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March 16, 2005

Rotary turns ordinary students into seasoned world travellers 
When Ryan Knapp was 16, he spent a year in the city of Mosbach, Germany, living with several different families as a Rotary Exchange student. At the time, Ryan was a junior at Prairie du Chien Senior High School and he had two years of high school German classes under his belt. Was he prepared for what lay ahead of him? Not exactly. Would he have rather stayed home? No way. "It was a tremendous experience," says Knapp, 24, who now works in financial services and lives in Madison. "It made me who I am today." While many foreign exchange students have visited Prairie, Knapp is the only Prairie du Chien Rotary Exchange student to visit another country. The language barrier was difficult at first. Ryan said that even though his hosts spoke English, they spoke German to him to force him to learn the language. At first he had to translate everything in his head which was time consuming and frustrating. He knew he was getting better when he noticed he began to dream in German. Like all Rotary Exchange students, Ryan lived at no cost with several different families throughout the year. Some were middle and working class families, but one family he stayed with was quite affluent. Ryan attended the local college-prep high school, where he said the students worked very hard, much harder than in the U.S. There were no extracurricular activities or clubs at the school, and students walked, rode bicycles or took public transit to school. Students also enjoyed more freedom, he said, such as an open campus. Due to the language barrier, Ryan was graded only on participation for the first part of the school year. He did receive credit towards graduation back home. According to Knapp, the best thing about his year away was the lifelong friendships and connections he made, not only with the families he stayed with, but with Rotary Exchange students from all over the world. Ryan was fortunate enough to enjoy a three week European tour with other international students during spring break. One of his host families paid for the trip. Ryan says that he stays in regular contact with four or five people he met during that year, including some members of his host families. He says he savors the Œlittle memories, like friends who helped at school, the kinds of things you take for granted at home." Anuj Gupta, a Rotary Exchange student from Mumbai (Bombay), India, has been living in Prairie du Chien this year. He says he has really enjoyed his stay here. "People are really friendly," he said. He also enjoys the "easy-going lifestyle." He said he was surprised, however, at how little many Americans know about the rest of the world. Anuj is in his senior year. He came to Prairie back in September and will leave for home in June, where he will begin college classes in computers and information technology at Jai Hind College in Mumbai. Like most Rotary Exchange students, he too will have the opportunity to visit a number of cities in the U.S. He has already had a tour of the East Coast and new York City. Next he will visit Los Angeles, Las Vegas and St. Louis. He also plans to visit Rice Lake, Wis., where his brother was an exchange student a few years ago. Anuj says that when you stay someplace for a year, you are not really a visitor. "You see so much more, the exchange thing is totally different [than taking a trip somewhere]." One thing both Anuj and Ryan agree upon is the quality of the Rotary program compared to other student exchange organizations. The primary cost to participants is airfare to and from the host country and incidental costs such as passport application fees. Housing, meals and spending money are provided by Rotary, and some Rotary host families, like Ryan's give even more. Another bonus of the program is the way it builds connections. "Rotary's program is strong in connecting Rotary exchange students [with each other]," said Ryan.

Currently, the Prairie du Chien Rotary Exchange program is handling an application from a girl in Mexico to come to Prairie for the coming school year. And they are seeking an adventurous student from the area who would also like to become a world traveller.

Advice from an expert: Go For It! By Anuj Gupta
Does traveling to another part of the world and experiencing a different lifestyle sound like fun to you? If you're a high school student, you may be eligible for Rotary Youth Exchange. Through this program, you can go to another country of your choice for a whole school year. Unlike just visiting another country, being an exchange student really gives you the opportunity to "live'' a different lifestyle. Over the course of a year, you get to live with three to four different families. I myself am an exchange student from India and have been here in Prairie du Chien since last fall. From my own experience, I can say that if you go with the right mind, having a great time, learning a new lifestyle and learning to live independently is guaranteed! Living in another country, you learn to compare and contrast other cultures to your own. You also realize that people all over the world are alike in so many ways. In my opinion, the best time to go for the exchange is between your freshman to junior years, as graduation is a time when we want to be with our own family and friends. If this interests you, think about it! Prairie du Chien Rotary Club is seeking area students who are interested in Youth Exchange. For all questions, you can call the Youth Exchange Officer for the Rotary Club of Prairie du Chien, Bob Travis, at 326-4421. To learn more about what it's like to be an exchange student, you can also contact me at the same number. You can take my word for it, this is an experience you will never forget. Anuj Gupta is a Rotary Exchange student visiting Prairie du Chien from Mumbai, India.

Faulkner guilty in "shaken baby" case 
A 29-year-old Prairie du Chien man, Jesse R. Faulkner, was found guilty Tuesday morning in Crawford County Circuit Court of second degree reckless homicide in the death of 15-month-old Miles G. Davis, of Prairie du Chien. Faulkner had been originally charged with first degree reckless homicide on Dec. 26, 2003. At Tuesday's plea hearing, Faulkner entered a plea of no contest to the amended charge of second degree reckless homicide, a charge that was reached through a plea agreement. Grant County Circuit Court Judge Robert P. VanDeHey, who had been substituted in the case in place of Crawford County Circuit Court Judge Michael Kirchman, found Faulkner guilty and ordered a pre-sentence investigation to be conducted. VanDeHey set Faulkner's sentencing hearing for Friday, June 10 at 9 a.m. in the Crawford County Courthouse. "There is a factual basis in the record for a finding of guilty," VanDeHey said just prior to stating the verdict. In discussing the pre-sentence investigation, VanDeHey told Faulkner, "There is a high probability of a prison sentence." Faulkner replied that he understood. The maximum sentence for second degree reckless homicide is 25 years in prison (15 years of confinement, followed by 10 years of extended supervision) and a $100,000 fine. Before the plea agreement was reached, Faulkner's trial on the charge of first degree reckless homicide was scheduled to begin Tuesday morning. First degree reckless homicide carries a maximum sentence of 60 years in prison. According to the criminal complaint, Miles G. Davis' mother, Delaine Hurda, took the boy to Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital at about 1 p.m. Dec. 17, 2003. Hospital personnel then called the Prairie du Chien Police Department to investigate the "suspicious" death. Lieutenant Erich Ahrens observed some abrasions and contusions around the head and neck of the boy and it was decided that an autopsy would be ordered. The autopsy was performed by Dr. Michael Stier of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University Medical School in Madison. Dr. Stier reported that the boy had sustained several injuries, including an acute subdural hemorrhage, severe; gross perioptic nerve hemorrhage, bilateral; and cerebral edema, severe. Dr. Stier concluded that the cause of death was "homicidal shaking in a battered child," consistent with "shaken baby syndrome." Dr. Stier said that the death was homicidal rather than accidental. According to the complaint, Delaine Hurda went to work at approximately 5:15 p.m. on Dec. 16, 2003. Hurda said that Faulkner was baby-sitting the boy while she was at work. Hurda said she called home twice to check on the boy because she was somewhat concerned about the way the child was acting. Hurda returned home from work at approximately 2 a.m. Dec. 17, 2003 and set up a vaporizer in the child's room because his breathing seemed congested. Hurda said that she checked on Miles again at about 4 a.m. Hurda said she went back to bed and awoke again at about noon to check on the boy. Hurda noted that the child was lying in the same position as he was throughout the night. She stated that she picked the child up and that he was stiff and cold to the touch, according to the complaint. On Dec. 18, 2003, investigators interviewed Faulkner, who had been living with Hurda for about two months. Faulkner told investigators that on Dec. 15, 2003 at about 8 p.m., he began watching a football game on television. At approximately 8:30 p.m., he went into the bathroom and while in there, Faulkner heard a "thump." He came out of the bathroom and found Miles sitting on the floor, crying and shaking his head, the complaint said. Faulkner told investigators that he then picked up the boy and shook him "to get him to quit crying." Faulkner said that he shook the child "for a minute or two" until he stopped crying. Faulkner said that after the boy stopped crying, he put the child on some pillows on the floor. Faulkner said that the child appeared "dazed," according to the complaint. Faulkner said that he stopped watching the football game at about 10:30 p.m. and went into the computer room. Faulkner said that he then heard another thump. The child appeared more dazed than before, Faulkner said. He then picked up the boy, changed him and put him to bed, according to the criminal complaint.

Faulkner is free on $10,000 cash bond.

March 14, 2005

Wellness Day: A Seneca tradition of healthy learning
For fifteen years Seneca students have some a welcome time off from regular classes. But it's not exactly a day off. It's Wellness Day. Wellness Day offers students an opportunity to learn about basic health and safety issues that affect them, such drugs, alcohol and tobacco. But it also offers a chance to delve into other aspects of living well, such as goal setting, understanding media messages and money management. All of these topics and more were offered to students in 40 minute workshop-style mini-sessions throughout the day, as well as two keynote speakers. Entertainment was provided by the La Crosse Central High School Show Choir. About 200 students in grades six through twelve participated in the event. Seneca is the only school in Crawford County, and one of the few in the state, to offer this type of event. The event is sponsored by a student organization, Students Helping Area Resistance Efforts, or SHARE. Student involved in SHARE attend a training workshop at a camp in Rosholt, Wis., then create an action plan of two or three events for their school for peer teaching about drugs and alcohol. Wellness Day has been a primary SHARE event for all of it's fifteen years. Jennifer Brandes is an eighth grader who has been involved in SHARE for about two years, and she likes it. "They [other students] wonder why I want to stay after school. I say I like learning new things and helping others," Brandes said. SHARE students do stay after school, and they do help others. Students logged about 80 hours of volunteer time to put on the Wellness Day. Students are involved in all aspects of they event. They write the $1,000 mini grant that helps fund the event. Older students, like senior Elliot Stevenson, did a lot of work back in December contacting presenters by phone, and lining them up. Others help with set-up and tear-down. As a reward for their efforts, any student who logs 15 hours of volunteer time is eligible to participate in an overnight get away at a motel in Prairie du Chien with a pool, games and movies. Students who have fewer volunteer offers may also attend, but they have to pay. Like other SHARE events, the motel overnight also requires that the students put in a little work time. They must tally the results of the evaluation forms students filled out on the Wellness Day presentations. The evaluations help them choose which presentations are worth a repeat performance for next year's Wellness Day. Taking an active part in creating an event as big as Wellness Day helps SHARE students build skills. Stevenson, who will attend the University of Minnesota at the Twin Cities campus this fall, says his six years years in SHARE has helped build his confidence and networking abilities. Plus, he says, "It's a way to give back to the community. My parents always taught me that," he added. Some of the presenters at the workshop, such as the keynote speakers and the show choir, charge for their services. Many others, such as Prairie du Chien School Resource Officer Chad Abram and Crawford County Domestic Violence Coordinator for Catholic Charities, June Hoeger, give presentations as part of their regular duties at no charge. Abram gave a presentation entitled "Teens and the Law," and Hoeger gave one on dating and teen violence. While students typically looked a little bored during most of the presentations, that doesn't mean they weren't listening. Brandy Poltrock, a sophomore, said that she felt the dating and violence presentation was the most useful for her. "I'm going to watch out more about who I date, and my friends too," she said. She also enjoyed the program on Lifetime Wellness that focused on goal setting, working hard and keeping a positive attitude. "I learned how goals are always changing throughout your life, and to think about goals," she said.

Eastman game farm owner in litigation with DATCP over CWD ruling 
The owner of an Eastman game farm that was found to have one deer with chronic wasting disease (CWD) has gone into litigation with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). A 19-month-old whitetail buck that died from respiratory causes tested positive for CWD on Jan. 21. The animal was one of a herd of 40 owned by Curtis Christensen. The herd was immediately put under quarantine because the rest of the animals have been exposed to CWD. Quarantine stops the movement of live deer off the farm. Since Jan. 21, the herd has remained under quarantine and State Veterinarian Dr. Robert Ehlenfeldt has revoked the CWD Monitoring Program status of the farm. Through the litigation, Christensen is challenging the revocation of his CWD Monitoring Program status, without which he cannot bring live deer onto the farm nor ship live deer off of the farm. DATCP Public Information Officer Donna Gillson said that the case will be heard before an administrative law judge within the department. The administrative law judge will then make a recommendation to DATCP Secretary Rod Nilsestuen, who will issue the final ruling. The litigation process could take months. Some cases have been known to take years. If Christensen is not satisfied with the department's ruling, he can then take the case to court, Gillson said. Prior to April 9, 2002 (when CWD was discovered in the wild whitetail herd in Southern Wisconsin), the CWD Monitoring Program was voluntary for game farms. On April 9, 2002, the CWD Monitoring Program became mandatory as an emergency measure for all game farms that wanted to bring in and ship out live deer or elk. Also, much more stringent rules were implemented concerning the CWD Monitoring Program. In June of 2003, permanent rules that are even more strict were implemented for the CWD Monitoring Program. "You have to account for every single deer or elk on your property," said Donna Gillson about farm-raised animals. Gillson noted that no matter how an animal dies, it must be tested if it is 16 months old or older. Also, game farmers must do an annual herd census and must notify DATCP as to why their herd population went up or down. In addition, in order to import live animals, game farmers must import them from other farms that have been in a state-sanctioned monitoring program for at least five years. There are also several requirements for the maintenance of proper fences to keep farm-raised deer in and wild deer out. Gillson said that game farmers bear the cost of testing for CWD on their farms. She noted that there have been more than 10,000 deer tested on Wisconsin game farms, with 28 testing positive for CWD to date. One of the infected animals was an elk and the rest were whitetail deer. Seventeen of the animals that tested positive were from one hunting preserve in Portage County, Gillson said. Those animals were tested after being shot by hunters on the preserve. It is not illegal to ship deer carcasses, said Gillson. She also stated, however, that most of those hunters on the preserve were probably not interested in deer carcasses, but rather were interested in obtaining a trophy rack.

In 2004, there were 724 game farms with deer or elk in the state of Wisconsin. In all, 20 herds in Wisconsin are under quarantines related to CWD. Ten of those herds are related to on-farm CWD cases. The rest of the herds may have been exposed to CWD because they are within the Department of Natural Resources disease eradication zone.

The deer herd owned by Curtis Christensen of Eastman remains under quarantine and the case remains under investigation in order to determine if the infected buck was born on the farm or if it was brought in from somewhere else. DATCP staff are tracing the movements of deer onto and from the farm in an effort to find out if other herds may have been exposed. Gillson said that, to date, no other herds have been quarantined as a result of the finding on the Christensen farm.

When the 19-month-old buck on the Christensen farm died, Christensen reported it, as he was supposed to do in accordance with CWD Monitoring Program rules. The deer was tested by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, which reported the CWD positive results on Jan. 21.