COMMITTEE NARROWS DOWN POTENTIAL SITES FOR THE JAIL
The hunt for an acceptable jail site is still on in full force. A committee considering 34 possible sites has narrowed it down and zeroed in on four sites on the northwest side of Eau Claire, and two locations east of the North Crossing-53 interchange, and a 21-acre site owned by the city of Eau Claire just west of River Prairie Drive, between Galloway Street and the Eau Claire River. The committee has been rejecting sites based on site size, location, cost, community, and environmental issues. The committee will continue their analyses in the coming weeks.

ALTOONA REFERENDUM LIKELY
The Altoona School Board has until December to make the decision final, but after their November meeting it sounds like they’ve all but decided to have a referendum in spring. If you remember four years ago, Altoona had a referendum to exceed annual revenue caps by $975,000 a year for four years, and it passed by a mere 11 votes. Well that time span is nearly up, and they’re looking to pass the exact same referendum yet again, coupled with spending cuts that could include fewer elective courses and larger class sizes. If the district fails to pass a referendum, the current $2.36 million in funds will become a deficit in a few years. The referendum will cost a $150,000 home about $75 in taxes.

CHIPPEWA FALLS APPOINTS EMPTY CITY COUNCIL SEAT
Long-time Chippewa County employee Jane Lardahl won the appointment to the empty Fifth Ward seat on the Chippewa Falls City Council on Nov. 17, edging out plan commissioner Daniel Varga. The council appointed the 63 year-old who worked on public welfare, the guidance clinic, and the clerk of courts office for 18 years. Lardahl has been in attendance for several of the city’s meetings in recent months to become versed on the issues facing the city such as the controvercial sand plant proposal.

GIVE A KID A BOOK, SERIOUSLY
The Friends of the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library are collecting new, unwrapped books for the 15th annual Give-A-Kid-A-Book project. The books will go to area agencies serving children and teens over the holiday season. From Dec. 1 through Dec. 19 you can help the cause by dropping off a book at L.E. Phillips or to the UWEC holiday concerts on Dec. 6 at Zorn Arena. Monetary donations are also accepted. Project partners include the public library, Memorial High School’s Teen Literacy Initiative, and the UWEC Association of Student Social Workers. For more information call Holly Ring at 831-5301.

APPLY NOW FOR PLOTS IN NEW COMMUNITY GARDEN
While all of our plants are already dead or are about to die in the harsh and barren Eau Claire winter, there is no reason to fret. Brighten your spirit with thought of next spring! All the fresh green life, flowers, juicy fruits, and tasty vegetables are not gone forever. This is your chance to adopt a plot of land for Eau Claire’s new community garden on Forest Street, your own little contribution to the light and sugary scents of spring. A single plot (20-by-20) is $30, and a double plot (two 20-by-20s) is $50. Call 839-5039 for more information and an application.