Metro is always a fun meet. Hundreds of fans, high energy, music pumping through loud speakers throughout the park, and the only lights for blocks are the ones lighting up the course. There are 10 races total, from the littlest runners in elementary school, all the way up through Varsity running in the darkness of night. Glow sticks, light up hair ties, and glow-in-the-dark face paint and glitter give the meet a different vibe than any other. It’s a tradition many runners look forward to.
Middle school girls lead the pack going 1,2 with Catherine Williams and Emily Nelso PRing in their 3,000 M race with an 11:11 and 11:20. Kinsley Fairchild came in with an 11:39 followed by Natalie Pilliod and Harper Allen all placing top 10. Wayzata runs away as team winners with a score of 21, beating 2nd place Eden Prairie by 40 points. The future is looking strong with these girls!
The middle school boys also had a strong showing winning with 31 points, also over Eden Prairie by 51 points. Led by Elliot Williams winning the race in a 10:13, followed by Reid Kruger with a 10:26 and Gavin Klein in a 10:33. Chase Beranek was also in the top 10 with a 10:44. Dynamic showing for the boys!
Wayzata high school girls and boys did not race their Varsity teams, but runners stepped up to fill spots and held their own.
JV finished 3rd of 9 teams with some big PRs. Avery Feia, 10th grader, lead the team, finishing 8th of nearly 200 runners, with a time of 21:36 and finished just a tenth of a second ahead of Senior teammate Catherine Sengupta, who PR’d by 2 minutes. Sawyer Backer ran a season best to finish 16th overall, followed by Kaia Brunsting who also PR’d with a 22:21.
On the boys JV side, Thomas Barrett absolutely crushed the race with a time of 16:58 and winning the heat big. Wayzata had 12 of the top 20 finishers which is impressive. Shivam Patel finished 2nd with a time of 17:23, followed by Oliver Martinson, Zubin Sinha, and Ethan Kim finishing 3rd, 4th, and 5th, while Kim had a huge PR of 17:43. Aiden McNalian, Ethan Parr, and Martin Lindquist rounded out the top 10 for the heat. JV takes home the win with just 15 points, the best score possible in the sport.
Onto Varsity. The girls had their work cut out for them against top runners in the state like Brynlee Wegner from Blaine, but came to show what they could do. Lead by Senior Lucy Issa, and an enormous lifetime best run at 20:02 finishing 49th overall. Kingsley Loso, Claire Herman, and Grace Marley all went sub 21 and finished top 100 for the top girls race. Wayzata finished 10th of 24 teams.
The boys Varsity finished 7th overall, with Freshman Finnegan Allen leading the team with a 16:16, followed by Matthew Wang at 16:42, and another Freshman Brooks Merrill going a 16:52, all PRs for them. Jackson Lueder and Jack Paris all finished sub 17 scoring for the team.
Next week catch JV and Varsity teams in Iowa at the Steve Johnson Invitational where they’ll see some out-of-state talent.
Four candidates seeking two seats on the Wayzata City Council discussed taxes, development, downtown businesses, short-term rentals, public safety and housing during a candidate forum Thursday, Sept. 24, at Wayzata City Hall.
Adam Elg, Dan Koch, Molly MacDonald and David Struck participated in the forum, hosted by the League of Women Voters of the Lake Minnetonka Plymouth Area in partnership with the Wayzata West Metro Chamber of Commerce.
The candidates are seeking two four-year City Council terms beginning in January. Election Day is Nov. 3.
Taxes and city revenue
How to limit the burden on Wayzata property taxpayers emerged as a recurring issue.
Koch said the city should exercise fiscal discipline and seek to hold increases in the general fund levy to 5% or less while continuing to adequately fund public safety and infrastructure.
Elg advocated diversifying city revenue, including consideration of app-based parking, fees for nonresident commuters using municipal parking and a food-and-beverage sales tax.
MacDonald also supported increasing revenue from sources other than property taxes, arguing that Wayzata’s popularity brings visitors who use city streets, sidewalks, parking and other infrastructure.
Struck said the city should look for additional revenue from existing assets, particularly the Wayzata Bar & Grill and municipal liquor operation.
The candidates split more sharply when specifically asked whether they support a food-and-beverage sales tax.
MacDonald said yes. Koch said he supports exploring the idea but wants additional study, including input from restaurants and hotels. Elg supported the concept but said revenue should provide specifically prioritized relief for businesses, commercial property owners and residents.
Struck opposed it.
“Food and beverage, I got to be honest, that’s a non-starter for me,” Struck said.
Development and downtown businesses
On development, Koch called for a more proactive approach, particularly along the east side of Wayzata Boulevard, rather than considering redevelopment only as individual projects are proposed.
Elg focused on residential design standards and suggested measures such as recessed, side-loading or rear-loading garages and porches to maintain the scale and character of neighborhoods.
MacDonald said the city’s upcoming 2050 comprehensive planning process will provide an opportunity to address development. She also called for examining permitted uses along Lake Street.
Struck said future development decisions should account for their effect on traffic and infrastructure throughout the city, not just conditions on an individual development site.
All four candidates identified the high cost of doing business in Wayzata as a concern.
MacDonald, who owns a Lake Street retail business, cited rent as a major obstacle. Elg pointed to commercial rents, property taxes, parking and year-round foot traffic. Koch discussed the property-tax component of commercial rents and the need for parking and traffic circulation. Struck also cited high rents and suggested the city explore ways to encourage businesses that fill unmet needs downtown.
Short-term rentals
The candidates also differed over short-term rentals. Wayzata adopted a one-year moratorium on new short-term residential rentals in March.
Elg said he opposes an outright prohibition and favors licensing, enforcement through nuisance regulations and revocation of licenses for violations.
Struck likewise favored licensing and inspections and suggested a tax on short-term rentals.
Koch said he does not support a citywide ban but believes the number of short-term rentals should be limited, with property owners held responsible for their guests and repeat violations potentially resulting in loss of a license.
MacDonald took a different position, saying her view had changed after listening to residents concerned about neighborhood character.
“The residents want to maintain their neighborhood character and that’s done by actually having neighbors,” MacDonald said.
She said she hopes the Minnesota Supreme Court will hear the city’s case and uphold its ban.
Flock cameras divide candidates
Candidates were also asked about public safety and Wayzata’s use of Flock automated license plate reader cameras.
Koch said he is comfortable with the Police Department’s current use of the cameras after discussing the system with Police Chief Jamie Baker.
MacDonald described herself as a skeptic and called for more public engagement, particularly over privacy concerns, while saying she believes the Wayzata Police Department has used the technology responsibly.
Elg opposed the cameras, citing privacy, data-sharing and what he called the potential for “mission creep.”
Struck also strongly opposed them and called for the city to end its use of the system.
Housing and other priorities
Affordable and workforce housing also drew attention. Elg and Koch emphasized preserving Wayzata’s existing naturally occurring affordable housing. MacDonald pointed to the city’s approval of accessory dwelling units and zoning changes intended to encourage preservation of existing homes.
Struck spoke personally about the issue, telling the audience he rents a two-bedroom apartment in Wayzata for $1,450 per month and worries that older apartment buildings could eventually be sold and replaced with more expensive housing.
Asked to identify their top priorities, MacDonald emphasized diversifying city revenue and protecting neighborhoods. Koch cited fiscal discipline and property taxes. Struck identified roads and traffic. Elg discussed revenue diversification before identifying the Wayzata Boulevard/County Road 101 corridor as a longer-term priority.
The approximately hour-long forum was moderated by Jackie Wells, a certified League of Women Voters moderator. Questions came from the public and forum organizers, with candidates generally given one minute to respond.
The League said the forum was intended to give voters an opportunity to hear directly from the candidates and that it does not support or oppose political parties or candidates.
Crane Island image was provided by the Lake Minnetonka Historical Society.
The Lake Minnetonka Historical Society will host its final history cruise event of the season Sunday, Oct. 4, with a three-hour trip exploring the historic shores of the Upper Lake.
“The Historic Shores of the Upper Lake” will depart aboard Paradise Charter’s Destiny II from the Port of Excelsior at 1 p.m. and return at 4 p.m.
Historians will narrate the cruise as it follows a route similar to those once traveled by Lake Minnetonka steamers Belle of Minnetonka and City of St. Louis. The route will pass through the Narrows and include the sites of the Halsteads’ “Hermitage,” Casco Point and the Upper Lake islands.
Tickets begin at $44.52. A cash bar with spirits and soft drinks will be available aboard the boat.
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The Lake Minnetonka Historical Society was formed in 2023 through the consolidation of the Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Historical Society, Museum of Lake Minnetonka, Wayzata Historical Society and Westonka Historical Society. It maintains museums in Wayzata, Excelsior and Mound, along with its Research Archives in Wayzata.
Tickets are available through the Lake Minnetonka Historical Society’s online event listing. For additional information, contact the society at info@LakeMinnetonkaHistory.org or 952-474-2115.
The Wayzata City Council unanimously approved a $24.69 million preliminary budget for 2027 and a preliminary property tax levy of $7,694,025, a 6.25% increase over 2026.
Council members made clear, however, that they hope the final levy increase will be lower.
“Even though we’re at six and a quarter percent, I think we can all safely say up here at the dais that we’re looking to get that number fairly measurably lower than that,” council member Alex Plechash said before the Sept. 15 vote. “We’re kind of targeting five percent. We’re not sure we can get there, but certainly less than 6.25.”
Mayor Andrew Mullin said that direction has been consistent since the budget process began in July and that the preliminary levy leaves the city some room as the council continues its work.
The preliminary levy must be certified to Hennepin County by Sept. 30. Once set, the council can lower the levy before final adoption in December but cannot increase it.
The council had directed staff at its Sept. 1 workshop to bring the preliminary increase down to no more than 6.25% over the 2026 levy.
The $7,694,025 preliminary levy consists of $7,167,000 for the General Fund, $493,500 for city infrastructure and $33,525 in debt service related to an equipment certificate for the city’s ladder truck.
For a home with a median taxable value of $1,170,150, city staff estimated the city portion of the property tax bill would increase by about $59 if the property’s taxable value remained unchanged. If the taxable value increased by 5%, the estimated increase would be approximately $207.
Staff estimated Wayzata’s 2027 city tax rate at 20.05%. In a comparison presented to the council, Wayzata’s rate was below most of the other Lake Minnetonka-area cities included, with Orono lower.
The city’s preliminary General Fund budget is $10,425,858 and assumes a 6% increase in operating expenses.
Among the costs identified by staff are a full year of wages and benefits for the full-time fire chief, a new investigator position in the Police Department, a seasonal Community Development intern, increased personnel and insurance costs, and the transfer of the Cable and Cemetery funds into the General Fund.
The city’s stated goals for the 2027 budget are investing in public safety personnel and minimizing the impact on residents.
In addition to the General Fund, the preliminary budget includes $1,328,666 for water, $2,113,254 for sewer, $307,155 for stormwater, $457,506 for solid waste, $8,616,577 for municipal liquor operations, $632,646 for the marina and $810,141 for motor vehicle licensing.
Combined, the preliminary budgets total $24,691,803.
Unlike the General Fund, which receives much of its revenue from property taxes, the city’s enterprise funds are supported by user fees. The city reviews those fees annually to provide revenue for operations, cash-flow needs, reserves and replacement of infrastructure.
The preliminary budget follows council workshops held June 2, July 7, July 21, Aug. 18 and Sept. 1.
The council is scheduled to review the 2027-2036 capital improvement plan Oct. 20 and receive a final budget update Nov. 24. Adoption of the final levy, budgets and fee schedule is scheduled for Dec. 1, followed by adoption of the capital improvement plan Dec. 15.
Hannah Tubbs pauses for a photo with her favorite celebrity – Chef Gordon Ramsay. Image courtesy Christopher Tubbs.
For Hannah Tubbs, Gordon Ramsay’s visit to Wayzata came with a chance to meet her favorite celebrity chef.
Hannah met Ramsay during his visit to Maggie’s Family Restaurant this week. Her father, Christopher Tubbs, a producer at WCCO Radio, shared the photo of his daughter and Ramsay with Wayzata.com.
Outside, residents gathered in front of Maggie’s hoping for a glimpse of Ramsay, while production trucks, television equipment and crew members filled the area around the restaurant as filming continued.
A crowd gathers to see Gordon Ramsay at Maggie’s. Photo Dan Gustafson.
Wayzata resident Mark Wittig was among the local residents who gathered outside Maggie’s hoping to catch a glimpse of Ramsay during the production. Wittig photographed Ramsay inside and around the restaurant, as well as some of the activity surrounding the filming, and provided the images to Wayzata.com for publication.
Photo by Mark Wittig.
Maggie’s had given customers advance notice that something was changing.
“We apologize but Maggie’s will be closed to the public 9/18-9/22. Please come check out the new look when we reopen.
Thanks.”
Photo by Mark Wittig.
The restaurant did not mention Ramsay in the Facebook announcement.
Production sought Wayzata and Lake Minnetonka footage
Wayzata.com received another indication of the production more than a week earlier.
On Sept. 11, a woman who identified herself as Antonia Green left a voicemail saying she was a producer for a “Gordon Ramsay Led Series” and that the production planned to film in downtown Wayzata and the surrounding area during the week of Sept. 14.
Green was trying to reach someone at the Wayzata Yacht Club about a sailing event scheduled for Sept. 18-20.
In the voicemail, she explained that the production was interested in footage showing the landscape, historical areas and Lake Minnetonka. She said producers hoped to obtain B-roll of the sailboat race for an introduction showing viewers where the program was taking place.
Photo by Dan Gustafson.
The call shows the production was looking beyond Maggie’s for footage establishing Wayzata and Lake Minnetonka as the setting for the episode.
A Wayzata restaurant since 1979
Maggie’s was established in Wayzata in 1979 by Nick Homan and is now operated by his son, Scott Homan. The family restaurant serves breakfast throughout the day along with lunch, pizza and Italian and American dinners.
Photo by Dan Gustafson.
The title of the Gordon Ramsay program being filmed in Minnesota has not been publicly confirmed. The producer who contacted Wayzata.com identified it only as a Gordon Ramsay-led series, and MPR reported that Fox Entertainment had not identified the program.
Griak is one of the biggest meets of the season, with a longstanding tradition in Minnesota of drawing runners from all over the country. It’s a great preview for teams and individuals to see their competition for upcoming meets like Nike Regionals. This year was the first time in the 40 years of the meet, that the venue changed to Fort Snelling Golf Course. Unlike Les Bolstad, it’s previous location known for being tough and hilly, the new course handed out a ton of PR’s. In fact, all 9 finishing runners from Wayzata ran their personal best times, virtually unheard of in mid-September.
Wayzata girls locked in, and finished 3rd overall, 2nd of the Minnesota teams, just behind Edina. The 2 teams have been battling for the top seed in the State all season. They’ll face each other come Lake Conference Championship and Sections in October. Both teams are young and looking to finish as the best in Minnesota.
Faith Sundet and Sienna Blomberg both came in at 18:04 and 18:05, finishing 21st and 23rd in the Championship race. Naoko Neitz bettered her time from last week by over 2 minutes at 18:48. Adele Stark had a huge race with an 18:52 and Brianna Ledman had over a minute and a half drop with at 19:02, finishing 67th overall. And the Trojans didn’t let up. Cody Riddering, Eve Lofgren, Laney Granberg, and Olivia Cahill rounded out the team, all going sub 20. The depth that Wayzata continues to have is unreal, and they continue to get better and better.
At the starting line
Last week, according to Dyestat.com early season outlooks have Wayzata ranked 23rd in the country, and expected to only move up from here after this week’s showing at Griak.
Across the Twin Cities, JV competed in the Mustang Invitational and also placed top 5 in all of the heats, including the up and coming Wayzata Middle School team. In the Green race, Kingsley Loso, Grace Marley, and Ava Doherty placed in the top 10 and led the team to a win with 37 points. In the Silver race, Zeilyn Rico, and Maxine Truelson placed in the top 20. In the Gold race, Haidyn Lambert finished 8th with a time of 23:53. Middle School raced 3,200 Meters and took the top 4 spots with Catherine Williams, Emily Nelson, Paige Larson, and Edyn Holland sweeping the podium.
The Trojans have 2 more races including The Metro Invitational and then head to Iowa before launching into post season competition.
The Wayzata Fire Department will hold its annual Pancake Breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon Sunday, Sept. 20, at Wayzata City Hall, 600 Rice St. E.
Firefighters will serve pancakes, French toast and sausage, along with coffee and juice. The morning will also include a raffle and an opportunity for visitors to see fire trucks and meet members of the department.
The breakfast is free and open to the public. Free-will donations will be accepted, with proceeds benefiting the Wayzata Fire Relief Association, which supports department equipment needs and firefighter retirement benefits.
Breck handed the Wayzata girls tennis team its first loss of the season Wednesday, edging the Trojans 4-3 in a matchup of two of the area’s top teams.
Wayzata, playing without three regulars, swept all three doubles matches in straight sets. Breck answered by sweeping singles, including comeback wins after dropping the first set at No. 1 and No. 3 singles.
The Mustangs improved to 6-1, while the Trojans fell to 9-1.
Wayzata scored four touchdowns in less than seven minutes during the second quarter on its way to a 38-14 win over Edina Sept. 10 at Wayzata High School.
The Trojans intercepted three Edina passes during the second quarter, with each turnover leading to a Wayzata touchdown. The victory moved Wayzata to 2-0 after the Trojans finished 1-8 last season.
Wayzata travels to St. Michael-Albertville tonight, Sept. 18, for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
The video above is from CCX Media, with Jay Wilcox reporting.
Students and staff were evacuated from Wayzata West Middle School Thursday morning after an electrical fire broke out in a first-floor bathroom.
No students or staff members were injured in the Sept. 17 fire at the school, 149 Barry Ave. N. Two adults were evaluated at the scene for possible smoke inhalation and released by North Memorial Health paramedics.
According to the City of Wayzata, a Wayzata Police Department school resource officer notified Hennepin County Dispatch of the fire at approximately 9:40 a.m.
Wayzata police and firefighters responded, and the school was evacuated while crews dealt with the fire.
The Hennepin County Fire Investigation Team later determined that the fire began in the ceiling and was electrical in origin. Investigators found no indication of suspicious or criminal activity.
Wayzata firefighters were assisted by the Plymouth, Shoreline and West Suburban fire departments, along with the Plymouth Police Department and other emergency personnel.
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