Messenger News
Colfax man convicted of child sex crimes now living in the Town of Tainter
by LeAnn R. Ralph MENOMONIE — A former Colfax man sentenced in 2013 to 14 years in prison and 10 years of extended supervision for sex crimes related to minors was released in Menomonie homeless October 8 and is now living in the Town of Tainter. Michael L. Fodness, age 57, was convicted in Dunn…
Read MoreColfax loses out on $4.18 million Flexible Facilities grant
By LeAnn R. Ralph COLFAX — The Village of Colfax was not among the grant awards for a Flexible Facilities grant of up to $4.25 million to make improvements to the Colfax Municipal Building. The grant awards were announced on October 7. The Flexible Facilities Program grant is funded through the U.S. Department of Treasury’s…
Read MoreCartoon-festooned mini-van brings relief for local family
By LeAnn R. Ralph COLFAX — If you see the Tom and Kelly Hendrickson family out with their new-to-them vehicle — be sure to wave. How will you know it is the Hendricksons? Their vehicle is likely the only silver Dodge Grand Caravan in western Wisconsin with a custom paint job featuring cartoon characters. The…
Read MoreArea fire departments fights 15-acre brush fire in Town of Otter Creek
Editor’s note: LeAnn R. Ralph serves as chair of the Town of Otter Creek and as chair of the Colfax Community Fire District Board. by LeAnn R. Ralph COLFAX — The Colfax Community Fire Department responded to a call for what ended up being a 15-acre brush fire along county Highway N in the Town…
Read MoreDunn County Board reviews 2025 budget of $111.16 million
by LeAnn R. Ralph MENOMONIE — The Dunn County Board has reviewed a budget of $111.16 million for 2025, representing an increase of $11.7 million over the 2024 budget of $99.45 million. The anticipated total property tax levy for the 2025 budget is $24,784,000, said Dr. Beata Haug, Dunn County chief financial officer, at the…
Read MoreRed Cross: Donors vital in response to Hurricane Helene impact
EAU CLAIRE — The American Red Cross continues to work to restock critically needed blood products uncollected due to the ongoing impact of Hurricane Helene’s devastation in the Southeast. Donors outside of affected areas are encouraged to make an appointment to give now and help keep the blood supply stable in the weeks to come. …
Read MoreLeader of Eau Claire drug trafficking organization sentenced to 10 years
MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Hector A. Jimenez-Sosa, 40, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, was sentenced September 25, 2024 by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 10 years in federal prison for distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The prison term will be…
Read MoreColfax man convicted of child sex crimes, sentenced to 14 years in prison released
By LeAnn R. Ralph MENOMONIE — A former Colfax man sentenced in 2013 to 14 years in prison and 10 years of extended supervision for sex crimes related to minors was scheduled to be released in Menomonie on October 8. According to a release from the Menomonie Police Department, Michael L. Fodness, who will turn…
Read MoreCheck out Wisconsin’s State Parks at your local library with day use park passes
COLFAX – The Colfax Public Library, in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, is participating in a program to make state park and forest vehicle admission day passes available to library card holders at Colfax Public Library. The “Check Out Wisconsin State Parks At Your Library” program began in 2022 and has grown…
Read MoreColfax’s new administrator: Carrie Johnson
By LeAnn R. Ralph COLFAX — Carrie Johnson, the new administrator-clerk-treasurer in Colfax, has a vision for the village. Colfax, she says, should be a place where people want to live and work. The village also should be a destination to enjoy what the area has to offer, such as fishing, kayaking and canoeing on…
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