Bits & Pieces

NEWS OF NOTE FROM OUR NEIGHBORS

Courier Sentinel

Attendees at the Cadott School District’s Annual Meeting approved a school tax levy of $4,694,418, with a proposed mill rate of $9.01, down from $10.42 the previous year. It was voted to keep board salaries the same as they have been since 2016: President – $1,650; Clerk – $1,320; and $1,210 for members. +++ Attendees at the Cornell School District Annual Meeting approved a tax levy of $1,595,046 and a mill rate of $6.38. Board compensation was left at $190 per meeting. +++ The Cornell Stacker Fund recently got a nice boost with a $1,000 donation from the Cornell Area ATV Riders. +++ The Holcombe Area Veterans Memorial Planning Committee, after contacts with the DNR, may be looking for a new engineering firm to lead the project. Both the DNR and the Planning Committee have had little communication with Everyday Surveying and Engineering, which originally was doing the work for the memorial, free of charge. Most important at this point is getting a wetland survey and a flood plain delineation completed in order to get approval from the DNR for construction. If something doesn’t get done soon, the 2023 construction season could be ruled out. It was noted that the community has been “…. absolutely phenomenal in supporting this project.”

The Thorp Courier

During Fire Prevention Week, some volunteers from the Thorp Area Fire and Ambulance District, visited the Thorp Catholic School with their fire trucks. All the students had a chance to see the equipment, learn about its uses and had their pictures taken with the fire trucks and volunteers. +++ The Reesburg Ramblers 4-H Hat, Mitten and Sock Collection will be held for the 19th year. Boxes for collecting donated items will be located around Thorp until December 2, when the items donated will be delivered to the Thorp Food Pantry, to be given to local community members in need. +++ The Thorp Class of 1982 celebrated their 40th Class Reunion on Saturday, October 15. Among their activities were tours of the Thorp Area Historical Society and the Thorp School, before holding their big event at “My Place Event Venue” on Hill Street in Thorp. ++ The Thorp Cardinals last football game of the season saw them being defeated by Owen- Withee 40-60. The Cardinals had a 7-1 season record. +++ The Thorp Girls Volleyball Season saw a season record of 48-26.

Bloomer Advance

A fifth generation farming operation near New Auburn has added a creamery and is now producing ice cream. In the fall of 2021, the construction of the creamery began. Klemish Creamery now produces ice cream from milk produced by the families dairy herd. Real fruit and natural preservatives are staples in the ice cream being produced. Opening weekend will be held on Saturday, November 5 and Sunday, November 6, from 8 am to 7 pm. The families store will be stocked with with seasonal favorites. +++ The Bloomer Senior Citizens are looking for more members. The organization was founded in 1971 and at its peak had close to 100 members. Today’s membership is less than 25 and it is getting more and more difficult to find people willing to serve on the board of directors. Without sufficient numbers on the board, it is feared the organization will loose its non-profit status.

The Tribune-Phonograph The mill rate for the Abbotsford School District will be $8.68 per $1,000 of equalized property value, for the 2022-2023 school year. That is a decrease from last year’s rate of $9.72. The district lowered the mill rate to combat the 12 percent hike in equalized property value. +++ The City of Abbotsford is raising the city council and mayor’s salaries. The salary increases will not go into effect until the 2024 budget, when two voting cycles have passed to ensure the council would not vote on their own rates of pay. The new salary will be $75 per council and committee meeting vs. the current rate of $65. The mayor’s salary will increase to $750 per year instead of $500, and the mayor is paid $75 per committee meeting.

The Sentinel & Rural News

Construction has begun at the Owen Industrial Park on the south side of Highway 29 in preparation for two new businesses. +++ A new road is also being developed in the Countryside Estates, to make room for more housing in Owen. +++ Minutes from a special meeting of the Thorp City Council, on September 28, indicate that the council approved the establishment of “Tax Incremental District No.7.” The TID will fund the cost of public infrastructure improvements. The goal is to expand residential, industrial, and commercial opportunities in the City of Thorp.

The Clark County Press

The 2023 Clark County Proposed Budget is looking at a tax levy of $20,613,891 and a tax rate of $7.53 per $1,000 of property value, which is a 51 cents decrease from last year’s rate. Clark County has seen a $393,439,600 increase in equalized property value from 2021 to 2022. +++ The Neillsville Planning Commission recommended, and the Neillsville City Council approved, a zoning change that will allow Lutheran Social Services to operate a transitional facility that will house a substance abuse program. +++ On November 8, the Loyal School District is holding a referendum on a proposal to exceed state revenue limits by $1.1 million in 2023-24, and $1.4 million in 2024-25 and 202526. In the spring, Loyal District residents approved a capital improvements referendum to update school facilities, this one is an operational referendum. According to District Administrator Chris Lindner, approval of the referendum will allow the district to keep the doors open and keep somewhat of a balanced budget.

Tri-County Area Times

On Saturday, October 22, a worker was hurt at the site where a new Dollar General Store is being constructed in the Village of Pigeon Falls. Area law enforcement and emergency workers responded and the injured man was flown by Mayo One to an area hospital. The man had been trapped from the torso down under concrete wall blocks.