- Menomonie News Net
- Posts
- Menomonie News Net
Menomonie News Net
January 21, 2026, Vol 2, Issue 10
Local News Group
January 21, 2026
Welcome to Vol 2, Issue 10 of Menomonie News Net. If you missed previous Issues, you can catch up HERE.
Correction: we strive for accuracy but sometimes we miss the mark. We regret we misspelled the name of mayoral candidate Grady Richartz in a Jan 14 MNN article, “Spring Election Candidate Update.”
Today several of our local organizations are featured. In 2026 we will be highlighting civic, nonprofit organizations in our community. Why? Because we feel they are important to a healthy community.
A quote: “Civic organizations are vital for a healthy democracy, acting as the ‘lifeblood’ by uniting citizens to address shared needs, foster liberty, and build community.” (Alexis de Tocqueville, ‘Democracy in America’).
Thank YOU to our subscribers and donors. We couldn’t do it without you. Donations welcome online or by mail: checks to MNN, P.O. Box 63, Menomonie. (Options for tax-deductible gifts: in memory or in honor of, recurring, anonymous, RMD).
Editorial Team: Layne Pitt, Becky Kneer, Marsha Biggs; MNN Contributors; Advisory Team Volunteers; Tech Support: Tracy Glenz
Website: menomonienewsnet.org Submit News: [email protected]
In this Issue…
Ice Skating Season in Full Swing
Skating Options Open Across Menomonie
Half Moon Park in Park Circle on the east side of Menomonie is open for skating. Photo: Art Brandt
By Menomonie News Net staff
MENOMONIE - January has finally done its job.
The ice is thick. The cold is honest. And across Menomonie, winter has rolled out its slick, frozen white carpet and invited everyone to step - carefully - onto the stage.
With winter firmly settled in and consistent cold temperatures locking in ice conditions, Menomonie residents have multiple outdoor options for ice skating across the city. The City of Menomonie maintains several outdoor skating locations each winter, offering a mix of maintained park rinks and natural ice surfaces. With January temperatures providing reliable ice, many of the city’s outdoor rinks are fully in use.
The City of Menomonie floods a neighborhood ice rink in Half Moon Park in Park Circle just north of Stout Road off 11th Street. The rink has been used for and is ideal for pick-up hockey, skating and broomball contests and is in a setting of some of Menomonie's oldest and historic homes.
Wolske Bay Road leads to three popular winter destinations - Christmas Miracle Winter Wonderland, Wolske Bay and Lake Menomin.
Christmas Miracle Winter Wonderland, off Wolske Bay Road just north of the Menomonie Public Library, offers outdoor skating during the winter months, along with hockey and sledding opportunities. The location continues to attract families and groups seeking multiple activities in one area as the winter season reaches its midpoint.
Thanks to the outdoor Christmas light display over the past several years, Wolske Bay has once again become a popular winter destination, combining outdoor skating opportunities even as the seasonal lighting displays come to their conclusions. When conditions allow, the area accommodates ice skating and hockey, including a cleared ice skating path around the exterior of the island, drawing residents looking to enjoy winter recreation in a scenic setting.
Park rinks are available until 10 p.m. and are not supervised, allowing skaters flexibility while requiring them to take personal responsibility for safety. Wolske Bay and the Winter Wonderland skating areas are lit during the evening hours.
Lake Menomin provides another option for skaters now that ice has set across much of the approximately 1000-acre lake. In addition to ice fishing where fishing shacks dot the lake surface, portions of the lake are used for skating during extended cold stretches. City officials remind residents that ice conditions can vary and should always be checked before venturing out.
City officials encourage skaters to remain aware of changing conditions, particularly during periods of fluctuating temperatures that we have experienced throughout this month, and to follow posted guidelines to ensure a safe and enjoyable winter skating season.
And finally, if the weather gets too cold or blustery to venture outside for long periods of time, the Fanetti Community Center, located in the Dunn County Recreation Park on Menomonie's east side, offers hockey fans an opportunity to cheer on local youth hockey teams, Menomonie High School boys and girls hockey teams and the UW-Stout men's hockey team.
The Center also offers open skating on most Sunday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. There is an admission fee and skate rental is available. No hockey sticks, pucks or other toys are allowed during the open skating time.
The story Ice Skating Season in Full Swing by Menomonie News Net staff is licensed under a CC BY SA 4.0 International license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Sunrise Rotary Honors Keebtxuj Xiong as January Youth of the Month
Photo: Submitted
By John Wilkerson
The Menomonie Sunrise Rotary Club is pleased to recognize Keebtxuj Xiong, a distinguished member of Menomonie High School’s Class of 2026, as its January Youth of the Month.
Keebtxuj is widely respected by staff, peers, and community members for his quiet leadership and genuine care for others. Teachers describe him as a student who consistently steps forward to support classmates, particularly those who may feel isolated. He is often seen intentionally sitting with students who are alone, taking time to get to know them and ensuring they feel welcomed and included.
A role model for many of the school’s younger Hmong students, Keebtxuj leads by example through kindness, responsibility, and service. He has also volunteered as a compost collector during school lunches, a role he has carried out with diligence and pride, reflecting his commitment to environmental responsibility and community improvement.
Outside the classroom, Keebtxuj plays club soccer for Western Wisconsin’s ECNL-RL boys team and works at Marshalls in Menomonie. He takes pride in helping teammates improve their skills and assisting friends and classmates academically whenever they ask. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, especially to warmer climates and beaches.
After graduation, Keebtxuj plans to attend University of Minnesota Morris, where he hopes to study sports management and play collegiate soccer. He envisions a future that includes international travel and continued service to others.
Rotary International is a global network of neighbors, friends, and leaders committed to creating lasting change in our communities and around the world.
For more information visit menomoniesunriserotary.org
John Wilkerson is a member of Menomonie Sunrise Rotary.
February 17 Spring Primary in Dunn County
Menomonie, Wisconsin - Only a few municipalities in Dunn County will be holding a needed Spring Primary Election on February 17, 2026.
Residents of the City of Menomonie will see a Mayoral Primary on the ballot on February 17, 2026. Three candidates have filed papers to run for the office of Mayor of Menomonie, triggering a needed Spring Primary. Names were drawn at random and will appear on the ballot for City of Menomonie residents in the following order: Grady Richartz, Randy Knaack, Matthew Crowe.
The top two candidates with the most votes will advance to appear on the April 7, 2026 Spring Election ballot.
Residents of the Town of New Haven, Town of Stanton, Town of Tiffany, and Village of Downing will also head to the polls for the February 17, 2026 Spring Primary Election for the Glenwood City School Board election. Five candidates have filed to run for election for two School Board seats, triggering a needed primary. The candidates were drawn at random and will appear in the following order on the ballot for New Have, Stanton, Tiffany, and Downing in the following order: Lisa Kaiser, Amy Dopkins, Tony Mielzarek, Nicole Miller, Steve Davis.
The top four candidates with the most votes will advance to appear on the April 7, 2026 Spring Election ballot.
Residents can review where they vote, check their registration status, request an absentee ballot, or review what’s on their ballot at myvote.wi.gov/en-us/
Polling Location Changes: Menomonie polling location for Wards 1 & 2 is now at the Rassbach Museum (1820 John Russell Rd) and Wards 10 & 11 is now at the Fanetti Community Center at the Dunn County Rec Park (620 17th St SE).
For more information contact Andrew Mercil, Dunn County Clerk at 715-232-1677.
Source: News Release
Local Legislators Invited to Sat Jan 24 ‘Community Conversations’
‘Crisis in Healthcare’ is focus of presentation
By Lorene Vedder
Our next Community Conversations, Saturday, January 24, will be on “The Crisis in Healthcare 2026” at the Menomonie Public Library from 12:30 to 2:30 pm.
Attendees will be encouraged to share their concerns about healthcare - the expense, the complexity of health insurance, the difficulty in finding a primary care provider, the quality of care and other concerns.
Senator Jeff Smith, Ranking Member of the Senate Health Committee, has confirmed that he will be attending. Representative Clint Moses, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Health, Aging and Long Term Care, is trying to put this Saturday's meeting on his schedule.
The first part of our presentation will focus on issues of our national healthcare crisis as expressed by our participants and to share these concerns to our representatives in the Wisconsin State Legislature. Wisconsin as a state has a part to play in the solutions to our healthcare needs.
The second part of this presentation are the proposed solutions. We need to offer our citizens and residents adequate healthcare and address prevention of disease in our state and nation. Republican and Democratic legislators are in agreement on most issues of the worsening in our country’s healthcare crisis. Both sides have good suggestions in their plans to reform our current system.
We will view two YouTube videos. One about health insurance - the complexity and expense that insurance brings to healthcare. The other view about a United States Senate committee meeting (The Committee for Health, Education, Labor and Pensions) which discusses plans for reforming our US healthcare system. Part of the solution for Republicans is the use of HSA’s (Health Saving Accounts). HSA’s are not a new concept, but an expansion is being proposed to this plan to allow the consumer to more adequately fund their accounts and to use them for more of their health care needs.
Join us Saturday for the presentation and discussion.
Lorene Vedder is a retired local physician and the founder of Community Conversations. She may be contacted at [email protected]
January Message from County Manager
The Dunn County Board of Supervisors will meet Wednesday, January 21 at 7 pm at the Dunn County Government Center.
Each month, Dunn County Manager Dan Dunbar shares a video message highlighting the items that will be discussed and voted on at the meeting. Check out the video to learn more.
To review the full agenda and meeting documents for the County Board meeting, visit the Public Meetings Page on our website at www.dunncountywi.gov
Source: Dunn County Facebook Page
PEO Chapter Makes Donation to Wisconsin Foster Closet
PEO Chapter DD Treasurer Cyrilla Face presents a check to Tammy Wood-Garr, Wisconsin Foster Closet Photo: submitted
By Becky Hendrickson, P.E.O. Chapter DD
Menomonie P.E.O. Chapter DD chose the Wisconsin Foster Closet as its 2025 Christmas project and collected $735 in donations from our sisters. Our treasurer Cyrilla Face is shown here presenting a check to Tammy Wood-Garr, the founder and director of the organization which she originally started in the basement of her home.
They provide much needed supplies to children who often leave their homes with nothing but what they are wearing.
Becky Hendrickson is President of the Menomonie P.E.O. Chapter DD. She may be contacted at [email protected]
The Neighbors Offers Valentine Delivery
Our Life Enhancement Team at The Neighbors of Dunn County would love to help spread the love!
Send a valentine for delivery on Friday, Feb 13. Fill out this form
Options:
Mylar Balloon, Chocolate & Card ($5)
Singing Valentine ($1 per song) - choice of 14 songs
BOTH
Orders due Thursday, Feb 12. Delivery on Friday, Feb 13.
Payment options:
Pay at The Neighbors front desk (cash or check)
Mail a check to 2901 Forbes Ave, Menomonie, WI 54751
If there are any special dietary needs, our Life Enhancement Team will accommodate accordingly.
Proceeds go toward residents cost-free engagement in the community.
Questions? Contact Alyssa at [email protected]
Stay Connected with Your Local Extension Office
Sign up for newly launched quarterly e-newsletter
The UW–Madison Division of Extension offices in Chippewa, Dunn, and Eau Claire Counties are excited to share a new way to stay in the loop — the Tri-County Connection Newsletter.
This quarterly e-newsletter brings together updates, upcoming events, and stories from your local Extension Team. You’ll find helpful tips for families, resources for agriculture industry members and community leaders, and fun learning opportunities for youth and adults alike.
“We’re excited to make it easier for our communities to see all the great things happening through Extension in our three counties,” said Kristen Bruder, Area Extension Director. “There’s something for everyone — and this newsletter helps you stay connected.”
From practical resources to inspiring local stories, the Tri-County Connection puts Extension knowledge at your fingertips. Stay informed, get involved, and be part of what’s happening in your community.
Subscribe today: https://go.wisc.edu/r123jl
Source: UW-Extension
Congregate Dining Program Receives Boost
Dunn Energy Coop provides ‘lunch on us’
Jolene Fisher, Dunn Energy Cooperative with Bernie Allen, ADRC Nutrition Program Manager Photo: Facebook
Did you know that Dunn County ADRC has a congregate dining program, where seniors (age 60+) can have lunch at one of five different cafes/dining areas in the county? It's free to those who cannot afford the meal, but a $5 donation is suggested if you can.
Well, for the next little while, ‘lunch is on us’ - compliments of Dunn Energy Coop.
For more information on the program or to make reservations visit the ADRC Congregate Dining, or call the ADRC at 715-232-4006.
Source: ADRC Facebook Page
CVTC President’s List for Fall 2025 Term
Chippewa Valley Technical College announces that the following students have been named to the President’s List for the fall 2025 semester. To be eligible, students must complete a minimum of six credits with a semester grade point average of 3.5 or higher.
From Menomonie: Lauren Alexander, Ali Alnaeli, Aiden Anderson, Jackie Anderson, Aiden Ayres, Bailey Bankson, Isabella Bautista, Mary Becerra-Thompson, Jo Bignell, Emma Bird, Jasmine Blanks, Sadie Blodgett, Jensine Boesl, Desiree Bolante, Tevin Bordeaux, Lilly Boutwell, Daniel Bowgren, Cooper Bruha, Haydn Buckley, Jasmine Buttke, Terri Buttke, Heather Calcamuggio, Emma Chich, McKenzie Clark, Lily Collins, Holly Cook, Joey Cook, Megan Danzeisen, Allison Dickman, Mihaela Dima, Miranda Dold, Russ Donaghue, Gwyneth Erickson, Claire Field, Emi Frank, Mikayla Freeman, Robert Gausmann, Cj Gordon, Davon Grayson, Daniell Green, Vikki Guyant, Kaleena Hang, Mitchell Hayden, Alek Henningsgard, Thea Lea Her, Rachel Hintzman, Samantha Hoff, Dastin Hostettler, MacKenzie Illa, Aubrey Johnson, Jayce Johnson, Treece Johnson, Kody Kazmarek, Autumn Kistner, Paityn Klatt, Alessio Komro, Mykenzie Krueger, Lorin Kuester, Sarah Kurtz, Aaryan Kushwaha, Vanessa Lambright, Courtney Larson, Lydia Leach, Mercedes Lee, Nhia Lee, Trey Lemke, Kelsie Macke, Vista Marconett, James Markham, Kenna Marsolek, Josse Marty, Ryan Mason, Emily McNally, Sophia McNally, Billy Mcclain, Carlos Mejia, Brian Mengel, Justice Meyer, Aleaha Miland, Reese Millam, Joshua Miller, Michael Montgomery, Charles Morgan, Hunter Moritz, Brooklyn Morning, Maris Moses, Savanna Neubrand, Kenna Nowlen, Hadley Owen, Michael Peters, Holly Phillips, Carrie Ray, Todd Reis, Jake Rue, Beth Sabelko, Tony Sakry, Andrew Schaefer, Jenna Schaefer, Braydon Schallenberger, Alexander Schaller, Jessica Schmidt, Mariel Schneider, Mitchel Scribner, Maddy Showalter, Reagan Singerhouse, Macy Skillings, Jasmine Smith, Morgan Soules, Delaney Souza, Nick Spradley, Michael Stewart, Grace Strey, Mike Thaldorf, Rashen Thao, Luis Torres Valadez, Miriam Trotter, Robert Vind, Aayushka Wagle, Daniel Walker, Hailey Webb, Hayden Weir, Abby Wermager, Jessica White, Donny Wilson, Maggie Winsand, Kaci Wittig, Tessa Wold, Jessica Wood, Sarah Woodruff, PhengXu Xiong, Chee Yang, and Marie Zunker
For more information contact Alyssa Van Duyse, CVTC, at [email protected]
Source: News Release
Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) Fundraiser Saturday Feb 28
The Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) is a family-friendly winter walk that raises vital funds for local organizations serving people experiencing homelessness, hunger, and hardship. When you join CNOY, you’re not just walking - you’re fundraising to help your neighbors find warmth, safety, and support.
Each February, thousands of people across the country step outside their comfort zone to show compassion and solidarity with those who are struggling in the cold. Your participation - and your fundraising - make a real difference in your community.
Stepping Stones is participating in this awareness/fundraising event: a 2K or 5K walk, nothing too fancy or competitive—just good people, bundled up, showing up for our community. Each step and each dollar raised, helps us continue to offer our expanding services and support. Walking shoulder to shoulder will remind us all that our shared compassion is what makes us such a great community.
The walk is Saturday, Feb 28 and starts at 5pm. The routes start at UW-Stout and wind through downtown.
Options:
Join a team. (Team members are asked to help fundraise, if they can).
Form your own team
Donate
Volunteer
For more information on how to join a team, donate or volunteer visit the Menomonie CNOY page.
Public Meetings Week of Jan 21-28
Staff Photo
City of Menomonie
Wed Jan 21 Urban Forestry Meeting, 1pm AGENDA; Airport Commission, 6pm
Mon Jan 26 Plan Commission, 7pm
Click HERE for full calendar.
School District of Menomonie
Mon Jan 26 School Board Meeting, 5:45pm, ASC
Click HERE for full calendar additional details
Dunn County
Wed Jan 21 Board of Supervisors, 7pm AGENDA
Thur Jan 22 Neighbors of Dunn County Committee, 9am AGENDA; Committee on Administration, 3pm AGENDA; Health & Human Services, 6pm, AGENDA
Mon Jan 26 Board of Adjustment CANCELLED; Judiciary & Law Committee, 5:30pm
Wed Jan 28 Facilities Committee, 5pm
Click HERE for calendar, documents, recordings & public commenting
MHS Extracurricular Activities
Compiled from MHS Daily Announcements
By MNN Staff
Wednesday, January 14
The CFM Sabers (Chippewa Falls-Menomonie Girls Hockey) fell last night to the Western Wisconsin Stars 5-1. They are back in action at the Fanetti Arena on Saturday against the Badger Lightning.
Last night the Boys Swim Team was on the road and defeated the Medford Raiders. The team placed first in almost every event last night. William McKnight came out as the top swimmer of the night, dropping over 10 seconds in both the 200 Freestyle and the 500 Freestyle. Other time drops of the night came from both Eirik Erickson and Thomas Seim in the 100 Butterfly, and Jack Ruegnitz in the 100 Backstroke.
The Boys Hockey Teams went back to EC to take on Memorial. It was a tough night and the puck couldn't find the back of the net for us. JV Hockey lost 6-0 and Varsity Hockey lost 3-0.
The results of the 2026 Dunn County Conservation Awareness Poster Contest are in! Everyone did a great job and the judging was very close. Brynn Smisky placed 1st and Taylin Johnson placed 3rd. Brynn's poster kept Menomonie's Environmental Biology classes' 7 year win streak alive and will now move on to the regional competition.
The Boys Basketball Team came up short against River Falls last night 53-61. Leading scorer was Trevor Robert with 23. The Girls Basketball Team won their 6th game in a row last night with a team win over Chippewa Falls 49-35. The Mustangs were led in scoring by Jordan Ohman, Reece Barfknect and Gracie Miller with 11 points each.
Friday, January 16
The CFM Sabers came up with a big win on Thursday night over Medford 7 to 0.
The Boys JV Hockey Team fell 6-2 to River Falls last night, with goals from Oliver Prechel and Wes Weir. Varsity Hockey fell also 6-2, with goals from Liam Wachewicz and Cooper Marincel, assists on both goals from Jaxson Giertz.
Tuesday, January 20
On Saturday the CFM Sabers Girls Hockey Team had another non conference win 4-0 over the Badger Lightning. Congratulations to Aubrie Dowd on the shut out and Allison Xu for scoring a goal.
Congratulations to the Boys Basketball Team on their 68-66 win Friday night over Eau Claire Memorial.
Last Thursday the Girls Basketball Team took on Marshfield winning 74-45 pushing their winning streak to 7 games. The Mustangs were led in scoring by Emmi Marlett with 17 points followed by Jordan Ohman with 14 points. On Friday the Mustangs took on a very strong Eau Claire Memorial team losing 52-67. Lauren Ohman scored 22 points and Jordan Ohman added 17 points in the contest.
Menomonie Collegians Hayden Weir Playing Hockey With Alexandria Juniors Team; Ashley Slupe With Lawrence University
MHS graduate Hayden Weir (white uniform) is a member of the Alexandria, MN Blizzard junior hockey team. Photo: Alexandria Blizzard
By Layne Pitt, MNN Contributor
ALEXANDRIA, Minn. - Hayden Weir, a 2025 Menomonie High School graduate, came off a successful high school hockey career and headed west, currently playing for the Alexandria, Minn., Blizzard, a junior hockey program in the North American Third Tier Hockey League (NA3HL).
A two-time All-Big Rivers Conference honorable mention selection, Weir, a forward, has seen action in 16 games with the Blizzard, including a 6-2 win over Mason City last Friday. Weir scored his first point with the Blizzard in September, when he assisted on a goal in the second game of the season, a 6-4 win over the Minnesota Wilderness.
Weir added a second assist for the team on Dec. 6 in a 3-2 loss to the Wilderness. The Blizzard hold an 20-11-2-1 overall record and are in the NA3HL West Division. Alexandria will travel to the Minnesota Moose, Friday, Jan. 23, then will host the Minnesota Wilderness, Saturday, Jan. 25.
While at Menomonie, Weir played in 102 games over four seasons, scoring 51 goals and 54 assists for 105 points. During his sophomore year, the Mustangs advanced to the WIAA state hockey tournament for the first time in 32 years.
Heading the opposite direction after high school, Ashley Slupe is playing collegiately for the Lawrence University women’s hockey team in Appleton. The Vikings are coming off a weekend sweep of Trine University. Slupe, a defenseman, has played in all 17 games for the Vikings and is among the team's leading scorers. Two weeks ago, Slupe recorded her first two-point collegiate game, scoring a goal and an assist at St. Catherine University, Jan. 9 in St. Paul, Minn.
With her team trailing 3-0, Slupe scored a goal in the second period then four minutes later added an assist to pull to within 3-2. The Wildcats would go on to take the win. Slupe scored her first collegiate goal in the sixth game of the season against the College of Lake Forest, Nov. 14. She added an assist Nov. 22 at Adrian College.
The 5-foot-9 left-handed defenseman was a four-year starter for the Chippewa Falls-Menomonie (CFM) Sabers co-op team. As a senior captain in 2025, Slupe earned Big Rivers Conference honorable mention recognition after tallying three goals and 11 assists, including two game-winning goals over 23 games.
Staying closer to home, the UW-Stout men's hockey team is off to one of the best starts in school history. After splitting a pair of non-conference home games last weekend, the Blue Devils are 12-4-1 overall and 5-1-1 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC). Heading into last weekend, Stout was ranked 14th in the USCHO.com Division III poll.
The Menomonie High School boys hockey team is posting a 9-5-0 record and 3-4-0 in the Big Rivers. The Mustangs saw a five-game winning streak broken Jan. 13 at Eau Claire Memorial. The Mustangs are coached by Alex Stuckert, who played at UW-Stout from 2019-24. The Chippewa Falls-Menomonie girls hockey team is 7-6-1 and looking for their first BRC win.
The boys were at New Richmond, Jan. 20. They will be at Hudson, Thursday, Jan. 22, at Somerset, Saturday, Jan. 24 and at Rice Lake, Tuesday, Jan. 27. The girls were at Hudson, Jan. 20. They will host Coulee Region in Chippewa Falls, Jan. 22, and the ECA Stars, Jan. 27.
Layne Pitt retired as the longest serving sports information director at UW-Stout and also worked more than a decade at The Dunn County News.
Menomonie Collegians is a regular feature of Menomonie News Net. The column is not limited to student-athletes, but may be a former Menomonie area student in a play, forensics, music or any type of collegiate competition. If you know of a Menomonie Collegian, please email [email protected].
The column Menomonie Collegians by Layne Pitt is licensed under a CC BY SA 4.0 International license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
For a Calendar of Events in the Menomonie Area, visit Kathy Weber’s Menomonie Minute.
Please forward this newsletter to others and encourage them to subscribe for free and pass it on.
Please donate if you can!
We are committed to offering news and information for free! But your tax-deductible donation will help cover expenses, hire part-time staff and reach sustainability.
Volunteer!
Want to help us build this news source? We welcome volunteers! We need help with note-taking in-person or digitally for public meetings, taking/sending photos to share, grant-writing, article writing, sharing story ideas and many other tasks. [email protected]