Sauk Rapids Herald - June 12, 2021 by Star Publications

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Saturday, June 12, 2021

City of Sauk Rapids issues water ban

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

Storm warning:

Vol. 168, No. 9

From underdogs to

section champions

Properties prohibited from using irrigation BY ELLARRY PRENTICE STAFF WRITER

The city of Sauk Rapids has issued a water ban that went into effect at 11:59 p.m. June 9. Dangerously low water levels brought on by droughtlike conditions and an increase in use of sprinklers and irrigation systems prompted the ban, according to a release from the PHOTO BY TOM FENTON city. Members of the Sauk Rapids-Rice Storm baseball team race from the dugout to celebrate their 7-4 victory over St. Francis in the Section No private or public prop- 5AAA championship game June 10 at Joe Faber Field in St. Cloud. Sauk Rapids-Rice will play in the Minnesota State High School League Class erties are allowed irrigation AAA State Baseball Tournament quarterfinals Tuesday, June 15, at the Mini Met in Jordan. during the ban, which will remain in effect until the area receives significant rainfall, according to Adam Thene, assistant public works director. “It’s really been drawing on our water supply,” Thene said of the drought. The water plant is running at capacity, and the city needs to converse water for emergen“We always like to see a big turnBY ELLARRY PRENTICE cies such as fires. STAFF WRITER out,” said Katie Drewitz, University “We’re trying to save what of Minnesota Extension educator for we can,” Thene said. A Sauk Rapids parking lot turned horticulture, small farms and local foods in Benton, Stearns and green the morning of June 5. Water ban page 3 Hundreds of locally-grown plants Morrison counties. “When the were dispersed outside Sauk Rapids- community turns out to support Rice Middle School during an annual our volunteer projects, it’s good.” Master gardeners provided tips plant sale supporting the University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener on plant selection and planting and volunteer program in Benton County. helped visitors troubleshoot gardenBefore 8 a.m., locals had already ing issues. “We love the plant lined up to purchase a variety of anBenton County nual and perennial flowers, vegeta- sale,” said Maureen bles, herbs and house plants grown by Graber, Benton County Extension master gardeners from Benton Coun- Extension Master GarMaster Gardeners ty. About a third of the flora was sold dener. “It’s a fun thing. host plant sale within the first half-hour before temPlant sale page 2 peratures started to reach the 90s.

From one garden

to another

PHOTO BY ELLARRY PRENTICE

Katie Drewitz sets out items June 5 for the plant sale supporting the University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener volunteer program in Benton County at the Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School in Sauk Rapids. The plant sale is the sole fundraiser for the master gardeners.

The newspaper of today is the history of tomorrow.

OBITUARIES • Jean Marie Potts (Iverson) • Kathleen E. Schwitalla

PUBLIC NOTICES

• Notice of Sheriff ’s Sale - pg. 17 • Summons Notice - Berry - pg. 17 • Watab Township Notice of Public Hearing -pg. 17.

NEWS

Page 2 | SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 2021 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

PHOTO BY ELLARRY PRENTICE

Beth Reimer, Benton County Extension Master Gardener, gives her neighbor Mark Campbell, of Sauk Rapids, gardening advice June 5 at Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School in Sauk Rapids. Master gardeners provided tips on plant selection and planting at their annual plant sale.

PHOTO BY ELLARRY PRENTICE

Plants, including perennials, annuals, herbs and vegetables, await new homes at the Benton County Extension Master Gardeners June 5 plant sale in Sauk Rapids. Benton County has about 30 volunteers who educate the public about a variety of horticulture subjects using research-based resources.

Plant sale from front

We have customers who show up every year.” The annual plant sale is the sole fundraiser for the Benton County Extension Master Gardeners. Benton County has about 30 volunteers who educate the public about a variety of horticulture subjects using research-based resources. Their efforts are designed to enhance quality of life and to promote good stewardship of the environment. Volunteers complete many hours of volunteer work each year, providing a valuable contribution to Minnesota, Drewitz said. The University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener course is offered annually, beginning in January, and is self-paced through midPHOTO BY ELLARRY PRENTICE May. People interested in becoming a Benton Deborah McCarl (left) gets planting tips from master County Extension Master Gardener can call 320gardener Maureen Graber June 5 in Sauk Rapids. Graber 255-6169, Ext. 1, or e-mail wins0115@umn.edu. said customers return each year to the sale.

Beating

the heat

Dairy Days

PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER

Seven-year-old Milan Galarza (front, from left) and Josey Galarza, 5, take a break from the heat with Carly Golden (back, from left), 8, and Grace Golden, 14, at the splash pad June 8 at Autumn Ridge Park in Sauk Rapids. The children utilized the city attraction one day before a city-enforced water ban closed the Sauk Rapids splash pad and wading pool until further notice.

Are Back! and

Come celebrate summer and our local Dairy Farmers with a week of Dairy Days—June 21st thru June 25th!

SUMMER REA READING PROGRAM

• Daily drawings for a pail of ice cream.

JUNE 7 - AUGUST 7

• Kids 12 and under will get a coupon for a free ice cream cone when they bring in a colored farm picture. • FREE ICE CREAM treats for all on Thursday the 24th and Friday the 25th!

Win cool prizes!

See you there!

Because friendly still counts.

For registration details, visit griver.org or contact your local library.

1-833-GET-GRRL

Find more information at http://www.griver.org/summer-reading-program/kids

HPFR23-1B-WS

R-23-1-B-TV

Early literacy program for ages 0-3. Independent reading program for ages 4-18.

NEWS

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 2021 | Page 3

What’s Happening

Solution in the works for neglected Lake Andrew roads Neighborhood meeting about proposed improvements set for June 16 BY ELLARRY PRENTICE STAFF WRITER

SAUK RAPIDS – Residents of the Lake Andrew development in Watab Township have waited for years for their neglected and nowfailing roads to be built properly. Weeks after urging local officials for help, they are getting closer to a solution. At their June 8 meeting, the Watab Township Board of Supervisors approved a feasibility report, prepared by engineer Kevin Kruger of WSB, that proposes an estimated $653,000 worth of street and utility improvements in the Lake Andrew neighborhood. Kruger’s report also includes an estimated $98,000 for engineering, administrative and legal costs, which brings the total project estimate to $751,000. Streets proposed to be improved are segments of Lake Drive Northeast, Alaina Place Northeast, Alaina Court Northeast, Jaclyn Lane Northeast and Chloe Way Northeast. All of the roads were identified as being in poor condition during an inspection last month and now require extensive repair to maintain an acceptable pavement surface, Kruger said. Property owners would be re-

Water ban from front

In addition to prohibiting sprinklers and other irrigation systems, the city has closed its splash pad and wading pool until further notice. “This should help tremendously,” said Thene of the water ban. “We will be watching the weather and our water plant and towers closely to get rid of this ban as soon as possible.” Though it is not mandatory, residents can also help conserve the local water supply by reducing their household use during the dry spell, Thene said. The city of Sartell has also issued a water ban. The city of Rice (and Sauk Rapids, when

sponsible for the cost of the improvements. Each lot could be assessed about $12,300, but Kruger said that figure is “worst-case scenario, hopefully,” as final assessment rates could be lower based on actual bids. There are 61 assessable parcels. Property owners must agree to the assessments before the project can move forward. Waivers are being collected. Interest rates are extremely favorable, noted board chair Julie Johnson. The bond rate is expected to be between 1.5% and 1.75%, depending on the term length. Road construction bids have also been favorable. A neighborhood meeting to discuss the proposed improvements has been set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 16, at the Watab Town Hall. Kruger, township supervisors and Lake Andrew residents will meet at the entrance to the development for a walkthrough at 6 p.m. Supervisors were pleased to learn developer Scott Jarnot, who is allegedly responsible for the failing roads after neglecting to properly finish them, no longer owns any lots in the development. On several occasions, supervisors have commended residents for their concerted effort to

not in a ban) enforces an odd/even lawn watering schedule determined by address number. Lawn sprinkling or irrigation is restricted to odd-numbered days for addresses ending with an odd number and to even-numbered days for addresses ending with an even number. Temperatures met or exceeded 90 degrees June 7-10 in central Minnesota, and the National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for the area. Bob Weisman, a meteorology professor from St. Cloud State University, said July 10 temperatures pushed the current heat wave (at least three straight days with a high of 90 degrees) to seven days, the longest since 1948. The record length of a St. Cloud heat wave was 14 straight days in July 1936. Blazing Fast Internet!

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Tuesday, June 15, 6:30 p.m. – Little Rock Lake Association Monthly Meeting. Watab Town Hall, 660 75th St. N.W., Sauk Rapids. Wednesday, June 16, 6-7 p.m. – Living Waters Food Shelf Dispersal. Living Waters Lutheran Church, 1911 Fourth Ave. N., Sauk Rapids. Thursday, June 17, 3-6 p.m. – Sauk Rapids Market. Coborn’s parking lot, 110 First St. S., Sauk Rapids. Friday, June 18, 10 a.m. to noon – American Red Cross Blood Drive. Fellowship Bible Church, 12876 Highway 25, Pierz. Make an appointment by calling 1-800-733-2767 or visiting redcrossblood.org. Friday, June 18, 11 a.m. to noon – Living Waters Food Shelf Dispersal. Living Waters Lutheran Church, 1911 Fourth Ave. N., Sauk Rapids. Saturday, June 19, 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.

60th Wedding Anniversary

Emil and Beulah Williams

Please help Emil and Beulah Williams celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary June 17 by sending a card to: 11562 16th Ave. N.W., Rice, MN 56367.

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Tuesday, June 15, 6 p.m. – Overeaters Anonymous. Alano Club, 23805 County Road 2, Cold Spring. For more information, call Joyce at 320-761-2275, Donna at 320-291-7251 or visit oa.org.

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Tuesday, June 15, 11 a.m. to noon – Living Waters Food Shelf Dispersal. Living Waters Lutheran Church, 1911 Fourth Ave. N., Sauk Rapids.

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Miller High Life & Miller High Life Light

Tuesday, June 15, 9 a.m. – Benton County Board of Commissioners Meeting. Benton County Administration Building, 531 Dewey St., Foley.

Sale Starts Monday, June 7th - Sunday, June 20th

Monday-Thursday 9am-10pm • Friday-Saturday 8am-10pm • Sunday 11am-6 pm

DEALS OF THE MONTH

Monday, June 14, 6 p.m. – Sauk Rapids City Council Meeting. Sauk Rapids City Hall, 251 Summit Ave. N., Sauk Rapids.

shower in the area June 9 brought an insignificant amount of moisture, although welcomed. The St. Cloud Regional Airport reported .19 inch while SCSU reported .02. The St. Cloud State University weather forecast showed a chance of showers and thunderstorms Friday, June 11. There is a slight chance of a thunderstorm late Saturday night and chances of measurable rainfall both Saturday, June 12, and Sunday, June 13.

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fix the roads. The streets were built in 2007, but a final wear course was never finished due to the original developer reporting a lack of funding. The deterioration was caused in large part by underlying soil and moisture conditions as well as poor compaction within the utility trenches during the original installation. Age, extreme temperature changes and sunlight also contribute to break down, Kruger said. The streets are experiencing pavement failure due to excessive cracking, potholing, curb settlement and aging pavement patching, according to Kruger. These distresses are related to the lack of top wear course, continuous traffic loadings, subgrade settlements and general wear and tear. Kruger recommends removing and replacing the existing pavement, spot replacement of concrete curb and gutter, subgrade corrections as necessary, adjusting storm sewer structures and making drainage improvements to areas with substandard storm sewer infrastructure. The board unanimously approved Kruger’s design. Supervisors are hopeful the proposed estimate will be reduced. “I was delighted,” Johnson said of an opportunity to repair the roads this year, possibly in fall.

All the heat and humidity in early June has not produced widespread thunderstorms in the Sauk Rapids area. Thunderstorms are not just produced by hot and humid air near the ground, Weisman said. The actual condition needed is a large temperature difference – about 80 degrees between either the ground or around 5,000 feet above the ground and the middle atmosphere, around 18,000 feet up. A short-lived rain

JUNE

Saturday, June 12, 9 a.m. – Overeaters Anonymous. Whitney Senior Center, 1527 Northway Dr., St. Cloud. For more information, call Joyce at 320-761-2275, Donna at 320-291-7251 or visit oa.org.

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NEWS

Page 4 | SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 2021 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Classrooms surprised with grants

Education foundation supports elementary, early childhood initiatives BY ELLARRY PRENTICE | STAFF WRITER

SAUK RAPIDS – When the head of schools shows up unexpectedly in a classroom, it is not always a bad thing. “We have a nice surprise for you this morning,” said superintendent Bradley Bergstrom May 5 when one of five educators was surprised with a classroom grant from the Sauk Rapids-Rice Education Foundation. Seven elementary educators and one early childhood family education educator were awarded a total of $5,000 in grants last month, each ranging between $300 to $1,000. Three grants went to Mississippi Heights Elementary School, two to Pleasantview Elementary School, two to Rice Elementary School and one to Hillside School. The Sauk Rapids-Rice Education Foundation provides opportunities for students to excel by funding educational opportunities, special projects and engaging ideas that go beyond the district’s operating budget.

Since its inception in 2012, the foundation has provided early childhood through grade 12 classroom grants to enhance learning opportunities for Sauk RapidsRice students. The grants support education initiatives and classroom programming. Play equipment Carol Mead, a kindergarten teacher at MHES, received a grant for play equipment in her classroom. The funds will be used for a dramatic play center, which will feature a space station with a rocket ship, a garden and a construction site. The dramatic play center is a place students can go to pretend, imagine and be creative. Through purposeful play, the space promotes high-level thinking, problem solving and taking turns. Students can develop skills in all learning domains, as well as motor and social skills. Mead said they plan to add to

the play center throughout the year. Upon hearing that their rocket ship will come to life thanks to the grant, students in Mead’s class jumped up and down. “We are so excited,” Mead said. Multicultural additions Sheila Johnson-Kolb, a social worker at RES, received a grant to purchase multi-cultural books and play items. Her grant request followed a series of diversity meetings at the school where staff talked about ways to help kids feel more supported through inclusion, diversity, equity and access resources for all learners. “We want to be more inclusive and welcoming,” Johnson-Kolb said. “This is just one tiny step in being able to make some progress.” Johnson-Kolb wants students to have access to books and toys that represent their ethnicity and culture. “We have students here that come from a lot of different backgrounds,” Johnson-Kolb said of having books and toys that feature mostly Caucasian characters. “They deserve to be

The Sauk Rapids-Rice Education Foundation awarded eight educators with a total of $5,000 in grants in May. The funds will support classrooms or educational spaces at Mississippi Heights Elementary School, Pleasantview Elementary School, Rice Elementary School and Hillside School.

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

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

able to walk in classrooms and read books (with characters) that look like them and play with toys that look like them.” By purchasing storybooks about children and families from other cultures, Johnson-Kolb said students will feel more included. “They’re seeing themselves through stories, and other kids are getting to hear positive messages of kids of color,” she said. Johnson-Kolb thanked the foundation for their gift to improve education and cultural awareness. “This is going to mean so much to our districts and to our students,” she said. Books Audrey Thornborrow, technology integration coach at MHES, received a grant to revamp the nonfiction book section in the library. The funds will be used to replace lost books and purchase new books. “This is so amazing,” Thornborrow said. “I so appreciate it. These are areas that really need some bolstering. I look forward to being able to purchase those books.” iPad crayons Carissa Solarz, kindergarten teacher at PES, received a grant to purchase Logitech crayons for iPads in her classroom. The tools will help kindergarteners hone their writing skills, expand their vocabulary and develop fine motor skills through individual and collaborative projects. “It will help the kids as they’re learning to write,” Solarz said. Motor equipment Sara McKeever, an early childhood teacher/ parent educator, received a grant for large motor equipment for her ECFE students. The play equipment will help children of multiple

ages develop large motor skills, McKeever said. McKeever said the equipment will be portable and make the space more flexible. Social-emotional books Haley Miller, a social worker at PES, received a grant to purchase books that support social and emotional needs, personal growth and development school-wide. Miller said the grant will be used to purchase books to help students who have experienced difficult events and life changes, such as divorce of their parents or having a parent who is incarcerated or deployed. The books will be centrally located for easy access by all. “We’re very excited to be able to purchase more books to make this a reality,” Miller said. A student’s life outside school impacts them socially and academically, noted Miller. She hopes the

PHOTOS BY SUBMITTED

S h e i l a Johnson-Kolb, a social worker at Rice Elementary School, discusses how she will use her grant to purchase multi-cultural books and play items. She said the school wants to be more inclusive and welcoming.

books will give students the assurance they are cared about and not alone and that the district is committed to providing resources to help them process difficult events. “They’re a whole person, and we care about that whole person,” Miller said. Keyboards, book cart Emma Wabbe, a third grade teacher at RES, received a grant to purchase keyboards for her classroom. Emilee King, a first grade teacher at MHES, received a grant to purchase a take-home book cart for her classroom. The cart will transport books from the library that students can check out and take home.

Advertising: Our ad takers have no authority to bind this Letters: Letters to the editor and other opinion articles are newspaper, and only publication of an advertisement shall welcomed. Letters must be signed with first and last name and constitute final acceptance of the advertiser’s order. include address and phone number. Letters should be short and to the point (400 words or less). We reserve the right to edit lengthy Subscription Rates: Free in Sauk Rapids, Rice and Sartell P.O. letters. boxes, city routes and rural routes. Corrections/Clarifications: The Herald strives for accuracy. If Benton, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Sherburne and Stearns counties you would like to report a factual error, please call 320-251-1971. $50 per year Elsewhere in Minnesota - $57 • Outside Minnesota - $60 per year $5 per month for snowbirds Deadlines: The deadline for most news in the Herald is 5 p.m. Wednesday. Exceptions are obituaries which have a deadline of 10 a.m. Thursday. The deadline for advertisements in the Herald is 5 p.m. Wednesday. Mark Klaphake Joyce Frericks Missy Traeger Natasha Barber Nancy Powell Maria Bichler Ellarry Prentice Tom Fenton Evan Michealson Jakob Kounkel Amanda Thooft Pat Turner

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Page 6 | SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 2021 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Aphids There are several thousand kinds of aphids, some of which only feed on one kind of plant. The cabbage aphid, for example, only feeds on cabbage and other memGREEN AND bers of that family GROWING IN BENTON such as cauliflower COUNTY and radishes. The BY LINDA G. TENNESON spruce gall aphid is only found on spruce and fir trees. There is a potato aphid, a rose aphid and many other kinds. Aphids have slender mouthparts that are used to feed on sap in plants, particularly new growth, unopened flower buds and young leaves. As they feed, they use their saliva to help digest the plant sap and leave behind a sticky substance called honeydew. The honeydew does not harm the plant, but a kind of sooty mold may develop on it as a result which will block sunlight from reaching the leaves. This honeydew attracts ants and yellowjackets and can also be found on furniture and vehicles. Honeydew can be washed off with dish detergents or tar removers. These annoying insects have unusual characteristics. Aphids without wings are female and do not need a mate in order to produce young, and the young aphids are born alive. However, when too many aphids are trying to live on one plant, some of them develop wings and fly to another plant. While they are poor fliers, their light weight enables them to travel on the wind. The winged aphids mate and lay eggs. Eggs laid in late summer can survive the winter and hatch in spring. Aphids mature quickly and continue reproducing all during their lives. Aphids usually do not kill plants but in severe cases cause twisted and curled or yellowed leaves. Aphids are small, only a 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch long. They are pear shaped and have soft bodies. They range in color and may be green, black, red, yellow, brown or gray. The nymphs or young aphids are pale and smaller than the adults. They have what one source called “tailpipes” that extend from their backsides as well as a tiny tail. As they grow, they shed their exoskeletons and leave those white skins on leaves or stuck to the honeydew secretions that are also left behind. Ants may take care of aphids for their honeydew. The ant strokes the aphid to encourage it to produce honeydew. Aphids can also carry plant viruses and move them from one plant to another. The virus causes damage to leaves and fruit. Because aphid populations can explode, it is important to check plant leaves and stems for the presence of aphids regularly throughout the growing season. They can feed on weeds as well as desired plants so weed removal is one means of control. Another method is to knock the aphid off a plant with a strong spray from a water hose. Lady beetles, lacewings, syrphid fly larvae and parasitic wasps all eat aphids. Insecticidal soap, horticultural oil and pyrethrin are pesticide control methods but must be applied to the undersides of the leaves as well as the tops. These pesticides only kill the aphids they touch, so repeat applications may be needed during the season. Systemic pesticides which travel inside plants work longer but will also harm beneficial pollinator insects. Go to extension.umn.edu/ yard-and-garden-insects/aphids for more information and pictures to identify the type of aphid that may be in your garden. Linda G. Tenneson is a University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener and Tree Care Advisor.

EDITORIAL

Bittersweet forgiveness

I am feeling the effects of something is much more important than spending time similar to buyers remorse. You know you on a minor detail in the past. It was minor to me but major to them, and being kinder may need this item, you pay for it, and and more compassionate may have helped now you are questioning if you really need them move on more quickly. it. Should you have spent that much? Or, My husband said I do not do well in maybe it went on sale after you purchased lowering my stance in discussions with it. Now you are wishing you would have other people when I have found grounds waited. But this has nothing to do with to stand on. I am in a season of studying shopping and everything to do with two and learning and soaking in all I can when people in discord and trying to come to LIFE BY FAITH it comes to the truth and recognizing a lie. common ground. The need to reconcile is great. “If it BY MERCY NYGAARD Not to demean anyone, call out anyone or make anyone feel lesser. Only to stand on is possible, as much depends on you, live the truth and hope others are not led astray by multipeaceable with all men,” Romans 12:18. tudes of the enemy lies. I must lay down my mighty Peace is to lay down all need for war. “Bear with each other and forgive one another if need to help the Holy Spirit, because God does not any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive need my help turning people’s hearts to desire the truth. He does that. He is the only one capable of givas the Lord forgave you,” Colossians 2:13. This is huge. If we are unforgiving, we are ac- ing a new heart. I only need to speak the truth and let cepting the Lord’s forgiveness but unwilling to give God’s light shine from his word. Wherever that light hits, whatever the light might land on, is exposed by it to others. Here is where I would have done things differ- the light. That’s where others have a choice to let God ently. When trying to make peace with another, “Be do his work in their hearts. I regret not being more clothed in kindness, genkind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you,” Ephe- tle and lowly, when I met with another who had a disagreement with me. I love her and I want nothing sians 4:32. There are plenty more scriptures that show us more than peace. Although our meeting ended well, I forgiveness, reconciliation and peace is not a ques- need to find a way to articulate that I am not the best tion of if we should make it but that we must. In my at articulating gentleness and lowliness when I am desituation, I could have been kinder and more compas- fending what I believe to be true. The forgiveness was sweet. My actions are what sionate, not trying to defend my stance so much, but allowing the other person to see that moving forward have me feeling bitter.

Navigating anger

Anger is a very human emotion that eryday life outside of a workplace. If you is inseparable from the human experience, would like solid advice on how to keep and learning to properly deal with anger is yourself safe in tense and anger-filled moa challenge as old as humanity itself. Writments, give this video a look. In addition to ten accounts from ancient times verify the our video, there are many resources availchallenge posed by anger. Cain killed his able in both print and electronic form that provide instruction on how to de-escalate brother Able in a fit of anger and jealousy. situations. Much of this advice comes down Julius Caesar was murdered by a group of to a simple concept of thinking before you Roman senators angry over his quest for power. In fact, one of the oldest surviving KEEPING BENTON act or speak. Considering the consequencCOUNTY SAFE es of a response and weighing those conwritten documents is an angry letter from SHERIFF TROY HECK sequences against the importance of the the 18th century BC written to complain controversy will serve you well. In almost about the quality of copper purchased from a merchant. The arrival of social media and our instant all circumstances, there is a de-escalated solution to the access to news means it has never been easier to engage issue that will serve everyone better and make for safer in angry dialogue or find sources of anger. Whether the communities. For situations that move beyond everyperception of our current existence being an exception- day frustration and into the realm of criminal activity, ally angry time is accurate or simply a result of our con- law enforcement agencies are ready to assist victims, sistent exposure to anger, there is no doubt that unman- de-escalate situations and maintain public safety. Choosing the path of de-escalation can be difficult aged anger is a personal and public safety issue. An internet search for “killed in road rage” will for anyone. If you or someone you know has an unusuyield pages of news stories from 2021 detailing inci- ally difficult time dealing with anger, there is profesdents in the United States where someone died as a sional help available to deal with this condition. The result of violence spawned by something as inconse- St. Cloud area has several mental health providers who quential as driving behavior. In February of this year, provide treatment to people who may struggle with a man in Pennsylvania killed two neighbors because of managing anger. Dealing with this treatable condition an argument that began over snow removal. In all these will provide a better and safer life for those struggling incidents, one or more of the people involved failed to and those around them. At some point, we will all experience a person who temper the anger fueling the problem and tragic consecuts in line, a driver who nearly causes a car crash or quences resulted. Feeling anger is a normal human response. What a stranger who is belligerent and insulting. In those inyou do with that feeling is the key to staying safe and stances, I hope you will reflect upon what is truly imfree from any legal consequences. Currently, one-third portant in that moment and what is the safest response. of the people being held in the Benton County Jail are Should you need some additional incentive to choose there for criminal charges rooted in anger and violence. the path that prioritizes your personal safety, keep in Your key to staying safe in tense situations will al- mind the family, friends and others who count on you. ways be de-escalation. A common component of these It is safe to say all the people who found themselves anger-filled situations that end in tragedy is the contin- sudden and unexpected victims of anger that turned to ued escalation of tensions between the parties involved. violence have people in their lives who now miss them In almost all instances, if one person refuses to escalate terribly. Many people faced with anger choose wisely in these instances and continue safely through their the situation, tragedy can be avoided. The Benton County Sheriff’s Office has published lives. I hope you will as well. For more crime prevention information and safety videos on YouTube on the topic of workplace safety. These videos can be found by searching YouTube for information, visit the Benton County Sheriff’s Office “Benton County MN Sheriff’s Office.” One of the pub- website at www.co.benton.mn.us/211/crimeprevenlished videos focuses on dealing with angry people. tion. You can also like and follow us on Facebook and While the video was made with a workplace in mind, Twitter at @BentonMNSheriff for regular updates and many of the tactics demonstrated translates into ev- crime prevention messages.

EDITORIAL

So much to look forward to

I had a chance to explore The Clearing, yelled, “Get her some water; she’s chokthe new riverside parks complex in Sauk ing!” Rapids, over Memorial Day weekend. The worker, fully aware of what was Wow! going on, replied, “That’ll be $4.” I didn’t catch any fish, but it was relaxWhen the worker sensed his shift ing to sit on the pier and watch the Missismight end with a black eye, he reluctantly sippi River glisten in the sunlight. handed him a paper cup. The newly-constructed buildings and It was good to know that if your life is the music area overlooking the river look in danger, there is still an 800% upcharge amazing. Thursday evening music nights, EXPRESSIONS BY EL on tap water at the Great Minnesota Getslated to run from 5:30-9:30 Thursday eve- BY ELLARRY PRENTICE Together. nings July 1 through Sept. 2, will be fun to There is just one thing that concerns attend. me about Sauk Rapids Food Fest: ChoosWith most COVID-19 restrictions lifted, there is a ing what to eat. lot to look forward to this summer. We missed out on so The top contenders for me are Philly cheesesteak much this past year: parades, carnival rides, concerts, sandwiches, chicken and beef shish-kabobs, gyros, family reunions, anniversary and birthday celebrations, shredded pork sandwiches, cheesy turkey sandwiches and barbecue chicken wings. Whatever I decide, it will and the list goes on. I will be a newcomer to both Rapids River Days be paired with cheese curds. There will also be smoked turkey legs, burgers, and the Benton County Fair. A friend told me I have been missing out on great food, including the best mini steak sandwiches, New York-style hotdogs, brats, meatball subs, barbecue brisket sandwiches, crab fritdonuts and barbecue dishes. I’m a sucker for fair and festival food. We didn’t go ters, pizza, popcorn chicken, chicken sandwiches, Italout to eat much when I was growing up, but we always ian cuisine, potatoes with toppings, sweet potato fries, went to the Minnesota State Fair, which falls on the twisted taters, French fries, corn on the cob, corn dogs, week of my birthday. I’ll never forget that feeling of hot roast beef, taco in a bag, bread sticks, giant pretexcitement as we waited in line to ride the space needle zels with cheese, giant pickles, quesadillas, wontons, and peered through glass to watch colorful, chewy taffy stir fry beef pitas, pork chop on a stick, pig wings, pork being pulled on a machine. The only worries of the day rinds and nachos. I would also love to try chocolate strawberries, were finding a parking spot and choosing flavors. Eight years ago, that classic candy almost killed milkshakes, caramel apples and kettle corn. Other Food Fest desserts will include sundaes, me. I popped a salt water taffy in my mouth while walking, and seconds later, choked on it. Unable to shaved ice, snow cones, fruit kabobs, cookies and mini breathe or speak, I panicked. My arms were flailing as donuts. There will also be root beer floats, smoothies, lema crowd of people gathered around to stare. Finally, some of it came up, but I was still choking onade, limeade, coffee and a pop stand and beer garden. See you there! on the remnants and gasping. My companion ran to a small food booth and

District working on several projects this summer The 2020-21 school year ended ed 1980s 19 building addition as some defor most students and staff the week ekk lamination l m la is occurring. Phase two of of June 4. However, school districts ddoo the tthhe brick replacement project will take have staff that work year-round, and ndd place pl pl next summer and will involve summers for the buildings and grounds dss work wo at the Door No. 4 entrance of the department can be as busy as the he middle mi school. Due to funding limitaschool year. With the majority of stuutions, tio this will be a multi-phase project ISD 47 dents and staff out of the building ffor completed over several years. The venBy Brad Berghius, the summer, the district’s custodial and tilation system for the middle school director of building grounds maintenance staff will take adkitchen hoods will also be replaced as and grounds vantage of the ability to have access to equipment repairs have become more areas that otherwise would be limited. prevalent. Every year, typical summertime tasks include but This summer at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School, are not limited to: the district will finish the two lighting replacement – Deep cleaning every room and every space in projects which were started this spring. LED lights are each school building to ensure all spaces and surfaces being installed in multiple areas of the school including are cleaned, sanitized and ready for students and staff the first-floor classroom pod area, the gymnasiums, the when they return for the next school year. Performing Arts Center and in hallways throughout the – Moving of classroom and building components high school as well as in the high school and district as needed due to employee changes or student enroll- administrative offices. The district will also complete ment numbers. the replacement of the Building Automation System, – Maintaining the exterior, greenspace, parking which runs the building’s heating and cooling systems. lots, athletic fields and outdoor activities spaces at each Both of these projects will help reduce the amount of building. energy the high school uses on a daily, monthly and This summer, the district will complete several yearly basis. additional projects. While some will have a major imAt Pleasantview Elementary School, construction pact on the appearance of the buildings, others will be crews have begun to install electrical inside the new behind the scenes projects focused on making a more building as well as underground plumbing. Throughenergy efficient impact. out the summer, contractors will continue to work on The Mississippi Heights Elementary School roof- getting the school building fully enclosed so when the ing rehabilitation project will consist of removing the weather turns, crews can complete interior projects original single-ply rubber roof installed when the build- during the winter and spring. Installation of the roof ing was built in the mid-1990s and replacing it with a and exterior brick will begin this summer as well. built-up four-ply asphalt roof. The hallway carpet on Over the course of the next few summers, the disthe first floor will also be removed and will be replaced trict will be completing additional projects to ensure a with a rubber floor that is similar to the flooring that safe learning environment for students, staff and famiwas installed in other areas of the building. lies, and to maintain our community provided resourcAt the Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School, phase es. The projects mentioned above and future projects one of the exterior brick replacement project will be- will be funded through Facility Maintenance Funds. gin. Phase one will encompass sections of brick in and These funds are limited in their scope of use and are near the Community Arts Center. The primary area annually appropriated to all Minnesota school districts of focus for the brick replacement will be on the late by the state legislature.

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 2021 | Page 7

May weather, phenology in review

Weather: Temperatures were about the same as last year, and we received more rain. The warmest day was May 24 with an 84-degree reading and the coldest was 25 degrees May 12. The average high and low temps were 66.35 and 44.2 degrees. The month ended with FROM THE NORTH 1.73 inches from eight days of SHORE OF LITTLE measurable precipitation. Most ROCK LAKE BY JIM HOVDA of that occurred on the last 10 days of the month. Until May 18, only .08 was measured. It was really dry. The last five days saved us, especially the farm folks. The most rain fell May 28 when I measured .48 in the gage. So far this year, 8.94 inches of precipitation. Almost 3 more inches than last year. Local weather records: Temperatures first. The low occurred in 1907 when the mercury dipped to a chilly 18 degrees while it climbed to 105 degrees in 1934. The most rain, 9.68 inches, fell in 1900. We received 3.2 inches of snow in 1971. Phenology: A lot is happening. New arrivals of birds were northern (Baltimore) orioles May 1, purple martins at Huls Nursery in St. Wendel May 4, rubythroated hummingbirds May 7, a scarlet tanager May 15, grey catbird May 16, an indigo bunting May 17, an orchard oriole May 20, four juvenile bald eagles circling the north end of Little Rock Lake looking for food May 22 and a pair of great horned owls, hooting in the woods, May 27. Grape hyacinth, tulips and lilacs are some plants that bloomed. The first monarch butterfly appeared May 22. Maple tree seeds came down like rain May 25. We are waiting for purple martins here on the north end of the lake. Little Rock Lake: Lake temperature May 8 was 51 degrees and 61 degrees May 29. Water level measurement May 8 was 1.50 inches and dropped to 1.22 feet at the end of month. The Department of Natural Resources converts this measurement to actual sea level. I use this measurement to note how much the lake is rising or falling. My Secchi disk readings are encouraging. The Secchi disk issued by the DNR is a white 8-inch diameter disk with measured readings on a rope. It is lowered in the water until it is not visible. I started May 8 with 5.5 feet. By May 29, water clarity improved to 5.75 feet. On the down side, lots of curly-leaf pond weed is visible. The newly-planted wire reeds are hanging in there in some locations.

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Page 8 | SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 2021 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

What’s with the carp?

Little Rock Lake Association hosts annual tournament for nuisance fish BY NATASHA BARBER | STAFF WRITER

RICE – For the past four years during the first weekend in June, the Little Rock Lake Association has hosted a fishing tournament to bring awareness to their group and rid the Benton County lake of some unwelcome inhabitants. The fourth annual Carp Contest attracted quite the showing June 5 as more than 75 people registered for the tournament which is concluded at Rumors Bar & Grill on the shores of Little Rock Lake. Some registered to simply be eligible for door prizes, but from those who fished 1,377.13 pounds of carp were harvested. “It’s a good event,” said Eric Altena, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Area Fisheries Manager and Little Rock Lake resident. “It encourages activity in the area and uses a surplus species in this case. … It keeps people interested in the lake and what’s going on.” The heaviest fish was caught by Rock Bottom Bow Fishing, a Little Falls team of Mason Ringwelski and Blake Moline. The top prize carp weighed 36.7 pounds. David Heying, the total weight winner from

2019, placed second with 25.7 pounds, and Eric Helgeson came in third with a 24.8-pound fish. The winner for total weight was the boat of Nate Deyo, of Chisago. Nate Deyo fished with Cameron Brindley, Ike Deyo and Cole Willem, and the team brought in 25 fish for a total of 372.33 pounds. Heying, who was the 2019 total weight winner, placed second with 319.4 pounds (27 fish) and Helgeson third with 281.61 pounds (22 fish). Although the turnout was a success on a day in which temperatures reached into the high 90s, the amount of fish harvested was down compared to other years. In 2019, the contest garnered over 6,000 pounds. Tournament organizer Rob Jacobs said the harvest may have been down due to the spawn beginning earlier than other years. Altena agreed. “It seemed like with this warmer weather that we had this spring – at least in spells – they kind of got going a little bit earlier,” Altena said. “I would say at least the week beforehand was maybe the peak for carp spawning activity, but I

PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER

Cameron Brindley, Nate Deyo, Ike Deyo and Cole Willem, all of the Chisago area, team up to compete in the fourth annual Carp Contest, which was hosted June 4-5 on Little Rock Lake in Rice. The four placed first for total weight with 372.33 pounds of carp harvested.

can’t say that for certain.” Hitting the spawn is key when hosting a tournament such as this as Altena said the fish are more vulnerable when spawning. “There just like any other fish or critter,” Altena said. “When their spawning, they are not paying attention to their surroundings as much and are probably a little bit more vulnerable of being shot at or caught.” Harvesting carp has limited regulation, Altena said. Like other rough fish, they have a continuous season and no limit on the number of fish harvested. Whether spear, bow and arrow, or rod and reel, anglers can use multiple harvesting approaches.

Common carp were introduced to Minnesota from Asia in the 1850s, Altena said. Initially, the fish were brought as a food source. Although the fish are popular in some markets, common carp are not as desirable in the region and can become problematic in some lakes. The Little Rock Lake Association targets the fish with their tournament to decrease a population within the lake which stirs up sediment – effecting water clarity and nutrient loading. “They have the ability to root down almost one-third of a meter (about 1 foot) into the muck and mud,” Altena said. “They are kind of like pigs in that they root

around for invertebrates in the mud, and during that process, they release nutrients from the sediment into the lake.” Nutrients released from compacted sediment into the water, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, can be a catalyst for algal blooms, something Little Rock Lake Association members and area government agencies have been combatting in the lake. Newlyestablished plants, sowed in the lake drawdown in 2019, may also be at risk from carp activity.

“If there has been some root mass that has been established and these guys are rooting around looking for bugs, certainly the plants get in the way and they are pushing them around,” Altena said. Normally taken to a nearby farm, the harvested carp were taken to St. Cloud State University this year to be used in the college’s anaerobic digester, which turns organic matter into electricity.

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Mason Ringwelski (left) and Blake Moline, of Rock Bottom Bow Fishing in Little Falls, hold a 36.7-pound carp June 5 at Rumors Bar & Grill in Rice. The fish was caught during the fourth annual Carp Contest hosted by the Little Rock Lake Association.

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NEWS

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 2021 | Page 15

Watab considers bonding for road improvements Public hearing set for July 13 BY ELLARRY PRENTICE | STAFF WRITER

SAUK RAPIDS – Watab Township supervisors have plans to bond for road improvement projects which are expected to be executed over the next few years. Supervisors discussed the issue at the June 8 meeting at Watab Town Hall in rural Sauk Rapids. Several roads in Watab Township have been identified as being in poor condition. In May, supervisors prioritized which roads are in dire need of repair or replacement. Watab supervisors would like to issue a bond not to exceed $3.5 million for improving West Lake Road, Sharon Place Northwest, Lakewood Shore Road Northwest, Sanbur Trail Northwest, Shoestring Loop Northwest, Sues Road, 15th Avenue Northwest (south of 95th Street Northwest), Burton Place Northwest, Ivy Place Northwest, Indian Road Northwest, 115th Street Northwest (Rockwood Estates to Highway 10) and Plaziak Road (north of Lakewood Shore Road Northwest to River Road Northeast). Some of the roads need full reconstruction, while others need reclamation or mill and overlay. The township would have three years to sell the bonds and distribute the funds to reconstruct and reclaim the roads. The board favors

a 10-year bond. Payments would be about $355,000 per year. That would consume the township’s road and bridge fund, but supervisor Julie Johnson said they strive to raise the balance every year. The first payment would not be until 2023, which would give the township time to build up its fund balance. “(The bond) gives us real dollars to fix a lot of roads to get us ahead of our really low road rating,” Johnson said. “We’re falling behind, so we need to make a move.” Township enginner Kevin Kruger agreed. “Interest rates are so low and prices are so cheap that it’s really a win-win in the current situation,” he said. “This is the best time we’ve seen to bid.” Watab currently has one bond being repaid in installments of $60,000 per year. A public hearing on the proposed bond and road reconstruction plan will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 13, at the town hall during the regular meeting. Sucker Creek project falls short of grant Kruger reported that Watab will not receive a Local Road Improvement Program grant for the Sucker Creek Road project. The grant would have covered the cost of the design and construction to widen and rebuild the road. Kruger said about

13 townships of some 400 that applied received an LRIP grant. Sucker Creek Road is in dire need of improvement to improve drainage, travel and safety to residents, and the project is expected to move forward in conjunction with the replacement of Sucker Creek Bridge. The estimated cost of reconstructing Sucker Creek Road is $350,000-$400,000. Fortunately, bids for road projects have been favorable, Kruger said. Sucker Creek Bridge, located on the same stretch of roadway, is scheduled to be replaced this year, with state aid designated for bridge replacement covering most of the project. Benton County is the project sponsor. Kruger said he has been in contact with Benton County Public Works Director Chris Byrd about the Sucker Creek projects. Benton County is awaiting approval for the state aid. A state budget deal has not yet been reached but is expected soon, with the Legislature returning for a special session Monday, June 14. Johnson said there is no timeline on the Sucker Creek projects but word on when the bridge funding will be distributed is expected by late June. Work on the bridge will start first followed by Sucker Creek Road improvements. “We’ll work together,” Johnson said about collaborating with Benton County. When the road

and bridge are under construction, motorists will be detoured on a minimum maintenance road. The township will make improvements to the minimum maintenance road because it is the only viable detour. One hundred yards of Class 5 will be placed on the road to alleviate soft spots. A culvert has also been cleaned to alleviate drainage issues. A neighborhood meeting will be scheduled in June to review the Sucker Creek projects and gather input from residents. In other township news: – Clerk Kathy Sauer reported the town hall has a new internet system with separate WiFi for the offices and commons area to reduce the risk of hackers. Community WiFi can be accessed by people who rent the space for gatherings. A new phone system is coming soon. – The board waived Watab resident David Johnson’s fire bill. Johnson was billed for a ditch fire on his property but the cause has been confirmed as arson. – The board tabled discussion on the purchase of a storage unit that would be placed on the town hall property. Supervisors decided to purchase a storage container in February, but prices have increased significantly since then. They are going to look at more options.

Community Education Corner

Sock gnome making

Learn how to make a sock gnome with simple supplies. Get tips, fun examples and make your own gnome. They are easy, do not require sewing skills and may be customized. All ages welcome. Everything needed for this do-it-yourself class will be provided to create a gnome that stands approximately 6 inches. June 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Sauk Rapids-Rice High School, Osauka Drive N.E., Sauk Rapids.

suggestions for learning about and understanding loved ones and dementia. Gain a better understanding of the changes in communication and learn ways to improve communication. For medical professionals, personal caregivers and the general public. July 20, 6-7 p.m. Sauk Rapids-Rice High School, Osauka Drive N.E., Sauk Rapids.

To register or for more information on programs and costs, contact Sauk Rapids-Rice Community Education at www.isd47.org/ce or Learning dementia Join Cristina Rodriguez, of Silver Lining 320-258-1577. Dementia Education, as she gives tips and

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NEWS/ PUBLIC NOTICES

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 2021 | Page 17

Public Notices NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Notice is hereby given that the Watab Township Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing on Tuesday, June 22, at the Watab Township Hall beginning at 8:30 am. The Planning Commission will reconvene regarding the following request: Subdivision of property owned by David Baldwin from 2 lots into 3 lots to be identified as “Baldwin Acres.” Parcel numbers: 12.001932.00 and 12.01933.00. Anyone wishing to be heard with reference to the above will be heard at this meeting. Posted Tuesday, June 8, 2021 Kathy Sauer Watab Township Clerk R-23-1B

SUMMONS NOTICE STATE OF MINNESOTA Day-neutral strawberries may be planted in containers such as window boxes. The plants produce fruit from July COUNTY OF BENTON through October or the first frost. DISTRICT COURT SEVENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court File No.: 05-FA-21-781 Case Type: Dissolution without Children PHOTO COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION

in containers Tips for growing strawberries

First, choose the right plant

ST. PAUL – Strawberries are a great choice to fill your pots, planters, hanging baskets or maybe even window boxes. The plants are compact and the berries hang beautifully off of the edge of the container. As long as you choose the right type of strawberries, they can be removed at the end of the season so you do not have to worry about where to put them over the winter. There are two types of strawberries: day-neutral and June-bearing. Only day-neutral strawberries are truly well-suited for containers. These are also commonly called everbearing strawberries. Tip No. 1: Choose the right plants The first tip for planting container strawberries is to make sure you purchase day-neutral plants and not June-bearing plants. D a y - n e u t r a l strawberries produce fruit from July through October or the first frost. One thing that makes them great for containers is they are usually grown as annuals – we remove the plants at the end of the season and plant new ones the next year, just like with annual vegetables. Find day-neutral (everbearing) strawberry plants at hardware stores, garden centers or online seed companies and nurseries. In stores, they are sold in bags of 5-10 and are displayed with seed potatoes and asparagus crowns. Online, you will often find them in sets of 25 for around $25. They are sold as dormant bare-root plants –

a ball of roots connected to a couple of small dormant leaves. Sometimes, you can also find potted plants in garden centers, but these are much more expensive and do not have any advantages. Look for these varieties: Albion, Seascape, Evie-II, Monterey, Portola and San Andreas. Do not grow June-bearing strawberries in containers unless the containers are large, like a wood-framed raised bed. They are perennial plants and have to have space to spread and reproduce; otherwise, they will only produce fruit for one season before declining. Also, they do not produce fruit until a year after planting. Tip No. 2: Find sun We might sound like a broken record saying this, but fruit crops need full sun. Place your containers where they get full sunlight for at least 8 to 12 hours per day. It takes a lot of energy for plants to produce large, flavorful berries, and they need sunlight to achieve this. Select a south-facing side of your home, or find a spot away from shade

UNIVERSITY OF MN EXTENSION ANNIE KLODD

trees or buildings. Window boxes can be perfect for strawberries as long as they are in full sun. Tip No. 3: Reach for the good potting mix D a y - n e u t r a l strawberries produce larger berries when they grow in well-drained soil with plenty of nutrients. Use a potting mix meant for containers, and mix in a fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (N-P-K) before planting. You may sprinkle on a small amount of nitrogencontaining fertilizer midseason to give the plants a boost. Follow instructions on the fertilizer label to ensure you are not overapplying and potentially burning the plants. Tip No. 4: Give them just enough space P l a n t day-neutral strawberries about 8 inches

apart in the container. They may be planted 6 inches apart if staggered in a row. Because they can be planted relatively close together, they pack a lot of fruit production into a small space. Each plant will produce about a 1/2 pound to 1 pound of fruit when grown in full sunlight with adequate soil conditions and water. If large fruit is your goal, try planting them slightly further apart. Tip No. 5: Do not forget to water Strawberries need regular watering to keep producing strong yields of large fruit all season. In fact, strawberry farmers irrigate their strawberries with drip tape or sprinklers to make sure they are getting at least 1 inch of water per week. Water at least twice per week, or more during the mid-summer when temperatures are hot and the plants are growing rapidly. Check the soil moisture daily by sticking your thumb into the top inch of soil. If the top inch is dry, apply water. You also can use a soil moisture meter to develop a more precise watering regimen.

SUMMONS Without Real Estate In Re the Marriage of: Elizabeth Renee Berry Petitioner and Paris Terrill Berry Respondent THE STATE OF MINNESOTA TO THE ABOVENAMED RESPONDENT: WARNING: Your spouse has filed a lawsuit against you for dissolution of your marriage. A copy of the paperwork regarding the lawsuit is served on you with this summons. This summons is an official document from the court that affects your rights. Read this summons carefully. If you do not understand it, contact an attorney for legal advice. 1. The Petitioner (your

spouse) has filed a lawsuit against you asking for dissolution of your marriage (divorce). A copy of the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage is attached to this Summons. 2. You must serve upon Petitioner and file with the court a written Answer to the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, and you must pay the required filing fee. Answer forms are available from the court adminstrator’s office. You must serve your Answer upon Petitioner within thirty (30) days of the date you were served with this Summons, not counting the day of service. If you do not serve and file your Answer, the court may give your spouse everything he or she is asking for in the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. 3. This proceeding does not involve real property. IF YOU VIOLATE ANY OF THESE PROVISIONS, YOU WILL BE SUBJECT TO SANCTIONS BY THE COURT Dated: May 7, 2021 /s/ Elizabeth Renee Berry Sauk Rapids, MN R-21-3P

NOTICE OF SHERIFF’S NOTICE Pamela Maas, the underSTATE OF MINNESOTA signed Sheriff of Benton COUNTY OF BENTON Case Type: 10 (Mortgage County will sell at public auction, to the highest bidForeclosure) der, for cash, on July 8, DISTRICT COURT 2021, at 10:00 a.m., at the SEVENTH JUDICIAL Benton County, Sheriff’s DISTRICT Office, 581 Highway 23, Court File No: Foley, Minnesota, in said 05-CV-20-2080 County and State, the premNOTICE OF SHERIFF’S ises and real estate described SALE UNDER FIND- in said Judgment and DeINGS OF FACT, CON- cree, to-wit: Lot Eleven (11), Block CLUSIONS OF LAW, ORDER FOR JUDGMENT Five (5), Church Hill East, AND JUDGMENT (REAL according to the plat and survey thereof on file and of PROPERTY) record in the Office of the Mark J. Maas, as Trustee of County Recorder in and for the Carol Probst Smith Re- Benton, County, Minnesota vocable Living Trust Dated (the “Property”). The time allowed by June 4, 2012, as Amended, law for redemption by MortPlaintiff, gagor or Mortgagor’s pervs. Kelly Pamela Maas; Great sonal representatives or asRiver Federal Credit Union; signs is six (6) months after Church Hill East Homeown- the date of sale. er’s Association; and XYZ Dated: May 19, 2021 BENTON COUNTY Corporation; ABC PartnerSHERIFF ship; Joe Doe and Mary By Troy Heck Rowe, whose true names are Deputy unknown to Plaintiff, Dated: May 11, 2021 Defendants. NOTICE IS HEREBY RINKE NOONAN GIVEN, that under and by Benjamin B. Bohnsack virtue of a Findings of Fact, (#319399) Conclusions of Law, Order Suite 300 US Bank Plaza for Judgment and Judgment Building entered in the above entitled 1015 W. St. Germain St. action on May 6, 2021, a P.O. Box 1497 certified copy of which has St. Cloud, MN 56302-1497 been delivered to me, direct- (320) 251-6700 ing the sale of real property (320) 656-3500 fax hereinafter described to sat- Email: Bbohnsack@Rinkeisfy the amount found and Noonan.com DIAGRAM COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION adjudged due said Plaintiff Attorneys for Plaintiff R-20-6B Day-neutral strawberries should be planted 6-8 inches from one another dependent in the above-entitled action from said Defendant, Kelly on the planter. Spacing the planters farther apart will increase fruit size.

SPORTS

Page 20 | SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 2021 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

How should No-hitter Twins handle Sanó situation?

precedes season’s end

Storm ride Schave’s arm to playoff win before Bemidji delivers final blow BY TOM FENTON | STAFF WRITER

I can’t remember a Twins player whose performance was more wildly inconsistent than Miguel Sanó. It’s either feast or famine, with seemingly no middle ground. When things are going well, he can almost single-handedly carry his SPORTS COLUMNIST BY ANDY THAYER team to wins, and let’s not forget the Twins have ridden Sanó hot streaks to division titles in the recent past. However, when Sanó is in one of his prolonged fallow periods, he’s one of the most maddeningly ineffective hitters I’ve ever seen. He’s an incredibly divisive player among fans of the team, and depending on the week, you can make a convincing argument he’s a sunk cost and the Twins need to cut ties or that he’s a cornerstone player who will be a key part of the team’s future. The 2021 season has featured both extremes of the Sanó experience. Despite leading the team with 12 home runs and 30 RBIs this year, Sanó is hitting .178/.278/.433 and has struck out in an incredible 68 of his 157 at-bats. It seems like Sanó is never an average hitter on a game-to-game basis. He’s either going 0-4 with three strikeouts or 3-5 with two homers and five RBIs. However, when the dust settles and you add up all of those individual awful and elite performances, Sanó’s season-long WAR numbers have always fallen in the pretty mediocre -0.2 to 3.1 range. One of my biggest fears as a Twins fan is that they let Sanó leave and he immediately turns into David Ortiz version 2.0 on another team. That concept isn’t far-fetched. Despite it feeling like he’s been around for 10 years, Sanó is only one year older than Ortiz was when he left Minnesota. Sanó’s career slash line with the Twins is .236/.328/.489, and Ortiz’s slash line was .266/.348/.461 when he left Minnesota. Ortiz hit for a little better average, and Sano hit for a little more power, but those lines are pretty comparable. Even the staunchest Sanó haters have to admit the raw materials are present in his swing for him to become an elite slugger if he develops some plate discipline and consistency in his approach. Would anyone be surprised if Sanó landed on a new team, reported to spring training in the best shape of his life and broke out in a similar fashion to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. this season or David Ortiz in 2003? I certainly wouldn’t. That being said, it feels like the definition of insanity when the Twins continue to pencil Sanó’s name in the lineup night after night as he piles up strikeouts and the team piles up losses. Eventually, the team is going to reach a tipping point despite Sanó being under contract for two more seasons at $9.2 million and $14.25 million, respectively. The Twins have some prospects on the way who will be able to approximate Sanó’s production (if not his prodigious power) for a fraction of the cost. Alex Kiriloff can play first base, and if Byron Buxton and Max Kepler get healthy, he would be a cost-effective candidate for replacing Sanó. Aaron Sabato, the team’s first-round draft pick in 2020, could also end up at first base. The bottom line is that Sanó is running out of time. If he doesn’t finish this season strong, I wouldn’t be shocked to see him in a different uniform next year. The Twins need to take a hard look at what went wrong this season, and I’m sure their expensive and wildly inconsistent first baseman is going to be directly in the front office’s crosshairs this winter if he doesn’t turn things around soon.

Anna Schave went through a rather unusual wave of emotions in a short period of time June 8. The Sauk Rapids-Rice senior standout on the Storm softball team pitched a five-inning nohitter in the first of two Section 8AAA games in Bemidji. Not long after, Schave and her teammates were dealing with the end of their season. Schave was dominant as the Storm took down Detroit Lakes 10-0 in an elimination game, striking out 12 and yielding no hits in leading SRR into the next round. She also did not walk a batter. The run through the loser’s bracket was then halted as Bemidji used a big sixth inning to pull away for a 12-2 victory. The Storm finished the season 5-17. “The no-hitter was very special to me, because as a pitcher, it feels good to dominate opposing batters,” Schave said. “My emotions were pretty mellow at the end of the game, but once I was told I had 12 strikeouts of 15 outs, I was shocked.” Coach Ken Karna said Schave was the lone Storm player who had varsity experience entering the season, so seeing her career end on a dominant note was special. “She was spot-on from the start,” Karna said. “She was in control, hitting her spots, and the defense was backing her up. She just cruised along and was not going to give them anything good to hit. It was really a nice win for the girls to give us an opportunity to play again.” Schave also had a big effort with the bat, going 2 for 3 with two RBIs and three runs scored as the Storm used a pair of four-

PHOTO BY TOM FENTON

Sauk Rapids-Rice senior Anna Schave uncoils on a pitch during an early season game against Apollo at Sauk Rapids-High School. Schave pitched a five-inning no-hitter for the Storm in a Section 8AAA game June 8 against Detroit Lakes in Bemidji.

run innings to advance. Catie Gilbertson drove in two runs on three hits, while Hailey Arnold, Esther Parks and Ella Gunderson added two hits apiece as SRR finished with 14 hits. The story of the day, however, was Schave’s performance. “The no-hitter was a total surprise to me because when I’m pitching, I’m in a zone and just trying to do my job,” Schave said. Against Bemidji, the Storm had base-runners as eight players had hits – led by a 3-for-3 effort from Lexi Helmin. Unlike their earlier win, SRR did not take advantage.

“We had a couple chances to tie that game up, but we left a lot of runners on base,” Karna said. “We stayed in it for a while, which was good because they beat us up pretty good the first time we played.” Outgoing seniors are Schave, Libbey Mayse, Brooke Petermeier and Grace Burski. “It was obviously a strange season for everyone, but the thing I told the girls is that the team they ended up being compared to the team that took the field early in the season was so much better,” Karna said. “The growth they made throughout the year is something they should be proud of.”

Youth team takes first in Sartell Classic PHOTO SUBMITTED

The Sauk Rapids 12U AA Gopher State travel team took first place at the Sartell Classic tournament June 4-6. The team – Isaac Miller (front, from left), Parker Maertens, Tyler Metcalf, Griffin Rothstein, Drew Heyne and Bryce Ness; (back, from left) coach Jed Peterson, coach Jamie Hemker, Liam Mick, Gavin Peterson, Nolan Hemker, Peyton Remer, Owen Gales and coach Keith Rothstein – went 5-0 and won a bid to state competition and the Minnesota State Federation championships in July.

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 2021 | Page 21

Loesch, Floren lead way for Storm Extreme heat greets section track competitors BY TOM FENTON STAFF WRITER

Justus Floren apparently is in no hurry to see her high school athletics career come to an end. The Storm senior is making the most of her final days of competition with performances she and coach Loren Finlayson have come to expect. Floren placed second in the long jump during the first day of the Section 8AA track and field meet June 9 at Riverview Elementary School in Sartell. Her jump of 17 feet, 4 inches earned her a spot in the Minnesota State High School League Girls Track and Field Meet June 17-19 at St. Michael-Albertville High School in St. Michael. Floren also placed sixth in the high jump, clearing the bar at 5-2. “It doesn’t feel real right now,” said Floren, who intends on competing in track and field while majoring in nursing at the College of St. Benedict. “I’m very happy. It felt good, and (Below) Sauk Rapids-Rice junior Brynn Karasch approaches the end of her first lap in the 800-meter run on a sweltering day in the Section 8AA track and field preliminaries June 9 at Riverview Elementary School in Sartell. Karasch finished t h e event in 3 minutes, 1.7 seconds.

the girls I was jumping with were all super nice. I’m really excited but also relieved.” Day one of the competition featured extreme heat, the occasional breeze and infrequent cloud cover. Finals field events were competed in half of the events with the other half – along with all relays and running events – set for June 12 at Fergus Falls. Competition starts at 9:30 a.m. The long jump competition was tight. Floren edged the thirdplace finisher by 1/4 inch and the fourth-place jumper by 3/4 inch. As a freshman, she missed qualifying for state by 1 inch and was fourth in the high jump as a sophomore. Track and field page 22

PHOTOS BY TOM FENTON

(Above) Sauk Rapids-Rice senior Justus Floren clears the bar at 5 feet, 2 inches during the high jump competition at the Section 8AA track and field meet June 9 at Riverview Elementary School in Sartell. Floren, who intends of competing in track and field for the College of St. Benedict, placed sixth in the event as she tied her personal-best jump. (Right) Sauk Rapids-Rice freshman Brooke Mushatt spins and prepares to launch the discus in the Section 8AA track and field meet June 9 at Riverview Elementary School in Sartell. Mushatt’s throw of 104 feet, 1/2 inch earned her a 10th-place finish in the event, narrowly missing qualifying for the finals.

Carter Loesch of Sauk Rapids-Rice clears the final hurdle on his way to the finish line during the 300-meter hurdles at the Section 8AA preliminaries June 9 at Riverview Elementary School in Sartell. Loesch qualified for finals Saturday, June 12, in Fergus Falls finishing in second place with a time of 42.26 seconds.

Sauk Rapids-Rice hurdler Jack O’Brien nears the finish line during the 300-meter hurdles in the Section 8AA preliminaries June 9 at Riverview Elementary School in Sartell. O’Brien finished the event in 45.51 seconds to place 13th.

Jared Bentrud nears the completion of the first lap of the 800 meter during the Section 8AA preliminaries June 9 at Riverview Elementary School in Sartell. Bentrud finished the event in 2 minutes, 4.53 seconds to earn ninth place in the event, missing qualifying for the finals by .08 seconds.

SPORTS

Page 22 | SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 2021 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Section title comes in impressive fashion Storm finds groove at right time to advance to state tournament BY TOM FENTON STAFF WRITER

Nothing came easily for the Sauk Rapids-Rice baseball team this season. The Section 5AAA championship game was no exception. The fifth-seeded Storm surprised everybody, except maybe themselves, on their way to winning four straight section games that culminated with a 7-4 victory over St. Francis in the title game in sweltering conditions June 10 at Joe Faber Field in St. Cloud. The win puts SRR into the state tournament for the first time since 1989, when the program was runner-up in Class A. The Storm (10-12) will play in the Minnesota State High School League Class AAA State Baseball Tournament June 15 at the Mini Met in Jordan against an opponent to

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be determined. The top five teams will be seeded with the remaining three teams selected by random draw. Shortly before SRR clinched its title, rival Sartell clinched its spot at state with a win over Rocori on the other side of the Municipal Athletic Complex at Joe Faber Field. “This is indescribable and crazy,” said Jeff Solorz, sophomore catcher and unofficial team sparkplug. “We knew this section was going to be tough, but we believed all year. I can’t believe that we’re here.” In the regular season, SRR struggled to find consistency. The Storm endured a stretch of six losses in seven games in May before the offense started to find a groove. Perhaps most importantly, their confidence never wavered. “This is amazing,” said Alex Harren, a junior pitcher who threw 5 2/3 innings, giving up two hits and striking out four to get the victory. “We struggled at the beginning of the year and it just clicked at the right time. We got hot with the sticks, and our defense has been amazing. All the butterflies in my stomach gone. It’s a great feeling.” The Storm had an extra night to sleep on championship game

Photos from these games now available online Baseball section championship Track & ﬁeld sections Find them online at saukrapidsherald. com under ‘photos’

PHOTO BY TOM FENTON

Sauk Rapids-Rice head baseball coach Jeff Hille gives instruction to his team during a conference on the pitching mound in the Section 5AAA championship game June 10 at Joe Faber Field. Hille, who played basketball and baseball for SRR, led his team to a 7-4 victory over St. Francis to clinch a spot in the Minnesota State High School League Class AAA State Baseball Tournament.

nerves after a sudden and strong thunderstorm wiped out the scheduled June 9 contest. Instead, the extra preparation time may have helped as SRR turned in an errorless performance while riding the momentum of a boisterous crowd to a six-run fifth inning

that proved to be the difference. “It feels really good,” said Storm coach Jeff Hille, an SRR alum who was a standout basketball and baseball player. “It’s nice to get over the hump. Winning the section championship is one of our goals each year,

and we’ve come close. Our team stepped up as a whole. I feel like we threw more strikes than the other four teams we played, and the bottom of our lineup stepped up to be productive. That turned us into a real competitive ball club.” In the pivotal fifth

inning, SRR hit several balls hard – three of which barely eluded diving St. Francis fielders. Junior Terrence Moody’s RBI triple started the roll and gave SRR a 2-0 lead. Baseball page 23

Track and field from page 21

“Justus was in competition for basically four straight hours,” said coach Loren Finlayson, Storm girls head coach said. “I’m really happy for her to be able to qualify for state. She’s just a positive leader and a great role model for her teammates. She’s willing to do whatever she needs to do for the team.” The heat eventually did affect Floren but not until after the competition. She felt faint on the awards podium and started to sway before seeking treatment from the trainer. After a short session in the shade with some ice, she quickly recovered. “I’m lucky I only do short distances,” Floren said. “The ones who do the 3,200 – I don’t how they do it when it’s this hot.” Junior Hailee Cullen earned a top-eight finish in the discus with a personal-best throw of 108-6 to earn seventh place. Brooke Mushatt added a personal-best discus throw of 104-5 and narrowly missed qualifying for the finals. “It was a great day for both Hailee and Brooke,” Finlayson said. Loesch excels in hurdles Carter Loesch also does not appear ready for summer break to begin. The SRR junior ran and jumped his way to a pair of high finishes in the hurdle events. Loesch began the day with a fourth-place finish in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 15.96 seconds and came back to place second in the 300 hurdles in 42.26. Both efforts earned him a spot in the section finals, getting him closer to his goal of getting to the state meet. “I’m super excited,” Loesch said. “It was a very rewarding day and a nice feeling. I was really working on my form leading up to this and it felt like everything clicked. I just hope to make it to state. I think I showed I have a chance.”

PHOTO BY TOM FENTON

Sauk Rapids-Rice pole vaulter Reid Johnson clears the bar during competition at the Section 8AA meet June 9 at Riverview Elementary School in Sartell. Johnson cleared the bar at 10 feet, 4 inches, earning him 16th in the event.

Storm senior Jared Bentrud barely missed qualifying for the finals in the 800, finishing ninth with a time of 2:04.53. He missed advancing by .08 seconds.

Harren added an RBI single, and the big blow came from the bat of junior Dominic Mathies. His two-run single extended the lead to 6-0. “It’s just a feeling of joy and happiness to finally get over that hump,” said Mathies, who finished 2 for 2 with a walk. “We all started to flow together and be one as a team. A lot of us hadn’t played a lot together, then throughout the year it just started to pick up. I knew we had a run like this in us.” Harren tired in the sixth, giving up two straight walks that led to two runs. After Harren was removed to a rousing ovation, senior Landon Lunser came to the rescue. The Saints (12-14) hit a few balls hard to score twice in the seventh, but Lunser eventually settled in and finished the game with a dramatic strikeout. “I have to give a shoutout to some of our younger guys that came up,” Solorz said. “They helped start us hitting and our pitching has been great. Alex was amazing today.”

r t d . Sauk Rapids-Rice junior Alex Harren prepares to cross home plate in the fifth inning of the Section 5AAA championship game against St. Francis June 10 at Joe Faber Field. Harren scored on the two-run single from Dominic Mathies in a key six-run inning as the Storm went on to a 7-4 win.

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 2021 | Page 23

PHOTOS BY TOM FENTON

(Above) Sauk Rapids-Rice senior Andrew Wollak legs out an infield hit in hopes of starting a rally in the Section 5AAA championship game June 10 at Joe Faber Field. Wollak finished 1 for 4 in the game, helping the Storm to an appearance in the Minnesota State High School League Class AAA State Baseball Tournament with a 7-4 win over St. Francis. (Left) Sauk Rapids-Rice junior first baseman Noah Jensen throws to first for an out after fielding a ground ball in the Section 5AAA championship game June 10 at Joe Faber Field. Jensen got the Storm offense going with a sacrifice fly in the third inning in helping his team to a 7-4 win over St. Francis.

Sauk Rapids-Rice junior shortstop Terrence Moody prepares to field a throw from catcher Jeff Solorz and tag out an attempted base-stealer in the Section 5AAA championship game June 10 at Joe Faber Field. Moody was 1 for 3 with a RBI in helping the Storm to a 7-4 victory over St. Francis.

Sauk Rapids-Rice sophomore catcher Jeff Solorz and junior pitcher Alex Harren celebrate a big inning-ending strikeout in the Section 5AAA championship game June 10 at Joe Faber Field in St. Cloud. Harren pitched 5.2 innings in the 7-4 win over St. Francis as the Storm advanced to the state tournament for the first time since 1989.

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Baseball from page 22

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Page 24 | SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 2021 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

SPORTS

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PHOTOS BY TOM FENTON

(Above) Sauk Rapids-Rice senior pitcher Landon Lunser prepares to launch his glove in celebration of his team clinching a spot in the Minnesota State High School League Class AAA State Baseball Tournament with a 7-4 win over St. Francis in the Section 5AAA championship game June 10 at Joe Faber Field. Lunser pitched in relief of Alex Harren to help seal the victory.

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(Above right) Sauk Rapids-Rice sophomore Luke Pakkala makes a catch in right field during the Section 5AAA championship game against St. Francis June 10 at Joe Faber Field. Pakkala had two hits in the win, which advanced the Storm to the state tournament for the first time since 1989. (Right) Sauk Rapids-Rice junior shortstop Terrence Moody throws to first base for an out as the Storm went onto a 7-4 victory over St. Francis in the Section 5AAA championship game June 10 at Joe Faber Field. SRR did not commit an error in the game and recorded a six-run fifth inning on its way to the win.

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