The Cornell Area Betterment Association presented the Cornell Police Department with a Sunshine Box filled with snacks, candy, gum and smiley face stress balls. Because of uncertain times for emergency personnel, it was given in appreciation for the service the department provides. +++ Work on the first of four culvert replacements on Highway 27, north of Cadott, has been completed. The Seth Creek culvert has been replaced and is now open for local traffic. There is 100 feet of gravel over the replacement area. Each replacement is expected to take two or three weeks. +++ Most of the damage from the EFO tornado that touched down in Cadott on July 21, was within one block of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. However, Connie Rubenzer’s home, located more than a block from the church, received a large chunk of the metal church roof that was blown into her front yard by the 85 mph winds.

The Thorp Courier

The Thorp School District will be going back to school with what is called the cohort model. The plan includes all students being in school five days a week, separating students within the building to help maintain social distancing while avoiding exposure, along with providing ways to mitigate situations where students could contact COVID-19. +++ The Thorp Pool is offering a single session of swimming lessons this summer. The session will only be open to Thorp School District residents, as costs are being covered by summer school funding. +++ The Thorp FFAAlumni and Thorp FFA, used funds from an agricultural safety grant, to purchase the Thorp Fire and Ambulance District, a safety training mannequin that is very realistic in size, weight and handling characteristics.

Bloomer Advance

Bloomer Agriculture Education Instructor/FFA Advisor, DeWayne Fosum, is stepping down as the lead instructor at Bloomer High School, after 29 years of dedicated service to the Bloomer School District. Bloomer is where long time Stanley-Boyd Agriculture Teacher Clifford Nenzel came from, after teaching in Bloomer from 1946-54. +++ On Monday, July 27, work began on resurfacing 6.1 miles of US 53 in Chippewa County. +++ While fundraising was announced only last week, work on the horse arena improvements at the Bloomer Fairgrounds was underway as of July 24. +++ Richard Smith, of New Auburn, has been awarded the prestigious, “Spirit Stick,” by the Chippewa Moraine Chapter of the Ice Age Trail. The award symbolizes long-term dedication and service to the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, and is presented to only one recipient per year.

Tribune Photograph

As of Tuesday, July 28, if the Abbotsford-Colby area were it’s own county, it would outrank 35 other counties across Wisconsin in the total number of COVID-19 cases. The two census tracts that encompass Abbotsford, Colby, Dorchester and nearby townships have amassed a combined total of 122 cases. This makes Abby-Colby area a COVID hot spot. +++The Abbotsford School District is looking for community donations totaling $450,000 to match a FEMA grant, that will help them build a $3 million structure, that could hold up to1,839 people during tornado or other serve weather event. It will also meet the much needed classroom and multi-purpose Trempealeau County Times

Attendees at a recently held Whitehall Farmers Market had a chance to also purchase several types of fair food. The Trempealeau County Fair Fry Shack, served popular favorites such as cheese curds, while the Whitehall FFA opened its milkshake stand. +++ Amid COVID-19 concerns, the Arcadia School Board voted 4-3 to cancel any graduation ceremony. It was also announced that the high school musical, that was scheduled for this fall, was being postponed until spring. The musical will be revisited in January for reconsideration of the date.

Tri-County News Members of the Osseo-Fairchid High School Class of 2020, joined by their families, had the class’ graduation ceremony on Saturday, July 25. The event took place at Ward Field in Osseo. The entire football field was utilized to allow for social distancing during the ceremony. Graduates wore masks. +++ Summer school in the Osseo-Fairchild School District is reported as going well, with children being happy to be back in school. The district has been working with the Eau Claire and Trempealeau County Health Departments, on implementing safety procedures.

Mondovi Herald News

After a 130-year press run as the Mondovi Herald-News, the newspaper will be changing its masthead to the Buffalo County News, starting with the August 6 edition. That’s when the Mondovi Herald News, Buffalo County Journal and Cochrane Fountain-City Recorder will join together to form one publication. The economics related to COVID-19 has forced the hand of Mike Stumpf, the owner of all three publications, to implement the merger, which has been talked about for three years. +++ Two parks on Mondovi’s Mirror Lake are currently receiving some major, user-friendly upgrades. City leaders are excited to show off the results of the projects and thus there will be a Grand Opening Celebration on Sunday, August 30.

Banner Journal

Graduates of Blair-Taylor High School, received their diplomas at an outdoor ceremony held on Saturday, July 25. There’s not a whole lot of normal, or routine, these days, and this graduation was also different in that graduates were flanked by only two family members, per safety guidelines. +++ The Jackson County Forestry and Parks Departments has announced that the Jackson County parks are full every weekend and are providing record setting revenue. COVID-19 is credited with this cause and effect.

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