Sauk Rapids Heald - January 30

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Saturday, January 30, 2021

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2 Second Ave. S., Suite 135, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379

Vol. 166, No. 43

Lady Veterans Boutique opens PHOTO BY ELLARRY PRENTICE

Registered nurses Roxanne Wilson (from left), of Rice, Becky Kulzer, of Sauk Rapids, and Jane Bagley, of Sauk Rapids, are vaccinating people against COVID-19 in Benton and Stearns counties. Combined, the three have 125 years of nursing experience.

Sleeves up:

Local nurses become COVID-19 vaccinators PHOTO BY ELLARRY PRENTICE

Air Force veteran Kerri Schwegel arranges clothing at the Lady Veterans Boutique in St. Cloud. Open to all veterans, the boutique offers free clothing, accessories, beauty products and personal care items to people who have served in the military.

Space offers free clothing, beauty products, nail care to women who served in military

BY ELLARRY PRENTICE STAFF WRITER

BY ELLARRY PRENTICE | STAFF WRITER

ST. CLOUD – Air Force veteran Kerri Schwegel spends four days a week personalizing a little boutique in St. Cloud. Clothing, accessories, shoes, beauty and

personal care products are grouped by type and displayed with care. A few ensembles are staged to offer outfit options.

Missing from the array of apparel is a payment processing system. Schwegel does not collect any money.

The mission is not to profit from the items – offered at no cost – but to empower, encourage and mentor fellow women who have served in the military.

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PUBLIC NOTICES

Veterans boutique page 2

Nurses work long shifts to support health care workforce, protect communities SAUK RAPIDS – Jane Bagley, Becky Kulzer and Roxanne Wilson have been nurses for decades, but they have never seen a public health crisis like this. A combined 125 years of experience, new training and an ever-present desire to care for others have prepared the women for an important job – vaccinating people to protect them from the virus that causes COVID-19.

Wilson, who lives in Rice, and Bagley and Kulzer, who live in Sauk Rapids, have been vaccinating people in central Minnesota all days of the week since the week before Christmas. Between the three nurses, they have vaccinated at 13 sites in Benton and Stearns counties, including the Sauk Rapids Government Cen-

• Sauk Rapids-Rice School Call for Bids - pg. 14 • Cellco Partnership Public Notice - pg. 14 • City of Sauk Rapids Reg. Minutes, Jan. 11, 2021 - pg. 15 • Mortgage Foreclosure Postponement - pg. 14 • Benton County Bids for County Highway Projects - pg. 14 • Sauk Rapids-Rice Schools Special Board Minutes,

ter, the St. Cloud Hospital, the River’s Edge Convention Center, St. Benedict’s Senior Community and several CentraCare Health facilities.

Local vaccination clinics are operated by either CentraCare Health or public health officials.

The Sauk Rapids Government Center has been the site for the nearest vaccination clinic, operated by Benton County Public Health. Bagley and Wilson helped with vaccinating health care workers this month at the government center and will return to administer a second dose in February.

When the long-awaited vaccine became available, the registered nurses were hired within a short time frame.

Photo courtesy of CentraCare Two types of COVID-19 vaccines – Pfizer and Moderna – are available in the United States.

Vaccinators page 5 Jan. 7, 2021 - pg. 14 • Sauk Rapids-Rice Schools Special Board Minutes, Jan. 4, 2021 - pg. 15 • Sauk Rapids-Rice Schools Annual School Board Minutes, Jan. 4, 2021 - pg. 13 • Probate Notice - Rosenow - pg. 20

OBITUARIES • Ronald C. Berg • Stephen W. Murphy

NEWS

Page 2 | SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Veterans boutique from front

Lady Veterans Boutique is now open at 724 33rd Ave. N., St. Cloud, across from the former Electrolux site. Adding the first-ever focus on women to the St. Cloud StandDown veterans resource center campus, the boutique is open to all women veterans who serve or have served their country. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays or by appointment.

Schwegel, a Foley resident, is chair of the Lady Veterans Boutique.

“It’s my mission to give back to my fellow veterans, and especially to bring the ladies up, give them not a hand-out but a hand-up … to encourage them,” she said.

Formed in 1998, St. Cloud StandDown went from warehouse to warehouse until a gift from the family estate of Clifford Beck, an Army veteran from Sauk Rapids, made it possible for the organization to buy the campus it occupies on 33rd Av-

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enue North. The St. Cloud StandDown Clifford Beck Veterans Resource Center opened in 2019.

Moving to its current campus has allowed St. Cloud StandDown to expand service offerings for area veterans whether or not they are in need, at risk or experiencing homelessness. With space to offer services that cater more specifically to women, the veterans helping veterans organization opened the Lady Veterans Boutique in November.

“The boutique is really a shopping experience,” said Schwegel, who served 20 years during the Gulf War. “There’s everything that a lady would need here.”

The boutique offers ladies winter gear, practical and professional clothing, socks, undergarments and shoes, including some new boots and sneakers.

Another section has jewelry, scarves, hats, purses, swimwear, hair products, soap and other personal care items.

Everything is free for veterans. Clothing request and intake forms, documenting veterans’ military service, sizing information, etc., are completed prior to walking through the boutique.

Like for-profit boutiques, Schwegel provides women veterans one-onone personal service as they shop and space to try on clothing. She aims to offer veterans a wide selection of clothing and accessories.

Whether they need an outfit for the workplace or special occasion, or some lounge or work-out clothes, the boutique has it all.

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Women’s apparel and purses are displayed in the Lady Veterans Boutique, exclusively for women who have served in the military. The boutique is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Monday through Thursday, or by appointment.

“You might need a scarf for your Christmas dress; you might need a jacket for your job interview,” Schwegel said.

“There’s a lot of needs, and we can probably meet any of those needs.”

Most of the items have been donated, though StandDown purchases some new at discounted prices. Schwegel handpicks donated items for the boutique with care, making sure garments are fashionable and free of defects.

She started using a steam cleaner on clothing and an ionizer to sanitize jewelry.

“I want them to have good clothes on their back, not have to worry about mending,” she said.

With the addition of the boutique, women’s clothing was separated from men’s clothing, which continues to be distributed from an outbuilding behind the StandDown’s main building.

Schwegel said women have different needs, such as varied sizing, and StandDown wanted to cater to them specifically. Women also shop differently than men, she said.

St. Cloud Standdown once had a small amount of women’s clothing, but the selection has increased tenfold. Bags of donated clothes are dropped off on a daily basis.

“Our community is very, very generous,” Schwegel said. “We could not do it without them. It

Benton County License Center (DMV)

goes a long, long way to help a lot of veterans.”

Another offering inside the boutique is basic manicures and pedicures.

A nail salon, complete with a massage chair and foot bath, offers free nail care from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of the month, by appointment.

“It’s something everyone needs,” Schwegel said. “And it’s a de-stressor. A lot of these veterans are stressed.”

Lady Veterans Boutique would also like to offer free hair care. Schwegel is looking for volunteers to provide this service.

“We’re just so excited that we’ve got this thing up and running,” said St. Cloud StandDown president Bob Behrens.

The organization wants women to know they are part of the veteran community. The boutique is a way to recognize women veterans and validate their service, Schwegel said.

Of the more than 325,000 veterans in Minnesota, just over 7% are women, according to statistics from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

The silence of women veterans has been a contributor to increases in homelessness and suicide rates in the community, according to Schwegel.

Programs and services that adequately address their needs are lacking, she said.

The boutique, Schwe-

gel hopes, will fill the gap.

“Our mission is to get them off their feet,” she said. “Let them identify as a veteran. To be validated that they are a veteran and that we’re all one veteran.”

St. Cloud StandDown serves, on average, 750 veterans a year. For male veterans, the organization provides pants, shirts, suits, winter gear, hats, gloves, boots, tennis shoes and more. The warehouse is filled with hundreds of coats and shoes.

“It’s all donated, and it’s all free (to veterans),” Behrens said.

In addition to clothes and necessities, the organization provides free barbershop haircuts the first Thursday of every month, meeting space for various veteran organizations and computers for veterans to search for jobs and housing. The organization also connects veterans with state and county services and other programs of assistance.

“Having this building since 2019 for people to come to on a weekly basis is huge,” Schwegel said.

St. Cloud StandDown also distributes 350 quilts, made by women from Rice, every year.

“When a veteran walks in here, they are treated with honor and respect, and we don’t judge,” said Behrens, a Vietnam veteran. “Whatever the veteran needs, between the boutique and warehouse, we can help them.”

Eventually, St. Cloud StandDown would like to

Appointments required for ALL DMV Services Due to building capacity limits and the large volume of walk-in customers, the License Center (DMV) will require appointments for ALL DMV Services.

Appointments are now available for ALL DMV Services.

To schedule online go to: • www.co.benton.mn.us • Scroll down to Popular Links (on the left) • Click on “make a DMV Appointment” RF4-1B-RB

For online scheduling assistance call 320-968-5010, leave a message and we will return your call as soon as we can.

PHOTO BY ELLARRY PRENTICE

A nail salon attached to the boutique offers free manicures and pedicures on the first and third Wednesdays of the month, by appointment. The boutique is also looking for people to offer haircare services to female veterans.

distribute winter gear to veterans across Minnesota.

“We’re the only place like this in the state of Minnesota that can provide clothing (specifically for veterans) full-time in a building space,” Schwegel said.

St. Cloud is the oldest and largest StandDown program in Minnesota, according to Behrens. “They leave here with their boots on the ground, their mission ready for life. They know where they’re going,” he said.

Schwegel looks forward to making a difference in the lives of women who often go unrecognized and often fall into a caregiving role, always thinking of others but never themselves.

“We are trying to bring awareness, to get those ladies to step up and be validated,” Schewgel said.

“They’re a veteran too.”

Clothing donated to the Lady Veterans Boutique should be new or lightly used and laundered.

Donations that are not distributed in the boutique go to the DAV’s clothing recycle program.

Nominations open for Lady Veteran of the Month New in 2021, St. Cloud StandDown will honor a Lady Veteran of the Month, sponsored by the boutique.

The award program was created to recognize women veterans who contribute their time and energy to go above and beyond the call of duty to support veterans, the military or their families and the community.

“The award shines a bright light on the work veterans continue to do for our nation,” Schwegel said.

Schwegel encouraged residents from Benton County to nominate a woman veteran.

Nominations will be reviewed monthly and a winner selected by the Lady Veterans Boutique board of directors. Nominees who were not selected will roll over to future months to compete with new nominees.

Winners will be presented an award package, will have their name and service information posted on a plaque and will be recognized on social media and St. Cloud StandDown’s website.

One of the 12 Lady of the Month winners will be selected as Lady Veteran of the Year and honored during a ceremony at the end of the year.

Nominations forms are available at the St. Cloud StandDown resource center and on its website. They are due by the end of each month in 2021.

NEWS

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 | Page 3

What’s Happening

375 school district staff to be vaccinated District begins bi-weekly COVID-19 testing for employees

BY ELLARRY PRENTICE | STAFF WRITER

Monday, Feb. 1, 6 p.m. – Rice City Council Meeting. Rice City Hall, 205 E. Main St., Rice.

– The employee is subject to a federal, state or local quarantine or isolation order related to COVID-19.

– The employee has been advised by a health care provider to selfquarantine related to COVID-19.

– The employee is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and seeking a medical diagnosis.

Under this circumstance, paid leave provided by the district will be in the form of a 50/50 match, with paid leave available to the employee through their union agreement or employment contract. In other words, they can use paid time off they have accrued to cover their half.

The written agreement between the district and the Sauk Rapids-Rice Education Association says paid leave provided by the district will be prorated for employees working fewer than five days per week.

The district-paid leaves will be available through June 30, 2021, or until six weeks after all district employees have had the opportunity to receive the first round of COVID-19 vaccine through a district-supported vaccination program. If federal or state legislation provides paid leave for district employees again, this program will no longer apply, Schoenherr said.

“We anticipate COVID-related issues are going to continue,” Schoenherr said of the decision to extend paid leave.

Schoenherr said employee bargaining units have been appreciative of the extension.

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Wednesday, Feb. 3, 6-7 p.m. – Living Waters Food Shelf Dispersal. Living Waters Lutheran Church, 1911 Fourth Ave. N., Sauk Rapids.

Thursday, Feb. 4, 3-5:30 p.m. – Rice Area Food Shelf Distribution. Old Village Hall, 30 E. Main St., Rice.

Friday, Feb. 5, 11 a.m. to noon – Living Waters Food Shelf Dispersal. Living Waters Lutheran Church, 1911 Fourth Ave. N., Sauk Rapids.

Saturday, Feb. 6, 9 a.m. – Overeaters Anonymous. Call Joyce at 320-761-2275 or Donna at 320-291-7251 for meeting place. Visit oa.org for more information.

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saliva testing to staff in all six buildings as well as school bus drivers, Bergstrom said.

“It was a very smooth process,” he said.

Bergstrom was one of the staff to be tested. He received his test results, delivered electronically, the following evening.

“When the governor and his team said that this is a priority, it’s a priority,” he said.

The state is providing the saliva tests at no charge.

Testing is not required but will be available every two weeks. Results are exclusively for individuals and are not public data for the district.

The tests are intended not for staff who are sick – as they should stay home if they are not feeling well – but for those who may carry the virus but are asymptomatic, Bergstrom said.

Provided by Vault Medical Services, tests are performed under professional supervision via an internet-based video call and shipped to a lab. Results are expected within 48 hours of receipt and are sent via email or text.

The saliva collection kit is not an antibody test.

The test is designed to determine if a person is infected with COVID-19 and has the potential to infect others.

“We are hoping to have more staff do further testing,” Bergstrom said.

“The turnaround time for results was pretty amazing.”

District offers paid leaves related to COVID-19 The district will continue to offer eligible employees paid leave for certain reasons related to COVID-19.

The board approved extending paid COVID-19 leave, originally offered as part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which required certain employers to provide up to 10 days (prorated for part-time employees) of paid sick leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. The federal mandate expired Dec. 31, 2020.

In essence, the district will pay 100% of leaves for work-related quaran-

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SAUK RAPIDS – The Sauk Rapids-Rice School District has been allocated 375 doses of COVID-19 vaccine for staff. More than half of the district’s 676 employees are expected to be vaccinated against the novel coronavirus. Vaccinations will be available to more district staff at a later time.

“It is a definite step in the right direction for us,” Superintendent Bradley Bergstrom told school board members at the Jan. 25 meeting. “Our goal, all along, has been to make sure that no spot goes unfilled. That those who wish to have the vaccine are given the opportunity.”

Bergstrom commended Benton County Public Health and CentraCare Health for their role in making the vaccine available to Sauk Rapids-Rice educators.

Bergstrom thanked Julie Willman from Benton County Public Health for her partnership in the vaccine process.

“I really appreciate her communication, her thinking about us in the school system,” he said.

“She’s been a great advocate.”

Because the vaccine could not be available to everyone, the district prioritized needs when determining which staff members will receive the first available allocation of the vaccine.

“We’ve just been overjoyed that we’ve been given this great gift,” said Dr. Holly Schoenherr, director of human resources and administrative services. “It sped up the process that we thought would be weeks and weeks and weeks long.”

With Sauk RapidsRice students returning to in-person learning, the vaccine has arrived at a good time. Pre-kindergarten through fifth grade students returned to the school buildings full time Jan. 19, while secondary students returned to hybrid learning – a model that mixes in-person and remote study. All sixth through 12th grade students will return to fulltime in-person learning Tuesday, Feb. 2.

On Jan. 21, the district began offering COVID-19

tines and 50% of leaves (up to five days) for other COVID-19-related quarantines (i.e., those that do not result from being at school).

If a staff member must quarantine due to exposure at school, there is no limit to the amount of paid leave provided by the district.

“Regardless of the number of times that the staff person may encounter that situation, we will provide that paid leave,” Schoenherr.

Per the language in the newly-approved agreement between the district and its employee unions, for employees who are unable to report to work for reasons related to COVID-19, the district will offer remote work. If remote work is not available or possible, the district agreed to pay 100% of the time an employee is required to stay home for the following reasons: – The employee was mandated by the district to quarantine due to a confirmed exposure to a COVID-19-positive case at work, as determined through contract tracing conducted by the district.

– The employee is unable to work from home for at least part of the quarantine period.

Contract tracing, Schoenherr said, would confirm a staff member was at school during the period of time they were infectious and the individuals that were in close contact.

“We make that determination,” she said.

The district will split the paid leave with the employee, up to five days, when:

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OBITUARIES/NEWS

Page 4 | SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Community Education Corner

Young inventor kit

Stephen W. Murphy

The young inventor kit is a child’s first step into tinkering and inventing. Encourage your child’s tinkering spirit with this fun and engaging kit as they build an electrical circuit and learn about pneumatics. Your child will be designing, building and creating for hours on end. They may just invent the next big thing. The 175-plus piece kit contains tools, adhesives, building materials, craft items and a 16page activity guide. It is packed with screwdrivers, screws, pliers, a 1.5-volt hobby motor, batteries and holder, scissors, wheels, clamps and more.

Order anytime. Pick up at Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School, 901 First St. S., Sauk Rapids.

Visitation was 5-7 p.m. Jan. 28 at Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home in Sauk Rapids for Stephen W. “Murf” Murphy, age 68, of Sartell, who died Dec. 20, 2020, at his home.

Stephen was born Nov. 19, 1952, in St. Cloud to LeRoy and Lillian (Jendersek) Murphy. He married Barbara Ellefson Sept.

17, 1988, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sauk Rapids and they

Do-it-yourself Cardmaking Kit Looking for an easy project this winter and love to have greeting cards on hand? This kit provides all the materials to make 25 greeting cards (birthday, thank you, sympathy, thinking of you, wedding and more). All you need to do is glue the paper together to create these cards.

Order anytime. Pick up at Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School, 901 First St. S., Sauk Rapids.

To register or for more information on programs and costs, contact Sauk Rapids-Rice Community Education at www.isd47.org/ce or 320-258-1577.

Brandon Theisen

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Support

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Sponsored By:

later divorced. Stephen was a realtor and lived in the St. Cloud area most of his life. He was a member

Ronald C. Berg

• New Construction • Residential 5747 411th Street • Rice, MN 56367 • Commercial Cell: 320.266.3949 • Industrial btheisen@saukrapidselectric.com • Audio/Video

www.saukrapidselectric.com

Stephen W. Murphy

Ronald Clair Berg, age 77, died Jan. 22, 2021, after a postsurgery infection. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Williams Dingmann Funeral Home, St. Cloud.

Ronald was born Sept. 20th, 1943, to the late Donald and Kathryn (Ries) Berg in Storm Lake, Iowa. He graduated from Storm Lake High School and went to business school in Omaha, Nebraska, and Sioux City, Iowa.

There, he met and wed Grayce Van Gorp May 3, 1963. To this union came two children: Kimberly Ann and David Mark.

Ron’s career was twofold. The first 22 years was spent with the JCPenney Company.

There he had 10 store assignments and seven transfers in 22 years.

He held many positions coming up in the ranks including operations manager. Not wanting to continue moving, he decided to leave JCPenney and purchase

Ronald C. Berg

Walking Billboards Inc., which he operated for 20 years.

After selling Walking Billboards, he did business developments and partnerships. He also supported Grayce in her business over the years at GB & Company. He loved people and talked to everyone. Ron always made a point of saying he could count on his two hands the number of bad days he has at work.

He had a passion for his work and was always up to the challenge.

Ron was a man of many interests, not wanting to get bored doing just nothing. He enjoyed traveling by Corvette with his wife to most of the states. Ron also loved his cabin up

of Unity Spiritual Center in Sartell, Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous where he was very active as a sponsor and leading groups. Stephen enjoyed playing the harmonica, cribbage, cards, sewing leather and classic rock.

He was quite a character and was an outgoing, people person who had a great sense of humor.

Survivors include his son, Phillip Murphy of Sauk Rapids; daughter, Leanna Murphy of Sauk Rapids; former wife,

Barbara Ellefson of Sauk Rapids; brothers, Robert (Diane) of St. Cloud, LeRoy “Butch” (Betty) of Rice; sisters, Deanna (Denny) Foss of Rice, Carol (John) Weiber of St. Cloud. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Patricia.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

Obituary and guest book available online at www. williamsdingmann.com.

north and home in Rio Verde, Arizona, where he and wife, Grayce entertained family and friends. He enjoyed playing golf, tennis and cribbage, especially if there was a wager involved.

Ron also collected Corvettes and was very knowledgeable on the earlier years. He was a long time member of the National Corvette Restoration Society. Ron also loved 50’s music and knew most of the songs and artists of that era. He loved making CD’s and giving them to family, friends and classmates.

Ron believed in giving back to the community and was involved in several communities with the chamber of commerce, The United Way, and heading up fundraising efforts in several JCPenney stores as well as serving on the United Way Board and chairing the personnel committee and family services committee. He also served as an officer in several Corvette clubs, was a long time Boy Scout fundraiser, and Boys and Girls

Club Boards of Trustee member.

Ron also felt so blessed to have been born in the United States of America in this particular time frame.

He never took anything for granted, especially our freedoms, and he always felt people should never forget their humble beginnings and never rise to think that they were ever better than anyone else. These were his maxims that he tried to live up to each day, along with playing fair, always playing to win and never giving up. He always hoped he could make a small difference in his time on earth. He believed in P.M.A. – positive mental attitude.

He is preceded in death by his son, David Mark; and parents, Donald and Kathryn Berg.

He is survived by his wife, Grayce; daughter, Kimberly (Frank Mazzacano); granddaughter, Paige Clair Hoghaug; and sister, Merridee Matson.

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

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“It was lighting fast in terms of how CentraCare hired a group of us to help with the initial rollout,” Bagley said.

As the vaccine continues to be distributed, in phases, they will continue to roll up sleeves in the local area, sacrificing time away from home to work long shifts, often with few breaks.

“The need is so urgent,” said Wilson, who frequently travels to rural sites to vaccinate.

Vaccination clinics have been busy, and they expect that to continue as the vaccine becomes available to more people.

“As each wave opens up, the slots fill,” Bagley said.

Initially, vaccination was limited to health care workers and long-term care residents. Then, the vaccine became available to community health care workers – those who work in dental offices, pharmacies, chiropractic offices, eye clinics, home health care, assisted living and hospice programs, etc.

Local educators and older adults are now receiving doses of COVID-19 vaccines through a pilot program by the Minnesota Department of Health. Pilot clinics are vaccinating people over 65, pre-kindergarten through grade 12 educators and staff, and childcare workers in St. Cloud and eight other sites across the state. Public health officials from Benton, Stearns and Sherburne counties are assisting with the pilot program.

As a Minnesota Responds volunteer, Wilson worked at the Minnesota Department of Health’s pilot vaccine site in St. Cloud, the River’s Edge Convention Center, Jan. 23. She said members of the National Guard, local public health and the Minnesota Department of Health set up and work the clinic as a team.

Wilson, a nurse for 49 years, and Bagley, a nurse for 28 years, are nursing faculty at St. Cloud State University. They started vaccinating during their winter break, when the vaccine was first made available to the health care workforce Kulzer, a nurse for 48 years, including 41 in the intensive care unit at the St. Cloud Hospital, stepped out of retirement to be a full-time vaccinator.

The weight of the pandemic on health care workers, Wilson noted,

has brought a lot of nurses out of retirement, including several to assist with the ongoing rollout of the vaccine.

The workforce has been stretched thin in response to COVID-19.

“There’s so many nuances in expanding capacity,” said Wilson, explaining that, by stepping up to do vaccinations, they can support health care workers and serve their communities. “The public knows what the health care workforce have gone through.

So many people in the community have worked as a whole team to prevent and treat COVID-19. We see vaccinating as a way to support that team and the community.”

CentraCare Health, county public health offices and the Minnesota Department of Health train the nurses on vaccine handling and administration.

The training, based on guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the manufacturers of the vaccine, is detailed and covers the entire process – from the point of check-in to the monitoring area.

The nurses’ duties vary at each site. At larger vaccination sites, they focus almost exclusively on vaccinations; whereas at smaller outreach sites, they may do more setup, attending to cold storage and reconstitution of the vaccine and monitoring of patients afterward.

What does not change from site to site, they said, is dedicated and diligent staff who are good at what they do.

“We’ve really had a very consistent workforce to get it up and launched,” Wilson said. “Now, we know the system.”

The nurses commended CentraCare Health for efforts to vaccinate firstpriority groups. The nurses said the central region has been on top of vaccinations, ensuring that what is allocated is distributed to those who need it most.

Pfizer) they are getting to help them understand the risks and benefits.

Every person is screened to determine if there are reasons they should not get the vaccine, such as having had another type of vaccine in the last 14 days. They are also given a vaccination card, or printout, that tells them which COVID-19 vaccine they received, the date they received it and where they received it.

An important piece of that conversation involves common immune responses and dispelling a myth that the vaccine injects a live virus.

“Educating folks on knowing that the body’s immune response is meant to do certain things,” Bagley said. “With that, you may feel like you have a fever and chills, but it isn’t that we’re giving you COVID-19.”

“Have you had the vaccine?” is a common question.

“I think that makes people confident, too, that we can say, ‘Yes, we’ve been vaccinated,’” Wilson said.

The job requires competence to ensure safe and efficient vaccine administration.

“It’s more than a shot in the arm,” Wilson said.

“There are a lot of details behind the scene and important screening and education.”

The vaccination process does not end with a shot, either. Recipients are monitored for allergic reactions for 15 minutes after immunization. For people who have had previous allergic reactions to vaccines, the monitoring period is a half-hour.

“We have not seen many allergic reactions, but the CDC recommends monitoring,” Wilson said.

Being a COVID-19 vaccinator also requires candor.

“If you’re able to share your own personal experience or an experience from someone you know closely, I think it reassures them,” Bagley said.

The nurses play a key role in improving vaccine acceptance.

“We know that vaccinating is a safe PHOTO COURTESY OF CENTRACARE

A health care employee extracts a COVID-19 vaccination before administering a shot. Health care workers, emergency personnel, child care workers, educators and people are 65 or older are just some people who are eligible to receive the vaccine.

way to help our communities,” Wilson said.

The vaccines not only combat a virus that has killed more than 400,000 Americans, but it will ultimately help restore other areas of life, from re-opening businesses to bringing loved ones face to face again, Bagley said.

Each prick of the needle is one step closer.

“People will tell us, ‘I’m thankful for doing my part. We’re hopeful that we can get a bit of normal back,’” Bagley said.

People often take pictures if they feel it will help others gain confidence in the vaccine, Kulzer said.

Sometimes, a person’s decision to get vaccinated follows much thought, prayer and family discussion, Wilson said.

“They’ve really made that commitment, often to their family or to their work setting, that they don’t want to expose other people,” she said. “They’ll say, ‘I’m a little hesitant about this, but my mom is 87, and I’m really committed to her,’ or, ‘I don’t want to be the person at the long-term care setting that makes people sick.’ The hesitant ones have made some sort of a thoughtful commitment to either their community or family, or both.”

Some people shed tears, but it is not because of being pricked by a needle.

“I think they feel like a physical weight has lifted off them,” Wilson said.

“People cry. They’re very emotional.”

Some people who receive the vaccine tell of loved ones who succumbed to the virus and say they are hopeful the contents of the syringe will save those who are left to grieve.

Others talk about how long it has been since they could leave the house, how isolation has taken a toll.

Regardless of what motivated them to stick out their arm, people have been gracious and grateful, according to Kulzer.

“There’s such an interest and a need in those that do want it,” Wilson said.

“Older recipients are so thrilled to take a step in returning to a life they miss.

Education staff talk about the kids they serve and what a difference they hope to see.”

Some of the most appreciative people also wear scrubs.

“Doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other people who work in health care are so extremely grateful,” Wilson said.

Kulzer is happy to be back at St. Cloud Hospital.

“It’s been a huge boost in socialization,” she said.

“I’ve been vaccinating at the hospital, and I worked with all those people for so many years. It’s just been,

really, a joy to see them again.”

Wilson said she has built trust and relationships in rural settings.

“It’s really fun to celebrate those second doses,” she said. “I bring an antique set of jingle bells, and we often clap and ring when that second dose is done.”

The experience, Bagley said, is beneficial for their nursing students.

“We have that perspective and training then that can benefit our nursing students should we be called upon as an extension to the health care workforce,” she said.

The nurses look forward to the arrival of more vaccine, to continuing to learn along the way and to making an impact in and around the communities they call home.

“To me, it’s been very fulfilling,” Kulzer said of being a COVID-19 vaccinator.

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“CentraCare has been very organized,” Bagley said.

“A well-oiled machine.

We just show up, and we know exactly what we’re doing. We show up at 7 (a.m.), and we’re vaccinating by 7:15. The supporting personnel has been exceptional in terms of keeping everything organized and running smoothly.”

Both COVID-19 vaccines – one from pharmaceutical company Pfizer and one from biotechnology company Moderna – require two shots in the upper muscle of the arm. Pfizer’s doses are spaced 17-21 days apart, and Moderna’s are spaced 28 days apart.

Recipients of the vaccine can use V-safe, a smartphone-based, aftervaccination health checker to tell the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about any side effects after getting a COVID-19 vaccine. V-safe also reminds people to get their second dose, which is a booster.

“After dose one, we average about a 50% immune benefit, and the second dose averages about a 95% immune benefit,” Bagley said.

Immune response among people the nurses have vaccinated has ranged from a sore arm to lowgrade fever and body aches.

“Primarily, the individual’s response to getting the vaccine has been very, very good,” Bagley said.

Health care workers are doing well at educating people about the vaccine, which has quelled some fear and apprehension, the nurses noted.

Each person who comes to be vaccinated receives a paper or electronic version of a fact sheet during registration that tells them more about the specific vaccine (Moderna or

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SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 | Page 7

MIDWEST CLASSIFIED NETWORK

City receives commemorative golden shovel

To reach 9 states with your classified call 320-251-1971

PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER

The Sauk Rapids-Rice School District presented the city of Sauk Rapids a golden shovel in honor of the groundbreaking of the new Pleasantview Elementary School construction at the Jan. 25 Sauk Rapids City Council meeting at the government center. Pictured are council member Dottie Seamans, council member Ellen Thronson, city administrator Ross Olson, school board chair Ryan Butkowski, school district superintendent Bradley Bergstrom, mayor Kurt Hunstiger and council member Nick Sauer.

Portion of Fourth Avenue North to see repair

BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER

SAUK RAPIDS – A deteriorated roadway in Sauk Rapids is slated to receive improvements in 2021.

In accordance with the Sauk Rapids Capital Improvements Plan, the Sauk Rapids City Council accepted a feasibility study for portions of Fourth Avenue North at its Jan. 25 meeting in Sauk Rapids. The council also approved calling for a public hearing for the project.

The roadway segment extends from 18th

Street North to County Road 29, a stretch that offers access to Living Waters Lutheran Church and Camden Apartments.

The section will receive a full depth reclamation and overlay.

City engineer Scott Hedlund, of Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc., said the improvement will be executed to extend the life of the current pavement. The roadway was constructed 25 years ago.

After grinding the existing roadway and using it as base material, an additional 4 inches of bituminous will be placed on the roadway. This should

help with heavier traffic and vehicle types utilizing the roadway, Hedlund said. Although the road will be raised as a result, construction plans to blend property access points.

No utility improvements are included in the project.

The project is an estimated $367,000. Although nine properties abut the roadway, in accordance with city policy, wetlands and those with no access points because of the existing wetlands will not be assessed. Minus the city lots, five private properties will be assessed a combined amount of roughly $62,000 with the city responsible for the remaining cost.

2021 Sauk Rapids City Council committee appointments Acting mayor Joint planning Area planning organization Area joint planning district Public works Personnel and finance Land use and development Liquor operation Fire department Community Education advisory Half cent sales tax Riverside parks project Regional human rights Metro Bus Transit

Nick Sauer Jason Ellering and Dottie Seamans (alternate) Sauer and Seamans Ellering and Seamans Ellering and Sauer Kurt Hunstiger and Sauer Ellen Thronson and Ellering Seamans and Ellering Sauer and Hunstiger Sauer and Seamans (alt.)

Seamans and Ellering Sauer and Thronson Ellering and Thronson Hunstiger

Hedlund said a neighborhood meeting and improvement hearing will take place before the council approves plans and authorizes for bid in March.

Construction should take place in summer with a final assessment hearing in late summer or fall.

In other council news: – Approved the council committee assignments for the year.

See sidebar.

– Approved replacing a 1985 Ford plow truck with a 2020 Mack Granite series at a cost of $202,774. The cost includes the truck, engine, box, sander, plow, wing and controls. The purchase was planned and listed within capital improvements.

– Approved selling miscellaneous public works equipment through auction sites and a potential broker.

The equipment includes vehicles and parts, a compressor, spare tires, tire jacks, among other items.

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Page 8 | SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

EDITORIAL

Interesting plant facts continued I am continuing from last week with facts found in the book “How Plants Work”

by Linda ChalkerScott, a Washington State University horticulturist and extension educator.

If the plant leaves are turning yellow, GREEN AND they may be deficient GROWING IN BENTON COUNTY in nitrogen. While some plants, peas and BY LINDA G. TENNESON beans for example, can make their own nitrogen, others need to find it in the soil. Farmers rotate their crops, planting nitrogen fixing plants for one year followed by a crop that pulls nitrogen from the soil the following year. A soil test will tell if an area needs additional nitrogen fertilizer added or not. Beware of decomposing substances that may use nitrogen in the soil.

I had diseased spruce trees removed from my property and cut off at soil level with the roots left in the ground. I immediately replaced them with 10 new trees, seven of which died within two years. I later learned that the roots of the diseased trees were using the soil nitrogen as part of their decomposition process, so there was not enough nitrogen left in the soil for the new trees to survive. However, additional nitrogen fertilizer and time allowed the trees planted two years later to thrive.

Nitrogen is the only fertilizer that may be needed in a garden because there is often enough phosphorus and potassium naturally found in the soil. Remember those three numbers found on fertilizer packages are the relative amounts of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. And Minnesota law states that phosphorus cannot be added to existing lawns because it is water soluble and can wash into rivers and lakes creating green algae.

At other times, a plant may have green veins but shows yellow areas between the veins. This is a sign of chlorosis or iron deficiency. Iron chelate will solve this problem because the chelate process makes the iron water soluble and so available to the plant. Placing iron nails in the soil will not provide iron that is available to the plant roots. This problem may also affect acid loving plants like rhododendrons planted in alkaline soil or near new concrete, such as a sidewalk or building foundation. Lime, which is a component of concrete, leaches or moves into the soil and stops iron from being absorbed by the plant.

Some gardeners recommend adding salt to the soil; however, they may forget to say Epsom salt and confuse their listeners into thinking of table salt. Epsom salts are magnesium sulfate which is an inorganic fertilizer. Have a soil test done on soil before adding any Epsom salts because magnesium sulfate deficiency is seldom found in the average garden soil and too much of it may cause the opposite problem – inability to absorb magnesium.

If you have an area where plants do not grow, it may contain heavy metals such as lead, arsenic or mercury. Again, a soil test will reveal this, and the only solution may be to dig up the contaminated soil and replace it, or to construct raised beds filled with uncontaminated soil. Gardens planted in areas previously occupied by industries that disposed of waste materials into the soil may have this problem.

This book and others contain more detailed explanations about what is going on inside our plants and the soils they grow in than may be described in a brief column or an internet article.

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

Relationship with the Trinity

Let’s be honest, trying to describe the ett prays for the Triune God by praising three separate persons of God and then exGod for all of the attributes of the Trinplaining that they are all one in the same ity that he can think of and to help him is complex. God the Father, Jesus the where he is lacking in those attributes of God. Son and the Holy Spirit all individually I found this so helpful that Tackett one and the same. One obvious character would share his personal prayers. It has trait we can take away from this fact iminspired me to share one of mine with mediately is that our God is social. Genyou. I try to remember Jesus’ model: esis 1:26 is God talking within the Trinity reverence, the Trinity, God’s will, rewhen he says, “Let us make man in our

BY FAITH penting, requests with thankfulness and image, according to our likeness.” From BYLIFE MERCY NYGAARD end in worship. But, I pray like I’m talkthe beginning, we can see that God was ing to him face to face. Feel free to use it already social, and then he created us to glorify him (Isaiah 43:7) and to be even more social if you find it helps you.

Dear Jesus, as we fellowship with him back and forth. He also What you have done for us; one can hardly come delights and desires us to fellowship with each other up with the words. Your completion of the Godhead, (1 John 1:7), glorifying him as we do.

Dr. Del Tackett is one of the founders of New in all that you already were from before time began, Geneva Theological Seminary and was a professor but by your creation of us in your image, by coming of numerous worldview courses. He has made it his here and living among us and showing us submismission to teach the truth through a biblical world- sion to your father, the love for your church through view called The Truth Project. He writes in a Nov. 9, servant leadership, reminding us of the sovereignty 2020, blog post about God’s social order instituted of God, and your submission to the authority of on earth for the benefit of man. He writes that there God’s word. Your word in which you manifested are seven social systems, beginning with the triune into flesh. It’s more grandiose than anything ever God, then in order of appearance: God and man, la- needed for our survival. You did it for our benefit bor, family, community, state and church. He shared and joy, and your gift of the Holy Spirit reminds that he orders his prayers around these seven social us of this. Having just read “The Hiding Place,” its systems. I thought it was effective, rich and most theme rings with the truth that at a moment’s time, certainly would advance God’s kingdom in our own you give us the strength and love needed in the very instance we most necessarily must draw upon it in hearts if we prayed similarly.

Here’s how he breaks it down: On Sundays, our weakness to face whatever lies immediately he prays for the church. His local church and staff ahead. Thank you for providing that which only you and those leading the church around the world. On can provide. There’s no skill nor preparedness that Monday, he prays for those in the labor fields. He can equip us with that ability other than complete prays for vocational organizations, bosses, cowork- submission to your will for our lives and the Holy ers, those who have overseers and personally to be Spirit residing inside us. Forgive me for boasting in a good worker, as unto the Lord. On Tuesday, he you when I ought to be quiet and for being quiet prays for governmental leaders. From federal to when I ought to be reaching out to others. Forgive the local state, he prays for the leaders’ hearts to be me for being quick to temper, quick to speak and saved, reformed and revived, leading in accordance quick to pass judgement. Thank you for your comwith godly, biblical principles. He also prays for mandments, and please help me to show others who police and firemen and all the first responders and do not know you, that I lovingly obey your word the government of God’s chosen people, Israel. On because I know it leads to joy. Help me not to be Wednesday, he prays for community and for neigh- an unloving hypocrite, blaspheming your word and bors to receive the love of Christ. On Thursday, making it unattractive. Thank you for your word Tackett prays for God and man by thanking God and help me to hear it and do what it says because for what he has done to save him, for his identity I love you so much that it spills over to loving othin Christ now and for spiritual gifts given to ben- ers, and by your Holy Spirit, pointing them to the efit others. On Friday, he prays for family, each of truth in loving speech, not harshly or condemning. his members including grandchildren and then his It’s your kingdom we hope to advance. It is through extended family. He prays that children will hon- your power we are able. It is for your glory forever. or their parents and for his role as husband, father, All these things I ask in your name. Amen. grandfather, uncle and brother. On Saturday, Tack-

EDITORIAL

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 | Page 9

Special education services in SRR schools In the Sauk Rapids-Rice School school psychologists, occupational District, we are fortunate to have therapists, physical therapists and quality special education programs. more.

For students to qualify for special Once children turn 3, our district education services, they must be offers early childhood screening. All evaluated and have an identified dischildren in Minnesota are required ability. to complete this screening prior to ISD 47 A disability is defined as a lifestarting kindergarten. The screening

By Sandra Haller, long handicapping condition often looks at a child’s overall developspecial education associated with a physical or mental ment and includes checking vision, coordinator impairment that substantially limits hearing, immunization status, along a major life activity, including eduwith skills in thinking, communicacation. Specific information on disability areas can tion, language, large and small muscles, and socialbe found on the Minnesota Department of Educa- emotional development. If there are any concerns, tion website. Students can receive services under the screening team will make recommendations to one or more of the following categories: speech the parents for further support and possible special or language impairment, developmental cognitive education evaluation. If you would like to schedule disability-mild-moderate, developmental cogni- a screening, you can call Hillside Early Childhood tive disability-severe-profound, physical impair- Center at 320-255-8910. ment, deaf or hard of hearing, visual impairment, In our K-12 schools, we have intervention specific learning disability, emotional or behavior- teams who review students’ needs to determine al disorder, deaf-blindness, other health disability, if children need additional support to help them autism spectrum disorders, developmental delay learn and grow. We offer a variety of interven(early intervention for children beginning at birth tions including educational and mental health supto up to age 7), traumatic brain injury and severe port at all sites. If students need support beyond multiple impairments. interventions, they may be referred for an assessChildren from birth to 2 years and 11 months of ment to determine if they might have a disability age can access support through Minnesota Help Me that is interfering with their education. If a student Grow. If you have concerns regarding your child’s needs accommodation to function in school, they development, the website is informative. You may may be eligible for a 504 Accommodation Plan. If make a referral for a child by completing their on- they have a disability that requires direct instrucline referral form or calling 1-866-693-4769. Once tion, they may qualify for one of the categorical the referral is made, an early childhood special disabilities as identified in paragraph one. Once education teacher will contact you to arrange for students qualify for special education services, the screening or evaluation to determine if your child school along with the parents and guardians work is eligible for services. The early childhood special together to develop an individual education plan education staff working with our youngest popu- for the student. The IEP identifies goals, objectives lation of students are part of the Benton-Stearns and accommodations needed to help the student Education District, which is a joint-powers coop- make progress in school. erative shared with five other districts in the area.

Parents and guardians play a vital role in the BSED also provides us with overall guidance and education of their children. Open communication support for our special education programs. They with their child’s teachers, counselors and social support member districts with overall coordina- workers is the first step in seeking a clear undertion of services including the specialty areas of vi- standing of what schools have to offer. sion impairments, deaf and hard of hearing needs,

Not much has changed For those who have had the privilege hours secluded to my bedroom. So much to parent a child, you may recall their so that I made it my home away from teenage years and the amount of time he home. In eighth grade, I painted my or she spent in their bedroom. peppermint pink walls white with coAs I am living this scenario right balt blue accents. I bought the paint and now with my 14-year-old, I often wondid the work, and somehow my parents der if I’m parenting well. agreed to the conversion. I also installed Are there questions I’m not asking? my own cordless phone complete with a Soft skills I’m not teaching? Why is it hanging wall mount and set up my fivethat he spends so much time in his room disc player, stereo receiver and speakers. on the other side of the wall from me? ON MY SLEEVE Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, The BeaBY NATASHA BARBER tles covered the walls. Glow-in-the-dark Am I doing something wrong?

I hope not. stars covered the ceiling. And, laundry The truth is, one can likely never be sure of the and school papers covered the floor. Right, Mom? answer to that last question because despite all the See, I don’t remember spending a lot of time written education on the subject, parenting your in our family room other than to watch VHS movchild does not come with a handbook. Each child ie rentals on weekends, and the dining room was is different as is their parent, and each relationship more or less for meals. Our family desktop comwill have its own challenges and triumphs. puter, complete with dial-up internet, was conveA month ago, a lightbulb came over me as I niently right outside my bedroom door. I could finwas stewing about my teen harboring in his room ish my studies, listen to my music and even talk on throughout the holidays. I reflected on my own the phone with my friends in my peaceful corner of time as a high school freshman and soon conclud- our home, away from my parents. ed that my son’s actions reflected my own.

Michael and Tiger may have been replaced One, I loved sleep – still do, to be honest. I by Muhammad Ali. A cell phone, digital music remember there were days in the summer months service and a school-issued laptop are the natural at that age that I slept past 10 a.m., sometimes past progressions of technology. Color-changing lights noon. I was not a morning person, but I managed to that can be set to a musical beat likely top Fun-tak catch the bus every day or at least until my brother and plastic shapes, but I bet you can still find launor cousins could drive. So surely, a not-so-pleasant dry and school work on the floor. young adult who manages to pull on a sweatshirt, So, if you’re questioning your relationship run his hand through his hair, flip on a visor or ball with that stranger living in your home, don’t read cap, and make it to the bus stop on time cannot be too far into it. Instead, think back to when you unheard of as a parent. were that age. Chances are the apple doesn’t fall I also realized that I, too, had spent many far from the tree.

Resources for new business, expansion

Calling all manufacturing companies in Benton County: Are you considering an expansion of your existing facility?

Or, are you contemplating a major equipment purchase? Have you heard about Benton County’s Revolving Loan Fund proBENTON ECONOMIC gram?

PARTNERSHIP Benton County recogBY AMANDA OTHOUDT nizes the need to stimulate EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR private sector investment into manufacturing and certain commercial facilities and equipment to create new jobs, boost productivity and retain existing jobs for residents.

The purpose of the Revolving Loan Fund program is to provide low-interest, long-term (greater than one year) loans as incentives for new industrial and commercial development within Benton County. The program can also be used for gap financing, which is the difference between the amount of money your primary lender will lend for the project and the amount of equity you are required to put into the project. Oftentimes, a gap in financing exists. This is where the Benton County Revolving Loan Fund program could help get your project off the ground.

Benton County’s RLF program can provide up to 35% of the total project cost, up to a maximum of $150,000. Interest rates are fixed and will be below the participating bank’s interest rate.

Eligible applicants are manufacturing and service businesses located anywhere in Benton County.

Job creation is a requirement for loan consideration, and under certain circumstances, job retention will be considered. Borrowers can use county funds for fixed asset purchases such as land, buildings, machinery and equipment, building modifications or equipment that provides energy efficiencies.

If you are interested in learning more about Benton County’s Revolving Loan Fund program, give Amanda a call at 320-968-6197.

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Payment must be received prior to copy deadline.

– Paid political letters to the editor will be clearly marked and set apart from those which are not.

– Readers will be allowed to submit one political letter every 14 days.

– All letters to the editor (political or not) require first and last names, addresses and phone numbers.

Names and city of residency will be published in the newspaper along with the letter copy.

– The final time and date to submit a political letter to the editor for township elections is 5 p.m. Feb. 17.

E-mail to

natasha@saukherald.com

NEWS

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 | Page 11

Gift of guitar fills giver, receivers with glee

Sauk Rapids music provider donates instruments from studio

BY ELLARRY PRENTICE STAFF WRITER

SAUK RAPIDS – Two local kids left downtown Sauk Rapids this month smiling and eager to strum. Adults who were with them flashed smiles just as big.

Greg Huberty, a music producer who lives in Sauk Rapids, donated two guitars from his studio. An electric guitar was given to William Marschel of Rice and an acoustic guitar to Brooklyn Hahn of Sauk Rapids.

“I could tell it was genuine excitement when they first saw the guitar,” Huberty said. “I think the parents were just as excited as the students and so appreciative.”

Wanting to foster

BREAK CROSSWORD

young people’s passion for learning and playing music, Huberty, who has been a musician for 20 years, gifted the guitars through an essay contest.

Youth who did not have a guitar and were interested in one from his music studio were asked to write a short letter about why they love music, why they aspire to play guitar and what kinds of songs they would like to play on their guitar.

“I, for sure, want to PHOTOS BY ELLARRY PRENTICE keep music Brooklyn Hahn, of Sauk Rapids, is gifted an in my life acoustic guitar from Greg Huberty Jan. 18 in Sauk and learn more Rapids. Hahn had already begun lessons. instruments,” Hahn wrote in her essay.

“Music is very important something to escape to.” essay.

Hahn enjoys a variety Marschel’s favorite to me. It kind of gives me of music styles and hopes musician is Paul to learn multiple songs McCartney. He hopes to from various genres learn to play “Blackbird” on her guitar. She has and “I Want to Hold Your already been taking guitar Hand” by the Beatles as lessons. well as Christian music.

Music is also “I hope the gift of important to Marschel, a guitar will inspire who comes from a musical them to be lifelong fans family and likes to sing of music and playing,” with his grandparents in said Huberty, a Midwest the church choir.

CMA-winning producer “I would like to learn and studio engineer. “I the guitar so I can play hope they continue to be guitar like my grandma passionate about learning does,” he wrote in his and one day be able to play in a band, at church, in coffee shops, et cetera, and always enjoy casually Will Marschel (left), of Rice, playing in general. I hope is gifted an electric guitar this might inspire them from music producer Greg to become songwriters Huberty, of Sauk Rapids, Jan. 18. Huberty awarded and touch people’s lives two guitars from his studio through music and song.” through an essay contest.

Crime & Public Safety

Body identified

According to a release from the Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force, a search was conducted at a residence on the 2000 block of 27th Street Southeast, St. Cloud, after police learned an individual was suspected of selling fake prescription pain pills that were laced with fentanyl.

The task force was aware of several overdose cases in central Minnesota and the surrounding area linked with similar pills.

Investigators purchased several of the suspected pills from Obrahim, and, after finding probable cause, searched the residence in which he was staying.

Investigators found 740 pressed pills that were suspected to contain fentanyl and a 9mm hand gun with the serial number scratched off.

The CMVOTF was assisted by the St. Cloud SWAT St. Cloud man arrested by task force Team and Sherburne County K-9 unit.

ST. CLOUD – A St. Cloud man was arrested on The task force is comprised of investigators from drug charges and possession of a firearm without a St. Cloud and Sartell police departments and deputies serial number Jan. 21. from Benton, Morrison, Sherburne, Stearns and Todd Abdiaziz Abdi Obrahim, 27, of St. Cloud, faces counties. third degree sale of controlled substance, first degree possession and firearms charges in Sherburne County.

SAUK RAPIDS – The body of a 50-year-old woman found on the Mississippi River ice in December 2020 has been identified.

According to the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office, Tiffany Beth Haugen, of St. Cloud, died by drowning Dec. 16. No foul play is suspected.

Haugen’s body was found on the river ice by the Sauk Rapids Police Department at Sauk Rapids Municipal Park early that morning.

The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office is located in Anoka County and performs contracted services for area agencies, including death investigations as required by law per Minnesota Statute 390.

Sponsored By:

ST R

Publications

TIMOTHY J. VOS Territory Manager 561 Railroad Avenue Albany, MN 56307 Office: 320-845-2700 • Cell: 320-492-6987 Fax: 320-845-4805

Call to Advertise!

tim@saukherald.com tim@albanyenterprise.com

NEWS

Page 12 | SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Diverse board of supervisors pursue conservation County SWCD promotes soil, water, land preservation

BY JAKOB KOUNKEL | STAFF WRITER

FOLEY – The Benton County Soil and Water Conservation District is a board tending to land and water conservation issues that arise within county lines.

The board is made up of five elected supervisors who manage and direct natural resource management programs on a local level. Unlike the county board, which gives district representation based on population, Benton SWCD gives area representation in the form of supervisors, based on geographical land area.

“We’re here to help the community – mostly private citizens – but the community work on soil-water conservation activities,” said Gerry Maciej, Benton SWCD district manager.

In the past several years, the conservation district has worked on a diverse set of issues, from the multimilliondollar Little Rock Lake drawdown project to planting and maintaining vegetation. But Benton SWCD, which got its start in the early 1940s, was established to combat wind erosion in the western part of the county.

Since then, Benton SWCD emerged as a medium for community members to take voluntary actions to benefit and preserve the county’s natural resources, most importantly water cleanliness.

“We can’t live without clean water,” Bernie Thole said. “A lot of what we do pertains to keeping

the water clean.”

Thole is the Area IV supervisor and board chair.

He said there are common issues that cause water cleanliness concerns, like clogs in drainage systems.

But there are also extraordinary circumstances that cause hazards, like a dead animal near a water source.

The conservation district is an independent unit of government, not beholden to the county or another agency. Although, Benton County does supply about 40% of the SWCD’s operating funds.

The SWCD board has mostly been comprised of the same supervisors for many years, with the exception of Jake Scherer who was first elected to the board in 2018 as the Area III supervisor. Thole and Scherer are joined

by Wade Bastian of Area I, Joe Jordan of Area II and Chuck Rau of Area V. Scherer thinks the SWCD’s biggest strength is its supervisors.

“We have a very diverse board,” said Scherer, a farmer. “We have people who are business owners, another guy that works in administration and farmers. We have five different sets of eyes looking at things and how they can improve.”

Supervisors are tasked with making decisions on an array of issues, which is why Thole and Maciej agree with Scherer that occupational diversity is key to the board’s success.

“We have a lot of diversity, which I think brings a lot of strength to

PHOTOS SUBMITTED

Benton Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisors Wade Bastian (from left), Joe Jordan, Bernie Thole, Jake Scherer and Chuck Rau stand at the organization’s Foley office in April 2018. The five represent areas of Benton County as elected officials.

our operation,” Maciej said.

Supervisor meetings take place the third Wednesday of the month.

At a typical meeting – although Maciej said there hardly is such a thing – the board of supervisors might vote to move forward with a grant opportunity or assist a farmer looking for conservation help.

Away from meetings, farmers and other citizens can use the SWCD as a resource for professional advice from one of the conservation district’s staff members. Most commonly, the SWCD works with rural citizens and farmers.

“There’s a lot of programs for small landowners all the way up to the big farmers who run thousands of acres of farmland,” Scherer said.

“Whether enhancing wildlife and doing tree planting or food plots,

we have technicians that can help with just about anything.”

Mostly every month, supervisors vote

to enter into contracts with landowners to do conservation work.

Supervisors help secure funding through grant

Bernie Thole (left) and Minnesota Sen. Jeff Howe converse at the site of the Sartell Hydro dam during September 2019. As a Benton Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor, Thole represents constituents in Area IV which consists of Graham Township and portions of Gilmanton and Alberta townships.

opportunities – usually through the federal and state government – and help landowners with conservation projects.

At a rather unusual meeting last year, the SWCD approved over a million dollars worth of work at a single meeting, highlighting how the board must grapple with simple and multimilliondollar decisions.

Most importantly, though, Maciej said it is important that people understand what the SWCD is here for.

“I want people to know that there is a government unit out there that’s working to protect and improve the environment with private citizens,” Maciej said.

“We’re very active, and there’s a lot going on and a lot of progress has been made.”

Pulse on People

Benton County marriage applications

role models and help students make the connection – Alexander Mark Klaers and Mariah Katheryn between what they learn in school and life after graduation.

Maslowski, both of Foley.

Hengel is a realtor with Premier Real Estate – Jesse Ray Davis and Mandi Lea DeFreitas, both Services. of Sauk Rapids.

Hengel recognized for volunteer work

ST. CLOUD – Tina Hengel, of Sartell, has been selected from nearly 250,000 United States Junior Achievement volunteers to earn the organization’s premier volunteerism award, the Bronze Leadership Award.

The Bronze Leadership Award recognizes Junior Achievement volunteers who have performed outstanding service to the organization.

JA volunteers play a role in bringing Junior Achievement’s entrepreneurship, financial literacy and work-readiness programs to life. By sharing their personal and professional experiences and skills with students, volunteers provide positive

Odebiyi receives degree TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Oluseyi Matthew Odebiyi, of Sartell, received a Doctor of Philosophy

degree from the University of Alabama following fall commencement Dec. 12, 2020.

Students recognized for academic achievement MADISON, Wis. – Rice resident Tyler Snoberger was named to the University of Wisconsin-Madison fall 2020 dean’s list for achieving a GPA of 3.85 or greater in the College of Letters and Science.

MORRIS – Rice resident Cecelia Kuklok was

named to the University of Minnesota-Morris fall 2020 dean’s list for achieving a GPA of 3.67 or greater.

MENOMONIE, Wis. – Rice residents Caleb Czeck and Staci Meyer and Sauk Rapids resident Christian Towalski were named to the University of Wisconsin-Stout fall 2020 dean’s list for achieving a GPA of 3.5 or greater.

DULUTH – Sauk Rapids residents Emma Athmann, Emily Gertken, Alyssa Luukkonen and Miriam Olson as well as Sartell residents Riley Ahrndt, Josie Boelter, Lauren Buchholz, Sartell Friese, Alexandra Illies, Andrew Lakmann, Kelli Loscheider, Madelyn Ouart and Tonya Paul were named to the College of St. Scholastica fall 2020 dean’s list for achieving a GPA of 3.75 or greater.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Sauk Rapids resident Anna Lucas was named to the Missouri State University fall 2020 dean’s list for achieving a GPA of 3.5 or greater.

PUBLIC NOTICE SAUK RAPIDS-RICE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 47 ANNUAL SCHOOL BOARD ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING MINUTES Monday, January 4, 2021 The 2021 Organizational Meeting of the Board of Education of Sauk Rapids-Rice Independent School District 47 was called to order by the 2020 Board Chair Butkowski Monday, January 4, 2021 at seven o’clock p.m. in the Sauk Rapids-Rice Board Room of said district.

ROLL CALL Members present included Braun, Butkowski, Hauck, Holthaus, Loidolt, Morse, and Solarz. Others present were Superintendent Bergstrom, Director of Business Services Fiereck, Director of Teaching and Learning Bushman, Director of Human Resources and Administrative Services Schoenherr.

CEREMONIAL SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER OATH OF OFFICE 2020 Board of Education Chair Butkowski administered the Ceremonial Oath of Office to Board members Morse, Solarz, Hauck and Butkowski who were elected on November 3, 2020 for four-year terms on the Sauk Rapids-Rice Board of Education.

APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA A motion was made by Morse, seconded by Braun and per MSBA guidance and Minnesota Statute 13D.021 the motion was unanimously carried to approve the meeting’s “Agenda”.

Voting For: Hauck, Loidolt, Braun, Solarz, Holthaus, Morse and Butkowski Voting Against: None ELECTION OF OFFICERS Solarz nominated Butkowski as School Board Chair. Hearing no further nominations, the recommendation was made to close nominations and a unanimous ballot was cast for Butkowski. Butkowski accepted the nomination and was appointed as 2021 School Board Chair. Chair Butkowski took over the remaining officer elections and Board meeting.

A motion was made by Solarz, seconded by Morse and per MSBA guidance and Minnesota Statute 13D.021 the motion was unanimously carried to appoint Butkowski as the 2021 Board Chair.

Voting For: Hauck, Loidolt, Braun, Solarz, Holthaus, Morse and Butkowski Voting Against: None Holthaus nominated Solarz as School Board Vice-Chair. Hearing no further nominations, the recommendation was made to close nominations and a unanimous ballot was cast for Solarz. Solarz accepted the nomination and was appointed as 2021 School Board ViceChair.

A motion was made by Holthaus, seconded by Hauck and per MSBA guidance and Minnesota Statute 13D.021 the motion was unanimously carried to appoint Solarz as the 2021 Board Vice Chair.

Voting For: Hauck, Loidolt, Braun, Solarz, Holthaus, Morse and Butkowski Voting Against: None Hauck nominated Braun as School Board Clerk. Hearing no further nominations, the recommendation was made to close nominations and a unanimous ballot was cast for Braun.

Braun accepted the nomination and was appointed as 2021 School Board Clerk.

A motion was made by Hauck, seconded by Solarz and per MSBA guidance and Minnesota Statute 13D.021 the motion was unanimously carried to appoint Braun as the 2021 School Board Clerk.

Voting For: Hauck, Loidolt, Braun, Solarz, Holthaus, Morse and Butkowski Voting Against: None Braun nominated Holthaus as School Board Treasurer. Hearing no further nominations, the recommendation was made to close nominations and a unanimous ballot was cast for Holthaus. Holthaus accepted the nomination and was appointed as 2021 School Board Treasurer.

A motion was made by Braun, seconded by Hauck and per MSBA guidance and Minnesota Statute 13D.021 the motion was unanimously carried to appoint Holthaus as the 2021 School Board Treasurer.

Voting For: Hauck, Loidolt, Braun, Solarz, Holthaus, Morse and Butkowski Voting Against: None MEETING SCHEDULE – (DATES, TIMES, LOCATIONS) 2021 Meeting Schedule January 25, 2021 Board Meeting / Listening Session

May 10, 2021 Board Meeting

February 8, 2021 Work Session 5:30 p.m.

February 22, 2021 Board Meeting / Listening Session March 8, 2021 Board Meeting March 22, 2021 Board Meeting / Listening Session April 12, 2021 Work Session 5:30 p.m.

April 26, 2021 Board Meeting / Listening Session

May 24, 2021 Board Meeting / Listening Session June 21, 2021 Board Meeting / Listening Session July 19, 2021 Board Meeting / Listening Session August 9, 2021 Board Meeting August 23, 2021 Board Meeting / Listening Session September 13, 2021 Work Session 5:30 p.m.

September 27, 2021 Board Meeting *5:30 p.m. ( g Coronation-Tentative)) (Homecoming October 12, 2021 (Tuesday) Board Meeting October 25, 2021 Board Meeting / Listening Session November 8, 2021 Board Meeting / Listening Session November 22, 2021 Work Session 5:30 p.m.

December 13, 2021 Board Meeting / Listening Session January 3, 2022 Organizational Meeting

Scheduling of Listening Sessions A motion was made by Solarz, seconded by Hauck and per MSBA guidance and Minnesota Statute 13D.021the motion was unanimously carried to adopt the preceding 2021 School Board Meeting/Work Session, Listening Session dates, and meeting locations and times. It was recommended that the Board meet at 6:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. It was also recommended: • that the Board continue to meet at 5:30 p.m. for Work Sessions.

• that Listening Session dates for 2021 be available for 5:30 p.m. in the District Office Curriculum Center upon request.

• that the Board continue to meet in the District Office Board Room located at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School for all meetings.

Voting For: Hauck, Loidolt, Braun, Solarz, Holthaus, Morse and Butkowski Voting Against: None DEPOSITIORIES A motion was made by Solarz, seconded by Holthaus and per MSBA guidance and Minnesota Statute 13D.021 the motion was unanimously carried to designate the following as official 2021 depositories for school district funds.

BankVista Investments Liquid Asset Fund Savings account, investments MN Trust Investments US Bank of St. Paul Regular checking US Bank of Sauk Rapids Anderson scholarship CD, deposit accounts Wells Fargo Brokerage Investments Service US Bank Mayman/Misho Scholarship Account Ameritrade Bond proceed investments Voting For: Hauck, Loidolt, Braun, Solarz, Holthaus, Morse and Butkowski Voting Against: None

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 | Page 13

ELECTRONIC FUND TRANSFER AUTHORIZATION A motion was made by Holthaus, seconded by Solarz and per MSBA guidance and Minnesota Statute 13D.021 the motion was unanimously carried to authorize the Superintendent, the Director of Business Services, and the District Controller to make electronic transfers on behalf of the School District.

Voting For: Hauck, Loidolt, Braun, Solarz, Holthaus, Morse and Butkowski Voting Against: None OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER A motion was made by Braun, seconded by Holthaus and per MSBA guidance and Minnesota Statute 13D.021 the motion was unanimously carried to designate the Sauk Rapids Herald as the District’s official newspaper for 2021.

Voting For: Hauck, Loidolt, Braun, Solarz, Holthaus, Morse and Butkowski Voting Against: None LEGAL REPRESENTATION A motion was made by Morse, seconded by Hauck and per MSBA guidance and Minnesota Statute 13D.021 the motion was unanimously carried to designate Rupp, Anderson, Squires & Waldspurger as the District’s legal counsel for 2021, and to authorize the Superintendent, Director of Business Services, the Director of Human Resources and Administrative Services, and the District’s Board of Education Chair to contact them on behalf of the School District and Board.

Voting For: Hauck, Loidolt, Braun, Solarz, Holthaus, Morse and Butkowski Voting Against: None COMPENSATION A motion was made by Hauck, seconded by Braun and per MSBA guidance and Minnesota Statute 13D.021 the motion was unanimously carried to leave Board per diems unchanged.

Voting For: Hauck, Loidolt, Braun, Solarz, Holthaus, Morse and Butkowski Voting Against: None SCHOOL DISTRICT GENERAL RECORDS RETENTION SCHEDULE A motion was made by Holthaus, seconded by Braun and per MSBA guidance and Minnesota Statute 13D.021 the motion was unanimously carried to authorize continued adherence to the School District General Record Retention Schedule.

Voting For: Hauck, Loidolt, Braun, Solarz, Holthaus, Morse and Butkowski Voting Against: None MEETING AGENDA FORMAT AND PROCEDURE A motion was made by Solarz, seconded by Morse and per MSBA guidance and Minnesota Statute 13D.021 the motion was unanimously carried to accept the meeting and agenda format outlined in School Board Policy 203.5.

Voting For: Hauck, Loidolt, Braun, Solarz, Holthaus, Morse and Butkowski Voting Against: None APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEE AND LIAISON ASSIGNEMENTS A motion was made by Solarz, seconded by Holthaus and per MSBA guidance and Minnesota Statute 13D.021 the motion was unanimously carried to accept the following 2021 committee and liaison assignments: 2021 School Board Committee Assignments Board Committee Appointments Finance/Facilities Committee

# of Board Members 3

Board Members Butkowski, Holthaus, Hauck

Negotiations Committee (Certified)

3

Braun, Butkowski, Hauck

Negotiations Committee (Non-certified)

3

Solarz, Loidolt, Holthaus

Personnel Committee (Superintendent Evaluation)

3

Loidolt, Butkowski, Hauck

Policy

3

Loidolt, Butkowski, Hauck

Board Liaisons to External Organizations

# of Board Members

Board Members

Benton Economic Partnership

1

Resource Training & Solutions

1

Solarz

Carl Perkins Consortium

1

Solarz

Statewide Health Improvement Program

1

Loidolt

Minnesota State High School League

1

Holthaus

Sauk Rapids-Rice Education Foundation

1

Braun

Sauk Rapids Chamber of Commerce

1

Braun

Rice Chamber of Commerce

1

Loidolt

Board Representatives on School District Committees

Loidolt

# of Board Members

Board Members

Benton-Stearns Education District

1

Solarz

Community Education Advisory Council

2

Morse, Braun

Curriculum Advisory Committee

2

Morse, Loidolt

ECFE Advisory Committee

1

Morse

Staff Development Advisory Committee

1

Holthaus

District Wellness Committee

1

Hauck

Board Liaisons to Specific Buildings (board chair not in rotation)

# of Board Members

Assigned alphabetically and rotated yearly

Hillside

1

Morse

Rice Elementary School

1

Solarz

Pleasantview Elementary School

1

Braun

Mississippi Heights Elementary School

1

Hauck

Middle School

1

Holthaus

High School

1

Loidolt

Voting For: Hauck, Loidolt, Braun, Solarz, Holthaus, Morse and Butkowski Voting Against: None ADJOURNMENT With no further business appearing before the Board, a motion was made by Morse, seconded by Solarz and per MSBA guidance and Minnesota Statute 13D.021 the motion was unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting at 7:37 p.m.

Voting For: Hauck, Loidolt, Braun, Solarz, Holthaus, Morse and Butkowski Voting Against: None Respectfully submitted, Lisa J. Braun, Board of Education Clerk Sauk Rapids-Rice ISD 47 R-4-1B

PUBLIC NOTICES

Page 14 | SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

SECTION 00 11 13 ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT 47 SAUK RAPIDS-RICE PUBLIC SCHOOLS CALL FOR BIDS 2021 ROOF REHABILITATION Notice is hereby given that sealed bids will be received for the 2021 ROOF REHABILITATION by Independent School District 47, hereinafter called the Owner, at the District Office Second Floor Door 2 located at 1833 Osauka Road NE, Sauk Rapids, Minnesota 56379 until 10:00 a.m., local time on Thursday, February 18, 2021, at which time and place bids will be publicly opened and read aloud.

In general, the work consists of the removal of the existing roof systems and associated materials on approximately 42,000 ft^2 of the facility and installation of new roofing systems as specified. Additionally, removal and installation of approximately 150 ft of through wall flashing is included with the project. It is the Owner’s intent to award the project to one Contractor. The Responsible Contractor that provides the lowest responsive Base Bid is required to provide one roofing crew working within the District, fully equipped and staged, consisting of 8 to 10 laborers until completion of the Contract or as directed by the Owner’s Representative.

Bidding Documents have been prepared by ZMD Engineered Solutions, LLC (ZMD), 28 – 2nd Street NW, Suite #100, Osseo, MN 55369 (telephone: 763-515-8733) and will be available on Monday, February 1, 2021, at 12:00 p.m. To order documents and view project information such as Drawings, Specification, updated plan holder list, addenda and bid results, visit the Franz Reprographics web site at www.franzrepro.com and select the Franz Public Plan Room. Please login with your email address and password, or Register if this is your first time in the Plan Room. Select the project from the list of public projects. Once you have selected the project, please review the Bid Package Information for ordering documents. To receive Electronic Downloads, Bid Addenda and Shipped Order Confirmations for this project, you must make the following email address a Safe Sender in your Outlook Email: info@ipdservices.com These notifications are sent from this email address, not from the email address of ZMD Engineered Solutions, LLC or Franz Reprographics. If you do not do this, your email server may block the receipt of these notifications. To make an email address a Safe Sender, please do the following: With the Inbox of Microsoft Outlook open, select the Actions drop-down menu across the top of the Outlook screen. Then select Junk E-mail, and then select Junk E-mail Options. Next select the Safe Senders tab and then select the Add button. You can then type in: info@ipdservices. com and click OK. There is a ? (help) button in the upper right hand corner you can select for assistance with using the Online Plan Room. If you still have problems, please contact Franz Reprographics by phone at 763-503-3401.

Documents may also be reviewed at ZMD, Dodge Data and Analytics, Reed Construction Data Plan Room and the Minnesota Builders Exchange.

On Tuesday, February 9, 2021, at 10:00 a.m., a pre-bid conference will be held at 1306 10th Street North, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379. Attendees shall meet in the front entrance of the bus garage All interested bidders (Prime Contractors and Sub-Contractors) must submit with their bid the “Contractor Responsibility Affidavit and Acknowledgement Form” as provided in the Bid Documents verifying compliance to Minnesota Statute 16C.285, Subd. 3.

A Bid Bond or Certified Check for 5% of the maximum bid payable to Independent School District 47 is required as a guarantee that if the bid is accepted, the Bidder will execute and file the proposed contract and provide 100% Performance and Payment Bonds within ten (10) days after the award of the Contract. The Certified Check will be returned to the Bidder as soon as the Contract and Bonds are executed. If, after ten (10) days, the Bidder shall fail to execute said Contract and Bonds, the Certified Check or Bid Bond shall be forfeited to Independent School District 47, as liquidated damages.

The Owner reserves the right to waive irregularities and to reject any and all bids.

No bid may be withdrawn for a period of Sixty (60) days after the date set for the opening thereof.

At the Owner’s discretion, liquidated damages in the amount of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) per calendar day will be assessed against the Contract if the project is not completed on the dates indicated.

This Advertisement for Bids is issued by the authority of Independent School District 47.

R-4-2B

PUBLIC NOTICE Cellco Partnership and its controlled affiliates doing business as Verizon Wireless (Verizon Wireless) proposes to build a 123-foot-overall Monopole Communications Tower.

Anticipated lighting application is medium intensity dual red/white strobes. The Site location is 4850 Quail Road NE, Sauk Rapids, Benton County, MN, 56379, Lat: 45-34-56.25, Long: -94-3-42.7. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Antenna Structure Registration (ASR, Form 854) filing number is A1183651.

ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS – Interested persons may review the application (www.fcc.gov/asr/applications) by entering the filing number. Environmental concerns may be raised by filing a Request for Environmental Review (www.fcc.gov/asr/environmentalrequest) and online filings are strongly encouraged. The mailing address to file a paper copy is: FCC Requests for Environmental Review, Attn: Ramon Williams, 445 12th Street SW, Washington, DC 20554.

R-4-1P

NOTICE OF POSTPONEMENT OF 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: November 21, 2006 MORTGAGOR: Kevin D. Johnson, a single person and Kirk J. Paulson, a single person.

MORTGAGEE: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. as nominee for EquiFirst Corporation its successors and assigns.

DATE AND PLACE OF RECORDING: Recorded November 30, 2006 Benton County Recorder, Document No. A344022.

ASSIGNMENTS OF MORTGAGE: Assigned to: U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, on behalf of the holders of the Home Equity Asset Trust 2007-2 Home Equity PassThrough Certificates, Series 2007-2. Dated July 24, 2017 Recorded August 1, 2017, as Document No. A424211.

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 M O R T G A G E :

100200100108493218 LENDER OR BROKER AND MORTGAGE ORIGINATOR STATED ON MORTGAGE: EquiFirst Corporation RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE SERVICER: Select Portfolio Servicing, Inc. M O RT G A G E D PROPERTY ADDRESS: 6248 135th Avenue Northeast, Foley, MN 56329 TAX PARCEL I.D. #: 08.00402.00 L E G A L DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY: The South 1/2 of the Northwest 1/4 of Section 31, Township 37, Range 28, Benton County, Minnesota.

COUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED: Benton O R I G I N A L PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE: $206,250.00 AMOUNT DUE AND CLAIMED TO BE DUE AS OF DATE OF NOTICE, INCLUDING TAXES, IF ANY, PAID

BY MORTGAGEE: $228,246.69 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 instituted at law or otherwise to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof; PURSUANT to the

SAUK RAPIDS-RICE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 47 SPECIAL BOARD MEETING MINUTES Thursday, January 7, 2021 A special meeting of the Sauk Rapids-Rice ISD 47 Board of Education was called to order by Chair Butkowski on Thursday, January 7, 2021 at six o’clock p.m., in the Sauk Rapids-Rice Board Room.

Public Comment is not taken at Special or Emergency Board Meetings.

ROLL CALL Members present included Braun, Butkowski, Hauck, Holthaus, Loidolt, Morse, and Solarz. Others present were Superintendent Bergstrom, Director of Business Services Fiereck, Director of Teaching and Learning Bushman, Director of Human Resources and Administrative Services Schoenherr, SRRHS Principal Nohner, SRRMS Principal Messerich, MHES Principal Peterson, PV Principal Froiland, Rice Principal Paasch, Early Childhood Director Tye, Community Education Director Wilke, and Special Education Coordinator Haller.

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

ACTION APPROVAL OF THE DISTRICT’S ELEMENTARY, SECONDARY, AND EARLY CHILDHOOD RETURN DATES Elementary and Early Childhood (Pre-k through Grade 5) Return Date A motion was made by Solarz, seconded by Braun and unanimously carried to approve the district’s pre-k – grade 5 students return to the in person learning model on Tuesday, January 19, 2021. Sauk Rapids-Rice pre-k – grade 5 students will not have classes January 14 and January 15, 2021 for plan-

PUBLIC NOTICE Bids for County Highway Construction Projects Whereas Minn. Statute § 331A.03 Subd. 3(b) allows a county to use its web-site or recognized industry trade journals as a means to advertise to receive bids for construction projects. Let it be known that from this day forward that Benton County will use the Benton County website, http://www. co.benton.mn.us/ as the alternative means to disseminate so-

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: January 19, 2021 at 10:00 AM PLACE OF SALE: Benton County Sheriff’s Office, 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 twelve (12) 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 January 19, 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.

M O RT G A G O R ( S ) RELEASED FROM FINANCIAL OBLIGATION ON MORTGAGE:None Dated: November 12, 2020

U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee Mortgagee/Assignee of Mortgagee USSET, WEINGARDEN AND LIEBO, P.L.L.P. Attorneys for Mortgagee/ Assignee of Mortgagee 4500 Park Glen Road #300 Minneapolis, MN 55416 (952) 925-6888 38 - 20-002612 FC THIS IS A C O M M U N I C AT I O N FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. NOTICE OF POSTPONEMENT OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE Pursuant to the provisions of Minnesota Statutes 580.07, the foregoing foreclosure sale is postponed until March 2, 2021, at 10:00 AM at the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, 581 Highway 23 Northeast Foley, MN, in said county and state.

Dated: January 22, 2021 U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee Mortgagee/Assignee of Mortgagee USSET, WEINGARDEN AND LIEBO, P.L.L.P. Attorneys for Mortgagee/ Assignee of Mortgagee 4500 Park Glen Road #300 Minneapolis, MN 55416 (952) 925-6888 38-20-002612 THIS IS A C O M M U N I C AT I O N FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. R-4-1B

ning/preparation time outlined in Governor Walz’s Updated Safe Learning Plan.

Secondary (Grades 6 – 12) Return Dates A motion was made by Morse, seconded by Braun and carried by a margin of four (4) to three (3) to approve secondary students (grades 6 – 12) return to the hybrid learning model on Tuesday, January 19, 2021. Secondary students will not have classes on January 15, 2021 for planning/preparation time outlined in Governor Walz’s Updated Safe Learning Plan. In addition, secondary students in grade 6 and 9 will return to an in-person model on February 1, students in grades 7, 8, 10, 11 and 12 will learn remotely on February 1, 2021 and all secondary grades 6 – 12 will be in person on February 2, 2021.

Secondary students will not have classes on January 29, 2021 for planning/preparation time outlined in Governor Walz’s Updated Safe Learning Plan.

Distance learning family choice will continue through the end of the 2020 – 2021 school year. Distance learning family choice students in k – grade 5 will not have classes on January 14 or January 15, 2021. Distance learning family choice students in grades 6 – 12 will not have classes on January 15 and January 29, 2021.

The recommendation to transition to a less restrictive model is based on updated Benton County Public Health and Minnesota Department of Health positivity and transmission rates, as well as current district data relating to COVID-19 and COVID Related Absences (CRAs) for students and staff.

ADJOURNMENT With no further business appearing before the Board a motion was made by Solarz, seconded by Hauck and unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting at 8:32 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Lisa J. Braun, Board of Education Clerk Sauk Rapids-Rice ISD 47 R-4-1B

licitations of bids, requests for information, and requests for proposals for transportation related construction and maintenance projects.

For questions on how to receive a set of plans or bidding procedures, please contact the County Engineer at phone number 320-968-5051.

Chris Byrd, P.E. Director/County Engineer R-4-1B

NEWS/PUBLIC NOTICES

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 | Page 15

Gardening from the Ground Up webinar series University of Minnesota Extension plants need occasional maintenance and educators are excited to bring you the pruning. Extension educators Adam second annual Gardening from the Austing (Wright County) and Karen Ground Up webinar series to help you Johnson (Meeker and McLeod counties) achieve your garden and lawn goals. will cover some of the best practices This free series will take place from to keep plants in your yard healthy and 1-2:30 p.m. Feb. 16-19 and will cover beautiful. a variety of topics important for any Feb. 19: Lawn Care and Pest gardener (or homeowner with a yard) to Management: Extension educators Katie understand.

Drewitz (Stearns, Benton and Morrison UNIVERSITY OF counties) and Claire LaCanne (Rice and Feb. 16: Starting a Garden from MN EXTENSION Scratch: Set your garden up for success Steele counties) will talk through best KATIE DREWITZ from the beginning. Extension educators management practices for establishing Troy Salzer (St. Louis County) and Claire and maintaining a lawn in Minnesota.

LaCanne (Rice and Steele counties) will discuss Topics will include: seeding, mowing, fertilization, selecting a site for a new garden and preparing the watering and weed control. Methods for disease and site for your plants, as well as practices you can use insect pest management will also be discussed. to get your garden off to a good start.

To join all or one of these webinars, register at Feb. 17: Selecting and Starting Plants for http://z.umn.edu/gardenup. Registration is required Your Garden: February is the perfect time to plan to receive the webinar link. Recordings of the your garden spaces. Join Extension educators Robin webinars will be sent at the conclusion of the series.

Trott (Douglas County) and Shane Bugeja (Blue If you have questions about the webinar series or Earth and Le Sueur counties) for a review of seed need assistance with registration, call an Extension starting, plant propagation and selecting the right office. Residents in Stearns, Benton and Morrison plant for the right place. counties may contact Katie Drewitz at wins0115@ Feb. 18: Tree and Shrub Maintenance: umn.edu or 507-951-6609.

From maples to lilacs to raspberries, most woody

Public Notice SAUK RAPIDS-RICE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 47 SPECIAL BOARD MEETING MINUTES Monday, January 4, 2021 A special meeting of the Sauk Rapids-Rice ISD 47 Board of Education was called to order by Chair Butkowski, Monday, January 4, 2021 immediately following the annual Organizational Meeting, at 7:38 p.m., in the Sauk Rapids-Rice Board Room.

ROLL CALL Members present included Braun, Butkowski, Hauck, Holthaus, Loidolt, Morse, and Solarz. Others present were Superintendent Bergstrom, Director of Business Services Fiereck, Director of Teaching and Learning Bushman, Director of Human Resources and Administrative Services Schoenherr.

APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA A motion was made by Morse, seconded by Loidolt and per MSBA guidance and Minnesota Statute 13D.021 the motion was unanimously carried to approve the meeting’s “Agenda”.

Voting For: Hauck, Loidolt, Braun, Solarz, Holthaus, Morse and Butkowski Voting Against: None APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Braun, seconded by Hauck and per MSBA guidance and Minnesota Statute 13D.021 the motion was unanimously carried to approve the meeting’s “Consent Agenda”.

Voting For: Hauck, Loidolt, Braun, Solarz, Holthaus, Morse and Butkowski Voting Against: None ACTION ADOPTION OF THE PROGRAM REDUCTION RESOLUTION A motion was made by Hauck, seconded by Morse and per MSBA guidance and Minnesota Statute 13D.021 the motion was unanimously carried to adopt the annual resolution, which provides official notice of the efforts of the district to balance next year’s budget. This resolution will provide authorization to make reductions, if state and/or federal funding are unexpectedly reduced.

Voting For: Hauck, Loidolt, Braun, Solarz, Holthaus, Morse and Butkowski Voting Against: None CONSIDERATION OF PROGRAM REDUCTION RESOLUTION WHEREAS, the financial condition of the school district dictates that the Board of Education may have to consider the reduction of expenditures, and WHEREAS, such reductions in expenditures may include discontinuance of positions and discontinuance or curtailment of programs, and WHEREAS, a determination must be made as to which employment contracts may be terminated and not renewed and which individuals may be placed on unrequested leave of absence without pay or fringe benefits in effecting discontinuance of positions, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Sauk RapidsRice Independent School District No. 47 Board of Educa-

tion as follows: That the Board of Education hereby directs the superintendent of schools and administration to consider the discontinuance of programs or positions to effectuate economics in the school district and reduce expenditures and make recommendations to the Board of Education for the discontinuance of programs, curtailment of programs, discontinuance of positions, or curtailment of positions. _____________ __________________ Date School District Clerk ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION – TRAIL EASEMENT A motion was made by Braun, seconded by Holthaus and per MSBA guidance and Minnesota Statute 13D.021 the motion was unanimously carried to adopt the resolution waiving compensation and execution of the permanent trail easement. The district waives the right to receive just compensation for the permanent trail easement from the City of Sauk Rapids and agrees to execute the permanent trail easement.

Voting For: Hauck, Loidolt, Braun, Solarz, Holthaus, Morse and Butkowski Voting Against: None RESOLUTION WAIVER OF COMPENSATIONAND EXECUTION OF EASEMENT WHEREAS, Independent School District 47 (“School”) recently purchased the property described in the attached Exhibit A (“Property”); and WHEREAS, the School is fully aware of the City’s need to acquire a permanent easement for a trail project over the Property as provided in the attached Exhibit B (“Permanent Trail Easement”); and WHEREAS, the School has received a copy of the appraisal dated January 22, 2020; and WHEREAS, the School is aware of its right to receive just compensation for the Permanent Trail Easement.

NOW THEREFORE, the School resolves as follows: 1. The School waives its right to receive just compensation for the Permanent Trail Easement and donates the trail easement to the City.

2. The School agrees to execute the Permanent Trail Easement.

Approved the 7th day of January 2021.

INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT 47 By_______________________ Its Board Chair ADJOURNMENT With no further business appearing before the Board a motion was made by Morse, seconded by Solarz and per MSBA guidance and Minnesota Statute 13D.021 the motion was unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting at 8:48 p.m.

Voting For: Hauck, Loidolt, Braun, Solarz, Holthaus, Morse and Butkowski Voting Against: None Respectfully submitted, Lisa J. Braun, Board of Education Clerk Sauk Rapids-Rice ISD 47 R-4-1B

Public Notice

REGULAR MEETING SAUK RAPIDS CITY COUNCIL SAUK RAPIDS GOVERNMENT CENTER, 250 Summit Ave N. Monday, January 11, 2021 6:00PM MINUTES *Oath of Office: Swearing in Nick Sauer and Dottie Seamans as Councilpersons City Administrator Ross Olson resided over the swearing in of Councilpersons Nick Sauer and Dottie Seamans. Mayor Hunstiger was sworn in prior to tonight’s City Council meeting.

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 Ross Olson requested to add Approve Bob Cross Regional Park and Lions/Southside Parks Liquor License Resolution for Special Legislation as agenda item 9-F. Olson also requested to add Extension of COVID-19 Leave as agenda item 10-B. 3. Approve the Agenda Motion: Moved by Councilperson Ellering and seconded by Councilperson Thronson to approve the Agenda as amended.

Motion carried unanimously.

4. Approve Minutes A. 12-14-2020 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Motion: Moved by Councilperson Seamans and seconded by Councilperson Thronson to approve the 12-14-2020 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes. Motion carried unanimously.

5. Receive and File A. 10-27-2020 HRA Meeting Minutes Motion: Moved by Councilperson Sauer and seconded by Councilperson Ellering to receive and file the 10-27-2020 HRA Meeting Minutes. Motion carried unanimously.

6. Mayor’s Communications • Tribute to Former Mayor, Harold Jesh- Mayor Huntinger paid tribute to former Mayor Harold Jesh who passed away on New Year’s Eve. Mayor Hunstiger highlighted the many accomplishments of former Mayor Jesh as well as his years of service to the City. Jesh was also a former Sauk Rapids Citizen of the Year. Mayor Hunstiger noted that Jesh will be greatly missed.

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 Appointment to the Open Street Maintenance Position B. Award 2021 CSAH 1 Trail Improvements Winter Tree Clearing C. Approve Garage Encroachment Agreement D. Approve 2021 Plumbing and Mechanical Contractor Licenses E. Approve 2020 4th Quarter Plumbing, Mechanical, and Building Permits F. Approve Bob Cross Regional Park and Lions/Southside Parks Liquor License Resolution for Special Legislation Motion: Moved by Councilperson Ellering and seconded by Councilperson Thronson to approve consent agenda items 9A-9F. Motion carried unanimously.

10. Regular Agenda A. City Facilities Discussion Ross Olson stated that the Sauk Rapids Government Center and the Public Works facility currently remains closed to the public due to previous increases in COVID-19 cases. Olson said that prior to tonight’s meeting, he reached out to other area cities to see what they are doing in terms of public access to their facilities. He noted that it sounds like most area cities re-opened after the holidays.

Olson noted that he is recommending that the Community Room and other City owned buildings remain unavailable to rent for the time being. He said that it will remain the goal of Administration to keep all City staff and visitors safe The City Council agreed by consensus to re-open as soon as possible while allowing some flexibility in determining the exact re-opening date.

B. Extension of COVID-19 Leave Motion: Moved by Councilperson Sauer and seconded by Councilperson Seamans to approve the resolution extending COVID-19 leave for City employees. Motion carried unanimously.

11. Other Staff Items A. Park Project Update—Ross Olson noted that the Lions/ Southside Parks Project is coming along nicely. He said that as with most projects, there are always little things that need to be resolved on a daily basis. Olson stated that when the weather warms up, he will arrange for a tour again.

12. Other Council Items and Communications A. Compost Site Food Drive Update—Councilperson Sauer asked what the total amount of food or cash donations was for the recent Christmas tree drop off at the compost site. Residents were allowed to dispose of their Christmas tree free of charge with a canned food donation. Pete Eckhoff stated that he did not have that information readily available, but he will get back to the City Council with the totals collected from this year’s food drive.

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

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

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

Mayor Hunstiger adjourned the meeting at 6:19 p.m.

R-4-1B

SPORTS

Page 16 | SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Steelin matinee stiflematchup Lumberjacks PHOTOS BY EVAN MICHEALSON

Matthew Delany collides with a New Ulm skater Jan. 27 at Sports Arena East in Sauk Rapids. A physical NA3HL West Division battle saw the Steel pick up a 3-2 win.

Foster makes 40 saves for New Ulm

BY EVAN MICHEALSON STAFF WRITER

In rare circumstances, the New Ulm Steel and Granite City Lumberjacks laced up their skates for an afternoon game of hockey between ferocious and contested West Division rivals.

And as Granite City’s matinee fanbase looked on, the Steel picked up a 3-2 victory Jan. 27 at Sports Arena East in Sauk Rapids.

“I thought we played our tails off,” said D.J. Vold, Lumberjacks associate head coach. “The three goals we gave up were very preventable, and I feel like we handed them three, so that makes it tough on ourselves.”

The Steel quickly found themselves possessing a lead, as Tommy Michelson cashed in on a loose-puck opportunity 6 minutes and 33 seconds into the game, sliding the puck past Lumberjacks goaltender Bailey Huber to give the visitors momentum.

“We struggle to get the first one in games right now, and I think it’s the fact we’re snakebit early in games more than anything,” Vold said.

“They score the first one, and it almost takes that one to wake us up to go play.”

Granite City, despite dominating zone time and finding bountiful scoring chances, were left scoreless until rookie forward Zach Kilen

slammed home his first career goal at 12:08, the equalizer the Lumberjacks were looking for.

However, the Lumberjacks ran into a slew of penalty troubles throughout the contest, including a pair of infractions in the final two minutes of the first period. With New Ulm on a longer-than-usual power play, they capitalized, scoring a manadvantage goal 52 seconds into the second period to take a 2-1 lead.

“We had ample opportunity to clear the puck and get it all the way down, and we didn’t,” Vold said. “Normally, in our division, if you have a chance to get it out and you don’t, it ends up in the back of your net and that’s exactly what happened.”

Noah Bissett, fresh off a strong performance in which he earned the game-winning score, once again proved invaluable to the speed-driven, scrappy Lumberjacks. Bissett once again found himself on the score sheet, sneaking the puck in on an attack in front of the net.

“He’s a meat and potatoes guy,” Vold said. “He plays hard and will do everything we ask of him. ... It’s fun to see those guys rewarded when they do the right things all of the time.”

Granite City’s offensive firepower was noticeable on this day, as the home squad consistently succeeded in dumping the puck past the goal line and chasing it down using

a quick, frenzied forecheck.

Establishing significant zone time, the Lumberjacks outshot the Steel 42-31.

Despite these advantages, Granite City could not find that fateful third goal, as New Ulm goalie Griffin Foster made an assortment of highlight-reel saves to keep his team within striking position. The secondyear netminder ended the afternoon with a whopping 40 saves.

“I told their coach after the game that he played great,” Vold said. “He stopped everything he was supposed to.

I would have liked our guys Lumberjacks page 17

Zach Kilen drags the puck across the neutral zone Jan. 27 at Sports Arena East in Sauk Rapids. Kilen scored his first NA3HL goal against the New Ulm Steel.

Kyle Mortenson checks New Ulm’s Parker Dorn against the boards Jan. 27 at Sports Arena East in Sauk Rapids. With a 3-2 defeat, the Lumberjacks fell to 8-3 on the campaign.

SPORTS

Lumberjacks

Girls hockey co-op sends early message

from page 16

to get to the front of the net to bang in the loose ones, but overall, both goalies played well. It was tough to get points on the board.”

The Steel picked up the win on an impressive shot

by Hutson Collins with six minutes remaining in the backand-forth affair.

Granite City, armed with an 8-3 record, remain tied for second-place in the West Division. They hope to gain ground on the division-leading North Iowa Bulls when they take on the Alexandria Blizzard at 7:10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, at Runestone Community Center in Alexandria.

“Every game we play in our division is a dogfight and with Alex, they play hard and play tough,” Vold said. “We’ll have to pack our lunches and go to work.”

Team goes undefeated in opening week

BY EVAN MICHEALSON | STAFF WRITER

NUS 1 1 1-3 GCL 1 1 0-2 GCL: First period: 2. Kilen (Tal Halliday, Hanson O’Leary) 12:08.

Second period: 4. Bissett (Brett PHOTOS BY EVAN MICHEALSON Reed) 7:16. Goalie: Bailey Huber Matthew Delany carries the puck as he prepares to cross the ice 28 of 31.

Jan. 27 at Sports Arena East in Sauk Rapids. A strong forecheck Granite City 3, and a reliable goaltending performance were not enough for the New Ulm 2 Despite their meager 2-10- Lumberjacks in a 3-2 loss.

2 record entering play against Granite City, the Steel gave the consistent playoff contenders all they could handle.

However, the Lumberjacks got the plays when they needed them, as Apollo graduate Bissett scored an unassisted goal with just over two minutes left in the game to give Granite City a last-minute 3-2 triumph over their divisional foes Jan. 22 at Sports Arena East in Sauk Rapids.

Lumberjacks goalie Tim Pundt had an efficient night, registering 22 saves.

Matthew Delany and Kullan Daikawa chipped in their first NA3HL goals, helping to guide the Lumberjacks to a much-needed win to maintain

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 | Page 17

their solid positioning.

NUS 1 1 0-2 GCL 1 1 1-3 GCL: First period: 2. Delany (Reed, Shane Prifrel) 16:34. Second period: 3. Daikawa (Delany, Bissett) 3:26.

Third period: 5. Bissett 17:52. Pundt 22 of 24.

Noah Bissett (left) shouts excitedly as teammate Brett Reed goes to celebrate with him following a goal Jan. 27 at Sports Arena East in Sauk Rapids. Bissett and the Lumberjacks offense showed glimpses of their dangerous prowess, logging 41 shots.

Sometimes, the shot totals in a hockey game do not tell the whole story.

Such was the case in the Class AA battle between the Sauk Rapids-Rice-Sartell girls hockey team and the North Wright County Riverhawks.

The Storm’n Sabres were outshot 39-13, but overcame the large margin with opportunistic offense in a 4-1 triumph Jan. 26 at St. Michael-Albertville Ice Arena in Albertville.

“We competed hard and battled hard,” said Marty Anderson, head coach. “It’s still evident that we missed two weeks of practice and aren’t in game shape, so we have to keep practicing and playing every day to continue with our conditioning.”

Anderson and the coaching staff stressed the importance of defenders stepping into offensive-minded roles during the preseason, and it is clear that emphasis is paying dividends.

Junior defenseman Erika Johnson notched the first goal of the game, an unassisted score on the power play, giving SRRS a 1-0 lead eight minutes into the contest.

“I think all of our defensemen can pitch in offensively,” Anderson said. “When they skate with the puck, our forwards know they will create opportunities. They played a lot of minutes and were obviously good defensively, but were also a big part of our offense.”

North Wright County, coming off a hard-fought loss to No. 2 Edina, were scrappy and created several offensive opportunities for themselves, logging 17 shots in the second period alone, including the game-tying tally at 12:30. However, that would be the Riverhawks’ only scoring semblance against freshman goaltender Morgan Dorn, who came away with 38 saves in a memorable performance.

“She was out, she was big and she was making all of the stops,” Anderson said. “You could see her confidence growing as she’s there, making the easy saves. You make the easy saves, the bigger saves and spectacular saves follow suit.”

Kelly Carriere gave the visitors their game-winner in the closing minutes of the second period, her first of the 2021 season. Center Lauren Wensel notched her second point of the young campaign when she fired home an even-strength mark 4:22 into the third period, assisted by Anna Lundeen and Rachel Wieland.

“She’s our ‘Miss Do-Everything,’” Anderson said. “She kills penalties on defense as well as playing top line at center.

She’s one of the keys for us. If she’s going well, we’re going well.”

Johnson recorded an empty-net goal to clinch a winning result for SRRS, who improved to 2-0 on the season. They visited the undefeated River Lakes Stars Jan. 28 and will continue their road gauntlet against the Bemidji Lumberjacks at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 2, at Bemidji Community Arena in Bemidji.

SRRS 1 1 2-4 NWC 0 1 0-1 SRRS: First period: 1. Johnson 8:23. Second period: 3. Carriere 16:23. Third period: 4. Wensel (Lundeen, Wieland) 4:22. 5. Johnson 16:59. Dorn 38 of 39.

SRRS 5, Fergus Falls 3 SRRS’s late introduction to the season was met with a 2-0 deficit.

However, the team showed incredible fight and resilience, scoring three goals in a strong third period to down the Fergus Falls Otters 5-3 Jan. 21 at Fergus Falls Ice Arena in Fergus Falls.

After Fergus Falls scored twice within 22 seconds in the second period, Morgan Cromwell got the rally started with an even-strength score, set up by Wensel and Wieland. Then, after the Otters retaliated, Taylor Scepaniak tallied her first of two scores on the night at 16:29.

Dorn stopped 17 shots for an .850 save percentage.

Chloe Reiter, Scepaniak and Jayden Lommel all found the back of the net in the final period for SRRS. Captain Ingrid Buiceag-Arama recorded two assists, while Lommel left the ice with two points.

Carson Simon tries to keep the puck on his stick as he gets pressure Jan. 27 at Sports Arena East in Sauk Rapids. Simon and the Lumberjacks are 2-2 since returning from their long break.

SRRS 0 2 3 5 FF 0 3 0 3 SRRS: Second period: 3. Cromwell (Wensel, Wieland) 6:36. 5.

Scepaniak (Buiceag-Arama, Johnson) 16:29. Third period: 6. Reiter (Bella Leen, Sadie Herdina) 8:10. 7. Scepaniak (Lommel, Tia Vogt) 10:56. 8. Lommel (Buiceag-Arama) 14:19. Dorn 17 of 20.

Page 18 | SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Gymnastics

Storm fall to Warriors Twins sign Gymnasts J.A. Happ compete in first meet

The Minnesota Twins finally made their first significant offseason acquisition, signing 38-year-old southpaw J.A. Happ to a one-year, $8 million deal.

Happ has been a durable and consistent SPORTS COLUMNIST

BY ANDY THAYER starter throughout his 14-year major league career. He’s made at least 25 starts in each full season since 2014 and has posted a career 3.78 ERA and 123-92 record while pitching primarily in the brutal American League East division for the past decade. At this point in his career, Happ isn’t an ace pitcher who can be relied upon to totally shut down opposing lineups, but if we’re being frank, that’s not what the Twins need him to be. Kenta Maeda was the second-best starting pitcher in the American League last season, and the Twins didn’t lose to Houston in the playoffs because their pitching struggled.

Happ will likely slot into the fourth spot in the Twins rotation this summer, behind Maeda, Jose Berrios and Miguel Piñeda. If his track record is any guide, he’ll reliably take the ball every fifth day and give the Twins a good shot to win if they can score a few runs.

That’s well worth $8 million in today’s free agent market.

I don’t know if the Twins lineup, at least as constructed, can be expected to score a few runs every game. They haven’t addressed their designated hitter position, and while everyone assumes they are going to re-sign Nelson Cruz, that becomes less and less likely with each passing day. The Twins also need to replace Eddie Rosario in left field, improve their production at catcher, and add infield depth after letting Marwin Gonzalez and Ehire Adrianza hit the free agent market. Jorge Polanco, Mitch Garver and Josh Donaldson regressed significantly last season for various reasons, and I don’t know that the Twins can just cross their fingers and expect all three of those players to magically regain their previous all-star forms this summer. Rookies Alex Kirilloff, Brett Rooker, Ryan Jeffers and Trevor Larnach will provide some lineup reinforcement this summer, but I don’t know that the Twins can reasonably count on those guys to be major contributors for a team with playoff aspirations after they failed to get regular minor league at-bats last year. In short, the Twins are going to need to spend some money on position players soon or else their lineup will dramatically fall from a massive strength in 2019 to a weakness in 2021.

Happ was a good signing, and he fills a need for a left-handed starter in a rotation that had the fourth-best ERA in the majors last season. The Twins now need to turn their focus to filling holes in their lineup before the free agent market totally dries up. If they can re-sign Cruz or add Marcell Ozuna, then we can talk about a potential defense of their American League Central division title. If that doesn’t happen, my gut tells me this team is going to struggle to score runs. We are going to find out soon whether the Pohlads are truly committed to fielding a winner or if the signing of Josh Donaldson last season was a free-spending aberration for the notoriously stingy ownership group.

BY DANNA SABOLIK STAFF WRITER

The Sauk Rapids-Rice Storm gymnastics team had a solid start to their season, especially given they only had three weeks to prepare for their first meet. The Storm traveled to Brainerd Jan. 22 at Brainerd High School where they narrowly lost with a score of 132.325 points.

Brainerd pulled out the win with a score of 136.65.

Sophomore Liberty Kosloski was the top finisher for varsity in the all-around and placed first on the beam.

“Liberty had a great meet and was four-for-four, meaning she hit all her routines on every event,” said Elizabeth Walek, head coach. “That’s always the goal so it was awesome to see her hit that at the first meet of the season.”

Senior Kenzi Schmitz placed third on beam with 8.1 and third on vault with 8.95, the highest score of the night.

Eighth grader Lace Legatt competed on varsity for the first time on both bars and floor for the Storm.

“It was fun to see (Legatt) step up and perform well,” Walek said.

Overall, Walek was pleased with the team’s performance.

“I was extremely proud of the entire team and how they supported one another, cheered loud and proud and all gave their best efforts,” Walek said. “I can’t wait to see what we continue to do.”

The Storm’s next meet will be at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 5, at Fergus Falls High School in Fergus Falls

Vault: 3. Schmitz 8.95 points, 4.

Justus Floren 8.9 and 5. Bella Rudolph 8.8. Bars: 4. Kosolski 8.05, 5. Floren 7.9, 7. Carley Weisenbeck 7.65, 7. Sophia Markfelder 7.65 and 10. Legatt 7.075.

Beam: 1. Kosolski 8.625, 3. Schmitz 8.1, 5. Floren 8 and 6. Weisenbeck 7.85.

Floor: 5. Weisenbeck 8.525, 6. Floren 8.45, 7. Legatt 8.15 and 8. Kosolski 8. All-around: 3. Kosolski 33.375, 4.

Floren 33.25, 5. Weisenbeck 32.75, 6.

Schmitz 24.45, 10. Legatt 15.225, 11.

Rudolph 8.8 and 17. Markfelder 7.65.

Wrestling

Storm wrestling struggles in winless week SRR fails to find revenge against Bemidji

BY EVAN MICHEALSON STAFF WRITER

Points, as the Sauk Rapids-Rice wrestling team has found, can be hard to come by against opponents who flex both experience and skill.

The Storm looked strong at points, but their sustainability proved lacking in a 46-29 defeat to the Sartell Sabres Jan. 26 at Bemidji High School in Bemidji.

“It’s always tough to lose a conference match, especially against an area team like Sartell,” said Zach Brown, assistant coach. “As a team, we thought we wrestled well against a tough team in Bemidji in the first match of the tri, but some of our inexperience at certain weights showed against Sartell.”

The match started with a Sartell forfeit. Then, Jack Barz earned a 15-0 technical fall win to give SRR an immediate 11-0 lead. After the Sabres bounced back to win three consecutive bouts, program mainstay Andrew Wollak discovered a timely pin at eight seconds as the Storm retook their slight advantage.

“This year, we are really relying on our experienced wrestlers to go out and get us points in tough matchups, and lots of those guys just happen to be at the beginning of the lineup,” Brown said.

“They’ve done a good job overall of getting us rolling in our duals.”

Wollak’s win was the last time SRR would wrestle from a winning position, as Sartell’s Ashton Lapinski, ranked

No. 10 in the 145-pound weight class, pinned Owen Scheeler before Avery Kouba followed suit, awarding the Sabres a double-digit lead.

Sartell, despite the match staying within reach for the Storm a majority of the mat time, displayed enviable point-collecting through aggressiveness and determination. The 160-pound battle went the way of the Sabres, with Dagan LaSart picking up an impressive 11-1 victory by major decision.

“As coaches, we’ve really been stressing how important it is to fight for every point for the team, whether it be to not give up a pin or to work for an extra team point when you’re winning in a match,” Brown said. “As a team, once we find that mindset, we’ll start to improve in some of those scenarios.”

Cole Ackerman found a win by fall in the 195-pound weight class, and Joey Hoeschen continued that display of strength with a resounding pin in the 225-pound weight class for the Storm.

SRR will look to end its losing streak against the Willmar Cardinals and the Fergus Falls Otters at 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, at Fergus Falls High School in Fergus Falls.

“Willmar is always a competitive team and will give some challenges to our guys, and Fergus Falls has some solid wrestlers as well,” Brown said. “I think we’re excited to see what improvements we can make from our last dual.”

106: Vance Barz won by forfeit. 113: Jack Barz won by technical fall 15-0. 120: Alex Diederich lost by decision

9-4. 126: Brayden Ness lost by fall 3:21. 132: Ethan Anderson lost by fall 1:09.

138: Wollak won by fall 0:08.

145: Scheeler lost by fall 3:36.

152: Reid Kiffmeyer lost by fall 5:04. 160: Kieran Hixson lost by major decision 11-1.

170: Graham Doherty lost by fall 3:50. 182: Matt Krepp lost by decision 3-2. 195: Ackerman won by fall 4:12.

220: Hoeschen won by fall 0:49. 285: Dane Dingmann lost by fall 3:55.

Bemidji 52, SRR 21 The Bemidji Lumberjacks proved to be more than a simple road block for the Storm in their quest for wrestling betterment.

They were a familiar adversary who had handed SRR its final loss of the season a year ago, a conference opponent that had established itself as a juggernaut.

And in the first meeting between the two teams in 2021, it was once again the Lumberjacks who seized victory, winning eight straight matches to sink the Storm 52-21 Jan. 26 at Bemidji High School in Bemidji.

Vance Barz and Diederich continued to shine as anchors of SRR’s lighter weight classes, each collecting a win by fall.

After Bemidji closed the gap, Ness extended the Storm’s edge to 12 once more behind a pin of his own.

Wollak’s first of two wins on the day was the last victory the visitors would find on the mat, as the No. 9 Lumberjacks controlled the battle through their hard-to-match depth.

Ranked wrestlers Darren Roth, Seth Newby, Colton Hinrichs and Caleb Bahr all won their matchups.

132: Anderson lost by decision 11-6. 138: Wollak won by decision 5-0. 145: Kiffmeyer lost by major decision 14-6. 152: SRR lost by forfeit. 160: SRR lost by forfeit. 170: Krepp lost by fall 0:31. 182: Doherty lost by fall 4:59. 195: Ackerman lost by fall 2:46. 220: Dingmann lost by fall 0:34. 285: Hoeschen lost by decision 3-1.

Little Falls 45, SRR 27 The Storm demonstrated a wide range of versatility when they hit the mat against the Little Falls Flyers.

Unfortunately, despite some impressive wins, they relinquished several huge points to the Flyers through major decision losses and pins, falling 45-27 Jan. 21 at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School in Sauk Rapids.

Vance Barz and Diederich began the dual with wins by fall, putting the Storm at 12-0.

SRR maintained a lead through the middle of their lineup, as Wollak and Kiffmeyer pinned their opponents in back-to-back matches before Haywood took his match in a 6-1 decision. However, they could not maintain that advantage as the Flyers took five straight bouts to seize victory.

The win by fall was Wollak’s 50th such victory in his distinguished career.

106: Vance Barz won by fall 3:50. 113: Diederich won by fall 2:16. 120: SRR lost by forfeit. 126: Ness lost by major decision 13-3. 132: Anderson lost by fall 1:42.

138: Wollak won by fall 0:07.

145: Kiffmeyer won by fall 1:59. 152: Hixson lost by fall 1:31. 160: Haywood won by decision 6-1. 170: Krepp lost by major decision 12-3.

182: Ackerman lost by fall 1:33. 195: Doherty lost by major decision 17-6. 220: 106: Vance Barz won by fall Dingmann lost by fall 2:39.

0:11. 113: Diederich won 285: Hoeschen lost by fall by fall 3:20. 120: Logan 2:20.

Culbertson lost by fall 3:44.

126: Ness won by fall 5:02.

SPORTS

Page 20 | SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Public Notice PROBATE NOTICE properly filed objection will be heard by the Court after STATE OF MINNESOTA notice is provided to interCOUNTY OF BENTON ested persons of the date of DISTRICT COURT hearing on the objection.

SEVENTH JUDICIAL Unless objections are filed, DISTRICT and unless the Court orPROBATE DIVISION ders otherwise, the personal Court File No: representative has the full 05-PR-21-103 power to administer the esNOTICE OF INFORMAL tate, including, after thirty PROBATE OF WILL AND (30) days from the issuance INFORMAL APPOINT- of letters testamentary, the MENT OF PERSONAL power to sell, encumber, REPRESENTATIVE AND lease, or distribute any interNOTICE TO CREDITORS est in real estate owned by the Decedent.

Notice is further given In Re: Estate of that, subject to Minn. Stat. § DAVID N. ROSENOW, Decedent. 524.3-801, all creditors havNotice is given that ing claims against the Dean Application for Infor- cedent’s estate are required mal Probate of Will and to present the claims to the for Informal Appointment personal representative or of Personal Representa- to the Court within four (4) tive was filed with the Reg- months after the date of this istrar, along with a Will notice or the claims will be dated March 10, 2020. The barred.

Registrar accepted the ap- Dated: January 27, 2021 /s/ Cheryl Woehler plication and informally Registrar appointed KATHLEEN V. ROSENOW, whose address Dated: January 27, 2021 Cheryl Woehler is 16137 Dysprosium Street Registrar NW, Ramsey, MN 55303, to LAW, serve as the personal repre- PEMBERTON sentative of the Decedent’s P.L.L.P. Nicholas J. Heydt, #0327864 estate.

Any heir, devisee or 203 22nd Ave W other interested person may Alexandria, MN 56308 be entitled to appointment Telephone: 320-759-3143 as personal representative or Facsimile: 320-759-3144 may object to the appoint- e-mail: n.heydt@pemlaw. ment of the personal repre- com sentative. Any objection to ATTORNEY FOR KATHthe appointment of the per- LEEN ROSENOW R-4-2B sonal representative must be filed with the Court, and any

PHOTO BY EVAN MICHEALSON

Sienna Petermeier tries to avoid a steal attempt Jan. 26 at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School in Sauk Rapids. The Storm could not avoid their lingering turnover woes, losing the rock 26 times in a loss to Bemidji.

Bemidji breezes past Storm in shocking loss

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Adyson Froiland smacks the basketball away on a Bemidji shot attempt Jan. 26 at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School in Sauk Rapids. Despite a few flashy plays, the Storm were unable to stop the Lumberjacks in a 76-49 Bemidji victory.

SCHEDULE Saturday, Jan. 30 Monday, Feb. 1 Tuesday, Feb. 2 Tuesday, Feb. 2 Thursday, Feb. 4 Thursday, Feb. 4 Thursday, Feb. 4 Friday, Feb. 5 Friday, Feb. 5 Friday, Feb. 5 Saturday, Feb. 6

Conference Dance Tournament Boys Basketball vs. Sartell Girls Basketball vs. Sartell Girls Hockey vs. Bemidji Wrestling Triangular Boys Swimming vs. Alexandria Girls Basketball vs. Willmar Gymnastics vs. Fergus Falls Boys Basketball vs. Fergus Falls Girls Hockey vs. Willmar Dance Invite

A A A A A H H A A H H

9:00 am 7:30 pm 7:15 pm 7:15 pm 5:00 pm 6:00 pm 7:15 pm 6:00 pm 7:15 pm 7:15 pm 10:00 am

Against the Bemidji Lumberjacks on their home court, one thing was clear for the Sauk RapidsRice girls basketball team: They were not mentally prepared against their Section 8AAA foes.

Jackie Johnson logged 24 points, leading the way for the Lumberjacks in a 75-49 thumping of the Storm Jan. 26 at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School in Sauk Rapids.

“The biggest disappointing thing is our intensity level wasn’t where we need to be,” said Jon Roesch, head coach. “Our focus wasn’t there to start the basketball game. I don’t think we had it.”

Bemidji dominated in all facets of the game, standing tall under the basket and picking up several second-chance points through sheer effort. They also capitalized on an assortment of SRR mistakes, using fast-paced basketball to create turnovers and facilitate successful fast breaks.

“Our decision making, we were about a half-step too late,” Coach Roesch said. “We had 16 turnovers in the first half. That’s what we want for an entire game, and we had that in the first half.”

The Storm, behind a plethora of mental errors and spiraling momentum, entered the half down 3721.

Grace Roesch was SRR’s points leader with 12 to go with three rebounds and a blocked shot.

Courtney Paulsen was efficient with her court time, compiling eight points on two of three field goals and making all four of her free throws.

Girls basketball page 21

SPORTS

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 | Page 21

Girls basketball

Storm hockey shut out in rivalry showdown

from page 20

The second half was not much easier for the Storm, who came out and made a few quick buckets before Bemidji responded by executing a 19-5 scoring run to pull away for good. The Lumberjacks saw 10 players record a point in the win.

“It’s a learning experience,” Coach Roesch said. “We’re going to get better. I’m confident in these girls, and we have a great team. We just need to keep improving, game after game, day after day, finding ways to improve.

We’ll get there.”

With the 26-point loss, the Storm enters gut-check time, a period to discover what their resounding strengths are going to be and what level of resilience their talented players will show. They faced Apollo High School on the road Jan. 29 in St. Cloud and will seek continuous improvement against the Sartell Sabres at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 2, at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School in Sauk Rapids.

“We have an opportunity to establish what we want to do, what our identity is going to be,” Coach Roesch said.

“We want to improve

Loss marks final game before quarantine

BY EVAN MICHEALSON | STAFF WRITER

PHOTO BY EVAN MICHEALSON

Kyanah Evans (left) and Belle Haddy deny a Bemidji offensive possession Jan. 26 at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School in Sauk Rapids. The Storm fell behind early and could not climb their way back into the contest, losing 76-49.

on our mentality going into a game, preparing ourselves for games, so we can come out strong.

The nice thing is, we’re early enough in the season to make things right.”

BEM 37 38 75 SRR 21 28 49 SRR: Roesch 12 points (4R), Paulsen 8, Kyanah Evans 7, Mackenzie Felchle 6, Emily Schloe 4 (4R), Keanna Guggisberg 3, Mia Turner

2 (3R), Belle Haddy 2 (5R), Mia Rogholt 2 (4R), Corina Miller 2 and Adyson Froiland 1 (5R).

SRR 54, Dassel-Cokato 46 In their quest for results, the Storm captured their second straight win.

Grace Roesch paced the team with 15 points while Evans added 11 points and nine rebounds as SRR used a dynamic first half to seize a 54-46 triumph over the DasselCokato Chargers Jan. 21 at Dassel-Cokato High School in Cokato.

The Storm controlled the pace of the game through a balanced showing overall, pulling

down 28 defensive rebounds as a team while shooting 38% from the field. Despite turning the ball over 26 times, they limited the Chargers to 22 first-half points, allowing them to capture a comfortable lead.

Mia Rogholt pitched in 14 points and three boards while Froiland contributed nine points and five rebounds.

SRR DC

36 18 54 22 24 46 SRR: Roesch 15 (3R), Rogholt 14 (3R), Evans 11 (9R), Froiland 9 (5R), Felchle 3 (8R, 3S) and Schloe 2.

PHOTO BY EVAN MICHEALSON

Brynn Seaman rotates with control of the basketball Jan. 26 at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School in Sauk Rapids. The Storm could not effectively establish an inside presence against the Bemidji Lumberjacks, leading to little space to operate.

Despite the ever-present intense hockey that takes place whenever rivals Sauk Rapids-Rice and Sartell face off, only one can leave the ice victorious.

And on a night where mistakes loomed larger than ever, the Sabres took home an impressive 5-0 win over the Storm Jan. 26 at Sports Arena East in Sauk Rapids.

“It didn’t feel like a 5-0 game, but Sartell has a really good team,” said Brady DeGagne, head coach.

“They move the puck well, and there were a few minutes of breakdown that led to some goals. We held our own where we needed to, but they exposed some things we need to work on.”

It only took 5 minutes and 20 seconds for the visitors to make their presence known, with Tory Lund recording his second goal in as many games to quickly give Sartell a 1-0 advantage. Despite a competitive first period that saw the teams stay nearly even in shots, the Sabres entered intermission up by two.

“They’re a team that will capitalize on your mistakes, and we made a couple,” DeGagne said.

“Pucks bounced their way, and they were able to capitalize on it.”

The Sabres ramped up their aggression in the second period, registering 17 shots-on-goal and converting three of their chances into scores, two of them coming off the stick of Lacen VanDenBerg. Even after taking a 5-0 lead, Sartell continued to dictate the pace and tempo of the contest, firing 15 shots in a scoreless third period.

“They’re a well-coached team,” DeGagne said.

“They changed their breakout a couple of times and were able to exploit some of the weaknesses in our forecheck, got in the zone quickly and had some oddman rushes and close-if-not-full breakaways.”

SRR goalie Riley Weinand reeled in 27 Sabres shot attempts, his second-highest total of the season so far.

The Storm are quarantining following a positive case of COVID-19 within the program. Their upcoming matchups against Willmar Jan. 28, St. Francis Feb. 2 and Brainerd Feb. 8 are postponed.

Their next scheduled game is against the Moose Lake Area Rebels at 7 p.m. Feb. 12 at Riverside Arena in Moose Lake. “(We want) to come back stronger than we did coming in,” DeGagne said. “We’re not going to take any days off. We’ll do whatever we can to get stronger during this time and we hope it shows when we get back to the rink.”

SAR SRR

2 3 0-5 0 0 0-0 SRR: Weinand 22 of 27.

Alexandria 10, SRR 4 Against the reigning Section 6A finalist Alexandria Cardinals, the Storm endured one of the toughest periods they will experience all season.

The Cardinals could not be kept off the puck in the first period, scoring an astounding six goals in under 11 minutes to catapult themselves to a 10-4 victory Jan. 21 at Runestone Community Center in Alexandria.

SRR tried to stabilize the damage in later periods, scoring a pair of goals in the second period, courtesy of senior Landon Lunser and Caleb Euteneuer, but Alexandria registered four more even-strength tallies in the final period, denying the visitors a chance at a comeback.

Brandon Bokelman collected two goals in the losing effort.

SRR ALX

PHOTO BY EVAN MICHEALSON

Mia Rogholt goes to sit on the bench Jan. 26 at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School in Sauk Rapids. Rogholt and the Storm were unsuccessful in extending their season-starting winning streak to three.

0 2 2-4 6 1 3-10 SRR: Second period: 8. Lunser (Cayden Christensen) 5:01. 9. Euteneuer (Easton Portner, Christensen) 10:31.

Third period: 10. Bokelman (Calvin Comstock, Shjon Sertich) 3:26. 13. Bokelman (Lunser, Portner) 14:00.

Weinand 16 of 26.

SPORTS

Page 22 | SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Storm boys hoops Noteable night hold on at Apollo against Rocori Swim and dive makes splash

SRR wins second game of the season

BY EVAN MICHEALSON | STAFF WRITER

It was not easy, but the Sauk Rapids-Rice boys basketball team managed to curb some of their early-game struggles and win without having to make a comeback.

The Storm watched a double-digit lead crumble away but managed to secure a 57-54 win over the Rocori Spartans Jan. 22 at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School in Sauk Rapids.

“Unlike the previous two games, we came out and went into halftime with a lead, which was a different feeling for us,” said Derek Peterson, head coach. “They were ready to go, came out hard and played well.”

Ethan Opsahl put up 16 points and seven rebounds in a strong Senior Night performance, while Elijah Moilanen continued his fast start with 14 points.

SRR took a 7-6 lead in the opening minutes and never trailed following that point, executing a resolute game plan built on aggressiveness from the get-go. The Storm made Rocori’s life difficult, often defending them closely early on in offensive possession and ruining any sort of tempo.

“I met with our captains and asked, ‘What do you want to do differently,’ and they agreed that they wanted to come out and press right away, not wait until we were down,” Peterson said.

“The two concerns you have with that is foul trouble and the kids getting tired, but we went ahead and did that, and it seemed to work out for us.”

And while the Storm did not come away with many turnovers, only registering six steals, they managed to force low-percentage shots and positioned themselves to snag timely rebounds. SRR pulled down 22 defensive boards compared to Rocori’s 18, and their decisive battles within the paint was evident on both sides of the ball, as the Storm managed to gain penetration offensively through attacking Rocori’s interior defense.

“Rocori is probably one of the only teams where we have a size advantage, so we ran some sets for our low post guys and they did a great job of getting to the free-throw line and getting layups,” Peterson said.

Athletic forward Andrew Harren collected 11 points in 18 minutes of court time, while Carter Loesch was a sturdy starting presence, piling up eight points, five boards and three steals.

Eventually, Rocori took note of SRR’s pressing and upped the ante, implementing a zone pressure defense that caught the Storm off guard. In the first 10 minutes of the second half, the Spartans took the fight to SRR, outscoring them 24-14 and tying the Central Lakes Conference competition at 45.

“That zone pressure gave us a little bit of problems,” Peterson said. “We hadn’t seen it or worked on it all year, so that’s to be expected.”

However, to the Storm’s credit, they overcame their slide and displayed promising grittiness in the closing minutes, always staying at least one possession ahead of Rocori. Moilanen and Opsahl made clutch free throws in fouling situations to put the game on ice.

“I don’t think we’ve put a game together where every single guy is having their best game, but I would love to see that happen to see how we do,” Peterson said. “It shows we have a team and if one guy is not on, you look to the next guy to be on, picking each other up.”

The win gives the Storm a 2-1 record entering their third week of the developing campaign. They took on the undefeated Alexandria Cardinals Jan. 28 and will visit their rivals across the river in the Sartell Sabres at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 1, at Sartell High School in Sartell.

“It’s a good challenge, a good way to gauge where your program is at,” Peterson said. “If you can play with these teams, you can play with anybody.”

ROC 21 33-54 SRR 31 26-57 SRR: Opsahl 16 (7R), Moilanen 14 (4R), Andrew Harren 11, Loesch 8 (5R, 3S), Alex Harren 5 (5R) and Dominic Mathies 3 (3A).

due to the lack of fans.”

The team competed in Sartell Jan. 28 against the No. 3 Sabres team.

The boys will host Alexandria Area at 6 p.m.

BY DANNA SABOLIK STAFF WRITER Thursday, Feb. 4 at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School. This The Sauk Rapids-Rice will also be senior night for the boys swim and dive team team.

200MR: 1. Jack Christoferson, traveled to Apollo High School William Nielsen, Zabinski and Jan. 26 and came away with an impressive victory. The night Jack O’Brien 1:52.8; 2. Alex Tucker Hendrickson, Walz started with a 1-2 finish in the Lucas, and Noah Blodgett 1:53.52; 200-yard medley relay, featured and 5. Jaxon Young, Evan a sweep of the top three spots in Scapanski, Steven Ritten and diving and a sweep in the 100 Grabinski 2:04.45. 200FS: 2. backstroke.

Walz 1:57.51, 3. Lucas 2:04.91, “It was a solid performance 5. Kyle Petermeier 2:18.00 and from top to bottom in the line- 7. Cole Sowada 2:38.32. 200IM: up,” said Jason Tangen, head 1. Hendrickson 2:14.19, 4. John Moran 2:36.07, 5. Ritten 2:44.46 coach.

Sauk Rapids-Rice defeated and 6. Scapanski 2:49.62. 50FS: 2. O’Brien 25.28, 3. Blodgett Apollo 98-80.

25.79 and 5. Matt Woeste 28.75.

“The biggest 1M Diving: 1. Grabinski 236.75 accomplishment of the evening points, 2. Zabinski 184.80 and 3. was Hayden Zabinski with his Reid Johnson 147.05. 100FLY: 3. diving score of 184.80,” Tangen Nielsen 1:06.86, 4. Ritten 1:08.49 said. “He added himself to the and 5. Young 1:09.47. 100FS: 1. top 20 all-time list for Sauk Christoferson 54.45, 4. Blodgett 57.69 and 5. Petermeier 1:00.29.

Rapids-Rice.”

Elijah Grabinski, another 500FS: 1. Walz 5:19.31, 3. Lucas diver, was named a Central 5:36.94 and 5. Scapanski 6:30.84.

1. Nielsen, O’Brien, Lakes Conference performer 200FSR: Blodgett and Ritten 1:41.03; and of the week for his undefeated 3. Petermeier, Grabinski, Gavin position on the 1-meter dive in Butkowski and Moran 1:50.78. the first three dual meets of the 100BK: 1. Christoferson 1:03.43, season.

2. Zabinski 1:05.21 and 3. Young Another note from the 1:05.67. night was the 1-2 finish in the Willmar 113, SRR 73, 200 medley relay. Cash Walz In their first loss of the and opponent Truett Carlson season, SRR took on the battled it out in distance events Willmar Cardinals in their with each one winning one home pool Jan. 18. The night event over the other and the 1-2- ended with Willmar topping the 3 finish in the 100 backstroke Storm 113-73. solidified the victory to Walz.

“We definitely stepped “It was a fun meet,” Tangen up a level in competition this said. “Although, it was quiet evening against Willmar,”

Tangen said. “The Storm team posted at least two personal best times in every single event, but it just wasn’t enough to catch the Cardinals tonight.”

The team celebrated parent’s night with a brief acknowledgement in the middle of the meet to team member’s parents.

“I know it wasn’t nearly enough, but we’d take forever if the boys tried to articulate what (their parents) mean to them,” Tangen said.

200MR: 2. Christoferson, Hendrickson, Zabinski and O’Brien 1:49.30; 4. Lucas, Nielsen, Moran and Grabinski 1:59.07; and 5. Scapanski, Butkowski, Ritten and Blodgett 2:11.98. 200FS: 3.

Walz 2:00.47, 5. Young 2:18.50 and 6. Ritten 2:26.68. 200IM: 1.

Hendrickson 2:15.62, 4. Nielsen 2:28.41 and 6. Moran 2:40.22.

50FS: 2. Christoferson 23.94, 5.

Blodgett 25.88 and 6. Petermeier 26.90. 1M Diving: 1. Grabinski 229.65, 3. Johnson 151.40 and 4. Zabinski 149.25. 100FLY: 2.

Walz 1:03.66, 3. Zabinski 1:05.58 and 6. Moran 1:15.18. 100FS: 4.

Nielsen 56.78, 5. O’Brien 57.84 and 6. Petermeier 1:00.19. 500FS: 1. Lucas 5:34.87, 4. Scapanski 6:37.03 and 6. Ritten 6:47.27.

200FSR: 2. Hendrickson, Nielsen, Walz and Zabinski 1:38.61; 4.

Young, Grabinski, Woeste and Petermeier 1:50.19; 5. Butkowski, Chris Anderson, Cole Messerich and Sowada 2:10.15. 100BK: 2.

Christoferson 1:04.06, 4. Lucas 1:07.06 and 6. O’Brien 1:16.41.

100BR: 1. Hendrickson 1:04.77, 4.

Scapanski 1:23.57 and Butkowski 1:30.83. 400FSR: 2. Walz, O’Brien, Lucas and Christoferson 3:50.17; 5. Ritten, Blodgett, Petermeier and Moran 4:03.76; 6. Young, Woeste, Sowada and Scapanski 4:33.78.

PHOTOS FROM THESE GAMES NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE

Girls basketball vs. Bemidji Last Week Wrestling vs. Tech Tigers Boys hockey vs.

River Lake Stars Boys swim and dive vs. Fergus Falls Find them online at www.saukrapidsherald.com under ‘photos’

SPORTS

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 | Page 23

FOCAL point

A look through the lens at the Sauk RapidsRice-Apollo Nordic ski team. The team hosted Sartell-Cathedral, St. John’s Prep, Tech and Willmar at Riverside Park in St. Cloud Jan. 28.

(Right) Taylor Gessner (from left), Hana Nicols and Lydia Zabinski prepare to start their freestyle race Jan. 28 at Riverside Park in St. Cloud. The u p p e rc l a s s m e n began at the meet’s second designated start time, and it took them just over 15 minutes to make two complete loops.

PHOTOS BY EVAN MICHEALSON

Addison Buchanan (left) and Sauk Rapids-Rice-Apollo Nordic ski assistant coach Jon Vollen discuss their completed ski race Jan. 28 at Riverside Park in St. Cloud. Buchanan paced the co-op with a final result of 15:03.36.

Eli Sutton utilizes his ski poles Jan. 28 at Riverside Park in St. Cloud. Sutton, along with Ethan Logeman, Sam Brewer, Aidan Kuhn and Gunnar Jacobson, gave the Sauk Rapids-RiceApollo Nordic ski team a strong first impression at home.

Sauk Rapids-Rice-Apollo Nordic ski head coach Nicholas Snavely directs skiers with a megaphone Jan. 28 at Riverside Park in St. Cloud. Right off the banks of the Mississippi River, five area ski teams boasted their talent in a two-loop race.

Kaytlin Bittman sits and catches her breath following her Nordic ski appearance Jan. 28 at Riverside Park in St. Cloud. Bittman, a sophomore, completed the route in 15 minutes, 5.26 seconds, second-best amongst her Sauk Rapids-Rice-Apollo teammates.

SPORTS

Page 24 | SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

KVTU " '&8 3&"40/4 8): :06 4)06-% +0*/ PVS 5&". a steady paycheck great benefits including paid time off at hire free tuition* to a two-year college for your children

FOCAL

from page 23

point

*Information on free tuition: HormelInspiredPathways.com PHOTOS BY EVAN MICHEALSON

(Above) Sophie Hebert pushes toward the finish line Jan. 28 at Riverside Park in St. Cloud. Hebert and the Sauk Rapids-RiceApollo cooperative competed alongside Willmar and St. John’s Prep in the afternoon time slot, while Sartell-Cathedral and Tech High School competed earlier in the morning.

(Left) Gunnar Jacobson carries his skis uphill Jan. 28 at Riverside Park in St. Cloud.

Jacobson’s appearance in the team’s home meet marked his first completed varsity race.

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Ethan Logeman takes a drink following the completion of his Nordic ski race Jan. 28 at Riverside Park in St. Cloud. Logeman is a captain for the Sauk Rapids-Rice-Apollo Nordic ski team and a student at Apollo High School.

Leading the

Ryan Moilanen Grade: 12 • Parents: Mike and Ann Moilanen

Accomplishment: Senior captain on the Sauk Rapids-Rice High School boys basketball team.

What is your favorite part about basketball? Though I am currently injured, my favorite part of basketball is the atmosphere of fun and competitiveness felt every day at practice.

What is your favorite thing to do with your team? Going head-tohead against my close friends in practice.

How do you prepare in the minutes leading up to competition? By making sure everyone knows the

Leading the Storm is

How do you make a difference at school? By participating regularly in class discussions and working hard to improve my and my classmates’ abilities.

Which teacher has impacted your education most? All of my teachers have pushed me to be the best, but the math and science departments game plan so we are all on the same prepared me for many interesting and page when the game begins. challenging career paths I hope to pursue.

What other activities are you involved in at school? Soccer and Who has been a mentor to you? My basketball, where I am a captain of father has been a great mentor to me. both. I also do track and field.

He has coached me in many sports and supported and encouraged my Why is it important for you to be personal growth. involved in school activities? School activities are a great place to meet What is your favorite meal, movie, people with similar values as yourself, social media and song? Pizza, The and sports are my way of staying Avengers saga, Instagram and “Life’s a healthy and active.

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