Reaching Everybody!
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Newsleader St. Joseph
Friday, April 26, 2013 Volume 24, Issue 17 Est. 1989
Town Crier
Citywide garage sale set for May 17-18
The St. Joseph Citywide Garage Sale, sponsored by the St. Joseph Jaycees, will be held May 17-18. Registration forms are available at Sentry Bank and the City of St Joseph. Registration deadline is Monday, May 6.
Tickets available for ‘Wine, Kibbles, Bits’
Tickets are now available for the annul “Wine, Kibbles and Bits” fundraiser for the Tri-County Humane Society. The event will take place starting at 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 3 at the Gorecki Center on the campus of the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph. For more information, visit www. thenewsleaders.com and click on Criers.
Help with Home Repairs
Great River Area Faith in Action is seeking men and women with trade-specific talents such as painting, plumbing and carpentry skills to join their team and assist with home repairs and basic maintenance projects. They also welcome those with basic handy-person skills to join their team. Formal orientation process and background check required. For more information on this and other United Way volunteer opportunities, visit www.thenewsleaders.com and click on Criers.
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Klein excited about police chief role by TaLeiza Calloway news@thenewsleaders.com
Joel Klein always wanted to be a cop. It was a career he knew would allow him to do what he enjoys – helping others. While a lot of what law enforcement includes is assisting others, he also admits it’s cool to catch the criminal. However, public safety is his number one priority. “My number one goal is always public safety,” Klein said. “I always want to make sure people feel safe where they live and they can enjoy where they live.” The crime he hates the most is theft because it takes away a sense of security and the culprit is often faceless. One thing he wants residents to know about him is his door is always open. Drawn to serve Klein was recently asked to serve as the next police chief when current Chief Pete Jansky retires in August. The St. Joseph City Council offered him the job April 16. The 38-year-old was one of three finalists for the position. The other finalists for the job were Sgt. Dwight Pfannenstein of the St. Joseph Police Department and Sgt. Erik
photo by TaLeiza Calloway
Officer Joel Klein works in his office April 20 in the St. Joseph Police Department. Klein will serve as the next police chief when current Police Chief Pete Jansky retires in August. Lee, of the Crosslake Police Department. Because he already works in the department, the transition
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tails of his contract including the start date. The starting salary for the position is about $65,000, Klein • page 8
Families flock to community showcase by TaLeiza Calloway news@thenewsleaders.com
Hospital offers group on eating disorders
The St. Cloud Hospital Behavioral Health Clinic is offering a Family and Friends Support Group for Eating Disorders from 4:30-6 p.m. the first Thursday of the month beginning May 2 at CentraCare Health Plaza in the Leonard, Street and Deinard room, 1900 Centracare Circle, St Cloud. There will be no support group in July. Groups are led by a licensed psychologist or registered dietitian and provide support to friends and family through education and sharing with others who also have a loved one with an eating disorder. Each month a different topic will be explored. Attendees will take away tips for making mealtimes less stressful, how to respond to food and body image struggles and what to say or not to say. There is no cost to attend. For more information, please call Bette Bakke, PhD, LP, at 320-2294918.
into the chief position will be gradual. St. Joseph City Administrator Judy Weyrens said the city is still working on the de-
photo by TaLeiza Calloway
Kendra Dierkes, 4, of St. Joseph, takes Ricky the Raccoon and Moobell to meet her mother April 20 during the St. Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce community showcase.
The gym at Kennedy Community School was often crowded April 20 during the St. Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce Community Showcase. This was the first year for the event and judging from attendance, it was something many enjoyed. Between 400 and 500 people attended the event, which was designed to introduce new businesses in the city and to make it possible for visitors to mingle with people from familiar businesses, as well. About 30 businesses staffed display booths and shared information on their services. Organizers were pleased with their first run. “This is an exciting turnout,” Vicki Dahl said. “This was a test to see how it goes, and it passed.” Dahl is a member of the planning committee for the showcase. Chamber board member
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Randy Schmitz shared Dahl’s excitement about the turnout. “This has been great,” Schmitz said. “We had a lot of people coming in during the first hour.” Schmitz said he heard positive feedback during the event and got some suggestions for improvements for next year’s event. They hope to have more entertainment throughout the event and add more games for children in the future. Attendees not only had a chance to try samples and learn about businesses within the city but could also tour Kennedy school. Since the event had an Earth Day theme, the school tour was fitting as the school boasts environmentally-friendly features. In addition to tours, kids’ games and refreshments, there was also some live entertainment. Third- and fourthgrade students at Kennedy performed for guests, singing songs that included the “Star Spangled Banner” and “This Land is Showcase • page 4