Our UW-Stout Campus Advocate is back on campus! Their regular office hours (Mon - Thurs 1:30 - 5:00 p.m. and Fri 11:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.) are held in room 74J (lower level) in Harvey Hall. From The Bridge to Hope Facebook page .

At the January 20th meeting, the Menomonie City Council voted to delay appointing a replacement for the vacant Ward 9 alderperson seat, opting instead to open the position to interested residents. Ward 9 Council Member Sydney Brennen officially resigned effective January 9, 2026, after moving out of the ward. Mayor Randy Knaack proposed appointing former Ward 9 Alderperson Chad Schlough to complete the remainder of the term, which runs through April 2027. Schlough was the pre

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has received reports from Wisconsin consumers, businesses, and government entities targeted by scammers who impersonate local government entities and officials. The scammers are attempting to deceive individuals, businesses, and other organizations into wiring them money for fake tax bills and other fees, such as building permits or zoning submissions. These government imposters are making contact

Massive data center proposals are often developed in secret. Wisconsin has now joined several states with legislative proposals to make the process more transparent. By Tom Kertscher, Wisconsin Watch Editor’s note: On Jan. 27, the village government in DeForest announced that a data center “is not feasible,” indicating that the previously proposed project will not move forward. How did a $1 billion, 520-acre data center proposed by one of the world’s richest companies go un

The City of Menomonie is now accepting applications for its Nonprofit Financial Assistance Grant, a funding opportunity designed to support local nonprofit organizations working to enhance the quality of life for Menomonie residents. This competitive grant program provides financial assistance for projects or programs that deliver clear, measurable community benefits and align with the City’s priorities for civic enrichment, equity, sustainability, and overall livability. E

Applications are being accepted for three positions on the Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) Board of Trustees. Successful candidates will serve a three-year term beginning July 1, 2026. The three-year term open positions include two additional members and one elected official member. Applications are due by 4 p.m. Friday, February 13. Send applications to Lauren Sullivan, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 620 W. Clairemont Ave., Eau Claire, WI 54701, or lsullivan

Officials of the Dunn County Treatment Court recently reported that 2025 was a successful year in helping individuals overcome addiction and rebuild their lives through evidence-based treatment and recovery support. In 2025, the program served 17 participants, celebrated six successful graduations and had five new admissions, said Kayla Johnson, county Treatment Court Coordinator. “While these numbers are meaningful, they don’t fully capture the lasting impact of Treatment

There will be 10 contested Dunn County Board contests, including one primary contest races in the April 2026 election. Here are the contested districts and candidates: District 1 : Timothy A. Lauffer , Colfax, and Jeff Foster , Colfax District 2 : Heather Seburn , Prairie Farm, and John Wurtzler , Boyceville District 6 : Dustin Shackleton , Menomonie, and Jim Zons , Colfax District 9 : Stephanie May , Downing, and Samuel S. Thompson , Knapp District 11 : Michelle Bachand ,

On Friday, January 2, 2026, Aaron Williams and Andrew Johannes were sworn in as police officers with the Menomonie Police Department. They will begin the law enforcement academy at CVTC next week and, upon graduating in May, will start field training with our department. Officer Mitchell Moe graduated from the Chippewa Valley Technical College 720-hour Law Enforcement Academy on Thursday, December 18. He will begin his field training program with our department on Monday, Dec

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A public hearing on Ordinance 2026-01 was held during the January 5, 2026, city council meeting. The ordinance amends portions of Title 10 of the city code regarding the definitions of warehousing and data centers, and establishes a new zoning classification, the I-4 Data Center Industrial District. Seven members of the public addressed the council, all speaking in favor of the ordinance. Under the current city code, data centers are included in the definition of “warehousing

Arrest made in area burglaries. From the Dunn County Sheriff's Office Facebook page .

The following is a summary of City Council meetings in November and December. Creation of Data Center Industrial (I-4) District At the December 1st meeting, the council voted to forward a proposed zoning ordinance that would create a new Data Center Industrial (I-4) district to the city’s Plan Commission following extensive discussion and public comment. During public comments, attorney Douglas Buck, representing Balloonist, LLC, urged the council not to refer the ordinance t

Meng Vang The Menomonie Police Department reports the arrest of an employee of ReforMedicine, 800 Wilson Ave, Suite 28, Menomonie, WI, following an investigation into the unlawful placement of a recording device inside the facility. On November 19, 2025, clinic staff reported concerns regarding finding an unauthorized recording device within a non-public area of the clinic. The Menomonie Police Department was notified by clinic staff on November 26, 2025, of the recording dev

Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld announced that the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) has begun making payments, and that benefits are once again available for eligible Wisconsin residents needing help with their energy bills. The heating season officially began on November 1, though the federal shutdown meant that Wisconsin did not immediately receive federal funding to support energy benefits. The State estimates that 1

State of Wisconsin Expands MOVE OVER LAW. Drivers in Wisconsin are now required to move over or slow down when approaching disabled vehicles on the side of the road. Governor Tony Evers signed the bill into law today, giving motorists this protection under the Move Over Law. Previously, the law only included emergency or roadside service vehicles. Disabled vehicles must have: Hazard lights on, or Emergency devices or flares placed near the vehicle, or One or more persons atte

Dunn Economic Development is proud to announce the recipients of the first round of the Dunn County Small Business Development Grant. In this initial cycle, $114,299.43 has been awarded to 27 small businesses and startups across Dunn County. Funded by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), this program provides capital for critical needs, including equipment upgrades, inventory expansion, and technical assistance. Adam Accola "The raw data shows we awar

On Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at approximately 3:01 p.m., the Menomonie Police Department was dispatched to 2107 Stout Street, the Hampton Inn and Suites, in the City of Menomonie, for a report of a guest who stated they believed there was a bomb in their vehicle. Officers responded to secure the area and requested the Menomonie Fire Department stage in the area. Through the course of the investigation, it was determined that there was no bomb in the vehicle, no threat was pr