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VOL. 50 NO. 16 www.vadnaisheightspress.com $1.00
VADNAIS HEIGHTS: Green Team has clothing swap PAGE 11
Community Development issues new report BY ERIK SUCHY CONTRIBUTING WRITER
kickoff event,” said James Dobson, marketing support specialist for Special Olympics Minnesota. “It’s one of the biggest plunges
It is the goal of the Vadnais Heights Community Development Department to provide safe, sustainable living and top-tier economic development for residents. Led by Planning/ Community Development Director Nolan Wall, the department’s responsibilities include housing, zoning, planning, inspections, code enforcement and economic development. The department’s building and safety division is responsible for reviewing and processing all construction applications and conducting inspections. Its planning division reviews and processes zoning and land-use applications and administers economic development and housing programs. The division recently added a code enforcement program, where the city frequently works with its fire department. For 2025, the department's budget was $660,431, and it issued a total of 2,106 permits, compared with 1,934 in 2024. The most of these permits were issued for buildings, with plumbing and mechanical permits following closely behind. A total of 3,101 inspections were also conducted, representing a slight increase from 3,075 in 2024. Similarly, most of these inspections were for buildings, with plumbing and mechanical inspections again ranking second and third. Projects under construction for 2026 include the Bluebird Grove, Mondello Shores and Vincent Estates housing developments, all
SEE POLAR PLUNGE, PAGE 2
SEE REPORT, PAGE 2
PAUL DOLS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
The 2026 White Bear Lake Polar Plunge is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 31.
White Bear Lake Polar Plunge returns Jan. 31, benefits Minnesota Special Olympics BY MAYA BETTI NEWS INTERN
The White Bear Lake Polar Plunge, set for Saturday, Jan. 31, will bring hundreds of participants to White Bear
ers at 1 p.m. Organizers expect between 900 and 1,000 participants, making the White Bear Lake event one of the largest of the first plunge weekends of the season. “This is really the
for one of the region’s largest fundraising events benefiting Special Olympics Minnesota. The plunge is scheduled to begin at noon, with last call for plung-
Meet White Bear Lake’s newest City Council member a small-town feel. I am married to my spouse, Ramon, and a mom of two boys who are 8 and 4 years old.
Voters have elected a new face to the White Bear Lake City Council. Ellen Gurrola, who has lived in White Bear Lake since 2019, is a former public school teacher and sustainability professional and brings experience from local commissions, county committees and volunteer roles. The White Bear Press recently sat down with Gurrola to learn more about her background and talk about her priorities for the new role. Q: Tell us a little about yourself. A: I have lived in White Bear Lake since 2019. My family and I previously lived in Vadnais Heights before moving to The Boatworks Commons and then the Birch Lake Townhomes, until we became homeowners five years ago. I grew up in Richfield, where I was raised by two small-business owners.
SHANNON GRANHOLM | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
Ellen Gurrola is the newest member of the White Bear Lake City Council. She is pictured with her husband Ramon.
Something that drew my spouse and me to White Bear Lake is that it reminds me of growing up in a city with
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WINNER Best of the Press
Q: What first motivated you to get involved with city government? A: I was a public school teacher for 10 years and have always been drawn to public service roles. I have held volunteer positions ranging from teaching Sunday school to serving on Ramsey County committees. Serving people is very important to me, and it made the choice to get involved within city government easy. Q: How has your past experience prepared you for this role? A: During my many years in the classroom, I became accustomed to working with families from many SEE NEW COUNCIL MEMBER, PAGE 15
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