Messenger News
Energy Study: Dunn County would realize enough energy savings to pay for new judicial center HVAC
By LeAnn R. Ralph MENOMONIE — According to a recently-completed energy study, Dunn County would save enough money on energy to pay for a new heating-ventilation-air conditioning system at the Dunn County Judicial Center. The judicial center was built in 1998. The HVAC system is based on boilers and chillers, and full replacement of the…
Read MoreColfax and Elk Mound solid waste and recycling sites changing hours as of January 1
Editor’s Note: LeAnn R. Ralph serves as chair of the Town of Otter Creek and as the Otter Creek representative on the Colfax Solid Waste & Recycling Committee By LeAnn R. Ralph COLFAX — As of January 1, the Colfax and Elk Mound solid waste and recycling sites will be changing the hours of operation…
Read MoreChetek Lakes Protection Association provides ideas to Tainter Lake Rehabilitation District
By LeAnn R. Ralph MENOMONIE — The Chetek Lakes Protection Association — with years of experience and success — has provided ideas on projects, fund raising and promotion to the Tainter Lake Rehabilitation District. Jamey Lideen, president of the Chetek Lakes Protection Association, spoke to the Tainter Lake Rehabilitation District Board of Commissioners at the…
Read MoreDunn, Pepin Counties work with Xcel Energy to purchase part of Chippewa River State Trail
MENOMONIE, Wis. — Dunn and Pepin counties are working with a conservation organization to acquire a 6.5-mile section of the Chippewa River State Trail currently owned by Xcel Energy. “This is an exceptional stretch of this popular trail, and we have a unique opportunity to acquire it for a reasonable price,” said Chase Cummings, Dunn…
Read MoreDunn County has employee turnover rate much higher than national average
By LeAnn R. Ralph MENOMONIE — Dunn County had an employee turnover rate of 28 percent in 2022 and 18 percent in 2024, compared to a national average of 3.8 percent. Dunn County has 500 employees, and from 2020 to 2024, there were 389 total separations, with 16.45 percent (64 employees) that were retirements, said…
Read MoreColfax ended 2023 with $466,415 in unassigned general fund balance
By LeAnn R. Ralph COLFAX — As of December 31, 2023, the Village of Colfax had $466,415 in the unassigned general fund balance, compared to $592,837 in the unassigned general fund balance the previous year on December 31, 2022. Eric Davidson of Bauman Associates presented the 2023 audit report at the Colfax Village Board’s August…
Read MoreColfax approves variance for Grassland Dairy
By LeAnn R. Ralph COLFAX — The Colfax Village Board has approved a variance for Grassland Dairy, located on Dunn Street, to accommodate a walkway that was never previously approved and a “bump out” for employee lockers. The Colfax Zoning Board of appeals met just prior to the Colfax Village Board on August 26 and…
Read MoreColfax restructures $539,650 debt for lagoon bank stabilization project
by LeAnn R. Ralph COLFAX — The Colfax Village Board has approved restructuring debt of $539,650 to pay for the project to stabilize the Red Cedar River bank so that the village’s wastewater treatment lagoons do not wash out. The village board approved the debt restructuring at the August 26 meeting. The Red Cedar River…
Read MoreDCAREA collects and donates school supplies and money
Dunn County Area Retired Educators’ Association (DCAREA), collected school supplies, for public school students in our area, during a recent meeting. DCAREA also donated $165 to assist area public school teachers and students, with further back to school supplies. At the same meeting, a representative from Coco’s Heart, a non-profit rescue that works to find…
Read MoreElk Mound school district reviews $14.67 million budget at annual meeting
By LeAnn R. Ralph ELK MOUND — Electors in the Elk Mound school district reviewed a projected revenue and expenditure budget of $14.67 million for the 2024-2025 school year at the district’s annual meeting August 19. The projected budget for this year of $14,673,652 compares to last year’s budget of $15,122,104, representing a decrease for…
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