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News in Barron, WI

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The Chetek Alert · Bruce, WI

Nearby: Bruce, WI

Bruce Parks

Bruce Parks, a local bank manager and part-time deputy with the Barron County Sheriff’s Department, died Tuesday, Nov. 10, in Altoona. He was 87.He had heart disease and passed away peacefully at Grace Edgewood Assisted Living in Altoona, with his daughter Roxanne by his side. Bruce was born in Rice Lake in 1938 to Ruby and Marshall Parks. After graduating from Chetek High School, he worked at banks in Chetek, Dallas, and Devils Lake, North Dakota. He was hired as manager of the Barron branch of Westconsin Credit Union in 1979 and worked there until 1986.At Westconsin, he oversaw the branch’s move from its original location next to the post office to its current building. Bruce was especially proud of his part-time work with the sheriff’s department, providing additional security at local fairs and other events.He and his wife, Janet, founded Monroe Manor in a single-family home on East Monroe Avenue in Barron in the early 1980s.

Marshfield Mail · Webster, WI

Nearby: Webster, WI

Oats Transit Celebrates 55 Years of Serving Webster County Residents

For residents in Marshfield, Seymour, Rogersville, Fordland, Niangua, and other Webster County communities, getting to a doctor’s appointment or grocery store isn’t always as simple as jumping in the car. For 55 years, OATS Transit has helped rural Missourians overcome those transportation challenges, providing rides that let residents stay independent and connected to their communities. The nonprofit organization is celebrating its 55th anniversary this November, recognizing a service that began with volunteers in 1971 and has grown to serve 87 Missouri counties, including Webster County. Executive Director Dorothy Yeager said she understands the importance of rural transportation because she grew up in a small Missouri community herself. “I’m Mid-Missouri, born and raised,” Yeager said. “I grew up in rural Cooper County, went to Otterville School, which is a tiny little school there in Cooper County.” Yeager joined OATS in 1987 after graduating from the University of Missouri.

Marshfield Mail · Webster, WI

Nearby: Webster, WI

Paul Ipock Retires After 28 Years of Service

After 28 years as Webster County’s presiding commissioner, Paul Ipock is preparing to retire from a position he never expected to hold when he first walked into a county commission meeting nearly three decades ago. At 72, Ipock says it’s time to step back, enjoy life, and let someone else lead. While the decision brings mixed emotions, he looks back on his years in office with appreciation for the people he’s served. “I love this county,” Ipock said. “I’ve had some wonderful people to work with, and I like what I’ve done.” His connection to Webster County goes back to childhood. Ipock’s parents were originally from the area but moved away in the 1940s. The family returned in 1957, when he was three years old, and settled on a dairy farm west of Seymour. He married in 1973, and he and his wife have been married for 53 years. Together, they raised three children and operated a dairy farm from 1976 until 2006.

Marshfield Mail · Webster, WI

Nearby: Webster, WI

Parkinson’s Group Offers Support in Webster County

For families dealing with Parkinson’s disease, the challenges can go far beyond the shaking and tremors most people associate with the condition. In Webster County, an organization works to ensure families don’t have to face those challenges alone. Cassie Locke, executive administrator of Parkinson’s Group of the Ozarks (PGO), recently visited the Marshfield Rotary Club to share information about the disease and the services available to families throughout southwest Missouri. The Springfield-based nonprofit has served the Ozarks for more than 25 years, offering support groups, wellness programs and educational opportunities for those living with Parkinson’s and their families. Locke said one of the organization’s biggest challenges is simply making sure people know help is available. “We’re kind of a hidden gem until you need our services,” she said. Originally from Branson, Locke moved to the Springfield area in her twenties to attend college and has called the area home ever since.

Marshfield Mail · Webster, WI

Nearby: Webster, WI

Shop With a Cop Brings Christmas Cheer to Webster County Children

Christmas shopping takes on a special meaning when a child gets to walk through a store, pick out a gift, and share the experience with a police officer. That’s what the Marshfield Police Department hopes to do this December again through its annual Shop with a Cop program. Police Chief Doug Fannen says the program has run for decades, giving law enforcement officers a chance to help children whose families may be struggling financially. But there’s something else that makes the program special. Fannen says it gives children a chance to see police officers in a different light. Many of the youngsters have only encountered officers during difficult situations involving family members. Shop with a Cop gives them an opportunity to see the friendly, caring side of law enforcement. And sometimes, those first nervous moments turn into smiles, laughter, and even hugs.

Leader-Telegram · Eau Claire, WI

Nearby: Eau Claire, WI

Eau Claire shares preview of downtown business report

EAU CLAIRE — A preview of downtown business activity reflects more than six years of data, as the City of Eau Claire’s Economic Development Division hopes to show how the entire district has evolved.Economic Development Specialist Kendall Williams said data tracking starts in 2021 and measures up to the end of 2026. A full report is expected to come out in the first quarter of 2027, detailed in five parts focusing on different downtown districts.“One will be for North Barstow Medical District, one will be South Barstow Medical District, one will be Water Street, one will be West Grand Avenue and then there will be one that combines all of the districts to make one downtown district,” she said.“The purpose of this is to establish a baseline because we have reports from all throughout the revitalization of downtown.

apg-wi.com · Grantsburg, WI

Nearby: Grantsburg, WI

Wisconsin’s sandhill cranes thrive despite summer drought

Shifting from a streamlined flight posture, with beak to toes all in alignment, sandhill cranes cup their wings and dangle their legs below in a sight reminiscent of Mary Poppins arriving with her umbrella. Photo by Emily Stone “Turn here, they’re heading north!” I directed my fiancé as we navigated the gravel roads of Crex Meadows Wildlife Area near Grantsburg, Wisconsin. We’d spotted a line of sandhill cranes flying through misty gray sky and were following them toward what we hoped would be a spectacular evening of birdwatching.Despite living in a time when perhaps only 20 pairs of cranes existed in Wisconsin, Aldo Leopold wrote eloquently of the cranes in the “Marshland Elegy” chapter of “A Sand County Almanac.” “When we hear his call we hear no mere bird. We hear the trumpet in the orchestra of evolution.