• News tips, submissions
• Questions, comments
• Contact webmaster

• Seven students survive cabin fire
• CD snitchings, cash thefts top this week s police report
• Tuesday sports scores
• Death Notices
• Today s Calendar-Wednesday, Jan. 6
• Tomorrow s Calendar- Thursday Jan. 7
• Now showing at the Falls Theatre

A fire early Tuesday morning destroyed a cabin near Webster, leaving seven young people from River Falls shaken but alive. The cabin, owned by Gary and Helen Rohde of River Falls, was a total loss. The seven are: Elizabeth Nelson, Andrew Ennen, Brad Graetz, Megan Crist, David Preszler and Jerod Wollan. None were injured but all were stunned by their near escape, according to Nelson.

An early-morning football game may have saved their lives, Nelson said. Three of the young men were out on the frozen lake playing football when they spotted the fire. The other four were asleep in the cabin. Nelson, who was only semi-conscious by the time the three rescuers reached the cabin, had to be carried from the burning building. All their personal possessions were lost, including their jackets.

After trying unsuccessfully to rouse a neighbor, they drove to a gas station and called 911. Nelson estimated it took at least 10 minutes to reach the gas station and another half hour for the fire trucks to arrive. Keys for two of their vehicles were in the burning cabin. Fire fighters pulled the car and the truck away from the fire before they were damaged.

"The only thing left of the cabin is the chimney," Nelson said.

Several thefts of CD players and equipment were reported this last week.

--Sometime between Dec. 28 and Dec. 30 to a car parked in a garage at the Timothy R. Gavin house, 326 N. Seventh St. An intruder broke into Gavin's car and stole his CD player, speakers, equalizer, and two CD cases. Gavin noticed footprints in the snow around his garage. The stolen items totaled $957. Damages to Gavin's car were unavailable.

--A car parked in the 500 block of E. Linden Street was burglarized last week Tuesday night. The car belongs to Jessica Wang, 21, 430 N. Seventh St., who found her car had been broken into and an in-dash CD player and about 30 music CDs were missing. The CD player was valued at $250.

--A CD player and about 40 CDs were stolen from an unlocked car parked in a driveway at 403 N. Seventh last week Tuesday night. The car belongs to Bobbi A. Hammer of that address. Loss, $800.

A single thief or two different thieves made off with cash from two businesses.

--A theft was reported at Westconsin Credit Union, 1207 N. Main St., Dec. 22. The male suspect allegedly walked into the building and entered the employee breakroom. He took a small amount of cash from a container before making a transaction with a teller and then leaving. The suspect rode a bicycle, and he wore a red coat, stocking cap and perhaps had on a Walkman-type radio. Police are investigating.

--And again at the Amoco convenience store, 1553 Paulson Road, on the afternoon of Dec. 23. A male suspect walked into the office, claiming he was looking for the bathroom. Some cash was later found missing. Police were called and the suspect was picked up outside Auto Stop 15 minutes later. The case is expected to go to the St. Croix County district attorney this week for charges again the local man who is originally from the Twin Cities.

--RFHS Girls Basketball: Wildcats over New Richmond 56-52.

--RFHS Boys Basketball: Wildcats lose to Red Wing.

ROY FOREHAND, SR., 96

Roy Forehand, Sr., formerly of River Falls died Wednesday, Dec. 30 at the Spring Valley Health Care Center. Funeral services were Saturday, Jan. 2 at Cashman Funeral Home. Burial was at Greenwood Cemetery.

JOYCE SARKO, 97

Joyce Sarko of River Falls died Tuesday, Dec. 29 at River Falls Area Hospital. Funeral services were Saturday, Jan. 2 at First Congregational United Church of Christ. Cashman Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

LEONARD LEWIS, 71

Leonard Lewis, a longtime River Falls resident, died suddenly on Saturday, Dec. 26, 1998, at Cumberland Memorial Hospital. Mr. Lewis operated Lewis Shoes in River Falls for many years. The Masonic service was held Tuesday, Dec. 29 at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Clear Lake. Spring burial will be in the Clear Lake Cemetery

ERIC DAHLBERG, 26

Eric Dahlberg, former reporter for the Pierce County Herald and UW-River Falls graduate, died Saturday, Dec. 26 in a car accident east of St. Croix Falls. Funeral services were Wednesday, Dec. 30 at Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Frederic.

CAREY C. FREDRICKSON, 15

Carey C. Fredrickson of Plum City died Sunday, Dec. 20 at the home of her father in rural Arkansaw, Wis. Funeral services were Wednesday, Dec. 23 at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Rhiel Funeral Home in Durand handled the arrangements.

LEROY "SAM" SAMPSON, 80

LeRoy "Sam" Sampson of River Falls died Sunday, Dec. 20 at the Kinnic Long Term Care Center. A Masonic Memorial was held Sunday, Dec. 27 at Hill-McLaughlin Funeral Home in Prescott. Ashes were interred at Pine Glen Cemetery.

HELEN E. GILBERTSON, 96

Helen E. Gilbertson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa died there Friday, Dec. 18 after a brief illness. A memorial service was held Sunday, Dec. 27 at First Presbyterian Church in Ellsworth. Ashes were interred at the Beldenville Cemetery.

GLADYS KIND, 87

Gladys (Mrs. George) Kind died Friday, Dec. 18 at the Kinnic Home in River Falls. The funeral was Tuesday, Dec. 22 at Ezekiel Lutheran Church. Burial in Greenwood Cemetery. Cashman Mortuary made the arrangements.

--UW-RF Wrestling: Falcons vs St. John s away.

--UW-RF Women s Basketball: Falcons vs Concordia, 2:00 here.

--UW-RF Hockey: Falcons vs St. John s 7:30 away at Aldrich Arena.

Check Hudson and Ellsworth for events in other nearby communities.

To get your event, meeting, or activity listed in the daily calendar, call Katie at the River Falls Journal, 425-1561 before 11 a.m. for same-day listings, or for upcoming events you can also leave a message or e-mail daily@rivertowns.net.

--Immunization Clinic: Pierce County Public Health clinic from 3:30-5:30 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 110 N. Third St. Call 273-6755 for info.

Check Hudson and Ellsworth for events in other nearby communities.

To get your event, meeting, or activity listed in the daily calendar, call Katie at the River Falls Journal, 425-1561 before 11 a.m. for same-day listings, or for upcoming events you can also leave a message or e-mail daily@rivertowns.net.

A current listing of movies showing at the Falls Theatre in downtown River Falls. Admission: adults $2, children 12 and under $1.

At 7 and 9:10 p.m. - "Patch Adams," a Robin Williams film about a doctor with unorthodox views, rated PG13. Also Saturday and Sunday matinee at 2 p.m.