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Forest Lake Times
Sports Briefs - May 2, 2024
The Forest Lake baseball team went on the road for some Suburban East Conference action at East Ridge High School on Wednesday, April 24, where the Rangers saw themselves fall to the Raptors by a final score of 4-2. The boys struggled to find a rhythm on the offensive end, resulting in just a pair of runs scored. The Rangers then aimed to bounce back at home on Saturday, April 27, but lost at the hand of the Duluth East Greyhounds 10-1. The team is...
Softball claims its fifth season victory after falling to White Bear Lake
The Rangers scored a 10-4 victory over Park of Cottage Grove on Wednesday, April 24 after falling 8-4 in a home game against White Bear Lake on Tuesday, April 23 (above). The squad is 7-2 on the year.
Boys volleyball clinches close victory over Two Rivers
The Forest Lake boys volleyball team participated in the Cardinal Clash tournament on Saturday, April 20, at Coon Rapids High School. The boys took second overall in the silver bracket, going 2-2 on the day with wins over New Prague and Brooklyn Center, before falling to both Bemidji and St. Paul-Johnson. On Tuesday, April 23, the Rangers hosted a contest against Two Rivers, where the team ultimately won a close matchup in three sets by scores of 26-24, 25-22 and 25-22, respectively. Klein Eiden led the way with six kills, while Yupeng Vang and Zack Vang added 13 and eight set assists, respectively. The squad is currently 1-0 in East Conference play, while holding an overall record of 3-6 on the year.
Running Aces files lawsuit against tribal casino execs
Casino CEO argues other casinos are illegally using some gaming systems, making market unfair Running Aces Casino and Racetrack filed a federal lawsuit against executives at three tribal casinos in Minnesota under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act last week. The lawsuit alleges some of the games offered at three Minnesota casinos, including Grand Casino Hinckley, Grand Casino Mille Lacs and Treasure Island Resort & Casino aren’t allowed under the tribal gaming compacts. According to the lawsuit, the inclusion of those games puts...
As new parks commission takes shape, former commissioners speak out
City implementing some key changes, aims for better environment It’s been a year and a half since Forest Lake has had a parks, trails and lakes commission after five of the seven commissioners resigned over the span of less than a week. Now, the city is hoping to reinstate the commission with some modifications, in the hopes of seating a new commission this summer. Feeling devalued ...
Students struck by vehicle expected to make full recovery
The two students who were struck by a car on Tuesday are expected to make a full recovery, according to a new statement by the Forest Lake Area School District. 15-year-olds Sam Farinella and Jase Blanchard, two track athletes, were airlifted to Regions Hospital in St. Paul after being struck by a vehicle while crossing Highway 61 at 202nd St N at about 3:30 p.m; Farinella with life-threatening injuries. District personnell said they are "relieved" the two are both expected to make a full recovery. ...
Students remain in hospital
Update 10:50 a.m.: An email sent by the school district this morning said the the families of the two students have been in close contact with district personnel, and that both students "remain at the hospital receiving the best care possible." The statement continues: "The families are in good spirits and continue to appreciate the...
Students remain in hospital
Update 10:50 a.m.: An email sent by the school district this morning said the the families of the two students have been in close contact with district personnel, and that both students "remain at the hospital receiving the best care possible." The statement continues: "The families are in good spirits and continue to appreciate the...
Girls lacrosse team aims for first win of season
Despite a tough opening sled, Ranger girls remain positive It hasn’t been the best of starts for the Forest Lake girls lacrosse team this spring, but head coach Jenna Brown isn’t too keen on making any major adjustments this early in the season. “We have so many girls that have never played lacrosse before – we’re just continuing to work on their skills, especially on the JV level – we...
Sports Briefs - April 24, 2024
The Forest Lake boys baseball team started out its season in unique fashion in a 3-3 tie against Cretin-Derham Hall on Wednesday, April 10, as the game couldn’t be decided during the extra innings period. The boys then shifted their focus to the Woodbury Royals, where the squad suffered its first loss of the year on Friday, April 12, by a close 4-3 final score in the team’s home opener at Schumacher Field. On Monday, April 15, the Rangers secured its first win of the...
Two actors, one role in high school spring play
Higher interest in acting in spring play means lead role split between two actors Normally, live theater performances assign one actor to a role, or one actor to multiple roles. This year, the Forest Lake Area High School spring play requires the opposite: two actors – juniors Lucia Stene and Chloe Larson – will be playing the same role for two of the four performances, allowing a different variation of the show to take place with each actor. ...
Chase Bank expected for former KFC site
Two new Forest Lake restaurants open Chase Bank is expected to enter the former KFC location at 1232 West Broadway Avenue in Forest Lake. Forest Lake community development director Abbi Wittman announced the bank’s application and intent to fill the location during the council’s April 8 workshop. However, representatives from Chase Bank could not yet confirm the new location. “As we expand rapidly in the Twin Cities metro, we want...
Columbus considers water tower to remedy turbulent well system
City water has higher than recommended levels of manganese, iron A stressed well system has the Columbus City Council considering the installation of a water tower. “Our situation is just getting to the point that it’s really hard to manage. And it’s not stable, and that’s not a position that’s fun to be in,” said Public Works Director Jim Windingstad during the council’s special workshop on Tuesday, April 9. ...
Running Aces’ proposed horse race game clears one hurdle, more on horizon
Not only was it a long meeting when the Minnesota Racing Commission approved historical horse race betting earlier this month, but it has been a long-time coming, according to Running Aces Casino & Racetrack President and CEO Taro Ito. “We have been working on this for 10 years. We have been cultivating this, and tailoring this application and waiting for the right time,” Ito said. The approval from the commission...
School district cuts budget by $1.25M
The Forest Lake Area School District will be cutting its 2025 operating budget by $1.25 million due to student enrollment continuing to decline. The board approved the cut during its early April meeting. Even after the 2018 levy increase approval and some assistance through COVID-related state and federal dollars, throughout the past few years, the Forest Lake Area School District has lost significant dollars, citing student enrollment decline – at roughly 100 students lost per year – as a major reason as the state provides dollars using a per pupil formula. ...
Sports preview: Boys volleyball sets up for final season before MSHSL takeover
The Forest Lake boys volleyball team is ready for a season unlike any other they’ve had in recent years: playing under the Junior Volleyball Association and the Minnesota State High School League. In what’s considered an overlap type of season, the team is making their transition from a club unit into a varsity sport in the state of Minnesota in 2025. First-year head coach of the emerging program Deb Bakke, who’s the head girls JV coach in the fall, noted that while it’s been a...
Sports preview: Clay target expects to be state contender
The Forest Lake clay targets team comes off a season where the squad ultimately placed second in the Suburban East Conference – and the group hopes for many more positive outcomes this spring. The team returns most of its talent from last year, as head coach David Madison expects his team to wind up as a top 10 shooting team in the state. “I really think we will be in the top 10 in the state,” Madison said. “We’ve got some extremely talented shooters –...
Sports preview: Girls golf ready with key return players
The Forest Lake girls golf team heads into the year with a strong core group of talented golfers. After a second-place finish in the Suburban East Conference a season ago, the Rangers lost a couple of key pieces on the roster, but still have plenty of athletes who are ready to step up to the challenge. The key returnees for Forest Lake this year consist of a three-time state entrant in senior Bella Leonhart, seniors Maddie Jerde and Ally Hubbard, along with rising freshman Ella...
Sports Preview: New boys lacrosse coach looks to build
The Forest Lake boys lacrosse team is eager to build back its program and turn some heads this year following a tough outing in the season prior, where the squad went 2-12 on the season and finished last in the tough Suburban East Conference. First-year head coach Noah Fleming, who was an offensive assistant for the Rangers last season, will look to establish a consistent culture amongst his key returnees. In doing so, Fleming notes that the defense is the “strong suit” of the squad...
Sports preview: Returning talent to help boys tennis, new coach
The Forest Lake boys tennis team has a new leader at the helm this season: head coach Mark Daniels, who’s optimistic about what’s ahead for the talented program. Following a 10-10 season in 2023 and falling in the team sectional 7AA semifinals, the Rangers return with a majority of their team from last year after losing a couple of key pieces to graduation. This year’s rotation of key players for Forest Lake include a valuable pair of seniors in Frank Kerkow, a singles player, and...
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Forest Lake Times has been serving Forest Lake, MN since 1902. Published Thursdays by APG of East Central Minnesota with 24/7 local coverage found online at forestlaketimes.com
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