Sauk Rapids Herald - November 11, 2023

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Saturday, November 11, 2023

Same Local Coverage Since 1854.

Vol. 169, No. 32

Elevating women Sauk Rapids dance center to participate in Zonta Christmas House

BY MAURA WENNER STAFF WRITER

Sauk Rapids-Rice graduate keeps U.S. Air Force fighters

flying high

e

De

sMa r

ais

With Christmas less than 50 days away, the Zonta Club of St. Cloud will be hosting its 32nd annual Zonta Christmas House event. Traditionally, a chosen local home welcomes various designers and stores within the area to decorate a room in Christmas fashion and ticket holders visit for inspiration.

This year, one of the presented 15 vendors has a local tie. Shantelle DesMarais, owner of Elevate Dance Center in downtown Sauk Rapids, and her mother, CeCe, are participating in the event.

“We are decorating a room as a bonding activity together but also because we like decorating and what the Zonta ell House stands Sha n t for,” DesMarais said.

The event takes place Friday, Nov. 17, and Saturday, Nov. 18, at 22807 Rausch Lake Road in St. Cloud.

Tickets can be purchased online, at area businesses and at the door.

Zonta International strives to help women around the world. The St. Cloud chapter’s Zonta Christmas House proceeds help to support local organizations who have the same purpose in mind. Anna Marie’s Alliance, Terebinth Refuge, Central Minnesota Sexual Assault Center and St. Cloud Area Crisis Nursery are among the recipients.

“This seemed like a good opportunity to get our business involved in the community and do something good for them,” DesMarais said.

Originally from Pipestone, DesMarais moved to St. Cloud for college and decided to stay in the area permanently after graduating, leading her to opening Elevate Dance Center in June 2022.

Zonta page 3

Chief Master Sgt. Rohde’s service includes global assignments

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE U.S. AIR FORCE

ter) and Air Force Achievement Medal (one cluster).

He met his wife, Cheryl, halfway Joseph Rohde enlisted in the U.S. Air Force about a month-and-a-half after through one of his early overseas deploygraduating from Sauk Rapids Rice-High ments in the Republic of Korea. They have been married 22 years and have School in 1997. three children — Sophia, 18, Alexander, His aviation interest took off with 16, and Dominic, 14. guidance from former teacher Curt OlRohde has maintenance and manson.

“He taught an amazing applied tech- agement experience on multiple U.S. Air Force ghter aircraft. nology class,” Rohde said. “We would His assignments have included bases carve propellors from a single block of wood to see how ef cient we could make in Arizona, South Korea, Italy, Virginia, Hawaii, Nevada and Japan. them.”

“My speci c job could be compared Rohde is currently a chief master sergeant and has served with the U.S. Air to being a NASCAR crew chief,” Rohde said. “I started off being in charge of one Force for 26 years. aircraft. Having my name on the side of His active duty and service assignments have taken him around the world. a $27 million aircraft when I was 19 was Rohde has been awarded the Bronze pretty awesome. I’m getting to the end my active-duty career. Global travel has Star, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal (four oak leaf clusters), Air Force been a de nite eye-opener.”

Commendation Medal (one oak leaf clusRohde page 2

The newspaper of today is the history of tomorrow.

BY TIM HENNAGIR | STAFF WRITER

PUBLIC NOTICES

OBITUARIES

• Mortgage Foreclosure - pg. 18 • Probate Notice - Christianson - pg. 18 • Benton County Board of Commissioners Reg. Minutes, Oct. 17 - pg. 18 • Benton County Board of Commissioners Special Minutes. Oct. 20 - pg. 19 • Sauk Rapids-Rice School Board Meeting, Oct. 23 - pg. 19

Herbert A. Bechtold Lynn M. Repulski

(Top) A F-15E Strike Eagle (front) from the 494th Fighter Squadron and a F-35A Lightning II from the 495th Fighter Squadron with the U.S. Air Force’s 48th Fighter Wing based in Lakenheath, England, fly in formation.

Chief Master Sgt. Rohde, a 1997 Sauk Rapids-Rice High School graduate, leads the maintenance group that is responsible for maintaining the high-tech fighter aircraft.

(Inset) Chief Master Sgt. Joseph Rohde is serving as senior enlisted leader with the U.S. Air Force’s 48th Maintenance Group at Royal Air Force Lakenheath in England. He is stationed 70 miles northeast of London and 25 miles northeast of Cambridge.

$1.00

Page 2 | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2023 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Rohde from front

Joseph Rohde U.S. Air Force Assignments

— July 1997 to August 1997: trainee, basic military training, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.

— September 1997 to February 1998: student, Tactical Aircraft Maintenance Apprentice Course, Sheppard AFB, Texas.

— February 1998 to March 1998: student, Maintenance Ready Technician Course, Luke AFB, Arizona.

— March 1998 to November 2000: assistant dedicated crew chief/dedicated crew chief, 62nd Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Arizona.

— November 2000 to November 2001: dedicated crew chief, 36th Fighter Squadron, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea.

— January 2002 to May 2003: dedicated crew chief, 555th Fighter Squadron, Aviano AB, Italy (March 2002 to May 2002: dedicated crew chief, 555th Fighter Squadron, Incirlik AB, Turkey).

— May 2003 to September 2006: maintenance training instructor/development and instruction section chief, 31st Maintenance Operations Squadron, Aviano AB, Italy.

NEWS Rohde is currently serving as the senior enlisted leader with the 48th Maintenance Group, 48th Fighter Wing, Royal Air Force Lakenheath in England.

His group is responsible for maintaining the only nuclear-weapon-certi ed jet ghters in the U.S. Air Force, a eet of F-15E Strike Eagles and F-35A Lightning IIs. “We have quite a few Minnesotans in the group,” Rohde said. “I was back in St. Cloud last month (in September). We talk a lot about the Minnesota Vikings.”

Lakenheath is the largest U.S. Air Force-operated base in England. It is located 70 miles northeast of London and 25 miles northeast of Cambridge.

“It’s a fantastic time to be here right now,” Rohde said.

“We have two full squadrons of F-15E Strike Eagles, which are some of the busiest aircraft in the U.S. inventory. We are in the process of sending up the rst F-35A squadrons in Europe and integrating them with our North Atlantic Treaty Organization partners.”

In mid-October, aircraft in one of Lakenheath’s squadrons were deployed to the U.S.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Joseph and Cheryl Rohde are pictured at the 2023 Chief Recognition Ceremony at RAF Lakenheath. Lakenheath is the largest U.S. Air Force-operated base in England.

Central Command to bolster the U.S. regional posture and air operations in the Middle East in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war.

Rohde said the deploy-

ment had been scheduled for years and just happened to align with the start of hostilities in the Middle East.

Rohde page 3

— September 2006 to August 2012: dedicated crew chief/flightline expediter/support section chief/ specialist section chief/production superintendent, 1st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Langley AFB, Virginia.

— August 2012 to August 2013: production superintendent, 51st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Osan AB, Republic of Korea.

— August 2013 to August 2016: manager, Maintenance Integration Branch/Command Fifth Generation Fighter Functional Manager, Headquarters, Pacific Air Forces, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.

— September 2016 to May 2019: Reaper Aircraft Maintenance Unit Assistant Superintendent/ Reaper Aircraft Maintenance Unit Superintendent, 432d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Creech AFB, Nev. (March 2017 to September 2017: maintenance superintendent, 62d Expeditionary Attack Squadron, Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan).

— May 2019 to June 2021: 14th Aircraft Maintenance Unit Superintendent/Squadron Superintendent, 35th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Misawa AB, Japan.

— June 2021 to present: senior enlisted leader, 48th Maintenance Group, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Joseph Rohde is pictured with his last F-16 which is assigned to Aviano Air Base in Italy. Rohde is serving as the senior enlisted leader with the 48th Maintenance Group, 48th Fighter Wing, Royal Air Force Lakenheath in England.

33RD ANNUAL CITY OF SAUK RAPIDS

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Send name, address and contact information to the Sauk Rapids Herald office at 2 Second Ave S. Unit 135, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379 or natasha@saukherald.com with the subject line: Lighting Contest.

Please contact the Sauk Rapids Herald at 320-251-1971 with questions.

Entries are due by 5 p.m. Nov. 29.

Properties judged between 5-9 p.m. Dec. 8-10.

Entered addresses will be listed in the Sauk Rapids Herald

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SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2023 | Page 3

NEWS

What’s H A P P E N I N G

Saturday, Nov. 11 — Veterans Day.

Saturday, Nov. 11, 10:30-11 a.m. — SCSU Saturday Storytime. St. Cloud State University education students present stories, songs and movement activities geared toward ages 3-6 but all are welcome. Great River Regional Library, 1300 W. St. Germain St., St. Cloud.

Saturday, Nov. 11, 10:30 a.m. — St. Cloud Meaningful Conversation Cafe. Featuring “How can we build vibrant communities when hate crimes and backbiting are normalized?” A discussion on speech and its impact will take place. Caribou Coffee, 2423 Division St., St. Cloud.

Saturday, Nov. 11, 4:30-6:30 p.m. — Veterans Day Dinner. Roast beef supper while supplies last. Free for veterans and active duty service members with identi cation. Sauk Rapids VFW 6992, 901 N. Benton Drive, Sauk Rapids.

Monday, Nov. 13, 6 p.m. — Sauk Rapids City Council Meeting. Sauk Rapids Government Center, 250 Summit Ave. N., Sauk Rapids.

Monday, Nov. 13, 7 p.m. — Rice American Legion Post 473 Meeting. Legion meets the second Monday of each month. Pine Country Bank Community Room, 750 County Road 21, Rice.

PHOTO COURTESY OF REBECCA FERGUSON

Dominic Rohde (from left), Cheryl Rohde, Joseph Rohde, Alexander Rohde and Sophia Rohde are pictured in 2023 at RAF Lakenheath with an F-35A assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing. As a chief master sergeant, Joseph Rohde has maintenance and management experience on multiple U.S. Air Force fighter aircraft.

difference when we were there,” he said. “We made it possible for the local population to send their from page 2 children to school. It was very rewarding.”

Throughout the years, Rohde “We live on the base,” Rohde said his overseas deployments said. “It’s just like small-town have created unique demands and America, because everybody uctuations for Cheryl and their kind of knows each other. It rechildren. ally feels like extended family “Early on, we mostly comaround here. We are a half-hour municated via phone,” he said. away from Cambridge.”

“I spent about $200 a month on During his almost 30-year phone cards to be able to call military career, Rohde deployed in support of Operations Northern back home. That was around 2001. We started doing Skype Watch and Freedom’s Sentinel.

“I felt like we were making a calls, and now, with cell phones

being what they are, I can text or do what I need to do from anywhere in the world.”

Rohde said it has been an honor to serve his country. Military service forges bonds and an extended family.

“I’ve had a lot of wonderful opportunities interacting with different people,” he said. “I’ve trained people and built global partnerships that have helped make the world a little bit more stable. There’s a lot of pride and ownership in what we do.”

Rohde

Tuesday, Nov. 14, 3-4:45 p.m. — Central Minnesota Civil War Round Table Monthly Meeting. Featuring “Richmond: Lincoln’s Thinking on Seizing the Confederate Capitol,” with Win Anderson. Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave. S., St. Cloud.

What’s Happening page 5

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PETRA LUTHERAN CHURCH 1049 1st Ave. N (320) 252-0120

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If you would like parishioners to see your church here, please contact Robin at 320-351-7837

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Combined with the DesMarais duo’s love for the holiday season, mom and daughter saw it as both a fun and worthwhile opportunity.

“We actually attended as spectators a couple of years ago and we really liked it,” DesMarais said.

“We reached out to see if they had any extra spaces.

They were mostly full, but they had room for us in the bathroom. It’s a good place to the start because it is just me and mom — a nice small project.”

While they have yet to decide what the room will look like exactly, they do have a theme in mind.

“We have too many ideas,” DesMarais said.

“As a woman “We are very artsy and crafty which comes in business along with owning a and woman dance studio. I think we of color, those will do something with programs and dance because that’s opportunities are what I am passionate and it will help important. I want about, represent my business.” to do whatever DesMarais’ passion for dance started as a I can to help support that,” young child and has only grown with owning a dance center.

- Shantelle “I really like workDesMarais on ing with kids, coaching beneficiaries of the dance and gymnastics Zonta Christmas and seeing them grow House proceeds. from it,” DesMarais said.

“Dance helped me as a little kid come out of my shell. It is a mixture of working both the mind and body, a sport and an art.”

Knowing most participants come from decor businesses, the DesMarais team is excited to be different and see their end results.

“I also like that the money raised will additionally help with things like STEM (science, technolo-

Tuesday, Nov. 14, 12:30-1:30 p.m. — Exercise Tuesdays. Hosted by Helping Hands Outreach.

Lions Building, 101 Fourth Ave. NW, Rice. Call 320-393-4467 for more information.

gy, engineering and mathematics), women and nontraditional students to get degrees,” DesMarais said.

Funds will also be placed toward scholarships including Young Woman in Public Affairs, Women in Technology and Women Pursuing MBAs. “As a woman in business and woman of color, those programs and opportunities are important,” DesMarais said. “I want to do whatever I can to help support that.”

Mostly DesMarais is eager to participate in ensuring those opportunities continue to grow for people who would not otherwise have them without help from organizations such as Anna Maria’s Alliance and Zonta International, she said.

“It will be fun to use our creativity to make something interesting for spectators coming through,” DesMarais said. “Hopefully they enjoy it.

Hopefully it builds that holiday spirit.”

LIQUOR

Zonta from front

Monday, Nov. 13, 7 p.m. — Rice American Legion Auxiliary Unit 473 Meeting. Auxiliary meets the second Monday of each month.

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Page 4 | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2023 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

NEWS

KPFG employees attend job fair Career Force hosts hiring event for dislocated workers

BY HANS LAMMEMAN | STAFF WRITER

Six weeks after Kent Precision Foods Group Inc. announced plans to lay off 62 Benton County employees, employers packed into the CareerForce location in St. Cloud to get in front of job seekers.

Job fair organizers said more than 30 attendees visited the Nov. 3 event, which was scheduled to accommodate the KPFG employees whose terminations take effect Nov. 30.

The layoffs came in coordination with the company’s decision to close its Sauk Rapids and Foley facilities.

Career Solutions business services manager Angie Dahle described the employers present as representing a good mix of industries, emphasizing warehouse and production opportunities.

“This job fair came together in two weeks,” Dahle said. “That is a pretty quick turnaround, but we accommodate the employers that are laying off and do what we need to do. The employees had a handful of employers that they requested to be here.

Some of them are from Princeton, Elk River

— that area — which is a little farther than our normal reach.”

The closures affect 49 Foley plant workers and 13 from Sauk Rapids across more than 30 positions, including procurement, administration, warehouse, human resources, machine operators and other roles.

A group of job fair attendees who said they were KPFG employees reported that the layoffs led some of their coworkers to retire. The employees said applying online led to dead ends, and they felt optimistic about nding work after leaving the CareerForce event.

Career Solutions lead career planner Caroline Ruegemer said she met with KPFG workers during an on-site informational session to make job seekers aware of available resources in mid-October.

“We have a dislocated worker program,” Ruegemer said. “If they (job seekers) are eligible to enroll in our program, they can get one-on-one help with a career planner for everything from training opportunities that can be paid through state funding to support

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Knife River Corporation representatives and other employers sit behind tables at the Nov. 3 Career Solutions job fair at the CareerForce location on the St. Cloud Technical and Community College campus in St. Cloud.

CareerForce partners in St. Cloud hold 15-plus job fairs annually, according to Career Solutions staff.

services as needed to ll a gap if there is a monetary need.”

Ruegemer said she was aware of KPFG employees spreading the word among coworkers of Career Solutions and the various programs aimed at helping them nd work.

Amanda Othoudt, Benton Economic Partnership executive director, said there were many positions available for job seekers looking to continue working in Benton County and surrounding communities.

“We want to make sure that those employees are employed in our community,” Othoudt said.

“We want to retain them, and there are a lot of transferable skill sets.”

Knife River Corporation supervisor Byron Miland said he saw several eye-catching candidates at the job fair.

He said the in ux of potential candidates were well-suited for open roles

like general laborers, equipment operators and of ce staff.

“It is huge any time you can get exposure and get out there at an event like this,” Miland said.

We do several career fairs, and an opportunity that is inviting and an easy sell creates awesome opportunities for us.”

Career Solutions hosted the Nov. 3 job fair for Kent Precision Foods Group Inc. Career Solutions staff visited KPFG sites for informational sessions with employees.

Signs welcome job fair attendees and point toward the Nov. 3 event inside the CareerForce location in St. Cloud. Kent Precision Foods Group Inc. announced plans to lay off 62 employees at Foley and Sauk Rapids facilities as of Nov. 30.

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NEWS

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2023 | Page 5

Public safety aid expenditure plan approved

OBITUARIES Lynn M. Repulski

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home in Sauk Rapids for Lynn M. the consent agenda item Repulski, age 68, who Nov. 7. Due to vehicle passed away Nov. 6, 2023, supply shortages, the at the St. Cloud Hospital sheriff’s of ce was surrounded by her family. unable to take delivVisitation will be noon tics’ negotiating team. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the ery on planned 2022 funeral home.

Heck reported using replacement vehicles.

Lynn was born March $25,000 in public safety Delivery of the delayed aid would equip the van vehicles will occur this 15, 1955, in St. Cloud for service. year. The sheriff’s of ce to Calvin and Kathleen (French) Repulski. She Funding for a pro2022 budget included married William Carlson motional campaign for $165,000 in a capital detention of cer, public outlay account but only III in 1978, in St. Cloud, and they later divorced. safety dispatcher and a $132,099 was used.

Lynn lived in the St. Cloud deputy sheriff was also — Commissioners area for most of her life; included in Heck’s exaccepted a $348 donaHudson, Wisconsin, for penditure list. The coun- tion from Bill’s Superthree years and Orange ty will use $40,000 to ette in Royalton. The City, Florida, for eight obtain marketing assis- consent agenda item years. She worked in tance for the positions. was presented by Sher- retail for various departAnnual mental iff Troy Heck Nov. 7. ment stores, retiring in health check-ins for Bill’s Superette routine- 2018. She also owned and employees every two ly runs beverage promo- operated DeBary Paint and years totals $20,000 as tions that include donat- Decorating and Granite a public safety aid exing a portion of certain City Paint and Decorating, penditure requested by sales to rst responders. and worked as a cosmeHeck. tologist. Lynn enjoyed During the rst six holidays and family get-toIn other board acmonths of 2023, Bill’s gethers, shopping, crafting tion: Superette, Dahlheimer and being with friends.

— Commissioners Beverage and Black also approved a resolu- Ri e Coffee pledged $2 She was always the star of the show, had a great sense tion amending the Ben- for each case of coffee ton County Sheriff’s Of- sold. Heck reported the of humor, and always saw ce 2023 capital equip- store requested the mon- the positive in everything. ment budget. Montgom- ey be used for the Ben- Lynn had the kindest soul and was so giving to those ery Headley, county ton County K-9 fund. around her. Most imporadministrator, presented tantly, she was very proud

One-time state appropriation will provide important upgrade to county

BY TIM HENNAGIR STAFF WRITER

$395,000 budgetary estimate for a premium priced records management system and Benton County $305,000 for squad car commissioners apand body camera reproved an expenditure placements. plan for more than Benton County $815,000 in state aid at currently has 10 ri es their Nov. 7 meeting. and ri e accessories obIn 2023, the Mintained from the federal nesota Legislature approved one-time public government.

Heck reported safety funding for local governments. The fund- these items are aging and the administration ing will be distributed overhead involved in Dec. 26 and will help ever-increasing federal pay for locally deterreporting requirements mined public safety make ri e replacement priorities.

Sheriff Troy Heck’s desirable.

The weapons will recommendation for cost $12,000. Optic using the state money sights and additional included a number of ri e magazines were needed items. Heck priced at $11,575 in recommended using Heck’s expenditure esalmost all of the state timate. public safety funding, Benton County obleaving $4,614 in retained a new panel van maining aid. through a federal grant Two items on to be used by the Spehis expenditure list topped six gures — a cial Weapons and Tac-

What’s Happening from page 3

Thursday, Nov. 16, 1-3 p.m. — Career Force. Job searching services include resume reviews, interest assessments, career exploration and other job assistance. Great River Regional Library, 1300 W. St. Germain St., St. Cloud.

Lynn M. Repulski

of her children and was the best grandma to her grandchildren. Lynn would always say, “You will forever be my always.”

Survivors include her signi cant other, Paul Sprengeler of Sauk Rapids; sons and daughter, William (Andrea) Carlson IV of Annandale, Marshall (Amanda) Carlson of St. Augusta and Cassandra (Aaron) Bartels of Sauk Rapids; sisters, Judith (Ron) Newby of St. Cloud and Carol (Tom) Dahle of Hudson, Wisconsin; grandchildren, Kassidy, Kennedy, Chloee, William V., Hannah, Nora, Hadley, Max and Tenley; many nieces and nephews; and her cat, Tinker. Lynn was preceded in death by her parents.

Obituary, guest nook and video tribute available online at www.williamsdingmann.com R-45-1B

Herbert A. Bechtold

Mass of Christian Burial was Nov. 10 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Tuesday, Nov. 14, 6:30 p.m. — Sauk Rapids Lions Thursday, Nov. 16, 7 p.m. — Alcoholics in St. Joseph for Herbert Anonymous Meeting. Meets weekly. Shepherd Membership Meeting. Second Tuesday of every A. Bechtold, age 86, of month. Sauk Rapids VFW Post 6992, 901 N. Benton of the Pines Lutheran Church, 1950 125th St. NW, St. Joseph. The Rev. Brad Rice. For more information, call 320-293-9213.

Drive, Sauk Rapids.

Jenniges, OSB and the Rev. Nick Kleespie, OSB Thursday, Nov. 16, 7-8 p.m. — Al-Anon Meeting. of ciated. Herb passed Tuesday, Nov. 14, 7 p.m. — Watab Township Help and hope for families and friends of alcoholics. away peacefully Nov. Supervisors Meeting. Watab Town Hall, 660 75th Meets weekly. Living Waters Lutheran Church, 1911 5, 2023, at his home at St. NW, Sauk Rapids.

Fourth Ave. N., Sauk Rapids.

Woodcrest in St. Joseph.

Tuesday, Nov. 14, 7-9 p.m. — St. Cloud Area Burial took place in the St. Saturday, Nov. 18, 3 p.m. — Turkey Bingo. Sauk Singing Saints Men’s Acapella Chorus Practice.

Joseph Parish Cemetery in Rapids VFW Post 6992, 901 N. Benton Drive, Sauk St. Joseph.

Meets every Tuesday. New participants welcome.

Good Shepherd Community Chapel, 325 11th St. N., Rapids.

Visitation was Nov. Sauk Rapids.

9 and before Mass, both Saturday, Nov. 18, 7 p.m. — Come, Thou Fount in the Heritage Hall at St. Every Blessing Concert. Bene ting the Catholic Wednesday, Nov. 15, 1-3 p.m. — Cribbage Joseph Catholic Church in Charities Food Shelf. No admission; audience is Wednesdays. Hosted by Helping Hands Outreach.

St. Joseph. invited to bring nonperishable food items. St. Mary’s Lions Building, 101 Fourth Ave. NW, Rice.

Herb was born July Cathedral, 25 Eighth Ave. S., St. Cloud.

13, 1937, in St. Joseph to Wednesday, Nov. 15, 7-8 p.m. — Tech Time.

John J. and Esther (WeySunday, Nov. 19, 10:30 a.m. — “Alive or Dead.”

Trouble understanding your laptop, tablet, e-reader er) Bechtold. He married Featuring the Rev. Myo-O Habermas, who is or other electronic device? Questions about Darlene A. Kosel May 7, downloading library materials? Register with library af liated with the Hokyoji Zen Practice Community 1960, at St. Joseph Cathof southeast Minnesota. A gratitude and happiness staff for your one-on-one 30-minute session. Great olic Church in St. Joseph. program with artist Therese Cacek will be offered River Regional Library-St. Cloud, 1300 W. St. He was employed by the for children. St. Cloud Unitarian Universalist, 3226 St. Cloud Hospital as manGermain St., St. Cloud.

Maine Prairie Road, St. Cloud. ager of the laundry department for 39 years, retiring in 2000. He also bartended at the St. Joseph American C O M M U N I T Y E D U C AT I O N C O R N E R Legion and worked at the Karmel Krisp Shop. After valuable insights on breaking down the planning Grandparents are Grand retirement, he enjoyed This class is for students in kindergarten through process into easily manageable steps, as well as working with the Daniel techniques for identifying and minimizing risks that Funeral Home as a greeter fth grades to participate in crafts and games can potentially derail your nancial and retirement with their grandparent(s). Snacks and refreshing and funeral assistant. He objectives. beverages are provided. was a life long and active Wednesday, Nov. 15, 6-8 p.m. — Sauk member of St. Joseph Saturday, Nov. 18, 9:45-11 a.m. — Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School, 901 First St. S., Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School, 901 First St. S., Sauk Parish in St. Joseph and Rapids. a member of St. Joseph Rapids.

Senior Citizens.

Herb enjoyed playing To register or for more information on programs Investing for the Life You’ve Earned cards and much of his and costs, contact Sauk Rapids-Rice Community Join for an informative seminar that delves into social life revolved around Education at www.isd47.org/ce or 320-258-1577. the seven key aspects of intelligent investing. Gain

Herbert A. Bechtold

the card groups. He and Darlene enjoyed traveling and trips to the casinos.

Herb is survived by his sons Brian (Kirsten) of Sartell, Bruce (Pat) of St. Joseph and Brad (Jane) of Sauk Rapids, daughterin-law Nicole of Holdingford, nine grandchildren: Brianna (Al Flannigan), Spencer, Tanner (Kia), Samuel (Carrie), Mary (Blake) Bellefeuille, Ted, Kate (Matt Foman), Kelly (Bradley) Trapp, and Amy Gans, seven great-grandchildren with one on the way, siblings Margaret Molus, Agnes Steichen, Anna (Robert) Reischl, Joseph (Joanne), Donald and David, as well as many nieces and nephews and his Woodcrest family.

Preceding Herb in death were his parents, wife Darlene (2018), son Brent (2017), brother Arnold (Oct. 26, 2023) and infant brother Eugene.

Memorials are preferred in lieu of owers to the St. Joseph Catholic School in St. Joseph. R-45-1B

Page 6 | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2023 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Worms in the soil

There is likely more than one kind of worm inhabiting the soil of our gardens.

There are over 4,000 species of earthworms.

During the prehistoric ice age, the glaciers that covered most of the state killed any earthworms that may have existed.

GREEN AND GROWING Europeans then brought IN BENTON COUNTY earthworms to this continent as early as 1600 as BY LINDA G. TENNESON the creatures hitchhiked in the soil around plants.

All worms live in the top 20 inches of soil.

The University of Illinois has a series of websites about worms designed for children, which are full of interesting information about common or angle earthworms, also known as Aporrectodea, Octolasion spp.

Angle worms tunnel through the soil, eating organic material and leaving channels for air and water to enter. The tunneling action brings some organic material from the surface to below ground level and may contribute to soil fertility in gardens.

However, they are considered harmful in hardwood forests because they eat the layer of leaves that are best allowed to compost naturally on the forest oor. This may change soil chemistry which stops it from supporting native plant species. This may stop native trees from growing while encouraging undesirable and non-native plants like buckthorn.

Red wigglers, Eisenia fetida, are a worm species used in containers to digest kitchen scraps. This process is called vermicomposting and uses worms whose specialized digestive systems produce compost that is used in gardening. It allows composting to be done indoors or in smaller spaces. It also produces bene cial bacteria and macronutrients and micronutrients.

The most harmful earthworm is the jumping worm which has arrived in this country recently and is migrating west. There are multiple species in the genus Amynthas. It may be up to 8 inches in length and its clitellum, a cloudy-white ring about onethird of the way down the body, is at in contrast to the raised ring on common earthworms. Jumping worms are extremely active when above ground and move in an “S” pattern like a snake. Jumping worms eat plant roots and organic material in the soil, leaving behind castings or manure that looks like coffee grounds. However, these castings do not contribute to soil health. Jumping worms strip vital nutrients from the soil and kill many garden plants.

They produce cocoons in the fall, which hatch the following spring. The adults die in the fall. Jumping worms can look like European nightcrawlers, Lumbricus terrestris.

Extension Master Gardeners who are attempting to stop the spread of jumping worms rinse the roots of their plants free of soil and then replant them in sterile soil before donating them to their plant sales. Jumping worms have been reported in Stearns County and may exist in Benton County. If jumping worms are found, they should be reported to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

The worms sold as shing bait are a different species from jumping worms but can still be harmful to forest soil. They should be destroyed when no longer needed instead of being discarded onto the ground.

Tools and clothing used in gardening should be cleaned before being used in new locations to avoid inadvertently moving worms.

More information on these and other worm species can be found online. Visit extension.umn.edu/ identity-invasive-species/earthworms or extension. oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/em-9034-compostingworms or extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/nightcrawlers or web.extension.illinois.edu/ worms/anatomy.

Linda G. Tenneson is a University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener and Tree Care Advisor.

OPINION The views expressed by our columnists are the opinions and thoughts of the author and do not re ect the opinions and views of newspaper staff and ownership.

Veterans Day: Not a day we take in vain As you know, many things in its exis in need of uniting and desires to avoid treme are bad. Personally, good things civil war or another world war for that like exercise taken to the extreme is bad matter? Consider the following: Freedom as well as eating, drinking and even workof speech doesn’t mean the more words or ing. offensive words the better. The pursuit of Collectively, we are seeing more happiness doesn’t mean you put your hapopinions, rationales and displays of propiness rst. Proud of your country does test taken to the extreme with every hour not mean you glorify it. Confused by govthat passes. This use to be common to us ernment doesn’t mean you ignore authoron our television screens, viewing deity. Welfare doesn’t mean you drain all its LIFE BY FAITH veloping countries in uproar with mass resources. And justice does not mean we

BY MERCY NYGAARD are all judges to impose vindication. poverty.

We are closer today, than yesterday, to There are veterans in literal tears becoming one of those countries. when they look at our country today. Progress is There is an entire generation raised up since 9/11 the progressive movement’s mantra, but radicalism that have many youths in it with no idea of what was its only reality. Veering away from one country ghting for your country means. Public education under God, always veers us away from being one. has lost much of its ability to teach children what The “One Another” is a series of commands in the liberty from totalitarianism ought to look like and Bible that shows the watching world what the church why we can’t take our liberty for granted. ought to look like, acting in love. Our founding faToo much liberty, however, and now it has been thers knew there could never be a government that taken to the extreme. Information to educate yourdidn’t put God at its center, and it was this forward self is bene cial, but information from propaganda thinking that propelled the abolition of slavery and machines, however, have been taken to the extreme. deterred the attacks on the sanctity of life.

So much so, our country could fall into another civil America has a complicated history, one that is war. not without grief, pain, good and evil. If we walk The phrase “everything in moderation” is a in the way of love, and in the light as God is in the warning to us that everything in its extreme is bad. light, we will have fellowship with one another. Pray Except one thing: love. today for those who are serving our country and for You can love extremely without repercussions. those who are leading this military. The commander Even Jesus, through his perfect love, endured the in chief needs God, just like you and I need him. cross for the joy that was set before him. Suffering Pray for the coming up generation to know wasn’t a consequence of his love, it was a conseGod and make him Lord of their lives. Every day quence of our sin, and he endured it because of his that passes is a day nearer to our savior. Make use love. What Jesus showed us was complete and utter of your time by honoring those who ght for our self-sacri ce. Though he didn’t ght, his love was country, and praying for all to surrender to our Lord. much like a soldier, laying down his life for another. Then, a day like Veterans Day will not be a day we So how do we nd a balance as a country that take in vain.

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SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2023 | Page 7

Building a better mousetrap is neither fun or a game “Build a better mousetrap, and the smaller ones ourished. world will beat a path to your door” is They started in Europe and Asia and a misquoted late 19th-century phrase eventually made their way over to the New attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson.

World on boats, where they exist today.

The phrase has turned into a Early mice had to be small and metaphor about the power of innovation inoffensive to avoid being picked off by and is frequently taken literally. larger predators.

There’s been more than 4,400 My interest in mousetraps was patents issued by the U.S. Patent and rekindled after viewing an advertisement Trademark Of ce for new mousetraps, that slid into my social media feed. Once making the gadgets a frequently invented again, Facebook was the communications FROM THE device. culprit.

DOGHOUSE The popular modern version of The “ ip and slip” trap I observed ts

BY TIM HENNAGIR the mousetrap was invented in Lititz, on the top of a standard-sized, 5-gallon Pennsylvania, by John Mast in 1899, bucket. A provided ramp enables the mice several years after the Emerson misquote became to gain access to the top of the trap. popular.

When a mouse reaches the back end of the trap, Here are some fast and not so fun facts about the the lid ips and the pesky critter is dumped inside small, invasive and generally nasty little creatures the bucket. This sounds a lot like one of my favorite that are the targets of such devices. board games, and one of the lower tech approaches Mice are exceptional little swimmers. Some used by a favorite uncle who lived on a farm. studies show they can tread water for up to three Mouse Trap is a board game rst published by days, and can hold their breath for up to three Ideal in 1963 for two to four players. It is one of the minutes. rst mass-produced three-dimensional board games.

Mice do, in fact, have backbones. It’s a common Players at rst cooperate to build a working mouse myth they don’t. trap in the style of a Rube Goldberg machine.

Mice also have sloping, exible collarbones, My uncle’s approach to mice control involved which makes it incredibly easy for them to sneak a Popsicle stick, a smidge of peanut butter and an into holes the size of their heads in walls, baseboards empty glass bottle from a six-pack of just-consumed and other areas.

Schmidt Big Mouth beer, which was marketed by They also have very exible ribs, which makes the St. Paul Schmidt Brewery way back in 1972. their unwanted wriggling into tight places a cinch.

He would smear a little peanut butter inside the While it’s biological origins of mice remain bottom of the bottle, which had an extra-wide top, uncertain, it’s commonly believed they coexisted and angle the stick to create a ramp. The trap was alongside the dinosaurs. then placed along a baseboard or near the doorway When a comet hit the earth approximately 66 leading to the steps of the farmhouse basement. million years ago, the larger animals died off and the My uncle’s approach to rodent control was

highly successful. During a visit during the dead of winter, I observed almost a dozen Schmidt Big Mouth barrel bottles neatly aligned on the outside woodpile. Inside each bottle was an unlucky mouse.

I remain belligerent when it comes to rodent death. The pests must die quickly.

Personal experiences also have produced unique approaches to this task. I’ll share one to close out this column. It involves a snap trap, small board and a step ladder.

Years ago, the third home my young family and I lived in had a rodent problem. The mice were running along the inside ceiling edge of the tuck-under garage. They didn’t come down to the concrete oor during the winter because it was too cold.

Recalling my uncle’s ingenuity, I surmised the best way to trap the mice was to build my own better mousetrap. I positioned the step ladder parallel to the garage wall and used the small board to support the trap, which was a larger size than normal.

My efforts were rewarded one March morning when it was 15 degrees below zero.

Entering the garage to start the family cars, I discovered a dead mouse in the peanut-butter laden trap, which had fallen to the oor from its perch on the ladder.

Emerson’s original 1855 writing rings true: “If a man has good corn or wood, or boards, or pigs, to sell, or can make better chairs or knives, crucibles or church organs, than anybody else, you will nd a broad, hard-beaten road to his house.”

Hopefully, that road isn’t lled with mice. I don’t have the Pied Piper of Hamelin on speed dial, and I couldn’t nd his business pro le on Facebook or Instagram.

We are the champions I stood with the crowd, everyone tain Kirk wants to be a football champion, singing along with Adam Lambert as but all indications are that he is a chamQueen played “We are the Champions” pion with family, teammates and commuto a sold-out house at Xcel Energy Center nity. Love him or leave him, he radiates a recently. And I found myself distracted, humility and sense that family, faith and not surprisingly, even though it was an football are all prioritized to the calling of electric encore and pinnacle of a spectachis heart. Your face on a Wheaties box is ular show. eeting; relationships are forever.

As the music boomed and lights I have a tiny champion in my life. ashed, I wondered to myself, “What Several weeks ago, during the passing of HUMBLE+BOLD makes someone a champion?” I guess

BY RHONDA SILTMAN the peace at church, I offered to shake her it was a better song to get philosophical hand, but she shied away. Being 3 years over than “Fat Bottomed Girls.” old, I couldn’t blame her. Later, she was What makes a champion? Is it someone who sad and rueful, wishing she had taken my hand. I am keeps on ghting ‘til the end? Is there no time for happy to share peace anytime, we need all the peace losers? we can get, so we shook hands later. And now, much Two days after watching Adam Lambert belt out to the joy of my heart, she makes certain she shakes show stopping tunes, I watched Kirk Cousins hobble my hand every week, even having her dad carry her off the eld. The week prior, he triumphed over the over to me when I was caught up with lots of hugs best defense in the country and won a huge game on and handshakes. She is my brave champion every Monday Night Football. In this game, he was lookSunday morning. ing just as incredible; those passes were a sight to Imagine an elderly person in a nursing home, sitbehold. ting in their room in a wheelchair. Walls being thin, There he was, clearly hurt, helped onto the cart they hear crying in the next room. They roll to their to be driven away to determine what the season neighbor, offering comfort and care. It may take held for all the Vikings fans that were holding their all their strength to get there, but they are putting collective breath. And yet, he stopped to watch the someone else’s needs above their own comfort. That play and literally cheer on his teammates through his weeping neighbor perhaps just needed a hand to hold pain and frustration. He didn’t look self-absorbed or and someone to cry with, and they can provide that. self-pitying, he looked like a leader. Like a champi- They’ve might have been a champion their whole on. life in the same way and never knew it.

Every day you can be a champion in your relaYou can be the strongest person or the weaktionships, putting others needs before yours. est person, the largest or the smallest, and still be a A true champion works their hardest to be the champion. We are the champions, my friends. best version of themselves with humility. I am cer-

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E-mail to natasha@saukherald.com

Page 8 | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2023 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

NEWS

Colossal comeback

BREAK CROSSWORD

PHOTOS SUBMITTED

The gymnasium at Rice Elementary School is filled with activity Oct. 28 as the Rice PTA and Rice Women of Today host a fall carnival. The carnival returned after being absent since 2020 when the coronavirus pandemic shut down many annual events.

Rice organizations return fall carnival

BY NATASHA BARBER | STAFF WRITER

The Rice community welcomed the return of the school’s fall carnival with open arms Oct. 28 as the Rice Elementary School’s PTA and the Rice Women of Today civic organization joined forces to host the event that was absent since 2020.

About 300 students plus family members gathered for the three-hour event that featured a haunted house, in atables, games, face painting, balloon animals and refreshments.

The 2023-24 Rice PTA board members include president Stephanie Skroch, vice president Crystal Jones, treasurer Abby Wendt and secretary Nicole Gertken, and teachers and parents volunteered at the event. Rice Women of Today is comprised of president Sarah Midas and over 30 members.

Wesley Newman, of Just 4 Laffs, an entertainment company in St. Cloud, makes balloon animals for a crowd of children Oct. 28 at Rice Elementary School in Rice.

About 300 children and family members attended the fall carnival.

District audit passes test Support staff members to be recognized

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The bimonthly meeting of the Sauk Rapids-Rice Board of Education featured a light agenda Nov. 6.

Among the action items that were approved included the of cial independent audit report along with the addition of a paraprofessional at .5 of a full-time position at Hillside Early Child-

hood based on increasing enrollment and student need.

The audit review was presented to the board by Janel Bitzen, of accounting rm BerganKDV. The board approved the review, which was deemed “clean,” unanimously.

“Each year, the district contracts with a public auditing rm to conduct a comprehensive examination of our nancial records,” said Tracey Fiereck, district director of business services.

“Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools is pleased to have received a clean (unmodi ed) audit opinion on

our nancial records for the 2022-23 scal year.

This audit opinion serves as recognition of the diligence and commitment of our business of ce in maintaining taxpayer assets with responsibility and transparency.”

An awards ceremony for educational support staff for districts who work with Resource Training Solutions is set for Wednesday, Nov. 15, at River’s Edge Convention Center in downtown St. Cloud.

The following SRR district employees will be recognized: Barb Ellefson (paraprofession-

al at Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School), Jessica Hoffman (of ce manager at Mississippi Heights Elementary School), Jennifer Klinefelter (paraprofessional at Pleasantview Elementary School), Jody Silbernick (health services assistant at Rice Elementary School) and Robyn Wolberson (counselor’s administrative assistant at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School).

The next board meeting is set for 5:30 p.m. Nov. 27 in the district of ce boardroom at SRRHS.

Page 10 | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2023 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

NEWS

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Patrons gather at Iron Street Distillery Jan. 14 in St. Cloud. The craft distillery was approved to receive funding from Benton County’s revolving loan fund Nov. 7.

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Iron Street Distillery LLC’s growth trajectory and employee base will be boosted by a $145,000 microloan.

Benton County Economic Development Authority members reviewed and approved funding for the East St. Cloud business at a Nov. 7 meeting.

The EDA is comprised of Benton County commissioners.

Benton Economic Partnership Executive Director Amanda Othoudt presented the microloan request to the EDA. Iron Street Distillery LLC was formed in February 2022 and opened its cocktail room on Jan 14, 2023. The company is licensed to produce and sell spirits at its facility at 539 E. St. Germain St. in St. Cloud.

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The distillery brings in high-quality Virginia bourbon and rye and processes it for use in the cocktail room and retail sales. Iron Street also distills gin, vodka and rum, and processes them for on-site and retail use.

Iron Street requested $145,000 in county revolving loan funds to support its future growth and retain nine full-time employees as well as add two new full-time employees in the next three business quarters. Those jobs will average $33.17 per hour.

The 25-year microloan will have a ve-year balloon payment and will help Iron Street with its building renovations, equipment purchases and energy ef ciency.

Othoudt said Phase I of Iron Street’s project consisted of nancing its buildout and building inventory. Falcon Bank provided that nancing earlier this year.

The total Phase I project cost was $764,019. Iron Street requested that Phase II of its project be funded through the county’s revolving loan fund, Othoudt said.

The total project cost for Phase I and Phase II is $909,019. Approval of

Othoudt said county policy requires the proposed interest rate offered to microloan participants be below the participating bank rate.

Benton County will support the distillery’s equipment and inventory purchases by backing the loan, she said.

Job creation was a requirement of the microloan. One full-time equivalent position is required for every $20,000 of borrowed funds, Othoudt said.

Benton County could have provided up to 35% of the project’s cost up to a maximum of $150,000.

The request from Iron Street Distillery in the amount of $145,000 represents 16% of the total project cost between Phase I and Phase II and is under the maximum threshold that is allowed by county policy.

During discussion, EDA chair Scott Johnson asked Othoudt for a current revolving loan fund balance.

“It’s just over $1 million,” Othoudt said.

Commissioner Steve Heinen asked if Benton County had previously provided Iron Street Distillery with a loan. Othoudt said the county had not done so.

The Benton Econom-

sioner Ed Popp said the loan committee provided a heavy hand when vetting the loan.

“There were a lot of questions,” he said.

“They answered everything and came back with what was needed.”

The committee recommended approval of the $145,000 loan at a 5.5% interest rate on a ve-year term with the 25-year amortization.

Iron Street Distillery’s majority investor John Martens attended the Nov. 7 EDA meeting.

“Thank you for supporting us,” Martens said.

“It’s been a dif cult last six months with area road construction, and we’ve had to cut staff. We’ve brought them all back now, and we are building back up. We are planning for continued growth, and we need more staff. We will keep working toward that.”

Martens said the upstairs wedding and event center in the building has been completely redone.

“That building really has strong bones,” he said. “I always joke if there’s a tornado, that building will remain standing. It’s been a fun ride. We just started product distribution around the St. Cloud area.”

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2023| Page 11

NEWS

Online shopping safety In the nal months of gitimate, nd a way to every year, many seasons contact the sender withhappen at once. In the out using any links in the world of sports, baseball email. Virtually all retailis crowning their champiers, shippers and banks on, football is approachhave either a website or ing mid-year, while basapp in our modern world. ketball and hockey teams Use these resources to are just starting out. For reach out to the alleged others, pumpkin spice is KEEPING BENTON sender to inquire if there giving way to turkey and truly is an issue.

COUNTY SAFE cranberries all while holOnline fraud season SHERIFF TROY HECK iday shopping overshadis in full swing this time ows everything. of year. Criminals routinely set up As Halloween fades behind us, fake websites or bogus retail outlets retailers work hard to focus attention on social media, hoping to defraud on the holiday shopping season. With people who come across their paths. more people doing their shopping on- Deals that seem too good to be true, line every year, we see new seasons of usually are. Be alert if you nd one of criminal activity appearing. these retailers offering merchandise The rst is phishing season. No, at drastically discounted prices. In the I’m not talking about catching fall best-case scenario, you’ll end up with walleyes. a cheap knock-off version of the merAs more people embrace online chandise you were promised. In the shopping, phishing attacks aimed at worst-case scenario, no merchandise stealing your personal or nancial in- will be sent your way as the criminal formation become more of a concern. and their online store disappear into Criminals know more and more peo- the dark corners of the internet with ple are utilizing and depending upon your money and nancial information. online retailers to nd that perfect Other red ags to watch for inholiday gift or can’t miss sale. clude requirements that payment be Emails warning of a suspension made in gift cards, cryptocurrency or to your Amazon account, a delay wire transfers. These payment methin shipping for your packages or an ods are generally not trackable and issue with your bank account are all offer the consumer no protection or designed to catch a consumer’s atten- hope of getting reimbursed. Using a tion and hook you into clicking on the credit card or secured payment system links within the email. (like PayPal, Venmo or Apple Pay) Always treat unexpected emails provide consumers with fraud protecand text messages with a healthy tion and the ability to get reimbursed dose of skepticism and mistrust, just if a seller turns out to be less than replike that lime gelatin dish with the utable. Sticking with reputable online fruit in it your Aunt Beatrice brings retailers who provide contact informato Thanksgiving. If you believe the tion and dispute resolution policies is email or text message could be lealways advisable.

As delivery trucks circulate through our neighborhoods, porch pirates be setting sail. As the pirates troll past homes, unattended packages are their intended target. Your best defense against these opportunistic criminals is to keep packages out of sight. Ideally, schedule delivery when you’ll be home. If that isn’t possible, consider a delivery to your workplace or coordinating with trusted neighbors or family members who can be home when packages are delivered.

If the package must be delivered to an empty home, many shippers allow customers to include delivery instructions for their package. Designate an out-of-sight location at your home, such as behind a privacy fence or inside a shed, and request the package be placed there rather than out in the open.

For those professional online shoppers, a quick search will offer a variety of package lockers at reasonable prices that would serve to keep packages hidden away. If you happen to catch a glimpse of a suspected porch pirate sailing on your block, report this suspicious activity right away to your local law enforcement.

Regardless of what season you are in, we hope that these tips will help keep you from being a victim.

For more crime prevention information and safety information visit the Benton County Sheriff’s Of ce website at www.co.benton.mn.us/211/ crime-prevention.

You can also like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter at @BentonMNSheriff for regular updates and crime prevention messages.

POLICE ACTIVITY REPORT O C T. 3 0 T O N O V. 5 Sauk Rapids Police Department Nov. 1 3:09 p.m. — A caller on the 1200 block of First Avenue North reported being harassed by a neighbor that had previously called in for a noise violation.

Law enforcement explained to the woman to block the phone number in which the harassment was coming from and that the property management company is responsible for enforcing the property rules. The woman understood.

Nov. 3, 7:37 p.m. — A vehicle was observed taking too sharp of a turn into oncoming traf c on First Avenue North and 10th Street. The driver then backed up in the middle of the intersection to correct themselves. The vehicle was stopped, and the driver showed no signs of impairment.

The driver was a meal delivery employee, and told police he was not paying attention to the road.

Nov. 4, 1:33 p.m. — A female caller reported her Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program card had been used in Hopkins. The caller said she has not been to Hopkins and the card is still in her possession. The woman was advised to call the Hopkins Police Department.

Incidents: Administrative citations (winter parking violations) 35, medical calls 30, traf c stops 18, miscellaneous calls 17, police proactive visits 11, assists 9, suspicious activity reports 7, disturbances 6, human services reports 6, Toward Zero Deaths calls 6, animal calls 4, child calls 4, missing persons 4, welfare checks 4, agency assists 3, alarms 3, civil complaints 3, permits 3, traf c accidents 3, driving calls 2, domestic calls 2, fraud calls 2, property calls 2, thefts 2, tows 2, vehicle calls 2 and warrants 2.

NEWS BRIEFS 18, at St. Mary’s Cathedral in St. Cloud.

Five community choirs will participate in the concert, including the AtoneST. CLOUD – Catholic Charities ment Lutheran Choir, Central Minnesota Emergency Services Food Shelf is hosting its rst Spice Drive to help meet Saints, Cold Spring Area Maennerchor, customers’ needs for more avorful food Minnesota Center Chorale and the St. John’s Boys’ Choir. during the holiday season.

The concert, sponsored by St. The event is co-sponsored by St. Mary’s Cathedral and The Church of Cloud Financial Credit Union and donaJesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, celetions of unopened, new dried herbs and brates the season of Thanksgiving with spices can be delivered to one of three branch locations in Sartell, Sauk Rapids choral music while supporting members and St. Cloud, beginning Monday, Nov. of the community who are experiencing food insecurity.

13, through Saturday, Nov. 18.

Eric Vollen, Catholic Charities Food lled with avor can make the Emergency Services program manager, holidays healthy and delicious. Give the is also music minister at Atonement gift of dried herbs and spices and help Lutheran Church, where he directs the Catholic Charities Food Shelf maintain Atonement Lutheran Choir. cultural identity and family traditions, “This concert is special to me as it encourage creative and nutritious cookcombines two of my passions: raising ing, and promote the abundant cultural awareness and support of our neighmakeup of central Minnesota. bors experiencing food insecurity and “Herbs and spices are just as creating and sharing beautiful music that essential to well-being as cans of beans nourishes the souls of all in our commuor boxes of pasta,” said Eric Vollen, nity.” emergency services program manager There is no xed price for admisat Catholic Charities. “And it’s hard to sion; rather, the audience is invited to cook a tasty meal without them. This bring nonperishable food items or moneholiday season, we’re asking the comtary donations, of any amount, to support munity to give the gift of avor.”

Catholic Charities Food Shelf.

Those in need of food assistance should visit ccstcloud.org/food-services.

Spice drive adds to avorful holiday season

Community choral concert bene ts food shelf

Volunteers needed for food-packaging event

ST. CLOUD – Kids Fighting Hunger announces its 11th We Are ST. CLOUD — The 2023 Come, Thankful community-wide food Thou Fount of Every Blessing community choral concert, with a food and fund packaging event with a collection of drive bene ting Catholic Charities Emer- nonperishable food items Sunday, gency Services Food Shelf of St. Cloud Nov. 19, at St. Cloud River’s Edge will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. Convention Center.

Designed to give central Minnesotans the opportunity to help provide food to children, adults and families, 450 volunteers are needed to package more than 90,000 oatmeal and rice meals for 11 area food shelves, including Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf in St. Cloud. The event also bene ts food shelves in Albany, Big Lake, Buffalo, Cold Spring, Elk River, Monticello, St. Joseph and Zimmerman.

Food-packaging shifts are approximately 75 minutes and begin at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. To volunteer for the event and to register, visit getconnected.unitedwayhelps.org/event.

Last year, We Are Thankful packaged 140,000 meals, meeting the pre-order request of 110,000 meals from participating food shelves.

In 2023, food shelves have requested 100,000 meals, which includes 10,000 boxes of macaroni and cheese donated

by Coborn’s. Any additional meals are distributed to a global community in need.

For more information, visit facebook.com/kids ghtinghunger.

Arts board seeks applicants FOLEY — The Central Minnesota Arts Board is accepting applications for an open position on its board of directors.

CMAB invests in arts throughout Benton, Sherburne, Stearns and Wright counties. Its main of ce is located in Foley.

The organization is encouraging people from diverse communities or backgrounds to apply to help CMAB better represent the vibrant communities

of the region.

Board members must live in one of the four counties served and commit to eight board meetings throughout a year.

Board members receive a stipend for their service.

People may learn more at centralmnasrtsboard.org/opportunities or contact Leslie LeCuyer, CMAB executive director, at 320-968-4290.

State ag, seal designs available for public viewing.

ST. PAUL — What do Minnesotans think the next state ag and seal should look like?

The public is now invited to see for themselves.

More than 2,600 designs were submitted to the State Emblems Redesign Commission during a one-month period.

Qualifying submissions are now available online at serc.mnhs.org/ ags and serc.mnhs.org/seals.

Later this month, the commission will select ve submissions for each the new state seal and state ag. The Commission will select one design (or a modi ed version) to be utilized as the basis for each emblem.

The State Emblems Redesign Commission was established in the 2023 legislative session to develop and adopt a new design for the of cial state seal and a new design for the of cial state ag no later than Jan. 1, 2024.

As outlined in state legislation, the Minnesota Historical Society is providing administrative support to the State Emblems Redesign Commission.

Page 12 | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2023 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2023 | Page 13

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Page 16 | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2023 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD PROBATE NOTICE STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF STEARNS SEVENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT DISTRICT COURT PROBATE DIVISION Court File No: 73-PR-23-7132 NOTICE OF INFORMAL APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS (INTESTATE) Estate of Krista R. Christianson, aka Krista Rhea Christianson, Decedent.

Notice is given that an application for informal appointment of personal representative has been led with the Registrar. No will has been presented for probate.

The application has been granted.

Notice is also given that the Registrar has informally appointed Richard O. Christianson, whose address is 485 Limestone Court, Eyota, Minnesota, 55934, as personal representative of the Estate of the Decedent.

Any heir or other interested person may be entitled to appointment as personal representative or may object to the appointment of the personal representative.

Unless objections are led with the Court (pursuant to Minnesota Statutes section 524.3-607) and the Court

otherwise orders, the personal representative has full power to administer the Estate including, after 30 days from the date of issuance of letters, the power to sell, encumber, lease or distribute real estate.

Any objections to the appointment of the Personal Representative must be led with this Court and will be heard by the Court after the ling of an appropriate petition and proper notice of hearing.

Notice is also given that (subject to Minnesota Statutes section 524.3-801) all creditors having claims against the Estate are required to present the claims to the personal representative or to the Court Administrator within four months after the date of this Notice or the claims will be barred.

Dated: 10-20-2023 /s/ Gina DeVilbiss-Hendry Registrar Dated: 10-20-2023 /s/ George Lock Court Administrator Attorney for Personal Representative Jennifer A. Gumbel Wagner Oehler, LTD. 1801 Greenview Drive SW Rochester, MN, 55904 Attorney License No: 0387724 Telephone: (507) 288-5567 FAX: (507) 288-5589 Email: jennifer.gumbel@ wagnerlegalmn.com R-44-2B

BENTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 17, 2023 The Benton County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on October 17, 2023, in the Benton County Board Room in Foley, MN. Call to order by Chair Scott Johnson was at 9:00 AM followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the ag. A roll call showed Commissioners Steve Heinen, Scott Johnson, and Ed Popp present. Commissioner Jared Gapinski was absent. Chair Johnson noted Gapinski’s absence excused.

Commissioner Beth Schlangen was present at 9:02 AM. Motion by Popp and seconded by Heinen to approve the agenda as written. Motion carried unanimously.

There was no one present to speak under Open Forum.

Motion by Heinen and seconded by Popp to approve Consent Agenda items 1 – 2: 1) approve the Regular Board Meeting Minutes of October 3, 2023 and authorize the Chair to sign; 2) approve the Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes of September 26, 2023 and authorize the Chair to sign.

Motion carried unanimously.

Next was the Employee Recognition of Mental Health Social Workers Dustin Johnson, Victoria Blonigen, Alyssa Fennell and Hannah Hinnenkamp as our 2nd Quarter nominees and winners in the category of “Customer Service”. Social Services Supervisor Nikki Knowles spoke on the recipient’s behalf.

Next, County Administrator Montgomery Headley requested that the County Board consider the County Attorney review of state grant agreements. The County has numerous grant agreements with the State of MN, primarily Human Services. Many are long-standing grant agreements that fund county programs. To help the County Attorney’s Of ce focus limited staff resources on new agreements, Headley recommends that Departments be allowed to forgo County Attorney review on State grant agreements that are renewals with no changes in terms and conditions (although the dollar amount of the grant may change). Headley has conferred with the County Attorney’s Of ce, which concurs with this recommended change. If this change is adopted, Departments would be requested to begin using the revised agenda item request form. Motion by Heinen and seconded by Popp to allow the County Departments to forgo County Attorney review of State grant agreement renewals with no changes in terms and conditions. Motion carried unanimously.

Next, Board members reported on recent meetings they attended on behalf of Benton County.

Next on the Agenda was to consider a resolution to vacate control of access on A and G Addition plat. County Engineer Chris Byrd shared that A and G Addition plat was approved by the County Board in 2021. This was a 1 lot plat and Lot 1 of Block 1 had access control along CSAH 13 road frontage. However, a new owner purchased Lot 1 in January of 2022. They applied for and were granted an access permit to widen an existing driveway at the west property corner which

PUBLIC NOTICES NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE

THE RIGHT TO VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT AND IDENTITY OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY LAW IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS ACTION. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that default has occurred in conditions of the following described mortgage: DATE OF MORTGAGE: September 9, 2011 MORTGAGOR: Thomas Kolbo, a single adult.

M O RT G A G E E : Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. as nominee for Liberty Savings Bank its successors and assigns.

DATE AND PLACE OF RECORDING: Recorded September 21, 2011 Benton County Recorder, Document No. 383861.

ASSIGNMENTS OF MORTGAGE: Assigned to: JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association. Dated December 17, 2015 Recorded December 23, 2015, as Document No. A413639.

And thereafter assigned to: Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC. Dated October 9, 2019 Recorded October 15, 2019, as Document No. A438849.

TRANSACTION AGENT: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. TRANSACTION AGENT’S MORTGAGE I D E N T I F I C AT I O N NUMBER ON MORTGAGE:

1003624-1045299240-8 LENDER OR BROKER AND MORTGAGE ORIGINATOR STATED ON MORTGAGE: Liberty Savings Bank RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE SERVICER: LoanCare, LLC M O R T G A G E D PROPERTY ADDRESS: 909 7th Street Northeast, Rice, MN 56367 TAX PARCEL I.D. #: 150066600 LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY: Lot 16, Block 2, Fox Meadows, Benton County, Minnesota.

COUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED: Benton ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE: $161,658.00 AMOUNT DUE AND CLAIMED TO BE DUE AS OF DATE OF NOTICE, INCLUDING TAXES, IF ANY, PAID

BY MORTGAGEE: $125,602.93 That prior to the commencement of this mortgage foreclosure proceeding Mortgagee/ Assignee of Mortgagee complied with all notice requirements as required by statute; That no action or proceeding has been instituted at law or otherwise to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof; PURSUANT to the power of sale contained in

is the platted location. The new and current owner widened the driveway excessively and inappropriately. The Department was made aware by a neighborhood complaint. Assistant County Engineer Mark Loidolt has been working with the current landowner to reconstruct an appropriate driveway access to their property. The resulting compromise is to vacate a portion of the access control on the recorded plat. A resolution needs to be adopted by the County Board to amend the plat.

Byrd added that they are still waiting for the owners to sign the proposed controlled access dedication and release, and once they have signed, Byrd would like to bring this back to the next Regular Board Meeting to be adopted as a Consent Agenda item. Motion by Popp and seconded by Heinen to adopt a Resolution to vacate control of access on A and G Addition plat pending the owner’s signature on the proposed controlled access dedication and release form which will be brought to the next Regular Board Meeting as a Consent Agenda item for formal adoption. Motion carried unanimously.

Next, Byrd recommended the County Board approve the Professional Services Agreement with a consultant for nal design of CSAH 29 and CSAH 1 roundabout. Benton County solicited proposals for nal engineering design and received 4 proposals from very reputable consultants. We scored the 4 proposals basing 20% of the score on Quali cations and Experience, 30% on the Project Understanding/Ability, 25% on their Work Schedule and Past performance, and 25% on the total price. We select consultants using a Best Value Alternative and not always on the lowest fee. Byrd stated that they selected Stonebrooke Engineering to provide the best overall value. They had similar number of work hours as the other consultants but did have the best overall price. Byrd stated that the contracts need to be signed and is looking for a consensus from the County Board to bring this back to the next Regular Board Meeting as a Consent Agenda item if the Board approves today. Motion by Popp and seconded by Heinen to approve the Professional and Technical Services Contract with Stonebrooke Engineering pending signage of the contract by the contractor, and to be brought to the next Regular Board Meeting as a Consent Agenda item for formal approval. Motion carried unanimously.

Next Byrd provided an Engineer’s Update on the following topics: 1) CSAH 7 reconstruction plan update; 2) CSAH 3 and CSAH 5 construction update in Gilman; 3) installation of school zone signs with lower speed limits along CR 43 north of Field House Road near Foley Public Schools; 4) CSAH 29 Corridor project update; 5) Benton County employee Terry Thorsten placed rst in the Snow-Plow Rodeo in Colorado this year. Thorsten was paired with Mitch Anderson of Chisago County where they both took rst place. All the items were for informational purposes only.

The Regular County Board meeting was recessed at 9:46 AM to conduct a Human Services Board Meeting.

The Regular Board meeting reconvened at 9:51 AM. Next on the agenda was the discussion of Benton Eco-

said mortgage, the above described property will be sold by the Sheriff of said county as follows: DATE AND TIME OF SALE: January 11, 2024 at 10:00 AM PLACE OF SALE: Benton County Sheriff’s Of ce, 581 Highway 23 Northeast Foley, MN to pay the debt then secured by said Mortgage, and taxes, if any, on said premises, and the costs and disbursements, including attorneys’ fees allowed by law subject to redemption within six (6) months from the date of said sale by the mortgagor(s), their personal representatives or assigns unless reduced to Five (5) weeks under MN Stat. §580.07.

TIME AND DATE TO VACATE PROPERTY: If the real estate is an owneroccupied, single-family dwelling, unless otherwise provided by law, the date on or before which the mortgagor(s) must vacate the property if the mortgage is not reinstated under section 580.30 or the property is not redeemed under section 580.23 is 11:59 p.m. on July 11, 2024, unless that date falls on a weekend or legal holiday, in which case it is the next weekday, and unless the redemption period is reduced to 5 weeks under MN Stat. Secs. 580.07 or 582.032.

M O RT G A G O R ( S ) RELEASED FROM FINANCIAL OBLIGATION

ON MORTGAGE: None “THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION

BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR’S P E R S O N A L R E P R E S E N TAT I V E S OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 582.032, DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED.” Dated: November 2, 2023 Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC Mortgagee/Assignee of Mortgagee LIEBO, WEINGARDEN, DOBIE & BARBEE, P.L.L.P. Attorneys for Mortgagee/ Assignee of Mortgagee 4500 Park Glen Road #300 Minneapolis, MN 55416 (952) 925-6888 100 - 23-005956 FC IN THE EVENT REQUIRED

BY FEDERAL LAW: THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. R-45-6B

nomic Partnership’s (BEP’s) administration of housing projects in Benton County. BEP may require additional resources to manage such projects. Potential sources of funds include the County’s remaining allocation of American Rescue Plan Act funds and State of MN Affordable Housing Aid ($120,480 in 2023). Popp requested the County Board consider allocating ARPA funds to help BEP hire another employee to help with the housing projects in Benton County. BEP Director Amanda Othoudt shared that their intern resigned and is looking for help with getting the housing projects on the forefront and moving forward. Othoudt’s budget is very limited at this time because of all the projects that are taking place and is asking the County Board to consider allocating ARPA funds to help with the housing projects. Othoudt shared that they have completed the housing study and are ready to move forward with this project. Headley added that we need to make sure that we are addressing housing for individuals who are at or below the income thresholds that are speci ed in the Affordable Housing law. We can use ARPA dollars for the administration of ARPA quali ed projects, which would include administrative costs for a project such as this. There was a consensus by the County Board to develop an agreement between BEP and the County Board on how to utilize the resources for quali ed housing projects. Othoudt stated they are looking at a consultant to help with staf ng and would like a long-term solution for this. Othoudt is prepared to advertise for the position. Headley advised to include BEP funds to help fund this position because the ARPA funds that would come from the County could only be used towards housing projects.

Next, Board members continued to report on recent meetings they attended on behalf of Benton County.

There were no additional comments under “Comments by Commissioners”.

Popp/Heinen to set the Committee of the Whole Meetings: Tuesday, November 7, 2023 Highway Department Concerns, Benton County Boardroom, Foley, MN, 10:30 AM or upon completion of Ditch Authority Meeting; Thursday, November 16, 2023 GSDC’s All-investors Meeting & Innovation Awards Event, Harvester Square, 539 E St Germain St, St. Cloud, MN 56304; 11:30 AM; Tuesday, December 12, 2023 nal 2024 Budget and Levy discussion, Elected Of cials salaries and proposed fee schedule changes, Benton County Boardroom, Foley, 9:00 AM; Wednesday, February 7, 2024 and Thursday, February 8, 2024 County Drainage Conference, Arrowwood Conference Center, 2100 Arrowwood Lane NW, Alexandria, MN 56308, 8:00 AM. Motion carried unanimously.

Chair Johnson adjourned the Regular Board Meeting at 10:14 AM. Scott Johnson, Chair Benton County Board of Commissioners ATTEST: Montgomery Headley Benton County Administrator R-45-1B

PUBLIC NOTICES

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2023 | Page 17

SAUK RAPIDS-RICE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 47 REGULAR SEMI-MONTHLY BOARD MEETING Y Monday, October 23, 2023 N A semi-monthly meeting of the Sauk Rapids-Rice ISD 47 Board of Education was called to order by Chair Butkowski , Monday, October 23, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. CDT in the District Of ce Boardroom.

LROLL CALL Members present included Butkowski, Holthaus, Johnson, Loidolt, and Morse. Others present were Superintendent Bergstrom, EDirector of Teaching and Learning Boser, Director of Human Resources and Administrative Services Schoenherr, Director of EBusiness Services Fiereck, SRRMS Principal Arndt, MHES Principal Peterson, and Rice Principal Bushman.

LSTUDENT RECOGNITION – MISSISSIPPI HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY DThe following fth grade students at Mississippi Heights Elementary were recognized for outstanding leadership; Isabella ABenusa, child of Amber and Benjamin Benusa; Eva Beuning, child of Stephanie Krishnon and Eric Beuning; Anne Emmel, Nchild of Cassandra and Keith Emmel; Sawyer Murphy, child of Jennifer and Shawn Murphy; Lillie Otte, child of Emilee and ,Dylan McGarthwaite, Christopher Otte, and Emily McCoy; Lucy Pence, child of Megan and Darrin Pence; and Rosalie StrasRsburg, child of Jessica Karsch-Strassburg and Emmett Strassburg.

EESTABLISHMENT OF A QUORUM Chair Butkowski asked Clerk Loidolt to af rm there was a quorum in attendance. Clerk Loidolt af rmed there was a quorum.

DAPPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA LA motion was made by Holthaus, seconded by Morse and unanimously carried, by a margin of ve, to approve the meeting’s “Agenda”.

ECONSENT AGENDA DA motion was made by Johnson, seconded by Morse and unanimously carried, by a margin of ve, to approve the meeting’s L“Consent Agenda”.

EPUBLIC INPUT There was no public input at 6:56 p.m.

ACTION ,APPROVAL OF HEALTH INSURANCE TRANSPARENCY ACT (HITA) QUOTE RECOMMENDATION CA motion as made by Johnson, seconded by Loidolt and unanimously carried, by a margin of four (Morse stepped out), to fapprove the Health Insurance quote from Blue Cross Blue Shield for health insurance services, as well as proposals for other eancillary services for the plan year beginning on January 1, 2024. ,ADOPTION OF THE MINNESOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE (MSHSL) FOUNDATION GRAND .RESOLUTION /A motion was made by Johnson, seconded by Morse and unanimously carried, by a margin of ve, to adopt the resolution for ethe MSHSL Foundation Grant. The MSHSL Foundation’s goal is to award grants that assist, recognize, promote, and fund 0extra-curricular participation by high school students in athletic and ne arts programs. The grants will be classi ed by a dis6trict’s grades 9-12 free and reduced lunch student count. The grant amount will be determined by gender balance, school size, and geographic location to the extent possible.

CAPPROVAL OF ADDITIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT SUPPORT FOR ADULT EDUCATION DA motion was made by Holthaus, seconded by Loidolt and unanimously carried, by a margin of ve to approve an additional 1.0 hour daily administrative assistant support for adult basic education. This request follows the elimination of the accountNability assistant position and is based on student enrollment. The request aligns with the District’s Strategic Commitments: THigh Student Achievement and Stewardship of Resources.

APPROVAL OF THE ADDITION OF ACTIVITY SITE HOSTS AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL A motion was made by Morse, seconded by Holthaus and unanimously carried, by a margin of ve, to approve the allocation of additional funds to the middle school activities department to add middle school activity site hosts for all middle school home contests. This additional supervision will provide a welcoming and safe environment for the participants and spectators. The request aligns with the District’s Strategic Commitments: Student and Staff Well-Being and Equitable Education.

APPROVAL OF THE INFINITY JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT A motion was made by Holthaus, seconded by Johnson and unanimously carried, by a margin of ve to approve the In nity Joint Powers Agreement establishing accredited on-line or distance learning opportunities and programs for member students who seek educational experience and credits outside the traditional learning environment. The request aligns with the District’s Strategic Commitments: Culture of High Quality and Effective Instruction, High Student Achievement and Equitable Education.

ADOPTION OF THE DONATION RESOLUTION A motion was made by Holthaus, seconded by Morse and unanimously carried, by a margin of ve, to adopt the Donation Resolution. The Minnesota School Board Association recommends the Donation Resolution be adopted in the Action area of the agenda.

ADJOURNMENT With no further business appearing before the Board, a motion was made by Johnson, seconded by Loidolt and unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting at 7:49 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Lisa Loidolt School Board Clerk Sauk Rapids-Rice ISD 47 R-45-1B

BENTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES BENTON COUNTY BOARDROOM OCTOBER 20, 2023 The Benton County Board of Commissioners met in special session on Friday, October 20, 2023, at the Benton County Boardroom in Foley, MN. Call to order by Chair Scott Johnson was at 8:30 AM followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the ag. A roll call showed Commissioners Scott Johnson, Steve Heinen, Jared Gapinski and Ed Popp present. Commissioner Beth Schlangen was absent. Commissioner Johnson noted the absence unexcused.

County Administrator Montgomery Headley requested that there not be action to conduct a closed session, consequently the following agenda item regarding discussion and possible action related to closed session is not necessary.

Next on the agenda was the discussion and possible action regarding the organizational structure of the Human Services Department. The County Board would like to explore options of having Public Health as a separate entity from Human Services. Community Health Administrator Jaclyn Lit n provided some information on the process of Public Health separating from Human Services as a stand-alone public entity. Lit n stated that we should seek council if the County Board chooses to separate Public Health from Human Services. Lit n shared that if Public Health was a stand-alone

public entity, that would allow them to work with all departments and community partners and would allow more access and interaction with the County Board. This would also ensure that Public Health is meeting the needs of our community. Lit n stated that the structure of Public Health does not affect funding. Headley added that if Public Health would be a stand-alone public entity, the department would report directly to the County Board.

There was a consensus of the County Board to have Lit n research and provide information to the County Board on the logistics of separating Public Health from Human Services and why it would be bene cial to Benton County to have Public Health be a stand-alone public entity. Motion by Heinen and seconded by Gapinski to discuss this further at a Committee of the Whole Meeting on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at 9:00 AM in the County Boardroom. Motion carried unanimously.

Chair Johnson adjourned the Special Board Meeting at 9:04 AM. Scott Johnson, Chair Benton County Board of Commissioners ATTEST: Montgomery Headley Benton County Administrator R-45-1B

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SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2023 | Page 19

PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER

Section meet

Storm senior swimmer Sam Haaf springs from the starting block as her team faced Sartell in a dual meet Oct. 12 at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School in Sauk Rapids. State meet bids will be on the line when the SRR competes in the Section 8AA meet that finishes Saturday, Nov. 11, at Brainerd High School.

next for Storm

Girls swimmers, divers in Class AA for first time

BY TOM FENTON STAFF WRITER

The Sauk Rapids-Rice girls swimming and diving team is well aware of the challenge ahead of them. The Storm know all too well if anyone is to advance to the Minnesota State High School League Class AA Girls Swimming and Diving State Meet, it is going to take a special effort.

PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER

Storm swimmer Vivian Jaschke takes a breath while gliding through the water in a dual meet Oct. 12 at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School in Sauk Rapids. Jaschke has come on strong late in the season for SRR.

Even at the Class A level, advancing individuals to state was chal-

lenging. Things certainly will not be any easier for SRR when it competes in the Section 8AA meet, which started with preliminaries Nov. 10 and concludes with swimming and diving nals at 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at Brainerd High School in Brainerd. This is the rst year the program is competing in the Class AA level.

The Storm 200-yard freestyle relay team,

along with diver Liberty Kosloski, who graduated in 2023, quali ed for state last year.

The Class AA state meet is set for Nov. 16-18 at the Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center on the University of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis.

Watch for results and photos from the section meet in the Saturday, Nov. 18, issue of the Sauk Rapids Herald.

PHOTO BY TOM FENTON

Storm senior diver Madalyn Anderson prepares for entry during a recent competition at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School in Sauk Rapids. Anderson has been part of a group of divers that have had strong seasons for SRR.

PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER

Storm swimmer Adalyn Godfrey swims the freestyle as her team faced Sartell in a dual meet Oct. 12 at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School in Sauk Rapids. The Storm compete in the Section 8AA meet that concludes Saturday, Nov. 11, at Brainerd High School in Brainerd.

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PHOTO BY TOM FENTON PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER

Storm eighth grader Kate Walz prepares to take the starting block as her team faced Sartell in a dual meet Oct. 12 at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School in Sauk Rapids.

Walz has been a key member of relay teams for SRR this season.

Storm swimmer Olivia Schaap swims the breaststroke leg of the 200-yard medley relay during a home meet this season at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School in Sauk Rapids. The Storm are expected to have several entrants in the final events at the Section 8AA meet Saturday, Nov. 11, at Brainerd High School.

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Anyone can enter except employees of this newspaper.

Contest judges are the newspaper staff.

Winners will be announced in next week’s Sauk Rapids Herald.

Entries due at office by 12 p.m. on Wednesday.

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Page 22 | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2023 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

SPORTS

Dobbs lifts Vikings Johnson leads the way to incredible win Less than ve days after being traded to the Minnesota Vikings, quarterback Josh Dobbs led his new team to a thrilling 31-28 victory in Atlanta. This was one of the most improbable performances in reSPORTS COLUMNIST cent NFL history, and

BY ANDY THAYER Vikings fans — who thought their team’s playoff chances were sunk when Kirk Cousins was lost for the season with an injury — may need to reevaluate their team’s situation.

Dobbs entered the game late in the rst quarter when starter Jaren Hall suffered a concussion after a big hit on a scramble near the Atlanta goal line. After Hall’s injury, Dobbs reportedly called an emergency huddle of his team’s offensive linemen on the Vikings sideline, so they could hear his pre-snap cadence and so he could take practice snaps from center Garrett Bradbury for the rst time. After a tough start where his rst two drives ended in a safety and lost fumble, Dobbs took off. For the game, he completed 20 of 30 passes for 158 yards and two touchdowns, rushed for 66 yards and another touchdown, and led a cold-blooded 75-yard touchdown drive to win the game in the nal two minutes.

What a performance.

Playing quarterback in the NFL is one of the most complicated and dif cult things to do in any sport. Not only is the quarterback responsible for communicating and executing play calls with extremely detailed terminology, they also need to evaluate and diagnose the defense, know the responsibilities of every offensive player, accurately distribute the football and repeatedly do it all in a deafening and high-pressure environment within the constraints of a 40-second play clock. The fact Dobbs did all those things at a high level with less than one week to prepare and after taking zero practice reps with the rst-team offense is mind-blowing.

As you may have heard (roughly 9,235 times) on the Nov. 5 broadcast, Dobbs has an aerospace engineering degree from the University of Tennessee and graduated with a 4.0 GPA. For an NFL-caliber athlete, let’s just say that’s atypical. However, it’s clear his intelligence paid huge dividends this week because I’m not sure how many NFL quarterbacks could have absorbed so much information and succeeded in that sort of situation.

A lot of credit also needs to go to head coach Kevin O’Connell, who reportedly explained every play call in detail to Dobbs through his headset in the period of time between when the team broke the huddle and when they lined up to execute the play. O’Connell clearly has an elite understanding of his team’s offense. To be able to distill the passing route concepts and blocking responsibilities for every single play to someone consistently and concisely in roughly 10 seconds is extremely impressive. O’Connell’s communication skills and leadership abilities are clearly top-notch.

If the season ended today, the 5-4 Vikings would be in the playoffs as the NFC’s seventh seed. They have won four straight games and could potentially get all-pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson back from the injured list as soon as Nov. 12. The team’s next four games are winnable matchups against the Saints, Broncos, Bears and Raiders, and the Vikings have a good chance to boost their playoff chances if they continue to play well.

Will Dobbs continue to improve as he gains familiarity with his teammates and the Vikings offense? Or was last Sunday’s emergency relief performance a magical, one-timeonly event? We’ll nd out soon.

in road rout

hurting, but we’ll lean on him here down the stretch.”

Mason City did not receive enough opportunities to claw back into the game as Granite City’s offense regularly broke into the offensive zone, set up followed six minutes later with a decent looks and red a barrage

BY EVAN MICHEALSON STAFF WRITER of shots on net. The Lumberjacks goal of his own. totaled 47 shots on the night to “We just came out on the the Toros’ 19, with 18 of Mason same page and moved our feet City’s attempts reaching the well,” Vold said. “After playing The Granite City reliable glove of Lumberjacks them so many times in the last Lumberjacks took the ice for month, you know what you need netminder Ryan Lehet. the second game of a two-game “We want to challenge the to do to be successful. Overall, it weekend series with the Mason was a good team effort to start the goalies in our league and make City Toros Nov. 4 knowing they them beat us,” Vold said. … game.” had to be better than the night “If you funnel pucks to the net Mason City buried a powerbefore. and do a good job of getting to play goal to pull within one The Lumberjacks were still the dirty areas, it usually means in the rst period, and despite reeling from a shootout loss the you’re successful. We like to outshooting the Toros 18-7, night before, a positive result outshoot everybody we play, and Granite City still led by only considering Granite City trailed we did a good job of that this one goal, a far cry from its by at least two goals for most of weekend.” desired cushion against a team the contest. With Mason City’s Ashton Ericksen and Jack of Mason City’s caliber. The Luke Robertson posting a hat Marske tallied goals in the third Lumberjacks returned from the trick, and Toros goalie Devin period to send the Lumberjacks Peck standing on his head for 48 rst intermission and stayed to a 10-4-2 record on the season consistent and on the attack. Joe saves, Granite City felt it had a through 16 games. Granite City Greniuk found the back of the lot left to prove before leaving is currently second in the West net less than two minutes into Mason City.

Division with 22 points in a fourthe second period, and Hayden The visitors channeled their team race with only seven points Johnson hustled on the open motivation into one of their separating rst and fourth. ice for a breakaway and ipped strongest wins of the season, “I believe our division is the a smooth wrist shot over the controlling the pace of play in a best in the country at our level, 6-1 victory at Mason City Arena goalie’s glove to make it 4-1 at and it shows every night,” Vold 5:12. in Mason City, Iowa. said.

Johnson was named the “It’s a team you want to beat Granite City was once again every time, and it makes it better West Division’s Player of the tested by a divisional foe in the Week, totaling ve points in when you’re in their barn,” said Willmar WarHawks Nov. 10 and the weekend series. He also D.J. Vold, associate head coach. eclipsed the 50-point mark for his will look to cool off a red-hot “We knew we were capable of Alexandria Blizzard team at 7:30 better after Friday night and came Lumberjacks career. p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at Sports “He’s going to be a big part in wanting to prove that.” of it the whole way though,” Vold Arena East in Sauk Rapids.

Granite City showcased said. “He plays the game the right its scoring skills immediately. way and knows what to expect Carson Strapon got the party as a group and an individual, and started with his fth goal of the he’s a leader on this team. If we season 4 minutes, 35 seconds Junior hockey page 24 have to go without him, we’ll be into the game. Easton Portner

Granite City splits series with Mason City

Fall 2023 sports season photos available Scan the QR code with your camera on your smartphone

Find them online at www.saukrapidsherald.com under ‘photos’

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2023| Page 23

SPORTS

Therapy on the Rice military veteran finds hope in golf-centered rehab program

BY TOM FENTON STAFF WRITER

Brian Douty remembers the date. After that, the rest is a bit fuzzy.

It was February 22, 2007. Stationed in Iraq with his unit in the U.S. Army, Douty was only feet away from an explosion caused by a 120-millimeter enemy- re mortar round that struck their base.

“I don’t honestly recall what happened after that for a good ve minutes,” Douty said. “I couldn’t tell you if I got knocked unconscious or what. I don’t know. I just I know that when I came to, I was in a bunker and then I started helping people.”

There were about 15 injuries within his unit, including one death, from the explosion. The incident happened during one of Douty’s three trips to the Middle East, which the 44-year-old Rice resident gures totaled ve-plus years of his life.

His efforts that night earned him a Purple Heart, though emotional scars remain as Douty has suffered from anxiety and depression.

Little did he know one of the best ways he has found to deal with his mental health issues is through the game of golf — which he took up as a 7-year-old while growing up in Pipestone.

Douty is one of hundreds of veterans who have bene ted from a program called PGA HOPE, or Helping Our Patriots Everywhere. The rehabilitative golf initiative for veterans and active-duty

military members is designed to help their physical, mental, social and emotional wellbeings. Douty took the sixweek program in 2021 at the University of Minnesota’s Les Bolstad Golf Course in St. Paul under the tutelage of PGA Professional Adam Tilsner, a certi ed PGA HOPE instructor.

The results, he said, have been extraordinary.

“I would say the program has allowed me to enjoy life again,” Douty said. “Not that I was in a dark spot, but when anxiety hits and you shut down, you kind of want to sit at home and hide from the world. This helped me to enjoy golf again while helping me nd ways to cope. It also has helped me connect with other veterans. It doesn’t matter the age, whether it’s a Vietnam guy or World War II guy, it’s easy to speak with another veteran about things, so the whole experience has helped my ability to get out and enjoy life.”

Military life is a family affair for the Douty crew. His father, Bob, was in active duty in the Army for eight years and has served in the Minnesota National Guard for 20-plus years. His oldest and middle brother have both put in more than 20 years in the Minnesota National Guard, and his uncle, Dean Ebsen, of Royalton, is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who also has served in Minnesota National Guard.

Douty enlisted to help pay for college, which started with two years at South Dakota State University and ended with Douty graduating with a major in environmental design from the University

links

of Minnesota Minneapolis in 2004.

“Obviously, with a team of brothers (in the service) I kind of wanted to see what it was about,” Douty said.

“Back in 1998, when there weren’t any wars going on, enlisting was about trying to get the most out of it and helping pay for college as well.

That drew me to it.”

Douty rst served overseas on a peace-keeping mission in Kosovo, followed by two more stints in Kuwait and Iraq. Though battling mental issues is constant, the experience has left him grateful for life in Rice, where he has lived with wife, Shelley, since last December after accepting a position at the St. Cloud VA Health Care System as interim director of health and administrative services.

“That incident (when injured) has made me appreciate life a lot more and the freedoms we have,” Douty said. “The 16 months I was in Iraq, to see how oppressed the people were do things because they were afraid of Saddam Hussein and his regime — it makes you appreciate what we have. It’s a different world

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SCOTT TAETSCH, PGA OF AMERICA

Brian Douty, of Rice, watches a putt head toward the hole at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland, in October.

Douty is a graduate of the PGA HOPE program, which helps active-duty and military veterans cope with physical and mental issues while learning the game of golf.

Brian Douty once you leave these borders, and the hard part is I think some people don’t fully understand that.”

Douty immediately took to the PGA HOPE program. He was selected to take part in a program along with 19 other graduates from their local PGA HOPE program to participate in what was billed National Golf & Wellness Week at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland, from Oct. 12-16. It involved ve days

of advanced golf instruction and wellness training at the prestigious golf course that has hosted several major championships.

He is thankful for the program because it restored his interest in the game after several years away, and it now serves as an important calming agent.

Douty page 24