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Ralph Hoernke

“Honker” knew it was time to bogie for home. Ralph B. Hoernke, known to family and friends as “Honker” passed away in the late evening hours of Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, at his...

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Curriculum questioned
On Monday night, district resident Jeremy Sperl (far left) called on members of the Medford Area Public School District reconsideration committee to remove curriculum materials used in the high school English classes. The unit in question focuses on becoming an adult with examples across different cultural groups. The complaint arose from a three-second segment in one of the introductory videos which shows a rainbow flag in the corner of a background, which Sperl says is subliminal messaging. Under district policy, a reconsideration committee was called to review the curriculum and complaint and make a recommendation to the full school board. Final action is expected to take place at the November 24 board meeting. BRIAN WILSON/THE STAR NEWS
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Curriculum questioned

Parent raises concerns about video in high school English curriculum...

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Mayor to not seek reelection
Mayor Mike Wellner
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Mayor to not seek reelection

Mayor Wellner to retire at end of current term, has served since 2002...

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Funding shortfall triggers waitlist for workforce development, vocational rehabilitation programs in Wisconsin
Taylor County Lions Clubs from Gilman, Rib Lake, Whittlesey, Jump River and Medford presented the Taylor County ADRC with Large Print Calendars for 2026. Residents of Taylor County with vision impairment can pick up a calendar at the ADRC Office located at the Taylor County Fairgrounds. Some will also be available at the County Senior Nutrition Sites. Funds from the Lions Maple Fest were used to purchase the calendars. SUBMITTED
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Funding shortfall triggers waitlist for workforce development, vocational rehabilitation programs in Wisconsin

The Department of Workforce Development (DWD), Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) is facing...

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Area schools ahead of the curve on state cellphone ban
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Area schools ahead of the curve on state cellphone ban

Under a bill signed into law last week, school boards across the state will be required to enact ban...

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Rib Lake cuts ribbon opening new fitness center space

On October 31, Rib Lake School District representatives and more than 50 community members joined in celebrating the ribbon cutting on a new fitness center space at Rib Lake Middle School.JoAnne Peterson, who serves as coordinator for the fitness center, did the honors of cutting the ribbon to officially open the space. The previous fitness center area was in the rear of the high school building i...

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Legislative fix needed for proof of citizenship when voting debate

An activist is a judge who acts like a legislature and makes new laws instead of interpreting the laws as passed by the legislature. By this standard, the jury is still out on Waukesha County circuit court judge Michael Maxwell.Earlier this fall Maxwell exercised judicial activism when he called for the state of Wisconsin to require people to provide proof of citizenship when registering to vote a...

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