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7 Second Avenue Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
“Minnesota’s Oldest Weekly Newspaper”
Vol. 161, No. 36
Sauk Rapids, Benton County, Minnesota 56379
A continuation of the Frontiersman, The Free Press, Sauk Rapids Sentinel and St. Cloud Sentinel.
Settlement conferences set for two felony cases she had taken $2,200 from the city without authorization. Souvannaphong’s case continues with a settlement BENTON conference on Feb. COUNTY – 18 at 2:15 p.m. Two Two central Hibbing residents, Minnesota resiKevin and Kathy dent court cases Davey, along with are slowly maktheir daughter, ing their way Krista Miller, were through criminal in Sauk Rapids on court procedures the evening of Aug. according to the Benton Coun- Tom Souvannaphong 8 to watch their son Dylan race at Granty’s attorney ite City Speedway. Philip Miller. Souvannaphong was Both former city allegedly under the clerk Marie Weininfluence of alcohol and’s case and the when he crashed into man charged with the Davey’s car, killvehicular homiing the couple on-site cide for the deaths and severely injuring of a Hibbing coutheir daughter. ple, Tom SouvanSouvannaphong naphong’s case Marie Weinand has been charged with are scheduled for four felony counts of settlement confercriminal vehicular homicide, ences in early 2016. Weinand’s settlement two felony counts of crimiconference is set for 2 p.m., nal vehicular operation, two Jan. 20. Weinand has been gross misdemeanor counts of charged with theft, theft by driving while impaired and swindle and temporary theft, one misdemeanor count on no all felony offenses, after she driver’s license. admitted to city of Rice civil attorney Troy Gilchrist that by NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
December 16, 2015
More than a Underdahl showcases unique craft by ANNA SALDANA STAFF WRITER
For many years, Dick Underdahl has enjoyed making things from wood, specifically furniture and toys. Since beginning his hobby of wood crafting, Dick has built enough furniture to fill his home, as well as the homes of his two daughters. “He’s very handy. I ask for something and I get it,” said his wife, Janet. “The kids appreciate Dad because he builds furniture for them, too.” He has made beds, chairs, tables, dressers and more. One day, Janet asked for a cup rack to hold collectible coffee cups, and he made it. Janet also likes storage space, so Dick made a cupboard with 28 drawers for her. Now, he has switched to making toys. “My wife didn’t want any more furniture. We ran out of room,” Dick said. “I started building toys because I thought it would be fun. I enjoy making them; it gives me something to do now that driven by Travis K. Bitker, I am retired.” 27 of Bemidji, struck Moen’s vehicle from behind. The accident ultimately caused damage to both the front and rear of Moen’s vehicle. Moen suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was transported by Gold Cross Ambulance to the St. Cloud Hospital. Neither Derosier nor Bitker suffered apparent injuries. The St. Cloud police and fire department assisted the state patrol on the scene.
Chain of events leaves Rice man injured
ST.CLOUD – A Rice man was injured after his vehicle was sandwiched between two semis Dec. 10. The Minnesota State Patrol reported Wayne L. Moen, 46 of Rice, was traveling westbound on Highway 10, west of St. Germain, in his Volkswagen GTI shortly before 3:30 p.m. A Peterbilt, driven by Barry A. Derosier, 49 of Little Falls, stopped for the railroad crossing when Moen’s vehicle rear-ended the semi. In a chain of events, another semi
(USPS 482-240)
Dick has been making toys for the past four years in a shop in his backyard, focusing on one area of popular toys: small-scale heavy equipment. He has made dump trucks, side-dump trucks, cement trucks, loaders, backhoes and tractors to name a few. Since he started, he has made 15 side-dump trucks alone. “I enjoy making things. I also enjoy making sawdust,” Dick said with a laugh. “I keep adding more crafty junk to my shop every year it seems.” To garner inspiration, Dick often takes pictures of equipment. He also has a wood crafting magazine delivered to his home, and occasionally orders plans from there. He often focuses on details when making toys. “I put some detail into them, but I haven’t tackled the little details yet,” Dick said. When constructing backhoes and loaders, his details are noticeable in the cab area of the toy, which often includes a seat, steering wheel
Underdahl continued on pg. 5
PHOTO BY ANNA SALDANA
Dick has made many toys in the past four years, including loaders, backhoes and cement trucks.
A refresh to welcome the New Year by NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
SAUK RAPIDS – In less than 10 days, people’s focus will switch from the gift giving of Christmas to the 2016 New Year. People will begin to think about bettering themselves and community members may choose to make resolutions to improve their lives. Most will have the same goal – healthy living. According to Nielsen ratings, the top two resolutions made in 2015 were to stay fit and healthy and to lose weight. A whopping 69 percent of people surveyed reported both or one of these resolutions as important to them. But studies show resolutions are hard to keep. Refresh Nutrition wants to change those numbers in surrounding communities by offering a healthy meal alter-
School board approves decrease in levy by ANNA SALDANA STAFF WRITER
SAUK RAPIDS-RICE – The school board held their annual Truth in Taxation public hearing as a part of their public meeting Monday night. Members of the board and the audience learned that the levy is decreasing by 4.9 percent, a total of $425,022.29. Kim Eisenschenk, Sauk Rapids-Rice District Business Manager, discussed several reasons for the decrease, including changes in enrollment and removal of the health and safety and deferred maintenance levies, which will be replaced by the long term facilities maintenance levy; slight changes due to population adjustments in community education; the debt service bond refunding that took place in September; and debt service schedule changes and the corresponding increase based on this year’s department of education fund balance excess calculation. “I know the board has been waiting for this day for a long time, so it’s great news that the levy is decreasing,” Eisenschenk said. In other school board news: • The Sauk Rapids-Rice School District has been selected as a national Skyward 2016 Leader in excellence. The district was recognized because of its outstanding achievement and for its success inspiring people with new ideas and initiatives. “Judges stated that Sauk Rapids-Rice is a shining example of success in educa-
tion and that they will be sharing our story on a local and national level throughout the year to secure recognition for our achievements,” said Dr. Daniel Bittman, superintendent of the Sauk Rapids-Rice School District. • The school board applauded the Sauk Rapids-Rice High School culinary program for their recognition as one of the 2016 Elite 50 programs in the nation for the second straight year. • The facility study continues to be a discussion among district administration. The study is conducted as a part of the district’s strategic planning process and to gather feedback from stakeholders, including those who have concerns about taxes and/ or building, and to develop a plan collaboratively that will meet the needs of students for the next 10 years. Information continues to be presented to the board and the public. Currently, the district has 30 people participating in the community task force, but is looking for 50-100 people total. Applications are available online at the district website and are accepted through Christmas. • The board approved roofing contracts for the middle school and the bus garage. McDowell Company will conduct the middle school project and Granite City Roofing will complete the bus garage. • Student activities continue to grow and additional staff is required to assist. The board approved the hiring of an assistant speech coach for the middle school for the 2015-16 school year.
PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER
Melissa Brenny (left) and Ashley Gregerson recently partnered to open a new health and wellness business in Sauk Rapids.
Refresh Nutrition continued on pg. 5
Wegner welcomed to police force by NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
The Sauk centre City Council welcomed police officer Alex Wegner to the force at Monday’s city council meeting. Wegner was sworn in as the city’s newest officer. Wegner is the son of retired Minnesota State Patrol Sergeant Richard Wegner. In other Sauk Rapids City Council news: • Congratulated Dave Rosenkrans for his 15 years of dedicated service to the Sauk Rapids community. • Discussed and apBY NATASHA BARBER proved changes to the fee Sauk Rapids Police Chief Perry Beise (from left) welcomed newlyPHOTO sworn Officer Alex Wegner schedule for 2016. during the Dec. 14 city council meeting along with Mayor Brad Gunderson. Wegner is the son
City council continued on pg. 3
of retired Minnesota State Patrol Sergeant Richard Wegner.