Serving Polk County’s St. t Croix C i Valley V ll since i 1897
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2015 VOL. 118 NO. 16 www.osceolasun.com $1.00
SPORTS: Osceola football heads to Madison. PAGE 12
Chieftains play for ‘all the marbles’ Osceola meets Lodi in State Championship game BY RON JASPERSON SPORTS WRITER
When you get to the State championship game you will not be paired up against a ‘cupcake.’ The pairings are now set for the D-4 championship game. The Osceola Chieftains will take their 12-1 overall record to Madison and will be facing the Lodi Blue Devils. Lodi is still undefeated with a 13-0 overall record. Osceola advanced in their Level-4 game with a 2821 decision over Freedom. Lodi punched their ticket to State with a 23-0 decision over Omro. “Through hard work and dedication, our boys have earned this opportunity to play for the State title in division 4,” Osceola coach Scott Newton said. “We are going to do what we do and give it our best.” This will be the biggest game for Osceola football since 1984 when the Chieftains defeated Marshall 42-6 to win State in their only other championship game appearance. “Going to State is a once in a lifetime experience and I am glad to share it with my SEE CHIEFS, PAGE 14
JO JASPERSON | THE SUN
The Chieftains show off their Level-4 plaque to their fans after the 28-21 win over Freedom. Osceola now plays Lodi for the State championship.
County approves $21.5 million levy Moves toward citizen-centered government BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM
Polk County set a levy of $21,468,018 for 2016 on Nov. 10. The number is up 1.4 percent – or $297,896 – from last year’s $21,170,122. Though the levy rose slightly, the county’s tax rate will drop a bit, since rising property values outpaced the levy’s increase. On a $100,000 house, the 2015 tax was $528.03. In 2016 it will be $1.04 less, or $526.99. The county’s tax rate has remained relatively flat for the last five years and the three-year plan for the budget is balanced, said County Administrator Dana Frey. “The county’s longterm fiscal position looks pretty good,” he said. Total spending is projected to fall from roughly $61.3 million in 2015 to $58.7 million in 2016. Higher spending in 2015
was due, in part, to paying off a 2007 lease for an interest savings of about $15,000. Frey has recommended reducing debt service to $3.2 million and maintaining at that level. The county’s debt service was about $5.6 million in 2015 and $4.2 million in 2014. Maintaining at $3.2 million would allow for upgrades and investments in 2017 and 2021 with no increase to property taxSEE COUNTY, PAGE 21
The drone ambassadors BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM
Though Polk County’s levy doubled between 2001 and 2010, it has remained relatively flat for the last six years.
They call themselves the Chieftain Flyers, and they’re out to give drones a good name. The remotely piloted aerial vehicles have acquired an unfortunate reputation, says Doug Strain of Osceola, founder of a new community education class that makes drones its focus. “There’s a stigma for people who don’t know what they are,” he says. “I’ve heard people say that if they saw one flying around they’d shoot it down.” Many first heard of drones as a military technology – used for surveil-
lance and armed attack. But civilian culture has found its own uses for drones, from capturing aerial images to scouting rescue scenes. For Strain and many students in the class, the draw is even simpler: flight. “Aviation is in my blood,” says Strain. “I like flying things and I bought myself a little drone. I started learning more about them and started taking video.” Through the class, Strain is sharing more than his enthusiasm for drones. He’s doing his best to make sure the aircraft and its pilots earn a SEE DRONE, PAGE 22
Early deadline Polk County’s projected spending, by percentage, for 2016. “We’re a service industry,” said Administrator Frey, “most of our spending is going to go to personnel.”
NEWS 715-294-2314 editor@osceolasun.com
Polk County’s projected revenues, by percentage, for 2016. Property taxes will bring in nearly $21.5 million, making the levy the largest single source of funding.
ADVERTISING 715-294-2314 sales@osceolasun.com
PUBLIC NOTICES 715-294-2314 sales@osceolasun.com
Due to the Thanksgiving holiday the deadline for submitting advertising or press releases for the Nov. 25 edition of The Sun will be Nov. 19 at noon. Our office will be closed Nov. 26 and 27.
SUBSCRIPTIONS 715-294-2314 office@osceolasun.com
BREAKING NEWS, UPDATES Whenever, wherever you are! Scan me with your smartphone