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7 Second Avenue Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
“Minnesota’s Oldest Weekly Newspaper” Vol. 161, No. 46
Sauk Rapids, Benton County, Minnesota 56379
A continuation of the Frontiersman, The Free Press, Sauk Rapids Sentinel and St. Cloud Sentinel.
(USPS 482-240)
February 25, 2016
Saving lives one pint at a time Schenk dedicates his life to giving blood by NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Over 1,000 people attended the Sauk Rapids-Rice district’s family night in conjunction with the One District, One Book. The night included literacy-related activities, a live penguin and more.
Sauk Rapids-Rice wins award for fifth consecutive year by ANNA SALDANA STAFF WRITER SAUK RAPIDS — Kim Eisenschenk, Sauk RapidsRice Business Manager, staff and the Board of Education were awarded the Minnesota School Finance Award for the Àfth consecutive year. The recognition is awarded annually by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), Division of School Finance, to recognize schools for their successful Àscal management and for meeting statutory deadlines for submission of audited Àscal Ànancial data and reporting criteria. In other school board news: • Approved the use of canines, on behalf of the school district, to search through facilities for drugs and other potential chemicals of concern, with a focus on safety and security for all students and staff. The district has received many
comments on why Sauk Rapids-Rice hasn’t done this when neighboring districts have. The board was insistent that this would be for an overall concern of well-being for the district and not triggered by any speciÀc instances, and that they hope this will deter people from bringing drugs and other things on school property. The One District, One Book – Mr. Popper’s Penguins – continues to be discussed around the community. On Friday night, over 1,000 people gathered in the high school’s commons area for the district’s family night, which included literacy-related activities, face painting, arts and crafts, pizza and a live penguin. On March 18, the Sauk Rapids-Rice Education Foundation will host its 3rd Annual Stars of the Storm fundraiser and talent show highlighting students. The public is welcome to attend.
Heritage Parade planned for Rice by NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
RICE — A parade highlighting residents’ Irish and other cultural heritages will celebrate its second year in the city of Rice on March 19. A large gathering permit was approved by the Rice City Council at the regular meeting Feb. 16 allowing a parade to begin at 3 p.m. on March 19. The permit was approved on stipulations that both Benton County approves the road closure, and a date and location are speciÀed on liability insurance for the event. The parade would be staged near the Corner Pocket Saloon-NEatery and proceed southwest on Division Street N with dispersal at the Main Street intersection near O’Brien’s Pub. The event has been organized by O’Brien’s Pub and is open to all cultural backgrounds. Owners of O’Brien’s Pub, Keith and Kristi O’Brien, expect a few hundred people to gather for the parade, which last year had approximately
30 Áoats. In other council news: • Mayor Dale Rogholt proclaimed the month of February as “Rice Loves Its Kids Month.” Rogholt said, “I encourage everyone in Rice to join our hearts in a 100 percent community effort to show kids how much they are loved and appreciated. Our goal will be an honest effort to raise kids’ self-esteem and to reach the kids in our community who have far too many hurts and struggles in their young lives.” • Approved city clerk Lori Catton’s attendance to the Minnesota Clerks and Finance OfÀcers Association annual conference. •Approved an updated building rental and use policy. An updated copy of the policy can be found on the city’s website http://www.cityofrice.com/ •Approved a request for proposals of building inspectors. The city’s current building inspector is Nancy Scott of AllSpec Services, LLC.
Robbery on Benton Drive The Sauk Rapids Police Department responded to a robbery at 9:55 p.m. on Feb. 16 at 502 Benton Drive North. Two suspects entered the Super America store, threatened the store clerk and demanded money. The suspects also took some cigarettes. No weapon was shown or displayed, and the suspects were last seen Áeeing the store on foot. An undisclosed amount of money was taken in the robbery. The two suspects are described as follows: • Black Male, 6’ 1” tall,
weighing 180-190 pounds and wearing black clothing • Black Male 5’ 8” tall, weighing 140-150 pounds and wearing black clothing The Stearns and Benton County Sheriff’s Departments responded to assist. The agencies continue to investigate the incident, gathering information and following up on leads. Anyone with any information about the robbery is asked to contact the Sauk Rapids Police Department at 320-258-5346.
ST. CLOUD — He may not have a Áowing cape or special powers. But make no doubt about it, John Schenk is a super-hero. Schenk save lives — one pint at a time. “I’ve always known you could save lives by giving blood and it’s so easy,” said Schenk, a resident of St. Cloud. “I know a lot of people cannot give for various reasons, but giving is easy for me so why not do it?” March is Red Cross Month. Since 1943, each United States president has recognized the proclamation and has asked the citizens of the nation to use the month of March to celebrate and honor its everyday heroes who help fulÀll the Red Cross mission. Schenk is one of those people. The American Red Cross dedicates itself to helping victims of disasters, supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood, teaches life-saving skills, provides international humanitarian aid, and supports military members and their families. The nonproÀt organization has been around for 135 years and was inspired by the Swiss. Throughout his dedication to the Red Cross, Schenk has potentially saved more than 257 lives — all by giving blood. Schenk, who recently reached his 32-gallon mark this past December, gave his 257th pint donation of A positive blood on Feb. 17 at the Rice City Hall. Why is Schenk important? Because Schenk has been donating his blood for over 46 years. “It wasn’t a goal I set,”
PHOTOS BY NATASHA BARBER
John Schenk donates blood Feb. 17 at the Rice City Hall. March is Red Cross Month and Schenk has been donating his blood to the organization for 46 years.
Schenk said. “I remember being interviewed at my 17-gallon mark and I said then I wanted to make it to 25. I’m just thankful to be healthy enough to keep donating because every time I do, I could potentially save a life. It’s not something you can do very often. Five or six times a year is the maximum.” A blood donor is eligible to donate blood every 56 days as long as they meet the prerequisites. Schenk has given on average every 66 days for over 46 years. In the state of Minnesota, individuals who are 17 years in age (16 with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and who are generally in good health may be eligible to donate blood. There is no cap on the age limit of an individual as long as that person meets the eligibility criteria. “High school and college students are important in supporting a strong blood supply. They give about 20 percent of all Red Cross blood donations during the academic year,” said Sue Thesenga, External Communication Manager for the American Red Cross, St. Paul. Over the past 46 years, John Schenk has kept a record of every pint of blood he has donated to the American Red Cross. Schenk donated his 257th pint on Feb. 17 at the Rice City Hall.
Schenk was a student when he began donating blood as well. “My parents were both donors, so I grew up listening to them talk about it, and when I reached high school I had a teacher who told us that when we were old enough [legal age to donate at that time was 18], it would be a good idea to start donating blood,” Schenk said. “I was in college when I Àrst donated blood. Like everyone else, I was apprehensive, but I’ve never had any problems with light-headedness or passing out. In college I donated twice a year, but it was during the service that I really became serious about it.” Schenk served in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Omaha, Neb., for three-and-a-half years. During that time Schenk and his comrades were ordered to give blood on the base, but eventually the orders became voluntary as they began to see the need and difference it made. According to Thesenga, blood and platelets are needed for many different reasons. Accident and burn victims, heart surgery patients, organ transplant patients and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease may all need blood. “Most patients who have a major surgical procedure will have a blood transfusion to replace any blood loss during their surgery,” Thesenga said. “Donated blood is perishable. Red blood cells have a shelf life of only 42 days and platelets just Àve days, so they must constantly be replenished.” “There are a lot of stories,” Schenk said. “Being on the board we get constant reminders and calls for blood. I really haven’t had any family member or close friend that has needed blood, but I know the need is always there.” Winter weather issues in
January and February forced the cancellation of over 375 blood drives across Minnesota, resulting in more than 11,000 donations going uncollected. This further depleted an already low winter blood supply and sent the Red Cross in a state of urgency. “There were several blood drive cancellations in Minnesota due to inclement weather, but certainly not as many as the East Coast. However, the American Red Cross is a national blood banking system that must collect approximately 14,000 blood and platelet donations every day for patients at about 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide. When blood drives are canceled and thousands of donations go uncollected due to winter weather, the Red Cross must make up for that shortfall and replenish the shelves,” Thesenga said. The Red Cross is unique to other blood drives because it is a national network, which transfers blood donations to where they are needed. This helps ensure the majority of donations are used during their 42 day shelf life, creating minimal waste. “Eligible donors can feel good knowing that by donating through the Red Cross they may be helping patients not only in their community, but also their family and friends across the nation,” Thesenga said. Schenk’s involvement in Red Cross blood donation has ultimately catapulted him into serving others elsewhere as well. He was a member of the Northern MN Chapter Board for 13 years in St. Cloud and has resided on the North Central Blood Services Region Board for nine. He has been volunteered in 12 disasters in
Schenk continued on pg. 2
Employment in Benton County steady
Greiner presents statistics at Rice Chamber meeting by NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
RICE – Employment in both Minnesota and Benton County is on an upswing according to Luke Greiner of the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Greiner presented economic and demographic trends of Benton and Stearns Counties at a Rice Chamber meeting on Feb. 17 at the Lions Building. DEED gathers its data through monthly employer surveys and tax records from the unemployment insurance (UI) program. According to Greiner’s data, Minnesota added over 18,000 jobs in the last two months of the 2015 year and Benton County’s unemploy-
sectors were arts, ment rate in Deentertainment and cember was .2 recreation; adminpercent lower istrative support than the previand waste remeous year. Greiner diation; and inforadded that bemation. cause of the Manufacheavy constructuring is still the tion industries in largest industry in the county, it was Benton County, necessary to look paying an average at the unemployannual salary of ment rates from Luke Greiner $42,866 to 3,684 year to year rather than month to month because jobs. Health care and social of seasonal layoffs and hires assistance (2,745 jobs) ranks that take place each late fall second, followed by retail and early spring. In fact, in the trade (1,715 jobs) and conSt. Cloud Metropolitan Area struction (1,710 jobs.) Greiner also shed light (which Greiner described as all of Benton and Stearns about household incomes in counties) only three indus- Benton County. He said the try sectors failed to gain jobs median household income is over the 2014-15 year. These about 87 percent of Minne-
sota’s median household income with households in Benton County typically claiming $53,006 of income each year. The annual cost for an average family to live in Benton County is $42,949. Other details presented in the meeting included: • The city of Rice is a labor exporter, meaning more workers leave the city of Rice to work than commute in for local jobs. Only 52 workers live and work in the city of Rice. • The most prevalent job in the St. Cloud metro subject area (Benton and Stearns Counties) is retail salespeople, while food preparation and serving workers are the most needed.