Sartell Lions have rescheduled their annual spring cleanup for 8 a.m. – noon on Saturday, Sept. 19, at Riverview Intermediate School parking lot. The fundraiser was postponed last spring during the initial Covid-19 stay-at-home order. The following health precautions will be taken during the event: All customers remain in their vehicle; workers will be masked and gloved; no change given
Absentee voting begins Sept. 18
by Mike Knaak editor@thenewsleaders.com Absentee voting begins Sept. 18 for the Nov. 3 general election. Because of the current pandemic, residents who wish to vote by absentee are encouraged to request an absentee ballot online at mnvotes.org, according to the Stearns County Auditor-Treasurer’s Office. To vote absentee by mail: Voters apply for an absentee ballot online at mnvotes.org or contact
School leaders closely watch Covid case rates
by Mike Knaak editor@thenewsleaders.com With Sartell-St. Stephen schools set to open Sept. 8 using a mix of in-person and hybrid learning, school administrators are closely watching the Covid-19 case numbers in Stearns County. “The best we can do is encourage our neighbors, particularly this Labor Day weekend, to keep masks on and social distance,” Superintendent Jeff Schwiebert told school board
Police, firefighters move to space designed for the future
by Mike Knaak editor@thenewsleaders.com Sartell police officers and firefighters are finding more space, new technology and a design for the future in their new home on Pinecone Road. Not all the boxes have been unpacked and a few details need finishing, but both departments are now operating out of the new Public Safety Facility. In addition to more space –
Ground broken for new arena in Sartell
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com After several years of planning, fine-tuning and fundraising, a groundbreaking ceremony took place Aug. 26 in Sartell for a new sports arena – a private/city partnership project. As attendees looked on and applauded, a long row of participants turned over spadefuls of dirt on the site of the project, just south of the Bernick’s Arena in
School lunch adapts to safety rules
by Mike Knaak editor@thenewsleaders.com When students return to school next week, they’ll find changes in how they eat lunch. Some students will be eating in their classrooms, there will be fewer menu and a la carte options and transactions will be touchless and cashless. “We’ve been working hard on developing a plan to make sure they are able to social
Sartell chalk artists share joy with others
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com On the morning of Aug. 31, the day dawned with such beauty that Maureen Putnam of Sartell decided to take time to smell the roses, so to speak. She gathered together a small group of art enthusiasts to share their talents – and plenty of joy – by creating a huge chalk mural. It was also