FREE PRESS MESSENGER AMERY
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY33,13,2222 2018 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER
VOL. 121 131 NO. NO. 39 19 www.theameryfreepress.com www.moraminn.com $1.00 $1.00
SPORTS: Amery has three Regional wrestling champs PAGE 20
Amery City Council Activity
Amery woman killed in Friday hit and run
COUNTRY
BY JESSICA DE LA CRUZ EDITOR@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM
The Amery City Council met on Wednesday, February 7. The following topics were disucussed: •Public works is preparing to install the new lift station in Flagpole Park. The crew has had its hands full with lots of snow and cold temp problems, including three water main breaks this season. Assistant Public Works Director, Chanz Green, asks the public to avoid putting snow back onto clean streets. Also, please keep children from tunneling through banks next to the street, as near misses have occurred while pushing back banks. •Clerk/Treasurer Fran Duncanson is busy preparing for the upcoming elections on Feb. 20 and April 3. She reminds the public they can vote early absentee at City Hall. Duncanson is also preparing for the annual city audit. •City Administrator Kim MooreSykes is working on implementing a newly created Paid Time Off (PTO) system for city employees, and developing a formula for employees who have accrued in excess of the capped amount. She will also begin soliciting RFPs for
BY JESSICA DE LA CRUZ
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 33, 2222 EDITOR@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM
Serving Marine-on-St. Croix, Scandia, May Township
SENTINEL
FREE
BURNETT COUNTY
JESSICA DE LA CRUZ | AMERU FREE PRESS
During February’s city council meeting, Fire Chief Dale Koehler recognized the retirement of senior firefighter, Steve Waterman. Waterman first began with the Amery Fire Department in 1972. He leaves the department after 45 years of volunteerism and service. He choked up accepting the plaque, saying, “It’s been a long road since ’72, but I’d do it all over again.”
potential firms to assist in a strategic planning process for the city. •Fire Chief Dale Koehler invites residents within the Amery Fire District to revisit their homeowner’s insurance policies for possible reduced rates for fire insurance. The department recently was
awarded improved ISO ratings corresponding with reduced response times both within the city and surrounding areas within the fire district. Rates went from a 4 to a 3 within the city limits, and from a 7 to a 5 outside the city
COUNTY ST FREE
ISANTI-CHISAGO
SEE CITY PAGE TWO
Amery man’s truck breaks through South Twin, injuring one BY JESSICA DE LA CRUZ EDITOR@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM
when his truck fell through the ice. Both Falz and his passenger successfully exited the vehicle, although his passenger sustained unknown injuries according to the Amery Police Department. Falz was arrested and cited for Operating While Intoxicated (OWI), first offense. Police add that the Department of Natural Resources was notified of the incident, and the truck was removed early Sunday morning.
THE SUN Alcohol may have contributed to an Amery man putting his truck through the ice of South Twin Lake Saturday afternoon, and the injury of his passenger. That’s according to information released by the Amery Police Department. Police say Jeremy Falz, 29 of Amery, drove near the culvert on Amery’s Baker Street West at approximately 4:40 p.m.
FREE
R
SEE ACCIDENT PAGE TWO
CONTRIBUTED
A pickup truck broke through the ice of South Twin Lake in Amery Saturday afternoon, injuring the passenger. The driver, 29-year-old Jeremy Falz, was cited for OWI 1.
Serving Polk County’s St. Croix Valley since 1897
NEWS 715-268-8101 editor@theameryfreepress.com
VOL. 131 NO. 19 www.moraminn.com $1.00 An Altoona man has been charged after allegedly fleeing the scene of a now fatal hit and run accident on Amery’s main street Friday night. Law enforcement were called to the scene at Keller Ave. and Central Street at 6:35 p.m. where a female pedestrian, identified as 50-year-old Lisa Allen, had been struck by a car driven by 59-year-old Michael S. George of Altoona. According to police reports, George allegedly got out of his car after the crash, removed Allen’s purse and THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER scarf from the hood33, of 2222 his George VOL. 131 NO. 19 and www.moraminn.com $1.00 vehicle then handed the items to witnesses, telling them he would return. George then fled the scene in his car. Allen was flown to Regions Hospital in St. Paul with serious head trauma. She remained on life support until Sunday evening when she succumbed to her injuries, according to police. George and his vehicle were located at approximately two and a half hours later at a hotel just off of Highway 94 in Baldwin. According to police reports, George admitted to
ADVERTISING 715-268-8101 phumpal@theameryfreepress.com
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 33, 2222
VOL. 131 NO. 19 www.moraminn.com $1.00
PUBLIC NOTICES 715-268-8101 phumpal@theameryfreepress.com
SUBSCRIPTIONS 715-268-8101 dstangl@theameryfreepress.com