W A S H B U R N C O U N T Y
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Wednesday, March 12, 2014 Vol. 125, No. 30 • Shell Lake, Wis.
We e ke nd w atch • Arts Center film showing @ Shell Lake See calendar on page 6
wcregist eronline.com
INSIDE
March 12, 2014
75¢
Going to extremes
Rising Star Award Page 5
Bridging ceremony Page 2
“Archie and the Wallflower” Page 11
Like something out of a 1950s science fiction thriller, Amelia Hampe is a robot in the St. Francis Grumpy Old Explorers team, in the Going To Extremes challenge. This team is in their first year of competing in Destination ImagiNation. Hampe competed with her group in the Destination ImagiNation St. Croix Valley Regional in Hudson this past Saturday, March 8. More photos on page 10. – Photo by Larry Samson
City administrator recognized
Served city for 33 years
Season comes to an end for Laker girls
SPORTS Page 12-14
BREAKERS
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HAYWARD – The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation’s secondannual Fat Bike Birkie, presented by Freewheel Bike, hosted more than 500 riders on Saturday, March 8, in Cable, making it the biggest fat bike event in the country and in the world. Among this strong field of riders from across the country was renowned world mountain bike champion and Mountain Bike Hall of Fame member Ned Overend of Durango, Colo., who won the Fat Bike Birkie and in doing so also took the title of the first annual U.S. National Fat Bike Championship. For full story, see wcregisteronline.com. – submitted
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Danielle Moe | Staff writer SHELL LAKE – Brad Pederson was recognized for 33 years of service as the Shell Lake city administrator during the Monday, March 10, Shell Lake City Council meeting. Several community members stood and spoke about Pederson’s passion and unparalleled dedication as city administrator. “I want to thank Brad for leading the city in the right direction all these years, I think you have earned and deserve the retirement,” said Sally Peterson, mayor. Rep. Stephen Smith presented Pederson with a plaque honoring Pederson’s years of service to the city as recognized by the Wisconsin state Legislature. Pederson received special congratulations from four previous city employees including Clint Stariha, Jeff Parker, Dave Vold and Ken Schulz. In the end Pederson received a standing ovation from all present at the meeting. Pederson observed that in his time as administrator he has served with eight different mayors and about 100 different city council members. He said that he appreciated the gesture and en-
Brad Pederson, Shell Lake city administrator, accepts a plaque honoring his years of service to the city of Shell Lake as recognized by the Wisconsin state Legislature and presented by Rep. Stephen Smith at the Shell Lake City Council meeting on Monday, March 10. - Photo by Danielle Moe joyed working with the numerous individuals in city council, committees and day-to-day municipal operations. The full Shell Lake City Council story is available on the Washburn County Register’s website, wcregisteronline.com
First-time job fair deemed a success
Danielle Moe | Staff writer SPOONER — “I am excited about the good turnout,” said Randy McQuade, owner of Spooner Machine and event organizer. The Growing a Better Washburn County Job Fair was held Friday, March 7, at the Spooner Ice House. Twenty businesses from around the area were represented and provided information as well as job applications to participants. Brian Knutson, a vertical mill machinist with T&T Tool of Spooner, said there was a major shortage of people with trade skills available in the area, a problem not just for employers in our area, but across the country and worldwide. According to the Manpower Group’s 2013 annual Talent Shortage Survey, worldwide 35 percent of over 38,000 employers sur-
Jason Gehrman and Shell Wood of Cumberland fill out job applications at the Growing a Better Washburn County Job See Job fair, page 3 Fair held on Friday, March 7, at the Spooner Ice House.
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