WED., DECEMBER 4, 2013 • VOLUME 81 • NO. 16 • 2 SECTIONS
Honors choir performs at Unity HS
TF’s Lighting Festival Currents, pages 10-11
Currents, page 13
Leader INTER-COUNTY
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Story has troubling updates
““A Christmas Story,� retold CURRENTS FEATURE )ROORZ WKH /HDGHU
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“Christmas at the O.K. Corral�
Primary in one district Filings start for Polk County Board Page 2
Spring election updates
Filing under way now for many April contests Page 3
SPORTS
Blizzard hockey season under way Inside this section
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Ambulance changes outlined with merger Page 4
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Driver of van that hit rural Luck home perishes; family home that was hit still in limbo Page 3
Western Wisconsin EMS takeover of Unity Area Ambulance Service details
WEEKEND WATCH
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Gubernatorial candidate shares views
Mary Burke makes a swing through NW Wisconsin as she seeks the Democratic nod to run against incumbent Scott Walker next fall
Danielle Moe | Staff writer NORTHWEST WISCONSIN - On Oct. 7, Mary Burke, Madison school board member, former Wisconsin Commerce Department secretary and former Trek Bicycle executive, announced that
she would seek the Democratic nomination for governor in the fall 2014 election against incumbent Republican Gov. Scott Walker. Burke, 53, is currently the only declared Democratic gubernatorial candidate, and with the exception of being elected to the Madison Metropolitan School District School Board, has QHYHU KHOG D SROLWLFDO RIĂ€FH This past Sunday, Dec. 1, she attended the Washburn County Democrats holiday party held at Foxxy’s in Spooner. “It was a great opportunity to see a lot of people, get to understand the issues that are impor 6HH %XUNH SDJH
UP FRONT BURNETT/POLK COUNTIES - Area public school administrators called off school today (Wednesday, Dec. 4) in anticipation of more snowfall - 8 to 12 inches - throughout the day, adding to the 4 to 8 inches the area received on Monday evening. ••• STILLWATER, Minn. - A former Grantsburg High School teacher charged with two felony counts of criminal sexual conduct involving former female students is scheduled to make his next court appearance on Thursday, Dec. 19, at 9 a.m. at the Washington County, Minn., government center. Matthew Robert Koenen, 36, developed a relationship with several female students in person, online and by text which ultimately led to sexual conduct at his Stillwater home for which he is charged, according to Washington County attorney Pete Orput. Koenen made an initial court appearance Nov. 27 at which bail was set at $200,000. According to Washington County court records, Koenen posted a noncash bond Nov. 26 with conditions that he have no contact with people under 18. The Dec. 19 KHDULQJ FDOOHG D 5XOH KHDULQJ LQ 0LQQHVRWD LV WKH ÀUVW DSSHDUDQFH E\ D GHIHQGDQW ZLWK DQ DWWRUQH\ where the defendant or their attorney will be provided with evidence. Koenen has retained an attorney, Tina H. Appleby, and will be allowed to enter only a guilty plea at the Rule 8 hearing, under Minnesota law. If he chooses to enter a not guilty plea, he must wait until an omnibus hearing is held. - Gary King with information from Washington County Attorney ••• MADISON - Sweeping changes to Wisconsin’s BadgerCare program would be put off for a few months under a plan that cleared the Legislature’s budget committee on Monday, Dec. 2. For 72,000 parents and caretakers who earn more than the federal poverty level, the delay means they’ll get to keep their BadgerCare coverage until April 1 instead of getting dropped in January. See full story on page 5. ••• SIREN - The community choir will perform its annual Christmas concert on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m. and on Sunday, December 8, at 3 p.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church in Siren. The choir under the direction of Jim Muus will sing both old and new Christmas hymns and gospel songs. Accompanist for the concert is Julie Strang. Choir members come from many area churches, and began practicing for the concerts in early October. Refreshments are served after the concerts by Bethany Church members. - submitted
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• Tree lighting @ Luck • Art sale @ Luck • Orchestra concert @ Amery • Santa Day at Milltown • Christmas @ the Forts • Christmas parade @ Siren • Holiday bazaar @ Webster • GHS concert @ Grantsburg See Coming events for details
DEADLINE Deadline for news and ad copy is Monday at 4:30 p.m. for that week’s issue of the Leader. Early copy is appreciated.
LIVES LIVED Corley Mortenson John “Jack� Welling Robert W. Anderson Stanley Alfred Helland James Jimmy Matrious Sr. Roberta Lynn Thomas John C. Lumsden Bruce M. Yunker Kelly Nadine SchultzZellmer Elaine Idella Palmer Clarence “Pappy� Henry Larson Jr. Alice M. Helman See Obituaries, 14-15B
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INSIDE Letters 8A Sports 11-15A Outdoors 16A Town Talk 6-7B Events Back of B Letters from home 3B We teach, we learn 4B On the edge of common sense 4B