FREE PRESS AMERY
1892 - 2017
TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 2017
125 YEARS STRONG
VOL. 121 NO. 42 www.theameryfrepress.com $1.00
FAST START: Amery softball team opens season with five wins PAGE 19A
‘Chasing the dragon’ Atty. General. dubs meth ‘a giant game of Whack-AMole,’ declaring prevention and awareness as best hope BY JESSICA DE LA CRUZ EDITOR@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM
Jack Collins, and Emma Curtis, competed in the improvisational challenge. Their task was to plan and perform three improvisational skits in three-minute segment times. Each member of the team was previously in DI, but this is the first year for all of them to
Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel made the long drive to Trego last week. His appearance at the Northwoods Coalition Methamphetamine Summit gave those on the front lines of Wisconsin’s meth crisis reassurance in knowing that a powerful voice is now on their side. Local officials turned out in force to meet with Schimel and voice concern over the issue. More than 280 stakeholders from thirty-three northern Wisconsin counties were in attendance at Heartwood Conference Center, from law enforcement and legislators, to social and health care workers. The event was hosted by a non-profit division of Marshfield Clinic called ‘Northwoods Coalition,’ a large umbrella organization that has worked toward resolving Wisconsin’s meth-related challenges through grant funding and and the work of smaller, local coalitions. Like the summit held in December in Rice Lake, this one also provided much in the way of education, networking, and idea generation.
SEE CHAMPS PAGE 2A
SEE METH PAGE 8A
CONTRIBUTED
Pictured left to right with their state champion trophy are Emma Curtis, Jack Collins, Alli Hoyer, Ally Klitgard and Isaac Gorres.
‘Girls and guys’ bring home state DI trophy Congrats are in order for Amery High School’s Destination Imagination (DI) team, ‘The Girls in Pearls and the Guys in Ties,’ nailed a first-place victory during Saturday’s State Competition in Stevens Point , establishing themselves as the top Improvisational Destination Imagination team in
the state of Wisconsin. Destination Imagination is an organization that helps students in grades 3-12 develop their teamwork, creativity, and engineering skills in a variety of challenges. The Amery high school team this year, including Alliana Hoyer, Allison Klitgard, Isaac Gores,
Myers resigns, Paulson appointed to fill vacant council seat BY JESSICA DE LA CRUZ EDITOR@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM
Amery Mayor Kay Erickson announced the resignation of Alderman David Myers at the April City Council meeting. After explaining some of Myers’ recent health concerns, Erickson directed her comments to the video camera. “We want to thank you, David, for all your years of service,” she said. Myers The announcement of his replacement wasn’t far behind. Erickson appointed local resident Sharon
Paulson to fi ll the remaining year of Myers’ term. Should she choose to run, Paulson will be on the ballot in the spring of 2018. If you don’t know Sharon Paulson, you may have seen her before. Paulson is quite active in the Amery Woman’s Club. She’s no stranger to council proceedings either, and has often attended just to watch. When Erickson asked if she’d be interested in the seat, she worried about the time commitment, but reluctantly agreed. She was sworn in by Clerk/Treasurer Fran Duncanson before taking her seat at the council table. Paulson and her husband Clifford trans SEE PAULSON PAGE 2A
Coincidentally both in purple, Mayor Kay Erickson (right) shakes hands with newly appointed Amery City Councilwoman, Sharon Paulson.
715-268-8000 amerymedicalcenter.org
NEWS 715-268-8101 editor@theameryfreepress.com
ADVERTISING 715-268-8101 phumpal@theameryfreepress.com
PUBLIC NOTICES 715-268-8101 phumpal@theameryfreepress.com
SUBSCRIPTIONS 715-268-8101 dstangl@theameryfreepress.com