BURNETT COUNTY
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2020 VOL. 58 NO. 34 www.burnettcountysentinel.com $1.00
MAKE MUSIC DAY COMES TO WEBSTER: Photos from this weekend’s event P16
‘A little baffling, but we’ll take it’ JONATHAN RICHIE EDITOR@BURNETTCOUNTYSENTINEL.COM
A study looking at the economic activity during the pandemic shows that Burnett County was one of 14 counties that saw taxable sales go up during the state’s Safer at Home order. The study also states that rural counties saw less of a drop in sales than urban counties across Wisconsin. Forward Analytics put together the study titled, “Economic Activity in a
Pandemic: Wisconsin taxable sales in March and April” written by Dale Knapp Forward Analytics director. and released their findings recently. The study was put together with data from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. The executive summary states, “taxable sales in Wisconsin declined 10.5% in March and April compared to the same months in 2019.” The Department of Revenue stated the total amount dropped from $884 million in 2019 to $791 million in 2020.
Those months represent the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic which led to a halt in global economies. In Wisconsin, Gov. Tony Evers’ Safer at Home order was issued on March 25, which limited interaction amongst people to slow the spread of the disease and continued into May. “These orders were implemented in a time of uncertainty,” Knapp wrote. “Virologists were continuing to learn SEE ECONOMY, PAGE 2
Ag Fair makes their decision JONATHAN RICHIE SENTINEL EDITOR
JONATHAN RICHIE | SENTINEL
Nolan Churchill, left, and Mark Stoner, right, outside Monday during the Protest for Descendants in Hertel.
‘What will happen to our tribe in 50 years?’ JONATHAN RICHIE SENTINEL EDITOR
A protest has been organized and will continue in Hertel over the acceptance of descendants of the St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin. They are calling for the
end of blood quantum to be able to accept more descendants of tribal members. “Lots of us don’t belong anywhere,” Mark Stoner said. He was holding a sign with “Descendants Lives Matter” on one side and “Our Lives Matter” on the opposite side.
The St. Croix Tribe based in Hertel requires members to have 50% native blood or half degree blood quantum for membership. Protesters stood outside tribal headquarters on State Road 70 and
An announcement Monday night said what most people have been expecting, the annual Burnett County Agricultural Society Fair held annually in Grantsburg has been cancelled. “After much discussion and with a heavy heart, the Burnett County Agricultural Society Fair Board has come to the very difficult decision to greatly modify the 2020 fair in Grantsburg,” the statement by the Burnett County Ag Society. “Many factors were considered in making this decision. With COVID-19 having a huge negative effect on the carnival industry, we would not be able to have a carnival with their games and food stands this year. Other factors were the gathering limitations placed on 4-H clubs and other youth organizations, and the uncertainty of exhibitors, judges and volunteers willing to participate in the fair. “Managing all of the recommended COVID-19 guidelines for a complete fair would be very difficult but would be more manageable for a single, outdoor event with fewer areas in operation. We also understand the economic strain that our entire community and especially our area businesses have been under in the recent months. The demolition derby is still on the schedule for Aug. 29, check burnettcoagfair.com for updates.”
SEE TRIBE, PAGE 2
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