Richard ‘Dick’ Gunderson May 18, 1947-Jan. 13, 2021 Sartell Richard “Dick” Gunderson, 73, of Sartell, died after a long battle with cancer on Jan. 13 at the Lake Ridge Care Center in Buffalo. A memorial will be held at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Miller-Carlin Funeral homes. Survivors include the following: his wife; son, Troy Gunderson
Get your ski on and more at county parks
by Heidi L. Everett editor@thenewsleaders.com Stearns County Parks and the Nordic Ski Club of Central Minnesota are challenging you to cross country ski (or hike or snowshoe) this month. “This year has been a challenge for everybody,” said Sarah Weed, parks operations coordinator for Stearns County Parks. “One of our annual events, the Moonlight Ski, usually occurs the first weekend
Kindergarten enrollment opens soon
by Heidi L. Everett editor@thenewsleaders.com Kindergarten enrollment for the St. Cloud School District begins Jan. 25 for students who will be five years old by Sept. 1, 2021. Continued safety measures during the COVID-19 pandemic are shifting how enrollment is processed for the 2021-22 academic year. Families and caregivers will have three ways to enroll. The first enrollment option is
Cultivate common ground, compromise
It’s that time of year again. Local school boards and city councils are convening for the first meeting of the year. The 2021 Minnesota legislative session began Jan. 5. The 117th U.S. Congress is in full swing. And we should expect a peaceful transfer of power in the White House on Jan. 20. Elected officials are taking their oath of
Do something new this year
Most of us head into a new year with a grand design to become a better version of ourselves. If you’re like me, we’re one week in and already blowing it. A low-carb diet simply can’t compete with dark chocolate surrounding melt-in-your-mouth marzipan. If I’m going to log 1,000 miles on my Runkeeper app this year, I’m operating at a
Jan. 8 St. Joseph people
Derek Larson, St. Joseph, joined the Board of Directors at the Stearns History Museum in November. Larson is a history and environmental studies professor at College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University. He will be on a research sabbatical from January through August 2021, exploring the impacts of the 1918 influenza pandemic on Stearns County. Larson will work with
St. Joseph predatory offender goes to prison
by Heidi L. Everett editor@thenewsleaders.com On Dec. 22, Murray Allen Dirks, 44, of St. Joseph, was convicted of a felony and sentenced to more than 11 years in prison for disseminating pornographic work. This was his fifth conviction. Dirks was initially convicted for actions in May and June 2016 in which he engaged in electronic communication relating or describing sexual
Please beware of thin ice, heed warnings
“Watch out! You’re on thin ice!” That stern advice to someone indulging in risky behavior is too often literally true – especially right here in the “Land of 10,000 Lakes.” I wince and cringe every time I see somebody on the ice of lakes and rivers, especially in early winter. As a reporter, I have covered all too many ice