Leader-Telegram from Eau Claire, Wisconsin • 1

Tuccdcy Weather Mostly sunny Tonight Wed. 54 82 Details Page 8A. 1eadeeTeilegmam www.cvol.net 1 SI LADYSMITH TORNADO Lata EljS 4:30 p.m.: Time of tornado touchdown. 20: People who spent night in Bruce shelter. 62: People injured.

100: Homes and businesses damaged. 2,500: People who lost power in Ladysmith. Staff graphic by Kathy Nelson in i I J. r-- 0 J- 1 r- ii of 1) Staff photo by Steve KInderman Ladysmith residents began cleanup efforts today after Monday's tornado Several homes and businesses were destroyed in the city on U.S. 8, shown above.

The highway reopened late Monday night. Officials try to account for all Path of Storms Reported touchdowns in four Wisconsin communities Monday: Ladysmith, Athens, Brokaw and Brandon. A funnel cloud also was sighted in Aniwa. Crews try io clear debris so cleanup can proceed Ladysmith in To L. MICH.

i Ladysmith1 1 4:32 p.m. Brokaw I A I 1 I H-SA Vj Athens k-hiaJ I 6 p.m. I OT fAJ i i Brandon I minn- r-'ww ay 1 l0WA fi7 i By Michael Klein and Julian Emerson Leader-Telegram staff LADYSMITH Crews of firefighters and utility workers combed through downtown Ladysmith building by building this morning to the storm-ravaged area was safe. A crowd of about 100 displaced residents waited anxiously outside the Rusk County Law Enforcement Center for permission to return to their houses and businesses to start the arduous cleanup. Lois List, 73, said the storm broke all of her home's windows, lifted the roof, knocked down six trees and carried away two outbuildings.

"I don't know where they are," said List, who weathered the storm in her basement. "I five on the (Flambeau) River. I assume they're in the river." Two people still were unaccounted for this morning from Greenwood apartments in Ladysmith, said Ladysmith police Chief Norm "We think these people are O.K.," Rozak said. "We just don't think they were at home when we, went to Check." 1 Rozak told the displaced residents that clearing the area may be slow. "I can't afford to have anybody in there right now," he said.

Displaced homeowners and- business owners were allowed back structures at 9 a.m. after Anyone wishing to help with cleanup in Ladysmith is asked to call City Hall at (715) 532-2600. The American Red CrossOhippewa Valley Chapter is accepting monetary donations to help the tornado victims. Donations can be sent to the chapter's office at 218 N. Barstow Eau Claire, Wl 54703.

The Red Cross does not accept donations of goods. Family members trying to locate displaced Ladysmith residents can call (800) 837-6313. emergency personnel cleared downed power lines and repaired natural gas leaks. Officials said the area was potentially dangerous. "We still could have some people injured because there's so much debris in there," Rozak said.

tornado tore roofs off houses, knocked down telephone poles and trees, and overturned cars. This morning the streets were littered with boards, shingles and insulation. Still, the tornado wasn't as bad as the 1984 storm on that flattened Barneveld, said Richard Ehlert, ho was Barneveld police chief at the By Leader-Telegram staff LADYSMITH Labor Day became exactly that for most Ladysmith residents after a tornado ripped through the Rusk County seat at about 4:30 p.m. Monday. Sixty-two people were injured and scores of others displaced when about 135 homes and businesses, mostly in the heart of the community, were ravaged by the storm.

There were no reported fatalities, but emergency officials were going door-to-door today to make a final determination. As of this morning, two resi- dents of Greenwood Apartments were unaccounted for, but they may have been delayed in returning from holiday weekend activities, said Police Chief Norm Rozak. "We don't know for sure, but we think those people are OK," Rozak said this morning. "We just don't think they were home when we checked on them." The twister destroyed homes and tore the roofs off the Davis Motel and Lounge and the fire department in the city of about 4,000. It cut a path through downtown, about 14 blocks long and four blrcks wide.

Forty-three people were treated at Rusk County Memorial Hospital in Ladysmith, with 21 released. Nineteen others were treated at other medical facilities, said Rozak. Most of the injuries were bruises and cuts. See TORNADO, Page 2A Staff graphic by Kathy Nelson What's Incido Ladysmith residents assess the damage and recount their encounters with the storm. Page IB.

lalhe high school took the brunt of the damage in Gilman, but the football players who were practicing inside escaped injury. Page IB. The National Weather Service didn't know about the tornado until it touched down. Page IB. More photos from the scene.

Page 4D. See CLEANUP, Page 2A Eager anticipation greets open house at Flynn School First-grader Brooke Devine, 6, of Eau Claire put her newly sharpened pencils into her desk at Flynn School this morning. The school held an open house from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today for parents and children.

Regular classes begin Wednesday. Staff nhAftn 1 it Bulletin Boarlt 2B CityRegion Classified Comicscrossword i'4A Food 1C Horoscopes Movie listings. 48 2B Opinions ID TV listings Annie's Mailbox and students could tour the school, meet the staff and drop off supplies activities Keshia was plenty ready for. In fact, her backpack was so stuffed with markers, crayons, pencils and other supplies that it couldn't close. Of ceurse, a new first-day-of-school outfit was a must as well.

"I got a lot of new outfits," the blond See FLYNN, Page 2A By Jennifer Schmidt Leader-Telegram staff Five-year-old Keshia Stahlbusch entered Flynn School this morning with wide eyes and a big smile. Accompanied by her parents, Kevin Stahlbusch and Tracy Justice, Keshia got her first look at her brand new school. The school held an open house today in which parents by Dan Reliant) Victoire Imports Wine lasting 5ampl some of the Fantastic 2000 fiordeaux Vintage releases. This is a great opportunity to learn more about some of the world's most famous wines. Friday, Sept.

6 6:00 8:00 SaU ept. 7 1 No charge for this event Jim' 0U9999 The Coffee Grounds 3460 Mall DY. Hwy. 93, Eau Claire 834-1733 9COOJ Volume 33 Number 88 4 Sections 24 Pages.