THE SUN
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2024
Serving Polk County’s St. Croix Valley since 1897
VOL. 127 NO. 20 www.osceolasun.com $1.50
SPORTS: Osceola boys basketball splits road games. PAGE 21
Lawsuit over Bluffs goes to Wisconsin Supreme Court BY GREG SEITZ, ST. CROIX 360
A group of Osceola citizens and river advocates have filed an appeal to the Wisconsin Supreme Court over a four-story apartment building proposed on the river bluff. Last month, the state Court of Appeals overturned a local court decision that halted the project, and the plaintiffs are now asking the state’s highest court to review it. There are no guarantees the Supreme Court will consider the case, as it has the option to decline hearing it and letting the appeals court decision stand. If taken up by the state’s highest court, it could be an early test of a new law that limits who can sue to stop housing development projects in Wisconsin. The plaintiffs seeking to stop the proposed apartment building include several neighbors, as well as the nonprofit St. Croix Scenic Coalition. In their appeal filing, they noted their challenge could set precedent for how the new law will be interpreted.
Osceola High School to receive generous donation BY MATT ANDERSON EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM
High school is often some of the most formative and memorable years for many. Because of Osceola High School’s positive impact on her, former Osceola graduate Millicent Chapman (née Lindahl) will donate the remainder of her estate to the Osceola High School. Though the final amount has yet to be totaled as her estate is finalized, her donation has
already placed $1.2 million into an account showing her generosity and love for the Osceola High School. “This fall, Shannon [Grindell] received an email about a significant donation to our school district,” said Osceola School District Superintendent Becky Styles. “Honestly, our first reaction was, ‘This has to be a scam.’ But after several conversations, some thorough
CONTRIBUTED
Millicent Chapman, a graduate of Osceola High School made a significant donation to the Osceola School District.
SEE DONATION, PAGE 16
Survey says: ‘Too close to call’ Osceola Elementary School remodel is on the fence BY MATT ANDERSON EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM
Considering a potential capital referendum to remodel the Osceola Elementary School, the Osceola School Board recently mailed an eight-page survey to Osceola taxpayers to gather feedback as to whether they would support the referendum. Within the margin of error, the capital referendum was considered “too close to call” if it went to vote today. However, a potential operational referendum saw less favorable results and would likely fail if it went to the taxpayers today.
SEE LAWSUIT, PAGE 16
MATT ANDERSON | THE SUN
The Osceola Elementary School could be renovated if the Osceola School Board decides to bring it to a referendum in 2025, but survey results show it’s “too close to call” at this time.
SEE SURVEY, PAGE 15
Polk County Public Safety/Public Works monthly department reports Snow plows ready; projects continue; heat needed at recycling center BY RAYMOND T. RIVARD RAY@SENTINELMEDIA.NET
Hearing department reports that dominated
the Polk County Public Safety/Public Works Committee, members addressed the need for a temporary heat source at the recycling center, heard that the highway department has its equipment prepped and ready for the first snowfall, and that other road projects continue on time.
The following highlights each of the reports: Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) provided by General Division Director/Deputy County Administrator Don Wortham … Wortham reminded those in attendance of the CJCC Treatment Court graduation that
was held last week … “It’s a wonderful experience, if haven’t attended,” he said. Program stats – FirstTime offenders Program had three complete the class this month, with one new referral; The Intoxicated Driver Program has two participants; The Substance Diversion Program has
three participants and had one termination; The Treatment Court has eight participants, but with the one graduation this month, that program will be down to seven. Public Works presented by Public Works Division Director Rod Polk The Clam Falls Dam
project is progressing well County I has one lane open across the bridge and should remain that way for the remainder of the project; The county is trying to get construction equipment moved to allow easier passage of snow plows; have had no SEE COUNTY, PAGE 23
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