A variety of day camps for ages Pre-K through grade 7 will offer children the opportunity to explore nature, have fun, and get outside at Wargo Nature Center, 7701 Main St, Lino Lakes. New offerings this year include Creative Arts Exploration, Outdoor Explorers, and Build, Launch and Explore in addition to the 10 other day camp options.
By utilizing small groups, individual attention is available for each child. Hands-on activities and great resources allow participants to explore the natural world around them. Day camps are held in various Anoka County parks, with diverse offerings in a variety of nature settings.broadstreet.zone(48036);
Camps are coordinated by Wargo Nature Center naturalists, who have years of experience educating and engaging kids. Campers will spend their days safe, happy, engaged, and worn out.
To view a brochure of upcoming camp offerings or to register, visit www.anokacountyparks.com or call Wargo Nature Center at 651-429-8007.
Category: The Latest From Forest Lake Times
Washington County continues to grow
Washington County’s population is continuing its trend of growth, along with the rest of the metro, according to estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau this spring.broadstreet.zone(48036);
From 2010 to 2016, the county’s population grew to an estimated 253,117, an increase of nearly 15,000 people, or 6.3 percent.
Kevin Corbid, Washington County’s assistant county administrator, says the numbers line up with expectations.
“It’s not a surprise,” he said. “Since about the end of the Great Recession, we’ve been experiencing between 1 and 1.25 percent growth in population (annually) that the estimates have been projecting. … We know there’s a lot of development going on, and we’re growing and adding people, and we as a county are preparing to serve those new residents.”
Corbid said projections through 2040 show the county will continue to grow.
A larger population will increase demands on the county’s libraries, parks, license centers, social services and more. However, Corbid said the
Campers and counselors needed for safety camp
Forest Lake Safety Camp will be held June 13 and 14 at Maranatha Church. Students finishing grades 7 to 12 are needed to lead groups of campers and engage the children in activities during the camp. This is an opportunity to gain leadership skills to add to a resume and show younger kids that they are cared about.
Junior counselors will work with children during their free times, keep them in small groups, make sure they move together between activities, eat lunch with them, see lots of cool presentations, and be with other teens. Free snacks, lunches, and instructor t-shirts will be provided. Junior Counselors are also required to attend a training session June 12.broadstreet.zone(48036);
Forest Lake Safety Camp is accepting applications for campers. The camp is open to children in the Forest Lake School District entering grades two to five. At camp, kids learn about a variety of safety issues such
Diane Frances Johnson (Nee Grove)
Diane was born on December 29, 1933 in St. Paul, the middle of three children to Margaret (nee Rosseland) and Guy Grove. She attended grade school at Tilden and later Murray High School, where she met the love of her life, Marvin Johnson. Their first date was on a hay ride at Aamodts Apple Farm in Stillwater and later to a powwow. Marv enlisted in the military and was sent to Europe during the Korean Conflict. During that time, Diane went to school at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter and obtained her nursing degree. They were married at Como Park Lutheran Church on October 26, 1956. After high school, She began her nursing career as an OB/GYN nurse in St. Paul. After moving to Forest Lake, she worked at District Memorial Hospital, Birchwood Care Center, and lastly at St. Mary’s Riverside Hospital. She and Marv had two daughters, Gayle
Local educator earns ‘Professional of the Year’ distinction
Photo by Jason DeMoeHeide Muhs with her sons Brian and David and her husband Merril. She was recently awarded the Minnesota Division for Early Childhood Professional of the Year Lifetime Professional Excellence Award.
Forest Lake Area Schools early childhood special education teacher Heide Muhs, who will retire at the end of this school year, recently won the newly created Minnesota Division for Early Childhood Professional of the Year Lifetime Professional Excellence Award. Muhs received the award during a luncheon in March at the MN DEC 2017 Practitioners Conference.
The award recognizes early childhood professionals who have made a difference in the lives of young children with special needs and their families by performing their job in an exemplary manner, by making significant contributions or providing leadership that has improved or will improve the lives of young children with special needs and their families, by demonstrating evidence of knowledge and skills consistent with
City of Columbus updates technology
Julie Parent
Columbus Reporter
The Columbus City Council made a motion May 10 to update the city’s computer software.broadstreet.zone(48036);
The decision was made after City Administrator Elizabeth Mursko provided information about a cloud storage-capable Oracle product that would allow the employees to scan documents and conduct digital filing, while giving the employees more flexibility with the city website and providing tech support.
“Now is a pretty optimal time” to update the software, Mayor Dave Povolny said.
The cost for the new software is $16,837 for one year. To pay for the software, funds will be used by the various departments that will use it.
During the public open forum, Brian Behm expressed his concerns about vehicles traveling at high speeds on Camp 3 Road. He felt that many people were driving too fast on the black-topped portion of that road because there aren’t any speed limit signs posted. He said mailboxes and dogs have been hit,
Scandia Farmers Market officially opens June 7
The Scandia Farmers Market had a soft opening May 24 with a plant sale and continues with a plant sale on May 31 from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. on the grounds of the Gammelgården Museum.
The full market is back in full swing starting June 7 from 3:30 to 6:30 pm. The market runs every Wednesday, rain or shine until Sept. 20.
Favorites are back, including two award-winning vendors – GJ’s Goods with Swedish rye bread and Bone Lake Meadows Apiary with its honey. Bone Lake will have its honey sticks and Gary will have his cardamom bread. Kim Stephan will be in her spot with her hot peppers, hot pepper jelly, plants, eggs and more. Janie O’Connor will be educating about and selling all things butterfly. Red Dress Diva salsas are back. Vegetables are covered again by Scandia farmers Kelvin Vang and Prior Lake Farm with new additions – Dang Lor
Schools briefly go into containment
The Forest Lake Area High School and Century Junior High School went into containment status for about half an hour starting at roughly 9:20 a.m. May 26 after school officials were alerted to a social media post of a potentially threatening nature made by a high school student. The Forest Lake Police Department identified and secured the student, about whom no information has been released.
The schools returned to normal operations shortly before 10 a.m. No further information has been released at this time.
Notice of Public Hearings – CITY OF COLUMBUS
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
Variancebroadstreet.zone(48036);
Notice is hereby given that a Public Hearing will be held by the Planning Commission on Wednesday, June 7, 2017 at 7:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter as parties may be heard, in the City Hall located at 16319 Kettle River Blvd., Columbus, Minnesota to consider a request for a variance from the required 16.5 feet wetland buffer setback to a 4 feet wetland buffer setback for the construction of a new home. The hearing shall continue until all evidence and testimony has been received.
Applicant: Jeff Brown (J. Brown Homes, Inc.)
Property Owner:
Troy Lawrence Lund
Property Location: Vacant Lot – Crossways Lake Drive NE, Columbus, MNbroadstreet.zone(50962);
Existing Legal Description: UNPLATTED COLUMBUS TWP NW1/4 OF SE1/4 22 32 22, ANOKA COUNTY, MN
By: /s/ Elizabeth Mursko
Zoning Administrator
Published in the
Forest Lake Times
May 25, 2017
692405
Notice of Public Hearings – CITY OF COLUMBUS
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
Interim Use Permitbroadstreet.zone(48036);
Notice is hereby given that a Public Hearing will be held by the Columbus Planning Commission on Wednesday, June 7, 2017 at 7:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter as parties may be heard, in the City Hall located at 16319 Kettle River Blvd., Columbus, Minnesota, to review a request by the applicant for an Interim Use Permit to allow the existing concrete bunkers to remain in place on property. The hearing shall continue until all evidence and testimony has been received.
Applicant: Jonathan M. Peterson
Property Owner: The Barn LLC (Peterson Companies Inc.)
Property Location: 9218 Lake Drive, Columbus, Minnesota
Legal Description: W1/2 OF SE1/4 OF NW1/4 OF SEC 24 TWP 32 RGE 22, EX E 566 FT THEREOF, EX RDS, SUBJ TO EASE OF REC, ANOKA COUNTY, MINNESOTAbroadstreet.zone(50962);
By: /s/ Elizabeth Mursko
Zoning Administrator
Published in the
Forest Lake Times
May 25, 2017
692397