Hurt on the Job? Workman’s comp?
Dr. Dustin Carlson, DC
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 9 CIRCLE PINES, MN
2024
Best of the Press
651-762-8040 carlsonchiro.net 2130 2nd Street White Bear Lake
849536
No referral needed!
WINNER White Bear Lake Vadnais Heights
Press Publications 4779 Bloom Avenue White Bear Lake, MN 55110
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2026 VOL. 50 NO. 15 www.vadnaisheightspress.com $1.00
ICE ACTIVITY: Disrupts local businesses PAGE 22
Plans for $20 million South Fire Station blaze ahead with Terra Construction to build an entirely new facility in its place, which the City Council has determined will best meet long-term safety and operational needs. According to Fire Chief Kurt Frison, the decision was driven primarily by cost and constructability. “As we explored renovation, we found it created challenges within the site constraints, including blending building systems together
BY ERIK SUCHY CONTRIBUTING WRITER
For 30 years, the Vadnais Heights South Fire Station has served as the primary headquarters for the city’s fire department, housing both part-time and fulltime firefighters. Now, the city is looking to bring significant changes to the facility. Rather than renovating the station, the city will partner
and bringing existing areas up to code. During the renovation, we would have had to relocate our operations to the North Station, which would have required updates there as well, and that would have come at a cost. It also would have impacted our response to a large, densely populated area of the city.” One of the new station’s biggest
CITY OF VADNAIS HEIGHTS | CONTRIBUTED
The city of Vadnais Heights plans to build a new fire station on the site of the existing South Station near City Hall. This image shows a 3D rendering of the proposed design.
SEE FIRE DEPARTMENT, PAGE 16
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.”
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.
CONTRIBUTED
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 BY LOGAN GION CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The Performing Arts Center at White Bear Lake Area High School (WBLAHS) will host the Minnesota State High School
2024
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.”
2023
2022
of the Press
of the Press
FINALIST Best of the Press White Bear Lake Vadnais Heights
The last time the school hosted this tournament was in 2018. WBLAHS oneact Director Braylon Lane explained that, when the 12
SEE LEGISLATIVE RECEPTION, PAGE 14
STOP SAVE
On Sale Now
BEST OF THE PRESS White Bear Lake Vadnais Heights
SEE ONE ACT, PAGE 20
see store for details
White Bear Lake Vadnais Heights
THE BEST SERVICE • SELECTION • VALUE
NOW HIRING ALL POSITIONS
3699
$ 848375
3955 Highway 61, White Bear Lake, MN (651) 426-4518
Temporary Hours: 7:30am - 5pm M-F • 7:30am - 2pm Sat • GPMINNESOTAWHOLESALE.COM
CIRCULATION 651-407-1234 circ@presspubs.com
NEWS 651-407-1230 vadnaisheightsnews@presspubs.com
OIL, FILTER, LUBE, 4 TIRE ROTATION
ADVERTISING 651-407-1200 marketing@presspubs.com
See store for details
+ 2.00 shop supplies/2.00 waste oil filter disposal. Oil filter: up to 5 qts. of SW30. Rotate 4 tires. Check air pressure. 20 pt. Safety Inspection. Must Have Coupon. Exp. 1/31/26
49 $ 99 79
CLASSIFIED 651-407-1250 classified@presspubs.com
99
Wheel & Tire SPECIALS Going on Now
ASE Certified Mechanics • Alignment
Offer Excludes
$
&
Full Syn Ams Oil
• Select Batteries Napa & Interstate
$1000
OFF UP TO
• Brakes $3000 PER See store OFF AXLE for details
PRODUCTION 651-407-1239 art@presspubs.com
Expires 1/31/26