FREE PRESS AMERY
1892 - 2017
125 YEARS STRONG
TUESDAY, JULY 25, 2017
VOL. 122 NO. 57 www.theameryfrepress.com $1.00
FAIR: Polk County Celebrates Annual County Fair SECTION B
School district gets to work on spending referendum dollars BY JESSICA DE LA CRUZ EDITOR@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM
But making it possible was something Phillipson had a hand in, in real life. More that 72 years later, at a baseball game at Target Field, Phillipson would once again help raise that flag. This time under happier circumstances, but with no less pride or enthusiasm. Phillipson, a 93-year-old veter
While students have been enjoying a much-needed summer break, District officials have hard at work spending the additional $1.9 million in annual tax revenue approved by the voters of the Amery School District this spring. The district originally specified that the $1.9 million would be split as follows: •$550,000 for staff, restoring positions that have been cut and investing in additional positions. •$500,000 for technology, upgrading educational devices and network infrastructure. •$700,000 for maintenance and security, upgrading classrooms and student labs, updating building and HVAC systems, adding energy-efficient lighting and more. •$150,000 on curriculum and resources, specifically student and classroom resources and materials. District officials released a mid-July progress report toward those goals. Superintendent James Kuchta says they’ve spent approximately 1.7 of this year’s additional $1.9 million. Staff— As hoped, additional staff have been hired to benefit students in the following areas: Art, Alternative Education, Social Studies, Physical Education, English/Language Arts, Technology Education, Library/Media Specialist, Technology Integration, High School Dean of Students, and Grounds & Maintenance/. The majority of the additional staffing has been filled. Technology— Thus far the district has completed everything that they set to accomplish in this area. They have
SEE FLAG PAGE 32A
SEE SPENDING PAGE 2A
CONTRIBUTED
Local Veterans John Breske (left) and Larry Phillipson (right) were asked to raise the American flag at Target Field July 9, at the start of the Twins home game against the Baltimore Orioles.
Flying High
Local Veterans hoist Old Glory in celebration of American pastime BY JESSICA DE LA CRUZ EDITOR@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM
“If this man should fall, who will lift the flag and carry it on?” - General George Strong, Union Brigadier General, July 1863 On February 23, 1945, six battle-weary marines hoisted the stars and stripes high above
Mount Suribachi on the island of Iwo Jima. It was an iconic moment in one of the bloodiest battles in WWII’s Pacific Theatre. Amery’s own Larry Phillipson was there in the distance…toiling through heavy gun battle, and watching with pride. The snapshot would be forever captured on fi lm by Associated Press reporter Joe Rosenthal.
RCU to close Amery and Balsam Lake branches, citing ‘limited opportunities’ BY JESSICA DE LA CRUZ EDITOR@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM
Royal Credit Union (RCU), a federally insured credit union serving 26 counties in Western Wisconsin and 16 counties in Minnesota, notified customers on July 18 that they will be closing both their Amery and Balsam
Lake branches, as well as a location at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire, effective Friday, October 27 of this year. In a statement released by Vicki J. Hoehn, Vice President of Community Engagement, the company says that the decision was made to gain greater efficiencies, which result in greater
member benefits. “Royal is working to make a smooth transition for Members and team members,” the statement continues. “Nearby locations will continue to provide access and Royal’s convenient online banking solution offers Members options to perform banking transactions remotely. All team members working
in the affected offices will be offered a position at Royal.” In an email communication sent to members earlier today, RCU says that the decision made sense from an efficiency standpoint, and directed effected members to branches in New Richmond, Osceola, and St. Croix Falls. SEE RCU PAGE 18A
Playing fall sports? Schedule back-to-school exams for your kids now. Get sports forms signed and be ready for the first practice. amerymedicalcenter.org
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