The Wisconsin Holstein Association has named Marie Haase a 2020 Wisconsin Holstein Association Scholarship recipient. Haase will be receiving the Doris Morris Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is in honor of Doris, who was a long-time Wisconsin Holstein member. Doris and her husband Ard…

The Osceola and St. Croix Valley Railway has delayed their summer programing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The heritage railroad typically opens in early May. This year the tentative plan is to remain closed throughout the summer, open on Labor Day weekend and run through late October. Howev…

College seniors miss graduation and enter uncertain job market

A group of local residents and experts gave a presentation to the Osceola Village Board concerning the proposed expansion of the North 40 Resources mine at the board’s regularly scheduled meeting on May 13. 

Polk County Public Health reported on May 19 that a Polk county resident had died due to COVID-19. This was the first coronavirus related death reported in the county since the pandemic arrived in Wisconsin in March and comes just as retail businesses and restaurants in the area are beginnin…

The Osceola Sun and Country Messenger has hired Dan Johnson of New Richmond, Wisc. as a summer intern. 

Some things just go together. A needle and thread, peanut butter and jelly and hugs and kisses. The Wilberg Memorial Public Library of Osceola has made it possible to add walking and reading to that list through a new project located on the Stower Seven Lakes State Trail (SSLST).

Businesses in downtown Osceola have chosen to remain closed after Polk County Sheriff Brent Waak and the Polk County Board of Supervisors spoke out against the statewide safer-at-home order. 

An Osceola company has recently shifted its production line to start producing protective facemasks for government contracts, as well as private sales. 

Seniors unsure about what lies ahead

The Open Cupboard food pantry in Osceola has not let COVID-19 affect their inventory and is urging those in need to use their services. 

During the 1918 flu epidemic, Wisconsin limited deaths with statewide stay-at-home measures, though some cities reopened early — with deadly results. Will history repeat with COVID-19?

Carlson to retire from Osceola High School 

The annual Wheels and Wings airshow and classic car show is prepping as usual, despite the current COVID-19 pandemic. This year will be the show’s 40th anniversary and will feature cars and pilots from all across the country. 

Tia Nelson honored to continue Gaylord’s legacy

As a general rule, dentists have boring lives. 

The annual giveBIG St. Croix Valley event is scheduled to take place on April 28. The one day, online fundraising event expanded into Hudson and River Falls last year and opened the event up to all St. Croix Valley non-profits this year, as long as the money raised is used in the St. Croix Valley. 

Days after Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers announced the state’s Safer at Home order, a subtly misleading framework for Wisconsin’s COVID-19 projections appeared on Twitter.

A day after Polk County Sheriff Department released a statement written by Sheriff Brent Waak disagreeing the extension of the Safer at Home order, a joint statement was issued with the Polk County Health Department.

Local groups make masks for essential workers

In a social media statement released by the Polk County Sheriff’s Department, in a letter dated today, April 21, 2020; Sheriff Brent Waak shared his thoughts on the extended stay at home orders.

Gas stations across the state are among businesses listed as essential and have remained open during the COVID-19 pandemic. No specific safety regulations are required of them and each station must decide how to minimize the spread of coronavirus. Cascade BP in Osceola has gone the extra mil…

Former Osceola student Mackenzie Gearin has been awarded the Thomas J. Watson Fellowship through her studies at Hendrix College in Arkansas. 

‘The last pandemic’

Gas prices across the nation have plummeted in the last month due to a price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia, as well as the lack of demand resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic that has left residents stuck at home and unable to travel. 

The reality of the COVID-19 pandemic struck Rob Puls on March 19, when Bayfield County confirmed its first positive case of the virus.

Local retailers struggle with shortage of toilet paper and other essentials 

The Osceola school district is continuing meal delivery service as the shutdown resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic stretches into April. 

Bethesda Lutheran Church offers drive in service

Wisconsin’s primary election took place as scheduled, despite a last minute attempt by Gov. Evers to delay voting due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The state Supreme Court overruled Evers’ decision the evening before voting was set to take place. Wisconsin is the only state in the country with a…

Brook Soltvedt has worked the polls in Madison, Wisconsin, for at least 13 years. Election Day is usually a long one for poll workers, stretching far beyond voting hours, which run from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Village Pizzeria of Dresser hands out free bread-baking kits to families

Spring in Wisconsin has the highest fire risk with the No. 1 cause of wildfires being debris burning. Wildfires pose a serious threat to public safety, property and our natural resources. People cause over 98% of all wildfires in Wisconsin.

As states across the U.S. delay their primary elections in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, Wisconsin decided to stay the course — and found itself in complete disarray.