My Life

In this edition of WJON's My Life series we examine the life of former St. Cloud Times sportswriter turned author, Kevin Allenspach. Kevin grew up west of Garrison, Minnesota near Lake Mille Lacs and went to high school in Brainerd.

Brushes with the law as a young person, the military and now a State Senator. This it the story of Jeff Howe. Jeff grew up in a small town in western Minnesota named Chokio just 12 miles west of Morris. Jeff's father was a farmer when he was a kid before selling the farm and becoming a hired hand and then a salesman of farm products.

Today we examine the life of Stearns County Commissioner Tarryl Clark. She was born in Norfolk, Virginia where he dad was serving in the Navy. Tarryl is the oldest of 4 children, she has 3 younger brothers.

WJON's My Life series brings us to State Representative and House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth of Cold Spring. Demuth for the first 7 years of her life grew up in Paynesville with her mother and plenty of extended family in the area.

State Representative Bernadette Perryman joined me on WJON to participate in our "My Life" series. Perryman grew up in Belleville, Illinois with her 2 brothers and a sister.

Longtime Waite Park Police Chief Dave Bentrud joined me on WJON for our "My Life" series. Dave experienced many challenges at a young age with the death of both of his parents before he graduated from high school.

It all started for State Senator Aric Putnam in Maryland but he grew up in east San Jose. This is the story of Aric Putnam as part of WJON's "My Life" series. Putnam's father served in Vietnam and comes from a family of military veterans.

Sartell will have a new Police Chief for the first time since 2004. That's because Jim Hughes has retired from the position after 32 years in Sartell. Hughes joined me on WJON for another edition of our My Life Series.

Everyone has a story and this is the story of Stearns County Sheriff Steve Soyka. Soyka grew up in St. Cloud and was interested in law enforcement at an early age. He says he remembers as a young boy playing cops and robbers and he always had to be a cop.

Everyone has a story and WJON's My Life series takes a look at the story of St. Cloud School Superintendent Laurie Putnam. Putnam grew up in a small town in central Maine of around 2,000 people named Skowhegan.