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WHITE BEAR LAKE CITY COUNCIL: Not sold on proposed escrow fees PAGE 11
White Bear Lake native runs for governor BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR
the Mahtomedi Area Food Shelf. “It’s a beautiful way to kick off the holiday season,” explained
One of White Bear Lake’s own has entered his name into the Minnesota governor race in 2026. Mike Newcome has been officially endorsed by the Forward Independence Party. “Minnesota is now more synonymous with fraud than mosquitoes and cold weather,” Newcome said. “The one thing we always could hang our hat on is our public schools, and they are in decline and that is frightening, and that's what's driven me to say we need an independent voice that can actually change the paradigm at the Capitol. The governor's office is the most logical place for that, because you can actually be an honest broker in that office versus worrying about who controls the House and who controls the Senate.” “Mike represents the type of leader Minnesota needs, someone willing to CONTRIBUTED work with anyone, listen to everyone, Mike and put people before party,” a party Newcome endorsement statement said. “His message reflects what Minnesotans across the political spectrum are calling for: honesty, accountability and real solutions.”
SEE TREE OF LIGHT, PAGE 10
SEE GOVERNOR RACE, PAGE 2
PAUL DOLS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
The 25th annual Tree of Light and Remembrance event is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5 at Veterans Memorial Park in Mahtomedi.
Tree of Light illuminates 25th anniversary the annual tradition of the Tree of Light and Remembrance event. The event always takes place on the first Friday of December and serves as the sole fundraiser for
BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR
For 25 years, the Mahtomedi community has come to cherish
Council directs staff to impose administrative fine, suspension BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR
WHITE BEAR LAKE — The City Council has directed city staff to move forward with a resolution that will “memorialize” the administrative fine and temporary license suspension it plans to invoke on a local business. The council initially tabled the item at its first meeting in November and requested more information before choosing the severity of the fine and suspension. (See “City Council tables administrative fine for MNJ Tobacco Inc,” Nov. 5, 2025, White Bear Press.) In a 4-1 vote (City Council Member Kevin Edberg voted no), the council chose to impose a $1,000 fine and seven-day suspension of the business’ tobacco license. During the license review, City Manager Lindy Crawford provided some background. (See pullout on page 7 for more information.) She noted a couple of other educational compli-
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underage tobacco sale violation on or before Nov. ance checks of selling edible cannabinoids during 20, 2026, the council would be required under Mina citywide moratorium, but since no administranesota Statutes section 461.12 subd. 2 to impose a tive penalties were imposed, Crawford noted those fine of $1,000 and a seven-day license suspension. should not be considered for purposes of the license Devon Holstad, the attorney representing MNJ review before the council. City Attorney Dave Tobacco Inc, pointed Anderson added, “Given out that the term “violathe nature of those other tions” should more so be violations, I don’t think referred to as instances. those should play into “In this instance (May the decision tonight. 23, 2025), the business I would caution the made a business decicouncil to try to separate sion not to challenge the those and think about seizure because the total this with respect to the value of the product was more recent two inciDevon Holstad less than $1,000. No pendents.” Attorney for MNJ Tobacco Inc. alty has been received City staff’s recommenfrom the state; no violadation to council was tion of state statute has ever been received in related to impose an administrative fine of $750 ($150 was already imposed by the police department, and $600 to that instance, so I don’t think it is appropriate for the most recent underage sale violation). Crawford noted that should MNJ Tobacco obtain another SEE TOBACCO, PAGE 7
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“In our opinion, the only incident that there is documented proof of that should come into consideration is this Oct. 23, 2025, instance,”
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