HIGH SCHOOL HOMECOMING FESTIVITIES
October 12, 2018
Photos submitted by: School District of Phillips
Phillips High School students are hoping for a Logger
win to put the "dressing on the bird" of a successful
Homecoming week filled with dress-up days; window,
hall, and float decorating; a parade at 2:30 p.m.; and
the Homecoming game tonight at 7 p.m. at Logger
Field, which will be followed by the bonfire.
The Homecoming Court consists of Olivia Bushman,
Tony Rohaley, Emma Peterson, Lokesh Kumaravel,
Gabby Eklund, Josh Lasky, Queen Annikka Johnson,
King Dakota Haberman, Olivia Harding, Gage Mudgett,
Kate Lochner, Noah Baratka, Nicole Schultz, and Max
Vyskocil.
If you would like to show your Logger pride, stop in to
the Grades 6-12 office and purchase a key chain for $5.
Mr. Makovsky's class made them on the new fab lab
equipment. The students are selling them as part of a
fundraiser.
To keep up on the latest information about the School
District of Phillips, "like" their Facebook page at
http://www.facebook.com/schooldistrictofphillips/
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FACILITY PLAN AND
REFERENDUM
November 27, 2018
On Wednesday, November 28th at 5:30 p.m., the
Phillips Elementary School will hold an hour-long
informational meeting, which will answer questions
regarding the district's facility plan and the upcoming
referendum. The Phillips community is invited. Child
supervision will be available during the meeting. You
can find more details at the Facebook event page,
http://www.facebook.com/events/1075997442600220/
In April of 2018, there was a 12.6 million dollar
referendum to replace a portion of the elementary
school. Since that referendum failed, the school
district has put together two new plans.
The first plan includes rebuilding at the current site for
a cost of $9.98 million. The 1958, 1972, and 1987
portions of the school would be demolished while the
1997 portion (which includes the art room, music
room, gymnasium, and current 4th and 5th grade
classrooms) would remain. The new addition would be
two stories, with classrooms on each story, and
connected directly next to the 1997 portion of the
building. A new parking and drop-off area would be
created where the old 1958, 1972, & 1987 building
areas once stood once that part of the building is
demolished. There would also be a secure main
entrance that routes all visitors through the school's
office.
The second plan includes moving the elementary
school over to the middle and high school complex for
a cost of $12.49 million. The 1958, 1972, and 1987
portions of the elementary school would be
demolished, and the 1997 portion of the building
would serve the school district's early learners. At the
middle school and high school complex, the existing
classroom space would be utilized for 5th grade, as it
was for almost a decade starting when the middle
school was built in 1988. A single-story building would
be added to the facility with a secure main entrance
that routes all elementary visitors through the school's
office. The current middle and high school music and
art classrooms would be updated and utilized by all
students. Making this move would allow the
elementary students to have access to the technical
education labs, swimming pool, and auditorium.
Traffic patterns would be re-routed and additional
parking would be created.
The school district is also asking the community if the
school district should provide child care by utilizing the
1997 section of the existing elementary school, which
would be a fee-based service.
In order to have your voice heard, if you live in the
Phillips School District, you should have received a
survey in the mail. If you did not receive a survey, you
can contact the district office at 715-339-2419, Ext.
2008. The survey must be completed and returned by
December 7, 2018. Results of the survey will be
reported at a December 17th school board meeting
and also available on the district's website at
http://www.phillips.k12.wi.us
HAY, HAY, HAY!
December 21, 2018
Photo by: Mike Onchuck
Most trees are made of branches, but one special
"tree" in Phillips is made of hay.
Mike Onchuck, plus his family and friends, created a
"Christmas tree" of hay at the Onchuck farm. To see it
lit up at night, travel down Flemings Rapids Road in
Phillips.
Additionally there is a "Good Will Community
Christmas Dinner" sponsored by the Phillips Area
Clergy Association.
NEWS - PHILLIPS, KENNAN,
CATAWBA
FATAL SNOWMOBILE CRASH
January 14, 2018
On January 14, 2018 at about 12:25 a.m. the Price
County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call reporting
two snowmobilers were missing for over two hours.
They had left a property in the Township of Elk and
had not arrived at their destination in the City of
Phillips.
Responding to conduct the search and rescue
operations were the Price County Sheriff's Office,
Phillips Police Department, Wisconsin Department of
Natural Resources, Ashland County Sheriff's Office,
Central Price County Ambulance Service, and Phillips
Fire Department.
At around 1:45 a.m. the bodies of the two
snowmobilers and their snowmobile were located
near the southern end of Long Lake in the Township of
Elk. The initial investigation revealed the snowmobile
collided with the shoreline. The 33 year old male
driver, Adam F. Wolf of Spencer, Wisconsin, and the 37
year old male passenger, Garrett D. Peterson of
Wausau, Wisconsin, were pronounced dead at the
scene.
The accident remains under investigation by the
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the
Price County Coroner's Office.
Source: Price County Sheriff's Office
WINTERFEST 2018
January 23, 2018
STUDENTS OF THE 2ND QUARTER ANNOUNCED
February 13, 2018
Photos submitted by Phillips High School.
Christy Nutt and Joshua Brateng are Phillips High
School's current Students of the Quarter for 2nd
quarter.
Teachers and school staff nominate individuals who
they feel consistently show respectful, responsible,
and safe behavior. The staff appreciates their positive
influence on the school.
12.6 MILLION DOLLAR SCHOOL REFERENDUM
QUESTION SET FOR APRIL 3RD BALLOT
January 19, 2018
The Phillips Elementary School was initially built in
1958, added onto in 1972, and then had two more
additions after that. According to Principal Dave
Scholz, the heating system is so old they can't get most
parts anymore, and many of the floor joists are rotting
in the older parts of the building. Some of the
plumbing also has issues.
On Monday, the school board voted to add a
referendum question to the April 3rd ballot requesting
$12.6 million to demolish the oldest portions of the
elementary school, built in 1958 and 1972, and build a
new structure.
If the referendum passes, property owners would pay
about $180 per $100,000 of property.
PUBLIC BUS SERVICES EXPAND
January 27, 2018
The Bay Area Rural Transit public bus currently serves,
on average, approximately 600 rides per month in the
Park Falls area. Riders include all ages; however, the
younger demographic is the least represented on the
bus at this time. Organizers are hoping to see an
increase in the younger crowd.
In April 2018, the bus route will expand to include
service in Phillips and between Phillips and Park Falls
on Saturdays.
THREE LOGGER POWERLIFTERS HEAD TO NATIONAL
COMPETITION
March 21, 2018
Kenzie Svoboda and Brice Mcclay, both seniors, and
Virginia McMillan, a junior, are members of the
Phillips' Loggers powerlifting team, and they will be
competing at the national powerlifting competition in
Appleton from March 22nd through the 25th.
Kenzie started powerlifting when she was in 7th grade.
Her best powerlifting moment was when she earned
two best lifter trophies this year with one being at a
regional meet and one being at state. While she has
earned first place medals at regional meets, her best
finish was getting first place at state competition this
year. "I have been driven by seeing myself succeed
more and more each year, and by others who have
lifted more than I do," she said. She plans on keeping
powerlifting in her life after high school graduation,
but since most of the college meets are in the Eau
Claire area and she will be attending college in
Wausau, she doesn't have plans to be on a
powerlifting team in college.
Virginia says she has had a lot of good moments in her
powerlifting career. "The most recent one has to be
state because it has been my best meet of my career."
She stated that seeing herself succeed at meets and
throughout the season has been her driving force. She
said she gets first place at most regional meets but her
best higher-level finishes were eighth place at state
competition this year and third at nationals last year.
Virginia does not plan to be in competitive powerlifting
after high school, but does hope to stay active with it
in her life.
Brice attends school at Chequamegon High in Park
Falls but competes with the Phillips Loggers since
Chequamegon does not offer a powerlifting team. He
started powerlifting because his girlfriend, Kenzie
Svoboda, was involved in it. He attended many of her
meets since their freshman year. "Seeing how much
fun and progress she was having made me wonder
what I could do. I decided to join my senior year
because I didn't want to regret not taking the
opportunity," Brice said. While he has only had one
year of powerlifting under his belt, his best moment
came at Elk Mound. He explained, "I pulled a person
best deadlift of 440 pounds which was awesome, but
seeing how amazed everyone was [made it] even
better. I am very competitive in all sports that I play.
My drive to make it as far as possible and do my best
has driven me to succeed." At three regional meets, he
took first place in the 148 pound weight class. Brice
said he will continue to lift in college as he feels it will
help his track career, but he will no longer be in
competitive powerlifting at that time.
We wish all three the best at nationals. Check back to
this story for updated information after the
competition.
RESULTS AT NATIONALS - UPDATED 3/27/2018
Kenzie Svoboda received a first place in her weight
class and won best raw female lifter out of 105
competitors.
Virginia McMillan received 13th out of 28 competitors
and had a personal best in squat, deadlift, and total.
Brice Mcclay took second place in the varsity raw 66 kg
weight class.
COUNTY ROAD H PARTIALLY CLOSED FOR BRIDGE
REHAB
April 13, 2018
Starting Monday, April 16, 2018, County Highway H in
the City of Phillips will be closed to all traffic for the
Lake Duroy Bridge rehabilitation project. All through
traffic should follow the marked detour on South
Airport Road to State Highway 13.
Construction is estimated to be completed by mid-
August. This project is being administered by the
Wisconsin Department of Transportation Local
Program.
Contact the Highway Department if you have any
questions or concerns.
Source: Price County Highway Department Press
Release
PHILLIPS HIGH CLASS OF 1988 REUNION HELD
September 6, 2018
Submitted photo.
On Saturday, August 25, 2018, the Phillips High Class
of 1988 held their 30 year high school class reunion at
Harbor View, http://www.HarborViewOnline.com, in
Phillips, WI. As luck would have it, the rain cleared out
the day before and left for a great sunny day on
Saturday. The reunion kicked off at 2 p.m. with friends
gathering. The classmates enjoyed a three course sit-
down meal at 5:30 p.m. with meal choices which
included prime rib, shrimp, broasted chicken, and
cheeseburgers. After the meal, a few class photos
were taken. The party continued on with a DJ and
karaoke at 7 p.m. A few rounds of trivia questions
were asked and prizes were awarded. Music,
beverages, and fun continued through the evening. A
class reunion booklet was provided to update the class
on those that were there and those that were not able
to attend. The reunion was a good mix of classmates,
including some who had never attended or had not
attended since the five year reunion. A good time was
had by all.
The class sadly missed two of their departed
classmates whom they will always remember,
including Thomas Farley who passed away April 3,
2004 and Jayson Reinke who passed away February 20,
2018. The consensus of the class was that it was just
not the same without them.
Those in attendance at the time of the group photo
are pictured. Standing left to right: Sheila (Krueger)
Bothe, Lance Heizler, Chuck Vasek, Johnny Hertlein,
John Kerner, Dan Slowey, Zack Meskill, Mark Zaves,
Frank Vlach, Jerry Upson, Steve Barnet, Denita (Vlach)
Carl, Rod Runnheim, Dwayne Parkinson, Karin
Peterson, Mark Surprenant, Tammy Wang, and Mary
Pat (Prohaska) Kurth. Kneeling left to right: Janelle
Larson, Paula (Rehbein) Haberman, Davette Hrabak,
and Brenda (Kadlecek) Surprenant.
BW PAPERSYSTEMS SIGNS FIRST WAGE$ REGISTERED
APPRENTICE
September 6, 2018
Submitted photo.
Pictured from left to right are Mary Lois Bolka
(NWWIB), Korryn Vail (BW Papersystems), Joe Herbst
(BW Papersystems' first apprentice), and Ben
Stahlecker (Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards).
Submitted photo.
BW Papersystems,
http://www.marquipwardunited.com, in Phillips is the
first company in northwestern Wisconsin to sign a
registered apprentice in the Maintenance Technician
Program through the Wisconsin Apprenticeship
Growth and Enhancement Strategies Grant. The new
apprentice, Joe Herbst, is partaking in a five-year
training program that will include a combination of on
the job learning and formal instruction at the local
technical college where he will be trained to perform
mechanical and electrical duties to repair machines
and equipment.
The Northwest Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board
(NWWIB) and the Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards
worked closely with BW Papersystems to implement
their first apprenticeship program. This is part of a
larger effort by the Northwest Wisconsin Workforce
Investment Board and other statewide partners to
expand apprenticeship opportunities in advanced
manufacturing, healthcare, and information
technology through the Wisconsin Apprenticeship
Growth and Enhancement Strategies (WAGE$) grant.
The WAGE$ grant is a $5 million grant awarded by the
US Department of Labor to the Wisconsin Department
of Workforce Development as part of the American
Apprenticeship Initiative.
"We know that the apprenticeship program is a strong
investment to our team, our business, and our
community," said Korryn Vail, Recruitment Lead at BW
Papersystems. "There are many benefits to hiring an
apprentice. I think the greatest benefit is retention,
which is multi-faceted," said Vail. "....What they are
learning in the classroom can be applied during their
very next work shift. And what they learn on their work
shift can be reflected on during their lectures and labs.
Now that we've implemented this program, we are
eager to connect with the area schools to spread the
word that this opportunity exists to be a part of our
team. The manufacturing industry provides an
incredibly opportunity for students that have a desire
to learn, an interest in tech ed or mechatronics, and
that want to stay in this area."
"We are extremely excited to bring BW Papersystems
on board with their first maintenance technician
apprentice," stated Ben Stahlecker, Apprenticeship
Training Representative for the Bureau of
Apprenticeship Standards.
To learn more about developing an apprenticeship
program for your company, contact Mary Lois Bolka,
Sector & Strategies Coordinator for the Northwest
Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board, at 715-682-
9141, Ext. 118.
PHILLIPS HIGH CLASS OF 1998 REUNION HELD
September 7, 2018
Submitted photo.
The Phillips High Class of 1998 held their twenty year
class reunion at Jonesfest in Kennan on Saturday,
September 1, 2018. Those in attendance and pictured
include James Rabusitz, Mitch Meives, Jesse Kempen,
Lindy (Wegerer) Protivinsky, Weston Arndt, Laci (Schuh)
Boettcher, Dustin Bushman, Terese (Henderson)
Esterholm, Tim Hahn, Angie (Winter) Unbehaun, Ryan
Sidenbender, Kelly (Hladish) Haubert, Jesse Yasaitis,
Megan (Rafko) Young, Mike Onchuck, Heather (Gago)
Prohaska, Ben Morey, and Nikki (Grant) Kalander.