Thorp High School raises money for Stanley tornado relief

BITS & Pieces

NEWS OF NOTE FROM OUR NEIGHBORS

The Thorp Courier

As a result of a community service project, the Thorp High School Employability Skills Class, raised $1,527.38, which was delivered to Forward Bank in Stanley, where the Stanley Tornado Relief Fund had been set up. With direction from the Employa – biity Skills Class, fundraising events were held throughout the school with various rewards for classes raising the most funds. Among the winners were a Middle School and High School stu – dent, both of whom got to throw pies in the face of Principal Adrian Foster. The top fundraising elementary class got some extra recess time. What a great job was done earning funds for a neighboring community. +++ The Thorp City Council has learned that the city will not be eligible for Community Devel – opment Block Grant funding on its School and Church Street projects, as the income levels of households were found to be to high. +++ Dr. Florain T.Szatalowicz, a Thorp graduate, passed away on February 9 at the age of 86, in Columbus, MO. (He was the brother of former Stanley veterinarian Dr. Marion T. Szatalo – wicz.) +++ Thorp Girl Scout Troop 3248, spread Valentine cheer by delivering Valentines to residents at Turner Alternative Care, Meanwhile residents at Traditions Assisted Living had a Valen – tine's Project of their own. They collected and donated toiletry items to the Thorp Food Pantry.

Courier Sentinel

To help potentially lower homeowners' insurance costs, the Town of Lake Holcombe and the Cornell Area Fire Department are looking into establishing a satellite station in Holcombe. A satellite station might save taxpayers between $60 and $100 on insurance. Cornell Fire Chief Matt Boulding says they would move one truck to the satellite station and would need to pur – chase another, along with constructing a building to house the trucks for now and in the future. With some members of the de – partment living in Holcombe, and more recruits incoming, the reduced response time would be immense. Chief Boulding said, "The fire department is 100 percent behind this, this should have happened years ago." The first step is now to approach the fire board and the township boards. +++ During a special meeting on February 9, the Cadott Village Board voted to move forward with a $2.6 million Community Development Block Grant proj – ect, provided funding for the village is available. The funding would cover costs to redo the utilities and road repairs. The esti – mated costs by section would be South Maple Street $481,170; Yellow Street $1.2 million, Yellow Street lift station $145,000; a water loop $314,000 and a well loop $514,000. If awarded, the grant would cover two-thirds of the project cost. +++ This year the Cadott and Jim Falls Lions collected 930 deer hides at their donation bins.

Bloomer Advance

In spite of it being in the middle of winter, progress is being made on the Bloomer Lions Sportsman Club's North Park Fish – ing Dock Project. Wissota Docks of Chippewa Falls is working on installing the dock as weather permits. Not all the pieces have arrived and they are waiting for some warmer weather to contin – ue installation. +++ The Bloomer Fire Department needs more personnel. Bloomer Fire Chief Jared Zwiefelhofer said they are in need of firefighters that are available from 5 am to 5 pm, as most of the current firefighters work out of town. The depart – ment's roster has 31 firefighters presently and a full roster is 35. The Bloomer Fire Department averages eight calls per month. O-W Enterprise

At their February 8 meeting, Department of Public Works employee Chad Smith shared a number of water usage spread- sheets with the Owen City Council. Among the statistics was that 48 million gallons of water was pumped in a one year pe – riod and he pointed out what each city well pumped both by month and quarter, along with the water purchased by Withee. +++ The 2021 report for Riverview Cemetery indicate receipts of $41,942.87 and expenditures of $63,866.61. Savings include $139,348.78 in CD's, $37,324 in Xcel Energy stock and a check – ing account balance of $11,512.07. It was noted that all ground level plots have been sold in the cemetery and only half remain in the current columbarium. The Cemetery Association is looking at building another columbarium.

The Tribune-Phonograph

On Friday, February 11, Senate Bill 371, designating Colby the official state cheese, received bipartisan approval in the Sen ate Committee on Government,Operations, Legal Review and Consumer Protection. Today, 45 million pounds of cheese are produced in Wisconsin each year, making Colby one of the most popular cheeses in Wisconsin and across the nation. +++ On Sat –

urday, February 12, members of the Dorchester Midnight Raid – ers Snowmobile Club celebrated their 50th Anniversary. +++ According to the police department, hard drug use is on the rise in the Colby/Abbotsford area. The departments January report indicated there were four drug arrests, with several for posses – sion of marijuana but particularly dismaying was one related to possession of meth.

Tri-County – Area Times

The Osseo-Fairchild School District hosted a free Mental Health Awareness Night from 5-6:30 pm, on February 24. The event came with free childcare and a free catered meal from Sub – way in Osseo. Attendees had an opportunity to meet and learn from mental health professionals on a variety of topics and take home resources from multiple booths The evening was spon – sored by Mayo Clinic Health System. +++ Augusta is planning on doing several projects this summer. Bids will be opened on March 8, for extension of water and sewer mains and on March 15, for the renovation of Well No. 11's pump house and treatment equipment.

Buffalo County News

Slim rosters in boys and girls basketball lead to the Gilman – ton School Board meeting with parents of players to determine interest in combining their high school boys and girls basketball teams with Independence next season. The deadline for filing paperwork with the WIAA is April 1.+++ Mondovi girls' basket – ball has experienced a late-season change in coaches, when head coach Collin Driggs was placed on paid administrative leave due to a legal matter filed in another county. Mondovi Middle/High School Principal Darin Gray was named the interim coach. A short time later, the school learned that Drigg's case had been dropped. The Mondovi School Board was scheduled to meet in closed session to determine if Driggs will be brought back for the team's final games.