Dallas, WI Local News and More

Man sentenced to prison on OWI-7, OWI-8 convictions

A Rice Lake man has received consecutive prison sentences after being convicted on two drunken driving charges. Brian S. Menter, 54, was charged on both Oct. 27, 2025, and March 30, 2026, in Barron County Circuit Court with felony operating while under the influence (seventh, eighth or ninth offense) from separate incidents. The defendant pleaded guilty to an OWI-7 and an OWI-8 charge on Aug. 31. Counts of operating with a prohibited blood alcohol concentration (BAC) filed in both cases, and charges of bail jumping filed on March 30, were dismissed but read into the record. Menter was recorded as having a 0.235 BAC, which is nearly three times the legal limit, in the 2025 OWI-7 case. Judge Maureen Boyle sentenced him to serve six years in the prison system, with three years of initial confinement followed by three years of extended supervision. Menter’s BAC was recorded at 0.182, which is more than double the legal limit, in the 2026 OWI-8 case. Boyle sentenced him to seven years, with four years of confinement and three years of extended supervision. He is to maintain absolute sobriety and his driver’s license was revoked for 36 months. The sentences are to be served

Rice Lake, WI · 6h

Rice Lake Chronotype

Barron County stays red, but state goes blue; local legislators comment

Barron County voters had the Republican party’s back on Nov. 3, but the rest of Wisconsin did not follow suit, elected a slate of Democrats to the state’s top offices and flipped the Legislature. Entering Wisconsin’s Fall Election, the GOP knew it was facing a possible midterm-election upheaval. In Wisconsin, President Donald Trump’s approval rating was 37%, according to a Marquette Law School Poll released Oct. 28. Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Crowley had the support of 51% of likely voters, compared with GOP opponent Tom Tiffany’s support at 44%. But Barron County has a deep red streak when it comes to voting, and election results showed it stayed true to form. GovernorCrowley, the Milwaukee County administrator, won 7,550 out of 20,163 votes cast in his race in the county, or 37% of the vote. On the other hand Tiffany, a Minocqua resident who gave up a reelection bid for Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District representative to run for governor, earned 12,613, or 63% of the vote. Included in these totals were votes from Rice Lake, which gave Tiffany 1,767 votes out of 3,331 cast between them (53%) to Crowley’s 1,564 (47%). Statewide, however, Crowley won handily with 54% of the nearly

Barron County, WI · 1d

Rice Lake Chronotype

Police Logs: Hostage situation on TV, man armed with umbrella

The police dispatch center receives several hundred calls weekly. The small sampling below shows their diversity. Sunday, Nov. 1 3:58 p.m. Received a 911 call from subject advising of a two-vehicle accident. Subject advised everyone appeared to be OK and she was no longer on scene. 4:11 p.m. Officer advised he drove through the area and did not locate anything. Unfounded. Sawyer St. & Main St., Rice Lake. Monday, Nov. 2 2:03 p.m. Caller says he thinks he is listening to a hostage situation. 2:04 p.m. Caller was hearing something about money and guns on people. 2:06 p.m. Caller could hear two subjects and two strange male voices. Does not think it is the TV. 2:07 p.m. Says there is a wheelchair bound person that he could hear grunting. 2:07 p.m. Caller thinks it is at a home on the resort property but he is not for sure. 2:08 p.m. Caller can no longer hear any sound on the phone. 2:09 p.m. There is a dog that subject let out while the caller was listening in. 2:12 p.m. Caller only hearing silence on the phone now, not hearing a dial tone or anything else. 2:18 p.m. Could hear subject now

WEAU-TV 13

Boyceville police chief shares concerns over department’s future

BOYCEVILLE, Wis. (WEAU) - Boyceville Police Chief Greg Lamkin said he is concerned the village board is discussing disbanding the police department after the board voted against hiring a full-time officer. Nothing has been officially announced. “Doing things in the cover of darkness, I just don’t think that’s very honorable,”...

Boyceville, WI · 18h

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...

Chetek, WI · 16h

Rice Lake Chronotype

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Property Committee dims on campus solar array proposal

The Barron County Property Committee, at its Monday, Nov. 9, meeting, indefinitely tabled pursuing a solar array project at UW-Eau Claire — Barron County, opting to keep the green space as is rather than filling it with solar panels to potentially raise funds for the university and county. The committee members had a copy of a Solar Feasibility Study that was prepared by Upper 90, a Centrix Company. According to the study’s executive summary, the county and campus engaged in the firm to evaluate the feasibility of a ground-mounted solar array on undeveloped county-owned land at the campus at 1800 College Drive, Rice Lake. The study was funded by the Wisconsin Public Service Commission Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant. It presented two options, both of which would generate more electricity than the entire campus currently uses in a year. The second option would generate roughly three times campus usage. The study said the array site — east of the main campus — appears workable as it sits away from the Red Cedar River mitigating DNR shoreline/floodplain concerns. It stated that the main obstacles would include relocating a portion of the adjacent disc golf course and installing a security fencing

Barron County, WI · 1d

Leader Telegram

Bloomer teen who fired gun in Chippewa Falls sentenced to nine months in jail

CHIPPEWA FALLS — A Bloomer teen who fired a gun multiple times in Chippewa Falls in November 2025, striking homes, was sentenced Tuesday to serve nine months in jail. Leonardo L. Campbell, 19, appeared via video from the Eau Claire County Jail, where entered no contest pleas in Chippewa County Court to second-degree recklessly endangering safety, resisting or obstructing an officer, retail theft and three counts of bail jumping. Several other charges were read-in and dismissed. Judge James Isaacson ordered six months in jail on the recklessly endangering safety conviction and a month in jail on each of the bail jumping convictions, to be served consecutively. Campbell must pay $3,098 in court costs and fines, and he must submit a DNA sample. He was ordered to have no contact with Carter Murphy, the co-defendant in the shooting incident, which occurred exactly one year ago. Murphy was charged with second-degree recklessly endangering safety, operating a firearm while intoxicated, endangering safety by reckless use of a firearm, and three counts of theft of movable property. He entered a not guilty plea in March. No trial dates have been set at this time, although he has a trial set in a vandalism case,

Chippewa Falls, WI · 1d

Rice Lake Chronotype

Voter turnout drops in Barron County compared with 2024

Voter turnout was down compared with 2024, when President Donald Trump was on the ballot for the third time and won his second four-year term as president. In 2024, 73% of eligible voters and 94% of registered voters cast ballots in Barron County. This year was different. Barron County’s voter turnout was 57% of registered voters and 35% of eligible voters voting either in person or absentee at this midterm election, said County Clerk Jessica Hodek. All of the county’s unofficial results were posted by 10 p.m. on Nov. 3, Hodek said, and the county vote was to be certified at a Board of Canvas meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 10. The city of Rice Lake, the town of Maple Grove, and the town of Sumner will be participating in voting equipment audits for this election cycle, said the county clerk. They are to be completed by the municipal clerk and poll workers before Nov. 25. “These audits comply with state and federal guidelines by comparing hand count results of selected races to the machine counts,” Hodek said. Rice Lake voters numbered 3,363. The city started out the day with 4,886 registered voters, and 228 registered on election day, Clerk-Treasurer Julie

Barron County, WI · 1d

wtkmnews.com

Everyone safe after vehicle enters Big Cedar Lake

The Slinger Fire Department and Lifestar Emergency Medical Services were dispatched to the area of State Highway 144 and County Trunk Highway K in Polk, Tuesday evening around 8:09 p.m. for a single vehicle crash that entered Big Cedar Lake. All occupants were out of the vehicle and made it...

Slinger, WI · 1d

Rice Lake Chronotype

Rice Lake’s Schmidt signs commitment to UW-Green Bay

For Rice Lake High School senior Addison Schmidt, she’s always dreamed of playing a sport in college. She’s not only going to get to do that, but she’ll be playing two. At a ceremony at Ole Olsen Gym on Wednesday, Nov. 11, Schmidt signed her letter of intent to join both the basketball and volleyball programs at UW-Green Bay. “I’m definitely really excited about it,” Schmidt said. “It’s definitely been one of my goals to play one or even two sports at the next level, so finding the right place for me that just so happened to be DI at two levels is super exciting and fun.” The three-sport standout for the Warriors has competed at the state level and earned all-conference honors in three sports — basketball, volleyball, and track and field. Schmidt wrapped up her high school volleyball career last month as the program’s leader in both kills (1,271) and blocks (396). She has twice earned second team all-conference honors, and this season was named to the first team. Schmidt was a Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association All-State honorable mention as a sophomore and junior and this year was an American Volleyball Coaches Association All-Region selection. As of her

partner publisher · 39.7K followers

WausauPilot

Your letters: Green energy robs green countryside

There’s something special about wide-open fields and the peace of Wisconsin’s beautiful countryside. Isn’t it ironic that some state officials push so hard for “green” energy while supporting projects that replace the productive farmland that makes Wisconsin special? When will it stop?. Twenty-three years ago,...

Barron County, WI · 20h

Rice Lake Chronotype

Peterson, Hightower win first place in Patriot’s Pen essay contest

The Rice Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars Post has announced the top three winners from each of two schools in its annual Patriot’s Pen essay contest. The theme of the contest was “What a veteran taught me about America.” The winners were awarded plaques and monetary prizes at the Veterans Day program at Rice Lake Middle School. Winners from Rice Lake Middle School, are Tanzania Hightower, first; Ana Luz Jevne, second; and Aadisyn Grove, third. Placing in the top three from St. Joseph School in Rice Lake are Michael Peterson, first; Mary Smith, second; and Elise Williams, third. The first-place winners received $150; second-place winners were awarded $100; and third-place winners were given $75. Peterson will advance to District 9 competition in December.

wwisradio.com

New Baiting And Feeding Ban For Taylor County Effective Dec. 1

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources was recently notified by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection that a farm-raised deer on a deer farm in Taylor County tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD). This positive result is within 10 miles of the border of both Chippewa and Clark counties.

Taylor County, WI · 1d

Rice Lake Chronotype

School Board hears that Booster Club could use a ‘boost’ in members

The Rice Lake Board of Education heard an update on the All Sports Booster Club at its meeting on Monday, Nov. 9, including its need for a boost in membership. School Board Member Nellie Scheurer, said she is among just a few — two of them whose kids have already graduated — who make up the Booster Club, which meets on the first Wednesday of every month during the school year at 5 p.m. in the south lobby of the high school. It sometimes meets during the summer. She said there has been some confusion on what the Booster Club does and does not fund, so she wanted to clear that up and hope an update inspires more parents of athletes to join the club. Most recently the Booster Club funded a Salute to Service and flyover before a home football game at the beginning of October. “Why?” she asked. “Because it is the right thing to do to recognize those who have dedicated their lives to the service of others. No, it is not necessarily an athletics-related event, but it is a community-centered one and giving back to the community is an important message to teach kids.” Scheurer said

Rice Lake Chronotype

‘Reflection, appreciation, learning’ all part of Veterans Day program

Rice Lake Middle School once again hosted a Veterans Day program on the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 11, in the school gym. It included remarks from the principal, music by the band and choir, words of thanks and refreshments by the student council, presentation of Honor Banners to veterans and their families, Patriot’s Pen essays, a rifle salute and a surprise $1,000 donation from the Golden K Club to the Rice Lake Honor Guard. Middle School Principal Josh Tomesh gave a welcome address in which he, in part, said, “Veteran’s Day is more than just a date on the calendar — it’s a time of reflection, appreciation, and learning. For our students, it’s an opportunity to understand that the liberty and peace we experience were secured through the selfless acts of countless individuals who put others before themselves. It’s also a chance for us to instill in our young people a deep sense of patriotism, gratitude, and respect for those who have served and continue to serve.” Tomesh said, “May we remember that honoring our veterans isn’t just something we do once a year — it’s something we carry with us every day, in the way we treat one another,

eyeondunn.com

Dunn County Board Meeting 11/10/2026

In accordance with the provisions of Section 19.84, Wisconsin Statutes, notice is hereby given that a public meeting of the DUNN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS will be held on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at 7:00 pm. in Room 54 of the Dunn County Government Center, 3001 US Highway 12 East in Menomonie, Wisconsin. The building entrance for public meetings is on the lower level of the Government Center and will be open 30 minutes ahead of the meeting start time.

Dunn County, WI · 1d

menomonieminute.com

Dunn County adopts 2027 budget with lower property tax rate

The Dunn County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday adopted the county's 2027 budget that lowers the county property tax rate for the seventh consecutive year. The adopted budget establishes a county tax levy of approximately $25.36 million, an increase of less than 1 percent over the current year. Growth in Dunn County's equalized property value allowed the county tax rate to decrease from $4.30 to $4.04 per $1,000 of equalized value, a reduction of more than 6 percent.

Dunn County, WI · 1d

WEAU-TV 13

Healthcare facilities prepared for patients with measles

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) - More than 551 measles cases have been reported in Wisconsin. Chippewa, Clark, Dunn, Buffalo, and Jackson counties have all been affected. Healthcare facilities are on the lookout for measles, many having signs with a list of symptoms to be aware of. This includes high fever, red eyes, and a rash on the face.

Eau Claire County, WI · 19h

drydenwire.com

Polk County Shop with a Cop Program Seeks Community Support Ahead of Christmas

ST. CROIX FALLS, WI — The St. Croix Falls Police Department is once again preparing to spread holiday cheer to children throughout Polk County through its annual Shop with a Cop program. With a fundraising goal of $20,000, the department is asking local businesses and community members to help make this year's event a success.

Polk County, WI · 1d

WEAU-TV 13