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• New Richmond has 4 finalists for police chief; none wants name released
• New Richmond advances to WIAA summer baseball sectional, beats Amery 9-2
• Charges dismissed against Roberts bar owner in connection with police brawl

Four unidentified people have been chosen as finalists for the position of New Richmond Police chief, it was announced Monday by the city Police and Fire Commission.

All four candidates asked in writing that their names not be revealed, the release added, citing state statute supporting the privacy of the finalists.

"Background investigations will be conducted and final oral interviews will be scheduled as soon as possible," the release added.

The commission has been meeting since late May in a search for a successor to former Police Chief David Levi, who retgired in June. Commission members include Richard Mier, president, Marty Shanklin, Bob Condon, Mary Sullivan and Joann Hop.

The commission is empowered by state law to independently interview and hire a chief of police. Its powers also extend over the fire chief's position.

By state law, a city must turn the police chief hiring responsibilities over to the police and fire commission if it is larger than 4,000 population. The commission members are appointed by the mayor for terms of five years.

It takes all three elements of baseball, pitching, hitting and defense, to be successful. In Tuesday's WIAA regional final, the New Richmond Tigers had all three in beating Amery 9-2. With the win, the Tigers advance into Friday's WIAA New Richmond Sectional Tournament.

Glenwood City and Siren will play in the opening game of Friday's sectional at noon. New Richmond will square off against Lakeland Conference champion Grantsburg at 2:15 p.m. in the second semifinal game. The sectional championship game is slated to begin at 4:45 p.m.

While New Richmond played a well-rounded game against Amery Tuesday, it was the Tiger defense that stole the show. Third baseman Corey Brennan has been a defensive standout all season, but Tuesday's game may have been his best. Time after time he made difficult plays, charging high hoppers and making strong, accurate throws to first base.

The best defensive play of the season for the Tigers may have been supplied in the first inning by Tiger shortstop Dan Ragsdale. Amery leadoff hitter Ryan Humpal hit a hard grounder deep in the hole. Ragsdale ranged far to his right, snaring the ball on the edge of the outfield grass. He then fired a bullet to first base, beating Humpal to the bag by inches.

In the fifth inning the Tigers turned a gorgeous double play. First baseman Casey Crisp charged an infield chopper, making a gutsy throw to second base. Ragsdale then quickly made the return throw to first base, where second baseman Josh Anderson made a diving catch and was able to get a piece of the bag before the Amery runner arrived.

The balance in the Tiger lineup showed again as six different players came through with two hits in the game. Crisp, Brennan, Ragsdale, Derrick Elmer, Lars Peterson and Justin Stoeklen each produced two hits. Crisp scored three times.

Stoeklen pitched the first six innings in Tuesday's steamy heat to get the win. In his typical style he kept Amery off balance, using his fastball to set up his sharp breaking curveball.

Criminal charges were dismissed last week against the owner of a Roberts bar and grill in connection with a highly publicized brawl with police in October of 1999.

During a court hearing last Wednesday, misdemeanor battery and party to a crime charges were dismissed without prejudice against Matthew J. Delander, 47, owner of the L&M Bar & Grill.

St. Croix County District Attorney Eric Johnson said the action was taken due to a lack of evidence.

Delander acknowledges he took part in a scuffle with a group of off-duty law enforcement officers, but insists he did not assault anyone and was only trying to break up the fight.

"I tried to break it up and I was just doing my job. I took Oehmke (a Hudson police officer) and pushed him outside, but he came back in twice and at that point he was trespassing," said Delander, who also serves as a trustee for the Village of Roberts. "At no time did any of them identify themselves as police officers. They were drunken civilians who got involved in a fight."

"I have a great deal of respect for law enforcement, but I don't think it's fair that off-duty officers can get away with such behavior and people like me get charged with a crime." Delander was one of four defendants to be charged after the incident.

His brother, 44-year-old Patrick Delander, entered a no contest plea to a disorderly conduct charge Wednesday for his part in the brawl, along with Barbara J. Shemon, 38, both of Roberts.

In exchange for their pleas, court officials dismissed a battery charge against Patrick Delander and a resisting an officer charge against Shemon. Each received a suspended sentence and will pay court costs of about $85.

A fourth defendant, Terance J. Frederick, 42, is scheduled to stand trial Aug. 27 for his alleged part in the brawl. Frederick is charged with two misdemeanor counts of battery and one count of disorderly conduct.

Prosecutors have reserved the option to refile charges against Matthew Delander if evidence comes forward in Frederick's trial.