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“Minnesota’s Oldest Weekly Newspaper”
Vol. 161, No. 17
SAUK RAPIDS – Staff members at vulnerable adult group homes have been cited for abuse to patients and clients. According to the investigation memorandum from the Minnesota Department of Human Services, the incidents occurred at 1852 and 1856 Eastern Star Loop in Sauk Rapids. The report states that a staff member screamed at vulnerable adults and other clients, as well as calling them inappropriate names. The report also mentions the staff member made the adult sit in an office for over an hour, writing positive statements about themself. The third incident reported involves another staff member bear-hugging an adult, forcing them to the
floor. Another staff member involved in this incident then pulled the adults’ pants down, leaving their genital area and buttocks exposed. The allegations were confirmed by an investigator after visiting the facility and conducting 14 interviews in early June. The staff persons involved no longer work at the facilities. The first staff person was disqualified from a position that would allow access and direct contact with people receiving services from a facility licensed by the Department of Human Services. The report said the facility had knowledge of one of more incidents involving abuse, but did not report the incidents as required, stating there was confusion on how to report the incidents. The facilities were fined $200 for failure to report these incidents.
One hurt in motorcycle crash by NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
STEARNS COUNTY – A Rice man was traveling southbound on Highway 15 shortly before 9:30 p.m. on July 31 when he went across
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A continuation of the Frontiersman, The Free Press, Sauk Rapids Sentinel and St. Cloud Sentinel.
Abuse reported at group homes by ANNA SALDANA STAFF WRITER
Sauk Rapids, Benton County, Minnesota 56379
the median into the east ditch and crashed into a fence. The driver, Mitchell J. Olson, 18, was transported to the St. Cloud Hospital with non lifethreatening injuries. No alcohol was detected in this crash.
Janski retires after 32 years
Rice fire department says goodbye
August 5, 2015
Johnson rocks this hobby Local agate collector to appear at Benton County Fair
by ANNA SALDANA STAFF WRITER
hundreds of eyes. His biggest agate weighs in at 31 pounds, found in a construction site last year. “Once you find a nice one, you get hooked,” Johnson said. “You want to keep looking to find the next great find.” Although he works 10hour days, he still tries to find time to hunt. “I go out as much as I can,” Johnson said. He typically hunts near rivers, lakes, streams, in construction sites and in farm fields, with permission. He credits his vast collection to having spread his horizons, and he is always looking for a new place to hunt. “The collection happened so gradually over the years,” Johnson said. “All of the sudden, I’m like ‘wow, I have so much stuff here.’” The more he finds, the more places he needs to display his findings in his home, from the living room and PHOTO BY BENTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY kitchen to the bathroom shelf. Lyndon Johnson, Sauk Rapids, shows off a portion of his Since starting his hunt agate collection. Johnson, having been collecting for 22 years, 22 years ago, Johnson has will have some of his findings on display at the Benton County become well-known, to the Fair this week.
SAUK RAPIDS – Lyndon Johnson, of Sauk Rapids, has been collecting agates and other unique stones for 22 years, and there are no plans of quitting. What started out as a walk with his daughters, turned into an extensive hobby with lots to show for it. “It started as family bonding and accidentally grew from there as we found more unique stones,” Johnson said. Johnson said his collection could possibly be the largest, personally found in the world. While a lot of people buy, sell and trade, he shies away from that. He estimates his 1,200-pound collection at around $200,000, but believes his estimate to be high because of the personal stories associated with some of his finds. “I have sold a few over the years,” Johnson said. “I’ve been offered $2,000 for one agate, but I didn’t take it. But, the right amount of money can change your mind.” agates is a 2.25-pound eye ag- covered as of now. This agate One of his most unique ate, the largest eye agate dis- is special, being comprised of
Johnson continued on pg. 2
The United Way of life Schnettler serves community for 32 years, begins new journey by NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER
Rice Fire Chief Scott Janski (right) along with Assistant Fire Chief Bradley Vaillancourt present Scott’s father Steve Janski (center) with a framed service shirt at the Aug. 3 city council meeting. Steve retired from the Rice fire department with 32 years of service to the community. by NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
RICE – The city of Rice and the Rice fire department thanked and recognized former assistant fire chief Steve Janski for his retirement and 32 years of service to the community at the city council meeting Aug. 3. Council member Paula Kampa joked that Janski wanted to have a picture to himself after Janski never showed during the last council meeting. Janski said, “I was never invited,” with a smile. Janski was presented a framed memorable uniform by his son, chief Scott Janski, and the assistant chief Bradley Vaillancourt. On behalf of the council and the city of Rice, council member Allen Voigt said in addition that they would like to thank all the members of the fire department who continue to serve the community. In other council news: • Approved unanimously a temporary moratorium on any expenditures not under normal monthly spending. • Approved unanimously to rezone properties as recommended by the planning commission from “Church and
Public Property” to coincide with adjacent property zoning. The properties will now fall under the building guidelines of the new zoning. The old zoning had no limitations. • Unanimously disapproved of signage and speed limits on County Road 12 and County Road 2. The city will seek further communication with the county regarding their recommendations to make the public aware of the speed limits coming in to and traveling out of town. Conversations have also been started with the highway department as to whether the previous three-way stop at the intersection of those two roads should be reinstalled. • Approved the park grass and watering for the park west of the ball fields not to exceed $6,000. The soil was recently overturned and a gravel walking path was added from County Road 2 to the Field of Dreams housing addition. According to council member Brian Skroch, the area will be seeded and watered to maintain a grassy area used for activities like soccer and kite flying. Skroch said, in the future, the city may decide to add disc golf baskets which are relatively inexpensive.
Watch for the next edition of the paper for Rice Family Fundays!
If the African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child” has rung true in any one person’s life, it has been Betty Schnettler’s. Over 100 people gathered at the Holiday Inn and Suites, St. Cloud July 30 to gather and say their goodbyes to Schnettler, of Rice. She retires from the United Way Aug. 21, after 32 years of service and unwavering dedication to making community lives better. Schnettler, vice president of community impact for the United Way of Central Minnesota, has nurtured the community and its individuals through her involvement in countless efforts. Throughout her years of service, she has mentored over 100 staff and community members, more than 200,000 children have been involved in quality after school activities, and over one million books have been distributed through Imagina-
tion Library since its inception into the United Way in 2005. “Betty has been the common thread for the United Way,” said former board chair of the United Way Bob Thueringer. “She will be an extremely difficult person to replace. The work she did was truly motivated by her dedication and commitment to build a better community. Betty has been interwoven in the work of the United Way through so many avenues. She has touched the organization from top to bottom.” The impact of volunteerism touched Schnettler’s life at a young age. Growing up on a farm in Luverne, Schnettler wit-
PHOTOS BY NATASHA BARBER
Betty Schnettler, vice president of community impact for the United Way of Central Minnesota, retires Aug. 21 after 32 years with the organization. Schnettler will be moving to Plymouth to take care of her soon-to-beborn grandson.
Schnettler continued on pg. 2
Motorcycle accident victim undergoes surgeries GoFundMe page set up for Larson by NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
On July 24, Dawn M. Larson of Rice received extensive injuries in a motorcycle accident. A motorcycle driven by Thomas D. Knott, 43, of Rice was southbound on Highway 10 when Knott lost control of the motorcycle and ran off the road, entering the ditch. Knott fled the scene and Larson was found at the crash scene 45 minutes after the incident occurred by a Benton County sheriff’s deputy. Larson was immediately taken to the St. Cloud hospital and remains there still. Doctors are unsure of a timeline for Larson’s release, but with the extent of her injuries, it will possibly be months before she is able to return home and work. Larson is a single mother of two daugh-
ters, Hannah, 16 and Hailey, 8. Currently, her daughters are staying with family. Larson was due to start a new job position on July 27, but because of the accident now remains unemployed. Injuries sustained by Larson are several broken bones, including a broken nose and eye bones, skin contusions and a degloved scalp. Larson continues to undergo surgeries and is being monitored for infections. She has already undergone surgeries to reattach her tongue and lip, reattachment of degloved skin on her head and scalp, and skin grafting on her arm and leg. To help the family’s already accruing bills a GoFundMe page has been set PHOTO SUBMITTED up at www.gofundme.com/ Dawn Larson, Rice, was recently injured during a motorcycle dawnfromosakis. As of Aug. accident. Here, she is surrounded by her two daughters – 3, the page had raised $4,730. Hannah, 16 and Hailey, 8.