Press Publications 4779 Bloom Avenue White Bear Lake, MN 55110
White Bear Lake Dental
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 9 CIRCLE PINES, MN
Specializing in cosmetic dentistry & same day crowns! DR. JOY JOHNSON
651-653-3802
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2026
853564
4100 BELLAIRE AVENUE WHITE BEAR LAKE, MN 55110
VOL. 131 NO. 24 www.whitebearpress.com $1.00
WHITE BEAR TOWNSHIP: County H2 trail project rolls forward PAGE 13
Community in mourning
PAUL DOLS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
Memorials and tributes continue to be placed outside of the Hinrichs home on Richard Avenue in White Bear Lake after a house fire claimed the lives of Jessi (Pierce) Hinrichs and her three children, Hudson, Cayden and Avery and their family dog, Brooks.
Community salutes soldier
Tight-knit community suffers unimaginable loss BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR
SHANNON GRANHOLM | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
The community continues to grieve the loss of MSG Nicole Amor, of White Bear Lake, who was one of the first killed while supporting Operation Epic Fury. Corey Roberts, owner of The Minnesotan, organized the Community Salute, to honor Amor as her funeral procession passed by on Highway 61. See more photos on page 15.
PAUL DOLS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
A community already aching now finds itself grieving again as friends, family, neighbors and community members try to make sense of the back-toback losses of MSG Nicole Amor and Jessi (Pierce)
Hinrichs and her three children, Hudson, Cayden and Avery. Hinrichs, 37, graduated from Mahtomedi High School (MHS) in 2006, and Hudson and Cayden attended Wildwood Elementary School. SEE JESSI HINRICHS, PAGE 17
Organizations, residents band together post-Operation Metro Surge BY ERIK SUCHY CONTRIBUTING WRITER
In the wake of Operation Metro Surge, a wave of apprehension has swept through the nation. Immigrants live in fear of being forcibly detained while others, such as journalists, worry their reporting will leave them vulnerable to direct attacks and fierce censorship from immigration enforcement. In both Vadnais Heights and White Bear Lake, organizations, teachers and residents have gathered post-operation to provide comfort and figure out what can be done after the storm. “Over the last few months, I’ve been inspired by everyone who has formed or joined groups to support their neighbors through small acts of kindness,” said Vadnais Heights Mayor Mike Krachmer. “As a culture, we have an opportunity to recognize the value of all of our neighbors. We are
all essential to the community as we work for the common good.” Cindi Swenson, who teaches English and multilingual language arts at White Bear Lake Area High School, said the effects of the operation have left her work environment marked by anxiety. “As an educator, my job is to foster an environment where students feel safe to grow, learn and imagine a future for themselves. This winter, that environment was dismantled by a climate of fear that extended far beyond the four walls of my classroom.” According to Swenson, one of her former students, along with several coworkers, was detained by ICE while working at a construction job. The student, despite having no criminal history, was held for six weeks before being released on $20,000 bail and instructed to continue his work permit renewal. However, Swenson said that despite his release, he
2025
WINNER Best of the Press
faces a crushing new reality: “He could be picked up again at any moment. He’s now forced to choose — stay in hiding or risk going back to jail. That means more lost income for his family, more bail money being prepared, and less freedom.” While the number of agents in the Metro Area has decreased noticeably, Vadnais Heights resident/ Community Action Network member Jessie Lamb noted that it is still higher than at the height of the surge in Chicago. “Three thousand of our neighbors in the Twin Cities were taken; most of them do not have a criminal record. We have journalists currently facing criminal charges, and our community has been traumatized. People are living without their loved ones.” Lamb said that, while the future remains uncertain about whether another surge will occur, SEE AFTER THE STORM, PAGE 10
2nd month
NORTH STAR
FREE
MINI STORAGE
White Bear Lake Vadnais Heights
for non-drive-up units
on 180 sq ft or less, new customers only at the Vadnais Heights and Shoreview location.
VADNAIS HEIGHTS • SHOREVIEW
Gate Access (Daily):7:00 am - 10:00 pm
CIRCULATION 651-407-1234 circ@presspubs.com
NEWS 651-407-1230 whitebearnews@presspubs.com
ADVERTISING 651-407-1200 marketing@presspubs.com
CLASSIFIED 651-407-1250 classified@presspubs.com
NORTH STAR 853533
3880 Labore Road, Vadnais Heights (651) 771-3880 | 483 W. County Rd E, Shoreview (651) 483-1100 www.northstarministorage.com
MINI STORAGE
PRODUCTION 651-407-1239 art@presspubs.com
Expires 4/30/26