APRIL 8, 2015
THE SUN
13
www.osceolasun.com
Quick tips can help homeowners avoid potential bear conflicts Spring is right around the corner and many bears have begun to emerge from their dens. Homeowners are encouraged to take precautions to avoid potential conflicts with hungry bears. “More than 800 bear-related complaints are reported each year,” said Brad Koele, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources wildlife damage specialist. “Many of these conflicts occur as a result of some type of attractant, especially bird feeders, garbage cans, grills, uncontained compost or pet food left outside and accessible.” Black bears normally avoid contact with people, but when food sources are available bears can quickly learn to associate humans with food. According to Koele, it is especially important to remove these attractants during the spring, as bears are emerging from dens and looking to restore depleted energy reserves when natural foods are limited. It is illegal to intentionally feed bears in Wisconsin, but it is also important for homeowners to make sure they do not unintentionally feed bears via an accessible food source near their home. If a bear finds food such as bird feed or garbage near your home it will likely return and visits may stop when food is no longer available. Bears
will periodically check sites where food was once available, so it may take several days to weeks before a bear will quit visiting a site once the food source has been removed. Homeowners can follow these steps to avoid attracting bears: • Don’t knowingly feed a bear; • Completely remove bird feeders, even during daytime hours. Bears are active during the day and may cause problems even if the feeders are out only during that time; • Clean areas where bird feeders were located so that accumulated deposits of spilled seed are removed; Reduce garbage odors by rinsing food cans before putting them in covered recycling containers or garbage cans; • Keep meat scraps in the freezer until garbage day, and if possible, keep garbage cans in a closed building until the morning of pick-up; • Be sure to lock commercial dumpsters; • Keep pet food inside or inaccessible to bears even during daytime hours; • Keep barbeque grills and picnic tables clean; • If a bear is near your home, wave your arms and make noise to scare it away — back away slowly and seek a safe location where you can wait for the bear to leave. When
Inspire Osceola launches new website Mill Pond Learning Foundation and the Inspire...Building a Center of Discovery Campaign is pleased to announce the launch of its new website: www.inspireosceola.org The new website sports an attractive, clean and functional design with enhanced content focusing on the Mill Pond Learning Foundation mission and its Inspire...Building a Center of Discovery project. The new website went live March 31. The design features a fresh look and easy navigation system, along with expanded information on the planned Discovery Center, the campaign leadership, and how the community can get involved. “Our goal was to design a user-friendly site and make it as seamless as possible to navigate and learn about the Discovery Center project” said Marcia Dressel, vice chair of the communications committee. “In addition, we have added links to provide readers with helpful information the building project, how to volunteer and support the campaign.”
“We are excited about our new website launch and the extensive information it provides for families, library patrons and supporters and for the larger business and civic community to better understand the Inspire...Building a Center of Discovery Campaign,” said Mark Kravik, campaign chair. “We believe that this new site will allow our visitors to have a complete, informative experience.” The new website will be updated regularly with news of building campaign milestones, events and donor information. Visitors are encouraged to explore the site, send their comments and feedback and sign up for direct emails from the campaign at http://www. inspireosceola.org. About the Mill Pond Learning Foundtion Mill Pond Learning Foundation, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)3, is a public-private partnership with the Village of Osceola, Osceola Public Library and the community of Osceola which has taken the lead to raise the philanthropic dollars to fund the new Discovery Center.
MONARCHS: Series concludes
Mill Pond Learning Foundation’s mission is to provide people of all ages with the opportunity to access, gather and learn. About the Discovery Center When completed, the Discovery Center will offer access to highspeed internet and advanced technology for those who can’t afford it; serve as an idea incubator for small business and budding entrepreneurs; and be an outlet for work training and education. It will provide a home to village offices, municipal court, and the police department, as well as crossover space with the local fire department. Its spaces will be used for senior citizens to interact, and will provide a safe place for teens to gather after school. It will offer technology for research and learning, and flexible space for activities and exhibits to engage the community. It will be the new home of the Osceola Public Library, complete with the resources and technology necessary for the 21st century.
CRASHES: 36 killed in March FROM PAGE 11
FROM PAGE 11
positive changes as well as on the challenges posed by a problem with multiple causes. The presentation is free and open to the public. It will take place at the St. Croix River Association office, 230 South Washington Street, Unit 1, in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin (next to the St. Croix Falls Public Li-
SEE BEARS, PAGE 15
Enjoy the Sun at home! Subscribe today by calling 715-294-2314 or send $29 (Polk & St. Croix Counties) or $34 (elsewhere) for one year to:
108 Cascade Street Osceola, WI 54020
brary). Space is limited and reservations strongly encouraged. RSVPs will be honored until 10 a.m. To reserve a space, go to www.stcroixriverassociation.org or call (715) 483-3300.
to great danger, approximately three out of four people killed in work zone crashes are motorists,” says David Pabst, director of the WisDOT Bureau of Transportation Safety. “Work zone crashes are caused primarily by drivers who
speed, tailgate, and don’t pay attention to rapidly changing road and traffic conditions. Rear-end collisions are the most frequent type of crash in a work zone. Because of the risks to drivers, passengers and workers, traffic fines are double in work zones.”