Police in Menomonie need your help in finding the person who vandalized a bathroom at Point Comfort Park The incident happened last Thursday between 2:30 p.m Authorities say that someone lit a soap and towel dispenser on fire causing major smoke damage Anyone who was in the park and saw something is asked to contact the Menomonie police Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" This is a place where you can learn about what is happening in the Chippewa Valley and beyond Get news and more…In a way that doesn’t put you to sleep You can hear us every day on these Midwest Family Broadcasting stations: Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInMENOMONIE (WEAU) - The Menomonie Police Department reported that someone vandalized the public bathroom at Point Comfort Park on Thursday the vandal lit a towel dispenser and soap dispenser on fire causing significant smoke damage among other damage Menomonie Area Chamber & Visitor Center in collaboration with its Leadership Menomonie program has launched a new volunteer interest survey designed to connect volunteers with local nonprofits that align with their personal interests This easy-to-complete survey will serve as a matchmaking tool helping volunteers find meaningful ways to give back — whether they’re passionate about working with animals or contributing their administrative talents The survey takes only a few moments and is open to anyone looking to get involved participants will be matched with volunteer opportunities that suit their interests To get started, simply scan the QR code found on flyers throughout the community or visit https://forms.gle/PdPShmeDVAaNZwpY7 to complete the Volunteer Interest Survey through Google Forms Responses from the survey will be compiled into a master list of volunteers which will be held and managed by the Community Foundation of Dunn County This list will be shared with local nonprofit organizations as a resource to help them organize and promote their own volunteer opportunities more efficiently Please note: The Community Foundation will not be assigning or coordinating volunteer opportunities directly Interested volunteers should expect to be contacted by individual organizations or may contact the organization they are interested in helping The program contact is Melissa Anderson, programs@menomoniechamber.org or 715-235-9087 Menomonie mourns the loss of four residents who died in a single-engine plane crash in Illinois while returning to Wisconsin from Nashville on… A 55-year-old man died Tuesday in a motorcycle crash in Dunn County The Dunn County Sheriff's Office has identified the driver in a fatal motorcycle crash from Tuesday as Joseph Kadinger of Eau Galle Tony Evers has signed a $1.97 million contract with prime contractor Forward Traffic and Marking of Edina After an illustrious 35-year career with University of Wisconsin-Stout Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account have died after a plane crash Saturday morning in Illinois identified Sunday by Illinois State Police 36-year-old Courtney Morrow and 48-year-old Michael Morrow Footage of the crash site shows wreckage across the road and a neighboring field Police said the road would be closed for an extended period of time According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) the road and field are southeast of the Coles County Memorial Airport in Mattoon they found all four people who were inside the plane dead The National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the crash and identified the plane as a Cessna C180G NTSB investigating the April 19 crash of a Cessna C180G airplane near Trilla An NTSB spokesperson tells 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS an investigator is at the scene collecting evidence and data Any person with disabilities who needs help accessing the content of the FCC Public File may contact KSTP via our online form or call 651-646-5555 Wis.- The Superior softball welcomed in the Menomonie Mustangs on Friday afternoon The Spartans pick up their third straight victory with a 9 to 3 win over the Mustangs as the Spartans hit the road to take on Rice Lake According to the Coles County Sheriff's Office which is located 190 miles south of Chicago The Cessna C180G plane made contact with power lines and crashed in a field near the Coles County Memorial Airport in nearby Mattoon Illinois State Police is withholding their identities pending notification of family.  Stock image of a Cessna airplane (not the plane involved in the crash) saying he'd killed the mother of his child which features a swimming beach and splash pad in the venerable Farmers and and Mechanics Savings Bank building Evelyn Nelson, photos by Timothy Mather | April 30 winning the annual spelling bee isn't just an achievement; it's a marvelous memory a testament to their dedication; echoing the sentiment The Menomonie Theater Guild's production of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" follows six middle school competitors as they strive for victory and discover their shared sense of purpose The historic Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts (205 Main St E) in Menomonie will host the musical on the weekends of May 2-4 and 9-11 said audience members can expect a range of emotional narratives to the delight of finding lifelong friends all told through the awkward tales of growing up “This musical has a lot to say about finding your place being true to yourself,” Diser-Ropella said “These are struggles that all adolescents go through but I think we also go through numerous times in different stages of our lives.” The cast and crew began weekly rehearsals earlier this year bringing their personal life experiences and unique quirks to the joyful energy of the stage The spelling bee contestants are a diverse group a home-schooled student who finds everything amusing and even some who use magic tricks to redeem themselves from past losses performing the role of Marcy Park and lead choreographer found versions of herself sprinkled within the character’s mannerisms and narrative Marcy’s accomplishments are extensive: fluency in six languages and adherence to a demanding sleep schedule of just three hours per night “Marcy goes on this journey of breaking away from expectations All of the characters have some sort of perspective shift throughout (the show) that I think is really cool,” Talberg said “(The musical) is an experience in both self-reflection and creating (my version of) a character.” Tablerg expressed the production offers something unique and valuable for people of all ages and backgrounds The interactive and humorous moments throughout — with special mention to some improvisational audience participation — fosters a sense of community and shared enjoyment that bridges personal differences who previously understudied the character of Marcy Park in a different production of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee," discussed the challenges and rewards of playing such a complex and driven character as well as how Talberg connected with the character The following discussion is based on Talberg's interpretation of Park: can you tell us about some of the emotions or experiences you're having as you look forward to the bee KT/MP: I feel pretty comfortable and confident in my upcoming performance at the bee I was in the top 10 last year at the national championship spelling bee I have trained and I am ready to take down the competition EN: Have you encountered any challenges while preparing for the bee Could these challenges affect your experience at the competition but sometimes things get stressful and I feel like I don't have any free time or hidden skills that might surprise people who see you at this spelling bee twirl ribbons — I follow a daily training regimen that incorporates all of my various activities My big number showcases everything I've been working on all at once — it's very fun and exciting EN: Which word do you find most enjoyable to spell A lieutenant or deputy in the Ottoman Empire Tickets to "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" are available for purchase online at the Menomonie Theater Guild website or in person at the box office on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:30am to 3:30pm Volume One produces annual printed guides for all kinds of seasonal activities We recognise you are attempting to access this website from a country belonging to the European Economic Area (EEA) including the EU which enforces the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and therefore cannot grant you access at this time e-mail us at news@wqow.com or call us at 715-835-1881 Four Wisconsin residents died on April 19 when a small plane crashed in Illinois The small plane had left a Nashville airport and crashed into a field in Trilla Federal authorities said they were investigating the accident and expected a preliminary report to be available in about a month The Coles County Coroner identified those who were inside the plane as Ross Nelson Nelson was the owner of the plane, according to Federal Aviation Administration records The airplane struck powerlines and crashed in a field in Trilla not far from the Coles County Memorial Airport the National Transportation Safety Board said The NTSB said an investigator was conducting an on-scene examination and collecting evidence and data related to the crash The aircraft will be recovered and taken to a secured facility for further evaluation That report is expected to be available within 12 to 24 months Where was the plane coming from?The plane departed from Nashville's John C. Tune Airport, according to the Coles County coroner's office. That airport opened in 1986 and is designed for smaller general aviation purposes The plane was a Cessna C180G. The plane seats up to five passengers and one pilot, according to PlanePHD Cessna started in 1927 and remains one of the "most known private aircraft brands in the world," according to the company's website. More: Here's how many 'near midair collisions' have occurred at Milwaukee's two airports The April 19 plane crash is the latest crash in a number of notable aviation accidents in 2025 So far this year, there have been 295 aviation accidents, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. Of those, 57 have been fatal accidents. Historical data from the agency shows the accident rate was steadily dipping between 2012 and 2021/ David Clarey is a public safety reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Maria Bender | February 14 After a year without enough ice to support it the old racer has reappeared on Lake Menomin to kick off the Menomonie Lions Club’s “Car on the Ice” fundraiser Participants are again taking part in this longstanding tradition of 65 years by making guesses about when the car will break through the ice – marking the start of spring in full swing and the fundraiser’s conclusion.  Lions Club volunteers push the Klunker out on the frozen lake – sometimes with the help of a four-wheeler if there’s heavy snow The community is invited to then predict the day that the car will completely sink beneath the ice for the chance at a cash prize Tickets are available now until March 1 for $5 each The club aims to raise about $10,000, with proceeds supporting the Game Park and various community events like Menomonie’s annual Easter egg hunt which typically draws about 1,000 children each year Not only is the Klunker contest a community favorite but it also plays an integral part in supporting the Lions Club’s mission of service we have the winners come to a meeting and we give out the checks,” Lions Club Chairman Steve Schutte said “That’s the most fun for me.” For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the Menomonie Lions Club through their website menomonielions.org or find them on Facebook McKenna Scherer | February 20 After a feasibility study completed in the spring of 2024 revealed an overwhelming demand for YMCA services in Menomonie the YMCA of the Chippewa Valley announced it will be expanding into Menomonie in April The YMCA will be acquiring Menomonie Health & Fitness which currently operates two locations in Menomonie According to a media release shared on Thursday 20, Menomonie South YMCA will be the first 24/7 facility for the YMCA of the Chippewa Valley the YMCA of the Chippewa Valley is now the largest health and wellness organization in the area “The Y is answering the call to expand into a new market and our focus is to heed the feedback we received from the feasibility stud The results of our study showed that community residents are very interested in a long term YMCA within the Menomonie market,” Derek White president and CEO of the YMCA of the Chippewa Valley we can step into this community right away and begin serving with the intention of testing what momentum for a full-service YMCA facility down the road would look like Menomonie Health & Fitness opened in 2019 Owner John Englund said partnering with the YMCA of the Chippewa Valley allows the fitness center’s mission – to help the community build health habits and improve wellness – to impact even more people Along with the YMCA’s standard array of group exercise classes and range of equipment the new Menomonie locations will also offer chronic disease prevention programs free “Child Watch” for young children on Family Membership plans The association will now consist of Menomonie South YMCA The YMCA of the Chippewa Valley will be opening at Menomonie South (1508 9th St. E) and Menomonie East (3019 Schneider Ave. SE) this spring • For more information about the YMCA and memberships visit www.ymca-cv.org Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInMENOMONIE, Wis. (WEAU) - Charges have now been filed against the 17-year-old accused of hitting and killing a prominent Eau Claire marathon runner. Addison Bowell of Menomonie faces one count of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle and one count of hit and run resulting in death Law enforcement were notified just after 7 a.m Saturday that a woman was found lying in the ditch on County Highway Y in the Town of Dunn The woman was pronounced dead at the scene and identified as 54-year-old Ann Seidl of Eau Claire The criminal complaint says Bowell’s mother is the one who called 911 and found Seidl She said her daughter came home drunk around 6:15 that morning and said she thought she hit another vehicle Her mother said there was damage to the car and when her mother left to go to work she saw Seidl on the side of the road She told investigators her daughter suffers from depression and refuses to quit drinking When officers first went to interview Addison She later admitted to drinking at a friend’s house before the crash but said she was not drunk She said she knew she hit something but did not know what it was Investigators found multiple empty cases of alcoholic beverages and an empty bottle of vodka in the truck of her vehicle A preliminary breath test showed her BAC at .114 Bowell appeared in Dunn County court for an initial appearance Wednesday afternoon Online court records show a preliminary hearing was scheduled for April 17 and a $100,000 cash bond is signed for Bowell Warning: there is harsh language in the complaint McKenna Scherer, photos by Timothy Mather | December 19 Menomonie’s recently renovated and reopened golf course is rolling out its new winter menu – and a new way to enjoy it: Take advantage of the gorgeous view with a group of friends even when the course is blanketed with snow thanks to the outdoor “igloos.” Two transparent igloo-like structures fitted with seating and heating are now available six days a week and Chief Operating Officer Ashely Asher said initial response from community members has been very positive The igloos are perfectly comfortable for groups of two to six (and for those tight-knit groups and the full menu and cocktails are available to order and enjoy in the igloos With one casual igloo and another fancier option – it even has a small chandelier – you’ll still want to bring a jacket with you to enjoy the unique outdoor dining experience Up for grabs through two-hour reservation slots customers will pay a $75 minimum during the week and $100 minimum on Friday and Saturday Tanglewood Greens’ menu is also getting into the holiday spirit complete with holiday cocktails – such as the Mistletoe Margarita and Jack Frost – and hot holiday cocktails Food options include the usual sandwich and burger menu sections plus main course options like Chicken Parmesan and Cajun Shrimp Pasta The golf course and its restaurant share new items and specials online To reserve one of the new igloos at Tanglewood Greens (2200 Crestwood Drive, Menomonie), call (715) 440-3650 • The Tanglewood Greens restaurant is open Tuesday-Thursday 11am-8pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-9pm, and Sunday 11am-8pm • Keep up with Tanglewood Greens on Facebook A Menomonie elementary school will permanently close at the end of the school year due to teacher turnover and declining enrollment the School District of the Menomonie Area voted to permanently close Downsville Elementary School Officials cited declining enrollment and a teacher shortage as the driving factors in the decision The school board voted 6-3 to permanently close the school Declining enrollment, teacher turnover, and budget constraints have put school districts across the state in difficult positions over recent years. In the April election alone, 89 school referendums appeared on ballots across the state Voters approved about half of those referendum questions More than half of those ballot measures were operational referendums as districts seek additional funding from taxpayers just to maintain their current offerings Schools that were unable to get their operational referendums approved have often been forced to lay off staff or close schools entirely The School District of the Menomonie Area is also asking for communtiy input on what to use the Downsville Elementary School building for in the future. Want More Local News?We've got you. Scan it to get it. News Ethics and Standards | Privacy Policy An officer with the Menomonie Police Department has unexpectedly passed away off-duty which marks the second Wisconsin law enforcement officer to die this week Menomonie police announced the “unexpected off duty death” of Officer Sam Miller An exact cause of death has not been released at this time Miller served with the department since January 2024 and had previous experience starting in 2014 with the Pepin County Boyceville and Dunn County sheriff’s departments Officials say that due to Miller’s death neighboring law enforcement agencies will help with public safety needs in the city for the next several days The department released the following statement in a social media post: “As the staff at the Menomonie Police Department processes the grief of losing Officer Miller we ask for the patience and understanding from the community and to respect the privacy of Officer Miller’s family.” Miller’s death comes after Dunn County corrections officer Jeff Reynolds was killed in a crash on Christmas Eve while on his way to fill a shift at the jail V1 Staff | February 20 the six-month program (completed with both in-person and virtual meetings) aims to develop and equip community leaders with the tools and connections needed to address critical education and workforce challenges Business Leads Fellows join the Foundation’s nationwide network of chambers of commerce and associations “I am honored to be selected,” DeMuth said in a recent media release “Workforce development is a key priority for the Menomonie Area Chamber & Visitor Center and this program will provide valuable insights and connections to help strengthen our efforts." senior manager of programs and K-12 education at the U.S said the Business Leads Fellowship was created in response to the needs of statewide and local chamber partners those needs include "challenges related to talent attraction "I look forward to applying what I learn to drive meaningful solutions that will support employers and employees alike in our region," DeMuth said Learn more about the Business Leads Fellowship Program online • Find more information about the Menomonie Area Chamber & Visitor Center online