WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 2018
Serving Polk County’s St. Croix Valley since 1897
VOL. 120 NO. 32 www.osceolasun.com $1.00
SPORTS: Thirteen powerlifters heading to state. PAGE 10
Fuge named Interim County Administrator BY TOM STANGL
TSTANGL THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM Following the March 1 retirement of Polk County Administrator Dana Frey, Corporation Counsel Jeffrey B. Fuge has been named Interim Administrator. Frey’s retirement was announced by
a press release on March 2. Fuge was appointed by Polk County Board Chairman Dean Johannsen. The appointment is expected to be discussed by the full board on March 20. In his letter to the county board, Frey thanked the board for the support he received during his time at Polk County. Frey stated that Polk County has
become one of “the best managed small counties of the state.” During his service, Frey said that Polk County has become “nearly the best in property taxes, procurement, budgeting and debt management.” He added that the county has a “financial standing so strong that a local bank was willing to fund our entire highway
Osceola area skiers race at Birkie BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM
A year after the American Birkebeiner was called off for lack of snow, the race returned. A few inches of fresh snow fell just days before event, leaving time to groom a fresh track. The Birkie is hailed as North America’s largest cross-country ski race, running from Cable to Hayward’s Main Street. Among this year’s estimated 13,500 racers were several from Osceola, Dresser and St. Croix Falls.
29-kilometer Kortelopet Classic Katie Bruns, Dresser •
Assembly Rep. Jarchow announces he won’t seek re-election Dresser Republican throws hat in ring BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM
55-kilometer Birkebeiner Classic Jeffrey Moberg, Dresser • Adam Pieri-Johnson, Osceola • Chris Willet, Osceola
50-kilometer Birkebeiner Skate Micah Bruns, Dresser • Steve Edling, Osceola, representing his 25th Birkie race • Kevin Klein, St. Croix Falls • Arne Lagus, St. Croix Falls • Kevin Rogers, Osceola • Ryan Rogers, Osceola • Timothy Wilkie, St. Croix Falls
project.” Frey commented that these accomplishments, and others, have been a collective effort and that he has great appreciation of his administrative team and the fantastic employees that work for Polk County. Frey served Polk County as its first county administrator starting in July 2010.
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Steve Edling, an Osceola chiropractor, skied in his 25th American Birkebeiner the weekend of Feb. 24. The Birkie is North America’s largest cross-country ski marathon, attracting more than 10,000 skiers each year. Birkie skiers completing their 20th race are eligible for the status of “Birchlegger.” The title can be seen on Edling’s bib.
Dale Boruch, Osceola • Heidi Erickson, Osceola • Wyatt Erickson, Osceola • Erik Moberg, Dresser 29-kilometer Kortelopet Skate
Everett Arnold, Dresser • Michael Colaizy, Osceola • Anna Klein, St. Croix Falls • Steve McCormack, St. Croix Falls • Sean Rogers, Osceola • Steve Wendt, Osceola
15-kilometer Prince Haakon Joie Brannon, Osceola • Molly Brannon, Osceola • Lindsay Nichols, St. Croix Falls
Adam Jarchow, the representative for Wisc consin’s 28th A Assembly D District, a announced l last Thursd that he day w would not s seek re-elecJarchow tion this fall. Jarchow made the announcement via DrydenWire, an online media outlet based in Spooner. The Sun confirmed with the politician’s Madison office that the statement was accurate and authored by Jarchow. The announcement reads: “I have a bumper sticker on the refrigerator in our garage. It says: ‘Politicians, like diapers, should be changed often, and for the same reason.’ “I agree. And for that reason, will not seek
re-election. I look forward to returning fulltime to the private sector in January 2019. It’s been an honor of a lifetime to serve my friends and neighbors in the Legislature. I will never be able to thank them enough for this experience. I look forward to spending more time with my family, friends and co-workers.”
Magnafici announces run Following Jarchow’s announcement, Dresser R Republican G Gae Magnafic ci announced h her intent to rrun. Raised on a farm near D Deronda, Magnafici Magnafici M Magnafici is a graduate of Amery High School. She earned a degree in applied science from Sauk Valley Community College in Dixon, Ill. and began her career as a registered nurse in 1982. After 35 years in health care — including SEE 28TH ASSEMBLY, PAGE 14
ass
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