Football Contest page 18
11 2nd Ave. N., Unit 103, Sauk Rapids,, Benton County, MN 56379
Saturday, September 14, 2019
SRPD to implement body worn cameras in 2020 Council approves purchase of devices, equipment BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
SAUK RAPIDS – Police officers in Sauk Rapids will be getting a new look at activity come the New Year. The Sauk Rapids City Council approved the purchase of 18 body worn cameras and accompanying equipment for the Sauk Rapids Police Department at its Sept. 9 meeting. Chief Perry Beise said four officers will test the equipment in the coming months and a public hearing will take place shortly after Jan. 1, 2020, to discuss operations before the entire department begins using the devices. “There are a ton of benefits to both the citizens when they have a concern as to how the police officer acted and a benefit to the police officers that they have this protection of an accurate account of their interactions with the public,” said Beise of the cameras. Beise said the department has been working
Vol. 165, No. 23
Same Local Coverage Since 1854.
Restoration complete Rice river project aims to stop erosion BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
SAUK RAPIDS – Prior to the conclusion of the six week drawdown of Little Rock Lake, Harris Channel and Sartell Pool, two Rice families completed a project that has been discussed for more than five years. “This project wouldn’t have been possible if it wasn’t for the drawdown,” said Nathan Sanoski, technician at Benton Soil and Water Conservation District. “There is just no way we would have been able to get down along the shoreline with the equipment and have semi-dry feet.” In late August, an excavator from Minnesota Native Landscapes could be seen along the Mississippi River shorelines of Ferry Point. The heavy equipment moved 10-12 foot tree trunks and
PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER
West Central Technical Service Area engineer Ross Reiffenberger (from left) stands with homeowners Barb and Ron McKeever and technician Nathan Sanoski, of Benton Soil and Water Conservation District, Aug. 28 in Rice. Reiffenberger designed a shoreline restoration project for Ferry Point residents that implements a toewood bench to prohibit erosion.
boulders in hopes of restoring a bank which had become an over 20 foot vertical bluff. Property owners Ron and Barb McKeever and Wayne and Joan Schmitz worked with Benton SWCD and the Department of Natural Resources to reestablish 400 feet of shoreline while waters were receded. The proj-
ect was a shared investment. “It’s going to be a big benefit for not losing any more shoreline and we’re hoping to increase fish habitat, too,” Ron said. “Part of the reason the DNR is helping with the funding is fish habitat and river restoration. Those were the two key elements of the project and
we were on board with both.” The project has an added benefit for the property owners as well. The McKeevers have lived at the property for 42 years. Prior to project completion, a stairway led directly to their dock.
Restoration page 3
Hall of Fame inductee: Bill Nielsen Former AD dedicated to kids BY ANNA HINKEMEYER STAFF WRITER
City Council page 3
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Bill Nielsen’s staff photo as Sauk RapidsRice High School activities director in 1985. Nielsen will be inducted into the SRRHS Athletic Hall of Fame Saturday, Sept. 28 because of his career and all he did to benefit student involvement.
PUBLIC NOTICES
SAUK RAPIDS – Bill Nielsen was a man of many roles during his time with the Sauk Rapids-Rice School District, beginning with teaching and evolving into a coach and advisor. In the 1984-85 school year, Nielsen was promoted to activities director at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School. “I loved doing what I did for the kids,” Nielsen said. “They were the main reason behind the work I did in all my roles, from being a teacher
and coach to becoming the activities director. I loved working with the coaches and the parents, too.” After 34 years in the district, Nielsen retired in May 2004. Now, 15 years later, Nielsen is being honored for his work. Nielsen will be inducted into the Sauk Rapids-Rice High School Athletic Hall of Fame alongside class of 1979 graduate and former coach Pete Robinet and class of 1996 athlete Melissa Rajkowski. The ceremony takes place at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28 at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School. Nielsen’s two sons, William and Brent, will be introducing Nielsen at the ceremony. “It’s humbling, a real honor,” Nielsen said. “The induction was a surprise to me. I was just
• Mortgage Foreclosure - Elkins - pg. 15 • Sauk Rapids Rice School Reg. Meeting • Mortgage Foreclosure - Belanger/Hunt - pg. Minutes, Aug. 19, 2019 - pg. 16 15 • City of Sauk Rapids Reg. Meeting Minutes, • Mortgage Foreclosure - Miller - pg. 15 Aug. 26, 2019 - pg. 16 • Benton County Notice of Public Hearings - pg. • Watab Township Notice - pg. 17 16
someone who tried to give a little extra back to the schools, but it’s nice to be recognized for that.” Nielsen’s passion for kids and athletics stemmed from his own involvement as a student at Baudette High School. During high school, Nielsen was a foursport athlete in football, basketball, baseball and track. He was also involved in student council, National Honor Society and choir. Following high school, Nielsen went on to play football for St. Cloud State University. “Upon graduating from SCSU, I came to Sauk Rapids to be a teacher,” Nielsen said. “I chose to coach multiple sports throughout my career because of my love for sports and the influ-
Nielsen page 5
OBITUARIES...PG. 5 • Darlene J. Gronau • Maxine M. Hampson