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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2018 VOL. 121 NO. 17 www.osceolasun.com $1.00
OSCEOLA FFA: Strong showing at national dairy contests. PAGE 2
Vaping, substance abuse, topics of community event Vaping, signs of substance abuse and teen trends of drug use are the topics of a community event in Osceola Dec. 5. The free event is aimed at providing parents and the community with the knowledge necessary to better support youth. “The world is a different place than it was even 10 years ago,” said Rebecca Styles, director of instruction at Osceola Middle School. “Our entire community needs to know the risks and the warning signs so we can support our adolescents with preemptive conversations as well as support those who are in need. If we don’t know we simply can not help.” Considered by some to be an epidemic among teenagers today, vaping may have adverse effects on adolescents. Attendees will learn about various e-cigarette devices and talk about the dangers of vaping. Because meth use is on the rise in local communities, organizers
have also invited a drug expert talk about teen trends and vocabulary associated with drug use. The event will have a mock room resembling a teenager’s bedroom that will provide clues and insight into the signs of potential drug abuse. “This event is an excellent opportunity for parents and community members to be more informed about vaping and drug abuse,” said Mark Luebker, superintendent of the Osceola School District. “It is a great opportunity for parents to start or continue important conversations with their children.” Open to all, this event is Dec. 5, from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. in the Osceola High School Auditorium. It’s presented by the school district, Osceola Medical Center, Osceola Police Department, Polk County Sheriff’s Department and the Polk County Division of Community Services.
TBEC REVIEW | HTTP://VAPING360.COM
Vaping and signs of teen drug use are the topics of a Dec. 5 event in Osceola.
Grandstand, library funding, symbolize tension over taxes BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM
What justifies additional spending on behalf of taxpayers? Polk County Board members confronted the question last week as questions of whether to increase library funding and how to pay for a new fairgrounds grandstand revealed tensions around spending. Ultimately the board approved both measures, though not unanimously.
Library funding Act 150 funding will increase by $87,723 in 2019, to be distributed between Polk County’s 10 libraries. The funding acts as a reimbursement to municipal libraries for services to residents from outlying rural areas. “Right now, residents inside each municipality are paying 100
percent of their own cost and 20 percent of the cost to serve rural residents outside of their municipality,” explained Interim Corporation Counsel Malia Malone. The Act 150 funds go directly to the libraries, not municipalities, but municipal governments can opt to lower the local contribution to the library if they choose. “I represent two municipalities and two libraries, Balsam Lake and Milltown,” said District 4 Supervisor Chris Nelson. “What you’re asking for is that the rural people in Milltown Township to pay more money. … I’d like to be able to go to Milltown village and say, ‘The county just kicked up x amount of dollars, you should be able to take that out of your budget.’” The increase from 80 percent of potential Act 150 funding to 90 percent means an increase to the countywide levy, estimated as
a $2.42 increase per $100,000 in home value. “Does everybody know this is around our levy cap?” asked District 9 Supervisor Kim O’Connell. “This isn’t part of the county’s levy, so we are going to raise taxes.” “Yes, and that’s wrong,” said District 5 Supervisor Tracy LeBlanc. The increase was approved by a 9 to 6 vote. Voting to approve: Michael Prichard, Larry Jepsen, Jay Luke, Michael Larson, Russ Arcand, John Bonneprise, Joe Demulling, Dean Johansen, Doug Route. Voting against: Tracy LaBlanc, Brian Masters, Jim Edgell, Kim O’Connell, Brad Olson, Chris Nelson.
County researches financial impact of trail decision BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM
Will Polk County have to pay if it allows motorized vehicles on the Stower Seven Lakes State Trail? The question, thus far, remains unanswered. After adding motorized vehicles to the trail’s master plan in October, the county got a letter from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. “This trail is currently designated as non-motorized,” it read, “in part because it received federal funding through the non-motorized Transportation Enhancement program operated by WisDOT. “Permitting year-round use of motorized vehicles on the trail requires repayment of the federal funding that was granted for the trail project unless an exception is granted by the Federal Highway Administration.” The bill: $599,246. The Oct. 23 letter offered details for seeking an exception through the Federal Highway Administra-
SEE COUNTY, PAGE 20
SEE TRAIL, PAGE 17
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