Sauk Rapids Herald - December 26 edition

Saturday, December 26, 2020

Vol. 166, No. 38

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

Minnesota Legislature approves additional coronavirus relief

Sen. Relph, 76, dies while holding office

$242 million in benefits, unemployment extension

From first appointment in 1979, hairstylist-client duo meet for final hairdo

BY JAKOB KOUNKEL STAFF WRITER

FOLEY – Minnesota Sen. Jerry Relph, who represented Minden Township and portions of St. Cloud, died Dec. 18 after being diagnosed with COVID-19 in November. He was 76 years old.

“Jerry was a beloved husband, father and grandfather,” said Pegi Broker-Relph, the senator’s wife. “He was a Marine Corps veteran who served in Vietnam, an attorney, small businessman and dedicated public servant in the Minnesota Senate.”

Relph page 3

BY ELLARRY PRENTICE STAFF WRITER

BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER

SAUK RAPIDS – A close friendship of two women who met in a Sauk Rapids salon has spanned four decades. And, it started with a prenuptial agreement.

In 1979, when a widowed Lorraine (Van Hale) Wagner was preparing to wed her second husband, she told him she would marry him on one condition.

“The prenuptial agreement – the only one I made – was that I’d get my hair done every week,” said Wagner, a 95-year-old who is sharp as a tack and lives independently.

Wagner had a feeling her husband-to-be would oblige, and he did. What she did not know at the time was that her new hairdresser would become a dear friend and confidant for the next 41 years.

In June 1979, a month after her wedding, Wagner had her first hair appointment with Shirley Hubert, who has worked in Sauk Rapids hair salons since 1968.

From the moment Wagner sat down in the beautician’s chair, the two women hit it off. For the next four decades, they would stay true to a saying on a ceiling tile: “What happens in the salon, stays in the salon.”

“I’ve enjoyed our

SAUK RAPIDS – Some residents, businesses and other organizations may soon get a boost after what proved to be a bleak year.

Lawmakers from across the state came together to pass coronavirus relief funding for small business relief Dec. 16, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed the $242 million bill into law the following Wednesday.

The bill contains funding for hardest-hit entities such as those which serve the hospitality industry and provides an extension for eligible people receiving unemployment through April 10, 2021.

Some regulatory fees, such as liquor licenses, will also be waived.

According to Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Steve Grove and Department of Revenue Commissioner Robert Doty, there are three programs included in the relief package to aid small business.

PUBLIC NOTICES

Benton County representative leaves a legacy

Same Local Coverage Since 1854.

PHOTO BY ELLARRY PRENTICE

Shirley Hubert (left) and Lorraine Wagner hug after their final hair appointment Dec. 19 in Sauk Rapids. Hubert has been cutting and styling Wagner’s hair for 41 years, since June 1979.

weekly visits and, like we said, the stories that don’t go beyond the beauty shop,” Hubert said with a laugh. “She’s been a blessing.”

During more than 2,000 appointments, the women have shared stories and advice, laughter and tears, becoming like family to one another.

“She listened to all my sad

•Mortgage Foreclosure - pg. 20 •Notice to the Creditors of the Claimants - pg. 20 •Watab Township Planning Commission Public Hearing - pg. 18 •Benton County Summary Budget Statement Notice - pg. 18 •Sauk Rapids Township Notice of Election Filing - pg. 18 •Mayhew Lake Township Notice of Election Filling - pg. 20 •Minden Township Notice of Election Filing - pg. 20

stories and the happy stories,” Wagner said of her weekly appointments.

More tears were shed Dec. 19 during their final hair appointment before Hubert’s Dec. 31 retirement.

Relief page 4 Wagner page 3

OBITUARIES

• Sylvester “Skip” J. Adelman • Delores B. Brown • Robert G. Fleck • Paul E. Schmidkunz • Richard A. Spiczka

ST R

Publications The newspaper of today is the history of tomorrow.

Page 2 | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2020 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Meyer creates guidelines for following dreams

BY EVAN MICHEALSON | STAFF WRITER

SAUK RAPIDS – As the end of the year approaches, many people turn their attention toward 2021, where they can follow through on a New Year’s resolution designed to improve their life.

According to Sauk Rapids resident Kari Meyer, however, it takes more than envisioning a goal. It takes precise action and unheralded focus and dedication.

“Your life is a reflection of the choices you have made up until now, meaning where you’re at has to do with everything you’ve done so far,” said Meyer, owner of Active Nutrition in Sauk Rapids and Healthy Hub 101 in Sartell. “You go in the direction you face, but you also face the direction you choose.”

It sounds simple enough, but picking out a direction to go is one of Meyer’s eight tips on goal-setting established through a bevy of tiresome endeavors and raised bars. The former

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Sauk Rapids-Rice High School graduate began to reevaluate herself in her junior year of college and decided she wanted to change for the better.

Through her work ethic and continuous drive, Meyer has found success across several aspects of her life. Along with being a business owner, she assists community members with fitness and nutritional goals, coaches for the Sauk Rapids-Rice volleyball team and participates in the International Pro Elite World Championships as a professional bikini fitness competitor.

Meyer’s achievements are guided by the second tip on her list: writing goals down. The former three-sport athlete jots down her dreams on a Post-It note alongside a check mark and sticks it on her bathroom mirror, where she can be reminded herself of the work she needs to put in.

“I see them every morning, and I see them every night when I go to bed,” she said. “When you’re looking at them each day, it creates a daily reminder of what I want and what I am looking for.”

Goal-setting, as Meyer has found, is not a perfect art. Oftentimes, vying for one goal can put another on hold, and despite one’s best efforts, not every mission can be completed. Sometimes,

these destinations not seen can lead to better journeys ahead. Meyer understands that notion well, having originally sought to become a teacher upon entering college.

However, when she was 22 years old, she received an opportunity to start a business in Sauk Rapids.

Starting a small business at that age, without an established network or previous experience, was a titanic risk for Meyer, who followed her third goal-setting tip to achieve success at what would become Active Nutrition: thinking big.

“I didn’t have confidence in myself or a ton of support from other people,” Meyer said. “It wasn’t a good combo, but I knew I was a hard worker and I knew I could do it if I didn’t give up.”

While much of Meyer’s life revolves around staying healthy, her goals encompass a broad spectrum of life targets, from financial aims to reading more books in a year.

What she has found helpful in her never-ending search for growth is compiling a list of 300 goal ideas every December: 100 ideas for what she wants to be, 100 for what she wants to have and 100 for what she wants to do.

Some are short-term and can be achieved within a year, while some will not come to fruition for another decade. However, by documenting several objectives at once, her fourth tip – determination – remains high.

“Sometimes, if you only set one goal and don’t accomplish it, you feel like a failure,” Meyer said. “If you set more than one in different areas of your life, you’re more likely to be a well-rounded person.”

Hard work plays an essential role in a goalsetter’s quest to success.

But Meyer’s advancement did not come in one leap. When she became a professional bikini fitness competitor, she first looked to complete her own show, become a pro and make it to the World Championships before taking fourth place. She breaks down her intentions into realistic intervals, the fifth tip in her goal-setting guide.

“When you break it down, you’re more likely to keep going,” she said.

“People quit after the first month of their New Year’s resolutions because they don’t break it down and

NEWS

PHOTO BY EVAN MICHEALSON

Kari Meyer stands behind the counter of Active Nutrition with her notepad Dec. 15 in Sauk Rapids. Meyer, a dedicated goal-setter, has created eight tips on how to achieve goals and follows them every day to find success.

think about how long it might take.”

As time has progressed, more of Meyer’s vision has become reality.

Active Nutrition has expanded outside of Minnesota, and she is preparing to launch online workout programs, a timely addition to her repertoire in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic and another box checked. And, as she has grown more accustomed to delivering on her lofty expectations, she finds herself maintaining a higher level of accountability, the sixth tip on her list.

“Accountability could be with yourself or other people,” she said.

“You’ll hit the ‘snooze’ button on yourself, but you wouldn’t hit ‘snooze’ on somebody else. It helps you stay focused and on track.”

Whether it is trying to help Storm volleyball players produce on the court, educating an area resident on losing weight or saving money herself, Meyer has seen how arduous ambition can be. That is why her seventh tip is to consider why these aspirations exist in the first place.

“Accomplishing goals is really hard,” Meyer said. “It’s not easy, especially the ones that are worth it and are big goals. If you don’t have

a big enough reason why you want it, you’ll just quit.”

Giving up on a goal is often more tempting than following through on it, and that is often why several New Year’s resolutions fail. For those who persist, however, the end of the year means more than the fulfillment of a long-awaited goal; it is an apt time to give yourself a pat on the back, the final tip on Meyer’s list.

“A lot of times, it takes time, effort and hard work, and if you don’t reward or celebrate yourself along the way, it’s not as fun and easier to fall away from accomplishing what you started,” she said.

PHOTO BY EVAN MICHEALSON

Kari Meyer holds up a picture board in front of a wall displaying photos from Body Transformation Challenges, a health and fitness program, Dec. 15 at Active Nutrition in Sauk Rapids. Meyer knows challenges well; she has started a pair of local businesses, conducted workouts with the community and is a professional bikini fitness competitor.

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2020 | Page 3

NEWS

Wagner from front

PHOTOS BY ELLARRY PRENTICE

Lorraine Wagner and Shirley Hubert share memories during their final hair appointment at Create my Image Salon on Benton Drive. Since meeting in Hubert’s salon 41 years ago, the women have become close friends, sharing the highs and lows of their lives during weekly appointments.

Hubert began her career as a beautician 55 years ago. Her first job was in Willmar in 1965. Twoand-half years later, she moved north and began working in Sauk Rapids.

In 1978, she became a business owner, opening Village Plaza Salon. She has worked at her current location on Benton Drive since 1994.

Village Plaza was renamed Create My Image Salon by Amy Arseneau of Sauk Rapids, who purchased the salon six years ago and has worked with Hubert for almost 13 years. After the change in ownership, Hubert, along with longtime employee Lois Preusser, continued working at the salon.

Preusser, who has been there for 22 years, will also retire at the end of the year.

For Hubert, the job is more than a paycheck.

“I’ve developed many friendships from my job,” she said, adding that she attended Wagner’s birthday parties.

“They were not customers but friends.”

Preusser agreed.

“You develop a longterm relationship with your clients,” she said.

“We always say, ‘What’s going on now with you?’

Every week, there’s a story we hear.”

A former school lunch cook and dietary staffer at the St. Cloud Hospital, Wagner had

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Relph was concluding his first term representing Senate District 14 in the Minnesota Legislature after being narrowly defeated

by Senator-elect Aric Putnam in the general election. He served on a handful of committees during his four-year term and sponsored the first Minnesota coronavirus relief bill that freed $21 million in preparedness funding.

In addition to his time in office, Relph was a board member for Anna Marie’s Alliance, United Arts of Central Minnesota and the United Way, among other organizations.

The retired attorney and entrepreneur had two children and four step children.

Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka said the legislature lost a senator committed to his community, his family and his work.

“Sen. Jerry Relph was a true friend and colleague beloved by so many,” Gazelka said in a release. “For four years, he rolled up his sleeves and tackled tough issues for our state.”

Sen. Andrew Mathews, whose desk is next to Relph’s on the Senate floor and whose district bordered the late senator’s, said he saw first-hand how hard Relph worked for his constituents. Mathews said he got to know Relph well over the years they worked together.

“He was very compassionate, very intelligent and worked extremely hard,” Mathews said. … “He embodied excellent public service, and he will be sorely missed in the Senate.”

Mathews was elected in 2016, the same year Relph took office. He said they spent time together learning the ropes of the Legislature, but their paths first crossed in spring 2016 as they were campaigning for two open seats.

“I think he will be remembered for how much he worked for the elderly, for the people needing human services and working hard for children,” Mathews said. “That seemed to be a real passion that he would bring up a lot.”

Relph was one of the first, if not the first, Mathews said, in the entire legislature to warn of the seriousness of the novel coronavirus. He championed the earliest COVID-19 response package for the state after warning his colleagues to have funding ready for the people and businesses that would eventually need it most.

“We became friends along the way, and he was a very good person to work with and become very good friends with,” Mathews said.

Sauk Rapids resident Dan Johnson, chair of the Benton County Republican Party, worked with Relph in a professional capacity.

Through politics, Johnson got to know Relph as a relentless fighter for what he believed.

“We lost somebody very special,” Johnson said. “I will remember Jerry Relph as the gentle soul, but furious warrior he was. … He has left us, his district, the state and our nation a better place because he was in it.”

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Relph from front

Lorraine Wagner and Shirley Hubert share memories during their final hair appointment at Create my Image Salon on Benton Drive. Since meeting in Hubert’s salon 41 years ago, the women have become close friends, sharing the highs and lows of their lives during weekly appointments.

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“I feel sadly because she was my sounding board,” Wagner said.

“Shirley is very special, and the people that she worked with and had here are all special.”

While bitter-sweet, Wagner’s final appointment at Create My Image Salon on Benton Drive involved laughter, too, as the longtime friends, a couple of their family members and salon staff shared memories.

“She’d get just as excited coming here as she did going for happy hour down at the VFW, and that’s a fact,” said Dan Van Hale, Wagner’s son.

For many years, until she stopped driving, Wagner came to Hubert on Fridays.

“So I would look beautiful for the weekend,” she said matter-offactly.

In recent years, Van e Hale and his sister, Marilyn Mohr, have driven their mother to her hair appointments.

Every week, Wagner could count on Hubert for style and smiles.

“You could come in and feel sad, not in good spirits, and after Shirley got finished with you, your spirits were lifted and you looked beautiful,” Wagner said.

Hubert was more than a spirit lifter, though.

“She was a miracle worker,” Wagner said.

“Everybody would ask me, ‘Who does your hair, Lorraine? It always looks so pretty.’ You always left looking beautiful.”

After 41 years as Wagner’s hairstylist, Hubert could probably be an author too. Wagner said Hubert could write a book about her.

“Oh, a good book,” Hubert responded.

Hubert was one of the first people Wagner shared exciting news with.

“She knew when I was going to be a grandma, a great-grandma,” Wagner said.

Likewise, the two were there for one another through tough times and losses, including the deaths of Wagner’s daughter, Carol, and second husband, Raymond.

“It has been a rewarding career,” Hubert said. “Your customers become like family.”

Wagner feels the same about Hubert.

“I saw you more ofy ten than my own relatives,” Wagner said.

A Willmar native,

lived across the Sauk Rapids bridge since 1929 before she moved to independent living at Country Manor in Sartell two years ago.

“They do have a salon at Country Manor, but never will I have that relationship like I did with Shirley,” she said.

Wagner had the same hairstyle until this year when a lapse in hair appointments revealed some unbeknownst natural waves.

“All of these years, up until the (coronavirus), I had what my youngest son called ‘the old lady hairdo,’” Wagner said.

When salons were ordered to close due to the pandemic, Wagner discovered she has curly hair. She is leaving it that way, and said Hubert has managed to make those natural curls beautiful too.

“It’s been quite the ride,” Wagner said of their friendship, which will continue after Hubert retires.

“And a good passenger,” added Hubert.

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Page 4 | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2020 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Earliest transition to less restrictive model is Jan. 19 SAUK RAPIDS – The Sauk Rapids-Rice School District is extending its distance learning period before the existing end date nears.

The district released a statement Dec. 21 that prekindergarten through 12th-grade students will remain in a distance learning model through at least Jan. 15, 2021. Should data support a learning model transition at that time, students would enter into a less restrictive model Jan. 19 – following the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday.

According to the statement from Superintendent Bradley D. Bergstrom, the school board and district administration came to the decision in accordance with Gov. Tim Walz’s Safe Learning Plan Update and guidance from Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Department of Education and Benton County Public Health.

The extension will provide the school board and district administration the ability to review community testing data for the two-week period following the holidays. The review of this information is necessary and important to help avoid future emergency learning model transitions due to coronavirus infection and spread in the school’s learning communities, the statement said.

The decision applies to all pre-kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school students.

Adult education will continue to operate under its current model, and families who have opted to distance learn will remain doing so.

Relief from front Businesses such as restaurants, bars, gyms and bowling centers will be eligible for a portion of $88 million that will pass through the Minnesota Department of Revenue.

Eligible business owners need not take action as the department will determine and administer the funding after reviewing monthly or quarterly sales tax returns from 2019 and 2020. Businesses must have at least a 30% drop in year over year taxable sales (April to September) to qualify, and payments will be determined based on the number of full- and part-time employees. An eligible business of 20 employees or less will receive $15,000; those with 21 to 100 employees will

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receive $25,000; businesses with 101 to 300 employees will receive $35,000 and those with over 301 employees will be issued grants for $45,000.

Businesses are expected to be notified through their e-services accounts by the end of the year, and payments will be issued by mail to the sales tax account address in early January.

The second program targets convention centers with capacities of 1,500 people or more.

Venues could receive grant supplements of up to $500,000.

The spaces cannot be joined or associated with a hotel, university or retail mall and must not be a music venue or theatre. Likewise, revenue losses of 30% or more, measured by the second and third quarters of 2020, will need to be proven.

Movie theatres, which have also been forced to operate at limited capacities and shuttered this past year, were not left out; a

separate program will provide up to $150,000 in relief for those businesses. Theatres must have at least one permanent screen and have had individual ticket sales of over $15,000 in 2019. They will also need to have experienced a 30% reduction in profits.

Applications for the convention venue and theatre programs will be available in early January.

In addition to the three programs, counties may seek a portion of $114.8 million in state funding to provide grants to businesses or nonprofits in its jurisdiction. Once a certification form is made available, counties can request a prorated appropriation from the state. The minimum a county will receive is $256,250, according to the bill document. Benton County will receive $807,000, according to Benton County Administrator Monty Headley.

Businesses and nonprofits must be located within the county, show an impact related to the pandemic and be

free of tax liens. Grant funds must be used to offset expenses incurred during the pandemic such as payroll, rent, utilities and repairs.

DEED is allowing counties to partner with third parties to administer the grants, and counties may keep the greater of $6,250 or 2.5% of grants received for administrative costs.

There are no limits to the grants awarded and judgement is reserved to the distributing county.

Grants must be awarded by March 15, 2021, and distributed

by April 1, 2021.

Unexpended funds must be returned to the state by April 15, 2021, and the county must issue a report to DEED

by April 30 of next year.

The state action came ahead of a federal bill that was passed by Congress Dec. 21 but not yet signed by President Trump. That $900 billion relief package includes stimulus payments, business relief and increased housing food insecurity and unemployment assistance.

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Tuesday, Dec. 29, 11 a.m. to noon – Living Waters Food Shelf Dispersal. Living Waters Lutheran Church, 1911 Fourth Ave. N., Sauk Rapids.

Sunday, Dec. 27, 6 p.m. – “A Christmas Carol.” Presented by Wednesday, Dec. 30, 6-7 p.m. – Riverside Church. Online at myrc. Living Waters Food Shelf Disonline.church. persal. Living Waters Lutheran Church, 1911 Fourth Ave. N., Sauk Monday, Dec. 28, 8-10:30 a.m. – Rapids.

Catholic Charities Senior Dining Meal Distribution. For people ages Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, 10 a.m. to 60 and older. No cost to participate. 2 p.m. – Christmas tree disposal.

All clients must complete a regis- Free of charge with donation to the tration form. Celebration Lutheran food shelf. A second event takes Church, 1500 Pine Cone Road N., place Jan. 9, 2021, Sauk Rapids Sartell.

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SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2020 | Page 5

OBITUARIES Delores B. Brown Mass of Christian Burial was 1:30 p.m.

Dec. 21 at Annunciation Catholic Church in Mayhew Lake for Delores Barbara Brown, 83, of Rice, who passed away Dec. 17. 2020, at the St. Cloud Hospital. The Rev. Thomas Knoblach officiated and burial was at the parish cemetery.

Visitation was 4-8 p.m.

Dec. 20 at Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home in Sauk Rapids and also one hour prior to the services at the church Monday. The Rice American Legion Auxiliary Post 473 prayed at 7:30 p.m. Sunday evening at the funeral home.

Delores was born July

Delores B. Brown

7, 1937, in Pequot Lakes to Peter and Elizabeth Barbara (Klinker) Brown.

She married Eugene Robert Brown in St. Mary’s Cathedral, St. Cloud Oct. 17, 1956. They lived in St. Cloud until 1960 when they moved to Rice and have lived there since. Delores worked as a homemaker

Richard A. Spiczka Mass of Christian Burial was 11 a.m. Dec. 23 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church for Richard “Rich” A. Spiczka who passed away Dec. 19, 2020, at the St. Cloud Hospital. The Rev. Thomas Knoblach officiated and private family burial will be at a later date at Sacred Heart Mausoleum.

Visitation was 4-7 p.m., Dec. 22, at Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home in Sauk Rapids and one hour prior to the service at church Wednesday.

Rich was born May 4, 1949, in St. Cloud to Valerian and Helen Spiczka. He grew up on the family farm in Gilman.

After high

Richard A. Spiczka

school, he served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Rich was united in marriage to Patricia “Pat” Kucala May 1, 1971, at Sts. Peter and Paul’s Catholic Church in Gilman. He was employed

by Electric Motor Services for 48 years and later

Robert G. Fleck Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 28 at Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home in Sauk Rapids. Robert “Bob” Fleck, age 58, passed away Dec. 20, 2020, at his residence.

Richard Johnson will officiate and burial will be at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Sauk Rapids.

Visitation will be after noon Monday at the funeral home.

Bob was born Aug. 31, 1962, in St. Cloud to Darel and Alvina (Skuza) Fleck.

He

Robert G. Fleck

graduated from Tech High School. He worked as a packaging specialist for WACOSA for 15 years, and did custodial work and shredding. Bob also

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and also sold pull-tabs at the Sauk Rapids VFW Post 6992. She enjoyed playing cribbage, bingo, bowling, trips to the casino and baking with her grandchildren. Delores was a great storyteller and had a great sense of humor. She loved to be around people, had a good spirit, was loving and had a contagious laugh. Attending softball games and other sporting events and activities of the grandchildren were very important to her.

Survivors include her children, Eugene “Geno” (Donna) Brown of Rice, Gwen (Doug) Gravelle of Sartell, Barb (Don) Gravelle of Rice, John (Judy) Brown of Bowlus, Tim (Dolly) Brown of St. Cloud, Scott (Tammy

Eveslage) Brown of Rice, and Jackie (Matt) Fountain of Royalton; 19 grandchildren; 31 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Eugene on April 5, 1984; daughter, Michele on Oct., 27, 2020; brothers, Tom and Jim; half-sister, Betty; and half-brothers, Marvin, Bobby, Dick and Art. Our family has suffered many losses, young and old and we are confident that Delores is in the presence of all of our angel babies.

Obituary, video tribute and guest book available online at www. williamsdingmann.com.

became president. Rich was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sauk Rapids. He enjoyed taking road trips with his wife, going to Duluth with his family, giving to charities, watching airplanes, the stock market and Minnesota sports. Rich was hard working, caring, loving and supportive.

Most importantly, he was very proud of his family and loved spending time with his grandchildren.

Rich is survived by his wife, Pat of Sauk Rapids; children, Sarah (Troy) Taffe of Lakeville, and Adam (Amanda) of

Woodbury; sister, Connie (Dale) DeZeller of St. Cloud; grandchildren, Sam, Jake, Soren, and one baby grandchild on the way. He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Robert, Val, and Judy; father-in-law, Alphonse Kucala; and mother-in-law, Wanda Kucala.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the American Heart Association.

Obituary, guest book and video tribute available online at www. williamsdingmann.com.

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R-52-1B

“Our Country is in Mourning, A Soldier Died Today.”

participated in the Special Olympics, where he was an accomplished runner and swimmer. Bob had a great love and appreciation for music, especially country western. He loved to tease people and had a great sense of humor. Bob was a hugger. He enjoyed family functions and socializing in general. Bob enjoyed word finds, crossword puzzles and 70’s sitcoms.

His independence was important to him, and he brought joy to others.

Survivors include his brother and sisters, Jerome “Jerry” (Cheryl)

of Zimmerman, Vicki (Mark) Strommen of East Bethel, Sandy of Sauk Rapids, and Kay (Mark) Anderson of Sauk Rapids. Bob was preceded in death by his parents.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Arc, Minnesota chapter at: https:// arcminnesota.org/getinvolved/ways-to-give/ donate Obituary, guest book and video tribute available online at www. williamsdingmann.com.

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Sylvester “Skip” J. Adelman Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m.

Saturday, Dec. 26 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in St. Cloud for Sylvester “Skip” Adelman, age 60, who passed away Dec. 21, 2020, at the St. Cloud Hospital from complications from pneumonia. The Rev. Joseph Herzing will officiate and burial will be private on Monday at Calvary Cemetery in St. Cloud. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services Saturday at the church. Social distancing and masks will be required. Arrangements have been entrusted to Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home in Sauk Rapids.

Skip was born May 4, 1960, in St. Cloud to Sylvester and Nancy (Borresch) Adelman. He lived in the Sauk Rapids and St. Cloud area all of his life. Skip worked as an Apple computer technician for CMERCD in St. Cloud for many years and then went on to work for Tech Check. He most recently volunteered with the Treasure Chest where he gained many friends.

Skip was a member of St. Cloud Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 622. Skip

Sylvester “Skip” J. Adelman

found great pleasure in repairing and collecting any electronic gadget.

Skip was independent and enjoyed the simple things in life like meat raffles, watching the Vikings and spending time outdoors.

He also enjoyed finding a unique treasure at a thrift shop or garage sale and spending time with friends and family. Skip was friendly, could talk to anyone and had a great sense of humor.

Survivors include his brother, Bryan (Mary) Adelman of St. Cloud; his former wife, Kim; his cat, Secret; and his close neighbors. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers.

Obituary, guest book and video tribute available online at www. williamsdingmann.com.

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Paul E. Schmidkunz Memorial services will be at a later date for Paul Schmidkunz, age 75, who died Dec. 16, 2020, at the St. Cloud Hospital.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Williams Dingmann Funeral Home in Big Lake.

Paul was born March 29, 1945, in Milaca to George and Edna (Herren) Schmidkunz. He married Joanne Pearson Sept. 2, 1972, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sauk Rapids.

Paul worked as a sales manager at Miller Pontiac in St. Cloud for many years. His true passion was wildlife, nature and the outdoors. At age 16, he began taxidermy correspondence courses through Northwest School of Taxidermy. He turned this lifelong passion into a career for which he won many taxidermy and woodcarving awards for excellence and artistry.

Paul enjoyed being outdoors and was an avid hunter sportsman. He had a big heart and a quick wit.

He loved to read and was well versed in American history and many other subjects. Paul was a wordsmith and enjoyed doing crossword puzzles.

He enjoyed music.

Paul will be greatly missed. He is survived by his brother and sister, Jeff

Paul E. Schmidkunz

(Mary) of Ramsey; Mona Rae (Leonard) Smallwood of Sauk Rapids; in laws, Jerry (Vie), Tom (Kathy), Donny (Sandy) Pearson, Patti, Kathy (Dan), David (Barb), and many nieces and nephews; other family, friends and special friends, Brad Lortz (Wanda), Gary Runkwist, Kenny Asproth, Jerry Froelich, Gary Blake.

He is preceded in death by his parents and beloved wife Joanne.

Special thank you to the St. Cloud Hospital critical care staff and Paul’s niece, Kali (Jared) for the special care given to Paul.

Condolences and remembrances can be shared at www. williamsdingmann.com or mailed to Williams Dingmann Funeral Home at P.O. Box 129, Big Lake, MN 55309. All memorials will be donated to Paul’s favorite wildlife charities.

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Page 6 | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2020 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

NEWS

Sauk Rapids expects city tax rate decrease City to pay off debt service levy by 2024

BY NATASHA BARBER | STAFF WRITER

SAUK RAPIDS – The Sauk Rapids City Council approved its 2021 property tax levy and proposed budgets going into the new year Dec. 14. Finance director Jack Kahlhamer reviewed the city numbers with the council during the truth in taxation public hearing prior to the approval. No residents spoke at the hearing.

Next year, the city plans for a 4.64% increase in revenues, or $289,700, over 2019. The proposed operating budget is $6,527,700. The 2021 property tax levy will also increase 4.6% and will bring in an additional $184,100 to the city for a total of $4,174,700.

Kahlhamer estimated the city tax rate would drop from 42.49% to 40.20%. He said the county truth in taxation statements did not reflect the decertification of Tax Increment Financing District 20 and the rates will decrease a hair more.

“I think what people see on their tax statement now will actually be a little less come final,” Kahlhamer said.

Despite the 2021 rise, Kahlhamer said the average levy increase over 10 years has been 1.2%.

“I think part of that is a lot of the debt service has come off the books,” he said. “You see where the debt service was 12-13% (in 2017) and its down to about 3.2%. I believe by 2024 there will be no debt service for bonds outside of the revenue bond or park project and that is not levied.”

Sauk Rapids carried $338,400 in debt service levy as of Dec. 8. That amount comprises 8% of the 2021 total city levy whereas Sartell – which is similar in population – had $1.22 million (16% of their city’s levy total). Per capita, Sauk Rapids residents pay $293 in city levy dollars, Sartell residents pay $390 and St. Cloud residents $428.

Sauk Rapids will increase its enterprise funds after approving raising rates on sewer as well as a 25-cent per month increase for storm water. Sewer usage will increase 3% and have a $1 bimonthly fixed fee increase. Connection fees will increase $100 to $2,500.

The city did not raise water or street utility fees. However, street utility fees did undergo a change; undeveloped vacant properties will be exempt from the fee going forward.

With the city’s water fund in a healthy state, Kahlhamer said, in a November meeting, he proposes to transfer of $800,000 from the water fund to the sewer fund to help pay for the Southside Park life station improvements.

Kahlhamer warned that in 2022, the city may see a potential substantial hike in the levy in an effort to speed up road and infrastructure improvement projects which have fallen behind.

“We just don’t have a lot of source of funds for streets,” he said.

Overall, Kahlhamer said he is proud of the work the city, as well as the county, in decreasing tax rates for residents.

After commenting on the tax rate and debt reduction, Hunstiger thanked Kahlhamer, the council and city staff for their work.

“This has been an ongoing thing, and its nice to see that because we always heard about it 10, 20 years ago, or even five years ago, that debt was going to be a lot lower, and it truly has come to fruition,” Hunstiger said. “It works. We’ve been cash-flowing a lot of things that we never were able to in the past.”

Johnson hones in on key issues

BY JAKOB KOUNKEL STAFF WRITER

Editor’s note: This article is the third of a four-part series regarding the transition of roles on the Benton County Board of Commissioners. Look to an upcoming issue for the final piece with commissioner elect Jared Gapinski, who will be sworn in alongside Beth Schlangen and Johnson Jan. 5, 2021.

FOLEY – When Scott Johnson takes the oath of office as the new Benton County commissioner for District 1, his focus is the tax levy, agriculture, infrastructure and, most importantly, his constituents.

When he is sworn in Jan. 5, 2021, Johnson will represent the cities of Foley, Gilman and the townships of Gilmanton, Glendorado, Granite Ledge, Maywood and St. George.

Born and raised in Foley, a farmer and having graduated from Foley High School and raising a family in the community, Johnson said he understands what the residents need from a commissioner.

Johnson and his wife, Carla, have four children – Shelby, a nurse; Riley, a teacher; Colby, a senior at Foley High School; and Gabrielle, an FHS sophomore.

Johnson’s civic experience is lengthy as he has long served as a member of the county’s planning commission and has been involved with various boards since he graduated high school in 1986.

While the mechanics of government are important to experience and understand, Johnson said he would measure his success by how responsive he is to his constituents. Communication is key, he noted.

“We have this motto at our church, it’s

called, ‘Life is relationships; the rest is just details,’” Johnson said.

“So, I could give you all those details, but if I don’t have a relationship with you, if I’m not explaining things to you, I pretty much dropped the ball.”

Even when a constituent does not receive an answer they were hoping for, Johnson said he is going to deliver the truth, and he thinks people will appreciate that. He said being a receptive leader is important in making policy decisions as he pursues his agenda, emphasizing a low tax rate with a watchful eye toward agriculture and infrastructure.

“In the last however many years, they’ve kept that levy at a very low percentage,” Johnson said. “They’ve done an excellent job at that, and hopefully this board can continue to do that.”

After a year of COVID-19-related spending, however, Johnson conceded there is no guarantee taxes stay as low as they have been.

He said he would do everything he can, but noted that state money allocated to Benton County in the near future might not be as fruitful as in years past, potentially putting a burden on taxpayers.

“I want to do what I can do to protect that levy,” Johnson said. …

“I think holding that levy flatter, or at a very minimal increase, I think that’s going to be a challenge we’re going to have to address with a lot of unknowns.”

County program aid dollars help pay for some of the things Johnson wants to tackle, like roads and bridges. He said Benton County has identified five bridges that are in desperate need of repair, but without funding, the work cannot be done.

There are other mechanisms for funding roads and bridges, like the implemented local option sales tax, and Johnson is ready to utilize any tool he can to improve the county’s aging infrastructure.

“Funding, funding,

Scott Johnson funding,” Johnson said in response to the county’s upcoming challenges. “This is going to be a whole new ballgame.

I believe COVID’s completely changed the game for what local governments and state and feds are going to have to deal with.”

Johnson, who has been operating his family’s farm in Foley since he was a senior in high school, said he also wants to protect the thriving agricultural scene in Benton County.

Many of his more rural constituents are farmers, and he said agriculture is of the utmost importance to him.

Johnson knows there will be a lot of obstacles in his first term as Benton County Commissioner, but he is not alone. Johnson is excited about the ideological diversity that commissioner-elects Beth Schlangen and Jared Gapinski will bring to the board.

He is also grateful for the two holdovers, commissioners Ed Popp and Steven Heinen, because the experienced commissioners know what it takes to serve with and embody great leadership.

“Reach out to me,” Johnson said about what he wants his constituents to know. “I want to respond, I want to be available to them, and I want to hear their concerns and see if I can get some answers for them.”

“In the last however many years, they’ve kept that levy at a very low percentage,” Johnson said.

“They’ve done an excellent job at that, and hopefully this board can continue to do that.”

- Scott Johnson

58%

of Facebook users say they have taken a break from the social media network for several weeks or more in the last year.

SOURCE Pew Research Center survey of 3,413 Facebook users.

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2020 | Page 7

NEWS

Adopt a family program spreads cheer to nearly 80 families

Crime & Public Safety

Police seek information for Sauk Rapids home invasion SAUK RAPIDS – The Sauk Rapids Police Department is seeking the community’s help with an investigation of a home invasion. The incident took place Thursday evening.

According to a press release from Sauk Rapids Police Chief Perry Beise, a homeowner on the 1500 block of Perennial Lane Northeast, Sauk Rapids, heard noises coming from their basement around 6:45 p.m.

Dec. 17. Upon entering the basement, the person saw a figure in the dark, exiting the residence. Suspected blood was found at the scene.

Beise said a person may have been injured during the alleged break-in. The case remains under investigation.

Those with information on the incident should call the Sauk Rapids Police Department at 320-251-9451.

Deceased woman found on river ice

PHOTO SUBMITTED

SAUK RAPIDS – The Sauk Rapids Police Department is conducting a death investigation after a 50-year-old woman was found on the Mississippi River ice Dec. 16.

According to a press release from Sauk Rapids Police Chief Perry Beise, authorities were notified shortly before 6:30 that morning. The cause of death is unknown.

Beise said the body was sent to the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office in Ramsey to determine the cause of death.

The investigation is ongoing.

Benton County 4-H Club Elk River Critters youth – Aaron Betker (from left), Ashley Betker, Abbey Jurek and Kaylee Jurek – participate in the Hope for the Holidays adopt a family program Dec. 12 by delivering items to families in need across central Minnesota. Hope for the Holidays is coordinated by Dreamfunders, a 501(c)(3) organization.

Elk River Critters collaborate with Hope for the Holidays to deliver gifts SAUK RAPIDS – In a year full of uncertainty and chaos, one thing remains unwavering: the true spirit of Christmas.

Hope for the Holidays is an adopt a family program that helps families in need at Christmas time. The program, which was originally coordinated in 2013 by school social worker Tara Prom, started at Mississippi Heights Elementary School in Sauk Rapids. In 2018, Prom teamed up with Aaron Salzer, owner of Old Capital Tavern, to promote the program and create Dreamfunders. Dreamfunders is 501(c)(3) charity with a mission to help those in need.

Hope for the Holidays is now coordinated

by Dreamfunders, and it has evolved into a program that helps families across Sauk Rapids, St. Cloud, Sartell and surrounding areas.

In its inaugural year, the program adopted 29 families. Eight years later, Hope for the Holidays has touched the lives of 78 families.

“Three hundred fifty-seven individuals ... were supported by complete strangers because those strangers believe

in the spirit of Christmas,” Prom said in a news release. “Those strangers believe in the importance of helping others and making a difference in the lives of those around them.”

Prom said families often shop for the adopted families with their own children, teaching a meaningful lesson.

“They are learning the importance of giving and taking care of others; a lesson that will be instilled in them for years to come,” she said.

The Elk River Critters, a Benton County 4-H Club, assisted in distributing the packages to families Dec. 12.

“It means a lot to be giving back to the community, especially during a tough time,” said Kaylee Jurek, 4-H youth from Duelm. “Everyone needs some happiness this holiday. Donating gifts that can make an impact on someone for a lifetime makes you feel good. I hope the gifts we gave will help bring happiness this holiday

season.”

Ashley Betker, a 4-H youth from Royalton, enjoyed participating.

“It was a really great opportunity, being able to put a smile on their faces and being able to help them enjoy the holiday season,” Betker said.

For more information, visit the Hope for the Holidays website at hope4holiday.wordpress.com.

How to place an ad In one of the ST R Publications

Choose which paper(s) you would like your ad to appear in.

Benton County News Benton Ag Classy Canary Country Acres Dairy Star Sauk Centre Herald Sauk Rapids Herald Star Shopper The Star Post

(formerly Melrose Beacon & Albany Enterprise)

How would you like to submit your ad?

BY PHONE Call 320-352-6577 • 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday

BY MAIL 522 Sinclair Lewis Avenue, Sauk Centre, MN 56378

BY EMAIL PHOTO SUBMITTED

Items donated to the Hope for the Holidays adopt a family program sit awaiting families. The program distributed gifts to 357 individuals in central Minnesota.

Contact Robin Brunette by email at robin@saukherald.com

All ads will also be placed online.

Page 8 | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2020 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Less familiar gardening terms Plants are often described with unfamiliar terms; here are explanations for a few of them.

Allelopathic means the plant puts chemicals into the soil which may stop other plants from growing. Black walnut GREEN AND trees are an example of this. Garlic mustard GROWING IN BENTON COUNTY and other weeds also BY LINDA G. TENNESON produce chemicals which enable them to crowd out desired plants. Researchers may use these characteristics to help develop herbicides which will prevent some weeds from growing.

Biennial is used to describe a plant with a two-year life cycle. The first year the plant grows from seed and produces roots and leaves, with flowers and seeds appearing during the second year. Sweet William, hollyhocks, onions and parsley are common biennial flowers and vegetables.

Bolting is the name for a plant’s survival mechanism which causes it to flower or bear seeds prematurely. The plant diverts most of its energy from producing edible parts such as the roots and leaves and instead into producing flowers. Bolting can be caused by many factors such as changes in day length, cooler temperatures or stress from a lack of water or nutrients. Crops inclined to bolt include lettuce, brassicas, spinach and rhubarb.

Chlorosis is the yellowish color on plant leaves. The leaf veins remain green, but the tissue between the veins turns yellow indicating a lack of chlorophyll. This may be caused by poor drainage, damaged or compacted roots, high alkaline soil or nutrient deficiencies in the plant.

A lack of iron is a common cause of chlorosis.

Iron and other nutrients may be present in the soil, but the plant may be unable to absorb them.

Determinate and indeterminate are terms used for tomatoes. Determinate refers to bush type tomatoes that grow to a certain height and then stop. This type will normally set fruit that ripens at the same time or over a few weeks. This variety will benefit from the support of a tomato cage or stakes except for the dwarf varieties which will stand on their own. Determinate tomatoes are a good choice for container growing. Indeterminate refers to the vine type of tomatoes where the plant keeps growing and producing fruit until it is killed by frost. This variety can grow 6-12 feet in height and requires staking to support the weight of the fruit.

Espalier is a term to describe plants that are pruned and tied to supports, so they can only grow against a flat surface like a wall. Grapes and some apple trees are often grown this way, so the fruit can be easily harvested.

Scarifying is the process of nicking or removing part of the tough outer coat of some seeds such as pumpkin or squash, so the seed can sprout or germinate. Rubbing seeds between layers of sandpaper, making a tiny cut with scissors or soaking the seeds in water for several hours before planting are ways to do this.

Topiary is a landscape practice using pruning shears to allow woody perennials to take a certain shape. Secateurs is another word for pruning shears.

Seed leaves refers to the first leaves that appear when a plant germinates. They are often called cotyledon leaves and look different from the second set or true leaves that appear next.

Seed leaves are simpler and enable the plant to start photosynthesizing which is needed to start producing the second and later leaves.

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

EDITORIAL

Faith, hope, humility, courage

We’re all going to need a whole lot made perfect in our weakness and his of courage in 2021. We must not let our power alone that allows us to boast in outward acceptance produce inward insults, in hardships, in persecutions decline. This past year has either and in difficulties. This hope does not increased your inward being toward shame us because this hope has led us God’s kingdom, or it has decreased. to tangibly feel God’s inseparable, allEach one of us has a place in this encompassing love in our hearts, put culture during the pandemic, foreign there by our helper, the Holy Spirit. interference and moral compromises.

God brings shame to glory. This is Every one of us is commanded to love what it means to be, “Plunged in the LIFE BY FAITH God and thy neighbor. Some are called Godhead’s deepest sea, and lost in his to love their neighbor through the slow BY MERCY NYGAARD Humility is courage. It was humility process of gaining trust. Some are called that the son of God himself submitted to take a stand for our liberties and support those to the suffering of the cross. Those of us who being wrongly shut down. And, some are called have received ourselves in the fires of sorrow, let to shout the truth as others attempt to pervert the us make time for those who are coming into that gospel. Each calling requires courage and that venture now for the first time and lead them to courage stems from our humble submission to the God’s promises.

2020 has exposed all of our foundations. authority of God’s word and his call on our lives in loving obedience and in personal and devoted Let’s make 2021 the year we come alongside one another, counting others as more significant than time in prayer.

Daniel gives us such an esteemed example ourselves, sharing in one another’s burdens, ready to the consistent prayer life. He prayed against to give the reason that we have hope.

C.S. Lewis said, “Courage is the form of pride for himself, he prayed for those in poverty and bondage, he interceded for Jerusalem, he every virtue at its testing point.”

Our testing points are being endured at this prayed for idols to be abolished and for the glory of God. Daniel prayed and praised, mingling in very moment. May this new year bring us the thanksgiving to all his requests. It was his prayers courage by which every virtue will find its feet that the enemy sought to punish him for. He and learn to run.

The Message Bible gives us this beautiful continued to do good although it would lead to translation of 1 Peter 3:15, which encourages us his suffering.

Charles Spurgeon said, “He could not have to be ready to give a defense to everyone who performed that act of praying, when the lions’ den asks for a reason for the hope that is in you.

“If with heart and soul you’re doing good, was to be the penalty, if he had not fallen into the habit of constant prayer beforehand. It was do you think you can be stopped? Even if you his secret communion with God which gave him suffer for it, you’re still better off. Don’t give the strength and vigor to push on …You good people opposition a second thought. Through thick and who are tried, and who may expect to be tried thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration yet more, you will never stand unless you come before Christ, your master. Be ready to speak up to this: ‘God can deliver me; but if he does not and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the deliver me, still I am well content to be a sacrifice way you are and always with the utmost courtesy.

Keep a clear conscience before God so when for Jesus’ sake.’”

By now, we must see here on earth, that people throw mud at you, none of it will stick. the way of suffering is the way of the cross. It They’ll end up realizing they’re the ones who will either make you or it will break you. When need a bath. It’s better to suffer for doing good, it breaks you, you will fall into the ways of the if that’s what God wants, than to be punished for world, worshipping the created instead of the doing bad. That’s what Christ did definitively: creator. When it makes you, it produces a holy suffered because of others’ sins, the righteous one bond with God that no man can break. Neither for the unrighteous ones. He went through it all – can evil spirits shatter it because the Holy was put to death and then made alive – to bring Spirit has already produced a perseverance, a us to God.” character, and a hope that has enough resolve.

In 2021, may God produce in you faith, Not a perfect resolve as when we see Christ which is the substance of things hoped for and face to face, but enough resolve to keep moving the evidence of things not seen. It’s going to take one foot in front of the other, trusting in God’s courage, which will be granted to you through promises and continually denying support from humility. our own understanding. It is God’s power that is

EDITORIAL

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2020 | Page 9

Letter to Editor

Jailing people with mental illness Marc Jacobson, Winona

My feisty fighter I am one of the primary caretakers place are worth it for two people who’ve for my 89-year-old grandmother done so much for me. and 87-year-old grandfather. They Grandma is appreciative but always live independently – in an apartment concerned I’m doing too much. One of the complex for seniors – but have slowed tasks she was determined to get outside down with age, so I check in on them help with last winter is cleaning. It’s been frequently. I typically call every other interesting journey trying to find someone day or so and visit twice a week, helping reliable. to prepare meals, make appointments, To Grandma’s dismay, the first cleaning run errands, etc. lady that came through the door didn’t Some would call it a burden. For EXPRESSIONS BY EL stay long. She mopped the kitchen floor me, it’s a privilege. My grandma is my BY ELLARRY PRENTICE by dumping a considerable amount of Mr. favorite person on earth, and I am the Clean, without water, onto it and smearing person I am today because of her influence. I’ve spent a little around. She dusted the tops of Grandma’s a lot of time with my grandparents through the years beloved antique wood tables with Windex and didn’t – probably as much or more as my parents – and I bother to move items off the tables in the process. wouldn’t trade a second of it.

Grandma told her she must use Pledge, and so she When I interviewed a man about his mom for an did … on the kitchen counters. Finally, the woman article I wrote recently about the hospice program, he took the vacuum and made a pass along one – just described her as a feisty fighter. I like that. It made me one – section of carpet in the living room, without think of Grandma. swiveling it in any other direction, before saying she Grandma is as witty as they come and her mind had to go. sharp as a tack. She gets around with a walker but We didn’t have to call an ambulance, but I suspect has survived just about every illness or disease one Grandma’s blood pressure was pretty high. could have, including advanced-stage cancer. More I came to visit that day and found Grandma lives than a cat, I tell you. Several times, my mom standing in the kitchen, her socks sticking to the has called to say Grandma, who has diabetes and a solution that had dried in sticky, yellow patches on the pacemaker, was in an ambulance and they didn’t know light-colored linoleum floor. She released one hand if she would make it. A short time later, I’d arrive at from her walker, put both hands on her hips and said, the hospital to find her sitting up in bed saying, “Well “I’ve seen a lot of dumb things in my day, but this is hi, Miss Ellarry,” before introducing me to the nurse by far the dumbest.” and telling her about something I said when I was 5.

The company got, what I suspect, was a feisty Someday, though, we won’t be that lucky. I phone call. remind myself that all the 45-minute drives to their

In a mental health crisis, people are more likely to encounter police than medical help. As a result, 2 million people with mental illness are booked into jails each year. Nearly 15% of men and 30% of women booked into jails have a serious mental health condition.

The vast majority of individuals are not violent criminals; most people in jails have not yet gone to trial, so they are not yet convicted of a crime. The rest are serving short sentences for minor crimes.

Once in jail, many individuals do not receive treatment they need and get worse, not better. They stay longer than counterparts without mental illness.

They are at risk of victimization.

After leaving jail, many no longer have access to healthcare and benefits. A criminal record often makes it hard for individuals to get a job or find housing. Many individuals, especially without access to mental health services and supports, wind up homeless, in emergency rooms and re-arrested.

At least 83% of jail inmates with mental illness did not have access to treatment.

Jailing people with a mental illness creates burdens on law enforcement, corrections, and state and local budgets. It does not protect public safety.

And, people who could be helped are being ignored.

Helping people get out of jail and into treatment needs to be priority. Everyone needs access to a full array of mental health services and supports within their community to help prevent interactions with police. These supports need to include treatment for drug and alcohol conditions, and additional supports need to include housing, education, employment, and peer and family support.

If individuals do come to the attention of law enforcement, communities need to create options to divert them to treatment and services – before arrest, after arrest and at all points in the justice system. When individuals are in jail, they need to have access to needed medication and support, need to be signed up for health coverage, if possible, and need to get help planning their release into the community to ensure they get on track.

By partnering the community with criminal justice leaders, county and state leaders, and mental health professionals, we can help people with a mental illness get the support and services they need to stay out of jail.

If you are in need of support for a mental health issue or addiction, I may be reached at gottahavehope38@gmail.com

Traditional letters to the editor policy Letters to the editor and other opinion articles are welcome.

Letters must be signed with a first and last name and include an address and phone number. Letters should be under 400 words and to the point, and be submitted by 5 p.m. Wednesday. Anything over 400 words will be charged accordingly.

E-mail to

natasha@saukherald.com

NEWS

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2020 | Page 11

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

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Michelle Moore Rademacher holds “The Graniteers” sign she received from Meg Sobieck Dec. 6. Rademacher’s father started the band in 1963 in St. Cloud.

Not simply Sobieck reunites Rademacher with material, memories

BY TIM SPEIER | STAFF WRITER

SAUK RAPIDS – After sitting high in the rafters for years, a sign reading “The Graniteers” wandered into SOS Treasure Chest in Sauk Rapids for a second time.

This time though, Meg Sobieck was reminded of Michelle Moore Rademacher, their friendship and a time when polka was king.

As 2020 turned toward fall, Sobieck said she had seen the sign in SOS Treasure Chest while working.

At the time, she thought it was nice and the sign reminded her of her own father who had played the accordion. Sobieck had intended to buy the sign, but as the days passed, so did the sign.

“I wanted to buy it, but I never did,” Sobieck said. “And before I knew it, somebody came in and bought it.”

Sobieck swung by SOS Treasure Chest Dec. 5 where she saw the sign, again. After talking with the gentleman who dropped the sign off, Sobieck found it was the second of two signs the man had found in his home rafters.

“As soon as he said where he lived, immediately I connected the dots,” Sobieck said.

After Sobieck figured out what she had and who it had belonged to, she called Rademacher, who she has known since attending school at Sacred Heart Elementary School, to insist on coming by the next day, with a surprise for St. Nicholas Day. “I was thinking she probably found one of their albums,” Rademacher said. “I was just shocked to see the sign. That was something I hadn’t seen

since I was a little girl. It was the sign that was on my dad and brother’s, my family’s, band trailer.”

Don Moore, Rademacher’s father, formed The Graniteers in 1963 out of Riene’s Orchestra.

The St. Cloud polka band was described on their record covers as versatile, playing smooth old-time waltzes, snappy polkas and a pair of modern numbers.

Staying together until 1977, the band produced two albums “Polka Time” and “On the Rocks.”

They were labeled as a family group, having two of Don Moore’s sons in the band, with Dave Moore playing the trumpet and Dick Moore playing the saxophone and clarinet. Other band members were Riene Motschke who played the Hengel concertina, Jay Pattison who played the bass horn, Orval Moore who played

PHOTO SUBMITTED

A sign with the The Graniteers’ namesake hangs in the garage of Michelle Moore Rademacher as she prepares to make room in her house. She would like to hang the sign with band memorabilia.

banjo and Joe Krutchen who played drums.

Rademacher said the two signs originally embellished the sides of the band’s trailer used for hauling instruments and gear.

“There used to be ballrooms everywhere and they would play on Saturday nights,” Sobieck said of how the band performed at dance halls around St. Cloud.

Sobieck said the band was a regular act at the Fairgrounds Ballroom.

The two friends reminisced of a bygone era when the sign was returned, both happy the piece of nostalgia had come into the store a second time.

“Every time I hear polka music, it just makes me happy … makes me think of my dad and my brothers,” Rademacher said.

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Page 12 | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2020 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

FOCAL point

Santa Claus comes to town

PHOTO BY ELLARRY PRENTICE

Featuring thousands of white lights and a barrage of lighted snowmen and other Christmas characters, the Tauber residence, at 3104 Mayhew Lake Road N.E., won the 30th annual City of 2020 Sauk Rapids Lighting Contest’s single-color category.

PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER

Santa and Rice resident Kaylin Janski gather Dec. 19 in Rice. Janski accompanied Santa on his afternoon parade through town.

PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER

Angie Johnson (from left), Sadie Johnson, 14, Stella Johnson, 12, holding Savannah Lindeen, 2, and Jenna Uecker wait on their lawn for a parade of Rice emergency personnel that featured Santa Dec. 19. The neighbors live in the Fox Meadows development in Rice, the last stop on Santa’s tour through town.

PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER

Rice firefighter Darby Cervenka drives the rescue vehicle A parade of fire trucks and other emergency vehicles makes its way down Sixth Avenue Northwest in Rice. Families through Rice Dec. 19. Cervenka joined the department stood on their lawns during the 1 p.m. hour for the event. with her husband, RJ Cervenka, in August.

PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER

PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER

The Grinch was arrested in the city of Rice for trying to steal Christmas Dec. 19 and allowed to participate in PHOTO BY ELLARRY PRENTICE the holiday parade hosted by the Rice fire and police Neighbors gathered to see Santa, riding in a fire truck, Dec. 20 in Sauk Rapids. In all, Santa made curbside visits to 148 departments. The emergency personnel toured the city’s places in Sauk Rapids; requests were grouped by neighborhoods. neighborhoods with Santa.

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2020 | Page 13 PHOTO BY ELLARRY PRENTICE

From a glowing angel and stars around a manager scene, to Santa’s sleigh on the rooftop and a mischievous Grinch trying to snag lights off a fence, the Tilleskjore residence on Fifth Avenue twinkles with hope and humor. The residence tied with the next-door neighbor to win the 30th annual City of 2020 Sauk Rapids Lighting Contest in the multi-color category.

FOCAL

point

from page 13

PHOTO BY ELLARRY PRENTICE

(Left) Santa Claus and St. Nick gear up for curbside visits Dec. 20.

The men in red visited neighborhoods in central Minnesota prior to the Christmas holiday.

PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER

(Right) Weston Goerger, 2, of Rice points as Santa makes his way down the family’s street. Weston joined his parents, Adam and Jessi, and siblings Dominic, 11, and Aubrey, 6, in greeting the jolly man.

PHOTO BY ELLARRY PRENTICE

Santa waves to families in the parking lot of Sauk RapidsRice High School Dec. 20 in Sauk Rapids. In lieu of traditional Santa visits, Mr. Claus was escorted through neighborhoods by the Sauk Rapids fire and police departments.

PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER

A group of Rice firefighters and residents joined Santa and the Grinch for a tour through Rice Dec. 19. Pictured with the figures are Caleb Voigt (front, from left), Blake Phenow, Tyler Martinez, Darby Cervenka, Kaylin Janski and Josh Pressnall; (back, from left) Charlie Walters, Al Voigt, RJ Cervenka and Arsenio Clinton.

PHOTO BY ELLARRY PRENTICE

PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER

Lennon Trettel, 4, points with sister Layla Trettel, 1, as Minnesota winter can be frightful, but the warm glow that radiates from the Reimer residence on Fifth Avenue this Santa comes down their family’s street in Rice. The Rice holiday season is delightful. The residence tied with the next-door neighbor to win the 30th annual City of 2020 and Sauk Rapids fire departments each hosted Santa the Sauk Rapids Lighting Contest in the multi-color category. weekend of Dec. 19-20.

Page 16 | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2020 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Human trafficking:

NEWS

It happens here

Local presentation debunks myths, suggests risk in rural areas

BY ELLARRY PRENTICE STAFF WRITER

“And, they th are.”

What Wha about residents? The T justice departNational Human ment also estimates It is known as huTrafficking 24/7 Hotline that within the U.S., man trafficking, but Jody Call: 1-888-373-7888 there are between the Dyess, who has been in 100,000 and 1 Text: 233733 the fight against the wide300,000 women 3 spread criminal activity Chat: humantraffickinghotline.org and children at for years, refers to it as risk of being modern-day slavery. exploited every e Central Minnesota Sexual Assault Center Tens of thousands year. y 15 Riverside Drive N.E., St. Cloud of adults and children – “If that’s the some as young as 5 – have www.cmsac.org case, cas we’re producbecome victims of coming more victims in 24/7 Crisis Response Line: mercial sex trafficking in one y year’s time than 320-251-HELP (4357) the United States just this what’s b being brought to year alone. Thousands our country cou in a threemore are working or peryear per period,” Dyess said. forming services as viche said. slavery that insaid “You kknow what that tims of labor trafficking.

Commercial sexual tells me about the United volves the exploitation Slavery is not a thing of a person, typically exploitation and traffick- States? That there’s deof the past. In 2017, the PHOTO BY ELLARRY PRENTICE through force, fraud or ing happens in all rural International Labor Of- Jody Dyess, of FREE International, visited Sauk Rapids coercion, for the purpose areas, the Central Minne- pravity in our country fice estimated 40.3 mil- in November to train residents to fight against human of forced labor, involun- sota Sexual Assault Cen- like we’ve never seen belion people were in some trafficking, a criminal industry he said takes place in tary servitude or commer- ter reported. The center fore. That we would consume our own and that we form of modern slavery every community. serves an average of 70 would exploit our own.” cial sex. around the world at any “Trafficking is a to 100 victims of comMost victims given time. Of those, 1 in somebody’s granddaugh- tion that would prevent crime against human civil mercial sexual exploitater.” just one person from beare not detained 4 were children. About 25 rights of a victim,” Dyess tion and trafficking each Dyess is director of ing victimized or help People often think million were in forced layear. The average age of about the pre-Civil War said. student awareness with one person who has been bor, including 4.8 million That is why he pre- the first sexual exploitain forced sexual exploita- FREE International, an victimized, then the pre- fers to call it modern-day tion is between 11 and 15, era when the word slavorganization that trains sentation was worth every ery is mentioned, but in tion. but the center primarily fact, more people are enslavery. communities to fi ght minute, he said.

Though a small“Trafficking is fo- serves victims between 18 slaved today than ever There are several town mindset may try to against human trafficking. cused on the denials of and 45.

Dyess, who hails myths surrounding human before. tell someone otherwise, Much of the labor liberties,” Dyess said. from Mississippi, has traffi cking, particularly “We have more peohuman trafficking does “(The word) doesn’t do trafficking in rural areas, ple in captivity today than traveled the nation to be about how people become happen here, victimizing justice to what the crime Dyess said, involves agri- any other time in history,” people we love and see a voice for the voiceless. victims and how they are actually is.” cultural work.

While committed to the enslaved.

Dyess talked Dyess said. in the aisles of Walmart, Statistics do not The second-largfi ght, he spoke candidly to about indicators that can When people think Dyess told an audience of tell the whole story est and fastest-growing the Sauk Rapids audience, help identify a human about being in captivity, about 40 people during a When it comes to shackles come to mind, criminal industry in the saying success for him traffi cking situation and Nov. 19 training presentaworld, just behind drug conveying the prevalence but that is not what a lot tion at Discovery Church does not mean absolving possibly save a life. trade, human trafficking of human trafficking, of modern-day slavery human traffi cking, which Human traffi cking in Sauk Rapids. includes prostitution and Dyess does not like statis- looks like, according to he believes is not possible is slavery “It’s somebody’s Human trafficking pornography as well as tics.

Dyess. While some vicchild,” he said. “It’s in his lifetime. If the auOne statistic, in par- tims are behind locked forced labor for factory dience gleaned informais a form of modern-day somebody’s sister. It’s or construction work and ticular, that bothers him: doors, most are hidden Last year, human traffick- right in front of us, in resmigrant farming.

Sex trafficking has ing had more profit gain taurants, stores, nail sabeen found in a wide va- than Nike, Starbucks and lons and hotels. riety of venues within the Google combined.

One survivor, who Embrace the warmth of family and create “We don’t know that,” was enslaved by a human sex industry, including residential brothels, es- Dyess said. “There’s no trafficker, told Dyess he cort services, fake mas- evidential proof that it was likely to walk by her sage businesses, strip made that. Why? Because in one of the three W’s: clubs and street prostitu- traffickers don’t file tax Waffle House, Walgreens tion. Labor trafficking has returns.” and Walmart.

Send gifts they’ll love, make meals Dyess suspects actual been found in diverse “In her time of exthey’ll remember with Omaha Steaks. labor settings including numbers are much higher ploitation, she said that, small businesses, large than statistics. Many cas- just like you, just like es go unreported, and oth- anybody else, she would farms and factories.

GET THE BUTCHER’S DELUXE PACKAGE Sex trafficking is com- ers, he said, are pleaded to go to Walgreens,” Dyess 4 (5 oz.) Butcher’s Cut Top Sirloins monly talked about, but lesser charges not docu- said.

4 (4 oz.) Boneless Pork Chops labor trafficking victim- mented as trafficking.

Dyess has seen hunFREE PORK CHOPS & Dyess did touch on dreds of cases of traffickizes just as many or more, 4 Boneless Chicken Breasts (1 lb. pkg.)

CHICKEN BREASTS a couple statistics. One ing. according to Dyess.

8 (4 oz.) Omaha Steaks Burgers Get even more for the is from the United States Not only big cities “And none of them 8 (3 oz.) Gourmet Jumbo Franks holidays when you buy Every year, mil- Department of Justice, were in a cage, none of 8 (3.8 oz.) Individual Scalloped Potatoes lions of people are traf- which estimates that be- them were chained up,” this package today!

8 (4 oz.) Caramel Apple Tartlets ficked worldwide. Hu- tween 50,000 and 70,000 he said.

Steak Seasoning (1 oz.) man trafficking happens victims are brought to the Victims who are be$298.87* separately United States every year everywhere, according ing forced into labor or INTRODUCTORY PRICE: $129 99 to Dyess. It can happen for forced prostitution commercial sexual exin any community and to and forced labor. In three ploitation go shopping victims of all ages, rac- years, that is potentially and eat at restaurants, Shop Now! OmahaSteaks.com/dinner679 or call 1.833.598.1430 es and socio-economic 150,000 people. often late at night when and ask for offer 66762SRT “When we think they are working, Dyess backgrounds. *Savings shown over aggregated single item base price. Photos exemplary of product “I tell people all the about human traffick- said. advertised. Limit 2. 4 free (4 oz.) pork chops and 4 free chicken breasts (1 lb. pkg.) will be sent to each shipping address that includes (66762). Free product(s) may be substituted. Standard time, you give me 48 ing, we often think about S&H added per address. Offer available while supplies last. Items may be substituted due to inventory limitations. Cannot be combined with other offers. Other restrictions may apply. All hours in your town, I people being brought to Trafficking page 17 purchases acknowledge acceptance of Terms of Use. Visit omahasteaks.com/termsof-useOSI or call 1-800-228-9872 for a copy. Expires 1/31/21. guarantee I’ll find them,” our country,” Dyess said.

PERFECT HOLIDAY

oments

NEWS

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2020 | Page 17

Trafficking

ers or fear of law enforcement frequently keep victims from seeking help.

Traffickers’ use of coercion is so powerful that even if people reach out to victims, they may be too fearful to accept help.

If they leave, victims often fear their trafficker will hurt them or kill them or their family members, Dyess said.

Sometimes, the trauma caused by the traffickers can be so great that many may not identify themselves as victims or ask for help, even in highly public settings.

Dyess said most girls said it is all they have ever known, it is the best they will ever be and that no one will want them.

“After so long in it, the part of your brain that controls common sense, simple decision-making starts getting cut off,” he said. “And the longer they’re in that lifestyle, the bigger that gap starts getting.”

A life in trafficking becomes an abnormal normality.

“We expect them to walk away from someone who’s exploiting them but that’s (now) a normal routine in their life,” he said.

Other victims feel there is nowhere else for them to go.

“They’re staying to survive,” Dyess said.

The hardest part, but a crucial step, is the journey through aftercare.

“It’s a long, dark, messy road,” he said.

Human trafficking: It’s all about the money Why are so many choosing human trafficking over drug trade?

“It’s all about the money,” Dyess said.

If a pimp is making $2,000 a night by sell-

from page 16

Some victims go to school. Dyess has been part of cases that were initially investigated as sexual abuse but turned out to be minors who were being taken across state lines by family members and prostituted.

“That is proof that they’re not bound up and tied up in the back of a U-Haul going down the interstate,” Dyess said.

“They’re sitting in the car next to you at the Sonic.”

While most victims are not locked up, they are abused, physically and emotionally. Dyess showed a picture of a 16-year-old girl who had been severely beaten for refusing to comply with her pimp’s orders.

“Be aware, these traffickers are highly capable,” Dyess said. “Their victims are vulnerable and completely unaware of the danger (before being enslaved).”

Most victims are not taken at random Vulnerabilities. They are what human-traffickers prey on.

A false assumption is that most human trafficking victims become so by way of being grabbed, blindfolded and thrown in the back of a van. Truth is, Dyess said, traffickers often find victims by posing as nice people – as trusted friends or potential lovers.

“You meet this guy online,” Dyess said. “He understands how horrible your parents are. He’s got horrible parents, too, he tells you.”

Traffickers do not have to grab someone in a dark alley. All they have to do is charm them, offer to feed their addiction or promise a better life.

“It’s so easy to lure someone that way, because anybody can be what they want to be on these,” Dyess said, while holding up his phone.

“Predators are opportunists. They’re looking for easy, you-come-to- me (victims). It’s a better defense for them. ‘Oh, she came to me. I didn’t kidnap her.’”

Trafficking rarely involves random stranger abduction, according to the Central Minnesota Assault Center. Most traffickers are known to the victim and are often partners, peers or caregivers.

Some are even relatives.

Traffickers look for people who are susceptible for a variety of reasons, including psychological or emotional vulnerability, economic hardship, lack of a social safety net, natural disasters or political instabil-

PHOTO BY ELLARRY PRENTICE

Jody Dyess, of FREE International, visited Sauk Rapids in November to train residents to fight against human trafficking, a criminal industry he said takes place in every community.

ity. Traffickers might use violence, manipulation or false promises of wellpaying jobs or romantic relationships to lure victims into trafficking situations. This proactive targeting of vulnerability is called grooming.

Youth and adults experiencing housing instability are vulnerable to sexual exploitation because exploiters take advantage of their economic desperation and survival needs for sexual or monetary gain, according to the Central Minnesota Sexual Assault Center. The center has found high rates of exploitation of those in treatment centers or group homes. Those who have histories of abuse are also at high risk.

Traffickers are not stereotypical Anyone can be a human trafficker.

The Central Minnesota Sexual Assault Center reported that it has dealt with cases wherein religious leaders, healthcare workers, military personnel, therapists, educators, police, lawyers and public officials have been both traffickers and sex buyers.

Some, Dyess said, are parents. He talked about a case involving a father who was selling his 5-year-old daughter for the production of child pornography.

“The dad knew, willingly, that there was an exploitation of this child happening, so that makes

Dad the trafficker,” he said.

The social networking platform Snapchat is the leading venue for sending and receiving child pornography, according to Dyess.

“And do you know who’s producing it?” he said. “Not some old guy in a beater shirt in the trailer park that’s loading it up on the internet. But an eighth-grade girl that just got a request from her boyfriend to send a topless pic.”

Holding up his cell phone again, Dyess said, “This is the most dangerous recruiting tool out there today.”

Victims are frequently abused Sadly, vulnerability progresses to victimization rather quickly.

“At some point, they are told they have to pay the debt, help pay some of the expenses,” Dyess said.

Even if victims initially offer consent, that consent is rendered meaningless by the actions of the traffickers to exploit them for forced labor or commercial sex.

Force includes physical restraint, harm and sexual assault. Monitoring and confinement is sometimes used in early stages of victimization to break down the victim’s resistance.

Fraud includes false promises regarding employment and wages,

working conditions or a better life. Over time, there may be unexpected changes in work conditions, compensation or debt agreements or nature of the relationship.

Coercion includes threats of serious harm to or physical restraint against any person, psychological manipulation, document confiscation and shame and fear-inducing threats to share information or pictures with others or report to authorities.

One human trafficking survivor reported being beaten and suffering a broken nose; having a knife to her throat; being raped; being told she could not have contact with her family; never getting a cut of the money while working as a prostitute; and her trafficker threatening to hurt her family if she tried to leave.

Fear, complacency keep many victims from seeking help Fear of their traffick-

ing two women for sex, he is making more than $600,000 a year.

Through his work, Dyess learned that, on average, pimps in Atlanta, Georgia, were making between $18,000 and $42,000 a week.

Unlike other criminal industries, human traffickers have few people to pay because they are forcing victims to do commercial sex acts and labor against their will.

Because the victims are manipulated and many do not even realize they are being victimized, there is little risk of people testifying against the trafficker, Dyess said.

A cocaine dealer, on the other hand, has greater financial outlays for what he does.

“He has to buy more product in order to sell it,” Dyess said. “With that, he has to deal with some extremely dangerous people, and there’s a limited supply of drugs. He has competition with other drug dealers out there.

And, it’s really easy to get someone to flip on you on drug charges.”

Most girls being sexually exploited are told by pimps, also known as Johns, that if they are caught, to just accept the fine, the misdemeanor and move on.

“It’s just a renewable income,” Dyess said. “If (the pimp) can keep those girls remotely healthy, keep them strung along just enough, he’s making money like crazy.”

Indicators of human trafficking Everyone has the potential to discover a human trafficking situation, according to Dyess.

Trafficking page 19

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I have Life Alert. ®

One press of a button sends help fast, 24/7, even when you can’t reach a phone.

AS SEEN ON

TV

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Young children can be victims of human trafficking. The

justice department estimates that within the U.S., between 100,000 and 300,000 women and children are at risk of being exploited every year.

For a FREE brochure call:

1-866-484-0130

NEWS

Page 18 | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2020 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

CentraCare frontline workers receive first doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine

Public notice NOTICE OF FILING FOR SAUK RAPIDS TOWNSHIP ELECTION

Notice is hereby given to qualified voters of Sauk Rapids Township, Benton County, State of Minnesota, that filing for town officers will be held for a two-week period beginning Tuesday, December 29th, 2020 and closing on Tuesday, January 12th, 2021 at five o’clock p.m.

Affidavits of Candidacy shall be filed, with the Township Clerk by appointment between the hours of nine o’clock a.m. and five o’clock p.m. from December 29th, 2020 through January 12th, 2021 at 4074 5th Avenue NE, Sauk Rapids, MN (please call for 320-250-7413 for an appointment) or at the Sauk Rapids Town Hall (4651 Mayhew Lake Road NE, Sauk Rapids, MN) January 12th, 2021 from one o’clock to five o’clock. Filings will close at five o’clock on Tuesday, January 12th, 2021.

The filing fee is $2.00 and must be paid at the time of filing. Offices to be filled at the March 9th, 2021 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 5th, 2021 through March 8th, 2021 at 4074 5th Ave N.E. Sauk Rapids, MN (please call 320-250-7413 for an appointment) or at the Sauk Rapids Town Hall located at 4651 Mayhew Lake Road NE, Sauk Rapids, MN on Saturday March 6th, 2021 between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.

Posted by Daryl Sheetz Clerk Sauk Rapids Township R-52-2B

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Notice is hereby given that the Watab Township Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing on January 5, 2021, at the Watab Township Hall beginning at 6:00 pm. The Planning Commission will hear the following requests: Major subdivision of property owned by Jannew Properties LLC into 6 lots to be identified as Pearl’s Addition. Parcel number: 12.00262.00.

Minor subdivision of property owned by Tim Rajkowski into 2 lots to be identified as “Cornerstone Acres. Parcel number 12.00510.00.

Anyone wishing to be heard with reference to the above will be heard at this meeting.

Posted Monday, December 21, 2020 Kathy Sauer Watab Township Clerk R-52-1B

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Amy White, a registered nurse who works for CentraCare in the intensive care unit in St. Cloud, receives the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine Dec. 17 in St. Cloud. White was the first CentraCare employee to receive the vaccine.

PUBLIC NOTICE BENTON COUNTY SUMMARY BUDGET STATEMENT The following is a summary of the operating budget for the 2021 fiscal year for Benton County. This summary is published in accordance with Minnesota Statute §375.169. The detail of the County budget is on file in the County Administrator's Office at the Benton County Government Center, 531 Dewey Street, Foley, Minnesota, and may be reviewed during normal business hours. Summary and detailed budget information can also be viewed on the Benton County website (www.co.benton.mn.us; see "Budget" under the "Government" link on the homepage.)

2020 Budget Budgeted Governmental Funds Revenues: Current Property Tax Levy County Program Aid All Other Taxes Licenses and Permits Intergovernmental - Federal & State Fees for Services Fines and Forfeits Interest on Investments Miscellaneous Other Sources: Proceeds from Bond Sales Transfers from Other Funds/Other Financing Sources Total Revenues and Other Sources Expenditures: General Government Public Safety Highway and Streets Human Services Health Culture and Recreation Conservation of Natural Resources Economic Development Debt Service Capital Projects Library Historical Society Soil and Water Conservation District Other Uses: Transfers to Other Funds/Other Financing Uses Total Expenditures

2021 Budget

$20,119,369 2,730,940 2,975,000 358,510 14,046,304 2,160,198 13,700 250,000 557,430

$20,219,966 2,657,043 3,105,600 372,650 10,516,221 2,065,844 13,500 350,000 599,107

0 1,815,130 $45,026,581

0 2,613,962 $42,513,893

$7,082,496 8,782,816 9,764,831 12,512,822 1,576,562 52,343 261,982 75,000 1,055,763 794,175 535,909 12,070 239,500

$7,248,091 9,140,023 6,673,726 13,207,450 1,254,040 52,293 252,083 75,000 1,063,388 694,605 531,834 12,070 239,500

2,280,312 $45,026,581

2,069,790 $42,513,893

White, Cordie, Dalal selected for initial shots ST. CLOUD – CentraCare received its first doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine Dec. 17 and has started vaccinating frontline workers as part of the effort to protect the most vulnerable who are exposed to the virus.

The first doses were given to hospitalists and intensive care unit nurses who work in the COVID-19 critical care unit at St. Cloud Hospital. CentraCare continued vaccinations of frontline workers Dec. 18 and into the following week with plans to distribute to locations around the CentraCare system, including hospitals and longterm care facilities.

“We have been looking for the light at the end of the tunnel as our community has been hit hard by COVID-19,” Dr. Jill Amsberry said. “The vaccine arriving at CentraCare and other health care facilities across the state brings that glimmer of light which is also a glimmer of hope.”

Amsberry is a pediatrician at CentraCare who also represents the Minnesota Medical Association on the Minnesota Department of Health COVID Vaccine Allocation Advisory Group.

“We are optimistic this vaccine will lead us in the right direction to help mitigate this pandemic while the community continues to remain vigilant in wearing masks, washing hands and following social distancing guide-

“This is a time to get emotional about it, to get excited about it, to reflect back on the many people we have lost, the changes we’ve had to make and to also look forward and think about that hope for the future and how the vaccine is part of that hope strategy.”

- Dr. George Morris

lines,” she said.

Intensive care unit registered nurse Amy White, respiratory therapist Kim Cordie and hospitalist Dr. Ari Dalal were the first CentraCare employees to receive the vaccine.

Because the initial supply of the vaccine to the United States is limited, only frontline health care workers and long-term care residents will receive the vaccine as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“This is a time to get emotional about it, to get excited about it, to reflect back on the many people we have lost, the changes we’ve had to make and to also look forward and think about that hope for the future and how the vaccine is part of that hope strategy,” said Dr. George Morris, incident commander for CentraCare’s COVID-19 response.

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2020 | Page 19

Trafficking

it may not be human trafficking, Dyess said to follow your gut and notify authorities.

Only 3% to 5% of victims call the national hotline for help, Dyess said.

They are not just another victim “I hate to just use the word victim,” said Dyess, who works on several human trafficking cases involving minors. “Every one of these kids has a name. Every one has an age and a home that they were from. Every one of these had somebody who cared about them.

And they range from a number of ages.”

Dyess stressed the importance of seeing victims as human beings, not numbers.

“I think it’s important that we see faces, we see names,” he said.

The average age of a girl who enters a prostitution ring is 12 to 14, Dyess said. Most of these victims had been sexually abused earlier in life, so they accept it as a normal sign of affection.

“Their pain and trauma (are) real,” Dyess said. “To reach them, you have to understand their journey.”

Dyess has yet to meet anyone who has said prostitution or other forms of sexual exploitation were what they dreamed of doing when they grew up.

“I don’t believe it’s a lifestyle

from page 17

Indicators are: – They move a lot; their story changes when asked about where they live or where they are from.

– Work excessively long hours over long periods.

– Are unpaid, paid very little or paid only in tips.

– Are not allowed breaks at work.

– Show signs their movements are being controlled.

– Are not allowed to be in possession of their driver’s license or passport or other identity documents, as those documents are being held by someone else.

– Are suddenly in possession of expensive things that they otherwise could not afford.

– Are not allowed to freely contact friends or family.

– Are distrustful of authorities.

– Suffer injuries that appear to be the result of assault.

– Allow others to speak for themselves when addressed directly.

– Are unable to negotiate working conditions.

– Are missing a lot of school.

If you suspect something is not right, even if there is a possibility

that’s been chosen,” Dyess said. “I believe there’s something that happened in this person’s life. At some point, that’s all the value their life was put on, was sexual value, and that’s put them in this place.”

That is where judgement must become compassion and empathy.

“We change from seeing them as prostitutes and hookers to people who are vulnerable and exploited,” Dyess said. “People that have souls.

People that hold something better for life than where they are right now.”

Dyess wants people to have victim-centered mindsets, to see human trafficking cases as possibilities to save a life and better a life – a life that is valuable.

He also wants law enforcement to extend mercy.

“Help them get into a rehabilitation center,” Dyess said. “My goal is to help them, not to just put (a charge) on them that burdens them down to continue in this lifestyle.”

Law enforcement officers must be mindful, Dyess said, that women working the streets may be enslaved and being forced to do so.

“It doesn’t take long to realize that a pimp is just a glorified name for a trafficker,” Dyess said. “This isn’t just a prostitution bust anymore.”

BREAK CROSSWORD

Police Activity Report Dec. 14-20 Sauk Rapids Police Department Dec. 17, 6:52 p.m. – An officer was requested by the St. Cloud Police Department to check an address on the 400 block of 13th Avenue South for a vehicle that was involved in a shooting in St. Cloud. Law enforcement did not locate the vehicle and advised the SCPD. Sauk Rapids Police Department was later notified the vehicle was found in Wright County.

Incidents: Administrative citations (winter parking violations) 30, medical calls 23, pet licenses 22, miscellaneous calls 21, thefts 17, assists 16, suspicious activity reports 16, welfare checks 12, traffic stops 5, animals 4, child calls 4, disturbances 4, alarms 3, burglaries 2, civil complaints 3, lift assists 3, property 3, traffic accidents 3, warnings 3, deaths 2, traffic hazards 2 and vehicles 2.

F

to R R S E Ri ap auk E Sa ce ids r a , co tell nd de zip s

Dec. 14, 6:16 p.m. – Officers responded to the 1300 block of Stone Ridge Road for a potential natural gas Rice Police Department leak. Officers determined the wind was blowing the odor from a nearly fill station. Officers determined Dec. 19, 9:41 p.m. – The Benton County Sheriff’s Office requested the Rice Police Department respond there was no apparent danger. as an agency assist to the 9000 block of Sharon Place Dec. 15, 4:34 p.m. – Patrolling law enforcement no- Northwest in Watab Township. Dispatch notified ofticed suspicious activity on Third Avenue South as ficers an infant was having a seizure. Upon arrival, two or three males going between a vehicle and ga- child was alert and breathing. Officers assisted with rage. Two of the males quickly closed the garage and oxygen until emergency personnel from Mayo Clinwalked to an apartment complex while one stayed ic Ambulance arrived and transported the infant to near the vehicle. Officer contacted one of the males the hospital. who said he had locked his keys in his vehicle and was looking for a tool in his garage to open his ve- Incidents: Miscellaneous calls 9, traffic stops 4, agency assists 4 and assists 4. hicle.

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Publications

PHOTOS SUBMITTED

Zach Fuecker er holds the rack of an 11-point buck he harvested Nov. 13 on private land in Rice. Fuecker said the deer er showed himself around 35-40 yards, and he was able to get a shot off ff at 50 yards.

Buck shots page 2

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Page 20 | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2020 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Public Notices NOTICE TO THE CREDITORS OF AND CLAIMANTS AGAINST CARLSON & LYTER DISTRIBUTING, INC.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by CARLSON & LYTER DISTRIBUTING, INC., that: 1. The corporation is in the process of voluntary dissolution pursuant to Section 302A.721, Minnesota Statutes.

2. The corporation has filed with the Minnesota Secretary of State a notice of intent to dissolve.

3. Said notice was filed with the Minnesota Secretary of State on December 8, 2020.

4. All claims by creditors or claimants must be in writing and must be filed with Ray Skolberg, CEO, Carlson & Lyter Distributing, Inc., %Greg Kummer, Security State Bank & Trust, 2202 11th Street East, Glencoe, MN 55336 5. All claims by creditors or claimants must be received

by March 26, 2021. Any creditor or claimant who fails to file a claim on or before March 26, 2021, and all those claiming through or under the creditor or claimant are forever barred from suing on that claim or otherwise realizing upon or enforcing it except as otherwise provided in Section 302A.781, Minnesota Statutes.

CARLSON & LYTER DISTRIBUTING, INC. By: /s/ Ray Skolberg Its: CEO R-50-4B

Mayhew Lake Township Filing Filing will be open from Dec. 29, 2020 to Jan. 12, 2021 for the following offices: 1 supervisor 3 year term 1 treasurer 2 year term Filing fee is $2.00 Election March 9, 2021. Polls open from noon to 8 p.m.

Annual meeting will convene at 8:05.

Contact Lawrence Thell. 5248 115th St. NE, Foley Phone: 320-250-5966 or 320-287-2391 Lawrence Thell Mayhew Lake Township R-52-2B

NEWS/PUBLIC NOTICES

Troop 245 earns award by helping foster cats

PHOTOS SUBMITTED

Girl Scouts Troop 245 members – Ellie C. (from left), Lily C., Jasmine M., Karina T., Nina S., Ruthie S., Linnea T., Hailey H., Lily L. and Zoey S. – tour the Tri County Humane Society’s building Sept. 28 in St. Cloud. The tour was part of the troop’s Bronze Award project, which helped people adopting foster cats.

Girl Scouts make cat scratchers, toys Contributed by Troop 245 SAUK RAPIDS – Members of the Sauk Rapids Girl Scout Troop 245 have earned their Bronze Award – the high-

est honor a Girl Scout Junior can achieve. The fifth and sixth grade students made thank you cards and donated cat

scratchers, cat toys and tins for toys and treats to the Tri-County Humane Society in St. Cloud.

The troop started

NOTICE OF FILING FOR TOWNSHIP ELECTION Notice is hereby given to qualified voters of Minden Township, Benton County, state of Minnesota, that filing for township office will be held for a 2-week period beginning: Dec. 29, 2020 through Jan. 12, 2021.

Affidavits of Candidacy shall be filled with the Town Clerk by appointment between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. from Dec. 29 through Jan. 12, 2021.

In addition the office of the Clerk will be open from 1 p.m. on Jan. 12, 2021.

Filing will close on January 12, 2021 at 5 p.m.

Filing fee is $2.00 and must be paid at the time of filing.

Offices to be filled at the March Annual Elections are: Treasurer for 2 year term Supervisor for 3 year term.

Absentee voting will be at the Minden Town Hall with the Clerk on March 6, 2021 between the hours from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.

Dec. 21, 2020 PHOTOS SUBMITTED Cynthia Abraham Girl Scouts Troop 245 members – Nina S. (front, from left), Karina T., Linnea T. and Ruthie Minden Township S.; (back) Zoey S., Lily L., Hailey H., Ellie C., Lily C., Jasmine M. – present items to a TriR-52-2B County Humane Society staff member Sept. 28 in St. Cloud. The Scouts are in fifth and

THE RIGHT TO VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT AND IDENTITY OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY LAW IS NOT AFFECTED

BY THIS ACTION. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that default has occurred in conditions of the following described mortgage: DATE OF MORTGAGE: November 21, 2006 MORTGAGOR: Kevin D. Johnson, a single person and Kirk J. Paulson, a single person.

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

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

ASSIGNMENTS OF MORTGAGE: Assigned to: U.S. Bank National

sixth grades.

NOTICE OF VOLUNTARY MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE said mortgage, the above Association, as Trustee, on OF PROPERTY: behalf of the holders of the The South 1/2 of the described property will be Home Equity Asset Trust Northwest 1/4 of Section sold by the Sheriff of said 2007-2 Home Equity Pass- 31, Township 37, Range 28, county as follows: DATE AND TIME OF Through Certificates, Series Benton County, Minnesota.

2007-2. Dated July 24, 2017 COUNTY IN WHICH SALE: January 19, 2021 at Recorded August 1, 2017, as PROPERTY IS LOCATED: 10:00 AM PLACE OF SALE: Document No. A424211.

Benton TRANSACTION O R I G I N A L Benton County Sheriff’s AGENT: Mortgage PRINCIPAL AMOUNT Office, 581 Highway 23 Northeast Foley, MN Electronic Registration OF MORTGAGE: to pay the debt then secured Systems, Inc. $206,250.00 TRANSACTION AMOUNT DUE by said Mortgage, and taxes, AGENT’S MORTGAGE AND CLAIMED TO BE if any, on said premises, and I D E N T I F I C A T I O N DUE AS OF DATE OF the costs and disbursements, NUMBER ON NOTICE, INCLUDING including attorneys’ fees M O R T G A G E : TAXES, IF ANY, PAID allowed by law subject to redemption within twelve 100200100108493218

BY MORTGAGEE: (12) months from the date of LENDER OR BROKER $228,246.69 AND MORTGAGE That prior to the said sale by the mortgagor(s), ORIGINATOR STATED ON commencement of this their personal representatives MORTGAGE: EquiFirst mortgage foreclosure or assigns unless reduced to Corporation proceeding Mortgagee/ Five (5) weeks under MN R E S I D E N T I A L Assignee of Mortgagee Stat. §580.07.

MORTGAGE SERVICER: complied with all notice TIME AND DATE TO Select Portfolio Servicing, requirements as required VACATE PROPERTY: If Inc. by statute; That no action the real estate is an ownerM O R T G A G E D or proceeding has been occupied, single-family PROPERTY ADDRESS: instituted at law or otherwise dwelling, unless otherwise 6248 135th Avenue to recover the debt secured provided by law, the date Northeast, Foley, MN 56329 by said mortgage, or any part on or before which the mortgagor(s) must vacate the TAX PARCEL I.D. #: thereof; 08.00402.00 PURSUANT to the property if the mortgage is LEGAL DESCRIPTION power of sale contained in not reinstated under section

580.30 or the property is not redeemed under section 580.23 is 11:59 p.m. on January 19, 2022, unless that date falls on a weekend or legal holiday, in which case it is the next weekday, and unless the redemption period is reduced to 5 weeks under MN Stat. Secs. 580.07.

M O RT G A G O R ( S ) RELEASED FROM FINANCIAL OBLIGATION ON MORTGAGE:None Dated: November 12, 2020 U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee Mortgagee/Assignee of Mortgagee USSET, WEINGARDEN AND LIEBO, P.L.L.P. Attorneys for Mortgagee/ Assignee of Mortgagee 4500 Park Glen Road #300 Minneapolis, MN 55416 (952) 925-6888 38 - 20-002612 FC THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. R-47-6B

the project in March to help foster cat parents.

In September, they took a tour of the humane society and donated the items they made.

When making the cat scratchers, the girls used old cookie cases they no longer needed. They cut the boxes into pieces and then taped them together. They made two kinds of cat scratchers. For the first one, they rolled the strips of cardboard tightly together. For the second, they used the flaps of the boxes and stuffed them into the bottom of a cut down box.

They made spider toys by cutting toilet paper rolls to make fringes at the ends and decorated them with colorful tape or fabric around the middle. They also made ping pong ball shakers by poking a hole in the ball and putting rice into it. They discovered that using less rice was better because it would make a louder and more playful noise. They used colorful tape to decorate the ping pong balls and to cover the holes so the rice would not spill out.

Each Girl Scout painted one or two tins for toys and treats. The tins were donated by families,” said Kelly Travis, troop leader.“ The Tri-County Humane Society foster care program helped 1,161 animals in 2019.

Of the animals helped, 858 were cats or kittens.

The troop made 34 cat scratchers, 180 cat toys and 19 painted tins.

SPORTS

Page 22 | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2020 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

All they want Vikings are not built for playoffs for Christmas is snow

With Sunday’s 33-27 home loss to the offensively inept Chicago Bears, the Minnesota Vikings have essentially eliminated themselves from playoff contention. At 6-8, the Vikings need a myriad of unlikely things to happen in order to sneak into the postseason with an 8-8 record, the first of which being the Vikings themselves notching a road win against a desperate 10-4 New Orleans COLUMNIST Saints team Christmas Day. I’ll spare SPORTS

BY ANDY THAYER you the suspense – it ain’t happening.

Bah humbug.

With the way their roster is constructed, the Vikings simply aren’t good enough to contend for a championship.

This Vikings season was doomed almost from the start.

When star defensive end Danielle Hunter was ruled out during the preseason with a lingering neck issue, it submarined the team’s pass rush. Prized free agent acquisition Michael Pierce, who plays defensive tackle, opted out of the season due to COVID-19 concerns shortly thereafter. Anthony Barr, a Pro Bowlcaliber linebacker, was lost for the season with a torn pectoral muscle in September. At that point, three of the team’s five top defensive players were out for the year, and no amount of coaching up from Mike Zimmer was going to save this defense.

The Vikings offense performed reasonably well, but it wasn’t good enough to make up for the porous and inexperienced defense. Dalvin Cook has been sensational, rushing for 1,484 yards and 15 touchdowns in 13 games. Adam Thielen has been a red zone nightmare for opposing defenses, catching 13 touchdowns in 13 games. Rookie wideout Justin Jefferson has been a revelation, leading all rookie receivers with 73 catches, 1,182 yards and seven touchdowns. This team’s roster is loaded with scoring threats.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins has also been solid, completing 67.6% of his passes for 3,569 yards, 29 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. In the modern NFL, I’d categorize that as satisfactory QB play. People say Cousins is overpaid, but that’s not necessarily true. He had the 14th highest salary cap hit of any quarterback in the NFL this year, which seems appropriate. The problem is Cousins is also roughly the 14th best quarterback in the league, which lends itself to the Vikings being about the 14th best team. If you have a quarterback like Cousins, your team’s record is going to be somewhere between 6-10 and 10-6 (depending on the surrounding talent), and your team’s ceiling is never high enough to win a Super Bowl or low enough to draft a generational quarterback. This year, with all the problems on defense, the Vikings are on the low end of the Kirk Cousins victory range scale.

Maybe the Vikings were playing a long con Sunday when they let the anemic Bears offense dice them up while they recused themselves from playoff contention. If the Bears rally to a playoff berth and re-sign quarterback Mitchell Trubisky to a long-term deal, they will be on the same treadmill of mediocrity as the Vikings. This isn’t a dig on Kirk Cousins; he’s a slightlyabove-average NFL quarterback. However, because of his appropriately onerous salary cap hit, I can’t envision a scenario where the Vikings can field a good enough team around him to win a Super Bowl with him under center.

Local interest peaks as snowmobilers anxiously await white trails

BY ELLARRY PRENTICE STAFF WRITER

SAUK RAPIDS – If the powers that be drop enough snow on Benton County’s 101mile snowmobile trail system, Delroy Rothstein will be a happy man. President of the Benton County Snowmobile Club, which builds, grooms and maintains this haven for motor sleds, he is anxious to fire up his.

Rothstein knows he is not the only one ready to hit Benton’s snowmobile trails, especially this winter, when shutdowns spurred by the coronavirus pandemic have left little else to do.

“People have jumped on board with this activity, knowing it’s an outdoor activity that can be done,” he said.

The humdrum of winter in a pandemic is persuading some people to dust off their skis. Rothstein said he knows of people who have renewed registrations on snowmobiles that have not been used in years.

The lull in life is also luring newcomers to the snow sport, which can be enjoyed without coming in close contact with others. He said several young people have signed up for online snowmobile safety courses, though admittance for the in-person testing portion has unfortunately been limited due to COVID-19.

“If we get snow, there will be people riding,” Rothstein said.

The peak in local interest

OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM GAMES FOR WEEK #17

is marked by an increase in snowmobile sales, according to Rothstein.

“They bought out every snowmobile they could find in the Midwest,” he said of people eager to ride.

Shaun Kral, general manager of Mies Outland in St. Cloud, reported that earlyseason interest in snowmobiling has peaked from previous years.

“This year has brought a lot of new people to the industry,” Kral said. “There’s a lot of new customers. It’s fun to see.”

It started after the COVID-19 outbreak last spring, when some Minnesotans, reeling from shutdowns and social distancing, looked to outdoor recreation to palliate a period of enforced idleness.

It was the same for watercraft.

“The interest was there

early and it carried through,” Kral said of people shopping for boats in the spring and summer. “Very solid.”

Mies Outland saw another uptick after the recordbreaking Oct. 20 snowfall, which dumped several inches on central Minnesota, including about 6.5 in Rice and 7 in Sauk Rapids.

“That just kind of peaked everyone’s interest, and it hasn’t really slowed,” Kral said.

The Benton County Snowmobile Club opened the 101-mile trail system as soon as December arrived, but unfortunately, the snow has not.

In order for the trails to be usable, this area will have to get at least 8 inches of highquality snow, according to Rothstein.

Snowmobiling page 16

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STOCK PHOTO

Local interest in snowmobiling has increased since the coronavirus outbreak last spring, according to Delroy Rothstein, president of the Benton County Snowmobile Club, and Shaun Kral, general manager of Mies Outland in St. Cloud. Snowmobile trails opened Dec. 1, but without substantial snow cover, riders are stranded from participating in the outdoor activity.

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Page 24 | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2020 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

SPORTS

Snowmobiling from page 15

“It can’t be light or half blown off,” he said.

“It needs to be heavy, stay in place; otherwise, it can wreck our equipment. We can’t groom 2 or 3 inches.”

Kral is also anxiously awaiting the snow. He expects local snowmobiling interest to intensify when enough of the white stuff hits the ground.

“Looking forward to it,” he said.

The club The saying goes, “If you have a white Halloween, you’re going to have a brown Christmas,” Rothstein said.

He hopes that is not true this year and said the record snowfall in October was a waste for trail riders because trails did not open until Dec. 1. Before the trail system can open, crops must be harvested from private land that is leased to the trail system via an easement.

The opening of trails is weather dependent and often involves maintenance, such as clearing obstructive brush.

The Benton County Snowmobile Club has more than 60 members who build, groom and maintain safe trails within the county for all snowmobilers to use and enjoy. Members also work to promote camaraderie among fellow snowmobilers, to perpetuate the sport through youth training and to maintain goodwill with landowners who allow them to cross their lands.

The club’s annual land owner appreciation dinner, raffle and other fundraising events were canceled this year due to

the coronavirus. The budget was looking gloomy, according to Rothstein, but is now in good shape thanks to state aid and a donation from the Rice Area Sportsmen’s Club.

The snowmobile club receives funding for trail maintenance through the grants-in-aid program, administered by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The state trails assistance program is funded primarily by the gas tax, snowmobile registrations and trail permits. While revenue from the gas tax has been relatively stable from year to year, the number of snowmobile registrations has varied.

This year, however, the DNR originally told the club there could be a 25% reduction in funding due to a projected decrease in the gas tax, resulting from less travel during the pandemic. Thankfully, Rothstein said, the grant was not reduced, and that could be due, in part, to an increase in snowmobile registrations.

The funding helps cover the cost of two groomers. It takes each groomer 10 to 12 hours to groom one half of the trail system. When conditions are right, the club likes to groom twice a week, Rothstein said.

Nearly all of the labor to build and maintain the trail system, divided into 13 sections, or trailheads, is provided by volunteers. The trail system has seven bridges, including one that was installed on the Frank Legatt property in November, replacing one that had partially collapsed. The

bridge was constructed using recycled material from a decommissioned flatbed trailer. It is the third bridge of its kind to be installed on the trail system in six years. As a reminder, the trail system is for snowmobiling only, not for ATVs or bikes of any kind, Rothstein said.

Formed in 1984, the Benton County Snowmobile Club is a member of the Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association. Rothstein said they are always looking for new members to continue to maintain and beautify the trails and to share in the fun of this winter activity.

The club has tentatively planned a large group snowmobile ride for mid-February this year.

For more information about joining the club or how to connect SUBMITTED PHOTOS with fellow riders, follow The Benton County Snowmobile Club recently replaced a bridge that had partially the club on Facebook or collapsed on its trail system. Club members constructed the new bridge using recycled visit www.bentoncoun- material from a decommissioned flatbed trailer. tysnowmobileclub.com.

Leading the

Emma J. Johnson Grade: 12

Parents: Filip and Jackie Johnson Accomplishment: Is a member of the Sauk Rapids-Rice National Honor Society.

What is your favorite part about NHS? Service. Serving our community is one of the greatest gifts, and it allows us to truly become a part of our community.

What were some of the activities NHS did for Christmas? We gave Christmas cards, letters and crafts to area senior living facilities as part of an ongoing project we have been doing, and we gave Christmas cards to intensive care unit patients.

What is your favorite NHS function? The blood drives we host twice a year always bring

our school and community together for a great cause. I also enjoy the general creativity we get to have in coming up with volunteer opportunities for our group, especially this year as many volunteer opportunities are not available.

How do you make a difference at school? Letting peers and teachers know how much they are valued, loved and appreciated is so important, now more than ever.

Which teacher has impacted your education most? Mrs. Bloch at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School has always been so encouraging to me. She is always positive and energetic, and she has guided me in the right direction on my education journey.

Who has been a mentor to you? Ms. Julie Meyer at Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School and Mrs. Trisha Bemboom at SRRHS have served as mentors to me in their roles as student council advisors. Both of these teachers have supported me, encouraged me, given me terrific advice, shared their wisdom What other activities are you involved in at with me and have given me a platform to grow as school? Student council, band, choir, pit orchestra, a leader. drama, Link Crew Leaders, Principal’s Cabinet, and Knit and Crochet Club.

What is your favorite meal, movie and song?

Tater Tot hotdish, “The Wizard of Oz,” and “Do SomeWhy is it important for you to be involved in thing” by Matthew West. school activities? I get to do things I enjoy with some fantastic people.

Leading the Storm is

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