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7 Second Avenue Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
“Minnesota’s Oldest Weekly Newspaper” Vol. 161, No. 42
Sauk Rapids, Benton County, Minnesota 56379
A continuation of the Frontiersman, The Free Press, Sauk Rapids Sentinel and St. Cloud Sentinel.
MN Pages 1B-5B
DAY
HOCKEY
Immaculate Conception sign still in violation of city code by NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER RICE – According to the discussion held between council members at the Rice City Council meeting Feb. 1, a semitrailer advertising Immaculate Conception’s summer festival remains in violation of city ordinance. The church has been sent two non-certiÀed letters regarding the matter, with the second being sent after a December meeting. Immaculate Conception was asked to comply with city ordinance by Feb. 1. The city has received no correspondence or communication from the church, so council member Paula Kampa asked to contact the church directly about the matter. As Kampa seeks to make sure the church is aware of the issue, the council will also research in how they wish to enforce the ordinance and proceed. The non-compliance will be on the Feb. 15 meeting agenda if applicable at that time. The Little Rocks Boat Works sign has since been brought to compliance by size reduction. All signs within city limits are not to exceed a total
200 square feet. • Adopted a resolution in support of increasing local government aid to $45.5 million during the 2016 legislative session to be payable in 2017. • Adopted resolution for annual salary schedule. Minor verbiage changes were made, along with a 30-cent increase to ÀreÀghter hourly wage in hopes to bring them closer to the $13 per hour wage over time. • Rescinded former resolution and adopted resolution for 2016 annual appointments to include a new parks board member and Rice recreation program manager. • Adopted a resolution accepting $1,758 from Benton Telecommunications Foundation to be used in the purchase of Dragon Professional speech recognition software and required equipment. • Approved overage on the Bender house demolition. • Discussed land rental rates for the 2016 year between the city and Prairie Farm Company, Inc. City clerk Catton will recreate an agreement and mail it by the end of the week. • Discussed building rental agreement. Any action was tabled for the following meeting.
Body found on Mississippi River Ice
ST. CLOUD — The Stearns County Sheriff’s OfÀce patrol deputies and investigators responded to a report of a body lying on the ice near the Granite City Crossing Bridge, which carries Minnesota State Hwy 23 across the river, around 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 31. The body was reported to the St. Cloud Police Department by a pedestrian. According to Minnesota statute, sheriff ofÀces are responsible for all incidents on
the water, including when it’s frozen. The body of a 21-year-old Hannah Pauline Udvig was recovered from the ice surface. Her remains were sent to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s ofÀce for an autopsy, preliminary results that she died from injuries consistent with a fall to the ice. The Stearns County Sheriff’s OfÀce is working closely with the St. Cloud Police Department in the investigation.
Not many families can say they went to the same college, but the Campbell family can. The Campbells – Scott and Deb along with their children, Andy, Katie and Emily – who have made Sauk Rapids their hometown, each attended Concordia College in Moorhead. Although all Àve have participated in the college’s music program, each one used their talents in different ways – both in the department and their careers following their education. It all started when Scott and Deb met each other at Concordia College in Moorhead during
their sophomore year in 1981, when they were both playing in instrumental ensembles. Graduating in 1983, the two decided to build a life together. Scott became the high school band director at Sauk RapidsRice High School and Deb became a teacher in Big Lake. They also had three kids – Andy, Katie and Emily. As their kids grew up and entered high school, performing music became a passion with each of the Campbell kids playing instruments under the instruction of their dad. “It was pure joy to direct my kids,” Scott said. “It was one of those things that, because they were my own kids, we got
February 4, 2016
A legacy continues PHOTO SUBMITTED
KEEPRS was opened in Brian’s honor, and Brian is honored through a full-wall mural as well as having his badge and duty belt on display.
Klinefelter family, community remember fallen police ofÀcer 20 years later by ANNA SALDANA STAFF WRITER ST. JOSEPH – Brian Klinefelter is described as a fun-loving guy, who loved to joke around and was close with his family and the community. That community gathered Friday, Jan. 29 to remember Brian, who was shot and killed 20 years ago while serving the community as a police ofÀcer in St. Joseph. “I didn’t recognize what it meant at the time, but looking back, it was an honor for him to serve in that way [as a police ofÀcer],” said Greg Klinefelter, Brian’s older brother. As an ofÀcer, Brian was well-known and well-liked around the community. “It was something he was very proud of and worked hard at,” said Wendy Klinefelter Tragai, Brian’s widow. “He would work hard to get to know the residents and was very involved in the community.” A few months prior to the incident, Brian and Wendy had welcomed their daughter, Katelyn, into the world. It started at 9:30 p.m. on Jan. 29, 1996, when a call come over the police scanner . There was a robbery at the liquor store in Albany. Even though he should have been off-duty, Brian stayed and helped. Thinking the robbers may come through St. Joseph on County Road 75, Brian parked his squad car and waited. He didn’t have to wait long before that Chevy truck drove past. “I’m going to be pulling them over on 133,” Brian had called over the police radio. As he walked up to the truck, Brian had no idea life for him, his family and the community was about to change. As he approached the truck, Brian was shot in the head and neck before the truck squealed off, leaving Brian to die on the side of the road. Tiffany Nova happened to
A common bond by ANNA SALDANA STAFF WRITER
(USPS 482-240)
to have an understanding that if they wanted any recognition in the program, they had to work harder and perform better than any other student in the program. It was also very joyful for me because I got to see my kids every day in an environment where most parents don’t get to.” For Andy, having his dad around every day was challenging at times. “There were all sorts of social implications that came with having your dad in school every day, but at the same time, band was my social experience
Campbell continued on pg. 5
be driving in the other direction on County Road 75 and saw the whole thing happen. She made a quick U-turn and parked her car. It wasn’t long before another ofÀcer was on scene. Brian was rushed to the hospital by ambulance, but was pronounced dead. “My wife and I lived in Farmington at the time and I came home from playing intramural basketball when she asked me to go get some milk. I returned home from the Quik Trip in town to her running out of the house, crying and hysterical,” Greg said. “She told me that a St. Joseph ofÀcer had been shot, but I told her not to panic because we didn’t know anyone had died or the extent of the injuries. I started making phone calls, and as it progressed with several no answers, I started to realize it might be Brian. Shortly after, I got a call from our brother, Jason, saying that it was in fact Brian that was shot and that he had died.” Lois, Brian’s mother, and Sarah, Brian’s sister, had no idea Brian had been shot until they saw it on the news. Sarah immediately asked her mom if Brian was working. A phone call to Wendy conÀrmed it was Brian and they rushed to the hospital. “We got there and I knew something was wrong,” Lois said. “Jason was sobbing.” Lois found out her son was gone. “It was like someone sucked the life out of my mom,” Jason said. “She just fell into a chair and cried.” The whole family experienced great struggles trying to cope with Brian’s death. The family came together and grieved together, but not Sarah. “I blocked my family out and just wanted to worry about my own situation,” Sarah said. “I had just lost my best friend.” The family was in the midst of one of the darkest times of their lives, going through trials and still coping with Brian be-
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When Brian was killed in the line of duty, he left behind his wife, Wendy, and 3-month-old daughter, Katelyn. ing gone when they decided to Ànd ways for Brian’s memory to live on. The Brian Klinefelter Foundation was born. “My mom and dad were really the ones to push the foundation forward, and Wendy got on board right away and wanted to be a part of it,” Greg said. “Jason and Wendy are the ones that are really involved with it now.” The foundation’s mission stemmed from the three men in the Chevy truck that night. “It’s such a waste of a good life,” Lois said. “We have the foundation so we can reduce the amount of young kids in those types of situations.” The foundation grows great kids by providing scholarships and grants to those looking to pursue law enforcement. In addition to the foundation, Greg, Jason and Wendy started Klinefelter’s Enforcement & Emergency Products, Resource and Supply (KEEPRS). “We really liked the name because there’s a Bible verse that says ‘blessed are the peacekeepers’ and there’s also a device that cops wear on their belt called a keeper,” Wendy said. “It just seemed to work.” KEEPRS supplies a wide vari-
ety of gear for the public safety industry: cops, ÀreÀghters, EMTs and more. “Jason and I had always talked about opening a business together,” Greg said. “When the only business in town with that type of gear closed, we created a plan for opening our own store. We needed someone with retail experience, so we got Wendy onboard and the store started with that goal of giving back to public safety ofÀcials. Over the years, it’s grown incredibly and cops from all over the state come to KEEPRS.” On display in the store are Brian’s badge and duty belt, as well as a large mural of Brian. “From day one, we didn’t want to exploit Brian or his death in any way, but we wanted to remember,” Wendy said. “For the past 17 years, we have walked that Àne line between remembering him and honoring him, and not exploiting the tragedy.” Now, Wendy, Jason, and Wendy’s husband, John, run the store. Greg has become a silent partner as he has joined the St. Cloud Police Department. “I asked my parents, ‘What would you think of your oldest son being a cop, too?’ My dad
Klinefelter continued on pg. 2
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The Campbells – (left to right) Andy, Deb, Scott, Katie and Emily – are all part of the Concordia family. Donning their Cobber gear, they attend Concordia’s homecoming festivities as a family each year.