BURNETT COUNTY
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018 VOL. 56 NO. 16 www.burnettcountysentinel.com $1.00
SCHOOL BUS DRIVER APPRECIATION: Thank you to all! P35
Lt. Gov. Kleefisch tours McNally Industries
Ohnstad gets probation for sexual assault JONATHAN RICHIE EDITOR@BURNETTCOUNTYSENTINEL.COM
JONATHAN RICHIE EDITOR@BURNETTCOUNTYSENTINEL.COM
GRANTSBURG––Wisconsin’s Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch was in Grantsburg on Tuesday morning to learn about McNally Industries as part of her Aerospace Roadshow. She met with company principals and took a quick tour of the facility. McNally was her first stop, she also went to Airworthy Aerospace in Hudson, Engineered Propulsion Systems in New Richmond and visited St. Croix Aviation Workforce Group.
Presentation McNally Industries Senior Vice President and General Manager, Jim Segelstrom began Kleefisch’s visit with a SEE MCNALLY, PAGE 10
SUBMITTED
Fishing Pay day!
BALSAM LAKE—David John Rudolf Ohnstad, 24, Cushing, pled guilty to one count of fourth degree sexual assault of a child in a Polk County courtroom on Monday as part of a plea deal. He was sentenced to one year of probation and can have no contact with the victim or her family. Ohnstad was initially charged with five counts of first degree sexual assault of a child, a class B felony, in Burnett County and three counts of first degree sexual assault in Polk County. He faced a possible 60 years prison sentence for each charge. The charges were combined and assigned to Judge Daniel Tolan in Polk County. It was a tense courtroom full of family when Burnett County District Attorney Bill Norine announced the plea deal both sides had settled on. It dismissed all but one count of sexual assault of a child and it was amended from first degree to fourth degree, a class A misdemeanor. As part of the withheld sentence, if Ohnstad violates probation he will be sentenced to six months in county jail. According to the criminal complaint, in 2013 the victim first stated her claim to law enforcement after an apparent drug overdose. She said she was in elementary school when the alleged assaults began. The victim’s family and Ohnstad’s family knew each other well and were often at gatherings together.
Kolton Blume showing off his prize fish and prize money at the 25th Annual American Legion Fishing Contest held on Big Wood Lake last weekend.
SEE OHNSTAD, PAGE 9
Committee approves employees carrying firearms when working in woods JONATHAN RICHIE EDITOR@BURNETTCOUNTYSENTINEL.COM
GOVERNMENT CENTER–– The Natural Resources committee met last week and approved with a single opposing vote a motion that will allow Forestry and Parks officers to carry a firearm when working in Burnett County woods. Workers will be allowed to carry their own personal
firearm if they have taken hunter’s safety and have a concealed carry permit. “Neither the county or our department will be buying guns,” said Forestry Administrator Jake Nichols. “Three, potentially four people could use this in the entire department.” Nichols said the reason he is asking for his department employees to be allowed to
NEWS 715-463-2341 editor@burnettcountysentinel.com
carry a firearm is based on the rising number of bears in the county forests and also illegal drug activity. “They will not be allowed to bring the gun into government buildings,” Nichols said. He added that this step is being made to keep his department’s employees safe. “I don’t want any forestry people in jeopardy out there,” Nichols said.
ADVERTISING 715-463-2341 sales1@burnettcountysentinel.com
Nichols explained that he had talked with County Administrator Nate Ehalt and the counties legal counsel and they had no problem with this new policy. “I started reaching out to other counties and I was surprised by how many allow this,” Nichols said. “It was more than I expected.” The only opposing vote came from committee member Gene
SUBSCRIPTIONS 715-463-2341 office@burnettcountysentinel.com
Olson. He said with the high volume of suspected drug activity happening in the woods, this policy could lead to open warfare in Burnett County forests. Webb Lake Bike Trails The committee approved the Webb Lake Men’s Club to continue developing SEE BIKE TRAILS, PAGE 18
NEWS & ADVERTISING DEADLINE IS MONDAY AT NOON