Press Publications 4779 Bloom Avenue White Bear Lake, MN 55110 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
Scan for deals on page 2
PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 9 CIRCLE PINES, MN
THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2026 VOL. 23 NO. 2 www.readthecitizen.com $1.00
165TH STREET: City Council will review draft plan for next month PAGE 11
Firefighting becomes a family tradition for the Bienieks BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR
When the pager goes off in Hugo, it’s not unusual to see Bob Bieniek answering the call alongside his son, Chris, a firefighter who once tagged along to the station as a 5-year-old with his toy-sized air pack. The Bieniek family is made
the Inver Grove Heights Fire Department. “I remember I had just started on Inver Grove. Chris was 5 years old, and he was pointing stuff out on the trucks. I was like ‘this kid knows more about trucks than I do,’” Greg recalled.
up of not one, not two, but three firefighters. Bob’s brother Greg, Chris’ uncle, also serves as a firefighter, but on a different department. Bob and his wife Julie moved to Hugo in 2003. When Bob joined the Hugo Fire Department in December 2008, Chris was 5 years old. A couple of years later, Greg joined
SEE BIENIEKS FIREFIGHTERS, PAGE 2
SHANNON GRANHOLM | CONTRIBUTED
(From left) Greg, Chris and Bob Bieniek are all firefighters. Greg is a firefighter at the Marathon Refinery in St. Paul Park and also on the Hudson Fire Department; Bob and Chris are firefighters on the Hugo Fire Department.
Legislators highlight public safety at Chamber legislative reception BY MAYA BETTI NEWS INTERN
Before the 2026 legislative session starts, state legislators and county commissioners are discussing top priorities with local business leaders. The annual legislative reception, hosted by the White Bear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, fosters a dialogue between community leaders and business leaders. The event featured two moderated panels, one with state legislators and another with county commissioners, taking place amid what multiple speakers described as “an uncertain moment for Minnesota communities and businesses.”
CONTRIBUTED
that, when the 12 schools in the section asked for hosting volunteers, “I very gleefully and loudly went, ‘We can; our theater’s done.’ And then I got handed a big ol’ packet with, ‘Here’s the amount of work that goes into it for free.’”
Public safety dominates discussion Senator Heather Gustafson (DFL) opened the legislative panel by acknowledging recent events that have weighed heavily on both lawmakers and residents alike. “We're on our third crisis in a row here in Minnesota,” Gustafson said, citing the killing of House Speaker Melissa Hortman, the Annunciation school shooting and, most recently, ongoing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity across the state. “It is not normal that communities and schools should have to come up with safety plans in order to protect their families and their students from the federal government,” Gustafson said. “But that’s where we’re at right now.” Several legislators, including Rep. Peter Fischer (DFL), described ICE activity as having a direct impact on local business.
SEE ONE ACT PLAY, PAGE 5
SEE LEGISLATIVE RECEPTION, PAGE 9
White Bear Lake Area High School will compete in the Minnesota State High School League’s Section 4AA one-act play sectional tournament Jan. 22-23.
WBLAHS hosts 1-act play competition, performs ‘Curious’ selection
ANY $5 OFF purchase of $25 or more excludes alcohol
Not valid with any other offers Expires 2/28/26
Pizza & Salad Lunch Buffet M-F from 11am - 2pm & PUB
2023
2022
of the Press
of the Press
BEST OF THE PRESS
The Citizen
FLORAL & GARDEN CENTER
BEST OF THE PRESS
FLOWERS FOR EVERY OCCASION
The Citizen
(651) 407-1094 • 7095 20th Ave S • Centerville, MN Voted Best Pizza! CIRCULATION 651-407-1234 ppcirc@presspubs.com
FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1923
$11.95
NEWS 651-407-1230 citizennews@presspubs.com
16155 Forest Blvd, Hugo (Highway 61) • Visit us On
ADVERTISING 651-407-1200 marketing@presspubs.com
CLASSIFIED 651-407-1250 classified@presspubs.com
• 651-488-6707
PRODUCTION 651-407-1253 artmanager@presspubs.com
848152
The Performing Arts Center at White Bear Lake Area High School (WBLAHS) will host the Minnesota State High School League’s (MSHSL) Section 4AA one-act play sectional
tournament Jan. 22-23. The school will also compete in the tournament, performing “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.” The last time the school hosted this tournament was in 2018. WBLAHS one-act Director Braylon Lane explained
89566
BY LOGAN GION CONTRIBUTING WRITER