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MAPLEWOOD MALL: Police respond to non-fatal shooting PAGE 6
Max Nelson back in Paralympics after near-fatal brain tumor BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR
Max Nelson never let nearblindness prevent him from his passion, Nordic skiing. He was a conference champion in high school at Mahtomedi, skied for his college team, and was a Team USA member in the 2022 Paralympics. A year ago, Nelson was hit with a much graver situation. A large brain tumor was discovered, requiring surgery from which 80 percent of patients do not survive.
But, as his dad Jon put it, “Max beat the odds again.” The 21-yearold will compete in his second Paralympics with Team USA starting March 6 in Italy. “Thank God, for helping me through that. I’m so thankful — just to be able to ski again,” said Nelson, contacted last week before one of his five-hour daily workouts. Nelson attended a World Cup meet in Italy last March. When he returned, he could not sleep, suffered from headaches, and had
a sinus infection he couldn’t shake. He went for a CT scan just hoping to get some antibiotics. Instead, a brain tumor the size of a tennis ball showed up. “That was very scary, to hear that. I was shaking,” Nelson recalls. On the plus side, doctors told the Nelsons that if they had waited two or three more weeks, it would have been too late for surgery and they would not have been able to save SEE MAHTOMEDI ATHLETE, PAGE 18
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Max Nelson, a 2022 Mahtomedi High School grad, will compete in the Paralympics.
City changes home improvement loan program BY ERIK SUCHY CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Vadnais mayor joins city leaders at Capitol
CITY OF VADNAIS HEIGHTS | CONTRIBUTED
Vadnais Heights Mayor Mike Krachmer joins other city leaders at the Capitol to share how Minnesota cities are managing the impacts of Operation Metro Surge. The city of Vadnais Heights joins approximately 20 other cities who have joined the Cities for Safe and Stable Communities Coalition. The coalition is focused on focused on “stabilizing local economies, strengthening public trust in local government, and reaffirming local control in the face of federal overreach.”
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The city of Vadnais Heights has approved revisions to its home improvement loan program, which provides home repair loans to residents to encourage home renovations and increase property values throughout the city. The program is a partnership between the city and NeighborWorks Home Partners, a St. Paul-based nonprofit organization that helps residents buy, fix and maintain their homes. Among the revisions are updates to clarify language in the program’s original document. Previously, borrower eligibility allowed loans for those whose “income is at or below 100% of the area median income for a family of two or less or 115% of the area median income for a family of three or more.” Under the revised criteria, borrowers must have a “gross household income at or below 115% of the HUD Twin Cities area median income, adjusted for household size.” Additional language revisions include a new specification that the loans are “amortizing loans with monthly payments” and that borrowers must have a minimum middle credit score of 580 to be eligible and be current on all mortgage payments. These additions, according to the new document, are intended to provide greater clarity for homeowners and loan terms. Other language changes include SEE HOME REPAIR, PAGE 11
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