by Dennis Dalman
editor@thenewsleaders.com
There are now three finalists for the interim position of Stearns County sheriff through the year 2018.
Thirteen people had filed for the job, but at the last county-board meeting, commissioners unanimously agreed to winnow the list to the final three candidates.
They are Bruce Bechtold, a Stearns County chief deputy; David Bentrud, Waite Park police chief; and Don Gudmundson, retired Dakota County sheriff.
Those three will be interviewed by the commissioners Tuesday, May 16, and the appointment is expected to be announced the week following.
Stearns County Sheriff John Sanner retired from his position in April, requiring the county board to appoint someone to fill out the remainder of his term. The person appointed will serve through 2018, at which time voters in the November election will elect the next sheriff.
