The Knox Creek Heritage Center in Brantwood, WI, dedicated to preserving the heritage of the pioneers that settled the great northwoods, will be hosting “A Mid-Summer Celebration” with an ice cream social on Sunday, June 26, 2022.
The grounds will be open at 12:00 p.m. for everyone to experience the historic buildings and artifacts. Homemade Finnish bread and pulla (a cardamom braid) will be available for sale.
This is of their four annual fund-raisers since being established in 1995. Come see the progress that has been made in constructing the new outdoor pavilion, which was used during last year’s summer events.
The group is seeking individuals and families to become part of KCHC. By becoming a member, you can help maintain the unique historical site. There are several major projects planned and additional funds are needed, through donations, to make these dreams come true. Any donation of time and/or money will be greatly appreciated. Some of the buildings (there are nine) are older than 100 years and need some TLC.
The group hopes to see you all there for a great “Mid-Summer Celebration” and to enjoy a little bit of our local history and enjoy some good times.
On Thursday, June 16, 2022, at approximately 12:46 a.m., the Vilas County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting a vehicle that had struck a pedestrian on USH 51 north of STH 70.
Emergency responders arrived on scene and the pedestrian was pronounced deceased upon arrival. Through investigation it was determined the vehicle operator was operating under the influence and subsequently arrested and booked into the Vilas County Jail. Traffic can expect detour and delays as the scene remains active into the early morning hours.
The Vilas County Sheriff’s Office, Wisconsin State Patrol, Vilas County Medical Examiners Office, Minocqua Police Department, Woodruff Police Department, Howard Young Med 5 Ambulance, and Arbor Vitae Fire and Rescue all responded to the scene.
The incident remains under investigation by the Vilas County Sheriff’s Office, Wisconsin State Patrol, and the Vilas County Medical Examiner’s Office.
At this time, names are not being released pending notification of the family.
The Jump River Valley Historical Museum, located on U.S Highway 8 in Catawba, will be open on Saturday, June 25, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Scott Wittman, the author of a recently released book, "Finding Dairyland: In Search of Wisconsin's Vanishing Heritage," will be present to sign books and greet visitors.
While the author was working on his book, several members of the Jump River Valley Historical Society took Wittman on a tour of Price County dairy farms; county residents, Sherb Mabie, Dennis and Bev Brayton, Alan Larson, and Bruce Koch are featured in the book's accounts of dairying in the Northwoods.
Everyone is welcome to attend this special event and view the museum's updated displays and exhibits, too.
SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES - SHOP PRICE COUNTY FIRST: With many face cords of maple and red oak on hand and ready, there is plenty of firewood for your needs at Daryl's Firewood. Get your firewood early so you will be all set for Winter 2022. If you need quality, dry wood for your campfire, Daryl has that, too. Visit Daryl's Firewood's website or call Daryl at 715-339-6885 or 312-968-9261 for pick-up or delivery in Price County. Follow Daryl's Firewood's Facebook page.
Reports received by the police departments in Price County for the month have been condensed and summarized.
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SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES - SHOP PRICE COUNTY FIRST: Deer Creek Angus, LLC has a large selection of Black Angus burgers, steaks, roasts, and other beef products sold by individual packages and in quarters, halves, and whole. Contact Deer Creek Angus, LLC at 715-550-6156, find products & pricing on their website, and follow their Facebook page.
PRICE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
Reports from 5/1 to 5/9 were not received from the Sheriff's Office at the time of this publication.
5/10/22: A woman reported people yelling in an alley behind her home in Phillips. She heard a woman yell, "You're going to jail, Bobby."
5/11/22: A man called 911 to report a vehicle drove into a gas station in Phillips. A person was trapped. The person was conscious and breathing.
5/11/22: A woman reported that another woman hacked her Facebook account, changing her e-mail address and password, and blackmailing her stating she would not give the Facebook account back to her until the woman gave her Netflix log-in information and $50.
5/12/22: An Ogema man reported multiple storage units were broken into. The locks had been cut off of two units and one unit had an open door.
5/13/22: A woman reported word for word plagiarism of her news article by a TV station. The information was given to be kept on file.
5/16/22: A woman reported four-wheelers or dirt bikes tearing around north of her for half an hour. She stated the noise was really loud. An officer patrolled the area but could not locate the vehicles.
5/17/22 - An Ogema man called to report his vehicle was on fire. Fire departments responded.
5/17/22 - An e-mail scam was received by an organization. The person sending the message stated the request came from the organization's president and the secretary/treasurer was supposed to write a check for $7,401 and send it to an address in Mississippi for a convention meeting conference. The organization's president was called, and she said she did not instruct anyone to make the payment. The secretary/treasurer did not make the payment, so no money was lost.
5/17/22 - A woman called for a welfare check on her parents who had driven to their cabin in the Town of Lake after being informed by a caller that there was a gas leak in the area and their cabin needed to be entered. The woman could not make contact with her parents. Neighbors stated they had seen the couple multiple times that week. A door hanger was left at the cabin by the police.
5/17/22 - A woman called to report a strong, foul smell at the neighbor's property. She thought a dead horse or other deceased animal was under a tarp at the property.
5/17/22 - A woman called from a motel in the City of Park Falls to report there was some sort of disturbance occurring in Room #2. A male subject was doing a lot of yelling and demanding a female to do something, though the caller could not understand what the male was telling the female to do. The caller thought an officer should check on the female.
5/18/22 - A man called 911 to report a one vehicle roll-over accident in the Township of Fifield. A deputy responded. Pike Lake First Responders, Pike Lake Fire Department, and Fifield Fire Department responded.
5/18/22 - A woman called to report she was working at a bar when
an older lady came into the establishment and was looking for some food. She stated she gave the lady a ride back to her residence in the Township of Elk, as she had walked to the bar. After returning from giving the lady a ride, staff members and some patrons told the caller the lady had made comments stating she was going to kill herself.
5/19/22 - A man reported he found several plastic gallon containers on the side of State Highway 70 in the Township of Fifield. The containers held various colored liquids. One container had a balloon attached with a crystal like substance inside.
5/19/22 - A man called 911 to report a three wheeler rolled over in the Town of Lake. One person was injured.
5/20/22 - A man reported there was an unknown male intruder in his home in Park Falls. He stated the person appeared to be intoxicated.
5/21/22 - A Prentice woman reported her storage unit was broken into. The unit was a pull through unit. She opened one side and the other door was opened and the lock appeared to be cut. She said there was another vehicle there, and she believed that was the offender; however, she did not see the person nor did she have a vehicle description. She said that there were items missing and damaged.
5/21/22 - A man called 911 to report a semi roll over accident. He stated the driver was pinned but was not believed to be
injured. Prentice Ambulance Service, Catawba Fire Department, and Kennan Fire Department responded. Prentice Ambulance requested a helicopter.
Reports from 5/22 to 5/31 were not received from the Sheriff's Office at the time of this publication.
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SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES - SHOP PRICE COUNTY FIRST: Long Lake North offers premium vacation rentals in Phillips, Wisconsin. The rentals are located at 219 County Road F. For reservations, call 715-820-1283, visit Long Lake North's website, and follow the Facebook page.
PHILLIPS POLICE DEPARTMENT
5/2/22 - The Phillips Police Department was dispatched to a residence where it was reported that an unwanted male subject was in the basement of the residence. An officer arrived and spoke with the male subject. It was determined the male subject was having delusions. The adult male believed that his neighbor had entered into his home and that if he catches his neighbor he would cause the neighbor physical harm. The officer took the male subject into protective placement. The male subject was then transported to a mental health facility.
5/2/22 - The Phillips Police Department served a Raze Order on a residence on Victoria Street, which had numerous health code violations. The owner was given 30 days to comply with the order or could be given fines along with court costs.
5/3/22 - The Phillips Police Department stopped a UTV as the male operator was involved in a domestic abuse incident. The male operator had odor of an intoxicant on his breath and was run through field sobriety testing. As a result, the male operator was arrested for operating a UTV while intoxicated and resisted arrest. The male was handcuffed and brought to the Price County Jail where he was booked in for Domestic Abuse, Disorderly Conduct, Battery, Strangulation, False Imprisonment, two counts of Felony Bail Jumping, and Resisting an Officer. The man was held on a felony hold and waited to see the Price County Judge for a bail/bond hearing.
5/3/22 - A phone call was received from a concerned citizen regarding her neighbor's residence on Flambeau Avenue. The residence had water from a sump pump that appeared to be returning into the basement and creating a large hole in the ground near the foundation. The officer contacted the on-call DPW worker and attempted to contact the owner of the property.
5/7/22 - Police observed a male and a female individual standing outside of their vehicles at the Elk Lake Park in the City of Phillips. An officer spoke with both parties who stated they were on a date and had just finished a walk by the lake. The officer ran both parties and cleared from the scene.
5/9/22 - Police received a report of a male individual carrying a long gun and a 30 pack of beer on a public city street in the City of Phillips. Contact was made with the individual who had vehicle issues and was walking to his residence. No criminal actions occurred.
5/12/22 - Police received a report of a person being physically assaulted at a private residence in the City of Phillips. The matter is under investigation.
5/14/22 - Police were dispatched to a residence in the City of Phillips for a domestic abuse incident. One female was arrested and transported to the Price County Jail for booking.
5/14/22 - A report was received of an assault that occurred at a residence in the City of Phillips. Officers spoke with the female individual who stated her ex-husband came to the residence with another female to drop off their children in common. While at the residence, the female suspect had thrown an object at her, striking her in the throat, and the female left with the ex-husband. An investigation is ongoing.
5/16/22 - A request was received to check on the status of four juvenile children at a private residence in the City of Phillips. There was concern from the caller as the children were staying with one parent as the other parent had been arrested for a domestic abuse incident and was prohibited to contact the other parent. An officer checked on the status of the children and found them to be doing well.
5/16/22 - Police were requested to keep the peace while an adult male removed belongings from a recently purchased residence on Kimball Street. An officer stood by until the male subject left the residence.
5/16/22 - Police were dispatched to a residence on Kimball Street for a controlled fire. An officer met with the owner of the residence and explained that the area was in a high fire danger and burning was prohibited. The officer remained on scene until the fire was extinguished.
5/17/22 - A call was received about a discarded needle being located in the yard of a private residence on Kimball Street in the City of Phillips along with some other items possibly used to inject drugs. An Officer responded and picked up the items for disposal.
5/19/22 - Police were requested to meet with an adult female regarding a property that she manages. The adult female had noticed that the doors of the property had the locks changed and there were personal belongings, along with three cats, in the residence. An officer responded and was able to determine who had moved their property into the residence. The officer contacted the adult female who had moved in and requested that she pick up her belongings. The adult female stated that she was out of town for the next few days. The officer took custody of the three cats, and they were transported to Catkins. The adult female will be arrested for Criminal Trespass to a Dwelling.
5/23/22 - Police were notified by the Price County Sheriff's department that a citizen had observed flashlights going in and out of buildings at the Price County Fairgrounds. An officer responded to the Price County Fairgrounds and spoke with a male individual who stated he was in the process of buying the property and was checking to see if all the lights still worked. An officer cleared shortly after.
5/26/22 - A call was received from a resident of the City of Phillips reporting a mini dirt bike had been taken from the garage of his residence. An officer responded to take a report. The investigation is underway.
5/26/22 - Police received a complaint of a small child screaming that she did not want to go with a person. An officer arrived on scene and spoke to an elderly female who advised her grandchild was trying to run away from her as she was having a difficult day. An officer spoke to the child and found everything to be okay. The child returned home with the grandmother.
5/27/22 - A report was received from a resident of the City of Phillips reporting concerns about the size of a fire his neighbors had last night and the fact it was still smoldering this morning.
5/27/22 - A report was received of potential stalking occurring at various residences in the City of Phillips. An officer met with the victim. An investigation is being conducted.
5/29/22 - Numerous failure to cut grass courtesy violation notices were issued. The properties will need to be mowed prior to the notice date or the Department of Public Works will mow the property and bill the owner of the property.
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PARK FALLS POLICE DEPARTMENT
5/2/22 - An officer received a complaint of subjects possibly stealing from an individual with dementia. The subjects will be warned for trespassing next time they are on individual’s property.
5/2/22 - There was a complaint of dog barking. The dog had only been barking for approximately two minutes at the time of phone call. An officer responded to the area of the complaint and listened for barking. No dogs were heard barking.
5/4/22 - Police received a call about a threatening Facebook post. It was determined to be freedom of speech and not threatening.
5/4/22 - An officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle. After ending the traffic stop, the juvenile driver accelerated rapidly at a high rate of speed, causing smoke behind his vehicle. An officer then conducted a second traffic stop on the same vehicle. The juvenile driver received two citations.
5/4/22 - An officer was dispatched to a sink hole forming under the road on Kaile.
5/5/22 - Officers responded to the report of two individuals in an active physical altercation in the Price Ice recreational area parking lot. Officers located all parties involved and investigated the matter. No charges resulted from the investigation.
5/6/22 - A reporting party believed that someone had attempted to light a fire under her porch. Upon investigating, there had been a small fire, which was no longer burning. Remains of the fire were dowsed with water. It is unknown what or who caused the fire.
5/6/22 - An officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle which was operating left of center. Upon investigation, one male driver was placed under arrest for felony bail jumping, possessing THC, possessing drug paraphernalia, and concealing a knife as a felon.
5/6/22 - A welfare check was requested for male individual who was lying on the ground outside of a motel. Officers checked the welfare and found the man to be extremely intoxicated. The ambulance was paged. The man denied transportation to the hospital.
5/7/22 - A domestic incident, which resulted in an arrest for disorderly conduct, battery, and misdemeanor bail jumping, occurred. The suspect bonded out of jail.
5/7/22 - officers responded to the report of a domestic violence incident. The suspect was arrested and transported to Price County Jail. The suspect bonded out.
5/12/22 - Officers responded to a fallen tree on a residence due to strong winds before a thunderstorm. The homeowners were not hurt. An officer photographed the damage to the garage and vehicle. DPW assisted by removing the fallen tree from the roadway.
5/14/22 - An officer received a dispatch for a subject reporting their checkbook was stolen from their residence. Upon arrival, the subject stated they found their checkbook.
5/14/22 - An officer responded to a residence to speak with homeowners over owning chickens. The property owners stated they had a permit to own the chickens within the city limits. The owners given 14 days to show proof of permit.
5/14/22 - An officer received information of a downed electrical line on 5th Avenue South. DPW was contacted regarding the matter and cut the line as it was a telephone line. The road was cleared.
5/17/22 - A report of an unconscious male lying on the steps of an apartment building was received. An officer responded in emergency mode. Upon arrival, the officer found the male to be intoxicated and lying down on the steps. No medical attention was needed.
5/18/22 - A welfare check was requested on a man. He was located in his bathroom, naked and cleaning. He answered questions appropriately and refused an ambulance.
5/20/22 - An officer responded to a residence for the report of a male suspect entering a victims' residence without permission. An officer located the suspect in the basement of the residence as he had fallen down the stairs. In conclusion, the suspect was arrested upon the charges of criminal trespass to a dwelling and misdemeanor bail jumping.
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Charles and Velma Brendel started their family with two daughters. Like many couples after having two of the same gender, they anticipated their third child may be of the opposite gender. They hoped for a boy they could name Charles Anton with Charles honoring the baby's father and Anton honoring the grandfather. Instead, they happily welcomed a third baby girl, Charlotte Antoinette, keeping as close to the original name as possible. She was quickly nicknamed "Toni" by a cousin, and that is the woman many of us know today, Toni Brendel.
Toni grew up in Phillips. "I wouldn’t trade the 1940-1950’s time period for any other. It was a safe, quiet, middle of the road existence. No one was considered better than anyone else, and lives were being put back together after losses and injuries, aftermaths of the war. People were reaching out to those who lost loved ones and to those who came back maimed or with “shell shock,” a term used then."
Thinking back to that time in Phillips, she said, "I remember the days when South and North Lake Street were still called 'Front Street' and then 'Main Street' without any street signs. When street signs were installed, the streets were named South Lake and North Lake, and the three streets behind them became South and North Avon plus South and North Argyle rather than Second Street and Third Street, which they were prior to being officially named."
She remembers one great announcement on Main Street regarding the war. Her uncle, Bill, was in the service. "I was three years old when the USA entered the war in December of 1941. In the evenings, Aunt Cleo would stop by for me, and we would walk to the train depot where she gave her nightly letter to the conductor. I was seven when the war ended in September of '45. I was playing in front of City Bakery in the block we lived in on Main Street that day and heard a ruckus. It was Mike Sedovic, in front of Mike and Lil’ Café next to Brendel Brother’s Garage, banging two pot lids together yelling, 'The War is over! The war is over!' and I ran home to tell my mother!"
Toni has many fond memories that involve her family. One vacation, in particular, stands out in her mind. "In Southern California, my dad, mother, brother and I rode the California Zepher Train that had a Vista Dome. We took the Soo Line RR to Minneapolis, and that’s where we caught the California train. We visited my mother’s brother in Sacramento and they took us to see the sights of the vast area. We were there for three weeks."
While exploring on vacation is great, Toni loves being home with family for the holidays. Her favorite one is Christmas. "I treasure the memories of everyone in the family pitching in to give the house a thorough cleaning for the holidays. We did a lot of baking and there was such excitement in shopping for presents for other family members; then my sister and I would wrap them up. My mother baked babofka and lots of cookies and then made apple strudel, the hard way, with stretching the dough until it was transparent. It was a treat! Putting the tree up together and putting the presents underneath it was always fun. Setting the table with the special dishes from the China cabinet and silverware that we only used for Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving, and the linen tablecloth and napkins with a 'B' on them, was part of it. We would change into the Christmas “outfits” my mother sewed for us, and go to the candlelight service at Saint John Lutheran Church to celebrate the birth of Jesus. We would come home and get the prepared foods out and last minute things that needed to be done to finish the meal. Grandpa and Grandma would come and my dad’s brother and wife. It was a very special “Christmas only” meal that we had, and I still make it for my family. Family is what made it so special, I believe, but everything changes, and the older folks are gone now and replaced with the newer 'older folks,' and that’s the way it has to be."
Remembering some of those "older folks," Toni said her favorite childhood memory was sitting at the piano with her aunt, Cleo. "She was gifted with the talent of being able to play by ear, and would teach me the words to songs of the day." This interest and talent with music has followed Toni throughout her life. She shared that Lorna Warfield, her voice teacher in Milwaukee, opened a new world to her sharing opera and symphony music. Toni feels "Sentimental Me" is the song that sums her up best, if she had to pick one, and she said she wishes she could sing again. "I studied voice for so many years, ten, and now can barely speak, let alone sing."
However, other things have kept Toni figuratively singing in life. She married Richard "Pete" Haas, and they had Tami; twins, Valerie and Vicki, plus Bill Haas. Unfortunately, the couple shared a terrible loss when one of the twins, Vicki, died of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) at one month old. About half a decade later, Pete was killed in a car accident at the rather young age of 38 when their children were 3, 7, and 8 years old. When Toni re-married, she and Lyle Rohrig had one son, Ryan. Toni shared that her children have brought her the most happiness in life and said she loves when her family comes home. "It's always so much fun!" She admitted she dearly misses Pete; her mother; and her sister, Helen.
In regard to her career path, Toni thought she would be an airplane stewardess, but that was not in the cards. Instead, she had her dream job as a medical secretary in the Patient Education Department at Marshfield Clinic in Marshfield. "I learned something new every day, and the job was varied so much that I learned from it. At times I worked with doctors and nurses who were writing booklets or pamphlets about some disease process or medication." Toni would type it, have it proofed, work with the Graphic Arts Department, and have it sent to the print shop. The finished product would come back to the department, and it would be sent out to the satellite clinics. "I filled orders for educational items that the different departments ordered, answered phones, taught BSE, and checked out blood pressure cuffs. My boss, Donna Bauman, R.N., and I catalogued all of the patient education items and put them on library shelves in alphabetical order. No day was like the other, and I liked that very much. Eventually, I got an assistant and that was helpful because she began filling orders and that freed me up to type up new materials."
While that was her reality, she revealed a possible dream "job" when asked who she would be for a day. "I would be Queen Elizabeth. I would travel Europe. I would blend in with the common people and learn of their thoughts about the Monarchy." While she wouldn't mind being queen for a day, she said she would never want the job of a United States president. "You are damned if you do and damned if you don’t. If I had the misfortune to find myself in that spot, I would ask one of the legislators to introduce a bill to put limits on campaign donations. Everyone the same. And I would do away with the crazy idea that a president can pardon people from jail time once they are incarcerated UNLESS they were found innocent of a crime."
Toni feels politics is the biggest issue of our time. "How awful it has become. What has happened to civility and respect for others, and what has happened to the definition of 'public service?' It’s become overwhelmingly terrible! Lies, deceit, corruption, under the guise of religion, in some cases. How can it be made better? Perhaps it is naive to think it could be made better when we consider the people we are dealing with, but if we don’t get back to basic honesty, integrity, and respect of others, I do not know what will become of us as a nation. I don’t think people realize how close we are to a dictatorship, and they won’t be happy when and if it happens," Toni shared.
Keeping the focus more local, Toni founded the Phillips Czechoslovakian Community Festival. She chaired or co-chaired the festival for its first 23 years and then handed it off to Bill Moravek, though Toni remains involved with organization of the annual festival. She also helped reincarnate the annual service for the Lidice Memorial. "I don’t recall for how long I chaired the Lidice Memorial services, but Laddie Zellinger chaired the first one in 1984, and Therese Trojak chaired several of them, also. Other than that, I still chair the hour-long memorial service that we have now at the Baptist Church each year." To add to her local contributions, and by request of John Fiala and Doris Ourecky, who created and chaired the national Miss Czech Slovak USA pageant in Wilber, Nebraska, Toni brought the Miss Czech Slovak State Pageant to Wisconsin. She directed the pageant for 12 years before Vernette Moravek took the reins.
Given her work with the Miss Czech/Slovak State Queen Pageant, she was awarded a key to the City of Montgomery in Minnesota in the 1990’s. This honor was to recognize her work done to promote the Czech/Slovak heritages and for helping to keep the memory of the small village of Lidice, Czechoslovakia alive. "Phillips has one of two memorials to the village in the USA. Thanks to Therese Trojak’s work, it was recognized as a World War II monument and accepted on both the National Registry of WWII Monuments and the State of Wisconsin Registry. 2022 marks the 80th year since the tragedy of Lidice befell its inhabitants."
Along with the key to the city honor, "being chosen Citizen of the Year would tie with the first honor," she said, adding that she was taught, by example, to be community-minded. That example is likely what led her to be the first woman to serve on the City of Phillips Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, as well. She also served on the committee that planned some of the activities after the county took over Pop Schmidt’s Rock Garden, now known as Fred Smith's Wisconsin Concrete Park.
Additional work by Toni has included the publication of her books, "Slovak American Touches," "Lidice Remembered Around the World," and "Slovak Recipes."
All her projects needed a lot of energy, and Toni wishes she had the same energy she had even twenty years ago. Knowing that young people have that energy, she advised, "Never give up, never give in. Keep your eye on the prize!"
One prize, she believes, is Phillips and Price County as a whole. "It is a wonderland of lakes, streams, and rivers, lush green forests, wildlife, and is surrounded by small communities where one might consider living....If attracted to an environment where “the great outdoors,” fishing, hunting, trapping, and winter and summer sports are “lures,” there is much more to come!" She stated the attributes are many, including current job opportunities, many churches of various denominations, the theater group, pool leagues, volleyball tournaments, baseball and softball leagues, Bingo, card tournaments, snowmobile and cross country trails, quilters’ and craft groups, an indoor swimming pool, genealogy group, the Price County Fair, rodeos, plus 4-H clubs and Cub & Boy Scouts. "The county courthouse is in the center of town in Phillips and easy to get to. All of these attributes, activities, and events, the churches, business areas, schools, recreational opportunities, exist in Price County. A vibrant, progressive, county invites young people to settle within, and a friendly populace will welcome them!"
Toni realizes there are some things that can be improved in Price County, as well. "Top of my head, I would like to see the drug problems eradicated in Price County. Top of my heart, I would like to see a progressive, younger group of people become more community-minded, like those who put the splash pad in Elk Lake Park. I hope that hard-working group doesn’t stop improving the community with that one accomplishment under their belts. That kind of dedication and hard work, we need more of! Also, the dedication and never-say-die attitude the three women showed when they followed the the bank clock, saved it from the junk yard, and began the long road to restoration, and those who traveled that road with them. Both of those groups are to be commended for the “heart” they showed and for being unwilling to meet failure and for being people to look up to in Price County!"
While Toni has been busy making a difference in Price County over the years, she also enjoys a myriad of hobbies at home. "I like making greeting cards, making jewelry, and also baking some of the Slovak sweets that my kids like." She enjoys cooking shows, too. "I like to cook and like to see what is new, and I also like to see and hear about the ethnic dishes they sometimes make." Toni's favorite sport to watch is either basketball, because her son and brother excelled at it, or hockey, because three of her grandsons played. On a broader scale, she likes to travel. "Vienna, Austria, plus Illiasovce, Smizany, and Spisska Nova Ves, Slovakia, were places I visited."
Traveling with Toni in life are her guiding lights. When asked who they are, she shared, "As I grow older I try to live up to the teachings of Jesus." She added that she hopes young people return to God and his teachings. "If lies, deceit, and chicanery become the ways of the world, at some point, all will be lost." For those who guided her as a younger person, she said she looked to my mother and Evelyn Haas, her mother-in-law, who both helped her raise her children "to be the wonderful adults they came to be....These two women exemplified the highest standards of decency, understanding, kindness, warmth, and love. If I could snatch only a piece of who they were and what they stood for, I would be grateful, but self-examination tells me I fall short." However Toni's friends may not feel she falls short as a number of them have told her she is thoughtful. She added, "I hope I am. I want to be."
If you are interested in seeing some of Toni's thoughtful community service in action, the hour-long Lidice Memorial services will be held on Friday, June 17, 2022 at 7 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Phillips. Doug Moquin will be emceeing the program. The Consulate General from Czech Republic, based in Chicago, will be the guest speaker.
The Roundball Revolution 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament will be here before we know it.
The event will be held on July 2, 2022 at Elk Lake Park in Phillips but the time to register is now.
Teams that experienced the event last year have signed up yet again, and the field is really starting to taking shape, but we still hope to see fresh faces across all age groups.
Whether you're just starting out in the sport or you're advancing into another competition level, this is an excellent event to attend. Skills will be sharpened, and competition will bring out the best in each of us, but memories have a chance to be etched into our minds forever.
Todd Kalander is the husband of Nikki (Grant) Kalander and the father to Ali & Layne. Unfortunately, he was in a serious lawn mower accident on Sunday, May 15, 2022, causing him to need a Flight For Life helicopter ride and time in the ICU. Due to the accident, he lost part of his right foot, and he has had multiple surgeries to save the remaining portion of his foot.
He is currently recovering at home. He will need to be off work for several months so that he can continue to recover and get rehabilitation.
Due to his surgeries and time off work, the Kalander family has incurred many expenses, including large medical bills. The family regrettably does not have disability insurance. With his time off work, they are facing a loss of one income for some time.
The family would like to invite anyone who would like to help to attend the benefit on Saturday, June 18, 2022 from 1 to 6 p.m. at South Fork Bar & Grill. There will be a basket raffle, 50/50 drawings, and a pig roast at the event. All the event details can be found at https://www.facebook.com/events/1411250769356476/
Price County Sheriff Brian Schmidt reports that on May 29, 2022, at about 5:43 p.m., the Price County Sheriff’s Office received a report of two people struck by a falling tree while camping at a campsite along the North Fork of the Flambeau River in the Township of Lake.
The investigation revealed the victims were seated at a picnic table when they were struck by the tree. The victims, a 39 year old male, Sandy Michael Langseth II, and a 45 year old female, April M. Sheldahl, from White Bear Township, Minnesota, were pronounced dead at the scene. A third person seated at the picnic table was uninjured. A fourth person at the campsite was also uninjured.
The campers were assisted by two people fishing the river nearby until emergency services arrived. The fisherman reported they noticed the wind pick up for about ten minutes when they heard a tree fall along the north bank of the river.
Responding agencies included the Price County Sheriff’s Office, Park Falls Fire & Ambulance Service, the Fifield Fire Department, the Price County Law Enforcement Chaplains, and the Price County Coroner’s Office.
Scroll down to "UPDATE - 5/23/22"for updated information on this story.
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On May 20, 2022 around 11 p.m., a husband and wife noticed a bear outside their home just west of the City of Medford on Castle Road. The bear was eating from a bird feeder. The couple's children were asleep in their bedrooms at the time.
Wanting the bear to leave, the couple opened a window and yelled at the bear. The bear immediately turned and charged at the house, breaking through the window. The bear broke into the house and attacked the couple.
The couple fought with the bear. As the bear attacked, the couple was able to stab it with a kitchen knife. Eventually, the husband was able to get a firearm, and he shot the bear. The bear died in the hallway of the home.
Photo Credit: Taylor County Sheriff's Office
Both victims of the attack sustained numerous bites and injuries. They were treated for their injuries and released to go home. Their children remained in their bedrooms during the attack and were not physically injured.
The DNR took possession of the bear for testing. The bear appeared to have a cub that was seen running off as the mother bear charged the house.
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UPDATE - 5/23/22
Area residents have asked for more information regarding the bear attacking the couple in Taylor County.
Regarding if the bear was provoked by the couple, Sheriff Woebbeking shared, "The bear was not provoked, and the homeowner never was outside. [There was] nothing more than verbally saying something through the window for it to leave."
The mother bear first attacked the woman after entering the home through the open window. The man tried to help her and had to wrestle with the bear. When he got pinned under the bear, the woman got a kitchen knife and stabbed the bear, which startled it, and the man was able to free himself. The man then got a gun from their bedroom to shoot the bear in what was a life or death situation for the couple, who sustained bites and cuts from the bear's claws. The couple's four children were in their bedrooms and not harmed.
As for the cub, it is believed the cub was born last year and is over one year old, so it should be able to survive on its own. Black bear cubs usually stay with their mothers for up to about a year and a half, even though they can survive away from their mothers before they reach one year of age.
This was an abnormal attack. If a bear is near your home or cabin, the DNR recommends to "wave your arms and make noise to scare it away; back away slowly and seek a safe location where you can wait for the bear to leave; when scaring a bear away, make sure it has a clear escape route (never corner a bear), if you encounter a bear while in the woods, stay calm and do not approach the bear; never approach a sow with cubs; and, for your safety, do not attempt to break up a fight between your pet and a bear." The DNR also recommends removing bird feeders from your yard to avoid attracting bears.
On Monday, May 23, 2022, traffic will be closed on a portion of County Hwy. D from Hwy. 13 for .18 of a mile to the railroad tracks to all thru traffic.
The old blacktop will be removed, curb and gutter will be installed in various locations, and the area will be repaved.
The project is expected to take 45 days, weather permitting.
The detour will be Hwy. D to Hwy. K to Hwy. A to Hwy. 13.
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