Albany city administrator candidate interviews underway
Names
of 8 applicants released after Sept. 20 meeting
BY TIM HENNAGIR STAFF WRITER
music filled life
400 Block update
Eight Albany city administrator applicants will be interviewed this week and next week.
A prospective finalist will be selected by mid-October for the vacant position, which also includes clerk and treasurer duties.
City leaders decided to move forward with interviews after receiving a Sept. 20 update from interim city administrator Tom Schneider during their council meeting at Albany City Hall.
Schneider reviewed a hiring schedule and list of interview committee members. He retired from city employment earlier this year after 35-plus years of service.
The beat goes on for Honky-tonk queen of Stearns County
BY CAROL MOORMAN STAFF WRITER
Marcie Welle smiles Sept. 3 when fellow musician Dale Gruber calls her the “Honky-tonk queen of Stearns County” while performing with Marcie and Friends musicians at the Horseshoe Bar and Ballroom in Spring Hill.
Marcie has been making music most of her life, passing her more than 80-year passion on to children June Bierschbach, Jan Woeste, Joy Silbernick, Jill Welle
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.
and Jeff Welle and grandchildren. June and Jeff have performed with her on stage.
Saluting Marcie for her music-making, Dale changes the words to a familiar song.
“Marcie don’t need a rocking chair, Geritol or Medicare. She does her rocking on the stage. You can’t put Marcie in a cage. Her body’s old but it’s not impaired. She don’t need your rocking chair,” Dale sang.
There is excitement in Marcie’s voice when talking Sept. 27 in her Meire Grove home about a music-filled life dating back
to her childhood growing up on a farm in rural Spring Hill.
“My mother, Nelle Athmann, used to play the piano every night after chores and us kids would sing,” Welle said. “That’s when it started. I’ve just always loved music.”
Her siblings include brothers Stan, Joey, Tony and Gene and sisters Josephine Ertl, Pat Kruzel and Alice Athmann.
“My sister, Pat, told me Mom said I could sing before I could
talk,” said Marcie, who plays by ear and is self-taught, learning from other musicians.
Welle page 3
PHOTO BY CAROL MOORMAN MOORMAN
Demolition on hold until wall secured
by CAROL MOORMAN carol@melrosebeacon.com
“You have an option regarding interviews,” Schneider said. “We can complete a training and experience rating form reviewing each application, and based on the supplied information, we could determine if we interview two people, four people, six people or eight people the weeks of Oct. 2 to Oct. 9.”
Residents eager for Fifth Street sidewalk project
Melrose council approved spring 2024 start
BY CAROL MOORMAN | STAFF WRITER
The other option mentioned involved interviewing all eight candidates as finalists.
Melrose–A structural engineer and contractor have been contacted to secure the west wall of the Lisa’s on Main building in the 400 Block of Melrose’s Main Street.
Shawn Meyer and Rick Laforge came to the Sept. 21 Melrose City Council meeting at the city center with one mission in mind — ensuring the Fifth Street (County Road 168) sidewalk project moves forward for sure by spring 2024.
“Our neighborhood (Daylight Court)
is ready for the sidewalk that we’ve been waiting for since spring. … It’s a safety issue, with 16 families and 24 kids. We’re here to make sure you know we are ready to have a connection point to the other sidewalk,” Meyer said during the open forum portion of the meeting.
Sept. 7. The low bidder, J.R. Ferche, Inc., provided a bid approximately $26,000 higher to complete the work this fall ($404,123.25) versus next spring ($378,0950).
The council needed to consider awarding the low bid based on when the project could be completed. Also the grant funds for the project created a gap that will need to be filled from funds already budgeted for construction of the sidewalk.
City engineer Dave Blommel recom-
Liturgical ideas among items addressed at St. Mary’s meetings
“Their names would be public, but the information on their applications would be private,” Schneider said, citing a portion of the Minnesota Data Practices Act. Schneider released the following administrator applicant names to The Star Post via email after the Sept. 20 council meeting: Jackie Bauer, Renee Eckerly, Angela Jacobson, Erica Mattice, Rebecca Sai, Jon Stueve, Jessica Ruprecht and Gary Winkels.
“Hopefully, if things go well, we can do reference checks after those interviews and select an individual we can recommend for hiring during our Oct. 18 meeting,” Schneider said. “The person who is selected for employment would have to give two weeks’ notice, so we are looking at mid-November before we get someone.” Schneider also confirmed mayor Tom Kasner, councilor Keith Heitzman, police chief Ozzie Carbajal, city attorney Susan Dege and himself will serve on the internal city committee that will complete evening interviews the next two weeks.
tomorrow.
The city of Melrose received a Minnesota Department of Transportation grant for $351,725 to construct a sidewalk/trail from Fifth Avenue to 11th Avenue, extending a sidewalk from the intersection to Daylight Court along County Road 168. Two bids were received for the project, with the opening
Lifecycle of the local newspaper
A publication’s journey from production to recycling
BY HANS LAMMEMAN | STAFF WRITER
Though most people simply think of newspapers as their source of information while drinking morning coffee or relaxing at home, each copy has a long and arduous journey before arriving on newsstands and in mailboxes.
At Star Publications, the newspaper begins with the story.
On-scene reporters armed with notepads and cameras gather details and ask questions while deadlines loom in the back of their heads.
Sauk Centre-based Star Publications produces four community newspapers — Benton County News, Sauk Centre Herald, Sauk Rapids Herald and The Star Post — as well as two regional rural-living newspapers, one multi-county shopper, a five-state newspaper that covers the dairy industry and 58 special sections that are inserted into the pages of its publications.
Newspaper page 4
PHOTO BY CAROL MOORMAN Marcie Welle plays piano during the Sept. 3 Marcie and Friends gig with other musicians at the Horseshoe Bar and Ballroom in Spring Hill. Welle has been entertaining people with music most of her life.
Sidewalk page 3
PHOTO BY BEN SONNEK
Star Productions employee Herman Lensing looks over sports articles he wrote in the Sept. 27 issue of The Star Post at the Sauk Centre Herald office in Sauk Centre. Lensing, a fulltime journalist in Stearns County since 1986, said he views his position
recorder of
in
community.
FLU VACCINE
How do you like to spend your free
Welle from front
Marcie married Don Welle, also raised in a musical family, June 18, 1957, and they purchased Welle’s Bar in Spring Hill from Don’s father Pete. They changed the name to the Horseshoe Bar and Ballroom, because of the horseshoe shaped bar with booths lining the wall of the large ballroom.
“Donald and I never performed on our stage, but now 40 years later I’m playing at the dance hall I used to own,” Marcie said.
It was a busy time at the ballroom with bands every weekend. As if it happened yesterday, she mentions bands they hired, including the Trashmen.
Now Tony Andreason, a former Trashmen rockin’ roll band member, performs with Marcie and Friends.
Don played the accordion and was in the band Mello-Tones with Andy Noonan, performing bigband and country music.
While raising their children, Marcie stopped playing piano.
“Then Dale Gruber came into my life,” she said laughing. “What a journey that has been. He has brought musicians into my life that have played with big names like Ricky Skaggs.”
Marcie went to country school with Dale’s father, Hilarion “Hilly.” She first met Dale when both were at a party celebrating Reinie and Kittys Gruber’s daughter’s 25 years in the religious life.
“Dale had his guitar there, and I said I wish they had a piano … and Albert
her piano when it is set up in her music room.
(Gruber) brought out a piano and we played for three hours,” Marcie said. “Then Dale surprised me showing up when I played at the Horseshoe Bar one Friday night, and we’ve been doing this for 13 years.”
Later, Dale told his mother he found a “honkytonk piano player,” in Marcie.
On Marcie’s refrigerator is a photo of her with Dale and Mike Madden performing at the Horseshoe.
There have been many music-filled highlights in Marcie’s life, including recording the “Songs Our Daddies Sang” CD.
“The last song we sang was at St. Michael’s Church in Spring Hill,” she said.
She enjoys performing on the stage filled with musicians during the Marcie and Friends gig.
“It’s easy to play when I have seven guys up there and me. We all work so
Sidewalk from front
mended installing the sidewalk in the spring to avoid potential problems associated with cold weather concrete and to save the capital cost.
“There’s a difference of $26,000 with the grant,” Mayor Joe Finken said, adding, “… I want it done.” Meyer said they understood waiting until spring due to the impending cold weather related to pouring concrete.
“The contractor’s desire is to start in the spring,” Blommel said. “I would anticipate they would start the day road constrictions come off.”
The council approved moving ahead in spring with the sidewalk project, which is estimated to take three months to complete.
expenses at budget with the exception of snow and ice removal as this past winter was a very snowy one. — Melrose Police Chief Craig Maus said they have hired another officer and the department is at or nearly at a full staff. — Community development director Sheila Hellermann said the restroom-remodel is complete in the Sauk River Park. The city crew prepared the basketball court in the park, and Sept. 26 the concrete work was done by Beuning Masonry. — City workers will be installing benches around town; some that people and families purchased in memory of someone. It is a project that took two years to get to this point because of supply issues.
well together,” she said.
Marcie and the Rev. Marv Enneking, Sept. 3, performed their signature song “Send Me the Pillow You Dream On.”
Becky Schlegel, who performs on RFD-TV, joined them on stage.
“Two years ago when she was there she said there is something about a little town and a ballroom, and that made her want to come back,” Marcie said.
A country girl at heart, country music is Marcie’s favorite music genre. Her favorite song is “Today I Started Loving You Again,” which she and her husband often performed together.
“The last time was when Donald was in the hospital, after he had a stroke and his voice was rough. He held my hand, and we sang ‘Today I Started Loving You Again.’ Now, when Jeff and I get together we sing it,’” said Marcie, who was married
— Framing has begun on the Riverside Flats project and Kwik Trip is starting work on the store.
“Riverside Flats is exciting to watch,” Hellermann said. “The crane was the talk of the town.”
— The first meeting of the comprehensive plan committee was Sept. 14 with good discussions. As part of the new comprehensive plan, the city is hosting a public workshop from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Melrose City Center, 225 First St. NE, Melrose.
— Ten applications have been requested for the city’s rehabilitation program, with two applications submitted and approved. Melrose Area Development Authority members have been touring sites before approving applications.
“We see the big projects, but there are also
to Don for 45 years.
Music makes Marcie feel good.
“A lot of people crochet, embroider. I play the piano,” she said. “That’s my entertainment.”
On the outside of her door is a “My neighbors listen to good music whether they like it or not” sign.
Receiving a compliment on her music makes her day. It might be something as simple as a thumbs up.
She smiles when asked how long she will entertain people — especially during Marcie and Friends at the ballroom.
“I wanted to quit three years ago but there I was again (Sept. 3), but I really think this was my last time,” she said.
Until next year rolls around.
The beat goes on for Marcie, the honky-tonk queen of Stearns County.
—Winter is working with Missouri River Energy Services identifying sites near the east substation for additional generation capacity.
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Monday, Oct. 9, 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, Oct. 9, 7 p.m. Holdingford City Council Meeting. Holdingford City Hall, 420 Main St., Holdingford.
Tuesday, Oct. 10, 7 p.m. – Melrose American Legion Post 101 and Auxiliary meetings. Melrose American Legion clubroom, 265 County Road 173, Melrose.
Wednesday, Oct. 11, 6 p.m. – Albany School Board Meeting. District office, 30 Forest Ave., Albany.
Wednesday, Oct. 11, 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.
Thursday, Oct. 12, 7 p.m. — Bingo. Holdingford American Legion, 560 Main St., Holdingford.
Upcoming: Tuesday, Nov. 7, 7 p.m. — Schanhaar-Otte Post 7050 and Auxiliary meetings Melrose American Legion clubroom, 265 County Road 173, Melrose.
Robert F. “Bob” Havard
Robert F. “Bob” Havard, 81, of Albany, went to join our Lord Oct. 1, 2023, at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m., Monday, Oct. 9, at Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Albany with the Rev. Edward Vebelun, O.S.B., officiating. Inurnment will be in the parish cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be 2-5 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 8, and 10-11 a.m., Oct. 9, at the Seven Dolors gathering area in Albany. Parish prayers will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the gathering area.
Pantzke recognized nationally as cooperative rising star MELROSE — RE Magazine named Stearns Electric’s John Pantzke one of the 2023 Cooperative Rising Stars. Pantzke is among 19 other electric cooperative employees from across the United States who were recognized for the contributions they make to their electric cooperatives and their communities.
Pantzke, a licensed master electrician, joined Stearns Electric in January 2020 as business development representative and currently serves as manager of energy services.
Pantzke was recognized as a co-op rising star for his work rebuilding the Stearns Electric Energy Services Department, expanding the cooperative’s load management program and enhancing the economic development opportunities available to Central Minnesota businesses. Duff awarded scholarship
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — Sam Duff, of Albany, is one of 565 incoming freshmen at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire receiving the Chancellor’s Scholarship for the 2023-24 academic year.
How many stress free years will you have after retirement?
What do you enjoy most about being part of the volleyball team? Learning to work as a team and the success it has brought the team.
Tell us about the most memorable match you have participated in. The win we earned this season against Pequot Lakes because the gym was loud and the energy made the game super exciting.
What life lesson has being involved in activities
PHOTO BY CAROL MOORMAN
Marcie Welle displays the sign hanging on her door in her Meire Grove home. She will often play
Dennis F. Dirkes
Dennis F. Dirkes, 71. of Albany, worked his field and parked his tractor one last time Sept. 28, 2023, at his home in Albany, with his constant companion, Sparkie, at his side.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 4, at Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Albany with the Rev. Julius Beckermann, O.S.B., officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be 9:30-11 a.m. Oct. 4 at the church.
Dennis was born Oct. 11, 1951, to Florence and George Dirkes, Jr., and lived on the family farm all his life. He was a farmer through and through and found nothing more satisfying than sitting outside his house, seeing his crops grow day by day and enjoying the peaceful serenity of farm living. He was proud of maintaining and improving the family farm which has been in the Dirkes name for over 150 years. It truly was his passion in life. Dennis loved to bowl in his younger years and was an avid fisherman of the lakes nearby. It only seemed fitting that the last task he completed in his life was to drive his tractor from the field and park it one last time. His work was done. Survivors include his brothers,
Anna May Fleischhacker
Mass of Christian Burial, a celebration of life, for Anna May Fleischhacker, 86, of Albany, will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 5, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in St. Anthony. Visitation will be 9-11 a.m. Oct. 5 at the church. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.
Anna May passed away Sept. 26, 2023, at Mother of Mercy Nursing Home in Albany, surrounded by her loving family.
Anna May Fleischhacker was born Jan. 20, 1937, in Richmond, to Joseph and Katherine (Stang) Schlangen. She grew up on a farm outside of Farming, the youngest of 10. She married Herman Fleischhacker May 21, 1958, in Richmond. Together they farmed south of Freeport. Along with farming and raising five children, Anna May worked as a nurse’s aide at Mother of Mercy Nursing Home. After selling the cattle, they moved to St. Anthony, and Anna May started working at Jennie-O in Melrose. 1979 was the start of the Hermie’s Bar era in Albany. They entertained many folks with stories, pool, darts, card parties and live local family bands. Along the way, Hermie and Anna May acquired a cabin near Long Prairie, where many gatherings were held.
Anna May was a member of St. Anthony Parish and St. Anthony Christian Mothers.
Anna May is survived by her children, Alvin (Kathi) of
Bernadette A. Jennissen
Bernadette A. “Bernie” Jennissen, 80, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, Sept. 27, 2023, at her home in Sauk Centre.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m., Friday, Oct. 6, at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with the Rev. Mark Botzet officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.
Visitation will be 4-7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 5, at Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre and 10-11 a.m., Oct. 6, at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church. Parish prayers will be at 4 p.m., Oct. 5, with a rosary immediately following parish prayers at the funeral home.
Bernadette Ann Vos was born Nov. 8, 1942, in St. Anthony, to Edward and Veronica (Wolters) Vos. She graduated third in her class from St. Francis High School. She then earned her registered nurse degree from St. Gabriel School of Nursing and expanded her skills throughout her nursing career acquiring multiple certificates focused on geriatric care.
She was united in marriage to James Jennissen July 18, 1964, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in St. Anthony. Bernadette and James owned and operated a dairy farm on Queensfield Road near Padua from 1964 through 1995, after which they moved to Sauk Centre and have resided there since.
Bernadette was employed as a nurse at St. Michael’s Hospital in Sauk Centre. She then served as the assistant director of nursing at the Belgrade Nursing Home. She continued her nursing career at the Albany Nursing Home where she served as the supervisor of the dementia unit, followed by home care/hospice in Sauk Centre until her retirement in 2012.
Dennis F. Dirkes
Dale (Judy), Dan (Judy), Dave (Cindy), Dean (Krista) and Daryl (Lynn); nieces and nephews Scott, Jeff, Leah, Kayla, Peyton, Presley, Olivia and Isaiah; and great-nieces and great-nephews Emmett, Evelyn, Vivian, Gwen, Clara, Braelyn, Aubrey, Kellen and Brynn.
Dennis was preceded in death by his mother, Florence and his father, George, Jr.
The family wishes to extend thanks to the neighbors and friends who reached out over his lifetime and made a special imprint in his life.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to donor’s choice.
Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral and Cremation Services of Melrose. P-40-1B
Gloria (Andy) Notsch of Avon, Donna Gohman of St. Cloud, Cathy (Darrell) Pundsack of Avon and Brian (Janelle) of St. Stephen; 13 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and sister Bertha Braegelmann of Cold Spring. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Herman Nov. 11, 2004; son-in-law Alfred Gohman; brothers and sisters Rosa (Bernard) Hemmesch, Alfred (Liz) Schlangen, Elsie (Tony) Dingmann, Gregor (Rita) Schlangen, Daniel (Nita) Schlangen, Marcus (Florina) Schlangen, Miranda (Andy) Lauer and Hubert Schlangen; and brotherin-law Roman Braegelmann.
Many thanks to the Mother of Mercy staff for being her second family for the past 11 years.
Arrangements were made by Miller-Carlin Funeral Homes of Albany.
P-40-1B
Bernadette was a member of Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church, St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church Choir and the Christian Mothers. She enjoyed playing piano, singing, needlepoint, reading, dancing, swimming, ice skating, yardwork, pontoon rides, fishing, and, most importantly, spending time with her family, especially her children and grandchildren.
Survivors include her husband, James Jennissen of Sauk Centre; son Tim (Carrie) Jennissen of St. Louis Park and their children, Sara (Ben) Nepomuceno of Chicago, Illinois, Kala Jennissen and Anna Jennissen; daughter Kimberly (Jorge Romero) Jennissen of Oakton, Virginia, and their children, Maya Romero and Alejandro Romero Jennissen; daughter Bonita (Michael) DeZelar of Big Lake and their children, Anthony, Lauren, Christopher and Benjamin DeZelar; brother Charles (Kathleen) Vos; and sisters Marie (Richard) Wiener and Audry (Robert) Lang. Bernadette was preceded in death by her parents, brother Thomas Vos and sister-in-law Lynda Vos.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.
Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services of Sauk Centre.
PH-40-1B
Newspaper from front
Herman Lensing, a full-time journalist in Stearns County since 1986, said he views his position reporting local news as a recorder of history in his community.
“Our job is a little tricky sometimes,” Lensing said between typing paragraphs for a sports story. “When I am reporting, I keep in mind that what I am writing will be one of the first recorded accounts of an event — whether it is something as mundane as a council meeting or as shocking as a five-alarm fire.”
Lensing is one of about 20 editorial team writers who interview, report and compile stories from the community for the company’s publications. Though the headline is the first set of words most readers see, Lensing said it is almost always among his final touches before turning stories over to production staff.
“I finish with the headline after I have the whole story written,” Lensing said. “I find headline writing interesting partly because I am interested in poetry. In both mediums, you have to put as much information as you can in as few words as possible.”
Production manager Amanda Thooft has spent 12 years converting articles and photos into eye-catching newspaper designs. Aside from preparing advertisement proofs earlier in the week, page designers spend an average of eight to 10 hours on each weekly issue, gathering coworkers’ insight while laying out stories.
Thooft and other production staff are the last Star Publications employees to inspect pages prior to files being sent to printing presses.
“I look at the pictures and try to be inspired by the artwork that we get as well as the art that is available to download to match the feel of the story,” Thooft said. “Laying out the paper is probably the most nerve-wracking because you’re the last set of eyes on that page before it hits the plant.”
Star Publications uses three printing press companies located in Lowry, Madelia and Sauk Centre to transform files into physical newspapers and special sections. A fourth is used for producing glossy-papered productions as needed.
Joe Carlson, owner of Sauk Centre Web Printing, said he often arrives at the press around 3:30 a.m. to start work for the day. He leads a crew of five responsible for making sure thousands of newspapers are printed without smudges or complications each day.
Carlson said the process starts with rolls of paper imported from Canada that weigh up to 900 pounds and ink shipped from Minneapolis. The team at Web Printing oversees the production of about 15 weekly papers for central Minnesota, he said.
“I look through every issue,” Carlson said while keeping an eye on a 65,000-copy run. “My day consists of downloading the files, getting the plates made and making sure that the press crew knows what we have to do.”
By the time customers pick up the neatly folded newspaper hot off the press, Carlson said he is already focused on preparing for the next day of printing. While he launched the printing company 45 years ago and has seen it through drastic industry changes, Carlson said no two days are alike at the press.
“I have been doing it for a long time,” Carlson said. “Like any job, there are always days
Local people, local coverage
Star Publications LLC. is a publishing company that prides itself on bringing the word “community” back to the newspaper industry.
Headquartered in Sauk Centre, Star Publications owns hometown newspapers — the Sauk Centre Herald, The Star Post, Sauk Rapids Herald and Benton County News — along with niche publications Dairy Star, Country Acres, Country Acres South and the Star Shopper.
In addition to its newspapers, Star Publications offers print and web services as well as Sign Design. Sign Design produces and installs full-color decals, signs and banners for multiple needs. The company is owned by a group of seven partners born and raised in Minnesota and living within the
communities they cover.
of
guide a team of roughly 50 employees based in five offices and homes across Minnesota and surrounding states.
Newspapers are the foundation of healthy communities, documenting the lives of people, businesses, events, schools and government agencies. The ink applied to the pages of our publications reveals the lifeblood of the communities we serve. The belief at Star Publications is that each person has a story to tell, some have more than one. We’re here to tell yours.
journey to readers. He said he occasionally delivers papers to publishing companies, but typically, his customers pick up the freshly printed product directly from the plant.
Concerning its eight newspapers alone, Star Publications produces an estimated 118,000 individual copies each month that arrive at homes across the Midwest.
Newspapers and other packages arrive at post offices throughout the day, waiting to be sorted by postal workers.
Postmaster Officer in Charge
Joe Kinzer said drivers at the Foley post office typically begin their morning shifts around 6, sorting mail before embarking on the first routes of the day about two hours later. On foot or behind the wheel of mail trucks, postal workers hand-deliver newspapers to the mailboxes of subscribers.
“People will call and let us know when their paper is late,” Kinzer said. “They really miss the paper if it is not on time.”
Newspaper staff organize bundles and deliver copies to newsstands at convenience stores, grocery stores and other locations. Weekly papers wait for customers until they are ultimately replaced by the next week’s issue. In addition to subscribers’ homes, newspapers arrive at public and school libraries, health clinics, businesses and even the Minnesota Historical Society in St. Paul.
Because Star Publications’ newspapers are made of 100% paper and use soy-based ink, they are completely recyclable.
Jim Zormeier, of Sauk Rapids, has visited newspaper offices for more than five years to collect scrap paper that helps him care for rescued animals. Whether readers are reusing the stories of their communities to line their cabinets, clean the most recent catch-of-the-day or simply depositing the piece in the blue bin, newspapers keep communities informed and provide an added bonus.
“Newspapers are perfect for what I am looking for,” Zormeier said. “They are serving a purpose.”
Anna May Fleischhacker
Bernadette A. Jennissen
Randall,
PHOTO BY HANS LAMMEMAN
Joe Carlson folds stacks of recently printed newspapers Sept. 22 at Sauk Centre Web Printing in Sauk Centre. Carlson estimated that his facility produces between 30,000 and 100,000 individual copies per week.
FILE PHOTO Star Publications LLC business partners — Joyce Frericks (front, from left), Amanda Thooft, Nancy Powell; (back, from left) Tim Vos, Missy Traeger, Natasha Barber and Mark Klaphake — guide a team of nearly 50 employees to produce four community newspapers and additional niche publications. The company is an independent publisher based in Sauk Centre.
Mark Klaphake
Sauk Centre, Joyce Frericks of Sauk Centre, Missy Traeger of Sauk Centre, Natasha Barber of Rice, Nancy Powell of Sauk Centre, Tim Vos of Albany and Amanda Thooft of Sauk Centre
OPINION
Dance hall concerns Third party shake up
One hundred years ago, like today, people looked for entertainment venues.
Among the popular places were dance halls, which became a popular venue for entertainment and social gathering in the early 20th century. It grew out of a tradition of community dances that spread from rural areas to urban areas.
In Holdingford that place was the Dreamland Dance Hall, also known as Dreamland Hall. Over the years the hall served not only as a dance location but also as a community center, but it was primarily a dance hall.
Dance halls, now remembered fondly as part of the good old days, were not always an accepted social venue across all of society. Some historians point out, correctly, that the music at dance halls tended to be of the modern era — jazz in the 20s swing in the 30s, big band in the 40s and rock in the 1950s — which raised eyebrows of the older generations. Other historians stressed the halls were a social divide. Wealthier, established crowds tended to gather in night clubs and/or private club rooms. Working classes, minorities and immigrants socialized in more public venues, such as dance halls.
Then too, there was a concern about what went on at halls. Dancing was generally advertised, but both before, during and after Prohibition, there were concerns of alcohol being served — and who it was served to. Other early 20th century concerns included young women going to the dance hall unchaperoned; integration at some halls; and new dances, such as the Bunny Hop, Lindy, Trot and Charleston, bordering on immorality.
In Minnesota, that concern reached the state level and
56379 320 251-1971 • www.saukrapidsherald.com
HOURS: Hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Subject to change during
in 1923 the state passed statutes related to dance halls. Among the restrictions were no public dance could be held between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. and not before noon on Sundays. A permit had to be obtained from a city or township to hold a dance. The dance site could not be connected by stairs, hallways, etc., to private rooms. The sale of alcohol was prohibited within 1,000 feet. Unmarried people under 16 years old needed to be accompanied by a parent or guardian when coming to the hall. Those unmarried, between 16 and 18 years old, needed written permission from a parent or guardian. No dancing was permitted with lights dimmed or extinguished.
Just how much the Dreamland Hall was affected by those statutes is unclear, but there is evidence there was some concern. Ads from those years promise dances. Other ads highlight an Avon versus Holdingford High School basketball game and a card party “under the auspices of the choir of St. Mary’s Church.”
That there were concerns is probably best shown in a March, 29, 1923, ad in the Holdingford Advertiser. The management promised the hall would “… be run in a decent manner. There will be no drinking (Prohibition was in effect), swearing or spitting on the floor allowed. All dances will be conducted to conform with state law.”
Ross Perot made waves in the 1992 presidential election with almost 19% of the popular vote. Almost 105 million Americans voted that year with current President Bill Clinton receiving 43% of the vote and Republican incumbent George Bush receiving 37.5%. Perot received a staggering 18.9% as a third party candidate. Perot ran as an independent and was pro-choice, favored taxing corporations and increasing the capital gains tax. He was probably more a Democrat than he was a Republican based on his policy ideas, so perhaps he took more votes from Clinton than Bush. We could see something similar in the 2024 election. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., has hinted at running as a third party candidate like Perot did 31 years ago. The Democratic National Committee has made it clear President Joe Biden will not debate another democratic challenger. They have also refused to provide secret service protection for a legitimate presidential candidate. Let’s be clear, the Democrats do not like RFK, Jr., and have labeled him a conspiracy nut even though he shares many of the same beliefs as Joe Biden on polarizing policy, such as climate change and the right for women to choose.
Staff Mark Klaphake General Manager mark.k@dairystar.com
Joyce Frericks Publisher joyce@saukherald.com
Missy Traeger Sales Manager missy@saukherald.com
Natasha Barber Editor natasha@saukherald.com
Nancy Powell Manager nancy.p@dairystar.com
Tim Vos Marketing tim@saukherald.com
Amanda Thooft
Tim Hennagir Assistant News Editor
The first dance under the new management was slated for April 2. It may be that was the earliest the renovations could be finished or maybe the manager understood his local area very well. That year April 1 was on a Sunday — it also happened to be Easter Sunday.
Annika Gunderson Graphic Designer annika@star-pub.com
Nadiia Griepentrog Graphic Designer nadiia@star-pub.com Tom Fenton Reporter tom.f@star-pub.com
Honored to play small part in big day
I’ve been a bridesmaid and maid of honor for weddings, but Saturday was a first for me. I was the ring bearer. I know, you’re thinking a ring bearer is usually a young boy carrying the rings on a pillow down the church aisle. In fact, when my sister Laura married Mike, I crossstitched a ring bearer pillow our nephew, Adam, carried, although the rings were not attached to it.
tim.h@star-pub.com
It seems their disdain comes mainly from the willingness of RFK, Jr., to tell the truth and to not bow down to the deep state and the shell games they play with the American public. He is anti-establishment and is also skeptical of the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine, the thirst for profit by Big Pharma and shutdown policies instituted by the Biden administration and Anthony Fauci.
RFK, Jr., is currently polling at about 15-17% in most democratic primary polls and trails Biden by anywhere from 35-50 points. If he were to run as a Democrat and lose the primary, that 15-17% would likely go to Biden in the general election. But if he runs as a third party candidate those votes would be cast in the general election, including a potential increase for those who support the likes of Pete Buttigieg, Elizabeth Warren, Marianne Williamson and Bernie Sanders. If he were to steal 20% of Biden’s voters, he could become a legitimate threat to Biden’s re-election.
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I told Holly you know the more we put up when decorating, the more we have to take down after the reception was done. But that was OK because, thanks to family on both sides and friends, we had everything down in half the time it took us to put the decorations up.
Staff Mark Klaphake General manager mark@saukherald.com
Saturday I was given the responsibility of holding the two blue boxes, one with my niece, Holly’s wedding band inside and the second one containing the silver wedding band for her husband, Peter. I was honored to do so, just like I was honored when Holly asked me to be one of the two witnesses at their wedding. It meant I had to sign my name on the marriage license, another first for me in a situation like this, but not my first time signing a marriage license. I did so when I was the maid of honor for my friend, Gail, many years ago at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose, and we signed the marriage license on the church altar following the vows. Weddings are a special day for the couple and their families. They are also a lot of work before and after, but it is all worth seeing the smiles on the bride’s and groom’s faces as they begin their lives together.
Joyce Frericks Publisher joyce@saukherald.com
Missy Traeger Sales manager missy@saukherald.com
The outside ceremony was so personal thanks to Jeff, the officiant, who intermingled religion with humor. He made everyone feel welcome, including some of Peter’s relatives and a friend from California.
Natasha Barber Managing editor natasha@saukherald.com
Nancy Powell Manager nancy.p@dairystar.com
tim@saukherald.com
amanda@saukherald.com
cheyenne@star-pub.com
maddy@star-pub.com
Karen Knoblach Graphic designer karen.k@star-pub.com
As the hostess for the couple at the community center, I was charged with letting guests know when it was their turn to go through the serving line. That allowed me to visit with their guests, many that I had met for the first time, including Peter’s family.
But that doesn’t mean he won’t affect Trump either. There are a slew of never Trumpers on the Republican side of the ticket or those who prefer Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis or energetic newcomer Vivek Ramaswamy or the fiery Nikki Haley. Trump is polling as high as 63% in some polls with DeSantis coming in second in the high teens, much like RFK, Jr. But DeSantis is not considering a third party run so his votes have to go somewhere else if he doesn’t get the nomination. The question is will they go to Trump or will they go to RFK, Jr. It’s the same with Ramaswamy and Haley backers. If they are never Trumpers, those votes could go to a third party candidate. If RFK, Jr., were to snag 15% of the votes from the Republican side and 20% from the democratic side, it would put him in the mix as the next president of the United States.
Nadiia Griepentrog Graphic designer nadiia@star-pub.com Jill Borgerding Office assistant jill.b@star-pub.com
The problem is identity politics has taken over the country and those who ride or die with blue or red in their blood will cast a third party aside and prefer to stick with the two-headed monster we have come to despise, yet continue to accept.
Annika Gunderson Graphic designer annika@star-pub.com
Annual Subscription Rates: Benton, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Sherburne and Stearns counties - $55 per year. Other Minnesota counties – $63 per year. Outside of Minnesota - $66 per year.
Bartender Isaac and I were on the tail end of the food line. I looked forward to eating the chicken and ham meal, which included my favorite — the dressing. As I was walking outside later that evening a guy thanked me for the good meal. I told him it was a real Stearns County wedding meal. One guest, who flew from Hollywood, California, also complimented the meal. I guess we are spoiled in Stearns County because we are used to this traditional meal.
Official newspaper of Benton County, the city of Foley and Independent School District 51. The deadline for most news and ads is 10 a.m. Friday. The deadline for obituaries is Fridays at 5 p.m. ISSN: Print: 2834-6157
I took Friday off so I could help decorate the Freeport Community Center. But first I had to pick up cookies I had ordered from the Melrose Bakery. Yes, Holly and Peter had a wedding cake and sheet cakes, which were so good, but Holly also wanted grandma’s chocolate chip cookies. After picking up the cookies Friday we had to taste test them, and they tasted just like the cookies Mom made.
logan@saukherald.com
Letters to the editor are welcomed. Letters must be signed with first and last name and include address and phone number. Letters should be 250 words or less.
One of the larger issues is the Commission for Presidential Debates and their thresholds for allowing a third party candidate a place on the national stage. It appears a candidate must be polling at least 15% to be allowed to debate the two major party candidates. RFK, Jr., has the potential to far exceed that number. If he does, he will be the first since Perot was allowed to debate in 1992 and 1996.
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I received a hug from Peter’s uncle thanking us for everything. That was an unexpected, but nice, gesture.
While the meal was great and the dancing was fun, to me what made the wedding was the ceremony — and the honors I was given. And that Holly was wearing her grandma’s pearls.
Thank you, Holly and Peter, for allowing me to play a small part in your big day.
We had a front row seat to how a third party candidate can shake up an election when Jesse Ventura “shocked the world” and was elected governor of Minnesota in 1998 with 37% of the vote.
Could this play out in the 2024 presidential election? Will the popularity of RFK, Jr., as an independent voice in a divided country mean our next president will be elected with less than 40% of the vote? There’s a good chance it will.
In any regard, if RFK, Jr., does run as an independent, it will shake up the 2024 election and American politics as we have come to know it. It might be exactly what this country needs.
Make smart decisions behind the wheel
Distractions while driving continue to be a topic of conversation. Driving requires attention and concentration of the driver and cooperation of any passenger to keep distractions down. There are more than 320 million wireless connections in the United States, according to data found on the internet. And drivers using cell phones are four times as likely to crash, even using hands-free features. In general, cognitive distractions by cell phone use or other distractions can cause drivers to cause a danger or crash. Multitasking is a myth — your brain can miss seeing up to 50% of your driving area — when driving and talking at the same time; your brain cannot do both well.
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Minnesota implemented a hands-free cell phone law in 2019, but in August of 2023 the law was amended to explicitly prohibit holding a wireless communications device with one or both hands. This means drivers may not hold a cell phone in one or both hands, may not type information into the cell
phone, engage in video calling or live streaming, scroll through data, scroll through songs or audio base content or play games. The law does allow for drivers 18 years old and older to use a cell phone in voice-activated or hands-free mode, but not by being held in either hand. Drivers under 18 or operating a vehicle on a provisional license may not make or receive any telephone calls while driving or make or view text messages. Drivers may view or operate GPS devices, including cell phones with GPS applications if the driver does not type information into the device with one or both hands. So, in other words, no hands on the cell phone. Many people ask about emergency situations and the use of cell phones by a driver. The law does have exceptions for calling to obtain emergency services or if a driver feels they are in immediate danger and are requesting assistance. Drivers of authorized emergency vehicles while performing official duties are also exempt from the law.
Other distractions aren’t cell phone related. Eating and
drinking, music, children, passengers and navigation are all other topics of distractions. Putting the cell phone down, turning it off or placing it out of reach and going hands-free will help with cell phone distractions. Let’s also remember teaching children good behavior in a vehicle helps lessen distractions, as well as asking passengers to help with good behavior to keep the driver’s attention on the road. Mapping out the destination prior to driving avoids the distraction of trying to use a GPS unit. Pull off the road to recalculate a destination if the first one wasn’t the right one. And eating and drinking — we all do it. Let’s just make sure the food isn’t messy and the drinks are secure to avoid unnecessary distractions.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for five seconds. At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed. Anything that takes your attention away from driving is not safe driving. Let’s make smarter choices behind the wheel. Any non-driving activity you engage in is a potential distraction.
A Peek at the Past by Herman Lensing
From the Heart by Carol Moorman
by Corey Nellis, Avon police chief
In Other Words by Bryan Zollman
NEWS BRIEFS
Holdingford High School receives agriculture education grant
ST. PAUL
— This past year the Minnesota Agricultural Education Leadership Council awarded $250,000 in grants to school districts, post-secondary institutions and organizations, of which one local high school was a recipient, to improve agricultural education in the state, available through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.
Holdingford High School received grant funds for equipment to update and expand current horticultural and plant science courses
FEMA, FCC plan nationwide emergency alert test Oct. 4
WASHINGTON — FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission, will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts this fall.
The national test will consist of two portions, testing WEA and EAS capabilities. Both tests are scheduled to begin at approximately 1:20 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 4.
The WEA portion of the test will be directed to all consumer cell phones. The test message will display in either English or Spanish, depending on the language settings of the wireless handset.
The EAS portion of the test will be sent to radios and televisions.
The purpose of the Oct. 4 test is to ensure the systems continue to be effective means of warning the public about emergencies, particularly those on the national level. In case the Oct. 4 test is postponed due to widespread severe weather or other significant events, the back-up testing date is Oct. 11.
These messages will be disseminated via the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System.
WEA-compatible wireless phones that are switched on, within range of an active cell tower and whose wireless provider participates in WEA, should be capable of receiving the test message.
All wireless phones should receive the message only once.
For consumers, the message that appears on their phones will read: “This is a test of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”
Phones with the main menu set to Spanish will display: “Esta es una prueba del Sistema Nacional de Alerta de Emergencia. No se necesita accion.”
The EAS portion of the test is scheduled to last approximately one minute and will be conducted with the participation of radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers and wireline video providers.
The test message will be similar to the regular monthly EAS test messages with which the public is familiar. It will state: “This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, covering the United States from 14:20 to 14:50 hours ET. This is only a test. No action is required by the public.”
Crime & PUBLIC SAFETY
Melrose man charged with domestic assault MELROSE — A Melrose man has been charged with domestic assault and threats of violence following a Sept. 9 incident in Melrose.
Jerling Antonio Lara Carmona, 18, is charged with one felony count of domestic assault by strangulation, which carries a maximum sentence of three years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine, and one felony count of threats of violence-reckless disregard risk, which carries a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine. He was also charged with two misdemeanors for domestic assault, each carrying a maximum sentence of 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
According to the criminal complaint, law enforcement were dispatched to a Melrose residence where an adult female alleged she had been assaulted by Lara Carmona. The two are family or household members. The female told police she went to the residence to talk to him about a personal issue when he became angry and physical with her, stopping when his mother intervened. The police officer noticed fresh injuries on the victim.
Police talked with Lara Carmona who said the female came to his residence upset. He said she scratched his arm and face, and he was defending himself, the complaint said.
Lara Carmona’s next court appearance is Wednesday, Oct. 4.
Freeport’s preliminary 2024 levy increases slightly
BY CAROL MOORMAN STAFF WRITER
The city of Freeport’s preliminary 2024 tax levy increased $47,000 (8%) over the 2023 levy, and the tax rate is proposed to increase 0.39% to 68.64%.
Council members, during their Aug. 29 monthly meeting at Freeport City Hall approved a total preliminary levy of $621,130 — $272,130 for the general fund, $42,000 for the
economic development authority, $101,000 for the capital levy and $206,000 for the 2023 GO bond levy.
The general fund increased $17,162 due to an increase in the audit expense, a long-term plan and a cost of living increase. The EDA fund increased by $30,000.
Ashley Feldewerd, city financial adviser from Abdo Financial Solutions, said, if property valuations remain stable, the impact to residents and business owners should be minor.
Local units of government must adopt their preliminary levy and certify it to the county auditor by Sept. 30. They can lower but not raise the final levy when it is adopted in December.
The council approved 7 p.m., Nov. 28, at Freeport City Hall, 125 Main Street, Freeport, as the truth-in-taxation hearing for public comments on the 2024 budget and tax levy.
Melrose School Board approves maximum 2024 levy limit
Accepts resignation of business manager
BY HERMAN LENSING STAFF WRITER
The Melrose Area School Board approved the maximum limit for the 2024 levy Sept. 25 during a monthly meeting at Melrose Area Schools in Melrose.
“This is an annual resolution,” Superintendent Greg Winter said. “You can set the maximum allowable, but it doesn’t mean that you will spend it. It gives the district the latitude to levy that much.” Districts needed to certify levies before the Sept. 30 deadline.
The board has approved
levying to the maximum in previous years. It has usually set a lower levy when approving the budget. The final levy can be lower than the approved levy, but it cannot be higher.
The final payable tax levy will be approved at the Dec. 18 regular board meeting.
In other board news: — Accepted the resignation of business manager Erin Noska, with Nov. 3 her final day.
Her monthly report said currently the school finances are as projected, with no major changes. The annual audit of the district’s finances, scheduled to begin Oct. 2, is underway. It will take the better part of a month to complete.
Noska anticipated the audit would not be completed before her resignation. She said she would be
available to assist if questions arise.
“We express our gratitude and we will miss you,” said board chair Dr. Pat Heller.
— Approved three-year contracts for high school principal Chad Doetkott, middle school principal Robert Anderson and elementary school principal Terryl Pearson.
All three principals were at the meeting and reported the opening of the school year has gone well.
Pearson said the elementary school was recently honored with a 2023 Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports exemplar award. The award is presented for sustaining the implementation of PBIS schoolwide. Students are taught the behavioral expectations for all the settings in
the school and staff recognize students for demonstrating those behaviors.
“They chose a handful of schools, and Melrose was one of them,” Pearson said.
“That’s because of all of our staff. All the way from the bus drivers, the kitchen staff, paras, office staff and teachers.”
Anderson, the district’s testing coordinator, reported most of the preschool through grade 12 baseline testing would soon be completed. Pearson added information from testing will be used in developing instruction for the students.
— New preschool playground equipment was installed shortly before school began.
— Granted approval for the June-July 2024 German trip and a five-day 2025 trip to Washington D.C.
Albany council approves new two-year snow removal contract
Custom Waste Irrigation rates increase for main street service
BY TIM HENNAGIR | STAFF WRITER
Albany city leaders have signed a new two-year snow removal agreement with Custom Waste Irrigation.
Snow removal services at general locations along Railroad Avenue will cost more the next two winters.
“Lyle moved his numbers up about $30 an hour,” Public works supervisor Joe Mergen said during a Sept. 20 council meeting.
Workers with CEO Lyle
Lochen’s Custom Waste Irrigation are paid hourly.
Council members approved the following rates: $170 an hour for snow blowing, $145 hourly for dump truck use, $120 hourly for the skid loader and $170 an hour for a bi-directional blower or bucket.
Mayor Tom Kasner said the city did not have much choice with the increases, especially after last winter.
The city’s contracted snow removal expenses during the 2022-23 winter season came close to $52,000.
On average, Albany spends about $30,000 to complete the task, Mergen stated during a May 3 report.
“It was a brutal winter,” Mergen said previously. “We got almost 90 inches of snow. The average is close to 50 inches.”
Mergen’s written report listed 18 dates for snow removal from Nov. 16, 2022, to April 16, 2023. Two days of snow removal Dec. 14-15 cost $9,032. A three-day
plowing event Jan. 4-6 cost $9,817. Snow removal on Feb. 27 cost $6,985, Mergen’s report stated. April Fool’s Day removal cost $5,103.
“By the time the city gets done with everything we are doing, it’s eight to 10 hours of work,” Mergen said. “We would have to come back and do what he’s doing. It does say in his contract that the city of Albany will provide a place where he could haul the snow. I’m looking for a spot if anybody has an idea.”
Sinclair Lewis Writers Conference Oct. 7
BY BEN SONNEK | STAFF WRITER
valuable, engaging time for any wordsmith who wants to improve their craft.
Writers of all stripes will be returning to Sauk Centre the first weekend of October, as the Sinclair Lewis Writers Conference returns for its 33rd year. The event, which can be attended virtually or in-person, has authors and poets share their tips and experience to make it a
“Our feedback has been consistently positive over the past 32 years,” said Jim Umhoefer, Sinclair Lewis Foundation president. “Many of our participants have been to more than one conference. We often hear
that our conference is not only informal and informative but also fun. Participants like our manageable group size and the chance for personal interactions with the speakers.”
The event begins at 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 6, with the conference’s fifth annual Cocktails and Conversations at Babbitt’s Wine Bar in Sauk Centre. The
writers’ conference itself begins Saturday, Oct. 7, at Sauk Centre High School, 903 State Rd., Sauk Centre, with registration starting at 8:30 a.m. and a welcome and overview at 9:15 a.m. The conference will conclude with a reception at the Palmer House Hotel, 500 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre.
Jerling Antonio Lara Carmona
PROBATE NOTICE
STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF STEARNS
DISTRICT COURT
PROBATE DIVISION
SEVENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court File No: 73-PR-23-7357
NOTICE AND ORDER OF HEARING ON PETITION FOR FORMAL UNSUPERVISED PROBATE OF WILL AND APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of
NEWS/ PUBLIC NOTICES
Beverly Rose Gustafson aka Beverly R. Gustafson, Decedent. TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND CREDITORS: It is Ordered, and Notice is given that on November 3, 2023, at 8:45 am., a hearing will be held in this Court at the Stearns County Courthouse, 725 Courthouse Square, St. Cloud, Minnesota 56303, for the formal probate of an instrument purporting to be the Will of the Decedent dated, May 11, 2005, (“the Will”), and for the appointment of Lori Rose Gustafson, whose address is 2316 Lehman Ln NE, Blaine, MN, 55449, as Personal Representa-
CITY OF ALBANY
ORDINANCE 2023-01
CABLE TELEVISION FRANCHISE AGREEMENT SUMMARY PUBLICATION
The City of Albany has approved an Ordinance No. 2023-01 which (1) adopts definitions related to the franchise; (2) grants a 10 year nonexclusive franchise to Albany Mutual Telephone to provide cable services within the City; (3) establishes indemnification and insurance requirements (4) establishes service obligations; (5) defines the service area; (6) establishes construction and technical standards; (7) establishes street occupancy conditions; (8) establishes rules for service and rates; (9) establishes a franchise fee of 5%; (10) establishes rules for transfer; (11) provides obligations for recordkeeping; (12) reserves PEG Access; (13) establishes a procedure to enforce and revoke the franchise. This material is a summary of the above referenced amendments. The full text of the Ordinance is available for inspection by any person during regular office hours at the office of the Albany City Clerk/Administrator.
This Ordinance was adopted by the City Council of Albany on September 20, 2023, and shall be effective upon publication.
Tom Schneider
Tom Kasner
Mayor Interim City Administrator
This amendment was published in the Star Post on October 4, 2023.
P-40-1B
tive of the Estate of the Dece-
dent, in a formal unsupervised administration. Any objections to the petition must be filed with the Court prior to or at the hearing. If proper, and if no objections are filed, the Personal Representative will be appointed with full power to administer the 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 Estate. Notice is also given that, subject to Minnesota Statutes section 524.3-801, all creditors having claims against the
Estate are required to present the claims to the Personal Representative or to the Court Administrator within four months after the date of this Notice or the claims will be barred. /s/ Judge Shan Wang 9/18/2023
/s/George Lock, Court Administrator 9/18/2023
Attorney for Petitioner: Christopher G. Hudok, Esq. (#0400842) Hudok Law Office, PLLC 10721 Bechtold Rd. Rogers, MN 55374 (612) 363 5025 P-39-2B
Albany Public Works to conduct seasonal HYDRANT FLUSHING
Monday October 16th through Friday, October 20th
Beginning Monday, October 16th through Friday, the 20th of October, the Albany Public Works Department will be performing routine flushing of the City Water System and Fire Hydrants.
This is part of a regularly scheduled maintenance program that removes rust, manganese deposits and sediment from the City’s water lines.
When hydrant flushing is being performed in your neighborhood you may experience rusty water and discoloration along with pressure fluctuation.
Below are some precautions you may take:
• When you notice flushing is occurring in your neighborhood, please check your water coming from your faucet before using your washing machine. You may need to run it for a bit until it runs clear.
• If by accident you do wash a load and rusty looking streaks appear on your laundry, don’t use bleach as this will set the stains permanently. A product called “Iron Out” has been shown to be successful in removing iron stains from fabric.
If you have any questions, please call Albany’s Public Works Supervisor, Joe Mergen at 320.980.2990.
P-40-2B
NOTICE OF TESTING OF
(MELROSE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Independent School District No. 740 (Melrose Area Public Schools) shall perform a
lic accuracy test of the optical scan voting system to be used in the School District’s November 7, 2023 special election. The test shall be conducted at Melrose Area Public Schools (High School Library) - 546 5th Ave. NE, Melrose, Minnesota on October 17, 2023 at 10 o’clock a.m. Interested individuals are authorized to attend and observe. If you have any questions, please contact Tammy Oliver at 320-256-5613.
Dated: July 24, 2023 BY ORDER OF THE SCHOOL
/s/ Becky Felderwerd
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED ASSESSMENT FOR UNPAID CITY CHARGES
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Albany City Council will hold a public hearing at 6:30 PM or as soon as thereafter on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, in the Council Room at 400 Railroad Avenue, Albany, MN to consider and possibly adopt the proposed assessment set forth below for unpaid city charges incurred in relation to Ordinance 77. Adoption by the City Council of the proposed assessment may occur at the hearing. The proposed assessment is as follows:
Property:
121 Par Drive
Unadopted Minutes SCHOOL BOARD WORK SESSION
Albany Area Schools – ISD #745 District Office Board Room September 27, 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, Sands, Dirkes Late: None Absent: Sand, Rueter
3. Student Representatives
The student representatives introduced themselves, shared some information about themselves, what they like about Albany, and something they’d like to focus on as a student representative on the board.
4. Technology Update
• Emergency Connectivity Funding is available through the state for those that apply.
•For Round 1, Albany applied for funding for iPads, MacBooks, Hotspots, and Chromebooks and was awarded $300,702.24.
• For Round 2, Albany applied for funding to purchase iPads and Chromebooks and was awarded $24,000.
• For Round 3, Albany applied for funding to purchase additional Chromebooks and was awarded funding of $130,944.
• Phone System
• Currently using managed services through AlbanyTel.
• Continuing discussions around options to reduce our costs for the phone system.
• Considering a change to a cloud-managed phone system from 3CX which would require a one-time up-front cost to purchase new phones but in the long term would save the district between $12-14K per year and the cost savings would pay for the one-time costs in less than a year.
• Overview of E-Rate reimbursement
• Technology updates completed to date; updates planned for the future
• Overview of tech support ticket counts year-to-year
5. Transportation Update Support of the Transportation Department through ticketing. Craig Waldvogel, Amanda Grabmeier, and Aubrey O’Malley have done a lot of work to support the changes and work of the transportation department.
6. Teaching and Learning Update
Laura Roelike, Director of Teaching & Learning, took the board through a review of MCA testing results from last year. She also took the board through an overview of the READ Act and how that impacts our district.
7. Open Enrollment Review Tabled until the October work session.
8. School Board Policies - Second Read
8.1 102 Equal Educational Opportunity
8.2 418 Drug-Free Workplace/Drug-Free School
8.3 419 Tobacco-Free Environment; Possession and Use of Tobacco, Tobacco-Related Devices, and Electronic Delivery Devices; Vaping Awareness and Prevention Instruction
8.7 506 Student Discipline
8.8 507 Corporal Punishment and Prone Restraint
8.9 509 Enrollment of Nonresident Students
8.10 513 Student Promotion, Retention, and Program Design A summary of changes to 10 policies was reviewed.
9. Superintendent Report Superintendent Okerlund covered several topics including updates on the Director of Building Maintenance position that is currently open, updates on the ELC construction, Athletics questions and adjustments and how the looming federal government shutdown may affect our school.
10. Adjournment
The board work session adjourned by Chair Kreuzer at 7:15 p.m. Scott Hansen, Vice Chair P-40-1B
$575.00
$325.00
Written or oral objections will be considered at the hearing.
The unpaid amounts includes a $75 administrative fee as per Resolution 2022-37.
Such assessment is proposed to be payable in one (1) installment. You may pay the entire assessment on such property to the City of Albany on or before November 16, 2023. If not paid by this date, the amount will be certified to the Stearns County Auditor-Treasurer for collection as a special assessment in the year 2024. You may at any time thereafter pay to the Stearns County Auditor-Treasurer the entire amount of the assessment.
An owner may appeal an assessment to District Court pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Sections 429.081 by serving notice of the appeal upon the Mayor or City Administrator of the City within 30 days after the adoption of the assessment and filing such notice with the District Court within ten days after service upon the Mayor or City Administrator.
No such appeal as to the amount of an assessment as to a specific parcel of land may be made unless the owner has either filed a signed written objection to the assessment with the City Administrator prior to hearing or has presented the written objection to the presiding officer at the hearing.
Tom Schneider, Interim City Administrator
Published in the Star Post this 4th day of October, 2023. P-40-1B
Regular School Board Minutes - Melrose Area Public Schools Monday, August 28, 2023
Chair Heller called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The following members were present: Chair Heller, Vice-Chair Dufner, Treasurer Heidgerken, Clerk Feldewerd, Director Uphoff & Director Poepping. Also present were: Superintendent Winter, Business Manager Noska, Principal Pearson, Principal Doetkott & Principal Anderson. Vice-Chair Dufner moved with a second by Treasurer Heidgerken, to approve the agenda. The Motion was unanimously carried. There were a few community members at Open Forum with concerns. No action was taken. Board reports were given. No action was taken.
Administrative reports were given. No action was taken. A first review of Policy 102Equal Educational Opportunity was held. No action was taken.
A first review of Policy 614 - Bullying Prohibition was held. No action was taken. A first review of Policy 613Graduation Requirements was held. No action was taken. A first review of Policy 621 - Literacy & Read Act was held. No action was taken.
Treasurer Heidgerken moved, with a second by Director Uphoff, to approve the following consent agenda items:
➢ July 24, 2023 Regular School Board Minutes
➢ Bills & Wire Transfer in the amount of $1,749,157.80
➢ New Hire - Braden OkerlundTeacher - District - Long Term SubEffective Approx. 10/9/2023
➢ New Hire - Jesicah Miller - Paraprofessional - Elementary - Full time - Effective 8/28/2023
➢ New Hire - Ashley Frericks - Paraprofessional - Middle School - Full time - Effective 8/28/2023
➢ New Hire - Kalee Howe - Paraprofessional - MS/HS - Full time - Effective 8/28/2023
➢ New Hire - Kim Schmitz - Paraprofessional - Elementary - Full time - Effective 8/28/2023
➢ New Hire - Brenda Botello - Paraprofessional - Elementary - Full time - Effective 8/28/2023
➢ New Hire - Rosie Thell - Paraprofessional - Middle School - Full time - Effective 8/28/2023
➢ New Hire - Shelby Sandeen (BAStep 11) - Nurse - District - Full time - Effective 8/28/2023
➢ New Hire - Beth Alipranti - Paraprofessional - Middle School - Full timeEffective 8/28/2023
➢ New Hire - Jordan Morgan (Step 1) - Volleyball Coach - Junior High - Part time - Effective 9/5/2023
➢ New Hire - Cassidy Hendricks (Step 1) - Asst. Girls Soccer Coach - High
Lightning halts homecoming
Pierz shuts down Melrose football
BY HERMAN LENSING STAFF WRITER
The Melrose Area Dutchmen football team never found a way to stop the Pierz Pioneers in a 33-0 homecoming loss Sept. 29 at Melrose Area High School in Melrose.
The Pioneers scored every time they had the ball, taking a 33-0 lead into halftime. The second half of the game was not played when a lightning storm moved through the area. The game will not be made up.
“We had few drives in the first half,” said Chuck Noll, co-head coach. “We got into the red zone, then it seemed like we had one unforced error after the other.”
Following Pierz’s second touchdown, it appeared the Dutchmen had something going. James Rieland took the kickoff and returned it to the Pierz 2-yard line.
The effort was wiped out by a holding penalty, bringing the ball back to Melrose’s 29-yard line. Rieland has been impressive on a number of kick returns this year.
“He is a jitterbug and terribly exciting,” Noll said. “He is going to break one. Everybody gets excited every time he touches the ball.”
That setback did not seem to faze the Dutchmen. On the first offensive play, Logan Schad threw to Sam Wehlage for an 18-yard gain.
“We have some guys who can catch the ball,” Noll said. “It is just if we have time.”
That drive illustrated Noll’s statement. Pierz intercepted a pass later in the possession, returning it for
a 56-yard touchdown.
The Dutchmen, mixing runs by Jackson Mayers and passes by Schad, moved the ball to the Pierz 21-yardline at the start of the second quarter. The drive ended following a false start from Melrose
“We have to capitalize when we get down there,” Noll said. “The kids worked hard to get there. Mistakes are part of the game, but we have to eliminate them to get into the end zone.”
Passing seemed to work for Melrose. Before the half ended, Schad was 5 of 11 for 43 yards. Sam Wehlage had two catches for 15 yards, both Max Wehlage and Mayers caught passes for 12 yards and Isaac Rosenberger had a 4-yard catch.
What Melrose did not do was keep momentum after gaining yards. Pierz shut down the Dutchmen running game, limiting Mayers to 24 yards on eight runs.
That pressure caused Melrose to turn over the
ball on downs or punt. From there, the Pioneers marched to touchdowns.
“It seems like we are undersized, but weightwise, we match them,” Noll said. “We are just not very strong. It is a strength issue. Some opponents we face, they live in the weight room. We need to improve in that area of our game.”
During the final minute of the first half and the introduction of the homecoming royalty at halftime, people were looking to the sky and checking cellphones for the progress of the incoming storm. When the teams took to the field to start the second half, lightning strikes brought the announcement that play was delayed for at least 30 minutes. The cafeteria was made available for those wanting to go inside.
Shortly after the delay, it was announced the game was over and would not be concluded due to the continued presence of the storm.
Huskies volleyball stays on top of conference
Albany wins over Cathedral
BY MIKE KOSIK | STAFF WRITER
The Albany Huskies volleyball team upped its overall record to 18-3 following a 3-1 road win over Cathedral Sept. 28 at Cathedral High School in St. Cloud.
The win also keeps the Huskies undefeated in Granite Ridge Conference action with six wins and no losses.
The Huskies won the first set 25-13 but the Crusaders came back to tie the match with a 25-20 win. Albany won the third set 25-17 and the deciding set 25-21.
Hannah Klein led Albany with 19 kills, followed by Brynn Panek with 13 and Kelsey Lobitz with 11. Klein was also the team leader in digs with 13 followed by Paige Lauer’s 10. Ellery Ehresmann was 18-for-20 serving with one ace, Ava Hines was 17-for-19 with three aces, Lobitz was 14-for-16 with two aces and Panek was 14-for-15 with two aces. Ehresmann had 46 set assists.
The Huskies sit on top of the conference above second-place Pequot Lakes, whose only conference loss came to Albany. The Huskies are 8-0 against Section 6AA teams.
Volleyball page 9
PHOTOS BY HERMAN LENSING
Sam Wehlage is brought down following a nice gain on a pass reception Sept. 29 at Melrose Area High School in Melrose. Wehlage is the Dutchmen’s leading receiver this season.
Albany battles Foley in pool competition
Takes 1st in 5 events
BY MIKE KOSIK STAFF WRITER
The Albany Huskies swim and dive team hosted Foley and lost 62.5-38.5 Sept. 28 at Albany Area High School in Albany. The Huskies took first in five events. The Huskies kickstarted the competition with a victory in the 200-yard medley relay, courtesy of the combination of Lauren Harren, Teagan Crumley, Sara Eiynck and Trista Hoffarth.
Hoffarth tied Foley’s Sydney Hanks for first in the 50 freestyle at 27.18 seconds, while Sara Eiynck, 200 individual medley; Crumley, 100 butterfly; and
Albany’s Sara Eiynck swims to a first-place finish in the 200-yard
Sept. 28 at Albany Area High School in Albany. Eiynck was also a
200 medley relay.
Hennen, 100 backstroke, all achieved individual event wins. Albany results: 200MR: 1. Hennen, Crumley, Sara Eiynck and Hoffarth 2 minutes, 5.57 seconds. 200FS: 2. Rayvin Pullins 2:20.10.
200IM: 1. Sara Eiynck 2:34.98. 50FS: 1. Hoffarth 27.18. Diving: Kennedy Buchanan 126.30 points (EX). 100FLY: 1. Crumley 1:09.85. 100FS: 2. Hennen 1:02.05. 500FS: 3. Mckenzie Eiynck 6:12.37. 200FSR: 2. Crumley, Pullins, Mckenzie Eiynck and Hoffarth 1:53.52. 100BK: 1. Hennen 1:10.19.
100BR: 2. Crumley 1:19.22. 400FSR: 2. Sara Eiynck, Hennen, Mckenzie Eiynck and Hoffarth 4:12.13
Suspenseful spars
Melrose tennis plays close conference match
BY HERMAN LENSING STAFF WRITER
The 2023 West Central Conference girls tennis tournament was canceled Sept. 30 due to rain.
The Lady Dutchmen begin post-season play Oct. 5 in the team section competition at Litchfield. The winners advance to section play Oct. 10 in Rogers. The
individual competition begins Oct. 11 in Rogers. It was the second year in a row weather canceled the contest. The All-Conference selections, to be announced later this year, will be based on the results of previous conference matches.
MACA/WCA 4, Melrose 3 Close matches decided Melrose’s 4-3 loss to Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta/West Central Area Sept. 27 at Melrose Area High School in Melrose. The Lady Dutchmen
kept the match close, with Gretta Hellermann and Jenna Butkowski winning at No. 2 and No. 4 singles, respectively, and No. 1 doubles combination Jessica Pohlmann and Anessa Redepenning taking their matches in two sets.
The match was decided with two three-set doubles contests.
“There were close contests that could have gone either way,” said Sarah Engelmeyer, head coach.
Addison Kemper and Macy Davis rallied from a
6-3 first-set loss to take a lead and win 6-4 in the second set at second doubles. The third set was backand-forth but MACA/WCA pulled ahead for a 6-4 win. In the third doubles match, Ramona Lurken-Tvrdik and Rachel Welle won 6-1 before falling 4-6 in set two and 6-2 in the final set.
Melrose results: Singles: 1. Alexis Baumann lost 1-6, 2-6, 2. Hellermann won 6-1, 6-3, 3. Jada Rausch lost 0-6, 2-6 and 4. Butkowski won 6-1, 6-4. Doubles: 1. Pohlmann/Redepenning won 6-3, 6-1. 2. Davis/Kemper lost 3-6, 6-4, 4-6 and 3. Lurken-Tvrdik/Welle lost 6-1, 4-6, 2-6.
Strong finishes highlight swimming week
Lady Dutchmen finish 3rd in Brainerd
BY HERMAN LENSING | STAFF WRITER
The Melrose Area Lady Dutchmen concluded a busy week, taking third of eight teams with 361 points at the Brainerd Invite Sept. 30 at Brainerd High School in Brainerd.
Four of the schools, Monticello (5A), Melrose (6A), Park Rapids (8A) and Brainerd (8AA) are defending section champions. Monticello won the meet with 577 points.
“This is a meet with a lot of competition,” said Nathan Meyer, head coach.
Melrose’s firsts were by Hallie Drossel in the 200yard individual medley and 100 breaststroke.
The Lady Dutchmen
had at least five competitors in every event and almost always had at least two point earners.
Many Melrose swimmers turned in promising finishes. A few had season-best times.
“Brainerd has a quick pool and a nice facility,” Meyer said. “The 200 medley relay of Brooke Ruoff, Drossel, Georgia Anderson and Maddi Kraemer had their best time of the year.”
Other top five finishes were Lauren Reed, fifth in the 200 freestyle; Ruoff, fourth in the 100 backstroke; and the team of Kraemer, Reed, Ruoff and Drossel, third in the
Albany girls soccer splits area matches
BY MIKE KOSIK | STAFF WRITER
The Albany Huskies girls soccer team lost to the Cathedral Crusaders 5-0 in a Granite Ridge Conference contest Oct. 2 at Whitney Sports Complex in St. Cloud.
Alyssa Sand had 20 saves in goal for Albany. The loss was only the third of the season for the Huskies, two of which have come against Cathedral. Albany is 10-3.
Albany 6, Melrose 0 Savanna Pelzer scored four of Albany’s six goals
in a 6-0 win over Melrose Sept. 26 at Michael Field at Herges Stadium in Albany. Rebekah Domke and Brynn Anderson scored the other goals for the Huskies. Albany scored three goals in the first half and three in the second. Callie Holthaus, Eva Schwenzfeier, Madison Fischer and Domke got credit for an assist each. Sand had four saves in goal.
For Melrose, goaltender Pamela Martinez Montañez had 14 saves.
400 freestyle relay. Anderson and Kraemer had season-best times in the 100 butterfly.
“They had nice times and this was the third meet this week,” Meyer said. “Overall, we are all happy with how they did.”
Melrose results: 200MR: 2. Ruoff, Drossel, Anderson and Kraemer 1 minute, 55.02 seconds. 200FS: 5. Reed 2:09.6. 200IM: 1. Drossel 2:17.65. 50FS: 11. Ruoff 26.92. 1M diving: 8. Theresia Nathe 292.05 points. 100FLY: Anderson 1:05.99. 100FS: 9. Reed 58.8. 500FS: 8. Jaiden Smith 5:44.56. 200FSR: 8. Reed, Ava Wensmann, Madisyn Von Wahlde and Aubrey Braegelmann 1:55.73. 100BK: 4. Ruoff 1:05.06. 100BR: 1. Drossel 1:08. 400FSR: 3. Kraemer, Reed, Ruoff and Drossel. 3:52.85. Melrose 106, Montevideo 71
A juggled lineup posted a 106-71 win over Montevideo Sept. 28 at Melrose Area High School in Melrose.
Reed won both the 50 freestyle, the shortest race of the night, and the 500 freestyle, the longest. Drossel swam the 100 freestyle for the first time this year and finished first. In the 200 medley relay,
the fourth-place team was an all-cousins grouping of Annabelle Lester, Dockendorf, Drossel and Chloe Viere. Drossel was also part of a senior-led 200 freestyle relay, as she, Nathe, Leah Seanger and Makayla Zirbes took third place.
200MR: 1. Ruoff, Von Wahlde, Anderson and Reed 2:01.74. 200FS: 1. Smith 2:11.16. 200IM: 1. Wensmann 2:32.23. 50FS: 1. Reed 27.07. 1M diving: 2. Nathe 191.6. 100FLY: 1. Anderson 1:06.36. 100FS: 1. Drossel 57.7. 500FSR: 1. Reed 5:42.01. 200FSR: 1. Kraemer, Ella Erdmann, Wensmann and Smith 1:51.8.100BK: Ruoff 1:03.91 (EX). 100BR: Drossel 1:07.48 (EX). 400FSR: Erdmann, Kraemer, Anderson and Reed 4:05.77 (EX). Melrose 109, Litchfield 69 The 200 medley quartet started a trend, taking the first of 12 event wins for Melrose in a 109-69 victory over Litchfield, Sept. 26 at Melrose Area High School in Melrose.
200IM: 1. Ruoff, Drossel, Anderson and Kraemer 1:56.37. 200FS: 1. Reed 2:07.57. 200IM: 1. Drossel 2:18.26. 50FS: 2. Ruoff 26.75. 1M diving: 1. Nathe 169.5. 100FLY: 1. Anderson 1:07.75. 100FS: 1. Reed 58.84. 500FS: 1. Smith 5:52.41. 200FSR: 1. Drossel, Ruoff, Reed and Kraemer 1:47.17. 100BK: 1. Ruoff 1:05.98. 100BR: Drossel 1:06.87 (EX).
400FSR: Smith, Zirbes, Anderson and Reed 4:09.20.
WHA tops Lady Dutchmen soccer
BY HERMAN LENSING | STAFF WRITER
The Melrose Area Lady Dutchmen girls soccer fell 2-1 Sept. 28 at Walker-Hackensack-Akeley High School in Walker. The score was tied 0-0 at the half, with all three of the game’s goals coming in the second half.
No other details were available before press time.
Improving Melrose runners hit best times
BY HERMAN LENSING | STAFF WRITER
Almost all of the Melrose Dutchmen’s runners had their best times of the year Sept. 26 at the Paynesville/Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Invite at Koronis Hills Golf Club in Paynesville. Tim Wilwerding led Melrose with an 18-minute, 52.61-second run and a 16th-place finish. He was less than a second off his previous best time. Finishing in a pack was Sullivan Stumler, 19:47.2, 26th; Isaiah Zink, 19:50.97, 28th; Malachi Piche, 19:51, 29th; and Sawyer Frieler, 19:55.73, 33rd. All four had their best times of the fall. Thor Hoppe and Ethan Zink rounded out the Dutchmen lineup. They both finished under 22 minutes, recording their best times of the season.
The Dutchmen earned 121 points, taking fifth out of eight teams. Rocori, with four runners in the top 11, scored a 48 to take first. The Spartans edged Sauk Centre by one point. Henry Lamke of Eden Valley-Watkins finished at 16:31.79, taking first out of 58 runners.
Lady Dutchman Kaitlyn Klasen, 22:29.8, had her season-best run, earning 21st. Leading the Melrose girls was Maria Hinnenkamp. She placed ninth out of 61 contestants with a 21:32.61 time. Danica Kerzman had a sub-22-minute finish, crossing the finish line at 21:46.7 and taking 13th place. Zoe Hoeschen, 24:01.1, and Greta Van Wahlde, 24:49.76, earned 36th and 47th, respectively. Finishing the strong Lady Dutchmen effort were Olivia Harren and Hannah Welle, with the former reaching her best time of the season.
First place was earned by Rocori’s Paige Larson, who led her team to a 1-2 finish. The Spartans claimed first with 29 points. Melrose’s team score of 117 brought it fourth place of eight teams.
Huskies girls cross-country 5th in Foley
BY MIKE KOSIK | STAFF WRITER
The Albany Huskies girls cross-country team, with 119 points, finished fifth among 14 teams at the Falcon Invitational Sept. 28 at Stone Creek Golf Course in Foley. Eva Lundgren came in seventh overall for the Huskies with a time of 20 minutes, 5.3 seconds. The next four runners counting in the team score were Tessa Lundgren, 14th, 21:23.3; Laina Kalthoff, 30th, 22:39.7; Bella Schiffler, 32nd, 22:41.2; and Sydney Dingmann, 37th, 22:53.1. There were 98 runners in the girls varsity race. Zimmerman won the team competition with a score of 78. Carter Schwalbe finished sixth at 17:31.2 to lead the Albany boys to an eighth-place finish among 16 teams at 186 points. Following Schwalbe were Keegan Eibensteiner, 35th, 18:32.7; Mason Plumski, 42nd, 18:59.1; Collin Goebel, 46th, 19:03.2; and Caleb Abraham, 58th, 19:33.1. One-hundred and nine runners competed in the boys varsity race. Cambridge-Isanti snagged top team honors with a score of 64 with three representatives in the top five.
Dutchmen soccer rallies for second-half win
BY HERMAN LENSING | STAFF WRITER
Being ready and constantly hustling paid off for Alexis Ambriz Becerra and the Melrose Area Dutchmen soccer team against Central Minnesota Christian Sept. 27 at Melrose Area High School in Melrose.
Ambriz Becerra scored twice in the 3-1 win. The first, at 20:41, gave the Dutchmen a 1-0 lead. The Blue Jays tied the score about seven minutes later and it stayed tied for the rest of the half.
“We were working and passing the ball,” Ambriz Becerra said. “In other games, I was just running with the ball, but today, I was working with my teammates.” Five minutes into the second half, Alonso Montanez Martinez caught up to a pass from Martinez Montanez for a 2-1 lead.
“It was good to see controlled passing and lots of communication,” said Sam Heller, assistant coach.
Goalie Adan Lara Ambriz had 12 saves. Generally, though, Melrose defenders got to the ball and moved it away from the net.
The Dutchmen got to breathe easier with 3:17 left, when Martinez Montanez stole an inbound pass and passed it ahead to Ambriz Becerra for his second score.
The win was the Dutchmen’s third of the year. Postseason play begins Oct. 10 at the high seed.
Minnewaska Area 2, Melrose 0
The Dutchmen fell 2-0 to Minnewaska Area Sept. 28 at Minnewaska Area High School in Glenwood. No other details were available.
The Huskies hosted Foley Sept. 26 and swept the Falcons 3-0 at Albany Area High School in Albany. Albany won 25-15, 25-22, 25-20. Klein led in kills with 16, followed by Panek with 13 and Hailee Stich 12. Ehresmann was 14-for-17 serving with four aces, Klein was 12-of-13 with one ace and Lauer was 12 of 14. Klein and Lauer had eight digs each and Ehresmann had 48 set assists. Volleyball from page 8
Albany 3, Foley 0
PHOTOS BY MIKE KOSIK
individual medley against Foley
member of Albany’s first-place
Football falls to Osakis for first loss
BY MIKE KOSIK | STAFF WRITER
The Holdingford Huskers football team suffered its first loss of the season Sept. 29, falling to Osakis 34-22 at Holdingford High School in Holdingford.
The Silverstreaks spoiled the Huskers’ homecoming game.
The score was close through the first half, with Osakis holding a 16-14 lead. But in the second half, Osakis scored 12 in the third quarter and six in the fourth while the Huskers earned just the one touchdown in the third quarter.
All three of Holdingford’s touchdowns were pass plays. The first Huskers touchdown in the opening quarter was a 73-yard reception by Luke Bieniek from Drew Lange. Lange’s run for the two extra points was good. In the second quarter, it was Lange to Bieniek again for a touchdown from 10 yards out. Lange threw to Garrett Frink in the third quarter on a 20-yard pass play for Holdingford’s final touchdown. Lange threw to Bieniek for the two extra points.
Bieniek had 156 total yards, 123 yards on six receptions and 33 yards on 11 carries. Brandon Hall had 57 yards on four receptions and Frink had 37 yards on three catches. Lange was the leading rusher for Holdingford with 39 yards on 10 carries. He also threw for 223 yards and three touchdowns, completing 14 of 23 pass attempts.
The Huskers are 4-1 and will travel to Kimball Friday, Oct. 6. The Cubs are also 4-1 with their only loss coming to Osakis. Holdingford is tied for second place in the Mid-Northwest Three Rivers Blue District at 3-1 with Kimball and Osakis. Leading the district is Eden Valley-Watkins at 4-0 in district play, 5-0 overall.
Volleyball team swept by Paynesville
BY MIKE KOSIK | STAFF WRITER
The Holdingford Huskers volleyball team played host to Paynesville and lost in three sets 25-21, 25-13, 25-23 Sept. 28 at Holdingford High School in Holdingford.
The kill leader for Huskers was Makenna Hohbein, who had 12. Hohbein and Gabby Bruns had seven digs each. Bruns also had 14 serves, and Ava Hagerty and Maddy Mitchell had two aces each. Marissa Nienaber and Hagerty had two blocks each. Mitchell had 37 set assists.
“We dug ourselves a hole at the start of each set and just could not find our way back tonight,” said Molly Klatt, head coach.
Holdingford 3, Pierz 1
The Huskers hosted the Pierz Pioneers Sept. 26 and won 3-1 at Holdingford High School in Holdingford. Holdingford won the first two sets, 25-18 and 25-21 and lost the third 25-21 before winning the fourth and deciding set 25-13.
Hohbein had 15 kills and 65 set assists. Bruns had 24 serves and 21 digs. Brooke Soltis had two ace serves. Nienaber, Hagerty, Mitchell and Hohbein all had one block each.
“We played well as a team and had another win at home, which was great for our youth to see as it was youth night,” Klatt said.
Sauk Centre pushes past swimming and diving
BY MIKE KOSIK | STAFF WRITER
The Holdingford Huskers swimming and diving team lost to the Sauk Centre Streeters 109-65 Sept. 26 at Sauk Centre High School in Sauk Centre.
Afton Scegura earned first in the 100-yard breaststroke, with Kirstyn Sand taking second. The 400 freestyle relay of Maggie Gross, Kylie Breth, Grayce Johnson and Sand took first followed by the second-place team of Lexi Reis, Brooklyn Kuklok, Kendall Isder and Scegura. Holdingford results: 200MR: 3. Kuklok, Scegura, Madison Tschida and Gross 2 minutes, 9.91 seconds. 200FS: 3. Isder 2:30.46. 200IM: 2. Gross 2:36.06. 50FS: 4. Breth 30.19. Diving: 4. Angelika Diakite 117.10 points. 100FLY: 2. Tschida 1:09.87. 100FS: 2. Gross 59.16. 200FSR: 2. Breth, Sand, Johnson and Tschida 1:56.67. 100BK: 3. Kuklok 1:16.55. 100BR: 1. Scegura 1:22.79. 400FSR: 1. Gross, Breth, Johnson and Sand 4:27.90.
Cross-country makes strides at multi-state meet
BY MIKE KOSIK | STAFF WRITER
The Holdingford boys cross-country team came in fourth among 32 teams at the XC Border Battle meet Sept. 30 at Lincoln Drive Park in Grand Forks, North Dakota.
Huskers runner Dawson Hofer finished 13th overall with a time of 16 minutes, 55.80 seconds. The next four finishers for the Huskers boys in the 223-runner 5,000-meter Class A race were Joseph Guthrie, 21st, 17:19.4; Quinn Guthrie, 26th, 17:31.9; Jimmy Jenson, 47th, 18:14; and Noah Boeckermann, 64th, 18:40.1. Bowman County finished first with a score of 58. Holdingford’s score was 171.
In the girls Class A race, Loretta Mrosla crossed the finish line first for the Huskers, coming in 53rd at 22:09.8. The next four to finish were Olivia Klasen, 111th, 24:00; Evie Aleckson, 124th, 24:30.9; Gracelyn Gerads, 131st, 24:41.1; and Suzette Guthrie, 138th, 24:57.30.
The Huskers finished 18th of 21 teams, with 181 runners competing in the girls Class A varsity showing. Clark/Willow Lake finished first in the girls race with a score of 85. Holdingford’s score was 499.
The multi-state competition also included Class AA schools.
Two-day triumph
Albany experiences victory after lightning delay
BY EVAN MICHEALSON STAFF WRITER
Facing a high-quality opponent who attended the state tournament a year ago is tough enough, but the Albany Huskies football team took the field to face Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted on two different days Sept. 29-30.
But the Huskies’ stingy defense was present both before and after a thunderstorm delayed the team’s homecoming affair in a 21-2 triumph at Michael Field at Herges Stadium in Albany.
“We bent but we didn’t break,” said Mike Ellingson, head coach. “We didn’t give up huge plays and when they did get the ball into the red zone, we tightened things up and kept them out of the end zone.”
Albany threw the first punch with an well-orchestrated opening drive, capped off by a 1-yard plunge from hard runner Joseph Schmitt less than four minutes in the first quarter. Even with Adam Dennis returning after a week away, Schmitt found significant yardage, picking up 57 rushing yards on 14 totes.
A stout offensive line and several ball-carriers completed a well-rounded performance from a rushing standpoint. Dennis dashed for a team-high 117 rushing yards on 14 handoffs, while Ethan Meyer and Tyler Hoffarth each carried the ball three times for 27 yards.
“There were times where we look really good running the football,” Ellingson said.
As Ellingson alluded to, this excellent offensive efficiency was only present part of the time, as several penalties and negative plays slowed the Huskies’ offensive unit to a halt, including bringing back a 28-yard score from Dennis in the fourth quarter.
Albany. The Huskies continued the game from the night before after it was postponed due to lightning.
“Whether it was a penalty or an interception or a tackle for loss, those type of plays are having big impacts for us, and we’ve got to find a way to clean it up,” Ellingson said.
Schmitt punched another touchdown in from 9 yards
out in the second quarter, but the story of the game was the Huskies’ defense, who picked off the HLWW quarterback twice while forcing four fumbles.
“It was an emphasis throughout practice of getting turnovers and trying to punch
those balls out and getting those interceptions,” Ellingson said. “It was nice to have that this week.”
Haiden Linn was especially opportunistic. The junior linebacker swarmed to the ball both days, totaling a team-high 11 tackles and recovering three of the loose balls Albany knocked out. He also forced a fumble.
“He had a nose for the ball,” Ellingson said. “He was all over the place.”
HLWW’s only points came on a safety, as the Lakers rallied to the ball and tackled the Albany quarterback in the end zone on a read option play in the third quarter.
The festive homecoming contest was put on pause with 18.1 seconds remaining in the third and would not be resumed until the next day.
Under the bright Saturday sun, Olson completed a 26yard pass to Hunter Hamann on a third-and-8 play to secure the victory.
Next up for the Huskies is a battle of 4-1 rosters, as Albany travels to Rockford High School in Rockford to face the Rockets at 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 6.
Sweeping Benson with big runs
Melrose volleyball continues conference push
BY HERMAN LENSING STAFF WRITER
The Melrose Area Lady Dutchmen volleyball team posted a 3-0 win over Benson Sept. 28 at Benson High School in Benson, with 25-12, 25-9, 25-15 wins.
They broke open a close first set with a seven-point run by Allie Hoppe for a 17-7 lead. Following that run, the teams exchanged serves, with the Lady Dutchmen serving in the final points. In the second game, Ria Nelson served Melrose to a quick 6-1 lead. It kept adding to the lead as Nelson, Alea Berscheit, Hannah Hoppe and Kaylee Ellering all blocked shots. Berscheit and Ellering had five-point serving runs. The third win saw the Lady Dutchmen add points during its serves. Ellering
a
had a five-point run. No statistics were made available before press. WCA 3, Melrose 1
Following a torrid 2517 win in the first set, the Lady Dutchmen went cold and fell 3-1 to West Central
Area Sept. 27 at Melrose Area Elementary School in Melrose.
“We came out flat in the second, third and fourth sets,” said Emily Reller, head coach. “WCA is very good team. We weren’t ready and could have been better.”
Mistimed and overpowered hits from Melrose helped WCA build their leads in the last three sets. WCA’s attack became stronger and quicker as it hit through Melrose blocks and put the ball to floor.
WCA took the match with 25-8, 25-23, 25-15 wins.
The Lady Dutchmen’s serving game was led by Nelson, 18 serves, and Berscheit, 13-for-13 with two aces. At the net, Hannah Hoppe recorded 10 kills, and Berscheit participated in four blocks. Defensively, Allie Hoppe was 36 of 37 in serve receive with 22 digs, Hannah Hoppe was 17 of 19 with 20 digs and homecoming queen Ellering and Nelson each had 12 digs. Nelson finished with 21 assists.
PHOTOS BY MIKE KOSIK
Albany’s Adam Dennis hurdles past the Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted defenders as he picks up yardage during the fourth quarter Sept. 30 at Michael Field at Herges Stadium in Albany. Dennis paced the Huskies in rushing yards with 117 in a 21-2 victory.
Hunter Hamann reaches out to catch a pass and score Albany’s final touchdown against Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted Sept. 30 at Michael Field at Herges Stadium in
PHOTO BY HERMAN LENSING
Isabelle Jaenicke finishes an attack for the Lady Dutchmen in the first set against West Central Area Sept. 26 at Melrose Area Elementary School in Melrose. Jaenicke’s hits and blocks were
huge factor in Melrose taking the first set.
PHOTO BY LUDWIG PHOTOGRAPHY The 2023 Albany Area High School Huskies volleyball team
Stich and Brynn Panek; (second row, from left) Hannah Klein, Kelsey Lobitz,
Zenzen, Samantha Zierden and Josie Bierbaum; (fourth row, from left) coach Kaesha Madden, Bridget Goebel, Paris Mellesmoen, Hailey Shay and head coach Brian Hines; (back, from left) coaches Amber Swarthout and Faith Fourre.
The Melrose Area High School Lady Dutchmen girls soc cer team has played through a tough sea son. Younger and often smaller than most opponents, they have had to learn to play de fensively while waiting for an opportunity to create shots on goal. The team will be challenged for the rest of the year and in the postseason, as its section includes three teams ranked in the top 10. The players, though, have shown they can learn, and they may well upset a team be fore the season ends.
Melrose Area Soccer
The Melrose Area High School Dutchmen boys soccer team have gradually learned which style of play works best for them, including using their team speed. In the last few games, they have become aggressive in their attacks and confident in plays, at times executing a series of passes to work the
PHOTO BY ALEE PHOTOGRAPHY
The 2023 Melrose Area High School Dutchmen soccer team consists of Brian Hernandez Montanez (front, from left), Aaron Abonce Garcia, Miguel Nicolas Gomez, Brandon Sanchez and Alonso Montanez Martinez; (middle, from left) Alesandro Martinez Montanez, Alexis Ambriz Becerra, Carlos Becerra Montanez, Miguel Abonce Garcia, Cesar Avalos, David Raya Ambriz and Alejandro Martinez Montanez; (back, from left) manager Marydiana Barragan Montoya, head coach Mauricio Perez, Jr., Christopher Herrera, Adan Lara Ambriz, Juan Martinez Ayala and assistant coaches Sam Heller and German Hernandez.
PHOTO BY ALEE PHOTOGRAPHY
The 2023 Melrose Area High School Lady Dutchmen girls soccer team consists of Nina Prout (front, from left), Daisy Montanez Martinez, Lizbeth Raya Ambriz, Kendra Orozco Martinez, Jessica Abonce, Ashley Botello and Estacy Sanchez Rivera; (middle, from left) Jasmine Martinez Botello, Natalie Ambriz Botello, Paola Martinez Montanez, Pamela Martinez Montanez, Linsey Martinez, Wesley Montanez Tapia and Emerson Malchow; (back, from left) coach Cassidy Hendricks, Rudy Ludwig, Yamileth Sanchez Botello, Jenna Finken, Tia Primus, Tania Martinez Montanez, Megan Martinez and head coach Cecilia Montanez. Not pictured Noelia Hernandez Vega.
Entertaining spectators in the Melrose Area High School cafeteria with an improvised line dance were Molly Rue (from left), Ava Williams, Brooke Ruoff, Jada Gettel, Isabelle Quistorff, Bryanne Feldewerd and Emma Revermann Sept. 29 in Melrose. They were waiting for the Melrose homecoming football game to be resumed following a lightning delay.
Newspapers
For a second year, Becky Schlegel sings during the Sept. 3 Marcie and Friends gig at the Horseshoe Bar and Ballroom in Spring Hill. She said there is something about performing in a little town and a ballroom.
BATTLE
Volleyball from page 10
Pete Gruber performs during the Sept. 3 Marcie and Friends gig with other musicians at the Horseshoe Bar and Ballroom in Spring Hill. He is a regular performer when the band plays once a year.
PHOTO BY EVAN MICHEALSON
Luke Bieniek reels in a deep pass from quarterback Drew Lange Sept. 29 at Holdingford High School in Holdingford. Bieniek outraced multiple Osakis defenders to the end zone for the Huskers’ first touchdown of the game.
PHOTO BY MARK KLAPHAKE
Freshman Maggie Gross competes in the 100-yard freestyle during Holdingford’s road meet Sept. 26 at Sauk Centre High School in Sauk Centre. Gross took second in the event with a time of 59.16 seconds.
The Sauk Centre and Melrose Lions are doing a Border Battle between Sauk Centre and Melrose high school sports. Each time one beats the other they will get a point. The winner gets a donation to their school’s booster club or a scholarship from the other club.
Logan Schad releases the ball while being chased during Melrose’s homecoming game Sept. 29 at Melrose Area High School in Melrose. Schad completed five passes in the contest.
PHOTO BY HERMAN LENSING
A diving Hannah Hoppe keeps the ball alive for the Lady Dutchmen Sept. 26 at Melrose Area Elementary School in Melrose. Hoppe had 20 digs and 10 kills against West Central Area.
Teagan Crumley swims her portion of the 200-yard medley relay for the Huskies in the Sept. 28 meet against Foley at Albany Area High School in Albany. Crumley later finished first in the 100 butterfly.
Albany’s Lauren Hennen swims the backstroke leg of the 200yard medley relay against Foley Sept. 28 at Albany Area High School in Albany. The relay took first to start the meet with a time of 2 minutes, 5.57 seconds.
Albany homecoming court
The 2023 Albany Area High School Homecoming court — senior ambassador Connor Finkelson (front, from left), senior Jack Rieland, freshman Griffin Roemeling, junior Zach Stradtmann, sophomore Griffin Lange and seniors Caleb Abraham and Carter Schwalbe; (back, from left) junior Mckenzie Eiynck, freshman Hannah Schiffler, senior ambassador Olivia Goebel, sophomore Rowan Ellingson and seniors Bridget Goebel, Aubrey Goebel and Madison Becker — gather following the Sept. 25 coronation at the Blattner Energy Arts Theatre in Albany. The court made appearances Sept. 25-29 at the homecoming volleyball, soccer and football games and swim meet; participated in soccer buff, powder puff, aquaman and bumper ball; played bingo; and decorated cookies.
SENIOR
DINING MENU
Pondview Estates, 334 Golfview Drive, Albany 320-845-4070
Oct. 4-11
Wednesday: Meatloaf, whipped potatoes, glazed carrots and bread.
Thursday: Chicken tetrazzini, peas and carrots, garden salad and ice cream cup.
Friday: Lasagna rollups, seven-layer salad, orange wedge and breadstick.
Monday: Tater tot hotdish, garden salad, chocolate chip cookie and roll.
The 2023 Melrose Area High School Homecoming royalty — freshman attendant Avery Gilk (front, from left), sophomore attendant Gabbriella Schoenberg, junior attendant Evelyn Schoenberg and senior attendants Alyssa Stordahl, Jenna Finken, Isabelle Jaenicke and Makayla Zirbes; (back, from left) freshman attendant Edmar Barragan, sophomore attendant Eddie Dickhaus, junior attendant Hudson Bitz, king Anthony Berscheit and queen Kaylee Ellering, and senior attendants Keagan Williams, Maxwell Wehlage, Isaac Rosenberger and Blaise Welle — gather following the Sept. 25 coronation at the Marit Elliott Performing Arts Center in Melrose. Homecoming week, Sept. 25-29, included the royal court’s presence at the swimming and diving meet and volleyball match, eating at Melrose Bowl, visits to the three parochial schools in the school district, playing in the ironman volleyball game and powder puff football game, a pep fest, parade and football game.
Melrose homecoming royalty Holdingford homecoming court
The 2023 Holdingford High School Homecoming court — seniors Drew Lange (from left), Aubrie Opatz, David Heinen, Kendra Johannes, king Dierks Opatz and queen Jada Mosey, Maddy Mitchell, Connor Breth, Jenna Pallow and Jeffery Hall — gather after the Sept. 25 coronation at Holdingford Public Schools in Holdingford. Homecoming week, Sept. 25-29, included coronation, senior games, dodgeball, powder puff football, volleyball, a pep fest and football game.
a
Tuesday: Scalloped potatoes and ham, peas, grande bar and bread.
Wednesday: Chicken breast on bun, parslied potatoes, peas and onions and tomato slices.
Congregate senior dining is open, but call to register. If no answer, leave a detailed message, name and phone number.
PHOTO BY MIKE KOSIK
PHOTO BY ALEE PHOTOGRAPHY
PHOTO SUBMITTED
In
tradition going back decades, the Albany cross-country teams bring out the game ball prior to the kick off of the homecoming game Sept. 29 at Michael Field at Herges Stadium in Albany. The eventual game itself was far from traditional, stretching two days due to a weather delay.