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Rice Lake Chronotype

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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, WI · 1d

Rice Lake Chronotype

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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 · 2d

Rice Lake Chronotype

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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

Cameron, WI · 23h

Rice Lake Chronotype

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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

Haugen, WI · 1d

Rice Lake Chronotype

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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.

Rice Lake, WI · 1d

Rice Lake Chronotype

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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, WI · 2d

Minnesota Now

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Parts Of Northern Wisconsin Could See 3 Inches Of Snow This Week

Northern Wisconsin could see its first accumulating snowfall of the season, with up to 3 inches possible in parts of Iron and Ashland counties.

Wisconsin · 3d

Rice Lake Chronotype

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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

Rice Lake, WI · 2d

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 · 2d

Ashland Daily Press

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Bay Area conservation projects share more than $310,000 in coastal grants

A 132-acre forest once owned by Northland College, a riverfront parcel next to Big Rock County Park, and a new trail at Lost Creek Falls are among the Bayfield, Ashland, and Douglas county projects sharing more than $310,000 in Wisconsin Coastal Management grants. Wisconsin Department of Administration Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld presented the awards Oct. 28 on the banks of the Sioux River at Big Rock County Park, just outside Washburn. “Every year we award a million dollars in grants to help our coastal communities to enhance public access, education, community planning and support to preserve our wonderful waterways, both for ourselves and for generations to come,” Blumenfeld said. The largest grant, $180,774, will help buy the Maxwell Forest property from Northland College. The purchase will protect and expand public access to 132 acres of undeveloped forest, shoreland, and river bluffs in the White River watershed, which straddles Ashland and Bayfield counties. “This is an amazing opportunity,” said Erica Hannickel, an Ashland County grant writer. “I am so grateful for the Coastal Management program for being able to fund this project. It really was a partnership to be able to protect this land, 132 acres and to work with Landmark Conservancy

Bayfield County, WI · 1d

Leader Telegram

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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

Bloomer, WI · 23h

Leader Telegram

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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

Elk Mound, WI · 1d

Spooner Advocate

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County goes over proposed 2026-27 budget

SHELL LAKE — The Washburn County Finance Committee held its public hearing on the 2027 proposed budget on Thursday, Nov. 5. Chair Stephen Smith presented the budget summary, which proposed a levy against all taxable property for $11,942,491 for county purposes, as specifically enumerated in the 2027 budget. The proposed mill rate is $2.249 per $1,000 of equalized valuation. The mill rate this year is lower than 2026, which was $2.40. During public comment, Linda Zillmer of the Village of Birchwood thanked all the county departments and staff for their work. However, she noted that no other County Board supervisors were present beyond the Finance Committee members that night. “This is one of the most important documents a county can adopt,” she said. She said it would be helpful to have the TV screens in the board room display the information when presenting the budget. She said other counties have a budget presentation with exhibits for the full board. Zillmer also suggested creating a full-time nutrition/wellness educator position and cutting the Washburn County Tourism Association budget to add this position. She said some items suggested for the budget failed due to lack of a second motion in discussions at previous

Washburn County, WI · 2d

familydestinationsguide.com

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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 · 1d

Sawyer County Record

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Winter school referendum approved, Town of Hayward proposal rejected

Winter School District voters on Tuesday Nov. 3 passed an operational funding referendum by a vote of 1,174 ‘Yes’ to 546 ‘No.’ The school, with a current enrollment of approximately 220 students, is facing an $890,000 deficit to balance the budget, driven by declining enrollment and flat state funding. The school district has taken from their fund balance, but that will be depleted by next year. The Nov. 3 referendum asked voters to approve an additional $1.5 million for each of the next four years beginning in 2026-27. Funds would be used for costs associated with school safety, sustaining or updating curriculum and programs, deferred facility maintenance and staffing. According to an information booklet published by the school, “We cannot continue to provide essential programs and curriculum, continue with deferred maintenance projects, hire, develop, and retain quality staff members within the District’s allowable revenue limit.” Town of Hayward Town of Hayward voters rejected a facilities referendum proposal asking if the town should borrow up to $9 million to renovate the existing town hall and build a new fire station and highway department facility, with a vote of 1,067 ‘No’ to 657 ‘Yes.’ Sawyer County Other Sawyer County vote totals from

Hayward, WI · 2d

drydenwire.com

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Burnett County Completes $1.8 Million Forest Carbon Credit Sale

BURNETT COUNTY — Timberlands Carbon Program, developed with The Climate Trust, turns long-term forest stewardship into new resources for the community. Almost three years after the County Board approved the Burnett County Timberlands Carbon Program, Burnett County has completed a carbon credit sale of just over $1.8 million. Working in partnership with The Climate Trust, the County developed, marketed and sold its first year of carbon credits.

Burnett County, WI · 23h

wwisradio.com

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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

wisconsin.golf

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The Scoop: Her view of college golf will come in Minnesota as Avery Voeltz of Spooner announces decision to play at Division III St. Olaf

The Scoop: News and notes from around junior golf in Wisconsin. In her four years on the girls golf team at Spooner High School, senior Avery Voeltz saw the sport from just about every angle during her time — and her climb — with the Rails. She saw...

Spooner, WI · 2d