PRSRT STD ECR U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #861
New Look. Same Local Coverage since 1854. Vol. 162, No. 47
Half-cent revenue alternative unveiled BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
SAUK RAPIDS — An alternative option for half-cent sales tax revenue was unveiled at the March 13 city council meeting. The presentation a showed preliminary concept for Sauk Rapids’ Southside Park. Development that could potentially include a band shell and multi-use facilities. Southside Park is a regional park located on the banks of the Mississippi River near the former Sauk Rapids Bridge. According to council member Ellen Thronson, the half-cent sales tax committee is exploring options of how to spend the monies which the public voted to designate for parks, trails and recreational facilities. Thronson said the group is looking at how to best serve the community as a whole. Mayor Kurt Hunstiger said the idea of a Àeldhouse is not off the table, but the city is looking at alternative and potentially less-costly projects to meet the community’s needs. “The concept would be able to be used by the community, but also attract people to the downtown,” Hunstiger said. “We are trying to marry the resources we have with the services the community voted on. This is another alternative and it has a few more amenities than a Àeldhouse.” The presentation included a band shell similar to the one currently located at Lake George in St. Cloud. It would have an open space which could hold up to 3,000 people. The concept also included two multipurpose buildings. One space could Àt roughly 400 people and be used for catered events such as wedding receptions. Another larger building would encompass two basketball courts and have the ability to hold trade shows and indoor farmers market-type events. The space would also include updated Àshing piers, docks and parking spaces. City administrator Ross Olson advised the council that the project was in the most infant of stages and that engineers were initially consulted to see what would Àt into the space if the city chose to develop the park. Therefore, not all feasibility aspects have been thought through nor was a price tag attached to the project. The council gave its consensus to move forward with general engineering work, including soil testing to see if the area could support the project, as well as getting proper approval as the city acquired the land through a Land & Water
City council: page 3
Traffic stop leads to drug arrest ST. CLOUD — A Sauk Rapids man was taken into custody on an outstanding w a r r a n t March 6. In addition, law enforcement recovered Justin Larson a bag of methamphetamine after the defendant had been seated within the squad car. Justin Larson has been charged with one count felony Àfth degree possession and is currently in custody at the Stearns County Jail. He faces a maximum penalty of Àve years imprisonment and a $10,000 Àne. Authorities arrested 31-yearold Larson during a routine trafÀc stop on Ninth Avenue N and County Road 1, St. Cloud due to an outstanding warrant. While Larson was seated in the squad, law enforcement noticed the defendant had spread a crystal substance around the backseat of the vehicle. Larson admitted to ofÀcers he had hidden methamphetamine in his pants. Law enforcement conÀscated and collected the substance. Larson has a prior 2004 conviction for third degree controlled substance.
11 2nd Ave. N., Unit 103, Sauk Rapids, Benton County, MN 56379
Thursday, March 16, 2017
Irish
Born
O’Brien celebrates a St. Patrick’s Day birthday BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
RICE — With one of Ireland’s most popular surnames, you’d think Keith Patrick O’Brien was full-blooded Irish. But O’Brien’s background embraces origins from Prussia, Norway, France and Ireland. Yet that hasn’t stopped the Rice resident from attaching himself to everything Irish since he was young. He was born an Irishman — and even on St. Patrick’s Day. “Keith was born on St. Patrick’s Day,” said Ginger O’Brien, his mother. “He was delivered by [James] Patrick O’Keefe, who was our family doctor at the time. We already had Keith picked out. But when he was born on St. Patrick’s Day, the doctor gave us no choice for his middle name. It had to be Patrick.” Keith, who co-owns O’Brien’s Pub in Rice with his wife Kristi, will celebrate his 51st birthday March 17 in the bar he’s owned for 17 years. He’ll serve Irish stew, have bagpipers and the festivities will last longer than the day itself.
O’Brien: page 2
Wildwood opens Offers more
assisted living options BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
SAUK RAPIDS — The city of Sauk Rapids has one more resource to house its aging seniors. Wildwood Assisted Living, at 1420 Second Street N, opened its doors and began admitting residents this past February. The building held its grand opening March 12. “This is a handsome addition to this community,” said developer Mary Ann Lewellyn, of Welsh Place, LLC. “When my parents needed it most, it was not here.” Lewellyn, a Sauk Rapids native, moved back to central Minnesota from out-of-state after her Dad became ill. She has since specialized in construction of heath care facilities such as Legacy Place, residential housing for Recovery Plus and Journey Home. The Wildwood building is dedicated to Lewellyn’s parents, the late William and Bertha Welsh. Sunday’s event began with Lewellyn’s words, followed by Mayor Kurt Hunstiger sharing his thoughts and a blessing of a Caregiver’s Prayer. The two cut the ceremonial yellow ribbon before guests toured the facility and
PHOTOS BY NATASHA BARBER
Small Business Development Center Director Barry Kirchoff and his associate Briana Wirght (right) worked with Mary Ann Lewellyn to open Wildwood Assisted Living in Sauk Rapids.
gathered for a light lunch. Wildwood Assisted Living is
a 30-unit structure equipped with laundry service, a beauty salon, a
dining area, multiple community rooms and a wheel-chair accessible hot tub. It offers both single and double-sized studio apartments where residents have their own refrigerator, microwave and walkin showers. Lewellyn worked with her team, the Small Business Development Center and project coordinator Tony Dingmann of DCD Construction to literally reconstruct the interior of the former Recovery Plus building from the inside out. Lewellyn had owned the building since 2005. “Everything in it is new. We even brought Bobcats in here and
Wildwood: page 3
Zimmerman family helps heal Haiti BY ANNA SALDANA STAFF WRITER
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Yvonne Crandall has always wanted to go on a mission trip. When she went to Haiti with her family and members of Living Waters Lutheran Church Feb. 15-20, she was able to do so with a great sense of accomplishment.
SAUK RAPIDS – Yvonne Crandall has always wanted to go on a mission trip, but it didn’t matter where as long as she got to serve. At 82 years young, she Ànally accomplished that goal as part of the Healing Haiti mission trip Feb. 15-20. “It’s been on my bucket list for a long time,” Crandall said. “Giving back has always been a part of who I am and it meant a lot to me to go on a mission trip.” Yvonne attended service at Living Waters Lutheran Church one Sunday and came home to ask her daughter, Joyce Zimmerman, if she was healthy enough to go to Haiti with other members of the church. “She had recently had open heart surgery, but this is something she really wanted to do,” Joyce said. “I told her I thought she would be Àne, but I went to a meeting just to be sure. Then I got sucked into it, came home and
told Curt I was going to Haiti too. Then he said he was going and so did our two sons.” It quickly went from Yvonne’s bucket list item to a family affair and it turned out to be an experience of a lifetime. “I was going there to serve, but felt I got way more out of the trip than what I put into it,” Joyce said. “Our trip leaders did a really good job of exposing us to all sorts of different things and I think that only enhanced our experience.” Curt believes their experience was better because they went as a family. “I’m so glad we all got to experience this as a family because as our sons get older, the chances of us having another trip like this go down,” Curt said. “But seeing our sons in action down there made Joyce and I that much prouder of them and the men they are becoming.” Unloading trucks of water, visiting orphanages and presenting the Haitians with gifts
Zimmerman: page 2