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Saturday, July 31, 2021
Same Local Coverage Since 1854.
Little Rock Lake residents Replica wall say 2019 travels to Rice drawdown was Aug. 19-22 successful BY NATASHA BARBER
Vol. 167, No. 17
The names of Vietnam heroes
Experts cites improved clarity, more habitat BY ELLARRY PRENTICE STAFF WRITER
RICE – It has been two years since the drawdown of Little Rock Lake. A six-week drawdown of the lake, Harris Channel and Sartell Pool of the Mississippi River began Aug. 1, 2019, with the intent of increasing water clarity and quality, shoreline stability, and Àsh and wildlife habitat. Water levels were receded 3 feet and remained lowered until mid-September 2019. The drawdown yielded favorable results, according to Eric Altena, Minnesota Department of Resources area Àsheries manager and Little Rock Lake resident. “Clarity has actually improved considerably,” Altena said. Little Rock Lake Association president Mary Kivi and her predecessor Kellie Gallagher agreed. “I feel that the drawdown has been a success,” said Kivi, a resident of Little Rock Lake.
STAFF WRITER
RICE – When Cora Martin set out to bring The Wall That Heals to Rice, she had one goal: Let no one forget. Martin is the daughter of the late Roger Melser, a U.S. Navy veteran who served during the Vietnam War. Melser, a native of McGregor and resident of Brainerd at the time of his death, passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2017. Martin said the cancer was due to exposure to Agent Orange, a herbicide and defoliant chemical used during the war. “My dad always told me, ‘Don’t let the kids forget what all these service-
19-22 at the Rice Elementary School, 200 N.E. Third Ave., Rice. The Wall That Heals is a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall found in Washington, D.C. The 24-panel exhibit honors the service of over 3 million Americans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during the Vietnam War and lists the names of over 58,000 men and women who lost their lives during the conÁict. The traveling memorial will make its way from Michigan for a four-day appearance in Rice before moving on to KanPHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER sas. Admission is free to Rice resident Cora Martin stands with a photo of her father, U.S. Seaman E3 Roger Melser, the memorial which will outside the American Legion Post 473 building July 27 in Rice. Martin, an Legion Auxiliary be open 24 hours around member, has helped organize the upcoming August appearance of The Wall That Heals, a the clock from noon Aug. three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall. 19 to 2 p.m. Aug. 22. iliary is helping Martin men had to go through,’” 473 since 2019. “So that’s said Martin, a resident of my mission – that nobody keep that mission alive. The Auxiliary will host Rice and member of the forgets.” Memorial page 3 Rice Legion Auxiliary Unit The Rice Legion Aux- The Wall That Heals Aug.
Rice racer chases PHOTOS BY TOM FENTON
Olympic dream
Matthew McGowan, of Rice, is one of hundreds of BMX enthusiasts to take to the track at Pineview Park BMX July 21 in St. Cloud. The track continues to gain popularity since it opened in 1999.
McGowan quickly rising up BMX ranks
BY TOM FENTON | STAFF WRITER
Rice resident Matthew McGowan, who will be a junior at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School, is rising through the ranks in BMX. McGowan started racing at Pineview Park BMX in St. Cloud when he was 12 and has made his mark at several state and national races.
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The newspaper of today is the history of tomorrow.
2 Second Ave. S., Suite 135, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
OBITUARIES • Roger L. Kantor • Joyce A. Loidolt • Sharon M. Petron • Edward Thelen
ST. CLOUD – When Matthew McGowan tuned into the BMX competition at the Tokyo Olympics July 28, it was hard for him not to think about the possibilities. As the top cyclists in the world circled the rugged track in search of a gold medal, McGowan pictured himself doing the same in the future. The Olympics are the peak of many sports, and BMX racing is no exception. Getting there is the dream for racers young and old – McGowan included. “I just want to improve every day and get faster,” said McGowan, who will be a junior at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School.
McGowan page 4
PUBLIC NOTICES • City of Sauk Rapids Ord. No. 2021-799 - pg. 12 • City of Sauk Rapids Ord. No. 2021-800 - pg. 12 • City of Sauk Rapids Annual Disclosure - pg. 11 • City of Sauk Rapids Minutes, July 12 - pg. 12 • Benton County Zoning Map Public Hearings - pg. 12 • Benton County Planning Commission Public Hearings - pg. 12 • Benton County Notice of Request for Proposals - pg. 11