Press Publications 4779 Bloom Avenue White Bear Lake, MN 55110
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2025
832003
768801 765785
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 9 CIRCLE PINES, MN
VOL. 130 NO. 29 www.whitebearpress.com $1.00
BEST OF CONTEST: Nominate your favorite businesses PAGES 10 & 18
Mayor Louismet announces he will not run for reelection Dan Louismet is not planning to run for reelection. The White Bear Lake native was elected mayor in November 2021. Prior to his role as mayor, he served on the Park Advisory Commission for five years and the Charter Commission for three years. The White Bear Lake Press sat down with Louismet to reflect on his time as mayor, learn more about what led him to decide not to run for the seat again, and what his future may entail.
PAUL DOLS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
The “Vision and Verse” exhibit is on display at the White Bear Center for the Arts through May 16.
‘Vision and Verse’ puts youth creativity on display BY LOGAN GION CONTRIBUTING WRITER
For the past 10 years, White Bear Center for the Arts (WBCA) has hosted a visual
work for nearly 40 years. Now, the two competitions are being displayed together at WBCA, in an exhibition known as “Vision and Verse.”
arts competition for northeast metro students grades 9-12. Separately, WBCA’s “WriteNow!” writing competition has displayed local teens’
CONTRIBUTED
White Bear Lake Mayor Dan Louismet pictured with his wife Molly and daughters Frankie, 9, and Eden, 6.
Creative Services Director Sara Nephew explained that all submissions were free and anonymous.
Q. As a lifelong resident of White Bear Lake, why did you want to serve as mayor in the first place? A. The “why” is simple: I wanted to preserve the history, charm and character of our great city, including stopping the METRO Purple Line (formerly Rush Line) and taking a slow and incremental
SEE ‘VISION AND VERSE,’ PAGE 9
SEE MAYOR LOUISMET, PAGE 24
White Bear Lake EMS on leading edge of medical care BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR
Starting in May, the White Bear Lake Fire Department will likely be the first agency in the state, and certainly in the metro, to treat patients with IV acetaminophen instead of an opioid. Regions EMS Clinical Supervisor Matthew Cannefax said he wasn’t sure about agencies outside of their coverage area but confirms that White Bear Lake is the first EMS service in the metro to administer an intravenous form of acetaminophen, a non-opioid analgesic utilized for treating pain and fever. IV acetaminophen is already used as an option for pain in hospital settings, but Cannefax and
2024
2023
2022
of the Press
of the Press
FINALIST Best of the Press White Bear Lake Vadnais Heights
SEE EMS, PAGE 22
STOP SAVE
On Sale Now
BEST OF THE PRESS White Bear Lake Vadnais Heights
lot of very progressive paramedics. When I go to do education with them and case review, a lot of times those paramedics already know about the studies that I'm bringing up. They like to push the envelope … They are always trying to get what's new and what's most effective on their ambulances.” Many ambulance services carry the oral form of the drug, which is either 250 mg or 500 mg. The IV dose is equivalent to 1 gram, or 1,000 mg, a prescription-strength dose. Fire Chief Greg Peterson says the department is seeing more and more patients who do not want to be exposed to opioids. “Right now, we
his team learned at a national conference about ambulance services around the country that were starting to utilize it. “It really kind of piqued my interest. I thought that it would be a very good option for some of the services,” Cannefax said. “We want to have a non-opioid option on our pain medication playlist.” White Bear Lake was selected for what will likely be a six-month trial. “White Bear Lake is a very EMS-minded service. The leadership there all has history and experience in EMS, so when we thought about what service would be good to trial this with, White Bear was the first service that came to mind,” Cannefax explained. “They also have a
see store for details
White Bear Lake Vadnais Heights
THE BEST SERVICE • SELECTION • VALUE
NOW HIRING ALL POSITIONS
3699
$ 832106
3955 Highway 61, White Bear Lake, MN (651) 426-4518
Temporary Hours: 7:30am - 5pm M-F • 7:30am - 2pm Sat • GPMINNESOTAWHOLESALE.COM
CIRCULATION 651-407-1234 circ@presspubs.com
NEWS 651-407-1230 whitebearnews@presspubs.com
OIL, FILTER, LUBE, 4 TIRE ROTATION
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. 5/31/25
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 5/31/25