WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2018
Serving Polk County’s St. t Croix C i Valley V ll since i 1897
VOL. 121 NO. 21 www.osceolasun.com $1.00
SPORTS: Osceola wrestlers win duals. PAGE 12
The Christmas Story St. Luke 2: 1-20
BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM
A
nd it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; because he was of the house and lineage of David. To be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they went there, the days were accom-
Lights, gates in at railway crossing
plished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock
The railway crossing in Osceola now has lights and gates, the product of action, persistence and patience from area residents. One of them, filmmaker Jordan Mederich, told The Sun in 2015 he’d known for decades the railroad crossing at 248th Street was dangerous. “I rode the bus as a kid across those tracks,” he said. “I knew it was a problem way back then.” Although the road is relatively straight, trees block the view of the tracks for drivers approaching the
SEE CHRISTMAS, PAGE 14
SEE CROSSING, PAGE 16
SUZANNE LINDGREN | THE SUN
Jordan Mederich on 248th Street near the railway intersection, Dec. 12. Mederich was part of a long, ultimately successful, campaign to have warning lights and gates installed at the intersection.
Snowmobiles granted immediate access to Stower Trail BY APRIL ZIEMER EDITOR@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM
In a memo sent out to Polk County surveyor Steve Geiger Dec. 13, Interim County Administrator Jeffrey Fuge has directed the Stower Seven Lakes Trail to be opened for snowmobile usage immediately. Fuge stated, “This directive implements the County Board’s policy decision to use the trail for snowmobile usage as described and contained in the county master plan adopted by the county board at its October 2018 meeting.” The memo said that irrespective of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) review of the board’s approved plan, Polk County may implement snowmobile usage on the trail. In a letter dated Nov. 30, 2018, WDNR provided the statement that WDNR does not approve those trail plans that are submitted to them (see the full letter as part of this sto-
ry online, www.osceolasun.com). Fuge’s memo said, “I further note that WDNR has issued no directive or order that prohibits the county from operating the trail for snowmobile use.” Fuge went on to say that based upon language in the memorandum of understanding [MOU] it is his conclusion that the county is obligated to manage, maintain and operate the trail for recreational purposes. “No language in the MOU ties operation of the trail to any use, nonmotorized, motorized or multiuse. While the County has the obligation to operate the trail and to engage in planning activities under the MOU, each such obligation is not inter-related to one another. Such obligations are distinction and separate,” said Fuge. The memo states that because of the reasons mentioned and due to the fact that the County Board has already made the policy decision to manage, maintain and operate the
Trail for snowmobile travel as an identified use, “it is not only necessary, but also appropriate for the Stower Seven Lakes Trail be open and implemented without delay for the 2018-2019 snow season.” Fuge re-emphasized that this directive does not implement usage of the trail for ATV or UTV usage. He said that the County Board adopted the master trail plan with ATV/ UTV use identified, but the resolution adopting the master trail plan conditioned implementation of ATV/ UTV use on the County receiving a decision from the Federal Highway Administration that such usage would not require the County to repay grant monies received through programs administrated by the federal agency. “Whether the ATV/UTV usage of the Trail is to be implemented will require additional County Board decision-making. Since the County has yet to apply for such decision,” said Fuge.
SUBMITTED
In spite of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources saying it needed more information before approving Polk County’s proposed plan, the county has implemented snowmobile usage on the trail pending snowier conditions.
100% OPEN with 12”-72” on the slopes! & Snow tubing! #1
TUES & THURS AFTER 5pm SPECIAL: 2 LIFTS W/RENTAL $40 SKI & RIDE ‘TIL 3AM FRIDAYS: $20 9pm-3am NEWS 715-294-2314 editor@osceolasun.com
ADVERTISING 715-294-2314 sales@osceolasun.com
PUBLIC NOTICES 715-294-2314 sales@osceolasun.com
SUBSCRIPTIONS 715-294-2314 office@osceolasun.com
BREAKING NEWS, UPDATES Whenever, wherever you are! Scan me with your smartphone