Sauk Rapids Herald - September 19 edition

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Benton County sets 2021 preliminary property tax levy

An artist’s

Kulzer sculpted Princess Kay, Smallest increase finalists’ in five years butterheads

BY JAKOB KOUNKEL STAFF WRITER

BY JENNIFER COYNE STAFF WRITER

FOLEY – Taxpayers may see their lowest county hike in five years.

The Benton County Board approved the smallest increase year over year in the property tax levy since 2016, asking taxpayers for a 0.5% boost in revenue for 2021.

Commissioners approved a $20,219,966 levy, amounting to a $100,597 increase over 2020 at is Sept. 15 meeting in Foley. With tax capacity growth taken into account, the county tax rate is expected to fall 3.14%, or from 58.45% in 2020 to 55.31% in 2021.

Preliminary levies are set each year in September by some taxing authorities such as cities, school districts and the county. Preliminary levies can be reduced prior to the coming year, but per state law can never rise above what was initially approved.

LITCHFIELD – From growing up on a farm in Stearns County to pursuing a career in fine arts, Gerry Kulzer’s most recent opportunity brought together both of his worlds.

“This was a great blend of doing what I love and bringing me back to my childhood,” said Kulzer, who grew up on a grain farm near Sauk Centre.

Kulzer – a Sauk Rapids-Rice High School instructor for graphic communications, photography and

Benton County page 2

dream

Same Local Coverage Since 1854.

Vol. 166, No. 24

Litchfield, carved the butterheads in place of longtime butter sculptor Linda Christensen, who resides in California. Due to the travel restrictions and the risks of COVID-19, Christensen joined Kulzer virtually to assist in carving Princess Kay’s likeness and then plans to return to Minnesota next year for her 50th year in the butter booth at the fair.

“The original plan was for Linda to carve a majority of the butterheads, and I would do about three of them,” Kulzer said. “I was really looking forward to carving together with her, but plans changed, and we PHOTO COURTESY OF MIDWEST DAIRY Gerry Kulzer sculpts Princess Kay of the Milky Way Brenna Connelly’s likeness in butter worked together virtually Aug. 13 at the Minnesota State Fair grounds in St. Paul. Long-time butter sculptor Linda this year.”

Kulzer’s coveted opChristensen was available via video conference to assist with the carving. portunity came about after yearbook – carved the the remaining nine final- sota State Fair grounds in a simple inquiry.

67th Princess Kay of the ists’ butterheads being St. Paul. The final day of Milky Way’s likeness sculpted in the days that carving was Aug. 22.

Kulzer page 3 in butter Aug. 13, with followed at the MinneThe sculptor, of

Backing the blue

Gales encourages law enforcement through yard signs

BY ANNA HINKEMEYER town and collected dona- ber. This year, the comSTAFF WRITER tions to order the first 51 memorative day falls on

SAUK RAPIDS – Merle Gales has long been a supporter of law enforcement. He proudly displays signs in his yard supporting officers like his son, Sean, an officer with the Sauk Rapids Police Department.

Gales was sitting in his Sauk Rapids yard in June when he noticed his “We Support Law Enforcement” sign was weathered and faded.

As he thought how to replace it, an idea to create his own signs came to mind. The pet project has since taken off.

“It started as a labor of love because of how society puts down cops,” Gales said. “I went to businesses in

signs. From then on, it just blew up.”

Gales’ friends, Ovid Henry and Sue Baden, requested signs and have joined in spreading the cause across central Minnesota. What first started small has grown to 430 signs.

The signs go hand-inhand with National Thank a Police Officer Day, celebrated each year on the third Saturday in Septem-

Saturday, Sept. 19.

With the distribution of signs, the three ask for donations. Most free-will offerings go to producing more signs, but the money also benefits the Sauk Rapids Police Department in the form of donations or items brought to officers on shift such as treats and coffee from

BY ANNA HINKEMEYER Rock Creek Coffeehouse. Ovid Henry (left) and Merle PHOTO Gales stand with a law

Signs page 2

enforcement support sign Sept. 14 in Sauk Rapids. Gales started making signs in June to distribute around the community.

PUBLIC NOTICES • Benton County Board of Commissioners Reg. Minutes, Sept. 1, 2020 - pg. 11 • City of Sauk Rapids Special Budget Meeting - pg. 10 • City of Sauk Rapids Reg. Meeting Minutes - pg. 11 • City of Sauk Rapids Notice of Public Hearing - pg. 10 • Mortgage Foreclosure Postponement - pg. 10 • Watab Township Request for Bids - pg. 10

ST R

Publications The newspaper of today is the history of tomorrow.

NEWS

Page 2 | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2020 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Signs

Pulse on people Benton County marriage applications – Jordan Douglas Moulzolf and Samantha Leigh Peternell, both of Sauk Rapids.

Police Report Sauk Rapids Police Department Sept. 7 2201 hours: Officers observed a vehicle in the wrong lane of travel, going southbound in the northbound lane at the intersection of 10th Avenue Northeast and 10th Street Northeast. Officer verbally warned the driver.

Sept. 9 2334 hours: Officers located a male sleeping in a tent on the 1000 block of River Avenue North.

The male was found to have an active warrant and was arrested.

Sept. 10 1623 hours: Officers responded to a threecar accident at the intersection of Benton Drive South and First Street South. The accident was a result of failing to stop at a red light and colliding with another vehicle, which then slid into a third vehicle.

Incidents: 25 traffic stops, 23 assists, 22 various calls, 13 alarms, 12 suspicious activity reports, 11 medical calls, 10 thefts, 9 animals, 7 disturbances, 7 driving complaints, 6 property, 6 welfare checks, 5 permits, 5 vehicles, 4 harassments, 3 human services reports, 3 accidents, 3 criminal damage to property, 3 traffic hazards, 2 suicidal persons and 2 warrants.

Rice Police Department Sept. 11 0838 hours: Officers responded to the 100 block of Main Street East for a male attempting to cash a fraudulent check. The male was arrested and transported to the Benton County Jail.

Incidents: 12 various calls, 8 assists, 3 traffic stops and 3 suspicious activity complaints.

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are no longer listed to leave more room for the thin blue line flag and the message of support for law enforcement.

The signs of support have been well received amongst the Sauk Rapids officers. Gales and Henry have both had officers stop at their homes to thank them for the signs and their work.

“It makes me proud to be a police officer in a town that appreciates

Benton County from front

the balance should fund five months of operations.

The county has an amount equal to 5.2 months’ worth of reserves, so board members plans to use $360,497 of that money to offset levy increases. The board also delayed equipment purchases, like a $339,000 motor grader and a $41,000 squad car for the sheriff’s office.

The most significant factor contributing to the levy increase is a $925,888 jump in employee compensation and benefits, which includes $431,837 in cost of living adjustments and $153,517 in step increases and other base salary adjustments.

2021 funds a 2.5% general wage increase in all labor agreements between the county and its workers.

Commissioners also earmarked a 3% increase in employee health insurance premiums, but Headley said the county might need to expect a larger increase.

Headley said, in a separate interview, commissioners aim to keep the levy increase as low as possible due to the economic condition of many county residents as a result of the pandemic.

The approved proposed 2021 operating budget, which includes state and federal aid along with the levy, is $42,182,345, down 6.3% or $2,844,237.

“I just want to stress there are no new positions in this budget,” said Monty Headley, Benton County administrator. “It’s pretty much status quo. … Really no other new significant spending initiatives.”

The budget includes $225,000 for a class and compensation plan, which is already underway, to determine Benton County’s pay scale positioning

among 11 similar counties.

The study will guide commissioners as they decide whether Benton County employees are compensated fairly and appropriately.

Although the board did not have much to say on the budget at its meeting Sept. 15, commissioners held a workshop focused on the budget prior to the county board meeting, where it hashed out some of the finer details, Headley said.

In other board news: – Commissioners and Minden Township supervisors deliberated on who should be in charge of Rook Road, a small taxforfeited road in Minden Township that has not undergone public maintenance for over 20 years.

County engineer Chris Byrd found the road, which was thought to have been in the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s control, has not been maintained by anybody for years.

The central question in the discussion revolved around who should take ownership of the road.

Minden Township supervisors are not interested in maintaining it.

– Commissioners voted to opt out of President Trump’s payroll tax executive order, which would allow Benton County employees to defer their payroll tax payments until next year. If opting in, employees could choose to take advantage of the opportunity individually, boosting take-home pay in the short term while having to pay the deferred taxes after Jan. 1, 2021.

– The truth-in-taxation hearing, where budget and general tax issues are discussed, is set for Dec. 1.

from front “I think people are more generous with their donations knowing it goes to support a local department,” Gales said. “The support from the community has been great.”

As more signs are distributed, the farther they reach. A large batch has made its way to Grantsburg, Wisconsin, and the city of Rogers has reached out to Henry to obtain signs as well.

Initially Gales wanted the signs throughout the city but realized all police departments and county sheriff deputies need support. Now, he hopes the idea goes nationwide.

“I have had people reach out to me from North Dakota wanting signs,” Henry said.

PHOTO BY ANNA HINKEMEYER

A pile of signs sits in Merle Gales’ yard Sept. 14 in Sauk Rapids. Gales, Ovid Henry and Sue Baden have distributed 430 signs since June.

to utilize $360,497 in reserves as well $475,000 in its county program aid account, which was money designated for roads, to help offset the impact on taxpayers. When the county implemented a local-option sales tax, Headley said in a separate interview that the board’s desire was to use county program aid for the levy, as the wheelage and localoption sales tax will fund 50th Wedding road improvements now into the future.

Anniversary and “We’re using $475,000 of levy that comes from the sales tax that we implemented,” said commissioner Ed Popp at the meeting. “We should kind of remember that approximately 30% of that comes from outside Benton County residents.”

Like many governmental entities, Benton County keeps a fund balance as a fallback to supDon and Cheryl Gross port operations if a catastrophe occurs and the Happy 50th Anniversary county is no longer able (Sept. 18), to generate revenue. BenDon and Cheryl Gross! ton County has decided The slight preliminary levy increase was largely caused by a few major expenditures: employee compensation and benefits, declining inmate boarding revenue, and the implementation of a comprehensive study planned for 2021.

The board chose

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“That is a little far for us to distribute, but our hope is other communities around the country will adopt this idea and keep carrying it forward.”

The design of the signs has also changed.

When Gales first went out looking for donations, five sponsors donated, so their business names were listed. Because of the number of people and businesses donating to the cause now, sponsors

our service,” said Perry Beise, Sauk Rapids Police Chief. “This is an emotionally tough job.

We all appreciate the support and gratitude of the community.”

With National Thank a Police Officer Day, Gales said showing support with yard signs is a great way to encourage officers when they patrol.

He hopes people continue to reach out to receive signs and place them in their yards.

Gales, Henry and Baden believe each sign gives officers additional encouragement in a job often put under a bad light.

“These officers love what they do but are constantly being put down,” Gales said. “We just need to do what we can to support them. These signs are a great way to do that.”

Signs can be obtained by emailing mgales@q. com.

NEWS

Kulzer

said. “It was fantastic. The day before the fair began, I was given a picture of from front a subject to carve. They liked what they saw.”

A few years ago, he Then last year, Kulzer and his family attended worked as Christensen’s the Minnesota State Fair apprentice. Prior to the and watched Christensen opening of the state fair, sculpt a Princess Kay fi- Kulzer practiced carving nalist out of 90 pounds of a butterhead sculpture. butter.

As Christensen “When I sculpted one side saw what she of the likeness, was doing, and Kulzer mimicked in front of all on the other. those people, “It was I thought how awesome to work cool would that together and learn be to be able to from the master,” do something Kulzer said. “We Gerry Kulzer like that,” Kuleach worked difzer said. ferently but it He contacted Mid- worked. The end result west Dairy and asked to was a coherent sculpture.” be considered for the posiAs Kulzer prepared tion should it ever become for his debut in the butter available. booth, he was both eager A few years later, the and anxious. organization reached out to He grew up with an Kulzer as they were enter- appreciation and gift for taining a transition plan for creating artwork. Kulzer’s a new sculptor as Chris- interest in art began in eltensen approaches retire- ementary school with ilment. lustrations and then develTwo years ago, Kul- oped into ceramics while zer auditioned with a attending the University of 90-pound block of butter. Minnesota-Duluth. Then, “I was honored,” he in 1996, he took an in-

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2020 | Page 3

ternship with a Wisconsin pottery company, and that propelled his career into the sculpting industry.

“I learned so much in that internship, and then my first job brought me to Litchfield where I saw the possibilities in sculpture,” Kulzer said.

Kulzer uses clay for his creations, having made an array of sculptures including many portraits of his family – wife, Karen; and five children, Andrew, Theo, Anissa, Therese and Quinn.

“I had good experience and training for this by working on a time limit and the precision necessary for the butter sculptures, but it was an entirely different environment,” Kulzer said. “The biggest challenge was wearing masks in the butter booth. With the masks on, I couldn’t sculpt the bottom half of the face, so I’d get the blocking out and make the general shapes.

Then, the girls stepped out of the booth and I sculpted by looking at them through the glass walls.”

Kulzer also had to work as a subtractive artist,

COVID-19 case detected at Pleasantview Elementary fever of 100.4 degrees or higher, new or worsened cough, breathing difficulty, or new loss of taste or smell. Or, if students are showing two or more of less common symptoms such as: sore throat, nausea, vomiting, chills, diarrhea, muscle pain, excessive fatigue, new or severe headache, or new nasal congestion or runny nose.

According to MDH, symptoms occur 2-14 days after being exposed to the virus; yet not everyone will show symptoms and can be asymptomatic carriers.

Monday, Sept. 21, 7 p.m. – Sauk Rapids-Rice School Board Meeting. Sauk Rapids-Rice High School, 1835 Osauka Road N.E., Sauk Rapids.

Tuesday, Sept. 22, 11 a.m. to noon – Living Waters Food Shelf Dispersal. Living Waters Lutheran Church, 1911 Fourth Ave. N., Sauk Rapids.

Tuesday, Sept. 22, 11:30 a.m. – TOPS Weekly Meeting. Weigh-in followed by meeting focused on healthy eating, incentives, fun and friendship. Atonement Lutheran Church, 1144 29th Ave. N., St. Cloud.

For more information, call 320-492-0410.

Tuesday, Sept. 22, 4-6 p.m. – Rice Area Farmers Market. Sponsored by Rice Women of Today. Veterans Memorial Park at the intersection of North Division and East Main streets in Rice.

Wednesday, Sept. 23, 4:30-6:30 p.m. – Free Prostrate Cancer Screening. Men ages 45-70 with no history of prostate cancer are eligible to receive a free test and exam. Masks, social distancing and registration required. Coborn Cancer Center, 1900 CentraCare Circle Suite 1600, St. Cloud. To schedule an appointment, call 320-229-5100.

Wednesday, Sept. 23, 6-7 p.m. – Living Waters Food Shelf Dispersal. Living Waters Lutheran Church, 1911 Fourth Ave. N., Sauk Rapids.

Thursday, Sept. 24, 6-9 p.m. – Braver Angels: Depolarizing from Within Workshop. The live workshop via Zoom examines inner polarization. Sponsored by the Delano Untied Diversity Task Force and Minnesota Braver Angels. Register at www.eventbrite.com/e/ polarizing-within-workshop-tickets-120431199961.

Friday, Sept. 25, 11 a.m. to noon – Living Waters Food Shelf Dispersal. Living Waters Lutheran Church, 1911 Fourth Ave. N., Sauk Rapids.

Saturday, Sept. 26, 8:30 a.m. to noon – A Walk Together: Uniting Against Sex Trafficking. A 3-mile awareness walk, raising funds for the Central Minnesota Sexual Assault Center. Walk starts at 9 a.m. followed by music, education, snacks and refreshments.

Shear Dynamics Salon, 65 Third St. N.E., Waite Park.

For more information, visit www.sheardynamicsmn. com or call 320-251-5009.

The Benton County Women Making History Banquet, originally slated for Sept. 27, is canceled.

The Sauk Rapids-Rice High School Class of 1980 Reunion, originally slated for Sept. 26, is canceled.

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What’s Happening 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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SAUK RAPIDS – The Sauk Rapids-Rice School District has confirmed a positive case of COVID-19 within the Pleasantview Elementary School community. The district, in accordance with data privacy laws, could not specify whether the person infected with the novel coronavirus was a staff member or student.

The district announcement came via a Facebook Live session hosted by superintendent Bradley Bergstrom Sept. 16. Media sources, who had been contacted by unknown sources, reported the information on social media Wednesday, causing many parents to ask why they were not notified.

Bergstrom said the district worked with the Minnesota Department of Health and Benton County Public Health to inform people who were impacted, with notification beginning as early as Tuesday evening.

“At the end of the day, the communication goes to those who have been impacted as determined through contact tracing,” Bergstrom said via livestream.

Bergstrom said MDH

made it clear to the district that only those who have a right to know or have been impacted by the case will be notified.

“If there was a case and you weren’t notified, that means there is nothing to worry about,” Bergstrom said. “It’s really as if you were out walking around in the community, there is no greater exposure to that.”

Bergstrom stressed that when a person is awaiting COVID-19 test results or is known to have been exposed to a positive case, all household members must quarantine until symptom free, test results are returned negative or an alternative diagnosis is issued by a medical authority.

The Sauk Rapids-Rice School District directs guardians to keep students at home should they show one or more symptoms of:

R10-tfnb-TV

Contact tracing determines who is notified

creating the likeness by removing butter rather than adding pieces easily back to the block like he typically does when working with clay.

“Before August, I was doing speed sculpting exercises to make sure I didn’t run out of time,” Kulzer said. “As I do this in the coming years, I’m looking forward to improving my skills and perfecting the looks of the butter sculptures. I’m looking forward to getting better and being able to do it like Linda does.”

The artist had about eight hours to complete each butterhead.

“I’ll be putting out one portrait a day,” Kulzer said. “My work usually takes me about two weeks.

I like to work on it for a bit, then come back and see the problems to fix.”

Throughout the 10 days of sculpting, Kulzer enjoyed meeting his subjects.

“There’s really nothing better than learning the stories of the people you’re sculpting,” Kulzer said.

“I learned about all these young women’s farms and how they’re run. It was fascinating.”

Kulzer’s uncle milked cows, and he recalls watching and helping his cousins work on the farm.

“I’ve always been in awe of how dedicated dairy farmers are to their job,” he said.

As Kulzer stepped into the butter booth, he wanted to take the opportunity to be an ambassador for the dairy industry on a platform that reaches so many.

“There was a lot of pressure because I had very big shoes to fill with having Linda in the (butter) booth for so many years,” Kulzer said. “I can’t wait for next year when we get to do it again and experience the people, the crowds and the onlookers of the fair as it should be.”

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SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2020 | Page 5

Watab creates planning commission

Boser, Landwehr, Aschenbrenner appointed

SAUK RAPIDS – As Watab Township continues to grow, so does its development.

The Watab Town Board adopted a subdivision ordinance in December 2019 to assist in the guidance of land splits and alterations. At that time, the board included language for the future in its ordinance but did not formally create the planning commission.

That since has t changed. Township supervisors approved the t creation of a planning commission at its Sept. 8 meeting.

“We don’t have to t create a planning commission, but we wanted to,” said Julie Johnson, Watab board chair. “It is good to have other eyes looking at stuff and sending it to us. We really focused on looking for builders and developers and have great people on board.”

The job of the planening commission is to sconduct site visits where kland is being split or al8tered, visit with the prop-erty owners, conduct pub-lic hearings and ultimately yprovide a recommendaftion to the town board on o f d e

whether the project should ticipating in the commisbe approved or denied. sion because of his work Three township resi- as a commercial real estate dents – Nate Landwehr, developer with Inventure Doug Boser and Gary Properties.

Aschenbrenner Boser said – were aphe is getting pointed to serve involved to enthree-year terms sure township on the commisresidents know sion. They met the commission for the first time takes its role Sept. 14. seriously and At the meetwants to help ing, members the township of the planning grow and folDoug Boser commission and low procedures the town board to make it betlistened to a ter. presentation “It interfrom township ests me to sit attorney Mike on a commisCouri, of Couri sion such as this and Ruppe in because I have St. Michael, to seen the implilearn about the cations in other logistics of the Nate Landwehr cities and townplanning comships of when mission in prepthings are not aration for the handled propertwo upcoming ly,” Boser said land split projvia email. “The ects. time and efforts Boser, chief to fix extends manager of Inlong into the fuventure Properture.” ties, has lived Aschenin Watab Townbrenner is Gary ship for over 20 Aschenbrenner a long-time years, and operresident of the ated his former township and business, Boser Construc- was looking for a way to tion, within the boundaries be involved. He was apof the township. Boser also proached by township suhas a vested interest in par- pervisors to take the role.

PHOTO BY ANNA HINKEMEYER

Watab Township attorney Mike Couri, of Couri and Ruppe in St. Michael, presents logistical aspects of the planning commission regulations and responsibilities Sept. 14 at the Watab Town Hall in Sauk Rapids. Watab Township approved the creation of the planning commission at its Sept. 8 meeting.

Aschenbrenner has previous experience in the construction industry that he said will aid in understanding the various aspects of land subdivision and the role of the planning commission.

Landwehr recently bought property within the township with an expected move. After working with the township on some changes to his newly-acquired property, he wanted to help in whatever way he could. He also has experience as a contractor and

is the president of Landwehr Construction, which will help in his role on the commission.

The planning commission will meet on an asneeded basis, with each of the members getting paid $25 per hour. All three appointees expect the benefits of the commission to be exponential.

“Our township will continue to grow more rapidly given the proximity to St. Cloud and Highway 10,” Boser said. “We need to be on top of our

game as a lot of our decisions are permanent and most likely the impacts cannot be reversed.”

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News Briefs

dStatewide COVID-19 -survey begins h ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Despartment of Health, with support from .the Centers for Disease Control and mPrevention, is conducting a voluntary statewide survey between Sept. 14-30 -as part of an ongoing effort to better understand the prevalence of COVeID-19 in Minnesota. o The modified Community Assess-ment for Public Health Emergency Response, or CASPER, survey will include a household questionnaire as well as free virus and antibody testing for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Information learned from the survey will help health officials and others who are part of the COVID-19 response make decisions that best meet the needs of communities.

The goals of the survey are to understand spread, explore how transmission and infection rates differ among regions, identify the percentage of asymptomatic people, improve health messaging and help stop COVID-19 spread.

During the survey period, teams of public health professionals will visit randomly selected households in 180 preselected sites around Minnesota. After agreeing to participate, one member of the household will complete a questionnaire. All household members who consent can receive a

COVID-19 test and an antibody test to see if someone has previously been infected with SARS-CoV-2.

Participants with positive results for either test will be contacted by a nurse to receive additional information. All questionnaire responses and results will be kept private.

The areas that teams will visit throughout the state are census blocks, used by the U.S. Census Bureau, and were selected using a sampling method that takes into account population size. Households were randomly selected within each area. Only households approached by the investigation teams are eligible to participate. Teams will be wearing facemasks, vests, and badges identifying them as members of the MDH COVID-19 Survey Team.

CDC developed this CASPER approach as an evidence-based tool to assess community needs. The tool has been used to collect household information during public health emergencies such as hurricanes, oil spills and the Zika virus outbreak. Several states are also conducting COVID-19 CASPER surveys.

The survey is funded through COVID Relief Funds.

For more information about this study, visit www.health.state.mn.us/ diseases/coronavirus/casper.html.

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Page 6 | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2020 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

EDITORIAL

Flowers for the holidays: Amaryllis If you saved an amaryllis from last year, keeping it watered, fertilized and grown indoors or outdoors in its pot, now is the time to stop GREEN & GROWING watering it. This IN BENTON COUNTY will put the plant BY LINDA G. TENNESON into a forced dormancy period. Then, after an eightto 12-week dry period, begin watering again. The plant will send up new leaves and hopefully a bloom. Because the dormant period is flexible, returning the plant to normal growth can be timed to produce flowers for the holiday season.

Dormant plants should be stored in a cool, dry (50 to 60 degrees) and dark location during the dormancy period. Do not cut the leaves off but allow them to become brown before removing.

Amaryllis bulbs are planted with their shoulders exposed. In other words, the upper quarter or third of the bulb is above the surface of the soil. Amaryllis prefer to be pot bound, with only about 1 inch of space between the bulb and the inside edge of the pot. Sterile potting soil with a lot of organic matter is recommended. They may need to be repotted every three or four years into slightly bigger pots. This should be done during the dormancy period. Baby bulbs may develop on the sides of the parent bulbs and may be removed to grow on their own. From personal experience, growing baby bulbs to blooming size may take several years. The bulbs should be watered when the upper 1-2 inches of soil are dry, but do not let water that drains from the pot remain in the saucer.

The bulbs should be fertilized with a high phosphorus (the middle number) houseplant fertilizer at half the strength on the fertilizer package. Additional fertilizer may be added later if needed, but too much fertilizer at one time may kill the plant. Amaryllis bulbs do not require a dormancy period, so if lighting and watering are continued, they may bloom on their own schedule. Enforced dormancy is done to encourage the plant to produce flowers at a desired time.

These natives from Peru and South Africa range in color from white to pink, rose, coral to deep red. Plant breeders have even created some green tinted blooms. The flower petals may be single or double and may show more than one color. The leaves will grow to more than 1 foot in length, so these plants require some space. The blooms range from 4-10 inches in width. Once the blooming period has started, they should be placed in indirect sunlight. Once the bloom has appeared, turn the pot a quarter turn or more each day so the stem remains upright instead of leaning toward the light. The website, extension.umn.edu/ houseplants/amaryllis, has illustrations and detailed instructions for the care of this plant. Also included is a description of and treatment for possible fungal and insect infections. Amaryllis bulbs are sold in hardware and gardening centers in the fall. Purchased bulbs have already had their dormancy period and may be planted and watered immediately.

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

Eternal goals Can you feel it? The season is changing. and teachable. Some of us are in a season of Not the rushing in of cool and crisp having to decline added things to our plate. air, but the rushing in of Jesus’ return. We We pull together our resources and we say, cannot explain the atrocities going on in the “Hey Annie, do you know of a woman who world other than the devil knows his time was praying for a younger woman to spend is short. But that means so is ours. What time with? Well, here is a hungry soul in need can we be doing in the meantime that will of encouragement.” have eternal value? It is not hyper focusing We do not have to use the word mentor, on the election. Go vote, but don’t throw not that there is anything wrong with it. all your energy into it. Look around at the Mentoring has negative connotations as we LIFE BY FAITH harvest, pray and get to work. are fallen followers of Jesus. Let’s spend In 2018, about 35 women had gone BY MERCY NYGAARD time with each other. Let’s read a book of the through the Titus study and for the last two Bible together. Call me, and I will try my best years, we have had connection luncheons, a creative to answer when I can. I will text you back if I cannot. connection collaborative art event and fellowship Thank God for the grace he freely gives. Let’s use it. gardens. All have been extensions based off of this When the world shut down, this is what we did study. All have had women from every generation in our humble little church – without flashing lights, present. The older women in our church are showing without smoke machines and without mixed messages. up and diving in. Titus is the foundation of gender Just the message of the Bible, verse by verse, we shared specific discipleship and then it becomes one of the life together and avoided the feelings of isolation. God foundation blocks for women’s ministry. Scales begin knew what we needed from the end to the beginning, so to be lifted off and Biblical lenses begin to be placed on why try to change it? as women gather together at events and Bible studies If the world shuts down again, dive into your and seek to encourage each other, share life together, Bible. It literally has all of life’s instruction and how invest our time to get to know one another multi- to look for the signs of Jesus’ return. And if you are generationally, all for the purpose of God’s glory. We do a well-trained Bible student, pour into someone, even not call women out on their sin, we call them in. Grace just one person, to help encourage and equip them to is breathed in and breathed out as we finagle around live for God’s glory. Everyone benefits as a result. Do each other’s busy schedules. Those of us who have not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good studied God’s word are becoming faithful, available as the days get shorter. That has eternal power.

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EDITORIAL

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2020 | Page 7

Bidding farewell Life is full of changes and new am also grateful for. adventures, both good and bad. Over the Outside of the school district, I have last five and a half years, I have been on had the pleasure of getting to know many a crazy adventure with the Sauk Rapids of the firefighters and police officers, Herald and have had the opportunity city workers and area residents. I have to cover happenings in my hometown interviewed and told so many stories I community and school district. It has been lost count. From game recaps and photos an incredibly gratifying experience, and on the sidelines, to covering school board I would not trade the knowledge I have meetings and various feature stories and gained nor the countless relationships I ON THE SIDELINES events, know that each one is molded have built.

BY ANNA HINKEMEYER into my experience here and none will be But as life ebbs and flows, so has my forgotten. career, and I will soon be closing my chapter with Being the Sauk Rapids-Rice community is my the Sauk Rapids Herald to embark on my next career hometown, it will always hold a special place in my adventure. On Sept. 25, I will walk out of the office heart. Once the COVID-19 pandemic is over and fans without my camera or laptop. I admit the thought is are allowed into sporting events again, I will definitely bittersweet despite being excited for what is next. be trying to make some Storm sporting events as well I have grown with the community through my as future community events. job with the paper. I have developed an intense love If there is anything I can do before I transition, for high school athletics and was one of the fans reach out and I will do my best, and know Star screaming loudest when I could. I celebrated the Publications will continue to keep the paper going in section championship games with the football team in the best way possible. I thank each and every person 2018 and girls soccer team in 2019 and the state trips I have had the privilege to meet and tell their story. for our swim and dance teams, as well as the other I thank the community for everything you have numerous accomplishments of our teams and athletes done to support me in my time with the Sauk Rapids along the way. I have gotten to know so many of the Herald and for all the love you have given the paper. athletes, families and coaches, and that will forever This is truly a chapter of my career I will never forget be a blessing. I have added to the relationships with and that is because of all the people I have had the many of the teachers I had while I was in school and pleasure to meet. Keep standing strong, Sauk Rapids met countless new ones, all whom are passionate and Rice. You have made me proud to represent such about kids and education. I have worked with many amazing communities. administrators throughout the school district, which I

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Law enforcement urges your vote for Howe, O’Driscoll Nov. 3

Brian Peters, Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association executive director, St. Paul The Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association represents Minnesota’s public safety officers, including police, corrections officials, dispatchers and firefighters.

We are writing to urge your support and vote for Sen. Jeff Howe and Rep. Tim O’Driscoll in the general election Nov. 3. The MPPOA wholeheartedly endorses them because they are exceptional advocates for the towns and townships in the area.

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They stand against attempts to defund and dismantle the police, and they promote public safety legislation that keeps communities safe.

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Page 10 | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2020 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD WATAB TOWNSHIP Request for Bids SNOWPLOWING 2020-2022 To submit a bid or for more information Please contact Kathy Sauer, Township Clerk watabts@gmail.com

R-38-1B

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Sauk Rapids will meet in the Council Chambers located at 250 Summit Avenue North, Sauk Rapids, Minnesota 56379 at 6:00pm or soon thereafter, on Monday, October 26th 2020 to conduct a Public Hearing to review its Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program (SWPPP) for 2017.

The Public Hearing will comply with the City’s Phase II Storm Water Permit (#MNR040000) and be held at the City Hall in conjunction with the regular City Council meeting.

City Staff will make a short presentation on the past year’s accomplishments.

Interested persons may review the SWPPP at the Public Works, 360 Summit Avenue North and make oral or submit written comments during the Public Hearing. Inquiries should be directed to Pete Eckhoff, Director of Public Works, at 360 Summit Avenue North, Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, 56379 or by calling 320-258-5319 during normal working hours.

Published in the Sauk Rapids Herald September 19, 2020 R-38-1B

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PUBLIC NOTICES

SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING SAUK RAPIDS CITY COUNCIL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 250 SUMMIT AVE. N. Monday, August 24, 2020 5:00PM MINUTES 5:00 PM Call to order and Pledge of Allegiance Mayor Hunstiger called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.

All members present.

Approve the Agenda Motion: Moved by Councilperson Sauer and seconded by Councilperson Thronson to approve the agenda. Motion carried unanimously.

Regular Agenda A. 2021 Budget Workshop General Fund Budget Jack Kahlhamer reviewed the debt service funds for the Council. Kahlhamer is estimating the total debt owed at the end of 2020 for the City as 11.8 million.

Kahlhamer noted that the proposed increase for the City’s General fund budget is 4.13% or $257,700 more than the 2020 budget. The total levy increase will be $214,100. Kahlhamer is

estimating the 2021 tax rate to be 41.59%.

Levy Review & Projections Kahlhamer showed the area tax rates of Sauk Rapids and its neighboring cities. He concluded by saying that with the projections currently shown, the City is still able to maintain its very competitive tax rate when compared to other neighboring cities.

Kahlhamer said that the total tax capacity increase for 2021 is estimated to be 7.66%. New construction tax capacity increase for 2021 with the decertification of District 20 is about 3-4%. Kahlhamer stated that with a draft levy increase of about 5.4%, the net increase is approximately 1%-2.5%.

Kahlhamer noted that the Enterprise Fund budgets and the Capital Plans would be brought to the Council at later date.

The adoption of the preliminary levy will take place at the regular City Council meeting on Monday, September 28th.

The Final levy will be approved on December 14th.

Adjournment Motion: Moved by Councilperson Sauer and seconded by Councilperson Seamans to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously.

Mayor Hunstiger adjourned the meeting at 5:27 p.m..

R-38-1B

NOTICE OF VOLUNTARY MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE THE RIGHT TO Benton

BY THE MORTGAGOR, Office, 581 Highway 23 VERIFICATION OF THE O R I G I N A L THE MORTGAGOR’S Northeast Foley, MN, in said DEBT AND IDENTITY PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF P E R S O N A L county and state.

OF THE ORIGINAL MORTGAGE: $108,007.00 R E P R E S E N T AT I V E S Dated: June 22, 2020 CREDITOR WITHIN THE AMOUNT DUE OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE Lakeview Loan Servicing, TIME PROVIDED BY AND CLAIMED TO BE REDUCED TO FIVE LLC LAW IS NOT AFFECTED DUE AS OF DATE OF WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL Mortgagee/Assignee of

BY THIS ACTION. NOTICE, INCLUDING ORDER IS ENTERED Mortgagee NOTICE IS HEREBY TAXES, IF ANY, PAID UNDER MINNESOTA USSET, WEINGARDEN GIVEN, that default has BY MORTGAGEE: STATUTES, SECTION AND LIEBO, P.L.L.P. occurred in conditions of $109,690.23 582.032, DETERMINING, Attorneys for Mortgagee/ the following described That prior to the AMONG OTHER Assignee of Mortgagee mortgage: commencement of this THINGS, THAT THE 4500 Park Glen Road #300 DATE OF mortgage foreclosure MORTGAGED PREMISES Minneapolis, MN 55416 MORTGAGE: April 3, proceeding Mortgagee/ ARE IMPROVED (952) 925-6888 2018 Assignee of Mortgagee WITH A RESIDENTIAL 37-20-001478 M O R T G A G O R : complied with all notice DWELLING OF LESS THIS IS A Quentin Markfort and Crystal requirements as required THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE C O M M U N I C A T I O N Markfort, husband and wife. by statute; That no action NOT PROPERTY USED FROM A DEBT M O R T G A G E E : or proceeding has been IN AGRICULTURAL COLLECTOR. Mortgage Electronic instituted at law or otherwise PRODUCTION, AND ARE NOTICE OF Registration Systems, Inc. to recover the debt secured ABANDONED.” POSTPONEMENT OF as nominee for Everett by said mortgage, or any part Dated: February 11, 2020 M O R T G A G E Financial, Inc. D/B/A thereof; Lakeview Loan Servicing, FORECLOSURE SALE Supreme Lending.

PURSUANT to the LLC Pursuant to the provisions of DATE AND PLACE OF power of sale contained in Mortgagee/Assignee of Minnesota Statutes 580.07, RECORDING: Recorded said mortgage, the above Mortgagee the foregoing foreclosure sale April 6, 2018 Benton County described property will be USSET, WEINGARDEN is postponed until September Recorder, Document No. sold by the Sheriff of said AND LIEBO, P.L.L.P. 15, 2020, at 10:00 AM at 428665. county as follows: Attorneys for Mortgagee/ the Benton County Sheriff’s ASSIGNMENTS OF DATE AND TIME OF Assignee of Mortgagee Office, 581 Highway 23 MORTGAGE: Assigned to: SALE: April 7, 2020 at 4500 Park Glen Road #300 Northeast Foley, MN, in said Lakeview Loan Servicing, 10:00 AM Minneapolis, MN 55416 county and state.

LLC. Dated January 14, PLACE OF (952) 925-6888 Dated: July 30, 2020 2020 Recorded February SALE: Benton County 37 - 20-001478 FC Lakeview Loan Servicing, 7, 2020, as Document No. Sheriff’s Office, 581 NOTICE OF LLC 441194.

Highway 23 Northeast Foley, POSTPONEMENT OF Mortgagee/Assignee of T R A N S A C T I O N MN M O R T G A G E Mortgagee AGENT: Mortgage to pay the debt then secured FORECLOSURE SALE USSET, WEINGARDEN Electronic Registration by said Mortgage, and taxes, Pursuant to the provisions of AND LIEBO, P.L.L.P. Systems, Inc. if any, on said premises, and Minnesota Statutes 580.07, Attorneys for Mortgagee/ T R A N S A C T I O N the costs and disbursements, the foregoing foreclosure Assignee of Mortgagee AGENT’S MORTGAGE including attorneys’ fees sale is postponed until June 4500 Park Glen Road #300 I D E N T I F I C A T I O N allowed by law subject to 16, 2020, at 10:00 AM at Minneapolis, MN 55416 NUMBER ON MORTGAGE: redemption within six (6) the Benton County Sheriff’s (952) 925-6888 100307110009143509 months from the date of said Office, 581 Highway 23 37-20-001478 LENDER OR BROKER sale by the mortgagor(s), Northeast Foley, MN, in said NOTICE OF AND MORTGAGE their personal representatives county and state.

POSTPONEMENT OF ORIGINATOR STATED or assigns unless reduced to Dated: April 8, 2020 M O R T G A G E ON MORTGAGE: Everett Five (5) weeks under MN Lakeview Loan Servicing, FORECLOSURE SALE Financial, Inc. D/B/A Stat. §580.07.

LLC Pursuant to the provisions of Supreme Lending TIME AND DATE TO Mortgagee/Assignee of Minnesota Statutes 580.07, R E S I D E N T I A L VACATE PROPERTY: If Mortgagee the foregoing foreclosure sale MORTGAGE SERVICER: the real estate is an owner- USSET, WEINGARDEN is postponed until January M&T Bank occupied, single-family AND LIEBO, P.L.L.P. 12, 2021, at 10:00 AM at M O R T G A G E D dwelling, unless otherwise Attorneys for Mortgagee/ the Benton County Sheriff’s PROPERTY ADDRESS: provided by law, the date Assignee of Mortgagee Office, 581 Highway 23 160 Dewey St, Foley, MN on or before which the 4500 Park Glen Road #300 Northeast Foley, MN, in said 56329 mortgagor(s) must vacate the Minneapolis, MN 55416 county and state.

TAX PARCEL I.D. #: property if the mortgage is (952) 925-6888 Dated: September 16, 2020 13.00141.00 not reinstated under section 37-20-001478 Lakeview Loan Servicing, LEGAL DESCRIPTION 580.30 or the property is THIS IS A LLC OF PROPERTY: not redeemed under section COMMUNICATION FROM Mortgagee/Assignee of LOT ONE (1), BLOCK 580.23 is 11:59 p.m. on A DEBT COLLECTOR. Mortgagee ONE (1), ALSO A STRIP October 7, 2020, unless that THIS IS A USSET, WEINGARDEN OF LAND 40 FEET WIDE date falls on a weekend or C O M M U N I C A T I O N AND LIEBO, P.L.L.P. BY 150 FEET LONG, legal holiday, in which case FROM A DEBT Attorneys for Mortgagee/ LYING EAST OF LOT 1, it is the next weekday, and COLLECTOR. Assignee of Mortgagee BLOCK 1 AND BEING unless the redemption period NOTICE OF 4500 Park Glen Road #300 THE WEST HALF (W 1/2) is reduced to 5 weeks under POSTPONEMENT OF Minneapolis, MN 55416 OF FIRST AVENUE (NOW MN Stat. Secs. 580.07 or M O R T G A G E (952) 925-6888 VACATED) IN FOLEY’S 582.032.

FORECLOSURE SALE 37-20-001478 REARRANGEMENT OF M O R T G A G O R ( S ) Pursuant to the provisions of THIS IS A THE TOWN (NOW CITY) RELEASED FROM Minnesota Statutes 580.07, C O M M U N I C A T I O N OF FOLEY, BENTON FINANCIAL OBLIGATION the foregoing foreclosure FROM A DEBT COUNTY, MINNESOTA. ON MORTGAGE:None sale is postponed until July COLLECTOR. COUNTY IN WHICH “THE TIME ALLOWED BY 28, 2020, at 10:00 AM at R-38-1B PROPERTY IS LOCATED: LAW FOR REDEMPTION the Benton County Sheriff’s

PUBLIC NOTICES

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2020 | Page 11

REGULAR MEETING SAUK RAPIDS CITY COUNCIL SAUK RAPIDS GOVERNMENT CENTER, 250 Summit Ave N. Monday, August 24, 2020 6:00PM MINUTES 1. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance Mayor Kurt Hunstiger called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

All members present.

2. Additions or Changes to the Agenda NONE 3. Approve the Agenda Motion: Moved by Councilperson Sauer and seconded by Councilperson Ellering to approve the Agenda. Motion carried unanimously.

4. Approve Minutes A. 7-27-2020 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Motion: Moved by Councilperson Thronson and seconded by Councilperson Seamans to approve the 7-27-2020 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes. Motion carried unanimously.

5. Receive and File A. 07-07-2020 Regular HRA Meeting Minutes Motion: Moved by Councilperson Ellering and seconded by Councilperson Sauer to receive and file the 07-07-2020 Regular HRA Meeting Minutes. Motion carried unanimously.

6. Mayor’s Communications NONE 7. Audience Items/Visitors Total Time Limit 2 Minutes for Items NOT on the Agenda NONE 8. Public Hearings A. Applicant City of Sauk Rapids Purpose To Consider an Ordinance Amendment That Would Remove Mini Storage As An Allowable Use in All Commercial Districts in Sauk Rapids. Mini Storage Would Only Be Allowed in the Industrial District.

1. Open Public Hearing

2. Close Public Hearing Motion: Moved by Councilperson Sauer and seconded by Councilperson Thronson to close the public hearing. Motion carried unanimously.

3. Consider Action Motion: Moved by Councilperson Sauer and seconded by Councilperson Thronson to recommend that mini storage only be allowed in the Industrial District. Motion carried unanimously.

9. Consent Agenda A. Approve Acceptance of CARES Election Grant Allocation from Benton County and Required 20% City Match B. Approve Purchase of Portable Radios for Police Department C. Approve 2020 Plumbing and Mechanical Contractor Licenses D. Approve Change Order #2 to the 2020 Benton Drive Improvement Project E. Approve Appointing Terry Wotzka to the HRA Motion: Moved by Councilperson Thronson and seconded by Councilperson Seamans to approve consent agenda items 9A-9E. Motion carried unanimously.

10. Regular Agenda A. Pleasantview Elementary School Site Plan Motion: Moved by Councilperson Ellering and seconded by Councilperson Sauer to approve the resolution approving the site plan of Pleasantview Elementary School with the conditions listed. Motion carried unanimously.

B. Food Truck Ordinance Motion: Moved by Councilperson Ellering and seconded by Councilperson Thronson to approve an ordinance amending Section 4.19A of the Sauk Rapids city code relating to the regulation of mobile food units. Motion carried with 3 members (Ellering, Thronson, and Seamans) voting in favor of the motion and 2 members (Hunstiger and Sauer) voting against the motion.

C. Recission of Local Emergency Declaration Motion: Moved by Councilperson Ellering and seconded by Councilperson Seamans to approve a resolution rescinding

the Emergency Declaration issued on March 20, 2020. Motion carried unanimously via a roll call vote (Ellering, Seamans, Thronson, Hunstiger, and Sauer all voted in favor of the motion).

11. Other Staff Items A. Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) Grant Update Ross Olson noted that the City of Sauk Rapids recently received word that it is proposed to be awarded $463,000 from the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR). With the help of SEH, the City submitted an application and presented to the Legislative-Citizen Commission.

The LLCMR is now recommending that the City be awarded $463,000. This recommendation needs to be formally approved, but the recommendation of this Committee has to date never been turned down.

B. Video of Southside and Lions Park Project The City Council viewed the video that HMA Architects put together of the planned park project.

12. Other Council Items and Communications A. Speed Limits and Stop Signs Councilperson Sauer said that with school starting again soon, he wanted to remind everyone to be cautious of speed limits, stop signs, and to watch for pedestrians. Councilperson Sauer stated that he still sees a lot of people driving distracted and not obeying the speed limits.

13. Approve List of Bills and Claims Motion: Moved by Councilperson Seamans and seconded

by Councilperson Ellering to approve the List of Bills and Claims. Motion carried unanimously.

14. Adjournment Motion: Moved by Councilperson Ellering and seconded by Councilperson Thronson to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously.

Mayor Hunstiger adjourned the meeting at 6:45 p.m.

R-38-1B

BENTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 1, 2020 The Benton County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on September 1, 2020 in the Benton County Board Room in Foley, MN with Commissioners Spencer Buerkle, Warren Peschl, Jake Bauerly, Steve Heinen and Ed Popp 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 item: Agreement with Benton Economic Partnership to administer a Benton County CARES Business Assistance Grant Program.

No one was present to speak under Open Forum.

Popp/Bauerly unanimous to approve the Consent Agenda: 1) approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of August 18, 2020 as written; 2) accept and file Committee of the Whole Minutes of August 25, 2020 as written; and 3) approve 2020 SCORE Grant Applications Round III as recommended by the Solid Waste Advisory Committee.

Doug Host and Kristen Houle from CliftonLarsonAllen appeared before the Board to provide a summary of the results of Benton County’s 2019 audit; an unmodified or “clean” opinion was issued on the financial statements.

Host noted that Benton County’s fund balance levels/reserves are stable, stating “...in the current world we live in, having sufficient reserves takes on added importance... with the state having a gigantic budget deficit...the fact that you do have sufficient reserves puts you in a good position to go through the rest of 2020 and into 2021...” Host added “...you didn’t issue any new general obligation debt in 2019...a significant thing that I see is the general obligation bonds...you’ve reduced the amount of debt outstanding by 50% over the last four years...I want to thank everyone at the county for being so great to work with...” Bauerly commented “...I did an analysis on the overall statement of the county... current assets minus current liabilities...we have about $31 million in cash sitting there...that seems like a lot of money...I’m wondering how that compares with other counties...” Host stated that he will research this and report back to the Board.

Paul Neubauer, Superintendent of Foley Schools; Brad Bergstrom, Superintendent of Sauk Rapids-Rice Schools; and Christine Friederichs, St. John’s Area School Principal; were present to request Board consideration for CARES funding for their schools. Bergstrom and Neubauer provided an overview of their districts’ student populations, detailing COVID-19 impacts/expenses at their respective schools from mid-March to date—a net shortfall of $239,500 for Foley Schools and $593,324 for Sauk Rapids- Rice Schools (total expenses minus relief funding received). Friederichs stated “...our needs are much smaller

because our school is much smaller...our K-6 population is 80 students...our biggest need is dollars to keep our school going...our school is based on tuition and donations...we started out this year $25,000 in the hole...our fundraiser in the spring which we could not hold...equipment that we’ve had to purchase... cleaning supplies...extra expenses with distance learning...we are very hopeful that you can help us in any way...” Bauerly inquired if the schools were aware of any federal or state funding coming their way. Popp commented “...if and when it comes to the point where there’s money available...I would be in favor of helping the schools if we can...I don’t know what other counties are doing...I would probably lean toward how many students are actually Benton County students...so if we do divvy up this money, we do it with our taxpayers in mind...” Bauerly stated “...we don’t know how much money we are going to have until we see what the townships are doing...if any money comes back...we don’t know if you guys are going to get help from the federal government...so we will have to wait and see for a little bit...” No action was taken by the Board at this time.

Monty Headley, County Administrator, explained that the proposed CARES funding allocation plan is based on the Board’s consensus from the August 25th Committee of the Whole. He referenced Benton County’s total allocation of $4,905,923, of which Benton County can attribute $3,051,340 to personnel costs responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, along with PPE, sanitizing service and entrance security (from March 1st through the end of November). Headley also referenced the listing of projects as prepared by department heads for CARES funding; many of the projects relate to remote work technology, allowing employees, job applicants and the general public to interact remotely, avoiding face-to-face interaction as much as possible (these projects total $442,462). He added that the plan includes $735,000 for CARES Business Assistance Grants through the Benton Economic Partnership. (Total of all allocations is $4,228,802, leaving a reserve of $677,121 for future allocations.) Headley noted that this total could change should funding to townships/cities revert back to the county (any funds unspent by November 15th should revert back to the county). Peschl/Heinen unanimous to adopt the CARES funding allocation plan as presented.

Headley stated that the proposed agreement with the Benton Economic Partnership (BEP) to administer a Benton County CARES Business Assistance Grant Program was prepared by the Benton County Attorney’s Office; it sets forth BEP’s duties when administering grants to businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. He pointed out that the agreement allows BEP to submit expense claims up to $58,000 of the allocation for business assistance grants; this amount equals the 8% the County Board

agreed to allow for BEP’s administrative costs. Headley added that the agreement provides that BEP will receive and review grant applications and make funding recommendations to the County Board; final approval of grant awards rests with the County Board. He noted that the agreement was approved by the BEP Board at their August 27th meeting. Popp/Bauerly unanimous to approve the agreement with BEP to administer a Benton County CARES Business Assistance Grant Program, and authorize the Chair to sign.

The Regular County Board meeting was recessed at 10:13 AM to conduct a Human Services Board meeting.

The Regular County Board meeting was reconvened at 10:14 AM. Chris Byrd, County Engineer, explained that, each year, MNDOT State Aid contracts with an engineering consultant to perform bridge load ratings of various local bridges statewide. He stated that the intent is to evaluate locally-owned bridges to see if they can withstand the loadings from Specialized Hauling Vehicles; these vehicles include trucks that have been manufactured with additional axles under a single unit to haul additional weight. Byrd noted that, this year, Benton County had four bridges evaluated— as a result, two bridges will receive a posting change: • Bridge 05519 on CR 67 (gravel) was previously posted at a maximum weight of 36 tons, but will now be posted at 30 tons maximum • Bridge L0030 on CR 50 (gravel) southwest of Foley is being posted for a maximum weight (single unit truck, 16 tons; tractor trailer/semi, 30 tons). Furthermore, the deterioration of the timber piling under this bridge is going to cause restricting the bridge to one-lane and away from the “bad’ piling (shifting traffic from the south side to the north side).

Byrd stated that this bridge would be a candidate for state bridge bond funds for bridge replacement (estimated cost of $250,000-$300,000).

Board members reported on recent meetings they attended on behalf of the county.

Peschl/Heinen unanimous to set Committees of the Whole: September 10, AMC Virtual Fall Policy Conference General Session; September 14 and 17, AMC Virtual Fall Policy Conference—Policy Committee Meetings.

Heinen/Bauerly unanimous to adjourn at 10:42 AM. Spencer C. Buerkle, Chair Benton County Board of Commissioners ATTEST: Montgomery Headley Benton County Administrator R-38-1B

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SPORTS

Page 12 | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2020 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Vikings lay an egg

In their highly anticipated week one showdown with the rival Green Bay Packers, the Minnesota Vikings were severely outclassed. Do not let that 43-34 final score fool you; it became clear early on that the outcome of this game should never have been in doubt.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers submitted a vintage MVP-caliber performance, completing 32 of 44 passes for COLUMNIST 364 yards and four touchdowns with no SPORTS

BY ANDY THAYER sacks or turnovers. While Rodgers obviously deserves credit for his surgical dissection session Sept. 13, the hapless Vikings defense sure did not do much to slow him down.

First and foremost, the Vikings secondary was a mess. The team’s primary cornerback trio of Holton Hill, Mike Hughes and Cameron Dantzler were exposed in coverage early and often. The Vikings lost their top three cornerbacks (Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander) in free agency last offseason, and this new crop of young replacements clearly was not up to the challenge Sunday.

According to ESPN Stats & Info, Rodgers was pressured on only seven of his 44 dropbacks. This statistic is a little misleading.

You can make an argument that the defensive line was not able to generate sufficient pressure to rattle Rodgers and that made things difficult on the team’s inexperienced cornerbacks, but the truth is Rodgers got rid of the ball in an average of 2.3 seconds. That is an incredibly fast release rate, and it would be tough for John Randle, Chris Doleman, Carl Eller and Alan Page to generate pressure in that miniscule amount of time, much less Headi Odenigbo, Shamar Stephen, Jaleel Johnson and Yannick Ngakoue.

Getting Danielle Hunter back after week three will hopefully give the defensive line a boost, but the biggest issue Sunday was the Vikings cornerbacks were getting roasted on simple routes.

Rodgers got rid of the ball so quickly the defensive line rarely had a realistic chance of getting to the quarterback.

The Vikings offense put up 34 points, but do not let that fool you into thinking they were competitive, either. Twenty-four of those points were scored in the fourth quarter when the Packers were sitting back in prevent defense and the outcome of the game had already been determined. After three quarters, the score was 29-10 and the Packers had utterly dominated the time of possession. Kirk Cousins and Adam Thielen hooked up for some meaningless big pass plays in garbage time, but those opportunities almost assuredly would not have been there if the fate of the game was still hanging in the balance. Kirk Cousins is fantastic when he has a clean pocket and can progress through his predetermined reads. When he is forced to improvise, however, he continues to make almost astoundingly bad decisions with the football. While his statistics looked good because of his strong performance in garbage time, the Vikings will need to protect Cousins better if they want to beat good teams like Green Bay, who can generate pressure without bringing extra rushers.

The Vikings threw a lot of money at Kirk Cousins and Dalvin Cook this offseason to maintain offensive continuity, but those decisions are already looking dicey after one week. If the Vikings cannot stop opposing offenses or block effectively, it does not matter how good the players at their skill positions might be.

A road game in Indianapolis this Sunday against a very beatable Colts team should give us a good indication of whether this Sunday’s loss to the Packers was just an extremely depressing blip on the radar or an indicator that this Vikings team is not going to be a playoff contender this year.

Granite City eyes playoff spot as they begin road to redemption Lumberjacks return several key players

BY EVAN MICHEALSON STAFF WRITER

SAUK RAPIDS – Every offseason, the Granite City Lumberjacks can fairly assess where their team stands based on their final result from the previous season.

Unfortunately for Granite City and the NA3HL’s teams alike, no complete assessment could be made this spring with the sudden arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, which ended the developmental hockey league’s season right as playoffs arrived.

However, an aura of excitement has hit Sauk Rapids as the Lumberjacks prepare for what they hope to be a redemptive arc.

“I’m really excited,” said Cody Dias, Lumberjacks forward of Neenah, Wisconsin.

“When the season got cut short, it was an unfortunate ending and it was sad. After that, the next few months, you missed the love of the game, because you didn’t get to play hockey. Now, I’m excited to get back in the locker room and go to battle every week with the boys.”

Waging a war on the West Division is a Lumberjacks team looking to compete despite the losses of several well-established leaders. Bailey Sommers, Granite City’s all-time goals leader, signed a commitment to play for the Hamline University Pipers in St. Paul, while defenseman Kearby Larson will play Division I hockey for the Iowa State Cyclones.

Captain Ryan Pogue and playmaker Blake Spetz were among other members of last year’s team to conclude their careers.

“There’s a lot of guys

OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM GAMES FOR WEEK #3

it will take time, but we’re excited to work with a younger group and coach them up, see what they can do,” Vold said.

“Defensively, it will be up to how the young guys develop and grow their games.”

With the dissolving of the Breezy Point North Stars, five teams remain in West Division competition: Granite City, the New Ulm Steel, the North Iowa Bulls, the Alexandria Blizzard and the Willmar WarHawks.

The first four clinched a playoff spot during the 2019-20 season, meaning the upcoming divisional race is open to all takers. The Lumberjacks certainly would like to cement their legacy with a West Division title.

“I think it starts with our work ethic and energy,” Dias said. “When it comes to the games, there has to be no quit.

As a team, we will have to play physical, throw bodies around, get pucks deep, play simple.

That way, the game comes that much easier.”

Practices will start Monday, Sept. 21. In most cases, it is a routine introduction to the beginning of another hockey season. For this year’s Granite City Lumberjacks collective, it is hopefully the start of something special.

“I think the guys that were here last year will come in hungry and have the itch to make sure we put ourselves in a position to make the playoffs and chase a championship,” Vold said. “Our group will be ready to go, focused, ready to go chase it.”

The Granite City Lumberjacks begin their NA3HL season at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 3 against the Willmar WarHawks at Sports Arena East in Sauk Rapids. The team will face West Division opponents for a 39-game regular season.

A maximum of 250 people will be allowed to attend home games. Tickets can be purchased first-come, first served. Masks will be required indoors and while watching the games.

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we have to fill holes for,” said D.J. Vold, Lumberjacks head coach. “All of those guys will be missed, and we’re appreciative of the time they spent with us. Most of them found homes they’ll be happy with, and we wish them the best of luck.”

Despite the shake-up, a lot of returning talent remains.

Goaltender Bailey Huber and his .908 save percentage certainly helps, and there should be no shortage of scoring with 2019’s leading scorer, Carson Simon, suiting up once again for Granite City.

Second-year forward Troy Dahlheimer and incoming veteran Brett Reed from Breezy Point provide additional excitement for a forward group ready to take the next step.

“I think offensively, we’ll probably have more playmaking ability and more goal-scoring,” he said. “This could be one of the best group of forwards we’ve ever had in town, so we’re looking for big things from them.”

While offensive production is fine and dandy, the belief asserted by Lumberjacks leadership is that finding a foundation on defense will be the driving point to a championship. Defenseman Cameron Cromwell of Sartell returns for his second campaign as a Lumberjack, but the defensive unit will look significantly different as familiar faces like Landon Johnson and Jacob Schuldt transition to different locales.

“We’re happy with the group we’ve put together, and

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SPORTS

Page 14 | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2020 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Sartell matchup Collision sweeps singles in first win ends in tie PHOTO BY ANNA HINKEMEYER

Girls tennis tops Sartell 5-2

S e n i o r goalkeeper Eli Rudnick kicks the ball downfield after making a save Sept. 10 at the Sauk RapidsRice football stadium in Sauk Rapids.

Rudnick made 18 saves during the 3-0 loss to the Brainerd Warriors.

BY ANNA HINKEMEYER STAFF WRITER

Coming away with a tie game against the Sartell Sabres was not a disappointment for the Sauk Rapids-Rice boys soccer team Tuesday, but the players expressed far from joy.

“It wasn’t the best feeling,” said Eli Rudnick, senior co-captain and the team’s starting goalie. “It’s always difficult to come away with a tie when we were playing very well and not giving many opportunities to score.”

SRR hosted the Sabres Sept. 15, holding a 0-0 tie through halftime. Early into the second half, the Storm earned a penalty kick opportunity, but the shot was saved by the Sartell keeper.

Junior forward Keegan Pham came out for SRR with 15 minutes left, capitalizing on an assist from sophomore midfielder Cooper Godwin. The Sabres tied it up 10 minutes later, where the score remained 1-1.

Rudnick made 11 saves.

The game was the second of the week for SRR, coming on the foothills of a 3-0 loss to Brainerd Sept. 10. The team holds a record of 0-3-2 for the season. The Storm took on Rocori Sept. 17 and will host the Apollo Eagles at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, at the football stadium at Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School in Sauk Rapids.

Brainerd 3, SRR 0 The Brainerd Warriors came out and scored their three goals in the first half and held the Storm scoreless. SRR had an unsuccessful penalty kick shortly before halftime.

“We played really well but just made some defensive mistakes that led to goals,” said Chris Rothstein, head coach. “Apart from the 15 minutes where they scored all the goals, we played great.”

Rudnick made 18 saves.

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Brainerd 7, Collision 0 The Collision had a change in lineup for the Sept. 10 match in Brainerd and lost 7-0 to the Warriors. Hatlestad said the shake-up came with mixed results, but the team saw what skills could be honed.

With a polished opponent, the girls struggled to find set points throughout each aspect of the match.

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

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Junior Brynn Karasch fields a ball Sept. 15 in Sartell.

Karasch won her No. 1 singles match 6-1, 6-0.

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(Above) Junior Addison Bemboom watches her serve cross the net Sept. 15 in Sartell. The first doubles match battled through three sets but lost.

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RF38-1B-RB

BY ANNA HINKEMEYER | STAFF WRITER

PHOTOS BY ANNA HINKEMEYER

Sophomore Belle Haddy focuses on an oncoming ball Sept. 15 at Sartell High School in Sartell. Haddy won her match 6-1, 6-3 and helped the team to a 5-2 win.

FR38-1B-RB

Boys soccer falls despite late-game score

The Collision girls tennis team, a cooperative between the Sauk Rapids-Rice and Apollo high schools, earned its first team win of the season Sept. 15 as they took on the Sartell-St. Stephen Sabres in Sartell, earning a team score of 5-2. The win improves the team record to 1-6.

Earlier in the week, the team faced Brainerd in a road match, losing 7-0.

The Collision hosted the Rocori Spartans Sept.

17 and face Rocori at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22, at Rocori High School in Cold Spring.

Collision 5, Sartell 2 The Collision tennis team came into the Sept.

15 match against Sartell stronger than ever, taking the singles matches with vigor and earning wins in each. The No. 3 doubles team of Liz Ernst and Gabby Jaskolka also earned a win which culminated in a 5-2 victory of the match.

“Sartell was great competition,” said Addison Bemboom, a junior doubles player. “All of the girls played their hardest, and we were so excited to have our first team win.”

Head coach Jamie Hatlestad said the effort from all positions on the team was supreme in the match against Sartell, even with the losses at first and second doubles.

The first doubles match with Bemboom and Alyssa Meyer went into three sets, as did the third double.

SPORTS

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2020 | Page 15

Minnesota State High School League member fees sees uptick

COVID Installment Fees increase payments by up to 300%

BY EVAN MICHEALSON STAFF WRITER

SAUK RAPIDS – Sauk Rapids-Rice School District Superintendent Brad Bergstrom has seen a thing or two about change since his introduction to the district July 1.

Bergstrom inherited the superintendent position just months after the MSHSL unanimously approved to raise their member schools’ activity fees from $120 to $160 and instituted a $1 fee per enrolled student. And when the league’s board of directors set up a finance task force Aug. 4, he knew more was yet to come.

The league took their largest step toward overcoming their financial obstacles, alerting school officials of a COVID Installment Fee that increases membership costs by up to 300% through a Sept. 3 letter.

“It was more than what I anticipated,” Bergstrom said. “Were we aware there might be a chance? Yes, we were.

Were we aware that it was going to be at the level it was at? No.” SRR will pay a pair of installments of over $4,000 each, a product of the school’s Class AAA

status and enrollment numbers. With the payment system on a rising scale, the more activities and students a school is responsible for, the more they pay to the league through the recent addition.

“It seems like during times of COVID-19, the budgetary impact seems to be happening continually,” Bergstrom said. “It was one of those things where it was like, ‘Now we have to find room in the budget for this as well.’”

The news comes following the league’s battle with finding revenue following the cancellation of state tournaments, which funds 75% of their annual budget. What originally was shaping up to a $400,000 budget surplus is now replaced by a drop close to $4 million, paving the way for revenue streams elsewhere.

“Like many organizations, the state high school league relies on a funding source, and that funding source for them is state tournament revenue, those kind of things,” Bergstrom said. “When events may or may not be happening and that funding source is in question, it’s one of those things where they’re caught between a rock and

a hard place.”

Now, the SRR school district must address its activities budget, where the installments will likely come from. Bergstrom has communicated with activities director NaDean Schroeder regarding the MSHSL’s letter and is formulating a plan of action.

“When these unexpected costs come in, it forces us to go back to the activities budget and say, ‘What are we going to give up in order to make this happen?’” Bergstrom said. “We may need to give something else up to do that. It might be some equipment purchases, it might be less transportation or it might end up being there’s nothing else we can do with it.”

Despite the frustration displayed by schools across the state regarding the decision, Bergstrom understands that the pandemic is affecting all parties involved.

“I learned a long time ago that it’s really frustrating when you’re in a leadership role and people play armchair quarterback because it’s easy to do,” Bergstrom said. “My hope would be that they will continue to look to find ways to be providing the experiences that we’re looking for and doing this in a financially responsible way.”

The MSHSL’s cre-

ation of the task force suggests an alterations of how they generate revenue. According to the league website, the climbing of membership costs is aimed toward “eating an updated, sustainable business model for the League.” With that in mind, the hope for SRR is that this lofty installment payment is an emergency, one-time solution.

“I believe that is the board’s mission, and my hope would be that this is a short term ask of districts and not something that becomes the way we conduct business,” Bergstrom said.

Even as increases and sudden payments become a temporary normal, however, Storm activities will continue to stand strong.

They are too important not to.

“We have to remember that by having these activities for our students – our co-curriculars, fine arts, whether it’s our music programs or even our culinary trades and robotics – we’re providing so many wonderful opportunities for such a vast array of students,” Bergstrom said. “It’s the right thing for us to continue to do.”

Opponents hold girls soccer scoreless

Storm take on Apollo Eagles Sept. 24

BY ANNA HINKEMEYER | STAFF WRITER

The Sauk Rapids-Rice girls soccer team struggled for positive outcomes in its three games this past week. The Storm lost against Sartell, Bemidji and Brainerd.

The losses dropped the team record to 0-6.

SRR hosted Rocori Sept. 17. The team will play its next game against the Apollo Eagles at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, at Apollo High School in St. Cloud.

Sartell 4, SRR 0 The Storm held tight to a scoreless tie throughout the first half of the Sept. 15 road game in Sartell.

The tie was broken 15.4 seconds before halftime.

Sartell pulled ahead with three additional goals in the second half of the game and won 4-0.

Junior goalkeeper Maggie Fernholz made six saves, and senior keeper Bailey Reiter came in for relief and captured two additional saves.

Bemidji 5, SRR 0 The Storm made mistakes early in the game against Bemidji Sept. 12, causing the team to allow four Lumberjack goals before recovering for a stronger second half. The game came 18 hours after the loss to Brainerd, and head coach Kris Fremo said the energy on the field was low. The Lumberjacks defeated SRR 5-0.

Fernholz made six saves.

Brainerd 4, SRR 0 The Brainerd Warriors scored two goals in each half of the Sept. 11 road game, and the Storm could not find the net, culminating in a 4-0 loss. Fernholz made 14 saves for the Storm.

Sports brief

Football, volleyball may revert to fall

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BROOKLYN CENTER – The Minnesota State High School League will host a meeting Monday, Sept. 21, to decide whether to reconsider the football and volleyball competitive seasons.

Blaine Novak, president of the MSHSL Board of Directors, called for the special meeting this week.

The agenda for the virtual meeting is the lone item.

On Aug. 4, the MSHSL announced the postponement of the football and volleyball competitive seasons until early spring 2021. With that move, spring sports were delayed to a fourth season from May 15 through July 15.

Sauk Rapids-Rice football and volleyball teams began practices Sept. 14. MSHSL permitted the teams to have a maximum of 12 practices between Sept. 14 to Oct. 3, while following COVID-19 safety protocols.

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Page 16 | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2020 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

SPORTS

Storm swim and dive edges out Brainerd Win 98-88 with final event

BY ANNA HINKEMEYER STAFF WRITER

The Sauk RapidsRice girls swim and dive team had a split week in the pool. The team started with a 98-88 home win over Brainerd Sept. 10, splashing past the Warriors in a first-place win in the 400 yard freestyle relay. However, the girls lost 105-76 to the Sabres in Sartell Sept. 15. The meets bring the Storm record to 2-2.

SRR competed against the Spartans Sept.

17 at Rocori High School in Cold Spring and host Apollo at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School in Sauk Rapids.

Sartell 105, SRR 76 SRR had a tough border battle with its SartellSt. Stephen rivals Sept.

15. The girls fell behind early with Sabre swimmers claiming many of the top spots. SRR could not catch up.

The 200 medley relay

team of Valeria FloresBonilla, Kaytlin Bittman, Lydia Zabinski and Abbie Tangen came together for a second place finish to start the meet, with a time of 2 minutes, 12.2 seconds.

200 MR: 2. Flores-Bonilla, Bittman, Zabinski and Abbie Tangen 2:12.20; 5. Ally Lucas, Jadeyn Stover, Kendal Stucke and Ava Hitzler 2:32.87; and 6. Lauren Klein, Sophia Henkel, Maya Zaske and Mia Lambrecht 2:39.76. 200 FS: 2.

Flores-Bonilla 2:07.95, 5. Madeline Ziegler 2:16.29 and 6. Lucas 2:19.16. 200 IM: 3. Bittman 2:36, 4. Stucke 2:38.07 and 6.

Haley Davis 2:40.79. 50 FS: 3.

Zabinski 27.69, 5. Davis 27.84 and 6. Klein 28.04. 1M diving: 4. Liberty Kosloski 151.4 points, 5. Eliana Hansen 142.25 and 6. Sophia Markfelder 138.95.

100 FLY: 3. Samantha Haaf 1:12.98, 5. Lambrecht 1:17.11 and 6. Olivia Tykwinski 1:18.36.

100 FS: 3. Ziegler 59.75, 5.

Hitzler 1:02.90 and 6. Zaske 1:03.19. 500 FS: 2. Abbie Tangen 5:41.27, 5. Stover 6:25.02 and 6. Vivian Tangen 6:42.39.

200 FSR: 1. Ziegler, Davis, Klein and Abbie Tangen 1:48.50; 3.

Hitzler, Stucke, Bittman and Vivian Tangen 1:53.80; and 4.

PHOTOS BY ANNA HINKEMEYER

Sophomore Jadeyn Stover swims the backstroke portion of the 200 yard individual medley Sept. 10 at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School in Sauk Rapids. Stover took sixth in the event.

Haaf, Arica Moriak, Henkel and Tykwinski 1:56.51. 100 BK: 1.

Flores-Bonilla 1:05.12, 5. Zabinski 1:09.73 and 6. Lucas 1:10.03.

100 BR: 1. Bittman 1:19.61, 2.

Stucke 1:23.45 and 3. Henkel 1:24.26. 400 FSR: 1. Ziegler, Davis, Zabinski and Flores-Bonilla

3:55.47; 2. Klein, Lambrecht, Zaske and Stover 4:10.99; and 3. Tykwinski, Haaf, Moriak and Lucas 4:18.90.

SRR 98, Brainerd 88 The Sept. 10 meet was neck-and-neck as the

Sophomore Lauren Klein swims the freestyle during the Senior Abbie Tangen performs the butterfly during the 200 yard medley relay Sept. 10 in Sauk Rapids. The Storm 200 yard medley relay Sept. 10 in Sauk Rapids. Tangen defeated the Brainerd Warriors 98-88. helped her relay team to a third-place finish in the event.

Storm hosted Brainerd in the first home meet of the season. A win for the Storm came down to the last event of the meet – the 400 freestyle relay.

The relay team of Flores-Bonilla, Zabinski, Zaske and Ziegler pushed hard and rose to the occasion, taking the top spot by over four seconds.

“I had to push myself, stay positive and give it my all because I knew we had a chance at winning that race,” Flores-Bonilla said. “I was tired but proud to see my time on the board. When I heard we won, I was very proud of our team. We work hard every day, and winning the first home meet of the season shows that.”

SRR had two other teams in the race, both of whom ousted the Brainerd B team. Klein, Lambrecht, Tykwinski and Hitzler came in third with a time of 4:08.68 and the team of Vivian Tangen, Haaf, Peacock and Moriak took fourth with a time of 4:20.16.

“The energy was electric,” said Whitney Jendro, co-head coach. “During that last relay, for a moment it seemed as though the bleachers were packed and everything was back to normal. That’s truly how much energy the girls brought knowing we needed to win that relay to win the meet.”

While the crowning moment was the 400 freestyle relay, the Storm had several other pristine finishes throughout the meet.

The success started with second, third and fourth finishes in the 200 medley relay. Senior co-captain Abbie Tangen led the way

Leading the

for SRR in the 200 freestyle, taking first with a time of 2:09.53. Junior Kendal Stucke continued the trend with a secondplace finish in the 200 individual medley. Senior co-captains Haley Davis and Ziegler came out with first-place finishes as well, in the 50 freestyle and the 100 freestyle, respectively.

Flores-Bonilla also took first in both of her individual events – the 100 butterfly and the 100 backstroke. She said she did not focus on winning but rather on each of the goals she set with her coaches prior to the races, like faster dolphin kicks, quicker turns and faster breakouts.

200 MR: 2. Flores-Bonilla, Henkel, Zabinski and Klein 2:05.50; 3. Ziegler, Davis, Abbie Tangen and Zaske 2:08.46; and 4. Lucas, Stover, Haaf and Stucke 2:09.30. 200 FS: 1. Abbie Tangen 2:09.53, 3. Zabinski 2:15.62 and 4. Klein 2:15.79.

200 IM: 2. Stucke 2:32.79, 5.

Moriak 2:46.24 and 6. Stover 2:47.87. 50 FS: 1. Davis 27.27, 3.

Lucas 28.13 and 5. Zaske 28.82.

Diving: 4. Markfelder 147.05, 5.

Hansen 146.50 and 6. Kendra Fitzpatrick 127.45. 100 FLY: 1.

Flores-Bonilla 1:03.71, 4. Zabinski 1:10.78 and 5. Haaf 1:15.10.

100 FS: 1. Ziegler 59.27, 2. Klein 1:00.46 and 4. Stucke 1:02.57.

500 FS: 3. Lucas 6:06.98, 4.

Hitzler 6:10.61 and 5. Zaske 6:15.98. 200 FSR: 1. Davis, Lambrecht, Stucke and Abbie Tangen 1:48.77 and 3. Henkel, Bittman, Moriak and Lucas 1:56.01.

100 BK: 1. Flores-Bonilla 1:05.87, 5. Ziegler 1:13.08 and 6. Hitzler 1:14.59. 100 BR: 2. Bittman 1:20.64, 3. Davis 1:23.14 and 4. Henkel 1:25.98. 400 FSR: 1. Flores-Bonilla, Zabinski, Zaske and Ziegler 4:02.68; 3. Klein, Lambrecht, Tykwinski and Hitzler 4:08.68; and 4. Vivian Tangen, Haaf, Richelle Peacock and Moriak 4:20.16.

Leading the Storm is

Sponsored by:

Abbie Tangen Parents: Jason and Lauren Tangen Accomplishment: Senior co-captain of the girls swim and dive team.

What is your favorite part about swimming? My teammates. They are the ones who keep me going. They are my motivation, support and friends.

What other activities are you involved in at school? I am in my second year of Post-Secondary Education Option at St. Cloud State University. I am captain of the Nordic ski team and a goalie in lacrosse.

Why is it important for you to be involved in school activities? They are the best way to make What is your favorite thing to do in the pool? connections with other students, and they teach I like winning races and swimming like a mermaid. you life skills.

How do you prepare in the minutes leading up to competition? I talk to the people I am racing against and wish them luck.

Which teacher has impacted your education most? Ms. Lingle was my seventh-grade biology teacher. She was tough with the students, and she had my utmost respect. Her course encouraged the most studious efforts from me, and I continue to seek similar teachers.

Who has been a mentor to you? Ella Benoit was a captain on the swim team in 2017, and she was the first high schooler to spend time helping me get better. She accepted me into the team, and in a roundabout way, she got me onto my first section relay in 2016.

What is your favorite meal, movie, social media and song? Anything. I am a swimmer, and How do you make a difference at school? I do I like food, “Kung Fu Panda,” Snapchat and “Bike” by not spend much time at the high school other than Pink Floyd. sports because of PSEO.

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Sauk Rapids Herald | Saturday, September 19, 2020

Serving rural Benton, Morrison, Mille Lacs and Kanabec counties

Royalton farmer survives grain bin entrapment Schlichting cautions awareness of unloading any type of crop

BY ANDREA BORGERDING STAFF WRITER

PHOTO BY ANDREA BORGERDING

Jim Schlichting stands near the bin door where emergency crew members carried him out on a stretcher. He was trapped inside the bin for two and a half hours when soybeans gradually covered him up to his chin Sept. 1 on a farm site near Royalton.

The semi was half loaded when the soybeans stopped flowing. Schlichting climbed the bin to enter through a side door. He walked along the top of the soybeans to poke and loosen any lodged grain underneath.

“I was standing there

watching the beans flow down from the sides and the next thing I knew it was up to my knees,” Schlichting said. “I was thinking, ‘It’s time to get out of here.’”

Schlichting quickly found himself lodged in the flow of soybeans with it rising around

him. Schlichting said he knew he was not going anywhere.

“I yelled for the drivers which I didn’t think they would be able to hear because there were two augers and tractors running outside,” Schlichting said.

Schlichting resolved to stay

calm and wait. About 10 minutes passed when Schlichting’s feet hit the floor of the bin and the beans stopped flowing. By that time, Schlichting was buried in beans up to his chin.

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“I told myself right away that it doesn’t pay to get excited,” Schlichting said as he recalled the events of the day.

“I was standing there thinking, ‘This is a little on the weird side for me.’”

Schlichting raises corn, soybean and alfalfa on his 400acre farm where he and wife, Patty, live east of Royalton.

On the afternoon of Sept. 1, Schlichting was unloading soybeans from a 17,000-bushel grain bin on a neighboring farm site. The beans were being removed from the bin with an auger and emptied into a semitruck. The bin is five rings high, and the soybeans were up to the top of the fourth ring.

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Schlichting from front leveled out in the bin and Schlichting was in no danger of being covered further.

Emergency crews, including the Royalton Fire Department and first responders, a Royalton police officer and Morrison County Sheriff’s Department, all arrived at the farm site. A First Link helicopter also landed nearby.

For two and a half hours, emergency crews, along with neighbors, friends and family, worked to uncover Schlichting. Four holes were cut into the sides of the bin to help quickly remove the soybeans.

Schlichting received oxygen while crews worked around him.

A harness was placed around him as a precaution.

“I got a little anxious when they got me uncovered down to my waist,” Schlichting said.

“I was thinking, ‘Get me out of here.’ My legs

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were hurting really bad.”

Once free, Schlichting was carried out of the bin on a stretcher and loaded into an ambulance where he was taken to the St. Cloud Hospital.

At the hospital, Schlichting was given fluids and monitored for rhabdomyolysis – a condition in which a breakdown of muscle tissue releases a damaging protein into the blood. He was advised to rest and drink plenty of fluids at his release three hours later.

Schlichting visited the hospital and clinic three times that week for monitoring and received more fluids at one hospital visit.

Two weeks later, he feels back to normal.

In all of his 38 years of farming, Schlichting said he has never had a similar experience to

“I wouldn’t want to go through it again, but it’s not going to scare me.”

- Jim Schlichting being entrapped in a bin.

“I wouldn’t want to go through it again, but it’s not going to scare me,” Schlichting said.

He realized that if the bin had been fuller his experience likely would have ended different.

“I don’t think too much when it comes to working with beans,” Schlichting said. “It’s not like corn where it can bridge up and then all of a sudden collapse. I’m pretty cautious about that because you hear way too many horror stories about

that.”

In the future, Schlichting said he will pay more close attention when working in bins.

“It happens pretty fast,” Schlichting said.

“I can’t thank the fire department, first responders, sheriff’s department, neighbors, friends, family and medical staff enough for all their help.”

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Jim Schlichting walks around the 17,000-bushel bin Sept. 14 where emergency crew members cut holes to quickly remove soybeans at a farm site near Royalton. Removing the soybeans allowed crews to uncover Schlichting who was buried up to his chin inside the bin.

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“I wasn’t in pain, and I could still breathe OK,” Schlichting said.

Schlichting could hear the drivers, slamming the side door to try to dislodge the soybeans that had stopped flowing.

A semitruck driver, Joel Popp, climbed the bin and looked inside.

“When I saw him, I yelled at him to shut the auger off,” Schlichting said.

Popp yelled at Nate Rothstein, the other driver, to shut off the auger. Popp and Rothstein proceeded to try to get Schlichting out. Popp entered the bin and Rothstein threw a strap down to Popp.

Popp managed to uncover Schlichting’s one arm and they tried to pull him free.

“They started pulling and I knew it wasn’t going to work,” Schlichting said. “My shoulder is in bad shape and so it was too painful.”

They called 911 for help freeing Schlichting.

By that time, the soybeans

BENTON AG

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2020 | Page 3B

Mindful farming

Kaschmitters manage nutrient application to promote soil health

BY JENNIFER COYNE STAFF WRITER

farmers are restricted from applying nitrogen on cropland in the fall or on frozen soils in vulnerable groundwater areas under the Groundwater Protection Rule. While parts of Benton County are considered vulnerable areas, the Kaschmitters are not affected by the inability to apply nitrogen during this time because of practices they have already implemented.

“When it comes to applying fertilizer in the fall, most farmers aren’t doing that,” Glen said. “The nitrogen rule is a good thing. It was developed with input from the agriculture community.”

The rule was established to prevent nutrient runoff when weather conditions do not allow for nutrient absorption.

When the soil temperature is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, the nitrification of converting nitrogen to ammonia does not occur. The process is more stable when soil temperatures are warmer in the spring and summer.

“As farmers, our purpose is to manage the land in the most

efficient way possible to deliver a high-quality product,” Glen said.

SAUK RAPIDS “We’ve made changes to – Brian and Glen our farm to become more Kaschmitter understand conservative as we’re the importance of farming able.” mindfully.

The single greatest “We can’t tear down a change the brothers made field and rebuild the soil,” to nutrient management Brian said. “We have to was choosing to apply be able to sustain the land nitrogen twice to the year after year in order to corn fields. They apply raise a good crop.” fertilizer once before The Kaschmitter seeds are planted and then brothers and Brian’s wife, once during the growing Brenda, carefully manage season. nutrient application “When we apply on their 850-acre crop nitrogen, we have to make farm near Sauk Rapids sure it goes on gradually with the assistance of so it doesn’t leach away,” local organizations Glen said. “Otherwise, it and programs that could get into the air with help determine the a hot, windy day.” best practices for the They then test soil condition and the the soil’s nutrient Kaschmitters’ farming composition and apply goals. manure accordingly The family raises following best corn, soybeans, alfalfa management practices. and grass hay, and a herd “In the eastern half of beef cows. They also of the state, the soil is run a custom soybean low in pH but high in roasting business which phosphorus,” Glen said. the family began in 1987.

“So when we spread Until last year, the manure, we look at Kaschmitters managed phosphorus levels to a farrow-to-finish hog apply to the soil versus facility where they raised nitrogen.” about 1,500 feeder pigs Brian agreed. each year.

“Whether we’re Across Minnesota, applying for phosphorus or nitrogen, we look at removal rates and make sure what is applied will be utilized,” he said.

The Kaschmitters closely monitor their irrigation system by using 12- and 24-inch meters that measure soil moisture. These readings help the family decide when and how much water to apply to the fields.

“We have to be Glen and Brian Kaschmitter discuss their manure careful because when management plan Sept. 11 at their farm in rural Sauk nitrogen is converted to Rapids. The Kaschmitters apply manure following best nitrates that’s easily lost management practices. with the infiltration of

PHOTOS BY JENNIFER COYNE

Glen and Brian Kaschmitter farm 850 acres of cropland in rural Sauk Rapids. The brothers carefully manage nutrient application on their fields to promote soil health, reduce runoff and meet the Kaschmitters’ farming goals. Not pictured is Brian’s wife, Brenda, who is also a part of the business.

water,” Glen said.

Every year, the family works with the Natural Resource Conservation Service and Benton County Soil and Water Conservation District to appropriately apply fertilizer to the soil.

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We have all been affected by the to the National Association of Letter U.S. Postal Service delays, but it seems Carriers, there were 1.2 billion prescription rural areas have been hit especially hard. drug shipments last year which amounts to Nationwide, on-time deliveries have about 4 million every day. been down more than 10% since July, Looking at the numbers, rural and according to a postal service report, communities have the largest share of mail that is delivered to underserved rural people above the age of 65; more than communities is down 4.26% from its half the people who get their medicine baseline. delivered are over the age of 65, and over Rob Larew, president of the National half of them take more than four types of The Business Farmers Union, reported the organization medication. of Farming is hearing a lot of complaints about A survey by the National Community

by Roger Strom delayed mail. In a recent interview he said, Pharmacists Association found 20% of “Everything already takes additional time, adults over 40 who take medication for a and so that adds cost. Even if it’s not delivery cost, chronic condition get those pills by mail. Earlier this it’s the cost of time. If you start to remove those last year, mail-order prescriptions grew 21% from the key delivery options, you put rural communities in a previous year to bring their share of the prescription complete bind.” drug market to 5.8%, the highest share in at least two The problem is made even worse with 14.5 years. million people in rural areas who don’t have There’s a whole lot of blame for the problems access to broadband with an estimated 18% of the within the postal system, with plenty of speculation population that still pay bills by mail. and accusations. The bottom line for many is whether Rural areas also depend on the postal service or not they can rely on a system that has become a for voting, and with the massive number of mail-in life-line for rural America. ballots this year, things could get a whole lot worse One more point to make: Unlike their city between now and November. Even those who do have counterparts, rural carriers do not generally earn a polling place, there is a shortage of voluntary poll overtime, so when the mail is heavy or weather is bad, workers who, because of their age, are in the category they work extra for free. With the increased reliance of high risk for getting the COVID-19 virus. on Amazon and other online companies, our mail In Minnesota, there are many small towns that vote carriers are delivering more packages than ever, often only by mail because they are not populated enough going the extra step of bringing deliveries to your to open up polls. There are 130,000 Minnesotans who door. receive a mailed ballot every election because they Don’t forget to thank them and maybe leave an live in a town with fewer than 400 people. envelope with a little extra for their service.

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SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2020 | Page 7B

Pricing corn silage

by Nathan Drewitz

was harvested at 70% moisture, it yielded 19.5 tons of silage which is only 6.4 bushels of corn per acre. Environment may also play a role in the amount of grain in a silage sample. Testing samples for moisture and feed quality is one way to help decide what the silage is worth and can help eliminate some of the questions around quality. Also remember that storage and labor costs are tied up in the price of grain. If you are not the one doing the work, make sure to properly adjust the price based on the harvest costs that would have occurred in harvesting the grain.

There are different ways to price corn silage other than using the above estimation.

Many of these options are easily found online and free to use. Penn State, Iowa State, Kansas State and Wisconsin all

Kaschmitters from page 3B “It’s important to work with programs, and we work with good people,” Brian said. “We wouldn’t try any of it if we knew there wasn’t a benefit to farming differently.”

Brian was a longtime board member on the Elk River Watershed Association before it dissolved into a joint organization between Benton and Sherburne counties.

Not only is this important for soil health and long-term sustainability of the land, there is also a financial incentive to apply nutrients responsibly.

“Fertilizer costs went way up in the ‘80s and farmers became more aware of what they were spending,” said Glen who worked as an agronomist before returning to farm full time with his brother and sister-in-law. “Nitrogen, in particular, went crazy.”

For reference, 40 years ago when farmers would apply nitrogen,

As always, the price that suits the needs of both parties as best as it can is the end goal.

For more information, contact me at 608-5154414 or through email at ndrewitz@umn.edu.

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A buffer strip is established along a private drainage ditch at the Kaschmitters’ farm in rural Sauk Rapids. The family uses buffer strips to prevent runoff from nearby cropland.

the cost to do so was about $0.08 per pound.

Now, the cost is between $0.24 and $0.40 per pound.

To further assist with nutrient management, Glen and Brian implemented a buffer strip along their drainage ditches nearly a decade ago, and use cover crops and no till farming practices on certain fields.

While all of these practices have made crop farming more desirable for the Kaschmitters, it has become ever more important as they continue farming in a

location prone to urban sprawl.

“It’s great for the community,” said Glen about the growing population. “But people have to understand agriculture is a large part of this community.”

Together, the Kaschmitters choose to implement practices that benefit their operation and the community that surrounds them. And, they are not alone.

“While Mother Nature controls what we do and how we farm, most all farmers farm in a way that is good,” Brian said.

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removal rates at 3.6 pounds of phosphorus per ton and 8.3 pounds of potassium per ton of silage. Remember, yield and quality are also important when determining a fair price for corn silage or dry hay.

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University of MN Extension

have their own versions of corn silage pricing calculators and can all be found using a simple internet search. Each one takes a slightly different approach to pricing corn silage, so make sure to experiment with them to decide which one best fits your needs and situation.

Remember, the person buying the crop is also thinking about yield, quality and price versus other options.

While the above calculators and estimations can help determine a fair price, I always recommend looking at past production costs to help determine price. Determining a price that accounts for nutrient applications and removal, pest management, seed costs, and all equipment and labor costs is the surest way to determine a fair price for both your silage and hay sources.

This can be relatively easy if you keep records of expenses throughout the year. While nitrogen applications have to be made every year due to its mobility in the soil, phosphorus and potassium are less mobile and therefore need to be accounted for through removal rates.

The University of WisconsinMadison has found those

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‘Tis the season for questions surrounding pricing corn silage in field. Agreeing on a price for corn silage can be difficult and getting a fair price requires knowledge of both the expenses, such as the cost of fertilizer and field operations, and markets (grains, straw, mild and silage). This can make obtaining a fair price hard to come by if you are not aware of the resources around you.

There are a few rules of thumb that are usually used. One of the more common methods for corn silage standing in the field is that it might be worth six to eight times the price of corn grain. This is based on an estimate of six to eight bushels per ton of silage.

However, this may not be the best option as data from the University of Wisconsin showed anywhere between a 3.6 to 7.5 bushels of grain per ton of silage at 65% moisture. Moisture does make a difference when estimating yields. In field trials when corn was harvested at 65% moisture and yielded 125 bushels per acre, it resulted in 16.7 tons of silage which is 7.5 bushels of corn per ton of silage. In those same field trials, when corn

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