Serving Polk County’s St. Croix Valley since 1897
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2017 VOL. 120 NO. 20 www.osceolasun.com $1.00
SPORTS: Osceola boys basketball topples Unity. PAGE 12
Osceola board selects trustee for vacant seat BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM
After interviewing five candidates in closed session last week, t Osceola Village the B Board selected Bob S Schmidt to fill a v vacant seat on the b board. Schmidt, who is t director of buildthe i and grounds at ing Schmidt O Osceola High School, stood out for his familiarity with the community and issues the village is facing, Village President Gary Beckmann said Tuesday morning, Dec. 5. “Bob really, from the heart, talked about how he wanted to get involved,” Beckmann said. “He’s been nearly a lifelong resident of the community and wanted to give back in addition to the ways he already has over
the years. … Bob is a former firefighter, had been for many years and is currently with the EMT. He has appeared before the board to present the EMT annual report. … “He’s familiar with the school district buildings,” Beckmann continued. “He’s very knowledgeable about HVAC. But those were really peripheral issues because it’s much deeper than this project. What really stood out … was his familiarity with the community. …” Schmidt confirmed Beckmann’s statements, and seemed optimistic about serving the village through a trustee position. “I’m a life long resident of Osceola and I’ve served the Osceola community for over 33 years on both the fire department and ambulance service,” he said, “so this is a natural step to continue to serve the Village. “I’ve worked for the Osceola
School District for 35 years,” he continued, “so my experience working with the school and for the public I think brings me valuable experience. I’ll do my best to help guide the village in some exciting times.” Interview process The board was split on whether to hold the interviews in closed or open session. Trustee Van Burch argued for an open session, saying everyone on the board had been subject to a public vetting process. The sticking point, however, seemed to be whether allowing the candidates to hear the other interviews might present advantages to some. “If this were an election and the candidates were being interviewed by The Sun, they’d be interviewed separately,” said SEE VILLAGE, PAGE 16
Love, addiction and triumph St. Croix Falls man graduates from drug court BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM
Two years ago, Mark Larson penned a letter from jail in Pine County, Minn. “I was 17 years old when I met the love of my life,” wrote the St. Croix Falls man, 32 years old at the time. “Someone that never left my side and has always been there waiting for me to come home when I was in jails, hospitals or prison for any amount of time.” That love was methamphetamine. And Larson was beginning to realize the cost of his addiction to the drug. “I have an amazing, beautiful little princess, 10 year old daughter that I wish I could honestly say I love as much as my addiction,” the letter continued, “but honestly and pathetically I can’t or I would be lying.” The insights expressed in that letter to the editor, published in the Inter-County Leader, signaled a turning point in Larson’s life. SEE DRUG COURT, PAGE 16
SUZANNE LINDGREN | THE SUN
Treatment court graduate Mark Larson at his graduation ceremony.
For the time you’ve invested with us this past year, we are sincerely grateful and we wish all of you a most joyous holiday season with many happy returns.
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Donations down, demand up at area shelters BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM
Staff at the local Salvation Army, which operates shelters in in Polk, St. Croix and Burnett counties, announced concern last week about the future of area shelter programs, saying the organization needed to
‘The community needs to know about the increase in the homeless population.’ Duana Bremer Area Salvation Army Director raise about $100,000. “Our housing programs are at risk,” said local Salvation Army Director Duana Bremer. “Donations are down and demand is up.” The Salvation Army has offered housing for the homeless in Polk, St. Croix and Burnett counties for over 15 years, the agency said in a press release, adding that “thousands of people have been served through our shelter doors at Grace Place, Serenity Home and Faith House.” Those services are needed now more than ever, according to Bremer. “We have been serving record numbers of people in need and quite simply, donations have not kept up with the demand for our services and our budget is at a serious
shortfall,” she said. Serenity Home Shelter in Balsam Lake Wisconsin served 95 homeless men and women in 2014. In 2017, they will have served at least 112 homeless individuals, an increase of over 15 percent. Grace Place Shelter in New Richmond served 169 in 2014 and then expanded based on need. In 2017, the organization has served over 354 individuals, more than doubling the amount served. While donations to Grace Place have increased, according to the organization, they have not increased enough to cover the demand for services. Faith House, the smallest of the three shelters, served 29 individuals in 2014 and 32 in 2017, a 10 percent increase. With a growing homeless population, the shelters have incurred a significant deficit and are asking the public for help with additional donations. “We are down about $100,000 across all three counties right now,” Bremer said. “We need donations to come in to get us caught back up and then going forward, the community needs to know about the increase in the homeless population in our counties and that the concern for housing isn’t going away. We will stay and serve our homeless as long as we are financially able to keep doing so.” SEE DONATIONS, PAGE 16
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