Welcome to Vol 2, Issue 2 of Menomonie News Net. If you can catch up on previous HERE.

In this week of thankfulness, we’re grateful for much. You, the readers, subscribers and donors. The editorial team, writers, photographers, community partners and tech support. And last but not lease our volunteer Advisory Team. Bringing you weekly hyper-local news about city, county, schools, and civic/nonprofit organizations.

Your contributions help keep Menomonie News Net free for all and assist in our goals including addition of a part-time editor. Thanks for donating as you are able…online OR by mail: checks payable to MNN, P.O. Box 63, Menomonie. Options available for in memory/honor of, donor advised funds, etc. Contributions are tax-deductible.

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…

• MTG Presents Irving Berlin’s White Christmas Dec 5-14

• Sunrise Rotary Honors MHS Student Maggie Winsand as November Youth of the Month

• SDMA Celebrates Student Success: All Schools “Meet” or “Exceed” State Expectations

• Dunn County 2026 Budget Lowers Tax Rate and Improves More Roads

• Lions Club Wants Your Deer Hides

• Looking Back

• Upcoming Events at the Library

• Dunn County ADRC Invites Residents to Explore their Services

• MHS Grads: Thanksgiving Message

• Public Meetings: Week of Nov 26 - Dec 3

• Menomonie Events at a Glance

• MHS Extracurricular Activities

• MHS Boys Wrestling Preview

• Menomonie Collegians: Brooks Brewer, Ben Bystol

MTG Presents Irving Berlin’s White Christmas Dec 5-14

Irving Berlin's White Christmas Presented by Menomonie Theater Guild

Performances: December 5,6, 12, and 13 at 7:30pm & December 6, 7, 13, and 14th at 2pm. Mabel Tainter Theater, downtown Menomonie

Tickets: available online at menomonietheaterguild.org or at the MTG Box Office, 502 Second St (open Mondays and Wednesdays 11:30 am - 3:30 pm).

Thank you to Kristo Orthodontics for their generous sponsorship of this production!

Source: Facebook post

Sunrise Rotary Honors MHS Student Maggie Winsand as November Youth of the Month

By John Wilkerson

The Sunrise Rotary Club is pleased to recognize Maggie Winsand, a member of Menomonie High School Class of 2026, as November Youth of the Month.

Winsand’s nomination came with high praise from her teachers and counselors, who describe her as both humble and driven. Described as a student whose follow-through, compassion, and leadership consistently set her apart. Known for her deep passion for Spanish and her commitment to serving marginalized communities, Winsand embodies the values of service and excellence that Rotary seeks to honor. Her teachers commend her maturity, sense of responsibility, and dedication to her studies and community.

A standout among her peers, Winsand will graduate early this December and begin attending Florida Gulf Coast University in January. She has already earned an impressive number of college credits; completing 51 credits through CVTC, 3 at UW–Stout, and currently taking 13 more combined. This puts her nearly two years ahead in her college journey. Her academic drive is matched by her leadership as a Global Scholar, captain of the Menomonie High School golf team, and active member of HOSA (Future Health Care Professionals), where she explores her interest in healthcare.

Beyond academics, Winsand has dedicated more than 180 hours to community service, volunteering at summer school programs, blood drives, and sporting events. Her volunteerism reflects a genuine desire to give back and make a difference. Outside of her school responsibilities, she enjoys fishing, golfing, swimming, and baking. These activities help her stay grounded and balanced.

Winsand credits several mentors for shaping her path, including Spanish teacher Professor Ramirez, healthcare advisor Mrs. Allenstein, and counselor Mrs. Vang, each of whom encouraged her to pursue her interests and believe in her potential.

For more information visit menomoniesunriserotary.org

Rotary International is a global network of neighbors, friends, and leaders committed to creating lasting change in our communities and around the world.

John Wilkerson is a member of Menomonie Sunrise Rotary.

SDMA Celebrates Student Success: All Schools Meet” or “Exceed” State Expectations

MENOMONIE - The School District of the Menomonie Area is pleased to announce that ALL SDMA schools achieved a performance rating of “Meets Expectations” or “Exceeds Expectations” on the Wisconsin School Report Cards released last week by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI).

This outstanding district-wide achievement reflects the hard work and dedication of students, families, teachers, and staff throughout the Menomonie community.

A huge congratulations goes out to everyone who helped to achieve these results:

• Knapp Elementary: Exceeds Expectations

• Oaklawn Elementary: Exceeds Expectations

• River Heights Elementary: Exceeds Expectations

• Wakanda Elementary: Meets Expectations

• Menomonie Middle School: Exceeds Expectations

• Menomonie High School: Meets Expectations

• SDMA: Meets Expectations

Significant Improvement Across the District

River Heights Elementary and Menomonie Middle School both moved up one full performance category, joining Knapp and Oaklawn Elementary Schools with overall ratings of “Exceeds Expectations”.

Menomonie High School achieved the district’s largest score increase, improving its overall score by 9.3 points compared to the prior year. Assistant Superintendent of Instruction Brian Seguin credits these results to the purposeful and concentrated efforts of students and staff at all levels.

Wisconsin School Report Cards are one of many important measures used to track student success in the SDMA. The report cards are issued annually and include academic achievement and growth data from multiple years, along with student engagement and postsecondary readiness measures.

State report cards for each school can be accessed on the SDMA website and in this year's required notice of School Accountability Performance Data and Educational Options.

Source: News release

Dunn County 2026 Budget Lowers Tax Rate and Improves More Roads

MENOMONIE - The Dunn County Board of Supervisors on Wednesday, Nov. 12, overwhelmingly approved a 2026 budget that continues the recent trend of reducing the tax rate used to assess property taxes, while continuing to improve more county roads and offer essential services. 

“This is a budget that maintains and even improves some county services and still is able to reduce our tax rate,” said County Manager Dan Dunbar. “The supervisors and staff worked hard to get the budget to this point.” 

The 2026 tax (mill) rate will decrease $4.30 per $1,000 of property value, a nearly 6 percent reduction from the 2025 rate of $4.53 in 2025. The rate was $4.83 in 2024. The tax rate in 2020, when the reductions began, was $7.10 per $1,000 in property value. 

The county rate is one part of the total tax bill that also includes municipalities, school districts, technical college districts and the state forestry tax. 

The total operating budget will increase 1.54 percent to $83.4 million, while the tax levy will increase 1.73 percent to $25.2 million.  

The budget contains a number of alterations in county operations. For example, the position of chief information officer was eliminated, and the parks and facilities director position was merged with the transit director position, saving a total of $135,000 a year. 

The policy for allocating salary increases was altered to give officials more options to reward high-performing employees. Instead of using the traditional step increases, raises will be tied more directly to performance evaluations. 

“This is a more sustainable approach to wage increases,” said Jenalee Nutter, Assistant County Manager and Human Resources Director. 

The 2026 capital improvement plan includes $10.3 million for replacing four squad trucks and equipment in the Sheriff’s Department; updating the Judicial Center’s HVAC system; performing park and facility maintenance; and replacing aging network switches to maintain security and performance. 

The budget includes improvement of almost 17 miles of county highways in 2026, along with two bridge replacements and one bridge rehabilitation project, a considerable increase over the historical number of miles usually improved.

Contact: Dan Dunbar, Dunn County Manager, [email protected]

Source: News release

Lions Club Wants Your Deer Hides

Remember, after your successful hunt, make sure to donate your hide and tail to one of our drop-off sites to benefit Wisconsin Lions Camp with Deer Hides for WI Lions Camp.

There are approximately 10 sites in Menomonie. Enter zip code to locate them: https://wlf.info/deer-hide-collection/

Donated deer hides help to send Wisconsin youth and adults with disabilities to WI Lions Camp free of charge!

Menomonie Lion’s Club info can be found on their Facebook page.

Looking Back: December

News items from Dunn County’s past compiled by the Dunn County Historical Society

LIONS DONATE EQUIPMENT

Elliot Crego, chairman of the boys and girls safety committee of the Menomonie Lions Club, presents safety patrol equipment to Francis Wolske of the police department. This equipment consists of flags, raincoats, hats and other modern safety devices used to protect children while they cross the streets coming and going to school. The Menomonie Lions Club has furnished and replaced this equipment for all the Menomonie schools for over 10 years. December 1, 1965 Dunn County News

CENTRALIZED SCHOOL FOR DUNN COUNTY

Senator J.H. Stout has announced to his friends that he is now ready to establish a model centralized school in Dunn County and will proceed with same as soon as the trolley from Eau Claire is built, in order that this may be used to transport students. The building will be built with all modern equipments, large enough for four departments and will accommodate the scholars from five or six country districts. The course of study will include the tenth grade or practically two years of high school. Mr. Stout will spare no pains or expense to make this a practical demonstration of the centralized plan for the benefit of the state. December 5, 1907 Dunn County News

LOCAL BREVITIES

Persons in quest of Christmas trees should go beyond the city limits. The practice of cutting the young pines and balsams if continued will not leave an evergreen tree near the city in a few years. Stop it! - The eclipse of the moon began promptly on time Saturday evening and lasted four or five hours. Clouds largely obscured the moon during the latter half. At the time of the eclipse the sun, moon, earth, Saturn and Neptune were in a direct line. - The Mozart Symphony Club will be the next number in the lecture course on Jan. 8. The course has been so well patronized that the committee has added an extra number. - On Feb. 7 John Temple Graves will give his popular lecture, “Reign of the Demagogue.” - They say the Hard Times Club aggregation at C.W. Greer's residence Tuesday evening was the worst lot of Wandering Willies and Mrs. Wandering Willies that ever begged for something to eat. But they had struck a place where no one is ever turned away hungry. December 22, 1899 Dunn County News

OVERCOAT FIEND APPREHENDED

Last Wednesday three men entered the clothing department of Schutte & Quilling’s store and asked permission to examine the overcoats and underwear. The salesman, O.J. Tilleson, conducted them to the coat room, whereupon two of the men asked for underwear, and they were thereupon taken to another room where these goods were displayed, leaving one of the men alone in the coat room. After some time spent in the examination goods the three returned to the coat room where the man who had been left was found ready to depart. As the men passed out ahead of Mr. Tilleson, he noticed a price-tag peeping out over the collar of the overcoat fiend. An examination disclosed the fact that the fellow had appropriated a fifty-five dollar astrakan coat, pulling his own great coat on over the one he had swiped. Propositions to settle were made by the culprit, who proved to be George Applebee, of Tiffany, but were rejected. He was placed under arrest and is now out on bail awaiting his examination which will take place Dec. 13, before justice Shafer. December 7, 1894 Dunn County News

TROUBLED BRUIN

There was a wild look in the eye of Paul Fritzsche’s tame bear the other day when he got loose and started down the street. Civilization, with him, was a failure, and the Caucasion played out. Past favors were forgotten and the ties of friendship ruthlessly sundered. Paul saw there was trouble with the bruin, so he rallied the home guards and with carbines and pistols gave chase. The contest was brief but brilliant, and the half-tamed denizen of the forest was unable to stand the oft-repeated doses of cold lead and villainous saltpeter. In other words he was killed and his spirit now roams the celestial forest in the land of the Herafter. December 18, 1875 Dunn County News

Do you like “old news?” Follow the Dunn County Historical Society on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dunnhistory for a daily dose.

Upcoming Events at the Library

Coffee and Conversation - Sat Nov 29, 9-10am

Space for coffee, conversation, and connection! Saturday Nov 29, 9-10am, the library will host time and space for people to come and chat.

ALL ARE WELCOME! Bring your own coffee or tea or water. Meet in the Gesche Room.

Quilt Fabric Exchange, Dec 2-6

Have some pieces of fabric that you’d like to gift to a new home? Want to pick up a few new pieces of your own? Join us…we’re hosting a quilt fabric exchange! December 2-6, during library hours in the Library Meeting Room

Dec 2nd: Drop off your measured, pre-cut fabric (fat quarters, 1 yard pieces, 2 yard pieces and 3+ yard pieces). Dec 3-6: Come and “shop” for fabric

Source: Menomonie Library facebook page

Dunn County ADRC Invites Residents to Explore their Services

Nov is Nat’l Care at Home Month and Nat’l Family Caregiver Month

Menomonie — November is National Care at Home Month and National Family Caregiver Month, and the Dunn County Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is reminding residents that the agency offers a wide range of services to support older adults, adults with disabilities and the family members who care for them.

“Caregivers are the heart of our community,” said Tracy A. Fischer, ADRC Manager. “We’re here to provide tools and encouragement so families can thrive at home.”

Key ADRC services include:

• Options counseling and benefit support to navigate Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and local resources

• Information and assistance to connect individuals and families to local, state, and federal programs that support living at home

• Disability and elder benefit specialist programs to help residents navigate Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, disability benefits, and insurance issues

• Meals on Wheels and community dining to ensure nutrition and reduce isolation

• Transportation services for medical appointments and essential errands Health and wellness programs like Bingocize to promote independence

• Dementia care resources including Memory Café, consultations, and caregiver coaching

For family caregivers, the ADRC provides:

• Education and workshops to build skills and confidence Support groups and respite resources to reduce stress and provide breaks

• One-on-one consultations for problem-solving and long-term planning Dementia caregiver support through our dementia care specialist

• Connection to financial & in-home support programs

For information on these and other services, contact the Dunn County ADRC at (715) 232-4006 or [email protected] or visit the website 

Source: News Release

Thanksgiving Message

By Judy Foust

During this Thanksgiving week, I am sharing my gratitude to…

• Co-editor Becky Kneer who “gently” pushed me into writing this column. I am grateful for your persistence!

• Readers of MHS Grads: Where Are They Now? I appreciate your positive notes, texts, emails, comments, and “stops on the streets of the city” to let me know how much you enjoy these stories.

• Those who have submit possible candidates’ names/contact information for me to research.

• Those who consent to be interviewed for my articles, happy when they follow through.

• My secret “super-sleuth” friend who can find senior photos of any of my subjects if they can’t find one to share. She deserves special thanks for her tenacious hunting through old yearbooks!

• Those who rise to the call when I am desperate to get an interviewee. You have no idea how much I appreciate your help!

• Those who subscribe and read Menomonie News Net every week in support of our quest to keep the Menomonie area informed about what’s going on in their community.

• The City of Menomonie itself for being the “starting point” of so many unique, interesting people of all walks of life who represent our city with pride.

• All my former students when I see you in person or in writing. “I am so glad you were mine!”

Judy Foust is a retired longtime 7th Grade Reading Specialist at Menomonie Middle School. To submit info to her or to request an interview she may be contacted at [email protected]

Public Meetings: Week of Nov 26 - Dec 3

City of Menomonie

Mon Dec 1  City Council, 7pm

Wed Dec 3 Tourism Commission, 11am Agenda

Click HERE for full calendar.

School District of Menomonie

No School Nov 24-28

No scheduled meetings this week.

Click HERE for full calendar additional details

Dunn County

Wed Dec 3 Planning, Resource & Development Committee, 8:30am; Facilities Committee, 5pm

Click HERE for calendar, documents, recordings & public commenting

Menomonie Events at a Glance

By MNN Staff

Thur Nov 27 Gobble Wobble 5K Run/Walk, 7- 11am, Tanglewood Greens; City Solid Waste Site closed - Open Nov 29 regular hours

Sat Nov 29 - Small Business Saturday, all day, Downtown Menomonie;

Mon Dec 1 Parade of Lights begins - through Dec 31.

Tue Dec 2  Red Cross Blood Drive, 11am - 5pm, Phillips Medisize, 428 Technology Dr; Quilt Fabric Exchange dropoff fabric during regular hours, Menomonie Public Library

Wed Dec 3 Quilt Fabric Exchange Dec 3-6 pick up fabric;

MHS Extracurricular Activities

Compiled from MHS Daily Announcements

Wed Nov 19

Congratulations to all four teams that competed in the Finance Bowl yesterday. Out of 18 teams we had 3 teams in the top 4 and we are sending one team to state. On that team are Luke Pember, Aiden Anderson, Bailey Casey, and Chase Pember. Thank you all for a great day.

Fri Nov 21

Today’s Events: Girls Hockey is hosting Arrowhead at the Chippewa Falls Arena for their season opener. Puck drops for JV at 5:00 followed by Varsity at 7:00.

Girls Basketball is traveling to Eau Claire Regis for their season opener.

Tomorrow’s Events: Girls Hockey is hosting Brookfield Central at the Chippewa Falls Arena. Puck drops for JV at 11:00 am followed by Varsity at 1:00 pm. Good Luck Teams!

MHS Boys Wrestling Preview

Mustangs Looking to Carry Momentum from Seasons Past

By Bryce Shepard and Jacob Anderson, Mustang Messenger Reporters

MENOMONIE — The Menomonie High School wrestling program has built a rich tradition and history over the years, and this season’s team plans to carry that momentum forward with a roster full of returning talent and athletes who have already competed on the state’s biggest stage.

The class of 2026 (this year's senior class) has been a part of a Mustang team that has been competing in the WIAA wrestling team qualfier for three years in a row. In 2024, the Mustangs advanced through the team sections and competed at the WIAA team state championship, meeting up with two-time state champion Kaukauna. Last season, Menomonie out-matched West Salem-Bangor in the first round of the sectionals, but fell to a strong Holmen team in the finals.

With 11 returning varsity wrestlers, the team looks forward to another year of high level competition. Coming off of a Big Rivers Conference (BRC) championship, the team led by head coach Rylan Lubeck reloads once again. The 2024-25 team finished with a 12-8 dual record. Challenging themselves with high level opponents competing at “The Clash” national duals, complemented with duals at the Mustangs home tournament, the “Whitetail Shootout”.

The wrestling team returns considerable talent and experience with two-time state qualifiers senior Bryce Shepard and junior Aidan Aure along with three high-level seniors in Jacob Anderson, Bailey Casey, and Luke Pember who have all earned a trip to the state tournament. 

We asked a few wrestlers with prior state experience and a well-rounded freshman where their focus is and what they look forward to this wrestling season.

“A lot of good guys are coming back and, I think, six state qualifiers that could do some damage," Luke Pember said. "The season didn't end in pleasant way. I did training in the offseason to come back stronger.”

“The seniors are really developed and have been wrestling their whole life,”  said Aidan Aure.  “We have been together since covid and still have that chemistry matters to pick someone up, it is a different feeling when someone you’ve been with forever talks to you than someone new. It is really nice just to see the people you grow up with really mature. I look forward to knowing that I belong there and believing in myself and pretty hesitant. By that time I knew I was good enough to beat people that were good and placing well and winning big tournaments.”

“It would help if we can spread out all of the weights and make sure we get all of these freshmen well-developed, learning the mustang way and how it works in the high school,” Aaron Howard, a team captain, said. “We always get a lot of young guys on the team and we are looking forward to having a similar team from last year except some of our replacements will be freshman rather than seniors.  We have a lot of solid seniors and juniors that should be able to do really well at individual state so hopefully that should help the team aspect a lot more.

"Hopefully the young guys can hold their weight and not let up too many points or get the win. I can remember since we were in elementary school going to a bunch of different states to wrestle not just for wrestling but because we loved hanging out with each other and always going out to eat after tournaments. That being said we should have a very connected team which should help on the mat and also in the practice room feeling connected and feeling at home can help us feel comfortable and push ourselves harder.”

“I look forward to having longer time with teammates like all of the bus rides," Colin Howard, a well-rounded freshman, said. "Also there are only three in middle school meets and  at least four in high school.  I look forward to being a part of the team and making a team state run. My focus is to make it to state but it is harder this year with how they changed the layout but my main goal is placing high at sectionals.”

The WIAA made changes to the individual and team wrestling tournaments, including one that restructures the Tournament Series for the 2025-26 season to balance the number of qualifiers across divisions, eliminate the regional round of the tournament competition and replace the Tuesday team sectional with an expanded team sectional on the second Saturday of the Tournament Series. The state team tournament was also moved from Madison to La Crosse. Complete details for the restructured Tournament Series are available on the WIAA website.

These strong, young team will put on their singlets for the first time Friday, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. when they face Marshfield in the MHS gymnasium in a dual meet. The Mustangs very limited home events to compete and show their abilities. All support is appreciated and it would be an amazing atmosphere to pack the gym.

Menomonie will host a WIAA Individual Sectional Tournament, Feb. 14. Team sectional championships will be held Feb. 21. The Individual State Championship is Feb. 26-28 in Madison and the State Team Championship is set for March 6-7 at the La Crosse Center.

Bryce Shepard lives and breathes athletics from football to wrestling and everything in between. This school year he decided to take that love of sports and mix it with his interests in English skills as a senior at MHS. Jacob Anderson is a senior who is also a member of the Mustang boys wrestling team.

Menomonie Collegians

Two Former Mustangs Earn All-WIAC Football Honors

By Layne Pitt, MNN Contributor

MENOMONIE - Two Menomonie High School graduates from UW-Stout were selected to the 2025 All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) football team.

Junior defensive back Brooks Brewer was a first team selection while sophomore offensive lineman Ben Bystol was a second team pick.

Brewer was second on the Blue Devils and 10th in the WIAC with 73 total tackles (39 solo). He recorded four pass breakups, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, and three interceptions, including a 66-yard pick-six against Dubuque. He was named WIAC Defensive Player of the Week and earned D3football.com Team of the Week honors on Sept. 9. A Stout team captain, Brewer was a WIAC second team pick in 2024 and was a 2025 D3football.com second-team Preseason All-American. Including the pick-six against Dubuque, Brewer recorded interceptions against Wartburg University and UW-Oshkosh. Brewer had a season-high 12 tackles against UW-La Crosse, including nine solo tackles.

Bystol started all nine games he played. Behind the offensive line, the Blue Devils averaged 341.7 yards per game (5.4 yards per play) and 26.8 points per game. The team ranked 35th nationally in total touchdowns.

As a team, Stout had 11 players named to the honor squad - four to the first team, five to the second team and two to the honorable mention squad. The Blue Devils finished the regular season at 6-5 overall, 3-4 in the WIAC and advanced to their second consecutive Isthmus Bowl where they defeated Washington University of St. Louis, 31-23, for the program’s first post-season win.

Complete UW-Stout Story | Complete WIAC Release

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 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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