WCR June 1

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Register

n r u b h s Wa unty Co

www.wcregister.net

I NS ID E

Shell Lake Memorial Day program See page 11

Saving the what? See page 14

Hear me out

Issue stemming from rental of lake home surfaces at zoning committee meeting

by Jessica Beecroft WASHBURN COUNTY – The zoning committee of Washburn County met Tuesday, May 24, to hold their monthly public hearing and to hold an informational meeting on short-term rentals. Persons holding opinions from all over the county came to make their points. The zoning committee did not take action on short-term rentals at this meeting, but they did listen to several concerned citizens and a few vacation-rental owners. David Haessig, zoning committee chair, welcomed all comments. Jill Keefer presented a petition to the board to investigate and enforce current zoning laws that prohibit a business in a residential area. The petition has 55 signatures of neighbors of the Big Bear on Little Bear as advertised by the owners. This property is located on Little Bear Road on Long Lake. Currently, there are over 60 vacation rentals in Washburn County. Why does this vacation rental get so much attention? First off, the property is owned by a couple that does not live at the property and just rents it out during summer months to help pay taxes, but it was purchased exclusively as a vacation rental property that is available to rent for 365 days out of the year. It also is available to rent for as little as three days at a time. This unit is defined as a resort, according to the definition in the zoning rules and regulations. This property is undergoing remodeling now to accommodate even more families at the same time. Ed O’lund, retired Washburn County Board member, who also served on the zoning committee for years, spoke about the vacation rental home on Little Bear Road. O’lund stated that this property on Long Lake, Big Bear on Little Bear, meets the definitions as a resort because it is for recreational purposes only. O’lund also read the job description of the zoning

See Zoning issue, page 3

Wednesday, June 1, 2011 Vol. 121, No. 41 • Shell Lake, Wisconsin

75¢

Patriotic pipes

Anthony Howe played the bagpipes at the placement of the wreath by Master Sgt. Jonathan and Jennifer Peltier, an Afghanistan veteran at the Memorial Day service held at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery. More photos on page 2. — Photo by Larry Samson

Jen White is this year’s Relay for Life honorary chair

Annual event to raise funds to fight cancer is this weekend in Shell Lake

Six Lakers advance to state meet

SPORTS Pages 12-13

by Jessica Beecroft SHELL LAKE – Jen White has been named the honorary chair for the Washburn County Relay for Life event, to be held this Friday and Saturday, June 3 and 4, at the Shell Lake High School. White is a cancer survivor. She has been battling cancer since 1981, when she was 17 years old. White has Hodgkin’s disease, a cancer that attacks the lymph nodes of the body. As the honorary chair for the Relay for Life, White will be taking the first lap. The relay begins with a survivors lap, an inspirational time when survivors are invited to circle the track together and help everyone celebrate the victories achieved over cancer. The survivors lap is an emotional example of how relay participants are creating a world with more birthdays like those of each individual on the track. Lacey Chambers, a childhood friend of White, died from Hodgkin’s disease last

Jen White, Spooner, will serve as the honorary chair this year at the Relay for Life. - Photo by Jessica Beecroft year. Chambers went to school with White in Minong. Both Chambers and White went through radiation and chemotherapy to treat the cancer. White said she’s thankful that her cancer is in remission, but remembers how deadly the disease can be. She’s happy to be able to help raise funds for the American Cancer Society with the Relay for Life. White has a family, works as an insur-

ance representative and volunteers in her spare time. Her husband, Bob, and son, Cole, 10, have been a constant support system, she said. She commented on how far technology has come and how it has bettered the screening and treatment of Hodgkin’s disease. “It’s amazing the new equipment that they (the hospitals) have.” White has had three battles with the cancer, with the last episode in August of 2010. The American Cancer Society raises funds to assist local cancer patients and provides funds towards research as well. The American Cancer Society Relay for Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost and fight back against the disease. At Relay, teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events up to 24 hours in length. To be part of the Relay for Life, contact Steve Clay at 715416-0486, or come to the event to show your support.

“ O n th e s h o re s o off be au a uti ti fu f ull S he ll ll La ak k e” • wcregister.net


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