BURNETT COUNTY
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2017 VOL. 56 NO. 6 www.burnettcountysentinel.com $1.00
1000 CAREER POINTS: GHS’ John Chenal hits milestone. P17
K-9 unit embraces local support JONATHAN RICHIE EDITOR@BURNETTCOUNTYSENTINEL.COM
SAWYER COY | SENTINEL
‘Hello Santa’ Little Layla Eiffler was fascinated by Santa as she ran her fingers through his beard when he visited the library in Grantsburg on Saturday morning. More Santa Day photos on page 16.
Blake sentenced to 12 months and probation
GRANTSBURG–– The Burnett County Sheriff’s office first got their K-9 unit about six months ago and last week the Burnett County Law Enforcement Citizens Auxiliary received the first check from a local business that was extremely helpful in getting Tracker, the two year-old German Shepherd. Van Murray, of Timber Ghost Realty in Grantsburg, was instrumental in using social media and public appearances to promote acquiring a K-9 for the sheriff’s department. He will be donating ten percent of commission proceeds from every deal he closes in Burnett County. Tracker has been on the job for the sheriff’s office since May. In his first week, he worked on nine different cases for the department. “He’s 49 percent attack and 51 percent social,” Burnett County Sheriff Ron Wilhelm said. “I often don’t know what side I’m on.” Tracker is a drug-sniffing
dog and also does search and rescue missions. He is also helpful in apprehending suspects. Officially, Lisa Slater of Burnett County Law Enforcement Citizens Auxiliary (BCLECA) accepted the check which will go to help Tracker with whatever funds he may need. Murray said he knew the county needed a K-9 unit and could not believe there was not a unit already in place. “When you see all the drugs and especially, meth in the area with no K-9 unit, it just seemed ridiculous,” Murray said. Wilhelm explained the difference between having humans search a room for drugs and how a dog searches. It helps that dogs’ noses are 10,000 times better than humans. “We walk into a pizza place and all we smell is fresh baked pizza,” Wilhelm said. “A dog walks in and can smell all the individual ingredients. The spices, sausages, and SEE K-9, PAGE 9
ORDERED TO PAY OVER $25,000 IN RESTITUTION JONATHAN RICHIE EDITOR@BURNETTCOUNTYSENTINEL.COM
GOVERNMENT CENTER –– Michelle Blake, 37, Webster, was sentenced to 12 months in jail, five years probation and will have to pay $25,729.73 in restitution to the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Webster and the Sacred Heart Catholic Church at A&H. Blake plead no contest in September to two class G felo-
ny counts of theft in a business setting greater than $10,000. As the former secretary/bookkeeper for St. John the Baptist Church and Sacred Hearts Church in Webster and A&H from Oct. 2010 to Sept. 2013, she had written Michelle Blake numerous checks to
herself from both churches totaling over $100,000. “I am here to take responsibility for my actions.” Blake said. “I’m not a super-emotional person. I’m not a cold person. I hope that everyone involved can accept my apology.” Blake was represented by Attorney Joseph Schieffer, her fifth lawyer since being charged in 2014. Both Schieffer
JONATHAN RICHIE | SENTINEL
Lisa Slater accepts the first of many checks from Van Murray with Burnett County Sheriff Ron Wilhelm standing next to her and Tracker on the window keeping an eye on the situation.
SEE BLAKE, PAGE 9
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