by Mike Knaak editor@thenewsleaders.com Ways to open up city government and encourage more citizen participation were the focus of the June 1 St. Joseph City Council meeting. Members approved one new service but postponed a decision on a second plan so they could do more research. The council unanimously approved paying $7,000 a year for budgeting software that will provide
CR 133 resurfacing between St. Joseph and Sartell begins
Resurfacing will begin on CR 133 between St. Joseph and Sartell on Tuesday, June 2. The work will approximately take two to three weeks to complete. Expect lane closures if driving through the area, according to the Stearns County Highway Department. Drivers should find alternate routes, expect delays and use caution while traveling through the work zone area.
St. Stephen woman injured in collision
A St. Stephen woman was injured in a two-vehicle collision on Saturday night. The collision happened at the intersection of Riverside Avenue N. and 27th Street N. in Le Sauk Township about 8:30 p.m., according to the Stearns County Sheriff’s Department. Shelby Nitz, 20, of St. Stephen was driving north when a car driven east on 27th Street by Nickolas
Some restaurants, bars to ease into outdoor options
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com A certain amount of downtown vitality might soon return to St. Joseph starting Monday, June 1, when some bars and restaurants will start offering outdoor service. Business owners and managers plans to open their services ranged from no to probably not, from maybe to definitely yes. Gov. Tim Walz announced that the state’s restaurants and bars
Flour & Flower bakery opens
by Mike Knaak editor@thenewsleaders.com Flour & Flower bakery, one half of a new St. Joseph food destination, opened last week and its partner business, Krewe, plans to offer a pickup menu starting this weekend. Serving artisan breads and pastries, fresh-cut flowers and coffee, Flour & Flower is open Wednesday through Sunday from 7 a.m.-1 p.m. “Nothing smells better than fresh
Pundsack retiring after 42 years of teaching in St. Joseph
by Cori Hilsgen news@thenewsleaders.com Not everyone can say they have been employed at the same place for more than 40 years, but Betty Pundsack can. After 44 years of teaching, 42 at St. Joseph Catholic School, and two at St. Mary’s in Melrose, Pundsack will retire at the end of the 2019-2020 school year. When she decided to retire, she
Meyer recycles fabric to make quilts for donating
by Cori Hilsgen news@thenewsleaders.com Without bragging very much about it, Josie Meyer, 91, has been using her quilting skills to help other people for many years. Meyer, who grew up in Sartell, moved to St. Joseph when she married her husband, Cyril, in 1950. She is unsure of the exact year she started quilting but when asked how long she
Wood-Fired Wednesdays look different than planned
by Cori Hilsgen news@thenewsleaders.com Rolling Ridge Wedding and Event Center owner Randy Schmitz had planned to open mid-May this year for Wood-Fired Wednesdays, but like many other businesses, was not able to do so because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Schmitz said four months of his wedding business has vanished. Until he can open for business again, Schmitz offered his patrons