Pushing through
CVTC nursing student to graduate after enduring heartache, brain surgeryBy Alyssa Van DuyseChippewa Valley Technical CollegeRIVER FALLS – After heartache, perseverance and a previous teaching career, Sean Mormino will receive a nursing degree from Chippewa Valley Technical College during commencement on Thursday, Dec. 11. What makes the 33-year-old’s graduation extraordinary is what he survived to get here.His father passed away on his first day of finals during his first semester at CVTC. In his second
From jail inmate to graduate
CF woman earns HSED with help from CVTC When 36-year-old Krista Harel walks across the stage during Chippewa Valley Technical College’s graduation ceremony on December 11, she won’t just be accepting a High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED). She will be celebrating courage and the belief that she is capable of more than she ever thought possible. “I didn’t think I could do it,” Harel said. “The other women in class, and my teacher… they made me believe I could.” Harel completed her HSED this summer
Major UW-Stout events highlight students’ game designs, STEMM research, art and design projects Dec.
Members of the media and public are invited to three major on-campus events showcasing students’ research projects and creations in a wide range of areas, including game design, STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Management), and art and design: Stout Game Expo (SGX) 2025: Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, 6-9 p.m. in the Great Hall of the Memorial Student Center on the UW-Stout campus. Visitors can play games — from cozy tabletop experiences to intense 3D races and multiplayer competitions —
CVTC nursing student juggles priorities, digs deep to graduate
By Alyssa Van Duyse Chippewa Valley Technical College It’s no surprise that Nicole Bateson will graduate from Chippewa Valley Technical College this month as a registered nurse. For the better part of a year, she has been the primary support person for a family member who is struggling with mental health. “It has been an emotionally, physically, and financially taxing year,” she said. “To say I have been concerned for their well-being and life would not be an understatement.” However, Bateson,
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Third-Generation Success
CVTC student to graduate, join father in automation career By Alyssa Van Duyse Chippewa Valley Technical College For Thomas Sabelko, learning has always been about figuring things out. “I like to learn how stuff works, whether that’s building something from scratch or troubleshooting what went wrong,” he said. “You’ve got to use your resources. That’s how I’ve always learned best.” Sabelko, 21, of Eau Claire, grew up homeschooled, where learning often meant exploring beyond textbooks, sometimes
Goodwill NCW makes it easy to make an impact on Giving Tuesday
WISCONSIN – On Tuesday, December 3, Goodwill North Central Wisconsin (NCW) will join millions by participating in the global generosity movement known as Giving Tuesday. Through its mission, Goodwill NCW makes it easy to make an impact locally. Our communities’ generous donations and purchases fuel programs for individuals who have a goal of learning new skills to achieve sustained employment and improved financial stability. Last year, individuals served by Goodwill NCW’s mission programs increased
CVTC, UW-Stout expand transfer opportunities
EAU CLAIRE – Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) and the University of Wisconsin-Stout strengthened their longstanding partnership by signing a series of new articulation agreements during CVTC’s Reaffirmation Day, Thursday. These agreements create transfer pathways for students in seven CVTC programs to pursue bachelor’s degrees at UW-Stout. The newly signed agreements include pathways from the following CVTC programs to UW-Stout’s Bachelor of Science in Biology:CVTC A.A.S. Dental Hygienist
UW-Stout hospitality students apply learning to plan, coordinate STEMM Student Expo, Dec. 11
Signature event, open to the public, to showcase nearly 100 research projects Story Link FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Nov. 24, 2025 Menomonie, Wis. – One of the University of Wisconsin-Stout’s College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Management’s biggest events of the year is being planned and executed by hospitality students. The STEMM Student Expo will showcase more than 250 students’ research in nearly 100 projects across a dozen fields of study. The expo, held from 1 to 3
Invitation to Know Your Candidates for the Wisconsin Supreme Court
Dear Friends and Colleagues, Please share this invitation with your members and constituents. In April, Wisconsin will elect a new Supreme Court Justice. The League of Women Voters of Greater Chippewa Valley invites all voters to join us to meet the candidates in person.Interview with candidate Chris TaylorSaturday, December 6, 2026 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. Interview with candidate Maria LazarWednesday, February 4, 20265:00 to 6:30 p.m. Both events will be in the Harvey Hall Theater on the UW Stout
UW-Stout students collaborate across degrees in community project for The Neighbors
Construction, interior design, technology education majors build garden products for senior living home residentsFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Nov. 20, 2025 Menomonie, Wis. – In a cross-disciplinary collaboration, four groups of students in Lecturer James Bunkelman’s Light Construction Methods class are designing and building two raised garden beds, one raised tool bench and one raised tool holder for a senior living home. The project is part of a service-learning activity, as their final products will
Serving those who served: UW-Stout among top 25 in Midwest on annual Best for Vets list
University lauded by Military Times for services to vets, their families Nov. 19, 2025 Menomonie, Wis. – University of Wisconsin-Stout can add another medal to its collection, having been named to the 2025 Best for Vets Colleges list by Military Times for its commitment to serving veterans and their families. UW-Stout was honored on the annual list, announced on Nov. 17 by Military Times, ranking first in Wisconsin among traditional and online universities. UW-Stout was among four of the 13
Fastest in the world: UW-Stout alum soars to heights of supercomputing on El Capitan project
Gina Norling has left her mark on projects to create world’s fastest machines Nov. 18, 2025 Menomonie, Wis. –Thanks to the legendary Seymour Cray and his eponymous company, supercomputing has deep roots in the Upper Midwest. UW-Stout alum Gina Norling is ensuring those roots continue to flourish as she manages teams that are engineering the fastest supercomputers on Earth. As senior engineering program manager for Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Norling oversaw the complex work streams of more than a
DoW SMART Scholarship recipient Benningfield guaranteed employment upon graduation
UW-Stout mechanical engineering senior honored to ‘protect our country’ as federal employeeNov. 17. 2025 Menomonie, Wis. – University of Wisconsin-Stout mechanical engineering senior Heidi Benningfield received more than tuition and an internship through the U.S. military’s SMART Scholarship program: After graduation, she’s guaranteed a job with the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command in Huntsville, Alabama. The Science, Mathematics, and Research for
Dunn County Board approves 2026 budget with lower tax rate and an ambitious road improvement program
MENOMONIE, WI — The Dunn County Board of Supervisors on Wednesday, Nov. 12, overwhelmingly approved a 2026 budget that continues the recent trend of reducing the tax rate used to assess property taxes, while continuing to improve more county roads and offer essential services. “This is a budget that maintains and even improves some county services and still is able to reduce our tax rate,” said County Manager Dan Dunbar. “The supervisors and staff worked hard to get the budget to this
Leaders in the making: UW-Stout Army, Air Force ROTC cadets earn degrees while completing training
Agreement with University of St. Thomas offers unique opportunity for Wisconsin studentsNov. 11, 2025 Menomonie, Wis. – Cadets in the Army and Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps develop the leadership, managerial, organizational and effective communication skills needed to succeed. University of Wisconsin-Stout offers both Army and Air Force ROTC opportunities, in which students earn their college degrees while completing classes and training during the academic year. Army ROTC Northwoods
Proven Ways to Navigate Business Challenges in Difficult Periods
Every business faces seasons of uncertainty—sales slump, supply chains falter, or unexpected costs rise. What sets resilient companies apart is not avoiding hardship, but how they respond when it arrives. From building partnerships to managing finances wisely, practical strategies can help you weather storms and position your business for growth once conditions improve. Focus on Financial Clarity The first step to regaining stability is knowing exactly where you stand. Review your cash flow in
Stretch Every Dollar: Creative Ways to Amplify Your Marketing Budget
In a world where advertising dollars seem to evaporate overnight, brands of all sizes are asking the same question: how do you make a tighter marketing budget go the distance? The easy answer is to cut costs—but slashing expenses alone often limits your reach and diminishes long-term value. What’s needed instead is a smarter approach that balances efficiency with ingenuity. This isn’t about doing less; it’s about making what you do count for more. Reimagine Value, Not Just Cost You can only stretch a
News Release: 6/18/2025
The Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce now has an ambassador representing Northwest Wisconsin.WVCC Ambassadors - WVCC Meet: Georgia Lee Arts Georgia Lee Arts is a 24-year U.S. Air Force veteran with a career spanning active duty, civil service, and the Air National Guard, specializing in training, coaching, leadership, and air and space operations. During the Gulf War, she served as an airborne surveillance technician on the E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft, executing deep-look surveillance operations
How Sharper Warehouse Operations Can Unlock Your Business’s Growth Potential
In the race to scale a business, it’s easy to overlook the hidden engine room where real momentum is built: the warehouse. Too often, warehouse operations are treated as back-end logistics rather than a frontline opportunity for growth. Yet behind every fast-shipping e-commerce giant and every nimble retailer is a warehouse system fine-tuned to balance speed, accuracy, and adaptability. When operations in this vital nerve center are optimized, they create ripple effects that can transform the entire
Outrunning Giants: How Small Businesses Use Agility and Tech to Carve Their Market Edge
It’s not about size anymore. The playing field may not be level, but the rules of the game have changed. Small businesses have found themselves in an unexpected sweet spot, able to adapt faster, personalize harder, and embrace tech tools that used to be exclusive to companies with sprawling campuses and infinite budgets. Competing with corporate titans still requires grit, but the path forward is more accessible than it’s ever been—with the right mix of strategy and savvy. Personalization Is the
Transform Your Event Marketing with Innovative Digital Techniques
Event marketing demands fresh approaches to capture attention and leave lasting impressions. Emerging technologies bring dynamic opportunities to engage participants in meaningful ways. Interactive platforms like virtual and augmented reality create unique experiences that draw people in. Safety-focused innovations, such as touchless systems, enhance convenience without sacrificing interaction. Real-time data insights empower marketers to refine strategies as events unfold.Transforming Event Engagement
Confused About the CTA, BOI and FinCEN? Answers for Business Owners in Menomonie, WI
The Corporate Transparency Act may require certain U.S. companies to disclose beneficial ownership information to FinCEN to combat financial crimes. While a Texas federal district court’s preliminary injunction puts this requirement on hold, many experts expect that to be overturned. In that event, failure to file could lead to fines of $500 per day, up to a maximum of $10,000, and possible criminal penalties. However, filing your Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report will help you avoid fines
Cultivate Financial Awareness with Next-Gen Reporting Practices
Navigating the complexities of financial reporting poses a significant challenge for businesses in a rapidly changing economic environment. Mastering these intricacies is essential for gaining insights that inform decisions and foster growth. With financial accuracy as a vital element of regulatory compliance and strategic planning, efficient processes are increasingly necessary. Implementing effective strategies can simplify financial reporting while improving overall operational effectiveness.Revamp
Elevate Your Hustle: Adobe Tools to Empower Women Entrepreneurs
This Women’s Small Business Month, we’re celebrating the tools that are fueling the success of women entrepreneurs everywhere. Running a business requires balancing countless responsibilities, and Adobe Acrobat is here to help streamline the journey. From simplifying document workflows to enhancing team communication, Acrobat is designed to help entrepreneurs work smarter, not harder. These intuitive tools make day-to-day tasks seamless, allowing business owners to dedicate their time to what truly
Adapting in Adversity: Effective Tactics for Business Continuity in Uncertain Times
Unlock new business opportunities and strengthen community ties by joining the Menomonie Area Chamber & Visitor Center. Gain access to exclusive member benefits, including group insurance plans, networking events, and promotional programs. When a business encounters difficult times, taking decisive and strategic actions is crucial for navigating through the challenges. It begins with a thorough assessment of the current situation to understand the underlying issues affecting the company's performance.
Winning Tactics for Persuasive Pitches and Strategic Marketing
Mastering persuasive sales pitches and winning marketing strategies is essential for business success. From standing out in a crowded market by using AI-created imagery to building trust with testimonials, every strategy plays a crucial role. Learn how to enhance your pitch with visual elements, understand your audience deeply, and tell engaging stories that solve customer problems with this helpful guide.Content with AI-Driven Imagery AI-generated images can elevate your sales pitches and marketing
