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Same Local Coverage Since 1855.
Vol. 169, No. 35
Plans for ‘School District Academy’ announced Pilot program open to public BY TOM FENTON STAFF WRITER
The public will have several opportunities in the coming months to learn more about the inner workings of the Sauk Rapids-Rice School District. District leaders are launching a program called “School District Academy.” The program involves four informational sessions at various district buildings in an effort for the public to become more informed about what goes into operating a school district. The program was one of several discussion topics at a SRR Board of Education meeting Nov. 30 in the district of ce meeting room at SRRHS. “This will allow residents an inside look to see what the district does, not too dissimilar from the conversations we’ve had at this board table (during this meeting) so that people can start to understand the basics of how a school district works,” SRR Board of Education Director Mark Hauck said. “It helps to increase knowledge in the community, create connections with staff, administration and the school board and students.” The rst of the meetings, which are scheduled for about 90 minutes each, is Wednesday, Jan. 17. Additional sessions are scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 21, Wednesday, March 20, and Wednesday, April 17. All meetings start at 6:30 p.m. The meetings are open to district residents 18 and older and will be limited to 15 people. Those interested can apply online on the board of education page on the district website at isd47. org or by calling the district of ce to receive a paper application.
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Sauk Rapids neighbors love
local holiday parade Duo spearhead ‘Jingle & Mingle’ float development BY TIM HENNAGIR STAFF WRITER
Mary Buhs and Pat Walz are longtime Sauk Rapids neighbors and holiday parade oat creative masterminds. Their artistic interaction has been forged over 30 years of living next to each other and 20 years as walking partners. There’s been plenty of laughter and holiday good times shared along the way. Each year, the duo’s labor of love produces festive entries for the community’s Jingle & Mingle Lighted Parade. “I usually come up with the PHOTO BY TIM HENNAGIR theme in January or February,” Mary Buhs (from left) and Pat Walz hold up six rolls of colored holiday lights Nov. 29 in Buhs said.
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Sauk Rapids. The duo’s labor of love produces Rock Creek Coffeehouse festive parade entries for the community’s Jingle & Mingle Lighted Parade.
Heavy-duty farewell offered to towing company titan Sauk Rapids, industry pay tribute to Hovanes BY TIM HENNAGIR STAFF WRITER
Andrew “Andy” Hovanes’ nal ride in a towing rig through Sauk Rapids was a memorable one. His casket was carried to its nal resting place on the back of a atbed truck Monday afternoon. That truck was followed by a long line of big rigs representing towing companies from near and far. Hovanes, 81, was a lifelong resident of Sauk Rapids and a member of the Sauk Rapids Fire Department from 1963 to 2001. He worked his PHOTO BY TIM HENNAGIR Modern heavy-duty towing rigs flank a restored replica 1937 Chevrolet wrecker way through the leadership ranks, at Sauk Rapids Sacred Heart Catholic Church Nov. 27 in honor of Andrew “Andy” serving as chief for 12 years. Hovanes, a lifetime community resident and one of the former co-owners of Andy’s Towing, of St. Cloud. Steve Hovanes estimated 125 trucks were parked at the church and on surrounding streets prior to his brother Andy’s morning burial mass.
PUBLIC NOTICES
The newspaper of today is the history of tomorrow.
• Mortgage Foreclosure - pg. 7B • Sauk Rapids-Rice School Ad for Bids (2) - pg. 11 • City of Sauk Rapids Notice of Hearing on Improvement - pg. 11 • Probate Notice - Tollefson - pg. 7B • Benton County Board of Commissioners Public Hearing - pg. 7B
• City of Sauk Rapids Reg. Meeting Minutes, Nov. 13 - pg. 11 • City of Sauk Rapids Ord. No. 2023-817 - pg. 11 • Benton County Planning Commission Public Hearings - pg. 7B • Mayhew Lake Township Meeting Notice - pg. 7B
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OBITUARY Karen Rudy
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