AMERY
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2019 VOL. 123 NO. 25 www.theameryfreepress.com $1.00
Zager recognized as a ‘selfless leader’
Making something good out of bad BY APRIL ZIEMER EDITOR@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM
BY APRIL ZIEMER EDITOR@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM
Bill Zager, Amery has not only worked enthusiastically on the Stower Seven Lakes State Trail in Amery, but also on countless other park and trail issues around the State. He was recently recognized with the 2019 Friends of Wisconsin State Parks (FWSP) President’s Award. Zager is a former board member and President of FWSP. Friends of Wisconsin State Parks is a statewide non-profit organization whose mission is to enhance, preserve, protect, restore, and promote Wisconsin state parks, forests, trails, and recreation areas. Since its inception in 1996, the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks has worked with state park, forest, trail and recreation area Friends Groups to improve state lands experience for the millions of people who visit each year and to ensure that millions more will be able to enjoy Wisconsin’s natural beauty in the future. SEE ZAGER, PAGE 2
CONTRIBUTED
On the hunt! Grant Cook of Amery shot this 10-point buck during his 2018 hunt. Cook is gearing up for repeat success with his 2019 hunt. See the hunting preview on page 2.
Fall days in this part of Wisconsin are perfect for jumping on an ATV for hours of fresh air, colorful landscapes and enjoying the comradery of fellow riders. That was the plan for Mike Overby Oct. 21, 2016, until things went horribly wrong. He is grateful to still be alive after an ATV accident that day and with the help of his partner, Kim Walstad, he is looking at the bright side of things. Overby and Walstad have a cabin on the Apple River and are proud to call Amery their second home when they are away from their place in Zumbrota, MN. They have enjoyed Amery so much that they plan to retire here and look forward to spending more time with friends they have made in town. Some of those friends were made from an unlikely situation. They didn’t meet them at an area hangout or local event, instead they were met during life saving measures were taken on Overby
CONTRIBUTED
Kim Walstad and Mike Overby believe the fast action of locals assisted in saving his life.
after his horrific accident. Overby and three friends were riding ATV on an autumn day back in 2016, when he rolled his ATV and suffered a traumatic brain injury. He is not able to remember what caused the accident. Responding to the scene were Apple River Fire, Amery Area Ambulance and Polk and Barron County Sheriff’s Departments. There was also a mystery person who was the second to arrive at the accident. Overby SEE ATV RIDE, PAGE 2
The December and spring election connection BY APRIL ZIEMER EDITOR@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM
Local spring elections may seem months away, but actually the month of December plays a very important role in each of the races. LOCAL BOARD OF EDUCATION SPRING ELECTIONS There is one seat up for re-election on Amery’s Board of Education. Erin Hosking currently holds the seat. In 2017, Clayton saw Jeff Young Jr. and Roger Olson being elected for a three-year term, which will expire in
Hosking
Isakson
Van Blaricom
April 2020. In Clear Lake, two individuals are up for re-election, Greg Friendshuh and Skip Grosskruetz.
Strohbusch
Vicker
Candidates have from Dec. 1, 2019 until 5p.m. Jan. 7, 2020 to file a Declaration of Candidacy. Dec. 27, 2019 is the deadline for incumbents to file notice of
Whitley
Non-candidacy. The filing officer for School District offices is the School District clerk. Candidates should contact their filing officer for further information or to obtain any of the necessary forms.
CITY OF AMERY SPRING ELECTION The following seats are up for SEE ELECTION, PAGE 32
Your friend in knee (and hip and shoulder) Solve joint pain | amerymedicalcenter.org | 715-268-8000
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