PRSRT STD ECR U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #861
Legion baseball: page 8
Rapids River Days photos: page 2
New Look. Same Local Coverage since 1854. 11 2nd Ave. N., Unit 103, Sauk Rapids, Benton County, MN 56379
Committee hosts 70th annual fireworks display 4-10 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to sign the Declaration of Independence and learn more about our nation’s founding. The St. Cloud Fireworks Committee is a 501(c)3 nonproÀt volunteer organization. The Àreworks display is funded entirely by donations and contributions from area businesses and individuals. The annual display began in 1947 at Lake George before moving to the Benton County Fairgrounds and then Wilson Park and the Mississippi River to accommodate the growing crowds and provide additional safety.
Residents face water woes
SAUK RAPIDS — When the crowd silenced and the music started at the Sauk Rapids Community Ambassador Pageant last Thursday, nine candidates — Madeline Bell, Megan Bemboom, Alexys Benner, Brooklyn Harren, Jamiee Kath, Beth Kobluk, Julie Nguyen, Summer Schmidt and Brook Strand — each vied for one of three equally-weighted titles. Following a nine-week educational candidacy and a contest judged on community involvement, essay, interview, poise and projection and impromptu question scores; Bell, Harren and Kobluk were crowned and selected to represent the city and its people as the 2017-18 Sauk Rapids Community Ambassadors. “I was humbled because I didn’t expect it,” said Bell, daughter of Ralph and Allison Bell of St. Cloud. “It was anyone’s game. All the scores were really close, and I knew it was going to be that way.” Harren agreed. The daughter of Steve and Jill Harren, of Rice, also won the Evening Gown Award for poise and personality. “I was very shocked. The scores were very close, from what I know they were within tenths. So really anyone could have received it,” she said. Kobluk had the same attitude. She considered another candidate a shoe-in for the title and didn’t expect her
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• Awarded the 2017 Overlay Improvements Project to Tri-City Paving. The total PHOTOS BY NATASHA BARBER estimated cost of the project Madeline Bell (left), Brooklyn Harren and Bethleis $803,000. The project is hem Kobluk are the 2017-18 Sauk Rapids Commubeing constructed with a nity Ambassadors. The three were crowned June 222 combination of franchise fees at the Sauk Rapids High School. and assessments. A portion of the overlay Ànishing medals. Then, improvements will include crown. e ll B volunteered generic Kevlar Àbers within “I was really surprised,” each the bituminous in hopes to said Kobluk, the daughter of selling food and prolong the life of the roadway. Cal and Gina of Rice. “I was game tokens with This is a new procedure and singing ‘Party in the USA’ and the Sauk Rapids Sauk Rapids will likely be when they crowned me I didn’t Lions Club at the second city in the state to even notice. It fell down right Rapids River Food make this endeavor. away, so I thought they maybe Fest. In addition to • Approved an interim use accidentally put it on me.” permit for a temporary dirt Despite the newly-named their tiaras, sashes parking lot to be constructed ambassadors’ disbelief, Bell, and duties as an by Talon Innovations at Harren and Kobluk wasted no ambassador, each of Oxygen Supply Company time beginning their reign. The the titleholders will for a period of up to two three participated in the Rapids uk Coronation: years to accommodate River Days Parade Friday, page 3 Talon’s growing number of alongside Megan Bemboom, employees. Following the who was named Miss two-year period the lot will Congeniality, and elementaryneed to be paved or vacated aged participants of the Sauk permanently. Rapids Princess Program. • Approved a conditional They continued their weekend use permit to allow a fourappearance with Tanner’s plex residential unit at 215 Team Foundation, where the Third Avenue S. No additional ambassadors kicked off the construction will take place. annual Tanner’s Team 1K and The owner plans to transition 5K run/walks and handed out the existing structures to include an additional two units. • Approved the rehiring of Kelly Travis to the Áats and 1,400-1,800 letters administrative minute per day – and parcels before recorder position. loading them into the truck. • Approved the purchase “If they would let me, I of iCrimeFighter for police would be the person to start at ofÀcers iPhones. The 5:30 a.m. I’m always anxious application allows ofÀcers to to get going,” Roche said. “I create case Àles and submit just love my job that much information collaboratively. and being out on the road is The intent of the purchase is one of the aspects I enjoy the to increase efÀciency among most.” ofÀcers and assure evidence But Roche says his collection standards are absolute favorite part of his consistent from ofÀcer to job is making connections ofÀcer. with the people he delivers • Approved city social to. media personnel policies. “Getting to know • Extended the current the people I deliver to is franchise agreement with incredibly rewarding, and Charter Communications now, I have people on my until Dec. 31 in order to route who will only talk to allow the city’s law Àrm to me about things changing continue negotiations for a with their mail, like when new agreement. they go south for the winter • Vacated an easement or holding their mail while between 3280 and 3290 Old they are on vacation for a Creekway NE for construction week,” Roche said. “Over of one new residence. the years, I also have heard • Approved the 2016 PHOTO BY ANNA SALDANA Municipal Separate Storm Jim Roche has been a rural mail carrier for the Sauk Rapids Post OfÀce for 29 years. Each day, so many stories and seen so Sewer System (MS4) Permit Roche delivers, on average, 700-900 magazine-size Áats and 1,400-1,800 letters along 31 miles many things, from Ànding and returning four wallets to Report. of road. preventing two homes from employees who make that to his route from day one, being broken into.” delivery happen day-in and transporting mail throughout Roche has also sat with day-out. the city of Sauk Rapids and a woman whose husband just Jim Roche, a rural mail along River Road NE through died and waved to the little carrier with the Sauk Rapids the Cove Development. boy who waits in the window Post OfÀce, is one of many “It’s quite a long route, every day. dedicated postal workers. He 31 miles each day, starting at “I’ve also changed a Áat has been delivering mail for the post ofÀce. And it takes tire for an expecting mother,” Sauk Rapids for 29 years. anywhere from three and a Roche said. “So no, it’s not BY ANNA SALDANA Prior to his current route he half to four and a half hours the most glamorous job in STAFF WRITER Drive South. Witnesses said also worked at the St. Cloud to deliver, depending on how the world, but just doing the Schreifels’s motorcycle hit a Post OfÀce. much I have. The Christmas little things like waiting for SAUK RAPIDS – median. He was thrown from “I really enjoy my job, season takes about Àve hours that woman’s son to arrive Have you ever noticed how the bike and died at the scene. mainly because I get to go a day, which is a lot,” Roche and help arrange the burial The Benton County your mail appears in your out and meet people on a said. “I can’t wait to get out or waving to the little boy mailbox each day regardless Sheriff’s Department, daily basis,” Roche said. “It’s there each day, regardless of brings a smile to my face. Minnesota State Patrol and of rainstorms, sunshine or a really rewarding job, but how much I have to deliver.” But I don’t ever look for the blizzards in the middle of Gold Cross Ambulance delivering in a blizzard is the Roche starts his day at 7 praise in things. It’s all about assisted the SRPD at the winter? worst. Not my favorite thing a.m., where he comes in and helping people and that alone National Postal Worker scene. sorts out his mail – an average makes every day worth it.” Day will be observed July to do.” Roche has been dedicated of 700-900 magazine-size 1 in recognition of the
Sauk Rapids man dies in motorcycle crash SAUK RAPIDS — A Sauk Rapids man is dead after being thrown from his motorcycle June 21. According to a release from the Sauk Rapids Police Department, Donald Schreifels, 63, was traveling southbound shortly before 10:30 p.m. Wednesday near the 1100 block of Benton
BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
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SAUK RAPIDS — Two Sauk Rapids residents spoke to the council Monday regarding water problems on their properties. Scott Adamek and Alice Ellefson voiced their concerns of improper water drainage on the 100 block of Ninth Avenue South. They said the problems began after improvements were made to the sanitary sewer along the street three years ago. “We have a perpetual water issue,” said Adamek. “The last three years we’ve just been inundated with water.” Adamek, who moved into his home in 1991, said he didn’t have water problems for 20 years but now has standing water for weeks at a time. He also said his lot is low and water from the alleyway typically drains onto his property. Ellefson shared a similar story of Áooding inside her home. Her husband Steve and she have tried to remedy the problem with landscaping, downspouts, gutters and a sump pump, but, according to Ellefson, nothing seems to keep up. Previous communication with the city indicated the family should visit with a contractor. Ellefson said it would cost the elderly couple over $8,000 to trench their property, with additional expenses for relocating the bathroom and shower to the outer walls of their home. City engineer Terry Wotzka said it is difÀcult to pinpoint a single cause for increased water, but that aged clay tile sanitary sewer could have previously absorbed water through its non-watertight joints. However the city is taxed with replacing the inefÀcient clay tile system tp prevent contamination and inefÀciency. Wotzka, the council and the homeowners discussed the issue to provide clarity of the situations and then the council agreed to refer the problem back to the public works committee for further discussion. In other council news:
Bell, Harren and Kobluk receive ambassador titles
Mad eli ne
BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
Crowned in community
Bethlehem Ko
ST. CLOUD — The St. Cloud Fireworks Committee will present its 70th annual St. Cloud Area July Fourth Fireworks and Celebration Tuesday, July 4. Community members may participate in the free event with viewing areas on either side of the Mississippi River at Wilson or Hemker Parks. The Àreworks show, which is synchronized to music, begins at 10 p.m. Throughout the day, there will be food and festivities at both parks. The St. Cloud Municipal Band will perform at Hemker Park from 8:30-10 p.m. At Wilson Park, Whiskey Plates and the Gregory James Band will play music from
Thursday, June 29, 2017
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Vol. 163 Vol 163, No. No 12
Delivery with 29 years of dedication
Roche couriers mail 31 miles daily