95 Years Ago – December 5, 1929

Clark County expects to keep open its entire system of state and county trunk roads this winter, according to Otto J. Weyhmiller, county highway commissioner. This includes some 325 miles of highway which the $15,000 appropriated by the Clark County Board is expected to keep in condition for auto traffic this winter.

The Stanley Republican printing office at Stanley, caught fire from the furnace in the basement about noon on Saturday last and the contents were almost entirely destroyed by the fire. The loss is estimated at about $20,000 and was partially covered by insurance. Arrangements for continuing the publication of the Republican are being made and a practically new plant will be installed.

85 Years Ago – December 7, 1939

Tuesday of this week, Jake Wingert, 50, formerly of this city was cleared of the charges held against him of kidnapping his 15-year-old son, Willard, from the Omer Rhoades family who adopted him 10 years ago.

The Red & White store of this city, formerly owned by R. M. Griffith, has since Tuesday been owned and operated by Richard Froland, formerly of Ellsworth.

Saturday will mark the first day of business in Owen for Ray’s 5¢ to $1 store, which is located in the building formerly occupied by Schlegel’s. The new store carries a variety line of merchandise and is operated by Ray J. Conzemius, a young man who comes to the community with a great deal of past business experience.

75 Years Ago – December 8, 1949

Lawrence Konik, 21, Withee, was sentenced to six months in the Clark County jail when he pleaded guilty to a charge of larceny by Circuit Judge Bruce F. Beilfuss, Neillsville, Tuesday. Sentence was then suspended with Konik being paroled to the State Board of Welfare for a period of one year.

A new two-tone floor has been laid by workmen of the Wright Flooring Service, of Chippewa Falls, at the Hamm’s Tavern, Owen. The work started a week ago Sunday and was completed a week later. The floor which is made of magnesia powder and marble chips is especially durable and long lasting.

65 Years Ago – December 3, 1959

A new ‘Blue Streak’ grinder with a rating of 140 hp is being installed this week at Wagner’s Feed Store, Owen. It replaces a smaller unit of only 60 hp capacity.

55 Years Ago – December 4, 1969

Jerry Pugh, Chippewa Falls, examiner for the State Banking Department the past five years, has been named executive vice president of the Owen-Curtiss State Bank, effective December 1.

45 Years Ago – December 6, 1979

Police officers inspected the station wagon driven by William Budzinski, 18, rural Thorp, which crashed into the Thorp Bottling Works plant in Thorp on Friday, November 30. After hitting the building, the suspect allegedly fired a deer rifle at Clark County Sheriff’s Deputy Everett Lindgren, who fired back hitting Budzinski in the abdomen. Budzinski was later taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield.

35 Years Ago – December 7, 1989

Funds are needed to help the Cindy Austin family whose home and all belongings were destroyed by a fire in the early hours of the morning of Tuesday, November 28. Cindy was awakened by her alarm clock at 5 a.m. to get up for work, only to find the house on fire. She grabbed her two young children and fled the burning building.

25 Years Ago – December 8, 1999

The new organ at Nazareth Lutheran Church, Withee, will be dedicated Sunday, December 12 at 2 p.m.

Tom Clark and Mark Renderman were named Firefighter and EMT of the Year, respectively, and awarded with watches at the yearly Fire/Ambulance Department Christmas party Saturday night, held at the 11th Frame.

A son, Luke John, was born to Michael and Michelle Renderman on Nov. 30, 1999. The baby boy weighed 8 lbs., 11 oz. and was 21 inches long.

15 Years Ago – December 9, 2009

Heather Jalowitz and Brandon Bodendorfer, of Spencer are pleased to announce their engagement. Heather is the daughter of Jim Jalowitz of Thorp and Debbie and Michael Ojanpera of Owen. Brandon is the son of Roger Carl, of Neillsville, and Linda and John Kiviko, of Spencer. A May 29, 2010 wedding is planned in Marshfield.

Jessica Gilbert of Owen is one of 15 emerging agricultural leaders that have been selected to participate in the Farm Bureau Institute. The yearlong leadership training program’s mission is to develop strong and effective Farm Bureau leaders.