NEWS
SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 2019 | Page 5
OBITUARY
Nine bid for Sauk Rapids council position Member to be appointed to remaining term BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
SAUK RAPIDS – Nine Sauk Rapids residents have submitted letters of interest for the open seat of Sauk Rapids City Council. The seat became vacant when former council member Steve Heinen was elected to Benton County Commissioner District 3. Bryan Anderson, Hannah Fehr, Gerald Kaeter, Bryan Kosidowski, Daniel Legatt, Ryan Meyer, Jay Olson, Carol Rupar and Dottie Seamans have all thrown their name in the hat to be selected to the fill the term which extends through Dec. 31, 2020. Following discussion at the Jan. 14 Sauk Rapid City Council meeting, the remaining members – Jason Ellering, mayor Kurt Hunstiger, Nick Sauer and Ellen Thronson – drew consensus to each submit the names of four individuals they would like to interview for the position. City administrator Ross Olson will tally the votes and set up interviews with those scoring the highest. In the event of a tie, Olson has discretion to include more than four people in the interview process. This appointment process is the same procedure used when Jason Ellering was appointed to council in March 2017. A vacant seat was open at that time when Hunstiger was elected mayor. In other council news: - The mayor and city staff recognized former Sauk Rapids Police Officer John Zwack for this service to the community and retirement. Zwack served the community with the Sauk Rapids Police Department beginning in February 1992. His last shift was Jan. 9. Police chief Perry Beise presented Zwack with
PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER
Retired Sauk Rapids Police Officer John Zwack (center) is presented a service award from police chief Perry Beise and mayor Kurt Hunstiger Jan. 14 in Sauk Rapids. Zwack served the city for nearly 27 years, and his last day was Jan. 9.
a plaque for his nearly 27 years of employment with the department. “John saved several lives in Sauk Rapids,� Beise said. “He will water your plants if they are dry when he comes to check your house. He’s just an all-around good guy, taking care of all the citizens. You’ll be greatly missed, John.� - Approved the plans and specifications and authorized for bids the 2019 Fourth Street South Improvement Project. The city will be installing a peanut-shaped roundabout at the threeway intersection of Summit Avenue South and Fourth Street South, as well as reconstructing public works infrastructure and roadway of Fourth Street South from Second Avenue South to Summit Avenue South and on Eighth Avenue South from Fourth Street South to Linda Lane. - Accepted a feasibility report and approved calling for a public hearing regarding Ridge Road improvements. Five parcels will be assessed for improvements executed by the city of Sartell. Ridge Road lies within both cities, and Sauk Rapids has signed a joint powers agreement with Sartell. - Approved the refurbish of two water-actuated values as well as a removal
Sauk Rapids woman runs red light, injures two
and install of the equipment. The total project cost is $10,674.56. - Approved complete rehabilitation of well No. 4. The estimated cost is $25,000 to $31,000, varying on needs once the pump is pulled. - Approved the purchase of a mobile generator for the public works department. The city will purchase a used generator, with about 200 hours of use, for a price of $37,775. An amount of $70,000 was budgeted in the capital improvement plan for 2019. - Approved Brad Peterson as the Sauk Rapids Fire Department’s first assistant chief for a three-year term from 2019-22. - Approved a $5,000 donation from St. Cloud
Area Golden Gloves Boxing to be used toward fire department rescue boat equipment and fire prevention. - Accepted a donation of $100 from LoAnn Wuestneck, of Sauk Rapids, for use in the police K-9 program. - Accepted the resignation of police officer Alex Wegner, effective Jan. 27. Wegner has served with the department for three years. - Kim Pettman asked the city to address the safety hazard of uncleared sidewalks for pedestrians and enforce the ordinance. She wanted to remind property owners that they not only need to clear the main part of the sidewalk but also the sidewalk cuts and curbs.
Betty Jane M. Vait Betty Jane M. Vait, 67, of Stanley, Wis., died peacefully of cancer Jan. 7 at her daughter’s home with her family by her side. She was born Dec. 13, 1951, in St. Cloud to Donald and Veronica (Theis) Kaeter. She graduated from Sauk Rapids High School in 1970. Betty married Howard Vait on Sept. 12, 1970, in Sauk Rapids at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Betty and Howard moved to Stanley, Wis. where they farmed and raised a family. She obtained her certified nursing assistant and worked at Victory Memorial, and then Clark Co., for 28 years. Betty enjoyed gardening, along with feeding and watching the birds. She loved to spend time with her grandchildren often attending sporting events and dance recitals. Betty also liked playing bingo and cards, especially rummy. She loved going to concerts with family and friends. She was an avid fan of both the Packers and Brewers. She is survived by her husband Howard of Stanley, Wis., her children Jami of Cadott, Wis., Tammy Schneider of Chippewa Falls, Wis., Jeremy (Heather) of Stanley, Wis., Jodi (Matt) Derks of Boyd, Wis., Jessi (Jim) Wellner of Cadott, Wis., Toni (Josh)
Sauk Rapids Police Department activity Jan. 8 0051 hrs: Officers noticed a vehicle sitting in the wash bay on the 900 block of Benton Drive North, but no one was washing the vehicle. Officers contacted subject and cleared when no problems were noticed.
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Jan. 11 1717 hrs: Complainant stated she arrived home, on the 1200 block of Stone Ridge Road, to find a backpack in her yard. When she looked in the backpack, she found a jar of marijuana and brought it to the police department.
Rice Police Department activity
Seidl of Stanley, Wis.; grandchildren Phoenix and Lincoln Schneider, Carter, Avery and Mason Vait, Brendon, Monica, McKenzie, Tate and Jonathan Derks, Michael, Isaac and William Wellner, Alexis Jane, Kylee and Abigail Seidl; her siblings Janet (Tom) Prom of Monticello Sharon (Ray) Gohmann of St. Cloud, her twin sister Mary (Myron) Vait of Clearwater, Margaret Buersken of Little Falls, Marvin of South Haven, and Mike of Wahiawa, Hawaii. Betty is preceded in death by her sister Yvette and her parents. A funeral service took place at 11 a.m. Jan. 14 at the Plombon Funeral Home-Stanley with Deacon Ned Willkom officiating. Burial followed at Oakland Cemetery. Visitation was 2-6 p.m. Jan. 13, with a rosary at 5:30 p.m., and one hour prior to services Monday at the funeral Home. Plombon Funeral Service assisted the family. R-3-1BÂ
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Jan. 10 0039 hrs: Officers received a found wallet at Kwik Trip. The wallet was returned to its owner later that day.
Incidents: 35 parking, 21 medical, 18 traffic stops, 17 assists, 17 various calls, 13 child, 8 thefts, 7 property, 7 suspicious, 5 criminal damage to property, 5 civil, 5 human services reports, 5 repo vehicle, 4 alarms, 4 welfare checks, 4 harassments, 4 permits, 3 accidents, ST. CLOUD – Two people were injured in a crash 3 domestics, 3 ordinances, 3 animals, 3 warrants, 3 which involved a Sauk Rapids woman Tuesday. tows, 2 911, 2 controlled substances, 2 unwanted, 2 According to the St. Cloud Police Department, offi- dvs, 2 open doors, 2 vehicles and 2 violation court orcers responded to a three-car collision Jan. 15 at Eighth ders. Street North at Highway 15. Law enforcement learned that Amy Jo Feddema, 47, of Sauk Rapids, was southbound on Highway 15 when she drove through a red light, striking a vehicle driven by Christine Somsamouth, 25, of Sartell. Somsamouth’s vehicle then hit a third vehicle driven by Crystal Sanchez, 31, of St. Cloud. Sanchez and her passenger, Tommie Davis, 31, of St. Cloud, received non-life-threatening injuries. Davis was Jan. 7 0750 hrs: Officers received a report of a protransported by Gold Cross Ambulance to the St. Cloud pane smell on Highway 10 and determined the odor Hospital. Sanchez was driven to the medical facility by a was coming from Hydrostat. Officers made contact to ensure all was OK. personal vehicle. Feddema was issued a citation for a semaphore violaIncidents: 10 various calls and 4 assists. tion and no insurance.
Betty Jane M. Vait
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