Sauk Rapids Mayor Brad Gunderson, who's been under fire since his arrest, now faces two counts of DWI, the St. Cloud Times reports. Gunderson was involved in a one-vehicle crash on Feb. 17 when the SUV he was driving went off the street into a yard, damaging garbage cans and a street sign. According to the criminal complaint, an officer found Gunderson in a Chevy Blazer, spinning his wheels in an attempt to leave the yard. When asked what happened, Gunderson told the officer “I’m not sure.” The mayor said he had two 22 oz. beers at JP’s Bar that afternoon. Gunderson's blood-alcohol content was ..read more

The St. Cloud Times has new details on the case of Sauk Rapids Mayor Brad Gunderson, who was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving after a Sunday afternoon crash. One unusual part of the story is that Gunderson was never booked into jail, despite a test that showed a blood alcohol level more than three times the legal limit. The Times now reports that Gunderson was too drunk even for jail. Gunderson initially was taken to the Benton County Jail, but the Times says the jail has a policy that anyone with a blood alcohol content level above .25 should receive medical treatment prior to being b ..read more

It's a very special day for a Sauk Rapids boy who's celebrating his golden birthday on this once-a-century date. According to the St. Cloud Times, Bristian Phrachomphonh is turning 12 years old on the 12th day of the 12th month of the 12th year of this century. And what's even more interesting is that 12 years ago, Phrachomphonh was born at 12:12 p.m. Today will be the last triple date for almost a century--until January 1, 2101. Numerologists say Wednesday's date represents two energies merging--that's why many are rushing to the chapel to get married. (And an easy-to-remember ..read more

The data is recorded in two-week increments and is displayed within specific ranges. Based on data released by the Minnesota Department of Health on Thursday, the largest COVID-19 outbreak reported by a school district this year (since Sept. 5) was a six-week burst at Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School.  According to the data, the middle school located at 901 1st Street South in Sauk Rapids reported 20-29 infections Sept. 5-18, followed by 60-69 more infections Sept. 19-Oct. 2. The school then reported a further 10-19 cases Oct. 3-16 for a total range (specifics are not provided by the state ..read more

The suspect was last seen near the intersection of Garden Brook Drive Northeast and Strawberry Court Northeast. The Benton County Sheriff’s Department is asking residents to be “alert” as they continue to search for an at-large suspect in Sauk Rapids. According to a Friday update from the department, a suspect wanted in connection to theft and fleeing law enforcement has not yet been located after law enforcement has “exhausted” efforts to find him. The suspect was last seen in a swampy area near the intersection of Garden Brook Drive Northeast and Strawberry Court Northeast. He is described a ..read more

More than 100 people will lose their job as part of the upcoming closure. Google Street View More than 100 employees will lose their jobs with the upcoming closure of a central Minnesota life jacket manufacturer. The Coleman Company told the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) that it will shut down its Sauk Rapids facility by the end of 2021. The closure is expected to be permanent. About 175 workers will lose their job, with layoffs beginning on or around Dec. 31, The facility, located at 1100 Stearns Drive, operates as Stearns Inc., which was purchased by the ..read more

No one in the RV was hurt. The driver of an RV with seven kids inside ran a red light, causing a crash that seriously injured another motorist in Sauk Rapids, the Minnesota State Patrol says.  A 42-year-old South Haven man was driving the RV northbound on Highway 15 at 10:13 p.m. Monday when he ran a red light at County Road 29, striking an Impala being driven westbound, the State Patrol's report says.  The driver of the Impala, a 35-year-old man from Sartell, suffered life-threatening injuries. He was taken to St. Cloud Hospital for treatment. The driver and the eight passengers in ..read more

A doctor from the small west-central Minnesota town of Starbuck who used his life savings to build a local clinic was named 2013 Country Doctor of the Year by Staff Care, a healthcare staffing company. Dr. Robert Bösl, 66, a highly decorated Vietnam war veteran and Sauk Centre native, moved to Starbuck in 1982. Bösl became the community's sole physician, making himself available for house calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week. "My wife says you have to be a little bit crazy to practice in a small town," Bösl told USA TODAY. "If being a little bit crazy is one of the criteria, then ..read more

Sauk Rapids Mayor Brad Gunderson pleaded guilty to one count of third-degree DWI Tuesday, the St. Cloud Times reports. Gunderson was sentenced to 15 days in jail and six years of probation. He was also ordered to pay a $900 fine. As part of his sentence, the mayor must refrain from alcohol, comply with the recommended treatment, complete a Mothers Against Drunk Driving impact panel and pay for the damage done on the day of the accident. Gunderson was involved in a one-vehicle crash on Feb. 17 when the SUV he was driving went off the street into a yard, damaging garbage cans and a street s ..read more

Sauk Rapids Mayor Brad Gunderson, who's been under fire since his arrest, now faces two counts of DWI, the St. Cloud Times reports. Gunderson was involved in a one-vehicle crash on Feb. 17 when the SUV he was driving went off the street into a yard, damaging garbage cans and a street sign. According to the criminal complaint, an officer found Gunderson in a Chevy Blazer, spinning his wheels in an attempt to leave the yard. When asked what happened, Gunderson told the officer “I’m not sure.” The mayor said he had two 22 oz. beers at JP’s Bar that afternoon. Gunderson's blood-alcohol content was ..read more