Sauk Rapids Herald - June 20 edition

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Saturday, June 20, 2020

State unveils plans for fall schooling Details of three models released

BY JAKOB KOUNKEL STAFF WRITER

The Minnesota Department of Education today released guidelines that details three models for students returning to school in the fall: a standard inperson model, a distance learning model and a hybrid model.

“As we look ahead to the next school year, the health and safety of our students will continue to be our number one priority,”

COVID-19 page 2

OBITUARIES • Mary A. Vogt-Patton

PUBLIC NOTICES • Benton County Board of Commissioners Reg. Minutes, June 2, 2020 - pg. 9B • City of Rice Annual Disclosure - pg. 10 • City of Sauk Rapids 2020 Bitminous Seal Coating Advertisement for Bids - pg. 10 • Benton County Drainage Authority Public Hearing - pg. 8B

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Publications The newspaper of today is the history of tomorrow.

Vol. 166, No. 11

Same Local Coverage Since 1854.

Hernandez Burrito brings youth, confidence to Sauk Rapids Hispanic restaurant offers Honduran recipes

BY EVAN MICHEALSON STAFF WRITER

SAUK RAPIDS – Since she was 15 years old, Erin Sanchez wanted to own her own restaurant. She did not know what this dream would turn into, but the Fort Ripley native became a waitress with eyes on getting started in the food industry.

Her vision sprouted legs when she met Alex Sanchez, a Honduran-born waiter armed with several recipes from his home. They began dating and realized they wanted a similar lifestyle, one born out of creating and serving food.

Their dreams were realized June 13, when the now-married couple opened Hernandez Burrito, a family-style Hispanic restaurant, inside a strip mall off North Benton Drive.

“At first, it was more like a dream until the first day,” Erin said. “Then, it finally hit us: this is real, this is happening.”

The grand opening was a joyous event mixed with disbelief given the struggles the new business owners faced in setting

PHOTO BY EVAN MICHEALSON

Alex and Erin Sanchez hold their hand-drawn business sign June 15 at Hernandez Burrito in Sauk Rapids.

The restaurant opened June 13, with the Sanchezes as owners.

up their locale. The Sanchezes originally wanted to open in early May, but they needed to ensure they had the necessary permits before they could welcome customers.

Opening a restaurant also required patience and time, as the Sanchezes compiled important ingredients, decorated the

interior of their restaurant space and planned an opening date following the completion of a health inspection. Long nights were a regular occurrence as they hoped to commence their food service operation.

“I just had my first full eight hours of sleep the first night it was open,” Erin said. “I was so

relieved. We worked really hard to put this together, a lot of long nights.”

Hernandez Burrito offers customized burritos, allowing customers to choose from nine meat choices and 16 various toppings.

Hernandez page 2

Turning grass, leaves into soil Sauk Rapids, Rice accommodate residents at compost sites

BY ANNA HINKEMEYER | STAFF WRITER

SAUK RAPIDS – Once the grass is mowed and the leaves are raked, what do you do with them? City ordinances prevent from burning the debris. People place discarded organic material in gardens at times, but the cities of Rice and Sauk Rapids have alternative solutions.

Sauk Rapids and Rice have compost sites where people can dispose of grass clippings, leaves, mulch and branches.

Compost page 3 PHOTO BY ANNA HINKEMEYER

Pete Eckhoff holds a handful of compost June 16 at the Sauk Rapids compost site in Sauk Rapids. With the proper permit, the site is open to residents within Sauk Rapids city limits and those living within the orderly annexation areas of Minden and Sauk Rapids townships.

NEWS

Page 2 | SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2020 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Wedding Announcement

Hernandez

Arnold - Skinner

This list, by the owners’ accord, is not static. Given they built their business little-by-little, it only makes sense for them to do the same for their menu.

After all, the Sanchezes are consistently learning.

“Alex, he’s in the back, always making himself better with seasonings and food,” Erin said. “He’s a perfectionist, so he’s trying to make everything good and perfect. There’s not a good enough, so we’re always out perfecting our foods.”

Erin’s family attended the much-anticipated milestone for Hernandez Burrito, and they have received a slowly-increasing stream of walk-in customers since Saturday’s official introduction to the Sauk Rapids community. This reception has arrived despite the fact their business sign has not been installed yet; they have been merely announcing their physical presence through a handdrawn poster propped up in the window.

The official sign was

from front

Roy and Alice Peterson

Roy and Alice Peterson, Sauk Rapids, formerly of Foley and Nisswa, will be celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary June 25. Due to the COVID-19, no gathering is being planned. A family celebration will take place in July.

Alice and Roy Peterson

Phone and Internet Discounts Available to CenturyLink Customers The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission designated CenturyLink as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier within its service area for universal service purposes. CenturyLink’s basic local service rates for residential voice lines are $15.96-$20.76 per month and business services are $34.56-$43.29 per month. Specific rates will be provided upon request.

CenturyLink participates in a government benefit program (Lifeline) to make residential telephone or qualifying broadband service more affordable to eligible low-income individuals and families. Eligible customers are those that meet eligibility standards as defined by the FCC and state commissions. Residents who live on federally recognized Tribal Lands may qualify for additional Tribal benefits if they participate in certain additional federal eligibility programs.

The Lifeline discount is available for only one telephone or qualifying broadband service per household, which can be on either wireline or wireless service. Broadband speeds must be 20 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload or faster to qualify.

A household is defined for the purposes of the Lifeline program as any individual or group of individuals who live together at the same address and share income and expenses. Lifeline service is not transferable, and only eligible consumers may enroll in the program. Consumers who willfully make false statements in order to obtain a Lifeline discount can be punished by fine or imprisonment and can be barred from the program.

If you live in a CenturyLink service area, please call 1-888-833-9522 or visit centurylink.com/ lifeline with questions or to request an application for the Lifeline program.

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COVID-19 from front

Minnesota Department of Education Deputy Commissioner Heather Mueller said.

The model deployed by school districts, after having submitted contingency plans to the education department, will rely on guidance from the department of education by July 27 so schools have ample time to prepare, Mueller said.

RON’S STUMP GRINDING

ing a business during a global pandemic. It certainly has come as a surprise to them, but they are focused on serving hungry customers in a safe and cautious manner.

“We get out there, we clean door handles and anywhere people would touch,” Erin said. “The (novel) coronavirus, it caught us off guard, but we will push through.”

As the Hernandez Burrito Facebook page

continues to see an uptick in followers, the Sanchezes’ main focus as a fresh new face in Sauk Rapids is gaining a comfortable footing. Like any business, they feel they can achieve that through customers giving them a chance.

“A lot of people are scared to come in and try a new business, because they don’t know if it will be good or not,” Erin said.

“This one, she’s pretty awesome.”

tance learning similar to how it was implemented prior to summer break.

Schools will still be able to open only for emergency child care or other similar functions.

Hybrid learning, which includes a mix of in-person and distance learning, combines the two models but with more restrictions, including strict social distancing and capacity limits. Under this model, according to the guideline document, schools will have to limit the overall number of people in school facilities and on transportation vehicles to 50% maximum capacity. Social

distancing of 6 feet will be required at all times, and if it is not feasible, the number of people in that setting will have to be reduced. Schools also have to plan for contactless pickup and delivery for meals and school materials.

Hybrid learning will be implemented if the coronavirus metrics worsen at the local, regional or statewide level, or if a school experiences clusters of cases.

Mueller said MDE wants school districts to spend a lot of time on their contingency plans to make sure students and staff are safe, and she knows school districts in Minnesota are capable of handling the task.

Minnesota has had a total of 31,675 confirmed cases since testing began Jan. 20. Of those, 27,566 no longer need to be in isolation. To date, 1,344 Minnesotans have died from COVID-19, 1,064 of which were in congregate care facilities.

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The in-person learning model is the model most familiar to students.

Although there is no hard and fast 6 foot social distancing requirement, school staff and students are encouraged to keep as much distance between themselves as is reasonable throughout the day, according to the guidelines. If the coronavirus continues on the path it is now, stabilizing or showing improvement, this is the model the state will implement.

If essential coronavirus metrics worsen, no students will return in the fall and school districts will continue with dis-

PHOTO BY EVAN MICHEALSON

Alex Sanchez places cheese on a burrito June 13 at Hernandez Burrito in Sauk Rapids. Alex, from Honduras, is a co-owner of the latest restaurant in town.

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65th Wedding Anniversary

Kristina and Anthony Arnold

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Anthony Arnold, of Little Falls, and Kristina Skinner, of Rice, would like to announce their marriage June 13, 2020.

slated to be in place June 19.

“Finally, people will be able to see us from the road and know where we’re at,” Erin said. “It will be a 10-foot long sign, it’s going to be huge, and it’s going to shine bright.

We’re going to make it work.”

More plans are in place for Hernandez Burrito as the Sanchezes slowly unravel more and more features for the restaurant.

They offer a delivery service, dropping off burritos to area doorsteps, and plan to implement patio seating as summer begins.

Curiosity and optimism fuel the Sanchezes’ drive to improve their latest creation. Not many businesses owners are 19 years old, like Erin, and not many possess culinary instincts like Alex this early in an establishment’s founding.

“I feel like we’ve got a lot of energy,” Erin said. “We want to get stuff done.”

And while Hernandez Burrito asserts itself as a confident eatery, the Sanchezes understand their rare perspective of open-

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Star Publications will have early ad deadlines due to the fourth of July, for the following publications!

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Ad Deadline Wed., July 1 at Noon

Ad Deadline Thurs., July 2 at 10 a.m.

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NEWS/OBITUARIES

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2020 | Page 5

Rice bars ask for relief

BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER

RICE – After being closed for nearly three months due to state orders, two Rice bar and restaurant representatives asked the Rice City Council for help with fees. The request came at the June 15 meeting.

Wayne Konrad, owner of The Corner Pocket Saloon-n-Eatery, proposed the city reduce the 2020-21 liquor license fee to $1 from the annual maximum fee $2,100 and rebate the prior year’s license for the months they were not allowed indoor seating: April, May and portions of March and June. He cited similar actions in cities such as Sauk Rapids, Richmond and Eveleth.

“As bars in town, we’re trying to survive,”

Konrad said.

Konrad said his business, and likely others, are struggling to pay outstanding bills such as property taxes and insurance without income.

“These four bars in this town add to this town; they bring people in,” Konrad said. “I’m asking, ‘Can we get some relief?’”

Charles Fuchs agreed.

He manages the American Legion Post 473, which opened for business for the first time since the shut down June 15.

“Three months we were paying for a liquor license we couldn’t use; we couldn’t sell anything,” Fuchs said. “And even when they opened up the patio, the Legion doesn’t even have enough parking let alone area to set up outdoor.”

Fuchs said even

though bars and restaurants have been allowed to operate with 50% indoor seating capacity as of June 10, there are added costs to comply with state and federal regulations. Employees must wear masks, hand sanitizer must be provided and additional cleaning results in product and labor costs.

“We’re trying to be safe, trying to maintain social distancing while still trying to operate a business,” Fuchs said. …

“Whatever you guys can come up with; it would sure help.”

The city council took no action on the item but will bring the item forth at the 6 p.m. July 20 meeting.

Minnesota confirmed its first positive case of COVID-19 March 6, and Gov. Tim Walz ordered bars and restaurants to

Sauk Rapids officers assist in civil unrest Some residents charged with unlawful assembly

BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER

SAUK RAPIDS – Following an incident June 15 in St. Cloud where a weapon was discharged shortly after midnight during a confrontation between St. Cloud police officers and an 18-year-old male, Sumaree Boose, civil unrest continued in the city of St. Cloud this week.

Area law enforcement agencies, including the Sauk Rapids Police Department and Benton County Sheriff’s Office, assisted the St. Cloud Police Department June 15 as a report of evening gunfire quickly garnered a crowd of roughly 200 people at the intersection of Ninth Avenue South and University Drive South around 11 p.m.

Tensions across the country have been high since the death of George Floyd, a man who died while in custody of Minneapolis police May

25, and after the initial confrontation between police and Boose, rumors spread that police had shot two black men which resulted in immediate public assembly.

The rumors were later dispelled.

Boose has been charged with first degree assault for using deadly force against a peace officer. A St. Cloud Police Officer suffered a gun shot wound to the hand during the incident which Boose, who was in unlawful possession of a hand gun, fled police.

The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is conducting the investigation of the incident.

According to a release from the St. Cloud Police Department, on the evening of June 15, people in the crowd are reported to have thrown rocks at officers and passing vehicles, blocked traffic and burglarized Southtown Liquor. The crowd was warned the

disorder had escalated to unlawful assembly and people were asked to leave. The release said the crowd showed no signs of dispersing at which time chemical crowd control munitions were utilized. Law enforcement worked for over four hours to control the scene and respond to calls from the area.

Thirty-seven adults and two juveniles – which included Sauk Rapids residents were taken into custody and booked into the Stearns County Jail on misdemeanor charges relating to unlawful assembly.

One adult was taken into custody on burglary charges relating to the looting of Southtown Liquor.

A third gathering, hosted by the nonprofit UniteCloud, was scheduled for 10 p.m. June 16.

The assembly remained largely peaceful, according to social media reports.

shutter starting at 5 p.m.

March 17 to attempt to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Curbside and takeout meals were available, and off-sale liquor eventually extended to all licensed businesses.

The city of Rice has five establishments that serve alcohol and therefore pay for liquor licenses.

In other council news: – Approved a conditional use permit for a digital billboard near Highway 10 at 500 Division St. N. The billboard will face southbound traffic and should not affect the residential area which is southwest of where the board will be placed. The sign will be roughly 25 feet tall by 16 feet wide.

– Approved council member Paula Kampa to look into options to offer some sort of discount pertaining to utility bills.

The council ceased the senior discount program June 1.

– Approved paying the part time police officer holiday pay for working Memorial Day. The council will bring back the work agreement as it does not address holidays.

– Approved a bid of $1,200 for ditch cutting

by Chuck’s Brush and Ditch Cutting LLC, of St. Joseph. Chuck Ertl, owner, will do two cuts for the city this season.

– The July 6 meeting has been canceled. The next regular city council meeting is 6 p.m. July 20.

Mary A. Vogt-Patton

Mass of Christian Burial was 10:30 a.m.

June 4, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in St. Cloud for Mary A. Vogt-Patton, age 76, who passed away May 21, 2020, at her home.

The Rev. Thomas Olson officiated and burial was at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery near Little Falls.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home, Sauk Rapids.

Mary was born Nov. 10, 1943, in St. Cloud to Fredrich and Crescense (Terhaar) Vogt. She married Jerry Patton Sept. 4, 1984, at the Stearns County Courthouse. Mary lived her entire life in the St. Cloud area and worked as an inspector for Fingerhut for over 40 years. She was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in St. Cloud and a lifetime member of Sauk Rapids VFW Post 6992 Auxiliary. She participated in the Foster Grandparent Program through Catholic Charities for 10 years and also volunteered at the St. Cloud VA Medical Center Chapel.

Mary enjoyed boating,

Mary A. Vogt-Patton

camping, animals, motorcycling and decorating for Christmas.

She was loving, good hearted and was kind to everyone she met. Mary had a strong faith.

Mary is survived by her husband, Jerry of Sauk Rapids; son, Dale (Jennifer) Vogt of Sauk Rapids; brother and sister, Gary Vogt of St. Peter and Carol (Larry) Engele of St. Joseph; and grandchildren, Meagan Andert (Dan Schwartz) of St. Cloud, Dylan Vogt (Megan Schultz) of Sauk Rapids and Shane Andert of Sauk Rapids. Mary was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Gerald Vogt; sister, Bernetta Sendy; and three infant siblings.

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OBITUARIES

Page 6 | SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2020 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

EDITORIAL

A new song

“Songs have a way of writing themselves when life provides ample material and sadness is palpable,” wrote musician Phyllis Johnson who I went to church with for many years. Phyllis and her husband have a son, and they are all extremely talented LIFE BY FAITH musicians. For their son’s

BY MERCY NYGAARD high school senior send off, they created a music video for their entire class of 2020. Her truthful statement jumped out at me, and I feel the same way.

Opinion columns have a way of writing themselves in unrest.

It seems everyone is writing the same thing and rewording it so it is in their own words. The words have been said so often they are starting to sound funny to even type. During these times, in times like these, in unprecedented times, create change, another night of protests; I honestly, truly believe we as a nation need to be having these conversations. Conversations about what to do during a pandemic and how absolutely not to ignore those who are suffering and have suffered for centuries. I am thankful the world is being shaken out of their comfortable routines. I am more thankful than ever to see people desperate for healing turn to the only one who can heal us, to surrender their lives fully to our savior Jesus.

Let’s not let songs write themselves. Let’s let God put the song in our mouths.

“He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him,” Psalm 40:3.

The absolute best thing ever about making Jesus lord of your life is the freedom that comes by the son setting us free. Charles Spurgeon wrote this poetic decree a century ago: “Let it ravish your heart with intense delight that, though often you can take no complacency in yourself but go with your head bowed down like a bulrush and cry, ‘Woe is me!’ Yet, in that very cry of yours, God hears a note that is sweet and musical to his ears. Blessed is repentance, with her tear-drops in her eyes, sparkling like diamonds. God takes delight even in our longings after holiness, and in our loathings of our own imperfections. Just as the father delights to see his child anxious to be on the best and most loving terms with him, so does God delight in us when we are crying after that which we have not yet reached, the perfection which shall make us to be fully like himself.”

What Spurgeon is relaying to us is explained best by modern day American Evangelical Christian author Randy Alcorn.

“Nothing is more often misdiagnosed than our homesickness for heaven,” Alcorn said. “What we really want is the person we were made for – Jesus, and the place we were made for – heaven.”

When we are in anguish and suffering, because it is inevitable this side of heaven, God does not want us to complain, but he gives more grace knowing when we, who are imperfect, are irritated with our own failings about striving after him. He knows we will not be perfect until we meet him face to face, and he is blessed by our efforts.

Grab hold of this freedom that is generously given to all. Redirect your anger into knowing God more. Continue your outpour of love for others as you love God with all of your heart. Grab that morning cup of coffee and bow your head in prayer because there have never been more things to cover in prayer now than in all of human history.

As I grab my new potholders at the convenience store, with their cute and trendy plant prints all over them, I see the person next to me as I pray for the Holy Spirit to move, and a smile inches across my face as I make eye contact before moving along to the next thing.

Your action can start there and that small.

The Holy Spirit will do the work.

Plants we, I regret There are plants I thought would be easily, and now she removes some each fun to grow but have later changed my year to keep them under control. Howmind about. First on my list is the perenever, the butterflies, hummingbirds and nial forget-me-not. This low-growing bees love to visit her garden. Growing plant has pleasant looking foliage and conditions also affect the plants chosen little blue flowers in the spring that look for our gardens. One gardener who has a like flax from a distance. However, this lot of shade from tall evergreens planted plant spreads vigorously and chokes out Engleman ivy and Virginia creeper which other desired plants. Plus, the flowers spread, crowding other plants and literturn into sticky seeds that cling to shoes GREEN & GROWING ally climbed the trees. and pant legs. The ability to grow and IN BENTON COUNTY There are also plants that were recmultiply is usually a positive plant trait; BY LINDA G. TENNESON ommended years ago before their reprohowever, after checking with my fellow ductive speed and other characteristics extension master gardeners, there are other plants that were well known. Some of these plants are now on also multiply way too well. the Minnesota Department of Agriculture Restricted Following a plant trend is not always a good idea. Noxious Weed and Specially Regulated Plants lists.

One gardener planted three spirea bushes on her new Amur maple, Siberian pea shrub and burning bush home lot and then regretted them after they began to are examples. When choosing plants for your garden, send shoots into the surrounding area. Their branch- check the estimated mature size of the plant and how es also held onto leaves that fell from an overhead well it reproduces itself. If it makes seeds that easily tree making the leaves hard to rake in the fall. Some travel on the wind or that travel by underground runplants, especially some grasses, spread rapidly. Pam- ners, removing the plant in subsequent years may be pas grass did this on one gardener’s place and even difficult. If putting excess plants in the compost pile when dug out, left seeds and shoots behind. Remov- is difficult or there is no one who wants to give your ing some vigorous plants may take several years to extras a new home, do some research when choosing eradicate. Another gardener had this same problem new plants for your garden. Alternatives for growwith morning glories. While this plant is an annual, ing easily spreading plants is to grow them in pots it produces a lot of seeds that survive over winter in or raised beds where their roots will be restricted. Or the soil and germinate easily in subsequent years. place a metal or other material ring around the plant This is also true of maple trees whose winged seeds that extends several inches into the ground to contain travel and sprout in neighbors’ yards and fields. An- the plant roots. other gardener wanted instant gratification, so she Thanks to Cathy, Joan, both Maureens, Beth, Replanted wheelbarrows full of lily of the valley, ostrich becca, Olga, Ron and Jane for their plant stories. ferns, tall garden phlox, bee balm and old-fashioned Linda G. Tenneson is a University of Minnesota orange day lilies. These plants multiply quickly and Extension Master Gardener and Tree Care Advisor.

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

Political letters to the editor policy

– Political letters written regarding elections and election platform issues are limited to 250 words and are printed free of charge. (Ex: Go vote letters, immigration, gun control, universal healthcare).

– Political letters endorsing or opposing a candidate, ballot measure or political party are subject to charges. Star Publications will charge a flat fee of $25 for 250-word or less letters. Display advertising rates will apply to letters exceeding the word limit. Payment must be received prior to copy deadline.

– Paid 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 the general election is 5 p.m. Oct. 14.

E-mail to natasha@saukherald.com

NEWS/EDITORIAL

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2020 | Page 7

Rice Recreation to offer shortened ball program Expands with archery, family movie night

BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER

The Rice City Council approved expanding the area’s recreational opportunities amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.

At the June 15 meeting, the council approved the youth ball program to begin July 13, to offer an archery program and to allow the Aug. 14 family movie night to proceed as scheduled.

“It’s going to look different this year, so cost may be a little bit different,” Gene Thomsen said.

Thomsen is the director of the Rice Recreation

Department.

“Technically, according to the (Minnesota) Department of Health, they don’t want you playing games,” Thomsen said.

The Rice Recreation ball program will begin July 13 following the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and state recommendations. Currently, a ratio of one coach to nine athletes is advised. Guidelines may change by the program’s start date.

Thomsen said the program may be flexible in scheduled days and locations in order to accommodate those registered.

Thomsen will develop a preparedness plan for the program and will draft a waiver for parents to sign, allowing the children to participate and

freeing the city of liability should someone contract COVID-19.

Council member Emily Walters asked if the program would limit participation. She said with area ball programs being canceled, people may choose to participate in Rice Rec. “Limits are set by coaches,” Thomsen said.

“If I can get more people to volunteer to come in and coach. … We have the soccer fields, we have the extra bases, we can set up in different places for the younger kids.”

In addition, the council gave its blessing to begin an archery program through Rice Recreation.

Thomsen has run a Centershot archery program through Bridge Community Church in the past

and is willing to use its archery equipment in a city program. He said he has 12 bows, and the program could potentially be run twice a day dependent on need.

Thomsen will be consulting with the company that will provide the screen and movie for the family movie night Aug. 14. He would like to see if there are drive-in and radio broadcast capabilities.

The council is willing to do the event in a distance or drive in format – saying families could maintain 6 feet distance from other families.

The city paid its deposit on the movie prior to the pandemic. American Legion Post 473 has fully sponsored the event for the city.

Letters to the Editor

Statue removal should be legislative decision

James Hovda, Rice Taking down and damaging the statue of Christopher Columbus, pure lawlessness. A small group of people took it upon themselves to do this. In the process, committing a felony (damage to property) in the presence of Minnesota State Troopers who stood idly by.

Who gave the order not to enforce the law? Dis-

A response to the article, “Sauk Rapids releases two firefighters”

Tom Haaf, Sauk Rapids In response to the June 6 issue of the Sauk Rapids Herald, aren’t our firefighters our unsung heroes?

I am sure they have gone to many fires to many local homes, putting their political views aside and putting their lives on the line to save your child, grandparents or whomever is in need. Color doesn’t matter at a time of need.

Do they not deserve the same First Amendment rights as the people currently protesting and rioting?

Were they on duty when they made the comments?

We do not even know what they said. Did they post to an official city website or in an official status? No. This was their personal opinion which everyone is entitled to under the First Amendment.

The reason these two fellow citizens and local heroes were let go was because of a request, no, a demand by Unite Cloud – a left-wing activist group

Learn about South African farmers

Roderick Coleman, Eagan I would like to share some news from another part of the world. The rural people of South Africa share much in common with their brothers and sisters in America. They are hardworking Christian men and women with traditional values who seek to live simple lives and pass on a better world to their children. However, due to the deteriorating situation in their country, the future is bleak and things are getting worse all the time.

Imagine being a farmer, having to lock yourself and your loved ones behind electric fences, guard dogs and barred doors and windows every night. Every evening you live in fear that criminals may short the fence, jam your phone signal, poison the dogs and try to break in. Help may be hours away as the understaffed police service is distracted elsewhere and the government has outlawed neighborhood watch

gusting! Did Gov. Walz give the order? He is the ultimate authority over the Minnesota State Patrol.

The statue was erected with legislative consent.

The same should be applied for removal. I am interested to see if any charges are pending. I will not hold my breath.

Where do Sen. Mathews and Rep. Mekeland stand on this issue?

that promotes anarchy. And these two who were let go were volunteer firefighters not full-time employees.

The city of Sauk Rapids took the concerns raised

by Unite Cloud and threw their own employees under the bus. Who is this group to quote policy to our mayor and city officials; or, even demand such an extreme action? Thank you for your concern, but we stand behind our volunteer firefighters who, when the phone rings, leave their family behind and their political views behind to put their life on the line and do their job.

I wish our city officials would have had more of a backbone to stand up for the citizens and people of Sauk Rapids. I hope our Constitution still stands for something and guarantees everyone their First Amendment rights.

P.S. If you guys need a good lawyer, I know one.

And he is not from the St. Cloud area. groups. If you pass the night in peace, you may go out to find some of your livestock stolen or cruelly injured and valuable equipment gone.

This is the reality for farmers in South Africa.

From January through April of this year, there were 100 farm attacks resulting in 15 murdered farmers and multiple injuries, many of these as the result of torture (the statistics for May and June are not in but appear to be just as bleak). This, along with the looming threat of land expropriation by the government, is putting South Africa on track for future food insecurity.

There are many, many other things going on as well with deep underlying issues that are too complex for me to address here. I encourage each of my fellow readers to learn all they can about the plight of South African farmers, share what they learn with friends and neighbors, and pray for them.

BREAK CROSSWORD

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41. Witch 42. Promotional material 43. Having certain appendages 44. Approaches 46. One who did it (slang) 49. Of I 50. Blood relation 51. Works out 55. Female given name 58. Isaac’s mother (Bib.) 59. Makes someone happy 60. Creative 64. Small, faint constellation 65. S. American trees 66. Makes simpler 67. Neither 68. We all need it 69. Unique plastic utensil 70. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (abbr.)

1. Civil Rights group ı 31. Long, leafless flower stalk 2. Metropolis 32. Categorize 3. Badgers 34. Loads 4. Regular business given to 35. Indicates position a store 36. Unreasonable 5. Gets older 40. Dorm worker 6. A bundle of banknotes 41. Dweller 7. Midway between north and 45. Welsh female name meaning northwest “snow” 8. Takes to the sea 47. Offering again 9. Prestigious film prize: __ d’or 48. National capital 10. Baltimore ballplayer 52. Firm, dry and brittle 11. Removed 53. 007’s creator 12. Term of respect 54. Allied H.Q. 13. Genus containing pigs 56. Mackerels 19. Illumined 57. Month of the Hindu year 21. One who symbolizes 59. Not odd something 60. Belonging to a thing 24. Member of a Turkic people 61. “Boardwalk Empire” actress 25. The academic world Gretchen 26. “Key to the Highway” bluesman 62. Religion 27. Hang-ups 63. Equal, prefix

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NEWS

Page 10 | SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2020 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

News Briefs “In light of the im- Diocese, County courts facility survivors date by which all claims other reorganization-re- available through July pacts of the COVID-19 reach agreement against the diocese must lated information, such 10, and can be found at opens to public FOLEY – The Benton County Courts Facility in Foley has re-opened to public access.

Court administration’s public counters are open for the payment of fines and other court-related matters. The county attorney’s lobby area and county law library are open to the public.

Visitors to the courts facility must pass through security and are asked to maintain distancing.

Highway 23 Coalition extends membership

WILLMAR – The board of directors of the Highway 23 Coalition is extending its dues for existing coalition members through Dec. 31, 2021.

Those participants who have paid for 2020 are in good standing and afforded the extension.

Donna Boonstra, chair of the Highway 23 Coalition, said the organization is financially stable.

pandemic and related closures, the coalition felt it was prudent to offer an extended membership to all members,” Boonstra said.

Work along the commerce highway continues.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation opened new access ramps at the interchange of Interstate 94 and Highway 23 in Waite Park in May. The coalition, with a legislative special session under way, has reaffirmed its 2020 priorities which are to undertake a four-lane feasibility study of Highway 23 from Foley to Milaca, construct a County Road 55 overpass that would connect to an interchange at Highway 23 and County Road 5 near Willmar, construct a J-turn in the city of Waite Park at the intersection of Bel Clare Drive and Highway 23, and construct a fourlane extension of Highway 23 from Marshall to Green Valley.

ST. CLOUD – The Diocese of St. Cloud filed a voluntary petition June 15 for relief under Chapter 11 of the bankruptcy code in the Minnesota Bankruptcy Court. The diocese and survivors of clergy sexual abuse reached a framework agreement for resolution of all clergy sexual abuse claims against the diocese and area parishes in May. The framework includes a $22.5 million trust to compensate clergy sexual abuse survivors.

The funds will be administered by an independent trustee appointed by the bankruptcy court with input from a committee representing the interests of survivors.

As part of the bankruptcy process, a reorganization plan will be submitted to the court for confirmation premised on the resolution framework between the diocese and parishes and survivors. The court will set a

be filed. When the date is set, it will be announced publicly with information about how to file a claim.

Information about the Chapter 11 reorganization is available on the bankruptcy court’s website at https://www.mnb. uscourts.gov. The date by which claims must be filed and filing information will be posted on a reorganization webpage at https:// www.stcdio.org/reorganization.

The webpage includes

as public statements, legal documents, frequently asked questions, a list of clergy likely to have abused minors, how to report abuse and safe environment resources.

Input sought on MnDOT freight plan

BAXTER – Travelers on central Minnesota highways are invited to take Minnesota Department of Transportation District 3’s freight plan survey. The survey is

Pulse on People Benton County marriage applica- science.

Megan Claassen, of Sauk Rapids, tions

– Tyler Johnathan Sobieck and Kaytlyn Marie Brancel, both of Rice.

– Mathew Duane Minerich and Samantha Anne Koshowany-Wilken, both of Foley.

– James John Warzecha and Abbey Marie Mix, both of Sauk Rapids.

MHES teachers recognized

ST. CLOUD – Kindergarten teacher Carol Mead and first grade teacher Jennifer Lucken, both of Mississippi Heights Elementary School, have been awarded the Virtual Teachers of the Month Award for May. The online promotion is hosted by CITY OF SAUK RAPIDS SAUK RAPIDS, MINNESOTA St. Cloud Rox Project S.A.V.E. FoundaADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS tion with St. Cloud Rox Baseball Club, 2020 Bituminous Seal Coating Marco Technologies LLC, Wells ConNOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that sealed Proposals will be received by the City Administrator of the City of Sauk Rapids at 250 Summit Avenue North, Sauk Rapids MN 56379, crete, CLA St. Cloud and BankVista.

Parents could nominate teachers. until 11:a.m. on Wednesday the 8th day of July, 2020, at which time they will be publicly Fifty entries from 15 cities were submitopened and read aloud, for consideration by the City Council at their next regular meeting. ted over a three-week period.

Approximate quantities.

Each of the five teachers who were Bituminous Material for Seal Coat (CRS-2) GALLONS 16,050 selected received a $500 gift card to use Install Bituminous Seal Coat FA-2 SY 64,187 toward classroom supplies.

Public Notices

All bids must be submitted on the Proposal Form provided in accordance with the Contract Documents as prepared. Copies of the Contract Documents can be obtained by sending a request to the City of Sauk Rapids, Public Works Department, 360 Summit Avenue North, Sauk Rapids, MN, 56379.

No bids will be considered unless sealed and filed with the City Administrator of the City of Sauk Rapids, endorsed upon the outside wrapper and accompanied by a Bid Security in the amount of (5%) of the Bid to be forfeited as Liquidated Damages in the event that the Bid is accepted and the Bidder fails to promptly enter into a written Contract, provide documentation of the required insurance and/or the required Bond.

Bidding documents for project are available by contacting public works at 320-258-5319.

Direct inquiries to City of Sauk Rapids, Public Works Director, Pete Eckhoff 320-2585319.

The City of Sauk Rapids reserves the right to reject any or all Bids, to waive informalities and to award the Bid in the best interest of the City. No Bids may be withdrawn for a period of forty-five (45) days.

BY ORDER OF THE CITY COUNCIL Ross Olson, City Administrator City of Sauk Rapids, Minnesota Publish: Sauk Rapids Herald June 20 and 27, 2020 FR-25-2B

https://www.mndot.gov/ d3/projects/freight.

MnDOT asks for input from the general public, freight carriers, shippers, manufacturers, and city and county stakeholders.

The freight plan will outline how MnDOT, along with public and private sector freight stakeholders, move forward in future freight plans, investment and operations throughout the state.

Area students earn degrees

FARGO, N.D. – Area students earned degrees from North Dakota State University following spring semester.

Students who graduated with honors earned a GPA of 3.5 or greater.

Ashton Haider, of Rice, received a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. Douglas Mohr, of Rice, received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. Lauren Rutten, of Rice, graduated with honors with a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences. Brooke Sundvall, of Rice, received a bachelor’s degree in human development and family science. Colby Warzecha, of Rice, graduated with honors with a bachelor’s degree in political

earned a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.

Nathan Krepp, of Sauk Rapids, received a bachelor’s degree in university studies. Adam Pflipsen, of Sauk Rapids, received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics education. Mason Rademacher, of Sauk Rapids, graduated with honors with a bachelor’s degree in management communication. Gabe Swanson, of Sauk Rapids, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in food science.

LEAVENWORTH, Kansas – Erika Lamb, of Sauk Rapids, received a Master of Business Administration degree from University of St. Mary in Leavenworth following spring semester.

A week of virtual commencement beginning May 9 celebrated the event.

Area students named to spring semester dean’s lists

MOORHEAD – Sauk Rapids-Rice High School alumni Cameron Bauer, Nicolle Brenny, Amie Britz, Mary Deleon-Escobar, Gage Donovan, Angela Konz, Grace Middendorf, Camden Patterson, Summer Schmidt and Zac Sophn and Annandale High School alumna Bayleigh Luedke, of Sauk Rapids, were named to the dean’s list at Minnesota State University in Moorhead for earning a GPA of 3.25 or greater.

ST. PAUL – Alexandra Landowski, daughter of Michael and Mary Lewandowski of Foley, and Miranda Peterson, daughter of Bob and Carrie Peterson of Foley, were named to the Bethel University dean’s list for earning a GPA of 3.6 or greater.

LA CROSSE, Wis. – Chad Peichel, of Rice, was named to the dean’s list at University of Wisconsin in La Crosse for earning a GPA of 3.5 or greater.

CITY OF RICE, MINNESOTA Annual Disclosure of Tax Increment Districts for the Year Ended December 31, 2019 Name of TIF District: Current net tax capacity Original net tax capacity Captured net tax capacity Principal and interest payment due in 2020 Tax increment received in 2019 Tax increment expended in 2019 First tax increment receipt Date of required decertification Increased property taxes as a result of fiscal disparities

TIF 1 - 8 Roach Rental 21,100 289 20,811 43,873 26,704 25,095 July, 2013 December 31, 2038

Additional information regarding each district may be obtained from: Julie Fandel, City Clerk City of Rice PO Box 179 Rice, MN 56367 Phone: 320-393-2280 clerk@cityofrice.com

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Sauk Rapids Herald | Saturday, June 20, 2020

A dream built

Lending a helping hand as interim educator

from scratch Grimm starts dairy career with low cost parlor, buildings

BY JENNIFER COYNE STAFF WRITER

PHOTO BY ANNA HINKEMEYER

Stacey Caughey sits outside of Rock Creek Coffeehouse June 12 in Sauk Rapids. Caughey is an interim educator with the University of Minnesota Extension, and will cover Benton, Stearns and Morrison counties through early fall.

Caughey joins extension

BY ANNA HINKEMEYER | STAFF WRITER

SAUK RAPIDS – The University of Minnesota Extension has a new interim educator this summer. Stacey Caughey is in the early weeks of work but is excited to continue her role as the summer progresses.

“I am excited to get out and interact with the farmers again,” said Caughey, 31. “I … am ready to talk with people in the industry and help out where I can.

PHOTO BY MARK KLAPHAKE

Alex Grimm, holding Skylar, (from left) Jeremiah and Brooke Christensen milk 70 cows near Princeton. Grimm purchased a farm site and built a parlor this spring, and he is finishing construction on a three-row freestall barn.

the farm in January and closed on the property May 6. The following day they began construction on a milking parlor, and

by May 22 had relocated the herd to the new facilities.

Previously, Grimm rented three facilities for his milking herd.

“The farmer who was selling this place has another farm a couple miles away,” Grimm said. “He

wanted to sell this building site and keep the surrounding land. I took Brooke here to make sure it was something she was into and we could do.”

Grimm, Christensen, family and friends transformed a former veal barn into a double-6 parlor. The parlor itself stands 16-by40 feet and the remainder 32-by-80-foot structure is the holding pen for up to 80 cows.

“The veal barn had a gutter in it, so we originally thought about putting tiestalls in,” Grimm said. “As we got closer, we couldn’t find any used tiestalls, so we decided to go with a parlor. I watched a lot of videos on (low cost parlors) and thought we could probably do it for the same money as tiestalls.”

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PRINCETON – Alex Grimm grew up working in the dairy industry, knowing one day he wanted to be a farmer himself.

With innovative thinking, the helping hands of family and friends, and the knowledge gained from being employed in the dairy industry, Grimm transformed a vacant farm site into his own dairy oasis.

“We grew up on dairy farms and lived on dairy farms while my dad worked for farmers, and I helped with chores and everything,” Grimm said. “As I got older, I started working for farmers. I didn’t graduate from high school and I didn’t go to college. I put a lot of hours in on dairy farms and that’s all shown up here in what I’m doing.”

Grimm and his girlfriend, Brooke Christensen, milk 70 cows on their farm site near Princeton.

The couple moved to

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Page 2B | SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2020 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

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Top Minnesota dairies honored for cow care 121 farms recognized for lowest somatic cell counts

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ST. PAUL – Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen released the annual list of top Minnesota dairy herds with low somatic cell counts June 12. The 122 dairy producers on this list have achieved the goal of having a SCC of 100,000 or lower, and the names on the list appear in the order of lowest to highest.

Somatic cell count is a key indicator of milk quality – a lower SCC count is better for cheese production and a longer shelf life for bottled milk. Although somatic cells occur naturally and are not a food safety concern, dairy farmers monitor them because they can be used as a measure of the health of their cows. Processors also pay a premium for milk with low counts. A farmer whose herd has

a very low count can receive a significantly higher price per hundredweight compared to a farmer whose herd average is high.

For more than 15 years, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and University of Minnesota dairy experts have worked with the state’s dairy farmers to lower somatic cell counts.

When the recognition initiative began in 2003, the 100 herds honored that year included those with SCC averages as high as 144,000, compared to the current goal of obtaining a SCC under 100,000.

The full SCC list of Minnesota dairy farms is online at http:// www.mda.state.mn.us/ lowscc.

Caughey

has two sons – Rhett, 2, and Cash, 15 months, with her husband, Mac. The couple farms with Mac’s parents, Bruce and Rosanne Caughey, and his brother and sister-in-law, Dan and Emily Caughey, near Fort Ripley.

They operate 1,000 tillable acres, a 100-cow dairy, a 250 head cow-calf operation and a feedlot.

Caughey received her degree in animal science from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities with an emphasis in beef and dairy. She attended West Texas A&M for graduate school where she focused on feed lot cattle with an emphasis on nutrition for growing and finishing.

She grew up on a hobby farm where their family raised chickens, ducks, goats and dairy calves. When she chose the agriculture industry as a career path, she interned on farms and feedlots ranging from 400 to 5,000 head.

“If I was getting into this industry, I wanted to make sure I knew what I was talking about,” Caughey said. “There was no better place to get the experience than being on the farm.”

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I like to be a part of these farms and their teams rather than trying to push a product or a service.

This new role will really get me into that.”

Caughey will cover the beef and dairy industries in Benton, Stearns and Morrison counties through early fall. She was appointed as interim extension educator and replaces Emily Krekelberg who took a different position within the university.

As Caughey begins working with the University of Minnesota Extension offices, she hopes to use her experiences to help others. Caughey

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Producer .......................................... County Dennis and Wayne Wolters................. Morrison John Willenbring ...................................... Stearns Brandon and Jill Marshik .........................Benton Herdering Farms Inc. .............................. Stearns Cory and Jenna Middendorf ................. Stearns Joe and Kim Engelmeyer ....................... Stearns Jeff and Austin Middendorf .................. Stearns Kent Happke ................................................Benton Gregory Dairy LLC..................................... Stearns Paul Mehr ..................................................... Stearns Glen and Rebecca Christen .................. Stearns Enchanted Dairy LLP ............................ Morrison Brandon Stommes ................................... Stearns Shawn and Sarah Winscher ................ Morrison Michael Herzing ....................................Mille Lacs Robert and Ann Cremers ....................... Stearns Travis and Angela Scherping ............... Stearns Kuechle Dairy LLC ..................................... Stearns JC Dairy Inc. ................................................ Stearns Overdale Dairy Inc. .................................. Stearns Brian Justin ............................................... Morrison Jacob Mehr.................................................. Stearns Mike and Brittaney Seppelt................ Morrison Ackerman Farms .......................................Benton Riverview Enterprises ..............................Benton Corey and Melissa Kremer ..................... Stearns Mitchell Mehrwerth ..................................Benton Bechtold Bros. LLC .................................... Stearns John D. and Kayleen Zimmerman ...... Stearns

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Caughey started her career in Minnesota as a nutritionist for six years. After a couple years off, she found the opportunity with the extension office.

Over the course of her interim role, Caughey will be available to answering questions and will host educational programs for beef and dairy farmers. In the past, the role has included the Breakfast on the Farm events.

However, the novel coronavirus pandemic is changing the outlook of typical summer events. Caughey and other educators in the extension office are exploring options for virtual events.

Caughey hopes to focus on nutrition because of her background but wants to help in all aspects of farming.

“I am passionate about finding solutions to feed the cows to the best of our ability while still being cost-effective because meshing those two is important,” Caughey said.

Caughey is passionate about farmers considering cow comfort in order to

ensure production.

“In the tri-county area, we have guys who milk 10 cows and guys who have 1,800. I will hopefully be able to fit into all those different worlds and, having been in them, hopefully be able to help from one side of the spectrum to the other.”

She also wants to be a greater advocate for the agriculture industry. “ W i t h o u t agriculture, we don’t have food, clothes or even our coffee cups; everything comes from agriculture and it’s so important,” Caughey said. “We need to have people sticking up for it, promoting it and researching. We have a lot of people in this world, and it’s growing very fast, so we need to keep up so we don’t have a hungry world.

Us farmers believe we are feeding the world, and we pride ourselves on doing things right.

I love agriculture and farming, and I try to immerse myself in it at much as I can. Feel free to reach out because I am happy to help.”

Caughey can be contacted at 218-3305737 or butle269@ umn.edu.

BENTON AG

Grimm from front

To complete the building project, Grimm did the plumbing work, while his dad, Marty, did all the carpentry. Other family helped pour concrete and set the foundation for the parlor, while a friend welded.

“We laid the parlor all in one night,” Grimm said. “While Brooke was at our rented farm milking cows, a buddy and I built the parlor frame.”

Grimm worked with Leedstone Inc. to install the pipeline. Then, he patiently looked for milking equipment, and found a used bulk tank and back pump, milking units and receiving jar that spanned from last being used in 1998 to just being uninstalled last year.

“I don’t run out and buy the first thing I see,” Grimm said. “I tend to do a lot of shopping. I sit and watch stuff, and finally when I find something in the price range I want to spend, I go for it.”

He estimated the entire parlor setup cost about $10,000.

“That’s all we have in it. And once we have the freestall barn done, we’ll have $25,000 invested in total,” Grimm said. “Volunteer labor has helped a lot and so has not having much of it done professionally. That’s where we’ve saved a bunch of money.”

When the freestall tbarn is complete, it will tstand at 44-by-106 feet and have drive-by feeding. The three-row barn, which was originally a three-sided hay shed, will also include sand-bedded stalls.

While the milking cows will be housed indoors, both dry cows and heifers will be on pasture.

“It’s a cheap way to raise them,” Grimm said.

“They’ll stay here in the winter and be put on a TMR mix. But as soon as the grass is back, they’ll be gone.”

Grimm works with area farmers to use pastureland for his grazing herds.

Prior to milking cows himself, Grimm worked at dairy farms of various sizes and styles of management, which helped form the dairy farmer he is today.

“Every place I worked at gave me insight into how I wanted to dairy – the good, the bad and the indifferent from every farm,” Grimm said.

On these farms, Grimm learned about calf care and developed his own youngstock management by mirroring that of one of the farms where he once worked for. He oversaw the daily operations of a 60-cow dairy while the farmer was on medical leave and became familiar with managing employees at another dairy.

Until January, Grimm also worked at a heifer export farm where he purchased animals and built his own herd. He first started milking Oct. 15, 2015.

“My first milk check was exciting but pathetic,” Grimm said. “I got in two months after milk prices crashed from $23.

This past winter was the first time I saw milk over $20. That made for a nice check to do something with.”

To bear the markets, Grimm uses byproducts for feed and closely watches components rather than feeding for milk production. He pays attention to his cost of production.

“I’ve done a lot of my own learning curve since I’ve started,” Grimm said.

“We’re incorporating byproducts, like beet pulp, sweet corn silage and corn gluten, and it’s been

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2020 | Page 3B

PHOTOS BY MARK KLAPHAKE

Alex Grimm stands in the double-6 parlor at his dairy farm June 5 near Princeton. Grimm built the parlor in an old veal barn.

working.”

Since Grimm started milking, he has purchased all his feed. Going forward, he plans to purchase corn silage. This year, he is growing his own hay off rented ground as well as buying stumpage off neighboring farms.

Getting started in the dairy industry has not been an easy journey for Grimm, but it has been worth it. Since the cows have moved to the farm site, Grimm has noticed an improvement in herd health as he is around more often.

“It’s been stressful,” said Grimm about getting to this point in his dairying career. “The nicest thing about this is being able to get up in the morning and just walk out to do chores. Instead of getting in the pickup and driving to check cows at night, you just walk out. There are a lot of things that get done at a better standard now.”

Grimm’s achievements have not been possible without the unwavering support of Christensen and close family and friends.

“People have pretty much dropped whatever they had going on and helped me,” Grimm said.

“Even throughout my whole farming career, if it

wasn’t without the help of family and friends, it wouldn’t have happened.” Brooke Christensen holds a bottle-fed calf near June 5.

Mark Klaphake con- Christensen and her boyfriend, Alex Grimm, milk 70 cows. tributed to this article.

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Parents: Scott and Jacki Janski, of Rice 17 years old Central MN Lama 4-H Club Years in club: 10

Parents: Randy and Denise Roberts, of Sauk Rapids 16 years old 79ers 4-H Club Years in club: 10

Tell us about your involvement in 4-H. I showed chickens Tell us about your involvement in 4-H. I am highly involved for three years. This year if there was a fair, I was going to show with my llama, SilverBelle. I am also in the rabbit project where I show Netherland dwarves. Other than my projects, I love being a prospect calf. able to teach children about 4-H itself and agriculture in general What is your favorite 4-H activity? Showing because I enjoy – how to take care of animals and form a bond with them. getting judged for all of my hard work I put into the animal.

What is your favorite 4-H activity? Definitely the Benton Tell us about a memorable moment. My first year of showing County Fair. I love doing showmanship with SilverBelle. But, chickens I won. I was amazed and never thought I would win my I would also have to say I love knowledge interviews about animals. first year.

Describe one of your favorite projects. I have only done Tell us about a memorable moment. For the last two years, poultry. You clean your chicken, get them looking nice to show I have been involved with the Cloverbuds. I have been helping train them with the new animals, and it has been one of the quality and then you show them. most life-changing things I have done. Seeing them get so What have you learned during your time in 4-H? Respect excited over their first ribbon. for the animal, responsibility for the care of your animals, and it taught me to set goals for myself and get better every year at Describe one of your favorite projects. Knowledge bowl would have to be one of my top favorites. It is so much fun showing chickens. quizzing me on my knowledge on llamas and other animals.

Who is your 4-H mentor, and what did you learn from them? My aunt, LeeAnn. She taught me to push myself to work What have you learned during your time in 4-H? Showmanship. Not to only be at the fair or with my animal for hard and all of that hard work soon pays off. money and ribbons but to gain knowledge and have a stronger bond with my animals. I have learned to be more outgoing, including talking to complete strangers about various animals and project areas. I have become more involved with my education because of 4-H. I now know what and where I am going in my life. Because of 4-H, I have friends I call my family. I have never met more supportive and kind people. It is amazing to know I have such a good group who supports one another.

Tell us about your involvement in 4-H. I have been the club’s secretary for four years. I am a camp counselor for the first time this year. I am involved in the performing arts, home environment, food nutrition, shop, photography, crafts and fine arts projects.

What is your favorite 4-H activity? Performing arts because I love to perform in front of audiences and have fun and be creative with my dancing.

Tell us about a memorable moment. Getting the chance to bring my home environment project, which was a planter box for flowers, to the fair and receiving a state fair trip for the first time I was awarded a blue ribbon at the fair and earned my first blue state fair ribbon.

Describe one of your favorite projects. A sign I made out of my grandma and grandpa’s barnwood that says, “Believe,” with three string art stars and purple gemstones.

What have you learned during your time in 4-H? To get out of my comfort zone and try new things because it is going to be over before you know it. Another thing I learned was how to be a leader and become a role model for the younger youth and even my own peers. Also, I learned to try new roles, have fun and be you. If I could give advice to the younger youth, I would say try new things, get out of your comfort zone and be you.

Who is your 4-H mentor, and what did you learn from them? I have a few people I look up to as 4-H mentors – my aunt, Donita Beehler, and our 4-H program coordinator, Ann Olson. Donita is my club leader, and I have learned from her to Who is your 4-H mentor, and what did you learn from try new things, step up to the plate and be a leader, and have them? Cheryl Pflipsen. She taught me to always have fun. Ann taught me to get out of my comfort zone and explore confidence in myself. Trust your gut and trust your animal. new things because you never know what you might like.

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Page 8B | SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2020 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

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*Public Notice* The Benton County Drainage Authority will conduct a Public Hearing on July 7, 2020 starting at 10:00 AM at the Benton County Board of Commissioners Boardroom located at 531 Dewey Street, Foley, Minnesota. The public hearing is necessary to consider whether or not to order the Redetermination of Benefits and damages pursuant Minn. Stat. § 103E.351, subd. 1(a) for County Ditch No. 6 located in sections 25, 26, 27, and 28 in Graham Township.

The Drainage Authority may order a redetermination of benefits if it judges that the benefitted lands or damaged lands have changed since the last redetermination, or if benefits and damages do not reflect present-day land values.

A copy of Orignal Viewers Report detailing the value of benefitted lands and damaged lands is on File at the Benton County Public Works and can be viewed at 7752 Highway 25 NE Foley, MN. However, due to social distancing guidelines, we would prefer the public review the Viewers report online online at: https://www.co.benton.mn.us/629/County-Ditch-6 Public Comments may be submitted in writing to the Auditor-Treasurer Office at the address below. However, to be read into the permanent record the comments must be received by the Auditor-Treasurer’s office before the published date and time of the Hearing.

will be present during meetings at the County Board’s regular meeting location, which is the County Board Room in Foley, unless otherwise noted on meeting notices. Pursuant to MN Statutes §13D.021, Subdivision 3, the County will provide the means for persons to electronically monitor such meetings remotely.

In person public comments will not be heard, to conform to MDH and CDC guidelines to minimize gatherings. You may submit written testimony by emailing Public Works Director Chris Byrd at cbyrd@co.benton.mn.us or by mailing it to Benton County Auditor-Treasurer, 531 Dewey St, PO Box 129, Foley, MN 56329 The public can join the meeting from a computer, tablet or smartphone. https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/834170141 You can also dial in using your phone.

United States: +1 (571) 317-3122 Access Code: 834-170-141 New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/834170141 FR-25-1B

Written comments may be mailed to: Benton County Auditor-Treasurer Attn: County Ditch #6 Comments 531 Dewey St, P.O. Box 129 Foley, MN 56329 Please contact Public Works Director, Chris Byrd with any questions. He can be reached at (320)968-5051. *Effective immediately, the Benton County Board will conduct its regular, special or emergency meetings by telephone or other electronic means, as permitted by MN Statutes §13D.021. Some or all Board members may participate by telephone or other electronic means until further notice. At least one member of the County or the County Administrator

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y l u J f o Fourth Submit a photo of yourself or your family on the farm or in the fields donning your red, white and blue.

BENTON AG Submissions will be featured in the next Benton Ag!

Plus

1. Include first and last names of those pictured, date and place the photo was taken, and a brief description of the photo. (Include a phone number for questions.) No selfies.

2. Drop off at Sauk Rapids Herald or Benton County News offices or email natasha@saukherald.com.

Deadline 5 p.m. June 30.

Public Notice

BENTON AG

BENTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS r REGULAR MEETING MINUTES , JUNE 2, 2020 N The Benton County Board of Commissioners met ein regular session on June 2, 2020 in the Benton County Board Room in Foley, MN with Commissioners Ed Popp, Spencer Buerkle, Warren Peschl, Jake Bauerly and Steve mHeinen present. Call to order by Chair Buerkle was at 9:00 uAM followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.

Peschl/Heinen unanimous to approve the amended t xagenda: add items—Bend in the River Master Plan; Potential Benton County Appointees to the St. Cloud Retgional Airport Authority; and Funding Request from Foley CARE. No one spoke under Open Forum.

Consent Agenda item #5 (request of Deanna Rosa dba Rollies, LLC, for permits to host five special events) was “pulled” for further discussion. Popp/Bauerly unanimous nto approve the remaining Consent Agenda: 1) approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of May 19, 2020 as written; 2) accept and file Committee of the Whole Minutes of May 11, 2020 as written; 3) accept and file Committee of the Whole Minutes of May 27, 2020 as written; 4) adopt 2021 Budget Development Calendar and Budget Development Guidelines as presented; and 6) approve 2020 SCORE Grant Applications Round II as recommended by the Benton County Solid Waste Advisory Committee. Regarding Consent Agenda item #5, Heinen questioned if the Board should approve this request “not knowing when the Governor is going to open everything up”. Nadean Inman, Auditor-Treasurer, noted that there will likely be another Governor’s order before the date of the first event (July 24th). Bauerly/Peschl unanimous to approve the five permits to host special events at Rollies, LLC, subject to the Governor’s guidelines (Consent Agenda item #5).

Connie Cardinal, Executive Director of Foley CARE, requested Board consideration of additional funding in the amount of $5,000 to the CARE Program during the COVID-19 pandemic. She stated that, since the epidemic, Foley CARE has not only increased the number of current clients needing additional services, but have also increased the number of new clients requesting services for the first time. Cardinal noted that she has been working very hard with local and city legislators to get funding for senior programs like CARE throughout Minnesota; she has applied for a number of grants, but was denied due to the fact that the requests for funding were double the funding dollars available. She also noted that CARE has lost over $20,000 the first half of this year due to cancellation of their fundraising activities; if social distancing continues, CARE will lose another $20,000 this fall. Bauerly/Peschl unanimous to approve the funding request of Foley CARE for $5,000 (from Board contingency account).

Jim McDermott, Emergency Management Director, and Nicole Ruhoff, Community Health Administrator, provided updates on the COVID-19 pandemic. McDermott reported that staff are in the process of closing the physical Emergency Operations Center as it relates to the pandemic.

Ruhoff provided an update on COVID cases and reported on public health’s efforts in case contact tracing/investigations. She pointed out that CentraCare has been performing a variety of tests (close to 15,000 tests); about 18% have come back positive (individuals who have been symptomatic).

Roxanne Achman, Department of Development Director, referenced previous Board discussion about the feasibility of hosting Amnesty Day on June 27, 2020; it was requested that staff obtain a legal opinion from the Benton County Attorney’s Office. Achman stated that the Department of Development has prepared a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan for this event which basically follows the Benton County COVID-19 Preparedness Plan. She stated the Attorney’s opinion that if all the items in the Plan are fol-

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2020 | Page 9B

lowed, i.e. individuals must stay in their cars at all times, no public restrooms will be available, then this event should be able to proceed safely based on the current Executive Orders and MDH guidance. There was unanimous support of the County Board to move forward with the June 27, 2020 Amnesty Day Event at Sauk Rapids High School.

Chris Byrd, County Engineer, reported that Federal funding was received for the Foley trail project construction; two project bids were received, and Helmin Construction was the lowest responsible bidder. He noted that the bid ($109,833.20) was 2.1% higher than the engineer’s estimate; however, the City of Foley is responsible for all costs above what the Federal grant covers. Byrd stated that the City of Foley is anticipated to concur with the bids at their June 2nd Council meeting; since Benton County is the fiscal agent for this project, the County must award the construction contract. Peschl/ Popp unanimous to approve Resolution 2020-#24, accepting the bids and awarding a construction contract to Helmin Construction Inc. of Foley, and authorize the Chair to sign.

The Regular County Board meeting was recessed at 10:02 AM to conduct a Human Services Board meeting.

The Regular County Board meeting was reconvened at 10:08 AM. Board members noted that there were “great candidates” for possible appointment to the St. Cloud Regional Airport Authority. Bauerly stated his desire to withdraw his previous request to rank these potential appointees; he commented “...we have a meeting next Monday...we have four candidates... we’ll see what candidates other counties have...I think it’s better to move slowly and get it right...”

Monty Headley, County Administrator, stated that the Benton County Park Commission recommends approval of a new master plan for Bend in the River Park; this plan has been made part of a “Great River Park Complex” Master Plan that includes the Stearns County Mississippi River Park. He explained that the regional park master plan was needed so that both counties could seek regional park designation through the Greater Minnesota Parks and Trails Commission, which would provide eligibility for legacy grant funding. Headley clarified that each park will maintain its own identity and each county is responsible for its own maintenance; public input was obtained through electronic surveys prepared by the consultant, HKGi. Headley reviewed the major features of the revised Bend in the River Master Plan—additional trails and shelter buildings; management of the trees rather than aggressive removal of trees; preservation of the farmstead without active restoration or reuse; and the long-term possibility of disc golf and archery facilities. Buerkle inquired of a possible local match should the counties receive a legacy grant; he commented “...these could be some big numbers...I would have some great caution...” Popp agreed that the county budget needs to be respected, noting that it’s good to have a Park Commission that is in sync with the County Board.

He stated “...this park is an asset to the county... there’s a lot of people there...” Heinen commented “...we can use park dedication fees...funding from local businesses...a lot of schools/groups do a lot of education out there...” Popp/ Heinen unanimous to approve the Great River Park Complex Master Plan, as recommended by the Benton County Park Commission.

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

Under Commissioner Concerns, Bauerly stated his belief that rural Broadband grants will be a “hot topic” going forward. He commented “...this whole COVID thing pointed out the inequities between people who live in the metro areas and people who live in the rural areas on how they can function... when our county engineer does road projects, we should be looking at putting fiber in the ground... put the conduit in...for economic development in Benton County...”

Also, under Commissioner Concerns, Bauerly commented positively on the CR 78 project. Popp stated “... when we get this all done...we need to pair up with Morrison County... so we can get state aid for that roadway going forward...”

No Committees of the Whole were set. Heinen/Bauerly unanimous to adjourn at 10:43 AM. Spencer C. Buerkle, Chair Benton County Board of Commissioners ATTEST: Montgomery Headley Benton County Administrator R-25-1B

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MDA announces changes in use of dicamba herbicide Agency does not anticipate enforcement at this time

ST. PAUL – Upon further review of state law and while awaiting guidance from the United States Environmental Protection Agency on the ruling of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals regarding dicamba products, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture will continue operating under existing pesticide program authorities.

According to Minnesota law, an unregistered pesticide previously registered in the state may be used following the cancellation of the registration of the pesticide.

At this time, Minnesota farmers can use XtendiMax with VaporGrip Technology (EPA Reg. No. 524-617), Engenia Herbicide (EPA Reg. No. 7969-345), and DuPont FeXapan with VaporGrip Technology (EPA Reg. No. 352-913) while following all federal and Minnesota label requirements.

Tavium Plus VaporGrip Technology (EPA Reg. No. 100-1623) was not part of the two-year federal registration and can still be used according to the label.

The department does not anticipate taking enforcement action against those who continue to appropriately use these products. This may change at any time pending additional guidance from the EPA. “The circuit court of appeals decision to revoke the use of these products was, unfortunately, very untimely for our farmers as many had already purchased the herbicide for this growing season,” said Thom Petersen, Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner. “Timing is critical for farmers to apply the products, and our further interpretation of Minnesota law allows us to use these products.”

As a reminder, all dicamba pesticide applicators in Minnesota must follow use instructions on the product label including the timing restrictions below.

Dicamba products cannot be applied to dicambatolerant soybean in Minnesota if any of the following conditions have occurred. Whichever cutoff time occurs first will determine whether a person can apply a given product to dicamba-tolerant soybean until June 20.

– Forty-five days after planting. The federal labels for XtendiMax, Engenia, FeXapan and Tavium prohibit application more than 45 days after planting.

– Once the R1 growth stage begins (beginning bloom). The federal labels for XtendiMax, Engenia and FeXapan prohibit this. The R1 stage is when at least one flower appears on the plant on any node on the main stem.

– After the V4 growth stage. The federal label for Tavium prohibits application after the V4 growth stage.

– After June 20. The Minnesota Special Local Need label, which must be in possession of the applicator at the time of application, prohibits this for all four dicamba products. The SLN labels are available on the MDA website at https://www.mda. state.mn.us/24c.

In Minnesota, all four dicamba products are restricted use pesticides for retail sale to and for use only by certified applicators who have complete dicamba or auxin-specific training.