Señor Ricci's Restaurant Damaged By Fire

By Deb Barnes

A two-alarm fire mobilized the Hugo and White Bear Lake Fire Departments on Sunday, March 18 when Señor Ricci's Family Restaurant & Bar in Hugo caught fire.

The cause of the blaze has been attributed by Fire Chief Jim Compton to a grease fire near the broiler, which spread to a vacant upstairs apartment. The restaurant, located at 14777 N. Forest Blvd., is currently closed.

The Hugo Fire Department and the White Bear Lake Fire Department responded to the fire called in at Ricci’s in Hugo on Sunday, March 18. Here, HFD firefighters donned protective gear to re-enter the building after foam was applied to knock down the flames.

Photo by Deb Barnes

Chief Compton said the call came in from Ricci's at 4:20 p.m. on Sunday afternoon. While White Bear firefighters were on their way, Hugo firefighters applied foam for "a quick knock-down" of the blaze in the kitchen.

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An Especially Significant Fête des Lacs

Centerville To Celebrate 150 Years With Dedication

By Aaron Rupar

As the temperature warms and we no longer have to scuttle from our cars to the comfort of the indoors as if fresh air were mildly poisonous to us, thoughts inevitably turn to the fairest of all seasons here in Minnesota: the summer.

For some of us, these warm thoughts include dreams of boating, or barbeques, or perhaps playing soft ball. For Centervillians and other area residents, these thoughts also inevitably include anticipation of the annual Fête des Lacs celebration.

In this undated photo, St. Genevieve’s church can be seen peeking over the top of the St. Paul Water Department’s pumphouse, constructed on Centerville Lake. A portion of the building still remains north of the city’s new park property.

Citizen file photo

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Big Fish

Waiting For Big Marine

By Zrinka Peters

Hugo fishermen, take note - as the ice melts and the water begins to glisten once more on Big Marine Lake, those hungry for fresh bass and walleye will have to look elsewhere - at least for this year.

Big Marine is in for a major overhaul. The boat launch and entire park will be closed from April until May of 2008 to allow for construction of the Big Marine Lake Park Reserve.

Phase I Development of Big Marine Park Reserve in northern Washington County is scheduled to begin in June 2007. This photo shows the site of a future swimming beach.

Courtesy of Washington County Parks

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Stoplight Funding Is "No Go" For Hugo

Turn Lanes Discussed as Alternative Solution

By Aaron Rupar

Hugo was once again denied state funding for the installation of traffi c signals at the intersections of Highway 61 and 130th St. and Highway 61 and 147th St., City Engineer Jay Kennedy told council and staff at the March 19 City Council meeting.

For a number of years, Hugo has annually applied for "Cooperative Agreement" funds from MnDOT. The funds would be used to finance the installation of traffic signals at the two aforementioned intersections.

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