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FIRE STATION: Residents invited to sign petition PAGE 11
New police chief drawn to city’s ‘small-town feel’ BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR
After spending his entire law enforcement career in Columbia Heights, the new police chief says White Bear Lake’s small-town feel and the close-knit community drew him to the position. Erik Johnston, who has more than 23 years of experience in law enforcement, has taken over as the White Bear Lake Police Chief following the retirement of Dale Hager.
Johnston got his start as a computer technician for IBM for a few years before he decided to go into law enforcement. “It was either computer science or law enforcement, and law enforcement seemed more interesting to me at that time,” Johnston explained. “It sounds cliché, but it really is about helping people. I think if you are not interested in helping people, this isn't the right job for you. You are not going to be able to weather the challenges that come with the
job, because it's really about getting out there and being there for people.” Johnston has a bachelor's degree in business administration, a master's degree in police leadership and completed the Northwestern University's School of Police Staff and Command. He started his career with the Columbia Heights Police Department in 2002 and has held the titles of captain, sergeant,
SHANNON GRANHOLM | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
White Bear Lake’s new Police Chief Erik Johnston is officially sworn in at a City Council meeting.
SEE NEW POLICE CHIEF, PAGE 7
Food scrap pickup program expands this summer BY MADELINE DOLBY SHOREVIEW PRESS EDITOR
one of those things that has been accessible to them on a larger scale.” Northern Starz’ creative director, Kyle Frederickson, explained that all three Penguin programs stage wellknown shows, such as “Annie” or “Willy
Beginning on July 6, more Washington and Ramsey County residents will be able to have their compost collected directly from their homes as part of the Ramsey County/Washington County Food Scraps Pickup Program. Currently, the program is offered in more than 28 cities and towns within the two counties. In Ramsey County, the program has been implemented in Maplewood and North St. Paul. This summer, cities within Ramsey County such Gem Lake, White Bear Lake, White Bear Township, Vadnais Heights, North Oaks, New Brighton, Shoreview, Mounds View and Arden Hills will also roll out the program. In Washington County, the program has already been implemented in several cities including Birchwood Village, Lake Elmo, Mahtomedi, Oakdale, Stillwater, Willernie and Woodbury. This summer, five more communities will be added including Forest Lake, Hugo, Marine on St. Croix, May Township and Scandia. Ramsey and Washington counties have worked together since the 1980s to manage trash responsibly, according to Annalee Garletz, who supervises the Food Scraps Pickup Program for Ramsey/ Washington Recycling and Energy. “We’re always finding ways to reduce, reuse, recycle,” Garletz said. Food scraps comprise more than 20% of household trash by weight. By separating these materials, residents can help turn it back into soil instead of becoming waste, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and converging resources.
SEE PENGUIN PLAYERS, PAGE 7
SEE FOOD SCRAPS, PAGE 18
PAUL DOLS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
Penguin Players practice choreography for their upcoming performance of “This is Me: An Inclusive Cabaret Celebration,” featuring the music of “Footloose.” Performances are set at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 6, and 2 p.m. Sunday, June 7, at the White Bear Lake Area High School Theater, 5040 Division Ave. Door A.
Penguin Players put on summer celebration BY LOGAN GION STAFF WRITER
School may be out at White Bear, but their theater lights are staying on. This weekend, the Penguin Players—a theater troupe for people with developmental disabilities, ages 16 and
the Ramsey location boasts an entire season worth of programming, executive director Rachel Bohnsack saw a need in White Bear as well. “More individuals with special needs need more things to do,” Bohnsack stated, “and theater has never been
up—will perform a musical revue featuring selections from the musical “Footloose.” Penguin Players is one of three programs for people with disabilities that is run out of Northern Starz Center for Performing Arts, a nonprofit theater in the City of Ramsey. While
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