March 20, 2008

Stories on the Front Page

 

Court drops charges against Woletz

by Russ Dibb

 

Former Prescott police officer Brad A. Woletz was facing the possibility of doing three-and-a-half years of jail time and paying a fine up to $10,000 if found guilty after being charged with Wisconsin state statute 946.12(4), misconduct/office-fraud/record/statement - a felony.

On Thursday, March 13 - after reviewing court reports and briefs prepared by the state and defendant's attorney - Judge Robert Wing dismissed the complaint against Woletz.

In court Feb. 22, Pierce County District Attorney John O'Boyle and defense attorney, Aaron Nelson, took testimony from two witnesses, Pierce County sheriff's investigator Natalie Stockwell and Prescott Interim Police Chief Bondarenko.

After each of the testimonies, O'Boyle's summation stated the second report is not a true supplement, but rather was initiated only after Woletz found out there was going to be an investigation.

"Woletz changed the content," said O'Boyle.

Judge Wing said he would give the state an opportunity to prove what is false in the statement.

Wing told the prosecution to file a finding in writing in one week.

The defense had a chance to respond, and then the court made a decision.

Nelson said, "This should not be a criminal case."

He continued by saying the first report may have been sloppy or lacking information, but it was not criminal.

On March 13, the court agreed.

Judge Wing issued the following decision: "The State charged the defendant with intentionally making a false entry into a police report in his capacity as a police officer. At the preliminary hearing held on February 22, 2008 two reports prepared by the defendant were introduced into evidence as was the testimony of Police Chief Bondarenko. Chief Bondarenko did not testify that any of the information in either report was false. The evidence and argument of the State is that the second report contains information that in not contained in the first report. The State does not argue that there is any information in the first report that is contradicted by information in the second report. The State did not call any witnesses that testified that any of the information on either report was false. The State argues that adding information to the second report that was not in the first report after speaking with Chief Bondarenko demonstrates that there must be false entries in either the first or the second report. The court believes that adding something to a second report not in the first report that is not inconsistent with the first report does not constitute a false entry required by the statute alleged to be violated in this case.

"If Ms. Condon (one of the people involved in the incident subject of both reports) had testified in a manner that contradicted the facts set forth by the officer in either report, the situation before the court would be different, assuming that the facts she testified to as being different were material. If the officer had indicated in his first report that there were no other witnesses to the event other than Mr. and Mrs. Condon and the officer, and then in a second report indicated that there were two other witnesses, this would be a contradiction and evidence of a false entry subjecting the officer to potential liability. However, the officer did not affirmatively state in his first report that there were no other witnesses. He simply did not indicate that there were other witnesses. The court believes that is a significant distinction for purposes of criminal liability. Since the officer made no affirmative contradictions in his reports and since none of the facts in his reports were contradicted by third parties, the court sees no evidence that any of the facts contained in those reports have been proven false. For the reasons set forth above, the court dismisses the complaint Mar. 13, 2008. Robert W. Wing, Circuit Court Judge."

O'Boyle brought charges against Woletz stemming from a domestic situation Woletz handled March 13, 2007.

According to the criminal complaint, Woletz accompanied Michael D. Condon Sr. to his home at 1361 Ash St. in Prescott to retrieve personal items. Michael was arrested at the residence March 11 for a domestic incident.

His wife, Cheri Lee Condon, had signed a 72-hour no-contact order at that time.

Michael retrieved some personal belongings and Woletz filed a short, three-paragraph report on the incident.

At 3:45 p.m. March 13, 2007, Cheri went to the Prescott Police Department and met with Bondarenko to file a complaint against Woletz.

In a six-page report filed by Bondarenko, Cheri complained about Woletz's conduct, demeanor and over-all handling of the event in which her husband was allowed at the residence while the 72-hour no-contact order was in effect.

Cheri charged Woletz's actions violated her rights of protection and endangered her safety. She stated Woletz repeatedly threatened her with arrest for obstruction and theft when no ground for such arrest existed and no arrests were made. She also said Woletz showed bias and favoritism to her husband and against her during the encounter, allowing her husband to exceed the amount of property that should have been retrieved.

She further suggested Woletz may have compromised an on-going sexual assault investigation against her husband by allowing him to search and possibly remove evidence from their bedroom during the property retrieval.

According to his testimony, Bondarenko met with Woletz March 16, 2007 and informed him that Cheri filed a citizen's complaint against him about the property-retrieval incident at the Condon residence.

He told Woletz the complaint would be investigated by the Pierce County Sheriff's Department so there would be no conflict of interest.

Woletz requested the file not be forwarded to the sheriff's department until at least March 19 so he could redo his report.

He told Bondarenko his first report was not as complete as it should have been.

The second report issued by Woletz was an additional one and a half pages.

Woletz added information to the second report that was not included in the original report and omitted information from the second report that had been in the first report, said Bondarenko.

Woletz was fired by the Prescott Police Commission May 17th, 2007 for "conduct unbecoming an officer."

Michael D. Condon Sr. is awaiting trial on multiple charges including six felony counts of possession of child pornography.

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Trout Unlimited saves local habitats

by Laurel Menne

 

Give Andy Lamberson a group of volunteers, summer weather, $200,000, oak boards and eroded creek bed. In return you will get a Web site and an active trout stream, plus a count of the bugs living on and around it. He also can add regular temperature measurements if you are interested in them. His passion is apparent.

Lamberson spoke to the Prescott Kiwanis Thursday, March 13 about the local chapter of Trout Unlimited, and the work they are doing in the area to restore a Pierce County trout stream.

Lamberson, vicepresident, Web master and board member of the Kiap-TU-Wish Chapter of Trout Unlimited, has had a lot of experience restoring land to its healthy natural state. His passion and his job run together.

"It is possible to grow without harming the environment," Lamberson said. "We are extremely involved in stream improvement."

The Kiap TU Wish Chapter of Trout Unlimited meets the first Wednesday of every month from September through May at Bob Smith's Sportsman's Club in Hudson. About 60 members get together for dinner, and an additional 40 members join them for a monthly meeting.

In 2007 the group began working to restore Pine Creek in Maiden Rock Township. The creek rises from springs at the base of the Mississippi bluffs and flows into the Mississippi River at Lake Pepin.

Because the creek is supplied by spring water, the water quality is outstanding. However, 100 years of over-grazing and poor soil erosion control have caused the creek to widen and fill with silt.

In this state, the creek warms from the sun too quickly, thus the need to monitor the temperature. It does not provide a healthy environment for the algae and insects that native trout need to survive. It also warms too quickly for trout to reproduce.

"The resulting high creek bank is characteristic of a degraded stream," Lamberson said. "A lack of vegetation makes it more susceptible to erosion."

The goal of the project is to maintain a healthy habitat for native Eastern Brook Trout, along with stabilizing the creek to prevent further erosion. Prevention of erosion in the stream also improves the quality of water going into Lake Pepin.

Most of the work is being funded by Trout Stamp dollars.

In order to do this, the group has been changing the landscape and slope of the soil along the creek and planting it with local deep-rooted grasses and plants. They also work with the creek bed, building "lunkers" from oak and submerging them in the creek to keep the banks stable and prevent further erosion while the planting takes hold.

"Lunkers" are structures constructed from aged oak that resemble towers laying on their sides. They are affixed to the creek with rods that hold them in place. The "lunkers" are covered with stone, leaving a natural look, as well as a natural habitat for trout. It also provides trout a refuge from natural predators, including mink, herons and kingfishers.

Most of the work was done in July and August 2007 and cost approximately $100,000. The group plans to finish the project during the coming summer.

They are working to restore 3,500 feet of stream bank. Restoration began just west of the County Road AA bridge and continued about 1,750 feet.

The project will continue this summer with plans to finish the rest of the creek bed. To date, results have been better than anticipated, with trout moving quickly into the restored creek bed.

For more information on The Kaip-TU-Wish Chapter of Trout Unlimited, see their Web site at www.lambcom,net/kiaptuwish.

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Prescott business owners expand into new shop center

by Derrick Knutson

 

Two Prescott entrepreneurs are among seven women business owners that will be setting up shop in the old Ben Franklin/Hallmark building on Main Street in River Falls.

April Ingalls is the owner of the building, and she is moving her business, Beyond Lighting, into it. She is also renting space in the building to other business owners.

Ingalls, originally from Red Wing, Minn., has lived in Prescott since 1992. She has owned and operated Beyond Lighting for three years.

"We were leasing a property right next door and this building became available for purchase," Ingalls said.

 

Beyond Lighting

Ingalls business specializes in commercial and home lighting for model and homes going through reconstruction. In addition to lighting, the business offers home decour, bathroom sinks, furniture and hardware for cabinets, said Ingalls.

Beyond Lighting has an on-staff interior lighting and design consultant, Sheena O'Malley. Ingalls' business also offers lighting of a non-electric nature.

"We also have 100 percent soy candles made in River Falls, and we do fireplaces," Ingalls said.

Ingalls former career sparked her interest for her current business endeavor. "My background is I went to school to be a chef," Ingalls said. Lighting in restaurants was aesthetically pleasing to Ingalls, and she fell in love with interior design and luminosity. Later Ingalls left the restaurant business and started working for a builder.

"My job, when I worked for the builder, was to go to different [lighting] showrooms and help people pick out lighting," said Ingalls.

Ingalls prides herself on her customer service and business expertise.

"We offer the whole service," Ingalls said. "If you want to bring in one light, or if you want to bring in your house plans we'll go through the whole process with you."

 

St. Croix Interiors

Tracy Franek owns St. Croix Interiors and is renting space from Ingalls to house her business in River Falls. Franek, a Prescott native, has St. Croix Interiors store located in Prescott as well.

Franek didn't initially think she would be intrigued by the type of business she now owns, but once she started working in interior design she was hooked.

Franek said, "I enjoy helping people take a space and either totally change it if it's existing space, or if it's new space watching it evolve."

St. Croix Interiors specializes in cabinetry, counter tops, all types of flooring, window treatments and giftware, said Franek. Taking the interior of someone's home and transforming it from an imagined design into a finished product is one of Franek's passions when it comes to her business.

 

Other businesses

The other businesses going into the building are Little New York, specializing in jewelry, purses and accessories, River Chocolate Company, Lori's Massage and Day Spa, Bella Luce Boutique and D&S Hardwood Floors.

"The idea of the building at large is that it would be an open shopping experience with each shop and display being visible to the customers in the other shops," according to the concept profile for the stores.

The tentative date for the opening the stores is April 1.

Beyond Lighting has opened a new location downtown River Falls. April Ingalls owns the old Ben Franklin/Hallmark building. Photo by Derrick Knutson.

 

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Council seeks grant funding

by Shalena Janis

 

To continue Prescott's beautification process, Prescott City Council approved a motion to apply for a grant which would fund 80 percent of the riverfront beautification process Monday, March 10.

The Local Transportation Enhancements (TE) Program is a statewide multi-modal improvement grant from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT/DOT). The city would need to apply for the grant by April 18. Cedar Corparation will be working with the city to rewrite a new submission for the grant.

"I wish we had more time," said Russ Kiviemni, the city engineer. "I need to know what project you prefer we send the grant for."

 

City project options

Kiviemni proposed two options as to which project the city should apply for the grant to the council members. One was for a bike and pedestrian trial that would connect to the Highway 10 bridge along downtown and end at the Great River Road Learning Center. The other potential project is the continuation of the riverfront beautification, which would be the second phase of the project. The first phase was the condominium construction.

The project would "transform a rundown backriver area into a sparkling gem along the confluence of the St. Croix and Mississippi Rivers," according to the original proposal written in 2006.

If the grant is accepted - and the city will pay the 20 percent required from the grant and other fees, such as interest from borrowed monies - citizens of Prescott and tourists would see a revamped riverfront, nestled behind the hustle and bustle of downtown.

"The city will beautify the area with walk and bikeways, decorative benches, retaining walls, lighting, and trash receptacles, an information [kiosk], river access, visitor parking, and flag poles. These improvements will dramatically impact the shoreline and enhance the experience of all on the river, highway and trail. The redevelopment will serve as a connecting link between the existing riverwalk, downtown, the Minnesota Bike Trail, and the St. Croix beach," according to the original proposal.

Because the city recently submitted a grant proposal in 2006 for the same project, the fee is only $500, versus the origination fee of $1,500.

The Prescott Foundation was willing to pay for half of the $1,500 fee if the city wanted to apply for the bike and pedestrian trail project.

With the approaching deadline, the city must work fast and has a few steps to take before applying. Originally, if the city were to apply for the bike and pedestrian trial that would connect the Highway 10 bridge to the downtown and Great River Road Learning Center, it was required to talk to WisDOT in order to see what the department would cooperate and approve the city to add a trial along the highway at the south end of town.

The downside of the bike and pedestrian trail was the amount of money allocated for these types of projects, said Niviemni. The government only banks $2.72 million for the bike and trail program. Whereas in the transportation enhancement program banks $6.2 million to fund programs, such as Prescott's beautification project.

"Both of the projects are excellent and both qualify," said Niviemni. "The language of the grant suggests is wants connection of transportation."

Mayor Mike Hunter said he wanted a recommendation from Niviemni about what he thought was the best project of the two and which one was easily approvable by the WisDOT grant program.

Niviemni said the grant program was an extremely competitive one ­ only giving one per region ­ but recently the government has been placing more money into these types of programs for communities.

 

Cost Concerns

The grant matches 80 percent of the funds needed for such projects, so if the process of the riverfront beautification costs the city $1 million, 20 percent of the price tag would come out of the city's pockets - about $200,000. Plus, the city would fully fund the program up front and be reimbursed. If the city borrowed the money, it would need to pay any incurring interest as well.

City Administrator Elizabeth Frueh said she was concerned with the extra costs the grant would not cover, such as the interest, which might be extremely high because of today's economy. She also said if the project doesn't start until 2010 to 2012, the city has almost four years to save the money.

The city won't know if it will receive the grant funding from WisDOT until August. If the riverfront beautification project is accepted, planning may begin as soon as 2010 with construction possibly starting in 2012.

Other council news

· Board members approved a request for the remodeling of Cabana Joe's. The request indicated the the top level would be transformed into a banquet-type facility. And some work will be done to the outside of the building as well.

· Board members also approved a resolution authorizing the city to borrow $224,653 for a new sewer vector. The money borrowed will be paid over a 10-year period to M&I Bank.

· A resolution also was adopted to reallocate funds from an account originally designated for improvements on Dakota Street in 2006 for $1.5 million. The city issued $3.43 million general obligation corporate bonds to finance several projects, including the Dakota Street improvements, that same year. So there is still over $950,000 left from the original funds for Dakota Street. Members approved the amount to be reallocated to financing improvements tentatively scheduled for Canton Street and Kasson Drive this summer.

· A dedication ceremony will be held May 2 at 4 p.m. for the new St. Croix Bluffs Park that is located at the intersection of Canton and River Terrace streets.


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Carlisle pleads not guilty

by Laurel Menne

 

At a short hearing Friday, March 15, Jeffrey Carlisle, 28, Hager City, pled not guilty to homicide by vehicle-use of a controlled substance, homicide by negligent operation of vehicle, reckless driving-cause great bodily harm and cause injury/ operating-control substance - four felony charges.

These charges stem from a single incident April 22, 2007.

According to a Prescott Journal article published on April 26, 2007, Carlisle was involved in a two vehicle accident on Highway 35 near 1240th Street in Oak Grove.

Carlisle, driving a 2002 Cadillac Escalade, allegedly collided with a 2005 Volvo driven by Michele A. Bevier. Biever was pronounced dead at the scene. Her passenger and husband, Dana G. Laird, was critically injured in the accident.

Both Laird and Carlisle were airlifted to Regions Hospital with critical injuries.

Carlisle's next court appearance will be a pre-trial conference scheduled for Tuesday, April 22 at 9:30 a.m. with Julia Gehring officiating.

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