by Mike Knaak editor@thenewsleaders.com Area townships conduct elections and annual meetings on Tuesday, March 13. Poll hours vary by township. There are no contested elections in any of the area townships. Brockway: Town Hall, 43710-85th Ave. 3 p.m. – 8 p.m. Both offices unopposed. Clerk: two-year term – Connie Pesta. Supervisor: three-year term – George L. Fiedler. Collegeville: Town Hall,
Meth found, arrests made in police raids
by Mike Knaak editor@thenewsleaders.com A region-wide investigation of methamphetamine sales and distribution included police action in the 100 block of Second Street South in Sartell. The Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force executed 11 search warrants at nine different locations in Sartell, Sauk Rapids, St. Cloud and Benton and Stearns counties on Feb. 28 and March 1. Officers found more
Cocoa with a Cop draws a crowd
photo by Carolyn Bertsch Ethan Rowe, 4, of Sartell, tries out the back seat of a Sartell police car Jan 20 as Reserve Officer Adam Fettig stands by. The police car was inside the Waters Church in Sartell for all to explore during the first "Cocoa with a Cop" event. photo by Carolyn BertschWednesday Karsky, 6, of Sartell, enjoys her
CSB/SJU to host traveling Arab Film Fest
by Vicki Ikeogu news@thenewsleaders.com Hundreds of film lovers and critics from around the Midwest – and the country – gather every fall in Twin Cities to partake in the annual Twin Cities Arab Film Fest. Sponsored by Mizna, a non-profit organization founded in 1999 to promote Arab-American culture, the film festival showcases both international and domestically made films highlighting the
Stearns County warns about pushing snow on roads
The Stearns County Highway Department warns that plowing or shoveling snow from driveways or sidewalks onto a road can get you in trouble. Plowing or shoveling snow onto roads and streets is a misdemeanor punishable with a fine of up to $700 and /or a jail sentence of up to 90 days. Snow dumped, plowed or shoveled onto a road
Community Showcase draws record crowd
by Mike Knaak editor@thenewsleaders.com In its first year at the Sartell Community Center, the Community Showcase drew a record crowd Saturday, Feb. 24. More than 1,800 attended this year’s event compared with an average of about 1,300 in past years when the showcase was staged at Sartell Middle School, according to Nikki Sweeter of the Sartell Chamber of Commerce. The
Event to help victims of sex trafficking
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com A memorial fundraiser dubbed Denim to Diamonds will raise money for Terebinth Refuge, an organization that is helping victims of sex trafficking in central Minnesota. The fundraiser will take place starting at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 10 at Grands at Mulligans’ event center in Sartell. The event will include a chicken dinner, a special children’s meal,
Be on guard against tax-refund cyber-crooks
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com As tax season gets busier, cyber-criminals get busier, too, working their identity-theft scams to get people’s tax-refund money. Local law enforcement is warning people to be alert to the latest tax scam. The first sign something crooked is happening is when surprised taxpayers notice a tax-refund amount in their bank balances, usually one they didn’t even