[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6189174,"mediaKeyId","5058442-25a615e0093f8079a2f98309e74701b0","parentId",5058442,"title","Public‑safety update: sheriff reports narcotics and DWI arrests; fire department reports 57 calls and recruitment progress","audioSeconds",455,"startMs",61000,"endMs",516000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5058442-25a615e0093f8079a2f98309e74701b0&start=61&end=516","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5058442-25a615e0093f8079a2f98309e74701b0/thumbnail_61000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6189174/East-Bethel/Anoka-County/Minnesota/Publicsafety-update-sheriff-reports-narcotics-and-DWI-arrests-fire-department-reports-57-calls-and-recruitment-progress","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189174-1e92b8066be1584b36b3624c88977d7b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149863&Signature=FsvhEpkN2G3nMD1-LQwtbUBy6M74XP74UmINtdgpHen72pmCunGIux113GJSBG-peR4YmDQsCbOglvilu5md363qbjqAk5-I7jAQ2SAng1EqC3S82N483bmAk6H4iBNOhZxCAgquCah8oyycGe46nCplp45FBdsgXGHI73t4M-D61JLO2cDghYN5RO6b6HEUMNGHro9pWUD2oEm4RqI8Ulx8QVHNrJJIiXvEFata2PwGpoLOtoIaj3u1aabax6Uv33ySV5vl194wkISOnWBjJwvDYYBga-z2l-NL5izxMIX4bhCiNqkQdxp9lX9Y-tm6K9R2WPVPBQd~AXtoi9O5fg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of East Bethel, MN","date","2025-06-24T13:22:05Z","article","Representatives from the sheriff’s office and the East Bethel Fire Department provided routine public‑safety updates at the June 23 council meeting.

A sheriff’s department spokesperson reported 446 calls for service in May, including five thefts, four assaults and one damage‑to‑property call. Deputies conducted roughly 200 traffic stops in May that resulted in 39 traffic citations and made 42 arrests for miscellaneous violations. The spokesperson recounted several incidents: a May 3 stop that led to the discovery of a punched‑out ignition and, after inventory, the recovery of a small amount of cocaine, 19 grams of suspected methamphetamine and about 9 grams of suspected fentanyl; a May 11 impaired‑driving stop in which a driver registered a preliminary breath test of 0.17 and an evidentiary breath test of 0.14; and other stops that produced outstanding warrants and arrests.

The sheriff’s representative cautioned that summer brings increased lake and highway traffic, noting “we’ve seen a number of several severe traffic crashes on Highway 65,” and urged residents to exercise care and report suspicious or unsafe conditions.

The fire chief reported the department responded to 57 calls since May 28, about 70% of which were medical in nature. Notable incidents included a lawnmower fire that threatened a residence and a fatal crash on Highway 65 at Sims that was investigated by state patrol. The chief said the department is in recruitment and retention mode: eight applicants moved from an initial screening to individual interviews, and all eight advanced to the next round. The department is evaluating turnout gear from vendors and has sought bids on station floor repairs; the chief plans to bring floor quotes to the council in early July.

Both public‑safety presenters answered council questions about specific incidents, road conditions and an ongoing local stabilization effort at a facility referred to as Nexus, which the sheriff’s office described as “stabilized” with normal levels of response in recent weeks.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council MTG 062325","oneSentenceSummary","At the June 23 East Bethel City Council meeting sheriff and fire department representatives summarized May activity: 446 calls for service, several drug arrests and multiple traffic incidents; the fire department reported 57 calls since May 28, recruitment progress and facility maintenance work.","taxTitle","East Bethel, Anoka County, Minnesota","taxId",71001,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6189179,"Council approves detached accessory structure as principal use on vacant lot near **** Lake",326,3400000,3726000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5058442-25a615e0093f8079a2f98309e74701b0&start=3400&end=3726","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5058442-25a615e0093f8079a2f98309e74701b0/thumbnail_3400000.jpg","/articles/6189179/East-Bethel/Anoka-County/Minnesota/Council-approves-detached-accessory-structure-as-principal-use-on-vacant-lot-near-Lake","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189179-6500ba2bea74bc7c469e96504bfe9207/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149863&Signature=TvrPvpZ7WaAmYc6qkd7qCK5t9LT~hSX9oNleZn0Vl7xOoM2P3HzrnEQalSLuYvlQ4UqAMd-ykmcRx1xg5cg9oR6651UHCWMFltV7wQFdckTD8a0RFQ1uupCZh-TktNqnUZT4LNWxmAdq6fD-xzpyjde2-8ECxIUGD5z-avaa3YZJ768K9Jze8wM-fAIjx1nvwxtURwiWGaE9dpGWNAp-2RVs1-pG6eAwPKipG4M6M7FPWtpon1dM2THtxo8~qd-s3fgKYlIHzc4PIRSxYtBgajOyemNyjbRQWCBP-tz0oRSh1ZQnBnTYI0y2KxuKiZj-13pRNfsxU9WPIcBSx6UXsA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The East Bethel City Council voted June 23 to adopt Resolution 2025‑39, approving a site plan for a detached accessory structure to be used as a principal structure on a vacant lot southeast of Longfellow Drive and Cedar Road in the **** Lake Beach neighborhood.

Staff told the council the city code states that “no accessory building or structure shall be constructed on any lot prior to the construction of a principal structure without prior approval of the City Council,” so the council reviewed the request using the city’s site‑plan standards. Staff found the proposed structure met the applicable ordinance standards, would remain under the 25% impervious‑surface benchmark and appeared to meet required setbacks. A condition of approval is that the applicant must obtain a building permit from the city before construction.

The applicant requested a 30‑by‑48‑foot garage to be located on the northern portion of a 1.54‑acre parcel the applicant combined in January 2024. Staff reported the lake shore is about 275 feet from the western property line and that the lot cannot be combined with the applicant’s nearby residence because Longfellow Drive creates a right‑of‑way separation; Anoka County will not treat the parcels as contiguous.

A councilmember moved and the council seconded approval; the motion passed by voice vote with no opposition recorded on the transcript.

The decision grants zoning/site‑plan approval only; building‑permit review and any required construction inspections will be handled by the city’s building department. Council members who spoke indicated awareness that similar single‑structure lots exist elsewhere in the lakeshore neighborhood and said consistent application of setbacks and code standards informed their support.","The East Bethel City Council adopted Resolution 2025‑39 to allow a 30-by-48-foot detached garage to be built as a principal use on a vacant lot southeast of Longfellow Drive and Cedar Road; staff noted the request required council review because the lot lacks a principal structure.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6189184,"Council approves off‑sale liquor license for Last Stop Liquor at 21340 Aberdeen Street NE",124,722000,846000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5058442-25a615e0093f8079a2f98309e74701b0&start=722&end=846","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5058442-25a615e0093f8079a2f98309e74701b0/thumbnail_722000.jpg","/articles/6189184/East-Bethel/Anoka-County/Minnesota/Council-approves-offsale-liquor-license-for-Last-Stop-Liquor-at-21340-Aberdeen-Street-NE","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189184-bafc84dbeaed911db31f8321a85c4059/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149863&Signature=aLD8NRX5txCBlSqDrLnAqIAEI7hxpwLRgiznMNEiXId1mygmjfiVGTLY9cfQpuUL1UfbSpU4KAdPHAgJirdBx1pTZBy~t-U6uEg3MlBcbvCSm2tlu~4jajyTGgX4cVuxVlhmPKFfVr-XpzJR8ubeIBsCMpLmVgvPzICFQ9rRLehthRFwauFVu-5XLHSSPTL9xprxopKC6eWSzA7UxDy~5PpE9hYqrEH2eTXyK90P9Grlh810A2MNt4PlrPqtOywYvG9cdfwtPSNJ3Gj04uqWDfxS-8dDr6ocyrY4QhNuftBNTjjRjGLnc932H9zFBtoyn9hs23AiWPTYqvJ4WQ2spA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a June 23 public hearing, the East Bethel City Council approved an off‑sale liquor license for Last Stop Liquor, the business formerly operating as Wayne’s Liquor, located at 21340 Aberdeen Street Northeast in East Bethel.

City staff explained the council was required to hold a public hearing on the application and invited comments. No members of the public spoke during the hearing. Staff recommended approval if there were no grounds to deny the license.

A councilmember moved to approve the off‑sale license; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote with no opposition.

City staff will complete any remaining licensing steps and notify the applicant of the council’s decision; no additional conditions were recorded on the council transcript during the meeting.

The action authorizes off‑sale retail liquor sales at the listed address under the city’s licensing process; staff noted the public hearing completed the requirement for council review.","After a brief public hearing with no public testimony, the East Bethel City Council approved an off‑sale liquor license for Last Stop Liquor (formerly Wayne’s Liquor) at 21340 Aberdeen Street NE.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6189189,"Council member Suzanne Erkel apologizes for social‑media remarks as residents push back and defend her",3173,867000,4040000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5058442-25a615e0093f8079a2f98309e74701b0&start=867&end=4040","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5058442-25a615e0093f8079a2f98309e74701b0/thumbnail_867000.jpg","/articles/6189189/East-Bethel/Anoka-County/Minnesota/Council-member-Suzanne-Erkel-apologizes-for-socialmedia-remarks-as-residents-push-back-and-defend-her","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189189-eafd6edfa603575566e13b3c5c213f45/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149863&Signature=LNzomFNR4kbIV0f2E9FKy6RlEkN2saNirwLOU6JkvD0MBP5YXIXMMI29WjCEycAk-zrFcuV3YNxkUjt76psq-vR6bCmHKDyM1BplmKJ6G7T0EMuaX2VBUmmStwyW1Q5gxRaxhKrR~z~CW6LUBC65egWPq8IMarP8TJ1o6dyx5RPSpVYr~TY~Riv-qE87bR8yblYTh~YxypVtfZPxpATwL5Nmz4UdJG52qBZ26LgR8N1wL5AA~uesvj~fxNZR3bS5glBL-pPMd8b21W4-qA9FmQlW4qQ1fBTsPjxMmGgnVWz90mDh6IU0HxmT7sSVpSpuVmfSizGvCudGvF-iACPQ1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council member Suzanne Erkel addressed a packed public forum at the June 23 East Bethel City Council meeting to explain comments she made on social media about recent violence and to respond to the backlash that followed. Erkel said authorities investigated her and “found absolutely no credible threat,” and she reiterated that “my intention was not to stir any discourse or fear or suspicion.”

Erkel told the council she had been “saddened” and “shocked” by recent murders and said her comments were prompted by public statements from other officials and by social‑media posts she had seen. She described receiving what she called “dozens and dozens” of threatening calls and messages and said the harassment included “death threats” and attempts to share personal information about her family.

The public forum that followed drew several residents who either criticized Erkel’s public statements or defended her. Jennifer Bloomquist, who identified herself as a communications professional, told the council that elected officials’ public communications “are held to a higher standard” and urged training in media literacy; she recommended the League of Minnesota Cities social‑media course. By contrast, Kevin Lewis, a resident who spoke in support, said of Erkel: “I know Suzanne is a very decent person, a very good person and also tougher than nails.” Diane Sanger, who later had an unrelated agenda item, also spoke in Erkel’s defense.

Other speakers criticized Erkel’s remarks as misleading and harmful. Denise Leshinski said the comments had caused damage and stress to families and questioned whether council members were being held to consistent standards. Multiple residents referenced heated exchanges that had spilled onto social media and suggested stronger norms or training for public officials.

Mayor Anderson and several council members listened but did not take formal action during the meeting on Erkel’s statements. The exchange occurred during the public forum portion of the agenda; no ordinance, policy change, or formal council direction was adopted in response during the June 23 meeting.

The remarks and the public reactions highlight ongoing tensions in East Bethel over elected officials’ social‑media activity and residents’ expectations for council conduct. Several residents asked for clearer communication standards or training for council members; others urged community civility and patience.

The council adjourned without scheduling a formal follow‑up on the topic at that meeting.","At the June 23 East Bethel City Council meeting, Council member Suzanne Erkel addressed criticism of a recent social‑media post, said she was not a credible threat after an investigation, and recounted threats and harassment; residents spoke both in defense of and critical of her comments.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public‑safety update: sheriff reports narcotics and DWI arrests; fire department reports 57 calls and recruitment progress

Council approves detached accessory structure as principal use on vacant lot near **** Lake

Council approves off‑sale liquor license for Last Stop Liquor at 21340 Aberdeen Street NE

Council member Suzanne Erkel apologizes for social‑media remarks as residents push back and defend her