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JUMP START TO FREEDOM: Deer Park, Wanderoos celebrate July 4 P14, 15
Amery’s July 4COUNTRY celebration will be different this year
BY APRIL ZIEMER EDITOR@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM
You may want to rethink where you intend to set your lawn chairs Thursday in Amery for watching fireworks. You are going to want to arrive at Soldier’s Field early, not to listen to the High School Band, they will not be there, but instead to claim your spot in an area that may get crowded. This year there will be a few
things that will be noticeably different about the July 4 extravaganza in Amery. The firefighters from Amery’s Department graciously give up their time year after year on the holiday to put on a dazzling and colorful show for spectators. If you see a firefighter this week say, “Thank you.” Fire Department Chief Dale Koehler said, “It has been long standing tradition, I think I have nar-
rowed it down to 52 to 55 years that the firefighters have been firing the fireworks in town.” Koehler explained that different laws over the years have allowed firefighters to set off fireworks for a show,
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APRIL ZIEMER|AMERY FREE PRESS
Fireworks will light up the sky Thursday at dusk. The best place to see this year’s show will be at Amery’s Soldier’s Field.
SENTINEL
Black bear sightings on the rise
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BY APRIL ZIEMER EDITOR@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM
BY APRIL ZIEMER EDITOR@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM
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Fern is new Amery Athletic Director, Dean of Students
COUNTY ST
Social media has recently been bombarded with stories and photos of black bears in area yards. Whether you are frightened by the sight or enjoy watching the furry creatures awkwardly fumble as they make their way through nature’s paths, there are things you should be aware of when it comes to dealing with the thriving black bear population. Wisconsin’s Black Bear totals are estimated at more than 28,000. The bear’s primary range is located in the far northern third of the state. Due to a growing population, bears are becoming much more common in the lower two-thirds of the state than ever before. The black bear is the most common and smallest species of bear in North America, and the only wild bear species found in Wisconsin. Adult males range from 250-300 lbs. and adult females
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This Black bear has made himself right at home in the garage of Scott and Jennifer Mickelson south of Amery.
range from 120-280 lbs. They are most commonly black, but can also be found in shades of brown or cinnamon. According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Black bears are normally shy animals. Their home range is about 27 square miles for males, and 8 square miles for females. During the winter, bears don’t truly hibernate. They fall into a deep sleep to conserve energy,
but can easily be awakened. Most conflicts with bears can be avoided if best practices are followed. Lauren Finch is a Natural Resources educator at Crex Meadows State Wildlife Area with the DNR’s Bureau of Wildlife Management. She has offered some guidance to those who are having issues with Black Bears. “If people are spotting bears on their property, and they would rather
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Serving Polk County’s St. Croix Valley since 1897
The School District of Amery has recently announced the hiring of Jeff Fern as the new Athletic Director/Dean of Students at Amery High School. His first day of duty was July 1. Fern grew up in Hammond, attending St. Croix Central High School. He obtained his Undergraduate Degree in Physical Education at Minnesota State, Mankato. He received his Master’s Degree Fern in School Counseling from the University of Wisconsin, Stout and his Principal’s Certification from the University of Wisconsin, Superior. For the past five years he has worked as a school counselor at St. Croix Central. When speaking about what interested him about working in Amery, Fern said, “The School District of Amery is a high achieving district and they provide students with many opportunities both in and out of the classroom. I want to continue to grow and enhance those opportunities for our kids.” Fern said is looking forward to the challenge of his new position. “This job will be fast
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