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PUBLIC SAFETY: Mahtomedi man charged with criminal sexual conduct PAGE 6
City Council continues short-term rental discussion BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR
WHITE BEAR LAKE — Some changes are still likely to occur to the city’s proposed zoning code before the City Council approves it. A second reading of the zoning code update is scheduled for Tuesday, July 22, when possible adoption might occur. Much recent discussion has centered on shortterm rentals, accessory dwelling units, and electric vehicles and bicycles. (See “White Bear Lake Planning Commission recommends zoning code update with one amendment,” July 9, White Bear Press.) “I think we arrived at a pretty good product. It is never going to be perfect,” said Mayor Dan Louismet. “First and foremost, we have something that you can actually read and follow.” Louismet noted that he supported the Planning Commission’s recommendation to require homeowner occupancy (in either the primary or accessory unit) for accessory dwelling units. He said he does not support charging requirements for electric vehicles.
PAUL DOLS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
The Minnesota Department of Transportation plans to install yellow delineators along Highway 96 at the intersections of Portland Avenue and Pacific Avenue through at least 2030.
MnDOT demonstration project ‘met with great support’ from community people crossing Highway 96 to access the lake and county park. “Vehicles were driving quickly, and the rate at which vehicles were slowing down or stopping for pedestrian and bicyclist crossings was low. In some situations, a
the roadway during summer months. The brightly colored delineators were installed in 2022 after the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) received several requests from community members for safety enhancements to help
BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR
WHITE BEAR LAKE — Improvements to Highway 96 along the lakeshore are not planned until 2030. Until then, motorists should expect to see yellow delineators along
driver behind a car that stopped for a crossing would drive on the shoulder to pass the stopped car, putting pedestrians at risk,” explained Alyssa Kruzel, MnDOT public engagement coordinator.
Short-term rentals
When it comes to short-term rentals, Louismet urged the council to have a more in-depth discussion about what it would like to see. “We have to get that right,” he said. Council Member Heidi Hughes said that, although she was tempted not to allow short-
SEE DELINEATORS, PAGE 7
SEE ZONING CODE, PAGE 21
White Bear resident shows off unique collection 60 years in the making didn’t know what to do with it,” said Johnson, who initially stored the collection in a cardboard box. “I wanted to show it off.” Christopherson had accumulated many of the packages while traveling or on vacation. He picked up cigarettes that caught his eye, and over 45 years the collection grew. Beyond run-of-the mill brands such as Marlboro and Winston, which can be found at your local drug store or supermarket, the collection includes uncommon pieces: packets of Harley-Davidson, Gunsmoke and Bull Durham cigarettes, and a
BY CJ WRZESIEN NEWS INTERN
On a bookshelf inside Robert Johnson’s third floor apartment on Willow Avenue sits a unique collection. Johnson is the owner of over 300 unopened packages of cigarettes. Johnson inherited the collection from his stepbrother John Wayne Christopherson, who passed away four years ago. The collection contains unopened packages of Pall Mall, Marlboro and Newport cigarettes from the 1960s, ’70s, ’80s and ’90s. “I’ve had it since [John] passed away, but I
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White Bear Lake resident Robert Johnson proudly displays his unique cigarette collection.
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