Liz Doornink receives national Ag Award

Pictured from left to right are Liz’s parents Fred and Loraine Keller, Annaliese, Liz, Eva and Mikayla Doornink.

Local dairy farmer Liz Doonink was recognized at the Ag Connect Expo held recently in Orlando, Florida.
Doornink was named the Ag Woman of Year and received the award at the Ag Connect Expo held January 13-15 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. She received round trip tickets, hotel accommodations for four nights, a convertible rental car, complimentary admission tickets to the show and tickets to a choice of education breakout sessions.
"Ag Connect Expo's awards are a way for our trade show to put a spotlight on the significant contributions that those in production agriculture make to our quality of life," said Sara Mooney, the Director of AG CONNECT Expo. "We want the awards to draw attention to those whose work and accomplishments this year exemplify 'advocating for agriculture.'"
The Ag Connect Expo 2010 Ag Woman of the Year Award recognizes the achievements of women in farming operations, in their communities or in the agriculture industry as a whole. This award celebrates the role of women in agriculture and their contributions in operations, education, land stewardship, and business.
Liz is the Co-Leader of AFACT, American Farmers for the Advancement and Conservation of Technology. Liz is passionate about the dairy industry; organizing and speaking, Liz has taught many to speak out and advocate for agriculture, correcting misconceptions, sharing values, traveling around the country. She has given many interviews to media, including NBC, BBC and PBS.
Ag Connect Expo is run for and by the industry, with direction from industry companies and associations. This management philosophy puts manufacturer and customer needs first and earmarks show revenues to advance industry causes. The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) owns and produces Ag Connect Expo 2010.
This was the first year of the Awards program sponsored by the Ag Connect Expo. The new awards program recognizes those who support "in a compelling way the work of farmers and ranchers to provide abundant and affordable food and fiber." There are three categories: Ag Woman of the Year, Community Leadership and Ag Innovation. Nominations and voting were done on-line.

Spring Valley High School student will sing at WIAA wresting finals

When Dave Black of River Falls, organizer of the Northern Badger wrestling tournament during the Christmas break, heard Spring Valley High School freshman Riley Bowman sing the Star Spangled Banner at the event, he was so impressed he recommended her to the WIAA to sing for the State WIAA Wrestling Tournament. Her mother sent a video of her singing to back up his claim of her ability.
According to Wade Labecki, Deputy Director of the WIAA, he too was impressed and he called up Spring Valley’s athletic director and asked if Bowman could sing for the the state event. When contacted, Bowman said yes.
So Riley will sing before the finals of the WIAA Wrestling Championships on Saturday, February 27. The time will probably be something in the range of 5:00 to 5:30 p.m. in the Kohl Center in Madison.
This is not Riley’s first time singing before a crowd. In addition to the singing the National Anthem at the Northern Badger, she has gotten the American Birkenbinder in Cable, Wisconsin in 2009 and a Timberwolves game two years ago off to great starts. She sang at the start of the Timberwolves game after winning a Timberwolves Idol contest with about 40 other contestants.,
Riley is the daughter of Dennis and Ann Kiefer and Chris Bowman.
Riley said she loves to sing. But that’s not all she does. She likes to run and plans to participate in track at Spring Valley in the spring and run the 400 and 800m runs. She played volleyball in the fall. During the winter, she also enjoys running.

Third grader suffers from EB, benefits from hair donation

Greenfield Elementary third grader Faith Smith suffers from the disease epidermolysis bullosa—EB—which causes her skin to blister or tear after any friction. It also results in hair loss. It is an extremely rare condition and one book estimates that about 10,000 Americans, mostly kids, have the disease.
In Faith’s honor, Greenfield Elementary Secretary Lori Hadley had her hair cut by Peggy Hermanson of New Reflections and donated to Locks of Love. The hair donated by Hadley won’t go directly to Faith, but the gesture was meaningful to Faith nonetheless.
Faith is the daughter of Terri and Doug Smith of Woodville.
According to Terri, there is currently no treatment or cure available for the disease. But there is experimental work being done at the University of Minnesota involving bone marrow transplants and they may prove promising in treating EB.
There is no current treatment for the disease but in the meantime, blisters have to be popped and Faith’s skin is protected with gauze and ointment each night to protect her. The blisters have to be popped to prevent the weight of the fluid in them to continue separating layers of skin.

Dennis Rud, 55, killed in crash after chase

A 1973 Baldwin-Woodville High School graduate was killed on Monday, February 1 in Pierce County as the result of a car crash that happened during a high speed crash.
According to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, Dennis M.Rud, 55, was attempting to flee law enforcement officers when his car crashed and he was ejected from it.
The Sheriff’s Department said officers received a call at 1:48 a.m. on February 1 concerning a domestic dispute at Rud’s residence along CTH N in the Town of Gilman. Rud had left the premises when officers arrived, crashed his car into the ditch at a high rate of speed and was ejected from it about one-eighth of a mile from the house.
Rud was trapped under his vehicle and had to be extricated. He was transferred to the Red Barn parking lot and it was there he was pronounced dead.
A full obituary for Rud is published on page 2A of this issue.

Man sentenced for causing injuries after running stop sign

Thomas R. Olson, 19, now of St. Paul but formerly of River Falls, received a sentence of seven years probation and seven months in jail as part of the probation as a result of traffic crash when he drove through a stop sign and caused a crash that injured two Baldwin women. In addition, Olson must perform 200 hours of community service, pay $2,934 in restitution, write letters of apology to the victims and not use alcohol or illegal drugs.
In November Olson pleaded no contest to the felony charge of causing injury by driving a vehicle while under the influence of a controlled substance. Two other felony charges and a misdemeanor were dismissed.
According to records, Olson said he was drinking beer and a blood test indicated he had used marijuana on August 1, 2008 when he drove his Honda Civic through a stop sign about 11:30 p.m. at the intersection of CTH M and Saddle Club Road near River Falls and hit a Dodge Neon driven by Sara Anderson of Baldwin. Anderson suffered a broken hand, that required a plate and four pins to repair. Her passenger, Erin Rethmeier, also of Baldwin, suffered a broken pelvis, collapsed lung and serious injury to one of her legs.

From the Exchanges

   Interesting Items from

      Surrounding Communities

PIERCE COUNTY HEARLD (ELLSWORTH): On a 13-3 vote Tuesday, the Pierce County Board gave its 52 non-union department heads, managers and supervisors 2.5 percent raises. “It seems to me it’s a bad time to dish our money now, protested Supervisor John Kucinski, Town of River Falls, one of three to vote no. While the county has good employees, with a weak economy, falling home values, higher taxes, failing businesses and high unemployment, taxpayers can’t afford to give public employees raises, he said. The 2010 cost of the raises and associated benefits for the 52 workers is $91,204. “The private sector’s really hurting. The taxpayers are hurting,” said Kucinski. “I understand there’s angst, but at some point we have to say halt,” he said. “The taxpayers don’t have the money. I think someone has to stand up and say that.” Kucinski, himself a state employee, said they have taken a three percent reduction in pay. “Our employees and non-reps are doing as good or better than our taxpayers,” said Kucinski, speaking of salaries paid to county workers. Kucinski is hardly one to talk retorted County Board Chairman Paul Barkla, who had checked internet state records to learn Kucinski, an assistant public defender, earns over $117,000 a year.

BURNETT COUNTY SENTINEL: Communication. Actually, the lack of communication. It was the underlying theme of the county’s infrastructure meeting last month. “For us to make decisions we need information and we need that information in a timely manner,” supervisor Chuck Awe stated after Burnett County Airfield manager Jeremy Sickler had given his report. “I don’t know why we are not receiving information in a timely manner.” He was referring to the results of a brain-storming session Sickler, committee chair Carsten Endresen and county administrator Candace Fitzgerald attended in Madison with Bureau of Aeronautics officials in April 2009. The results of that session were first disbursed to committee members at December’s meeting. But that was just one instance. “Last year at a policy-planning meeting we received information that the estimate for the airport expansion was less than expected,” Awe pointed out. “I was personally embarrassed because, as a member of this committee, I should have had that information.” In another instance, Sickler said he recalled a time when he was presenting to the county board about the airport expansion project and one of the slides in his presentation contained the results of an economic impact study which had been competed for the project. “I was instructed not to present (that slide) at the time by the administrator,” he admitted. “I thought it was because of the sensitivity of the issue – that it was too much all at once. In the space needs study, we were told we (committee members) weren’t sent the (detailed) information because the engineers thought we might become confused,” Awe noted. “Now I’m hearing information is being withheld from us because maybe it’s too much for us to handle.”

AMERY FREE PRESS: City Administrator Darcy Long said Wednesday that Amery has eliminated fluoride in its water supply. Fluoridation of municipal water supplies has been called one of the 120 greatest advancements in public health in the last 100 years. It has been injected into Amery’s municipal water system for more than 50 years. In minute quantities, fluoride benefits teeth enamel, reducing the incidences of tooth decay. Amery appears to be moving in a different direction. The issue apparently came to light over the need to replace fluoridation pumps and corrosive damage at the waste treatment plant. At the public hearing, held by the city’s Public Works Committee, public support for fluoridation was overwhelming. Practicing, as well as retired dentists, in Amery attended the hearing, as well as concerned citizens. Ken Baillargeon, city employee, said that he is convinced that fluoride in the water is “eating” aluminum equipment and buildings at the waste treatment plant. He estimated replacement at upwards of $100,000. Another concern is that the city injects fluoride and chlorine at two locations in the city. Both locations house the two chemicals in the same room. Administrator Long said that if the two chemicals were to be mixed, it would produce Mustard Gas. He said that empty barrels containing the fluoride compound are recycled at a hazardous waste site.

TRIBUNE PRESS REPORTED (GLENWOOD CITY): It might have been a cold, snowy evening Monday, but at the council chambers things got heated up. About 75 minutes into the meting when the agenda called for the mayor’s report, Mayor John Larson showed his disappointment with members of the council over pay increases for department heads that the council had approved at a special meeting last month. Larson indicated his disappointment that word had spread to the city employees about the salary adjustments. “I would have liked to have discussed it with them,” Larson indicated. Larson echoed what Tribune editor Carlton DeWitt had told the council two months ago that city business should stay at the council table. Larson said that he wanted to discuss with each department head about their salaries, but by the next morning, when he contacted the heads, they already knew the information and apparently, he indicated that it was spread from employee to employee. Larson said that he was disappointed…”I would have expected more from this group.” All members of the council remained silent and not one took credit for leaking the information.

Sittlow takes command of USS Boise

Cmdr. Paul S. Snodgrass (left) turns over command of the USS Boise to Cmdr. Brian L. Sittlow (right) during a change of command ceremony.

Cmdr. Brian L. Sittlow relieved Cmdr. Paul S. Snodgrass as commanding officer of the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Boise (SSN 764) during a change of command ceremony Thursday, Janaury 21 at Naval Station Norfolk.
Sittlow reports to Boise from Naval War College in Newport, R.I., where he received his Masters of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies in 2009.
Snodgrass will report to the Tactical, Readiness, and Evaluation Team as Commander, Submarine Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet.
"For the crew of Boise, I am humbled and honored to be your new commanding officer," said Sittlow following the change-of-command ceremony. "I look forward to serving and sailing with you. As I assume command today, I am forever grateful for many members of the submarine fraternity that have guided me throughout my career, providing leadership, counseling and occasional nudges along the way."
Capt. Frank Cattani, Commander, Submarine Squadron EIGHT, was the principal speaker at the ceremony, which welcomed attendees from Idaho including Boise mayor David Bieter.
The Boise is the second U.S. Navy ship to bear the name of Idaho's capital city. Built by Newport News Shipbuilding and General Dynamics Electric Boat Division, the Boise was commissioned on November 7, 1992. The 360-foot ship has a crew compliment of 13 officers and 121 enlisted Sailors.
Sittlow is a 1989 graduate of St. Croix Central High School and the son of Darlene and Mike Sittlow of Roberts.

Anderson Ford #1 dealer

Anderson Ford of Baldwin topped the leaderboard for the third consecutive year for all select dealers in the Twin Cities Region. The region is compiled of dealers in the Midwest. "It's an honor we are very proud of but it's not possible without our customers both old and new. 2009 presented its challenges but Ford has seen a real bounce. The product is easy to sell and most folks appreciate that Ford is making a go of it on their own. The imports are having there own problems and I believe most people want to buy American first." said Andy Lamb.

Anderson also ranked in the top 20 nationwide. 
Corey Hawkins added, "Our staff remains committed to total customer satisfaction. We can't operate a business unless our customers are happy. Baldwin is a small town and we've always tried to keep a small town atmosphere around here. I think people appreciate that."

Ford took honors with the F-150 being named the Motortrend truck of the year last spring. The Fusion followed it up in the fall with being named the car of the year. Ford is also unveiling a new Super Duty this spring as well as bringing back an all new Fiesta for the current Model year. 


Bridge Investment Group will operate investment office at First Bank

A Hudson independent financial advisory firm of registered representatives has taken over operation of the investment office at First Bank of Baldwin. Prior representative Chris Wicker has left the office and is now independent.
Bridge Investment Group is the new representative at First Bank’s investment office. Bridge was founded in 2004 by Brad Kahley and Duane “Dewey” Swanson, who are the firm’s two principals. They both plan to be at the First Bank office on a regular basis and to have the office staffed at most times. A third representative of the office who will spent time in Baldwin is Rod Brooks.
Bridge Investment Group specializes in financial and retirement planning, including investment allocation, income planning and estate distribution services.
Prior to joining with Swanson to found Bridge Investment group, Kahley managed an investment and pension department for New England Financial/Metlife for Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Before 1991 he was a registered representative with John Hancock Financial Services and before that he was associated with IDS/American Express. He has been working with clients in Baldwin and the surrounding areas since 1986.
Swanson is responsible for financial planning, tailoring investment policy statements, education and client communication. Prior to Bridge Investment Group, he managed the financial planning department for New England Financial in Minnesota and western Wisconsin for over 11 years.
Together, Swanson and Kahley were responsible for the management and support of over 100 representatives at New England Financial and Metlife before they were associated with Bridge Investment Group.
Bridge Investment Group is affiliated with broker-dealer ING Financial Partners in Des Moines, Iowa, for all their compliance supervision.
“We are excited to have this opportunity to meet and service the Bank’s current clients and have a local service office for our existing clients,” said Swanson.

From the Exchanges
  Interesting items from
    Surrounding communities

NEW RICHMOND NEWS: A Somerset man was killed in a Saturday afternoon accident near Stillwater. Shane Erickson, 23, was killed when an errant wheel from a Ford F-350 vehicle bounced across Highway 95, striking Erickson’s Pontiac Grand Am. According to the Minnesota State Patrol report, the crash occurred at about 2:23 p.m. in the southbound lanes of 95 at the intersection of Highway 36. Bradley Wicklem, 39, of New Richmond, was the driver of the pickup. He was reportedly uninjured, as was his passenger.

RIVER FALLS JOURNAL: With the fastest all-around time as an American in recent Olympic speed skating trials, Maria Lamb is surging toward her second Winter Olympics next month. A town of River Falls native, the 24-year-old will compete in the 5,000 meter race, the longest for women. Her mother, Betty, says Maria skates fastest the longer the distance. Four years ago speed skater Maria had her first taste of the Winter Olympics held in Torino, Italy. Maria didn’t win a medal but competed in the 1500 meter race, finishing 24th out of 35. The USA Women’s team finished fifth overall. By chance Betty turned Maria on to speed skating at the tender age of six. “It was winter, and I was trying to find an activity for her,” said Betty, who has three younger children with her husband Philip. “We went with friends to an outside rink at a park, Maria liked skating but was clumsy like anyone else doing it for the first time. At some point she asked me, ‘Is there such a thing as racing on skates?’ I said I’d check into it. I never imagined that would eventually lead to her being in the Olympics someday.

TRIBUNE PRESS REPORTER (GLENWOOD CITY): Dunn county will be the site of the Nature Valley Grand Prix professional bicycle race June 19 that will include Boyceville as one of the villages on the route. The Dunn County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution at the January 20 meeting approving that the event be held in Dunn County. Mark Lewis, an event coordinator, said the Nature Valley Grand Prix is the highest ranked state race in the United States. The route through Dunn county is one state of a six-stage race. Prior to this, all six stages of the Nature Valley Grand Prix has been held in Minnesota. The portion of the race that will be held in Dunn County is the first stage ever to leave Minnesota, Lewis said. Because of the hills and well-paved town roads, “Dunn County is a premier cycling destination,” he said. The route for the Menomonie Road Race Stage will follow an 82-mile loop through Dunn County that will begin and end at Menomonie, he said. According to a map of the route, bicycle race participants will head north from Menomonie to Boyceville, over toward Downing, back down the western side of the county and up to Menomonie again to close the loop. A total of 200 bicyclists will participate in the race. The bicyclists also will have members of their race caravans following along, Lewis told the county board.

AMERY FREE PRESS: Dr. Anders Ulland and Bradley Byker, certified registered nurse anesthetist, are in Haiti participating in relief efforts. They have been assigned to Hospital Bon Samaritan in Limbe. The two left January 20 and plan to return home February 4. Dr. Ulland is a surgeon at Amery Regional Medical Center and medical director for Wound Healing Center. Dr. Ulland is a board certified general surgeon who specializes in problems related to hernia, gallbladder, breast cancer, the GI tract and laparoscopic colon surgery. Amery Regional Medical Center has established a fund for Haiti Relief and Development Fund through the American Red Cross. The hospital also supplied medical supplies, antibiotics and pharmaceuticals for the trip.

HUDSON STAR-OBSERVER: Kaiti Tiedeman did the near unthinkable. The ten-year-old, fifth-grader at Willow River Elementary School went the entire year of 2009 without watching television. “I got a lot better at reading, because I read more,” Kaiti said of the experience. “You get smarter at school. Most people don’t like school, but I do.” Kaiti’s mother Wendy Kable, put her up to the challenge. She and her brother Jerry Panning of River Falls, did the same thing back in 1984 when they were nine and ten years old respectively. Kaiti and her younger brother, first-grader Jon Kable, were arguing about what to watch on TV late one day in 2008 when Kable thought of making them an offer like her parents had made her and her brother. Kable’s parents said they would give them $200 if they gave up TV for a year. Kable upped the anti for Kaiti and Jon to $500.

SUN-ARGUS (GATEWAY TO PIERCE COUNTY): Anyone traveling through Elmwood has probably noticed that a 60 foot high structure has changed the skyline of this small community. It’s called a feed load-out bin, and it’s just one more improvement for Countryside Cooperative. “What’s gone on over time is that our business model is evolving in harmony with the changes occurring within production agriculture,” said general manager, George Rude. “We have fewer and larger farms, and the Coops have changed to lock-step with these farms in terms of services, technology and products. We have to be more efficient today. We are going to be doing more milling in Elmwood. There will be more emphasis on using the Elmwood mill and less on Baldwin and Ellsworth because this is a more efficient mill, and there is greater productivity here,” said Rude adding, “Elmwood is midsize in terms of facility size, but it’s getting more specialized here and needs greater milling capacity.”

United Fire rescues man from grain bin

Two ladder trucks were used to help free Buddy Schumacher from a grain bin at the Schumacher farm in the Town of Rush River last Friday. Schumacher was trapped for more than four hours before being freed. Pictured supplied by Doug Henry

After more than a four hour ordeal on Friday a man was pulled safely from a grain bin where he had become trapped in corn up to his armpits.
Buddy Schumacher, of the Town of Rush River south of Baldwin, said he became entrapped in the corn about 2:00 p.m. Friday afternoon. He had been in the bin knocking corn off the side of the bin but then moved to the center of the bin when the corn started to flow and pulled him down into it.
United Fire and Rescue was called to the scene of the Schumacher farm at about 3:30 after initial efforts to free Schumacher failed, according to Bill Peavey of United Fire.
According to Peavey, the first crew to reach Schumacher put a harness on him to stabilize his position. Then a process was started to build a box around him using plywood boards by pushing them down into the corn. The plywood boards came from “the confined space rescue trailer” which is stored at the United Fire location at Baldwin and was pulled to the farm.
After the box was built, enough corn was dug out of it to free Schumacher when a harness could be run around his legs.
An additional difficulty was that the opening in the bin was at such an angle that Schumacher couldn’t be pulled out from there. That problem was solved by summoning a second ladder truck from the River Falls Fire Department to the scene. A crew from River Falls removed an auger on the center of the top of the bin and then they were right on top of Schumacher so they could pull him straight up.
Peavey said Schumacher was finally pulled out of the bin at 6:35. He was able to walk away from the bin and the River Falls crew re-assembled the auger at the top of the bin.
Peavey said the effort to free Schumacher was assisted by the Hudson rope rescue team from the Hudson Fire Department.
On Monday Schumacher said he’s a little stiff but otherwise fine. “I appreciate very much the effort of the people who were involved in getting me out,” he said.

New doctor begins practice February 15 at BAMC

A new physician is set to begin practice in Baldwin at Baldwin Area Medical Center next month.
Dr. Melissa Hatcher, MD, will begin practice February 15 at BAMC. She is a board certified family practitioner with interests in rural health, women’s health and obstetrics. In fact, said Dr. Hatcher, it is mostly obstetrics that brings her here. “Wisconsin is a very ‘family-practice with obstetrics friendly’ place,” she said and the obstetrics opportunity is the main reason she chose to relocate in Baldwin.
Dr. Hatcher grew up in northwest Indiana and then attended Indiana University from which she received her bachelor’s degree in 1989. She completed her medical studies at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis in 1994 and her residence at Union Hospital in Terre Haute in 1997. She said she wanted to be a doctor since she was in the fifth grade. She also noted that she is the first member of her family to complete college.
Dr. Hatcher is the recipient of several awards. In 1987 she received the Academy of Family Physicians Outstanding Resident Award. In 1995 she received the Union Hospital Hospitality Award.
Since 1997 Dr. Hatcher was employed by the St. Vincent Physician Network.
Dr. Hatcher has been involved in educational efforts including: Preceptor for the Midwest Center for Rural Health Medical Students; Preceptor for Indiana State University Nurse Practitioner Program; Tar Wars Tobacco Education; American Lung Association “Open Airways” Asthma Lecture; “Women in Medicine” talk for Business/Professional Women; Volunteer Preceptor for Family Medicine Clerkship; and Preceptor for Union Hospital Family Practice Residency Program.
Dr. Hatcher and her family have already moved to Baldwin. Her husband is employed by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and works out of Los Angeles. Dr. Hatcher has four children, Amanda, 14, Mae, 12, Matthew, 10 and Zachary, two. The oldest three are already enrolled in B-W Schools.
When not working, Dr. Hatcher enjoys sewing, collecting Precious Moments, stamps, Indiana University basketball, cake decorating, candymaking and handbells. Previously she was a member of the Gobin United Methodist Church where she participated in the handbell choir, Outreach Committee and Genesis Circle. She is a member of the Order of Eastern Star and a Girl Scout leader.

Alexandria Anderson to be 2010 

Juvenile Arthritis March Honoree

A local girl, Alex Anderson, daughter of Matt and Tobie Anderson, will be the 2010 Juvenile Arthritis March (JAM) Honoree. As the Honoree she will share her personal story and speak at this years JAM. JAM is a family-focused event to raise funds and create awareness that kids get arthritis too. There are 300,000 kids affected by this disease and Alex is one of them. Arthritis is the nation’s leading cause of disability. The JAM is on March 6 at the Mall of America, level 3, north side. Registration is at 7:00 a.m. with the walk beginning at 8:15 a.m. and ending at 9:45 a.m.
Alex was four years old when she was diagnosed with polyarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, meaning multiple joints affected by arthritis. She is now 11 and has learned to manage and live with this disease quite well. “We are very proud of Alex and her positive attitude, even on days when she is in pain,” said her mom, Tobie.
For the past five years Alex and her family have had their own JAM team, Al’s Pals. They gather their family and friends throughout the year to raise money by holding bake sales and soup suppers. Last year they raised nearly $5,000 through their efforts. Each year they develop a theme for the walk, this year they are basketball players and their theme is “Shooting for a Cure”. “Our entire family is very passionate about JAM. I volunteer for the Arthritis Foundation and the I am the Chair of the JAM Committee,” said Tobie.
If you would like to help Alex reach her fundraising goal, donations can be made online at www.jam2010.kintera.org (select Alexandria Anderson) or mailed to JAM, 1913 110th Avenue, Baldwin, WI 54002. For more information on the JAM please contact Liz Truax, Events and Juvenile Programs Coordinator, Arthritis Foundation North Central Chapter, 651-229-5371. All money raised will be used to help find a cure for Juvenile Arthritis and to also fund Camp M.A.S.H. (Make Arthritis Stop Hurting).

From the Exchanges
   Interesting Items from
      Surrounding communities

AMERY FREE PRESS: The Polk County Sheriff’s Department investigated a report of a 16-year-old female spending several hours with Terry Bryant, 49, Balsam Lake, in his apartment. It was a school day and the female did not attend school, but rather consumed beer Bryant had bought for her. According to the report, the female then went to her apartment, located above Bryant’s, caused a disturbance by punching and kicking walls and breaking glass. Upon arrival, the deputy detected the strong odor of intoxicants and the female’s PBT registered .165. The female advised she drank High Gravity beer that Bryant had bought her. Bryant admitted buying the beer and that her parents usually didn’t mind that he and the female drank beer and played board games. Bryant admitted that he was convicted in the past of sexually assaulting his niece who was four years old at the time, but did not show up as a registered sex offender. Bryant was arrested and charged with contributing to the delinquency of a child and transported to the Polk County jail.

PIERCE COUNTY HERALD: The route from the river to its final resting place for a stockpile of sand goes through Diamond Bluff. Right through the heart of a residential neighborhood, in fact, and that’s what has many residents of the Southern Pierce County community concerned. Approximately 70 people attended a town board meeting Thursday, where plans for the sand’s relocation were debated. At issue was the potential for contaminated groundwater and hazards posed by temporary storage and any spillage during the hauling project, but especially the truck traffic to be involved. Board members said a verbal go-ahead has already been given; opponents want the decision to proceed rescinded before there’s a signed agreement. Attendees who filled the town hall to capacity were told L.S. Industrial Marine, a contractor for the Army Corps of Engineers, intends to use the local boat launch’s parking lot as a transfer site for between 250,000 and 350,000 cubic yards of material. The sandy material dredged out of the Mississippi’s navigation channel over the past decade has been kept until now on an island in the river. The contractor plans to bring it by barge to the launch’s lot, then load it onto trucks to be hauled to what’s presently known as the Mathy gravel pit, on the southwest corner of Hwy. 35 and CTH K.

BURNETT COUNTY SENTINEL (GRANTSBURG): Residents of Grantsburg and surrounding towns concerned for the future of the Grantsburg Swimming Pool formed a committee Monday evening to raise at least $25,000 by Memorial Day. Village board members Roger Panek, Mike Langevin, Dean Josephson and James O. Nelson, who serve on the parks committee called the meeting to ask for community input on how to raise money for the pool, ideas on how to draw more swimmers and ways to cut operating costs. In addition to normal operating expenses, the pool needs about $20,000 in drain modifications before it can open in 2010 in order to meet federal safety standards set in the federal Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act. The act requires all public pools and spas to have drain covers that prevent swimmers from becoming attached by suction to the pool’s drain. The village board has budgeted for the pool’s regular operating expenses in 2010, plus an additional $14,000 in drain modifications and a pool cover to retain water temperature and prevent chemical evaporation. In addition the board also budgeted for an additional $25,000 fund-raising contribution.

HUDSON STAR-OBSERVER: The Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valley Council announced in a letter recently that it will be liquidating several day and overnight facilities in the region, including the 550-acre Rolling Ridges camp at the intersection of McCutcheon Rd and Alexander Rd. in the Town of Hudson. According to Scout officials the property will be decommissioned with the intent to sell the property. A council letter said “a revitalized Girl Scout program today, the economic realities of operating properties that are not fully utilized and - most importantly - girls’ changing interests are leading River Valleys and Girl Scout councils nationwide to proactively change their property portfolios in order to most effectively serve girls…While outdoor programs remain a core of the Girl Scout leadership experience just a quarter of our members participate in outdoor programs at camp,” officials said. In fiscal year 2009, 8.7 percent of Girl Scouts attended resident camps and the overall utilization rate at River Valleys’ camp properties was 37 percent.

St. Croix EDC Names Top Businesses for 2009

Baldwin Telecom named Small Business of the Year

Key personnel at Baldwin Telecom Inc. include, seated from left, Larry Knegendorf, General Manager, and Matt Sparks, Operations Manager; and standing Ruth Brenne, Office Manager, Steve Gossel, Accounting, and Duane Russett, Plant Manager.

Patti Robertson, president of St. Croix Economic Development Corporation, announced the EDC’s selection of the following companies as recipients of the 2009 business of the year awards in St. Croix County:
NCCM Company (River Falls), 2009 Emerging Business of the Year (based in St. Croix County and in business for five or fewer years); Baldwin Telecom, Inc. (Baldwin), 2009 Small Business of the Year (29 or fewer employees); and Scientific Molding Corporation Ltd. (Somerset), 2009 Business of the Year (30 or more employees).
“The 2009 winners share many common traits,” said Patti Robertson. “They are pioneers and innovators in their respective fields. They are high-tech businesses that adapt to changing markets and conditions. They are bright stars in St. Croix County and Wisconsin.”
The companies will be honored at an awards banquet on Thursday, February 25 at the University Center, on campus at UW-River Falls (River Falls, Wisconsin).
Baldwin Telecom, Inc. (BTI) was founded in 1900 as a locally-owned and operated telephone company. It initially provided phone service to customers in the Baldwin and Woodville areas of St. Croix County. In 1982, BTI’s board of directors approved the addition of cable television services to Baldwin and Woodville. The inclusion of high speed internet and cable television extended BTI’s services to Hammond, Knapp, Roberts and the Town of Hudson. In 2002, Baldwin Telecom was recognized as the first independent telephone company in Wisconsin to deploy fiber-to-the-home technology. Today, BTI is St. Croix County’s largest local provider of phone, internet, and cable services. BTI has grown to be more than a telephone company. It is a broadband company that provides all the latest technologies to businesses and homes. Larry Knegendorf is BTI’s general manager and has led the company through its expanded service offerings. Knegendorf served multiple terms as the village president of Woodville and is active in the Wisconsin State Telecommunications Association (WSTA).

Strange glow north of Baldwin

In nature there are numerous examples of symbiotic relationships. But tilapia and lettuce are usually not considered in such an association.
But a pair of Baldwin entrepreneurs is working to change that.
Partners John Vrieze and Steve Meyer are co-owners of a new greenhouse north of Baldwin across from Baldwin Dairy on CTH E called Future Farm Food & Fuel, LLC. They plan to raise lettuce in an aquaponics system in an arrangement in which fish effluent will be used as fertilizer for the lettuce
Terms used in the operation include: aquaculture which means fish farming; hydroponics which is growing plants without soil; and combined to be aquaponics which is both.
The fish produce waste products from eating which is broken down to nitrate and used by the lettuce. The lettuce breaks down the effluent in the water and it can then be recycled back to the fish.
Eventually, it is hoped that the methane produced from manure from Baldwin Dairy, can be used as an energy source for the operation.
As you might expect, there are lots of variables in the equation, including temperature both of the air and the water. Meyer said the tilapia prefer a water temperature of about 80° while lettuce prefers 70°, and a temperature of 72° seems to be acceptable for both. Humidity and light are also controlled. Controlling the environment involves an extensive and complicated system.
The lettuce will be grown in stryofoam blocks that float in the shallow ponds of water in the greenhouses. There has been experimenting and learning during the process of setting up the system. “We found that plants will continue to grow if their roots maintain their temperature,” said Meyer. “So we can let the air temperature drop and the plants will still be okay.”
The tilipia have been shipped in at a very small size, about one-half to eight-tenths of a gram in weight and less than an inch in length. After about six months in the system they will reach a size of one to one and one-half pounds and will be harvested.
Current plans call for also growing koi, which can be sold as ornamental fish.
The best plants for aquaponics are leafy greens, said Meyer, “something that uses a lot of nitrogen.” Lettuce, basil and any leafy herb would fit the bill but lettuce is readily salable. Five varieties of lettuce have been tested and the best varieties for growth have been identified. After planting seeds in a spun volcanic rock product that holds water well, they will be transferred to the pond after about 10 days. The heads of lettuce will be ready for market after about 30 days.
Lettuce production will reach 500,000 heads annually. Fish production will reach 25,000 pounds annually.
“Our real goal is community building,” said Meyer. “So people will know where their food comes from and what’s in it.”
The business is managed by two people. Phil Hudson is Manager of Aquaculture and Equipment; Pam Vrieze is the Manager of Greenhouse Production.
More information about the new business can be found on the internet at www.afuturefarm.com.

Fuel oil dealer pleads not guilty

A longtime fuel oil distributor from Glenwood City pleaded not guilty Wednesday in St. Croix County Court to 14 criminal counts accusing him of defrauding customers.
John P. Rassbach, 54, pleaded not guilty to five felony counts of theft, six counts of misdemeanor theft and three counts of attempted misdemeanor theft. A pre-trial conference is scheduled for February 10.
Rassbach is accused of defrauding customers of his business, Rassbach Oil Co., which sells fuel products to homeowners and farmers. The charges arose from an investigation by the State Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection in conjunction with the St. Croix County Sheriff’s Department.
Rassbach reportedly intentionally deceived or attempted to deceive customers to whom he sold fuel products, including LP gas, gasoline, and diesel/fuel oil.
Rassbach faces a maximum penalty of more than 20 years in jail, more than $110,000 in fines and restitution if convicted of the charges.
The state Attorney General’s Office is prosecuting the case.

From the Exchanges
   Interesting items from
      the surrounding areas

AMERY FREE PRESS: In his second meeting as acting mayor, Mike Karuschak, broke a tie vote, a rare experience in Amery’s history. The issue revolved around the non-motorized trail from Amery to Dresser. The issue concerned a desire of some to have the county reconsider its plans for a limestone surface and instead install asphalt. It currently has a $1.2 million fund for the project. With council members Kay Erickson and Diane Taxdahl absent, council members Kris Strobusch and Rick Davis led a charge against the idea. Their position was that at some future date, legislation may be passed permitting motorized vehicles on the trail and surfacing it with asphalt was not necessary. Currently the state of Wisconsin, which owns the trail, mandates that it be non-motorized. Council members Dave Myers and Jack Rogers supported the asphalt option. When the council deadlocked on the vote, Mayor Karuschak broke the tie by voting for asphalt.

SUN ARGUS (THE GATEWAY TO PIERCE COUNTY): In a letter to the Elmwood Village Board dated December 28, 2009, Jodi Pulk announced her intent to officially resign her position as village clerk. According to Pulk, her reasons for resigning from a position that she has held for six years include job stress “dealing with the Talford and Meyer situation” along with “always being on duty.” Pulk described her six years as “contentious” and indicated that it was time “to just take a step back and concentrate on my family.” In her resignation letter, she wrote, “I have truly enjoyed my time getting to know the residents and learning the history of the village, but it is time for me to find a less stressful position and get back to enjoying life again.” Rick Talford contacted the Sun-Argus on Monday, January 11. In an interview with him the following day he claimed that he has had no contact with Jodi Pulk since May of 2007. “I am not responsible for her current stress,” he said. Talford claimed the basis for the conflict he had with Pulk prior to May of 2007 stemmed from her refusal to grant his request to view public records. The conflict escalated to the point that Pulk requested and was granted a restraining order against Talford. Talford said that the restraining order was based on false information. He further claimed that Judge Robert Wing dismissed the disorderly conduct charges that the Village of Elmwood had filed against Talford in 2007. This was confirmed in an article in the Pierce County Herald dated August 9, 2007. Talford also claimed that Pulk had been suspended with pay as part of a disciplinary action. This was confirmed by Bob Rapakus, chairman of the Personnel and Finance Committee. “The suspension began on December 18 and was to have ended on January 11 at the monthly board meeting,” he said. In the meantime, Pulk resigned. Rupakus declined to provide details about Pulk’s suspension.

THE COURIER-WEDGE (DURAND): Spenser A. Weber, 19, of Eau Claire, who is one of the four men accused of the November 4 drive-by shooting in Rock Creek, pleaded not guilty Monday, January 4 to two felony charges, according to the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram. Weber faces charges of party to first-degree reckless endangerment and discharging a firearm from a vehicle. He is scheduled to return to court on March 23. Facing the same charges are James M. Hutter, 20, and Johnathan M. Hutter, 18, both of Arkansaw, Wis., and Tony Hurlburt, 19, of Durand. According to police, all were involved in the shooting incident. Allegedly the shooting occurred over the sale of some marijuana or a disagreement about a comment regarding a girlfriend. According to the criminal complaints: Dunn County authorities were called to a home owned by Denise Hazen at N1170 850th St., Mondovi at 8:15 on November 4. Hazen reported there had been a drive-by shooting at her home. Her son Cody and his girlfriend were home at the time of the incident. According to the Leader-Telegram, Johnathan Hutter is believed to have been the shooter, authorities said. However police said all four men knew about the shooting. James Hutter has an arraignment hearing on Monday, January 25. Hurlburt, who has pleaded not guilty to the charges is scheduled to return to court Tuesday, March 23.

THE SUN (OSCEOLA): No quarry, they said. In what amounted to a tight-rope decision between individual landowners’ rights against the rights of a collective group of neighbors and environmentalists, Polk County’s Land Information Committee narrowly voted last week to deny a special Exception Permit requested by Kraemer Mining Materials, Inc., that would have allowed the company to open a 61-acre trap rock (basalt) quarry. The company and a group of area landowners had proposed the mine for a 187-acre site east of County Rd. MM near Dresser.

Aaron Kusilek benefit will be January 24 at B-W HS

            Last summer and fall Baldwin-Woodville junior Aaron Kusilek suffered a number of ailments in his neck and left jaw. After a series of doctor visits he was finally diagnosed with a rare disorder mandible myxoma.

            The benign tumor from the disorder left Aaron with part of his left jaw and some of the roots of his teeth destroyed. On November 3 Aaron underwent surgery to benign the process of reconstructing his jaw.

            The process of reconstructing his jaw involves taking bone from elsewhere from his body and grafting it in place. In the first surgery, said Aaron, the bone did not match up well so the next surgery may involve grafting more bone to the jaw or maybe stretching the bone that already has been placed in his jaw.

            A further surgery, hopefully later this year, will be for teeth implants.

            The surgeries have been at Fairview University Medical Center in Minneapolis.

            At school, prior to his illness, Aaron was an involved individual. But because of his illness and surgery that has already taken place and more to come, he had to quit football last fall. This winter he is not able to participate in wrestling. “I can’t wrestle this season,” Aaron said last week. “But I’m hoping to next year.”

            He also hopes to participate in football next season and already he’s back in the weight room in preparation.

            Jake Cimino, Aaron’s wrestling coach, praised him. “He’s one of the hardest working kids I know,” said Coach Cimino. “If he could be out there this season he would be and he’s already in the weight room. He is a team captain and shows up for all the meets and practices if he can. He’s a pretty darn good kid.”

            Other activities in which Aaron participates include Lone Pine 4-H Club, FFA and Junior Class activities.

            Two fundraisers have been set for Aaron to help offset the expenses that have been incurred during his treatments. First, on Sunday, January 24 at B-W High School is a roast beef dinner, silent auction, bake sale. It will be held from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Thrivent Financial will match donated funds.

            A dance and raffle will be held on Friday, February 19 from 7:00 p.m until midnight at the Coachman Supper Club. Music will be by Round 2 and Boondoggle.

Lee Milligan died Sunday

           St. Croix County Agricultural Agent Lee Milligan died Sunday, January 10 as a result of complications following an appendectomy.

            Milligan, 55, started work as St. Croix County’s Agricultural Agent in January of 1988. He had formerly been employed in the same capacity in Pepin County.

            Milligan was a Centuria native and attended UW-River Falls. He graduated in 1976 with a bachelor of science degree in Animal Science and Farm Management.

            After working for a few years, Milligan went back to school and received his masters degree in Agricultural Economics. He then accepted the Pepin County job.

            Milligan was most recently featured in this newspaper in November for receiving a national award for St. Croix County’s Farm-City Day, although characteristically he gave credit to others.

            Milligan is survived by his wife Debbie and two daughters.

            A Celebration of Life for Lee Milligan will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 15 at Faith Community Church in Hudson. Visitation will be Thursday at O’Connell Family Funeral Home in Baldwin from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. and one hour prior to the Friday Celebration of Life.

New administrator for Baldwin

Baldwin has a new village administrator/Clerk-Treasurer.
Patti Glockzin, a native of Grantsburg has been hired to take the place of Cindi Deringer, who has retired. The appointment is subject to approval by the full village board at their January 13 meeting.
Glockzin said she has eight years experience in local government administration, including financial administration. She has worked in communities from 1,200 population to 6,500 population. That experience was in the state of Oregon. So far, she said, the only differences she’s noticed between Wisconsin law and Oregon law is in terminology.
Glockzin is a UW-Stout graduate. She has been on the job less than a week, she said, during which she has spent most of her time reading and learning her duties. Included thus far is training for the February primary election.
She said she has recently purchase a fixer-upper house in Grantsburg. Working on that on weekends she listed among her interests.

From the Exchanges

Interesting items from the

surrounding communities

PIERCE COUNTY HERALD (ELLSWORTH): Three buildings were either destroyed or badly damaged in a fire overnight Sunday and Monday in Durand. The fire reportedly began in the Main Street Café and Grill at 11 p.m. Sunday and spread via the roof to Cottage Hill Floral and Frame and to the Toni’s Interiors building, which completely burned to the ground. The café and floral buildings were badly damaged. The totally destroyed building was being used as a storage area for Toni’s Interiors’ main building which is just across the street. The storage building had been for sale for a couple of years. The old, historic Pepin County Courthouse is just in back of the damaged buildings. The fire was reportedly put out at 5 a.m. Monday. Crews were removing debris all morning and afternoon, as Main Street was blocked off to traffic. All three buildings are reportedly to be total losses.

THE SUN (OSCEOLA): A Polk County Sheriff’s deputy who has been suspended multiple times for causing serious damage while behind the wheel of county squad cars may face sanctions from the department yet again. Polk County Sheriff Tim Moore acknowledged Tuesday that Deputy Eric D. Swan has been indefinitely placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation. “We’re still just looking into a situation,” Moore said. Citing personnel data privacy laws and policy, Moore declined to comment further on the nature of the ongoing investigation. According to multiple law enforcement sources, Swan is accused of using excessive force when he assisted an Amery police officer in arresting an uncooperative suspect last fall. The incident, captured on Swan’s squad car dashboard camera is currently being investigated for criminal charges as well. Swan is no stranger to formal reprimanded. In October 2008, Swan was given a 90-day unpaid suspension and ordered to re-complete an Emergency Vehicle Operating Course after he was found to be at fault in a near-collision with a motorcyclist near Loveless Lake. Prior to 2008 Swan was reprimanded three other times, according to personnel records, and he was suspended twice for damaging county squad cars while on duty. He collided with other drivers twice and in 2006, and he spun a squad car into a ditch while traveling at a high rate of speed.

AMERY FREE PRESS: John B. McDonald, 53, Cumberland, was found dead on Wednesday, December 30, pinned under the back blade of his tractor. Barron County Sheriff, Chris Fitzgerald said his department received a call from a friend of McDonald’s saying he hadn’t talked to the man in two days. Normally they talk every day. A deputy responded and found a snow packed driveway and no lights on in the house. A garage door was open with a Ford truck parked inside. He also saw a tractor down a small hill where it had run over some saplings and a body pinned under the back blade. The city of Cumberland cleared the driveway and the fire department removed the tractor.

HUDSON STAR OBSERVER: A former inmate in the St. Croix County jail has filed lawsuit against the county and its sheriff, alleging she was repeatedly sexually assaulted by a jailer who later killed himself. In the lawsuit filed December 23, Jackie L. Peterson, 32, currently an inmate in the Robert E. Ellsworth Correctional Center, Union Grove, claims that on November 4, 2008, Darren Hyland moved her around the jail assaulting her three times. Sheriff Dennis Hillstead said Monday that his department began an investigation when a female jailer reported there was apparently something going on between Hyland and Peterson. As soon as jail administrators heard the allegations, Peterson was moved from the regular cellblock and questioned, said Hillstead. “We did a series of interviews with her,” the sheriff said. Based on her statements, Hyland was suspended and Polk County authorities were asked to investigate. A few days later, Hyland, 28, who had been a St. Croix jailer for about 18 months shot himself. “We have only one side of it,” said Hillstead because it was too late to interview Hyland. Hillstead said administrators later heard that a relationship had developed between Hyland and Peterson when she was in jail earlier and the two had “dated a couple of times” between her incarceration but had broken up.

First baby of 2010 born at Baldwin Area Medical Center

            Paiton Bowen, daughter of Marcus and Sarah Bowen of Baldwin, is the first baby born at Baldwin Area Medical Center in 2010.

            Paiton was born at 9:30 p.m. on Friday, Janaury 1. She weighed in at seven pounds, 3.3 ounces and was 19 3/4 inches long. Dr. Klingler was the attending physican. Older brother Robert Gausmann, 7, will welcome Paiton home.

            In recognition of being the first baby born at BAMC in 2010, Paiton received a savings bond from the Baldwin Area Medical Center Auxiliary.

 St. Croix County makes probable cause finding in Rassbach prosecution

            Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced that John Rassbach of Glenwood City, was bound over for trial following a preliminary hearing on December 30, 2009. Rassbach is accused of defrauding customers of his business, Rassbach Oil Company, which contracts to sell fuel products to Wisconsin home owners and farmers.

             The charges, which include multiple felony and misdemeanor counts, arose out of an investigation conducted by agents of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), Division of Weights and Measures in conjunction with the St. Croix County Sheriff’s Department.

             Rassbach, age 53, is charged with five felony counts of theft, six counts of misdemeanor theft and three counts of attempted misdemeanor theft for intentionally deceiving customers or attempting to deceive customers that he contracted to sell fuel products including LP gas, gasoline, and diesel/fuel oil in three general ways: (1) physically “shorting” the customer by pumping a portion of the fuel back into his delivery truck, (2) the use of fraudulent propane delivery invoices, and (3) the issuance of duplicate and triplicate fuel delivery tickets by presenting the same ticket to multiple customers for a single fuel delivery.

             Rassbach faces maximum penalties of: three years and six months in jail and a $10,000 fine or both on four felony counts and six years in prison and a $10,000 fine, or both on one felony count, and nine months in jail and a $10,000 fine or both on six counts of misdemeanor theft, and four and one-half months in jail and a $5,000 fine or both on three counts of attempted misdemeanor theft.  The charges are merely accusations.  Rassbach is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

             The arraignment has been scheduled for January 13, 2010 at 10:45 a.m. Assistant Attorney General David Wambach represents the state in this case. 

 Community Foundation to host comedy fundraiser

            The Baldwin-Woodville Area Community Foundation continues to work for you. At their recent meeting the foundation invited a guest, Jane Hetland Stevenson, the president of the St. Croix Valley Foundation, to inform the group about options that the foundation could use to increase its assistance in the community.

            Other items on the agenda include the spring comedy fundraiser. Trevor Anderson will be the featured MC for the event on March 25. The Orchard has joined forces with the foundation so the event will include a social hour (5:00), dinner (6:00), and program (7:00). Mark your calendars for the event scheduled to help our community.

            Scholarship and Grant applications will be available online (http://www.baldwinareafoundation.com/ ) beginning January 15, 2010. The Baldwin-Woodville Area Community Foundation will accept completed forms postmarked by March 1, 2010. Grant/scholarship award decisions will be made at the Board’s regular March meeting and will be announced later in the month.

            For more information on the BWACF, contact the Baldwin-Woodville Area Community Foundation at PO Box 352, Baldwin, WI 54002.

From the Exchanges

   Interesting items from

      surrounding communities

 HUDSON STAR-OBSERVER: A North Hudson neighborhood was cordoned off for three hours on Tuesday, December 22 while police waited for the surrender of a man who had fled to a residence at 658 Galahad Road N. James Lindsey Hart, 43, was wanted for allegedly threatening to kill his ex-girlfriend, police officers and himself. He came out of the house and surrendered to police without incident at just after 2 p.m. North Hudson police had been attempting to locate Hart since 7:30 a.m. that day when the Washington County  Minn., Sheriff’s Department sent out a notice asking any law enforcement officer who came in contact with Hart to arrest him.

NEW RICHMOND NEWS: State reports indicated that the School District of New Richmond will get $9.7 million in federal stimulus money, but according to Morrie Veilleux, district administrator, that figure might be a little misleading. As of Nov. 16, $7.6 billion has been allocated to Wisconsin municipalities, school districts, transpiration projects and government agencies. The breakdown shows the School District of New Richmond getting $7.2 million in Qualified School Construction Bonds, $1.9 million in state fiscal stabilization funds, $589,982 in IDEA Part B Grants and $27,896 in IDEA Part B Preschool Grants. The problem, Veilleux said, is it’s not all free money to be used however the district likes.

THE SUN (OSCEOLA): Osceola’s seasonal ice-skating pond has found a new home. Village parks officials have set up the seasonal ice rink this year in Oakley Park off Sixth Ave, east of Chieftain Street on the former bus garage site. The rink was formerly located in the park uphill from the fair building, near Summit Street and Seventh Avenue. Village Administrator Neil Soltis said the Village’s Public Service Committee felt moving the rink would allow it to be larger and more accessible to the public. “There’s more room there and we can have things a little bit bigger,” said Soltis.

CENTRAL ST. CROIX NEWS (HAMMOND AND ROBERTS): Years of making YouTube videos paid off in a big way for two Central St. Croix area teens – although not as big as they were hoping. Elling Hofland and Adam Calcagno, both juniors at St. Croix Central High School and employees at the Best Buy store in Woodbury, teamed together for – literally – about the 100th time to make their latest YouTube video: “Billy Mays and Kodak.” The two-minute video was part of Kodak’s “Print and Prosper Playback” contest open to Best Buy employees nationwide. The boys’ video was one of ten chosen from all entries to be posted on YouTube for ten days. The video with the most views won $10,000 Hofland and Calcagno’s work came in second, earning them a home entertainment center valued at $3,500. “Now we just have to figure out how to split it up,” 16-year-old Hofland said. “I’m disappointed we didn’t win the $10,000. It’s undeniable that we had the better video.

RIVER FALLS JOURNAL: The amount is nothing to shrug off but it could have been much worse. At last week’s regular meeting the school board approved a $365,340 budget reduction for the 2010-11 school year. Now district administrators led by Superintendent Tom Westerhous, must hash out details of what gets cut. After a public hearing in March the school board will get its recommendation and vote on it. The reason for the cuts is a projected $1-plus-million shortfall in next year’s school district budget. If you think you’ve heard this before, you have. With the recession in full swing, the state hacked school aid to Wisconsin districts late last summer. River Falls suddenly lost $1.5 million which created a financial sinkhole. As a result, the property tax mill rate was increased by an average of 15% and $800,000 was tapped from the district’s Reserve Fund to cover the shortfall. And before that, in March, the school board ok’d a $381,000 budget reduction to prepare for the 2009-10 year and also tapped more than $300,000 from the Reserve Fund. Declining enrollment and state aid were cited as key factors.

Items and cash collected for Food Pantry at B-WHS

Maddie Otis was happy for the chance to “pie” Mr. Bassak, and shows determination in placing the pie squarely on his face.
A total of $1,350 as well as 698 pounds of food and personal hygiene products were collected at B-W High School during the “Food Fight” competition among homerooms.
The top collecting homeroom was Mr. Hush’s. Students in Mr. Hush’s class collected $463 and 30 pounds of food and other needed items.
Food Pantry representative Claire Stein explained that the cash collected was especially important because it can be used at a food-buying cooperative to purchase nine times the amount collected. He said the funds collected would help stock the Food Pantry for up to two months.
As a reward to students for their efforts on behalf of the Food Pantry, students whose names were drawn had the chance to “pie” a volunteer member of the school’s staff.

Man sentenced for battery to four and one-half years prison

The Eau Claire man involved in the invasion and shooting incident on August 1 at a home in Wilson has been sentenced to four and one-half years of prison after he pleaded guilty to aggravated battery and substantial battery.
Justin G. Rott, 26, was sentenced to the prison term on Friday, December 18 by Judge Ed Vlack in St. Croix County Circuit Court. As part of the sentence, Rott was also placed on five years of extended supervision and he was ordered not to use alcohol or illegal drugs, receive appropriate counseling and pay restitution. Rott was given credit for 112 days he has already served in jail.
Other felony counts, including impersonating a police officer, burglary, possession of a firearm by a felon, first-degree reckless injury and two counts of attempted armed robbery by use of force were dismissed.
According to court records and the St. Croix County Sheriff’s Department, a Wilson couple were asleep on Saturday, August 1 when their home was broken into by a man, later identified as Rott, wearing a t-shirt that said sheriff on it and carrying a rifle. He said he was a police officer and asked for money and drugs. When the couple was skeptical, a scuffle ensued and both the man and woman were shot but have since recovered. Their child was not hurt. Rott received a gash to his head.
According to court records, the homeowner told police he had been selling drugs from his garage and a relative of Rott’s said he bought marijuana from him the day before the shooting. Rott was arrested two days later by Menomonie police. Rott had a head wound and was wearing similar clothing and carrying a flashlight similar to that described by the victims.

DNR biologists have tracked cougar in western Wisconsin


Biologists with the state Department of Natural Resources have tracked what could be the same cougar through parts of St. Croix, Pierce and Dunn counties in western Wisconsin.
It is possible this is the cougar that was photographed and tracked Dec. 11 in Stillwater, Minnesota. That cougar was moving east, and it would have been easy for the big cat to cross the frozen St. Croix River. Tracks found in Stillwater and in St. Croix County are similar in size.
This question may be resolved as DNA samples (hair) were collected in Stillwater and in Pierce County and then again today in Dunn County. These are being sent to the Wildlife Genetics Lab in Missoula, Montana, for analysis. Results are not expected for at least two weeks.
This past Wednesday, a farmer photographed cougar tracks near Spring Valley, about 25 miles east of the St. Croix River near the border of St. Croix and Pierce counties. DNR biologist Harvey Halvorsen picked up the trail on Friday and tracked the cougar for more than a mile to the Eau Galle River.
A motion-activated trail camera took a photograph of the cougar Saturday night, south and west of Downsville in Dunn County. DNR biologist Jess Carstens verified the tracks on Monday, indicating the cougar has continued to move south and east at a rate of five to seven miles per day.
It had been expected that the cat would make a kill and Carstens found a cache Monday, a fawn deer that had been partially eaten and then covered with corn stalks from a farmer’s field. Evidence examined today shows the cat likely returned to the cache overnight.
The DNR has no immediate plans to capture the animal. Landowners in the lower Chippewa River valley are being asked to be observant for signs of the cougar.
If an individual finds what appear to be cougar tracks the best course of action is to take the highest quality photographs possible with something in the frame – a ruler is preferred but cash money will work – as a reference for measurement.
Instructions for reporting rare animal signs – and up to date information on cougar sightings in Wisconsin – can be found online at: http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/er/mammals/cougar/sightings.htm. This information includes e-mail addresses for transmitting digital photographs.
This is the second time cougar signs have been found in this part of western Wisconsin. In May, confirmed cougar tracks were found on a farm in Pepin County.
A cougar first spotted near Milton, Wisconsin, in January 2008 was the first confirmed instance of a wild cougar in Wisconsin since they were extirpated from the state in the early part of the 20th Century.
Biologists suspect that the handful of sightings since then are the result of male cougars dispersing from breeding populations in the Dakotas. Parts of western and southwestern Wisconsin offer ideal habitat for cougars with heavily wooded terrain, high-ridged valleys and large deer populations. There is no evidence of breeding populations in Wisconsin.
Cougars are listed as protected in Wisconsin. It is illegal to kill a cougar except to prevent injury to a human.
Wildlife officials said there is no reason for concern as cougars typically avoid any contact with humans. While the risk of a cougar attacking a human is exceedingly small, it does exist. Officials from Arizona, which has a large population of cougars, offer this advice if you encounter a mountain lion:
Do not approach the animal. Most mountain lions will try to avoid a confrontation. Give them a way to escape.
Stay calm and speak loudly and firmly.
Do not run from a mountain lion. Running may stimulate a mountain lion’s instinct to chase. Stand and face the animal. Make eye contact.
Appear larger. Raise your arms. Open your jacket if you are wearing one. Throw stones, branches, or whatever you can reach without crouching or turning your back. Wave your arms slowly. The idea is to convince the lion that you are not easy prey and that you may be a danger to it.
Maintain eye contact and slowly back away toward a building, vehicle, or busy area.
Protect small children so they won’t panic and run.
Fight back if attacked. Many potential victims have fought back successfully with rocks, sticks, caps, jackets, garden tools, their bare hands, and even mountain bikes. Since a mountain lion usually tries to bite the head or neck, try to remain standing and face the animal.

From the Exchanges

   Interesting Items from

      Surrounding Communities

HUDSON STAR OBSERVER: One thing everyone agreed on when the Hudson Plan Commission opened discussion on revisions to the city’s sign ordinance was that the existing rules aren’t working. Community Development Director Dennis Darnold said that over the years he’s collected countless illegal garage-sale and real-estate signs left standing on street corners. “I’d like to have a dollar for every realtor sign I’ve picked up,” Darnold said. Mayor Dean Knudson at the commission’s Dec. 10 meeting identified three types of signs – directional, vinyl banner and sidewalk sandwich-board – that are frequently in violation of the city current sign ordinance. Knudson also wants new rules on electronic message board signs. He says the city’s existing regulations on message board signs are conflicting and obsolete.

PIERCE COUNTY HERALD: The events of November 15, 2008, are still having a profound effect on Nicholas Thayer to this day. On that day, the 29-year-old Ellsworth native admitted to killing a deer with a gun which was illegal at that time. For that, he was charged with hunting a deer during closed season and failure to attach ear tag to deer carcass. He pleaded guilty to the deer hunting charge and his DNR rights were suspended for three years. Wednesday, Thayer was charged in Pierce County Circuit Court with alleged perjury before a court in relation to the testimony he gave when he was a witness in the jury trial of Daniel Place, his accomplice that day. Place was acquitted of the ear tag charge. In Place’s written statement to Warden Brad Peterson on the night of the incident he said he received a call from Thayer at 8:30 a.m., met Thayer at his house between 9:30 and 10 a.m. and then drove to the area where the deer was shot near Co. Rd. A and 420th St. Place also said that during their time together Thayer told him he shot the deer with a gun, for which Place called him “a dumb ass.” Place also said how Thayer was going to stick an arrow in the buck to cover the bullet hole. During Thayer’s testimony on May 6, the complaint says Thayer denied and said he never had that conversation with Place about the details of the bullet hole or he had shot the deer with a gun instead of a bow. It was stated in the complaint “Place’s statement appears to be a factual statement of events and he would have no motive to lie to the warden when he implicated himself in being party to the crime.”

THE SUN (OSCEOLA): Polk County’s Land Information committee wants one more month to chew on it. After giving Kraemer Mining and Materials more than a month to prepare before formal rebutting more than nine hours of public testimony and comment taken at a hearing in October, the Land Information Committee heard Kraemer’s rebuttal, then voted to table the issue one more time last Wednesday. Kraemer and a group of area landowners are seeking a Special Exception Permit from the county that will allow them to open a 61-acre trap rock quarry in Osceola township. During last Wednesday’s hearing, Kris Anderson, Kraemer’s business development manager, refuted many of the suggestions and accusations made during the public comment period, including that Kraemer had exaggerated its estimates of job creation and tax revenue generation.

AMERY FREE PRESS: The Polk County Health Department said that the first H1N1 related death has occurred here. It was an adult with underlying health conditions. Gretchen Sampson, RN, MPH department director, announced that no information about the patient’s age, sex, race, or residence out of respect for the family and patient confidentiality laws. “For most people, the 2009 H1N1 flu is not severe. However, the risk of hospitalization death is higher in young children (six months or younger, pregnant women, parents, siblings and healthcare workers, emergency medical services, personnel and persons with compromised immune systems).

National Honor Society members inducted at B-W

New National Honor Society members were inducted at a ceremony recently at Baldwin-Woodville High School. The new members are pictured above. In the front row, left to right, are: Shauna Basques, Erin Booth, Marissa Braymen, Abby Gadbois and Ross Jennings. In the second row, from left, are: Brooke McNamara, Adam Newton, Ashley Robole, Jordan Johnson, Katie Wahlquist and Tanya LaFavor. In the third row, from left, are: Dakota Ramberg, Jordan Weyer, Emily Veenstra and Jalena Timmers.

Burglary investigation progress made

According to Baldwin Police Chief Jim Widiker, there has been progress in the past week in the investigation into recent burglaries of businesses on Baldwin’s Main Street.
Chief Widiker said there were two search warrants executed last week in Baldwin in connection with the investigation. In one of the searches illicit drugs were discovered as well as a receipt from a pawn shop that led investigators to a laptop computer stolen from PC Doctor.
Chief Widiker said his department has also received word of a personal computer discovered in a dumpster in River Falls but the PC has not yet been examined.
One person is in jail on a drug charge related to the search, said Chief Widiker. He said investigators believe the two burglaries are related.
The second search warrant executed last week turned up no evidence, Chief Widiker said.

New retail store open on Baldwin’s Main Street

Motorcycle Leathers and More is a new retail store open in Baldwin. Located at 740 Main Street, it is owned by Brad Coplan, currently a Baldwin Police Officer.
Coplan said his tentative plan is to retire from the Baldwin Police Department in March “so this is my retirement project.” He has been a officer for 22 years, including 16 in Baldwin.
Coplan said “I’ve had all kinds of bikes all my life,” so he enjoys motorcycle themed products. “I wanted the chance to get a quality product out there at a decent price,” he added. So far business has been good, he said.
The store carries brand name jewelry, wallets and purses, leather jackets, vests and chaps and some art work. “The big item obviously is leather jackets,” said Coplan, “and they’re not just for motorcycling.” He said more items are arriving and one of his goals is to get a line of kid’s clothing. Most of the products sold at the store are from Hot Leathers, which is a wholesaler in Connecticut.
An open house is being planned for this spring as the riding season gets closer, said Coplan. He hopes to have on hand a tattoo artist, someone to pinstripe motorcycles and a motorcycle wash.
The phone number of Motorcycle Leathers and More is 688-3075.

From the Exchanges
   Interesting Items from the
      Surrounding Communities

THE SUN (OSCEOLA): The St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office has determined that a Polk County officer’s use of force in the shooting of a Clam Falls area man was justified. Polk County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Michael Stoffel returned to work December 4 after a shooting review panel unanimously determined that Stoffel acted appropriately when he shot and wounded Jason King, 31, in the chest after midnight on November 15 in the driveway of King’s family home. The St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office investigated the incident and a seven-member shooting panel reviewed the information on December 3. Stoffel has been with Polk County since 1993 and was promoted to patrol sergeant in 2001.

PIERCE COUNTY HERALD (ELLSWORTH): A 24-year-old-man was hospitalized early Friday after being shot following a skirmish at the Harbor Bar. Pierce County Sheriff’s deputies were called just after midnight to the Harbor Bar in the Town of Trenton for reports of shots fired. Deputies said the victim was shot in the upper torso. He was transported to Fairview Red Wing Medical Center then airlifted to St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minn. Red Wing firefighters said the man was in serious condition when he was transported from the scene. A St. Mary’s spokeswoman said there was no information on the victim. The Red Wing Republican Eagle has obtained the name of the victim, but is withholding it at the request of authorities. Lt. Dennis Sorenson of the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department said the victim is still alive, but said his condition was unknown. “We’ve got a lot of pieces to put together,” he said. According the a press release the victim and a possible suspect identified by Red Wing police as a 25-year-old Red Wing man became involved in “some type of altercation” in the bar. Bar owner Brad Smith said the shooting stemmed from an argument that began near the pool tables.

BURNETT COUNTY SENTINEL: Back on track and moving forward. That’s the status of the new Burnett Community Library in Webster following last Wednesday’s Webster Village Board meeting in which the village and Terry Larsen, who is donating his building for the new library, reached an agreement. “The second set of borings showed pretty minimal contamination so the board felt comfortable taking it over,” trustee Tim Maloney reported. The borings, ordered after the first borings conducted as part of an environmental assessment revealed some sort of petroleum spill, were not too bad. “It is now up to the Department of Natural Resources if the site needs to be cleaned up,” Malone continued. “But for the village’s part, we will take over the building from Terry by the end of the year.