A review of the top news headlines for October, November and December 2019 – Tribune Press Reporter
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OCTOBER
October 2: FIRE DESTROYS VACANT FARMHOUSE IN SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP: Fire destroyed a vacant farmhouse at 1176 Rustic Road Four in Springfield Township Thursday afternoon, September 26th. The Glenwood City Fire Department received the call at about 5 p.m. and responding firefighters found the building entirely engulfed in flames when they arrived at the scene. Carol Belch and Troy Butler own the property. Fire fighting units from Boyceville and Woodville assisted Glenwood City fighters, and the fire did not spread to any other property, and no injuries were reported.
CITY AND CHAMBER HOLD BRAINSTORMING SESSION IN REGARDS TO OLD SCHOOL BUILDING: The city council and members of the Glenwood City Area Chamber of Commerce met for a brainstorming session to make some headway on what to do with the old school on the hill along Oak Street. The Chamber’s vision would be “To develop the old school into three distinct but interrelated entities; municipal building, Center for the Arts with theater and gymnasium, and a business center.” The council seemed to agree with having a survey of the community to see what course of action to take.
GC HOMECOMING ROYALTY CROWNED: The Glenwood City High School Homecoming king and queen were crowned Monday afternoon, September 30. Seniors Nick Melendrez and Makiah Schutz were chosen as the 2019 homecoming king and queen.
TORNADO RIPS THROUGH TOWN OF WHEATON: According to the National Weather Service, an EF3 tornado touched down in the Town of Wheaton at 7:50 p.m. on Tuesday evening, September 24. The tornado warnings began just after 7 p.m. Tuesday evening as far away as St. Croix County and extended to Eau Claire County. The destruction of buildings could be seen by those driving along 29, as the trailer park and several homes were brought down during the tornado.
RASSBACH NAMED AS UW-STOUT AMBASSADOR: Glenwood City graduate Natasha Rassbach has been named one of University of Wisconsin-Stout’s student ambassadors for the 2019-2020 academic year. Rassbach, who was chosen for the honor for a second consecutive year, was among 14 selected to serve as a student ambassaors for this academic year. Rassbach, who is from Downing, is a senior majoring in early childhood education. She is the daughter of Dustin and Traci Rassbach.
October 9: SUSPECT STILL ON THE LOOSE IN BOYCEVILLE BANK ROBBERY: There was a strong police presence in Boyceville Tuesday morning, October 1, after a call came in at 8:27 a.m. about an armed robbery that had just taken place at Peoples State Bank in Boyceville. Multiple law enforcement agencies responded. The suspect is described as a white male in his mid-20s, approximately 5’9”, stocky build, and wearing a tan jacket over a gray hooded sweatshirt.
GLENWOOD MAN FOUND SUBMERGED IN NEW RICHMOND LAKE: One adult male was found deceased inside of a vehicle that was partially submerged in Hatfield Lake. The New Richmond police department had received notification at 9:29 a.m. Monday, October 7, that a vehicle was seen in Hatfield Lake partially submerged. Upon arrival police, fire and EMS personnel located one adult male that was deceased in the vehicle. The man was later identified as Kevin A. Bonte, 51, of Glenwood City, Wisconsin.
DOWNING CAFÉ CLOSED: The Downing Café, located at 306 Main Street in Downing has been closed since the first of October. A post on Facebook stated the following: “The Downing Café will be closed permanently due to water damage that can’t get fixed. Sorry for any inconveniences.”
BOYCEVILLE CANCELS CONTRACT FOR CODE SERVICE: The Boyceville Village Board approved canceling the contract with Community Code Services at Monday night’s meeting. Several board members noted Community Code Services has breached the contract with the village. The Boyceville Village Board unanimously approved terminating the contract with Community Code Services and authorized Lee to find more options for code services that the village board could consider at next month’s meeting.
October 16: SUSPECT CAPTURED: The suspect in the Elk Mound U-Fuel and Peoples State Bank robberies, identified as David JR Hoffmann, was taken into custody Friday, October 11 shorlty after he robbed the U-Fuel convenience store. Dunn County Judge Rod Smeltzer has set bail at $10,000 cash for Hoffman at a hearing in Dunn County Circuit Court Monday, October 14.
NEW AMBULANCE UNIT FOR GC EMS: The Glenwood City Ambulance Service took delivery of a replacement unit last Thursday, October 10. The City of Glenwood City purchased the unit for $30,000 from the City of Hudson after it recently dissolved the city-owned St. Croix EMS. Once the vehicle is decaled with the Glenwood City EMS name and design, it will put into service and become the new back-up unit (#5701) replacing the 1996 vehicle.
GLENWOOD MAN SENTECED FOR KNIFE INCIDENT: Ronald Alan Gast, 72, Glenwood City, had felony charges of first-degree recklessly endangering safety and aggravated battery — both with the use of a dangerous weapon modifier — dismissed. Gast, who lived in Emerald at the time of the incident, was sentenced to 60 days in jail and received credit for 46 days served. Ronald Gast told deputies multiple times after the incident that he believed it was a case of sibling rivalry, as Randal Gast assumed guardianship over the brothers’ mother’s estate, which included the Emerald home she shared with Ronald Gast. Randal Gast told authorities he planned to sell the home and his brother was informed he needed to find another place to live.
BOYCEVILLE TO INCREASE MILL RATE BY 8.4 PERCENT: The Boyceville School District is looking at an 8.4 percent increase in the mill rate and levy from the 2018-19 school year as the district will look to levy $3,064,856. The Boyceville Board of Education met on Wednesday evening, October 9, for their annual and budget meetings to discuss the increase to the amount levied for the district.
October 23: ROBBER WAS USING BORROWED VEHICLE: Daniel J.R. Hoffman, a 21-year-old Wheeler man charged with two counts of armed robbery at Peoples State Bank in Boyceville and at U-Fuel near Elk Mound, was driving an older Ford Escape he had borrowed. Hoffman is charged with two felony counts of armed robbery with the use of a dangerous weapon. According to the criminal complaints, Hoffman admitted to investigators he had robbed both Peoples State Bank and U-Fuel.
GC COUNCIL APPROVES NEW SEWER AGREEMENT WITH DOWNING: The Glenwood City Council approved a new 20-year sewer agreement with the Village of Downing at Monday night’s meeting. After the initial 20-year period, the agreement will be reviewed every five years, said Kevin Oium of Cedar Corporation. For between six months and a year, the agreement has been a work in progress among the city’s attorney, the city’s auditor, Downing officials, city staff and Mayor John Larson, he said. Downing currently has 97 users (17 percent), and Glenwood City has 490 users (83) percent.
BOYCEVILLE APPROVED AMBULANCE BUDGET: The Boyceville Community Ambulance District board has approved a budget of $466,122 for 2020. The 2020 budget is $1,000 less than last year’s budget, said Matt Feeney, ambulance service director, at the Boyceville ambulance district’s quarterly meeting October 16.
October 30: GC BOARD APPROVES LEVY: In a brief Board of Education meeting on Monday evening, October 28, the levy and mill rate were approved for the 2019-20 school year. Superintendent Tim Johnson asked the board to approve the $2,652,974 levy that does include two referendums that were approved during April of 2015.
BOYCEVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT RECEIVES GRANT: For the second year in a row the Boyceville School District has received the Mayo Hometown Health Grant. The Boyceville Board of Education learned about the Mayo grant at the October 23 meeting, and was also updated on the monies received for the Resilience/Health Realization program totaling $78,800 since 2017.
NOVEMBER
November 6: JURY FINDS MCCANDLESS GUILTY: Following a three-week trial, a Dunn County jury has found Ezra J. McCandless guilty of first degree intentional homicide in the death of Alexander Woodworth in the Town of Spring Brook in March of 2018. Judge James Peterson excused the jury to deliberate at 4:57 p.m. Friday, November 1, and the jury returned with a verdict of guilty at 8:23 p.m.
LADY TOPPERS FINISH SIXTH AT STATE: The Glenwood City Hilltopper Girls’ Cross Country team ran to a sixth-place finish in the WIAA Division 3 Girls’ State Cross Country meet held this past Saturday, November 2nd at the Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin Rapids. This was the team’s sixth consecutive trip to the state meet and the best finish in as many years.
AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY CELEBRATES 100 YEARS: On Nov. 10, 1919 The American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) was formed as an affiliate of The American Legion. For 100 years, the ALA has supported America’s veterans, servicemembers, and their families – putting service before self. ALA members volunteer millions of hours annually, with a value averaging $1.1 billion each year on supporting veterans, military, and their families and community projects.
November 13: SCHOOL BOARD ACCEPTS DONATIONS FROM GUSTS: The Board of Education met on Monday evening, November 11, and during the consent agenda accepted the donation of $100,000 from Patricia and Laverne Gust for the Class of 1947 Scholarship. The donation has been put into a fund at Hiawatha National Bank and will gain 2.5 percent interest, which is a similar set up as other scholarship accounts held at the bank.
LAKE FAMILY FARMS AWARDED 2019 LEOPOLD CONSERVATION AWARD: Jeff and Kelley Lake of Boyceville were the receipients of the 2019 Leopold Award.
PUMP HOUSE MANAGER RAISES OVER $2,500 FOR St. JUDE’S: Laurie Stewart, manager of the Pump House in Downing surpassed her goal of raising, more money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Her goal was to raise more donations that she did last year, she topped her goal of $2,302 by raising $2,550 for the Hospital. Bill’s Distributing of Menomonie is the sponsor of the annual fundraiser from Coors.
BOYCEVILLE VILLAGE BOARD MOVES AHEAD WITH PROJECTS: The Boyceville Village Board heard updates on current projects and approved several more at the their regular monthly meeting, Monday, November 11th. The board heard about updates on the Main Street Project, Charlotte Street, and the demolition of the old feed mill. They also approved streetlights on Charlotte, listing lots for sale along Charlotte Street and applying for a grant to extend Sykora Lane.
November 20: BOYCEVILLE AMBULANCE ORDERS AUDIT, PLACES DIRECTOR ON LEAVE: The Boyceville Ambulance District Board of Directors has ordered a full audit of the district’s finances for 2016, 2017 and 2018 and has placed EMS Chief Matthew Feeney and Captain Tessa Feeney on administrative leave. Although the Boyceville ambulance district board had decided to meet quarterly rather than monthly, with the next meeting scheduled for January 15, the ambulance district board met November 13. Gilbert Krueger, chair of the ambulance district board and Boyceville village president, said with all of the “turmoil” going on in the ambulance district, he believed it best to go back to monthly meetings for the time being.
ASBESTOS REMOVAL TO COST $76,000: The Glenwood City Council learned that a cost estimate for asbestos abatement at the old school could be $76,000. Kevin Oium from Cedar Corporation gave that news to the Council at their regular monthly meeting of November 18. Oium noted that this was just an estimate from an abatement contractor that they have worked with.
WILSON NITE CLUB OWNER PLEADS TO ORDINANCE VIOLATION: Amanda K. Hillstead of Glenwood City, the owner of the Wilson Nite Club, who is accused of felony fraud against a financial institution, has finished paying restitution and has pleaded “no contest” and been found guilty of an ordinance violation for removal of property. Hillstead appeared in Dunn County Circuit Court November 4 before Judge Rod Smeltzer.
B FIT GYM OPENS IN BOYCEVILLE: After a long year that began in December of 2018, B Fit gym owners Eric and Terra Engeman opened their doors with a soft opening on Wednesday, November 6. The new fitness center is located at the corner of Main and East Streets in Boyceville and will host a grand opening on Saturday, November 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
BOYCEVILLE WOMAN ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH EMACIATED DOG: Anne Marie Iehl of Boyceville has been arrested in connection with an emaciated dog turned into the Dunn County Humane Society on November 1. According to a criminal referral from the Boyceville Police Department, Boyceville Police Chief Greg Lamkin arrested Anne Marie Iehl November 11 and made a referral to the Dunn County District Attorney’s office for charging Iehl with one felony count of mistreating an animal causing disfigurement and one misdemeanor count of not providing proper food or drink to a confined animal.
November 27: BOYCEVILLE TCE EARNS NATIONAL AWARD: The Board of Education learned that Boyceville’s Tiffany Creek Elementary has earned the National Blue Ribbon Award and is one of eight in the state. Mr. Kaiser, superintendent, along with third grade teacher Shannon Bignell and second grade teacher Amy Carlson-Phillips, traveled to Washington D.C. to accept the award, and also to attend breakout sessions. The Award is presented to schools based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among students.
FLETTRE’S GIFTS AND THRIFTS GRAND OPENING: For Jeff Flettre and his family, the thought of opening a shop in town that offered shabby chic or the choice of something new wasn’t a hard decision after the recent purchase of what was The Sophisticated Lady. The Flettres started out of their home when they had purchased items from an estate sale, but they were unaware of the 30-foot storage unit that had been included in the sale.
FIRE DESTROYS WHEELER HOME: A fire in the village of Wheeler completely destroyed a 14 x 70 foot mobile home on Friday, November 22. The Dunn County Communication Center was notified at 10:23 a.m. for a fire at 107 South Hillside Drive. Fred E. Lunsman, Jr. and Stephanie Lynn Roth were listed as the owners, and were not at home at the time and a neighbor called 911 to report the fire. The cause of the fire has not been determined. Firefighters from Menomonie, Glenwood City, Sand Creek and Colfax assisted the Boyceville Department at the scene. No injuries reported.
DECEMBER
December 4: ENGEL TO SERVE AS INTERN TO U.S. SENATOR: Maxwell Engel, 2017 Boyceville High School graduate, will be headed to Washington D.C. to intern for U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, Wisconsin, beginning in January of 2020.
GC NHS HOSTS JUNK TRUNK CAMPAIGN: With winter upon us, the Glenwood City High School National Honor Society (NHS) hosted the Trunk Junk campaign on Thursday, November 21, and passed out several items to students who drive themselves to school each day. The purpose of the campaign is to help teens be mindful of the winter driving conditions by cleaning out their trunks and back seats, according to high school principal Patrick Gretzlock.
ZUREK SENTENCED TO PRISON: Gunnar D. Zurek of Elk Mound has been sentenced to more than six years in prison for the death of his girlfriend in a Town of Tainter car crash has been sentenced to more prison time for child abuse. Zurek, who was initially charged with two felony counts of the repeated sexual assault of the same child, appeared in Dunn County Circuit Court November 20 with his attorney, Michael Rajek, for a plea hearing before Judge Rod Smeltzer.
EMERALD UMC HOLDS FINAL SERVICE: The Emerald United Methodist Church held one final service Sunday afternoon, November 18 before shuttering its doors. Dwindling membership and financial resources brought about the decision to close the church.
December 11: BOYCEVILLE ACCEPTS BID TO DEMOLISH OLD FEED MILL: The Boyceville Village Board has accepted the low bid of $50,750 from R.M. Schlosser Excavating out of Durand to demolish the old feed mill at 910 Main Street. The village received several bids to demolish the feed mill with a difference of about $75,000 between the low bid and the high bid, said Gilbert Krueger, village president, at the Boyceville Village Board’s Monday night meeting (December 9).
GLENWOOD CITY COUNCIL APPROVES 40% RATE INCREASE FOR SEWER UTILITY: In order to pay for the $2.3 million dollar upgrade to the City’s Waste Water Treatment facility, the City council approved a 40 percent increase in the rate for local customers. The new rate will go into effect on January 1, 2020 and will appear on the billing at the end of March.
JUDGE FINDS PROBABLY CAUSE IN VOELTZ OWI CASE: A Dunn County judge has found probable cause in a case involving Nathan S. Voeltz of Glenwood City, who has been charged with a fifth offense of operating a vehicle while intoxicated in connection with driving a moped in Menomonie. Voeltz appeared in Dunn County Circuit Court December 3 before Judge Rod W. Smeltzer with his attorney, Lynne McMullen, for a preliminary hearing.
December 18: REMEMBERING CHRISTMASES PAST: The following area people are featured in our annual remembrances of Christmases Past: Pastor Samuel Subramanian, Ruth Huber, Don & Leona Ubbelhode, Orville & Louise Jeske, Bob & Lynda Bird, and Paula & Carlton DeWitt.
BOYCEVILLE’S NEW FIRE STATION TO BE COMPLETED FRIDAY: Boyceville’s new $1.6 million fire station is expected to be completed by Friday, December 20. Cory Green, Boyceville fire chief, reported at the Boyceville Community Fire District’s Board of Directors meeting December 11 that he was “still” being told the fire station would be done by the following Friday. The final payment on the fire station will not be made until spring after the site has been completely leveled and the landscaping is completed, Green said. The total amount of sales tax savings on the fire station is $30,725, he noted.
BALDWIN MAN SENTENCED FOR DEFRAUDING CLIENTS: Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Jamie Smith, 42, Baldwin, Wisconsin, was sentenced December 11 by U.S. District Judge William Conley to 54 months in federal prison for mail fraud. Smith pleaded guilty to this charge on September 17, 2019. Smith owned and operated two precious metals brokerages houses in Hudson, Wisconsin from 2014 to 2017, called American Platinum Gold & Silver, Inc., and American Independent Gold & Silver, Inc.
December 25: BOCYEVILLE SCHOOLS RECEIVE GRANT MONEY FOR SCIENCE PROGRAMS: Boyceville School District recently received two grants totaling up to $14,359 from the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) and Don and Marilyn Fanetti. The Fanettis donated a sum of $10,000 to help support the Science Olympiad program, 3-D printing, and STEM-related initiatives. This grant is handled by the Community Foundation of Dunn County, and is made possible by the generosity of Marilyn and her late husband Don.
THREE BUCKS SEIZED: On Tuesday, November 26, Conservation Wardens seized three bucks believed to have been illegally killed in northern Dunn County during the fall of 2019. The suspect in the case is a repeat offender for deer poaching and related activity, no formal charges have been filed yet by the Dunn County District Attorney’s office.
OLSON HONORED: Bemidji State University (BSU) alumna Holly (Logghe) Olson, class of 1997, received two honors when alumni gathered for a three day weekend, August 23-25, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of BSU Women’s Athletics. Olson received All 30th Anniversary Team and All NCAA-Era Team and was also awarded a chenille “B” for her participation in Beaver athletics.
