VIDEO: Sartell mayoral candidates Ryan Fitzthum and David Peterson answered questions at a forum on Oct. 11 sponsored by the Sartell Senior Connection. Fitzthum and Peterson are both current City Council members. Following an introduction, each candidate had three minutes to answer questions from the moderator and the audience. by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com One of two current Sartell City Council members
CR 29 bridge to close Oct. 1
The CR 29 bridge over the Mississippi River will close for repairs starting Thursday, Oct. 18, according to the Benton County Highway Department. Benton County officials say as temperatures fall, potentially icy conditions on the bridge could create hazardous conditions for motorists and construction workers. Traffic will be detoured onto Benton Drive to the Hyw. 15 Bridge of Hope then
Rita B. Traut, 90, Sauk Rapids formerly of Sartell
Rita B. Traut, age 90, of Sauk Rapids, formerly of Sartell, died Oct. 9 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in Sauk Rapids. Her funeral will be held at noon Friday, Oct. 12 in St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 219 Second St N., Sartell. The Rev. Timothy Baltes will officiate. Burial will take place in the parish cemetery. Friends may call after
Bungled Wetterling investigation went ‘off the rails’ from the start, sheriff says
by Mike Knaak editor@thenewsleaders.com The investigation of Jacob Wetterling’s 1989 abduction and killing “went off the rails” from the beginning and the sheriff at the time, Charlie Grafft, lost control of his investigation to the FBI in the first few weeks. That’s the judgment of current Stearns County Sheriff Don Gudmundson. Before releasing more than 47,000 documents on Thursday, Sept.
Dollars, cents and the operational levy
by Dave DeMars news@thenewsleaders.com “What we want is for people to get as informed as they can be, and then to make an informed decision,” said Superintendent Jeff Schwiebert when talking about the upcoming Levy for Learning. The Levy for Learning is basically another name for an operational levy to allow the district to keep buildings in operation. “Our position
St. Joseph council candidates answer tough questions
by Dave DeMars news@thenewsleaders.com There are three people running for election to the St. Joseph City Council in the coming Nov. 6 election. They are Dale Wick, Brian Theise and Anne Buckvold. Wick and Buckvold are both incumbents while Theisen is running for election for the first time. Wick has served for 16 years on the council. Buckvold was appointed
DeZURIK opens plant to public for 90th birthday
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com New York City would likely be a big, leaky, soggy mess of a city if it were not for the DeZURIK company in Sartell. That’s because DeZURIK manufactured to precise specifications all the valves that are used in the Big Apple’s water-distribution system. That is one of the intriguing fun facts visitors learned when DeZURIK opened
Meemken still going strong at 90
by Cori Hilsgen news@thenewsleaders.com If 70 can be considered to be the new 65, then Judy Meemken, 90, could be an example of the new 85. Meemken, who turned 90 Sept. 6, continues to stay very active with various projects she is involved with. She is a Sacristan and sings in the choir at the St. Joseph Catholic Church. Meemken