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11 2nd Ave. N., Unit 103, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
“Minnesota’s Oldest Weekly Newspaper” Vol. 162, No. 30
Sauk Rapids, Benton County, Minnesota 56379
A continuation of the Frontiersman, The Free Press, Sauk Rapids Sentinel and St. Cloud Sentinel.
Building a positive experience
Burton designs, constructs handicapaccessible deer stands
November 10, 2016
Colorful fall
by ANNA SALDANA STAFF WRITER
RICE – Roger Burton is a problem-solver. When he goes into a store and doesn’t Ànd what he is looking for, he goes home and builds it. That is how RJ Cornerstone came about. “I went into Cabela’s one day looking for a freestanding portable deer stand,” said Roger Burton Burton, owner of RJ Cornerstone. “He told me it doesn’t exist, so I came home and built it.” That was in 2008 and he has been building ever since. Burton also builds handicapaccessible deer stands. The stands are 18 inches off the ground, Àve feet by eight feet in area and have a ramp for wheelchairs. “I’ve even had a quadriplegic in one of the stands,” Burton said. “They really enjoy it because it gives them a chance to have two or three days out in the woods.” One of Burton’s biggest contracts is with Camp Ripley, where he has 13 stands. “I heard they were looking to replace theirs with something more consistent, so I went and talked with them,” he said. “They use them for the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) hunts and they work really well. They don’t take several people to set up and within 15 minutes, you can be out hunting.” The DAV hunts have been going on for 26 years, taking disabled veterans out on deer, turkey, pheasant and bear hunts. “It’s really a great opportunity for our veterans,” Burton said. “I’m happy I can be a part of their experience by providing a comfortable and accessible place
PHOTO BY JAN HOVDA
Autumn has displayed multiple colors along Freedom Road in Rice. Read more about the weather in Benton Ag on page 4B.
Second Street completed until spring SAUK RAPIDS – Road construction on Second Street in Sauk Rapids will wrap up over the next week until Ànal completion which is set for July 2017. “We know the project is not 100 percent complete,” said Benton County Engineer Chris Byrd. “Residents will need to be patient as we will continue work next spring.” The 2016 portion of the project is being completed on schedule and spring 2017 work is in accordance with the original proposal. According to Byrd, spring completion will include the Ànal bituminous black-top layer, permanent striping of the roadway, landscaping, necessary reseeding and clean-up. The trafÀc signal at Second Street and Stearns Drive is now fully operational. Greenlight priority is set to
PHOTOS BY ANNA SALDANA
Roger Burton assembles a model of his larger deer stands. He also builds handicap-accessible deer stands, 13 of which are used at Camp Ripley for DAV hunts. (Right) Burton has a model of his deer stand to show what a stand will look like when completed.
to hunt from.” Burton stands by his work, taking charge of everything from the designing to its production. “I design everything,” Burton said. “From the plans all the way through production, it’s my work. That’s something I’m proud of. When people want a quality deer stand and they come to me, they know they are go-
Second Street and the signal will change for those who need to enter from Stearns Drive. Striping of the roadway will be conÀgured as one lane in each direction over the course of the winter months. Byrd said because the Ànal bituminous layer has not yet been applied, curbing is raised about two inches over the current road surface. Striping only one lane will ensure snow plows do not damage, or become damaged, from the raised concrete. This will prevent unnecessary repairs and expenditures. Project updates will be posted to the Benton County Twitter account and Facebook page. Questions can be directed to the Project Manager, Byrd at (320) 968-5051 or cbyrd@co.benton.mn.us.
Area winter rules in effect With winter nearing, it’s important to stay informed about laws pertaining to snow and ice. Winter parking regulations are in effect from Nov. 1 through March 31 of each year in both Sauk Rapids and Rice to aid the cities in snow removal. No parking is allowed on any city streets between the hours of 2-7 a.m. Snow and ice on public
Burton continued on pg. 3
Results
sidewalks are considered a public nuisance and abutting property owners are responsible for the removal within 24 hours after the snow or ice is deposited. Failure to do so can result in a special assessment against the adjacent property owner. It is also unlawful to deposit snow from private property onto public streets and grounds.
Election
Trump takes country How you voted
Hunstiger, Rogholt to lead cities as mayors
need to discuss how they will decide, but believes people will have to apply and interview. Because of his time on the by NATASHA BARBER council, Hunstiger feels up to STAFF WRITER speed on most everything, but The cities of Sauk Rapids and would like to sit down with the Half-cent Sales Tax ComRice elected new maymittee and school district ors Nov. 8. Kurt Hunsoon to see if they can begin stiger will take over curdiscussions regarding fundrent Sauk Rapids Mayor ing the Àeldhouse project. Brad Gunderson’s posiLess than 15 miles north, tion while Rice Mayor Rogholt was also satisÀed Dale Rogholt will rewith the results. main in his seat for a “I am very pleased the third term. Hunstiger residents felt I was doing a was elected with 60.39 percent of the vote and Kurt Hunstiger good job,” he said. Rogholt said, over the Rogholt 66.75 pernext two years of his term, cent. he would like to see an in“I’m excited. I’m stallation of a long-term really honored. It hasn’t plan for road and street hit me yet,” said Hunimprovements, as well, as stiger. preparation to ensure the Hunstiger has water and sewer infrastrucserved on the Sauk Raptures stay up-to-date. ids City Council for the For more information on past ten years and his how residents voted please Àrst order of business visit htt://electionresults. moving forward will be Dale Rogholt sos.state.mn.us to work with the council to appoint his replacement. They’ll
The following percentages represent Benton County voters alone. Percentages not adding to 100 are on account of those who voted for representatives not listed.
President and Vice President Trump/Pence ......................64.17% Clinton/ Kaine ....................28.12% Other ....................................7.69%
State Representative District 14 B Jim Knoblach .......................56.5% Zach Dorholt ......................43.24%
U.S. Representative District 6 Tom Emmer .......................66.45% David Snyder .....................33.36%
State Representative District 15B Jim Newberger ...................64.08% Karla Scapanski .................35.81%
State Senator District 13 Michelle Fischbach .............. 63.46% Michael Willemsen .............. 36.36% State Senator District 14 Jerry Relph .........................49.56% Dan Wolgamott ..................44.21% Steven Zilberg ...........................6% State Senator District 15 Andrew Matthews ..............73.08% Chilah Brown .....................26.69% State Representative District 13B Tim O’Driscoll ...................64.79% ...35.0 05% Matthew Crouse .................35.05%
Rice City Council Christopher Scheel .............53.08% Bryan Anderson .................44.57% Sauk Rapids Mayor Kurt Hunstiger ...................60.39% Guy Konietzko ...................38.68%
Sauk Rapids City Council Steve Heinen ......................33.36% Constitutional Amendments: Nicholas Sauer ...................30.62% Removed lawmakers’ power to set Merle Gales ........................19.29% their own pay Layne Schmitz ...................16.07% Yes ......................................76.85% No.......................................18.19% ISD Board No. 47 Ryan Butkowski .................21.99% County Commissioner Mark Hauck .......................20.24% – District 4 Jan Solarz ...........................19.65% Spencer Buerkle .................99.10% Tracy Morse .......................19.43% Tracey Fiereck....................18.17% Rice Mayor Dale Rogholt ......................66.75% Wayne Moen ......................31.59%