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Newsleader Sartell-St. Stephen
Friday, April 14, 2017 Volume 22, Issue 15 Est. 1995
Town Crier Naturalist-led hikes set at three parks, two counties
contributed photo
Sartell Sabre baseball pitcher Brandon Kramer (front) prepares to throw the ball, while second baseman Jordan Och watches during a scrimmage against the Moorhead Spuds at the U.S. Bank Stadium on April 4.
GNTC announces scholarship opportunities
Emmer now accepting submissions for Young Women Leadership Program
Congressman Tom Emmer’s office is now accepting submissions for the second annual Young Women Leadership Program. This program allows high school girls from Minnesota’s Sixth District to learn firsthand about different career options from professional women who have built successful careers and hold or have held leadership roles in government, business, media and other fields. Participants of this program will be able to take part in open round-table discussions with their peers and women professionals, all while hearing stories, receiving guidance and gaining valuable insights. Applications will be accepted through May 15. Further details on this program, including how to apply and last year’s panelists, can be found by visiting thenewsleaders. com and clicking on April 14 Criers.
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Sabres Sports Calendar
Sabres play ball at U.S. Bank Stadium by Cori Hilsgen news@thenewsleaders.com
Imagine being a high-school baseball player and having a chance to play at the U.S. Bank Stadium. The Sartell Sabres team did imagine it and recently had a chance to do exactly that. The team played at the U.S. Bank Stadium April 4. They and the Moorhead Spuds were the first high-school teams to play at the new stadium this year. Sartell Coach Jerome Nemanich said they rented the stadium for three hours of playing time – from 12:45-3:45 p.m. The varsity team currently has 16 players, but Nemanich brought 24 players along for the scrimmage. “It was a fantastic experience for the kids,” Nemanich said. “I’m glad they enjoyed playing in such an awesome facility. The kids played
Explore some of Stearns and Wright counties’ most popular regional parks through a free, three-part series of Minnesota Master Naturalist-led hikes. Each 90-minute walk-and-talk excursion starts at 6:30 p.m. the third Thursday of the month, April through June. Meet in the parking lot. Dress for the weather. Bring water and insect repellent. The first one will be held Thursday, April 20 in Quarry Park and Nature Preserve. 1802 Stearns CR 137, Waite Park. For more information, visit thenewsleaders.com and click on April 14 Criers.
The Great Northern Theatre Company is offering two $250 scholarships to high school seniors who have had an interest in theater during their high school career. Since 1998, 47 scholarships have been awarded. Scholarship applications can be found on the GNTC website www. gntc1.com under the “Links” tab. Application deadline has been extended to April 30. For more information you may email publicist@gntc1.com or call 320 3336131.
Postal Patron
very well for our first real action of the year. We were sound defensively for 10 innings and it being our first time playing/scrimmaging.” “That was the coolest experience a high-school player could ever be a part of,” said Alex Kreiling, a senior first baseman/shortstop/pitcher. “Also, to be a part of history at that stadium is something I’ll never forget. I had a blast with all my teammates getting to play the game I love.” According to a Minnesota High School League article by John Milea, the teams played on artificial turf, including home plate, the base paths, the pitcher’s mound and the mounds in the bullpens on the leftand right-field lines. The temporary dugouts were metal, rubber-floored and fencefronted structures. No scoreboard, Sabres • page 7
Police calls up, but crime not rampant by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
Although calls to the Sartell Police Department increased considerably in 2016, that doesn’t mean crime is up seriously, according to Sartell Police Chief Jim Hughes. At the April 10 city-council meeting, Hughes presented a meticulously detailed annual report for 2016. Other city departments presented annual reports, too. For more on them, see stories in upcoming issues of the Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader.
The major reason why calls for police service are up, Hughes said, is because Sartell continues to grow both in population and in commercial activity. Reportable complaints to police in 2016 were up 7.2 percent compared to 2015. Reportable crimes are the ones the city must report to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for its compilation of nationwide statistics. Non-reportable incidents, which tend to be minor violations or calls for assistance, were up by 14.5 percent. Between 2010 and 2016, ini-
tial-complaint reports to the police increased by 45 percent, but such an increase was consistent with the city’s population and activities growth during that same period, Hughes told the council. The Sartell Police Department is comprised of the police chief, deputy police chief, two patrol sergeants, two school-resource officers, nine patrol officers and one crime investigator. There are also three full-time clerical staff. Hughes said he is proud of the city’s 13 volunteer reserve offi-
Student artists win in prestigious contest by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
Three Sartell High School art students won awards in the 2017 High School Art Exhibition and Competition, and their winning works were displayed in the lobby of the Paramount Theater in St. Cloud. The students were three of 14 students in Deb Rollings’ art classes who submitted their artwork for the annual contest, sponsored by Visual Arts Minnesota. The three students are all seniors. They received their awards at an April 10 evening ceremony in the Paramount. The regional contest involved 12 high schools and home schools.
cers. Together, they worked 3,608 hours, saving the department/city about $90,000. “They’e a huge asset to us,” Hughes said, noting how reserve officers help at special events, checking houses when people are on vacation, doing traffic control and all kinds of other miscellaneous fill-in tasks when necessary. Hughes said he is also proud and grateful for the many contributions via checks, cash, grants and donated items that help comPolice • page 3
The Sartell winners are: • Lucy Reitz, earned a firstplace award in the category of two-dimensional design for her portrait entitled Drew. The cut-and-paste collage depicts the face and left hand of a young woman in a brooding, pondering attitude. The contrasts of light and dark and jagged shapes in the portrait evoke a mood of slightly sinister mystery. • Tayler Kalthoff was a second-place winner for her self-portrait entitled Retrospection, which won in the drawing category. Kaltoff’s artwork, with its high-contrast dark-and-light pencil strokes and subtle areas of shading shows a face with a wondering, some- contributed photos what apprehensive look, and the main Above: This artwork by Lucy Reitz is named Contest • page 2 Drew. Inset: Reitz.
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Friday, April 14, 2017
contributed photos
At left: This welded artwork made from found objects by Brenden Bellinger is named Motor Plane. Inset: Bellinger. At right: Artist Tayler Kaltoff named this award-winning drawing Retrospection. Inset: Kaltoff
Contest from front page face merges partly into the same face toward the upper
right, evoking a lightly jarring impression as if the woman in the photo is conflicted about making a decision. • Brenden Bellinger garnered a third-place honor in the three-dimensional design cate-
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gory for his welded-metal model dubbed Motor Plane. Bellinger’s sculpture is a whimsical, surreal approximation of an airplane, comprised of a wooden wing, a coiled-steel-spring body, a propeller of found-object steel parts and a long spindle object with trumpet-flared ends for wheels. In its almost comical whimsy, it might remind viewers of the
sometimes madcap, adventurous days of mankind’s early attempts at flight. The other Sartell student artists who submitted their works are: seniors Makayla Buzzard, ceramics; Jenna Condon, 2D design; Madeline Rasmussen, drawing; Zoe Rogers, painting; Laura Schwichtenberg, 2D de-
sign; McKenna Walker, 2D design; Emma Wing, ceramics; sophomores Maggie Kulus, ceramics; Katelyn Peterson, drawing; Trinity Philbrick, painting; and freshman Taelor Nebel, painting.
Residents invited to witness new learning by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
Residents of the Sartell-St. Stephen School District can get an up-close, hands-on feel for today’s education methods at “Education Done Differently,” the annual open house to show
new learning methods. The event is set for 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 20 at Sartell Middle School. Education Done Differently will show how technology is transforming teaching and learning. Students and staff will demonstrate how they think,
design and innovate to create projects using a wide variety of technologies for such activities as coding, 3D printing, makerspace production, VEX robotics competition and more. People of all ages are encouraged to attend the free and fun event.
Requirements: Successful completion of a practical nursing education program approved by the State Board of Nursing. Current LPN licensure in the State of Minnesota. CPR certification. Must be able and willing to assume responsibility for client care and safety.
If interested please call Karen Hennessy at (320) 260-7316 or send resume to karen@serenityavon.com
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Friday, April 14, 2017
Police from front page munity-policing programs continue. Last year, about $30,000 was contributed, as well as items such as police radios, food for special events and other needs. Council members told Hughes they are strongly supportive of the police department’s community -policing approach. Hughes agreed it’s an important component in keeping the city safe. Community-policing means an emphasis on personal contact among police officers and residents to build bonds of mutual trust and cooperation to strengthen public and personal safety. Such programs include Seniors and Law Enforcement Together, school-liaison officers’ work, Drug Abuse Resistance Education, Cookout with Cops, Police Activities League for children, vehicle child-restraint safety demonstrations, Bike Rodeo, Neighborhood Watch and many other outreach programs If you have a tip concerning a crime, call the Sartell Police Department at 320-251-8186 or Tri-County Crime Stoppers at 320-255-1301, or access its tip site at www.tricountycrimestoppers.org. Crime Stoppers offers rewards up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for a crime. This information is submitted by the Sartell Police Department. March 29 8:41 a.m. Domestic in progress. Roberts Road. Officers were dispatched to a domestic in progress between two people outside a residence. Upon arrival, it was determined a verbal argument had ensued regarding issues related to child custody and there was no physical confrontation. Officers assisted one of the people with gathering property so they could leave the residence. 10:57 p.m. Traffic stop. CR 1. While on patrol, an officer located a vehicle traveling with a broken brake light. The officer initiated a traffic stop and upon speaking to the driver the officer learned he/she had a cancelled driver’s license. The officer issued the driver a citation for driving after cancellation. March 30 9:36 a.m. Warrant. Le Sauk Drive. Officers received information there was a person with a warrant at a local business in Sartell. Officers were able to locate the person who then attempted to flee from offi-
Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com and services. The council encouraged Hughes not to hesitate to inform the council when the department has new needs. Hughes said he and department personnel are constantly trying to find a balance of priorities at times when staffing is tight. They shift schedules for flexibility when needed and try to put immediate needs in front of those services that can wait. Council member Mike Chisum asked Hughes if there is an increase of opioid drug use as in other areas of the nation. Sartell is seeing an increase in opioid abuse, as well as use of other illegal drugs, Hughes responded. The good news, he added, is more officers are better trained to find contraband drugs quickly, including knowing how to find them during traffic stops or in dwellings. The council thanked Hughes and all the personnel on the police department for doing a consistently excellent job of keeping the public safe in Sartell. cers through a window. An officer ordered the person back inside the business and they were taken into custody shortly after. The person was transported to jail without incident. 2:13 p.m. Lost juvenile. Highway 15/CR 120. Officers were dispatched to the area for a young child, approximately 2 years old, who was found walking in the center median of traffic without any supervision. A passing motorist stopped to check on the child and called 911. The child’s residence was located nearby and the child was returned home. It was determined a sibling was left in charge of the child while a parent left the home to run errands. March 31 10:28 p.m. Suspicious activity. Sartell City Hall. While on patrol, a reserve officer located a large group of individuals and vehicles in the parking lot of the Sartell City Hall. Upon speaking with all individuals, it was determined they were there playing Pokémon Go on their phones. All parties were advised they could stay and play their game if they wished. April 1 6:15 p.m. ATV. Fourth Avenue/ Ninth Street NE. While on patrol, an officer located what appeared to be a juvenile person operating an ATV on the street. The officer stopped the person and told them he/she could not operate the ATV on city streets.
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People Hilary Burns was recently named to the Sartell-St. Stephen Education Foundation. She has lived in Sartell for the past 10 years with her husband, Bryan, and three children. Two of her children attend Oak Ridge Elementary, while her oldest attends Sartell Middle School. Hilary is an active member of the community, who enjoys volunteering, substitute teaching and participating on committees that serve the students and staff. She was a member of the Sartell-St. Stephen Early Childhood Advisory Board and now looks forward to focusing her time on the SSEF. Claire Miller was recently named a double finalist in this year’s Art Renewal Center Salon Da Vinci Competition, which included teenage artists from 63 countries. She is a 2016 graduate of Sartell High School.
contributed photo
Dan Stark, the social studies teacher at St. John’s Prep, with geography bee student Matthew Bolton, a seventh-grader who recently won second place at the state National Geographic geography bee.
Matthew Bolton, a seventhgrader at St. John’s Prep and son of Nicole and Aaron Bolton of Sartell, won second place at the Minnesota National Geographic State Geography Bee held March
31 at Mankato State University. Bolton was one of 100 competing fourth-grade through eighthgrade students from across the state. after winning his school geography bee and then com-
pleting a qualifying test, Bolton was one of two finalists who competed in the championship round. This was his third trip to the state bee. Congratulations on a job well done.
The person was also under the age of 16 and was not wearing any eye protection or a helmet. The officer followed the juvenile operator home and spoke with parents regarding the issues. 9:58 p.m. Welfare check. Highway 15/Bridge of Hope. Officers were dispatched to the area to check the welfare of a person who was seen looking over the edge of the bridge. Officers located the person off of the bridge and spoke with them regarding looking over the edge of the bridge. The person advised they were just walking home and stopped to look down. No assistance was needed from police.
residence. It was determined the juvenile had run away because of a previous argument with parents the night before. Officers located the juvenile and transported he/she back to their residence. The officer assisted all parties involved with some ideas to prevent further confrontation.
to assist another law-enforcement agency that was in the area on a traffic stop and conducting a vehicle search. Officers located several marijuana joints and a bag containing methamphetamine. The items located were turned over to the custody of the officer who initiated the traffic stop.
April 3 8:11 p.m. Assist business. Twin Rivers Court. Officers were dispatched to a local business to assist with a person who could not pay for fuel that was already put into their vehicle because they had left their wallet at home and did not realize it. The officer took down all of the person’s information and the employee advised they would call police if the person did not return to pay for their fuel. 11:25 p.m. 18th Street N./Highway 15. Traffic stop. While on patrol, an officer located a vehicle with an object suspended from its rearview mirror. The officer initiated a traffic stop and upon identifying the driver, learned driver had a suspended license and had no proof of insurance in the vehicle. The driver was then issued a citation for both offenses. The driver was told how he/she could amend the insurance citation with proper proof of insurance on the vehicle.
Submitted by the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office April 8 1:33 p.m. One-vehicle crash. First Street/30th Avenue N. The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office received a call of a one-vehicle motorcycle crash with injuries in Le Sauk Township, approximately a halfmile west of Sartell. A 2005 Harley Davidson motorcycle owned and driven by August Fabel, 54, of Sartell, was westbound on First Street N. As Fabel started to slow or brake for the stop sign at 30th Avenue, he hit a patch of sand in the roadway. The motorcycle skidded and went down. Fabel was thrown from the bike and tumbled in the roadway. Fabel was treated for injuries at the scene and transported by ambulance to the St Cloud Hospital Emergency Room. The extent of his injuries is unknown at this time. The sheriff’s office was assisted at the scene by the Sartell Police Department, Gold Cross Ambulance and an off-duty St Cloud police officer. Alcohol is believed to be a factor. Fabel was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.
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April 2 1:29 a.m. Suspicious person. 200 block of Riverside Avenue S. While on patrol, officers stopped to speak with a person near a vehicle who had been in the parking lot of a local business for a long period of time. Upon speaking with the person, the driver said he/she had washed their vehicle and were sitting listening to music. Officers determined there may have been some sort of controlled-substance use due to the person’s behavior. They were advised they should not be driving and agreed with officers. The person advised they would have a friend respond to drive them home. 4:15 p.m. Juvenile runaway. Willow Lane. Officers were dispatched for a report of a juvenile who had run away from home to a friend’s
April 4 2:15 a.m. Assist other agency. CR 120. Officers were dispatched
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Our View Veteran suicides remain appalling national tragedy In what is a sad irony, combat is not the leading cause of death of American soldiers serving in the Mid-East. Suicide is. American combat deaths, thank goodness, have declined in the past three or four years in Iraq and Afghanistan. That is due to a changed strategy, with American troops serving in advisory capacities and with the use of targeted airstrikes against ISIS terrorists rather than direct combat. Instead of thousands of American soldiers killed, the number last year was under 20, which of course is 20 too many. In the meantime, the suicides of military personnel remain a tragedy, both in war zones and back here, stateside. According to MilitaryTimes, 7,400 veterans took their own lives in 2014 (the year for the most reliable statistics). That accounts for 18 percent of all suicides by Americans, and veterans are fewer than 9 percent of the total population. Last year, the Department of Veterans Affairs conducted the most comprehensive study of veteran suicides in history, those that occurred between 1979-2014. The study concluded 70 percent of veterans who committed suicide were not regular users of services offered by the Veterans Administration medical system. There are, on average, 20 soldier and veteran suicides per day. in the United States, a rate that is 21 percent higher than civilian suicides. Most alarmingly, the rate for female veterans increased by 85 percent from 1979-2014, compared to 40 percent for civilian women. The VA has been trying to do something about it. It hired more than 5,000 mental-health providers and upgraded its crisis-call line. It branched out to form partnerships with local health providers to offer more counseling for veterans. Those efforts, and other outreach programs, continue. We hear a lot about post-traumatic stress disorder. However, its causes are uncertain and, in most cases, a tangle of stresses contribute to feelings of intolerable anxieties, fears and pain that lead to suicide. Some causes, according to VA studies, include multiple deployments that cause military personnel to be away from their homes and families for long stretches of time; the terrible sights and sounds, injuries and deaths in combat zones; the seeming “unreality” of peaceful civilian life immediately following the dangers and terrors of a combat zone; and mental problems that existed in recruits before they joined the military. Some years ago, there were cases of veterans suffering intolerable mental anxieties who were put in waiting status by some VA hospitals; and meantime those veterans, feeling utterly helpless, killed themselves. We are told veterans now have immediate access to care when they are close to the edge. We hope that immediacy is true and that it continues. These people who served the country under terrible stresses and mortal dangers most of us cannot even imagine deserve the very best-quality care every day of their lives. Anything less than that is a national disgrace that ought to bring shame to us all. We can do our part by reaching out, offering personal support and practical support to veterans and their families and by urging our legislators to do everything in their power to enact laws that will strengthen physical and mental care for all veterans.
The ideas expressed in the letters to the editor and of the guest columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of the Newsleaders. Letters to the editor may be sent to news@thenewsleaders. com or P.O. Box 324, St. Joseph, MN 56374. Deadline is noon Monday. Please include your full name for publication (and address and phone number for verification only.) Letters must be 350 words or less. We reserve the right to edit for space.
Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
Friday, April 14, 2017
Opinion
Quit tweeting, listen to good advice I promised the day after Donald Trump was elected, I would write words of praise if he ever does anything good. Well, surprise surprise, two good things: One President Trump signed a paper exiling the crackpot isolationist ideologue Stephen Bannon from his seat on a committee of the National Security Council. It was a good thing to do. Thank you, Mr. President. For more than a year, Bannon has been Trump’s chief strategist and was often seen leaning toward the president, whispering words of advice in his ear, like some unkempt muse. There are shades in Bannon of that Russian monk, the equally unkempt Grigori Rasputin, whose behind-the-scenes machinations in the court of Czar Nicholas II helped bring about its fall in the Russian Revolution of 1917. Bannon is a former naval officer, radio host, investment banker for Goldman Sachs and executive chairman of Breitbart News. That outlet is infamous for its fake news, for its ludicrous conspiracy theories and for catering to extremist views that sometimes embrace racist, sexist and xenophobic themes. Bannon had Trump’s ear from the very beginning, and it was his arrogant no-holds-barred attitude that dovetailed so well with Trump’s own blustering political-campaign style. However, once the campaign ended and the real job began, it became apparent to Trump the job, like health-care reform, is a lot more complicated than he’d thought. The first efforts partly engineered by Bannon – travel bans from six Muslim countries, repeal-and-replace health-care reform and other inept attempts at legislative successes – ended in
Dennis Dalman Editor setbacks or outright defeats. In the byzantine intrigues of White House power struggles, it now seems likely there was a lot of push-back against Bannon by other advisors, who decided the power-seeker was out of his league, if not out of his mind. In his first weeks as President, Trump seems to have had no coherent national or international vision, weak to nonexistent policy-making skills, a flickering attention span, a constant need to invent stories via impulsive tweeting behavior and a compulsive habit of blaming others (especially Obama) when something didn’t go his way. Such a man, such a president, has become increasingly dependent upon the advice of others, but unfortunately he took his cues from clueless sycophants and hangers-on in the Trump entourage. His presidency, good or bad, will depend upon which advisors he most heeds. Every good president has surrounded himself with quality advisors who understand how things work and how things don’t work. There are plenty of expert people – good, experienced public servants – willing to give advice, including former presidents. If Trump seeks good advice and sticks to it, he just might transition into a successful president. If he continues to listen to bad advice, like the nonsense dispensed by Bannon and his ilk, his presidency will almost certainly continue to sink.
Two Even though at first, in typical kneejerk fashion, Trump blamed Obama for the chemical-attack atrocity in Syria, he quickly did a turnabout. His impassioned speech against that atrocity hit all the right notes. His approval of the rocket attack on that Syrian airport was justified. In another turnabout, this time Trump listened not to extremist isolationist Bannon but to level-headed military advisors. Silence and inaction are both forms of complicity when crimes against humanity are committed by tyrants like Bashar al-Assad of Syria. For six years, that monster, who is as evil as ISIS, has been purposely slaughtering civilians. It’s time to swat back at the tyrant, to show him (and his Russian accomplices) the world finds their vicious attacks to be abhorrent under any circumstances. Will the rocket attack change anything long-term? Maybe not. But it was necessary, and Trump deserves praise for ordering it done. At the very least, the strike will show tyrants their butchery of civilians will not be enabled through international silence or inaction. Tyrants’ glaring lack of conscience or human decency must not be tolerated. The next step is for America and our allies to help set up a vast safe zone for civilians still fleeing the carnage in Syria. In the past few months, Trump had become the petulant, immature Tweeterin-Chief. In the past couple of weeks, there are signs of a new maturity. Will it last? Let’s hope so. President Trump, quit tweeting, quit pointing fingers, quit acting like an overgrown spoiled brat. Replace the tantrums with some real presidential gravitas and listen to good advisors. Make decisions that will be good for all of us.
Let’s make civics education a priority With all of the political happenings in the news today, one would think voter participation and engagement in the United States is at all-time highs. Sadly, though, this is not the case. In comparison with the other nations of the world, the United States is remarkably low in rankings such as voter turnout. Minnesota is thankfully an exception with its high engagement, but other parts of the country are not as active. What is causing these problems, and what can be done to solve them? The first issue is with education. Many studies have been done with older and younger Americans, with essentially the same results. Most Americans do not know much about our country’s history or how the government works. Not knowing who the 32nd president was is slightly more historical, but a lack of knowledge about what the President can or cannot do is extremely dangerous. This is especially becoming a problem with our increasingly personality-driven presidential campaigns, where candidates make a number of ambitious promises they may not be able to constitutionally achieve. The next issue is with voter engagement and turnout. As a person who takes a casual interest in foreign political happenings, as well as our domestic news here at home, I have been taking a careful look at turnout figures in other countries compared to the United States. One in particular I found astonishing was that of Iceland. During its election of Oct. 29, 2016, that island nation had its
Connor Kockler Guest Writer lowest turnout ever in a parliamentary election. That number, just over 79 percent, would be an amazing record here in the United States. Our own presidential election had slightly lower turnout than 2012, with a little under 55 percent of eligible Americans casting their ballots. So why are these issues so important? When a nation’s populace is uninformed and apathetic about political participation, things have historically not gone so well. We need to make a conscious effort to increase our knowledge of and involvement in civics. This argument, though, isn’t always a fair one because many people do not have the time to be as involved as they would maybe like. This to me suggests we also need to make the political system more accessible to everyday Americans, and this can be achieved through some relatively simple steps. To start, civics should be elevated to an equal status to the other core classes in education. Though a part of social-studies education, civics is dangerously absent in standardized testing. Many tests such as the MCAs or MAPs tests are required for highschool graduation, and tests including the ACTs and SATs are taken by
many college-bound students. Their common issue is none of them has a civics section or sub-test. While government classes are required in some places, this is only one year of a class. Adding civics to tests would increase the subject’s importance and value to study, hopefully increasing public knowledge. We can also take a look at our founding documents. Unlike many things today, the Constitution and Declaration of Independence were written in a very straightforward manner. That reflects the Founding Fathers’ hope for a government held in check by informed and vigilant citizens. After all, the power in this country ultimately rests in us. Having a pocket copy of the Constitution on a desk or a phone is relatively inexpensive, and the drafters organized it into sections for easy reference. Civics is important because at the end of the day, an informed populace will lead to a better government, and better lives for every citizen of our country. Things will only get better in Washington, D.C. and on our city councils if we decide to do something about it. We are extremely lucky to live in a country that allows us many freedoms, but we also need to be careful to preserve those freedoms through strong citizen involvement. In a republic, the government is only as good as we demand it to be. Connor Kockler is a Sauk RapidsRice High School student. He enjoys writing, politics and news, among other interests.
Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
Friday, April 14, 2017
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For Kubasch, track is grueling, exhilarating by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
contributed photo
This is a bird’s-eye view of the St. Cloud Wastewater Treatment Facility, located in St. Augusta. Five member cities pipe wastewater to the plant and chip in to pay for the process.
Council gets wastewatertreatment overview by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
Wastewater-sewage treatment – so often out of sight, out of mind – is now once again on the radar of the Sartell City Council and other councils in the greater St. Cloud area. At a recent council meeting, two employees of the St. Cloud Wastewater Treatment facility presented an overview of the treatment process. The two presenters were Pat Shea of Sartell, public-services director; and Tracy O’Dell of Becker, assistant public-utilities director. Sartell is one of the five cities surrounding St. Cloud that pays, through contract, money to be part of the St. Cloud treatment plant. The other city members – besides St. Cloud –
are St. Joseph, Sauk Rapids, St. Augusta and Waite Park. Each city must share in the costs of operating the plant itself, as well as the cost of pipes, lift stations and related costs to get wastewater piped to the St. Cloud treatment plant, which is located in St. Augusta near the New Flyer manufacturing firm. For its share of the water-treatment service, Sartell pays anywhere from $600,000 to $650,000 per year, said Sartell Administrator/Financial Director Mary Degiovanni. Those costs vary depending on operational costs for the plant, as well as how much total sewage is piped specifically from Sartell annually to the plant. Each member city pays only for its specific costs. For examWater • page 11
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320-363-7741 www.thenewsleaders.com The Newsleaders is seeking a part- to full-time newsroom guru for two local, weekly newspapers serving the St. Joseph and Sartell areas. A successful candidate will: answer and direct phone calls and interact with clients; be creative in Wordpress, Adobe Suite (InDesign), Microsoft Office, Quickbooks as well as social media; track and monitor news stories; and prepare legal and other documents for review by manager. Candidate must work well in a deadline-driven setting, have a high-energy level, strong organizational skills and be career-oriented. Qualifications include: outstanding spelling, grammar, editing/proofreading skills, office and customer-service relations. Newspaper experience a plus. Resumes and cover letters can be addressed to: Tara Wiese, operations director, at advertising@thenewsleaders.com.
Gus Gus is a 1-year-old neutered cat that LOVES people. He did well with another cat in the past. Gus Gus is an easygoing feline that will make a toy out of anything he can find. He enjoys cuddling and is very supportive of any task you’re trying to accomplish. Gus Gus will be sure to put a smile on your face with his goofy antics and fun personality. “Helping one animal won’t change the world … but it will change the world for that one animal!” Dogs - 8 Puppy - 1
Cats - 32 Lizard - 1
Guinea Pigs - 4 Rat - 1
Tri-County Humane Society 735 8th St. NE • PO Box 701 St. Cloud, MN 56302
320-252-0896
www.tricountyhumanesociety.org
Hours: Monday-Thursday Noon-6 p.m., Friday Noon-8 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sunday Noon-5 p.m.
Track participant Alexondra “Lexi” Kubasch loves to be competitive, but the intense competition is lightened by the friendships among both teammates and competitors, as well as the upbeat spirit so prevalent at every track meet. Track can be an especially grueling sport. “We have good workouts, and we have fun doing them,” said Kubasch, pausing and then adding, “But sometimes I do feel as if my legs are going to give out, and I’m just going to die.” Kubasch, a senior at Sartell High School, has been a track participant since she was in ninth grade. She competed at state in 2015 and 2016. In the latter year, she earned fourth in the long jump, at 17 feet, 6-1/2 inches. That was at a meet at Hamline University. This season, her last as a Sartell competitor, she hopes to make state in long jump one last time. Kubasch decided to join the track program when she was a freshman. At that time she was a member of the softball team, but she felt the game was too easy, unchallenging, and she needed to be more competitive. And track, she discovered, is just exactly what she needed. Kubasch’s specialty is the 4 x 1 relay, which means she and three other team members run 100 meters each, passing the baton in the relay, for a total of 400 meters. One of the members of the four-person team that placed in the state 2015 relay was Kassy Kubasch, Lexi’s older sister, who is now 21 and is a licensed practical nurse. “I love the atmosphere about track,” Lexi said. “Everyone is really nice. I like the competitive atmosphere. You try to succeed, you want to win, and even if you don’t win, it’s still fun, and so winning is always a plus.” Kubasch said she is a bit sad about her last year in high-school track. “I want to help out younger peers this season,” she said. “I want to help make them gung-ho, and I want to encourage every one of them to do their best. I’m going to graduate in just two months, and
photo by Greg Kremer of Sabre Photos
Alexondra “Lexi” Kubasch demonstrates her long-jump skills. that time is going to fly by.” Her favorite school subject is science. Her hobby is rollerblading with friends, especially gliding down the Wobegon Trail between St. Joseph and Avon. Kubasch is going to study law enforcement at St. Cloud State University. She is planning to be a police officer or an investigator.
Roster
The Sartell-St. Stephen School District girls as listed on the track roster for this season on the Minnesota State High School League’s website are: seniors Clara Bakken, Alexis Dalton, Morgan Gugger, Shelby Hall, Alexondra Kubasch, Karen Radi; juniors Kayla Boehmke, Cora Cielinski, Kali Killmer, Kimberly Kirick, Allison Koopman, Carolyn Rengel, Erin Stone, Abigail Veitch; sophomores Avery Atkinson, Colette Jemming, Courtney Kosloske, Tessa Schwinn, Kathryn Senchea, Adriannah Strom, Abigail Weber; freshmen Lydia Anderson, Hannah Bjelland, Josie Boelter, Elizabeth Crandall, Anne Dummer, Alexis EriksonMurphy, Rachael Gooding, Rebecca Gooding, Kautra Gooding, Hope Grasswick, Dalainah Gustafson, Ryleigh Higel, Paige Mackenthun, Gretta Hahowald, Megan Nelson, Jaden Nguyen, Sarah Ufearo, Maya Workman; eighth-graders Ingrid Buiceag-Arama, Katelyn Hammer, Morgan Vosberg; and seventhgrader Hannah Spoden.
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Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
Friday, April 14, 2017
‘Treasure My Future’ conference set for April 22 by Cori Hilsgen news@thenewsleaders.com
contributed photo
About 70 people attended last year’s “Treasure My Future,” a free financial-literacy and life-skills conference held at Resource Training and Solutions in Sartell. This year’s conference for students will be held from 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, April 22 at the Gorecki Center, located on the College of St. Benedict campus in St. Joseph. The event is for students in fifth through 12th grades.
A free “Treasure My Future” financial literacy and life skills conference for students will take place from 9 a.m.- Panek noon Saturday, April 22 at the Gorecki Center, located on the College of St. Benedict campus in St. Joseph. The conference is for students between grades fifth through 12th. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Presenters at the event include local professionals, who work with these topics daily and see financial problems many adults are experiencing because they don’t know the basics of financial literacy. Presenters and their topics for fifth- through eighthgraders include: • Leslie Lane, Central Minnesota Credit Union: identity theft and fraud • Jessica Filiaggi, Great River Federal Credit Union: budgets, saving, spending, giving • April Mastey, Mastey Financial Group, LLC: investments • Kristin Hannon, Minnwest Bank: responsible money management Presenters and topics for freshmen to seniors include. • Ryan Holter and Stacey Seviola, Conway, Deuth and Schmies-
ing, PLLP: filling out forms for your first job and decoding your paychecks • Mark Douvier, St. Cloud Federal Credit Union: student loans and financing your education • John Fuchs and Lindsey Schleif, Miller Auto and Marine: 401(k) and investing in your future • Bethany Schwinghammer and Nouphay Colberg, Plaza Park Bank: tips to prevent identity theft. By bringing real-life examples to the students, presenters hope to educate the students about financial literacy and life skills. Students will learn money-management and financial-awareness skills through fun and educational programs that incorporate the much-needed life skills and wisdom to help them build successful financial futures. This is the second conference Chris Panek, creator of Financial Adventure, has organized. Panek, a certified public accountant, has more than 20 years of experience. The Financial Adventure program, a membership-based financial-literacy program for children ages 5-18, was developed by Panek to help kids learn hands-on and real-life financial skills. The program incorporates financial information from normal dayto-day lives and simplifies it for children so they are able to learn from financial activities. Panek said she surveyed local professionals to see if they Future • back page
SAINT JOHN’S PREP Summer Program Day Camps
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Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
Friday, April 14, 2017
Sabres from front page announcer or video screens were available. The football lines were still on the field, but additional stripes for base lines, foul lines, batter boxes and base paths were marked. Between the two teams, 56 players got a chance to get on the field. The Sartell players played in full uniform while the Moorhead players played in team T-shirts. Nemanich said the temperature of the stadium was a lot warmer than playing in the Metrodome. Nemanich and Moorhead Spuds coach Greg Salvevold didn’t know when they signed up to play that they would be the first high-school teams to play this year at the stadium. Nemanich said they just knew they hoped to play there during the third week of practice. Sartell players raised funds to have the chance to play at the stadium. The cost for each team to play at the stadium is $975 for three hours. Some of the funds are used to pay umpires. Fans could pay $5 to watch the scrimmage from front-row seats. Nemanich said the facility is an awesome structure, and the field was an outstanding surface to play on. Several other players commented on their experience of playing at the stadium. “I thought our scrimmage at U.S. Bank Stadium was a cool and neat experience,” said sophomore outfielder Ryan Giguere. “It was a privilege to play in such
a nice stadium with nice staff. I thought everything was well thought-out and executed well. Overall, it was just really cool to see the (stadium) from a field perspective and getting to run and play there was the cherry on top.” “Getting to play in a sports venue like U.S. Bank Stadium is a once-in-a-lifetime experience I will never forget, “ said sophomore shortstop Riley Ahrndt. “I’ve been to a Vikings game there, but actually being on the field and realizing how big of a stadium U.S. Bank actually is was pretty cool. The atmosphere and the excitement both the players and fans (had), even though there were few, helped to make the experience truly surreal.” “Playing baseball at such an exquisite environment was an unforgettable experience,” said junior second baseman Dylan DeZurik. “ The stadium was so large and I will never forget the fun time I had playing the sport I love against a great team.” “To play ball in that type of stadium was absolutely amazing, and to get to do that with my teammates was an unforgettable experience,” said junior outfielder Nathan Shaw. “To sum it up, it was an experience most won’t have the chance to have,” said senior outfielder Justin Hammerel. “Which in my case, I’m very grateful for the chance to play there. It was eye-opening how big the stadium was from on the field. Definitely an experience I will never forget.” “It was a privilege to be able to play a baseball game in U.S. Bank Stadium,” said senior first baseman/pitcher Brandon Kramer. “Being a once-in-a-life-
• Lighter compressed natural gas trucks for quick, clean, safe operation in your neighborhood • Last local, family-owned refuse/recycling company in town • Supporting the Sartell community in many ways • Competitive, uniform pricing throughout all of Sartell
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contributed photos
At left: Sartell Sabre baseball player Trent Meyer prepares to run toward second during a scrimmage against the Moorhead Spuds at the U.S. Bank Stadium on April 4. At right: Sartell Sabre baseball pitcher Chris Belling swings at a pitch during his turn at-bat. time experience, it’s something I will never forget. To say I played in the same stadium as many NFL stars is really cool. I’m looking forward to our season and hope this is just the beginning of many memories made by our team throughout the season.” To add to the excitement of the day, the Sartell Senior Connection organized a trip to tour the U.S. Bank Stadium when they learned the Sartell High School baseball team was going to be one of the first high-school teams to scrimmage on the field; 23 seniors toured the stadium and watched the scrimmage. “What a great experience,” said Ann Doyscher-Domres, Sartell-St. Stephen Community Education program coordinator. “The U.S. Bank Stadium staff was great to work with and watching Sartell baseball was just an extra perk to the day.” “They still have a baggy,” said senior tourist Gary L. Kraemer, when referring to a covering over
the retractable seats in right field. He said it looks like the baggy from the Metrodome. “It was a marvelous day,” said another senior tourist Maggie Kraemer. “The bus ride, the U.S. Bank Stadium tour and seeing Sabre Blue on the field. The granite lockers in the spacious Vikings’ locker room were impressive.” Maggie Kraemer said on the bus she heard several other individuals say they would have liked to have joined the group on the tour but could not because it was at full capacity. She said they’ll consider doing the stadium tour again – without the draw of the baseball team. The stadium, owned and operated by the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority, is home to the Minnesota Vikings football team. It’s located in downtown Minneapolis on the previous site of the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. According to the stadium website, it has 137,000
square feet on the stadium floor, 66,200 seats and six club spaces. A grand opening was held at the multi-purpose stadium last July and the Minnesota Vikings played the first regular-season game against the Green Bay Packers at the stadium in September. In 2015, the estimated overall budget for the fixed-roof stadium was $1.061 billion. Of that amount, $348 million is coming from the state of Minnesota, $150 million from the city of Minneapolis and $551 million from the team and private donations. Upcoming events scheduled at the stadium include Super Bowl LII on Feb. 4, 2018, the NCAA Final Four in 2019 and the ESPN X Games in 2017 and 2018. U.S. Bank acquired the naming rights to the stadium in a deal worth $220 million for 25 years. The Sartell Sabres baseball team played its first game on April 12 against Willmar.
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Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
Friday, April 14, 2017
contributed photos
Clockwise from left: Bubbles, an 8-month-old rescued cat, lays on the lap of her foster parent, Jenna Trisko, who is the development director for Ruff Start Rescue, which serves the entire area and is based in Princeton; The Ruff Start Rescue organization recently purchased this shop in Princeton for its new, more-spacious headquarters; This is Hope now, happy lounging in the yard of the forever family that adopted her; This is Hope when she was suffering from heartworm disease and badly in need of a home.
Ruff Start Rescue hopes for big prize by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
Jenna Trisko of Sartell and many others are crossing their fingers that “Ruff Start Rescue” is honored with a contest win for $100,000 or, maybe at least, $50,000. Their hopes, however, are dependent on people voting online. The windfall would mean so much to them and to the animals they help care for through the Princeton-based Ruff Start Rescue, a foster-care program and adoption service for dogs, cats and other small critters that have been neglected, abused, abandoned or surrendered. Trisko has worked for Ruff Start for four years and was named its development direc-
tor about a year ago. Thanks to her professional background in grant-writing, she became aware of a contest dubbed “A Community Thrives,” sponsored by USA Today newspaper when her mother suggested she apply to win the contest. It’s a video contest that applicants could enter under one of three categories: Wellness, The Arts or Education. Trisko decided to enter, on behalf of Ruff Start, in the Wellness category – wellness for the many unfortunate animals who need forever-homes with new, loving families. For her video, Trisko talked on camera to prospective viewers about the need Ruff Start has for funds to accomplish more spaying and neutering (a free service for low-income residents), espe-
cially for the many cats they place in foster care and/or adoption. Winning the money would help Ruff Start start educational programs and training sessions at its new headquarters, now under renovation. For more about the plans, see Trisko’s full video. Trisko said the non-profit Ruff Start gets grants now and then for spaying/neutering, but there is such an ongoing need that the funds tend to evaporate rather quickly. To help give Ruff Start Rescue a chance to win a big prize, people can visit the contest website and vote for Jenna Trisko’s video. The vote-for-video contest will be held through May 12. Anyone can vote once each day for the Trisko video during that time frame. The top-10
vote-getting videos will then be viewed by a panel of judges. The top three winners in each category will each receive $100,000. The three second-place and the three third-place winners will each receive $50,000.
How to vote
Go to either of the following: The Ruff Start website at: www.ruffstartrescue.org. Then click on the “$100,000 Prize” graphic. Or go directly to http:// act.usatoday.com/submit-anidea/#/gallery/57683593. Watch the three-minute video of Trisko describing how Ruff Start Rescue would use the prize money. Then follow the prompts: Enter your email address and answer a few questions. Then vote. People can vote once each day for the same video (in this case, Trisko’s) during the 30-day voting period. The winners will be announced May 28.
Ruff Start Rescue
Ruff Start Rescue is a nonprofit, no-kill foster-care network for dogs, cats and other small animals, such as hamsters or rabbits.
Since 2010, when it was founded in Princeton, 5,700 animals have been assigned foster homes throughout the state. The network of foster-home volunteers ranges from Duluth to Minneapolis and west as far as Alexandria and even beyond, not to mention right here in central Minnesota. Last year Ruff Start either fostered out and/or found forever homes for 1,601 animals. “We’ve had wonderful, amazing growth,” said Trisko, adding with growth comes economic challenges. For years, the organization had to make do with a building of only 1,000 square feet. Fortunately, they managed to raise enough money to buy a building in Princeton – a former auto-mechanic business – and soon they will have 5,400 square feet. The space, Trisko said, is vital for storage and for programming Ruff Start plans to initiate, including pet-education programs for all ages and for interactions between pets and people. Ruff Start does not keep pets in a shelter or kennel; they are all farmed out to foster-care homes far and wide. For educational programs at the Ruff Start headquarters, fostered-out pets Rescue • back page
Country Manor Extended Services Community
SIGN-ON BONUS!!! 1500 Pine Cone Road N., Sartell 320-255-0488 www.celebrationlutheranchurch.com
EASTER WORSHIP SERVICES Sunday, April 16 7 a.m. 8:30 a.m. 10 a.m. 11:30 a.m. Lead Pastor: Jeff Sackett Congregational Life Pastor: Elizabeth Strenge
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Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
Friday, April 14, 2017 LEGAL NOTICE
ORDINANCE ADOPTING CITY CODE CITY OF ST. STEPHEN COUNTY OF STEARNS STATE OF MINNESOTA AN ORDINANCE ENACTING A CODE OF ORDINANCES FOR THE CITY OF ST. STEPHEN, MINNESOTA, AMENDING, RESTATING, REVISING, UPDATING, CODIFYING AND COMPILING CERTAIN ORDINANCES OF THE CITY DEALING WITH THE SUBJECTS EMBRACED IN THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR THE VIOLATION OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES. WHEREAS Minnesota Statutes §§ 415.02 and 415.021 authorize the city to cause its ordinances to be codified and printed in a book, NOW THEREFORE the City Council of the City of St. Stephen, Minnesota, ordains: Section 1. The general ordinances of the city as amended, restated, revised, updated, codified and compiled in book form, including penalties for the violations of various provisions thereof, are adopted and shall constitute the Code of Ordinances of the City of St. Stephen. This Code of Ordinances also adopts, by reference, certain statutes and administrative rules of the State of Minnesota as named in the Code of Ordinances. Section 2. The Code of Ordinances as adopted in Section 1 shall consist of the following titles: CHAPTER 1: GENERAL PROVISIONS CHAPTER 2: OPERATIONS, ADMINISTRATION & ORGANIZATION CHAPTER 3: PUBLIC PROPERTY AND IMPROVEMENTS CHAPTER 4: BUILDING, LAND USE AND REGULATIONS CHAPTER 5: GENERAL REGULATIONS CHAPTER 6: LIQUOR, BEER AND WINE CHAPTER 7: TRAFFIC AND MOTOR VEHICLES CHAPTER 8: RESERVED CHAPTER 9: NUISANCES AND OFFENSES CHAPTER 10: RESERVED Section 3. All prior ordinances pertaining to subjects treated in the Code of Ordinances shall be deemed repealed from and after the effective date of this ordinance, except as they are included and re-ordained in whole or in part in the Code of Ordinances; provided this repeal shall not affect
any offense committed or penalty incurred, or any right established prior to the effective date of this ordinance, nor shall this repeal affect the provisions of ordinances levying taxes; appropriating money; annexing or detaching territory; establishing franchises; granting special rights to certain persons; authorizing public improvements; authorizing the issuance of bonds or borrowing of money; authorizing the purchase or sale of real or personal property; granting or accepting easements, plat or dedication of land to public use; or vacating or setting the boundaries of streets or other public places; nor shall this repeal affect any other ordinance of a temporary or special nature or pertaining to subjects not contained in or covered by the Code of Ordinances. All fees established in prior ordinances shall remain in effect unless amended in this Code of Ordinances, or until an ordinance adopting a fee schedule is adopted or amended. Section 4. This ordinance adopting the Code of Ordinances shall be a sufficient publication of any ordinance included in it and not previously published in the city’s official newspaper. The city clerk shall cause a substantial quantity of the Code of Ordinances to be printed for general distribution to the public at actual cost, and shall furnish a copy of the Code of Ordinances to the County Law Library or its designated depository. The official copy of this Code of Ordinances shall be marked and be kept in the office of the city clerk. Section 5. The Code of Ordinances is declared to be prima facie evidence of the law of the city and shall be received in evidence as provided by Minnesota Statutes by the courts of the State of Minnesota.
Powers chosen as superintendent of consolidated Catholic Schools contributed article
K e v i n Powers, who has served as principal for the last four years at St. Margaret of Scotland School in Powers Chicago, has been selected to be the superintendent of Catholic Community Schools, a new consolidated school system in the St. Cloud metro area. He officially begins his position on July 1. “I look forward to building on the educational excellence, collaboration and commitment to the Gospel message of Jesus Christ that already exists among the CCS member schools,” Powers said. “One of our goals together will be to foster a system that ensures Catholic education is affordable, sustainable and available to anyone who wants their child to attend a Catholic school.” “Kevin Powers has demonstrated a passionate commitment to Catholic education both as a teacher and administrator,” said Bishop Donald Kettler of St. Cloud. “His vision for Catholic Community Schools will strengthen efforts to provide a top-notch education as we form the next generation of leaders for our world and our Church.”
APPROVED: /s/ Cindy VanderWeyst Mayor ATTESTED: /s/ Cris M Drais City clerk Submitted for publication: April 6, 2017 Publish: April 14, 2017
Drive Carefully! School is in Session
Father Ron Weyrens, chair of the CCS board of directors, said Powers has a gift for connecting with people and articulating a vision, which will help “draw us together and move us forward as we strengthen our schools and the Catholic presence here in our communities.” Powers, a native of Haverhill, Mass., earned a bachelor’s degree in business from St. Anselm College in Manchester, N.H., in 2008. Following graduation, he participated in the Alliance for Catholic Education program at the University of Notre Dame. During the two-year program, he taught second grade at St. Anthony Elementary School in Long Beach, Calif., and earned his master’s degree in education from Notre Dame. He then taught third grade for two years at Alphonsus Academy and Center for the Arts in Chicago, and middle school for one year at Our Lady of Charity School in Cicero, Ill. before being named principal of St. Margaret of Scotland School in 2013. He earned a master’s degree in educational leadership from DePaul University in Chicago in 2014. During his tenure at St. Margaret of Scotland School, Powers took steps to improve the school’s curriculum and support systems to better serve its students, which come from a variety of socio-economic
backgrounds. Test scores have risen, and enrollment has increased from 150 students to 225 students. The school cut its deficit in half and increased its outreach to donors, raising more than $1 million in the last four years for scholarships and various projects. Powers also currently serves on the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Curriculum Advisory Council, Archdiocese Principal Advisory committee and the Archdiocese School Board Subcommittee on Financial Strategies. He and his wife Molly have two children: Clare, 3, and Mary Colette, 1. Molly Powers has worked for the last six years as the director of campus ministry at St. John Paul II Newman Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Schools participating in Catholic Community Schools are the following: St. Francis Xavier (Sartell), All Saints Academy (St. Cloud and St. Joseph campuses), Cathedral (St. Cloud), Holy Cross (Pearl Lake), St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (St. Cloud), St. Katharine Drexel (St. Cloud), St. Mary Help of Christians (St. Augusta) and St. Wendelin (Luxemburg). Bishop Kettler initiated the idea for creating the new school system as a way to increase collaboration and keep Catholic education in the St. Powers • back page
Clip and Save !
SARTELL LIONS
Section 6. This ordinance adopting the Code of Ordinances, and the Code of Ordinances itself, shall take effect upon publication of this ordinance in the city’s official newspaper. PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ST. STEPHEN, MINNESOTA THIS 5TH DAY OF APRIL, 2017.
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Cleanup! Sartell Middle Middle School School Parking Sartell ParkingLot Lot Saturday, - 12- Noon Noon Saturday,April April2429• 8• a.m. 8 a.m. Pickup/Trailer 6’ x 6’ Pickup/Trailer 6’ x 8’
$110/load* $150/load*
*Pickup/trailer loads include general waste not listed below and may be prorated.
Office/Business Furniture $20/ea. Refrigerated Appliances $25/ea. Non-refrigerated Home Appliances $20/ea. Couches/Stuffed Chairs $25/ea. Mattresses/Box Springs $20/ea. Commercial Appliances $25/ea. Fluorescent Bulbs $3/ea. Car Batteries $3/ea. Tires $10/ea. Computers/All TVs/Electronics/Monitors 65¢/lb. Bare/Broken Televisions and Monitors Not accepted
IF YOU NEED ITEMS
IFPICKED YOU NEED ITEMS UP, CALL PICKED UP, CALL JACK JACK BEFORE APRIL 28 PRIOR TO SATURDAY AT 320-250-6697 ATTO 250-6697 PRIOR SATURDAY $7 fee fee for $15 for single singleitem item picked up and $20 feefee forfor pickup/trailer $35 pickup/ load picked trailer loadup
NO PAINTS, SOLVENTS, OILS OR CHEMICALS! NO GAS-OPERATED REFRIGERATORS!
Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
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Community Calendar Is your event listed? Send your information to: Newsleader Calendar, P.O. Box 324, St. Joseph, MN 56374; fax it to 320-363-4195; or, e-mail it to news@thenewsleaders.com. Friday, April 14 String Orchestra performance, 6 p.m., Ruth Gant Recital Hall, Performing Arts Center, St. Cloud State University. Saturday, April 15 Easter egg hunt, 10 a.m., Upper Smoley Field, 2 Sixth Ave, N.E., St. Stephen. Community meal, 11:30 a.m.12:45 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 1107 Pinecone Road S., Sartell. Sunday, April 16 Bible Memory Man performance, 9:15 a.m., Grace Baptist Church, 1197 Pinecone Road N., Sartell. www.the scripturecannotbebroken.com. Easter brunch, 9:30 a.m. brunch, 10:30 a.m. worship, Northland Bible Baptist Church, 3686 CR 8 SE, St. Cloud. 320-252-5677. Bible Memory Man performance, 10:30 a.m., Two Rivers Church, 1609 Oriole Ave., Rice. www.the scripturecannotbebroken.com. Monday, April 17 Lunch and cards, sponsored by Helping Hands Outreach, noon-2 p.m., The Rusty Nail, 4 CR 2 S., St. Stephen. Parkinson’s Disease support group, 1-2:30 p.m., Ilicil Independent
Lifestyles, 215 N Benton Drive, Sauk Rapids. 320-529-9000. Sartell-St. Stephen School Board, 6-8 p.m., District Service Center. 212 Third Ave. N., Sartell. St. Joseph Rod and Gun Club, 7 p.m., American Legion, 101 W Minnesota St., St. Joseph. Tuesday, April 18 The Convenings conversation about living and dying well, sponsored by Honoring Choices Minnesota and the Bruce Kramer Collaborative, 6:30-8 p.m., Stephen B. Humphrey Theatre, St. John’s University, Collegeville. “Getting the Most out of the Family Search Website” with genealogy researcher, lecturer and writer Tom Rice, sponsored by the St. Cloud Area Genealogists, 7 p.m., Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave. S., St. Cloud. stearns-museum.org. Wednesday, April 19 Free car-seat safety checks, 3-6 p.m., Gold Cross Ambulance Garage, 2800 Seventh St. N., St. Cloud. Call 320-656-7021 to make an appointment. Thursday, April 20 Coffee and Conversation, a senior discussion group, 9 a.m., Country Manor, 520 First St. NE, Sartell. Juried student art exhibit opens, 3:30 p.m., Kiehle Visual Arts Center Gallery, St. Cloud State University. Three Parks, Two Counties naturalist-led hikes, 6:30 p.m. Quarry Park
and Nature Preserve, 1802 Stearns CR 137, Waite Park. parkinfo@co.stearns. mn.us. 320-255-6172. “Student Spotlight: an Evening of Short Plays,” 7:30 p.m. tonight and April 21 and 22, 2 p.m. April 23, Performing Arts Center Arena Stage, St. Cloud State University. Rice Lions Club, 8 p.m., Lions Building, Westside Park, 101 4th St. NW. Friday, April 21 Benton County Museum, 10 a.m.4 p.m., 218 First St. N., Sauk Rapids. 320-253-9614. mnbentonhistory.org. St. Joseph Farmers’ Market, 3-6 p.m., Resurrection Lutheran Church fellowship hall, 610 CR 2. “Sing Into Spring,” presented by the St. Cloud State University Concert Choir and Chamber Singers, 6:30 p.m., Newman Center, 396 First Ave. S., St. Cloud. St. Cloud Singles Club dance, 8 p.m.-midnight, American Legion, 17 Second Ave. S., Waite Park. 320-3394533. stcloudsingles.net. Saturday, April 22 St. Cloud VA Career Fair, 9 a.m.noon, Rasmussen College, 226 Park Ave. S., St. Cloud. 320-252-1670, ext. 6571 or ext. 7276. Craft vendor sale, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Centennial Shopping Center, 2018 Veterans Drive, St. Cloud. “Drugs and Their Impact on the Community,” 4:30 p.m., Shepherd of the Pines Church, 1950 125th St. NW, Rice.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY AUTO BODY REPAIR Auto Body 2000
(behind Coborn’s in the Industrial Park)
St. Joseph • 320-363-1116
PUBLISHING Von Meyer Publishing 32 1st Ave. NW St. Joseph • 320-363-7741 www.thenewsleaders.com
TRUCKING Brenny Transportation, Inc. Global Transportation Service St. Joseph • 320-363-6999 www.brennytransportation.com
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Friday, April 14, 2017 LEGAL NOTICES
CITY OF SARTELL PUBLIC HEARING ON CITY CODE AMENDMENTS REGARDING PLANNING COMMISSION, ACCESSORY STRUCTURES, SHORT-TERM RENTALS, HONEY BEES, FEE SCHEDULE, CHARITABLE GAMBLING AND LODGING ORDINANCE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN: That the City of Sartell will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, on Monday, April 24, 2017 at the Sartell City Hall, for the purpose of updating the City Code of Ordinances regarding Planning Commission residency requirements, accessory structure size limitations and permit requirements, short-term rentals within residential areas, honey-bee permit and registration requirements, fee schedule updates for honey-bee permit and registration fee requirements, charitable-gam-
bling ordinance amendments, and lodging ordinance amendment for short-term rentals. Copies of the proposed ordinances are available for review at the city clerk’s office or on the city website at www.sartellmn.com. All interested persons are invited to attend to voice their opinion. Written comments will be accepted until the date of the hearing. Mary Degiovanni City Administrator Publish: April 14, 2017
CITY OF SARTELL PUBLIC HEARING ON VARIANCE FOR 221 THIRD ST. NE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN: That the City of Sartell will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, on Monday, April 24, 2017 at the Sartell City Hall, to hear all persons present upon application by Delores Blonigen, applicant and owner; to obtain a variance to the minimum lot-area-size standards. Copies of the variance request can be obtained by visiting
www.sartellmn.com. All interested persons are invited to attend to voice their opinion. Written comments will be accepted until the date of the hearing. Mary Degiovanni City Administrator Publish: April 14, 2017
St. Stephen Optical (formerly Index 53)
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Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
Friday, April 14, 2017
Water from page 5 ple, St. Joseph’s sewage pipes connecting to the plant do not affect Sartell’s part in the overall plan, so Sartell and the other cities would not be charged for such city-specific needs and vice versa. The member cities will be asked to help pay for a project that will be undertaken within the next two years – an innovative solution being worked out as to how the plant will use solid-waste products that remain after the treatment process. Sartell’s share of that cost will be an estimated $400,000. Degiovanni noted the project is being timed, so when it begins, Sartell’s sewer-debt service will have dropped down, thus reducing impacts of the new charge on the city budget. The new project, estimated to cost about $23 million, is a way for the treatment plant to create fertilizer pellets and to commercially distribute them for use in agriculture, lawns, greenhouses, landscaping and other uses. The plan also calls for other innovative uses for the by-products of waste-water treatment. For years – and currently – treated solids from the plant’s process are spread on farm fields. The solid waste that remains after water has been treated and released is treated by heat and monitored for bacteria and viruses before it’s allowed to be used on fields. In a recent interview with the Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader, Shea said the program to develop innovative ways to
process the solid waste, including the fertilizer pellets, will be up and running by autumn of 2019 at the latest.
History
The St. Cloud Wastewater Treatment Facility began operation in 1976, owned and operated by the City of St. Cloud, with contract agreements from the other five cities in the area. Before the new plant was built, sewage was treated at a plant that was built in 1956 located south of the St. Cloud State University campus. Before 1956, raw sewage – untreated – was dumped right into the Mississippi River. The federal 1972 Clean Water Act allowed the use of federal funds to help cities build treatment plants, including the one in St. Cloud. The St. Cloud facility has received at least a dozen major awards for pollution prevention and energy management in its 40-year history. The WWTF was designed to process 13-million gallons of wastewater-sewage per day generated by nearly 100,000 residents of the greater St. Cloud area. Between 2010 and 2013, there was a massive expansion program at the wastewater plant, which cost $48 million – the costliest public project in St. Cloud history. The member
cities all chipped in to pay for that project. The sewer rate charges for Sartell are $6.03 per 1,000 gallons of wastewater piped to the St. Cloud plant. O’Dell explained to the council the ongoing operations necessary to keep the plant functional: the lift station constructed near the St. Cloud Country Club in 1974, a bypass system installed, repairs or replacement of huge valves that are very expensive to buy, generator replacements and upkeep of the four huge pumps at the lift station. Last year, an energy-efficiency program was completed, which saved enormous amounts of money. It involved using on-site bio-gas as fuel, LED lighting and generators run by biofuels. In 2013, the plant used 6.5-million kilowatt-hours of electricity. In 2016, thanks to energy-saving efforts, that was down to 5.2-million kilowatt-hours. That is expected to decrease to 300,000 kilowatt-hours in 2018.
How it works
Wastewater treatment involves five steps: preliminary treatment, primary treatment, secondary treatment, final clarification of the water and solids processing. In Step One, most of the wastewater flows to the main
lift station, and that station pumps the water to the treatment facility. In Step Two, primary separation involves the separation of liquids and solids by using four huge rectangular tanks in which solids settle out of the water. In Step Three, a process removes suspended solids, dissolved solids, nutrients and metals. The system is a continuous flow and a biological process in which micro-organisms use the organic material in the wastewater as an energy source. Also during the process, organic matter is reduced to carbon dioxide and water. In Step Four, solids are allowed again to settle out in a final clarification process. A portion of the solids is used for “seed” and recycled back to the activated solids process. The remaining solids are further processed. The liquid portion is disinfected by exposure to ultraviolet light and then discharged into the Mississippi River. In Step Five, solids are generated in two stages during wastewater treatment of primary and secondary steps. The solids are mixed together and residual water removed from them. The liquid is returned to the beginning of the treatment process, and the solids portion is sent to an anaerobic digester.
11 During that digestion process, the solids are heated and mixed for a minimum of 15 days. That process produces liquid, gas and solids. The liquid is returned again for treatment; the gas is used to heat the digestion process; and the solids (called “biosolids”) can then be applied on farm lands. That latter process is what will be largely changed, with new options (such as the fertilizer pellets) in the new solids program that will begin in autumn 2019.
ARLINGTON PLACE ASSISTED LIVING in St. Joseph POSITION AVAILABLE
MAINTENANCE Building and Lawn
9 a.m.-4 p.m. 3 days/week Duties include: general building maintenance, floor cleaning, occasional painting, lawn mowing, etc.; general upkeep of the building. If interested please stop by for an application or call Charles Huyink at (320) 363-1313. 21 16th Ave. SE St. Joseph, MN 56374
CRAFT/VENDOR SALE 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 22 Centennial Shopping Center 2018 Veterans Drive, St. Cloud Indoors • Next to MT’s on 8th
Family Owned and Operated Hearing Center
• Free Hearing Screenings • Hearing Aid Sales & Service • Clean & Check All Hearing Aid Brands
320-258-4494 or 1-888-407-4327 161 19th St. S. • Ste. 111 • Sartell www.accuratehearingservices.com
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Rescue from page 8 will be brought to the building temporarily so they can interact with visitors. The new building will also be used for group classes for dog-training sessions and for group classes for new foster-care individuals and families. Ruff Start Rescue began literally with Hope – a suffering dog named “Hope.” Back in 2010, a Princeton woman named Azure Davis, who is still the Ruff Start
Future from page 6 felt there was a need for a financial-literacy conference. She said she received great feedback and decided to plan the first free Treasure My Future financial literacy and life skills conference last year in April, since April is financial literacy month. Last year’s event was held at Resource Training and Solutions in Sartell. About 70 people from Sartell, Albany, Cold Spring, Holdingford, Melrose, Pierz, Royalton, St. Cloud, Sauk Centre and Sauk Rapids attended the event. They included homeschooled students. Each conference follows the
Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com president, started a pet-rescue operation in Princeton because she had always been a passionate animal protector and defender. One day she happened to hear about a dog suffering terribly from heartworm disease at a shelter in Ohio. Davis said she could maybe help Hope as part of her planned extension of a foster-home program for Ruff Start. She contacted an animal-rescue transportation service that set up an itinerary for Hope: ground transport to Illinois, then a private-plane flight by a volunteer pilot and his wife
to bring Hope to Princeton. The dog arrived in a very sick condition but, despite that, in good spirits. Davis placed Hope in a nurturing foster home, and the dog’s foster parents fell in love with her. They decided to adopt her, and she has been a loving, happy pet ever since. Ruff Start Rescue is always seeking and accepting donations to help its volunteers do their work. For more about Ruff Start, visit ruffstartrescue.org. To donate, send a check to: Ruff Start Rescue, P.O. Box 129, Princeton, Minn. 55371.
core mission which includes enhancing youth financial literacy, supporting the Jump$tart National Standards for K-12 Personal Finance Education, making learning financial and life skills engaging and fun for students, bringing knowledge and real-life experiences from local professionals to the students, helping students learn to be more responsible with their financial choices and investing in the financial future of our youth. Panek said many area teachers are giving extra credit if their students attend the conference. She said she feels this is a great idea since financial literacy is often not taught in schools. Panek said financial topics can be tough for many adults
and often result in little or no conversations with children, but the conference is a great place to learn about and spark important conversations. The conference will be held on the second level of the Gorecki Center. Free parking is available in Lot 5 located across the street from the center, and additional parking is available in Lots 6, 8 and 10. To register for this year’s conference, visit www.treasuremyfuture.com. The first 75 students in each age group (fiftheighth grades and ninth-12th grades) to register online will receive a gift at the conference. Adults are able to attend with their children but must register online under the Adult Admission.
Powers from page 9 Cloud metro area academically and spiritually strong and financially viable. The 2016-17 school year is a transition year for the CCS system, which is expected to be operational for the 2017-18 school year. A superintendent search committee was formed last
Friday, April 14, 2017 October by the CCS board of directors. Three finalists were selected after a nationwide search that garnered 14 applications from individuals with a range of experience. The CCS corporate board made the final selection with input from the superintendent search committee, the CCS board of directors and information gathered from community-wide interviews with the three finalists held earlier this month.
Welcome
Ali Peichel
as our new Mortgage Manager! Mortgage Special:* up to $1,000 off closing costs for a limited time only! • Receive $250 off closing costs for first mortgage loans up to $100,000, $500 for loans $100,000.01- $299,999.99, and $1,000 for loans over $300,000. • Available to buyers on approved credit for 30-year and 15-year mortgages (FHA loans are not eligible) on applications taken after April 4, 2017.
*Cannot be combined with any other offer. St. Cloud Federal Credit Union is an equal housing lender and is federally insured by the NCUA.The funds will be received as a credit to closing costs at the time of loan closing, subject to specific mortgage program rules and regulations.