Half of 2021 Thorp History Reviewed

BITS & Pieces

NEWS OF NOTE FROM OUR NEIGHBORS

The Thorp Courier

January – Moderna vaccine received by Clark County Health Department and they have begun vaccinating frontline health care workers. Wisconsin residents were disappointed, shocked and an gered by either the national election results or the rioting in Wash- ington, D. C. * February – The community congratulated Bob Ro – gus as he celebrated his 65th birthday and 20 years of service at Bob's Corner Garage. * March – The talk of the town has been Courtesy Ford's closure in Thorp and their relocation to the former Shopko Building in Stanley. * April – The Thorp School Board held a special meeting and in the end decided to make masks op- tional for students when they are inside of their classrooms, while maintaining a mandate to wear them at all times in the hallways. * May – The Thorp City Council approves a Developers Agreement with Kwik Trip. It contains no start date for the project but plans are for it to be up and running around February 2022. Thirty-sev – en graduate from Thorp High School. * June – Thorp Diary Days events had good crowds. A belated 50th Anniversary celebration of Thorp Public library was held. The library was built to honor Mr. and Mrs. Francis Conway, who were major donors to the new library when it was built. A tree was planted as a part of the cele bration.

Courier Sentinel

Key Care Transportation gave $5,000 to the Lake Holcombe School District to use whatever way staff sees fit. Student mental health was brought up as an area that could get assistance from the money. +++ Should a separate 4K bus provide transportation for Cadott students? That is a question the Cadott School Board is studying. +++ The Cornell School Board approved new safety measures, which contain do's and don't that are clearly spelled out for staff. The Cornell Police Chief, who is known to be "big on safety," has indicated he likes that they are specific as to what staff should do.

Bloomer Advance

The Bloomer Food Pantry continues to use the drive thru meth- od for distribution of food. Director Jessica Hanson notes that as the new year begins, the pantry could use more volunteer help as – sembling bags, sorting donations, restocking shelves, unloading delivery trucks, and loading customer vehicles. +++ Another vol – unteer need in Bloomer is the Chippewa County Nutrition Program is looking for volunteers to help at the Bloomer Civic Center where meals are packaged to assure safe food temperature during food handling and delivery. Food comes to the Civic Center in bulk containers and volunteers are needed to package the meals and put them in the "Meals on Wheels" delivery equipment.

O-W Enterprise In the spirit of service, the Lublin Legion Auxiliary, Unit #547, recently donated clothing and snacks to the Owen-Withee Elemen- tary School. The donations fill a need for warm winter clothing and nutritious snack items. +++ Due to predicted extremely cold temperatures, the scheduled January 2 grand opening of the Dental Display at the Old School in Owen has been postponed until spring.

The Tribune-Phonograph The Colby School Board recently approved the purchase of four Zeptive vape detectors in an effort to cut down on the amount of vaping on school grounds. The total cost to purchase the units and install them is $5,700. +++ The Abbotsford City Council approved moving ahead with planning for a new concession and announcing building at Red Arrow Park. The proposal is to replace an existing 16 foot by 32 foot building with 20 foot by 32 foot two story struc – ture, which includes a concession stand and announcer booth. The cost of the proposed building is projected to be about $192,000.

The Sentinel & Rural News

The Owen Downtown Revitalization Committee and O-W Area Chamber of Commerce are sponsoring an interactive murder mys- tery entitled "Murder on the Yellowstone Trail," to be performed on January 13 and 14 at the Old School Gym. Paul Warshauser, not only wrote the mystery, but he will be directing it and serves as the host. +++ Nolechek's Meats of Thorp is suing the federal govern – ment, after the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) withheld their USDA inspection Mark for non-compliance of new regula – tions issued by the agency. The FSIS issued a mask requirement, which took effect August 25, 2021, in response rising COVID cas – es. Nolechek's indicates they did not require staff to wear masks “because employees are able to socially distance themselves during production because of the small-employee team size."

The Clark County Press

The Loyal School Board has approved a referendum question for the April 3 election. The question authorizes $11.7 million for safety and security improvements including secure entry and office; additions and renovations for technology education, agri –

culture, cafeteria and commons; renovations to classrooms includ – ing 4K and 5K, art, special education and the elementary school physical education and multipurpose space and site improve- ments. The estimated tax impact is $1.62 per $1,000 of fair market property value. +++ The Neillsville School Board has approved a building agreement with Wendel Companies out of Eau Claire. Possible projects will include heating, ventilation, and air condi tioning and electrical upgrades; ceiling and lighting replacements; the high school entrance/canopy addition and renovation; upgrades to doors, windows,, walls, roofs, finishes and other maintenance upgrades; and other miscellaneous upgrades as determined by the school district.

Tri-County – Area Times

The Augusta Memorial Public Library is partnering with librar ies throughout Wisconsin to offer monthly virtual teen programs. Students ages 12-18 years old are invited to laugh, relax and so cialize with teens from across Wisconsin. There is no charge but you need to contact your library to sign-up for your free Zoom link. +++ The Augusta School Board at their December meeting approved purchase of the Lab Midwest Industry 4.0 curriculum and resources for technical education and approved the formation of a family support activity account. +++ On Sunday, January 2, Augusta High School Football Coach Derek Bolt received his award from the Green Bay Packers for being named one of their Prep Coaches of the Week.

Buffalo County News

Buffalo County investment total $6.8 million. General Invest – ments total $4.6 million and long-term investments amount to $2.25 million. The county also still has nearly $2 million remain- ing funds from a 2019 highway construction bond and $1.23 mil – lion in Federal American Rescue Funds received in 2021. +++ The backwaters of the Mississippi at Alma will have a new $30,000 fishing dock thanks to $5,000 from the Alma Rod and Gun Club, $15,000 from a private donor and $10,000 from the City of Alma.