St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
Friday, Aug. 8, 2014
Still time to enroll in police academy
Work zones from front page had 31 fatal crashes in work zones, with six of the victims roadside workers. Last year, there were 1,740 work-zone accidents, eight of them fatal ones. The new law, which went into effect Aug. 1, is the first change in work-zone laws in 15 years. The law also states if road or roadside workers are present and one lane or part of the traffic flow is closed down for more than 24 hours, the workzone speed limit will be lowered to 45 mph. Also, those drivers who ignore directions given by road workers controlling traffic can be fined a minimum of $300. Agencies can reduce work-zone speeds, depending on conditions, any time they think it appropriate. Before the new law, fines for violations in work zones varied from $50 to $200-plus, depending on the county. The average fine for a work-zone speeding violation last year was $212, according to MnDOT. Rajkowski is haunted by how her husband used to complain how many drivers would speed through work zones, oblivious to the obvious dangers and in some cases killing road workers or fellow motorists. Just a week before Ron was killed, he told her
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contributed photo
During a memorial for deceased road-construction workers, the Rajkowski family of St. Joseph is greeted by Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton. At left in the photo is Jodi Rajkowski, widow of Ron Rajkowski, and their two children – Chase (foreground) and Blake. Their father was killed, along with a co-worker, by a car in a work zone near the Twin Cities. he probably wouldn’t live past the age of 50 the way some thoughtless and reckless motorists drive. Tragically, a week after making his sad prediction, his prediction proved to be all too true. Last year, Jodi, and Janet Carlson, the widow of the other man who was killed, joined with others and appeared to testify at hearings in the Minnesota House, in favor of a stricter bill. Jodi credited many others for their expertise, organization skills and time invested in tightening the law. They include Associated General Contractors of Minnesota; the Egan Co.; State Rep. Ron Erhardt
(DFL-Edina), who is chair of the House Transportation Policy Committee; and Lisa Raduenz of the Twin Cities, who had done a lot of work related to transportation issues and who befriended Jodi, and Janet Carlson. Many roadway workers Jodi has talked with remark about how, at the sound of squealing tires, they and others will jump with fear and quickly look up from their work, expecting to be hit by a vehicle. “I’m hopeful this (new law) will make a statement,” she said. “It’s frightening to think all that separates workers from speeding drivers is just a bunch of orange cones.”
www.jlwchiro.com
St. Joseph Family Chiropractic
Get back into the swing of life
Anyone who wants to join Citizens Police Academy classes has until Aug. 15 to enroll by calling one’s local police department. The free classes, which begin Thursday, Sept. 4, will take place every Thursday from 6-10 p.m. at the Sauk Rapids Police Department – a total of nine classes through September and October. All applicants must be at least 18 years old, able to pass a criminal-background check and live in one of the participating cities. Those cities are Sartell, St. Joseph, St. Cloud, Sauk Rapids and Waite Park.
Market from front page can. Not surprisingly, the Beumers – far more than city-slicker complainers – always have one eye on the weather. “That’s always our biggest hurdle,” he said. “The weath-
The Citizens Police Academy course is a thorough introduction to police work, including traffic stops, investigations, narcotics, evidence and K9 training. Although graduates do not have any law-enforcement qualifications, they acquire a lot of information about police work that can be shared with others and thus help indirectly to make for safer cities. The number of the St. Joseph Police Department is 320229-9426. The Sartell department phone number is 320-251-8186.
er.” Besides their food-raising, the Beumers have other jobs. Todd is a landscaper and does some property management. Cherie is a speech pathologist at Melrose Elementary School. Collegeville Orchards is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. It opens this year Aug. 31, the day before Labor Day, and it closes the day after Halloween.
ELECT TIM KANTOS
FOR STEARNS COUNTY
SHERIFF 25 Years Experience with the Stearns County Sheriff’s Dept. B.S. Degree in Criminal Justice
www.383magnumroadrunner.wix.com/timkantosforsheriff PREPARED AND PAID FOR BY THE CANDIDATE, TIM KANTOS, SARTELL, MN ON HIS OWN BEHALF.
Walk-ins Welcome
Dr. Jerry Wetterling 363-4573 103 n. College Ave St. Joseph
Join our team! Are you looking for an environment where you are a key member of the team? Where your input and ideas are welcome? A place where you can have an impact? Newsleaders is looking for an entry-level associate to become a member of our team and family. The person we are seeking must enjoy variety; be flexible and a team player; have a strong interest in learning all aspects of the newspaper and publishing business; exhibit a positive, “can do” attitude; and be teachable and coachable. Participation in business and creative meetings as well as good communication skills is a must. Primary duties and responsibilities include: 1. Advertising sales 2. Administrative Support 3. Production Support 4. Community Engagement Email a cover sheet, resume and at least three references to Janelle at janellev@thenewsleaders.com