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Wednesday, February 18, 2015 Vol. 126, No. 27 • Shell Lake, Wis.
We e ke nd w atch • Father/Daughter Ball at Shell Lake • See calendar on page 6 for details
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INSIDE
Feb. 18, 2015
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First things first
Jazzing it up Page 2
SLHS selects valedictorian and salutatorian
Tia Carlson ties Jared Swan’s shoelace in the middle of play. There is only so much time for the Little Lakers as they showed their skill during the Shell Lake versus Northwood game on Tuesday, Feb. 10. More photos on page 12. - Photo by Larry Samson
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Inside SPD: Week four Time spent on drug cases doubles in 2014
Shipping “love” to National Guard troops Back page Laker grapplers advance
Danielle H. Moe | Staff writer SPOONER — The Spooner Police Department’s Citizen Police Academy dived into the world of drugs on Thursday, Feb. 12. Officer Trevor Peterson instructed the class but several other officers, including Jerry Christman, SPD chief, were in attendance. SPD drug-crime data from 2014 and 2013 depicts that in one year, the amount of drug activity the department saw increased. Of the data shown in the chart, the number of hours officers spent on cases is not included because the amount of hours spent distorted the chart, not allowing an accurate depiction of the other data points. In 2013, SPD officers logged 320 hours on drug cases and incidents. In 2014, their time spent on these cases increased to 726 hours. In 2013, Peterson said that the department saw a 300-percent increase in the number of theftand burglary-related crimes. He attributes these criminal activities to drug activities, explaining that individuals with substance abuse problems often turn to theft to feed their addiction. Despite the incredible increase in drug crimes,
Peterson pointed out that training of officers has improved in recent years and they may be getting better at finding drug crimes and apprehending individuals committing them, than the amount of drug crimes actually increasing over previous years. “Once you get into a drug investigation it just spider-webs and you can follow it for as long as you have time,” said Peterson. Even though officers handle a variety of cases, Peterson explained that drug crimes are his specialty. He explained to the class that drug crimes are interrelated and most often, if officers are investigating correctly, one crime will result in the discovery of others. Methamphetamine, heroine, marijuana, synthetic cannabinoids and prescription drugs are drugs the department has dealt with in the city. Peterson said the department has seen more methamphetamine crimes in the city recently, but explained that drugs come and go in waves similar to how popular trends do. In some drug cases, the Washburn County Sheriff’s Department K-9 is used to find drugs. Audio and video of drug-related crime investigations was shared and the many different tactics that they use to find, gather evidence and apprehend individuals responsible for crimes was discussed. Out See SPD, page 3
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BREAKERS
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SHELL LAKE - Become a hero by giving blood during Red Cross Month. The American Red Cross will be at the Shell Lake High School Thursday, March 5, from 8:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m. Visit redcrossblood. org or call 800-RED CROSS, 800-733-2767, to make an appointment or for more information. – submitted
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SPD drug-crime data from 2014 and 2013 shows that in one year, the amount of drug activity the department saw increased. What it doesn’t show is how much time officers spent on these cases in a year. – Photo submitted
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