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7 Second Avenue Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
“Minnesota’s Oldest Weekly Newspaper”
Sauk Rapids, Benton County, Minnesota 56379
A continuation of the Frontiersman, The Free Press, Sauk Rapids Sentinel and St. Cloud Sentinel.
Vol. 161, No. 18
Couple dies in two-car crash St. Cloud man arrested and charged in accident on Benton Drive
(USPS 482-240)
August 12, 2015
Taking Paramount center stage Sauk Rapids students perform School of Rock concert
by ANNA SALDANA STAFF WRITER
SAUK RAPIDS – The Sauk Rapids police responded to a two-car accident at the intersection PHOTO SUBMITTED of North Benton Drive and Kevin and Kathy Davey of Hibbing Second Street North Aug. died Aug. 8 in a two-vehicle crash in Sauk Rapids. They were in town 8 at 11:07 p.m. Granite City Speedway Two people were visiting where Kathy’s son was racing. killed and one was arrested. According to Kathy According to police, the Davey’s Facebook page, the initial investigation indicates couple celebrated Kevin’s that Tom Souvannaphong, 22 of St. Cloud, was driv- birthday two days prior to the accident. ing west on Second Souvannaphong, Street North when after being treated he struck the side of at the St. Cloud the second vehicle, Hospital, was arwhich was traveling rested and transnorthbound on Benferred to the Benton Drive. ton County Jail on The two front charges of Criminal seat occupants of the Vehicular Operasecond vehicle died Tom as a result of the in- Souvannaphong tion. Alcohol appears juries from the accito have been a facdent. They have been identitor in the crash and a sample fied as Kevin, 51 and Kathy Davey, 45, both of Hibbing. of Souvannaphong’s blood A third passenger, Krista was sent to the Bureau of Miller, 25, was transported Criminal Apprehension to to the St. Cloud Hospital and determine the Blood Alcohol treated for non-life threaten- Content (BAC). The Sauk Rapids Police ing injuries. The Daveys, along with Department, along with the Miller, were in town to watch Sartell Police Department, Kathy’s son, Dylan Miller, Benton County Sheriff’s Derace at Granite City Speed- partment and the Minnesota way. The Daveys helped run State Patrol, are continuing to investigate the crash. the speedway in Hibbing.
Court judgements granted to township by ANNA SALDANA STAFF WRITER
Watab Township was granted judgements for unpaid emergency bills in the Benton County Conciliation Court on July 27. The amount granted was $2,708 plus court costs. The township will bring other cases to the conciliation court due to an increase in the number of unpaid emergency bills. The township has $7,000 due to the City of Rice for emergency calls in June and July. In other township news: • The new Whelen weath-
er notification siren will be installed near the Pines Edge mini-mall within the next few weeks. • The railroad quiet zone at Frost Road was brought in to effect on July 30. • The crack-filling on township roads is complete. ASTECH will be sealcoating 15th Ave. NW and Hemlock road during August and will fog seal Sanbur Trail. • The rental policy for the town hall will be amended, charging non-township residents $75 to rent the town hall. For holiday reservations, priority will be given to Watab residents.
by NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
ST. CLOUD – Nine Sauk Rapids residents experienced the thrill of the performance stage on Aug. 6 as they participated in the culmination performance of the 11th annual School of Rock. This six-day program, offered each summer through the St. Cloud Wirth Center for the Performing Arts (WPCA), allows students to explore the realms of being a band member. Stepping onto the Paramount Theatre and Visual Arts Center stage, Gabriella “Elly” Backes, Chris Beack, Maddy Chopp, Kayla Dille, Emma Ditlevson, Jeremiah Thyen, Hannah Weber, Jacob Weber and Jack Weber all performed for a crowd of over 700 people. Joining them were two other Sauk Rapids-Rice High School students, Tate Wagner and Kennedy Bartels. “It’s crazy,” said 16-yearold Hannah Weber, of onstage performing. “Your heart is pumping. It’s the biggest rush I’ve ever had in my life.” The program began as a vision of Dr. Paul Wirth, WPCA artistic director, and
PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER
Sixteen-year old ld Hannah H h Weber, W b off Sauk S k Rapids, R sings for the crowd as the Wirth Center of Performing Arts presented School of Rock at the Paramount on Aug. 6. Weber has been involved with the School of Rock program for four years, and sang multiple songs at the concert, including “Why Can’t This Be Love” by Van Halen.
local musical professionals Jeff and Tommy Vee, sons of legendary Bobby Vee, to extend a musical opportunity to students outside the classical realm. The program is loose-
ly based on the 2003-film gling musician who poses as “School of Rock”, starring a substitute elementary school actor Jack Black, said Mary teacher. Finn, knowing nothKelm, program coordinator. School of rock In the film, Black’s charcontinued on pg. 2 acter, Dewey Finn, is a strug-
New attractions lure new crowds Glass art presents free demonstrations to community by NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER
Heather Kremen has been working with art glass for nine years. Here, she sits at the artist’s bench. The workstation includes two rails that the blowpipe rides on while the artist shapes the piece.
As with any business, over time, the Benton County Fair has needed to evolve to attract new people and progress the fair. Without doing so, the fair would no longer interest the community because of its redundancy and the event would soon die off. The 2015 Benton County Fair had plenty of new and exciting things for residents including Foci Minnesota Center for Glass Art (MCGA), voted people’s choice for best attraction at last year’s Minnesota State Fair.
“Everybody has their flavor – some like the animals, some are the rock’em, sock’em grandstand type, some enjoy the carnival and some will be here,” said Joe Scapanski, 20-year member of the Benton County Agricultural Society of the new art demonstration. Along with the mobile hot shop, the Benton County Fair had other new attractions this year including The Wall That Heals, traveling Vietnam Memorial; the Butterfly House filled with Monarch butterflies; and the Amazing
Foci continued on pg. 4
Bridge Summer Camp broadens horizons
BENTON COUNTY
FAIR
PHOTO SUBMITTED
The student delegation from central Minnesota visited the Affiliated Middle School of Jilin Normal University to study Mandarin and Chinese culture from July 16-31. Nine Sauk Rapids-Rice students attended the trip; Dakotah Dorholt (front, from left), McKinley Lain, Mariah Fitch, Megan Bemboom, Anna Hasbrouck, Kieran Emery; a student from Texas (back, from left), Ian Hayes, Whitney Holm of St. Cloud Tech, McKenzie Froiland, Brennon Fleagle of Monticello High School and Olivia Krepp. PHOTO BY ANNA SALDANA
G r a c e y Timmons, 4 of Sauk Rapids, rides down the Fun Slide at the midway with her mom, Ashley.
More photos on page 7
Sauk Rapids-Rice students return from China by NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
A total of 11 students, including nine from Sauk Rapids-Rice High School (SRRHS) returned July 31 from a two-week stay in China. The students attended the Chinese Bridge Summer Camp for American High School Students, which was sponsored by the Hanban/Confucius Institute Headquarters. “Global citizenship remains a priority for us in the Sauk Rapids-Rice School District,” said Dr. Daniel Bittman, Independent School District
No. 47 superintendent. “Partnering with other organizations, and supporting students with opportunities like this, helps our children be prepared for life after high school.” Students, grades 9-12, were given the opportunity to apply for a scholarship through St. Cloud State University’s Confucius Institute. SRRHS received a five-year Confucius classroom grant which better allows the school to provide these opportunities. The goal of the program is to promote Chinese language and culture and the understanding of China across the globe. Sev-
en hundred fifty United States students participated in the educational trip and were chosen based on previous travel experience, leadership skills, responsibility level, and their aptitude to discover and try new things. SRRHS senior McKinley Lain has traveled extensively including trips to Mexico, Canada, Argentina, Ireland, France, Italy and Great Britain, but not yet Asia. “I thought being a part of an educational trip to China would be a great way to experience the cultural differences,” Lain said.
Delegates were required to finance their plane ticket, passport, visa and spending cash; but, remaining costs of accommodations, food and activities were covered by the Hanban. The majority of the students’ time was spent attending Affiliated Middle School of Jilin Normal University, located in Siping, where a bi-lingual teacher taught students Mandarin. Students were also exposed to culture sessions where they learned a Chinese
China continued on pg. 2