WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
Serving Polk County’s St. Croix Valley since 1897
VOL. 119 NO. 08 www.osceolasun.com $1.00
SPORTS: Chieftain football wins again. PAGE 16
Polk County bird tests positive for West Nile
Dresser readies for fall festivities BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM
The Pumpkin Express is bound for Dresser Oct. 21 through 23. The annual event features train rides from Osceola to Dresser’s depot, where kids can pick out pumpkins, roast marshmallows and navigate a hay bale maze, among other activities. Visitors can hop any train back to Osceola — the last one departs each day at 4 p.m. Last year the train brought more than 3,000 people to Dresser, reported Joyce Tesch of the Minnesota Transportation Museum (MTM), and that was in spite of website problems that SEE FESTIVITIES, PAGE 22
A dead crow found in the Amery area on Aug. 14, has tested positive for West Nile Virus, the Polk County Health Department reported last week. This is the first bird that has tested positive for West Nile Virus in Polk County since surveillance for the mosquito-transmitted virus began May 1. “The positive bird means that residents of Polk County need to be more vigilant in their personal protective measures to prevent mosquito bites,” said Wendy Bauman, a Polk County health officer. West Nile Virus is spread to humans
MINNESOTA TRANSPORTATION MUSEUM
Riding the Pumpkin Express to Dresser. This year’s event will be held Oct. 21 through 23. Other fall events in Dresser include the Apple Pumpkin Festival and the DOG Fire Association Halloween Party.
through the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes acquire the virus by feeding on infected birds. “Polk County residents should be aware of West Nile Virus and take some simple steps to protect themselves against mosquito bites,” Bauman said. “The West Nile Virus seems to be here to stay, so the best way to avoid the disease is to reduce exposure to and eliminate breeding grounds for mosquitoes.” The majority of people (80 percent) who are infected with West Nile Virus do not get sick. Those who do become ill SEE VIRUS, PAGE 22
River Association debuts Pedal Paddle
Harsdorf entangled in Republican fundraising scheme
BY JESSICA ANDERSON CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Sheila Harsdorf’s campaign dismissed Democrats’ claims last week that the state senator (R–River Falls) was involved in a “pay to play” scheme involving lead paint manufacturers. The accusations came after The Guardian U.S., a branch of the British newspaper, published a story linking Governor Scott Walker’s fundraising before the 2012 recall election to high-rolling donors — among them a lead producer facing lawsuits from children sickened by lead paint. According to emails leaked to the Guardian, Walker raised funds on behalf of himself and Republi-
This weekend the St. Croix River Association (SCRA) will be hosting a new event called Pedal Paddle; an idea which has become quite popular across the country. As the name suggests the main activities involved are bicycling and rowing (kayaks, canoes, etc.). With specifics on the SCRA website, the event will kick off at 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 25 and go until 3 p.m., however there really is no time restraint. It’s an “at your own pace” event according to the SCRA website, with time set aside in the middle for lunch in Marine. One of the main reasons for this event is to celebrate
SEE HARSDORF, PAGE 22
SEE PADDLE, PAGE 22
Campaign denies claim that contributions impacted vote BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM
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A view of the St. Croix from William O’Brien State Park’s Riverside Trail.
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