by Mike Knaak editor@thenewsleaders.com The constant thump, thump, thump of tires crossing cracks felt by drivers on CR 75 will end after a massive resurfacing project scheduled this summer. Plans call for a new road surface as well as safety and drainage improvements from just west of St. Joseph at the Interstate Highway 94 split through the city to the
St. Joseph adds five new police reserves
by Mike Knaak editor@thenewsleaders.com Mayor Rick Schultz swore in five new police reserve officers at the Monday, April 2 City Council meeting. The five join nine full-time officers including Chief Joel Klein and one part-time officer. There are nine reserve officers. The new reserve officers are: David Sweeter, a photographer; Madison Honer, a law-enforcement student at Alexandria Technical & Community
Sartell student wins photo award
by Mike Knaak editor@thenewsleaders.com Sartell High School senior Hannah Bous was selected as a finalist in the 38th annual Photographer’s Forum’s College & High School Photography Contest. Her photo, taken at the Sartell-St. Stephen school district’s homecoming parade, was selected out of 12,000 photographs from students around the world. Bous is a teaching assistant for photography teacher Angela Heckman and
St. Joseph survey results earn $950
by Mike Knaak editor@thenewsleaders.com The St. Joseph treasury is $950 richer thanks to the city’s participation in a state program to measure how residents rate their local government. Minnesota’s Legislature created the Council on Local Results and Innovation in 2010. The council set 10 performance standards for cities and counties to help local government measure residents’ opinions. Participating governments collect
April 6 Joe Town Vibe: St. Joseph – unlike other suburbs
Note to our readers: This column is part of a series from a blog recently started by a loosely knit independent group of area business people and residents who love and want to promote the energy and enthusiasm of downtown St. Joseph: The Joe Town Vibe. To find the column online or to read web-exclusive blogs posted every Tuesday please visit
There’s really no way to save daylight
After long, dark winters, the time to “spring forward” marks the symbolic beginning of summer. We look forward to long summer evenings enjoying outdoor recreation until well after 9 p.m. As we enter April with golf courses and softball fields covered by snow and with the outdoor temperature more appropriate for downhill skiing than water skiing, the March 11 switch
How to get around a roundabout argument
Religion and politics. Those are two topics that should never be discussed if you want to keep a conversation friendly and flowing. By bringing up one of those topics, you’ll find everyone has deeply held opinions they will gladly and enthusiastically share. I’d like to add roundabouts to that list of hot topics. The Newsleader staff meets on Friday mornings
Resident urges city to plow walking, biking paths
Bob Ringstrom, St. Joseph We should be able to start using the walking and biking paths in St Joseph any day now. Maybe in two to four weeks? The snow should melt by then. We can look forward to maybe six months of clear walking paths before the white stuff returns. But the question remains: why does snowfall have to