Submitted by Christine Ouellette, Xcel Energy, Senior Media Relations Representative

EAU CLAIRE, WI – During a recent meeting with St. Croix County officials, Xcel Energy provided a comprehensive update on the Ten Mile Creek Solar Project, highlighting several significant milestones including the completion of successful discussions with private landowners who have agreed to lease 100% of the land needed. The company also shared it is evaluating incorporating a battery energy storage system into the first phase of the project, instead of a future phase.

When completed, the Ten Mile Creek Solar Project will provide electricity for Xcel Energy customers in the Upper Midwest following the retirement of the Allen S. King Power Plant in nearby Oak Park Heights, Minnesota, which began operating in 1968. Installing solar or solar/battery in close proximity to the retiring power plant is the least cost and most viable option to reutilize important grid connections located near the plant.

The first phase of the project remains on track, and the company expects to file an application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) for up to 300 MW of solar with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin by the end of 2025.

“We are very pleased with the progress of the Ten Mile Creek Solar Project, our ongoing conversations with St. Croix County and the positive discussions with the private landowners who have agreed to be a part of this project,” said Karl Hoesly, president, Xcel Energy-Wisconsin and Michigan. “We have served this area for more than 100 years and we are dedicated to continuing to work together with our communities to provide safe and reliable electric service.”

If approved, the project will have a significant financial impact within the county, including the creation of hundreds of well-paying union construction jobs during its development. In addition to the construction roles, the project will create ongoing jobs and provide over $1 million in annual payments to St. Croix County and the towns where the solar is located.

Xcel Energy and St. Croix County also discussed details of a Joint Development Agreement to ensure that the project is developed responsibly, benefits the county and its communities, is protective of the environment, operates safely and complies with all regulatory requirements. A draft of the Joint Development Agreement will be presented to the full St. Croix County Board of Supervisors in the coming months.

Updated project maps can be found at xcelenergy.com/tenmile.

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) provides the energy that powers millions of homes and businesses across eight Western and Midwestern states. With its Wisconsin/Michigan headquarters in Eau Claire, Wis., the company is an industry leader in responsibly reducing carbon emissions and producing and delivering clean energy solutions from a variety of renewable sources at competitive prices. For more information, visit xcelenergy.com, check out our Between the Lines blog  or follow us on X and Facebook.

SPRING VALLEY, WI – It was a beautiful day for music on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, as the Valley Villa’s Crooners serenaded the community with their debut performance. They hit all the right notes!

The Crooners have been practicing with music aficionado, Kathy Nyeggen for a few weeks leading up to their first performance.

With over twenty people in attendance who arrived to listen to the Crooners, accompanied by Kathy Nyeggen, Jeff Pajac , and Norm Solberg.

To read this and other premium articles in their entirety, pickup the June 12, 2025 issue of the Sun-Argus newspaper. Click to subscribe for convenient delivery by mail, or call (715) 778-4990. Single issues are also available at area newsstands and our office in Spring Valley, WI.

SPRING VALLEY, WI – Local non-profit organization, Staying Put is celebrating their Tenth Anniversary of helping seniors and adults with disabilities “stay put” in their homes with a Big Tenth Anniversary Community Block Party.

What originally began as a Spring Valley organization, in May of 2022, the group expanded their services to include the neighboring Village of Elmwood and other communities. They now serve seniors and adults with disabilities within the school district boundaries of Spring Valley and Elmwood which include two villages and ten townships that bridge parts of Pierce, St. Croix, Dunn and Pepin Counties.

The organization was originally formed in 2014 but was not incorporated as an official non-profit until 2015, marking 2025 as a milestone year of offering over a decade of services.

To celebrate this momentous occasion, a Tenth Anniversary Block Party for the community, volunteers, clients and anyone interested in learning more about the organization is planned for Saturday, June 28, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The Block Party will take place on S. 3^rd Street in downtown Spring Valley, next to the Spring Valley Community Center. There will be music, games and dancing. The Spring Valley Lions Club will be serving up their “World Famous” burgers and drinks will be available from local Half Fast Brewery. There will also be a 50/50 raffle at the Community Center with proceeds supporting Staying Put, as well as the opportunity to view the special video project, “Staying Put in Retrospective.”

For more information, please contact Staying Put at 715-778-5800. We will see you on Saturday, June 28, 2025, downtown Spring Valley for the Big Staying Put Tenth Anniversary Community Block Party!

Submitted by Karen Furo-Bonnstetter, Woodville Library Director

WOODVILLE, WI – The Woodville Community Library is excited to offer a wide range of programs and events this summer 2025!

Our Summer Reading Program runs from June 16 to August 8, 2025, and is open to both readers and pre-readers. This self-paced program helps children maintain and improve their reading skills during the summer months.

Research shows that students who participate in summer reading score higher on standardized tests, while those who don’t may fall behind by up to two years by the end of sixth grade.

Summer Story-Time – Summer Story-Time for preschool kids is held on Tuesdays at 10:45a.m. and runs from June 23 through August 5, 2025. Join us for stories, crafts, songs, and socialization.

The Community Library will also be sending the Woodville Book Bike out to Stevens Park for Mini Story-Time sessions on Wednesdays and Fridays in the mornings.

Weekly Activities – The Woodville Community Library has weekly activities held at the library. These programs start June 23 and run through August 8, 2025.

• Mondays at 10:15 a.m. – Science Fun
• Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m. – Arts and Crafts
• Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. – Sewing with Flo
• Fridays at 1:30 p.m. – Legos and More

Special Entertainers – Thursdays at the Woodville Community Center/The Lion’s Den we have special entertainers. The library will be hosting a variety of programs at 10:30 a.m.

• Thursday, June 26, 10:30 a.m. – Dinosaur Dimensions
• Thursday, July 10, 10:30 a.m. – Bruce the Bug Guy
• Thursday, July 17, 10:30 a.m. – The Magic of Isaiah
• Thursday, July 31, 10:30 a.m. – Remarkable Reptiles
• Thursday, August 7 at 10:00 a.m. – Aquatic Animal Rescue

Reading Challenge – The St. Croix County Libraries and the St Croix County Fair are partnering to present a Reading Challenge. Starting now and running until Wednesday, July 16, 2025. Kids can pick up a Reading Challenge sheet at the Woodville Community Library. When it is completed, please bring it back to the library for a coupon for an ice cream at the St. Croix County Fair and a special Fair ribbon.

Passport Program – The Passport program is also running now until the end of August 2025. Pick up your Passport and visit libraries that are a part of our 10-county library system containing over 50 libraries. By visiting seven libraries you can enter a drawing for prizes. The real fun is seeing so many types of libraries and how unique each one of them is. Get started on your Passport journey today!

Keep reading and we’ll see you this Summer 2025 at your Woodville Community Library!