1st Place: Jail proposal defeated
2nd Place: Bon Iver on Letterman
3rd Place: Memorial Jazz wins Essentially Ellington

How badly did Eau Claire want a new jail expansion in 2009? The answer, in fact, is that they didn’t really want it at all. Through grassroots organization, strong public outcry, and heated council meetings, the folks of Eau Claire shot down a multi-million dollar expansion of the county jail deeper into the West Grand neighborhood and along the adjoining riverbank. Over the winter locally grown bearded celebrity Justin Vernon appeared on Late Night with David Letterman. You may recall feeling a sense of pride watching a man you’ve probably seen at the bar knocking the ear-pants off of New York while wearing a Badger t-shirt and a flannel. Our memorable happenings were filled out with the Memorial Jazz Program winning the Essentially Ellington contest, proving once again that the Chippewa Valley is a force to be reckoned with in the high school jazz arena. – Aryn Widule

Chippewa Choice: The Chippewa Sand Mine controversy