Metro Bus is proposing replacing Route 32 with a new type of on-demand, shared-ride service within Sartell that picks up people closer to their homes and drops off closer to their destinations. It is also proposing extending Route 31 beyond Walmart to serve the clinics and businesses on Connecticut Ave. and CentraCare Health Plaza. Metro Bus designed the new on-demand
Two veteran candidates vie for Stearns sheriff
by Mike Knaak editor@thenewsleaders.com Two men, each with nearly three decades in law enforcement, are competing to be the first new sheriff elected in Stearns County in 16 years. Dave Bentrud, Waite Park police chief, and Steve Soyka, a Stearns County Sheriff’s Office sergeant, are on the ballot Nov. 6. One of them will replace Don Gudmundson who was appointed
A tour of Sartell’s dream school
by Dave DeMars news@thenewsleaders.com The first tour of the new Sartell high school started in the parking lot of Oak Ridge Elementary School and lasted about an hour. To prepare for any future tours, be sure to bring your curiosity, a sense of wonderment and a sharp imagination. Right now the school is a world of girders and beams, conduit
Sweet syrups bring sweet honors to Carlsons
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com Despite a rough winter that threatened never to end, spring and summer were sweet, sweet seasons for Shelly Carlson and her family, who live in rural St. Joseph. In spring, the sap from their maple trees was low in water content but very high in sugar density. And in summer, during the recent Minnesota State Fair,
Good news Sartell-St. Stephen school district
by Dave DeMars news@thenewsleaders.com At its regular Sept. 17 board meeting the Sartell-St. Stephen school board heard a good news report in the form of a comprehensive 2017-18 District Assessment Results. The report detailed results from the Northstar Ratings Every Student Succeeds Act, the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments and the American College Testing. The report was presented by Kay Nelson, assistant
Workers uncover mural during church renovation
by Cori Hilsgen news@thenewsleaders.com It’s always fun to uncover buried treasures, but for Andy Loso, president of the St. Joseph Historical Society, a recent discovery of a buried church mural was especially interesting. While renovating the vesting Sacristy, workers uncovered a painting that was part of the mural at the St. Joseph Catholic Church. Loso, who is the church’s
Assessment hearing set for properties along Pinecone
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com A public assessment hearing will take place starting at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 8 at Sartell City Hall for property owners proposed to be assessed along Pinecone Road N. – the stretch of that road that leads to the new high school. The area includes property in Le Sauk Township, which contains 20 parcels that would
Evergreen manager makes request at council
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com A fairly recent change in Sartell’s rental ordinance has disappointed the manager and residents of the Evergreen Village Mobile Home Park in east Sartell. Regional Property Manager Michelle Carlson spoke at the open-forum portion of the last Sartell City Council meeting. She said the revised ordinance changed the definition of manufactured-home (mobile home) housing to “single-family”