Welcome to Menomonie News Net Vol 2, Issue 3. If you missed previous Issues, you can catch up HERE.

And just like that…snow is everywhere! In this issue included are lots of holiday happenings (see Menomonie Events at a Glance with links), new updates on the proposed data center and Layne’s Collegian column keeping track of MHS Grads. Note: Judy Foust’s MHS Grads returns next week.

If you enjoy MNN continue to tell others and encourage them to subscribe and/or donate online or by mail: check payable to MNN, P.O. Box 63, Menomonie. In memory or in honor of options available.

Enjoy the season…

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…

• Annual Tour of Homes

• Proposed Data Center Updates

• Interviews with Candidates for the WI Supreme Court

• Parade of Lights Voting Opens

• Police Department’s Food for Fines

• Toy Swap Saturday Dec 6 at Leisure Center

• Recap of Community Conversations Presentation on Free Speech

• Red Cedar Watershed Photo Contest

• Public Meetings: Week of Dec 3-10

• Menomonie Events at a Glance

• MHS Extracurricular Activities

• Menomonie Collegians: Morning & Fedderson

Annual Tour of Homes

“An Old-Fashioned Christmas” - Sat Dec 6 - 10am - 2pm

Women's Fellowship at First Congregational-UCC has hosted the Tour of Homes for over 60 years.

Join us at the church, 420 Wilson Avenue, for tea (and cookies), Sweet Shoppe, Bake Shoppe, and gifts galore.

This free event includes stops at the Home of Surprises, N7886 555th Street and the Rassbach Museum, 1820 John Russell Road for some history of the Tour of Homes and a sneak peek at a few of the more than 65 trees that will be part of the museum’s Wakanda Wonderland.

For more information visit the Facebook page

Proposed Data Center News Updates

City Council Meeting and Citizen Protests

Compiled by MNN Staff

The following recent news releases on the proposed data center are shared here for your information:

• Kare 11 TV: Live reporting and interview with homeowner

• Wisconsin Public Radio: Includes Interview with Menomonie resident Jan O’Neill

• WQOW News 18: Live reporting

• 12.1.25 City Council Meeting (Eye on Dunn video)

Eye on Dunn Video: 12.1.25 Menomonie City Council Meeting

Invitation: Interviews with Candidates for Wisconsin Supreme Court Sat Dec 6

On April 7, Wisconsin will elect a new Supreme Court Justice for a 10 year term.

The League of Women Voters of Greater Chippewa Valley invites all voters to join us to meet the candidates in person.

Interview with candidate Chris Taylor: Sat, Dec 6, 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.

Interview with candidate Maria Lazar: Wed, Feb 4, 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.

Location: Both events will be in the Harvey Hall Theater on the UW Stout campus, 721 Third Street East, Menomonie.

Candidate Chris Taylor is currently Judge of the WI Court of Appeals for District IV, based in Madison; Maria Lazar is Judge of the WI Court of Appeals for District II, based in Waukesha. If other candidates emerge for the open position on the WI Supreme Court, we'll invite them to interview as well.

Event co-sponsors are the Menard Center for the Study of Institutions and Innovation at UW-Stout, Community Conversations of Northwest Wisconsin, and League of Women Voters-St. Croix Valley Chapter.

Both events will be livestreamed by Eye on Dunn County, an online community news website:

Chris Taylor - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJeU1WjBUSU;

Maria Lazar - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGD4t6HuDEA

Link To Register: Know Your Candidates registration.

Parking is suggested at meters on the street, or in metered spaces in the City of Menomonie Lot 2, in the 300 block of Wilson Ave near the AT&T Telephone building. Please note that public parking in UW Stout lots is limited to pay-to-park areas only.

Questions contact Jan Morlock [email protected]

Parade of Lights Voting is Open

Parade of Lights voting is officially open!

Take a drive around Menomonie to see all the beautifully decorated homes and businesses lighting up the season. While you're out enjoying the displays, don't forget to vote for your favorites! One vote per person per day, through Dec 31.

For a virtual map, check out the Parade of Lights webpage: https://exploremenomonie.com/parade-of-lights/

Source: Facebook page

Police Department’s Tenth Annual “Food for Fines” Program Runs Through Jan 2

MENOMONIE - As of November 13, the Menomonie Police Department’s tenth annual Food for Fines program has already collected more than 400 nonperishable food items for Stepping Stones of Dunn County. The program runs from November 1 through January 2 and provides residents with an opportunity to support local food security efforts while resolving eligible parking fines.

Food For Fines allows citizens to receive a $2 reduction on basic parking fines for each nonperishable food item donated. Items may be dropped off at the Menomonie Police Department lobby between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Public safety-related parking violations are not eligible for this program. These include, but are not limited to: parking in a fire lane, blocking traffic, double parking, and parking in a handicap stall.

Since its launch in 2016, Food for Fines has collected more than 7,000 pounds of food for the Stepping Stones food pantry.

For questions, please contact the City of Menomonie Communications Office at [email protected].

Source: News Release

Toy Swap Saturday Dec 6 at Leisure Center

Dunn County Play Group is hosting a Holiday Toy Swap at the Menomonie Recreation Department gym! Our community can meet holiday gift needs for our children while breaking the cycle of waste and consumption. And all in one place – for free!

Donate lightly loved toys Dec 1-5, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm at the Leisure Center, 1412 6th St E, Menomonie (Rec Dept/Senior Center). Enter main entrance from parking lot and set items on table. For larger items, notify staff in Rec Dept Office (half way down the hall on left) to help store them for event.

Or bring to any play group event held by the Dunn County Playgroup. DCP meets Fridays at 9-10:30am and 10:30-noon. 3001 Hwy 12 E Menomonie (Lower level - room 60). Drop off at sign in table.

Shop for toys (for free) on Sat, Dec 6 from 8am – 1pm. Take home any toys that you want/need. You do not need to donate a toy to be able to come shop.

Please make sure that the toys are clean and operational. Toys for all ages are welcome.

Holiday wrapping, holiday bags, and other gifting accessories are welcome as well.

Toys must meet these standards:

• Multi-part toys, such as puzzles and games, must have all pieces intact and bagged.

• Toys should not be heavily chewed, stained, ripped or damaged.

• Electronic toys must be fully functional with batteries.

Some ideas include:

• Puzzles (stacking, balancing, wooden, floor puzzles)

• Books (must be in good condition for a gift)

• Things that go (small cars, big trucks, train sets)

• Role-play toys (dolls, figurines, little people, action figures, doctor kits)

• Sensory toys (fidgets, cookie cutters, play dough, water tables, sand tables)

• Gross motor toys (tricycles, striders, wagons, play cars, scooters)

• Games (twister, matching games, break the ice, flash cards)

• Learning (dry erase books, magnet letters and numbers, electronic learning pads, construction)

All items that remain at the end of the event will be donated to a local thrift store.

Source: Facebook page

Recap of Community Conversations Presentation on Free Speech

By Lorene Vedder

The Free Speech presentation at Menomonie Public Library started with a YouTube video entitled “What are the Limits of Free Speech?”

The first speaker in the video was Nadine Strossen, daughter of a Jewish holocaust survivor and former president of the ACLU. She defends free speech. Speech can do an infinite amount of harm as well as an infinite amount of good. She doesn’t want our country to suppress ideas, even if those ideas are deemed to be unpopular or hated. She believes that free speech is the bedrock of every other right. Laws against hate speech around the world are disproportionately enforced against the minority groups which we hope to protect. Allowing our government to pick and choose censorship would allow it to silence critics. Restriction of free speech should be limited with the government never suppressing speech solely because of content, message or viewpoint. In certain cases, defined by the “emergency principle,” serious, imminent and specific harm caused by speech that incites of imminent violence or a true threat of violence are illegal. The emergency principle also disallows the targeted bullying of individuals and small groups.

Nicholas Christakis, a sociologist and physician, believes in defending freedom of expression even though you disagree with those expressions. You can use your freedom of speech to disagree. You test your own ideas by arguing with those who disagree with your ideas.

Floyd Abrams, attorney, described the U.S. Supreme Court decision of New York Times v. Sullivan in 1964. This decision changed the protection of libel law to protect freedom of speech about public figures and officials. You cannot be sued unless you say something you know is false or you suspect is untrue. Abrams stated that America has always been a country with more protection for freedom of speech, religion and press than any other country in the history of the world.

Michael Schermer is a best selling author and skeptic who has defended the free speech of holocaust deniers. When David Irvine, a holocaust denier, traveled in Austria to give a speech, he was arrested at the airport on arrival, was tried and convicted in court and was put in jail. Mr. Schermer shared his concern about these actions as a prosecution of a thought crime, as Mr. Irvine had not given his speech. Thought crimes have been prosecuted in North Korea and the Soviet Union. Schermer believes that you need to talk to and listen to other people to strengthen both your ideas and positions. If you understand someone else’s position, you can argue against it.

Alice Dreger is a writer, historian, and journalist. She wants right wingers on college campuses to be able to express their ideas in educational institutions. Listening to a wide variety of opinions helps the conversation about ideas. Students need to evaluate data and evidence and to think about the issues. Conversations need to be done with integrity and honesty. Ideas need to be aired in a non abusive manner.

The last speaker in the video was John Zimmerman, a liberal Democrat and a professor of history and education. He is committed to free speech. He brought Mary Beth Tinker to one of his classes. As a thirteen year old, she had participated in symbolic speech in her Des Moines school, using arm bands to protest the war in Vietnam. She was involved with the U.S. Supreme Court case Tinker v. Des Moines - 1969. The decision in that case decided that “neither students nor teachers shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the school house gate.” Mary Beth knew that her speech hurt classmates who had members of their family involved with fighting the war in Vietnam. She realized as a minor, the only power she had was her speech. Speech is a weapon of the powerless. If free speech is censored that will most effect the people with the least power. And censorship can be turned against all of us.

After the video, guest James Duvall, retired judge from Buffalo and Pepin counties, led a discussion about Freedom of Speech. He started with showing the 1st Amendment, pointing out the limited wording about our guaranteed freedoms of religion, speech and the press. Interpretation of Freedom of Speech must be made in court decisions. The court of last appeal is the U.S. Supreme Court. So far our Supreme Court has established a high standard for restricting speech, ensuring that the government rarely silences expression.

According to Duvall, there are 3 basic judicial philosophies that help determine settling cases. The 1st is Originalism which tries to determine what the writers of our constitution meant or what was their intent. The 2nd is Textualism which just looks at the words in the constitution. If it is not written, it doesn’t apply. The 3rd is a Living Constitution: How do we interpret our constitution in today’s world? - considering all changes in technology and social positions of the governed. In this philosophy, the constitution is considered to be flexible to meet current conditions and modern ideas. With these different philosophies, court cases can be decided differently by different judges. Judges are human, they have their biases.

Duvall continued that interpretation of the freedom of speech is very complex. What is offensive conduct? What kind of speech is harmful? Yelling fire in a movie theater can cause a tremendous amount of harm to others and this act doesn’t qualify as free speech. Workplace and private property are spaces that can limit speech. Pornography is difficult to define.

Judge Duvall left us with the message that all state judges are elected in Wisconsin. As judges are interpreting our rights, it is important that we learn about them and their judicial philosophies.

Our next Community Conversations will be Saturday, Dec 6, at 1 pm. We are joining with LWV-Chippewa Valley in a presentation at UW-Stout Harvey Hall Theater for in-person interviews with WI Supreme Court Justice candidates.

Chris Taylor will be interviewed on Saturday, December 6 at 1 pm. Maria Lazar will be interviewed on Wednesday, February 4 at 5 pm. Both events will be held in Harvey Hall Theater, UW-Stout. (For more information see article “Interviews with Candidates for WI Supreme Court” also in this issue).

As space is limited, participants are encouraged to pre-register. Register here.

Lorene Vedder is a retired local physician and the founder of Community Connections.

Red Cedar Watershed Photo Contest

Menomonie - Do you have an eye for stunning landscapes, powerful portraits, or the outdoor activities that bring the Red Cedar Watershed to life?

The Red Cedar Watershed Conference invites photographers of all skill levels to showcase their talent in a new photo contest celebrating the land, water and people of the Red Cedar Watershed.

Stretching across nearly 1,900 square miles of northwest Wisconsin, the Red Cedar Watershed includes the communities of Birchwood, Cumberland, Rice Lake, Barron, New Auburn, Glenwood City, and Menomonie. From lakes, rivers and forests to rolling farmland, community events and everyday life, the watershed is full of stories waiting to be captured through your lens.

Winning photos will be featured in digital and print marketing for the Red Cedar Watershed Conference and highlighted at the event itself. The top five images will be on display during the 2026 Red Cedar Watershed Conference, where attendees will vote for their favorite. Photographers of the top five submissions will each receive a free registration to the conference.

How to Enter:

● Contest is open to anyone 18 years or older

● Photos must be taken within the Red Cedar Watershed (see map here)

● Entries can include people, scenery, landscapes, or activities

● Submit your photos through our website, www.uwstout.edu/redcedar by January 1, 2026

● A signed photo release waiver is required with submission

Don’t miss your chance to showcase your photography and share your perspective of the watershed. For contest rules, registration details and updates on the Red Cedar Watershed Conference, visit www.uwstout.edu/redcedar and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Source: News Release

Public Meetings: Dec 3-10

City of Menomonie

Mon Dec 8 Recreation Advisory Board, 7pm;  

Tue Dec 9 Police & Fire Commission, 9am, Police Station

Click HERE for full calendar.

School District of Menomonie

Mon Dec 8 School Board Meeting, 5:45 pm, ASC

Click HERE for full calendar additional details

Dunn County

Wed Dec 3 Facilities Committee, 5pm

Tues Dec 9 Executive Committee, 2pm

Wed Dec 10 Transit Committee, 8am/Highway Committee 8:15am, Highway Dept; CJCC Executive & Operations Committee, 11am; Dunn County Crime Prevention Funding Board, Noon

Click HERE for calendar, documents, recordings & public commenting

Menomonie Events at a Glance: Dec 3-10

Wed Dec 3 Quilt Fabric Exchange, thru Dec 6, during library hours, Menomonie Public Library

Thur Dec 4 Bingo Benefit for Boys & Girls Club, 5:30pm, Tanglewood Greens

Fri Dec 5 White Christmas Opening Night, 7pm, Mabel Tainter; Winterlude Market, Noon-5pm, Brewery Nonic; Christmas Sale, 9am - 3pm, Christ Lutheran Church

Sat Dec 6 Toy Swap, 8am - 1pm, Menomonie Rec Dept; Indoor Farmer’s Market, 9am - Noon, Raw Deal; Scandinavian Baking/Lefsa Sale, 9-11am, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church; Tour of Homes, 10am - 2pm, First Congo-UCC Church; Interview with Supreme Court Justice Candidate Chris Taylor, 1pm, Harvey Hall Theater (UW-Stout); A Child’s Christmas in Wales by Jim Miller, 7pm, Family Learning Center

Sun Dec 7 UW-Stout Symphonic Band, 2pm, Great Hall (UW-Stout)

Mon Dec 8 James Huff Stout Lantern Walk, 4:30pm, Wilson Place Museum

Tue Dec 9 Library Book Sale (thru Dec 13) regular hours, Menomonie Public Library; Battle of the Badges Blood Drive, 8:30am - 2:30pm, Stout Craft Co

Wed Dec 10 Battle of the Badges Blood Drive, 11am-5pm, Stout Craft Co

MHS Extracurricular Activities

Compiled from MHS Daily Announcements

By MNN Staff

Mon Dec 1

The Girls Basketball Team kicked off their season the Friday before break (Nov 21) with a game vs a really good Eau Claire Regis team. The Mustangs were led in scoring by Jordan Ohman with 12 points and Emmi Marlet with 8 points in the loss.

The Mustangs Girls Basketball Team rebounded on Tuesday with a 58-35 win vs Lakeland Union. The Mustangs again were led by Jordan Ohman with 18 points followed by Lauren Ohman with 9 points. Reece Barfknect and Emmi Marlet both chipped in with 8 points apiece.

Tues Dec 2

Boys Varsity Hockey started their season with a BIG home opener win against Barron last Tuesday. Brekkin Cody had 6 assists and 1 goal & freshman Jack Czechowicz had a hat trick (3 goals)! Jett Lenfant & Liam Wachewicz both had 2 goals, Wren Swaenepol, Cooper Marincel & Jaxon Giertz each had a goal for a final score of 10-2.

The Girls Hockey Team had several games during the Thanksgiving break winning 2 of 3 games. Congratulations to our own Kinzleigh Cody with an assist and a goal and also Allison Xu on 3 goals and 3 assists over those 3 games.

Wed Dec 3

Congratulations to the Boys Basketball Team on their clean sweep over LaCrosse Central on parents night. The night was capped off with a 63-44 varsity win.

The Girls Hockey Team lost 1-6 last night to a very tough Western WI Stars team. The lone goal was scored by Chi Hi defenseman Rhylee Buesgen.

The Boys Hockey Teams traveled to River Falls last night. JV battled hard and lost 3-1 with Jack Czechowicz scoring. Varsity had a rough start but stayed in it, outscoring River Falls in the 2nd & 3rd period. Goals by freshman Sam Smith, Wren Swaenepol, Jett Lenfant, & Brekkin Cody. The final score after an empty netter was 7-4.

Menomonie Collegians

MHS Grads Morning, Fedderson, Holding Down Starting Roles

By Layne Pitt, MNN Contributor

ROCHESTER, Minn - Menomonie High School graduate Charlie Morning has helped spark his Rochester Community and Technical College’s (RCTC) team to a pair of wins with season-high scoring efforts.

Morning, a 6-1, 180-pound sophomore guard, has had his best scoring efforts in his last two outings, hitting 15 points in each game against the Luther College JV, Nov. 25, and Central Lakes Community College, Nov. 22.

This season, Morning has started all seven games, averaging just over 25 minutes per game, second on the team. Morning is averaging 8.1 points per game, knocking down 21 of 48 shots from the field and has drained 5 of 16 3-pointers, second on the team. Off the boards, Morning is averaging 4.6 rebounds per contest and is second on the team in assists, dishing off an average of 2.7 per game.

Morning saw action during the 2024-25 season in 25 of RCTC's 28 games, starting nine games. The Yellowjackets finished at 17-11 overall and placed third in the South Division of the Minnesota College Athletic Conference (MCAC). Morning was fifth on the team in scoring, averaging 8.2 points per contest. From the free throw line, Morning was lights out, draining 39-of-41 opportunities, hitting at a 95.1 percent clip.

While at Menomonie, Morning was first team all-conference, WBCA division two All-State All Star, academic All-State, high school team captain, and National Honor Society. His major is business.

The Yellowjackets are currently 3-4 overall and return to action this weekend when they take to the road for a pair of games, Friday, Dec. 5 at Northland Community and Technical College and Saturday, Dec. 6 at Minnesota North College-Itasca.

At NCAA Division I North Dakota State University, junior Noah Fedderson has started 58 consecutive games for the Bisons, beginning in the 2023-24 season, his red-shirt freshman year. Early in the 2025-26 season, the 6-10, 245-pound forward is averaging a career-high 10.4 points per game. Fedderson has three-times scored in double-digits, including scoring a season-high 20 points against Jamestown University. Fedderson scored 13 points against  California State University Northridge (CSUN) and 12 points at Arkansas State. Fedderson recorded a season-best nine rebounds against Jacksonville State.

During the 2024-25 seasaon, Fedderson was in the starting line-up for all 32 games for the Bison, as the team finished at 21-11 overall and was fourth in the Summit League (10-6). Fedderson averaged 8.3 points per contest and pulled down 6.0 rebounds. Fedderson scored a career-high 21 points against Oral Roberts University, Jan. 9. Fedderson finished the season with two double-doubles, recording 16 points and 11 rebonds against South Dakota State University, Jan. 18, then three weeks later recorded 17 points and 10 rebounds against Oral Roberts on Feb. 6. Feddersen was selected to the 2024-25 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team,CSC. Feddersen is majoring in finance.

While at Menomonie High School, Fedderson was co-player of the year in the Big Rivers Conference as a senior in 2021-22, averaging 17.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.4 blocks per game; was named to the All-Northwest first team and WBCA honorable mention all-state; and averaged 13.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game as a junior in the 2020-21 season.

The Bisons are currently 5-3 overall and return to action Wednesday, Dec. 3 at the University of Montana. The closest the Bisons will get to Menomonie is Feb. 26 when they travel to the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn.

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.

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/

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].

Menomonie Mustangs Athletics and Activities | UW-Stout Blue Devil Athletics

For a Calendar of Events in the Menomonie Area, visit Kathy Weber’s Menomonie Minute.

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