The Sartell-St. Stephen school district invites the community members to attend events throughout the week of Sept. 9 to celebrate the grand opening of the new Sartell High School. The week culminates with a ribbon cutting, dedication, and community tours of the new building on Saturday, Sept. 14. The Grand Opening Community Celebration week includes several sporting events and kicks
River, lake drawdown underway
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com The long-anticipated drawdown has finally begun. The Mississippi River north of Sartell and Little Rock Lake near Rice are now 3 feet lower than they were July 31. At midnight Aug. 1, the Sartell hydroelectric dam was opened gradually to let massive amounts of water flow down river, lowering the water levels in the lake and
Ambuehl ‘super excited’ about new job
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com Kris Ambuehl, the newly hired city administrator for St. Joseph, said he is “super excited” to start his new job for a number of reasons. Ambuehl, 42, will begin his first day Monday, Aug. 12. In an interview, he said he is happy that his job in St. Joseph will be closer
Volunteers plant 50,000 shoreline aquatics
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com Saturday, Aug. 3 was a hot and muggy morning at Benton Beach Park at the north side of Little Rock Lake but despite the humid heat, tight teamwork triumphed. Dozens of volunteers hand-planted aquatic plants into the mucky mudflats at the edge of the lake, an area that has been exposed by the river-lake drawdown. The
300 bicyclists heading to St. Joseph
by Mike Knaak editor@thenewsleaders.com This year’s Bicycling Around Minnesota Tour starts and ends in St. Joseph with 300 riders arriving on Wednesday, Aug. 14, before hitting the trail the next morning on the four-day ride. They will return on Sunday, Aug. 18. The riders and support personnel will set up camp behind the Government Center. The BAM 2019 loop includes
Residents celebrate National Night Out
photo by Carolyn BertschJayden Grittner, 6, throws a bean bag with gusto Aug. 6 as his grandfather, Arnie Hiemenz, cheers him on during the National Night Out event in St. Stephen. This year the St. Stephen Lions Club helped sponsor the event, which took place at a new location, Upper Smoley Field. photo by Carolyn BertschGavin Mark Schaefer, 9, explores
Schultz recognized for statewide service
St. Joseph Mayor Rick Schultz was recognized by the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities July 25 during the coalition’s three-day summer conference in Bemidji for his excellence in service to Greater Minnesota. The Excellence in Service Award is given annually to city leaders who demonstrate knowledge, leadership and active participation in the coalition’s program areas during the past year. Schultz
Rothsteins honored for clean-water efforts
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com The Jake and Stefanie Rothstein family learned together that small everyday actions can add up to big results. The couple and their two children – Caden, 12; and Evie, 9 – were recently honored as one of five winners in the Clean Water Bingo effort. It is a program created by the Central Minnesota Water Education