SPORTS, PAGE 8 VIEWPOINTS, PAGE 9 ETCETERA, PAGE 12 Coach Wing accepts Editorial: Suggestions Review of position in Texas for Riverside Commons ‘Legally Blonde’ University of Wisconsin-River Falls Thursday, April 18, 2019 University of Wisconsin river falls tudent oice S www.uwrfvoice.com V Chronic wasting disease spreads in Wisconsin Kacey Joslin (DNR) protocol regarding Chronic Wast- [email protected] ing Disease rules and procedures. “Domes- ticated deer herds or deer ranches and their Chronic wasting disease, more common- management is a big issue,” Reese said. ly known as CWD, is an epidemic that has “The disease spreads via direct contact with been spreading through Wisconsin since at infected deer, and if the infected deer get out least 2002, according to CWD expert, Bry- of the ranch and can spread the disease to an Richards. The disease is most prevalent wild herds.” among the deer population, mostly on com- The Minnesota DNR recommends not mercial deer farms and hunting ranches. The feeding wild deer for this same reason. If a disease has reportedly affected more than deer is infected, their saliva spreads through 5,200 deer as of March, 2019, as reported by shared food and water sources. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Johnny Strzyz is a hunter from Forest CWD Statewide Surveillance. County, Wisconsin, where CWD has been A great number of Pierce and St. Croix’s positively detected. “About a year ago or neighboring counties have been labelled less, there was a ban on all baiting in my “watch counties,” as they are within ten county. Before, people could bait deer; a lot miles of an area with a positive detection. use corn, seeds, vegetables, apples, etc., but The disease is neither viral or bacterial, the most common way it spreads is by saliva but caused by a brain-rupturing protein par- from eating the same pile of food,” Strzyz ticle called a prion. Though comparable to said. “There were a couple on a deer farm to mad cow disease in cattle, there has been that got CWD, so the DNR banned feeding no evidence that CWD can be transferred to in my whole county.” humans. This is based on epidemiology in- Strzyz has been hunting since he was ten vestigations by public health agencies and years old. “So that comes with a lot of learn- Center of Disease Control and Prevention. ing over the years. I’ve been having con- Experts from these organizations still versations with other hunters and becoming recommend hunters to be prudent with how more knowledgeable on the subject,” Strzyz they handle the disease, by avoiding animals added. “I’d say to other hunters, if you’re that appear to be in poor physical health. going to bait deer, spread the bait and don’t Commercial deer farmers are told to test leave it in big piles. That’s one way you their herds if they notice any discrepancies could prevent CWD more effectively.” in normal herd behavior. Alexa Walczak, a biomedical student, has Mark Reese, a wildlife management ex- been an avid hunter since she was young. pert, said that it is important that all hunters Deer meets a hunter’s gaze in the woods of Forest County. follow the Department of Natural Resources Continued on page 5 Photo courtesy Johnny Strzyz Shopko bankruptcy affects River Falls community Tyler Perelman January 16th due to a combination of nega- [email protected] tive factors, including an increasingly chal- lenging retail industry and dwindling assets. Green Bay-based retail chain Shopko has Originally planning to close about 100 stores, officially filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the company announced shortly afterward in and as of March 18th, 2019, is set to close all February that it would close 251 of its 360 360 of its stores – including the River Falls, total locations following an unsuccessful Wisconsin location – by mid-June this year. auction of its pharmaceutical branch. As of As of 2019, Shopko will have operated for the latest March 18th update, all 360 Shopko its 57th year. stores are officially set to close by no later According to a press release given by than mid-summer of 2019. Shopko Public Relations manager Michelle Russ Steinhorst, CEO of Shopko, gave a Hansen, the company was “unable to find a short statement on the matter: “This is not buyer” following an unsuccessful auction of the outcome that we had hoped for when we both is pharmaceutical subsidiary and main started our restructuring efforts,” he stated. retail branch. Given the state of the company, “In a challenging retail environment, we have it will “commence an orderly wind-down” of had to make some very tough choices, but we all retail operations, hiring the Gordon Broth- are confident that by operating a smaller and ers investment firm to oversee a liquidation more focused store footprint, we will be able process of all remaining assets, in which is to build a stronger Shopko that will better set to complete approximately 10-12 weeks serve our customers, vendors, employees and Customers leave Shopko’s closing sale from the March 18th announcement date. other stakeholders through this process.” Photo by Tyler Perelman Shopko initially filed for bankruptcy on Continued on page 5 Page 2 STUDENT Voices April 18, 2019 What is your spirit animal? Compiled by Kacey Joslin & Brooke Shepherd Violet Penman Cassie Morrison “A dog, because I’m basic.” “I think a fox, because they’re sassy like me!” Evan Ruesch Becca Iverson “A chipmunk, because my “A squirrel, because I want to hall director deemed it as be as cute as one. They always such. I wanna says it’s be- make me smile.” cause of my enthusiastic personality.” Sam Kim Megan Garves “Just a cat. They’re fairly nice, “I would say an orca, because I and cute . sometimes.” like the animal and swimming around would be pretty cool.” Ceci Charlsen Christian Martin “Probably a lizard, ‘cause “Maybe a tazmanian devil? I like to lay in the sun all Like me, they’re fast, efficient day and I don’t like being and I get the job done.” touched.” April 18, 2019 NEWS Page 3 Campus spotlights Autism Awareness month Melissa Thorud family story of living with autism and mental [email protected] health concerns, we hope to inspire others to survive, live and thrive in today’s society.” UW-River Falls hosted the Moreland fam- Moreland and her daughters Lindsey and ily to talk about their experiences, struggles Brittany Moreland, spoke about some of their and triumphs with autism on April 2nd, for struggles and their experiences with autism National Autism Awareness day. The month and overall mental health awareness. of April is dedicated to raising awareness for Moreland talked about her early experi- autism and the Moreland family has dedicat- ences with Autism, when her daughter was ed a large part of their life to raising aware- first diagnosed. She expressed that the family ness and helping others. endured many difficulties and went through The family has been a resource for others struggles when tackling the obstacles that au- who deal with raising a child with Autism tism had come with. Moreland talked about and act as a support system for families. how there were many times that her daughter Their mission states that, “by sharing our had extreme tantrums and had a hard time bonding with friends and family. When speaking about their ex- periences, the Moreland family stressed the importance of educa- tion and understanding when it comes to autism. By raising aware- ness, they aim to promote an educa- tional environment and the “impor- tance of effective communication and relationships with educators, doctors, and family.” Autism Spec- Moreland and family at Autism Awareness booth. trum Disorder (ASD), has grown to Photo courtesy of Lauri Moreland become more prevalent in recent decades. According to the Center ferences while growing up. She spoke about her many talents and is very open to talking for Disease Control and Preven- helping her sister with different therapy tech- about her experiences and raising awareness. tion, “about one in 59 children are niques as children and how this continued as The Moreland family wrote a book about diagnosed with ASD and is about they grew together. Brittany Moreland also their lives, their experiences and how they four times more common in boys deals with mental health concerns, as well as have overcome their struggles with mental than girls.” Because of the rise in epilepsy. She also expressed the importance health and autism. Autism: A Family Lives these statistics, the family finds of awareness in regards to those struggles. Beyond the Label, The Lindsey Moreland it important to educate and raise Lindsay Moreland, was diagnosed with Story, is a resource for others who are go- awareness autism at a young age and she talked about ing through similar situations and for anyone Brittany Moreland, also spoke her personal experiences. She explained the who wants to become educated on the topic. about her experiences with having difficulties she has had as well as her victo- The Moreland family aims to inspire others a sister on the autism spectrum. She ries. The family made it apparent that cel- to live, thrive and overcome any struggles talked about how bonding with her ebrating the small triumphs, as well as the they may be enduring and serve as a support sister at a young age was slightly big achievements, is important and has made system. different but she finds herself very their overall experience more positive. Lind- Nick Thorud, an 18 year old living with autism.