A forum on the H1N1 (also called “Swine”) flu titled “Prepare, don’t panic!” was held at Baldwin-Woodville High School Monday evening. Representatives from several local institutions were present to provide information about the plans being made to prepare for a possible large outbreak. The forum was organized by the Baldwin Public Library.
Those present on the panel included, from left, Rebecca Dixon, librarian at the Baldwin Public Library; Sandy Somsen, Baldwin Area Medical Center (BAMC); Wendy Kramer, St. Croix County Public Health; Karen Hollabaugh, BAMC; Mike Kohlrusch, BAMC; and Eileen LaFavor, Administrator at Baldwin Care Center.
Man drowns in St. Croix River Sept. 13
On Sunday, September 13 at approximately 5:53 p.m. the Washington County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a possible drowning in the St. Croix River just north of the Stillwater lift bridge. St. Croix County and Washington County Water Patrols responded to the scene and began a search of the indicated area. At approximately 7:55 p.m. Washington County Water Patrol using side scan sonar located a body. Divers entered the water and recovered an adult male’s body.
A joint investigation identified the victim as PHA Yang, age 38, 788 Minnehaha Ave., St. Paul, Minnesota. He had accompanied three friends to Stillwater where they rented a pontoon boat and began a trip north on the St. Croix River. After passing the Stillwater lift bridge, approximately 100 yards north of the bridge, PHA decided to take a swim. The operator of the pontoon stated he shut the motor off, but the pontoon continued to travel north. PHA swam after the boat but then they noticed he was in trouble. An individual on the boat threw him the anchor hoping PHA would be able to grab onto the rope, but he went under before reaching the rope. The driver, dove into the water but could not locate PHA. The two other individuals could not swim. Friends indicated PHA was an experienced swimmer.
This incident remains under investigation by the St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office.
Crash results in traffic fatality
A one-vehicle crash early Monday afternoon on I-94 has resulted in a traffic fatality.
According to the Wisconsin State Patrol, at about 1:20 p.m. Monday a pickup truck towing a trailer fishtailed and went off the road near milepost 31 in St. Croix County, according to pager reports. The driver of the pickup truck was ejected and was pronounced dead at Baldwin Area Medical Center after efforts were made to revive him were unsuccessful.
A passenger in the pickup was wearing his seatbelt and was not injured, the State Patrol said.
Names of the people in the pickup have not been released by the State Patrol as of Monday evening.
