Lions International names Peace Poster Contest winners
Twenty students from the North Junior High seventh-grade art class have entries in the International Lions annual Peace Poster Contest. The entries were judged by the St. Joseph Lions Club at a recent meeting. First-place winner Elizabeth Ernst received $75, second-place winner Jayden McCain received $50, and third-place winner (tie) Jacyln Khongloth and Tamala Savatdy each received $25. The first-place poster was submitted to District 5MB for further competition; the ultimate winner worldwide is determined by Lions International with all competition starting at the club level.
Lions Club names award recipients; Carlson takes highest honor
The St. Joseph Lions Club held its annual awards ceremony Dec. 19 at the new Millstream Park shelter.
Awards were presented by Joseph Bechtold, president, assisted by Matt Killam, awards committee chairman, and Donna Hoskins, secretary.
Lions highest award, the Melvin Jones Fellowship, was presented to Lion Doug Carlson. He was recognized for his extensive involvement with the city in planning and designing the new facility at Millstream Park. He was also recognized for his work in Guatamala installing stoves for people in need during several weeks there on that project.
Terry Thene, St. Joseph maintenance director, was presented the Helen Keller award for his work coordinating with city planners and the Lions Club in development of the Millstream Park community gathering shelter.
Lions members who received the Helen Keller award were Hoskins, Killam, Ralph Meyer, Nate Molitor and Art Reischl. All were recognized for their work in club projects such as brat sales, St. John’s food service help, fundraiser dinners, the annual parade and numerous committees.
Lions Joanne Bechtold and Kyle Jensen were presented the Lions Leader Dog award. Both have provided leadership in fundraising activities and other club events. Jensen has served as brat sales chairman for several years, organizing each event and supervising their completion. Joanne Bechtold has co-chaired the annual Fourth of July parade for a number of years and schedules involvement for all other club activities.
Lion Joe Bechtold was presented the Dream Catcher award in recognition of his leadership as president for the past two years. He also served as a Fourth of July parade committee co-chair for many years and on many committees usually as chairman.
Lions Scott Bloch, Fran Court and Ken Stommes were presented the Lions Top Dog award. Bloch was recognized for his organization and control of fundraising through gambling activities for numerous years. Court was recognized for his work in organizing and maintaining historical records and files as club historian and information officer. Stommes was recognized for his many years of involvement in organizing fundraiser dinners, auctions and for his work as Fourth of July Parade chairman for many years.
Lion Jim Meyer was presented the Hearing Research Fellowship in recognition of his effective management of club finance activities for numerous years. Prior to serving as club treasurer Lion Meyer was the District 5M8 Governor.
Service chevrons for years of service were presented to Lion Joanne Bechtold and Sue Kuefler (10 years), Len Walz (15 years), Kyle Schneider (20 years), Steve Shirber and Pete Jansky (25 years) and Fran Court (40 years).
The final presentation of the awards night was a $5,000 check to the St. Joseph Food Shelf Director Ann Scherer by Lions President Joe Bechtold.
Lion Doug Carlson (center) receives the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award from Matt Killam (left), Lions committee chair, and Joe Bechtold, Lions president.
City Maintenance Director Terry Thene (center) receives the Helen Keller Award Matt Killam (left), awards committee chair, Joe Bechtold, club president.
Lions members Matt Killam (left) and Lions President Joe Bechtold (right) present a $5,000 check to St. Joseph Food Shelf Coordinator Ann Scherer.
New permit approved for hauling road-construction materials
The Road Construction Materials Special Permit is now available for use on county roads within Stearns County. Stearns County Commissioners approved issuance of the permit in December after the Minnesota Legislature took action in the 2017 session to allow this type of permit.
This permit allows companies and persons hauling road-construction materials such as asphalt, concrete, aggregates and recycled road materials to haul up to 90,000 pounds gross vehicle weight on six or more axles and up to 97,000 pounds gross vehicle weight on seven or more axles. Currently, the gross weight limit for vehicles operating without an overweight permit is 80,000 pounds. Vehicles operating under this permit are required to comply with individual and group axle-weight limits and gross weight vehicle limits set by the permit.
Stearns County’s annual permit fee is $300 for six-axle vehicles and $500 for seven-axle vehicles.
The Road Construction Materials Permits Stearns County issues are for use on Stearns County roads only. Other jurisdictions may require similar permits on their roads.
City of St. Joseph to submit a full application for rehab funding
An informational meeting regarding Small Citie’s funding for the City of St. Joseph will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 22 at St. Joseph City Hall, 75 Callaway St. E. The City received notification from the Department of Employment and Economic Development that it was one of 36 communities out of 48 who submitted a preliminary proposal to be invited to make a full application. The Central Minnesota Housing Partnership has been asked by the city to compile and submit the full application, which is due Feb. 22.
“As you can imagine the applications for these funds are very competitive. Last year only 26 communities received their request for funding” said Ed Zimny, program manager for CMHP. One of the areas that increases a community’s chances of receiving funding is to be able to demonstrate owner interest in using the program funds. A well-attended meeting will improve St. Joseph’s chances for a successful application. Zimny will provide an overview on how the program works, what the eligibility requirements are, and how much funding will be available on a per-project basis.
If you reside in one of the homeowner target areas, you are encouraged to attend this meeting. Maps of the target areas can be viewed at city hall.
If you are unable to attend the meeting but are interested in learning more about the program, please contact Zimny at CMHP at 320-258-0673 or ed@cmhp.net.
