BITS & PIECES

NEWS OF NOTE FROM OUR NEIGHBORS

Courier Sentinel

On December 15, the announcement was made that the 2024 Farm Technology Days event will be held at the Country/Rock Fest site in rural Cadott. Chippewa County is expected to reap the benefits of hosting the event. The announcement was a call out to sponsors, vendors and the 1,500 volunteers that will be needed to make the event possible. Nearby Close Farms was selected to serve as the farm tour host. Charlie Walker, Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation president said, “We’re able to hit the ground running and focus more on the customer service experience. I think that positions us to have the best Farm Technology Days in history.” +++ KJ’s Fresh Market in Cornell raised funds throughout October for the Eau Claire Cancer Center, through the Power of the Pink donation drive. The third annual drive raised $2,094.68, to help with breast cancer awareness. +++ At their December 19 meeting, the Cadott Village Board approved a new Certified Survey Map for the planned Kwik Trip in the village. The new map has two driveways that have gained state approval. A previous plan had driveways to close together. An additional property purchase from Russ Falkenberg, now allows the store to face the south instead of facing Highway 27. +++ The Cadott Village Board is exploring a referendum to fund needed street projects. The referendum would be held in 2023, if the Board feels comfortable that they have enough information to provide village residents, so an informed decision can be made. +++ Thanks to the efforts of Diane Weggan, Cadott High School graduate and 2022 president of the Wisconsin American Legion Auxiliary, $52,000 was raised for the Chippewa Veterans Homes Courtyard Project. The $233,000 project will enable veterans to be comfortable when they are outside in the sun or under cover. +++ The mill rate for the Village of Cadott property owners was set at $20.42 per $1,000.

The Thorp Courier

Lorraine Dearth, age 102, one of Thorp’s oldest residents passed on Saturday, December 17. She was born at home in Polley, WI and graduated from Gilman High School in 1940. Her work life included Gilman Library, Romig’s at the soda fountain and in later years as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Gilman and Thorp nursing homes. +++ Yellowstone Park has some new faces thanks to artist Ann La Vick, who painted six gingerbread kids she created. The new additions to the park were placed there with the assistance of Thorp High School honor students. +++ Thorp tax dollars collected go to the following entities: City of Thorp 22 cents, Thorp School District 34 cents, Clark County 40 cents and Chippewa Valley Technical College 4 cents. One dollar of the City of Thorp tax dollars is spent for the following: Public Works 28 cents, Public Safety 20 cents, Culture and Recreation 16 cents, Debt Service 15 cents, General Government 10 cents, Capital Outlay 9 cents, and Development 3 cents. +++ Thanks to the Thorp American Legion men and women, who picked up, sorted, and handed out the gifts received by the 2022 Angel Tree Project, 50 kids from 20 families were served.

Bloomer Advance

Catalytic Combustion of Bloomer and Vincent Tools of Chippewa Falls each donated $5,000 to the New Auburn High School Technology Department. These funds, in combination with an Advanced Manufacturing Technology Education Equipment Grant from the Department of Workforce Development through the Wisconsin Fast forward Program, were used to purchase advance technology education equipment. +++ The Bloomer Water Utility is asking for assistance with removal of snow and not depositing snow around fire hydrants. These efforts will help maintain accessibility to fire hydrants in the event of an emergency. Residents are asked to adopt a hydrant near their residence. +++ From “Blooms” In Bloomer: One Sunday a local pastor began his sermon with a supposedly true story… “I was on a plane last week, flying from Chicago to California, when we ran into severe turbulence. As it got worse the passengers became more and more alarmed, and finally even the flight attendants began to look concerned. Finally, one of them noticed I had Rev. in front of my name on the passenger list and came over to me and said, “Sir do you suppose you could do something … I don’t know … religious, to get everyone’s minds off of this?’ So I took up a collection.

Tribune-Phonograph

The Abbotsford School Board approved a resolution to create a school forest area over 17 acres of land on the school’s northwest end of the property. The forest area will include eight apple trees, four pear trees, a songbird garden and a butterfly garden. There will also be four acres filled with trees, the tree species yet to be determined. The remainder will be covered with grass and flowers for the time being.

The Sentinel & Rural News

The Owen-Withee Food Pantry received a check for $5,095.33 through the Holiday Matching Fund that was sponsored by the O-W Lions and Prevail Bank. $1,000 plus came from community donors, $1,000 each from the O-W Lions and Prevail Bank and over $1,800 from the Owen Housing Authority who will be disbanding their funds as they close. +++ The City of Owen received a Community Development Block Grant of $453,550 for street and utility improvements on Paul Street and County Highway D. +++ Xcel energy has been in Owen looking for 3-4 acres of land, preferably on the north side of Highway 29. Xcel is looking to install another substation in either Owen or Curtiss. +++ The City of Owen has been advised that their current audit firm is dropping them and they provided names of other audit firms. From what is written indications are that the last auditor was criticized and complained about. +++ The City of Owen provided $100 gift cards to its full time employees this Christmas. Part-time employees received $25 gift cards.