Menomonie News Net

Aug 20, 2025, Issue 40

Author

Local News Group
August 20, 2025

Welcome to Issue 40 of Menomonie News Net. If you missed previous Issues, you can catch up HERE.

In today’s issue we feature another installment of MHS Grads, what’s happening this Saturday in Downsville (and all around town), sports teams gearing up, two benefits this weekend and much more.

A recent note from a donor and subscriber (present subscriber count is 1,071): “Thank you so much for your wonderful, very informative online Menomonie News! I love reading it each week!”

So…if you enjoy MNN we appreciate you telling others…and encouraging them to subscribe and donate online OR by mail: check payable to MNN, Address: P.O. Box 63, Menomonie.

Editors: Layne Pitt, Becky Kneer, Marsha Biggs; MNN Contributors; Advisory Team Volunteers; Tech Support: Tracy Glenz

To Submit News or send a message: [email protected]

In this Issue…

Discover Downsville Day is Sat Aug 23

All day events include music, food, kids events, raffles, fireworks

Wander County Road C in Downsville and enjoy children's games, vendors, an antique car show, face painting, meat raffle, kids tractor pull, great food and drinks, music all day, fireworks and MUCH MORE!

Event Highlights 8:00 AM Snaggy Bend Prairie Bicycle Race 1st wave - Racers 2nd wave - Joy Riders & Walkers • 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM Pancake Breakfast at the Museum 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM • The Creamery Boutique Patio Party • 9:00 AM Kickball at the elementary school • 10:00 AM - 1:30 PM Children's Event at West WI Telecom • 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Two Frets Up at the Pavilion • 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Craft & Vendor Show • 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Wiks Repair Antique Car Show • Bean Bag Tournament at TimberInn • 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM Face Painting at Dairy State Bank • 1:00 PM Parade • 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM Dunn County Pottery Demos • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Meat Raffle at Timber Inn • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Kids Tractor Pull at the Museum in honor of Nancy Doane • 6:00 PM Rattlefoot Band at Timber Inn • 10:00PM Fireworks at Timber Inn

Rummage & Bake Sale to Benefit Humane Society

Facebook Event Page

All proceeds from this Dunn County Humane Society benefit will go directly toward covering the costs of veterinary care, adoptions, facilities and community outreach.

Donations of items can be dropped off at the Fanetti Community Center on Wed, Aug 20 from 9 am - 7 pm.  Unable to accept: large exercise equipment, mattresses, large appliances and undergarments.

Dunn County ADRC has Critical Need for Volunteer Drivers

Menomonie, WI - The Dunn County Aging and Disability Resource Center has a critical need for drivers to transport eligible residents to mainly medical appointments.  

The ADRC Transportation Program is available for residents who are either over 60 years old or have a disability, and officials said many local veterans rely on this service to access essential healthcare and other critical appointments. 

The program usually had enough drivers before the pandemic hit, said ADRC Manager Tracy Fischer, adding, “Now, we are down to one driver.” 

Volunteers use their own vehicles and receive mileage reimbursement. There is a small training program, and drivers need a reliable vehicle and proof of insurance.  A co-payment of 35 cents a mile is requested from riders. 

Elderly and disabled residents also can use the Doorstop Bus, now known as the Demand Response Service, that uses lift equipped vehicles, sponsored by the Dunn County Transit Commission. 

Fischer said the Meals on Wheels program also could use additional drivers to ensure all routes are covered when regular drivers are gone. 

Those interested in being a volunteer driver may call Bernie Allen, Aging and Transportation Programs Manager, at (715) 231-6412.  

Improvements Coming to Point Comfort Park Boat Launch

Photo: City Facebook Page

City of Menomonie - Starting Monday, August 19, the boat launch at 803 21st Street NE will be closed for reconstruction until about October 31. Thanks to a Wisconsin DNR Recreational Boating Grant, we’ll be upgrading the boat ramp and parking lot — and relocating the sanitary sewer lift station out of the parking area.

Good news: Point Comfort Park itself will stay open. You can still enjoy the restrooms, playground, walking trails, and parking area while work is underway.

Boaters — you can set sail from our other public launches at:

  • Lakeside Park – 800 Wolske Bay Road

  • Wakanda Park – near 1600 Pine Avenue

Thanks for your patience while we make these exciting improvements!

Recycling Center Accepting Items

Recyc-All Services - Electronics Recycling - 814 14th Ave E, Unit 2, Menomonie - 715-459-5195

8/20 Wed: 5 - 8pm; 8/21 Thu: 5 - 8pm; 8/22 Fri: 5 - 8pm; 8/23 Sat: 8am - 8pm; 8/24 Sun: CLOSED

8/25 Mon: 5 - 8pm; 8/26 Tue: 5 - 8pm; 8/27 Wed: 5 - 8pm; 8/28 Thu: 5 - 8pm; 8/29 Fri: 5 - 8pm; 8/30 Sat: 3 - 8pm; 8/31 Sun: CLOSED

Days & Times Can Change Frequently

No Charge For: Audio Visual equipment & accessories; Batteries- all kinds; Cell phones/chargers; Computers & accessories; Ink/Toner cartridges; Furnaces-gas/electric; Gaming systems; Hand held devices; Microwaves and other appliances; Ovens/stoves; Remote controls, wires, cables; Power tools; Vacuum cleaners; Washers/dryers; Water heaters

Items We Charge For: CRT TVs & monitors (tube); Projection TVs; LCD TVs; Printers; Copiers (see Facebook page for prices)

Not Accepting Freon items (refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, dehumidifiers). For Freon items contact Ridgeland Appliance 715-309-2022

Collecting for Lions Club: Eyeglasses, Hearing aids, Ink & toner cartridges

Not Buying scrap metals (but WILL accept metal, tin, copper, aluminum, stainless, brass, small car parts, ballasts, lead, electric motors, transformers, and wiring)

NOT accepting aluminum cans

Dunn County Veteran Honor Guard Seeking Volunteers

The Honor Guard of Dunn County is seeking volunteers to be part of their Honors squad.

The Honors squad consists of volunteer members from all branches of service who volunteer their time to honor their fallen comrades in funeral honors requested by the family. Most of the squad’s necessary uniform is provided to the member at no cost.

Standard military funeral honors include:

  • Sounding of Taps

  • Folding and presentation of the American flag to the next of kin

  • Firing of three rifle volleys

For questions on volunteering as an Honor Guard member in Dunn County, contact Everette Freeland at [email protected]

The WDVA Military Funeral Honors Program (MFHP) provides and coordinates final tributes to honorably discharged U.S. Armed Forces veterans. This solemn ceremony serves as a gesture of gratitude from a grateful nation. More information is available at the WDVA Website: https://dva.wi.gov/services/military-funeral-honors/

MHS Grads: Where are They Now? 

Joe Waggoner - Class of 2003

By Judy Foust

I met with Joe at the Raw Deal (a place that held good memories for him from his time at UW-Stout) for coffee while he was home visiting his family. Joe has had an interesting life so far, due to the unique choices he made in high school and beyond.

Joe’s memories of high school were different from most people’s. Early on, he knew that he wanted to have a career in technology of some sort. Because he was so focused on that, his final two years of high school were devoted to Communication Technology, and he thanks former MHS teachers Phil Winegar and Jude Marion for guiding him on his pathway to success.

During his junior and senior years, with support from Jude Marion, he was in the Youth Apprenticeship Program (leaving school every afternoon at 12:36 to work at Cedar Corp.) as well as Cisco Academy I and II. Consequently, Joe wasn’t in “traditional” school much of his junior and senior years.

Joe knew college was in his future, so he worked many jobs in the summers to save up money—a lawn-mowing business (including a number of area cemeteries) and the Dunn County Highway Department where he worked in the front office developing its first Geographic Information System (GIS) program. While at the Highway Department, he got familiar with all the county roads in Dunn County by using GPS—a new technology just beginning to be used—to locate every culvert in the county!

In addition, during his senior year of high school, Joe enlisted in the Wisconsin Army National Guard out of Chippewa Falls to help pay his future college expenses. There he was trained as a Combat Engineer, 12B.

High school photo

Enrolling at UW-Stout, Joe pursued a degree in Technology Management. While a student there, he was approached by a professor asking if he wanted to be a TA. (Teaching Assistant). Consequently, Joe was a TA 1 and 2 in Java until graduation.

He joined ROTC his junior year and was one of the first three students at UW-Stout to become a commissioned officer. After graduation, Joe moved to Minneapolis and worked as a network engineer, deploying technology systems.

From 2010 – 2011, he was also deployed to Balad, Iraq. After a tour in Iraq, Joe began working at UnitedHealth Group and Optum.

In 2014, he transferred to the Air Force Reserve. Joe mentioned that among the reasons he transferred was the fact it had been a family tradition to go to the annual EAA Air Show in Oshkosh with his grandpa, a tradition he continues to carry on today.

Joe currently is a Watch Officer assigned to the Pentagon supporting the Joint Staff and the SecDef at the National Military Command Center (NMCC).

He served in the Wisconsin Army National Guard for twelve years and in the Air Guard for almost twelve more.

He credits his decision to enlist in the military as a wonderful way to finance his education as well as have a broad variety of opportunities to learn and grow.

After he completed active duty, Joe began working at UnitedHealth. In Acquisition/Merger, his job was to integrate the technology of the companies that UnitedHealth Group (UHG) acquired. Joe estimated that he probably worked with 50 different companies during his ten years there.

Joe Waggoner - Current photo

On September 9, 2024, Joe—along with colleagues he had previously worked with at UnitedHealth—founded PointHealth AI. PointHealth was founded with a simple, but powerful mission—to help people get the right medical treatment the first time. The company combines genomics, big data, and artificial intelligence to give doctors and patients precise, personalized insights about which medications are most likely to work—and which to avoid. Joe’s title is CEO, and his co-founder Rachel Gollub, serves as CTO (Chief Technology Officer).

So far, Joe’s story sounds like his entire life has been taken up in military and corporate work, doesn’t it? But this energetic young man also makes time to pursue other interests.

Joe has lived in Minneapolis and now spends his time between Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Tucson, Arizona. He is an avid mountain biker and an adventurer who enjoys exploring natural landscapes throughout the country and the world. “I’ve traveled across South America and Europe. My colleagues at PointHealth AI call me ‘Tumbleweed’ because, ever since I sold my home in Minnesota in 2021, I’ve been living in my RV and traveling around the Southwest.”

We’re glad this “Tumbleweed” tumbled into Menomonie this summer so that we could learn what this MHS Grad is up to!

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]

Dunn History Road Rally Tour

Discover Dunn County history with a guided tour on your phone

Dunn County Historical Society is 75 years old! To celebrate this landmark we’ve collected some of our favorite stories into one place on the new Discover Dunn County Tours app that you can download on your phone.

The first available tour is the Dunn History Road Rally. It takes you to 13 locations all around Dunn County. Stops include walking tours, then-and-now photos of historic sites, and some of the quirky, inspiring, and tragic events that shaped Dunn County. This first tour is available free of charge, as a thank you gift to our community for their support these 75 years.

If you complete the tour between Friday, August 22 and Tuesday, September 2, come to the Rassbach Museum to collect a limited-edition magnet and enter to win a one-year household membership. (The tour will still be available after September 2! Be sure to check back for updates to the Road Rally tour, and we’ll be adding more tours soon.)

Here’s how to get started:

  • Download the Discover Dunn HIstory Tours app on your phone.

  • Click on the Dunn History Road Rally tour. Once you download it, all the content is on your phone. Even if you lose your cell signal, you'll have access to the tour’s content.

  • Turn on your device's location tracking (GPS). This way, the app can track your position using your phone's GPS. This enables you to get directions to your next stop, even if it's off the beaten path.

  • Check for updated content. Although the app is launched, Dunn County Historical Society and its community partners continue to build new tours and add new stops and features. So be sure to click on the settings tab and scroll to the "Check for updated content" button at the bottom. When you click on a tour, you'll see a "Download Tour" button. Click on it to get the latest content.

  • Head out and discover some history! You can go at your own pace and make a detour if you like. Grab a bite to eat at a local restaurant or take in a community event.

Road Rally Rules

  • Visit all 13 sites on the Road Rally Tour between Friday, August 22 and Tuesday, September 2. (Please drive carefully and follow all traffic laws).

  • Take a selfie showing your face and one of the recognizable landmarks at each of the Dunn County Road Rally Tour’s 13 locations.

  • Be one of the first 50 people to visit all 13 locations and return to the Rassbach Museum to claim your limited edition magnet. You’ll verify completion by showing us your selfies. When you pick up your magnet, you’ll be entered to win a one-year Household Membership to the Rassbach Museum.

  • The Dunn County History Road Rally Tour will stay active, so feel free to revisit the tour anytime, at your own pace. Make sure to check for updates when you open the app again.

Thanks to our partners at Explore Menomonie and the Menomonie Area Chamber for funding this pilot tour. Thanks also to Lynnette Smith, Downsville historian, and Lon Christopherson, Ridgeland historian, for their contributions. Watch for more tours coming soon!

Benefit for Dunn County Veterans Service Office

Charcoal Chicken Dinner fundraiser Saturday Aug 23

The monthly fundraiser hosted by Menomonie Moose Lodge will be held on Saturday, August 23, 5-7 p.m. with doors opening at 4 p.m. Cost is $15 for ¼ charcoal chicken, cheesy potatoes, cole slaw and dessert. Note: this is a date change from the original schedule. 

The Moose Lodge #1584 is located at 720 19th Ave E in Menomonie.

All are welcome. Come support your local Veterans Service Office.

For questions call the Dunn County Veterans Service Office at 715-232-1646.

Public Meetings: Week of Aug 20 - 27

City of Menomonie

Wed Aug 20 Urban Forestry Board - 1 p.m.

Click HERE for full calendar.

School District of Menomonie

Mon Aug 25 School Board - 5:30 p.m., Annual Meeting - 6 p.m.

Tues Aug 26 4K - 8 Students Meet & Greet

Wed Aug 27 5K - 12 First Day of School

Click HERE for full calendar additional details

Dunn County

Thur Aug 21 Criminal Justice Collaborating Council (CJCC) - 4 p.m.; Health & Human Services Committee - 6 p.m.

Tues Aug 26 Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan Steering Committee - 8:30 a.m.

Wed Aug 27 Board of Supervisors Budget Workshop - 5:30 p.m.

Click HERE for calendar, documents, recordings & public commenting

Menomonie Events at a Glance - Aug 20-27

Photo: Debra Bell

Wed Aug 20 Farmer’s Market 10am - 6 pm; Humane Society Rummage Sale Item Drop-Off 9am - 7pm

Fri Aug 22 Humane Society Rummage Sale 9am - 6 pm

Sat Aug 23 Farmer’s Market 8am - 1pm; Discover Downsville Day 8am - 10pm; Humane Society Rummage Sale 9am - Noon; Moose Lodge Chicken Dinner (Benefit for DC Veterans Service) 5 - 7 pm; Moses Ark Rescue & Sanctuary Open House 1 - 5pm (E7038 680th Ave, Menomonie)

Mon Aug 25 Red Cross Blood Drive 10am - 4pm (Alliance Church, 502 21st St NE)

Wed Aug 27 Farmer’s Market 10am - 6pm;

Menomonie Fall Teams Ready for Action

Football, Girls Swimming, Volleyball, Boys Soccer Begin 2025 Campaigns

Menomonie High School Mustang Logo

Photo: Debra Bell

By Layne Pitt, MNN Contributor

MENOMONIE — The Menomonie Mustangs girls swimming and diving, boys football, girls volleyball and boys soccer teams are set to kick off their 2025 fall sports seasons over the next week. Each team will face a busy schedule of early non-conference contests before heading into Big Rivers Conference (BRC) play.

Football will open the 2024 season with their home opener Thursday, Aug. 21 at 7 p.m. at Don and Nona Williams Stadium when they host Eau Claire North in a non-conference clash. Both Eau Claire North and Eau Claire Memorial moved to the Wisconsin Valley Conference in 2024 for football only. The Mustangs travel to Marshfield Aug. 28 for a non-conference match before opening the BRC by hosting Hudson, Sept. 5. The Mustangs will host conference foes New Richmond (Oct. 3) and Chippewa Falls (Oct. 17, Senior Night). Menomonie will host Memorial for Homecoming, Sept. 26. Menomonie will have conference road at Rice Lake (Sept. 12), Superior (Sept. 19) and River Falls (Oct. 10). WIAA playoffs begin Oct. 24 (Level 1), and continue Oct. 31 (Level 2), Nov. 7 (Level 3), Nov. 14 (Level 4) and conclude with the state championship game Nov. 21 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.

Girls Swimming and Diving will first hit the water, Thursday, Aug. 21 at La Crosse Logan before hosting its annual Menomonie Invite on Aug. 23. The Mustangs will test themselves early with road trips to Wausau East on Aug. 28 and the Wisconsin Rapids Invite on Sept. 6. Big Rivers Conference action begins Sept. 11 at home against Rice Lake, with additional home conference meets against Chippewa Falls on Oct. 2 and River Falls on Oct. 14. Menomonie will also host Black River Falls on Oct. 21. The Mustangs’ conference schedule features key road meets at Eau Claire North on Sept. 16, Eau Claire Memorial on Oct. 7 and Hudson on Oct. 23. Divers-only will be in action Sept. 27 at the Eau Claire North Invite. The postseason begins with the Big Rivers Championship, set for Oct. 31-Nov. 1 in Menomonie. Sectionals follow Nov. 8 in Rice Lake, leading to the WIAA State Championship Nov. 14 in Waukesha.

Girls Volleyball will begin its season Saturday, Aug. 23 at the Colfax Tournament before serving as the host school at the two-day Menomonie Sprawl Aug. 29-30 at UW-Stout. The Mustangs will return to their home court Sept. 2 for a doubleheader against St. Croix Central and Colfax. Big Rivers Conference play opens Sept. 4 against River Falls. Other key home conference dates include Rice Lake on Sept. 18, New Richmond on Oct. 2 and Chippewa Falls on Oct. 9. On the road, the Mustangs will face Hudson on Sept. 11, Eau Claire North on Sept. 25 and Eau Claire Memorial on Oct. 14. Menomonie will also travel for tournaments at DC Everest and Cumberland before entering the postseason Oct. 21 with WIAA Regionals. The season could culminate in the state tournament Nov. 6-8 in Green Bay.

Boys soccer will launch its campaign Tuesday, Aug. 26 with a doubleheader at Tomah, playing the hosts in the afternoon and La Crosse Central in the evening. Menomonie’s home opener is Thursday, Aug. 28 against Stevens Point, leading into conference play Sept. 4 at home against Hudson. The Mustangs will host Eau Claire North on Sept. 16, Eau Claire Memorial on Sept. 25 and River Falls on Oct. 2. Nonconference highlights include home matches against Marshfield on Oct. 11 and Osceola on Oct. 16. The postseason begins Oct. 21 with WIAA Regionals, and the state tournament runs Nov. 6-8 in Milwaukee.

* All schedules subject to change / Chat GPT assisted in the production of this story

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

Menomonie Fall Teams Ready for Action by Layne Pitt is licensed under a CC BY SA 4.0 International license. 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.

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