The Star Post 07-19-2023

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Wednesday, July 19, 2023

Melrose kicks off public participation for new comprehensive plan

Project website, interactive map,  online survey available

BY CAROL MOORMAN STAFF WRITER

Wielenbergs remember

humble, hardworking farmer, family man

400 Block update

The city of Melrose is starting work on its new comprehensive plan by launching the plan’s website, collecting community ideas for the city’s future and inviting residents to join a Project Steering Committee that will work with city staff and consultants to guide the work.

Melrose’s new comprehensive plan will help guide the city’s evolution over the next 25 years and will include recommendations for land use, housing, business development, parks, transportation and downtown vitality, among others.

Allison (front) and her mom, Sandy Wielenberg sit in one of their tractors before the start of the July 9 Dan Wielenberg Memorial Tractor Drive, sponsored by the Albany FFA Alumni, at the Stearns County Pioneer Club grounds in rural Albany. Dan, their dad and husband, loved driving tractors, especially when Allison sat next to him in the buddy seat.

Re d rib bo ns Red ribbons

As the sun was starting to rise Monday, Commercial Contractors Company workers from Melrose were inside the Lisa’s On Main building working on securing the west wall

“The new plan will provide a single, comprehensive umbrella that expresses the community’s vision for the future in all those areas and maps a way to get there,” said Sheila Hellermann, community development director. “The plan will also provide guidance for key locations in town where redevelopment is expected to occur.”

PHOTO BY CAROL MOORMAN

The city’s last comprehensive plan update was done in 2011 and there have been significant changes within the city since then.

The work of the plan will be managed by a Project Steering Committee made up of residents, business owners and city staff. To increase representation, the city is seeking community members to join the PSC. Applications are open until Aug. 4. To apply, residents are encouraged to contact Hellermann at 320-256-4278 or visit the plan’s website at www.MelrosePlan. org for additional details.

Plan page 3

for Dan

BY CAROL MOORMAN STAFF WRITER

Red ribbons with the words “Big Dan. Dearly Missed. Never Forgotten” were displayed on tractors and T-shirts during the July 9 Dan Wielenberg Memorial Tractor Drive at the Stearns County Pioneer Club grounds in rural Albany.

Dan loved driving tractors, especially with daughter Allison sitting in the buddy seat, his wife, Sandy, said July 13.

Sacred Heart Parish Parade

through theYears Cartoons Cartoons

“When the Albany FFA Alumni first started the tractor drive, Dan and Allison would go together,” she said. “After he passed, they changed it in honor of him.”

Dan passed away Dec. 4, 2019, from injuries received in a farm accident. Sandy figures if he were still alive he would just shake his head about the recognition.

“It was a huge honor because he was such a humble man and hated any attention on himself,” Sandy said.

Festival page 10

It is support like this that continues to help Sandy and Allison live life without Dan.

“We are so very blessed to live in the rural farming community we do,” she said.

Sandy reminisced about their 18 years of married life. They both graduated from Albany High School in 1985, and knew each other most of their lives, living north of St. Anthony on different sides of County Highway 238.

Wielenbergs page 3

Avon approves cannabis-related ordinance changes

City leaders act regarding business operation, smoking

BY TIM HENNAGIR STAFF WRITER City administrator and clerk Jodi Austing-Traut and

Avon is one of the latest cities to approve cannabis-related ordinance amendments.

City leaders acted July 10 to temporarily prohibit operation or establishment of a cannabis business within the city limits until the state starts its licensing program.

The sale of edible cannabis products, lower potency hemp edibles or similar products is similarly prohibited. State law permits adopting an interim ordinance.

The council also prohibited smoking, vaping and the use of cannabis products including THC or hemp-infused products on public property in the city of Avon.

Police Chief Corey Nellis used St. Cloud’s no smoking ordinance and Albany’s cannabis ordinance as models.

The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management will issue licenses statewide in January 2025. Local government will be responsible for registration.

A county, city or town may register retail businesses. A local governmental unit may limit retailers and charge registration fees and penalties.

A city or county may limit retail time, place and manner and set minimum distances from any youth-oriented locations.

Nellis said the state jumped on cannabis legaliza-

tion without having laws in place.

“It’s very strange how this got traction,” he said. “They legalized it before they were ready for enforcement or sales regulation.”

Austing-Traut said in a follow-up email she did not present ordinance language to City Attorney Mike Couri for review because the ordinances she and Nellis used to craft Avon’s resolutions had already been reviewed by paid attorneys.

“Corey and I got some examples of other cities’ ordinances, put them together, read through the law and picked it apart,” she said July 10. “This is the best we’ve got for now. This is an evolving situation with the state.”

Cannabis page 3

Melrose researchin Hiltner happy to ca ‘A Team’ has first ba Gymnasts scoring

(above) and daughter Allison drove in the Albany FFA Alumni tractor drive for years, and after Dan passed away, it was named in memory of him.

PHOTO BY CAROL MOORMAN

PHOTO BY CAROL MOORMAN Popeye, played by Mike Renneker (left), shows his spinach-eating strength, with sailor, played by Peter Heidgerken, on the Popeye and the sailorman float in the July 16 Sacred Heart Parish Parade in Freeport.

The theme of the parade was Cartoons Through the Years.

Avon council OKs street light electrical

repair funding

Line accidentally cut during County Road 54 road project

BY TIM HENNAGIR | STAFF WRITER

Avon council members now know why some decorative city street lights lost power.

Lights on the left side of main street, south of County Road 54, haven’t worked since mid-May.

Public works foreman Chuck Pelkey explained what happened to the lights during a July 10 city council report.

Pelkey presented an invoice of almost $5,000 from St. Cloud-based Design Electric to restore power to the group of lights.

The line was cut during Stearns County’s resurfacing project. Pelkey said the line is city-owned and Gopher State did not have an underground location ticket.

“We didn’t know it was our responsibility to mark the electric line,” Pelkey said. “Xcel Energy doesn’t do that work. The locating companies didn’t mark it, either.”

Pelkey said the line was located 8 inches underground. The city contacted Stearns County as well as Knife River and they learned marking was the city’s responsibility.

“Knife River had no idea the line was located at the curb line of County Road 54 and County Road 9 when they did their milling,” Pekley stated in a follow-up email.

Administrator and clerk Jodi Austing-Traut said city staff attempted to get three quotes for line repair, but Design Electric was the only company that responded.

Mayor Jeff Manthe made a motion to authorize up to $5,000 for the electric line repair. Councilor Katie Reiling seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.

Butkowski wins patriotic art contest for a second year

Christian

patients of all ages. He has special interests in family medicine and emergency medicine.

Outside of work, Christian enjoys spending time doing outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing and camping.

Originally a native of Central Minnesota, Christian looks forward to serving and caring for area residents.

Call 320-256-4228 for an appointment.

525 Main Street West, Melrose CentraCare.com

Christian Chapin, CNP

PHOTO S U B MITTED

Melrose VFW Auxiliary 7050 Treasurer Rosie Athmann (left) and President Nancy Kemper (right) present Gabby

Butkowski with awards June 21 at Melrose Area Schools in Melrose for winning first place in the VFW sponsored Young American Creative Patriotic Arts Contest with the theme Longing For Home, for a second year.

Butkowski placed first in district and second in state judging.

Wielenbergs from front

Dan, a brother to Rich, Dave, Cheri, Don and Duane, purchased a farm across from his parents, Herman and Irene Wielenberg. Sandy’s parents are Raymond and Irene VanHeel, and her siblings include Gary, Wayne, Linda, Randy, Carol, Mary, Charlene and Patsy.

Sandy moved to Georgia, eventually returning to Minnesota. In a meant-tobe-moment, heifers wandered through at least three gates over to the VanHeel farm.

“Dan’s dad’s heifers got out and crossed 238 onto my home farm, run by my brother, and Dan and his dad came over to help bring them home. I went around the corner of a shed to help load the heifers and saw one of the Wielenberg boys, ‘Oh, that’s Dan. He turned out pretty cute,’ I thought,” Sandy said.

Both in their mid-30s, Sandy said his mother had discarded the addresses from their other children’s weddings, thinking Dan was going to live the bachelor life.

“He was so shy it took him several months before he asked me out, and then we were inseparable,” Sandy said.

They married June 9, 2001.

Allison was born Oct. 4, 2006.

“She was our miracle girl,” Sandy said.

Before Allison’s birth, they found out she had Down syndrome.

“I was devastated, but, in typical Dan fashion, he said, ‘It’s OK. We don’t know anything about raising a baby. It’s just our baby. It will be fine,’” Sandy said.

Allison was born six weeks early, weighing 5 pounds, and with a hole in her heart, which required surgery.

“She had bright orange pumpkin hair,” Sandy said. “Dan was so proud.”

Allison is the bright light in her parents’ lives.

“She is a social butterfly,” Sandy said.

In her younger years Allison participated in sports at Albany Area Schools and last year was the girls’ basketball team student manager and has been asked to be the soccer student manager this year. Allison is an Albany Special Olympics athlete in swimming, basketball, bowling and bocce ball.

But her favorite place to be was sitting next to her dad on the tractor or ranger rides.

There wasn’t a lot of free time on the farm. Dan worked full-time as maintenance manager at Avon Plastics in Paynesville. The Wielenbergs also ran A & D Pallet. Sandy worked for Stearns Bank, first in the equipment finance division and then as a loan assistant.

Tractors

Dan raised beef cattle and hogs and crop farmed 200 acres.

“He loved anything to do with tractors and joked he was working at Avon Plastics so he could afford his hobby, which was farming,” Sandy said.

Before they married, Dan’s mom warned her he liked to purchase tractors.

“After we got married, I jokingly told him he had more tractors than tillable acres. We only had 11 acres. So, he went out and bought more acres,” Sandy said.

Dan grew up with Minneapolis Moline tractors and before he married he had Farmall and International tractors.

“I grew up with Ford and New Holland, and he realized his wife would drive them so he bought those so I could help with fieldwork,” Sandy said. “Then he insisted he wanted a John Deere, and I insisted no John Deere on this farm. That was the one tractor he bought without my permission.”

His dad drove that John Deere tractor when raking hay for Dan.

“The first time he did that Dan came into the house and told Allison to get a paper bag and bring it out to grandpa so the neighbors didn’t see grandpa was raking with a JD. So, we got a paper bag and took it out there and Dan’s dad was a good sport and put it on his head for pictures,” Sandy said.

That was Dan, the jokester.

On Dec. 4, 2019, Sandy was home from work, after not feeling well, and she passed going with family to see a play at the Paramount Theatre, but Allison went. In between sleeping, she heard equipment moving and tractors going. Until she didn’t.

“I went out to look for Dan and found a gravity box overturned, and he was under the box,” she said. “It was a used box he had just gotten, and they assume a corn bridge formed because the corn was wet, and he crawled in to break up the corn bridge and somehow it tipped over on top of him.”

Sandy added, “He wouldn’t have wanted anyone else to find him. That was my duty as his wife.”

After word got out, the Wielenberg and VanHeel families, friends, farm neighbors and their four-wheeling group converged on the farm. Allison arrived home and was so excited to see everyone. Sandy took Allison, who was 13, into another room and told her there was an accident while her dad was moving corn and he passed away.

“She looked at me and said, ‘No,’ and ‘My daddy, big daddy?’ I said, ‘Yes,’” Sandy said. “We just held each other and cried, and then she went out and greeted people.”

Dan’s big daddy nickname came from Allison who saw him as her protector.

“Dan was a mountain of a man on the outside and a big teddy bear on the inside,” Sandy said.

Allison accepted what had happened to her dad.

“She never once asked when he was coming home,” Sandy said.

The day after the accident Sandy was sitting at the kitchen table with her sisters and Allison came into the kitchen and said, “Mom, I talked to daddy,” Sandy said. “What did daddy say?” and Allison said, “Daddy said, ‘I love you.’” Sandy said, “Baby girl, daddy loved you more than anything else in this world.”

The next day Sandy was at the funeral home making arrangements, and Allison stayed home with two of Dan’s sisters-in-law.

“When we came back, my sister-in-law said, ‘While you were gone Allison came to me and said, ‘I see my daddy,’ and I asked, ‘Where,’ and she said, ‘I see my daddy everywhere.’ Good job, Dan,” Sandy said crediting her husband with helping their daughter deal with his death.

Sandy had to face hard truths.

“I didn’t realize how much of a team we were until Dan was gone,” she said. “We talked about everything. We made decisions together.”

She never knew how strong she was until being strong was the only option.

“Countless times I’ve said, ‘What would Dan do and what would Dan want

Plan from front

The planning process will include opportunities for residents to contribute their ideas and comments, both in-person and online. Online activities available now include:

– Project website at www.MelrosePlan.org with information and opportunities to comment.

– Interactive online map, also available at the website, to collect issues and ideas for improvement.

–Brief online survey, available at the

website, to collect ideas for the plan’s vision.

“Another longer survey will be available in the fall, digging deeper into these brief responses,” Hellermann said. In-person opportunities to comment will also start this summer, including a popup workshop during the Aug. 2 Melrose Farmers Market.

“We really want everyone’s input about our direction as a city. What should we be planning? Give us your ideas, concerns and comments,” Hellermann said.

The plan’s completion is expected in late October 2024.

me to do?’” Sandy said. “He’s my barometer in life because he was such a good man. I try to honor him and keep his memory alive for Allison and me.”

They met amazing people as they prepared to say goodbye to Dan and even more as they learned to live life without him.

“The funeral director, Cole Skadsem, was absolutely phenomenal. When I ordered the headstone from Willy Willenbring of Murphy Granite and shared our story, he cried with me. He said, ‘I’ve never done this before,’” Sandy said.

Christmas 2019, Chad Meemken, of the Fraternal Order of Police, came to their home with Santa and gave presents to Allison.

“They do this for families going through something tragic,” Sandy said.

Thanks to Meemken and this organization, Allison will ride in a law enforcement vehicle through the Aug. 5 Albany Heritage Day Parade.

Sandy was at one of Allison’s basketball games at Cathedral that next spring and a man tapped her on her shoulder and asked if she was the woman who lost her husband in the farm accident.

“He said, ‘I’m Santa,” and we both started crying. He said, ‘You don’t know how many prayers I’ve said for your family,’” Sandy said.

For Dan’s funeral, Sandy’s sisters came up with the idea of everyone wearing red ribbons. That evening, at the Cathedral game, one of her sisters was wearing a red ribbon, and she took it off and pinned it on that man’s shirt, and he said “I will wear it always,” Sandy said.

Special things will remind her of Dan, like when she hears the 4-wheeling group’s favorite song “Fishin’ in the Dark.” On their annual trip, a photo of Dan goes with, and “we all take turns riding with him,” Sandy said.

A music lover, Sandy found a song that expresses how she feels: “Who’s Gonna Be There,” by Lucas Hoge.

“It hit my heart hard,” she said. “The song was so Dan, and it was on Dan’s birthday that my sister heard it and shared it with me.”

The chorus is etched on their farm scene headstone, a testament to the humble, hardworking man Dan was.

Dan’s favorite color was red, and every vehicle he owned was red.

“We called him ‘Big Red,’ and Allison was ‘Little Red,’” Sandy said.

A recent Tuesday night Sandy and Allison were out and about, and a young man rolled his car window down and pointed to the back window, and there was a red ribbon.

A red ribbon for a farmer and family man.

Sunday, July 23, 7 p.m. – Meire Grove Band Concert St. John the Baptist Church grounds, 20 State Highway 4 S., Meire Grove. Bring your own chairs.

Monday, July 24, 5:30-6:30 p.m. – Mental Health Support Group. CentraCare-Albany Clinic, 30 Railroad Ave., Albany. For information call the clinic at 320-845-2157.

Monday, July 24, 6:30 p.m. – Melrose School Board Meeting. Melrose High School media center, 546 Fifth Ave., NE, Melrose.

Tuesday, July 25, 7 p.m. – Freeport City Council Meeting. Freeport City Hall, 125 E Main St., Freeport.

Wednesday, July 26, 7 p.m. – AA Meetings. Back to Basic, at Tutti Frutti Marketplace, 38914 County Road 186, Sauk Centre. For more information, call 218-240- 1076. Big Book, Melrose City Center, 225 First St., NE, Melrose. For more information, call 320-241-3909.

Upcoming: Tuesday, Aug. 1, 7 p.m. – Schanhaar-Otte Post 7050 and Auxiliary meetings Melrose American Legion clubroom, 265 County Road 173, Melrose.

Tuesday, Aug. 8, 7 p.m. – Melrose American Legion Post 101 and Auxiliary meetings. Melrose American Legion clubroom, 265 County Road 173, Melrose.

Cannabis from front

Nellis said a municipality with a population of 10,000 or under will only be able to have one location where cannabis sales can occur.

He told the council in the next year-and-a-half, and after Jan. 1, 2025, the city will need to identify that cannabis business location and make it fit into the community.

“This is getting crammed down everyone’s throat,” Nellis added. “We’re not ready to deal with it. The operator will get their license to sell through the state.”

Nellis added the city may have a difficult time establishing zoning for a new cannabis-related business.

“If the state is saying it can’t be within 1,000 feet of a school, we might be very limited with location,” he said.

Mayor Jeff Manthe said he could see the state of Minnesota coming back to counties and cities with future enforcement edicts.

Regarding the ordinance amendment to prohibit smoking, vaping and the use of cannabis and hemp-infused products, Nellis said there’s no way for law enforcement officers to differentiate if a person is vaping tobacco, methamphetamine or THC.

“St. Cloud jumped on this early, and they banned it as a health and safety concern involving their park and recreation and youth playing in the parks,” Nellis said. “If we don’t get out in front of it, it will spin out of control.”

Nellis addressed people smoking in front of local establishments, such as Spunky’s.

If someone steps out in front for a cigarette and smokes it, Nellis said, technically, that will be a violation of the ordinance amendment approved July 10 by the council.

“The reason this is coming out is vaping has become so popular. Do you think we are going to drive by and enforce everyone who is smoking out there?” Nellis said. “No.”

PHOTO BY CAROL MOORMAN

leave the Stearns County Pioneer Club grounds in rural Albany at the start of the July 9 Dan Wielenberg Memorial Tractor Drive. Sixty-eight tractors traveled 17 miles from Albany to Avon and St. Anna and back to the Pioneer Club grounds.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Dan Wielenberg Memorial Tractor Drive participants gather before the ride July 9 at the Stearns County Pioneer Club grounds in rural Albany. In memory of Wielenberg, individuals wore red T-shirts with the words “Big Dan will forever ride in our hearts. Those we love don’t go away. They ride beside us every day.”

OPINION

The views expressed by our columnists are the opinions and thoughts of the author and do not reflect the opinions and views of newspaper staff and ownership.

Dance in the rain Traveling well

Nelson Mandela instructs us to remember to celebrate milestones as we prepare for the road ahead.

Our baby, Katelyn, a high school senior this fall, is focused on the road ahead, touring colleges, meeting with instructors in the major she is considering, setting up job shadows and working a few shifts a week setting aside dollars earmarked for tuition. She’s focused on her road ahead, even setting aside her nerves and reaching out to strangers to arrange those job shadows.

She’s finding loads of time for fun too – and I’m so glad she’s loving her last summer as a high school student. She’s soaking up time with her dance team three mornings a week and at a weeklong dance camp in Brainerd. She has a few friends with backyard pools and has soaked up her share of sun, too. We rarely see her, actually, between coffee and ice cream runs, shopping excursions and bonfires. We’re grateful, though, for the tremendous friends in her world.

While she’s preparing for her road and living up her summer moments, the milestones keep taking me by surprise, especially this past week’s.

Senior pictures are an age-old milestone. Even Katelyn’s grandparents have senior portraits. The tradition is so ubiquitous and ingrained, I booked her photo session almost a year ago to ensure a spot with my chosen photographer. I insisted on a hair and makeup appointment. Maybe it’s the farm girl still in me, but my daughters and I are pretty low maintenance. Our skills are not to be trusted for such an important milestone.

Katelyn selected her outfits and locations. She researched poses and thought about how to stamp her personality on her choices. We met her stylist, who has been a family friend for years. Katelyn was feeling great and looking great for her photo session.

As our photographer, who is also our next door neighbor (I love small town life), snapped the first pose, I was surprised by the tears in my eyes. I took a few steps back and hid under a tree while the milestone sat heavy in my

belly. That was my baby, looking all grown up, looking stunning and taking her senior pictures. There wasn’t much time for emotions, though. A severe storm warning took us by surprise. The thunder rumbled in the distance, and clouds covered the picture perfect day. With only a few shots in, we dashed for the car. The rain started and the hail followed. I tucked the car under a tree, hoping to prevent hail damage and for a fast-moving storm. We talked about possible indoor locations and then about rescheduling.

I looked into the backseat at Katelyn. She had worried her pictures wouldn’t turn out. She worried about the cost of outfits, of the hair and makeup stylist. I knew she would be worried about needing to start over – and about the car sustaining hail damage. I knew she would be sad her photo session had landed her in the backseat of a car.

But the storm subsided and the sky lightened. Katelyn changed into her second outfit, a dress with a long flowing skirt, and we got back out there. A few drops threatened, but the rains held off, and we got the pictures in. And Katelyn, even while hunkered in the car, not once uttered one word or sigh of disappointment, which fits. Katelyn has always been a tough trooper.

My favorite pose is of Katelyn in pirouette a la seconde. She’s wearing a floor length dress, its skirt floating with her spin, her smile glowing and raindrops flying from her extended foot. Our neighbor captioned the photo before sharing a preview: “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.”

We focus on the road ahead, but the milestones sit long, especially for us parents. We certainly celebrate them and are tremendously proud of our kids. We’re loving her senior photos and the young woman she has turned into. We’re planning the road ahead. But we are hoping the milestones take their time, that the road won’t arrive too quickly.

When it does, though, Katelyn will be ready to dance through the storms in her path.

Lessons in a scorebook

The note from the Melrose Area Historical Society a few weeks ago that it had a scorebook from 1928 was attention grabbing.

Scorebooks are a real treasure to those interested in baseball history – and this one, the note said, had games when John Donaldson pitched for Melrose. Donaldson was a great pitcher in the early part of the 20th century who barnstormed, primarily in Minnesota, playing for pay. Information of his career is kept by Pete Gorton on John Donaldson’s website.

Keeping a baseball scorebook was developed in the 1870s by sportswriter Harry Chadwick, a native of England, who adapted some notation for scorekeeping from cricket. Elements he used, such as numbering positions (pitchers are 1, catchers 2, first base 3, etc.), using a grid of boxes to keep track of how each batter does in at-bats and using a K for a strikeout are still common in baseball scorekeeping. According to one source, Chadwick used a K for a strikeout because it is the last letter in the word struck.

There have been some changes and innovations, but for the most part, scorebooks from Chadwick’s era can be understood by today’s reviewers, and, more than likely, Chadwick could follow the modern books. It is said a well-kept scorebook can provide the script for recreating a game.

That might well be the case about whoever kept that 1928 book. The handwriting is legible, the site, date and opponent recorded and every at-bat documented. Others on

the team that year were Anderson, Guzy, Ascher, Heising, Mullane, Williams, Bondy, Luedke and Shields. Only last names were listed. There were challenges, such as no record of a pitching change or when a player switched positions, but a person could still follow the game. Melrose went 7-1 in the eight games Donaldson pitched. While Gorton verified 5,221 strikeouts, the scorebook showed he usually had batters hitting ground balls, although he did strike out 12 against Bertha. Three of the games were shutouts. Strikeouts were one place where the scorekeeper varied from Chadwick’s guidelines. Instead of a K, strikeouts are recorded with an X.

The book showed the Melrose team could hit, recording 10 or more hits in games a few times, with one game where every batter had a hit. Because there was no re entry rule, in most games all starters played the whole game.

That’s not the only thing learned from the scorebook.

The team traveled a lot to play games, including to Moorhead and Breckenridge, and in one game, against New York Mills at Browerville, Melrose posted a 4-1 win.

The scorebook shows Donaldson not only pitched well but was a solid hitter. The team had other solid hitters. Guzy, Anderson and Heising all had a couple of two-hit games.

Donaldson’s story is an interesting chapter in Minnesota baseball history. The scorebook shows for a time Melrose was part of that story.

crime & PUBLIC SAFETY

Suspicious person in Melrose causes concern

MELROSE – The Melrose Police Department received a report around 3 p.m. July 10 of a suspicious person, driving a small silver vehicle, approaching a group of girls on the north side of Melrose. Using Google translate, because he did not speak English, he asked where the girls attended school. When another person pulled up, the man left in the vehicle.

Police Chief Craig Maus said the school was made aware of the situation.

Stearns County Sheriff Steve Soyka, July 15, advised people to be mindful of where their children are at all times, “so they don’t wander too far from home, don’t talk to strangers and if anyone they don’t know approaches them, to run away and tell their parents immediately what happened.”

One injured in I-94 construction zone collision

AVON TOWNSHIP – Avon Fire Department and Stearns County deputies responded to a two vehicle collision around 9:45 a.m. July 1, on the east bound lane of Interstate 94 in Avon Township.

According to the State Patrol, a Subaru Outback, driven by Zoe Marie Shay, 19, of Albany, and a Chevrolet Silverado, driven by Maryteresa Byker, 58, of St. Joseph, were both traveling east on I-94 when they collided. The Silverado was almost stopped in the construction zone when it was rear-ended by the Subaru. Byker was transported to the St. Cloud Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries, and Shay was not injured, the report said.

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Robin Brunette

It was at the end of the birthday party, when those of us from Minnesota were saying our Stearns County goodbyes, that I mentioned we travel well. To get some brownie points I referenced the Badgers or the Green Bay Packers and stated we travel like their fans do. We follow our passions.

I had been invited to my godmother, Marie’s, 85th birthday party July 1in Hartford, Wisconsin. Marie is my mother’s sister so actually most of the family was asked to attend. It is a six-hour drive without any extra stops and a six-and-a-half-hour drive if you include pit stops for bathroom breaks and breaks to stretch our legs. Initially, we planned on driving down in the early morning and spending the night in a hotel that evening before coming home the next day. However, since it was the Fourth of July weekend, the hotel prices were so inflated we decided instead to return home that same day. Hence, the long goodbyes when the time came to go.

Sixteen family members made the trip to Wisconsin. We had three vehicles on the edge of comfort driving on roads crowded with holiday travelers. Throw in the surprising number of semis on the highway and it is a wonder we were able to keep in contact with each other as well as we did. Still, it was interstate driving except for the last hour, which helped to keep the pace.

I had been to Hartford a few times in my life but many of those were on trips with added agendas. Often, we were on vacation in Wisconsin and stopped at Marie’s to say hello. It was only last year that her husband, Alex, passed away, and she moved seven miles from the country to town so we may have taken other routes to get there. Many times, when Barb and I are road tripping around our area, I will mention to her the road we are on is one that I never had been on before. Well, the last leg of this trip took us into country I hadn’t seen before either.

Wisconsin is a beautiful state. Much of it compares to Minnesota with the rolling hills and rivers, the small towns and big farms. But like any road trip, we saw new sites. How, we marveled, do people live out here? What is life like day by day? It is no different than questioning those same things in different towns around home. There are businesses, schools and churches and houses of all kinds. We probably aren’t that different.

When we finally did arrive at Marie’s, it was a party like so many others. People were talking loudly, asking us about the trip and thanking us for coming. There was also catching up with cousins, some we hadn’t seen in years. We talked about our kids and grandkids, new houses we built, how life had treated us lately and how nice it was that a birthday party brought us together again instead of another funeral. We ate some. We drank some, and before you know it, it was time to go.

We had cake, handed out presents, and sang “Happy Birthday” to Marie before we left. She gave a short speech thanking everyone for coming, again. Of course, we thanked her for the invite to which she replied that still, it was a long drive and she really was happy we came. It is common knowledge among many of our relatives that our family, if invited somewhere, will likely attend. We don’t pass on a chance to party. If Marie didn’t know this before, she knows it now.

News BRIEFS

Albany school district retired staff sought for Heritage Day grand marshal float

ALBANY – The 2023 Albany Heritage Day grand marshal for the Purple Pride theme is all retired staff around the Albany Area School District.

Organizers are looking for retired staff willing to ride on the grand marshal float in the 7 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 5, parade. It could be anyone who retired recently or in the past.

Any retired staff interested in doing so is encouraged to contact Sara at Albany Area Chamber of Commerce, 320-845-7777, or Cassie at Albany Area Schools, 320-845-5072.

Annual Subscription Rates

Stearns, Todd, Douglas, Pope, & Morrison counties, $53. Elsewhere in Minnesota, $60. Elsewhere in the United States, $63.

Official Legal Newspaper for the cities of Albany, Avon, Freeport, Melrose and Holdingford; Independent School Districts 745, 738 and 740; surrounding townships.

Deadlines

The deadline for most news in The Star Post is 5 p.m. Friday. Exceptions are obituaries and reports of weekend events, which have a deadline of 10 a.m. Monday. The deadline for advertisements in The Star Post is 5 p.m. Friday, and in the Shopper and Classy Canary it is noon Wednesday.

Letters Letters to the editor are welcomed. Letters must be signed with first and last name and include address and phone number. Letters are limited 350 words. See political letters to the editor policy for additional guidelines.

Corrections/Clarifications

The Star Post strives for accuracy. If you would like to report a factual error, call 320-845-2700.

ISSN: Print: 2834-5916 Online: 2834-5924

The Farmers Daughter By Sonya Hoffarth

A Peek at the Past by Herman Lensing

Ink on My Hands by Kevin Zierden

AVON TOWNSHIP Notice of Rescheduled Meeting

Notice is hereby given that the meeting of the Avon Township Board of Supervisors scheduled for August 2, 2023 has been cancelled and rescheduled to August 9, 2023. This meeting will occur in the Avon Township Hall, 16881 Queens Road, Avon (MN). Avon Township meetings are handicap-accessible and available via Zoom (see avontownship.org for login info).

Stephen Saupe, Clerk

Email: clerk@avontownship.org

Website: www://avontownship.org

Published in the Star-Post July 12 & July 19, 2023 P-28-2B

NOTICE OF FILING DATES FOR ELECTION TO THE SCHOOL BOARD

INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 740 (MELROSE AREA PUBLIC SCHOOL) STATE OF MINNESOTA

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the period for filing Affidavits of Candidacy for the office of School Board member of Independent School District No.740 shall begin on August 1, 2023, and shall close at 5:00 o’clock p.m. on August 15th, 2023.

The special election shall be held on Tuesday, November 7th, 2023. At that special election, one individual will be elected to fill the vacancy in term expiring January 6, 2025.

Af

fidavits of Candidacy are available from the School District Clerk, Independent School District No. 740, 546 5th Avenue NE, Melrose, MN 56352. The filing fee for this office is $2. A candidate for this office must be an eligible voter, must be 21 years of age or more on assuming office, must have been a resident of the School District from which the candidate seeks election for thirty (30) days before the general and special election, and must have no other affidavit on file for any other office at the same primary or general election.

The affidavits of candidacy must be filed in the office of the School District Clerk and the filing fee paid prior to 5:00 o’clock p.m. on August 15th, 2023.

Dated: June 26, 2023

Sewer connection, dog concerns continue in Holdingford

Lange resigns as city engineer

BY HERMAN LENSING STAFF WRITER

Responsibility for a sewer connection situation and dog concerns continue to be the topics of monthly Holdingford City Council meetings.

Resident Sandy Skwira, during the July 10 city council meeting at city hall in Holdingford, said she has had the joint cleaned out because of blockage. At previous meetings, she told the council about problems arising from the joint connection from the line to her property and the sewer main.

“My services aren’t working, so what am I paying for?” she asked.

She requested drawings of the line be provided to her, which could be done. Skwira also said she was looking to see if any plumbing codes had been violated in the construction.

meeting ended, he was resigning as the city engineer, to take a position with a different city. The resignation will take effect at the end of July. He said he would make sure to get the drawings to Skwira and would contact her to make sure she received them.

Related to the dog nuisance issues, Janel Heinen, who had brought the issue to the council in January, asked what had been done about the issue.

Mayor Eric Berscheid and City Clerk Nicky Lahr said the city has installed new software, with the ability to download photos of dogs in question to help with identification. Owners of the dogs would be informed, via letter, of the issue.

If the problem continues, the dog could be impounded by city maintenance or, more than likely, the sheriff’s department. Holdingford contracts with the Stearns County Sheriff’s Department for law enforcement services.

If fees are assessed, they are initiated by the sheriff’s department. Heinen recommended the assessed fees come sooner.

In other council news: – Steps to again have welcome signs at the city limits were taken when the council approved donating up to $1,000 toward Raymond Bloch’s Eagle Scout project. Bloch is working with the Holdingford Lions to bring the sign back. Previous signs were damaged in storms.

– Holdingford Fire Chief Keith Hommerding reported the department has had 86 calls to date this year with 62 of them being medicals. Of the calls for fires, six were grass fires. Most of the calls, 41, were in Holdingford and 28 in Holdingford Township. The council approved selling the current grass fire truck, when the new one becomes available.

BY ORDER OF THE SCHOOL BOARD /s/ Becky Feldewerd School District Clerk Independent School District No. 740 (Melrose Area Public Schools) State of Minnesota P-28-2B

ORDINANCE NO. 232

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 170 MISCEL-

LANEOUS POLICIES AND ADDING SECTION §171.01

PROHIBITING SMOKING, VAPING, AND THE USE OF CANNABIS PRODUCTS (INCLUDING THC OR HEMP INFUSED PRODUCTS) ON PUBLIC PROPERTY IN THE CITY OF AVON SECTION §171.01

Scott Lange, city engineer, said he was not sure plumbing codes would apply as they are generally written for buildings not public utilities.

Lange announced, before the

“Something needs changing because it is not working,” she said. “Owners should be responsible or lose their privilege.”

CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME Minnesota Statutes Chapter 333

ASSUMED NAME: Kwik Trip #1215.

PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS IS: 220 Kraft Dr. SE, Melrose, MN 56352.

NAMEHOLDER(S): Kwik Trip, Inc., 1626 Oak St., PO Box 2107, La Crosse, WI 54602.

– Jared Hillesheim, manager of the Holdingford Municipal Liquor Store, reported they will not be selling cannabis products in the near future. Hillesheim said the insurance agency recommended holding off because of gray areas that could lead to liability issues. He did recommend the city develop an ordinance or moratorium pertaining to sales until guidelines come from the state.

CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME Minnesota Statutes Chapter 333

ASSUMED NAME: Enchanted Cottage.

PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS IS: 36107 County Road 2, Saint Joseph, MN 56374 USA.

NAMEHOLDER(S): Enchanted Pines, LLC, 36107 County Road 2, Saint Joseph, MN 56374 USA.

DEFINITIONS:

For the purpose of this section the following definitions shall apply:

Cannabis product.

(Subd 1) “Cannabis product” means any of the following:

(1) cannabis concentrate;

(2) a product infused with cannabinoids, including but not limited to tetrahydrocannabinol, extracted or derived from cannabis plants or cannabis flower; or

(3) any other product that contains cannabis concentrate.

(4) Cannabis product includes adult-use cannabis products, including but not limited to edible cannabis products and medical cannabinoid products

(5) Cannabis flower

(6) Artificially derived cannabinoid

(7) Lower-potency hemp edibles, hemp-derived consumer products, or hemp-derived topical products.

Smoking.

(Subd 2) “Smoking” means:

Inhaling, exhaling, burning, or carrying any lighted or heated cigar, cigarette, pipe, or any other lighted or heated product containing, made or derived from, nicotine, lobelia, tobacco, cannabis, marijuana, hemp, or other plant, or any other substance, whether natural or synthetic, that is intended for inhalation.

Smoking also includes carrying or using an activated electronic delivery device.

Electronic Delivery Device.

(Subd 3) “Electronic Delivery Device” means:

Any product containing or delivering nicotine, lobelia, tobacco, cannabis, marijuana, hemp, or other plant, or any other substance, whether natural or synthetic, intended for human consumption through the inhalation of aerosol or vapor from the product. Electronic delivery device includes, but is not limited to, devices manufactured, marketed, or sold as e-cigarettes, e-cigars, e-pipes, vape pens, mods, tank systems, or any other product name or descriptor. Electronic delivery device includes any component part of a product, whether or not marketed or sold separately.

PROHIBITED. Smoking, vaping, or the use of any cannabis product (including THC or hemp infused product) shall not be permitted upon any public property including a street, sidewalk, alley, roadway, park, public beach, fishing pier, dock, parking lot, or public right-of-way, or any other publicly held lands, properties, or facilities within the City of Avon.

PENALTIES. A violation of a provision of this Ordinance shall be punishable as a misdemeanor.

Passed by the City Council this 10th day of July, 2023.

Jeffrey Manthe, Mayor P-29-1B

NOTICE OF HEARING ON ASSESSMENTS

City of Avon, Minnesota

Notice is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Avon, Stearns County, Minnesota (the “City”), will meet at the City Hall, 140 Stratford Street E, Avon, Minnesota on Monday, August 7, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. to consider objections to the proposed assessments for the construction of the Improvement referred to below, previously ordered by the City Council.

The general nature of the project includes bituminous pavement replacement (the “Improvement”). The area proposed to be assessed consists of every lot, piece of parcel of land abutting and benefited by the improvement. The total amount to be assessed is $22,914. The proposed assessment roll is on file with the Administrator/Clerk-treasurer and open to public inspection.

Written or oral objections by any property owner will be considered at the hearing. No appeal may be taken as to the amount of any assessment adopted by the City Council unless a written objection signed by the affected property owner is filed with the Administrator prior to the assessment hearing or presented to the presiding officer at the hearing. All objections to the assessments not received at the assessment hearing in the manner prescribed by Minnesota Statutes, Section 429.061 are waived, unless the failure to object to the assessment hearing is due to a reasonable cause.

Any owner of property to be assessed may appeal the assessment to the district court of Stearns County pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Section 429.081, by serving notice of the appeal upon the Mayor or Administrator of the City within 30 days after the adoption of the assessment and filing such notice with the district court within 10 days after service upon the Mayor or Administrator.

Under the provisions of Minnesota Statutes, Sections 435.193 through 435. 195, the City may, at its discretion, defer the payment of assessments for any homestead property owned by a person 65 years of age or older or retired by virtue of a permanent and total disability for whom it would be a hardship to make the payments. The City has not established a deferment procedure pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Sections 435.193 through 435.195. The notice of this hearing mailed to property owners contains additional information. Jodi Austing-Traut, City Administrator City of Avon, Minnesota

By typing my name, I, the undersigned, certify that I am signing this document as the person whose signature is required, or as agent of the person(s) whose signature would be required who has authorized me to sign this document on his/her behalf, or in both capacities. I further certify that I have completed all required fields, and that the information in this document is true and correct and in compliance with the applicable chapter of Minnesota Statutes. I understand that by signing this document I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Section 609.48 as if I had signed this document under oath.

/s/ Scott P. Zietlow, President 06/28/2023 P-28-2P

SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE NO. 231

AN INTERIM ORDINANCE PROHIBITING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW USES OR THE EXPANSION OF EXISTING USES RELATED TO THE RETAIL SALE OF EDIBLE CANNABIS PRODUCTS, LOWER POTENCY HEMP EDIBLES, AND OTHER CANNABIS PRODUCTS, CONCENTRATES, AND FLOWER AND PROHIBITING THE OPERATION OF A CANNABIS BUSINESS WITHIN THE CITY OF AVON

The purpose of this Ordinance is to authorize a study related to the retail sale of edible cannabis products, lower potency hemp edibles, and other cannabis products, concentrates, and flower and the regulation of other cannabis related businesses. Staff will then make a recommendation to the City Council about whether the City should amend its zoning, business-licensing, or other general Code provisions related to these types of products and associated uses to better protect the residents of Avon. During the term of this Ordinance, the retail sale of edible cannabis products, lower potency hemp edibles, and other cannabis products, concentrates, and flower are prohibited.

Passed by the City Council this 10th day of July, 2023. Jeffrey Manthe, Mayor P-29-1B

CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME Minnesota Statutes Chapter 333

ASSUMED NAME: Enchanted Lodge.

PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS IS: 36107 County Road 2, Saint Joseph, MN 56374 USA.

NAMEHOLDER(S): Enchanted Pines, LLC, 36107 County Road 2, Saint Joseph, MN 56374 USA.

By typing my name, I, the undersigned, certify that I am signing this document as the person whose signature is required, or as agent of the person(s) whose signature would be required who has authorized me to sign this document on his/her behalf, or in both capacities. I further certify that I have completed all required fields, and that the information in this document is true and correct and in compliance with the applicable chapter of Minnesota Statutes. I understand that by signing this document I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Section 609.48 as if I had signed this document under oath.

/s/ Claudia M. Revermann 07/06/2023 P-28-2B

CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME Minnesota Statutes Chapter 333

ASSUMED NAME: Enchanted Treehouse.

PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS IS: 36107 County Road 2, Saint Joseph, MN 56374 USA.

NAMEHOLDER(S): Enchanted Pines, LLC, 36107 County Road 2, Saint Joseph, MN 56374 USA.

By typing my name, I, the undersigned, certify that I am signing this document as the person whose signature is required, or as agent of the person(s) whose signature would be required who has authorized me to sign this document on his/her behalf, or in both capacities. I further certify that I have completed all required fields, and that the information in this document is true and correct and in compliance with the applicable chapter of Minnesota Statutes. I understand that by signing this document I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Section 609.48 as if I had signed this document under oath.

/s/ Claudia M. Revermann 07/06/2023 P-28-2B

By typing my name, I, the undersigned, certify that I am signing this document as the person whose signature is required, or as agent of the person(s) whose signature would be required who has authorized me to sign this document on his/her behalf, or in both capacities. I further certify that I have completed all required fields, and that the information in this document is true and correct and in compliance with the applicable chapter of Minnesota Statutes. I understand that by signing this document I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Section 609.48 as if I had signed this document under oath.

/s/ Claudia M. Revermann 07/06/2023

P-28-2B

CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME Minnesota Statutes Chapter 333

ASSUMED NAME: Enchanted Bungalows.

PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS IS: 36107 County Road 2, Saint Joseph, MN 56374 USA.

NAMEHOLDER(S): Enchanted Pines, LLC, 36107 County Road 2, Saint Joseph, MN 56374 USA.

By typing my name, I, the undersigned, certify that I am signing this document as the person whose signature is required, or as agent of the person(s) whose signature would be required who has authorized me to sign this document on his/her behalf, or in both capacities. I further certify that I have completed all required fields, and that the information in this document is true and correct and in compliance with the applicable chapter of Minnesota Statutes. I understand that by signing this document I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Section 609.48 as if I had signed this document under oath. /s/ Claudia M. Revermann 07/06/2023

P-28-2B

CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME Minnesota Statutes Chapter 333

ASSUMED NAME: Enchanted Pines Weddings | Events.

PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS IS: 36107 County Road 2, Saint Joseph, MN 56374 USA.

NAMEHOLDER(S): Enchanted Pines, LLC, 36107 County Road 2, Saint Joseph, MN 56374 USA.

By typing my name, I, the undersigned, certify that I am signing this document as the person whose signature is required, or as agent of the person(s) whose signature would be required who has authorized me to sign this document on his/her behalf, or in both capacities. I further certify that I have completed all required fields, and that the information in this document is true and correct and in compliance with the applicable chapter of Minnesota Statutes. I understand that by signing this document I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Section 609.48 as if I had signed this document under oath.

/s/ Claudia M. Revermann 07/06/2023 P-28-2B

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CITY OF ALBANY PLANNING COMMISSION

There will be a Planning Commission meeting in and for the City of Albany, Stearns County, Minnesota, at 6:30 o’clock in the evening on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, in the Council room at 400 Railroad Avenue for the said City for the following:

1. The public hearing will be held on a request by Dawn Blattner and Christina Lehner dba The Mill, 730 Church Avenue, to rezone the property from Core Commercial (C1) to Highway Commercial (C2) for the purpose of constructing a new building for a coffee shop.

Anyone wishing to comment will be heard at the public hearing and written comments may be forwarded to the office of the Zoning Administrator before the time of the public hearing.

Heather

Cruz Deputy Clerk

Published in the Star Post, on the 19th day of July 2023

P-29-1B

00 11 13

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS 2023 Railroad Avenue NW Street & Utility Improvements

Melrose, Minnesota SEH No. MELRO 172746

Notice is hereby given that Online Bids will be received by the Administrator until 11:00 a.m., Thursday, August 3, 2023, via QuestCDN for the furnishing of all labor and material for the construction of 2023 Railroad Avenue NW Street & Utility Improvements.

The bid opening will be held at City Hall, located at 225 1st Street NE, Melrose, MN 56352 and conducted via Microsoft Teams, at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud:

2023 Railroad Avenue NW Street & Utility Improvements

Bid Opening Thursday, August 3, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. (CDT)

Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_OTM5MDRkZDQtN2MxMS00MTQwLWI0MTEtM2FiMGQwZjhkYWRl%40thread. v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22642f4553-88f1-43dc9a29-90842cd19d4c%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%2248472820a408-4d5c-b262-d033b1c6fa20%22%7d

Meeting ID: 280 379 338 389

Passcode: bdsJQd

Or call in (audio only)

+1 872-242-7640,,733644363# United States, Chicago

Phone Conference ID: 733 644 363#

Any person monitoring the meeting remotely may be responsible for any documented costs. Message and data rates may apply.

Major quantities for the Work include:

6,556 SQ YD SALVAGE AND STOCKPILE 9-INCH AGGGREGATE STREET MATERIAL

Unadopted Minutes

REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING Albany Area Schools – ISD #745 District Office Board Room July 12, 2023

1. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Chair Kreuzer at 6 p.m.

2. Roll Call

Present: Kreuzer, Hansen, Carbajal, Sand, Dirkes, Rueter, Sands

Late: None

Absent: None

3. Public Forum

4. Agenda – Additions and Deletions

5. Approvals

5.1 Previous Meeting Minutes

Motion by Carbajal, seconded by Rueter, to approve the June 14, 2023 Regular Meeting minutes and the June 28, 2023 Work Session minutes as presented. Supported by all present.

5.2 Cash Flow Reports – May 2023

Motion by Carbajal, seconded by Dirkes, to approve the May 2023 Cash Flow Reports as presented. Supported by all present.

5.3 Acceptance of Gifts and Donations

Member Carbajal introduced the Resolution Accepting Donations and moved for its adoption. The School Board of Albany Area Schools, ISD 745, gratefully accepts the following donations as identified below: Donor Item Designated Purpose (if any)

Class of 1985 $100.00 Scholarship

Huskie Booster Club $1,000.00 Water Sprinkler

Huskie Booster Club $710.00 Sports Blankets

Huskie Booster Club $500.00 Football Goal Post Pads

Huskie Booster Club $750.00 Swim Lanes

Huskie Pup Wrestling $690.00 Wrestling Mat

United Way $377.59 AHS Activities

Member Rueter seconded the resolution and upon vote being taken thereon,

The following voted in favor of: All present

And the following voted against: None

Absent: None

Whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted.

6. Consent Agenda

AFT Lane Change:

Alyssa Fleischhacker - BA/BS Step 3 to BA/BS+15 Step 4

Laell Welle - MA Step 5 to MA+15 Step 6

AFT Summer School:

Emily Nienaber - AVE Summer Crew Teacher

AFT Transfer:

Renee Nelson - AVE Teacher Grade 3 to Grade 5

Crystal Schlosser - AVE Media/Intervention Teacher to Special

Education

Nancy Swarthout - AVE Teacher Grade 2 to Grade 4

Stephanie Stang - AVE Teacher Grade 1 to Grade 3

AESP:

Amanda Grabmeier - Secondary Media Center Administrative

Assistant

Linda Hartung - Secondary Food Service Aide

Kyle Jansky - Technology Assistant

Peter Rausch - School Bus Driver

Shannon Dustin - ALE Summer Crew Paraprofessional

Meghan Shannon - ALE Summer Crew Paraprofessional

Hannah Knakmuhs - AVE Summer Crew Paraprofessional

At Will:

Sandra Gruber - Director of Food Services

Marie Reszel - Community Education Coordinator

Coaching/Advisors:

Chris Grove - Assistant Cross Country Coach

Isaiah Folsom - JH Football Coach

Isaiah Folsom - 9th Grade Baseball Coach

Zach Eggert - Assistant Gymnastics Coach

Faith Fourre - JV Volleyball Coach

Orlando Villareal - JH Volleyball Coach

Community Education:

The Bidding Documents may be seen at the Issuing Office of SEH located at 2351 Connecticut Avenue, Suite 300, Sartell, MN 56377-2485, 320.229.4300, Kari Franklin, 320.229.4342, kfranklin@sehinc.com.

The Bidding Documents may be viewed for no cost at http:// www.sehinc.com by selecting the Project Bid Information link at the bottom of the page and the View Plans option from the menu at the top of the selected project page.

Digital image copies of the Bidding Documents are available at http://www.sehinc.com for a fee of $30. These docu-

BEAT Tech: Mya Justin

Dive Camp: Alaina Pullins

Youth Basketball: Samantha Zierden

Girls Basketball Camp: Aaron Boyum, Todd Kuhn

Lifeguard Certification: Taylor Moritz, Claire Lecy, Anna Scherping, Teagan Crumley, Carleigh Corte, McKenzie Eiynk, Allison

Hoffmann

Resignations:

Kelly Neu - Community Education Coordinator, effective June 29, 2023

Sandy Wielenberg - AMS Paraprofessional, effective June 12, 2023

Madison Worms - AHS Special Education Teacher, effective August 3, 2023

Hannah Knakmuhs - AVE Paraprofessional, effective August 18, 2023

Taylor Gerads - AHS Special Education Teacher, effective June 22, 2023

Cari Gottwald - Secondary Custodian, effective June 30, 2023

Samantha Sell - Dive Coach, effective June 22, 2023

Peter Rausch - School Bus Driver, effective May 31, 2023

Stephanie Strusz - AVE Paraprofessional and Kids Company Assistant, effective August 1, 2023

Vance Ressler - Head Girls Softball Coach, effective July 10, 2023

The following checks were issued in paying claims: Wire transfers and checks 105292 - 105355

Expenditures:

01 General Fund $807,870.41

02 Food Services $11,654.14

04 Community Services $42,458.26

06 Building Construction $121,009.45

Motion by Carbajal, seconded by Sands, to approve the July 2023 Consent Agenda. Supported by all present.

7. Reports

7.1 Purple Pride

8. Business

8.1 Enrollment Report

8.2 Award Construction Bids

Kyle with ICS presented the ELC construction bids which were all within budget.

Motion by Carbajal , seconded by Hansen, to approve the construction bids for the ELC as presented. Supported by all present.

8.3 Food Service Bids

Motion by Dirkes, seconded by Sands, to approve the milk bid from Stoney Creek Dairy. Supported by all present.

8.4 Student Activity Fee Increase

The board discussed the proposed fee increase and made the following recommendations. Student activity fees will increase to: Grades 9-12, $110 Grades 7-8, $85 Family Cap, $450 Student Activity $50 No increase to Fine Arts fees.

Motion by Carbajal, seconded by Dirkes, to approve the 20232024 student activity fees as discussed. Supported by all present.

8.5 Resolution Adopting Fiscal Year 2025 Long Term Facilities Maintenance Ten-Year Plan

Motion by Carbajal, seconded by Rueter to approve the FY 2025 LTFM Ten-year Plan, which included:

10-Year LTFM Expenditures

10-Year LTFM Revenues

LTFM Resolution

LTFM Statement of Assurances

The following voted in favor of the motion: All And the following voted against: None Whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted.

8.6 Employee and Student Handbooks

Motion by Rueter, seconded by Carbajal, to approve the 20232024 Employee Handbook and student handbooks for Albany Elementary, Avon Elementary, Albany Middle School and Albany High School as presented. Supported by all present.

8.7 Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Leave Unifica-

ments may be downloaded by selecting this project from the “Project Bid Information” link and by entering eBidDocTM

Number 8587844 on the SEARCH PROJECTS page. For assistance and free membership registration, contact QuestCDN at 952.233.1632 or info@questcdn.com.

For this project, bids will ONLY be received electronically. Contractors submitting an electronic bid will be charged an additional $42 at the time of bid submission via the online electronic bid service QuestCDN.com. To access the electronic Bid Worksheet, download the project document and click the online bidding button at the top of the advertisement. Prospective bidders must be on the plan holders list through QuestCDN for bids to be accepted. Bids shall be completed according to the Bidding Requirements prepared by SEH dated June 15, 2023.

In addition to digital plans, paper copies of the Bidding Documents may be obtained from Docunet Corp. located at 2435 Xenium Lane North, Plymouth, MN 55441 (763.475.9600) for a fee of $100.

Bid security in the amount of 5 percent of the Bid must accompany each Bid in accordance with the Instructions to Bidders.

A Contractor responding to these Bidding Documents must submit to the City/Owner a signed statement under oath by an owner or officer verifying compliance with each of the minimum criteria in Minnesota Statutes, section 16C.285, subdivision 3.

The Owner reserves the right to reject any and all Bids, to waive irregularities and informalities therein and to award the Contract in the best interests of the Owner.

Publish:

QuestCDN: July 12, 2023

City of Melrose website: July 12, 2023

The Star Post: July 12 and 19, 2023

tion

Colleen Winter Administrator Melrose, MN

P-28-2B

Motion by Carbajal, seconded by Sands, to approve the MOU regarding leave unification as presented. Support by all present.

8.8 Designation of the Identified Official with Authority for Education Identity and Access Management

Motion by Carbajal, seconded by Hansen, to approve the IOWA designation as presented. Supported by all present.

8.9 Minnesota School Boards Association Membership Dues Motion by Carbajal, seconded by Sand, to approve the 20232024 MSBA Membership dues. Supported by all present.

8.10 Resource Training & Solutions Membership

Motion by Rueter, seconded by Hansen, to approve the 20232024 Resource Training & Solutions Membership. Supported by all present.

8.11 Schools for Equity in Education Membership Dues Motion by Hansen, seconded by Carbajal, to approve the SEE membership dues for the upcoming academic year. Supported by all present.

9. Committee Reports Albany Area Schools has dissolved their participation and membership with CMETs.

10. Superintendent Report Construction for the Early Learning Center will begin in August. The groundbreaking ceremony will be September 20 at 5 p.m.

11. Adjournment Agenda completed at 6:45 pm, a motion to adjourn was made by Member Carbajal, seconded by Member Sand. Supported by all present. Amy Sand, Clerk P-29-1B

PROBATE NOTICE STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF STEARNS DISTRICT COURT SEVENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court File No: 73-PR-23-5075

NOTICE OF AND ORDER FOR HEARING ON PETITION FOR FORMAL ADJUDICATION OF INTESTACY, DETERMINATION OF HEIRS, FORMAL APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

In Re: Estate of KATHRYN J. WOODRUFF, Decedent.

It is Ordered and Notice is given that on July 28, 2023, at 8:45 a.m., a hearing will be held in this Court at The Stearns County Judicial Center, 725 Courthouse Square, St. Cloud, Minnesota 56303, on a petition for the adjudication of intestacy and determination of decedent’s heirs, and for the appointment of Nancy Gilles, whose address is 2950 County 45 NW, Hackensack, MN 56452, as personal representative of the decedent’s estate in an unsupervised administration.

Any objections to the pe-

tition must be raised at the hearing or filed with the Court prior to the hearing. If the petition is proper and no objections are filed or raised, the personal representative will be appointed with the full power to administer the decedent’s estate, including the power to collect all assets; to pay all legal debts, claims, taxes, and expenses; to sell real and personal property; and to do all necessary acts for the decedent’s estate. Notice is further given that, subject to Minn. Stat. § 524.3801, all creditors having claims against the decedent’s estate are required to present the claims to the personal representative or to the Court within four (4) months after the date of this notice or the claims will be barred. BY THE COURT

Dated: June 30, 2023 /s/ Vicki E. Landwehr Judge of District Court /s/ George Lock Deputy Court Clerk Breen & Person, Ltd. Laura J. Hansen, Esq. MN#0285912 111 6th Street South, Box 392 Walker, MN 56484 Telephone: (218) 547-3800 Facsimile: (218) 828-4832 e-mail: laura@breenandperson. com

P-28-2B

2021 Jeep Cherokee 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee 2021 Jeep Wrangler

Rollicking regular season ends for area leagues

Amateur baseball postseason begins July 21

BY HERMAN LENSING STAFF WRITER

The Stearns County League and Victory League playoffs begin this weekend.

In the SCL, the first round pits the No. 4 seed against the No. 1 seed and the third seed at the second seed. The winners qualify for the Region 15C Tournament. The playoffs begin Friday, July 21, with Richmond facing top-seeded St. Martin at 8:15 p.m. in St. Martin. The Roscoe-Lake Henry game will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, July 22, in Lake Henry.

In the SCL North, Greenwald travels to top-seeded Elrosa for an 11 a.m. game July 22, and Spring Hill is at New Munich at 2:30 p.m. July 22. The game times may change depending on umpire availability.

The second round of the SCL playoffs will be Sunday, July 23, in New Munich and St. Martin. The first-round winners play for seeding. The losers of first-round play for a region berth, but one of them will be in the region’s single-elimination contest Saturday, July 29, in Lake Henry.

The Victory League playoffs begin at the higher seeds. In the South/West Division, Avon will host Flensburg in a first-round game, but the date and time were not known at press time. Sixth-seeded Freeport is at third-seeded Opole; fifth-seeded St. Wendel at fourth-seeded Upsala; and seventh-seeded Randall is at St. Stephen, all July 22. The second-round sites depend on who wins in the first round. Game times will depend on umpire availability.

Freeport 3, Randall 0

The Freeport Black Sox had an unusual 3-0 win July 15 in Randall.

Iver Papke’s fourth-inning double, Freeport’s only hit, scored Carter Neuenschwander.

In the eighth, Neuenschwander’s sacrifice fly scored Bryan Benson and Matt Johnson stole home.

Winning pitcher Andrew Kerzman gave up nine hits in eight innings. Neuenschwander pitched the ninth for the save. Avon 5, Freeport 2

The Avon-Freeport showdown interrupted June

Vaulting to the top

Final standings

7 by rain was concluded July 12 in Freeport, with Avon winning 5-2 in 12 innings.

Both starting pitchers finished the game. Kerzman pitched a complete game, taking the loss. Avon’s Matt Pichelmann, who had left the mound for Jackson Henderson in the seventh before the delay, came back to finish the game. He pitched 11 2/3 innings in the win, striking out seven batters June 7 and eight more July 12.

Avon broke the 2-2 tie in the 12th inning. Caleb Curry, who had three hits in the game, opened with a double. Walks to Reese Gregory and Adam Harlander loaded the bases. After Joe Dolan hit into a fielder’s choice, Izaac Hutchinson was hit by a pitch, Pichelmann singled and Carter Holthaus had a sacrifice fly.

Freeport had two hits from Trevor Sawyer and singles by Brandon Sawyer and Mason Tautges.

Pierz Lakers 6, Freeport 1

The Black Sox fell 6-1 July 14 in Pierz. No other information was available by press time.

New Munich 12, Greenwald 1

The New Munich SilverStreaks won 12-1 in seven in-

nings July 16 in Greenwald.

Hits came from the whole New Munich lineup.

Jacob Hinnenkamp had a two-run single in the fourth, and Caden Sand and Neal Anderson had RBI singles and scored in an eight-run fifth inning. Carter Birr and Brandon Holm singled twice.

Jim Thull earned the win, pitching five innings. Will Funk and Sand each pitched an inning of relief.

Kegan Stueve singled twice, and Gabe Schwieters and Tyler Thomas each had one hit for Greenwald. Tyler Hoffmann took the loss, pitching four innings.

Spring Hill 5, Elrosa 2

Spring Hill topped Elrosa 5-2 July 16 in Spring Hill.

Anthony Revermann and Reagan Nelson allowed three hits. Revermann, who threw six innings, earned the win. Nelson picked up the save.

Spring Hill had 11 hits, with Eric Terres, Ben Welle, Jamie Terres and Austin Schoenberg all hitting doubles and registering two hits. Owen Meyer added a double, while Devin Orbeck tripled and Luke Dehmer singled.

St. Martin 3, Meire Grove 1 Brady Goebel’s 3-for-4, two-RBI day led St. Martin to a 3-1 win over the Meire

Babe Ruth teams continue stellar summer with sweeps

Albany White defeats Holdingford

BY GRANT JOHNSON CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Albany’s Babe Ruth baseball squads squared off in exciting contests last week.

Albany White hosted Holdingford July 10 for two five-inning games. Albany White, looking to add to an already impressive record, did just that with a 4-3 and 12-2 sweep.

In game one, Axton Orbeck worked all five innings on the mound, striking out 12. The offense jumped all over the Huskers starter, scoring three runs in the first inning. Judah Allen walked and stole second and Jackson Mergen and Tyler Frericks delivered RBI singles. Another run scored when Collin Breitbach worked a bases-loaded walk.

Holdingford battled back to tie the game, 3-3.

With two outs in the bottom of the fourth, Orbeck walked and scored on a single by Brady Evenson that got under the fielder’s glove and rolled to the fence. Orbeck closed the door in the

fifth, helping Albany White hang on.

Game two was a tight contest until the bottom of the fourth inning. Albany White led 3-2 before sending 13 batters to the plate and scoring nine runs to end the game via the 10-run rule.

Cole Borgerding reached twice and Allen delivered two doubles and four RBIs in the inning. Mergen tripled and Breitbach also smacked a hit. Evenson was the walk-off winner with a sharp single to left field. Frericks worked all four innings on the mound, scattering three hits and striking out four.

Albany Purple traveled to Little Falls July 10 and came away with a sweep of the Flyers. Albany dominated game one, 10-0, and won a much closer game two, 5-2.

Kyle Holm was brilliant on the mound in game one, going four innings and striking out nine. He never allowed a runner to reach third base and held the Flyers to one hit. Cohen Habben shut the door in the fifth with a 1-2-3 inning, including two

Grove Grovers July 16 in Meire Grove.

Goebel’s first-inning single moved Bryan Schlangen to second. Schlangen scored on Scott Lieser’s single.

In the third and eighth innings, Goebel’s RBI singles scored Kyle Lieser. Tanner Arceneau singled twice, and Ben Schroeder added a single for St. Martin.

Scott Lieser started the contest and Schlangen, who entered in the fourth, grabbed the win. Ryan Morse pitched two innings and Carter Thelen closed the game.

Meire Grove’s Colton Meyer doubled to lead off the eighth inning and eventually scored on Andrew Welle’s sacrifice fly. Alex Welle led Meire Grove with three hits.

Josh Olmscheid started and took the loss for Meire Grove, pitching seven innings.

The loss eliminated Meire Grove from playoff contention.

Elrosa 3, New Munich 2

New Munich rallied with runs in the eighth and ninth innings to tie the score at 2-2 but fell 3-2 to Elrosa July 14 in Elrosa.

Elrosa scored in the bottom of the ninth for the win.

Anderson and Carter Schiffler singled in the eighth, and Birr reached on an error to score a run. In the ninth inning, Devin Hansen, Ty Reller and Sand singled, allowing pinch runner Keagan Stangler to tie the game.

Reller pitched eight innings, taking the loss.

Richmond 7, Farming 0

The Farming Flames fell 7-0 to Richmond July 16 in Richmond.

Aaron Eiynck singled twice for Farming. Isaac Nett, Josh Becker, Adam Winkels, Will Mergen and Carson Holthaus singled.

Adam Nibaur started and took the loss, pitching six innings. Winkels finished for Farming.

The loss eliminated Farming from the SCL South playoffs contention.

Avon Lakers earn No. 1 seed in South/West Division

BY MIKE KOSIK | STAFF WRITER

It took an extra inning, but the Avon Lakers defeated St. Stephen to secure the No. 1 seed in the Victory League divisional playoffs.

The Lakers, sitting in first place in the Victory League South/West Division, hosted the second-place Steves July 14 and won 3-2 off the back of a walk-off error in the bottom of the 10th inning.

After Avon tied the score at 2-2 in the ninth, pitcher Elian Mezquita got the Steves to go down 1-2-3 to send the game to extras.

With one out in the 10th, Ryan Janzen singled to left, followed by a Joe Dolan base hit to right. Caleb Curry then hit a ground ball in the infield that was mishandled. Janzen advanced to third on the ground ball and, seeing the ball get away and trickle into the outfield, sprinted home to score the winning run.

Like the week before, when the Lakers scored on a walk-off single in the ninth, the team swarmed the field in celebration, mobbing Janzen and Curry.

St. Stephen scored on the first pitch of the game, when Mat Meyer sent the ball over the right-field fence.

Avon tied the score in the fifth. Reese Gregory led off with a double to left field. Adam Harlander came in to run for him, advanced to third on a single by Mezquita and scored on a base hit by Cole Wellmann.

St. Stephen got the lead back the very next inning. Blake Guggenberger reached on an error and scored on a triple by Logan Siemers.

Avon tied it in the ninth. With the bases loaded, Peyton Randall drew a walk, scoring Dolan, who led off with an infield single.

Dominic Austing pitched through six innings for the Lakers, giving up two runs, one earned, while striking out six and walking one. Mezquita, who was credited with the win, struck out two and walked two in four innings of work.

Dolan was 2-for-5 while Janzen, Gregory, Mezquita and Wellmann got one hit each.

Avon finishes regular season play on top of the Victory League South/

Ks.

Albany Purple scored four runs with two outs in the first inning. Holm, Griffin Roemeling, Habben and Brandon Hommen all delivered singles. With a 4-0 lead in the fifth, Albany Purple put the game away by plating six runs. Holm helped his own cause with a two-run single.

Game two was more of a pitching battle. Habben worked the first four innings to earn the win and Hunter Boecker got the save in the fifth, facing the minimum.

The bats got to work in the second inning, when Boecker delivered an RBI double that scored Ben Schaefer. Albany Purple scored two more in the inning on a sac fly by Roemeling and a wild pitch that scored Boecker. Albany Purple tacked on two more insurance runs and took the sweep.

The teams each played another game July 13, with Albany White taking down Melrose 14-9 and Albany Purple shutting out Little Falls 13-0. No other information was available.

Correction: In last week’s article on the Farming-Greenwald game, it was stated Owen Meyer, of Farming, had three hits. It should have been Owen Sunderman with three hits. The Star Post regrets the error.

PHOTO BY HERMAN LENSING New Munich’s Devin Hansen (right) slides past Greenwald’s Max Wehlage for a steal of second July 16 in Greenwald. New Munich had three steals in the game.

PHOTOS BY MIKE KOSIK

Avon’s Ryan Janzen touches home plate for the winning run against St. Stephen July 14 at Blattner Field in Avon. Greeting him is Lakers teammate Reese Gregory.