WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2018
Serving Polk County’s St. Croix Valley since 1897
VOL. 121 NO. 04 www.osceolasun.com $1.00
SPORTS: Fall season underway. PAGE 15
Waak takes Republican vote for sheriff in primary
Osceola caves picked as test site to help bats
Democrat written in BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM
BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM
Osceola’s Geiger caves have been chosen as a test site for treating white-nose syndrome. The disease, a fungus, prompts hibernating bats to burn through their fat reserves before winter is over. Some die of starvation, others freeze upon leaving the hibernaculum in search of food. The disease was first documented in the U.S. in New York, 2006, and was first detected in Wisconsin the winter of 2014. Staff at the Wisconsin and Michigan departments of natural resources have been working with scientists to document and mitigate the effects of WNS and are now beginning to test potential treatments. The Geiger caves, carved from the bluff by Veit Geiger for storing beer, have been on the DNR’s list of potential sites of experimental treatments for years. Because the cave is man-made and relatively new, somewhere in
Brent Waak won the Republican vote in the August 14 primary election for Polk County Sheriff with 194 more votes than competitor Tony Grimm. The final count was Waak 2,003, Grimm 1,809. However, Waak may not have won the sheriff’s seat yet. Democrat Patrick McLafferty received 73 votes as write-in candidate. The count, still unofficial, could be revised on or shortly after the August 21 canvass. There is some evidence that not all votes for McLafferty were counted initially, according to the county clerk’s office. The unofficial count would have to grow significantly to put McLafferty on the November ballot. He would need 5 percent of votes counted in the last gubernatorial election, about 320 according to the county clerk’s office. Still, no state law bars him from running as a write-in in the fall election. In the clerk of court race, Republican Joan Ritten received 3,375 votes and Democrat Jack-
SUZANNE LINDGREN | THE SUN
A gate now covers the small remaining entrance to the Geiger caves. The Village of Osceola granted the DNR permission to access the caves this month to test an experimental treatment for white-nose syndrome, caused by a fungus that infects bats.
the neighborhood of a century and a half old, researchers have fewer concerns about disturbing an established ecosystem with test treatments. After initial successes delaying infection and reducing its severity by treating bats’ winter quarters with chlorine dioxide, researchers will continue testing
Economic Development Corporation pitches housing study BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM
Polk County’s Economic Development Corporation is testing the waters to see if area municipalities might be willing to help fund a county-wide housing study. The idea came from a series of meetings the EDC held with local elected representatives, business people, bankers, developers and realtors. At the meetings, Vince Netherland, executive director of the Polk County EDC, heard the same message again and again: The county needs more housing. “There’s a big demand for housing,” he told the Dresser Village Board August 6. “Different kinds of housing. Senior housing. Apartments for young people who maybe just got their first job or maybe got married and have one child. Single family homes. Downsizing homes and apartments.” SEE HOUSING, PAGE 23
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with increased concentration and exposure time. The Osceola Village Board approved a temporary access permit at its August 14 meeting, allowing the DNR access to the cave. A gate installed over the cave entrance in August 2015 has stopped humans from entering except with special approval.
The DNR’s plan is to seal the cave and fog it with chlorine dioxide. After 48 hours the cave will be re-opened. The gas dissipates, leaving no harmful residues to bats returning during fall swarm. The DNR plans to do the work this month, before any bats move in for the SEE BATS, PAGE 23
ie Patterson, 2,366. State and district races • Incumbent Republican Governor Scott Walker will face Democratic challenger Tony Evers in November. Mandela Barnes won the Democrats’ nomination for lieutenant governor. Rebecca Kleefisch is the Republican nominee. • For U.S. Senate, Republican Leah Vukmir will challenge incumbent Democrat Tammy Baldwin, the first time in Wisconsin history that two women have been major-party nominees for U.S. Senate. • Democrat Josh Kaul will challenge incumbent Republican Brad Schimel for the attorney general’s office. • Republican Jay Schroeder and Democrat Doug La Follete will vie for secretary of state. • For state treasurer, Democrat Sarah Godlewski faces Republican Travis Hartwig. • Margaret Engebretson of Balsam Lake will challenge Sean Duffy for the District 7 Congressional seat. • Republican Gae Magnafici, Dresser, and Kim Butler, Balsam Lake, will vie to represent District 28 in the state assembly.
Eversons named grand marshals BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM
For decades, Sue and Jon Everson have melded family, work and community in a way that appears seamless. She, a mother and the owner of Unlimited Styling salon for 29 years, has volunteered with the chamber of commerce, helping plan Wheels & Wings and the village’s craft fair, and sitting on various downtown retail promotion committees. He, a father, prison guard and detective, was also a chamber member and was active on the Wheels & Wings committee for 25 years. He is the ADVERTISING 715-294-2314 ads@osceolasun.com
CFO and chaplain of the Osceola American Legion, and was an animal warden in Polk County for 22 years. In recognition of the couple’s decades of community service and dedication to local commerce, the Osceola Community Fair Board invited them to ride as grand marshals in this year’s parade. The invitation came to Sue shortly after she retired, closing the doors at her salon at the end of June. “It’s been a long run but a good run,” Jon said of the salon. “She was one of the first ladies on main street in business.” SUZANNE LINDGREN | THE SUN
SEE PARADE, PAGE 10
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Sue and Jon Everson, grand marshals at this year’s parade.
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