WED., DECEMBER 4, 2013 VOLUME 81 NO.

16 2 SECTIONS

Honors choir performs at Unity HS

TFs Lighting Festival

Currents, pages 10-11

eader L
Currents, page 13

INTER-COUNTY

A Christmas Story, retold

CURRENTS FEATURE
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Driver of van that hit rural Luck home perishes; family home that was hit still in limbo Page 3

Story has troubling updates

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Ambulance changes outlined with merger

Western Wisconsin EMS takeover of Unity Area Ambulance Service details
Bart (Nels Sederlund) and the Candy Cane Kid (Brooke Aaron) have a heart-to-heart talk during the Frederic Elementary School Christmas program held Monday evening, Dec. 2, and featuring a musical titled Christmas at the O.K. Corral, performed by kindergarteners and first-graders. More photos in Currents section. - Photo by Becky Amundson

WEEKEND WATCH
Tree lighting @ Luck Art sale @ Luck Orchestra concert @ Amery Santa Day at Milltown Christmas @ the Forts Christmas parade @ Siren Holiday bazaar @ Webster GHS concert @ Grantsburg
See Coming events for details

Page 4

DEADLINE
Deadline for news and ad copy is Monday at 4:30 p.m. for that weeks issue of the Leader. Early copy is appreciated.

Primary in one district

Filings start for Polk County Board Page 2

Filing under way now for many April contests Page 3

Spring election updates

SPORTS

Mary Burke makes a swing through NW Wisconsin as she seeks the Democratic nod to run against incumbent Scott Walker next fall

Gubernatorial candidate shares views

she would seek the Democratic nomination for governor in the fall 2014 election against incumbent Republican Gov. Scott Walker. Burke, 53, is currently the only declared Democratic gubernatorial candidate, and with the exception of being elected to the Madison Metropolitan School District School Board, has never held a political office. This past Sunday, Dec. 1, she attended the Washburn County Democrats holiday party held at Foxxys in Spooner. It was a great opportunity to see a lot of people, get to understand the issues that are impor See Burke, page 2

LIVES LIVED
Corley Mortenson John Jack Welling Robert W. Anderson Stanley Alfred Helland James Jimmy Matrious Sr. Roberta Lynn Thomas John C. Lumsden Bruce M. Yunker Kelly Nadine SchultzZellmer Elaine Idella Palmer Clarence Pappy Henry Larson Jr. Alice M. Helman
See Obituaries, 14-15B

Danielle Moe | Staff writer NORTHWEST WISCONSIN - On Oct. 7, Mary Burke, Madison school board member, former Wisconsin Commerce Department secretary and former Trek Bicycle executive, announced that

UP FRONT
BURNETT/POLK COUNTIES - Area public school administrators called off school today (Wednesday, Dec. 4) in anticipation of more snowfall - 8 to 12 inches - throughout the day, adding to the 4 to 8 inches the area received on Monday evening. STILLWATER, Minn. - A former Grantsburg High School teacher charged with two felony counts of criminal sexual conduct involving former female students is scheduled to make his next court appearance on Thursday, Dec. 19, at 9 a.m. at the Washington County, Minn., government center. Matthew Robert Koenen, 36, developed a relationship with several female students in person, online and by text which ultimately led to sexual conduct at his Stillwater home for which he is charged, according to Washington County attorney Pete Orput. Koenen made an initial court appearance Nov. 27 at which bail was set at $200,000. According to Washington County court records, Koenen posted a noncash bond Nov. 26 with conditions that he have no contact with people under 18. The Dec. 19 hearing, called a Rule 8 hearing in Minnesota, is the first appearance by a defendant with an attorney where the defendant or their attorney will be provided with evidence. Koenen has retained an attorney, Tina H. Appleby, and will be allowed to enter only a guilty plea at the Rule 8 hearing, under Minnesota law. If he chooses to enter a not guilty plea, he must wait until an omnibus hearing is held. - Gary King with information from Washington County Attorney MADISON - Sweeping changes to Wisconsins BadgerCare program would be put off for a few months under a plan that cleared the Legislatures budget committee on Monday, Dec. 2. For 72,000 parents and caretakers who earn more than the federal poverty level, the delay means theyll get to keep their BadgerCare coverage until April 1 instead of getting dropped in January. See full story on page 5. SIREN - The community choir will perform its annual Christmas concert on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m. and on Sunday, December 8, at 3 p.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church in Siren. The choir under the direction of Jim Muus will sing both old and new Christmas hymns and gospel songs. Accompanist for the concert is Julie Strang. Choir members come from many area churches, and began practicing for the concerts in early October. Refreshments are served after the concerts by Bethany Church members. - submitted

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One-room schools focus of new book

MADISON - What was it like to attend a one-room school, to be in the same classroom as your older brother or younger sister, or to have your teacher live with your family for part of the school year? In One Room Schools, Susan AppsBodilly chronicles life in Wisconsins early country schools, detailing the experiences of the students, the role of the teacher and examples of the curriculum, including the importance of Wisconsin School of the Air radio programs. She describes the duties children had at school besides their schoolwork, from cleaning the erasers and sweeping cobwebs out of the outhouse to carrying in wood for the stove. She also tells what led to the closing of the one-room schools, which were more than just centers of learning; they also served as the gathering place for the community. AppsBodilly drew from the research compiled by her father, Jerry Apps, for his book One-Room Country Schools: History and Recollections. Apps-Bodilly has geared her book toward young readers who will learn what students and their teacher did on cold mornings before the woodstove warmed them up. For more information go to wisconsinhistory.org/shop. - from Wisconsin Historical Society

McMahon to perform Friday

Mary Burke, Democratic nominee for Wisconsins 2014 governor election, meets citizens in Hudson on Sunday, Dec. 1, during a tour through Northwest Wisconsin - Photo courtesy Burke for Wisconsin

Burke/from page 1
tant to them, Burke said in a phone interview. Of the numerous problems in todays headlines, Burke said that the issues around jobs and access to affordable health care are the most important to people across Wisconsin. In 2007, she resigned as Wisconsin commerce secretary but, before doing so, criticized the commerce department for their lack of initiative to create jobs. Today, Burke feels the same passion and said, I think that we do need to make sure we are being as aggressive as possible in terms of job creation ... the state needs to be more supportive in terms of helping companies find the capital that they (small businesses) need to expand. Burke thinks that by focusing on helping entrepreneurs, small businesses and new businesses get started, it will help to encourage Wisconsins struggling job market. Burke stood by her opposition to legislation passed in March of this year that lessened the powers of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, alleviating pressure on the $1.5 billion open pit mine project planned for the Penokee Hills in northern Wisconsin. According to the Wisconsin Legislative documents, the 2013 Wisconsin Act 1 is written to repeal, amend, recreate and create numerous statutes within existing regulations related to ferrous metallic mining including procedures for obtaining approvals from the DNR for the construction of utility facilities, making an appropriation and providing penalties. Yes, there was legislation proposed that was bipartisan legislation proposed by Sens. Jauch, Cullen and Schultz, which had the environment protections that would have safeguarded our air and our water and now it is pushed aside for this other legislation that did not, in fact, do that, and so I would definitely want to see that legislation repealed, she said. With a recently updated website, Burke offers an issues section which states her support for the rights of workers to collectively bargain. If elected governor, she would work with the Legislature to implement laws that would bring back collective bargaining. We would have to bring people together to do that, and it certainly, with the current Legislature, will be challenging but that is what governors do, and that is what we have to focus on for the long term. Another devisive topic is the states expanding school choice program, which has operated in Milwaukee for the past 20 years. The program allows low-income students in the public school system to attend private schools at $6,442 a voucher, the taxpayers expense. In 2011 the program was expanded to Racine with vouchers for 250 students, then 500 in 2012, and an unlimited number to be allowed in 2013. As an active Madison school board member, Burke feels the program should be limited to start. Secondly, would be working with the Legislature to eliminate the provision that even allows for the 500 or 1,000 students (vouchers), said Burke. She went on to iterate that research into the program has not proven its effectiveness, but research has not been proven conclusive to favor either sides argument. Burke visited the communities of Hudson, Amery, Rice Lake and Spooner last weekend.

Salvation Army hosts breakfast with Santa

AMERY - Salvation Army of Polk County invites the public to join them for Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Amery Intermediate School from 9 a.m. to noon.Have your picture taken with Santa then join in the fun by participating in some fun crafts and other fun things going on that day. After youve eaten breakfast with Santa, you can also meet some special clowns who will be making a first-time appearance at the event. Princess Frostina and a toy soldier clown will be there. The proceeds from the breakfast go to help the Salvation Army in their efforts to raise money to help people in the local community including the backpack program in Polk County. The Salvation Army helps many families each week with the Happy Kids Backpack program. There are children in America that rely on resources such as free and reduced-price school lunch during the school year. Some of those families benefiting from that service also benefit from the Salvation Army by receiving a backpack full of vital food items that are designed to meet the nutritional needs of hungry children at times when other resources are not available such as on the weekends and school vacation. Breakfast with Santa is just another way the Salvation Army is working toward meeting the needs of children in our community and providing some holiday cheer. If you are interested in supporting the Salvation Army with the backpack program or any of the other valuable services in the community, including the Serenity Home homeless shelter in Balsam Lake, you can send your tax-deductible donation to 200 Polk County Plaza, Balsam Lake, WI 54810. If you would like to help this season by donating time to ring bells in the Red kettle campaign call 715-485-1221 or log onto ringbells.org. - from Salvation Army

Katie McMahon, best known as the Voice of Riverdance, will perform in concert at The College of St. Scholastica at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, in the Mitchell Auditorium on campus. Tickets are $18. Born and bred in Dublin, Ireland, McMahon is a classically trained singer and harpist. Her soprano solo on the original Riverdance single topped the charts in Ireland for three months, and she went on to tour the world with the group for five years as its lead vocalist. After meeting her husband and making her home in Minnesota, McMahon formed her own band and troupe of Irish dancers. In addition to releasing five critically acclaimed solo albums, she received the distinction of best folk and acoustic artist by the Minnesota Music Academy. Other upcoming Bravo! shows are listed at spotlight.css.edu or call 218-723-7000 for more information. - from CSS

Follow-up on house re

The apparent origin of a house fire on Saturday, Nov. 23, south of Siren was a woodstove in the basement. Siren firefighters, with help from Webster and St. Croix-Hertel firefighters, fought the blaze for about three hours. Members of the Hajavy family, owners of the home at 8512 Elbow Lake Road, were up for deer hunting and staying at the house when the fire broke out. The flames had already filled the basement when the fire department was called and had spread to the rest of the structure before firefighters could reach the scene. The structure could not be saved. No injuries were reported. The Leader published only basic information in last weeks issue. - Photo by Gary King

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Briefly
LUCK - The National Active and Retired Federal Employees, Chapter 1581, will hold a dinner meeting at noon on Thursday, Dec. 12, at the Oakwood Inn inLuck.Make your reservations by calling 715-327-8658 by Monday, Dec 9. All federal active and retired employees are welcome. submitted ST. CROIX FALLS - The Polk County Republicans will show a free movie, Nullification: The Rightful Remedy, Tuesday,Dec. 10, 6:30 p.m., at the St. Croix Falls library. This 72-minute movie teaches what nullification is and the basis for this 10th Amendment solution to federal overreach; how nullification has been used in early American history, from defending free speech to resisting federal slaves laws and more. For more information, call Margo Johnson at 715-294-4333. submitted GRANTSBURG The Grantsburg Chamber of Commerce wishes to inform the public there will not be a Santa Day in Grantsburg this year. Please spread the word. submitted

Driver perishes, family home that was hit still in limbo

Van in house story has troubling updates

DECEMBER 4, 2013 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 3

Filings start for Polk County Board

Gregg Westigard | Staff writer BALSAM LAKE The registrations have just started for the Polk County Board election in April and already there is a primary set in one of the 15 districts. Incumbent Brian Masters, Ken Sample and Marilyn Nehring have all filed campaign registration statements in the new District 6, which covers the towns of Apple River and Balsam Lake plus most of Georgetown. If all three complete the filing process by gathering signatures on their nomination papers, the field of candidates will be reduced to two names on the Feb. 18, 2104, primary. As of Monday, Dec. 2, three other incumbents, William Johnson in District 1, Marvin Caspersen in District 7 and Warren Nelson in District 12 had registered their campaigns. Candidates have until Tuesday, Jan. 7, to register and start circulating their nomination papers to get on the April 1 ballot. The entire county board is up for election. This will be the first election for the smaller 15-member county board.

Primary in one district

Greg Marsten | Staff writer TOWN OF LUCK Polk County authorities have confirmed that the man who was driving a van that went out of control and crashed into a rural Luck home has perished at Regions Medical Center in St. Paul. Mark William Wright, 50, Hastings, Minn., died several weeks ago, reportedly after his life support was ceased. The cause of his death remains unclear and is a whole separate issue, according to the Polk County Sheriffs Department. Wright may have had a medical issue that caused the entire episode. We have no information about what happened until we get more information from Ramsey County (Medical Examiners Office), stated Polk County Sheriff Peter Johnson. Whether it counts as a fatality is dependent upon whether he died as a result of the crash or if it was a medical issue, Johnson stated. For instance, if he had a heart attack and then crashed, it is not considered a fatality. However, if the (crash) injury caused the death, then yes. The PCSD was not informed of Wrights death and only learned of his passing when notified by the press. Im a little distressed by the fact that no one over there (Ramsey County) even thought to consider telling us that he died, Johnson said. That can cause some issues in itself. Some of the problems we have by living in a border county. PCSD officials are still waiting for final details of Wrights passing, and at this point, are unclear if there was an autopsy performed. While the cause of his death remains a question mark, other issues of the incident remain in limbo. Background on the crash The Mark Wright crash occurred at just before 8 p.m. in the Town of Luck on Friday, Oct. 25, at the intersection of CTH N and 170th Street, west of Luck by Little Butternut Lake. Wright was eastbound in a 1995 Dodge Van on CTH N at a high rate of speed when he failed to negotiate the sweeping curve at 170th Street. He failed to slow down in time and lost control when the rear end of the van oversteered and went wide, striking several road signs. The accident report and skid marks show he apparently overcorrected, and the van swung wide across the other lane of traffic and into the side yard of the home on the corner, where it struck the corner and then flipped on its side. The crash with the home was loud enough that multiple parties heard the crash and called 911. While the accident report is unclear, one neighbor who assisted on the scene stated that Wright was not wearing a seat belt, and he was extricated from

The accident that occurred in October involved a van going out of control and striking a house, moving the home on its foundation. The driver of the van, Mark Wright, 50, Hastings, Minn., later died, although there are many questions remaining. Photos by Greg Marsten the vehicle through the windshield. EMTs and Luck Fire and Northland Ambulance were on the scene. He was transported to St. Croix Regional Medical Center by ambulance and later was transferred to Regions Medical Center in St. Paul, where he later died. He was the only person in the van at the time, and it was unclear if he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and authorities were unable to get blood samples prior to his transport. proximity to traffic. There are a lot of questions that need to be answered, for sure, Kube said.

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The collisions impact The crash with the home was notably violent, so much so that it physically moved the home on its foundation. There were several people in the home at the time, although none of them were injured in the collision. The house that Wright collided with at 2510 170th St. has not been occupied since, as it was physically moved across the foundation, and the cost of repair remains unclear. The Brian and April Hayes family had just purchased the home a short time prior and reportedly did not have homeowners insurance, due to issues with a woodstove. They have had several people look over the home to see if it can be repaired and are reportedly working with Habitat for Humanity on either repairing or rebuilding the home. Eric Kube is executive director of Wild Rivers HFH, he said they are considering the circumstances of the tragedy, and while there are many variables, he is hoping they can work something out to help the family. It must have been quite a violent crash, Kube said. It even (disconnected) the chimney. Kube said there are several issues to consider on the Hayes home, such as whether it can be rebuilt affordably, or if they should start over from scratch, which would again cost the family more money. Even the safety of the location has come into question, and several people have questioned why there were no guardrails at the location, and because the home is so close to the road, whether it should be rebuilt, at all. The home was not always that close to the road, but due to a CTH N reconstruction decades ago, it was suddenly in closer

The other clouded issues Wright was driving on a suspended license at the time of the crash and was not insured. The van he was driving was totaled and did not belong to him, at least it was not registered to him. The vehicle was still registered to attorney Dennis Lieder of Webster, who has apparently told authorities that he sold it to another party, who then sold it to Wright, although no title transfer was ever made, to either person, and the van still wore Lieders personalized license plates - expired since April when the accident occurred. Repeated queries to Lieder for comment or verification on who he allegedly sold the van to have yet to be returned. It did not come up as being reported stolen, and there is nothing in the file as to whether it was sold to him (Wright) or borrowed to him, Johnson said last month. Under Wisconsin law, when someone sells a vehicle, the license plates remain with the previous owner and do not go with the vehicle. Its against the law (to keep the plates on a sold vehicle), stated Trooper Derrek Hanson of the Wisconsin State Patrol, who cited several clauses on the sale of a vehicle, under chapter 341 of the Wisconsin State Statutes. He said it is up to the purchasing party to transfer a title, but the party who sells a vehicle also has some responsibility. Even selling the vehicle to a relative, you should make a photocopy (of the title transfer) right away, Hanson said. It takes the liability off of the (previous) owner. While the law places the liability of a driving infraction on the driver of a vehicle, Hanson said that hypothetically, if the vehicle was stopped with expired tags, the police would not be able to take the plates, but would instead ask who the vehicle belonged to, and if it came back as still being registered to the previous owner, the police have no way to know if the person is borrowing the vehicle or actually purchased it. Were none the wiser, if

they say they are just borrowing it (the vehicle), as thats not against the law, Hanson said. It doesnt matter who the vehicle came back to (as the registered owner) because the driver would be issued the citation. Sheriff Johnson does not expect any charges to be filed against the previous owner, but he questioned why someone would leave personalized, expired plates on a vehicle they sell, especially someone whose career is based on a knowledge of the law. While one normally keeps the plates associated with a vehicle when you sell it, it is not illegal to not do so, just stupid, Johnson said. Wright had turned 50 years old just four days prior to the crash and had a long history of driving infractions, with a number of criminal convictions over two decades prior. In fact, he had last been convicted of driving after suspension and without insurance two years ago in Hastings and was under a court order to maintain insurance if he was driving. Wright had convictions for everything from driving while intoxicated to vehicle theft, criminal damage to property, assault and several convictions involving careless and aggravated driving. He had at least four DUI convictions since 1991 in Minnesota alone, and his license was suspended at the time of the crash, and had been for several years.

What next for the family? Regardless of the shady circumstances behind the late driver, the incident is a tragedy on many fronts. The crash has left one man dead, and a family without a home, with nobody left to pay for the damage. The dust is still technically settling on several fronts of Wrights death and its cause, as well as other liability issues. The issue of what is next for the Hayes family remains unclear, but there are several members of the community trying to assist in their recovery. Its just a bad situation, all around, stated Mike Rozumalski, who is Pastor Emeritus at the nearby West Denmark Lutheran Church, which has assisted with donations for the Hayes family. He has been a contact for the family, as they have had to rent a home in the interim, while they await the final verdict on what is next for their damaged home. Hopefully something good can happen for them. There have been donation collections at the Luck School, where one of the familys children attends school. And several local residents and neighbors have established a relief fund for the family to assist with their costs of repair or relocation. Donations can be made to the Hayes Family Fund at Sterling Bank in Luck, POB 314, 2547 State Road 35, Luck, WI 54853. Phone: 715472-4088, email: luck@sterlingbank.ws

Gregg Westigard |Staff writer POLK COUNTY December is the filing period for many of the contests in the spring election. Candidates for all county board seats, some seats on each school board, city mayors and council members,

Filing under way now for many April contests

and village trustees in Clear Lake, Dresser, Osceola and Turtle Lake get on the ballot by filing nomination papers. There is also one judicial race, for Polk County Circuit Court, on the April 1, 2014, ballot. The nomination period started Sunday, Dec. 1, and ends Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2014. The nomination process starts with the candidate filing a campaign registration statement with the county, municipal or school clerk for the office sought.

Spring election updates

Candidates for the remaining village boards and for the towns with five-member boards will be nominated at caucuses in January. The caucus dates will be reported in late December. The dates and process Candidates register their campaigns and circulate nomination petitions Sunday, Dec. 1, through Tuesday, Jan. 7. The petitions are not needed for school board

contests. Friday, Dec. 27, is the last day for incumbents not running for re-election to file a notification of noncandidacy. Tuesday, Jan. 7, through Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014, is the period for nominating caucuses. Tuesday, Feb. 18, is the spring primary. Tuesday, April 1, is the spring election.

PAGE 4 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - DECEMBER 4, 2013

Gregg Westigard | Staff writer BALSAM LAKE The Tuesday, Dec. 3, meeting of the Polk County Public Protection Committee focused on technology changes that should improve the law enforcement and justice systems while lowering county operations expenses. The three committee members present, Jay Luke, Kim OConnell and Kathryn Kienholz, heard reports on proposed changes to the offices of the sheriff, the district attorney, clerk of courts, and child support agency. The Polk County Justice Center was constructed with teleconferencing systems built into some courtrooms. Those systems have never been operational and are now obsolete, county administrator Dana Frey said. New technology is available now that could lower some justice

Adding teleconferencing system

Polk County justice departments going paperless

system costs while improving operations. New court video teleconferencing equipment would allow for court appearances without the need for the sheriffs department to transport detainees from out-of-county locations. That could save the sheriffs department a projected $4,000 a year in overtime and transportation expenses. And the new system would allow the county to disconnect a dedicated phone line that has been in place to serve the nonfunctioning older system. That would save another $4,000 a year. The $8,000-a-year savings for the sheriff over two years would cover the estimated expense of $15,000 for the new teleconferencing system. That $15,000 would be borrowed from the countys internal revolving loan fund which was established for projects like this. While the direct payback from the new system would reduce the sheriffs budget, other departments would benefit from an improvement in court hearings. District Attorney Dan Steffen said it would make hearings better for his office. Malia Malone, director of the child support agency, said this would solve a lot of headaches. She added that all the area hospitals now have this teleconferencing capacity. The public protection committee sent the teleconferencing proposal to the county board with its unanimous support. The teleconferencing system would reduce time transporting people to hearings. Other changes that may be coming to the county could change the appearances of the courtrooms and department offices. We are going paperless, Steffen told the committee. We will not be carrying piles of files to the courtrooms. All case information will be available on laptops. There will be no more searching for files in the office. Steffen said he and his staff visited

Dodge County, the first Wisconsin county where the district attorney went paperless. He said Dodge has saved money while having all court documents immediately available for the prosecution, the defense and the judge. Steffen said all the parties can see everything once the documents are scanned into a secure online system. Besides quick access to documents, an added benefit is the freeing up of storage space. Steffen said the Dodge file storage area is now an employee lounge. Clerk of court Joan Ritten said the paperless records system will be working its way into her office as well. She said that in the future all court documents may be available for viewing on the circuit court access system, allowing greater access to information while reducing the volume of paper documents. Malone said child support went paperless internally several years ago.

Priscilla Bauer | Staff writer GRANTSBURG Grantsburg School Board members were given a good audit report by school auditor Larry Stotz at the boards Nov. 25 business meeting. The board is responsible for this report, said Stotz. You have to take ownership of this audit. Stotz then gave the board the financial highlights from the audit report as follows: Stotz told the board the district was down about $200,000 in state and federal revenues from last year. The financial position, as reflected in the total net assets, increased in the current fiscal year by $2,049,554.

Grantsburg School Board hears positive audit report

There was an increase of $1,073,083 in the governmental funds total fund balance, Stotz told the board. Its unusual to see such a large increase in the fund balance. This is due to iForward funds and paying down of debts. According to Stotz, $1,061,718 had been repaid of the principal on outstanding debt, and though it counts as an expenditure in governmental funds it reduces the debt liability in the statement of net assets. The general funds ending fund balance as of June 30, is $3,484, 265, which is 29.19 percent of the Fund 10 expenditures. Of this balance, $937,823 will be committed for specific uses during 2013-14 including SAGE carryover, technology and site maintenance projects. So it is your opinion things are in good order? asked school board President Dave Ahlquist when Stotz was finished with his report. Yes, we can go on Thanksgiving vacation and not worry, joked Stotz.

In other board business The board heard a personnel committee report from board member Dave Dahlberg. Dahlberg reported two meetings were held, one with the iForward staff and one with the district schools support

staff. Dahlberg said the meetings were not held for bargaining purposes but as listening sessions for the committee to hear staff issues and concerns. The support staff appreciated the opportunity to talk to us, commented Dahlberg, It was a good meeting. The board awarded Wisconsin Mechanical Company, with a low bid of $8,575, the retubing of the middle school boilers project. The board met in closed session to discuss an iForward marketing proposal with Strong Mind Media of Chandler, Ariz.

Some state residents may lose unemployment benefits at years end

Patty Murray | Wisconsin Public Radio STATEWIDE - Thousands of Wisconsin residents could lose federal unemployment benefits at the beginning of the new year if Congress doesnt extend emergency jobless payments. A person who loses his or her job in Wisconsin is eligible for 26 weeks of state unemployment benefits. After that, emergency federal benefits kick in for 28 weeks. The emergency benefits, which began at the onset of the recession, are set to expire unless action is taken by the end of the month. Tamarine Cornelius is a research anaAbout onethird of jobless workers have been unemployed for six months or more, which is way above what it normally is, says Tamarine Cornelius, a research analyst with the Wisconsin Budget Project. - Photo from WPR lyst with the Wisconsin Budget Project, which is an arm of the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families. She says 24,000 state residents stand to lose benefits as of Jan. 1. Theyll have their unemployment benefits cut off immediately, says Cornelius. Then theres another about 42,000 people in Wisconsin who right now are receiving the state-funded benefits. Over the first half of 2014, theyll exhaust the state benefits and would have moved to the federal benefits, but that wont be there. The federal benefits are designed to be temporary, and Congress has extended them before. Cornelius urges lawmakers to pass another extension because, she says, the economy isnt back on its feet. The average unemployed worker has been looking for a job for 36 weeks which is still really elevated compared to what our normal economy holds, says Cornelius. So while it should be the goal for Congress to phase out these benefits as the economy improves, the economy isnt there yet. If the federal benefits are not extended, Cornelius says it could have a negative impact on the national economy since recipients mostly spend their checks on food and other necessities.

Western Wisconsin EMS takeover of Unity Area Ambulance Service details

Greg Marsten | Staff writer BALSAM LAKE Details are emerging regarding ambulance services for several municipalities and towns in the region, as the Western Wisconsin EMS begins the process of consolidation of the previously independent services. Appearing before the Balsam Lake Village Board on Monday, Dec. 2, Dave Waltz of the WW-EMS outlined a few details of the pending consolidation of what was formerly known as the Unity Area Ambulance Service. Were part of a consortium that owns St. Croix Valley EMS and Lakes Region (EMS), Waltz told the trustees at their regular monthly meeting. We are consolidating Unity Area Ambulance with St. Croix Valley EMS into one ambulance service. Waltz said the changes should allow for less redundancy, more cost effectiveness and better services with the merger, he also said they will retain all current Unity Ambulance staffers. The change will also bring an upgrade of sorts to the Milltown location, where the Unity service is currently based. The Milltown (base) station will become a paramedic level ambulance service (with the merger), Waltz said. We are confident the people who have service through Unity Ambulance will be well served (under the change). For the community here, the merger means a higher
lance Service, at the same cost of $10 per capita. He said they would then begin new contract negotiations in the spring with the affected municipalities. The current Unity Ambulance Service will be placed under the St. Croix Valley EMS marque, and Waltz said they are working with the Polk County Sheriffs Department to make sure all dispatching services are adjusted with the changes. The service will retain ambulances at their base in Milltown and also in St. Croix Falls, and unlike current practice, the stations will be manned around the clock, and staff will not be paged out from their homes, meaning faster response times. Staff will be with the ambulances at all times, Waltz said. No more page-outs. Waltz and several other staff are visiting all affected municipalities in the coming weeks to seek the current contract extensions, with the company eventually renegotiating with the municipalities once the merger is complete. I believe it will be cleaner to just extend current contracts, with just a short amendment, he said, noting that Balsam Lake Village recently signed a three-year contract extension with Unity Ambulance, but the new service did not sign on, to allow for exclusive negotiations with the municipalities they cover, which includes the villages of Milltown, Balsam Lake, Cushing and Centuria, as well as several areas in between, including the towns of Eureka, St. Croix Falls, Balsam Lake, Milltown and Sterling. They also provide ambulance transport to the Twin Cities, when needed. Unity Area Ambulance sold their business to WW-EMS in early 2009. They are a not-for-profit, 501 (c) 3 corporation that was established in late 2008 as part of the Health Partners family of service operations. They have a board of directors that oversees the operation and finances, and are managed through the Regions Hospital EMS department with a full-time supervisor at the Unity base station in Milltown. Waltz said the expanded St. Croix Valley EMS will eventually have one operational plan, and he said the transfer should be seamless to the municipalities. In a document outlining some of the changes, the WW-EMS states that they hope that personnel changes will be relatively minimal, although there may be some personnel changes for more efficient utilization. The same document said the consortium expects the economies of scale will permit better and enhanced overall service to the community. According to company data, the WWEMS services in Polk County have had approximately 1,339 ambulance runs between 2011 and last month, averaging between 424 and 520 runs annually between the affected municipalities.

Western Wisconsin EMS director Dave Waltz outlined some of the changes to come for the Unity Area Ambulance Service, as they will change their name and operational plan in the coming months. Waltz is seen here outlining the changes to the Balsam Lake Village Board earlier this week. - Photo by Greg Marsten level of care, without a change in cost. Waltz is seeking temporary contract extensions with the communities currently under contract with Unity Area Ambu-

Proposed consolidation of committees, responsibilities

Balsam Lake Board considers new structure

DECEMBER 4, 2013 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 5

Greg Marsten | Staff writer BALSAM LAKE The Balsam Lake Village Board is considering a change in how they manage the villages business, as they outlined a proposal for reducing or consolidating their current seven committees down to just four committees: Finance, public works, public protection and public welfare. The changes were first suggested earlier this year by Trustee Keith Swenson and were addressed at the board of trustees regular monthly meeting on Monday, Dec. 2. The changes were considered as part of proposed changes for the upcoming village board, which may have several new members after next Aprils elections. The streamlining of the committee requires an amending ordinance, and according to Swenson, comes directly from the League of Municipalities handbook. I believe that this does make some significant improvements, Swenson told the board. We would have four committees dealing with all village affairs, all dealing with all the functions that a board does. With some efficiencies to be gained. Under the proposal, each committee would have three members, and with a six-member board, and a village president, it would mean each trustee would serve on two committees. The board discussed the changes at length, and after a proposed adoption

Members of the Balsam Lake Village Board addressed a proposal to adjust the way their committees are structured, although the changes may not be implemented until after a new board is sworn in next April. - Photo by Greg Marsten motion failed, the board decided to consider and study the changes in the coming month, and will draft an ordinance to consider at a coming meeting, with implementation likely to take place after a new board is seated in April. as well as retaining wall reconstruction. The Cedar bid was approximately $2,200 lower than the lone other bid, which was from Short Elliot Henderson. The board debated whether to adjust their employee handbook to reflect changes in state law regarding collective bargaining and how village employees are classified. Under the changes, all village employees would be considered atwill employees, and the handbook would reflect those changes, while also allowing for possible changes in interpretation, should the Act 10 legislative changes be ruled illegal under appeal. Village attorney Adam Jarchow noted

Gregg Westigard | Staff writer GRANTSBURG All the Grantsburg Village sidewalks will be cleared of snow this winter after all. The village board has reversed a previous plan to limit snow removal on some sidewalks. The return to

Council reverses prior change

Grantsburg sidewalks will be cleared this winter

previous snow-removal policy took place at the Monday, Nov. 25, meeting that approved the 2014 Grantsburg budget and levy. The idea of limiting sidewalk snow removal outside the downtown area was first proposed and approved at the Nov. 11 council meeting as a way to save money. The plan was for the village to clear the sidewalks on only one side of North Oak Street north of the river and not clear sidewalks on several residential streets. The village would concentrate on keeping a route clear to the schools. It would be more work to enforce the change than it would to keep clearing all the sidewalks, public works director Chris Bartlett said. He added that the village still has a liability, even if a sidewalk is not cleared.

In other board action: The board approved contracting with Cedar Corp. for engineering the Mill Street improvement project plan, at a price of $15,800. The proposed project would run from CTH I to Fourth Avenue and will consist of new concrete curb and gutters, asphalt and underlayment, with some storm sewer work and structures,

that several issues would also be adjusted, and that the board could still consider seniority when promoting or adjusting wages, but that it would no longer be in the language of the handbook. Village President Geno DAgostino suggested they bring the final proposed changes back to the employees for review, as they had been involved in the handbook rewrite from the start. We sort of created the atmosphere by meeting with them three or four times in the spirit of creating this (handbook), DAgostino said. I wouldnt feel good about just saying this is what were doing. The labor committee considered over four dozen changes to the handbook in recent months of meetings, and the board passed the proposed changes, with DAgostino opposed. The board appointed election workers for 2014 and also set a Tuesday, Jan. 7, caucus date. The caucus will take place at the village fire hall at 6 p.m. Chamber of commerce representatives Glen Jones and Steve Williams outlined several upcoming issues, including a proposal to team with the village on a Main Street banner proposal, where the chamber would provide the concrete, banner and lines, with the village donating two large steel poles for the project. Williams said they thought the villages contribution would make it more of shared responsibility for future requests, if an organization wanted to create a banner for Main Street. The board took no action.

Village President Glenn Rolloff said the statutes say that a village cannot close sidewalks and must keep them clear. Sidewalks are an extension of streets under the statutes, therefore the village will return to its practice of clearing all the walks after winter storms. So, Grantsburg will still have cleared sidewalks.

Budget committee approves delay to pruning BadgerCare rolls

Shawn Johnson|WPR MADISON - Sweeping changes to Wisconsins BadgerCare program would be put off for a few months under a plan that cleared the Legislatures budget committee on Monday, Dec. 2. For 72,000 parents and caretakers who earn more than the federal poverty level, the delay means theyll get to keep their BadgerCare coverage until April 1 instead of getting dropped in January. GOP budget committee Co-Chair John Nygren said the postponement will help people deal with the slow rollout of Obamacare. I wish we werent here today. I wish that the plan that we voted for back in June would be the law of the land moving forward. But unfortunately, the Obamacare rollout has been a disaster, he said. The delay also means that about 83,000
The Assemblys budget committee approved a plan that would delay changes to BadgerCares eligibility requirements until people who will become ineligible have a chance to sign up for health coverage under the federal Affordable Care Act. Photo courtesy of flickr. com of the poorest adults without kids who are not covered right now will have to wait until April for BadgerCare coverage. State Rep. Cory Mason, D-Racine, told Republicans who went against their pledge to make sure BadgerCare covers the neediest in Wisconsin. That was the promise that was made to the citizens of this state when this budget was passed. The majority party is walking away from that promise today,needlessly so, Mason said. The plan would also delay the phaseout of a high-risk insurance pool in Wisconsin. It passed on an 11-2 vote with Democrat Jon Richards joining Republicans in voting yes. The full Assembly will take up the changes today, Wednesday, Dec. 4.

Maureen McCollum | WPR STATEWIDE - Meteorologists say its hard to tell if the Upper Midwest will experience a mild or extremely cold winter, with little or a lot of snow. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations annual winter outlook helps predict average temperatures and snowfall. This year most of the country is experiencing whats called an equal chance, meaning theres no strong scien-

Meteorologists arent certain how severe this winter will be

tific data that can help predict if temperatures and snowfall will be above or below normal, or average. Jeff Boyne, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in La Crosse, says this phenomenon is influenced by water temperatures in the Pacific. Its just a rare occurrence there, that means were not either warmer than normal, which would be an el Nio, or colder than normal, which would be la Nia. Mike Stewart, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Duluth, says they predict average snowfall and temperatures this winter. That means 100-120 inches of snowfall near Lake Superior and 50-70 inches of snow further inland throughout the winter. Temperaturewise, there could be about 20 days when its below zero. Stewart says winter outlooks are important for many entities. (For) utilities,

they know how much gas to buy, natural gas. Also electrical companies, people who have electric heat. For users such as ourselves at home, well know if were going to have a cold winter. Do I need to set aside a little bit more for gas for our heating, do I need to buy a little more fuel oil? Municipalities also use winter outlooks to help predict how much salt to buy for deicing roads.

PAGE 6 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - DECEMBER 4, 2013

Father and son fight leads to felony charges

Polk County Sheriffs Department, police were called to the home after the report of Bruns being disorderly. When the first officer arrived, he discovered Bruns in the back room with a loaded rifle. The deputy drew his pistol and told him to drop his weapon, which he did, but Bruns apparently refused to show the officer his other hand, which led to a discussion between the two and eventually was resolved. Bruns was taken into custody and placed under arrest, as the police tried to figure out what led to the rifle being drawn. Apparently, Bruns and his father got into an argument earlier in the evening, and Bruns was apparently quite intoxicated when the two wrestled. It is not clear what triggered the fight, but the relative was concerned for his sons safety and called police after he was able to leave the house and head to a neighbors home. When he was taken into custody, Bruns registered a .211 blood alcohol concentration, which is over twice the legal limit to drive. He had yet to be charged at press time.

Rifle drawn in standoff with police

Greg Marsten | Staff writer ST. CROIX FALLS Charges are still pending against a 27-year-old rural St. Croix Falls man after he was involved in a violent fight with his father and was later arrested for brandishing a loaded rifle after the dispute. Michael W. Bruns, St. Croix Falls, is facing charges of endangering safety by use of a dangerous weapon, on top of disorderly conduct charges, after an incident that is alleged to have taken place on the evening of Tuesday, Nov. 26. According to the probable cause report filed with the

Michael W. Bruns

Danielle Moe | Staff writer NORTHWEST WISCONSIN - Making up a third of the state, the 20-county northern region of Wisconsin fought through the two most recent recessions and fairly weak recoveries with a 5.6-percent decline in jobs in the last 13 years. This finding and more comes out of a study titled A Closer Look At Wisconsins Economy, recently completed by The Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance. The nonpartisan, nonprofit group used the long-term study which began in 2000 with the intent to bring regional differences into a statewide economic perspective. From 2000 to 2012, the report explores six different regions of the state by analyzing population, jobs, personal income and earnings. By dividing the state into regions, the report also takes into account the industrial composition of each region. Unique to itself, this studys data covers all political parties of power in Madison. In the report, WISTAX explains that relying on short-term, statewide information ignores both long-term trends and regional differences within Wisconsin - and is likely to result in flawed conclusions and less-than-ideal economic policies for the state. Zeroing in on the northern region of Wisconsin, the study picks up on a longterm decline in jobs, but a slow increase to earnings. The report targets the regions declining population and employment opportunities as the reason for possess-

A revealing look at northern Wisconsins economy

ing the lowest amount of jobs, income and population in the state. While it has increased slightly, there certainly has not been a boom in the population, and what the demographics show is a big skew towards older Americans, said Mike Bobin, president and acting director for the Washburn County Economic Development Corporation.

Tourism hurting With the studys findings, WISTAX questions whether the northern regions economic front-runner, tourism, is hurting. Across the board, jobs in the information employment, construction, manufacturing and hospitality all took dives since 2000. WISTAX found that Information employment fell 25.8 percent, nearly twice the statewide decline (-13.5 percent),construction (-28.1 percent) and manufacturing (-22.5 percent) also retreated. According to the report, since 2000, the leisure-hospitality job sector dropped 1 percent due to a 14.6-percent decrease in jobs. Wisconsin has lost so many industrial jobs over the years, firms going overseas and things like that, it has had a bad effect on the state, said Bobin. Jobs may be on the decline, but the study also found the regions per capita income low, but on the rise. Regional per capita income increased more in the north (45.0 percent) than in any other region during the past 13 years. In addi-

The Wisconsin Taxpayer study broke the state of Wisconsin into six regions to clarify which regions are struggling and which ones are thriving. tion, the regions earnings are one-tenth of a percent higher than the states at 36.5 percent and higher than the nations 34.7 percent. Another positive shift, the WISTAX Both population and jobs have decreased since 2000, while per capita personal income and study reports the regions property values earnings have outstripped the state and nation. have increased rapidly, due largely to vacation and recreation properties. During the study period the regions property values increased 58.4 percent, outstripping the state at 49.6 percent. WISTAX concluded that by most economic measures, Wisconsin underperformed the nation from 2000 to 2012.

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FREDERIC - On Tuesday, Dec. 11, the fourth and fifth grades will present their annual holiday concert. This evening with be full of great performances. The fifth-grade band and bell choir will make their debut performances. Fourth-grade students will present a blacklight routine to Santa Claus is Comin to Town and play a selection on boomwhackers. The evening will conclude with the fourth and fifth grades presenting a new musical from John Jacobson and Roger Emerson, called, Lights! Camera! Christmas!

Frederic fourth- and fifth-grade holiday concert set

Thanks to a little help from Cecil B. DeGrille, Alfred Pitchfork, Steven Reelberg and a few other illustrious filmmakers, a young group of aspiring directors experience movie-making like never before, from epic extravaganza and film noir to spaghetti Western and superhero adventure film. Watch out, Hollywood! The program will be held at 7 p.m. at the elementary school and is open to the public free of charge. - submitted

The Leader

DECEMBER 4, 2013 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 7

HCE donates to rst baby

The Odds N Ends Club of Burnett County Home and Community Education presented a basket of goodies to the family of the first baby born to a Burnett County resident at Burnett Medical Center during the week of Nov. 4-10, officially HCE Week. If no baby is born during that week, the gift is presented to the first baby born after HCE Week. David was born Nov. 19, to Jessica and Shane Ciotta. HCE is an educational organization which has two clubs in Burnett County at the present time. The group is statewide and membership offers opportunities for learning in a social setting, sharing what they learn and caring to make a different in our homes, communities and the world. Membership is open to all by contacting Jan Frazee at 715-866-4630. Shown above is Jessica Ciotta and baby boy, David. Presenting the gift on behalf of HCE is Irene Peterson, HCE member.- Photo by Judy Marek

Larsen Auto Centers sponsors annual Christmas dinner

Webster School music directors (L to R) Cory Westgard and Julie Strang received a check from Terry Larsen of Larsen Auto Centers. Larsen Auto Centers is the sponsor of the annual Webster Schools Christmas dinner and seventh- through 12th-grade Christmas concert, which will be held this year on Monday, Dec. 9. This music department fundraiser has been sponsored by Larsen for over 30 years. It has become a tradition for the school and community. Dinner will be served from 5 - 6:30 p.m. and the concert is at 7 p.m. Photo submitted

LUCK Warren Petryk, keyboardist and tenor soloist, will be a part of the 10:30 a.m. worship service on Sunday, Dec. 8, at Luck Lutheran Church. In addition to being a representative to the 93th District, he is a member of the Memories

Warren Petryk will be part of the worship service at Luck Lutheran

vocal group and part of the contemporary worship team at Bethesda Lutheran in Eau Claire. Petryk will be sharing songs of the season. All are invited to attend. from Luck Lutheran

Caregiver support for the holidays

SIREN Welcome Home Assisted Living will be sponsoring a holiday caregiver support group meeting Thursday, Dec. 12, at 4 p.m. St. Croix Hospice will give a presentation titled Caregiver Stress and the Holidays. Welcome Home Assisted Living is located at 24134 Daniel Johnson Road, Siren. If you have any questions, please call Carrie Furr at 763-645-3427. Cookies and refreshments will be offered. submitted

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PAGE 8 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - DECEMBER 4, 2013

MAIL: Box 490, Frederic, WI 54837

Letters
Beware the echo chamber
A letter in The Leader (11/20) carried an ironic headline: Lies and denials. The author states first: The mandates written into the law by Secretary Sebelius made it impossible for most existing individual policies to continue. Fact? Remember Civics class? Congress makes laws. The HHS oversees that relevant laws are implemented. Sen. Bernie Sanders, commenting about President Obamas apology, noted that what the president should have said is that anyone can keep substandard insurance policies, but they could do better if they wanted. Secondly, Johnson states that in addition to the millions who are currently losing coverage, a Duke University study estimates an additional 129 million people will lose insurance when employer mandate takes effect. I traced these falsehoods back to Fox news and to Glenn Beck. Count on it, friend. Neither of these two sources can be counted as reliable. Politfact.org gives this a pants on fire rating. They add that even study author Christopher Conover disagrees with what was stated as factual. The echo chamber works when one parrots misconceptions and falsehoods, perhaps repeating them within her circle where the ripple of sounds spreads. The last ploy in the GOPs efforts to destroy the ACA in Americans minds is to use the echo chamber and let the well-meaning, but misinformed, do the work for them. Every weapon in the GOP arsenal has been tried. Congress failed to defeat it. It was not beaten back in the last election. There were more than 40 votes to repeal the law in the House. They could not get enough votes in the Supreme Court to overrule it. The so-called party of fiscal responsibilty attempted extortion - closing the government and threatening to default on the nations debt, actions that disrupted lives and cost billions of dollars. Finally, they call upon the easily led to work against their own best interests. Shouldnt we all be happy that there is a law on the books that will eventually give American people stability and flexibility they need to make informed choices about their health? Which of the following features do you want to see reversed? Insurance companies cannot drop you if you get sick. They cannot keep you from insurance because of a pre-existing condition. Young adults are covered on parents plan. 80 percent of the premium must be spent on health care or consumer receives a rebate. Please go to hhs.gov/healthcare. Read the truth about coverage, costs and care, Marilyn B. Kruger St, Croix Falls

Viewpoints

EMAIL: editor@leadernewsroom.com

the key features of the Affordable Care Act. Resist the call to echo lies and misinformation.

Editors post

Lets nd out
Many have lost loved ones during the happiest time of the year. Its a scar, yes, but not one that can be seen with the human eye. And its not just those of us who dealt with death over the holidays. I have a friend who lost her 16-year-old daughter to cancer this past spring. She is coping the best she can, and its miserable. Another friend lost her mom in 2011, and her dad this past year. It is her first year as an adult orphan. Thanksgiving brings memories of 1990, the final holiday I had with Mom at the table. From there until Dec. 29, there are triggers of that long, painful month as we waited out her time together. Thanks to hospice, she died at home, as she wanted. January brings the memories of her funeral. Then I function well for several months. None of us wear badges expressing how difficult this season is for us without those we have lost to physical death, and the depression and frustration is deep. Four weeks of being surrounded by shoppers who are more interested in the daily deal. It makes us angry ... we cant buy what we want more than anything in any store. I realized that maybe I could remember that I am not alone in the empty ache I live with after all these years and if I treat everyone with kindness and compassion, perhaps I could improve the mood of not only others I encounter, but perhaps heal the ache that never goes away. To be part of the solution in a world full of problems, fear, sorrow and pain. Can we just slow down a little and not roll our eyes at the lady counting coins from her wallet? Can we just smile at the mother of a toddler having a public meltdown? Can we meet each others eyes and just smile? Can we be polite to the people who work in the stores, who have no control over staffing or having product on hand, and make them smile? If we can do that in December, which is insanity for most Americans, can we take it through the year and just live like we know that everyone is worthy of kindness and a smile? Im about to find out. Will you join me? Kristine Emerson Luck

Out of a holiday season known for memories that can be joyful, melancholy and oftentimes downright sad comes a noble effort to gather not toy donations or gifts of money but photographs.

Contact info
President Barack Obama 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., Washington,D.C. 20500 whitehouse.gov/contact/ Gov. Scott Walker Wisconsin StateCapitol. Madison,WI53707 transition@wisconsin.gov Congressman SeanDuffy (7th District) 1208 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 PH: 202-225-3365 U.S.Sen. Tammy Baldwin 1 Russell Courtyard. Washington, D.C. 20510 202-224-5653 FAX: 202-25-6942 Rep. Erik Severson (28th District) Room 312 North. State Capitol. Madison,WI53708 608-267-2365 888-529-0028 FAX: 608-282-3628 rep.Severson@legis.state.wi.us Rep. Stephen Smith (75th District) State Capitol. Room 4 West P.O. Box 8953, Madison, WI 53708 608-266-2519 888-534-0075 rep.smith@legis.wi.gov U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson 2 Russell Courtyard, Washington, D.C. 20510 202-224-5323 Sen. Robert Jauch (25th District) Room 415 South, State Capitol P.O. Box 7882, Madison,WI 53707 sen.Jauch@legis.state.wi.us Sen. Sheila Harsdorf (10th District) State Capitol, P.O. Box 7882 Madison,WI53707 608-266-7745 715-232-1390 Toll-free - 800-862-1092 sen.harsdorf@legis.state.wi.us Rep. Nick Milroy (73rd District) Room 8 North, StateCapitol P.O. Box 8953, Madison 53708 rep.milroy@legis.state.wi.us

Photos that could evoke all of the aforementioned emotions, with pride added for good measure. Wisconsin Public Radio announced this week the Face for Every Name project. WPR, along with Wisconsin Public Television, Milwaukee Public Radio and Milwaukee Public Television, in partnership with Wisconsin veterans organizations and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, are inviting members of the public to identify, find and share photos of young men and women who gave their lives for their country during the Vietnam War. A total of 738 photos of the casualties from Wisconsin have already been submitted. More than 400 are still missing, including those of young men from Siren, Rice Lake, Shell Lake, Spooner, Grantsburg, New Richmond, Amery, Osceola, Balsam Lake and Clayton. The list is based on the Department of Defenses count of 1,161 names of Wisconsin casualties engraved on The Wall in Washington, D.C. The goal is to help honor and preserve the memory of Wisconsin servicemen and women. The photographs, which can be official military photos, yearbook photos, family photos and personal remembranceswill become part of the Wall of Faces - a lasting tribute planned for the Education Center at The Wall and an online memorial. Our goal is to be sensitive to those who lost family and friends and honor those who gave their lives in Vietnam, WPR stated in their news release this week. For a list of names of local casualties who have yet to be represented by a photograph, along with information on how to volunteer to find a photo - or more than one - and information on where to send the photos, please see Editors post at our website, the-leader.net. - Gary King

the-leader.net
Your community connection

Letters policy
The Leader welcomes letters to the editor but reserves the right to edit or to reject letters for any reason. Letters should be no longer than 400 words in length and contain the signature, address and telephone number of the author. All letter writers will be limited to one published letter per 30 days, with the exception of rebuttals. The number of exchanges between letter writers will be decided by the editor. Thank-you letters are most appropriately published in specially designed box ads. Vulgarity, racial slurs and other mean-spirited, insulting terms are not allowed. Complaints about businesses and individuals involving private matters will not be published. Letter writers should provide sources when citing facts. Opinions expressed in letters are not those of the newspaper but rather those of the individual, who is solely responsible for the letters content. Emailed letters are preferred. Letters may be emailed to leadernewsroom@gmail.com or mailed to Inter-County Leader, Box 490, Frederic, WI 54837.

Joe Heller

FREDERIC - The Frederic sixth- through 12-grade school yearbook staff is heading up Operation Help - a fundraising program where all proceeds go to help local families during this season of giving. Each day from Monday, Dec. 9, through Tuesday, Dec. 17, activities from building something useful from duct tape to making your own sundaes will generate money for families in need. If you would like to contribute, please contact Dr. Ryan Fitzgerald, 6-12 principal, or Mrs. Kelly Hopkins, yearbook adviser, at 715-327-4223. submitted

Frederic yearbook staff to help local families

DECEMBER 4, 2013 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 9

Vintage snowmobiles at the Frederic Soo Line Depot Dec. 21

FREDERIC--The Frederic Area Historical Society will host the sixth-annual Vintage Snowmobile Show at the 1901 Soo Line Depot in Frederic, Saturday, Dec. 21, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Owners of the older snowmobiles that started the whole snowmobile recreation industry are invited to show them off and maybe take a ride on the Gandy Dancer State Recreation Trail, snow conditions permitting. Trailer parking is available. Awards will take place at 1 p.m. with unique trophies for the best pre-1970, 1971 and newer leaf spring, and best original, unrestored snowmobile. The entry fee to display a snowmobile is a modest $5 donation to the museum. The early days of snowmobiling had an impact on rural Wisconsin, and the Frederic Area Historical Society helps to keep those memories alive by hosting this annual display of vintage snowmobiles. In 2009, Jeff Moats of Frederic correctly identified 22 brands of snowmobiles and the dealers who sold them within a 12-mile radius of Frederic to win a Name the Dealer contest. His winning list will be on display, and you can see how many you remember. Located on the Gandy Dancer State Trail, the restored 1901 Soo Line Depot serves as the Frederic Area Museum. The depot/museum is open from Memorial Day weekend through leaf season in the fall, holidays and for several special events like this during the year. The depot/museum will be open for tours, and coffee and cookies will be available during event hours. There is no admission charged for the event or the museum. Christmas in Frederic is also going on Dec. 21, so a lot of activities will be happening in town. For more information, call 715-327-4158 or 715-3274892 evenings. submitted

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POLK COUNTY Looking for that lastminute gift for the bicycle riders, skiers or equestrian enthusiasts on your list? 2014 state annual passes are available for holiday shopping at the Polk County Information Center in St. Croix Falls, and in Amery at the Countyside Convenience Store, Ellies Ice Cream and Coffee, city hall and from the Friends of the Stower 7 Lakes Trail. State trail passes are required in Polk County for bikers on the Gandy Dancer

2014 state trail passes available for holiday gifts

Trail, bikers and skiers on the Stower 7 Lakes Trail and riders on some equestrian trails, 16 years of age and older. An annual state pass opens up the whole network of Wisconsin state trails that require passes. Annual passes are priced at $20 and are good for calendar year 2014. Trail pass sales generate over $10,000 a year for Polk County that is used for trail maintenance and helps offset the tax levy to lower your taxes. So, if you are planning to use any of the Wisconsin State Recreation trails in 2014 that require passes, it pays to buy your pass at home in Polk County. Polk County now has two bike trails and one Nordic ski trail that require a state pass. The Gandy Dancer Trail has been in operation since 1996 and is a 47-mile limestone-surfaced trail that stretches from St. Croix Falls to Danbury. It is operated by agreement with the DNR as a nonmotorized trail in the summer and a snowmobile trail in the winter. Wisconsins newest state trail, the

Stower 7 Lakes Trail, is a 14-mile limestone-surfaced trail running from Amery to just outside Dresser. It is a nonmotorized trail year-round offering biking, birding and hiking in the summer, and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. Passes for the holiday season are also available at the Polk County parks buildings and solid waste office in Balsam Lake. For more information, call 800-222POLK, polkcountytourism.com or 715485-9294. submitted

Danbury churches sponsor Advent service

Members of neighboring community churches attended a traditional reading of Advent Scripture lessons, hymn singing and fellowship on Sunday, Dec. 1, at Danbury United Methodist Church. This traditional Advent service of lessons and carols was sponsored by Danbury United Methodist, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic, Woodland Wesleyan and Yellow Lake Lutheran Churches. Photo submitted

Affordable Auto donates to Christmas for Kids

Ken Erickson of Affordable Auto presents a check for Christmas for Kids to Barb Blodgett of Interfaith Caregivers. Their donation will help give Christmas gifts to the children of Burnett County. Interfaith Caregivers is very appreciative of any and all donations. Photo submitted

Frederic Elementary students hold food drive

During the week of Nov. 18, the Frederic Elementary School collected over 1,800 items (1,430 pounds) of food, paper products and personal-care items which were donated to the Frederic Family Pathways food shelf. The classes competed against each other to see who could collect the most items and win a pizza and root beer float party, hosted by the Elementary PTO. Mrs. Sorensons fourth-grade class came out on top, collecting 311 items. The little Vikings with their big hearts should be proud of their efforts and the difference they will make for many local families this holiday season. Shown are members of Mrs. Sorensonsfourth-grade class with all of the food collected by the entire elementary school. - Photo submitted

DECEMBER 4, 2013 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 11

INTER-COUNTY LEADER INTER-COUNTY LEADER INTER-COUNTY LEADER

FREDERIC GRANTSBURG LUCK ST. CROIX FALLS SIREN UNITY WEBSTER BASKETBALL GYMNASTICS HOCKEY WRESTLING

WINTER SPORTS
Blizzard boys off to a 2-1 start

Marty Seeger|Staff writer GRANTSBURG The Blizzard boys hockey team is already off to a solid start under new head coach Andy Richardson, who replaces former coach coach Grant Nicoll, who in four years led the program to a 57-18-2 record. Richardson will be a good fit for the program and ranks hockey high on his list of favorites. Hockey is definitely my first love in terms of sports. I enjoy other sports very much but there is something special about hockey, Richardson said. During the fall, Richardson coached the Grantsburg crosscountry team but has remained active in hockey throughout his life. He grew up playing hockey and played in high school and, since then, he competes in a Andy Richardson mens winter and summer league. Richardson also spent two summers running hockey camps and was an assistant coach for a girls hockey team last year. Richardson has coached the Blizzard boys to a 2-1 start so far this year, but his first game as head coach was an 11-1 loss to Antigo on Friday, Nov. 29, during a tournament held at Sheboygan. Despite the loss, the Blizzard boys bounced back to take a 6-1 win over Fox Cities and 6-2 win over Sheboygan to bring home a consolation championship. The team played very well on Saturday and Sunday, and I believe if we continue to skate that we have the capability to have a great season, Richardson said. During the win against Fox Cities sophomore Taran Wols had 16 saves for the Blizzard while Alex Hopkins had two goals, followed by Drew Alderman, Max Norman, Brett Richison and Vinny

Andy Richardson takes helm as new head coach

Brett Richison, a junior for the Blizzard boys hockey team, skates to a puck during a game last season at the Lodge Center Arena in Siren. Leader file photos Larson each with one goal. Wols had 18 saves against Sheboygan and Ryan Curtis, Hopkins, Carter Lee, Richison, Larson and Austin Bowman each had one goal. Last year the Blizzard boys finished 16-9 overall and second in the Two Rivers Conference behind a strong Minneapolis team. The Blizzard had won 11 straight games during the second half of the season, but fell in the second round of the WIAA playoffs to end the season. I know the team graduated quite a few seniors last year, but (we) still have some high-quality players that returned this year, Richardson said, adding that they wont have a JV squad this season. Seniors include Aaron Dietmeier, Hopkins, Jared Benedict, Austin Thoreen, Damon Roberts and Jordan LaPointe. Juniors include Alderman, Lee, Curtis, Brett Richison, Andrew Coy and Larson. We have a lot of team speed and need to use that to our advantage all season. The two games we won were because the guys were flying all over the ice and creating plays. We play an aggressive game that will hopefully create a lot of scoring chances. It is still very early so we still have some things to work on, but we are going to continue to get better every day. The Blizzard boys will play their first conference game this week when they host Moose Lake Thursday, Dec. 5, in Grantsburg beginning at 7 p.m.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. Former Luck athlete and starting cornerback Landen Strilzuk had eight tackles for the Bethel University football team during a 34-27 win over Wartburg College in the second round of the NCAA Division 3 playoffs on Saturday, Nov. 30. Strilzuk and teammate Seth Mathis made a game-ending tackle as Wartburg Landen Strilzuk made it to the Royals 13-yard line with just two seconds left in the game. With two seconds to go, Wartburg completed a pass that made it to the 7-yard line where Strilzuk and Mathis stopped the play. Bethel University will host North Central College, Ill., in the quarterfinals game on Saturday, Dec. 7, beginning at noon. with information from athletics.bethel.edu FENNIMORE Manny Beaver , a former St. Croix Falls golfer, will be looking forward to a successful 2014 season with the Southwest Tech Chargers golf team. Beaver competed with what his coach Scott Kennedy called one of the deepest teams he has coached at Southwest Tech, with 10 golfers able to shoot 75 or below. All of the young players are hopeful that their 2014 season will be very solid. They hope to be competing for the National Junior College Athletic Association championship. Southwest Tech is a comprehensive technical college located in southwestern Wisconsin. submitted LEADER LAND The Frederic at Unity girls and boys basketball games on Friday, Dec. 6, can be heard on 104.9 FM, with girls beginning at 5:45 p.m. The Tuesday, Dec. 10, Siren at Luck girls and boys basketball doubleheaders can be heard on 104.9 FM, with girls starting at 5:45 p.m. The Tuesday, Dec. 10, Grantsburg at Amery girls and boys basketball doubleheader can be heard on 1260 AM, with girls starting at 6:30 p.m. All high school games are streamed at mnsportsnetwork.com. The Vikings at Ravens NFL football game can be heard on 104.9 FM on Sunday, Dec. 8, beginning at noon. The Falcons at Packers game can be heard on 105.7 FM beginning at noon on Sunday, Dec. 8. LEADER LAND Leader Sports strives to follow the college careers of area athletes. If you know of an athlete playing collegiate sports in 2013 who hasnt been mentioned, send us an email or call and well take it from there. Marty Seeger

Extra Points

Alex Hopkins is an early points leader for the Blizzard boys hockey team with seven in the past three games.
SPORTSRESULTSDEADLINES: WEDNESDAY - MONDAY: 1 p.m. the following business day. TUESDAY: 11 p.m. on Tuesday. Missed deadlines mean no coverage that week! SPORTSNEWSORSCORES TOREPORT? PHONE: 715-327-4236 FAX: 715-327-4117 EMAIL: mseeger@centurytel.net

2013-2014 WINTER SPORTSSCHEDULE

*Schedule is subject to change. See sports section each week for updated schedule.

Hockey
5:45 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 5
Boys Basketball Girls Basketball
11 a.m. 5:45 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Siren at St. Croix Falls (DH) Webster at Grantsburg (DH) Unity at Luck (DH) Academy at Grantsburg

7 p.m.

Wrestling Gymnastics Wrestling

8:30 a.m. Invitational at St. Croix Falls ( LFG, Unity) Grantsburg at Rice Lake Unity at Luck (DH) Siren at St. Croix Falls (DH) Webster at Grantsburg (DH)

Blizzard Boys vs. Moose Lake at Grantsburg

Boys Basketball

Friday, Dec. 20 Saturday, Jan. 25

6 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 10
Hockey

Monday, Feb. 10
Blizzard Girls vs. Eau Claire North at Siren

5:45 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Luck at St. Croix Falls (DH) Grantsburg at Unity (DH)

PAGE 12 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - DECEMBER 4, 2013

7 p.m.

Shell Lake at Unity LFG at St. Croix Central

Girls Basketball

Friday, Dec. 6
Hockey
7 p.m. Blizzard Girls vs. Eveleth at Grantsburg

5:45 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Boys Basketball

Hockey Boys Basketball

5:45 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Siren at Grantsburg (DH) Unity at Frederic (DH) St. Croix Falls at Cameron (DH) Luck at Ellsworth Birchwood at Webster (DH)

Grantsburg at Unity (DH) Luck at St. Croix Falls (DH)

Boys Basketball
5:45 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 11

7 p.m.

5:45 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Webster at St. Croix Falls (DH) Frederic at Unity (DH) Grantsburg at Siren (DH)

Wrestling

Blizzard Girls at Onalaska

4 p.m.

St. Croix Falls at Chisago Lakes

Tuesday, Jan. 28

Girls Basketball Hockey

5 p.m.

5:45 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Frederic at Unity (DH) Grantsburg at Siren (DH) Webster at St. Croix Falls (DH)

Hockey Wrestling
TBD. 10 a.m. Unity at New Richmond LFG at Cadott Blizzard Boys at Hayward

Saturday, Dec. 21
Girls Basketball
5:45 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 11

Girls Basketball
7:30 p.m.

Webster at Frederic (DH) Clayton at Unity Clear Lake at Luck Northwestern at Grantsburg Siren at Birchwood Webster at Frederic (DH)

Hockey Boys Basketball

5:45 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 7 Monday, Jan. 13

Hockey
7 p.m. 7 p.m.

3 p.m.

Wrestling

Blizzard Boys vs. Somerset at Siren

Boys Basketball
5:45 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 13
St. Croix Falls at Siren (DH) Grantsburg at Webster (DH)

9:30 a.m.

LFG at Osceola

3 p.m.

Wrestling Girls Basketball

5:45 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Bruce at Unity Cumberland at St. Croix Falls Frederic at Prairie Farm (DH) Solon Springs at Siren Frederic at Prairie Farm (DH) Ogilvie at Unity

Blizzard Boys vs. River Falls at Grantsburg

Boys Basketball

Thursday, Dec. 26
Wrestling

Birchwood at Webster (DH) Unity at Frederic (DH) Siren at Grantsburg (DH) Luck at Winter Blizzard Girls at New Richmond Clear Lake at Unity Cumberland at St. Croix Falls

Girls Basketball
5:45 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Grantsburg at Webster (DH) St. Croix Falls at Siren (DH)

10 a.m.

Tournament at Ellsworth (Unity, St. Croix Falls) LFG at Rush City

TBD

Boys Basketball

Tuesday, Dec. 10

Hockey

St. Croix Falls at Glenwood City

Gymnastics
6:30 p.m.

Superior at Grantsburg

TBD TBD

Blizzard Boys at Thief River Falls Blizzard Girls at Rhinelander

5:45 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Girls Basketball Boys Basketball

5:45 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Siren at Luck (DH) Grantsburg at Amery (DH) Unity at Webster (DH) St. Croix Falls at Frederic (DH)

Boys Basketball

Friday, Dec. 27 Tuesday, Jan. 14

Boys Basketball Boys Basketball

5:45 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 14 Thursday, Jan. 30

Girls Basketball Hockey
7 p.m. Somerset at St. Croix Falls Somerset at St. Croix Falls Blizzard Girls at Hayward Blizzard Boys vs. Mora at Siren 10 a.m. 7:30 p.m.

Girls Basketball
5:45 p.m.

Luck at Unity (DH) Luck at Unity (DH)

TBD TBD 7 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

St. Croix Falls at Glenwood City Siren at Clayton Frederic at Clayton Shell Lake at Luck (DH)

5:45 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 8:15 p.m.

Hockey
7:30 p.m.

Unity at Webster (DH) St. Croix Falls at Frederic (DH) Siren at Luck (DH) Grantsburg at Amery (DH)

Girls Basketball Girls Basketball

5:45 p.m.

7 p.m.

Wrestling Hockey
7 p.m.

Blizzard Boys vs. Becker at Princeton Blizzard Girls vs. Moose Lake at Grantsburg

Hockey

Shell Lake at Luck (DH)

Webster at Bruce (DH) Clear Lake at Frederic Pine City at Siren

Gymnastics Wrestling
7 p.m. TBD Unity at Luck

Saturday, Feb. 15
Wrestling
Grantsburg at Ashland Regional at St. Croix Falls (LFG)

TBD TBD

6 p.m. 7 p.m.

Unity at Cameron LFG at Glenwood City

Wrestling

Blizzard Boys at Thief River Falls Blizzard Girls at Rhinelander

Luck at Clear Lake Prairie Farm at Unity Rush City at Grantsburg Webster at Bruce (DH)

8 a.m.

Northern Badger Tourney, River Falls (Unity, LFG, St. Croix Falls)

Boys Basketball

Thursday, Dec. 12

7:30 p.m.

Unity at Clear Lake

Boys Basketball

Saturday, Dec. 28

Blizzard Boys at New Richmond Blizzard Girls at Hudson

Boys Basketball

Friday, Jan. 31 Thursday, Jan. 16

7:30 p.m. Frederic at St. Croix Falls (DH) Grantsburg at Cameron Luck at Siren (DH) Webster at Unity (DH)

Boys Basketball
7:30 p.m. 5:45 p.m. 7 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 17
Girls Basketball
Osceola at St. Croix Falls Unity at Prairie Farm (DH) Unity at Prairie Farm (DH) Pine City at Siren St. Croix Falls at Clear Lake

Girls Basketball

7:30 p.m.

Hockey

Turtle Lake at St. Croix Falls Clayton at Unity

1 p.m. 3 p.m. 6 p.m.

Hockey

Siren at Clayton Grantsburg at McDonell Central St. Croix Falls at Glenwood City

Girls Basketball
7:30 p.m. 7 p.m.

Wrestling

Girls Basketball
St. Croix Falls at Unity LFG at Grantsburg 5:45 p.m.

7 p.m.

Blizzard Boys vs. Amery at Grantsburg

TBD TBD

Blizzard Boys at Thief River Falls Blizzard Girls at Rhinelander

Hockey

Frederic at St. Croix Falls (DH) Luck at Siren (DH) Webster at Unity (DH)

Boys Basketball
7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 18
Bruce at Luck (DH) Cornell at Unity (DH)

Wrestling Boys Basketball

5:45 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Blizzard Girls vs. New Richmond at Siren 7 p.m. Blizzard Boys vs. Spooner at Siren

Wrestling

7 p.m.

Spring Valley at Unity

TBD Grantsburg at Frederic (DH) Luck at Webster (DH) Unity at Siren (DH)

Northern Badger Tourney, River Falls (Unity, LFG, St. Croix Falls)

Friday, Jan. 17
Boys Basketball
3:30 p.m.

Boys Basketball Girls Basketball

5:45 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 10 a.m. Grantsburg at Hudson

Friday, Dec. 13
Luck at Webster (DH) Unity at Siren (DH) Grantsburg at Frederic (DH)

Saturday, Feb. 1
Girls Basketball

Cumberland at Grantsburg (DH) Frederic at Northwood (DH) Shell Lake at Webster (DH) Turtle Lake at St. Croix Falls

7:30 p.m.

Girls Basketball Hockey

7:30 p.m. Blizzard Boys vs. North Branch at Siren 7:30 p.m.

Grantsburg at St. Croix Falls (DH) Luck at Frederic (DH) Webster at Siren (DH)

Boys Basketball Gymnastics Boys Basketball Girls Basketball

TBD Sectional at Ellsworth 7:30 p.m. Grantsburg at Shell Lake Unity at Osceola Siren at Turtle Lake

Friday, Jan. 3
Elmwood vs. Frederic at Target Center

5:45 p.m.

Wrestling
6:30 p.m. St. Croix Falls at St. Croix Central

Grantsburg at St. Croix Falls (DH) Luck at Frederic (DH) Webster at Siren (DH)

TBD 5:45 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Winter at Webster Unity at Shell Lake (DH) Frederic at Birchwood (DH) Spooner at Grantsburg Prairie Farm at Siren St. Croix Central at St. Croix Falls

Monday, Feb. 3
Wrestling

5:45 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Bruce at Luck (DH) Cornell at Unity (DH) Cumberland at Grantsburg (DH) Frederic at Northwood (DH) Shell Lake at Webster (DH) Flambeau at Siren

Girls Basketball Gymnastics

11 a.m. Grantsburg at River Falls 5:45 p.m. 7:30 p.m. St. Croix Falls at Grantsburg (DH) Frederic at Luck (DH) Webster at Cumberland (DH) 5:45 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Wrestling

7 p.m.

St. Croix Falls at Wisconsin Dells

Hockey Wrestling
9 a.m. Unity at Boyceville

Saturday, Dec. 14
Boys Basketball Girls Basketball Girls Basketball
5:45 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

3 p.m.

Wrestling Boys Basketball

7:30 p.m.

Blizzard Girls vs. Chippewa Falls at Siren

5:45 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Frederic at Birchwood (DH) Grantsburg at Northwestern Spooner at Webster St. Croix Falls at Chetek Unity at Shell Lake (DH) Luck at Northwood

Saturday, Jan. 18 Tuesday, Feb. 4

7:30 p.m.

Boys Basketball

Friday, Feb. 21

Frederic at Grantsburg (DH) Siren at Unity (DH) Webster at Luck (DH)

TBD 9 a.m. 10 a.m.

Unity at Woodbury St. Croix Falls at Wisconsin Dells LFG at Barron

Boys Basketball

Saturday, Jan. 4 Monday, Jan. 20

Hockey
7:30 p.m. Blizzard Boys vs. Pine City at Grantsburg Frederic at Luck (DH) Webster at Cumberland (DH) St. Croix Falls at Grantsburg (DH) Siren at Drummond

7:30 p.m.

Boys Basketball
7:30 p.m. Webster at Clayton

Monday, Dec. 16
Girls Basketball Boys Basketball
7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Hockey

Luck at Chippewa Falls

Frederic at Grantsburg (DH) Siren at Unity (DH) Webster at Luck (DH) Baldwin/Woodville at St. Croix Falls

6 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Girls Basketball
Frederic at Solon Spring Grantsburg at Luck (DH) St. Croix Falls at Unity (DH)

Webster at Pine City (DH) Unity at New Auburn (DH)

3 p.m. 1 p.m.

Wrestling

Blizzard Boys vs. Highland Park at Grantsburg Blizzard Girls at Moose Lake

TBD

Unity at Ogilvie St. Croix Falls at Ogilvie

Tuesday, Jan. 21
Boys Basketball Girls Basketball
5:45 p.m. 7:30 p.m. St. Croix Falls at Luck (DH) St. Croix Falls at Luck (DH) Shell Lake at Frederic

Wrestling
TBD

Saturday, Feb. 22
Sectional at Amery

Thursday, Feb. 6

5:45 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Unity at New Auburn (DH) Mellen at Siren Webster at Pine City (DH)

Boys Basketball
5:45 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Grantsburg at Luck (DH) St. Croix Falls at Unity (DH) Frederic at Turtle Lake Siren at Drummond

Tuesday, Dec. 17
Girls Basketball Gymnastics
6:30 p.m.

Boys Basketball
Rice Lake at Grantsburg

Monday, Jan. 6

Girls Basketball
7:30 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 24
Luck at Chetek Grantsburg at Spooner Siren at Shell Lake Unity at Clear Lake

7:15 p.m.

St. Croix Falls at Spooner

Girls Basketball Gymnastics

7 p.m. 6:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

Turtle Lake at Grantsburg

5:45 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Girls Basketball Hockey

7 p.m. Blizzard Boys at Moose Lake Blizzard Girls vs. River Falls at Siren

Webster at Clear Lake St. Croix Falls at Amery Braham at Grantsburg (DH) Clayton at Luck (DH) Cumberland at Unity

Tuesday, Jan. 7
Grantsburg at Rush City

Hockey Boys Basketball

7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 25
Girls Basketball
7:30 p.m. Webster at Hinckley-Finlayson

Boys Basketball

Blizzard Girls vs. Superior at Siren

Friday, Feb. 7
Ellsworth at St. Croix Falls Unity at Grantsburg (DH) Siren at Webster (DH)

5:45 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Hockey Boys Basketball

7:30 p.m. Frederic at Siren (DH) Luck at Turtle Lake

Braham at Grantsburg (DH) Clayton at Luck (DH) Frederic at Rush City

7 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m. 7 p.m.

Blizzard Boys vs. Legacy Christian Academy at Blaine National Sports Center Blizzard Girls vs. Hudson at Grantsburg

Girls Basketball

Luck at Barnum Barron at Unity Frederic at Webster (DH) Grantsburg at Clear Lake Siren at Shell Lake

Girls Basketball
7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 27
Luck at Grantsburg Siren at Frederic Unity at St. Croix Falls

Thursday, Jan. 23

Girls Basketball
5:45 p.m.

Wrestling Girls Basketball

5:45 p.m.

5:45 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Frederic at Webster (DH) Cornell at Siren Luck at Birchwood

Siren at Webster (DH) Unity at Grantsburg (DH)

Wrestling
TBD

State at Kohl Center

7 p.m.

Flambeau at Frederic Unity at Glenwood City

Hockey Wrestling
7 p.m. LFG at St. Croix Falls Unity at Turtle Lake Frederic at Siren (DH)

Boys Basketball Boys Basketball

7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 19

7 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Blizzard Girls vs. Chippewa Falls at Dunn County Blizzard Boys at Mora

Boys Basketball
TBD 2:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 8
Girls Basketball
TBD 1 p.m. Siren vs. Northwood at Target Center Glenwood City at Frederic (DH) Siren vs. Northwood at Target Center Glenwood City at Frederic (DH)

5:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Siren at Lac Courte Oreilles Northwood at Webster (DH)

Girls Basketball

Girls Basketball Girls Basketball

Thursday, Jan. 9

7:30 p.m.

5:45 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Northwood at Webster (DH) Clear Lake at Frederic Siren at Turtle Lake

Hockey

Frederic at Clayton

Friday, Jan. 24

7 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Blizzard Girls at Superior Blizzard Boys at Pine City

St. Croix Falls at Webster (DH)

Hockey
5:30 p.m. 9 a.m.

DECEMBER 4, 2013 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 13

Wrestling

Wrestling

Wrestling

Blizzard Boys at Highland Park Luck at Cameron

7 p.m.

Turtle Lake/Clayton at St. Croix Falls

7 p.m.

St. Croix Falls at Clear Lake LFG at Clayton

5:45 p.m. St. Croix Falls at Webster (DH) 7:30 p.m. Pine City at Grantsburg Turtle Lake at Luck Hockey7:30 p.m. Blizzard Boys vs. Legacy Christian

PAGE 14 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - DECEMBER 4, 2013

w i n t e r
Team off to a 1-3 start

L E A D E R

S P O R T S
scored two goals. Ashley Dietmeier also had two goals, and Abby Stevens and Maddy Doty each scored goals. Since that game, the Blizzard girls played three games at a tournament in Baldwin, losing to very tough opponents including St. Croix Valley and Hayward/ Spooner. Hayward/Spooner earned a state championship last year, and the Fusion won state titles from 2009-11. Just to be able to give them each a game will be a success, but I would really like to beat them! Quimby said. The Blizzard lost to Sun Prairie Co-op in their third straight loss, but it was a close one despite the Blizzard falling behind 3-1 at the start of the second period. Dietmeier got the Blizzard on the board with a first-period goal, and Roberts scored in the second period to make it a 3-2 contest. Sun Prairie went up by two goals a short time later and held the two-goal buffer until late in the third period when Curtis hit the back of the net to make it a onegoal game before time expired. Stevens was also credited for a goal in the third period. The Blizzard will be hosting their second home game of the season on Thursday, Dec. 12, at Lodge Center Arena in Siren beginning at 7 p.m. against New Richmond. We will have a tough season, but I think with the talent that we have we should be able to make a good run at playoff time, Quimby said.

Blizzard girls skating with low numbers

Marty Seeger|Staff writer SIREN The Blizzard girls hockey team isnt loaded with athletes this season. With only 13 players, the team could face a bit of adversity against a handful of quality opponents. After finishing with a 16-6 record last season, and losing several seniors, including two college recruits, it may appear to be a rebuilding year. But second-year coach Rick Quimby is still excited, just to be back on the ice with a great group of girls, he said. And despite it being a smaller group of girls than what the Blizzard are used to, theyll still likely provide an exciting year of hockey. One of our biggest strengths this year is going to be our smart play on the ice. We cannot afford to waste energy, so you will see lots of defense and some interesting play on the ice.This is a very smart team, and it is very easy for me to change our defensive systems and offensive systems. Sometimes shift by shift! Quimby said. There is no particular standout player for the Blizzard as Quimby points out that with just 13 players everyone is key. The team already has four games to their credit and got off to a 1-0 start with a huge 9-1 victory over Black River Falls Friday, Nov. 22. In that game, Wendy Roberts scored the hat trick while Jenna Curtis

Blizzard forward Ashley Dietmeier scores a goal in a contest last winter. Dietmier is a senior this season and is second on the team in points in their first four games of the season with eight. Senior teammate Wendy Roberts leads the team thus far with 11. Leader file photo by Josh Johnson/MaxPreps

Viking girls win season opener

Luck handles Cumberland at home

Frederic 70, Solon Springs 32

Marty Seeger|Staff writer SOLON SPRINGS The Frederic girls basketball team got off to a fast start with a win over Solon Springs on Tuesday, Nov. 26. It was the Vikings first game of the season. Our first game was a good one, very pleased with our offensive output, said
Frederics Makayla Arthurs fights her way to the ball against Solon Springs on Tuesday, Nov. 26, during the Vikings first win of the season. Photo by Becky Amundson

Vikings coach Troy Wink, but even with putting up 70 points, Wink thought it could have been even better despite a few missed layups and free-throw opportunities. Lara Harlander led with 22 points while Emily Amundson was the leading rebounder with eight. Other scorers included Carly Gustafson with 15, Taylor Alseth had nine, Abigail Brightbill and Ann Chenal each had six, Amundson, five, MaKayla Arthurs, four, and Nicole Nelson, two.

Luck 48, Cumberland 15 LUCK The Cardinal girls basketball team opened the season with a win over

See girls bball/next page

AREA BOWLING RESULTS

Hackers Lanes
Sunday Afternoon Youth Standings: Last Year Champs 31, KRM 23.5, Lucky Strikers 19.5, Blank 14. Boys games: Zach Schmidt (B) 184, David Lindberg (LYC) 177, Parker Steen (LYC) 157. Boys series: Zach Schmidt (B) 477, David Lindberg (LYC) 456, Parker Steen (LYC) 413. Girls games: Rachel Bugella (KRM) 132, Kerrigan Ekholm (KRM) 129, Madeline Kuesel (KRM) 62. Girls series: Kerrigan Ekholm (KRM) 349, Rachel Bugella (KRM) 271, Madeline Kuesel (KRM) 135. Team games: Blank 475, Last Year Champs 457, KRM 304. Team series: Blank 1350, Last Year Champs 1243, Lucky Strikers 796. Monday Afternoon Retired (11/18/13) Standings: Eagles 28, Night Hawks 22, Badgers 21, Swans 21, Hummingbirds 21, Bears 20, Vultures 19. Mens games (Handicap): Roger Christenson 235, Dennis Bohn 230, Gary Berg 223. Mens series (Handicap): Dennis Bohn 625, Gary Berg 595, Jerry Richter 590. Womens games (Handicap): Pearl Noble & Mona Renfroe 222, Betty Anderson & Denise Donaghue 208, Marge Traun 204. Womens series (Handicap): Sandy Bannie 593, Betty Anderson 589, Marge Traun 567. Team games (Handicap): Eagles 781, Swans 779, Night Hawks 774. Team series (Handicap): Eagles 2262, Badgers 2195, Swans 2129. Monday Afternoon Retired (11/25/13) Standings: Eagles 31, Night Hawks 29, Swans 28, Bears 25, Badgers 25, Hummingbirds 24, Vultures 22. Mens games (Handicap): Max Simon 213, Jerry Richter 211, Tony Deiss 209. Mens series (Handicap): Jerry Richter 596, Jack Buecksler 595, Max Simon 567. Womens games (Handicap): Mary Young 215, Carol Schommer 208, Betty Anderson 203. Womens series (Handicap): Mary Young 588, Pat Bresina 558, Carol Schommer 554. Team games (Handicap): Swans 802, Bears 757, Night Hawks 743. Team series (Handicap): Swans 2231, Bears 2164, Hummingbirds 2115. Friday Night Ladies Standings: Pin Heads 60.5, Junque Art 57, The Leader 49, Frederic Design & Promo 45.5. Individual games: Pat Traun 194, Karen Carlson 177, Jen Ellefson 174. Individual series: Jen Ellefson 500, Karen Carlson 499, Sheila Hansen 476. Team games: Pin Heads 616, Junque Art 607, The Leader 543. Team series: Pin Heads 1773, Junque Art 1761, Frederic Design 1600. Splits converted: 5-8-10: Myrna Magnuson. Outfitters 876, Split Happens 847, Kassel Tap 832. Team series (Handicap): Split Happens 2448, Custom Outfitters 2438, Kassel Tap 2360. Thursday Night Ladies Standings: Eagle Valley Bank 29, Hacks Pub 24, Central Bank 22, Soul Sisters 21, Hauge Dental 19, KJs 17, TL Enterprise 15, Cutting Edge Pro 13. Individual games: Jane Smith 204, Mary Jo Hacker 200, Melanie Erickson 198. Individual series: Melanie Erickson 569, Jane Smith 561, Jennifer Whelan 541. Team games: Hauge Dental 817, Hacks Pub 783, Soul Sisters 748. Team series: Hauge Dental 2309, Hacks Pub 2268, Eagle Valley Bank 2186.

McKenzie Lanes
Monday Night Ladies Standings: McKenzie Lanes 24, Metal Products 23, Edina Divas 18, Sams Carpentry 17, Wolf Creek Log Furniture 17, Jensen Sundquist Insurance 12, Frederic Truck & Tractor 11, Bye 14. Individual games: Kathy McKenzie 209, Cindy Castellano 207, Marsha Guggisberg 186. Individual series: Cindy Castellano 556,

Kathy McKenzie 520, Jane Smith 499. Team games (Handicap): McKenzie Lanes 877. Team series (Handicap): McKenzie Lanes 2387. Monday Night Madness Standings: Who Gives A Split 51, Bon Ton 46, Eagle Lounge 40, Alleycats 39. Individual games: Donna Johnson 190, Cathy Albrecht 164, Judy Maier 163. Individual series: Judy Maier 422, Cathy Albrecht 413, Alicia Miller 412. Team games (Handicap): Eagle Lounge 616, Bon Ton 602. Team series (Handicap): Bon Ton 1791, Eagle Lounge 1753. Tuesday Womens Standings: Split Happens 122, Kassel Tap 122, Hauge Dental 118.5, Custom Outfitters 115.5, Tomlinson Insurance 111, Gutter Dusters 106, Kindred Spirits 105, Country Gals 84. Individual games: Sheila Brom 213, Toni Sloper 203, Jane Smith 202. Individual series: Sheila Brom 543, Jane Smith 542, Linda Goulet 539. Team games (Handicap): Custom

Black & Orange

Early Risers Standings: 10th Hole 27-21, Northwoods Dog Grooming 25-23, Gandy Dancer 2523, Black & Orange. Individual games: Mary Reese (NDG) 198, Gayle Thoreson (NDG) 185, Carol Phelps (B&O) 178. Individual series: Mary Reese (NDG) 516, Gayle Thoreson (NDG) 478, Pam Dildine (10th) & Claudia Peterson (GD) 451. Team games: Black & Orange 809, Northwoods Dog Grooming 764, 10th Hole 725. Team series: Northwoods Dog Grooming 2221, Black & Orange 2106, 10th Hole 2092. Thursday Night Ladies Standings: Yellow River Saloon 29-7, Pour House 23-13, Midtown Tavern 1818, Vacant 2-34. Individual games: Audrey Pardun (YRS)

178, Krystal Gorman (YRS) 168, Tooter Barnes (PH) 159. Individual series: Audrey Pardun (YRS) 500, Krystal Gorman (YRS) 471, Julie Chalupsky (YRS) 393. Team games: Yellow River Saloon 715, Pour House 703, Midtown Tavern 665. Team series: Yellow River Saloon 2096, Midtown Tavern 1978, Pour House 1946. Early Birds Standings: Yellow River Saloon 30-18, Black & Orange 23-25, The Tap 22-26, Gandy Dancer Saloon 21-27. Individual games: Michelle Lysdahl (YRS) 186, Linda Strong (YRS) 170, Joanie Jave-Hahr (GDS) 161. Individual series: Linda Strong (YRS) 475, Michelle Lysdahl (YRS) 428, Joanie Java-Hahr (GDS) 425. Team games: Yellow River Saloon 956, Black & Orange 895, Gandy Dancer Saloon 865. Team series: Yellow River Saloon 2662, Gandy Dancer Saloon 2539, The Tap 2523.

Dennys Downtown Lanes

Sunday Afternoon Mixed Standings: Spare Us 53, Hi Low 40, Sister D 33, Strikers 31, Double Trouble 30. Mens games: Scott Lamphere 169, Jamie Mier 155, Devin Eckstrom 108. Mens series: Scott Lamphere 418, Jamie Mier 390, Devin Eckstrom 270. Womens games: Theresa Eckstrom 127, Lori Dake & Barbara Loomis 121. Womens series: Barbara Loomis 356, Lori Dake 329, Theresa Eckstrom 324. Team games: Spare Us 286, Hi Low 244. Team series: Spare Us 742, Hi Low 637.

DECEMBER 4, 2013 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 15

w i n t e r
The Dog has had his day Area sports fans were saddened to hear of the recent passing of wrestling legend Maurice Mad Dog Vachon. Mad Dog began his career on Canadas 1948 Olympic grappling team, then became a household name in the States by the mid 1960s as he had by then firmly THESPORTS established himself in the Twin Cities-based American Wrestling Association. In his early days in the AWA the villainous Vachon had

L E A D E R

S P O R T S
crown was claimed by none other than former late-1960s Grantsburg multisport great Karl Johnson. By the way: When hes not downing splendid 8-point bucks, Johnson owns and operates Johnson Lumber Company of Falun, Wis. 2011 and 2012 JLC buck board winners were popular local sportsmen Larye Olson of Siren and Alpha native Mike Swenson. The Rory has been restored Local girls high school basketball fans are optimistic about the Unity girls basketball teams chances this year now that ex-Eagle athlete and longtime Unity School District coach Rory Paulsen has assumed the head coach mantle. Paulsen is known not only as a gentleman, but also as a master tactician with a knack for connecting with student athletes.

John Ryan

perennially feuded with clean-cut AWA champ Vern Gagne. However, later in his career Mad Dog became known as a good guy despite never backing away from his rule-breaking reputation. He even formed a successful tag team with the scientific Gagne. Throughout his career he won matches with an array of unsavory tactics such as the eye gouge, biting, scratching and open-handed slaps to the face. He utilized the dangerous pile driver as his signature finishing move. All told, he held the AWA championship belt five times in his storied career. R.I.P, Mad Dog. Dead at 84. Speaking of wrestling Congratulations to St. Croix Falls senior Joe Rademacher for earning honorable mention all-state recognition as a linebacker. Local high school wrestling fans are also expecting Rademacher to have a banner season on the mat.

Whats up with that? With two state basketball tournament appearances in the past eight years, and two silver-ball runner-up trophies in the case, one might consider Grantsburg to be Leader Lands most prestigious boys high school basketball program. So needless to say, there is some befuddlement over the lack of numbers in the GHS hoop program this year. Reportedly a JV game has already been canceled due to a lack of players. Come on, fellas Theres plenty of time for ice fishing on weekends and for the next 60 or so years after you graduate. Deer hunting bragging rights Now that Denuccis Buck-O-Rama and the Staples Lake buck board have mostly faded into the history books, the Johnson Lumber Company buck board has emerged as one of Leader Lands most prestigious. This year the coveted title biggest buck

PAGE

Girls bball/from previous page

Cumberland in Luck on Tuesday, Nov. 26. After a tied first quarter, the Cardinals held Cumberland to two points in the second quarter and led 19-8 at the half. They held the Beavers to just seven points in the second half. We started slowly first game jitters and 6-6 was score at the end of the first quarter, said Luck coach Marty Messar, adding that the team shot 16 of 60 from the field. All eight Cardinals got into the scoring mix with Whitney Petersen scoring 12 points. Camille Marsten had a doubledouble with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Jillian Klatt had eight points, Tayler Dow and Jenni Holdt each had six, and Angela Gore, Reilly Giller and Tessa Clemenson each had two points. Gore also had 10 rebounds and Dow had nine boards.

Viking boys grab win over Shell Lake

Grantsburg falls in season opener, Luck loses at Chetek

LEADER SPORTS SCOREBOARD

BOYS BASKETBALL
Team St. Croix Falls Saints Luck Cardinals Siren Dragons Frederic Vikings Unity Eagles Grantsburg Pirates Webster Tigers Standings Conf. 1-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-1 0-0 0-0 Overall 2-0 2-1 1-0 1-1 1-1 0-1 0-0 Team Blizzard Friday, Nov. 29 Antigo 11, Blizzard 1 Saturday, Nov. 30 Blizzard 6, Fox Cities 1 Sunday, Dec. 1 Blizzard 6, Sheboygan 2

Frederic 59, Shell Lake 49

BOYS HOCKEY
Standings Scores Conf. 0-0 Overall 2-1

Scores Tuesday, Nov. 26 Frederic 59, Shell Lake 49 Pine City 51, Grantsburg 37 Chetek/Weyerhaeuser 59, Luck 55 Tuesday, Dec. 3 Luck 66, Grantsburg 21 St. Croix Falls 58, Unity 42 Siren at Frederic (Postponed) Turtle Lake at Webster (Postponed) Upcoming Friday, Dec. 6 7:30 p.m. Frederic at Unity (DH) Grantsburg at Siren (DH) 5:45 p.m. Webster at St. Croix Falls (DH) Tuesday, Dec. 10 6:30 p.m. Grantsburg at Amery 7:30 p.m. Unity at Webster St. Croix Falls at Frederic Siren at Luck (DH) Standings

Upcoming Thursday, Dec. 5 7 p.m. Moose Lake at Grantsburg Saturday, Dec. 7 7 p.m. River Falls at Grantsburg Tuesday, Dec. 10 7 p.m. Blizzard boys at Becker/Big Lake

Marty Seeger|Staff writer FREDERIC Shell Lake kept pace with the Vikings through three quarters on Tuesday, Nov. 26, but Frederic pulled away in the fourth quarter for their first win of the season. It was the Vikings second nonconference game of the year as Austin Kurkowski led with 17 points. We are still trying to figure things out, said Vikes coach Ryan Lind. It is early in the year. The guys are working hard and we will keep improving. Other scorers for the Vikings included Ben Kurkowski and Roman Poirier each with 10 points, while Irric Erickson and Zach Schmidt each scored eight. Mark Olson, Zach Kuechenmeister and Austin Ennis each made two points. The Vikings shot well from outside, making six 3-pointers in the first half with Austin Kurkowski hitting three. He also had a pair of threes in the second half. Chetek-Weyerhaeuser 59, Luck 55 LUCK Luck coach Rick Giller predicted Chetek-Weyerhaeuser to be one of the Cardinals toughest games of the season, and much of that had to do with trying to slow the speedy Bulldogs down. However, the Cardinals played strong through the first two quarters of a nonconference game at Chetek on Tuesday,
The Swami Predicts A tremendous opening-week record of 7-1 catapulted the Prediction King to an 88-percent success rate to inaugurate the 201314 prognostication season. I sometimes struggle in the first week of mostly nonconference games, he said early Wednesday while boning out the third THESWAMI of several young deer he shot during the 2013 Wisconsin firearm deer season. But suddenly Im looking at a basketball season success-rate milestone! he exclaimed with a beaming grin while displaying a spiral notebook which indicated 79 percent in 2009 to be his best ever.

Nov. 26. The Cardinals led 14-12 after the first quarter and held Chetek to nine points in the second quarter to take a 31-21 lead at the half. But the Bulldogs outscored the Cardinals 21-12 in the third quarter and 17-12 in the fourth to hold onto the win. Luck sophomore Noah Mortel had his first double-double of the season and a career-high 26 points with 13 rebounds. He also had three assists and three steals. Logan Hamack had 16 points and was 4 of 7 from beyond the arc. Karsten Petersen scored five points, Trent Strapon and Nick Mattson each had three points and Taylor Hawkins had two points.

GIRLS HOCKEY
Scores Friday, Nov. 22 Blizzard 9, Black River Falls 1 Wednesday, Nov. 27 St. Croix Valley 5, Blizzard 2 Friday, Nov. 29 Hayward/Spooner 7, Blizzard 3 Saturday, Nov. 30 Sun Prairie Co-op 5, Blizzard 4 Tuesday, Dec. 3 Hayward/Spooner at Blizzard (Postponed) Upcoming Thursday, Dec. 12 7 p.m. New Richmond at Siren Saturday, Dec. 14 3 p.m. Chippewa Falls/Menomonie at Siren Team Blizzard girls Standings Conf. 0-0 Overall 1-3

Pine City, Minn., 51, Grantsburg 37 GRANTSBURG The home opener for the Pirate boys basketball team was spoiled by Pine City, Minn., on Tuesday, Nov. 26. It was also the first Pirates game of the season. Grantsburg led 23-16 at the half after a solid second quarter but fell behind offensively in the second half. We werent very good tonight, thats the bottom line, said Pirates coach Nick Hallberg. We had a positive in how we played in the second quarter. We need to get better to compete with anyone we have on our schedule. There are no off nights for us. Just have to keep working at it. Jacob Ohnstad led the Pirates with 22 points and 10 in the second quarter. Jordan Knutson scored eight, Austin Olson had four, and Jackson Gerber and Majel Schmaltz each had two points.

GIRLS BASKETBALL
Team Frederic Vikings Luck Cardinals Grantsburg Pirates Siren Dragons St. Croix Falls Saints Unity Eagles Webster Tigers Conf. 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 Overall 1-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Scores Tuesday, Nov. 26 Frederic 70, Solon Springs 32 Luck 48, Cumberland 15 Tuesday, Dec. 3 Turtle Lake at Webster (Postponed) Luck at Northwood (Postponed) Siren at Clayton (Postponed) Upcoming Friday, Dec. 6 5:45 p.m. Frederic at Unity (DH) Grantsburg at Siren (DH) 7:30 p.m. Webster at St. Croix Falls (DH) Tuesday, Dec. 10 8:15 p.m. Grantsburg at Amery (DH) 5:45 p.m. St. Croix Falls at Frederic (DH) Siren at Luck (DH) Unity at Webster (DH)

WRESTLING
Friday, Nov. 22 LFG at St. Croix Central Shell Lake at Unity Upcoming

Siren 65, Grantsburg 51 A rude awakening for the Pirates. St. Croix Falls 59, Frederic 53 An entertaining game. Luck 53, Siren 45 A dogfight. Unity 49, Webster 29 The Eagles bounce back from their loss to Frederic. Girls games: Unity 60, Frederic 55 Lots of points and lots of fouls. Siren 55, Grantsburg 35 Dragons coast. St. Croix Falls 59, Webster 33 No contest. Luck 44, Northwood 43 The wizard and his minions steal one. St. Croix Falls 67, Frederic 44 Vikes stay close through three. Luck 55, Siren 47 A barn burner goes to the Cards. Amery 57, Grantsburg 29 Tough loss for the Pirettes. Unity 50, Webster 23 The Eagles are for real, boys and girls. The Swami answers all emails and can be reached at predictionking@yahoo.com

The Swami

READLEADERSPORTS
the-leader.net

PREDICTS

On our website: Tuesday night sports coverage

See the-leader.net

Boys games: Frederic 52, Unity 50 A shocker. St. Croix Falls 66, Webster 30 The Saints will be in the title hunt.

PAGE 16 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - DECEMBER 4, 2013

ATVs BIRDING BOATING CAMPING FISHING HIKING HUNTING RECREATIONAL VEHICLES

OUTDOORS
first time on his own, was able to catch a glimpse of a buck that had managed to cross the river in front of him during a deer drive. Moments after seeing the buck, he radioed to the rest of us that, It was huge and it even had a drop point. Im not sure if anyone elses jaw dropped when hed informed us of the deer, but mine sure did. Especially since Id been sitting probably less than 150 yards away from the buck earlier that morning, and Ive never actually seen one with a drop tine in my life. When asked why he didnt shoot, hed informed us that his dad told him not to shoot anything if it crossed the river. Because hed done what he had been told, he received a pat on the back for following directions and being responsible. Had the deer headed north instead of south, it might have been a different story, and theres always next year, as the buck likely survived the season. Most large bucks are seen once during the season, perhaps by a mere glimpse, and if nobody gets him, hell likely never be seen again during the rest of the season. Collin learned a lot of things during opening weekend. One being that hunting can be a lot of work and sometimes boring. He may or may not have learned a few new cuss words, and the fact that our hunting party rarely sits for longer than a few hours before getting up and moving around. Its probably why everyone around us is sometimes more successful than we are, but its tradition, and people seem to cling to their tree stands, blinds and shacks a lot more these days. If we arent moving, the deer wont be moving either. By the second day it was back to the woods and the deer werent moving, again. I sat for a short time, overlooking the winding river as it slowly glided through a tangled swamp under a newly formed sheet of ice. Id decided it was time to move, and not long after, gun shots sounded off from over the next ridge. It was Collins .243. I waited for the shooting to wane and crested the hill, seeing my aunt and Collin both closing in on a huge doe in the snow. This wasnt Collins first deer. Hed taken two bucks during the youth hunt, but the smile on his face was as if hed taken his very first deer. This is my first deer, Collin said Well, my first deer by myself. It was an accomplishment, and the youngster whos normally pretty quiet was suddenly describing his hunt, still shaking a little, and after asking if it was a big doe, he could be heard saying, Wow, this is a big doe. Several days later, Collin was still talking about the big doe, which he was excited to get not only for the thrill of the hunt, and doing it on his own, but also for the ring bologna it would provide for the rest of the season. It wasnt exactly his first deer, but you could see hed turned a corner in becoming a lifetime hunter. The only thing he needs to learn now is how to gut his own deer. There are many firsts in deer hunting and there arent too many I cant remember. Being part of someones first of any kind during the deer season is special no matter how big or small. And even though I was never able to even take a shot during the rifle season, I enjoyed the hunt as much as any other over the past 22 years.

I N T E R- C O U N T Y LE ADE R

First time for everything

Something new or unexpected always occurs during the nineday gun deer season. I didnt fire a single round this season. That was new, and rather unexpected considering I would have Marty shot the first decentsized doe that walked Seeger through. By around noon on opening day Id seen one deer, and The it never presented a Bottom shot as it was across a river and running Line straight away through brush. From what Ive been hearing that was more than some folks saw during the first two days in many areas of the North Woods, so I felt somewhat grateful for the glimpse, even though I knew more deer existed than what I had been seeing. Many people in my hunting area either have a heated hunting shack or box stand to protect them from the wind. I came down within just two hours from my climbing tree stand, unable to take the cold, and afraid I might be too frozen to move by the time I wanted to get down. Our hunting party has shrunk considerably over the years. Down to one aunt, an uncle and my cousin, Collin. We still pushed a few deer around, and my cousin, who was hunting for the

The authors cousin Collin is all smiles after taking a nice doe during the gun deer opener. Photo courtesy of Marty Seeger

Dogs now allowed on wolf hunts in northern Wisconsin

Rich Kremer|WPR STATEWIDE Wolf hunters in northern Wisconsin can legally use hunting dogs for the first time since the states controversial wolf hunt started last year. State lawmakers approved the use of dogs to track wolves when they established the states first wolf hunt in the spring of 2012. But after a lawsuit was filed by a coalition of Wisconsin humane
societies, a Dane County judge issued an injunction blocking hunters from using dogs. That injunction was lifted in January, opening the door for dogs in the wolf hunt this week. Hounds are a legal method in all units, its just that Zone 3 is the only unit that remains open today, during the time when hounds become legal, saidDavid MacFarland, aWisconsin Department of Natural Resources large carnivore specialist. Zone 3 includes most of Burnett, Washburn, Rusk and Taylor counties. Rachel Tillseth, the founder of the advocacy group Wolves of Douglas County, saidusing dogs to hunt wolves is inhumane. Its almost like dogfighting, basically, she said. Youre having canid against canid into the woods. This isnt right for hounds to be tearing apart a wolf. These animals were endangered less than two years ago. The pace of this years wolf hunt is quicker than last years according to the DNR. So far, 216 wolves have been killed during this years season, just 37 shy of the statewide quota.

Father and son tag nice bucks

Largest buck so far

Big Webster buck

Father Steve and son Ethan Alexander, 13, both shot bucks on Saturday, Nov. 23, on the gun deer opener. Steve shot his 10-pointer first and shortly after field dressing his deer, Ethan shot his 8-point buck on private property in Washburn County. This is Ethans second buck with a rifle. Photo submitted

Joseph Schewe of Milltown shot his biggest buck to date on Sunday, Nov. 24, during the rifle season. He shot the 8-pointer, as well as a doe. Photo submitted

Carter Doriott of Webster poses with a big buck he shot during the gun season at Wild Bills Sporting Goods in Webster. Photo submitted

Happenings at the St. Croix Falls Middle School

DECEMBER 4, 2013 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 17

Students in Mr. Sempfs technology and communications courses explore different programming languages. Pictured here the students are applying that knowledge to create computeranimated movies. Photos submitted

A community project kicks off

The Winston Project begins spay/neuter campaign with help from local vets
Danielle Moe | Staff writer SHELL LAKE Eric Stone, DVM, of Northern Lakes Veterinarian Clinic in Shell Lake, donated seven neuter and three spay operations on Friday, Nov. 22. There are many cats, kittens and puppies that end up being euthanized because they dont have homes, so I really respect what she is trying to do, Stone said. She is Kathleen Schoener, and the effort is called The Winston Project. It is a progressive community-basedlowcost spay/neuter initiative that Schoener hopes will effectively reduce the number of kittens born in Washburn County. The intent for the project is that no matter the circumstance, the cats get spayed or neutered, Stone explained. Regardless of financial status, how many cats the owner has or other factors, the Winston Project is built on community cooperation and assistance to stave off the cat overpopulation problem plaguing Washburn County. Eric Stone is significantly reducing his prices, a normal spay is $115-$140, depending on if a cat is in heat, therefore an average cost of $125. He has offered to alter four females and one male for $450, which would typically run more like $570, not to mention that he is including rabies vaccinations, said Schoener. Kaitlyn Cook, DVM, of Northern Lakes Veterinarian Clinic performed the surgeries. Those 10 cats will now go to loving homes. On Thursday, Nov. 21, two Science teacher Mr. Steeber assists students as they participate in archery class at Mr. Ys of the cats already had homes. fifth-grade camp in Amery, which was held Oct. 8-10. We are trying to do our part by helping out with this project, Stone stated.

Eric Stone, DVM, and Kaitlyn Cook, DVM, of Northern Lakes Veterinarian Clinic in Shell Lake, hold four of 10 cats that were spayed or neutered on Friday, Nov. 22.Photo by Danielle Moe

Democrats may try putting redistricting reform to public vote

Shawn Johnson| WPR MADISON - Democratic state lawmakers said Wisconsin residents should be given the chance to vote on whether they want to reform the redistricting process. Democrats have tried without success to get a vote in the Legislature on a bill aimed at making redistricting less partisan in Wisconsin. That bill, which is based on Iowas redistricting law, would have a nonpartisan state agency draw new legislative maps every decade. Right now, legislators draw the maps themselves, and with single-party control in 2010, Republicans were able to draw the maps to their political advantage. With that bill stalled, state Rep. Dana Wachs, D-Eau Claire, said the next step should be to get the public to vote through an advisory referendum on whether they want redistricting reform. Since our colleagues on the other side of the aisle dont seem willing to give this idea the attention it deserves, we want to take it directly to the people of the state of Wisconsin, said Wachs. Taking it to the people isnt all that easy. It still takes a vote of the Legislature to put a referendum on the ballot, and Republican leaders have said repeatedly they dont want to change the current system. Even if the public did weigh in, it would only be an advisory referendum, meaning theres no obligation for lawmakers to listen.

PAGE 18 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - DECEMBER 4, 2013

Rivers Rally sponsors chili cook-off

The fourth-annual after-Thanksgiving chili cook-off,sponsored by Rivers Rally, was held Saturday, Nov. 30, at JJs Club 35 between Luck and Milltown. Proceeds raised from this event will benefit Operation Christmas and local food shelves. Fourteen varieties of chili were entered in this years contest. Winners pictured (L to R) were:Amy Anderson, Julia Amrhien, Mike Fralick, Tyler Anderson, Jim Martin, Dee Martin, Paul Bainbridge, Paula Foerst, Jennifer Hanson and Ben Wheeler. Photo submitted

Great Lakes water levels are on the rise following last years record lows
Chuck Quirmbach | WPR ASHLAND - Lake Michigan and Lake Superior water levels have risen by about a foot, following the extreme lows that were recorded last year. The Lake Michigan-Lake Huron combination hit record low levels as late as last January. Since then a lot of precipitation has raised water levels by about 11 inches; as of last month, levels were still 17 inches below the average level for October. Keith Kompoltowicz, of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said he expects another very small rise by next April and no near-term return to record lows. Were expecting to remain about 16 inches below long-term average, but again about a foot above the levels of a year ago, said Kompoltowicz. Even with very dry conditions we dont see the threat of any new record lows on Michigan or Huron over the next six months.
Kompoltowicz said that last month, Lake Superior was 2 inches below average for the month, but 13 inches above a year ago,about what is expected for the next six months. He said that projection is based on weather projections and other data. Looks from other agencies that do some of the longer-term climate projections, he said. We also do our own statistical analyses on what we call the net basin supply of water to the lake, he said. Kompoltowicz said the forecast could change rapidly, and that November has been very wet across the Lake Superior basin. Federal scientists say long-term water levels could also be affected by whether higher evaporation rates of recent years continue.

The Lake Michigan-Lake Huron combination hit record low levels as late as last January. - flickr. com/photos/andyrs

Homelessness down nationally, up in Wisconsin

Maureen McCollum | WPR STATEWIDE - Figures released by the federal government show that homelessness is falling on a national scale, but thats not the case in Wisconsin.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development found that since 2011, homelessness has gone down about 4 percent nationally. In Wisconsin, its gone up 5.5 percent. Steven Schooler is the executive director of Porchlight, a Madison organization that works with homeless people. He says upper- and middle-class people had an easier time recovering from the recession, but its still hitting those in poverty hard. For those folks that really were at the lower end of the ... socio-economic strata, they never really did recover. The jobs that have been created really didnt cover those folks. As we know, there are a lot of folks that just have given up looking for work. Schooler says thats why hes seeing a continued rise in homelessness and an increasing number of people coming to Porchlights emergency shelter. At Milwaukees Hope House, executive director Ken Schmidt says food stamp cuts have brought more people to the shelter, since a familys housing budget now goes toward food. I mean, theres only so much money. Having less money with food stamps does hurt that household budget. Many homeless shelters are receiving less federal and state funds, and some officials say that money will continue to decline.

DECEMBER 4, 2013 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 19

POLK/BURNETT COUNTIES The Luck Police Department, along with Burnett County law enforcement officers and St. Croix Tribal Police, will be joining the statewide Booze and Belts safety mobilization campaign that increases safety belt use and reduces drunk driving. The campaign will be in effect from Friday, Dec. 13, to Saturday, Dec. 21. Fatal and serious injuries caused by traffic crashes are tragic any time of year, but they are even more devastating, especially for families, during the holiday season. To prevent needless deaths and injuries, officers will be out in force during the Booze and Belts mobilization, looking for unbuckled and impaired motorists along with other unsafe driving behavior. During mobilization and throughout the year, law enforcement agencies are cracking down on impaired and unbuckled motorists. Last year in Wisconsin, there were approximately 27,000 convictions for drunken driving and nearly 105,000 convictions for failure to fasten

Zero in Wisconsin - Booze and Belts mobilization

Burnett County deaths

safety belts. If you drive drunk, you are seriously jeopardizing your life and the lives of others on the road. Even if youre lucky enough to avoid a crash, you still are risking an arrest that will cause humiliation, huge fines, possibly having to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicles and, perhaps, even jail time. Law enforcement officers take safety belt enforcement seriously. Too many drivers and passengers are seriously injured or killed when they are ejected from their vehicles or tossed around violently inside them during a crash. The Booze and Belts mobilization is part of a statewide effort to reduce the number of preventable traffic deaths to zero in Wisconsin. The goal is voluntary compliance with traffic laws, so you are urged to make the responsible decision to buckle up and drive sober. But if you make an irresponsible decision, law enforcement will stop you and they wont give you a warning or a second chance. submitted

Marjorie A. Thoreson, 86, Village of Grantsburg, died Nov. 19, 2013.

Polk County deaths

Deaths

Charlotte F. Anderson, 54, Town of Lincoln, died Oct. 26, 2013. William R. Pletzer, 54, Town of Clayton, died Nov. 14, 2013.

Burnett County circuit court

Timothy H. Ainley, 50, Grantsburg, disorderly conduct, $114.50. Steven D. Brenizer, 53, Grantsburg, OWI, $761.50, license revoked six months, alcohol assessment. Rory D. Burton, 20, Bloomington, Minn., OWI, $761.50, license revoked six months; failure to notify police of accident, $389.50; deviation from designated lane, $175.30. Amy J. Childers, 20, Big Lake, Minn., underage drinking, $263.50. Derrick L. Coston, 19, Webster, operate while suspended, $200.50. James R. Ellis, 31, Balsam Lake, operate while suspended, $200.50. Douglas Friend, no date of birth given, Chisago City, Minn., cut shoreline vegetation in excess of limits, $389.50. Gregory S. Goedde, no date of birth given, Lakeville, Minn., construction structure without permit, $263.50. David B. Hunter, 50, Webster, display false registration plate, $263.50; operate while suspended, $200.50; nonregistration, $175.30. Richard J. Kranz, no date of birth given, North St. Paul, Minn., rent private residence without permit, $263.00. Cameron D. Lynn, 17, Grantsburg, OWI, $761.50, license revoked six months, alcohol assessment. Bruce Maurer, no date of birth given, Siren, cut shoreline vegetation in excess of limits, $389. Dan D. Neurer, 57, Cumberland, fish trout without trout stamp, $182.70. Benjamin D. Ott, 38, Webster, theft, five-year probation, sentence withheld, restitution, $9,508; 10 counts bail jumping, three-year probation, sentences withheld, $2,680.00; two counts felony bail jumping, two concurrent ninemonth jail sentences, $486.00; possession of methamphetamine, three-year probation, sentence withheld, $268.00; theft, three-year probation, sentence withheld, $268.00. Daniel J. Pope , 21, Webster,

Resser C. Adams, 91, St. Croix Falls, died Nov. 20, 2013. Marvin D. Drinkwine, 73, Osceola, died Nov. 20, 2013. John H. Welling, 79, Balsam Lake, died, Nov. 23, 2013.

nonregistration, $175.30; failure to notify police of accident, $389.50. Berry Preston, no date of birth given, Danbury, operate salvage yard without permit, $263.50. Jeremy L. Simon, 24, Grantsburg, operate ATV while intoxicated, alcohol assessment, $452.50. Summer D. Songetay , 18, Danbury, criminal damage to property, $114.50; disorderly conduct, $114.50. Shawn M. Songetay, 39, Danbury, operate while suspended, $200.50. Dennis R. Stadler, 32, Jackson, operate motor vehicle on state trails, $154.50. Scott G. Thomas, 48, Frederic, trapping during closed season, $469.55. Joel L. Wood, 57, Grantsburg, hit and run, $263.50; failure to notify police of accident, $389.50; operate without insurance, $200.50.

Burnett County warrants

Brandon L. Belisle, 32, Webster, warrant - failure to appear, Nov. 13. Heather R. Coon, 32, Turtle Lake, warrant - failure to appear, Nov. 13. Matthew G. Harrison, 30, Osceola, arrest warrant - complaint, Nov. 15. John E. Paulson, 49, Siren, warrant - failure to appear, Nov. 12. Sean A. Smallwood, 30, Burnsville, Minn., arrest warrant-complain, Nov. 14. Terence K. Icard Jr., 31, Shell Lake, warrant - failure to appear, Nov. 13.

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Danielle M. Sudbrink, Clayton, and Kevin R. Nusbaum, Clayton, issued Nov. 10, 2013. Dawn M. Brandt, Apple River, and Charles T. Mason, Apple River, issued Nov. 18, 2013. Jane E. Quick, Shoreview, Minn., and Norman D. Hanson, Sterling, issued Nov. 18, 2013. Jenna M. Palmer, Osceola, and Tyler R. Rogers, Mahtomedi, Minn., issued Nov. 19, 2013. Katie M. Scott, St. Croix Falls, and Jeremy L. Appel, St. Croix Falls, issued Nov. 22, 2013.

Polk County marriages

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Festival Theatre announces 2014 season

25th year of professional theater in Polk County
ST. CROIX FALLS - Festival Theatre is delighted to announce its 25th consecutive season of professional theater. Since 1990 the theater company has been producing live theater of the highest quality right here in St. Croix Falls, and the 2014 lineup promises to meet and exceed that standard. Festivals upcoming season will be one that celebrates the classics, featuring themes and stories from ancient Greece and Rome, 17th century farce-frenzied France, 19th century Holland, and some beloved theater motifs, styles and artists of the modern era. Opening the season in June is A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, written by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, based on the plays of Plautus, with music by Stephen Sondheim. This show runs June 19 through Aug. 17 in rotating repertory with the other summer productions. A slave in ancient Greece, Pseudolus, is dead set on gaining his freedom through whatever means necessary. When his master leaves on a trip, his masters son, Hero, presents Pseudolus with a deal: help him win the hand of Philia, a beautiful courtesan currently betrothed to a war hero, and he will give Pseudolus his freedom. What ensues is a raucous mix of mistaken identity, invented maladies, and mischief that won the original production Tony Awards for Best Musical and Best Book of a Musical. Almost, Maine by John Cariani is next, running July 5through Aug. 16in rotating repertory. Welcome to Almost, Maine, a town thats so far north, its almost not in the United States - its almost in Canada. And it almost doesnt exist. Because its residents never got around to getting organized. So its just almost. One cold, clear Friday night in the middle of winter, while the northern lights hover in the sky above, Almosts residents find themselves falling in and out of love in the strangest ways. Knees are bruised. Hearts are broken. Love is lost, found and confounded. And life for the people of Almost, Maine will never be the same. Next is The 39 Steps, adapted by Patrick Barlow from the novel by John Buchan, running Aug. 9 through Sept. 7 in rotating repertory. Mix a Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel, add a dash of Monty Python and you have The 39 Steps, a fast-paced whodunit, perfect for anyone who loves the magic of theater. This highly acclaimed play, awarded two Tony Awards and the Drama Desk Award, is packed with nonstop laughs, ongoing surprises, amazing comic expres-

DECEMBER 4, 2013 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 23

The cast of Festival Theatres 2013 production of Crazy for You. sion, some good old-fashioned romance, and over 150 zany characters played by a ridiculously talented cast of four. The play centers on Richard Hanney, a man with a boring life who is about to embark on an extraordinary adventure after meeting a woman with a thick accent who says shes a spy. After she is murdered, a mysterious organization called The 39 Steps is hot on the mans trail in a nationwide manhunt that climaxes in a death-defying finale! A riotous blend of virtuoso performances and wildly inventive stagecraft, The 39 Steps amounts to an unforgettable evening of pure pleasure. The Miser by Molire is the fall production, onstage Oct. 2 through Oct. 26. The elderly Harpagon obsesses over the feeling that he never has enough money, and unfortunately his obsession wreaks havoc on all around him. This includes his two children, Elise and Cleante, who are passionately in love with a valet and the girl next door, respectively. While Harpagon had arranged for them to be married to absurdly mismatched types, the two smart children plot against their frugal father until all erupts in a climactic dinner, and truths are revealed. Festivals holiday show brings back Hans Brinker, or The Silver Skates, written by Mary Mapes Dodge and adapted by James L. Walker, onstage from Nov. 29 through Dec. 28. Set in Holland in the early 19th century, a poor-but-industrious and honorable young man named Hans Brinker yearns to participate in Decembers great ice-skating race on the Canal. He and his younger sister, Gretel, have little chance of winning on their handmade wooden skates, but with a little hope and hard work, Hans aims to purchase a set of steel skates that will aid him in chasing down the illustrious prize. But Hans and Gretels father has fallen very ill, and Hans must first find a way to have his father seen and helped by the famous surgeon, Dr. Boekman. Hans Brinker, or The Silver Skates is a story of love, ambition, community and chasing ones dreams while fighting to do what is honorable and noble. A perfect show for the holiday season, this show will warm hearts of all ages, and remind audiences of the most precious gift of all, the love of family and friends. The Spring Youth & Family Theatre Series production, running March 6 through March 16, is Festivals own adaptation of Aesops Fables. Sure to be a dynamic retelling of these timeless stories, this show is perfect for a wide range of ages, both onstage and in the audience. Auditions are set for Jan. 20 and 21, with an audition workshop on Jan, 18. Call or email the box office to make sure you are on the Arts Education mailing list for audition notices. Finally, the Festival Theatre Conservatory for Young Performers summer production features local high school aged youth together with members of the professional summer company. Next summers production of Aristophanes The Frogs, dovetailing on the classics theme, has historical homage, hilarity and mythological adventure in one dynamic production. This show will run from July 19 through July 31 in rotating repertory. Check the website for more details on what is coming next: festivaltheatre.org. Tickets will soon be available for purchase online. Festival Theatre can be reached by phone at 715-483-3387 or by emailing boxoffice@festivaltheatre.org. The current holiday show, A Christmas Story, is now showing through Dec. 29, a perfect way to celebrate the season. Plan a visit soon to the historic Civic Auditorium, located at 210 North Washington St. in downtown St. Croix Falls.

A scene from the 2013 production A Midsummer Nights Dream. - Photos submitted

A scene from the 2013 production The Foreigner.

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