Courier Sentinel

Cadott has put in place virtual learning from November 30 to January 3, 2021. +++ Lake Holcombe has also moved to a remote learning model which is currently scheduled to end January 6, 2021. Superintendent Kurt Lindau cautioned that the date is subject to change. +++ It has been a journey, but chickens are coming home to roost in the city limits of Cornell, after a poultry ordinance passes. +++ The Lake Holcombe School Board has approved Winnie the therapy dog being a part of the school day. In the past, Winnie has served this purpose in hospitals and nursing homes. +++ The Cadott School Board has approved Cadott teams following WIAA winter sports guidelines for rule and regulations, and Cloverbelt guidelines regarding spectators. +++ The Chippewa River Rendezvous, that has been held in Cornell in recent years, is looking to move the event to Riverview Park in Cadott. The group has approached the Cadott Village Board for approval, and the board will decide whether to allow the Rendezvous at their next meeting.

The Thorp Courier

Thorp’s Christmas Parade will be held on Saturday, December 5, at 5 pm. The normal events in the park will not be happening this year due to safety issues related to COVID-19. +++ The Thorp Drama Club has been working hard to produce the play, “Cooking Can Be Murder.” Their usual November show has been postponed until the Spring of 2021 due to the pandemic. +++ Colby/Abbotsford has a co-op wrestling team and they have invited Thorp to join them. With only four wrestlers, Thorp was in a unique bind, thus resulting in the school board approving Thorp joining the Colby/Abbotsford co-op.

Bloomer Advance

In a letter to district families on Wednesday, November 18, the School District of Bloomer announced that Monday, November 23 would be the last day of in person instruction until after the first of next year. +++ The Bloomer Moose Club has been selected to flip the switch to light up the Bloomer Chambers Annual Light Up The Park event. The honors went to the Moose as since 2019 the club has donated more than $15,000 to 14 different local organizations, plus funded its own scholarship program and donated to Moose Charities. +++ Despite COVID, the Bloomer High School Senior Elective Juggling Class has been practicing to develop their juggling and balance skills. Without being able to perform at sports events, area nursing homes and health care facilities, the group has shared a video practice performance on the Bloomer School Districts Facebook page.

O-W Enterprise Owen-Withee Girl Scouts met on November 18 and made Thanksgiving crafts with one being donated to the Clark County Rehabilitation and Living Center. The meeting held at Nazareth Church in Withee was the second meeting at that location. Everyone wore masks and followed recommended safety protocols. Due to COVID-19, Girl Scouts have developed a lot of virtual activities. +++ Owen-Withee Lions are collecting deer hides at three places: O-W Sports & Liquor, the Lions Pavilion in Withee and Hene Supply in rural Withee.

Tri-County News The Osseo Lions, Chamber and American Legion have teamed up this year to sponsor “Santa at the Cabin.” The drive thru event will be held December 12th from 5-7 pm at Stoddard Park. Kids will get a chance to see Santa and each will receive a treat bag. Kids are encouraged to bring Santa a letter and include their name and address so Santa can reply.

News of Note From Our Neighbors

The Sentinel & Rural News

Gilman recently held a grand opening of its expanded library. The expansion added another 1,320 square feet giving it space for a conference room, additional office space and reading areas. +++ Courtesy Auto and Truck Sales of Thorp is making great progress on their expansion project at the former Shopko property in Stanley. The new location will be 35,000 square feet compared to their current 13,000 square foot building. Co-owner David Kluth reported, “ We will be expanding from eight service bays to 20 service bays; going to have a commercial vehicle sales department including plows, flat beds, box trucks and trailers; quick lube bay; drive through service department…” The plan is to also have a showroom, car shop, large truck shop, and 12 mechanic work stalls equipped with lifts of 10,000 lb limits, along with five custom mechanics. Progress on the building is evident to the passersby on Highway 29. The new location is expected to be open by the end of February 2021.

Trempealeau County Times

Elk sightings have been more common in Trempealeau County in the past few weeks. Sighting have occurred between Arcadia and Blair and between Arcadia and Galesville. Some of the elk spotted in Trempealeau County are from the Jackson County herd established in the past few years. +++ The City of Arcadia is shortening the time between when a written notice of need to clean a property is sent, and when a citation is issued. If the city does not hear from an offender after one warning letter, a citation with a fine could follow. The goal is not to fine people but to open a line of communication so that they address the problem. A fine reduces the amount of money an offender has to deal with the problem. The objective is to work with offenders. +++ Arcadia schools will stay virtual to December 7. They have been on remote learning since November 11.

Buffalo County News

Mondovi Schools are in virtual instrucion for the long haul. Administrators are pleasantly surprised that participation is much better than last spring. The list of students not checking in for classes is very very short. +++ Recent donations to the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Department have allowed them to purchase two Inflatable Personal Flotation Devices (life jackets) for water-related incidents and to purchase recharging units for the PFDs.

Banner Journal

Due to the continued high levels of newly diagnosed positive COVID-19 cases, the Ho-Chunk Nation has closed their tribal offices to the public, effective November 23, and they will continue to be closed until January 4,2021. +++ The Black River Falls City Council has been working to deal with their yard fence ordinance. The Black River Falls fence setback is the issue of an appeal that has the council back discussing the issue.