Saturday, March 9
11 2nd Ave. N., Unit 103, Sauk Rapids, Benton County, MN 56379
Same Local Coverage Since 1 8 5 4 .
Saturday, March 9, 2019
Vol. 164, No. 48
St. Cloud couple begins garden indoors BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER
Kyle Walter sits in Rice City Council chambers March 4 in Rice. Walter was appointed from a group of six candidates to fill a vacant two-year council seat.
Walter to serve Rice residents on council BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
RICE – Kyle Walter is the Rice City Council’s newest member. Walter was selected from six candidates to fill a vacant two-year seat. He was appointed and administered the oath of office at the March 4 meeting, immediately taking his place at the council table. “I’m very excited,” Walter said in regards to his appointment. “I appreciate mayor (Brian) Skroch and the council members having confidence in me and bringing me aboard.” Walter joins the council, replacing Brian Skroch in Skroch’s former council seat. Skroch was appointed as Rice
Mayor following the resignation of former mayor Erik Bonde. Walter, a father to four children, said he was motivated to submit a letter of interest as he has lived in the area for the past eight years, and his wife, Shanda, and he continually talk about ways they can become involved in the community. “My wife and I have talked long and hard about remaining in the area, so this is something to give back to the community we spend all our time in,” Walter said, a 2003 graduate of Sauk Rapids-Rice High School and construction project manager for ICS Consulting in Blaine. Walter said through his profession, he has gained experience with school boards and city councils. He is familiar with items such as zoning, conditional use permits and land use and is currently constructing the new Tech High School building in St. Cloud.
Rice council page 5
OBITUARIES • Connie J. Patton • Alphonse J. Then
ST. CLOUD – With piles of shoulder-high snow growing throughout the county, it may be difficult for residents to think spring. But planning a garden when the snow is flying is not an odd practice in Minnesota. Spouses Tim Mancier and Olga Zenteno started their first vegetable plants by seed indoors March 3. The two Benton County Master Gardeners will grow hot peppers for the group’s fundraiser, as well as annual flowers and vegPHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER etables for their own use. Tim Mancier and Olga Zenteno stand in the basement of their home in St. Cloud March “The reason to start 3. The two are Benton County Master Gardeners and planted pepper seeds Sunday for the group’s annual plant sale.
Seeds page 2
The power of a cookie Sauk Rapids troops sell by the thousands BY ANNA HINKEMEYER STAFF WRITER
SAUK RAPIDS – Thin Mints, Caramel deLites and Peanut Butter Patties are cookie names many people around the country hear for a short time each year. Yet, these cookies and the girls who sell them find a way into people’s hearts and stomachs every time. Two Sauk Rapids Girl Scout troops are selling cookies by the thousands this year, and the girls could not be more excited.
Girl Scouts page 4
PHOTO BY ANNA HINKEMEYER
Members of the Girl Scout Troop No. 23 and No. 32 – Sophie Jensen (front, from left), Lauren Christie, Amber Schultz and Brianna Eckerman; (middle, from left) Lauren Condon, Rosie Mehr, Emery Thomas, Bailee Schwieger and Jessica Studanski; (back, from left) Briana Santillana, Aubrey Clark, Lenora Probasco, Olivia Marshall, Kassi Eckerman, Heidi Beck and Gracelyn Parker – hold up boxes of their favorite cookies March 5 in St. Cloud. The troop has sold over 6,000 boxes of cookies this year thus far, with a goal of selling all 7,657 boxes they ordered. Not pictured is Sarah Amberson.
PUBLIC NOTICES • Sauk Rapids Township Annual Meeting and Election -pg. 18 • Sauk Rapids Township Property Assessments - pg. 18 • Mayhew Lake Annual Meeting and Election - pg. 18 • Benton County Public Hearing Notice, March 19, 2019 - pg. 18 • Benton County Advertisement for Bids - pg. 18
• Assumed Name - Chakra Sound Garden - pg. 18 • Benton County Reg. Meeting Minutes Feb. 19, 2019 - pg. 17 • Benton County Ord. No. 471 - pg. 18 • Sauk Rapids Rice School Special Board Meeting Feb. 13, 2019 -pg. 19 • Sauk Rapids Rice School Reg. Meeting Feb. 11, 2019 - pg. 19