FREE PRESS MESSENGER AMERY
TUESDAY, AUGUST33, 7, 2018 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2222
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QUALITY MEATS: Prizes awarded to 4-H, FFA exhibitors P20
To motorize or not to motorize
Ball players recognize a true champion COUNTRY
BY APRIL ZIEMER EDITOR@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM
It has been a yearly tradition for employees from GDSI to play ball with other local businesses; they have fun and raise money for local charities. This year a special young man was honored during the ball tournament as well. Michael Otto was traveling on July 10th with his mother and two younger siblings on 180th Avenue, just north of Highway 8. The family was in a single vehicle accident caused by mechanical failure; although an exact cause was never pinpointed, it was suspected to be related to the arm and ball joints. Otto’s mother Nicole was initially trapped in the vehicle. After confirming Otto was safe, his mother asked him to try to get his two sisters out of their car seats. Otto’s mother was able to crawl through the van and found her way out through the back window. Otto then handed each of his sisters to his mother. The brave young man next
Serving Marine-on-St. Croix, Scandia, May Township
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BY APRIL ZIEMER EDITOR@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM
A large crowd gathered Tuesday, July 31st at THURSDAY, 33, 2222 Arts Center in the Unity HighSEPTEMBER School Preforming VOL. 131Lake. NO. 19 Attendees www.moraminn.com $1.00 there to listen to Balsam were not music or view theatrics, instead they attended to voice concerns over the Stower Seven Lakes/Cattail Trail. The auditorium housed people with passionate opinions on both sides of the fence, whether or not to motorize the Stower Seven Lakes Trail (S.S.L.T.). Throughout the debate 57 speakers shared their thoughts. Approaching the podium first, was Bill Zager of Amery. Zager is the president of Friends of S.S.L.T. He spoke about a recent survey conducted by the committee where a large response expressed funding for the trail is an important issue. Zager said, “Polk County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution that they would spend zero dollars on the StowTHURSDAY, SEPTEMBERand 33, 2222 er Trail for maintenance they have stuck to VOL.resolution.” 131 NO. 19 www.moraminn.com $1.00 of the S.S.L.T. their He shared Friends take pride in improvements, promotions, and maintenance; they do a vast majority. Zager said, “Since 2012, the Friends have sponsored 62 events. From 2012-2017 the Friends have donated $30,987.61 for the operation.” He finished by stating, “All in all this is a great trail, community asset, and it is not costing Polk County a dime.” Early in the evening, Sharon Johnson, representing the Luck Area ATV Club, stated reasons she is supportive of opening the trail to multi-use. Before her three-minute speaking limit was up, Johnson asked to see a raise of hands from attendees from Polk County, most hands in the crowd went up. She then asked, “How many people here, by a show
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ISANTI-CHISAGO
APRIL ZIEMER|AMERY FREE PRESS
11-year-old Michael Otto is shown with the medal and bicycle he received in recognition of his acts of bravery during a recent accident.
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Primary drawing near for Clerk of Courts election
BY APRIL ZIEMER EDITOR@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM
Ritten
Polk County in 1989 working in various offices until
THE SUN On August 14 the primary election will be the first step of unveiling who will take the seat as Clerk of Courts. Republican Joanne Ritten and Democrat Jackie Patterson are seeking election in November.
Ritten been a longtime resident of Amery with her husband, Tim, and is a proud mother to two adult sons who also reside in Amery with their families. Ritten is also a grandmother to “four wonderful grandchildren.”
Work Experience
Ritten began her career at
Ritten
Patterson
Serving Polk County’s St. Croix Valley since 1897
January 1996 where she continued her profession as a Deputy Clerk. Throughout the years, she worked in multiple divisions within the Clerk of Court’s Office until 2011 when she was appointed as Chief Deputy. In 2012, Judge Molly GaleWyrick and Judge Jeffery Anderson appointed Ritten to the position of Clerk of Circuit Court upon the
retirement of Lois Hoff. She retired as Clerk of Court January 2015, but continued to work part-time with the Clerk of Court’s Office assisting in areas as needed. In September 2017, Ritten accepted another appointment as interim Clerk of Courts and is currently fulfi lling this position until the end of this year. SEE COURTS ON PAGE 2
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 33, 2222
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