ANNOUNCEMENTS NEWS - COUNTYWIDE, SECTION 1 POLICE REPORTS: DECEMBER 2020 January 16, 2021 WISCONSIN RESIDENTS 65 AND OLDER ELIGIBLE FOR COVID-19 VACCINE January 19, 2021 POLICE REPORTS: JANUARY 2021 February 10, 2021 MASK MANDATE STRUCK DOWN; COUNTY'S RESPONSE March 31, 2021 NEWS - COUNTYWIDE, SECTION 2 POLICE REPORTS: FEBRUARY AND MARCH 2021 April 1, 2021 SPRING 2021 UNOFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS April 6, 2021 AARON RODGERS MAY LEAVE THE GREEN BAY PACKERS April 29, 2021 SANDY SLECK, FORMER PARK FALLS RESIDENT, OFFERING A FREE LUNCH, GIVEAWAYS, BOAT RIDES, AND SEMINAR May 27, 2021 NEWS - COUNTYWIDE, SECTION 3 POLICE REPORTS: MAY 2021 June 5, 2021 FREE KAYAK AND CANOE GROUP TO MEET EVERY TUESDAY June 17, 2021 PRICE COUNTY FAIR FACING CHANGES AND NEEDING VOLUNTEERS June 27, 2021 POLICE REPORTS: JULY 2021 August 12, 2021 NEWS - COUNTYWIDE, SECTION 4 PRICE COUNTY FAIR RETURNS WITH THREE DAYS FULL OF ENTERTAINMENT August 19, 2021 PRICE COUNTY: FAIRGROUNDS - POSSIBLE SALE AND FATE OF HISTORIC BARN September 22, 2021 POLICE REPORTS: OCTOBER 2021 November 19, 2021 OWNERSHIP OF FAIRGROUNDS MAY BE DECIDED ON DECEMBER 14, 2021 November 24, 2021 PRICE COUNTY FOREST CARBON OFFSET PROJECT: TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE OR THE REAL DEAL? December 3, 2021 ROUNDABOUT NOT SCHEDULED FOR PRICE COUNTY December 13, 2021 NORVADO RISES TO THE WELLNESS CHALLENGE December 22, 2021 NEWS - PHILLIPS, KENNAN, CATAWBA, SECTION 1 WINTERFEST ICE FISHING RESULTS January 23, 2021 1,000 POINTS CLUB February 19, 2021 PHILLIPS DANCE TEAM HEADED TO STATE March 21, 2021 4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS WILL LIKELY BE MOVED IN PHILLIPS May 5, 2021 CITY OF PHILLIPS UPDATES May 6, 2021 SOO LAKE DRAWDOWN - UPDATED, RESCHEDULED June 1, 2021 PHILLIPS COMMUNITY-WIDE GARAGE SALES ON JUNE 18, 19, & 20, 2021 May 18, 2021 PHILLIPS: BOAT STRUCK BRIDGE GUARDRAIL IN EARLY MORNING HOURS ON FRIDAY July 23, 2021 MEDFORD COOPERATIVE TO PURCHASE BALL PETROLEUM October 8, 2021 BW PAPERSYSTEMS ADDS PREVEA BE WELL CENTER INSIDE FACILITY November 10, 2021

NEWS - PHILLIPS, KENNAN, CATAWBA, SECTION 2 THE HISTORY AND RESTORATION OF THE "BANK CLOCK" November 10, 2021 2021 PHILLIPS CHRISTMAS PARADE HIGHLIGHTS December 4, 2021 NEWS - PARK FALLS AND FIFIELD PARK FALLS PAPER MILL LIKELY ENTERING RECEIVERSHIP May 4, 2021 PARK FALLS: BUILDING ADJACENT TO PAL CAFE ON FIRE May 31, 2021 LOCAL POLICE OFFICERS HONORED FOR SAVING LIVES June 17, 2021 PARK FALLS PAPER MILL SOLD ON AUGUST 31, 2021 September 3, 2021 PARK FALLS PAPER MILL LIQUIDATION UPDATE November 24, 2021 FORWARD BANK'S NEW LOCATION IS NOW OPEN December 6, 2021 NEWS - PRENTICE AND OGEMA OPINIONS - LETTERS TO THE EDITOR PRICE COUNTY CARES - DONATIONS NEEDED OGEMA COUPLE LOSES NEARLY EVERYTHING IN FIRE January 11, 2021 PHILLIPS HIGH GRADUATE, JEFF SCHNEIDER, BATTLING PARKINSON'S, IN FITNESS COMPETITION July 19, 2021 FAMILY LOSES BELONGINGS IN HOUSE FIRE October 13, 2021 BENEFIT FOR LOCAL COUPLE'S PREEMIE GRANDDAUGHTERS TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 11, 2021 December 7, 2021 SPOTLIGHT - PEOPLE OF PRICE COUNTY SPOTLIGHT ON PHILLIPS RESIDENT, BRITTANY WEISROCK, MOM, SELF-PROCLAIMED MOVIE NERD, AND PUBLISHED AUTHOR April 1, 2021 SPOTLIGHT ON KAREN KERNER, A LOCAL FARMER SELLING BEEF PRODUCTS DIRECT TO CONSUMER June 24, 2021 SPOTLIGHT ON DARYL VARNER, KIDNEY FAILURE SURVIVOR AND FIREWOOD SALESMAN December 28, 2021

ANNOUNCEMENTS

POLICE REPORTS: JANUARY 2021 February 10, 2021 The following are some of the summarized police reports for January 2021. PRICE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE 1/5/2021 - Phillips - A man reported he received a call and the caller stated it was the Edgar Sheriff's Office and that the man needed to get gift cards totaling $2,500 at a local store and pay those to the caller or the man would be issued a warrant. The man told the caller he was going to call the local sheriff's office and hung up the phone. 1/5/2021 - Ogema - A woman stated an individual was at her patio door making noises. The man made a remark to her and showed her something rough through the window. 1/6/2021 - Phillips - A man called asking if he had an active warrant because he received a call asking him to sign a $2,500 signature bond or forfeit $2,500 for a signature and submit DNA. The man thought the call came from Edgar, WI. 1/11/2021 - Phillips - A woman received a text claiming to be from a company and the text stated they would pay her $1,000 per week if she put a decal on her car advertising their brand and drove around with it. The woman agreed to this and was sent a $5,000 check to pay for the decal application. She was then instructed to deposit the check and send $4,000 to a decal supplier and to provide the decal supplier with a $100 eBay card. The next day the woman was informed by her bank that the check provided to her was no good. The woman lost $4,100 as a result of this scam. 1/12/2021 and 1/13/2021 - Park Falls and Butternut - Two callers each received a phone call about purchasing a $500 gift card to be sent to the caller and then they would receive a million dollar check from a national sweepstakes. 1/14/2021 - Catawba - A man reported that a juvenile male honked and gave the middle finger to his juvenile son on more than one occasion and he felt it was a case of stalking. The man was informed that giving the middle finger is not illegal. 1/16/2021 - Phillips - A woman reported she sold an item on eBay to someone in Texas, but the buyer stated it did not work. The woman offered the buyer a replacement, which she refused, and asked to return it for a refund. Days later a small envelope was received by the woman's neighbor that contained the appropriate tracking number for the return. The buyer sent make-up to the neighbor's address instead of returning the $849 item to the woman. This information was put on file for documentation purposes for eBay. 1/20/2021 - Phillips - A woman was contacted by someone stating they were from the state and collecting information so that when the woman goes in to get her COVID-19 vaccine, the process will go smoothly. The woman provided information to the caller, such as her Medicare number, Social Security number, name, address, and birthday. This was a scam. 1/20/2021 - Prentice - A woman called to report an Amazon scam where a caller stated the woman had purchased $150 worth of merchandise from Nigeria. The woman stated the Amazon account was one she no longer uses but she was not sure if she lost any money from her account. 1/25/2021 - A man called to report that his neighbor was playing music extremely loud and did not answer the door when he knocked. It was determined that the caller had a bench warrant in the county. A deputy responded and transported. 1/28/2021 - A woman called to report her information was stolen during a scam phone call the day prior. The caller claimed to be from Microsoft and would give the woman a sum of money for insurance but needed to take over her computer to fix it. The person did take over her computer. The woman was told the money had been transferred into her account and she should go to her bank to get it, but her bank is out of state. The woman did not feel she had lost anything in this scam and the report was put on file only. 1/31/2021 - A woman reported that a man sped down their driveway and drove up to their shop. He got out of his vehicle with a bat in hand and struck his vehicle saying her husband needed to come out of his shop. The person with the bat said he was going to kill the woman's husband. He then got back in his car, with his passenger still inside but crouched down, and left. The woman identified the man and passenger but did not know why he would act this way. PHILLIPS POLICE DEPARTMENT 1/5/2021 - Received a report of a suspicious male who was at a local gas station looking for a ride to Minocqua, WI. Officer was notified about the male subject after he had already obtained a ride. Officer discovered that the male subject was involved in an altercation with a female subject. Officer spoke with the adult female who stated she did not give permission for the male subject to take items, damage property, or strike the adult female. Officer relayed the information to Vilas County Sheriff's Department who arrested the male subject at his residence in Vilas County. Male subject was transported back to the Price County Sheriff's Department for booking. 1/7/2021 - Received a theft complaint at a living facility. Interviews were conducted and investigation pending. 1/7/2021 - Received a phone call from a local business owner. The owner told police that he was told an adult male is supposed to come to his business to confront an employee. The business owner stated that he did not want the adult male to be on his property. The officer left a voicemail for the adult male and warned him if he goes on the property he could be charged with trespassing. 1/8/2021 - Responded to a child custody complaint where an adult female would not turn over her daughter to the father who had placement for the weekend. Officer viewed the court paperwork and found the mother to be in violation of the court order. The adult female was referred to the Price County District Attorney's Office for violation of a court order. 1/11/2021 - Assisted the Central Price County Ambulance Service with a elderly female who fell and possibly broke her right leg. Officer assisted with placing the elderly female into the ambulance. The elderly female was transferred to Marshfield Medical Center for medical evaluation. 1/11/2021 - Received a report from a mother who has not seen her juvenile children since 2013. The adult female wanted a welfare check done on her three children. Officer asked the adult female what was the purpose or reason for the welfare check. Female subject advised she just wanted to know her children were fine. Officer explained the purpose of a welfare check and advised the female that there was no extenuating circumstances for a welfare check. Officer advised the female he would complete a report for record. 1/13/2021 - A complainant reported to the Phillips Police Department that they received a worthless check for services rendered and/or goods purchased. Attempts to collect the money owed by certified mail were unsuccessful or unanswered. Police issued a citation for each violation to the subject with a mandatory court appearance and in addition to the fine is requesting restitution be paid to the victim of this offense as part of a court order. 1/13/2021 - Dispatched to a report of an explosion inside of a residence. Officer responded and learned that the adult male patient was using oxygen while smoking and caused injury to his face. Central Price County Ambulance Service responded. Officer assisted with loading of the patient. Patient was transported via ambulance. 1/19/2021 - Received a report of a damage to property at a local cemetery. The officer responded, took photographs, and generated a report for record. 1/21/2021 - The Phillips Police Department and Price County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to a local business for an assault in progress between a couple. Officers arrived on scene, interviewed all involved parties, and arrested one adult female for domestic disorderly conduct and domestic battery. While the female suspect was in the Price County Jail, she spit directly in the face of an officer. Further investigation also uncovered another domestic violence incident that occurred that week, as well. The adult female was arrested for bodily discharge on a peace officer, two counts of domestic disorderly conduct, two counts of domestic battery, one count of disorderly conduct, and physical abuse of a child. 1/24/2021 - Received a report of an individual illegally dumping there refuse at a local business. Investigation pending. 1/24/20201 - Advised by the City of Phillips Department of Public Works that a citizen had moved snow from their driveway into the middle of a city street. Officer met with the citizen and explained the proper snow removal procedure. Citizen stated they would remove the snow. 1/24/2021 - Notified of a vehicle deer accident at the intersection of Maple Street and South Avon Avenue. Officer arrived and determined the accident had occurred on County Hwy D. Officer advised the driver that they would complete a report for record. Officer explained the process for self-reporting the accident. Officer advised Price County Dispatch Center of the location of the accident to check for the deer. 1/27/2021 - Received a report of a possible scam that occurred at a local business in the City of Phillips. Officer received the information from the complainant and is investigating the matter. 1/28/2021 - Received a report of a female's vehicle tires being slashed. Officer took photos of the damaged tires and spoke with the victim of the incident. Investigation ongoing. 1/31/2021 - Conducted a search warrant at a local apartment complex. Officers located illegal substances and drug paraphernalia. One female will be referred to the District Attorney on charges of Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. PARK FALLS POLICE DEPARTMENT 1/7/2021 - Received report of deer being illegally fed in the City of Park Falls, which is causing deer to cross the road in the area to get to the food. Feeding deer in the City of Park Falls is a violation of a city ordinance. 1/7/2021 - A woman reported that she and a neighbor had received index cards in their mailboxes. The woman stated the index cards she received stated "smile," "move," and "you you can." 1/14/2021 - A grocery store employee noticed a woman put some items in her purse. She then went through check-out to pay for other items. She was stopped by the carts upon exit, and police were called. The woman stated she had a clean record, which was accurate. She was issued a city ordinance citation for retail theft. 1/14/2021 - A woman reported finding a note card in her mail box stating "You got this," and a message written in the frost on the glass of her porch, written from the inside, which concerned her. 1/16/2021 - A man noticed his ladder was moved to his neighbor's house. The ladder was propped up by a window, and he was concerned that maybe someone had tried to break into the neighbor's home with his ladder. Police talked with the neighboring resident and found they had put it there because the screen had fallen off into the snow. The ladder was returned to the man. 1/22/2021 - A woman reported that someone called and told her she had been the victim of a scam and lost $500. The caller stated they needed to access her computer to investigate the scam. The woman gave the caller access to her computer. Once she realized it was a scam, she disconnected her computer and ended the call. The woman did not lose any money but stated the caller did get her Social Security number and driver's license number. 1/26/2021 - A crash occurred on Hwy. 13 near 3rd Street South. The officer observed a northbound SUV had been struck in the driver's side by a pick-up truck. The driver of the truck said he could not remember how the accident happened. He said he did hit his head in the accident but at first refused medical treatment. Another vehicle that had stopped and the vehicle that had been hit stated that the pick-up truck was traveling southbound, crossed the centerline, and struck the SUV in the front bumper and corner panel. The driver of the pick-up truck was again asked if he remembered how the accident happened. He stated he still did not remember and, complaining of head pain, finally accepted medical help. MASK MANDATE STRUCK DOWN; COUNTY'S RESPONSE March 31, 2021 4/1/2021: PRICE COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH'S RESPONSE TO MASK MANDATE BEING OVERTURNED Price County Public Health continues to promote COVID-19 safety recommendations. Despite the mask mandate being overturned, the health department stated, "This does not change how the virus is spread and what we can do to help slow down the spread and prevent further infections. Price County Public Health, following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, continues to recommend the wearing of masks in public spaces, enclosed spaces, or anytime there is close contact to another person, outside of your immediate household, as an important tool to slow the spread of COVID-19." The health department added that Price County has been moving in the right direction. The cases in the county have been trending down, though there has been a recent uptick in positive cases. The number of identified cases of the variants in Wisconsin is increasing. As of March 31, 31.2% of Price County residents have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose and 19.1% of residents are fully vaccinated. By next week, anyone age 16 and older will be eligible to receive the vaccine. Public Heath stated, "Now is not the time to end the precautions that we have been taking," and suggested to continue to follow the following measures: • Wearing a mask • Physically distancing • Avoiding crowds • Washing your hands often • Covering your coughs and sneezes • Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces • Monitoring your health • Staying home when sick To keep residents and employees safe, Price County will continue to ask the public to call ahead to make an appointment to conduct business with any county department. Face coverings will continue to be required for anyone visiting any of the Price County government buildings. --- 3/31/2021: MASK MANDATE STRUCK DOWN BY WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT Governor Evers' most recent "mask mandate" was set to expire on April 5, 2021. However, by a 4 to 3 decision, the Wisconsin Supreme Court has struck down the order in a decision on Wednesday, March 31, 2021. The ruling finds that two of Governor Evers' executive orders exceeded his authority when issuing successive public health emergencies. State law requires that a state of emergency shall not exceed sixty days "unless the state of emergency is extended by joint resolution of the legislature." “The question in this case is not whether the Governor acted wisely; it is whether he acted lawfully. We conclude he did not,” Justice Brian Hagedorn stated. Th decision states, “Wisconsin Statute § 323.10 specifies that no state of emergency may last longer than 60 days unless it ‘is extended by joint resolution of the legislature,’ and that the legislature may cut short a state of emergency by joint resolution. The statute contemplates that the power to end and to refuse to extend a state of emergency resides with the legislature even when the underlying occurrence creating the emergency remains a threat. Pursuant to this straightforward statutory language, the governor may not deploy his emergency powers by issuing new states of emergency for the same statutory occurrence.” Therefore, it was found that "the governor is subject to the time limits explicitly prescribed by statue." Not long after the decision was delivered, Governor Evers reminded Wisconsinites to wear a mask to help save lives. “Since the beginning of this pandemic, I’ve worked to keep Wisconsinites healthy and safe, and I’ve trusted the science and public health experts to guide our decision making. Our fight against COVID-19 isn’t over. While we work to get folks vaccinated as quickly as we can, we know wearing a mask saves lives, and we still need Wisconsinites to mask up so we can beat this virus and bounce back from this pandemic,” Governor Evers stated. This ruling by the Wisconsin Supreme Court does not impact those orders that fall under the federal governments' authority, local ordinances, or individual business mask requirements, which all stay in effect.

NEWS - COUNTYWIDE, SECTION 1 POLICE REPORTS: DECEMBER 2020 January 16, 2021 The following are some of the summarized police reports for December 2020. PRICE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE 12/1/2020 - Prentice - A two vehicle accident was reported at the intersection of Hwys. 13 and 86. A caller reported there were injuries and road blockage but no one was trapped. 12/1/2020 - Phillips - A local restaurant and bar reported a fight in progress involving 3 or 4 people. 12/2/2020 - Phillips - A woman reported she gave her car to a man who was going to fix it. She stated he is now refusing to give back her car and it is gone from the man's residence. 12/8/2020 - An anonymous caller reported an ongoing flea infestation at a residence. It was reported the residence contains six dogs, eight puppies, and several cats. It was also reported that the children continue to have fleas. 12/10/2020 - Ogema - A caller reported a lack of food and water for animals at a farm. 12/16/2020 - A caller reported a suspicious vehicle in her neighbor's driveway. She reported the vehicle was a red beat-up truck and not actively being lived in as it is a seasonal property. 12/20/2020 - Phillips - A man reported an individual threatened to shoot him in the face. When dispatch asked for more information, the caller became very uncooperative and did not want to give additional information. 12/23/2020 - Park Falls - A man reported his house was filling with smoke but he did not know where the smoke was coming from. He was directed to exit the residence. The man stated he started a fire the previous night, as well, and had the same issue. No fire was detected. 12/29/2020 - Phillips - A woman called to report that her husband said someone was tailgating him so he decided to turn off of Cty. Road W onto Fox Run Road, but his brakes did not work well enough. He hit a stop sign at that location. The tailgating vehicle continued on its way. The Town of Elk supervisor was notified and stated he would take care of the sign damage. 12/29/2020 - Phillips - A two-vehicle accident occurred on County Road F north of North Road. The wrecker driver advised no one was injured but the road was blocked. He also advised that when he was pulling a vehicle out of the ditch, another vehicle came speeding by and hit his wrecker. The truck that was being pulled out of the ditch was not struck. PHILLIPS POLICE DEPARTMENT 12/1/2020 - A residence on Flambeau Avenue was experiencing a kitchen fire. Officers arrived on scene and were notified by the homeowner that the fire was just extinguished. Fire crews arrived on scene and investigated the matter. 12/2/2020 - A large uncontained campfire was observed. The fire was not contained with a safety ring, and there were large flames and the fire was large in size. An officer explained the outdoor burning regulations to the homeowner who agreed to put out the fire. The fire was extinguished. 12/2/2020 - An adult male reported receiving several spam e-mails. An officer spoke with the city resident and advised him to block the spam e-mails. 12/7/2020 - The Phillips Police Department received a complaint of a male adult who made threatening comments about harming people. The male adult was brought to the Phillips Police Department to speak to a counselor. The male was transported to a mental health facility. 12/13/2020 - An ice shack on Lake Duroy was reported to be on fire near the city boat launch. Officers responded to the scene and determined the cause of the fire was accidental. No one was injured. 12/14/2020 - A vehicle was reported as stolen. An officer responded, gathered information, and learned who the suspect was that had taken the vehicle. The vehicle was entered as stolen and later reported as being found abandoned on a highway in Winnebago County. A felony charge of take and drive vehicle without owner's consent was forwarded to the Price County District Attorney's Office. 12/20/2020 - The Phillips Department assisted the Price County Sheriff's Department with a search warrant in the Town of Worchester. The residence was searched and two male subjects were detained and released. THC and drug paraphernalia were discovered within the residence. 12/20/2020 - The Phillips Police Department assisted Price County deputies on a traffic stop in the city. Officers searched the vehicle and discovered small particles of illegal narcotics. The deputy gave the driver a ride back to their residence. 12/24/2020 - A two-vehicle crash occurred on County Road D, and the Phillips Police assisted. PARK FALLS POLICE DEPARTMENT 12/8/2020 - A woman reported a man breaking his restraining order by knocking on her apartment door asking her to work things out with him. When questioned, the man admitted to going to her door and was arrested. 12/11/2020 - A man arrived at a nursing home to report his girlfriend could not come to work that day due to illness. Since he did not know English well, he and the nursing home staff had a hard time understanding one another. A knife dropped out of the man's pocket, and the people he was talking with thought there was blood on the knife. The man was told he had to leave, and he headed home. Police were contacted and went to the man's residence. After much questioning, with use of an interpreter, it was found the man uses the knife to cut a betel nut, which is similar to tobacco, and the nut produces a red substance, which was on the knife rather than blood. Police asked him if he understood that people seeing a knife in our country might feel scared, and the man did not understand that. After all questions were answered, police departed the scene. 12/12/2020 - A woman reported a Christmas tree was stolen from her daughter's vehicle, which was parked at a local retail store. 12/14/2020 - A woman stated that while she was trying to park in a spot near an insurance company, her foot accidentally slipped off the brake and onto the accelerator, and she struck the building with her vehicle. She stated she was not injured. The front bumper of the vehicle was damaged. The building had extensive damage including a broken window and damage to the framing. 12/19/2020 - A man reported that people were publicly urinating outside his residence and in the alley and these people were customers at a local bar. The police officer could not see any signs of urination, so the man showed him a possible spot. The bar owner said he does not condone any such behavior and would put up a sign. 12/19/2020 - A snow plow owned by the City of Park Falls struck a car at the intersection of 7th Avenue and 7th Street South. The woman driving the car stated the plow truck did not stop at the intersection and struck her vehicle as she was passing through the intersection. The plow truck driver said he did stop but as he was passing through the intersection suddenly saw the woman's car and was unable to stop, thus hitting the side of her car. The woman had to be extracted from the vehicle and transported to the hospital. 12/21/2020 - A male driver stated he did not see the tail lights of a vehicle in front of him as he was going up a hill, and he struck the vehicle. He then struck a stop sign. WISCONSIN RESIDENTS 65 AND OLDER ELIGIBLE FOR COVID-19 VACCINE January 19, 2021 The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced that adults age 65 and over will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine beginning January 25, 2021. COVID-19 has more severe consequences in older adults and prioritizing this population will help protect more Wisconsinites from serious illness and death. “We are excited to be able to start vaccinating this population, but it will take time,” said Michelle Edwards, Price County Health Officer. There are approximately 700,000 Wisconsinites who are age 65 and older, and Wisconsin currently receives around 70,000 first-dose vaccines per week from the federal government. In Price County, people who are age 65 and older will be able to access the vaccine by contacting Marshfield Clinic, Park Falls Center at 715-762-7333 or Price County Public Health at 715-339-3054. Price County Health would like to remind residents that, as the state continues to expand vaccination efforts, COVID-19 has not gone away. Wisconsinites are still encouraged to mask up, stay physically distant, and wash hands frequently to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and keep communities safe.

AARON RODGERS MAY LEAVE THE GREEN BAY PACKERS April 29, 2021 Green Bay Packers' 2020 NFL MVP, Aaron Rodgers, may be ending his relationship with the Dairy State, stating he no longer wants to play for the Packers. It appears Rodgers was disgruntled during last year's draft pick when he was not informed about the Packers trading up to draft a quarterback, Jordan Love, in their first-round pick. Rodgers may also have his eyes on both football and entertainment. He may be seeking west coast teams primarily so he can be closer to his home state of California, which also puts him closer to the entertainment industry. Recently, he guest hosted Jeopardy, but he has hopes to host it full-time while still playing football. It is being reported that Rodgers would like to be traded to the Broncos, Raiders, or 49ers. At present, the Broncos are the most likely team if a trade does take place. The Packers prefer that Rodgers go to a team outside of the NFC but still seem hopeful that they can keep Rodgers as the head coach, general manager, and team president have all taken separate trips to visit with Rodgers during the off-season. "As we've stated since the season ended," General Manager Brian Gutekunst said on ESPN, "we are committed to Aaron in 2021 and beyond. Aaron has been a vital part of our success and we look forward to competing for another championship with him leading our team." Perhaps the biggest moment for the Green Bay Packers during this draft will not be who they acquire but rather if they keep their three-time MVP, Aaron Rodgers. SANDY SLECK, FORMER PARK FALLS RESIDENT, OFFERING A FREE LUNCH, GIVEAWAYS, BOAT RIDES, AND SEMINAR May 27, 2021 You are invited to a free lake, lunch, and learn event put on by Rick's Lakeside Rental and Tree Top Insurance. Receive information on how to save money on insurance for your home, cabin, auto, and business, plus ways to make your money work harder so you can retire with peace and confidence, all while protecting against the rising cost of health care. There will be fun for all with food, boat rides, and prizes. Sandy (Claussen) Sleck is a Park Falls graduate, meeting the love of her life, Bill Sleck, when she was sixteen years old. Sandy and Bill were married at Peace Lutheran church in 1977 and moved to Minnesota to pursue their careers. However, they return to the northwoods often to visit family and friends and enjoy the Sleck family farm in Lugerville. "We have four wonderful kids and now eight amazing grandkids. We have built an amazing life!" Sandy shared. Loving spending time with family and friends, plus an affinity for travel, Sandy and Bill recently purchased a motor home, which will allow her to add some enjoyment when she has to travel for work as an insurance agent. Sandy has been in the insurance field for over 42 years, beginning in health claims, but started her own brokerage two years ago, enjoying giving direct attention to her clients' needs. "I love helping people with a holistic view of insurance. Plus, since I am a baby boomer, I am very interested in having an income in retirement and protecting myself from the rising cost of health care," Sandy explained of her interest in her field. While she has a passion for work, Sandy loves her role as "Nana." Being a grandmother is at the top of her list of rewarding things in life. Enjoying photography as a hobby works out perfect to capture all the stages of life with the grandkids, family events, and travel adventures, preserving those memories for future generations. While she is not a professional, her photos are the subject of coffee table books and large wall hangings. Two of her favorite photos are early morning waves on the most eastern coast of Australia that hangs over her fireplace and the large sea turtle taken while snorkeling in Belize, which hangs in her bathroom to remind her of the amazing adventures. She also enjoys spending time with her family at the cabin on Musser Lake, which is owned by her brother- in-law, Rick. Sandy and Rick share an amazing mother- in-law, Marion Sleck, 98 years young and still living on the family farm. "The idea to do this event was born out of spending time with family from six months old to 98 years old at Rick's cabin," Sandy said. "The event will provide education while having fun in a relaxed setting." This free event will include a presentation at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 15, 2021. The topic will be, "The Rising Cost of Healthcare." Further explaining the event, Sandy stated, "This event is an exciting opportunity to get tools and resources to help people stay informed and be in control of making financial decisions that will make their goals and dreams come true. It's not about how much money you have but how you turn that money into a life-long income to enjoy the hard-worked for time of retirement." A BBQ Chicken meal with all the fixings will be served at noon. After lunch, the group will be able to enjoy conversation on the grounds and boat rides with Rick for fun and relaxation. During that time, individual meetings can be set up with Sandy and her team, all free of charge. "I have an amazing team of people," Sandy shared. "I partner with the people I do because I personally use and trust their advice." These people include Chris Baso, Nick Murray, and Jen Wick. Explaining the free services they will offer at the event, Sandy shared, "Chris Baso has been in the financial services industry for 15 years and has been a Certified Financial Planner since 2014. He specializes in helping advisors and their clients prepare for retirement by providing education and a straight-forward approach to generating consistent income sources so that you can enjoy the retirement that you've worked so hard to earn. Chris is amazing and in an hour, I have seen him show people how they can have enough income to retire and live their dreams. If you are unhappy with your CD rates and feel they are not growing or providing the income replacement you want and need for retirement, in as little as ten minutes, Chris will show you a way to make that happen while taking no risk with your hard-earned money." "Nick Murray is an expert in Medicare. With so many Medicare choices, he feels confident he can help anyone find their best fit. He is a great guy with a wealth of knowledge," according to Sandy. He has been in the insurance field since 2013. "Jen Wick is great with planning ways to use a Hybrid Annuity to cover long-term care costs, income needs, and life insurance needs that even pay a living benefit with a fatal diagnosis," Sandy explained. "We all work together to find out what someone wants, is best for the client, and help them fulfill their goals and dreams." Sandy added, "I wanted to hold this event at Rick's Lakeside Rental so it could be a fun time as well as a time to hear about ideas for the third part of our lives. Rick wanted to host this event because Tree Top Insurance has helped him save hundreds on his cabin and auto insurance and get the right coverage. When he bought the cabin several years ago he was under- insured and over paying. He has also worked with Chris Baso to secure some income and have freedom to enjoy his hobbies with an early retirement. This is an exciting opportunity for you as there will be steps to take with helping you make decisions to make your dreams and financial goals a reality, all while keeping your money safe. Our goal is to give you tools and resources to help you stay informed and be in control without the stress of the financial markets ups and downs and high cost of health care." "We are looking forward to hearing from you and finding out how we can help you protect what you have grown or making plans for a fun family time at the lake, making your dreams come true!" Sandy shared. "Here is the catch, though. Seating is limited for lunch." If you would like to join Rick, Sandy, and Sandy's team at Musser Lake in Phillips on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, they request an RSVP for lunch tickets by calling or texting Rick at 715-797-7627 or e-mailing Sandy@treetopinsurance.com. To kick-off the fun portion of the event right away, Sandy and Rick are offering various giveaways, with the grand prize being a fishing or evening boat ride or a two night stay at a campsite. There are five easy ways to enter, as follows: -RSVP for the presentation and lunch -Show up for the presentation and lunch -Bring a friend -As you chat with each expert they will give you another entry for the drawings -If you can't make it, let Sandy or Rick know what you interested in learning about to get an entry To get your first entry now, RSVP and make appointments by calling or texting Rick at 715-797- 7627 or e-mailing Sandy@treetopinsurance.com. For more information and to register online, you can view Sandy's website at http://treetopinsurance.com/event- registration-form

NEWS - COUNTYWIDE, SECTION 2 POLICE REPORTS: FEBRUARY AND MARCH 2021 April 1, 2021 PRICE COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT 2/12/21 - Phillips - A man called to report a snowmobile accident at the intersection of West Solberg Lake Road and Point Lane on the snowmobile trail. A female snowmobiler hit a tree and possibly had a broken leg. 2/13/21 - Park Falls - A man reported a woman was refusing to exchange their child for his time with the child due to a rumor he heard the woman heard about him. The man was at the exchange place but the woman and child were not. 2/14/21 - Ogema - A woman reported a chimney fire that she believed was growing larger. 2/16/21 - Phillips - A man reported checking the game cameras on his property and discovering two men on a snowmobile that were on his property on January 16, 2021. The younger man was driving the snowmobile. The older man was the passenger and appeared to have a rifle. There was a contraption affixed to the back of the snowmobile. He stated that the trespassers also stole some SD cards from his other game cameras as the cards were missing. 2/17/21 - Ogema - A man reported that a trailer that was stolen from his property last June was just seen in Taylor County by a man he identified. 2/18/21 - Ogema - A woman called to report a man was digging around her house and knocking things off her dresser two nights prior. The woman called back to state the tracks were likely covered due to fresh snow. An officer responded but the woman would not answer her door or phone. The woman then called dispatch again and said there was a flashlight outside her house and dispatch notified her that the deputy was there with the flashlight at that moment. 2/19/21 - Phillips - A man called requesting an ambulance due to a snowmobile injury. The injured party was not able to be moved to the road but snowmobilers were staying with the injured party on the trail. 2/19/21 - Phillips - A woman called to report her husband had driven off the road and she did not know if he was injured or not. She called back shortly thereafter stating he was fine and did not need any emergency services. 2/20/21 - Ogema - A woman called about a neighbor digging around her house, scratching her windows, shooting her dog, and mixing up all her clothes. Price County Health & Human Services was contacted. 2/22/21 - Prentice - A woman called to report a person acting strangely near her residence and business. It was believed that a light was turned on in the business and the person was running laps in an intersection. 2/24/21 - Prentice - A single vehicle rollover occurred. The female involved contacted her parents and stated she was not injured. The man who reported the accident stated he would stay with the person who had been involved in the accident until dispatch arrived. 2/25/21 - Fifield - A man came into a store for a second time and ripped down a sex offender posting that was about him. When he was told not to take it down, he ripped it in half. 2/26/21 - Butternut - A man reported a possible house fire as there appeared to be smoke in the upper level and metal falling off the room. The Park Falls Fire Department advised part of the roof had blown off and was covering the chimney. 3/1/21 - Phillips - A woman reported an offensive sign on County Road D in the Township of Emery. 3/7/21 - Fifield - A woman reported a man shooting at squirrels through his apartment window. The woman assumed it was a pellet gun since he is a felon, and she was concerned because there are children in the area. 3/12/21 - Phillips - A woman called to report that she and another woman had been stargazing and got their car stuck on the ice. 3/13/21 - Phillips - A man reported a land dispute with his neighbor. A survey was completed along with plotting out a building. While outside, the man heard the neighbor making loud comments about shooting someone. 3/14/21 - Ogema - A number of residents reported vandalized mailboxes. 3/15/21 - Brantwood - A man called to report a man trying to force his way into his residence, asking for a ride to Prentice, stating he was in an accident. The man then left the residence. 3/20/21 - Park Falls - A woman called to report her neighbors firing guns at a target that faces her property and she was concerned she could be struck by a bullet. 3/21/21 - Park Falls - Witnesses reported an argument between two adults and two juveniles. Witnesses said one of the adults put the two juveniles in the trunk of her car. One of the juveniles was reported to be the woman's daughter. 3/23/21 - Phillips - A deputy attempted to make a traffic stop but the vehicle fled northward through Fifield and Park Falls at speeds up to 90 MPH. The vehicle, likely with two occupants, traveled into Ashland County, speeds sometimes reaching 100 MPH. The Ashland County Sheriff's Office set up spike and took over the pursuit. 3/24/21 - Prentice - A woman called to report a shed was on fire. The shed contained tractors, farm equipment, a truck, and gas cans. The woman stated there were loud bomb sounds coming from the shed and debris was flying near her house. The woman was advised to exit the house and stand by the fire number sign until emergency services arrived. 3/26/21 - Ogema - An attempt was made to stop a vehicle which had stopped on State Highway 86. But the two occupants fled on foot, both wearing black. Drugs and weapons were found in the car. PHILLIPS POLICE DEPARTMENT 2/3/21 - A man reported his ex-girlfriend had taken his cat. Police told the man this was a civil issue. 2/23/21 - A woman reported receiving harassing phone calls and letters from a man incarcerated in a prison outside of the City of Phillips. An officer collected the letter, informed the correctional institution of the situation, and advised them not to let any more letters be sent to the woman. A stalking warning letter will be sent to the man. 3/2/21 - A citizen stated they were a petitioner of a domestic abuse restraining order and the defendant was contacting them via phone. An officer collected a written statement and documented the voicemail messages that were left by the defendant on the petitioner's phone. The officer referred a criminal charge of violation of domestic abuse injunction to the Price County District Attorney's Office. 3/4/21 - A woman reported her boyfriend made suicidal comments, ran into their residence with their child, and locked the door. Officers entered the residence as community caretakers and detained the male subject. The male subject was brought to the police department where he spoke with a worker from the crisis line. 3/7/21 - An apartment manager advised of vehicles that were parked in a private parking lot. Officers made contact with the owners of the vehicles and advised them they could not park their vehicles there. 3/9/21 - The Phillips Police Department and Central Price Ambulance Service were dispatched to a local factory for an employee who had their arm injured in a machine. Officers and EMTs responded in emergency mode. Officers applied a tourniquet to the patient, assisted with wrapping the injury, and loaded the patient onto the ambulance for transport to a medical facility. 3/13/21 - The Phillips Police Department was asked by the Park Falls Police Department to locate a suspect and conduct an interview. It was reported an adult male had placed a phone call to the 911 dispatch center and provided false information. An officer attempted to make contact with the adult male but was unsuccessful. The investigation is pending. 3/14/21 - The Phillips Police Department made an attempt to interview an adult male at a probation residence. While the officer was knocking on the door, they heard a subject exit out of the residence through a window. The officer later observed a male subject running from the area. The officer and Price County Sheriff's deputies searched for the male subject but were unable to locate him. An officer later received a call of a suspicious male subject who tried to enter into an apartment and then did enter into an apartment. The officer apprehended the adult male subject inside the apartment. The male subject was arrested for disorderly conduct and criminal trespass to a dwelling. The male subject is also on probation and was held at the Price County Jail. 3/16/21 - Phillips Police received a phone call from the Phillips School District bus garage regarding a school bus that was hit while at a stop sign. The bus driver did not realize that the bus was stuck until a citizen later informed them at another bus stop. The school bus was reported to have minimal damage. 3/26/21 - Police made contact with a man who had a warrant out of Price County. The man could not post bond and was brought to the jail and booked. 3/28/21 - Police were requested to assist the Price County Sheriff's Department on a traffic stop. K9 Dixon arrived on scene and alerted to the vehicle. As a result, two males were arrested for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. PARK FALLS POLICE DEPARTMENT 2/4/21 - A local pastor reported that two people reported to him that someone was using his name and asking for gift cards and money. The pastor stated he would post on Facebook that this was a scam so his parishioners would know it was not him. 2/6/21 - A man reported a verbal altercation with the mother of his child at the end of the exchange of the child at a local gas station. Police also interviewed the woman about the incident and she stated the man got upset first given she reminded the man about their child's event and he told her she does not need to constantly remind him of things. 2/10/21 - A man reported being on the phone with a scammer for an hour, and he gave the scammer the last four digits of all his credit cards. The man was advised to inform all his credit card companies of this incident. 2/11/21 - A woman reported suspicious tracks near her fence line. Officers determined the tracks were made by a rabbit. 2/15/21 - A man started his truck at 5 a.m. At 8:30 a.m., it was reported that the truck was smoking and sparking. When an officer arrived, it was engulfed in flames. The Park Falls Fire Department extinguished the fire. 3/5/21 - A vehicle accident occurred near a laundromat when two people were on their way to pick up their laundry. When the woman went inside to get her laundry, she noted one dryer load was missing and they reported the clothing as stolen. 3/14/21 - A woman reported an argument at a local bar. When an officer arrived, he heard a woman yell, "Here comes the cops. Let everyone know the cops are here." Upon interviewing the bartender and a patron, no one was aware of an argument. 3/15/21 - A truck was reported to be on its driver's side partially submerged in water on Tower Road. Two men and two dogs were in the vehicle. Both men were not submerged in water and could breathe. Emergency services arrived and got the men out of the vehicle. While the two men were at the hospital, the dogs were housed at a local shelter. The Corgi/Schnauzer mix cooperated with exiting the squad car; the Chihuahua did not. Three personnel were eventually able to get the Chihuahua to the shelter to reside in a kennel with the Corgi/Schnauzer until the owners could pick them up. 3/18/21 - A woman reported her laundry was removed from a dryer at a laundromat during the half hour she was away. Other witnesses said they saw a man remove clothing from three dryers, and one person thought he must have taken the load by mistake. SPRING 2021 UNOFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS April 6, 2021 The following results show the unofficial but projected winners of the area's contested races as received by My Price County. State Superintendent - Jill Underly Court of Appeals - District 3 - Gregory Gill Butternut School District - Steve Brown and Jeffery Hickey Town of Elk Chairperson - Tom Frane Town of Elk Supervisors - Tyler Weber and Jeannie M. Heizler Town of Fifield Supervisor - James Hintz and Bonita Salm Town of Georgetown Chairperson - Ginny Strobl Town of Harmony Supervisor - Julie DeLasky and James Kucaba Town of Hill Supervisor - Jeffery Ulrich and Roger J. Bergman Town of Knox Supervisor - Cory Wild (write-in) Town of Ogema Supervisor - Dean Kurth and Peggy Machnikowski City of Phillips Alderman - District 2 - Laura Tomaszewski Village of Prentice School District - Dianne G. Gierman Town of Worcester Chairperson - Jim Heizler Town of Worcester Supervisor - Jeremy Pesko and Paul H. Precour

POLICE REPORTS: JULY 2021 August 12, 2021 The following are some of the summarized police reports for July 2021. PRICE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE 7-3-21: Multiple 911 calls were received for a one vehicle accident in Fifield. The reporting party stated the sole occupant had been ejected from the vehicle and CPR was being administered. Emergency services arrived. The accident victim was pronounced deceased at the scene. 7-4-21: A female was found in the middle of the road trying to get up. It was determined the woman may be intoxicated. Prentice Ambulance Service responded. 7-15-21: A motel owner reported two people staying at her motel that refused to pay. She wanted them to leave and was also concerned for the safety of her property and herself. 7-16-21: A woman called regarding a structure fire in Ogema. There was heavy smoke coming from the peak of the house. 7-19-21: The Vilas County Sheriff's Office transferred an automated message from an Apple iWatch stating the person wearing the watch had taken a hard fall and was not responding. The coordinates showed the person's location as Fifield. 7-22-21: A woman called 911 to report that her friend, who was in Chicago, seemed to be getting attacked by someone while they were talking on the phone. The caller was worried that her friend was in danger. Dispatch was able to call the Chicago woman's cell phone and a woman answered stating she was in an ambulance. Paramedics confirmed this and said the Chicago Police Department was also on the scene. 7-23-21: The Price County Highway Department contacted dispatch to respond to a boat that was stuck in the guard rail next to the road. Police attempted to contact the owner of the boat at his residence but contact was not made so the police attempted to contact the boat owner's friends. The shoreline and the boat were searched. A shirt was retrieved from nearby the boat. 7-25-21: A 911 call was received that a vehicle hit a tavern located along Hwy. W. It was reported that the driver was bleeding from his head. However, the driver fled on foot. Contact was made with the adult male driver's father. The driver's cell phone was either shut off or turned off as police could not get a location update. The local hospital was contacted to see if anyone came in with head injuries, but the hospital advised they could not give dispatch that information. 7-27-21: A man stated an elderly female was in traffic on State Hwy. 70. The woman was in a neck brace, and someone was trying to drive her to a doctor's appointment in Minocqua. The woman insisted she would walk to her appointment instead. Her refusal to get back in the vehicle was holding up traffic. 7-27-21: A motel employee advised she saw a 50- something woman, who was staying at the motel, enter the woods near the motel around 3 p.m. but never come back out of the woods. Contact was attempted with the woman's home address, which was a women's shelter in Gary, Indiana. The missing woman was located around 7:18 p.m. by K9 Dixon, and the Park Falls Ambulance Service was paged. 7-28-21: A juvenile in the Village of Prentice pulled out a street sign for the second time. The village crew really pounded it in after its first removal, but the youth was still able to get the sign out. The juvenile then sent a message to the Village or Prentice stating, "I did it again." The Village would like an officer to talk with the juvenile. 7-29-21: An electrician reported hitting a gas line on Minnow Lake Road. 7-29-21: An individual reported seeing two children and an infant in a car at a gas station in Park Falls with the windows rolled up and the doors locked. The reporting party was concerned for the welfare of the children. An officer, wanting to do a welfare check, stopped the vehicle in Fifield. The driver had an active warrant from Ashland County. However, Ashland's jail was unable to take inmates at that time due to COVID- 19, so the driver was released. PHILLIPS POLICE DEPARTMENT 7-1-2021: Police were notified of a possible harassment at a local fishing dock. 7-2-2021: A woman said a man was harassing her, and she requested the man be spoken to. An officer spoke to the man and warned him to stay off the woman's property or he would receive a citation or be arrested. 7-7-2021: People reported an obscene flag in the City of Phillips that was disturbing people. 7-8-2021: The Phillips Police Department was notified of a possible tax fraud incident that may have occurred in the City of Phillips. An investigation is ongoing. 7-9-2021: The Phillips Police Department was on regular patrol and saw a concrete water tunnel in a city park partially caved in and beginning to erode quickly. The officer placed traffic safety cones over the damaged area and notified Phillips Department of Public Works. 7-11-2021: A report was received regarding an individual who was taking shopping carts from a local grocery store and not returning them. An officer spoke with the man and advised him that he needed to return the shopping carts. The man stated that he would. 7-20-2021: The Phillips Police Department received drug information at an apartment complex. Officers arrived and had consensual contact with a tenant. An officer could smell the odor of illicit drugs emanating from an adult female. An officer applied for a search warrant of the apartment and searched the apartment locating illicit drugs inside the apartment. One adult male and one adult female were referred to the Price County District Attorney's Office for charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of illicit drugs. Price County Human Services was also advised as there was a juvenile in the apartment. 7-21-2021: A report of a possible drunk driver entering the City of Phillips was received. An officer spotted the vehicle driving in the opposite lane of traffic and initiated a traffic stop. The officer quickly determined the elderly driver was not intoxicated and was experiencing a diabetic medical emergency. EMS was dispatched to the scene. The driver corrected their blood sugar and was given a ride home. 7-23-2021: The Phillips Police Department and Price County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to a motorized boat crash. It was reported the boat had crashed over a dirt embankment into a guard rail along a county highway before resting in the right of way of the road. The occupants of the boat were not on scene and officers began an area sweep to determine if anyone was injured or missing from the crash. Phillips officers searched the city and surrounding area until released from the scene by the Price County Sheriff's Office. 7-26-2021: The Phillips Police Department was asked to assist the Price County Sheriff's Office with a tree that was blocking both lanes of Old Highway 13. Officers cleared the tree away from the roadway. 7-28-2021: It was reported that a heavy duty cardboard box was flying through the air at a high rate of speed along State Highway 13, almost striking several vehicles during stormy weather. An officer was able to catch the box and dispose of it properly. 7-28-2021: It was reported by a lakeside resident on Cemetery Road that a possible tornado was forming in the clouds. An officer arrived on scene and relayed the information to dispatch. Dispatch notified Phillips Fire and EMS of two funnel clouds that were possibly forming in the area. 7-30-2021: Police received a report of an adult male who was being harassed by another adult male. The reporting party advised that the male subject was confrontational and would not leave the reporting party alone while at an event in Elk Lake Park. An officer provided statement forms to the reporting party. An investigation is pending. 7-31-2021: A report was received regarding a hit and run of an unattended vehicle. An officer met with the owners of the vehicle and determined the vehicle was struck while at a local hotel. The officer was unable to identify the striking vehicle. PARK FALLS POLICE DEPARTMENT 7-5-2021: Officers responded to an accident where a motorcycle hit a deer. The motorcyclist was alert and had minor injuries. 7-10-2021: A person reported their neighbor's pest control sensors were causing loud noises at all hours of the night and day. An officer was able to hear loud noise in the form of an oscillating siren. The owner of the sensors was notified of the loud and unnecessary noise ordinance. 7-10-2021: A business was egged. 7-12-2021: A man, stating he was homeless, came to the Park Falls City Council meeting needing a place to say. He was given a room voucher for a local motel for the night. 7-16-2021: A man reported there may be blood on the sidewalk. An officer determined it was probably ketchup. 7-17-2021: There was a dispute between neighbors. All parties were advised to ignore each other while outside. 7-22-2021: A suspicious white car with a black stripe and spoiler was seen driving slowly past a residence multiple times. Extra patrol was requested. 7-25-2021: An officer was sent to assist with a fight that was reported at the Pioneer Days Celebration in Butternut. The officer was then asked to discontinue going to Butternut but look for a motorcycle that had left the scene. The motorcycle was located and the person was transported to the hospital.

NEWS - COUNTYWIDE, SECTION 3 POLICE REPORTS: MAY 2021 June 5, 2021 The following are some of the summarized police reports for May 2021. PRICE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE 5-1-21, Phillips: A female called 911 crying, screaming, and unable to effectively communicate what was the nature of the emergency. Dispatch could hear a male in the background and heard the female say, multiple times, "Get out." She also said "Put it down, put it down!" Police arrived on scene. 5-1-21, Catawba: A woman reported another female was illegally disposing garbage in her dumpster. 5-3-21: Three cats came onto a man's property without his permission. He stated this is an abatement order violation that was issued to his neighbor. 5-4-21: A woman requested an officer to keep the peace as her roommate threatened to throw her freezers out in the yard. 5-5-21, Prentice: An abandoned 911 call appeared to come from the Prentice School. Multiple attempts were made to call back the number and locate the owner of the number. On call-backs, the person answering the phone said they wanted to sell a "depression box" to make the person depressed until they died. They also wanted five credit card numbers for the purchase of the box. The school was notified. A staff member called back to say they knew who made the call, who was answering the phone, and that everything was fine with the caller. 5-10-21, Phillips: An incarcerated man asked to use the phone to call his mother to let her know he was in jail. The call was not answered by his mother but was answered by a woman with an active restraining order against the incarcerated man. 5-12-21: A highway department worker was cutting trees and landed one on a power line, causing a fire. The highway department attempted to put out the fire with two fire extinguishers but were unsuccessful. 5-13-21: A woman called to report she rolled her vehicle but did not have any injuries, and she stated she did not know what happened. 5-14-21, Phillips: A man reported his cabin was broken into, was a mess, and items were stolen. 5-16-21, Phillips: A woman called to report a man, standing in the middle of the road, would not let them pass through to get to a boat landing. Meanwhile, a woman called to say her husband was trying to stop a vehicle from going down their private drive. The original caller was notified the "road" was actually a private drive that did not lead to a boat landing, and the couple was given directions for how to get to the boat landing on an actual road. 5-18-21, Kennan: A report of possible dog abuse of seven dogs was received. The dogs were reported to get very little food and are never seen outside. 5-20-21, Prentice: A guest was found near the front desk of a motel during the night, making noise, which alerted an employee of the motel. The guest may have been behind the desk as several drawers and cabinets behind the desk were open. 5-20-21, Phillips: A woman reported enough nails, bolts, and boards on a county road to make a person scared to drive. A deputy checked the area but only found one bolt on the road. 5-22-21, Phillips: A woman reported a motorcyclist had hit a deer and was complaining of hip pain but was alert and oriented. PHILLIPS POLICE DEPARTMENT 5-3-21: A possible domestic violence incident was reported at a residence. Officers arrived and determined the incident had not occurred but arrested one female for violating conditions of bond. 5-6-21: A female reported being harassed by another female. 5-9-21: An adult male said he had a compound fracture and requested the ambulance service evaluate him. He also stated he had been kicked out of his residence and had nowhere to go. He said his vehicle broke down at a local park and his parents were unable to assist him. The parent informed the office the adult male lied about not having a place to go, having a broken vehicle, and the compound fracture. PARK FALLS POLICE DEPARTMENT 5-2-21: A two vehicle accident occurred when one man was stopped at a red light. The man driving a vehicle behind him saw the light turned green and reached down for his soda. He stated he figured the car in front of him would immediately proceed, but the car hesitated for a moment, and the man struck the back of the other vehicle. No injuries were reported. 5-3-21: A man reported that headlights shined through his living room for ten seconds the prior night, and he wondered if it could be someone with whom he had a recent falling out. 5-12-21: A report was received that a white pick-up truck was parked nearby a residence. Inside was a man, possibly in his 60s, with a long, white beard who the person felt was watching children playing in a yard for about fifteen minutes. The people reporting this felt it was suspicious behavior. 5-15-21: A crash occurred on CTH B. One badly damaged pick-up truck was in the middle of the road and appeared to have rolled a number of times. The male driver was lying on the ground, surrounded by people who came upon the scene, and the man was unconscious but taking gasping breaths. There was apparent injury to his face and head. EMTs arrived on scene to help with emergency medical services and the man was transported to the hospital in Park Falls and later airlifted to another medical facility. People identifying themselves as friends of the man said he is a resident of Lugerville. 5-25-21: A possible burglary occurred on 7th Avenue and is under investigation. 5-27-21: A two vehicle accident occurred in a parking lot. The driver who hit the other vehicle did not have a valid driver's license, so an officer transported her home. The damage from the accident was over $1,000. 5-27-21: A concerned citizen reported two males breaking into a storage unit with pry bars. Both men were located, detained, and searched. Drugs and drug paraphernalia were found. One male was arrested and was one referred. 5-29-21: A report of computer sex crimes involving a minor is undergoing investigation. FREE KAYAK AND CANOE GROUP TO MEET EVERY TUESDAY June 17, 2021 The Hut's Kayak and Canoe Group is looking for more members to join their kayak and canoe excursions this summer. Membership is free. The group meets every Tuesday evening throughout the summer to explore some of the best places to paddle in Price County. Excursions include both flat water and rivers. Paddlers are on the water by 6 p.m., and the adventures last an hour or two. This Tuesday, May 25, 2021, the group is meeting at 6 p.m. to plan the season, which will start June 1st. To attend the meeting, bring a picnic supper and meet the group at the park shelter in Fifield. If you cannot attend but are interested in more information, contact Mike at witreeland@pctcnet.net. Once the season plan is finalized, this information will be added to the My Price County community calendar. My Price County has a mission to positively promote the area to those who already live here and, even more importantly, those who are new to the area to make them feel welcome. If you have a free group similar to this one (for example, for biking, running, etc.), please e-mail Contact@MyPriceCounty.com or message us on Facebook so we can help promote these events. PRICE COUNTY FAIR FACING CHANGES AND NEEDING VOLUNTEERS June 27, 2021 The Price County Fair will hold its 135th fair from August 25th to the 29th. K&M Rides & Entertainment will be on-site with amusement rides and games. There will be vendors, food, and entertainment lined up for five great nights of fun. The entertainment schedule will be released soon. Since the fair association had to make the difficult decision to remove one wing of the barn due to a roof collapse and remove the open class building due to structure issues, there will be a few modifications this year. Some of the open class exhibits will need to be entered differently. The 2019-2020 fair premium book, available at http://www.PriceCountyFair.com/documents.html will be used this year. The 2022-2023 premium book will be available at this year's fair. Amidst all the modifications, the fair association is in need of volunteers as some of the people who helped with the fair have retired from their services after many great years of assistance. If you are willing to volunteer by beautifying and preparing the buildings and grounds, taking tickets, parking vehicles, etc., the fair commission would like to hear from you. Send them a message at pricecountyfair@yahoo.com. Also, anyone willing to make a monetary donation can mail a check to Price County Fair Association, Inc., P.O. Box 123, Phillips, WI 54555.

OWNERSHIP OF FAIRGROUNDS MAY BE DECIDED ON DECEMBER 14, 2021 November 24, 2021 Price County's Building & Grounds Committee met last week. Discussion of the possible sale of the fairgrounds took place. Michael Best, real estate attorney, advised Price County that they do have full legal ownership of the fairgrounds, which cleared the county to entertain the idea of a sale. Two parties replied to an ad that was placed for the possible sale of the fairgrounds. A father/daughter duo, Darin and Alexis Baratka, who have shown their interest in the property for some time responded to the ad. Lyn Ludwig inquired via a phone call. Both groups were in attendance at the meeting. For Darin and Alexis, their prime objectives would be saving the barn and improving the arena area. Their intention would be to expand the arena and grandstands and to construct an auxiliary building. They would take over the upkeep of all the buildings. A future goal would be to build a community events center. They stated they would work with all the groups that currently use the facilities and guarantee continued use, including the Price County Fair, Price County Antiques Association, 4-H, and others. Lyn Ludwig stated that she has been surveying Price County to create a collaborative plan. She stated she is working with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. to get funding for historic preservation. She would like to see a comprehensive plan, guidelines to prevent restriction of the accessibility of the lake front by the fairgrounds, and the best use of the property for all 365 days of the year. She felt the barn should not be sold to a private party. In our September 2021 interview with Nick Trimner, he stated if a private party did purchae the property, a right of first refusal would be in the contract so the county would have the right to buy the property back should the owner want to sell. Aside form a sale, there are other options. One option is for the county to retain the fairgrounds but not make any repairs other than keeping it safe and open to current use for as long as possible. Another option is to retain ownership and make needed repairs. The pig barn, theater building, chapel, poultry shed, grandstands, and the barn all need work. The poultry shed cannot be used in the future without repairs being made. It is estimated that an event building would cost $750,000 to build. As for the barn, a builder specializing in barn restoration saw photos of the barn but has not seen the barn in person as of yet. Upon seeing the photos, the builder stated it would cost about $50,000 to stabilize the two wings and the rotunda. To do a hands-on assessment, the builder asked for $1,000. However, Samuels Group, the engineering company that initially evaluated the building, questioned that low of an estimate. Samuels Group instead estimated between $1.1 to $1.4 million would be needed to repair or rebuild the structure. This topic will be further discussed at 9 a.m. on December 7th at the meeting of the Buildings & Grounds Committee. The full Price County Board will consider the committee's recommendation on December 14, 2021 at their 9 a.m. meeting in the County Board Room. PRICE COUNTY FOREST CARBON OFFSET PROJECT: TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE OR THE REAL DEAL? December 3, 2021 According to the informational meeting at the courthouse on the early evening of Thursday, December 2, 2021, it was suggested that the board is divided on whether the forest carbon offset project is too good to be true or a great deal for the county. Based on the questions and comments at the meeting, the public is likely divided, as well. According to information presented at the meeting, Bluesource is a marketing broker company headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. They have been in business for 20 years and are the oldest carbon offset company in North America and have offices in the United States and Canada. They currently have over 70 forest carbon projects that they are managing. This company is one of the few that take on large projects. Price County, having 92,000 acres of forests, is considered a large project. As a carbon offset broker, Bluesource locates properties that are attractive to their end goal of selling carbon credits. Each carbon credit receives a unique serial number, which is tracked by another agency, American Carbon Registry (ACR). To help explain how each party works, Nick Trimner, Price County administrator, stated Blue Source will "do all the work for us." They work with large companies that voluntarily want to offset their carbon use. Some companies they work with include Microsoft and Chevy. Nick added that those large companies are where the county could find "prime dollars for credits." He further explained ACR's role, stating they are like the DMV in terms of tracking the carbon credits. The contract with Bluesource would be for ten years and then could be renewed with Bluesource or the county could find another broker to work with for the remaining time. The carbon offset project would be in place for 40 years regardless of which company is selected as the broker. Bluesource first contacted Price County about the carbon offset project at a meeting in Bayfield on February 25, 2021. On April 2, 2021, Joe Grapa, the county forest administrator and Nick Trimner received and reviewed a summary project proposal. The first open meeting regarding this topic was on April 6, 2021 and has been discussed at nine additional committee, executive, and board meetings since then, including a presentation by Bluesource on June 11, 2021 which was the first county board meeting where this project was discussed. At Thursday night's informational meeting, Nick shared that the county has consulted with Michael Best, a law firm in Madison, and the county has received consultation from their associate, Taylor. He also stated the use of county forest land will remain the same. Hunting, hiking, powersports, public access, harvesting, and all current use will not change. The contract would not stop Price County from continuing its current harvesting practices. The same amount of cuttable acres will continue to be marketed as in the past. However, the landowner obligations given by Bluesource and ACR are that harvesting cannot exceed growth, which is the current situation. Also, certifications must be maintained, and there are monitoring obligations. The monitoring obligations include every five years there needs to be a verification that there hasn't been an overcut, every ten years an inventory needs to be taken, annually there are reporting requirements, and the monitoring period is 40 years. Surveys would be taken by a local company instead of someone from far away. Of course, the requirements do impose expenses. Along with those expenses, Nick explained the buffer pool, which is an insurance policy. Four percent of the carbon credits go into this insurance policy so if the forest would be ruined by fire, tornado, or some other act, the county would be protected. Every time a credit is bought, 4% of that credit is taken as an insurance premium. To be able to get this percentage insurance rather than an insurance cost of $40,000 or $50,000 as a lump sum each year, Bluesource says the county must sign up by January 1, 2022. Tammy Hastings, in attendance at the meeting, said a lot of this information is confusing and was concerned the project decision was getting rushed. She asked if this could be a referendum that the citizens vote on. County Board Chair Bob Kopisch replied, "I don't think we need to do a referendum, and part of the reason is just what you are talking about here, is getting people to understand what it is we're talking about. That is the difficulty with it." When asked if the board had difficulty understanding it, Bob replied, "I guess you'd have to ask the board members. I believe we had quite a bit of discussion on it. I know we have differences of opinion, but as far as whether it has been difficult to understand, I think at this point I would expect everybody pretty much understands what we are talking about." After looking over information for weeks, Tammy said she can see some benefits to the project. "Those benefits seem to be all financial for the county. It doesn't really seem to take into consideration the forests." She reiterated she'd love to see it go to a referendum so the people could have a say. Dale Houdek, also in attendance, agreed with Tammy's point about rushing. He mentioned the infrastructure bill that was recently passed has a lot of money set aside for environmental initiatives and he felt one of those initiatives could cover something like what this type of project is covering. "There is going to be a lot of federal dollars potentially coming out for these areas. I believe that down the line these companies are going to be paying a whole lot more than what they are offering now. In my personal opinion, the reason they are trying to rush this right now is they know this." "I think your question is 'Why don't we wait?'" Bob Kopisch added in reply to Dale. Later, Tammy said she feels that, "Any decision made in haste is usually not a wise decision." "If it goes up, we get more. We're not locked in," Nick explained, stating Bluesource's goal is also to get as much as they can for each carbon credit because they get a 25% commission on the net price they sell it for. Nick said he is also suggesting the county set aside one million dollars in case the county wants to buy back the carbon credits and get out of the project. According to Nick, the Michigan DNR is in this program, and they told him it is going well. In our more immediate area, the counties of Oneida, Sawyer, Douglas, Burnett, plus about eleven other counties are entertaining the idea of entering this type of carbon offset project. Since June 2021, Washburn, Rusk, and Iron Counties have entered the project. Nick said companies like Bluesource are interested in places like Price County because we are a "low hanging fruit." He explained, "We were already doing what this program will pay us to do," because we manage our forest rather than clear cut or develop them. "We want to maintain a healthy forest," Nick added. A woman who called in to listen to the meeting via phone stated, "The definition of a carbon credit, which people don't really understand, is a certificate or permit that grants owners the legal right to emit one metric ton of carbon dioxide. So this seems a little bit like doing a dance with the devil. If we are very environmentally sound and concerned, why would be enter or even consider something like this?" Nick explained the certificate she was referring to is the serial number of the carbon credit. A man on another line agreed with the woman caller but also saw another side, stating, "There's millions of dollars out there that's going to other places.....What do you do? Let the money pass? Because somebody else is going to grab it. So, I think it's an opportunity....It's managed well from the sound of it." Another man on the phone, who stated he is a CPA, fears it is a sham and that the county does not understand the details of the contract, though the contract has not been seen by the county board yet. Bob stated that the county is not broke. "This is a revenue source." Nick explained that Bluesource would need to do an inventory once contracted to make sure Price County is a feasible location. From the time of signing the contract to seeing revenue from the project would take about 18 months. The board has not seen the contract yet but will review it at the executive committee meeting on December 9, 2021. There is also a board meeting on December 14, 2021. 12-14-21 UPDATE: CARBON OFFSET PROJECT MEETING AND CONTRACT INQUIRY A number of residents have asked us about the contract the county is looking at with Bluesource regarding the possible carbon offset project in Price County. When asked if the public can view the document, County Administrator Nick Trimner stated, "The contract is still being negotiated and is not considered a public document. Once the executive committee and board review and finish negotiating, then it will become a public document." He said he is unsure at this time when the contract will be brought into an open meeting for discussion. Nick continued, "If the county board votes to proceed, that doesn't mean we will just sign the contract and be done. If there is anything in the contract that we don't agree with, we will not sign." There is a county board meeting today, Tuesday, December 14, 2021 at 9 a.m. at the courthouse. The board is set to go into closed session to negotiate a potential contract with Bluesource for the carbon offset project. Another big topic in the county, the possible purchase of the fairgrounds, may also be discussed at the meeting. Members of the public may access all public meetings via appointment or conference call. The conference call number is 1-408-418-9388. The conference code is 2480 856 7420. UPDATE: 12/15/2021 On December 14, 2021, the county board held a meeting. Supervisor Strobl presented a letter from the Town of Kennan in opposition of the Forest Carbon Offset. Supervisor Houdek received communications from the Town of Hackett, Town of Emery, and Town of Spirit, and Supervisor Barkstrom received communication from the Town of Hackett, all in opposition to the carbon offset credit project. Ultimately, the board voted to adopt the resolution to move forward with a possible contract with BlueSource. The vote was seven "yes" votes by Barkstrom, Erickson, Hallstrand, Kopisch, Kyle, Palecek, Wartgow and five "no" votes by Ernst, Houdek, Madsen, Spacek, and Strobl. ROUNDABOUT NOT SCHEDULED FOR PRICE COUNTY December 13, 2021 It was recently posted on a local Facebook group, (not affiliated with My Price County), that Price County will soon get its first roundabout, which people know is a circular intersection in a road to keep traffic flowing. The post stated, "Not One to Start Rumors but Heard Price County is getting it's first Round-a-Bout soon." Since we have had a number of inquiries asking if this is true or a rumor and where the roundabout will be located, we wanted to report that this was a play on words "joke" post by an admin of that Facebook group. The "roundabout" that was referenced is not going to be a change to any roads in the county. Instead, a bar in Phillips is coming under new ownership and will reportedly be changing its name to Roundabout. There will not be any roundabout addition to the roadways in Price County at this time. NORVADO RISES TO THE WELLNESS CHALLENGE December 22, 2021 Norvado Employees Smash 2021 Target, Logging More Than 22,000 Miles of Activity; Service Provider Contributes $2,250 to Five School Districts to Improve Student Exercise Facilities To turn the page on 2020 and help make health and wellness a priority for 2021, Norvado challenged its employees to commit to recording one mile of exercise per day, setting a company goal of reaching 20,210 miles between January 1 and October 31. Norvado employees shattered the target, reporting 22,023 miles of walking, running, hiking, biking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing over the 10-month period. To further incentivize employees, Norvado pledged to contribute 10 cents per mile, ultimately raising $2,250, which they donated to five local school districts to support and improve student fitness facilities. Last month, Norvado presented $450 to the following school districts: School District of Phillips, Prentice School District, Drummond Area School District, South Shore School District, and School District of Maple. “After everything that our communities had been through in 2020, we wanted to put the year behind us and what better way than to focus on our health and wellness,” said Chad Young, CEO, Norvado. “We wanted to make 2021 ten times better, so we created a goal of logging 20,210 miles of exercise in 10 months. I’m so proud to say that our Norvado family blew away that goal, beating it by nearly 2,000 miles. And not only have we improved our own physical and mental fitness, but we were also able to give back to the communities that support us. We were thrilled to donate $450 to each of the school districts in our service area to help students reach their fitness goals.”

NEWS - COUNTYWIDE, SECTION 4 PRICE COUNTY FAIR RETURNS WITH THREE DAYS FULL OF ENTERTAINMENT August 19, 2021 "We are so enthused that we can bring you the 135th Price County Fair this year! We could not do this without all the wonderful sponsors we have in our community," stated Denae Walcisak, Entertainment and Fundraising Chair on the Price County Fair Board of Directors. Denae explained that the fair will look a little different this year. First and foremost, it will be held on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; three days rather than the recent five days. "Being two buildings down we had to get creative and work with what we have and use outside resources, as well," she said. The fair will be prepping on Wednesday and Thursday with Wednesday, August 25th, being the day for 4-H and Open Class exhibit and animal drop-offs only. Thursday, August 26th, will be judging day for exhibits and animals for 4-H and Open Class only. "Some of the animals will have to be hauled and trailered there the same day, so we want to reduce traffic for safety reasons and to have less stress on people and animals," Denae further explained. Another reason the fair will look a little different this year is due to the loss of the Open Class Building and a partial loss of the barn. While the county is not necessarily planning to remove the barn, they did gather bids for a complete removal of the barn so they are prepared financially if that is what needs to happen. Since the county owns the fairgrounds, all the building decisions are made by the county rather than the fair board. Board Chairperson, Michelle Drobnik, explained the status of the buildings in regard to this year's fair. "They did tear down the Open Class Building. It was deemed not structurally sound, so we are in the process of turning the Northwoods Building into the Open Class Building for this year. The exhibits will be in there, but we have to get a little creative since the old Open Class Building was a rather large building. The cow barn is deemed that we cannot use it. They did tear the one wing off that had collapsed due to snow," Michelle explained. Since the 4-H Market Animal Sale cannot take place in the barn this year, it will be held on Friday in a 40' x 80' tent located near the horse arena. There will likely be 27 large animals up for auction with the possibility of poultry and rabbits also on the auction block. Registration and appreciation will begin at 6:30 p.m., and the sale will start at 7 p.m. The horse barn, though it recently had a tree go through the roof, has been repaired and will be utilized as normal. As for the entertainment that will take place from Friday, August 27 through Sunday, August 29, 2021, K&M Rides & Amusements will be at the fairgrounds providing carnival rides and games. You can also expect to see Dan Kirk, the Juggler with the Yellow Shoes on Friday and Saturday and family entertainment from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day. The Horse Pulls and Farm Olympics will also take place on Sunday. Those in attendance can also enjoy the Ohrstrom School, better known as the old log school house, where Mr. Jake from the Phillips Public Library will speak about the history of Price County and read books to the school children. There will also be a retired teacher at the school. According to Bev Brayton, "Right now we are busy cleaning the building and have spent time creating and putting up posters that the children/students from the past had learned specific poems. We will also have the two books available about the Country School Recollections that tell stories about the one room schools in the county and lists of teachers from those schools. We will be available to answer questions and want the visitors to sign the guest register so we can report to the other members of our organization where the visitors are from. We hope to have many from out of the area and from out of state and those who have had the experience of attending a one room school." On all three days, the Butterfly and Insect Interactive Display and the Phillips Children's Museum will be at the fairgrounds. Food, vendors, face painting, and more fun activities will also be enjoyed by fairgoers. There will be lots of music to enjoy. On Friday, there will be a karaoke contest at 5 p.m. Those interested in participating can register by printing the form on the fair's website or filling out a form at the fair at 4:30 p.m. Tom Katalin and Highway 41, a country music band, will perform from 8 p.m. until midnight on Friday. Shane Kronberger, haling from Park Falls, covering classic rock, country, and original music, will perform from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, with headliner Alec Davis, featuring a blend of country and southern rock, following up until midnight. Alec Davis is known for a crowd-pleasing experience. Elvis John, an Elvis Presley impersonator, will perform an Elvis tribute show on Sunday from 1 to 2:30 p.m. filled with energy and audience interaction. Fairgoers can enjoy the fair for $5 per day for ages three and up. The cost, if you also want to enjoy the rides, is $15 per day on Friday and Saturday and $10 on Sunday. Children two and under are admitted to the fair free of charge. The gates open at 9 a.m. on all three days, and the gates close at midnight on Friday and Saturday and 5 p.m. on Sunday. To see a list of all the events scheduled for the 135th Price County Fair, visit http://www.PriceCountyFair.com/entertainment.html If you want great events like the fair to continue, please show your community support by attending. PRICE COUNTY: FAIRGROUNDS - POSSIBLE SALE AND FATE OF HISTORIC BARN September 22, 2021 The Price County fairgrounds has been in the spotlight recently as Price County decides if they should sell the property to a private party and the fate of the historic barn. While the fairgrounds has not been sold yet, Price County Administrator Nick Trimner stated, "Price County has been approached by the Baratka family. They would like the county to consider selling the property so they could invest in the facilities in order to hold larger and more events. We are currently having a title search done and looking at the county’s options. The county has not looked at the terms of any potential sale of the property." If the county did decide to sell the fairgrounds, there would be a long-term lease allowing the Price County Fair Association, http://www.PriceCountyFair.com, to operate the fair on that property. The lease would also allow the Price County Antiques Association to remain established at the fairgrounds. The Boy Scout building, 4-H building, and the schoolhouse would also remain at the fairgrounds. According to Nick Trimner, "There may be more to that long-term lease that has not been identified at this time. If there is a sale to a private party and they were to ever consider selling, or go out of business, the county would have a first right of refusal to get the property back." Some residents believe the county should own the fairgrounds, perform needed maintenance, and hold more events there. The county, however, is hoping that if a private party owns the property they would invest more into the property than Price County can with its current budget. More people would likely be drawn to the area if more community events were held at the fairgrounds. One building that does need maintenance is the historic barn, which had one damaged wing removed and was closed to the public at the 2021 Price County Fair. "Taking into consideration that the building has been deemed unsafe for use, the county has considered asking for quotes to remove the building," Nick admitted. "However, the potential buyers would like us to wait until a decision to sell or keep the property has been made." The Buildings and Grounds Committee is currently overseeing this topic. There have been a number of county meetings regarding the fairgrounds and there will be more meetings before a final decision is made. Nick advised, "The public is welcome to [come to] those meetings and speak during public comment or contact their [county] board representative." POLICE REPORTS: OCTOBER 2021 November 19, 2021 Below are some of the police reports from October 2021. PRICE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE 10-1-21: There was a one vehicle accident in the Town of Fifield. 10-2-21: A man called and stated he should be arrested because he stole a TV stand. It was decided the man was possibly intoxicated. An officer responded. 10-11-21: A township called to report UTVs and ATVs, on video footage, racing up and down the road, causing damage to the roadway. While on the phone, staff noted there was another group racing down the road. 10-11-21: A man called about someone possibly poaching deer near his house. A red Chevy pick-up truck drove up to a field in front of his house, and he believed the people inside were scouting for deer to shoot. The man scared the deer away by making noise and the truck sped off. He believes these same individuals may have bee involved in an incident where they were shooing deer from the road. 10-12-21: A woman reported being scammed on Facebook. She messaged someone who listed a puppy for sale. She thought the seller was local, but it turned out someone was using a local woman's name falsely. To hold the puppy for purchase, the woman sent a $150 deposit, which was pending, and was instructed to send another $150 but did not do so. The woman contacted her bank but the bank stated they could not take action until the payment finished processing. 10-13-21: A teacher at the Prentice Middle School was attacked by a larger 8th grade student. The student then locked himself in a front room, but the school was able to watch him there and gain access to the room if needed. No medical attention was needed. 10-13-21: A man stated he accidentally called 911 by pressing the buttons on the side of his phone three times. The man would not give any identifying information stating it was his Fifth Amendment right. A TLO search provided two possible locations and officers responded. 10-14-21: A woman called believing she was scammed by someone claiming to be a local electric company stating she needed to pay her late bill or her electricity would be turned off. 10-14-21: A man called stating someone claiming to be Xcel Energy said he owed a late bill. The man said he would put a check in the mail, which made the caller upset, and the caller demanded the man pay with a credit card. The man did not pay with a credit card so no money was lost in the scam. 10-14-21: A woman stated she was traveling in the Township of Eisenstein toward Park Falls. A vehicle passed her vehicle and almost hit her. When the vehicle turned into a driveway, she stopped to confront the person. The woman said the male driver pulled a gun and pointed it at her when she said she was going to report him for almost hitting her. She said the gun had a laser on it. 10-16-21: A man reported a vehicle on the road that appeared to be a roll-over accident. The airbags had deployed so the caller could not tell if anyone was in the vehicle. The Catawba Fire Department notified dispatch that a subject was located lying in a ditch, and the subject was conscious and talking. 10-16-21: A man reported hunting in the Lugerville area on public land. He stated that someone in a parked vehicle watched him for about 20 minutes while he got his gear on. When he left that evening, the truck was still there with another person in it. That person followed him down Popple Hill Road, County F, and Lugerville Grade Road. The man did a u-turn and the driver followed him on County Road F. The man pulled over and the driver passed him. However, the truck was waiting for him further down the road and started following the man again. However, near the quarry in Lugerville, the truck headed back toward Phillips. 10-19-21: A woman called that a stray cat had killed two doves outside her house, and, because of the stray cat, she now has an infestation of rabbits, skunks, and mice. 10-21-21: A restaurant in Fifield called to report a two vehicle accident. 10-21-21: A welfare check was conducted on a man making suicidal and homicidal statements. The man was threatening to kill his mother and said he was hearing things and voices. The man was taken into protective custody. 10-21-21: A woman received a scam call from someone claiming to be Xcel Energy asking her to pay her bill or the electric would be cut off. 10-26-21: A woman received a scam e-mail stating she needed to send $215 in Bitcoin or video and photos of her pleasuring herself would be sent out to her friends and media. The woman stated she only has a tablet with a camera but she has a Band-Aid over it. She was advised it was a scam. She had not sent any money. 10-26-21: A woman called to report her door was open when she came home and her wedding ring, a diamond and ruby ring, about $500 in change she had in a glass container, and some Milwaukee power tools were missing. 10-26-21: A business owner called to report harassment stating someone was creating fake accounts and posting negative things about his business. 10-27-21: A woman called stating she received a call at 11:15 p.m. from a man whose business she gave a low rating. Minutes after she posted the rating, the man called her stating, "See what the **** happens next." 10-27-21: A man called to say people are making fake Facebook profiles and leaving bad reviews toward his business. 10-28-21: A woman purchased diet drops on a webiste that required her to use a third party payment company. Days later she received paperwork to confirm her new account with a credit union in Virginia. She called the credit union and was informed she may be a victim of identify theft. PHILLIPS POLICE DEPARTMENT 10-1-21: An intoxicated, disorderly male was at a local business. The man was referred for misdemeanor bail jumping and disorderly conduct. 10-4-21: Police received a report of property damage at a local park on County Road H. THe officer documented the area and an investigation is ongoing. 10-5-21: An intoxicated male was seen vomiting outside of a gas station. An officer responded and spoke with the man. The man had an open bond through Price County. The officer confiscated the alcohol from the man and forwarded bail jumping misdemeanor charges to the district attorney's office. 10-5-21: An intoxicated, disorderly male came to the courthouse and was escorted out by the police. The man then urinated on a tree on the courthouse property. The officer arrested the male subject for disorderly conduct, lewd and lascivious behavior, and misdemeanor bail jumping. The officer completed a bail denial as the male subject posed a threat to his safety and the public's safety due to his intoxication. 10-8-21: A property owner received a courtesy violation notice to clean up the junk and appliances scattered throughout their property within 72 hours. 10-11-21: A woman reported that her deceased brother had money and it was now missing from a residence. 10-11-21: A woman reported that her husband was missing for a week. His brother was contacted and said he was fine but just needed some time away. 10-12-21: Officers and emergency services responded, in emergency mode, to a baby possibly choking at a residence. When they arrived, the child was in good health. 10-13-21: A citizen reported that a representative at a business spoke with profanity to the citizen's wife and requested the interaction be documented. 10-15-21: A disturbance in an apartment building turned out to be a man arguing with himself to try to calm down. 10-15-21: A woman filed a theft complaint against two of her former employees. The officer obtained statements and an investigation is pending. 10-18-21: A vehicle on South Avon Avenue was stopped for illegal window tint and no registration lamps. Price County K9 alerted on the vehicle, and it was searched. An unknown burnt substance was found in foil paper and is getting further testing. The driver threw a cigarette out of the vehicle during the stop and was cited for littering and received a written warning for window tint and no registration lamp. 10-21-21: Assisted with an adult man who was unloading a semi trailer and had fallen. The patient was transported to a medical facility. 10-21-21: Several elementary school classes were told about bike safety, and each child received a new bicycle helmet provided by the American Legion. 10-22-21: The local school district provided information about a parent who acted inappropriately on school property. An officer spoke with the parent about how to properly address concerns. 10-24-21: A man with suicidal thoughts discharged a firearm into his hand, which caused injury, and he was transported to a medical facility and then a mental health institution. 10-25-21: Police received a report of a scam that was going on in the City of Phillips. An officer drafted an information report of the incident. 10-28-21: A one vehicle traffic accident sent two individuals to a local medical facility for treatment. PARK FALLS POLICE DEPARTMENT 10-1-2021: Three male juveniles were reportedly throwing litter at passing cars from a moving bus. Based on the camera footage from the bus, two citations were issued. 10-6-21: A burglary was reported in process. One person had a minor injury to their nose but did not want medical attention or to press charges. Officers were unable to locate the suspect. 10-6-21: A homeowner received a citation and was given seven days to remove multiple junked vehicles from his property. 10-8-21: A welfare check was requested for a man who the reporting party thought might be in danger of his wife. Contact was made with the man and woman, and they said they were out of town for the weekend and were okay. An officer will follow-up to investigate the possible domestic incident. 10-9-21: A man backed his truck into an apartment complex's garage door. Since the person involved was related to the officer on duty, another officer was sent to the scene. 10-17-21: A woman called to report a loud booming noise possibly from her basement. An officer responded and did not hear or find the source of any noise. The home owner was thankful to have it checked. 10-18-21: Murals on a local bar were vandalized. 10-19-21: A gas station reported a theft due to video footage, photographs, and duplicate receipts but the suspect, items taken, and vehicle plates are all unknown. An investigation is ongoing. 10-20-21: Assisted Price County with a mental health situation. The crisis line was contacted and a safety plan was set up. 10-20-21: A student struck a teacher in the face causing a possible broken nose. An officer spoke with the female student. 10-20-21: A house was egged. 10-22-21: A house was egged. 10-26-21: A woman reported that the neighbor to her business was putting up a fence near the property line and was wondering if he was provided a permit.

SOO LAKE DRAWDOWN - UPDATED, RESCHEDULED June 1, 2021 In order to repair Weimers Dam, the water level of Soo Lake will be drawn down by up to three feet. This drawdown will begin on June 7, 2021. The lowered water level should be reached by June 13, 2021 and last for about two days to complete assessment, measurements, and planning for this major construction project. The actual construction will begin in late July or early August, but the exact schedule is not known at this time. If any residents are planning to perform shoreline repairs during the drawdown, the Department of Natural Resources wants to remind those individuals to get the proper permits prior to beginning any repairs. June 3, 2021 Update: Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Soo Lake drawdown scheduled to begin on Monday, June 7, 2021 has been rescheduled to begin the morning of Saturday, June 19, 2021. PHILLIPS COMMUNITY-WIDE GARAGE SALES ON JUNE 18, 19, & 20, 2021 May 18, 2021 A number of Phillips residents have expressed interest in a community-wide garage sale weekend, which will take place on June 18, 19, and 20, 2021 for anyone with a Phillips address, both in the city limits and in the country. My Price County is offering free advertising to residents who would like to have a garage sale on that weekend. To participate, reserve your ad spot by submitting your first and last name, full address of your garage sale location, the days (Friday, Saturday, and/or Sunday) and the times you set for your garage sale, along with a short list (20 words or less) of some of the items that will be at your garage sale. Either message My Price County on Facebook or send an e- mail to Contact@MyPriceCounty.com with "Garage Sale" in the subject line. The deadline for submitting your garage sale is June 12, 2021. Please note, you will need to place your own garage sales signs and do any additional advertising that you choose. The community-wide garage sale weekend is being held to help promote the community. Please help us make others aware of this event by sharing this article's link or the Facebook post at http://www.facebook.com/mypricacounty. You can also invite your friends to the Facebook event page at http://www.facebook.com/events/1223572014775573/ Sales will be posted by June 17, 2021 at http://www.mypricecounty.com/sales.html PHILLIPS: BOAT STRUCK BRIDGE GUARDRAIL IN EARLY MORNING HOURS ON FRIDAY July 23, 2021 Photos By: Louise Johnson A boat struck the guardrail on County Hwy. W between Long Lake and Wilson Lake in Phillips. The accident occurred in the early morning hours on Friday, July 23, 2021. According to the Price County Sheriff's Office, no information can be released at this time as there is an ongoing investigation by the DNR. MEDFORD COOPERATIVE TO PURCHASE BALL PETROLEUM October 8, 2021 Medford Cooperative, which was founded in 1911 and is member-owned, will purchase Ball Petroleum in Phillips with a prospective closing date of November 1, 2021. Harland and Bonnie Ball started their business, Ball Farm Supply, in Phillips in May 1975. They sold grain, feed, deer corn, gardening supplies, pet supplies, and bird seed until 1995 when the building got remodeled as the Feed Mill Shoppes. In 1994 the grain elevator was leveled, and the convenience store and gas station were built at the present location. Bonnie, Bill, and Tami stated, "We would like to thank all of our customers for their support. We also would like to thank all of our employees, vendors, and the local business community that have helped us through the years." Medford Cooperative will operate this location as a C- Store. The current employees of Ball Petroleum will be offered continued employment. The businesses in the Feed Mill Shoppes building will also remain. "This is an exciting step as it represents our commitment to growth and expansion of Medford Cooperative," stated Chris Piotrowski, general manager of Medford Cooperative. BW PAPERSYSTEMS ADDS PREVEA BE WELL CENTER INSIDE FACILITY November 10, 2021 BW Papersystems, a division of Barry-Wehmiller, announced the opening of the Prevea Be Well Center, a comprehensive health clinic located on the second floor of BW Papersystems’ Phillips location. “Hosting premiere health services onsite reduces barriers our employees and their dependent families might otherwise have in accessing care. This hits at the core of our vision to measure success by the way we touch the lives of people,” said BW Papersystems Director of Operations Dave Carlsen. The new clinic serves all employees regardless of their enrollment on a company health plan, as well as any dependents covered by company health insurance. Costs are a per visit $25 insurance co-pay, with no other out-of-pocket expenses. On-site Nurse Practitioner Nicole Kulwicki will handle preventative care including physicals, well-child exams, health screenings and immunizations. Kulwicki serves patients of any age and tailors her care to each person’s specific and unique needs. She will also provide acute injury and illness care and chronic disease management. “Prevea Health is excited to join BW Papersystems in this venture. Together, we’re transforming health care from yesterday’s traditional model into something far more meaningful – individualized care, centered on complete employee wellness,” said Prevea Health Employer Services Supervisor Kristin Rubenzer. The onsite clinic also offers lab services, with physical therapy planned for the near future. Engagement with Prevea opens access to more than 400 exceptional health care providers in more than 60 specialty areas, with the next closest health center in Ladysmith. Culture and People Development Director Shannon Stade said, “BW Papersystems is currently engaged in a strong period of growth. This clinic supports our current employees and families but will also enhance the lives of the people we hope will join our team.” To learn about current job opportunities at BW Papersystems, go to http://www.bwpapersystems.com/company/careers

NEWS - PHILLIPS, KENNAN, CATAWBA WINTERFEST ICE FISHING RESULTS January 23, 2021 Submitted photos. hose out fishing the lakes for 2021's WinterFest ice fishing contest in Phillips landed some trophy fish this year! To be considered a "trophy" catch, the fish had to be at or above the size set in the contest. Two men received the trophy catch this year. Devin Dieringer caught a crappie on Long Lake at 14 1/4 inches long. Donald Lenz caught a bluegill on Lone Lake at 10 inches long. First place prizes went to Nick Faust for a 33 inch Northern caught on Long Lake; Dennis Socha for a 20 3/4" walleye on Wilson Lake; a tie for first place crappie at 13 inches by Dylan Sinnott and Randy Johnson, both caught on Lake Duroy; Dylan Sinnott with a 9 3/8" bluegill caught on Lake Duroy; and John Tingo with a 11 1/4" perch caught on Lake Duroy. The night was capped off with a snowmobile parade, well-attended bonfire in Elk Lake Park, and a fantastic fireworks show over Lake Duroy. 1,000 POINTS CLUB February 19, 2021 Submitted photo. Taber Fawley, Boys' Basketball "Player of the Year" in the Marawood North Conference, earned his 1,000th career point earlier this month. He is a senior in high school. Taber and his teammates will take on Flambeau at home at 7 p.m. tonight, (Friday, February 19, 2021) in the regional semi-final game. PHILLIPS DANCE TEAM HEADED TO STATE March 21, 2021 For the first time in Phillips Loggers' dance history, the team is regional champs thanks to their hip hop routine. This year, the Division 5 team was up against schools from Divisions 3, 4, and 5, and the top teams get to compete at state. While the team did go to state back when their head coach, Sarah (Corcilius) Pisca, was a team member, the team never took the top spot as regional champs until this year. Under the direction of Head Coach Sarah Pisca and with choreography by Bonnie Calkins, the team includes Captain Hannah Walker, Co-captain Stacy Backstrom, Emily Schultz, Brandy Drexler, Sarah Hoogland, Christopher Randrup, and Manager Cheyenne Sinnott. The virtual state competition will take place on Sunday, April 25, 2021. UPDATE: The team finished in a tie for 7th at the virtual state competition. 4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS WILL LIKELY BE MOVED IN PHILLIPS May 5, 2021 If you have a favorite spot to watch the 4th of July fireworks in Phillips, you may need to change your location this year. The Chamber of Commerce, who organizes the 4th of July fireworks display, reached out to the fire department asking for a change of venue for the fireworks show in 2021. Instead of the display being shot off from Bostrom Park and displayed over Lake Duroy, the proposed change will have the fireworks being shot off near the drainage ditch on the walking trail in Elk Lake Park, which is where the short walking bridge is located on the northern end. The fire department plans to section off a large area and shoot off the fireworks from that location over Elk Lake. The fire department stated they thought they would be able to accommodate this change of venue but noted they will likely need to look into boat traffic control to keep the boats back. CITY OF PHILLIPS UPDATES May 6, 2021 According to an April meeting of the City of Phillip's Committee of the Whole, Mayor Charles Peterson informed the council that an individual had reached out to him with interest in the Phillips Lionite property. The individual was looking for incentive programs that the city may have available. Clerk Shelby Prochnow was asked to look into the matter to see if anything was available. Dolores Gradinjan asked the council for funding help regarding the replacement of a Welcome to Phillips sign that is south of town. The existing sign is actually a banner, and it will be replaced with a sign that is painted with a UV protective coat to help stop it from fading. The Ladies Auxiliary planned to donate some of their money along with money they fundraised, as well. The council approved the Department of Public works crew helping with removing the old sign and voted to help fund the new sign up to $1,000. The parking lot in Elk Lake Park has been expanded and there has been some brush and tree branch clean-up along the edge of the water by the walking trail. In 2019, business owners and the City of Phillips met and agreed to hold off on redoing the sidewalks until after the state did their work with Hwy. 13, which will include Lake Avenue. Business owners inquired about applying for a grant to help with funding. At an April 2021 meeting, Mike Stoffel, engineer, said that the Community Development Block Grant was applied for and used for the treatment plant instead. The city can reapply in 2022 in regard to the sidewalks with funds then available in 2023, if granted, which would coincide with the reconstruction of Hwy. 13. There may also be other grants or money available from other sources.

project is complete next year. Poem written by Judith Ann Hayton: This clock was an icon in our town close to a hundred years or so Until the Wells Fargo Bank execs said, “This thing has got to go!” Trashing the clock in a garbage truck to a salvage yard somewhere Thrown away, like a piece of trash, and they didn’t seem to care Driving through Phillips, Lynne Bohn saw the iconic clock was down This iconic clock had been loved by all who lived in our small town Lynne told her sister, Davette Hrabak, and so she got started, too Davette did quite a bit of sleuthing as this was something new To us there wasn’t an option; there was not one single doubt The three of us together, for sure, could figure this thing out Davette decided to call the City of Phillips to find out what they knew They did not know much of anything, but they did have one small clue She also called the bank to ask a teller; finding that clock might be hard The city told us the clock was in Minocqua, soon to be in a salvage yard Davette called Lakeland Sign and Graphics; the clock, to us, they gave And that is when we knew for sure that old clock was ours to save Then later on we were told, and to us it was a mighty shock, The city had, without us knowing, went to get that grand old clock They had done some sleuthing, too, and sent a crew right out They didn’t know the clock was ours, but it was without a doubt We went to city meetings and, for the clock, fought tooth and nail In restoring that grand old historic clock, we did not want to fail We proved our case, we owned the clock; now to get on track The city brought the clock home to us, and now we had it back Now for some fund-raising; we needed some money to come in None of us had one small clue of where we should begin Our first task was huge as the clock was badly torn apart The only way to get this done was pull up our sleeves and start Who did we know with the talent to tackle this huge task? We felt that Rudy Suchy might be the person we should ask He told us he would gladly donate some of his labor time If parts were needed, we should know, it had to be our dime Transporting the frame to get repaired, John Kucaba used his truck We knew he felt for us to get this done would take a lot of luck BW Papersystems donated money and some custom parts Which we accepted gladly with full and grateful hearts When all was done, the clock repaired, it gave us quite a shock Five thousand five hundred dollars to get back the treasured clock Funds came in just in time; Price Electric helped to save the day Five thousand dollars helped things out; we had a lot to pay Tony Budaj did the clock’s lighting and the wiring, as well He knew what he was doing; he made that clock look swell A state plan was needed; we had Ayres & Associates draw up one It was four hundred dollars, and we were glad when that was done A twenty foot pole was needed, and it seemed a daunting task Where do you find that size pole, and who would you even ask? Mick Theis at IAP was contacted, and it sure seemed like it was fate He and his sisters were awesome; what their company did was great They asked us what was needed, and we mentioned about the pole They said, we can do that for you; we can help you reach your goal To Laurie Woldt, Kris Ernst, and Mick Theis, we really need to say Your donation of the great clock pole really made our day IAP engineers, Scott - Woldt and Swan - gave of their very best Designers Lyle Slack, Tim Makovsky, on their laurels did not rest Fabrication and design was great, we could not leave them out Gary Freeman did his job for sure; of that there is no doubt A special spot was needed to place the clock back in our town We searched around the city streets, looked both up and down Everywhere we looked, huge pipes were buried underground We then had another thought, and the perfect spot was found The Phillips city parking lot, it sure would have the greatest view For all the people living here, and the folks just passing through Finding electricians also proved to be quite a daunting chore We had lost a couple of them, so we just had to call one more Tom Miller of Miller Electric said he for sure would help us out His time he gave, we furnished parts; that’s what this was all about He briefly mentioned to us, even though he lived in a rival town, He would do the neighborly thing and would never let us down A trench was needed for the electric wiring going to the pole Jeff Williams and Jim Heizler helped us to get closer to our goal They went to work; a trench was dug for the clock’s electric line We appreciated the help they gave, and everything went fine State-required plans called for drilling a fourteen foot deep hole Cement was something we sure needed to hold up this mighty pole Northern Lakes Concrete donated cement; that really made our day So many people helping out, each in their unique and special way A rebar cage was needed; where to get one, not the faintest clue Mick Theis at IAP said, not a problem, that is something we can do So, John Aldinger got real busy, and when the rebar cage was done It was such a beauty that, for sure, first prize it would have won A hurdle yet we needed crossed was who could dig that mighty hole A great big one was needed to support that awesome pole Asking around we got a lead, and it turned out to be quite good The help we needed came to us from our very own neighborhood Greg Denzine, a neighbor, was the person we were told to ask Greg said he knew a guy who would likely help us with this task George Jacobson we then called; we then planned a time and date Thank you, Xcel Energy, all of your workers sure did great The clock restored, the hole was drilled, the cement work yet to do Gary Gabrielsen was for sure the one; his work was tried and true Dennis Onchuck worked on site; both freely gave their time So much done it would be hard for all to be mentioned in this rhyme COVID-19 virus had hit us hard; the supply chain was a great big mess When things would get back to normal, we did not even have a guess Lo and behold, supplies were low; hammered black paint was needed We went Internet searching, high and low, and finally succeeded Lynne’s work paid off, the paint was found that fervently was sought The search ended happily, and six quarts of paint were bought The electric line was going in; things for sure were right on track The day would soon be here for us to put that grand clock back A pole designed by IAP was made to match the iconic clock John Aldinger did the welding, and he built that pole as solid as a rock Stewart Calkins painted the pole, and he really gave his very best The pole looks awesome, and we sure know it beats out all the rest The clear coat paint, we did not use, it clearly was giving us trouble When applied to the metal sample piece, all it did was bubble It was now up to us to say if three coats of paint would be enough The paint should last for many years; we all know Rust- Oleum is tough Bruce Marshall, the city attorney, donated all of his legal time Davette and Bruce collaborated, and neither charged a dime Paperwork was created so the clock would stay in our town forever So this could never happen again, and we seriously do mean never A crane was needed to raise the pole, and we did not know who to get Dennis Onchuck said he would use his crane, and so then we were all set The original paint had to dry a few days more, so we just had to wait Rudy Suchy brought the clock; November 4th was for sure the date Gary Freeman volunteered to haul the pole from IAP to the parking lot It was great to see the iconic clock placed in that awesome spot Ron Neilson volunteered to help; he was most certainly needed We were happy that, so far, this clock project had succeeded One more thing was needed and it was certainly our good luck Mike Johnson volunteered the use of him and his trusty bucket truck To hoist Ron Neilson up to secure the clock so the town would have it back Everything so far was going well, and everything was right on track On November 4, 2021, the clock was hung and there it shall ever be A symbol of Phillips’ past, a reminder of its people and their history A time capsule is now tucked safely eighteen feet below the pole’s top dome In 2050 to be opened by those that now call the City of Phillips home In closing, the short version of this poem: To put it short and put it sweet We put the clock back on the street To watch a video of the clock going back up in Phillips, view http://youtu.be/YzXCQV0Oyko For further information about the historic McClintock- Loomis clocks, view http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wF-r4nBZLU With much appreciation for their donations of money, materials, and services in part or in full, donors included: Judy Hayton; Davette Hrabak; Lynne Bohn Claire Theis, Laurie Woldt, Kris Ernst, & Mick Theis, IAP, Inc. - http://www.IAPFan.com Xcel Energy - http://www.xcelenergy.com Price Electric Cooperative - http://priceelectric.coop/ Dennis Onchuck, Northern Equipment Service Ltd. Mike Johnson, MAS Trucking Ron Neilson Tony Budaj Tom Miller, Miller Electric - http://www.facebook.com/TomMillerElectric Gary Gabrielsen, Masonry Therese & Maureen Trojak BW Papersystems - http://www.bwpapersystems.com Rudy Suchy Precour Family Phillips Moose Lodge in memory of John Vlach Norvado - http://www.norvado.com John Kucaba Lakeland Sign & Graphics - http://www.lakelandsignandgraphicswi.com Forward Bank - http://www.forward.bank Fastenal - http://www.fastenal.com Northern Lakes Concrete - http://www.northernlakesconcrete.com Phillips Lumber & Hardware - http://www.facebook.com/phillipslumberandhardware Jeff Williams & Jim Heizler of the City of Phillips - http://www.CityOfPhillips.com Compumold David Martinet Bruce Marshall Slaby, Deda, Marshall, Reinhard & Writz LLP - http://www.slabylaw.com Brent Mindock, BC Auto Repair LLC - http://www.facebook.com/BCAutoRepairLLC Price County Antique Association Susan Weddle Dave Peterson Tom & Jane Hommerding Shirley Smith Chuck & Sherrie Kandutsch Frank & Carol Dusek Carole Zellinger Grace Kielsmeier Etola Foytek Tina Andersen Greg Denzine - http://www.DeerCreekAngusFarm.com The group also wants to thank Mayor Chuck Peterson and the Common Council for their assistance with this project. 2021 PHILLIPS CHRISTMAS PARADE HIGHLIGHTS December 4, 2021 If you missed the 20-minute Christmas parade in Phillips last night, or would like to see some of the highlights again, view the 4 minute video at https://youtu.be/uUbvJXPd2Mw Many thanks to all who put together a great parade!

NEWS - PHILLIPS, KENNAN, CATAWBA, SECTION 2 THE HISTORY AND RESTORATION OF THE "BANK CLOCK" November 10, 2021 Back Row: Ron Neilson, Rudy Suchy, and Mike Johnson Front Row: Judy Hayton, Davette Hrabak, Lynne Bohn, Dennis Onchuck, and Gary Freeman Photo by: Sandy Onchuck As of Thursday, November 4, 2021, the well-known, highly-cherished historic "bank clock" is once again hanging high above Phillips. The 1916 McClintock-Loomis Company clock first made its appearance in Phillips in 1918. After the Phillips fire of 1894, the State Bank of Phillips was the first bank to rebuild. They commissioned to have a brownstone building built to house the bank at 126 North Lake Avenue. A McClintock-Loomis Company clock, typically displayed on financial institutions across the United States, was installed on that building in 1918 and would remain there for twenty-seven years. The scars of the clock brackets can still be seen on that original location. In February 1945, the bank moved to a corner brick building located at 198 North Lake Avenue, and the clock moved with it. Up until 1970, the clock had chimes that sounded every quarter hour and pealed hourly, though some townspeople remember this not being a welcome sound for residents who lived downtown and heard the sound often throughout the day. This antique timepiece became a treasured staple of Phillips' history. In January 1980 and October 1982, vandals damaged the clock but it was restored each time. If you look about halfway down the block on each of these photos, you will see the clock at 126 North Lake Avenue, where it hung from 1918 to 1945 in Phillips, Wisconsin. Looking between the windows, you can see the holes where the lower bracket of the clock once was at 126 North Lake Avenue. The upper brackets can mostly be seen at the top of the current sign. The "bank clock" at 198 North Lake Avenue, where it hung from 1945 to 2016. This building was bought from the bank and is currently owned by Fred Mueller Ford, http://www.FredMuellerFord.com This is how the clock looked after the bank took it down in 2016. This is what came back to The Power of 3 Community Development Group, Inc. In June of 2016, it was almost entirely destroyed. The current bank chose to remove the clock from the building, which they were painting at that time. Driving through town after teaching summer school on June 14, 2016, Lynne Bohn noticed a sign going up in its place, and she was certain the clock would not be back. She called her mom, Judy Hayton, and mentioned she and Lynne's sister, Davette Hrabak, might want to call the bank to inquire. The three ladies currently own the original brownstone bank building through their business, Bumble Bee Rentals, so the clock has been of interest to them for that reason and due to its historic presence in town. Wanting to learn the fate of the clock, Judy and Davette got on their phones to try to find it. Judy called the bank but did not get any answers. Davette also called the bank twice, and the second teller said the city clerk, Barb Revak, should know as the sign company that took it down needed a permit to take down the clock and put up the new bank sign. Davette called and explained to Barb they wanted to find the clock to hopefully restore it. Barb said that Lakeland Sign and Graphics took it down, so Davette told Barb she would call that business, which she did. The owner said he planned to fully scrap the clock the next day and could send photos of what remained, which he did. He warned that, since the clock was to be scrapped, it was already in pieces and the working clock face was demolished. Since the clock face was no longer original due to the vandalism in the 1980s, the frame, decorative pieces, and chimes had been the only original parts for over 30-some years, so this did not deter the ladies. Davette explained about the importance of the clock to the residents of Phillips, and the owner said he realized it must be important as many people were asking what was going to happen with the clock when it was being taken down. He said that since it was so important to the community, he would give it to Davette, Judy, and Lynne to restore if they sent someone to get it, which they said they would do, so he agreed to hold the clock for them. While arranging for someone to pick up the clock, the sign company e- mailed Davette stating the City of Phillips came to pick it up and the ladies would have to get it from them. "We then attended two city meetings, and it was determined that it was our clock," Davette explained. "We let the city know the purpose of us owning it was to get it restored and then have it back in Phillips for all the residents to enjoy once again." "We formed The Power of 3 Community Development Group, Inc., and we thought we could get this restoration done rather quickly, but we were a little naive about the complexity of it and had no idea what we were in for," Judy admitted. "Hindsight is 20/20, but we are glad we saw the project through." The group started by searching for places to restore the clock. Davette and Lynne called a local person who worked on timepieces and e-mailed and called a number of clock places they found on the Internet, but none of them were interested or able to take on such a large project, and the search area was beginning to extend far away from Phillips. "Seeing the sad-looking photos, one place told me the clock was too damaged to be repaired," Davette remembered, "and a number of people remarked they would have given up, but we were determined and don't like to give up." Clock hands and the clock mechanism were also difficult to find in that size for outdoor purposes, and the hands needed to be weighted appropriately. Out of a number of places, only one had the clock parts that met the requirements. In the meantime, the ladies started fund-raising while they brainstormed a possible solution to the restoration problem. Judy explained, "We wanted to have most or all of the work done by people in our community, but it's difficult to know everyone's talents. However, I know Rudy Suchy does well with car restorations, and luckily Davette and I saw him at Phillips Lumber and Hardware, so I asked if he would restore the clock. He agreed to donate part of his services, and John Kucaba hauled the frame to Rudy's garage sometime in 2018." Rudy, with a very busy schedule, worked on the clock when he had time, and then COVID-19 hit in 2020, which allowed him more time to finish the clock. He sandblasted the pieces, cleaned the metal, and put all the pieces back together. Some of the decorative corner pieces were missing, so BW Papersystems, who also donated funds, made new pieces identical to the original ones. "Those pieces look like a geometric design but actually contain the logo of the manufacturer of the clock," Lynne explained. "MCL," representing McClintock- Loomis, plus "C" and "O" on each side, standing for "Company," are fashioned in the metal. With a little bit of replacement metal here and there, the clock was finally back to its original luster. "It was so exciting to see the battered frame fixed and painted and the clock face restored to its original numbering style," Lynne remarked about when they first saw the restored clock in June of 2020. She said Rudy made sure to find the exact font that had been used on McClintock-Loomis clocks as the group wanted to restore the look back to the original as best they could. Since the chimes were in disrepair and had not sounded since 1970, those were donated to the Price County Antique Association. The chimes were displayed at their expo and at the 2021 Price County Fair as the item to guess, though no one correctly guessed what they were at either event. The group was unable to find the proper type of chimes to replace them, plus they realized they may not have been a welcome sound. The thermometer, which was added in the recent past and only hung on the bottom of the clock for a short time, was too badly damaged, would have made the clock hang too low on the pole, and was not part of the original look of the timepiece, so it did not get added to the antique clock. "We wanted it to look as original as possible," Judy noted. The decorative pieces on the clock, like this original one, are the logo for the McClintock-Loomis Company. BW Papersystems re-created some of the decorative pieces and also donated funds to the clock project, http://www.bwpapersystems.com. Rudy Suchy restored the clock, which needed extensive work. Price Electric Cooperative made a substantial monetary donation. Once the clock face was restored, Tony Budaj donated his services and parts to wire the clock and install the lighting. The project went into full speed in 2020 and 2021. The ladies worked on a design for the upper sign, more fund-raising, and finding more skilled people that could get the clock back up in Phillips. "Davette worked diligently on raising funds for the project," Lynne said. "Price Electric Cooperative made a huge impact on the project almost immediately by donating $5,000, which made us feel like we were going to be able to get this accomplished. We also had articles published in our two local news sources, and some of our first donations came from people reading those, such as our former teachers, Sue Weddle and Dave Peterson. Therese and Maureen Trojak were also early contributors and contributed again throughout the process. Since Therese worked at the bank for so many years, the clock also had special meaning to her," Lynne continued. "Davette reached out to some other businesses and local residents that always seem willing to pitch in when the community has a need. Forward Bank, Price County Antique Association, the Precour Family, Chuck & Sherrie Kandutsch, and Frank & Carol Dusek all made contributions. Norvado, Compumold, the Phillips Moose Lodge, Brent Mindock, Slaby, Deda, Marshall, Reinhard & Writz LLP, Carole Zellinger, and Tina Andersen also gave monetary donations. Plus, we cannot forget the coin donations in the jars we had around town at the start of the project. Truly, every penny was appreciated and kept getting us closer to our goal." The group also needed to select a location for the clock, which proved to be a puzzle. "All the signs that overhang the sidewalks in Phillips have been grandfathered in, but once they are officially removed from a building, as the bank did with the clock, the state no longer allows anything to overhang the sidewalk without a lengthy approval process," Davette explained the legalities. "We also did not want to put it back on a building," Judy added, "because if the current owner of either of those buildings decided to sell the building where it was hung, the clock could be in jeopardy once again." During the restoration process, many people remarked they liked seeing the clock on main street, and the group agreed that is where it should be, but there is not a lot of city-owned property in that small area. Finally, a spot was found, they had it approved at a city meeting, and then learned that there were too many water and sewer pipes underground in that location. The next spot, which they have now decided is the best spot after seeing it there, was the corner of the city parking lot. This spot puts the clock only four buildings away from the brownstone building where it was originally located as opposed to nine buildings away at the brick building where it last resided. Their only fear there was what types of rocks and building materials may be found there given the building that once stood there had been torn down after it was destroyed by fire. Deciding to cover their bases, Davette called the former owner, Tim Werner, and he noted that some of the building materials were bulldozed in, though more to the south side, but he mentioned it did have a basement, so they might hit rock. Given it was the only spot that seemed to be an option and it had been approved by the Common Council, the group decided they would have to give it a try, regardless. "Plus," Davette said, "We liked the idea that the clock would be directly across the street from where the welcome arch once stood in Phillips. Initially it welcomed home the World War I soldiers. Standing for many years, it then welcomed all the people into town from the train drop-off. Now the clock welcomes everyone at that spot." While the possible digging difficulty was being learned of, finding an electrician to hook up the pre-wired clock to the electrical pad on-site was also proving to be tricky. One electrician quoted $4,100 for the project which seemed too high and was not in the budget, and the other two that volunteered their time backed out of the project because one of them wanted the electrical pad next to the pole and the other wanted the clock on the other side of the street even though there were too many pipes in the way. Not letting those hurdles stop them, Lynne found phone numbers of more electricians and Davette started calling. She reached Tom Miller, a native of Park Falls, who played sports in high school. He joked with Davette that even though his business was in the rival town, he would be glad to donate his services as he enjoys giving back to the local communities when he can. During the electrician debacle, more obstacles needed to be overcome. "We were stumped on where we could get a large enough pole in the area for an approximately 600 pound, 8 foot tall clock," Davette admitted. The search was leading them to a company in Nebraska, and the cost to bring it to Phillips was almost as daunting as the cost of a 20 foot pole, plus the pole was not ideally designed for this project as a larger area was needed inside the pole to house the clock setting components. The components were necessary so the City of Phillips crew will not need a bucket truck when the time needs to be changed. Luckily, Davette sent an e-mail to her high school classmate and friend, Mick Theis, mentioning the clock project and the difficulty in finding a pole. He wrote her back that IAP, Inc. could design and fabricate the pole and would be glad to help with the project. He later remarked this was a project in which his dad, Bob Theis, would have been proud to help, so he and his sisters, Laurie Woldt and Kris Ernst, along with their mother, Claire Theis, were glad to assist. Once the group had the pole squared away, they were surprised to learn they needed architectural plans, which were completed at a reduced rate by Ayres and Associates, and a 14 foot hole needed to be dug. The hole needed to have an elaborate rebar cage placed inside, as well. Again, the owners of IAP offered their services for the manufacture of the rebar cage with some materials provided by Phillips Lumber and Hardware. However, there was no one in the area with a rig large enough to create that size hole without tearing up most of the parking lot. The search had extended hours away and the cost would have been in the thousands of dollars. Dennis Onchuck suggested that Davette call their neighbor and friend, Greg Denzine, and Greg gave a lead that panned out immediately. The crew was warned they might hit a basement, so they brought extra heavy augers, including a rock auger, in case it was needed. On September 23, 2021, Dennis brought the rebar cage to the site, and the hole was dug by an awesome crew from Xcel Energy. Of course, the rock basement proved to be a challenge, though the rock auger wasn't utilized, but Jim Heizler of the City of Phillips came over with a backhoe to help get the job done. Jeff Williams from the Department of Public Works also approved providing sand that was needed. Northern Lakes Concrete donated the concrete, and Gary Gabrielsen was happy to offer his services pouring the concrete. He said he remembered the clock from when he was a young boy riding his bike checking the clock to make sure he got home on time. Everyone who had a hand in this project seems to have a special attachment to the clock. The 2,000 pound pole was made in early October, so the ladies met with Mick Theis and Gary Freeman at IAP to see a sample of the hammered black paint suggested by IAP. All five of them figured the paint could be easily bought at Phillips Lumber and Hardware. However, all five of them were wrong. "Due to supply chain shortages, neither Kris Ernst nor I could find it locally or online," Lynne said. "Finally, an online hardware store that I had never heard of showed they had it in stock, I took a chance ordering it, and we got it. We were never so happy to get a box of paint in the mail!" IAP designed and fabricated the clock tower for the clock, http://www.IAPFan.com. November 2nd was going to be the day for the clock to go back up in town, but one last glitch occurred. The clear gloss paint, which was also difficult to find, reacted with the paint on the pole's top dome, so it needed to be repainted and dried, which meant November 4th would be the earliest date for installation. Rudy Suchy brought the clock, Gary Freeman brought the pole, Dennis Onchuck brought a crane, and Mike Johnson and Ron Neilson arrived with Mike's bucket truck. All five men worked together to raise the pole and attach the clock to it. All the hardware was provided by Fastenal and Phillips Lumber and Hardware at no cost to the project. Xcel Energy, who had directional drilled the line weeks prior, arrived as the clock was getting placed and installed the meter, which meant Tom Miller Electric was able to hook up the electricity late that afternoon. The clock, once again, was keeping time over Phillips. While keeping time, it also gives important information about our town. There is a frame in the pole that will soon house a plaque with information about the clock. Inside the pole is a time capsule that will be opened in 2050. The upper portion of the clock always housed a sign advertising the current bank that owned the building where the clock was affixed. As of 2021, the clock's sign now welcomes everyone to Phillips, Wisconsin, which was platted on September 23, 1876 and incorporated on April 10, 1891. Lynne explained the two dates, stating, "It seems that the platted date was the most significant one mentioned in city documents and is when most people feel the town was formed, but being incorporated is also significant, so, after consulting with Bruce Marshall, the city attorney, we included both dates." Bruce and Davette also donated their time to create a document that will protect the clock from destruction well into the future. To commemorate the event, Judy Hayton wrote a poem. (The poem can be found below this article.) All three ladies remarked they could not have seen the project through without all the great help they had from everyone involved with donating services, materials, or money. "This clock has a special place in many people's hearts," Judy remarked. "One person told me it moved her to tears to see it back in Phillips. We have enjoyed seeing other people stopping to take photos the last few days when we traveled through town. We are glad so many people are happy." Davette added, "The clock seems to be the one constant in Phillips that people feel attached to. Like an old friend, it has always been there." Lynne agreed and mentioned, "I commend everyone who takes on a community project. There have been so many great projects over the last few years, such as the splash pad and stage in Elk Lake Park and the softball/baseball fields, just to name a few. We all may wonder why something is done a certain way on any of these projects, but the truth is the people organizing those projects probably had a lot of difficulties they had to overcome that most others weren't aware of, and I really think it is great how our community comes together on these projects. We are all fortunate to call Phillips home and live amongst such great people." The Power of 3 Community Development Group, Inc. wanted to get the clock up as soon as it was ready for everyone to enjoy, but funds are still needed to cover the costs. In spring or summer, an approximate 15 x 16 foot area by the clock will be landscaped as a micro park for public enjoyment. Gary Gabrielsen has volunteered to donate his masonry services, and Claire Theis will donate funds for a bench, but various other materials will be needed to make the corner look as classy as the clock. If anyone would like to donate to the project, funds can be deposited at Forward Bank in the Power of 3 Community Development Group, Inc. account or by clicking the "Donate" button at http://www.mypricecounty.com/clock.html. Davette stated, "We are a non-profit group, so your donation is tax-deductible, depending on your tax situation. All the money goes to the non-profit, as well. We are not taking any monetary compensation as we have also donated to the clock project and want all funds to go to the non-profit to enhance the community. If there are any leftover funds, though likely all will need to be used for the clock, those funds will be used for future maintenance of the clock and/or other community development projects." Additional donors will be recognized via My Price County once the landscaping

LOCAL POLICE OFFICERS HONORED FOR SAVING LIVES June 17, 2021 Photo By: Michelle Fuhrman Smith One June 14, 2021, three officers were recognized for their life-saving efforts regarding the fire that consumed a building on Division Street in Park Falls. The fire took place in the early morning hours of Memorial Day, and the building became fully engulfed shortly after all people were evacuated by these officers. The letter of commendation given to Sergeant Robert Zoubek, Deputy Joel Eder, and Deputy Sean Peterson by Park Falls Fire Chief Larry Reas stated, "On Monday, May 31, 2021, you were part of a team that responded to a report of a structure fire in downtown Park Falls. On your arrival, your team encountered a multiple- dwelling structure that was well involved with fire. With no consideration to your own well-being, you entered the burning structure, multiple times, to wake and remove residents that were unaware of their own peril. Your professionalism, skill, and actions did not go unnoticed and resulted in no injuries or fatalities for those who lived in this building." The Park Falls Volunteer Fire Department, along with the Price County Sheriff's Office, Park Falls Police Department, and Park Falls City Council, recognized these three men with Lifesavers Awards and Valor in Public Service recognition. Pictured are Price County Sheriff Brian Schmidt, Sergeant Robert Zoubek of the Park Falls Police Department, Deputy Joel Eder of the Price County Sheriff's Office, Deputy Sean Peterson of the Price County Sheriff's Office, and Park Falls Police Chief Jerry Ernst. PARK FALLS PAPER MILL SOLD ON AUGUST 31, 2021 September 3, 2021 In conclusion of the marketing and sale of assets per Chapter 128 Receivership, on August 31, 2021, the paper mill in Park Falls was sold. The buyers are Wisconsin Paper Personal Property, LLC and Wisconsin Paper Real Property, LLC, which is a subsidiary of Maynard Industries. The purchase price was 2.2 million dollars. This purchase was done under receivership, and the final date for claims against the receivership is October 22, 2021. Currently, the mill has been running with a low staff in "warm idle" since April 2021. This "warm idle" process has kept the wastewater treatment plant functioning, which has included circulating the river water to keep the microbes active and ready to restart operations, if possible. The pumps, motors, and machines have also been maintained for possible future use. According to a press release from Mayor Michael Bablick, "The loan agreement the city entered into with the previous owner included other "backup" guarantees that extend well beyond the assets of the paper mill. Simply put, we are confident in the recovery of outstanding loan liabilities, minus the sale proceeds. Price County was paid all of the outstanding property taxes owed by the mill going back multiple years, as well as delinquent water utility charges to the city." At a state level, there is not much hope for a bill to get the mill back in operations. A Republican-sponsored mill bill was vetoed by Governor Tony Evers in the recent past. A very similar bill has been introduced by two Democrats, Senator Janet Bewley and Representative Beth Meyers. Governor Evers has stated he would sign that bill if it comes to his desk. However, with no Republican co-sponsors of the Democrat-sponsored bill, it is not likely to make much progress at this time. Locally, it is also unknown if and when the mill will run again. The City of Park Falls is pushing the various groups involved for a final decision to be made as quickly as possible so employees may plan accordingly. If the mill is not restarted, it is believed it would then be liquidated. According to Mayor Bablick, "Proactively, the city passed a comprehensive salvage/machinery removal ordinance in 2019 that will provide significant financial protection and legal oversight to the city, if liquidation occurs. We have established a productive dialogue with the purchaser to protect historically significant items and records, obtain valuable vacant real estate for redevelopment efforts, and to reclaim as much of the city's waterfront as possible." The mayor advised that this is a fluid situation and answers to these and other questions are ongoing and may change as new information comes to light. PARK FALLS PAPER MILL LIQUIDATION UPDATE November 24, 2021 Michael Bablick, mayor of Park Falls, has announced that the auction of the paper mill's equipment has been substantially completed. People from all around the country and world have purchased the equipment, and the removal of the equipment is projected to take two years to complete. The owner of the mill will occupy the Old Mill office building for the next two years while the removal of equipment is taking place to ensure the historic building is protected. Mayor Bablick stated he is personally working with the owner to secure all historical items and records from the paper mill site. The items and documents paint a story of the industrial development in northern Wisconsin, the Flambeau River, and the City of Park Falls, so they are of great historical significance to the area. There are dozens of individual buildings across the mill property. Likely some of these buildings will be reused. According to Mayor Bablick, "This will be a fluid process, and the city has been working cooperatively with the owner to ensure blight prevention, reuse, economic recovery, and protection of the environment." Mayor Bablick continued, "The liquidation of the mill represents the end of an era and the beginning of a new one." He stated there will be several issues that will arise for the city with the water utility being the immediate issue. Since the city was preparing for this possibility last year, a consultant, Baker Tilly, was hired to analyze the financial condition of the water utility. The report is nearly complete. A special meeting will be called to present information to the public once there is a clear picture of the adjustments in the water utility. This meeting is expected to occur in late winter or early spring. Mayor Bablick advised that all mill properties will be strictly surveilled and trespassers will be cited. The owners will be in cooperation with the police department in order to keep the property secure. FORWARD BANK'S NEW LOCATION IS NOW OPEN December 6, 2021 Forward Bank has opened a full-service facility with all new technology at 177 4th Avenue South in Park Falls. The facility is serving bank, insurance, and investment customers. Forward Bank is a depositor-owned organization driven to move our communities forward. By offering free checking, great rates on loans & deposits, business services, leading edge digital services, and a Charitable Money Market Account, Forward Bank keeps our communities strong. For more information, visit http://www.forward.bank

NEWS - PARK FALLS & FIFIELD PARK FALLS PAPER MILL LIKELY ENTERING RECEIVERSHIP May 4, 2021 For a second time, the paper mill in Park Falls, once known at Flambeau River Papers, LLC and currently known as Park Falls Pulp & Paper, may go into Chapter 128 Receivership. The papers were filed in the Price County court on May 4, 2021. In June of 2020, the City of Park Falls loaned one million dollars to the mill to fix infrastructure at the facility. This measure allowed the mill to reopen and maintain an important financial relationship with a significant vendor. The loan was also secured by a personal security agreement from the owner and a secured corporate guarantee from the owner's parent company. With this loan, the mill was able to continue operations until early March 2021 when a number of employees faced a layoff. The company stated this would be a temporary situation, with the downtime being about two weeks, and then a restart would happen. However, the restart did not happen and more people have received layoff notices. According to Mayor Michael Bablick, "My primary concern at this time is ensuring that the workers get paid, environmental protection of the facility, and taxpayer indemnification of all liabilities." Given Northwest Regional Planning Commission did the due diligence and underwriting of the loan, the City of Park Falls anticipates full repayment of the loan. Mayor Bablick added, "There is a real interest in the site from multiple entities, which should materialize in the near future." PARK FALLS: BUILDING ADJACENT TO PAL CAFE ON FIRE May 31, 2021 Photos By: Chuck Lovelace Original Article on May 31, 2021 at 12:45 a.m.: Firefighters worked to extinguish a fire that broke out in Park Falls, engulfing a building adjacent to the Pal Cafe in the very early morning hours of Monday, May 31, 2021. Onlookers stated the Pal Cafe was also on fire but we do not have photos of that building. If we receive more information, we will update this story. Updated Story - June 2, 2021 At 12:08 a.m. on Monday, May 31, 2021, the Price County Sheriff's Department received a 911 call for a fire at 219 Division Street, which is the building next to Pal Cafe in Park Falls. The building at 219 Division Street contained retail office space on the main level and four apartments on the upper level. The Park Falls Police were the first to arrive on the scene. An officer entered the building, went upstairs, and discovered the hallway was filled with smoke. The officer instructed two tenants to leave the building immediately. The officer was overcome by the smoke and had to exit the building but was able to enter the building again after getting some breaths of fresh air. At that time, a Price County deputy arrived and also entered the building to make contact with another tenant. Another deputy arrived and all police helped the tenant out of the building. All three officers sustained smoke inhalation, and the fire had engulfed the structure making further entry impossible. While being evacuated, some of the tenants reported hearing possible gunshots inside the building. It was later determined that the "gunshot" noises were probably aerosol containers exploding due to the intense heat. A fourth tenant could not be located. This person's vehicle was parked nearby. It was later determined the tenant was out of the area and phone contact was made with this person to verify that. Given the report of possible gunshots and yet unaccounted for tenant at 1:30 a.m., the Division of Criminal Investigations Arson Unit was called to respond to the scene. They arrived on scene at 8 a.m. Parts of the structure were still standing but much of the building had collapsed. Due to the instability of the structure, investigators were not able to enter much of the building and the exact cause and origin of the fire could not be determined. However, after reviewing the scene and conducting interviews with witnesses, there is no information that would indicate the fire was set intentionally. Unfortunately, two tenants lost their pets in the fire. Onlookers who thought the Pal Cafe was on fire were incorrect as that building is still standing. If anyone has information about the cause or origin of the fire, the Park Falls Police Department can be reached at 715-762-2446. Those wanting to assist the victims with donations of items or money may also contact the Park Falls Police Department who will see if the victims of the fire are in need of extra assistance.

NEWS - PRENTICE & OGEMA

SPOTLIGHT - PEOPLE OF PRICE COUNTY SPOTLIGHT ON PHILLIPS RESIDENT, BRITTANY WEISROCK, MOM, SELF-PROCLAIMED MOVIE NERD, AND PUBLISHED AUTHOR April 1, 2021 Submitted photo. As soon as Brittany (Hernandez) Weisrock could string sentences together, she knew she had a love for writing. When she started writing little stories as a child, little did she know that one day she would be a published author. Fast forward to 2021, and that is Brittany’s reality, as she awaits the publication of her first novel, Triad, a new adult paranormal romance/urban fantasy work designed for adult readers who enjoy vampires, shifters, fae (fairies), and magic. To rewind and start at the beginning, Brittany started her life in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Phillips native, Brian Skomaroske. Just before she entered kindergarten, she and her family moved to Phillips, where she spent all her adolescent years. Choosing to keep Phillips as her home after high school graduation, Brittany married Bryan Weisrock, and the couple has a daughter named Peyton, whom Brittany hopes to raise to speak her mind and understand her value. “She’s such a pleasure to watch grow and learn. Raising her is such an amazing thing. She’s this gift I never knew I always wanted,” Brittany said of her pride and joy. Regarding herself, “I’m that mom-type - messy bun, leggings, and a love for tacos I can’t contain! As a self-proclaimed OG bookworm, Netflix junkie, and wine enthusiast, I love losing myself in a great fictional world with a glass of good wine in my hand.” Some of the books that Brittany has gotten lost in include Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness, A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas, Obsidian by Jennifer Armentrout, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab, and Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan. Knowing she could list more books, she had to stop herself aside from also mentioning the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer. “You should know I watched New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn 1 & 2 at midnight along with buying the books at the stores,” Brittany said of her enthusiasm for the series. She stated she is constantly finding new books to love as they offer limitless adventures. “I truly feel you can live more lives than imaginable by simply reading,” a thought encapsulated in one of Brittany’s favorite quotes by V.E. Schwab, “Books, she has found, are a way to live a thousand lives – or to find strength in a very long one.” Transcending from the written word to on-screen, Brittany confessed she is a huge move nerd and enjoys a number of them, as well. However, her go-to movie and all-time favorite is one she discovered in her younger years, Jurassic Park. “That movie changed my life as a kid! I am a Jeff Goldblum fan!” It’s no doubt that Brittany enjoys action when the Weisrock family’s favorite sport is hockey. “We love going to Wisconsin Badgers hockey games. It’s just such a fast-paced sport to watch as they fly up and down the ice. Not to mention that where the Badgers play just has this vibe we love from the music playing, the players, and the alumni chants. It’s just awesome to be in the arena and watch the play,” Brittany shared. While Brittany enjoys watching high energy sports like hockey, she also brings the high energy. “Obviously, I can’t speak for those who meet me, but I generally feel you won’t walk away from me wondering what I was thinking, because odds are, I’m going to tell ya!” She admits she can have a bit of a potty mouth but has zero shame at that. “I’m happy to speak my mind and started blogging, just to get my ideas out there. Authenticity is key for me. I think that’s why blogging was such a fun creative outlet for me.” While blogging likely helped tune her writing skills, she credits some high school teachers for fostering her interest in the craft. “I knew in middle school I possessed a passion for writing but never knew exactly what to do with it. In high school, I took creative writing classes and advanced composition. Sue Weddle, Staci Mollman, and Eva Reilly really helped me understand just how much I loved writing with some projects we did in class. I even took senior assistantships with Mrs. Reilly and Mrs. Mollman.” While those women helped guide Brittany in her journey with the written word, she has had other guiding lights throughout her life. “My entire family and the friends I’ve made family are my greatest source of strength, and I love them.” They are the people she knows have served her journey well. “My husband, Bryan Weisrock, and my daughter, Peyton, made me want to be someone they could be proud of. My entire family really is my backbone and foundation, along with these lasting friendships I’ve cultivated with people I believe are extraordinary - they know who they are. I’ve learned so much from them, individually, that it feels like a slight to pick just one. If I had to give a shout out, I’d have to say my dad, Brian Skomaroske, and my gram, Linda Patrick, are such consistent people, and Keri Krupp, who really pushed me to pursue this endeavor [of publishing a book]. But truly, my ENTIRE family has my back - I am the LUCKIEST person to have them. I definitely took traits from some family and friends and incorporated them into Triad.” Taking note of different personality traits has been a life-long observation, but the actual writing of her book started in January of 2020. Dedicated to her project, her second draft was completed by June. She learned of a writing event where she could connect with agents and publishers if they had interest in the pitch for the work. “I got crazy lucky, and a smaller press liked my pitch. They ended up asking for a full manuscript and we decided, my book, Triad, and I were the right fit for them. After that, I spent six months heavily revising and going through the editorial process with them. It’s crazy how much a book changes from those beginning drafts to publishing. So, in all honesty, it took a full year and a couple months to have Triad where we all wanted it to be story-wise. I’m a better writer for it, and I appreciated the opportunity to work with these professionals.” Brittany stated that the publishing process is intense. “I didn’t consider self-publishing, though I highly respect those who do. It’s crazy hard. The number of roles you have to take on to succeed is massive and rather impressive. I went the traditional publishing direction, with the query, synopsis aspects….Once you’re contracted, your writing life becomes deadlines, revisions, more edits, and all kinds of fun stuff like cover proposals, blurbs, bios, and brief interviews….I’m aware how lucky I am to have gotten such an early break. Many authors have to query for years.” For Brittany, there have been many great moments in this rather short amount of time, including reading her book after it was formatted, seeing the cover design, and hearing from the ARC readers, who are the Advanced Review Copy readers who critique the pre-published book. Brittany said of the ARC readers, “That has to be my favorite. When a reader gets in touch with me and gushes about how much they connected with or loved a character, it tells me I did my job right as an author. It’s all I want as an author - to put out a book readers in my genre will love and give them characters they can’t forget!” As Brittany’s book publication journey unfolds, she wants to tell young people who are pursuing writing not to give up. “There’s going to be a lot of ‘no’s’ in writing and a lot of feeling like you might not be good enough, but keep writing, keep learning, keep honing your skills, and expanding your depth as a writer. If you can learn from your constructive critiques and take those negatives to grow yourself, that’s really the best thing you can do.” SPOTLIGHT ON KAREN KERNER, A LOCAL FARMER SELLING BEEF PRODUCTS DIRECT TO CONSUMER June 24, 2021 Photo by: Melissa Schultz Karen Kerner grew up on a farm in Price County. The third from the youngest sibling out of nine children, she learned a number of lessons growing up in a big farm family. One of those lessons, which would be her words of wisdom to younger generations, is to take care of what you have. She also learned the importance of family at a young age, which is why she is passionate about family getting along. Family trips at Sailor Lake are some of her most treasured memories from childhood. Not long after Karen graduated from Phillips High School, she and her high school sweetheart, Greg Denzine, established Deer Creek Angus as a small livestock operation in Phillips. Greg, also coming from a farming family, was a great match for Karen as she said she always knew she wanted to be a farmer. Together, their passion for farming has grown. The couple married and have two children, Alexis and Wyatt. They also have a Great Pyrenees farm dog named Bandit. Surrounded by beautiful woods and rolling pastures, they live on a picturesque farm. All their animals are raised on the farm in a stress-free environment fed with grass, hay, and grain grown on their farm and harvested by them. "All our calves are pasture-raised by 'Mother Cow.' Management traits of calving ease low birth weights and promote fast growth, marbling qualities, and high survivability, all of which mean a greater product. Our Angus cattle are docile, easy to handle, and have great longevity," Karen explained of their farming operation. Growing and capturing your life’s purpose as quickly as you can is summed up in one of Brittany’s favorite quotes from V.E. Schwab, “Blink, and the years fall away like leaves.” The seasons of life do pass quickly for us all, and we must remember to embrace them all. At present, Brittany can delight in the season of her first book, another leaf on her tree of life. She also explained what happens beyond their farm. "Our animals are processed at Whiskey Ridge in Radisson, Wisconsin, a state-inspected and licensed facility. Whiskey Ridge is owned by Mark and Linda Heath, life-long residents of Radisson, who have been in business for 24 years." Much of Karen's life has centered around farming and learning all that she can to be well-rounded in that line of work. If she could meet one of her ancestors, she said she would want to meet her grandfather who passed on when she was three months old. "I have tons of farming questions for him," she said. Luckily, she was able to meet a man named Franklin Loula, who was a farmer and close family friend. "I farm today by some of the things he taught me," she shared. If she could have one power, she would like x- ray vision. "Some days, in this line of work, it would really come in handy," she noted. Karen lives by the motto that working hard pays off. She admitted she is a small woman but is ballsier than most men. The fact that she has ridden a bull can attest to that statement. To be able to ride bulls and wrangle cattle out west in the 1850s to 1900 is the time period she would be most interested in visiting if she could.