Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader - March 25, 2016

Reaching EVERYbody!

Presorted Standard U.S. Postage Paid St. Joseph Newsleader St. Joseph, MN 56374 Permit No. 21 ECRWSS Postal Customer

Newsleader Sartell-St. Stephen

Postal Patron

Council approves Town Crier tax-abatement plan Library issues

Friday, March 25, 2016

Food drive beats last year’s record

Volume 21, Issue 12 Est. 1995

Sartell Youth Hockey begins 100-gun raffle

The Sartell Youth Hockey Association is hosting its third annual gun raffle, with the drawing being held at 6 p.m.

Sunday, April 24 at the Blueline Sports Bar & Grill. Door prizes and silent auction start at 5 p.m. Purchase tickets online or at Blueline Sports Bar & Grill and Bernick’s Arena, both in Sartell. There are 100 guns, with 20 tickets sold per firearm. Visit sartellhockey.org for a list of guns, rules/regulations and to reserve tickets. Winning tickets are good for the awarded gun or gift card for comparable value at Scheel’s in Waite Park.

St. Stephen to host Easter egg hunt

The City of St. Stephen will host an Easter egg hunt at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 26 at the Upper Smoley Field. Bring your Easter basket and take pictures with the Easter bunny.

Burning restrictions now in effect

Open burning restrictions are in effect in many Minnesota counties including Stearns, Benton and Sherburne, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Firefighters have already responded to wildfires in central Minnesota as conditions for fire have increased. The mild temperatures and sparse snow cover this winter have resulted in an early snow melt, according to Linda Gormanson, DNR fire prevention supervisor.

The warmer weather and spring winds dry the dead standing grass and brush, allowing them to ignite and spread fire quickly, she said.

Spring open-burning restrictions mean residents will not be allowed to burn brush or yard waste. Restrictions typically begin about two weeks after the snow leaves and remain in place until summer green-up occurs. This usually lasts four to six weeks. For more information on fire conditions and burning restrictions, visit the Minnesota DNR website at www.dnr.state.mn.us/ forestry/fire/firerating_restrictions.html.

For additional criers, visit www.thenewsleaders.com and click on Criers.

INSERT:

Waters Church

erupt once again

by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com

At the March 14 Sartell City Council meeting, which turned into a virtual tug-of-war of emotions and conflicting opinions, council members voted 3-2 to approve a tax-abatement financing plan to bond for a community center and other amenities.

At the two-hour public hearing, the long-time contentious “library issue” pros-and-cons surfaced repeatedly from many people in the audience. About two dozen library supporters attended.

Council members David Peterson and Amy Braig-Lindstrom

voted against the tax-abatement funding mechanism. Mayor Sarah Jane Nicoll and council members Steve Hennes and Pat Lynch voted yes.

Before it even began, Mayor Nicoll announced the hearing was about one question only: whether or not to approve tax -abatement funding up to the amount of $13.5 million for amenities. The issue, she said, is not about which specific amenities will or will not be funded. Despite Nicoll’s advisory, however, it soon became apparent library supporters in the audience intended to speak their minds.

And speak their minds they did.

Sartell City Administrator Mary Degiovanni emphasized the resolution is not one to issue bonds or to approve this Plan • page 3

photo by Frank Lee

Robert Scheibmeir of Great Steps Orthotic & Prosthetic Solutions in Sartell dropped off a donation March 18 at the “Pack the Porches” food drive. See page 3 for story.

Sartell community garden plot has openings There are several openings for residents to have garden plots this spring and summer at the two Sartell Community Gardens.

Each plot, which costs $25 per year, is 20 feet by 20 feet.

That rental fee covers the use of the space, water and garden tools. The city starts each season with city staff tilling and fertilizing the two gardens. With both combined, there is a total of 106 plots. One garden is located by

Oak Ridge Elementary School, the other on the east side of Sartell by the water-treatment plant. The Sartell Community Gardens project was started by Sartell residents Dennis Molitor and Kaye Wenker about five

years ago, Molitor noted.

Those who would like to rent a plot must be Sartell residents.

For more information, please contact Kaye at: communitygardens@centurylink.net.

Netka paints self-portrait with barn

by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com

photo by Dennis Dalman

Bud Netka of Sartell holds a painting he created showing the old round barn in south Sartell, near the site of many developments clustered around Lake Francis, inclucing the upcoming Sartell Community Center. Netka, long fascinated by the old barn, is hoping it can be repurposed for some social use, such as a Sartell Historical Society museum. Netka has long painted many of the scenic areas and landmarks in Sartell.

For years, Bud Netka of Sartell has been fascinated by the old round barn in south Sartell, and recently he decided to paint its portrait, so to speak.

One day, he drove over to the barn and took its picture. Back home, he used the photo as a guide to paint the picture. Later, after the paint on the canvas dried, another idea occurred to him: Why not paint himself into the painting, a painting of the artist painting the painting?

He went back to the barn and took a selfie-photo of him with his artist’s easel containing the just-finished painting, showing the actual barn in the distance.

Then he went back home and painted another full-scale barn painting. Except in this one, he painted – in the left foreground – part of his face and his arm holding the paintbrush, painting on the canvas propped in the easel.

And still later, Netka had an-

www.thenewsleaders.com

other idea: Why not put a third painting of the barn propped on the easel in front of the second painting. And so he did. He painted a picture of a picture of a picture – a painting that could be titled “Triple Self-portrait with Barn.”

The round barn, which is a century old if not more, is a landmark ruin located near Lake St. Francis in south Sartell. It’s near the site of many developments in what is sometimes referred to as “Town Square,” which is meant to be a kind of downtown hub of activity in the coming years. It is the site of the Chateau Waters senior-living complex and the soon-to-be-built Sartell Community Center, along with trails and recreational amenities.

Netka said he hopes the old round barn can be repurposed into some social use, such as a place to house the artifacts of the Sartell Historical Society. Anybody who has ideas for preserving the barn should call Netka at 320-260-2556.

Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

2

Obituary

Dale Patton, 78

Sartell Aug. 11, 1937 - March 22, 2016 Dale Francis Gene Patton, 78, of Sartell, died peacefully Tuesday, March 22, 2016 at his home in Sartell, due to complications from Parkinson’s/PSP disease.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 29, 2016 at Messiah Lutheran Church, Sartell.

The Rev. Brady Finnern will officiate. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery, Sartell. Funeral arrangements by Benson Funeral Home, St. Cloud.

Patton was born Aug. 11, 1937 in Sauk Rapids to Lawrence K. and Hazel M. (Thompson) Patton.

He married Mavis M. Lowe on May 31, 1959 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Long Prairie, Minn. Dale was employed by Kollman Granite

Co. from 1959 to 1965 and Sartell School District #748, at the elementary school, from 1965 until his retirement in 1999. He was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church. He enjoyed fishing, reading, walking and traveling.

Survivors include the following: his wife of 56 years; sons and daughters, Kimberly (Chris) DiLaura of St. Cloud; David Patton of Mason City, Iowa; Scott (Robyn) Patton of Cameron, Mont.; Diane (Jim) Gilmer of St. Cloud; Sharon (Kevin) Bird of Decatur, Ill.; Mark (Penny) Patton of Broadus, Mont.; Jeffrey (Linda) Patton of Alexandria, Va.; brother, Darrel (Virginia) Patton of Rice; 15 grandchildren, 10 greatgrandchildren and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by the following: his parents; infant son Matthew Patton; brothers, Daniel and David Patton; and sister-in-law, Evelyn Patton.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of CentraCare Hospice, especially Steve and Tawnee, for their compassion and care the past two months.

Clarification

An editorial in the March 11 Newsleader paid tribute to the recently deceased Bill Clemens, businessman and philanthropist who lived in E. St. Cloud. The editorial suggested a monument should be constructed in honor of Clemens and his

late wife, Virginia, who both started the Virginia Clemens Gardens across the street from where they lived on Kilian Boulevard. The Newsleader has learned happily that a monument to them has, in fact, been constructed several years ago.

Friday, March 25, 2016

People Sarah Anderson of Sartell was awarded the St. Cloud Area Sertoma Eugene Theisen Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $500 for the spring 2016 semester from St. Cloud State University.

Anderson was eligible for the award as a student majoring in communication sciences and disorders and being an active member in the SCSU Chapter of the National Speech-Language-Hearing Association with a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher.

Jessica Mastey of Sartell was recently named to the fall dean’s list at Concordia University in St. Paul. She is a senior.

Students who have achieved a minimum grade-point average of 3.6 qualify for this honor.

Have any Achievements?

Grad. from HS/College, Military Honors, Awards Submit to news@thenewsleaders.com For contact purposes only, please include first/last name & phone.

contributed photo

Sartell eighth-grade boys basketball team members are the following: (from left to right) Logan Carlson, Cody Lantis, Tanner Ertl, Dom Hagy, Matt Sieben, Peyton Henkensiefken, Brady Schmidt and Jacob Bjelland. The team took third place at the state tournament in the A4 Division. They played six games during two days and ended with a 5-1 record. The team is coached by Brad Carlson, Kenny Meyer and Bill Schmidt.

Games played and scores were the following: Big Lake 42-27, Chaska 49-55, Eden Prairie 48-38, Minnetonka 49-44, Apple Valley 60-39 and EastView 48-46. The team’s only loss was their second game and was to the eventual tournament champions, Chaska.

David Jacobs of Sartell was one of three investment and insurance representatives from Jacobs Financial, an independently Jacobs owned-and-operated financial services firm in St. Cloud, to qualify for the Million Dollar Round Table.

The international association distinguishes financial professionals who have demonstrated “exceptional professional knowledge, client service and ethical conduct.” They join the ranks of the most successful sales professionals in the life insurance-based financial services business.

Taylor Manzella of Sartell was one of nine Bemidji State University students slated to present the results of their academic research during the third annual Minnesota Undergraduate Scholars presentation “Posters in St. Paul” at the Minnesota capitol building.

The sophomore majoring in biology and pre-medicine was scheduled to attend the March 17 academic showcase which highlights work from students in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and provides them with an outlet to share the results of their scholarly activity with legislators and other government officials.

The application process is a competitive process, with participants from the seven MnSCU Universities. Minnesota Under-

graduate Scholars will display, in poster format, the work of 25 to 30 exceptional undergraduates from seven MnSCU Universities and five Community Colleges at the State Capitol in St. Paul.

Eight Stearns County organizations were recently awarded grants by the Central Minnesota Arts Board in Foley.

They are the following: St. Cloud Municipal Band, $4,307; St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra, $10,000; Minnesota Center Chorale, $5,106; Minnesota Dance Ensemble, $1,762; Youth Chorale of Central MN, $10,000; Great Northern Theatre Company, $10,000; Chamber Music Society of St. Cloud, $10,000; and Visual Arts Minnesota, $2,701.

The Community Arts Support Grant program provides funds to nonprofit arts organizations whose members hail from Stearns, Sherburne, Benton or Wright counties based on “efficient management and programming of high artistic quality while enhancing arts opportunities within the communities they serve.”

The Central Minnesota Arts Board supports collaborative and innovative arts opportunities through partnerships and financial investments as one of 11 Regional Arts Councils designated by the Minnesota State Arts Board.

For more information, visit www.centralmnartsboard.org or call 320-968-4290 or toll free at 1-866-345-7140.

Published each Friday by Von Meyer Publishing Inc. Production Manager Tara Wiese

Admin. Assistant Cady Sehnert

Editor: Dennis Dalman

Contributing Writer Cori Hilsgen

Delivery Bruce Probach

Assignment Editor: Frank Lee

Newsstands Coborn’s - Riverside Country Store & Pharmacy Hardee’s Holiday - Riverside House of Pizza

Publisher/Owner Janelle Von Pinnon

Little Dukes - Pinecone Sartell City Hall School District Offices SuperAmerica Walgreens

www.thenewsleaders.com

Newsleader staff members have the responsibility to report news fairly and accurately and are accountable to the public. Readers who feel we’ve fallen short of these standards are urged to call the Newsleader office at 363-7741. If matters cannot be resolved locally, readers are encouraged to take complaints to the Minnesota News Council, an independent agency designed to improve relationships between the public and the media and resolve conflicts. The council office may be reached at 612-341-9357.

P.O. Box 324 • 32 1st Ave. N.W. • St. Joseph, Minn. 56374 Phone: (320) 363-7741 • Fax: (320) 363-4195 • E-mail: news@thenewsleaders.com POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ST. JOSEPH NEWSLEADER, P.O. Box 324, St. Joseph, MN 56374.

Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

Friday, March 25, 2016

3

Pack the Porches food drive beats last year’s record

by Frank Lee operations@thenewsleaders.com

The Catholic Charities’ annual “Pack the Porches” food drive took place this month for the first time in Sartell at HealthPartners’ Central Minnesota Clinic.

More than 14,000 pounds of food were collected and $10,000 was raised by donations dropped off at the clinic and Pioneer Place on Fifth Theatre in St. Cloud and St. Cloud Hyundai.

“HealthPartners has been a strong supporter of Catholic Charities for many, many years, and it was just another opportunity to add another location and make it a little more convenient for people in Sartell,” said

Plan from front page or that project but merely a financial mechanism that can be used to bond at lower interest rates. A financial official explained to the audience taxabatement bonds are used in

Beth Cummings, Catholic Charities communications manager.

Staff at Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud used social media, created posters, did mailings, sent e-mails and issued press releases to publicize the new Sartell location.

Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf serves the communities of Sartell, Sauk Rapids, St. Cloud, St. Augusta and Waite Park.

“We’ve got a very big supply of food already donated here,” Cummings said as she stood in the health-care-provider’s parking lot along with other volunteers on the morning of March 18.

HealthPartners’ Central Minnesota Clinic in Sartell matched donations up to $500, Cum-

mings said.

“We are thrilled with the results,” said Steve Bresnahan, executive director of Catholic Charities. “We smashed last year’s record of 3,500 pounds of food.

“In addition, with the buying power offered to us by Second Harvest Food Bank and other partners, we will be able to purchase between $40,000 and $90,000 worth of groceries with the money collected today.”

Minnesota FoodShare has coordinated the March Campaign, the annual grassroots food and fund drive that provides more than half the food distributed by 300 food shelves throughout the state.

The more food and donations collected at local events

like “Pack the Porches,” the more incentive funds Catholic Charities receive, resulting in more food for hungry families.

“It’s a wonderful time of year to give because all the donations are matched through Minnesota FoodShare, and what’s important about doing it this time of year is school will be getting out before you know it, so some kids won’t have access to food at school,” Cummings said.

In addition to the food and funds collected, Coborn’s will be delivering on its pledge to match donations with 10,000 pounds of food.

Robert Scheibmeir of Great Steps Orthotic & Prosthetic Solutions in Sartell dropped off a donation at the “Pack the

Porches” site outside HealthPartners’ Central Minnesota Clinic.

“We’re definitely involved in our church, but it’s just a good cause … feeding the people who need it,” Scheibmeir said.

While “Pack the Porches” is over, March, which is Minnesota FoodShare month, continues through April 1.

Donations to Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf can be made online at www.ccstcloud.org or by dropping off food or funds at Catholic Charities Emergency Services, 157 Roosevelt Road, St. Cloud.

For more information, call the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud at 320650-1550.

some special situations, such as when a project is expected to be funded, for example, by sales-tax income (as is the case with the Sartell Community Center and related projects). Basically, the tax-abatement method of financing assures bond-holders their investment will be paid back via property taxes on certain designated properties if sales-tax

revenue proves to not be enough to repay the bond. Using the tax-abatement method can save a city up to 1 or 2 percent on interest rates. Sartell has used that method of bonding before, such as for the recent Pinecone Road improvements.

Last year, the Sartell City Council agreed, 5-2, to construct a community center on a site

in the south of the city at a cost of about $11 million. It’s expected to be paid for through the half-cent sales-tax revenue the city will collect through the year 2038.

At the March 14 public hearing, the tax-abatement proposal would be the financial mechanism to pay for up to $13.5 million – about $11 million for the

center and the rest ($2.5 million) for other kinds of amenities, possibly those in city parks or at the center.

Some in the audience – the library supporters – wanted to know why specific amenities are not spelled out in the threepage resolution for tax-abatement funding. The resolution, Plan • page 8

Food Service Staff Needed!

Sartell-St. Stephen Schools Independent School District 748

Numerous substitute food-service positions available following school calendar.

Up to 2.5 hours/day.

Fast-paced, fun and friendly environment.

Please apply at: www.sartell.k12.mn.us

EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT ...

Join our team!

Von Meyer Publishing seeks a full-time, experienced advertising sales representative for three local, weekly newspapers and one website serving the greater St. Cloud region.

A successful candidate will be: a self-starter, highly motivated and excited to be on the bleeding edge of print and digital advertising.

Qualifications include: 3-5 years in advertising sales, extensive experience in the greater St. Cloud region and previous experience selling digital advertising.

Resumes and cover letters can be addressed to Logan Gruber, operations manager, at operations@thenewsleaders.com. For any questions, call 320-363-7741.

Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

4

Our View Trump’s bullying of newspapers another example of baseless bluster (Editor’s note: This editorial was distributed by the Newspaper Association of America.)

Recently, Donald Trump said, “I’m gonna open our libel laws so when they write purposely negative and horrible false articles, we can sue them and win lots of money.”

The specific media outlets he mentioned were The New York Times and The Washington Post.

The first thing to understand is that under the landmark Supreme Court case of New York Times vs.

Sullivan, it was determined news organizations could be found liable when they deliberately publish false information.

The specific standard is “actual malice.” So if Mr. Trump wants to address media organizations that “write purposely negative and horrible, false articles,” then the law is already established as his right to do just that.

But we all know Mr. Trump isn’t interested in legalities in this case.

He is clearly trying to intimidate news organizations and bully them into providing more positive coverage of him and his candidacy for president.

He should pick a different target. Newspapers have dealt with more intimidating figures than Mr. Trump.

Newspapers, actually, have a long, long history of responsibly speaking truth in the face of great power. One could think of Watergate or the Oscar-nominated movie Spotlight (about the uncovering of abuse by priests) as some betterknown examples.

Throughout history, those in power have complained about newspaper reporting when it didn’t meet their agenda and, far more often than not, the reporting had been found to be right on target.

The fact is our society relies upon the newspaper industry to be a consistent, challenging voice to the wealthy and powerful – and newspapers have a long history of carrying out that mandate with care and a deep sense of responsibility.

Newspapers have successfully stood up to sitting presidents, vast religious organizations, governors, mayors and immensely powerful corporations, among many others.

If Mr. Trump wants to try to bully news organizations into providing information he likes, then he will have to do a whole lot better than making weak, misguided promises about changes to a law that aren’t needed in the first place.

The ideas expressed in the letters to the editor and of the guest columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of the Newsleaders.

Letters to the editor may be sent to news@thenewsleaders. com or P.O. Box 324, St. Joseph, MN 56374. Deadline is noon Monday. Please include your full name for publication (and address and phone number for verification only.) Letters must be 350 words or less. We reserve the right to edit for space.

Friday, March 25, 2016

Opinion Old St. Cloud library dispensed magic

I love to read so much that my childhood nickname was “bookworm,” so I’m pleased libraries, schools and other places promote love of reading for children and adults.

Nobody had to push me to read. I took to it like a duck to water. We kids would play outdoors all the time, in all kinds of weather, but in the midst of our games, I sometimes couldn’t wait to get home to put my nose back in a book.

Books, to me, were almost as magical as Aladdin’s Lamp; with one touch, astonishing worlds would appear: Tom Sawyer’s sly hi-jinks at the whitewashed fence; Alice’s following a white rabbit and then falling down, down into a rabbit’s hole; young Jim Hawkins’ narrow escape from murder during the pursuit of pirates’ buried treasure on Treasure Island.

Ah, the pleasures of reading, then and now.

Quite a few people I know never read books, not even one. They do read newspapers, they watch TV, they stay informed and connected, so I guess it doesn’t matter. I used to tell them they don’t know what they’re missing, the way I used to try to convince people who claim Bob Dylan can’t sing that not only can he sing in his own expressive way but that, at his best, he’s one of the greatest singers of all time. They will

Dennis Dalman Editor never agree, so why argue? Oh well . . . poor things.

Growing up in south St. Cloud, we kids were so fortunate because we could walk or bike to anything and everything. We had three movie theaters (Hays, Eastman and that magnificent picture palace The Paramount – still magnificent). We had green parks nearby and down along the river in which to play. And, last but not least, we had the Dale Carnegie-style public library on Fifth Avenue South, just eight blocks north of our house.

We’d bring home armloads of books from that happy place that smelled so good of paper, book glue and floor wax.

We had a reading contest, and for every book we read, we’d get stickers of the faces of the presidents of the United States to affix onto a master sheet. Then we’d win prizes for reading a certain number of books.

The children’s portion of the library was in the basement of that wonderful old building. The librarians were, to our

young minds, crabby old-maid ladies – their graying hair up in buns, always putting their index fingers to their lips and trying to make us be quiet with fierce sounds (“Shh, shh, shh”), like hissing snakes. But beneath their rather forbidding exteriors, they (even the one with the wart on her chin) could be kind. Sometimes they actually smiled.

That venerable library, long gone, is today in memory as vivid as the days it stood so solid and proud just south of downtown. On a winter day, inside the library, radiators pushed out waves of warmth into the reading room, which had racks of many newspapers affixed to their long wooden “spines.” In the hushed room, you could “hear” the concentrated quiet of people reading them. On two sides of the reference room, there were creaky wooden stairways leading up to alcove rooms, one of which contained long-playing vinyl records of musicals, plays, folk songs and classical music – the kind of recordings I would not have had access to without that library. On some hot summer days, thunder rumbling, lightning flashing, I remember us (brothers, neighbor pals, me) leaving the library with our books and standing by the two granite pillars at the front door, waiting for the rain to stop so we could walk Library • page 5

Letters to the editor

Sartell library is a bone of contention Ashley Anderson, Sartell The library in Sartell has been a bone of contention for quite some time. The information that has been presented to the community by the vocal minority has been skewed. It would surprise most people we are already paying for a library through the half-cent sales tax. The St. Cloud library is a multi-million dollar facility that is a 10- to 15-minute drive for most of our community.

At no point when voting for the half-cent sales tax did it ever include a promise of a library. The voting was for “community resource facilities which could include a

branch library, community meeting rooms, senior center activity space, heritage or museum space, historic building and site preservation, and similar facilities.”

There is a laundry list of things Sartell residents want and need before another library is one of them. We should be celebrating the fact we are fortunate enough to be building and will have access to a community center. Instead we are already complaining about what it does not have.

I am proud of Mayor Nicoll, council member Lynch, and council member Hennes who have consistently responded using sound judgment and reasoning. They

have also responded to what the majority of residents want rather than the loud minority.

In watching the council meeting from March 14, I was disappointed to see a couple of elected officials attempting to derail efforts to move forward with the community center due to its lack of inclusion of GRRL. I encourage those who feel the same way to speak up.

Building a library is not the most fiscally responsible decision our community can make, especially when we are paying for a library a mere 10-minute drive away.

the Sartell City Council.

If you have been paying attention, you understand Joe Perske has been a driving force in looking out for the rights and needs of the Sartell citizens/community.

Should this seem confusing to you, get in-

volved, follow along and be part of expressing your thoughts and ideas about what you as a Sartell resident want from your city government. Pam and I appreciate Perske’s efforts, time and energy spent working toward transparency and his ethics within city government.

Sartell couple applauds Perske’s efforts Daryl and Pam Stevens, Sartell This letter is regarding an article that was printed in the St. Cloud Times on March 16 entitled Sartell deserves better from Perske on Community Center, written by Pat Lynch from

True love is not a noun; it’s a verb I was having a conversation with my grandson the other day and he told me he had just written an essay for a creative-writing class on the meaning of love. I thought it would be interesting to see what an 18-yearold thinks about love.

In our discussion, I discovered he had written a very well thought-out essay on the word “love.” He offered a scholarly, intelligent definition of the word. It became clear to me his definition was only of the word, though, and had very little to do with the emotion, the feeling we call “love.” As I examined the situation, I was convinced his understanding was that of a youngster who had never experienced true love. That conversation caused me to think about it.

I remember when I was 18. I fell in love a lot. A lot of my friends did also. I managed to survive my teenage years without too much drama on the girlfriend front, joined the Army, did a tour of duty in Germany and returned home to start my life. Soon

Ron Scarbro Guest Writer after returning home to Tennessee, I moved to California. It seemed to me a good idea.

There was to be more opportunity there.

In early 1962, I met Linda. She was beautiful, smart, classy and all the things I had looked for in a lady. I, on the other hand, was a rough-and-tumble hillbilly with no discernible talent and limited potential. Why she ever looked at me twice is still a mystery.

But we fell in love. We dated for several months and then I was transferred across the state 500 miles from her. We decided to get married. We knew we were in love and that was all that was important. I was 22

and she was 21. We thought we knew all we needed to know to be married.

Obviously, it wasn’t easy. We were so young and so inexperienced. We had to learn the hard way. But the love we had for each other carried us through. That love was what I would call “young love.” It was real to us. But it would be tested.

That testing came in the form of children, bills, money problems, career decisions and business failures. Had we not had that love, we surely would have failed as a couple. But we survived the tests. We went through a period of what I would call “mature love.”

It was a reliance on each other. It was a dependence on each other. It was a knowledge by each of us that the other was there, regardless.

Well, the kids grew up, the money troubles began to solve themselves, and we got older. We began to prepare for our retire-

Love • page 5

Friday, March 25, 2016

If you have a tip concerning a crime, call the Sartell Police Department at 320-251-8186 or Tri-County Crime Stoppers at 320255-1301 or access its tip site at www.tricountycrimestoppers.org.

Crime Stoppers offers rewards up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for crime.

March 8 7:50 a.m. Suspicious vehicle.

Seventh Street N. Officers were called to a report of a suspicious vehicle outside a residence. They

Library from page 4 back home down Fifth Avenue.

Later, in high school, I vividly recall thumbing through the wooden-boxed card catalog or the fat green magazine-index book looking for research material for term papers. Those days, so long ago, seem like yesterday.

Today’s libraries offer so many services besides books, magazines, newspapers and vinyl records. It’s such a different world, but as they say, the more things change, the more they remain the same. I’m told, for example, that actual books (not e-books) are still the most popular checked-out items in all the 32 branches of this area’s Great River Regional Library system.

Every kid in every town should have a public library within walking or biking distance. It’s a shame some don’t.

Love from page 4 ment. Our love for each other never waned. It only grew.

When retirement came, we found ourselves in each other’s company every day, every night, all of the time. What kind of love would we need to live out our lives in each other’s exclusive company? I think I will call it “true love.”

Love brought us together. Love kept us together when situations and events tried to pull us apart. Love allowed us to get to where we are.

I am convinced true love is a love that grows in stages. I am reminded of the candle. When first lit, the flame is small with little warmth but as it burns and the candle shows its wrinkles, the flame grows larger and brighter. More warmth comes from the flame. And then, at its end, just before it goes out, the flame is brightest.

I’ve discovered love is not a noun.

It’s a verb. In December, Linda and I will celebrate our 54th anniversary.

There is no one with whom I would rather spend my last days. That is what I call “true love.”

Scarbro is retired and spends most of his free time with his grandchildren having moved from Sartell to St. Simons Island, Ga. Writing and commenting on the news of the day is a pastime. Visit his weekly blog at ronscarbro.blogspot.com for more commentary.

Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

made contact with the driver and he stated he was waiting to start a job at a house down the street. No further action was taken.

March 9 4:53 p.m. Stalled vehicle.

Hwy 15. While on patrol, an officer located a stalled vehicle in the roadway. The officer assisted the driver in pushing the vehicle to the side. It was found the driver had a revoked license and no proof of insurance. The driver was issued a citation for both violations and the vehicle was towed

Blotter

from the area.

7:14 p.m. Intoxicated male.

Twin Rivers Court. A complaint was made regarding an intoxicated male walking around a business lot. An officer arrived at the same time as the male’s friend, who was there to pick him up. No further action was taken.

March 10 7:19 a.m. Suspicious activity.

Seventh Street N. A complaint was made regarding an unknown person entering an unlocked vehicle sometime overnight. No

items seemed to be missing.

7:32 a.m. Theft. Seventh Street N. A report was made regarding items taken from an unlocked vehicle sometime overnight.

5:34 p.m. Juvenile. Heritage Drive. A complaint was made regarding a young juvenile male outside shooting a BB gun. An officer checked the area and was unable to locate the male.

March 11 4:27 a.m. Theft. Caitlin Court.

A report was made regarding residents hearing their garage

5 door open. Officers cleared the garage and found nothing out of place. No further action was taken.

10:15 p.m. Suspicious activity. Fifth Street N. While on patrol, an officer located an occupied vehicle parked in a school parking lot. As the officer approached, three juvenile males ran from the area. All males were located and stated they didn’t know why they ran.

All parents were called and the males were transported to their residences.

6

Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

Friday, March 25, 2016

Empty Bowls raises funds, awareness

by Frank Lee operations@thenewsleaders.com

contributed photo and photos by Frank Lee

Clockwise from above: Kay’s Kitchen Chef Dan Kuebelbeck ladles out some soup at the St. Joseph eatery to server Brenda Heaton. Kay’s Kitchen donated three gallons of soup to the March 20 Empty Bowls soup-feed benefit and silent auction at Calvary Community Church in St. Cloud; Volunteers serve soup and other items, donated from places like Kay’s Kitchen, G’Allen’s Restaurant & Sports Bar in Sartell, and Jimmy’s Pour House and Manea’s Meats in Sauk Rapids, at the Empty Bowls event; The Rev. Carol Jean Smith, pastor of Place of Hope Ministries in St. Cloud, is appreciative of the soup and other items donated.

Tanya Finken of Kay’s Kitchen in St. Joseph knows what it’s like to be hungry like most people, but she decided to do something about it.

The owner and operator of the eating establishment donated three gallons of freshly made beef barley soup to the Empty Bowls fundraiser on March 20 – something she has done before.

“I do a lot of this for different organizations when they call and ask,” she said, “and more than anything, it’s to raise awareness of local hunger and anything you can do to help out is amazing.”

Empty Bowls is an annual soup-feed benefit and silent auction featuring unique pot-

tery, wooden bowls and gift cards to businesses and restaurants.

“We just did the soup of the day, so whatever’s made fresh that morning is what we sent over,” Finken said of the donation from Kay’s Kitchen in St. Joseph.

The five-hour event at Calvary Community Church in St. Cloud included four soup stations with donated soup, bread, beverages and desserts from local restaurants, like Kay’s Kitchen, G-Allen’s in Sartell, and Jimmy’s Pourhouse and Manea’s Meats in Sauk Rapids.

Those at the fundraising event to feed the hungry also could take home a decorated handmade bowl, several of which were made available hourly, and the children enjoyed the face-painting and

three stages of entertainment.

“Empty Bowls was put together originally to help people understand that somewhere, every day, someone’s bowl is empty,” said the Rev. Carol Jean Smith, pastor of Place of Hope Ministries in St. Cloud, which has been a part of the bowl-based awareness campaign for about a decade even though Empty Bowls dates back further.

Tickets entitled participants to sample as many soups as they would like.

“If your basic needs are not met, you can’t function at all,” Smith said. “If you have food, if you have shelter and you feel safe, then you can access your gifts and talents a little more than when you’re putting all your energy into meeting your basic needs.”

Foot care is now available at

St. Francis Xavier Hall, 219 2nd St. N. Sartell For more information or an appointment please call: 612-356-0207 (Replacing the Senior Foot Clinics formerly provided by Stearns County.)

$

21 Experience the Joy of God’s Love FOR YOU! Good Friday 7:00 pm Easter Sunday 10:00 am

ABOUNDING JOY LUTHERAN CHURCH 6000 Cty. Rd. 120, St. Cloud (½ mile west of Fitness Evolution)

Pastor Tom Wright

www.aboundingjoylcmc.org 217-8784

All are welcome!

Friday, March 25, 2016

Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

7

photos by Frank Lee

At left: Jenna Berger, president and CEO of United Cerebral Palsy of Central Minnesota, looks at the silent-auction items along with her daughter Alexandra, a Girl Scout from Sauk Rapids, at the 10th annual “Dreams to Reality” fundraiser on March 17 at the River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud. At right: Girl Scout Alexandra Berger of Sauk Rapids (left) selects among the hors d’oeuvres and desserts made from Girl Scout cookies with her friend Heidi Beck, a Girl Scout from Sartell, (standing next to her) while Beck’s mom Julie Schmidt (back) and Jenna Berger (right) wait at the 10th annual “Dreams to Reality” fundraiser on March 17 at the River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud.

Girl Scouts fundraiser features fun cookie creations

by Frank Lee operations@thenewsleaders.com

The “Dreams to Reality” fundraiser for the Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin Lakes and Pines was billed as “an evening filled with fun, food and friends.”

The March 17 benefit dinner at the River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud was expected to raise $36,000 through ticket sales and a silent auction.

“In Sartell, St. Joseph and Sauk Rapids, we have a real strong Girl Scouting program,” said Tauna Quimby, director of communications and marketing for the local

Council of Girl Scouts.

Hors d’oeuvres and desserts made with Girl Scout cookies were served at the event, and beverages based on the cookies were also available for the adult volunteers, business people and community members in attendance.

For example, peanut butter sandwich smoked ham rolls and lemonade crab salad on toast points were available for snacking, with a cranberry citrus crisp chicken Florentine for dinner, followed by Girl Scout cookie mousse.

Jenna Berger, president and CEO of United Cerebral Palsy of Central Minnesota, was at

the three-hour event with her daughter Alexandra, who is a second-year Girl Scout.

The 37-year-old wife and mother from Sauk Rapids praised the Girl Scouts for arranging opportunities for them to meet other role models, such as at a Minnesota Lynx basketball game.

“I do it so I can also sell Girl Scout cookies to people who really like them, and I get to see my friends, and I really like going to Girl Scout camp,” Alexandra said.

The Lakes and Pines council makes possible the Girl Scout Leadership Experience for girls in kindergarten through 12th grade with the

support of adult volunteers.

Her friend, Heidi Beck of Sartell, also went to the women’s basketball game and met two of the players from the championship franchise who signed the girls’ lanyards.

“I like seeing my friends and I have a lot of fun,” said Beck, before she and her friend joined Harbor Drive Hookup, an acoustic duo performing classic country and contemporary tunes, on stage.

The 10th annual fundraiser included silent auction items, such as a Chanhassen dinner-theater package for Beauty and the Beast, to help support Girl Scouting in

Central Minnesota The benefit has raised more than $300,000 since its inception in support of “fun and experiential” Girl Scout leadership programming for the 2,400 members in the area.

Girl Scouts’ membership has grown from 18 members when it first started in 1912 in Savannah, Ga., to 2.7 million members in the United States and more than 90 countries, according to the organization’s website.

“We are building girls with courage, confidence and character who will make the world a better place,” Quimby said.

Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

8

Plan from page 3 Degiovanni said, is meant only as an approval of that kind of funding mechanism, not specific amenities. But the language in the resolution, she added, is open-ended enough to cover any kind of amenities, including perhaps a library as part of the community center or separate from the center.

Degiovanni’s comments sparked a flurry of comments from library supporters in the audience. Those who spoke included long-time library advocates Joe Perske, Henry Smoryinski and Zurya Anjum, all three of whom stepped to the microphone several times to share their concerns. Ten others, including two children, also spoke in favor of a library.

Council supporters

Two speakers in the audience praised the council’s decision to build a community center in south Sartell.

Jackie Peterschick said the council, architect, engineer and others used due diligence in research and planning for a community center. She and her family use the St. Cloud Library often and she said it’s only six miles from their home, a 10-minute drive. Peterschick said she is tired of seeing letters to editors in local newspapers “crucifying” the mayor and council members who voted for the community center. The Friends of the Library should start showing some respect, she said, and not giving only part of the story when talking with others.

Sartell resident Amanda Schreiner also praised the council. Some adults, she said, are acting like spoiled adults when

they complain the nearest library is six miles away. Sales-tax money can be used for other things besides a library, she said, adding she totally supports the proposed community cente “I support you,” she told the council, “and think you’re doing a great job.”

Library supporters

The biggest concern of library supporters at the tax-abatement hearing is that they wanted to know what specific amenities will be realized with the extra $2.5 million of the $13.5-million bond.

Degiovanni said the council has not determined yet which amenities they could be so they remain open-ended, repeating the money could possibly be used for a library.

Supporters then said they would like “library” to be spelled out in the resolution so that later, after the community center is built, there could be some salestax money to pay for a branch library or some kind of library services. They referred repeatedly to the two sales-tax referenda approved by voters that promised a “library” as an amenity for which the tax revenue could be used.

Twice the audience burst into applause when library supporters spoke, causing Mayor Nicoll, tapping her gavel, to call for order.

Several who spoke noted the Sartell Planning Commission at its last meeting voted unanimously not to approve a land acquisition in south Sartell for a community center, stating it would not be in the best interests of the city. However, to counter that, two members of the council said the planning-commission members had merely been voting their own opinions on that issue, not voting for the facts of the land-use request in front of them.

The following are paraphrased

Ajax is a neutered, 1-year-old Boxer mix who came to the Tri-County Humane Society from another animal-sheltering facility. Ajax has done well with other dogs while he’s been at the shelter, but he cannot go to a home with any cats. Ajax likes to play with toys and enjoys all kinds of treats and is quite the smart cookie, both of which will help with further training. He’s a young, active dog who would do great in a home that can provide him with an appropriate outlet for his energy. After he gets to know you, all 58 pounds of him will try to crawl in your lap.

“Helping one animal won’t change the world … but it will change the world for that one animal!”

Dogs - 16 Kitten - 1 Pigeon -1

Cats - 14 Rabbits - 4

Puppies - 18 Feret - 1

Tri-County Humane Society 735 8th St. NE • PO Box 701 St. Cloud, MN 56302

252-0896

www.tricountyhumanesociety.org

Hours: Monday-Thursday Noon-6 p.m., Friday Noon-8 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sunday Noon-5 p.m.

Gartland named vice chair of MMMP

by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com Patti Gartland has been elected as one of two vice chairs of the new Minnesota Medical Manufacturing Partnership.

Gartland, president of the Greater St. Cloud Development Corp., served as Sartell city administrator for many years before resigning a few years ago to become GSDC president. She will also work in partnership with the chair of MMMP, Michael Langley, who is also the CEO for the

summaries of comments from library supporters at the March 14 tax-abatement hearing: • The council should hold a public hearing for how the $2.5 million will be spent. Such input was not encouraged during the community-center negotiations, they argued, especially not from library supporters. Degiovanni disagreed, saying the city has always welcomed input via a variety of forums.

• A library is more than just books. It can provide social interactions important for mental health, literacy, children’s activities and other programming.

• The council has not been listening to all residents of the city, said one man, who claimed the council is “blowing a lot of money without telling us what it’s for.”

• Several said they are upset because the community center was not planned for a central-city location.

• Residents have wanted a library for at least two decades, the Great River Regional Library system is waiting to hear from Sartell, but the council dropped the ball, according to former Sartell Mayor Joe Perske. There is no answer as to where money will come from for a library, he

(behind Coborn’s in the Industrial Park)

St. Joseph • 320-363-1116

PUBLISHING Von Meyer Publishing 32 1st Ave. NW St. Joseph • 320-363-7741 www.thenewsleaders.com

Greater Minneapolis/St. Paul Regional Economic Development Partnership.

The MMMP is a network of partners and stake- Gartland holders from a 24-county region that includes the hub areas of St. Cloud, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Mankato and Rochester. Its purpose is to promote and strengthen medical-manufacturing industries in

added. “You owe it to the community to have an answer to that before this financing goes through,” he told the council.

• The suggestion a future library could be paid for via property taxes is unrealistic because residents won’t want property-tax increases, especially if the $105-million school bond passes May 24.

Decision time

When it came time to vote after the May 14 hearing, all council members weighed in with their opinions.

Mayor Nicoll said she appreciated the passionate concerns of the people at the public hearing and how they made their wishes known at the hearing but that the purpose of the hearing was to determine a financial mechanism only, not to determine amenities.

Council member Steve Hennes agreed, adding the council has always been amenable to putting a library or library services in the community center or somewhere else.

Council member Pat Lynch said council members who “lost” on the community-center issue (members Amy Braig-Lindstrom and David Peterson) should forget about it and start voting in

those regions of Minnesota.

Bob White, chair of the GSDC Board of Directors, said the MMMP will definitely be instrumental in elevating business-attraction opportunities for the greater St. Cloud area.

As co-chair of MMMP, Gartland will work closely with the other vice-chair, Shaye Mandle, president and CEO of the Medical Alley Association in Golden Valley. Gartland is also co-chair of the MMMP Work Group for infrastructure and site development with Bret Weiss of WSB & Associates.

the best interests of the city, such as being in favor of the tax-abatement resolution. “Some people just don’t like where we’re at, at the moment,” Lynch said, after criticizing planning-commission members for allegedly using just their opinions in voting 5-0 for opposing the community-center site.

Peterson said the council should take into consideration the “comfort level” of all Sartell residents and add language to the tax-abatement resolution that would earmark exactly on which amenities the $13.5 million in bond money would be spent.

Braig-Lindstrom said her conscience prompted her to vote no. She reiterated her disagreements with the council and city staff about various issues in the past and present, said she is always accused of something or other when asking city staff for answers, and then she even pounded on the council desk at one point to express her frustration.

The Sartell Newsleader regrets there is not enough space to report in more detail the March 14 council meeting. To view a taped version, go to the city’s website at www.sartellmn.com, then scroll down to videos.

Apartments

Now Open!

IN SARTELL. Two-bedroom apartment. Spacious.

Many newly remodeled!

Pets Welcome. Heat paid, fireplace, d/w, balconies.

Quiet, residential area. $669-729.

Garage included!

JUNIOR GOLF REGISTRATION Saturday, March 26 • 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Call 320-281-5101.

BUSINESS DIRECTORY AUTO BODY REPAIR Auto Body 2000

Friday, March 25, 2016

TRUCKING Brenny Transportation, Inc. Global Transportation Service St. Joseph • 320-363-6999 www.brennytransportation.com

Call the Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader at 320-363-7741 if you would like to be in the Business Directory.

Information on memberships, leagues and rates now available.

LEAGUE MEETINGS • 6 p.m.

Tuesday, April 5 - Men’s League Wednesday, April 6 - Men’s League Monday, April 11 - Ladies’ League

Pine Ridge

Golf Course

320-259-0551

801 Pinecone Road • Sartell

News Tips?

Call the Newsleader at 363-7741

Friday, March 25, 2016

Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

Community Calendar

Is your event listed? Send your information to: Newsleader Calendar, P.O. Box 324, St. Joseph, MN 56374; fax it to 320-363-4195; or, e-mail it to news@thenewsleaders.com.

Friday, March 25 Benton County Historical Society, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 218 First St. N., Sauk Rapids. 320253-9614. mnbentonhistory.org.

Jugaad Leadership Program Kick-Off, 5-7 p.m., The Tuscan Center, 3333 W. Division 116, St. Cloud.

320-310-2246. https:goo.gl/B5rDne. Fish fry, bake sale and meat raffle, sponsored by the St. Joseph Lions Club, 5-8 p.m., Sal’s Bar and Grill, 109 W. Minnesota St., St. Joseph.

Saturday, March 26 Easter Party, sponsored by St. Joseph Jaycees, 9 a.m., All Saints Academy, 32 W. Minnesota St., St. Joseph. stjosephjayceesmn@yahoo.com.

Junior golf registration, 10 a.m.2 p.m., Pine Ridge Golf Course, 801 Pinecone Road, Sartell, 320-259-0551.

Monday, March 28 Registration deadline for Living Well with Chronic Conditions, 3-5:30 p.m. Mondays, starting April 4, St. Anthony Church (school basement, east entrance), 2405 First St. N., St. Cloud. 320-255-7245.

Benton County Historical Society, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 218 First St. N., Sauk Rapids. 320253-9614. mnbentonhistory.org.

Using Mindfulness to Work Through Grief and Loss wellness workshop, 2:30-4 p.m., Church of St. Joseph, 12 W. Minnesota St. Sartell City Council, 6 p.m., Sartell City Hall, 125 Pinecone Road N. 320-253-2171.

Tuesday, March 29 Blood drive, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., St. Cloud Veterans’ Hospital, 4801 Veterans Drive.

ICAN Prevent Diabetes, 3:154:15 p.m., Sacred Heart Church, 2875 10th Ave. N.E., Sauk Rapids. 320650-3082.

Wednesday, March 30 Stopping Rape, a Women’s Center lecture series, noon, Atwood Memorial Center, St. Cloud State University, 720 Fourth Ave. S. Family-to-family, 6:30-9 p.m., Unity Spiritual Center, 931 Fifth Ave. N., Sartell. 320-290-7713. 320-2492560.

Thursday, March 31 Health and Fitness Fair, 8 a.m.noon, Whitney Senior Center, 1527 Northway Drive, St. Cloud. 320-2557245.

Coffee and Conversation, a senior discussion group, 9 a.m., Country Manor, 520 First St. NE, Sartell.

Friday, April 1 Registration deadline for Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction, 4-6:30 p.m. Thursdays starting April 7,and 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, May 14, Whitney Senior Center, 1527 Northway Drive, St. Cloud. 320-2557245.

Benton County Historical Society, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 218 First St. N., Sauk Rapids. 320253-9614. mnbentonhistory.org.

Saturday, April 2 Community Showcase, sponsored by the St. Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Kennedy Community School, 1300 Jade Road, St. Joseph.

Maple Syrup Festival, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., St. John’s Outdoor University, Collegeville. 320-363-3163. csbsju. edu/outdooru.

Maple Syrup Open House, 1-4 p.m., Kraemer Lake (Wildwood County Park), 29709 Kipper Road, St. Joseph. 320-248-7784. carlsonwildwoodranch@msn.com.

AU TO M O B I L E S / M OTO RC Y C L E S WANTED MOTORCYCLES: TOP CASH PAID! For Old Motorcycles! 1900-1980. DEAD OR ALIVE! 920-371-0494 (MCN)

Stay in the Midwest. Great pay and benefits. Matching 401k. Bonuses and tax free money. Experience needed. Call Scott 507-437-9905. Apply on-line http://www. mcfgtl.com (MCN)

ADOPTION *ADOPTION:* Affectionate Devoted Financially Secure Family, Opportunities, Travel, Music awaits 1st baby. Expenses paid 1-800-354-2608 (MCN)

Family owned business looking for CDL drivers to haul livestock. Annual income opportunities of 55k – 70k, + sign on bonus. We are willing to work with your home schedule and offer a great Benefit Package for our Full-Time Drivers. Visit www.lynchlivestock.com or call Angie @ 563-776-3051 for more information.

EOE (MCN)

A UNIQUE ADOPTIONS, LET US HELP! Personalized Adoption Plans. Financial Assistance, Housing, Relocation and More. Giving the Gift of Life? You Deserve the Best. 1-888-637-8200. 24HR Hotline. (VOID IN IL) (MCN) AUTOMOBILES DONATE YOUR CAR, TRUCK OR BOAT TO HERITAGE FOR THE BLIND. Free 3 Day Vacation, Tax Deductible, Free Towing, All Paperwork Taken Care Of. 1-800283-0205 (MCN) EMPLOYMENT/HELP WANTED MAKE $1,000 WEEKLY! Paid in advance! Mailing Brochures at Home! Easy pleasant work. Begin Immediately! Age unimportant! www.MyHomeIncomeNow55.com (MCN) OWNER OPERATORS wanted. Paid all miles. No touch freight. Many operating discounts. Family run business for 75 years. Many bonuses and good home time. Direct deposit paid weekly. Call 800-533-0564 ext.205. (MCN) MAKE $1000 Weekly!! Mailing Brochures From Home. Helping home workers since 2001. No Experience Required.

Start Immediately! www.centralmailing. net (VOID IN SD, WI) (MCN) CLASS A CDL Driver. Good home time.

FARM RELATED Our Hunters will Pay Top $$$ To hunt your land. Call for a Free Base Camp Leasing info packet & Quote. 1-866309-1507 www.BaseCampLeasing.com (MCN)

CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME STATE OF MINNESOTA Pursuant to Chapter 333, Minnesota Statutes, the undersigned, who is or will be conducting or transacting a commercial business in the State of Minnesota under an assumed name, hereby certifies: 1. The assumed name under which the business is or will be conducted is: Allison Marie Photography.

2. The stated address of the principal place of business is or will be: 307 14th Street N., Sartell, Minn.

56377 3. The name and street address of all persons conducting business under the above assumed name including any corporations that may be conducting this business: Allison Marie Olmscheid, 307 14th Street N., Sartell, Minn. 56377 4. I certify I am authorized to sign this certificate and I further certify I understand by signing this certificate, I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Minnesota Statutes section 609.48 as if I had signed this certificate under oath. /s/ Allison Olmscheid Dated: March 21, 2016 Filed: March 21, 2016 Publish: March 25 and April 1, 2016

www.allisonmarie-photography.com

green & Hardwood Plants. FREE catalog.

WOODSTOCK NURSERY, N1831 Hwy 95, Nellsville, WI 54456. Toll Free 888-8038733. wallace-woodstock.com (MCN) Trailer sale, 14,000lb 20’ skidloader trailers $3,699.00; 7’X14’ 14,000lb. w/ tarp,Dump trailer $6,499.00; Triple Axle Dump $9,399.00; 6’X12’ V-nose ramp $2,789.00;Trailer Repairs and 100’s of PARTS for all makes. 515-972-4554 www.

FortDodgeTrailerWorld.com (MCN) HEALTH & MEDICAL VIAGRA 100mg, CIALIS 20mg. 50 tabs $90 includes FREE SHIPPING. 1-888-8360780 or Metromeds.online (MCN) CASH PAID for unexpired, sealed DIABETIC TEST STRIPS! 1 DAY PAYMENT & PREPAID shipping. HIGHEST PRICES! Call 1-888-389-0695. www.cash4diabeticsupplies.com (MCN)

FINANCIAL Are you in BIG trouble with the IRS? Stop wage & bank levies, liens & audits, unfiled tax returns, payroll issues, & resolve tax debt FAST. Call 888-606-6673 (MCN)

Viagra!! 52 Pills for Only $99.00! Your #1 trusted provider for 10 years. Insured and Guaranteed Delivery. Call today 1-888-403-7751 (MCN)

STUDENT LOAN PAYMENTS got you down? We can help reduce payments and get finances under control, call: 866871-1626 (MCN)

AS SEEN ON TV: Burn fat quickly & effectively with Garcinia Cambogia. Blocks fat. Suppresses your appetite. Safe - 100% natural. Satisfaction Guaranteed! Free bottle with select packages! 844-587-6487 (MCN)

WANT TO BUY WANT CASH FOR EXTRA DIABETIC TEST STRIPS? I Pay Top Dollar Since 2005! 1-Day Fast Payment Guaranteed Up To $60 Per Box! FREE Shipping www.

CashNowOffer.com or 1-888-210-5233.

Get Extra $10 Use Offer Code: CashNOW! (MCN) FOR SALE FRUIT TREES LOW AS $18. Blueberry, Grape, Strawberry, Asparagus, Ever-

ACNE SUFFERERS: Clear your acne with all natural Acnezine! Eliminate the root cause of acne fast. No negative side effects of chemical treatments. Exclusive Trial Offer, Call: 855-402-7215 (MCN) Stop OVERPAYING for your prescriptions! Save up to 93%! Call our licensed Canadian and International pharmacy service to compare prices and get $15.00 off your first prescription and FREE Ship-

9

LEGAL NOTICES

SPECIAL SCHOOL BOARD MEETING SARTELL-ST. STEPHEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT 748 MARCH 7, 2016 DISTRICT SERVICE CENTER, BOARD ROOM

The special school board meeting of Independent School District 748 was called to order at 7 p.m. by Krista Durrwachter, chair.

Members present: Durrwachter; Michelle Meyer, vice chair; Pam Raden, director; Pat Marushin, treasurer; Mary McCabe, director; Jason Nies, director; and Jeff Schwiebert, superintendent.

A motion was made by Meyer and seconded by McCabe to approve the agenda with the addition to Discuss the Response to the St. Cloud Times and Committee Reassignment. All in favor. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Nies and seconded by Marushin to APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF SCHOOL BOARD CLERK AS MICHELLE MEYER. All in favor. Motion carried.

Schwiebert introduced a proposed resolution that would call for an election on one question to be placed on the May Special Election ballot. A motion was made

by Nies and seconded by Meyer to APPROVE THE RESOLUTION RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF SCHOOL BUILDING BONDS AND CALLING AN ELECTION THERON. A roll

REAL ESTATE PLAT BOOKS with 911 addresses, legal descriptions.

Stearns County. Other counties available by order. Available at the Newsleaders, 32 1st Ave. NW, St. Joseph. Regular price $40; $30 spiral bound.

NO REFUNDS. tfn-f ping. 1-800-263-4059. (MCN) Got Knee Pain? Back Pain? Shoulder Pain? Get a pain-relieving brace at little or NO cost to you. Medicare Patients Call Health Hotline Now! 1- 800-604-2613 (MCN) ATTENTION: VIAGRA AND CIALIS USERS! A cheaper alternative to high drugstore prices! 50 Pill Special - $99 FREE Shipping! 100 Percent Guaranteed. CALL NOW: 1-800-795-9687 (MCN) MISCELLANEOUS Free Pills! Viagra!! Call today to find out how to get your free Pills! Price too low to Mention! Call today 1-877-560-0997 (MCN) ALL THINGS BASEMENTY! Basement Systems Inc. Call us for all of your basement needs! Waterproofing, Finishing, Structural Repairs, Humidity and Mold Control. FREE ESTIMATES! Call 1-800640-8195 (MCN) A PLACE FOR MOM. The nation’s largest senior living referral service. Contact our trusted, local experts today! Our service is FREE/no obligation. CALL 1-800-4425148 (MCN) Switch to DIRECTV and get a $100 Gift Card. FREE Whole-Home Genie HD/DVR upgrade. Starting at $19.99/mo. New Customers Only. Don’t settle for cable.

Call Now 1-800-203-4378 (MCN) 19.99/mo. for DIRECTV - HD Channels + Genie HD DVR + 3 months FREE HBO, SHOW, MAX & STARZ + FREE NFL Sunday Ticket! Call Now 1-888-552-7314 (MCN) ADT Security protects your home & family from “what if” scenarios. Fire, flood, burglary or carbon monoxide, ADT

call vote was taken. Yes votes by Durrwachter, Marushin, McCabe, Meyer, Nies and Raden. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Nies and seconded by Marushin to APPROVE THE RESOLUTION RESPONDING TO REQUEST FOR PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENTS. All in favor. Motion carried.

A discussion was held in regard to the St. Cloud Times Editorial Board request to individual board members about a pledge to stand up to hate.

Durrwachter reappointed Marushin to the Facility and Operations Committee. Marushin will be taking Meyer’s place on this committee.

A facilities conversation was held about the upcoming 2016 bond referendum.

A motion was made by Marushin and seconded by Nies to adjourn the meeting at 8:36 p.m. Motion carried. /s/ Michelle Meyer, clerk Publish: March 25, 2016

CRAFT-VENDOR SALES Saturday, April 2 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Bernick’s Pepsi Arena 1109 1st St. S., Sartell Noon-3 p.m. door prize drawings start every half hour

provides 24/7 security. Don’t wait! Call Now! 1-888-607-9294 (MCN) GET HELP NOW! One Button Senior Medical Alert. Falls, Fires & Emergencies happen. 24/7 Protection. Only $14.99/ mo. Call NOW 1-888-840-7541 (MCN) Does your auto club offer no hassle service and rewards? Call Auto Club of America (ACA) & Get $200 in ACA Rewards! (New members only) Roadside Assistance & Monthly Rewards. Call 1-800-778-9184 (MCN) Life Alert. 24/7. One press of a button sends help FAST! Medical, Fire, Burglar.

Even if you can’t reach a phone! FREE Brochure. CALL 800-306-1404 (MCN) DISH TV 190 channels plus Highspeed Internet Only $49.94/mo! Ask about a 3 year price guarantee & get Netflix included for 1 year! Call Today 1-800-3903140 (MCN) $14.99 SATELLITE TV. Includes free installation. High speed internet for less than $.50 a day. Low cost guarantee. Ask about our FREE IPAD with Dish Network.

Call today 1-855-331-6646 (Not available in NE) (MCN) DISH NETWORK - $19 Special, includes FREE Premium Movie Channels (HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, and Starz) and Blockbuster at home for 3 months. Free installation and equipment. Call NOW! 1-866-820-4030 (MCN) PERSONALS MEET SINGLES RIGHT NOW! No paid operators, just real people like you.

Browse greetings, exchange messages and connect live. Try it free. Call now: 800-357-4970 (MCN)

10

Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

Friday, March 25, 2016

The Waters Church breaks ground on youth addition

by Jenna Trisko news@thenewsleaders.com

The Waters Church in Sartell has been serving the area for almost a decade with a focus on youth and children’s programming, and in February the congregation continued its commitment by breaking ground on an expansion.

The $1.7-million project will add 13,000-square feet to the main facility at 1227 Pinecone Road N. and almost double the current space for youth-service programming and better serve the activities and needs of various area groups that also use the space. The addition is the third major renovation of the facility since 2010.

When Pastor Doug Vagle and his wife, Peggy, started the church with 12 people, they had three young children and said they felt a place of worship should not only be tailored to adults but to chil-

dren as well.

“There are two big drives – to reach our kids in the next generation and ensure they grasp God is needed and relevant in their lives,” Doug Vagle said of the Waters Church. “We provide contemporary-style services and strive to make the gospel relevant.”

A third of the 1,000 attendees each weekend are youth, and there are five pastors and a preschool coordinator who are dedicated to the enrichment and programming of those children.

With each church service, a fully-staffed nursery and preschool are available, as well as youth services for two groups of school-aged children – those kindergarten through fourth grade and those fifth through seventh grade.

“The heart behind this expansion is to meet current space needs and prepare for more growth,” Vagle said of

the youth expansion which is scheduled to be completed in the fall of this year.

Two youth services are also held on Wednesday evenings and include a full youth-music team, sermon and small-group connection time as well as kids programming for elementary-aged children.

Other activities such as children’s camps and retreats are available regularly so students can grow in their faith.

“We are so honored we are one part of this awesome faith community in Sartell,” Vagle said. “This is a huge team effort for the Waters congregation who recently raised more than $1 million in cash, pledges and professionally contracted services for the project.”

There are also designated group activities for individuals of all ages: meal delivery services, various Bible studies, yoga, crafting, a women’s

contributed photo

An excavation crew works on a new youth addition on March 14 at the Waters Church in Sartell. book club and a monthly designation burger group, which brings men together to seek out the best burger joints in central Minnesota.

Regular church services are

held at 5 p.m. Saturdays and 9 and 10:45 a.m. Sundays. If you would like to learn more about the Waters Church and its programs, visit www.thewaterschurch.net.

** NOW HIRING Direct Support Staff ** St. Cloud, Sauk Rapids & Clear Lake Areas Part-time Day, Evening, Weekend &/or Asleep Overnight Position Openings E/O weekend is required.

We all need somebody to lean on. As a Direct Support Professional at Dungarvin, you’ll play a key role in providing the support and guidance to help people of all abilities thrive in their homes and communities. rs: vin offe r a g n u D /hour • $11.59 raises uled • Sched r ladder • Caree

Qualifications include: • Valid driver’s license • HS Diploma or GED • Acceptable driving record • Computer literacy • Background clearance • Effective communication • 18 years or older skills in English

Apply online at:

www.dungarvincareers.com!

Love What You Do! AA/EOE

Friday, March 25, 2016

Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

11

LEGAL NOTICE

REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING SARTELL-ST. STEPHEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS FEB. 22, 2016 DISTRICT SERVICE CENTER, BOARD ROOM • Dance The regular school board meeting of Independent School District 748 tion Curriculum.

• Third place in both Jazz was called to order at 7 p.m. by Krista Durrwachter, chair. Members and High Kick present: Durrwachter; Michelle Meyer, vice chair; Mary McCabe, direcAcademic Extensions Program: • Girls Nordic Ski tor; Jason Nies, director; and Pam Raden, director; and Jeff Schwiebert, Kip Lynk, principal, Oak Ridge El• Three Sabre gymnasts ementary; Sara Nelson, principal, superintendent. Absent: Patrick Marushin, treasurer.

• Rachel Haider Pine Meadow Elementary; Kurt • Abby Weber Stumpf, principal, Sartell Middle A motion was made by Meyer and seconded by Nies to approve the • Madison Flaherty School; and Brenda Steve, princiagenda. All in favor. Motion carried.

• Wrestling - Rylee Molitor pal, Sartell High School presented will be competing Feb. 26 a report on the Academic ExtenA motion was made by Raden and seconded by Nies to approve consent • Mock Trial will be com- sions programming in the 2015-16 items a-d as presented below: peting March 2-4 school year along with changes for a. Minutes of the regular school board meeting held on Jan. 25, 2016 and • Student Council and the Red the 2016-17 school year. the special meeting on Feb. 8, 2016.

Cross will be hosting a blood drive on March 2, and will Middle School Space: Jeff b. Checks in the amount of $1,838,191.24 as presented: host their Funfest on Saturday, Schwiebert, superintendent, proGeneral Fund 1,487,715.95 March 12, with proceeds going vided options for staff to review in Food Service Fund 163,896.25 to The Tommy Bearson Foun- efforts to alleviate space needs to accommodate the growing populaTransportation Fund 112,459.91 dation. tion at Sartell Middle School.

Community Service Fund 40,311.80 Capital Expenditure Fund 33,807.33 Superintendent Report: Jeff Facilities Presentation: Jeff Check numbers 162930 to 163249 Schwiebert, superintendent Schwiebert, superintendent, • Negotiations with our construcReceipts in the amount of $3,374,055.27 as presented: tion manager and architects are shared the presentation that will be presented to groups throughout the General Fund 2,895,672.88 currently happening community.

Food Service Fund 150,515.35 • Two National Merit Scholar FiTransportation Fund 40,403.87 nalists – Gopi Ramanathan and A motion was made by Meyer Community Service Fund 98,986.69 Austin Sura and seconded by McCabe to APCapital Expenditure Fund 81,958.49 Debt Service Fund Summer Rec Agency Fund Receipts 41821 to 41920

105,692.99 825.00

Wire transfers in the amount of $5,471.63 as presented: General Fund 34.59 Food Service Fund 4,332.23 Community Service Fund 1,104.81 Wire transfers 201500053-201500056 c. Accept the following donations: Oak Ridge Elementary PTC, Oak Ridge Elementary, $7,861.55, Secondgrade Smart Board Oak Ridge Elementary PTC, Oak Ridge Elementary, $1,500, One District, One Book d. Accept the resignation of Dianne Amundson, SHS, server, effective 2/1/16; Ginger Osendorf, SMS, cashier, effective 1/22/16; Dan Schmitz, SHS, head custodian, 2/19/16; and Lana Varoga, SHS, cashier, effective 2/15/16. Retirements of Carole Michalek, PME, head cook, effective at the end of school year and Georgia Thienes, ORE, Second-grade teacher, effective at the end of school year. Release from Employment of Danielle Trauba, DSC, child care attendant, effective 2/4/16.

Report from School Resource Officers: School Resource Officers Jill Lundquist and Adam VandeVrede, presented a report on the roles and responsibilities as school resource officers within the school district.

Student Representative Report: Hannah Yackley, senior at Sartell High School • ORE Family Skating Night will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 22 • ORE will also hold a Pennies for Patients Drive during the month of March • ORE and PME second-graders were at the Paramount to participate in the MathSmARTs program which integrates the arts with math concepts. This is a great partnership supported by the ORE and PME PTOs and the Central Minnesota Arts Board. All secondgraders in the Sartell-St. Stephen School District get to participate in this amazing experience. Artists will also visit the schools with additional integration lessons.

• Popper’s Penguins is being enjoyed by our K-5 grades through the One District-One Book program • Eighth-graders at SMS participated in Kids Connecting to Community on Feb. 16 and 17 at a variety of locations throughout Central Minnesota • SMS is looking to start a trap-shooting team • The SMS Spring seventh- and eighth-grade Musical, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, will be performed from Feb. 25-27 • GREAT Night will be held on March 4 for eighth-graders, sponsored by the Sartell Police Department • Several athletic and activity events participated in state competitions during the past few weeks, or will be soon: • Girls Hockey • Claire Minnerath was named a finalist for goalie of the year

School Board Committees: Benton Stearns Committee • The Benton-Stearns Director Interviewing Committee will meet with candidates next week Marathon 2015 Vote Yes Committee • A group of community members have created a Vote Yes community to support the upcoming 2016 Facilities Bond Referendum Technology Committee • The committee discussed the future of devices across the district and access for staff and students • The Education Done Differently Event will be held on April 21 Policy Committee • The committee is working its way through policies and reviewed 10 policies on the Board agenda Communications Committee • Schwiebert has been presenting to a variety of groups including the Sartell Chamber, Sartell City Council and many building staff members • A joint press release with the city was shared concerning Pinecone Road improvements out toward ORE and the potential high school • Traffic has been driven to the Bond page on our website to continue to provide detailed information Report on Enrollment: Schwiebert reviewed the enrollment report.

Report on Drug Prevention Curriculum: Jackie Wruck, chemical health consultant at Sartell High School, reported on Drug Preven-

PROVE #1-21:

New Employees or Changes: Dianne Amundson, ORE, student supervisor, $13.53/hour RI, S1 2 hours/day, replacing Jennifer Nelson, effective 2/1/16; Marty Anderson, SHS, assistant girls’ golf, $2,962 (7.35 percent) BS 6 ($40,301), replacing Paul Determan, effective 3/16/16; Ross Anderson, SHS, head boys’ and girls track, $8,299 (18.5 percent) BS11 ($44,862), replacing Jeff Kellerman, effective 3/14/16; Brenda Deters, SMS cashier, $14.18/ hour RI,S1 2.5-hours/day, replacing Ginger Ostendorf, effective 2/10/16; Sheryl Hammond, SMS, paraprofessional, $17.24 /hour RIV, S2 7 hours/day, new position, effective 2/8/16; Ben Hoffman, SHS, clay target, $412 (2.25 percent) BS2 ($36,653) 50-percent contract, new position, effective 4/1/16; Dylan Hollenkamp, SMS, junior high baseball, $1,649 (4.5 percent) BS2 ($36,653), replacing Rob Notsch, effective 3/21/16; Cindy Kerfeld, SHS, cashier, $14.18/hour RI, S1 2.25-hours/ day, replacing Lana Varoga, effective 2/16/16; Anna Lashinski, DSC, cleaner, $14.18/hour RI, S1 3.5-hours/day, replacing Aaron Sutliffe, effective 2/1/16; Tyler Malotky, SMS, junior high boys’ golf, $1,608 (4.5 percent) BS1 ($35,737), replacing Marty Anderson, effective 4/1/16; Luke Miller, SMS, robotics advisor, $1,206 (2.25 percent) BS1 ($35,737) 150-percent contract, allocation of SMS activities, effective 9/5/15; Paul Moe, SMS, clay target, $402 (2.25 percent) BS1 ($35,737) 50-percent contract, new position, 4/1/16; Laura Nordby, SHS, junior high track, $1,608 (4.5 percent) BS1 ($35,737), replacing Shane Broemann, effective 3/21/16; Nick Phillips, SHS, robotics advisor, $599 (3.35 percent) BS1 ($35,737) 50-percent

contract, new position, effective 11/1/16; Brennan Rath, SHS, ninth-grade baseball, $2,559 (6.35 percent) BS 5 ($40,301), replacing Dylan Hollenkamp, effective 3/21/16; Cody Rose, SHS, junior high track, $1,608 (4.5 percent) BS1 ($35,737), replacing Kirsten Anderson, effective 3/21/16; Susan Sathre, SHS, receptionist, $17.25/hour RII, S1 40 hours/ week 202 days/year, replacing Rebecca Hoye, effective 2/17/16; Karl Scharnweber, SHS, asstistant track, $3,829 (9.5 percent) BS5 ($40,301), replacing Bruce Melin, effective 3/14/16; Ariel Torborg, SHS, robotics advisor, $599 (3.35 percent) BS1 ($35,737) 50-percent contract, new position, effective 11/1/16; Ariel Torborg, SHS, computer club, $1,492 (8.35 percent) BS1 ($35,737) 50-percent contract, replacing Mark Weimer, effective 11/1/16; Joseph Zimmerman, ORE, cleaner, $14.18/hourr RI, S1 7.5 hours/day, replacing David Plante, effective 2/19/16.

All in favor. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Raden and seconded by Nies to APPROVE THE RESOLUTION DESIGNATING POLLING PLACES FOR THE SARTELL-ST. STEPHEN SCHOOL DISTRICT #748 ELECTION NOT HELD ON THE DAY OF STATEWIDE ELECTION. All in favor. Motion carried.

A motion was made by McCabe and seconded by Nies to APPROVE FUNDRAISING PROPOSAL FOR THE SARTELL TRAP TEAM AND THE SARTELL MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT COUNCIL WITH THE AMENDED LANGUAGE THAT THE EVENT DOES NOT REQUIRE COMPULSORY DONATIONS OR PARTICIPATION BY THE STUDENTS. All in favor.

Motion carried.

A motion was made by Meyer and seconded by Nies to APPROVE PROPOSED AGREEMENT FOR SPECIAL ELECTION SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE STEARNS COUNTY AUDITOR’S OFFICE. All in favor. Motion carried.

Schedule Work Session and Committee Meetings • March 7, 2016 – Special Board Meeting @ 7 p.m.

The Board completed official review of Policies 410, 413, 414, 415, 506, 514, 522, 524, 616 and 806.

A motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:39 p.m. was made by Nies and seconded by Meyer. All in favor.

Motion carried. /s/ Michelle Meyer, clerk Publish: March 25, 2016

Drive Carefully!

School is in Session

Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

12

Friday, March 25, 2016

Poll sites chosen for school-bond election

by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com

Three polling locations have been selected for the Tuesday, May 24 school-bond election in the Sartell-St. Stephen School District.

On that day, from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m., voters will decide whether to approve a $105.8-million bond issue.

1500 Pine Cone Road N., Sartell 320-255-0488 www.celebrationlutheranchurch.com

EASTER WORSHIP SERVICES Sunday, March 27 7:30 a.m.

9 a.m.

10:30 a.m.

Lead Pastor: Jeff Sackett Congregational Life Pastor: Elizabeth Strenge

The following are the three polling places: LeSauk Township Hall 220 Fourth Ave. S. For people who live in LeSauk Township and for City of Sartell residents who live in Precincts 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Celebration Lutheran Church 1500 Pinecone Road For people who live in City

of Sartell Precincts 5, 6 and 7.

St. Stephen City Hall 2 Sixth Ave. SE For people who live in St. Stephen, St. Wendel, as well as East Brockway and West Brockway townships.

To vote in the May 24 election, a person must be 18 years old or older on Election Day, a U.S. citizen and a Minnesota resident for at least 20 days be-

fore Election Day. Online registration can be done up to 21 days before Election Day or at polling places with proper identification information on the day the voting is to take place.

Absentee voting will also be an option for the school-bond election. Absentee ballots are those that are sent out or given to voters ahead of the election

if those voters cannot get to the polls on Election Day because of some kind of personal circumstance.

To obtain an absentee ballot, go online to www.co.stearns. mn.us or go in person to the Stearns County Auditor-Treasurer’s Office in downtown St. Cloud or fax your application to 320-656-3916.