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Wednesday, January 18, 2023
Number 03 • Volume 134
For the kids, the community ATKINSON TO TALK ABOUT SPACE MISSIONS BOOK AT MELROSE LIBRARY
Melrose researching policing options ... pg. 3 Hiltner happy to carry on legacy ... pg. 7 ‘A Team’ has first baby boy in 2017 ... pg. 16 Gymnasts scoring with the best ... pg. 10
Program growth, pool issues spur construction of new aquatic facility
a r t b i e ng l e C 25 years
PHOTO BY CAROL MOORMAN
Swimming and diving coach Nathan Meyer (from left) and athletes Adam Wilwerding and Hallie Drossel stand in the spectator section overlooking the six-lane Melrose Area High School pool Jan. 12. A proposed new pool would include eight lanes with spectator seating increasing from 175 to 350.
COMMUNITY COVERAGE 127 YEARS
400 Block update
BY CAROL MOORMAN | STAFF WRITER
Editor’s note: The Star Post will feature each of the three components of the Feb. 14 $34,805,000 bond referendum over the next three issues – Restore and Rebuild Our Aging Community Spaces $18,435,000, Provide Safety and ADA Accessibility for All $4,305,000 and Invest in Career and Technical Education Classrooms $8,185,000. Other projAsectthe sun was starting rise Monday,$2,175,000 Commercial pricing includes site toimprovements Contractors Company workers from Melrose and interest and issuance costs $1,705,000. were inside the Lisa’s On Main building working on securing the west PHOTO BY CAROL MOORMAN Forwall. the kids and the community. That’s how Melrose Area High School swimming and diving coach Nathan Meyer described a new eight-lane, 25-yard long by 20-yard wide pool and 350-seat spectator section, along with other new and upgraded amenities in the Restore and Rebuild Our Aging Community Spaces component of a proposed $34,805,000 facilities project school district residents will vote on Feb. 14.
Referendum page 3
pg. 6
Albany Captains and Leaders organize ‘Jam the Gym’ BY MIKE KOSIK | STAFF WRITER
B
ring your pop tabs and sign up for prizes Friday, Jan. 27 at the Albany Area High School gym in Albany. That’s when the Albany High School Captains and Leaders host the annual “Jam the Gym” night for the Ronald McDonald House Charitable Foundation. Emily McLachlan, Kendall Buerman, Audrey Rieland and Raelynn Hennen are chairing this year’s event, which dates back over 25 years. The event is sponsored by the high school’s Captains and Leaders group. “People are asked to come in and bring their pop tabs,” Hennen said. “They will get their names put in a drawing for a bunch of prizes from local businesses.” For several weeks, Captains and Leaders members have been collecting donations, either merchandise or cash, for the drawing, which will take place during halftime of the second game that night when the boys take on Osakis
at 7:15 p.m. The boys follow the girls who will play Pierz starting at 5:45 p.m. Rieland said it “will be a full night” of work for the Captains and Leaders as they will set up before the games, collect pop tabs, conduct the drawing and hand out prizes. While the Captains and Leaders organize “Jam the Gym,” the whole school supports the effort by collecting pop tabs for that night. “All elementary and middle school kids are aware of it,” said McLachlan, one of 35 Captains and Leaders members. The group is made up of students nominated by coaches and advisors from various high school teams and organizations. According to the Ronald McDonald House website, their mission is to create, find and support programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and their families. “We believe when families are together, they cope better. We believe no family should have to deal with their child’s medical crisis alone,” the website stated. “Jam the Gym” night will help support that.
Special baby Brayden Heinzes welcome first baby in 2023 at CentraCare-Melrose BY CAROL MOORMAN STAFF WRITER
Avon’s effort to extend a 2019 half-cent tax is about to enter the legislative hopper. City administrator and clerk Jodi Austing-Traut told council members during their Jan. 9 meeting the half-cent sales and use tax resolution and documents were sent to the Minnesota House and Senate. The League of Minnesota Cities is also providing its review. Avon can collect $1.5 million with the tax and has already collected $625,000 for two street projects. Suncrest’s street and storm water improvements and the Avon Estates entrance were done in 2020-21.
PHOTO BY CAROL MOORMAN
Adam and Brianna Heinze hold their son, Brayden Timothy, Jan. 10, at CentraCareMelrose Hospital in Melrose. Brayden, born Jan. 9, is the first baby born at the Melrose hospital in 2023.
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Avon half-cent sales tax resolution heads to St. Paul BY TIM HENNAGIR STAFF WRITER
Brayden page 3
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Captain and Leaders members Raelynn Hennen (from left), Emily McLachlan, Kendall Buerman and Audrey Rieland, Jan. 11 at Albany Area High School, talk about “Jam the Gym” night, an annual fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House. The event will take place Jan. 27 in the high school gym during a doubleheader basketball game.
Sen. Howe’s office working on draft legislation
“Special,” was Adam Heinze’s answer when asked what it was like holding his and wife Brianna’s newborn son, Brayden Timothy, soon after Brayden was born Jan. 9 at CentraCare-Melrose Hospital in Melrose. Brayden is special in more ways than one. He is the Heinzes’ first child. He is also the first grandchild for Adam’s parents, Tim and Bonnie Heinze, of Elrosa, and the sixth grandchild and second grandson for Brianna’s parents Allen and Bev Lieser, of Belgrade. His great-grandparents include Dave and Carol Heinze, of Elrosa, and Florence Dingmann, of St. Cloud.
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PHOTO BY MIKE KOSIK
Tax page 3
PUBLIC NOTICES • Assumed Name - Unorthodox Moxie - pg. 8 • Assumed Name - Dayta - pg. 8 • City of Albany Ad for Bids - pg. 8 • City of Avon Summary Budget Data 2023 - pg. 8 • Belgrade Co-op Annual Meeting - pg. 8 • Melrose Area School Notice of Polling Place - pg. 8 • Melrose Area School Notice of Special Election - pg. 8 • Avon Township Notice of Meeting - pg. 8
OBITUARIES page 4 Danielle Sagissor
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