W A S H B U R N C O U N T Y
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INSIDE
April 9, 2014
Wednesday, April 9, 2014 Vol. 125, No. 34 • Shell Lake, Wis.
We e ke nd w atch
• “Untalent Show” at Haugen • Easter party @ Barronett • Easter egg hunt at Spooner See calendar on page 6
75¢
Stealing the show
Competing at the state Science Olympics Page 13
It takes two Meltons mark 70 years together Page 9
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BREAKERS
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SHELL LAKE — Shell Lake Police Chief Dave Wilson would like to remind the Shell Lake community that the tornado siren will be tested the first Wednesday of each month at noon during the tornado season. The first testing of the siren for the season is Wednesday, April 9. When an actual tornado warning is received, the Shell Lake fire sirens will be sounded with a continuous three-minute alarm. Upon hearing the alarm, please take cover immediately. — from the Shell Lake Police Department ••• MADISON - Gov. Scott Walker recently proclaimed April as New Homes Month to highlight the economic impact of constructionrelated jobs on the economy. “Owning a house is invaluable to the family who calls it home,” Walker said. “These homes provide stability and a safe haven, but are also a huge boost to the economy. The construction of a new home supports three full-time, family-supporting jobs, and the economic impact of that home’s construction is felt throughout the community and the state.” For every 1,000 new homes built, an average of $117 million in household income and $15.2 million in tax revenue for Wisconsin schools, roads and communities is generated. Construction jobs in Wisconsin have been growing at a fast pace. The state ranked 11th highest in the number of construction jobs gained from September 2012 to September 2013. - from the office of Gov. Walker ••• HAYWARD - Celebrate National Park Week by helping the National Park Service and Namekagon River Partnership clean up the Namekagon River on Saturday, April 26. Volunteers will split into teams to travel four river sections in canoes or drift boats, collecting trash along the way. For those who do not want to be on the water, there are opportunities to help with event logistics, like driving volunteers to and from the work sites, i.e., put-in and take-out points. Because there are a limited number of canoes and life jackets available, volunteers must preregister. To volunteer, call the Hayward Fly Fishing Company at 715-634-8149. Registration deadline is Wednesday, April 16. - from NPS
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Sophia Becker and Victoria Nelson stole the show and the hearts of the audience at the Northwoods Figure Skating Club’s figure skating show at the Spooner Ice House on Saturday, April 5, and Sunday, April 6. They are just beginning their ice-skating careers. See more photos on page 12. - Photo by Larry Samson
Washburn County health ranked low in national report Danielle Moe | Staff writer SHELL LAKE - A recently released report called County Health Rankings places the overall health of Washburn County in the 20 least healthy counties in the state. This report, a collaboration between the University of Wisconsin’s Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, allows almost every county in each of the 50 states to compare their ranking on 29 health factors. “The County Health Rankings show us how health is influenced by our everyday surroundings – where we live, learn, work and play,” said Bridget Catlin, Ph.D., M.H.S.A., director of the County Health Rankings. Of the 72 counties in Wisconsin, Washburn County received the rank of 59 in health outcomes and 52 in health factors, placing the the county in the 20 least healthy counties in the state. Health outcomes represent how healthy a county is in terms of length of life and quality of life lived. Health factors represent 29 different measures that influence the health of a county. The report’s overall findings suggest that where a person lives determines their overall health. By comparing health factors like teen births, poverty levels and others the report shows people living in least healthy counties are twice as likely to have shorter lives than people living in healthiest counties. Healthiest counties in the state include Ozaukee, Kewaunee, Portage, Taylor and Door. Least healthy counties include Menominee, MilwauThis map depicts the findings for the state of Wiskee, Adams, Marquette and Forest. consin, county by county from the County Health Of 29 health factors, 10 are highlighted showRankings report. The full chart can be found on our ing trends in the data. Those factors with trend website at wcregisteronline.com. - Special photo See Washburn County health, page 4
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