Press Publications 4779 Bloom Avenue White Bear Lake, MN 55110
Subscribe Today
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
With a subscription you gain access to all community news online and make a positive impact on the community. The White Bear Press needs your support in order to continue to provide great news content. We need 1,450 more paid subscribers to reach our sustainable goal of 30%. Thank you for your support.
PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 9 CIRCLE PINES, MN
Member SIPCSIPC Member
Member SIPC Member SIPC
Retiring etiring soon? Retiring soon? etiring soon? soon? Let's talk. et's talk. Let's talk. et'sPamela talk. Pamela M Johnstone PamelaMMJohnstone Johnstone
894P-A AECSPAD MKT-5894P-A AECSPAD 894P-A AECSPAD MKT-5894P-A AECSPAD
846004
Pamela M Johnstone Financial Financial Advisor FinancialAdvisor Advisor
Financial Advisor 4717 Banning Ave 4717 Banning Ave 4717 Banning Ave 4717 Banning AveMNWhite White Bear Lake, 55110 Bear Lake, MN 55110 White White Bear Lake, MN651-429-0522 55110 Bear Lake, MN 55110 651-429-0522 651-429-0522 651-429-0522
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2025
> edwardjones.com> edwardjones.com > edwardjones.com > edwardjones.com
VOL. 131 NO. 6 www.whitebearpress.com $1.00
WHITE BEAR SCHOOL BOARD: Public comments address free speech issue PAGE 11
Collaboration and creativity help student join orchestra BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR
Mariner Middle School sixth grader Layla Kleidon was born without her right hand, but she has never let that get in the way of doing the things she wants to do. “Her whole life, she’s been able to do pretty much everything she puts their mind to. She's just kind of adapted. She's always put her mind to it, and she just finds a way to make it work, even if it's not the same as how we do it; she figures it out,” said her mom, Alecia Sopp. “She has never let her disability deter her from doing anything; she's always just kept going and figured it out.” For several years now, it’s been a dream of Layla’s to play the violin. “I wanted to play the violin because one of my friends invited me to her concerts, and I thought that it was really cool she could play (the violin),” Layla explained. Last spring, when the students were deciding whether they wanted to join band, choir or orchestra, Layla reminded her mother and informed the orchestra teacher, Todd Weinhold, that she wanted to play the violin.
PAUL DOLS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
Lighting ceremony kicks off local holiday season The second installment of a Gazebo Lighting Ceremony, started last year, is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 19 at Railroad Park in Downtown White Bear Lake. White Bear Lake Rotary volunteers will be serving fresh hot cider and cookies from 5 to 7 p.m. A lighting countdown, led by the Mayor, will take place at 6 p.m. Carolers and the opportunity to have a photo taken with Santa are also among the family friendly activities planned for the community event. Visitors are invited to return the next day during the annual Holiday Open House, featuring a variety of downtown shops.
SEE CREATIVE SOLUTION, PAGE 12
Planning Commission, city staff have mixed opinions on variance request BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR
WHITE BEAR LAKE — In a rather rare occurrence, the Planning Commission’s recommendation for a variance differs from the recommendation of city staff. Twin Cities Transport & Recovery has requested both a CUP for a vehicle towing service at 4350 Centerville Road and a variance from the requirement that the first-floor area of the building on site be at least 5% of the total lot area of the property. Community Development Director Jason Lindahl
2024
2023
2022
of the Press
of the Press
FINALIST Best of the Press White Bear Lake Vadnais Heights
explained that city staff and the Planning Commission agree on the CUP but differ on the variance request. The subject site is a flag lot located on the east side of Centerville Road and south of Highway 96. There is currently a 4,000-square-foot building on the site with three drive lanes and parking for approximately 16 vehicles. There is an easement agreement between the subject lot and the property to the north that allows the property to the north to use the driveway for vehicle and pedestrian traffic. SEE VARIANCE REQUEST, PAGE 17
STOP SAVE
see store for details
White Bear Lake Vadnais Heights
THE BEST SERVICE • SELECTION • VALUE
NOW HIRING ALL POSITIONS
844893
Temporary Hours: 7:30am - 5pm M-F • 7:30am - 2pm Sat • GPMINNESOTAWHOLESALE.COM
NEWS 651-407-1230 whitebearnews@presspubs.com
OIL, FILTER, LUBE, 4 TIRE ROTATION
3699
$
3955 Highway 61, White Bear Lake, MN (651) 426-4518 CIRCULATION 651-407-1234 circ@presspubs.com
CONTRIBUTED
Twin Cities Transport & Recovery is proposing to relocate from its current site, 4787 Bald Eagle Ave., to 4350 Centerville Road in White Bear Lake.
On Sale Now
BEST OF THE PRESS White Bear Lake Vadnais Heights
ADVERTISING 651-407-1200 marketing@presspubs.com
See store for details
+ 2.00 shop supplies/2.00 waste oil filter disposal. Oil filter: up to 5 qts. of SW30. Rotate 4 tires. Check air pressure. 20 pt. Safety Inspection. Must Have Coupon. Exp. 11/30/25
CLASSIFIED 651-407-1250 classified@presspubs.com
49 $ 99 79
99
Wheel & Tire SPECIALS Going on Now
ASE Certified Mechanics • Alignment
Offer Excludes
$
&
Full Syn Ams Oil
• Select Batteries Napa & Interstate
$1000
OFF UP TO
• Brakes $3000 PER See store OFF AXLE for details
PRODUCTION 651-407-1239 art@presspubs.com
Expires 11/30/25