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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017 VOL. 119 NO. 46 www.osceolasun.com $1.00
SPORTS: Bents breaks 48 year old track record. PAGES 15
Youth triathlon set for River, Rails and Trails Days
Bring on the bees BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM
The Horst M. Rechelbacher Foundation and University of Minnesota Bee Lab celebrated their partnership last weekend with a “Bees, Bikes, Beer & Kites” get together at Rechelbacher’s organic farm in Osceola. Event goers made and flew kites, sipped “King Beezo,” a honey-hinted beer from Somerset’s Oliphant Brewing, and snacked on locavore fare from Amery Farm Table. An owl and kestrel visited from the U of M Raptor Center, and guests were invited to meet Rechelbacher’s animals including alpacas, miniaSEE BEES, PAGE 21
BY BRETT HART CONTRIBUTING WRITER
SUZANNE LINDGREN | THE SUN
At the Horst M. Rechelbacher Organic Farm, Nubian goats are pets who also help with invasive species control. The herd was on display Saturday at the Bees, Bikes, Beer & Kites event on the farm.
Attempted homicide charge dropped BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM
Charges of attempted homicide, drug possession and resisting an officer were dropped for former Osceola resident Paul Krueger last Friday when Polk County Judge Jeffery Anderson accepted what appears to be a plea deal. Krueger pleaded guilty to a felony count of aggravated battery and one count of “jumping bail,” or violating the terms of his bond. The remaining charges were dismissed. Krueger had allegedly beaten another Osceola man severely enough to require hospitalization SEE KRUEGER, PAGE 6
SUZANNE LINDGREN | THE SUN
Paul Krueger with attorney Matthew Krische at a hearing in April. Last week, Krueger pleaded guilty to aggravated battery and jumping bail. Charges of attempted homicide, drug possession and resisting an officer were dismissed.
Polk County will host its first-ever Rockin’ Youth Triathlon at 9 a.m. July 22 at Osceola’s middle school and Schillberg Park. The nonprofit event, open to youth ages 4-14, is designed for age-appropriate competition in which parents may join the competitors in swimming, running and biking. The goal is to bring fun and empowerment to kids of all ages and ability while bringing communities together to support and inspire children. Competition will be divided between four age groups: 4-6 years old, 7-8 years old, 9-11 years old and 12-14 years olds. Swimming distances range from 25-150 yards. Bike rides range from ¼ mile to 4 miles. Runs range for ¼ mile to 1 ½ miles. The event, organized by Dr. Dwayne Truhlsen and sponsored by the Osceola Historical Society and Truhlsen Chiropractic, will take place as part of Rivers, Rails and Trails Days, which run July 21-23. Anyone registered ($35 per racer) by June 22 will receive a t-shirt. Registration closes July 19. Once registered, participants and their families may enjoy a 10-mile round trip train ride with a free-will donation at 3, 4 or 5 p.m. on Friday, 7 p.m. Saturday or Sunday at 5 or 6 p.m.
Race locations Swimming: Osceola Middle School pool (life jackets allowed) Biking:closedcourseroad Running: Schillberg Park The top three fastest times will receive a trophy or place medal. A banana and a bottle of water will be provided to participants after the race. For more details visit https://www.polkcountyyouthtri.com.
Rivers, Rails and Trails Days July 21 -23
The Osceola Historical Society is celebrating some major historic milestones in 2017. The historic Osceola Soo Line Depot turns 100, the buildings known as the Hotel Osceola (now Grace Living Apartments), Zorn Auto Building (Mr. Deals), Spitzer Auto Building (Lucky Panda), the old Catholic Church and others are celebrating 100 years and PY’s Bar has been in operation for 100 years. Hiawatha National Bank is also turning 100, although the Osceola branch opened in 2012. The tracks came into Osceola connecting the Twin Cities to the Sault Ste. Marie, 130 years ago, and it has been 25 years since the tourist train operations started in Osceola. Serving cake just isn’t enough … This three-day celebration will begin 2 p.m. SEE TRAILS, PAGE 6
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