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Saturday, September 5, 2020

Same Local Coverage Since 1854.

Vol. 166, No. 22

School leaders ask commissioners for financial aid

PHOTO BY EVAN MICHEALSON

Jim Hovda keeps his rain gauge steady Aug. 27 at his home in Rice. Hovda checks this gauge at 7 a.m. every morning to record the precipitation totals from the past 24 hours.

Over $600,000 of CARES Act money not yet designated

BY JAKOB KOUNKEL | STAFF WRITER

FOLEY – With the Foley, Sauk Rapids-Rice and St. John’s Area school districts in financial limbo, unbeknown if they might receive additional funding from the federal government, the top employees from each district joined forces at the Benton County Board Sept. 1 asking for a non-specific funding allocation from the federal coronavirus relief bill. Commissioners did not act on the request at the meeting.

“It’s not much fun for us to come here and request that of you,” said Paul Neubauer, Foley Public Schools superintendent, acknowledging that numerous other entities are likely asking for help too. “We think we are good stewards of taxpayer dollars.”

County board page 3

COVID-19 cases spike before school begins Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools to evaluate data each Thursday

BY NATASHA BARBER | STAFF WRITER

SAUK RAPIDS – With the number of positive COVID-19 cases rising in Benton County prior to the school year, the looming question is how will this affect children’s in-person education.

The Sauk RapidsRice School Board approved an in-person base learning model Aug. 13 that will see students pre-kindergarten through 12th grades progressively start before all students attend in person Sept. 21.

However, the 14day positive COVID-19 case rate per 10,000 people is climbing in Benton County. Although the Minnesota Department of Health data reflected for Aug. 2-15 reports a 6.79 case rate per 10,000 people, county-level data estimates a case rate of over 18 for Aug. 17-31 – a threshold that recommends a hybrid learning model for middle and high school students.

COVID-19 page 4

Reading the Rice’s Hovda reaches 30 years as a climatology volunteer

BY EVAN MICHEALSON STAFF WRITER

RICE – Everyone has a morning routine. Some people read the morning paper, while others go for a run. Oftentimes, the activities they choose are reflective of who they are as individuals.

At 7 a.m. every morning, Rice resident Jim Hovda checks his rain gauge and records the rainfall total from the past 24 hours. It is a duty the detailed Hovda has conducted for decades, and this year, he celebrates 30 years as a volunteer precipitation reader for the Minnesota Climatology Network.

“My reaction was one of surprise, because I didn’t realize I had been

doing it that long,” he said.

“I thought, ‘Well, that is a milestone.’ I went back and did some math, and that’s more than 10,950 daily entries.”

That staggering amount exemplifies Hovda’s consistency as the longest serving volunteer from Benton County. One of over 20,000 contributors to the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network, Hovda not only logs the previous day’s rainfall amount, but also the high and low temperature and also phenological observations, including the patterns of area wildlife. Occasionally, he will even record his GPS location to aid the state climatological office in their research.

“He has wonderful

rain

comments and is a great observer of nature,” said Pete Boulay, assistant state climatologist at the Minnesota State Climatology Office. “He notices comings and goings of animals, plants and also keeps track of the ice on Little Rock Lake. Ice in and ice out is a big deal in Minnesota; we all want to know when the ice is out.”

The task is a yearlong endeavor. Hovda’s rain gauge also intakes snow, which can be melted to provide an accurate snowfall measurement.

The devoted volunteer also breaks out his light blue snow measuring stick when winter arrives to track how much snow is on the ground at a given time.

Hovda was a radio operator during his active duty in Vietnam, and the day-to-day weather patterns were important even then. One of his objec-

PUBLIC NOTICES • Assumed Name - Legacy House of Catering - pg. 10 • Assumed Name - Lindberg McLaughlin - pg. 10 • Benton County Board of Commissioners Reg. Minutes, Aug. 18 - pg. 9 • Sauk Rapids City and Township Public Hearing Notice - pg. 8 • Sauk Rapids-Rice ISD No. 47 Special Board Meeting - pg. 9 • Sauk Rapids-Rice ISD No. 47 Reg. Board Meeting - pg. 8 • Benton County Board of Adjustment Public Hearings - pg. 8 • Benton County Board of Commissioners Public Hearing - pg. 8

tives was to send out the daily weather, and Hovda would relay the same message every day: “Same.”

The temperature and cloud cover remained mostly unchanged as the days progressed. That is not the case in Minnesota, which has garnered a reputation for having a hard-topredict daily, weekly and monthly forecast.

“It’s like guessing who is going to win the Kentucky Derby,” Hovda said. “It’s a crapshoot, it really is.”

Hovda’s experience, however, helps him to notice certain trends, such as the departure of the orioles in late August, followed shortly thereafter by the hummingbirds. Unlike the sporadic temperatures, the behavior of area wildlife is a consistent indicator of upcoming weather changes and fluctuations.

Hovda page 2

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Page 2 | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2020 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

August weather, phenology in review Editor’s note: James Hovda has been contributing his monthly column to Benton County newspapers for many years – long before Star Publications took ownership of the Sauk Rapids Herald and Benton County News. When asked how many years weather and phenology information has been published for our readers, Hovda said, “That’s the one record I do not have.”

Weather: This year’s average temperatures were several degrees warmer.

Our high and low averages were 81.64 and 60.12 degrees. Like last year, only one 90-degree day. Two years ago, there were six.

Only two days curred Aug. 14 with 40-degree barely made temps.

Our the category. It warmest was was significant the 92-degree as it impacted day Aug. 23, most of Minand the cool nesota. reading was a There I 46-degree day was, enjoying Aug. 4.

FROM THE NORTH an adult beverP r e c i p i - SHORE OF LITTLE age at the Rice tation? Lots.

Legion and ROCK LAKE

BY JIM HOVDA Fifteen days the (air raid) with measurweather sirens able rain with the most sounded. A quick check falling Aug. 15 when 1.75 with the weather chaninches were recorded. That nel, and everyone headed ended a three-day rain that for home to get cars in totaled 3.86 inches. There garages and watch over was no brown grass this property. This was a fastmonth. moving long line of severe Significant weather thunder storms that, in the event: The storm that oc- end, produced nine con-

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firmed tornados but none locally. Lots of branches to pick up. Some trees down further away. For a storm that lasted only 25 minutes and produced .55 rain with no hail, at least here, it was impressive. Some folks only 1-2 miles away received a lot more rain.

August has had many significant weather events.

At 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 13, 2010, – my most memorable – the storm lasted only 20 minutes and produced winds of at least 84 mph when my 40-foot TV tower landed on the house.

The head weather folks said this was not a tornado but an extremely large, fast-moving downburst of wind. Tens of thousands of trees were felled. It was a terrain altering event. Our North Freedom Road was blocked by many fallen trees. Remember that storm?

Local weather records: Yes, August can be a month of change. The record low and high temperatures were 33 degrees in 1974 and 105 degrees

in 1936. Seventy-seven degrees difference. The most rain fell here in 2010 when I recorded 9.37 inches. This is the last month where the possibility of snow does not exist.

Phenology: Lots of things happening. Several species of birds have headed south. Departing, at least 95%, are the Northern (Baltimore) orioles Aug. 29. Then, only two or three a day and just five Aug. 31. Quite a change from Aug. 26 when large groups of orioles were eating grape jelly as fast as Jan and I could fill the bowl. Now that the suet hogs have left, I can put out two suet cakes for the blue jays and woodpeckers.

Late summer flowers are great. The most and biggest Joe Pye weed ever.

Huge blossoms with lots of pollinators. Others include aster and Woodland sunflower in roadside ditches, sunflowers wilting, some showing large sunflower seeds and sedum getting ready to bloom. The Au-

tumn Blaze maple is starting to turn red. The seasons simply keep marching on.

Observations by Roxie Saldana of two species of turtles. The soft-shell and lots of painted turtles in their yard pond. Several otters and zero fish.

Little Rock Lake: Water temperature Aug. 1 was 78 degrees and on Aug. 29, 73 degrees. Water levels remained stable with a small bump up mid-month. Secchi disk averaged about 1 foot.

This should improve as the water temp goes down.

Newly planted vegetation (bull rushes) on the north end by the cabins are doing well. Most planted by Little Rock Creek are gone.

Geese and carp may be to blame. Summer fishing is very slow.

What’s ahead: Fall colors, water temperature drops, first frost or snow, fishing should improve.

Cut your grass shorter. Get suet feeders ready. Clean out bird houses. Purchase a heated bird bath?

Hovda from front

“Usually there are five or six orioles sitting on our grape jelly feeder,” Hovda said. “We feed the birds and watch them. They’re a good barometer of what is going to happen.”

And sometimes, extraordinary weather occurrences take place. Hovda witnessed a once-in-a-lifetime downburst that took place in Rice Aug. 13, 2010, creating winds harsh enough to displace Hovda’s 40-foot steel weather tower and blow it onto the roof of his house.

He clocked the gale’s top wind speed at 81 mph and left the gauge needle right on that exact spot, where it sits today to remember the awe-inspiring moment, known as a terrain-altering event.

“They didn’t know if it was a tornado, but it turned out to be a gigantic downburst of weather,” Hovda said. “It flattened thousands of trees. Some of these events, you need to write on paper. It can be very useful.”

Hovda submits the information learned from past days to the Minnesota State Climatology Office website, along with the CoCoRaHS database. At his desk, he keeps a record of his notes, going back at least a decade. He maintains his climatological interest through owning a

PHOTO BY JAKOB KOUNKEL

Jim Hovda assembles his rain gauge Aug. 27 outside his home in Rice. Hovda tracks 24-hour precipitations rates, measuring rainfall to the one-hundredth of an inch.

Minnesota Weatherguide calendar and appearing on Mike Augustyniak’s Weather Watcher Network.

While Hovda has been responsible for a majority of the readings at his location, he has not documented the weather alone. His wife, Jan, takes note of the environmental happenings and documents them whenever Hovda is away.

When the couple leaves their residence for vacations together, two trusted friends, Nancy Anderson and Randy Fernholz, take down the totals for them.

“This is not one person doing everything,” Hovda said. “I’ve got some real stalwart helpers.”

And for the Minnesota Climatology Network, helpers are encouraged.

Hovda is one of six precipitation readers in the county, but there is a lot of ground yet to cover. The more volunteers within a given area, the higher likelihood of catching a rain or snow event.

“I would encourage anyone to become a weather watcher and involve themselves in the Benton County program,” Hovda said.

Soon enough, the orioles will migrate south in preparation for the winter, and Hovda will mark it in his light-green logbook, as he has done so for three decades. After all, there is something about the weather that peaks people’s curiosity.

“Everybody is interested in the weather,” Boulay said. “It’s the unifying thing everyone has.

from front

s

Sauk Rapids-Rice sPublic Schools superinltendent Bradley Bergsstrom, SJAS principal lChristine Friederichs and Neubauer presented commissioners a summary .detailing their losses due nto the COVID-19 pandemic. Foley’s Independent eSchool District 51 spent p$864,500 on pandemickrelated expenses from the .middle of March through sthe end of August, while .ISD 47 expended $1.27 nmillion. Foley is looking hat a shortfall of $239,500, gand an estimated shortfall of $600,000 is expected at .SRR. “Coming and asking o for additional funding and s support is not something I llike to do on a regular baesis, but I do know that ed,ucation is a foundational .piece for our society and tfor our county, and these nare needs that we have,” eBergstrom said.

Friederichs, whose school enrolls a total of 80 students, said SJAS requires fewer resources because of its relatively small enrollment numbers, but also said the school has significant needs because it is funded by tuition, fundraising and donations.

She said SJAS and other private schools usually end up receiving a fraction of what public schools get from governmental sources.

“Our needs are much smaller than the public school systems, but for us, they’re huge because every little bit helps,” Friederichs said. “We are very hopeful you can help us in any way that is possible.”

Friederichs also said the school’s fundraising efforts had to be canceled this year due to COVID-19, creating a loss of at least $10,000 from one

event alone. She said the biggest need relates to the private school’s operating expenses.

ISD 51’s most significant expenditure came in the form of technology.

Its one-to-one initiative, which provides students with digital devices like laptops or tablets, cost $425,000, which did not include $13,500 for web cams and microphones or $20,000 for security software.

Because SRR schools had already implemented one-to-one devices for students beyond second grade, technology is not one of its bigger expenses. However, the district opted to purchase an additional 200 iPads and cases for kindergarteners and first- and second-graders to better prepare for distance learning.

The Foley and SRR districts each hired additional staff, like substitute teachers and paraprofessionals, who can help with potential issues arising from the novel coronavirus. For example, if a

Do you know of a free, public event or a civic group that has returned to regularly scheduled, in-person meetings? Email natasha@saukherald.com or call the Sauk Rapids Herald office at 320-251-1971 to have events placed in the What’s Happening calendar. Events published one issue before occurrence.

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sioners, who had similar requests from their school districts, will allocate funding by request. Messelt said commissioners will look at three areas of need as it relates to the school districts – support for families, children and the community – to decide whether the request should be fulfilled.

In Stearns County, the board approved $3 million for the school districts within its borders, said Michael Williams, Stearns County administrator. Williams said commissioners are allocating money to schools based on the per pupil unit populations to calculate the maximum amount a school can receive, but the schools will still have to demonstrate the financial aid is directly linked to the pandemic.

In other board news: – Representatives from CliftonLarsonAllen, the company Benton County chose as an auditing group, presented commissioners with the county’s 2019 audit. The auditing firm found a few

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teacher is showing symptoms and needs to quarantine for 14 days, a longterm substitute teacher or paraprofessional could be physically present in the classroom while their regular educator teaches remotely.

Neubauer said Congress is debating how much relief should be allocated to schools, but said either proposal would be helpful.

“Right now, there’s just no movement on it,” Neubauer said, who also said a federal package would likely cover the shortfall entirely.

Commissioner Ed Popp wanted to know what other counties are doing before taking additional steps.

“Definitely, I would be in favor of helping the schools if we can,” Popp said, who suggested it might be prudent to disperse money based on how many Benton County students are in each district.

Sherburne County administrator Bruce Messelt said his county’s commis-

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weaknesses, like segregation of duties and financial reporting, but mostly reported strong findings. The auditors told commissioners the county is in good standing, both financially and from an operational standpoint.

– County engineer Chris Byrd said a bridge on County Road 50 in the southwest corner of the

county was found to be structurally deficient with deteriorating structure.

Byrd is preparing a sign with weight limits for single unit trucks, semitrucks and semi-trucks with trailers, and because the bridge is deteriorating on the north side, traffic will be reduced to one lane on the south side lane of the bridge.

BENTON COUNTY RESIDENTS RURAL AMNESTY DAY and HOUSEHOLD HAZARD WASTE 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12 This is a popular event please expect DELAYS Benton County Public Works/ Highway Dept.

7752 Highway 25 NE, (1 mile north of the intersection of Hwy 23 and Hwy 25) ITEMS ACCEPTED Appliances: • 1 free per residence • additional units $30/each Tires: (Auto and light truck only. No tires on rims) • 4 auto & light truck off-rim only tires free per VEHICLE** • Additional tires $3.00 each • Maximum 10 tires per vehicle • Tractor Tires: $15.00 each • Maximum 4 tractor tires per vehicle Furniture: (mattress, box spring, couch, chair etc) • 1 piece free per residence • Additional pieces: $5.00 each TVs and Computers: • 1 free per residence, • Additional units $30/each Motor vehicle and rechargeable batteries: • Free Demolition waste: (wood, building debris, etc) • 1 cu. yd. free per residence • Additional material $5.00/cu.yd.

Scrap metal: (pipe, wire, sheet or cast iron, etc) • Free • Bike frames must have tires/tubes removed • All motors must have gas and oil drained HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS ITEMS ACCEPTED • Adhesives • Aerosols • Cleaners • Flammables • Fluorescent bulbs/ballasts • Mercury • Moth balls • Paints\Paint thinner • Pesticides • Poisons • Pool chemicals • Roofing tar • Sealers • Solvents • Stains/varnish TYPES OF ITEMS NOT ACCEPTED AT EITHER • Agricultural/Business/Commercial/Medical wastes • Ammonia-held AC units • Antifreeze • Explosives • Gas refrigerators • Household Waste (Garbage) • Office equipment • Oil and Oil Filters • Pressurized tanks • Recyclables • Snowmobile tracks • Tires on rims • Vehicle/boat batteries • Whole vehicle hulks • Yard waste NOTE: The following COVID-19 preparedness precautions will be taken: – Participants can assist with unloading but must wear a face covering – Please stay home if you are not feeling well *Site personal have FINAL say on pricing & what items are acceptable for drop off. For disposal options or more information on the event call Benton County Dept. of Development at 320-968-5065

NEWS

Page 4 | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2020 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

County allocates relief funding Largest single sum headed for small businesses

BY JAKOB KOUNKEL | STAFF WRITER

FOLEY – With $4,905,923 available from the federal coronavirus relief package, the Benton County Board has the majority allocated for a specific purpose – for purchases already made, projected expenses and contingency money.

Commissioners unanimously approved the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act funding allocation plan at its meeting Sept. 1.

Benton Economic Partnership is receiving $735,000, the largest single pool of money to be allocated, to distribute among local businesses that apply for aid. $2,929,742 has already been allocated to reimburse the county for personnel pandemic-related costs.

“We’re planning on attributing quite a large

amount of that to the county’s own personnel costs associated with the pandemic response,” said Monty Headley, county administrator. “Public health, public safety, so on and so forth – all the staff time that’s been diverted to address the pandemic.”

Some of the money that went toward reimbursement was for sanitizing services, personal protective equipment, front door security, hand sanitizer and physical barriers like plexiglass, among other expenditures. Some of these expenses are ongoing. Of those expenditures that Benton County already purchased, another $121,598 will go toward reimbursement.

Headley has told commissioners in previous meetings that the money could be applied broadly to various pandemic-related expenses. For example, Benton County Board meetings may eventually be broadcast on higher quality audio equipment, so residents who want to listen remotely will not have any problems hearing the meeting. The expenditure is estimated at $17,000.

“So, you can kind of see the theme through many of these projects are to help us avoid face-to-face in-

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2 Second Ave. S., Suite 135 Sauk Rapids, MN 56379 (320) 251-1971 Sauk Rapids Herald (USPS 21690) is published weekly, 52 times a year, by Star Publications, 2 2nd Ave S., Suite 135, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379-1651. Second-class Postage paid at Sauk Rapids, MN 56379. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Sauk Rapids Herald, 2 2nd Ave S, Suite 135, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379-1651.

Hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Official newspaper of Benton County, the cities of Sauk Rapids and Rice and Independent School District No. 47

from front

Foley Public Schools changed its base learning model decision Aug. 31 – switching from all inperson attendance which would have resumed Sept. 8 to a hybrid model for secondary students.

The Sauk RapidsRice School District, with its staggered start Sept.

8-18 has a plan emulating a hybrid model implemented for two weeks, so it is unclear whether the district will change its course. Its COVID-19 incident management team planned to discuss the latest information Sept. 3, as this publication went to press.

“I don’t make the decision in isolation; it is a team decision,” said Bradley Bergstrom, Sauk Rapids-Rice superintendent, prior to the meeting Thursday. … “We really need to take a look and see where things are at.”

Bergstrom said the team includes Sauk Rapids-Rice administrators and key people from departments such as trans-

teractions as much as we can,” Headley said, which includes employees as well as visitors.

Commissioner Warren Peschl asked if the county might get money back from townships or cities that do not spend their entire allocation. Headley said he would be surprised if the county had a large influx of money coming back. He thinks the majority of it will be spent, but could see a small amount coming back from the 13 townships in Benton County.

The county is not obligated to spend the entire allocation and right now has an estimated $677,100 earmarked for future allocations and contingency. This pool of money does not yet have a designation.

Benton County’s allocation plan calls for various future purchases, like a high-speed scanner for absentee ballots ($55,320), remote work technology for county employees ($15,500), higher cubicle walls and barriers ($40,029), mass vaccination equipment and supplies ($38,331), an inmate transport van ($49,721), and public health and human services miscellaneous pandemic response improvements ($8,700), among other expenses related to the coronavirus pandemic.

“Our slow start is really giving us an opportunity. We’re not bringing everybody back in the first week, so that will factor into our decision and what public health has to say.”

- Bradley Bergstrom portation, nutrition services, and buildings and grounds. Public health officials are also included in the team and Bergstrom is seeking a candidate from CentraCare to add as a member. The group will meet each Thursday at 1 p.m. as MDH data is released and discuss whether the district will need to pivot its learning model at that time. Communication of changes will likely be made via the district website, Bergstrom said.

Bergstrom said the decision will not be based solely on the county’s positive case rate but rather that number is one data point the district will take into consideration.

“Our slow start is really giving us an opportunity,” he said. “We’re not bringing everybody

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Subscription Rates: Free in Sauk Rapids, Rice and Sartell P.O. boxes, city routes and rural routes.

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back in the first week, so that will factor into our decision and what public health has to say.”

Active COVID-19 cases have doubled in Benton County in the last two weeks, from 17 to 34. Benton County public health supervisor Nicole Ruhoff said many cases are linked to an event.

“There is still other community spread that we haven’t been able to figure out a point of infection, but certainly we have noticed a cluster and a trend that has contributed to our higher numbers,” she said.

With that in mind, Bergstrom urges people to follow the recommendations of facial coverings, hand washing and social distancing in order to allow a consistent learning

model within schools. He said adults, as well as students, need to understand each person has an impact on the community as a whole.

“I hope our community understands that if we want consistency for our kids in school, we really need to practice those very simple concepts that are there,” Bergstrom said. “I know some people don’t like them. I’ve been wearing a face-covering since the middle of July and it’s not the most ideal thing in the world; I get it. But, if it’s going to keep our COVID-19 numbers at bay, so we can keep our kids in a consistent model, I’m willing to do it.”

Ruhoff agreed.

“One event can have a ripple effect into school’s changing their models,” she said. … “I totally understand the desire to want to have some normalcy and to gather with friends and family.

But, if you’re going to do that, how can you try to implement some of those recommendations to stay safe?”

Letters: Letters to the editor and other opinion articles are welcomed. Letters must be signed with first and last name and include address and phone number. Letters should be short and to the point (400 words or less). We reserve the right to edit lengthy letters.

Corrections/Clarifications: The Herald strives for accuracy. If you would like to report a factual error, please call (320) 251-1971.

Deadlines: The deadline for most news in the Herald is 5 p.m. Wednesday. Exceptions are obituaries which have a deadline of 10 a.m. Thursday. The deadline for advertisements in the Herald is 5 p.m. Wednesday.

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OBITUARIES Marjorie Cathleen Kruegel Quiggle passed peacefully away in her sleep on Tuesday, August 25, 2020 at her Heathers Manor apartment in Crystal, Minnesota.

She was 99.5 years young. She was born on January 15, 1921, in Preston, Filmore County, Minnesota to Louis Erish Kruegel and Hazel Harriet Riehl Kruegel.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Walter Henry Quiggle (2004), and her two sisters, Phyllis Elvyra Kruegel Hanley (Edmund) and Marye Ann Augusta Kruegel De Young (George) plus her brother George John Kruegel (Pauline).

Marjorie grew up in rural Northfield, Rice County, Minnesota.

She graduated from Northfield High School and St. Olaf College (Class of 1942) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Science and Home Economics.

She married Walter Henry Quiggle in Northfield’s St. John’s Lutheran Church on August 26, 1943, and they raised three dedicated children, Sharyn Kae Quiggle Forbes (Kingsley) of Wausau, Wisconsin, David Monroe Quiggle (Lesley) of Gig Harbor, Washington, and Dennis Jon Quiggle of Wyoming, Minnesota.

All have survived her. She is also

Marjorie C. Kruegel Quiggle

survived by sister-in-law Pauline Louise Haugen Kruegel of Nevada City, California and eight devoted grandchildren plus twelve great grandchildren and hosts of nieces, nephews and many friends.

Marjorie loved teaching public school students (40 years) while also helping her carpenter husband remodel 2 houses and construct 4 new homes in Central Minnesota. Two more new houses were built in Northern California. She also enjoyed traveling, reading biographies, recycling greeting cards and gardening, which earned her the title of “The Flower Lady” at The Rivers in Burnsville, where she lived independently for twelve years, beginning in 2004. In 2016, Marjorie relocated to Heathers Manor (assisted living) in Crystal to be closer to family.

She was a charter member of the Benton County Historical Society, member of the Aristonian Federated Women’s Club, Delta Kappa Gamma Education Society, and The

Lloyd A. Koprek

Funeral services were 10:30 a.m. Sept. 3 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in St. Cloud for Lloyd A. Koprek, age 91, of Sauk Rapids who died Aug. 30, 2020, at the St. Cloud Veteran’s Administration Medical Center. The Rev. Bruce Timm officiated and entombment was in Hilltop Mausoleum in Sauk Rapids. Visitation was 4-8 p.m. Wednesday at Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home in Sauk Rapids and one hour prior to the services Thursday at the church.

Lloyd was born June 10, 1929, in Sauk Rapids to Fred and Molly (Langeland) Koprek. He served his country in the United States Army from 1952-54 and married Shirley Golembeski June 20, 1959, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sauk Rapids. In 1955, Lloyd started his banking career with Citizens Loan and Investment Company until 1965 when he went to work

Lloyd A. Koprek

with Northwestern Bank in St. Cloud. He finished his banking career in 1994 as president of State Bank in Eden Valley. He was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church where he was a former deacon and usher. Lloyd was a member of the St. Cloud Lions Club where he received the Melvin Jones Award in 2017. He was also a member of the Sauk Rapids American Legion Post 254 since 1964. He enjoyed spending time with his family at the lake, fishing, hunting and watching St.

Well Quilters (Rosemount United Methodist Church, Rosemount, Minnesota).

Marjorie’s Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 3, 2020, at The Well Family Life Center, formerly known as Rosemount United Methodist Church at 14770 Canada Avenue West, Rosemount, Minnesota 55068. Church telephone: 651-423-2475.

Due to Covid-19 concerns, masks and temperature checks are required and there will be no visitation or reception. Please know your in-person attendance is welcomed but not expected. A secure link to view a live internet stream of the ceremony will be available: contact Dennis@Quiggle.net for details.

A public Interment of her remains will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 14, 2021, at Maple Lawn Cemetery, 1917 Northwest 4th Street, Faribault, Minnesota 55021 (Telephone: 507334-5461) with a public Celebration of Life Picnic to follow at North Alexander Park, 1814 2nd Avenue Northwest, Faribault, Minnesota 55021. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the St. Olaf College Stewardship Office at 1520 St. Olaf Avenue, Northfield, Minnesota 55057 - Telephone: 507786-2222.

Robert E. Jacobs

Robert “Bob” Jacobs, age 92, of Cold Spring, died Aug. 27, 2020, at the St. Cloud Hospital.

Memorial services were 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Kimball with the Rev. David Milz officiating.

Interment with military honors followed at 3 p.m. at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Little Falls. Visitation was 5-7 p.m. Monday at Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel in Kimball and 9:30-10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the church. Physical distancing, capacity limitations and universal masking were observed at the funeral home and at the church.

Robert Emil Jacobs was born Aug. 25, 1928, in Wheaton to Emil and Anna (Nachtigal) Jacobs.

Bob grew up on the family farm and attended school in Wheaton. Bob left school early to help on the farm. As a young adult, Bob entered the United States Army, where he honorably served his country during the Korean War. On June 9, 1962, Bob was united in marriage to Marie Johnson at Popple Creek Lutheran Church in Popple Creek. Bob and Marie made their home

Robert E. Jacobs

and raised their family in Sauk Rapids. Bob worked for 25 years as the chief boiler operator for American Linen Supply, now AmeriPride, retiring in 1990. He then traveled across the United States with Laborers for Christ for the next 17 years, building 32 churches and schools for the Missouri Synod. For the past 14 years, Bob and Marie have made their home in Cold Spring, where they managed River Oaks Apartments for the first 10 years.

In his spare time, Bob enjoyed woodworking, snowmobiling, camping, fishing and spending time with his family, especially with his grandchildren.

Bob is survived by his wife of 58 years, Marie of Cold Spring; children,

Judy (James) Christopher of Sharpsburg, Georgia, Jane (Thomas) Christopher of Alexandria, South Dakota , Jeff (Jenny) Jacobs of Watkins, and Jelaine (Craig) Beumer of Cold Spring; five grandchildren, John (Cindell), Michaela, Joshua, Jamie, and Caleb; one greatgrandchild on the way; siblings, Harold Jacobs, Elvina Lezer, Darwin (Cindy) Jacobs, Arloa Gerdes, Karen (Richard) Flittie, and Carol (Bill) Crane; and many nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Anna Jacobs; brothers, Harlin and Dennis Jacobs; and grandchild, Kaisha Beumer.

Bob’s grandchildren served as urn bearers.

Lori Rippentrop provided the music for the service. Arrangements were entrusted with Dingmann Funeral Care Burial and Cremation Services of Kimball.

Obituary, guestbook, video tribute, and funeral webcast online at www. dingmannfuneral.com

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“Our Country is in Mourning, A Soldier Died Today.”

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Kenneth V. Tadych Cloud State University hockey. Lloyd was a very faithful, social person with a great sense of humor.

Survivors include his children, Janet Renn of west St. Paul, Rick (Susan) Koprek of Kimball, Scott (Stephanie) Koprek of Sauk Rapids; grandchildren, Dace, Kari, Hannah, Maxwell, Molly and Megan; great grandchildren, Lyllian, Brody and Lyla. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Shirley on Jan. 27, 2019; sisters, Violet Koprek and Betty Sather.

A special thanks to the care given to Lloyd at the VA Medical Center of St. Cloud.

Memorials may be made to Prince of Peace Lutheran School and Redeemer Lutheran Church.

Obituary, guest book and video tribute available online at www. williamsdingmann.com

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“Our Country is in Mourning, A Soldier Died Today.”

Funeral services were 1 p.m. Sept. 3 at Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home in Sauk Rapids for Kenneth V. Tadych, age 79, who passed away Aug. 29, 2020, at Wildwood Assisted Living in Sauk Rapids. The Rev. Gerald Dalseth officiated and burial was at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Sauk Rapids. Visitation was 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Kenneth was born Jan. 24, 1941, in Sauk Rapids to Walter and Irene (Miller) Tadych.

He worked as a stock prep man at the Sartell papermill for over 35 years. Ken also ran his

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Kenneth V. Tadych

own fishing guide service for over 20 years. He was a talker and story teller who liked to know what was going on.

Ken was very outgoing, generous, and liked to spoil his grandkids. He enjoyed fishing, camping, traveling, being outdoors,

playing horseshoes, shooting pool, playing cards and watching sports, especially basketball. Family was very important to him.

Survivors include his sons and daughter, Bradley of Willmar, Kevin of St. Cloud, and Karen (Jim) Howard of Monticello; seven grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Ken was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Rosemary; and brothers, Walter, Jr. and Eugene.

Obituary, guest book and video tribute available online at www. williamsdingmann.com

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R14-tfnB-tv

Marjorie C. Kruegel Quiggle

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2020 | Page 5

Brandon Theisen

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Page 6 | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2020 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

What is a pollinator?

A pollinator is anything that carries pollen from the anther (male equivalent) to the stigma (female equivalent) of flowers of any growing plant. GREEN & GROWING Pollination hap- IN BENTON COUNTY pens when the BY LINDA G. TENNESON pollen is moved by the wind, water or any kind of wildlife, which includes insects and mammals.

Frequently, this term means insects such as bees, wasps, ants and butterflies. Some lesser-known pollinators include bats, flies, midges, mosquitos, moths and beetles.

Many pollinators visit flowers to drink the nectar that each flower contains. Pollen is picked up accidentally in the process and left on other flowers as the pollinator visits them. The bumblebee visits flowers, and its vibrating wings pick up pollen from one flower and then leaves it on the next flower. Plants known as self-pollinators use the wind to move pollen from a male flower to the female flower that is growing on the same plant. Ants do not fly but walk from flower to flower, so they are less efficient in spreading pollen from plant to plant. Mosquitoes pollinate certain orchids and may pollinate other plants while the males drink nectar from flowers.

Butterflies are well-known daytime pollinators, but moths – many of which fly at night – also visit a lot of flowers. Hummingbird moths may be seen in the daytime moving from flower to flower just as hummingbirds do. Hummingbirds and hummingbird moths have long bills designed to reach the nectar in flowers with deep throats that other insects would not be able to access. Beetles do not drink nectar, but they visit many plants simply to eat the flowers and leaves. Midges are a type of fly that pollinate the cacao trees that produces cocoa beans which are used to make chocolate.

Bats pollinate the tropical flowers when they drink the nectar. Pollen is spread by accident just as it is by other pollinator activity. Humans are pollinators when they move pollen from plant to plant on purpose to breed a new variety of plant. This is often done under controlled conditions so the genetics of the plant are known. Humans may also be responsible for a small amount of pollinating by accident if we brush against flowers in the process of gardening.

Pollinators are important because many of our fruits, vegetables and nuts would not grow without their work. The same foods we eat are also eaten by wildlife. Plants that are pollinated are then able to produce seeds which in turn grow into the next generation of those plants. Pollinator activity is an essential part of plant life, and plants are an essential part of life on this planet. Growing a variety of plants that flower at various times of the year is a good way to encourage the survival of insect pollinators. We may not notice the flowers that trees have each year, but they also benefit from pollinators. Trees in turn provide food, shade, building materials and may modify some of the effects of climate change. The use of pesticides should be limited and done only according to the package directions because pesticides are often fatal to the insects that do the essential work of pollination.

Linda G. Tenneson is a University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener and Tree Care Advisor.

EDITORIAL

Royalty designed to serve Often, I introduce my column with a the king and that makes us royalty. But our hard opinion and then continue to explain reign as such is to serve. How do I know how I formed it. Today, I had to remind that? Phillippians told us how the King of myself by asking, “Does everything I think, Kings came to serve. I am sad when I hear everything I say or write, make others think of churches proclaiming for us to reign as more of Jesus?” Because, that is my goal.

God for our own advantage and prosperity Life by faith is believing without seeing and that we are supposed to bring heaven to and living with that belief to be salt and light earth. I get really sad when I hear churches to the world. The salt is to be a good flavor proclaim we were created to torment the for the community and to preserve the image devil. It does not say that anywhere in the LIFE BY FAITH of Jesus as the Bible teaches it, and the light Bible. is to illuminate Jesus in me, not any good I BY MERCY NYGAARD Isaiah 43:7 tells us we are created to am accomplishing by myself. Thank you for glorify God. Knowing your created purpose the opportunity and prayers. I decided to make this my helps us fight the devil. God’s greatest commandment introduction so my heart can be heard first. is to love God with all your heart. His second greatest I find myself wondering today why we are always commandment is to love others as Jesus loved us and drawn to self-help messages and books that empower modeled to us while he walked the earth. His great us to be our best self, find the goodness within, love commission to us is to go and tell them all that he ourselves as we are, or to reign this earth because of showed us. Share life by serving one another. Earn trust our inheritance as children of God. What does that by investing time, and always be ready to share the even mean, to reign this earth? How will that help us reason you have hope. If you must perform a miracle to get through dark times, be a light to the world with so others will believe in Jesus, then you are robbing good works and to spread the good news of our savior others to live by faith and not by sight.

Jesus?

Becoming kingdom-minded helps us remember The longer I have lived my life by faith, I have our time here is short. This must prompt us to live out found that giving up my rights to myself, serving our belief, following Jesus and his teachings. When we and leaning not on my own understanding has grown die as believers and followers of Jesus, we will live my love for God and others. As more time goes by, in heaven for eternity. That is what gives us hope in scriptures become reality as I witness God opposes our dark world. What will you do with the short time the proud and gives grace to the humble. Listen to you have here? Can I encourage you to love God, love Phillippians 2, which gives us the example how we are others and share the good news? We are not of this to live: world but sent into this world to be salt and light. We “… In humility, value others above yourselves, not are not sent to be freaky Christians living our best looking to your own interests but each of you to the lives in prosperity, thriving off of experiences and interests of others. In your relationships with one demanding miracles for others to believe. Read the another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, Bible, front to back, and learn the character of God being in very nature God, did not consider equality with through the red thread of redemption through Jesus, God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, his reign as a servant, and how he showed us to be the he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of light of the world. Not a strobe light or a laser light a servant, being made in human likeness. And being show. Rather, reign as a servant, shining in a simple found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by and steady way that will bring God the glory. becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross!”

Yes, we are princes and princesses as children of

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E-mail to natasha@saukherald.com

EDITORIAL

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2020 | Page 7

Firearms safety

“A well-regulated militia, being or trap or has lawfully hunted that day. necessary to the security of a free State, the Now for the exceptions to the exceptions. right of the people to keep and bear arms, Firearms must be transported within a shall not be infringed.” case in the counties of Anoka, Hennepin These familiar words of the Second or Ramsey; within the boundaries of any Amendment to the U.S. Constitution serve city with a population of 2,500 or more as the cornerstone of firearm ownership people; on school grounds; or as otherwise rights for U.S. citizens. This Second restricted by laws related to game refuges, Amendment right is one many Minnesotans shining, the use thermal imaging equipment exercise regularly. A 2017 Pew Research KEEPING BENTON or the use of night vision equipment. The study estimated that almost 37% of simplest and safest solution to firearms COUNTY SAFE Minnesotans own at least one firearm. All SHERIFF TROY HECK transportation is always unloaded and constitutional rights are accompanied by always within a case. One last exception: civic responsibilities and our rights under the Second The above restrictions do not apply to individuals Amendment are no exception. For firearm owners, carrying a pistol under the authority of a valid permit these responsibilities include the proper storage, to carry. transportation and use of firearms.

Finally, firearm owners have a responsibility to use Minnesota law requires owners store firearms their firearms in a safe and legal fashion. This concept in a way that prevents children from accessing a harkens back to the basic rules many of us learned loaded firearm. Storing or leaving a loaded firearm as kids in firearms safety classes or from mentors. in a location where the person knows, or reasonably Know your target and what is beyond that target is a should know, that a child is likely to gain access to the rule repeated over and over in safety instruction. It is firearm is a crime punishable by up to a year in jail. good advice that bears repeating. Each year, property Best practice recommendations include storing all is damaged and people are injured by individuals who firearms unloaded, separate from ammunition, and in a disregard this rule. When hunting, game can appear manner that prevents any unauthorized access. Firearm quickly and in unexpected places. It can be tempting owners have many options when it comes to secure to fire at a target without fully appreciating what firearm storage, and owners are encouraged to find would happen if you miss. Responsible firearm use the solution right for them. Part of that solution may requires us to take a moment to pause and consider the include devices that lock triggers or firearm actions. important question of what is beyond the target. The The Benton County Sheriff’ s Office has partnered files of the Benton County Sheriff’s Office contain with Project Child Safe, a safety initiative developed many examples of the damage and injury that can by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, to offer result from times individuals failed to heed this advice. free gun locks to the community. These are available in Where individuals choose to hunt and shoot is an the lobby of the Benton County Sheriff’s Office during equally important consideration in the use of firearms.

Minnesota law requires hunters on private property to normal business hours.

Firearm owners have basic responsibilities when be more than 500 feet away from a home, a building transporting firearms in vehicles. Foremost of those containing livestock or a corral containing livestock is the requirement that the firearm be unloaded. before using a firearm (unless that person has written Transporting a loaded firearm in a vehicle in Minnesota permission from the owner). Likewise, when shooting is a misdemeanor crime punishable by up to 90 days recreationally, firearm users must ensure they have a in jail. Besides the potential legal consequences, there safe area and a proper backstop to keep rounds from are also safety concerns in transporting loaded firearms exiting the shooting area and causing damage or injury. in the enclosed cabin of a vehicle where there is little Depending upon the circumstances, a person could be room for error should an accidental discharge occur. In financially and criminally liable for any damages or addition, Minnesota law generally requires firearms to injuries caused by negligent use of a firearm.

Firearms ownership is an important right with be either contained within a case or transported in the trunk of a vehicle. The surest way to legally and safely equally important responsibilities. Be smart and safe transport firearms is with the firearm unloaded and in about your storage, transportation and use of your a case. There are some exceptions to the requirement firearms.

For more crime prevention and safety information, that a firearm be transported within a case, but those exceptions get complicated quickly. A person may visit the Benton County Sheriff’s Office website at You transport an unloaded firearm in a vehicle without a www.co.benton.mn.us/211/Crime-Prevention. case while at a shooting range with permission, while can also like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter lawfully hunting on private or public property, or while at @BentonMNSheriff for regular updates and crime traveling to or from a site the person intends to hunt prevention messages.

BREAK CROSSWORD

A new title

A couple weeks ago, we experienced a and the four we believe are missing, all of pretty big scare on the farm, and it was my the cattle were back where they belonged. first time dealing with something like this.

As soon as the gate was secured, they were We were coming back from time with resting in the corn stalks. It was a little too my family, and we always drive past the much excitement for them. In regards to the farm on our way home. This time as we missing animals, we are hoping they are got closer, we saw flashing police lights. simply camping out in the cornfield across Assuming the deputy had someone pulled the road with their endless supply of food, over, I slowed down and prepared to move but we have to wait and see. around him into the other lane. I looked over ON THE SIDELINES The next morning as we were getting toward the farm, and that is when we saw BY ANNA HINKEMEYER ready for the day, Mitchell came out of our them: 23 Holsteins moving in one big pack bedroom and looked at me and laughed. alongside the road.

Once he controlled his laughter, he said I frantically pulled into the driveway, and my I was getting promoted from farmer’s wife to cattle husband jumped out of the car faster than I had ever herder. seen him move before. There was a pickup truck “You did really well, and those cows were scared to with lots of damage parked in the yard just out of the mess with you,” he said. roadway, and we learned the driver had collided with To be honest, I am not sure if I want the title of cattle one of our animals. Thank goodness for insurance. herder. I got lucky in the fact they were afraid of me and As Mitchell ran to begin herding cattle, I went my little light, but normally I keep my distance from to wake up his great uncle, who was napping in the the large animals, especially this group of youngsters house. Once he was alerted, I immediately got to work whom I am not around often. They get a bit nervous rounding up whatever animals I could. There were and jumpy when I am around, unlike the milking herd. three roaming near the barn, and I coaxed them to the Even though our cattle escaped and went on a field pen. I waited by the broken gate for what seemed like trip to the busy road nearby, we are thankful nothing an hour, but after a few minutes, Mitchell had more worse happened and everyone left the scene uninjured. cattle running my way. Armed with the flashlight on From the experience, we learned a few things: my iPhone, I scared them toward the pen, and Mitchell teamwork, perseverance in getting through the situation came running behind. and, most of all, making sure all gates and doors on the Aside from the one that was hit and passed on, farm are secured with extra reinforcements.

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Page 8 | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2020 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on September 17th, 2020 the Benton County Board of Adjustment will conduct public hearings beginning at 7:00 p.m. to consider the following: 1. 7:00 p.m. Jeff and Amber Roske requesting variance to construct a feedlot 170ft from a water course (300ft required) in the Agricultural District. Pursuant to Sections 9.12.3 and 11.5. The affected property is described as follows: W1/2 NE1/4 less W230ft of N125th, Section 13, Maywood Township. The on-site inspection of this property will be made at approximately 1:25 p.m. on September 17th, 2020.

2. 7:10 p.m. Gary Scapanski and Tom Scapanski requesting a variance to construct a livestock waste storage facility 500ft from a non-feedlot residence (660ft required) in the Agricultural District. Pursuant to Sections 9.12.3 and 11.5. The affected property is described as follows: part of E1/2 NE1/4, Section 17, Gilmanton Township. The on-site inspection of this property will be made at approximately 1:45 p.m. on September 17th, 2020.

3. 7:20 p.m. Richard and Tina Anderson requesting a variance to construct an accessory structure that would be 12ft from the right of way of a principle aerial road (Hwy 10) (100ft required) in the R-2 Residential District. Pursuant to Sections 7.5.6(B)(1)(a) and 11.5. The affected property is described as follows: part of the NW1/4 SE1/4, Section 10, Watab Township. The on-site inspection of this property will be made at approximately 2:10 p.m. on September 17th, 2020. *Effective immediately, the Benton County Board of Adjustment may conduct its regular, special or emergency meetings by telephone or other electronic means, as permitted by MN Statutes §13D.021. Some or all Commission members may participate by telephone or other electronic means until further notice. At least one member of the Board of Adjustment or the County Department of Development Director will be present during meetings at the Planning Commission’s regular meeting location, which is the County Board Room in Foley, unless otherwise noted on meeting notices. Pursuant to MN Statutes §13D.021, Subdivision 3, the County will provide the means for persons to electronically monitor such meetings remotely.

To conform to MDH and CDC guidelines to minimize gatherings we are requesting public comment in written form prior to the Planning Commission meeting; 1. You may submit written testimony, which must be received by 3pm on the hearing date, in one of two ways: a. Email Roxanne Achman at Roxanne.Achman@ co.benton.mn.us b. Mail comments to the Benton County Department of Development, Attn: Roxanne Achman, 531 Dewey St, PO Box 129, Foley, MN 56329.

2. If you wish to make in-person comments during the public hearing, the Board room capacity may be limited to maintain social distancing standards. Anyone who physically attends the hearing will be required to follow social distancing while waiting in the hallway and will be allowed to enter the Board room one at a time to testify during their chosen hearing.

Please limit your testimony and if possible, have one person testify if you’re for a group shares the same concerns.

3. You may attend the meeting remotely by following the instructions below. a. The public can join the meeting from their computer, tablet or smartphone. https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/687827373 b. You can also dial in using your phone.

Phone: 1 (872) 240-3212 Access Code: 687-827-373 c. New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://global.gotomeeting. com/install/687827373.

FR-36-1B

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Benton County Board of Commissioners will conduct a public hearing on September 15th, 2020 in the Commissioner’s Room, Benton County Government Center, Foley, at approximately 9:00 a.m. to hear the following: Gordon and Janet Hansmeier requesting approval of a three lot final plat entitled “Luckys Place” in the Agricultural District. Pursuant to Section 10. The affected property is described as follows: NW1/4 SW1/4, Section 21, St. George Township. *Effective immediately, the Benton County Board may conduct its regular, special or emergency meetings by telephone or other electronic means, as permitted by MN Statutes §13D.021. Some or all Board members may participate by telephone or other electronic means until further notice. At least one member of the County or the County Administrator will be present during meetings at the County Board’s regular meeting location, which is the County Board Room in Foley, unless otherwise noted on meeting notices. Pursuant to MN Statutes §13D.021, Subdivision 3, the County will provide the means for persons to electronically monitor such meetings remotely.

To conform to MDH and CDC guidelines to minimize gatherings we are requesting public comment in written form prior to the County Board meeting; 1. You may submit written testimony, which must be received

PUBLIC NOTICES

SAUK RAPIDS-RICE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 47 REGULAR SEMI-MONTHLY BOARD MEETING Monday, August 10, 2020 A semi-monthly meeting of the Sauk Rapids-Rice ISD 47 Board of Education was called to order by Chair Butkowski Monday, August 10, 2020, at six thirty p.m. in the Sauk Rapids-Rice High School Performing Arts Center.

ROLL CALL Members present included Braun, Butkowski, Hauck, Holthaus, Loidolt, Morse, and Solarz. Others present were Superintendent Bergstrom, Director of Business Services Johnson, Director of Human Resources and Administrative Services Schoenherr, Director of Teaching and Learning Bushman, Director of Buildings and Grounds Berghuis, Director of Technology Zimpel, Pleasantview Principal Froiland, Mississippi Heights Principal Peterson, Sauk Rapids-Rice High School Principal Nohner, and Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School Principal Messerich.

APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA A motion was made by Braun, seconded by Loidolt and unanimously carried to approve the meeting’s “Agenda” as amended.

CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Hauck, seconded by Morse and unanimously carried to approve the meeting’s “Consent Agenda.”

PUBLIC INPUT Public input was taken at 7:01 p.m.

Parent Phil Rogholt, asked Board members and District Administration to consider the Hybrid or Distance Learning Model for all Sauk Rapids-Rice Students Parent Annie Newville, advocated for all students to return to the classroom. Distance Learning was difficult for students who receive special services.

Community member Roxanne, Wilson asked that Board members and District Administration follow the science regarding COVID-19 and when choosing which Safe Learning Model will be used to start the school year.

Parent Kari Behling, reported that she supports all students going back to school.

Parent Jenna Storms also advocated for students to return to in-person learning.

ACTION APPROVAL OF THE 2020 – 2021 SRRHS, SRRMS, ELEMENTARY, EARLY CHILDHOOD HANDBOOKS AND DISTRICT CODE OF CONDUCT A motion was made by Solarz, seconded by Holthaus and unanimously carried to approve the 2020 – 2021 building handbooks and the District Code of Conduct.

ADDENDUM APPROVAL OF THE DISTRICT’S SAFE LEARNING PLAN A motion was made by Holthaus, seconded by Loidolt and unanimously carried to approve the District’s Safe Learning Plan, which was created by District Administration with guidance from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), as well as feedback from parents/guardians and district staff. The Safe Learning Plan outlines district guidelines and procedures for Distance Learning, Hybrid Learning, and In-Person Learning.

TABLE DEFINITELY - THE DISTRICT’S FALL LEARNING MODEL A motion was made by Hauck, seconded by Braun and unanimously carried by Roll Call Vote to table definitely Board Action on the District’s Fall Learning Model. The by 3pm September 14th, in one of two ways: a. Email Roxanne Achman at Roxanne.Achman@ co.benton.mn.us b. Mail comments to the Benton County Department of Development, Attn: Roxanne Achman, 531 Dewey St, PO Box 129, Foley, MN 56329.

2. If you wish to make in-person comments during the public hearing, the Board room capacity may be limited to maintain social distancing standards. Anyone who physically attends the hearing will be required to follow social distancing while waiting in the hallway and will be allowed to enter the Board room one at a time to testify during their chosen hearing.

Please limit your testimony and if possible, have one person testify if your for a group shares the same concerns.

3. You may attend the meeting remotely by following the instructions below. a. The public can join the meeting from their computer, tablet or smartphone. https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/834170141 b. You can also dial in using your phone.

Phone #: 1 (571) 317-3122 Access Code: 834-170-141 c. New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://global.gotomeeting. com/install/834170141 R-36-1B

Board of Education plans to bring the District’s Fall Learning Model back at a Special Board Meeting scheduled for Thursday, August 13, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. in the Sauk Rapids-Rice High School’s Performing Arts Center.

S Voting for: Braun, Hauck, Holthaus, Loidolt, Morse, Solarz, ButkowsR ki Voting against: None H ADOPTION OF PROPOSED POLICY # 514 (BULLY-p ING PROHIBITION) n A motion was made by Loidolt, seconded by Haucki and unanimously carried by a margin of six, with Morsei stepping out, to adopt the following policy.

G #514 (Bullying Prohibition) is a “mandatory policy” andH will replace current policy #514 (Bullying Prohibition). P ADOPTION OF PROPOSED POLICY #535 SERVICEP ANIMALS IN SCHOOLS AND #535 FORM REQUESTE FORM FOR USE OF A SERVICE ANIMAL i A motion was made by Holthaus, seconded by LoidoltM and unanimously carried by a margin of six, with MorseA stepping out, to adopt the following policy and form. #535 (Service Animals in Schools) is a “mandatory policy”a and will replace current district policy #540 (Service Ani-d mals in Schools).

A #535 (Approval Request Form for Use of a Service Ani-A mal) is a “mandatory form” and is a new form from MSBA.M ADOPTION OF PROPOSED POLICY #601 CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS a A motion was made by Braun, seconded by Loidoltv and unanimously carried to adopt the following policy. m #601 (Curriculum and Instructional Goals) is a “mandatorya policy” and will replace current policy #601 (Curriculumf and Instructional Goals).

M ADOPTION OF PROPOSED POLICY #705 INVEST-e MENTS a A motion was made by Solarz, seconded by Morse andB unanimously carried to adopt the following policy. #705 (Investments) is a “recommended policy” and willS replace current policy #705 (Investments).

ADOPTION OF PROPOSED POLICY #413 HARASS-v MENT AND VIOLENCE AND #413 FORM HARASSMENT AND VIOLENCE A motion was made by Hauck, seconded by Holthaus and unanimously carried to adopt the following policy and form. #413 (Harassment and Violence) is a “mandatory policy” and will replace current policy #413 (Harassment and Violence). #413 (Harassment and Violence Form) is a “mandatory form” and will replace current policy #413 (Harassment and Violence Form).

ADOPTION OF PROPOSED POLICY #522 STUDENT SEX NONDISCRIMINATION A motion was made by Holthaus, seconded by Morse and unanimously carried to adopt the following policy. #522 (Student Sex Nondiscrimination) is a “mandatory policy” and would replace current policy #522 (Student Sex Nondiscrimination).

ADJOURNMENT With no further business appearing before the Board, a motion was made by Solarz, seconded by Braun and unanimously carried to adjourn the Board meeting at 8:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Lisa J. Braun, Board of Education Clerk Sauk Rapids-Rice ISD 47 R-36-1B NOTICE DATE CHANGE Sauk Rapids Township/City of Sauk Rapids Orderly Annexation Area PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE You are invited to attend a public hearing on Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as possible, in the Sauk Rapids City Hall Council Chambers, 250 Summit Avenue North to consider the following matters that require a public hearing.

APPLICANT Knife River Corporation – North Central PURPOSE To consider an Interim Use Permit request to allow the land extraction operation at 5258 5TH Avenue Northeast in the Sauk Rapids Township/City of Sauk Rapids Orderly Annexation Area to be expand their stockpiling area. All other aspects of the permit will remain the same.

Please contact Sauk Rapids Development Director Todd Schultz at (320) 258-5315 or tschultz@ci.sauk-rapids.mn.us with questions or stop by City Hall to obtain a copy of the application.

Any person desiring to comment on these matters is invited to do so in writing or orally at the time of the public hearing.

Published in the Sauk Rapids Herald Saturday, September 5, 2020.

R-36-1B

Visit us online! www.saukrapidsherald.com

PUBLIC NOTICES

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2020 | Page 9

SAUK RAPIDS-RICE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 47 SPECIAL BOARD MEETING Thursday, August 13, 2020 Sauk Rapids-Rice High School Performing Arts Center 5:30 p.m.

ROLL CALL Members present included Braun, Butkowski, Hauck, Holthaus, Loidolt, Morse, and Solarz (5:15 p.m.). Others present were Superintendent Bergstrom, Director of Business Services Johnson, Director of Teaching and Learning Bushman, Director of Human Resources and Administrative Services Schoenherr, Director of Buildings and Grounds Berghuis, Rice Principal Paasch, Mississippi Heights Principal Peterson, Sauk Rapids-Rice High School Principal Nohner, Sauk Rapids-Rice Principal Messerich, Pleasantview Principal Froiland, Coordinator of Special Education Haller. Board Director Hauck joined the meeting remotely via interactive technology as provided by M.S. Statute 13D.02, Subd 1., 2., 4., 5., and 13D.04.

APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA A motion was made by Holthaus, seconded by Braun and unanimously carried to approve the meeting’s “Agenda”.

ACTION ADOPTION OF THE DISTRICT’S BASE LEARNING MODEL A motion was made by Loidolt, seconded by Holthaus, and was approved by a margin of six to one by Roll Call vote to adopt by resolution the District’s base learning model and resolution. The base learning model was created by Administration in collaboration with and guidance from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and per the Governor’s Executive Order 20-82. Superintendent Bergstrom and District Administration will be available to answer Board member questions Adoption of Base Learning Model for the 2020-2021 School Year and Other COVID-19 Related Matters WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes Section 123B.09 vests the care, management, and control of independent

districts in the school board; and WHEREAS, the Superintendent of Independent School District No. 47 [hereinafter the “Superintendent”] is responsible for the management of the schools, the administration of all School District policies, and is directly accountable to the School Board; and WHEREAS, when responsibilities are not specifically prescribed nor School District policy applicable, the Superintendent shall use personal and professional judgment, subject to review by the School Board, pursuant to School District Policy 302, Superintendent; WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz issued Emergency Executive Order 20-01, which declared a peacetime emergency in Minnesota in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; and WHEREAS, on July 30, 2020, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz issued Emergency Executive Order 20-82 and the Safe Learning Plan for 2020-2021 (the “Safe Learning Plan”), which set forth five Learning Models (in-person learning for all, in-person learning for elementary students and hybrid learning for secondary students, hybrid learning for all students, hybrid learning for elementary students and distance learning for secondary students, and distance learning) and authorized all school districts in the State of Minnesota to select and implement an appropriate base Learning Model in accordance with, and subject to, the Safe Learning Plan; and WHEREAS, the Minnesota Department of Education (“MDE”) has issued and may continue to issue written guidance for Minnesota schools on educational issues related to COVID-19; and WHEREAS, the Minnesota Department of Health (“MDH”) has issued and may continue to issue written guidance for Minnesota schools on public health issues related to COVID-19; and WHEREAS, the Superintendent and the administration of the School District have conferred with the School Board regarding the available Learning Models, the current MDE and MDH requirements for each, and other relevant information; and WHEREAS, based upon the collective consideration

of these factors, the Sauk Rapids-Rice Board of Education recommends that In-Person learning for all students kindergarten through grade 12 will be the base Learning Model to be implemented at the commencement of the 2020-2021 school year.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the School Board of Independent School District No. 47 as follows: Section 1: The Superintendent is hereby directed to implement the following base Learning Model to open the 2020-2021 school year – In-Person learning for all students kindergarten through grade 12. (NOTE: School Districts may wish to consider designating a district-wide Learning Plan or separate building-specific plans in recognition of the possibility that school buildings may be located in different counties where the localized health data may vary).

Section 2: The Superintendent will provide regular updates to the School Board regarding the School District’s efforts to implement COVID-19 related educational and public health guidance issued by the MDE and the MDH, respectively.

Adopted this 13th day of August, 2020.

Roll Call Vote Voting for: Loidolt, Braun, Solarz, Holthaus, Morse, Butkowski Voting against: Hauck ________________________________________ School Board Chair ________________________________________ School Board Clerk ADJOURNMENT With no further business appearing before the Board, a motion was made by Braun, seconded by Morse and unanimously carried adjourn the meeting at 6:21 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Lisa J. Braun, Board of Education Clerk Sauk Rapids-Rice ISD 47 R-36-1B

BENTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 18, 2020 The Benton County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on August 18, 2020 in the Benton County Board Room in Foley, MN with Commissioners Ed Popp, Spencer Buerkle, Warren Peschl, Jake Bauerly and Steve Heinen present. Call to order by Chair Buerkle was at 9:00 AM followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.

Peschl/Heinen unanimous to approve the amended agenda—add items: Resolution Establishing a Benton County CARES Business Assistance Program; 2020 CARES Election Grant and Resolution; and Consider Purchase of High-Throughput Scanner and Tabulator from Election Systems and Software LLC. No one was present to speak under Open Forum.

Bauerly/Popp unanimous to approve the Consent Agenda: 1) approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of August 4, 2020 as written; 2) accept and file Committee of the Whole Minutes of July 28, 2020 as written; 3) approve Management Representation Letter related to the Audit of the Benton County Financial Statements for the Year Ending December 31, 2019, and authorize the Chair to sign; and 4) re- approve contract with CentraCare for 2021 Jail Medical Services, and authorize the Chair to sign.

Chris Byrd, County Engineer, presented a summary of maintenance costs for calendar year 2019. Report highlights: • Size of Road System o 451 total centerline miles in Benton County (225 miles are CSAH—209.65 miles are “Regular CSAH” and 15.55 miles are “Municipal CSAH”, and 226 miles are County Roads- -of which 105 miles are gravel surfaced) o Additional 307 miles of Township Roads o Byrd commented “...that’s 758 miles in rural Benton County that’s all tax payer burden...” (does not include public miles in the cities or on State highways within Benton County) • 2019 Regular CSAH Maintenance, $1,435,637.57 (average per mile, $6,847.78) • 2019 Municipal CSAH Maintenance, $15,725.51 (average per mile, $7,442.15) • 2019 County Road Maintenance, $1,857,402.08 (average per mile, $8,211.33) • 2019 County Road Maintenance—Gravel, $469,390.96 (average per mile, $4,474.65) Byrd commented “...our paved county roads are costing us the most per mile...our county roads are in tough shape...that’s why we adopted the sales tax...try to identify some additional resources...I think we’ve got a heavy lift in our county of what we have to maintain compared to our ability to pay for it...” Bauerly stated “...that’s why I voted for the sales tax...38% of that revenue comes from outside the county and people outside the county use our roads... another analogy you should do are miles of road per capita... we’ve got way more miles per capita than Stearns and Sherburne...the gravel roads show quite a lot less maintenance than the paved roads but...there’s a lower level of service there...you don’t plow them every time...”

Monty Headley, County Administrator, explained that the purpose of the proposed CARES Business Assistance Grant Program Guidelines is to establish broad criteria for

a BEP (Benton Economic Partnership) Business Assistance Program using the County’s allocation of Federal CARES funding. He noted that the proposed guidelines contain several changes as recommended by the BEP CARES Committee and will be used by the BEP to create a grant application and will be followed as the BEP reviews grant applications and makes funding decisions. Headley confirmed that the proposed criteria clearly show a bias toward small businesses, locally owned and operated. He added that the criteria which best embodies the Federal directive for CARES funding is “can demonstrate an adverse economic impact directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic”. Peschl/Popp unanimous to approve the Benton County CARES Business Assistance Grant Program Guidelines as presented.

Headley presented a proposed resolution allocating Federal CARES funding to a business assistance grant program; it also establishes that the County’s program will be administered by the Benton Economic Partnership (BEP).

He stated that the resolution should also include a dollar amount dedicated to business assistance and a percentage (or dollar amount) that BEP may use for its administrative costs. Headley noted that the County Attorney’s Office is drafting an agreement between the County and BEP that establishes this relationship. He explained that Benton County’s total CARES allocation is about $4.9 million; of that amount, it appears that Benton County could claim about $3 million through the end of November (i.e. salaries and benefits, PPE, Service Master, Security)—leaving about $1.9 million remaining to spend. Headley referenced a listing of project submittals received to date from departments for possible use of the CARES funding balance; a Committee of the Whole will be scheduled in the near future for Board review of these submittals in greater detail.

Following brief discussion, there was Board consensus to allocate $735,000 of Benton County’s CARE funding for the Benton County CARES Business Assistance Program; further, that the Benton Economic Partnership be allowed to expend up to 8.0% of the CARES Business Assistance allocation for its costs to administer the program, including staff time and marketing (with the possibility that additional funds could be provided to BEP at a later date).

Headley noted that he has also received a number of emails and phone calls from non-profits inquiring about CARES funding; perhaps Human Services could manage those dollars if the Board desired to dedicate dollars to non-profits.

Bauerly/Heinen unanimous to adopt Resolution 2020-#28, a Resolution Establishing a CARES Business Assistance Program in Cooperation with the Benton Economic Partnership, and authorize the Chair to sign.

Nadean Inman, Auditor-Treasurer, explained that Benton County’s CARES Election Grant Allocation is $12,405.87; the required match for this grant is 20% or $2,481.17 (match is eligible for CARES funding). Peschl/ Popp unanimous to adopt Resolution 2020-#29, authorizing the Auditor-Treasurer to submit an election grant application to the Office of the Secretary of State and appropriating the required match amount, and authorize the Chair to sign.

Inman reported that, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Auditor-Treasurer’s Office is anticipating an unprec-

edented volume of absentee/mail in ballots for the November general election. She explained that, during the primary election, staff found the process of tabulating the high volume of absentee/ mail in ballots to be time-consuming; many of the ballots were not easily read by the DS200 tabulator. Inman stated that the DS450 central scanner and tabulator could process 72 ballots per minute and would read the ballots easier; the cost of $55,320.00 would be eligible for CARES funding. Upon questioning by Heinen, Inman stated that no option exists for leasing or renting this equipment; she also sees purchasing of this equipment as an investment going forward for the expected increase in absentee/mail balloting. Bauerly inquired if other counties are purchasing this equipment; Inman reported that there has been a high demand from counties. Peschl commented “...this is a unique situation...we probably would never do this if we didn’t have COVID dollars...if some of the townships don’t use up all their money...this would be a good place to use some of that money if townships turn money back...” Buerkle noted the Board’s plan to schedule a Committee of the Whole soon to review all requests for CARES funds. Popp stated “...I think we have to make a decision on this today...because of the short timeline...I think we are going to see more mail in ballots from the townships...this will be something we can keep...I think maybe the opportunity is now...as long as we can use the COVID money...I think we are going to have a hard time getting rid of all that COVID money...why would we want to give that money back to the state...” Buerkle stated “...this is money that could be going out to businesses too...I just thought we had time to add that to the list...we are going to have a meeting on it...we have other requests to consider too...” Heinen asked “...if all the townships are going to go to mail-in ballots, do we get refunded from the townships for that...” Inman explained that there are certain expenses that can be charged back to the townships and those expenses would be charged back to them. Bauerly commented “...I think that’s the next step...they are saving all this money...we could ask them to send it to us to help us pay for this...” Following brief discussion, motion by Popp to approve the purchase of the DS450 high-throughput scanner and tabulator from Election Systems and Software at a cost of $55,320.00, funding to come from Federal CARES funding (no County dollars). Second by Bauerly. Motion carried unanimously.

The Regular County Board meeting was recessed at 10:07 AM to conduct a Human Services Board meeting.

The Regular County Board meeting was reconvened at 10:12 AM. Board members reported on recent meetings they attended on behalf of the county.

Peschl/Bauerly unanimous to set Committees of the Whole: August 25, Federal CARES Funding Discussion/ County Security Training; and September 2, Budget Discussion/Road Ditch Cleaning Discussion.

Popp/Heinen unanimous to adjourn at 10:26 AM..

Spencer C. Buerkle, Chair Benton County Board of Commissioners ATTEST: Montgomery Headley Benton County Administrator R-36-1B

Page 10 | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2020 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME Minnesota Statutes Chapter 333 ASSUMED NAME: Lindberg McLaughlin.

PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS: 1277 2nd Street North, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379 USA. NAMEHOLDER(S): Lindberg Law, P.C., 1277 2nd Street North, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379 USA. (4) By typing my name, I, the undersigned, certify that I am signing this document as the person whose signature is required, or as agent of the person(s) whose signature would be required who has authorized me to sign this document on his/her behalf, or in both capacities. I further certify that I have completed all required fields, and that the information in this document is true and correct and in compliance with the applicable chapter of Minnesota Statutes. I understand that by signing this document I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Section 609.48 as if I had signed this document under oath. /s/ Steven B. Kutscheid 08/29/2020 R-36-2B

Crime & Public Safety

ST. CLOUD – The St. Cloud Police Department is seeking the public’s help in locating a missing person.

Jeanette Ozuna, 27, of Clearwater, was last seen Aug. 15. She was with a group home visiting the St. Cloud library when she left on her own.

Ozuna has a history of walking away from group homes. She is believed to potentially be in the Twin Cities metro area.

Ozuna is 4 feet, 11 inches tall and approximately 170 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information regarding Ozuna’s whereabouts is urged to contact the St. Cloud Police Department at 320-251-1200.

and a $6,000 fine.

According to a criminal complaint filed with Stearns County, a St. Cloud Police officer was assisting emergency medical service support around 4:40 p.m. Aug. 26. Buggs was being transported to the St. Cloud Hospital for suspected overdose.

Buggs was taken to the hospital and the officer remained with staff to assist as Buggs was conscious and agitated. As emergency room staff tried to restrain and treat Buggs, he yelled, resisted, swung his fists and spit at the officer, hitting the officer on the arm with his saliva. Buggs also spit in a nurse’s face, according to the complaint.

Buggs was released from the Stearns County Jail Aug. 28 and is expected to appear in court Oct. 15.

Sauk Rapids man charged after spitting at peace officer

Roberts convicted of burglary

Search for missing woman continues

ST. CLOUD – A Sauk Rapids man was arrested Aug. 26 after spitting on a peace officer.

Jordan Kadeem Buggs, 26, is charged with felony fourth-degree assault – a crime that carries a maximum penalty of three years imprisonment

CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME Minnesota Statutes Chapter 333

HELP WANTED NEW OWNERS - ST. CLOUD GAS STATIONS

Managers and Cashiers needed FULL TIME OR PART TIME Multiple gas stations in St. Cloud area Salary range - $10 to $15 per hour We offer group insurance, paid time off, other benefits. Must be willing to cook, clean and stock shelves. Day and evening shifts available.

CAll 563-206-8040 FOR AN INTERVIEW

Virnig Manufacturing, a leader in skid steer attachment manufacturing in Rice, MN is seeking a full-time Manufacturing Engineer Technician.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Mechanical aptitude.

Ability to grasp modern technology quickly.

Experience with 2D CAD software, 3D modeling experience a plus.

Must be able to communicate well both verbally and in written form.

Ability to prioritize multiple projects.

Self-driven with an enthusiastic, cooperative, and positive attitude.

Ability to work with and lead teams in resolving issues and developing standard processes.

Basic experience with Microsoft Office required, advanced experience preferred.

Benefits Include: Competitive Wages Health Insurance Disability, dental, and life insurance 401(k), paid vacations and holidays

• • • • • • • • •

Experience in inventory management preferred.

General computing skills and Microsoft Office experience.

Attention to detail, strong organizational skills and strong time management skills.

Communication and interpersonal skills are critical (written, verbal, listening).

Ability to work independently as well as on a team.

Self-motivated, able to work with minimal supervision.

Able to lift up to 50 lbs.

Ability to operate a forklift when trained.

Enthusiastic, cooperative, and positive behavior.

• • • • •

Benefits Include: Competitive Wages Health Insurance Disability, dental, and life insurance 401(k), paid vacations and holidays

Apply in Person or Online:

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Apply in Person or Online:

Virnig Manufacturing, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer

MISCELLANEOUS LOOKING TO RENT - a shed with a room or a shouse to work on my cars, with parking. No drugs, cigarettes or alcohol. Call Rini at 320-492-2405.

SR-36-1VM

This position will include scheduling and creating work orders for component parts, nesting laser cut parts and issuing purchase orders. The position also requires maintaining inventory accuracy and assisting Virnig employees with inventory questions and concerns. The person in this position will need to work with outside vendor contacts in an accurate and personable manner.

• Engineering experience in manufacturing related field or 2 years minimum work experience in a manufacturing or production environment.

• Willingness to work adjusted schedules as needed to support production.

Virnig Manufacturing, Inc. 101 Gateway Drive NE • Rice, MN 56367 • virnigmfg.com

ST. CLOUD – Dawn Anita Kellum, 43, of Sauk Rapids, was sentenced for a felony fifthdegree controlled substance crime July 31.

Kellum pled guilty to a crime committed June 11, 2019, and upon completion of probation, the crime will decrease to a misdemeanor offense.

Kellum was sentenced to serve five years’ probation and 28 days in jail, pay a $50 fine and complete a chemical assessment. Kellum must also abide by a list of recommendations imposed by the court.

Virnig Manufacturing, a leader in skid steer attachment manufacturing in Rice, MN, is in search of a full-time line scheduler.

Requirements:

• • • •

Kellum sentenced for drug crime

LINE SCHEDULER

This position will include implementation of improvements to manufacturing processes, maximize efficiency by analyzing layout of equipment, workflow, assembly methods, and workforce utilization. Determine parts and tools needed in order to achieve manufacturing goals according to product specifications. This position will have responsibilities in the manufacturing side of new product development, Lean manufacturing experience is helpful.

• • • • • • • •

SRF36-1B-RB

ASSUMED NAME: Legacy House of Caring.

PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS: 2428 Imperial Drive, St. Cloud, MN 56301 USA. NAMEHOLDER(S): Legacy Enterprises, Inc., 2428 Imperial Drive, St. Cloud, MN 56301 USA. (4) By typing my name, I, the undersigned, certify that I am signing this document as the person whose signature is required, or as agent of the person(s) whose signature would be required who has authorized me to sign this document on his/her behalf, or in both capacities. I further certify that I have completed all required fields, and that the information in this document is true and correct and in compliance with the applicable chapter of Minnesota Statutes. I understand that by signing this document I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Section 609.48 as if I had signed this document under oath. /s/ Jason Walker 08/20/2020 R-16-2B

ST. CLOUD – Barton Dana Roberts, 55, of Sauk Rapids, was convicted of felony first-degree burglary July 9 relating to a May 27, 2019, incident brought by the Sartell Police Department.

Roberts was sentenced to serve 32 2/3 months in prison and 16 1/3 months on supervised release.

Roberts must pay a $50 fine plus surcharges and $133.73 in restitution as well as submit a DNA sample.

Virnig Manufacturing, Inc. 101 Gateway Drive NE • Rice, MN 56367 • virnigmfg.com Virnig Manufacturing, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer

R36-1B-RB

Public Notices

Pulse on People the Minnesota Trucking Benton County Association. Butkowski is marriage a professional truck driver applications for FedEx Freight, has been – James Allen in the trucking industry for Bartosch and Lindsey 29 years and has driven Regina Morris, both of St. more than 1,850,000 miles Cloud. accident free.

“This award is a Butkowski named great way to honor the driver of the month best in our industry,” M I N N E A P O L I S said John Hausladen, – Sauk Rapids resident MTA president. “It is an Paul Butkowski was absolutely amazing feat named the 2020 Driver to drive that many miles of the Month for May by without an accident when

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2020 | Page 11

you take into consideration his daily driving conditions like congestion, driver distractions and Minnesota winters. Not only is Paul a great driver on the road, but he also exemplifies outstanding character within the community. We are honored to provide him with this much deserved award.”

A typical run for Butkowski includes hauling a wide range of products, agricultural

chemicals to auto parts, between Waite Park and Willmar.

Butkowski usually drives a 48foot van but can change depending on the freight volume.

“Paul takes great pride in the job he does on a daily basis,” said David Seth, FedEx safety director.

“First and foremost, the pride in being a safe driver, and ensuring that he is sharing his safety culture with is other teammates.

Paul goes above and beyond for his customers.”

Throughout 2020, exceptional drivers are nominated by their companies, and one driver is chosen each month by the MTA to be the Driver of the Month. The drivers who are chosen meet a high standard of requirements including an outstanding driving and work record, contribution to industry and highway safety, and involvement in the community. In January 2021, MTA will host its annual Driver of the Year Banquet, where one of 12 nominees will be selected as the 2020 Minnesota Trucking Association Driver of the Year.

Police Report

Sauk Rapids Police Department Aug. 25 1615 hours: Officers responded to an accident between a vehicle and a bicycle. The bicyclist was coming down the hill near Summit Avenue South and Fourth Street South and attempted to slow down, but lost control and hit the curb, hitting the vehicle.

Aug. 25 2316 hours: Officers were dispatched for suspicious people on the 300 block of Ninth Avenue South. Caller said the people were roaming the area and talking about specific vehicle doors that may be open. Officers checked the area but did not locate the individuals.

Aug. 29 0706 hours: Officers received a complaint from the 1700 block of 4 1/2 Avenue North of a vehicle that had been gone through overnight.

Incidents: 24 suspicious activity complaints, 22 assists, 20 various calls, 18 traffic stops, 7 harassments, 7 animals, 6 alarms, 6 property, 6 domestics, 6 medical calls, 5 thefts, 5 welfare checks, 5 permits, 4 civil complaints, 4 disturbances, 4 extra patrol, 3 child, 3 accidents, 3 unwanted, 3 open doors, 3 driving complaints, 3 violation court orders, 2 human services reports, 2 escorts, 2 ordinance violations and 2 burglaries.

Rice Police Department Aug. 28 1538 hours: Officers responded to a rolling domestic on the 600 block of Division Street. Suspect was arrested for causing bodily harm and fear toward her daughter.

Incidents: 7 suspicious activity reports, 5 traffic stops, 4 background checks, 4 various calls, 2 assists, 2 domestics, 2 dumping, 2 records checks and 2 frauds.

PART-TIME TELLER

FARMERS & MERCHANTS STATE BANK OF PIERZ, SAUK RAPIDS, MN

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NEWS/ SPORTS

Page 12 | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2020 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Roadwork, delays begin Sept. 8 on Highway 23 in east St. Cloud

Vikings trade for Ngakoue

After a turbulent offseason for the in cap room for this season, and Ngakoue’s Minnesota Vikings that saw the exofranchise tag tender from Jacksonville was dus of multiple veteran players in free valued at $17.8 million. Ngakoue so desagency, the team has signaled that 2020 perately wanted out of Jacksonville that he is not going to be a rebuilding year. Deagreed to play for $12 million this year in spite losing five defensive starters due Minnesota. Seriously, he just gave away alto declining play and salary cap restricmost $6 million. Jacksonville must not be a tions, the team shocked the league by very fun place to play. This was a nice break trading a second-round pick and a confor the Vikings, who added Ngakoue under ditional fifth-round pick for 25-year-old SPORTS COLUMNIST the cap for this season without having to restar defensive end Yannick Ngakoue structure other contracts, and the team will

BY ANDY THAYER from the Jacksonville Jaguars. figure out the rest after the Super Bowl.

Ngakoue will provide continuity The Vikings are going to have to for the Vikings along the defensive line, where he make some hard choices next offseason. Between will replace departed edge rusher Everson Griffen Ngakoue, Dalvin Cook and Anthony Harris all beat the right end position. Ngakoue’s 37.5 sacks since coming free agents, and Kirk Cousins ($31 million) he entered the league in 2016 ranks 12th in the NFL, and Danielle Hunter ($17.8 million) getting massive and his 85 quarterback hits ranks eighth. In that time pay increases, the Vikings are going to have to perperiod, he is one of only five players with at least 35 form some serious cap gymnastics to keep this team sacks and 10 forced fumbles. This guy is legitimate, competitive. General manager Rick Spielman and exand he is going to step in and wreak havoc immedi- ecutive vice president (i.e. salary cap manager) Rob ately. Ngakoue is a versatile player with a nice com- Brzezinski are known for being experts at juggling bination of power, speed and skill that gives him mul- the cap, but they are going to have their hands full tiple ways to get to the quarterback. Pairing him with next spring. My guess is this trade signals this is the Danielle Hunter is going to give the Vikings a fero- last year for Dalvin Cook in Minnesota. For now, this cious edge rush from both sides that should help keep roster is officially reloaded and ready for another run opposing passing games honest. In terms of talent and at the NFC North Division title. fit, this trade was a no-brainer for the Vikings.

This was ultimately a relatively low risk move the However, as we discussed earlier, the Vikings for the Vikings. If Ngakoue plays well, it was worth are cap-strapped team, and Ngakoue recently turned the modest price. Even if he leaves in free agency down a deal with the Jaguars that reportedly would next year, the Vikings will recoup a compensatory have paid him $19 million per season. Part of that was pick that would likely fall in the third round. If the likely because Ngakoue absolutely hated it in Jack- Vikings can sign Ngakoue to an extension, which I sonville and later demanded a trade to play elsewhere, think they are going to be highly motivated to do, then but it is fair to say Ngakoue knows his value. The this is an obvious win for the team. Pro Bowl caliber Vikings are not going to be able to re-sign him to a edge rushers in their primes do not grow on trees, and bargain basement contract. the Vikings just stole one from Jacksonville.

The Vikings only had $12.9 million remaining

Project will improve access at Benton County Road 8 ST. CLOUD – Motorists may encounter lane closures with delays as crews begin to resurface both directions of Highway 23 next week. A new layer of asphalt will be applied between Benton County Road 1 and Highway 95 east of St. Cloud, beginning 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8.

When weather allows, work will occur 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. Both directions will have segments of single lane closures with reduced speeds.

Flaggers will direct access to and from intersections.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation will also reconstruct the access at Highway 23 and Benton County Road 8 (35th Avenue East) in St. Cloud with a new, safer reduced conflict intersection design, also known as a j-turn. In RCI’s, drivers always make a right turn followed by a U-turn.

This reduces potential conflict points and improves safety.

When navigating the work zone drivers should: – Watch for workers, directional signs and orange cones and barrels.

– Expect changes and slow-moving equipment to enter and exit work areas.

– Obey posted speed limits. A fine for a work zone violation is $300.

– Be patient. Expect delays, especially at peak travel times.

The $3.8 million project is expected to be complete by Oct. 28.

For more project information, visit mndot.gov/ d3/projects/h23stc or contact Josh Daniel, construction project manager, at joshua.daniel@state. mn.us or 320-293-2946.

Moorhead shuts out girls soccer

Storm defeated 12-0 in opener

BY ANNA HINKEMEYER STAFF WRITER

The talent and discipline of the Moorhead girls soccer team came through against the young Sauk Rapids-Rice team Aug. 31 at Moorhead High School in Moorhead.

In the season-opening matchup, the Storm had a

tough time on both offense and defense in the 12-0 loss. The defenders could not hold back Moorhead players Maria Zanotti and Olivia Watson, who combined for 10 of the Spuds’ goals and each are Division I collegiate prospects.

“Zanotti and Watson are likely to be the two best players we face all season, and our

girls got through it,” said Kris Fremo, SRR girls soccer head coach. “We had a chance to identify the areas that need the most attention in preparation for the rest of our conference season.”

The Storm started some of its youngest players – eighthgraders Addi Eisenschenk, Abby Feddema and Ava Plemel and freshman Gabby Fernholz. As a result of a young team and a strong opposing

OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM GAMES FOR WEEK #1

Froiland, senior co-captain of the team. “I think we played as a team pretty well, and we didn’t give up until the end.”

SRR hosts Fergus Falls at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, at the Sauk Rapids-Rice football stadium in Sauk Rapids before traveling to Brainerd High School to take on the Warriors at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11. They host Bemidji at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Sauk Rapids-Rice High School.

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defense, SRR only mounted a single shot on goal against Moorhead’s 29.

Junior goalkeeper Maggie Fernholz started the game with six saves but exited early with a minor hand injury. Senior Bailey Reiter came in for relief and made seven saves.

“This game was a great learning opportunity for us and really showed the newer and younger players how fast the varsity level is,” said Ady

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SPORTS

Page 14 | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2020 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Floren becomes

four-sport athlete Will participate in girls soccer, gymnastics, volleyball, track and field

A

BY ANNA HINKEMEYER | STAFF WRITER

AUCTION

eject; CIH 8460 round baler; NH 1465 9’ haybine; NH 495 12’ haybine; JD 435 round baler; Degelman 10’ 4 Way silage blade, fits JD 8000 Series; 14 wheel V rake; several chopper heads; plus several other good choppers, forage boxes, rakes, bale trailers and related items.

GENERAL FARM MACHINERY Nice Lorenz 1250 grinder mixer; New Holland 352 grinder mixer; Lorenz 100 grinder mixer; Hagedorn Hydra Push 225 manure spreader; Houle 4800 gallon liquid manure tank with 5 injectors; several stalk choppers inc. Alloway 20’; several clean gravity boxes on HD wagons; plus many additional related items; grain dryers, augers.

TRUCKS, TRAILERS, SKID LOADERS, LIVESTOCK EQUIPMENT & MISC. EQUIPMENT ‘85 IH 9379 with 20’ box & hoist; ‘04 Exiss 3 horse slant 5th wheel trailer with tack comp; ‘73 Chev C-60 with 20’ steel box & hoist; Melroe S205 Bobcat; Mustang 940 skid loader; Gehl 4240 skid loader; several new and used skid loader attachments; several skid loader trailers; semi load of new items inc. auto hoists, hoop buildings, livestock enclosure, tire changers, skid loader blades, shop tools & more; TMR mixers, livestock panels, bunks, several nice tricycle front bunk wagons; plus many more tools and equipment too numerous to list with more coming daily.

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tunity to play more,” said Phil Klaphake, activities director for Sauk RapidsRice Middle School and Storm varsity football head coach. “Normally we have set seasons, and you pick one sport. This gives athletes the chance to make choices on whether they want to add a fourth sport, and us coaches support kids in whatever choices they make.”

Having others she knows within the program has made it easier for Floren to adjust and learn the game. Floren’s friends, seniors Mara Pesta-Carlson and Keanna Guggisberg, tried out with her and will play soccer alongside her, and she is also friends with varsity co-captains Ady Froiland and Ashley Konietzko, who she seeks advice from as she develops her skills.

Floren said her soccer experience and training for will carry over into her other sports, especially the cardio conditioning.

In gymnastics, Floren competes in all four events, many of which result in a rigorous cardio training. She is also a sprinter on the track. With soccer occurring ahead of those sports, Floren is looking to build her endurance for the remainder

PHOTO BY ANNA HINKEMEYER

Justus Floren stands outside Sauk Rapids-Rice High School Aug. 28 in Sauk Rapids. Floren has the opportunity to participate in four sports this school year due to COVID-19 alterations.

of the school year.

Floren was also faced with the decision of participating in soccer or the MSHSL approved 12-day practice period with the volleyball team. Throughout September and early October, Floren will balance her time between the two. However, soccer practices and games will take precedence over the volleyball practices as she will be able to practice with the volleyball team this spring prior to competition.

While Floren could be disappointed about the absence of the competitive volleyball season this fall, she is choosing to see her new involvement as a positive aspect to her senior year.

“This is an opportunity for me,” Floren said.

“I have enjoyed meeting new people and being in a new environment of a sport I have never tried before. It’s cool because it wouldn’t have happened without COVID-19.”

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thletics will go on for the 2020-21 school year.

The Minnesota State High School League approved fall sports during an Aug. 4 virtual meeting, PHOTO BY MARK KLAPHAKE and many of those are unJustus Floren hits the ball passed a blocker during a match Sept. 7, 2019, in Sauk Rapids. Floren has been derway with competition.

Missing from the fall playing volleyball each fall of her high school career, but atmosphere are volleyball will pick up the season in spring. and football, which will alternatively take place March to May. HUGE MID-AMERICAN AUCTION CO. One Sauk RapidsSAUK CENTRE, MN FALL CONSIGNMENT Rice High School senior is excited about the opportunity that comes with the change.

TH SAT., SEPT. 12 , 2020 • 9:00 A.M. “Soccer sparked my From Sauk Centre, ½ mile South of I-94 on US 71, interest since I don’t have 1 block east on 408th St. a full volleyball season,” Note: Huge auction featuring several good clean items from local Justus Floren said. “I farmers. Expect hundreds more items than indicated in pre auction have friends who have ads. For complete listing phone 320-760-2979 or see: www. been trying to get me to midamericanauctioninc.com or midwestauctions.com. No quit volleyball and come buyers premium to onsite bidders. out for soccer for a couple years, and now I can finally try it without giving anything up.”

In a typical fall, Floren is busy with the Storm OVER 30 TRACTORS varsity volleyball team.

Including: ‘93 Ford Versatile 876 FWD, 5639 hrs; ‘01 JD 8310 MFWD; ‘82 IH 5488; ‘64 JD 4020 P Shift; JD 4440; Case 2390; IH 656 She competes in gymnasGas & ldr.; JD 50; MT; 530; H; B; 3010 Gas; ‘35 JD B; JD 2010 Utility; tics in winter and track Farmall C; H; M F20; 300; AC 175 G; and many others. and field in spring. As a PLANTING AND TILLAGE part of the MSHSL deciDMI 40’ double fold field cult & harrow; JD 2700 7 shank ripper; JD sion, the spring athletic 960 27’ field cult; JD 1750 8RN planter; JD 7000 6R N planter; IH 720 season will shift to occur 5x18 Plow; DMI 7 shank ripper; JD 100 – 14’ chisel plow; JD 9300 13’ end wheel drill; DMI 4 shank Sub Soiler; Case IH 9 shank soil saver; from May through July.

Case 18’ off set disc; IH 480 19’ disc; plus several other related pieces.

This year’s modifications NEW HOLLAND BALE WAGON, HAY & FORAGE EQUIPMENT allow Floren to be a four‘07 NH 8W-38 square bale wagon, 162 bale cap., Ford diesel, Allison sport athlete.

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SPORTS

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2020 | Page 15

Collision competitive against Moorhead, Bemidji Roesch, Haddy force three sets with Spuds

BY ANNA HINKEMEYER STAFF WRITER

Competitiveness is the current trend of the Collision girls tennis team after playing matches against teams from Bemidji Aug. 27 and Moorhead Sept. 1.

Although the Collision fell to their opponents 7-0, the Sauk RapidsRice and Apollo cooperative athletes continue to improve and make the play time tougher for opponents.

The girls host Fergus Falls at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, at Apollo High School in St. Cloud before traveling to Brainerd for a meet at 4:30 p.m. Thursday,

Sept. 10.

Moorhead 7, Collision 0 As the team traveled to Moorhead High School to take on the Spuds Sept. 1, three matches were forced into a threeset battle. Sophomores Grace Roesch and Belle Haddy, at third and fourth singles respectively, pushed that barrier and made the Spuds fight for their win. Freshmen Lily Howe and Kaleigh Anderson at No. 3 doubles also forced their match into a third set.

“Grace and Belle continue to improve every week,” said Jamie Hatlestad, head coach.

“Lily and Kaleigh are playing smart tennis and

Swim and dive wins over Bemidji 117-64 Storm team records 13 personal best times in Lumberjacks pool

BY ANNA HINKEMEYER | STAFF WRITER

PHOTOS BY ANNA HINKEMEYER

Junior co-captain Bailee Bonebright serves during a set Aug. 27 at Apollo High School in St. Cloud. Bonebright competed in second doubles with McKinsey Newbanks.

play well together. It will be one of those three positions that will produce our first win soon.”

Roesch said she is R competitive and motivated by her improved y performance, as she o continues to hit more aggressively and place her shots in tough spots for her opponents to reach.

She has been implementing techniques learned in practice to improve.

“It felt great to get Junior Addison Bemboom swings at the ball Aug. 27 in a my match to a third set,” match versus Bemidji at Apollo High School in St. Cloud.

Roesch said. “This moThe Lumberjacks topped the Collision 7-0.

tivates me to continue working on skills to become more consistent and will lead me to keep working hard in practice so I am prepared for upcoming matches.”

Junior co-captain Brynn Karasch added new skills of a slice forehand and backhand throughout her match, increasing her drive and ability to push a 3-6, 3-6 result at first singles.

Singles: No. 1 Karasch 3-6, 3-6, No. 2 Cailey Davidson 1-6, 1-6, No. 3 Roesch 0-6, 7-5, 2-6 and No. 4 Haddy 4-6, 6-4, 5-10.

Doubles: No. 1 Bailee Bonebright-Ari Nemeth 0-6, 2-6, No. 2 Addison Bemboom-McKinsey Newbanks 1-6, 1-6 and No. 3 Howe-Anderson 4-6, 7-5, 6-10.

Bemidji 7, Collision 0 The No. 1 Collision singles and doubles slots were tough matchups for Davidson, Karasch and Bemboom but perseverance and tenacity were apparent on the court as the Collision hosted the Bemidji Lumberjacks Aug. 27 at Apollo High School in St. Cloud.

“We continue to get a premium effort from the entire team,” Hatlestad said. “Our team never quits. It was a good learning experience, and we are now gaining knowledgeable tips as to future lineups.”

Singles: No. 1 Davidson 0-6, 0-6, No. 2 Roesch 0-6, 1-6, No. 3 Haddy 0-6, 1-6 and No. 4 Nemeth 2-6, 2-6.

Doubles: KaraschBemboom 1-6, 1-6, No. 2 Bonebright-Newbanks 1-6, 1-6 and No. 3 HoweAnderson 4-6, 0-6.

R36-1B-JF

The Sauk Rapids-Rice girls swim and dive team picked up where they left off at the conclusion of the 2019 season by earning a season-opening win over Bemidji Aug. 27. The Storm scored 11764 over the Lumberjacks at Bemidji High School in Bemidji.

In 2019, the Storm accomplished wins in each of its five home meets and earned the Section 5A title for the first time in 15 years. With many participants returning to the team, the hard work and competitiveness was evident as the Storm team took to the pool.

“The strength of our relays shows the depth of our team,” said Whitney Jendro, co-head coach.

“We had a total of 13 best times but need to continue to work toward a meet environment that allows girls to swim best times.”

Senior co-captains Abbie Tangen, Haley Davis and Madeline Ziegler were at the forefront of their events. Davis took first in the 50-yard freestyle, second in the 100 freestyle and contributed to a strong 400 freestyle relay finish alongside Valeria FloresBonilla, Lydia Zabinski and Tangen. Ziegler took second in the 50 freestyle, third in the 100 freestyle and contributed to first place finishes in the 200 medley relay and the 200 freestyle relay events.

Tangen took first in both her individual events – the 200 and 100 freestyle – and assisted in the firstplace finish of the 200 freestyle relay team. Tangen also competed in the 400 freestyle relay.

“I always want to start the season faster than I actually do,” Tangen said. “But my times were consistent with where I started the past two years.”

Juniors Zabinski, Kaytlin Bittman and Valeria Flores-Bonilla were bright spots throughout the meet. Zabinski accomplished a first-place finish in the 200 individual medley and second in the 100 butterfly, as well as success in the 200 medley relay and the 400 freestyle relay. Bittman came out with a second-place finish in the 500 freestyle. Sophomore Mia Lambrecht made a mark as well, with a third-place finish in the 200 freestyle and in the 100 backstroke.

Overall, co-head coaches Jendro and Megan Dingmann said the meet was positive and prepared them not only for future competitions but also gave the team insight on how meets will be conducted with COVID-19 precautions in place.

“We didn’t really know what to expect with the new guidelines, and the girls rose to the occasion and did a great job,” Dingmann said. “It was a good introduction and reminded us of things we need to keep in mind when hosting our meets.”

The Storm hosts Brainerd at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School in Sauk Rapids. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, no fans are allowed.

200 MR: 1. Valeria Flores-Bonilla, Sophia Henkel, Zabinski and Ziegler 2 minutes, 3.84 seconds; 2. Lambrecht, Jadeyn Stover, Olivia Tykwinski and Arica Moriak 2:08.4; and 3. Nicole Agre, Bittman, Kendal Stucke and Davis 2:09.02. 200 FS: 1. Tangen 2:10.54, 3. Lambrecht 2:19.89, 4. Ava Hitzler 2:20.19 and 6. Maya Zaske 2:23.27. 200 IM: 1. Zabinski 2:27.8, 2. Stucke 2:33.81 and 4. Henkel 2:42.32. 50 FS: 1. Davis 27.45, 2. Ziegler 27.55, 3. Stover 28.32 and 4. Moriak 28.34. Diving: 3.

Sophia Markfelder 133.65 points, 4. Liberty Kosloski 130.15 and 5. Eliana Hansen 128.9. 100 FLY: 1. Valeria Flores-Bonilla 1:05.14, 2. Zabinski 1:10.32 and 5. Samantha Haaf 1:16.10. 100 FS: 1. Tangen 59.03, 2. Davis 1:00.51, 3. Ziegler 1:00.72 and 4. Hitzler 1:02.44. 500 FS: 2. Bittman 6:14.82, 3. Moriak 6:19.44 and 5. Zaske 6:38.45. 200 FSR: 1. Ziegler, Henkel, Hitzler and Tangen 1:53.08; 2. Stover, Zaske, Lauren Klein and Lambrecht 1:54.79; and 3. Haaf, Paige Theis, Daniela Flores-Bonilla and Ally Lucas 2:00.28. 100 BK: 1. Valeria Flores-Bonilla 1:07.99, 3. Lambrecht 1:14.01 and 4. Agre 1:14.07. 100 BR (EX): Bittman 1:19.57, Stucke 1:22.21 and Stover 1:22.61. 400 FSR (EX): Valeria Flores-Bonilla, Zabinski, Davis and Tangen 4:02.23; Zaske, Bittman, Stucke and Hitzler 4:17.71 and Moriak, Tykwinski, Morgan Fiereck and Klein 4:32.20.

Page 16 | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2020 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Moilanen capitalizes on penalty kicks

SRR falls to Bemidji, Boys and girls cross-country Moorhead starts season in Cold Spring

BY ANNA HINKEMEYER STAFF WRITER

BY ANNA HINKEMEYER | STAFF WRITER

Starting the season with two losses is not ideal, but the Sauk Rapids-Rice Storm boys soccer team is optimistic to earn a notch in the win column.

“Just because we get scored on doesn’t mean we can just give up,” said Chris Rothstein, head coach. “No matter who we play against, our biggest strength is when we work hard and work together for the whole game.”

In the Aug. 27 road game against the Lumberjacks at Bemidji High School in Bemidji and the home game against Moorhead Sept. 1, the Storm fell behind early.

Moorhead topped the Storm 5-1 and Bemidji won 3-1.

Sauk Rapids-Rice co-captain Jared Bentrud led by example as he raced across the finish line Aug. 27 at Rocori High School in Cold Spring. Bentrud came in fifth for the Storm cross-country boys team 4,000-meter run with a time of 14 minutes, 28.9 seconds.

“It was a 4K instead of the 5K, as more of an early bird for everyone to work logistics out,” said Sandie Lahr, Storm boys and girls cross-country head coach. “It was a nice test for our runners to figure out their pacing this early in the season.”

Following Bentrud were two other top 10 finishes in sophomore Nate Martin and senior co-captain Cole Gauerke, placing ninth and 10th respectively.

Rounding out the team were sophomore Kieran Hixson in 16th, freshman Alex Ostendorf in 19th and junior Jake Blackmore in 20th. Ostendorf and Blackmore ran with the varsity team for the first time. The Storm placed third as a team, trailing behind competitors Rocori and Alexandria.

Senior co-captain Ali Kremer was the only female to run varsity for the Storm. She placed 19th with a time of 22:24.0. The SRR girls team did not have enough participants to qualify for a team placing.

“I felt I could have run a little better,” Kremer said.

SRR will host its next contest at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, welcoming Fergus Falls to the trails at Mayhew Creek Park in Sauk Rapids, just to the north of the high school.

“Rocori and Alexandria have experienced teams, so I was happy with our first outing,” Lahr said. “I was very proud of the way our athletes handled the changes and were respectful of other athletes, spectators and cheering on their teammates.”

Individual boys: 5. Bentrud 14:28.9, 9. Martin 15:31.8, 10. Gauerke 15:41.4, 16. Hixson 16:35.9, 19. Ostendorf 17:46.7 and 20. Blackmore 19:37.2.

Boys team: 1. Alexandria 30, 2. Rocori 37 and 3. SRR 59.

Individual girls: 19. Kremer 22:24.0.

PHOTOS BY ANNA HINKEMEYER

Junior Keegan Pham kicks the ball downfield Sept. 1 in Sauk Rapids. Pham is a forward for the Storm.

SRR travels to take on the Otters at Kennedy Secondary School in Fergus Falls at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8. The Storm play host to Brainerd at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at the Sauk Rapids-Rice High School in Sauk Rapids.

Moorhead 5, SRR 1 The Storm had a slow start Sept. 1, allowing five Moorhead goals

through before the half.

Those were all the Spuds needed to secure the 5-1 victory.

For the Storm, junior Eli Moilanen scored a goal halfway through the second half, capitalizing on a penalty kick opportunity.

Rothstein said the tempo of play for SRR dropped with each goal Moorhead scored, but the lesson of resiliency is key to success going forward. He also said the team was more cohesive and driven in the second half, which kept the Spuds from continuing their scoring run.

“Moorhead is a very talented team with a lot of skill and speed,” Rothstein said.

Senior Eli Rudnick was in goal for the Freshman midfielder Lief Rudnick maneuvers the ball Storm, saving 18 of the around a Moorhead defender Sept. 1 at the Sauk RapidsRice football stadium in Sauk Rapids. The Storm lost 5-1 23 shots on goal from the against the Spuds.

Leading the

Jared Bentrud Parents: Dave and Beth Bentrud Accomplishment: Senior co-captain of the Storm boys crosscountry team.

What is your favorite part about cross-country? The scenic running. You are not running around a circle but going through woods and up and down hills. Plus, cross-country is a sport that is both individual and team. You can win a race by yourself but have your team lose overall, so you are running for personal reasons as well as benefitting your team.

What is your favorite thing to do on the course?

Finish. Before you race, you are filled with nerves and are unknowing on what the next minutes hold for you. After, there is no stress, and you can relax and hang with your teammates and friends you know on other teams.

How do you prepare in the minutes leading up to competition? We, as a team, gather by the start line and proceed to do the warmup we do before each

practice as well as a few sprints to get the blood going even more. One of the worst things to happen while running is to cramp from lack of stretching.

What other activities are you involved in at school? DECA, student council, Minnesota Honor Society, and track and field.

Why is it important for you to be involved in school activities? Activities serve as a real opportunity to meet new people, make friends and have experiences you otherwise would not have. It also serves as a great tool to unlock opportunities in the future such as colleges or jobs.

How do you make a difference at school? By being a kind person. Someone could be having a bad day, and if you show even the smallest amount of kindness toward them in the halls or in class, it could

Spuds. SRR attempted four shots, three of which were saved by the Spuds.

Bemidji 3, SRR 1 The Lumberjacks scored the first goal three minutes into play Aug. 27, but Moilanen scored from a penalty kick seven minutes later to tie the game. Throughout the first half, Bemidji added two more goals to take the matchup 3-1.

“We excelled at coming back from adversity and fighting to get back in the game after they scored, but we could have tried to control the game more and have more possession,” Rothstein said. “It was hard when we didn’t know what to expect having not faced them before.”

Rudnick saved 18 of 21 shots on goal from the Lumberjacks, and offensively the Storm had six shots on goal, five recovered by the Bemidji goalkeeper.

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Which teacher has impacted your education most? Mr. Bauer. Being a business teacher in our school, I have had him since my freshman year in a multitude of classes. Because I have been with him for so long, it has given time to form a relationship and that makes it 10 times easier to get through to a student. Not only does Mr. Bauer teach from the books, he also gives us advice that will help us get through all our walks of life and prepare us for further education and life.

Who has been a mentor to you? Rodney Fuchs, my track and field coach. Coach Fuchs is a mentor to every single person who is involved in track and field.

He makes it quite clear to his athletes that he not only wants to see us succeed in our sports but in our lives as good men. The amount of times Coach Fuchs has asked me how I am doing or given me advice for certain situations is uncountable. He is someone I learn from each day of practice and someone I strive to be like.

What is your favorite meal, movie, social media and song? Steak, “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith,” Instagram and “7 Summers” by Morgan Wallen.

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BY JENNIFER COYNE STAFF WRITER

Cooler temperatures and later morning sunrises are subtle signs of the seasons turning. For farmers, the more obvious indicator is forage availability for cattle.

As pastures near the end of their seasonal longevity, University of Minnesota experts spoke of options for improved feed management and efficiency as cattle grazers consider their feeding options for the fall and winter seasons.

“When we think about forages and supply, I encourage you all to think about the upcoming winter and all of the aspects that go into managing and caring for animals throughout the year,” said Troy Salzer, University of Minnesota Extension educator in St. Louis County. “Forages are vital to ruminant animals.

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Forages page 3B

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A harvest

Dalquists establish self-serve garden to supplement farm income

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RANDALL – A sea of fruits and vegetables are surrounded by blooming flowers for passersby to enjoy, either visually or to pick and take to their homes.

The we-plant-you-pick concept at Little Elk Organic You Pick Garden has served the central Minnesota community well as it epitomizes what farmers Michael and Cora Dalquist were hoping to achieve this summer.

“This first started as an idea for extra income to our dairy farm, and it has since changed and evolved,” Michael said. “Our hope this year was to break even, and it has, so far, exceeded all of our expectations.”

The Dalquists and their children – Elsie, 3, and Christina, 18 months – manage

PHOTO BY JENNIFER COYNE

The Dalquists – Michael (from left), holding Elsie, 3, and Cora, holding Christina, 18 months – own Little Elk Organic You Pick Garden at their dairy farm near Randall. The family started the self-serve enterprise as a way to diversify their income.

At the garden, customers squash, sweet corn, cucumbers, a 1-acre fruit and vegetable garden on Michael’s family’s are welcome to pick and herbs, flowers and much more. dairy farm in Morrison County purchase an assortment of peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, Dalquists page 2B near Randall.

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The 1-acre garden has a variety of fruits and vegetables for customers to pick at the Dalquists organic dairy farm near Randall. The family is planning to expand their produce options next year to include rutabagas, parsnips and more.

Dalquists from front

The Dalquists, who also have a personal garden, chose produce based on their preferences in hopes customers would have the same liking.

“We also reached out with our farm’s Facebook page to get a feeling for what seeds we should buy and grow, and we ended up growing quite a variety,” Cora said. “Next year, we’ll try parsnips, rutabagas and some other things too.”

The produce is strategically planted to maximize growth and quality of each fruit and vegetable with complimenting produce planted together and competing plants further away. Each row is marked indicating which produce is planted there as well as information about each plant.

Customers are

PHOTOS BY JENNIFER COYNE

Cora (from left), Michael and Elsie Dalquist look through boxes of tomatoes available for purchase at their family’s organic garden near Randall Aug. 24. The Dalquists encourage customers to pick their own produce.

welcome to peruse the garden, pick the produce of their choosing, and then deposit their payment in the money box at the garden barn. Produce is

sold either by weight or by the piece.

“Most of our customers are locals or people with cabins on nearby lakes,” Michael

said. “Nowadays, most people don’t have time to grow their own food.

Our garden gives people the opportunity to see where their food comes from and participate in the harvesting of it so they know it’s as fresh as it gets.”

Cora agreed.

“Because this is a you-pick garden, people have to do a little work and that’s satisfying for them,” she said.

Every morning, as Michael is milking the herd of 30 certified organic cows, Cora tends to the garden. Early on in the season, she spent this time weeding, planting and mulching. Now, the time is consumed by continued weeding and mulching as well as picking ripe produce.

“We planted purple tomatoes, but I’ve been

picking a lot of those because people are unfamiliar with them; they don’t know when they are ready,” Cora said.

In that case, the vegetables are available for purchase either in the garden barn or on the picnic table outside under the canopy. If produce gets too ripe, it is tossed into the on-site compost bin.

The idea for a selfserve garden was first came to mind over a year ago when Michael and Cora moved back to the family farm after living in North Dakota for 3.5 years.

“I’ve always wanted to take over my family’s farm, but when we first got married, it seemed like a better opportunity to be in North Dakota with Cora’s family,” Michael said. “Then, Dad had some health issues a couple summers in a row and I realized it was now or never.”

The Dalquists returned to Randall in June 2019. Over the course of the next several months, they became more involved in the dairy operation as Michael’s parents, Dale and Kathy, readied for retirement and built a new house.

Michael and Cora were already breeding and raising basset hounds for additional income, but due to the unstable situation of the dairy industry, it became clear the family needed to diversify further.

“Cora loves to garden, so that’s how this came to mind,” Michael said.

Cora agreed.

“My mom and both grandmas had gardens,” she said. “It’s something I grew up with.”

Both Cora and Michael wanted to garden in a way that complimented the farm’s already organic practices.

Last winter, they spent the time and resources to become certified organic vegetables producers, as well.

And, their practices reflect environmental conservation, such as using mulch as a way to decrease time spent weeding, hold moisture in the soil and improve soil health.

“We’re trying to follow the principles of a technique I learned about called farming God’s way,” Michael said.

“Among other things, that includes disturbing the soil as little as possible and keeping it covered at all times, using only natural fertilizers and seeking to improve the soil for future generations.”

While this first year of offering a self-serve garden has gone well for the Dalquists, it has not come without challenges.

“The timing is tough,” Michael said. “Planting and some harvesting in the garden happens at the same time as planting and harvesting in the fields.

That’s why this wouldn’t be possible without Cora.

I have to attribute this all to her. She’s the one who has been out there several times a day, every day.”

Dalquists page 3B

Elsie (from left) and Michael Dalquist look through their garden Aug. 24 at their dairy farm near Randall. The Dalquists spend time every day maintaining the garden.

BENTON AG

stockpiled forages – the diggers that burrow their nose through the snow in search of forages; the opportunists that stand nearby and grab the forages as they are uncovered; and the cleanup crew that collect the remaining forages.

“You have to watch your cattle very closely, especially the cleanup crew,” Salzer said. “It takes a lot of effort to capitalize on stockpiled forages. You’ll begin to see body conditions changing in the herd.”

Swath grazing (cutting and raking forages into rows), fencing standing crops and bale grazing are also options that extend the grazing season into winter but mimic rotational grazing systems.

“These are good ways to distribute manure,” Salzer said. “There is some loss but, in many cases, (losses) are returned as nutrients to the soil.”

Depending on weather experiences, utilization efficiencies of each of the aforementioned grazing options are vast.

Typically, cattle can use as little as 20% of crop residue or as much as 65%; cover crops 30%75%; stockpiled 10%80%; standing forages 30%-80%; swath 25%80%; and bale grazing 40%-90%.

Salzer gave the

example of a heavy snowstorm last October.

He lost about 30 days of feed for about 200 cows.

“That was substantial and required us to purchase a fair amount of forage,” he said.

“Sometimes, it plays hard into the decision-making process. Do I harvest mechanically or how do I manage that? Sometimes, you’ll make the right decision and sometimes you’ll make the wrong one.”

Before feeding these types of forages, farmers should consider conducting a forage sample test. The test will paint a clearer picture for formulating a wellbalanced diet.

“The more digestible forages pass through the rumen faster; that’s what we want,” Young said.

“Without knowing the quality of the forages, it’s difficult to balance rations to make sure animals are receiving the proper amount of nutrients.”

Salzer suggested strategically feeding lower quality feed shortly

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after calving and saving the higher quality forages for later in the cow’s lactation. Blending the forage qualities will also help maintain the nutritional needs of the cow.

When quality forages are in short supply, alternative forage options are a solution in the ration.

“I’ve helped develop rations with a lot of straws – oat, wheat, pea, soybeans – to implement them as a filler,” Salzer said. “We also see a lot of corn stalks, sweet corn silage, beep pulp, potatoes, wheat midds, pearl barley. These just have to help keep the cattle satisfied.”

Farmers may also consider adding protein lick tubs or molasses tanks to the pasture to supplement nutrients in the ration.

“The question I pose is, ‘How do we meet nutritional requirements by products available to us?’” Salzer said. “In nearly all processes, if we increase management, we can do a better job.”

The Dalquists are also learning what produce grows well and which others are more difficult to start and maintain. Plus, they have figured out what their customers are looking for and are planning accordingly for next year.

Cora is also drumming up plans to make the garden more family friendly. She wants to create pole bean tepees and tunnels made from squash plants.

“Our girls love being out here, so I’m hoping to make this more children friendly,” Cora said. “The tepees and tunnels will pique the children’s interest in gardening.”

In an effort to increase and diversify the family’s income, the Dalquists have been pleased with their choice to produce and sell organic vegetables, and want to continue being an option for people looking for that farm-to-table connection.

“We’ve really been encouraged so far,” Cora said.

“And hope that people continue coming back.”

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And with ruminant animals, one of their key components is being able to convert forages into products we can market.”

Salzer and colleague Tarah Young of Carlton County presented “Managing Forages for Fall and Winter Feedings” as part of the University of Minnesota Beef Webinar series Aug. 18.

Grazing animals is an efficient practice to reduce or maintain a lower total cost of producing forages.

Yet, many producers find themselves in a predicament when this inexpensive feeding option runs low, said Salzer.

“So many times farmers tend to have not enough forage in the form of pasture for the number of animals they’re feeding,” he said. “Because of that, they end up short at the end of the year. Farmers can make this work with better forage utilization or growing more forage.”

In planning ahead, producers can extend their grazing season by harvesting crop residue, cover crops, stockpiled forages grown late in the season, standing forages like millet and swath grazing.

Grazing crop residue is the most efficient and cheapest way to feed beef cattle, said Salzer. However, farmers must be aware of their herd’s nutritional needs, particularly protein and energy, to know how the crop residue aids in meeting those requirements.

Likewise, cover crops are an effective option to provide quality forages in a ration.

“With cover crops, we need to strategically place them in the field rotation so they can provide other benefits as well,” Salzer said.

“These crops can produce upwards of 1 ton of dry matter, depending on the grazing season.”

Farmers may also consider stockpiled feed but need to be aware of the crop’s tendency to be high in moisture content when snow is covering the ground.

“Adding dry matter with hay can increase overall utilization of crops in certain circumstances,” Salzer said.

When feeding stockpiled forages, the herd’s body condition score is critical to monitor as cattle will use the forages differently.

Salzer described three types of cattle that graze

Dalquists from page 2B

Swath grazing (cutting and raking forages into rows), fencing standing crops and bale grazing are also options that extend the grazing season into winter but mimic rotational grazing systems.

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Sannerud states storm recovery, COVID-19 reasons for folding

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FOLEY – Like many farmers, Eric Sannerud has looked forward to the fall season as the culmination of all that goes into producing a bountiful harvest.

But after seven years growing, harvesting and processing hops, Sannerud will not be returning to the fields this fall. Sannerud and his business partners recently announced Mighty Axe Hops, of Foley, will be permanently closing before harvest.

“One of the things that makes me the saddest in my life is when I see a farm close or have to sell,” Sannerud said. “It’s not much better going through it yourself.”

Sannerud was the cofounder and CEO of the 80-acre hops farm.

A severe storm tore through Benton County in September 2019, leaving the hops farm in shambles. The business lost more than half the value of the crop that year as the storm left trellises broken and grounded hops unable to be harvested.

The business owners spent the following months seeking investors to help restore the farm.

“When we lost all those crops over Labor Day last year, that was a direct loss in business, and we did not have crop insurance,” Sannerud said.

“Overcoming that proved to be more difficult than we could handle. As a young farm, a startup business, we couldn’t weather that storm.”

In the agriculture industry, when bad

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Eric Sannerud stands near a hops at Mighty Axe Hops near Foley. Sannerud and his business partners closed the farm after struggling to recover from a devastating storm last fall and the continued challenges of COVID-19 on the industry.

weather strikes, there are policies in place to protect farmers’ bottom line.

“It’s really bad when you lose a corn crop, but there are programs in place to live to farm another season,” Sannerud said.

Unlike traditional agriculture commodities, like corn and soybean, hops are not covered under any sort of insurance program that farmers may receive from the government or can purchase from a private vendor.

This is likely because of the crop’s relative newness and lack of developed place in the industry, said Sannerud.

“On a broad scale, the day to day stuff of growing hops or raising cattle are not widely different,” he said. “Your tractor breaks never at the right time. Rains come at not the right time, all down the list. We all farm at the end of the day. But, if you really get into it, the (enterprises) are widely different. And, if we get the same storm, there’s no insurance options for hops. If programs do exist, they tend not to be robust enough.”

A detriment to Sannerud’s business was the scale of the operation.

When Sannerud first

started Mighty Axe Hops, he went through another fall storm that damaged the crop. But at the time, he was managing a 3-acre plot of land in Ham Lake.

“If we get the same storm as someone who grows 10 hops plants in their backyard, the damage might be the same, but it’s harder for us to recover from that,” Sannerud said.

Then, in the same time period Sannerud was trying to recoup the losses from the fall storm, COVID-19 arrived.

The hops business – which raised 13 varieties and sold to hundreds of breweries across the country – lost customers as breweries were not able to readily make and sell product.

“Whatever hope we had after the storm was lost,” Sannerud said. “Despite various (COVID-19) programs and aid packages state or federal governments put together, they weren’t applicable (to hops farmers).”

The severe fall storm and onset of the global pandemic became unbearable for the hops farm and were ultimately the reasons for Mighty Axe Hops folding.

The business is selling inventory and field equipment as they

prepare for permanent closure in the coming weeks.

“I don’t believe we should ever expect a type of insurance program that is the same as other traditional crops,” Sannerud said. “But I do hope that in the future, people have an easier time getting basic needs in case something happened to them what happened to us. It gives myself a piece of mind to know if that was available, we would have lived to see another spring.”

When Mighty Axe Hops was founded by Sannerud and his college classmate, Ben Boo, in 2013, the duo never imagined the enterprise would have grown as large and as quickly it did. And along the way, Sannerud learned more about production agriculture and business management than he could have ever imagined.

While Sannerud will be leaving the hops industry for the time being, he hopes to one day return to the agriculture sector that has brought him great joy.

“When I started, it was just a thing that sounded really neat and I knew nothing about,” he said. “I’ve gone through this curve of learning to push through the challenges no matter how daunting they were. I first started drinking from the firehose, and now I’m leaving feeling like I have some mastery over it.”

As Sannerud closes this chapter in his life, he remains grateful for the time spent in the community, the knowledge gained and people met in the hops industry.

“I’m thankful to all of our staff, our breweries and local community,” Sannerud said. “We had a lot of great staff who live and farm in the Foley area. And, to get to know some of our neighbor farmers, it was a great experience.”

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2020 | Page 5B

Behind the scenes

All hands on deck for Schmitts to picture cows

BY JENNIFER COYNE STAFF WRITER

RICE – The finished product of a professional photo shoot

of a dairy cow is pristine.

The animal is featured on a background that highlights her best features and eliminates distractions that would

Photographer Andrew Hetke pictures a Holstein cow at Schmitt Dairy Aug. 20 near Rice. Hetke is also a family friend of the Schmitts.

take away from the subject of the picture.

Yet, reaching that final photograph is a collaborative effort between the farmers, photographer and others who were on site the day of the shoot.

“We’ve been taking professional pictures of our cattle for over 40 years,” Mark Schmitt said. “We started with rolls of film not knowing how things would turn out until the photo mailer arrived. … Now, with digital, we know instantly if we have the right picture.”

Schmitt and his family – wife, Natalie, brother, Al, daughter, Katie, and son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Sara – pictured three Holstein cows Aug. 20 at their farm near Rice.

They were joined by friend Nicholas Achen and photographer Andrew Hetke.

“While the cows

PHOTOS BY ANNA HINKEMEYER

Sara and Michael Schmitt stand with Ralma Willpower Twix, EX-94, 2E at Schmitt Dairy Aug. 20 near Rice. Twix is one of Sara’s favorite cows, and was featured in the couple’s engagement photos two years ago.

looked great, which is always a benefit, the best part of the day was the crew assembled to make it all happen,” Schmitt said. “The whole day was a lot of joking and having fun.”

Three cows were pictured that afternoon, including Ralma Willpower Twix, EX-94 2E; Ralma Pety Suds, EX-92; and Ralma High Octane Deluxe, EX-90. The purpose of highlighting these three animals of the dairy’s 100-cow registered herd was to showcase the farm’s rich breeding

milestones and to promote the family’s upcoming sale.

“Cows are professionally pictured to market genetics and offspring,” Schmitt said. “Natalie has teased me that we have more professional pictures taken of our cows than our children.”

To prepare for the photoshoot, each cow was clipped two days prior and washed the day before and day of. They were also milked at a different time to ensure the udder would be full of milk for the shoot at 1

p.m.

“The process to prepare these cows for picturing is a daily task that starts the day they were mated and continues with outstanding daily care,” Schmitt said.

On the afternoon of the shoot, everyone helped to keep the cows attentive and ready for the camera. When Hetke was ready to take a shot, everyone remained near the cow to be sure she stood in the correct position.

Schmitts page 7B

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Corn silage season is upon us As we start to see choppers going in the corn fields, we need to make sure we are transitioning into new crop properly so our dairy cows do not miss a beat. Inclusion of corn silage into dairy rations is more complex than other feed ingredients because corn silage is really two University of MN Extension different feedstuffs: high

by Stacey Caughey moisture corn grain and grass silage. The nutritional value of corn silage can vary based on crop growing conditions, harvest moisture and the type of fermentation that occurred in the silo, bunker or pile. When we transition from old crop to new crop silage, the potential for nutritional variation in feed value is potentially great. We will need to conduct a feed analysis before making any ration changes.

Your biggest differences will be in moisture, starch content and neutral detergent fiber digestion. You will want to continue testing throughout feedout, as well, to ensure rations stay consistent to maximize rumen health and production.

Well fermented silage should include no visible signs of spoilage. Silage surfaces that heat up during feedout and get even hotter in the ration at the feedbunk are indicators of spoilage microbial activity that can lead to palatability issues. To prevent spoilage, it starts at harvest. When you are putting up your silage this fall, make sure that you are chopping at the correct moisture so it packs well. Use an inoculant to help aid in fermentation to get pH levels to drop quickly. Packing and covering the silage bunker or pile will also aid in less spoilage.

It is best to let your pile, bunker or silo sit and ferment for at least 30 days (longer is even better) before you open it up and start feeding out of it.

Managing last year’s crop to have a month carry over will help with keeping the silage consistent going to the cows.

BENTON AG

A recessed ag economy

Agriculture is now in a recessionary to grow more aggressive. economic zone. That’s the new term used in Earlier this month, the Farmed Animal the Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Conference E-Summit hosted a virtual Index to describe the sixth straight month conference organized by the Californiaof stalled or receding growth in the ag based animal sanctuary, Animal Place, economy. which also advocates for a vegan, crueltyAccording to the monthly survey of free lifestyle. bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region The Animal Agriculture Alliance dependent on agriculture and/or energy, the monitored the event and reported some of August index increased slightly from July the comments made by animal rights groups.

The Business but is well below growth neutral.

Here’s a little insight into their thinking. of Farming Farm commodity prices are down by The event started with a session aimed at

by Roger Strom 10.4% over the last 12 months and despite convincing people that animal agriculture the $32 billion in United States Department was the largest contributor to climate change. of Agriculture farm support payments, only 8% of the One speaker said, “The consumption of animals and bankers reported their area economy had improved animal agriculture is the leading destruction force on compared to July, while over 18% said economic our planet today. … It’s the thing that’s killing us the conditions had worsened. most – eating of animal products. It’s hurting the planet Nearly 46% of the bank CEOs with ethanol plants in the most and by the way, it’s responsible for the current their area reported temporary shutdowns with the other pandemic.”

54% reporting a slow recovery in ethanol production.

They even attacked ag-based youth organizations The August farm equipment sales index was down with a speaker saying, “So many children are devastated again for the 83rd straight month as layoffs outpaced by the whole 4-H, FFA program(s) that is clearly meant new hiring and farmers put off big ticket purchases. to desensitize them to farmed animals.”

Borrowing by farmers expanded in August but at Several sessions described animals as sentient a slower rate than in July. Bankers predict farm loan beings and therefore should have the same status defaults will go up 5.3% in the next year, up slightly as humans. And animals have no unconscious like from their July estimate. humans, meaning they cannot hide their emotions. Not On another subject, the world may be dealing to be sarcastic here, but maybe animals need counseling with a pandemic but that has not stopped animal rights to learn how to better deal with those hidden emotions? extremists from targeting farms, processing facilities … just sayin’. and retailers as the animal rights movement continues

New program can make grain bin safety more affordable ST. PAUL – Even though the days remain hot, humid and summerlike, fall harvest is just around the corner and many farmers are gearing up for the busy days.

Grain bin safety has been the subject of much discussion during the past few years and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture is leading an effort to make safety more affordable. A new cost share program is available for farms looking to install safety equipment on grain bins and silos.

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BENTON AG

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2020 | Page 7B

Schmitts from page 5B

PHOTO BY ANDREW HETKE

Ralma Pety Suds, EX-92 is pictured for the Schmitt family of Rice. Suds is one of three cows the Schmitts pictured Aug. 20.

PHOTO BY ANDREW HETKE

Ralma High Octane Deluxe, EX-90 is shown after editing the original photograph. Picturing cows allows for farmers to highlight their animals’ best features.

This way of picturing cattle was not possible before digital photography and editing became available.

The Schmitts could still recall one of their first picturing opportunities in the 1980s where all whom were involved had to slowly, yet quickly step away from the cow before the photographer could shoot.

“Now, we only have one person who has to move out of the picture,” Schmitt said. “The rest all stay in place, keeping their hands on the cow to hold her in place.”

While picturing cattle is a part of the Schmitts’ business structure to market and promote their genetics, it is also a testament to how milking cows is more than a career for the family.

“Dairying is more than just milking cows,” Schmitt said. “Sure, there are long days and stretches when we don’t

get away from the farm, but it is the people we are connected with that make dairy farming an extended family and community.”

PHOTO BY ANDREW HETKE

Ralma Willpower Twix, EX-94, 2E is a cow that represents the Schmitt family’s milestones in dairy cattle breeding.

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Andrew Hetke (front left) pictures Ralma High Octane Deluxe, EX-90 Aug. 20 at Schmitt Dairy near Rice. The cows were pictured in preparation for the family’s upcoming sale.

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Page 8B | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2020 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

BENTON AG

BENTON AG

Fall harvest begins in central Minnesota

Plus

To advertise in Benton Ag Plus contact your marketing specialist below

Missy Traeger missy@saukherald.com 320-291-9899

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David Czech chops silage corn Sept. 2 while his son, Joe, drives alongside and catches the forage near Little Falls.

The Czechs plan to chop about 260 acres this year and store it on a pile for their 215-cow dairy.