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EVENTS: Calendar on PAGE 3, more info on PAGE 17
Veterans Day on Nov. 11
Council receives update on Century Avenue project
A tale of 2 soldiers: Finding purpose in service BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR
One thing that Kevin Larson and Bobby Zellmann have in common is that the military gave them purpose. From convoy cop to project manager: Veteran reflects on journey After graduating from high school, Kevin Larson wasn’t sure what his future would hold. “I didn’t really know what to do right out of high school. I didn’t really have much of a plan or know where I wanted to go or what I wanted to major in, so the military was kind of the next step,” he said. Larson, now a Lino Lakes resident, grew up in Coon Rapids and graduated from Anoka High School in 2005. He joined the military not only
BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR
Now that the jurisdictional transfer from MnDOT to Ramsey and Washington counties is complete, the Century Avenue North reconstruction project is entering the final design and right of way acquisition phase. The project, which encompasses Century Avenue from Interstate 694 to County Road E, is a joint venture between Ramsey and Washington counties. The cities of Mahtomedi and White Bear Lake are also project partners, along with Century College. The White Bear Lake City Council last received an update in September 2024. Washington County Design Engineer Erin Blaylock recently visited the council to share project updates and answer questions. “Both counties recognize the regional significance of this corridor and that just another roadway resurfacing project wasn’t what the communities really needed; they needed a deeper dive,” Blaylock said. Since the project kicked off in 2023, there has been one meeting between elected officials, three public open houses, seven meetings with Century College, two meetings with Metro Transit, one neighborhood meeting and one business door-knocking event. Two alternatives were explored, but the preferred alternative includes full pavement reconstruction as well as new multiuse asphalt trails along both sides of the roadway, upgraded traffic signal equipment and the construction of two roundabouts. One roundabout would be located at the intersection of Century Avenue with the southernmost Century College access to east campus as well as at the intersection of East County Line Road with Ramsey County Highway 15 (County Road E)/ Washington County Highway 12 (Wildwood Road). Council Member Kevin Edberg said the intersection of Century Avenue North and County Road E seemed like a tight intersection with a lot of traffic for a roundabout. Blaylock explained that when evaluating whether to
White Bear Lake Vadnais Heights
SEE VETERANS DAY, PAGE 16
BETH DONAHUE | CONTRIBUTED
Goalie was golden as Zephyrs nab another state title BY BRUCE STRAND CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Harlow Berger, in the state soccer finals Friday, resembled a pitcher throwing a perfect game but hoping
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her teammates could just score once to make it a win. The Zephyrs finally got that goal, with 15 minutes left, by Elise Aflapki, and the Mahtomedi Zephyrs toppled the previously-unbeaten
SEE STATE CHAMPS, PAGE 10
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Blake Bears 1-0 for their second straight Class 2A championship and the program’s 12th title overall, at U.S. Bank Stadium.
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for the benefits, but also because he wanted to travel. “I was wanting to travel, wanting to see the world and explore and see what the rest of the world has to offer,” he said. After completing boot camp and training for the Air Force, Larson drafted his “wish list” of five bases he would prefer to be stationed at. “All five of my bases that I chose were overseas. Then I found out I was going to Minot, North Dakota. I’d never heard of it,” Larson laughed. Larson
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Bobby Zellmann
We won! The Zephyrs celebrated their 1-0 state championship win over Blake at U.S. Bank Stadium.
SEE CENTURY AVENUE, PAGE 17
2024
Kevin Larson
served active duty in the Air Force as a police officer from 2006 to 2010. Although that base wasn’t on his wish list, he was thankful to be able to travel home to see family and friends on long weekends. The Minot Air Force Base opened in February 1957, filling the need for a fighter interceptor base responsible for protecting the United States’ northern border from Soviet bombers. The base is the only dual-wing nuclear capable base in the Air Force, hosting two legs of the “Strategic Triad.” Larson’s job was as a convoy cop. “Anytime warheads needed to be transported, or maintenance was required, we needed to do a convoy,” he explained. “It’s exactly what it sounds like. The new warhead was in a big semitruck, and we had vehicles in the
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