FREE PRESS AMERY
1892 - 2017
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2017
125 YEARS STRONG
VOL. 123 NO. 22 www.theameryfreepress.com $1.00
SPORTS: Warrior soccer Conference champs for third year PAGE 19
Amery test scores in top 25 statewide
‘Until every part of the state is hooked up’ Governor unveils broadband initiative in Amery
BY TOM STANGL TSTANGL@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM
The American College Test (ACT) is taken by all juniors in Wisconsin and 15 other states in the nation as an entrance exam for college. The results of last February’s test are in, and Amery has earned bragging rights with a composite score of 22.6. That score puts Amery in the top slot of the Middle Border Conference, with Osceola placing second at 21.4. Amery also tops the 39 school districts in the Cooperative Educational Service Agency #11 (CESA), with Hudson coming in second at 22.0. Amery’s test score was 21st among the 546 high schools in the state. The closest school geographically in the top 25 Wisconsin schools is Eau Claire Memorial. The majority of districts in the top 25 are located in southeastern Wisconsin. High School Principal Shaun Doerfler says this is a district and community achievement, one that the entire community should be proud of.
BY TOM STANGL TSTANGL@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM
Will the county accept Amery’s offer to manage the Stower Seven Lakes State Trail? The answer remained unclear last Wednesday as the county’s Environmental Services Committee considered whether to recommend affirming Polk County as the trail’s sponsor and managing coordinator. Ultimately, the
SEE ACT PAGE TWO
SEE BROADBAND PAGE TWO
BOB JOHNSON
Seniors randomly selected and willing to pose for a photo op - Jenesis Gustafson, Connor Engebretson, Dylan Clausen, Bennett Hellie and Michaela Erickson.
“We have every reason to be very proud of the academic achievements of our Amery High School seniors,” Doerfler said. “Their ACT performance ranks them in the top 5% of all high schools in Wisconsin.”
Full board will consider Stower trail partnership BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM
Doerfler points to the other schools in the top 25 and says that, for the most part, the districts are larger and more affluent. “Koehler has 0% free and reduced
Vowing to continue to work with the private sector until “every part of the state” is connected to high speed internet, Gov. Scott Walker unveiled an enhanced broadband expansion grant program during a visit to Northwest Communications in Amery Oct. 12. Northwest Communications’ President and General Manager Mike Jensen announced that his company plans to install 1,000 miles of fiber optic service in the next five years. Jensen said that fiber would reach 70 percent of their customers by the end of the project. “We have 360 miles of fiber optic cable in our warehouse,” he said. “If I did my math I think you can start in Amery and go past Madison all the way to the Illinois border and still have a little left over, and that’s only
committee passed the decision to the county board, recommending neither approval nor denial. The county board is set to consider the matter on Tuesday, Oct. 17, shortly after the publication of this article. As in recent meetings, silent sports advocates and motorized-used advocates each tried to convince board members to see the issue from their perspective. SEE TRAIL PAGE TWO
City signs contract with Moore-Sykes BY JESSICA DE LA CRUZ EDITOR@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM
The City of Amery has officially hired Kimberlai Moore-Sykes to be its next City Administrator. Council members approved a negotiated contract with Moore-Sykes during a special meeting held on October 4. The contract was approved 5-0, with alderman Rick Davis absent. The contract is valid for a period of three years. Moore-Sykes will receive an annual salary of $82,000 during that time, with increases possible (but not guaranteed) on anniversary dates. She will also be compensated $135 per month for travel
allowance for all travel within a 25 mile radius of Amery. Her contract also includes paid memberships in two different government associations and up to two local service organizations, as well as training expenses. Moore-Sykes will offiMoore-Sykes cially begin her duties on October 30, although she did attend the city’s first budget meeting and a subsequent closed session regarding personnel issues, also held on October 4.
For tips on finding a great pediatrician, visit amerymedicalcenter.org.
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