by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com What started out as a mere suggestion quickly turned into a reality, and that reality, dubbed Quarantine Storytime, is now a viral hit with housebound children and parents on Facebook. Every weekday starting at noon, Mary Bruno, owner of Bruno Press, reads a storybook online from her printing shop in St. Joseph. She not only reads
St. Joseph Catholic School teachers using online options during school closure
by Cori Hilsgen news@thenewsleaders.com Due to the world-wide Covid-19 virus pandemic, Gov. Tim Walz announced on March 15 that schools would close March 18-27 for teachers and staff to develop and implement distance learning plans beginning March 30 and now extended to May 4. Many area schools have worked hard and excelled at meeting this challenge. When teachers at the
Volunteers sew safety masks for hospital use
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com During the virus crises, there are so many needs to be met here, there and everywhere, but fortunately there are many people stepping forward to fill those needs. One of them is Lori Dornberg, the long-time teacher of family-and-consumer science at Sartell Middle School. For years, Dornberg also taught a sewing class, and her sewing skills
Refugee/immigrant news: Time for caring, loving – not division
Tani waa kuu muhiim adiga. Fadlan aqri. Ogeysiis! Importante para Usted, por favor léalo. Please read! Announcements brought to you by Cultural Bridges of St. Joseph, a committee of Central Minnesota Community Empowerment Organization. We are dedicated to ease your transition into our community. ••• by Imam Asad Zaman Executive Director of Muslim American Society of Minnesota and Co-Founder of the Muslim Coalition
Virus precautions affect shelter animals too
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com The ongoing virus crisis affects just about every human being on the planet, but it is also affecting animals and the people who care so much about them. Locally, at the Tri-County Humane Society, the good news is that – despite any gloom and doom – a “fair number” of people are still adopting animals, according
Mayor says city services are ready to support St. Joseph residents
by Rick Schultz St. Joseph mayor My father and mother were born in 1929 and 1931 respectively and lived through the post-depression recovery. They both lived, worked and participated in World War II, in which everyday life across the country was dramatically altered. Food, gas and clothing were rationed. Communities banded together for blood drives and other needed supplies to
School meal delivery expanded for Kennedy students
by Mike Knaak editor@thenewsleaders.com The St. Cloud school district is expanding locations and delivery for meal distribution while schools are closed. Starting Wednesday, March 25, grab and go meals will be delivered by school bus to neighborhood stops surrounding Kennedy Community School. Meals are free to all St. Cloud school district students and distributed Monday through Friday. On March 20,
Graduation gap still exists between white students, black students
by Mike Knaak editor@thenewsleaders.com St. Cloud’s two public high schools improved their four-year graduation rates in 2019, but there’s still a significant gap between white students and black students. At Apollo High School, the overall graduation rate was 79.4 percent, compared with 77.4 percent a year earlier. At Tech High School, the overall graduation rate was 81.4 percent compared with