WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 2018
Serving Polk County’s St. Croix Valley since 1897
VOL. 120 NO. 39 www.osceolasun.com $1.00
SPORTS: Track team finally competes. PAGE 19
Bookshelves campaign hits 100 and keeps climbing As the colorful Yogi Berra famously declared, “It ain’t over till it’s over.” That seems an apt description of the 100 Women/100 Bookshelves campaign, which reached its goal of 100 on April 12 and is still going strong, thanks to steady support from the community. It’s definitely not over. Since hitting 100, additional pledges have been received, with more reportedly on the way. And because the matching grant is still in effect, those additional contributions are matched dollar for dollar. “The 100 Women/100 Bookshelves initiative speaks to our shared priorities. We are a community that pulls together for the common good and the benefit of all,” states Library Director Kelly McBride. The idea for SEE BOOKSHELVES, PAGE 22
A second chance Survivor will tell story at Suicide Awareness Walk In September of 2000, Kevin Hines leaped off the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco in an attempt to end his life. He s survived and h since behas c come a globa speaker al a advocate and f mental for h health issues a suicide and Hines prevention. His will to live and stay well mentally has inspired people worldwide. He will speak May 19 at Pine Park in Balsam Lake, during Polk County’s third annual Suicide Awareness Walk. The event is an opportunity for residents of Polk County and Northwest Wisconsin to come to-
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Retired Osceola educator Mary Smith was the first contributor to the 100 Women/100 Bookshelves initiative. More than 100 others have come on board since then to honor loved ones and support the new Discovery Center library.
gether to remember loved ones lost to suicide, and raise money in support of mental health awareness and suicide prevention. It features a 5K walk and run, survivor memorials and mental health resources. Hines’s compelling story has touched diverse, global audiences within colleges and universities, high schools, corporations, clergy, military, clinicians, health and medical communities, law enforcement organizations, and other industries. Hines has reached millions with his story and thousands have told him that it helped save their lives. Hines will also appear at three Polk County high schools on Monday, May 14. With students from all eight Polk County high schools expected to attend, the Suicide Awareness Walk organizers hope to reach 2,000 kids with Kevin’s story of survival and hope. SEE STORY, PAGE 23
Polk County Board members sworn in, start new term BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM
Polk County Board members were sworn in last week at the start of a new two-year term. The oath of office was administered by Judge Daniel Tolan. The board re-elected Dean Johansen as its chair and Jay Luke as vice chair. John Bonneprise was elected second vice chair. The vice chairs can conduct a meeting or attend board-related events in the chair’s stead. The board also established its committees for the coming term, with few changes. Highway and Public Protection Jay Luke, Joe Demulling, John Bonneprise, Larry Jepsen and Doug Route. Health and Human Services: Joe Demulling, John Bonneprise, Michael Prichard, Jim Edgell and Michael
SUZANNE LINDGREN | THE SUN
Judge Daniel Tolan swore in Polk County Board members last week at the start of a new term.
Larson. General Government: Brian Masters, Dean Johansen, Chris Nelson, Russ Arcand, Larry Jepsen. Environmental Services: Tracy LaBlanc, Kim O’Connell, Jim Edgell, Brad Olson, Doug Route. Executive Committee: Chris Nelson, Jay NEWS 715-294-2314 editor@osceolasun.com
Luke, John Bonneprise, Brian Masters, Dean Johansen. Other business • The county plans to work with a search firm to find a new county administrator and director for the Community Services Division. • The Executive Committee will work to determine whether to ADVERTISING 715-294-2314 sales@osceolasun.com
build a new grandstand at the fairgrounds and, if so, to begin planning for the project. • The board extended its ATV/UTV routes, noting that all county trunk highways in unincorporated areas of Polk County are designated as ATV/UTV routes, and portions of state roads that the county has rePUBLIC NOTICES 715-294-2314 sales@osceolasun.com
ceived permission to designate as routes. Within a village or city, the route is subject to the rules of that municipality. • The board decided that participation in the trail planning subcommittee would be strictly volunteer; the county will not offer compensation to members. • Sabrina Meddaugh
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was appointed to the Health and Human Services Board as a registered nurse citizen member. Tonya Eichelt was appointed interim director of the Community Services Division. Greg Braun was appointed to the Local Emergency Planning Committee.
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