By Abby Nadeau and Glen Strandberg

Looking back, 2006 was a year of big changes for everyone in the surrounding communities. Some events, like the removal of the Forest Lake water tower, had community members fighting to keep the past in the present.

Other events, like the introduction of roundabouts and Columbus' harness track, had the community looking to the possibilities of the future.

In this week's issue, the Forest Lake Times is featuring a few of the top stories that made headlines in 2006.

January 5, 2006

- The Securities and Exchange Commission, along with the FBI was focusing on Forest Lake resident Neulan D. Midkiff and his connection to a fraudulent high-yield investment scheme.

- The Forest Lake Community Association filed a lawsuit that questioned the lease of the former District Memorial Hospital property by Fairview Health Services. The group named the city of Forest Lake and Memorial Hospital District as defendants.

- The signal at Fenway Ave. and TH-97 was official turned on, guiding traffic along TH-97.

January 12, 2006

- The Forest Lake Police Department and Washington County Narcotics officers busted a high-tech marijuana growing operation at 9797 N. 202nd St. in Forest Lake.

- An off-duty investigative police officer from the Minnesota State Patrol helped nab a bank robber who tried to steal from the U.S. Bank at 320 W. Broadway Ave. in Forest Lake.

- The Forest Lake Rangers wrestling team defeated the Stillwater Ponies 57-9.

January 19, 2006

- A fire destroyed a barn and several cars at 13957 Lake Drive in Columbus. The cause of the fire was unknown.

- Erica Rapheal won the Scandia Elementary Geography Bee. Rapheal beat out 200 other students to take first place.

- The Forest Lake Times revisited the Silvera family. Shawn Silvera, a Lino Lakes Police officer had been killed in the line of duty on Sept. 6, 2005. The story featured Jennifer, her two young children, and their goal to keep Shawn's missions in life going. Jennifer, family and friends, founded the Shawn Silvera Foundation after his death.

January 26, 2006

- The Securities and Exchange Commission seized more than $2 million in Neulan Midkiff's assets for his believed role in an alleged Ponzi scheme.

- Cliff Buchan spoke to the family of Jeff Christensen, a ranger who fell to his death while on back country patrol in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. The family decided to turn the photos found on Christensen's camera into cards. The cards would be used to help raise funds for the park Christensen worked for.

- The Forest Lake Rangers girls varsity basketball team beat Mounds View 50-44.

February 2, 2006

- Project Engineers for the city of Forest Lake announced they will recommend roundabouts be a part of the West Broadway/Co. Rd. 2 reconstruction project. The engineers estimated the cost at $12 million dollars.

- Crossroads Church in Forest Lake continued its mission to help a orphanage being built in Guadalupe, Mexico. One of its members, Dan Robinson, took up a collection of shoes to put on bare feet of many children in the area.

- Jordan Kolbow set a new school record in wrestling. Kolbow beat Jesse Wellman of Hastings 26-11 setting the new school record at 165 wins.

February 9, 2006

- Former Forest Lake High School graduates, now University of Wisconsin River Falls students, Jessica Kopp, along with Katie and Molly Thompson, traveled to Gulfport, MS to help the clean-up effort at Hurricane Katrina hit the gulf coast. The group sent pictures of homes completely ripped off their foundations and just overall devastation.

- The Music Connection in Forest Lake was selected as a business to showcase one of Elton John's Limited Edition disklavier grand pianos.

- The Forest Lake Rangers Nordic Ski Team claimed their seventh Suburban East Conference title in nine years. They also swept every individual first place finish in the SEC races for the last three years.

February 16, 2006

- Wyoming Elementary's Kyle Raarup sent his geography project to the 2006 winter games in Torino, Italy. "Flat Stanley" traveled with the U.S. bobsled sled team as they prepared for the Olympics.

- The Forest Lake City Council approved, 4-1, Washington County's recommendation to build seven different roundabouts along West Broadway/Co. Rd. 2.

- The Forest Lake Community Association lost its battle to block the sale of the District Memorial Hospital land to Lakes International Language Academy and Duffy Development.

- Eleven Forest Lake Ranger wrestlers earned All-Conference honors. The group helped the wrestlers reach the top in the Suburban East Conference.

February 23, 2006

- Deirdre Ostlund spoke to the Forest Lake Times about the loss of her son Andrew Kemple who was killed in Iraq. "9/11 was a key to his changing his life, from an irresponsible and reckless teen to a very responsible man," Ostlund said. "He was so touched by all that suffering. Despite his troubles, he always had a heart of gold."

- The Forest Lake City Council reversed its decision and accepted a request for a conditional use permit and subdivision request made by Duffy Development in November of 2005. Following the decision to accept the requests Council member Dick Tschida resigned from the council stating the council's actions caused him great concern, "in particular the obvious disregard and lack of respect for the citizens position on the old District Memorial Hospital site."

- Forest Lake High School senior offensive tackle Matt Lund signed on to play football at St. Cloud State University.

March 2, 2006

- Forest Lake resident Chris Sauro wrote "The Twins Platoon, An Epic Story of Young Marines at War in Vietnam." The group was dubbed the "Twins Platoon" because the group took their military oath prior to the start of a Minnesota Twins game on June 28, 1967.

- The Columbus Township Town Board voted to approve the final plat for the North Metro Harness Initiative.

- Robin Lind of Forest Lake was selected to travel to New York to help Tony Award-Winning dancers learn the steps for the Broadway show "A Chorus Line."

March 9, 2006

- Jordan Kolbow received 1st place in the Minnesota State Wrestling meet in the 152 weight class.

- After the Forest Lake City Council decided to approve the conditional use permit and subdivision request made by Duffy Development the group had to continue to review the plan for the affordable-housing complex. The complex changed from a 48-unit apartment building to multiple townhome buildings.

- The city of Wyoming and Wyoming Township filed a lawsuit asking the Ramsey County District Court to order the Minnesota Office of Administrative Hearing to approve the full annexation of Wyoming Township to the city of Wyoming.

March 16, 2006

- The city of Forest Lake was hit with a late winter storm that dropped over a foot of snow on the ground.

- State Representative Ray Vandeveer of Forest Lake designed a bill to incorporate Columbus township, thwarting a proposed annexation by Forest Lake. The bill ended up failing in a House committee.

- Forest Lake High School Baseball Coach Brian Rabbe reflected on the death of Minnesota Twin great Kirby Puckett. Rabbe played with Kirby as a farmhand on the Minnesota Twins team.

March 23, 2006

- On the second go around the bill that would keep Forest Lake from annexing a portion of Columbus Township passed a House committee. The bill would still need to make it to the Senate before it would be adopted.

- Former Forest Lake dog musher Ken Anderson finished 15th in the 2006 Iditarod Sled Dog race in Alaska.

- Mark Walsh and Renae Fry were elected to two seats on the Columbus Township Town Board.

March 30, 2006

- The Forest Lake City Council approved the planned unit development and site plan review for the new affordable housing complex Forest Ridge. The new plan included more aesthetic townhomes than apartment buildings.

- Former Forest Lake dog musher Ken Anderson finished 15th in ??the 2006 Iditarod Sled Dog race in Alaska.

- Mark Walsh and Renae Fry were elected to two seats on the Columbus Township Town Board.

- The Forest Lake City Council approved the planned unit development and site plan review for the new affordable housing complex Forest Ridge. The new plan included more aesthetic townhomes than apartment buildings.

- Washington County agreed to purchase city land for a future government center in Forest Lake. The land sits just south east of the Forest Lake airport.

- The Forest Lake Boys Basketball team earned the academic state title for the school work they did off the court.

April 6, 2006

- The Forest Lake Times featured roughly 40 to 50 local businesses in the 2006 Progress Edition. The special edition showcases businesses that have changed ownership or locations, are celebrating an anniversary or businesses that are new to the area.

- The Forest Lake Police department participated in an "active shooter" drill at Century Jr. High. The drill enables police officers to train for situations where an active shooter is loose in a public area.

- Neulan Midkiff was facing more legal trouble in his role in a massive federal investigation into a multi-state and international bank fraud scheme or Ponzi program. He was schedule to appear in federal district court in Texas for "civil contempt."

April 13, 2006

- Clyde McCaskey was censured by the Forest Lake City Council for his actions concerning Duffy Development's Forest Ridge affordable housing complex. No action was taken against McCaskey, the censure was put on record as stating the city did not approve of McCaskey's actions.

- All area Forest Lake schools celebrated the Festival of Cultures at the high school. The festival gave area residents a chance to learn about the many cultures that have found a home in Forest Lake.

- The Forest Lake High School Board honored Joe Mitchell, of Scandia, for his nomination as a National Merit finalist.

April 20, 2006

- Greg Ochs was appointed to the Forest Lake City Council to replace Dick Tschida who resigned in February.

- Fairview Lakes Medical Center in Wyoming broke ground on their $29 million dollar expansion and remodel.

- Forest Lake High School swimmer Amanda Nelson and diver Dillon Hudalla were honored at the Minnesota State Swimming and Diving State Championship Banquet.

April 27, 2006

- The Forest Lake Community Center Executive Board decided to re-evaluate the future progress of the Forest Lake Community Center complex. A lack of community support for all aspects of the project have caused the group to take a second look at how the complex would be set up.

- Forest Lake City Council member Susan Young was called on by Columbus Township to testify against Forest Lake's plan to annex Columbus Township.

- Senior Luke Odegaard tied a Forest Lake High School boys tennis record when he marked his 81st career victory.

May 4, 2006

- The Hallberg Family Foundation donated more than $100,000 to purchase a 2006 Zamboni Model 552 ice resurfacing machine for Independent School District 831.

- St. Peter's Catholic School student Beth Kellen was off to an international competition that tested her problem solving abilities. Kellen is a state champion in the junior individual competition for the Future Problem Solvers Program.

- The Forest Lake High School senior Luke Odegaard broke the boys tennis school record of 81 wins.

May 11, 2006

- Senator Michele Bachmann, Stillwater, won the endorsement for the Sixth Congressional District seat.

- Bruce Hanson, of Lino Lakes, was named to the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame. The Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame recognizes historic aviation pioneers in a significant and lasting way.

- University of Minnesota Twin Cities women's basketball player and Forest Lake High School graduate Katie Alsdorf stopped by the Forest Lake Elementary to help them kick off their busy month of May as May is the month of reading and fitness for the students.

May 18, 2006

- The owner of the Kilkenny Court apartments sued Fairview Hospitals, and by default Duffy Development, to gain a 2 acre parcel of land that sits between the apartments and the soon-to-be Forest Ridge Townhomes.

- Cliff Buchan told the story of Ed and Joanne Wheatley's four children; all four of whom have been honored with Forest Lake's Community Scholarship Foundation. Two of the children have used the scholarship to become ordained Lutheran ministers, one is currently going to medical school at the University of Minnesota Duluth and one was accepted to attend the New York Academy of Arts in New York City.

- Forest Lake resident and Minnesota State Moorehead grad Chris Anderson announced he would be playing pro basketball in New Zealand.

May 25, 2006

- The Forest Lake City Council got another look at the preliminary plans for a Community Center complex in Forest Lake. The Community Center Executive Board could only find enough funding for the athletic complex and ice arena. Together the project was estimated at $11.5 million.

- 1992 Forest Lake graduate Jeff Christensen was honored in Washington D.C. with his name being etched into the National Police Memorial Wall. Christensen was a park ranger in the Colorado Rockies who was killed in a fall while on a backcountry patrol.

June 1, 2006

- Keith Dunham resigned from the Forest Lake High School Board. His family had decided to pursue business interests in Chicago.

- Kelly Freudenberg, the mother of Elden Arcand who died in Iraq, was honored as a Gold Star mother during the Memorial Day program at Lakeside Memorial Park.

- After winning the Suburban East Conference in shot put Derek Peterson then captured the Section 7AA title in shot put at the State Track and Field meet.

June 8, 2006

- The city of Forest Lake celebrated the grand re-opening of Lakeside Memorial Park. The park received a "face-lift" with a new walking path, gazebo, park benches and playground equipment.

- Ground was broken on the new Washington County Government Center and Library.

- The Forest Lake Ranger doubles tennis pair of Luke Odegaard and Dan Cromwell represented Forest Lake at the State Tennis Tournament. The pair made it as far as the quarter finals when they lost to a pair from Mounds View.

June 15, 2006

- Forest Lake High School Principal Steven Massey and his staff graduated 580 students. Social Studies teacher Don Thompson was a guest speaker along with students Paul Joachim, Ashley Paul and Matt Joyer.

- Forest Lake Ranger baseball pitcher Jed Hanson was named the Star Tribune's Metro Player of the Year.

- The Forest Lake City Council started taking bids from businesses to remove the 86 year old "Tin Man" water tower. City Administrator Chip Robinson recommended that the tower be taken down because it was "unsafe" due to the fact that it has sat empty for a number of years and "the water makes the tower more structurally sound and without the weight the structure is unsafe."

June 22, 2006,

- Keith Hegstrom was announced as the Grand Marshal for the 4th of July parade. Hegstrom enlisted in the Air Force in 1964 and spent time in Vietnam, Turkey and even northern Minnesota.

- Two Forest Lake graduates Peter Bailey and Jordan Koch traveled from Seattle, WA to Minneapolis in two weeks, all on bicycles. The pair never spent a night in a hotel and mostly ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to keep their energy high.

- Several Forest Lake Rangers were honored for their athletic and academic achievements in 2006 like wrestler Jordan Kolbow who was honored by USA Wrestling as an All-American honorable mention, Renee Frericks received the Athena Award and Erik Stolberg and Shawna McNamara were give the Academic, Arts and Athletics Award, among others.

June 29, 2006

- Sports Editor Glen Strandberg told the story of Forest Lake resident Brian Carpenter who had won The World Ford Challenge. Carpenter holds the second fastest drag racing time in history.

- Scandia celebrated their annual Midsommar Dag and Dala Fest. In 2006 Scandia decorated and then auctioned off 12,400 pound dala horses that were placed throughout the city. Visitors can see the horses sitting outside the Fire Station, the Scandia Cafe and another at the Gammelgarden Museum.

- Castlewood Golf Course was on the minds of the Forest Lake city council as they decided how to manage the failing course. The council finally decided to take out a request for proposal from any businesses interested in managing the course.

July 6, 2006

- On a 5-1 decision, the school board voted to move ahead with a two-question ballot for Nov. 7 that would ask local taxpayers to authorize the district to raise a total of $7.9 million a year for five years.

- Caleb Schaber provides a special feature on 2003 Forest Lake High School graduate Christopher Houle, who is spending his Fourth of July as a tanker driver in Iraq, 30 kilometers north of Baghdad.

- Local businessman and author, Chris Sauro, along with the rest of the ëTwins Platoon,' is honored by the Minnesota Twins in a pre-game ceremony.

July 13, 2006

- The Town of Columbus receives a favorable decision from an Administrative Law Judge, who approves the township's request to become a city. At the same time, the judge rejected Forest Lake's attempt to annex a strip of land, south of TH-97 and east of I-35.

- A feature by Jennifer Kern focuses on 11-year old Reven McGee. After losing his sight completely in 2004, McGee spent this summer attending athletic camps, performing on the piano in front of the Metrodome and going for rides on his new tandem bike.

- The Mickey Mantle baseball team gets its picture in the paper after winning first place at the Gopher State Tournament of Champions in late June.

July 20, 2006

- Seven days after a judge denied Forest Lake's request to annex the I-35 corridor of Columbus Township, the city filed a motion for reconsideration.

- Cliff Buchan writes a story on Raymond A. Bergerson, who at the age of 93, died on Thursday, July 13. Bergerson was a longtime resident of Columbus and Forest Lake.

- Jerry Klemm comes home from the National Wheelchair Games with a gold and a bronze medal.

July 27, 2006

- The Forest Lake City Council hires Iseler Inc. to tear down the 86-year old water tower. The ëTin Man' will be demolished because it is claimed to be unsafe.

- In a 4-1 vote, the Forest Lake City Council approved an $8 million purchase agreement with Fenway Investments for the 620 acre Headwaters at Forest Lake development.

- Abby Nadeau features Columbus Township resident Seth Kalhagen for his experiences participating in Youth With a Mission. Kalhagen and his group of seven students landed in Nepal to teach the word of God.

August 3, 2006

- In a short special meeting on July 26, the Forest Lake City Council voted 4-0 to approve the preliminary plats for Duffy Development's Forest Ridge Townhomes.

- Traffic engineers who are leading the planning process for the seven roundabouts in Forest Lake, tell more than 20 businesses that once they give the roundabouts a try, they will like them.

- Tanner's Brook golfer Kelly Godwin has a superb week when she wins the Minnesota State Junior Girls Championship and the Minnesota PGA Players' Tour Girls Match Play.

August 10, 2006

- Lifelong Forest Lake resident Doris Houle dies at her home on Wednesday, Aug. 2. Houle served in the armed forces during World War II and also worked a variety of jobs in the area.

- Citing conflicting statutes, a judge's ruling prevents Wyoming City and Township officials hope for a merger.

August 17, 2006

- ëA Brush With Kindness,' an off-shoot of Habitat for Humanity, accepts Joanne Bess' request to assist with her home repairs. ëKindness' helps people who cannot afford to pay for small repairs, or those who are physically unable to make the repairs themselves.

- In anticipation of becoming a city, members of Columbus Township begin filing in order to run for positions of mayor and city council.

- At the Minnesota Long Course Swim Championships, Gaby Bunten and Amanda Nelson perform very well. Bunten wins the 800-meter freestyle, while Nelson comes in fourth place in the 100-meter butterfly and second in the 200-meter fly.

August 24, 2007

- Wyoming City Council authorizes to go ahead with an appeal of Judge Michael T. De Courcy's decision to deny the Writ of Mandamus. The decision is related to the joint city and township merger request.

- Under a plan set forth by Mayor Terry Smith, a roundabout at the intersection of W. Broadway Avenue and Lake Street could be finished in 2007.

- Forest Lake's Jed and Kristi Copham take ownership of Brainerd International Speedway during the weekend of the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals.

August 31, 2006

- Forest Lake's Economic Development Authority votes 4-0 to discontinue discussions for the purchase of the old Holiday Station property at 207 N. Lake St.

August 31, 2006

- Cliff Buchan writes a story on Jeff Watson, Minnesota's Pickle King.

- During a special meeting of the district's governing board, members voted 3-0 to dissolve the no longer needed Memorial Hospital District.

September 7, 2006

- The filing deadline for the Columbus special election passes with two people running for mayor and five residents for city council. Mel Mettler and Michael Wood file for mayor, while Renae Fry, Mark Walsh, Myron Organ, Dennis Peterson and David Povolny file for city council.

- Dorothy Thoeny is featured by Abby Nadeau. After being diagnosed with diabetes, Thoeny has lived 50 years beyond doctors expectations and receives the lifetime achievement award from Eli Lilly.

- The Forest Lake football team opens the season with an impressive win over Park of Cottage Grove. Trip Schultz and Matt Hansmann would gain a total of 220 yards on the ground and four touchdowns.

September 14, 2006

- On Monday, Sept. 11, the Forest Lake City Council voted to approve the construction of one roundabout at US-61/Lake Street at West Broadway Avenue, prior to the entire corridor being constructed.

- Douglas Stanke, 34, pleads guilty to one of two grand jury indictments in the death of Lino Lakes Police Officer, Shawn Silvera. Stanke pleaded guilty to fleeing police in a motor vehicle and to felony criminal vehicular operation.

September 21, 2006

- In a unanimous vote, the Forest Lake City Council approved a preliminary tax levy of $6,573,048, an increase of 20.9 percent over last year.

- On Thursday, Sept. 21, Columbus officially became a city. The new city council -- Mayor Mel Mettler, council members, Renae Fry, Mark Walsh, Myron Organ and Dennis Peterson -- take the oath of office during a celebration that would end with a fireworks display.

September 28, 2006

- From 2002 to 2004, West Broadway Avenue has the highest crash rate of all county roads in Washington County.

- Josh Erickson and Allie Carpenter are crowned as the new Homecoming King and Queen.

October 5, 2006

- Meeting in a special session, the school board voted 5-0, with two members absent, to approve the proposed 2007 tax levy.

- The Ranger football team improves to 4-1 after a dominant Homecoming game performance over Stillwater. Forest Lake won 28-20.

- Paige Patchin sets the Forest Lake record for career victories in tennis (100) when she defeats Melissa Dressel of White Bear Lake.

October 12, 2006

- The Wyoming School Board voted 6-1 in favor of a resolution sought from the Chisago County HRA-EDA approving the designation of land in Wyoming for a tax-free zone and supporting the use of tax exemptions and credits within the zone.

- At the Oct. 9 city council meeting, Mayor Terry Smith and Council members Judy Bull and Susan Young vote to "reserve" land for a community center and ice arena.

October 19, 2006

- An administrative law judge granted a petition by New Scandia Township to become the city of Scandia.

- At the Suburban East Conference meet, junior Ben Brodin and 8th grader Liz Peterson earn all-conference honors in cross country.

October 26, 2006

- The Forest Lake Golf Course Committee met with TruRing LLC to discuss the proposal that TruRing would take full care of Castlewood Golf Course -- from management to maintenance -- thereby taking the financial burden off the city of Forest Lake.

- At the age of 78, teacher, principal, business owner, banker, veteran, husband, dad and grandfather Cliff Butler passes away.

November 2, 2006

- Roundabout discussion continues as a business task force hears more concerns from residents, and then explains plans and defends steps surrounding the roundabouts.

- After Warren Hallberg, 82, dies from lung cancer on Oct. 25, Cliff Buchan writes a story on the lifelong resident.

- Abby Nadeau features a group of 16 Forest Lake High School students whose class project is to build a house.

November 9, 2006

- After the votes are counted, Stev Stegner is elected the new Mayor of Forest Lake, defeating incumbent Terry Smith and challenger Greg Vukich.

- Voters of ISD 831 said yes to an operating levy renewal on Tuesday's election, but turned down a request by the school board for additional dollars designated to enhance school programs.

November 9, 2006

- ëSeussical the Musical' plays to rave reviews at Forest Lake High School.

November 16, 2006

- Forest Lake's ëTin Man' is demolished. Areas residents watch as the iconic water tower is removed from the horizon.

- The girls swimming and diving team wins the Section 7AA Championship.

November 23, 2006

- A fire at a group home in Linwood Township, owned by Harold and Marlys Ostlund, does extensive damage, but all five residents and facility staff escape without injury.

- Columbus Elementary School is Forest Lake's highest achiever, earning four of a possible five stars in math and reading and five stars in academic opportunities and safety.

November 30, 2006

- Mayor-elect Stev Stegner seeks the help of the Forest Lake Human Rights Commission to learn more about the situation surrounding severe accusations made against his character.

- The harness track and card room that will be located in Columbus announces it will likely not open until 2008.

- At the state swimming and diving meet, Amanda Nelson places third in the 100 butterfly and Janel Duffy takes eighth in diving.

December 7, 2006

- Questions involving the roundabouts continue as the Broadway Business Task Force learns from a joint city-county planning group that roundabouts will eliminate street parking.

- The girls hockey team opens the season with a 6-1 record and move to No. 6 in the metro area rankings.

December 14, 2006

- Paulette Smith and friends make 8000 cookies during a Christmas cookie drive for troops serving in Iraq and Germany.

- The harness track and card room sets a groundbreaking ceremony for January 18, 2007.

- The Forest Lake City Council approves a $6.5 million operating levy at its Dec. 11 meeting.

- Century Junior High School teacher Pat Cheyne dies unexpectedly on Monday, Dec. 11. She was 57-years old.

- On Wednesday, Dec. 13, Thomas Mordoski dies when his vehicle collides with another automobile in Storm Lake, IA.

December 21, 2006

- In the first-ever Scandia City Council election, Dennis Seefeldt is elected mayor, and council seats are won by Dolores Peterson, Pete Crum, Michael Harnetty and Donnette Yehle.

- In head coach Bob Dettmer's final season, the Forest Lake wrestling team starts the year with a 9-0 record.

December 28, 2006

- Starting Jan. 1, 2007, Forest Lake city employees will have a new wage and benefits package. The total cost is approximately $275,000 and will bring Forest Lake up to par with other group six cities in the area.

- The Lakes Area Youth Service Bureau in Forest Lake closes in on its 2006 capital fund-raising drive of $100,000.

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