Serving Polk County’s St. Croix Valley since 1897
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019 VOL. 122 NO. 13 www.osceolasun.com $1.00
SPORTS: OHS volleyball wins Regional. PAGE 12
Remember pet safety during Halloween BY MATT ANDERSON EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM
Halloween is a lot of fun for kids and parents alike, but dangers are often overlooked for pets during the holiday. Foods like chocolate, candies and other Halloween items can all pose a potential risk for small pets during all the fun. Because Halloween is associated with plenty of candy, it is often the first place that pet owners find trouble. With chocolate being the most obvious danger pets find, Osceola Veterinary Services vet technician Michelle Axelsen, shares some of the other candies that are more dangerous than others. “A lot of the new candies – the really sugary ones – are really toxic to pets because the have xylitol in them,” she says. “It’s a sugar alternative. A lot of candy and even peanut butter has replaced sugar with xylitol to make them somewhat healthier, but it’s not safe for pets.” Axelsen also explains that the wrap-
Town of Osceola will move to five member board in 2021 BY MATT ANDERSON EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM
MATT ANDERSON | THE SUN
Osceola Veterinary Services Veterinarian Dr. Nancy Hansen (left) and Veterinary Technician Michelle Axelsen (right) urge pet owners to keep their pets safe during Halloween.
pers from candy can be dangerous. “Just the wrappers themselves have a risk to cause bowel obstruction,” she says.
“It’s mostly cats that have this problem, but some smaller dogs are at risk too.” To prevent the risks associated with chocolate, xylitol,
or candy wrappers, the best course of action is to keep the bowl of candy meant for trickSEE PETS, PAGE 10
After several well attended and impassioned meetings, the Town of Osceola Board passed an ordinance to create a five member town board with a two to one vote at a special meeting Oct. 22. A public hearing was scheduled just before the meeting in which the vote took place where more than 50 community members voiced their opinions. The original proposal, spearheaded by newest board supervisor Brandon Whittaker, was to make the transition from the current three members to a five member board as soon as possible. In this proposal, the electorate would have chosen two new board members in spring of 2020. However, supervisor Mike Wallis proposed to amend the existing ordinance to elect the incoming board members at the same time as the existing board in April 2021.
“I have consistently favored a five member board – that’s not my issue,” Wallis said. “I think the reasons for waiting till 2021 are that we have had three resignations: the clerk/treasurer, the planning commission member, and the chief election officer. I think we should focus on filling those positions. I also think that past board meetings have been turbulent. This will give us time to work toward improving working relationships with the current board. I think this will give us the opportunity to be ready to bring in newly elected members” Wallis’ proposal was accepted by chairman Doug Schmidt, but was opposed by Whittaker who said, “There is no reason to wait until 2021 to do this. I think we’re using these vacant seats as an excuse not to move forward. We have someone in our community SEE BOARD, PAGE 10
Osceola runs away with Sectional cross country titles BY RON JASPERSON SPORTS WRITER
In 2018 the Osceola Chieftain cross country team left the Sectional meet at St. Croix Central as girls and boys team champions. Osceola retuned the bulk of their runners for the 2019 season. If the Chieftains snuck up on anyone last year they wouldn’t be able to do it again. They had a bullseye on their backs as the team to take down. Fast forward one year and Osceola did it again. Once again the meet was hosted by St. Croix Central and again both the girls and boys teams earned the top spot among the 15 hopeful schools thus punching their ticket to State this Saturday in Wisconsin Rapids. Hayward was the second place girls team and St. Croix Central placed second on the boys’ side with both teams also qualifying for State. “What a great day for the Osceola cross country program,” Osceola coach Rachael Robinson said. “Both (girls and boys) teams took home the Sectional title and earned a trip to State by utilizing their depth. All seven runners impacted the overall results. They have worked extremely hard for this mo-
ment.” The Osceola girls dominated the 5,000 meter race in nearly perfect running conditions on the 5,000 meter course. Freshman Rachel Ulrich led the race from start to finish crossing the finish line in 19:23.1 to outdo the other 94 varsity runners. “Our whole team has put a lot of heart and effort in this year and I am so thrilled that it is showing in our results,” Ulrich said. “We are really happy to be representing Osceola at State and I am especially excited to have this amazing experience as a freshman.” Junior Lauren Ellefson, coming back from nagging injuries, had perhaps her best race of the season. Ellefson was ran a strong race and kept picking off some of the top runners as she neared the finish line, eventually placing second behind Ulrich. “Rachel Ulrich and Lauren Ellefson may have made Osceola history,” Robinson said. “Finishing one-two at the Sectional meet for the Chiefs has probably never been done. I am so proud of their composure and determination.”
NEWS 715-294-2314 editor@osceolasun.com
SEE OHS CC, PAGE 10
ADVERTISING 715-294-2314 ads@osceolasun.com
JO JASPERSON | THE SUN
Kolten Heimbach placed 12th overall in a race of 95 varsity runners to help Osceola to the Sectional cross country team title at St. Croix Central.
PUBLIC NOTICES 715-294-2314 office@osceolasun.com
SUBSCRIPTIONS 715-294-2314 office@osceolasun.com
JO JASPERSON | THE SUN
Rachel Ulrich has had an outstanding cross country season in her freshman year at OHS. She placed first at the Sectional meet last week at St. Croix Central.
BREAKING NEWS, UPDATES Whenever, wherever you are! Scan me with your smartphone