Submitted by Christena T. O’Brien, WisDOT Northwest Region Communications Manager

ST CROIX COUNTY, WI – To invest in Wisconsin’s transportation system, Gov. Tony Evers has signed a $45,959 contract with prime contractor Mattison Contractors, Inc. of Knapp for a safety improvement project on northbound WIS 128 just north of the westbound I-94 entrance and exit ramps southwest of Wilson in St. Croix County. Construction is scheduled to start Monday, April 15, 2024

To prevent illegal U-turns and reduce crashes from southbound WIS 128 traffic exiting at the south entrance to a convenience store (Kwik Trip), the Wisconsin Department of Transportation project will:

• Reconstruct the south entrance to the convenience store from northbound WIS 128 to allow only right-turning motorists to enter there.
  • All exiting traffic from the business will be directed to use the store’s northern driveway.

During construction, WIS 128 will remain open to traffic, but the south entrance to the store will be closed until work is completed.

Construction is scheduled for completion by the end of April, but the project’s start and completion dates are weather dependent.

For more information regarding traffic impacts, transportation news and improvement project updates in Wisconsin’s Northwest Region:

• Follow us on Twitter: @WisDOTnorthwest
• Visit the region’s 511 website: 511wi.gov/region/northwest/
• Visit the project’s 511 website: 511wi.gov/wis128scc/

Motorists are reminded that using handheld cell phones in Wisconsin work zones is illegal. Alerts and updates provided via these sites are not intended for use while driving. When driving, your focus should always be on driving.

Submitted by Katie Saleum, SV Senior Living

SPRING VALLEY, WI – Spring Valley Senior Living and Health Care Campus (Spring Valley Senior Living) is pleased to announce Tammy Brunkhorst has been appointed housing manager at Valley Villas Assisted Living (Valley Villas).

Brunkhorst is a dedicated senior living and care professional who has supported seniors and their families professionally since 2012. Prior to joining Spring Valley Senior Living as housing director, Brunkhorst served as a community resources coordinator for Inclusa, Inc. in Baldwin, Wisconsin. In addition, she was Spring Valley Senior Living’s director of resident services for more than five years — from 2012 to 2017.

“Coming back to Spring Valley Senior Living and Valley Villas really felt like I was returning home,” Brunkhorst said. “I have a true passion for supporting seniors in safely leading independent, healthy lives. I am excited to be back where my career in aging services began and continue working towards ensuring all older adults have access to the housing, care and services they need to flourish.”

Native to Spring Valley, Brunkhorst is an alumnus of Viterbo University in LaCrosse, Wisconsin where she earned a bachelor’s degree in human services.

Spring Valley Senior Living is a community based, non-profit senior living and care community located in Spring Valley, Wisconsin. With comprehensive skilled nursing and rehabilitation services on-site, the community supports post-acute care following illness, injury, or surgery, as well as provides a welcoming home for older adults to benefit from long-term, round-the-clock personal care services. In addition, the community leases affordable, income-based senior apartments at Valley Villas. Several units are now available for rent.

For more information about Spring Valley Senior Living or Valley Villas and to schedule a personal tour, call Tammy Brunkhorst at 715-778-5535 or email tammyb@svhcs.org.

Spring Valley Health and Rehabilitation Center is a community based, municipally owned, non-profit, Medicare and Medicaid-certified skilled nursing community located in Spring Valley, Wisconsin. The community also operates affordable, income-based senior apartments at Valley Villas Assisted Living.

Discover more at svhcs.org.

Submitted by the Office of Governor Evers

MADISON, WI – Gov. Tony Evers announced on Monday, April 1, 2024, his appointment of Angela Hoven to serve as Pierce County Register of Deeds. The appointment fills a vacancy created by the resignation of Julie Hines, effective May 3, 2024. Hoven will serve for the remainder of the unexpired term that ends on Jan. 5, 2025.

“Angela Hoven’s experience maintaining important land and real estate records will allow her to continue and expand upon the efficient work of the Pierce County Register of Deeds’ Office,” said Gov. Evers. “I am confident that she will serve the people of Pierce County well in this role.”

According to the Pierce County website, the Register of Deeds Office records all deeds, mortgages, instruments and writings authorized by law to be recorded, including certified survey maps, plats and federal tax liens. We keep safely and maintain the documents, images of recorded documents and indexes. Copies of recorded document are available to the public, with payment of the statutory copy fees.

The Register of Deeds Office registers marriages and deaths occurring in the county. Certified copies of vital records are available with proper proof of identification, completion of certificate application form and payment of fees.

Hoven has been a resident of Pierce County for over eight years. She currently serves as a real property lister for Pierce County.

The Wisconsin Counties Association website lists this summary of the position of real property lister: This position is responsible for complex technical office work in the field of property descriptions, assessments, and land records – including maintaining accurate real and personal property listings, data to produce assessment rolls and tax bills, and other work in conformance with section 70.09 of Wisconsin Statutes.

“I am extremely honored to accept the appointment of the Pierce County Register of Deeds by Gov. Evers,” said Hoven. “I look forward to using my knowledge and experience gained as the Pierce County real property lister to serve Pierce County’s residents. I will continue to run the office with the same exceptional customer service that has been provided in the past, with a staff that has wonderful longevity and experience. I would like to thank my family, friends, and colleagues that have encouraged me to start this new journey.”

Submitted by Carole Schurtz, St. Croix County Fair

GLENWOOD CITY, WI – St. Croix County Fair Premium Books are now available to pick up! Whether you bake, sew, build, or grow, entering an exhibit at a County Fair is an exciting process that is open to all. Mark your calendars, “All Roads Lead to the Fair” July 17-21, 2024!

The St. Croix County Fair offers 18 Open Class departments ranging from Antiques to Rabbits and Woodworking as well as 30 Youth departments that include Livestock, Flowers, and Photography.

St. Croix County has rich traditions with fairs being held here for at least 125 years or more. Held annually in Glenwood City, this year’s St. Croix County Fair will be July 17-21, 2024. To enter your exhibit in the St. Croix County Fair, visit our website at stcroixcofair.com and click on the Quick Links “Open Class Fair Book” or “Jr. Fair Book.” Online St. Croix County Fair entry opens on April 1, 2024, and closes at midnight May 31, 2024, no exceptions. Be sure to read the rules and descriptions carefully for every entry.

Fair books will be available at the following county businesses that are assisting the St. Croix County Fair as pickup locations – New Richmond: Farm & Home, and the Government Center. Hudson: St. Croix County Government Center. Baldwin: Extension Office/Ag. Center and Gregerson’s Ace Hardware. Glenwood City: Tribune Press Reporter and Hiawatha National Bank.

ALL St. Croix County libraries should have books available to pick-up and will keep a few books as reference materials. As in the past, the entire St. Croix County Fair Premium Book and all forms are also available online at stcroixcofair.com.

The St. Croix County Fair requests that St. Croix County 4-H families use the same Premium Books that they received last year from their general club leaders as there were a limited number of books printed.

As in previous years, Dunn, Polk, and Pierce County residents are eligible to exhibit in the Open Class Division at the 2024 St. Croix County Fair. For questions, please contact the St. Croix County Fair at stcroixcofair@gmail.com or visit our Facebook page facebook.com/stcroixfair to private message us.

The St. Croix County Fair is a 5-day fair with something for everyone! It’s a tradition that has been enjoyed for generations. This year’s fair includes agricultural exhibits, contests, competitions and pageants, artisans, crafters and demonstrators, entertainment stages, over 12 carnival rides, Tractor Pulls, Demolition Derby, commercial, educational, amusement and food booths!

For additional Fair related information, visit the St. Croix County Fair website at stcroixcofair.com, facebook.com/stcroixfair or email us at stcroixcofair@gmail.com.

Come to the Fair with your exhibit and put yourself in the center of the fun. Let’s celebrate because “All Roads Lead to the Fair” July 17-21, 2024! We hope to see you there!

Submitted by Nick Andrews, Library Director

ELMWOOD, WI – There are several fun events coming up at the Elmwood Public Library:

EVERY MONDAY at 11:00 – STORYTIME
All ages are welcome for our weekly storytime! Books, songs, rhymes, games, puppets, and activities to surround our early readers with everything they need to start school on the right foot.

Monday, April 8 – ECLIPSE VIEWING
Join us on Monday, April 8 from 1:00-3:00 to pick up a pair of eclipse viewing glasses and see what the eclipse looks like across the country. We won’t see the WHOLE sun disappear, but it will still be a cool sight –that you should NOT try to look at without the proper gear! Come by to see this solar event safely and catch some facts about astronomy while you’re at it.

THIRD THURSDAY at 5:30  – BOOK CLUB
We pick a new book to read and chat about each month. Didn’t finish it? Didn’t like it? Join us anyway! Pick up a copy of the book at the library, and come back on the Third Thursday to discuss.  Our book for April 18 is Finlay Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano

SAT APRIL 20 from 1:00-3:00  – PUZZLE CONTEST
Taking place in the Elmwood Auditorium. 500 pieces, teams of four, and two hours each! Who can do it the fastest? Who can work best as a team?

Puzzles will be provided and can be taken home by each team. The winning team will get an additional, brand-new puzzle to take home!