School boosting sub teacher pay

Courier Sentinel

The Lake Holcombe School Board approved extension of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act law, if approved by the federal government beyond its December 31 expiration date. The Act provides paid leave for employees who are under quarantine, or have tested positive for COVID-19. The law is meant to reduce stress on people and encourage them to stay home if they are having symptoms of the virus, without fear that they will lose income. +++ On December 12, horse drawn wagons carried families through the Cadott Christmas Village at West Riverview Park. The event was sponsored by the Cadott Community Association and Boettcher Farms. Both sponsors wanted to offer something to the community when indoor events were canceled. +++ There is another scrap metal buyer in the area. Don’s 2, located south of Holcombe on 240th Avenue, near Hwy 27, is now open and buying everything that can be recycled.

The Thorp Courier

Following the footsteps of his father, Adam J. Wiater, at age 73, took up the hobby of woodcarving. In a feature article in the local newspaper, some of his work was pictured. Among his proud accomplishments are carvings of his grandchildren participating in the sports of wrestling, volleyball, swimming and cross country. As a self-taught carver, he primarily learned by watching his father carve over the years. Recently, he acquired new tools that will help him with fine details on his carvings. Interestingly, he gets his wood for carving from Owl Lumber in Chicago, a specialty importer. +++ From Memory Lane – 100 years ago (1920): A farmer now sells two cowhides and realizes about enough to purchase an ordinary pair of work shoes. +++ Also, 100 years ago: Rural mail carriers are now fully equipped with enclosed mail cabs for their thirty-mile routes each day.

Bloomer Advance

The new Dollar General in New Auburn is now open. The store will employee approximately six to 10 people depending on the need. Since 1996, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded more than $186 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, helping more than 12 million individuals take their first steps towards literacy or continued education. +++ If you live in Bloomer, you pay a mill rate of $19.47 per thousand on your assessed property value. Of the $19.47 per thousand, the Bloomer Schools get 60.2%, the City gets 23.9%, Chippewa County gets 20.3% and Chippewa Valley Vocational School gets 5.7%. +++ The Bloomer City Council voted to open the city skating rink this year, but will not open the warming house.

The Sentinel & Rural News

The Owen-Withee School Board has approved asking the DPI for a one year waiver on the Educator Effectiveness requirement and the Hours of Instruction requirements. +++ Owen-Withee School held their annual food drive with the high school (Packers) competing against the elementary school (Bears). The one with the most food were to have their principal dress up for a day in the appropriate attire. When it was done, the Packers collected 728 items and thus High School Principal Mr. Cihlar donned the green and gold.

Tribune Photograph

Colby School District has increased short-term substitute teacher pay from $95 to $125 per day, plus a free lunch. Those who teach more than 30 days in a school year will see their daily pay go from $105 to $135, and those subbing more than 40 days will go from $115 to $145 per day. +++ According to an annual report from North Central Technical College, 124 Colby High School students completed 546 dual credit courses last year, saving their parents $32,218 in tuition costs. +++ The Central Fire and EMS District has already gone on 686 ambulance calls in 2020 and is expecting to hit 700 by year’s end.

O-W Enterprise At uts December 14 meeting, the Withee Village Board approved a 3% increase in their wastewater volume rate. The money was needed as funds in the physician plant replacement account were being drawn on to pay for items needed to run the plant. The new rate will be $9.94 per thousand gallons used, or an increase of 29 cents. Employee Christmas gifts were approved – $50 for full-time and $25 for part-time employees. +++ Nine members of Owen-Withee-Curtiss EMS have completed the Advanced EMT class through North Central Technical College of Wausau. The training took place between August and December. Those who completed still need to complete their registry skills and take their state certification tests. As Certified Advanced EMT’s, they will be able to start IV’s and administer certain medications that basic EMT’S cannot.

Tri-County News Word was received on the elves tipster line that the Mean Mr. Grinch was scheming to disrupt the Christmas Eve parade in Hixton. At 6:30 pm, the elves surrounded the Grinch attempting to steal presents from a loaded truck and eventually the Jackson County Sheriff’s officers arrived and took him away. Not only was the parade saved, but went right on as scheduled. +++ The Osseo City Council has approved both the site plan and sign permit for a new Kwik Trip gas station and convenience store. There was no word on what will become of the current store located in the downtown area of the city. +++ The Augusta City Council approved the expenditure of $28,646, to replace the heating and air conditioning unit at the Augusta Senior Center.

Trempealeau County Times

Arcadia’s Wanek Center is approaching its first full year since being opened, and it has been a tumultuous one. After opening on January 4,2020, the over $20 million Center was well on the way of reaching a membership goal of 5000, when COVID-19 shut the facility down. The Center has reopened in phases, and as of December 11, the membership is 3,297. Ensuring the safety and peace of mind of those who have returned is among the Center’s highest priorities. +++ Arcadia’s City Council, on a 3-2 vote, approved higher sewer rates beginning January 1,2021. The new rate of $2.19, adds 19 cents to the cost of using 1,000 gallon of wastewater and applies to both residential and commercial users. The hike adds just under $20 annually to an average home user.

Buffalo County News A student at Cochrane-Fountain City High school has received one of 30 grants, totaling $31,000, recently awarded by the Wisconsin FFA Foundation. Janelle Wolfe, earned one of the Supervised Agricultural Grants sponsored by Organic Valley CROPP cooperative.

Bits &

PIECE, News of Note From Our Neighb'ors