Best of the Chippewa Valley

Reader Polls

The Best of the Chippewa Valley 2022

The Best of the Chippewa Valley 2023

The Best of the Chippewa Valley 2024

The Best of the Chippewa Valley 2025

The Best of the Chippewa Valley 2026

Most Disappointing Thing in the Past Year

We’re with you: The closure of HSHS Sacred Heart and St. Joseph’s hospitals totally sucked, to put it lightly. The loss of high-quality local health care makes it hard to feel hopeful about the future of our health and happiness. But there’s hope: The UW-Eau Claire Foundation is reportedly in talks about purchasing the campus. For what? Mum’s the word. (Plus, the Chippewa Valley Health Co-op purchased property in Lake Hallie to build a new hospital.) While Volume One doesn’t take sides when it comes to politics, readers say the presidential election was a pretty big bummer. There’s yet another reason to get involved with local politics! Finally, the Chippewa Falls region took a big blow with the news of the historic Leinenkugel’s brewery closing, ending its 157-year legacy in the Valley. At least the Leinie Lodge is still open. —Rebecca Mennecke