The Sun 08.12.2020 by The Sun

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2020 VOL. 123 NO. 02 www.osceolasun.com $1.00

SPORTS: No sharp-tailed grouse season. PAGE 8

School Board approves hires of health aides BY JASON SCHULTE EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM

The Osceola School Board approved the hire of two health aides during its Aug. 7 meeting. The issue was first brought to the Board last month, but it was tabled. When bringing the issue up again, Superintendent Mark Luebker, stated the rationale from the first time: a definitive need for these and to alleviate the workload for District Nurse Rachel Robinson, as she can’t be in four buildings at the same time. Luebker said there would be plenty of work for them to do besides health concerns in the buildings. Financially, he added they would not be eligible for benefits. He also added these aides will not be needed if the district has to shut down face-to-face and go back to virtual learning. Board President Brooke Kulzer opined thanks to her current job as an ER nurse, these aides are going to be busy, because two rooms are going to be needed, one for the ‘common’ ailments – stomach flu, cold, and the room for possible COVID-19 patients. After further discussion including whether or not the district has the money to hire more aides, board member Brian Meyer likely wrapped up the conversation best. “Ultimately, we need to get kids in front of teachers,” he said. “Parents want their kids in front of teachers.” The motion for two aides (the district asked for four in last month’s meeting) was unanimously approved. Mandatory masks Luebker addressed the changes to the District’s 2020-21 reopening plan. Because of Gov. Evers’ Executive Order regarding masks, masks will now be mandatory for students and staff inside school SEE SCHOOL, PAGE 10

Residents get a chance to speak their mind about the mine expansion BY JASON SCHULTE EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM

Mike Forecki started it all off on Aug. 4 when the town of Farmington held a public hearing to discuss the town’s ordinance. “I don’t see anything in the ordinance on what would happens if the wells come back with contamination,” he explained. “How long will it take to clean up the contamination?” And when Forecki’s speech was done, he was met with enthusiastic approval from fellow supporters. For the next 100 minutes, nearly everyone who spoke voiced their support against the mine’s proposed expansion, getting reaction similar to Forecki. Lisa Curry also expressed concern about the groundwater being impacted if the ordinance occurs. “I’ve been asking fundamental groundwater questions for six months and sill don’t have any data/reliable answers from miners or the township? It’s up to all of us to protect groundwater because once it’s contaminated, there’s no reversing it,” said Holly Walsh. Monica Zachay believed the planned expansion would be negatives in terms of noise level, air and water pollution and increased traffic.

Added Dan Guenthner, speaking directly to the Farmington board: “Your most difficult task is likely yet to come. For this new ordinance will only be as effective as your willingness to enforce it…What is permissible and what isn’t? Are you willing to hold them accountable?” David Aichinger talked about the committee commissioned by the town. He stated countless hours were spent on research on topics such as noise, property values, tourism and water supply. He said the committee ended up voting 5-2 against the expansion. “Follow the advice of the committee,” he stated. Ron Johnson used a quote from Town Chairman Dennis Cottor from a previous meeting in which Cottor described the noise level as “a pain in the ass”. “Why don’t we do something about it?” Johnson said. “The mine doesn’t belong where it is. No mine in Minnesota or Wisconsin has so many residents so close,” said Eric Uttne. Trudy Lorenz also brought up the potential negative tourism impacts. She also mentioned the water concerns. Lorenz also brought up a minority opinion.

JASON SCHULTE | THE SUN

Lisa Curry showcasing one of the many themes anti-mine supporters wanted to highlight during the public hearing Aug. 4.

“You don’t need to take it personal,” she said, addressing the board. “This is a safety issue and this is something we all need to work on.”

“We are relying on you, our Town Board to enforce (the ordinance). You are our firewall for public safety,” SEE MINE, PAGE 10

Man fatally shot by police in St. Croix Falls A man was fatally shot by police in St. Croix Falls Saturday night after he rushed at officers with a knife. In a press release from the police department, St. Croix Falls officers responded to a call at 9:44 p.m., for a woman needing help at the Dalles House Motel, 726 State Highway 35.

“When officers arrived at the room,” according to the release, “An adult male, armed with a knife, exited. The male refused several officer commands to drop the knife. The male then rushed an officer with the knife, forcing an officer to discharge his weapon.” The man died at the scene.

Upon room arrival, authorities found, an adult female located with several stab wounds to her neck and chest. She was airlifted to a Twin Cities hospital. No identities were revealed in the press release. Barron County Sheriff’s Office is now investigating the shooting.

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Blood Drive scheduled for Wild River Fitness Especially during our COVID-19 pandemic, the need for blood is high. The American Red Cross reminds eligible individuals that in only about an hour, volunteer blood donors can help save lives and feel instant gratification. This drive, as all others these last few months, features COVID-19 safety precautions. Blood is a perishable product that can only come from generous volunteers. By donating blood, individuals can make a difference in the lives of patients in their community and throughout the nation. Upcoming blood donation opportunities: Aug. 19, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Wild River Fitness in Osceola. Appointments can be made by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

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Champion Aircraft annual reunion is CANCELLED for Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020, because of COVID-19.

Olson: Expansion was needed for the business to survive BY JASON SCHULTE EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM

When North40 purchased the Rybak mine last year, they looked at the site and saw a bleak future. “In three to five years, the original acres would have been mined over,” said co-owner Pete Olson. “So we needed the 200 acres. “We’ve been open from the beginning. We told the Town of Farmington and Village of Osceola we wanted to expand.” Olson said what intrigued him and his fellow owners about the potential expansion were the limitless potential of sand, limestone sand and gravel. “We have over 200 different customers,” he said. “Public, private, DNR and

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State. These customers depend on our products for their business.” To turn it around, North40 keeps businesses alive as well, as Olson estimated they used 60 vendors. Since the expansion has become known, a long and winding road has resulted as the Town of Farmington has worked on trying to create a new ordinance on regulating the expanded mine. The moratorium for the new mining permit has been extended multiple times, with Aug. 21 being the latest date. “It’s been more challenging than I thought,” Olson said. Olson last week sat down with The Sun to give his thoughts after a week in which Farmington held a public hearing on Aug. 4 which residents voiced their opinion for or against the expansion, and two days later, the Village of Osceola board denied extraterritorial zoning in regards to the mine. Hours of Operation Olson said with the current permit in place, they are allowed to mine 83 hours a week. The proposed ordinance limits it to 60 hours a week. “We have more work

to do in less time,” Olson said. He added based off experience, the summer months with long days and dry weather are the best conditions to mine. “From December to March, there isn’t much of anything,” he said, in terms of crushing. Noise In the proposed ordinance, noise levels shall not exceed 95 decibels. According to the CDC, a motorcycle engine running is about 95 dB. Noise above 70 dB over a prolonged period of time may start to damage your hearing. “We see that amount as the worse case scenario,” Olson said. He explained last year, North 40 set out to replace berms to help shield owners on Ridge Road. A three-phase power has been added to decrease generator noise. Location A comment was made during the public hearing on Aug. 4 that there are no mines in Minnesota or Wisconsin that are so close to this many of people. Olson said there are mines in the Apple Valley and Maple Grove areas in Minnesota, which are near residential develop-

ments. Both those cities are substantially larger than the Osceola area. “Those cities and neighbors have flourished,” he continued. Frac sand When asked about frac sand, he said in 2019, they shipped out 120,000 tons. This year, the number was zero and next year, the number is planned to be zero. “It’s not part of our current business plan,” he continued. Water “There are safeguards in place in the ordinance in regards to the testing program,” Olson said. He added wells are being tested every 800 feet horizontally, both up and down gradient. Quarterly requirements are done, which will cost $500 every time per well. The new ordinance is far more restrictive with substantially more requirements of testing and reporting. As regards for the ordinance, Olson believes it does a good job of establishing regulations along with the balance of North40’s needs for resources and neighbors’ concerns.

AUGUST 12, 2020

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Village denies extraterritorial zoning in regards to the mine

& 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.

POLK COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS Building a raingarden

Part 3 ast week I talked about creating a water garden, this week I’ll discuss the raingarden. Although these can be somewhat similar, there are some differences. Notably a raingarden is used to collect and filter rain runoff rather than for a more landscaped look. Here are some basic guidelines for building a raingarden. The first step in building a raingarden is to determine a good place in your yard. You should choose a location that is a minimum of 10 feet from your house, in line with your downspouts, with a gentle slope. Although it would seem logical to choose a place that already collects water the primary goal of a raingarden is to Columnist filter the maximum amount of water runoff. This is especially important Julie Kuehl if you live on a lake or stream. After you have figured the ideal spot, you need to determine the surface area and depth of your raingarden. In sandy soil the size of the raingarden should be about 19 percent of the roof area draining into the garden; silt/loam soil should be about 34 percent of the roof area and clay soil should be about 43 percent of the roof area. These percentages are based on a garden within 30 feet of the house with a four percent slope. The depth is usually between 3-4” but is determined by the slope. The steeper the slope, the deeper the raingarden. Preparation for the raingarden involves elimination of existing perennial vegetation, which will probably mean grass. Excavate the raingarden basin to the desired depth (about 3-4” for a 10 percent slope). Use the excavated soil to create a low berm along the outside edge. Break up any large clumps to create a smooth, flat surface for planting. Now it is time for planting. Approximately 40-50 percent of your plants should be grasses and sedges, which are the backbone for your raingarden. Unlike a normal perennial garden where plants are generously space and then mulched, a raingarden requires plants be spaced roughly 12-18” on center to maximize infiltration and to keep weeds at a minimum. It is best to keep plant inventory simple. Using one to two short statured grasses and one to two wildflower species per season should work well. Using the formula of threes, you can plant three wildflowers and then three grasses for a balanced look. I would suggest checking with a nursery specializing in native plantings to determine what grasses and wildflowers would work best for your soil and sun requirements. You will need to keep your new plantings watered the first year while they get over their transplanting shock and you will need to keep weeds at bay as your plants fill in the area. By the second year you will only need to water if we have a drought condition and hand weeding should be minimal. In the spring any thatch should be cut and raked off so that native perennial growth isn’t restricted. Once established you can sit back and watch the birds and know you’ve helped the environment. An excellent source of information on raingardens is the University of Wisconsin Extension. Check on their Raingardens: A How To Manual for Homeowners. Until next time, keep safe and keep playing in the dirt. Any questions or comments contact me at gardenvarietycolumn@gmail.com.

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For those who were hoping the Village of Osceola would support the extraterritorial zoning in regards to the mine expansion, their hopes got off to a bad start during a special Aug. 6 board meeting. “I don’t see ETZ as an appropriate tool at this time,” said Benjamin Krumenauer, Village Administrator. “I don’t know if this is the right tool.” Extraterritorial zoning is a planning tool used to project a level of planning control over an area of an adjacent township. The primary

focus is to address existing and potential zoning and land use conflicts in a manner that compliments an anticipated growth of the community. Of course, Krumenauer didn’t have a vote, but the tone was set. Village President Jeromy Buberl talked about the village’s recent issues over the last 12 months, including finding funds to pay for a police officer in 2021, the raising of property taxes and of course, COVID-19. “No one knows what the next year is going to be,” he said. “We don’t know what is coming. We have to live next to each other.”

Trustee Bob Schmidt believed the ordinance worked out is a good compromise between the Farmington residents and mine owners. Trustee Joel West believed, if the village forced ETZ without Farmington’s buy-in, it would become adversarial. Trustee Bruce Gilliland said if the ETZ is approved, it means plans would have to go back to zero, and no one seemed to be in favor of that. He also believes the Village of Osceola couldn’t do any better in terms of an ordinance. “I don’t know if we need to do it,” Gilliand said, to summarize his

opinion. Van Burch spoke next. “Looking at the ordinance, they got all their ducks in a row,” he said. Yet, as he continued, with the environmental risks, the noise, the tourism impact and being part of the St. Croix River Valley, and looking out for all residents, he was in favor of the ETZ. Deb Rose was next. “All the businesses that have expanded in the last six years have been in the south,” she said. “…ETZ makes you feel like you’re the big brother, but it feels it’s the only way we have a say.” SEE ZONING, PAGE 10

ARNELL MEMORIAL HUMANE SOCIETY Sweet and cuddly, Juliet is a quiet kitty with a grey, peach and white calico coat of medium length. She has large round green eyes. At first introduction, Juliet is feline cautious but with approval, she will ask for petting with gentle head rubbing. We know that as a stray, she was chased by dogs and that may explain her cautious nature. She just likes to know she is safe before she commits. A steady routine and surroundings will bring out her playful and loving nature. Juliet would love to find a quiet home to ride out the covid virus, cuddled up in your lap while you enjoy a good book and her gentle company. Juliet is a lovely girl. The Dresser Lions hosted an Arnell Meat Raffle at Ward’s Bar on July 30. Tickets purchased and raffled for choice cuts raised $800 for the animals at Arnell. Fundraising opportunities are limited for now. We greatly appreciate and want to thank Ward’s Bar

and the Dresser Lions for making this fundraiser event a reality. Beautiful, friendly stray cats have been accumulating in our adoptable cat kennel. Every cat available for adoption at Arnell right now, was a stray that needed a safe place to recover and wait for the perfect home. Daphne is a three month old kitten with a short, blue and white coat. She was found near the recycling dumpsters in Amery. Her paw pads were raw. She was in distress and kindly brought to the shelter to recover. Now she is spayed and ready to go home; absolutely adorable and friendly. When you hold her, Daphne purrs like crazy and will try to roll around in your arms showing you how cute she is. Playful and silly, she would love a feline playmate and would probably do well with a dog too. She’s an all around great kitty and will make a great addition to any home that’s looking for a spunky kitten.

Maddie is a two year old brown Torbie with a short coat and mittens. She loves attention and will be a fantastic home body. Maddie is very outgoing and social. She will rub along your legs asking for attention. She enjoys meeting new people and engaging in thoughtful conversation. Maddie is a lounging cat; she enjoys taking in the sun rays through the window and cat naps in a soft place. She doesn’t seem to be bothered by other cats but might need an introduction to a dog. Maddie will do well with people of all ages, young and old. She is a loving soul. Strider and Eloise are both solid black cats, mentioned in last week’s column. Both are quiet and like attention. Both need to find their forever home. As do they all. Finding one home at a time. Arnell Memorial Humane Society, 715-268-7387. Visit our beautiful cats on our website: ARNELLHUMANE.ORG.

Popping the good popcorn

here’s very little we have to complain about, even during this pandemic. Our lives have changed, but as a whole we still live an enviable existence when compared to most other places and times on Earth. The hardest part of COVID-19 is the mental anguish of not knowing what’s around the next corner or when things might return Columnist to some kind of normalcy. But we still have warm C.L. Sill grub in our b lli access to clean water and bellies, a safe place to sleep at night, so in the grand scheme of things we’re doing just fine. That said, there are a couple bits of everyday life COVID has devoured that I sincerely miss, first and foremost being the movie theater. I’m not a concertgoer, I prefer to watch sports at home and the bar was easy for me to give up, but not being able to go to the movie theater has been really difficult. Pre-pandemic, Erin and I went

to see a movie almost every week. I’m a sucker for the theater. Oftentimes our trips were more about being in the theater than the movie itself. I like the dark and the cold, and the way everyone’s features disappear when they sit down. You all just kind of melt into a single existence, complete strangers silently focused on the same thing. It’s one of the most collective experiences we have, especially now a day. As much as I hate to give credit to anything on the opposite side of the St. Croix, my favorite movie theater is the Woodbury 10, off of 494 and Valley Creek. Tickets are seven bucks, even on a Saturday night, and you can get popcorn and a pop for 2.50 a piece. The seats are plain; none of this fancy red recliner B.S., and the aisles are still down the middle of the theater, as they should be. It’s as no frills as you can get, and it’s exactly what the theater experience should be. I don’t even mind when my shoes stick to the floor as I get up to leave. Movies have always meant a great deal to me. I can think of very little that affected my childhood more than Star Wars, Indiana Jones and Band of Broth-

ers. Film helped me develop an imagination that has endured into adulthood. I still love to play, and pretend, although it’s taken up different forms than when I was young. I’m not running around the house in a bathrobe pretending to be Obi-Wan anymore, but part of me still wants to. The movie theater helps fill that void, as an acceptable form of escapism for adults. The freedom to imagine leads to the purist form of happiness, and the theater gives adults the excuse to sit in the dark for two hours and imagine they were someone else without being embarrassed about it. I hope theaters can recover after the pandemic passes, but I’m scared they wont. There’s just no recreating the experience of the theater at home, although I’ve been trying since the pandemic started. When Erin and I watch movies now, I turn all the lights off and the volume way up, and I pop the good popcorn — but it’s just not the same. I think next time I’ll try spilling some Diet Coke on the living room floor and dumping a box of Raisinets in between the couch cushions before we press play.

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Nothing like the smell of Armor All in the afternoon

spent part of my week off doing one of the tasks that used to be fun when I was young and flexible but has become a reminder of how old I am: cleaning out the car. It was a gorgeous day and I climbed into the car, armed with the vacuum and Armor All. Three hours later, I was finished and done in for the day. The next day, I was moving like an old man. It wasn’t always that way. I recall spending many Saturday and Sunday afternoons helping my brothers clean the Publisher family car, then help with their detailing when they got their own Tom Stangl wheels. Back in those days in a small town there was little to do, so the time went quickly. I still smell the pine tree air fresheners and feel the smooth surfaces after waxing the car or using Armor All on the tires or interior. I learned from my brothers and their friends that the ladies liked guys with shiny, pine scented cars. Armed with all of this car cleaning knowledge, and after getting my driver’s license, I mustered up the courage to ask my father, the Chief, if I could use the car to take a girl to dinner and a movie in the neighboring town. Surprisingly, the Chief agreed to my request, with one string attached — I had to clean the car. When I was driving, the family car was a burgundy 1966 Chevelle station wagon. Being a mechanic’s car, it had some issues — like no gas pedal. “Just put your foot on the tab the pedal would be attached to,” the Chief said, adding “it’s no big deal, but if you can’t drive without it, I suppose I could fix it.” I knew better than to fall into THAT trap. The last thing a mechanic wants to do after working on cars all day long is to work on his own, without his tools. I decided the cure would be worse than the problem, besides I have big feet, so I would just fake it. I commenced with the cleaning of the family car, starting with the driver’s side. I removed enough sand and gravel to find the two bolts that the bottom of the pedal attached to and I was able to snap the pedal back into place. The rest of the archaeological dig went well that afternoon, and I even buffed some of the oxidized paint off of the hood. The car was clean, inside and out and I even found and cleaned the floormats that should have been used to keep that glacier’s worth of rock from dislodging the gas pedal. After passing muster, I did the second most difficult thing — I called the girl for a date. She said yes and was polite enough not to make fun of the fact that I was driving a 10-year-old station wagon. I later learned from the Chief that he hated the day his sons were able to buy their first car. Not because it meant extra hours working on them for free, he wanted his sons to be safe, but because it meant that he no longer had someone to wash, wax and clean his car. There’s another thing I now understand about my father. 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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You learn something new

ne of the many things that I love about this job is the new information that can come across your desk everyday or information you thought was right, was proven to be false. For example, I was at a dedication ceremony earlier this year to honor Veterans when I was editor of the Baldwin Bulletin. The ceremony was well done, but it’s not the thing that struck me the Editor most from it. One of the Jason Schulte highlights was b ffrom the VFW Post 10818 members in New Richmond going over the proper steps in folding the American flag. The woman providing the narration said the flag is folded 13 times. My mind drifted to in honor of the original 13 colonies. It’s not. As she explained, the folds are in honor of the following (courtesy of legion.org). I thought these were extremely interesting. The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.

The second fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life. The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks, and who gave a portion of his or her life for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world. The fourth fold represents our weaker nature; as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace, as well as in times of war, for His divine guidance. The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, “Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right, but it is still our country, right or wrong.” The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The seventh fold is a tribute to our armed forces, for it is through the armed forces that we protect our country and our flag against all enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.

The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death that we might see the light of day, and to honor our mother, for whom it flies on Mother’s Day. The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood, for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great have been molded. The 10th fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since he or she was first born. The 11th fold, in the eyes of Hebrew citizens, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The 12th fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son and Holy Ghost. When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, “In God We Trust.”

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AUGUST 12, 2020

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TO THE EDITOR

YEARS AGO

Theft or intolerance? I practiced my liberty of free speech by placing a political sign in my own front yard. It was stolen after about four days. I wondered what the best approach should be. Some options included: keeping silent, telling my like-minded friends, putting out another sign with a booby trap, praying for my enemies, and so on. I decided to one, write this letter, two, pray for my enemies and three replace the sign closer to the election. The opposing political group is very vocal about the need for extreme tolerance, yet I do not believe it is practiced by this group in any way. It is easy to be tolerant as long as your opponent agrees with you, much harder when the viewpoint is not your own. Mine is apparently not theirs. Nevertheless, I will continue to voice it and continue to pray for my opponents. Liz Chalker Osceola

Reasons for not wearing a mask Unseen issues and why I cannot ever wear a mask. For those family

and friends that may not understand, or do not try to understand. I also know there are some folks who just plain refuse to wear a mask, their reason is also none of my business. Attention mask bullies: That woman you shamed in the grocery store, because she wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wearing a mask? She already feels enough shame because she was raped. Having something over her nose & mouth triggers her PTSD, and causes her to relive that trauma. That man at the Quickie Mart who you called selfish? Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a volunteer firefighter and just came from the ER after being treated for smoke inhalation. He removed his air mask, in order to help a child breathe fresh air, instead of thick smoke. That little boy you lectured about removing his mask? Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s autistic. He doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t understand. He simply wants it off his face. That little girl who screams when somebody tries to mask her? Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s claustrophobic. She came from an abusive home, where she was confined to a closet. There are all sorts of reasons for not wearing a mask. Not all are lung, or immune system related.

How many of you are among those shaming, name calling and berating complete strangers, or worse, family members? How many of you are against bullying? If you are among the first group, and align with the second, you may want to pump the brakes, and check yourself, you have become the bully you claim to be against. Wearing a mask does not make you a kind person. You are either a kind person, or you arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. A piece of cloth does not determine that trait. On the flipside, not wearing a mask does not make a person selfish, or inconsiderate. It simply means that there may be an unseen reason why they cannot wear one. You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know their story, and to be quite honest, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s none of your business. This is also why a National mask mandate or a statewide mask mandate will not work. Not because people are selfish, but because there are any number of people that cannot wear anything over their face for reasons that you may not know about and reasons that you cannot see.

away and the weather is predicted accurately to within the quarter of an hour. We live in the mountains now and things are different. I left the house without a hat and it started to rain before Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d even made it to the trail. That might have been a good time to turn around. I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. I go on my hike almost every day. I hike in the snow and the drizzle and the cold. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is no bad weather,â&#x20AC;? a naturalist in Alaska once told me, â&#x20AC;&#x153;only inappropriate clothing choices.â&#x20AC;? I like that. So, when it started to rain, I wished I had my hat. But the weather was warm and, as Peter pointed out, it was getting lighter up ahead. Unfortunately, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not where the weather was coming from. By the time I got to the trail, the rain was steady but it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t cold. I started walking faster. It was just as the trail goes into a ravine that the sky opened up. A sheet of rain fell and, in moments, I was as wet as it was possible to get. I was now going at a brisk trot. It couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have been more than five minutes later that the sky crackled with lightning. I have never had thunder crash so close overhead in my life. My hair would have stood on end if it hadnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been

plastered to my head. The lightning and thunder were simultaneous, so I figured I had walked smack-dab into the middle of a summer storm. The rain was now coming down in buckets and the entire trail had become a swiftly flowing stream. I needed my hiking poles to hop along the newly formed riverbankâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;jumping from one rock to another, my boots filled with water, my eyes stinging from the rainâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and all I could think was, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Oh my gosh, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s good to be alive!â&#x20AC;? By the time I was headed home, the rain started to slow. It came to a stop about a half-mile from home. I noticed the puddles getting smaller until the ground was nearly dry. Peter was surprised when I got home. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You sure hiked fast today!â&#x20AC;? He had no idea what had been happening just a couple of miles away. At our house, it had hardly rained. I got in a hot bath and, as I washed the mud off my legs, I knew I would never have gone on that hike if Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d known how bad it would get. And I was so glad I hadnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t missed it. Till next time, Carrie Carrie Classonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s memoir is called, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Blue Yarn.â&#x20AC;? Learn more at CarrieClasson.com.

Nancy Priebe Frederic

THE POSTSCRIPT Summer storm

was headed out for my daily hike. There was thunder in the distance. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s getting lighter,â&#x20AC;? my husband, Peter, said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to get any rain.â&#x20AC;? The air smelled like a storm to me, but what do I know? If my dog, Milo, were still alive I would have asked him. Milo Columnist would huddle in the corner of the Carrie Classon kitchen when a thunderstorm approached. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no storm on the radar,â&#x20AC;? Peter would tell him. Milo didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t care what the radar said. We called him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Doppler Dog,â&#x20AC;? because if Milo was in the corner, bad weather was never far behind. But Milo is no longer with us and I was headed out on a hike. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Do you think I need a hat?â&#x20AC;? I asked. If the sun came out, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d want a hat. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll need it,â&#x20AC;? Peter assured me. It might be worth noting that both Peter and I grew up on the plains of the Midwest where you can see a storm coming from miles

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50 years ago Aug. 13, 1970 â&#x20AC;˘ On Aug. 8 the Gerald Newton yard was the scene of a neighborhood carnival to raise money to ďŹ ght muscular dystrophy. â&#x20AC;˘ Mr. and Mrs. John Vold of Eau Claire spent Thursday night and Friday at her parents home, the Warren Kochâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. â&#x20AC;˘ Betsy Lindholm, the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. E.R. Lindholm, is spending the week at Luther Point Bible Camp. â&#x20AC;˘ A Wies family reunion was held Sunday at Siren Park. â&#x20AC;˘ Camping last week in the Lake Superior Area and into Canada were Mr. and Mrs. Don Rogers, Kris and Kathy Rogers, daughter of Tim Rogers. â&#x20AC;˘ Mrs. Aaron Stelling and son Tom spent last week at a cabin on the Gun Flint Trail in northern Minnesota. â&#x20AC;˘ Showing at the Auditorium Theatre in St. Croix Falls, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Beneath the Planet of the Apes.â&#x20AC;?

GOVERNMENT NUMBERS WHO TO CALL... President Donald Trump 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.â&#x20AC;˘ Washington, D.C. 20500 Comments: (202) 456-1111 or http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ Switchboard: (202) 456-1414 â&#x20AC;˘ Fax: (202) 456-2461

Congressman Tom Tiffany 7th Congressional District 1714 Longworth HOB, Washington, DC 20515 â&#x20AC;˘ (202) 225-3365 328 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20515 â&#x20AC;˘ (202) 224-5323 www.ronjohnson.senate.gov

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20 years ago Aug. 9, 2000 â&#x20AC;˘ New public restrooms were being built at the Osceola Depot. â&#x20AC;˘ The Osceola Braves will play in the Wisconsin Baseball Association semi-ďŹ nals this weekend in Osceola. â&#x20AC;˘ Tim Thiel of Osceola attended the National Youth Leadership forum on Medicine from July 2-12 in Philadelphia, Pa. â&#x20AC;˘ Jessica Anderson of Osceola graduated from the University of Wisconsin â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Superior with a degree in Business Administration-Management/ Marketing Cluster. â&#x20AC;˘ The following students from Osceola received degrees from the University of Wisconsin â&#x20AC;&#x201C;River Falls: Cynthia Lueck, Nathan Schmidt and Wayne Solland. â&#x20AC;˘ Osceola High School sophomore Derek Liggett recently gained All-American honors at the Juniors and Cadet National Wrestling Tournament in Fargo, ND.

30 years ago Aug. 8, 1990 â&#x20AC;˘ The Aveda Spa Osceola opened in preview on Aug. 6. â&#x20AC;˘ Bjorn Neumann of Forest View 4-H won the junior division at the Polk County 4-H Tractor Operators contest. â&#x20AC;˘ The Osceola High School Class of 1955 held their 35th class reunion at Kenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Keyboard on Saturday. Attending were Doug Rivard, Marv Maitrejean, Art Steffen, Jim Hendrickson, LaVerne Anderson, Mary Griffith, Doris Frank, Mary Bibeau, LaVonne Getschel, June McKenzie, Verna Hoverman, Georgine Mielke, Gary Zehm, Merlin Schmidt, Wayne Viebrock, John Nelson, Bob Norlander, Dale Hoverman, Darel Getschel, Gene Reed, Don Hoverman, Roy Foss and Elaine Leisch. â&#x20AC;˘ Robert Brown Sr. of Osceola was presented a plaque and recognized for his support of Law Enforcement and Conservation Services.

U.S. Senator Ronald H. Johnson

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10 years ago Aug. 11, 2010 â&#x20AC;˘ After drilling test wells in soils near three of its buildings recently, the Osceola School Board has learned that all three test sites would be good candidates for geothermal heating and cooling systems. â&#x20AC;˘ At the Aug. 2 Dresser Village Board meeting, Clerk Jodi Gilbert and board member Jim Rochford Jr. announced that the village is close to launching website for the community. â&#x20AC;˘ Osceola based Northwire has formed a government business unit to meet the growing demand from the U.S. government, civilian research agencies, core government suppliers, contractors and afďŹ liated organizations. â&#x20AC;˘ Team Woodbury members Molly and Lauren Smith of Osceola achieved All-American status at the National Junior Olympics in Sacramento, Calif.

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U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin 709 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 â&#x20AC;˘ (202) 224-5653 â&#x20AC;˘ (715) 832-8424 www.baldwin.senate.gov/contact

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

AUGUST 12, 2020 www.osceolasun.com

Turtle wins Best of Show at ArtReach St. Croix BY JASON SCHULTE EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM

Jessica Turtle submitted only one entry for the recent ArtReach St. Croix. That one is all she needed to earn Best in Show, selected by ArtReach’s Board of Directors earlier this month. The winning entry was titled Bombas Perplexus, an acrylic painting of a bumblebee. “I’ve always had an interest in bumblebees,” the Farmington native explained. She painted more than 10 types of bumblebees native to the area. Turtle and her partner David have called Farmington home the last four years after living in St. Paul. “We were always driving out to William O’Brien State Park,” she explained. “And we decided why not relocate to this area and see if life would be better for us.” So far, it has been, she said. Turtle, who makes her living as an artist, says this area has been a source of motivation. “Painters are hiding out in the woods,” she said. “I think they are inspired by the natural world, so it makes sense to be in it.” Not a lot of good has come since COVID-19 came into the world, but Turtle can point to one thing. “Art sales have boomed since COVID-19 started,” she explained. “People have supported it.” Other artists featured in this year’s exhibition are: Holland Atkinson, Leslie A. Batt-Lutz, Leslie Carpenter-Holt, Barb Casey, Barbara Claussen, Lou Cunico, Andrea Leila Denecke, Jane Dierberger, Gail Jessop Diez, Cara Frafjord, Candace Ganje, Stephen James Gates, Gil Gragert, Diana Hatchitt, Han Huisman, Phyllis Hunter, Jeffry Jeanetta-Wark, Christie Kowalski, Sarah Lilja, Rita K. MacDonald, Michaela Mahady, Bev Marx, David Morris, John C. Niemi, Chiaki O’Brien, Carol Patt, Kristin Prideaux, Jeanette Richards, Sue Rowe, Megan A. Schmidt, Emily Schollett, Lorie Spiegel, Jerilyn Strand, Susan Strand-Penman, Marjorie Wade, Sharon Weiser and Todd Williams. The Annual Members Show will be on view through Aug. 15 at ArtReach St. Croix’s galleries, 224 N. 4th Street, Stillwater. The galleries are free and open to the public with modified hours Wednesdays-Sundays 12-4 p.m. The number of gallery visitors allowed inside at one time is limited to 10 people and everyone is required to wear a mask in order to maintain a safe environment to view local art. To see more of Turtle’s art, visit jessicaturtle.art.

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TO THE EDITOR An experienced professional to monitor the mine Below are some of the comments I made at the Public Hearing in East Farmington on August 4. I was nervous reading them so I thought maybe by reaching out to The Sun they may be better understood. “I have been going round and round about what to say tonight and I do not want to be repetitive. Such as we all know allowing mining that creates sulfuric acid to mine 35 feet below an aquifer, is not a good idea. Basically the core reasons we live here are being threatened: Water, air, noise, traffic and local economy. June 13th, Saturday morning, we went for a paddle we do often, Osceola landing to Somerset landing. Starting out we heard a noise that was unfamiliar. It was the crusher. It was overwhelming and we could hear for the first 45 minutes of our paddle to Cedar bend. I have no idea how far north you may be able to hear it. I felt bad for the neighbors and wildlife. I would like to ask two things of the miners and the town board of East Farmington. Go paddling on the St. Croix both north and south of the Osceola Bridge while the crusher is operating and see if that adds to the value of the National Scenic River way we live in. Take a walk to any of the natural

springs that create the waterfalls in to the St. Croix that are within a short distance of your mine. It is obvious the miners took advantage of a small town ran by local people who have minimal experience with mines this large. We need an experienced professional to monitor this mine. I do not believe the Town of Farmington can handle North 40 miners on their own. “ After listening to everyone that evening I still have a hard time understanding how a mine can grow so big with little concern for the neighbors, the hospital and surrounding environment. Two weeks ago we saw a mother otter and her three young cross our road. They are a symbol of a clean healthy environment with excellent water quality If the miners or the Town Board need a tour of either of my two requests I would be glad to help arrange them. Mary Paul Osceola

Taking the land within us The men in their trucks will come to the precious land, With clawed hands they will rape the land – And take from it that which can not be replaced. Profits and ill-minded greed will border their minds – Not allowing them to think of life, of soil – That which life grows from but also dies. With their trucks they will spread

the inners of rock – Which tames the waters that lie beneath the ground, That which makes its way across the land – To an honest mans homestead, of forgotten ground. And the pit will grow over the years – Eating away at the land! And the waters unseen color will blacken – And those who drink may be stricken! Appearance is all we see now, But doctors when time is to late, Will show us in the form of numbers our fate. And eventually we will all pass on. Taking the land within us – Taking away from Children, The beauty of Pure land and Pure water. And when they stand from a distance – Looking at the gorge in the land, And the sand that was once water – And imagine: What untouched fields or grazing land looked like? And when they come to water, however far they must trek. They will avoid it and drink from a bottled well. And memories will hold true in the Grandparents minds – Of clear water, healthy fish – And a land in which to grow and sow the seeds once known.

Annie Allen Former Osceola resident, now lives in Canoga Park, California

So much uncertainty

he pandemic we are in is taking its toll on people, on business, on health care and some of our freedoms. Anxiety and stress are on the increase. These are uncertain times in the economy. Will jobs be there? Will schools be open with traditional classroom teachers? When will a vaccine be available to treat this frightening disease? And ultimately, when will the fear of so many uncertain things be stabilized? I have asked a lot of people how they are dealing with the stress, fear and uncertainty. The responses have varied and some may be worth Gene considering. have said they just don’t eat Johnson inSome a restaurant now unless there is outside dining. They do take-out and drive-through. Many people have said they are not going where there are groups of people and do grocery shopping and other shopping very carefully and always with a mask.

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Some churches are starting to open up in a limited way, but seniors and those with pre-existing conditions say they will worship with church services on line for an indefinite period. Many companies have improved the safety of their offices by providing good ventilation, space between workers, and Plexiglass shields. Some companies are able to have a number of their staff work from home and have made provisions with computers and phone systems. But there are many restaurants and retailers that haven’t reopened and many are closing for good. The Payroll Protection Plan has given some very solid relief to small business, but more help will be needed. This newspaper could not have continued without it. Government programs have been very helpful to unemployed in bringing stimulus checks that help with food, rent, mortgage payments, insurance and transportation. Various parts of the country are spiking with the disease. There are those who feel they can do whatever they want in the name of freedom so they are not wearing masks and practicing distance in groups. Little by little we are hearing encouraging news on therapies and vaccines that are now in trials. It is hard to know who and what to believe. Generally, I have more confidence in our medical community than I do in the political arena. You probably feel that SEE JOHNSON, PAGE 10

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AUGUST 12, 2020

THE SUN

www.osceolasun.com

WEEKLY MEDITATION Fear of the other BY JACK STARR OSCEOLA UNITED METHODIST

It was a typical Sunday, the church service was rolling along the way it usually did. There was a decent attendance, we’d sung a hymn, we’d collected the offering, the choir had done their anthem and the pastor had just started his sermon. Suddenly, like an electric shock moving through the congregation, you could see the people in each pew sit up straight, suddenly very attentive. From the back of the church a disheveled man in shabby clothes began to walk up the long aisle to the front. Maybe he was a drifter passing through, maybe a guy from the neighborhood (it wasn’t especially upscale and not that far from the docks). All we knew for sure was that he wasn’t one of us. This church was quite comfortably middle class with lots of professionals, teachers and business people. We were pretty used to who we’d see in church on Sunday and this guy wasn’t one of them. It was hard to focus on what the pastor was saying as we watched the man walk to the very front pew and sit down. I know I was thinking and praying, “I hope the sermon is really meaningful for this guy”. At any rate we were all really alert for the rest of the service. Afterwards, the pastor and a couple others spoke with him. They took him to the church kitchen and packed up some good things to eat and sometime later the guy left. We never saw him again. And we wondered, “Was this guy a test from God?” “Had we passed?” The church doors were always open on Sunday, but not many of us were really from the neighborhood. We

hadn’t thought much about it, but did we seem as different to the folks living around us as they did to us? And why had it been such a shock when a stranger showed up at church? Wasn’t ‘welcoming the stranger’ supposed to be our business? Why weren’t we expecting it? Why weren’t we used to it? Human beings come in an amazing array of diversity. Different skin tones, languages, accents and ethnic backgrounds; Different economic and educational backgrounds; ages and abilities; different cultural practices, faith patterns and ways of expressing love. The world is full of people who are different than us, who qualify as ‘The Other’. Why do we get so anxious when we encounter someone not like us? Ironically, one of the ways that human beings are similar is that we all suffer from a fear of those who are different than us. Some of those differences are immediately evident in skin tone or language, while some are pretty subtle. Most of the world can’t tell the difference between a Swede and Norwegian, but try telling them that. (I say this as a proud Swede.) You might have noticed that I used the word ‘fear’. Fear is present in all of us. Some of our fears are legitimate but far too often the things we learn to fear are cultural. That’s where we learn that people who were different might be a threat to us. And once we imagine something might be a threat we find evidence everywhere. We even interpret innocent behaviors as threatening. When we get together with others that have the same fears that we do, those fears get reinforced and we develop a collective fear. The group may respond like a bunch of birds

suddenly taking flight from the bird feeder. But when the group responds with antagonism, it leads to prejudice, injustice and even violence. This fear gets manipulated by others and then we get things like Indian Wars, Jim Crow; the Inquisition; Salem Witch Trials, the Klan; Internment Camps; history is filled with examples. When we live with an underlying fear of others our actions in response to the fear are almost never admirable. When we make decisions in fear, that which is most Christ-like about us disappears. And yet because of our fear, we feel fully justified. ‘The Other’, that person who is different than me because of their race, faith, language, or cultural practices, is probably not familiar to me. I see them as strange and that’s frightening because the unknown always is. We make a lot of choices in our lives because of fear. It could be the fear of being hurt by another or of losing something I value; fear of being denied what I think is fair, fear of being rejected or abandoned, fear of not having control over my own life, fear that I might not have what I need, fear of being a failure when it looks like everyone else is succeeding. These fears can break out in anger, greed, hatred, prejudice, bitterness and distrust and they always seem to be present, just under the surface in our hearts. The injustice suffered by people of African, Asian and indigenous descent at the hands of the white majority stem from these fears. Those with the power to do so protect themselves, establishing the kind of privilege so many of us who are white, (aware of it or not), have enjoyed and still enjoy. It makes the brokenness of our society seem hopeless.

Jesus has offered us an alternative; LOVE. That is the way of the kingdom of God. That is a state in which we recognize that every individual is a beloved child of God, a person of inestimable worth and value. It means to recognize that each person bears the marks of God within them, or as Genesis calls it “the image of God”. You are a child of God just like I am. So is that person who speaks a different language or has a different skin tone or wears a hijab. We have a choice to make. We can make our choices based either on love or on fear. The 4th chapter of 1John is a lot about love; how God lives in those who live in love, how we love because God loved us first, and how anyone who claims to love God but hates another is a liar. But the heart of the chapter is 1 John 4:18 – “Perfect love drives out fear.” The writer’s appeal is to let the love of God live fully in our lives. If we begin to see others through the eyes of love, in other words, through the eyes of Jesus, our fear of them begins to dissipate. But the opposite is also true. If we let fear have a foothold it can choke off any impulse of love in our lives and blind us to the humanity of another. Let’s be open to encounters with other and different children of God. If we don’t know anybody different from ourselves, we may be missing an opportunity to meet Jesus. Fear of others who are different from ourselves keep us from the rich relationships that God may have planned for us. Does that make you anxious? Talk to God about it. Being honest with God is the most practical and spiritual thing we can to do in order to start overcoming our fears, includ-

ing our fear of those who aren’t like us. When I get that close to God, I begin to see others through God’s eyes. And God doesn’t see any enemies, just lost children. But even when the threats are real, even when someone has malice at heart, love helps us to see that person as someone responding to the world out of their own fear. Because it is a pretty safe bet that if someone is not making decisions out of a position of love and hope, they are doing it out of a place of fear. If we are able to see them with empathy, with God’s eyes, we can respond with love, patience, kindness, generosity, and even healing. Perfect love doesn’t just hold fear at bay. It drives it away. If we can keep reminding ourselves that each individual we meet is a person of inestimable worth, a beloved child created in God’s own image, we might forget for a minute that they’re ‘The Other’. That’s how God sees them. If we can too, we’re on our journey toward reconciliation. Because, as 1 John says, ‘there is no fear in love’.

BIRTHS OSCEOLA MEDICAL CENTER Osceola, Wisconsin July 28, 2020: A girl, Ella Mae Branville, weighing 5 pounds 2 ounces, to April Branville, Glenwood City. Aug. 2, 2020: A boy, Laken Wyatt Leslie, weighing 7 pounds 3 ounces, to Kristina Berry and Ryan Leslie, Amery.

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. 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 ———————— 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 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 ———————— OSCEOLA COMMUNITY CHURCH 2492 Education Drive, Osceola Larry Mederich www.occnow.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 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. ————————

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AND OUTDOORS 8

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AUGUST 12, 2020 www.osceolasun.com

No sharp-tailed grouse hunting season for fall 2020 In light of scientific data and concerns over population viability, there will be no sharp-tailed grouse hunting season this fall. With no permits available, no applications will be made available or accepted this year. Each year, the Sharp-tailed Grouse Advisory Committee uses spring mating survey data to recommend permit levels for the sharp-tailed grouse hunting season to the department’s Bureau of Wildlife Management leadership team. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, surveys were unable to be fully completed. Some data were gathered by partner groups, but the dataset for 2020 remains incomplete. The Sharp-tailed Grouse Advisory Committee consists of DNR wildlife biologists and representatives from interested conservation groups. Without a complete 2020 survey of the sharp-tailed grouse population, the committee made its recommendation based on the spring 2019 survey results, the limited 2020 data that were available and a scientific

population model, which showed the potential for a marked decrease in sharp-tailed grouse numbers. Permits were not issued in 2019, though permits were issued in three of the last five years. Wisconsin has a strong, storied connection to sharp-tailed grouse hunting. Thanks to the passion and commitment of DNR’s partners in conservation, work is ongoing to restore and manage the young forest and barrens habitats that sharptailed grouse depend upon for their survival. As a result of the increased barrens habitat management activities occurring in recent years in northwest Wisconsin, there is great optimism that the population will respond positively to these efforts and Wisconsin will experience an increase in sharp-tailed grouse population data in future years. More information on sharp sharp-tailed grouse hunting and management is available at https:// dnr.wisconsin.gov

Will hunters see bare cupboards this fall?

s an outdoorsman I first saw the affects of the Covid Pandemic this summer when I went to my local Fleet Farm in Hudson and then to Cabala’s in Woodbury to restock fishing supplies. The isles in both stores were almost empty. I couldn’t find anything I wanted to buy there. It was obvious that the easiest form of social distancing for anglers and pleasure boaters was on the water. It made sense. Production was down, demand was up and I was out of luck. Last week I was headed up to northern Wisconsin to fish and pick blueberries, which is over btw, and noticed a few trees turning various shades of red, orange and yellow. This happens every year to trees that are stressed usually by damage or too much or too little water. This early tree color change and spotting geese piling into harvested grains fields got me thinking about fall hunting and it hit me. Will all of our big box stores and smaller hunting and fishing Wild River retail stores have enough ammo, guns, bows and crossbows to meet Trails demands of everyone if the need is Jim Bennett as great for hunting supplies as it was for fishing? That was when I relaxed and smiled knowing that my favorite little outdoor shop, Russell’s Sport and Bike, in Star Prairie, has had their isles full of fishing gear all spring and summer. How can they have all the stuff I want and the “Big Box” stores have cupboards that are bare? According to store owner Rick Connors, “We have been working hard looking for all kind of stuff all week to not find most of what we want but do find some of what we want. We saw this coming early and starting building up stock when Covid first hit knowing what was going to happen then, now and for the fall hunting season.” Matt Smith has worked for the “Big Box” stores and now at Russell’s and has seen how both sides of the outdoor sports industry works. “We have been

preordering big stuff ever since the Covid outbreak began. We saw that demand was going to be rising and saw a need to fill. We realized that manufacturing was going to struggle so we went to work and worked hard. Right now new gun owner sales are sky rocketing to unprecedented numbers. In June there were 3.9 million background checks for new gun buyers and July numbers were 3.7 million. Production is down and demand is up and those businesses that saw that trend coming, like us, were ready for it.” “We sold 40 guns yesterday. Most were pistols for home protection but we are also selling AR’s, hunting rifles and shotguns as well. There is definitely a sense of fear out there today. Fear of the unknown. Add to that the election coming up that has many people worried as well as all of the police issues in the news. A lot of the buyers are first time gun buyers that we encourage to take shooting lessons and gun safety courses. We try to educate them in shop as best we can and of course we issue them gun locks as the law requires,” added Connors. Connor’s went on to say, “Right now we have an advantage over the “Big Box” stores. Most of those stores ordered all of their fishing supplies early in the year off of last year’s sales so they are finding that those order numbers didn’t come close to the demands they had. That’s why their fishing isles are empty. They order their guns and ammo early basing everything off last year’s sales too so they will more than likely not have enough stock on their shelves this fall either. Being a smaller business we build a better relationship with manufacturers because we are small. As a store owner with almost 30 years of experience in sales I was able to see the demands earlier than the big stores who are struggling to keep their isles full. Even Amazon is struggling to fill the need left out there that the “Big Box” stores failures to keep isles full has created.” Dan Anderson, the other employee at Russell’s SEE BENNETT, PAGE 14

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Botanists identify - and contain - a new invasive grass in Wisconsin The serendipitous discovery of an aggressive invasive grass never before documented in Wisconsin sparked a rapid response effort in July culminating with Department of Natural Resources staff and partners surveying the property and hand-pulling small patches of the plants and spraying larger patches with herbicide. As a result, invasive species experts believe the invasive species, Japanese stilt grass, is contained on the Coulee Experimental State Forest in La Crosse County. “We were very fortunate the Japanese stilt grass was spotted early by a person familiar with the plant and who knew how to report it,” said Kelly Kearns, DNR invasive plant specialist. “As a result, we were able to get out there and get on it. This was a textbook example of early detection and control, and why citizen reports of invasive species are so important.” Kearns calls on users of the property to keep an eye out for this highly invasive grass. To identify possible Japanese silt grass, take a closeup photo of the plant, collect a specimen of the entire plant, and check the identification and resources tab on the DNR Japanese stilt grass web page to make sure it is the right species and not a look-alike. Japanese stilt grass likely will only be found in shaded forests or forest edges, along roads, trails or streams. The key identification features are a silvery stripe of hairs down the middle of the leaf’s upper surface and wiry stems. The plant can be reported through the Great Lakes Early Detection Network cell phone app or people can send an email with its location, population size and closeup photo to invasive.species@Wisconsin.gov. Japanese stilt grass is an annual grass that produces seed in just one year, allowing it to gain a foothold in forests very quickly and blanket the forest floor within a few years. Stilt grass chokes out native plants, harms wildlife habitat and reduces tree seedling survival. Patches of stilt grass also create a highly flammable fuel source potentially leading to bigger and more intense wildfires. The grass has been found and is spreading in all states east and south of Wisconsin except for Maine. It is listed as a prohibited species in Wisconsin under Wis. Adm. Code ch. NR 40. Control efforts are required for prohibited species and it is illegal to buy, sell or transport. For invasive plant specialists, there are always a few plants that are not in their region yet that they SEE GRASS, PAGE 15

AUGUST 12, 2020

THE SUN

3A REASON NO.

www.osceolasun.com

Supporting Non-Profits Local stores invest in your community

WEEK 3 OF 4 LOCAL SHOPPING

STATS

Twice as much CHARITABLE GIVING FROM SMALL FIRMS A 1991 study examined charitable donations from businesses and found something surprising: Companies with fewer than 100 employees gave an average of $789 per employee. That’s compared with just $334 per employee at firms with more than 500 employees. It’s another reason why shopping at small, locally owned firms can help your community.

sk anyone who works at a local non-profit agency in your city where they get the most support from. Chances are they’ll name a local business or two that donate time and money in a big way. For many businesspeople, making a profit is about more than just collecting a paycheck. It’s also about having the ability to give back to the community by supporting the agencies and activities that help people who live around them. In fact, some of the most generous people in your city may be the ones who are operating successful businesses. Success in business and success in life often go hand-in-hand.

UNMATCHED GENEROSITY There have been a number of studies that compare corporate giving in various communities, and they show that locally based businesses often give more of their income in donations than the out-of-town companies do. And that makes perfect sense. Local business owners have more invested in their community than other people. The very success of their business depends on the community being prosperous, so they’re willing to write bigger checks to help support the agencies that are making a difference for

people in need. And, since the business owners are living and working right in your city, they’re more likely to know which non-profit groups are having the biggest impact and which ones are best at solving the unique needs your local citizens face every day. They end up making better decisions.

cares deeply about its community, and you can show your support by choosing where to do your shopping.

MORE INVOLVEMENT In addition to their monetary donations, local business owners are also often the leaders in your community. Their ability to “be their own boss” means they have the flexibility to volunteer for a wide range of positions. They might serve on the city council, the library board, participate in service clubs and simply donate their time to worthy causes. When you shop at a local business, you’re helping to support all the local causes that the store owner, managers and employees are supporting. A great local business always

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‘All the world’s a stage’ All the world’s a stage, players; And all the men and women merely entrances, They have their exits and their many parts. And one man in his time plays - William Shakespeare

Carlson to retire from Osceola High School BY C.L. SILL EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM

C.L. SILL | THE SUN

Open Cupboard food pantry in Osceola.

Open Cupboard flush with product, ready to supply those in need dition to local donations, BY C.L. SILL but Anderson also has to EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM do a lot of shopping herself. As stores continue The Open Cupboard to run out of staples and food pantry in Osceola put limits on what is in has not let COVID-19 afstock, she’s had to bounce fect their inventory and market to market is urging those in need to from in order to find enough use their services. product. Canned vegetaThe 27-year-old orgables and soup have been nization wasn’t taken the when by surprise pandemic hit and has continued to receive adequate supplies while many stores and businesses across the country have run dry of essentials. That’s all thanks to community support, according to Open Cupboard’s director Rosanne Anderson. “We’re so blessed to live in a community like this,” Anderson said. “The community has supported this food shelf all these years and I’ve never had to ask for anyRosanne Anderson thing, but I know I can go Open Cupboard to them if we ever get in trouble.” to fi particularly difficult Local residents and find, as have eggs. fi businesses alike have “I have to constantly helped keep the shelf store and get a the to go float during supply afl pack (of eggs),” shortages with food dona- 5-dozen “And I have to she said. financial tions as well as fi selective. One week I be selective assistance. assistance nd a p three places went to three p “When this whole panoutra two of them were outraved received ed, I recei started demic start priced. l priced.” geously h donations and checks it’ss part Even though it red never re from people II’d of her job, traveling so Anderson before, Anderson ceived before,” p places lic p pub in uch much has pp aid “The support said. ner nderson nerAnderson oes make A does wonderful. been wonderful.” person herr own personvous for he donations, Even with donations, health al health. get hass had to get Anderson ha me,” ncern me, concern It does co “It with how she creative with said she said. full shelves full. keeps the shelves avenues various avenues All the various receives food from She receives combined donation of various government d fo f od l d larger programs and SEE CUPBOARD, PAGE 2 banks in the area, in ad-

‘I think people feel that there’s other people that need it more and at this point in time that’s not the case. We have enough food for whoever needs it.’

NEWS 715-294-2314 editor@osceolasun.com

It takes a special kind of passion to get high school students to actually enjoy Shakespeare. Kevin Carlson has taught drama and English at Osceola High School for the better part of 35 years. He began running the drama club in 1983, before transitioning to teaching full-time in the late 1990s. He’s spent his career sharing his own personal love of Shakespeare and literature to his students. But the 2019-20 school year will be his last in the district. Carlson is set to retire at the end of the current term, and will leave behind a lifetime of memories at Osceola. Carlson graduated from Osceola High School in 1977. He earned his college degree in 1987 and worked for a small manufacturing company in Minneapolis before transitioning to teaching. “I really wanted to teach from the beginning,” he said. Carlson began as a substitute teacher in Osceola in 1998, before taking over the English position in 2000. He said he never had any apprehension about working at the same high

SUBMITTED

students Kevin Carlson poses with drama club Osceola High School English Teacher Kendall Nord, Jamison ﬁ to right: Unidentiﬁed, following a performance. From left Heyer, Gavin (obscured), Grace Stewart, Sophie Bystrom Walstead, Morgan Vetter Travis PeterJason Rapp. Directly above Mr. C.: Dahl, Chloe Terpstra, Brecken Styles, son.

SEE CARLSON, PAGE 2

Polk County Sheriff speaks out against ‘Safer at Home’ order BY C.L. SILL EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM

Polk County Sheriff Brent statement on the Waak issued a statement Facebook department Facebook ficial department official offi Gov criticizing Gov. April 21 criticizing page on April f at safer-ati off the safer Evers’ extension Evers order me order. home is currently set to The order is 26. y 26 ce until May place in pl m remain taken place protests have taken Small protests well as in across the state, as well and Michigan, callMinnesota and forego ficials to forego offi elected officials ing on elected quarantine orders and reopen Although the economies. Although local economies. economy began as the driving t t protests, th d these f t behind factor many now see any shelter-inADVERTISING 715-294-2314 ads@osceolasun.com

if you have a highly dense popuplace order as an affront to their lation you have a bigger problem civil liberties. Waak’s stance is with this pandemic than we do slightly more nuanced, and he in a rural area,” he said. “I just said for him it’s about balance. paint the state ntp an’t you can think y g of this eginning beg “From the beginning ” brush.” with one brush alance balance pandemic II’ve had to b p nt said he believes statement His stateme reedoms f freedoms constitutional one’s constitutional the county can reopen, with d , he said. order,” f ing an order d enforci and a place. precautions in place some pr d the ﬁnd to ﬁnd tr really tried I d I’ve “And Polk County “II believe that most Polk that. balance in that.” p safely operate can b inesses businesses calling to ’ not calling a said he’s Waak measures protective measures with some protective completely open up the county statement. place, read the statement. with in place,” e-for-all with free-for-all and turn it into a fre distancing and social distancing “Such as social said but , guidelines no pandemic or staff/ protective equipment ffor criticism is that more his major criticism ” patrons patrons. to over ed hand should be handed control should lation population lack of popu While the lack government, levels of government, the local levels density may put areas like Polk especially in an area as rural as ty P lk county. Polk SEE SHERIFF, PAGE 2 “Every county is not the same,

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AUGUST 5, 2020 www.osceolasun.com

JOHNSON: So much uncertainty

Farmington Board supports dog resort

FROM PAGE 6

way, too. When someone in a family is stricken with the virus, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s difficult for the rest of the family in the same household. The larger the family, the more difficult. Good advice is to use common sense, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take chances, and wear a mask whenever you are indoors, at work or in public. If you have symptoms, seek immediate treatment. It becomes difficult for people in nursing homes and senior facilities, and even in your own homes, where you feel restricted. People need people to interact with. Pick up the phone and call family and friends, send emails or write letters. When I have talked to people about what they are doing, it ranges from walking, bicycling, golf, being out on a boat, fishing, swimming, and probably the most popular sport on the water today, surfing. Minnesota and Wisconsin are wonderful states for outdoor recreation. Off-roading is growing in popularity. Jeeps are popular and now Ford feels itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good time to bring back the Bronco. Canoes and kayaks are popular and there are those who love their ATVs in the summer and snowmobiles in the winter. Before long it will be time to wax the skis, sharpen the skates and, of course, hiking all year round will provide that fresh air. Kathy and I celebrated our 52nd wedding anniversary on Aug. 3. I tried to think of something special that I could do to show love to my sweetheart. I decided to take her to the largest candy store in Minnesota located in Jordan. They had all kinds of bulk candies in small plastic containers of every imaginable flavor. Some of the flavors were not very inviting like loon turds. The fudges were creamy. They had a large fudge counter and all kinds of spices and grilling condiments. I tried some cinnamon bears, but they did not have as much cinnamon spice as I would like. It was a good place to find small gifts of candy that could be used for many different occasions. One trip there was enough. The taffy in all imaginable flavors was the best. When I have talked with my senior friends about anniversaries and birthdays, I find a number of them just use the same cards from the previous year. One of my coffee friends said he just takes his wife to the card shop and lets her read many of the beautiful verses. When you think about the success of your marriage, what would you say? For Kathy and me it has been communication, planning together and our common faith in the Lord.

ZONING: Village denies zoning FROM PAGE 3

It was noted during the meeting that if the ETZ was approved, a joint committee comprising of three Village and three Town representatives must be set up to work through

details regarding ETZ. After further discussion, the motion was made to approve ETZ and it failed by a 4-2 vote with Rose and Burch approving and Buberl, Gilliand, Schmidt and West voting no.

BY DAN JOHNSON STAFF WRITER

During the Farmington monthly Town Board meeting on Aug. 3, Melissa Marr requested to present a preliminary idea for a local dog boarding business. The location she chose is on State Highway 35, near the county line. Marr wanted to get feedback from the board and others in attendance before taking the next steps to open up. The boarding business would be called â&#x20AC;&#x153;County Line K9 Resort.â&#x20AC;? The main concern from the board was a regulation that required at least one thousand feet of distance from other properties to avoid noise disturbances from barking dogs. Marr assured the board that her location was the correct distance from other buildings and discussed some preventative measures to reduce noise. Her goal is to make sure the dogs are never over stimulated or anxious. The board was enthusiastic about the idea. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Have at it!â&#x20AC;? said Chairman Dennis Cottor.

Marrâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s next step will be to get feedback from neighbors of the location. Accident Prevention for Dangerous Intersection A dangerous intersection on 40th Avenue and 240th Street has caused three major car accidents in recent years, including a fatality. The proposed solution was either a set of rumble strips before the intersection or an updated solar-powered stop sign with flashing lights. To ensure safety, Board Supervisor Rick McGuiggan made a motion to install both the rumble strips and the light-up stop sign, and the motion was carried. Vehicles Speeding on 267th Street Resident Jason Jensen voiced his concerns about quarry workers speeding on 267th Street. Contractors traveling to and from the quarry mostly owned the vehicles. Although the speed limit is 45 miles per hour, he guessed that some of them have been traveling up to 60 miles per hour. Jensen recommended putting up two additional speed limit signs to make sure everyone on the street is driving safely.

The board agreed to look into putting up the additional signage New voting machines Treasurer Debbie Swanson gave the treasurerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s report, noting that five new voting machines were ordered to replace the outdated ones for the upcoming election. The new machines would allow for quicker and more accurate counting. The cost (around fifteen-17 thousand dollars) would be split up between this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s budget and next yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. Zoning Ordinance Change The meeting started off with a public hearing regarding a zoning ordinance change. The change added that the location of consolidated, locked mailboxes would be shown on certified survey maps and that the Town Board must approve all driveway and mailbox locations. There were no comments or objections, so the public hearing was adjourned, and the regular meeting was called to order. Because Labor Day is on the first Monday of September, the next town board meeting will be Wednesday, Sept. 2.

SCHOOL: High school to offer three lunch periods this fall FROM PAGE 1

buildings (with the exception of eating and drinking and other factors). â&#x20AC;&#x153;Shields could be worn in addition to masks, but it wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t meet requirements,â&#x20AC;? he continued. WIAA approval The Board signed off being part of the WIAA for the 2020-21 school year. As it was stated during the meeting, due to COVID-19, girls golf, girls tennis, girls swimming and diving, and cross country will start practice Monday, Aug. 17, with football, boysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; soccer and volleyball, starting Monday, Sept. 7. Athletic Director Scott Newton said as of the meeting, Osceola looks to be playing only teams in the Middle Border Conference for football and volleyball. Football and volleyball will have shortened regular seasons, because, he added, the WIAA isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t changing the end of season dates. Middle School sports will likely start on Sept. 8. Newton said more meetings are on tap, and plans could change again. The issue of spectator attendance will be addressed during the Aug. 19 board meeting.

Other News High school Principal Adam Spiegel announced the school would be offering three lunch periods for the upcoming year to alleviate spacing issues. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are going to be encouraging kids to eat outside as much as possible,â&#x20AC;? Spiegel said. Buildings and Grounds Director Bob Schmidt gave an update on building projects. Some of those include tuck pointing being completed at the middle school, high school should be done by this week and then theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be moving onto the intermediate school. Security cameras have been completed at the high school and they started last week at the middle school and this week at the intermediate school. Lighting has been ordered at the auditorium. Personnel changes The Board accepted the retirement of Annette Viebrock as a certified aide after 23 years. Resignations were approved for Heather Gott and Lynell Hillstead, both pre-K aides; Susan Richter as a high school certified aide and Mariah Schlosser as a middle dchool certified aide. Dylan Ringer was hired as a

high school physical education teacher and David Eichler as a middle school physical education teacher. Another referendum? Prior to the Board meeting, the board along with Luebker, Business Manager Lynette Edwards and Schmidt, heard presentations from Bray Architects and from Wold and Associates. The presentations, explained Edwards, was after the districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s passage of the referendum last April for building projects, the district is pursing another referendum for April 2022 with the focus being at the elementary school, specifically for HVAC and security purposes. Edwards said the District has heard the issues for awhile concerning the elementary school and now are ready to address them. The reason for that date is so construction can start after the completion of the 2021-22 school year. Both companies highlighted their local ties to the area, specifically Wold, as they highlighted part of the Somerset referendum. The winner will be announced in the Aug. 19 board meeting.

MINE: Residents speak their mind about mine expansion

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said Shawn Schottler. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Your job isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t complicated. There are no residents fighting or cheering on the expansion,â&#x20AC;? said Joel Norman. Not all the speakers were anti-expansion. Ed Vater presented three options on why he supports it. 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Cost: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The further we go for our source on rock, the more expensive itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to be,â&#x20AC;? he said. 2 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The not in my backyard op-

tion. People donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want state roads, large dairy farms or wind farms in their backyards, he said, but they are there. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not practical to move this, he stated. 3 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are no environmental gains by squeezing this business,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;ŚIf you want to do something to reduce environmental impact, consider the size of your lawn, the size of your house, and most of all, stopping the urban sprawl in our community.â&#x20AC;? North 40 co-owners Pete Olson and Matt Torgerson gave the min-

ersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; perspective. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This mine has a lot of good, natural resources,â&#x20AC;? Torgerson said. He also squashed the notion that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to be used for frac sand. Cottor told those in attendance (it was held outside the town hall, so more could attend and for social distancing measures) the Board will read through the speeches from all who spoke and decide if they want to make any changes from those recommendations.

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Signs your pet may be in pain

5 ways to prevent lost pets Despite the sadness, uncertainty and disruption to millions of people’s lives, the novel coronavirus COVID-19 has provided some silver linings. One such positive side effect of people being asked to spend more time at home is the opportunity for individuals and families to open their abodes to needy animals. Pet adoptions have increased as people have found more personal time to devote to companion animals. The Pet Health Network says that people experiencing loneliness from being apart from others often turn to pets to help them feel better. Lucky Dog Animal Rescue in Virginia brought in 149 animals from high-kill shelters in March 2020 and adopted 134 in a single week, matching the agency’s monthly average. Data on New York City animal shelters indicates that, as of early May 2020, 43.5 percent of shelters were experiencing an increased demand for adoption since the COVID-19 outbreak. As pet adoptions increase, new pet parents are urged to remember to take every precaution to keep their companions safe and secure. The

summer months can be a prime time for pets to become lost. Increased thunderstorms as well as fireworks displays can frighten pets. Also, more time spent outdoors may make it easier for “escape artists” to find their way out of backyards or get free from leashes. Thankfully, there are some steps pet owners can take to keep pets safe. • ID and collar: Pets should wear collars with attached identification at all times. This should include an up-to-date contact number. ID tags can be made at pet supply stores or are available at the Animal Humane Society facilities. • Microchip: Micro-

chips are small devices that are implanted under the pet’s skin. About the size of a grain of rice, microchips emit a low radio frequency that can be read by a handheld scanner. Virtually all vet offices and animal shelters are equipped with scanners. Microchips are designed to last the pet’s lifetime, according to HomeAgain, a microchip company. Once the pet is registered, the chip will link to a record of owner information that can be updated easily online. • Sterilization: AHS says studies show that pets that have been spayed or neutered are less likely to roam for mates and potentially get

lost. • Pet-proof: Homeowners may have to make adjustments to their yards and homes to ensure pets cannot escape. Some dogs and cats can climb over tall fences or dig underneath. Speak with your veterinarian about how to pet-proof your property. • Leash pets: Prey instinct can be high and even the most well-behaved pets may act differently when away from home. A secure collar/ harness and leash will help keep pets safe on walks. New pet parents should familiarize themselves with the steps to help prevent lost pets.

Did you know?

Dog owners often find that having a fenced-in space gives pets an opportunity to run around offleash and enjoy time outdoors and can make it easier for pets to go out on bathroom breaks. Still, pet owners must recognize that inquisitive dogs can get into trouble even in seemingly safe yards. One potential danger is ingestion of potentially toxic mushrooms. It is essential for homeowners to check their yards for mushrooms all year long, but especially during wet springs

and in the fall. Mushrooms can pop up overnight. Depending on the type of mushroom and the size of the dog, ingesting even a small amount can result in gastrointestinal distress or more dire circumstances, like liver failure. Certain mushrooms give off a fishy smell and they may entice dogs who are prone to indiscriminate eating. According to the animal care resource Preventative Vet, signs of mushroom toxicity include vomiting, salivating, yellowing of the

skin and “whites of eyes,” coma, seizures, and loss of balance. Other dogs may experience diarrhea or refuse to eat. Any pet owner who has suspected a dog has eaten wild mushrooms should consult a veterinarian. Early treatment can help and prevent more serious organ damage or death. Pet owners who cannot trust their dogs unattended in the yard should bring their pups out on leashes or keep careful watch on them while they’re outdoors.

Pet owners go to great lengths to treat their animals well. When a pet is ill, the animal may exhibit signs of anxiety and upset. However, sometimes it is not so easy to detect that something is awry with a pet, even if the animal is in pain. Companion animals descend from wild animals and it is important for wild animals’ survival that they do not display signs of physical weakness. In a domestic setting, pets may hold onto some of these inherent traits, which can make it challenging for pet owners to know when the animal is feeling poorly. Cats are very stoic and it can be easy for humans to miss signs of discomfort or pain, according to Pam Johnson-Bennet, a cat behavior expert and author of several books on cats. Even dogs may not exhibit signs of pain or illness. By learning to pick up on some cues, pet owners can determine if it is time to make a vet appointment. • Lack of appetite: A lack of appetite might be a sign of various medical conditions or that a pet is in pain. If the animal is normally a chowhound but suddenly he or she is skipping meals or turning up his or her nose at the bowl, be sure to alert the veterinarian, especially if this behavior continues for more than a few days, and especially if water is being refused as well. • Irritability: Cats in pain may be uncharacteristically aggressive, even growling or hissing when other pets or people in the household approach. Dogs, too, may try to avoid contact or even become aggressive. Any noticeable changes in normal behavior can be a cause for concern. • Increased sleep: Pets in pain may sleep more as they try to heal or find it difficult to move around. Shifting positions, hunching and disinterest in chasing toys are other indicators that pets are in pain. • Vocalizations: Both dogs and cats in pain may make be more vocal, either meowing, yelping, growling, or howling to indicate something is not right. • Excessive grooming: The animal resource VetsNow says that if grooming seems excessive or centralized to a spot on the body, it may be the pet’s attempt to soothe. • Panting or altered breathing: A dog or cat who is breathing heavily while at rest may have an underlying illness and pain. • Potty changes: Cats may miss the litter box or choose not to use it if they’re in pain. Dogs that are ill may have accidents indoors or need to go out more frequently, even if they are house trained. Those who suspect their pets may be in pain can consult with a veterinarian and monitor symptoms carefully. Do not attempt to offer pain medication without first receiving professional advice.

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BENNETT: Will hunters see bare cupboards this fall? ROM PAGE 8

Bike and Sport has noticed the change by all the hours he and Matt put in. “We’re super busy. Our bike shop is always going as many people can’t find or can’t afford new bikes so they bring their old bikes in to get fixed. People are outside more all the time now and I’m thinking that’s not going to change this fall.”

“Because we started preordering guns and ammo this spring our shelves are full of ammo and gun safes are full the guns that our buyers are looking for. We are already ordering ice fishing equipment. Our archery supply of stock is ready for the demand we expect. We work on creating a strong local business. Being small we need to keep good relationships with our faithful customers. We are also

seeing new customers who can’t find stuff they normally get from the big guys. I can say we’re ready to get the stuff into the hands of the people who want what we have better than the big boys,” added Connors with a smile! 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 – Mar 21/Apr 20 A business associate or romantic partner may make a play for more power this week, Aries. Instead of playing defense, see what happens if you cede some control. TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 No matter how tempting the opportunity, do not mix friendship with ﬁnances, Taurus. This goes both ways, whether you are asking to borrow money or doing the lending. GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 Pressure at work could be mounting and leaving you feeling awfully stressed, Gemini. Now might be the time to take a brief step back and enjoy the respite. CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 Cancer, you may be inspired to ﬁght the system this week. Be sure you have done all your

CLUES ACROSS 1. Corrode 5. Jean Paul __, author 11. Hebrew unit of dry measure 12. A type of scientist 16. Greek goddess of discord 17. For Red Sox MVP 18. It checks your speed 19. Made dirty 24. The First State 25. Lodgings 26. Spiritual leader 27. Bradley Int’l Airport code 28. Native American people 29. Sharp pain 30. Touch 31. Slowly disappears 33. Indigenous Russian people 34. Narrative poem 38. Some are bad 39. Small quill feathers 40. Tattles 43. Popular Easter entree 44. Beneﬁciary 45. Clothed 49. Payroll ﬁrm 50. Lower Normandy’s largest city 51. Binary compound of halogen 53. The Fighting Irish 54. Skilled, paid worker 56. Eyelashes 58. The 12th letter of the Greek alphabet 59. Large, stocky lizard 60. Made poisonous 63. Former US Secretary of State 64. Sticky substances 65. A type of gin

CLUES DOWN 1. To return an echo 2. Displace 3. Japanese religion 4. Predilections 5. Partial

research before diving in full force. Patience is a virtue, after all. LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 While it may seem like you can mix business and pleasure Leo, there are some complications that you may not anticipate. It’s better if you keep things separate. VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 Virgo, no matter what you do this week there will be challenges. Embrace any hurdles you need to clear en route to getting the job done well. LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 If you do not make a big deal of a difference of opinion then you can work easily with a person whose perspectives differ from your own, Libra. Learn to cooperate. SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 Someone’s extreme emo-

tions can turn your weekly schedule on its head, Scorpio. As you help this person through a tough time, keep a cool head and listen. SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 Sagittarius, this week loved ones may want to make a big deal about something you are doing. But you’re not willing to join the drama parade. Stick to your convictions. CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 Capricorn, neglecting your work can have far-reaching consequences. So buckle down even though the last thing you want right now is responsibility. AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 Keep a close eye on the things that you value the most, Aquarius. Keep these things close to your mind and heart and do your best to avoid taking them for granted.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 Pisces, you may have a lot of pent up energy his week. Find some creative ways to spend your time and expend your energy. FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS AUGUST 9 Michael Kors, Designer (61) AUGUST 10 Suzanne Collins, Author (58) AUGUST 11 Chris Hemsworth, Actor (37) AUGUST 12 Yvette Nicole Brown, Actress (49) AUGUST 13 Lennon Stella, Singer (21) AUGUST 14 Steve Martin, Actor (75) AUGUST 15 Joe Jonas, Singer (31)

Looking at the world through milk-colored glasses

his time last year I was trying to figure out how to run a dairy plant. I was up to my neck in “all things dairy.” Running a diary plant is no easy feat. Today, I am a mechanical engineer, sanitarian, lab technician, chemical expert, scientist, culinary steam expert, cheesemaker, manager, and all-around troubleshooter. And that is only after the milk has left the cow. Recently, I hired someone who I thought was a perfect fit for our team of amazing employees. They quit after day two. They were highWild Chow ly educated, strong, and previously worked as a marketing brand Lisa Erickson rep for a large cheese company. They were excited about working in “dairy” and actually “doing” the process. I’m disappointed they quit, but I understand it’s not for everyone. It’s a lot of plain old hard physical work—REALLY hard work. Every day is a little different at the plant, but some things remain the same; heavy lifting, long hours, and getting wet with either milk or water. People are shocked at the amount of work required to produce a glass of milk or a 1lb of cheese. To produce one pound of cheese it takes 10 pounds of milk that have been pasteurized, cultured, coagulated, cut, cooked, milled, salted, pressed, and aged for months or years. Long after you’ve spent oodles of $$$ on processing, you’ll see some return on your investment—that’s if it turns out as you planned. My appreciation for dairy farmers and people in the dairy industry is somewhere in the superstar category. They truly are the hardest working people I know. The next time you take a bite of cheese or dunk a warm chocolate chip cookie in a glass of milk, marvel at the little miracle you’re holding in your hand. I love this recipe. It combines my favorite foods; veggies and all things dairy. It’s heavenly. Dairy Good Spinach and Artichoke Casserole One large bag of baby spinach 1 small red onion, chopped 1 tbsp. butter 8 oz cream cheese 1 cup sour cream ½ cup half & half ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for the top 3 cloves of garlic, minced Pepper to taste 2 cans of artichoke hearts, chopped 1 tbsp. fresh dill, chopped and stem removed ½ tsp. seasoned salt 12 Ritz or Keeble Club crackers, crushed

6. Poisonous plant 7. Road open 8. Atomic #81 9. Accomplished American composer 10. Oh, God! 13. Potato state 14. Most melancholic 15. Supportive framework 20. Hollywood’s Pacino 21. A title for women 22. Popular Grammys alternative

23. Check 27. Bolivian river 29. South Dakota 30. Wonderful 31. Supervises ﬂying 32. Commercial 33. More (Spanish) 34. Even distribution of weight 35. “Arabian Nights” hero 36. Compact mass of a substance 37. Bachelor of Laws 38. Halfback 40. Some of it is ground 41. They play in the trenches 42. Atomic #18

44. Chinese Prefecture 45. Fabrics 46. Being in a direct line of descent from an ancestor 47. In slow tempo 48. Flood 50. Long-necked bird 51. Secondary school 52. Artiﬁcial intelligence 54. Structure by the water 55. Lather 57. What happens there stays there 61. A bone 62. The Great Lakes State

Preheat oven to 350°. Over high heat, place half of the spinach in a large saucepan add ½ cup of water. Bring to a boil and cover; steam until wilted; about 2 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl. Repeat with remaining spinach; set aside (don’t forget to add more water to the second batch). Drain the water and reduce heat to medium. Add the butter and onion; cook until tender; add the cream cheese, sour cream, half & half, parmesan cheese, garlic, pepper, and seasoned salt. Stirring constantly until the cream cheese is melted. Add the spinach, artichokes and dill; fold in. Pour mixture into a 9 x 13 baking dish or a 2-quart casserole dish. Top with crackers and more grated parmesan cheese to taste. Bake for 30 minutes until mixture is bubbling and top is golden brown. Serve immediately.

Lisa Erickson is a food columnist who loves adventure and food. You can find more recipes by emailing her at wildchowrecipes@gmail.com.

Delivering Your Community

East Farmington Just 5 minutes South of Osceola on Hwy 35

715-294-4410

www.osceolasun.com

<www.osceolasun.com>

AUGUST 12, 2020

THE SUN

www.osceolasun.com

DERONDA SHED SALE

GRASS: Invasive Japanese stilt grass found in Wisconsin

696 130th Street • Amery

Delivering Your Community Clean shoes and gear and report invasive species Because there are no other known local sources of Japanese stilt grass, the plant was likely accidentally brought to the site on the shoes or gear of a hunter or hiker coming from an infested area in another state. The seeds

can spread down streams and get caught in tires, boots and the feet of animals, moving along trails and roads. Kearns asks people to keep a boot brush in their car and clean off their shoes, gear, and pets before and after a hike to prevent the accidental spread of seed.

<www.osceolasun.com>

Wanted Receptionist/Cashier Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative is seeking a full-time receptionist/cashier. This position will answer the telephone and perform general cashier, receptionist and a variety of other clerical tasks for various departments. The successful candidate must have a high school or equivalent diploma. A twoyear secretarial certi¿cate is highly desirable. One to three years’ experience in an of¿ce environment with public contact is preferred. Must be pro¿cient with personal computers using Microsoft Of¿ce products (Word, Excel, Outlook, Access). Experience should also include cashiering skills, working with computer systems and other standard of¿ce equipment. Must be able to work under pressure and have considerable skill in effectively dealing with a variety of people in sometimes dif¿cult circumstances and interact well with others. Must be able to perform tasks with a high degree of accuracy and comprehension. Must transmit information clearly over the phone and in person. Must be pro¿cient in use of 10-key. Skills test conducted if selected to interview.

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I enjoy video games.

Please submit an application, cover letter and resume on or before August 10, 2020 to: Human Resources, PolkBurnett, 1001 State Road 35, Centuria, WI 54824 or hr@polkburnett.com. No phone calls please. An application can be downloaded at www.polkburnett. com under My Coop/Employment Opportunities. EOE/M/F/V/D

4-H Clubs

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4-H Fun For Kids Everywhere!

612-860-3508

Multi-family. Baby, boy, girl, maternity (selling by lot) adult & hunting clothes. High quality baby equipment. Furniture, kitchen, home decor & books. Sporting goods including aluminum ﬁshing boats, antique boat motors & sauna stove.

Try It Yourself!

Small square bales of Grass Hay at $4.00 per bale.

Thursday, August 13th, 4-8 Friday, August 14th, 8-5 Saturday, August 15th, 8-12

4-H Online Activities

HAY FOR SALE

dread finding. Japanese stilt grass is one of those plants for Wisconsin botanists and until this July, Japanese stilt grass hadn’t been found in Wisconsin, said Jason Granberg, a DNR invasive plant specialist. That changed on July 13 when Amanda Weise, a botanist for the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, was volunteering for DNR’s Rare Plant Monitoring Program and saw the invasive grass. Weise, who is originally from New England, was very familiar with Japanese stilt grass. She collected and pressed a specimen of the plant, took photos and checked EDDMaps, an invasive species tracking website. She found that there were no verified reports yet in Wisconsin and submitted her report via

the EDDMaps app on her phone. Because the site was on a state forest and immediately adjacent to a State Natural Area, DNR was able to quickly respond by sending staff to carefully survey all the roads, trails and streams in the area. Weise was on site and gave DNR staff a quick identification lesson. Staff flagged every patch, recorded its coordinates and handpulled small patches. Larger patches along the road and parking area were sprayed by DNR State Natural Area crew members. They will return every year to re-survey and treat the area until no more plants are found.

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...project this week and next week too.

My family is working on a 4-H online...

Newspaper Fun! www.readingclubfun.com

I’d make cheese!

! Wow

Kids: color stuff in!

4-H Fun For Kids Everywhere!

What do you know about the world-famous 4-H organization? Do you know that about 7 million young people from more than 50 countries belong to the 4-H groups, clubs and programs? Members are 6 to 25 years old and have a range of backgrounds and beliefs. They think about their interests and then set out to complete their own hands-on projects: experiments, cooking, robotics, etc. 4-H members “learn by doing.” Right now, during a time when a lot of kids are staying closer to home, the 4-H has created a great online Home Activity Guide that offers families lots of ideas for learning, hands-on activities and experiments. Check out this FREE guide – and try out 11 some cool new stuff – by visiting https://4-H.org.

The 4-H: 1. has more than 6.5 ______ kids and young people as members in the U.S. and Canada. 2. encourages kids to get ______ and plan interesting projects. 3. teaches that we keep learning all our lives – and we can work to make the best even ______! 4. was started by a few people living in different areas; one was a superintendent of schools named A. B. Graham who began a club where kids could learn about ______ – the science of caring for animals and the land, and raising crops. 5. has a symbol that started as a 3-leaf ______ with an H on each leaf: head, heart, hands; later, the 4th leaf and “H” was added for health. 6. Head is for thinking and knowledge, the ______ is for spiritual strength, the Hands are for doing and Health is for “better living.” 7. members who live on farms may work with ______; enter competitions. 8. members in clubs near or in large ______ may work on areas such as: photography, cooking, neighborhood projects.

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We are learning a ton about electronics.

THE SUN

AUGUST 12, 2020 www.osceolasun.com

COVID 19: What is your county’s risk classiﬁcation? BY APRIL ZIEMER EDITOR@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM

As new COVID-19 statistics come out each day, new terms and classifications seem to be used when describing the virus’s activity level in areas. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has come up with classifications they feel give local communities the tools they need to respond to COVID-19. DHS has made a shift to assessing the COVID-19 activity level in counties by labeling them low, medium and high. These classifications are being used to by some entities as decision-making tools in terms of deciding whether or not area activities should be taking place. According to the DHS website, “At the request of our local public health partners, and in recognition of the fact that local decisions now drive our response efforts we are adding tools to our toolbox to fight COVID-19.” The activity level map is the first in a series of data dashboards that DHS will provide to help communities and individuals assess their COVID-19 activity level and response. “What we want you to remember is that the virus has not changed; when you physically distance, wear a cloth face covering, limit your trips, and wash your hands, you are practicing the best health measures to protect yourself against COVID-19,” said

the DHS. The risk classification is determined by burden (case rate) and trajectory (case change), which are based on confirmed COVID-19 cases. The COVID-19 activity level map that features burden and trajectory indicators are based on whether the burden status is low, moderate, moderately high, or high and whether trajectory status is significantly shrinking, growing, or have no statistically significant change. Burden is the total number of cases per 100,000 Wisconsin residents in the last two weeks. Case rate greater than 10, but less than or equal to 50, equals low burden. Case rate greater than 10, but less than or equal to 50, equals moderate burden. Case rate greater than 50, but less than or equal to 100, equals moderate high burden. Case rate greater than 100, equals high burden. Trajectory is the percent change from previous to current week and p-value (indicates statistical significance) from a test against the percent change equal to zero. Trajectory Statuses Value are classified as follows: Shrinking: Percent change in cases is less than or equal to negative 10 percent, and p-value is less than 0.025. Growing: Percent change in cases is greater than or equal to 10 percent, and p-value is less than 0.025. No Significant Change:

Any other conditions besides those that meet the “shrinking” or “growing” statuses described above. Low burden and either shrinking or no significant change for trajectory would equal a county being defined as “Low Risk.” Counties classified as “Medium Risk” would have low burden and

2018 Polk County Platbooks Available!

$40

tory. All other combinations of burden and trajectory would classify a county as being “High Risk,” which includes Polk

County. For more information go to: https://www.dhs. wisconsin.gov

1945 - World War II Ends - 2020 ANNUAL HEALTH

To mark the 75th Anniversary of the end of World War II, we are putting together a special section about the men and women from our area who served.

Schedule your child’s well child check or sports physical today.

We need the community’s help in ﬁnding and giving credit to these veterans, living and dead. We have a page on our website, https://www.osceolasun.com/site/forms/online_ services/wwii_submissions/, where you can share details and a photo of your veteran.

SCREENING

full color

Cash or check only

growing trajectory, moderate burden and shrinking or no significant change trajectory or moderately high burden with shrinking trajec-

By adding an annual screening to your child’s the back-to-school list, you can help protect your child’s health, track growth and development, and prevent disease. Let our family take care of yours. Call 715-294-2111 to schedule your child’s visit today.

We plan to release the section in August before the 75th Anniversary of the end of the war on September 2.

Thanks for your help! Available at:

Serv Serving erving erv ing Polk Polk lk County’s County County ounty’s unty’s St. St Croix Croi Cro Cr ix ix Valley Valley lle ley since since 1897

108 Cascade Street Osceola

2600 65th Ave. Osceola, WI 715-294-2111 | MyOMC.org