PAGE 2 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - MARCH 21, 2012
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Where there is smoke ... POLK COUNTY - Where there is smoke, there is fire, but out in the fields and meadows, this isn’t always a bad thing. As the flames race across the field, the fire consumes dead vegetation, invasive species and other harmful plants, leaving a mineral-rich coating of ash on soil that is newly exposed to the sun’s energy. This will spur the growth of hardy native plants, creating wildlife habitat, while making it more difficult for invasive species to gain ground. The Western Prairie Habitat Restoration Area in southern Polk, St. Croix and Pierce counties is scheduled for burning this spring by staff from DNR’s Baldwin field office and from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “The key is to make sure the fire stops before it crosses property boundaries,” notes a news release from the DNR. Such fires are done under strict guidelines and only when weather conditions are favorable. They are a common tool used by wildlife biologists to preserve the richness and diversity of statemanaged properties. - from the DNR
Why wait?
Man pushes truck through garage door Apparent retaliation for plowing issue
“The Duck Variations” this weekend ST. CROIX FALLS - Performing for one weekend only in the Elbow Room at Festival Theatre in St. Croix Falls is “The Duck Variations” by David Mamet and produced by Festival Theatre. With shows at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 23, and Saturday, March 24, plus a Sunday matinee on March 25, audiences will have a chance to see one of the earliest plays penned by Mamet. “It’s been 40 years since David Mamet’s well-known play ‘The Duck Variations’ was first produced,” said Danette Olsen, executive director at Festival Theatre. “At that time Mamet was a virtually unknown 25-year-old writer, but 12 years later he would win the Pulitzer Prize for one of his most famous plays ‘Glengarry Glen Ross’ and the world would become attentive and intrigued by this Chicago playwright and screenwriter who is sometimes compared to Sam Shepard and Samuel Beckett.” Tickets can be reserved by calling 715-483-3387 or online at festivaltheatre.org. Due to subject matter, this production is recommended for mature audiences. Shown in photos at left and below are director Carl Lindberg of Chicago and Ed Moersfelder and Keith Hartman, as Emil and George, and - Photos submitted
Leader
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Inter-County Cooperative Publishing Association 303 N. Wisconsin Ave., Frederic, WI 54837 715-327-4236 • www.the-leader.net Manager • dougpanek@centurytel.net
Gary King
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Sampling a new look Polk County Supervisor Ken Sample, standing, took the opportunity of his last county board meeting to give some special goodbyes. Noting that, due to similar hairstyles, it’s hard to tell Harry (left) and Dean Johansen apart, and that their “glare” often interferes with multimedia presentations, Sample presented each with a hairpiece. Sample has chosen not to seek reelection to another term on the board. - Photos by Mary Stirrat
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Doug Panek
Christian Stewart smiled as he got ready to take a swing at the Grantsburg Golf Course on Saturday, March 17. The 70degree-plus temperatures had the 9-year-old and his dad hitting the course for a few rounds with lots of other golfers, Saturday afternoon. - Photo by Priscilla Bauer
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Charles Johnson, chair Merlin Johnson Janet Oachs Carolyn Wedin Ann Fawver
A cooperative-owned newspaper, the Inter-County Leader is published every Wednesday by the Inter-County Cooperative Publishing Association, Box 490, Frederic, WI 54837. Second Class postage paid at Frederic, WI 54837.
The Inter-County Leader is a qualified newspaper for the publication of legal notices, meeting the requirements as set forth in Chapter 985.03 of the Wisconsin Statutes. Every government official or board that handles public money should publish at regular intervals an accounting of it, showing where and how each dollar is spent. We hold this to be a fundamental principle of democratic government. Publisher reserves right to reject any advertisement or news release or letter of opinion at any time.
by Greg Marsten Leader staff writer CLEAR LAKE – A 19-year-old Clear Lake man is facing several criminal charges after he is alleged to have pushed a neighbor’s truck from behind with his truck, right through the man’s garage door. According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Department, Donovan Nickell is facing charges of criminal damage to property, violation of absolute sobriety laws and underage drinking after he is believed to have pushed a nearby pickup from behind with his truck, forcing the other truck through the owner’s garage door in the early-morning hours on Tuesday, March 13, in Clear Lake. The issue apparently initially arose when the victim made Nickell move his truck during the recent heavy snowstorm, and he was reportedly quite upset. Witnesses noted a truck matching Nickell’s pickup on the scene, and police eventually found the suspected truck and noticed paint transfers that matched the pushed truck. Nickell was discovered a short time later, and after going to the lot where his truck was towed, was taken into custody by police. He also allegedly smelled of alcohol and was initially charged with violating absolute sobriety laws for being underage, as well as the felony criminal damage to property over $2,500 charge. He appeared before Judge Molly GaleWyrick in Polk County Circuit Court on March 13, where she placed a $1,000 signature bond and a future pretrial court date of June 8.
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The Inter-County Leader [ISS No. 8750-9091] is published weekly. Subscription prices are $37/yr. in Polk and Burnett counties; $41/yr. in Barron, Chisago, Washburn, St. Croix counties; $44/yr. anywhere in the United States $25/yr. for servicemen or women; $25/yr. for students or schools (9 months). Payment is needed before we can start the subscription. No refunds on subscriptions. Persons may subscribe online at www.theleader.net, write us at Inter-County Leader, Box 490, Frederic, WI 54837, or stop by one of our three offices.
Marty Seeger mseeger@centurytel.net Greg Marsten marscafe@lakeland.ws Sherill Summer sherill33@gmail.com Gregg Westigard greggw@lakeland.ws Carl Heidel cheidel389@centurytel.net Priscilla Bauer cilla@grantsburgtelcom.net Mary Stirrat marystirrat@hotmail.com Jean Koelz jeankoelz@hotmail.com EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Raelynn Hunter rael@centurytel.net