BURNETT COUNTY
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 2017 VOL. 55 NO. 32 www.burnettcountysentinel.com $1.00
CHECK IT OUT: Siren Fire Department Special Edition INSERT
Convincing ‘accident’ shocks students BY SEAN DEVLIN SENTINEL
SEAN DEVLIN | SENTINEL
SIREN—“If you’re drunk, you flunk,” was a phrase used many times on April 19 at Siren High School. The high school alcohol and other drug abuse (AODA) club, with the help of multiple Siren service operations, put on a mock car crash and trial with the intention of delivering the message of the dangers and consequences of unsafe driving behaviors with an emphasis on improper use of alcohol, and timed before Siren Prom (April 29) and graduation (May 19). The mock crash used real wrecked vehicles. The demonstration was set up in front of the high school and situated as if a t-bone accident occurred. It was intense, emotional and, to the credit of the students and professionals involved, very convincing. “This could happen to anybody: high school or not. Siren got to watch kids they know and I think it hit them hard,” said Jade Hortsman, who acted as the
Siren High School alcohol and other drug abuse (AODA) club acts out a car crash. Jade Hortsman acts as deceased student thrown from the vehicle after collision.
County woman charged with two counts of child sex crime BURNETT COUNTY — Violet Star Reynolds of various Burnett County addresses is charged with two counts of a Class B felony: first degree sexual assault of a child under the age of 12. Each count holds a minimum of 25 years in prison with a maximum of 60 years. According to the criminal complaint, the incident dates back to about Nov. 14, 2014 in Webster. The victim, at the time a boy of 11, was spending the night at a friend’s family home where Reynolds was also staying. Reynolds, 34 at the time, is reported to have entered the boy’s bed and, according to the criminal complaint, threatened the boy and forced him to have sex with her. It is reported that Reynolds told multiple people about her activities that night. The victim’s grandmother, his legal guardian, is reported as having
heard of the lewd events and took the victim to the Burnett County Sheriff’s Department on Nov. 18, 2014. The jury trial on the sexual assault charges is scheduled for May 17-19 in Burnett County Circuit Court.
Violet Star Reynolds
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SEE MOCK CRASH, PAGE 32
Siren Fire Hall open house, dedication, lunch Saturday SIREN — The publics’ chance to help dedicate, then tour the new Siren Fire Hall and enjoy free lunch afterward happens this Saturday, April 29. The events run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the new fire hall on south Hwy. 35 in Siren. The doors open for tours at 10 a.m. A dedication program starts at 11 a.m., followed by a free lunch with serving beginning about 11:30 a.m. The program opens at 11 with a welcome and opening remarks by former Fire Chief Tom Howe, Siren’s longest-serving fire chief. Next, Howe and current Fire Chief Tony Dalsveen will review the history of the fire department and how things have changed from the early days to present. Tom and Tony will also recount the
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challenges and successes along the road to the new fire hall. Next, the crowd will hear from representatives of large donors, followed by Town of Daniels Chairman Mike Huber. Remarks will follow from Tim Peterson and Cory Scheidler, representing the design/engineer firm Cedar Corporation and also from Contractor Joe Berghammer of Berghammer Building. Senator Sheila Harsdorf and Rep. Adam Jarchow will offer remarks, followed by a blessing by Pastor Steve Ward. Tom and Tony will close the program with a thank you. Free lunch will then be served to all in attendance. Please see the Burnett County Sentinel special commemorative section with this paper on the new fire hall and Siren Fire Department history.
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