by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com A music shop known as Barrett’s Music had its grand opening Nov. 9 in the building that housed for seven years a previous music shop, Riff City Guitar, at 708 Elm Street E. in St. Joseph. Barrett’s Music is owned by Sartell residents Micah and Jeanine Barrett. Long-time music enthusiasts, music teachers and musical performers, the
Ground broken for new humane society facility
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com Not to be outdone by tall people and their shovels, a black-and-white pooch named Roger dug in the dirt at the Nov. 7 groundbreaking for the Tri-County Humane Society. The crowd that gathered at the event applauded, cheered and chuckled as Roger, spurning the use of a golden shovel, used his front paws to dig, dig,
3 football greats help local cause
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com At a fundraiser dubbed Tackling Poverty, three Minnesota football greats signed autographs and mixed with a crowd the evening of Nov. 11 at the Blue Line Sports Bar & Grill in Sartell. They helped raise money for an organization called Promise Neighborhood of Central Minnesota in east St. Cloud. The organization provides remedial academic skills and
Council completes business in record-setting time
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com At its Nov. 12 meeting, the Sartell City Council set an all-time record for a short council meeting – at 7 minutes and 36 seconds. Mayor Ryan Fitzthum commented toward the end of the short meeting that “I think we’re going to set a record.” Many years ago, the council set a record with a meeting
Hats off to Franklin/Electrolux
The recent closing of the Electrolux Co. in St. Cloud was as sad as the closure of Fingerhut and the Sartell paper mill after an explosion there killed a worker and doomed the mill. Those three companies employed so many people from the greater St. Cloud area and beyond who earned good wages to support themselves and their families. Growing
‘Gary’s Players’ raises $8,700 for cancer center
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com A golf benefit in memory of Gary Primus of Sartell (“the man with the mustache”) raised $8,700, and every cent of it was given recently to the Coborn Cancer Center’s Greatest Needs Fund. Primus died Feb. 24 at home at age 63 of lung cancer eight years after his beloved wife, Terri, also died of that
Council again says no to pet chickens
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com The Oct. 14 Sartell City Council meeting once again opened with a family making a plea to keep three pet chickens, and the meeting closed with two council members vigorously opposing the request to allow chickens in the city. During the Open Forum portion of the meeting, Ryan and Molly Siemens urged the council to let
Col. Schramel shares fond Sartell memories
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com Right after Thomas Schramel graduated from Sartell High School in 1985, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, planning to serve for four years, then go to college. And that is just what he did, but little did he know at the time he would go on to serve his country in the Air Force until