Thorp police look for help on signs

The Thorp Courier

The Thorp Police Department is asking community members to come forward if they have any information in regards to the multiple political signs being stolen or destroyed in the City of Thorp. Private citizens have pooled together to offer a $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest. +++ The Clark County Health Department is reporting staff members of the School District of Thorp have tested positive for COVID-19. The discovery of COVID-19 has caused the start of the school year to be delayed a couple of weeks. +++ Thorp’s 6th Annual Summer Fest Car Show will be held on Saturday, September 12 from noon to 5 pm. Other events include a classic car movie that will be held at the Stanley Theater at 7:30 pm and from noon to 4 pm, live music by the String Cheese Band will be performed at Kelly’s Grill in Stanley.

Courier Sentinel

The Lake Holcombe School District has agreed to a one time payment of $80,000 to Gilbertson Transit, the school’s provider of student transportation. In accepting CARES Act Funding, the district is required to continue payments to employees and contractors. Holcombe received $103,115 in CARES Act Funding. +++ The Cadott Lions Club donated $1,000 to the Cadott Fire Department, to help replace their old generator. +++ Cornell is ready to call for bids on Phase 1 of a new wastewater treatment plant. The plant being replaced was built in 1960 and was last updated in 1981. Typically, upgrades are only meant to last for 20 years. Phase 1 will include a new head works building, interior piping, sludge transfer, electrical and SCADA upgrades and installing a sludge storage tank.

Bloomer Advance

According to the Chippewa County Department of Public Health, as of August 31, Chippewa County has had 352 confirmed cases of COVID-19. As of that date, there were 54 active cases, 298 have been released from isolation, there have been 12,089 negative test results, there is currently one person hospitalized and there have been no deaths. +++ There are twelve new teachers in the Bloomer School District for 2020-21 school year. +++ In recent years a healthy economy has allowed many Wisconsin cities and villages to build up balances in their core funds. Among the benefits of a healthy fund balance may be helping municipalities address revenue shortfalls, or spending needs, associated with COVID-19.

The Sentinel & Rural News

There is a new gathering place in Withee. The location, probably best known as the Hayloft, has recently been purchased by Jason and Samantha Thornton. The Thornton’s plan to open their new establishment as IGYS Bar and Grill. IGYS is the acronym for, “I’ve Got Your Six.” In other words, “I’ve Got Your Back.” Jason is the Owen-Withee-Curtiss Fire Chief and head of Emergency Medical Services. The only thing that will change at the bar are the decorations, which will be focused on military-police and fire department themes. The plan is to have the new business open before Labor Day. At first, there will be drinks only offerings. Food service still needs license, supplies, etc. Hours will be Tuesday through Sunday from 11 am – close. +++ The Thirsty Squirrel in Owen has been identified as a Clark County Hotspot for COVID-19. On Saturday, August 15 and Saturday, August 22, wedding receptions were held and on one occasion 300 people were reported in attendance. Social distancing was not practiced and masks were rarely to be seen. Numerous cases of COVID-19 have been identified via lab-confirmed test results from individuals whom were at the location on the stated dates.

Tribune Photograph

The City of Colby has purchased 37 acres of land along Highway 13 for $297,900, plus closing costs. The Colby City Council also approved spending $135,518 on a new SCADA system for the wastewater treatment plant. +++ Abbotsford city officials have ruled out the possibility of any water and sewer rate hikes for the remainder of 2020. Rates hikes may be hard to justify based on the amount of money the utilities are bringing in currently.

Trempealeau County Times

After a long break, Trempealeau County schools reopened on Thursday, August 27 with students split between learning remotely and in class to help prevent the spread of COVID19. +++ Blair finally has a new police chief. Chief Kent Johnson was recently sworn in after the first attempt at recruitment was unsuccessful. The city council had tried recruiting for the position at a maximum rate of $26.01. The new chief was hired at a rate of $29.00 per hour. Chief Johnson has more than 18 years of experience, with his last six and half years working as a deputy for the Trempealeau County Sheriff’s Department. +++ Canadian Silica, one of the sand mines has begun payment of back taxes it owes Arcadia. A payment of $51,350 in personal property taxes has been received by Arcadia. The company still owes the county about $100,000 in unpaid real estate taxes.

Tri-County News Osseo-Fairchild freshman Roger Kroger summed it up about the recent return to school: “It’s good. It's good to get out of the house and see other students again. The new routine will be hard to get used to but overall it’s good.” +++ Augusta Superintendent Ryan Nelson reported that the first days of orientation and instruction went smoothly considering the situation. He said, “We’re still working out our transportation routes.”

Buffalo County News

On Sunday, August 30, Mondovi residents celebrated completion of three projects. After years of planning the three major projects completed were: the dredging of Mirror Lake, renovation of Sharpe Point Park and the construction of a new pavilion. The grand opening took place in front of the new pavilion.

Banner Journal

The Blair-Taylor School Board has approved moving ahead with a referendum, asking to borrow $4,145,000 as it looks to address additional needs at the district’s united campus. In 2014, the district completed a major project that allowed all the district’s students to be in one location. The focus currently is on locating a day care facility at the united campus. In addition, there is a need for more sixth grade classrooms and creating a middle school for sixth, seventh and eighth grades.

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