The Thorp Courier

Third graders at Thorp Elementary School, celebrated Earth Day on April 22, by working hard cleaning the area around their school. +++ Meeting on April 21, the Thorp School Board approved purchase of Mac computers for use in the art department and the yearbook. The new computers will improve graphic arts and will run up-to-date art programs. +++ The Thorp Red Cross Blood Drive held on April 20 and 21 was a success in that 88 units were collected, thus surpassing the 82 unit goal. These pints of blood could actually help 264 lives.

Courier Sentinel

The Cadott Community Library recently received a Community Engagement Grant from the American Library Association. The $3,000 grant will enable the library to lead community engagement efforts on topics like mental health, the pandemic and the climate crisis. The grant will help library workers expand the role of libraries. The Cadott Library will be providing a community discussion around building an accessible community for handicapped individuals. +++ Chris Stalheim, currently an assistant principal at Black River Falls, has been named the new principal of the Lake Holcombe School District. +++ The constable position of Town of Lake Holcombe has been abolished due to lack of interest – no one was interested in serving and write-in’s have refused the position when it was offered to them. +++ The Cadott School Board approved another year of participation in the eSuccess Virtual Charter School consortium.

Bloomer Advance

The mainstay of the Bloomer/New Auburn Area Food Pantry, Roberta Poirer is retiring after 22 years of service to her passion of, “Ending Hunger One Bite at a Time.” Roberta, a retired nurse/midwife, took over the management of the Pantry in 1999. Roberta’s mother, Estelle Davis, worked with others to establish the pantry, which opened April 1, 1983. After moving around over the years, in 2014, Roberta and the Board of Directors found a permanent location and today the Pantry provides meals for over 7,000 household visits per year. +++ The Annual Bloomer Community Picnic, sponsored by the Bloomer Chamber of Commence, will be held this year on Thursday, June 3, from 3:30-6:30 pm with dine in or take out available. The menu includes a ¼ chicken dinner and there will also be inflatables, face painting, kid’s games and raffles.

The Sentinel & Rural News

With only 23.7% of Clark County residents having received at least one dose of the COVID vaccine, the county ranks among the lowest in the state in vaccination rates. +++ The 11th Annual Clark County Spring into the Arts Tour drew 27 artists, guest artists, painters, potters, woodworkers, metal workers, jewelers, weavers, basket makers, glass workers, and much more. New on the circuit this year was the Christine Center, located near Willard, which is celebrating their 40-year anniversary and 10 years of art and creativity workshops.

Tribune-Phonograph

Students at Colby High School are requesting to sit together at graduation, rather than with their family that is in attendance. They are also requesting that they receive more than six tickets, which makes them pick and choose who gets to attend. Superintendent Steve Kolden will be meeting with the students and he is confident they can reach a compromise. Colby’s graduation is scheduled for outdoors and three rain dates are in place. If graduation were to be moved indoors graduates will only receive two tickets for guests. +++ In other school board information, Superintendent Kolden told his board that Colby is expected to receive as much as $3 million in funding from the Elementary Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund. The money can be used for any costs that could be considered COVID-related.

O-W Enterprise On Saturday, April 24, the Clark County Sheriff’s Office participated in the Annual Drug Take Back initiative with Deputy Josh Niemi manning the collection box in Owen. +++ Jim Bohl continues to buy land in Owen with his latest purchase from the city being a 3.6 acre site. Mr. Bohl is planning on building three 16-unit apartments.

Clark County Press

The Clark County Fairgrounds Show Barn is moving closer to completion. The 130 foot by 199 foot and 35-foot-tall building is expected to be completed this summer. +++ The City of Neillsville is in the process of planning for occupancy of their new soon to be city hall – the former BMO Bank. At a recent meeting, one city council person was strongly advocating for the police department to also make the move to the new facility, rather than the plan that has them taking over the entire old city hall. +++ The Loyal School Board recently voted to reverse their previous decision on keeping a mask requirement at all times. With the new vote, masks will be optional in the classroom but required during transitional times – in the hallways. +++ Despite efforts to appoint a city council member to the Neillsville Police and Fire Commission, the City Council voted to keep that committee all private citizens. The goal is to keep city politics out of decisions related to the police and fire departments. +++ The Neillsville School District will be delivering free breakfast and lunch, Monday through Friday, to children of all ages up to age18 during the summer. +++ St. Mary’s Catholic School in Greenwood will close after this school year. After 108 years, the school had dwindled in attendance down to only 12 students. A June open house is being planned for former students to look at old photos and reminisce.

Tri-County News – Area Times

The Augusta City Council has joined other area communities that are trying to deal with blighted properties. The Augusta Police Chief offered his recommendations on dealing with these properties, which included local action vs. waiting for the county health departments condemning a property as a public health hazard. +++ Osseo-Fairchild Schools will again offer breakfasts and lunches this summer and meals can be eaten on-site or can be picked up. +++ The Fall Creek Library is fully reopened with up to 10 patrons allowed inside at any one time. ++ The Augusta Historical Society, has successfully established a Board of Directors and has applied for affiliation with the Wisconsin Historical Society.

Buffalo County News

Sightings of flocks of American white pelicans around southern Buffalo County have drawn some double-takes from those passing by. +++ Things are coming together quickly for the southern Buffalo County Town of Cross in its efforts to obtain high-speed broadband Internet access for all of its residents. +++ Pilgrims Pride of Arcadia, recently donated $30,000 to the Fountain City Fire Association in support of the construction of its new fire station. Pilgrim Pride has many farm family partners, and team members within the Fountain City Fire Association’s service area.