CVTC district board approved tax rate, levy
EAU CLAIRE – On Monday at its regular board meeting, the Chippewa Valley Technical College District Board approved the tax rate for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. CVTC district residents will see a slight reduction in the tax rate of less than 64 cents per $1,000 of valuation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, down from 65 cents in 2024-2025. This reduced rate is attributed to the increase in new construction and property values. Caleb Cornelius, CVTC vice president of administration and chief strategy officer,
CVTC Foundation celebrates 50 years as leader retires
CVTC Foundation celebrates 50 years as leader retires By Alyssa Van Duyse Chippewa Valley Technical College As Chippewa Valley Technical College celebrates the 50th anniversary of the CVTC Foundation, Inc., the organization that has empowered student success through scholarships, emergency grants, and partnerships, its longtime leader is preparing to close a meaningful chapter in the College’s history. Karen Kohler, executive director of the CVTC Foundation and vice president of Institutional
Ryan Haasl named Vice President of Information Technology at Royal Credit Union
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. –Royal Credit Union (Royal) has named Ryan Haasl as Vice President of Information Technology. In this role, Haasl is responsible for leadingRoyal’s technology teams in aligningsystems with the credit union's businessobjectives while championing innovative solutions thatenhance Member experience, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen data security. Haasl comes to Royal with over 18 years of experience in the IT industry, including roles at Jamf, Menards, and Mason Companies,
Governor appoints CVTC student to WTCS board
Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) Business Management student and Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) Student Ambassador Eli Guthrie has been appointed by Gov. Tony Evers to serve as the student representative on the Wisconsin Technical College System Board. Guthrie’s appointment places him among state leaders shaping the future of Wisconsin’s technical education system, which serves hundreds of thousands of students annually through its 16 technical colleges. “As a Business Management
Tanglewood Greens to Host First Annual “Gobble Wobble” 5K Benefiting Stepping Stones of Dunn County
MENOMONIE, WI — Tanglewood Greens is kicking off a brand-new Menomonie holiday tradition with the First Annual Gobble Wobble 5K, taking place on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 27th, 2025. All proceeds from the event will benefit Stepping Stones of Dunn County, a local nonprofit providing food, shelter, and support for those in need.The Gobble Wobble invites runners and walkers of all ages to start their Thanksgiving Day with some fresh air and fun on Tanglewood’s scenic golf course. Participants
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Local Pantry Seeking Community Support to Provide Thanksgiving Meals
Menomonie, Wisconsin –Stepping Stones of Dunn County is asking the community to Step Up and donate Thanksgiving side dish items to distribute to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity this upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.“Community members are encouraged to pick up one or two extra of each side dish ingredient they get for their own holiday preparations. Helping your neighbors is a great way to give thanks this holiday!” says David Stanley, Assistant Director of Stepping Stones. “We are also
Two-time UW-Stout grad leaves mark as nontraditional student turned college president
Two-time UW-Stout grad leaves mark as nontraditional student turned college president Mid-State Technical College leader honed skills at UW-Stout Oct. 23, 2025 Menomonie, Wis. — Shelly Mondeik followed a nontraditional path to becoming a college president – a path that ran through University of Wisconsin-Stout and led her to be named one of Wisconsin’s top female leaders. Mondeik earned an associate’s degree after graduating from high school and immediately went to work in the medical field. Over
Preserving our wild places: UW-Stout
Preserving our wild places: UW-Stout conservation biology alums across the globe create sustainable practices Harrigan is with nonprofit Green VI in British Virgin Islands; Carlson is with U.S. Forest Service in Ottawa National Forest Oct. 21, 2025 Menomonie, Wis. – Two Professional Science Master’s in conservation biology alumni from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, stationed more than 2,400 miles apart, are working to create sustainable practices and aid in conservation efforts in the wild
Supporting the whole child: UW-Stout
Supporting the whole child: UW-Stout school psychology program aims to fill nationwide shortage Graduate students visit Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe School; learn how language, culture directly impact students Oct. 16, 2025 Menomonie, Wis. – The shortage of school staff in Wisconsin extends beyond teachers in the classroom. The shortage of school psychologists, who advocate for students’ behavioral, mental and emotional needs, has a significant impact on schools and students. “When school
UW-Stout completes $7.4M lab renovation
UW-Stout completes $7.4M lab renovation, improving space for cutting-edge equipment and learning Changes to Jarvis Tech labs boost engineering, construction programsOct. 14, 2025 Menomonie, Wis. – The final phase of a $7.4 million renovation project has brought crucial upgrades to two of University of Wisconsin-Stout’s biggest and busiest labs. The revamp of the Construction Lab, the Woods Lab and adjacent portions of Jarvis Hall Technology Wing was completed over the summer, with the labs fully
VOTER REGISTRATION TRAINING ON ZOOM
MENOMONIE, WI -- A free voter registration training will be offered November 11, 2025, from 6-8 pm on Zoom by the League of Women Voters-Greater Chippewa Valley (LWV-GCV). The information is geared for people who want to learn about voting in Wisconsin, so they may help guide others through the voter registration process. Presenters will role-play common voter registration scenarios, provide handouts, and answer questions. The goal of the training is for participants to feel comfortably
Career-ready before graduation
Career-ready before graduation: Design, management majors intern with Prent, Four Seasons, Weidner Apartment Homes UW-Stout students share experiences at national companies in Q&As Oct. 8, 2025 Menomonie, Wis. – Student success is the leading goal of University of Wisconsin-Stout’s FOCUS 2030 strategic plan, ensuring they are career-ready before graduation. The Cooperative Education and Internship Program is one facet on that road to success. Nearly 1,000 students are enrolled each year in
DFI Secretary-designee Wendy K. Baumann Visits Royal Credit Union to Highlight Youth Financial Education and Credit Union Innovation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Click here to read the full press release on our website Click here to view and download photos DFI Secretary-designee Wendy K. Baumann Visits Royal Credit Union to Highlight Youth Financial Education and Credit Union Innovation EAU CLAIRE, Wis.— The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) Secretary-designee Wendy K. Baumann and DFI Assistant Deputy Secretary Catherine Haberland visited Royal Credit Union (Royal) on Wednesday, October 1, to engage with
CVTC welding instructor passes passion on to son
Keith Karr jokes that he works during the summer to pay for his teaching habit. But in all honesty, he really loves welding. Each summer, the Chippewa Valley Technical College welding instructor finds a gig in his trade to keep his skills brazing hot. The cherry on top is when he gets to work with CVTC graduates out in the field. “This summer I worked with a guy who was a student of mine a couple of years ago,” Karr said. “I had no clue he would be on this job, too. I’ve actually run into a few students
Stout Vocational Rehabilitation Institute receives national recognition
Stout Vocational Rehabilitation Institute receives national recognition for its distinguished record of excellence W.F. Faulkes Award given for contributions to research, initiatives, innovation in program design Oct. 7, 2025 Menomonie, Wis. – A national organization has honored the Stout Vocational Rehabilitation Institute (SVRI) at University of Wisconsin-Stout for its nearly 60-year record of advancing the field of rehabilitation, which has helped tens of thousands of people with disabilities –
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
Royal Credit Union supports three local food banks
Royal Credit Union supports three local food banks in honor of Hunger Action Month EAU CLAIRE, Wis. –Royal Credit Union (Royal)displayed its commitment to fighting food insecurity during Hunger Action Month by donating a total of $15,000 to three local food banks: Feed My People Food Bank, Second Harvest Heartland, and St. Croix Valley Food Bank. In addition to these generous donations, Royal team members rolled up their sleeves and volunteered at each organization, embodying the credit union’s core
Royal Credit Union Names New Menomonie North Branch Manager
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – Royal Credit Union (Royal) announces Jay Schoenborn as Branch Manager at its Menomonie North office. As Branch Manager, Schoenborn will lead and support his team in providing excellent service to Members, fostering collaboration among colleagues, and strengthening connections with the community. Schoenborn began his career at Royal in September 2023 as a Member Account Representative at the Eau Claire South office. He most recently served as Branch Team Lead at Royal’s Eau Claire
CVTC hosts free care for veterans
EAU CLAIRE – Each year, Chippewa Valley Technical College offers free services to veterans during the Give Vets a Smile one-day event. This year, the College welcomes veterans to campus from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1, to receive these free services. “Providing care to those who have served is one of the most meaningful things we can do,” said Dawn Barone, CVTC nursing instructor and event organizer. “From free lung screenings by our respiratory therapy students to dental exams from our
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
