Serving Polk County’s St. Croix Valley since 1897
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2018 VOL. 121 NO. 05 www.osceolasun.com $1.00
SPORTS: OHS volleyball wins five, loses five. PAGE 12
Lime quarry stays open — for now BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM
Polk County’s lime quarry will not close at the end of the year, as proposed earlier this summer by a member of the county board. However, it is still in need of large capital investments and the threat of eventual closure looms. Last week, the Polk County Board directed the county administrator and lime quarry manager to examine the quarry’s financial situation and report back to the board by next March with a business plan. The board will use the information to evaluate whether significant investment in the quarry can be justified. The quarry, which has been producing and selling agricultural lime to
area farmers for more than 60 years, was created to serve farmers, contractors, municipalities, county departments and the public by producing and selling lime and lime-related products. Enough lime remains in the quarry to last another 30 years, the county estimates. The quarry has never been a cost to taxpayers. In fact, since 2001 it has generated more than $1 million, which has gone into the county’s general fund. Brad Olson, who authored the proposal to close the quarry, has estimated that some $750,000 will be needed to replace aging equipment. Board members including John Bonneprise and Joe Demulling have said the investment is worthwhile to continue supplying area farmers with ag lime.
SUZANNE LINDGREN | THE SUN
An estimated $750,000 will be needed in coming yars to replace aging equipment at Polk County’s lime quarry.
Trail committee proposes plan BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM
Tasked with developing a master plan for the Stower Seven Lakes and Cattail trails, Polk County’s trail planning subcommittee settled on a proposal August 14. The subcommittee consists of seven members representing various stakeholder groups: County Board member Brad Olson, Doug Johnson of the Snowmobile and ATV Council, Rick McGuiggan to represent motorized users, Katie Bruns to represent non-motorized users, Friends of Stower Seven Lakes Trail member Jon Fogelberg, Brandon Whittaker to represent “governmental interests” and Ron Minnick to represent “general use.” With Minnick absent for the August 14 vote, the proposals for both trails were approved with a 4 to 2 vote. Stower To the Stower trail’s uses the group would add horseback riding and, conditions permitting, snowmobiling. Currently the trail allows only for hiking,
Admission to increase at Aquatic Center BY MARA MARTINSON CONTRIBUTING WRITER
SUZANNE LINDGREN | THE SUN
Signs along the Stower Seven Lakes State Trail show that the trail is closed to horses, snowmobiles, ATVs and motorcycles. If the trail planning committee’s proposal is accepted, the trail will be opened to horses and snowmobiles.
bicycling, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Cattail To the Cattail’s uses the group would add horseback riding. Currently, the 12-mile trail is mixed use, allowing hikers,
NEWS 715-294-2314 editor@osceolasun.com
snowmobilers, all-terrain and utility-terrain vehicles and motorcycles. Timeline The group set an open house
ADVERTISING 715-294-2314 ads@osceolasun.com
The Osceola School Board last Wednesday approved increases to the Aquatic Center’s admission and salary schedule. The center had not been charging enough to break even. “We’ve been losing money, correct?” asked treasurer Rosanne Anderson. “Yes, that is why these increases are being proposed,” said Jenny Frank, the district’s business manager. Notable increases to admission include 30-minute swim lessons rising from $40 to $50 and 45 minute lessons switching from $45 to $55. Memberships will increase for individuals by paying $95 for three months of swim, $180 for six months of swim, and $265 for each year of swim. Family memberships will then increase to $125 for three months of swim, $220 for six months of swim, and $295 for one year of swim. To go with these admission changes, staff will also have heftier wages. The board presented a proposed three tiered system for wage increases. The proposed amount for a lifeguard is $9 for their first year of work; the remaining two years will add a dollar each year. Instructors will start at $10 and their wages will increase by two dollars each year until their third year. Head lifeguards will start at $12.10 their first and second years, increase to $12.84 their third and fourth years, and then rise to $13.66 their fifth
SEE TRAIL, PAGE 9
PUBLIC NOTICES 715-294-2314 sales@osceolasun.com
SEE ADMISSION, PAGE 21
SUBSCRIPTIONS 715-294-2314 office@osceolasun.com
BREAKING NEWS, UPDATES Whenever, wherever you are! Scan me with your smartphone