WED., DECEMBER 25, 2013 • VOLUME 81 • NO. 19 • 2 SECTIONS
Frederic’s live nativity See back page
MERRY CHRISTMAS! From the staff at the Leader and everyone at ICCPA
Leader INTER-COUNTY
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Case moves ahead
2013:
A look back at the local news, images Currents feature
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Readership: 13,800
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Holiday horsepower
Former Grantsburg teacher makes initial court appearance; faces dual felony charges in Stillwater Page 3
Candidates emerging
One primary, one retirement, eight challengers in Polk County Board elections
Page 3
Teachers and technology New educational tools for tomorrow’s challenges at Frederic Schools Page 5
Released
Necropsy report on Milltown horses Page 3
Saying goodbye Polk’s home care staff writes letter Page 8
SPORTS Lady Saints win again
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UP FRONT STATEWIDE - Monday, Dec. 23, was the deadline to sign up for health coverage that starts Jan. 1. Those leaving BadgerCare and those in the state’s high-risk pool have another three months before they have to switch to a private plan. People can continue to sign up for a Marketplace product after Dec. 23, but their insurance would not start until Feb. 1. In Dane County, according to Wisconsin Public Radio, there’s been concern that premiums will be too high for the very poor, even with federal subsidies. So, University of Wisconsin Health donated $2 million to pay premiums for an estimated 6,000 people. So IDU RQO\ SHRSOH KDYH TXDOLĂ€HG DQG WDNHQ DGYDQWDJH RI WKH ORFDO VXEVLG\ SURJUDP FDOOHG +HDOWK&RQnect run by United Way. The enrollment period under the Affordable Care Act lasts until March 15. - with information from Wisconsin Public Radio ••• ST. PAUL/CENTURIA - A 32-year-old Centuria woman who was injured in a two-vehicle accident near Prescott, Dec. 12, remains in critical condition at Regions Hospital. Kari Milberg was airlifted to Regions following the accident, which claimed the lives of her daughter and two of her nieces. As of Saturday, Dec. 21, she was in the surgical intensive care unit but making some progress. Family friend and spokesperson Kelly Bakke posted the following on Facebook over the weekend: “Although Kari has some level of sedation all of the time, the medical professionals do lift that sedation throughout the day to perform neuro exams. It is during these times when those close to her are able to give her “workoutsâ€? ‌ by speaking to her, having her follow their voices with her eyes, squeezing and un-squeezing their hands, moving her legs and toes. They have also played music for her, and she seems to enjoy that.â€? Two EHQHĂ€WV DUH FXUUHQWO\ LQ WKH SODQQLQJ VWDJHV 2QH LV VFKHGXOHG IRU 6XQGD\ -DQ DW WKH *LJJOH )DFWRU\ LQ Hudson. The other is tentatively set for early March. - Gary King ••• POLK COUNTY - One week remains in the local Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign, and donations are down by half from last year. 7KLV \HDU 3RON &RXQW\ 6$ KDG D PRUH GLIĂ€FXOW WLPH UDLVLQJ funds than in years past due to a shortened holiday season. As of Dec. 23, it is about $40,000 short of its fundraising goal. SA supports many families in need by providing rent assistance, utility assistance, help in getting needed medications and provides milk coupons to the area food pantries. It also operates a homeless shelter for individuals in Balsam Lake that is always full with a waiting list. While in the shelter, VWDII KHOSV WKH LQGLYLGXDO Ă€QG HPSOR\PHQW DQG ZLWK OLIH VNLOOV WKDW ZLOO KRSHIXOO\ KHOS KLP RU KHU JHW WKHLU feet on the ground. More than 85 percent of individuals who successfully complete the Salvation Army program stay permanently housed one year after leaving the program. Polk County SA also operates one family shelter called House of Blessings. If you have not made a donation to the Salvation Army yet this year, please consider making one before the end of 2013. Your donation is tax-deductible. You can send donations to: 200 Polk County Plaza in Balsam Lake, WI 54810. If you would like to learn more about what the Salvation Army does on a local level you can visit saserenityhome.org or “likeâ€? Polk County Salvation Army on Facebook. Please feel free to stop by or call 715-485-1221. - from Polk County Salvation Army
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INSIDE Letters 8A Sports 13-18A Outdoors 19A Town Talk 6-7B Events Back of B Letters from home 3B Assorted chocolates 4B On the edge of common sense 4B
LIVES LIVED Beth E. Johnson Donna Mae Getschel Robert Douglas “Bob� Wylie Margaret R. Miles Elroy Justin Gage Helen Louise (Johnson) Giller Bernie Hunter See Obituaries, 18-19B