“Her claim to fame is that she is extremely active with the Elk River Special Olympics program, and has been since 2008,” Mayor John Dietz said in recognizing Audie Gutzwiller. Since 2011 Gutzwiller has been head of the delegation for Special Olympics in Elk River. She supervises six sports, 35 coaches and 125 athletes.

In other volunteer activities, Gutzwiller organized a neighborhood carnival for the District 728 Special Education Department, organized a parent group for parents of special needs children, has been a volunteer at Lincoln and St. Andrew’s elementary schools, served as a youth hockey team manager and has been a Girl Scout cookie mom.

Gutzwiller was honored at the May 20 Elk River City Council meeting.

The post Gutzwiller named Elk River’s Volunteer of Month appeared first on Star News.

Editor

Efforts to bring about the fourth annual Elk River Independence Day Celebration at Lions Park have begun.

To help do it, the Elk River Independence Day Committee has latched onto the Powered by Nature branding effort, with members of the citizen-led Elk River Independence Day Committee agreeing that “Elk River is Powered by Independence and Energized by Fireworks!”

The Elk River Economic Development Authority had asked the group to consider such an endeavor as part of the Independence Day marketing efforts. The EDA has contributed $6,000 each year to help launch a stunning fireworks show, and it plans to serve as a sponsor once again.

The Elk River Independence Day Committee is ramping up its annual effort to raise enough for a $15,000 fireworks show and a program for kids and families at Lions Park on the Fourth of July holiday.

Letters seeking donations went out to the business community this week, and plans are underway for a host of other fundraising efforts. One includes a pancake breakfast on June 2 at the Elk River American Legion.

The Elk River Independence Day Committee decided this week to welcome graduating seniors and their families as well as young families with young children. More details will be forthcoming on that.

This year’s event is coming together with plans for more music, delicious food and more fun, including bingo by the VFW, a water slide, a climbing wall by the Army National Guard, a game trailer for youth, the second annual Elk River Idol contest and more.

Shane Martin will headline the musical line-up and a replacement band is being sought for the Elk River High School Red White and Blue Alumni Jazz Band as many of its would-be members are headed off to Ireland on July 5. There will be a patriotic program in the middle of the event slated for 4-10 p.m. with fireworks at 10:15 p.m. by RES Pyrotechnics.

The Elk River community rallied behind the notion of a smaller, more community-focused Independence Day celebration and fireworks show after the long-running Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce-sponsored Fourth of July celebration was abandoned for a variety of reasons. The Elk River community went without an Independence Day program and fireworks show five years ago, and the public outcry was immense. That’s when the community decided to put a new event at Lions Park in Elk River with greater reverence to the holiday.

A committee of citizens, representing various community service organizations and nonprofits across the community of Elk River, is planning the event. More members are being sought to help with the planning and volunteers for the day of the event.

For more information, visit www.elkriver4th.com or go to the group’s Elk River 4th of July Facebook page.

The post Support sought for Fourth of July fireworks appeared first on Star News.

Editor

The suspect in a Oct. 29, 2012, armed robbery of the BP gas station in Elk River has plead guilty to the crime.

Zachary Tyler Owens, 21, who previously worked for the gas station and lived less than a mile from it, entered his plea to aggravated robbery in the first degree on May 9 in Sherburne County 10th District Court.

Owens, who remains in jail on $100,000 bail, faces up to 57 months in prison based on state sentencing guidelines. The prosecution has said it will ask for a four-year prison term, according to Deputy Sherburne County Attorney Samuel Wertheimer. Owens’ legal counsel can ask for less at the sentencing hearing slated for 8 a.m. July 26.

Wertheimer said state sentencing guidelines for an individual without a criminal history, as in the case with Owens, can be sentenced to between 41 months to 57 months in prison.

Steve Schiminsky, the facilities manager at the gas station and convenience store, said he feels some relief in getting this news.

“I’m glad he admitted to it,” he said. “He was a former employee of ours. He unfortunately went off the deep end into his own little world.”

It was about 8 p.m. Oct. 29 at the BP station when the lone clerk, a 22-year-old woman, heard the door open, according to the criminal complaint.

She told police she was on her knees counting cigarettes and when she looked up she observed a masked man pointing a gun at her. She stated  he ordered her to get into the office and onto the ground, the complaint said.

The masked man then allegedly went into the back office area where a safe was located. He then could be heard emptying two cash registers before fleeing the store.

The clerk pushed the hold-up alarm and called 911. Owens made off with $1,110 in cash and $30 in Newport 100 short cigarettes, the complaint said.

Police got dispatched at 8:12 p.m. The clerk gave a physical description and said he had what she believed to be black, semi-automatic gun.

Police came across a 13-year-old juvenile Elk River male who was stopped but determined not to be involved in the crime. They never found Owens.

That is until they got a tip. The investigation picked up steam when police interviewed a relative about statements Owens had made. The relative agreed to make a tape-recorded phone call to the defendant that could be monitored by police.

In that call, the defendant stated he used to work at the BP gas station in Elk River and because of that he knew the surveillance cameras were not active and money was kept in a safe that was often unlocked.

He went on to describe how he committed the crime with the use of an air pistol which had been painted to make it appear as a real pistol.

He also mentioned in the phone call that he had entered the store prior to the robbery and spoke with the clerk and bought at pack of cigarettes.

He stated his motive for the robbery was he needed money, the complaint said.

An Elk River Police detective confirmed that Owen had previously worked at the store. Schiminsky said the company had let him go about two months before the robbery.

Schiminski said the Elk River BP station has beefed up its security measures in the wake of the robbery.

“We’ve made major changes and upgrades to our security,” Schiminski said. “We want to make sure everyone is feeling comfortable.”

The post Armed robber at BP station pleads guilty appeared first on Star News.

The post A nautical night to remember appeared first on Star News.

Contributing writer

After starting to review Administrator Brian Bensen’s work in open session May 7 on his request, the Sherburne County Board continued their review behind doors in closed session with Bensen present May 14.

When those talks ended, only Commissioner Rachel Leonard, who is chairing the board meetings in 2013, gave a public statement before adjourning business for the day.

“We’re working on the issues, and hope by next week to have them resolved,” Leonard said, sounding upbeat.

Commissioner and retired Sheriff Bruce Anderson, who is newest to the board after his election last November, called for the board to review staff concerns, and they began a discussion May 7, about a month ahead of when Bensen has been reviewed in previous years.

One issue to be raised that day was whether all other employees have had performance reviews by administration and department heads before being approved for pay increases. Bensen replied that in recent years, the coordination of those reviews had been tasked to his deputy administrator, a position  filled by Luci Botzek starting in May 2006. That position was discontinued effective Feb. 1.

Botzek is now Sherburne County’s lead lobbyist at the Capitol regarding Northstar Commuter Rail.

Star News asked Bensen on May 14 whether he was as optimistic for resolutions next week –the board will meet 9 a.m. May 21 – as Leonard had sounded.

“I’m hopeful, sure,” Bensen said. “No guarantees.”

The post Board, Bensen hopeful appeared first on Star News.

The week containing May 15, which is May 12-18 this year, was designated National Police Week. National activities are hosted each year in Washington, D.C., to honor those law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice the previous calendar year and to offer support to the survivors of those officers as well as survivors of other years.

On this Law Enforcement Memorial Day, the families of Minnesotans Tom Decker, killed in the line of duty on Nov. 29, 2012, and Josh Lynaugh, who died in the line of duty on Feb. 16, 2013, will be dedicating the names of their loved ones on the National Law enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Sherburne County has experienced one peace officer death. On Sept. 27, 1919, 36-year-old Deputy Edward Foley sacrificed his life in the line of duty while attempting to locate a stolen vehicle from St. Cloud.

Foley was enforcing a roadblock with two other law enforcement officers, Marshal Will Iliff and Sheriff Mert Iliff, at the Elk River Bridge. Unbeknownst to the officers, the suspects had stolen yet another vehicle and drove up to the roadblock on the Elk River Bridge with it.

Foley approached the vehicle to ask the driver to wait, not knowing these were the suspects, and was shot in the chest by a passenger in the suspect vehicle, killing him instantly. A gun battle then ensued between the remaining officers and the suspects. Marshall Iliff was wounded in the left wrist and shoulder, and it appeared one of the suspects was also wounded during the gun battle, where 50 shots were fired. The suspects did escape the area. Subsequently, two of the suspects were arrested in East Grand Forks later that year.

For further info, visit the Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Association at www.mnlema.org.

National Peace Officer’s Memorial Day reminds us that life can change in an instant, especially for those involved in law enforcement, who intentionally go toward the pain, problems and strife that occurs in our society today, where others avoid it at all costs.

I ask that you thank those officers, deputies, troopers, conservation officers, etc. that work to keep preserving our peace. Like you, they also want to go home to their families at the end of their duty shift and continue with their lives in the hopes of making our community a better and safer place to live.--Sheriff Joel Brott

The post Ask a Sheriff: What is Police Week? appeared first on Star News.

Editor

Capt. Bob Stangler was only few short months into his career as an officer when he learned fatal accidents would be the toughest part of his job.

“They’re so sudden,” he said. “You have to deliver that message to a family member. People take it for granted that their loved one who was headed to the grocery store will be back. They’re not going to be. It’s so sudden. It’s so permanent.”

When officers of the law go down in the line of duty, it’s an equally sudden end to life. There’s an added shroud around these deaths for those in the profession.

“I have been to several officers’ funerals,” Stangler said. “They’re moving. The brethren come out in droves, and that’s when you see that the public does care and understand.”

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. Tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world converge on Washington, D.C., to participate in a number of planned events that honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

The memorial service began in 1982 as a gathering in Senate Park of approximately 120 survivors and supporters of law enforcement. Decades later, the event, more commonly known as National Police Week, has grown to a series of events which attracts thousands of survivors and law enforcement officers to our nation’s Capitol each year.

Sherburne County pays homage as well. Civilians and officers of the law gathered at the Sherburne County Government Center May 15 to honor those who, working as peace officers, have paid the ultimate sacrifice this past year.

Last year, 120 officers from across the country were killed in the line of duty. So far this year, 37 officers have been killed.

Stangler joined some of his brethren out at the flag pole at the Sherburne County Government Center for the local wreath laying ceremony.

Criminal justice major turned sheriff’s deputy

Stangler was hired on as a Sherburne County deputy in 1992. The farm boy from St. Peter had completed a criminal justice degree in 1990 from St. Cloud State and drove trucks afterward. He was putting in 95 hours a week with a trucking firm and making gobs of money when he realized he was spinning his wheels.

He took some of his earnings and went to Europe in the winter of 1991. As his head cleared he began to map out a new plan.

He took a job with Pinkerton Investigations, a small private investigating arm of Pinkerton Security. It was interesting work that involved investigating cases of insurance fraud and the like, but there wasn’t enough work for it to be a steady job.

It was in 1992 he decided to tackle a few courses at Alexandria Tech to get certified in law enforcement. He did that and got hired as a deputy for the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Department.

He’s been there ever since, getting promoted to a sergeant in his third year on the job. He went on to serve as commander of several departments within the department, including SWAT, the reserves, boat and water as well as fleet management.

Last year, he was promoted to captain. He took over Capt. Don Starry’s duties in Zimmerman after Chief Deputy Scott Gudmundson retired and set off a number of promotions.

On Friday, April 26, Stangler graduated from Northwestern University Center for Public Safety’s School of Police Staff and Command. Stangler attended 10 weeks of classes and training on various law enforcement topics. He was able to network with other agencies and gather information on new ideas.

It a source of pride for Stangler.

So is the work he did as a sergeant, working up the county’s first lock-down procedures at schools throughout much of Sherburne County (Elk River Police came up with their own for Elk River schools). That took more than a year.

Of course, after Sandy Hook the procedures were revisited to see if they needed to be tweaked.

Stangler now manages the contract the city of Zimmerman has with Sherburne County. He has four deputies under his wings and a relatively new substation that was dedicated in 2008. Starry managed the substation in its infancy.

Stangler has come a long way from his first few timid months on the job.

He recalled his first fatal accident was a workplace-related one involving two young adult roommates. One was killed. The other was devastated.

“I felt so bad for the person,” Stangler said. “I didn’t even ask him any questions.”

When he returned to the station, and the then-Sheriff Bruce Anderson asked what happened.

Stangler explained what appeared to have happened. And when Anderson asked what the survivor in the accident said, Stangler admitted he didn’t have a very good answer.

But he learned.

“We have to ask the tough questions,” Stangler said.

The post Officers learn life can end quickly appeared first on Star News.

Continuing to key off of Elk River’s branding initiatives, the club has expanded the contest to include multiple categories and a people’s choice award to be selected but the public at the ArtSoup Community Arts Festival in downtown Elk River on June 15.

File photo
Last year’s winning entry was taken by Denise Lanthier. In the color version, a purple haze descended on the field.

“We’re excited to see this grow, and to offer photographers a chance to excel in their area of interest and expertise,” said Jay Grammond, the founder of the Sandhill Photography Club.

The categories will be nature, people and Elk River landmarks. The photos should have been taken within the past calendar year or between now and the contest deadline.

The deadline to submit entries will be Friday, June 7.

There will be cash prizes of $50 in Chamber Bucks for the winner of each category in addition to one overall People’s Choice Award that the public will vote on at the ArtSoup community arts festival.

All artwork must be original in design or concept and created by the photographer.

All artwork must be in photographic format.  Images from both digital and film cameras accepted.

Inappropriate subject matter (including nudes) is not acceptable.

Contest categories:  Nature, People or Landmarks (must be Elk River location)

All work must be framed or mounted, wired and ready to hang.

The image, including frame, must be no larger than 11” x 14”

Limit 3 photographs per photographer.

Submit framed photograph to the Star News, 506 Freeport Ave. Suite A, Elk River, MN 55330

Please include information about the photo, how the photograph represents what you think of Elk River and contact information in the event you are a winner.  Also indicate in which category the photo should be judged: Nature, People or Landmarks

A digital copy of the photo also needs to be submitted to: editor.erstarnews@ecm-inc.com.

The entry fee is $5 per photograph.

Winners will be selected on the basis of composition, technical merit, originality and impact. “By impact we mean what’s your initial response to the photo,” Grammond said.

For more information on the club, visit their Facebook site under  Sandhill Photography Club.

The post Sandhill Photography hosting second contest appeared first on Star News.

“CDI is always looking for things like this to participate in to help our community,” said Pat O’Brien, owner of CDI.

The three companies asked fellow employees to give blood donations, and the response was overwhelming.

“We filled 35 available spots within a matter of days,” said Katie Shatusky, Executive Assistant at Sportech Inc. “And we are already looking at hosting another blood drive in the near future.”

The Red Cross provides about 40 percent of America’s blood supply, and the recent events in Boston and Texas show the importance of blood supply.

Donating blood hits home for several employees at Sportech.

“My sister was recently diagnosed with stage four Hodgkin’s lymphoma cancer and has received multiple units of blood since then. She would not be alive and recovering as well as she is today if it wasn’t for people that take an hour every eight weeks to donate blood. It is one of the most simple and directly beneficial ways you can help save a life,” said Brandon Smith, a design engineer at Sportech.

With the recent events in West, Texas, and Boston, Mass., the Red Cross has responded in many ways. The organization has provided additional blood products to the areas, along with shelter, food and additional units of blood, platelets and plasma to Boston-area hospitals and has provided blood products to help those injured by the explosion in Texas. The Red Cross has the ability to move blood around the country to where it is needed most, and it stands ready to assist with any additional requests of blood and blood products.

“The need for blood is constant,” said Darren Irby, executive director of Red Cross Blood Services. “And it’s the blood on the shelves that helps save lives when emergencies occur.”

Eligible blood donors can schedule an appointment to give in the days and weeks ahead, but especially needed are Type O donors. Type O negative blood is often used during emergencies, when there is no time to determine the patient’s blood type.

“Our daughter was diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer when she was 18 years old,” said Sheila Swancutt, Human Resource Manager at Sportech. “During the course of her treatment, she received two autologous stem cell transplants.  She needed many blood transfusions as she was recovering.

“Before her diagnosis, we were not aware of the substantial need for blood products. Not everyone is eligible to give blood, but those that can, they are truly saving lives. It helped save hers, and we are grateful,” Swancutt said.

How to donate blood

All blood types are needed to ensure an adequate supply for patients.

A blood donor card or driver’s license, or two other forms of positive identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds and are generally in good health may be eligible to donate blood. Visit redcrossblood.org for more information.

The post Alliance sheds blood for a good cause appeared first on Star News.

He’s coming to downtown Elk River and Zimmerman, but you’ll  have to find him.

The famous children’s book character in the striped shirt and black-rimmed specs is visiting 50 different local businesses throughout the Zimmerman and Elk River communities this July.  Those who spot him  in local businesses can win prizes and more from Reading Frenzy Corner, Olde Main Eatery, Kemper Drug and others in downtown Elk River. In Zimmerman, Reading Frenzy BookShop, Paws Up 4 You, Total Image, Anytime Fitness and more will provide prizes.

“Find Waldo is a great summer vacation activity and a wonderful way for residents to support local business and the Shop Local movement,” said Sheri Olson, the Reading Frenzy owner who lined it up.

Anyone who wishes to participate can pick up a “Find Waldo Local in Downtown Elk River or Zimmerman” passport with the names of all the participating sites. Participants can have their passport stamped or signed for each Waldo they spot.  “If you’re up to it, you could even do both towns,” Olson said.

The first 100 Waldo seekers in each town to get their passports stamped or signed at 10 or more sites can bring their passports back to Reading frenzy Corner in Elk River & Reading Frenzy BookShop in Zimmerman to collect prizes.

Collecting store stamps or signatures at 20 or more businesses will entitle diligent seekers to entry in a grand prize drawing on July 30 in Elk River and July 31 in Zimmerman, with the top prize being a six-volume deluxe set of Waldo books.

“Where’s Waldo” is the creation of Martin Handford, whose entertaining drawings of crowd scenes swept the world in 1987. Since then, the “Where’s Waldo” books have held a spot on bookstore shelves the world over. There are now more than 58 million Waldo books in print worldwide, and they’ve been translated into 18 languages.

In celebration of Waldo’s longevity and popularity, his American publisher, Candlewick Press, is once again teaming up with the American Booksellers Association and 265 independent bookstores.

The hunt lasts for the entire month of July. For more info about being a host business or hunting for Waldo in downtown Elk River or Zimmerman, call Reading Frenzy BookShop at 763-856-FRENZY (3736).

The post Waldo will soon go missing in Zimmerman — and in Elk River appeared first on Star News.