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O-W School referendum, state constitutional amendment among items on fall ballot

With 27 days until Tuesday, Nov. 5, two referenda are on the ballot for Owen-Withee area voters. Of chief interest is the Owen-Withee School District Operational Referendum, the question worded …

O-W School Referendum Fact

A common concern with any referendum is that it will increase our property taxes. Many people in our community are retired and on a fixed income and do not want to support anything that they feel …

Fall ballot set as absentee ballots available

Ready or not, here it comes. With absentee voting now available for request from local clerks and 27 days until Tuesday, Nov. 5, the fall election will decide local, state, and federal officeholders, …
This plaque on the box culvert listed the date it was put in place.

Box culvert replaced on County X in Owen

County X in the city of Owen near the city garage was reduced to one lane late Tuesday, October 1, completely closed to traffic on Wednesday, October 2, and one lane again for part of Thursday, …

Thorp Police Report

Sept. 1 - 12:08 p.m. Noise complaint. 4:32 p.m. Traffic stop - motorist warned for registration violation. 7:47 p.m. Suspicious activity complaint. 9:33 p.m. Traffic stop - motorist …
On the calendar
Business

Community Banks work together to urge diligence on common text-based fraud

In a joint effort to safeguard our community, AbbyBank, Forward Bank, Northwestern Bank, and Prevail Bank have come together to educate community members and customers about the increasing threats of …

Government

New Taylor County Sheriff appointed

Taylor County Chief Deputy Corey Dassow takes over as Taylor County Sheriff on January 1, 2025.

As many of you are aware, I announced my retirement a couple months ago with my official final day in office of December 31, 2024. I subsequently made that notice to the Governor’s office who …

Community

Pet of the Week

Meet Dots, the CCHS Pet of the Week! Dots came to CCHS when she was found as a stray in the Humbird area with her siblings, Milk Dud, Slow Poke, Twizzlers and Kit Kat. They were just three weeks old …

Home Delivered Meals Colby, Abbotsford, Dorchester, Owen & Thorp Locations To reserve or cancel a meal, please call the Aging Office at (715)743-5166 or 1-866-743-5144 by 12 noon one …
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Aspirus Health is committed to empowering women with vital information on recognizing the early signs of breast cancer. While most women are aware …
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2 Monthly Outdoor Warning Siren Test, sometime between 5-6 p.m., throughout Clark County. Test postponed for severe weather in area . O-W Sports Booster Club …

Curtiss Corners Quilt Club met in September

Jackie Robinson showing her handmade bowls.

The Curtiss Corners Quilt Club met on Monday, September 16, 2024, at 6:45 p.m. in Curtiss Community Center. The group conducted roll call by identifying reasons to join a quilt club.  Some …

Enterprising Cooks

Crockpot Chicken and Gravy 3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts ¼ tsp. salt ½ tsp. black pepper ¼ tsp. garlic powder 2 packets chicken gravy mix (0.87 …

Pet of the Week

Meet Courage, the CCHS Pet of the Week! Courage came to CCHS from a local farm where there were too many puppies. Courage is a Red Heeler and has a handsome short-haired coat that is red and white …

Area Menus

Home Delivered Meals Colby, Abbotsford, Dorchester, Owen & Thorp Locations To reserve or cancel a meal, please call the Aging Office at (715)743-5166 or 1-866-743-5144 by 12 noon one …
Obituary
Duane “Butch” R. Pribbernow, age 76, of Owen, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, October 3, 2024 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. The Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Owen is entrusted …
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Henry “Hank” Wilczek was born on September 18, 1950, in Chippewa Falls to Frank and Rose Wilczek. He was raised on a dairy farm in the rural areas of Withee with seven brothers and four …
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Reverend Anthony “Tony” Richard Ring, at age 87, passed away on September 3, 2024, peacefully at his home surrounded by loving family. Tony was born March 17, 1937 to parents Henry and …
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Local sports

Golf Fun League Week 21

Week 21 winners: Dennis Kieser, Carol Raatz, Wade Hatlestad, Kert Bond, and Ev Rhyner.
The first Tuesday in October started out with temperatures in the low 50s, skies clear and cloudless and the air feeling breezy. Fourteen golfers showed up, not in shorts and tee shirts but with long …

O-W Cross Country looks for individual success

The Owen-Withee cross country team will be led this year by Colton Paczkowski. Paczkowski qualified for State Track last spring in the 800 and hopes to build off of his track success this fall. But …
The Owen-Withee Blackhawks kept their undefeated season intact with a convincing 76-0 win over the Lake Holcombe Lakers. The win guarantees the Blackhawks at least a share of the Conference …
On Tuesday, September 24, the Owen-Withee Cross Country team traveled to Cadott. As their Sectionals have been there for the past two years, they are very familiar with the course, having run it four …
On Thursday, September 19, the Owen-Withee varsity volleyball team traveled to Auburndale for a Tri where they were able to take home a few big wins. They faced off against Elcho to start the day …
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Education

Fiscal Facts: Public School Enrollment Down for 10th Straight Year

Statewide public school enrollment in Wisconsin declined for the tenth straight year in 2023-24, with the nearly 9,000-student decline representing the second biggest one-year drop in the last …

Features

Cybersecurity Awareness Month is here! What will you do?

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is partnering with the Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) and Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) to …

Opinion
Columns

Insights

With Election Day under one month away, I want to share some tools for prayer and civil conversations. I appreciate these five questions for how to have conversations with people who disagree with …

Bird's Eye View

One year after the brutal attack by Hamas on Israel it seems as though the worst possible scenario could be playing out in front of us: open war between Israel and Iran. In reality this is a dropping …

The "Labyrinth"

The BBC News again had another article that got my attention, because it wasn't at all what I expected! Its headline talked about Labyrinth Walking and how it can help ease anxiety.  My first …

My View: A Hot Topic

I blinked first this year. Every heating season, like many households, we play the game of waiting as long as absolutely possible to begin the flow of gas to our furnace. I was humiliated in that …

"Prepare for the unexpected: The power of an Emergency Fund"

  Picture this: everything is going well, and you're driving to work when suddenly your check engine light comes on. You think nothing of it and drop your car off at the local mechanic. A day …

It's your responsibility to get informed

I have developed a new pet peeve or maybe I am just finally acknowledging something that I have felt for a long time. It relates to something happening in your community and people saying, “I …
Web Extras
23 Halloween candies ranked from healthiest to unhealthiest
Hers ranked 23 of the most popular Halloween candies in the U.S. based on the pounds sold in each state and their nutrition content.
The holidays can take a bite out of your budget—but you don’t have to let them and TextNow can help.
Six Ways To Save Money This Holiday Season
(NAPSI)—Shopping for the holidays is more expensive than ever. With Americans carrying more debt than ever before, many are expected to spend $18.5 billion using third-party buy now, pay later …
How cattle grazing protects and benefits the land
(BPT) - With cattle ranching featured front and center in America's living rooms due to the popularity of shows highlighting the western lifestyle, and with Climate Week piquing interest in …
Retirement savings report card: Most U.S. adults grade themselves a 'B' or 'C' on saving
(BPT) - Approximately 11,200 Americans turn 65 each day, with most stepping into a new life of retirement. It’s a time to be free of financial stress, but that means planning ahead. A new …
4 Ways to Help Protect Against Tick Bites This Fall
(BPT) - Beautiful fall days captivate many people, offering a burst of color as the leaves change and cooler temperatures that encourage outdoor adventures. However, as you're outside enjoying the …