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‘Dots’ always pointed Town Crier to Heinrich as abductor Friday, Sept. 9, 2016
St. Joseph shows love, support for Wetterlings
Volume 21, Issue 35 Est. 1995
Senior Connection sets upcoming events
Join the Sartell Senior Connection on Friday, Sept. 16 for a tour of DCI Inc. Meet at the District Service Center at 8:30 a.m. to car pool to DCI. The tour will last approximately 90 minutes. Wear closed-toed shoes. Please register in advance by calling Ann at 320-2534036, option 4. The Second Tuesday for Seniors will resume at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13. This month, John Kothenbeutal, Sartell public works director, will talk about water safety in the city of Sartell. Learn where our water comes from and how it moves through the city infrastructure. Second Tuesday is held at the Sartell District Service Center at 212 Third Ave. N.
Harvest Festival to be held Sept. 16
The 17th annual Harvest Festival will be held from 3-7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16 under the water tower at the St. Joseph Farmers’ Market. There will be live music, other entertainment, free children’s events including a petting zoo, a clown and pumpkin decorating. There will also be cooking demonstrations, apple pressing and pottery throwing. Additional food vending and samples provided by local vendors. For more information, check out stjosephfarmersmarket.com.
GNTC sets auditions Sept. 12 and 13
Auditions for Great Northern Theatre Company’s fall production of Drinking Habits, a hilarious farce, are at 6:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 12 and 13 in the Rocori High School choir room. There are parts for three men and five women, ages 20-65. Call director Amy Hunter at 218-894-1925 to request an alternative audition time or with questions. GNTC is also looking for a stage manager/assistant director, house manager, and people to assist with sets, costumes and props, lights and sound.
Safer driving, increased awareness needed as school year begins
Motorists must increase their awareness of vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and bicyclists. There will be increased pedestrian, bicycle and vehicle traffic around schools as students statewide go back to school. Additionally, it’s a challenging time of year for all roadway users because of the increased traffic as well as less light in the morning and evening. It’s the law to stop for pedestrians within the crosswalk. Pedestrians should use crosswalks and sidewalks when available, and look left, right and left again before crossing the street. When no sidewalks are available, they should walk on the left side of the road against the direction of traffic. For more information, visit thenewsleaders.com and click on Sept. 9 Criers.
[Editor’s note: The words and phrases noting similarities (connective “dots”) among the abduction and molestation cases in the following story have been printed in bold letters to help the readers compare them.]
by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
Hindsight is often 20/20, they say, but it’s difficult for many people to understand how Jacob Wetterling’s abductor and killer, Danny James Heinrich, slipped under the radar so often when the dots to be connected were clearly there. Some or all of those “dots” point to the 53-year-old from Annandale. Now that Wetterling’s remains have been found and Heinrich has confessed to the crime, the
Stearns County Sheriff’s Office, and others will conduct a thorough re-examination of the Wetterling case, and much of the investigation will involve how those connections were missed right after the abduction and in the nearly 27 years since. In 1989, the year Wetterling was taken by a stranger, there was no Internet, no Amber Alert emergency-notification system, less awareness of child abductions, and all too often police and sheriff’s offices worked independently of one another in their day-to-day tasks. In addition, DNA-matching technology in criminal cases was not then widely known or available. In Paynesville, in the late 1980s, there were eight complaints made to the police department of a sinister man who
photo by Cady Sehnert
In light of the recent news, St. Joseph residents and businesses adorned the driveway of the Wetterling home with balloons and flowers. For more photos, see page 6.
Dots • page 5
Wetterling’s remains found; killer confesses by Dennis Dalman editorial@thenewsleaders.com
It was a dreaded announcement and yet to some it was a long-delayed relief. Jacob Wetterling’s remains were recently found by investigators on pastureland just northeast of Paynesville next to CR 85. Danny James Heinrich,
photo by Stuart Goldschen
Patty Wetterling hugs her two youngest children Trevor (10) and Carmen (8) during a balloon release held for Jacob shortly after his disappearance.
53, of Annandale confessed to abducting and killing the boy in a courtroom just days after he led author- Jacob ities to the buried remains. (See related
story.) They were found in a grove of trees in the pasture. It took three days of digging with a backhoe and shovels to find the remains. The case of the boy who was missing for 27 years caused horror, agony, anxiety and sadness locally, nationally and even worldwide. “Our hearts are broken; we
have no words,” said Patty Wetterling, the mother of Jacob after news that her son’s body had been found and identified. There is an outpouring of sympathy from throughout the world and especially from St. Joseph for the Wetterling family, even as some are relieved the case might finally come to Found • page 10
Patty Wetterling says it's time for healing by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
Fighting back tears, Patty Wetterling spoke to the media of heartbreak during a televised press conference following the Sept. 6 court hearing during which her son Jacob’s abductor and killer, Danny Heinrich, confessed to the crime nearly 27 years after he committed it. “Jacob, I’m so sorry,” Patty Wetterling said, standing behind the microphone. “It’s incredibly painful to know his last days, his last hours, his last minutes.” To the Wetterling family, “Jacob was alive before we found him,” she said. Despite the tears, however,
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Wetterling made it plain she and others will not give up the struggle to help keep all children safe from harm. Before, during and after Wetterling’s comments, she was surrounded by her husband, Jerry, a St. Joseph chiropractor, and their three grown children, all of whom hugged and comforted one another. “Jacob has taught us how to live, how to love, how to be fair, how to be kind,” she said. “He speaks to the world he knew, that we believe in.” It’s time for healing, Wetterling said, adding she and her family will have more to say in the future after the healing process has helped Healing • page 11
Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
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Friday, Sept. 9, 2016
Wetterling family deep in grief, pulling together, creating solace by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
photo courtesy of STAR TRIBUNE/MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL 2015
Patty Wetterling (center) cuts cake with the help of her granddaughters, Maizie (front) and Belle (back) during the 25th anniversary of the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center in 2015. Wetterling was there along with her husband, Jerry, and daughter, Carmen.
A 53-year-old Annandale man was arrested last summer for possessing child pornography. Possibly as part of a plea agreement, Danny Heinrich reportedly led investigators last week to Paynesville where they found Jacob Wetterling’s remains. Heinrich confessed to kidnapping and fatally shooting the then 11-year-old boy from St. Joseph as he pleaded guilty to child pornography charges in a federal court in Minneapolis on Tuesday. In a message Monday to the media, Jacob’s mom, Patty, said
she and her family are “eager to talk to the media as soon as we are able.” The statement was released by Alison Feigh, program manager for the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center in Minneapolis. But, at this time, the Wetterlings are not ready to discuss the developments in the case with the media. “The Wetterlings,” said Patty in the statement, “are deeply grieving and are pulling our family together.” The Wetterlings have received widespread condolences and support since the news was announced last Saturday that Jacob’s remains had been found
buried in a pasture near Paynesville. Many have asked how they can help the Wetterling family through such a sorrowful time. This is what Patty conveyed through Alison Feigh: “Everyone wants to know what they can do to help us. Say a prayer. Light a candle. Be with friends. Play with your children. Giggle. Hold hands. Eat ice cream. Create joy. Help your neighbor. That is what will bring me comfort today.”
Parade to honor Olympic silver medalist Alise Post Alise Post, the St. Cloud native who won a silver medal last month at the Olympics, will be honored with a parade
in St. Cloud on Saturday, Sept. 10. Post will ride in the parade, which will start at 10 a.m. at
the River’s Edge Convention Center in downtown St. Cloud. It will proceed to Ninth Avenue N., then down Veterans Drive
Teachers, Military, Police, Firefighters & Nurses/EMT
to Pineview Park. Post won the silver medal, second place, for the women’s BMX race at the Summer
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Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
Friday, Sept. 9, 2016
People
St. Stephen couple to discuss family farming at history museum by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
Jerry and Diane Blonigen of St. Stephen, retired dairy farmers, will present a program entitled “The Demise of the American Family Farm” at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14 at the Stearns History Museum’s Breakfast Club. The Blonigens have been involved in agriculture and its issues for decades, and bring a personal perspective to the challenges facing today’s family contributed photo
North Iowa Area Community College's volleyball player Hailey Winter of Sartell recorded 20 assists with eight digs, two kills and two ace serves in the 3-0 victory over Ellsworth Community College in an Iowa Community College Athletic Conference match held Aug. 31.
Feel good Friday (Editor’s note: These “Feel Good Friday” features are taken each Friday from postings by Vicki Davis on the Tri-County Humane Society’s website.) “It’s Penelope Rose’s second birthday. I’m so thankful I got to adopt my baby girl from the humane society. Penelope Rose has given me such joy since she came to my home. She suffers from S.P.S. (Spoiled Piggy Syndrome). She has to sleep with me every night and have her veggies and treats. She’s so wonderful and makes me incredibly happy. Thank you so much for taking her in and giving me the opportunity to give her a
contributed photo
Penelope Rose enjoys a snack of fresh vegetables. permanent home.” -from Robin P., Penelope Rose’s owner. P.S. from Vicki Davis: “This just goes to show, there’s someone for everyone! Have a great and safe weekend!”
Have any Achievements? Grad. from HS/College, Military Honors, Awards Submit to news@thenewsleaders.com For contact purposes only, please include first/last name and phone.
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farms. Jerry’s great-grandfather established a farm near St. Martin in the 1860s, a place where he learned the skills necessary to begin operating on his own. He became an advocate in the farming business with groups like the National Farmers’ Organization and as a frequent guest on regional radio stations. During their presentation, the Blonigens will talk about the reasons why American farm prices have been stagnant since the 1950s. They will also dis-
cuss the factors on why those depressed prices have been so detrimental to the family farm, which was always a foundation of the American economy and a worldwide food supply. The Blonigens maintain the family farm has been a critical factor in bringing stability and growth to rural America. The Breakfast Club is free for Stearns History Museum members. It costs $7 for non -members. Refreshments will be served. The museum is located at 235 33rd Ave. S. in St. Cloud.
Blotter If you have a tip concerning a crime, call the Sartell Police Department at 320-251-8186 or TriCounty Crime Stoppers at 320255-1301 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 crime. Aug. 23 1:27 a.m. Suspicious vehicle. Pinecone Road S. While on routine patrol, a reserve officer observed an occupied vehicle in the parking lot of a local business. Backup officers arrived on scene and discovered the man was sleeping in the parking lot. Officers advised the man he was not allowed to sleep in a public lot. The man left the area without incident. 10:20 p.m. Medical. 14th Avenue E. Officers were dispatched to a 60-year-old female who had collapsed. She stated to dispatch that her side hurt, and she believed this was caused by her appendix. Officers arrived on scene and located the woman near the restroom. Oxygen was administered until Gold Cross Ambulance arrived on the scene. Aug. 24 1:39 a.m. Suspicious activity. Fourth Avenue N. Officers were dispatched for a report of a juvenile male trying to open doors on vehicles. Officers arrived and located the individual in the area matching the description. The male admitted to pulling on door handles and looking for valuables in vehicles. He stated he
hadn’t yet broken into any vehicles. Officers left the boy in the care of his parents. Aug. 25 12:42 p.m. Medical. 2-½ Street N. Officers were dispatched for a 61-year-old female with extreme head pain. Officers arrived on scene with medical authorities. The female was distraught and vomited moments after officers’ arrival. Police started the female on oxygen. She was transported to the St. Cloud Hospital by Gold Cross Ambulance. Aug. 26 12:55 a.m. Public assist. First Avenue N./Eighth Street N. While on routine patrol, an officer observed a vehicle on the side of the road with its hazard lights on. The driver stated his headlights went out and thought he blew a fuse. Authorities assisted the man in an attempt to fix the vehicle, but they were unsuccessful. The vehicle was left in a parking lot, and the driver called for a ride. Aug. 27 11:20 a.m. Traffic stop. Pinecone Road N. While on routine patrol, an officer observed a vehicle approaching at a high rate of speed. The officer activated his front radar and locked the target vehicle in at 65 mph. The officer stopped the vehicle. The driver stated he was unaware of the speed limit. The officer advised the man the speed limit in that particular zone was 40 mph. The man was issued a cita-
tion for speed and subsequently released. 11:13 p.m. Suspicious vehicle. First Street N. While on routine patrol, a reserve officer located a vehicle in a park after hours. A male and female were seen emerging from the wooded park area. The two were advised of park hours and asked to leave. The pair left the park without incident. Aug. 28 7:48 p.m. Driving complaint. Ninth Avenue N./2-1/2 Street N. Officers were dispatched for a report of a vehicle speeding through residential neighborhoods and rolling through stop signs. Upon arrival, officers located the vehicle at the registered owner’s address. A young male was located in the driver seat of the vehicle. The male did not want to identify himself to officers. Police spoke with the male’s father who provided the male’s identification. The male was warned for his driving conduct and released. Aug. 29 12:37 p.m. Traffic stop. 61st Avenue/CR 120. While on routine patrol and westbound on CR 120, an officer observed a vehicle directly in front of him following another vehicle at an unsafe distance. The officer stopped the driver and asked why he was tailgating. The driver stated the vehicle in front of him was not traveling at the posted speed limit. The driver was issued a citation for following too close and released.
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Newsleader staff members have the responsibility to report news fairly and accurately and are accountable to the public. Readers who feel we’ve fallen short of these standards are urged to call the Newsleader office at 363-7741. If matters cannot be resolved locally, readers are encouraged to take complaints to the Minnesota News Council, an independent agency designed to improve relationships between the public and the media and resolve conflicts. The council office may be reached at 612-341-9357.
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Our View Sadly, Jacob is gone, but his ‘Hope’ lives on “Jacob’s Hope” is alive and well. The remains of Jacob Wetterling were found last week. There was always a hope that Jacob, 11 when he was abducted, would someday return home, even though that hope dwindled with every passing year – all nearly 27 of them. The news last week was horrifying and yet to many strangely a relief. There will no longer be any agony of wondering what happened to him, where his body was left, and who perpetrated the cruel and twisted crime. Most of all, Jacob’s parents, Jerry and Patty, and his siblings now will have some measure of closure, a funeral to honor him and a chance to bury their beloved Jacob in sacred ground. Jacob Wetterling, such a happy and lively boy, was so cruelly taken from his safe-andwarm world on the evening of Oct. 22, 1989. He became quite literally the “poster boy” for missing children cases far and wide. His parents, siblings and others who loved him were determined not only to keep Jacob’s memory alive but to help educate others about child safety and what we can all do to help prevent abductions, and what we can do right after one occurs. “Jacob’s Hope” became a rallying cry for the Jacob Wetterling Foundation and Resource Center. Parents of children who were abducted, abused and/or murdered began to form a support network of empathy. Places were named after Jacob and his Hope. Loved ones shared their grief and never-ending sorrow as they lobbied legislators to pass child-safety measures and ways to initiate instant notification if an abduction should happen, such as “Amber’s Law.” The photos, videos and memories of the bright, smiling, blue-eyed boy from St. Joseph is what launched so many of those efforts, and the outreach education from the Jacob Wetterling Foundation has had, and continues to have, positive effects worldwide. This newspaper, the Newsleader, was founded in 1989 just months before Jacob was abducted. Throughout the years, its reporters wrote frequent updates and commemoration stories about Jacob, along with interviews with parents, teachers, friends and others who knew and loved him, as well as periodic press conferences when there may have been a lead or development in the case. It was always a heartwrenching task to write those stories because it became so palpable to those writers that the rock-bottom grief of the Wetterling family would never go away. During an interview 12 years ago, Patty said the agony gets a bit easier to bear with time because life for their other loved ones must go on, but she quickly added the pain will never go away. She also said she still harbored hope that Jacob would someday return home and even had dreams to that effect. Our deepest sympathies go out to the Wetterlings. Jacob has “come home” but of course not in the way that was so longed for. The Wetterlings will have to endure the pain of that awful, unthinkable loss all over again as they prepare to bury their son. Jacob would be so proud of his family and of all those who looked for him, who prayed for him and who made strides toward universal child safety. Sadly, Jacob, you are gone, but your “Hope” lives on.
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, Sept. 9, 2016
Opinion
Thanks, Gene, for half century of laughter Some people should get a special dispensation from on high to live forever on earth – well, almost forever – and actor-comedian Gene Wilder should have been one of them. Sometimes someone dies and you say to yourself, “Impossible. That can’t be. That just can’t be.” I felt that way when Robin Williams died. Still do. And that’s how I felt when I heard the news Gene Wilder died last week. The first time I saw Wilder was in his debut role in the 1967 masterpiece, Bonnie and Clyde. That film is a perfect movie, among the top 25 greatest American movies, in my opinion. It was incredibly well written, expertly edited by Dede Allen, brilliantly acted, flawlessly directed by Arthur Penn and stunningly filmed in that muted, dusty, nostalgic color palette. Bonnie and Clyde was a miracle of seamless ensemble acting, and Gene Wilder was a perfect gem among the actors, like part of the setting in a diamond ring. Wilder played a nerd of an undertaker named Eugene Grizzard who, with his girlfriend, Velma, gets kidnapped by Bonnie, Clyde, his brother Buck and wife Blanche while they are stealing Eugene’s car. Squeezed rudely into the back seat, Eugene and Velma, nervous as caged chickens, start to warm up to this batch of charming and funny bank robbers. “I’m originally from Wisconsin, where the cheese comes from,” Eugene tells the robbers. That line from any other actor would be so-so; coming from Wilder’s voice, quavering with an adenoidal pitch, it’s hilarious. At one point, someone asks Velma how old she is. She blurts out “33,”
Dennis Dalman Editor and we the viewers can read Wilder’s thoughts in a lingering expressive silent close-up. We see him thinking; we can read his mind: “She’s that old? I thought she was in her 20s. Oh, my, oh, my!” It’s wordless wonderful acting. And there is the scene in which Velma is told to drive the car, and Eugene, who is getting nervous about the robbers, says with wheezy hysteria while clenching his fists, “Step on it, Velma. Step on it!” Later, the desperadoes ask Eugene what he does for a living. When he says, “I’m an undertaker,” the deathdodging robbers flinch and wilt in grim silence. And then Bonnie, sensing this undertaker is an omen of disaster, angrily orders him and Velma out of the car. The Wilder sequence of scenes in Bonnie and Clyde is a comic tour de force. Unforgettable. The duo of Wilder and directorwriter-actor Mel Brooks was the oddball marriage made in comedy heaven. Together, they created three of the funniest movies in history: The Producers, Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein. I vividly remember seeing Blazing Saddles in 1974 at Cinema Arts Theater in St. Cloud. It was a zany, over-thetop, often silly movie. A masterpiece it
wasn’t. But who cares? It was funny. I laughed so hard my ribs were sore the next day. Wilder as the Waco Kid was right there, front and center, in some of its funniest scenes. John Wayne had been offered the role and turned it down. Then, Gig Young (born and raised in St. Cloud) got the part, but in his first scene, he collapsed, apparently the result of severe alcohol withdrawal. Finally, happy outcome, Wilder got the role. Some of the most hilarious scenes are verbal exchanges in the jailhouse between the Waco Kid and Sheriff Bart (Cleavon Little). “What’s your name?” the sheriff asks. The Kid answers in a dreamy slow drawl: “Well (pause) . . . my name is Tim (long pause) . . . but most people call me (long pause, then voice filled with a lifetime of disappointment) . . . Jim.” It was one of those lines of dialogue just made for Wilder’s voice and for his flawless comedic timing. Wilder should have won a Best Actor Oscar for his role in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, which rivals The Wizard of Oz as a classic fantasy comedy chock full of fun for all ages. There are shades of darkness in that film that Wilder brilliantly evokes, along with the comedy. Peter Ostrum, the actor who played Charlie Bucket in Willy Wonka, had this to say after Wilders’s passing: “It’s kind of like losing a parent. You know it’s going to happen, but it’s still a shock . . . Gene is gone and there will never be anyone like him again.” Thanks, Gene Wilder, for half a century of laughter.
Victims get the short end of stick by Jim Hovda, Rice Local newspapers have zeroed in on crime. And it’s about time. Reading the police blotters of both the Sauk Rapids and Rice police departments, they are reacting as best they can with the resources they have. They are busy because of the repeat offenders who make up the majority of crime. And they are only two of our local departments. This is an area-wide issue. It’s my considered opinion that what has been labeled the criminal justice system is just that – biased treatment for the criminals, vagabonds and – as some would say, dirt bags. My more than 25 years of law-enforcement experience garnered that belief. This was reinforced when I taught firearms safety and had the opportunity to meet and talk to victims of “crimes against property.” The crime that victims are getting is the short end of the stick. Police officers have a strong empathy for crime victims. They see them nearly every day. I’ll zero in on burglars, a criminal activity I have a strong dislike for. I’ve been the victim of several burglaries in Minneapolis and here in Langola Township. Without going into a long dissertation about how persons react to this type of crime, it was, for a long time considered just another property loss, nothing more. When I became involved with the victims of burglary teaching firearms safety, I was shocked to learn how this “property crime” affected many victims. Some refused to go back to their homes. Others became afraid to even stay home alone. They felt violated and
insecure. Being a victim of a burglary is a big deal. Now that I’ve identified an important crime issue, one can now see why our good citizens are up in arms over crime. What can we do about it and is it fixable? Yes, it is! Our media is on the right track. Publish felony convictions along with pictures of adults. (Juveniles are all secret, although they account for a significant percentage of crime.) Inform the citizens of what is going on. The media needs to step it up a notch. Burglary is a felony. Pick one where an arrest has been made, and an adult is in custody. That case needs to be followed through the courts system, and citizens should be informed of every step of the process via the media. Your readers will learn court dates mean nothing to the accused. Victims go to court to see what is going to happen to the person who violated their home only to find out for any number of reasons, some really petty, that the case was continued. No specific date set. In many cases, this happens several times before there is any trial date set. Victims are stressed when they take time off work or cancel other plans to attend the court
case. Once found guilty, what is the sentence? There should be a sentence that will send a strong message that being a repeater will not go well for the offender. The media could do a great service in informing your good readers about what is going on here. Letting readers know the sentence would be good. A picture of the convicted person would be wonderful. And, informing your readers about the convicted offenders lengthy (usually) encounters with law enforcement and the criminal justice system. There are things citizens can do. Get involved with citizens’ neighborhood crime watches. Be a witness to what you saw or heard. Write it down. Your sheriff and local police welcome calls of suspicious activity. If your neighbor cannot make a court date, volunteer to be there for them. Let them know they are not alone. Look at what the Mothers Against Drunk Driving folks have done. They forced politicians and judges to pay attention to issues their constituents are upset about. They are winning. They have forced a change of public attitude about drinking and driving. We can do the same about crime. We can work for justice for victims. Jim Hovda, who lives near Rice, served as a deputy sheriff in Hennepin County for more than two years then with the Minneapolis Police Department for more than 23 years. Locally, Hovda was the principle instructor for firearms safety for more than 20 years, teaching courses enabling citizens to obtain a permit to carry a firearm.
Friday, Sept. 9, 2016
Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
Dots
himself and other victims. “At least we got to go home.”
from front page
Jared Scheierl
accosted young boys while riding their bikes, or walking in or near the downtown area. The man, sometimes wearing a ski mask, would usually grope the boys through their clothing on their genital areas, make threats in a raspy voice, then rush off. At the time of the assaults in Paynesville, Heinrich was living in the city, alternating from time to time between the homes of his divorced parents. One of the dwellings, his mother’s, was a downtown Paynesville apartment.
Troy Cole
In recent days, a Paynesville resident, Troy Cole, a father of a 5-year-old daughter, was interviewed by WCCO-TV Channel 4. Cole told about how he had been sexually assaulted one night in November of 1986 by a man with a rough voice. While riding his bicycle from a downtown pizza parlor, a man on the street grabbed him off of his bicycle and forced him under some nearby pine trees where he sexually assaulted the boy while keeping a knife held against his back. The man then used the knife to cut off a lock of hair from Cole. Cole and his father reported the incident to the Paynesville police, but he recently said there were no follow-ups at the time to the crime, which still angers him. Cole’s case is just one of many that occurred during a threeyear period from 1986 to 1988 in Paynesville, mainly right in the downtown area. In the other cases, a rather short male, usually wearing a ski mask, would accost boys riding bikes or walking, then grope their genital area through their pants. Some of them he threatened. He usually asked the boys how old they were. His voice was described by the victims as “raspy” or “a deep low whisper” or “like he had a cold.” He also threatened some of the boys, telling them to run off or saying he would shoot them if they said anything. Cole told the TV interviewer he is sorry about the Wetteling family’s loss of Jacob. “We were lucky,” he said of
On Jan. 11, 1989, nine months before Wetterling was abducted, a 12-year-old Cold Spring paper boy, Jared Scheierl, was abducted after walking from a downtown café in Cold Spring. The incident is detailed in an Aug. 5, 2016 U.S. District Court decision regarding Heinrich and the accusations against him. According to the information in the U.S. judges’ decision, the man asked Scheierl if he knew where someone named “Kramer” lived. As the boy came closer to the car, the man grabbed him and forced him into the back seat. The man drove for about 15 minutes, ordered the boy to take off his snowsuit, pants and underwear. The man then forced Scheierl to perform a sexual act on him and attempted a sexual act against the boy. The perpetrator, Scheierl said, was wearing camouflage fatigues, black Army-style boots, a military-style watch and a brown baseball cap. On Jan. 18, 1990, when law enforcement searched the home of Heinrich’s father in Payneville, where Heinrich was staying at the time, they found two brown baseball caps, a camouflage shirt and pants and lace-up black Army boots. Heinrich had been a member of the Minnesota National Guard. He then let Scheierl put his snowsuit back on but not the pants or underwear. Scheierl was also wearing a sweatshirt the perpetrator allowed him to keep. The man drove the boy back to Cold Spring and ordered him to roll around in his snowsuit on the snow. The man told Scheierl to run and not look back or he would shoot him. Scheierl also told police the abductor told him he’s “lucky to be alive” and that if the police ever got a “lead” about what had just happened, he would find Scheierl after school and shoot him.
Jacob Wetterling
Nine months after the assault against Scheierl, on Oct. 22, 1989, Jacob was abducted at about 9:15 p.m. while he, his brother Trevor and best friend
Aaron Larson were biking home from a Tom Thumb store where they went to get a movie video. A masked man holding a handgun appeared on the rural road and told all three boys to lie down in the ditch. He asked each boy how old he was. Then he told Trevor and Aaron to run toward nearby woods, and to not look back or he would shoot them. When the boys looked back, near the woods, Jacob and the man were gone. In 1990, when Heinrich was detained and questioned about the Scheierl incident and the Wetterling abduction, he denied having anything to do with either and said he couldn’t remember what he was doing on those two nights. Investigators at the scene of Jacob’s abduction said tire marks and shoe prints in the dirt seemed to approximate those of the Ford car Heinrich drove and of a pair of shoes he owned at that time, but the matches were not good enough to be perfect matches. Police arranged a line-up of suspects, but Scheierl could not with certainty identify which of the two men in the line-up was the perpetrator. Heinrich was then released from custody for lack of proof.
DNA testing
Earlier this year, a DNA test was taken from the sweatshirt Scheierl’s was wearing during the sexual assault. The sweatshirt had been kept in police storage as possible evidence. The DNA on the sweatshirt matched the DNA in a hair taken from Heinrich when he was detained
briefly in 1990. However, charges could not be brought because the statute of limitations in the Scheierl case had long since expired.
Joy the Curious
About six years ago, Joy Baker, a writer and blogger in New London, came across an old local newspaper from May 1987 with a front-page headline, “Local police seek help in accosting incidents.” The mother of two daughters, Baker had been deeply troubled by the inability of law enforcement to solve the Wetterling abduction. The story was about the assaults that had been happening in Paynesville. It was then Baker began connecting dots between those crimes and the Wetterling abduction: a rather short stocky man, wearing a ski mask, often wearing a baseball-style hat, sometimes Army-style clothing, black boots, a raspy voice, asking boys their ages or what school grade they were in, telling them to run off and threatening to shoot them if they looked back or told anybody. Baker got together with Scheierl, the sexual-assault victim, and they both began doing investigations of their own, interviewing people (including the assault victims), researching and trying to put the pieces of an old puzzle together. They put their findings on Baker’s blog, entitled “Joy the Curious.” Their work, the dots they connected, gave new impetus to the ongoing official investigations and helped point the way to Heinrich’s possible guilt in all
5 the crimes.
Danny Heinrich
There is no statute of limitations on murder cases, either federally or in Minnesota, which means Heinrich, if convicted, could spend the rest of his life in prison. The case against Heinrich tightened when law enforcement used a search warrant to search Heinrich’s home in Annandale on July 28, 2015. They were seeking sexual “trophies,” such as articles of clothing that may have been kept by Heinrich from his possible victims. Trophies, so-called, are often kept by perpetrators of sexual assault and/ or murder who derive sexual satisfaction from hoarding such objects. The searchers found no “trophies’ in Heinrich’s house, but they did discover a threering binder filled with pictures of boys, some of them pornographic in nature. They also found digital images of boys on his computer. At that time, Heinrich was employed by Buffalo Plywood in Buffalo. After his arrest, he was charged in U.S. District Court with 25 counts of possessing child pornography, a crime that could bring a long prison sentence. Heinrich filed papers, claiming the photos of the boys were illegally taken and should be suppressed in any court proceedings. He also said his Miranda rights were violated when investigators talked with him at his home, and he requested a change of venue for the trial related to the child pornography. Those requests were denied in the Aug. 5, 2015, decision by three U.S. District Court attorneys.
! Thank You Sartell The second annual Tom Bearson Foundation Charity Golf and Bean Bag Tournament at Blackberry Ridge was a huge success and the community of Sartell helped make it happen! We are proud to be a part of this community and humbled by your support! We would like to thank everyone who participated: sponsors, volunteers and all of the people and companies who donated the wonderful raffle and silent auction items. Please mark your calendars to join us at next year’s tournament scheduled for Saturday, July 15, 2017 at Blackberry Ridge in Sartell.
www.tombearson.org
Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
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Friday, Sept. 9, 2016
St. Joseph shows love, support for Wetterlings
photos by Cady Sehnert
All Saints Academy joined with the community in honoring Jacob’s memory.
At right: Local businesses showed their support for the Wetterling’s by posting comforting quotes around town, like this one found outside the Local Blend. At left: Businesses on Minnesota Street and around St. Joseph hang white ribbons in Jacob’s honor.
Above: White ribbons line the streets of St. Joseph bound together by the letter “J.” White is a symbol for hope, innocence, goodness, light and purity – traits that are central to all children and represent the Jacob Wetterling Foundation and its values.
Friday, Sept. 9, 2016
Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
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Wetterling asked abductor: ‘What did I do wrong?’ by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
“What did I do wrong?” That heartbreaking question is what 11-year-old Jacob Wetterling asked his abductor right after the boy was forced into a car and handcuffed on the night of Oct. 22, 1989, in St. Joseph Township. According to those who were there, sobs filled the Minneapolis federal courtroom on the afternoon of Sept. 6 when 53-year-old Danny Heinrich of Annandale – on the stand under oath – admitted to kidnapping, sexually assaulting and killing Jacob. As Heinrich recounted in a matter-of-fact voice what happened that night, Jacob’s grief-stricken parents watched and listened. Also in the courtroom were Trevor Wetterling and friend Aaron Larson, who were with Jacob the night of the abduction. Jared Scheierl was also there, the man who was kidnapped and sexually assaulted by Heinrich on Jan. 13, 1989, when Jared was 12. The crime, which Heinrich also confessed to in the courtroom, happened nine months before Jacob’s abduction and murder. Heinrich did not mention the assaults against seven boys in Paynesville in the mid- to late 1980s, crimes of which he has been suspected. Heinrich’s comments during the 40-minute plea hearing horrified the audience with the monstrous brutality of his actions against the boy. After the hearing, many expressed outrage and anger Heinrich will spend only 20 years in a federal prison on the one charge he pleaded guilty to – receiving child pornography. That was part of a plea-bargaining agreement the Wetterlings agreed to as a way to
compel Heinrich to confess to what he had done and to show where he had buried Jacob’s body. Under the terms of the agreement, Heinrich cannot be prosecuted for Jacob’s murder. If and when he is released from prison, however, the state could confine him as a sex offender under civil proceedings.
Night of terror
The following is a summary of what Heinrich said in his chilling courtroom testimony, which was so difficult for those in the courtroom to hear because of its unspeakable cruelties: On the evening of Oct. 22, Heinrich was driving on a road in St. Joseph Township when he noticed three boys riding bicycles. He drove onto a road leading to a farmhouse (the Robert Rassier property), then turned the car around facing the road so he would see the boys again heading back on the road. When he saw them coming down the road, Heinrich put on a mask, grabbed a flashlight and a snubnose revolver and walked up to the boys. He ordered them at gunpoint to get into the ditch and lie down. He asked them to say their names. He told Trevor Wetterling and Aaron Larson to run toward the woods. Then he grabbed Jacob and put him in the car, handcuffing the boy. “What did I do wrong?” Jacob asked him. Heinrich drove to Paynesville, monitoring a police scanner on the way. Somewhere outside of Paynesville near a gravel pit, Heinrich stopped his car at a field and took Jacob into a grove of trees. He told Jacob to take off his clothes, and he took off his, too. Then he molested the boy. He said
he made Jacob touch him but insisted there was no oral sex or penetration. Afterward, Jacob said he was cold and put his clothes back on. Then Jacob asked the man to take him home. The man said no. Jacob started crying. At that point, Heinrich said he saw police cars and said at that point he panicked. He pulled the snubnose revolver out of his pocket. He told Jacob he had to urinate and so Jacob should turn around and look the other way. When the boy did, Heinrich held the gun up to the back of his head and pulled the trigger, but the gun malfunctioned, not firing. Heinrich pulled the trigger again, and it fired, but Jacob was still standing. Then he pulled the trigger again, the gun fired and Jacob fell to the ground. Heinrich checked to see if the boy was dead, then he went home for a few hours. He came back to the murder scene and dragged Jacob’s body about 100 yards. He tried to dig a hole with a shovel, but the shovel was too small. He later went to an excavation company and borrowed a skid loader to dig a hole. He buried the boy with all of his clothes on, except for his shoes. He camouflaged the area and brought the skid loader back. He threw Jacob’s shoes in a ravine and went back home. About a year later, Heinrich returned to the burial site with a flashlight and saw the grave partially uncovered, with Jacob’s red “St. Cloud State University” hockey jacket. He put the remains and clothing into a bag and took it to the trees on pastureland across the highway, where he buried the bag and its contents. That is the burial site Heinrich revealed to authorities a week ago. Heinrich is expected to be sentenced Nov. 21 on the child-pornogra-
contributed photo
This photo of Jacob was taken at his 11th birthday party, in 1989, just eight months before his disappearance. phy charge. Right after the court hearing, a press conference was held. (See related story).
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Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
Friday, Sept. 9, 2016
Wife gifts husband with Little Library by Cori Hilsgen news@thenewsleaders.com
contributed photo
Chad Gross (right) and his father, Mark, finish installing a new Little Free Library at 1905 Fourth St. N, Sartell. Mark and his brother Pat built the library which was a surprise Christmas gift last year for Chad from his wife and son, Shelly and Wyatt Gross.
If you have noticed any new Little Free Libraries locations around Sartell, you might have noticed the one located at 1905 Fourth St. N. Shelly and her son, Wyatt, gave Chad Gross the Little Free Library as a surprise last year for Christmas. He had been interested in putting one up in their yard because Wyatt loves books, Shelly is an English teacher and Chad thought it would be a nice addition to their neighborhood. The library was built by Chad’s father, Mark; and uncle, Pat Gross. Mark decorated the library box with input from
Shelly, Chad’s mother, Donna, and grandmother Betty Gross. “Chad was completely surprised when he unwrapped the library on Christmas Eve,” Shelly said. “The library was put up in early spring and has seen a lot of traffic already.” She said they add books periodically but always welcome others to drop off books in the library when they visit it. “Children’s books are especially popular and are in constant need,” Shelly said. The Little Free Libraries are part of a national movement which began in 2009 when Todd Bol built a model of a one-room school house in Hudson, Wis., as a tribute to his mother who had been a teacher, and started giving away free books. The movement spread and
has a mission “to promote literacy and the love of reading by building free book exchanges worldwide and to build a sense of community as we share skills, creativity and wisdom across generations. And a goal to build 2,510 libraries – as many as Andrew Carnegie – and to keep going.” Little Free Library boxes are set up in area neighborhoods and people can drop off or borrow books free. There is no check-out system. Most libraries contain both adult and children’s books. The library allows people to share their books and love of reading with others. The network of registered free libraries has specific criteria and size requirements for building the libraries.
Sartell students excel, again, on ACT tests by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
To no one’s surprise, students in the Sartell-St. Stephen school district once again out-performed their state peers on Schwiebert the 2015-16 American College Testing assessment test. The latest batch of scores do, however, show a very slight decline in scores by Sartell students in previous years, but all are above the state averages for other students in the state. The ACT consists of curriculum-based tests in English, reading, math and science. The tests are designed to measure readiness for college studies. All 11th-grade students are allowed the chance to take the ACT tests in-district every year. Eleventh-graders also have the option to take non-school-district ACT testing. Sartell-St. Stephen Superin-
t i p e e K
tendent Jeff Schwiebert said the ACT defines college and career readiness as “the acquisition of the knowledge and skills a student needs to enroll in and succeed in credit-bearing firstyear courses at a postsecondary institution (such as a two- or four-year college, trade school or technical school) without the need for remediation.” Schwiebert credits teachers and hard-working students to the good ACT scores year after year in Sartell schools. “We have set college and career readiness as a goal for our students,” Schwiebert said. “Our teachers are dedicated to providing instruction and curriculum that prepares our students for the post-secondary world. The ACT Assessment data is utilized in all subject areas to assist in programming on an individual and schoolwide level. We are proud our students consistently perform at high levels and demonstrate a deep commitment to their learning.” The following are the testing ACT • page 11
LOCAL FREE
16 oz. Coffee Expires: 9-30-16
Most SA stores are owned by JM Cos., a St. Cloud-based employer since 1977.
Friday, Sept. 9, 2016
Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
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St. Joseph mayor reacts to news about Jacob Wetterling by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
Re a c t i o n s have been varied to the news that Jacob We t t e r l i n g ’ s remains have finally been found after almost three Schultz decades after the then-11-year-old boy was abducted near his home in St. Joseph. Danny Heinrich, 53, of Annandale, was arrested last summer for possessing child pornography. As part of a plea agreement, he reportedly led investigators last week to Paynesville where they found Jacob’s remains. Heinrich confessed to kidnapping and fatally shooting Wetterling as he pleaded guilty to child pornography charges in a federal court in Minneapolis on Tuesday.
Mayor Rick Schultz issued a statement that expresses eloquently the thoughts, emotions and hopes of not just St. Joseph residents but people throughout the Central Minnesota area who have never forgotten the tragedy of Jacob and his family. The following is Schultz’s announcement: “Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016 marked an end of a (nearly) 27year search for hope and truth. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Wetterlings. These past 27 years, the Wetterlings have spent countless moments lost in the void of a missing son, the absence of truth, with little to believe in but their faith, family, friends and community. “I can think of no more devastating loss than that of a child. Children are not supposed to die. Parents expect to see their children grow and mature. As a community, it’s time to allow the Wetterlings time to grieve and heal. While we can’t
take away their pain, we can provide support. “While the experience of grief is profoundly personal, the bravery of the Wetterlings, who shared with us their hope, desires and emotions for the past 27 years, was an inspiration to all. The Wetterlings allowed the community to be part of their family. In doing so, they enlightened the nation to understand their battle and through their perseverance, they and their foundation (the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center) are a beacon for all missing children. “I have gained a profound respect for Patty and Jerry Wetterling, for the emotional struggles they weathered at each turn of the investigation throughout these many years. Yet, their resilience and determination in giving attention to combat heinous acts, such as this, while they searched for answers, is to be admired. “A friend of mine told me the
most powerful one-line prayer he has ever heard is, ‘Let me not die while I am still alive.’ I think when tragedy occurs, it presents a choice. You can give in to the void, the emptiness that fills your heart, your lungs,
News Tips?
constricts your ability to think or even breathe. Or you can try to find meaning. We pray the Wetterlings do find that meaning and know the community extends any support they need.”
Call the Newsleader at 363-7741
Drive Carefully! School is in Session
Video contest aims for inclusiveness, acceptance of disabled; Sept. 16 cutoff by Frank Lee operations@thenewsleaders.com
A Sauk Rapids-based center for independent living is holding a create-your-own-video contest to reduce the stigma surrounding those with disabilities. Independent Lifestyles Inc. challenges people to produce a two-minute video about treating the physically-challenged with respect and finding ways to be inclusive of those with disabilities. “We are kind of targeting youths and students because we want kids to change the mentality about people with disabilities while they’re young and to make their schools and youth experience more inclusive,” said Cara Ruff, executive director of Independent Lifestyles Inc. Independent Lifestyles Inc. is the lead organization in the Disability Awareness Task Force, a community-wide collaborative comprised of more than a dozen local organizations. “We meet annually to bring about awareness and change in terms of the barriers and stereotypes that exist for people with disabilities,” Ruff said. The annual meeting includes
a dinner and a disability-themed movie, which will be held Oct. 11, and all who submit a video by the noon Sept. 16 deadline will receive a free ticket to the event. The movie is Concussion, a dramatic thriller starring Will Smith as Dr. Bennet Omalu, a real-life forensic neuropathologist from Nigeria who discovered CTE, a football-related brain trauma. “We want them to do videos that demonstrate how to treat disabilities with respect, how to be inclusive, how to end bullying, how to use empowering language and things like that,” Ruff said about the #BetheONE Video Challenge. Last year’s winners of the challenge included the Sartell Dance Team in first place and the Eden Valley-Watkins firstgrade class in second place. “It can be any group, team or individual that can enter,” Ruff said of the challenge in which no professional photographers or videographers will be allowed to participate in the contest. The first-place winner will be awarded $500, second-place winner will be awarded $250
and third-place winner will be awarded $150 in the second annual challenge based in part on how popular their videos are on YouTube as judged by the number of “likes” or “views” by those online. “The whole point of this is we want people to see it, we want to change people’s perceptions and attitudes, and we want that by sharing these videos,” Ruff said. The winners will be announced by Oct. 3 and invited to the task force’s Celebration of Abilities on Oct. 18 at the St. Cloud River’s Edge Convention Center where their videos will be shown. The winners will be selected based on the most number of views a video receives on YouTube after the Disability Awareness Task Force posts it and by vote of the task force for “creativity, positive impact, clear message” and following the #BetheONE Video Challenge guidelines. For more information about the #BetheONE Video Challenge, contact Ruff, Disability Awareness Task Force president, at 320-529-9000 or datfmn@ gmail.com.
We invite you to come as you are and join us as we joyfully celebrate in
JESUS’ NAME!
FALL WORSHIP SCHEDULE (beginning Sept. 10/11) Saturdays – 5 p.m. “ReFuel” Contemporary Worship
Sundays – 8:30 & 10:30 a.m. (nursery provided at all services)
YOUTH EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
Sunday School JAM (Jesus And Me) Wednesday GodZone (begins 9/14) Ages 3 years - 2nd grade Grades 3 & 4 8:30 and 9:35 a.m. – (begins 9/11) 5:15 p.m. pizza / 5:40 p.m. class Wednesday Youth Discipleship Training (YDT) Grades 5-9 (begins 9/14) 5-8th @ 6:45-8 p.m., 9th @ 7-8:15 p.m.
Join us for our fall kickoff celebration!
Sunday, Sept. 11 at 11:30 a.m. BBQ cookout, bounce houses, human foosball, music and more! ALL ARE WELCOME!
1500 Pine Cone Road N., Sartell • 320-255-0488 • www.celebrationlutheranchurch.com celebration lutheran #clcsartell
Pastors: Jeff Sackett, Elizabeth Strenge
BUSINESS DIRECTORY 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
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
Call the Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader at 320-363-7741 if you would like to be in the Business Directory.
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Found from front page a close and lay to rest so many doubts, fears and uncertainties. Wetterling, who was 11 at the time, was kidnapped near his St. Joseph Township home on Oct. 22, 1989, by a masked man wielding a handgun. According to a recent statement released by Stearns County Sheriff John Sanner, dental records proved the remains are those of Jacob. The
Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office also confirmed the identity. A DNA analysis is also in process. Last week, Heinrich, a man arrested last summer for possessing child pornography, led investigators to the place where they would find Jacob’s remains. Heinrich had been a person of interest in the Wetterling disappearance just weeks after the kidnapping in 1989. At that time, a man in the Paynesville area had groped and molested several boys during a period of years, and one
of the boys was forced into a car and sexually molested. (See related story.) There were similarities in all the cases: a masked man with a raspy voice, holding a handgun and threatening to shoot at least three of the victims. On the evening of Oct. 22, 1989, Jacob, his brother Trevor and friend Aaron had biked to a Tom Thumb convenience store in St. Joseph, about a mile from their home in St. Joseph Township. On the way home, on the rural road, a man approached the boys on foot,
told them to lie down in the ditch, asked them their ages, then told Trevor and Aaron to run across the field and not look back or he would shoot them. When the boys did look back, Jacob and the man were nowhere to be seen. News of Jacob’s kidnapping exploded like a bomb in St. Joseph, Central Minnesota and beyond. The disappearance gave rise to “Jacob’s Hope” and to the determined efforts by Jacob’s parents, Patty and Jerry Wetterling, to help prevent child abuse and abductions.
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, Sept. 9 Brat sale, sponsored by St. Joseph Lions, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., St. Joseph Meat Market, 26 First Ave. NW.
Benton County Historical Society, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 218 First St. N., Sauk Rapids. 320253-9614. mnbentonhistory.org. St. Joseph Farmers’ Market, 3-6:30 p.m., near the Wobegon Trail Center, C.R. 2 Saturday, Sept. 10 Sauk Rapids Farmers’ Market,
8 a.m.-noon, First Street and Second Avenue next to Manea’s Meats, downtown Sauk Rapids. Brat sale, sponsored by St. Joseph Lions,
9:30 a.m.-4 p.m., St. Joseph Meat Market, 26 First Ave. NW. Central Minnesota Chapter of the Federation of the Blind of Minnesota, 12:30 p.m.,
Arlington Place Assisted Living in St. Joseph
PART-TIME LPN POSITION AVAILABLE Duties include: Provide nursing services in accordance with the resident’s written care plan and communicate any pertinent resident information to appropriate personnel. Communicate to supervising RN, physician and family of changes in resident’s condition and/or needs. Oversee the administering of medications and treatments as ordered by the physician and nursing staff. Maintain records of resident’s medications, treatments and conditions. Provide support, assistance, direction and supervision to the HHA as needed. Medication and medical supply ordering and monitoring. Receive and process telephone, faxed, or written orders. Responsible for complete and accurate follow-up charting, admission charting and weekly charting and discharge charting. On-call and other duties as assigned. 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 call Karen Hennessy at (320) 363-1313 or send resume to: 21 16th Ave. SE St. Joseph, MN 56374 AU TO M O B I L E S / M OTO RC Y C L E S WANTED MOTORCYCLES: TOP CASH PAID! For Old Motorcycles! 1900-1979. DEAD OR ALIVE! 920-371-0494 (MCN) ADOPTION PREGNANT? CONSIDERING ADOPTION? Call us first. Living expenses, housing, medical, and continued support afterwards. Choose adoptive family of your choice. Call 24/7. 855-390-6047 (MCN) AUTOMOBILES DONATE YOUR CAR, TRUCK OR BOAT TO HERITAGE FOR THE BLIND. Free 3 Day Vacation, Tax Deductible, Free Towing, All Paperwork Taken Care Of. 1-800283-0205 (MCN) DONATE YOUR CAR TO CHARITY. Receive maximum value of write off for your taxes. Running or not! All conditions accepted. Free pickup. Call for details. 855-752-6680 (MCN) EMPLOYMENT/HELP WANTED PAID IN ADVANCE! MAKE $1000 Weekly!! Mailing Brochures From Home. Helping home workers since 2001. No Experience Required. Start Immediately! www.centralmailing.net (VOID IN SD, WI)
(MCN) TRUCK DRIVERS. CDL-A Company Drivers and Owner Operators. Great pay and benefits. Driver friendly. All miles paid. Many bonuses. Home when needed. Nice equipment. Paid weekly. WWW.MCFGTL. COM Call now 507-437-9905 (MCN) FINANCIAL Are you in BIG trouble with the IRS? Stop wage & bank levies, liens & audits, unfiled tax returns, payroll issues, & resolve tax debt FAST. Call 888-606-6673 (MCN) STUDENT LOAN PAYMENTS got you down? We can help reduce payments and get finances under control, call: 866-8711626 (MCN) HEALTH & MEDICAL Got Knee Pain? Back Pain? Shoulder Pain? Get a pain-relieving brace at little or NO cost to you. Medicare Patients Call Health Hotline Now! 1- 800-604-2613 (MCN) LIVING WITH KNEE OR BACK PAIN? Medicare recipients may qualify to receive a pain relieving brace at little or no cost. Call now! 844-668-4578 (MCN)
Apartments IN SARTELL. Two-bedroom apartment. Spacious. Many newly remodeled! Pets Welcome. Heat paid, fireplace, d/w, balconies. Quiet, residential area. $689-750. Garage included!
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American Legion, 17 Second Ave. N., Waite Park. Sunday, Sept. 11 Breakfast/Brunch (sponsored by Knights of Columbus), 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., St. Boniface Church, 501 Main St., Cold Spring. Monday, Sept. 12 Benton County Historical Society, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 218 First St. N., Sauk Rapids. 320-2539614. mnbentonhistory.org. Market Monday, 3-6:30 p.m., parking lot of Hardware Hank, Seventh St. N., Sartell. marketmonday.org. Sartell City Council, 6 p.m., Sartell City Hall, 125 Pinecone Road N. 320253-2171. Sartell Lions Club, 7 p.m., upstairs of Blue Line Sports Bar andGrill, 1101 Second St. S., Sartell. 320-248-3240.
Tuesday, Sept. 13 Sartell Chamber of Commerce, 11:30 a.m., Waters Church, 1227 Pinecone Road. 320-258.6061. info@sartellchamber.com. Holistic Moms Network, 7-8:30 p.m., Good Earth Co-op, 2010 Veterans Drive, St. Cloud. 320-252-2489. Wednesday, Sept. 14 St. Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce, 11:30 a.m., St. Joseph Community Fire Hall, 323 Fourth Ave. NE. stjosephchamber.com. Thursday, Sept. 15 Coffee and Conversation, a senior discussion group, 9 a.m., Country Manor, 520 First St. NE, Sartell. 55+ Driver-improvement program (four-hour refresher course), 12:30-4:30 19.99/mo. for DIRECTV - HD Channels+ Genie HD DVR + 3 months FREE HBO, SHOW, MAX & STARZ + FREE NFL Sunday Ticket! Call Now 1-888-552-7314 (MCN) ADT Security protects your home & family from “what if” scenarios. Fire, flood, burglary or carbon monoxide, ADT provides 24/7 security. Don’t wait! Call Now! 1-888-607-9294 (MCN) GET HELP NOW! One Button Senior Medical Alert. Falls, Fires & Emergencies happen. 24/7 Protection. Only $14.99/mo. Call NOW 1-888-840-7541 (MCN) Life Alert. 24/7. One press of a button sends help FAST! Medical, Fire, Burglar. Even if you can’t reach a phone! FREE Brochure. CALL 800-306-1404 (MCN) DISH TV 190 channels plus Highspeed Internet Only $54.94/mo! Ask about a 3 year price guarantee & get Netflix included for 1 year! Call Today 1-800-390-3140 (MCN) SAVE on internet and TV bundles! Order the best exclusive cable and satellite deals in your area! If eligible, get up to $300 in Visa Gift Cards. CALL NOW! 1-800-925-
Friday, Sept. 9, 2016 They and many supporters founded the Jacob Wetterling Foundation and Resource Center, which lobbied legislators for law changes and helped educate the public about child abuse issues. Sheriff Sanner said those involved in the renewed investigation into Wetterling’s abduction and murder include the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Stearns County Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
p.m., Sartell-St. Stephen District Service Center, 212 Third Ave. N. 1-888234-1294. Optional online courses: mnsafetycenter.org. Family Farmers’ Market, 2-6 p.m., River East parking lot, CentraCare Health Plaza, 1900 CentraCare Circle, St. Cloud. 320-252-2422. Friday, Sept. 16 Registration due for Sneakers and Wheels, for children of all ages to complete a walk, run or roll on Saturday, Sept. 24, 9 a.m., CentraCare Health Plaza, 1900 CentraCare Circle #1450, St. Cloud. 320-229-5199. Burger and brat sale, sponsored by Knights of Columbus, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., St. Joseph Meat Market, 26 First Ave. NW. Benton County Historical Society, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 218 First St. N., Sauk Rapids. 320-2539614. mnbentonhistory.org. St. Joseph Area Historical Society open, 4-7 p.m., Old City Hall, 25 First Ave NW. stjosephhistoricalmn.org. St. Cloud Singles Club Dance, 8 p.m.-midnight, American Legion, 17 Second Ave. S., Waite Park. 320-3394533. stcloudsingles.net. Saturday, Sept. 17 Sauk Rapids Farmers’ Market, 8 a.m.-noon, First Street and Second Avenue next to Manea’s Meats, downtown Sauk Rapids. Burger and brat sale, sponsored by Knights of Columbus, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m., St. Joseph Meat Market, 26 First Ave. NW. Community Meal, 11:30 a.m.12:45 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 1107 Pinecone Road S., Sartell. 0146 (MCN) FAST Internet! HughesNet Satellite Internet. High-Speed. Avail Anywhere. Speeds to 15 mbps. Starting at $59.99/mo. Call for Limited Time Price - 1-800-715-1644 (MCN) Exede High Speed Internet. Plans from $39/mo. Blazing Fast Broadband in areas cable can’t reach. Great for business or home. We Install Fast. 1-888-800-8236 (MCN) Free Pills! Viagra!! Call today to find out how to get your free Pills! Price too low to Mention! Call today 1-877-560-0997 (MCN) CASH PAID for unexpired, sealed DIABETIC TEST STRIPS! 1 DAY PAYMENT & PREPAID shipping. HIGHEST PRICES! Call 1-888-389-0695. www.cash4diabeticsupplies.com (MCN) PERSONALS MEET SINGLES RIGHT NOW! No paid operators, just real people like you. Browse greetings, exchange messages and connect live. Try it free. Call now: 800-3574970 (MCN)
Friday, Sept. 9, 2016
Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
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Jacob’s family always sought light in darkness by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
On the morning of Saturday, Sept. 3, there were rumors flying far and wide that the remains of Jacob Wetterling had been found, but the rumors turned into grim truth when the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the fact. Danny Heinrich, 53, of Annandale, was arrested last summer for possessing child pornography. As part of a plea agreement, he reportedly led investigators last week to Paynesville where they found
Healing from front page them recover. She thanked the investigators and attorneys who worked on the case. She thanked the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which brought her
ACT from page 8 results for students who were members of the graduating class of 2016: English, Sartell score average 22.5. State average 20.0; math, Sartell score average 23.9, state average 21.2; reading, Sartell score average 23.7, state average 21.3; and science, Sartell score average 23.6, state average 21.3. Total number of students tested: 240.
Jacob’s remains. Heinrich had been a person of interest in the Wetterling disappearance just weeks after the kidnapping. At that time, a man in the Paynesville area had groped and molested several boys during a period of years, and one of the boys was forced into a car and sexually molested. Heinrich confessed to kidnapping and fatally shooting Wetterling as he pleaded guilty to child pornography charges in a federal court in Minneapolis on Tuesday. The following is the state-
ment that appeared on the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center, written by the staff of the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center, shortly after Jacob’s remains were found: “We are in deep grief. We didn’t want Jacob’s story to end this way. In this moment of pain and shock, we go back to the beginning. The Wetterlings had a choice to walk into bitterness and anger or to walk into a light of what could be, a light of hope. Their choice changed the world. “This light has been burning for close to 27 years. The
spark began in the moments after the abduction of Jacob Wetterling, when his family decided that light is stronger than darkness. They lit the flame that became Jacob’s Hope. All of central Minnesota flocked to and fanned the flame, hoping for answers. The light spread statewide, nationally and globally as hearts connected to the 11-year-old boy who liked to play goalie for his hockey team, wanted to be a football player, played the trombone and loved the times he spent with his sisters, brother and parents.
“Today, we gather around the same flame. The flame that has become more than the hope for one as it led the way home for thousands of others. It’s the light that illuminates a world that Jacob believed in, where things are fair and just. “Our hearts are heavy, but we are being held up by all of the people who have been a part of making Jacob’s Hope a light that will never be extinguished. It shines on in a different way. We are, and we will continue to be, Jacob’s Hope. “Jacob, you are loved.”
comfort and solace for so many years. She thanked the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center for the hard work its staff does. And she thanked the media, which she said played a “huge role” through the years in helping find missing children, with some media people becoming strong supporters of her family to the point of becoming
friends. She also had high praise and thanks for Jared Scheierl for having the courage to stand up and say, “This happened to me.” Scheierl had long believed the man who kidnapped and molested him had done the same thing nine months later to Jacob. “I am incredibly grateful for the kindness they’ve extended to our family and for the integrity of their stories,”
she said. “. . . We love you, Jacob. Our hearts are hurting.” Her final words at the microphone were these, words of hope and determination: “We have a lot more work to do to protect all of our world’s children.” Scheierl also said a few words at the press conference. The “spirit of Jacob and of Patty Wetterling” has long inspired him, he said, as well
as the friends he met throughout the years who have also been victims of sexual abuse. Scheierl noted what a sad irony it was Jacob Wetterling was buried at the edge of the city he, Scheierl, was born and raised and still lives in. Paynesville, he added, is also going through a healing process after the tragic news. It’s important, he said, to help all find closure and to move on in positive ways.
The following are scores of the Sartell 11th-grade students who took the state-administered ACT test, but the state averages for 2015-16 have not been released yet for the statelevel testing: English, Sartell score average 21.6; math, Sartell score average 23.9; reading, Sartell score average 23.7; and science, Sartell score average 23.6. Total number of students tested: 280. The national average for ACT testing in 2015-16 was 20.8. In Minnesota the average score was 21.1.
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Follow Newsleaders’ rules for political letters Tuesday, Nov. 8, is the day of the general election, and it’s rapidly approaching, and to many newspapers, including this one, it’s the season of political letters to editor. We at the Newsleaders welcome political letters to the editor, as long as they adhere to the following requirements: • Each letter must be 250 words or less. Each must be signed with the name of the writer, the person’s hometown and the person’s phone number. (We need the phone number because each letter must be
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Friday, Sept. 9, 2016