News
Education is failing America’s future by forgetting its past
By Jamie Gass and Chris Sinacola Last year, eighth grade test scores in civics and U.S. history hit record lows. The decline didn’t start with pandemic school closings. But they made it worse and revealed its extent. Less than half of adults can name the three branches of the U.S. government. Another 25% can’t name…
Read More2024 State planned highway improvements
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has several highway improvements planned for this area including the following. A project that is planned for 2024 is on Highway 128 north of I-94 for about 800 feet in Cady Township. The proposed highway improvement project aims to reduce illegal U-turns on 128 just north of Kwik Trip’s south…
Read MoreFormer director of freestyle wrestling sentenced to 26 years in prison for child sexual assault
Editors note: Freestyle wrestling in Glenwood City was not a public school program. By LeAnn R. Ralph MENOMONIE — A Menomonie man formerly associated with a freestyle wrestling program in Glenwood City has been sentenced to 26 years in prison after being convicted of five felony counts related to the sexual assault of a child. …
Read MoreEducation is failing America’s future by forgetting its past
By Jamie Gass and Chris Sinacola Last year, eighth grade test scores in civics and U.S. history hit record lows. The decline didn’t start with pandemic school closings. But they made it worse and revealed its extent. Less than half of adults can name the three branches of the U.S. government. Another 25% can’t name…
Read MoreMenomonie Veterans Honor Guard participates in Wreaths Across America
The Menomonie Veterans Honor Guard was presented with a sponsored wreath from Walmart Distributing, Inc. as part of Wreaths Across America. Wreaths Across America is a national campaign that remembers fall veterans, honors those who serve, and teaches the next generation the value of freedom by displaying wreaths at memorials nationwide on National Wreaths Across…
Read MoreFrom “Winding Up the Yarn” — A very special Christmas present
COLFAX — The following was published in Helen Reed’s column, “Winding Up the Yarn,” in the Colfax Messenger on January 1, 1959: A very special Christmas present arrived at the home of Mrs. Ethel Fjelsted and family just a week before Christmas. The arrival was Blacky, a black Angora cat who had disappeared from the…
Read More2023: A Year in Review: 2023 top headlines from January, February, and March
By LeAnn R. Ralph COLFAX — Another year has come and gone, and as the Colfax Messenger enters its 128th year of publication, here is a look back at the top news stories of 2023. January 4, 2023 Although Dunn County is proceeding as if the county Highway B project from U.S. Highway 12 to…
Read MoreHigh speed chase on I-94 in Dunn Co.
DUNN COUNTY — At 8:10 a.m. on Thursday, December 28, 2023 a crash occurred on Interstate 94 eastbound in Dunn County near Menomonie. The details of the crash are as follows: The Wisconsin State Patrol, Northwest Region, Eau Claire Post received information from the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Department (MN) regarding a carjacking that occurred in…
Read MoreDunn Co. shoreland zoning: should road setbacks be regulated?
By LeAnn R. Ralph MENOMONIE — One question that must be answered is whether road setbacks should be regulated in Dunn County’s shoreland ordinance. Currently Dunn County is more restrictive than state statute with the road setbacks required in shoreland zoning, said Tammy Traxler, planner and zoning enforcement officer, at the Dunn County Planning, Resources…
Read MoreDunn County PR&D plans for Accessory Dwelling Unit standards to be in place by spring
By LeAnn R. Ralph MENOMONIE — If all goes according to plan, property owners in Dunn County will be able to start building Accessory Dwelling Units by the time construction season starts this spring. Zoning staff have discussed the various standards in the draft ordinance three times, said Anne Wodarczyk, Dunn County zoning administrator, at…
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