Menomonie News Net

Jan 14, 2026, Vol 2, Issue 9

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Local News Group
January 14, 2026

Welcome to Menomonie News Net Vol 2, Issue 9. If you missed previous Issues, you can catch up HERE.

You know what time of year it is when the Lions Club “Klunker” appears on Lake Menomin…and there it is! Time to purchase those raffle tickets to support Lions Club projects…find out how in today’s issue. Read about upcoming spring elections, the proposed data center and much more Menomonie happenings.

Thank YOU 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

In this Issue…

Lions Club Annual “Car on the Ice” Contest Opens

The Lions Club “Klunker” recently placed on Lake Menomin to open the 2026 annual contest. Photo: submitted

By Steve Schutte, Menomonie Lions Club

Menomonie Lions Club “Car on the Ice” is on the lake and ready for the 2026 contest!

New this year, the first place prize was increased to $1,000; second place is $250; third place is $100. Twenty winners will receive $20 for an all-drawing prize. (Winners must guess correct month and day the “Klunker” will go down).

Where can tickets be purchased? ($5 ea, 3/$10, 10/$20)

  • From any Menomonie Lions Club member

  • Builders First Source, 421 Oak Ave, Menomonie

  • Kyote’s Den Bar & Grill, E2339 WI-29

Ticket sales end March 1. Proceeds benefit Menomonie Lions Club Game Park.

Steve Schutte is chair of “Car On the Ice.” For more information visit Menomonie Lions Club website.

Red Cedar Trail Candlelight Ski Returns Jan 30

Red Cedar Candlelight Ski returns Fri Jan 30 from 6-9 pm. No registration needed. Photo: Facebook post

A recent episode of the podcast Menomonie Talk features the Candlelight Ski.

Host Scott Montesano sat down with Bill Kryshak, President of the Friends of the Red Cedar Trail & Hoffman Hills, to talk about the return of the Red Cedar Trail Candlelight Ski — a favorite winter tradition for our community. From hundreds of glowing candles along the trail to bonfires, hot chocolate, snowshoeing, walking paths, and cross-country skiing, this event truly has something for everyone. Bill also shares how volunteers keep the trails welcoming year-round and why embracing winter is part of what makes Menomonie special.

Listen to the full episode: (presented by Jackie Hunt Insurance Agency) https://www.echometownradio.com/menomonietalk 

Note/Reminder (from Facebook):

Remember - the Red Cedar Trail and most of Hoffman Hills are official state ski trails, closed to walking and biking once the signs are up. These are the only public ski trails in our part of the state, and our volunteer groomers do a huge amount of work to keep these trails safe and fast.

Sponsored by Friends of the Red Cedar & Hoffman Hills State Trail.

Menomonie’s Got Talent this Saturday to Benefit Boys & Girls Club

Join us for a fun-filled night celebrating local talent, community, and creativity!

From music to comedy and everything in between, you won’t want to miss this exciting showcase.

When: Friday, January 16th, 6 PM

Where: Mabel Tainter Center

Grab your friends, enjoy the party, and cheer on incredible local performers, all while supporting a great cause!

Get your tickets HERE. Let’s make it a night to remember!

Source: Boys & Girls Club-Menomonie Facebook page

Spring Election Candidate Update

By MNN Staff

City of Menomonie

Candidates for Alderperson

  • Ward 2: Matthew Crowe; Diane Edwards

  • Ward 4: Gretchen Yonko; Lynn Schneider

  • Ward 6: Leland Schwebs; Casie Sulzle

  • Ward 8: Mary Solberg; Camden Hargrove

  • Ward 10: Ryland Erdman; Cheryl Bean

Candidates for Mayor

  • Randy Knaack

  • Matthew Crowe

  • Grady Richartz

Menomonie School School Board

There are five candidates registered to run for the School Board in the April 7, 2026 Spring Election. In accordance with election procedures, a drawing of lots to determine ballot order was conducted on Friday, January 9, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in the Administrative Service Center Board Room, located at 215 Pine Avenue East, Menomonie.

The resulting ballot order for the April 7 Spring Election is as follows:

  1. Dale Dahlke (Incumbent)

  2. Jay Edenborg

  3. Amy Riddle-Swanson (Incumbent)

  4. Joseph R. Eliason

  5. Josie Pillman

For more information visit the SDMA School Board Elections web page.

Dunn County Board of Supervisors

9 County Board Contested Races

  • District 1: Timothy Lauffer; Jeff Foster

  • District 2: John Wurtzler; Heather Seburn

  • District 6: Dustin Shackleton; Jim Zons

  • District 9: Samuel Thompson; Stephanie May

  • District 11: Dave Lindquist; Michelle Bachand

  • District 22: Katie Richartz; Andrew Hagen

  • District 26: Darrin Witucki; Larry Bjork

  • District 28: Tim Lienau; Gordon Wolf

  • District 29: David Styer; Amber Robinson

For more information visit the Dunn County Clerk Election web page

A Marble Left Behind

By John Wilkerson

Another installment in our series “The Journal Speaks Back”….Menomonie resident John Wilkerson invites you to join him in his love for journaling.

Travel opens your mind to new experiences. Those moments flicker between the planned road trip with scheduled stops and unexpected spiritual surprises. Along an interstate in Tennessee, is a plain gas station. Nothing about it suggests anything more than 12 pumps dispensing fuel to those in need.

The store is modern in the sense that plate-glass windows and bright colors beckon travelers to enter and linger among its shelves. Aisles of candy, chips and coffee welcome those who step inside in search of a clean restroom. It is a simple, common place that meets a need, nothing more.

I encountered this oasis while driving through the South during the holidays. I had spent time in Mississippi and Florida and was now crossing the southern tip of the Appalachian Mountains, bound for home.

At first, I paid no attention to the rock cliff that embraced the station. I am familiar with places like this. Excavators and loaders had ripped into the side of a hill, leaving a sheer rock face. Water dribbled from the upper edge of the 40-foot wall. Years of white scale streaked from base to top.

The raw cut into the mountain drew me closer. Millennia of sedimentary rock told a story of inland seas and unknown creatures.

Bits of color, reds, blues and greens poked from the stone in haphazard places. Totems and messages left by earlier travelers.

I had found a shrine. Messages to lovers and soldiers were written on rocks and tucked into ledges along the cliff. A single marble rested in a crevice; its shiny glass danced against dark shale. The stone it sat on was not native to the cliff. Someone had carried it there, leaving it without a message.

My mind built a story about who the marble represented and what family member had traveled to this place to memorialize them.

Farther along the cliff, a collection of toy trucks perched in the morning light. These mementos sat high on the rock face, too high for a child to place. The careful positioning suggested an adult.

A few steps more and another stone’s inscription read, “We love and miss you.”

These shrines are common across cultures and histories. I have seen them in many places as I have traveled the world: stacked stones in Scotland, ribbons tied to branches in Canada and paper currency tacked to a bar in New Zealand. Older still are cliff paintings from thousands of years before we, as a culture, could understand the written word.

Think of how your words become a travel journal. They don’t need to describe your trip to the grocery store or shuttling children to sports, though those stories carry their own humor and honest appeal. They do need to be raw. They are your testament to where your soul traveled and what it experienced.

Today’s Prompt

Find a place, either new or familiar, and write about it. As you do, step deep into your head, then step back out and notice how your words evolve. This is how your author’s voice learns to grow.

John Wilkerson works most days writing and fiddling with his computer. His new, old, home in Menomonie is constantly subjected to DIY mayhem. His background includes ghost writing, newspaper reporting, and a stretch in marketing and advertising. John may be contacted at: [email protected]

Proposed Data Center, City Council in the News

City of Menomonie Facebook image

By MNN Staff

Recent news releases on the proposed data center are shared here for your information:

Menomonie City Council Meeting, January 5 - Eye on Dunn (eyeondunn.com)

‘Crisis in Healthcare 2026’ Topic of Community Conversations this Saturday

By Lorene Vedder

“Crisis in Healthcare 2026" Community Conversations this Saturday will be a discussion that takes in the opinions of all sides of the political spectrum.

Community Conversations - Menomonie Public Library (Community Room)

12:30 to 2:30 PM - Saturday, Jan 24

All Welcome

The discussion will compare the proposals of Democratic Socialist Bernie Sanders (Medicare for All) with the Republican plan including HSAs (Health Savings Accounts) that we are seeing advertised by banks.

We will discuss 14 major issues with our current healthcare in the United States and consider possible remedies.

As time goes on, and we see what happens to Congressional action on Affordable Care Act subsidies, we need to keep this healthcare conversation going.

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

Landlord Training Addresses Mental Health and AODA Crises

The Dunn County Department of Human Services is hosting a free Landlord Training on Thurs, Jan 29, 2 - 4 p.m. in Room 54 at the Dunn County Government Center (3001 US Hwy 12 E, Menomonie)

This training grew out of conversations between a local landlord and Dunn County Human Services. The landlord shared that property owners are often placed in the role of “first responders” when tenants experience mental health or alcohol and other drug use (AODA) crises, and that many landlords are looking for clear guidance and local resources to respond appropriately. Designed for landlords and property managers, the training will focus on recognizing signs of crisis, de-escalation strategies, when and how to seek help, and how to connect tenants with local supports.

The session is part of the County’s Landlord Engagement Initiative and will be co-presented by Dunn County Behavioral Health staff and community partners, including Project Hope. Informational tables from local organizations will also be available. Landlords and property managers from Dunn County and surrounding communities are encouraged to attend.

There is no cost to participate. For questions or to RSVP, contact Tiffany Merriman at 715-231-2800 or [email protected]

Source: Submitted information

Helping Children Thrive When Life Gets Tough

Free Virtual ‘Raising Wisconsin’s Children Conference’ Returns Feb 4

Parents, caregivers, and professionals across Western Wisconsin are invited to join attendees from across the state for the 2026 Raising Wisconsin’s Children Conference…a free, virtual event hosted by UW-Madison Extension on Tuesday, February 4.

This year’s theme, “Helping Children Thrive When Life Gets Tough”, highlights practical, research-backed tools that parents, grandparents, educators, and youth-serving professionals can use to support children’s well-being even during challenging times.

The FREE conference is a full-day event and features experts sharing evidence-based, practical strategies for supporting children and teens’ development. Participants can attend live or watch recorded sessions later, making it easy for busy families and professionals to fit the conference into their schedules.

The conference also offers 6 hours of Wisconsin Registry continuing education credit for early care and education professionals who join live or watch the recording. Social workers who join live to earn 6 hours of NASW-WI-approved continuing education.

Last year, more than 1,500 people across Wisconsin registered for the conference. Most participants reported using something they learned, and 3 out of 4 shared new insights with their families or coworkers, reflecting the conference’s growing impact statewide.

Registration is free and now open at go.wisc.edu/raisingwi

For more information feel free to contact Luisa Gerasimo, Family Engagement Educator, Extension Dunn County, [email protected], 715-232-1636

Source: Submitted information

By Judy Foust

Dear Friends,

It's always been a great idea having a column like "MHS Grads - Where Are They Now?" in Menomonie News Net. Based on reader comments, I still think it's a wonderful idea.

Recently, however, I’ve experienced some challenges. Right now, while seven graduates have agreed to be interviewed, I have yet to receive their material, despite reminders.

So I have decided to submit stories for the column only on the weeks I receive information. Each week, you can check to see if an MHS graduate's "story" is included.

Note: I urge those who want to suggest individuals for this column to communicate with them first to make sure they are willing. Then send information (both cell number and email would make my life easier) and I'll get right on it.

I hope to connect with both graduates and others who will help make this happen. I enjoy writing these stories of "our kids" just as much as you enjoy reading them.

So for now...see you soon (fingers crossed)!

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 Jan 14-21

City of Menomonie

Wed Jan 14 Friends of the Library Meeting, 5:30pm, Public Library basement

Thurs Jan 15 Library Board Meeting, 6pm, Public Library

Mon Jan 19 Holiday

Tue Jan 20 City Council Meeting, 7pm

Wed Jan 21 Urban Forestry, 1 pm; Airport Commission, 6pm  

Click HERE for full calendar.

School District of Menomonie

View Jan 12 School Board Budget Hearing, Eye on Dunn

View Jan 12 Regular School Board Meeting, Eye on Dunn

Mon Jan 19 No school. Professional Development Day.

Click HERE for full calendar & additional details

Dunn County

Wed Jan 14 Executive Committee, 3:30pm

Mon Jan 19 Holiday

Tues Jan 20 Community Resources & Tourism, 4:30pm

Wed Jan 21 Planning, Resource & Development, 8:30am; Board of Supervisors, 7pm

Click HERE for calendar, documents, recordings & public commenting

Menomonie Events at a Glance: Jan 14-21

Photo: Debra Bell

Thur Jan 15 Vibrant Voices Memory Choir 1st Rehearsal/Social, 1pm, Our Savior’s Lutheran; Kids Makerspace- Origami, 4-5pm, Public Library; MAKE IT Thursday, 5-8pm, Fulton’s Workshop, Rassbach Museum

Sat Jan 17 Indoor Farmer’s Market, 9am - noon, Raw Deal

Sun Jan 18 Free downtown parking ends

Mon Jan 19 No School. Professional Development Day

Wed Jan 21 Red Cross Blood Drive, 10am-4pm, St. Joseph Catholic Church

MHS Extracurricular Activities

Compiled from MHS Daily Announcements

Mon, Jan 12

The Mustang Wrestling Team fought hard Thursday night in a shortened effort against Eau Claire North and Chippewa Falls. The Mustangs dropped the opening dual losing to Eau Claire North 40-32. They then re-grouped and capped the night off with a win over Chippewa Falls 52-28.

The Menomonie DECA Chapter competed at UW-Stout this Weekend in District 1 competition. Out of the nearly 60 members the following placed at District. We want to give a huge round of applause to everyone who competed. Your hard work and professional polish represented us well. A special shout-out to our trophy winners: Aiden Anderson & Max Jaeger, Sports Entertainment & Marketing / 1st; Blake Behrens & Everett Paulson, Buying & Merchandising / 3rd; Grace Edenborg, Entrepreneurship Series / 3rd; Chase Pember, Hotel & Lodging Management Series / 1st ; Rachel Riepl & Callie Travis, Business Law & Ethics / 2nd; Keirra Weiker & Darla Woodford, Travel & Tourism / 3rd.

The Menomonie Dance Team delivered an outstanding performance at the Western Wisconsin Dance Conference Competition, bringing home impressive finishes across the board. JV Results:
 1st Place – Hip Hop,
 2nd Place – Pom,
 2nd Place Overall Varsity Results: (Big Rivers Conference)
 2nd Place – Hip Hop,
 2nd Place – Pom, 3rd Place Overall. Jess Mensing, Marcella Bratz, Kenna Marsolek, and Alayna Pritchard represented MHS in solo competition. 
Kenna and Alayna earned First Team All-Conference honors! So proud of all they’ve accomplished and the way they represent MDT every time they take the floor.

The Menomonie Girls Basketball Team won two more games over the weekend to push their winning streak to 5. They traveled to New Richmond on Friday and defeated the Tigers 70-43. The Mustangs were led in scoring by Lauren Ohman with 20 points, followed by Reece Barfknect with 16 and Jordan Ohman with 15 points; Jordan also added 17 rebounds in the contest. On Saturday the Mustangs took on the Huskies of Eau Claire North coming away with a 61-39 win. Emmi Marlett led the Mustangs in scoring on Saturday with 24 points, followed by Jordan Ohman with 19 points. Mari Ramirez added 7 points and 7 rebounds for the Mustangs.

This past Friday, the Boys Hockey Teams played at EC North for a make up game. The Varsity team played a very physical & tough game & came out to win it 3-1. Goals by Cooper Marincel, Sam Smith & an empty netter by Jack Czechowicz. JV ended up with a 5-1 loss.

On Friday the Boys Basketball Team beat conference rival New Richmond 77-64. Leading the way was Tyler Nelson with 31 points followed by Trevor Robert with 21.

CFM Sabers (Chippewa Falls-Menomonie Girls Hockey) had another win over Wisconsin Valley Union 3-0. Congratulations to Aubrie Dowd with a 23 shot shutout.

Congratulations to the Science Olympiad Team who placed third of eighteen teams at the prestigious Hudson Invitational this weekend. Winning events and placing first overall were: Logan Topper and Luke Ray in Ping-Pong Parachute Rocket; Ella Weinberger and Protha Mitra in Forestry. Placing second overall were: Luke Ray and Maddie Horvath in Astronomy; Ben Seguin and Logan Topper in Machines; Tim Berends and Ellie Moulder in Electric Vehicle; Ben Seguin and Brianna Klimek in Forestry; Andrew and Alex Heckendorf in Helicopter. Placing third overall were: Ellie Beck and Brianna Klimek in Horticulture; Nora Skoczewski and Emily Hoyland in Anatomy.

Tues, Jan 13

Congratulations to the Girls Cross Country Team on winning academic all state honors with a cumulative combined GPA of 3.82. And to Coach Olson on being named the Girls Cross Country Coach of the Year by the WIAA District 3 Coaches Association. Congratulations to cross country runner Luke Ray on being named Runner of the Year for the WIAA District 3 by the Wisconsin Cross Country Coaches Association.

Menomonie Collegians

MHS Grads Running, Jumping on the Shores of Lake Superior

Two runners for the University of Minnesota-Duluth come out of the starting blocks at a recent meet.

Nolan Bien is competing at the Univerrsity of Minnesota-Duluth and is a hurdler and sprinter for the Bulldogs. Photo: UM-Duluth Athletics

By Layne Pitt, MNN Contributor

DULUTH, Minn. - Four Menomonie High School graduates are competing in track and field this season on the shores of Lake Superior. Nolan Bien, Isabella Whitwam and Helen Chen are competing for the University of Minnesota-Duluth and Kieran Bignell is competing at UW-Superior. All four are in their first year of competing collegiately in track and field.

Bien started off his collegiate career with a bang in a three-team meet at the College of St. Scholastica Opener last month and picked up a pair of first place finishes. Bien took the top spot in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.39 seconds and was a member of the 4x400-meter relay that topped the field in a time of 3-minutes, 28.48-seconds. Bien opened in the 60-hurdles preliminary with a top time of 8.50 seconds.

Last spring Bien captured both the 110- and 300-meter hurdles at the WIAA regionals and sectionals, setting a school record at the sectional meet. At the WIAA state championship, Bien captured two top five finishes in the hurdle events, placing third in the 110-hurdles in a time of 14.51 seconds and was fifth in the 300-hurdles in a time of 38.70 seconds.

Chen opens up her collegiate track and field career after three years as a member of the Bulldogs' women's basketball team and is competing as a distance runner. Chen finished seventh in the 3000-meter run as Duluth took the top seven places at St. Scholastica. Chen clocked a time of 12-minutes, 2.59-seconds.  Chen was a member of both the Menomonie High School cross country and track and field teams. She currently posts the 14th best time for the MHS cross country team in the 5000-meter, marking a time of 19-minutes, 36-seconds she posted in 2021. Chen played in 31 games for the Duluth basketball team.

Whitwam, who took third at the WIAA regionals and fifth at the WIAA sectionals last spring in the pole vault, opened her collegiate career in the event, but did not place. Whitwam was the Bulldogs' lone women's pole vaulter to compete.

Bignell and his Yellowjacket teammates also competed at the St. Scholastica meet. Bignell was seventh in the 400-meter run in a time of 59.45 seconds and was 20th in the 60-meter dash (7.90 seconds).

The Bulldogs and the Yellowjackets return to action Saturday, Jan. 17 at the Twin Ports Open at UW-Superior.

Layne Pitt is the retired UW-Stout sports information director 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/

Layne Pitt is the retired UW-Stout Sports Information director and also worked more than a decade at the Dunn County News.

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

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