BURNETT COUNTY
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2016 VOL. 54 NO. 25 www.burnettcountysentinel.com $1.00
AWARD: Burnett County Sentinel recognized by newspaper association. P2
Wisconsin Legislature okays Holmquist Highway MADISON—What started as a grassroots movement in November has reached Governor Scott Walker’s desk and is simply awaiting his stamp of approval. “The Carson Holmquist bill was passed in both the Senate and Assembly on February 16,” Terri Griffiths, communications director for Sen. Sheila Harsdorf office, said. “The bills are awaiting the governor’s signature.” At issue is the renaming of Highway 87 between Grantsburg and St. Croix Falls the “Carson Holmquist Memorial Highway.” Holmquist is the Grantsburg Marine who lost his life in a terrorist shooting in Chattanooga in July, 2015. “Carson was born in St. Croix Falls and raised in Grantsburg . We feel it’s only fitting to make the highway connecting both cities a memorial highway in his honor,” Katie Clifford explained. Holmquist Clifford was just one of many local residents who got the ball rolling. “Louie DeMarre created the petition and got this project started,” she continued. “There are a lot of us area and former Grantsburg residents trying to show our respect.” Harsdorf’s office got wind of the petition and together with Rep. Adam Jarchow, the two legislators wrote the bill which was heard in both Assembly and Senate committees before being passed by both houses last month. According to Clifford, the road would still be Hwy. 87, but there would be accompanying signs stating the road is the memorial highway for Sgt. Carson Holmquist, similar to the Shawn Silvera Memorial section of Interstate 35 south of Forest Lake, MN. By Todd Beckmann, Sentinel
GOOB COY| SENTINEL
Winter Nationals It wasn’t any where close to winter as the thermometer topped 50 degrees on Saturday, but lawnmower racing aficionados were out in force for the races at Sweeny’s Tavern outside of Webster. More photos on Page 28.
Armed bank robber sentenced MADISON—U.S. District Judge James Peterson Monday sentenced Ricky White, 27 of Rice Lake to 128 months in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for armed bank robbery.
White’s sentence includes 44 months imprisonment for the bank robberies and an additional seven years for brandishing a firearm during the Bremer Bank-Danbury robbery.
Odeen to oppose Harsdorf
Diane Odeen
RIVER FALLS—Diane Odeen has announced Monday her candidacy for the 10th state Senate District. “I’m running for state Senate because western Wisconsin deserves better than what we’ve been getting from our elected officials in Madison,” said Odeen. “Wisconsin families deserve a fair shake and the opportunity to build a better life. Unfortunately, the decisions coming out of Madison have made that harder for far too many people,” she add-
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ed. “As a community advocate, practicing attorney, and mother, I’ve spent my life working with, and on behalf of, hardworking people. I’ll take that same approach in my campaign for the state Senate by standing up to Gov. Walker, Sen. Harsdorf, and the other politicians in Madison who have failed to address the needs of our communities.
The 44-month federal sentence will run concurrently to a six-year sentence White is now serving in state prison after being convicted SEE ROBBER, PAGE 7
Drivers engaging in unsafe behaviors MADISON—About 87 percent of drivers engaged in at least one risky behavior while behind the wheel within the past month, according to the latest research by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. These unsafe behaviors include driving while distracted, impaired, drowsy, speeding, running red lights or not wearing a
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