The Sun 04.01.2020 by The Sun

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 2020

Serving Polk County’s St. Croix Valley since 1897

VOL. 122 NO. 35 www.osceolasun.com $1.00

SPORTS: 1957 pee wee baseball. PAGE 11

WHEN YOU’RE ON YOUR OWN, WE ARE THERE WITH YOU. A

s our nation grapples with a health crisis not seen since the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918 and the polio outbreaks that followed, we want you to know we are here for you — and with you. Whatever happens, whenever it happens, your newspaper will be there for you. We’ll be there to let you know how our community is managing through this crisis — from business to government to the health care system and schools to the impact on individuals and families. We will be here to give you the information you need to be up to date and safe. We will be

here to tell you how our community continues to share and care for each other. Good things are happening in our community at a socially acceptable distance. These stories reinforce the ties that bind us as a community. It is important during these times to understand we are all part of a larger family. We value our invitation into your home each week in our print edition and we will be there online as well with news that can’t wait until the next edition. We are here to help you make sense of the situation and to help you navigate it. Having fact-based, reliable reporting that provides

public scrutiny and oversight is more important than ever. For over a century, this newspaper and its readers have navigated horrific events — natural disasters, terrorism, financial downturns, periods of extreme political and societal division. This challenge is greater than any of those, but, rest assured, we’ll be here for you. Stay strong. We will come through this, together.

‘The Sugar Bush’ — Making maple syrup a Rochel family tradition since 1897 BY C.L. SILL EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM

Maple syrup is a lot like moonshine. Both are produced deep in the woods, although for entirely different reasons. Both are made using complicated contraptions of metal and fire that look surprisingly similar to one another. Any dyed-inthe-wool syrup-maker would scoff at that accusation, but to the untrained eye, the network of giant metal bins, sweat dripping tubes and boiling vats of mystery liquid could just as easily be producing fine apple brandy or high quality, pure grain alcohol. Most importantly, both carry the mystique of the old world, and of times gone by. Standing on the Rochel family farm just north of Scandia, Minn., one could be forgiven for picturing a team of horses pulling a sled through the trees, a pair of men following along loading buckets full of maple sap onto the rig. The woods would echo with the sounds of tack and tin buckets and the smell of a fire would

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The Rochel ‘Sugar Bush’ then and now.

linger faintly in the air, just enough to notice when the wind was right. It would be warm for March, above freezing but dreary, with worn out January snow still clinging to the north side of each tree. Soft maple leaves would mush, not crunch under NEWS 715-294-2314 editor@osceolasun.com

boots as the team finished their last run of the day and returned to the ‘sugar bush.’ A sugar bush is a generic name for any woodland outpost where maple syrup is produced. Generally a small outbuilding around the size of a one-car garage, a sugar bush

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houses an ‘evaporator,’ which uses heat from a wood fire to turn maple sap into maple syrup. The machine’s name is quite literal, as it completes this process by evaporating the water out of sap and thickening the sweet liquid that remains SUBSCRIPTIONS 715-294-2314 office@osceolasun.com

— eventually creating syrup. This is a rather dumbed down version of a fairly complicated process, but that’s the gist. Modern trends have automatic much of this process and an industrial size maple syrup SEE SYRUP, PAGE 20

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Vote Tuesday, April 7 Osceola Village Board Bruce Gilliland

Tell readers a bit about your background: I am r retired, so I want to f focus on our g governing o village our a planning and i future. I it’s Gilliland h have a BA in Accounting and an MBA in Business with 20+ years of experience working in government. I also have 20+ year of experience working in the private sector with Profit and Loss responsibilities. This combined background enables me to view each challenge our village faces with an open mind and practical experience. I have confidence that this background and experience will enable me to work with the other Village Board members to guide our village now and in the future. What do you feel are the two most important issues facing the City/School District and how will you address them? Issue number one is the COVID-19 virus and helping our community get through this crisis in the best way possible and with the fewest casualties. We need to communicate quickly, clearly and accurately with our community. We need to make the best decisions possible and work with Federal and State agencies in a coordinated way to best protect our citizens and get us all through this crisis. We need to plan how we are going to resume normal life when the crisis is over as there will be many challenges to restarting our businesses and public life in our community. Issue number two is our capital planning process. We need to better define our capital planning process and

procedures, so that we spend within our means and don’t create an unnecessary burden on our taxpayers. We need to accurately forecast our infrastructure needs and stick to our plan so that we keep our spending on target and our infrastructure in good repair. This is not a glamorous component of running the village but is a necessary one to keep us on a solid financial basis going into the future. Why are you interested in serving the community and what are your qualifications? I am interested in serving our community in Osceola because it is something very special. My wife, Barbara, and I moved here from California in 2012 for two big reasons. One is our three granddaughters. We love watching them grow up and being a big part of their lives. Secondly, we wanted to escape the hassles and faceless neighbors of big city living and find a place where we could become part of a strong and lively community. Osceola has welcomed us warmly. We love living where there are four seasons and where we know our neighbors up and down the street. We love the small town life. I have served on the Village Board for the past two years. I feel this experience has equipped me to deal with the current challenges we face as well and planning for the future. The past two years have presented a myriad of challenges and opportunities to learn and I feel that I have learned a tremendous amount about managing our village and providing for it’s citizens. Thanks for taking the time to read my responses. Whatever your decision will be, please do remember to vote on April 7. Let’s all move forward to make our Osceola the best it can be for all of us.

Write-In Kysa Marten for

Osceola School Board Osceola Through & Through Graduate OF Osceola Children attend Osceola Active in community Passionate about the kids!

Vote April 7 Paid for by Kysa Marten

Deb Rose Tell readers a bit about your background: I grew up i Osceola in a graduatand e from OHS. ed M husband, My R Rick Raffesb berger, and I s settled back Rose i Osceola in after college and getting married. We have one daughter, Emily, who is in college. I have worked with as a grant coordinator for over 20 years at the Minnesota Department of Education. What do you feel are the two most important issues facing the City/School District and how will you address them? As our village has grown our housing options have not. We need to look at how we can add a diversity of housing styles and sizes that provide a variety of choices for residents. This includes the addition of homes for ownership, a variety of sizes of rentals for young families, low income housing and senior housing. This will take identifying areas where new housing will fit within the village plans and actively seek parties interested in investing in housing expansion in our village. The board should provide resources available at the local, county and state level to those interested in adding housing. As we add housing we need to make sure that we are intentional in our expansion so that we do not expand too quickly adding stress to our infrastructure. A second important issue we are facing as a village is the need for expanded broadband. Broadband is something that needs to be considered a part of the infrastructure of our village. Even prior to the Covid-19 crisis it was very apparent that we need to have further reach, better quality and more options in our area

for broadband. A recent Better Broadband bill package was proposed to the Wisconsin legislature. As a village we need to make sure that we take advantage of any resources that may come if it passes. As a community we need to gather leaders from the Chamber, OMC, the industrial park and others to pool our resources and develop a plan that allows us to get better broadband for all in our area. Why are you interested in serving the community and what are your qualifications? Growing up in Osceola I learned from my parent’s involvement in the village through politics, the fire department, scouts and other volunteer work that being involved is a great way to help make the place you live continue to be a great place to live. I believe my willingness to meet with, listen to and work with people who have an interest in Osceola, whether they are residents, business owners or those who live and work in and around our village is a valuable qualification. I think my best qualifications are my willingness to listen, learn, be open minded and to have thick skin!

Joel West Tell readers a bit about your background: I was born and grew up in Lake Park, Minn., a small city located between Detroit Lakes and Moorhead. I attended North Dakota State University in Fargo, N.D., where I graduated with a BA in History and a Masters in Community and Regional Planning. I held planning positions with the City of Moorhead, Minn. and Baker, Mont., before moving to Worthington, Minn., to become Manager of Economic Development and Planning. It was there that I met my wife Gloria and our two daughters were born. We moved to Northfield, Minn., in 1996

when I took a position as Community Development Director and I eventually became Assistant City Administrator. After Northfield I worked as a project manager for a multi-state land development company, and from there worked at a regional, municipal planning and engineering firm. In 2011, I was hired as Village Administrator for Osceola and served until 2019. I currently run my own consulting agency serving municipal and development clients in the area. It is interesting that my mother’s family lived in the Grantsburg area before moving to Northwest Minnesota in the early 1900’s so living here is like rediscovering family history. What do you feel are the two most important issues facing the City/School District and how will you address them? The two most important issues facing the community are managing its finances to lower the tax rate and increasing the tax base and residents to the community. The Village can decertify its tax increment districts which have completed the objectives for which they were created, which will allow the taxes on the land to go to the Village, School District and County and will aid in lowering the tax rate. Osceola’s location and the desire for people to live here puts the Village in a strong position to attract commercial and residential development that will add tax base and residents that will benefit the Village and School District. Why are you interested in serving the community and what are your qualifications? I have always been interested in how communities operate and grow, and it has been the focus of my 36 -year career. This community reminds me a lot of where I grew up and this drives me to want to serve the residents of Osceola as their Trustee and do my

Amy Middleton Polk County Board Protecting Your Property Values & Our Rural Character

Vote April 7, 2020 We live in the fastest growing part of Polk County. Our growth needs to be guided by steady, competent leadership. That's how we will protect our property values, our rural character and the natural beauty we all value. • Small business owner • Town of Osceola Plan Commission member for 12 years • Friends of the St. Croix Falls Library • Community and school volunteer We need experience in order to ﬁnd solutions to a wide array of issues. I have a proven record as a levelheaded, steady decision maker who can work with diverse groups of people. With your support, I will bring my experience and our values to the Polk County Board.

www.facebook.com/amy4polkcounty10 Paid for by the Committee Amy Middleton for District 10

best to maintain Osceola’s character. I also serve as a board member on the Osceola Airport Commission and the Osceola Industrial Development Corporation, and provide volunteer grant writing services to the Osceola Fair Association. David Foster is also running for the Village of Osceola Board and Mike Dunham is a write-in candidate.

Osceola School Board Lanette Johnson

Tell readers a bit about your background: I am a mother of 5 w wonderful cchildren, 3 of which h have already g graduated ffrom Osceola H High School a and 2 that Johnson a are still in the district. My husband Warren and I own and operate a dairy farm with its daily challenges on how to sustain a family run operation. While I did not grow up in Osceola I have been a resident in the district for 30 plus years and consider this my home town. What do you feel are the two most important issues facing the City/School District and how will you address them? The most important issue that the school district has to address is how to best meet the needs of the students and the staff while dealing with budget and financial restraints. I feel that this will best be achieved through full transparency and detailed business plans. As a member of the school board I would look for data to support decision making. My vision for Osceola School district is for financial stability. Why are you interested in serving the community and what are your qualifications? Outside of my job being a mother to five active children, I work at Osceola Medical center as an Occupational Therapist and as the Rehab Manager. Through my role as occupational therapist I have provided services for the special education department at Osceola Schools for 20 plus years. As Rehab Manager I have created business plans, managed the departmental million dollar budget and completed staff reviews and developmental plans. In 2005 I helped OMC transition the YMCA fitness center to Wild River Fitness creating marketing materials, policy and procedures and branding. I have my Master’s Degree in Business Administration and also have a black belt certification in Lean Six Sigma. SEE CANDIDATES, PAGE 3

APRIL 1, 2020

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CANDIDATES: Several candidates seek seats at local and county level FROM PAGE 2

As a parent, employee and district resident, I have often had questions about what decisions were being made at the executive level in the school district and decided with my business background that I could be a benefit to the Osceola School Board.

Write in candidates include Bernie Desmarais and Kysa Marten.

Village of Dresser Jeff Gutzmer

Background: I am a 29 year employee with the State of Minnesota Department of Corrections. I have experience in security, crowd control and supervision. I hold certification in the Incident Command System (ICS) as an Operations Section Chief by FEMA. I served 19 years combined in fire and EMS locally. I have resided in Dresser since 2009 and spent years of my childhood growing up in the village. Pressing issues: Our village infrastructure is aging and commands the lions-share of our finances. This, along with the highest water rates in Wisconsin, needs attention and streamlining. The boundary agreement has frozen much of our ability to grow as a village, putting financial strain on our residents. We need to explore every option to attract additional business and manufacturing to make our beautiful little village thrive again. I would like to continue

to serve the village of Dresser to make change and to make living here more affordable and a viable community. My experience in emergency management, public service and willingness to make tough decisions, puts me in a position to represent the community. Elina Kuusisto and Darren Peterson are also running for seats on the Village of Dresser board.

Polk County Board District 9 Kim O’Connell Kim O’Connell is running for the District 9 Polk County Board seat.

District 10 Amy Middleton Tell readers a bit about your background: I have lived in Polk County for 23 years. In those years I have been actively involved in our community and school. Currently, I serve as the chair of the Friends of the St Croix Falls Library and as a member of the Town of Osceola Plan Commission for over 12 years. I enjoy spending time with ffamily and ffriends, trave eling, biking, rreading and sskiing. What do y you feel are tthe two most Middleton Middl t iimportant issues facing the City/School District and how will you address them? Two weeks ago my answer would have been

simply that addressing housing shortages was the priority. Covid -19 is already affecting our community with profound effect on education, jobs, economy, health care and tourism. At the county level I am committed to thoughtfully exploring the needs of the County as we recover from this virus. County-wide, housing shortages is also a pressing issue we face. The recent report, Polk County Housing Studies, takes a broad look at all gaps in our housing and highlights key needs. Senior, work force housing and affordable single-family housing is needed. Additionally, available more rental units are critically needed. With the aging of our counties’ population, we are also short on housing options for seniors that are interested in moving out of their single-family style homes. We need to maintain our quality of life so people will want to live and invest in Polk County. Why are you interested in serving the community and what are your qualifications? County District 10 (the Town of Osceola) is the fastest growing District in the County and we need steady competent leadership to guide our growth while protecting our property values, our rural character and the natural beauty we all value. Having been raised on a farm and currently a small business owner, I understand the importance of making prudent fiscal decisions. Having also served on the Town of Osceola Plan Commission for over 12 years, I provide thoughtful, open-minded

leadership and experience on a wide array of issues. This leadership has always been with an eye towards the best interest of the whole community with consideration of issues and all the information. I have a proven record of being a level-headed, steady decision maker who can work with diverse group of people. These experiences and values provide me with the abilities and desire to work with everyone towards a better District 10 and Polk County as a whole. Polk County has something for everyone. We have the stunning Interstate State Park which sees over 400,000 visitors each year. We have the St Croix River, our nation’s first Wild and Scenic River. Tourism is one of our best economic development opportunities. I have watched struggling communities around the Midwest capitalize on their natural resources and create destination towns and areas that draw visitors to their communities. Polk County can build on what we have and further leverage our beautiful area. Osceola resident Tom Magnafici is also running for Polk County Board of Supervisors. He was provided a questionnaire for the Osceola village and school rather than the county. When this was realized, a county questionnaire was provided. Mr. Magnafici didn’t respond. Instead, he asked the Sun to let readers know it is due to the Sun’s initial delivery of the village/school questionnaire.

28TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT

Resources for the COVID-19 pandemic In the coming weeks, Wisconsinites will face some of the most difficult times in recent memory. I wanted to point out some of the steps that are being taken to help Wisconsin residents and businesses, and highlight some resources for the coming weeks. At the time of writing this column, the U.S. House of Representatives is working to pass a relief bill that will provide every American making under $75,000 a check for $1,200, expand unemployment insurance from three to four months, and provide $500 billion in loans to businesses. If this bill is approved, 28th small businesses will be able to get loans from banks to cover 8 weeks District of payroll and overhead. Those Gae Magnaﬁci loans will then be forgiven if the businesses retain their employees. Millions of people across the nation have been laid off in recent weeks through no fault of their own. If you’ve lost your job, you may be eligible for unemployment. These benefits can help bridge the gap in employment that so many will face. To apply, visit dwd.wisconsin.gov/uiben/ apply. Wisconsin’s Public Service Commission has also prohibited utilities from disconnecting customers, assessing late fees, and required utilities to allow deferred payment plans. If you think you may have trouble paying your heat or electric bill in the coming months, reach out to your provider and ask for a deferred payment plan. In stressful times, getting outside can be helpful. Fishing is still allowed under the Governor’s order, and Wisconsin state parks have waived their entrance fees. I’ve also signed on to a letter to Governor Evers requesting that he allow golf courses to open during the stay-at-home order. If you have the means to do so, please consider ordering a takeout or delivery meal from a local restaurant. These local businesses employ our friends and family, sponsor our local sports teams, and work tirelessly to provide our community with places to meet and spend time together. My office has compiled a list of local restaurants that are still open for delivery and takeout, which can be found on my @RepMagnafici Facebook page. As always, please reach out to my office if you have any questions. These are uncertain times, and we will all have neighbors who need help. Reach out to them, and remember there are better days ahead.

Polk County needs poll workers Are you willing to help out during this difficult time? Helping at the polls is a great way to support your local jurisdiction and your fellow citizens! Lisa Ross Polk County Clerk is calling on residents of Polk County willing to serve as poll workers for the April 7 election to replace poll workers who are unable to serve due to age or health concerns from the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. Polk County has approximately 150 poll workers, known as election inspectors, who serve at polling places. A significant number of them are in their 60s and 70s, and many may have other health conditions. In Wisconsin, poll workers are appointed at the municipal level. Anyone who is interested in working should contact the clerk’s office immediately at countyclerk@ co.polk.wi.us or 715-4859226. Wisconsin law also

allows people to serve as poll workers in other municipalities within their county. If you are willing to serve in a municipality outside of your own, let your clerk know and they can alert the county about your availability. You can also contact the county directly and can find contact information for county clerks here: https://elections.wi.gov/ clerks/directory. Municipal clerks will provide training for any new poll workers before the election. The Wisconsin Elections Commission and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services are working to provide local election officials with guidance for ways to conduct the election safely and securely. Voter turnout at the polling place is expected to be much lower than normal, but workers are still needed to process a much higher number of absentee ballots than normal.

What are the responsibilities of a poll worker? Poll workers conduct assigned duties at a polling site on Election Day. Duties can include issuing ballots to registered voters, registering voters, monitoring the voting equipment, explaining how to mark the ballot or use the voting

equipment, or counting votes. Other positions at a polling place include a greeter who assists with answering questions and directing voters to the voting area, an election registration official to a polling place to register voters, and tabulators to assist at the polling place

after it closes. What are the hours of work? Polling places are open statewide from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Poll workers can work a full day, generally from 6:30 a.m.

Dr. Thomas Hauge

Dr. Casey Chantelois

until approximately 9:00 p.m. or later in the case of November elections. In many municipalities, election inspectors can work a split shift. SEE WORKERS, PAGE 14

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We can do this

ast week I noticed a trio of ducks: two male and one female, have returned to our neighborhood. It’s a sure sign of spring and something I always look forward to each year. The trio nest somewhere in the area and stick around until the ducklings hatch and are ready to travel. As they seemingly take turns on the nest, the other members of the trio will be in our yard or in water in the neighborhood. Each winter, I wonder if they will return and if they are safe. When I see them for the first time I am relieved and happy. All is well. showed up last week, givPublisher ingThey me a moment of Zen in a week when I sorely needed it. Like Tom Stangl many of you, each day seemed to be a week long as we dealt with the news and the new reality of living and working during a pandemic. I got the grill out last week and made some burgers and hot dogs. They tasted really good and it felt great to be out (even in a slight rain) grilling. The birds are back and springtime is (I hope) here. I took the dogs for a walk and learned how out of shape I have become over the winter. In short, outside of the added stress of the national news and not being able to see our children and grandchildren, life is about as normal as it can be now. Recently, I have read some excellent columns about the sacrifices made by our parents and grandparents during the Great Depression and World War II. They made it through shortages, sacrifices and polio. There is no doubt in my mind we will get through this current turmoil; it’s just that nearly all of us have lived lives of relative ease and privilege. I believe one of the many ways to get through all of this is to simply put things in perspective. For me, that means minimizing my exposure to national news, spending time with my wife, cats and dogs and finding some escapist entertainment. My wife and I are fans of “The Great British Baking Show.” The reality show about amateur bakers is a former staple of public broadcasting, now shown on Netflix. We have watched all seven seasons (we did this long before social distancing) and find the show to be relaxing and comforting. I took a trip to Canada in early March to visit my sister and her family. During the visit, I discovered there is a Canadian version of the show, done by the same producers. I saw one episode and enjoyed the similarities and differences between the show and its British cousin. Last week I decided to find a way to watch “The Great Canadian Baking Show.” It was a bit of a challenge, but I found a way to watch it online and cast the show from my iPad to our television. We watched the first two seasons last week and will be caught up when we watch the third season. If you’re a bake-off fan, you will appreciate the Canadian show. The lead judge, Bruno Feldeisen, is French and sounds a bit like Pepé le Pew. He’s nicer than Paul Hollywood. It’s a bit strange at first, but it works. Just like the lives we are living now. Here’s to your happy place. As always, I welcome your comments. You can reach me by email at tstangl@theameryfreepress. com, telephone 715-268-8101 or write me at P.O. Box 424, Amery, WI, 54001. Thanks for reading; I’ll keep in touch. Feel free to do the same.

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HOW TO REACH US: Our office is located at 108 Cascade Street, Osceola, WI 54020. We are open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday. Call: (715) 294-2314, (715) 755-3316, or fax at (715) 7553314. TO SUBSCRIBE: office@osceolasun.com The Sun is mailed to the homes of subscribers for delivery every

Go outside!

he only decent news to come out of this whole pandemic is that we can still go outside. People are handling the self-quarantine thing in many different ways, some better than others. The best way I know how to pass the time is the same way I do when there’s no coronavirus outbreak, by being Editor outside. I’m encouraged C.L. Sill by how many people I see out and about in the last couple of weeks. The mental relief a half hour walk does to a mind on pandemic overload is outstanding, if only to get away from your radio, TV and news feed for 30 minutes. I swear if I have to hear the letters C-O-V-I-D (in any order) one more time I’ll expose myself to tuberculosis just for a change of pace. Our 24-hour news cycle is maddening in the best of times, so dealing with it on a corona bender is about as enjoyable as

listening to your neighbors shih tzu bark at his own reflection for an hour at six oclock on a Monday morning. I’m going to put a disclaimer on this just to say that I’m mostly joking and that of course it’s important to be up to date with the latest information regarding the pandemic. That is what I’m here for after all. But stepping away, even ever so briefly, can really reset your system and help you come to terms with all of this. Like I said last week, these are legitimately frightening times and we need to stick together and fight our way through it. But that doesn’t mean we need to pump in a fresh supply of vaguely helpful Facebook posts filled with frightening statistics every three minutes. Keep calm and carry on has never been more relevant, and sometimes internet news isn’t the best as keeping us calm. Back to my original point. I love to hunt and fish. You’ll hear plenty more about that in the future, but March isn’t the best time for either of those things. Honestly

it can be downright boring on the sportsman front, with March coming second only to February in the ‘months that I hate’ competition. Yet in my quest to remain corona-news free this weekend, I packed up a dozen duck decoys and headed to a local waterfowl management area to try to fool a mallard or two into coming in close enough to snap a few photos of them. I love to hunt ducks, but I love to decoy and photograph them nearly as much. It’s become a new springtime hobby of my brother Dan and I, although the dog doesn’t understand it at all. The ducks on Sunday were mostly uncooperative, although we managed some decent shots of a pair of bluebills. But I watched what had to be one of the top four sunsets I’ve ever seen in my life and you know what? I didn’t think about coronavirus once. As always, I welome your comments. You can reach me by email at editor@osceolasun.com, telephone 715-294-2314 or write me at P.O. Box 248, Osceola WI, 54020.

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YEARS AGO

TO THE EDITOR Please give As intensive care units start to fill up, the prognosis is grim and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only going to get worse. A few months from now when grandma breaks her hip, your father has a heart attack, or when your brother, the 25-year-old construction worker, gets in a car accident itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to be a real problem for them to get the care they need. The hospitals are going to be stressed and filled up. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s this thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the very nature of the crisis that faces our community today. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an overwhelmed medical system that itself needs to be cared for, so it can care for all of us. So what to do? I and a small group of local business owners have agreed to match any funds up to $275,000 for ventilators to be donated to your local hospital. Ventilators are an especially needed piece of equipment at this time. They are the major bottleneck in

our system. So, if you give $1, we will give $1. If you give $100 then we will give $100, if you give $100,000 then we will give $100,000. Again, whatever you give we will match up to $275,000. If I asked you the questions that if you had the ability to save somebodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life, would you? The answer for almost all of us is a resounding YES! Well hereâ&#x20AC;şs your time, this is the moment, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re up to bat. We are all up to bat. Join us! Again, this is the time to pull together, to love your neighbor as yourself, to care for the weak, so join us. Your chance to impact the lives around you will probably never be better in your life. Please send your donations to your local hospitals below. You only need to mention the word â&#x20AC;&#x153;ventilatorâ&#x20AC;? in the memo line or anywhere else to participate. This offer is good through April 20, 2020. Lakeview Hospital Att. Mr. Paul Erickson

927 W Churchill St W, Stillwater, MN 55082 Osceola Medical Center Att Mr. Tom Hecht 2600 65th Ave, Osceola, WI 54020 St. Croix Regional Medical Center Att. Ms. Melissa Solin 235 State Street St. Croix Falls, WI 54024 Bill Emison May Township, Minn.

The Open Cupboard Update The Open Cupboard has enough food to help anyone in need. Please do not feel there are others in greater need than you. There are still income guidelines to follow, but please call to see the qualifications. Many people in our community have come forward with donations. With the monetary donations we are able to purchase food at .48 a lb. through two different food banks. We also purchase at different stores

for other items. If need be, we will extend our hours adding an evening and Saturdays. We have also had a number of people offering to volunteer. If you cannot get out or do not have transportation, volunteers will deliver your food, in a safe manner. Until June 30, 2020, there are a few new guidelines we have to follow : No clothing or household donations allowed. Please call to make an appointment, we will prepack bags of food and ask clients for some choice foods. No one can come into the food shelf. For clients, we will bag the food and bring out to you in a shopping cart. For donations, please put in black box in front of building. Every cart is sanitized down after each use. Door and freezer/refrigerator handles are all sanitized periodically during hours.

10 years ago March 31, 2010 â&#x20AC;˘ Osceola High School students, Jasmine Mederich and Tevin Pittman, were winners in the Mall of Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pick-aProm 2010 contest. â&#x20AC;˘ Thirty-two Osceola High School students traveled to Little Rock, Ark., to visit the Heifer International Ranch, Heifer International Headquarters and the Clinton Presidential Library. â&#x20AC;˘ Osceolaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new municipal court will operate twice monthly during afternoons and will utilize the services of a part-time clerk. â&#x20AC;˘ Osceola ďŹ reďŹ ghters put out a blaze last week near Big Lake. Due to dry conditions and low precipitation, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources recently put a ban on outdoor burning. â&#x20AC;˘ An auction was held at Greene Implement lat week. More than 850 bid numbers, plus another 100 online bidders, participated in the auction. Osceola Lions served food at the event and raised more than $2800 for local community projects.

SEE LETTERS, PAGE 9

20 years ago March 29, 2000 â&#x20AC;˘ U-Turn, a new youth center, opened in the Solid Rock Foursquare Church in Dresser. â&#x20AC;˘ Half-day kindergarten will no longer be an option in the Osceola School District. â&#x20AC;˘ Voters have the opportunity to decide if the Osceola School District needs to purchase land for a possible new intermediate school and bus garage. â&#x20AC;˘ A questionnaire assistant center for the 2000 census was opened at the Osceola Middle School. â&#x20AC;˘ A groundbreaking ceremony was held for Twin Falls Embers America at its location south of Highway 8 and 200th Street in St. Croix Falls. â&#x20AC;˘ The Osceola School Board approved moving baseball from a summer sport to spring.

THE POSTSCRIPT Parked out back

oeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s red truck is parked behind his house. It hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t moved in days. Joe gets in his red truck every morning and drives around. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a member of every fraternal organization, a regular at the brewpub, and has friends in every corner of town. Joe picks up a coffee and spends most mornings greeting people out the window of his Columnist red pick-up. But Joe hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been feeling Carrie Classon well and his truck has been parked behind his house. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been sick and thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nowhere to go. Normally, I would be worried about Joe. But worries these days, like toilet paper and fresh produce, are spread a little thin. Worry is in the air. Charles and Joanna live across the street. They are both elderly and live alone. Joannaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health is not good. Because I have a birdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eye view of their house, I know their habits well. Charles fires up his SUV every morning to make the trip to the senior center to pick up his free

newspaper, stop at the bank for his free coffee, then head to Starbucks to get free cream to put in his free coffee. He then comes home with his coffee and newspaper. But not now. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nowhere to go!â&#x20AC;? Charles tells me, as if I might not have noticed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everything has shut down except the grocery store!â&#x20AC;? I tell him I know. I confirm that these are strange times. Charles looks amazed and a little annoyed. But he also looks worried. I just saw Charles leave in his SUV. He has nowhere to go but heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s still driving around, trying to behave as if the world hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t changed. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m reading a lot about people binging on Netflix and Cheetos and being bored and spending quality time in bed and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sure there are folks doing this. But, so far, they arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the ones Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve talked to. The ones I know personally are a lot more like Charles. They are perplexed and worried and trying to stay busy. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got a friend who makes beautiful designer bags. She is now using her luxury fabrics to make face masks. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve made more than 500!â&#x20AC;? she told me. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a lot of masks!â&#x20AC;? I said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If I needed a mask, I would want one of yours!â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Aww! Thank you.â&#x20AC;? It doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t

strike either of us as odd that I am complimenting her on stylish respirator masks. Another friend, a retired librarian, is a quilter. She is also making masks out of expensive fabric. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I hope we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need them all!â&#x20AC;? she says, looking over her pile of wired mask faces, sorted by color. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t, maybe we can use the matching ones to make bikini cups in the spring!â&#x20AC;? The idea of unneeded respirator masks being transformed into bikini tops is one of the happiest thoughts Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had all week. In Japan, I hear they are cutting apart bras to make masks. I saw a YouTube video on this and I think the success would depend a lot on a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cup size, but more power to them. They are keeping busy and I think thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the best most of us can do right now. The news evolves so quickly. The expectations change overnight. I feel as if I am driving in a fog, unable to see past my dim headlights, no idea when there will be a sharp turn in the road. My husband, Peter, met Joe outside, who says heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s feeling better. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m glad. But Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m still worried. And Joeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s red truck is still parked out back. Till next time.

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328 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20515 â&#x20AC;˘ (202) 224-5323 www.ronjohnson.senate.gov 709 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 â&#x20AC;˘ (202) 224-5653 â&#x20AC;˘ (715) 832-8424 www.baldwin.senate.gov/contact

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50 years ago April 7, 1970 â&#x20AC;˘ Jeanne Adam, Marilyn Brown, SSgt. David Porter and Richard Ruhsam were named to the winter quarter Deanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s List at University of Wisconsin â&#x20AC;&#x201C; River Falls. â&#x20AC;˘ Rohn and Jeri Engh of Star Prairie will be featured on the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tonight Showâ&#x20AC;? April 10. â&#x20AC;˘ Lloyd H. Johnson has been elected a 1970 voting delegate of Midwest Breeders Cooperative. â&#x20AC;˘ Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Paulson were Easter dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Thompson, Cedar Lake. â&#x20AC;˘ An open house hosted by the Jasperson children to celebrate the 25th wedding anniversary of Mr and Mrs. Donald Jasperson was held Saturday night. â&#x20AC;˘ Mrs. Virgil Koehler was the honored guest at a pink and blue shower held Monday afternoon at the George Johnson home. â&#x20AC;˘ Mrs. Bessie Dollery and Beth were Sunday guests at the Blair Dollery home.

Congressman Sean Duffy 7th Congressional District

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30 years ago March 28, 1990 â&#x20AC;˘ Osceola Middle School Young Authors who will advance to the St. Croix Valley

Reading Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Young Authors Conference are Angie Olson, Gina Laursen, Amanda Randall, Rainy Fisk and David Collazo. â&#x20AC;˘ Dee Klawitter received the Silver Beaver Award at the Boy Scout Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recognition dinner in St. Paul, March 3. â&#x20AC;˘ Winners in the Pinewood Derby were Erik Carlson, Cale Kirby, Brandon Elfstrom, Tim Burrows, Tony Edgett, Nate Scottum, Shawn Woolley, Todd Olson and Justin Lee. Overall Best in Show winners were Randy Minnichsoffer, Tony Edgett and Evarist Schneider. â&#x20AC;˘ Students who will graduate from the eighth grade at Osceola Middle School this year will need to attain 24 credits to graduate from high school in 1994. â&#x20AC;˘ Army Reserve Private Jeffrey A. Swenson has graduated from the telephone central office repairer course at Fort Gordon, Ga. â&#x20AC;˘ Mark Dehmer of Osceola was named to the Deanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s List at Pine Technical College.

Governor Tony Evers 115 East, State Capitol Bldg. Mailing address: P.O. Box 7863, Madison, WI 53707 â&#x20AC;˘ (608) 266-1212 EversInfo@wisconsin.gov â&#x20AC;˘ www.evers.wis.gov

Rep. Gae Magnafici 28th Assembly District P.O. Box 8952 â&#x20AC;˘ Madison, WI 53708 (608) 267-2365 or 1-888-534-0028 â&#x20AC;˘ Fax (608) 282-3628 Rep.Magnafici@legis.wisconsin.gov

Senator Patty Schachtner 10th Senate District State Capitol, P.O. Box 7882 â&#x20AC;˘ Madison, WI 53707 (608) 266-7745 Sen.Schachtner@legis.wisconsin.gov

NO CALL LIST 1-888-382-1222 or website: datcp.wi.gov

THE SUN

APRIL 1, 2020 www.osceolasun.com

Osceola School board roundup

Community farms can provide vital relief as fears of food insecurity linger

BY C.L. SILL EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM

The Osceola School board met March 25 via teleconference to discuss how the district was faring with distance learning and what changes were coming as the statewide shutdown continues. Superintendent Mark Luebker said overall he’s pleased with the way everything is going. “Everyone within the district would love to see the kids and teachers back in the buildings,” he said. “But I’m really satisfied with what we’ve been able to accomplish in a short amount of time.” He said teachers and support staff deserve a lot of credit for the hard work that they’re putting in, but that parents should also be proud. “They’re working with us very well too,” he said. “They’re understanding that we’re doing the best we can during these times. It really takes a large group of people with set skills to get this accomplished and honestly I think it’s going as well as it can.” Here are the highlights of the meeting. Devices will be ready to take home soon The board discussed a change in the existing school policy that prohibits students from taking

BY C.L. SILL EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM

There are no food shortages in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Delivery drivers are still at work and the states’ grocery stores remain open and well stocked, save for maybe toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Yet, as this pandemic stretches on people begin to wonder how fragile the system is and think more critically about where their food comes from. In a time when anxieties about nearly every aspect of life are high, community supported agriculture can help relieve fears of future food insecurity. Think of community supported agriculture (CSAs) as a magazine. Customers buy a ‘subscription’ from a local farming operation, essentially investing in that farm. In return, each subscriber receives a portion of the operations harvest. Most farms in this area focus on fresh produce, so those who invest in the farms receive regular boxes of fresh vegetables during the harvest season. Boxes can be filled with everything from tomatoes and onions to kale and spinach, depending on the farm and the time of year. “There’s a relationship between us and that community of people we grow food for,” said Jody Lenz of Threshing Table Farms in Star Prairie, Wisc. “That relationship piece is really important to us as farmers. When we’re growing our food we can picture the people it’s going to feed.” CSAs began popping up around the country in the mid-1980s. They came about at a difficult time time when larger and larger farming operations were eating up many if not most of the small family farms that dotted landscapes all throughout the Midwest. The financial burden for small operations was often too much to bear at that time — but sharing that burden with the community gave some farmers the chance to keep going. “What community supported agriculture was attempting to do was say that the risk should be distributed between more people,” said Dan Guenthner of Common Harvest Farms in Osceola, Wisc. “If we all chipped in we could distribute that weight more evenly over more people.” The farms focus not only on providing local communities with fresh food, but educating people on where their food comes from. “We were at one time an agrarian society and our patterns of life were tied more directly to the land,” Guenthner said. “We’ve just gotten further and further away from that.” He said CSAs offer a chance to reclaim a bit of that tie to the land. “We have people who still remember childhood visits to a relative’s farm and then they realize their kids are growing up in the city and they’re not going to have that opportunity,” he said. “So there is a desire on the part of some to have a place to expose their kids to agriculture and farming practices and to get a feel for the place where their food comes from.” This is especially important now. “If every local community has its own thriving

technology devices owned by the school home with them. The district is in the process of installing filtering software on its devices that would allow students to take them home. The devices will be ready to take home April 6 for high school students and one week later for the middle school. Elementary students will be receiving new grade specific workbooks in order to keep learning from home. Special education highlighted The board also discussed how to best meet the needs of special education students during the shutdown. Leah Volker, the director of pupil services, said the district is relying on parents to help support special education teachers. “We know that our kids get a lot of accommodations within the classrooms,” she said. “For the teachers to be able to provide all those accommodations for every subject (from home) plus teach their classes and continue to do the legal requirements for paperwork would be almost impossible.” The district will be offering additional office hours with its special education paraprofessionals to help relieve some of that burden from special education teachers, but Volker said parents will still play a large part in helping their children learn from home.

“Our parents have a really important role to play in this,” she said. “And keeping them with us will help keep our special education kids moving forward.” Mental health of students a priority Sup. Luebker said the shutdown can also have a large affect on the mental health of students and that’s something the district is taking very seriously. “It definitely is an important piece especially given the situation with COVID-19,” he said. “Because that can ramp up kids who have anxiety needs and things like that, so we want to meet those needs for students social and emotional learning as well.” Although students aren’t seeing their teachers face-to-face, Luebker said interacting with them online can still be beneficial. “Those connections teachers are making with kids will also be a postivie to help them manage the situation and keep under control during these strange times,” he said. Referendum meeting took place online The board did not hold an in-person meeting that was scheduled to take place March 30, but instead held an online forum to discuss the upcoming referendum vote.

‘It smells like home’ Village Pizzeria of Dresser hands out free bread-baking kits to families BY C.L. SILL EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM

Little on Earth is as soothing as the smell of freshly baked bread escaping from Mom’s kitchen. “To me it smells like home,” said Johannes Vanderbent, the owner of the Village Pizzeria of Dresser. “It smells like being safe and being loved.” Vanderbent has owned the Pizzeria since 2006, and has worked in the restaurant since 1986. When the COVID-19 outbreak began to hit western Wisconsin several weeks ago and people began to stockpile supplies, Vanderbent noticed many grocery

SEE FARMS, PAGE 7

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stores were running out of bread. “And it really occurred to me that baking bread was kind of a lost art,” he said. “People don’t do that at home anymore.” This thought sprung Vanderbent and his wife Sara into action. They had a restaurant with reduced hours and business, which meant stock and produce that was going unused, so they decided they would put together bread-baking kits at the Pizzeria and hand them out to customers free of charge. “I thought maybe I should sell kits, and then I really felt like I’d rather give away some comfort than try to profit from it,” he said. “I was thinking maybe we’d do a dozen kits or three dozen.” But once Vanderbent put the idea out to his customers via social media, the response was SEE BREAD, PAGE 14

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APRIL 1, 2020

THE SUN

www.osceolasun.com

WEEKLY MEDITATION

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS

PASTOR BILL BRASSOW ZION EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH

The calm and confidence of a Christian is a glorious fruit of faith in Jesus. We see it on the death bed. We see it when the stock market soars to an all-time high. We have seen it during the COVID-19 scourge that has brought the world to its knees. Life without God’s Son and God’s Word is like a miner trapped deep in a caved in mine. After he bloodied himself desperately digging for a bit, he started to sob. In the total darkness, he had no clue if he was digging toward safety or just digging his own grave deeper. But then the earth shifted again, and the hopeless miner saw a shaft of light. Now he began to dig anew with joy and zeal. All that he had to do was dig toward that light! Well, the earth has shifted for all

of us. With an earthquake God’s angel rolled the stone away from Christ’s tomb (Matthew 28:2). The Light of the World has risen victorious from the dead! We always have the joy and zeal of working toward our Light, Jesus! As unbelievers watch us dig our way through life along with them, they see that we are different. We have a joy that they don’t. We have a purpose and direction that they don’t. We have a hope that they don’t. We labor in peace, while the world is panicking. We share, while others hoard. That’s because they are digging in the darkness of sin and unbelief. We, though, are digging in the light of Jesus and his salvation. They have no direction. We have the Bible. They have no rescue or future. We have forgiveness of sins and heaven ahead. Jesus is our “light at the end of

the tunnel.” More, Jesus is our guiding light in whatever dark tunnel we are in. Our loving Savior is taking care of us now until the day he takes us to glory everlasting. Christians have been given a calm heart that only Jesus Christ can give. That calm is that Jesus died on the cross to take away all sin and give us peace with his Father in heaven (Colossians 1:19-20). That calm is also the knowledge that Jesus has risen from the dead and is now ruling all things for the GOOD of his Church (Ephesians 1:22; Romans 8:28). Oh, how our the frightened world needs our smile, the door politely held open for them as they rush in fear … and the Bible’s message of all sins forgiven through Jesus Christ!

Area churches tend ﬂocks virtually BY C.L. SILL EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM

‘Be still and know that I am God’ has a whole new meaning. The Psalms scripture has taken on a much more literal interpretation in churches across the country with residents confined to their homes and mass gatherings outlawed in order to slow the spread of COVID-19. Local churches have had to adjust on the fly to keep their congregations in touch with God, and each other. “People are craving face to face contact,” said Joel Martin, the lead

pastor at Christ Lutheran Church in Marine on St. Croix. “Whether you’re in a house by yourself or a house full of children, people are craving their friends and neighbors.” Without the ability to meet in person, Christ Lutheran had been holding online worship services on Sundays and Wednesdays. These services were recorded ahead of time and then posted on the video hosting website Vimeo and shared with the congregation via email and Facebook. “Doing it this way allowed us to be able to incorporate a little bit of music,” he said.

However with Gov. Walz issuing a shelter in place order that went into effect last Friday, the services going forward will be moved to Facebook live, where Martin will speak to the congregation from his home. “It will go to Facebook live first, but then some people who know what they’re doing will place it on Vimeo as well,” Martin said. “So you don’t have to be on Facebook to get the services.” Churches in Wisconsin are in a similar situation. Deacon Dick Peterson at St. Anne’s Catholic church in Somerset said they’ve also moved to prerecorded services,

which will continue through the shelter in place order. St. Anne’s clergy also serves Assumption Catholic in East Farmington and St. Joseph’s in Osceola. Peterson said the congregation at all three churches is doing the best they can with these new rules. “They’re taking it in stride,” he said. “They really would like to be here to celebrate mass together but they also understand that something needs to be done.” In addition to online services, both churches are also trying to stay connected with their

CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH 150 Fifth Street Marine on St. Croix, Minn. Pastor Joel Martin 651-433-3222 ———————— EL SALEM/TWIN FALLS CHRISTIAN CENTER Six miles east of Dresser on Co. Rd. F, 1751 100th Ave. Pastor Darryl R. Olson 715-755-3113 ————————

FRIDAY and SUNDAY KJV Bible Study/Fellowship ———————— GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH Nye Area/Wisconsin Synod 2098 70th Avenue Pastor Nile Merseth ———————— HOLY CROSS ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH Meeting at Zion Lutheran Church 28005 Old Towne Road Chisago Lakes, Minn. 651-260-5100 www.holyx.net Fr. Bill Neumann, pastor ———————— HOLY TRINITY ORTHODOX CHURCH 523 First Street, Clayton 715-948-2203 Father Christopher Wojcik ———————— HOPE EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH 933 248th Street, one mile north of Osceola on Highway 35 Pastor Nate Roschen 715-294-2112 • www.hefc.org ———————— JOURNEY CHURCH 131 Broadway, Amery www.journeychurch.city office@journeychurch.city 715-268-2223 ———————— NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY Non-denominational 201 State Hwy. 35, Dresser Pastor Tony Minell, 715-417-1982 galatiansii20@yahoo.com Church office: 715-417-0945 ———————— NEW WINE COMMUNITY CHURCH

309 5th Street, Centuria Pastor Scott Petznick (715) 338-8912 ———————— OSCEOLA COMMUNITY CHURCH 2492 Education Drive, Osceola Larry Mederich www.osceolacommunitychurch.org ———————— OSCEOLA MEDICAL CENTER SPIRITUAL CARE 2600 65th Avenue, Osceola https: myomc.org/wellness/ spiritual-care 715-294-2111 Chapel open daily for meditation. ———————— OSCEOLA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 306 River Street, Osceola P.O. Box 447 Pastor Jack Starr 715-755-2275 osceolaunitedmethodistchurch@gmail.com ———————— PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH (ELCA), 2355 Clark Rd., Dresser 715-755-2515• plcdresser.org Pastor Melissa Carmack Find us on Facebook! peace@centurytel.net ———————— PRAIRIEVIEW COVENANT CHURCH OF NEW RICHMOND 1396 210th Ave. 2 miles north of New Richmond on Hwy. 65 Pastor Rudy King 715-248-0600 ———————— REDEEMER EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH Wisconsin Synod Corner of Adams & Louisiana

MILWAUKEE SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING Benjamin Jacobs of Osceola has been

named to the winter quarter Dean’s List with high honors.

FARMS: Farms provide relief FROM PAGE 6

food system then it’ll be much easier if one community gets hit with COVID-19 or something else to know that the community right next

‘I think of the stories of people hoarding toilet paper. Having something like toilet paper is a symbol of security - but it’s not really security.’ Jody Lenz Threshing Table Farms door can help out and so can the one on the other side of us,” said Lenz at Threshing Table. “Versus if we have all our eggs in one basket in a big box store.” Lenz said people are craving security right now, but oftentimes

don’t know how to find it. “I think of the stories of people hoarding toilet paper,” she said. “Having something like toilet paper is a symbol of security — but it’s not really security.” Food means security to her. Real, honest security that can help families remain calm and prepared during difficult times. Lenz’ CSA grows fresh vegetables, and she knows she can get beef from the farm down the road and fruits and berries from another not far from there. These small family farms and CSAs offer the kind of security everyone is craving and Lenz said her connection to them means she never has to worry about where her food comes from. “I feel connected to my community and know that we’re here to take care of each other,” she said. “And I see people who’re connected to local farms having a better sense of security.”

SEE CHURCHES, PAGE 14

CHURCH LISTINGS Following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, all gatherings of 10 or more are being curtailed. Please call to see if church services are being held in some capacity. ALLIANCE CHURCH OF THE VALLEY 1259 Hwy. 35 South, St. Croix Falls 715-483-1100 www.stcroixalliance.com Lead Pastor Jeff Naegelen Co-Lead Pastor Chris Folkestad ———————— ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH East Farmington Rev. Joseph Madanu ———————— BETHANY LUTHERAN Star Prairie Pastor Dan Pennington (715) 248-3730 blcsp@frontiernet.net ———————— BETHESDA LUTHERAN LCMC 1947 110th Ave. Dresser Sand Lake 715-755-2562 www.bethesdalutheran.ws Pastor Peter Rimmereid Associate Pastor Scott Adkins ———————— CEDARBEND CHURCH P.O. BOX 414, Osceola Matt Hayton connect@cedarbendchurch.com SUNDAY: Worship, 10:30 a.m. at Osceola High School Auditorium.

EUREKA BAPTIST CHURCH 2393 210th Ave., St. Croix Falls Pastor Seth Brickley 715-483-9464 ———————— FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 661A West Street Taylors Falls, MN 55084 651-465-6792 www.firstbaptisttaylorsfalls.com Dr. Kevin Schumann, Pastor ———————— FIRST EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN 561 Chestnut St. Taylors Falls, Minn. ———————— FIRST PRESBYTERIAN 719 Nevada St. St. Croix Falls Reverend David Maghakian 715-483-3550 (office) ———————— GRACE CHURCH – OSCEOLA Pastor Mark Barlow 722 Seminole Ave. Osceola 715-417-0752 ———————— GRACE BEREAN FELLOWSHIP 421 4th Street, Centuria Duane Gallentine, Pastor 715-755-2523

St. Croix Falls Rev. Timothy Blauert 715-483-3401 ———————— RIVER VALLEY CHRISTIAN CHURCH LIGHTHOUSE 1289 160th Street St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin 715-483-5378 Pastor Jonah Fetzer ———————— ST. ANNE PARISH 139 Church Hill Road Somerset, WI 54025 715-247-3310 Rev. Joseph Madanu ———————— ST. CROIX FALLS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Upper St. Croix Parish 300 North Adams Street St. Croix Falls 715-483-9494 churches@centurytel.net umstcroixfallswolfcreek.org Pastor Ran Yoo Pastor Kooko Kim ———————— ST. CROIX UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP 201 N. Adams, St. Croix Falls www.scuuf.org Rev. Kelli Clement ———————— ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CATHOLIC CHURCH Franconia, MN 651-465-7345 www.stfrancisfranconia.org Fr. John Drees ———————— ST. JOSEPH’S CATHOLIC Osceola Rev. Joseph Madanu 715-294-2243

———————— ST. JOSEPH’S CATHOLIC 490 Bench Street Taylors Falls, Minnesota 651-465-7345 www.stjosephtaylorsfalls.org Fr. John Drees ———————— SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH MISSOURI SYNOD 140 Madison Street St. Croix Falls Pastor Mark Schoen 715-483-1186 ———————— TRINITY EV. LUTHERAN CHURCH (WELS) 300 Seminole Ave., (Ct H M) Osceola 715-294-2828 • www.trinityosceola.com Pastor David Rosenow (920-645-7526) ———————— TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH OF GARFIELD 1578 85th Ave., Amery Pastor Lori Peper 715-268-9577 ———————— WEST IMMANUEL LUTHERAN (ELCA), 447 180th St., Osceola www.westimmanuel.org Interim Pastor Matt Saarem SUNDAY: ———————— WORD OF LIFE FELLOWSHIP Cliff Bjork, (651) 465-7373 366 Bench St., Taylors Falls, Minn. ———————— ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH (Wisconsin Synod) East Farmington Pastor William Brassow (715) 294-3489

These Church listings are sponsored by the following concerned and responsible businesses and industries. They deserve your continued support and patronage! 108 Cascade Osceola www osceolasun com www.osceolasun.com

715-294-2314

304 Cascade St • Osceola, WI

715.294.2183 MidWestOne.com

GRANDSTRAND FUNERAL HOME Osceola 294-3111

Osceola, WI 294-2158

8 THE SUN

APRIL 1, 2020 www.osceolasun.com

ARNELL MEMORIAL HUMAN SOCIETY

As a virus takes over the country, we are all very lucky to have our loved ones and pets close to us at home. Two weeks ago, a plan was set into motion to empty the shelter by March 29. Arnell Humane Society began Adoptions by Appointment Only, with staff continuing to provide care and exercise to our shelter residents. Foster parents were called to be on standby in case we didn’t reach our goal of 100% adopted. One by one, they all found forever homes before the deadline. The last animal available, a cat named Meredith, was adopted by a young family on Saturday, March 28. Adopters came for all of our animals with a love for pets. Families adding their ﬁrst pet and followers of our adoptable pets made room for one more. A few of our animals had been sheltering with Arnell for two months. Thank you all for stepping forward with a much needed response to this terrible pandemic. The shelter is closed to the public for the time being. With the shelter empty, our staff will be able to work from and stay Safe at Home. We will continue to monitor phone call messages, post Lost and Found Pets and help to reunite families with their lost pets. Our pets are a comfort. They have no idea that a pandemic is keeping you home. They are just happy to have more time with you. Even if you don’t own a pet, they can lift your spirits through You Tube Videos. We all need a laugh and Funny Pet Videos are a quick pick-me-up on the internet. To give yourself a break, all you need do is type (in You Tube search) phrases like: Funny Pets, Singing Pets, Funniest Dogs and Cats, Try Not to Laugh Animals. One short video leads to another and before you know it you are smiling inside. Try it, it works. Comic relief is powerful and we all could use a dose of that right now. Like so many other business, for non-proﬁts and our animal shelter, this is a time of uncertainty. We all are wondering how long this will last. How long before we are able to open our doors to surrendered pets and adopters? How long before

Following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, all gatherings of 10 or more are being curtailed. If there is an event you were attending, please call to see if it is occurring. The Out & About page will return when this restriction is lifted, hopefully soon.

Chamber creates Osceola Strong website The Osceola Chamber of Commerce is offering a free service to businesses wishing to post business status information during the coronavirus outbreak at www.myosceolachamber.org/osceola-strong. Membership is not required. Chamber director Germaine Ross said, “We need to remind everyone that now is the time to shop and support local businesses and organizations in any way that we can – they are backbones of our local community.” Ross is also encouraging residents use the hashtag #OsceolaStrong on social media. To learn more call 715-755-3300.

we are able As bl to t invite i it a crowd d to t participate ti i t iin a ffundraiser? d i ?A a nonprofit that relies on donations, this will greatly impact our organization. Your first priority should always be yourself and your family. If you do have the opportunity and means to give, a Stay at Home fundraising event for local non-profits takes place at the end of the month. GiveBig St. Croix Valley will be on Tuesday, April 28th. You can stay in your home and still make a difference for the future of Arnell Humane Society and so many other non-profit organizations. Mark your calendars now. We will provide further information as the day draws near. Tate was adopted a month ago on 2/29/20. His adopter sent this photo of Tate on the doggie couch with his new buddy Odin. She writes, “Despite being at the shelter for months, Tate adjusted to his new home and family almost immediately. Such a sweet little guy. So happy we can give him the forever home he deserves.” As you can see, Tate is practicing Safe at Home with a chew toy, keeping the couch warm with a dozing Odin. Tate says “Stay at Home and Stay Healthy.” Arnell Memorial Humane Society, 715 268-7387 (PETS), ARNELLHUMANE.ORG and Facebook.

EXHIBIT B (Type B Notice) FACSIMILE BALLOT NOTICE OF SCHOOL DISTRICT OF OSCEOLA REFERENDUM ELECTION • APRIL 7, 2020 OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT CLERK OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF OSCEOLA TO THE ELECTORS OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF OSCEOLA Notice is hereby given of the referendum election to be held in the School District of Osceola, on the 7th day of April, 2020 at which the referendum questions set forth in the sample ballot below shall be determined. INFORMATION TO ELECTORS Upon entering the polling place, a voter shall state his or her name and address, show an acceptable form of photo identification and sign the poll book before being permitted to vote. If a voter is not registered to vote, a voter may register to vote at the polling place serving his or her residence, if the voter presents proof of residence in a form specified by law. Where ballots are distributed to voters, the initials of two inspectors must appear on the ballot. Upon being permitted to vote, the voter shall retire alone to a voting booth and cast his or her ballot, except that a voter who is a parent or guardian may be accompanied by the voter's minor child or minor ward. An election official may inform the voter of the proper manner for casting a vote, but the official may not in any manner advise or indicate a particular voting choice. On referenda questions when voting by paper ballot, the elector shall make a cross (X) in the square at the right of “yes” if in favor of the question, or the elector shall make a cross (X) in the square at the right of “no” if opposed to the question. On referenda questions when voting by marksense ballot, the elector shall complete the arrow at the right of “yes” if in favor of the question, or complete the arrow at the right of “no” if opposed to the question. On referenda questions when voting by optical scan ballot, the elector shall fill in the oval at the right of "yes" if in favor of the question, or fill in the oval at the right of "no" if opposed to the question. On referenda questions when voting by touchscreen ballot, the elector shall depress the button next to “yes” if in favor of the question, or depress the button next to “no” if opposed. The vote should not be cast in any other manner. If the elector spoils a ballot, he or she shall return it to an election official who shall issue another ballot in its place, but not more than three ballots shall be issued to any one elector. Except for touchscreen ballots, if the ballot has not been initialed by two inspectors or is defective in any other way, the elector shall return it to the election official, who shall issue a proper ballot in its place. Not more than five minutes’ time shall be allowed inside a voting booth or machine. Sample ballots or other materials to assist the elector in casting his or her ballot may be taken into the booth and copied. The sample ballot shall not be shown to anyone so as to reveal how the ballot is marked. After an official paper ballot is marked, it shall be folded so the inside marks do not show but so the printed endorsement and inspectors' initials on the outside do show. The elector shall leave the booth, deposit his or her folded ballot in the proper ballot box, or deliver the ballot to an inspector for deposit, and the elector shall leave the polling place promptly. After an official marksense or optical scan ballot is marked, it shall be inserted in the security sleeve so the marks do not show. After casting his or her vote, the elector shall leave the booth, insert the ballot in the voting devise and discard the sleeve, or deliver the ballot to an inspector for deposit. If a central count system is used, the elector shall insert the ballot in the ballot box and discard the sleeve, or deliver the ballot to an inspector for deposit. The elector shall leave the polling place promptly. After an official touch screen ballot is marked, the elector shall leave the polling place promptly. An elector may select an individual to assist in casting his or her vote if the elector declares to the presiding official that he or she is unable to read, has difficulty reading, writing or understanding English or that due to disability is unable to cast his or her ballot. The selected individual rendering assistance may not be the elector’s employer or an agent of that employer or an officer or agent of a labor organization which represents the elector. The following is a facsimile of the official ballot: Form of Optical Scan Ballot (facsimile) OFFICIAL REFERENDUM BALLOT SCHOOL DISTRICT OF OSCEOLA POLK AND ST. CROIX COUNTIES, WISCONSIN APRIL 7, 2020 NOTICE TO VOTERS: THIS BALLOT MAY BE INVALID UNLESS INITIALED BY TWO (2) ELECTION INSPECTORS. IF CAST AS AN ABSENTEE BALLOT, THE BALLOT MUST BEAR THE INITIALS OF THE MUNICIPAL CLERK OR DEPUTY CLERK. INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTERS: IF YOU MAKE A MISTAKE OR HAVE A QUESTION, SEE AN ELECTION INSPECTOR. (ABSENTEE VOTERS: CONTACT YOUR MUNICIPAL CLERK.) If you desire to vote for the resolutions set forth below, fill in the oval beneath the question to the right of the word “YES” or if you desire to vote against said resolutions, fill in the oval beneath the question to the right of the word “NO”. I. RESOLUTION TO EXCEED REVENUE CAP COMMENCING WITH THE 2020-21 SCHOOL YEAR

E L P M A

II. INITIAL RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $10,000,000 BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of the School District of Osceola, Polk and St. Croix Counties, Wisconsin, that there shall be issued, pursuant to Chapter 67, Wisconsin Statutes, General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $10,000,000 for the purpose of paying the costs of capital maintenance projects at the high school, middle school and intermediate school including replacements and upgrades to mechanical, lighting, rooﬁng, HVAC, electrical and security systems; and equipment acquisition related to said projects. II. Question Shall the foregoing resolution of the School Board of the School District of Osceola be approved? YES

* The form of the reverse side of the ballot is attached.

NOTICE TO VOTERS: THIS BALLOT MAY BE INVALID UNLESS INITIALED BY TWO (2) ELECTION INSPECTORS. IF CAST AS AN ABSENTEE BALLOT, THE BALLOT MUST BEAR THE INITIALS OF THE MUNICIPAL CLERK OR DEPUTY CLERK. INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTERS: IF YOU MAKE A MISTAKE OR HAVE A QUESTION, SEE AN ELECTION INSPECTOR. (ABSENTEE VOTERS: CONTACT YOUR MUNICIPAL CLERK.) If you desire to vote for the resolutions set forth below, place a cross (X) in the square beneath the question after the word “YES” or if you desire to vote against said resolutions, place a cross (X) in the square beneath the question after the word “NO”. I. RESOLUTION TO EXCEED REVENUE CAP COMMENCING WITH THE 2020-21 SCHOOL YEAR BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of the School District of Osceola, Polk and St. Croix Counties,, Wisconsin, that the ﬁnal school district budget shall include an amount not to exceed $1,000,000 ,000,000 in excess of the revenue limits imposed by Section 121.91 of the Wisconsin in Statutes each year for a period of two years on a non-recurn ring basis for the purposee of supporting upporting each child’s success and providing a safe environment by supporting sup su District operation eration ation costs including curriculum, utilities, educational programming, technology, and transportation. trans

E L P M SA

I. Question Shall the School District of Osceola be authorized to exceed the revenue limit under Section hool ool Board of the School S 121.91 of the Wisconsin Statutes by an amount not to exceed $1,000,000 each year for a period of two years on a non-recurring basis for the purpose of supporting each child’s success and providing a safe environment by supporting District operation costs including curriculum, utilities, educational programming, technology, and transportation, as provided in the foregoing resolution? YES

BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of the School District of Osceola, Polk and nd St. Croix Counties, Countie Wisconsin, that the ﬁnal school district budget shall include an amount mount nt not to exceed $1,000,000 in excess of the t revenue limits imposed by Section 121.91 1.911 of the Wisconsin Statutes each year for a period of two years on a non-recurring basiss for or the purpose of supporting each child’s success and providing a safe environment by supporting su District operation peration costs including curriculum, utilities, educational programming, technology, and transportation. tra I. Question Shall the School chool Board of the School Schoo District of Osceola be authorized to exceed the revenue limit under Section 121.91 of the h Wisconsin Statutes by an amount not to exceed $1,000,000 each year for a period of two years on a non-recurring basis for the purpose of supporting each child’s success and providing a safe environment by supporting District operation costs including curriculum, utilities, educational programming, technology, and transportation, as provided in the foregoing resolution? YES

Form of Marksense Ballot (facsimile) OFFICIAL REFERENDUM BALLOT SCHOOL DISTRICT OF OSCEOLA POLK AND ST. CROIX COUNTIES, WISCONSIN APRIL 7, 2020

Form of Paper Ballot (facsimile) OFFICIAL REFERENDUM BALLOT SCHOOL DISTRICT OF OSCEOLA POLK AND ST. CROIX COUNTIES, WISCONSIN APRIL 7, 2020

BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of the School District of Osceola, Polk and St. Croix oix Counties, Counties Wisconsin, that the ﬁnal school district budget shall include an amount nt not to exceed $1,000,000 in excess of the th revenue limits imposed by Section 121.91 of the Wisconsin Statutes each year for a period of two years on a non-recurn ring basis for the purpose of supporting each child’s success and providing a safe environment by supporting sup District operation eration ration costs including curriculum, utilities, educational programming, technology, and transportation. trans tran

E L P SAM

I. Question Shall the School h Board of the School District of Osceola be authorized to exceed the revenue limit under Section 121.91 of the Wisconsin Statutes by an amount not to exceed $1,000,000 each year for a period of two years on a non-recurring basis for the purpose of supporting each child’s success and providing a safe environment by supporting District operation costs including curriculum, utilities, educational programming, technology, and transportation, as provided in the foregoing resolution? YES

* The form of the reverse side of the ballot is attached.

(REVERSE SIDE OF BALLOT) OFFICIAL REFERENDUM BALLOT School District OF OSCEOLA POLK AND ST. CROIX Counties, Wisconsin APRIL 7, 2020 FOR ___________ Ward (Wards) ___________ Aldermanic District (iff any) __________________________ ________________________ City (Village or Town) of _______________________________________ _____________________ ______________ Ballot Issued By: ______________________

E L P M SA

Inspectors ______________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________ ________________________ or’ss Ballot Issued Issu By: Absent Elector’s ___________________________________ Municipal Clerk/Deputy Clerk ______________________________________________________________________________ CERTIFICATION OF ELECTOR ASSISTANCE I certify that this ballot was marked by me for an elector who is authorized under the law to have assistance, upon request, and as directed by the elector. ___________________________________ (Signature of assisting individual) ______________________________________________________________________________

APRIL 1, 2020

THE SUN

www.osceolasun.com

‘Fish Story’ doesn’t ﬂy, man charged with ninth OWI BY APRIL ZIEMER EDITOR@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM

A lack of fishing gear made it hard for law enforcement to believe the s story given t them by to J Jeffrey Corm mican, 51, H Hammond, w has who b been charged w with OperCormican a ating While Intoxicated (OWI) 9 in connection with an incident that took place March 18. According to the probable cause report, law enforcement observed a vehicle near Mains Crossing in Polk County with a faulty break-light. After they observed it make an erratic turn, they ran the license plate. A return showed the registered owner, Cormican, to have a revoked driver’s license. The officer

Pulling out in front of officer brings on OWI 5 BY APRIL ZIEMER EDITOR@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM

Richard Justice, 61, St. Paul has been charged with Operating while intoxicated (fifth offense) after an Amery police o cer nearly offi h Justice’s hit N Nissan after h pulled out he i front of in t officer on the M March 22. According Justice t the probto able cause report, emergency lights were activated and a traffic stop was initiated on the driver, who did not pull over. Instead, it continued to the intersection of Riverplace Drive and Keller Avenue where it stopped for the stop sign before pulling onto Keller Avenue. Allegedly the driver then began to pull into the intersection, but stopped as another vehicle was approaching from the north. Once the vehicle passed, the Nissan pulled onto Keller Avenue and began traveling southbound. The officer’s emergency lights were still activated, and they followed the car. After a few feet, the driver of the Nissan pulled over. A Minnesota driver’s license identified the driver as Justice. The officer asked Justice if everything was OK, and he said it was. He was advised the reason he was stopped was because he pulled in front of the squad, and he said he did not see it. SEE OWI, PAGE 14

pulled the vehicle over. Cormican verbally identified himself. He indicated he was driving from Hammond to Lamont Lake to go fishing, but had no fishing gear. According to the report, law enforcement noticed his behavior was odd and he appeared to be impaired. His eyes were bloodshot and he emitted the strong odor of intoxicants from his breath. He admitted to drinking two beers earlier in the morning. He allegedly said he believed he was safe to be driving and law enforcement requested he perform field sobriety testing. Cormican provided a Preliminary Breath Test (PBT) sample of 0.159 percent and was placed under arrest for OWI 9. If convicted, Cormican is facing 12 ½ years in prison and $25,000 in fines.

Name, address, phone #, and number of adults and children are needed for new clients. I.D. and a piece of mail for proof of address needs to be shown. Thank you to everyone who has come forward to help during these trying times. From the loan of a trailer where we have our bread, bakery, and veggies outside, to paper products and food donations, to the generous monetary donations so we can purchase food, to the people who have called to volunteer their time. The Open Cupboard Staff

TOWN OF OSCEOLA, POLK COUNTY, WISCONSIN LOCATION AND HOURS OF POLLING PLACE At the Spring Election to be held on April 7, 2020, in the Town of Osceola the following polling place locations will be used for the wards indicated: Location Osceola Town Hall 516 East Avenue North Dresser, WI 54009

Wards Wards 1, 2, 3, 4

ALL POLLING PLACES WILL OPEN AT 7:00 A.M. AND WILL CLOSE AT 8:00 P.M.

If you have any questions concerning your polling place, contact the municipal clerk. Town Clerk Tammy Wanchena Deputy Clerk Jo Everson 516 East Avenue North PO Box 216 Dresser, WI 54009 715-755-3060 Ofﬁce Hours Monday – Friday 8 am – 4 pm All polling places are accessible to elderly and disabled voters. _________________________________________________________________

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LETTERS: Food shelf stocked

Notice of Meeting of the Local and Municipal Board of Canvassers At the close of voting on Election Day, pursuant to the provisions of Wisconsin Statute §19.84, the Election Inspectors will convene as a joint meeting of the Local Board of Canvassers and the Municipal Board of Canvassers for the purpose of conducting the local and municipal canvasses pursuant to Wisconsin Statute §7.51 and 7.53(1). This meeting will be open to the public pursuant to Wisconsin Statute. §19.81-89.

Town of Farmington NOTICE OF OPEN BOOK Notice is hereby given that on Saturday, April 18, 2020, from 9 am to 11 a.m., the assessment rolls will be open for examination by the tax payers of the Town of Farmington. The Town’s assessor will be available at this time to answer questions and concerns regarding your assessment. Dated this 26th Day of March, 2020 Debbie Swanson, Clerk/Treasurer

LOCATION AND HOURS OF POLLING PLACE At the Spring Election to be held on April 7, 2020, in the Village of Osceola, the following polling place locations will be used for the wards indicated: Location

Wards

Village Hall/Discovery Center 310 Chieftain Street, Room 205 Osceola, WI 54020

All

ALL POLLING PLACES WILL OPEN AT 7:00 A.M. AND WILL CLOSE AT 8:00 P.M. You must be registered to vote and present a photo ID. If you have any questions concerning your polling place or this election, contact the municipal clerk. Frances Duncanson, MMC-WCPC 310 Chieftain Street, PO Box 217 Osceola, WI 54020 715-294-3498 Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. All polling places are accessible to elderly and disabled voters. Please note the polling place is no longer at the Osceola High School. Notice of Meeting of the Local Board of Canvassers At the close of voting on Election Day, pursuant to the provisions of Wis. Stat. § 19.84, the Election Inspectors at each polling place will convene as the Local Canvassing Board for the purpose of conducting the local canvass pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 7.51. This meeting will be open to the public pursuant to Wis. Stat. §§ 19.81-89.

108 Cascade Street Osceola, WI 54020

VOTING BY ABSENTEE BALLOT-SPECIAL 7th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT ELECTION Any qualified elector who is unable or unwilling to appear at the polling place on Election Day may submit a request to vote an absentee ballot to their municipal clerk. A qualified elector is any U.S. citizen, who will be 18 years of age or older on Election Day, who has resided in the ward or municipality where he or she wishes to vote for at least 10 consecutive days before the election. The elector must also be registered in order to receive an absentee ballot. Proof of identification must be provided before an absentee ballot may be issued. You must make a request for an absentee ballot in writing or online at MyVote.wi.gov. Contact your municipal clerk and request that an application for an absentee ballot be sent to you for the election. You may also submit a written request in the form of a letter or you may apply for an absentee ballot online at MyVote.wi.gov. Your written request must list your voting address within the municipality where you wish to vote, the address where the absentee ballot should be sent, if different, and your signature. You may make application to your municipal clerk for an absentee ballot in person, by mail, by fax, by email or at MyVote.wi.gov. Making application to receive an absentee ballot by mail The deadline for making application to receive an absentee ballot by mail is: Thursday, May 7, 2020 at 5:00 pm. Note: Special absentee voting application provisions apply to electors who are indefinitely confined to home or a care facility, in the military, hospitalized, or serving as a sequestered juror. If this applies to you, contact the municipal clerk regarding deadlines for requesting and submitting an absentee ballot. Voting an absentee ballot in person You may also request and vote an absentee ballot in the clerk's office or other specified location during the days and hours specified for casting an absentee ballot in person. Frances Duncanson 715-294-3498 310 Chieftain Street • PO Box 217 • Osceola, WI 54020 M-F 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The first day to vote an absentee ballot in the clerk’s office is: Monday, March 23, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. The last day to vote an absentee ballot in the clerk's office: Friday, May 8, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. No in-person absentee voting may occur on the day before the election. The municipal clerk will deliver voted ballots returned on or before Election Day to the proper polling place or counting location before the polls close on Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at 8:00 p.m.. Any ballots received after the polls close will not be counted.

THE SUN

APRIL 1, 2020 www.osceolasun.com

OSCEOLA HIGH SCHOOL HONOR ROLLL

TRI 2 Honor Roll B HONOR ROLL Ninth grade: Kyle Cavallin, Taylor Clausen, Mateo Gaglio, Lauren Hoag, Carson Hollman, Alexzander Holt, Blake Hurlburt, Noah Irwin, Analise Johnson, Hailey Johnson, Wyatt Jordan, Marcus Kjornes, Leila Koehler, Allison Lindloff, Ginna Mammenga, Lilly McCarty, Nevaeh Noonan, Gavin Olson, Nicolas Paro, Tristen Patrick Nichols, Carl Perry, Lucas Raddatz, Cole Rossini, Keegan Saloka, Cyrus Schmidt, Cali Stolpman, Janessa Swenson, Ashlyn Tinney, Layla Transue, Jalmar Valbuena Anderson, Mason Wichner. 10th grade: Ryan Blair, Breanna Boettcher, Tia Foster, Luke Haase, Cameron Johnson, Tristan McClung, Max Michel, Sarah Palmer, Dillion Peterson, Kaylee Points, Hailey St. John, Amanda Steffen, Allison Ann Stob, Joseph Valento, Elijah Vitalis, Michael Wallraff, Livia Wofford. 11th grade: Arial Branum, Mason Campbell, Cole Cherveny, Joshua Demulling, David Erdman, Alanah

Ilac, Preston Jensen, Morgan Johnson, Tyler Johnson, Blake Jordan, Aurora Long, Sawyer Miller, Alexis Newman, Michael Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connor, Chyanne Plessel, Johnathan Pliscott, Kaitlin Schachel, Mckena Schaubschlager, Samuel Schiebel, Cody Schwartz, Riley Sjolander, Brayden Thomas, Amelia Thompson, David Tomandl, John Tourville Jr., Lance Wallis, Brooklyn Wegner. 12th grade: Michael Charlier, Elvis Cormican, Austin Couch, Oscar Deroeck, Ella DeRosier, Melanie Doll, Mercedes Duncanson, Tyler Dye, Hailey Ebert, Hannah Ebert, Connor Eid, Griffin Everett, Aisha Gustafson, John Klugow, Robert Koehler, Abigail Michel, Jack Morrison, Megan Olson, Sierrah Parmeter, Luke Roytek, Nina Savoy, Zachary Solsrud, Abbigail Stener, Matthew Ward, Raychel Wilson. A HONOR ROLL Ninth grade: Paige Altringer, Owen Andersen, Paetynn Bliese, Sarah Carlson, Reid Clark, Samuel Cormican, Isaac Demulling, Grif-

EXHIBIT C (Type C Notice) NOTICE OF REFERENDUM ELECTION School District OF OSCEOLA TAKE NOTICE that a referendum election shall be held on April 7, 2020 in the School District of Osceola for the purpose of approving or rejecting an Initial Resolution and a Revenue Cap Resolution adopted by the School Board of said District on January 27, 2020. The Revenue Cap Resolution reads as follows: RESOLUTION TO EXCEED REVENUE CAP COMMENCING WITH THE 2020-21 SCHOOL YEAR BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of the School District of Osceola, Polk and St. Croix Counties, Wisconsin, that the ďŹ nal school district budget shall include an amount not to exceed $1,000,000 in excess of the revenue limits imposed by Section 121.91 of the Wisconsin Statutes each year for a period of two years on a non-recurring basis for the purpose of supporting each childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s success and providing a safe environment by supporting District operation costs including curriculum, utilities, educational programming, technology, and transportation. The referendum ballot will ask District electors: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Shall the School Board of the School District of Osceola be authorized to exceed the revenue limit under Section 121.91 of the Wisconsin Statutes by an amount not to exceed $1,000,000 each year for a period of two years on a non-recurring basis for the purpose of supporting each childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s success and providing a safe environment by supporting District operation costs including curriculum, utilities, educational programming, technology, and transportation, as provided in the foregoing resolution?â&#x20AC;? A â&#x20AC;&#x153;yesâ&#x20AC;? vote is in favor of the resolution set forth above and is a vote to approve exceeding the revenue limit under Section 121.91 of the Wisconsin Statutes by an amount not to exceed $1,000,000 each year for a period of two years on a non-recurring basis for the purpose of supporting each childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s success and providing a safe environment by supporting District operation costs including curriculum, utilities, educational programming, technology, and transportation. A â&#x20AC;&#x153;noâ&#x20AC;? vote is opposed to the resolution and is a vote to deny exceeding the revenue limit under Section 121.91 of the Wisconsin Statutes by an amount not to exceed $1,000,000 each year for a period of two years on a non-recurring basis for the purpose of supporting each childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s success and providing a safe environment by supporting District operation costs including curriculum, utilities, educational programming, technology, and transportation, as provided in the foregoing resolution. The Initial Resolution reads as follows: INITIAL RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $10,000,000 BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of the School District of Osceola, Polk and St. Croix Counties, Wisconsin, that there shall be issued, pursuant to Chapter 67, Wisconsin Statutes, General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $10,000,000 for the purpose of paying the costs of capital maintenance projects at the high school, middle school and intermediate school including replacements and upgrades to mechanical, lighting, rooďŹ ng, HVAC, electrical and security systems; and equipment acquisition related to said projects. The referendum ballot will ask District electors: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Shall the foregoing resolution of the School Board of the School District of Osceola be approved?â&#x20AC;? A â&#x20AC;&#x153;yesâ&#x20AC;? vote is in favor of the Initial Resolution set forth above and is a vote to approve the borrowing of not to exceed $10,000,000 by the School District of Osceola through the issuance of General Obligation Bonds for the purpose of paying the costs of capital maintenance projects at the high school, middle school and intermediate school including replacements and upgrades to mechanical, lighting, rooďŹ ng, HVAC, electrical and security systems; and equipment acquisition related to said projects. A â&#x20AC;&#x153;noâ&#x20AC;? vote is opposed to the Initial Resolution and is a vote to deny the School District of Osceola the authority to borrow not to exceed $10,000,000 through the issuance of General Obligation Bonds for the purpose of paying the costs of capital maintenance projects at the high school, middle school and intermediate school including replacements and upgrades to mechanical, lighting, rooďŹ ng, HVAC, electrical and security systems; and equipment acquisition related to said projects. Persons with questions regarding the referendum election should contact Mark Luebker Superintendent. School District of Osceola Peter Kammerud District Clerk

fin DeRosier, Sampson Federation, Amanda Fogelberg, Hattie Fox, Adason Gault, Marlee Gibson, Adam Giefer, Grace Gilhousen, Autumn Guckenberger, Cecilia Gustafson, Megan Hall, Sumer Harrington, Carrson Hoefs, Maddison Holt, William Huhn, Hannah Jaeger, Delaney James, Aubrey Johnson, Abigail Jonas, Adeline Knutson, Devon Krentz, Ethan Landgreen, Sophia Lavigne, Davin Lindh, Evelyn Lutz, Ally Mahler, Emma Mahler, Alivia Maki, Kari Mayer, Zachary McFarland, Isabelle Measner, Shayla Mork, Margaret Nalen, Jacob Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connor, Parys Ouelette, Drew Pingel, Ethan Race, Elaine Roberts, David Rosik, Ashley Roytek, Dylan Salewski, Olivia Schiebel, Garrett Slater, Matthew Slechta, Aiden Steffen, Shaw Styles, Morgan Tolzman, Ava Ulrich, Rachel Ulrich, Tanner Viebrock, Caysie Ward, Dillon Weber, Mason Wegner, Rachel Wickett, Shelby Wiederin, Kiera Williamson, Elley Zabel. 10th grade: Noah Alanis, Sean Archibald, Kiefer Ascheman, Chloe

Backlund, Jackson Baillargeon, Jon Berg, Hannah Burrows, Isaac Campeau, Dane Carlson, Jacob Charlier, Julia Daniels, Emily DeMoe, Troy Dvorak, Cole Ellefson, Olivia Erickson, Emma Fehlen, Christopher Fugate, Danica Gourley, Bernard Greene IV, Katrina Harvey, Houghton Jaeger, Nolan Jaroscak, Ava Johnson, Mallory Johnson, Evelyn Juneski, Lauren Kremer, Jordyn Lieffring, Hope Lowney, Carver Lundholm, Kathryn Marek, Camryn Maypark, Grace Measner, Thomas Middleton, Zachary Mork, Samantha Mortenson, Thomas Newman, Brandon Newton, Rachel Olson, Cade Rysdam, Cole Schadt, Jacob Sedivy, Lucas Sedivy, Alexis See, Ethan Sellers, Garrett Sellers, Bobby Shemon, Kalley Smith, Lillie Strege, Brock Studer, Daric Swanson, Mari Swanson, Destiny Switzer, Shelby Tembreull, John Terhell, Charlie Tronrud, Tyler Ulrich, Jordan Vetter, Brianna Viebrock, Elise Viebrock, Caitlyn Vitalis, Shakira Wei, Jake Wiederin, Anna Willeman, Kaleb

Woodley. 11th grade: Austin Almlie, Peter Bjerke, Kaili Bradway, Nicholas Carlson, Gavin Dahl, Jerrianne Dannenmueller, Jordan DeRosier, Jackson Dvorak, Lauren Ellefson, Sawyer Federation, Morgan Feldt, Allison Fogelberg, Casey Fogelberg, Claire Fogelberg, Ellie Gillespie, Ty Graves, Isaiah Guifoile, Jacob Hall, Sophia Heyer, Emily Jaroscak, Travis Jennings, Caitlin Karun, Sydney Krueger, Benjamin Landgreen, Mathea Leiskau, Kaia Leverentz, Allyson Mallin, Autumn McQuinn, Liam Milliron, Benjamin Neumann, Kendall Nord, Savanna Nord, Clarissa Nygren, Thomas Oswald, Kaden Pingel, Megan Riegel, Jenna Rondeau, Dawson Rosenow, Neleah Sandberg, Elijah Sirek, Delaney Steffen, Brecken Styles, Chloe Terpstra, Autumn Timm, Renee Vorndran, Colton Wilmot. 12th grade: Hanna Andersen, Addison Anderson, Ariana Backlund, Sydney Bents, Trey Boissy, Addison Bradway, Maddison Bush, Jasmine Carlson, Nolan Claassen,

Tianna Clausen, Jedidiah Durand, Kirsten Dusick, Paige Dvorak, Hannah Fennern, Emily Fox, Caroline Gearin, Kasidy Gehrke, Matthew Germain, Savanna Grant, Grace Haase, Todd Hall, Coby Heimbach, Zacharry Henriksen, Makena Hollman, Hahns Huebsch, Jacob Jensen, Madeline Jensen, Garrett Johnson, Logan Johnson, Mikayla Johnson, Riley Koosman, Nicholas Kremer, Colin Krentz, Sarah LeRoy, Madison Link, Ezekiel Lowney, Logan Maxon, Joshua Mork, Zachary Mortenson, Daniel Nelson, David Olson, Adam Orton, Makayla Quigley, Ethan Robinson, Parker Roemhild, Sean Rogers, Kayla Rondeau, Mei Rose, Ella Salewski, Jacob Schaefer, Aaron Schmidt, Joshua Schultz, Michaela Schultz, Daniel Scottum, Blake Slater, Laura Swanson, Emma Sycks, Halee Uzpen, Mariangela Valbuena, Eric Vater, Morgan Vetter, Destany Walker, Ethan Wichner, Drew Willeman.

Burning permits suspended CampďŹ res For warming or cooking strongly discouraged Spring in Wisconsin has the highest fire risk with the No. 1 cause of wildfires being debris burning. Wildfires pose a serious threat to public safety, property and our natural resources. People cause over 98% of all wildfires in Wisconsin. Due to the COVID-19 Safer at Home order, we are taking proactive measures by suspending all Department of Natural Resources burning permits until further notice to protect the health and safety of Wisconsinites. All burning of debris in barrels, burning of de-

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bris piles on the ground, grass or wooded areas is prohibited at this time. Most debris fires occur in the spring after the snow-cover melts and before vegetation greening. Spring is when people are outside doing yard clean-up and then choosing to burn leaves, brush and pine needles. Burning permits are required by the Wisconsin DNR in many parts of the state to conduct legal and responsible burning in the outdoors. Burning permits are also required by the Wisconsin DNR in DNR forest fire protection areas to conduct burning of legal materials when the ground is not completely snow-covered. DNR burning permits do not apply within incorporated cities and villages. These municipalities oftentimes can and do create their own burning permit requirements. In addition, some townships may choose to be much more restrictive than state law and may not allow burning at any time. Regardless of where you burn, it is up to you

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to check with your local municipality for their regulations, even if you have obtained a DNR burning permit. Not sure if your burn location falls within DNR forest fire protection? For a more detailed look, zoom-in to your location on the burning restrictions map. Emergency responders and firefighters have an increased need to take pandemic precautions, so they remain available to continue to protect the public from wildfires and reduce the spread of COVID-19. We appreciate your patience and understanding. Remember to report wildfires by dialing 911 immediately. Distance is key during this public health emergency. Under the Safer at Home order, we must do all that we can to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Staying home as much as possible and limiting travel to your community is the best way to lower COVID-19 infection rates. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources continues to receive the most up-to-date information and will adjust operations as conditions change. We will also continue to monitor on-the-

ground circumstances each day to determine if park closures become necessary. Steps To prevent and avoid exposure â&#x20AC;˘ Avoid social gatherings with people of all ages (including playdates and sleepovers, parties, large family dinners, visitors in your home, non-essential workers in your house) â&#x20AC;˘ Frequent and thorough hand washing with soap and water â&#x20AC;˘ Cover coughs and sneezes â&#x20AC;˘ Avoid touching your face â&#x20AC;˘ Stay home when able For updates on event cancellations and building closures at DNR properties, visit the DNR website (dnr.wi.gov) or follow @WIDNR on Facebook, @wi_dnr on Instagram, or @WDNR on Twitter. This is a rapidly evolving situation. For specific information regarding the COVID-19 we encourage the public to frequently monitor the DHS website for updates, and to follow @DHSWI on Facebook and Twitter, or dhs.wi on Instagram. Additional information can be found on the CDC website.

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AND OUTDOORS APRIL 1, 2020

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Most dominating Osceola sports team ever? BY RON JASPERSON SPORTS WRITER

What was the most dominating team in Osceola sports history? Could it be the Osceola Chieftain boys high school track and field State champions from 2004 or 2005? The 2002 Chieftain boys basketball team was the only one to punch their ticket to State. They were very good. How about the 1979 Osceola boys basketball team that lost only one game all season? The 1984 and 2015 Chieftain football teams both won State titles. Perhaps one of these two teams was the best. Does it have to be an Osceola high school team that was the best of all time? Let’s expand the horizon a little bit. The Osceola Braves baseball team led by Bud Grant was outstanding, but maybe the 1961 Osceola peewee baseball team was the most dominating Osceola team ever. Yes, the ’61 peewees! The 1961 Osceola peewee team had a starting lineup of Scott Jensen in left field, Mike Romanko in center, Mike Montgomery in right, Bob Rogers was the catcher, Scott Jasperson was at first base, Tom Pruno was the second sacker and Ron Jasperson held down the shortstop position. The other two spots were the most important to the team. Ron Heil and Leroy Luchsinger played either third base or took the mound to pitch. When one was pitching the other manned the hot corner. Heil and Luchsinger were the keys to the Osceola dominance. When Heil was pitching he

threw sidearm heat and mixed in a breaking ball at times. Luchsinger could also bring the ball to the plate plenty fast but kept the would-be hitters very tentative with a hellacious curveball. A pretty tough combination for any 10 to 12 year old to contend with. Heil and Luchsinger were best friends and did everything together. “He had a big impact on my life,” said Heil, who now lives in Las Vegas, about his friend and teammate. “I would go over to his house and we would play one-on-one basketball inside until his mother kicked us outside. We were as raucous as could be.” “I was a pretty decent (base) ball player but I didn’t shine in other sports as Leroy and Ron did,” said Rogers, a Chetek, Wisconsin resident. “They made a great one-two combination from the mound. Leroy was a wiry kid with deceptive speed and terrific control. Ron was imposing, a big kid with just enough wildness to scare the heck out of a batter. The opponents were usually backing out of the batter’s box just as Ron let the ball fly.” Osceola would routinely score 10 to 20 runs or more a game while the other team struggled to hit four or five balls fair for the entire five inning contest. Heil and Luchsinger often struck out at least 10 batters in a game that had only 15 outs in it. How good was the Osceola defense? Who knows, it was never really tested. “They both could handle the lumber as well,” Rogers said

SUBMITTED

The 1957 Osceola peewee baseball team.

about the offensive expoits of his classmates Heil and Luchsinger. “Ron threw right but batted from the left side of the plate and had some serious power. He went on to be a terrific high school athlete but unfortunately, Leroy had a heart defect which brought his athletic endeavors to an end before reaching high school. In my mind, he was the most gifted athlete in our class and we sorely missed his talents.” The team was blessed to have a head coach who was tireless in helping them get better. Ron Heil’s dad Bob worked a straight day job at Andersen Windows and dedicated his summers to coaching the team and helping them improve.

Practice would start about 6:00 in the evening on days that there wasn’t a game. At least that’s the time that the players started to come together. Mr. Heil would pitch batting practice as long as a player wanted to swing the bat. Only sunset would put an end to the practice. Why would Bob Heil put so much time into helping 10-12 year old kids learn how to improve? “Dad loved the game of baseball,” Ron Heil said. The team was made up of all town kids except for Pruno who lived only a couple of miles away. In the meantime the kids in the country had to work. Dad probably could not spare them from the chores on

Youth turkey hunt

outh turkey hunts, taking place soon, are designed to give young hunters a chance to get out and enjoy one of the most exciting events for hunters across the nation. The gobbling of a big old Tom turkey rocks the woods from the lowest valley to the highest ridge. The faint sound of a far-off bird or that big unseen Tom coming in to your calls gobbles so loudly that trees shake. Shivers shoot up your back. Youth hunts are also meant to bring kids into the hunter fraternity. Hunting and its fraternity were and are still a way to put food on the table, begun by our earliest settlers, through the growth of our family farms until today. It’s a rite of passage to be able to carry a gun and follow a father, mother, older brother, sister or grandparent into the woods. Today’s single families with time and finanWild River cial constraint struggle to meet today’s kids’ real needs. Instead, Trails electronic games and television Jim Bennett stunt kids’ brains and overly orga-

nized youth sports leave many kids over-controlled, unable to communicate with peers or family, evidenced by them walking city streets with their eyes glued to their phones. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that children under 2 should not watch any TV at all and children older should be limited to no more than two hours a day. Studies at the University of Washington have shown that a child watching too much TV show more aggression at home and in school. Even educational TV does not make them smarter. A recent University of Texas study observed that watching too much TV cuts back on reading time, which has long proven to accelerate learning skills. So, what can you gain on a youth turkey hunt besides a turkey dinner? It’s a great way to bond and become closer. From the time you step out of the car in the dark, an outdoor classroom is in session, opening a child’s mind. It starts out with your ears as you hear the environment waking up. Owls are still communicating from their nighttime conversations as they SEE BENNETT, PAGE 15

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the farm. In those days there were no sports camps, no video to analyze your swings, no weight training to make you stronger. The games were played in the afternoon and parents didn’t attend too often, they were at work and probably couldn’t afford to take the day off. It may not be fair to compare a peewee baseball team against one that was led by Bud Grant or a high school football team that won 21 straight conference games. Who was really the best? I guess we’ll never know, but one thing that you can be sure of — no kids ever had more fun playing a game than the 1961 peewee team.

WIAA has ﬁnancial fallout from ﬁnals cancelation STEVENS POINT – Some schools were prevented from putting a state-title trophy on display. But without completion of the WIAA (Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association) state finals for girls and boys basketball, the losses by programs, players and their families are hypothetical. They may have reached their given division’s championship game, then again they may also have been trounced in the opening round and relegated to a quiet ride home. However, the losses for WIAA are definite. The recent proclamation to scrap the boys and girls state basketball finals due to concerns about spreading the (COVID-19) coronavirus essentially pulled a financial rug out from under WIAA. The non-profit organization that essentially organizes and supervises high school athletics in Wisconsin relies heavily upon income from these state finals in order to operate and based strictly on the books, this virus couldn’t have arrived in a worse time. “(State finals income) is a large percentage of the (WIAA) budget,” communications director Todd Clark said. “It’s 80-85 percent of our revenue and boys basketball is by far the biggest sport as far as revenue for our operating budget.” The possibility of postponing, if not canceling the state finals, became a realistic scenario as confirmed cases of coronavirus began to rise in the United States. Word from Madison forced WIAA’s SEE WIAA, PAGE 18

THE SUN

APRIL 1, 2020 www.osceolasun.com

Notice of Spring Election and Presidential Preference Vote and Sample Ballots April 7, 2020

OFFICE OF THE POLK COUNTY CLERK TO THE VOTERS OF POLK COUNTY: Notice is hereby given of a spring election and a Presidential Preference Vote to be held in Polk County on April 7, 2020, at which the officers named below shall be chosen. The names of the candidates for each office, whose nominations have been certified to or filed in this office, are given under the title of the office, each in its proper column, together with the questions submitted to a vote, for a referendum, if any, in the sample ballot below. INFORMATION TO VOTERS Upon entering the polling place, a voter shall state his or her name and address, show an acceptable form of photo identification and sign the poll book before being permitted to vote. If a voter does not have acceptable photo identification the voter may obtain a free photo ID for voting from the Division of Motor Vehicles. If a voter is not registered to vote, a voter may register to vote at the polling place serving his or her residence, if the voter presents proof of residence in a form specified by law. Where ballots are distributed to voters, the initials of two inspectors must appear on the ballot. Upon being permitted to vote, the voter shall retire alone to a voting booth and cast his or her ballot, except that a voter who is a parent or guardian may be accompanied by the voter’s minor child or minor ward. An election official may

inform the voter of the proper manner for casting a vote, but the official may not in any manner advise or indicate a particular voting choice. AT THE PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE VOTE A voter may cast only one vote in the presidential preference primary. Where Paper Ballots are Used To vote for president, the voter shall choose the ballot of the party of his or her choice on which to vote. If you vote in more than one party, your vote will not be counted. On -the ballot of his or her choice, the voter shall make an (X) or other mark in the square next to the name of the candidate of his or her choice or shall, in the alternative, make an (X) or other mark in the square next to the words “Uninstructed delegation,” or write in the name of a person of his or her choice in the space provided for a write-in vote. When using a tactile ballot marking device (Vote-PAD) to mark a paper ballot, the voter shall obtain from the inspectors, the assistive device and any audio or dexterity aids if required. The voter shall choose the ballot of the party of his or her choice on which to vote. If you vote in more than one party, your vote will not be counted. On the ballot of his or her choice, the voter fill in the oval or connect the arrow next to the name of the candidate of his or her choice or shall, in the alternative, fill in the oval or connect the arrow next to the words, “Uninstructed Delegation,” or write in the name of a person of his or her choice

in the space provided for a write-in vote and fill in the oval or connect the arrow next to the write-in line. Type 8 Notice Where Optical Scan Voting is Used Within the party of his or her choice, the voter shall fill in the oval or connect the arrow next to the name of the candidate of his or her choice or shall, in the alternative, fill in the oval or connect the arrow next to the words “Uninstructed Delegation,” or write in the name of a person of his or her choice for a candidate in the space provided for a writein vote and fill in the oval or connect the arrow next to the write-in line. When using an electronic ballot marking device (“Automark,” “ExpressVote,” Clear Access or “lmageCast Evolution-ICE’} to mark an optical scan ballot, the voter shall touch the screen or use the keypad to select the party of his or her choice. Within the party of his or her choice, the voter shall touch the screen or use the keypad to select the name of the candidate of his or her choice or shall, in the alternative, touch the screen or use the keypad to select the words “Uninstructed Delegation,” or type in the name of a person of his or her choice in the space provided for a write-in vote. Where Touch Screen Voting is Used The voter shall touch the screen at the party of his or her choice. Within the party of his or her choice, the voter shall touch the screen at the name of the candidate of his or her choice or shall, in the

alternative, touch the screen at the words “Uninstructed Delegation,” or type in the name of a person of his or her choice in the space provided for a write-in vote. AT THE SPRING ELECTION Where Paper Ballots are Used The voter shall make a mark (X) in the square next to the name of the candidate of his or her choice for each office for which he or she intends to vote. To vote for a person whose name does not appear on the ballot, the voter shall write in the name of the person of his or her choice in the space provided for a write-in vote. On referendum questions, the voter shall make a mark (X) in the square next to “yes” if in favor of the question, or the voter shall make a mark (X) in the square next to “no” if opposed to the question. Where Optical Scan Voting is Used The voter shall fill in the oval or connect the arrow next to the name of the candidate of his or her choice for each office for which he or she intends to vote. To vote for a person whose name does not appear on the ballot, the voter shall write in the name of the person of his or her choice in the space provided, and fill in the oval or connect the arrow next to the write-in line. On referendum questions, the voter shall fill in the oval or connect the arrow next to “yes” if in favor of the question or fill in the oval or connect the arrow next to “no” if opposed to the question. Where Touch Screen Voting

Official Ballot Nonpartisan Office Presidential Preference Vote April 7, 2020 Democratic Party

To vote for a name on the ballot, make an “X” or other mark in the square next to the name, like this: 7 To vote for a name that is not on the ballot, write the name on the line marked “write-in.” Special Instructions for Presidential Preference Vote In Presidential Preference Vote: x You may vote for only ONE candidate. x You may vote on only ONE party’s ballot. x If you vote more than once for President, your vote will not be counted. Choose the party ballot on which you will vote. On the party ballot you have chosen, you have ONE of 3 choices: 1. Vote for a candidate whose name is printed on this ballot. 2. Vote for an uninstructed delegation from Wisconsin to o the national convention tion of the party you have chosen. 3.. Write 3 W it in i the th name off another th person to become the presidential pre pr candidate andidate of the partyy you yo have h chosen. cho

Presidential Preference Vote President of the United States Vote for 1

County County Supervisor District 12

Tulsi Gabbard Amy Klobuchar

Vote for 1 Frances Duncanson

John Delaney

write-in:

Deval Patrick Bernie Sanders

Andrew Yang Pete Buttigieg Tom Steyer Elizabeth Warren Michael Bennet Michael R. Bloomberg g Joe Biden en

Uninstructed Delegation

Multi-Jurisdictional Judge

Municipal Judge for: Town of Clear Lake, Village of Clayton, Village of Clear Lake City of Amery Vote for 1 Chelsea ea A. Whitley write-in: write-in te in:

write-in: B Begin Nonpartis ffice es Nonpartisan Off Offices Judicial udicia Justice ustice of the Supreme Supre Court our Vote ote for 1 Jill J. Karof Karofsky Daniel Kelly Ke Daniel write-in: writ

Presidential Preference Presidentia refere Vote begins at top of next column column.

*The e sample ballot for County Board Supervisor is an example for District Twelve only. Below are the remaining supervisory districts along with the candidate names for that contest. District 1 – Brad Olson Michael Noreen District 2 – Doug Route District 3 – Steven Warndahl Lisa Doerr District 4 – Chris Nelson District 5 – Tracy LaBlanc

District 6 – Brian Masters Mike Miles District 7 – Michael Prichard District 8 – James Edgell District 9 – Kim A. O’Connell

District 10 – Tom Magnafici Amy Middleton District 11 – Jay Luke District 13 – Russell E. Arcand District 14 – John Bonneprise District 15 – Joe Demulling

Lisa R. Ross Polk County Clerk WNAXLP

Polk County Notice to Voters: If you are voting on Election Day, your ballot must be initialed by two election inspectors. If you are voting absentee, your ballot must be initialed by the municipal clerk or deputy clerk. Your ballot may not be counted without initials. (See back of ballot for initials.) Instructions to Voters If you make a mistake on your ballot or have a question, ask an election inspector for help. (Absentee Voters: Contact your municipal clerk.) To vote for a name on the ballot, make an “X” or other mark in the square next to the name, like this: 7 To vote for a name that is not on the ballot, write the name on the line marked “write-in.” Special Instructions for Presidential Preference Vote Presidential Preference Vote In Presidential Preference Vote: President of the United States Vote for 1 x You may vote for only ONE candidate. Donald J. Trump x You may vote on only ONE Uninstructed Delegation party’s ballot. write-in: x If you vote more than once for Begin Nonpartisan Offices President, your vote will not be counted. Choose the party ballot on which you will vote. On the party ballot you have chosen, you have ONE of 3 choices: 1. Vote for a candidate whose is ballot. name is printed on this e for an uninstructed 2. Vote e delegation from Wisconsin to the national convention of the party hav chosen. you have 3 Write ite in the name me of o another an 3. p to become the he presidential presi pr person candida andidate of the party arty you have ha candidate chose chosen. Preside en tial Prefe Preference ce Vote Vot Presidential beg ns a at top op of next column. begins

Continue voting at top of next column.

ments and inspectors’ initials on the outside do show. The voter shall deposit the voted ballot in the ballot box or the deliver the ballot to an election inspector for deposit and deposit any un-voted ballots in the discard box. The voter shall leave the polling place promptly. After an official optical scan ballot is marked, it shall be inserted in the security sleeve, so the marks do not show. The voter shall insert the ballot in the voting device and discard the sleeve or deliver the ballot to an inspector for deposit. Where a central count system is used, the voter shall insert the ballot in the ballot box and discard the sleeve or deliver it to an inspector for deposit. The voter shall leave the polling place promptly. After an official touch screen ballot is cast, the voter shall leave the polling place promptly. A voter may select an individual to assist in casting his or her vote if the voter declares to the presiding official that he or she is unable to read, has difficulty reading, writing, or understanding English, or that due to disability is unable to cast his or her ballot. The selected individual rendering assistance may not be the voter’s employer or an agent of that employer or an officer or agent of a labor organization which represents the voter. The following is a sample of the official ballot:

Official Ballot Nonpartisan Office Presidential Preference Vote April 7, 2020 Republican Party

is Used The voter shall touch the screen at the name of the candidate of his or her choice for each office for which he or she intends to vote. To vote for a person whose name does not appear on the ballot, the voter shall type in the name of the person of his or her choice in the space provided for a write-in vote. On referendum questions, the voter shall touch the screen at “yes” if in favor of thequestions, or the voter shall touch the screen at “no” if opposed to the question. The vote shall not be cast in any other manner. Not more than five minutes’ time shall be allowed inside a voting booth. Sample ballots or other materials to assist the voter in marking his or her ballot may be taken into the booth and copied. The sample ballot shall not be shown to anyone so as to reveal how the ballot is marked. Spoiled Ballots If a voter spoils a paper or optical scan ballot, he or she shall return it to an election official who shall issue another ballot in its place, but not more than three ballots shall be issued to any one voter. If the ballot has not been initialed by two inspectors or is defective in any other way, the voter shall return it to the election official who shall issue a proper ballot in its place. The voter may spoil a touch screen ballot at the voting station before the ballot is cast. After Voting the Ballot After an official paper ballot is marked, it shall be folded so the inside marks do not show, but so the printed endorse-

County County Supervisor District 1 Vote for 1 Brad Olson Michael Noreen write-in:

Judicial Justice of the Supreme Court Vote for 1 Jill J. Karofsky Daniel Kelly write-in:

top of next Continue voting at to column.

ballot *The sample b l for County Board Supervisor is an example for District One only. Below are the remaining supervisory districts along with the candidate names for that contest. District 2 – Doug Route District 3 – Steven Warndahl Lisa Doerr District 4 – Chris Nelson District 5 – Tracy LaBlanc District 8 – James Edgell

District 6 – Brian Masters Mike Miles District 7 – Michael Prichard District 8 – James Edgell District 9 – Kim A. O’Connell District 10 – Tom Magnafici Amy Middleton

District 11 – Jay Luke District 12 – Frances Duncanson District 13 – Russell E. Arcand District 14 – John Bonneprise District 15 – Joe Demulling

APRIL 1, 2020

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14 THE SUN

APRIL 1, 2020 www.osceolasun.com

POLK COUNTY ARRESTS

Laith Ali Mohammad Alseid, 27, Forest Lake, Minn., was arrested March 4 for delivery of marijuana (party to a crime). Andrew James Nystrom, 34, Centuria, was arrested March 16 for resisting an officer and misdemeanor bail jumping. Robert Matthew Conde, 39, Osceola, was arrested March 18 for domestic disorderly conduct. Geoffrey D. Fletcher, 55, Balsam Lake, was arrested March 19 for simple battery with a domestic enhancer. Joseph Douglas Abbotts, 43, Centuria, was arrested March 19 for bail jumping.

Nathan Thomas Veesenmeyer, 37, St. Paul, Minn., was arrested March 19 for operating without a license and obstruction. Jasper Lee Homstrom, 21, Eau Claire, was arrested March 19 for possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and a probation hold. Kathleen Kay Huntington, 57, Luck, was arrested March 20 for resisting an officer and misdemeanor bail jumping. Shannon Rae Tretsven, 49, Dresser, was arrested March 20 for possession of marijuana (party to a crime) and possession of drug paraphernalia (party to a crime).

Jaqualyne R. Bruns, 30, St. Croix Falls, was arrested March 20 for possession of marijuana (2nd), possession of drug paraphernalia (party to a crime), maintaining a drug trafficking place (party to a crime) and possession of marijuana with intent (party to a crime). Steven W. Bruns, 55, St. Croix Falls, was arrested March 20 for escaping, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana with intent (party to a crime), possession of drug paraphernalia (party to a crime), theft, maintaining a drug house and damage to property. Allen David Molter, 35,

Osceola, was arrested March 22 for resisting an officer and domestic disorderly conduct. Jason Anthony Mudgett, 39, Clear Lake, was arrested March 21 for disorderly conduct. Melissa M. Bach, 33, Osceola, was arrested March 16 for operating after revocation, failure to install ignition interlock device, probation hold/violation and possession of THC. Jeremy Joseph Snitker, 45, Almena, was arrested March 18 for failure to control vehicle, OWI (1st) and operating with prohibited alcohol content.

WORKERS: Polk County seeking poll workers for April 7 election FROM PAGE 3

Are poll workers (election inspectors) paid or volunteers? Poll workers are compensated for working at polling places at a rate determined by the appropriate municipal governing body, and, in some municipalities, are also compensated for attending any required training sessions. Poll workers may also choose to volunteer their services by filing a written declination of compensation with the municipal clerk What are the training requirements for poll workers? Municipal clerks are required by state law to provide training. This training provides all of the necessary information and knowledge to be a successful poll worker. (Many municipalities require poll workers to attend a comprehensive training course prior to each Primary election.) An experienced chief inspector who has been certified by the Wisconsin Elections Commission must be present at each polling place for each election. Chief inspectors must receive six hours of continuing election education training during each two-year period. What length of commitment will be expected? Poll workers are usually appointed to two-year terms and are generally asked to make a minimum two-year commitment. However, given the current circumstances volunteers for only the April 7 elec-

tion are appreciated and should not be expected to meet the full two-year commitment. Where will I be assigned? In smaller municipalities, there is often only one polling place. However, in larger municipalities there are multiple polling places. In larger municipalities, every effort is made to assign a poll worker to their neighborhood voting site. However, poll workers in larger municipalities such as large cities must be willing to be flexible and consider assignments at other sites. You may also be asked to serve in another municipality in your county if there is a greater need to volunteers outside of your municipality. What are the qualifications to be a poll worker (election inspector)? To be a poll worker, a person must: - Be an adult citizen of the United States who has resided in the County, and who is not otherwise disqualified to vote - Be able to read and write fluently in the English language - NOT be a candidate for any office to be voted on at the polling place at that election. How do I become a poll worker? If you are interested in becoming a poll worker you should apply directly to your town, village or city clerk. Can I be excused from my regular job to be a poll worker? Wisconsin law requires every employer to grant an unpaid leave of absence to each employee who

is appointed to serve as an election official, if the employee who serves as an election official provides their employer with at least seven days’ notice. The leave is for the entire 24-hour period of each election day in which the employee serves in their official capacity as an election official. Upon request of any employer municipal clerks must verify appointments. How do state employees become poll workers? Wisconsin Statutes provide that state employees appointed by a municipal clerk to serve as election officials must be granted leave without loss of pay or benefits for the entire 24-hour period of each election day in which the employee is serving as an election official. Employees must provide at least seven days’ notice of the need for leave. State employees may certify to the municipality that they choose not to be paid as poll workers. Alternatively, those state employees who receive pay as election officials must certify in writing to the (state) payroll office the amount of compensation received. The agency must deduct that amount from the employee’s pay earned for scheduled work hours during the 24-hour period of the election day. State employees who “volunteer” but are not appointed to be poll workers must take vacation or leave without pay if authorized by supervisory staff.

CHURCHES: Area churches connect with parishioners virtually FROM PAGE 7

members as much as possibly throughout the week. Christ Lutheran is putting out almost daily email blasts to their congregation as well as hosting various other online gatherings on Facebook and Zoom. For those unable to access the internet, Martin is sending out mailings that detail the worship themes of the week to those who need it. They’ve also implemented a calling tree. “We also started a pretty extensive calling tree for families in the congregation to call each other and check in,” he said. “Especially those who are older or more isolated and don’t have access to lots of people.” Not celebrating mass together means donation baskets that

would normally be passed around every Sunday are sitting empty on the ends of each pew. Most churches have some kind of online giving system set up already, but Pastor Martin at Christ Lutheran said that problem looms large in uncertain times. “The longer this goes the bigger hit this will be for most if not all churches,” he said. “Part of that has to do with the fact that this virus is affecting a lot of jobs and the economy, so of course it’s effecting churches too.” Peterson said their church system does have some reserves put away for when these kind of situations come up, but that doesn’t mean they’re not worried about the future. “Right now it’s pretty slim pickings,” he said. “This a big operation, it takes a lot of money to keep

everything going.” The emotional impact of canceling church services is also being felt, by parishioners and church staff alike. “It’s a stark reminder that life is unpredictable,” Martin said. “Our best hopes of keeping ourselves on one plan or keeping ourselves completely safe — there is no such thing.” He said leaning on God will help everyone get through times like these. “Faith is a place where we find strength and support and the love we receive from God is a sustaining power that sees us through these days of unknown,” he said. “And it reminds us that whether we’re walking through dark valleys or high mountain tops that God goes with us.”

BREAD: Pizzeria shares bread kits FROM PAGE 6

overwhelming. He was able to put together 100 kits with the product he had available at the Pizzeria and gave away all of them in less than 24 hours. “From Thursday afternoon to Friday afternoon they were gone,” he said. All Vanderbent asked in return for the kits was that families would take a photo of the bread and share it with him on social media. “I got all kinds of pictures,” he said. Vanderbent said at a time when stress levels at home are high, something as simple as baking fresh bread with the family can be a godsend. “It’s a good chemistry lesson for kids and a good bonding time for families,” he said. Families who showed up for the bread kits were overjoyed and happy to have something to take their minds off everything that’s going on around them. “People were really thankful and people I hadn’t seen in a long time were stopping in or messaging us,” He said. “It was just kind of a neat community thing.” Vanderbent said in uncertain times like these, he takes comfort in his faith. “When I feel worried about stuff I feel a lot of comfort in knowing that I’m not in control and that’s OK,” he said. But for those who do feel stressed or scared or uncomfortable, he hopes the smell of a loaf of freshly baked bread can help return some sense of calmness. “It smells like growing up and being comfortable,” he said. “When you knew Mom and Dad were in control and you didn’t have anything to worry about. It’s a childlike faith that everything’s going to be OK.”

OWI: Man charged 5th OWI FROM PAGE 9

squad, and he said he did not see it. As the officer was speaking with Justice, they allegedly could smell the strong odor of intoxicants coming from the vehicle. They could also tell he had slurred thick-tongued speech. After stepping out of his vehicle, the officer could allegedly see Justice had glossy, dilated, bloodshot eyes. They also saw there were open cans of beer laying on the floor of the vehicle behind the passenger’s seat. According to the

report, when asked if he had been drinking, Justice said he had been. He said his last drink was approximately three hours prior. Throughout the officer’s contact with Justice, he said multiple times he made a mistake and he shouldn’t have been driving. Justice was asked to complete a Preliminary Breath Test and agreed. It gave a result of .214. Justice was arrested and brought to the Polk County Jail. If convicted he is facing 10 years in prison and $25,000 in fines.

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BENNETT: Youth turkey hunt FROM PAGE 15

and other predators get a head start on nesting. Cardinals usually begin the bird songs, followed by chickadees, blue jays and crows. Waking hen turkeys will fit in with yelps from their tree roosts. About that time a loud gobbler will announce his presence to the world and any hen in the county. That first gobble will set off a series of gobbles from the next closest Tom in a tree to others on

that ridgeline, on down through the valley and into the distance. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve often wondered how long that chain can run when spring gobblers are in the mood as they set up their territories and gather their harems. They are also saying that any other gobbler coming too close will have a fight on their hands. The spring turkey woods is a classroom alive with new growth, blooming wildflowers, baby animals, rivers flowing, insects hatching and tree buds

ready to burst. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a classroom that opens minds, asks questions, stimulates thinking, tests skills and causes conversations. It creates concepts, ideas, stirs cognitive growth and provides exercise. It shows us that we are just a piece in the grand scheme of things and not the ones in control. Jim Bennett is an outdoorsman who lives and worked in the St. Croix River Valley and can be reached at jamesbennett24@gmail. com

HOROSCOPES

ARIES â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Mar 21/Apr 20 Things are not always what they seem, Aries. Keep this in mind when dealing or working with people you have never met. It may take some time to ďŹ gure things out. TAURUS â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, asking a bunch of questions may not unveil the answers you were hoping for. You may not be asking the right questions. Keep forging ahead. GEMINI â&#x20AC;&#x201C; May 22/Jun 21 The ability to listen is an important skill, Gemini. This ability is especially valuable when others come to you for advice. Listen intently and do your best to help. CANCER â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Jun 22/Jul 22 Cancer, even if things do not entirely make sense this week, you can glean certain bits of

CLUES ACROSS 1. Bond villain Mikkelsen 5. A teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best pitcher 8. French river 12. Mountain nymph (Greek) 14. City of Angels airport 15. Military force 16. Scrawny 18. Value 19. One billionth of a second (abbr.) 20. Highly seasoned sausage 21. Trouble 22. Prong 23. Showing varying colors 26. Cloaked 30. Renters sign one 31. Acquires 32. Type of language (abbr.) 33. Partner to pains 34. Third portion of the small intestine 39. Excessively theatrical actor 42. Infraction 44. Classical music for the stage 46. Slogged 47. One who terminates 49. Breakfast is an important one 50. Moved earth 51. Medical procedures 56. Genus of clams 57. Not well 58. Comparative ďŹ gure of speech 59. Covered thinly with gold 60. Principle underlying the universe 61. A parentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sisters 62. Professional engineering group 63. Coniferous tree 64. Impudence

CLUES DOWN 1. Female parents

information here and there that can help you to paint the bigger picture. LEO â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Jul 23/Aug 23 Leo, imitation is the highest form of ďŹ&#x201A;attery. Keep a keen eye on someone you admire at work, and then try to mirror this person in your actions. VIRGO â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Aug 24/Sept 22 Virgo, certain responsibilities may seem like a drain on your time. But right now you are not seeing how even small tasks can add up to big results in the end. Remain patient. LIBRA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Sept 23/Oct 23 Libra, certain battles cannot be won no matter how hard you try. Do not focus unnecessary energy on things that cannot be scaled. Direct your focus to more inportant projects. SCORPIO â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Oct 24/Nov 22

A project you started may come to a screeching halt, Scorpio. This does not mean you should abandon it entirely. It just means you will have to take a brief hiatus and restart. SAGITTARIUS â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Nov 23/Dec 21 Sagittarius, people naturally want to be around you, but sometimes you need to take a step back and focus on yourself. Clear your schedule for some personal time this week. CAPRICORN â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Dec 22/Jan 20 Spring is a time of new beginnings, Capricorn. You may be presented with several new opportunities. Travel, a new job or even expanding your family may be in the cards. AQUARIUS â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Jan 21/Feb 18 Aquarius, even if you do not have all the answers, you can take steps that address many

of the changes that have occurred in your life lately. PISCES â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Feb 19/Mar 20 Channel your creativity into projects that let you express yourself, Pisces. Artwork, writing and crafting are a few examples. FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS MARCH 29 Elle Macpherson, Model (56) MARCH 30 Celine Dion, Singer (52) MARCH 31 Christopher Walken, Actor (77) APRIL 1 Mackenzie Davis, Actress (33) APRIL 2 Clark Gregg, Actor (58) APRIL 3 Paris Jackson, Model (22) APRIL 4 Robert Downey, Jr., Actor (55)

hese are some crazy times. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m having a hard time coming up with the right words to express how Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m feeling. Are you? Is anyone else feeling lost? One minute Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m mad, the next Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sad. Then, a moment of peace will wash over me when I see my two college age sons working on a household project together, and I smile. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m trying to be kind to myself. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy to add more pressure. Social media shows pictures of food and meals we â&#x20AC;&#x153;shouldâ&#x20AC;? be cooking weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re at home. Wild Chow since Instead, during a time like this we should make food that makes Lisa Erickson us feel happy and normalâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and with ingredients we can get and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s safe. So, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m trying to stay off social media and the news website (and anywhere else that makes me feel pressure). Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the simple things that make us feel a little more normal. Things like reading a book, long walks, and baking the things my family loves make me better. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got this. We can make a difference, even if all we do is make some banana bread and read a book. Best Banana Bread 2 cups flour 1 cup sugar 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp baking powder Â˝ tsp salt 1/3 cup buttermilk or 2 Tbsp buttermilk powder 3 bananas 2 eggs Âź cup butter, melted Âź cup coconut oil, melted 1 tsp vanilla Preheat oven to 350Âş. Grease a loaf pan with butter and set aside. Place the bananas in a blender and blend until smooth. Add the eggs and mix for a couple seconds. Add the butter, coconut oil, and buttermilk or add the buttermilk powder to the dry mix and blend again. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and buttermilk powder if using. Add the banana mixture, stirring until combined. Pour into prepared pan. Bake for 50-60 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool and slice. Serve with butter. Lisa Erickson is a food columnist who loves adventure and food. You can find more recipes at www. wild-chow.com or email her at wildchowrecipes@ gmail.com.

2. Region 3. Transaction 4. Heroic tale 5. Of algae 6. Luminous intensity unit 7. Uncovers 8. French commune name 9. Poisonous gas 10. Pearl Jamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bassist 11. Horse groom in India 13. Destroyed

17. A way to alter 24. Promotional materials 25. American state 26. Extinct ďŹ&#x201A;ightless bird of New Zealand 27. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Modern Familyâ&#x20AC;? network 28. Last or greatest in an indeďŹ nitely large series 29. Exercise system __-bo 35. Type of bulb 36. Opposite of beginning 37. Utilize 38. Type of student 40. DeďŹ ciency of moisture

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McRaeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s U.S. Mail Service, Inc. is a fast growing, family owned company based out of West Allis, WI, and is looking to hire 1 full-time and 2 part-time Class A CDL employees. Successful applicants will be responsible for hauling U.S. Mail between Eagan, MN - La Crosse, WI. This opportunity does provide a Âżexible schedule with state-of-the-art equipment. Details: The route runs from 10:00pm-5:30am Wednesday-Sunday nights. Potentially more hours available on Mondays and Tuesdays if desired. This is an immediate opening. $22.75 Base pay + $1.07 Holiday pay per hour + $5.11 Fringe (401k and/or Health Insurance) After a year with us you will get an additional $1.05/hour for vacation pay. Requirements: â&#x20AC;˘ Class A CDL with Air Brakes â&#x20AC;˘ Clean driving record â&#x20AC;˘ Ability to obtain a U.S. Postal badge â&#x20AC;˘ DOT Pre-Employment Drug Test â&#x20AC;˘ 1-year tractor-trailer driving experience â&#x20AC;˘ Must have a veriÂžable job history

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18 THE SUN

APRIL 1, 2020 www.osceolasun.com

WIAA: Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association suffers ﬁnancial loss from state tourney cancellations FROM PAGE 11

hand, at least regarding boys basketball. WIAA was notified by University of Wisconsin-Madison that The Kohl Center – which hosts both the high school boys basketball state finals and home games for UW-Madison basketball and hokey – would not be available for the playoff games, scheduled to start this weekend. UW-Green Bay – the host site for the girls basketball state finals – followed suit before the end of the week, also deciding to close its doors for an unde-

termined amount of time in an effort to prevent spreading the virus. Therefore, multiple days of potential revenue from two different sites were effectively lost for WIAA. According to Clark, financial and emergency planning by WIAA should prevent these cancelations from becoming catastrophic for the non-profit. “From what I understand, there’s always a reserve (fund) with state athletic associations,” he said. “We’ve been pretty good about not overspending and from reports we’ve heard, there isn’t financial jeopardy, even though most of the operating budget is derived from

(state final) ticket sales. “But we’re still busy trying to figure-out the entire impact.” Clark and other WIAA employees had little time between confirmation of cancelations and the end of the week to research state athletics history, but he doesn’t recall another instance of such postseason scheduling chaos during his time. “We think the last time something like this has happened in Wisconsin was during World War II,” he said. “Some sports had rations and were cutting-down on miles traveled. That year, they took results from sectionals

to determine state champions.” While that won’t be the case in this instance, WIAA and school administrations statewide now shift focus to spring sports, which are likely to have at least a delayed start. Wisconsin governor Tony Evers announced a mandatory temporary close to schools K-12 today, if not earlier. This, just two weeks before the scheduled start of spring sports like baseball and softball. “We’re continuing to talk to health officials and the situation seems to be ever-evolving,” Clark said.

...radishes, herbs and flowers.

We are going to plant seeds for...

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There are many jobs to be done after a long winter. People in the city, town and country all do spring cleaning and chores based on their needs. Read the clues to fill in the crossword with chores. How many of these jobs have you seen people doing? How many did you help to do? (Hint: use a pencil to fill in the clues below first. This is tricky!)

Kids: color stuff in!

It’s Time for... !!! Spring Cleaning Wow! Look what I’m finding under 2 your bed!

4 3 7

1. ___________ messy closets 2. ___________ your warmer weather 6 clothes that have been in storage 3. ___________ seeds so you can watch things grow 4. ___________ flowers to give the house some color 5. ___________ sidewalks that have gathered sand and dirt 6. ___________ fences that have been damaged during the winter 7. ___________ out your house with a fresh crisp breeze W 8. ___________ storm windows with screens H 9. ___________ driveways so that we can move cars about easily 10. ___________ the overgrown grass on the lawn O 11. ___________ weeds from the garden O 12. ___________ the furniture in your room for a new look S 13. ___________ the dust out of rugs H 14. ___________ soot from the chimney 15. ___________ the overgrown bushes 16. wash and __________ the car 17. ___________ clean the dirty carpet 18. ___________ laundry to dry on a clothesline

brush

hang

organize

5 11

10 8

9 17

12 14

pull

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15 16

sweep

trim

beat

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to w n o H lea C our . Y om Ro

sow

air 18

pave

mow

steam

polis

unpack repair

water

A good spring cleaning after winter is almost a pleasure to complete. Then, once our homes are in order, we are ready for sunny, warm summer. Yikes!

Can You Clean Up These Messes? Have you ever heard of “slang”? It is a way of talking that is a little different from the standard English in books. For example, if I say, “Boy, we really cleaned up at the garage sale,” I am telling you that we made a lot of money, not that I put away all the things we had for sale. Can you match these slang expressions to their meanings? 1. clean sweep 2. clean out 3. clean hands 4. come clean 5. keep one’s nose clean

A. to stay out of trouble B. to win everything C. innocent, has done nothing wrong D. to take everything, empty E. confess, tell the whole story

How many of these DUST KITTIES did I find under your bed? Look around the whole page. Put your answer in the biggest bubble. ou p? Can y u n a le c e to em? rake ht you us ush and circle th ig m s g in r h b t t b a u r r Wh mop ladde in the sc s m e it e brush hose broom find thes r e n a le c il pa sponges water vacuum ls e soap rags paper tow l re r x wa trash ba ers p p li c e hedg

S J H T P F V M O O R B N I M A G K J H E D G E S O H

Z A L E R R A B F S W L I H J F B L L J R E D L E A N E R W B V A C U U M C R U S H T A H A U D I W D F B U S L E W O B J T D A T Y E Z G I H G A L A W D E J B F K B K J Y O X H T G R R G F A A E C L I P P E R S

H G H J T I

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A J Y N E A

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SEE ANSWERS, PAGE 19

APRIL 1, 2020

THE SUN

www.osceolasun.com

NFPA urges added caution around home ﬁre safety

2018 Polk County Platbooks Available!

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Cooking, heating, and electrical equipment are among the leading causes of U.S. home ﬁres

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Ser Serving erving ving Polk Polk County’s County County unty’s ’s St. St. Croix Croix i Valley Vallley since since 1897 si 1897 7

108 Cascade Street Osceola

Delivering Your Community

March 25, 2020 – As the public largely remains at home in response to COVID-19, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) urges added caution around home fire safety in the days and weeks ahead. According to NFPA, cooking, heating, and electrical equipment are among the leading causes of home fires yearround. “We already see the majority of fires happening in homes,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of Outreach and Advocacy at NFPA. “As people spend much more time at home and engage in activities that significantly contribute to the home fire problem, it’s critical that they recognize where potential hazards exist and what they can do to prevent fires.” Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and is responsible for nearly half (49 percent) of all reported home fires involving cooking equipment. Moreover, unattended cooking is the leading cause of home cooking fires, meaning that home cooking fires occur most often when people aren’t keeping a close eye on what they’re cooking. “As many households are now dealing with unusual rou-

Kitchen Supervisor The Amery Housing Authority is seeking a part-time kitchen supervisor at its Evergreen Village facility. This person will oversee and perform lunch serving duties and clean up for the catered lunch time meal. The meal is served cafeteria style to the elderly residents. You will assist residents with getting their meal and deliver some to the tables. You will be responsible for the after meal clean up of the lunch room as well as the kitchen. We require one year food service experience with knowledge of safeserv certification. Supervisory experience preferred. The hours for this position are Monday – Friday 11am – 3pm. and most Holidays. Request an application from the Amery Housing Office 715-268-2500 or email your resume to aha@ameryhousing.org.

Serving Polk County’s St. Croix Valley since 1897

Evergreen Village

Busting Dust! 1. dust 2. dust bunnies 3. an item is “collecting dust” 4. the flies “bit the dust” 5. the lead runner left the others “in the dust” 6. I’m going to “dust off” my hobby box 7. when she works she “makes the dust fly”

Can You Clean Up These Messes? T M B A H E

S P O N G E S

J F O I K D O

H V R M J G H

W H B A H E

B A J W T C

V U T D G L

L A D D E R I

L C I A J R P

J U W T B G P

R U D Y F F E

E M F E K A R

D C B Z B A S

L F L R U G K P

E S E U S I J

R W A S L H Y

R L N H E G O

A I E T W A X

B H R A O L

H G H J T I

S O A P R U

A J Y N E

R H G M P

A B A A A B A

T G F B A

L I A P

The Amery Housing Authority is an equal housing opportunity employer.

It’s Time for... !!! Spring Cleaning 1 O 6

G A N I Z E

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5 S 10 M O W 9 P E R A N G E 14 V 15 16 P O B E A T R R I U M S H

11 P U L L

17 S T E H A M I

en utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains — away from your stovetop. • Make sure all handles are turned inward, away from where someone can grab a hot handle or tip a pan over. • Be on alert. If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol, refrain from using the stove or stovetop. • If you have young children in your home, create a “kidfree zone” of at least 3 feet (1 meter) around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried. Heating • Keep anything that can burn at least three feet (one meter) away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater. • Have a three-foot (one meter) “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters. • Never use your oven to heat your home. • Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed. • Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel burning space heaters. • Install and maintain carbon monoxide (CO) alarms to avoid the risk of CO poisoning. If you smell gas in your gas heater, do not light the appliance. Leave the home immediately and call your local fire department or gas company. Electrical • When charging smart-

phones and other digital devices, only use the charging cord that came with the device. • Do not charge a device under your pillow, on your bed or on a couch. • Only use one heat-producing appliance (such as a coffee maker, toaster, space heater, etc.) plugged into a receptacle outlet at a time. • Major appliances (refrigerators, dryers, washers, stoves, air conditioners, microwave ovens, etc.) should be plugged directly into a wall receptacle outlet. Extension cords and plug strips should not be used. • Check electrical cords to make sure they are not running across doorways or under carpets. Extension cords are intended for temporary use. • Use a light bulb with the right number of watts. There should be a sticker that indicates the right number of watts. In addition, smoke alarms should be located on every level of the home, in each bedroom, and near all sleeping areas. Test them monthly to make sure they’re working. NFPA also strongly encourages households develop and practice a home escape plan to ensure that everyone knows what to do in a fire and can escape quickly and safely. For a wealth of NFPA resources and information on home fire safety, visit www. nfpa.org/Public-Education.

PARKER HANNIFIN CORPORATION

General Assembler

Location/Shift: Grantsburg, WI - 2nd Shift (4/10’s)

Physical Requirements: • Continuously lifting and moving light weight material (1-15 lbs.) • Frequently lifting and moving average weight material (15-35 lbs) • Occasionally lifting and moving weight material up to 40 lbs. • Standing is required for this position Primary Duties – Assembly: • Assemble quick release couplings • Operate all assembly equipment • Package completed assemblies for shipment • Verify the function of the product • Participate in continuous improvement opportunities and help implement them by using the A3 and 3 legged 5 why tools • Ensure quality standards are met in all processes • Follow standard work and work instructions • Maintain clean work environment using 5S principle • Work in a safe manner, complying with all safety policies and procedures • Maintain a minimum 90% daily attainment level

Terry Forrest, Exec. Director, Amery Housing Authority 300 Harriman Ave N | Amery, WI 54001 | 715-268-2500

<www.osceolasun.com> Did you match these slang expressions to their meanings? A. to stay out of trouble 1. clean sweep B. to win everything 2. clean out C. innocent; has done 3. clean hands nothing wrong 4. come clean D. to take everything; 5. keep one’s empty nose clean E. confess, tell the whole story

tines and out-of-the-ordinary circumstances, such as kids home from school and parents working from home, there’s greater potential for distracted cooking,” said Carli. NFPA statistic show that heating equipment is the second-leading cause of home fires, resulting in an average of 52,050 home fires each year. Electrical distribution or lighting equipment is involved in an annual average of 35,100 home fires. “For much of the country, heating systems are still in use and in many cases, for more hours than usual,” said Carli. “In addition, with everyone at home, people may be using the same outlets to charge phones, laptops and other digital equipment, which also presents a fire hazard.” With these concerns in mind, NFPA reminds the public to use best practices for staying fire-safe during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond: Cooking • Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove. • If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking. • Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wood-

N G

Minimum Qualifications: • Good verbal and written communication skills • Good dexterity • Attention to detail through visual inspection • Able to effectively work independently and in a team environment • Motivated and have a can-do attitude Parker Hannifin is a Fortune 500 Company and a worldwide leader in the manufacture of motion and control. We offer a comprehensive compensation package that includes a competitive salary, quarterly profit sharing plan, 401(k) plan with match, pension plan, as well as flexible medical, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits.

Apply thru www.parker.com Parker Hannifin is an EEO/AA Employer/ Women and Minorities are encouraged to apply.

THE SUN

APRIL 1, 2020 www.osceolasun.com

Fees waived at state, county parks County parks in Washington County, Minn. and State parks in Wisconsin have waived their entrance fees and remain open during the COVID-19 outbreak. “Staying home as much as possible is the best way to lower COVID-19 infection rates, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, should you need a place with space, getting outdoors has both physical and mental benefits,” read a press release from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The DNR still recommends maintaining appropriate distances should you venture out to parks in the area. They advise visitors to not congregate in restrooms, self-registration stations or electronic kiosks. They

also recommend not arriving or gathering in groups of more than 10 people and to maintain 6 feet of distance between all people in your party. Across the river in Washington County, all county parks have also waived their fees. The order was initially supposed to expire on March 24 but the Washington County Board of Commissioners extended the initiative until April 7. “It is important for people to have a place to be outdoors during the coronavirus-related shutdown,” the board said in a statement released on March 18. Although fees have been waived and the parks remain open, many other facilities at the parks have been closed. Beginning on March 24, all Wis-

consin state park offices, visitors’ centers and non-essential buildings were closed for the duration of the public health emergency. Bathrooms at the parks will remain open as long as there are enough resources to maintain them. Campsites are closed as well until April 30 and no new reservations will be accepted during that time. For those who had already reserved campsites or space at parks for special events, the DNR will be reaching out individually to issue refunds. Wisconsin hunting and fishing seasons remain un-impacted. As long as a person possesses a license and are taking part in activities within normal seasons, hunting and fishing are allowed.

Polk County Information Center closed Governor Evers issued a “Safer at Home” policy effective immediately, March 24, 2020. The Polk County Information Center has been closed since. Staff will be checking the phones from home, and updating

events and activities on Facebook, County and State Websites. We are counting on businesses and event planners to contact us for their updates. If you need to contact us by phone our number is 715-483-1410, email us at info@

polkctytourism.com or visit us at Facebook at the Polk County Information Center. Thanks for your understanding during this time. Be safe and we will get through this if everyone works together.

Salvation Army provides essential services The Salvation Army in Polk County continues to serve those in the most need during the COVID-19 Crisis. In Polk County, The Salvation Army is currently: sheltering the homeless, continuing to feed hungry kids through the Backpack Program and helping those in need of electric or rent assistance. These services are so important to the community and The Polk County Salvation Army will continue to serve throughout the pandemic. The organization is considered an essential non-profit and is remaining open to serve the most vulnerable in our communities. The Polk County Salvation

Army office, like many other organizations, is actively implementing safety procedures including sanitizing, cleaning, hand washing and social distancing. The organization is asking that those needing assistance, please call 715-263-2900 before venturing out. Director Duana Bremer said, “Often times, we can help people in emergency situations over the phone. Our main goal is to ensure safety and health of the individuals we are helping, our community and our staff.” The Backpack program that helps to feed hungry kids in Polk County has been busier than ever. The Polk County Salvation

Army relies heavily on donations from the community in order to continue its services. Bremer said, They are anticipating a significant increase in the demand for services due to the COVID-19 crisis. If you can help they would appreciate it. Financial donations to help the organization can be sent to: Polk County Salvation Army PO BOX 129 Clear Lake WI 54005. The organization has an active Facebook page where updates are posted. That can be found by searching Facebook for Polk County Salvation Army or visit their website at www.SAserenityhome.org .

POLK COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS

hether you have a huge yard or simply a large container you can have a garden. This week’s column will address vegetable gardens. The first step is to determine what of Columnist types vegetable you like. Julie Kuehl For

some it may be as simple as fresh tomatoes in which case you can go to your favorite nursery and purchase a tomato plant, large container (at least 14”), soil (I like Miracle Grow), a cage to stake your tomato as it grows and a sunny spot (6 hours of sunlight is necessary. For others you may want to plant a salsa garden in which case you will want to use an extra large container, purchase a meaty variety of tomato, two hot pepper

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plants and a cilantro plant. Onions are cheap and easily purchased. A tip to remember with container planting is to be sure to keep plants watered. Some may want to plant a larger garden. Determine which veggies you want to grow and how much space you will need (most seed packets or plant tags can help with this - rule of thumb would be 18” to enable easy access). A 16x20 garden will feed a family of 4. Your garden requires at least 5-6 hours of sunlight. Make sure the spot you want to plant has been worked up so that planting can be done easily. You may wish to add some compost to make sure there are adequate nutrients to grow your veggies. Always leave enough room between plants such as tomatoes, peppers, etc. for them to spread and still be able to walk around to weed and harvest. You will need to make sure that you have ready access

to water as you will need to water at least once a week depending on rain. Keeping on top of weeding your garden is a good idea. A third choice would be to have a raised garden. Saves bending. You may want to check out the community garden beds available through the City of Amery. A few tips for first time vegetable gardeners: onions, carrots and radishes are some vegetables that give you one vegetable per plant; others such as, cucumbers, zucchini, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, etc. will give you large quantities of produce. Always be sure to read the information on packets or plant tags. Remember to start small. You can plant “cool weather” veggies such as lettuce or radishes in with your tomato plant and harvest before tomato is too large. Make sure to keep your garden watered during extremely hot weather.

SYRUP: Syrup made since 1897 FROM PAGE 1

matic much of this process and an industrial size maple syrup production looks vastly different from the Rochel’s. These productions have thousands of trees interconnected by a series of plastic tubes that run the syrup into vats the size of a small Volkswagen. The whole situation looks vaguely like something out of War of the Worlds and is decidedly less romantic than tin buckets and a wood-fired evaporator. The Rochels prefer this more nostalgic version of the process, and every spring for 6 to 8 weeks they take to the woods to make syrup in the same way they have for the last 120 years. The Rochels’ first sugar bush was erected in 1897, in the same spot where it stands today. The building has changed of course, but the traditions have remained the same. Although no official title has been bestowed, the syrup making CEO of the family is Steve Rochel Sr. He’s on the taller side and thin, in good shape for his age with his jeans tucked into rubber boots, nonchalantly signifying there’s work to be done. He represents the family’s third generation of syrup makers and drives the 75 miles to the farm from his current home in Danbury, Wisc. almost every day during the syrup season to tend the fire and watch over the sugar bush. Steve Sr. learned how to make syrup from his dad Bernard, whose father Ben Rochel started the operation at a time when making syrup was more of a necessity than a hobby. Ben ran a dairy farm on the same property he used to produce syrup. In the springtime farmers had little income and syrup became a way to stay afloat during lean months. In the early 1900s Ben’s wife Anna died shortly after she’d given birth to Bernard and his twin sister Betty, leaving Ben to raise and put food on the table for two newborns and his four other children. That spring when it came time to tap the trees and make syrup, Ben would bundle the twins up, lay them down next to the evaporator’s fire to stay warm and make syrup all night. As the sun rose he’d return to the farm, put them to bed and head to the barn to milk cows. The modern version of the Rochel’s syrup season is more like a family reunion. They don’t market their syrup, but sell and give it away to family and friends. It’s stories like Bernard warming his newborn son by the fire while he made syrup that keeps them coming back to the sugar bush year after year.

The Rochel family is currently on their fourth generation of syrup makers. Steve Sr. has seven siblings with a large age range between them, which makes for a big family. His son Steve Jr. helps him run the show, along with Steve Sr.’s brothers and a smattering of other cousins, nieces and nephews. As sweet as a jug of maple syrup is, time spent together every spring trumps the end product of their hard work. “It keeps us getting together,” Steve Jr. said. “A lot of time when your grandparents are gone there’s nothing to pull families together.” As the family gathered around the outpost on a dim March afternoon, a sweet smell hung in a halo around the sugar bush. The evaporator, doing what it does best, released vast amounts of steam into the shack like an open-air sauna and the snap, crackle and pop of the fire rounded out the atmosphere — It’s intoxicating. The Rochels laughed and talked, the sound of a beer opening broke a momentary pause in a conversation that was strictly happy. The pandemic currently sweeping the nation and throwing everyone into a haze of uncertainty and turmoil wasn’t mentioned once. The youngest Rochel present was Mandy, the daughter of Steve Sr.’s youngest brother Lance. Mandy is 20 years old and home from her sophomore year at UW-Madison. She’s outgoing and bright, with the kind of sincere interest in her family’s history that’s usually lost on someone her age. She talked with her mom Debbie about how classes are going and a spring break trip that had to be canceled when everyone was sent home in the coronavirus panic. As Mandy slipped out of earshot, Debbie quietly mentioned how hard it is having her so far away at school. They talk and face time when they can, but it’s obvious Debbie misses her daughter dearly, which makes time spent at the sugar bush that much more valuable. Steve Jr. said the family loves making syrup the old fashioned way because no one else does. It’s a lost art of sorts, passed over for faster, more efficient alternatives. Yet spending time with your family in the way the Rochel’s do has also been passed over and forgotten, replaced by families eating dinner in separate rooms watching separate screens. By continuing in their family’s footsteps, the Rochels have also preserved the tradition of happiness brought on by a family working together to create something out of nothing — A lost art in its own right.