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VOL. 131 NO. 16 www.whitebearpress.com $1.00
SPORTS: White Bear Lake dentist to compete in Olympics PAGE 3
2 street projects move forward; 1 held back BY JACKIE BUSSJAEGER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
kickoff event,” said James Dobson, marketing support specialist for Special Olympics Minnesota. “It’s one of the biggest plunges
WHITE BEAR TOWNSHIP — Residents who live in the Anderlie Lane and Bloom Road areas of the township will see improved roadways before the end of 2026, but residents who live on Cottage, Prospect and Lakeview avenues will have to wait at least another year for much-needed street repairs. The township considered three separate street projects for 2026, but while trying to limit itself to roughly $4 million in road improvements, had to make the cut somewhere. Town Engineer Larry Poppler estimated that all three projects would have cost close to $9 million. Anderlie and Bloom together will run closer to $5 million. Poppler recommended that the Anderlie Lane street project—estimated at a total of $4,342,600 — was the most critical of the three projects under consideration. This project will affect residents of Anderlie Lane, Reed Place, Ross Lane, Barry Lane, Lavalle Court, Parker Avenue, Mill Street and Saxony Court. A feasibility study found that its pavement quality rated between 1.0-2.25 out of a possible score of 5.0, which signals a high need for repair. “We cannot do a mill and overlay at this point in the life cycle of these streets,” Poppler said. The recommendations of the study include reclamation, which involves grinding the roadway pavement into gravel, incorporating it into the road base and paving with new asphalt over the top. Curb and gutter will be replaced and added where it is
SEE POLAR PLUNGE, PAGE 2
SEE STREET PROJECTS, PAGE 10
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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