The Clark County Press
Bruce Mound Winter Sports Area isn’t just for winter sports; it’s a place to hike, and lately there have been events to attract people who like the outdoors. With or without snow, Bruce Mound is like a hidden treasure, but remote—between Neillsville and Merrillan. It was established in 1948 by the Half Moon Ski Club. Clark County has operated Bruce Mound since 1960.
Tribune-Phonograph
Starting Monday, October 27, parents who drop their kids off and pick them up from Abbotsford Elementary will encounter a new set of rules to follow when they turn onto Hemlock Street. At Monday’s school board meeting, superintendent Ryan Bargender said the district has been working with the city of Abbotsford and the Colby-Abbotsford Police Department to improve safety and create a better traffic flow for parents who drop off their kids in the morning or pick them up in the afternoon.
Abbotsford residents will see their monthly sewer bills go up by a couple bucks next year after the city council voted last week to increase rates by 5 percent starting in 2026. The 5 percent hike chosen by the council is projected to bring in an additional $34,550 in 2026.
Most of the property taxes paid by residents of the Abbotsford School District next year will go toward paying down debt after the school board decided Monday to add $2.2 million to the tax levy for debt service in 2026. With the district receiving a $1.2 million boost in state aid, up to $9.2 million for 2025-2026, the board was able to approve a general fund levy of just $331,076—a quarter of what it was last school year.
The Thorp Courier
New owners of Thorp’s D&J Farm and Home Alex and Taylor Fleischer received an award on Wednesday, October 8, from Do It Best Home for being the Region 5 2025 Member of the Year for a store over 12,000 square feet.
The Highground in Neillsville is collecting winter clothing for homeless veterans in anticipation of winter. The Highground will be conducting their Winter Clothing Drive starting on November 1, 2025 and will last through March 31, 2026. The Highground’s most needed items for the cold season include hand warmers and winter outerwear.
Stanley Republican
The Stanley-Boyd School Board moved to approve district office plans at a special board meeting October 13, opening the door to put the plans out for bid. Paid for with Fund 46 Capital Improvement savings if the resulting bids are approved, the secure entryway represents an attempt by the School Board to answer community concerns on safety, after the failure of a referendum related to a gym and cafetorium.
Also in school news from Stanley-Boyd, the annual school budget hearing will take place Monday, October 27 at 8 p.m. in the high school library. The levy mill rate as projected this year is $5.382 per thousand, down 76 cents from last year. The local levy looks to raise $3,651,142.