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11 2nd Ave. N., Unit 103, Sauk Rapids, Benton County, MN 56379
Same Local Coverage Since 1 8 5 4 .
Saturday, February 23, 2019
Vol. 164, No. 45
Rice to interview council candidates BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
RICE – The Rice City Council will interview six candidates for the vacant council position. Laura Douvier, Michelle Keller, Eric Loberg, Kenneth Nodo, Anne Pressnall and Kyle Walter will each have a 15-minute interview by the full council Feb. 25, with the first interview beginning at 5 p.m. Mayor Brian Skroch said the council agreed to interview the applicants at a work session which took place prior to the Feb. 19 meeting. The council expects to appoint a person March 5, with official oath of office for the position taking place March 18. Following the resignation of elected mayor Erik Bonde, Brian Skroch was appointed to the position of mayor in January, leaving the remainder of this four-year term vacant. A council member will be appointed until November 2020 when the remaining two years of the term will be filled by vote during the General Election. This is in accordance with state statute.
PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER
A home made of granite is located at 202 Second Ave. S, Sauk Rapids. The original building is 146 years old, and additions have been added, as well as a stucco overlay during its history.
Rescuing the town’s history Benton County Historical Society hopes to save 146-year-old home BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
SAUK RAPIDS – Four months have passed since the Benton County Historical Society has known the granite-built home in Sauk Rapids was for sale. Yet, there are no clear answers for its preservation. The home at 202
Second Ave. S. was built in 1873 and is the oldest known building in the city. It has withstood 146 years of Sauk Rapids history. But although the house is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, the property has no real protections. Because Benton County and the city of Sauk Rapids have no historic preservation districts,
the home can be sold and purchased for any intent – including demolition. The Benton County Historical Society Board is attempting to circumvent a tear-down offer placed on the building, by obtaining funds to attain the property. Their plan is to convert the building to a research center and museum for use by the community. “It has historical significance in the area, but the specified use the building has over the years did
not leave it easily modifiable for others,” Ostby said. “(The Benton County Historical Society) has the ability to adapt our space, save a historical building and work with its design without damaging the original structure.” History of the home is substantial. The home was built in 1873 by Leonard Robinson, a mogul in the granite industry. Robinson was recruited to come to Sauk Rapids to construct the
Sauk Rapids Water Power Company along the Mississippi River, and he moved to the town in 1868 with his wife and four children. Robinson was the lead builder on the dam project. Along with construction of the dam, Robinson and Sons – the expert’s company – supplied granite for residential, commercial and industrial markets. “Leonard Robertson was a mover and a shak-
Granite home page 5
One page at a time Reading is Germanns’ pastime
Rice City Council page 3
BY ANNA HINKEMEYER STAFF WRITER
ST. CLOUD – Anyone who knows Claudia and Larry Germann knows exactly where to find them on a cold, snowy day in mid-FebPHOTO BY ANNA HINKEMEYER Claudia and Larry Germann sit in their home in St. Cloud Feb. 20 with a small sample ruary. The Germanns will be sitting in their of their book collection. Together, they own over 1,500 books. favorite chairs at home
OBITUARIES • Ronald J. Delinski Jr.
PUBLIC NOTICES
with their noses in a pair of books. The couple, who are members of Discovery Church in Sauk Rapids, are retired and read at a pace of one book every couple days. “We both love to read daily,” Claudia said. “It’s my favorite pastime. Even if I’m having a bad day, I can open a book and be transported to another world and let all of my frustrations or worries
Germann page 3
• Watab Township Advertisement for Bids - pg. 14 • Benton County Reg. Meeting Minutes Feb. 5 - pg. 16 • City of Rice Notice - pg. 14 • Benton County Public Notice of Automark Test - pg. 14 • Watab Township Annual Meeting and Election Notice - pg. 16 • Benton County Advertisement for Bids - pg. 14 • Benton County Board of Commissioners Public Hearing - pg. 14