It came, brought change, and is now given way to a new year. Without further adeiu, we bring you this, the 2022 ‘Year in Review’ for Stanley-Boyd.

Jan. 6

Coming in for note the first week of last year, a front page story recounting the tornado of Dec. 15 shared that the quick moving storm winds had embedded a piece of glass in the wall at Kelly Grill, discovered after a narrow escape as severe weather sirens had sounded but the television was focused south towards Neillsville, where a tornado also struck that fateful night.

Jan. 13

Starting out week two of 2022, Stanley Police Chief Lance Weiland showed up to the Boyd Village Board on potential contract police services between the two communities, but with no deal inked as of the January meeting.

Also in the news, District 23 Wisconsin State Senator Kathy Bernier announced that she would not run for reelection, opening the door to uncertainty and speculation as multiple would-be replacements set in motion a primary runoff.

In sports, the Oriole boys basketball team had scored wins against Regis and Osseo- Fairchild for the week’s play, while seniorLily Hoel had scored 1,000 career points for the girls basketball Meanwhile in wrestling, the Orioles had wrestled at Altoona and home, headed to Wausau that Saturday.

Jan. 20

For the third week of January, the news reported that the D. R. Moon Memorial Library Board had approved a 5-year plan to January 12 to achieve a long needed library expansion on Fourth Avenue.

Also of note was an upcoming public hearing on a crosstown bike trail in Stanley, held as the proposed trail would utilize public streets that would in turn be closed to parking.

In sports, the boys basketball team fell to Fall Creek 69-57 while the girls played against Fall Creek and McDonnell. In wrestling news, Troy Trevino took second place in the 132-pound weight class at Chippewa Falls while Breckin Burzynski took second in the 126-pound weight class, also at Chippewa Falls.

Jan. 27

Coming in for the final week of January, Trisha Milas showed up to Stanley-Boyd Schools with a school safety parking issue she wanted the council to address off Fourth Avenue. At the same time in Abbotsford, Wisconsin Assembly District Representative Jesse James declared his candidacy for the seat of outgoing state senator Kathy Bernier, giving an interview and pledging to knock on 10,000 doors by August.

As to sports, the Stanley-Boyd Orioles had wrestled at Wausau East Lumberjack Invite while the Lady Orioles basketball team logged wins against Cadott and Thorp, while the boys basketball update saw them fly to victory over McDonnell and Cadott.

Feb. 3

Coming in for the week of Feb. 3, high school counselor Brennan Schrader had appeared at school board to present on a program titled “Bringing Change to Mind,” a program meant to decrease the stigma around mental illness.

For Boyd-Edson-Delmar, the department had received a new washing machine for firefighter gear with funds from the annual Pizza and Prevention Fundraiser, while Stanley public works would not be stopped—not even by subzero temperatures—as it worked to do street snow clearing in the early morning hours before Groundhogs Day.

The girls basketball team took wins over Thorp and Bloomer at home, posing for a group photo in the paper.

Feb. 10

Reported on the week of Feb. 10, architectural firm LHB had been invited to the Feb. 21 school board on a prospective remodel, while over at Kelly Grill the business suffering a direct hit from the tornado was back open, and packed.

As to the local historical society, it was due to unveil an arrowhead collection from the Walter Miller family, a local making the trip across several states to retrieve the heirloom collection.

Feb. 17

Reported for Feb. 17, the depots was likely to come down as word had it the fence could be used for sign repairs at Oakland Cemetery, a public hearing on the bike trail coming soon as well. The Knights of Columbus had held their Valentine’s Day banquet, while the Stanley Council had approved a police services agreement in the next step to work with Boyd on police needs.

In sports the boys basketball team toppled Regis on its home turf, while the girls fell to Regis and Fall Creek for the weekly basketball update.

Feb. 24

Making the news to close out February, Miss Stanley and Miss Boyd had both traveled to the St. Paul Winter Carnival, with Riverview Dairy at Colburn back in operation after suffering a fire from Dec. 3, 2020, the cause never determined officially but thought to be electrical.

In sports news for the end of February, Breckin Burzynski and Sasha Nitz had qualified for state, due to wrestle at the Kohl Center after qualifying via the St. Croix Falls Sectional.

Mar. 3 Coming in for March 3, Greg Burzynski had been named middle school principal to replace David Ludy, while the public hearing on a bike trail through Stanley saw it observed that “roads are made for driving,” the Council opting to approve the trail regardless based on letters sent out versus those who showed up in person to oppose. Talk was had on why sidewalks weren’t acceptable for bike use, with Ward 2 alderman Kevin Hendrickson explaining the current city ordinance did not allow for this.

In sports news, Nitz had placed fourth at State competition, while Burzynski had advanced to the Friday quarterfinals.

Mar. 10

Sparking objections from residents Mar. 10 was the prospect—eventually realized—of depot demolition. The old historic depot was facing insurmountable repairs from a capital investment standpoint, but that didn’t mean it was easy to let go. In more upbeat news, spring had started to gain the upper hand over winter cold as Daylight Savings Time loomed Mar. 13, with Kayleigh Steinmetz updating the school board on an “Orioles Achieve” program meant to intervene academically and give at risk students the skills they needed to succeed.

Lastly, a $5,000 donation to the tee ball field at Boyd by the Stanley Sportman’s Association made the new field one step closer, while a buzzer beater by Carsen Hause sealed an Oriole win against Black River Falls 64 to 62.

Mar. 17

Making the top front page, an early morning blaze on North Franklin saw Stanley Fire turn out along with Boyd-Edson-Delmar Fire and Ambulance as well as Thorp Area Fire, among others.

Ruled suspicious, the early morning blaze avoided human casualties as no one was home at the time, while a cat in the house was thought to have perished, unless it had gotten out in time.

As for Cadott and Boyd, police chief Louie Eslinger had decided to retire after a total of 31 ½ years in law enforcement, closing a chapter and opening the door for a new police arrangement between Boyd and Stanley.

In other news, representatives from Chippewa Valley Electric had showed up to the March 7 Stanley Council meeting, seeking to set up a solar farm on land in the city’s West Industrial Park. The deal, was approved.

Mar. 24

Coming in for note March 24, the paper reported that the Council had approved a Master Plan for Northside Elevator in the West Industrial Park, while prospective remodeling plans for Stanley-Boyd schools were aired at school board, along with a middle school petition.

Objecting to the loss of salad bar, Stanley- Boyd middle schoolers had started a petition, but without success. They wanted salad bar back, with district superintendent Jeff Koenig going to speak to students that the school wanted the same thing, but was having supply chain issues.

As to a request from middle schoolers that they be allowed a larger portion than third graders, their wishes could not be granted, as federal guidelines were involved, not just the local district.

Mar. 31

Coming in March 31, incumbent mayor Al Haas was on the ballot April 5, with former city employee Travis Schuebel as a write in. The American Legion had recently shown up to Council on a plan to move the tank at Fandry Park to a more central location downtown, while grounded wires at Cantina Margarita’s caused a smoke scare that had ended happily, with no fire to fight. The details of the Chippewa Electric solar farm land purchase were also in review, while Todd and Misty Wundrow had shown up to Council, planning to rebuild.

Also of note were spring sports, with track and field competing at UW-Stout recently and baseball and softball due to start as well.

Apr. 7 Meriting praise for Stanley-Boyd teachers, an outside reading audit had resulted in comment that the auditors were impressed with Stanley-Boyd, looking for ways to improve. Jeff Boie bid farewell after 15 years on the school board, with the Stanley Council hiring Shaun Starck as a full-time officer, the plan to provide contract police services at Boyd moving ahead. Cantina Margarita’s was reported to have opened a location at Thorp.

Apr. 14

Coming in for news as spring advanced, the Stanley Sportsman’s Club had held a successful youth expo at Chapman Park. Responding to wage pressure meanwhile, the city had raised wages for seasonal help to $14 per hour as it was confirmed that the depot was likely to come down. Carsen Hause and Jessica Hazuga were named Cloverbelt Scholar athletes, while over at Boyd Casey Dorn and Dale Isaacs were elected as trustees, Isaacs taking the seat vacated by Bob Geist when Geist had become the village president.

As to Stanley mayor, Al Haas won reelection, with challenger Travis Schuebel receiving zero official votes, reported by clerk Nicole Thiel as being due to election rule technicalities. Several people did report voting for Schuebel.

Apr. 21

Gracing the front page for Apr. 21, a north side school parking lot remodel for bus stalls was unveiled at school board, as a three court gym and classrooms were also reported to be in prospective plans. A citywide storm cleanup day was declared for Apr. 23 as snow contined to melt, while Mike Karlen was headed to the Oaxaca Alliance Bowl in southern Mexico, playing a single game for Team USA before heading to college that fall.

The weather in turn shifted a Neillsville track meet indoors.

Apr. 28

Selling 59 acres of land to Northside in the West Industrial Park, the city expanded its tax base and job pool as the ag commodities supplier out of Loyal prepared to expand to Stanley, the expansion site to be located just west of 345th Street.

In Boyd news the fire department had just held its annual Charcoal Chicken dinner, while at Stanley the spring cleanup effort saw public officials role up their sleeves with others to finish getting the storm damage and fallen branches off the ground.

Check back next week for the conlcusion of the 2022 ‘Year in Review.’