Valley Sentinel - 08-18-2021

Inside this edition

Legal analysis: Spring Green Board prematurely boots public, media from meeting

Live Music, Theater and more on the Valley Sentinel Community Calendar

Springboard announces 2021 Spring Green Musician in Residence

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Spring Green, Wisconsin

Wednesday, August 18, 2021 Vol. 2, No. 33 Free, Single-Copy

Village of Spring Green makes decision on Kane lawsuit, declines to appeal court ruling Taylor Scott, Managing Editor The Village of Spring Green Board met Aug. 11 to discuss how to move forward with well site investigation for a new well, whether or not to move to a hybrid model of meeting and to consider whether or not to appeal a court decision regarding the Kane lawsuit.

Kane lawsuit decision For its largest agenda item, the board purported to go into closed session,

however Valley Sentinel was not able to ascertain the results of a roll call vote to enter closed session as the press and public were asked to leave or were removed from the Zoom call prior to the statute-required full closed session announcement and vote. Legal analysis is included as supplement to this story.

The board spent nearly an hour in closed session to confer with legal counsel regarding the dog breeding facility proposed by Clinton and Jill Kane in

the Town of Spring Green. This was the third meeting in a row that included a closed session on the topic to discuss whether to appeal the court’s decision in the lawsuit Kane v. Village of Spring Green Plan Commission et al.

The board returned to open session nearly an hour later, around 8:45pm, with an announcement that the board would not appeal the decision in the lawsuit.

Trustee David Saperstein made the

motion, which was seconded by Trustee Jen Snow, and was approved unanimously. There was no general public comment after the meeting.

The village released a statement regarding their decision, which is included in full as supplement to this story.

Well site investigation The board considered a contract proposal for a Well Site Investigation Report from Jewell Associates Engineers,

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Area resident Stroud announces candidacy for State Senate 17th district Taylor Scott, Managing Editor and Nicole Aimone, Editor-in-Chief Clyde resident and Democrat Tripp Stroud announced his candidacy Aug. 14 for the 17th district in the Wisconsin State Senate, currently held by Howard Marklein (R - Spring Green).

Speaking from an event outside of the Iowa County Courthouse in Dodgeville, Stroud declared his intent to challenge Marklein in the election set to take place on Nov. 8, 2022.

“It’s time to flip the script on Madison,” said Stroud. “Business as usual in the Capitol is not saving family farms. It’s not connecting us to modern internet. It’s not making healthcare more affordable. It’s not making it any easier to raise a family.

The forces of big business, big tech, and the politics industry are holding us back. And they’re winning.”

According to a statement from Stroud’s campaign, some of his legislative priorities if elected include: —Stamping out corruption in Madison and breaking the grip that massive corporations have on the economy and government.

—Strengthening small town workforces and building out capacity Photo by Nicole Aimone, Editor-in-Chief Tripp Stroud talks to area residents ahead of speaking at his campaign announcement Aug. 14 at the Iowa County Courthouse in Dodgeville. Stroud, a Democrat, is seeking to replace State Senator Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) in 2022.

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River Valley School Board recommends masks, implements new plan that outlines when masking would be mandatory Taylor Scott, Managing Editor On August 12 the River Valley School Board met, in its last meeting before the school year starts, to discuss masking, new COVID-19 protocols and more, before ultimately stopping short of requiring students and staff to wear masks to start the year.

Masking Public Comments Ahead of its decision on masking for the start of the school year, the board heard from six residents during public comment. Four in favor of making masks optional and two in favor of starting the school year with masks being mandatory.

Rebecca Weidner, of Plain, spoke first to request that the board make masking optional, saying that the board needed to more strongly consider local data rather

than state or national data.

“Practicing a one-size-fits-all model is not freedom and it also does not consider what is happening in our community,” said Weidner. “Spring Green is not Dane County, Spring Green is not New York City and Spring Green really isn’t representative of what’s happening in our nation as a whole.”

Caressa Brandenburg, of Arena, said she has three students within the River Valley School District and that she was in favor of making masks optional. Brandenburg spoke of her experience working in an elementary school in the past year and said she observed elementary students practicing poor hygiene that she believed was exacerbated by the masks, saying they were often “wet” or “crusty” by the end of

the day.

“I don’t think that we can apply the same rules as us adults wearing masks to the children,” said Brandenburg. “They just don’t keep their masks as clean and as safe as we do.”

Eva Iausly, an 8th grade student at River Valley Middle School and daughter of board member Fred Iausly, was the first speaker to suggest that the district should start the school year wearing masks.

Eva Iausly said she doesn’t enjoy wearing masks, but suggested starting the school year with masks to ensure the school can hold events and remain in person, saying in-person learning worked best for her.

“I also don’t want to even think about not having Homecoming again as we love to celebrate our school pride,” said Eva

Iausly.

Melissa Hohneke, of Plain, said she has two students in the district and supported masks being optional. She said she kept her kids home last year and that her daughter has health conditions that included being unable to understand speech without seeing lips moving and has concerns learning letters and numbers will be hard to learn with masks for students with disabilities.

“It’s very hard to learn that way,” said Hohneke. “Last year was a really hard year and I think that having the masks as optional is very helpful for the students.”

Grace Stanton spoke next, saying masks

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opinion

WednesdaY, AUGUST 18, 2021

Village board will continue to meet virtually over Zoom continued from page 1

Inc. The village currently has two wells, one next to the Spring Green Community Library and the other near River Valley Middle School, off Wood Street.

“You want to have redundancy in the water system,” said Village Engineer Todd Deibert of Jewell Associates Engineers, Inc. “Which would mean you want to have multiple wells that you could pull water from in case one goes down mechanically, or for some reason, there’s issues with water quality, or if it runs dry, or something like that.”

Deibert said that currently the second village well doesn’t have the capacity to fulfill the village’s usage if the other well were to go down.

Deibert said the first step is to take a look at various sites in the village to prepare the report and that there’s a checklist of various items that the DNR requires, as well as a list of things their looking at from distance between wells, to distance from the water tower, to wetlands, private wells, cost, conveyance

and more.

The board approved the proposal by Jewell, with the total project expected to take at least a couple years to complete.

In-person village board meetings The board discussed potentially taking action on a timeline for returning to in person village board meetings, with the idea of moving to a hybrid meeting model that would include in-person and virtual options for both trustees and the public.

Village Clerk/Administrator Wendy Crary was able to test out virtual meeting equipment that was lent by American Players Theatre. Crary described the equipment as “neat” but said that ultimately it was better suited for a smaller group of people.

Crary stated that a hybrid model with the equipment would mean that the public and board members would have to have additional accommodations in order to interact with virtual attendees.

Saperstein said he believed the Zoom meetings were working well and made a motion to continue meeting virtually

over Zoom and to revisit the issue each month. The motion carried unanimously.

Additional actions of the board —Approved a Mobile Food Vending Application submitted by Jose’s Authentic Mexican Restaurant.

—Approved a letter of support for the Tri-County Airport Drainage Project.

—Approved a Certified Survey Map (CSM) submitted by Northern Natural Gas to attach 100’ x 300’ to parcel #032-0894 located at 512200 STH 23, Town of Spring Green.

—Approved a request by Northern Natural Gas to rezone 100’ x 300’ of Lot #1 CSM submitted for approval, located at 512200 STH 23, Spring Green, WI from EAP Extraterritorial Agricultural Preservation District to B-6 Extraterritorial Wholesale and Service District.

—Approved the Village of Spring Green 2022 Budget Timetable, with the process starting at the board-level in September and a public budget hearing to be held November 17.

Village Statement

Clinton and Jill Janssen Kane (the “Kanes”) filed suit against the Village of Spring Green Plan Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals for the Village of Spring Green. The lawsuit challenged the Village’s decision to deny their application for a conditional use permit (CUP). The Kanes sought a CUP allowing them to house whelping dogs and their preweened litters in the garage of their residence within the Extraterritorial Zoning Area. They identified this use as part of their business located in the Town of Spring Green. The Village determined that the Kanes’ proposed use was not an allowed conditional use as either a “commercial kennel” or a “dog boarding, training and grooming” facility.

Sauk County Circuit Court Judge Michael Screnock decided that the Kanes’ proposed use was an allowed conditional use as a “commercial kennel.” The import of his decision is that the Village did not have authority to deny the Kanes’ application for a CUP but may impose reasonable and to the extent practicable, measurable requirements and conditions relating to that conditional use. The Court remanded the application to the Village for further action consistent with 2017 Act 67. That law imposes procedural and substantive obligations on the Village when considering CUP applications.

The Village Board evaluated Judge Screnock’s decision, considered the Village’s options, and decided that foregoing an appeal of the decision was the course of action in the best interests of the Village and its taxpayers. With this decision, the Village is hopeful the Kanes will commit to cooperating in establishing requirements and conditions relating to the use of their property as a commercial kennel.

The Village remains committed to orderly and smart development and land use regulation. To that end, it will evaluate its zoning ordinances to manage land development activities in the best interests of its residents.

Editorial Analysis: Spring Green Village Board erred in prematurely booting public/press out of virtual meeting before closed session In my experience, it’s really not uncommon for a public body like a university committee to tell members of the public, “this is a closed meeting; you have to leave” even before the meeting has been officially closed.

From the perspective of the chair of the meeting, there may be no bad intent. A person comes in, and the chair generously informs them that they shouldn’t bother to sit down, because they are going to be going into closed session.

The only problem with this is that the chair of the meeting is not just an informative bystander. He or she is the one with the power to call the police or private security people to come and pull you out, maybe arrest you.

So the wording is important. If the chair says you have to leave, it’s not just information, it’s a command. And it has the power of the state behind it.

That’s what makes it illegal.

The law states that every meeting of a governmental body must convene in open session before it may be closed. The meeting then goes through a closing procedure: First, there must be a motion to close the meeting. Before being put to the body, the motion must include two pieces of information: the subject matter to be considered in closed session and the proposed statutory exemption that would allow this matter to be handled in closed session. The motion must be consistent with the closed meeting section of the public notice that preceded the meeting. These aspects of the motion must be “announced” to all present. One purpose of this is to inform the public, but another is to assure that all members of the body have

sufficient information to exercise discretion when deciding how to vote. The motion must then pass by roll call or unanimous consent.

When this is complete, the chair states that the meeting has been closed and directs members of the public to leave except for those who for some reason are allowed to remain during closed session. When the room is clear of unauthorized persons, the subject matter of the session begins.

When I was first told about the Spring Green Village Board prematurely removing members of the public from its meeting last Wednesday night, it should have occurred to me that the meeting was over some kind of remote teleconferencing software like Zoom. In that case, a click of the mouse is all it takes to “eject” someone from the virtual space.

Instead, I had a picture of people being physically present, picking up their stuff and putting on their coats to leave --that’s what most people do -- while others, knowing the order to leave was not legal, stayed in their seats waiting for the legal order, or maybe the police.

What happens when people refuse to leave?

That is interesting, and I think that even though most people just leave, we have a country full of people who will stand up for their rights and resist authority, and I have known more than a couple of cases where people did plant themselves down and rest on their rights, and I think that serves a function.

I have a case right now in the court of appeals where certain members of the public, including me and my client, refused to leave an improperly closed meeting. We actually persuaded the body that the meeting was unlawfully closed, and the meeting was adjourned. But having

closed the meeting was still wrong. It is not the responsibility of the public to risk arrest challenging public bodies who get it wrong: it is their duty to get it right in the first place.

When members of the public resist closure of a public meeting, it can be effective in keeping business from being conducted in closed session. Members of a governmental body are put in a position where they must decide whether to enforce their order. The optics of having people removed is bad in itself. There is the risk of someone being accidentally injured in the process of a forcible expulsion. If the closure was not legal, and they proceed to physically remove people, they will be guilty of false arrest and battery.

Even if people are merely persuaded to go, they are being restrained of their physical liberty and may have a legal claim. The governmental body and its members will be protected by various immunities and indemnities, but even so, is looking at bad press, inconvenience, and legal bills.

The time to think through these consequences is before voting to close and definitely before ordering people out of the room.

Once people have left, the open character of a meeting may be difficult or impossible to reestablish.

In a Zoom meeting, the public body will not face the same potential confrontation because it can eject a spectator virtually. There is no risk of physical injury and no physical constraint. There is one less check on the body to make sure it follows the law. In the Spring Green case, the Board faced some resistance; it asked people to leave before using the power to sever their links. This allowed at

least one person to raise the point that the meeting was not properly closed.

But if I were a member of a public body, I would be very careful to close a meeting properly before virtually ejecting anyone.

There are two main remedies that the public can receive when a meeting is illegally closed. A court can impose forfeitures against body members for a violation, or it can nullify the acts of a body. These choices are left to the court with extremely little guidance.

I think a good lawyer, challenging an unlawful meeting closure that was effectuated with a mouse click, would be smart to point out to the court that Zoom makes it so easy to close a meeting without any pushback.

That makes it all the more essential for the members of the body to police themselves, and when they don’t, forfeitures should be higher. Forfeitures range from $25 to $300 and must be paid personally by members of a body. They cannot be reimbursed by the government.

The same is true of nullification. The court simply weighs the value of voiding an action of the body versus letting it stand. There is no set list of factors, but typically on the one hand is any special condition that makes it impossible or unfair to have to try to re-do the challenged action in lawful session. On the other side is always the need to vindicate the Open Meetings Law. This need is at the premium when a Board can easily eject people with a keystroke, and does not think twice about doing so.

—Gary Ernest Grass, esq., Legal Editor

Village of Arena receives $250,000 state grant to support redevelopment of elementary school Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation The Village of Arena is receiving a $250,000 state grant to help redevelop the former Arena Community Elementary School.

The Community Development Investment Grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) will support redevelopment of the building into 11 residential apartments, a home for the Arena Historical Society, the Arena Food Pantry, and a gymnastics business.

“One of the top priorities of WEDC is to support communities as they invest in revitalizing their downtowns, and this project is a prime example of how we are accomplishing that in every region of the state,” said Missy Hughes, secretary and CEO of WEDC. “This project will not only bring new housing to Arena but will add to the quality of life and sense of community.”

The Arena Community Elementary School closed in June 2018 due to declining numbers of students and a lack of funds. ACES Property Management, LLC acquired the property from the school district in May 2019.

Currently, the gymnasium space is being leased to Hardcore Tumbling and Gymnastics, which will continue as part of the project. ACES is donating a portion of the building to the Arena Food Pantry, as well as a portion to the Arena Historical Society for storage, meetings, and community exhibits. The remainder of the building will be renovated into eleven handicapped-accessible studio and one-bedroom apartments.

Construction started in June with resident move-in expected by December 2022. The expenses covered by CDI Grant funds include construction, electricity, and plumbing costs.

After completion, affordable housing

options will be available to the community while maintaining the outside appearance of an important Arena landmark.

This project will yield multiple benefits to the community including increased tax base, housing for local workers, commercial rental space, as well as space for the historical society to archive its collections and documents.

“I am proud to see the Village of Arena and WEDC working to invest in our community and increase economically valuable assets,” said state Rep. Dave Considine. “This $250,000 grant will increase accessible housing and become the home for the Arena Historical Society. It will also allow for the continued use of the gymnasium for gymnastics.

I enthusiastically support this grant because it does more than redevelop the old school – it also improves the space available for housing and recreation in Arena.”

Additional support to make the project successful comes from Jewell Associates Engineers, Inc., including Architect Paul Kardatzke, David Jones from the Peoples Community Bank, and the Village of Arena.

WEDC’s Community Development Investment Grant Program supports community development and redevelopment efforts, primarily in downtown areas. The matching grants are awarded based on the ability of applicants to demonstrate the economic impact of the proposed project, including public and private partnership development, financial need, and use of sustainable downtown development practices.

From the program’s inception in 2013 to Sept. 30, 2020, WEDC has awarded nearly $26.7 million in CDI Grants to 87 communities for projects expected to generate more than $446 million in capital investments statewide.

opinion

WednesdaY, AUGUST 18, 2021

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Sen. Howard Marklein — More Progress in Our State Parks

Howard Marklein, WI State Senator My family just returned from our annual visit to Peninsula State Park in Door County. It was a terrific trip! The park was beautiful, the meals were delicious and the weather was fine, which is a good thing since Peggy and I are tent campers!

This was the 28th year we have visited Peninsula State Park. Our annual trip gives me a perfect opportunity to observe the progress we are making at our state parks. It also provides me with a unique perspective and passion for improving them.

I am in consistent communications with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to request reservation and revenue data for our state parks. It has been fascinating to watch camping and reservation trends over the last several years since the legislature provided the department with more flexibility and resources.

The demographics and preferences of campers are changing and our park system is adjusting to meet increased demand for maximizing revenue.

Last summer, the COVID-19 pandemic had a major positive impact on park attendance, camping reservations and park visitors.

Wisconsin residents and tourists from other states were desperate for outdoor activities. This trend led to a significant increase in campground occupancy across the state. The occupancy rate increased by 11% in 2020 (71.6%) compared to 2019 (60.6%). While down slightly in 2021 from 2020, 2021 occupancy rates are still well above 2019, and earlier, levels.

State park campgrounds added a significant number of electric campsites between 2018 and 2019 and while the occupancy rate decreased

initially, the raw number of occupied sites increased in 2019. By 2020, the occupancy rate for electric sites was the highest in at least 5 years. Our parks charge higher rates for electric campsites, thus increasing revenues which are returned to the parks for improvements.

While the rate is higher for electric sites versus non-electric sites, camping at our state parks is still very affordable. For example, the busiest park in Wisconsin is Devil’s Lake State Park in Baraboo. On a weekend, electric sites are $37 per night for Wisconsin residents and $42 for nonresidents. Non-electric sites are $22 for residents on the weekend while non-residents pay $27 per night.

The rate variations have not affected reservations. The most popular parks are at least 85% full for the entire summer season (this includes weekdays). Even smaller parks have strong occupancy rates. Yellowstone Lake State Park in Lafayette County has 52.16% occupancy this year. In 2019, they were at 45.66% and last year jumped to 55.20%.

This is why we instituted flexible pricing that is employed by private-sector hospitality businesses throughout the world. In the 2015-16 State Budget, I led an effort to reform the way revenue is generated for the Wisconsin State Park System using private-sector strategies like variable pricing that have driven success at our state parks.

In the 2017-18 state budget, I authored another motion to provide additional tools and flexibility for the DNR to continue moving toward selfsustainability for the state park system. These tools included allowing the DNR the option

to invest $1 million each year of the biennium from the State Parks Account for maintenance and improvement projects such as repairing facilities, replacing signage, replacing drinking fountains and upgrading non-electric sites to electricity; raising the state-wide cap for electrical sites from 30% to 35% of campsites statewide; increasing the park sticker fee by $5 for residents and non-residents; creating a $5 surcharge for electrical sites at popular parks; and increasing the range up to $10 for nightly camping fees at the Secretary’s discretion.

In April 2018, the Joint Finance Committee (JFC), which I now co-chair, allocated an additional $2.2 million on top of the $2 million allocated in the state budget to the state parks.

These funds, which come from the State Parks Fund, were used for additional improvements and remodeling immediately. This investment was leveraged with funding from local park Friends groups, stewardship funding and other project-based funding.

In the same year, the State Building Commission authorized the renovation and construction of 200 additional electrical campsites system-wide. Park visitors tell us that they want more electric sites and the reforms we have made, as well as the flexibility for investments, are enabling the State Parks to respond quickly to this demand, which will generate additional revenues in turn.

The 2019-20 State Budget provided an additional $1 million to the operational budget for the park system for staff salaries, materials and other needs. We also provided funding to

finish the new site electrification project.

Finally, in the most recent budget I led an effort to reinvest another $1.5 million into the State Park Development Fund. This funding comes directly from camping fees and park stickers. We are reinvesting these funds into the parks so that they can do smaller projects such as improving gravel pads and trails, purchasing picnic tables and updating fire rings. We are taking the fruits of our restructured business model and reinvesting in our parks. I am hopeful that we will continue to expand private sector practices to increase revenues at our state parks.

I met with Eric Hyde, the Superintendent of Peninsula, Newport & Rock Island State Parks during my camping trip. Eric showed me several recently completed projects such as the new waste disposal site, a $1 million vault replacement and waste treatment station project.

He is planning on new bathroom facilities and road updates next year.

It is exciting to see the improvements at state parks system wide. It is also good to see that occupancy and visitor trends are increasing every year. Visiting a state park or hiking on a state trail is good for us. There is nothing quite like connecting with nature and we are very fortunate to have dozens of incredible parks and trails to visit in Wisconsin.

For more information and to connect with me, visit my website http://legis.wisconsin.gov/ senate/17/marklein and subscribe to my weekly E-Update by sending an email to Sen.Marklein@ legis.wisconsin.gov. Do not hesitate to call 800-978-8008 if you have input, ideas or need assistance with any state-related matters.

Gov. Evers, DHS Announce 50 Percent of Wisconsinites Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19 Tony Evers, WI State Governor

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced today that half of the state’s entire population have completed their COVID-19 vaccine series. Nearly 3 million Wisconsinites are fully vaccinated, including over 60 percent of adults.

“This is an incredible milestone, and we are proud to see the millions of Wisconsinites who have taken this step to protect themselves and their community from COVID-19 and the Delta variant,” said Gov. Evers.

“We are closer than we were yesterday, but we can’t let our guard down now. We still have a ways to go.

Getting vaccinated is one of the best ways to protect our families, our kids, and our

communities.”

For the fourth week in a row, Wisconsin has seen a steady uptick in weekly doses administered.

However, new confirmed cases are also increasing as the more contagious Delta variant continues to spread throughout the state with those who are unvaccinated at the most risk. Getting vaccinated against COVID- 19 prevents severe illness, hospitalization, and death; it also helps reduce the spread of the virus in communities. While vaccination remains critical to slowing the spread of the Delta variant, layering additional strategies, including mask wearing, staying home when you’re sick, physical distancing, getting tested if you’re experiencing symptoms, can all help protect those who are vulnerable to COVID-19.

“One of the most effective tools in our toolbox is vaccination. With the current surge in cases,

masking up and getting tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms are also necessary steps we can take to help protect ourselves and those around us,” said DHS Deputy Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk. “This pandemic has reminded us that our own health depends on the health of our community. We urge anyone who has not yet been vaccinated to join their friends and neighbors across Wisconsin and get your COVID-19 vaccine.”

Everyone 12 and up is eligible for the free COVID-19 vaccine, and you do not need an ID or insurance to get it. To find a COVID-19 vaccine location in your community visit Vaccines.gov, or call 211 or 877-947- 2211. The Wisconsin State Fair, in collaboration with DHS, is offering an on-site vaccine clinic through the end of the Fair, August 15. Anyone who gets their COVID-19

Contact us

PO Box 144 Spring Green, Wisconsin 53588 USA (608) 588-6694 editor@valleysentinelnews.com valleysentinelnews.com Editorial Editor-in-Chief Nicole Aimone Managing Editor Taylor Scott Legal Editor Gary Ernest Grass, esq.

vaccine at the State Fair receives a voucher for a free cream puff, redeemable at the Cream Puff Pavilion.

If you are among the millions who have already gotten the COVID-19 vaccine, you can help play a pivotal role in helping address barriers that your friends and family may be facing. We encourage you to have conversations about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine, help someone find an appointment, offer rides or child care, or help them reach out to a health care professional or member of the community that they trust for guidance.

For up-to-date information about Wisconsin’s COVID-19 response, visit the DHS COVID-19 webpage. We encourage you to follow @DHSWI on Facebook, Twitter, or dhs.wi on Instagram for more information on COVID-19.

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Community

WednesdaY, AUGUST 18, 2021

Q&A with Tripp Stroud regarding his candidacy for state senate continued from page 1

in small towns for families to grow and thrive with modern internet, childcare options, and affordable healthcare —Securing a future on the farm for the next generation of growers and producers —Protecting Wisconsin’s farmland, prairies, water, and forests through conservation policies.

“Now’s the time to go on offense. I’m running to put families first, bring communities together and stand for democracy and the rule of law,” said Stroud. “I’m running to reintroduce leadership, Wisconsin values, and forward-thinking ideas back into the State Senate. I’m running to chase the lobbyists and big corporations out of the Capitol. And I’m running to fight for the people of Southwest Wisconsin.”

Stroud is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, where he received a B.A. in political science. Stroud also holds a J.D. from Marquette University.

In 2016, he founded Trifecta General Counsel, a law firm specializing in health and health tech law.

Stroud is currently the only Democrat registered to run for the seat, with primaries set to take place nearly a year from now.

Valley Sentinel reached out to Marklein’s campaign for comment on Stroud’s candidacy but did not receive a response as of press time, we will update this story online as necessary.

Valley Sentinel had the chance to speak with Stroud and ask him questions about his announcement and his candidacy: Valley Sentinel: What inspired you to run for office? Healthcare attorney to senator, why make the jump?

Tripp Stroud: January 6 was my call to action. Our state legislature actively encouraged the kind of extremism that led to that day. And in its aftermath, they’re pushing bills that are making it harder to vote and easier to rig our elections. I felt it was my responsibility as a citizen and a role model for my kids to do my part to turn things around. That’s what started me down this path.

VS: The 17th Senate District is large and diverse, how are you prepared to represent it?

TS: It’s a big, beautiful district. Good thing I love to drive my truck! Yes, it’s diverse, but we have more in common than what divides us. Just look at the community response to the tornadoes last week. In Boscobel I met people from all over our area who came to lend a hand. Our corner of the world is tough, resilient, but also very warm and loving.

My preparation for this job also comes from the business I started in 2016. To be successful at building a business, you have to know your customer. You have to listen carefully and learn from them—in other words, you have to have empathy. You have to have big ideas, be able to run with them, and get folks to come along with you. You also need to be tough and scrappy to make it. I think all those traits crossover to being a strong and effective leader for people throughout this District.

I’ve spent my career as a contract negotiator, and that’s what I built my business around. Clients from around the country would hire me to go up against some of the biggest corporations in the country in contract negotiations. I know what it takes to get an edge against a bigger and

Photo by Nicole Aimone, Editor-in-Chief Stroud’s son hands out campaign stickers at the Iowa County Courthouse Aug. 14 ahead of Stroud speaking. corporate-backed opponent and come away with a good deal for my client.

That’s what I’ll bring to the job as State Senator.

The past 10 years have been super hard on families. It’s never been more expensive or more difficult to start and raise a family, or to care for an aging parent, or for seniors to retire and get the care they need in their hometown. For all the working moms and dads out there who are worrying about the future, about their kids or their parents, they want to know that they have someone representing them in the State Senate who knows what they’re going through. I do because I’m raising a family and working too, I’m right there with them.

VS: Senator Marklein describes ‘rural values’ as a large part of his focus on his campaign website, you list ‘small town economy’, ‘farming’ and ‘conservation’ as priorities as well, can you tell us how your ‘rural values’ differ?

TS: My values are Wisconsin values: Putting families first, defending the Constitution and the rule of law, and bringing communities together. I have no problem saying it - everything I do will put families’ well-being first. I will look at legislation through the lens of - will this make life better or worse for families in my district. That’s what voting on values is all about.

It’s hard to draw a connection between what’s happening in the legislature today and rural values.

How is making it harder to vote a rural value? How does supporting tax breaks for Walmart, Menards, and Dollar General show rural values?

How does killing bipartisan clean water legislation show rural values?

How is the State Senate taking a 9-month vacation during the depth of covid representative of rural values?

Is spending taxpayer money on investigating conspiracy theories about the 2020 Presidential Election a rural value? That’s what our legislature is busy doing today because these are all things the Republican Party

establishment and their corporate backers want, not because it represents rural values.

VS: The campaign currently has a nine plank platform of priorities, what is the single-most important issue facing the 17th Senate District? Why? How do you intend to fix it?

TS: Families. The single most important issue facing the 17th is that it’s never been more expensive or difficult to start and grow a family.

That’s why we’re seeing birth rates in our area down double digits over the last 14 years, and it’s why the Census recorded a drop in population in Richland and Lafayette Counties for the first time ever.

This is an existential issue for our small town way of life that is being totally ignored by the legislature. A big chunk of our workforce is retiring and we don’t have enough people coming in behind them. We need to be raising, teaching, and recruiting the next crop of nurses, farmers, teachers, EMTs, librarians, builders, and business owners. Instead, we have a legislature

wasting time and taxpayer money on conspiracy theories about the 2020 Presidential Election.

My plan to fix it is a Homestead Act for the 21st Century. We need to pave the way for people to move back home and to put down roots here. The state can do its part to invest in the “picks and shovels” that families need to get going—daycare, strong public schools, residential development, and modern internet.

Our biggest roadblock to getting ahead of this issue is a legislature that is unwilling and unprepared to execute on big ideas. They react to problems after they happen instead of nipping them in the bud. 99% of the time their solution is to shove taxpayer money at the problem instead of addressing the root cause. So my push in the State Senate will be to go on offense against complacency in our government. We need term limits and more competitive elections, both of which I think will free our elected officials from the short-term partisan mindset that is rampant in Madison.

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Community

WednesdaY, AUGUST 18, 2021

Page 5

Masks will be recommended but not mandated under new model continued from page 1 are a “drag” but suggesting that the school year start with masks mandatory for 60 days and then reevaluating for the next 60 days. Citing experts with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Stanton said that masking and social distancing are working and warned that the situation is evolving.

“I’m thinking I don’t want to roll a dice with my kids,” Stanton said, sharing that she thought the elementary school did a wonderful job last year when masks were mandatory.

Lynn Erickson rounded out public comment, sharing that she has a son with special needs in the district and described a situation that happened in October 2020 where she found a mask in her son’s backpack that she described as “dirty” after asking his teachers that he not be masked because he can’t communicate how he feels.

“I told the teacher ‘do not mess with my son,’” said Erickson, holding up the mask for the board to see. “This isn’t healthy. I don’t know how long it was on his face, he can’t speak, he couldn’t tell me if he had a headache, if he couldn’t breathe at all, if he wasn’t getting enough oxygen.”

Erickson said she supports others’ choices to mask or not mask but called social distancing and masking mandates “socially, emotionally damaging and psychologically damaging” for children as she described another one of her sons being fearful of death last September when he came down with a cold. Erickson also said children need to see the faces of teachers so they can trust them.

Masks optional vs. mandated Instructional Model for the 2021-22 School Year The largest item of contention on the school board agenda for action was the Instructional Model for the 2021-22 School Year. Last year the district created a hybrid, in-person and virtual model and mandated masks on campus for much of the school year. The board decided the instructional model to be followed for the 2021-22 school year would differ.

District Administrator Loren Glasbrenner said that he worked with the other

Thresholds to mask in our schools Data is an important component to our masking determinations.

Source of data River Valley School District: Site-based COVID activity COVID-19 Data by School District - DHS Sauk County: Community Transmission

The Highway 23 Bridge that connects Spring Green and Dodgeville, will be open for full lane traffic by this weekend, Aug. 20-22, following construction closures and adjustments.

The project is coming in completed weeks ahead of schedule, which WisDOT Project Manager, Jim Simpson attributed to continued good weather, and changes to staged plans. The original, contracted end date was Sept. 25.

As of Aug. 17, all steel parts of the bridge have been painted and Kramer Construction is finalizing construction.

administrators within the district and the school nurses to develop a model that will provide in-person instruction to all students, following the school calendar, five days a week.

“We believe students need to be in school,” said Glasbrenner.

The district will not offer a hybrid model with synchronous virtual instruction as an option for families seeking a virtual model or for students home from school voluntarily isolating or out sick.

Families seeking a virtual format were encouraged by the district to utilize the Rural Virtual Academy (RV @RVA) through that was previously approved as a consortium agreement.

Glasbrenner said the district will follow guidance from the CDC, DHS, and local health officials to advise its decisions.

“Conditions, similar to last year, are ever-changing, and we will remain respon-

Governor appoints Richland County Sheriff After nearly a month without an official sheriff, Richland County will be receiving a newly appointed Clay Porter to fill the position.

Gov. Tony Evers made the appointment Wednesday, after former Sheriff James J. Bindl resigned, effective July 12.

Newly appointed Porter has served with the Richland County Sheriff’s Office since 2007, with 15 years total serving in law enforcement. Porter’s term will end January 2023.

SERVING: CRAFT COCKTAILS & WHISKEY SHAREABLE APPS

HOURS: 4 PM TO 9 PM TUESDAYS - SATURDAYS CLOSED ON SUNDAY & MONDAY

134 W JEFFERSON ST SPRING GREEN

High

Pandemic

Universal practices and communication

Increased communication

Masking highly recommended

Masking mandated

Pandemic Plan

0 - 2.5%

2.51% - 3.74%

3.75% - 4.9%

5% +

These resources will be used daily by the administrative team to monitor data.

The RVSD pandemic plan will be used in cooperation with county officials.

Graphic provided by the River Valley School District

FORMERLY FREDDY VALENTINES

HOUSE SMOKED ENTREES

Substantial

Richland Cty.: Community Transmission

LAST LEAF PUBLIC HOUSE

FLATBREAD PIZZAS

Moderate

Iowa County: Community Transmission

In other news Highway 23 Bridge construction set to end ahead of schedule

Low

608-588-0041

FREDDYVALENTINES.COM

sive,” said Glasbrenner. “We will adapt when county/state/federal mandates are provided to our district as we safely provide the best education possible for all students.”

The plan proposed by administration to the board would make face coverings and masking optional (recommended, if unvaccinated) to start the school year but would follow certain data and thresholds to react with open communication and possible mandates depending on conditions.

Students and staff would be free to mask at their discretion, but the plan would not mandate masks unless a specific school site met a 5% threshold of active, confirmed COVID cases.

“We want families to be very careful with symptoms, this will not go well if people send sick children to school and I say that really clearly,” said Glasbrenner. “Symp-

toms have to be kept in the home environment and for this to work, we trust that families will follow through with that.”

The plan doesn’t average district-wide data or county/community data when determining if a threshold is met. The data considered is specific to school sites, building by building. Glasbrenner gave the example that 20 positive COVID cases would be needed in a building of 400 people to trigger the mandatory mask mandate.

“So that there is a way to put masking in place when it is needed, but not to use it as a preventative, but as a way to respond to the virus as needed,” said Glasbrenner.

Glasbrenner said that the administrators struggled with what data to use, as they felt county data was not representative of

See page 7

Page 6

Community

WednesdaY, AUGUST 18, 2021

COmmunitycalendar Events for August 19 - September 1 Thursday, August 19 Veterans Service Office 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM . Plain Kraemer Library and Community Center, 910 Main St, Plain . www.kraemerlibrary.org. Come join us to learn more about Veteran Services. Topics of discussions: Veterans Benefits, Spouses & Children’s Benefits, for both State and Federal.

Wyoming Valley School Tour 11:00 AM . Wyoming Valley School Cultural Arts Center, 6306 State Road 23 Spring Green . Free . www.wyomingvalleyschool.org. Tour times are 11am, 1pm, and 2pm. Our tours are free to the public and casual. The rehabilitated historic project is finally complete. Come visit the only public elementary designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

Mazo Music & Street Market: Sam Ness 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM . The Apothecary & Mercantile, 18 E Hudson St., Mazo . Spend a fantastic evening in Mazo! Enjoy live music

by Sam Ness and browse a bountiful farmer/craft market.

Local Night: Solstice Jazz Band 5:30 PM - 8:00PM . The Shed/Post House Garden, 123 N Lexington Street, 119 E Jefferson Street Spring Green . Come out and spend your Thursday evenings with some local music and local food. The food cooked on the grill on the patio is from our many local vendors in Spring Green and surrounding towns, and the musicians are from the River Valley area.

Wine & Yoga 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM . Wild Hills Winery, 30940 Oakridge Dr. Muscoda . $10 cash only . www.wildhillswinery.com. Wine & Yoga every Thursday in the Vineyard with certified Yoga Instructor Lara Carpenter.

Friday, August 20 Wyoming Valley School Tour 11:00 AM . Wyoming Valley School Cultural Arts Center, 6306 State Road 23 Spring Green . Free . www.wyomingvalleyschool.org. Tour times are 11am, 1pm, and 2pm. Our tours are free to the public and casual. The rehabilitated historic project is finally complete. Come visit the only public elementary designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

Wine Down Fridays: Jake'O 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM . Wild Hills Winery, 30940 Oakridge Dr. Muscoda . Free . www.wildhillswinery.com. Wine down and chill at Wild Hills Winery!

Live music every Friday! Enjoy the sounds of local musicians and singer-songwriters outdoors on the patio. Food and drink specials.

Sunny War // Amanda Huff 6:00 PM . Sh*tty Barn, 506 E Madison St, Spring Green . www.shittybarnsessions.com. Los Angeles-based street singer, guitarist, and roots music revolutionary Sunny War has always been an outsider, always felt the drive to define her place in the world through music and songwriting. Amanda Huff is an award-winning singer and composer currently based out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Advance tickets sold out. That said, tickets often come up that people can't use. Check website or socials for the latest details about ticket availability.

Saturday, August 21 2021 Spring Green Car Show 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM . Spring Green Area Chamber of Commerce, 208 N Winsted St., Spring Green . $15 for each vehicle entered in the car show . Contact: sgacc@springgreen.com. This is a day where Spring Green shuts down its main street to showcase some of coolest cars around. The Spring Green Car Show features all year, make, and models of classic cars, hot rods, muscle cars, and trucks.

There is truly something for everyone to enjoy!

Spring Green Farmers Market 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM . S230 E. Monroe St Spring Green . www.facebook.com/SGFMarket. Local farm fresh produce, coffee, fresh baked goods, honey, soaps & lotions, bedding plants, cut flowers, maple syrup and more.

River Valley Area Community Gardens Brat Fry 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM . Prem Meats, E5028 US-14, Spring Green . www.rvacg.org. All proceeds will go towards building a shelter at the Gardens. All are welcome to tour the Gardens.

Driftless Landscape Tour 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM . Taliesin Preservation Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor Center, 5607 County Road C, Spring Green . $6 – $25 . www.taliesinpreservation.org. Join Taliesin for a conversation about the interconnectedness of land and culture while enjoying an approximately 1-mile walk across the Taliesin estate. This completely outdoor tour will speak to the natural history of the estate, using Frank Lloyd Wright as the connecting theme between topics.

Live Music: Gandy Dancer Bluegrass Festival 11:00 AM - 8:30 PM . Mazomanie Performing Arts Pavilion,116 Brodhead St., Mazomanie . $ 10- $15 . www.gandydancerfestival.org. The Gandy Dancer Bluegrass Festival returns to the Dane County music festival scene. Featured acts include Soggy Prairie, Art Stevenson and High Water, The Kevin Prater Band, Liam Purcell and Cane Mill Road from Deep Gap, N.C., and Meadow Mountain.

Wyoming Valley School Tour 11:00 AM . Wyoming Valley School Cultural Arts Center, 6306 State Road 23 Spring Green . Free . www.wyomingvalleyschool.org. Tour times are 11am, 1pm, and 2pm. Our tours are free to the public and casual. The rehabilitated historic project is finally complete. Come visit the only public elementary designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

Myles Talbott Dyad 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM . Wisconsin Riverside Resort, S13220 Shifflet Road Spring Green . www.wiriverside.com/entertainment. Summer music continues on the River Stage!

Acoustic River 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM . Spring Green General Store, 137 S. Albany St., Spring Green . www.springgreengeneralstore.com. Join us for an acoustic version of songs from the 60's to the present and original songs! We blend finger style with rhythm and lead work on both 6 and 12 string Acoustic guitars.

Harmonious Wail 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM . SlowPoke Lounge 137 W Jefferson St., Spring Green . www.slowpokelounge.com. Americana flavored Gypsy Jazz on full tilt! Harmonious Wail combines the searing wit, humor and mandolin virtuosity of vintage Jethro Burns performances, the Continental panache of Django and charm of Edith Piath inspired vocals to create a unique musical journey.

Sunday, August 22 Growing Up Wright: Book Signing Event With Lonnie Lovness 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM . Taliesin Gift Shop, 5481 County Road C, Spring Green . www.taliesinpreservation.org.

Join author Lonnie Lovness in person for a meet and greet and book signing at the Taliesin Gift Shop. Purchase the book in person or online.

Scott Stieber & Don Myers 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM . Wisconsin Riverside Resort, S13220 Shifflet Road Spring Green . www.wiriverside.com/entertainment. Summer music continues on the River Stage!

Arcadia Book Signing: "Ancestral" by Daniel Smith 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM . Arcadia Books, 102 E. Jefferson St., Spring Green . www.readinutopia.com. Join us at Arcadia for a book signing with Daniel Smith, author of Ancestral.

Rural Musicians Forum: Wisconsin Brass Quintet - A Night at the Movies 5:30 PM . Wyoming Valley School Cultural Arts Center, 6306 WI-23 Trunk, Spring Green . The outdoor concert “A Night at the Movies” will start at 5:30 pm, and will feature music from The Incredibles, La La Land, Austin Powers, West Side Story, and several other well-known films. Tickets are not required but a free will offering will be collected.

Concertgoers should bring their own chairs and refreshments.

Monday, August 23 Trivia Night 12:00 PM . SlowPoke Lounge 137 W Jefferson St., Spring Green . www.slowpokelounge.com. Join us for a night of Trivia! Kyle Adams will host as we put teams together for a contest of trivia. Come for the prizes, stay for the fun!

Tuesday, August 24 Pizza on 14 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM . The Shoppe, 7352 Hwy 14, Arena . Pizza from our wood-fired oven and live music every Tuesday.

Lake Marion Tuesday Concerts 6:00 PM . Lake Marion Park, HWY. KP, Mazo .

Concerts held every Tuesday, Aug 3-24. Sponsored by Mazomanie Music Conservancy.

APT: Spring Green Night 8:00 PM . American Players Theatre, 5950 Golf Course Road, Spring Green . $25 . www.americanplayers.org. Join us for our Spring Green night for Cymbeline. River Valley School district residents only. Use promo code SG21 at checkout.

Wednesday, August 25 Bubble Party 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM . Spring Green Community Library, 230 E Monroe St Spring Green . www.springgreenlibrary.org. Bubble machines, music, treats, and outside fun! Come on over to the library to enjoy the sunshine and the bubbles on our lawn area near the Community Room. Everyone is welcome!

Walk With A Doc 5:30 PM . Wolf Run Trail, 328 Crescent Street, Mazomanie . www.saukprairiehealthcare.org. Walk with a Doc is a walking program for everyone interested in taking steps for a healthier lifestyle. While you walk at your own pace, you'll have the opportunity to have questions answered by Dr. Janelle Hupp.

The Cactus Blossoms 7:00 PM . Sh*tty Barn, 506 E Madison St, Spring Green . www.shittybarnsessions.com. The Cactus Blossoms -- Minneapolis-based brothers Page Burkum and Jack Torrey -- offer compelling evidence that this tradition is alive and well, with a deceptively unadorned musical approach that offers "creative turns of phrase, gorgeous harmonies, and an ageless sound" (NPR All Things Considered), not to mention spine tingles aplenty. Advance tickets sold out. That said, tickets often come up that people can't use. Check website or socials for the latest details about ticket

Thursday, August 26 Wyoming Valley School Tour 11:00 AM . Wyoming Valley School Cultural Arts Center, 6306 State Road 23 Spring Green . Free . www.wyomingvalleyschool.org. Tour times are 11am, 1pm, and 2pm. Our tours are free to the public and casual. The rehabilitated historic project is finally complete. Come visit the only public elementary designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

Homecoming - American Wine Project Dinner with Convivio 6:00 PM . Homecoming, 242 N Lexington St., Spring Green . $75 per guest . www.homecomingspringgreen.com. Reservations are required. Outdoor event! Inside if rain. Reserve your seat today!

Wine & Yoga 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM . Wild Hills Winery, 30940 Oakridge Dr. Muscoda . $10 cash only . www.wildhillswinery.com. Wine & Yoga every Thursday in the Vineyard with certified Yoga Instructor Lara Carpenter.

Local Night: Jambidextrous 5:30 PM - 8:00PM . The Shed/Post House Garden, 123 N Lexington Street, 119 E Jefferson Street Spring Green . Come out and spend your Thursday evenings with some local music and local food. The food cooked on the grill on the patio is from our many local vendors in Spring Green and surrounding towns, and the musicians are from the River Valley area.

Friday, August 27 Wyoming Valley School Tour 11:00 AM . Wyoming Valley School Cultural Arts Center, 6306 State Road 23 Spring Green . Free . www.wyomingvalleyschool.org. Tour times are 11am, 1pm, and 2pm. Our tours are free to the public and casual. The rehabilitated historic project is finally complete. Come visit the only public elementary designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

Wine Down Fridays: Andy Braun 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM . Wild Hills Winery, 30940 Oakridge Dr. Muscoda . Free . www.wildhillswinery.com. Wine down and chill at Wild Hills Winery! Live music every Friday! Enjoy the sounds of local musicians and singer-songwriters outdoors on the patio. Food and drink specials.

Church of Cash 7:00 PM . Mazomanie Performing Arts Pavilion,116 Brodhead St., Mazomanie . www.churchofcashmusic.com. Whether you are an ‘ol timer that grew up listening to Mr. Cash in your tractor or a young soldier driving your tank across the deserts of the Middle East with the Man in Black in your headphones, the Church of Cash will bring his music, with style and energy to fans everywhere.

Saturday, August 28 Spring Green Farmers Market 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM . S230 E. Monroe St Spring Green . www.facebook.com/SGFMarket. Local farm fresh produce, coffee, fresh baked goods, honey, soaps & lotions, bedding plants, cut flowers, maple syrup and more.

Master Naturalist Volunteer Training 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM . Schurch-Thomson Prairie, 8624 Reilly Rd, Barneveld . $275, scholarships may be available . www.wimasternaturalist.org/trainings/volunteer-training/. Get your Master Naturalist certification while exploring the prairies of the Driftless. Educators from The Prairie Enthusiasts will lead the class, and a wealth of experts will join us along the way.

Community

WednesdaY, AUGUST 18, 2021

Playing Through the Pandemic: APT Artists on How they Do It Webinar 11:00 AM . Virtual . www.americanplayers.org. There's more to an APT visit than just the plays. Get the whole story with our Beyond the Plays events - a series of talks, tours and fascinating insights into the plays, the people and the theater itself.

Wyoming Valley School Tour 11:00 AM . Wyoming Valley School Cultural Arts Center, 6306 State Road 23 Spring Green . Free . www.wyomingvalleyschool.org. Tour times are 11am, 1pm, and 2pm. Our tours are free to the public and casual. The rehabilitated historic project is finally complete. Come visit the only public elementary designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

Jambidextrous 2:00 PM - 5:30 PM . Wisconsin Riverside Resort, S13220 Shifflet Road Spring Green . www.wiriverside.com/entertainment. Summer music continues on the River Stage!

Acoustic Jam 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM . Spring Green General Store, 137 S. Albany St., Spring Green . www.springgreengeneralstore.com. A longstanding jam for Acoustic musicians, held on the fourth Saturday of every month, these performers enjoy an audience and if you’d like to play along, please bring your instrument.

Sunday, August 29 Ice Cream Social 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM . Westland Promenade,116 Brodhead St., Mazomanie . www.mazomaniehistory.org. Join us for ice cream! Hosted by Mazomanie Historical Society.

Better Daze 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM . Wisconsin Riverside Resort, S13220 Shifflet Road Spring Green . www.wiriverside.com/entertainment. Summer music continues on the River Stage!

Monday, August 30 Grab and Go: Mystery Makers 10:00 AM . Spring Green Community Library, 230 E Monroe St Spring Green . www.springgreenlibrary.org. What's in the bag?? It's a real mystery, even to us! Drop by the library starting TODAY to pick up YOUR mystery maker bag and get making with the variety of supplies inside. Also included is an ideas sheet and booklist to spark your creativity. Designed for kids, but this program great for all ages. And when you are finished, send us a picture of your creation! Kits are available while supplies last.

Tuesday, August 31 Pizza on 14 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM . The Shoppe, 7352 Hwy 14, Arena . Pizza from our wood-fired oven and live music every Tuesday.

Wednesday, September 1 Cerqua Rivera Orchestra 6:00 PM . Sh*tty Barn, 506 E Madison St, Spring Green . www.shittybarnsessions.com. Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre is a multicultural company that creates new dance and music to explore strong personal narratives. We build partnerships across Chicagoland to engage a diverse audience: sparking dialogue, reflecting diverse experiences, inspiring new perspectives. Advance tickets sold out.

That said, tickets often come up that people can't use. Check website or socials for the latest details about ticket availability.

Page 7

Plain/Lone Rock Village Board

The village of Plain met for its regular, monthly board meeting Aug. 11, which followed a board-wide tour of the municipal pool.

Discussions and actions the board took at the meeting include:

—Having a second reading of an ordinance prohibiting parking on the south side of Cherry Street 7 a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The board approved the ordinance unanimously.

—Scheduled the annual budget hearing for 7 p.m. Dec. 1.

—Approved a temporary liquor license for St. Luke’s Catholic Church for the Sept. 12 Sommerfest event.

—Approved a $87,165.38 payment to Gerke Excavating for the Nachreiner Avenue reconstruction project. The board also approved another payment of $53,315.21 to Gerke Excavating, also for the Nachreiner Avenue project.

The board will meet 7 p.m. Sept. 8 for its next regular meeting.

The village of Lone Rock met for its regular, monthly board meeting Aug. 10.

Discussions and action the board took at the meeting include: —Allowing a variance for Woods Bar and Grill owner, Cal Weier, contingent on properly locating the property line.

—Discussed the possibility of tearing down the former Jail site. Village President Dan Quinn said it is hazardous and recommended tearing it down, constructing a shed and allowing the Lone Rock food pantry to operate there.

—Approved the purchase of a new voting machine —Approved changing the village pay roll schedule from semi-monthly, to bi-weekly.

—Approved a temporary Class B liquor license for Lone Rock Food Pantry for Sept. 25.

—Approved an operators license for D&Z’s —Provided Mobile Home Park Licenses Prairie Summit Mobile Home Park and River Rock Mobile Village.

The board is currently working through the creation of a comprehensive plan, and will hold a public hearing on the plan at 6 p.m. on Sept. 14, right before it’s next regular meeting.

Community Calendar curated by Whitney Back, from events submitted by the community

School District students will not be required to isolate without symptoms continued from page 5 what was happening within the district.

“Not until 5% of that entire building’s population had a positive COVID [result] would we ask that masking be mandated,” said Glasbrenner.

Glasbrenner said he presented the plan to the Sauk County Nursing Staff Committee on Aug. 12.

“Whereas they wish we would follow their plan and of course be masked, they did say that they found this gradient scale of a progression of things better than just saying ‘mask optional.’ Like they looked at this as a way that could be sustainable decision-making for our district and I found that to be like, ‘Okay I think I might be kind of on the right track,’” said Glasbrenner. “I’m not sure it’s the exact answer that we’ll come up with at the end of all of this, but I think we’re going in the right direction and I found that promising.”

Also new this year is requiring students to stay at home based on a symptoms-based model. Last school year, students that were deemed “close contacts” of COVID-positive individuals were required to quarantine for a set amount of time. This year, families of students that are deemed “close contacts” will be notified by the district as they were last year, but will not be required to quarantine unless they exhibit symptoms.

Glasbrenner and High School Principal Darby Blakley emphasized that parents could choose to take their student out of school to monitor symptoms after a close contact and that the updated protocol gives families more choice.

Board members Kiley Cates and Deb Nelson expressed concerns that the new protocols were being informed by last year’s school data and that the landscape had changed.

“That’s my concern, we don’t have the data on the Delta variant like we do on the previous one,” said Nelson.

Board member Fred Iausly expressed support for using internal data to inform the district’s decisions, but expressed hesitancy about starting the school year without any data.

“We have no data to make these decisions to use this metric on that first day or first week of school, I mean we would build that over a corrective time,”

Graphic provided by the River Valley School District said Fred Iausly. “I guess I’m just very concerned that we just don’t have any internal numbers when we start this thing to then make these decisions. If we find that our infectious rate is low to moderate, it makes sense to me to not have a mandate, sure, but how do we know that and then to come in and then find out, ‘oh wow we’re at seven percent?’ That’s kind of like closing the gate after the cows have left the barn.”

Fred Iausly said he would be more comfortable if the district started the school year with two to three weeks of requiring masks while they collect the internal data.

“I would be much more comfortable if we start a little more cautious and collect the data,” Fred Iausly said.

Board member Sara Young suggested that using the language of masks being “recommended” would be better than “optional” but that she had concerns about the new close contact protocol as well.

“I have a problem with this to not have contact tracing and isolation of close

contact students,” said Young. “I can’t get behind it personally, it’s an ideology of my own that schools serve as a hub of public health and because this virus is transmissible we’re in a pandemic we have an obligation to mitigate secondary stress.”

Blakley brought up that students will most likely be mingling maskless outside of school.

“Why are we imposing a mandate in the only place here where they don’t have a mandate anywhere else?” asked board member Jeff Maier in response regarding the lack of a state or county mandate.

As discussion continued, Cates made a motion to “ reinstate mandatory, universal masking while in building starting monday [Aug. 16], to be followed by a review in three weeks after the first day of school to see where our internal district driven data meets our county driven data. When the district data meets the moderate range as determined by our district mapping, we will become mass recommended. If at any point the data

falls above the moderate transmission rate moderate transmission the district defaults to universal masking. This is to be reviewed for possible discontinuation following eligibility of vaccination of children ages 5 to 11 years old.”

After stating the motion a friendly amendment was added to include contact tracing and isolation following close contact. The motion was seconded by Fred Iausly, but failed to gain a majority of support upon voting.

“I don’t see why we couldn’t just count the kids with COVID on the first day,” said Young. “If that’s over five percent we give kids masks.”

Young made a motion to accept the plan, contingent on changing the language to “masks recommended” from “masks optional.” The motion failed among intense discussion.

Board member Sarah Carstensen then

See page 11

“The good stuff.”

Page 8

Community

WednesdaY, AUGUST 18, 2021

Bubbles Brown selected as 2021 Spring Green musician in residence Kim Nolet and Rob Steffen SPRING GREEN, WI, AUGUST 13, 2021. The Spring Green Musician in Residence Board has selected the Chicago Duo Bubbles Brown to be recipients of the 2021 Residency.

Band members Bubbles Brown (on guitar, banjo, harmonica and vocals) and Washboard Ben (on percussion and vocals) have created a totally unique, inspiringly fresh and thoroughly compelling sound that is both nostalgic and distinctly progressive.

They cut their teeth busking on the streets and deep in the subways of Chicago, playing a mix of blues, folk, soul and country along with musical influences from anywhere and everywhere.

Bubbles Brown will be in Spring Green from September 18th to the 26th, with performances scheduled for Sept. 18th at Smoke in the Valley from 11 to 1 and later that same day at the Slowpoke Lounge starting at 7:30.

On Sunday, September 19th they will perform from 1 to 3 at The Branding Iron in Lime Ridge, as part of the Richland and Sauk Counties’ Hill & Valley Tour. They’ll also be playing a ticketed show at the Sh*tty Barn, Friday, Sept. 24th (tickets available at shittybarnsessions.com). They also plan to participate in collaborative sessions with local musicians throughout their stay. Watch the Musician in Residence Facebook page (facebook.com/sgmusicresidency) for more details.

“We’re really excited to welcome Bubbles Brown to Spring Green,” said Residency Chair Kim Nolet. “We’ve got a great performance schedule lined up, and look forward to the collaborative opportunities as well.”

The Spring Green Musician in Residence program was created to sow more support for the art of musicianship in Wisconsin. Spring Green has

Residency Events

a variety of exciting ways to enjoy music, including The Shitty Barn, BobFest and BeatleFest at the General Store, local taverns/restaurants hosting live music, and the Rural Musicians Forum. But this community goes the extra mile. We don’t only support art. We nurture it.

The idea was born from a collaboration between Springboard, a local civic incubator, and The Shitty Barn Sessions, a local music venue known for bringing a variety of high-quality music to Spring Green. We wanted a way to provide a fair wage for creation and performance, promote growth among local artists via collaborations, and bring even more original music to Spring Green.

Administrative and financial support for the program is generated from volunteers, local performance venues, The Shitty Barn Sessions, and area arts grants.

2021 SCHEDULE SEPTEMBER 18 @ Smoke in the ValleyPrem Meats 11:00am free show SEPTEMBER 18 @ The Slowpoke Lounge 7:30pm free show SEPTEMBER 19 @ Branding Iron Roadhouse 1:00pm free show SEPTEMBER 24 @ The Sh*tty Barn 7:00pm *ticket required

Additional shows announced soon!

RMF brings Wisconsin Brass quintet to Wyoming Valley School John Christiansen, Rural Musicians Forum Rural Musicians Forum’s final summer series event moves back to the Spring Green area, with a performance Sunday August 22 at 5:30 pm by the renowned Wisconsin Brass Quintet at the Wyoming Valley School Cultural Arts Center on Highway 23 between Spring Green and Dodgeville.

The outdoor concert “A Night at the Movies” will start at 5:30 pm, and will feature music from The Incredibles, La La Land, Austin Powers, West Side Story, and several other well-known films. Tickets are not required but a free will offering will be collected.

Concertgoers should bring their own chairs and refreshments.

Regarded as one of the “superb

brass ensembles in the USA” (Musicweb International) and praised for “remarkable musicianship and versatility” (International Trumpet Guild Journal), the widely acclaimed Wisconsin Brass Quintet (WBQ) has maintained a position at the forefront of brass chamber music since the group’s founding in 1972. In addition to its regular concert series on the

campus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the Quintet performs extensively throughout the Midwest and nationally, including appearances in New York at Weill Recital Hall and Merkin Concert Hall. Its players have been members of the Seraph Brass, Empire Brass Quintet, and Meridian Arts Ensemble.

Employment opportunities NOW HIRING FOR FALL AVAILABILITY JOIN OUR TEAM! PIZZA MAKERS PREP WORKERS BARTENDERS SERVERS DISHWASHERS CALL 608.588.0041 FOR CURRENT OPENINGS

SUBSCRIBE to Valley Sentinel!

KRAEMER BROTHERS IS HIRING! Project Manager (PM)/Estimator

Duties: • Manage multiple projects in various stages of planning and construction • Prepare and manage detailed schematic budget ing and estimating • Project administration of projects to ensure accordance with design, schedule, and budget • Coordinate subcontractor bids Requirements: • 5+ years of Project Manager/Estimator experience • Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management or Civil Engineering • Commercial construction experience • Understanding of our self-performed trades: carpentry, masonry, concrete, and ironwork is beneficial.Successful candidates should be familiar with estimating software, have strong client service orientation, demonstrate outstanding communication and organization skills.

Please send your resume to: Kraemer Brothers, LLC 925 Park Ave Plain, WI 53577 Email: jobs@kraemerbrothers.com Phone: 608-546-2411

Want Valley Sentinel delivered to your home/business? Send a check with your name, address and $30 to: Valley Sentinel PO Box 144, Spring Green, WI 53588.

Construction Superintendent Duties: •Management of construction activities •Ensuring compliance with design, schedule and budget requirements •Coordinating company performed trade work • Overseeing multiple subcontractors Requirements: • 5+ years of field management experience • Supervisory experience • Commercial construction experience • Experience in one of our self-performed trades: carpentry, masonry, concrete, and ironwork Successful candidates must be able to demonstrate prior success in working effectively as a team with project owners, architects, and subcontractors. Must possess the leadership abilities to achieve top-flight results.

Salary will be based on experience.

EEO/AA employer.

Or visit: valleysentinelnews.com/subscribe to pay using a credit card, debit card or paypal.

Outdoors/recreation

WednesdaY, AUGUST 18, 2021

Page 9

LWSRW Board meeting — Riverway Board issues permits Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Board

MUSCODA..... The Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Board (LWSRB) met in Boscobel on August 12th to conduct a regular monthly business meeting.

The board approved issuance of general permits to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for forestry work on state owned lands not visible from the river in Sauk, Dane and Iowa counties; and issued a timber harvest permit for a parcel visible from the river in Grant County.

The site in Sauk County is located in the Town of Troy in the Cassell Prairie area. A bottomlands harvest will include small regeneration cuts to encourage new growth of oak. Site preparation to address invasive species has been completed and 73,000 oak seedlings have been planted.

In the Town of Mazomanie, two sites will see harvesting. Near the Mazo Dog Trial area, 91 acres are targeted for small diameter tree removal as the first

stage in a shelterwood cut. The other site, along CTH Y, will remove white pine from a plantation on 26 acres adjacent to the Mazo Barrens State Natural Area. Removal of the pine will enhance management of the barrens community and will provide habitat for a variety of reptiles.

The LWSRB issued a two-year extension for the first step in converting the woods to oak barrens on 75 acres at the Lemanski tract, also known as the Marsh Creek Unit, between Muscoda and Avoca in the Town of Pulaski. At the west edge of the DNR property, another 42-acre site will be harvested with the target being over-mature, storm damaged and unhealthy oak trees. The larger, healthy oak trees will be retained for the time being. 13,500 seedlings of swamp white oak, burr oak and white oak have been planted at the site.

Mark Cupp, Executive Director, reported Grant County’s Town of

Millville, will be the site of a harvest on 129 acres largely visible from the river between Campbell Ridge Road and CTH C, the former Shea property. DNR foresters have marked small groups of mature trees, 3-5 trees in a group, to create an uneven aged stand. There will be minimal aesthetic impact when viewed from the river during leaf-on conditions. The harvest will consist largely of red oak, maple, and basswood.

Cupp said he had issued a management permit to Galen Bremmer for a timber stand improvement (TSI) project in the Town of Orion, Richland County. Small trees of undesirable species will be removed to enhance the vigor of the woods. Species such as elm and ironwood will be targeted under the TSI prescription. Cupp also reported a number of small railroad bridges will be replaced in Crawford County on the Wisconsin & Southern line. The bridges traverse culverts or

intermittent streams and are generally in the 30-50 foot span range with no visible impacts from the river. Cupp said record river flows for mid-August are being seen at the Muscoda gauge due to recent heavy rains in the central part of the state with the runoff reaching the Riverway along with local rain events filling the tributaries of the lower Wisconsin River.

The next Riverway Board meeting is slated for September 9, 2021, and tentatively will be held at the Kratochwill Memorial Building (village hall) in Muscoda. The board is awaiting further COVID-19 guidelines from the State of Wisconsin regarding holding in-person meetings due the spread of the Delta variant.

For further information, contact Mark E. Cupp, LWSRB Executive Director, at (608) 739-3188 or by cell phone at (608) 739-2179 or by e-mail at mark. cupp@wisconsin.gov.

The Sauk County Gardener — Be on the Lookout for these Tomato Diseases Jeanie Manis, Sauk County “Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting a tomato in a fruit salad.” - Miles Kington I had the opportunity to attend the Wisconsin State Fair this past weekend. It’s always been a favorite end of summer activity for me as I eat my way through the fair – roasted corn, baked potato and of course, the glorious State Fair cream puff.

I enjoy seeing all of the exhibits, many of them provided by our very talented youth throughout the state.

Another one of my favorite areas to visit is the Grand Champion exhibits where the amazing displays of cut flowers, herbs, and vegetables grown

by Wisconsin gardeners are located.

A bonus was listening to gardening expert, author and columnist Melinda Myer speak about ways to create “Garden Fun for Everyone”. If you have never been to the Wisconsin State Fair, put it on your list for next year.

Of course, after that I had to return to the reality of my own gardens.

I continue to harvest a variety of vegetables from my raised garden beds. My tomatoes are fully loaded but are taking their sweet time ripening. I’m getting a few here and there as the weather temps have not been cooperating. The optimal temperature for ripening tomatoes is between 68 and 77 degrees F. When temperatures are above 85 degrees, tomatoes won’t produce the pigments, lycopene and carotene, that are responsible for the ripe tomato color.

While you are waiting for the perfect temperatures, keep an eye on your tomato plants for diseases. I did a much better job providing more space between my tomato plants, so I’m only dealing with a few that are developing Septoria leaf spot. The foliage is spotted, and the disease usually appears when it’s wet and humid. If you have this, continue to prune out infected leaves and stems to increase air flow. Remember to disinfect your pruners or wash your hands before moving to the next plant. Do not compost the diseased foliage – put it in the trash or bury it. Mulch around the base of the plant if you haven’t already, avoid

Photo by Jeanis Manis overhead watering, and control weeds. If these methods don’t work to control the disease, you can use a fungicidal spray for tomatoes every 7 to 10 days to protect new leaf growth.

Remember to read the label for proper usage.

Early leaf blight is another fungal disease that can affect tomatoes.

It causes circular or irregular dark spots surrounded by yellow and starts on the bottom leaves. It thrives in moist, warm temperatures (80-90 degrees F) and can cause extreme defoliation resulting in sunscald and reduced production. This too can survive in garden waste for a year or more, so it should not be composted. The best way to manage it is to maintain plant vigor, avoid working around the plants when wet, and remove diseased plants from the garden in the fall. You can also apply fungicides, such as those that include copper, beginning at fruit set and reapplying every 7 to 14 days.

Another problem I’m seeing on my volunteer tomatoes is a little blossom end rot. I haven’t been watering them consistently like I was doing with my other tomato plants, so I’m

assuming that is the main reason for this problem. You can get blossom end rot in not only tomatoes, but also peppers, watermelon, eggplant, squash, and cucumbers. It is a result of a calcium deficiency in the fruit itself. Once the fruit gets blossom end rot, it can’t be saved. These plants need a consistent supply of calcium during the fruit set for the fruit to properly develop. The best way to make this happen and prevent blossom end rot is consistent soil moisture. This can be accomplished by regular watering (drip irrigation system) and mulching to prevent moisture evaporation.

Late blight is another disease to watch for that affects tomatoes and potatoes. It presents itself on the fruit, leaves and stems as brown lesions. The leaf lesions start out small and enlarge to large lesions and blotches, and eventually kill the leaf. The stem can develop dark brown lesions. On the stem, the fruit can have firm brown lesions and a rough/bumpy surface. If detected early, fungicides may help prevent the spread to other plants. However, fungicide is only

effective if it’s applied before a plant becomes infected with late blight. If you discover it, the plant should be destroyed by burying or put in the trash.

If you want to learn more about tomatoes, please join the Sauk County Master Gardeners Association, Inc. Saturday, August 28 for their annual Terrific Tomato Tasting. It will be held from 10-11 am at the Baraboo Civic Center, 124 2nd Avenue. Attendees can learn about local gardeners’ successes and/or failures, sample a variety of tomatoes (many are flavorful heirlooms), and vote for their favorites. It’s free and open to the public, so please come join them.

This week’s article is written

by Jeannie Manis, a Wisconsin Certified Sauk County Master Gardener Volunteer. If you have any gardening questions, please contact the Extension Sauk County by emailing to tim.ripp@saukcountywi. gov or calling the University of Wisconsin Madison Division of Extension Sauk County office at 608355-3250.

Outdoors/recreation

Page 10 WednesdaY, AUGUST 18, 2021

Wisconsin DNR — Cool nature finds in a hot summer Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Wisconsin has an amazing array of native plants, animals and ecosystems, and our Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) conservation biologists are always discovering new information about this rich biodiversity.

Here are just a few of their recent finds, some discovered while conducting rare species surveys, some while out exploring on their own, and others sent to them.

quality, diversity and abundance of food provided by wetlands that the DNR and other partners and individuals work hard to protect.

Where to report your cool, rare finds

Have you made some cool, rare finds this summer? Report them via DNR’s comprehensive reporting site at wiatri. net/nhi/

Botanist finds globally rare fern after four years of crawling around on forest floors

For four long years DNR Botanist Kevin Doyle has been searching for little goblin moonwort, a state endangered and globally imperiled plant.

“I finally found it after crawling around the forest on my hands and knees, flipping over leaf litter,” Doyle said.

He was in Oconto County working on a project with U.S. Forest Service biologists to check in on natural areas and the rare plants they support.

Little goblin moonwort lives in the thick duff of slowly decomposing leaf litter in northern hardwood forests. Unfortunately, earthworms — none of which are native to Wisconsin — rapidly remove that rich organic material, and little goblin moonwort has declined dramatically as a result. Earthworms, like other invasive species, are spread in soil on shoes or tires as well as in discarded fishing bait or potted plants.

interaction between a bat and butterfly.

The trio wrote up their research and the observation and submitted it to Northeastern Naturalist.

Serendipitously, the paper came out last year as another Anich was getting international headlines for another cool natural history find. Paula Spaeth Anich, a Northland College professor and Nick’s wife, was having a viral media moment for her discoveries with Northland College colleagues that platypus have natural fluorescence and glow green under UV light. Their earlier work found similar fluorescence in flying squirrels species, which glowed pink under UV light.

Photo by Larry Radzak Trumpeter swans typically lay five to nine eggs in late April to June. This brood of 10 cygnets was photographed in the town of Minong in Washburn County.

Dawn swarm of bats builds on Eagle Scout’s labor

DNR Bat Biologist Heather Kaarakka captured this cool photograph and field video of a dawn swarm of bats. “We still aren’t positive why the bats swarm in the morning,” Kaarakka said. “It is probably a form of communication with other members of the colony and an indication to other bats that ‘there’s a suitable roost here.’”

Eagle Scout Cole Gabrick of Fountain City built the condo in 2011 with help from his dad Mike Gabrick and others.

The project aimed to provide roosting habitat for bats as Wisconsin prepared for white-nose syndrome, a deadly disease of bats sweeping the eastern United States. WNS was first detected in Wisconsin in 2014 and has since decimated populations of cave bat species.

Before white-nose syndrome, nearly 2,000 little brown bats roosted in the condo; now there are 700-800, down significantly but still impressive given losses at many other roosts. “I wonder if Cole knows what a wonderful and important project building the condo was?” Kaarakka said.

Photo by Kevin Doyle At about 2 centimeters tall, the little goblin moonwort is a fully mature plant that is globally rare and endangered in Wisconsin.

Populations here have declined by half to twothirds in the last 20 years due to earthworms destroying its habitat.

Photo by Steve Anich Mourning cloak butterflies are a common sight in Wisconsin in the daytime in summer.

Thanks to an astute angler, Wisconsin now has the first known record of these butterflies chasing a big brown bat off their territory.

One biologist, four rare species records

DNR Conservation Biologist Ryan Brady is having what can only be called a “hot critter summer.”

His Memorial Day sighting of an Arctic loon while birdwatching on Lake Superior with friends made big headlines. It was the first time the species had been documented in Wisconsin and involved a scramble to confirm the species’ identification.

In June, Brady identified a southern spreadwing dragonfly at the pond on his property in Bayfield County. It was the first observation of this species in Bayfield County and only the second for northern Wisconsin.

In July, he came across some extremely rare tiger beetles while swimming at a beach with his kids. Brady’s location of this endangered species has been added to the Natural Heritage Inventory, the database containing locations of rare species so they can be protected.

Photo by Ryan Brady Conservation Biologist Ryan Brady snapped this photograph of state-endangered hairynecked tiger beetles along a Lake Superior beach. The beetles require relatively pristine sandy beaches, which are vanishing due to human recreation and development.

Already this month he’s notched the northernmost record of the lemon cuckoo bumble bee in the state on the many wildflowers he’s seeded or planted in his yard.

“I’m almost always surveying for something, whether for work or on my own time,” Brady said. “I love learning everything I can about the bounty of biodiversity around us, and the thrill of a rare sighting is just icing on the cake.”

Brady says some keys to success for people looking for rare species are to get outside often, learn species common to your area first, and then always be alert for something that seems out of the ordinary.

Photo by Ryan Brady A southern spreadwing dragonfly DNR Conservation Biologist Ryan Brady found at a pond on his Bayfield County property. Brady submitted his observation--the first record of this species in Bayfield County--to DNR’s Wisconsin Odonata Survey.

Trumpeter Swan family sets unofficial size record

A Wisconsin trumpeter swan family photographed this summer may just have set an unofficial record for biggest family ever.

Trumpeter swans typically lay five to nine eggs in late April to June, but this trumpeter swan pair spied in Washburn County were shepherding a brood of 10 cygnets. The photograph taken by Larry Radzak made its way to Carrol Henderson, who led the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ trumpeter swan recovery. He in turn passed it on to DNR Avian Ecologist Sumner Matteson, who steered Wisconsin’s successful trumpeter swan recovery program starting in the late 1980s.

“Wow! Matteson wrote. “Thanks for sharing, Carrol! Another first for Wisconsin?!”

Record or no, it’s a great sign of the success of Wisconsin’s efforts to recover this once endangered species and of the

Photo by Heather Kaarakka Little brown bats swarm at dawn at a bat condo erected at Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge July 14.

A butterfly chases a bat into natural history books

Butterflies chasing a bat? In daylight, no less? Yes, this aerial David and Goliath story is true and it’s now part of natural history science thanks to an astute Wisconsin angler who happens to be the uncle of DNR Conservation Biologist Nick Anich.

Steve Anich was out enjoying opening day of the 2019 Wisconsin fishing season on an Iron County lake when he noticed a butterfly chasing a big brown bat. Thinking this odd, he snapped some photos and shared them with his nephew.

Nick got in touch with J. Paul White, DNR Bat Team Leader, and the two researched the scientific literature and found no record of such a daytime

Photo by Ryan Brady DNR Conservation Biologist Ryan Brady found this lemon cuckoo bumble bee, and nine other species of bumble bees, on the native wildflowers he’s planted in his yard. His sighting is the northernmost record of the lemon cuckoo bumble bee in the state! Brady submitted his observations to DNR’s Bumble Bee Brigade.

Community

WednesdaY, AUGUST 18, 2021 Page 11

School board thanks Wedige for 25 years of service to district continued from page 7 made the motion again to accept the plan, with the language to “masks recommended” from “masks optional.” The motion was seconded by Maier.

Jennings, Maier, Carstensen, Minich and Bettinger voted in favor of the motion.

Cates, Fred Iausly, Nelson, Young opposed. The plan was approved with the changes to language first proposed by Young.

Masking on student transportation The board took action on a Policy Committee recommendation on Policy #728: Wearing Masks and Face Coverings as masking is required on all school transportation due to a federal mandate.

“There is a federal mandate that’s gotten a lot of press around transportation and federal transportation guidelines include public transportation, which includes school buses,” said Glasbrenner. “At this time there’s a federal mandate that there is masking on our school buses and so anybody getting transportation from the River Valley School District is asked to wear a mask on the bus and that’s not a part of our decision-making process, that’s a part of a federal mandated process that will be reviewed September 15th.”

The policy was approved unanimously.

Statement after the meeting In a statement sent out to families this week, available online, Glasbrenner outlined the plan the board approved, calling it a phased approach akin to layering up for winter.

“As we get more cases in our schools, we will add layers of protection,” said Glasbrenner. “The administrative team has deeply studied data, CDC, DHS, and DPI guidelines, county communication, and parent feedback. As many of you know, our local community spread in the area has been low all summer, but we have to be prepared in case there are spikes in

cases.”

The statement then outlined the phases: BLUE represents low transmission, YELLOW represents moderate transmission, ORANGE represents substantial transmission, and RED represents high transmission.

“Our School Board approved this approach utilizing a set number of positive cases per day, per school,” said Glasbrenner. “For example, if there are no reported cases, we will start the first day of school at the BLUE level at all three schools. But if within the first few days, let’s say our high school has multiple positive cases, we would notify students, staff and families that the following day, the River Valley High School would be switching from our BLUE phase to our YELLOW phase.”

The statement then outlined its ten-point “layers of protection,” ranging from: face coverings being recommended, to staying home when sick, to strategic cohorting, to possible on-site testing with parent permission, to physical changes in environment, to vaccinations (while stating COVID vaccination is not required, but has been recommended by the CDC, WI DHS and Sauk, Richland, and Iowa County Health Departments), to hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, to cleaning and disinfecting, signage and communication and finally to following guidelines on isolation, with only symptomatic and ill students being required to quarantine out of school.

Glasbrenner said the plan will be revisited as necessary, based on data.

“We understand that we have community members, families, students and staff members who may feel we should be doing things differently. This is not a perfect plan—and to our knowledge, there is no perfect plan that everyone will agree on,” said Glasbrenner. “The pandemic has taught us many things, and I am excited to welcome everyone back to school.

Never has the old saying, ‘It takes a village to raise a child,’ been more appropriate than now.”

Hiring The board took action to hire Whitney Bindl as Grade 1 teacher to replace Heather Obershaw, who transferred within the district. Bindl holds an Elementary Education/Social Studies degree from Augsburg College, a Masters of Education from Saint Mary’s University and a Reading 316 Certification from Viterbo University.

According to the district’s hiring summary, Bindl has a strong literacy background and brings 13 years of experience as a K/1 teacher and literacy coach. The position will be starting at a full time equivalency (FTE) of 100% and $56,000 salary.

Administrators report District administrators reported that they were getting ready for the school year to start, with an open house upcoming for the elementary school and high school sports practices starting.

Jennings also thanked River Valley School District Administrative Assistant Paula Wedige for 25 years of service to the district.

“There’s not enough ‘thank you’s’ in my vocabulary to tell her how much we appreciate her and everything she does for our district behind the scenes,” said Jennings. “Nobody really sees how much she does for us. We really appreciate you.”

Other items taken up by the board —The board approved a 2021-22 PSLO (Police School Liaison Officer) Services agreement for the upcoming school year. The district will make a payment of $14,400 based on a $20.00 per hour part time wage to the Spring Green Police Department on an annual basis for 20 hours per week during the school year.

—The board approved the 2021-22 All Staff Employee Handbook. Any changes had been addressed at other meetings and were consolidated.

—The board accepted the following gifts: the Athletic Booster Club donated $2,003 for a 10x20 EZ Up Tent to be used by the Track & Field and Cross Country Teams; $3,000 from Athletic Booster Club for East Gym upgrades, painting, and matting; a drone valued at $350 from the Scott Schuerman Estate for district use; $100 from Bethany Helmich for school supplies for families in need —The board approved 1st readings policies on: Distribution of Electronic and Printed Material, Academic Honors and High School Laude System, Organization for Instruction, School Day, Testing Programs of English Language Learner (ELL) Students, Testing of English Language Learner (ELL) Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Students, Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Program, Selection of Instructional Materials, Foster Care Children, Student Transportation Services, Employment References and Verification (Aiding and Abetting Sexual Abuse), Employee Compensation - Unexpected or Extraordinary Circumstances —The board heard a 2020-2021 Budget update. Krey reported that the budget actuals were close to being finalized, with a roughly $60,000 surplus expected, when the district had previously been projecting a $29,000 deficit.

More Info The meeting is viewable online on the district YouTube page at: youtu.be/cbOTJd3-cuA COVID-19 information and numbers related to the school district will be updated daily at: rvschools.org/district/rvcovidupdates.cfm

School activities this week Football: Varsity Game River Valley High School Friday, August 20, 7:00 p.m.

Volleyball: Girls Varsity Scrimmage Waunakee High School Saturday, August 21, 9:00 a.m.

Volleyball: Girls JV2 Scrimmage River Valley High School Tuesday, August 24, 5:00 p.m.

Volleyball: Girls JV2 Scrimmage River Ridge School District Saturday, August 21, 9:00 a.m.

Swimming: Girls Varsity Invitational Milton High School Saturday, August 21, 10:00 a.m.

Volleyball: Girls JV Scrimmage River Valley High School Tuesday, August 24, 5:00 p.m.

Volleyball: Girls JV Scrimmage River Valley High School Saturday, August 21, 9:00 a.m.

Football: JV Game Edgewood High School Monday, August 23, 5:00 p.m.

Volleyball: Girls Fr/So Scrimmage River Valley High School Tuesday, August 24, 5:00 p.m.

Volleyball: Girls Fr/So Scrimmage Saturday, August 21, 9:00 a.m.

River Valley High School

Soccer: Boys JV Game Wisconsin Heights High School Tuesday, August 24, 5:00 p.m.

Volleyball: Girls Varsity Scrimmage River Valley High School Tuesday, August 24, 5:00 p.m.

Cross Country: Varsity Meet UW River Falls Thursday, August 26, 4:00 p.m.

Soccer: Boys Varsity Game River Valley Elementary School Field Soccer Thursday, August 26, 5:00 p.m.

Soccer: Boys JV Game River Valley Elementary School Field Soccer Thursday, August 26, 6:45 p.m.

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Community

Page 12 WednesdaY, AUGUST 18, 2021

COVID-19 Dashboard Wisconsin Summary

640,248 Positive Cases

Cases as of 8/17/2021

+8,498 from 8/10

3,090,475 Negative Test Results +27,088 from 8/10

7,483 Deaths +24 from 8/10

Vaccine Summary Statistics Updated: 8/17/2021

5,957,400 Administered

3,310,916

2,397,768

Pfizer doses administered

248,716

Moderna doses administered

Johnson & Johnson doses administered

Vaccine Data

These two core measures are all measures of herd immunity in Richland, Sauk and Iowa County. We do not yet know what level of vaccination leads to herd immunity for COVID-19, or how current or future variants might affect herd immunity. We know based on other diseases that herd immunity is likely at least 60%, and if more transmissible variants become more common, that threshold may become higher, so our current target range is 60-90%.

-Madison Public Health and Dane County

Richland County

1,385 Positive Cases +11 from 8/10 8,408 Negative Tests +56 from 8/10 16 Death +0 from 8/10

Richland

Sauk

Target Range

51.5%

Iowa County

2,160 Positive Cases +41 from 8/10 12,334 Negative Tests +89 from 8/10 13 Deaths +0 from 8/10 Sauk County 6,260 Positive Cases +80 from 8/10 37,671 Negative Tests +258 from 8/10 52 Deaths +0 from 8/10

55.2%

Percent with at least one vaccine dose

Percent with at least one vaccine dose

51.6%

48.6%

Percent fully vaccinated

Target Range

Percent fully vaccinated

Iowa

Target Range

60.9%

Percent with at least one vaccine dose

58.3%

Percent fully vaccinated

Percent of Wisconsin residents ages 12-15 who have received at least one dose by county

Cases per zip code Cases as of 8/17/2021

Updated: 8/17/2021

Lower %

Higher %

Richland County Ages 12-15 34.5%

Iowa County Ages 12-15

Percent of Wisconsin residents who have received at least one dose

46.9%

Sauk County Ages 12-15

Ages

12-15

38%

16-17

18-24

Dane County

Ages 12-15 72.6%

Graphic by Whitney Back

25-34

35-44

Updated: 8/17/2021 38.5%

46% 46.7% 51%

45-54 55-64 65+

Data From: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/index.htm

58.9%

60.9%

70.7% 84.3%