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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
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
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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