As a garden-variety of scams keeps growing like noxious weeds, it’s difficult to understand why so many people fall for them. How can victims be so gullible? However, in some ways, falling victim to a scam is understandable. For one thing, people are constantly being asked for their Social Security numbers. On the one hand, people are told never, ever
Gopi wins 4th Bee
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com Fans of the state Geography Bee are still impressed by what amounts to a four-time deja vu. For the fourth time, Gopi Ramanathan of Sartell again competed at the state level last week, and – for the second time – he won it, qualifying him for competition May 22-24 in Washington, D.C. Now an eighth-grader at
Legislature expected to authorize referenda for sales-tax extension
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com In the past decade, the City of Sartell has collected just about $4.7 million in regional half-cent sales-tax revenue – revenue that has been used for a wide variety of city projects of a regional nature. Now, area cities are asking the Minnesota Legislature to allow voters to extend that sales tax from 2018 to 2038.
Daniels’ painting wins prestigious ‘Best of Show’
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com When Taylor Daniels’ mother woke her up from a snooze one day last week, Taylor couldn’t figure out what all the fuss was about and why her mother seemed too excited. Then, rubbing sleep from her eyes, she heard her mother say, “I think you won. Yes, you won!” Her mother was holding an invitation that
Math wiz Sura competes again at state
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com For the second time in two years, Austin Sura of Sartell once again competed at the Minnesota Math Counts competition. Sura, 14, is an eighth-grade student at Sartell Middle School. His brother, Brandon, achieved the same feat, two years in a row, when he was a student in 7th and 8th grade. Brandon is now a
Floral-shop owners want community to love them back
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com Friends and business partners Jodi Wilken and Sue Mishow of Sartell are busy nearly ’round the clock, preparing their shop, “Enchanted Floral and Gifts,” for the spring-and-summer season. However, sometimes they get a sinking feeling their dream shop might be on a list of doom — the list of floral shops that have closed in Sartell.
Sartell woman opens ‘J-Whitty’ boutique
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com Joy Landeen-Shea of Sartell has just embarked on a new adventure — opening her own business. Located in Sauk Rapids, it’s called “J-Whitty Creations and Boutique.” She decided to name the shop after her children — the “J” for Jacob, 12, the “Whitty” for the nickname of daughter Whitney, 11. Some people have asked Landeen-Shea, “Why Sauk
Christensen receives chamber’s success award
Jim Christensen, owner of Array Services Group in Sartell, is the 2012 Entrepreneurial Success Award Recipient. The award is presented annually by the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce and honors a business that starts out small and becomes large under the same leadership. In 1977, Christensen knew he wanted to own a business. He had worked in a variety