Built in 1922, many children, teachers, parents, and community members have walked the halls of St. Anthony's School in Park Falls, leaving their mark on the school and taking the memories with them.
Photo by: Jerry Weber
However, 100 years later, the school faces demolition.
Father Shaji admits this was a difficult decision. "The parish and finance council looked at three different possibilities for the school building - reopen, sell, or raze."
To determine if reopening was feasible, in December 2021, families were sent a survey. 115 families replied with 43 wanting the school to reopen, 55 not wanting it to reopen, and 17 were undecided. If a plan could be made to reopen the school, various people stated they would donate over a million dollars to the project. However, an additional two million dollars were needed for a fund to be able to keep the school running well rather than being back in the same financial position within two years. Along with the lack of funding, the limited number of children that would be attending the school did not allow for a viable plan.
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The cost of maintaining the building is also high, costing $40,000 to $45,000 per year for water, sewer, electricity, gas, insurance, and emergency repairs. Major repairs were not even considered in the annual cost of maintenance. Major repairs include the roof, a heating system, and the walls (which are structurally okay but need work due to water damage), just to name a few.
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As for selling, a number of people showed interest in buying the building to use as apartments, a community center, YMCA, and other uses. One company offered a purchase agreement of $150,000 or provide residence for the priest in order to purchase the school and the rectory to create apartments. However, this would mean the St. Anthony of Padua parish would be left with a church building and a parking lot. Looking to the future, there would not be land space left for any future plans.
Razing the building has a high cost. The lowest cost proposal was for $300,000. The parish will need to take out a loan to complete the demolition. However, this is the recommendation that was made by the parish and finance council. Father Shaji sent the recommendation to the Bishop, and St. Anthony Corporate Board approved it. This is a final decision, and as soon as the asbestos abatement company gives the date they will be removing the asbestos, the demolition company will be ready. Demolition will take about two months. "It was not an easy decision, but we pray and trust in the guidance of the Holy Spirit that we made the best decision in a given situation," Father Shaji stated. He would appreciate any donations or offers of a loan from anyone willing to help.
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Father Shaji added that, since the school closed in 2017, the parishioners were informed of the options for its future. People had an opportunity to come up with a plan, but a feasible plan could not be found. The decision was not made lightly. He stated the future is bright given they will still have the land for future projects. For example, they may choose to build a new school at some point in the future or they may do something else favorable with the land. They have plenty of ideas but no solid plans yet.
During My Price County's Spotlight interview with Toni Brendel, https://www.mynorthernwisconsin.com/news...d-133.html, she reminisced about the fair from days gone by. "The Price County Fair was possibly the most exciting and interesting event of the year. And there were many more entries early on than there are today. The 4-H Clubs were very popular, and beautiful crops and flowers were on display at the fair. Many calves, lambs, goats, rabbits, and an assortment of chickens were brought in to be judged, by area farmers and their children. The Price County Homemakers were very active and they worked hard on their displays of vegetables, garments, handiwork, and other crafts that were then judged for 1st, 2nd, or 3rd prizes. In addition to the coveted ribbon prizes, there were small amounts of money given, as well. The Price County Fair Board hired a carnival with rides, not so daring as today, and hawkers shouted out the great deals they had in store for those who passed by. Little children could be seen hugging their prizes if they were lucky enough to win a stuffed animal, but most prizes were smaller and quite trite, but it was a token, anyway."
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Michelle Drobnik, Price County Fair Board president, and one of the five volunteer board members, remembers her younger years at the fair. "One of my favorite parts growing up was the connecting with people that you didn’t see all summer or the people you only saw at the fair. It brings a lot of youth together from the county that otherwise only see each other during school events. Showing our animals and playing the games and riding rides made the time sure go quick! It was the best way to send us back to school!"
While the fair has changed some over the years, the premise is the same, which is bringing the community together to enjoy entertainment, compete for various prizes, and showcase our area.
This year's fair will take place from Wednesday, August 24th through Sunday, August 28th. Admission is free on Wednesday, but there are no carnival rides that day. Wednesday is entry day and face-to-face judging.
Gate admission for the remaining days is $5 without rides or $15 with rides. Children two and under receive free admission. Carnival rides and the Phillips Children's Museum will be on site.
On Thursday, the opening ceremony will be held at 9 a.m. in the Old Log School. At 5 p.m., enjoy a karaoke contest at Center Stage and the 4-H Gymkana Show at the horse arena.
Friday through Sunday will feature Half Twisted Half Knot, a balloon act.
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On Friday, the 4-H show will take place in the horse arena and the ever-popular 4-H Market Animal Sale will be held under the tent (as the barn is still closed). Cap off the night with Tom Katalin and Highway 41 band at Center Stage at 8 p.m.
The Open Horse Show will be in the horse arena on Saturday at 10 a.m. In the Expo Building, there will be the NCCU Saw Dust Dig at 1 p.m. The Kiddie Tractor Pull will take place at 6 p.m., and the First Hand High Band will take Center Stage at 8 p.m.
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Road work will take place on US 8 near the Scott Creek and Little Somo River areas northwest of Tomahawk. Crews will replace culverts at the Little Somo River Bridge and Scott Creek. They will also pave the highway in work areas and replace guardrails. Work will begin on August 22, 2022 and continue through August 2023. Traffic will be reduced to single lanes in areas of the work zone.
The first location involves County P to USH 45 North in Monico. Crews will remove some of the existing asphalt and install new asphalt, replace culverts as needed, and update guardrails and thermoplastic snowmobile crossings now through November 15, 2022. Traffic will be reduced to single lanes in areas of the work zone.
The second location is the Scott Creek and Little Somo River areas northwest of Tomahawk. Crews will replace culverts at the Little Somo River Bridge and Scott Creek. They will also pave the highway in work sites and replace guardrails. Work will begin on August 22, 2022 and continue through August 2023. Traffic will be reduced to single lanes in areas of the work zone.
A new event, Phillips on Tap, will be held in Elk Lake Park starting at 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 20, 2022.
Food, beer, and wine will be available starting at 4 p.m. Local vendors will be on site selling food and non-alcoholic drinks in the park. Alcoholic beverages will be available in the Taproom Tent. In the tent will be six breweries from across Wisconsin.
In order to purchase alcoholic beverages, an ID will be necessary. Once the ID is checked, each person will be issued a wristband.
There is limited seating at the event, so event goers are encouraged to bring their own chairs or blankets.
Music by Pacific Coast Highway will start at 5 p.m. on the stage.
In case of severe weather, the event will be moved to the Phillips Municipal Center.
Phillips-Medisize, with northwoods locations in Phillips and Medford, Wisconsin, is a world-wide contract development and manufacturing organization.
As per the announcement from the company on Thursday, August 18, 2022, there are plans to close the Medford location, phasing out operations by the end of 2023. There are currently 170 employees at the Medford location.
Production will be moved to the facilities in Phillips, which already has the capabilities to support the company's future goals.
There are other Phillips-Medisize locations in Wisconsin that have job openings, and employees of the Medford location are encouraged to seek employment at those locations, along with subsidiaries of the company.
The company is focused on severance packages and assisting employees during the transition.
Road work will be done in southern Price County from the Taylor County line to County A North. The work is scheduled to begin on August 31, 2022.
The $4.1 million project includes the removal of a portion of the existing pavement, placement of new asphalt, replacement of two culverts, adjustment to guardrails, and placement of new pavement markings.
During road work, traffic will be reduced to one lane of traffic with flagging operations. Vehicles will travel on a gravel road during culvert replacement for a short time. Ramps at the intersection of WIS 13 and US 8 will be closed for a short time during the paving process, though ramp closures will be staggered.
Barring unforeseen weather or construction issues, the project should be finished in October 2022.
Reports received by the police departments in Price County for the month have been condensed and summarized.
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PRICE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
7/4/22 - The Tomahawk Police Department reported a 17 year old had come to the clinic there to report a sexual assault that allegedly occurred in Price County.
7/4/22 - An anonymous caller requested an animal welfare check on cows in Kennan as the person did not see adequate food or water out for the cows.
7/6/22 - A Park Falls man sent many letters to the Price County Sheriff's Office regarding concerns for this cat after a recent visit to a veterinarian.
7/8/22 - A man reported his power of attorney stole his COVID-19 stimulus money.
7/9/22 - A man reported a two vehicle accident by Dama Road in Phillips. No one was injured, but there was blockage to the roadway.
7/9/22 - A man reported a vehicle driving dangerously on State Hwy. 111. The driver crossed the center line, the fog line, and hit the gravel. The vehicle turned north onto Hwy. 13 traveling at a high speed and weaving. An officer located the vehicle north of Short Cut Road in Phillips.
7/10/22 - A woman from Minnesota called with concern that her boyfriend may have killed himself as his Internet search history showed he looked for ways to kill himself and remote camping locations in the Phillips area, along with information on a local motel. The van was found at a local motel.
7/11/22 - A woman reported seeing another woman put her hands on a juvenile's neck and throat until the child's face turned blue at a baseball game. Oneida County Sheriff's Office stated they took pictures of the child but there was nothing to the pictures.
7/12/22 - A woman reported an abandoned property in Catawba where she believed chickens had been locked in a shed for about a month.
7/12/22 - Someone reported a dog was left in a kennel in a residence without adequate food or water and unsanitary conditions.
7/15/22 - A woman reported someone was in the rafters of her garage.
7/18/22 - A woman reported a younger male who appeared to be passed out in the Elk Lake Park pavilion. The individual was breathing and moving slightly, so it was possible he was sleeping.
7/20/22 - A man reported he was being harassed by another man. He stated the man has tried to contact him in person, by phone, by mail, and that the man was also posting incorrect information about him on social media.
7/21/22 - A woman reported that three men attempted to lure her eight year old granddaughter and her seven year old friend to their campsite in the Township of Worcester. The woman's husband and others confronted the men, but they left in a pick-up truck. The men seemed intoxicated.
7/22/22 - A woman reported a two vehicle accident in the Township of Worcester. There were no injuries.
7/24/22 - A man reported his girlfriend assaulted him.
7/24/22 - A woman reported a female was passed out in a vehicle at a campground in Phillips.
The Price County Sheriff's Office did not send the reports for the rest of the month as of the time of this publication, so a summary of those reports are omitted.
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PHILLIPS POLICE DEPARTMENT
7/3/22 - Dispatched to emergency medical situation for a subject at Elk Lake Park. Phillips Police assisted the patient until Central Price County Ambulance Service arrived.
7/3/22 - Requested to meet with an adult male who was staying at a cabin in the county. The adult male stated that he was concerned as he had heard footsteps and believed that there was someone in his cabin. The officer responded to the cabin and performed a security check of the building and did not locate anything.
7/4/22 - Requested to respond to a residence in the county for an adult male that had accidentally stabbed himself with a knife. The adult male was evaluated by EMS and the adult male refused transportation to the hospital.
7/4/22 - Received a report of a black bear running in a residential area. Officers were able to get the bear out of the city and away from Elk Lake Park where people were gathering for Independence Day festivities.
7/7/22 - Investigated a report of theft at an apartment complex.
7/7/22 - Received a report of a man who entered the nursing home intoxicated and looking for painkillers. Police searched the area but did not locate the man.
7/8/22 - Took a report of two 100 dollar bills passed at a bank in the last two weeks.
7/8/22 - Spoke with a male juvenile and his parents because the male juvenile was riding his electric skateboard in the middle of the city street.
7/12/22 - Investigated an adult female who is on the Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry who was trying to live in the City of Phillips. An officer explained she is prohibited from living in the City of Phillips and needs to find housing outside the city limits.
7/18/22 - Received a complaint of a man sleeping on the floor of Elk Lake pavilion. The man was intoxicated. The man was on probation and in violation of his rules. An officer transported an adult male to the jail where the man was placed on a probation hold.
7/18/22 - A woman reported children doing damage at Elk Lake Park. An officer spoke with the children and their parents and had the children clean up the mess they made.
7/22/22 - Spoke with a man who was walking along the road carrying a billboard sign protesting the FBI.
7/23/22 - Contacted about a complaint of a vibrating bed. The caller felt a roommate was harassing her. Police spoke with all parties and the situation was resolved.
7/23/22 - Received a report of a black bear near the community pool.
7/23/22 - Received a complaint from a man referencing a property line dispute.
7/24/22 - Stopped a vehicle for passing another vehicle on the right at an intersection. An officer stopped the vehicle and explained the law violation. The driver was given a written warning for passing on the right at an intersection.
7/24/22 - Received a complaint that a woman had left her dog in her apartment for over a day. An officer arrived and learned the dog's owner had left the prior evening and was just returning but the dog had adequate food and water in its large kennel.
7/27/22 - A man was picking apples off a tree that did not belong to him. The man stated he was homeless but did not want the ride to Sawyer County that was offered by the sheriff's department.
7/27/22 - A call was received about a man staying at a laundromat. The owner did not want him there. An officer checked several times that night and did not find the man at the laundromat.
7/28/22 - A man reported a domestic incident that occurred between him and his brother. Since the incident occurred outside of the city, the officer took photos of the injuries and relayed the information to the sheriff's department.
7/30/22 - A downed power line started a small fire. The homeowner was able to put the fire out before police arrived, and the power company was contacted to fix the power line.
7/30/22 - It was reported that individuals were attempting to pass a counterfeit fifty dollar bill at a business. The individuals were located. The incident is under investigation.
7/31/22 - An officer stopped at a restaurant on North Lake Avenue as there was an obscene message on their sign. The officer tried to make contact with the business owners without success. When the officer arrived back a short time later, the message had been taken down.
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PARK FALLS POLICE DEPARTMENT
7/3/22 - An officer responded to a criminal damage and theft complaint. A neighborhood canvas was going to be conducted to locate possible witnesses.
7/6/22 - An officer responded to a dog complaint of a dog in a vacant building. Police discovered the dog and owner were in the building. A civil matter between the landlord and tenant is ongoing.
7/7/22 - An officer received a complaint of a possible animal abuse that occurred the prior night.
7/7/22 - An officer received a dispatch regarding a motorized bicycle striking a vehicle. The cyclist was transported to the medical center. There was damage to the rear passenger side window and door of the vehicle.
7/7/22 - An officer was called to the medical center due to a female patient, that was being transported to the emergency room via the Prentice Ambulance, who was spitting, yelling, and trying to hit EMS crew.
7/8/22 - An officer assisted a landlord in issuing a 5-day notice to "pay rent or vacate the premises" document on a tenant.
7/11/22 - A child safety concern was forwarded to Price County Human Services.
7/15/22 - A female was in a gas station parking lot and appeared to be left behind by a male. Consensual contact was made, and the female stated she was okay.
7/17/22 - An officer was requested in the ER for a possible elder abuse case. An officer responded and conducted an interview with the victim and the victim's son. A referral was forwarded to Price County Human Services.
7/17/22 - An officer received a burglary complaint.
7/17/22 - An officer received a call from a bar regarding a man throwing a chair and shattering the glass on the jukebox, and the owner wanted to press charges. The man left prior to the officer arriving. It was discovered that the man has a warrant for his arrest, but officers were unable to locate him at that time.
7/21/22 - An officer observed a woman who was attempting to urinate on private property. The woman then went to the bathroom at a bar. Upon investigation, the officer determined the woman did not urinate on private property.
7/23/22 - An officer observed four juveniles at Hines Park pavilion. All four were warned about curfew violations and parents were notified.
7/23/22 - During a traffic stop, the female driver told officers her boyfriend's current location, and that man had a current warrant for his arrest. Officers went to the residence and arrested the man without incident.
7/29/22 - A man was reported as possibly urinating on private property in view of the public. Another caller reported the same man was lying in the roadway. An officer provided a ride to a residence.
7/29/22 - It was reported that a toilet was near a roadway for three days.
7/31/22 - A bartender reported a disorderly person upset about the bar being closed. The person was intoxicated and left in a vehicle, but the vehicle was not able to be located by police.
On August 8th, 2022 at around 8:48 a.m., the Ashland County Communications Center received a report of an unoccupied boat that had washed ashore. Efforts to contact the owner of the boat were unsuccessful, and a search of the area began.
According to witness accounts, the boat had last been seen in the water on the afternoon of August 7th with a single occupant.
Responders searched the shoreline and off-shore area through August 11th, concentrating efforts on areas of interest near Second Landing. That evening, around 8:00 p.m., the owner of the boat, John Stanslaski, 60, of Ashland, Wisconsin, was found deceased on the shore approximately 1/2 mile from where his boat was recovered.
The Ashland County Sheriff’s Office extends our deepest condolences to Stanslaski’s family for their tragic loss.
Search efforts were conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the United States Coast Guard, the National Parks Service, the Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission, Xcel Energy, Enbridge, Ashland County Emergency Management, Wisconsin Emergency Management, the Wisconsin Air National Guard, Crossman Consulting, Sawyer County Search & Rescue, the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, the Ashland Police Department, and the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office.
This incident remains under investigation by the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office and the Ashland County coroner, though no foul play is suspected at this time.
The results of Wisconsin's August 9, 2022 Primary Election are in. Though other parties or write-in candidates may be available for the November General Election, the current top two vote-getters are listed for our area.
Tony Evers, Democrat ( D ) will face Tim Michels, Republican ( R ) for governor.
Roger Roth ( R ) and Sara Rodriguez ( D ) will be on the ballot for lieutenant governor.
For U.S. Senate, Ron Johnson ( R ) and Mandela Barnes ( D ) will be on the ballot.
District 7 for the House of Representatives will have Richard Ausman ( D ) facing Tom Tiffany ( R ).
District 25 State Senator candidates will be Romaine Robert Quinn ( R ) and Kelly Westlund ( D ).
