Sauk Rapids Herald - October 2, 2021

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Saturday, October 2, 2021

Schools’ COVID-19 plan updated New guidance details action for family exposure, symptomatic students

BY ELLARRY PRENTICE STAFF WRITER

SAUK RAPIDS – Implored by parents who are concerned about their children’s coronavirus exposure risk, the Sauk Rapids-Rice School District has taken steps to make its Safe Learning Plan safer.

The Sauk Rapids-Rice School Board on Sept. 27 unanimously approved two changes to the district’s Safe Learning Plan, which was implemented this fall to mitigate the potential for spreading COVID-19 and ensure school spaces remain safe.

The changes took effect Sept. 30 in all Sauk RapidsRice school buildings serving pre-kindergarten through grade 12 students.

Change No. 1: Symptomatic students must stay home, unless …

The rst change is students with COVID-19 symptoms are required to stay home for 10 days and be symptom free upon returning to school unless they have a negative (PCR) COVID-19 test after their symptoms start, or they obtain an alternative medical diagnosis.

Same Local Coverage Since 1854.

Vol. 167, No. 26

Get your

spook on

Vickstrom embraces Halloween the only way she knows how: With family

BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER

SAUK RAPIDS – Step into Molitor’s Quarry Grill & Bar at any point during the year and you may nd Caden Vickstrom serving up a cold one or a delicious meal. But inside her head, ideas for the month of October are brewing.

“We really push that season,” Caden said. “People love Christmas; we love Halloween.”

Caden is the oldest child of Ron and Tammy Molitor, owners of the Sauk Rapids restaurant and event center and creators and operators of the famed Molitor’s Haunted Acres. Together with her parents, sister Cara Kaschmitter and brother Ronnie, Caden organizes the October event each year.

“Literally, the ve of us are still in it – just as strong as we were when we opened in 1998,” Caden said of the Oc-

tober attraction. “Our roles have changed, but our passion is still the same.”

From what started as a pumpkin patch, Molitor’s Haunted Acres is a thrill of a lifetime for juveniles and adults. Formerly a haunted hayride on the 20acre wooded property, the encounter has morphed into a terrifying walk-through experience.

Molitor’s Haunted Acres is open weekends in October with extended hours during MEA and Halloween weeks. The grill and bar features themed weekends, and a large Halloween party, Oct. 30, will capstone the month.

Caden started working Molitor’s Haunted Acres when she was just 14, placed as a scaremaster inside a cemetery scene.

By the time she graduated high school, her role had transitioned to ticket sales, and she continued to come home each year

PHOTOS

BY KAYLA KAHL

while going to college and living in Mankato.

When her eldest daughter was born in 2008, she moved home for a month, before relocating to Sauk Rapids permanently in 2009.

Dressed as a witch, Caden Vickstrom fully embraces the Halloween holiday with her family. The daughter of Ron and Tammy Molitor, Vickstrom and her siblings – Cara Kaschmitter and Ronnie Molitor – organize Molitor Haunted Acres each year with their parents.

Vickstrom page 3

Ron Molitor (from left), Cara Kaschmitter, Tammy Molitor, Caden Vickstrom and Ronnie Molitor are the family behind Molitor’s Haunted Acres.

The Halloween haunt began in 1998 on the 20-acre property in Sauk Rapids township.

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OBITUARIES • Jeffrey T. Rajkowski

PUBLIC NOTICES

• Notice of Dissolution - pg. 6B • Assumed Name - R&P Recreation - pg. 6B • Mortgage Foreclosure - pg. 6B • City of Sauk Rapids Reg. Minutes, Sept. 13 - pg. 10 • Probate Notice - Warnert - pg. 6B • Statement of Ownership - pg. 11

NEWS

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2021 | Page 3

Dig, set, spike, bid Volleyball Bash for a Cure provides ‘little things’ for cancer patients

BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER

RICE – There are only six bodies on the Volleyball Bash for a Cure committee and those people make a difference in a big way. But its all thanks to the surrounding businesses and community members who back their cause.

“The local support from businesses and people is undeniable,” Anne Pressnall said. “That’s what our event is based

off of. … That’s our support system.”

Pressnall alongside Jill Vannurden, Amy Vannurden, Kristi Plafcan, and Keith and Kristi O’Brien make up the Volleyball Bash for a Cure organization – a 501c (3) non-pro t with the goal of impacting local lives affected by cancer. The group is hosting its 12th annual event Oct. 1-2 at O’Brien’s Pub in Rice.

A recreational volleyball tournament began Friday evening, and

Saturday events continue with a competitive volleyball bracket as well as a silent auction and basket raf e from noon to 5 p.m.

A pulled pork meal, provided with a free-will offering, and sales of clothing and assorted items will take place.

And, tickets may still be available for the grand raf e, which is drawn Saturday evening followPHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER ing the close of the silent Volleyball Bash for the Cure members – Kristi Plafcan (from left), Jill Vannurden, Amy auction.

Vannurden and Anne Pressnall – stand outside O’Brien’s Pub Sept. 26 in Rice. Together with Keith and Kristi O’Brien, who are also members of the organization, the group is

Volleyball Bash page 4 hosting Volleyball Bash for a Cure Oct. 1-2 at the pub, benefitting radiation patients of the Coborn Cancer Center.

Vickstrom from front “That’s when my love for creating came alive,” said Caden, who has a degree in interior design.

“I was here for the family all the time, I wasn’t in school anymore, and I wasn’t two hours away. I would walk around with my Dad and we’d talk about ideas.”

Within the family, Ron is known for his big builds and even bigger ideas. Caden said her siblings and she enhance the ideas of their parents while being respectful of the masterpiece Ron and Tammy created.

Caden, Cara and Ronnie each have embraced tasks in the production of the event that suit their respective talents and lifestyles.

Cara is in charge of admissions. Ronnie is responsible for lighting and fog machines. And Caden concentrates on detail work and costumes. In addition to overseeing the family business, Ron is involved in show production and Tammy can be found inside the bar and

PHOTOS BY KAYLA KAHL

A frightful character awaits visitors at Molitor Haunted Acres. Caden Vickstrom, daughter of Ron and Tammy Molitor, enjoys concentrating on the details that make the haunt come alive.

grill or delegating security. Even though they have their own strengths, they all need each other.

“We went where we knew our skills would be the most successful,” Caden said. “But, we cross and blur the lines; we all help each other. … Not one of us will say, ‘I could totally do my job without you.’ That would be a lie.”

Caden’s enthusiasm for the spooky holiday can be seen in her costume design. Drawing inspiration from movies

and online, she enjoys the challenge of becoming different characters and will often spend time scrouging second-hand stores for attire – creating something unique and interesting.

“I like being a different person for a few hours out of the day,” Caden said. … “It fascinates me.

You can be somebody so different, but yet it’s so thin. They can’t tell who you are and it changes your whole persona.”

Caden said staying in

character is a test she fully accepts as people want to believe the impersonations are real.

“Last year, a lady screamed so long and so powerful in my face that I actually felt my hair moving,” Caden said. “And I just stood there and took it.”

Preparing for the annual event is never complete, but the family and employees begin the majority of the planning and physical labor in August each year. With so many perspectives involved, the Molitor family hopes to get ahead of problems before they start.

“We make sure everything that we do is safe, fun, scary and entertaining,” Caden said.

“Our biggest thing is to entertain because life is stressful. You need that break.”

This year, Caden’s daughter will become the third generation to perform in the show. After dipping her toes one weekend in 2020, the soon-to-be 13-year-old will get her chance to play a role as a scaremaster for the full season.

However, this is not

Caden Vickstrom is dressed in character during the month of October. Vickstrom has a passion for the Halloween holiday and spends time curating costumes and applying her own makeup.

the rst torch that has been passed. Caden said some families are already multi-generational employees or have had numerous children work at the haunt.

“We are truly family run,” Caden said. “They

might not all be Molitors, but we have a lot of families who like scaring people.”

Molitor’s Haunted Acres opened for the 2021 season Oct. 1.

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Page 4 | SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2021 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Celebration of Life Roger Trushenski A celebration of life for Roger Trushenski will be 2-5 p.m. Oct. 16 at the Sauk Rapids VFW. Prayers and a time of remembrance will be at 3:30 p.m.

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Hats off to thee

Storm to celebrate homecoming

SAUK RAPIDS – The Sauk Rapids-Rice School District is about to celebrate Storm Homecoming 2021.

The week’s events kick off with a powder puff football game at 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 3, at the Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School stadium. Female students from the senior and junior classes will go head-to-head to see who

can score the most points in a fun- lled game of football.

On Monday, Oct. 4, a homecoming king and queen will be crowned inside the Performing Arts Center at Sauk RapidsRice High School. The event begins at 6 p.m.

Senior candidates Wyatt Carpinella, Alex Harren, William Nielsen, Jacob Peters and Jayce Walrath will hope to receive the king’s crown while Addison Bemboom, Maggie Fernholz, Ella Gunderson, Aneleise Martinson and Darci Peterson will vie for the queen’s title.

The candidates will be attended to by their royal

court: juniors Cohen Mathies and Lilly Seamans, sophomores Leif Rudnick and Trinity Maki and freshmen Jonah Thell and Bailey Seaman.

Throughout the week, each high school class – or grade – will attempt to earn spirit points by participating in dress-up days, a scavenger hunt and door decorating contest. Final tallies will be announced during a homecoming pep fest at SRRHS the afternoon of Friday, Oct. 8, where the coveted Spirit Stick will be awarded.

In conjunction with the homecoming football game which takes place against St. Francis at 7 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 8, students are invited to an outdoor dance at the high school from 8:30-11:30 p.m.

In addition to the festivities for the students, Sauk Rapids-Rice will also celebrate its Storm Athletic Hall of Fame inductees. Ken Bemboom, Kristen (Hille) Heckendorf, August Machula Jr. and Thomas Regouski will be inducted into the hall of fame as the class of 2021.

They will be honored at half time of the football game and be celebrated at a ceremony at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, at SRRHS.

goodwill.

Jill Vannurden had been a three-year member of the Volleyball Bash for a Cure organization when she, herself, was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2018.

She underwent a lumpectomy and four treatments of chemotherapy before starting radiation. As she commuted to St. Cloud from her home in rural Royalton each day, a family gifted her a card for gas.

“It was the greatest thing ever because you’re doing treatment every day,” Jill said. “Something so unexpected is the best feeling in the world when you’re going through something like that.”

The organization, which had previously made a general donation to the treatment center, embraced the idea as their own.

“Even when we started this, we knew we wanted to impact on a very local, personal

level,” Pressnall said.

“We would meet with people at CentraCare and hear where their greatest needs were, and then after Jill went through that, we were like, ‘That’s it.

That’s our direct connection to these patients.’”

In addition to the gift card, the patients receive a note from Volleyball Bash for a Cure, reminding them they are not alone and that the local community supports them in their battle. The message has allowed communication between the patients and the group members making the drive of the organization that much stronger. They often receive thank you cards from patients who share glimpses of their journeys.

“It’s crazy that a little gift card for gas can make somebody feel so happy,” Kristi Plafcan said.

Plafcan’s life – like the lives of so many in our communities – has been touched by cancer.

Her mom, who also suf-

fers from Alzheimer’s disease, is a three-time cancer survivor. Plafcan became involved in the group because she is passionate about volleyball but also because of her family’s experience.

“It made me feel like I was doing a little bit more,” Plafcan said.

“Yes, you know you’re helping people, but when it affects you personally, it makes you feel even better.”

Each member has their own motivators for raising money and helping those in need.

Pressnall and Jill decided to be a part of Volleyball Bash for a Cure after its previous organizers decided to hang it up in 2015. The cancer battles of Pressnall’s grandmother and aunt were big inspirations; she had previously been involved in Relay for Life and decided to change her focus to a more local approach.

The passion to help was contagious which intrigued Amy Vannurden.

“For me it comes back down to that personal touch for people,” Amy said. … “I don’t play volleyball, but I just got roped in by the camaraderie of doing something good. It’s touching.”

With the weekend underway, the committee looks forward to seeing how they and their community can ght cancer in the years to come.

They have donated over $90,000 to the Coborn Cancer Center since taking over the event in 2015 and they hope to breach the $100,000 mark this year.

“I think about those people who don’t have family and friends like so many of us do in a smalltown community,” Pressnall said. “We’re being their support person or that group of people and helping them know they are not alone. Something so simple to us is so big to them.”

BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER

OBITUARY Agnes Demajos Rambeck Agnes Demajos Rambeck was born in Hungary, raised in France, came to Minneapolis in the 1960s. lived in Sauk Rapids for many years and died in Yakima, Washington, Sept. 19 after a long illness. Agnes is survived by daughter Ann Knight.

Memorials to the Greater TC Golden Retriever Club, 17627 Firebird Path, Farmington, MN 55024.

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Volleyball Bash from page 3 All proceeds are donated to the Coborn Cancer Center where each new radiation patient receives a gift card for fuel as they begin treatment.

No matter the cancer,

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The annual Bash event provides about 600 cards to patients each year and the amount applied to the cards is based off of funds raised at the fall event. In 2020, gifted gas cards had $35 loaded onto them, and in 2019, each patient received $30 for their commute.

A similar experience was the catalyst for the

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NEWS

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NEWS

School from front COVID-19 symptoms the district will use in making determinations about if a student should be sent home are found in the Minnesota Department of Health’s COVID-19 Decision Tree. This tool provides decision-making guidance for people in schools, youth programs and child care programs.

More common COVID-19 symptoms as identi ed by the Minnesota Department of Health include a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher, a new cough or cough that gets worse, dif culty breathing, and new loss of taste or smell. Students exhibiting one or more of these symptoms would be required to stay home for 10 days and be symptom free unless they test negative or have an alternative medical diagnosis, per the updated Safe Learning Plan.

Less common COVID-19 symptoms as identi ed by the Minnesota Department of Health are sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, chills, muscle pain, extreme fatigue and feeling tired, new severe and very bad headache, new nasal congestion or stuffy/runny nose.

Students exhibiting two or more of these symptoms would be required to stay home for 10 days and be symptom free unless they test negative or have an alternative medical diagnosis, per the updated Safe Learning Plan.

Superintendent Bradley Bergstrom said some district families have shared their child’s symptoms are the result of allergies, not COVID-19. As the new requirement states, if a student has a runny nose, for instance – a less common COVID-19 symptom – they will not be required to stay home, test or provide an alternate medical diagnosis. r If students do not have symptoms, they should wait three to ve rdays before testing, but if they have symptoms, they should test right taway, Bergstrom said.

Board chair Ryan Butkowski acknowledged that the Sauk Rapids area is lacking COVID-19 testing tsites, especially those that are open in the evenings.

Bergstrom said a list of testing sites will be posted on the COVID-19 Resources section of the tdistrict’s website.

School principals, who attended the meeting, nodded in unison when asked if the district has a high success rate of parents picking up children who have exhibited COVID-19 symptoms.

Butkowski also suggested the district provide a paper list of testing sites to parents and guardians when they arrive.

“The testing piece does make this dif cult for families if we don’t have enough of it available,” Bergstrom acknowledged. “But what we don’t want to have happen is somebody positive walking around our buildings. … We’ve got to do something to increase our testing so we can make better decisions.”

Change No. 2: If family member is affected, student must stay home, unless …

If a family has a member in their household who tests positive for COVID-19, all students in that household must stay home for 10 days and be symptom free, unless they are vaccinated or have had a positive COVID-19 test in the last 90 days.

If one of those three criteria is

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2021 | Page 5

School district launches COVID-19 dashboard A new COVID-19 dashboard is available on Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools’ website, isd47.org.

The dashboard can be accessed on the homepage by clicking “COVID-19 Information.”

Charts On the dashboard, viewers will see data the district uses to make decisions about COVID-19 mitigation measures. The district takes into account not only the county-level case data when determining requirements, but also the number of confirmed cases and close contacts in the school community, in each school building and grade level within the district.

Information on the dashboard is up to date, according to Christie Young, administrative assistant for the district.

At the top of the dashboard is a case summary, updated weekly. It shows the number of student and staff COVID-19 cases within a seven-day period – from Thursday to the next Wednesday – and the percentage of the total student population affected within that period.

Between Sept. 16-22, the district had 69 student COVID-19 cases, affecting 1.49% of 4,624 students. In that same period, there were 16 staff cases, affecting 2.32% of 690 staff.

Superintendent Bradley Bergstrom said the data timeframe is Thursday-Wednesday because the district’s COVID-19 incident management team meets on Thursdays.

Below the case summary is a chart showing weekly positive student COVID-19 cases by school. To protect cases from being identifiable, school buildings with five or less cases are recorded as less or equal to five cases.

The latest data showed the middle school had 35 cases and the high school had 16 cases. Pleasantview Elementary had 10 cases while the other elementary schools had five or less.

The dashboard also features charts with vaccination rates for Benton County and the state; daily case numbers for Benton and Stearns counties; active cases for Benton County; cumulative case rates, broken into age groups, for Benton County; and Minnesota school opening COVID-19 statistics.

Top 3 Things to Know This fall, the district also introduced “Top 3 Things to Know This Week,” a weekly communication designed to keep families updated about COVID-19 information, protocols and guidance at a glance.

Bergstrom said staff and members of the district’s COVID-19 Advisory Committee said information the district had been disseminating was too long. The new communication piece is designed to condense that information.

“Top 3 Things to Know This Week” is sent to parents and guardians and posted on the district’s website on Fridays.

Resources Another portion in the COVID-19 Information section of the district’s website provides links to coronavirus resources including Benton and Stearns counties’ COVID-19 dashboards, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website and Minnesota vaccine data. met, students may return to school, but families must still monitor them for symptoms. If they develop symptoms, then the criteria under change No. 1 applies.

The virus is easily transmittable among family members in the same household because they share common spaces, Bergstrom noted.

“What we don’t want to have happen again is, in that household, it may get spread to that student; they turn around and come to school and there’s a chance it could be given to somebody else,” he said.

Reason for changes Previously, Sauk Rapids-Rice students were not required to quarantine, but the district had recommended they stay home when sick and provided quarantine recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Minnesota Department of Health.

Concern for the health and safety of children prompted Bergstrom to propose the changes to the Safe Learning Plan.

“While most families are following the recommendations found in the current Safe Learning Plan, our data is indicating that some are not,” said a Sept. 28 notice to parents. “These changes are in direct response to what we are seeing in our schools.”

The increase in COVID-19 cases in Benton and Stearns counties also precipitated the additional prevention strategies.

“We see the numbers. We see that they’re going up,” Bergstrom told the school board. “These changes are really based upon some of the things that we have been seeing.”

The health and safety of all students, staff and building occupants, along with maintaining an in-person learning model, remain the top priorities for the district. Those are the goals of the latest changes to the Safe Learning Plan.

“We want to have our kids in school,” Bergstrom said. “That’s where they need to be, but when we have students who are coming with symptoms, and those symptoms turn into positive COVID cases, that provides an opportunity for additional measures.”

Bergstrom expanded on the need for modi cation to the school’s Safe Learning Plan.

“I want to make sure that, if students are having symptoms, that we’re getting them checked. And if they’re symptom free or get a negative test, then come on back,” Bergstrom said.

The changes are also intended to help families do the right thing, though Bergstrom said many families have already been doing that.

Butkowski said a large driver of complaints to school districts last year was quarantining healthy kids or those who were in contact with infected persons.

“This really seems to address that situation,” he said. “I certainly appreciate that and so does the general public.”

The Sept. 28 notice to parents said the district will continue to monitor external data and internal data at class, grade, building and district level. If data indicates adjustments to the Safe Learning Plan are needed, changes will be made accordingly, the notice said.

OBITUARY Jeffrey T. Rajkowski Jeffrey Thomas Rajkowski, 68, passed peacefully into the arms of his Savior Sept. 15, 2021, surrounded by his loving wife and children.

Jeff was born to Tony Rajkowski and Margie (Bemboom) Rajkowski Sept.

5, 1953, and grew up on a dairy farm in Mayhew Lake. As a middle child of seven, he learned how to work hard and fend for himself against three older brothers.

He often told stories alongside his brothers of the adventures and altercations that gave the Rajkowski brothers a reputation. One such memory was the time Jeff tried to Tarzan his way up a barn loft rope just as fast as his little brother, Tim, was untying it at the top, causing Jeff to fall and break his arm.

Jeff graduated from Sauk Rapids High School in 1971, and then continued his education at St. Cloud State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in photo engineering technology in 1976. In his yearbook, he was dubbed “Mr. Irresistible.” Jeff loved photography and canoeing and took many beautiful photos of his Yukon River travels, and the animals and plant life of the wild, northwest mountains. Shortly after managing a photography shop in Cambridge, Jeff packed up his Ford Pinto and adventured out to Montana where he got a job on Big Mountain. It was 1980.

In White sh, Jeff met the love of his life, Debra Dodd, a beautiful artist who had been traveling through town from the East Coast.

They were married Oct. 9, 1983. Jeff convinced Deb to set down roots and together they raised seven children in Coram.

Jeff worked for Glacier National Park as a seasonal employee for over 40 years and loved every minute of being close to the mountains and his co-worker friends whom he worked alongside. Jeff loved to make people laugh over and over again even if it was the same joke.

On any given day, you might hear him say, “If a chicken and a half laid an egg and a half, in a day and a half, how many pancakes would it take to shingle a doghouse?”

In case you were wondering, the answer is 29. Jeff loved so many things — the mountains of Glacier National Park, early morning

Jeffrey T. Rajkowski

whitetail hunts, watching his kids and grandkids play sports, cooking Polish dogs for family cookouts, organizing family singing, and setting up tournament brackets for family games of basketball, badminton or cornhole.

He also enjoyed creating his own special trophies for those of us who shot the biggest buck in the fall or had the best March Madness bracket in the spring.

Left behind to honor Jeff and remember his love and laughter are his wife of 38 years, Debra Rajkowski, and their seven children, Sarah (Greg) Louden, Ruben (Eliza) Rajkowski, Emil (Becca) Rajkowski, Hannah (Josh) Bowerman, Isaac (Jordan) Rajkowski, Maggie (Zach) Falk and Priscilla (Chad) Frasier.

He is also survived by 14 grandchildren, Brinkley, Kenton, Silas, Jackson, Ember, Asher, Loveah, Everly, Maverick, Aiden, Desmond, Sebastian, Elias and Rosalie. Jeff is also survived by his siblings, Bob (Sandy) Rajkowski, Joe (Teresa) Rajkowski, Mike (Sue) Rajkowski, Tim (Gloria) Rajkowski, JoAnn (Greg) Marshall and sister-inlaw Carol (Sinotte).

Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, Tony and Margie Rajkowski, his brother Ed Rajkowski, his nephew Jared Rajkowski, and his sister-in-law JoAnne (Saldana) Rajkowski.

Jeff loved his Savior Jesus Christ, his wife, kids, grandkids and friends with all of his heart and will be dearly missed by many.

A memorial service was held in his honor at 4 p.m. Sept. 25 at Central Bible Church, 902 First Ave E., Kalispell, Montana, 59901.

The Rajkowski family would like to extend our gratitude to the staff at Logan Health and to all those who supported us with prayer and love during Dad’s last few weeks. JohnsonGloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.

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Page 6 | SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2021 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Fungus gnats Fungus gnats may hitchhike a ride on plants brought indoors after a summer outdoors. The gnats lay their eggs in the soil and hatch out as small black insects resembling GREEN AND tiny ies, which are GROWING attracted to light. I IN BENTON COUNTY have found them yBY LINDA G. TENNESON ing in front of my computer screen.

Fungus gnats are 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch long with clear or light gray wings and have long antennae. The gnats do not bite people and do minimal damage to plants unless they are allowed to multiply in large numbers. These gnats like other insects have four life stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult.

The female gnats lay their eggs on moist organic soil or debris. The eggs hatch three days after they have been laid. The larvae feed on fungi and organic matter in soil. They are also known to chew on plant roots. The pupa stage occurs when the larvae is in a cocoon before emerging as an adult approximately three weeks later.

The gnats are attracted to moist conditions, so avoid standing water such as water left in plant drip trays for long periods of time. Warm indoor temperatures in the 65- to 75-degree range combined with moist soils encourage gnat growth. Adult gnats live for only seven to 10 days, but the females may lay hundreds of eggs during that period.

If many larvae are feeding on one plant, it may wilt and appear to be short of water. One source recommends placing quarter-inch thick slices or wedges of raw potato on the soil. If the larvae, which are about a quarter inch long, migrate to the moist potato and begin to eat it, they will be visible when the bottom side of the potato is inspected. Or, yellow sticky cards meant for collecting insects may be placed on the soil surface to check for larvae.

Outdoor soil collected for houseplant use should rst be sterilized by keeping it in clear or black plastic bags left in the sun for four to six weeks. The heat will kill any fungus gnat eggs and larvae. The easiest way to control these nuisances is to treat the soil surface where the eggs, larvae and pupa exist.

A commercial insecticidal soap may be sprayed on the soil surface. Home recipe versions of insecticidal soap may be found online. However, they should be made only with liquid soap that does not contain bleach or other ingredients and tested on low value plants before use. More powerful and potentially dangerous insecticides are used in commercial greenhouses where more gnats may exist.

Segregating plants brought indoors for a short period of time for observation is a good way to monitor for fungus gnats or other pests before they can migrate to neighboring plants. Also allowing the top 1-2 inches of the soil to dry out between watering will kill the larvae. Fungus gnats may also be found indoors near water leaks and moist areas. Repairing the leak or moisture problem will stop the gnats from multiplying.

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

OPINION

Remember to count “You get what you get and you don’t someone we care about. Honoring their throw a t.” memory becomes a new prayer, and holdMy daycare provider, when my oldest ing those still here, tighter, can be one way was a toddler, had that mantra and taught it to grieve the loss. to all the children she took care of. This is a Likewise, when you ask for goodness life mantra, and it pertains to when you get and blessings, you get what you get and the worst thrown at you or when you get the you don’t throw a t. I have been loving my best in abundance. dependent children but also asking for reThis sounds so immature, but I catch prieve and it is now coming in abundance. A myself wanting to throw a tantrum when my weekend getaway at a women’s conference LIFE BY FAITH two toddlers have been throwing them, backin Indiana, an apologetics conference in the to-back. The constant noise is indescribable BY MERCY NYGAARD Twin Cities, and an extremely thorough Bibecause our youngest has the lungs and voble teacher I admire is coming to town soon. cal cords of a foghorn. I love those little nuggets and we I’ve also been able to help at my daughter’s volleyball are so thankful they have added this level of love to our practices, and my son is nally in a sport he’s excited family, but we really cover our ears at many moments about. My daughter, after being disappointed she didn’t to protect them. get the chance to go to a summer camp, got the opporVehicles breaking down, job transitions, sickness, tunity to go to a fall retreat at Camp Shaminau with her even funerals. To everything there is a season, laughing classmates. I get to drive my oldest daughter to her work and weeping, gaining and losing. Through the weeping, because her car broke down, and I’ve been thankful for Christians can still see the reason for hope. They can the extra time together in the car. One of my brothers count the trial joy, if not in the immediate throes of it, is coming to visit soon after my other brother’s recent eventually after. Every individual will count it joy at a passing. The scheduling and busyness of these goodies different time. There’s no exact formula for moving on. have us a little frazzled, especially at supper time, but One way to “count it all joy” is to try to nd the we are singing praises as much as we try to in the worst good in the sorrow. We don’t often think, I’m so glad of times. this car is driving smoothly, when we are on our way All of this takes reminding. Constant reminding. to a destination. But when a vehicle breaks down, we When I have gone so long without remembering the gain appreciation for when it runs well. There has prob- purpose for seasons, I am beside myself irritated and I ably never been a time in history when so many people begin to throw a t. The purpose is always to remind us have had to make a job transition, and transitions are to lean fully on God. The purpose is to humble us and to hard. Many times, transitioning can help us prioritize receive the joy of the Lord by trusting in him and holdand discover something bene cial we would have never ing fast to our hope. I hope no matter how dire your cirfound if we had stayed in the same occupation. After cumstances may look, that you can nd the opportunity symptoms wear off from being sick, gratitude lls our to re ect on the need for God, his help and the ability to attitudes when we are up and moving around as nor- count it joy. mal. Time is wasted and taken for granted until we lose

Another tragedy In September, a friend of mine had to people at the treatment center had good witness a tragedy. On a Saturday morning, hearts despite their bad choices. Some of rst-responders removed from my friend’s them made me proud when they received home the lifeless body of a young woman sobriety medallions or I ran into them who had overdosed on a drug. months or years later and learned they I can’t say I knew her, but I had met were ourishing in a life free of drugs and/ the woman who succumbed to her drug ador alcohol. diction. When I met her, she was attending I wish she could have been one of an aftercare program. Based on what my them. friend told me, she was attending support EXPRESSIONS BY EL Sadly, not all addicts can be saved. meetings and making strides on her journey BY ELLARRY PRENTICE They must want to seek help and stay the toward recovery. course for that help to be effective. No one I don’t know when she relapsed, but by can do it for them. mid-summer, it was apparent she was using again.

During my time at the recovery center, I noticed Implored by friends and family, my friend asked that treatment sometimes worked for people court-orher to nd another place to live. She was making plans dered to receive it, but only if they wanted it to. Most of to move but never made it to her next destination. the time, people who were there simply because a judge This woman was among the tens of thousands of said they had to be went back to using.

Americans who die from opioid-involved overdoses I don’t believe drug abuse will be eradicated in my every year. lifetime. There will always be a market for substances In 2019, 70,630 drug overdose deaths occurred in that lure users and dealers with prospects of euphoric our country, according to the Centers for Disease Con- experiences and money. trol and Prevention. More than 70% – or just under Some people are desperate to escape reality, and I 50,000 – of those overdose deaths involved an opioid. empathize with that. Every woman I met at the treatI struggled with the news of her death because from ment center had either been physically or sexually what little I knew, she seemed to be a good person. She abused. Their circumstances do not justify their choices had people who cared about her and lots of life ahead of but provide some perspective. her but was trapped under the weight of her addiction.

I believe drug addiction starts as a choice but maniIn a group text message after her death, a mutual fests as a disease that addicts cannot overcome without friend said she “deserved” to die based on her actions. compassionate intervention.

That upset me.

Perpetuating the stigma and referring to struggling She didn’t deserve to die, especially not alone and addicts as useless members of society hinders their in that manner. She was a human being – a daughter, chances of recovery. sister, friend and “dog mom.” She was loved.

Ultimately, taking steps to overcome addiction is I used to interact with people like her all the time at their choice, but by fostering empathy, refraining from an outpatient treatment center. judgement and supporting them on their journey we can Like the woman who lived with my friend, many prevent more tragedies.

Traditional letters to the editor policy Letters to the editor and other opinion articles are welcome. Letters must be signed with a first and last name and include an address and phone number. Letters should be under 400 words and to the point, and be submitted by 10 a.m. Friday. Anything over 400 words will be charged accordingly.

E-mail to natasha@saukherald.com

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2021 | Page 7 NEWS Sauk Rapids approves over $700,000 hike in 2022 preliminary tax levy

Additional funds to be used for major road improvements

BY TIM SPEIER STAFF WRITER

SAUK RAPIDS — The Sauk Rapids City Council approved a $4.89 million 2022 preliminary tax levy that would come with a 3.6% tax rate increase during its meeting Sept. 27. If nothing changes before the end of the year, Sauk Rapids’ tax rate would stand at 44.51% in 2022 – below St. Cloud and St. Joseph’s current tax rates but above Sartell’s.

With a 17.05% levy increase, the funds that the city is requesting are due in part to the 46-year-old and older roads that need replacing.

The proposed levy would bring an additional $711,800 in revenue over the 2021 tax levy as city staff prepares to take on one of Sauk

Rapids’ largest projects in history.

Totaling $15.7 million, an 11.6-mile two-year road improvement was partially approved in 2021 and is scheduled to start in 2022. Road improvements encompass portions of Second Avenue North and some surrounding side streets as well as a portion of Division Street and some side streets Of the city’s 65.3 miles of road, only 14.3 miles are eligible for state funding, leaving the residents of Sauk Rapids to cover the cost of the other 50.95 miles.

A public hearing prior to the nal 2022 levy and budget certi cation will be 6 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Sauk Rapids Government Center. Council members can reduce the preliminary levy before certi cation but cannot increase the amount.

The city intends to operate on a general fund budget of $6,944,300 in 2022, an increase of $416,000.

Included in the budget and levy is funding for three positions: building maintenance, a police administrative employee and a new police of cer in preparation for a planned retirement in 2023.

Additionally, election costs of an estimated $33,000 were added due to the mid-term election year.

In other council news: – The Sauk Rapids City Council will not be meeting as scheduled Oct. 12. Due to scheduling con icts, the council will meet at 6 p.m. Oct. 14.

– Steve Heinen, Benton County District 3 Commissioner, thanked the city for the donation of playground equipment.

BREAK

CROSSWORD

District’s tax levy proposed to increase Preliminary amount set at $10.821 million

BY ELLARRY PRENTICE STAFF WRITER

SAUK RAPIDS – Property taxes payable to the Sauk RapidsRice School District next year are proposed to increase about 3.5%.

On Sept. 27, the Sauk RapidsRice School Board set the district’s preliminary 2022 property tax levy at $10,821,153. The proposed levy would increase $368,465 from the current levy of $10.453 million.

The proposed levy would generate $4,647,093 million for the district’s general fund, up 6.53%.

That amounts to $278,977 for the community service fund, up 1.56%, and $5,895,082 for the debt service fund, up 1.37%.

Funding for the Sauk RapidsRice School District is a shared responsibility among local, state and

federal entities. While the majority of revenue for District 47 comes from the state, local property taxes account for a small percentage of the district’s overall operating budget.

Based on student enrollment, the general fund levy would increase $284,746 from the current levy. Property taxes generated for the general fund would go toward expenses such as general education, building and land lease, facility maintenance, career and technical services, and safe schools initiatives such as security and police liaison services.

The largest share of the district’s general fund levy comes from voter-approved levies. In 2019, voters approved a $37 million bond issue to fund the construction of a new Pleasantview Elementary School, which is to be repaid with additional taxes over 20 years.

Community service fund dollars, based on district population, go toward expenses for general community education, Early Child-

hood Family Education, home visits and school-age child care. The proposed levy calls for an increase of $4,272 from the current levy.

Debt service funds are used to pay off existing debt. The annual levy is what is needed to pay principal and interest payments of bonded debt, plus 5%. The proposed levy calls for an increase of $79,446 from the current levy.

The district is required to set a preliminary levy amount before Sept. 30 so the county can compute estimates and place them on proposed property tax statements, which will be mailed to property owners in November.

The district will present truthin-taxation information in December and offer property owners an opportunity to provide input on the proposed levy.

After accepting input from property owners, the board will certify the nal levy for placement on the 2022 property tax rolls. The nal levy can be lower but not higher than the preliminary levy.

News Briefs

Benton County launches broadband study Sauk Rapids compost FOLEY – Benton County has launched a study to close early by one hour SAUK RAPIDS – As daylight hours are reduced, the city of Sauk Rapids compost site will also reduce their hours. The compost will close one hour earlier on weekdays beginning Wednesday, Oct. 6.

Saturday hours will remain the same.

The compost will be open Mondays 3-6 p.m., Wednesdays noon to 6 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Compost site stickers or permits are available for purchase online or at the Sauk Rapids Government Center during normal business hours. The site is available to single family residences; permits will not be sold for duplexes or commercial and industrial uses.

The compost site is located at 3135 Quarry Road N.E., Sauk Rapids.

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of internet service in the county and needs the help of residents. The county envisions a goal of all county residents and businesses served with high-speed internet service.

With the arrival of federal American Rescue Plan Act funding, this goal could become a reality. The county needs to understand the quality of internet service residents have in order to use federal funds in allowable areas. Federal funds can be spent in either unserved areas or areas with slow internet speeds, often referred to as underserved areas.

The county’s broadband committee, chaired by Commissioner Jared Gapinski, asks all county residents and businesses to complete a broadband survey and speed test. Links to the surveys and speed test can be found on the county website. Look for the link “Benton County Broadband” in the popular links section. The county plans to keep the survey open through Nov. 1.

Page 8 | SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2021 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2021 | Page 9

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Page 10 | SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2021 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Police Activity Report Sept. 20-26

Sauk Rapids Police Department

Sept. 22, 11:23 a.m. – A person on the 1100 block of Summit Avenue North claimed six chickens were killed or wounded by two canines. Law enforcement spoke with the complainant and the owner of the dogs and impounded the dogs.

Sept. 23, 6:38 p.m. – A caller reported suspicious activity on the 2500 block of Quarry Road Northeast. A vehicle was parked in the grass between the roadway and Highway 10 and appeared to have attempted to drive onto Highway 10. The of cer stopped and identi ed the driver, who had a permit to harvest the grass in the ditch.

The driver was checking the length of the grass and showed no signs of impairment.

Sept. 25, 4:53 p.m. – Law enforcement was dispatched to the 1300 block of Second Avenue North. A juvenile requested police response. The juvenile was upset because the consequence for not following rules was to have her phone taken away by an adult. When the juvenile attempted to walk away from a parent, refusing to relinquish the phone, the parent grabbed the hood of the juvenile’s sweatshirt. When the sweatshirt ripped the parent let go. The of cer mediated the situation and explained to the juvenile the need to follow rules, make better choices and react more appropriately. Prior to the of cer leaving, the juvenile agreed to give up the phone to the parent.

Incidents: Assists 22, miscellaneous calls 16, suspicious activity reports 13, medical calls 11, warnings 9, human services reports 7, disturbances 6, pet licenses 6, child calls 5, reworks calls 5, fraud complaints 5, harassment calls 5, welfare checks 5, police proactive visits 4, animal complaints 3, parking violations 3, permits to purchase 3, unwanted persons 3, warrants 3, 911 calls 2, civil complaints 2, deaths 2, domestics 2, extra patrols 2, ordinance violations 2 and thefts 2.

Rice Police Department

Sept. 21, 7:32 p.m. – An of cer initiated a traf c stop at the intersection of County Road 2 and County Road 73 for a driver talking on a cell phone. The female driver said she is a physician and did not want her daughter to hear the medical conversation. Of cer informed the driver of the hands free law and advised her to pull over in a safe location if it is an emergency call. Driver was issued a verbal warning.

Incidents: traf c stops 8, miscellaneous calls 5, assists 3, agency assists 2, medical calls 2 and suspicious activity reports 2.

NEWS/ SPORTS

New co-op Crush gets past Storm SRR tennis drops match to St. Cloud

BY TOM FENTON STAFF WRITER

The Sauk RapidsRice High School girls tennis team faced another program in its rst year in a Central Lakes Conference dual Sept.

28. The Storm faced the newly-formed Tech/ Apollo Crush at Apollo High School in St. Cloud.

Though the Crush is in its rst year in a cooperative program, neither school is new to tennis. Tech has been the dominant program in central Minnesota for the better part of three decades with multiple state tournament appearances on its resume.

The co-op program proved plenty strong as well in a 6-1 win over SRR. The Storm, who are searching for their rst dual meet victory, got an impressive three-set win from senior Grace Roesch at No. 2 singles.

Roesch has been the most consistent performer this season.

“Grace’s ability to place the ball and drive deep strokes has been a game-changer for her,” Storm head coach Trish Bemboom said.

After not winning a game in the rst set, Roesch reversed the tone of the match quickly, winning 6-1, 6-2 to seal the victory. Senior Brynn Karasch dropped a straight-set match at No. 1 singles to Paige Tarrolly, younger sister of a family tennis dynasty

Community Stars

Artist Drake receives pandemic recovery grant

FOLEY – The Central Minnesota Arts Board awarded $71,877 in Pandemic Recovery for Individuals grants. Sarah Drake, of Sauk Rapids, received a $5,000 grant to support the writing, illustration and publishing of the third book in the series, “Nanou’s Promise”.

Pandemic Recovery for Individuals provides funding for activities that help artists adapt their work to the changing environment, return to creative careers after leaving the workforce during the pandemic, and to stay relevant and connected to audiences, participants, students or communities.

for Tech High School the past 10 years.

Alyssa Meyer and Gabby Jaskolka each lost their singles matches, as did the doubles teams of Addison BemboomBelle Haddy, McKinsey Newbanks-Kathryn Stiegel and Kiah ZaskeAddison Buchanan.

“The entire team has been constantly improving and it is super exciting to continue to see growth,” Karasch said.

“The wins aren’t showing up yet, but hopefully as we continue to see growth, the post season will go better for us. For me, I have also grown as a player this season and am still improving my skills for sections.”

The Storm had several competitive matches in a 6-1 loss Sept.

23 at Alexandria. Roesch earned SRR’s lone victory with a 6-3, 6-2 win at No. 2 singles. Karasch lost a hard-fought battle at No. 1, losing 7-6, 7-6.

Bemboom and Haddy had lost their No. 1 doubles match in three sets.

Karasch said the team’s 4-3 loss to Sartell Sept. 22 was an example of the progress the team has made.

“The Sartell match was a lot of fun for the entire team because it was so competitive among all levels,” Karasch said. “A few of the varsity matches went into three sets and went on for a long time.

It was very windy the day of our match which made playing more challenging, but we all worked through it.”

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R39-1B-RB

Public Notice REGULAR MEETING SAUK RAPIDS CITY COUNCIL SAUK RAPIDS GOVERNMENT CENTER, 250 Summit Ave N. Monday, September 13, 2021 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. 08-23-2021 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Motion: Moved by Councilperson Thronson and seconded by Councilperson Seamans to approve the 08-23-2021 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes. Motion carried unanimously with Mayor Hunstiger abstaining from the vote.

5. Receive and File NONE 6. Mayor’s Communications • Sauk Rapids Women of Today 50 Year Celebration— Mayor Hunstiger presented the Sauk Rapids Women of Today with a Mayoral Proclamation recognizing their 50 years of service to the City of Sauk Rapids.

Judy Moldenhauer, President of Sauk Rapids Women of Today, said that Sauk Rapids Women of Today is a politically and religiously non-af liated group. She explained that Sauk Rapids Women of Today provides a place for women and men to come together and volunteer on an assortment of community projects. The goal of the orga-

nization is to make the community a better place while achieving personal and professional growth. Moldenhauer reviewed prior projects that have been done in the City of Sauk Rapids. She said that Sauk Rapids Women of Today is always on the lookout for different ways in which it can help out to bene t the community.

• Riverside Nights-Mayor Hunstiger stated that last Thursday marked the last of the Riverside Nights music series for 2021.He thanked the City Council, staff, residents, and visitors to the City of Sauk Rapids for making the concerts series a success.

Ross Olson noted that he needs to start planning for next year if the Council is interested in doing Riverside Nights again in 2022. The City Council agreed by consensus to move forward with Riverside Nights for 2022.

7. Audience Items/Visitors Total Time Limit 2 Minutes for Items NOT on the Agenda NONE 8. Public Hearings NONE 9. Consent Agenda A. Approve Hiring Two New Probationary Employees for the Fire Department B. Approve 2021 Plumbing and Mechanical Contractor Licenses C. Approve Authorizing Detailed Estimate Fee for the Potential Undergrounding of Power Lines for the 2022 Second Avenue Reconstruction Project D. Approve Appointment to the Police Of cer Position E. Approve Donating Old Playground Set at Lions Park to Benton County Motion: Moved by Councilperson Ellering and seconded

by Councilperson Sauer to approve consent agenda item 9A-9E. Motion carried unanimously.

10. Regular Agenda

NONE 11. Other Staff Items A. Swing Set—Ross Olson noted that the donation of the old playground equipment to Benton County that was approved as agenda item 11-A does not include a swing set that will be retained for a small park in the city that is need of swings. Olson said that Benton County is aware of the swing set not being included.

B. Community Noti cation Meeting-Perry Beise stated that the Sauk Rapids Police Department will be holding a public meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, September 20th in the Council Chambers at the Sauk Rapids Government Center. The public meeting is part of a statutory requirement for a Level 3 Predatory Offender.

12. Other Council Items and Communications A. APO Update-Councilperson Seamans provided an update and materials from the last Area Planning Organization meeting that she attended. Councilperson Seamans reviewed some items from the 2020 Regional Active Transportation Plan as well as a listing of the projects that the APO has prioritized and planned for through 2030. The regional pro le for the City of Sauk Rapids was also discussed. Councilperson Seamans said that the APO is requesting public comments through October 8th.

13. Approve List of Bills and Claims Motion: Moved by Councilperson Sauer and seconded by Councilperson Thronson to approve the List of Bills and Claims. Motion carried unanimously.

14. Adjournment Motion: Moved by Councilperson Thronson and seconded

by Councilperson Seamans to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously.

Mayor Hunstiger adjourned the meeting at 6:20 p.m.

R-39-1B

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2021 | Page 13

SPORTS

Storm football remains unbeaten 1 at Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School Stadium.

The Lumberjacks are coming off a 19-6 win over Brainerd.

Ackerman had one nal statement before boarding the team buses that had pizza waiting.

“It feels awesome to be 4-0,” he said.

Watch for the game story from the Sauk Rapids-Rice versus Bemidji game online.

The story should be uploaded to www. saukrapidsherald.com by noon Saturday, Oct. 2. Follow us on Twitter @HeraldSauk and on Facebook.

Thorough performance ends in 33-7 win at Cambridge

BY TOM FENTON STAFF WRITER

The Highway 95 detour on the way to Cambridge Sept.

24 turned what is a relatively routine trip into an adventure. What it did not do, however, is re-route the Sauk RapidsRice football team on their journey to remain unbeaten.

Despite a slow start that likely served as a wakeup call, SRR left a scenic George Larson Field with a 33-7 victory over Cambridge-Isanti.

The Bluejackets have three state titles on their resume and were a former Rum River Conference rival for Sauk Rapids.

Coaches involved in the program said this is the rst win in Cambridge in program history.

The 4-0 start for SRR is the rst for the program since 1994.

“We have very high expectations,” Storm head coach Phillip Klaphake said. “Our goal is to win every game we play. We told the kids we were proud of the effort, but we need to keep getting better.”

The Bluejackets (13) were coming off a 21-0 win against Tech High School and started strong, highlighted by a 27-yard touchdown pass on their rst drive that put the Storm behind for the rst time this season.

“We came out at and had a couple missed coverages,” said Storm linebacker Cole Ackerman, who helped anchor a defense that held C-I to 225 yards. “That touchdown they scored right away opened our

eyes, and we were like ‘We really have to play now.’ But we sharpened up after that and played like ourselves.

Our physicality went up on defense.”

It was apparent SRR did not panic.

The Storm responded with a 1-yard touchdown plunge from quarterback Dom Mathies and added scores with a 5-yard catch from Andrew Harren and an 18-yard strike from Mathies to Carter Loesch before halftime.

Loesch, a University of Minnesota-Duluth recruit, reaped the bene ts of a bit more open offense.

The Bluejackets defensive line made running dif cult early, which ultimately sparked a bigplay mentality for SRR. After the Storm defense stopped the Bluejackets on the opening drive of the second half, Mathies and Loesch wasted no time taking advantage, connecting on a 58-yard touchdown pass on a sideline pattern that was well-covered.

“All of our receivers did a really good job; We just have to keep it going,” said Loesch, who had 76 yards receiving.

“This is one special team we’ve got. It’s a little nerve-wracking when I’m out in the open and I see the ball coming, but it’s also a great feeling.”

Mathies turned in his usual balanced performance, completing 13 of 20 passes for 253 yards with three touchdowns. He also rushed for two scores.

His two interceptions came on long pass

6 14 13 0-33 PHOTOS BY TOM FENTON SRR 7 0 0 0-7 Sauk Rapids-Rice senior tight end Jayce Walrath makes his way toward the goal line CI First quarter: CI – after catching one of his two passes as the Storm faced Cambridge-Isanti Sept. 24 in Cambridge. Walrath gained 14 yards on the reception, setting up quarterback Dom Colton Skoglund 27 pass from Ari Sullivan (kick Mathies’ 1-yard touchdown on the next play. good); SRR – Dom Mathies run (kick blocked). attempts. a concussion and neck could to make up for 1Second quarter: SRR – Running back and stinger in the Storm’s Alex’s absence, nishing Andrew Harren 5 pass from defensive back Alex win over Alexandria. with six receptions for Dom Mathies (Walrath Harren was on the His younger brother, 116 yards. pass from Dom Mathies); sidelines after suffering Andrew, did what he The Bluejackets SRR – Carter Loesch 18 pass opening scoring drive from Dom Mathies (kick turned out to be nothing failed). Third quarter: SRR more than an aberration – Carter Loesch 58 pass for an SRR defense that from Mathies (Owen Arndt has been nothing short of kick); SRR – Dom Mathies 2 failed). dominant. A third-quarter run (kick SRR leaders: Rushing: sack from Loesch sent Dom Mathies 6-80, Austin the Storm crowd into a Horn 5-28, Broden Flakne frenzy and summed up 3-15.

Passing: Dom the team’s performance. Mathies 13-20 253 2.

Junior defensive Receiving: Harren 6-115, back Ethan Anderson Carter Loesch 2-76, Walrath led the way with 10 2-28, Zach Kosloske 1-17, tackles, seven of which Bryce Lund 2-17. Tackles were solo. Ackerman (solo-assists): Anderson Walrath 5-1, Ackerman had eight tackles, while 7-3, 5-3, Travis Biery 4-3, Olson Walrath and Will White 4-1, Harren 2-1, Carter each had six.

Loesch 2-1 (1 sack), White “It’s a great win for 2-4, Mason Rudolph us and I’m really proud 2-2, Cohen Mathies 2-0, of our team,” said senior Horn 1-0, Flakne 1-1, defensive back Peyton Graham Doherty 1-0, Evan Olson, who had ve Kardell 1-0, Jack O’Brien tackles. “We’ve come a 1-0, Kosloske 0-2, Chris long way. We’re going to Wolter 1-0, Riley Stover 0-1, Max Loesch 0-1.

Sauk Rapids-Rice senior linebacker Cole Ackerman brings down Cambridge-Isanti running back Devin Larson for one of his eight tackles Sept. 24 at George Larson Field in Cambridge. The Storm fell behind early before coming back for a 33-7 victory to improve to 4-0 this season.

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Page 14 | SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2021 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

The Rocori CrossCountry Invitational Sept. 23 at River Oaks Golf Course in Cold Spring gave the Sauk Rapids-Rice crosscountry team a nal chance to prepare for one of their biggest events of the season.

In cross-country, the chance to run on the home course happens once per season for most programs. The Storm received that chance Sept. 30 for their own invitational.

The team used the preparation well in nearperfect conditions at Rocori. The Storm boys nished ninth in the 11-team meet and the girls elded a full team – which was in doubt before the season started – placing 10th.

“We are very proud of the progress our runners are making,” Storm head coach Sandie Lahr said. “All of their hard work in practice is paying off as 15 runners had personal records at this meet. Every week, our athletes set goals for the meet. It’s great to see their success. They are determined to achieve that goal every week.”

Alex Ostendorf led the SRR boys, placing 13th in 18 minutes, 12 seconds. He has been the top performer in each meet this season for the Storm.

Placing 29th was Nate Martin in 18:46.

The team score was completed by Mason Foss (60th, 20:40), Kieran Hixson (64th, 21:20) and Luke Loidolt (65th, 22:05). Avery Nathe placed 67th and Ayden Tucker was 68th.

In the girls race, Amelia Reker and Faith Bogle led SRR, placing 39th and 40th, respectively.

Reker nished the 5,000-meter course in 22:56, with Bogle close behind in 23:00.

Elka Sowada came in 50th place in 24:17, Rosa Mazacek 60th in 27:07 and Chantelle Dickerson 61st in 33:41.

The Storm compete in the 13-team Becker Invitational Tuesday, Oct. 5, at Becker.

SRR volleyball wins fourth straight match

BY TOM FENTON | STAFF WRITER

Things did not necessarily go as planned for the Sauk Rapids-Rice volleyball team Sept.

28.

Senior hitter Darci Peterson admitted the team may have been a bit overcon dent heading into the Central Lakes Conference contest with their rivals to the south. After an early wakeup call, the Storm collected their thoughts – and their game – in a dramatic 3-2 victory at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School in Sauk Rapids.

Scores were 17-25, 25-18, 23-25, 2515 and 15-13 as the Storm won their fourth straight match to improve to 7-5 overall.

“It did not start how we thought it would,” said Peterson who nished with seven kills, three service aces and 10 digs. “We thought it

was going to be a quick game and we would win easily. I feel like we were a little too comfortable so we didn’t play as intense as we usually would. Then we realized we’d have to start working harder, and it came down to who wanted it more.”

Inconsistency hurt SRR in the third set, but it was able to turn the momentum when it mattered most. Sophomore Ava Athman led the offense with 11 kills, Lexi Helmin had nine and Morgan Eggert six to lead the Storm attack.

“It went well in the last two sets because we had that drive to win,” said senior setter Kieryn Hirdler, who had 37 set assists and six digs. “We gained some con dence after the fourth set when we were telling ourselves to push a little bit harder. It was an energy thing. We were down for a bit then we brought ourselves back up.”

Jordyn Lee had four kills and 13 digs, and Urbowicz led the team with 15 digs.

“This should bene t us in the next few games knowing we can bounce back when we’re down,” Hirdler said. “We’ve had more

team time and bonding more lately. We had some bumpy roads with people sitting out with injuries, but we’re getting in the groove now and having the same lineup so we can roll with it better.”

Adding to a satisfying week for the Storm was a 3-0 sweep of Sartell Sept. 23 at SRRHS. Scores were 25-16, 25-22 and 25-16.

Eggert and Peterson led a balanced offense with six kills each. Athman recorded ve and Helmin four. Urbowicz led the defense with 13 digs.

“We’re on a nice streak,” Peterson said.

“We’re doing a good job of working together in practice and staying positive toward each other on and off the court. There are still challenges.

We’re taking it day by day and trying to be prepared for anything if changes happen.”

The Storm played at Willmar Sept. 30.

The Cardinals entered that match with a 10-4 record but were defeated by Sartell Sept. 28.

Rocori will visit SRRHS for a CLC match Tuesday, Oct. 5.

Busy stretch includes swim and dive tournament

Storm take championship in Duluth

BY TOM FENTON STAFF WRITER

Sauk Rapids-Rice cohead swimming and diving coach Whitney Jendro calls it “the grind.”

It is when the regular season reaches about the halfway point and the team is seemingly competing every other day. Keeping the athletes fresh, she said, can be challenging.

That is why spiritlifting performances such as the dual meet at Foley Sept. 27 and the Soderlind Invitational Sept. 25 in Duluth were huge for the team’s psyche. The Storm dropped a competitive 9690 decision at a boisterous Foley High School pool and two days earlier won a nine-team invitational hosted by Duluth Denfeld.

“It’s always a dilemma in swimming,” Jendro said.

“This is the hardest part of the season. We just need to understand that swimming

is more about the end of the season championship meets. We want to be performing at a high level at these dual meets, but it’s more about how we perform later on after we rest and hit our taper.”

The Foley dual came down to the last event. The team that won the 400-yard freestyle relay would exit the pool with the victory.

That event went to a loaded Falcons quartet, but the number of performances in the meet left SRR feeling good. The Storm 200 medley relay of Valeria Flores-Bonilla, Kaytlin Bittman, Kendal Stucke and Vivian Tangen started the meet with a rstplace nish in 2 minutes, 1.29 seconds.

Bittman added wins in the 200 individual medley and the 100 breaststroke.

“We’re trying to instill the things we can do to get your personal best times in order for us to keep improving,” Jendro said.

“Regardless of losing a meet by a few points, in a meet that competitive you see great swims all the way around.”

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The Storm’s depth was displayed in winning the title in Duluth. The team won all three relays and had a 1-2 nish from Flores-Bonilla and Sam Haaf, respectively, in the 100 butter y. Bittman won the 200 IM and was second in the 100 backstroke.

“It was nice. We really needed a win,” Haaf said.

“It was a good con dencebooster for us and it was really fun. Everything was really positive and the energy was great.”

Senior Stucke was part of the winning medley relay and 400 freestyle relay teams while placing fourth in the 200 individual medley and sixth in the 100 butter y.

“I feel like the team came together as a whole during that meet,” Stucke said. “We started cheering more and were really upbeat because we realized we we’re going to win. We had con dence we would win going into it so we just wanted to swim well and have fun.”

Junior Lauren Klein, who was part of the winning 200 freestyle relay team with Tangen, Olivia Tykwinski and Bittman, said the championship provided a needed shot of optimism.

“That was really fun

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because our season hasn’t been the best so far,” Klein said. “Getting a win and having so many girls do well individually was a big achievement for our team.”

The Storm lost a 12165 decision to Rocori Sept.

23 in Cold Spring.

The busy stretch continued for SRR with a home dual against Brainerd Sept. 30. The Storm host Sartell Thursday, Oct. 7.

Foley 96, SRR 90 200 MR: 1. FloresBonilla, Bittman, Stucke and Tangen 2:01.29; and 3. Ally Lucas, Jadeyn Stover, Sam Haaf, Lauren Klein 2:06.23.

200 FS: 3. Mia Lambrecht 2:11.91 and 4. Haaf 2:13.47.

200 IM: 1. Bittman 2:26.92 and 4. Stucke 2:37.44. 50 FS: 2. Tangen 26.94 and 3. Tykwinski 27.34. 1M Diving: 2. Kendra Fitzpatrick 159.3 points, 3. Liberty Kosloski 137.2 and 5. Sophia Markfelder 124.65. 100 FLY: 2. Flores-Bonilla 1:05.15, 3.

Haaf 1:07.09 and 5. Grace Thompson 1:11.92. 100 FS: 2.

Tangen 59.9, 3. Stover 1:00.87 and 5. Tykwinski 1:01.24.

500 FS: 2. Lucas 5:46.13, 3.

Lambrecht 5:57.15 and 4.

Thompson 6:17.09. 200 FSR: 2. Stucke, Tykwinski, Stover and Bittman 1:48.23. 100 BS: 2. Flores-Bonilla 1:08.0, 3. Lucas 1:08.59 and Lexi Helmin 1:09.25. 100 BR: 1.

Bittman 1:14.54, 3. Stover 1:22.03 and 5. Stucke 1:23.04.

400 FSR: 2. Tangen, Lucas, Tykwinski and Flores-Bonilla 3:58.95; and 3. Lambrecht, Haaf, Thompson and Klein 4:09.33.

Duluth Denfeld Soderlind Invitational Team scores: 1. SRR 559 points, 2. Cloquet-Esko/ Carlton 325, 3. Proctor/ Hermantown 312, 4. Ogilvie/ Mora 271, 5. Holdingford 244, 6. Duluth Denfeld 229, 7. Duluth East 147, 8. Two Harbors 118 and 9. Northeast Range 110.

200 MR: 1. FloresBonilla, Bittman, Stucke and

Lucas 2:00.49; 5. Lambrecht, Lydia Zabinski, Haaf and Thompson 2:08.03; and 14. Richelle Peacock, Lily Rogholt, Sophia Nielsen and Olivia Schaap 2:25.99.

200 FS: 2. Flores-Bonilla 2:06.4, 4. Haaf 2:14.82 and 9. Thompson 2:20.88. 200 IM: 1. Bittman 2:27.7, 4.

Stucke 2:35.09, 14. Rogholt 2:51.09; 50 FS: 3. Tangen 26.94, 6. Tykwinski 27.34 and 9. Klein 28.15. 1M Diving: 4. Fitzpatrick 283.6 and 5.

Markfelder 281.65. 100 FLY: 1. Flores-Bonilla 1:06.11, 2. Haaf 1:07.47, 6. Stucke 1:11.55 and 9. Thompson 1:13.15. 100 FS: 3. Tangen 59.9, 5. Tykwinski 1:01.51, 8.

Klein 1:03.14 and 13. Peacock 1:05.75. 500 FS: 2. Lucas 5:49.31, 3. Lambrecht 5:58.65 and 15. Nielsen 6:59.37. 200 FSR: 1. Tangen, Tykwinski, Klein and Bittman 1:48.43; and 12. Thompson, Schaap, Peacock and Nielsen 2:02.34.

100 BS: 2. Lucas 1:07.46, 4.

Lambrecht 1:11.75 and 6.

Peacock 1:14.66. 100 BR: 2.

Bittman 1:14.13. 400 FSR: 1.

Lucas, Tangen, Stucke andb Flores-Bonilla 3:59.51; and 4.L Lambrecht, Klein, Haaf and Tykwinski 4:07.59. e Rocori 121, SRR 65 L 200 MR: 1. Flores-U Bonilla, Bittman, Stucke andp Lucas 2:02.31. 200 FS: 3.i Flores-Bonilla 2:09.71 and 5. Haaf 2:15.81. 200 IM: 3.S Bittman 2:27.83 and 4. Stucke 2:36.17. 50 FS: 4. Tykwinskit 28.16 and 5. Klein 28.45.t 1M Diving: 2. Fitzpatrickn 166.6, 4. Kosloski 157.85 andw 5. Markfelder 153.45. 100c FLY: 2. Haaf 1:07.47 and 4.

Thompson 1:12.43. 100 FS:i 3. Stucke 1:01.48, 4. Stoverp 1:02.36 and 5. Klein 1:03.38.

500 FS: 3. Lucas 5:47.42o and 4. Lambrecht 6:05.16.p 200 FSR: 2. Tykwinski, Klein,K Stover and Bittman 1:50.98. p 100 BS: 2. Flores-Bonilla 1:07.04, 3. Lucas 1:07.19 andu 5. Peacock 1:15.8. 100 BR:g 3. Bittman 1:14.71 and 4.

Stover 1:23.54. 400 FSR: 2.d Lucas, Lambrecht, Stuckep and Flores-Bonilla 4:03.95.

i

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2021 | Page 15

SPORTS

Depl t d boys oc r

competes before falling to Tech

BY TOM FENTON STAFF WRITER

Facing Tech High School in boys soccer under the best of circumstances is rarely an easy task. Doing so with ve players injured – including two captains – is a Mount Everest-sized hill to climb.

Sauk Rapids-Rice faced that dilemma on an unseasonably warm early fall day and performed admirably. The Storm kept the game scoreless in the rst half, but short lapse of attention in the second half contributed to a 3-0 victory for the Tigers Sept. 29 at Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School Stadium in Sauk Rapids.

PHOTO BY TOM FENTON

Sauk Rapids-Rice senior defender Ryan Hallonquist uses his shoulder to deflect the ball during the first half of the Storm’s 3-0 loss to Tech Sept. 29 at Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School Stadium. The Tigers held the Storm to two shots on goal.

“We played defense very well,” Storm head coach Chris Rothstein said. “Our game plan was to stay patient and make them frustrated that they couldn’t play the game

they wanted.”

The team’s offense was challenged without senior leading scorers Eli Moilanen and Keegan Pham. Also out were juniors Cooper Godwin,

Charlie Peterson and Ben Villagra. Rothstein said most will be available next week.

Junior goalkeeper Josh Tapio kept the game close, nishing with

Granite City brings down Steel, continues undefeated start Lumberjacks rack up 10 goals in exciting weekend

BY EVAN MICHEALSON STAFF WRITER

The third period is slowly becoming the Granite City Lumberjacks’ comfort zone.

Barely clinging to a 2-1 lead entering the nal 20 minutes, the Lumberjacks bulldozed the New Ulm Steel until the clock ran out, piling up 19 shots and three goals in an exciting 5-2 win Sept. 25 at Sports Arena East in Sauk Rapids.

“Out of our rst four games, that’s probably the game we played the worst in, but it’s good to see a new group of guys nd a way to win,” said D.J. Vold, associate head coach.

While the contest presented its inconsistencies, Granite City put together an excellent start by outshooting the Steel 14-2 in the rst period. Second-year defenseman Kyle Mortenson, who logged a pair of points during Granite City’s rst weekend slate of games, came up clutch with the team’s rst two goals of the game.

“He’s an offensively-minded defenseman and does a good job of pushing the play,” Vold said. “Kyle is one of those kids that is good at

everything.”

“There are times ed Tal Halliday upped during the game where his regular seasonn point streak to four you wonder if he has a pulse, games with an assist, because he’s so calm and contributing to a collected. “He generates mighty Lumberjacks stuff for us that, frankly, offense that red 46 some guys can’t, because he total shots on goal. has such a good skillset.”

“There are times during the game wheree - D.J. Vold, associate you wonder if he hass a head coach pulse, because he’s so calm and collected,” Vold said. “He generates stuff for us that, frankly, 14-16. ause he has some guys can’t, because such a good skillset.”

Granite City 5, Willmar 1 Tucker Skime scored Granite The last time Granite City City’s nal goal on a puck-handling faced the Willmar WarHawks, it sequence, dangling past a hesitant was a bleak 3-1 loss that signaled defender and sneaking the puck the end of their 2020-21 season. past New Ulm goalie Zach Foster Their rst contest of the 2021in the third period. Brett Reed and 22 campaign, however, shows how Ben Anderson each snagged their much things have changed, as the second goals of the campaign.

Lumberjacks buried the WarHawks The Lumberjacks lead the by a score of 5-1 Sept. 24 at Sports West Division with a 4-0 record Arena East in Sauk Rapids. and eight points. They competed Granite City’s scoring was against the Mason City Toros Oct. spread out, as 12 Lumberjacks 1 and will complete the two-game tallied a point to support another series at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. strong showing from goalie 2, at Sports Arena East in Sauk Quentin Sigurdson, who came up Rapids. with 21 saves on 22 shots faced.

NUM 0 1 1-2 GCL 1 1 3-5 First period: 1. Mortenson (Nick Stevens) 18:47. Second period: 2. Mortenson (Halliday, Nicholas Richert) 3:04. Third period: 4. Brett Reed (Bodie Jorgenson) 2:43. 5.

Anderson (Hayden Johnson, Stevens) 3:30. 7. Skime (Brock Masseth, Richert) 14:35. Goalie: Andrew Tuttle

WIL GCL

0 0 1-1 0 2 3-5 Second period: 1. Tory Lund (Kullan Daikawa, Nolan Widman) 5:24.

2. Anderson (Halliday, Mortenson) 12:40. Third period: 3. Brett Reed (Ben Tarlton, Nick Mountain) 7:37. 4. Cory Warner 17:11. 5. Matthew DeLany (Stevens) 18:56. Goalie: Sigurdson 21-22.

10 saves. The Storm managed only two shots on goal.

The contest proved to be a measuring stick on how much SRR has improved. The Storm lost 9-1 to Tech Sept. 2. “ U n f o r t u n a t e l y, there was a ve-minute stretch where we lost our focus,” Rothstein said.

“Once they scored the rst, we started making more mistakes and let a couple more in. Then we gured it out again for the last 10 minutes of the game.”

SRR again struggled offensively in a 4-0 loss to Sartell Sept. 27 on the Sabres home eld. Noah Blodgett and Pham had the Storm’s only shots on goal, and Tapio had eight saves.

Pham got on the scoreboard with 30 seconds left in a Sept. 25 match against Monticello,

but it was not enough in a 2-1 loss. Sam Olmscheid assisted on the goal, and Tapio kept the game close with 14 saves.

The Storm played at Willmar Sept. 30 and will host St. John’s Prep at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 4, at SRRMS. The busy week continues Tuesday, Oct. 5, with a game at Rocori and Thursday, Oct. 7, at the Sauk Rapids-Rice High School elds against Brainerd.

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Who has had the most impact on your hockey career? My brother Troy.

Do you have any pregame rituals? No Favorites: Music? Food? Social Media? Movie? Rap/country, my mom’s cooking, Snapchat and “Spider Man 1.”

What advice do you have for the younger skaters of our community? You can take hockey as far as you want to depending on how hard you work.

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Offense challenged by five players out with injuries

Page 16 | SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2021 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

SPORTS

Goals elusive in tie at Tech

Girls soccer unable to capitalize on scoring chances

BY TOM FENTON STAFF WRITER

Both the Sauk RapidsRice and Tech girls soccer teams were as hungry for a goal as the mosquitoes were for human esh Sept.

28 at Tech High School in St. Cloud. It was the mosquitoes that feasted, however, as the Storm and Tigers went home famished.

Each squad had plenty of scoring opportunities, but both goalkeepers stood strong in a 0-0 Central Lakes Conference tie.

“Our defense played a phenomenal game and stepped up for our goalkeeper, who always keeps us in the game,” SRR assistant coach Kayla Hall said. “We had great scoring opportunities but struggled to nd the back of the net again.”

The Storm (2-7-2) had 14 shots on goal but could not beat the Tech goalkeeper. Breakaways came from Gabby Fernholz and Ava Plemel.

Storm goalkeeper Maggie Fernholz stopped all 15 shots she faced.

“The Tech game went well and I think my teammates and I can all agree that they are a great team to play against,” Storm senior Emily Starr said. “My team did very well with taking lots of shots but we weren’t lucky enough to nd the back of the net. My team’s attitude right now is very determined. We keep

becoming a stronger team each game. One thing that needs to happen before playoffs is getting better at communication as a team.”

Hall, who is lling in for head coach Tash Neu while she is in military training, stressed her team simply needs to keep pushing.

“I am extremely con dent in this young group of girls,” Hall said.

“They are all talented individually and they are really starting to work together as a team and play ‘their game,’ which is giving us really positive and powerful momentum as we approach playoffs.”

Monticello peppered Fernholz with 25 shots on its way to a 3-1 victory over SRR Sept. 15 in

Monticello. The Magic scored once in the rst half and added two in the second half for the victory.

“The girls played great,” Hall said. “They were stringing great passes together but just couldn’t nd the back of the net. We had 17 shots on net and missed three breakaway scoring opportunities. It was an aggressive game.

The Storm faced Willmar at Sauk RapidsRice Middle School Stadium Sept. 30 and will not play again until a Thursday, Oct. 7, matchup at Little Falls.

“My team’s attitude right now is very determined,” Starr said.

“We keep becoming a stronger team each game. One thing that needs to happen before PHOTOS BY TOM FENTON playoffs is getting better Sauk Rapids-Rice junior midfielder Mackenzie Felchle sends the ball up the field during at communication as a the first half of the Storm’s Central Lakes Conference contest Sept. 28 at Tech High School in St. Cloud. The Tigers and Storm played to a scoreless tie. team.”

Storm sophomore forward Gabby Fernholz collides with a Tech player during the first half of the Sauk Rapids-Rice match against Tech Sept. 28 at Tech High School. The teams tied, 0-0.

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What do you do for entertainment? Recently, I’ve been just Accomplishment: Senior on the Sauk Rapids- preparing for college, working on my DECA project, watching some of the Marvel Rice boys soccer team.

Disney Plus shows, playing soccer and scrolling through TikTok. What is your favorite aspect of playing sophomore year, but it wasn’t until last soccer? The skill gap that there is. There year where I found great success in it by Of all the things you are learning, what do you think will be the most useful as is always something to learn and improve placing second at nationals. an adult? Realizing that if I put my mind upon. That’s why this game is loved to something, I genuinely feel like I can What annual SRR event do you look around the world in so many cultures and forward to each year? Although I take accomplish anything. This is something why it’s a beautiful game. a large majority of my classes at the St. that I strive everyone to believe in. I want What has been your most memorable Cloud Technical and Community College, everyone to be confident with themselves. moment playing soccer? One of my I love coming back to the school to watch I understand we all have talents and we are fondest memories of playing soccer is football and hockey games. My absolute all unique, but that doesn’t mean you can’t from my sophomore year. It was a playoff favorite time of the year is homecoming, do something the person next to you did. game against Rocori. It was snowing specifically the homecoming football and bitter cold. However, I can clearly game. Seeing all the school spirit and the What is your favorite restaurant and remember realizing how good of a team entire student body feeling connected is what do you order? Hands down my favorite restaurant is Chipotle. It has we were. Everyone was on the same page. something so special. become a pretty regular meal in our It just felt special.

How do you make a difference at household if I am completely honest. My What other activities are you involved school? While I’m at school, I love talking go-to order is a chicken bowl with a tortilla in at SRRHS? I’ve been in DECA since my to some of the current and prospective on the side.

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USDA updates pandemic assistance New, modified applications for CFAP 2 due Oct. 12 The U.S. Department of Agriculture is updating the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 for contract producers of eligible livestock and poultry and producers of specialty crops and other sales-based commodiFarm Service ties.

Agency News CFAP 2, which

by Ryan Brunn, assists producers who executive director for Benton and faced market disrupMille Lacs counties tions in 2020 due to COVID-19, is part of USDA’s broader Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative. Additionally, USDA’s Farm Service Agency has set an Oct. 12 deadline for all eligible producers to apply for or modify applications for CFAP 2.

Assistance for contract producers The Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021 provides up to $1 billion for payments to contract producers of eligible livestock and poultry for revenue losses from Jan. 1, 2020, through Dec. 27, 2020. Contract producers of broilers, pullets, layers, chicken eggs, turkeys, hogs and pigs, ducks, geese, pheasants, and quail may be eligible for assistance. This update includes eligible breeding stock and eggs of all eligible poultry types produced under contract.

Payments for contract producers were to be based on a comparison of eligible revenue for the periods of Jan. 1-Dec. 27, 2019, and Jan. 1-Dec. 27, 2020.

y t e f a S

first

PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER

Don and Mary Tschida stand on their thirdgeneration farmstead Sept. 15 in rural Pierz.

Together, the Tschidas survived a farm accident in July 2018 that involved Don being run over by a tractor and attached round baler.

Tschida is testament that farm accidents can happen to anybody

BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER

PIERZ – “I wonder what God has in mind for you.”

From a dream state, Don Tschida remembers his brother, Paul, uttering these words by his hospital bedside in early August 2018.

And while Don may not know the path God intends for him, he knows one thing for sure: He is lucky to be alive.

“I’m very, very fortunate,” Don said. “There are so many farm acci-

dents that don’t turn out this way. We are blessed that we survived this.”

Farm accidents account for 30% of work-related deaths in Minnesota each year, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the agricultural sector remains the most dangerous in America with 573 fatalities in 2019.

Don survived what he now deems as a preventable accident. In sharing his story, he hopes to forewarn others to slow down and make safety a priority when working on the farm.

“I was just in too big of a hurry,” Don said. “It was an accident, obvi-

ously, but there is guilt.”

The early evening hours at the Tschida farm July 31, 2018, parallel settings found on farmsteads across the country.

Don’s wife, Mary, was inside the couple’s white farmhouse xing supper while Don tended to the elds on their third-generation property in rural Pierz.

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Don Tschida knows all too well what can happen when corners are cut after succumbing to an accident in July 2018. For most people hindsight is 20/20 and this case was not much different for Don. Don and his son, Calvin, a first responder and police officer for the city of Pierz, remind area producers of a few things that are important when it comes to safety on the farm.

“Safety is nothing original,” Don said. “Slow down and take your time. But, one big thing is to get things fixed when they need to be.”

– Fix what is broken. A $60 starter relay was the tractor part that could have prevented Don’s accident. Although he was not aware of the price or the part at the time, Don said he did know his equipment needed maintenance. He urges people to think of maintenance as a safety precaution, tending to loose bolts and faulty equipment before they become problems.

– Communicate location and check-in times. Farmers often work independently which can sometimes lead to tragedy when things go wrong. Letting others know where you are working and what time you should be expected to be finished or check in keeps communication open.

Communication could be key should the unexpected happen.

“Farmers are so independent, and so used to working alone,” Don said. “But, it’s a good idea for people to know where you’re at, especially if you’re going to work in a distant field, working until dark or using machin-

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– Slow down, think about actions. Shortcuts – whether driving through a ditch rather than using a field approach, jumpstarting a vehicle rather than replacing a battery or starter, or foregoing proper procedures when securing loads – may be dangerous mistakes.

Following the proper procedures and using proper equipment may ensure everyone stays safe.

And, be aware. Don’t let routines get in the way of mindful practice.

– Be mindful of others. Large farm equipment may provide protection to the person operating it, but it can quickly become dangerous for others. Remember to follow husbandry regulations and common sense when it comes to lighting and reflective gear, securing loads, and driving on roadways.

“Take the time to do it right,” Calvin said. “It doesn’t matter the distance. When that round bale falls off or you lose that load off the back of the trailer, you’re not the one who gets hurt.”

– Take care of your mental health. Fixing and maintaining equipment may be at the forefront of the days’ chores, but the thought process applies to the people working on the farm as well.

“If your mental health is suffering, your mind may not be where it is supposed to be,” Don said.

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After a long hospital stay, multiple surgeries and months of physical and occupational therapy, Don has regained most of his mobility since the accident three years ago. Yet, scars remain.

“The hardest part for me is the emotional part – and it still is,” Tschida said. “What I put my family through; all the trouble I caused.”

Don struggled with anxiety after the near-death experience. The accident was always on his mind.

He did not have ashbacks or nightmares, but the guilt of the trouble he caused weighs heavy on his mind.

Don sought help through both medication and through counseling.

“It’s incredible,” said Don of the counseling he is receiving through the St. Cloud VA Health Care System. “I just happened to get paired up with the right person and I have had a number of sessions. … Farmers are so independent, but I think mental health is as important, if not more important, than physical health.”

Don said his accident could have been prevented by a simple x and extra caution. Maintaining his equipment and making sure his tractor was not in gear would have yielded a different end result.

“There are a lot of times in life when you look back and say, ‘Boy, I shouldn’t have done that. I got lucky.’

This time it caught up with me,” Don said. “Only by the grace of God (am I here today). Every night, I pray and thank God for my life that night and the life I have now.”

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have lived that long.

“My blood pressure on scene dropped to nothing,” he said. “The bottom number wasn’t even there.”

Over 30 rst responders answered the dispatch to the Tschida farm that evening.

Don was own by Life Link III to the St. Cloud Hospital. He was intubated for six days, had a collapsed lung and suffered internal bleeding as well as 12 broken ribs, two broken vertebrae, and a broken collar bone, shoulder blade, pelvis and femur.

For 19 days, someone was at his side at all times – whether Mary; children Amanda, Calvin or Adam; or other family and friends.

That year, Don watched harvest from a wheel chair. The Tschidas were in awe at how the community came together over their tragedy.

“The response was amazing,” Mary said.

Don agreed.

“It was something a person likes to think happens everywhere, but clearly it doesn’t which is why it makes it so special.”

To have a signi cant accident such as this one happen to someone like Don was surprising to his family and friends. Don said he has always been conscientious of safety and Calvin echoed that sentiment.

“There are plenty of farmers who cut corners but Dad has never,” Calvin said, giving examples … “There were safety measures in place when we were working under equipment that if the rst three failed the fourth would catch it. So, for Dad to have an accident when everything is safety-minded from the beginning, I guess it just shows that it can truly happen to anybody.”

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“We were harvesting oats right in this eld and had just nished combining,” said Don as he sat at his dining room table Sept.

15, gesturing to a eld north of his home just beyond a tree line. “I cleaned the combine off and evening was approaching. I wanted to rake the outside rounds as Mary’s brother was coming to bale straw the next day. It’s just a lot easier if those outside rounds are done.”

Don prepared for the next day, driving to the eld a 90-horsepower John Deere 4040 tractor with an attached round baler. He raked the edges of the eld using other equipment before coming back to the tractor and baler shortly after 7 p.m. This time, the tractor wouldn’t start.

“We had been having trouble with that tractor since spring,” Don said. “I had to turn the key multiple times before it nally would start.”

Repeated attempts were ineffective. So, in an effort to beat the sunset, Don decided to jumpstart the equipment.

He retrieved his pickup and hooked up cables with no result.

“I knew if I put the cables on the ground (negative) and touched the starter bolt, it would work; that’s what I did,” he said.

The engine red and Tschida began to remove the clamps, but he quickly realized something was wrong.

“I felt something on my leg. I looked down and the wheel was rolling up my leg,” Don said. “I tried

getting my leg out and I couldn’t. I remember telling myself to get as much out of the way as I could. I don’t remember a lot after that.”

As the tractor, and then baler, ran over the left side of his body, Don was snagged underneath and dragged about 20 yards before he was released. The tractor continued its path another 60 yards before stopping in the nearby tree line.

Alone, in a eld, and in and out of consciousness, what happened next can only be explained as a miracle, according to Don and Mary.

“My phone is always in the tractor – always,” Don said. “When I’m running those tractors, the ash tray is there and it’s a smaller phone, so it ts right there. … It’s either in the tractor or in my left pocket and that’s what got ran over. It should have been crushed if it was in there.”

Yet, when he needed it most, Don’s phone was there, laying on the ground next to him.

Unable to move or yell, Don was able to call 911. He asked for dispatch to call his son, Calvin – a Pierz police of cer and rst responder who lives nearby his parents’ property. When Don hung up, he called his wife.

Mary received the call at 8:05 p.m. and was the rst person on scene until Calvin arrived.

“It’s one of those cases where I wouldn’t have gone looking for him yet,” Mary said of the incident.

“It wasn’t dark yet, so there was no reason. I knew what he was doing and things take time, so I wouldn’t have gone looking for him for probably another hour.”

Don doubts he would

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2021 | Page 3B

BENTON AG

Walz proposes $10 M drought relief package for farmers, producers ST. PAUL – Gov. Tim Walz proposed Sept.

24 a $10 million drought relief package to support Minnesota farmers and livestock producers impacted by severe drought conditions during the 2021 growing season.

The proposal will need to be approved by state legislators during a special session before taking effect.

“Historic drought conditions have created extreme stress and nancial hardship for our farmers and livestock producers during an already dif cult time for the agricultural industry,” Walz said. “As governor, and as someone who grew up on a family farm, I stand with our farmers. This funding will provide much-needed relief to Minnesota’s agricultural community and help ensure our farmers can keep feeding Minnesota and the world.”

The governor’s proposal includes $5 million in rapid response grants to provide drought relief for livestock producers and specialty crop producers. Examples of eligible costs include water handling equipment such as water tanks, pipeline, water wagons, water hauling, wells and irrigation equipment.

The remaining $5 million would be used for the Rural Finance Authority’s Disaster Recovery Loan Program. The Ru-

U.S. Drought Monitor - Minnesota

GRAPHIC COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL DROUGHT MITIGATION CENTER

The U.S. Drought Monitor, released Sept. 30, indicates Benton County has been alleviated to a moderate drought stage, following recent rainfall. In one month’s time, the county has changed from an extreme drought rating, which was reported Aug. 24.

ral Finance Authority’s Disaster Recovery Loan Program makes zero-interest loans available immediately for Minnesota farmers whose operations are suffering from lack of rain. The Disaster Recovery Loan Program can be used to help cover lost

revenue or expenses not covered by insurance.

More details on the drought relief package will be announced soon, according to Walz’s of ce.

This summer, Walz met with agricultural leaders across the state to

hear how the drought has impacted them. Walz also met with President Joe Biden and USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack to ask that all levels of government work together to address the impacts of this drought on Minnesota’s farmers.

USDA from page 1B Today’s changes mean contract producers can now elect to use eligible revenue from the period of Jan. 1-Dec. 27, 2018, instead of that date range in 2019 if it is more representative.

This change is intended to provide exibility and make the program more equitable for contract producers who had reduced revenue in 2019 compared to a normal production year. The difference in revenue is then multiplied by 80% to determine a nal payment. Payments to contract producers may be factored if total calculated payments exceed the available funding and will be made after the application period closes.

Additional exibilities have been added to account for increases to operation size in 2020 and situations where a contract producer did not have a full period of revenue from Jan. 1 to Dec. 27 for either 2018 or 2019. Assistance is also available to new contract producers who began their farming operation in 2020.

Updates for sales-based commodities USDA is amending the CFAP 2 payment calculation for sales-based commodities, which are primarily comprised of by specialty crops, to allow producers to substitute 2018 sales for 2019 sales. Previously, payments for producers of sales-based commodities were based only on 2019 sales, with 2019 used as an approximation of the amount the producer would have expected to market in 2020. Giving producers the option to substitute 2018 sales for this approximation, including 2018 crop insurance indemnities and 2018 crop year Noninsured Disaster Assistance Program and Wild re and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus payments, provides additional exibility to producers of sales-based commodities who had reduced sales in 2019.

Grass seed has also been added as an eligible sales commodity for CFAP 2. A complete list of all eligible sales-based commodities can be found at farmers.gov/cfap2/ commodities. Producers of sales-based commodities can modify existing applications.

Applying for Assistance Newly eligible producers who need to submit a CFAP 2 application or producers who need to modify an existing one can do so by contacting the Benton-Mille Lacs FSA of ce at 320-968-5300, Ext. 2. Producers can also obtain one-on-one support with applications by calling 877-508-8364. All new and modi ed CFAP 2 applications are due by the Oct. 12 deadline.

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BENTON AG

Winter is coming for the Funds available to update U of M’s tiniest livestock: Bees livestock operations The weather is getting cooler, pollen eyBeeDiseasesAndPests. and nectar stores are almost dried up, and Lastly, it is also important to refresh winter lies just around the corner. Dr. Kasome standard practices in beekeepers’ tie Lee shared some tips for beekeepers on minds. preparing their hives.

– Remember to gauge honey stores (a Every Minnesota beekeeper is concolony needs 75-100 pounds of honey). cerned about their bees making it through – Consider using a wintering cover. winter. Lee shared that one of the most It is a black protective cover used to wrap important things for beekeepers to gauge colonies for winter months. is if hives have a strong population going UNIVERSITY OF – Make sure the upper entrance for bee into winter. She recommends a minimum MN EXTENSION cleansing ight is clear of obstructions. of seven full frames (a frame is the comb – Ensure your moisture board is in DANA ADAMS that hangs vertically down in the colony), place, allowing evaporation from the top approximately 25,000 bees. A strong popof the hive. ulation is one step closer to making it through winter.

There are many boxes to check and a thorough Lee also recommends monitoring and managing hive inspection to conduct before winter. Hopefully, varroa mite levels within a hive, especially when en- these tips have brought something to your attention tering winter. Varroa mites, or Varroa destructor, are or added an item to your to-do list. parasitic mites that weaken bee metabolism and can The information for the above article was from, transmit a number of lethal viruses that can consider- “Beekeeping in Northern Climates” and from an inably diminish honeybee health and colony longevity. terview with Lee by Dana Adams Sept. 22.

Controlling these mites is critical to overwintering Residents of Stearns, Benton and Morrison survival. Consider using the University of Minneso- counties can direct questions to adam1744@umn. ta Honeybee Diseases and Pests Manual for control edu or call 320-255-6169, Ext. 3. thresholds. It can be found at https://z.umn.edu/Hon-

4-H from page 4B – Aubrey Ratka, of Foley: Jersey cow 2-yearold – purple ribbon.

– Kaylee Jurek, of St. Cloud: crossbred and other breeds junior yearling – purple ribbon.

– Carson Popp, of Rice: red and white winter or fall calf – purple ribbon.

– Jack Achen, of Little Falls: Milking Shorthorn winter or fall calf – purple ribbon.

– Emily Schreindl, of Rice: Holstein grade winter and fall yearlings – purple ribbon.

Beef – Gracie Blank, of Foley: pure bred dairy steer – champion, purple ribbon.

– Leighton Hackett, of Sauk Rapids: cow-calf pair-Simmental (Purebred and Foundation)-registered – reserve champion Simmental cow-calf pair.

Goat – Holly Heinen, of St. Joseph: dairy goatNigerian dwarfMilking Doe-3 or 4 years old – showmanship award.

Rabbit – MacCayle Kobluk, of Rice: other small breed purebred junior – purple ribbon.

Llama and alpaca – Mickaila Lenz, of Royalton: advanced obstacles – champion and purple ribbon; advanced public relations – champion and purple ribbon; senior educational poster – champion, reserve champion and two purple ribbons; fth-place advanced showmanship award for grades 11-plus.

– Marizza Lenz, of Royalton: senior llama educational poster – reserve champion and purple ribbon; fth-place senior showmanship award for grades 9-10.

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Mickaila Lenz PHOTOS SUBMITTED

– Isabella Pederson, of Sauk Rapids: seventh place senior showmanship award for grades 9-10.

– Ann Reisinger, of Sartell: llama-alpaca poster – reserve champion educational poster for grades 3-5, purple ribbon.

General – Zoe Spiczka, of Sauk Rapids: child and family development for grades 6-8 – purple ribbon.

– Brooke Swanson, of Sartell: Fashion Revue clothes you buy for grades 9-plus – Fashion Revue Honor Court award and purple ribbon; clothes you buy for grades 9-plus – purple ribbon.

Fashion Revue – Clothes You Buy Grades 9+ purple – Fashion Revue Honor Court Brooke Swanson, a senior at Sartell High School, wins purple ribbon and receives acknowledgement in Fashion Revue at the Minnesota State Fair in August. Her category was Clothes you Buy for ninth graders and above.

Mickaila Lenz earns triple champion ribbons at the 2021 Minnesota State Fair. Lenz, a Royalton High School graduate and Benton County 4-H’er, earned champion in llama advanced obstacle course, llama advanced public relations and llama advanced educational poster.

– Ashlyn Swanson, of Sartell, Fashion Revue clothes you buy grades 9-plus – Fashion Review Honor court – Kathrine Mersinger, of St. Cloud: exploring the environment for grades 9-plus – purple ribbon.

– Johnathon Mersinger, of St. Cloud: food and nutrition for grades 6-8 – purple ribbon.

– Holly Heinen, of St. Joseph: food preservation for grades 6-8 – purple ribbon.

– Delayna Rife, of Foley: photo manipulation for grades 6-8 – purple ribbon.

– Espen Groth, of Granite CloudsL: selfdetermined for grades 6-8 – purple ribbon.

Apply by Nov. 17 for investment grant ST. PAUL – Minnesota livestock farmers and ranchers seeking to improve their livestock operation are encouraged to apply for the Agricultural Growth, Research and Innovation Livestock Investment Grant program. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture anticipates awarding up to $1.3 million using a competitive review process.

There will be two rounds of funding.

Interested applicants are encouraged to apply during the fall round. In winter/spring 2022, a second request for proposal will be issued for remaining funds.

The AGRI Program’s Livestock Investment Grants encourage long-term industry development in Minnesota’s $7 billion livestock industry through investment in facilities, infrastructure and equipment.

Funding for the grants comes through the AGRI Program to advance Minnesota’s agricultural and renewable energy industries.

Applicants may apply for up to 10% of their project’s total cost. Grant awards can range in size from $400 to $25,000. Each livestock operation is eligible to receive a lifetime maximum of $50,000 from the program. To be eligible for reimbursement by this grant, you must be invoiced and pay for all project materials and services after Jan. 1, 2022.

Proposals must be received no later than 4 p.m. Nov. 17 to be considered. More information about the grant can be found at www.mda.state.mn.us/business-devloans-grants/agri-livestock-investmentgrant.

Page 6B | SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2021| SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

BENTON AG

Exploring ag Students attend career day at Centra Sota Cooperative

BY ELLARRY PRENTICE STAFF WRITER

PHOTOS BY ELLARRY PRENTICE

Mark Glady (right), of WinField United, and five area high school students observe soil Sept. 29 inside a root pit at Centra Sota Cooperative’s answer plot in Santiago.

Showing students channels created by last year’s crop, Glady talked about root systems.

SANTIAGO – Ag Careers Field Day took area students from the classroom to rows of corn Wednesday morning in Santiago.

The Benton Sherburne Corn Growers Association teamed with Centra Sota Cooperative and other agribusinesses to host its second agricultural career day at Centra Sota’s Santiago

Roy Seppelt, of R&S Tire Service in Rice, shows various farm tires to students Sept. 29 in Santiago. Seppelt talked about different treads and maintaining the right air pressure.

location Sept. 29.

About 60 high school students – most from Foley and a few from Becker – attended

the bi-annual event, rst organized in 2019.

Divided into groups, ninth through 12th grade students attended 10

sessions about various agricultural careers and technology being used in the ag industry.

Ag careers page 7B

Public Notices PROBATE NOTICE STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF BENTON IN DISTRICT COURT SEVENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT PROBATE DIVISION Court File No: 05-PR-21-1387 ORDER AND NOTICE OF HEARING ON PETITION FOR FORMAL PROBATE OF WILL AND APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE IN UNSUPERVISED ADMINISTRATION AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS In Re: Estate of Gloria Marie Warnert, Deceased.

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND CREDITORS: It is Ordered and Notice is hereby given that on the 18th day of October, 2021, at 8:00 a.m., a hearing will be held in the above named Court at 615 Highway 23, Foley, Minnesota, for the probate of an instrument purporting to be the will of the above named deceased, dated September 26, 2002, and for appointment of Bruce A. Warnert whose address is 4027 99th Street Northeast, Sauk Rapids,

MN 56379, as personal representative of the estate of the above named decedent in unsupervised administration, and that any objections thereto must be led with the Court. That, if proper, and no objections are led, a personal representative will be appointed to administer the estate, to collect all assets, pay all legal debts, claims, taxes and expenses, and sell real and personal property, and do all necessary acts for the estate.

Notice is further given that ALL CREDITORS having claims against said estate are required to present the same to said personal representative or to the Court Administrator within four months after the date of this notice or said claims will be barred.

Dated: 09/17/2021 /s/ Michael S. Jesse Judge of District Court

By Nicole Kampa Court Administrator Deputy Joseph S. Mayers KELM & REUTER, P.A. Attorney No. 0295747 1287 2nd Street North, Suite 101 Sauk Rapids, MN 56379 (320) 251-1423 kelmreuter@kelmreuter. com R-38-2B

CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME Minnesota Statutes Chapter 333 ASSUMED NAME: R&P Recreation.

PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS: 1259 8th Ave N, St. Cloud, MN 56303 USA. NAMEHOLDER(S): Peter John Collier, 1259 8th Ave N, St. Cloud, MN 56303 USA. (4) By typing my name, I, the undersigned, certify that I am signing this document as the person whose signature is required, or as agent of the person(s) whose signature would be required who has authorized me to sign this document on his/her behalf, or in both capacities. I further certify that I have completed all required elds, and that the information in this document is true and correct and in compliance with the applicable chapter of Minnesota Statutes. I understand that by signing this document I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Section 609.48 as if I had signed this document under oath. /s/ Peter John Collier 09/13/2021 R-38-2P

NOTICE OF VOLUNTARY MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE THE RIGHT TO VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT AND IDENTITY OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY LAW IS NOT AFFECTED

BY THIS ACTION. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that default has occurred in conditions of the following described mortgage: DATE OF MORTGAGE: February 23, 2018 MORTGAGOR: NATHAN POHL, A SINGLE MAN. MORTGAGEE: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for Bay Equity LLC its successors and assigns.

DATE AND PLACE OF RECORDING: Recorded March 2, 2018 Benton County Recorder, Document No. 428058.

ASSIGNMENTS OF MORTGAGE: Assigned to: Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. Dated April 2, 2018 Recorded April 6, 2018, as Document No. 428677.

And assigned to: U.S. Bank National Association.

Dated February 25, 2019 Recorded February 25, 2019, as Document No. 434407 and by Document Dated September 8, 2021 Recorded September 9, 2021 as Document No. 455166.

TRANSACTION AGENT: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. TRANSACTION AGENT’S MORTGAGE I D E N T I F I C AT I O N

NUMBER ON MORTGAGE: 10061660004059557-2 LENDER OR BROKER AND MORTGAGE ORIGINATOR STATED ON MORTGAGE: Bay Equity LLC RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE SERVICER: U.S. Bank National Association M O RT G A G E D PROPERTY ADDRESS: 130 8th Ave, Foley, MN 56329 TAX PARCEL I.D. #: 13.00480.00 L E G A L DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY: The Westerly 170 feet of Lot 4 and the Westerly 170 feet of the South Half of Lot 5, “Park Lots Addition To Foley, Benton County Minnesota”, Benton County, Minnesota.

PIN# 13.00480.00 COUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED: Benton O R I G I N A L PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE: $157,102.00 AMOUNT DUE AND CLAIMED TO BE DUE AS OF DATE OF NOTICE, INCLUDING TAXES, IF ANY, PAID

BY MORTGAGEE: $179,711.39 That prior to the commencement of this mortgage foreclosure proceeding Mortgagee/ Assignee of Mortgagee complied with all notice requirements as required by statute; That no action or proceeding has been

NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION BTCI, Inc., a Minnesota corporation (the “Company”), ceased business operations on, or before, August 31, 2021, and the Company has submitted the appropriate noti cations to the Minnesota Secretary of State. Any party having outstanding business with the Company, or desiring to submit a claim, must do so in writing no later than November 1, 2021.

All notices should be submitted to 508 Main Street South, #4, Sauk Centre, MN, 56378.

R-36-4B

instituted at law or otherwise to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof; PURSUANT to the power of sale contained in said mortgage, the above described property will be sold by the Sheriff of said county as follows: DATE AND TIME OF SALE: December 2, 2021 at 10:00 AM PLACE OF SALE: Benton County Sheriff’s Of ce, 581 Highway 23 Northeast Foley, MN to pay the debt then secured by said Mortgage, and taxes, if any, on said premises, and the costs and disbursements, including attorneys’ fees allowed by law subject to redemption within six (6) months from the date of said sale by the mortgagor(s), their personal representatives or assigns unless reduced to Five (5) weeks under MN Stat. §580.07.

TIME AND DATE TO VACATE PROPERTY: If the real estate is an owneroccupied, single-family dwelling, unless otherwise provided by law, the date on or before which the mortgagor(s) must vacate the property if the mortgage is not reinstated under section 580.30 or the property is not redeemed under section 580.23 is 11:59 p.m. on June 2, 2022, unless that date falls on a weekend or legal holiday, in which case it is the next weekday, and unless the redemption period is reduced to 5 weeks under

MN Stat. Secs. 580.07 or 582.032.

MORTGAGOR(S) RELEASED FROM FINANCIAL OBLIGATION ON MORTGAGE:None “THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION

BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR’S P E R S O N A L R E P R E S E N TAT I V E S OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 582.032, DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED.” Dated: September 27, 2021 U.S. Bank National Association Mortgagee/Assignee of Mortgagee LIEBO, WEINGARDEN, DOBIE & BARBEE, P.L.L.P. Attorneys for Mortgagee/ Assignee of Mortgagee 4500 Park Glen Road #300 Minneapolis, MN 55416 (952) 925-6888 19 - 20-002242 FC THIS IS A C O M M U N I C AT I O N FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. R-39-6B

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Alan Peterson, of Centra Sota Cooperative, speaks to students Sept. 29 next to a corn field at the agribusiness’s answer plot in Santiago. Peterson, who is a nutritionist for Purina, talked about career opportunities in animal nutrition and beyond.

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During the 4.5hour event, students viewed equipment demonstrations, learned about potential career paths, watched an agricultural drone in use, examined various farm machinery tires, got an up-close look at soil from a root pit, counted cobs of corn and more.

“This event showcases the different opportunities in agriculture that you don’t always think of,” said Kennedy Janssen, a district eld manager for the Minnesota Corn Growers Association who acts as a liaison between rural communities and the state of ce in Burnsville.

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SALUTING AREA FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO DEDICATE THEMSELVES TO KEEPING OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE!

FIRE

Couple

Prevention

goals

WEEK OCT. 3-9, 2021

Cervenkas serve on Rice Fire Department as husband, wife

BY NATASHA BARBER | STAFF WRITER

RICE – Even before moving to Rice, RJ and Darby Cervenka had a plan in mind: joining the volunteer fire department.

“It was kind of one of our goals as a couple,” Darby said. “I just always thought that once we settled down somewhere, it would be pretty cool to be on a volunteer department.”

The Cervenkas are two of Rice Fire Department’s newest firefighters, completing their probationary period Sept.

20. A Lakeville native, Darby met her husband RJ, a 2012 graduate of Sauk Rapids-Rice High School, while the two attended college at Augsburg University in Minneapolis. They married in September 2019.

The couple moved to the city in May 2020 after building a home in the Fox Meadows development. As soon as RJ and Darby obtained the address for their parcel, they placed their applications with Rice Fire Chief

Scott Janski.

“We were ready to be on the day we moved in,” Darby said. “We had everything ready to go.”

The couple officially started training in September 2020. Their first call as probationary firefighters was eyeopening. It was a severe medical emergency involving a local family in the middle of the night.

“The good part is we have all these well-trained people,” RJ said of his fellow department members. “My head was swimming.”

Darby said the call was intense, and it bothers her to this day. She went home emotional, thinking about how the circumstances could happen to anyone.

“A lot of people on our department go into situations that sometimes look like they could be yours too,” Darby said.

“Roles could be reversed in any scenario. I don’t know if it was the emotional part of that call or if it’s because it was the first call, but I rememb e r that one

more than any other.”

The Cervenkas each have been on more than 50 calls since January alone, responding to structure fires, grass fires, medical calls and accidents.

Every year, Rice firefighters are required to make 35% of calls and trainings to remain active. The department meets a minimum of three times each month – twice for trainings and once for vehicle checks. Pages for rescue and fire response happen often in the city and townships Rice serves, and firefighters answer the calls as they are able dependent on the time of day and their locations. A balance of people who work day and night shifts help ensure area residents have help when in need.

Cervenkas page 8F

RJ and Darby Cervenka, of Rice, get dressed in turnout gear at Rice Fire Hall Sept. 21. The two moved to Rice in May 2020 and applied to join the department immediately, starting training in September 2020.

PHOTOS BY NATASHA BARBER

RJ and Darby Cervenka take a seat on the front of a fire engine Sept. 21 at Rice Fire Hall in Rice.

The husband and wife duo completed their probationary period the day prior and are now fullflegded Rice firefighters.

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Page 2F | TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2021 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD & BENTON COUNTY NEWS

FIRE PREVENTION

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SAUK RAPIDS HERALD & BENTON COUNTY NEWS | TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2021 | Page 3F

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Page 4F | TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2021 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD & BENTON COUNTY NEWS

FIRE DEPARTMENT

PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER

The 2021 Rice Fire Department consists of Keith Craft (front, from left), Caleb Voigt, Paul Vedbraaten, Brad Vaillancourt, Arsenio Clinton, Rebecca Patton, Kevin Peine, Blake Phenow, RJ Cervenka and Darby Cervenka; (back, from left) Greg Beierman, Josh Pressnall, John Aschenbrenner, deputy chief Dale Hiscock, chief Scott Janski, Allen Voigt, Charlie Walters, Ben Phenow, Adam Wippler and Jeremy Traut. Not pictured are Eldon Schiller, Tyler Martinez and Allen Petron.

FIRE CALLS

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The Rice Fire Department responded to 102 calls for service in 2020, providing fire and rescue services to the city of Rice, and Benton County townships Langola, Graham and Watab.

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Page 6F | TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2021 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD & BENTON COUNTY NEWS

FIRE DEPARTMENT

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Page 8F | TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2021 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD & BENTON COUNTY NEWS

RJ and Darby Cervenka stand near their lockers at the Rice Fire Hall Sept. 21 in Rice.

The department has 23 members, with four – including the Cervenkas – completing training Sept. 20.

Cervenkas from 1F “Everyone shows up if they can,” said RJ, a full-time mechanical engineer in St. Cloud.

The couple said firefighters respond to the hall even if they are unable to make it in time to make a truck. They come for support, to be available should extra help be needed and to assist should more than one emergency call be dispatched at the same time.

“The standard is even if you don’t think you’re going to make it on time, you still come here and check in,” said Darby, who works a floating schedule as a medical sales representative.

Passionate about their new roles, the Cervenkas are prepared each time they go to bed.

RJ and Darby set their pagers on their corresponding nightstands. When the pager goes off, they’re ready to respond.

“It’s like a fire alarm,” Darby said. “You are up and out of bed in a hurry.”

R J said the haze of sleep may be confusing initially, but the routine has become second nature to the couple.

They grab their clothes, which are stored in each nightstand, get dressed and get ready to go.

“We sprint down to the car,” he said. “Whoever gets dressed first, takes the keys.”

When at the fire hall, the Cervenkas operate independently from one another. They said without previous knowledge, onlookers would not know the two are married.

“We don’t hang out at the fire hall,” Darby said. “We do our own thing. We have different captains and lieutenants, and we prefer to not be on the same truck together.”

Although the two are on separate teams within the station, they have allowed their competitive nature to show through during their training period. RJ completed the physical fitness test – which includes a weighted sled pull, ladder climb, a 200-foot, 200-pound dummy drag and more – in a faster time than his wife, and Darby has often made it on more trucks as a probationary member.

“As a probationary member, you have to wait by a yellow line until you’re waved onto a truck,” she said. … “There’ll be one more seat in the engine and it’s RJ and myself standing there. It’s a race to the truck. I usually end up going because he hesitates.”

Despite their competitive nature, the two are true teammates and partners when it comes to their roles as both firefighters and husband and wife. As new homers, they

have applied their firefighter training to their everyday lives.

“One big thing, and we talk about this for when we have a family in the future, is having an escape plan,” RJ said. “Parents will map out an escape plan and talk with their kids, explaining the routes everyone will take if there is a fire. … I think that helps a lot, especially to make sure everyone is accounted for.”

RJ said that during a fire people should stay low, get under the smoke and make their way to entry points, such as windows and doors, where firefighters are going to gain access to the home. People should use the backs of their hands to feel if doors are hot and should avoid touching bare skin to knobs when possible.

The Cervenkas said their training has educated them as to how fires start and spread and has allowed them to make decisions on purchases of items such as escape ladders.

“I wouldn’t have considered those things without train-

PHOTOS BY NATASHA BARBER

(Left) RJ Cervenka checks wife Darby’s gear Sept. 21 in Rice. (Right) A red Rice Fire Department sticker identifies Darby’s pager from RJ’s. The two keep their pagers on their respective night stands while they sleep.

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ing,” said Darby, who explained residents can request home walkthroughs from the department if they would like suggestions. “You don’t realize the day-to-day little changes, that one small purchase can be your way out.”

RJ and Darby do not have children but have already thought about what their service will look like when their family grows. They plan to juggle the duties of emergency response with help from their firefighting family.

“We already made a plan with Blake and Brea (Phenow),” Darby said. “Brea said, ‘I’ll meet you at the parking lot or drop them off at my house.’ … Or, RJ and I will just have to battle over who gets to respond.”

With one goal accomplished and the next thoughtfully planned, the Cervenkas plan to accrue many years with Rice Fire.