by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com “Bill the East Sartell Weatherman” has his own weather station in his backyard that reports round-the-clock minute-to-minute updates for his website watchers. Bill Turgeon, 77, is quick to note, modestly, that he is not a meteorologist – just a weather hobbyist. But “pro” or not, his knowledge of weather is deep and vast, informed by many
Former Sabre swimmer saves three lives
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com Very few people get a chance to save the life of another human being, but Marena Kouba, a 2017 Sartell High School graduate, saved not just one life but three all at once. It happened Sunday, July 19, while she and her boyfriend, Dayton Nash of St. Cloud, were visiting Presque Isle in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
Council to revisit finance plan for athletic complex
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com A conduit financing plan for the proposed Scheels Athletic Complex will be revisited by the Sartell City Council this month. City Administrator Anna Gruber said a public hearing on that issue will take place at an upcoming city-council meeting, to be announced soon. At its July 13 meeting, the council – despite some vigorous opposition from
Walz visits Sartell to highlight mask distribution
by Mike Knaak editor@thenewsleaders.com Gov. Tim Walz visited the Central Minnesota Council on Aging in Sartell on Aug. 4 to highlight the availability of nearly 400,000 masks for Minnesotans including older adults. The council has about 7,500 masks to distribute in coordination with Catholic Charities and 16 other partner agencies. Some masks will be distributed with meal deliveries or seniors
School reopening vote will be Aug. 17
by Mike Knaak editor@thenewsleaders.com Students and parents in the Sartell-St. Stephen school district will learn on Aug. 17 how schools will operate when classes begin Sept. 8. The decision will come three weeks before school starts. School board members heard on Aug. 5 detailed plans for the three learning options directed by the state earlier this summer. Schools were directed
Sartell women killed in Hwy. 10 collision
A Sartell woman was killed in a four-vehicle collision July 28 on Hwy. 10. Abby Gayle Redmond, 21, of Sartell was driving west on Hwy. 10 when she crossed the grass median near 32nd Street SE., according to the State Patrol. A SUV driven by Kelly Jo Skoog, 41, of Becker and a motorcycle driving by David William Evans, 45,
Consultant details education equity audit for school board
by Mike Knaak editor@thenewsleaders.com As a first step toward addressing its education equity issue, the Sartell-St. Stephen school board heard a proposal from Equity Alliance MN. The Woodbury-based consultants work with schools to research and develop plans to provide equitable education for all students. The issue arose earlier this summer after the killing of George Floyd in Minnesota and a
Council agrees to conduit financing for Scheels Complex
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com An ambitious expansion project next to Bernick’s Arena in Sartell will be paid for via a city-backed financing method known as a “conduit bond lease.” The name of the project is Scheels Athletic Complex, so-named because of a major corporate donor. At its July 13 meeting, the council voted 4-1, with member Mike Chisum voting no,