Rice Fire Department open house page 2
11 2nd Ave. N., Unit 103, Sauk Rapids, Benton County, MN 56379
Saturday, October 13, 2018
District plans for secure entrances
New Look. Same Local Coverage Since 1 8 5 4 .
A new breed of fit Velazquez opens CrossFit gym
BY ANNA HINKEMEYER STAFF WRITER
SAUK RAPIDS – The Sauk Rapids-Rice School District made a big step toward increased security in its buildings Oct. 8. Following a presentation of proposed projects from superintendent Aaron Sinclair, the board approved a $3.4 million security upgrade across the district at its regular meeting. The projects will include installing secure entrances at each building with will prohibit access to the schools without proper vetting. Visitors would conduct business through a transaction window and only be allowed within the school buildings when permissible. “These upgrades will control the traffic in and out of PHOTOS BY JAKE DOETKOTT the buildings during the day,” ‘Nico’ Velazquez holds himself on the CrossFit bar Oct. 9 in Sinclair said. “This provides Nicolas Sauk Rapids. Velazquez opened CrossFit Headway June 4. the safe and secure entrances we need while our students are here during the day.” These security upgrades were proposed based on five security standards adopted by the board earlier this year. Board members gave Sinclair direction for improved security. The standards include secure vestibules with transaction windows and door buzzer systems, having multiple staff members at the main entry points, having limited access points for visitors during BY ANNA HINKEMEYER
Kubat earns
Rice community benefits with free libraries
School board page 4
Vol. 164, No. 27
BY JAKE DOETKOTT | STAFF WRITER
SAUK RAPIDS — Nicolas ‘Nico’ Velazquez began his first business venture at age 25 when he opened his own CrossFit gym June 4. After working for the health and fitness chain at another location, Velazquez left the organization to start his own facility – CrossFit Headway located at 2720 10th Street N.E., Sauk Rapids. “My parents were business owners; they were a huge help with my start-up process,” Velazquez said. “Setting up was easy. CrossFit is very accommodating for new start-ups.” The CrossFit motto, “Let your body become the machine,” focuses on high-intensity functional movements that parallel daily motions. The variety of exercises performed is a facet the CrossFit program calls its own. “There is no arm day or leg day here,” Velazquez said. “We like to constantly change up the workouts we have our members do. The variety is fun, keeps people engaged and changing your workout activities can prevent your body from getting used to a certain routine.” The usual structure for CrossFit exercise is warm-up time, skill work and the full workout session. “Burpees are undoubtedly the killer for people,” Velazquez said. “Though not all of our exercises are like burpees, they serve to highlight our commitment to the power of non-machine workout
CrossFit page 3
Eagle Scout award
STAFF WRITER
RICE — Michael Kubat has dreamed of many things, but one thing in particular has been in his vision since fourth grade – becoming an Eagle Scout. In September, Kubat’s vision came true as he was honored with his Eagle Scout award. “This makes me so happy,” Kubat said. “I have dreamed of this.” Kubat was diagnosed with Down syndrome at birth. He has earned a total of 33 merit badges and worked through six ranks since joining the Scout programs in the fourth grade. “Michael has worked really hard and has really enjoyed Boy Scouts,” said Gene Kubat,
Kubat page 3
OBITUARIES • Mary Lou Haehnel • Thomas M. Patton • Pamela M. Petron • Irene Wittkowski
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Michael Kubat checks over the work done on one of his little free Libraries. Kubat built and installed three libraries in Rice for his Eagle Scout project.
PUBLIC NOTICES
• Mortgage Foreclosure - Hovey - pg. 15 • Mortgage Foreclosure - Breitbach - pg. 15 • Mortgage Foreclosure - Stein - pg. 15 • Mortgage Foreclosure - Brown - pg. 16 • Probate Notice - Long - pg. 16 • City of Sauk Rapids Reg. Meeting Minutes, Sept. 24, 2018 - pg. 16 • City of Rice Notice of General Election - pg. 14