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BENTON AG Plus
Second section
11 2nd Ave. N., Unit 103, Sauk Rapids, Benton County, MN 56379
Saturday, February 2, 2019
Time to weigh in
Same Local Coverage Since 1 8 5 4 .
Vol. 164, No. 42
PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER
Josh Washnieski, Cub Scout den leader, hands Jude Washnieski a first-place trophy Jan. 27 at Old Village Hall in Rice. The two are members of the Pack 120 Bears den.
Parks plan open house is Feb. 11 BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
SAUK RAPIDS – The city of Sauk Rapids has set the date for the public to speak on riverside park improvements. The open house for Southside and Sauk Rapids Lions Sunset parks will be at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 11 in the community room at the Sauk Rapids Government Center, 250 Summit Ave. N., Sauk Rapids. Southside Park and Sauk Rapids Lions Sunset Park are located on the banks of the Mississippi River, situated on the north and south sides of the former Sauk Rapids bridge. Minneapolis-based landscape and architectural design firm, Confluence, presented a draft plan to the city council Jan. 14. The plan includes a pavilion structure to be placed at Southside Park, trail and lighting modifications, an interactive water feature that would be situated near the playground at Lions park, as well as much more. Following the open house, the half-cent sales tax committee will bring the draft plan back to the council for approval as a master plan.
Race to the
finish
Pinewood derby page 2
CLOSED PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER
When the mercury dipped, we went home BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
SAUK RAPIDS – When the wind chills dropped to temperatures Minnesotans had not felt in over 20 years this week, businesses, schools and government agencies called it quits. Temperatures mixed with winds created a dangerous outdoor atmosphere Tuesday through
A sign reflects the temperature Jan. 31 in Sauk Rapids. Many businesses were closed or altered hours due to the polar vortex Thursday. The wind chill factor that surrounded Minnesota midweek.
Jan. 30 reached a low of minus 59 in the St. Cloud area, according to Bob Weismann, meteorology professor at St. Cloud State University. The high temperature of 17 degrees below zero broke the same day record set in 1996. After the Sauk Rapids-Rice, Foley and other school districts cancelled classes for the midweek arctic blast, others followed suit. Closed was a common appearance on the doors of area businesses, whether hours were altered to allow for the safety of employees or the buildings shut down completely to wait out the storm from the comforts of their own homes. Brickhouse Cinema, Coyote Moon Grille, Firing Line, Grand Champion Meats, Infinite Eye
Care, Jimmy’s Pour House, Margo Mundi’s, Mixin’ It Up Gluten Free Bakery, Mr. Jim’s, Rock Creek Coffeehouse and Shady’s Railside were some of the establishments in Sauk Rapids and Foley which altered hours. Businesses cited safety of employees and patrons as their reasoning for closing, as well as equipment issues of their own. Old Capital Tavern, of Sauk Rapids, remained open Wednesday and offered customers who braved the blistering chill 1 percent off their tab for every negative degree the temperature reached. “It actually went over really well,” said Hannah Reemts, of the promotion. “We actually had
a wait list last night.” The government and service industries also took action – postponing U.S. postal delivery, shutting down Social Security offices and closing libraries and other government offices. Roger Goff, who delivers mail on foot throughout Sauk Rapids neighborhoods, said the post office has not called off delivery due to weather in the more than 20 years he has been employed with the organization. “It felt good to not have to do it,” Goff said about Wednesday delivery. “The previous day was actually worse when it was windy.”
PUBLIC NOTICES • City of Sauk Rapids Public Reg. Meeting • Benton County Reg. Meeting Minutes, Jan. 8, Minutes, Jan. 14, 2019 -pg. 11 2019 - pg. 4B • City of Sauk Rapids Public Hearing Notice - pg. • Assumed Name - Me 2 - pg. 4B 11 • Benton County Notice of Public Hearing - Walz • Sauk Rapids-Rice Annual School Board - pg. 4B Organizational Minutes, Jan. 7., 2019 - pg. 5B
Cold page 3
OBITUARIES • Shirley E. Koprek page 5