WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016
Serving Polk County’s St. Croix Valley since 1897
VOL. 118 NO. 24 www.osceolasun.com $1.00
SPORTS: Osceola boys basketball beats Amery. PAGE 10
Foundation dedicates $250K to Discovery Center
Mail theft strikes Dresser, Osceola BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM
BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM
Police in Dresser and Osceola have reported a string of perplexing mail thefts. Dresser Police Chief Ryan Haass, who reported the first thefts a few months ago, said Jan. 4 that several more had occurred in late December. “It’s puzzling right now what they’re doing, if they’re just looking for cash and other quick items in the mail or they’re taking it in,” he said. Dresser Police Chief Ryan Haass So far, there have not been any reports of identity theft or stolen checks, and for the short term Haass advised residents to be vigilant. “Pay attention to your mailbox and if you’re home get out as soon as possible to pick up your mail when it’s delivered,” he said, noting that he’d heard reports of mail theft in Osceola Township and as far as Taylors Falls. In the Village of Osceola, Police Chief Ron Pedrys confirmed that mail thefts had been reported in the village and elsewhere in central Polk County.
News of a $250,000 gift to the proposed Mill Pond Discovery Center comes at a crucial moment, but organizers say donations are still needed to move the project forward. Marking a significant advance in fundraising for the combined library and municipal building, campaign organizers announced Jan. 7 a $250,000 contribution from the Hardenbergh Foundation, a Minnesota-based foundation that gives to hospitals, cultural programs, education and other social service agencies. “This is a terrific project for Osceola and the area,” said Jeff Peterson, executive director of the Hardenbergh Foundation, in a press release. “We are pleased to be in a position to help.” News of the gift comes at a critical point in the
COURTESY MILL POND LEARNING FOUNDATION
A rendering of plans for the Mill Pond Discovery Center as of last fall.
fundraising effort. In December, the village discussed the potential of building its portion of the center – which won funding approval in a bond referendum last April – while postponing plans for a library and community spaces until the remaining funds had been donated or pledged. “With this very generous gift today – and with the contribution from others – together, we can create this stateof-the-art facility that will inspire and serve our growing community for generations to come,” said Mark Kravik, chair of the Discovery Center’s “Inspire”
capital campaign. “The generosity of many individuals and families in our community is much needed. We hope that this gift from the Hardenbergh Foundation will encourage others to support the project as well.” The total cost of the project is $6.4 million. The “Inspire” campaign is on the hook for $4 million of that, and is seeking donations from individual donors and corporate and private foundations. So far the campaign has raised $1.25 million in cash and pledges, with two additional commitments for in-kind contributions.
The Village of Osceola will contribute $2.4 million for its share of the project from funds approved in the April 2015 referendum. Based on financial models organizers believe that when the building is up and running the center will be financially self-sufficient. Plans for the building have focused on creating a gathering place for seniors, teens, children, business people and the community at large, with access to books, Internet, a Fab Lab (Fabrication Laboratory) and other technology.
Ballots set for spring elections BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM
to have a primary before the April election.
Wisconsin’s spring election and presidential primary is slated for April 5, 2016. Many incumbent representatives will run unopposed; the deadline for filing for candidacy was Jan. 5.
Farmington No seats are up for election in the Town of Farmington.
Village of Osceola Three village trustee positions are up for election. Incumbent trustees Roger Kumlien, Rodney Turner and Deb Rose are all running for re-election, unopposed. Osceola School Board Timm Johnson and Pete Kammerud are up for re-election. Both are running unopposed. Town of Osceola No seats are up for election in the Town of Osceola. Dresser The Village of Dresser has three trustee seats up for election. Current trustees Cathy Frandsen, Elina Kuusisto and Darron Nelson are all running, as is challenger Jeff Gutzmer. The village will not need
St. Croix Falls Incumbent Mayor Brian Blesi and Municipal Judge David Danielson are running unopposed. Two city council seats are up for reelection. In District 1, Alderman Jerry Berger is running unopposed. In District 2, Alderman Jeff Huenink has filed non-candidacy. Two candidates are running to represent the district: Al Kruger and Arnie Carlson. SCF School Board Two seats are up for election. Steve Bont is running again and Sheri Norgard has filed non-candidacy. No one else filed for candidacy so the vote will be won by write-in. SUZANNE LINDGREN | THE SUN
Polk County Board Among the 15 seats on the ballot for Polk County Board of Supervisors, all but four are running unopSEE ELECTION, PAGE 2
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Rodgers, fully focused Osceola art teacher Derek Carlson with his recently completed mixed media piece inspired by Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Carlson painted the image of Rogers with oil paint on a background of collaged newspaper clippings.
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