Sauk Rapids Herald - September 11, 2021

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Saturday, September 11, 2021

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Vol. 167, No. 23

Copper Pony opens in Sauk Rapids

PHOTO

BY ELLARRY PRENTICE

Kayla Smuda kissed her son Dalton as she dropped him off for his first day of kindergarten Sept. 7 at Mississippi Heights Elementary School in Sauk Rapids. All kindergartners, first graders, sixth graders and freshmen as well as new students in grades 7 and 8 started school Tuesday.

Back to

school

Sept. 7 was first day for youngest learners at SRR

BY ELLARRY PRENTICE | STAFF WRITER

SAUK RAPIDS – The Sauk Rapids-Rice School District kicked off its 2021-22 school year Sept. 7 as it welcomed various learners into its classrooms. Kindergarten and rst grade students, sixth grade students, seventh and eighth graders who are new to the district, and freshmen attended class Tuesday before the entirety of the district’s K-12 students attended Sept. 8.

Back to School page 3

New store houses coffee shop

BY ELLARRY PRENTICE STAFF WRITER

SAUK RAPIDS – Copper Pony has a new home in downtown Sauk Rapids. The store opened Sept. 7 at 208 N. Benton Drive.

The new location is everything owners Brandon Johnson and Josh Hoffman hoped it would be.

“We are just so grateful to be here and excited to get to know the community of Sauk Rapids even better,” Johnson said. “We feel so welcome and so at home here.”

Wanting to grow their retail business, Johnson and Hoffman had explored options for relocating Copper Pony, but the building on the corner of Benton Drive and Second Street won

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Copper Pony owners Brandon Johnson (left) and Josh Hoffman stand in their former store in downtown St. Cloud. Established in 2014, Copper Pony started as an occasional store in a small garage before moving to downtown St. Cloud in 2017, then to Sauk Rapids in September.

their hearts.

“This was the one that kept calling us,” Johnson said during a tour Sept. 2 when the team was putting the nal touches on the new space.

After months of renovations, the expansive com-

mercial building has transformed from an auto parts store to a shopping destination that is part home decor and gift store, coffee shop and eatery.

“It’s a big step up from where we were,” Johnson said. “We’re really excited.

We’ve been planning for this for a long time.”

The Copper Pony will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunday.

Copper Pony page 2

Remembering 9/11 A timeline of the morning of Sept. 11, 2001 On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, 19 terrorists hijacked four commercial airplanes bound for California. The planes departed from airports in Boston, Massachusetts; Newark, New Jersey; and Washington, D.C. Sept. 11 would become an infamous date in American and world history, and the events of that day would forever change the world. As the world commemorates the 20th anniversary of 9/11, the following timeline, courtesy of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, can help people fully understand how events unfolded on that late-summer morning two decades ago.

– 5:45 a.m. Two of the hijackers pass through security at Portland International Airport in Maine. The men will take a short ight to Boston Logan International Airport, where they will join three other hijackers and board American Airlines Flight 11.

9/11 page 4 The newspaper of today is the history of tomorrow.

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

PUBLIC NOTICES

• City of Rice Requesting Proposals - pg. 13 • Benton County Board of Commissioners Reg. Minutes, Aug. 17 - pg. 13 • Benton County Planning Commission Public Hearing - pg. 13 • Notice of Dissolution - pg. 13

Page 2 | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Birth Announcement

Elijah Andrew Hinkemeyer Anna and Mitchell Hinkemeyer, of Clearwater, announce the birth of their son, Elijah Andrew Hinkemeyer.

Elijah was born at 3:57 a.m. Aug. 6, 2021, at Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis.

He weighed 4 pounds, 12 ounces, and measured 18 Elijah Andrew and 1/2 inches long.

Hinkemeyer Grandparents are Great-grandparents Sandra Saldana, of Sauk Rapids; Allen Saldana, of are Kay Hinkemeyer, of Rice; Randy and Vickie Waite Park, and Mary Ann Hinkemeyer, of Clearwater. Saldana, of Rice.

Engagement Announcement

Puhulla Haakonson Tara Haakonson and Justin Puhalla announce their engagement and upcoming nuptials.

Tara is the daughter of Kay Haakonson, of Sartell, and John Haakonson, of Sauk Rapids. She is a 2012 graduate of Sauk RapidsRice High School.

Tara earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biomedical science from the University of MinnesotaDuluth in 2016 and her Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of MinnesotaDuluth in 2019. She is employed at Walgreen’s Pharmacy in Duluth.

Justin is the son of Todd and Jennifer Puhalla, of Sauk Rapids. He is a 2012 graduate of Sauk RapidsRice High School.

Justin earned a Bachelor

Justin Puhalla and Tara Haakonson of Arts degree in biology from the University of Minnesota-Duluth in 2016 and a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth in 2017. He is employed at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth.

Tara and Justin will marry Oct. 8 in Duluth, where they will reside.

Level 3 sex offender moves to Sauk Rapids

Public meeting to take place Sept. 20

NEWS

Copper Pony from front Much like its former location in downtown St. Cloud, which opened in May 2017 and closed in mid-August, the Copper Pony is teeming with the sights and smells of home but on a larger scale. Overall, Copper Pony tripled in size, gaining nearly 5,000 square feet.

The new sales oor is about twice the size of their former downtown St. Cloud location; yet, the cozy and homelike atmosphere sets it apart from big box stores, Johnson said.

And its dot on the map? Perfect, said Johnson.

The high-traf c intersection of the new location allows the store to revive the art of engaging window displays reminiscent of the old days. Plus, being on the corner allows easy access to the building from multiple directions and ample, convenient parking.

Inside, customers are greeted with an alluring display of seasonal items.

Beyond the array of allthings autumn is a plethora of creative displays lled with eclectic goods for living and giving.

Product offerings have been expanded in every category. Johnson and Hoffman worked to assemble a curated mix of home decor and everyday accessories, bath and body products, home fragrance, gifts and furniture pieces.

An area dedicated to kitchen items has a farmhouse sink where customers can test soaps. The soap by the sink is made in Minnesota as are some other products in the store.

Some other products are made in neighboring states, such as Iowa candles that permeate scents of coffee and caramel corn.

A baby section offers mobiles, stuffed animals, onesies and nursery decor.

Copper Pony has books about home decor and cooking and design, plus greeting cards and sugar scrubs and a large assortment of gift items.

Customers will nd cocktail kits and specialty

PHOTOS BY ELLARRY PRENTICE

The Copper Pony awaits customers in downtown Sauk Rapids. The home decor and coffee shop opened Sept. 7 at the intersection of Benton Drive and Second Street.

food, such as take-home sourdough bread mix and dips, but they do not have to leave the building to please their palette.

The Kitchen at Copper Pony, the newest addition to the business, offers specialty coffee drinks and desserts, along with soup, sandwiches and salads.

Seating is available for 48. Eats and drinks may also be taken to-go. Eventually, they hope to offer outdoor seating on the north side of the building.

Culinary director Benjamin Plante is excited to serve his signature creations, including a daily assortment of baked goods such as cookies, pies, cakes and muf ns.

A native of Duluth, Plante spent eight years honing his culinary craft in North Carolina and is said to make a delectable bread pudding.

“Benjamin’s menu is incredible,” Johnson said.

“A traditional Midwestern vibe with a Southern twist on a few things.”

The move to Sauk Rapids achieved step two of a multi-step vision Johnson and Hoffman have for Copper Pony. Because most people believe the kitchen is the heart of the home, they wanted to add one to their homelike retail space.

While the men have become mercantile experts, receiving national recognition for their creative merchandising, a coffee shop with grab-and-go-style eats is a new venture for them.

“This is brand new to us,” Johnson said.

Copper Pony, which began in 2014 as an occasional store out of a small

garage, will maintain its mantra.

“We believe every home should look, feel and smell good,” Johnson said.

“As you go throughout the space, you’ll nd products that will accomplish that, whether it’s a really great candle or incredible diffuser, or something more textural like a blanket, or a beautiful piece of artwork, or lamps that help set the mood within the space.”

Style-conscious products are offered at a variety of price points, but the quality is not dictated by the number on the sticker, Johnson said.

“No matter your purchasing power, whether it’s $5 or $500, we want you to come in and feel that you can buy something that is of great quality,” he said.

Copper Pony plans to offer apparel for women.

Two dressing rooms have been set up, and space is available to partner with small businesses for community-focused pop-up events and ladies nights.

“It gives us an opportunity to cross-pollinate our audiences,” Johnson said.

Johnson and Hoffman have frequently hosted events in which they partner with local businesses and artists to sell their wares.

“There’s a quote by Paul Wellstone; it says, ‘We all do better when we all do better,’” Johnson said. “We really work to try and nd other local companies that we can partner with. We want other people in our community to be successful. Their success helps our success.”

The downtown St.

of Corrections. They must register with the state, but law enforcement may not dictate where these individuals reside, work or go to school.

The Sauk Rapids PoSAUK RAPIDS – A Level 3 sex offender has lice Department will host a public meeting moved to Sauk at 6 p.m. Sept.

Rapids as of Sept.

20. The meeting 3. will take place Steven Lee at the Sauk RapOdelius, 55, is ids Government living near the Center, 250 Sumintersection of mit Ave. N., Sauk Second Avenue Rapids. RepreSouth and Third sentatives from Street South, the Department Steven Lee according to a Odelius of Corrections release by the and the Sauk Sauk Rapids Police Department. Odelius Rapids Police Department was previously convicted will provide useful inforof sexually assaulting two mation on public safety.

Odelius is described male children. The victims were not known to Odelius, as a white male with blue and Odelius gained access eyes and blond or strawto them in a public place berry hair. He is 5 feet, 9 and used manipulation to inches and weighs approximately 200 pounds. engage in the acts.

The Sauk Rapids PoOdelius served his sentence and was released lice Department may be from prison Oct. 5, 2020. reached at 320-258-5341.

Level 3 sex offenders are To report criminal activity considered the highest risk by this or any other indi- A section of the Copper Pony in Sauk Rapids resembles a kitchen. Soap, lotion and to re-offend, according to vidual, residents should home fragrance, displayed with kitchen linens, surround a farmhouse sink where customers can test some of the dish soaps. the Minnesota Department call 911.

Cloud store was beauti ed by historic exposed brick, while the new location has incorporated reclaimed barn wood from northern Wisconsin, said to have been originally erected in the 1800s.

Several large windows provide natural light. Like the exterior, the interior walls are primarily white, accented with sections of navy and iron-ore.

“We wanted a fresh, clean palate, wanted to maintain a strong sense of soul and vibe and story,” Johnson said of incorporating a similar color scheme in the new store.

Johnson and Hoffman love helping people transform spaces from basic to cozy and sophisticated.

They are proud to offer a niche experience in central Minnesota and hope the new space will live up to expectations.

“We’ve worked really hard to nail that customer experience,” Johnson said.

A grand opening has been tentatively set for Oct. 2.

Now that the commercial kitchen is complete, Copper Pony will offer fresh baked goods to complement the drip coffee and teas at their seasonal gift shop amid the blooms of Munsinger & Clemens Gardens in St. Cloud. Copper Pony in the Gardens operates from May 1 to Oct. 31.

Between their Sauk Rapids and garden locations, Copper Pony expects to employ close to 30 people, Johnson said.

“We’re really looking forward to getting to know who our neighbors are here and how we can collaborate with them and, hopefully, add value to their businesses,” Johnson said.

Without the support of the city of Sauk Rapids, Copper Pony could not have achieved this milestone, Johnson said.

“This is very quickly feeling like home,” Johnson said. “We are proud to call this place home for our business, so we hope we make the community of Sauk Rapids proud that we’re here too.”

BA CRA

NEWS

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 | Page 3

What’s Happening Saturday, Sept. 11, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Benton County Rural Amnesty and Household Hazardous Waste Day. Benton County Public Works, 7752 Highway 25 N.E., Foley. For more information, visit www.co.benton.mn.us/Calendar.aspx?EID=728.

Back to School from front

Saturday, Sept. 11, 5 p.m. – 20th Anniversary of 9/11. Sponsored by VFW Post 6992. Social hour beginning at 5 p.m. Meal at 6 p.m. Program at 7 p.m. and music to follow until midnight. Tickets sold at the Post. Best Western Plus Kelly Inn, 100 Fourth Ave. S., St. Cloud.

Saturday, Sept. 11, 7 p.m. – Patriot Day Ceremony. Remembering Sept. 11, 2001. Hosted by American Legion Post 473. Rice Memorial Monument across from the Old Creamery Café on East Main Street, Rice.

Sunday, Sept. 12, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. – Fall Fun Fest 2021. Folk Mass begins at 10:30 a.m. Dinner and activities begin at noon. Holy Cross Catholic Church, 102 Crosier Drive N., Onamia.

PHOTOS BY ELLARRY PRENTICE

(Above) Staff greet students as they enter Mississippi Heights Elementary School Sept. 7 in Sauk Rapids. Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools are open for full-time inperson learning this fall.

(Left) Jude Melin is all smiles as he walks into Mississippi Heights Elementary School for his first day of school Sept. 7. Melin is a first grader this year.

The Sauk Rapids American Legion Post 254 meetings take place the second Thursday of every month at VFW Post 6992, 901 N. Benton Drive, Sauk Rapids. The correct date of the meeting was listed in the Sept. 4 Sauk Rapids Herald, but the information about the recurring monthly meetings was incorrect.

A description for the tree care community education class was incorrect in the Sept. 4 Sauk Rapids Herald. Read the correct description this week on page 13.

Thursday, Sept. 16

September 15-16

SALE

GARAGE SALE Wednesday & Thursday,

8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Friday, September 17

12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Come join us!

8:00 a.m. to Noon

Good used clothing for all ages, shoes, misc. household items, glassware, seasonal items.

Join us for breakfast, lunch or dinner - STAY TO SHOP!

Kids clothes/shoes (girls 0-2T, boys 0-5T), kids riding toys, lots of toys, assortment of doll furniture, KidKraft dollhouse, 2 Pack N Plays and Graco stroller, assorted womens/mens clothes/shoes, variety of mens flannel shirts/sports jerseys-XL, Rainbow canister vacuum, WeatherTech car mats, wheeled travel bags, remodeled kitchen: assorted wallhangings, light fixtures, lots of household

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Tuesday, Sept. 14, 11 a.m. to noon – Living Waters Lutheran Church Food Shelf Distribution.

Living Waters Lutheran Church, 1911 Fourth Ave. N., Sauk Rapids. If in need of emergency food assistance, call 320-255-1135.

Tuesday, Sept. 14, 1-3 p.m. – Catholic Charities Senior Dining Frozen Meal Distribution. For people age 60 and older. All clients must complete an annual registration form. There is no cost to participate, and meals are distributed through a contactless, drive-thru format. Catholic Charities Emergency Services, 157 Roosevelt Road, St. Cloud.

Tuesday, Sept. 14, 4-6 p.m. – Rice Area Farmers Market. Sponsored by the Rice Area Women of Today. At the corner of Division Street North and East Main Street, Rice.

Tuesday, Sept. 14, 7 p.m. – Watab Township Meeting. Watab Town Hall, 660 75th St. N.W., Sauk Rapids.

Tuesday, Sept. 14, 7 p.m. – Free Grace Recovery Meeting. Hosted by Free Grace United. All are welcome; everyone struggles with something. The ROC, 141 Fourth Ave. N., Foley.

Thursday, Sept. 16, 3-6 p.m. – Sauk Rapids Market. Coborn’s parking lot, 110 First St. S., Sauk Rapids.

Friday, Sept. 17, 11 a.m. to noon – Living Waters Lutheran Church Food Shelf Distribution. Living Waters Lutheran Church, 1911 Fourth Ave. N., Sauk Rapids. If in need of emergency food assistance, call 320-255-1135.

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Monday, Sept 13, 5:30 p.m. – Sauk Rapids-Rice School Board Work Session. Sauk Rapids-Rice High School, 1835 Osauka Road N.E., Sauk Rapids.

Monday, Sept. 13, 6 p.m. – Sauk Rapids City Council Meeting. Sauk Rapids City Hall, 251 Summit Ave. N., Sauk Rapids.

Corrections

BASEMENT, CRAFT & BAKE

Monday, Sept. 13, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Catholic Charities Senior Dining Frozen Meal Distribution. For people age 60 and older. All clients must complete an annual registration form. There is no cost to participate, and meals are distributed through a contactless, drive-thru format. CARE, 321 Sixth Ave., Foley.

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Saturday, Sept. 18, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. – Responding to Faith Abuse Seminar. With speaker Michelle Markgraf. The day will be split into two informational sessions – learning about abuse and its effects as well as learning how to help others and to address abuse. Open to the public. Lunch provided.

Petra Lutheran Church, 1049 First Ave. N., Sauk Rapids. For more information, contact secretary@ petralutheran.com or pastor@petralutheran.com.

Saturday, Sept. 18, 8:30 a.m. – St. Cloud Diocese Annual Conference: The Year of St. Joseph.

Sponsored by the St. Cloud Diocesan Council of Catholic Women. For more information, visit stcloudccw.org. St. John’s Parish, 621 Dewey St., Foley.

Page 4 | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

NEWS

9/11 from front – 6:00 a.m. Two of the hijacked planes, American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175, will eventually crash into the north and south towers of the World Trade Center complex in New York City. The day was a signi cant one on the New York City political calendar, as polling stations opened at 6 a.m. for primary elections.

Gerry Feld, Sauk Rapids I was working at the correctional facility in St. Cloud that morning. I was patrolling through the area I was responsible for when an inmate ran up to me. He asked, “Hey Sarg, did you hear some guy in a Cessna crashed into the World Trade Center in New York?” I replied I had not. Minutes later, I walked into the warehouse of ce as usual to see how things were going. Immediately, I could see something was wrong by the looks on the faces of the staff. They told me about the rst airliner crashing into Tower 1 but had no further news. Leaving there, I made my way to the health services department.

One of the medical staff was watching a news report about the crash on a TV. I was just in time to see the second tower get hit. Throughout the day, I picked up more bits and pieces of what was going on.

When my shift was over, I raced home and turned on the TV for a long night of news reports. For the next few days, my life was work and TV news coverage. It was as if life as we knew it had stopped. I asked over and over, how could this have happened?

– 7:59 a.m. American Airlines Flight 11 takes off from Boston with 11 crew members, 76 passengers and ve hijackers on board. The plane, which will eventually crash into the North Tower at the World Trade Center, is lled with more than 76,000 pounds of fuel.

– 8:15 a.m. United Airlines Flight 175 takes off from Boston with nine crew members, 51 passengers and ve hijackers on board. This ight also is loaded with 76,000 pounds of fuel.

– 8:19 a.m. American Airlines ground personnel are alerted by ight attendant Betty Ann Ong that Flight 11 is being hijacked. This call lasts roughly 25 minutes, and Ong reports that the cockpit is unreachable. In the moments before Ong’s call, one of the hijackers stabbed Daniel M. Lewin, who was sitting in front of him in rst class. Lewin is likely the rst person killed in the 9/11 attacks.

– 8:20 a.m. American Airlines Flight 77 takes off from Washington Dulles International Airport. The ight has 49,900 pounds of fuel and is carrying six crew members, 53 passengers and ve hijackers.

– 8:21 a.m. The transponder on Flight 11 is turned off.

This device is meant to allow air traf c controllers to identify and monitor the ight path of a plane.

– 8:24 a.m. One of the hijackers of Flight 11 unwittingly broadcasts a message to air traf c controllers alerting them to the attacks. The hijacker was attempting to communicate with passengers and crew within the cabin.

– 8:30 a.m. Around this time, roughly 80 people have already begun gathering on the 106th oor of the North Tower of the World Trade Center for a nancial technology conference. The conference is one of many events on the Trade Center schedule that day.

– 8:37 a.m. The Boston Air Traf c Control Center alerts the military that a hijacking is under way.

– 8:42 a.m. United Airlines Flight 93 takes off from Newark International Airport. The ight was due to take off at roughly the same time as the other hijacked planes but was delayed due to routine traf c. Seven crew members, 33 passengers and four hijackers are on board. The ight is lled with 48,700 pounds of fuel.

– 8:46 a.m. Five hijackers crash Flight 11 into oors 93 through 99 of the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Hundreds, including everyone on board the ight, are killed instantly. The crash severs all three emergency stairwells, trapping hundreds of people above the 91st oor.

Police, paramedics and re ghters are sent to the North Tower.

– 8:50 a.m. While visiting an elementary school in Florida, U.S. President George W. Bush is noti ed that a small plane has hit the North Tower.

9/11 page 5

Cassie Larkin, Royalton I was sitting in algebra at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School my sophomore year and watched as both towers were hit. I remember being fascinated by what was happening after the rst tower was hit and watched as the plane hit the second tower, knowing this was no longer an accident. After that, the teacher stopped trying to teach, and we all watched in horror as the day unfolded.

Ellarry Prentice, Star Publications staff I was a seventh grader the day the world stopped turning.

As I entered my geography class the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, footage of planes striking the World Trade Center ashed across the screen.

Our class spent the entire period watching horri c scenes from New York City and expressing utter disbelief. In other classes that day, we did the same thing.

Watching television at school all day is every kid’s dream, but not one of us mentioned how nice it was not to take a pop quiz or listen to boring lectures. Middle schoolers didn’t know a lot about the real world but seeing the aftermath of the deadliest attack on U.S. soil in history hit us pretty hard.

At home, the television stayed on all evening as my family watched the devastation in New York, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania. I can still see Mom in the kitchen, talking on the phone about the attacks, and Dad in the living room, peering out from behind the newspaper to watch the latest developments.

As the days passed, I learned a lot about al-Qaeda, Osama bin Laden and some of the nearly 3,000 people that terrorists from the Islamist extremist group killed in a violent effort to promote widespread fear throughout the country, weaken the United States’ standing in the world community, and support political and religious goals in the Middle East.

Some of the political speeches and news reports were dif cult for me to understand at 13, but I’ll always remember the way they made me feel. Watching innocent people jump from collapsing buildings made me realized that the worst tragedies weren’t reserved for history books at school.

It easily could have been me who perished in those explosions. My rst trip on an airplane – the rst and only vacation I took with my parents before their separation – was just a few months away.

And, I’ll always remember the sinking feeling in my stomach when President George W. Bush declared war.

“Our War on Terror begins with al-Qaeda, but it does not end there. It will not end until every terrorist group of global reach has been found, stopped and defeated,” Bush said Sept. 20, 2001.

Would there be a draft? Would war ensue on U.S. territory?

All I knew was that the devastation was far from over. It would be years before I felt it rsthand.

In 2011, a decade after the 9/11 attacks, I began dating a man whose older brother had been a sergeant in the Army Reserve and was a veteran of the Iraq War. After returning home from Iraq, his brother battled severe post-traumatic stress disorder and ended his life at age 24.

In February 2012, nearly six years after his brother’s death, we took a Valentine’s Day trip to New York City, where he proposed marriage on top of the Empire State Building. We spent the evening taking “just engaged” Sarah Ryan, photos in matching T-shirts, using a stack of phone books to prop up a Milaca camera, and calling everyone we knew. I said we could tell family and I was sitting at the friends when we got home, but he was too excited to wait. stoplights in Foley going A couple of days later, when we were approaching the entrance home and heard it on the to JFK airport, we saw two young men in Army uniforms – a stark radio. Once I got home with reminder that we were in the same city where the tragedy that led to the War on Terror and his brother’s untimely death began. my boys, I was standing His eyes met the soldiers’ and when he looked away, they began outside in my yard and to form tears.

“I wish I could tell him.” two fighter jets flew That memory will forever bring me to tears. over us really low.

Remembering page 5

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NEWS

ing on. That minute turned into hours glued to the TV, staring at footage in disbelief and from page 4 with jaws dropped.

Everything stopped.

Customers didn’t seem to care if their responding to terror attacks on a local levoil changes were put on hold, and the el. Within that preparedness, I have owner of the shop was right there found a small piece of comfort with us in front of that little in the belief that we are betKristin Best, TV. The only thing we all ter able to detect and reRice wanted to know is how spond to terrorism in in the world a plane I was in New Ulm at the WIC our post-9/11 world. crashed into the There is no Clinic doing my nursing student World Trade Center doubt Sept. 11 was clinicals. A nurse who worked there – check that, how the darkest day came into the room I was in and told did two planes in our country’s me I needed to see what was happening. crash into the history in my I got to the TV and the second plane hit.

World Trade lifetime. In this Absolute shock, horror, sadness, confusion Center?

This darkest of days, can’t be an acand disbelief. We were told to go home; there was brilcident. People liant light and classes were canceled. Someone suggested were in those hope. Out of we all donate blood. I don’t remember what buildings! The this tragedy happened. They were closed, not taking Pentagon? came stories anyone? I went to my apartment, and I Pennsylvania? of bravery and remember not moving far from the TV for the What’s next? sacri ce. The rest of the day, watching the footage over Who is rebrave men and sponsible? and over. What I remember most was that women who ran Social meinto the burnundivided feeling of all Americans coming dia had not yet ing Twin Towers together to stand up for each other, proliferated our to save others, the the loss we all felt,and the heartache screens, and it is passengers on Flight – unbelievable heartache – for hard to imagine how 93 who prevented an those who lost their family our consumption of inattack on our Capitol, and friends. formation may have been and those who volundifferent if it had. Maybe teered for our armed servicwe were better off receiving a es gave me hope and courage trickle of reports through the means to face our new reality. Also, in the wake of Sept. 11, we were all Americans. of the day instead of being consumed with All the lines that people like to draw in our a Facebook deluge. Just a thought.

Here is another thought: After the inicurrent society to emphasize our differences did not exist for a bright and shin- tial shock subsided, the attacks of 9/11 had ing moment. Overwhelmingly, the people an extreme galvanizing effect on the people of this country came together, united in the of our nation. Color, creed, race, religion, common cause of defending this nation and political allegiances – none of it mattered. working cooperatively to achieve that goal. We were stunned Americans, brothers and sisters banding together to mourn those we It was remarkable to experience.

Day after day, the humble window lost and comfort one another. Most of us cling next to my of ce door has served as also were desperate for the heinous souls a daily reminder that I ought to strive to responsible for killing thousands of our felhonor the sacri ces of the victims, rst re- low Americans to be held accountable.

Times are different today, with a rather sponders and military personnel touched by Sept. 11 with its simple message, “We will polarized population. We said we would never forget 9/11 and that it was a wake-up remember.” I know I always will. call for our nation and, in some ways, that remains true. But it’s too bad the remarkHillary Erickson, Foley I was in fth grade at Discovery El- able unity we showed after those terrorist ementary School in St. Cloud. I remember attacks has faded.

Here we are, 20 years later, and Amerione of the other teachers came running in the room saying, “Eibes (my teacher’s cans have devolved into Pitchfork Nation, name), Eibes, you’ve got to see this!” They canceling one another over face masks, turned on the TV. It was small and hard vaccinations and any number of perceived to see. Then, there was an announcement insensitivities of the day. Many career polimade over the speaker that they were send- ticians preach about equality, equity and ing us all home. I don’t remember the bus humanity yet turn around and perpetuate ride, but I remember I was the rst one divisive issues that splinter us.

Meanwhile, atrocities are taking place home. I turned on the TV and there it was.

I remember feeling scared that my family around the globe, and we Americans lack a would not make it home. At rst, I didn’t uni ed commitment to stand as the world’s understand completely that it didn’t happen beacon for defending liberties and freein Minnesota because school sent us home doms. I have seen credible photos of seso urgently, and to me, it looked like the vere dis gurement. Innocent children have Twin Cities. The next thing I remember suffered at the hands of diabolical foreign was President Bush declaring war in Af- regimes. Those pictures have been seared into my brain, and I can only imagine the ghanistan. fate those poor kids have suffered. My heart weeps for them.

MN Rep. Shane Mekeland, 15B Thank you to the men and women of The recent “Where were you?” editoour armed forces. Your willingness to serve rial got me thinking about the 9/11 terrorist and enormous sacri ces are appreciated attacks on our nation, from recollections of that notorious day to our country’s recovery beyond words. I pray we can rediscover our great, patriotic spirit of togetherness in and the state of affairs today.

I would like to share some of my re- America so we can more fully honor our legacy as the home of the free and the land ections. of the brave.

I was working at a full-service convenience store complex at the Remembering time and already had started Neil Maidl, Rice my day when the news of page 6 I was driving to Blackberry a plane crash in New Ridge Golf Course in the pump truck.

York City broke. The only live feed we I got to the job site, and all the employees had access to was were sitting outside the nearest work truck with on a tiny TV in the radio going. Not a word was spoken. Not one the auto repair question was asked. We just listened. We all, at one area. It got our point, called our loved ones and got updates from attention, to say the least, them if they were watching it unfold on TV. I remember and we took a the drive in and the drive home perfectly to this day. minute to see Sept. 11 is a day I’ll never forget. what was go-

Remembering Troy Heck, Benton County Sheriff Each workday, I walk past a small 3-by-5 window cling on the glass next to my door. If you aren’t paying attention, it is easy to miss. The cling features a U.S. ag blowing in the wind with the words “September 11, 2001 We Will Remember.”

Each time I look at that window cling, I can clearly recall where I was on that Tuesday morning in 2001 that changed our world.

On Sept. 11, 2001, I was working as a detective in the Benton County Sheriff’s Of ce. I began my day like most other days by heading to my of ce in Foley while listening to a talk radio program. The rst plane hit the North Tower at 7:46 a.m. local time.

As I was driving toward the of ce around 8 a.m., news of this rst plane colliding with the North Tower was breaking across the media. I recall hearing the radio hosts announcing the collision and speculating as to what had happened. In hindsight, the protected paradigm we collectively possessed prior to Sept. 11 was evident as the hosts speculated that perhaps this was a small plane that had suffered an aviation accident.

The concept of terrorists having the ability to come onto American soil and weaponize an airplane was inconceivable.

Inconceivable until 8:03 a.m. when the second plane hit the South Tower.

In an instant, our illusions of the invincibility of our homeland were shattered as video footage and witnesses testi ed to the inescapable truth that our country was in the midst of a terror attack. Even as the radio hosts stated with certainty that this was an intentional act of terror, part of me had doubts. Those doubts were removed a few moments later upon my arrival at the sheriff’s of ce when I entered the dispatch center and saw for myself the images on the television. I recall standing in awestruck silence trying to take in the scale of the destruction on display for the world to see.

In the moments and hours that followed, we learned of the attack on the Pentagon, the crash of United Airlines Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and the eventual collapse of the Twin Towers. Each new twisted wrinkle in this attack brought a somber wave of grief for the lives lost.

As all these events were unfolding, I joined rst responders across our country struggling to discern what this meant for the individual areas we were sworn to protect. As each step in this terror attack played out, there was the question of how far the attacks would reach. Reliable intelligence was non-existent in these early hours of the attack, leaving everyone wondering what was next.

I recall feeling a range of emotions during this chaos that owed from sadness for the loss of innocent life to a rm resolve to stand with my brothers and sisters to do what was required in the face of this new threat. Amid this uncertainty, one thing was certain: Our world view had changed from one that knew terrorism wouldn’t come to our shores to a world view that required our participation and vigilance against such a threat.

In the eerie quiet of a sky devoid of air traf c in the days following the attacks, we began to understand the scope of the Sept.

11 plot, and that the targets of these attacks had been con ned to New York and Washington, D.C. In these rst post-9/11 days, there was a sense of relief in the understanding that the immediate threat to our country had passed. That relief could not overcome the undeniable understanding that the post9/11 world was much different. The post9/11 world was one that required increased vigilance for indications of the next terror attack, and local law enforcement was looked upon to play a role in our nation’s new anti-terrorism strategy. Over the years, I, like so many others, have learned more than I ever wanted to know about terrorism and the capabilities of those who would intentionally target innocent lives, monsters who share our humanity biologically but not morally. We have prepared, practiced and planned to ensure we are capable of

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 | Page 5

9/11 from page 4 – 8:52 a.m. A ight attendant aboard Flight 175 reaches a United Airlines operator in San Francisco and reports the ight is being hijacked. By 9 a.m., various passengers on Flight 175 have called family members.

– 8:55 a.m. The Port Authority informs people inside the South Tower via a public address system that the building is secure and there is no need to evacuate.

– 8:59 a.m. The Port Authority Police Department orders both towers evacuated. One minute later, Captain Anthony Whitaker expands the order to include all civilians in the entire World Trade Center complex.

– 9:02 a.m. An evacuation order is broadcast in the South Tower.

– 9:03 a.m. Five hijackers crash Flight 175 into oors 77 through 85 of the South Tower. All onboard the ight are killed as are an unknown number of people inside the building. Two of the three emergency stairwells are impassable and most elevator cables are severed, trapping many people above the impact zone and inside elevator cars. A second call for mobilization brings the total number of New York City Police Department of cers responding to the scene to roughly 2,000. In addition, the New York City Fire Department issues a fth alarm and deploys several hundred additional re ghters to the scene.

– 9:05 a.m. President Bush is informed that a second plane has crashed into the World Trade Center.

– 9:12 a.m. Flight attendant Renée A. May calls her mother and tells her hijackers have seized control of Flight 77. When May’s call is disconnected, she calls American Airlines.

– 9:30 a.m. Amid reports of additional hijacked planes, the Mayor’s Of ce of Emergency Management at 7 World Trade Center is evacuated.

– 9:37 a.m. Hijackers crash Flight 77 into the Pentagon. All 53 passengers and six crew members perish, and 125 military and civilian personnel on the ground are killed in the re caused by the crash.

9/11 page 6

NEWS

Page 6 | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

9/11 from page 5

Remembering

– 9:42 a.m. The Federal Aviation Administration grounds all ights, ordering all civilian planes in United States airspace to land. Departures also are prohibited.

from page 5

– 9:45 a.m. Evacuations at the White House and the U.S. Capitol begin. Both the House of Representatives and Senate are in session at the time the evacuation begins.

– 9:58 a.m. Flight 93 is ying so low to the ground that passenger Edward P. Felt is able to reach an emergency 911 operator in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.

– 9:59 a.m. The South Tower collapses after burning for 56 minutes. The tower collapses in just 10 seconds.

– 9:59 a.m. Continuity-of-government procedures are implemented for the rst known time in American history.

– 10:03 a.m. Four hijackers crash Flight 93 into a eld near the town of Shanksville, Pennsylvania. All 33 passengers and seven crew members on board perish.

Passengers and crew had stormed the cockpit, and the plane ultimately crashes just 20 minutes’ ying time from Washington, D.C. – 10:15 a.m. The E Ring of the Pentagon collapses.

– 10:28 a.m. The North Tower collapses after burning for 102 minutes. More than 1,600 people are killed as a result of the attack on the North Tower.

– 11:02 a.m. New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani urges the evacuation of lower Manhattan.

– 12:16 p.m. The last ight still in the air above the continental United States lands. Within two and a half hours, U.S. airspace has been cleared of roughly 4,500 commercial and general aviation planes.

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Tom Fenton, Star Publications staff I am convinced I was the last person in America to learn about the events of 9/11. It is not something I am proud of, though the reason why is more due to my career and lifestyle rather than lack of awareness.

I was starting my rst fall covering high school sports for the St. Cloud Times. At the time, the publication covered 24 schools and produced a football preview section big enough to choke a dinosaur, so staying busy was not a problem.

A typical day at the Times meant getting to the of ce in mid-afternoon, covering a game in the evening and putting everything together before the 11:30 p.m. deadline. It was a hectic but exciting daily grind.

With a staff of four 30-something guys in the sports department – three of whom were single at the time (myself included) – a post-deadline stop at MT’s on Eighth or Buffalo Wild Wings was a common occurrence. A typical sleep schedule was about 2 a.m. to 9 or 10 a.m.

Sept. 11, 2001, was one of those days when the wakeup call was closer to 10 a.m. It was laundry day in my one-bedroom apartment, so my day started by making the two-block drive to the convenience store to get some quarters.

Nothing in that 60-second drive seemed unusual.

I always have the radio on in my vehicle, and there must’ve been music or an advertisement playing rather than the news.

Upon entering the convenience store, the newspaper rack immediately caught my eye. It was a special section that already had been produced by my employer with a photo of the World Trade Center smoldering with an all-caps headline reading: Under attack.

I was a regular at this particular store, so I was on a rst-name basis with the staff, who also knew what I did for a living.

With a stunned and confused face, I said, “What the heck is this?” pointing at the special section. I didn’t say “heck.”

“What? You don’t know?” the cashier said. “You work at the Times.”

“Yes,” I said. “I work til midnight, and I just woke up.”

The cashier explained that two jetliners had struck the World Trade Center towers, and we were indeed under attack. Like everyone who saw or heard of what happened, comprehending what happened was impossible.

My rst thought was I couldn’t believe I hadn’t yet been summoned to the newsroom. I rushed home, ipped on the television and watched with horror. Sure enough within minutes, my phone rang.

It was my sports editor. “We need you in the of ce.

Now. All hands on deck.”

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I got to the newsroom within minutes not sure what to except or what I would be doing. I was a sports guy.

What do I know about covering a national tragedy?

Not surprisingly, the newsroom was a buzz of activity. Editors were scrambling from desk to desk, reporters were watching the news and sifting through the news wire for updated stories.

By noon, the newsroom was full of pizza, snacks and sodas. We were in this for the long haul.

Surprisingly, I remember few details of how the day unfolded.

It was stressed that one of the main goals of the day was nding some type of local angle from either of the World Trade Centers, the Pentagon or Shanksville, Pennsylvania. About the only way to make that happen would be sheer luck or if someone called asking if they have heard news of any victims they might know.

Somehow, I got lucky. I don’t recall if it was an email or if I picked up the phone, but I somehow found out that the brother of the St. Cloud State University volleyball coach was in or near World Trade Center tower one. The coach quickly returned my phone call, saying she had heard from her brother and that he was able to escape unharmed.

I wouldn’t have been doing my job if I failed to ask if it was OK if I contacted him. She gave me his number and invited me to try.

With no guarantees of getting through, I didn’t leave my desk until my phone rang for fear of missing his call. We soon made contact, and he told me his story of watching the terror unfold. He was in a building connecting the World Trade Center and fortunately was not in one of the towers.

It was a loosely-based local connection, but it was something, and I felt good about myself for having tracked him down. Ironically, though it was a memorable day, I don’t remember most of it.

Some co-workers fought back tears. Others worked in stunned silence.

Discussions were constant on putting everything together for a morning edition special section. Somehow, a story with a photo of locals rushing to ll their cars with gas made the front page – a decision I vehemently disagreed with. It was a horribly failed attempt at localizing the day’s events, in my opinion.

It was certainly the rst time I had experienced the adrenaline rush of covering something so big. Here’s hoping the next time is under much happier circumstances.

Janice Martin, Rice I was working as a paraprofessional in Mrs. Bogie’s kindergarten classroom. Before the kids came in, she had the TV on. I remember seeing the rst tower being hit and thinking what tragedy, some poor pilot had a heart attack or lost control of the plane. Then, the second one hit, and I knew it was a terrorist attack. Then, the Pentagon and then the plane crash in the eld. It was hard to focus on the kids with all this running through your mind.

g n i t n u H

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SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 | Page 7

GUIDE

Buerkle’s hunting dog hobby turns to obsession

Four decades of training under his belt, no end in sight

BY JAKOB KOUNKEL STAFF WRITER

SAUK RAPIDS – Spencer Buerkle has been training dogs since the mid1970s, mostly for eld trials and, frankly, because he cannot help it. For Buerkle, dog training is a hobby that has turned into an obsession, exceeding four decades of his life.

Buerkle has trained dogs, taken home first-place

ribbons in American Kennel Club sanctioned events and served as a judge for eld trials – the most intense form of retrieval competition for dogs across the country, spanning hundreds of yards between a dog and its owner.

Buerkle has traveled across the country chasing his passion.

“It’s supposed to be a hobby, but it’s actually more of an obsession,” Buerkle said of

dog training. “I really enjoy the outdoors and hunting, and that’s what really got me into this.”

Buerkle values the relationships he has cultivated with the dogs he has trained over nearly 50 years, especially a dog’s utility when it comes to hunting. Not only do the dogs enjoy doing what they have a natural ability and tendency for, but they are also a bene cial resource that cannot be omitted from a hunt, Buerkle said.

“I’ve been hunting with dogs my whole life,” Buerkle said, who hunts with Labrador retrievers. “If you have a welltrained dog, it increases the enjoyment of that hunting so much you can’t even imagine.

PHOTO BY JAKOB KOUNKEL

A black Labrador retriever, named Shelby, brings a target to her owner, Micah Jassmann of Becker, Aug. 30 at the Central M i n n e s o t a Retriever Club grounds in Sauk Rapids.

Jassmann uses Shelby for hunting, but she is welltrained and he plans to enter her into field trials next year.

A SUPPLEMENT TO THE

&

PHOTO BY JAKOB KOUNKEL

Spencer Buerkle stands among the 120 acres of land owned by the Central Minnesota Retriever Club in Sauk Rapids Aug. 30. Buerkle calls it one of Benton County’s best-kept secrets.

I can’t imagine setting foot in a eld without a dog.”

Pheasant hunting is Buerkle’s passion, partly because he enjoys the sport but also because he gets to spend time with his dogs in a way that not many pet-owners get to experience.

Buerkle’s two retrievers, Hoover and Cappy, are in Morris being trained by Cimarock Kennels owner Dan Sales. While Buerkle has high hopes for the two retrievers in competition, he is mostly excited for their return to get them back out and training for hunting season.

“Retrievers are the elite of the elite when it comes to hunting,” Buerkle said. “I wouldn’t even go out there unless I take my dog.”

Buerkle has high standards for his retrievers; he typically only trains the dogs that show promise for eld trial competitions.

Between Buerkle and Sales, they decide which dogs display characteristics and personalities needed for the intense training and competition, and the rest they sell as well-trained hunting

dogs.

In training for eld trials, which doubles as training for hunting as well, Buerkle nds himself at his home away from home: the 120 acres of land in Sauk Rapids owned by the Central Minnesota Retriever Club. Located just 1 mile from his house in Sauk Rapids, Buerkle calls it one of Benton County’s best-kept secrets.

A group of retriever club members head to the eld every Tuesday and Thursday morning to get their dogs ready for hunting season, or to keep them in shape and sharp for hunting.

Becker resident Micah Jassmann brings his dog, a 4-year-old black Labrador retriever named Shelby, to prepare for hunting season and to develop the dog’s hunting skills. He said he plans on bringing Shelby through eld trials next year, but in the meantime, he will utilize his well-trained dog for hunting.

Buerkle page 9

Have a great hunting season!

Page 8 | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

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Buerkle from page 7 “It makes all the difference,” Jassmann said about having a hunting dog at his side.

“Hunting wouldn’t be the same without her.”

After bringing dogs

around the United States for the last four decades and having experienced parts of the country that he might not otherwise have seen, Buerkle looks back on his time fondly

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 | Page 9

– even if he got a little obsessive at times.

“There’s nothing better than sitting with your dog on a hunt,” Buerkle said. “It just doesn’t get better than that.”

PHOTO BY JAKOB KOUNKEL

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Spencer Buerkle stands over 12 pheasants with his retrievers Hoover and Cappy in December 2020 in western Minnesota. Pheasant hunting is Buerkle’s greatest passion alongside training his dogs.

Come Join Us! The Rice Area Sportsmen's Club meets monthly the first Wednesday of the month at 8 p.m. at the Old Village Hall in Rice.

Micah Jassmann waits on the line with his 4-year-old retriever Shelby Aug. 30 at the Central Minnesota Retriever Club in Sauk Rapids. Jassmann was happy with his dog’s performance.

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OPINION

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 | Page 11

The crux “I believe; help my unbelief,” Mark he said he will do. Do you need to nd 9:23. out all the promises he made? Yes, it will The world is happy to believe in help you in this walk of life to nd your believing and happy to believe in a hero and hope. Start reading now, when you wake hope. Our books and movies are lled with up in the morning and before you go to these themes. All you have to do is believe bed. All it takes is one verse at a time. and you can do what seems impossible. Just When the man in the crowd asked call on our hero, and you will be rescued.

Jesus to heal his demon possessed son, Simply hang on to hope and you can survive.

Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all But, there is one critical cornerstone in our things are possible to him who believes.”

LIFE BY FAITH real world that is the crux of these themes You see the greatest story ever told has all becoming reality. You guessed it. Jesus. Of BY MERCY NYGAARD the themes of a grand, dramatic and soulThink about how much is missing in the moving plot. The object of our belief must movie scenarios. Believe in what? Which hero? Hope be in Jesus, the son of God, sent by God who bought for what kind of a future? and paid for our souls if we would only believe. He Jesus said to his disciples, “If you have faith as is the hero that we must believe in. His resurrection small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, from death is our hope beyond this earth that we also ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing get upon our belief. will be impossible for you,” Matthew 17:20.

Do you have faith? Do you believe? Believe in The temptation is to only have faith when Jesus, all of it. God made an order. Man rst and woman who is God, is saying, “Have faith in me,” “Bring the second. He made them equal with different and demon possessed child to me,” “Lift him up to my valuable functions. He made them for each other. The father, who is God, in prayer and fast until you hear man to love and protect, the woman to love and help. an answer from me.”

The man to head and the woman to submit.

Do you see the importance of the substance of Believe what he said, abide in his word and heed which our faith must be in? It is faith in Jesus that what he said. It is not for our restriction but for our will heal the boy as God wills the boy to be healed or freedom to live fully in Jesus with whom we can do not. The faith we acquire is so real that we bring our all things who strengthens us. You will see the fruit of loved ones to him. We stop trying to solve problems believing him and taking him at his word and obeying on our own. it. If you are having trouble with a certain area of So many Christians forget that what Jesus taught scripture, not believing it to be what God intended it while on this earth was him exhorting them to glorify to be to glorify himself, we can learn from the father his father and himself. Humble, serving and loving of the sick boy who cried out to Jesus, “I believe; Jesus was always teaching that he was the only way help my unbelief.” And remember the hero to put to heaven by believing in him as the son of God, and your faith in, the one who lowered himself to save that God sent him to save them from their depraved us, although he was equal with God and submitted to hearts. What Jesus said to his disciples applies to his fathers will and was always making much of his every one of us today. Bring your troubles, your father and glorifying him; remember Jesus. He said, demons, your loved ones to him in prayer. Quit trying “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with to be the authority over any situation. Have a mustard God all things are possible,” Matthew 19:26. seed of faith in him that he is God and he will do what

Welcome to the school year On Sept. 7, our buildings opened.

District staff and community members Administration and staff welcomed provide an amazing environment for kindergarten and rst grade students, all our children. Starting on day No. 1 and sixth grades, and seventh and eighth grade throughout the school year, one can see the students who are new to the district at the connections staff make and the relationships middle school as well as all freshmen they forge with students, families, the students at the high school. On Sept. 8, we community and each other are integral in were at full strength with all students K-12 helping all students succeed. Thank you to attending class, making it the of cial start to everyone who recognizes the importance the 2021-22 school year. of their positive in uence and serves as an This is an exciting time of the year. SAUK RAPIDS-RICE instrument of inspiration. We appreciate Seeing students return is always fun; they SCHOOL DISTRICT you and your efforts, and we hope you will are often full of excitement, energy and SUPERINTENDENT continue to inspire our children and make

BY BRADLEY D. wonder. I witnessed elementary children our schools and community a great place to BERGSTROM riding the bus for the rst time, nding live and learn. their rooms and desks, and trying to t their The district’s strategic plan will guide backpacks into their new lockers. I watched middle our focus, progress and decisions throughout the school students participate in activities to familiarize school year. Administration and staff will continue to themselves with the school, compete in team building foster a culture of continuous learning and growth, tasks and work with teachers to nd solutions to various effective partnerships with students, staff, families and academic challenges. I observed high school freshmen community, an environment that promotes performance participate in LINK activities. I watched all of these and innovation, effective and ongoing communication things happen as district staff welcomed, guided and and outreach, as well as appropriate stewardship of all encouraged students to learn new things, extend resources. themselves beyond their comfort zones, and to make a Thank you for the privilege of serving your family, positive impact in our schools, district and community. your children and our community. I look forward Regardless of their age, personality or past experiences, to working with our families and community in the throughout the week students became more con dent coming year. If I can be of any assistance, contact me and did a great job. at 320-258-1809 or supt.bradley.bergstrom@isd47.org.

There is no question Sauk Rapids-Rice School Go Storm!

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

E-mail to natasha@saukherald.com

How to become an extension master gardener Does the term master seem intimidating?

In the University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardner program, members do not have to know everything.

We just need to know GREEN AND GROWING where to go and nd information. In most IN BENTON COUNTY cases, that involves BY LINDA G. TENNESON checking websites that end with the suf x “.edu.” This suf x indicates websites are research based and are mostly from state universities. Many state universities exist because they were given land and funding to build buildings and establish sources of higher education. In exchange, the universities agreed to do research and help educate the public on horticulture, agriculture and other subjects. Extension master gardeners encounter many questions where they do not know the answers. However, they consult the University of Minnesota Extension website or similar websites from neighboring states and respond to the person who asked the question. Some EMGs specialize in one or more areas such as annuals, perennials, seed starting, etc.

EMGs take the Horticulture 101 course from the University of Minnesota in person or online at a reduced tuition rate in exchange for volunteering in this program. Volunteers agree to volunteer for 50 hours their rst or internship year, and 25 hours each following year. EMGs also are asked to take four or more hours of continuing education classes each year, many of which are available online. The cost for the class is partially reimbursed once the rst year of volunteering has been completed. Background checks, Safety of Minors training and personal interviews are also part of the process. Experienced EMGs are assigned to serve as mentors to the interns to help them locate volunteer opportunities and become comfortable with the program.

EMGs are organized by county and are under the supervision of the county extension educators. The Benton County EMGs meet as a group approximately 10 times a year. Educational information and volunteer opportunities are shared at these meetings. This program encourages the members to continue learning and provides the opportunity to socialize and exchange information with others with the same interest or passion for gardening. Those who are comfortable with public speaking often do so teaching community education classes or speaking to gardening clubs, state fair attendees, etc. Those who prefer to interact with other gardeners on a one-on-one basis nd opportunities to do so answering questions for their friends and neighbors and at the EMG exhibit at the Benton County Fair. The plant sale at the Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School parking lot the rst Saturday in June is an EMG event. Members share divisions of plants they have grown in their gardens as well as answer questions from the public. The proceeds from this sale are used to reimburse new interns for part of their tuition expenses.

Applications are available from Katie Drewitz at the county extension of ce at 3333 W. Division St., Suite 10, St. Cloud.

Applications must be submitted by Oct. 1. Contact Katie at 320-255-6169 or wins0115@umn.edu.

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

Page 12 | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

OPINION

Back-to-school traffic safety

BREAK

It happens every year about this Extra caution is warranted as we adjust time. The season’s change brings cooler to the new normal. During this adjustment temperatures, changing colors and shorter period, keep in mind there will be more days. For me, it also brings back memories drivers on the road, some of whom may of the start of another school year and be inexperienced. Plan your commutes what that meant for the daily routine in with extra time and bring extra patience. each stage of life. As an elementary and For our new drivers out there and frazzled middle school student, this time of year parents trying to cope with busy schedules, brought many new things, uncertainty remember the safety of everyone in your and changes. No matter how much you KEEPING BENTON vehicle is the top priority. Be alert driving prepared for the start of school, switching on residential streets as they will be full of COUNTY SAFE from the carefree days of summer to the children waiting for buses or walking to SHERIFF TROY HECK structured march through the school day school, some of whom might dart into the was dif cult. High school brought all the uncertainty street or make other sudden choices that create a safety faced by younger students and added on top was the issue. Finally, school bus stop arms are mandatory not unfamiliar aspects of driving a car, working a job or mere suggestions. Unless you are separated from the increased family responsibilities. As a parent, the bus by a median, all traf c must stop for a school bus start of school could be both a relief and a struggle. stop arm. When you see ashing lights, slow down and Relief in knowing that structure was returning to the be ready to stop. A stop arm violation is a serious safety day, but struggles to now meet schedules, timelines risk and comes with a substantial ne. and extracurricular activities. So many emotions and Back-to-school season brings many changes. Safe responsibilities are tied into this annual milestone. driving needs to remain a constant. Be alert for the For all drivers, an important responsibility changes back-to-school time brings to the road. Our accompanies this change too. Safety on the roads as children are counting on you to be part of the reason students travel to and from school needs to be a priority. they arrive safely at school each morning and home Scienti c studies have concluded that it takes people each afternoon. anywhere from 21 to 66 days to learn a new habit.

For more crime prevention information and This means by the end of summer, most drivers have safety information, visit the Benton County Sheriff’s formed driving habits based upon the absence of busses Of ce website at www.co.benton.mn.us/211/crimeand other school traf c. That all changes overnight as prevention. You can also like and follow us on Facebook children and families hit the streets every morning and and Twitter at @BentonMNSheriff for regular updates afternoon going to and from school. and crime prevention messages.

CROSSWORD

August weather, phenology in review Weather: This year, average high or two northern orioles at the end on the and low temperatures were a little lower month, purple martins gone Aug. 23, tree than last year at 82.29 and 60.55 degrees. swallows mostly gone Aug. 31. RubyNo 90-degree temps compared to one day throated hummingbirds are active. I had to last year. Precipitation in two categories. put bee guards on the nectar feeders (thanks First, dry until Aug. 20 with just under an to Jan for reminding me I had them) because inch. Everything was drying up. Farmers of the amount of yellow jacket bees, just suffered. From Aug. 21-31, 4.24 inches swarms of them. Once the guards were in of rain. Almost but not quite a signi cant place, the bees were gone to look for food weather event was the storm the afternoon elsewhere. Hummingbirds came back to the FROM THE of Aug. 28. The sky was so dark the security NORTH SHORE OF nectar feeders. lights went on. At 11:52 a.m., we received LITTLE ROCK LAKE My two most popular plants or owers

BY JIM HOVDA 30 seconds of 3/4-inch hail. Rain and wind for pollinators were cat mint with their followed totaling 1.12 inches. Some folks numerous purple owers and my 7.5-foota couple miles away experienced more that 2.5 inches. tall spotted Joe Pye weed with huge purple owers.

Near Pierz, trees down and some building damage. Just Coming into bloom are mums and sedum. Our autumn a few small dead branches in our yard. Total rain for the blaze maple tree is starting to turn red, and bright month was 5.18 inches and for the year 17.20 inches, orange berries are on the mountain ash trees weighing about 3 inches below last year. Probably not weather the branches down. related, smoke from the res in northern Minnesota Little Rock Lake: Water temperature Aug. 2 was produced hazy conditions and burned eyes for the rst 72 degrees and 70 degrees Aug. 27. Water clarity is third of the month. poor at 9 inches with the Secchi disk. Not much boat Local weather records: Yes, August can be a traf c; just too hot. month of change. The record low and high temperatures What’s ahead: Fall colors and the lake water were 33 degrees in 1974 and 105 degrees in 1936, temperature drops. First frost or snow? Fishing should 77-degree difference. The most rain fell here in 2010 improve. Cut grass shorter. Get suet feeders ready. when I recorded 9.37 inches. This is the last month Clean out bird houses. Purchase a heated bird bath? where the possibility of snow does not exist.

Fall tree trimming?

Phenology: Lots of things happening. Only one Letter to the Editor

We received no notice

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TIMOTHY J. VOS Territory Manager 561 Railroad Avenue Albany, MN 56307

tim@saukherald.com tim@albanyenterprise.com

R42-tfnF

Office: 320-845-2700 • Cell: 320-492-6987 Fax: 320-845-4805

Shirley illg, East Bethel I would like to air a problem about the Catholic Cemetery in Sauk Rapids. We have been af liated with this cemetery for over 65 years. This year, we had put out our owers for Memorial Day as usual.

We leave them on for the year and put on new ones the following year. I check on them one or two times a year. I am from out of town, so I don’t get there more often.

This past week, I drove up and found there weren’t any owers on the entire cemetery unless you had an upright stone with an attached pot. No notice was given to any of our family. There is a big sign now, but it wasn’t there the last time we were there.

All of the pots, stands and owers were gone. The stands are very expensive. It looks desolate there. On the side where my parents are buried you could only have at stones. We can only use certain stands, and

they were taken without any noti cation to us.

I believe the board of directors were harsh in this decision. The least they could have done is publish this notice or send letters to the families. I have talked with several people and no one had seen a notice in a bulletin or paper. When I nally got the information that I could come and get my property, only one day a week is assigned. After driving 70 miles one way, I got my property, but there were others there picking up theirs and they too were very upset. I think it is important for this problem to be addressed. Many people are affected by this and may not even know it yet. They will be surprised when they go to the cemetery to visit. Again, this could be a problem if the people don’t even know the pots and stands have been taken. Secondly, if you are working or from out of town, it may not be possible to get there on one speci c day. No other options were given.

NEWS/ PUBLIC NOTICES Police Activity Report

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 | Page 13

Sauk Rapids Police Department Aug. 23 to Sept. 5

with a previous gun shot wound. Patient was laying on the couch upon arrival, and he said he was having problems with an infection at the site. Mayo Clinic paramedics Aug. 24, 1 a.m. – Of cers responded to the 1700 block arrived. Paramedics assessed and transported the patient of 35th Street Northeast in Minden Township to assist in to the St. Cloud Hospital. a report of gunshots. Upon arrival, of cers located spent and unspent casings. Of cers attempted to make contact Incidents: Pet licenses 65, suspicious activity reports with residents at a nearby address but were unable to 39, assists 32, miscellaneous calls 25, medical calls 24, reach anyone. The Benton County Sheriff’s Of ce welfare checks 15, animal complaints 14, warnings 14, property calls 13, alarms 10, disturbances 10, thefts 9, arrived and took over the scene. civil complaints 8, extra patrols 8, harassment calls 7, Aug. 24, 9:24 p.m. – A male requested law enforcement disorderly conduct reports 6, driving complaints 6, fraud assist him in proposing to his girlfriend. Upon his request, complaints 6, domestics 5, traf c accidents 5, drunks 4, law enforcement assisted by speaking to his girlfriend as hit and runs 4, human services reports 4, traf c stops 4, 911 calls 3, assaults 3, child calls 3, criminal damage to he walked up to propose. property calls 3, escorts 3, lift assists 3, missing persons Aug. 25, 10:19 p.m. – Of cers were dispatched for a reports 3, suicidal persons 3, burglaries 2, DUIs/DWIs medical call on the 1200 block of Second Avenue North. 2, open doors 2, proactive police visits 2, permits to A male patient was having abdominal pain associated purchase 2, violations of court orders 2 and warrants 2.

Pulse on people Benton County marriage applications Claire. Anderson is a Sauk Rapids-Rice High School – Spenser Steven Weber and Abbigail Marie graduate.

Siegersma, both of Rice.

– Nicholas John Flies and Jessica Rose Students earn degrees Wendorf, both of Sauk Rapids.

BEMIDJI – Sauk Rapids residents Anna Iburg, – Dakota Timothy Supan and Bailey Noelle Reid Lutz and Anna Scapanski earned degrees Pierskalla, both of Rice. from Bemidji State University during the 2020-21 educational year. Iburg received bachelor’s degrees in Anderson receives award community health and in exercise science. Lutz earned EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – Sarah Anderson, of an associate degree in liberal education. Scapanski Sauk Rapids, has received a Mark of Excellence received a bachelor’s degree in exercise science.

Scholarship from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Community Education Corner

Tree Care

Want to know how to identify various tree species?

You will also learn the best way to plant and care for trees, including pruning, insect damage, diseases and other disorders.

Sept. 16, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School, 901 First St. S., Sauk Rapids.

Public Notices CITY OF RICE REQUESTING PROPOSALS City Assessor: The City of Rice, Minnesota is requesting proposals to provide assessing and related services to the City, Proposals must be received by the City no later than 4:00 p.m. on September 27th, 2021 and should be addressed to: City of Rice Attn: Julie Fandel, City Clerk 205 Main St E P.O. Box 179 Rice, MN 56367 To request a copy of the RFP please contact Julie Fandel at jfandel@ricemn.us or (320)393-2280.

Each proposal submitted shall be valid for ninety (90) days.

The City is located in Benton County. The population is approximately 1,382. The candidate will assist the City in other duties as needed.

R-36-2B NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Benton County Planning Commission will conduct public hearing on September 23rd, 2021 the Commissioner’s Room, Benton County Government Center, Foley, and beginning at 7:00 p.m. The Planning Commission will hear the following: Alan and Beverly Gerads requesting a conditional use permit to use an alternative ood proo ng elevation method in the R-2 Residential Distritct. Pursuant to Sections 5.2, 5.3 and 5.4 of the Flood Plain Management Ordinance and Section 11.6 of the Development Code. The affected property is described as follows: Lots E1/2 of Lot 3 and Lot 4, Section 35, East Langola Township.

ANYONE with comments regarding the above will be heard at this meeting.

If you would like to attend the meeting by phone or computer. Contact Roxanne Achman in the Department of Development by Email at Roxanne.Achman@co.benton.mn.us or by phone: 320-968-5069, before 4:30 the day of the meeting.

FR-36-1B

Using Schoology to Support Your Student

Schoology provides opportunities for parents to learn what their children are doing in school and provide them with support in their learning. This course will share ways this tool can be used most effectively and is for parents who have students in grades 4-12 at the Sauk Rapids-Rice School District. This presentation is free, but you must register in advance.

To register or for more information on programs and Sept. 29, 6-7 p.m., Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle costs, contact Sauk Rapids-Rice Community Education School, 901 First St. S., Sauk Rapids. at www.isd47.org/ce or 320-258-1577.

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

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

R-36-4B

Public Notices BENTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 17, 2021 The Benton County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on August 17, 2021 in the Benton County Board Room in Foley, MN with Commissioners Scott Johnson, Ed Popp, Jared Gapinski and Steve Heinen present. Commissioner Beth Schlangen was present at 9:01 AM. Call to order by Chair Popp was at 9:00 AM followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the ag.

Motion by Johnson and seconded by Heinen to approve the agenda as written. Motion carried unanimously.

No one was present to speak under Open Forum.

Motion by Johnson and seconded by Gapinski to approve the Consent Agenda: 1) approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of August 3, 2021 as written; 2) approve the Special Meeting Minutes of July 27, 2021 as written; 3) approve the request for a Resolution to appoint Benton County Attorney Philip Miller as the “authorized signer” for Benton County’s Attorney’s Of ce to apply for a $70,000 Victim Services Grant; 4) approve Certi cate of Correction to the plats of Country Hillside Acres and Country Hillside Acres 2 and authorize the Chair to sign; 5) approve the Radiological Emergency Preparedness Grant and authorize the Chair to sign. Motion carried unanimously.

Next, Benton Economic Partnership (BEP) Director Amanda Othoudt gave a brief introduction of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) Brown eld Assessment Grant proposal. Benton County and BEP, through a Request for Proposal (RFP) sought out quali ed environmental consulting rms to provide grant application assistance to obtain federal funding to further the County and BEP’s efforts with brown eld redevelopment throughout the County. A proposal was received from Stantec, Inc. Project Manager Heidi Peper from Stantec, Inc. provided information about Stantec, Inc., and on the grant application assistance and coalition formation, environmental inventory enhancements, community involvement, grant implementation related to the US EPA brown eld grant, including but not limited to the application for the US EPA Community-wide Assessment (CWA) grants for Hazardous Substances Brown elds and Petroleum Brown elds as part of the US EPA Brown elds Grant Competition for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022. The maximum amount allowed for the grant could be $700,000. The nal agreement will be negotiated by BEP and reviewed by the County Administrator and County Attorney before nal approval by the County Board. Motion by Gapinski and seconded by Johnson to move forward with selected consultant Stantec, Inc., and to approve the second option for costs where Stantec will provide grant application assistance and coalition formation at no cost to the County , and, should a FY 2022 US

EPA CWA grant be awarded, the environmental inventory enhancements, community involvement and grant implementation will be provided on a time-and-materials basis using the fee schedule and according to the workplan submitted in the grant application. Motion carried with a four to one vote, with Schlangen voting nay.

Next, the Department of Development Director Roxanne Achman requested to conduct a public hearing to consider Ordinance # 482 to rezone 2.78 acres from the “R-1” Single Family Residence District to the “A” Agricultural District in accordance with Section 11.9 of the Benton County Development Code for the purpose of using the lot for the site of their concrete contracting business. The Public Hearing opened at 9:42 AM. Kristina Dierkes of 9950 NE River Rd Rice, MN, the owner of the property, was present. Achman noted that parcels to the North and East of the subject parcel are currently zoned Agricultural.

Also, the applicants own the adjacent residential parcel to the South and the agricultural parcel to the East. No members of the public were present for the public hearing. The public hearing closed at 9:43 AM. There were no emails, letters or other communications to be read into the record.

Achman stated their department has not received any comments or concerns from any State agencies or cities on this agenda item. Achman stated that Watab Township discussed this at a previous board meeting and is supportive of this request. Commissioner Johnson stated the Planning Commission was unanimous in their approval and are in favor of this request. Motion by Johnson and seconded by Heinen to approve Ordinance # 482 to rezone 2.78 acres from the “R-1” Single Family Residence District to the “A” Agricultural District for the purpose of using the lot for the site of their concrete contracting business. Motion carried unanimously.

Next, Tri-County Humane Society (TCHS) Manager of Fund Development Crystal Cory gave a budget presentation on behalf TCHS to the County Board. Cory was not able to attend the 2022 Budget Presentations last week due to a prior commitment. This item was for informational purposes only.

Then, Land Services Director Michael Harvey gave a budget presentation and policy request to the County Board for the Land Services Department. Harvey was not able to attend the 2022 Budget Presentations last week due to a prior commitment. This agenda item was for informational purposes only. Popp had an additional comment for Harvey. Popp stated that he had received a complaint that Harvey was not at the Special Board of Equalization Meeting this past June. Popp also stated that Harvey was not here for the 2022 Budget presentations and felt both meetings are very important that he attend. Gapinski stated

he was in agreement with Popp.

The Regular County Board Meeting was recessed at 10:16 AM to conduct a Human Services Board Meeting.

The Regular Board meeting reconvened at 10:25 AM. Next, Veteran Service Of cer George Fiedler requested that the County Board approve a Resolution from the State of MN providing Benton County $10,000 to spend on veteran services activities such as marketing, travel expenses to trainings and software maintenance. Motion by Johnson and seconded by Heinen to approve the Resolution for the County Veteran Service Of cer Minnesota Operational Enhancement Grant. Motion carried unanimously.

Next, Public Works Director Chris Byrd provided the County Board an update on Sales Tax for Transportation.

This agenda item was for informational purposes only.

Then, Byrd provided an update on the ditches. Byrd is waiting for the Viewers Report and once that is received and reviewed, they can set up public hearings for the ditches. Johnson would like to get the public hearings scheduled sooner than later. Popp was in agreement especially with the dry weather to have these contracts awarded before winter.

Next, County Board members reported on Commissioner updates and recent meetings they attended on behalf of the County.

There were no Commissioner concerns to report at this time.

Heinen/Gapinski to set Committees of the Whole: an additional Work Session on Proposed 2022 Budget and Levy at the Benton County Boardroom at 9:00 AM on Monday, September 20, 2021. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Heinen and seconded by Johnson to recess the Regular County Board meeting at 11:06 AM to conduct a closed session meeting of the County Board under MN Statute §13D.05, Subdivision 3 to develop or consider offers or counteroffers for the purchase of sale of real or personal property on parcels 130112300 (the property adjacent to the Courts facility) and parcel 130030201 (old High School property). Motion carried unanimously.

Regular County Board meeting was reconvened at 11:28 AM. Meeting adjourned at 11:29 AM. Edward D. Popp, Chair Benton County Board of Commissioners ATTEST: Montgomery Headley Benton County Administrator R-36-1B

Page 14 | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

NEWS

The Coleman Rice council approves Company Fourth Street Northwest project closing the additional resignation of economic Basketball courts added approve $45,744 resurfacing of development authority Sauk Rapids facility to roadway repairs Fourth Avenue Northwest chair Duane Cekalla. The from First Street council thanked him for Northwest to Main Street, his years of service to the Stearns has been a longtime manufacturer of lifejackets

BY ELLARRY PRENTICE | STAFF WRITER

SAUK RAPIDS – The end of an era nears. The Coleman Company is closing its longstanding lifejacket manufacturing facility in Sauk Rapids.

A spokesperson from parent company Newell Brands said it has decided to close the Sauk Rapids facility as it “exits the Stearns (brand) industrial and government line of otation products at the end of this year and makes manufacturing organizational changes to the recreational personal otation devices business.”

The company did not indicate when the facility would close, nor how many jobs the closure would eliminate, but said employees have been noti ed of the closure.

“These decisions are not made lightly and we are grateful to the Sauk Rapids team for their hard work and commitment to our brands,” an email from Newell Brands said. “We’re committed to doing all we can to support them through this transition.”

The Coleman Company is a longtime manufacturer of lanterns, coolers, tents, sleeping bags, sleeping bags and more. Stearns, a subsidiary of The Coleman Company since 2008, manufactures life jackets.

According to information from the company website, William P. Hilger started what later became Stearns Inc. in central Minnesota. His rst successful product was an electrically powered windshield heater that was a big hit in Minnesota’s cold climate in the late 1920s and eventually a must-have for cars across the United States.

The company changed hands after World War II, becoming Stearns Manufacturing Company.

When cars matured and Hilger’s frost shield became dated, the company’s focus shifted to plastics, according to company history.

In the ensuing decades, Stearns manufactured outdoor products such as lifejackets, water ski belts and plastic boat interiors.

When a change in federal law in 1971 allowed companies to design a type III lifejacket that did not have to be a bulky orange block, Stearns won the race toward ownership of the newly-designed personal oatation device market, according to the company.

Stearns products have been part of the The Coleman Company Inc.’s family of brands for 13 years.

BY TIM SPEIER | STAFF WRITER

RICE – The Rice City Council approved the addition of basketball courts to the Fourth Avenue Northwest project along with hearing the concerns of community members over the loss of activities and events during the city’s council meeting Sept. 8.

After the council reviewed the bids for the Fourth Avenue project and its alternatives, a unanimous vote was passed to move forward with the base project to repair Fourth Avenue

Northwest from Sixth Avenue Northwest to First Street Northwest.

The council approved a bid of $89,494.60 for repairs to Fourth Avenue Northwest.

Added to the project, with a unanimous vote, was the addition of basketball courts and a parking lot to Westside Park.

The basketball courts and a parking lot added an additional $7,250 to the project bringing the total to $96,744.60.

The council did not

stating it would have put them over budget.

Per the conditions of the proposal, the project is scheduled to be completed by Oct. 15.

In other council news: – Rice Police Chief Ross Hamann informed the council that the police department and re department have reached their fundraising goal for the purchase of drones.

Hamann submitted the police department’s drone policy, as required

by Minnesota law. The re department is not subject to the same statute.

– Accepted the

city and its residents.

– Derek Edwards expressed interest in taking over and restarting the city’s softball league in 2022. The council gave him the information they would need to approve his request.

– Brad McIntosh said he would like to bring back the Rice Family Fun Day event. The council told him the event was organized outside of the city council through a civic organization.

They encouraged him to continue looking into it as they have received inquiries from residents.

Benton County to conduct broadband feasibility study Commissioners will use results to guide buildout

BY JAKOB KOUNKEL STAFF WRITER

FOLEY – Benton County commissioners have their sights set on broadband as they continue to push forward with high-speed internet buildout in the county.

Their most recent move was the approval of a broadband feasibility study at a meeting Sept.

7 to identify which areas of Benton County are eligible to utilize American Rescue Plan

Act funds. They will use that knowledge as a guide for infrastructure buildout.

Benton County no longer plans to partner with Foley alongside the city’s wastewater treatment connection to St. Cloud because Foley’s internet speed availability is, on average, faster than is eligible for ARPA money.

Language in the relief plan states funding can only be used to bring

service to households or businesses that are not currently serviced by a wireline connection that reliably delivers at least 25 megabytes per second download speed and three megabytes per second upload speed.

Already approved by the recently-established Benton County Broadband Committee, in which commissioners Scott Johnson and Jared Gapinski are members, the agreement with Finely Engineering aims to identify unserved and underserved areas of the county and will help solicit bids from internet service providers.

The total cost for the study is $51,750, paid for by ARPA funds – the rst-time commissioners are spending from that fund.

In other board news: – The Minnesota InterCounty Association

representatives gave commissioners an update as to how counties like Benton County fared in the last legislative session. The general consensus was positive – counties across the state were successful in the recently-ended legislative session as far as funding and bene cial legislation.

– In refunding tax abatement bonds from 2014, Benton County is saving approximately $222,000 due to bene cial interest rates.

– In a coronavirus pandemic update from community health supervisor Jaclyn Lit n, she said 43.7% of Benton County has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and that community transmission in the area, like everywhere in Minnesota, is considered to be at a high level by the Minnesota Department of Health.

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 | Page 15

NEWS

PHOTO BY ELLARRY PRENTICE

Headliner Radio Nation performs for a large crowd at the new outdoor amphitheater in Sauk Rapids Sept. 9. The four-member band performed the final show of the 2021 Riverside Nights music series, held at 1851 Square in Southside Park.

Riverside Nights completes successful first run

SAUK RAPIDS – Hundreds of fans and nine evenings of musical performances later, it is wrap for 2021 Riverside Nights at Southside Park in Sauk Rapids.

The Riverside Nights series concluded Sept.

9 with performances by opening act Wanda Jam and headliner Radio Nation.

New this year, Riverside Nights began July 1 at Sauk Rapids’ new outdoor amphitheater, nestled along the Mississippi River. The series featured 18 musical acts.

Headliners were Strange Daze, Arena, Pandemic, Shane Martin, Switch, First Circle, Sweet Siren, Rhino and Radio Nation. Openers were Paul “Stretch” Dietheim, Todd Michael Jameson, Jen Lamb-Randolf and Jim Anderson, Tony Williams, Dave Lumley, Maddy Braun, Walter’s Wheelhouse, The Soupbones and Wanda Jam. The free live music, sponsored by 10 businesses, attracted between 500 and 1,200 people to 1851 Square Thursday evenings from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Sauk Rapids Mayor Kurt Hunstiger, who attended several of the shows, was impressed by the attendance.

“It did exactly what I wanted it to,” Hunstiger said of Riverside Nights.

“It brought the community together.”

Sauk Rapids City Administrator Ross Olson coordinated the music series this year. Olson booked the performers and introduced them at each show.

“The 2021 Rock the Riverside series has been an absolute success in the city’s opinion,” Olson said.

The city has received countless positive remarks about the music series and the new parks development

performers for 10 eve- erybody – for all ages. ily,” Hunstiger said. nings. (Due to inclement It’s nice that people can Riverside page 16 weather, there were nine come down there as a famshows.)

Hunstiger was pleased to see people of all ages enjoying the new parks complex – named The Turning your logs into USEABLE lumber.

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With so much musical talent in the area, Olson said it was easy to book

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PHOTO BY ELLARRY PRENTICE

CiCi Scofield, of Sauk Rapids, grooves to classic rock hits Sept. 9 in Sauk Rapids. The final concert in the 2021 Riverside Nights series featured performances by Wanda Jam and Radio Nation.

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SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 | Page 1B

WWW.SAUKRAPIDSHERALD.COM

Close but not enough

PHOTO BY TOM FENTON

Sauk Rapids-Rice senior football team members – Cole Ackerman (from left), Dom Mathies, Alex Harren, Mason Welch, Jayce Walrath, Peyton Olson, Carter Loesch, Cole Paulson, Jack O’Brien, Zach Kosloske and assistant coach Robbie Sauter – display their shaved heads after the Storm topped Sartell 27-0 Sept. 3 at Riverview Elementary School Stadium in Sartell. The teammates are showing support for a mother and grandparents who were diagnosed with cancer.

A team that sticks together

shaves together

PHOTO BY TOM FENTON

Sauk Rapids-Rice sophomore outside hitter Ava Athman slams down one of her eight kills during the Storm’s Central Lakes Conference match against Brainerd Sept. 7 at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School in Sauk Rapids. The Warriors won the final two sets to win the contest, 3-2.

Brainerd rallies to down Storm volleyball in 5 sets

BY TOM FENTON | STAFF WRITER

The atmosphere was electric with large and boisterous student sections from both schools.

The quality of play from the Sauk Rapids-Rice and Brainerd volleyball teams was quite good too.

Volleyball page 3B

Group of seniors sport new haircuts for a cause

BY TOM FENTON STAFF WRITER

SAUK RAPIDS – At rst glance, it would be easy to assume a large group of seniors on the Sauk Rapids-Rice High School football team are preparing to join the military. That, however, is not the case.

Instead, the freshly shaved heads of nine Storm seniors is a measure of support for family members who have been stricken with cancer. It is an example of a bond that began forming for this

group since they started playing football together in the third grade.

The gang of 10, along with assistant coach Robbie Sauter, sported their fresh hairdos as they celebrated a season-opening 27-0 win over Sartell Sept. 3.

Running back and defensive back Zach Kosloske started the trend. His mother, Julie, was diagnosed with breast cancer last winter.

When she started treatment in the spring, Zach and brother Eric decided to show their support for their mom by shaving their heads.

A few weeks ago, linebacker Jayce Walrath learned his grandmother, Julie Walrath, was diagnosed with cancer. Running back Alex Harren soon learned his grandmother, Jane Brown, also has the disease.

Leading the

Jacob Peters Parents: Jim and Tricia Peters

Accomplishment: Lineman on the Storm football team.

What is your favorite aspect of football? Being part of a team that works together and pushes each other every day to get better.

What annual Sauk Rapids-Rice event do you look forward to each year? The homecoming football game.

What has been your most memorable moment playing football? My most memorable moment playing football was when we shut out Tech 28-0 my junior year with half of our team and our head coach out due to COVID-19.

How do you make a difference at school? I try to help anyone who needs it, making sure everyone is welcomed.

What do you do for entertainment? Play sports, hang out with friends and spend time with family.

“We all went over to Jayce’s house,” Kosloske said. “A couple of the guys wanted to do it and a couple were just going to watch.

But then a bunch of them ended up doing it. It means a lot when your friends step up to support you. I didn’t have to worry about walking around and people laughing because I was the only one with a shaved head. It was fun to have friends do it with me.”

Seeing what Kosloske did inspired Walrath and Harren to do the same.

“When Zach shaved his head, I thought that was pretty cool,” Walrath said.

Seniors page 2B

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SPORTS

Volleyball from front The only thing missing for the Storm was a victory.

In a back-and-forth match, the Warriors found a last gasp of energy and momentum when it mattered most to clinch a 3-2 victory Sept. 7 at Sauk Rapidst Rice High School in Sauk Rapids. After SRR k lost the opening set 26-24, the Storm came r back with 25-17 and 2521 victories in the next two before dropping the nal two sets, 25-17 and , 15-11.

“The energy was crazy in here,” said Ava Athman, a Storm sophomore hitter who nished the match with eight kills, seven digs and four blocks. “It f was loud and intense and it was a fun ght.

We learned we have the r resilience to come back, and we did it the best we could. It was de nitely t disappointing to lose, but we left it all out on r the court.”

The Storm (1-2)

have had problems with Brainerd in recent years and nearly bucked that trend, but too many inconsistencies allowed the Warriors too many scoring runs.

“We’re getting better,” said Darci Peterson, a senior hitter who had a solid overall performance that included seven kills and 16 digs. “We still have a lot of things to work on, but we’re doing a good job of staying positive and encouraging each other.”

Senior setter Kieryn Hirdler returned to the lineup after missing the rst two games to injury.

Her presence boosted the offense as she nished with 41 set assists and two service aces.

Junior outside hitter Morgan Eggert led the SRR attack with 11 kills, and junior Lexi Helmin added 10. Sophomore Jordyn Lee had 15 digs and ve kills.

“It was an exciting match, said Storm volleybal head coach Karen Beckmann. “It proved to us we can play. We just have to make sure to x the little

PHOTOS BY TOM FENTON

Sauk Rapids-Rice senior setter Kieryn Hirdler celebrates a Storm’s 3-2 loss to Brainerd Sept. 7 at Sauk Rapids-Rice returned to the lineup after an injury, leading the SRR

things. We had quite a few unforced errors which doesn’t help. We kept them out of system, but then that kept us out of our system, so d we struggled with some r communication errors.

At the same time, we overcame some de cits we haven’t done before.”

Things were not expected to get any easier as SRR hosted Moorhead Sept. 9. The Spuds lost their rst three matches against metro schools before beating Elk River.

“We need to keep picking each other up,” Peterson said.

“Whenever we’re energetic and talking we play well.”

The Storm headed Sauk Rapids-Rice junior hitter Lexi Helmin finishes an into the Labor Day attack during her team’s five-set loss to Brainerd Sept. weekend on a positive D 7 at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School. Helmin finished with note, earning a 25-16, r 10 kills in the match. r s f e

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 | Page 3B

25-22 and 25-23 victory over Rocori Sept. 2 in Cold Spring. Helmin led the offense with six kills and also had a teambest seven blocks, while Athman and Lee each had four. Peterson added 16 set assists.

The SRRHS is the site of the 16-team Sauk Rapids-Rice Invitational Saturday, Sept. 11. Then, the Storm face Fergus Falls at home Tuesday, Sept. 14.

“I’m happy with our overall play,” Beckmann said. “We need to play from start to nish. We’re still trying to work out some kinks with people communication-wise since we’ve had some injuries and different people in and out.”

(Right) Sauk Rapids-Rice senior hitter Darci Peterson celebrates a winning point as the Storm volleyball team took on Brainerd Sept. 7 at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School. Peterson had seven kills and a team-leading 16 digs in the loss to the Warriors.

(Left) Sauk Rapids-Rice sophomore Jordyn Lee prepares to pass to a teammate during the Storm’s Central Lakes Conference volleyball match against Brainerd Sept. 7 at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School. Lee finished the contest with 15 digs.

winning point during the second set of the High School in Sauk Rapids.

Hirdler offense with 41 set assists.

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 | Page 5B

SPORTS

Lumberjacks focus on future to overcome frustrations Granite City excited about untapped talent

BY EVAN MICHEALSON STAFF WRITER

SAUK RAPIDS – Entering the 2021 North American 3 Hockey League playoffs, the Granite City Lumberjacks were the favorites against their division rival, the Willmar WarHawks. The Lumberjacks nished a full 11 points above the WarHawks in the standings after a 40-game regular season, and Granite City dominated the team’s season series, taking seven of 10 games.

However, whether it was a struggle to adjust to the intense playoff environment or different factors entirely, Granite City could not replicate their success versus Willmar in the best-of-three series. The WarHawks used a red-hot 4-0 start to take game one before scoring twice in the nal minute in a 3-1 game-two win, advancing to the West Division championship.

Now, as the Lumberjacks prepare to hit the ice for another season, simply making the playoffs is not enough. They want more.

“I would argue that making it in and getting beat in the rst round is almost worse than not making it in,” said D.J. Vold, associate head coach.

“We should have an uptick in desire and want and almost frustration in what happened last year. It’s not the reason kids come here.

It’s not the reason we put all this work in. We don’t want to lose in the rst round, and it’s happened to

us the last couple of years.”

Seeing players age out and pursue collegiate hockey is part of the NA3HL developmental process, but losing key members is never easy. The Lumberjacks look to replace talented forwards Carson Simon, Hanson O’Leary and Troy Dahlheimer and goaltender Bailey Huber, among others. However, while this turnover is signi cant, Granite City’s defensemen pairings remain experienced with the team bringing back veterans Tal Halliday, Sean Davidson, Matthew Delany, Kyle Mortenson and Bjorn Jorgenson.

“We’ve got a good group of guys coming back that already understand what we’re doing back there,” Vold said. “We’ve also got a handful of guys coming on who we think can help us right away, and that’s part of the reason the coaching staff is excited.”

Adding a sense of anticipation is Granite City’s incoming class of forwards, who will be joining steady stars like Cody Dias, Nicholas Richert, Brockston Masseth, Brett Reed and Tucker Skime.

The Lumberjacks have made a living off of maintaining the puck in the offensive zone and creating dif cult defensive scenarios for opponents.

This season should be no different.

“We have the ability to put pressure on teams,” Vold said. “And, we have some kids who can shoot it. Getting them to work together and hunt pucks on the forecheck will be key for us, and I think we’ve got a group who is capable of doing that.”

Finally, with the reliable Huber off to St. John’s University,

Willmar, Tech too much for SRR

BY TOM FENTON | STAFF WRITER

PHOTO BY EVAN MICHEALSON

Ben Tarlton changes direction while carrying the puck during a Granite City Lumberjacks practice Sept. 9 at Sports Arena East in Sauk Rapids. Granite City is the third West Division team Tarlton has played for, following appearances for North Iowa and Willmar.

goaltender minutes will be assigned to a trio of newcomers: Sartell senior Quentin Sigurdson, Roseau native Andrew Tuttle and Xander Roberts of Abrams, Wisconsin.

“All three of them are quali ed and have the ability to do the job,” Vold said.

“It’s sometimes fun to have new faces around, and we’re excited to see what these guys can do and what they will bring to the program.”

The West Division has signi cantly changed heading into the campaign.

There is no getting around this one. It has been a tough week for the Sauk Rapids-Rice High School boys soccer team. The Storm faced two teams that are expected to contend for the Central Lakes Conference title, and they quickly learned why.

Willmar got off to a fast start and never looked back in an 11-2 victory Sept. 7 at the Sauk RapidsRice High School in Sauk Rapids. The Storm had goals from Keegan Pham and Eli Moilanen. Leif Rudnick and Pham each had assists.

“We need to do better starting out each half,” said boys soccer head coach Chris Rothstein. “The rst 10 minutes of the halves have been dif cult for us. We also need to do better at working together as a cohesive unit.”

Things were not easier for a shorthanded SRR team in a 9-1 loss Sept. 2 at Tech High School in St. Cloud. The lone Storm goal came from Cooper Godwin off a corner kick with 30 seconds remaining.

“It was a really tough game,” Rothstein said.

“We have had injuries to starters. Tech is a very skilled team, and we couldn’t keep up with their possession and speed. There is a lot to learn from for the future.”

The Storm (1-3) hosted Rocori Sept. 9 and will travel to Fergus Falls Tuesday, Sept. 14.

PHOTOS FROM THESE GAMES NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE

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Lumberjacks page 8B

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SPORTS

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 | Page 7B

A dominant season opener

PHOTOS BY TOM FENTON

Sauk Rapids-Rice senior running back Alex Harren looks for running room as senior linemen Riley Stover (left) and Noah Jensen provide support. Harren ran for 115 yards, including a 9-yard touchdown, as the Storm defeated Sartell 27-0 Sept. 3 at Riverview Elementary School Stadium in Sartell.

and powered his way to 115 yards on 18 carries.

His 9-yard touchdown run just before halftime put an extra charge into an already energized come into their house

BY TOM FENTON STAFF WRITER team. and shut them out,” “This was huge,” said senior tackle Jacob Alex Harren said. “We It is hard to imagine Peters, one of the anchors knew they were coming the Sauk Rapids-Rice of an offensive line that off a win and everybody High School football seemingly did whatever played amazing.” team having a more they wanted. “It helps our Junior Andrew con dence a lot. We’ve perfect season opener.

Harren led SRR in The Storm faced got big things planned. receiving, catching three their neighbor and rival, We came prepared and passes for 60 yards. the Sabres, in front of a got our jobs done.”

The Storm were Sartell was coming raucous crowd for the coming off a 1-4 season rst time since 2019. off a win over Tech in that left more questions And did they ever what is called Zero Week, than answers. Coach which allows teams to produce.

Phillip Klaphake had Riding a dominant open the season a week an inkling this year’s defense and an offense early to ease scheduling team had talent while that was more ef cient dif culties. The Storm, admitting nothing is than ashy, SRR cruised however, played like certain until he sees them to a 27-0 victory over they were ready for the perform under the lights. the Sabres Sept. 3 at playoffs.

“Going into the rst The SRR defense Riverview Elementary game, there are just School Stadium in suffocated the Sabres, so many unknowns,” holding them to 100 Sartell.

Klaphake said. “I know “It means a lot to yards and only ve rst we’ve got some talented players, but will it show up on the eld? I told the kids that is what I expected it to look like, but I wasn’t sure if it would happen. We’ve got a lot of really talented seniors who play really fast, and they did it tonight.”

Next up for SRR is its home opener Sept.

10 against Tech, which fell to 0-2 after a 42-13 loss to Moorhead Friday night. Walrath said his team will again be ready.

“Football is everything to us,” Walrath said.

“We have so many threesport athletes, but Sauk Rapids-Rice senior lineman Dane Dingmann and assistant coach Zach Brown we all live for this.

Storm football stifles Sartell in 27-0 victory

downs.

“We just got out there and played fast and played hard,” said Jayce Walrath, senior linebacker. “We communicated our heads off and we did exactly that. We came out with what we wanted.”

Senior quarterback Dom Mathies ran for a pair of 1-yard touchdowns in the rst half and put the game away with a 9-yard score in the third quarter. He completed 8 of 19 passes for 126 yards.

“This feels great,” he said. “One of our goals is to be one of the better teams in (the area), and I think we’re there. I ran the ball decent, but I have to put it all on my O-line.”

Sartell had no answer for senior running back Alex Harren, who diced

enjoy the final moments of their team’s 27-0 victory over Sartell Sept. 3 at Riverview Elementary School Stadium in Sartell. Dingmann and the offensive line had a strong performance, helping SRR to 225 yards rushing.

Football page 8B

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