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CHETEK, Wis. (WFRV) – Two suspects, who are allegedly connected to the theft and damage of over $300,000 worth of equipment and items in northwest Wisconsin over a two-month period, were arrested following a burglary in progress call on September 12. According to the Barron County Sheriff’s Department, authorities...

It was another busy week this week on DrydenWire.com. Below is a snapshot of the week including this week’s Top 10 Most-Viewed Stories. For the week of Saturday, Sept. 16 through Friday, Sept. 22. Website Traffic. Users: 50.3K. Sessions: 79.6K. Pageviews: 127K. Live Shows. We had 1 additional Live...

Two men have been charged with burglary at a sand plant in Chetek, Barron County. Another man is accused of injuring two people in a hit-and-run drunken driving incident. A Rice Lake man has been sentenced to probation for threatening a law enforcement officer. An Almena woman has pleaded not guilty to obstructing an officer after resisting arrest on a felony warrant related to a case involving operating while intoxicated causing injury.

BARRON COUNTY (DrydenWire) -- The Court has sentenced Luke Shilts (pictured right) of Eau Claire, WI, on convictions from an incident that occurred in Barron County in January 2023, during which authorities engaged in the pursuit of a U-Haul that had been reported stolen. Shilts was arrested along with John Clarke (pictured left) when the pursuit ended with the U-Haul becoming inoperable.

Two men who were arrested on Sept. 12 at a sand plant south of Chetek during an alleged burglary in progress have now been charged. Draven Merz, 27, of New Auburn, and Lee LeFevers, 34, of Chetek were each charged with felony burglary of a building or dwelling on Tuesday in Barron County Circuit Court. A conviction on this felony carries a maximum penalty of a $25,000 fine and 12½...

Morgan Crotteau is one of the newest real estate agents at Real Estate Solutions, but his history in the area is lifelong. Morgan is committed to serving his clients with integrity and sharing all the recreation opportunities our area has to offer. An area attraction that is especially close to his heart is the Rice Lake Speedway. Morgan warmly shares memories of growing up trackside watching his grandpa race the local legendary dirt track in the #500 car as he took home first place after first place finish. In 2005, Morgan followed in his grandpa’s footsteps and raced Pure Stock and then Midwest Modified. For his last racing season, Morgan enthusiastically welcomed his grandpa out of retirement and raced alongside him for a memorable finish to his racing career. While his racing days are behind him, Morgan shares that the lessons of commitment, strategy and importance of community are all ones that continue to serve him in his career as a real estate agent. We wondered what other surprises the new real estate leader might share and we asked him four unconventional questions.

This week’s updates from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) on road construction projects for Barron, Burnett, Polk, Rusk, Sawyer, and Washburn counties. Location: Between 22 ½ Avenue in the town of Rice Lake and County SS in the city of Rice Lake. Schedule: July 17 to September.

BARRON COUNTY -- Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has once again extended the application deadline for Barron County Judge. The position first was announced on May 31, 2023, and had a deadline of June 23, 2023. Multiple sources told DrydenWire that two people had originally applied. Seemingly not happy with the...

An Eau Claire man accused of leading police on a high speed chase in a stolen U-Haul in Barron County will be spending time in prison after being sentenced on Tuesday. Luke J. Shilts, 34, entered a guilty plea on July 14 to an amended count of second-degree recklessly endangering safety after reaching a plea deal. Counts of attempting to flee an officer, possession of methamphetamine, possession of THC, retail...

Gov. Tony Evers announced on May 31, 2023, that he is seeking applicants for the Barron County Circuit Court – Branch 2 and subsequently extended the application deadline. The governor announced Wednesday he is accepting applications on a rolling basis until the vacancy is filled. The appointment will fill...

Gov. Tony Evers announced on May 31, 2023, that he is seeking applicants for the Barron County Circuit Court – Branch 2 and subsequently extended the application deadline. The governor announced today he is accepting applications on a rolling basis until the vacancy is filled. The appointment will fill...

A program gaining popularity across the country can give insight into the daily commitment of law enforcement and it will soon be available at a neighboring county. Interested parties are invited to check out Citizen Law Enforcement Academy in Barron County for a free five-week crash course on a variety of police topics.

SPOONER, WI -- DrydenWire.com founder Ben Dryden and Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald were back for their 156th episode of Positive Tuesday W/ Ben & Fitzy!. The wide-ranging chat was live-streamed on DrydenWire's Facebook page today, Tuesday, September 19, 2023. Topics Discussed Included:. ICYMI: You can watch the recording on...

A proposed 2024 budget of $278,726 has been recommended for approval by the Barron County Board Veterans Service Committee, which held an annual meeting Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. At the same meeting, County Veterans Service Officer Scott Bachowski introduced committee members to Shellie Shaw, his new assistant. Shaw succeeds former...

A proposed 2023 budget of $278,726 has been recommended for approval by the Barron County Board Veterans Service Committee, which held an annual meeting Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. At the same meeting, County Veterans Service Officer Scott Bachowski also introduced committee members to Shellie Shaw, his new assistant. Shaw succeeds...

K-9 Koda has retired from active duty with the Barron County Sheriff’s Department. Koda was born in 2015 and has served the citizens of Barron County since 2016. Koda spent his first year with sheriff’s deputy Mike Carroll and the last 6 years with sergeant Chris Allen. K-9...

A Chetek resident who was charged with 11 counts of possession of child pornography nearly two and a half years ago, is scheduled to go on trial in Jan. 2024, following a hearing Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023, in Barron County Circuit Court. Defendant Jarel G. Flory, 34, was taken into...