by Mike Knaak editor@thenewsleaders.com A vote on the Sartell-St. Stephen school district’s operating levy is being presented as a choice between raising new revenue or making additional cuts in the programs, services and building maintenance. The operating levy, which will raise $1.7 million for 10 years, is on a Nov. 5 special- election ballot. A year ago, district voters rejected
St. Joseph ranks high as a safe place to live
by Mike Knaak editor@thenewsleaders.com St. Joseph residents should sleep well tonight. The city has been ranked as one of Minnesota’s safest places to live. Behind No. 1 safe city Big Lake, St. Joseph ranked eighth, according to a study conducted by Security Baron, a company that specializes in home and cybersecurity issues. The rankings are based on FBI data for
Murray qualifies for prestigious Ironman Kona
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com Forget the champagne and the celebratory hoopla. After Judy Januschka Murray of Sartell finished the Ironman triathlon at Cambridge, Maryland, she was too tired to celebrate. Exhausted but happy, she walked across the red carpet at the finish line. “I was smiling,” she said. “Hugely.” And Murray, 60, had good reason to smile. She had finished
Burnin’ rubber at open house
photo by Carolyn BertschGrace Johnson, 7, of Sartell holds on while her younger brother Gavin, 4, pretends to race off in a firetruck to battle flames Oct. 10 at the Sartell Fire Department Open House.
Kindness kindles at fire department open house
photo by Carolyn BertschKyler Gallus, 6, of St. Stephen, was thinking of other children when she attended the St. Stephen Fire Department open house Oct. 12. The tot brought with her a donation of Dalmatians for the firefighters to bring comfort to little ones whose homes and lives are affected by fire.
Keller resigns as Sartell planner
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com Nate Keller, Sartell’s city planner, has resigned to take another job. The Sartell City Council accepted his resignation at the Oct. 14 council meeting and thanked him for his years of service to the city. Keller began his job for Sartell in 2014. He is the second employee of the city’s planning department to resign in
A snowy surprise
photo by Carolyn BertschJudy Stumvoll stands near her loaded trailer of snow-covered pumpkins on CR 1 in Sartell Oct. 12. The early snow surprised many residents.
Colors of kindness
photo by Carolyn BertschGood friends, Jackson Gilbert and Ruby Studer, participate in the Oct. 7 Kindness in Chalk event at Oak Ridge Elementary. The Sartell 6-year-olds, both in first grade, draw colorful pictures of rainbows and houses to bring cheer to others. photo by Carolyn BertschPine Meadow Elementary fourth-grader Mohamed Soumah, 10, of Sartell, writes an inspirational phrase with chalk