Barron
Barron, WI · Events
Rice Lake Chronotype
Massie family recognized with Century certificates
The descendants of Benjamin Massie were recognized with a Century Family certificate at the Thursday, Nov. 11, meeting of the Blue Hills Genealogical Society, which met at the new Welcome Center adjacent to Pioneer Village Museum west of Cameron. Each receiving a certificate recognizing them as a Century Family were siblings Yvonne Massie Madison and Jerry Massie, the great-grandchildren of Benjamin Massie, who settled in the Sioux Creek area of Barron County in the 1880s. With them to receive the Century Family recognition were Jerry’s three sons, Chad, Kelly and Shane, and Yvonne’s daughter Leslie Madison Olson. Families who have ancestors who were living in Barron County for 100 years or more, and can provide documentation of it, are eligible to receive the Century certificate. The society awards the Pioneer certificate to those families who can provide documentation that their family was living in Barron County by 1871, when the county was formed. The society honors descendants who have researched genealogical information with the applications preserved and stored in the society’s resource room that is now housed at the Welcome Center. In addition to the recognition, a tour was given of the new building that includes a classroom, a research
Rice Lake Chronotype
City Council OKs budget levy, abruptly adjourns amid arguments
The Rice Lake City Council approved the 2027 Budget levy during a public hearing, but discussions over Senior Center funding and agenda items that included reviews of the city administrator performance process and council procedures turned argumentative and led nowhere. 2027 Budget The council met in full on Tuesday, Nov. 10, but no members of the public appeared in person or spoke during the 2027 Budget public hearing. City Administrator SJ Johnson explained discrepancies between the published budget proposal and the budget summary provided in the council’s packet. For example, the published budget reflected a balance between revenues and expenditures of $10.2 million. The summary, however, showed expenditures at $10.65 million. Johnson said the budget as published was the city’s best estimate at the time. Council Member Abbey Fischer asked if she could address adding $10,000 in funding for the Rice Lake Senior Center. But Mayor Harlan Dodge and Council Member Jim Resac expressed concerns about the legalities of altering the budget at the Nov. 10 meeting. Johnson said state code dictates that the proposed budget should be adopted on or before Nov. 14. “If you change what the budget looks like and that's been presented to the public, you're
Rice Lake Chronotype
High school commends top students in first term
Rice Lake High School has announced the names of students who received Outstanding Student Achievement Awards for the first term. Student are chosen by faculty based on cooperation, effort, attitude and dedication to discipline. The students include Ella Kodesh in art, Matthew Albakal in health, Kailyn Durand in business education, Trinity Ekblad and Trevor Beffa in family/consumer education, Delaina Bowen in language arts, Hunter Boehme and Hugo Acevedo-Sanchez in mathematics, Trevor Beffa in music, Madaline Handorf and Vincent Bertrand in physical education, Ella Smith in science, Isaiah Lancaster in social studies, Eva Schradle and Autumn Wilcox in world languages, James Ellis in agriculture, Lexi Quinn in technology education and Ivy Leach in Warriors On Wisconsin.
Leader Telegram
Bloomer’s Hartman triplets commit to South Dakota State
BLOOMER — The Bloomer High School girls cross country and track and field teams have had the blessing of having Aliya, Briella and Ciara Hartman on their teams over the years. That blessing will come to a close following next spring as the senior triplets graduate, but will continue at the Division I collegiate level next fall, as the Hartman triplets announced via social media of their commitment to South Dakota State University for both cross country and track and field. The Hartmans wrapped up their stellar cross country career this fall, claiming the Blackhawks’ fourth consecutive sectional and conference titles. Aliya Hartman further put a bow on the Blackhawks cross country season, setting a new state meet record at the Division 1 meet in Wisconsin Rapids and becoming Bloomer’s first individual girls state champion in cross country. She won with a blazing time of 17 minutes and 1.6 seconds, besting the previous record by nearly 25 seconds, as the Blackhawks finished fourth in a highly-competitive Division 1 field. It continued a standout year for Aliya Hartman, who won the 3,200 meter state track title last spring. The Hartmans, along with senior running mate Sophie Strand, all played huge roles
Rice Lake Chronotype
Veterans honored during Haugen Elementary School program
The chairs were filled and dozens of people stood along edges of the gymnasium during a Veterans Day program at Haugen Elementary School. Put on by the school and Brunclik-Konop American Legion Post 540 on Wednesday, Nov. 11, it’s the last Veterans Day program with the school district set to close Haugen Elementary at the end of the school year. Following the posting of the colors and the “Pledge of Allegiance,” Commander Ken Nelson provided an invocation and opening remarks. Nelson asked Haugen Elementary students if they knew what a veteran is, the six branches of the military, the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day and why the day is recognized on Nov. 11? “Whether home eating, sleeping, watching television or playing video games, the branches of the military are defending your freedom around the world,” Nelson told the kids. Third- and fourth-grade students presented a skit about Betsy Ross’ creation of the U.S. flag, followed the folding of the flag by veterans Bob Beffa and Mark Larson as Nelson spoke about the meaning of each fold. All the students together held U.S. flags and sang “The Brave” thanking veterans for their service, sacrifice and bravery. Nelson then answered
Leader Telegram
Elk Mound resident sues village board
ELK MOUND — Elk Mound resident John Fellenz, who resigned as a volunteer on the Elk Mound Police Department last month, has now filed a lawsuit against the Village Board. The lawsuit was filed in Dunn County Court on Nov. 6. The defendants are the Village Board members, including Village President Tim Benjamin. The case has not yet been assigned to a judge, and no court dates have been set. On Oct. 6, the board voted 6-1 to disband the police department, and instead enter into an agreement with Dunn County to provide law enforcement services, with aid from a four-year grant. Dozens of village residents attended that meeting and objected to the plan. Fellenz contends the board was not following protocol on open meetings leading to that vote. It is unclear when the village began discussing with Dunn County about contracting for law enforcement services. Fellenz claims that through an open records request, he obtained 79 emails from Dunn County that were exchanged with Elk Mound officials that he hadn’t previously seen. He said it showed the discussion began in May. “It is very clear they weren’t evaluating options; the decision was made,” Fellenz said. “The story put out
familydestinationsguide.com
This Nostalgic Drive-In Theater In Wisconsin Will Take You Right Back To Your Childhood
Somewhere between the smell of popcorn and the glow of a giant outdoor screen, the Stardust Drive-In Movie Theater in Chetek, Wisconsin quietly does something remarkable. It gives you your childhood back, and it doesn’t even charge extra for it. There are places you visit and forget about by...