WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2015
Serving Polk County’s St. t Croix C i Valley V ll since i 1897
VOL. 118 NO. 06 www.osceolasun.com $1.00
SPORTS: Tennis team drops close match. PAGE 12
Rail line repairs at 240th, F, State Street BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM
Upcoming repairs on the Canadian National rail line at 240th Street in Osceola and County Road F and State Street in Dresser will shut down crossings between Sept. 8 and 11. The repair on 240th is sched-
uled for Tues., Sept. 8 through Thurs., Sept. 10, but could possibly extend to Sept. 11. The repair at County Road F is tentatively scheduled for Wed., Sept. 8 through Fri., Sept 11. Closure of the crossing in Dresser on State Street is scheduled from Thurs., Sept. 10 through Fri, Sept. 11 or
Sat., Sept. 12. That detour will be only one block. In Osceola, 248th Street is not scheduled for repair, making it a reliable alternate route. “They’re hoping the repair on 240th will only take three days,” said Paul Baker, public SEE RAIL, PAGE 19
Dresser Trap Rock permit renewed, expanded BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM
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The memorial, intended to recognize veterans from all over the St. Croix River Valley, features a nine-foot tall bronze eagle statue.
Veterans Memorial plans ground breaking BY LARRY JEPSEN SPECIAL TO THE SUN
The St. Croix River Valley Veterans Memorial is scheduling a ground breaking on Sunday, Sept. 13 at 10 a.m. in Osceola’s Mill Pond Park. The memorial, intended for recognizing veterans from the St. Croix River Valley, features a nine-foot tall bronze eagle statue, donated by American Bronze Castings of Osceola and the Wally Schoop family. Veterans from Grantsburg to Somerset and from Lindstrom to Balsam Lake and all valley residents are encouraged to attend this memorial kickoff. Local veterans groups will be part of a flag ceremony and Osceola’s Grand Parade at 1
p.m. The flag ceremony includs music, speeches, shovel ceremony and color guards. The eagle will be on display at Wheels & Wings on Sat., Sept. 12 and in the Grand Parade on Sunday. In addition to the color guard, a deuce-and-a-half military truck will travel the parade route for any veterans who would like to ride along, escorting the new eagle statue. The truck will be located near the start point of the parade and a ladder will be available for easy access. The St. Croix River Valley Veterans Memorial group invites all to join in the celebration of the new memorial, originally started by John Jenkins, community members and local organizations.
Property Values are High and Rates are Low! Purchase that second property, Consolidate Debt, and make Home Improvements! NEWS 715-294-2314 editor@osceolasun.com
The Osceola Town Board renewed Dresser Trap Rock’s permit for nonmetallic mineral extraction Sept. 2, with an increase from the current five-acre parcel to 40. As recently as August, board members supported waiving noise, traffic and well impact studies due to the small scale of the century-old Dresser based company’s expansion, which seemed to have grown eightfold somewhat inexplicably. According to Joe Winkel of Dresser Trap Rock, the company proposed the acreage change while submitSEE DRESSER, PAGE 5
SUZANNE LINDGRENE |THE SUN
Paul Baker, public works for the Town of Osceola, stands with the town’s new one-ton pickup, a 2015 Chevy Silverado 3500. “It’s in service and it works great,” he said.
Pollinator partnership takes flight BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM
A St. Croix Valley partnership between federal agencies, local corporations, conservation groups and U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum could help restore habitat for bees, butterflies and other pollinators threat-
ened by habitat loss, pesticides and disease. The Pollinator Pledge spread its wings Monday, Aug. 31, in Bayport as about 80 people gathered to announce the collaboration. “Congress, the U.S. Forest Service or the National Park Service can’t do this alone,”
said U.S. Representative Betty McCollum, who represents the Fourth District. “We can only do this together, because together we share this planet. We want to protect pollinators and make sure they are here for future generations.” SEE POLLINATORS, PAGE 24
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