Madeline A. Luebker, Vincent P. Lundeen, Lucas A. Maahs, Emily A. Majerle, Audrey E. McGladdery, Taylor A. Mohawk, Vera D. Moton, Damaris A. Munoz, Galvin Nathanson, Marilyse K. Ndam, Kaylee R. Nelson, Brady E. O’Hara, Owen X. Otto, Kyle J. Palmquist, Mia R. Pankonien, Thomas J. Pederson, Jalyn I. Perales, Rylan G. Perron, Colin J. Piper, Sydney L. Rabine, Thomas H. Reese, Bane A. Richnofsky, Aviana M. Rider, Brenda Robles, Joseph V. Rogers, Maddilyn A. Roos, Leanna C. Rosario, Andrew J. Runningen, Justin J. Sager, Amira A. Salahiddine, Jayla M. Samuels, Brody J. Saros, Jack Say, Tyler J. Schwietz, Savannah J. Severson, Tessa R. Shaffer, Maiken D. Shaw, Thomas H. Sisk, Andrea L. Smith, Makenna G. Sneen, Hannah J. Solum, Ava L. Swanson, Paulina J. Tapia Ayala, Seng Cy Thao, Chloe M. Theissen, Courtney L. Titus, Delaney Treichel, Julian M. Turville, George Vander Heiden, Miah J. Vernosh, Wyatt F. Vojtech, Annie M. Vomela, Gunnar S. Vonwalter, Johannah K. Westmoreland, John M. Wickland, Madyson M. Wiggins, Johnathan S. Woods, Aubrey D. Xiong, Elliott P. Xiong, Gaozong I. Yang, Jeremiah J. Yarbrough, Katherine R. Zisla, ,

A HONOR ROLL Grade 12

Amelia Ahrens, Tyler A. Allshouse, Mary J. Anderson, Matthew R. Anderson, Ashtyn I. Arendts, Angelin Arias Vazquez, Levi J. Arvig, Nathaniel O. Asiedu-Mensah, Chimezuru E. Azonwu, Oto E. Babrans, Grace J. Bailey, Teegan D. Bartok, Amelia J. Bartsch, Kellen D. Beck, Madelyn R. Belisle, Amiya M. Bellefeuille, Sean C. Beloyed, Ayla D. Berckes, Killian C. Berman, Sahaj S. Bhakta, Bailey L. Birkholz, Talis W. Birmanis, Reese M. Bjornberg, Gretchen M. Blankenship, Ashley L. Bosko, Linnea C. Brown, Matthew D. Brown, Emily C. Brown, Libby G. Butters, L J J. Buzay, Lisa C. Calbrieth, Audrey J. Carlson, Abigail N. Carroll, Grace E. Castro, Lauryn E. Chaffee, Lyla E. Chaffee, Grace A. Conroy, Henry W. Cork, Sofia F. Cousins, Jennifer A. Crist, Connor W. Crouch, Lilah C. Davis, Lillian D. Debilzan, Makayla G. Delay, Maxwell J. Delforge, Katherine M. Dery, Elise B. Dieterle, William W. Distad, Talia P. Domschot, Callista K.

WHITE BEAR LAKE

A HONOR ROLL Grade 12 A HONOR ROLL Grade 12

Donoghue, Erik K. Douha, Malik M. Doumbia, Robert J. Dresen, Alexa M. Duffy, Carter W. Dusing, Blake D. Eckerle, Bailey E. Eddicus, Elaine S. Eddicus, Kyra L. Eicher, Lindy M. Eichinger, Peyton R. Ek, Robert C. Elmore, Grant H. Evans, Isabella L. Evans, Owen Farrington, Ashley N. Fisher, Logan M. Fisher, Payton C. Fouks, Madison M. Friede, Kate P. Fuhrman, Gwen M. Gallatin, Gabriel M. Gerlach, Michael A. Gibson, Kiana M. Giese, Eric T. Gilbert, Ernest A. Goodwin, Mia C. Grambow, Reese L. Greenbaum, Maya C. Greenbaum, Andrew D. Greene, Ellia E. Groneberg, Danae L. Grund, Noah E. Gysbers, Baylee Haines, Sophia A. Haley, Isabella R. Hanscom, Lindsey M. Hanson, Tallulah K. Hare, Eva A. Haskins, Ashleigh A. Hawkes, Marshall J. Hawks, Makena E. Heaton, Emerson J. Heise, Addison K. Hemquist, Hailey R. Hendrickson, Austin J. Hermann, Tyler J. Hilderman, Amelie C. Hodge, Alexandria L. Hoekman, Morgan L. Holmstrom, Madisyn M. Hood, Keith M. Houchins, Owen M. Howard, Lily C. Howard, Victoria R. Johnson, Gabrielle C. Johnson, Anna J. Jones, Tyler G. Josephs, Hannah G. Juergens, Cleo J. Jurkovich, Brady G. Keeling, Colby H. Keintz, Gabriel M. Kessel, Adina L. Klawiter, Lydia R. Kleinhans, Andrew J. Klier, Colton M. Knutson, Landon W. Kohler, Andrew H. Kolenich, Isaac E. Kolstad, Travis D. Kottke, Kendall Kotzmacher, Savannah P. Kue, Mark Kurynytskyi, Bonnie F. Langenbach, Vaughn P. Larson, Amaya J. Lattimore, Emaline J. Leafblad, Shanalise G. Lee, Dexia Leexaitou, Ryan J. Lentsch, Brady J. Leopold, Isaac A. Lindholm, Emersyn M. Lokken, Jace C. Lombardi, Audrey M. Lonsky, Nathan Lor, Sherie N. Lor, Evelyn B. Lynch, Andrew J. Mailer, Samuel T. Manke, Presley A. Manship, Angelina L. Marino, Sophia G. Matt, Isabella M. Matt, Caitlin K. McCormack, Carter J. McLeod, Benjamin J. McMillen, Cara J. McMonigal, Harrison C. McNerlin, Anna L. Mencke, Erin M. Messerschmidt, Petra I. Middleton, Wuinfred M. Miranda Saastamoinen, Abigail R. Misgen, Aiden D. Moore, Mallory J. Moore, Maxwell R. Morett, Cole V. Morin, Owen W. Mortimer, Alexa C. Moser, Addison N. Mueller, Luke S. Mulawa, Benjamin J. Mulier, Amelia R. Nachtsheim, Adam C. Napgezek, Samantha R. Nelson, Miriya T. Nguyen, Mason J. Noren, Noah H. Norman, Eleanor J. Novotny, Abigail R. O’Brien, Jayde Orduno Mendez, Nakarri N. Ossei, Temitope P. Oyekunle, Aubrey J. Parker, Cody A. Parnell, Sara E. Pasch, William R. Paslawski, Taylen Peloquin, Julieta A. Peralta Herrera, Abigail Perez, Paige F. Peters, Colby M. Petersen, Dylan R. Peterson, Addison O. Post, Gavin B. Potter, Carmen C. Priftakis, Charles R. Racine, Hannah K. Rausch, Naomi Z. Rediger, Aubrey B. Reigstad, Morgan D. Richards, Sienna G. Rivera, Daniel B. Roach, Delaney R. Rosewell, Natalie C. Rowe, Grant N. Rudeen, Alexa G. Sampson, Jack R. Sams, Kylie M. Schachtner, Lily Scheets, Charlotte R. Schroeder, David F. Shervheim, Sacia E. Shypulski, Ethan A. Smejkal, Rebecca L. Smith, Amanda A. Smythe, Paige S. Sogard, Madeline K. Spaeth, Dylan M. Spence, Benjamin G. Spindler, Isabel C. St John, Ella C. Stadtherr, Jack A. Stanius, Natalie H. Steensland, Leah E. Stein, Lily C. Switajewski, Chloe A. Tanaleon, James Thao, Izel S. Thao, Katherine M. Thies, Claire K. Thomalla, Brianna G. Timermanis, Allison O. Torntore, Dustin Tran, Brooke T. Tubbesing, Angiolo M. Ututalum, Tristyn C. Vang, Olivia M. Vermeersch, Elena M. Vlieger, Danielle Vo, Adeline E. Vojtech, Sophia L. Volkmann, Cora M. Wahl, Tessa J. Walton, Benjamin K. Watson, Brooke M. Waxberg, Isaiah C. Weber, Ella M. Weierke, Nathaniel D. Wells, Chancellor D. Wettstein, Denim J. Whelan, Claire M. Whitcomb, Elise M. Wiener, Evangeline E. Wilbur, Noelle E. Wilding, Annalise N. Wohlfeil,

Jonathan M. Wong, Charlie R. Woodcock, Megan A. Worms, Ivory N. Xiong, McKenna C. Yach, Elijah N. Yang, Chloe J. Zender

B HONOR ROLL Grade 12

Emilio A. Acosta, Gage S. Aguirre, Miles B. Anderson, Kennedy J. Baarts, Luke A. Baker, Carson E. Bartos, Tyrese T. Behnken, Noah A. Berg, Gabrielle K. Bohrer, Gavin T. Bohrer, Reuben S. Braun-Schaus, Nathaniel S. Brown, Addison M. Capocasa, Christian D. Carlson, Oliver C. Carlsson, Zawa J. Carney, Julia Fernanda Carvalho Buarque, Evan Chang, Naadiya A. Charpenter, Drake Chermak, Dana’e A. Christian, Porter T. Cleary, Addison M. Collins, Dylan M. Combs, Noah G. Corbesia, Jack H. Cunningham, Eva M. Curry, Lys-Aurele A. D’Almeida, Holly L. Degnan, Samuel F. Denault, Ryan L. Dickerson, Walker J. Dietz, Tyriandra T. Dixon, Trace D. Dotstry, Anamae R. Drake, Matthew E. Dumroese, Jesse E. Dupaul, Jameson M. Durand, Tanner J. Edstrom, Katelyn R. Erickson, Gavin T. Farrand, Jackson M. Fleming, William C. Fleming, Tyler J. Fondow, Henry J. Forst, Jacob J. Furlong, Jack M. Gabrielson, Marin M. Galatzer, Moa I. Gemeda, Gavin Gerst, Tyler D. Glick, Johnathan L. Goben, Ryder B. Goeken, Cecilia J. Gores, Gabriella N. Grace, Sora L. Graham, Damani E. Green, Darian A. Grunewald, Sofiia Halenda, Alyssa L. Hamlin, Aprelle M. Hanscom, Domanic M. Hayden, Lawson W. Heath, Samantha E. Hendrickson, Carter J. Herdegen, Jamie C. Herring, Nicholas P. Hoden, Connor J. Holte, Charles W. Horowicki, Ari A. Howard, Megan C. Hulla, Donovan Ingram, Lillian M. Jenkins, Carson N. Johnson, Dylan R. Johnson, Jeffrey G. Johnson, Bennett P. Jungmann, Mason J. Jurkovich, Finn A. Karni, Keira R. Keese, Faith D. Kha, Maria T. Kimlinger, Ethan L. Kluck, Adelei M. Knutson, Benjamin M. Knutson, Larissa K. Komarec, Gavin D. Krenz, Elara G. Kruse, Makinzie A. Kubas, Blue W. Kurkoski, Nathan A. Landucci, Jack T. Larkin, Jacob R. Lawrence, Pheng Lee, Benjamin W. Livingston, Benjamin K. Lockwood, Noah T. Ludwig, Brienna L. Mahnke, Jenna M. Maloy, Giada A. Marino, McHarris A. Mbu, Navaya R. McCorkle, Ada J. Milbrandt, Matthew D. Millard, Josephine L. Mlejnek, Devin D. Mohar, Torrin X. Monigold, Louis E. Moore, Tautyonna J. Mortel, Elkin R. Munoz Loja, Nadiya Muse, Evan R. Newlander, Yahaira E. Nok-Chiclana, Cameron M. Norman, Thomas J. III Orsello, Camden E. Oxton, Cielo Norelvy R. Palomares, Jacob Pasiuk, Dylan H. Paulson, Finnley A. Paulson, Lydia L. Pearson, Preston Peloquin, Payton J. Peters, Sydney O. Pfeil, Ashlyn S. Radcliffe, Julianna Ramirez Barrios, Elias A. Ramirez, Emersen J. Rasch, Jeremy R. Reichel, Emma M. Riley, William J. Roach, Michelangelo E. Roman, Giovanni A. Saniti, Dominic T. Sauerwein, Kaden G. Schroeder, Victoria L. Semelis, Corbin T. Shypulski, Anna M. Simmons, Nicolas J. Simonson, James Smith, Adam R. Spanier Saissi, Joshua M. Stafki, Tyler J. Starry, Kellen J. Swanson, Riley J. Teb, Madyson A. Tesch, Matthew K. Thao, Melissa Tolentino, Owen A. Torgrimson, McKinley Tursso, Jueli A. Tveit, Jonathan Underbakke, Vincent Y. Vang, Salma R. Wazwaz, Isabelle A. Whitman, Miles R. Whitney II, William S. Wigstrom Jr., Ava M. Wilson, Alex P. Xiong, Angelina G. Xiong, Joscelina N. Yang, Joseph K. Yang, Kevin D. Zollinger, Cooper M. Zwisler

CARTER JOHNSON | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

WHITE BEAR LAKE

What can you win?

Grand Prize. Prizes are gift cards donated by these Ice Out 2025 sponsors. How do you win?

All entries with the correct ice out date will be placed into a drawing.

First ticket drawn will be awarded the grand prize. Runners up will be drawn until all prizes are awarded. You must pick up your prize/ redemption slip at Press Publications before May 31, 2025.

The Real Dogs of White Bear Lake

BY RICKA MCNAUGHTON SPECIAL TO THE PRESS

A column about the life and times of random dogs I meet on the street with their humans.

In a place we’ll call Elsewhere for lack of better intel, in a local holding facility, a young, healthy and affectionate female dog was slated to be euthanized. It’s not known why. But what comes to mind is a kill shelter with an oversupply of homeless and neglected dogs. Apparently, at the last moment, some compassionate individual in the animal welfare community freed this particular dog, and maybe others, from death row, and then routed her into what we’ll call the heck-yes-I’m-adoptable pipeline. Endpoint to be determined.

Meanwhile, Marie and Dale Evans of White Bear Lake had recently come to a pet owner crossroads. The last animal they owned was a very nice cat who’d grown comfortably ancient and deservedly lethargic. Then it passed away. The Evanses felt ready for a new and livelier pet. But they decided to change things up and get a dog. In fact, Marie had never owned a dog before. Marie went to look at some animals in a nearby set-up where adoptable dogs and potential adopters could casually meet and get better acquainted, like at a church basement coffee hour, but where no one would blink twice at an exchange of wet nose boops and belly rubs between consenting individuals. Marie warmed to an animal she thought was quite the ticket. Say hello

MCGUIRE: Minnesota Gophers next after state win

FROM PAGE 1

Coach Matt Oswald praised McGuire for the “passion and drive” he’s shown through his career. “Not just about being the best wrestler he can be, but a great person, too.”

McGuire’s 51 wins this year included 32 points, 13 technical falls and two major decisions. In his career, he was 194-47 with 127 pins, breaking the Zephyrs record of 181 wins held by Devin FitzPatrick since 2016. He qualified for state five times, also placing fourth as a sophomore.

In the semifinals, he handed Nathan Klatt of AnnandaleMaple Lake his lone loss of the season 19-3. On Friday, he had pins in 37 and 27 seconds. His

only close match all season was an 18-14 win in December over Mounds View’s Ethan Swenson, a Class 3A state runner-up.

His next team will be the Minnesota Gophers. “I’ll take a week off, then join their workouts,” said McGuire. “It should be fun to train with really high level guys and improve a lot.”

McGuire is Mahtomedi’s fourth state champion, joining Matt Graff (2008), Jake Geisel (2009) and Bryce FitzPatrick (2020).

Carlson places 4th

Zephyr junior Aidan Carlson also earned a podium finish, placing fourth at 121 pounds.

Carlson (42-9) won his first match in overtime 6-3 against Cassen Brumm of

Annandale-Maple Lake, then lost to Minnewaska Area’s Miles Wildman 8-5. In wrestle backs, he beat Little Falls’ Seth Ramsdell 13-1 and Simley’s Damir Safronov 10-1, and pinned Roman McKinney of Pine City in 4:32. In the third-place match, Becker’s Boston Kuschel edged him 12-10.

Aiden Boex, freshman at 172 pounds, lost twice, 21-8 and 7-3, against opponents from Perham and New Ulm. He finished 31-14.

“It was awesome,” said Oswald about having three section champions compete at state. “Evan won, Carlson placed fourth, and Boex got good state experience as a freshman.”

to Pepper, the death row dog from Elsewhere. Now the newest Evans family member.

Pepper is a smooth-haired fox terrier mix. Her personality is terrier-typical: Bold but not aggressive. Loving, cheerful and fun to be around. A tad willful. Pepper’s lessons in good pet conduct got a jump start with the help of Marie’s daughter and some outside training. She’s got some important things squared away but is still learning how indoor life with humans is supposed to work. It’s mainly the newness factor. Like when a computer software update completely changes the way you prefer to do things.

Dogs can have complex emotions not so different from ours. Pepper has an on-going compulsion you could interpret a number of ways. She patrols her yard quite thoroughly for all new-fallen sticks or small branches, which she organizes into a nice pile. Is she just a neat freak? Or, is it high concept art beyond all human understanding ̶ as in the case, not long ago, of a single banana duct-taped to a blank gallery wall that sold for $6.2 million.

But suppose that in a former life Pepper had only what she could scavenge from the end of a short chain. Or worse. Maybe she’s just saying she’s never gotten over the beauty of having a loving home now, with a yard where you can run around and make a big stash of sticks, in case you have a stick emergency one day. Mark that priceless.

Ricka McNaughton is a writer living in White Bear Lake.

RICKA MCNAUGHTON | CONTRIBUTED

Marie Evans and Pepper on a recent winter walk.

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

• A White Bear Lake woman was arrested for DWI following a traffic stop in the 4500 block of Highway 61 Feb. 19.

• A Maplewood man was arrested for DWI Feb. 19 after officers were called to a vehicle fire in the 3400 block of Century Avenue and found the driver to be impaired.

• Criminal damage to property was reported in the 1800 block of Roth Street Feb. 19.

• Theft was reported in the 1800 block of Cedar Avenue Feb. 19.

• Trespassing was reported in the 1900 block of Buerkle Road Feb. 19.

• Theft from a vehicle occurred in the 3900 block of Van Dyke Street Feb. 19.

• Two citations for an animal complaint were issued in the 1500 block of Fifth Street Feb. 19.

• Theft was reported in the 2600 block of County Road E Feb. 19.

• A dog running at large near the intersection of Lake Avenue and Fourth Street Feb. 19 was unable to be located. The dog was reported in the area again on Feb. 20, and was still not found.

• A scam was reported in the 2500 block of Spruce Place Feb. 20. Theft from a vehicle was reported in the 3100 block of McKnight Road Feb. 20.

• Officers assisted in recovering property in the 2100 block of 12th Street Feb. 20.

• Officers trespassed an individual from the 3200 block

of White Bear Avenue after a report of disorderly conduct Feb. 20.

An Arden Hills man was arrested for DWI following a traffic stop in the 3200 block of Century Avenue Feb. 21.

• An internet scam occurred in the 1600 block of Highway 96 Feb. 21.

• A man was arrested for outstanding warrants Feb. 21 in the 1800 block of Buerkle Road. Officers responded to a domestic situation in the 3100 block of Karth Road Feb. 21.

• A White Bear Lake man was arrested for threats of violence on Southwood Drive Feb. 21.

• Officers mediated a domestic incident in the 4800 block of Wood Avenue Feb. 21.

• Officers are investigating an aggravated robbery which occurred at Division Avenue and Division Court Feb. 22.

• Damage to property was reported in the 2600 block of Riviera Drive S. Feb. 22.

• A man was arrested for violating of a domestic abuse no contact order in the 2100 block of 12th Street Feb. 22.

• A White Bear Lake man was arrested for DWI after he arrived at the police department to report a suspicious incident Feb. 22 and was found to be impaired.

• Harassment was reported in the 3800 block of Howard Avenue Feb. 22.

• A person who had been reported missing Feb. 22 was found at a restaurant in the 4900 block of Lake Avenue.

• Officers responded to a domestic situation in the 3900

block of Linden Street Feb. 23.

• A Maplewood woman was arrested for DWI following a traffic stop at the intersection of Buerkle Road and Highway 61 Feb. 23.

• Criminal activity was investigated Feb. 23 in the 1900 block of Florence Street.

• Officers responded to a violation of a harassment restraining order in the 4800 block of Wood Avenue Feb. 23.

Harassment was reported in the 3500 block of Oak Terrace Feb. 23.

• A St. Paul man was issued a citation for trespassing in the 3400 block of Willow Court Feb. 24.

• A Red Wing man was arrested for DWI following a crash in the 3500 block of Linden Avenue Feb. 24.

• Officers responded to a verbal dispute in the 1700 block of Birch Lake Avenue Feb. 24.

• A Maplewood woman was arrested for DWI following a traffic stop in the 1100 block of County Road E Feb. 24.

• A St. Paul female driver was arrested after being found to have ingested mushrooms in the 1000 block of Highway 96 Feb. 25.

• Officers responded to a dispute in the 3500 block of Century Avenue Feb. 25.

• A noise complaint was reported in the 1600 block of Birch Lake Avenue Feb. 25.

• A White Bear Lake man was arrested for DWI following a traffic stop in the 3600 block of Bellaire Avenue Feb. 25.

PUBLIC NOTICES • PUBLIC NOTICES • PUBLIC NOTICES

OFFICE OF THE MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME

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

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

Twin City Marketing

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

2585 Hamline Ave N #C, Saint Paul, 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.

Web0x LLC

2585 Hamline Ave N #C, Saint Paul, MN 55113

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

Dated: February 4, 2025

Signed: Clayton Johnson

Published two times in the White Bear Press on March 5 and 12, 2025.

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: First Day Homecare #013

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

2932 HILLSVIEW W 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.

SAAS Home Health LLC

2932 HILLSVIEW W ROSEVILLE MN 55113

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

Dated: January 28, 2025

Signed: Sophia Ali

Published two times in the White Bear Press on February 26 and March 5, 2025.

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:

Gail at Home

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

1257 WATSON AVE SAINT PAUL MN 55116

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

worksimple LLC

1257 WATSON AVE SAINT PAUL MN 55116

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

Dated: February 8, 2025

Signed: Gail Fraser Published two times in the White Bear Press on February 26 and March 5, 2025.

CITY OF WHITE BEAR LAKE

NOTICE OF HEARING ON IMPROVEMENTS FOR 2025 PAVEMENT REHABILITATION PROJECT ON: DIVISION AVENUE / TWELFTH STREET CITY PROJECT NO.: 25-13

To Whom It May Concern: Notice is hereby given that the White Bear Lake City Council will meet in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 4701 Highway 61, beginning at 7:00 p.m. on March 11, 2025, to consider the making of improvements described below pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Sections 429.011 to 429.111. The improvements include mill and overlay, street reconstruction with curb

and gutter, sanitary sewer, storm sewer and sidewalk enhancements. The estimated cost of the improvement is $1,382,400. The area proposed to be assessed for such improvements is the abutting property benefiting from the improvements in the following project area:

City Project No. 25-13

• Division Avenue (from Fifth Street to northern City Limits)

• Twelfth Street (from Division Avenue and Long Avenue)

A reasonable estimate of the impact on the assessment will be available at the hearing. Such persons as desire to be heard with reference to the proposed improvements will be heard at this meeting. Please find detailed meeting information on the City’s website at www. whitebearlake.org/ or call the city clerk at 651-762-4821 to learn how to attend the public hearing. Paul Kauppi, P.E., Public Works Director/City Engineer Published two times in the White Bear Press on February 26 and March 5, 2025.

INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 832

MAHTOMEDI, MN 55115

MINUTES JANUARY 27, 2025

A Regular Meeting of the Board of Education of Mahtomedi Public Schools was held January 27, 2025, beginning at 7:00 PM.- CALL TO ORDERMeeting was called to order by Chair Stacey Stout at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL OF ATTENDANCE- Present: Ryan Domin, Paul Donna, Jenny Peterson, Kelly Reagan, Stacey Stout and Drew Whitson. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Chair Stacey Stout asked for a motion for Approval of the Agenda with Flexibility. Reagan motioned; Donna seconded; Approval of the Agenda with Flexibility. Carried 6-0. ACTION ITEMS –A.) Approval of Donations/ Grants from December 2024 Totaling $77,927.20, Domin motioned, Reagan seconded; Approval of Donations/Grants from December 2024 Totaling $77,927.20. Carried 6-0. B.) Approval of Resolution Ratifying the Award of Sale of Refunding Bonds Series 2025A. District Financial Advisor Matthew Hammer, from Ehlers, Inc, spoke about the favorable sale on the refunding bonds 2014A bonds that saved about 1.5 million dollars for taxpayers. New 2025A bonds were issued to replace the sale of the 2014A bonds. Donna motioned; Peterson seconded; Approval of Approval of Resolution Ratifying the Award of Sale of Refunding Bonds Series 2025A. C.) Approval of Independent Auditors Report. Jim Eichten, MMKR CPA, presented the School Board with an audit of the books and records. Domin motioned, Whitson seconded; Approval of Independent Auditors Report. Carried 6-0. Donna motioned; Peterson seconded; Approval of Approval of Resolution Ratifying the Award of Sale of Refunding Bonds Series 2025A. ADJOURNMENTPeterson motioned; Reagan seconded; Adjournment. Carried 6-0. Meeting adjourned at 8:56 p.m. by Kelly Reagan, Clerk. A full version of the minutes are available at www.mahtomedi.k12.mn.us.

Published one time in the White Bear Press on March 5, 2025.

INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 832

MAHTOMEDI, MN 55115

MINUTES FEBRUARY 10, 2025

A Study Session of the Board of Education of Mahtomedi Public Schools was held February 10, 2025, beginning at 5:30 PM.- CALL TO ORDER- Meeting was called to order by Vice Chair/Clerk Kelly Reagan at 5:30 p.m. ROLL CALL OF ATTENDANCE-. Present: Paul Donna - aye; Jenny Peterson - aye; Kelly Reagan - aye; Stacey Stout – aye and Drew Whitson -aye. Ryan Domin was absent. The School Board Meeting was held in person with Superintendent Duffrin and the School Board located in the District Office Community Room at the District Office, 1520 Mahtomedi Avenue, Mahtomedi, MN 55115. In accordance with MN Statute 13D.02, Other Entity Meetings by Interactive Technology, Mahtomedi School Board Member Stacey Stout will attend via interactive technology due to her professional responsibilities. Stacey Stout will be at the InterContinental Washington D.C. – The Wharf., 801 Wharf Street SW, Washington, DC 20024 for the duration of this meeting. Also present: Barb Duffrin, Superintendent; Tim Erickson, Director of Business Service, Jennifer Reichel, Director of Teaching and Learning; Scott Briske, Wildwood Elementary Principal; Susie Prather, O.H. Anderson Elementary Principal; Alice Seuffert, Director of Communications; Leslie Lovas, Executive Assistant to the School Board and Superintendent. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA- Peterson motioned; Whitson seconded; Approval of the Agenda. Paul Donna - aye; Jenny Peterson - aye; Kelly Reagan - aye; Stacey Stout – aye and Drew Whitson -aye. Carried 5-0. DISCUSSION/INFORMATION ITEMS – A.) Feasibility Study Report -Superintendent Barb Duffrin introduced John Martin, MGI Fundraising, who conducted a feasibility study for a capital campaign and possible public-private partnerships with the community B.) Budget Reduction and Adjustments Options -Superintendent Barb Duffrin and Tim Erickson, Director of Business Services, presented budget reduction and adjustment options to the School Board. Duffrin stated that most Minnesota school districts face the same challenging budget times. Duffrin also stated that in 2024-2025, there was already $700,00, primarily in secondary schools and district-wide. The estimated budget reduction for 2025-2026 is

$2,000,000, as discussed at the January 27, 2025 meeting. ADJOURNMENT - Donna motioned; Whitson seconded; Adjournment. Paul Donna - aye; Jenny Peterson - aye; Kelly Reagan - aye; Stacey Stout – aye and Drew Whitson -aye. Carried 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m. Submitted by Kelly Reagan, Clerk. A full version of the minutes are available at www.mahtomedi.k12. mn.us. Published one time in the White Bear Press on March 5, 2025. US STORAGE CENTERS

NOTICE OF SELF STORAGE SALE

Please take notice US Storage Centers – White Bear located at 1828 Buerkle Road White Bear, MN 55110 intends to hold an auction of storage units in default of payment. The sale will occur as an online auction via www. storagetreasures.com on 3/19/2025 at 10:00AM. Unless stated otherwise the description of the contents are household goods, furnishings and garage essentials. Jesse Barton (2 units);Wanda Thomson; Kelli Burfeind; Dawn Mae Duffney; David Ault; Kelly Brunner; Irving Gabriel Figueroa Sierra; Lashawn Beverly; Yasmine Hunter; Stacy Nielsen; Chris Johnson; Kat Hollingsworth. All property is being stored at the above self-storage facility. This sale may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Certain terms and conditions apply. Published two times in the White Bear Press on February 26 and March 5, 2025.

NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE PUBLIC NOTICE THE RIGHT TO VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT AND IDENTITY OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY LAW IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS ACTION.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN: That default has occurred in the conditions of the following described mortgage: DATE OF MORTGAGE: May 16, 2022 ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE: $178,500.00 MORTGAGOR(S): Isaiah F. Smock and Sarah Mae Mager Smock, married to each other, as joint tenants MORTGAGEE: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for Jay Dacey Mortgage Team Inc, its successors and assigns TRANSACTION AGENT: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. MIN#: 101593310000016206 SERVICER: Nationstar Mortgage LLC. LENDER: Jay Dacey Mortgage Team Inc. DATE AND PLACE OF FILING: Ramsey County Minnesota Recorder on May 20, 2022, as Document No. A04947906. ASSIGNED TO: Flagstar Bank, FSB by an Assignment of Mortgage dated 11/08/2022, and recorded on 11/14/2022 as Document No. A04970756 Nationstar Mortgage LLC by an Assignment of Mortgage dated 11/11/2024 and recorded on 11/13/2024 as Document No. A05045628. LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY: Lot 3, Bauer`s Rearrangement Record of Ramsey County, Minnesota PROPERTY ADDRESS: 860 Ohio St, Saint Paul, MN 55107 PROPERTY I.D: 072822340120 COUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED: Ramsey THE AMOUNT CLAIMED TO BE DUE ON THE MORTGAGE ON THE DATE OF THE NOTICE: One Hundred Seventy-Nine Thousand Six Hundred Thirty-Three and 13/100 ($179,633.13) THAT no action or proceeding has been instituted at law to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof; that there has been compliance with all pre-foreclosure notice and acceleration requirements of said mortgage, and/or applicable statutes; PURSUANT, to the power of sale contained in said mortgage, the above described property will be sold by the Sheriff of said county as follows: DATE AND TIME OF SALE: 10:00AM on April 10, 2025 PLACE OF SALE: 360 Wabasha Street N, Suite 111, St. Paul, MN 55102 to pay the debt then secured by said mortgage and taxes, if any actually paid by the mortgagee, on the premises and the costs and disbursements allowed by law. The time allowed by law for redemption by said mortgagor(s), their personal representatives or assigns is 6.00 months from the date of sale. If Mortgage is not reinstated under Minn. Stat. Section580.30 or the property is not redeemed under Minn. Stat. Section580.23, the Mortgagor must vacate the property on or before 11:59 p.m. on October 10, 2025, or the next business day if October 10, 2025 falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday. “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, SECTION 582.032, DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED.” Dated: February 19, 2025 Nationstar Mortgage LLC Randall S. Miller and Associates, PLLC Attorneys for Assignee of Mortgage/Mortgagee Edinburgh Executive Office Center, 8525 Edinbrook Crossing North

Mahtomedi hosts open house for Mahtomedi Avenue corridor

The city of Mahtomedi will host an open house for members of the public to provide their thoughts on the proposed improvement project of the Mahtomedi Avenue (Highway 244) corridor from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 6, at the District Education Center, 1520 Mahtomedi Ave.

The public is invited to give comments, suggestions, thoughts and concerns on what should be addressed in the proposed project. City personnel and the design team will attend.

The design of the project will be ongoing throughout 2025; construction is tentatively planned to start in 2026.

WHITE BEAR TOWNSHIP NOTES

City has grants available

The city of Mahtomedi has grants available for private properties to repair, reline or replace sanitary sewer service lines that run from the house to the city’s mainline sewer in the street. In the city of Mahtomedi, the maintenance of sanitary sewer lines is the responsibility of the property owner all the way from the house to the main sewer in the street. The grant program was set up to help alleviate the problem of leakage from and into sanitary sewer service lines, which can contaminate groundwater and add to sewage flows for treatment.

The city will reimburse a property owner up to 50% of the cost of the repair up to a maximum of $5,000. Grants will be offered on a first-come,

• The township is hoping to build an underground stormwater storage system at Bellaire Beach as well as SAFL Baffles— stormwater pretreatment systems which reduce sediment and harmful chemicals—in the Silver Fox Area near Portland Avenue and Buffalo Street. “These projects are extremely beneficial for our stormwater and the township in general,” remarked Town Supervisor Steve Ruzek. Both of these projects will positively impact the water quality of White Bear Lake. The Bellaire Beach project’s estimated cost is $475,000 while the SAFL Baffle project’s estimated cost is $73,250. • Ruzek mentioned that these projects would be prohibitively expensive were the township to solely pay for them. Therefore, last December,

WHITE BEAR LAKE CITY COUNCIL NOTES

• Dog Days is scheduled to take place downtown from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 17. The council has authorized a street closure by blocking vehicle access to Washington Square and will allow Main Street to use the Railroad Park Gazebo. Dog Days is a community event that promotes dogs and their owners to gather downtown, where vendors set up shop on sidewalks to sell pet merchandise and treats and share information about dog rescue and adoption.

• The city is expected to receive $1,852 from Washington County this year as a part of the municipal recycling grant program. Under state law, proceeds from tax on solid waste are made available to cities to conduct recycling and waste reduction programs. A block grant is made available to Washington County from the state, which in turn appropriates a portion to cities on a per capita basis.

first-served basis. Work must be approved by the city ahead of time and must be complete before the end of 2025. For more information, contact Public Works Director Bob Goebel at 651773-9730 or City Engineer John Sachi at 651-426-3344. More information is available on the city website at www. ci.mahtomedi.mn.us.

City of Mahtomedi seeks park volunteers

The city of Mahtomedi is seeking volunteers to help keep the parks and trails clean through its Adopt-A-Park program. Several parks are still available for adoptions. Call City Hall for more information at 651426-3344.

White Bear Township applied for grants from the Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD). Public Works Director Dale Reed reported that RCWD has approved $100,000 in grant funding for the Bellaire Beach project and $50,000 for the SAFL Baffle project should the township move forward. Reed also received verbal pledges from Ramsey County and the city of White Bear Lake to cover 13% and 29% of the costs, respectively. The board accepted the RCWD grants and will now aim to get definitive paperwork from the cost-sharing partners.

• The board is moving forward on its Portland Woods and Anderson Lane street improvement projects after hearing public comment. Currently, township-standard width for road projects is 28

These monies are used to help offset the city’s recycling program and collection costs.

• Hydro-Klean LLC will complete the 2025 sanitary sewer lining project for $219,041. The city owns and maintains roughly 95 miles of sanitary sewer mains. White Bear Lake began lining sections of sanitary sewer mains in 1994 and has found it to be a cost-effective way to improve flow in sanitary sewer mains, reduce maintenance problem areas and eliminate the infiltration of groundwater into the sanitary sewer system.

Since 1994, the city has lined almost 17 miles of its sanitary sewer mains. The work consists of installing liners inside sanitary mains that have been identified by the Public Works Department as high risk for backups due to misaligned joints, root problems, pipe deterioration or inaccessible locations.

Primetime with Sparky Stensaas at Redeemer Lutheran Church

Join Minnesota naturalist and wildlife photographer Sparky Stensaas at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, March 20, at the Redeemer Lutheran Church Atrium as he gives a presentation on his photography of birds, mammals and everything natural along with the various habitats that attract an array of species not found in other parts of the United States.

Registration is required and open through March 16. To sign up, you can do so at the Redeemer Welcome Center or call the church office at 651-429-5411. Redeemer Lutheran Church is located at 3770 Bellaire Ave., White Bear Lake.

feet not including gutter. Residents of Anderson Lane, however, requested that their road stay at 22 feet wide, not including gutter. “We’ve never had an issue, and I’ve been here over 25 years,” said resident Reed Walstad. Fellow resident Josh Farmer added, “It’s a private drive; we don’t get any traffic … we want to keep that small-town feel of White Bear Township.” Upon hearing these requests, the board amended the Anderson Lane street improvement project to have 22 feet of drivable surface with surmountable concrete curb. An open house for both projects will be held later this month.

The project will include the lining of sanitary sewer mains on Carolyn Lane, Crestwood Place, Bellaire Avenue, Elm Drive, Emerald Drive, Glen Oaks Avenue, Lakeaires Boulevard, Peggy Lane, Sandra Lane, Sun Terrace and Willow Avenue.

• City Manager Lindy Crawford’s salary will be adjusted after a successful performance review.

• Community Development Director Jason Lindahl says the city’s new public finance policy will provide a “framework” for reviewing, discussing and considering applications that come into the city. The policy establishes a framework for the City Council and/or Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) to consider applications for business assistance or public financial assistance for private development within the city. It is also an opportunity to update the existing tax increment financing (TIF) policy,

which has not been revised since 2015, and a business subsidy policy, adopted in 2009.

The policy is a result of the April 16, 2024, and Nov. 19, 2024, work sessions about public finance tools. “A public finance policy provides the City Council, HRA and staff with an important tool to evaluate requests for public financial assistance and to work toward the city’s goal of ‘expanding housing options to meet the needs of people at all life stages and income levels,’” said Tracy Shimek, housing and economic development coordinator.

The next City Council meeting will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, at City Hall.

Shannon

Granholm

Weather whiplash: How long will lake ice last?

Above: While recently ice fishing out on White Bear Lake, Dave Lenz reported that the ice was about two feet thick, down about a foot from last week. A string of days in February with below average temperatures helped thicken the ice cover on the lake, but the weather whiplash has also brought above freezing temperatures — sometimes both day and night — and is expected to continue this week. Above right: A well-equipped ice angler heads out near Bellaire Beach before sunset with a sled.

At right: The vast majority of ice houses have either been removed from the lake or brought close to shore and a car that had been partially submerged and frozen in the ice was successfully removed. Last year, the ice-out on White Bear Lake was officially called Friday, March 8. It was the earliest ice-out on record. Submit your guess for when the ice out on White Bear Lake will be officially called this year at presspubs.com.

READ REUSE RECYCLE

If every person takes one small step toward being more

Fish Fry: Who will be the best?

For Christians, Lent is a season of solemnity, where people practice self-denial and atonement. Lent is the period leading up to Easter when Christians commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

So how do fish fries at local restaurants, Legions and VFWs and churches fit into it?

Traditionally, a fish fry is strongly associated with the Roman Catholic community, but churches and organizations of all denominations—or none—have participated.

The ritual of fasting during the Lenten season dates to the first century CE. The practice has changed quite a bit over the centuries. It originally started as a fast and was eventually established as a 40-day abstinence from the meat of warm-blooded animals. This form of penance was meant to recognize the suffering and forbearance of Christ’s 40 days in the desert while he was tested by the devil.

This year’s Lenten season will begin Wednesday, March 5, and last until Thursday, April 17.

Fish fries are also a way to

celebrate Midwestern roots, since many places in Minnesota and Wisconsin were settled by German and Polish Catholics who did not typically eat meat on Fridays.

Proximity to freshwater lakes means that a fish fry might feature fresh walleye, bass, perch, bluegill

or even catfish, in addition to a more widespread choice such as cod and tilapia.

As you visit fish fries this season, think about which one you would deem “the best” because Press Publications’ Best of the Press Readers’ Choice Contest is

just around the corner, and one of the many categories is “Best Fish Fry.”

In the White Bear Lake and Vadnais Heights area last year, VFW Post 1782 won the title and Cabin 61 and Manitou Bar & Kitchen were finalists.

In the Hugo market, St. John the Baptist Men’s Club of St. Genevieve’s Church earned the title, followed by Blacksmith Lounge & Broaster and Cabin 61 as finalists.

In the Shoreview market, Cabin 61 earned the Best Fish Fry title and Welsch’s Big Ten Tavern and Oliver’s were finalists.

In the Quad market, Smokey’s Pub N’ Grill won the title followed by St. John the Baptist Men’s Club of St. Genevieve’s Church, Kelly’s Korner Bar and VFW Post 1782 as finalists.

Who will the title go to in 2025? Be sure to nominate your favorite beginning April 30 so they appear on the ballot. Then don’t forget to vote once a day.

Fry

A seat at the table to impact district decisions

BY LORETTA HARDING CONTRIBUTING WRITER

For many months, new Mahtomedi School Board Member Drew Whitson could only sit quietly in the back of the room during school board meetings. Unless he spoke at forum prior to meetings, he was limited to observing the board carry out its agenda. Otherwise, he was not allowed to ask clarifying questions or provide commentary. Elected to a seat on the board in November, Whitson says he can now appreciate being at the table and being part of conversations that directly impact choices and decisions made in the district. As if he needed further motivation to run for a seat on the board, Whitson said he wanted to be a part of providing the district's high-quality education. After moving to Mahtomedi 10 years ago, Whitson's family has had an overwhelmingly positive experience in the district.

"I appreciate the schools' academic excellence, commitment to student development and strong community involvement," he said. "Whenever you see parents committed to and involved in their children's education, you will find a community that supports students."

Whitson and his wife, Erica, currently have four children in the district: Tirzah and Alayna in 10th grade, Elliot in seventh grade and Clara in fifth grade. "I am so proud of how my children have thrived in the district's exceptional educational environment," he said. "It's a delight to see their eagerness to participate in all the opportunities our district provides."

Whitson's family was supportive of his decision from the outset. Erica Whitson has been an active volunteer in schools, leading middle school productions and student activities.

"I do think my 16-year-old twin girls in high school were a bit embarrassed to see their dad's name all around town on yard signs," the new board member said.

After growing up in Red Wing, Whitson attended Bethel College (now University) to complete his economics and finance undergraduate degree. Whitson is still affiliated with Bethel University as full-time professor of finance. He is also a founder and principal of Endurus Capital, a real estate investment firm based in Mahtomedi.

Whitson brings plenty of financial experience to the table: he has more than 20 years of core expertise in financial governance, capital planning and budgeting. He has also spent 14 years on nonprofit boards while keeping one foot

involved in higher eduction.

With the district facing looming budget challenges in 2025 and onward, Whitson knew his finance and prior board experience would be valuable assets to help guide the board through tight times to provide the best outcomes for students and the district.

When he is not earning a living and helping to run Mahtomedi Public Schools, Whitson has volunteered at coaching kids' youth soccer and basketball. "I am so thankful for all the coaches who are willing to take on such a challenging opportunity," he said.

Mahtomedi is large enough to offer plenty of opportunities for the community and its students — but small enough for people to regularly run into friends and neighbors around town, Whitson said. "I have been so impressed with the number of Mahtomedi parents I've met who also grew up in Mahtomedi and returned to raise their children here."

Whitson's attendance at school board meetings as a silent citizen were worthwhile, in that he became familiar in 2024 with the topics needing attention. "This really allowed me to hit the ground running," he said.

All the board members have been welcoming, and Whitson is looking forward to working with them over the next few years. With only a few

meetings under his belt, Whitson has been content to just keep up with the pace of the meeting while learning parliamentary procedures used for meetings. "I do believe I have seconded at least two motions — with many more to come!"

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

(From left): Drew Whitson, Stacey Stout and Kelly Reagan are sworn in to serve on the Mahtomedi School Board.

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

Pictured is the Mahtomedi School Board. (Top row, left): Stacey Stout, Jenny Peterson, Kelly Reagan, Barb Duffrin; (Below, left) Paul Donna, Ryan Domin and Drew Whitson.

You can still be chasing dreams after 40

BY PATRICK MADER SPECIAL TO THE PRESS

Margaret Ludick is 40 years old, but that doesn’t mean she will stop chasing her dreams and bettering marathon times.

Constantly improving throughout her 30s, Ludick competed in the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials and recently finished 36th in the women’s division of the 2024 New York City Marathon (sixth in her age group) with an impressive time of 2:43:33. “You can still be chasing your dreams after 40,” said the 5-foot-6 athlete. “Sara Hall and Des Linden are still crushing it.”

As Ludick grew up in White Bear Lake, her parents, Robert Ludick, an electrician, and Diane Landberg, a nurse, had their children involved in a variety of sports—but especially swimming. Sisters Katherine and Emily thrived in the sport. “I started competitively at 8 years old. I loved it,” said Ludick, the youngest of the four children.

Ludick joined track in eighth grade following stints with soccer, dance, and bowling in addition to swimming, and tested out many events. “A distance coach suggested I give distance running a try. I liked the team aspect and thought, ‘This is what I want to do.’”

As a high school freshman, Ludick qualified for the 2000 Minnesota State High School League track meet in both the 1600 (13th) and 3200-meter (ninth) runs. As a sophomore, she again qualified for 1600-meter run and placed ninth with a time of 5:11.75. The race was won by Shannon Bergstedt of Hopkins in a record-setting time of 4:53.69.

These successes encouraged Ludick to switch her fall sport from swimming to cross-country her junior year. Under the guidance of Lyle Helke, “a

fantastic coach,” White Bear Lake Area High School qualified for the state meet in her junior and senior years; Ludick was one of the lead runners. The team finished fourth in 2001: Ludick placed 40th as an individual, and ninth in 2002 — she crossed the finish line as the 77th individual. Meanwhile, the tenor sax band player’s track prowess dropped, and she no longer qualified for the state meet as an upperclassman.

Ludick chose the University of North Dakota because coach Dick Clay emphasized being a true studentathlete. The 2003 high school graduate had no set expectations. “I proved myself and worked my way up, but I was not a standout runner. My strengths were being a grinder and workhorse with a joyful mindset.”

Yet Ludick was a two-time captain and won the 2007 North Central Conference 3,000-meter run indoors championship. The cross-country team advanced to the Division II national championships in 2004 and 2006, placing in the middle of the 24team meet each time. Individually, Ludick placed 101st in her sophomore year and 48th as a senior, recording a personal best time of 21:33.5 in the 6K run at Pensacola Equestrian Center in Florida.

Graduating in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree with an emphasis on forensic science, Ludick registered for the Twin Cities Marathon that fall. “After college, I thought, ‘more is out there.’ Some older college teammates had begun to run marathons. I thought with the training I had done in college, I would be fast. It was a hot and humid day. I don’t remember the last six miles. When I reflected on it, I thought I could do better and run smarter,” she said. She finished her inaugural marathon in 3:36:57.

It was running a 2:55:30 time at the 2013 Philadelphia Marathon (19th place

in the women’s division) that served as a catalyst for Ludick to chase a dream. A work colleague mentioned that if she could shave off 10 more minutes, she would qualify for the U.S. Olympic Trials.

While she worked at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, Ludick met a fellow outdoors enthusiast: Michael Ludick from Florida. The couple married in 2014, later migrating back to Minnesota. Michael, a franchisee owner of Jersey Mike’s Subs, is supportive of his wife’s running passion and has run a handful of marathons.

For the past 10 years, Ludick has worked as a provider recruiter for Fairview Health Services. Unfortunately, a foot injury that eventually required surgery stymied her goal until 2019.

“The California International

Marathon was a huge breakthrough for me. In my bones, I knew I would qualify. I felt relaxed and so happy. I gave my husband thumbs up signs every time I saw him. At mile 18, I felt like I was on a Sunday stroll,” she noted. Her time of 2:41:31 met the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials qualifying standard of 2:45 handily, ranking her No. 184 of more than 500 total qualifiers.

Ludick joined many Minnesota women marathoners who participated in the 2020 trials, including Emma Bates, Dakotah Lindwurm, Bria Wetsch, Missy Rock, Marit Sonnesyn, Rachel Drake, 16-year-old Tierney Wolfgram and Whitney Macon — all of them finishing in the top 80 — in Atlanta, a mere two months later. “I was with my idols—I thought I shouldn’t be running with them,” she said. The result was a creditable 2:48:48 for 200th place.

Thanks to the Mile to Marathon running group coached by Ron Byland, Ludick continues to set personal bests and excel in distance running. She was winner of the 2021 Get in Gear 10K and 2022 Abbott Longford (Ireland) Half Marathon; placed eighth in the 2023 Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon (1:14:05); and in the Grandma’s Marathon, she placed 15th in the women’s division—and first Minnesota runner — with a personal best time of 2:39:10 in addition to her splendid 2024 New York City Marathon. Named the 2024 Minnesota Female Runner of the Year, Ludick appreciates her coaches, running group teammates, and husband as she continues to chase her dreams.

Patrick Mader is the author of two books on Minnesota Olympians and a writer for www.mnathletes.com, a free website on Minnesota athletes from a variety of sports and wide range of eras.

CONTRIBUTED

Margaret Ludick with her mother and aunt after completing Grandma’s Marathon last year.

S E R V I C E D I R E C T O R Y

Retired Washington County detective releases 2nd novel

Larry Simon, of White Bear Lake, is a retired detective sergeant of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office in Stillwater.

Years ago, Simon started working on his first novel and now he is working on his third. Press Publications recently interviewed Simon to learn more about him and his most recent novel, “Sound of Silence,” which will be released this month.

Q. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

A. My wife Denise (Michaud) and I lived and raised our children in White Bear Lake and Stillwater. Upon our retirement, we purchased a motor home and traveled. City, state and national parks became our short-term settlement. One of our favorites is Voyageurs National Park in northern Minnesota.

Q. Tell us a little bit about your nearly three-decade career in law enforcement.

A. I retired from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office in Stillwater after 27 years. As a deputy sheriff, I was assigned most duties found in a typical sheriff’s office; dispatch, bailiff, correctional officer, civil process, patrol officer, shift commander, detective-sergeant, water-recovery and, finally, the office of conduct and standards. The most rewarding assignment was my 17 years investigating crimes against children.

Q. What inspired you to transition from a career in law enforcement to writing novels?

A. Although I could write a police procedures manual for child abuse investigation, I sought after the mystery and suspense genre, that fictionalizes a true crime series. I began years ago with my first book and after five years and five chapters, put the manuscript in storage. Tearing my Achilles tendon playing pickleball, and with my forced inactivity, I pulled out the dusty cardboard box from storage. Here I am three years later working on my third novel. Calling out to aspiring authors; never give up your dreams!

Q. How does your experience as a detective shape the way you approach storytelling?

A. My passion for storytelling began with the detailed reports and investigations that I conducted throughout my career. I have channeled that expertise into crafting novels that immerse readers in my world of crime and justice.

Q. Tell us about your first novel, “Bridge over Troubled Water.”

A. “Bridge Over Troubled Water” is my first novel of the Detective Jack Janssen series. Detective Janssen painfully struggles with the memory of a child victim, when he is called into action for a friend who needs his help, Judge Vivian Lord. The novel takes place in the Saint Croix Valley around Stillwater and in Washington County.

Q. What inspired you to write your second novel, “Sound of Silence?”

A. “Sound of Silence,” a novel that continues with the Janssen series, brings Detective Janssen back into action from retirement. Now commanding the Special Victims Unit, Detective Janssen takes on a case deemed unchargeable in a compelling novel that will pull readers into the storyline of Detective Janssen and his seasoned partner, Child Protection Worker Rita Bullock. The gripping investigation has complexities that

develop into an unimaginable and unpredictable conclusion.

Q. How do you develop your characters? Are any of them inspired by real-life people, or are they purely fictional?

A. The protagonist, Jack Janssen, is inspired by my career. Judge Vivian Lord is inspired by retired Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Esther Tomljanovich, who previously served as a trial judge in the Tenth Judicial District in Stillwater. I had often testified in her courtroom for crimes against children and recently enjoyed having coffee with her and her husband. Judge Tomljanovich is remarkably gifted in jurisprudence. The criminal antagonist or, metaphorically, the villain, is drawn from the bulk of caseloads from my 17 years as detective sergeant.

Q. What do you hope readers take away from your novels?

A. I would like to engage readers in my world of crime and suspense with a touch of romance. The reader will be riding alongside Detective Jack Janssen while he looks into the eyes of victims, suspects and pursues law and order in Washington County. My goal is to focus on the barriers of child abuse issues confronting every community, large and small.

Q. When you’re not writing or working on new stories, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?

A. Spending time with Denise and family, and continue to connect with readers through book signings, blogs and book clubs.

Q. Where can people find your books?

A. Valley Bookseller in Stillwater; Chapter2 Books in Hudson, Wisconsin; Once Upon a Crime in Minneapolis; and Amazon. My website is lcsimon.com.

Compiled by Shannon Granholm

DOG BEACH: Opinions divided

Kim Koepper said one of the reasons she was drawn to living in White Bear Lake is because it is a “dog community.”

“I think that the council and the parks commission is responding incredibly well in monitoring our investment in the dog beach and making changes as we go along, rather than throwing the baby out with the bathwater,” Koepper said. “Keep supporting the dog beach and make changes; deal with individual people who violate the rules rather than punish everybody for the discretion of a few.”

Amy Bartholomew said she too loved the fact that the town was dog-friendly. “I would ask the council to think about what message that sends to people who might be coming here and spending money in our shops, in our restaurants, if we say, ‘We are closing the dog park, and your dogs aren’t welcome here anymore.’”

Dave Anderson said closing the dog beach would benefit a few at the cost of the public.

“I’ve been to the dog beach 150 times. During my visits I’ve never had a dog fight, never had a barking dog, never had a confrontation with another user, never had a confrontation with a homeowner and never trespassed on private property,” Anderson explained. “It is a high-use park that offers recreational opportunities for all ages and physical capabilities … I don’t understand why you would want to vote against a wholesome activity, which serves every age group and provides an environment that is safe and not dependent on technology.”

Mary Nicklawske said the town needs to share. “I bought my house knowing I was going to have to share my community … I can’t believe that we are going to listen to a handful of people that are lucky enough to live across the street from this park,” Nicklawske said. “I think it sets a bad precedent if people who live across the street from all of our parks can dictate how those parks are going to be used.”

Lori Hughes reminded everyone of the fact that the land is a public park. “It is for everyone; it is not just for the boaters, the people who love to jet ski, who like to walk along Lake Avenue, who like to bike, swim or bird watch … It is available for everyone. That is what public means,” Hughes said. “It is an amenity that we share in our community, and I hope that we keep it that way.”

Mike Amundson pointed out that if the dog beach was closed, the city would start to see dogs in other areas. “Having a beach that is dedicated for the dogs is great,” he said. “Keep it open and let everybody keep using it.”

A couple of residents spoke to the benefits of water for senior dogs or dogs who have special needs. Other residents shared that some of these issues, like barking dogs and dogs being unleashed, are not unique to the dog beach area and are present in every neighborhood.

Council input

Mayor Dan Louismet said the question the council has to consider is not whether the dog beach is popular, but rather if it is appropriate for the location. “Is a large concentration of dogs appropriate in a residential area in a heavily used park with limited space and many other uses including boat traffic and swimmers?” he asked. “I support closing it not because dog beaches are bad … I support closing it because what began in 2007 as a nice idea with the intent that it would see modest neighborhood use appropriate to that small space has now outgrown itself and has become a metrowide destination.”

Louismet added, “After eight years of going back and forth … we are never going to be able to solve the barking

Dog beach history

2007 - The dog beach was created. Changes were made to the city’s code to allow off-leash dog exercise areas. One of those areas was the area at Matoska Park between Sixth and Seventh Streets.

2016 - City staff and the council heard concerns regarding the dog beach.

2017 - The Parks Advisory Commission recommended closure of the dog beach; however, the council decided to keep it open with provisions. 2018 - Operations were reviewed once again, and the dog beach remained open.

2021 - City staff and the council once again heard concerns regarding the dog beach.

2022 - The Parks Advisory Commission was asked to review the dog beach’s operations. Commission members made regular visits to the beach and recommended keeping the dog beach open with provisions.

2023 - The council decided to keep the dog beach open with several provisions, including improved signage, permanent fencing to separate the dog beach and swim area, gates at the top of the stairs, improved buoys and pet waste bag stations.

2024 - The Parks Advisory Commission was once again asked to review the dog beach’s operations. In addition to making regular visits to the park, the water quality was tested and reviewed based on Minnesota Department of Health standards. Although Memorial Beach had one closure and one advisory due to water quality, the dog beach remained open all season. The parks commission unanimously voted to recommend the council keep the dog beach open and suggested some improvements and changes.

and the bad actors through fencing, signage, waste bags. I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s time we part ways and move on.”

Council Member Bill Walsh said he was leaning toward closing the beach. “It’s a great amenity that is really popular … It is unique in the state for a reason because it is super hard to do,” Walsh said. “How to balance a popular amenity with property rights of the people in the neighborhood who live there not having to put up it every day? It just doesn’t seem to be going away.” Walsh did want to make sure that city staff and the parks commission had “exhausted” their options on other possible locations for the dog beach.

Council Member Andrea West said she was struck by Hughes’ comment about sharing the community. She described the area she lives in as “loud,” and said it has only gotten worse as the community has grown.

“My own personal experience is yep, lots of things are different. It is a community growth issue. I figured it was going to happen, it did and I’m OK with it,” West explained. “I think we need to be better at getting along and being okay with things that are happening with other people because we are a part of a community.”

Council Member Kevin Edberg pointed out it isn’t just dogs that make noise, but a woodworker in his garage or a child playing basketball at the park. “It’s all over the city, it is not just on Lake Avenue across from the dog park,” he said.

Council Member Steven Engstran said he wants the dog beach to stay open and suggested the Seventh Street swimming beach be closed if the dog beach is closed. “I’m guessing the screaming kids pee in the water a lot more than dogs,” he said.

The council is expected to discuss and potentially vote on the item at its next meeting on March 11.

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

P HOTOS CONTRIBUTED

White Bear Lake resident Larry Simon has published two novels so far.

School bathroom design and protocols reflect changing priorities

BY LOGAN GION CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Bullying, body-shaming, drug culture and truancy— these issues have long been the bane of high schoolers’ experiences.

Yet White Bear Lake Area High School (WBLAHS) has seen a 50% reduction in fights, 90% reduction in chemical abuse, and near 100% reduction in graffiti and vandalism.

And though the state of Minnesota reports that 71% of schools have a chronic absentee issue, White Bear’s period attendance—meaning a student who enters the building misses no more than 10 minutes of a class—has climbed to 89%. The other 11%, explained WBLAHS Principal Russ Reetz, is largely due to late arrivals or early leave. How did the district accomplish this? It targeted bathrooms and bathroom breaks.

Visible sink bays, privacy bathrooms

“Everybody prefers a more private bathroom,” said Architect Sal Bagley of Wold Architects, who designed White Bear’s “privacy bathrooms.” These restrooms have a common sink bay ringed by a semicircle of single-person stalls with floor-to-ceiling doors with an “occupied” or “available” lock, much like the ones on airplanes.

“I’ve never met somebody who says, ‘I hope someone can see me through the gaps in the stall.’”

Because the sink bay is visible from the hall, school security can monitor the common area, easily spotting if more than one student enters a single stall at the same time or if a user has been inside for a concerning amount of time. “A lot of unwanted behaviors happened in a bathroom because there's less supervision,” said Reetz, “and we just don't have those issues anymore.”

Such a design also removes the need to separate bathrooms by gender. While Bagley said that genderneutrality is an issue that privacy bathrooms happen to address, the design’s aim deals with much broader concerns. “For some people, it's as simple as, ‘I'm uncomfortable going to the bathroom anywhere where anyone can hear me.’ … And for some people, it's ‘I hate that the bathrooms are a gathering space for vaping,’” she said.

Reetz thinks this type of design is indicative of a larger societal shift: White Bear is not the first school district to come up with this solution. St. Paul’s and Stillwater’s districts installed similar setups years earlier.

New solutions, however, can create new problems. One issue privacy bathroom stalls initially faced was cleanliness. “We are learning some basic norms and responsibilities for those shared spaces …” said Reetz. “Our students are really doing a good job in treating them well.”

Bagley added, “I think that it's an expectation as a member of society that we teach people how we treat space.”

Bagley believes that increased cleaning needs are a positive thing. “Some of that might be because they're so popular. If our biggest problem is that this meets so many people's demands that we have to clean them more, I actually think that means the right thing has been done.”

Enter the digital hall pass

As Reetz was preparing to become principal in 2023, he learned of Minnesota’s increasing student-absence

problem. “When students go to class, they're leaving on a pass and not returning, or they are gone for far too long …” he explained. “We have got to find a way to keep our kids going to class and hold them accountable when they are not.”

This past fall, the high school implemented a “digital hall pass” system to account for the whereabouts of every student if they are not in class. To use the bathroom, a student logs into the app and selects which bathroom they are visiting. “(The) digital pass has provided us with an opportunity to limit where you can be in the building and for how long you can be out,” described Reetz. “We also have access to who can be out at the same time.”

While the digital hall pass has helped increase attendance, some students believe the system is flawed.

“I understand why they are doing it,” said senior Maria Kimlinger. “But as a student, it almost feels a little inhumane that I'm 18 years old and I'm an adult, and I still have to ask to go to the bathroom. And they need to track how long I'm going to the bathroom.”

Senior Cole Morin stated that the system is impractical and distracting. “My teachers don't really like the hall pass thing because they don't like having to go to the computer and approve it and then let you go,” he explained.

Reetz explained that the district is not necessarily watching every minute that passes when a student leaves the classroom but is instead watching for trends.

“When they return, they return. It's more so if we have an issue down the road; we look back and say, ‘Okay, you've been out eight times for 16 minutes each time. We're looking for patterns and trends. We're not necessarily using the data. It's not a ‘gotcha.’”

Reetz acknowledged that the digital hall pass has not had a perfect rollout. The clunkiness, he explained, is because the app was designed for smartphones, and the high school integrated it before Minnesota required stricter cell phone policies for students. As a result, Reetz said the administration is granting flexibility to teachers for the remainder of the year.

Next year, Reetz hopes to implement a system in which a student who needs a hall pass would simply tap their student ID on a kiosk and go. When told about the system, both Kimlinger and Morin agreed that such a system would be simpler and less disruptive.

Mahtomedi wins state engineering competition, heads to nationals

the Real

Mahtomedi High School has won the Real World Design Challenge (RWDC) state championship for the 10th time — the ninth year in a row —and will head to the National/International Championship in Arlington, Virginia, May 3.

Three Mahtomedi teams competed in the RWDC state competition, where students in grades 9-12 solve a real-world problem by designing a practical and effective solution. The teams have been working since October to design an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that can easily transport supplies to an active wildfire location. While designing their UAV, teams considered

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the ease of use, flight time and costs associated with the operation. As part of the engineering design process, the teams created detailed parts lists and models and ran simulations to assess the viability of their design.

Team Zephyr Aerospace Products (ZAP) won the state competition, earning a spot in the national competition. Team members are Tim Schussler (captain), Luke Vipond, Benjamin Hammond, Max Newcome, John Aufderhar, Yeupheng Lee and Charlie Dehan.

Team Phoenix got second place in the state competition and was among the highest-scoring teams in the nation, earning one of the four wild-card spaces in the national competition. Team Phoenix members are Ethan Stout (co-captain), Jessica Aufderhar (co-

captain), Bjorn Anderson, Arjun Chandra, Grady Severson, Emmett See and Andrew Russell.

Team Firefly earned third in the state competition. Team members include Liam MacChesney (cocaptain), Julian Cisek (co-captain), Alasdair MacChesney, Izzy Vipond, Riley Vosooney, Jordyn Woodford and Audrey Roling.

Team ZAP and Team Phoenix are working under the supervision of Coach Bryan Farmer with the assistance of dedicated mentors to develop a solution for the RWDC National Challenge and fundraise for the event. For more information to support the teams, visit mahtomedisteamboosterclub.org.

Contributed

Bear Lake ROTARY

Rotary Matters wblrotary1@comcast.net

White Bear Lake Area High School proudly recognizes Toby Hagen for his exceptional academic achievements. Along with maintaining excellent grades, Toby actively participates in the Robotics Team, Math Team, and plays Cello in the school orchestra. His passion for learning and commitment to extracurriculars are frequently noted by his teachers. Toby aspires to pursue a career in engineering and is grateful for the guidance and encouragement of his parents. He credits much of his success to their constant support, which has helped him balance his academic and extracurricular pursuits.

Toby Hagen White Bear Lake Area High School

CONTRIBUTED

White Bear Lake Area Schools’ privacy bathrooms have single-user stalls with floor-to-ceiling doors. The sink and mirror area is for common use, allowing for greater security access.

CONTRIBUTED

Team Zephyr Aerospace Products (ZAP) won

World Design Challenge state competition.

Politicization of military

Your editorial notes that Peter Hegseth is the first Secretary of Defense from Minnesota. True, but hardly an honor. Hegseth, who has few apparent qualifications for the post, facilitated the firing of the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, the chief of naval operations and top military lawyers without cause. This is an egregious politicization of the military and has been opposed by service secretaries and former secretaries of defense appointed by presidents from both parties (including Trump). As they noted, this action sends a chilling message to senior officers that could discourage candid military advice. Further, the firing of the lawyers is obviously an effort to eliminate the guardrails on what constitutes a lawful order. The world is in a dangerous moment that requires serious leadership, not performance art.

P.A.

Gilbertson Dellwood

Weather Tidbits

Share resource

I read with interest an article on the dog beach in the Minneapolis paper. In it, Mayor Louismet is quoted as saying "I absolutely think the space is no longer appropriate as a dog park." I believe the Mayor was elected to determine the needs of the City as our representative, and not to impose his personal opinion like some sort of dictator. I think we have to try very hard to share this amazing resource with all people who pay taxes to live in this wonderful city of White Bear Lake.

Frank Watson

Jean Auger White Bear Lake

Bringing New Technology to Historic White Bear Liquor Store WHITE BEAR WINE & SPIRITS

“I’m grateful, and I’m blessed that I’m here. It’s been a move that I didn’t anticipate, but due to support from the community, it’s like having God’s hand over me.”

These words are how Hardik Patel, owner of White Bear Lake Wine & Spirits, has summed up his experience with operating the titular store. Since moving his inventory from the old Controneo’s building to its current location, Patel has expressed joy and gratitude over the reception his establishment continues to receive. “Everybody that comes in, they love the store, they love the layout,” said Patel. “It’s been a great hit.”

Boasting a wide array of local craft beers, wine, spirits and THC drinks, Patel admits that the store’s inventory is still growing. This, he says, is due to selling a substantial portion of his then-Controneo’s inventory to establish White Bear Lake Wine & Spirits. Nonetheless, Patel is both thankful and gracious about the traffic he receives. “The transition is going good,” said Patel. “We’re grateful for our clients that still come back, and understanding that it will take time to rebuild business.”

However, Patel’s future store plans do not end with just a

straightforward move. New technology is in the works to give his location an edge over competitors with better pricing and new opportunities. One of these is through Lacy, an online alcohol-delivery app that, according to Patel, will be among the first liquor stores in the city to integrate this technology for use.

“You can get an instant rebate on a product rather than filling out a mail-in one,” explained Patel. “It also does a price comparison, so it gives you credit if you buy from the store here. If there is anything cheaper anywhere, it finds it in a couple-mile-radius and finds the lowest price to give you the difference on the app.”

Through the store’s loyalty program, customers can earn points through their purchases and receive discounts for special occasions, such as their birthdays. “Whether you use the app or not, you can come in, give the phone number that is associated with your account, and get points every time you purchase something,” said Patel.

In addition to prioritizing customer service, Patel intends for his business to become more involved in local charity events. Most of this involvement is donating products to different local programs and establishments, such as the White Bear Lake Center for the Arts, for special events.

In addressing present and future customers, Patel has reaffirmed his thanks to the White Bear Lake community for supporting the store’s transition, regardless of any difficulties the store faces. “To the people of White Bear, thank you for supporting us through this transition,” said Patel. “We are still working on building that inventory, and I’m glad that you guys are still coming in, even if we are low or out of particular products that you like. I assure you in couple of months, we will be fully stocked, and have everything ready to go.”

2140 3rd St. White Bear Lake

SPORTS

Zephyrs skate back to state tournament

BY BRUCE STRAND CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Mahtomedi entered the section hockey playoffs with an 8-15-2 record two weeks ago. But the Zephyrs are back at state once again starting Wednesday. Their fourth straight trip to the Class A tournament was secured by defeating Chisago Lakes 3-1 in the Section 4A finals on Thursday evening at Aldrich Arena.

The Zephyrs, who as always played probably the most grueling schedule of any Class A team, will make their 12th appearance under coach Jeff Poeschl. They have an 11-15-2 record with a much younger roster than usual: seven seniors, seven juniors, seven sophomores and two freshmen.

“The team came into section play battle-tested and ready for all that might come their way,” Poeschl assessed, referring to the rugged schedule. He added,

“The Zephyrs relied on speed, grit, goaltending, and an aggressive penalty kill to win their fourth consecutive Section 4A title.”

They were seeded second in the section behind Chisago Lakes (16-10-2), having lost to the Wildcats 3-2 in the regular season. “A low point in our season was a tough loss to Chisago Lakes in January,” Poeschl said. “But it fueled the fire and motivation to avenge that loss when it really mattered in the section final.”

The Wildcats got a goal by Austin Slettom at 9:03 of the first period. Brock Gutterman, Zephyr freshman, tied the score at 14:16, assisted by Brayden Fuerst. The Zephyrs pulled ahead 2-1 when Laken Decker scored 1:39 into the second period, assisted by Winston Wright.

Wright gave the Zephyrs a two-goal lead at 6:53 of the third period, assisted by Cody Loida. The Zephyrs had a 32-29 edge in shots, with goalie Wes Strub making 28 saves.

Bear places 3rd at state

MARCIA LOWEEN | CONTRIBUTED

ZEPHYRS SPORTS BRIEFS

BOYS BASKETBALL

Mahtomedi is 17-9 with seven straight wins heading into sectionals after closing conference with two road wins last week. The Zephyrs beat Simley 60-45, led by Willie Roelofs with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Mark Graff notched 14 points and four steals. Jacob Wilson had 11 points with three 3-pointers. They won against Hastings 74-53 Friday with Graff pumping in 28 points and Roelofs 21. The previous week, the Zephyrs beat HillMurray 68-56 as Graff had 25 and Roelofs 23,

The Zephyrs had ten losses against Top Ten teams (four Class 2A, six Class 1A) including 4-3 to No. 5 St. Cloud Cathedral, their first-round foe at state. They were 1-4 against other state qualifiers, beating Orono.

Jinet Demanou, White Bear Lake’s first female wrestler to qualify for the state tournament, took home a third-place medal on Saturday at Xcel Energy Center. Demanou, a junior competing at 170 pounds, pinned Chelsea Rodriguez of Rochester Mayo in 1:43 in the first round. She got pinned by eventual champion Belle Suchta of Shakopee at 5:18 in the semifinals. Demanou pinned Chable Rodriguez of Kerkhoven-MurdockSunburg in 1:43 in the thirdplace match. She had a 22-3 record.

Bruce Strand

and Two Rivers 74-60, led by Roelofs with 25. The Zephyrs placed second in the Metro East at 13-3 behind Tartan (16-0). Seeded No. 3 in Section 4AAA, they will host Hill Murray on Wednesday at 7 p.m. The winner faces St. Paul Johnson or Minneapolis Camden on Saturday. DeLaSalle is the top seed.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

A strong Mahtomedi season ended at 20-8 when Hill-Murray beat the Zephyrs for the third time 59-51 on Saturday in the section semifinals. Anna Greene closed an outstanding career

with 25 points. Berkley Blaisdell added 15. HillMurray (21-6) was led by Mya Wilson with 25 points and Ashlee Wilson with 19. The Zephyrs beat North 69-52 with Greene scoring 23, and Ella Frazier and Greta Siess 11 each. The previous week, Mahtomedi beat Two Rivers 54-51 and lost to Hill-Murray 66-61, with Grace Prose hitting 22 and 19 points, to close Metro East play. The Pioneers were 14-0 in conference and the Zephyrs were second at 11-3.

Bruce Strand

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Laken Decker

Mahtomedi Hockey

March 5, 2025

Laken Decker supplied four goals and an assist in three Section 4A games to help Mahtomedi reach the state boys hockey tournament last week. The 5-foot-6 senior forward scored the go-ahead goal in a 3-1 finals win over Chisago Lakes. He leads the team with 13 goals while making eight assists. On last year’s team that reached the state semifinals, Decker had 13 assists and two goals. “Laken does it all,” coach Jeff Poeschl said. “He plays both center and wing, he is one of our top penalty-killers; and has also played on the power play.” The coach added that Decker elevated his game significantly the past month “by using his greatest asset: speed.”

In the first two rounds, Mahtomedi beat South St. Paul 5-0 and Highland Park 10-2 with goals by Decker (three), Joey Pipes (two), Gutterman (two), Devin O’Donnell, Will Seevers, Blake Loida, Cody Loida, Ryan Lipovetz, Wright, Fuerst, and Trevor Rogesheske. While underclassmen

took on a big role, Poeschl stressed that seven seniors are “major contributors,” meaning goalie Strub, defender Pipes, and forwards Mac Appert, Wright, Decker, Lipovetz, and Shey Sorenson.

State pairings

The No. 7 Zephyrs face No. 2 St. Cloud Cathedral (18-8-2) on Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Xcel Energy Center. In their bracket is No. 5 Orono (15-10-3) vs. No. 3 Northfield (22-4-2) at 1 p.m. The other bracket has No. 1 Hibbing-Chisholm (13-9) vs. No. 3 Luverne (22-4-2) at 6 p.m. and No. 4 East Grand Forks (13-13-2) vs. No. 5 Northern Lakes (19-8-1) at 8 p.m. Semifinals are at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Friday, and finals at noon Saturday.

After upsets, Bear girls advance

BY BRUCE STRAND CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Stout defense has carried White Bear Lake to the Section 4AAAA girls basketball finals. The No. 3 seeded Bears stymied No. 2 Stillwater 46-42 there Saturday evening in the semifinals, after beating Tartan 62-39. Meanwhile, top-seeded East Ridge was upset by Roseville Area 57-50. The Bears (19-9) will host No. 4 Roseville (15-13) on Thursday at 7 p.m., with a state trip at stake. The Bears split with Roseville in conference and lost twice to East Ridge.

Against Stillwater, Elise Dieterle

BOYS HOCKEY

In a Section 4AA semifinal that looked like it would be a tossup, the Stillwater Ponies controlled play throughout and ousted White Bear Lake 4-0 last Wednesday in a packed Aldrich Arena. In conference, the Bears won 3-1 and Stillwater won 5-4. The Bears finished 16-8-3. Stillwater (22-6) went on to upset No. 1 ranked Hill-Murray 4-3 in overtime for the championship Friday. Stillwater outshot the Bears 17-2 in the first period and got goals by Cal Grilz (power play) and Blake Vanek. They added goals by Luca Jarvis in the second period and Vanek in the third against standout Bear goalie Leo Gabriel. Stillwater had a 32-21 edge in shots. Cal Conway had 21 saves for the shutout.

BOYS BASKETBALL

White Bear Lake closed Suburban East Conference play with wins over Roseville Area 77-72 and Irondale 73-65, finishing 9-9 in the SEC for fifth place among ten teams. No. 1 ranked CretinDerham Hall was champion at 17-1. Against Roseville, Colin Piper scored 20 points, shooting 8-for-9. Rithy Sain netted 14 points, John Johnson 11 and Gavin Krenz nine. Against Irondale, Piper sank 20 points, Sain 15 and Johnson

sank 14 points, Chloe Theissen 14 and Abby O’Brien 10. The Bears trailed 11-2 early, but led 25-19 at halftime and held on.

“We tried to make sure they didn’t get any layups,” coach Jeremy Post said. “The kids executed the game plan and were very connected all night. Once we started rebounding, we were able to slow them down.”   The Bears won two of three from Stillwater (21-7) this season, losing 58-35 and winning 51-49 in conference.

Against Tartan (7-19), Dieterle had 15 points, Theissen 13 and O’Brien 12. The Bears made eight 3-pointers.

12. The Bears, seeded sixth in Section 4AAAA, will play at No. 3 East Ridge on Wednesday at 7 p.m. The winner faces Tartan or Woodbury on Saturday. Cretin-Derham Hall is top seed.

WRESTLING

Noah Ludwig, the Bears’ lone entrant in the state wrestling tournament, lost in the first round to Eden Prairie’s Zytavius Williams 6-1, and did not get a wrestleback. Ludwig, a senior, finished 25-11. He was a section runner-up.

SWIMMING

White Bear Lake senior driver Anthony Parada Romero placed first in the Section 4AA meet last weekend in Stillwater to advance to the state meet. He earned a 358.3 score, edging Mounds View’s Micah Prindl, who had 354.0. The state meet diving competition will be held Thursday and Saturday evening at the University of Minnesota. The top four divers, and top two in each swim event, advance. Benedict Hoefer was third in the 200 freestyle (1:49.58) and sixth in the 100 free (50.35). Miles Cork placed fifth in diving (297.0). Finnian McVeigh was sixth in breaststroke (1:06.43).

Bruce Strand

BEARS SPORTS BRIEFS

Jinet Demanou’s arm was raised after she pinned a Rochester Mayo opponent.

BETH DONAHUE | CONTRIBUTED Mahtomedi players celebrated with their student gallery after beating Chisago Lakes 3-1 in the section finals.

NAMES IN THE NEWS

Ryan Lentsch of White Bear Township and Toby Hagen of Vadnais Heights, scouts in Troop 9212, have both earned the Eagle Scout Award. Scouts must earn 21 merit badges and complete a community service project to achieve the rank of Eagle, the highest achievement in Scouting. Lentsch’s project was to benefit the

city of Vadnais Heights by providing an electronic inventory of the city’s park benches and installing six new park benches along a 1.2-mile walking loop originating in Lily Pond Park. Hagen’s project led to installing a gaga ball pit at White Bear Montessori School, of which he is an alumnus.

Gregory B. Carlson

Sept 5, 1945 – Feb 20, 2025

Greg of Hugo passed away peacefully on February 20, 2025. He was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Susan, as well as his parents, Walt and Irene. Greg was a draftsman by trade, creating house plans by hand on a mechanical drafting table throughout his life. He enjoyed restoring his 1954 Dodge Meadowbrook, hunting rough grouse, and spending quality time with his children. Greg is survived by his son, Scott (Holly) of Amery, WI, and his daughter, Amanda of Canonsburg, PA. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Bev of White Bear Lake and Shirley (Jack) of Inver Grove Heights, along with an extended family of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Memorial Service was held on Thursday, February 27 at Mueller Memorial, White Bear Lake. Final Resting Place, Roselawn Cemetery Mueller Memorial, 651-429-4944 www.muellermemorial.com

Anne “Nancy” Sweeney

Lu Marie Desmond (Kapsner)

Age 91 Of White Bear Lake. Passed away peacefully on Monday, February 17, 2025, in her home surrounded by her 11 children. Preceded in death by husband, Joe, sister Midge, brother Bud (Val), brother-inlaw Robert Harwood. Survived by children Kevin (Diane), Anne (Bill) Nicholas, Tim (Mary Ann), Terry, Maureen (Mike) Gorshe, Megan (Steve) FitzGerald, Michael (Krista), Colleen (Taylor) Shaver, Kathleen (Doug) Shoemaker, Sean (Hilary), Kelly (Brad) Schwartzbauer; 21 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; sister Janet “Sally” Harwood; many nieces and nephews. Services will be held Monday, May 12th at 11 AM at ST. MARY OF LAKE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 4741 Bald Eagle Ave. White Bear Lake. Visitation at 9:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to MORE Empowerment.org or Sharing and Caring Hands. Arrangements by Honsa Family Funeral Home. 651-429-6172

Passed away peacefully February 16, 2025. Funeral Mass will be held at 11 AM on Friday, March 7, 2025 at St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church, 4741 Bald Eagle Ave, White Bear Lake, MN, with visitation an hour prior at 10 AM. Interment to follow at St. Mary of the Lake Cemetery. Reception following interment in the St. Joseph Room at St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church. Memorials to Alzheimer’s Association of MN and Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, MN. Mueller Memorial- White Bear Lake, www.muellermemorial.com 651-429-4944

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Ryan Lentsch

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

Toby Hagen