Sauk Rapids Herald - December 22, 2023 by Star Publications

NEWS

Page 2 | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2023 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Sauk Rapids ‘Jolly Trolley’ collection stop drives records BY TIM HENNAGIR STAFF WRITER

The Sauk Rapids Coborn’s location helped St. Cloud Metro Bus set “Jolly Trolley” collection records this year. Monetary and non-perishable donations include $4,484 and 12,726 pounds of food collected from Dec. 1214. Those numbers represent a second consecutive record-setting year, said Nate Ramacher, Metro Bus marketing and communications manager. The Jolly Trolley bus visited Sauk Rapids Dec. 14. Other Jolly Trolley stops included Coborn’s on Cooper Avenue South in St. Cloud and Lunds & Byerlys. Over the last 13 years, the food drive has distributed 29 tons of non-perishables and over $30,000, Ramacher said. Food drive partners Catholic Charities Emer-

PHOTOS BY TIM HENNAGIR

Volunteer Jenny Svihel prepares to begin her food collection shift as the St. Cloud Metro Bus Jolly Trolley stops in front of Coborn’s Dec. 14 in Sauk Rapids. The Coborn’s location helped Metro Bus set Jolly Trolley monetary ($4,484) and non-perishable food (12,726 pounds) food drive records this year.

gency Services, Promise Neighborhood of Central Minnesota and St. Cloud Area Salvation Army received money and food donations Dec. 15, Ramacher said. The Jolly Trolley also visited the Tri-County Humane Society, delivering pallets of dog food and treats.

Sauk Rapids resident Jenny Svihel has been a food drive volunteer for eight years. She is also a board member of the Metro Bus Riders Advisory Committee and has been a dedicated bus rider for 23 years. Svihel said she takes a Metro Bus to work,

doctor’s appointments, shopping and the movie theater. “We had a fun time,” Svihel said. “I love the Jolly Trolley because it helps our local food shelves. We’ve done this event in rain and when snow has been blown in our faces. It was nice to have good weather.”

(Top left) Volunteer Jenny Svihel dons a festive holiday hat while she works a food drive collection shift Dec. 14 at Coborn’s in Sauk Rapids. Svihel is also a board member of the Metro Bus Riders Advisory Committee. (Bottom left) Nate Ramacher, St. Cloud Metro Bus marketing and communications manager, steps down from the Jolly Trolley bus Dec. 14 shortly after its arrival in front of Coborn’s in Sauk Rapids. Other Jolly Trolley stops included Coborn’s on Cooper Avenue South in St. Cloud and Lunds & Byerlys during the Dec. 12-14 food drive.

TeBrakes take the cake in annual holiday lighting competition The home of Dave and Amy TeBrake shone bright in the City of Sauk Rapids Holiday Lights & Display Contest, winning rst prize in the contest that has been happening for 33 years. The TeBrakes display at 1839 Perennial Lane NE involves blinking and tracking

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Rapids Herald, Manea’s Meats, Danny’s Dugout and D&B Autobody. Second place, a $100 prize, was won by the home of Greg and Tasha Czech at 42 Fifth Ave. S. while the thirdplace winners, Kurt and Beth Reimer, at 38 Fifth Ave. S. received a $50 prize.

The City of Sauk Rapids Holiday Lights & Display Contest is open to all residential properties within city limits. The contest judges take into account theme,

lighting technique and creativity; all judges’ decisions are nal. Winners are ineligible for one year after winning a prize, opening the contest up to others.

Entry information for next year’s contest can be found in November 2024 on the city’s website, city newsletter and in the Sauk Rapids Herald.

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PHOTOS BY NATASHA BARBER

The home of Dave and Amy TeBrake is lit up Dec. 19 at 1839 Perennial Lane NE in Sauk Rapids. The TeBrakes won first place in the City of Sauk Rapids Holiday Lights & Display Contest with their display that features lights and music.

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lights set to radio station 90.5. Manmade tree and present displays adorned with lights are accompanied by a sidewalk archway and borders on eaves, windows, columns and the garage. The TeBrakes won the $200 prize in the competition which was hosted by the Sauk

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NEWS

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2023 | Page 3

What’s H A P P E N I N G

is extending water main, which is somewhat unSecond Avenue South project usual. We will loop and extend mains on Eighth Street

from front

Hedlund said a mini roundabout was chosen rather than the traditional larger size in order to help minimize impacts to existing properties adjacent to the Second Avenue South and Ninth Street South intersection. The new traf c control structure will be the eighth roundabout within city limits, Hedlund said, and the second entirely on city roads. The other six roundabouts are on Golden Spike Road Northeast (County Road 3). The city will use federal grant and municipal state aid, franchise fees, Minnesota Public Facilities Authority Grant dollars, resident assesssments, and stormwater, sewer, water and street light funds to pay for the project. “We are planning this project in two main phases,” Hedlund said. “One phase is north of Sixth Street South and the other phase (is) the remainder of the project out to the south. The majority of the streets will have water main improvements and water services will be replaced from the main to the property line.” Hedlund said the Eighth Street South and Second Avenue South intersection will be one of the larger ones improved next summer. Catch basins will be installed on street quadrants within the project. Sidewalks will be added on the south side of Sixth Street South and the north side of Ninth Street South. “Seventh Street South will be one of the few segments in this project that will have center sewer in a residential street,” Hedlund said. “Another part of this

Taxation from front

Monday, Dec. 25 — Christmas Day. Monday, Dec. 25, 11:30-2 p.m. — Christmas Day Dinner. Hosted by Agape Warriors Ministry. Free and open to all. No reservation required. Turkey, ham, pasta, tacos, potatoes and gravy, dressing, salad, desert and beverages. East Side VFW Post 4847, 104 Franklin Ave. NE, St. Cloud. Tuesday, Dec. 26, 10 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, Dec. 26, 12:30-1:30 p.m. — Exercise Tuesdays. Hosted by Helping Hands Outreach. Lions Building, 101 Fourth Ave. NW, Rice. Call 320-393-4467 for more information. Tuesday, Dec. 26, 6:30 p.m. — Sauk Rapids Women of Today Membership Meeting. VFW Post 6992, 901 N. Benton Drive, Sauk Rapids. Tuesday, Dec. 26, 7-9 p.m. — St. Cloud Area Singing Saints Men’s Acapella Chorus Practice. Meets every Tuesday. New participants welcome. Good Shepherd Community Chapel, 325 11th St. N., Sauk Rapids. Wednesday, Dec. 27, 1-3 p.m. — Cribbage Wednesdays. Hosted by Helping Hands Outreach. Lions Building, 101 Fourth Ave. NW, Rice.

funds. Water has a 10% usage increase and a $2 water bi-monthly xed-fee residential and $3 commercial charge. The water availability charge increases to $2,100 in 2024 from $2,040 collected in 2023. Sewer has a 6% usage increase and a 50-cent, bi-monthly xed-fee residential and commercial increase, with the city’s sewer access charge increasing to $2,700 in 2024, up from $2,652 collected in 2023. Stormwater will increase by a dollar per bi-monthly residential xed fee and the city’s street light utility fee will increase by 50 cents per bi-monthly residential xed fee, Kahlhamer said. Liquor, the city’s fth enterprise fund, will have net income of about $63,000 after $135,000 in transfers to other city funds.

tion is likely to increase to $230,000, with an estimated $83 tax increase. For a $300,000 home, valuation will rise to around $345,000, with an estimated tax increase of $119 for the year’s city tax, he said. “Overall, looking at the total levy, levy per capita is probably one of the bigger items to look at, and we are still on the lowest end of area cities,” Kahlhamer said. Projected city levies per capita are as follows: Waite Park, $1,286; St. Joseph, $574; St. Cloud, $553; Sartell, $515; and Sauk Rapids, $431. Sauk Rapids’ total general levy will include approximately $443,700 for building, equipment and street capital improvements. The city’s tax rate is estimated to decrease from 41.11% to 38.12% next year. Kahlhamer said there will be rate increases associated with the city’s four utility-related enterprise

Wednesday, Dec. 27, 5 p.m. — Burger Nite and Meat Raf e. Hosted by and bene ting the Sauk Rapids VFW Auxiliary. Sauk Rapids VFW Post 6992, 901 N. Benton Drive, Sauk Rapids. Thursday, Dec. 28, 1-3 p.m. — Career Force. Job searching services include resume reviews, interest assessments, career exploration and other job assistance. Great River Regional Library, 1300 W. St. Germain St., St. Cloud. Thursday, Dec. 29, 7 p.m. — Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting. Meets weekly. Shepherd of the Pines Lutheran Church, 1950 125th St. NW, Rice. For more information, call 320-2939213. Thursday, Dec. 29, 7 p.m. — Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting. Meets weekly. Living Waters Lutheran Church, 1950 125th St. NW, Rice. For more information, call 320-293-9213. Thursday, Dec. 29, 7-8 p.m. — Al-Anon Meeting. Help and hope for families and friends of alcoholics. Meets weekly. Living Waters Lutheran Church, 1911 Fourth Ave. N., Sauk Rapids. Monday, Jan. 1 — New Year’s Day.

Taxation page 5

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Benton County Benton County Board of Commissioners approved a 2024 levy increase of 5.15% during its scheduled meeting of the year Dec. 19. The board completed a nal budget and levy committee discussion Dec. 12. The increase represents $1.16 million change from 2023, on a total property tax levy of $23.75 million. With the proposed change, the 10-year average levy change for Benton County shows a 1.9% increase. The proposed levy increase falls below the 16.6% expected growth in the county’s payable 2024 net tax capacity, according to Monty Headley, county administrator. That translates into a reduced county tax rate. The estimated 2024 rate is expected to fall from 48.27% to 43.54% of tax capacity, down from a peak of 77.74% in 2013. Based on a median home value of $272,910, up 16.6% from payable 2023’s median value of $234,752, a homeowner’s county property taxes will increase $77.57 in 2024, or $6.46 per month, Headley said. The county’s proposed 2024 operating budget totals $54.64 million, a decrease of $7.73 million (12.4%) from 2023. Most of the reduction is due to a substantially smaller 2024 road construction program. Employee compensation and bene ts ($1.56

million) are the largest part of the 2024 increase, Headley said. Benton County’s proposed budget for next year includes a 10% increase in health insurance, he said. The largest county government funding source (43%) remains the property tax levy, Headley said. A new entrant into the funding pie is $4.3 million in wheelage and local options sales tax revenues. Human services ($16.87 million), general government ($12.19 million), and highways ($11.49 million) are the top three governmental expenses comprising 73.1% of the proposed 2024 budget, Headley said. City of Sauk Rapids The city of Sauk Rapids avoided double-digit increases in a 2024 general fund budget and levy approved Dec. 11. “We have 9.5% budget increase from 2023 at $8.38 million, and to get to that, our 2024 levy will be $5.85 million, or an 8.21% increase,” city nance director Jack Kahlhamer said during a hearing at the Sauk Rapids Government Center in Sauk Rapids. No residents spoke at the city’s truth-in-taxation meeting. From 2013 to 2020, the city has had well below average levies, Kahlhamer said. During the last couple of years, Kahlhamer said Sauk Rapids increased its levy to cover overlay project debt service and new police and parks employees. With an average estimated 15% increase in home property values, Kahlhamer said a $200,000 home’s valua-

South east of Second Avenue and Third Avenue. There will be four parcels in that area that will be receiving city water for the rst time.” Hedlund presented a revised winter tree clearing map that showed 14 trees will be affected by the project. “There are three trees on the rst block from Seventh to Eighth and two on the segment from Eighth to Ninth, and the rest of the trees are on the southern-most block of the project and in right-of-way,” Hedlund said. Because the city is getting $1.1 million in federal funding for the Second Avenue South improvement work, the tree clearing can only be completed during the months of November through March in order to minimize potential harm to threatened or endangered species such as the northern long-eared bat. The city is still in process of acquiring easements within the improvement project area. In a related agenda item, council members authorized city engineering rm Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. to prepare a feasibility study and topographical survey for the 2024 Second Avenue South improvements. The city’s estimated cost for that project is $6.22 million. Future work includes the reconstruction of street, storm sewer, water, sewer, and sidewalk along Second Avenue South from 10th Street South to the south city limits and side streets of Ninth Street South from the alley between Second Avenue and Third Avenue South to the railroad tracks and 10th Street through 14th Street South from Broadway to Second Avenue South.

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NEWS

Page 4 | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2023 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Herald on the Streets:

What are your thoughts on the recently adopted Minnesota state flag design? BY HANS LAMMEMAN STAFF WRITER

1893-1957

1957-1983

1983-Present

The Minnesota State Emblems Redesign Commission approved a new state ag design Dec. 19. The selected design exhibits a dark blue conceptual shape of Minnesota with an eight-point star on the ag’s left side. The rest of the ag is light blue. The present ag features the state seal encircled by stars and the state ower — a lady’s slipper — on a blue background. The version received three adjustments to color and detail since it was initially adopted in 1893. Information referenced on the Minnesota Historical Society website said critics of the previous seal and ag argued that its imagery re ected anti-Native American bias. Unless new legislation changes existing timelines, the new design is set to become the of cial state ag May 11, 2024. The commission chose a new state seal design Dec. 15. The seal has not yet been nalized.

Tom Speckhard, Sartell “I think it is better than the old one. The old one is too busy. I like the simplicity of the new one.”

Paul Grieves, St. Cloud “I don’t have a problem with it, per se. I just don’t know why they had to change it in the first place. The old one is cluttered; I will be honest about that.”

Deb Cruser, Sauk Rapids “I don’t like it. It could be anybody’s state flag. It doesn’t show me Minnesota at all. I like that the old flag had details about our state.

Jeff Drais, St. Stephen “I like it better than the one with the three stripes. I do kind of like the shape of Minnesota, and the star looks a little better than it did before. I would have liked the loon on there.”

Andrew Gnirk, St. Cloud “It is more modern. Whether that is a good thing or not depends on the individual. I like the colors; the left half doesn’t really look like Minnesota though.”

Bob Regan, St. Cloud “It seems like wasting a lot of time and effort to replace a flag that seemed to work for a lot of years. I liked the old flag because it was the old flag — tradition.”

Carol Neeser, Sauk Rapids “I am not nuts about it. I think it is rather boring and it really doesn’t say ‘Minnesota.’ We need a little more of our culture; even a hot dish would do.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF MINNESOTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

This design was chosen by the Minnesota State Emblems Redesign Commission Dec. 19 to become the next flag of Minnesota. The Kristin Miller, Sauk Rapids design exhibits a dark blue conceptual shape of Minnesota with an eight-point star on the flag’s “I don’t have many thoughts on it. left side; the rest of the flag is light blue. It is pretty and blue. The new one is

maybe a little too simple.”

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SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2023 | Page 5

OBITUARIES Dennis L. Repulski

Funeral services were Dec. 21, 2023, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 6855 Golden Spike Road NE, Sauk Rapids for Dennis L. Repulski, age 83, who passed away Dec. 15, 2023, at The Gardens at Foley. The Rev. Dr. Timothy J. Rehwaldt of ciated and burial was in the church cemetery. Visitation was one hour prior to the services at the church. Arrangements have been entrusted to Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home in Sauk Rapids.

1972, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Popple Creek. Dennis lived in the Foley area his entire life. He was a farmer and also worked at Electrolux for 44 years. Dennis was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and the Machinist and Mechanic’s Union Local 623. He enjoyed hunting, shing and spending time on the Dennis L. Repulski computer. “The Lord stood Dennis was born June 1, 1940, in St. Cloud with me and gave me to Christopher “Paul” and strength.” Dennis is survived Elizabeth “Alice” (Sowa) by his wife of 51 years, Repulski. He married Patricia of Foley; and Patricia Leyk Sept. 30,

nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Lawrence; and sisters Eleanore Bohannon and Delores Schmidt. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at The Gardens at Foley and CentraCare Hospice for all of their care. In lieu of owers, memorials are preferred to St. John’s Lutheran Church. Obituary and guest book available online at www.williamsdingmann. com. R-51-1B

James J. Nierengarten

was a hard worker and (Will) DuPont, Jenniwas well respected with fer (Raul) Garza, and his business. He enjoyed Mikaela Dingmann; four Mass of Christian playing cards, reading great-grandsons; sister Burial was Dec. 21 at and staying up to date on Jean Anderson; sister-in11 a.m. at Sacred Heart current events. He will law Mary Nierengarten; Catholic Church in Sauk be remembered for his and many nieces, nephRapids for James “Jim” humble and soft-spoken ews, friends and family. J. Nierengarten, age 96, nature, quick wit and He is preceded in death of Sauk Rapids, who intelligence. Above all, by his parents; siblings passed away Dec. 16, Jim cherished the time he Philip, John, Margaret 2023, at the St. Cloud spent with his family. He Justin, Arthur, William, Hospital. The Rev. Tom James J. Nierengarten will be missed dearly by Carl, Peter, Walter, Clara Knoblach of ciated and all who knew him. Goenner, Lawrence and burial was at the parish Jim is survived Laura. cemetery. Visitation Jim married Marge In lieu of owers, Dec. 20 at the Williams (Scheierl) Nierengarten by his wife of 61 years Marge; children Melamemorials are preferred Dingmann Family Funer- Sept. 15, 1962, at St. to Sacred Heart Bell al Home in Sauk Rapids Louis Catholic Church in nie (Bob) Walz of Cold Spring, David Nierengar- Tower Fund or Cathedral and one hour prior to the Paynesville. He owned ten of St. Cloud, Brenda High School. service at the church. and operated a private (Jim) Dingmann of St. Obituary, guest Parish prayers were at practice as an accounthe funeral home. tant. James later owned Cloud, and Rick Nieren- book and video tribute garten of Minneapolis; available online at www. Jim Nierengarten and operated Stearns grandchildren Karlee williamsdingmann.com. was born March 1, 1927, County Abstract until R-51-1B (Ryan) Olson, Ellie in Sauk Rapids to Peter 1989 when he retired. and Mary (Collignon) Jim had a strong faith Nierengarten. He proud- and was a lifelong “Our Country is in Mourning, A Veteran Died Today.” ly served our country in member of Sacred Heart the United States Army. Catholic Church. Jim

Sandra K. Fleck

A Celebration of Life will be at a later date (to be decided after the rst of the year) for Sandra “Sandy” K. Fleck, age 65, who passed away Dec. 16, 2023, at her home. Arrangements have been entrusted to Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home in Sauk Rapids. Sandra K. Fleck Sandy was born March 21, 1958, in St. Cloud to Darel and Alvina (Skuza) Fleck. She lived

Taxation from page 3 City of Rice The city of Rice certi ed an $810,881 taxable levy for 2024. The 2024 swell re ects a 16% increase in revenue, although — due to an increased tax capacity — the city tax rate will drop less than 1% from 29.37% to 29.1%. The council nearly doubled its road fund with the preliminary levy, deciding to levy $71,429 in 2024 versus $40,000 in 2023.

The total certi ed levy, payable in 2024, consists of $627,922 for the general fund, $71,429 for streets, $1,000 for the recreation department and $8,000 for a tax abatement project with the remainder being spent toward the re department. The city paid off a re truck bond balance of $27,300 last year, and those previously slated levy funds have been rolled toward to the re

in the Sauk Rapids area her entire life and worked at WACOSA. Sandy was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Sauk Rapids. She loved Christmas and listening to music especially country. Sandy was gentle, kind and funny. She enjoyed going for car rides, folding clothes, shredding paper and participating in the Special Olympics. Sandy is survived

by her brother and sisters, Jerry (Cheryl) Fleck of Zimmerman, Vicki (Mark) Strommen of East Bethel, and Kay (Mark) Anderson of Sauk Rapids; and many other friends and family. She was preceded in death by her parents; and brother Bob Fleck. Obituary and guest book available online at www.williamsdingmann. com R-51-1B

department budget to create capital outlay revenue for future years. The re department will receive $93,130

of the total levy and an additional $9,400 will be placed in the re department pension fund.

PHOTOS BY TIM HENNAGIR

Sauk Rapids Police Officer Skylar Polston displays a Christmas stocking and possible gift selection for a Shop with a Cop participant Dec. 14 at Walmart in Sartell. Sauk Rapids law enforcement joined forces with their Sartell colleagues to brighten the holidays for more than 30 kids who participated in the event.

Shop with a Cop from front Barton, Budde and Polston volunteered for the shopping event. “One of the kiddos I was with kept stopping in the middle of the aisle and adding up the cost of the gifts he had collected,” Budde said. “He knew exactly how much he was spending and didn’t want to go over.” Polston helped a youngster select holiday gift items for his family during their trek around the store. She said volunteering during Shop with a Cop was a lot of fun and provided important community service. “I’ve been on the force a little over a year,” Polston said. “The younger of cers in the Sauk Rapids Police Department want to get involved in more community events as time goes on.” Budde’s been with the department a year and four months. She recalled visiting The Good Shepherd Community nursing home in Sauk Rapids earlier this year. “We visited them in November and played bingo,” Budde said. “They invited us back for a summer barbecue. We also helped out with the Sauk Rapids Jingle & Mingle parade and the Toys for Tots collection with the Sauk Rapids Fire Department. There’s a group of younger Sauk Rapids of cers who want to do more community engagement. We also had a summer picnic and cookout in Lions Park.” Lyon said Walmart and Bernick’s Pepsi each contributed $1,000 to this year’s Shop with a Cop effort.

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Sartell Officer Rob Lyon (from left) provides instructions to Sauk Rapids Police Officers Gabby Budde, Skylar Polston and Masen Barton prior to the start of the Dec. 14 Shop with a Cop event at Walmart in Sartell. Ten officers from the departments helped kids roam store aisles, offering budgetary tips and gift collecting guidance.

OPINION

Page 6 | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2023 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Houseplant insect pests Houseplants are a welcome addition to our homes in winter. They require regular inspection to ensure they receive the right amount of water and light. Fertilizer is used less often in winter because some plants need a dormant or rest GREEN AND GROWING period to form summer IN BENTON COUNTY blooms. Plants that summer outdoors may BY LINDA G. TENNESON be accompanied by insects when brought indoors in fall. Plants should be periodically checked for insects using a magnifying glass. Insects, particularly eggs, may be attached to the underside of leaves or along stems. Immature insects may be especially dif cult to see. Insects may also have crawled into the container drainage holes. Recently purchased plants and those that have summered outdoors should be isolated from other plants for several weeks until they have been determined to be insect and disease free. Turning a plant and pot upside down to remove it from its container is another way to check for insects that may be clinging to the outer sides of the root ball. Plants will bene t from being placed in the shower to wash insects off or by placing them in a large plastic bag and then spraying water inside. Repotting plants is best done with sterile soil to avoid insect eggs that may be hiding in outdoor soil. A wet cloth is also useful to remove dust and insect eggs from leaves. Plants that have been infested with insects may be rescued in several ways. If the insects are clustered in one location, pruning that part of the plant is an easy solution. Cotton swabs dipped in rubbing alcohol will catch aphids and mealybugs. Insecticidal soaps are helpful with controlling soft-bodied insects; however, the wet soap solution must touch the insect. Chemical controls may be used as a last resort. Read the labels carefully since different chemicals affect different insects, and insecticides may be harmful to children or pets. Common insect pests include aphids, which suck plant sap and leave a sticky residue called honeydew on leaves. Their color may vary, and the adults may or may not have wings. They are an eighth of an inch or less long. Mealybugs are also quite small. They cover themselves with a white, waxy material which resembles cotton. This substance also protects that insect from chemicals, so repeated applications may be needed. Mealy bugs also produce honeydew. Spider mites are often unnoticed until they produce a silky web. Fungus gnats are approximately an eighth of an inch long and use plants as nurseries for their eggs. The insect larvae may kill a plant by feeding on the roots. Fungus gnats y around plants and are attracted to lights. Pill bugs, millipedes and slugs may hide in plant roots. Scale insects vary in size and color. They feed by sucking the plant sap. White ies are related to scale insects. Their size is similar, and they are another honeydew producer. Thrips feed on ower buds and other plant parts. They are very small and are best identi ed with a magnifying glass. Springtails do not y but can jump. They are also very small and may be a sign of overwatering. The website extension.umn.edu/productand-houseplant-pests/insects-indoor-plants contains additional information on houseplant insect pests. Linda G. Tenneson is a University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener and Tree Care Advisor.

The views expressed by our columnists are the opinions and thoughts of the author and do not re ect the opinions and views of newspaper staff and ownership.

Continually reﬁning “Life is never free of contradictions,” God’s hands as part of the shaping process. Manmohan Singh. Do you trust God? We all want to live upright and prosSmith illustrates distorted views of perous. But what’s the secret to prospering? sancti cation as two people looking at the How do we consistently live in a way pleassame building from different sides. ing to the Lord? “Suppose two friends go to see some In the book, “The Christian’s Secret of celebrated building, and return home to a Happy Life,” by Hanna Whitall Smith, describe it. One has seen only the north side Smith explains that God’s part in the process and the other only the south. The rst says, of sancti cation is much different than our ‘The building was built in such a manner LIFE BY FAITH part. God works and we trust. and has such and such stories and ornaBY MERCY NYGAARD ments.’ ‘Oh, no,’ says the other, interrupting It seems contradictory for God to be working and for us to be merely waiting him. ‘You are altogether mistaken; I saw the and trusting. But the two roles are very cohesive and building, and it was built in quite a different manner, requires active participation on our part. and its ornaments and stories were so and so.’ A lively Sancti cation, the process of being puri ed to dispute might follow upon the truth of the respective be set apart for God’s will, is our constant maturing descriptions until the two friends should discover that to overcome sin. It is so that we can have unhindered they had been describing different sides of the same fellowship with God and conform to the likeness of his building and then all would be reconciled at once.” son, Jesus. On one side of the building, man is trusting, and on This truth requires us trusting and God working. the other side of the building, God is working. Both are We must actively trust and surrender every circumcomplimentary to each other and create beautiful and stance before God, clinging to him while he works harmonious architecture. No one ought to judge the inperfectly through every orchestrated event. tentions of someone else’s heart in the describing of the Willfully working, sometimes God shapes us as a building. We all need to view the building in its whole. blacksmith. He may pick us up to cut and chisel as a Was it sitting back and being lazy that the metal blacksmith begins to handle his metal. God decides to was shaped? No, it was surrendered to the artist’s will, set us aside just like a blacksmith sets aside his metal to trusting that each blaze of heat and blow of the hammer wait for the forge to heat up. The time it takes to heat to would help in its maturing into a useful instrument or the proper temperature needs to be is unknown to us but adorning gracefully the maker’s ornament. not to God. Waiting ensues without knowing what will If you are in the middle of God’s conforming, day happen next or when it will happen. The metal is then by day and hour by hour, it possibly doesn’t seem hopeinserted into the forge, heated and smelted to remove ful that anything you will turn into will be graceful. The impurities and set aside for further re nement. More process is anything but. And if you’re like me — and waiting ensues. Reheated, the metal is thrust upon the make many mistakes in the re exes of trying to make anvil; hammered, bended and drawn out. the pain stop — follow the truth. So how can this be viewed distortedly? Take what seems contradictory and line it up with Perhaps one might say to you it is your fault a seGod’s word. View your actions upon the backdrop of ries of dif cult things have happened to you. Judge you scripture. Plead with the Lord to make every step of as hardened or unspiritual as you answer their questions yours obedient to him. Keep your eyes on Jesus and not without seeing that blow after blow has left jadedness on your circumstances. Listen to only those who point in your eyes as you continue trusting God until the last you to Jesus and the cross, who lift your eyes and do blow has landed. not lower your eyes to your past and accusing. ReTo ease their own consciences, they possibly make pent after mistakes and learn as the re ning continues. up ill intentions of your heart, when indeed, only God Surrender, trusting while God is working. Jesus came, can judge the human heart. The distorted views of suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might others in regard to you are also to be surrendered into bring us to God, redeemed and continually re ning.

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Page 8 | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2023 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

NEWS

Page 10 | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2023 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Dec. 13, 2:42 p.m. — A female caller reported she received two phone calls, one each Dec. 5 and Dec. 13, where a male stated there had been fraud on her account and she needed to verify her bank information. The caller told the person she refused to give information over the phone and disconnected the call. She called police to report the scam. The police department told the woman she did the right thing. Dec. 16, 9:48 p.m. — Of cers were dispatched to the zero block of Fifth Avenue South for a potential house re as there was indication of the smell of burned plastic and smoke. Upon arrival, property owners were located in the back yard having a recreational re. The people were burning Christmas lights that no longer worked. The of cers educated the people on the city ordinance that prohibits burning of materials. The Sauk Rapids Fire Department was canceled. Dec. 17, 8:10 p.m. — An of cer was requested to respond to the 1000 block of Broadway Avenue South in regard to a previous phone call that was deemed a civil matter. Law enforcement attempted to explain that civil matters are not criminal matPersonalize your ride! ters, although the parties seemed to think the police could make any matter criminal. The of cer listened to both sides of the story, and the parties agreed to meet on a different date to exchange property. The

people intended to meet in the police department parking lot and ask for a police standby. Incidents: Administrative citations (winter parking violations) 26, miscellaneous calls 24, medical calls 21, traf c stops 16, suspicious activity reports 15, welfare checks 12, assists 8, thefts 8, animal calls 7, traf c accidents 6, disturbances 5, human services reports 5, police proactive visits 5, alarms 4, child calls 4, civil complaints 4, agency assists 3, domestic calls 3, driving calls 3, harassment calls 2, lift assists 2, permits 2, trespassing calls 2 and warrants 2.

Rice Police Department Dec. 11, 2:47 p.m. — An employee from Adam’s Tobacco Shop stopped at the Rice City Hall to turn over a fake identi cation, which was taken from a male who had tried to buy a vape and tobacco at the business. The photo on the ID resembled the person, but the point-of-sale system agged the ID as fake. Law enforcement searched their databases and identi ed the person in the photo and made contact with the individual who admitted to using the fake ID. The of cer documented the conversations with the individual as well as a follow up conversation with the employee. Incidents: Miscellaneous calls 10, Traf c stops 6, traf c accidents 4, suspicious activity reports 3 and medical calls 2.

CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY an argument, and Nelson pulled out a gun but she did not see him point the weapon at A Rice man was booked at the Benton her. The woman referenced Nelson’s “mental County Jail Dec. 5 following an alleged condition,” according to the complaint. assault in Benton County. Law enforcement later located Nelson in Benjamin Brian Nelson, 42, is charged Morrison County around 5 a.m. and arrested with felony second-degree assault as well and transported him to the Benton County as a misdemeanor domestic assault charge. Jail. Nelson faces seven years in prison and a Nelson admitted to having the argument $14,000 ne for the felony charge. and showing the woman a gun, the comAccording to the criminal complaint Benjamin Brian plaint said. He told police he did so to show led in Benton County, law enforcement Nelson the woman he was not suicidal, the comwas dispatched to Rockwood Estates moplaint said, and he left the gun at the resibile home park shortly after 3:30 a.m. Dec. 5 after an assault was reported. A witness told police dence but also had rearms in his vehicle. Two rearms were found in Nelson’s vehicle; she heard Nelson and a woman arguing before witnessing Nelson allegedly threaten the woman with a the rearm used in the alleged assault was found at the residence. gun. Nelson was released from jail Dec. 7. He is due Upon police arrival, Nelson was no longer at the scene, and police interviewed the witness and wom- in court Dec. 27 for an omnibus hearing. an. The woman told police Nelson and she were in

Rice man arrested for assault

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Clark selected for National Society of High School Scholars ATLANTA, Ga. — Alexis Clark, of Sauk Rapids, has been selected to become a member of the National Society of High School Scholars. The society recognizes top scholars who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, scholarship and community commitment. Clark becomes a lifetime member of the organization, which will connect Clark to resources that help students develop strengths and pursue passions throughout high school, college and career.

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Gift cards are a nice way to let someone know you are thinking about them around the holidays or a special time in their life. This is especially true if the person is one of those people who seems to already have one of anything you could think to KEEPING BENTON get them, if you just have COUNTY SAFE no idea what they might SHERIFF TROY HECK want or if you thought that a gas station snow scraper would seem just a little too tacky. But, as with many good and useful things in this world, criminals have found a way to turn gift cards into a tool for their dirty deeds. Through the magic of modern technology, we can purchase goods and services from far away places using e-commerce friendly payment methods, including gift cards. For criminals, gift cards are an appealing method of stealing money from victims because the funds on the card are immediately available to anyone who has the information printed on the cards. The criminals work a simple plan of convincing the victim to purchase a gift card and read to the criminal the information printed on the card. The funds on gift cards are virtually untraceable once the criminal has the numbers from the card. Over and over again, we receive the heartbreaking reports from victims who tell us they were convinced by criminals to purchase gift cards and provide the gift card information over the telephone. In virtually all cases, there is little or nothing a local law enforcement agency can do to help these victims reclaim their money. I’ve said repeatedly that people should always be on their guard when receiving unexpected communications, and this is your best defense against gift card fraud. Many of these criminals work hard to sound legitimate and can be quite convincing in their lies. Typically, these criminals work to convince the victim of an outstanding debt, unresolved tax liability, alleged criminal law violation or other urgent matter that requires the victim to act immediately. When they nd someone who seems willing to believe their false premise, the victim is instructed to purchase gift cards and provide the numbers from these cards to the criminal. Regardless of how convincing a person might seem, gift cards are the giant red ag waving in the wind that is the telltale sign of a scam. No legitimate utility, bank, government agency or other entity is going to require you to pay them using gift cards. Anyone seeking payment from you, for any purported reason, who asks for payment using gift cards is a scammer. Hang up immediately and do not respond to any additional calls. If you, or someone you know, has been a victim of gift card fraud, you have some reporting options. First, you may always report the crime to your local law enforcement agency. They will help point you to additional resources and evaluate whether any action is warranted at a local level. Next, the fraud should be reported to the Federal Trade Commission. Fraud may be reported to the FTC at their website, reportfraud.ftc.gov/#. The FTC works with federal, state and local authorities to nd these criminals and put a stop to fraud. Gift cards aren’t for paying your “past due” utility bill, satisfying the IRS or curing the arrest warrant that has supposedly just been issued for you. Gift cards are for telling people you already know that you care about them, but just don’t know what to get them. For more crime prevention information and safety information visit the Benton County Sheriff’s Of ce website at www.co.benton.mn.us/211/ crime-prevention. You can also like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter at @BentonMNSheriff for regular updates and crime prevention messages.

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POLICE ACTIVITY REPORT DEC. 11-17

NEWS

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2023| Page 11

BREAK CROSSWORD

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This locator map shows 2024 overlay improvement work areas within the city of Sauk Rapids. City leaders authorized $2 million for the summer full-depth mill and overlay project during a Dec. 11 meeting.

Sauk Rapids City Council authorizes street overlay project for 2024 Fourth Avenue North, Osauka Road Northeast segments set for reconstruction

Next year’s Sauk Rapids street overlay project includes reconstruction of some of the oldest portions of Fourth Avenue North and Osauka Road Northeast. Council members authorized the $2 million in improvements at a Dec. 11 meeting. City engineer Scott Hedlund explained estimated project costs and assessments during an improvement hearing at the Sauk Rapids Government Center. The summer 2024 project will rehabilitate deteriorating streets and address Americans with Disabilities Act curb ramp de ciencies. “This is primarily a project with two segments,” Hedlund said. “One part is Fourth Avenue North from Eighth Street North to 18th Street North. The other segment is Osauka Road Northeast from Mayhew Lake Road Northeast (County State Aid Highway 1) and Golden Spike Road Northeast (County State Aid Highway 3) over by the high school.” Other parts of the overlay improvement project include a short sidewalk extension on the west side of Mayhew Lake Road Northeast going south from Osauka Road Northeast and storm sewer work in Autumn Ridge Park. Hedlund said 32-foot to 44-foot-wide roads in the project area have concrete curbs and gutters but pavement that is in fair to poor condition. Osauka Road has not had

Preliminary assessment rates presented by Hedlund included Fourth Avenue North single-family residential lots at $2,444 per lot, Fourth Avenue non-single family residential at $8,158 per acre and Osauka Road Northeast non-single family residential at $1,400 per acre.

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he said. Sauk Rapids council members accepted a project feasibility report Nov. 13. A neighborhood information a major rehabilitation done in meeting was conducted Dec. 20-plus years; Fourth Avenue North from 13th Street North to 7. During discussion Dec. 11, 18th Street North was last fully council member Nick Sauer asked about attendance at the repaired almost 30 years ago. The city will use capital im- neighborhood meeting. Hedlund said eight people representing provement fund dollars (about ve parcels attended. $447,000) and municipal state Sauer also asked about taxaid street funding ($1.2 million) payer noti cations and informato pay for the project. tion about estimated costs being Preliminary special asmailed out. sessments are estimated at “We put in a Dec. 11 public $414,000, Hedlund said. hearing notice, a location map “For single-family parcels, and a taxpayer’s actual estimatwe are planning to assess on a ed assessment in the same enveper-parcel basis,” he said. “If you have one lot, you would be lope that was sent out,” Hedlund assessed for one unit. There are said. “We stressed the informasome non-single family parcels tion was preliminary.” A separate water service rewith the project, and some complacement project will run conmercial, industrial and school currently with the city’s 2024 parcels that will be assessed overlay project. Sauk Rapids next year on an area basis.” is moving ahead with targeted Preliminary assessment replacement of galvanized serrates presented by Hedlund vices on Fourth Avenue North. included Fourth Avenue North Galvanized pipes do not single-family residential lots at contain lead, but may contain $2,444 per lot, Fourth Avenue trace amounts of lead leached non-single family residential from pipe ttings and pipe inat $8,158 per acre and Osaustallation materials. Lead can be ka Road Northeast non-single family residential at $1,400 per found in the solder used to join galvanized pipes, but it is not acre. present in the galvanized coatAn assessment hearing is scheduled to be conducted Nov. ing. Hedlund said affected prop25, 2024. “A property owner affected erties will be contacted by the by any street levies in the last 20 city with more details. years won’t have assessments,”

Page 12 | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2023 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2023 | Page 16

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PUBLIC NOTICES

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23,2023| Page 15

BENTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES DECEMBER 7, 2023 The Benton County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on December 7, 2023, in the Benton County Board Room in Foley, MN. Call to order by Chair Scott Johnson was at 6:00 PM followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the ag. A roll call showed Commissioners Beth Schlangen, Steve Heinen, Scott Johnson, Jared Gapinski and Ed Popp present. County Administrator Montgomery Headley requested to add a discussion on Gilmanton Township LRIP Grant Application as the 5th item under County Engineer Chris Byrd at 6:33 PM. Motion by Gapinski and seconded by Heinen to approve the amended agenda. Motion carried unanimously. There was no one present to speak under Open Forum. Popp requested to pull Consent Agenda item #4. Motion by Gapinski and seconded by Heinen to approve Consent Agenda items 1 – 3 and 5: 1) approve the Regular Board Meeting Minutes of November 21, 2023 and authorize the Chair to sign; 2) approve the Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes of November 14, 2023 and authorize the Chair to sign; 3) approve the 2024 Tobacco License Applications; 5) approve the S.C.O.R.E. Pleasantview Elementary ISD47 Purchase Money Security Agreement for two park benches and authorize the Chair to sign. Motion carried unanimously. Next, Popp had questions on Consent Agenda item #4 regarding the 2024 SCORE Grant Applications Round IIII, and asked what percentage would cover re-usable materials. Heinen stated that they were going to cover 45% and they had adjusted the dollar amounts to include the re-usable materials already. This information was found in the Solid Waste packet. Motion by Popp and seconded by Gapinski to approve d Consent Agenda item #4 to approve the 2023 SCORE Grant d Applications Round IIII. Motion carried unanimously. Next, Johnson announced that the County Board is conducting a Truth in Taxation public meeting on the County’s proposed 2024 budget and levy; the purpose of this meeting is to take questions and comments from the public. Headley added that all counties are required to conduct a Truth in Taxation public meeting, regardless of the size of any levy increase; or even if there is no increase proposed. A 2013 statutory change requires a “public meeting” and not a formal public hearing. The Truth in Taxation statute requires that the proposed budget and levy be discussed, and the public allowed to speak. Headley wanted to add that the 10-year average levy increase is only 1.9%. Even though the levy is expected to go up 5.56%, the County expects to see 16.6% growth in our tax capacity and a reduced County rate. The summary of major factors in the proposed 2024 Budget and Levy include: o The proposed 2024 levy increases 5.56%, or $1,255,040 from 2023, to a total property tax levy of $23,840,162 (“gross” percentage increase partially offset by expected 1.17% growth from new construction) o With this proposed change for 2024, the 10-year average levy change for Benton County is a 1.9% increase o The proposed levy increase falls below the 16.6% expected growth in the County’s payable 2024 net tax capacity, which translates into a reduced County tax rate in 2024; the estimated 2024 County tax rate will fall from 48.27% to 43.71% of tax capacity (down from a peak of 77.74% in 2013) o Based on a median house value of $272,910 (up 16.6% from payable 2023’s median value of $234,752), a homeowner’s County property taxes would increase $81.95 in 2024, or $6.83 per month o The proposed 2024 operating budget totals $54,498,783, a decrease of $7,863,676, or a 12.5% decrease from 2023; most of the reduction is due to a substantially smaller 2024 road construction program o The proposed levy increase is comprised of the following major elements: • Employee Compensation and Bene ts $1,653,725 • Increased interest earnings on idle cash (500,000) • Abolish three vacant positions (see below) (331,547) • New positions (see below) 160,037 • Increased highway maintenance accounts 104,100 • Increased DOC billing for central DOC admins costs 72,273 • New annual cost of Tyler Tax and CAMA systems 52,545 • All other operating and revenue account adjustments (net) 40,907 Total Levy Change for 2024 1,255,040 o The proposed budget includes the following “Policy Issues” from County Board action: • A Staff Appraiser position to allow the County to perform more property valuation work internally (and reduce its reliance on contracted local assessors)

• A Public Safety Dispatcher to increase the amount of time at least two dispatchers are on duty • In Human Services, an Eligibility Specialist for the resumption of medical assistance eligibility redeterminations (offset by one-time state funding and based on the assumption the position will be eliminated through attrition once state funding is exhausted); and a Social Worker for MNCHOICE assessments, also fully offset by state/federal funding • The proposed budget eliminates three full-time positions – the HR/Safety position in Administration, a Social Worker in Human Services and an Engineering Technician in Highway (all three positions are currently vacant) o Employee compensation and bene ts comprise the largest single item in the 2024 levy increase; the proposed 2024 budget funds general wage adjustments and step increases. Also, the proposed 2024 budget includes a 13% increase in employee health insurance contributions o The County’s General Revenue fund balance at the end of 2022 stood at 5.2 months of expenditure coverage, versus a goal standard of 5 months expenditure coverage; the Human Services fund balance equaled 6.3 months of expenditure coverage at December 2022; with the Revenue Fund balance approaching the goal standard, no further Revenue fund balance usage is re ected in the proposed budget; the proposed budget uses $500,000 from the Human Services Fund to support capital projects, given that fund’s solid position. Headley explained where the county’s resources come from (43% from property taxes) and where dollars are spent (salaries, wages and bene ts make up 52% of the total “all funds” budget); the top three functions of Highway, Human Services and General Government comprise of 74% of the County’s proposed 2024 budget. Headley stated that employee compensation and bene ts comprise the largest single item in the 2024 levy increase. Another major factor was the 13% increase in employee health insurance premiums, based on the recommendation of the County’s health insurance broker. Chair Johnson called for those wishing to speak during the public meeting portion at 6:14 PM. No one was present to speak at the Truth in Taxation Meeting. Chair Johnson closed the public speaking portion of the Truth in Taxation Meeting at 6:15 PM. Next, Headley requested the County Board to consider a Resolution to abolish the Human Services Board and transfer all responsibilities of the Human Services Board to the County Board effective April 1, 2024. The Resolution prepared by the County Attorney’s Of ce in response to County Board consensus to separate Public Health as an independent County Department. The Resolution provides the following: 1. Transfers all community health board powers and duties of the Human Services Board to the County Board 2. Abolishes the Human Services Board effective April 1, 2024 3. Establishes that a new Community Health Board shall be the governing body for Public Health effective January 1, 2024 4. Establishes separate Public Health and Human Services (Social Services) Departments 5. Transfers all Human Services contracts to the County Board 6. Transfers all Public Health contracts to the Community Health Board Motion by Heinen and seconded by Schlangen to adopt both Resolutions as presented to abolish the Human Services Board and transfer all responsibilities of the Human Services Board to the County Board effective April 1, 2024 and to approve the Joint Resolution of the Benton County Board of Commissioners and the Benton County Human Services Board to unassign Community Health Board duties under Minn. Stat. Ch. 145A from the Benton County Human Services Board, dissolve the Benton County Human Services Board, and name the Public Health Department Benton County Public Health. Motion carried unanimously. Next, because of timing, the County Board wished to proceed with County Engineer Chris Byrd’s Agenda items. Byrd requested the County Board approve a Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP) Grant Application for CSAH 7 Reconstruction. Byrd would like to submit an LRIP grant to help cover some of the local costs of the partially funded federal project. We are receiving about $3.2 Million in Federal Aid, but the project is estimated to cost about $5.6 Million. The maximum grant award is $1.5 Million. The grant application is due December 8, 2023. Motion by Johnson and seconded by Popp to approve the LRIP Grant Application for CSAH 7 Reconstruction. Motion carried unanimously.

Next, Byrd requested the County Board to consider the LRIP Grant Application for CSAH 7 Reclaim project which is in our 5-year plan. The grant application is due December 8, 2023. Motion by Johnson and seconded by Gapinski to approve the LRIP Grant Application for CSAH 7 Reclaim. Motion carried unanimously. Next, Byrd requested the County Board to consider the LRIP Grant Application for CSAH 3 Reclaim which is in the 5-year plan. The grant application is due December 8, 2023. Motion by Gapinski and seconded by Heinen to approve the LRIP Grant Application for CSAH 3 Reclaim. Motion carried unanimously. Next, Byrd requested the County Board to consider the Watab Township LRIP Grant Application. Watab Township would like to submit an LRIP grant application. Townships must have support of the County Board in the form of a resolution to apply. Watab would like to improve 95th Street NW between TH 10 and CR 55. This is a township project and Watab will be expected to pay for any costs that are not covered by the grant. Motion by Popp and seconded by Heinen to approve the Watab Township LRIP Grant Application. Motion carried unanimously. The Regular County Board meeting was recessed at 6:38 PM to conduct a Human Services Board Meeting. The Regular Board meeting reconvened at 6:41 PM. Next, Headley requested the County Board to consider a Resolution establishing a Community Health Board. The Resolution was drafted by the County Attorney’s Of ce in response to County Board consensus to create Public Health as a separate Department. The Resolution provides the following: 1. Establishes that the County Board shall act as the governing body of a Benton County Community Health Board 2. The County Board acting as Community Health Board assumes all responsibilities of community health boards as set forth in Minnesota Statutes 3. All contracts held by the Human Services Board transfer to the Community Health Board 4. Establishes the Community Health Administrator as the administrative lead of the County’s community health responsibilities Motion by Heinen and seconded by Schlangen to approve the Resolution establishing a Community Health Board as presented. Motion carried unanimously. Next, Byrd requested the County Board to consider the Gilmanton Township LRIP Grant Application. Gilmanton Township would like to submit an LRIP grant application. Townships must have support of the County Board in the form of a resolution to apply. Gilmanton would like to improve 85th Street between CR 43 and CR 66. This is a township project and Gilmanton will be expected to pay for any costs that are not covered by the grant. The grant application is due December 8, 2023. Motion by Johnson and seconded by Popp to approve the Gilmanton Township LRIP Grant Application. Motion carried unanimously. Next, Byrd provided an Engineer’s Update. Byrd noted that over the next 4 years Benton County has 4 projects in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) with a Federal funding total of over $9 Million. This item was for informational purposes only. Next, Board members reported on recent meetings they attended on behalf of Benton County. It was noted that at the 2023 AMC Annual Conference, Benton County received recognition and an award for their efforts in bringing Broadband to virtually every corner of Benton County. There were no additional comments under “Comments by Commissioners”. Popp/Heinen to set the Committee of the Whole Meetings: Monday, January 8, 2023, Emergency Management update and Application Services Data Manager Update, Benton County Boardroom, Foley, 9:00 AM; Thursday, February 1, 2024 Minnesota Inter-County Association (MICA) 2024 Annual Legislative Forum, RiverPort Conference and Event Center, 900 Bruski Drive, Winona, MN 55987, 2:00 PM. Motion carried unanimously. Chair Johnson adjourned the Regular Board Meeting at 7:03 PM. Scott Johnson, Chair Benton County Board of Commissioners ATTEST: Montgomery Headley Benton County Administrator R-51-1B

NOTICE OF FILING FOR SAUK RAPIDS TOWNSHIP ELECTION Notice is hereby given to quali ed voters of Sauk Rapids Township, Benton County, State of Minnesota, that ling for town of cers will be held for a two-week period beginning Tuesday, January 3rd, 2024 and closing on Tuesday, January 17th, 2024 at ve o’clock p.m. Af davits of Candidacy shall be led, with the Township Clerk by appointment between the hours of nine o’clock a.m. and ve o’clock p.m. from January 3rd, 2024 through January 17th, 2024 at 4074 5th Avenue NE, Sauk Rapids, MN (please call for 320-250-7413 for an appointment) or at the Sauk Rapids Township of ce (4074 5th Ave NE, Sauk Rapids, MN) January 17th, 2024 from one o’clock to ve o’clock. Filings will close at ve o’clock on Tuesday, January 17th, 2024. The ling fee is $2.00 and must be paid at the time of

ling. Of ces to be lled at the March 14th, 2024 Annual Elections are: Treasurer for a two-year term Supervisor for a three-year term Absentee voting can be accomplished with the Sauk Rapids Township Clerk by appointment between the hours of 9 o’clock a.m. and 5 o’clock p.m. from February 10th, 2024 through March 13th, 2023 at 4074 5th Ave N.E. Sauk Rapids, MN (please call 320-250-7413 for an appointment) or at the Sauk Rapids Township of ce located at 4074 5th Ave NE, Sauk Rapids, MN on Saturday March 11th, 2024 between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Posted by Daryl Sheetz - Clerk Sauk Rapids Township R-50-2B

For Sale by bid Sale 139591, Conveyance 2021-0091: For Sale by bid MnDOT owned property, 3.47 acres of vacant of land located at the SE Quad of TH10 and CSAH 33., Watab Township, Benton County. To be sold by sealed bid on 1/30/2024 at 2:00 at Central Of ce, 395 John Ireland Blvd, St. Paul. Bid Form, http://www.dot.state.mn.us/row/propsales.html . Info LandSales.MN.DOT@state.mn.us. R-49-3P

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE Storage On 15 LLC will sell at public lien sale the personal property in Unit 7 being rented by Chad Albrecht & Unit 26 being rented by Maranda Olson located at 2021 4th Ave N, Sauk Rapids MN 56379. The contents may include but is not limited to: personal, household, of ce, and other items. The sales will be held as an online public auction at storagetreasures.com on January 5, 2024 10:00am with an end date of January 10, 2024 5:00pm R-50-2B

Page 16 | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2023 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Boys hockey

Offense sputters in 3-2 loss

SPORTS

SRR gets solid win over Brainerd BY TOM FENTON STAFF WRITER

This was not necessarily unexpected. After losing several key players from last season’s section runner-up team, there was bound to be ups and downs for the Sauk Rapids-Rice girls basketball team in its 2023-24 BY TOM FENTON | STAFF WRITER campaign. The Storm experienced a bit of both Putting the puck in the net has not been an issue in splitting their last two thus far this season for the Sauk Rapids-Rice boys games. hockey team. That goal-scoring touch was mostly Balanced scoring absent in a Dec. 19 game against Pine City, and the helped SRR stop a threeStorm paid the price. game losing skid Dec. The Dragons jumped to a two-goal lead before 19 as Sienna Petermeier skating away with a 3-2 overtime victory at Sports poured in 13 points and Arena East in Sauk Rapids that left a bit of a sour Courtney Paulsen added taste in coach Brady DeGagne’s mouth. However, 12, leading the Storm to his team’s play in their own zone saw much-needed a 60-51 win over Brainimprovement. erd at Sauk Rapids-High “It was de nitely not the result we wanted, School in Sauk Rapids. but we played much better in our defensive zone,” Lauren Schloe DeGagne said. “(Zander) Parker made the saves scored nine points and he needed to, and we allowed fewer shots than Alison Schriefels had previous games. It was a tough pill to swallow as seven in the victory. this will affect section standings, but we are still “It was a great focused on improving throughout our season. There team win for us,” said is lots of hockey left. We will be working hard to Brooklyn Harren, Storm learn from our mistakes and nd a way to play the rst-year head coach. way we need to.” “They girls played with Jonah Thell and Teagan Dodge each scored for heart, stayed united and SRR, which got 21 saves from Parker. It was the showed up to contribute eighth goal of the season for Dodge and the rst for in every aspect of the Thell. game.” The Storm offense was clicking in a nonconSRR got off to a ference game Dec. 14 at Mound-Westonka. SRR slow start in a Central squandered a 4-1 lead in the second period before Lakes Conference home taking out its frustration on the White Hawks with four third-period goals in an 8-5 victory. Elijah Fitch and Chase Hiltner each scored twice and Dodge added three assists. “We were rolling pretty good, but we’ve got to nd a way to keep the puck out of our net,” DeGagne said. “But they’re buying in and seeing the potential.” The Storm played Hutchinson Dec. 21 at Burich Arena in Hutchison and will play three games in three days at the Granite City Showcase Dec. 28-30, facing Mankato East, Monticello and Litch eld/Dassel-Cokato. All games are at the Municipal Athletic Complex in St. Cloud.

SRR drop OT decision to Pine City

1 1 0 1-3 0 1 1 0-2 SRR: Second period: Thell (Vince Murn, Nick Anderson) 9:05. Third period: Dodge (Brandon Goebel) 9:59. Goalie: Parker 21 saves of 24 shots on goal. SRR 2 2 4-8 MW 0 4 1-5 SRR: First period: 1. Jett Wheeler (unassisted) 1:43, 2. Hiltner (Jackson Dhein) 7:42. Second period: 4. Hiltner (Dodge, Murn) 4:10, 5. Fitch (Wheeler) 8:19. Third period: 9. Murn (Dodge) 11. Anderson (Dodge) 11:56, 12. Fitch (Bryden Prelvitz, Wheeler) 13:55. Goalie: Parker 28 of 33 shots.

PHOTOS BY TOM FENTON

Storm sophomore post Alexis Swanson looks for a teammate while being guarded by a pair of Fergus Falls defenders Dec. 14 at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School in Sauk Rapids. The Otters held the Storm to 15 points in the second half to pull away.

game against Fergus Falls Dec. 14 at SRRHS. They never recovered in the 56-44 loss. Paulsen scored 11 points while Schloe had 15 points and 11 rebounds. The Storm concluded their six-game homestand with a noncon-

ference game against Monticello. BRAINERD 25 26-51 Detroit Lakes Dec. 21. SRR 31 29-60 They will next compete SRR: Petermeier 13 points in the Monticello Holi- (8R), Paulsen 12, Schloe 9, Schriefels 9, Ella Jevne day Tournament, facing Alison 6, Josalynn Morford 4, Alexis St. Anthony at 7:15 p.m. Swanson 4 and Olivia Mohs 3. 32 24-56 Thursday, Dec. 28, and FF SRR 29 15-44 the host Magic at 4:15 SRR: Paulsen 22, Schloe p.m. Friday, Dec. 29. 15 (11R), Olivia Mohs 5 and Both games are at Mon- Josalynn Morford 2. ticello High School in

PC SRR

Storm senior guard Courtney Paulsen dribbles away from a Fergus Falls defender Dec. 14 at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School in Sauk Rapids. Paulsen led her team with 22 points. Storm senior guard Sienna Petermeier fires a pass to a teammate in the first half of her team’s game against Fergus Falls Dec. 14 at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School in Sauk Rapids. Petermeier finished with three points.

Junior guard Josalynn Morford drives the lane Dec. 14 at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School in Sauk Rapids. Morford scored three points for the Storm in a 56-44 loss to Fergus Falls.

Storm girls basketball players Oliva Mohs (left) and Sienna Petermeier apply defensive pressure to a Fergus Falls player Dec. 14 at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School in Sauk Rapids. Mohs finished with five points for the Storm.

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23,2023| Page 17

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Page 18 | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2023 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Football Contest CONTEST RULES

1. 2. 3.

Grand Prize $200

Anyone can enter except employees of this newspaper. Contest judges are the newspaper staff. Winners will be announced in next week’s Sauk Rapids Herald. Entries due at office by 12 p.m. on Wednesday. Sauk Rapids Herald 2 Second Ave. S., Suite 135, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379

DETROIT VS. DALLAS

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NY JETS VS. CLEVELAND

Prize will be mailed to the winner after their name is announced in this paper. Only one entry per person per week. Two entries per address per week. In case of a tie, a random drawing will be held. Contestants with the most season picks will win a grand prize of $200 cash.

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SPORTS

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23,2023| Page 19

Boys swimming & diving

Girls hockey

Tired Storm get job done

Close games still the norm

Road-weary SRR eeks out win at Alex BY TOM FENTON STAFF WRITER

Jason Tangen said his Sauk Rapids-Rice boys swimming and diving team earned this one. The Storm have had a busy early season schedule against high-end competition, including three meets in a six-day span. SRR took its share of lumps in the rst two despite turning in strong times in every event. That is what made their 95-91 Central Lakes Conference dual victory over Alexandria Dec. 19 at Alexandria a feel-good victory. “It was great to squeak out a win against Alexandria for the second year in a row,” Tangen said. “We got the lead early and just hung on for dear life through the rest of the meet. We were able to win nine of the 13 events, but are still struggling to get those fourth through sixth-place nishes. That’s why we couldn’t pull away.” Tangen said his team had several big-time swims against the Cardinals, including Jack Merritt breaking the two-minute mark in the 200yard freestyle for the rst time and the Scapanski brothers — Andrew and Evan — claiming the top two spots in the 500 freestyle. Junior Garret Broman tied for rst in the 50 free. The 200-yard medley relay team of Broman, Cash Walz, Hayden Zabinski and Alex Lucas continues to impress. They nished rst by more than six seconds against Alexandria. The 200 freestyle relay team also placed rst, and Zabinski, a nalist at state in diving last season, continued his strong start by winning that event.

“We are de nitely getting tired on this marathon run of away meets; we needed a little injection of energy,” Tangen said. “We got that by bringing our seventh and eighth graders along for their rst taste of competition. The added enthusiasm that they brought, plus some really great swims and dives, gave us all a much-needed boost.” The Storm competed in the StormHawk Invitational Dec. 16 in Chaska. The host program was the co-op of Chanhassen and Chaska and was a “who is who” in Minnesota swimming and diving. The meet included seven-time consecutive state champion Blake/Breck along with Minnetonka, which was fourth in Class AA last season and returns a loaded lineup. SRR nished sixth in the eight-team event, getting a gold-medal performance from Zabinski in diving. “We had most athletes hit best times, and Hayden had his best dive score,” Tangen said. “It was a great time and a wonderful experience for our newer athletes to see so many state champions and top tier teams. And, it was great to beat two teams, too.” Brainerd beat SRR 11571 in a CLC dual Dec. 14 in Brainerd. After ve consecutive meets away from the friendly con nes of their home pool, the Storm will resume action after the holidays with a Thursday, Jan. 4., dual against rival Sartell at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School in Sauk Rapids. “The way that we are nishing our races is going to be our calling card by the end of the year, Tangen said. “And it will be one of the reasons that we might be able to beat

a team like Brainerd or Sartell sooner rather than later. Teams will not want to have an SRR opponent in the lane next to them because if the race is close, we’re going to win it.”

SRR 95, Alexandria 91 SRR results (top 5) 200 MR: 1. Broman, Walz, Zabinski and Lucas 1:43.18; and 4. Ian Eichers, Gavin Butkowski, Andrew Scapanski and Christopher Anderson 2:08.97. 200 FS: 1. Evan Scapanski 1:59.27 and 2. Jack Merritt 1:59.38. 200 IM: 1. Lucas 2:17.34 and 3. Andrew Scapanski 2:31.29. 50 FS: 1. Broman 23.62 and 5. Eichers 27.15. 1M diving: 1. Zabinski 254.45, 4. Jacob Woeste 89.35 and 5. Trace Nelson 85.35. 100 FLY: 1. Walz 53.7 and 3. Merritt 1:02.4. 100 FS: 2. Zabinski 52.89 and 5. Anderson 1:08.58. 500 FS: 1. Evan Scapanski 5:36.35, 2. Andrew Scapanski 5:58.85 and 5. Eichers 6:42.74. 200 FSR: 1. Broman, Evan Scapanski, Merritt and Zabinski 1:38.74; and 5. Butkowski, Noah Middendorf, Jackson Christie and Anderson 1:59. 100 BK: 2. Broman 59.73 and 3. Lucas 1:02.71. 100 BR: 1. Walz 59.36 and 3. Butkowski 1:12.5. 400 FSR: 2. Merritt, Lucas, Evan Scapanski and Walz 3:35.48; and 5. Andrew Scapanski, Middendorf, Anderson and Eichers 4:19.34. StormHawk Invitational Team: 1. Minnetonka 581, 2. Wayzata 455, 3. Chanhassen/Chaska 325, 4. Breck/Blake 316, 5. Hudson 220, 6. SRR 159, 7. Buffalo/Maple Lake 150 and 8. Waconia 113. SRR (top 16 individuals, 2 relays): 200 MR: 8. Broman, Evan Scapanski, Walz and Zabinski 1:44.59; and 23. Andrew Scapanski, Butkowski, Merritt and Eichers 2:00.29. 200 IM: 2. Walz 1:58.23 and 16. Lucas 2:15.56. 50 FS: 12. Zabinski 24.7. 1M diving: 1. Zabinski 416.5. 100 FLY: 12. Broman 57. 100 FS: 13. Evan Scapanski 54.41. 500 FS: 13. Lucas 5:21.46 and 16. Merritt 5:26.58. 200 FSR: 17. Evan Scapanski, Andrew Scapanski, Merritt and Lucas 1:40.58; and 29. Eichers, Christie, Cole Messerich and Butkowski 1:52.35. 100 BK: 5. Broman 57.12. 100 BR: 4. Walz 1:00.23 and 10. Evan Scapanski 1:05.39. 400 FSR: 11. Zabinski, Lucas, Broman and Walz 3:31.29; and 32. Messerich, Christie, Anderson and Eichers 4:27.81. Brainerd 115, SRR 71 SRR (top 5): 200 MR: 1. Walz, Evan Scapanski, Broman and Zabinski 1:43.88. 200 FS: 1. Walz 1:48.88 and 5. Middendorf 2:29.57. 200 IM: 2. Lucas 2:15.79 and 5. Andrew Scapanski 2:27.6. 50 FS: 2. Broman 24.32 and 3. Evan Scapanski 24.68. 1M diving: 1. Zabinski 238.9 and 5. Nelson 66.6. 100 FLY: 3. Zabinski 1:00.1 and 5. Messerich 1:17.9. 100 FS: 3. Broman 54.31 and 5. Talen Remer 1:17.7. 500 FS: 2. Lucas 5:22.27 and 5. Butkowski 6:28.94. 200 FSR: 1. Walz, Evan Scapanski, Broman and Zabinski 1:35.27; 4. Middendorf, Nelson, Messerich and Anderson 2:00.73; and 5. Kale Nies, Kyle Zimmer, Aden Konietzko and Remer 2:19.43. 100 BK: 2. Walz 57.38 and 5. Eichers 1:16.97. 100 BR: 1. Evan Scapanski 1:04 and 3. Andrew Scapanski 1:12.93. 400 FSR: 3. Butkowski, Eichers, Andrew Scapanski and Lucas 3:56.37; and 4. Neis, Nelson, Konietzko and Middendorf 5:17.92.

OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM GAMES FOR WEEK #17 Due at office by Wed., Dec. 27 at 12 p.m.

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Storm’n Sabres get 2nd win of season BY TOM FENTON | STAFF WRITER

Sauk Rapids-Rice/Sartell girls hockey coach Bre Hess is only two years removed from graduating college, so worrying about getting gray hair is likely long into the future. However, her Storm’n Sabres are testing the strength of both her follicles and her heart. The penchant for close games continued for SRR/S in a busy stretch that culminated with a 3-1 victory over Buffalo Dec. 19 at Buffalo Civic Center in Buffalo. It was an important victory for the Storm’n Sabres as they and the Bison are potential Section 8AA foes come playoff time. “It was such a good win,” said Hess, a former SRR/S player. “We nally played for a full three periods. We’ve been talking a lot about playing a full game without taking a shift off. The girls really played well together and trusted each other and our systems. We’ve been working hard on taking care of the small things.” The Storm’n Sabres scored in each period against the Bison. Brayley VanDenBerg sandwiched her two goals between Abby Swanson’s second-period tally. Senior Morgan Dorn stopped 15 of 16 shots to get the win. “Another win is huge for our con dence, but also a good reward for the effort they’ve been giving each day to get better,” Hess said. “It’s awesome to see them start to believe in themselves and each other and know they’re capable of winning games.” SRR/S also fell short in a pair of one-goal games, losing 3-2 to Cloquet/Esko-Carlton Dec. 15 at Bernick’s Arena in Sartell and 2-1 in overtime to River Lakes Dec. 14 at Paynesville Ice Arena in Paynesville. Megan Hess scored the lone goal for the Storm’n Sabres against the Stars, and Dorn stopped 12 shots. SRR/S nished the pre-Christmas portion of its schedule with a home game against Brainerd/Little Falls Dec. 21. They resume action with the Sartell Holiday Tournament, facing New Ulm at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 28, and Litch eld/Dassel-Cokato at 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29. All tournament games are at Bernick’s Arena. SRR 1 1 1-3 BUFFALO 1 0 0-1 SRR/S: First period: 1. Brayley VanDenberg (unassisted) 6:01. Second period: 3. Abby Swanson (Brayley VanDenBerg, Emily VanVickle) 9:01, power play. Third period: 4. Brayley VanDenBerg (Brooke Pogatchnik) :58. Goalie: Dorn 15 saves of 16 shots on goal. CEC 3, SRR/S 2 Summary not available SRR/S 0 1 0 0-1 RL 0 0 1 0-2 SRR/S: Second period: Hess (Pogatchnik, Jalyssa VanDenBerg) 7:18. Goalie: Dorn 12 of 14.

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Emotions run high in Storm gets past Tech in heated contest

SPORTS

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2023| Page 21

key victory

BY TOM FENTON STAFF WRITER

The calendar said it was December, but it sure felt like March. The crowd inside Tech High School in St. Cloud was huge, loud and festive. The on-court performances from Sauk Rapids-Rice and Tech were at a playoff level, making the key and much-anticipated early season matchup feel like a section championship. Though the 69-67 victory for the Storm counts the same as any other regular-season game, the Storm hope the performance serves as a springboard for the rest of the season. “That win was huge for us because it’s a big rivalry game,” SRR junior Hudson Omoke said. “But it was bigger than a win just for us, it was big for the entire community.” SRR then held off a furious second-half rally from Brainerd Dec. 19 for an 83-80 victory, capping what was a successful two-game stretch on the court while dealing with unfortunate internal issues. Head coach Jason Allen was placed on leave due to allegations of his conduct immediately after the Tech victory. Against Tech, the Storm got 18 points and 12 rebounds from

PHOTOS BY TOM FENTON

Storm junior Spencer Swenson goes high to save the ball from going out of bounds while Tech’s Tameron Ferguson defends and teammates Hudson Omoke and Logan Bauer look on Dec. 15 at Tech High School in St. Cloud. Sauk Rapids-Rice earned a 69-67 victory over the Tigers.

freshman Izayah Cook, while Omoke added 17 points and 15 rebounds. Senior Austin Kunz had 12 points, while Keller Hanson struggled from the eld, nishing with eight points on 3-for-11 shooting. Keller made up for it with eight assists and seven rebounds. A Tamron Ferguson driving basket with one minute remaining pulled the Tigers even at 67-67. Hanson hit one of two free throws to regain the lead for the Storm, while Kunz hit the second of two free throws for a 69-67 lead with four seconds left. Ferguson’s long-range 3-point attempt from about 30 feet clanged off

Storm junior Hudson Omoke goes up for a layup as Tech’s Jaden Harris goes for the block Dec. 15 at Tech High School in St. Cloud. Omoke had 17 points and 15 rebounds for Sauk Rapids-Rice.

the back rim, setting off a wild celebration that had students rushing the court and school staff trying to maintain order. “The keys for us were our discipline and teamwork,” Omoke said. “We can use this win as momentum for the rest of the season. We just need to keep playing well and keep winning.” With assistant coach Dwight Summerville lling in as head coach, the Storm erupted to a 49-32 lead against Brainerd before escaping with the three-point victory at Brainerd High School, improving to 4-1 heading into a Dec. 21 nonconference game at Becker. Hanson responded after rare off-night shooting, nishing with a game-best 26 points. He was 10 of 19 from the eld, including 4 of 6 on 3-pointers while adding six rebounds and ve assists. Junior Spencer Swenson had 17 points and eight rebounds, Omoke 15 points and nine boards, while Cook had 12 points for SRR.

“That might have played the best half of basketball we’ve played this season in the rst half,” Summerville said. “Brainerd is a really good team and showed with how they came back. It was a great road test for us.” The Storm will face back-to-back postChristmas nonconference tests as part of the Breakdown Granite City Classic, facing Albany at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29, at St. John’s University’s Sexton Arena. The Huskies are the defending Minnesota State High School League Class AA champion. SRR then hosts Buffalo, ranked ninth in Class 4A, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School in Sauk Rapids. The Bison are a Storm section opponent. SRR 49 34-83 BRAINERD 32 48-80 SRR: Hanson 26 (6R, 5A), Omoke 15 (9R, 4S), Swenson 17 (8R), Cook 12 (5R), Kunz 7, Jaylen Ashfeld 4 and Walker Loesch 2. SRR 35 34-69 TECH 30 37-67 SRR: Cook 18 (12R), Omoke 17 (15 R), Kunz 12, Hanson 8 (7R, 8A), Logan Bauer 5, Swenson 5 and Loesch 4.

Sauk Rapids-Rice players Izayah Cook (from left), Logan Bauer and Walker Loesch get in defensive position as Tech’s Mekhi Edwards drives the lane Dec. 15 at Tech High School in St. Cloud. The Storm defeated the Tigers 69-67.

Twins inactive in free agent market The Minnesota Twins ownership group appears quite willing to deliver lumps of coal to their fans this holiday season. Despite winning a playoff series for the rst time since 2002, the team’s ownership group has SPORTS COLUMNIST BY ANDY THAYER reportedly imposed a mandate to slash payroll this offseason due to a potential loss in revenue stemming from the team’s television broadcast partner ling for bankruptcy. As a fan of the team, I’m having an extremely dif cult time sympathizing with an ownership group worth tens of billions of dollars that’s crying poor after the team’s most successful season in decades. Ticket sales and merchandise revenues had to be considerably higher in 2023 than during the team’s disappointing 2022 season, and I refuse to believe this team will not be pro table in 2024. The Pohlad family bought the Twins in 1984 for $44 million, and the most recent valuation reportedly found the team to be worth approximately $1.39 billion. If the Pohlads can’t afford to maintain the mid-level payroll that allowed the team to achieve some success last year, then I know a very easy way for them to clear 10 gures of pro ts. Sell the team to someone who actually cares about competing for a championship. Instead, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic has written that the team’s payroll will be reduced from $155 million to approximately $130 million in 2024. Since MLB’s free agency period began in early November, the Twins have lost Sonny Gray, Kenta Maeda, Tyler Mahle, Emilio Pagan and Dylan Floro to other teams. Last season, Sonny Gray nished second in the American League Cy Young Award voting, posting a 2.79 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 183 strikeouts in 184 innings. That’s ace-level production. Kenta Maeda had a 4.23 ERA and 1.17 WHIP with 117 strikeouts. Emilio Pagan had a 2.99 ERA and 0.95 WHIP with 65 strikeouts in 69.3 innings out of the bullpen. Those innings aren’t going to replace themselves, and with the Twins seemingly unwilling to spend a cent in free agency, fans can look forward to the team’s pitching staff taking a signi cant step backward next summer. It’s reasonable to expect the team’s offense to be competent next season as currently constituted. Royce Lewis, Edouard Julien, Brooks Lee, Ryan Jeffers, Alex Kirilloff and Matt Wallner are all looking to make more impactful contributions, and Carlos Correa and Byron Buxton have the potential for bounce-back campaigns after battling injuries most of last season. However, this just makes the team’s decision to slash payroll even more confounding — adding a couple of quality pitchers would have made this team a legitimate contender. Instead, the ownership group has again demonstrated that they are content with elding a team with a ceiling of competing for a division title in the worst division in baseball. While I agree that the Diamond and Bally Sports North bankruptcy asco is frustrating, it’s incredibly short-sighted for the Twins to slash payroll now and potentially squander their franchise’s momentum. The team has already lost enough pitching talent in free agency to signi cantly lower any reasonable expectations for the squad in 2024. Unless the Twins have some trades for pitching talent and depth up their sleeve before spring training begins in less than two months, Twins fans are going to be forced to accept that this franchise is willingly elding a worse team this year because they were unwilling to sacri ce some marginal pro ts. Bah humbug.

SPORTS

Page 22 | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2023 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Wrestlers Hockey life fitting just fine tested at ‘Riot’ Wrestling

but it’s a fun one. It’s Portner good to have the chance to grow.” adjusts, Portner’s love for succeeds with hockey came honestly. simply, it is nearly Lumberjacks Quite impossible to spend time BY TOM FENTON STAFF WRITER

Barz falls in semifinals Things have not always come easily on the hockey rink for Easton at big event Portner. BY TOM FENTON | STAFF WRITER

There is nothing quite like the Redwood Riot wrestling tournament as an early season measuring stick. The annual massive event in Redwood Falls features 36 teams, many of which will be competing for bigger things come February and March. Though Sauk Rapids-Rice remains in the building process of the program from a team aspect, the Riot proved as an important step for their individuals. “The depth of wrestlers there this year was better than the past few years we’ve been there,” said Derik Gilbertson, Storm head coach. “Both varsity and junior varsity were good tests for our wrestlers.” SRR senior Vance Barz, who is coming off a third-place nish at state last March, lost his rst two matches of the season. Barz won his rst three bouts at 133 pounds before losing a tightly contested 5-3 decision to Trey Gunderson of Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg in the semi nals. Gunderson it the top-ranked wrestler in the state in Class A. Barz then won his consolation semi nal before dropping his third-place match to fall to a 15-2 record this season. “Vance started off the tournament well, but unfortunately came up short in the semi nal match,” Gilbertson said. Jack Barz went 3-2 at the event at 139 pounds, earning two pins along the way. Carter Pesta was 1-2 with a pin at 127. “Carter and Jack also lost some winnable matches,” Gilbertson said. “We made a number of positional mistakes, which we will work to correct this week. Even though it can be frustrating to see some of the mistakes we are making, I tell the kids I’d rather make those mistakes early on in the season, so we can work to correct them over the next few weeks.” In the girls tournament, Kenzie WagmanKelley was 2-1 with two pins to take third while Haylee Ness was 2-2, also recording two pins. The Storm nished the pre-holiday portion of the schedule with a triangular Dec. 21 at Foley.

Redwood River Riot SRR girls: 106: Ness 2-2 (2 pins), seventh place; Wagman-Kelley 2-1 (2), third. SRR boys: 127: Carter Pesta 1-2 (1); 133: Vance Barz 4-2 (2), fourth; 139: Jack Barz 3-2 (2); 172: Christian Nelson 1-2 (1); 215: Carter Koltes 0-2.

A fast and talented playmaker, such is life for someone who stands 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighs 145 pounds in a game that is putting increasing importance on size. The challenge of weaving his way around and sometimes through bigger players is something the 2022 Sauk Rapids-Rice graduate embraces. Portner is not just getting by in his second year with the NA3HL’s Granite City Lumberjacks, he is thriving. Though he gives up signi cant height and weight to almost off his opponents, Portner manages to nd a way to dominate. He leads the Lumberjacks, who won the Fraser Cup title in the NA3HL last season, in goals with 12 and is second in assists with 16 as the team heads into its Dec. 19 game in the NA3HL Showcase in Blaine. “I’ve dealt with not being that big all my life, so it’s not an unfamiliar thing with me,” Portner said. “Creating space is dif cult in these leagues, so adapting to the skill and pace is a challenge,

at Sports Arena East in Sauk Rapids and not run into a Portner. His father, Cory, was an assistant coach for several years with the Sauk Rapids-Rice High School program, and his mother, Erin, volunteers helping with penalty box door duty and with scoresheets. Easton’s twin sister, Emma, was a student-manager for the Storm while Easton played. Portner left his mark on the SRR program, nishing with 42 goals and 44 assists despite a signi cantly shortened sophomore season due to the coronavirus pandemic. He had a team-best 24 goals and 18 assists his senior year and was a consistent leader for coach Brady DeGagne’s teams. Portner’s rst season with Granite City did not go as planned. He only played in eight games due to injury, nishing with a goal and two assists. The fact he has recovered and returned stronger than before is no surprise to DeGagne. “I’m absolutely not surprised at the level of success he is having,” said DeGagne, who also coached Portner at the Bantam level. “Anyone that knows Easton’s dedication and drive would tell you the same thing. He got the short end of the stick last year with

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Easton Portner, a 2022 Sauk Rapids-Rice High School graduate, leads the Granite City Lumberjacks this season with 12 goals. Portner scored 42 goals in his career with the Sauk Rapids-Rice varsity program.

his injury, and it was a matter of time before his potential shone through. Just like any athlete, he needed to build a little con dence, battle through some self-doubt and transition to a higher, faster level of play. I’m very excited to see what’s next for him.” Now healthy, Portner is a big reason the Lumberjacks rebounded from a relatively slow start (for their standards) and are 21-5-2. “At the beginning of the season, everybody was new and the start of the season was a bit rough,” Portner said. “But over time, playing with each other more and hanging out — it really helps getting to know the guys. If you know the guys and their playing style, you nd success once you come together as a team.” Portner said the adjustment to junior hockey did not come overnight. The game is far more physical than high school, and the commitment level is far greater, which he welcomes. “When you get to juniors, this is all you’re doing,” Portner said. “You’re focusing on your hockey and trying to make a future for yourself. Everybody at this level knows where they want to go in hockey, so

you’ve got to be ready to go at all times.” The Lumberjacks have the defending champion target on their back all season, which only adds to their motivation to hoist the Fraser Cup again. Portner said he will likely play at the junior level for one more season once this one concludes, whether it is with the Lumberjacks or possibly at a higher tier — something DeGagne believes is possible. “Easton’s effectiveness comes from his grit, speed and hockey IQ,” DeGagne said. “He sees the ice very well, is not afraid to get into the tough areas and has worked incredibly hard to become the hockey player he is. It’s been a pleasure to watch him progress over the years and see the athlete and young man he’s becoming, and I look forward to seeing where he ends up.” Regardless of where he plays, his experience with the Lumberjacks will always hold a place close to his hockey heart. “It’s been a great experience,” Portner said. “I don’t have to go to school, so that’s fun. The Granite City Lumberjacks are a big family here. They treat everybody well and all the guys love each other.”

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SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2023| Page 23

Crush take 2nd in own invitational

Team Pride event returns to Tech BY TOM FENTON STAFF WRITER

St. Cloud Crush gymnast Brenna Gruber goes through her routine on the bars at the St. Cloud Team Pride Invitational Dec. 16 at Tech High School in St. Cloud. Gruber also had a third-place finish on the floor exercise.

34.9. Lakes Conference dual “The balance meet Dec. 21 and will resume post-holiday PHOTOS BY TOM FENTON beam continues to be a Sauk Rapids-Rice junior Bella Rudolph springs herself off the vault for the St. Cloud strength for us, and the action Tuesday, Jan. Crush gymnastics team at the St. Cloud Team Pride Invitational Dec. 16 at Tech High coaches are so proud 16 with a meet against School in St. Cloud. Rudolph finished 17th in the vault with a score of 8.2. of how the athletes are Brainerd at Tech. attacking that event,” cohesiveness the team Stark-Haws said. integral to the success was St. Cloud’s top Gymnastics is displaying. This is The Crush traveled of their season.” all-arounder, placing to Willmar for a Central page 24 SRR athletes — se- fth with a score of nior Elizabeth Kruger; juniors Bella Rudolph, Kylie Larson, Laci Legatt, Isabel Larocque, Kendra Teff and Grace Standard Iron has been in the contract manufacturing business for over 90 years! Stark; and sophomore We are seeking quality employees that share our core values of Kinslee Skajewski — SAFETY // RESPECT // PRIDE IN WORK // CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT made the move to join the St. Cloud program. WE HAVE OPENINGS FOR THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS: Crush varsity results from SRR students at the invitational inALEXANDRIA SAUK CENTRE cluded Stark placing 1401 36th Ave. W. 1131 West Sinclair Lewis Ave. 11th on the beam with 8.45 and Rudolph placing 17th on the vault with 8.2. Madi Hengel

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Eight Sauk Rapids-Rice gymnasts experienced their rst home-away-from-home competition Dec. 16. Tech High School in St. Cloud was the site of the St. Cloud Team Pride Invitational, and the host Crush placed second in the four-team event. It was the rst home meet of the season for St. Cloud, which has a roster that includes six gymnasts from SRR in the newly formed cooperative. The St. Cloud Team Pride Invitational returned to Tech after a ve-year hiatus. The Crush nished second with a team score of 139.3 — its high score of the young season. Cambridge-Isanti won the title with a 142.25. “All the gymnasts all performed well and contributed to the team scores,” said Joel Stark-Haws, Crush cohead coach, who added that the junior varsity team and varsity team scored season highs at 132.75 and 139.3, respectively. I am happy with all the gymnasts’ progression, investment and continued