by Mike Knaak editor@thenewsleaders.com The latest Covid-19 case numbers have not dropped enough to allow Sartell-St. Stephen schools to change plans for reopening schools, Superintendent Jeff Schwiebert said Thursday, Aug. 27. When classes begin Sept. 8, pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade students will attend in person while students in grades six through 12 will follow a hybrid model, alternating in-person instruction with
Ritter defends city/private plans for athletic complex
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com Feedback by some Sartell residents about the city helping fund the Scheels Athletic Complex is unfair and unfounded, said Chad Ritter, president of the Sartell Youth Recreation Center. Ritter spoke to the Sartell City Council meeting during the public forum portion of the Aug. 10 meeting. Some critics of the city-private funding plan to build the
City plans public hearing for sale proposal
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleadersc.com A proposal to take bids for the sale of city property will be the subject of a public hearing before the St. Joseph City Council at one of its September meetings. The date will be announced soon. The council has been considering selling the St. Joseph Community Center building (formerly Kennedy Elementary School). The city is
Newly remodeled school ready for middle school students
by Mike Knaak editor@thenewsleaders.com The year-long remodeling of the former high school for Sartell Middle School students is done. The remodeled 1993 building will serve about 950 students in grades six through eight. “We’re excited to get everybody back in the building,” Principal Laura Arndt said. An in-person open house will be from noon-6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2. Families will
Women of Today rock
photo by Carolyn BertschCamden DeWeese, 4, of St. Joseph, happily paints his rock a shade of blue at the Aug. 17 Women of Today rock painting event at Melody Park in St. Joseph. photo by Carolyn BertschIdeas are shared by artists at the Aug. 17 Women of Today rock painting event at Melody Park in St. Joseph. They are (left
Produce stand offers free fresh vegetables
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com Free fresh vegetables are being offered for people in need, thanks to a partnership between the Sartell Community Garden members and the Celebration Lutheran Church’s Free Community Store. Gardeners are donating fresh-harvested vegetables to the church, which places them on a display stand on the church grounds at 1500 Pinecone Road N. People who need fresh
Humane Society’s new home is the cat’s meow
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com Its first home was a repurposed old gas station that sometimes flooded with rain. But now – nearly a half century later – the Tri-County Humane Society has just moved into its third home – a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility. The old gas-station locale, on Lincoln Avenue in east St. Cloud, was just a stone’s throw to
Sartell schools will open with a mix of in-person, hybrid classes
by Mike Knaak editor@ethenewsleaders.com Sartell-St. Stephen schools will open the year with a mix of in-person and hybrid learning, unless updated numbers available on Aug. 27 show a drop in Covid-19 cases. As of now, pre-kindergarten through fifth grade will open the year with in-person education while sixth- through 12th-graders will follow a hybrid schedule. The decision is based on