Shoreview Press

Mounds View student launches AI platform

BY MADELINE DOLBY EDITOR

junior at Mounds View High School, has created

a way to help students avoid burnout and escape the pressure to stay on top of a packed schedule. Chen, 17, is the founder and

CEO of Kairo, an AI-powered productivity platform that automatically builds your

on Lexington Avenue

BY MADELINE DOLBY EDITOR

SHOREVIEW — A drive-through coffee shop could be coming to 3570 Lexington Ave North following the submittal of a planned unit development (PUD) concept plan by Redbrick Commercial Principal and property owner Dan Altstatt to the city’s Planning Commission.

“In communicating with the applicant over the last year and a half or so, we (city staff) believe it was prudent to bring forward a concept to give the commission and City Council an initial look and review of what’s being considered in advance of a formal request,” said Senior Planner Izaak Peterson.

A PUD concept stage is an informal review process that allows the public, Planning Commission members and the City Council an early opportunity to identify issues and provide general feedback and concerns to the developer before more detailed plans are prepared.

The proposed commercial development, which Peterson said will most likely be a coffee shop, would encompass approximately 0.25 acres of the 2.10-acre site. The building would be approximately 810 square feet and would feature a drivethrough.

Altstatt, along with his business partner, identified that the north parking lot on the site was not being used. As a result, they are seeking to construct an additional building within the

Potential Energy robotics team advances to world stage

For the past five years, a group of students has been gathering in a North Oaks basement to study engineering technology and construct some of the most highly decorated robots in the state of Minnesota. For the third year in a row, the team of Mounds View High School students that compete under the name Potential Energy advanced through the regional and state competitions hosted by the organization FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) and are headed to the world competition, which will be held April 29 through May 2 in Houston.

Press Publications caught up with Potential Energy team members to learn about their robotics season and their time working together as a team, which will be drawing to a close now that four of its six members are preparing to graduate from

high school. To learn more about Potential Energy and its fundraising needs as they head to the World Competition, visit potentialenergyftc.com.

Q: Congrats on your third trip to the world competition! How has this season gone for your team?

A: Overall, this has been a very good season in terms of outcomes and learning new skills. We advanced to the state competition after our first regional competition, which we were very excited about. Throughout the season, we have spent our time learning new skills in terms of designing parts for our robot, building our robot, programming it. This year was filled with many emotions because it is our last year competing as a team.

SEE POTENTIAL ENERGY, PAGE 11

Mounds View Olympiad Team wins state tournament

The Mounds View Science Olympiad Team is the 2026 Minnesota State Tournament champion in Division C. Next, the team will compete at the National Tournament on Saturday, May 23, in Los Angeles, California.

Mounds

View

team takes 1st place in global competition

Mounds View High School seniors John Liu, Jaiesh Dinesh, Josiah Chan and Alicia Liu took

home first place at Academic WorldQuest, hosted by local nonprofit Global Minnesota.

Nearly 30 high school teams from across Minnesota participated in the tournament. Academic WorldQuest challenges high school students to think globally about critical issues facing the U.S. and the world through a series of challenging foreign policy questions. The students from Mounds View Team A, who also took first place in the 2024 competition, will advance once again to the national tournament in Washington, D.C., in April, sponsored by Global Minnesota.

“We’re so grateful for this opportunity. We are all seniors this year and are going to remember this forever,” said Liu, Mounds View Team A captain, in a press release.

Ecumen announces new president, CEO

Cyrus Batheja has been selected as Ecumen’s new president and CEO. Ecumen is a nonprofit provider of living spaces and services for older adults.

Batheja, a registered nurse and nationally recognized health care provider, brings more than two decades of experience advancing care models that integrate health care, housing and community services for vulnerable populations. He began his health care career after earning an associate of science degree from Normandale Community College. He later earned his Bachelor of Science in nursing and MBA from Augsburg University and his doctorate from the University of St. Thomas.

Prior to joining Ecumen, Batheja held senior leadership roles at UnitedHealthcare and Optum, including chief growth officer of the MyConnections business, where he led large‑scale national initiatives addressing social drivers of health and improving outcomes for complex patient populations. As national vice president of nursing at OptumRx, he led a team of over 1,500 nurses delivering critical therapies across the country. He is also the co‑founder of Batheja Supportive Living Services.

F&M Bank employees give back

F&M Bank employees recently presented a check to Northeast Youth & Family Services (NYFS) for $3,266. In 2023, F&M Bank em ployees established the F&M Bank Employee Charitable Organization Match Program, a program in which F&M Bank employees vol untarily donate an amount of their choice with each paycheck. F&M Bank then matches the funds collected, dollar for dollar, up to $5,000. Last year, F&M Bank team members in Vad nais Heights and Lino Lakes chose Northeast Youth & Family Services, a nonprofit, commu nity b ased and trauma i nformed mental health and community services organization serving the northeastern Saint Paul suburbs since 1976.

“F&M Bank is dedicated to serving our communities,” said Nate Dunn, president and CEO. “Giving back is both a privilege and a responsibility. I continue to be impressed by the generosity of our team and am proud to support this program.”

WHAT’S HAPPENING

ONGOING EVENTS

DROP IN MAH JONGG

When: 1 p.m. Thursdays

Where: Shoreview Community Center, 4580 Victoria St. N.

Details: Bring your tiles and your friends for drop-in play. All levels welcome. No registration required. Contact: shoreviewmn.gov or 651-4904700

500 CARD CLUB

When: Noon, Mondays

Where: Shoreview Community Center, 4580 Victoria St. N.

Details: Cards and conversation. No partner required. Contact: shoreviewmn.gov or 651-4904700

CURRENT EVENTS

DEMENTIA CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP WITH RESPITE CARE

When: 10-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 25

Where: Shoreview Community Center, 4580 Victoria St. N.

Details: Support group led by a trained facilitator from Alzheimer’s Speaks. Your loved one can enjoy activities in a nearby room. Registration is requested but drop-ins are welcome. Contact: shoreviewmn.gov or 651-4904700

EASTER FESTIVAL

When: 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, March 28

Where: South Shore Trinity Church, 2480 South Shore Blvd., White Bear Lake

COUNTY BRIEFS

Details: Indoor activities include egg hunt, bingo, mini golf, kids craft, cornhole, cupcake decorating, Plinko. Contact: sstwbl.org

BUNNY HOP TRAIL

When: 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 28

Where: Bucher Park, 5900 Mackubin St., Shoreview

Details: Bring a basket to gather special treats. Visit with the bunny and participate in activities and interact with barnyard animals in the petting zoo. Registration required through Shoreview Parks and Recreation. Even suitable for children ages 10 and under. Contact: shoreviewmn.gov or 651-4904700

EASTER EGG HUNT

When: 1 & 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 28

Where: Podvin Park, 1700 Ninth St., White Bear Lake

Details: City of White Bear Lake hosted egg hunt is back. Each session limited to 60 kids ages 2-10; register online.

Contact: whitebearlakemn.gov/publicsafety/page/easter-egg-hunt

BAMBOO BAY EGG HUNT

When: 9-11 a.m. Sunday, March 29

Where: Shoreview Community Center, 4580 Victoria St. N.

Details: The bunny will be hiding eggs for you to find in the Bamboo Bay Waterpark. Each child will be given a bag of goodies. After the egg hunt is complete, participants will be able to swim. Registration required. Contact: shoreviewmn.gov or 651-4904700

Metro Square renamed Ramsey County Government Center

As of this month, Metro Square is officially known as the Ramsey County Government Center, located at 121 Seventh Place E. in St. Paul.

According to Ramsey County, the building is now a service-focused hub designed to make it easier for residents to find support, connect with programs and navigate county services. Services available for residents include:

• Ramsey County Service Center – St. Paul: The service center provides in-person assistance and connections to county programs.

• CareerForce in St. Paul: CareerForce offers employment and career support services.

• Community Corrections: Community Corrections services promote accountability and stability for adults serving probation in Ramsey County.

For building information and available services, visit RamseyCountyMN.gov.

County offers temporary property tax relief for those affected by Operation Metro Surge

Ramsey County is offering temporary tax relief to help residents impacted by the federal government’s immigration enforcement campaign known as Operation Metro Surge.

According to the county, when commissioners voted on Feb. 3 to condemn the tactics used by federal agents, they also directed County Manager Ling Becker to establish a structured and coordinated response to federal immigration enforcement. Since then, Becker has mobilized county staff to coordinate an array of initiatives to help people in the county impacted by federal actions.

Operation Metro Surge contributed to financial hardships by disrupting work and decreasing local business revenue. To address this strain, Ramsey County is implementing a temporary two-month property tax payment extension for first-half 2026 property tax payments. Eligible property owners can pay their property taxes up to two months past the typical deadline without facing late payment penalties.

More information is available on the county’s property tax resources webpage at tinyurl.com/yatd8ndz.

OPERA JUKEBOX: THE RESIDENT ARTISTS OF THE MN OPERA

When: 2 p.m. Sunday, March 29

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

Details: Interactive concert features favorite selections of opera arias, classical pieces, and standards. Ticket information online.

Contact: 651-478-7427 or lakeshoreplayers.org

NORTHEAST METRO GOLDEN K KIWANIS CLUB SPEAKER SERIES

When: 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 31

Where: Roseville Skating Center, 2661 Civic Center Drive

Details: Patrick Bayle, community engagement coordinator for Catholic Charities Twin Cities, will speak on the extensive local work the organization is doing.

Contact: Keith Carlson, 651-759-9442 or Roland Wells, 651-484-2303

FALL RISK AND PREVENTION CLASS

When: 2-3 p.m. Tuesday, March 31

Where: North Oaks Memory Care Townsquare, 300 Village Center Dr., North Oaks

Details: Learn how to prevent falls and what to do if a fall occurs to feel more prepared and empowered. Refreshments provided.

Contact: 651-420-6753

TRIBUTE TO JOHNNY CASH: MITCHELL HALL AND THE TENNESSEE TRIO

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 4

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

Details: Tribute to the legacy of Johnny Cash. Ticket information online. Contact: 651-478-7427 or lakeshoreplayers.org

CALENDAR BRIEFS

Shoreview Northern Lights Variety Band holds spring concert

The Shoreview Northern Lights Variety Band will put on its annual spring concert Saturday, April 25, at Benson Great Hall on the Bethel University campus. The concert is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.

The concert, “Sounds of Stage and Screen,” will feature music from acclaimed Broadway productions, John Williams’ music from “Star Wars,” selections from the Disney repertoire and themes from the James Bond films. Two special musical guests will perform with the band — Justin Sales, saxophone soloist for the “Porgy and Bess Medley,” and Sydney Elliot, violin soloist for the theme from “Schindler’s List.” Tickets are available at www.snlvb.com, Shoreview City Hall, tickets/bethel/edu, the

LAKESHORE QUILTERS GUILD

When: 10 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Saturday, March 28

Where: Ramsey County Shoreview Library, 4560 Victoria St. N., Shoreview Details: Lakeshore Quilters will be working on their own quilting projects. Stop in to see what projects are being worked on. Contact: lakeshorequiltersmn.org

The Shoreview Community Foundation (SCF) recently approved $10,000 in Rapid Response Impact Grants to assist local families affected by Operation Metro Surge. The grants were directed to trusted community partners actively serving those most impacted. One of the three recipients is the Ralph Reeder Food Shelf and Community Resource Center.

Ralph Reeder, established in 1982, provides food, basic necessities, and connections

Benson Great Hall Box Office and at the door. The Benson Great Hall is located at 3900 Bethel Drive, Arden Hills.

Shoreview/Arden Hills Lions hosts ‘Petals and Pals’

The Shoreview/Arden Hills Lions Club will host a floral arrangement workshop from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 4, at the Ramsey County Library in Shoreview. All materials will be provided, and a continental breakfast will also be provided by the Lions Club.

The Ramsey County-Shoreview Library is located at 4560 Victoria St. N. Registration is required. For more information or to register, visit www. shoreviewardenhillslions.org.

to other services to Mounds View Public School District families, as well as to any low-income or food-insecure neighbors who need assistance. Their primary service area includes the cities of Shoreview, as well as, Arden Hills, Mounds View, New Brighton, North Oaks, Roseville, St. Anthony, and Ramsey County. The $5,000 grant from SCF will help affected families primarily with rent and utility payments. SCF thanks all its donors whose generous contributions made this help possible.

SCF thanks all its donors whose generous contributions made this help possible.

For more information about the Shoreview Community Foundation and its community initiatives, please

OPINION

Reflecting on a decade at Press

March 24 marks my 10-year anniversary with Press Publications. I honestly cannot believe I’ve been here for a decade. Where does the time go?

I graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth with a bachelor's degree in writing studies (journalism) and Hispanic studies. While I was searching for a journalism job, fun fact, I worked at Black Bear Resort and Casino in Carlton, both at the front desk and in the call center.

Shannon’s Shenanigans

I eventually landed a job as a county staff writer for the Steele County Times in Blooming Prairie. A year later, when the publisher purchased the Dodge County Intendent in Kasson, I took on the role of news editor. I learned so much in southern Minnesota, but my goal was always to get back to the metro area.

I applied for a staff writer position with Press Publications, and I remember being so impressed when Carter Johnson, the publisher, was willing to drive all the way to Cabela’s (now Bass Pro Shops) in Owatonna for an interview. Thinking back to a phone conversation we had shortly after, I remember Carter telling me the one worry he had about hiring me. He was worried I didn’t have thick enough skin for this job. And he wasn’t wrong. I admitted it then, and I still admit it now; I don’t have very thick skin. Sometimes, I take things way too personally, but in 10 years, I’ve managed to cope and hopefully grow a little thicker skin, even if just a little bit.

When I came to Press Publications in 2016, I began as a staff writer for the Quad Community Press. I eventually became the editor of the Quad Community Press and The Citizen. For approximately four and a half years now I’ve held the title of managing editor. Although my bylines still show up in many of our publications, most of my time is spent on writing for the White Bear Press and The Citizen.

One of the things that has kept me here for a decade is the community journalism aspect of the job. Local newspapers are truly the heartbeat of a town. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of telling truly local stories. I’ve covered it all — development projects, city councils, school boards, community organizations, business anniversaries, elections, churches, events, artists and more.

What I’ve learned is the big stories matter, but sometimes the small ones leave the biggest impression. The feature about a longtime volunteer making an impact in the community, a student achieving something special or a local business owner who has served the community for decades, those are the stories that remind me why local journalism is so important.

This job has allowed me to meet so many incredible people doing amazing things who care about the communities they live in.

Even on the tough days, when I’m reminded that my skin might not be thick enough for this job, it helps to remember what I’m doing matters. What Press Publications does matters. Local newspapers help keep residents informed, connected and engaged with their communities.

Ten years later, I’m still grateful to be part of that mission.

Shannon Granholm is the managing editor at Press Publications.

Shannon Granholm SHANNON GRANHOLM | PRESS PUBLICATIONS Sign welcomes Shannon to the newsroom in 2016.

Let’s make it a great spring in Shoreview

In true Minnesota fashion, we’ve swung from a record snowstorm to 70-degree temperatures in the blink of an eye. It’s a welcome change that many of us have been longing for all winter.

Movers and Shakers

Sue Denkinger

From opening up our homes to the fresh air to enjoying longer walks on our city trails, it’s wonderful to see the community coming back to life. I just hope this isn’t another false spring and it’s here to stay!

Speaking of false springs, they’ve been keeping our maintenance crews busy these last few weeks.

• When they aren’t clearing snow, the streets division has been trimming trees, replacing street signs, and patching potholes. They were even able to take advantage of the nicer weather a few weeks ago to start street sweeping.

• 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

• Our utility division has been fixing water main breaks. Water main breaks typically occur because changing temps cause the ground to expand and contract, putting pressure on our water mains. Thankfully, our crews have new leak detection equipment that helps us find potential breaks inhouse instead of hiring out.

The new playground at Shamrock Park will also be opening later this spring. This playground hasn’t been updated since the early 2000’s, so it was long overdue. The new playground includes a variety of play areas for kids of all ages to enjoy for years to come.

I want to extend a sincere thank you to our city staff who work tirelessly behind the scenes—from repairing water mains to prepping our park buildings—to ensure our community is ready for the season.

Whether you are hitting the trails, testing out the new pickleball courts, or joining us for the grand opening at Bobby Theisen Park on May 2, I hope to see you out enjoying our beautiful city. Let’s make it a great spring!

• The parks division has been prepping our park buildings for summer programs. This includes waxing the floors, painting, and general maintenance. They also were able to get tennis and pickleball nets up earlier this month. This spring also has me excited because two big park projects are wrapping up in time for the warm weather. Although it opened in December, we’ll be celebrating the grand opening of Bobby Theisen Park on May 2 from 9:30 a.m. - noon. The celebration will include food trucks, activities and more! This project included major updates like a new park building and playground and upgraded pickleball, basketball, and tennis courts. It’s been great seeing residents and visitors enjoying the park this last month.

Sue Denkinger is the mayor of Shoreview.

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. , Wednesday of the week prior to publication.

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

Message of Easter: Connections trump winning

Spring is in the air! The snow is melting. The ice is leaving. And it’s one of the best times to be a sports fan! March Madness, Timberwolves playoffs on the horizon, baseball season about to start and the Minnesota Frost are going for another championship!

Pastor

Ponderings

Jason Steffenhagen

So much of our culture is about winning. Who’s going to win the big game? Who will bring home the trophy? Which side will triumph? We do this in sports, and in politics.

This culture of winning even stamps itself onto Easter. Not only is it a competition to find the most Easter eggs, but the songs we sing at most church services highlight winning. Jesus defeats death, hell and the grave. Jesus conquers the tomb. “Up from the grave he arose. With a mighty triumph o’er his foes.”

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’ve preached that sermon. I appreciate the triumphal nature of Jesus’ resurrection. I love the idea of

death not getting the last word. And I certainly find comfort that the grave is not to be feared.

But here’s the problem. Jesus didn’t come to win. Jesus came to transform.

The New Testament authors speak consistently about making things new: New community, new commandment, new humanity, new heaven and new earth. It’s integration and reconciliation, not defeat and domination.

But winning is easier. It’s clear. You win; you get power. But power doesn’t mean you love your neighbor. Most often, power just makes you want to win more. Even if that means you overlook the hurt and pain of your neighbor.

The message of Easter, despite its triumph over the grave and defeat of death, should be a resistance to winning. Instead of being on top, we should serve. Instead of gaining power, we should bring life.

The message of Easter is not only a resistance to winning, but an insistence on connection. Resurrection puts the spirit and soul back into the body. Death tries to separate, but resurrection holds together. The dust and divine stay intertwined.

Our culture could use more connection. We are constantly bombarded with messages and encouragements to separate, to pick a side. But we should insist on something better. Connection invites curiosity. Curiosity creates compassion. Compassion fashions transformation. When I become compassionate, I transform into a person who serves and loves my neighbor. Connection. Curiosity. Compassion. Winning always wants to make things simple and clear. But life is more complicated than that. People are more complicated than that. Politics should be more complicated than that. Easter is more complicated than that.

Which is why we should be able to hold more than one thing at a time and not let our winning culture permeate every aspect of our shared life together. I can cheer for the Timberwolves to beat the Thunder. I can be grateful death doesn’t get the last word. AND I can embrace connection, curiosity, and compassion.

KAIRO: Platform created to help patch issues current study apps have

schedule for you by predicting how long your tasks will take to complete based on how you actually work. It connects to tools you might already use, like Google Calendar, and handles all the planning automatically.

Chen said the platform is supposed to patch issues current study apps have.

“I’ve gotten discouraged to use them (study apps) because there’s a huge learning curve required for a lot of those apps,” he explained. “And it’s hard to integrate into your habits.”

The high school junior and his team have been developing the Kairo platform for about six to seven months. Chen said he came up with the idea after noticing that many study apps fail to deliver on their promises, which are often vague to begin with. He added that users expect these apps to self-regulate, but they often don’t, leading to a lack of meaningful interaction.

“A majority of people are not quite motivated to start using these (apps) and start integrating them into their schedule. They abandon them within a couple of days because it requires upkeep, and they’re not used to that,” Chen said. This issue led the team to target user experience when developing Kairo.

The team has finished phase 1 of development. Chen said they’re now starting on phase 2, which will involve coding a new model of the Kairo platform.

Kairo has no specific target audience. The app can be utilized by students, those in the workforce and in everyday life.

“You can integrate this into school, into job activities. If you have something else planned, like you have friends come over, you need to be able to clean the house and put stuff away … You can use Kairo for that as well,” said Chen.

Since its launch, 13 users have signed up for Kairo. Feedback from users has been positive regarding user experience.

“We’ve tried to really consider all aspects (of the user experience), like having it look really good, but without all the clutter. It’s a hard balance, but we’re working on it,”

Chen added.

In addition to the web platform, Chen is developing Beacon, a physical device designed to track activity patterns and feed data back into Kairo, helping it get smarter about how each individual user works over time. Development has been a collaborative effort; Mounds View High School student Nouma Fonkoue has been contributing as an assisting developer through a partnering program called Engram.

Engram is a document and recourse analyzer tool. Chen said Engram is supposed to be complementary to Kairo’s main interface. He also provided an in-depth example of what Engram does.

Chen explained if a professor sends out a lecture video to watch or distributes reading materials, a student would be able to download the documents, upload them onto Engram and it would sort them.

“Nouma and I believe that knowledge really comes from being able to build networks … When you learn more, you passively gain networks and you have that ‘aha’ moment,”

Chen said. “And we really want to be able to see users being able to trigger that ‘aha’ moment by learning about different things and visually seeing the dots connected.”

Chen is one of the student startups participating through the Junior Achievement Company Program, sponsored by Junior Achievement North, the Twin Cities chapter of Junior Achievement USA. The

program teaches students practical business skills through hands-on experience starting and running a real company, mentored by a teacher and a community entrepreneur volunteer.

Student teams compete at local Junior Achievement chapters for Company of the Year. The top 15 teams will advance to the Junior Achievement National Student Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., in June to pitch their business ideas to members of Congress and to com

pete for national recognition, prizes and scholarships. Chen has also been entered in the Diamon Challenge and the Blue Ocean Strategy competition. Looking ahead, Chen said he has his sights set on a Kickstarter campaign to fund the mass production of Beacon, bringing the hardware side of Kairo to a wider audience. Kairo is available to try at www. mykairo.me.

COPS&COURTS

RAMSEY COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORTS

The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office reported the following selected incidents in Shoreview:

• A 22-year-old man from Minneapolis was issued a citation Feb. 22 in the 3800 block of Lexington Avenue North for parking in a handicapped parking space while using someone else’s placecard.

• Deputies responded Feb. 24 to a two-vehicle crash near the intersection of Milton Street North and Highway 96 West involving a Kia Sorento, driven by a 55-year-old woman from Brooklyn Center, and a Honda Civic, driven by a 34-year-old Minneapolis man. Both drivers were examined by medics for minor injuries.

• A 25-year-old man from Staple was arrested by deputies Feb. 24 in the 4800 block of Hodgson Connection for second-degree assault, domestic assault and making threats of violence after deputies responded to a report of an assault and learned that he threatened a 34-year-old woman with a knife.

• Deputies responded Feb. 24 to a two-vehicle crash near the intersection of Highway 96 West and Lexington Avenue involving a Toyota Corolla, driven by a 44-year-old woman from Mounds View, that slid into a Toyota Venza driven by an 85-year-old man from Blaine. The man was transported to the hospital by medics and treated for injuries, which were not believed to be life threatening.

• Deputies arrested a 42-year-old St. Michael man Feb. 24 in the 4100 block of Lexington Avenue North for disorderly conduct, domestic assault

SHOREVIEW CITY COUNCIL SNIPPETS

• Key’s Wells will be responsible for the rehabilitation of Well No. 7. The City Council accepted the company’s quote of approximately $25,085 to complete the project. Rehabilitation of city wells is required every 10,000 hours of pump run time, which equates to approximately every six years for the well. Rehabilitation consists of removing and rebuilding the well pump and motor, televising the well casing and making miscellaneous well casing replacements as needed. The project will be paid for through the water fund.

• The council approved a professional services agreement with HKGI to

and fifth-degree assault after deputies responded to a report of an assault and learned the man strangled a 33-year-old woman until she lost consciousness.

• Deputies arrested a 45-year-old woman Feb. 27 near the intersection of Snail Lake Boulevard and Victoria Street North for DWI after the Honda Passport she was driving left the road and struck a pole. She performed poorly on standard field sobriety tests and was taken into custody.

• Deputies responded Feb. 27 to multiple reports of shots fired in the 1000 block of Carmel Court and determined someone was lighting fireworks.

• Deputies responded Feb. 27 to a report of theft at a gas station in the 3400 block of Rice Street, collected evidence and launched an investigation.

• A 35-year-old man in the 5700 block of Willow Lane reported Feb. 27 that someone stole the license plate from his Hyundai Sonata. The incident is under investigation.

Deputies responded Feb. 28 to a business in the 3800 block of Lexington Avenue North after loss prevention employees reported seeing a teenager steal merchandise. The incident is under investigation.

• Deputies responded Feb. 28 to a report of theft at a business in the 3800 block of Lexington Avenue North, collected evidence and launched an investigation.

• Deputies responded March 1 to a report of a hitand-run crash in the 3500 block of Rustic Place. Deputies collected information and began an investigation.

provide assistance with the city’s 2050 Comprehensive Plan. This spring, the city will begin its process of preparing that plan. According to the city staff report, HKGI has previously worked with the city on a number of planning initiatives, including finalizing the 2040 Comprehensive Plan and assisting with the city’s current development code update. According to the staff report, HKGI’s familiarity with the community, existing policies and the city’s planning framework will allow the firm to effectively support staff through the comprehensive plan process.

• The rental license for property 441

MOUNDS VIEW PUBLIC SCHOOLS SCHOOL BOARD SNIPPETS

• More than 37 students represented Mounds View High School DECA at the Minnesota DECA State Career Development Competition. From those 37 students, Jayna Ka-

vathekar, Jadon Gavin, Diego Barrientos, Sejal Patnayak, Samuel Feleke and Olivia Li will travel to Atlanta, Georgia, in April to compete with more than 25,000 students from around the world at the International Career Development Conference.

• Irondale High School seniors August Alexander and Bayah Dube took second place overall with their teammates Lucy Martinson from Spring Lake Park High School and Jackson Ollendick from Mounds View High School at the 40th Annual Youth EMS Competition. All four members are a part of the Spring Lake Park Opportunities in Emergency Health Care Program.

• There were 12 gifts received this period for schools and programs for a total of approximately $10,598. The Ralph Reeder Food Shelf received 30 gifts this period for a total of around $42,917.

• Darin Johnson, executive director of school management, provided the board with a preview of the various

• Deputies responded March 2 to a report of a motor vehicle crash near the intersection of Hodgson Road and Highway 96 West involving a Ford cargo van and a Lincoln Aviator, confirmed there were no injuries and collected the necessary information.

• An animal control officer responded March 3 to a report that a beagle named “Snoopy” in the 3500 block of Vivian Avenue got out of his fenced yard. The officer collected the puppy and returned it home.

• Deputies cited a 30-year-old Minneapolis man for theft March 3 after responding to a report of him rummaging through a vehicle in the 3800 block of Lexington Avenue North that did not belong to him.

• On March 4, deputies checked the area in the 1900 block of County Road I West for a reported homeless encampment and did not find one.

• Deputies responded March 7 to a report of a woman in the 1200 block of West Royal Oaks Drive who reported her neighbors were harassing her, throwing eggs at her home and making false claims about her. The incident is under investigation.

• On March 7, deputies responded to a report of two teenagers inside a mall in the 1000 block of Highway 96 West after closing.

A 39-year-old man in the 4500 block of Victoria Street North reported March 7 that someone stole his wallet and was attempting to make purchases using his debit cards at a Target and online. The incident is under investigation.

Maple Lane will be revoked following a 4-0 vote from the council (Mayor Sue Denkinger was absent). According to Associate Planner Will Harris, the property owner has received a stop work order for failure to obtain proper permits for work done at the home.

• Tickets are now on sale for the Taste of Shoreview, which will take place Tuesday, April 21, at the Shoreview Community Center. Council Member Cory Springhorn said the event serves as a fundraiser for the Slice of Shoreview and helps pay for the fireworks show. He said tickets can be purchased through the Slice of

projects scheduled to take place this summer at schools within the district. According to Johnson, projects will include painting, flooring, minor concrete repairs such as curb and sidewalk repairs, seal coating and repainting of parking lots as well as the replacement of exterior doors. This summer, the geothermal project will begin at Pinewood Elementary School. When completed, it will be used as the heating and cooling system for the elementary school. Johnson said the school’s library will also be remodeled, as well as adjacent classrooms and math rooms. Due to these projects, there will be no summer programs at Pinewood Elementary. At Mounds View High School, Johnson said there will be a reconstruction of classrooms in the science wing. Two original classrooms are going to be turned into a modern learning environment. Additionally, turf will be added to the infield and surrounding spaces at the baseball field.

Shoreview Facebook page.

• Springhorn also announced that the Shoreview Northern Lights Variety Band will host its spring concert at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 25, at Benson Great Hall at Bethel University. The band will play music from well-known movies such as James Bond, “The Sound of Music” and “Star Wars.”

The next Shoreview City Council meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Monday, April 6, in council chambers.

Over the next few years, both Mounds View and Irondale High School will see the installation of auxiliary turfed athletic fields. Johnson said these turf fields will provide additional practice and game locations for high school and community teams and groups.

• Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction Angie Peschel, Director of Technology John Perry and Director of Research, Assessment and Evaluation Mary Stobb updated the board on the district’s operational plan goal regarding student information systems. The district uses Synergy Assessment to help staff within the school district keep track of student assessments, gradebooks and analytics. To help achieve this goal, the district has implemented a tiered training program for administrators, teacher leaders and support staff. Staff also have completed assessment trainings on item banks, questions, test settings, schedules and analysis

within the Synergy program. Perry said the program has been working extremely well, and teachers have provided positive feedback on both the implementation process and the program itself. Peschel shared feedback from teachers. Teachers who are using Synergy expressed they appreciate the auto-grade feature, the summary reports, the ability to track student performance and real time intervention that allows them to spot errors as they happen, which allows teachers to provide feedback to the students as they work through assessments. The district is currently on track to meet this implementation goal.

The next Mounds View Public Schools School Board meeting will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 7, at the District Center, 4570 Victoria St. N., Shoreview. Public comments to the board will be at 6:30 p.m. before the meeting.

Madeline Dolby

2

Xcel Energy holds public hearings for new gas rates

At the beginning of 2026, Xcel Energy asked the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to approve an increase in natural gas rates. The requested increase is approximately 8.2%, or approximately $63.4 million. On average, the proposed final rate change would increase the monthly bill for a typical residential electric customer by $7.11, or 8.7%.

Administrative Law Judge Kimberly Middendorf will hold six in-person public hearings and two virtual public hearings between April 27 and May 6, 2026, so customers have an opportunity to comment on the request.

For information and the public hearing schedule can be found online at tinyurl.com/4yw6ct9z. If you have questions about the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission review process or need assistance submitting comments, contact the Commission’s Consumer Affairs Office at 651-296-0406 or consumer. puc@state.mn.us.

Register for garage-style parking lot sale by April 3

Those who are interested in participating in the garage-style parking lot sale as part of Springfest should do so by Friday, April 3, through Shoreview Parks and Recreation. Participants will have a stall, or two parking spaces, to set up their table. Bring your own table, chairs and cash box with change or e-payment. Springfest takes place at the Shoreview Community Center from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, April 26. The parking lot sale will take place in the lower-level community center parking lot. Set-up starts at 12:30 p.m. For more information, or to register, visit www. shoreviewmn.gov/Parks-rec. The community center is located at 4600 Victoria St. N.

SP TTED

AROUND TOWN

1. Irondale High School senior Cameron Cramble achieved 1,000 career points earlier this month. — Irondale High School, contributed 2. The St. Odilia Men’s Club had a great turnout at its fish fry held Friday, March 6, during Lent. Eighth graders from the St. Odilia School helped serve food and earned volunteer hours for confirmation. — St. Odilia Catholic Church, contributed

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

PROPOSED COFFEE SHOP: Most likely to be owned by local vendor

existing property boundaries.

Currently, the site contains a multitenant office building, which was developed in tandem in the early 1980s with the 3550 Lexington office building immediately to the south.

Access to the site is currently provided by a shared access point that serves both buildings. Peterson added these properties were developed with formalized shared access and parking agreements at the time of their initial development.

Peterson said staff is concerned that the proposed plan does not provide adequate parking and circulation to serve employees and customers. City code requires a minimum of six stacking spaces for drive-through facilities, and the concept plan shows at least 10 stacking spaces. However, Peterson said the city engineer, city staff and Ramsey County have identified concerns about the limited ability for alternative circulation within the site, despite the plan’s compli-

ance with that city code requirement.

“If this coffee shop, or drive-through facility, was extremely successful and the stacked lane meets or exceeds capacity, there is no blow-off valve that is not Lexington Avenue to accommodate the site,” Peterson added. If a formal development application is submitted in the future, he also noted a traffic study, stacking analysis or an evaluation of alternative circulation would need to be included.

Three surface parking spaces are proposed on the site. According to the city code, in commercial districts, parking is required at a rate of 5.5 spaces per 1,000 square feet of net floor area. Drive-up facilities also require one parking space per employee and one additional space for every 25 square feet of floor area. The exact number of required spaces depends on the internal layout and use of the drive-up facility, but the code would generally require about 30 to 45 parking spaces for this type of concept.

Peterson said this is a generally high number for the size of the building. He noted the city can grant deviation from the parking requirements. The parking lot currently on the site is about 20 spac-

es and could also be utilized by customers and employees if necessary.

Commissioner Nic Ahmadvand raised concerns about traffic on Lexington Avenue.

“That area can get pretty congested, especially when there is a train that is going by,” he said. “I live right in that area and several times when there is congestion, people are a little bit more aggressive when they are trying to get the turn lane … I definitely think a traffic study would be warranted here.”

Commissioner Steve Solomonson also expressed similar concerns about traffic. He asked whether city staff have looked at any issues with other concepts like the one being proposed.

“Have staff looked into any issues with some of the ones in other cities in terms of traffic, access, overflow, all those things?” Solomonson asked.

Peterson responded that staff has not done detailed research. Peterson provided the example of Mudslingers Drive-Thru Coffee, which is also located on Lexington Avenue North in Rose-

ville, and stated the business is “wildly successful.” He also added the concept of drive-through coffee shops is newer, and further research would be beneficial moving forward.

Ahmadvand asked Altstatt if he planned to open an independent coffee shop or a commercial chain such as Scooters or Caribou. Altstatt said he has had the site listed for lease for a little over a year.

“I’ve had a really good taste of what the market wants,” Altstatt added. “The site is not big enough for Scooters; they’d want a couple points of access, and it just makes the deal not quite feasible. If we move this forward, it’s most likely going to be a local group.”

No formal action was taken by the Planning Commission. It was discussion only. The City Council will provide its feedback at the next council meeting on Monday, April 6.

Editor Madeline Dolby can be reached at 651-407-1226 or shoreviewnews@presspubs.com

andArts Culture

EMERGING ARTIST: HEZAZAC ADAMS

BY LOGAN GION CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The first grass dancer was a Native American boy with a disability. When the boy told his grandfather that he wished to be rid of his disability so that he could ride horses and play with the other children, the grandfather responded, “I can tell your spirit means this; you are speaking in a good way.” He directed the boy to a sacred bed of sweetgrass and commanded him to fast for four days, saying, “The creator will give you something for your efforts.”

The boy found the sweetgrass bed, and, on the fourth day, a thunderstorm came upon him. As the boy left the bed to find shelter, a deer approached him, asking, “What are you doing here?” The boy again wished to be rid of his disability. The deer saw the boy’s sincerity and called upon the creator, who sent down a song through the deer, the first grass dance song, about a buffalo being able to trek through the same storm. No matter how bad the storm, the buffalo continues walking, knowing a rainbow will be at the end.

PAUL DOLS PRESS PUBLICATIONS

The boy received the song and returned to his grandfather, who threw a powwow the next day. The boy donned a regalia and performed the first grass dance.

LAKESHORE PLAYERS’

“TThis is the version of the story White Bear Lake Area High School Senior Hezazac Adams, Ho-Chunk, recounted. “If you ask every single grass dancer to answer,” Adams explained, “it's going to be that same story as the base, but they have some different things, some different characters.” Regardless, this story is why many grass dancers wear deer skin, buffalo hide or rainbow cloth on their regalia when they dance.

Adams began grass dancing at an early age. “My parents, ever since I could walk, threw me in regalia,” he said. “We’d end up in the Dells or Black River, just at powwows all over the place.” Though he dances competitively, Adams has recently been dancing at local events, most notably on Indigenous People’s Day during last October’s school board meeting and last month at the Black Student Union Showcase.

Adams’ category of grass dance is contemporary. “A traditional grass dancer might move around the powwow circle, like, one time fully during the song. Contemporary? We’re always moving, and it’s fast. It’s definitely more of a performance,” Adams contrasted. While the traditional grass dance is many centuries old, Native Americans developed the contemporary style as a

‘THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST’ IS FOR

ALL MANNERS OF PEOPLE

be all over social media.”

BY LOGAN GION CONTRIBUTING WRITER

he Importance of Being Earnest,” the 1895 comedy by Oscar Wilde, satirizes Victorian-era high society and its rules using characters that hold double identities, who verbally fence with pointed wit. Encyclopedia Brittanica even states the play to be Wilde’s greatest dramatic achievement. Now through March 22, one can see why by attending Lakeshore Players’ production of the play. “It’s a timeless comedy that’s been performed for ages and ages, and one of the reasons it’s endured this long is because the writing is spectacular,” Lakeshore Players Executive Director Megan Pence said. Pence also stated that, though the play takes place in a different time and space from ours, audiences will easily draw parallels to their own lives. “You pretend to have this other life … I mean, if these people had phones in this age, they’d

IBY LOGAN GION CONTRIBUTING WRITER

n 1904, the Twin Cities Rapid Transit Line expanded their system of electric streetcars from Mahtomedi into Birchwood, around the lake and into the Village of White Bear. For a time, as many as 15 tracks crossed Highway 61, allowing White Bear residents to traverse the town in any direction.

While the White Bear Lake Area Historical Society has highlighted this era before, Executive Director Sara Hanson has recently conducted another wave of research. “We got a grant to dig a little deeper,” Hanson stated, “which allowed us to get some additional photos and lots of records of what was going on when.” Hanson will present her findings to the public in next month’s Armory program,

The play’s director, Craig Johnson, believes that every age has rules for high society, but that social gatekeepers ultimately make those rules up as they go. “At the very end of the play, Lady Bracknell, the ultimate gatekeeper of high society in London, you come to realize, ‘Oh, these are all constructs. These are all things you made up to stay in power and keep everyone in their place.’” Johnson continued that every character in the play is welcomed by the end, mirroring the feeling of community that each audience member feels when they attend the theater.

Concluded Johnson, “It’s just like Oscar Wilde always said, ‘Be yourself. Everyone else is taken.’” Lakeshore Players presents “The Importance of Being Earnest,” now through March 22 at the Hanifl Performing Arts Center, 4941 Long Ave, White Bear Lake. For tickets, visit lakeshoreplayers.org.

A STREETCAR NOW RETIRED

CONTRIBUTED

“Ding! Ding! Goes the Trolley!” Within this program, Hanson will survey how the Twin Cities Rapid Transit Line invested funds in and directed lines to Wildwood Amusement Park. “They wanted people to come out in

the evenings and on weekends to use the streetcars and gave them a reason to go to the end of the line,” Hanson explained. The program will also explore streetcar employees’ lives and why White Bear and

Mahtomedi encouraged the network to be built. “It was a huge economic driver in the sense of getting people to the White Bear area to spend money,” Hanson said. Streetcars, in tandem with the railroad, gave the White Bear Lake area its resort-town past and helped map what our roads look like today. To Hanson, making those contemporary connections for program attendees is essential. While historians may travel on a timeline to different eras, their aim is not to obsess over the past. Said Hanson, “We’re really just trying to understand the present.”

White Bear Lake Area Historical Society presents “Ding! Ding! Goes the Trolley!” at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, at the White Bear Lake Armory, 2228 Fourth St. For for details, visit whitebearhistory.org/events.

part of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. Since then, contemporary grass dance has evolved into a competition, judged in a manner similar to figure skating. Adams finds dance competitions paradoxical, describing, “The actual spirit that goes into the art of dancing, I feel like most of that is stripped at competition powwows because it's just, ‘I’ve got to out dance you.’” Adams resists this attitude by using dancing as education, commenting, “I want to continue to be the best dancer I can be, then also be able to fulfill my responsibility to keep on passing it down.”

Adams plans to attend college in the fall, eventually becoming a history teacher, but he also plans to continue sharing a piece of Native American history through his art to the community at large. He stated, “Dance for the people who can’t dance, who never could dance. Dance for all those ancestors who aren’t here anymore, who had their culture stripped away from them.”

Hezazac Adams will compete during the Circle of Nations Indigenous Association 41st Annual Powwow on April 11 at UMN Morris. The event is open to all members of the public.

CALENDAR

ABSTRACT BOTANICAL PAINT NIGHT

Location: Casey Lake Park Building, 2089 17th Ave. E., North St. Paul

Dates: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 19

Details: Unwind and get creative at this relaxed, guided paint night inspired by nature. Using stencils and layered color techniques, you’ll create your own abstract botanical artwork. No experience needed; all materials provided.

TRIVIA NIGHT AT THE ARMORY

Location: White Bear Lake Armory, 2228 Fourth St., White Bear Lake

Dates: 6:30-9 p.m. Tuesday, March 24

Details: Join us for a gathering of the minds, brews and plenty of laughter as we take on local-themed trivia. Includes drink specials and prizes for the top three teams.

WRITERS SPEAK: AN OPEN MIC NIGHT FOR THE COMMUNITY

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

Dates: 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, April 7

Details: Share your latest work, test new ideas or soak in the words around you. If you would like to read, register in advance at whitebeararts.org/ events. Readings should be under five minutes.

‘DEAR EVAN HANSEN’

Location: White Bear Lake Area High School Performing Arts Center, 5040 Division Ave., Door A

Dates: April 9-12

Details: WBLAHS PAC will be the first stage in Minnesota to produce this musical about a young man with a social anxiety disorder who so yearns to make a connection with his peers that he fabricates a relationship with a deceased student to become closer to the boy’s family. For details and tickets, visit sites.google.com/isd624. org/musical-theatre/tickets.

Ousdigian skis to 3rd national juniors title

BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR

Linnea Ousdigian captured her third consecutive Junior Nationals championship in Nordic Skiing at Cable, Wisconsin, in races March 9-14. The Mounds View High School junior won the U18’s this year after two U16 titles.

In the 7.5K race March 9, Ousdigian was recovering from a cold but still placed fourth. The snow was slow and slushy with temperature in the 50’s.

In the classic sprint on March 11, Ousdigian posted the fastest sprint qualifier of all 190 females — then won the quarterfinal, semi-final and final to repeat as the Sprint Champion. Last year she was the skate sprint champion in Utah.

In the classic mass start on March 13, with new snow on the course and more falling throughout the race, Ousdigian won the by almost one minute for the three-peat. She previously won the mass start classic in Lake Placid in 2024 and mass start skate in Utah in 2025.

In the mixed skate relay on March 14, she teamed with Anders Decker, Evie Malec and Logan Drevlow to place second of 39 entrants behind an Alaska team. Ousdigian, a two-time state Nordic champion, is also an all-state distance runner.

“I am currently planning to do Nordic in college,” she stated, “and I think for now that’s my long-term goal — to compete and improve as best I can at the collegiate level.”

GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD

This Week In SPORTS

• 4 p.m. Thursday, March 26 — at White Bear Lake

1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 4 — vs. Multiple schools SOFTBALL

5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 1 — vs. East Ridge

4:30 p.m. Monday, April 6 — at Cretin-Derham Hall

BOYS TRACK AND FIELD

• 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 4 — vs. Multiple schools

BOYS VOLLEYBALL

7 p.m. Monday, April 6 — vs. Prairire Seeds Academy

GIRLS HOCKEY

Sarah Johnson, Mounds View/Irondale (MVI) junior, ranked seventh in the state in goals scored. She was named to the all-Suburban East Conference team and got honorable mention to all-state. Also all-conference were junior forward Mia Simones and sophomore defenseman Maria Walsh. Johnson, who tallied 37 goals along with 22 assists, was MVI’s offensive MVP. Walsh was named the defensive MVP. Honorable mentions went to junior goalie Kayla Kearin, sophomore forwards Stella Hagen and Claire Milbert and freshman defenseman Bayleigh King. Simones was the No. 2 scorer with 27 goals and 16 assists. Kearin had a .918 save percentage and 2.48 goals-against-average. MVI had a 13-10-3 record including 7-7-2 in the Suburban East Conference.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Mounds View’s Andrew Aitkin and Rylan Happel, both junior guards, earned all-Suburban East recognition. Getting honorable mentions were seniors Ben Young and Qani Mohamed and junior

Reid Defeyter. Aitkin averaged 16.4 points, Happel 13.0, and Defeyter 12.3. The Mustangs were 16-12 overall and 7-11 in the conference.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Mounds View had two all-Suburban East players after a 17-12 season with a section runner-up finish and 9-9 record in conference. They were Jaycie Helmer, eighthgrade point guard who averaged 17.8 points per game (ppg), and Taylor Whitehill, junior wing who averaged 15.1 ppg. Receiving honorable mentions were senior guard Maddie Schneider (10.1 ppg) and senior post Avery Lanore (9.2 ppg).

BOYS HOCKEY

Mounds View forward Tobias Walseth was named to the all-Suburban East team. Getting honorable mentions were defenseman Isaac Snider and forwards Russ Eck and Chase Ballinger. All four are juniors.Top scorers (goals-assists-points) were Eck (13-13-26), Walseth (11-14-25), Ballinger (12-6-28) and Snider (6-14-20). The Mustangs finished 2-22-2.

Bruce Strand

White Bear Lake house fire kills 1 adult, 3 children and dog

The White Bear Lake Fire Department was called to a residential structure fire at a single-family home located in the 2100 block of Richard Avenue in White Bear Lake at 5:26 a.m. Saturday, March 21.

Neighbors who made the 911 call, reported seeing fire coming through the roof of the house and stated that there were likely people inside of the house.

Upon arrival, crews found a fully involved structure fire and immediately began fire suppression efforts. Crews were then able to locate an adult, three children and a dog inside of the house. Unfortunately, all were deceased.

The Minnesota Wild has identified the woman as Jessi Pierce. Pierce, 37, was a contributor to NHL. com for the past 10 seasons. She also worked for the

Wild. Pierce’s work on appeared in many publications, including USA Hockey, the Minnesota Hockey Journal, Massachusetts Hockey, The Athletic and the B1G Ice Hockey blog.

"The Minnesota Wild organization is heartbroken by the tragic loss of Jessi Pierce and her children. Jessi was a kind, compassionate person that cared deeply about her family and those around her. She served as a dedicated ambassador for the game of hockey during her time covering the Wild and the NHL. Jessi and her children will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to their family, friends and all who knew and loved them," the Minnesota Wild wrote in a statement.

Responding agencies included the White Bear Lake

Fire Department, Vadnais Heights Fire Department, Mahtomedi Fire Department, Maplewood Fire Department, Oakdale Fire Department, North St. Paul Fire Department, Little Canada Fire Department, Lakeview EMS and White Bear Lake Police Department.

"Our hearts ache for those involved in this tragedy. We ask for the opportunity to allow our community to come together and support one another during this difficult time," said White Bear Lake Fire Chief Greg Peterson.

The Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office is leading an investigation into the source of the fire.

POTENTIAL ENERGY: Robotics team reflects on time together

Q: Can you describe the experience of competing in the state championship?

A: State is always exciting, as we get to meet up with so many amazing teams from Minnesota. The FIRST Tech Challenge community in Minnesota is really tight-knit. We’ve been competing for five years, so we’ve become friends with other teams even though they are our competition. We compete against other teams on the field, then hang out together between matches. The level of collaboration between teams is unlike in any other sport. We all help each other out, teaching each other new skills or loaning each other equipment. While we were happy to be back at state, we were also nervous about making it to worlds. If we didn’t advance to worlds, this would have been the end of our robotics journey. Our team was thrilled when we heard we were heading to the world championship again! All of our hard work paid off.

all deeply interested in STEM and get excited about problem-solving and working in a team to solve challenges. Every year, we each learn something new, and that drives us to stay in this program year after year. We also really enjoy learning from each other and hanging out together.

Q: Do you feel that participating in robotics has helped you succeed at school? Are there skills you have learned that you use in other classes?

A: Apart from the technical skills that we learn, there are also many soft skills we learn through the process of managing a team. These include public speaking, leadership and organizational skills. Over the last few years, we’ve also had the unique opportunity to get into the legislative process. We have lobbied for robotics-focused education funding, and one of our captains even testified in front of a Senate committee about the opportunities that robotics has given her! All of these soft skills have helped us inside and outside of the classroom.

The current state of Shoreview’s lakes

BY MADELINE DOLBY EDITOR

Shoreview residents had the opportunity to learn more about the current state of the city’s lakes as part of the Environmental Speaker Series put on by the Shoreview Environmental Quality Committee.

In Shoreview, there are seven lakes, and the city is split between the Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) and the Ramsey Washington Metro Watershed District (RWMWD). Lake Wabasso, Snail Lake, Grass Lake, Lake Judy, Lake Emily and Lake Owasso are managed by the RWMWD, while Turtle Lake and Island Lake are managed by the RCWD.

The seven principles of Leave No Trace:

• Plan ahead and prepare

• Travel and camp on durable surfaces

• Dispose of waste properly

• Leave what you find

• Minimize campfire impacts

• Respect wildlife

• Be considerate of others

Phosphorus can run into lakes from multiple sources, including agriculture, street runoff, factory or industrial emissions, and erosion from streams. In urban areas, according to Kocian, a big part of phosphorus loading comes from stormwater.

A deep dive into Shoreview’s lakes

Q: What is the name and skill set of your latest robot?

A: Our robot is named Artemis after the Greek goddess of archery. This year, the main objective for each robot is to shoot wiffle balls into a goal located across a 12x12foot game field. Artemis can grab balls off the ground using a set of wheels which spin inwards. Once balls are inside the robot, they’re moved to our delivery mechanism, which launches balls out of the robot using a flywheel spinning at 6000 rpm. Artemis has some pretty advanced features. For example, our software team members have programmed Artemis to know where she is on the field at all times, so she can auto-aim at the goals from anywhere on the field. At the push of a button, Artemis will turn to aim in the correct direction and spin the flywheel at the correct speed based on how far away the goal is.

Q: How long have you been a team now? What has kept you together and focused on robotics all these years?

A: Our team has been together for the past five years. This is our last year competing as a team, as the majority of us are seniors. We are

Q: Are any of you considering pursuing engineering / tech / robotics as a career?

A: Yes, we are all planning to major in engineering or other STEM areas after high school. We would all love to continue with these fields in our careers!

Q: What would you tell other schoolaged kids about getting involved in a robotics program?

A: We think it is really important to get engaged in any sort of STEM programs at an early age. Our team members were exposed to this robotics program when we were all very young, and without that exposure we wouldn’t be able to participate in this amazing program. In addition to the technical side of things, FIRST programs have the added focus of community service, which has really resonated with our team. Part of our community service has been our work with the Mounds View School District to implement more robotics teams in elementary schools. We would love to see more kids in our community get involved with this program.

Compiled by North Oaks News Editor Andrea Swenson.

Submitting Public Notices

Including Foreclosures, Certificates of Assumed Name, Liens, Probates and all other Public Notice Requirements

Contact: Lisa, Myrna or Evelyn

E-Mail: Legals@presspubs.com Call: 651-407-1200

“The issues watershed districts work on vary … in the metro area, big (priorities) are preventing flooding, invasive species issues, regulate land development and redevelopment, protect wetlands and protect and improve water quality,” said Matt Kocian, lake and stream program manager for the RCWD.

RCWD covers 28 cities and approximately 186 square miles. It is responsible for managing 55 lakes.

According to Lyndsey Flaten, RWMWD water quality technician, RWMWD covers 12 cities as well as approximately 65 square miles. The district oversees 20 lakes, five streams and more than 1,000 wetlands.

The most important issue for both watersheds is water quality. Kocian explained that water quality mainly revolves around nutrient loading and algae blooms. Two of the nutrients that lead to algae blooms are nitrogen and phosphorus.

“These nutrients are required for algae to grow. If you take clear water, add phosphorus, and to some extent, nitrogen, you’re going to get more algae growing,” Kocian said.

According to Kocian, Turtle Lake has excellent water quality and meets state standards. It is grade A in phosphorus, grade A in algae and grade B in clarity.

“Every year, Turtle Lake is going to get an A or a B in any of those categories ... There is reallyexcellent water quality. It’s really consistent, doesn’t change a whole lot,” he added.

While Island Lake has seen improvements in water quality over the past few years, this year it looks a little different. In 2025, the total amount of phosphorus in the lake is above the state standard. Kocian said he thinks a big part of the drop in water quality is related to the heavy rains in 2024 and 2025.

“Many of the lakes in the Rice Creek Watershed District in 2024 and 2025, we saw worse water quality because we had warmer weather and a lot more rain. Those two things combined mean more nutrients getting delivered to a lake and more algae blooms being fueled,” he said.

According to Flaten, Lake Wabasso has a grade A to B level of phosphorus levels as of summer 2025. She said algae levels are also very low.

Snail Lake received a grade of C for total phosphorus levels as of summer 2025.

According to Flaten, because the lake at 190 acres is relatively large, and has an additional 961 acres of tributary area, it receives significant amounts of stormwater runoff.

Flaten said Grass Lake and Lake Judy are categorized as wetlands. She noted that Lake Judy has been receiving attention due to high levels of phosphorus and chlorophyll.

“We’re looking at 170 micrograms per liter of total phosphorus. The secchi disk transparency is at 0.62 meters; that is an F (grade) and 64 micrograms per liter of chlorophyll, which is a D (grade),” she said.

Lake Emily received a D grade in total phosphorus levels and Lake Owasso received a B grade in total phosphorus levels as of last summer.

Overall, the lakes in Shoreview cover a wide range of total phosphorus levels. Kocian said that as of right now, both watersheds are in “protection mode” to keep Turtle Lake and Lake Wabasso at the grades they are currently at.

Both watersheds have grant programs and ways for individuals and municipalities to get involved to help improve water quality and manage stormwater runoff. One of the ways residents can help manage stormwater runoff is by planting a raingarden in their yard. According to Flaten, Island Lake Elementary is partnering with the watersheds to create raingardens on the school’s property. Other ways residents and municipalities can get involved is to participate in the stewardship grant program offered by the RWMWD, volunteer to monitor water quality, plant native plants and follow the seven principles known as Leave No Trace.

The next Environmental Speaker Series will take place at 7 p.m. Monday, April 27, in council chambers at Shoreview City Hall, 4600 Victoria St. N. Editor Madeline Dolby can be reached at 651-407-1226 or shoreviewnews@ presspubs.com.

Scrap meta l,appliance p/u 651*/329*0815

CLASSIFIEDS

The Public Works Mechanic performs skilled & semi-skilled maintenance of Township vehicles & equipment along with other duties in the maintenance of roads, public utilities, parks, & Township facilities. Responsibilities include operating & maintaining Township vehicles & heavy equipment, fleet management including preparing recommendations for equipment purchases, & coordinating larger repairs with vendors. This position serves as a visible representative of the Township & often acts as the first point of contact for public inquiries. The role is essential to preserving public assets through timely maintenance & the safe operation of equipment.

Minimum qualifications:

High school diploma or equivalent Five years of experience as an equipment mechanic or equivalent combination of education and experience

Class A driver’s license is required or must be obtained within 12 months.

Valid Minnesota Driver’s License

Ability to respond to emergency calls within 1 hour

Anticipated hiring range is $33.32 – $42.51 with licensure bumps

To apply, complete and submit a White Bear Township Employment Application found on whitebeartownship.org/Jobs. aspx. Applications will be accepted until 4:30 p.m., Friday, April 10, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. Submit completed applications to: White Bear Township, 1281 Hammond Road, White Bear Township, MN 55110 or via email adminoffices@whitebeartownship.org.

NOW HIRING! GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Part time 6-12 hours/week

Entry level position

Experience with indesign, illustrator and photoshop preferred

Main responsibilities include ad design and newspaper layout

Send resume to artmanager@presspubs.com

Position Vacancy Notice

SEASONAL PUBLIC WORKS POSITION. The City of Hugo is currently accepting applications for seasonal public works employees. These positions are responsible for assisting the public works department in a wide variety of tasks including park, street and utilities maintenance. These positions will exist from May through September and will not exceed 40 hours per week. The rate of pay is $18 per hour. Applicants must have a valid Minnesota driver’s license and be at least 18 years of age. Applications are available at Public Works, 8220 140th St. N., Hugo, MN 55038, 651762-6301 or on the City’s web site at www.ci.hugo.mn.us/employment. Applications must be completed and returned to Public Works or emailed to pw@ci.hugo.mn.us by 4:00 p.m., March 30, 2026.

Pet Services

legal custod ians; pregnant women and peop le securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not kn owingly accept any ad vertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers ar e hereby informed that all dw ellings advertised in this newsp ap er are available on an equal oppor tunity basis To complain of discrimination call HUD toll free: 1-800-669-9777. The toll-free number for hearing impaired is 1-800-927-92 75 White Bear Township is NOW HIRING for Public Works Mechanic Res ponsibilitie s include: Maintenance on Tw nshp vehicles & equipment alo ng other duties in the maintena nce of roads, public utilitie s, parks & Twnshp facilities. For more information see larger ad.

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Ramsey County Historical Society receives funds from the state

The Ramsey County Historical Society has received a Minnesota historical and cultural large grant from the Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) in the amount of $28,980. The grant will help hire a consultant to develop two new Interactive Learning Labs and Gibbs Farm, with a focus on the Gibbs family farm life and agricultural history of the Twin Cities.

The historical society has also received a Minnesota historical and cultural heritage small grant from MNHS in the amount of $17,658 to provide better organization of the museum’s archival collections, which will allow greater public access to the community’s historic resources.

For more information on the Minnesota historical and cultural heritage grants program, including application deadlines, visit www.mnhs.org/preservation/legacy-grants.

County receives top bond ratings for 25 years straight

For the 25th year in a row, two of the nation’s leading credit rating services have assigned the highest possible bond ratings to Ramsey County. High bond ratings and positive comments from ratings agencies enable the county to save taxpayer dollars by issuing bonds and borrowing funds at the lowest possible interest rates.

In January 2026, S&P and Moody’s Ratings awarded their AAA/Aaa ratings to Ramsey County’s general obligation bonds, Series 2056A for approximately $31.5 million. The county is one of 25 counties nationwide to receive the highest rating from both agencies.

In its report, S&P noted that "Ramsey County's credit strengths are evident across all factors, but its fund balance is particularly strong and nominally large at more than 30% of annual revenue, which is not common for a large government entity; likewise, the county's debt level is notably low given the capital demands to accommodate its growing economy.”

Ramsey County annually issues bonds to support capital improvements in infrastructure, including renovations to county buildings, upgrading roofs and HVAC systems, improving public safety facilities and making major road improvements. In 2026 the county will issue bonds to support technology for its new finance and human resources system.

Carrier of the Month Patrick Kruse

March 2026

Congratulations to Patrick! He has been an excellent carrier for 2 years. Thank you for all your hard work!

POLITICAL BRIEFS

Submissions open for Congressional Art Competition Congresswoman

Betty McCollum invites high school students in Minnesota's Fourth Congressional District to participate in the 45th annual Congressional Art Competition. Announcing the competition, the congresswoman released the following statement:

“Minnesota is a national leader in the arts, and every year I am so impressed by the talent and creativity of our young artists here in the Fourth District. This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the artistic talents of students in our community, and I look forward to seeing all the entries displayed at the 2026 Spring Saint Paul Art Crawl,” McCollum said.

The competition is open to all high school students who either attend school or reside in the Fourth Congressional District. All entries will be displayed in the Atrium Gallery of the Schmidt Artist Lofts as part of the 2026 Spring Saint Paul Art Crawl April 17-19. All entries will also be displayed in a digital exhibit on McCollum's official website, mccollum.house. gov. The winning entry from the Fourth District will be displayed as part of a national exhibit in the U.S. Capitol. Entries from the runners-up will be displayed in McCollum's offices in Saint Paul and in Washington, D.C. Sub-

missions are due by 5 p.m. Friday, April 10. Contact McCollum's Saint Paul office at 651-224-9191 with any questions. Find complete rules and instructions at mccollum.house. gov/art-competition.

Public invited to learn more about election security

The White Bear Lake League of Women Voters will host a panel discussion focused on how election security experts from the state of Minnesota and local governments work together to ensure safe, secure and trustworthy elections. The event will take place at the Ramsey County Library in Roseville from 6:30-7:45 p.m. Tuesday, March 24. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Experienced election officials will explain the safeguards in place before, during and after elections as well as how voters can have confidence in the integrity of Minnesota’s election process. Featured speakers include Bill Ekblad, election security navigator at the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State; David Triplett, deputy director of Property Tax, Records and Election Services for Ramsey County; and Robin Johnson, head election judge for White Bear Lake. To register, go to lwv-wbla.org. The Ramsey County Library–Roseville is located at 2180 Hamline Ave.

The Board approved the 2027-28 school year calendar. The calendar reflects non-school days for the following observances:

• October 11: Yom Kippur

• October 11: Indigenous Peoples’ Day

• October 29: Diwali

• December 25: Christmas

• January 1: Hanukkah (falls on a weekend)

• January 17: MLK Day

• January 26: Lunar New Year

• February 26: EID (falls on a weekend)

• April 14: Good Friday

View the previously approved 2026-27 calendar and the newly approved 2027-28 calendar on the website

DOP Goal Update: Enrollment & Facilities study

Superintendent Chris Lennox gave an update on the District Operational Plan Goal (DOP) of conducting a comprehensive enrollment and facilities study. Lennox reported on current enrollment trends, capacity of District facilities and future projected enrollment. The 2025-26 DOP can be viewed on the website.

Adult and summer programs update

Karl Brown, director of community education, gave an update regarding 2026 adult and summer programming. Brown gave an overview of the preliminary plans for a comprehensive summer programming that will include academic support, enrichment opportunities and student activities.

Thank you

The Board accepted with appreciation gifts from Steven and Kristi Zwach, Molly’s Closet - Frank and Jane LaPorte, Molly’s Closet - Lynne and Mark Dolan, Daniel Anderson, Craig Maki, Jess Roberts, James Arcand, David Schyndel, Stanely Stepnowski III, Luke and Renee Kuhl, Kowalski’s Shoreview Market, Allison Beardsley, Sandy Speikers, Stef Helmer, Mark and Kari Comnick, Kim Surve, Alexandra Kovarik, Laura Christopher, Jessie Palacio, Rebecca Gordon, Jody Prudhomme, Shoma Hokanson, Mary and Chris Higgins, Jodi Knott, Patrick and Sarah Horrigan, Caitlin Young, YourCause

“ “

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

BBGF – Jean Tillman, Kristin McCullough, Jim and Shelley Diffley, Jerad Morey, Emily Glasgow, Courtney Remes Riach, Cybergrants – Brian Pearce, Benevity – Karel Hanna, Benevity - Paula Cludray-Engelke, Benevity – Robin Chattopadhyay, Lee-ann Breuch, Katie Barrett Wiik, Diane Shaw, Nancy Lee, Debbie Baxley, Brian Bradway, Rachel Zimmermann, Liberty Diversified International – Susan Song, MC Tool & Safety Sales – David Ulaszek, Stacey Okan, Jennifer Ballejo, Kenneth Herreid, Jenny Burger, American Online Giving Foundation - Trane Technologies, American Online Giving Foundation, Mightycause Charitable Foundation, Wells Fargo Employer match – Andy Ratwick, Wells Fargo Employer match – Leila Paye-Baker, Todd Bofinger, Elizabeth Jones, Alpha Delta Kappa - Pi Chapter Grant Committee, Jonathan & Michelle Wood, Paul Bjerke, Carley Foundry – Jordan Carley, Central Roofing – Jason Stock, Joanne Easter, Elizabeth Frenzel Jones, Kimberly and Benjamin Gulli, Paulette and John Harapat, Mary and Kevin Johnson, Joan Kelly, Kowalski’s Markets and Groceries for Good Causes – Nate Thomas, National Christian Foundation – Jeff Carver, Susan and Charlie Oltman, Forrest Pape, Lindsey Samec, Spanswick-Postman Family Charitable Fund -Ben Postman, Lisa Vannelli, Walen Thompson Family Charitable Fund, Marcia Weinandt, Barbara Westgard and The Wilde

Community salutes soldier, wife, mother, friend

CITY BRIEF

Shoreview looks to fill seats on Human Rights Commission

The city of Shoreview is currently accepting applications for positions on the Human Rights Commission. One seat is available for a regular commission member, with a term that expires on Jan. 31, 2028. In addition, three student member seats are open. These terms will begin in June 2026 and continue through the student’s high school graduation. Students must live in Shoreview or attend Irondale, Mounds View or Roseville high schools. For more information or to apply, visit shoreviewmn.gov/committees. Applications will be accepted until positions are filled.

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dental experience for every stage of life.

EASTER WORSHIP

HOLY THURSDAY, APRIL 2

7:30 AM - Triduum Morning Prayer

7:00 PM - Bilingual Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper

GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 3

7:30 AM - Triduum Morning Prayer

3:00 PM - Living Stations of the Cross

5:00 PM - Celebration of the Lord’s Passion (English)

7:30 PM - Celebration of the Lord’s Passion (Spanish)

HOLY SATURDAY, APRIL 4

8:00 AM - Triduum Morning Prayer

8:00 PM - Bilingual Easter Vigil

(Please note: no 5:00 PM Mass on Holy Saturday)

EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 5

7:30 AM - Mass (church)

9:00 AM - Mass (church and gym)

11:00 AM - Mass (church and gym)

1:00 PM - Mass in Spanish (church)

(Please note: no 6:00 p.m. Mass on Easter Sunday)

Art with Heart seeks to shake off winter doldrums

BY KATHY ANDERSON SPECIAL TO THE PRESS

These long, cold days staring at the same four walls can be tough. Art with Heart will lift your spirits and maybe even make your four walls a lot more interesting!

North Oaks Heart for Children will sponsor an art show/sale at the North Oaks Golf Club on March 27 and 28. This free event is open to the public and will showcase beautiful art created by artists from around Minnesota. Proceeds from the event will benefit

Children’s Oncology and Hematology at Children’s Hospitals Minnesota.

Types of art displayed will include watercolors, oil paintings, blown glass, photography, Batiks, acrylics, alcohol inks and collages. Landscape artist Noelle Dahlen will present her beautiful oil paintings of scenes of Minnesota and Wisconsin nature. “‘Let nature teach us,’ that’s my motto,” said Dahlen. “We are part of nature and nature is part of us. I like to find beauty in my daily life.”

Rand Whillock, a glass blower and North Oaks resident, also said that nature is his inspiration. Whillock and his wife Elizabeth have been blowing glass for 15 years. He will be selling colorful glass bowls, vases, tumblers and platters. He will also have glass fusing items that consist of pieces of glass cut into shapes and molded onto flat surfaces to create a picture. “I’m so excited to be part of this event,” said Whillock, “especially to be creating a piece of blown glass inspired by a child’s art while they were in the hospital.”

This event will have something for all ages and tastes in art. In addition to the wide variety of beautiful art for sale, there will be a silent auction of artwork created by children during their hospital stays, paired with artist’s renderings inspired by their pieces. There will also be a scavenger hunt for younger guests with prizes for participating.

Two art demonstrations will be held both days, and there will be an optional luncheon. At Friday evening’s “Art After Dark” ticketed event, guests will enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar and the opportunity to browse the art and meet the artists. You can find more information and purchase tickets at www. northoaksheartforchildren.org.

This event will take place at the North Oaks Golf Club from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, March 27, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 28. Reservations are required for the luncheon and can be made by calling the golf club at 651-484-8585.

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