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• Sign designed to send message to two states
• Hudson Police Department to get two new sergeants
• Hudson - Wrong number leads to trouble for Somerset man

By RiverTown Staff

A billboard that states boldly that "the air is cleaner" in Minnesota was unveiled near the Minnesota/Wisconsin border Wednesday, April 2.

The message has the blessing of officials in both St. Croix County and Washington County (Minnesota).

The billboard's message is in reference to Minnesota's Freedom to Breathe Act, which was approved last year by the Minnesota Legislature and signed into law by Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty. The law has been in effect since Oct 1, 2007.

"As the billboard says, thanks to our new smoke-free law the air is cleaner in Minnesota and our state's families are the better for it," said Cynthia Piette, project coordinator for Smoke-Free Washington County, which sponsored the billboard.

The billboard has a simulated satellite image of the upper Midwest that shows Minnesota surrounded by smoke. The billboard's text says, "With our new smoke-free law, the air is cleaner here."

On the Wisconsin side, Geralyn Karl, St. Croix County health educator said, "This is true - the air is cleaner in Minnesota and all residents have equal protection - something we deserve here in Wisconsin, as well."

Piette said the sign also acts as a welcome sign.

"If you are not from Minnesota but you too are concerned about what secondhand smoke exposure will do to your health and your families, you are welcome here any time," said Piette.

"And that is exactly what neighboring Wisconsin residents are doing - crossing the river for a 'breath of fresh air,'" says Karl. "I hear from many community members who enjoy dinner, bowling and entertainment in the smoke-free environments of Minnesota's businesses."

Piette said polls show that more than 75 percent of Minnesota's residents support the right to breathe clean healthy air, with 44 percent supporting it strongly.

Billboards are also planned on the Minnesota/South Dakota border and on the Minnesota/North Dakota border.

By Meg Heaton, RiverTown Staff

Hudson Police Chief Marty Jensen has announced the promotion of officers Brad Kusmirek and Jason Muenich to the rank of sergeant.

They will be sworn in along with the new mayor and City Council members on April 15 at City Hall.

Both men have 11 years of experience in law enforcement. Muenich, 37, is a 1989 Hudson High School graduate. He joined the Hudson Police Department in October 1999. Prior to that he was a member of the Milwaukee Police Department.

Kurmirek, 34, joined the HPD in 2002. Prior to that he was an officer in Price County in north central Wisconsin.

The new patrol sergeants will supervise the officers on the second and third shifts. The day patrol will be supervised by Sgt. Glen Hartman. Eric Atkinson will shift to investigations as detective sergeant.

Muenich and Kusmirek were chosen from among 11 candidates in the department who applied for the positions. Their appointments were approved by the Police and Fire Commission on Tuesday. Jensen said he is in the process of filling the two vacancies left by the promotions.

Jensen said Muenich and Kusmirek are both well respected by their fellow officers and have demonstrated leadership skills. "They will do a fantastic job for us and the community."

By Meg Heaton

The Somerset man who used his cell phone to make a connection with several underage boys late last year has pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges.

Hector Antonia Linarez-Mata, 20, pleaded guilty to one count of lewd and lascivious behavior-exposure and disorderly conduct.

A county forfeiture charge of unlawful phone use was dismissed. Linarez-Mata was placed on probation and his prosecution was deferred. He also paid a fine of $410.50.

The charges stemmed from a series of phone calls between Linarez-Mata and several middle school-age boys last November.

It began when one of the boys received a call on his cell phone.

He answered it and spoke with a man who the boy didn't clearly understand due to what sounded like a heavy accent. The boy figured the man had a wrong number and hung up.

But when the man called back, a conversation began.

Over the course of a month, the boys received several calls from the man that included pictures of the caller including one of his genitals.

The boys notified the mother of a friend when the man requested to meet the person on the other end of his calls and she contacted the North Hudson Police.

A meeting was arranged via cell phone with Linarez-Mata and he was arrested in the parking lot of a North Hudson restaurant.

The charges against Linarez-Mata are misdemeanors. It is not clear if Linarez-Mata knew the party he was calling was a juvenile boy. When he asked for a photo, the boys sent a picture of a female model off the television.