Oregon Observer The
Thursday, June 13, 2019 • Vol. 134, No. 50 • Oregon, WI • ConnectOregonWI.com • $1.25
JUNE21-24 20-23 June2
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THURSDAY, JUNE 21 20 Th ain i Raindate: Friday, June2221
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Oregon School District
Groundbreaking sets future vision Yet-unnamed elementary school to open for fall 2020 SCOTT DE LARUELLE Unified Newspaper Group
Photo by Scott Girard
Oregon High School graduate Bailey Jerred shakes hands with school board member Krista Flanagan during the graduation ceremony Sunday, June 9.
Smiles on the way out O r eg o n H i g h S c h o o l seniors said goodbye to high school Sunday, June 9, at the school’s graduation ceremony in the gymnasium. With the stands filled in both the upper and lower decks, students heard from district leaders and three of their fellow students encouraging them in their futures. Principal Jim Pliner, who
began at the school the same year these students were freshmen, told them they would be missed. “Congratulations to you all,” Pliner said. “I love you, 2019.” Students Emmanuelle Hannibal, Grayden Gruchow and Isabelle Krier each offered their advice for growing in the future.
Hannibal encouraged seeking out people with different opinions, Gruchow spoke about the importance of relationships and kindness and Krier recalled how they overcame the fear they had beginning high school — so they can overcome anything that’s ahead. – Scott Girard
Inside More photos from the graduation ceremony Page 14
Summer Fest is back next weekend New carnival, yoga classes among features EMILIE HEIDEMANN Unified Newspaper Group
Oregon’s kickoff to summer returns later this month, with a mostly familiar schedule and a new twist on a main attraction. Summer Fest 2019 will be filled with the usual favorites – live music, fireworks, athletic tournaments, a car show, “Thrilla on the Grilla” and, of course, the parade on Sunday. This year’s festivities will begin at 5 p.m. Thursday, June 20, and go through Sunday, June 23, on the Summer Fest grounds at Kiser Firemen’s Park, 245 Brook St. Since 1964, the festival has grown
to be a family oriented event that features something for everyone to do, Oregon Area Chamber of Commerce executive director Judy Knutson told the Observer. A new addition this year is a carnival that caters to a more teenage audience, Knutson said, with Spectrum Carnival taking over operations. There will also be free yoga classes before some of the Saturday races, a new endeavor this year, she said. The Spectrum Carnival will offer more ride options to encompass a broader set of people, Knutson said. T h e c a r n iva l w i l l t a ke p l a c e from 5-10 p.m. Thursday, June 20; 5-11 p.m. Friday, June 21; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, June 22; 12:306 p.m. Sunday, June 23. Midway hours are the same hours as the carnival.
Attendees have the option of purchasing a megaband to ride all weekend, which costs $50 in advance or $60 at the midway. Daily wristbands will cost $20 in advance or $25 at the midway. Presale wristbands are available at the Oregon Area Chamber of Commerce office, 117 Spring St.; Oregon Community Bank, 733 N. Main St.; and Hometown Pharmacy, 815 N. Main St. Jim Saari, public relations manager for the Spectrum Carnival, said visitors will be able to choose from larger rides like the Eli 16 Ferris Wheel, the Zipper and the Gee Wizz or kiddie rides as well. There will also be an assortment of carnival food available, including
Oregon School District officials, students and Fitchburg dignitaries symbolically broke ground on a new elementary school in the new Terravessa development last week. They better keep those shovels handy. For the next several years, Fitchburg – which occupies the far northern portion of the district – will be the epicenter of construction projects, potentially including a middle school the district has already acquired land for. With the student population expected to jump from around 4,000 to more than 6,000 by 2030, the district identified the fast-growing northern section as the most effective location for new schools to prevent overcrowding in existing schools. The grades K-6
elementary celebrated June 6 near the Lacy Road interchange was seen as the most pressing need, with a new middle school planned for the mid-2020s to address the expected increase of students in that age group. The elementary school is expected to open ahead of the 2020-21 school year, with changes to attendance areas still to be determined. Funded by the $47 million referendum approved in November, the district spent about $2.1 million for around 12 acres in the Terravessa development for the new K-6 elementary school, as well as $250,000 for road development. The district also spent $926,080 for around 1 0 7 a c r e s o ff C o u n t y Hwy. M in Fitchburg for a planned middle school. Funding for the middle school would necessitate another referendum as early as 2022, according to district projections. District superintendent Brian Busler said the June 6 groundbreaking ceremony was a “historical
Turn to School/Page 13
Inside Girls lacrosse wins state tournament
Girls soccer heads to state after beating Sauk Prairie at sectionals
Turn to Fest/Page 16
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