Reporter, writer, listener. Reporter with St. Cloud Live, from Forum Communications. Graduate of University of Minnesota, sociology enthusiast.

Stephanie Dickrell’s Journalist Portfolio

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Mental health system fixes aren't simple

Mental health system fixes aren't simple

St. Cloud Times — When St. Cloud police arrested Solomon Roundtree after his roommate was beaten and kicked to the brink of death, it wasn't the first time he had been jailed for actions linked to his declining mental health. And when he was committed as mentally ill as part of the subsequent criminal prosecution, that wasn't the first time, either.

Sex trafficking: The Victims Next Door

Sex trafficking: The Victims Next Door

St. Cloud Times — Sex trafficking is happening here. Every day, at all hours. And Central Minnesota is not immune to the violence, drug use and trauma that follows it. Local law enforcement and advocacy organizations are working to combat the issue, but factors such as pornography, sexism and economics continue to fuel a culture of exploitation.

He has no home but he's finding his voice

He has no home but he's finding his voice

St. Cloud Times — "Once upon a time I was living in an apartment. Then all this chaos happened." That's how 19-year-old Alex Crandall starts the story of how he became homeless. His description can sum up a lot of stories that end in homelessness. Stuff happened.

A recycling bin here, a geothermal system there: St. Cloud VA gets greener

A recycling bin here, a geothermal system there: St. Cloud VA gets greener

St. Cloud Times — Sometimes it's the small changes that make a difference: A recycling bin. Motion-sensor lighting. Reused envelopes. Then there are the big-ticket items. A new water reclamation system for the laundry reduced water use by 12,750 gallons a month. A multi-million dollar geothermal heating and cooling system controls the temperatures in five buildings.

What you do for family: St. Cloud woman donates kidney to ex-husband

What you do for family: St. Cloud woman donates kidney to ex-husband

St. Cloud Times — While the donation may seem strange to some, it's the natural progression of what the couple committed to 20 years ago: a happy divorce ST. CLOUD - It didn't start with a kidney.

Child homelessness can have long-term consequences

Child homelessness can have long-term consequences

St. Cloud Times — There are strong moral reasons to end homelessness and its consequences. But there are economic incentives for society as well. Children who grow up in homelessness may experience long-term effects on behavior, employability, relationships and brain development.

Rotarians create pathway for homeless teens, young adults in St. Cloud

Rotarians create pathway for homeless teens, young adults in St. Cloud

St. Cloud Times — With roughly $8,000 and a dream, local Rotary clubs hope to end youth homelessness in the St. Cloud area. Well, $8,000, expertise and favors from friends. The clubs are launching Pathways 4 Youth, a homeless youth opportunity center where teens and young adults ages 16 to 23 can go to get help ranging from the basics, such as food and clothing, to long-term, including connections to housing, education and jobs.

Stigma, lack of access hinder addiction treatment

Stigma, lack of access hinder addiction treatment

St. Cloud Times — Brian Leitza's struggle to get treatment highlights barriers in the system What started as correct use of pain medication turned into eight years of opiate addiction for former hockey player Brian Leitza. His story is unique. It is one of the defining aspects of his life.

Why you should rethink giving that DNA test this season

Why you should rethink giving that DNA test this season

St. Cloud Times — There are emotional, medical and privacy implications you should consider before sending your DNA in to be tested

Renovation confirms Church of St. Joseph's foundations run deep - The News Leaders

Renovation confirms Church of St. Joseph's foundations run deep - The News Leaders

thenewsleaders.com — by Stephanie Dickrell news@thenewsleaders.om Locals have always known the foundations of the Church of St. Joseph run deep. But a recent renovation has confirmed it. Underneath the worship space runs two hand-built, stone-wall foundations the length of the church. The foundations have held up the roof for 150 years, but are getting an update this winter.

By voting, Somalis commit to Minnesota and inspire younger generations

By voting, Somalis commit to Minnesota and inspire younger generations

St. Cloud Times — CLOSE Election wins for Omar, Ellison confirm a spot at the table for Somalis, Muslims in Minnesota politics, leaders say ST. CLOUD -In many places of the world, voting is a radical act. That's true for members of Minnesota's Somali community, many of whom have never been able to vote because of civil war, failed governments and mass displacement.

How did Minnesota's Somali community impact election results?

How did Minnesota's Somali community impact election results?

St. Cloud Times — CLOSE ST. CLOUD - Anecdotal evidence, exit polls and overall turnout rates indicate Minnesota Somalis voted in high numbers last week. To leaders and experts, it was a demonstration of political enthusiasm as well as a glimpse of the community's potential elective power.

Scars no one can see: Nonprofit opens local office to help Somali community address trauma

Scars no one can see: Nonprofit opens local office to help Somali community address trauma

St. Cloud Times — CLOSE Through parenting classes, the Center for Victims of Torture has gained trust locally, and hopes to offer more mental health services ST. CLOUD - A satellite office of the Center for Victims of Torture will soon open in St. Cloud to serve Somali refugees affected by decades of civil war.

'For 27 years, he wasn't dead': Avon man reflects on Jacob Wetterling's abduction, death

'For 27 years, he wasn't dead': Avon man reflects on Jacob Wetterling's abduction, death

St. Cloud Times — CLOSE ST. JOSEPH - Chris Schelling returned to Central Minnesota on Nov. 2, 1989 from active duty in the military - less than two weeks after Jacob Wetterling was abducted. Schelling, now of Avon, has lived in Central Minnesota for most of his life. "There was ...

Sheriff: Wetterling investigation was 'not only on the wrong path but on the wrong freeway'

Sheriff: Wetterling investigation was 'not only on the wrong path but on the wrong freeway'

St. Cloud Times — CLOSE ST. CLOUD - An interrogation and lineup involving Danny Heinrich early in the investigation of the 1989 abduction of Jacob Wetterling were among the fatal flaws that prolonged the case, according to Stearns County Sheriff Don Gudmundson. Once early suspicions surrounding Heinrich were dismissed, Gudmundson said, there was no mention of Heinrich for nearly 20 years.

'It just sort of changed the world': Document release opens old wounds, adds new questions

'It just sort of changed the world': Document release opens old wounds, adds new questions

St. Cloud Times — ST. JOSEPH - "It just sort of changed the world, didn't it?" Deb McAlister sat at the Local Blend in St. Joseph at lunch time on Thursday, just after the Stearns County Sheriff's Office released 41,000 documents about the abduction of Jacob Wetterling in 1989. Wetterling was kidnapped near his home and killed on Oct.

Menopausal werewolves and transgender teens: 2 authors show how representation matters

Menopausal werewolves and transgender teens: 2 authors show how representation matters

St. Cloud Times — CLOSE ST. CLOUD - What do menopausal werewolves and transitioning transgender teenagers have in common? Quite a bit, if you ask authors Catherine Lundoff and Rachel Gold. The two Minnesota authors are speaking at the St. Cloud library this week about the representation of queer and transgender characters in fantasy and realistic fiction.

How mobile technology, social media can be used to stalk, harass and control you

How mobile technology, social media can be used to stalk, harass and control you

St. Cloud Times — CLOSE Apps can spoof phone numbers, give away locations, endangering victims of domestic violence ST. CLOUD - At this point, most people know government and corporations, or both, can and do digitally track people's lives. But for victims of domestic abuse, the invasion of privacy can be deadly.

An internship to kill for: 8 weeks at the Lifetime Movie Network, the Sierra Obioha Story

An internship to kill for: 8 weeks at the Lifetime Movie Network, the Sierra Obioha Story

St. Cloud Times — CLOSE FADE IN. INT. SINGLE-FAMILY HOME OF SIERRA OBIOHA'S PARENTS IN RICE, MINNESOTA - SUMMER AFTERNOON College student sits at kitchen island in contemporary, very new-looking house. Reporter sits on opposite side of counter. Atmosphere is comfortable, but formal. Mood of film is jovial, with friendly flashback feel and quick cuts, like "Arrested Development."

A sorority of motherhood forms during hospital bed rest

A sorority of motherhood forms during hospital bed rest

St. Cloud Times — CLOSE ST. CLOUD - Pregnancy is never easy or carefree. It's fraught with decisions and worries, chance and circumstance. But for four Minnesota moms, the months spent waiting to meet their new child had an added hardship.

Refugee resettlement costs are difficult to gather, report says

Refugee resettlement costs are difficult to gather, report says

St. Cloud Times — CLOSE We don't know. People tend not to like those words in the U.S. Unfortunately, it's the best answer to the question many people are asking right now: What is the impact of refugees resettling in St. Cloud? According to the Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor, we just don't know.

What is clergy sexual abuse and how does it happen?

What is clergy sexual abuse and how does it happen?

St. Cloud Times — CLOSE The recent arrest of the Rev. Anthony Oelrich, a Catholic priest who has worked in the Diocese of St. Cloud since 1992, has the community asking a lot of questions. What happened? How did it happen? Who's at risk?

Why grown men cry: St. Cloud remembers Vietnam

Why grown men cry: St. Cloud remembers Vietnam

St. Cloud Times — TPT event gathered local stories to add to online story collection For many, the Vietnam War is the war that's not talked about. But the deep wounds from the contentious era in American history contain a multitude of stories, many of which are now just being told.

What do you do with a child who sexually abuses another child?

What do you do with a child who sexually abuses another child?

St. Cloud Times — CLOSE Report says to treat them as children first, who may need help When talking about the sexual abuse of a child, people likely envision an adult perpetrator. But that's not the only way it happens. Sometimes, it's a child abusing another child. How do we deal with that child?
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