Help decorate in Thorp!

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Courier Sentinel

Upgrades on the Cornell wastewater treatment plant project had an estimated cost of $4 million. City council members were somewhat shocked when the six bids received came in with the lowest bid being $4.9 million. The council is under a deadline that requires the start of the project by November 30, or they have to give back an awarded Community Development Block Grant of $1 million dollars. The council will hold a special meeting on October 26, to make their decision on what to do. +++ Work on the future Holcombe Area Veterans Memorial has begun. The site survey is completed and landscaping is taking place. +++ The Cadott School District’s 2020-21 budget will call for a tax levy of $5,010,573, an increase of 5.86 percent. The proposed mill rate is $12.01 versus the prior year’s rate of $12.09.

The Thorp Courier

The City of Thorp is asking for volunteers to help decorate for Christmas on Saturday, November 7th. +++ An Eighth Grade Agriculture Unit had students grinding up apples to make apple cider, which turned out to be an interesting (and delicious) lesson. +++ Eden Reeg, is the new Community Director at the Homeplace in Stanley. She replaces Judy Huls, who has transitioned into the role of Wellness Director, within the company that owns and operates the facility. Reeg, has taken courses related to dementia and looks forward to finding ways to enhance the lives of those who are living with dementia.

Bloomer Advance

Volunteers recently removed a large amount of lake material that was corralled, so it didn't enter Bloomer’s Lake Como. The volunteers were from the Lake Como Community Association, which also purchased a weed harvester, that was seen cruising the lake this summer. Thousands of pounds of aquatic weeds were removed which helped create a clear lake. At a recent city council meeting the City of Bloomer donated $5,000 towards the cost of the weed harvester. +++ A New Auburn couple have authored a book that encourages healthy marriages. The book entitled, “Classic Marriage: Staying in Love as Your Odometer Climbs,” blends humor and playful interaction, to tackle serious topics with a lighthearted approach and stories from their own years of marriage.

O-W Enterprise Owen railroad history was on display on Saturday, October 17, when members of the West Wisconsin Railroad Club were in Owen and visited historic railroad buildings and other historic sites. +++ According to Owen history buff, Allan Hodnett, in the peak years, eight or more passenger trains a day stopped in both Owen and Withee.

Tribune-Phonograph

Representatives of RWE Renewable Americas spoke to the Mayville Town Board October 13, about a proposed wind mill farm and also faced some tough questions from those in the audience who are skeptical about the firm’s intentions. The firm needs to find enough land owners willing to lease their land for up to 70 turbines. +++ Residents of the Abbotsford School District will see their tax rate increase from $9.57 to $9.85, which represents roughly a 3 percent increase over last year.

The Clark County Press

The Neillsville City Council unanimously approved trickor- treat for the evening of Halloween and set the hour at 4 – 6 pm. Their decision was influenced by the thought that it could be done safely and that children had been deprived of enough because of COVID-19. +++ The Loyal Car Show Committee has distributed the $10,000 made at this year’s Loyal Car,

('%$%) News of Note From Our Neighbors

Truck, Motorcycle and Tractor Show. +++ The Neillsville High School students non-district sanctioned tradition of toilet papering homes and public buildings during homecoming week continued this year. At least 23 homes were hit in the city. The actions were just months after toilet paper shortages caused by panic from COVID-19.

Trempealeau County Times

Arcadia School Superintendent, Lance Bagstad, issued an apology to his school board in closed session, and to the community in a message published in the local newspaper, for a statement he made on his personal Facebook page. In our highly charged environment, between politics and COVID-19, his Facebook posting that got him in trouble read: “Trump is a child. He is like the kid in the toy aisle throwing a tantrum when he doesn't get what he wants. If you continue to support him, you are simply being controlled by a child. Think for yourself. You might have to become grown up. …. You follow Trump because you have no backbone to stand up to his behavior and you won’t stand up to your friends because you are afraid they might be upset with you. Again, be an adult and have a backbone.” In another post he wrote, “If you are blind enough to continue to support the clown in the White House right now, please unfriend me. I have no time for someone who continues to support a complete liar, racist and complete narcissist.” +++ The fore mentioned comments lead to just under 30 minutes of community members complaining to the school board at their regular meeting on Monday, October 19. Some suggested they fire the superintendent, or they will be be held accountable for retaining him if another issue arose. As a result of the incident, the Arcadia School District is holding a training session for social media etiquette and cyber-bullying for all district board members, administrators, staff and students, and implementing a social media policy for staff.

Tri-County News The Augusta city council has approved setting up a remote meeting system for city hall video conferences. This will allow more and better access and participation in city council meetings for those not wanting to go out because of COVID-19. +++ The Augusta police department will have two officers available in case there is a need during the November 3 voting hours.

Buffalo County News

On Friday, October 16, members of the Cochrane-Fountain City High School FFA took to the ridges, valleys and prairies in search of combines, semis and grain carts bringing in the harvest. The FFA assembled 400 bag lunches consisting of a ham and cheese sandwich, chips, string cheese, banana, cookies, candy bar and a bottle of water, which they provided to the farmers. +++ Gilmanton school leaders are requesting voter approval on November 3, for a $300,000 operational referendum to sustain educational programming, facilities and equipment. ++ While construction of Mondovi’s new wastewater treatment plant will not begin until spring, the roadways to the site are going in this fall.