by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com Although she has lived in St. Cloud for most of her life, Evie Dingmann considers Sartell her second home – a home she learned to know door-to-door, mailbox by mailbox. After 30 years as a mail carrier for Sartell, Dingmann retired recently at age 72. “It was a great job,” she said. “I really loved it

by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com Simmering dissatisfaction with the elimination of school spring break has boiled over into a virtual protest movement among many Sartell residents. More than 150 of those concerned citizens – students and parents – attended the Sartell-St. Stephen School Board meeting last Monday and presented signed petitions with more than 300 signatures. They came to request the

by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.co Because of a sudden heart attack, Bruce Theisen of Sartell lost two days of his life to an oblivion close to death, but he’s happy to be back from that brink. Most of all, he is thankful for the two Sartell police officers who coaxed his stopped heart back to life by using a defibrillator. If

by TaLeiza Calloway news@thenewsleaders.com St. Joseph residents Amanda and Amelia Walz are winners – scholarship winners that is. The twins are preparing to attend Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa this fall and thanks to the college’s annual Scholarship Day event, the trip will be a little easier. In a competition with students from nine states, Amanda Walz was awarded

by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com Despite an ailing economy, the local Salvation Army raised an impressive $218,000 last year, an increase of $29,000 over 2010 and $45,000 more than in 2009. That’s the good news. The not-so-good news is that – because of an ailing economy – the need for Salvation Army help is also on the increase. However, so far,

by TaLeiza Calloway news@thenewsleaders.com For many people a birthday can be a day where it is all about them. Some might throw a big party or even request lavish gifts. None of that interests Kenzie Finken. On her eighth birthday – celebrated Feb. 7 – she didn’t think of herself only but of those less fortunate. The second-grader at St.

by TaLeiza Calloway news@thenewsleaders.com A St. Joseph man was uninjured after falling asleep at the wheel and crashing into a Waite Park business last week. Timothy Cooney of St. Joseph crashed his truck into Traut Wells in Waite Park at about 9:19 p.m. Monday, Feb. 20. Traut Wells is located at 141 28th Ave. S in Waite Park. Waite Park

by Cori Hilsgen news@thenewsleaders.com Margaret (Margy) Hughes encourages people to work together and to take pride in their St. Joseph community. She has put a lot of energy into civic projects that welcome people downtown. “In the 11 years I’ve lived in St. Joe, I’ve heard about what people who lived here all their lives have done,” Hughes said. “In