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Rice to plan for new tanker truck
2 Second Ave. S., Suite 135, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
Thanks, gratitude
for a healthy new heart
Council gives blessing for fire department committee
Hogensons home for holiday after 13-year old receives transplant
BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
BY TIM HENNAGIR STAFF WRITER
Rice Fire Chief Scott Janski wants to plan for the future. Janski approached the Rice City Council Nov. 6 to ask for support of a new re truck. He would like to make plans to replace the city’s nearly 30-year-old Unit No. 8, a water tanker. “It’s to the point where we’re going to put a lot of money into it, or we’re going to just have to look at replacing it,” Janski said. “Given its age and the new NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency) requirements for vehicles, I would recommend we just start looking at replacing it.” Janski said re units are taking about two years to construct from the time an order is placed. He asked the council if he could form a committee to begin researching vehicle speci cations and corresponding equipment. “There are some funds available for us that we’ve been setting aside, and I’d like to move forward,” said Janski after explaining that new tires for a different truck cost the department about $8,000.
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Vol. 169, No. 33
Blake Hogenson is a thumbs up kind of guy. That kind of optimism has been important his entire life. This Thanksgiving contains a cornucopia of gratitude for Blake and his family. Next Thursday, the Sauk Rapids 13-year-old will celebrate the holiday with a new heart after completing months of recovery. A year ago, Blake was at a Mayo Clinic transplant status had hospital in Rochester been upgraded, reprewith his mom, Cynthia, senting a key step in when he learned his
PHOTO BY TIM HENNAGIR
Cynthia Hogenson (from left), Blake Hogenson and Erik Hogenson are thankful to be together in their home Nov. 11 in Sauk Rapids. Cynthia and Blake celebrated Thanksgiving in the hospital in 2022, and will join their family in Central Minnesota this year after Blake’s successful heart transplant.
his lifetime journey to a healthy heart.
Hogenson page 7
Volunteers ring in Red Kettle Campaign Kickoff ‘Cowboy Santa’ visits Sauk Rapids BY TIM HENNAGIR STAFF WRITER
The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign kicked off in a big way Nov. 10 at Coborn’s in Sauk Rapids. A giant version of the non-pro t’s holiday collection kettle lit the way with ashing white and red lights
Rice council page 4
The community event was co-sponsored by the Sauk Rapids of ce of Primerica Financial Services and Leighton Broadcasting’s Lite 99.9. Coffee, hot chocolate and cookies were shared outdoors. This is the second year Primerica Financial Services has served as the event’s lead sponsor and organizer. St. Cloud resident Bruce Hillier rounded up donations by dressing up as a bell-ringing Cowboy Santa.
Salvation Army page 3 PHOTO BY TIM HENNAGIR
St. Cloud resident Bruce Hillier gets ready to round up donations Nov. 10 during the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Kickoff at the Sauk Rapids Coborn’s by dressing up as a bellringing Cowboy Santa. Hillier said he has different Cowboy Santa outfits he wears during his November and December bell-ringing shifts.
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PUBLIC NOTICES • Mortgage Foreclosures (2) - pg. 6B • Notice to Residents of Benton County - pg. 11 • City of Sauk Rapids Reg. Minutes, Oct. 23 - pg. 11 • City of Sauk Rapids Public Hearing - pg. 11 • City of Sauk Rapids Summary of Ord. No. 2023-816 - pg. 11
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