WED., FEBRUARY 5, 2014 • VOLUME 81 • NO. 25 • 2 SECTIONS
Area gets boost from WCCO visit CURRENTS FEATURE
Leader
Frustrating or exhilarating? Columnist Chris Wondra’s thoughts on adversity Currents, page 3
INTER-COUNTY
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Ballots complete
Marines fly their flag at Siren fishing event CURRENTS, Page 9
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Cost of the plunge
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A duplicate of this paper online. Subscribe today by going to: the-leader.net
Few April elections in Polk County, fewer in Burnett Page 5
Eight counties, one insurer
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Lack of choice a concern among some in NW Wisconsin Page 3
WEEKEND WATCH
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• Haystack breakfast fundraiser for Amish School @ Frederic ‡ ,FH ÀVKLQJ FRQWHVW RQ Wood Lake • Candlelight Night @ Interstate Park • Vintage snowmobile show @ Webb Lake ‡ ,FH ÀVKLQJ FRQWHVW # Cumberland
Propane crisis could happen again, says association president; cites unlimited propane exports Page 3
Update
See Coming events (back of Currents) for details
LIVES LIVED
Polk/Burnett public transportation details emerge; stakeholders meeting FODULĂ€HV VRPH TXHVWLRQV Page 11
Becky A. Selzler Raymond H. Thompson Arlin E. Chivers William A. Miroslaw Ronald L. Johnson Bonnie D. Hill Neil Anderson Sonja C. Witherell Kevin L. Jones Sr. Charles Eldredge Sr. (p. 3) See Obituaries, 14-15B
To the top
Wisconsin delegation of legislators ask President Obama to take action on propane shortage Page 3
Notification
Sex offender released to community near Amery Page 3
SPORTS Blizzard boys closing in on Two Rivers title
See SPORTS, inside this section
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UP FRONT BURNETT COUNTY - Siren was the state’s coldest spot last Thursday morning, Jan. 30, with an actual temperature of 21 below zero, with a wind chill of minus 37. The entire state of Wisconsin recorded frigid temperatures Thursday morning except for some spots in the southeast portion of the state. Meanwhile, the polar air from Canada continues this week with some breaks involving temperatures of 10 to 20 degrees above zero. with information from National Weather Service ••• NORTHWEST WISCONSIN - Talk about the causes of the propane shortage across the Upper Midwest continued this past week as those who rely on propane gas endure not only a brutal winter but brutal prices for the gas, which have risen from an average of $1.70 per gallon in late October to $2.28 in late January, followed by a jump to $4.50 and higher. No one locally has requested emergency shelter as of yet due to the crisis, according to authorities. Updated information on the situation - including how low-income families can get help to pay their gas bill - can be found on our website at the-leader.net. ••• TREGO - 6QRZPRELOH HQWKXVLDVWV FOXE YROXQWHHUV VWDWH RIĂ€FLDOV DQG HYHQ WKH $VVRFLDWLRQ RI :LVFRQVLQ¡V 6QRZPRELOH &OXE¡V 0LVV 6QRZĂ DNH will be gathering at HeartZRRG &RQIHUHQFH &HQWHU 5HWUHDW RQ 7KXUVGD\ )HE IURP WR S P 7KH Ă€UVW DQQXDO AWSC Celebrate Wisconsin Snowmobiling Sport Show is being held that evening and will bring many great displays for snowmobile enthusiasts to enjoy. This event is being held in conjunction with the 1st Annual AWSC Celebrate WI Snowmobiling VIP Ride and is hosted by AWSC, Wisconsin Department of Tourism, Washburn County, Burnett County and the sponsors. For more information on the sport show or to reserve a booth, call Michelle at 800-367-3306. - submitted ••• MADISON - This year’s State of the Tribes address to the state Legislature will take place Thursday, Feb. 13, with Menominee Nation Chairman Craig Corn delivering the address. Legislators and leaders from the state’s six tribes are talking about collaboration and common ground going into the address but deep divides over iron mining, hunting rights and school mascots still exist. “I’m not sure I’ve ever seen the relationship between the state and the Indian nations here so tense,â€? said Patty Loew, a Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa member and a UW-Madison communications professor who specializes in American Indian culture. - with information from Associated Press
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