LATEST NEWS
Polls open Tuesday for Spring Elections
Polls open bright and early at 7 a.m. on Tuesday for people to cast their ballots in a variety of races for elected offices and to give their yeas or nays to two statewide questions concerning the administration of elections. Voters will bring to a conclusion the races for Rice Lake mayor and Rice Lake Area School District Board of Education. Candidate profiles were published in the March 20 edition of The Chronotype and are available to read online at Chronotype.com. ...
Rice Lake City job opening on hold pending personnel needs assessment report
A job opening in the city’s administration department will not be posted immediately as the Rice Lake City Council awaits the results of a citywide personnel needs assessment report. City Clerk-Treasurer Kathy Morse asked permission to post a full-time office clerk vacancy. The position has been empty more often than not over the past year, with temporary help filling in for a short period of time last summer. The latest employee came onboard in January but is leaving to take a job closer to home. ...
Police Logs: Scorpion taken into custody
The police dispatch center receives several hundred calls weekly. The small sampling below shows their diversity. Monday, March 1811:59 a.m. Caller says there was an SUV that drove the wrong way and parked in the incorrect direction of traffic at the Rice Lake Post Office. She advised the vehicle left and is headed south on Main Street. Eau Claire St. 12:18 p.m. Dryer fire in the basement. Fire is currently...
Girls track and field: After state runner-up finish, Rice Lake seeks another strong season
After Division 2 state and Big Rivers Conference runners-up finishes last season the Rice Lake girls track and field team is hopeful for another special season. The Warriors bring back five of the six athletes who competed at state last year, including a number of podium finishers. “Last year, ending the year runner-up was an amazing accomplishment for our girls,” coach Brooke Schmidt said, “but I think they’re not satisfied, and we’d love see if we can push for a championship this year.” ...
School district's preliminary staffing report cuts social worker among other positions
Faced with a $2 million budget deficit for the 2024-25 school year, the Rice Lake Board of Education heard a preliminary staffing report that includes the reduction of 13 Full-Time Equivalent certified positions throughout the district and a few noncertified positions. Several of those were positions with one-year contracts that were not renewed or retirees whose positions will not be filled, but one is a 13-year employee who spoke during public appearances. ...
CANCELED: Mayor cancels special meeting to discuss Public Safety Building study
A Rice Lake City Council special meeting to review a study on the future of the Public Safety Building, which jointly houses the city's Fire and Police departments, has been canceled and will not be held Thursday as previously scheduled. Mayor Justin Fonfara canceled Thursday's meeting as it appeared a quorum of City Council members would not be present. It is possible the Public Safety Building feasibility report will be presented on April 23 instead. ...
Man facing drug-related charges in Barron County
A Cameron man is accused of possessing THC with intent to deliver and is facing a total of seven drug-related charges in Barron County Circuit Court. Michael J. Mason, 30, was charged on March 19 with felony possession of THC with intent to deliver in an amount between 200-1,000 grams. The following six misdemeanors also were filed: two of possession of controlled substance, two of possession of drug paraphernalia, one of use or possess with intent to use a masking agent, and one of possession...
Fortnightly Club honors Gifford at March meeting
Olivia Gifford, daughter of Josh and Carley Gifford, was the senior girl honoree at the March 26 meeting of the Rice Lake Fortnightly Club. The club recognizes her for her academic success, extra-curricular activities and all-around contributions to the community. Gifford maintains a 3.984 GPA and has been in the National Honor Society from 2022 to the present. She has received academic achievement awards each year. She has gotten the ACE (Accountability, Coachability and Effort) award and lettered in tennis. She has been involved in...
Man reaches deal, pleads guilty to possessing meth
A Rice Lake man accused of intending to deliver methamphetamine reached a deal with prosecutors on Friday and pleaded guilty to a lesser charge. Eric J. Wojciechowski, 35, had been charged with a felony of intent to deliver on Oct. 18 in Barron County Circuit Court after an officer investigated a vehicle that was parked on the wrong side of the street and his K9 partner alerted to the presence of drugs. Wojciechowski pleaded guilty to one count of possession of meth as a repeater. He is in Barron County Jail and a sentencing hearing has been slated for June 4.
Down the Decades
140 years ago In 1884: Rice Lake is booming. — Judge Coe announced his candidacy for re-election. — Several French families have recently located in the village. — The county poorhouse opens next Tuesday. 120 years ago In 1904: A new tailor shop is opening in the building across from the post office. — The...
Dunkin' Donuts, Baskin-Robbins now open in Rice Lake
Tuesday morning was the long-anticipated opening of Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins at 2005 S. Main St., Rice Lake. It is now open seven days a week from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. with both inside and drive-thru options. “Finally Rice Lake has a Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin Robbins,” said general manager Dawn Rowe on opening morning. Others overseeing local employees are assistant manager Jessica Fisher and shift manager Shannon Kurszewski. ...
Mug Spiel caps Rice Lake Curling Club season
Rice Lake Curling Club ended its season with the Mug Spiel on March 20-24. A total of 25 teams participated across five days of fun and competition. Teams consisted of two men and two women. This year's theme was "All Around the World" and the participants met the challenge with great costuming on Friday night, a wonderful meal at Lehmans along with music by 'The Coverups' on Saturday night with the finals on Sunday. The curling club will reopen in August.
Local pastor shares his experiences in Haiti amid gang chaos
Gangs in Haiti have done all they can in recent weeks to disrupt life on the Caribbean island, closing air and sea ports, yet unable to cut off satellite communications nor the power of prayer. That was the message the Rev. Steve Svendsen shared on the evening of March 20 with members and friends of the church he pastors, Providence Reformed Baptist Church in Rice Lake. "We knew things were going to be rough," Svendsen said of his scheduled Feb. 26-March 10 trip to teach...
SHS Principal Dennis Scherz gets Principal Leadership Award
SPOONER — The Herb Kohl Education Foundation has announced the 2024 Principal Leadership Award recipients. Among the award winners in CESA 11 is Spooner Area School District High School Principal Dennis Scherz. Scherz is one of 17 recipients in the state. The 2024 Principal Leadership Award awards were given to the 17 exceptional principals for setting high standards for instruction, achievement and character, and creating a climate to best serve students, families, staff and community.
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