by Dave DeMars news@thenewsleaders.com The Sartell-St. Stephen school board voted on July 16 to implement the planned increase for additional revenue to finance school operations. The annual financial impact is projected to be an additional $82 per $100,000 of assessed value, according to the district. The revenue authorization would be applicable for 10 years. The levy will appear on the
Community Showcase draws record crowd
by Mike Knaak editor@thenewsleaders.com In its first year at the Sartell Community Center, the Community Showcase drew a record crowd Saturday, Feb. 24. More than 1,800 attended this year’s event compared with an average of about 1,300 in past years when the showcase was staged at Sartell Middle School, according to Nikki Sweeter of the Sartell Chamber of Commerce. The
Event to help victims of sex trafficking
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com A memorial fundraiser dubbed Denim to Diamonds will raise money for Terebinth Refuge, an organization that is helping victims of sex trafficking in central Minnesota. The fundraiser will take place starting at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 10 at Grands at Mulligans’ event center in Sartell. The event will include a chicken dinner, a special children’s meal,
Beware of tax refund cyber-crooks
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com As tax season gets busier, cyber-criminals get busier, too, working their identity-theft scams to get people’s tax-refund money. Local law enforcement is warning people to be alert to the latest tax scam. The first sign something crooked is happening is when surprised taxpayers notice a tax refund amount in their bank balances, usually one they didn’t
Diocese to file for bankruptcy
The Diocese of St. Cloud plans to file bankruptcy, according to Bishop Donald Kettler. The bishop made the announcement Wednesday, Feb. 28, at an Albany meeting with leaders of the diocese’s 131 parishes. Reorganization under Chapter 11 will allow the diocese to resolve the 74 civil claims filed under the Minnesota Child Victims Act. The act lifted for three years
Officer Lundquist presented with thank-you quilt
by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaeders.com Jill Lundquist, a Sartell-St. Stephen School District school resource police officer, received a pleasant surprise recently at Sartell Middle School. Students presented her with a handmade quilt in appreciation for her service to the school. Student Jenna Dahlberg presented the quilt, which was made by her grandmother, Deb Bomstad of Willmar. Students in the gymnasium cheered
A long-gone gnome comes home at last
by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com It was an ordinary October day for Jack and Suzanne Toftey of Sartell. They had just had a bite to eat at Arby’s in St. Cloud. Back at their car in the parking lot, Suzanne happened to glance across the street to a strip mall, and the ordinary day turned extraordinary. Suzanne became instantly flabbergasted, tongue-tied,