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June 4, 2008

Blackhawks advance to State

Prairie du Chien is headed to the State Baseball Tournament in Grand Chute Wednesday, June 11.

On Tuesday in Evansville, the Blackhawks won a tense opening contest against Portage 3-1 to advance to the Sectional Final against Edgewood.

Prairie du Chien then held off a late rally by undefeated and top-ranked Edgewood to win 8-6 in the Sectional Championship and claimed its first State Tournament berth since 1993 when they won it all.

In the opener, Portage scored a run in the bottom of the first inning to grab a 1-0 lead.

Prairie du Chien tied it up at 1-1 with a run in the top of the third.

With the tension building each inning during the pitchers duel, the score remained tied.

In the bottom of the seventh, Portage was threatening big time to end Prairies season. Portage had the bases loaded with two outs. There was no margin for error, but the Blackhawks got the third out to send the game into extra innings.

In the top of the eighth inning, with the help of a Portage error, Prairie du Chien manufactured a pair of runs to take a 3-1 lead.

Nathan Mezera then came on in relief to strike out the side in the bottom of the eighth as the Blackhawks claimed the victory.

In the championship game, Edgewood, the states top-ranked team in Division 2 with a 23-0 record, scored a run in the bottom of the first inning to go up 1-0.

Prairie du Chien came back with a run in the top of the third to tie the contest at 1-1.

Tyler OKane then led off the fourth inning with a towering homer into the wind to give the Blackhawks a 2-1 advantage. O’Kane's blast rattled the Edgewood pitcher and Prairie scored twice more in the inning to take a 4-1 advantage.

Still shaky, the Edgewood pitcher hit the first three batters in the sixth inning and Prairie took advantage with 3 more runs to grab a 7-1 lead.

Edgewood scored a run in the bottom of the sixth to cut the margin to 7-2 with one inning remaining.

OKane, who had appeared to be caught in a rundown, scored another run in the top of the seventh as the Blackhawks led 8-2.

Needing three outs to gain a State Tournament berth, the Blackhawks made it very interesting indeed as Edgewood scored 4 runs to cut the margin to 8-6 in the bottom of the seventh.

With the fans hanging on the edge of their seats, Edgewood had runners at the corners with two outs and their number three hitter stepping up to the plate as the potential go-ahead run.

Edgewoods Chris Ritter struck out and the Prairie du Chien faithful went into jubilation as the team celebrated its State clinching victory.

Brad Wessling earned the win.

Kyle Sime was 2x3 with a double. OKane was 2x3 with a home run. Brett Hogan hit a double and Kyle Nack hit a double to help lead the Blackhawks to an 18-5 record.

Prairie du Chien will play at 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 11 at Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute. Their opponent is not known as of presstime.

Council approves study of solar power potential

Prairie du Chien Common Council last night laid the groundwork for possible solar-power city buildings and additional development of the downtown waterfront.

Council accepted the offer of a Boulder, Colo. company to conduct a study to determine if the city's buildings could be operated on solar power.

Mayor Karl Steiner said he had been in contact with a representative of the firm, Novan Solar, and the company is willing to conduct the assessment at no charge.

Steiner said state money is available for the project, and the city could receive up to $500,000 if the project is completed. In addition, he said, Alliant Energy will also has grants available. Steiner said it appeared the project would pay for itself in energy cost savings in four to five years, and then excess energy produced could be sold. He said the city presently spends about $300,000 a year in utility costs for the 12 city-owned buildings. Hoffman Hall expenses could be cut dramatically, he said. Steiner also planned to meet with county officials to see if they wished to participate in the study.

Council also passed a resolution authorizing submittal of a grant application for a Waterfront Revitalization Planning Grant. If approved, the grant would be for a maximum of $25,000 with a required match from the city of $9,000. City Administrator Jim Gitz said the focus of the planning grant would be the downtown riverfront. The grant, said Gitz, would give the city the opportunity to consider possibilities for that section of riverfront, which might include walking paths or other improvements. Part of the city's match, he said, might be repaid in goods in kind, such as staff time or materials which could be recycled or reused.

A report from Delbert Maag, municipal water supply engineer for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), praised the city's water system as well as its superintendent. Larry Gates and his staff. The report said "Mr. Gates and the waterworks personnel are doing an excellent job with all of the sampling and reporting requirements and they should be commended for this." The report said the city's water system is in "excellent condition." The report did, however, highlight the need for more cross connection inspections, and, because of the small waterworks staff, urged the city to consider hiring an outside firm to do some of the inspections.

The resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of $590,000 in general obligation promissory notes was approved. The interest rate was low, said Dave Anderson of Public Financial Management, due to the city's financial position. The notes will cover cost of long-term projects in the city's 2008 Capital Improvement Plan and environmental remediation projects.The cost of the environmental remediation projects will be repaid through grants and TIF funds.

Waste Water Superintendent Terry Meyer reported that the storm water projects undertaken by a group of city businessmen appear to be on schedule. The businessmen agreed to complete the projects in lieu of a storm water utility which would assess properties by the amount of runoff generated—mainly by businesses and other organizations with large buildings and parking lots. Meyer said he has spoken with state officials who verified his belief that this is the only such agreement in the state, and were impressed by the cooperation of the city and the business group.

In other business, Council:

•Approved the appointments of John Rybarcyzk and Wendy Wachter-Olson to the Redevelopment Authority and of Jeff Smethurst to the Harbor Commission.

•Approved a Class B liquor license for the River Grand Event Center subject to the stipulation that it be used within two years and that all other requirements are met.

•Approved requests for Villa Louis Carriage Classic events and temporary street closure; Chamber of Commerce use of St. Feriole Island's beach area for July 12 fireworks; closure of Mondell Court for a block party Sept. 6.

•Tabled action on a request from Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital to close Crawford and Dousman Streets to Taylor Street for a 50th anniversary picnic. Council wanted more information, including emergency vehicle access.

•Decided to continue mailing council packets to members rather than having them pick them up. The issue was raised as a potential cost saving measure, but some council members said that due to work schedules, they would not be able to pick them up. Several members said, however, they would opt out of the mailing and either pick up the packets or have them sent via email.

June 2, 2008

Steiner, Nack head Class of 2008 in Prairie du Chien

By Sommer Steiner Valedictorian

My parents are Steve and Crystal Steiner. I plan to attend UW-La Crosse this fall for a healthcare career, but as of right now my major is undecided.

Throughout high school I have participated in many clubs and extra curricular activities. As a freshman I was a member of the Pom Pons squad, the choir, the band, the S.T.A.R.S. program and a basketball cheerleader. During my sophomore year I participated in football cheerleading, Students Offering Service (S.O.S.), choir, band and Pom Pons where I won the Firecracker Award. As a junior I participated in S.O.S., National Honor Society (N.H.S.), Political Science Club, band, wrestling cheerleading where I was a captain and Pom Pons where I was also a captain and a recipient of the Heather Habeck and Most Outstanding dancer awards. Also during my junior year I received an Academic Letter.

Senior year I was the April Student of the Month, a member of cross country, wrestling cheerleading, band, S.O.S., N.H.S., Political Science Club, Conservation Club where I was a Core Member, and Pom Pons where I was a captain and the recipient of the Most Outstanding Dancer Award. As a senior, I was a finalist for the Viterbo Health and Science Scholarship and in the Futures of Prairie du Chien Scholarship.

In my future I hope to be successful in whatever challenges come my way and I aspire to do great things in the world of tomorrow.

By Kyle Nack, Salutatorian

My parents are Jeff and Jenni Nack. In the fall, I plan on attending UW-Madison and majoring in engineering, most likely involving physics, biomedics or mechanics.

Throughout high school I was active in several groups and leadership positions. I was a member of the National Honor Society my junior and senior year, serving as President my senior year. I was an At-Large member of the Student Council all four years. I was elected as the class Vice President for two years. I was also a member of Students Offering Service and the Mentoring Program. I was a member of the football, basketball, and football teams all four years. I received a Varsity Letter in each of these my junior and senior years. As a junior, I received the White Award in basketball. As a senior, I was a captain of the football and basketball team, and also received a Captain Award in basketball. We were Conference Champions in basketball my junior year and baseball my junior and senior years. Also, I was a member of the Prairie Catholic Youth Group.

Aside from sports and groups, I received several academic awards. I was on the High Honor Roll throughout high school, receiving an Academic Letter my sophomore year and an Academic Pin my junior and senior years. Also, I was the December Student of the Month my senior year, a Wendy’s Academic Heisman Award Area-nominee, a National Honor Roll member, a National Society of High School Scholars nominee and a Who’s Who Among High School Students member.

Area athletes compete in State Track Meet

Five area track athletes participated in the State Track and Field Meet at UW-La Crosse this past weekend.

Prairie du Chiens Deidre Dillman took home two silver medals.

Dillman finished second in the 400-meter dash in Division 2 with a time of 57.32. Maya Vazquez of Arcadia had a time of 57.16.

Dillman also took second place in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:15.18. She tumbled over the finish line at the end of a late surge in an effort to catch West Salems Courtney Oldenburg. Oldenburg had just enough to hold on as Dillman closed a 10-meter gap that Oldenburg had opened up with about 200 meters left in the race. Oldenburg had a time of 2:15.03.

Garrett Knapp of River Ridge finished fourth in the Division 3 pole vault. His vault of 12’-9" also set a new school record, breaking the old record of 12’-3", which was jointly held by Adam Gates and Eric Bakkum.

Megan Marfilius of Wauzeka-Steuben finished fourth in the Division 3 high jump, clearing the bar in a personal best 5-2".

Prairie du Chiens Alyssa Wellumson took 12th in the Division 2 discus. Wellumson, participating in her first State Track Meet, had a throw of 105-3".

Seneca freshman Holly Aspenson had a time of 1:02.31 in her Division 3, 400-meter dash preliminary heat. Aspenson did not place but will have three more years of high school track ahead.