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“Minnesota’s Oldest Weekly Newspaper” Vol. 162, No. 2
Sauk Rapids, Benton County, Minnesota 56379
A continuation of the Frontiersman, The Free Press, Sauk Rapids Sentinel and St. Cloud Sentinel.
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(USPS 482-240)
April 21, 2016
Everything but a Hot Mess
Keller organizes parent-child Àtness by NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
PHOTO BY MARK KLAPHAKE
Haley Reed and Alex Martins strum their instruments at the end of the runway at Sauk Rapids-Rice grand march April 16.
more photos on page 8
Parks awarded progress grant by NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
Concerned citizen Emilie Hendrickson brought the needs of stop signs to be placed at the intersection of Second Avenue NE and Third Street NE. Currently yield signs are in place, but Hendrickson’s concern was the number of buses and trafÀc which do not yield to students and pedestrians in the area. “I’m just afraid you’re going to have to clean up a kid and nobody wants to do that. I’d hate to see anyone’s kids hurt,” Hendrickson said. Rice Police Chief Ross Hamann commented that he received other complaints about trafÀc in the area as well and that, because of the nature of the area, it has been hard to observe for himself. “If you see a police car in plain sight, you’re going to obey,” he said.
SAUK RAPIDS — Ashley Keller is a Hotmess Mom. Like many young mothers, post-pregnancy weight became a burden to Keller. After gaining excess pounds during the pregnancy of her son Jaxon, and shedding only minimal amounts as his Àrst birthday inched closer, Keller’s lifestyle weighed her down. At least until her second pregnancy. That’s when Keller took charge, changed her life and in the process brought along other moms and children with Hotmess Moms Fitness and Tiny Tots Play Dates and Fitness Group. The two groups allow mothers to exercise and get Àt with their children—no need for sitters or childcare. “When I found out I was pregnant again, I was afraid I would gain the same amount of weight I did with Jaxon and not be able to lose it. So I decided to start drinking protein shakes and working out,” Keller said. “It was a big wake-up call. It wasn’t where I wanted my life to be. My energy was lower and with having young kids you need that.” As the pregnant, full-
PHOTOS BY NATASHA BARBER
Ashley Keller sits with her 2-year-old son, Jaxon, and 5-month-old daugther, Mia, at a Tiny Tots Play Date at Bounce Adventure in St. Cloud. Keller began Hotmess Moms Fitness and Tiny Tots Play Dates and Fitness Group after realizing the need for family-friendly Àtness alternatives.
time employed, wife and mother began her journey of eating right and being active, she soon realized not all parts of the Àtness world were family-friendly. So she reached out. “It started with talking to people and asking if friends
wanted to go to the park or the playdates are more than I have a playdate. Then it turned would have done.” But Keller says the groups into Facebook posts calling for people to come hang out aren’t just focused on getting with us at the park. We’d take mom Àt, they have beneÀts a group picture and ask people for the children, too. “There are so many physto join us the next time and the groups kept expanding,” ical and mental beneÀts to play,” she said. “While play Keller said. Now, with 5-month-old dates may only look like play Mia in tow and Jaxon run- time, there’s a lot of work ning chaotically behind (or in involved for your tot—sofront of), Keller organizes at cializing, problem-solving, least one public outing a week skill-building and overcomthrough her groups. The Hot- ing physical and emotional mess mom arranges Mommy challenges just to name a few. According to the Ameriand Me 5Ks, Stroller Fitness routines and other events, in can Academy of Pediatrics, addition to, online challenges playtime is important in prowhich teach mothers how to moting healthy child developexercise with their babies and ment and parent-child bonds. toddlers at home. There is no It recommends 30 minutes of or minimal cost for families adult-led physical activity and to attend the events and all 60 minutes of unstructured (even those without kids) are play each day. Play can boost City Council welcome. The groups explore self-esteem, build imaginacontinued on pg. 2 local splash pads and parks, tion, promote social skills and changing locations, dates and teach children how to work times of the events to try and through emotions. Keller is in the process of suit multiple families’ needs. “It’s been great. I’ve making her events repeatable loved everything we’ve done,” and hopes to take her actions said SCSU Master’s student statewide so that Minnesota Lisa Moen, who discovered moms and children can come Keller’s groups via an online together and meet their Àtness posting. “It’s creative and Àt- goals. She currently draws FOLEY — Tom Souvan- the night of the crash. ness orientated. The groups from the Sauk Rapids, Sarnaphong was sentenced to “This [sentence] was Jax Gerber, 3, of Sartell, plays at an organized play date at get us both [Moen has a Keller seven years in prison Thurs- a compromise,” said Ben- Bounce Adventure. Tiny Tots Play Dates beneÀt parents, by 19-month-old son] out of the continued on pg. 2 combining fun À tness activities they can do with their kids. day after his involvement in ton County attorney Philip house and even the activity at the crash which killed former Miller of the sentence. “DisHibbing residents Kathy and cussions about this case took Kevin Davey. place over several According months. Many conto police reports, siderations went Souvannaphong into this agreement, was driving west most importantly, in Sauk Rapids that of the family of by ANNA SALDANA stressful, it does take its toll on on Second Street the victims.” STAFF WRITER you, particularly emotionally.” North August 9, SouvannaWhile Tanto was in Sauk 2015 when he phong had entered The word hero is often Rapids, he spoke of his expestruck the side of an Alford plea in tossed around in today’s so- riences in Libya, focusing on the Davey’s ve- Tom Souvannaphong court this past Feb- ciety, but on April 16, dozens the night of the attacks. A few hicle, which was ruary, which didn’t of people gathered at Sauk moments stuck out to him that traveling northbound on Ben- admit guilt but agreed that Rapids-Rice Middle School to night. ton Drive. Kevin and Kathy evidence would overwhelm- listen to a story from someone The Àrst moment he spoke Davey died as a result of inju- ingly result in a conviction. they believe Àtting of the title about was right after people ries sustained in the accident. Miller said that even if Sou- – Kris “Tanto” Paronto, one of from the compound called for A third passenger, Krista Mill- vannaphong’s case had gone six American security operators help due to being overturned er, 25, was transported to the to trial, following sentencing who fought in the September and under Àre. Tanto and his St. Cloud Hospital and treated guidelines, it would have like- 11, 2012 attacks in Benghazi, teammates were told to stand down despite the pleas for help. for non-life threatening inju- ly only resulted in 12 more Libya. “It was hard. I felt a sense “You are a true hero for ries. The criminal complaint months of prison than agreed what you did,” said one audi- of helplessness, but I felt a reported Souvannaphong as upon with this plea. sense of determination at the ence member. having a blood alcohol of .101 Tanto was originally in same time,” Tanto said. “You’re Benghazi to covertly protect digging in because you know case ofÀcers and to get all of you’re in for a Àght and the PHOTO BY ANNA SALDANA the missiles out of Libya. When longer the Àght goes, the more Kris “Tanto” Paronto spoke to the dozens of people gathered he and his team heard that U.S. difÀcult it becomes. We always The Sauk Rapids Citizen Citizen of the Year reception Ambassador Chris Stevens knew we would go help, but the at Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School on April 16. Tanto talked of the Year Committee, which at the Sauk Rapids Govern- would be arriving, they re- longer we waited, the angrier about his account of the Benghazi attacks on Sept. 11, 2012, and his Àrst-hand experiences during the Àght. is comprised of City of Sauk ment Center. The event will quested to stay longer. we got. We knew our leaderRapids staff, local business begin with a 4:30 p.m. open “You have to get the okay ship was giving us the wrong tell the chief and the team lead- ple staying at the compound, representatives and past Citi- house and a 5:15 p.m. pro- to stay longer, which they answer.” er ‘we aren’t going to listen to died of smoke inhalation. zen of the Year recipients, is gram. Following the recep- granted because the ambassaAs someone with military you anymore’ was a tough deci“If we would’ve gone right happy to announce April My- tion, the City Council will dor was coming in,” Tanto said. experience, it was hard for Tan- sion,” Tanto said. away, the ambassador and Sean ers as the 2016 Citizen of the recognize April Myers as Citi- “Typically, deployments are to to overrule his leadership. Because they were told to Tanto Year. Ms. Myers will be rec- zen of the Year at their 6 p.m. two months long, because even “I was trained to listen to stand down, Ambassador Stecontinued on pg. 2 ognized at the April 25, 2016 City Council meeting. though you don’t feel the job is leaders and obey order, so to vens and Sean Smith, two peoRICE—Rice city residents will soon see upgrades to their parks throughout town. The city was awarded a SCORE grant of over $10,000 from Benton County to improve existing parks with picnic tables, trash receptacles, benches, bike racks and more. The city also plans to seed the area west of the ballÀelds to create the green space in their current plan. According to city council member Brian Skroch, excess monies will be reserved for funding other park improvements and projects like disc golf baskets. Currently, the Rice Parks Board is seeking community input for their long-term park plans. Those residents who have not yet Àlled out the survey, may locate a paper copy at city hall or online at http:// www.cityofrice.com.
Souvannaphong to serve seven years
Remembering Benghazi
Tanto talks of the 13-hour Àght
Myers selected Citizen of the Year