The Citizen

Hugo Fire kicks off Fire Prevention Month

The Hugo Fire Department will host its annual open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4 at the fire station. The event coincides with Fire Prevention Week, which will be observed Oct. 5-11. See calendar listing for more details.

BY LORETTA HARDING CONTRIBUTING WRITER

During a recent workshop on wheels prior to a regularly scheduled meeting, Centerville’s city staff gave city leaders a tour of city-owned locations due to receive attention within the next 10 years. Block 7 was a stop on that tour.

The grassy, 1.6-acre parcel on the west side of Main Street between Sorel and Heritage streets has remained vacant after Centra Homes abandoned its plans to develop the site into 26 townhomes. This corner parcel was originally part of the 2006 Downtown Redevelopment Plan and had attracted a developer, the Beard Group, which pulled out of development during the 2007 economic crash.

Over the years, several developers have almost been to the finish line before dropping their plans to develop the parcel.

There is some urgency to get this corner developed, as the city has already accepted a $400,000 federal grant to provide infrastructure for the parcel’s development. City staff fears the city may have to return the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) money if development doesn’t happen soon. Using some of the grant funds, the city has already installed a 42-inch sewer pipe on the property.

With a substantial investment already baked into the property, the city held out a beckoning hand to developers and put the parcel on the market for $1.

Council adopts assessments for 2025 street project

BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR

HUGO — One property owner is hoping the City Council will reconsider a proposed assessment for street improvements.

The council recently held an assessment hearing for the 2025 street improvement project. The roadway reclamation/repaving project included the neighborhoods of Duck Pass and Palmes Long Lakes

Estates as well as Ingersoll Avenue. The total project cost came in at $1,296,232. Of that amount, $177,378 (or 13.7%) will be assessed to benefiting property owners at a rate of $3,400 per unit.

City Engineer Mark Erichson explained that assessments can be paid over a 10-year period at an interest rate of 5.05%. Assessments can be prepaid without interest before Nov. 15. Assessments that are not prepaid will then

be certified to Washington County for taxes payable in 2026.

John Dostal, whose family owns approximately 100 acres on the northwest corner of Jody Avenue and 122nd Street, asked the council to reconsider the proposed assessment for the property. Dostal explained that about 16 acres of property abuts the Long Lake Estates neighborhood.

SEE ASSESSMENTS, PAGE 15

A before and after view of a street in the Duck Pass neighborhood.

White Bear Lake Area High School honors distinguished alumni

Brigadier General (Ret.) Bryan John Hult and Dr. Paul Anthony Iaizzo have been selected as 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients.

Brigadier General (Ret.) Bryan John Hult, Class of 1974 Mariner Campus

Hult’s career began when he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1978. Within a year, he graduated from Officer Candidate School, Airborne School and Helicopter Flight School. After serving at Fort Hood, Texas, he pursued theological studies at Western Seminary, graduating summa cum laude with both a master of divinity and a master of theology. His call to ministry and military service ran in parallel. After pastoring in Minnesota and Indiana, he transferred into the Army Chaplain Corps. His career culminated with his promotion to brigadier general, where he served as the assistant chief of chaplains for the National Guard Bureau in Washington, D.C., the highest chaplaincy position in the Army National Guard. In recognition of his service, he was awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash by Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels. Hult also pursued advanced theological studies, earning his doctor of ministry degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in 2002. After retiring from the National Guard in 2010 and from Grace Evangelical Church in 2014, he and his wife Barbara moved to Sandpoint, Idaho. There, he served for more than eight years as the veteran service officer for Bonner County, where he supported countless veterans

COUNTY BRIEFS

County Board sets preliminary levy, proposed budget for 2026

The Washington County Board of Commissioners set a preliminary property tax levy at $150.2 million for 2026. The board also set a levy for

and their families.

Today, Hult continues to teach Biblical Greek and Hebrew, counsel individuals and couples, and speak at veteran and community events. On Nov. 9, he will be inducted into the Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame in Indianapolis.

Rooted in the White Bear Lake community where he grew up swimming, sailing and working summer jobs, Hult remembers fondly his Plymouth Duster and the music of the Beach Boys and Chicago echoing on summer nights. He credits his wife Barbara, his siblings Gary and Connie, and countless mentors, friends and teachers for shaping his path.

“Bryan’s life of service to faith, family, community, and country reflects the highest values of White Bear Lake Area High School,” said WBLAHS Principal Russ Reetz. “We are honored to recognize him as a Distinguished Alumnus.”

Dr. Paul Anthony Iaizzo, Class of 1974 (Mariner Campus)

Dr. Iaizzo is a professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School, where he has served for over 35 years. He is widely respected for his leadership as director of the Visible Heart Laboratories and the Institute for Engineering in Medicine, where his pioneering research continues to make a lasting impact in medicine and engineering.

A lifelong learner, Iaizzo earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Minnesota-Duluth, followed by a Ph.D. in neurophysiology

the Regional Rail Authority at $660,000 and the Land and Water Legacy Program at $1.2 million, the same as in previous years.

at the University of Minnesota. His thesis research was completed at the Mayo Clinic, where he later trained as an NIH Fellow. He was also honored as an Alexander von Humboldt Fellow in Germany.

Throughout his career, Iaizzo has trained more than 140 graduate students and has provided White Bear Lake Area High School students with the unique opportunity to tour and learn within the Visible Heart Laboratories for over 20 years. His efforts have inspired countless young people to pursue careers in science and medicine.

Beyond academia, Iaizzo has given back to his community in many ways. He and his wife Marge — married for 42 years — raised three daughters,

all White Bear graduates. He coached youth basketball and soccer for over a decade and enjoys spending time with his five grandchildren. His personal passions include beekeeping, foraging and black bear research, which he has pursued for nearly three decades.

“Dr. Iaizzo’s outstanding professional achievements and lifelong commitment to learning and mentorship embody what it means to be a Distinguished Alumnus,” said White Bear Lake Area High School Principal Russ Reetz. “We are proud to honor him as an example for our students and community.”

For more information about the Distinguished Alumni Award, visit https://wblalumni.com/wall-of-fame.

penditures of 299,943,900 in operating expenses, $117,457,900 in capital investments and $16,793,900 in debt service.

The county is planning capital investments in 2026 for the central yard waste site, Park Grove Library, electric vehicle charging stations, road construction and parks improvements.

The preliminary levy is an increase of 6.9% over 2025. The county tax rate will increase slightly from 23.9 in 2025 to 24.4 in 2026. Market appreciation and a slight decrease in new construction in 2025 are contributing factors to the increase in the tax rate.

It is anticipated that the owner of a median-valued home that had a median increase in value in the county would see a $41 increase in the county portion of property taxes for 2026, or a 4.2% increase from 2025. (The median-value home is valued at $423,700 in Pay 2026, which includes the median increase in value of 1.7% from 2025.)

The board also adopted a proposed budget for 2026, which includes ex-

Population growth in the county requires additional services in libraries and other programs that provide direct service to residents. Inflationary pressures for salaries and wages, fuel for vehicles and the increased cost of construction of buildings are also influencing budget requests.

The board will conduct a public hearing on the proposed budget and levy at 6 p.m. Dec. 2. The board is expected to adopt the budget, levy and capital improvement plan Dec. 16.

County receives Minnesota Governor’s Workplace Safety Award

Washington County received a silver achievement award in the annual Minnesota Governor’s Workplace Safety Awards, which recognize excellence in workplace safety and health.

Washington County received the award for having a consistent, outstanding record with incident rates that are better than the 50th percentile of the industry’s state and national average, and having a continuously improving and satisfactory safety program. The Minnesota Safety Council has over 3,800 member organizations.

Since 1934, the annual Minnesota Gover-

nor’s Workplace Safety Awards program has honored Minnesota companies and organizations that have exceptional safety performance. Applicants are judged on several years of injury data, as it compares with their industry’s state and national statistics, and on their progress in implementing a compre

hensive safety program. Washington County was one of the 244 employers to be honored through the awards program. In addition, over the past 34 years, Washington County has received the Minnesota Governor’s Workplace Safety Award 33 times.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

CURRENT EVENTS

BINGO

When: 10-11:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 2

Where: White Bear Area Senior Center

Details: Seniors can play Bingo; bring in a “gift” or unused gift card for the prize table. Contact: 651-653-3121 or whitebearseniorprogram.org

HUGO FIRE DEPARTMENT OPEN HOUSE

When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4

Where: Hugo Fire Station, 5323 140th St. N

Details: Annual open house includes bounce house, k-9 and fire safety demos, fire prevention poster contest, fire engine rides, raffles, popcorn and more. Don’t miss the Kids Fun Run at noon. Costumes are welcome.

Contact: 651-762-6362

HARVEST HOWL

When: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4

Where: Wildlife Science Center, 22830 Sunrise Road NE, Stacy

Details: Annual fundraising event features resident animals including wolves, raptors, bears and cougars, educational demos, local vendors, food and Brewstillery. Leashed dogs welcome. Contact: wildlifesciencecenter.org

RIVERTOWN ART FESTIVAL

When: Saturday, Oct. 4 and Sunday, Oct. 5

Where: Lowell Park, Stillwater

Details: More than 210 artist booths, live music, food, beer & wine tent and interactive activities. Free. Contact: greaterstillwaterchamber.com

FULL MOON FOREST BATHING

When: 7-9 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6

Where: Lake Elmo Park Reserve, 1515 Keats Ave. N., Lake Elmo

Details: Join us on an immersive, meditative, and awe-inspiring Japanese forest bathing experience (Shinrin-Yoku). Our guided walks offer thoughtful invitations, encouraging you to experience the forest in deeply personal and transformative ways. $45 per person plus $7 vehicle permit. Contact: 651-430-8370

CONSUMER ROAD SHOW SCAMS FOR SENIORS

When: 1-2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7

Where: White Bear Area Senior Center

Twin Cities Salvation Army kicks off ‘Coats For Kids’ campaign

The Salvation Army in the Twin Cities has launched its annual “Coats For Kids” campaign to collect warm weather gear for Twin Cities children in need. Due to continued higher costs for food, gas, rent and utilities, the cost of winter wear is an additional stressor for families who will be struggling with financial pressures again this winter.

The public can help by donating new or gently used coats for children and youth of all ages—as well as winter accessories like

Details: Overview of scams to watch out for and resources for customer assistance and filing complaints. Free. Contact: 651-653-3121 or whitebearseniorprogram.org

PUNKINMANIA

When: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11

Where: Mahtomedi District Education Center and Veteran’s Memorial Park

Details: Outdoor, community event with painted pumpkins for sale, games, crafts, fire trucks, food, refreshments and more. Sponsored by the Wildwood Lions Club and Kramer-Berg American Legion Post 507.

STILLWATER HARVEST FEST

When: Saturday, Oct. 11 and Sunday, Oct. 12

Where: Downtown Stillwater along St. Croix River Details: Giant pumpkin weigh-off, pumpkin drop, pumpkin regatta, live music, vendor market, kid’s activities, food, beer and wine garden. Contact: harvestfeststillwater.com

ONGOING EVENTS

WHITE BEAR LAKE FARMERS MARKET

When: 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Fridays

Where: Clark Ave., between Second Street and Third Street

Details: A tradition since the 1970s, the farmers’ market features more than 50 vendors.

Contact: whitebearlake.org or 651-429-8526

HUGO SENIOR CITIZENS PLAY ‘500’

When: 12:45 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2 and 16; and the 1st, 3rd and 5th Thursday of every month

Where: Rice Lake Centre, 6900 137th Street N. Details: Games begin at 12:45 p.m. Refreshments and coffee served. All senior citizens from the area invited. Contact: Barb at 651-592-0369 or barbconnolly1958@ yahoo.com

CRIBBAGE

When: 12:45 p.m. Oct. 6; the 1st and 4th Monday of every month

Where: Rice Lake Centre, 6900 137th St. N., Hugo Details: Senior citizens from Hugo and surrounding area are invited to an afternoon of cribbage. Coffee and refreshments served. Contact: Alice at 651-429-4413

hats, mittens, gloves, boots and snow pants. Coats are needed in all sizes, including adult sizes for high school-aged youth. The “Coats For Kids” drive runs through Saturday, Oct. 11.

“As the cost of living continues to rise, more families are finding it harder to afford even the basics,” said Lt. Colonel Randall Polsley, Salvation Army Northern Division commander. The Northern Division serves Minnesota and North Dakota.

CHURCH DIRECTORY

“Too often, parents are forced to choose between paying bills, buying groceries or keeping their children warm. Our annual coat drive helps lift that burden, making sure kids have the protection they need

CHURCH DIRECTORY

to face the cold months ahead.” Coats and other winter wear can be dropped off at:

• Salvation Army Division Headquarters, 2445 Prior Ave. N., Roseville

• Maplewood Salvation Army, 2080 Woodlynn Ave., Maplewood

• Blaine Salvation Army at Anoka County Service Center, 1201 89th Ave. NE, Blaine

The Salvation Army’s Coats for Kids campaign has helped keep children warm for over 30 years. In that time, supporters have donated nearly 500,000 coats and accessories to aid families in need. Families that need coats this winter or those who want more information should visit GiveCoats.org.

Oct. 4th | 10 – 4pm

Hugo Oktoberfest craft & vendor show

• Beer and Grill Tent

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4

Where: American Legion Post 620, 5383 140th St. N, Hugo

Details: Fall colors, great food, good music, ice cold beer or your favorite beverage … then add some awesome crafters and vendors and what do you have? Hugo Oktoberfest Craft Show. The 8th annual indoor/outdoor event will feature approximately 70 crafters/vendors. Event will include an outdoor grill tent along with a Bloody Mary and beer tent and games.

Contact: 651-255-1432

CALENDAR BRIEF

Kindergarten preview day

Start your child on the path to a smooth transition to kindergarten. Join Centennial Schools for Kindergarten Preview Day from 9:45 to 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 23 at your neighborhood school. You and your future kindergartener will take a guided tour with the principal, get a sneak peek of the school; play on the playground and get comfortable with future classmates; connect with families. RSVP online at www.isd12.org/enroll-today/kindergarten-registration.

OKTOBERFEST

St. Mark Fellowship Hall

1 North Rd. Circle Pines

Sunday October 5th 10:30am-Noon

Come for worship... stay for the German food, games, entertainment, & fellowship

Meal: $5 (kids 6 and under $2)

Walkommen!

My little heart dog

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

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

Shannon’s Shenanigans

Shannon Granholm

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

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

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

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

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

Shannon Granholm is the Managing Editor at Press Publications.

WMovers & Shakers

hen I was twelve years old my dad and a pilot friend of his took me on a flight in a Cessna 172. The pilot encouraged me to move the yoke to see what happens and I found myself in climbs, banks and dives. Feeling the g-forces and watching the ground and sky was absolutely exhilarating. The entire flight took only a few minutes yet it remains one of my most formative experiences.  Fast forward 20 years and it’s finally feasible to take flying lessons. I also learned that the vast majority of people who start flight training never complete. This is sometimes due to cost but mostly because it just scares them.

But most things worth doing are difficult so I thought, let’s do this. At the time there was an outfit called Anoka Flight Training. There I met my instructor Tom and we arranged our first flight a

The itch to fly

few days later. The day came and he explained that the students do most of the flying. So, on that first flight, I taxied to the runway (you drive an airplane on the ground with your feet, so that was odd), made the radio calls and took off. We went up north and did some mild banks and climbs and it was all very tame. When we returned, he landed the plane and my thought was how can this possibly scare anyone? But I didn’t know what was coming.

A few flights later Tom said that we were going to start on stalls. Now here it’s important to explain a little about what a stall is. Airplanes fly because the pressure on the bottom of the wing is greater than the pressure on the top. This is the case as long as air is flowing over the wing at the correct angle and speed. Disrupt either and the plane stops flying.  Tom explained all this to me, but I didn’t quite anticipate the reality. We started out in level flight at full power and he told me to gently pull back on the yoke. This caused the plane to climb, and I remember feeling heavy in the seat. After a few more gentle pulls on the yoke, it happened; the wings stalled and the plane stopped flying and started fall-

ing. One second you feel heavy in the seat and the next you have almost no weight at all.  You are falling out of the sky, but you are still inside an airplane. It made the wildest rollercoaster tame by comparison. It also scared my socks off.

Tom recovered the plane easily and informed me that I had just experienced my first stall. He correctly sensed that I had had enough so we called it a day. I told him that I’d call him to schedule our next lesson but subconsciously I really had no plans to call. That triggered a bit of a crisis on the way home. I understood why flying scared people, but I’d had the itch to fly for a long time. Fortunately, a night’s sleep tends to give perspective and I ultimately called Tom back for that next lesson. We did more types of aggressive maneuvers, but they scared me less and less as my knowledge and skills increased. By the time I took the pilot’s test, I found them exhilarating. Like that first airplane ride when I was twelve.

Paul Lundh is a longtime resident of Centerville and a periodic columnist for the Citizen Press.

visits the cardiologist for an echocardiogram.

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THE CITIZEN | ELECTION LETTER GUIDELINES

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NAMES IN THE NEWS

Wildlife Forever and ‘Into the Outdoors’ nominated for EMMY Award

In partnership with “Into the Outdoors,” a youth education television program of Discover Mediaworks, the show “Real-life Case Files!” has been nominated for best short and long form content in the Children/Youth/Teen Award division. The 67th Chicago/ Midwest Emmy Awards will take place on Saturday, Nov. 1.

“Through an innovative partnership with Into the Outdoors, the Getting Families Fishing and Boating Initiative, and the U.S. Coast Guard, “Case Files” highlights critical boating safety information and the important work of the U.S. Coast Guard. It also highlights the importance of conservation and organizations such as the Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Aquarium for efforts to conserve marine wildlife,” said Pat Conzemius, president and CEO of Wildlife Forever.

CONSTRUCTION BRIEF

Stop sign added to intersection as part of construction project

The intersection at Birch Street and 20th Avenue in Lino Lakes is now an all-way stop in response to the County Road J and I-35E interchange project. Before, there was only one stop sign at Birch Street, which made it difficult for those turning left onto northbound 20th Avenue because of increased traffic.

HUGO BITS AND PIECES

• Kyle Anderson has resigned from the Hugo Fire Department. Anderson was hired in December 2023. In his resignation letter, Anderson noted he would like to spend more time with family and friends.

• The Hugo Fire Department will replace its self-contained breathing apparatus filling station. The current filling station has been used for over 25 years and needs to be replaced due to age and breakdowns, according to Fire Chief Jim Compton Jr. The department received three quotes and decided to go with MacQueen for $62,762.

• The City Council has a longstanding history of following the flat tax rate policy when setting the city’s property tax levy. For 2026, the city plans to continue this approach, which provides for no increase in the urban tax rate. According to Finance Director Anna Wobse, the total proposed 2026 property tax levy of $13,567,000 will keep the urban tax rate at 39.107.

MDAN ads to run ONE TIME,

• Hugo American Legion Post 620 will host its annual Oktoberfest celebration Saturday, Oct. 4. (See calendar listing for more information.)

• The city continues to pay its bills for the 2025 Beaver Ponds street improvement project. Most recently, the council authorized pay request No. 2 for $789,861 to Northwest Asphalt Inc. City Engineer Mark Erichson said the project is substantially complete and only has minor punch list items remaining.

• The Parks Commission is recommending the council approve the purchase of 16 new park monument signs for $20,980. One of the 2025 goals of the Parks Commission was to install new park signs according to the park sign replacement plan. The majority of active and passive parks in Hugo either do not have a sign at their entrance or their sign is in disrepair. New signs were installed this summer at Hugo Public Works, Irish Avenue Park and Diamond Point Park. The council

ultimately approved the purchase.

• The park in the Oneka Prairie Development has officially been named Prairie Park per the recommendation of the Parks Commission. In June 2023, the council approved the final plat and development agreement for Southwind Holdings LLC on the property located at 16345 Everton Ave. N. for Oneka Prairie. The developer dedicated 0.62 acres of parkland and paid fees to satisfy the park dedication requirement. Prior to dedication, the developer installed a small playground and landscaped the park. The city has since taken over maintenance, and the park is now available for public use. At its meeting last in August, the Parks Commission discussed having a name affiliated with the development and the surrounding landscape. Members did not wish to include “Oneka” in the park name due to the frequency in which it is used and the existing Oneka Lake Park.

• A reminder that the 19th annual city bus tour is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 4. Those who want to attend should RSVP by contacting Associate Planner Max Gort at mgort@ci.hugo.mn.us or 651-762-6311. That same day, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. the Hugo Fire Department will host its open house at the fire station. (See calendar listing for more information.)

The next City Council meeting will be at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6, at City Hall.

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Your newspaper has agreed to participate in the Minnesota Display Ad Network program by running these ads in the main news section of your newspaper (not the classified section of your newspaper). At times, advertisers may request a specific section. However, the decision is ultimately up to each newspaper. Ads may need to be decreased/increased slightly in size to fit your column sizes. Please do not bill for these ads. If you have questions, please call MNA at 612/332-8844. Thank you.

COPS&COURTS

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office reported the following calls for service:

• The week of July 28-Aug. 9 was a good news/bad news week for the citizens of Hugo regarding incidents involving the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies were not spending their time having to deal with major crimes. However, that left them with lots of time to patrol the streets.

Deputies conducted four traffic stops for violations other than expired registration during the week. A motorist in the 5000 block of 150th Street N. at 5:03 p.m. July 28 received a written warning for using the shoulder to pass another vehicle. A second motorist was cited for using a wireless communication device while driving on Highway 61 at 152nd Street N. at 6:49 p.m. July 30. A third motorist was cited for careless driving at 12:31 a.m. Aug. 1 in the 4000 block of Europa Trail N.

• An e-bike was reported stolen at 7:50 a.m. July 31 from the 6000 block of 150th Street N.

most egregious expiration of which was May 2024.

Registered owners found tickets under their windshield wipers, in their hand or in the mail. For some drivers, the citation included other offenses, such as driving after revocation, equipment violations and failure to provide proof of insurance. The earliest ticket was issued at 2:28 a.m. Aug. 4. The impact was felt far and wide, as a motorist from Florida was also in on the fun.

• A resident in the 14000 block of Fitzgerald Avenue N. at 2:46 p.m. Aug. 4 reported a bank account opened using his name. No monetary loss had occurred at the time of the report. A resident in the 4000 block of Empress Way N. at 4:17 p.m. Aug. 6 reported a scam.

• A motorist on the phone was cited at 8:25 p.m. Aug. 6 in the 5000 block of Frenchman Road for failure to signal a turn, as well as using a wireless communication device while driving.

the vehicle turn right on red without stopping and cutting off vehicles that had the green arrow.

• Deputies took a call at 4:08 p.m. Aug. 7 from a Wisconsin resident wondering about activities at Fountain Avenue N. that involved a Wisconsin custody court ruling and wondering whether the case could now be adjudicated in Minnesota. Deputies advised the caller that each state is its own jurisdiction, and that people could not go state shopping to look for a more favorable decision. Furthermore, deputies themselves were powerless to overturn court decisions from another state.

• A motorist with an unmounted front plate was pulled over at 3:42 p.m. Aug. 8 on Forest Blvd. N. and 165th Street N. During the stop, deputies noticed a marijuana grinder in plain view and conducted a vehicle search for pot. Deputies issued a written warning for the license plate and grinder in the vehicle.

and Frenchman Road was not allowed, he was cited.

• In the Case of the Meandering Milker, deputies on patrol on Frenchman Road and Oneka Parkway at 8:54 p.m. Aug. 13 observed a cow loose from a nearby pasture and in the middle of the road. Deputies paid a visit to alert the homeowners, and all was well.

• A motorist on 147th Street N. and Forest Blvd. N. was cited at 10:09 p.m. Aug. 13 for driving after revocation and for not carrying proof of insurance, after deputies conducted a traffic stop for a missing headlight.

• A motorist along Keystone Avenue N. at Lynch Road N. was arrested at midnight Aug. 15 for gross misdemeanor no proof of insurance after being pulled over for poor driving conduct. During the traffic stop, deputies discovered the driver had two prior convictions for failure to provide proof of insurance during the past 10 years.

• Motorists, possibly thinking that the city of Hugo was a sanctuary city for not paying the annual vehicle registration, paid the price during the week of July 30-Aug. 9, as deputies cited 13 motorists throughout the city for the tardy tabs, the

• Deputies on patrol at 10:24 p.m. Aug. 6 in the 9000 block of 170th Street N. observed “a vehicle taking an egregious turn crossing the fog line” and conducted a traffic stop after the vehicle picked up speed. Radar confirmed the speed at 64 mph in a 55 mph zone. The driver was unable to provide proof of insurance and was cited for several offenses.

• A motorist in the 14000 block of Victor Hugo Blvd. N. was cited at 11:17 p.m. Aug. 6 for failure to stop at a traffic control signal. Deputies were unable to pull the vehicle over and mailed a citation to the registered owner.

• A male was arrested at 5:17 p.m. Aug. 8 in a bank parking lot in the 14000 block of Victor Hugo Blvd. N., after a bank manager approached deputies to say the male had just tried to cash a fraudulent check. When deputies found the male, he admitted to trying to cash the fraudulent check.

• A visiting son in the 7000 block of 125th Street N. at 6:43 p.m. Aug. 8 reported his parents’ neighbors for harassing him when he comes to visit. The latest incident involved the neighbors driving ahead of the complainant dumping juice out their window onto the street in front of him. The complainant wanted the ongoing issues documented.

COPS&COURTS

• A Minnesota motorist was cited at 7:58 a.m. Aug. 7 for failure to stop at a traffic control device at southbound Forest Blvd. N. at 147th Street N., after northbound deputies with the green light observed

Department reported the

Sept. 10 regarding intersection of Lake Drive Pines. to a property dam7000 block of 20th arrived, took inforexchange of information injuries reported minor. school bus stop arm viVillage Parkway in investigated and determined violation.

0 block of West for a noise coma property the 9000 block of Police spoke with a information for a report. was dispatched Sept. of West Golden report of an abanexit.

reported the followreport of illegal Center Parkway. contacted and advised responded to a resof Orange Street suspect was arrested report of two the 2300 block of arrived and checked

the dogs, who did not appear to be in distress. The owner was informed of the complaint.

• An officer took a report of theft from motor vehicle Sept. 8 that occurred in the 7500 block of Norway Lane. The officer investigated and found there was no suspect information available.

• An officer responded Sept. 8 to a phone call fraud report in the 1500 block of Holly Drive. The officer investigated and determined the reporting party was not out any money. No suspects were identified.

• Officers responded Sept. 8 to a delayed report of theft in the 700 block of Apollo Drive from a local business. After investigating, the suspect was mailed a citation for theft.

• Officers responded Sept. 8 to a report of a disorderly male in a parking lot in the 700 block of Apollo Drive. Officers made contact with the male and issued him a citation for disorderly conduct.

• While on patrol Sept. 9, an officer conducted a traffic stop in the 7100 block of Otter Lake Road and cited the driver for littering.

• While on patrol Sept. 9, an officer conducted a traffic stop in the 7400 block of 20th Avenue. The male driver was arrested on an outstanding warrant from another agency. The male was transported and booked at jail.

• An officer responded Sept. 9 to a traffic complaint involving a school bus in the 7700 block of Lake Drive. The bus company was contacted and notified of the complaint.

• Officers responded Sept. 11 to a report of a suspi cious vehicle parked on a residential street in the 6500 block of Lacasse Drive. Officers made contact with the owners of the vehicle and determined there was no crime.

• A motorist was arrested on a warrant at 9:42 a.m. Aug. 9 on Elmcrest Avenue and 170th Street N. following a traffic stop.

under investigation.

• A driver who caused an accident at the intersection of 140th Street N. and Forest Blvd. N. at 10:02 p.m. Aug. 9 was cited for failure to yield the right of way.

• Officers responded Sept. 11 to a report of a runaway female juvenile in the 100 block of Morgan Lane. The juvenile was later located by law enforcement and provided a courtesy transport home.

• Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a motorist for DWI at midnight Aug. 10 on Frenchman Road and Everton Avenue N., following a traffic stop on a vehicle that was unable to maintain its lane.

• Officers responded Sept. 11 to a traffic complaint involving a business in a residential neighborhood near the intersection of Highland Drive and Arlo Lane. Officers made contact with the company and advised them of the complaint.

• Deputies arrested a motorist on a warrant at 2:57 p.m. Aug. 15 in the 5000 block of 149th Street N.

• Residents in the 15000 block of Falk Drive N. at 11:40 a.m. Aug. 16 reported a male unknown to them for knocking on their door and asking for tax information. While at the door, the stranger found whatever information he was looking for on the internet. It is unclear whether the visitor was looking for the complainants’ personal information or was seeking general advice and thought the complainant to be some sort of financial adviser on demand.

• Deputies on stationary patrol on Oneka Parkway N. and Falcon Circle N. at 5:55 p.m. Aug. 16 cited a motorist for blowing through a stop sign at a high rate of speed. After being pulled over, the driver said he didn’t see the stop sign.

• Officers were advised Sept. 11 by another law enforcement agency that a Lino Lakes resident made a threat of violence toward a school. The incident was investigated, and a juvenile was arrested in the 400 block of Andall Street.

• An officer responded Sept. 11 to a report of harassment in the 7900 block of Henry Lane. The case is

intersection of Lexington Avenue and Main Street that resulted in 22 arrests. According to the Blaine Police De partment, the operation focused on identifying and arresting individuals attempting to engage in sexual activity with a minor in exchange for payment. Officers posed as an underage female and communicated via text message with more than 460 individuals. During the course of the operation, 22 individ-

uals traveled to a designated

• An officer was dispatched Sept. 12 to a gas station in the 7500 block of Lake Drive to check on a female who was acting strangely. The female left the area prior to the officer’s arrival. The officer investigated and determined no apparent crime had been committed.

• The owner of a wallet lost in Duluth over the weekend at 5:44 p.m. Aug. 10 reported it tracking to the 14000 block of Victor Hugo Blvd. N. Deputies located the wallet at the Victor Hugo address and spoke to the homeowner, who said she found the wallet and was trying to get in contact with the owner.

• An officer are investigating a delayed report of theft Sept. 12 in the 6800 block of Sunrise Drive.

• Officers responded Sept. 13 to a report of a suspicious group of people who were egging a car in the 7700 block of Meadow View Trail. The suspects were not identified, and the vehicle owner was provided with a case number.

• Officers and the fire department responded Sept. 13 to a report of a possible explosion that was heard in the 6500 block of Hokah Drive. The area was checked, and no problems were found.

• In the Case of the Long-Leashed Lab, a resident in the 5000 block of 145th Street N. at 2:06 p.m. Aug. 11 reported that while she was biking in the neighborhood, a neighbor’s dog charged at her in an aggressive manner, causing her to fall off her bike. The complainant said the dog was at the end of a very long cable. When deputies spoke to the dog’s owner, she said she was aware of the incident and has since shortened the cable.

• License plates were reported stolen from the 12000 block of Farnham Avenue N. at 7:53 p.m. Aug. 11.

• Officers responded Sept. 14 to a report of a neighbor dispute in the 200 block of Stallion Lane. Officers spoke with parties involved and arrested an adult male for DWI. The male was booked at jail for second-degree DWI and alcohol content of 0.08 or more within two hours.

• A business financial card was reported stolen at 11:43 a.m. Aug. 12 from the 4000 block of Empress Way and used in White Bear Township.

• An officer responded Sept. 14 to a report of an attack by an animal in the 7300 block of Leonard Avenue. The victim did not need ambulance assistance. The owner of the animal was issued a citation.

• An officer responded Sept. 14 to a report of a single-vehicle motor crash that occurred near the intersection of 20th Avenue and 80th Street. No injuries were noted, and the vehicle was towed.

• Deputies on barrier patrol for vehicles cutting through the construction barriers along Highway 61 at 9:53 p.m. Aug. 12 observed a vehicle drive straight through the barricaded area without hesitation. The driver told deputies he was told he could drive through with his vehicle, even though his was not an emergency vehicle.

Because the driver failed to see the multiple orange and white signs indicating that travel between 140th Street N.

• A frantic mother in the 6000 block of 157th Street N. at 6:15 p.m. Aug. 16 reported that her daughter, 2, had somehow locked everyone out of the house. Luckily, mom had access to a phone and deputies were summoned, arriving at the same time as a helpful neighbor. Deputies advised the mom that the quickest, cheapest way to get in would be to simply kick the door down, using deputies’ strong legs and boots, which were all free of charge. The helpful neighbor convinced mom to cut open the sheetrock, strip the door trim and gut some of the caulk out of the lock mechanism. After the locks did not retract into the mechanism, deputies took aim and kicked the door open. Mother and child were reunited, but the door repair bill was made a bit more extensive than originally planned.

• A motorist was arrested on multiple warrants at 9:44 p.m. Aug. 16 after deputies conducting stationary patrol near the road construction area between 140th Street and Frenchman Road observed the subject drive through the barricaded roadway and pulled him over.

During the traffic stop the driver appeared nervous and gave deputies false information. As soon as deputies realized the information was false, they detained the driver until they learned his real name. The reason for the nervousness and false information became clear, because the driver was canceled and had warrants out on him. Giving false information and his poor driving conduct also contributed to his arrest.

Loretta Harding

andArts Culture

A CONVERSATION WITH: BRAYLON LANE

BY LOGAN GION CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Children’s Performing Arts’ newest staff member is Education and Programming Coordinator

Braylon Lane, who, this past January, took White Bear Lake Area High School to state for the Competitive One Act Play for the first time in 13 years. While Lane is at CPA full-time, he is also continuing as advisor to the high school’s newly established Theatre Guild along with Wendy Suoja and Anna Haselmann.

“The Theatre Guild is basically a club name for the program,” Lane explained. “Everybody else in our section operates as a theater club. (White Bear) has been very separate up until this point.” Now, high schoolers who participate in multiple productions can letter in theater and will have their accomplishments and participation recorded like any other activity or sport.

Lane believes that his roles at the high school and at CPA will synergize student

opportunities. High school students, for instance, can take curiosity garnered from the school’s fall musical and learn introductory directing and stage management during a class offered at CPA this October. In turn, those same students can apply that knowledge with Odelis Garcia Anderson during her

AAssistant Directing Program for grades 9-12 in tandem with the middle school spring musical. In years to come, Lane hopes that high school level classes offered at CPA could earn college credit.

Of course, Lane also has plenty in store at CPA for elementary and middle schoolers. Grades 4-7 have an opportunity this October to take Beginner Acting Techniques, a class geared towards children interested in auditioning for TV or stage roles. Teaching Specialist Laura Paulson is also running Saturday Morning Drop-In classes for grades K-2. “Lauren will have a storybook picked out, and then it’s page to stage,” Lane described, elaborating that the class becomes exploratory for the children. “‘How can we, as kids, take this storybook create something physically on stage?’”

Even with all of these classes, programs and obligations, Lane reported feeling calm and comfortable.

“I’m very happy where I’m at. I’m very happy that I’m here,” Lane said.

LAKESHORE PLAYERS HAS AUDIENCES SEEING ‘RED’

BY LOGAN GION CONTRIBUTING WRITER

rt usually requires the artist to be vulnerable—then subjects that vulnerability to public criticism, which determines its value. Such is the premise of “Red,” a play being staged in Lakeshore Players’ black box theater now through Oct. 12.

Unlike a traditional stage, a black box theater has black floors and curtained walls as well as flexible seating, which gives audience members an stripped-down, intimate viewing experience. In the case of “Red,” the entire 90-minute play takes place in artist Mark Rothko’s studio as he takes on a new assistant to help him paint murals for a famous restaurant. Director Jess Yates believes the black box staging will make the audience feel as close to the main character’s art as the artist himself does.

“We got very lucky in that Justin Hooper, who is playing Rothko, is a professional painter,” revealed Yates. “They don’t only paint on stage, they build canvases from scratch… You get to watch the process from step one.”

The scenes that make up “Red” then happen further and deeper into Rothko’s artistic process, with his new assistant getting under his skin along the way. “You’re getting right as these people meet each other, then months later, then a year later,” lists Yates. “It’s really cool to see how we develop their

relationship over time.”

Though the characters’ relationship becomes fraught, Yates believes her primary responsibility as director is to create a safe and creative playground for her cast. “I truly believe I will never understand an individual character better than the actor playing them,” Yates stated. “The structure I add— staging, timing, design choices—is all built to support that story without putting my commentary into these characters.”

This approach has allowed Yates to chart a directorial career at Lakeshore Players free of genre constrictions. In 2024, Yates directed the political biography “What the Constitution Means to Me.” Earlier this year, she helmed The Office-esque comedy “The Book Club Play.” “Red” marks another swerve, veering into psychological drama. Instead of a specific genre, Yates finds herself attracted to material with clashing viewpoints. “No matter what I'm doing, I like to look for stories where you're getting different perspectives, rubbing up against each other in surprising ways,” Yates explained.

With “Red” specifically, Yates is grateful to work with a script that is a love letter to the artistic process. “I think this has been such a gift. How often do a room full of artists get to come together and work on the art they love, that honors the love of art?”

“Red” runs from Sept. 26-Oct. 12 at the Hanifl Performing Arts Center Black Box Theater. For more information, visit lakeshoreplayers.org.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY UNEARTHS GRAVE MATTERS WITH ‘STORIES FROM THE STONES’

BY LOGAN GION

WRITER

CONTRIBUTING

This time of year, residents usually ask Executive Director Sara Hanson if White Bear Lake Area Historical Society is doing anything spooky. While Hanson would not describe the society’s upcoming library program “Stories from the Stones” as frightening, it uses Halloween as an opportunity to explore local cemeteries and the notable figures who reside in them.

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR FALL THEATER CLASSES

All classes take place at Hanifl Performing Arts Center, 4941 Long Ave., White Bear Lake. To register, visit childrensperformingartsmn.org/classes-workshops

BEGINNER ACTING TECHNIQUES

Grades: 4-7

Dates: 5-6:30 p.m., Wednesdays and Fridays, Oct. 1-31

INTRODUCTION TO DIRECTING AND STAGE MANAGEMENT

Grades: 8-12

Dates: 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, Oct. 2-30

PIZZA PERFORMANCE POP UPS

Grades: 6-12

Dates: 6-9 p.m. Saturdays, Oct. 11 and Nov. 22

SATURDAY MORNING DROP-IN

Grades: K-2

Dates: 9:30-11:30 a.m. Saturdays Oct. 18, Nov. 1 and Dec. 13

OCTOBER EVENTS

LAURA E. MIGLIORINO: RETROSPECTIVE AND REFLECTION

Location: Century College West Campus, 3401 Century Ave. N.

Dates: Exhibit open now-Dec. 11; Artist Talk 12-1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14

Details: Laura Migliorino has been an exhibiting artist for over 30 years, mainly in photography and collage. Her works are in the collections of the Walker Art Center and The Warehouse in Atlanta. Her work has been featured in national newspapers and exhibited in New York City, London and Rome. View her storied career in the Niche Gallery at Century College.

IGNACIO ‘NACHITO’ HERRERA IN CONCERT

Location: McNeely Music Center, 4910 Hwy 61 N.

Date: 7:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27

Details: The McNeely Music Center will have its first public event. Grammy-and-Emmywinning, world-renowned piano virtuoso and White Bear Lake resident of 20 years Ignacio “Nachito” Herrera will perform Cuban and Latin Jazz melodies live in concert. Register online at mmcwbl.org/events

GANGSTER BUS TOUR

Location: White Bear Lake Armory, 2228 Fourth St.

Dates: 10 and 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25

“(The program is) a sampler, if you will.” Hanson described. “There are four main cemeteries around White Bear— St. Mary’s, the Catholic one; St. John’s, the Episcopal one; Union, the public one; and Lakeview, which is in Mahtomedi.”

“Stories from the Stones” promises to cover tales both new and old. “Over at Lakeview Cemetery, we tell the story of Tom and Winnie Stick, who were the proprietors of the Picadilly restaurant in Mahtomedi for decades,” Hanson shared. “They passed away in this century.” Stretching back, the program will also cover the earliest burials in town, including Civil War veterans. Hanson will also discuss the Native American burial mounds discovered in the late 1800s, relocated to Union in 1889, and properly marked a century later.

Markings in general will be a running theme throughout the program. “In addition to the people, I like to talk

about cemetery symbolism, the art on the stones and the customs,” Hanson added. “You’ve probably seen lambs for children, but there are other things. Sometimes they’ll have logs on there, symbolic of the tree of life cut short… Cemeteries have a culture all of their own.”

Hanson’s aim, then, is not to stoke fear, but appreciation with “Stories from the Stones.” “There’s history all around us,” she said. “You just might not know you’re looking at it.”

“Stories from the Stones” will be from 6-7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27, at the White Bear Lake Library, 2150 Second St. The event is free to attend, put on with support from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Details: Everyone's favorite tour is back. Come along for an adventurous outing to explore the hideouts and haunts of the 1930s-era gangsters who laid low in the cottages around White Bear and Bald Eagle Lakes. Sights include a Mahtomedi speakeasy and the location of a notorious dance.

‘THE CON’

Location: Chautauqua Fine Arts Center, 8000 75th St. N., Mahtomedi

Dates: 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26

Details: Mahtomedi Middle School performs this hilarious heist whodunit, in which a rare first-issue comic is up for grabs. Through a series of vignettes set at a comic convention, audience members will spy the underlying main scheme as it progresses in the background. This clever Comic-Con caper will have you laughing and guessing throughout.

Or use our selection

Sundays YOGA in the VINES 10a-11A Saint Croix Vineyards

Tuesdays Yoga Class 6p-7p Rustic Roots Winery

Tuesdays Rotating Trivia & Bingo 6:30 Rustic Roots Winery

Wednesdays Keychain Kash All Day Big Wood Brewery

Oct 2 Soccer Shots 5p-7p Belle Ame Vineyard

Oct 2 Trivia Night 6:30-8p Dragonfly Winery

Oct 4 Beauty & Brews Mobile Medspa 2p – 5p Big Wood Brewery

Oct 4 Renfaire Day White Bear Meadery

Oct 5 Music: Michael August 2p-5p

Oct 6 Fall Styled Shoot 9a -5p

Oct 7 Music: Jennifer Grimm & Joe Cruz 4:30-7p

Oct 9 Soccer Shots 5p-7p

7 Vines Vineyard

Belle Ame Vineyard

7 Vines Vineyard

Belle Ame Vineyard

Oct 9 Keys and Corks – Dueling Pianos 5:30-9p Rustic Roots Winery

Oct 9 Music: Maddie Forsythe 6p-8p

Oct 10 Soccer Shots 5p-7p

Oct 11 Riverdale’s Travel Wedding Even 10:30a-4p

Belle Ame Vineyard

Belle Ame Vineyard

Belle Ame Vineyard

Oct 11 Morbid Makers market 12-5p White Bear Meadery

Oct 12 Paint and Sip Wine Glass 11a-1p Saint Croix Vineyards

Oct 12 MN Bride Open House 12p-4p

Oct 12 Music: PK Mayo & Band 2p-5p

Oct 15 Music: Josh Quinn & Rose Duffey 5p-8p

Oct 16

Oct 16

Belle Ame Vineyard

7 Vines Vineyard

7 Vines Vineyard

Monthly Farmers Market 4-7p Rustic Roots Winery

Hat Lady Event-Stephanie Murphy 5:30-7:30

Oct 16 Trivia Nigh 6:30-8p

Oct 16 Soccer Shots 5p-7p

Oct 17 Soccer Shots 5p-7p

Oct 17

Halloween Movie Marathon 5p-9p

Belle Ame Vineyard

Dancing Dragonfly Winery

Belle Ame Vineyard

Belle Ame Vineyard

Belle Ame Vineyard

Oct 17 Plant & Sip 6-8:30p

Oct 19 Fall Market 11a-3p

Oct 19

Music: Steve Poynter 2p-5p

Oct 22 Music: Tim Cheesebrow 5p-8p

Dancing Dragonfly Winery

Belle Ame Vineyard

7 Vines Vineyard

7 Vines Vineyard

Oct 23 Soccer Shots 5p-7p Belle Ame Vineyard

Oct 23 Music: Ryan Sullivan 5p-8p Belle Ame Vineyard

Oct 24 Puzzle Night 6p-8p Belle Ame Vineyard

Oct 24 Music: Cole Thomas 5p-8p

7 Vines Vineyard

Oct 25 Wine-O-Ween 12p Saint Croix Vineyards

Oct 26 Music: Gary LaRue 2p-5p

7 Vines Vineyard

Oct 26 Wine and Canvas Painting 11a Saint Croix Vineyards

Oct 26 Fall Market 11a-3p Belle Ame Vineyard

Oct 28 Music: Billy McLaughlin 5p-8p

Oct 29 Music: Becky Rae 5p-8p

7 Vines Vineyard

7 Vines Vineyard

Oct 29 Monthly Book Club Meeting 5:30-6:30p Rustic Roots Winery

Oct 30 Music: Mark Stary 5p-8p

7 Vines Vineyard

Oct 30 Murder at the Vineyard-Show 6p-9p Belle Ame Vineyard

Oct 31 Halloween Contest 4p-8p Belle Ame Vineyard

Nov 11 Holiday Market 2p- 6p

Big Wood Brewery

White Bear Schools enrollment up for K-8, extended day; down for 9-12

BY LOGAN GION CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Opening week enrollment numbers for ISD 624 revealed a 22-student increase for grades K-5, a 22-student increase for grades 6-8 and a 90-student decrease for grades 9-12. Enrollment in the district’s extended day programs increased by 130 students and cut its waitlist by 81%.

Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations Tim Wald explained that fluctuations in birth rates account for the secondary school results. “People are having less children,” Wald said, “and that’s a statewide trend … We knew we were graduating a much larger senior class than we were transferring and moving up.” Wald holds that the same principle is true for grades 6-8; the incoming sixth grade class is much larger than last year’s eighth-grade class.

Wald credited increased K-5 enrollment to multiple factors. First, increasing population on the north end of the district boosted nearby schools. Oneka Elementary, for example, increased by nearly 24 students. Second, the Spanish dual immersion program stabilized Matoska’s numbers

PUBLIC SAFETY BRIEF

Hunters come upon house fire in Hugo

The Hugo Fire Department responded to a report of a vacant home on fire in the 12300 block of Goodview Ave. N. in Hugo at approximately 5:41 p.m. Sept. 21. Upon their arrival, fire could be seen coming from the windows and doors of the first floor.

According to Fire Chief Jim Compton Jr., hunters

on the property found the vacant house on fire and called 9-1-1. When fire crews arrived, they set up a defensive fire attack to fight the fire from the outside due to a compromised floor and safety concerns.

Automatic Aid was received from Stillwater, Mahtomedi, White Bear Lake, Lino Lakes and Scandia Fire Departments to assist with shuttling water to the scene, as there were no fire hydrants in the area.

after a small kindergarten class last year and increased Otter Lake’s numbers by 10. Third, more families are returning to White Bear’s schools after the pandemic. “The numbers aren’t finalized yet, but we think we’ll see a bit of a downtick in homeschool numbers,” Wald stated. “Some of those families are sending their kids back to school.”

More families are also keeping their kids after school. Director of Community Services Tim Mau er reported that White Bear’s extended day and community education and recreation programs increased from 750 in fall 2023 to 1,010 in fall 2025. Simultaneously, the waitlist for the programs shrank from 390 to 33 in the same time period. Mauer stated that he appreciated the work the department has done to build partnerships across buildings and to fill staffing needs.

Board Member Dan Skaar said, “That’s a reduc tion in the waitlist of 90%. That’s impressive … Investments that we made in the facilities translat ed into real benefits.”

Logan Gion is a contributing writer for Press Publi cations. He can be reached at savoureditor@press

CHURCH BRIEF

An ambulance from M Health Fairview was on scene for firefighter safety and the Wash ington County Sheriff Office also assisted with information gathering. Crews were on scene for a few hours.  There were no reported injuries, and the home sustained substantial damage. The fire is under investigation by the Minnesota State Fire Marshal Division’s inves tigations team.

Volunteers clean up Frenchman Road

A few volunteers from New Life Church – Lutheran recently picked up the trash along Frenchman Road to help take care of the community. The church sponsors Frenchman Road as a part of Minnesota’s Adopt-A-Highway program.

BRUCE STRAND | CONTRIBUTED

The Bears celebrate after pulling out game three 26-24 against Woodbury.

Bears volleyball 8-4, beat Royals

White Bear Lake fended off Woodbury 25-8, 23-25, 2624, 25-18 at home Monday, improving to 8-4 overall and 2-2 in the conference. Woodbury (6-7) made big rallies to win set two and almost win set three. In the fourth, the Bears pushed ahead 14-9 when Maddy Pearson served six straight points and held the lead this time. Pearson had three aces and eight digs, Martina Callegari 17 kills and Pearl Niemioja 11, Kailey Gieske 17 digs, Leila Otto 25 assists and Abby Meyer 17, and Maya Link four blocks and Addison Lee three. Woodbury got 15 kills from Kendall Worwa.

Bruce Strand

Zephyrs clip Jefferson 20-0 in debut of their new stadium

BY BRUCE STRAND CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Bloomington Jefferson was opening a brand-new football stadium Friday evening while also celebrating homecoming, with over 3,000 spectators on hand. The visiting Mahtomedi Zephyrs (5-0) made it a less festive occasion by shutting down the Jaguars 20-0.

Jefferson (1-4) suffered 14 penalties. Fifteen-yard penalties helped the Zephyrs march 85 yards for a one-yard touchdown by Gavin Kruse and 98 yards for a one-yard TD by Jacob Reubish.

The last TD, by Reubish from 13 yards, came after the Zephyrs smothered a fake punt by the Jaguars and had a short field. The Zephyrs failed on two conversion kicks

but got a two-pointer on a pass to Gavin Bifulk. Reubish carried 19 times for 108 yards and Kruse 11 times for 55 yards. Mark Graff passed 2-for6 for 31 yards.

Jefferson’s Joseph Moore completed nine of 15 for 103 yards and got them inside the red zone twice. The Zephyrs held the Jags to nine yet yards on the ground.

The Zephyrs got a forfeit from Bloomington Kennedy on Monday evening. That game had been postponed from Friday, Sept. 19, when Mahtomedi school officials were informed that two gunmen might be in the area after criminal activity in Grant. Kennedy subsequently informed Mahtomedi that they would forfeit the game.

Cougars blank Rogers 36-0,

BY BRUCE STRAND CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Centennial football absorbed its first loss, against Andover 22-17, on Sept. 19, then rumbled to a 36-0 win over the Rogers Royals at Rogers last Friday evening. The Cougars are 4-1 and ranked No. 9 in the state for all classes by the Star-Tribune.

Andover 22, Cougars 16

The Cougars had a 10-7 halftime lead with a one-yard touchdown by Isaiah Belinske-Strauss and a 29-yard field goal by Justin Driver. They went ahead 16-14 in the fourth quarter on Calvin Coppersmith’s 46-yard run. The extra point failed.

Andover (4-1) pushed ahead 22-16 with 4:27 left on a 13-yard touchdown pass from Joseph Mapson to Aidan Wiegert and a two-point run. The Cougars, who rushed for nearly 300 yards, drove into the red zone but suffered a turnover on a third-and-two play.

“Our QB got shaken up and had to come out. We had an exchange problem,”

Coach Mike Diggins recounted. “That’s how the night went. Too many mistakes to win a game. Our kids gave good effort, but our execution was not good enough to win.”

Mapson also threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Austin Johnson and scored on a four-yard run. Belinske-Straus gained 98 yards on 18 carries and was 4-for-7 passing for 33 yards with one interception. Caleb Melser gained 73 yards in 14 carries, Coppersmith 66 in six and Edwin Ekah 50 in six.

Cougars 36, Rogers 0 Against Rogers, Melser carried the ball nine times for 104 yards with a oneyard touchdown, and scored the final touchdown from 47 yards on a pass from backup quarterback Jack Wiste.

Coppersmith tallied a 14-yard touchdown while toting six times for 37 yards.

Tobie Serna had a 10-yard touchdown. Belinske-Strauss scored from the one.

The Cougars posted their first shutout of the year, getting consistent pressure on the quarterback. They had one interception, by Wes Kukkonen. Rogers is 1-4.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Maddy Thompson

White Bear Lake Soccer October 2, 2025

Maddy Thompson is one of the main reasons White Bear Lake soccer has posted five straight shutouts and has allowed just 12 goals in 13 games. The 5-foot-8 center back consistently shuts down scoring threats while providing strong senior leadership to the defensive corps. Thompson is a four-year regular in a prolific program (50-13-5 in her career) and has seven career goals. Thompson was also a starting forward on the Bears’ 2025 state tournament basketball team where she also stands out as a defender.

4457 White Bear Parkway, Ste B, White Bear, MN 55110 651-426-5254 info@4seasonsairwbl.com

Raymond Christian Garcia, 23, and Isiah Angelo Garcia, 24, were charged federally with kidnapping for allegedly engaging in a kidnapping and cryptocurrency heist where they held a family at gunpoint for nine hours and stole $8 million in crypto currency. The incident forced Mahtomedi Public Schools to cancel its homecoming football game for the safety of its community.

A news release issued by the United States Attorney’s Office provides the following account of the incident.

“A violent kidnapping that stole $8 million and silenced a homecoming game is not just a crime. It is a blow to the sense of safety of everyone in Minnesota,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “This is not normal. Minnesotans should not accept wild violence and thievery as normal. Every Minnesotan deserves to live in peace and a life unaffected by rampant crime.”

At 4:45 p.m. on Sept. 19, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received a 911 call from an adult male who reported that he and his family had been victims of an armed robbery and kidnapping by two adult male suspects and had been held hostage at gunpoint within their residence in Grant. The 911 caller reported that he, his father (Victim 1), and his mother had been held hostage.

At 7:45 a.m. that morning, Victim 1 was taking out a garbage can to the street when the Garcia brothers suddenly appeared and pointed an AR-15-style rifle and a shotgun at Victim 1. The Garcia brothers took Victim 1 into the garage where they bound his hands with zip ties. They then brought Victim 1 into the house. The Garcia brothers woke up Victim 1’s wife and adult son at gunpoint. They also zip tied their hands and forced them to lie on the floor. Defendant Raymond Garcia held the wife and son in their home for nine hours. Raymond Garcia was armed with the AR-15-style rifle for the duration of the kidnapping. About 15 minutes before the son called 911, Raymond Garcia left the home out the back door with the AR-15-style rifle, heading towards the tree line. Raymond Garcia returned to the home shortly thereafter, without the rifle. Meanwhile, while Raymond Garcia held the wife and son hostage, defendant Isiah Garcia forced Victim 1 at gunpoint to log into his cryptocurren-

cy accounts. Isiah Garcia demanded that Victim 1 transfer large amounts of cryptocurrency into a cryptocurrency wallet that Isiah Garcia provided. During the robbery, Victim 1 saw both Garcia brothers frequently making phone calls to an unknown third party, who appeared to be providing the information related to the cryptocurrency accounts and transfers.

Through this third party, the Garcia brothers became aware that Victim 1 had additional cryptocurrency funds. They demanded the money. Victim 1 explained that the remaining funds were on a hard drive-style cryptocurrency wallet that was stored at a family cabin approximately three hours away.

Isiah Garcia, armed with the shotgun, then forced Victim 1 into Victim 1’s truck. Isiah Garcia drove the truck and Victim 1 to the family’s cabin to retrieve the hard drive. All the while, Raymond Garcia held Victim 1’s wife and son hostage with the AR-15-style rifle. At the cabin, Victim 1 transferred the remaining funds to the cryptocurrency wallet provided by Isiah Garcia. Isiah Garcia then drove Victim 1 back towards Victim 1’s home.

In total, the Garcia brothers forced Victim 1 to transfer $8 million worth of cryptocurrency to their wallets.

As Isiah Garcia and Victim 1 were returning to the home, Victim 1’s son used the moments that Raymond Garcia left the home to call 911. Washington County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene following the 911 call and found the wife and son zip tied in the house. As they arrived, Washington County Sheriff’s Deputies saw a man, later identified as Raymond Garcia, running out the back door. When law enforcement searched the area around the home, they located a suitcase in the tree line. In the suitcase, they found a disassembled AR15-style rifle, AR-15 ammunition, as well as clothing items and beverages.

Multiple squads responded to the 911 call, some of whom unknowingly passed Isiah Garcia and Victim 1 as they pulled over to allow the emergency vehicles to pass. Isiah Garcia turned the truck around, parked it nearby, and walked towards a nearby middle school parking lot. Isiah Garcia ditched the shotgun in a nearby field. To protect the safety of the community, Mahtomedi Public Schools was forced to cancel its homecoming football game in

response to the ongoing law enforcement activity near the campus.

Using a Wendy’s receipt located in the suitcase recovered behind Victim 1’s house, law enforcement was able to determine that Isiah Garcia had rented a white Chevrolet three days prior to the kidnapping, near Houston, Texas. Law enforcement also located video surveillance showing that Raymond Garcia rented a Motel 6 room in Roseville, Minnesota, shortly before the kidnapping. Law enforcement saw that, shortly after law enforcement responded to the scene of the kidnapping, the white Malibu returned to the Motel 6. The next day, law enforcement spotted the car on cameras in Oklahoma. On September 21, 2024, law enforcement tracked the car back to the home of the Garcia brothers in Waller, Texas. After returning to Texas, Raymond Garcia reported that his AR-15-style firearm that he used in the kidnapping and robbery had been stolen.

On Sept. 22 law enforcement arrested the Garcia brothers in Texas. Once in custody, Isiah Garcia confessed. He admitted that he and his brother Raymond Garcia had driven to Minnesota, held Victim 1 and his family at gunpoint, tied them up using zip ties, and driven Victim 1 to the family cabin. On Sept. 23, the Garcia brothers were charged by complaint in Washington County with three counts of kidnapping with a firearm, one count of first-degree aggravated robbery, and three counts of first-degree burglary.

On Sept. 24, the Garcia brothers were both charged in a federal complaint with kidnapping. Both defendants made their initial appearances in federal court Sept. 25 and the government requested their detention pending trial.

Per the news release, FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston, Sr. issued the following statement. “As alleged in the complaint, the Garcia brothers terrorized a Minnesota family in their own home, kidnapping one family member while holding the rest of the family hostage in order to conduct a brazen cryptocurrency theft. This office, together with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners in Minnesota and in Texas, will work tirelessly to hold accountable those responsible for this horrific crime.”

U.S. Attorney’s Office

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BLOCK 7: City receives 4 concept plans for the site from interested developers

FROM PAGE 1

One year later, four concept plans for Block 7 were received from interested developers and reviewed at the Sept. 2 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.

City Planner Nathan Fuerst, AICP, of Bolton & Menk, presented the four concept plans and facilitated discussion at the Sept. 10 council meeting about what steps the city’s planners might take next.

Below are highlights of the four proposals Centerville received for the Block 7 city-owned property in the mixed-use neighborhood zoning district:

• Equinox Construction LLC: 20 rental units, two stories

• Joshua Markum Builders Inc.: 30 owner-occupied/rental units, two to three stories

• Southwind Holdings LLC: 20 two-story owner-occupied units on individual lots

• True Blue Construction Services: 26 two-story owner-occupied/rental units.

After Fuerst gave an overview of the concept plans, the city was tasked with evaluating which of the proposals satisfied all five of the following criteria:

• Conformance with the intent of the city’s Comprehensive Plan and M-2 Zoning District

• Conformance with the intent of the redevelopment plan (building and site designs)

• Compatibility with the needs of the city (residential, unit types, designs, etc.)

• Compatibility with the surrounding neighborhood

• Compliance with CDBG funding criteria

At the September meeting, the Planning and Zoning Commission showed a preference for owner-occupied units, general conformity, impact on existing neighbors and two-story buildings.

The commission preferred two of the proposals over all the others, and individual council members preferred two

proposals over all the others. However, not everyone preferred the same two proposals.

Council therefore was not quite ready to select one proposal and chose to select no proposals. Instead, council directed staff to invite the four builders to resubmit their proposals and include more specific details that show compliance with the various requirements. For example, none of the initial four proposals met the setback/build-to line of 5 feet from the street and with a second chance could address that requirement. Council members told city staff they wanted to make sure the units front the public street, are double-fronted, address snow removal, are made with quality materials, offer approximately 20 units and are owner-occupied with the option to rent out.

“No matter what, (all the proposals) need a little tweaking,” said Mayor Nancy Golden.

“A lot of tweaking,” Council Member Linda Broussard-Vickers added. Block 7 has been vacant for more than two decades, Golden said. “All of a sudden, we have four proposals. If we don’t accept one of these proposals now, we never will, and we’ll be negligent to our community if we have to give (back the approximately $200,000 in money remaining from the CDBG grant). By developing, the city would have tax money coming into town and going to our residents,” she said.

On the other hand, Council Member Russ Koski said that during public hearings, he heard the community say that money isn’t everything. “People are willing to pay higher taxes and not sacrifice the small-town feel of the city,” he said.

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

ISD 624 Board approves preliminary tax levy

BY LOGAN GION CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The school board has approved a preliminary maximum property tax levy increase of just over $3,080,000, or 4.75%, for the 2026-2027 school year, payable 2026.

Throughout August and September, the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) calculates an estimated levy amount for the next school year. White Bear Lake Area Schools Director of Finance Andi Johnson explained that school districts almost always approve the highest possible preliminary amount so that they can have flexibility as MDE adjusts its numbers for the final total. Were ISD 624 to approve less than the maximum, it would legally be unable to change that ceiling should the need arise in the coming months.

“Property taxes make up 20-25% of our general fund,” Johnson noted. “It’s an important funding stream for the school district.”

Board Member Jessica Ellison stated that this is not a system unique to White Bear; this is how school districts are funded across the country.

Paradoxically, while the property tax levy is increasing, Johnson explained that the average property owner will likely pay less. “The total revenue that we’re going to be receiving is going to go up,” Johnson said,

“but there’s a higher amount of property in the school district. There’s new construction and new businesses coming in, so that’s spread over the entire property value (of the district).”

Board Chair Dr. Scott Arcand asked

“It’s an important funding stream for the school district.”

Andi Johnson White Bear Area Schools Director of Finance

Johnson, “What control do we have in this room on the evaluation of our homes?”

“None,” Johnson replied. “That’s done by the county.” Upon hearing this, Arcand suggested that residents in the district who have issues with property tax increases should bring their issue to the county.

The school board is set to approve the final levy at the Dec. 8 meeting following a public hearing.

Logan Gion is a contributing writer for Press Publications. He

• A familiar face is back on the council dais. Before any action could be taken at the meeting, new returning Council Member Broussard-Vickers took the oath of office. Her tenure in office began immediately and runs until Jan. 13, 2027. Broussard-Vickers has served on both council and the Planning and Zoning Commission in the past.

• “I’ve never seen a parade go so smoothly. It was so well organized,” Council Member Russ Koski said to Fete des Lacs Parade organizer Bridget LeMire during her 2025 Fete des Lacs presentation with Mel Lawlis. There were more than 50 participants in the parade, including new faces, she said. This year’s parade’s theme was “America the Beautiful,” and welcomed veterans’ floats. Lawlis, president of the Centerville Lions, said that although Music in the Park was rained out on Tuesday, the fireworks were shown before rain came. Some of the big successes were Market Fest, food trucks, kids’ fest and bingo. She said the Lions welcome ideas to make next year’s Fete des Lacs even better.

• Planning and Zoning Commissioner Richard Nelson resigned from the commission, effective Sept. 30. Before council accepted his letter of resignation, they recognized his work on the commission. The council called out his dedication to the community and wished him all the best in his future endeavors.

Mayor Nancy Golden read aloud the entire resolution recognizing and honoring Nelson’s service. Nelson was first appointed to the commission on Aug. 10, 2021, and served faithfully until his resignation, the resolution noted.

• The city receives annual funding from Anoka County for its residential recycling program, and council approved the 2026 agreement for the program. City staff requested funding in the amount of $29,646 for 2026. The

CONTRIBUTED

funding allocation is broken down by base funding and supplemental funding. The allocation for 2026 consists of base funding of $11,500; drop-off funding of $7,500 for four events at Recycle Technologies (for disposal of items that are hard to recycle and resident coupons); general enhancement funding of $1,752.20; and labor and staffing of $8,893.80. Staff determined not to use supplemental funding for 2026 because the city’s parks have enough containers.

• The annual neighborhood gathering in the 1700 block of Dupre Road will be celebrated as usual this year, after council approved a special event permit application for a private property on that block. City staff noted that this annual request has not presented any issues for the past several years. Staff have signed off with the annual caveat that no streets will be restricted or fire hydrants blocked. The outdoor neighborhood gathering will take place from 2-6 p.m. Oct. 4. Fifty to 60 people are expected to attend.

• On Oct. 22, the Parks & Recreation Committee will show its gratitude to

those who have volunteered in the community during the past year. Every year, the committee shows its gratitude and typically purchases items of less than $5 in value each for volunteers and provides hors d’oeuvres to attendees. Council approved funding for the event, not to exceed $1,300 for door prize items and $500 for hors d’oeuvres. Financing will come from parks funds. Some 100125 people are expected to attend this year’s volunteer appreciation event.

• The residents at 6996 Brian Drive have been bailing and pumping water from their pond for more than a year. After council tabled action on a solution at the July meeting, the city engineer went out to the property to survey elevations of the pond, adjacent homes, ditches and culverts. This new information was used to come up with additional options to those proposed by former City Engineer Mark Statz, as well as costs associated with mitigation.

The two new solutions were to make channel improvements, including clearing and grubbing vegetation, excavating the existing channel and restoring the area following construction. Estimated construction costs are from $35,000 to $45,000. The second option would be to clear the channel and install a single pump and lift station structure with controls, force main and power source, and then to complete restoration. The estimated construction costs for this second option are roughly $100,000 to $150,000. After a discussion, council elected to go with the first option and finance no more than $33,000 or 75% of the project. The four property owners involved would be assessed the remainder of the costs and be provided with reminders of the city code about putting debris in the storm sewer drainage system.

• In her report, City Administrator Athanasia Lewis reminded the community that staff recently sent a mailing

to property owners affected by construction work to take place in their immediate area as part of the 2025 thin mill and overlay project. The scope of work consists of adjustment, pavement removal, curb replacement in selected areas and paving. These activities may impact driveway access, sprinkler systems, dog fences, boulevard and grass restoration, parking, trash and recycling, and school buses. Construction was expected to start Sept. 10 and will likely last about four to five weeks, depending on weather conditions.

The following streets are part of the project: Shad Avenue from Main Street N. to Fox Run; Heritage Street from Centerville Road to LaMotte Drive; LaMotte Drive from Heritage Street to the western city limits; Center Street from Centerville Road east to Dupre Road; all of Tourville Circle and Oak Circle; Pheasant Lane from Center Street to 280 feet north of Partridge Place; Dupre Road from 200 feet south of Center Street to 200 feet north of Center Street; and all of Peltier Circle.

• The Centennial Fire District is currently hiring for paid on-call positions. Anyone interested in becoming a firefighter/EMT is invited to visit www. centennialfire.org for more information.

• Council adjourned to executive session pursuant to Minnesota statutes section 13D.05, subdivision 3(c), to develop or consider offers or counteroffers related to the potential transfer of real and personal property in connection with proposals for fire services. The closed session was also to address labor negotiation strategy related to fire services pursuant to Minnesota statutes section 13D.03, subdivision 1(b). The item of discussion pertained to the Spring Lake Park/Blaine/Mounds View Fire Service contract for 2026.

Loretta Harding

WEEKLY WAG

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BUSINESS BRIEF

Believers’ Boxing Gym hosts ‘Rumble in the Forest’

Believers’ Boxing Gym in Forest Lake will host its 7th annual show at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11 at Maranatha Church in Forest Lake. The boxing exhibition called, “Rumble in the Forest” will showcase the accomplishments and talent of Believers’ Boxing athletes along with other athletes as well as other local musicians and entertainers. For more information about the business or the show, visit www.believersboxing.com/ rumble-in-the-forest-tickets.

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSESSMENTS: Resident asks for reconsideration

“We have no direct access to 125th Street Court N. … We get access off of Jody,” he said. “I don’t think there is really any direct or special benefit of the road improvement that occurred that should be assessed to our property.”

Erichson said this situation was “fairly similar” to how the city has handled assessments for street projects adjacent to agricultural or vacant land previously. He cited the example of an 80-acre parcel that received a total of eight assessments (at the $3,400 unit rate) for two different projects. He added that Dostal’s property was subject to one assessment because it isn’t large enough to subdivide into multiple parcels.

“I understand that the parcel is not currently being used for a driveway or an access point. The way the policy is currently structured, it takes into consideration the potential future development of a piece of property,” said City Council Member Mike Miron. “I can understand where there would be some confusion or frustration with that, but that really is how the policy is written, to not only access for current access points, but any potential access points in the future.”

The council ultimately chose to adopt the assessments as proposed.

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

on the request can be heard at this time. Please call Max Gort, Associate Planner at 651-762-6311 if you have any questions or comments on the application and would like to participate in the meeting. Max Gort, Associate Planner Published one time in The Citizen on October 2, 2025.

VOTERS’ GUIDE 2025

Press Publications

2. At Oneka Elementary, each classroom is getting the opportunity to explore the different elements of their Learning Commons space. Students spent time listening to a story, learning how to check out books and enjoying the breakout rooms. White Bear Lake Area Schools, contributed

3. Hundreds of cars attended the 17th annual car and tractor show in Withrow Sunday, Sept. 28. — Shannon Granholm, Press Publications

4. Kyle Bode from the St. Paul Fire Department and Doug Foote from the Excelsior Fire Department came through Hugo on Sept. 20 as part of Miles for MnFire. Fire Chief Jim Compton Jr. and Lt. Ryan Nadeau joined them at the Hugo welcome sign and walked with them for 8 miles across Hugo. Compton attended the closing ceremony the next day, where the Hugo Fire Department and Legion were thanked for their hospitality and support. — American Legion Post 620, contributed

Send us your photos for possible inclusion in Spotted Around Town. Please email your best shot to citizennews@presspubs.com. Please include information about when and where it was taken and who is in the photo. 3 4 2