Mary E. Simon, 75 Jan. 3, 1945-Sept. 25, 2020 St. Joseph Mary Simon, 75, who died Sept. 25 at her home in St. Joseph. Private graveside services will be Wednesday, Sept. 30, at North Star Cemetery in St. Cloud. Public visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, at Williams Dingmann Funeral Home in St Cloud. Survivors include the

by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com Two women – one incumbent and a newcomer – are competing to represent the residents of Minnesota House District 13A starting in January of next year. That seat will be determined in the Nov. 3 general election. The two candidates are incumbent Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring) and Katy Westlund (DFL-Paynesville). District 13A includes the cities of

by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com Many of the residents of the Huntington neighborhood residents in Sartell spoke up to share their concerns about a major new zoning plan at the Sept. 14 City Council meeting. “Huntington,” as it’s known, is a residential area in south central Sartell, east of Pinecone Road, connected to roadways such as Heritage Drive and Roberts Road.

Sartell Lions have rescheduled their annual spring cleanup for 8 a.m. – noon on Saturday, Sept. 19, at Riverview Intermediate School parking lot. The fundraiser was postponed last spring during the initial Covid-19 stay-at-home order. The following health precautions will be taken during the event: All customers remain in their vehicle; workers will be masked and gloved; no change given

by Mike Knaak editor@thenewsleaders.com Absentee voting begins Sept. 18 for the Nov. 3 general election. Because of the current pandemic, residents who wish to vote by absentee are encouraged to request an absentee ballot online at mnvotes.org, according to the Stearns County Auditor-Treasurer’s Office. To vote absentee by mail: Voters apply for an absentee ballot online at mnvotes.org or contact

by Mike Knaak editor@thenewsleaders.com Therese Haffner is St. Joseph’s new city administrator after the City Council approved her appointment at its Sept. 8 meeting. She replaces Kris Ambuehl who resigned to take a position in the private sector. Haffner has served as the city’s Community Development director for four-and-a-half years and she served as interim city administrator while a search

by Mike Knaak editor@thenewsleaders.com The final numbers aren’t set yet, but St. Joseph residents could see a decrease in their property tax bills next year. Finance Director Lori Bartlett updated City Council members on preparations for the 2021 city budget at the Sept. 8 meeting. The council needs to set a preliminary levy by Sept. 30. Uncertainty over the impact