BURNETT COUNTY
WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2016 VOL. 54 NO. 44 www.burnettcountysentinel.com $1.00
WAKE-UP CALL: Local coffee house accused of trademark infringement. P2
Arrest made in McKenzie Landing altercation A&H—Burnett County District Attorney Bill Norine has charged a Pepin, WI man with two counts of Attempted First Degree Intentional Homicide and two counts of Aggravated Battery. The charges followed an altercation July 3 at McKenzie Landing Tavern in the Town of Scott, which sent two men to the hospital with serious injuries. According to authorities, Allen Gene Thomas, 53, of Pepin was taken into custody pursuant to an arrest warrant. Thomas is alleged to have attacked a 54-year-old man and a 60-year-old man with an edged-weapon during this incident, causing a slash wound to each of the victims’ necks.
TODD BECKMANN | SENTINEL
Grace at work Grace Baptist Church in Grantsburg sent out 35 workers last Friday and Saturday to work on four projects throughout the community, including house painting and re-shingling a roof. Here, Pastor George Selbher works on painting the window trim of the Tim McKinley home. “These are the hands and feet of Jesus in action,” Selbher pointed out.
No tornado touchdown
SIREN—Despite numerous claims regarding Monday night’s storms, there was no tornado touchdown in Burnett County — just severe wind gusts, nasty-looking clouds and prodigious amounts of rain, with reports varying from four to six inches. “A tornado warning was issued briefly Monday night based on radar images, but it was quickly cancelled,” Burnett County Emergency Management Director Rhonda Reynolds commented Tuesday morning. “The highway department did report culvert washouts on Co. Rd A and Co. Rd. T, and the commissioner is working on those situations.” Several areas in Ashland, Bayfield, Iron, Sawyer and Washburn counties reported flooded roads and downed trees. by Todd Beckmann, Sentinel
Allen Gene Thomas
If convicted, Thomas faces up to 60 years imprisonment on each Attempted Homicide charge, up to 15 years imprisonment and a $50,000 fine on each Aggravated Battery
Zilka throws hat in ring for 28th Assembly seat BY TODD BECKMANN SENTINEL
GRANTSBURG—Voters in the 28th Assembly District will have a choice beyond Republican or Democrat come November after Vincent Zilka of Grantsburg announced his candidacy for the office earlier this summer. He’s a member of the Veterans Party of America. “We don’t feel like the current political parties are representing the people the way they are supposed to,” he explained of the two-year-old political party. “I’m tired of them being far-right and farleft, and no one covering the middle ground.” Zilka has considered running for office previously, but didn’t — so why 2016? “Realistically, there is one main issue,” Zilka pointed out. “The way politics are happening today — the way the coun-
Vincent Zilka
try is divided, especially in this year’s presidential race.” The election cycle has been something of a whirlwind for the candidate, and it all start-
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ed earlier this year. “I had to interview with the Wisconsin Chapter of the Veterans Party of America to see if I had the potential to be a candidate for their party — to make sure I met their values,” Zilka remarked. “The interview went well and they said I should run for them.” After getting the stamp of approval to run under the Veterans Party of America, he had to get his name on the ballot — a process which had to be completed by June 1. “I got 253 qualifying signatures — I needed between 200 and 400,” Zilka remarked. And, since he was basically in catch-up mode, getting those signatures allowed him to learn about the 28th District. “I would ask people what they thought was important and what needed to be adSEE ZILKA, PAGE 6
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charge. Thomas remains in jail, and no date has been set for a bond hearing. Both victims have since been released from the hospital and are recovering at home. Last Thursday, Burnett County investigators executed search warrants at locations in Burnett, Pepin and Pierce counties. Burnett County investigators were assisted by the Pepin County Sheriff’s Office and the Ellsworth Police Department in executing these search warrants. No further information is being released at this time, and investigation is ongoing. by Todd Beckmann, Sentinel
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