by Dave DeMars news@thenewsleaders.com All photos by Dave DeMars Six months ago there were large earth-moving machines pushing mounds of dirt, loading trucks and readying the site. Today three skeleton frameworks mark the classroom portions of what will be the new high school. Behind the framework sits other enclosed portions of the school. Today is a tour of the construction
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
Sartell March for Our Lives calls for solutions
by Mike Knaak editor@thenewsleaders.com Seeking solutions to gun violence, about 300 people participated in Sartell’s March for Our Lives Saturday, March 24. The demonstration, organized by Angie Trulson of Sartell, started with a rally at Sartell City Hall before marchers traveled more than a mile to First United Methodist Church where some marchers lit candles in memory of gun violence
Y2K Lions donates 49 Easter baskets
by Cori Hilsgen news@thenewsleaders.com Many local residents received a special Easter basket from the St. Joseph Y2K Lions Club when members filled and delivered 49 baskets to children and adults with special needs who live in the area. Twelve members of the Y2K Lions gathered March 25 at the Church of St. Joseph Heritage Hall to prepare the baskets to
Everett endorsed to run against O’Driscoll
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com A St. Wendel Township woman, Heidi Everett, was endorsed last weekend by the DFL as a candidate to compete against Rep. Tim O’Driscoll (R-Sartell) for the Minnesota House District 13B seat. District 13B is an area of northwest Stearns County that includes the cities of Sartell, St. Stephen, Holdingford and Sauk Rapids, as well as the
DFL endorses Read for 13A election bid
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com Jim Read of Avon was endorsed last weekend by DFL delegates to compete for the seat in Minnesota House District 13A. That seat is currently held by Rep. Jeff Howe (R-Rockville), who was first elected in 2012 and has retained that office for three consecutive terms. Before Howe’s tenure, the House District 13A seat was held