Area News
$4.2 million referendum question fails in Menomonie school district
By LeAnn R. Ralph MENOMONIE — Voters in the Menomonie school district failed a referendum question February 20 to exceed the revenue limit by $4.2 million in perpetuity. According to unofficial election results posted on the Dunn County clerk’s website, the question failed on a vote of 59 percent “no” to 41 percent “yes,” with…
Read MoreColfax High School football program has improved but now needs more help
By LeAnn R. Ralph COLFAX — The Colfax High School football program has improved since the roster engagement plan was put into place in 2022, but the program still needs more help. Joe Beranek, CHS football coach and high school history teacher, spoke briefly to the Colfax Board of Education at the February 19 meeting…
Read MoreTown of Menomonie man sentenced to 25 years in prison for child sexual assault
By LeAnn R. Ralph MENOMONIE — A 34-year-old Town of Menomonie man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison after being found guilty by a Dunn County jury on four felony counts related to the first degree sexual assault of a child. Kory M. Cockeram appeared before Judge Luke M. Wagner for a sentencing…
Read MoreMeet the local Dunn County candidates on March 7
Menomonie and other Dunn County residents have been invited to meet face to face with candidates who are seeking to represent them on the Dunn County Board, the Menomonie City Council, as Menomonie Mayor, and on the governing board of the School District of the Menomonie Area. The meet-up will be held on Thursday, March…
Read MoreFatal crash on WIS 25 in Dunn County
DUNN COUNTY — On February 25, 2024, at approximately 12:49 pm, a 2-vehicle crash occurred on Highway 25 near Northline Road in Dunn County. The crash involved one fatality and one injury. Preliminary investigation shows a pickup truck traveling southbound pulled into the northbound lane to pass a vehicle and drove head-on into a passenger…
Read MoreDunn County asking HSHS and Prevea to “slow down and work with communities”
By LeAnn R. Ralph MENOMONIE — The Dunn County Board has adopted a resolution essentially asking the Hospital Sisters Health System and Prevea Health to slow down the process for closing Sacred Heart Hospital and St. Joseph’s Hospital along with 19 Prevea clinics. The resolution has been adopted by Eau Claire County and Chippewa County…
Read MoreElk Creek Solar will pay Spring Brook $700,000 annually and Dunn County $900,000
By LeAnn R. Ralph MENOMONIE — The Elk Creek Solar Project will now pay the Town of Spring Brook $700,000 annually, and Dunn County will receive $900,000, while the Elk Mound school district will receive $60,000 per year. The state of Wisconsin has increased the utility aid shared revenue payments, said Dylan Stickney, a project…
Read MoreColfax school district could do “incredible amount” with $2 million
By LeAnn R. Ralph COLFAX — There’s a reason why some school districts in Wisconsin are holding referendums in the April election to exceed the revenue limit for operational costs. About 75 percent of the school districts in Wisconsin are experiencing declining enrollment, and school districts also have to pay for unfunded mandates, such as…
Read MoreTaste & See Creamery Boyceville small dairy making it big with cheese curds
By Renee Bettendorf BOYCEVILLE — With the long running trend in the dairy farming industry, where fewer and bigger farms produce most of the milk, it’s rare to find a new small family dairy operation. Taste & See Creamery, LLC is the exception. For nearly three years, Licensed Cheesemaker and Dairy Farmer, Casey Sutliff has…
Read MoreCity Council members’ pay to remain the same
GLENWOOD CITY—Last month the City Council attempted to make a policy change that required a member of that board to be at meetings before they would be paid. However, that policy did not met the approval of the city attorney. So at Monday nights meeting on a motion by member Jess Olson, the council moved…
Read More