Sarona, WI Local News and More

Northwest Wisconsin Highway Construction Update - Nov. 13, 2026

NORTHWEST WISCONSIN -- This week’s updates from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) on road construction projects for Barron, Burnett, Polk, Rusk, Sawyer, and Washburn counties. Barron County. Highway: County D. Location: Lake Chetek Bridge in Chetek. Schedule: Aug. 3 through late November. Cost: $2.39 million. Description of work:...

Barron County, WI · 1d

drydenwire.com

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Court Sentences Man For Convictions From Sawyer County Drug Investigation

SAWYER COUNTY — The Court has sentenced a man who received charges following an incident that began with a tip about a wanted man and led Sawyer County law enforcement to a Moreland Road residence on November 16, 2025, where the investigation escalated into a significant drug seizure and two arrests.

Sawyer County, WI · 1d

Spooner Advocate

More than Internet: Creating opportunity across Spooner's rural roads

EVERGREEN TOWNSHIP — A few miles outside of Spooner, at the Evergreen Town Hall, there is a place where residents can access technology to keep them informed about happenings in the community, create new opportunities or simply complete a form. No account, no subscription and no payment are needed. But it’s more than a computer lab. It’s a visible reminder of what can happen when communities, local leaders and technology providers work together to expand access and opportunity. What many homes and businesses need is access to the same level of high-speed internet found in larger metropolitan areas. Today, through projects like the USDA Community Connect initiative, Mosaic Technologies is helping close that gap for families, students and businesses throughout the Spooner area. For students, that means having dependable access to online learning resources, research tools and educational opportunities, regardless of where they live. A student on a rural road outside Spooner should have the same ability to complete assignments, participate in virtual learning and prepare for the future as students anywhere else in Wisconsin. For businesses, fiber Internet creates opportunities for growth. Local retailers, manufacturers, professional offices and entrepreneurs increasingly depend on cloud-based systems, video communications and online platforms

Spooner, WI · 1d

Rice Lake Chronotype

Man pleads not guilty to burglary

One of two men accused by prosecutors of stealing a wheelchair and an air conditioning unit from a Rice Lake business has pleaded not guilty. Dallas M. Smith , 20, of Cumberland, was charged on Aug. 6 in Barron County Circuit Court with felony burglary of a building or dwelling as a party to a crime. This is a Class F felony with a maximum penalty of a $25,000 fine and 12.5 years in prison. He also faces a misdemeanor charge of theft of movable property less than $2,500 as a party to a crime. Smith pleaded not guilty on Friday, and a hearing has been scheduled for Dec. 23. Smith’s co-defendant is Malachi R. Trudell, 21, of Shell Lake. He was charged on Aug. 6 in Barron County Circuit Court with felony burglary of a building or dwelling as a party to a crime, misdemeanor theft of movable property as a party to a crime, and misdemeanor obstructing an officer. His arraignment is set for Dec. 29.

Rice Lake Chronotype

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 · 2d

drydenwire.com

$50,000 Cash Bond Ordered for Sawyer County Man Accused of Violent Assault

SAWYER COUNTY — The Court has ordered a $50,000 cash bail bond for a Sawyer County man who was convicted of felony strangulation and substantial battery in July 2026 and is facing a new round of serious felony charges following allegations of another violent assault. In addition to the...

Sawyer County, WI · 2d

Rice Lake Chronotype

Raffle items now on display at Senior Center

The public is encouraged to support the Rice Lake Senior Center by attending its Vendor and Craft Sale, with lunch served all day, on Saturday, Nov. 21, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The sale will include crafts, jewelry, baked goods and more. In addition, a raffle is taking place that includes vintage quilts, gift baskets and more. Raffle tickets are $2 each or six for $10 and may be purchased now until the drawing on the day of the sale at 3 p.m. The public may stop by the center at 12 W. Humbird St. anytime during business hours., which are week days from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., to see and bid on the raffle items.

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Spooner Advocate

Winter Artisan Market blends shopping, history

SPOONER — It takes a moment for your eyes to adjust as you step from the bright November morning into the darkness of Spooner’s new Winter Artisan Market in the old railroad yards. You might even hear shoppers commenting on the location before you can focus. “Look at those incredible old timbers,” said one. “My grandfather and father worked in this building,” adds another. “What a great old building; so much history,” says yet another. It is the history of Spooner’s railroad past. The Winter Artisan Market is set in the old Spooner Roundhouse. One can only imagine how much town history took place there and who might have walked through the building, which is the scene of ongoing renovation. With a little imagination, you can almost hear the voices of the old-time railroaders as they call out schedules, the chugging trains as they move on the tracks, the historic train whistles and bells. You can smell the wood, the steam and even coal as it powers the engines. Are you surrounded by ghosts from 1885, 1926 or just Winter Artisan Market shoppers from 2026? In the darkness, for just a split second, it is hard to tell. Then you

Spooner, WI · 1d

Rice Lake Chronotype

Man pleads not guilty to injury police

A River Falls man accused by prosecutors of battery and resisting officers after police say they suffered injuries in the process of taking him into custody has pleaded not guilty. Cody G. Buschmann , 19, was charged on Aug. 17 in Barron County Circuit Court. Charges include a felony count of battery to a law enforcement officer and two felony counts of resisting an officer causing soft tissue injury. Both felonies carry a maximum penalty of a $10,000 fine and six years in prison. Also filed were two misdemeanor counts: resisting an officer and disorderly conduct with a domestic abuse modifier. The defendant pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on Friday. A plea hearing has been scheduled for Dec. 22. Buschmann remains in jail on a $500 cash bond.

River Falls, WI · 1d

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 · 2d

Spooner Advocate

Spooner School Board adopts 2026-27 budget

SPOONER — The Spooner School Board adopted the 2026-27 tax levy at their annual meeting Monday, Oct. 26. Finance Director Trish Vasquez and Supt. Dr. Marggie Banker gave the budget presentation. The district total levy for 2026-27 is $19,820,673. Vasquez said they are looking at a deficit of $1.4 million for the fiscal year, which is “less than we had anticipated.” Banker said what influences the budget primarily is aid, federal funds and other resources such as grants. The district hasn’t had to do short-term borrowing. The enrollment trend continues to decline across the state. Banker said this year, they have just over 1,100 students enrolled. “We’ve been working to address (these challenges),” she said. Fewer students open enrolled out this year than the past, she added. Vasquez said that in the Heart O’ North Conference, Spooner Area School District’s mill rate is significantly below Barron and above St. Croix Falls, close to the state average, at $6.17. “That’s a point of pride,” she said. Not every school district’s levies are finalized yet. General aid is down 15% and “we do plan for it,” Vasquez said. Per-pupil aid is at $745 per student. Board member John Hedlund thanked the team

Spooner, WI · 1d

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

Cameron, WI · 2d

wissota.org

Adams awesome in winning both Modified and Midwest Modified National titles

Cameron, Wisconsin’s Blake Adams isn’t just the son of 5-time WISSOTA National Champion Kevin Adams anymore. At just the age of 17, he now has 3-time WISSOTA national championships of his own to brag about. After a 53-win season between his WISSOTA Modified and WISSOTA Midwest Modified, he pulled off the unthinkable double, winning both the Modified and Midwest Modified National titles in the same season.

Cameron, WI · 2d

Rice Lake Chronotype

Woman charged with felony battery to elderly grandfather

Prosecutors have accused a Barron woman of attacking her 81-year-old grandfather after police say she pushed him down the stairs and clawed his face with her fingernails. Chastiny M. Ellingworth, 46, was charged on Nov. 11 in Barron County Circuit Court with a felony count of battery to an elderly person - intentionally causing bodily harm, as domestic abuse. If convicted, she could be fined up to $10,000 and sentenced to up to six years in prison. A $1,000 signature bond has been set with conditions that she have no contact with her grandfather. She also must not possess or consume alcoholic beverages, or enter premises where alcohol is sold. According to the criminal complaint, on the afternoon of Tuesday, Nov. 10, Barron police responded to a LaSalle Avenue residence in reference to two 911 calls. The first call came from the defendant, who said she wanted assistance getting checked into a mental health facility and help with her drinking. The second call came from her grandfather, who reported she physically assaulted him. The grandfather said Ellingworth had been living with him for approximately 18 months. He saw that the defendant had apparently thrown her phone on the floor at

Barron, WI · 2d

northernnewsnow.com

Wisconsin reports second child measles death

DULUTH, Minn. (Northern News Now) - The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is reporting a second child death due to measles. Both deaths were in southwestern Wisconsin. The report comes as Wisconsin and Minnesota report the highest number of measles cases in more than 35 years. None of those cases...

Wisconsin · 1d

Rice Lake Chronotype

Rice Lake senior Ebner excels in mountain biking as repeat state champion

When Quinn Ebner joined the Rice Lake mountain biking team in sixth grade, his focus was on the enjoyment he got from riding and not about becoming a competitive racer. He got his first taste of competition a year later and continued to improve on his way to becoming a multi-year state champion. “I went to my first race in seventh grade,” said Ebner. “I kind of just fell in love with it after that.” Late last month Ebner won the boys varsity race at the Wisconsin Interscholastic Cycling League state championships at Trek Trails in Waterloo, his second consecutive varsity championship. “It meant a lot to me,” said Ebner. “I spent a lot of time training. I would say I do around 20 races a year. State is obviously very big and important one for me and there’s a lot of stress going into it. I just wanted to get everything right.” Ebner won the three-lap race with a time of one hour, 16 minutes, and 16.4 seconds, finishing nearly a minute in front of second place. A year ago Ebner was the champion in 1:13:22.7, with a gap of 1:25 over the runner-up. He was also the freshman

wfbf.com

Leaders of the Land®: Berglane Farm

At Berglane Farm in Barron County, every drop of milk tells a story. For fifth-generation dairy farmer Brittany Olson, that story begins with caring for a small herd of registered Holsteins and Jerseys alongside her husband, Sam, and their young son, Titus. “The vast majority of our milk goes to...

Barron County, WI · 1d

wpr.org

Voters give some Wisconsin school districts a financial lifeline, others face dire cuts

Voters in Sawyer County kept the small, rural school district of Winter alive by passing an operational referendum in the November midterm election. District leaders were preparing to dissolve the district if voters had rejected the tax levy increase. Other districts that failed referendums are facing the same threat, as...

Wisconsin · 2d

drydenwire.com

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 · 2d

Rice Lake Chronotype

Soccer: Rice Lake trio earn all-conference honors

A trio of seniors on the Rice Lake boys soccer team received all-conference honors from the Big Rivers Conference. Cale Ash was named to the 11-member all-conference first team. Andy Acevedo-Sanchez was a second team selection and Ben Jevne was an honorable mention. According to Bound Wisconsin, Ash’s 30 goals during the season were first in the Big Rivers, and his eight goals during conference games were fifth. He also added 11 assists on the season as his 71 points were tied for 12th in the state. Ash finishes his career with 66 goals and 159 points. Acevedo-Sanchez scored eight times and had seven assists from the midfield. His assists were seventh in the league and his goals 10th. Acevedo-Sanchez scored 16 goals and had 44 total points during his career. Jevne finished second on the team with 19 goals this season, including seven during the Warriors’ playoff run to the state tournament. His goal total ranked fifth in the Big Rivers. Jevne totaled 31 goals and 22 assists during his career. Being named the Big Rivers Conference Player of the Year was Hudson senior Calvin Lessard, who repeated after the winning the award last season. Big Rivers All-Conference First