Haas Employees Donate to the Thorp Food Pantry

The Thorp Courier

     The Thorp Food Pantry was the beneficiary of a generous donation on Wednesday, February 15, when Haas Inc. and their employees dropped off nearly a thousand pounds of non-perishable food items and goods, as well as cash in the amount of $327. The donations were part of the company’s annual Safety Days, an event when the importance of safety is discussed, the company reviews safety regulations and strategies are developed on how to create a culture of safety. +++ On Valentine’s Day, February 14, the Thorp School District held their first ever Cardinals Care Crisis Night fundraiser.  The event drew a nice crowd to the school for basket raffles. The Thorp School District Crisis Fund provides funds to help families and people who have suffered from tragedy, such as house fires, death or cancer diagnosis. +++ The Gilman School District Agriculture Department received a donation of tables for the classroom from WB Manufacturing (formerly Wisconsin Bench) of Thorp. +++  This weeks 130 Day Countdown to June Dairy Days features two businesses that are 40 years old.  Turenne Auto Body, LLC is owned and operated by Jeff and Karen Turenne. The business strives to provide the finest quality repairs, with customer satisfaction their number one priority.  WB Manufacturing has also reached their 40 years of operation milestone.  WB Manufacturing has grown to be a facility with 250,000 square feet of manufacturing space and employs over 300 full time team members.

Courier Sentinel

   At the Cadott Village Board Meeting held on February 20, Cody Junker appeared before the board informing them he bought the fireworks business located across from the truck stop.  He reported he was interested in purchasing the property where the motel used to be and building a fireworks store there.  He was wondering if that is something the village would allow and approve, before he moves forward with purchasing the property. There was a question on what the village’s ordinance on fireworks sales was and the new village clerk provided the ordinance to Junker. She will be reviewing the ordinance and getting back to him. +++ The Cadott Village Board voted to move hydrant rental, from the General Fund, to customer's water bills.  The move is expected to amount to about $10 a month added to water most bills.  As a result the villages General Fund Budget will have an additional $80,000 available for other community needs. +++ The Lake Holcombe Town Board held a special meeting on February 17, to address concerns that they have become aware of at their wastewater treatment plant.  A Rural Water representative had made the board aware that their wastewater treatment methods were not in DNR compliance. After considerable discussion and learning what is being done, and what still needs to be done to bring the plant into compliance, the boards recommendations were that all haulers loads should be suspended until things get figured out and a part time consultant, who is a Holcombe resident,  should be employed to help with getting the sanitary district into compliance.

Bloomer Advance  

On Monday February 20, Kelley Chiropractic celebrated their 35^th anniversary.  The Bloomer business uniquely celebrated with having the first patient treated, as well as their 10,000 patient being present. The business offers chiropractic services for infants to elderly, physiotherapies,  nutrition coaching, DOT exams and is certified in sports chiropractic care. +++ Each year prior to Memorial Day, the Bloomer Veterans Memorial Wall has names of qualified veterans added to it.  The names to be added are currently being gathered.  Candidates names are to be turned into the Bloomer Chamber Office.

   Enterprise Sentinel and Rural News

     After a closed session on February 13,  the Village of Withee Board announced that they will be interviewing three for their open Director of Public Works position. +++ At their meeting on February 13, the Owen-Withee School Board approved the 2023-24 school calendar.  It includes a start date of September 1, 2023 and the last day of school will be May 24, 2024 (a half-day). At the end of their meeting, the School Board adjourned into closed session. On their return to open session they approved Principal Matt Cihlar to take over as District Administrator of the Owen-Withee Schools, effective July 1, 2024. +++ At their February 14 meeting, the Owen City Council approved a contract with Cedar Corporation to write a trail grant application. They also approved Bauman Associates as the city’s new auditor. The city will be paying $20,200 per year which includes the Annual PSC Report for the Water Utility and the Annual Form C Report. +++ Thorp/Owen-Withee wrestlers, Nathan Zarins and Cera Philson, will be competing at the state wrestling tournament to be held in Madison on February 23-25.  Philson placed first in the 114-pound girls weight and Zanins placed second in the 285-weight boys D3 Sectionals.

 Tribune-Phonograph

     The Colby School District received a donation of 30,000 packs of Lysol wipes.    The delivery was part of the Frontline Impact Project, launched in 2020 by the Lubetzky Family Foundation and The KIND Foundation.   Across the U. S., 277 truckloads, containing 40 pallets, were delivered to schools.  The project aims to create healthy classrooms using disinfectant wipes.  The windfall has been shared throughout the area. +++  The search for a new Colby School Administrator is down to two candidates. Both gentlemen have doctorate degrees, from Edgewood College in Madison, in Educational Leadership. +++ The new FEMA building at the Abbotsford Schools is progressing nicely.  It is expected to be completed around April 20, with a grand opening to be held in June.

       Tri-County - Area Times        

      On a tour of western Wisconsin on Friday, February 17, Governor Tony Evers and Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez visited the new Technical Educational Center located near the Osseo-Fairchild Middle/High School.   “It’s a wonderful facility,” Gov. Evers said. This facility will help the community and whole school district grow its workforce and shows what can be accomplished with partnerships between local school districts, businesses and technical colleges.” +++ The Elva-Strum School Board recently approved two new high school elective English Language courses. Creative Writing and Technical Reporting will be available to students beginning with the 2023-24school year. +++ At their February 13 meeting, the Osseo-Fairchild School District approved a motion to put out for bid conducting the school district’s audit. Firms doing school audits are getting out of the business because of the costs associated with them and the rules and regulations the firms have to follow.