The Broadsheet: One out, one in
Headlines from the Barron News-Shield May 21, 2025 edition, plus some extra, newsy recommendations from the editor.
Hello readers,
First, a clarification. Last week we reported that there were two candidates for the next Barron County sheriff. That quickly changed to one. Chief Deputy Jason Hagen withdrew his request for a leave of absence the day the paper came out. That leaves one in-house candidate in Patrol Captain Darren Hodek. He spoke to the Barron County Board of Supervisors about his candidacy on Monday. Departing Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald also spoke about his reasons for leaving. We also have a feature story this week about Fitzgerald looking back on his time as sheriff.
Headlines
On May 17, 2025, at approximately 9:07 a.m., the Barron County Sheriff’s 911 Communication Center received a medical call for a five-month-old unresponsive child. The Barron Police Department, Barron County Sheriff’s Deputies and Emergency Services were dispatched to the scene on Jean Marie Street, in the City of Barron, and began performing life saving measures on the child. Despite all medical efforts, the child was pronounced deceased at the residence.
A suspect wanted on a nationwide warrant in connection with an armed robbery committed in Barron nearly 18 months ago is being held in jail on $75,000 cash bond pending further action, according to Barron County Circuit Court records.
Dennis M. Ritchie, 63, of Clear Lake, made an initial appearance Thursday, May 14, in connection with charges that include armed robbery, burglary, elder abuse and false imprisonment, all as party to a crime, and all with enhanced penalties because the victim was a senior citizen.
Local Republican legislators Dave Armstrong and Romaine Quinn held a listening session on Friday, May 16, at the Barron VFW Post 8338. The session was billed as including Sen. Jesse James, R-Altoona, but Quinn subbed in instead. The big to-do in the Capitol right now is to pass a 2025-2027 biennial budget. It’s supposed to take effect July 1, but the legislators expressed doubt over meeting that deadline.
What might have been a disappointing loss by the Milwaukee Brewers Friday night, May 16, 2025, turned out to have a silver lining for retired Barron teacher Brenda Haag, who was the lucky winner of more than $20,000 in a 50-50 raffle hosted by the Brewers Community Foundation. It was one of two significant cash prizes won by area residents. According to local resident Al Klingelhoets, it was announced recently that Kathy Van Helden, a Cameron resident, was the second-place winner in a statewide raffle hosted by the Knights of Columbus, collecting a prize of $25,000.
Now entering its second full season, the Timberland Hills trail system is fast becoming a top destination for mountain bikers. Carved out of the wooded hills on the border of Burnett and Barron Counties, the system currently measures about 13 miles—and it’s going to get a lot longer, thanks to what’s ultimately estimated to be a $2 million investment.
A time-honored tradition will be renewed Monday, May 26, as dozens of veterans and hundreds of citizens gather in communities across the News-Shield circulation area to observe Memorial Day. Here’s a schedule of local Memorial Day events.
Urban Rural Column
In case you missed my two previous columns this month, check ‘em out at
https://urbanruralcolumn.wordpress.com/
Editor’s Picks
IN THE NEWS: A bill authored by Sen. Romaine Quinn to help the City of Superior replace water infrastructure recently passed. Good news, right? Well, it’s perhaps not that straightforward. It passed narrowly, 17-16, with all Democrats and one Republican voting against it. The criticism: Why approved this bill to benefit one private water utility while also cutting $200 million for lead line replacement from Gov. Tony Evers’ proposed budget? WPR has the story.
GIVE IT A LISTEN: I’m among those lucky guys of certain age dealing with hair loss. There’s no sugar-coating it—it kinda sucks. I have often been tempted to try one of the miracle treatments—like really thinking about it. Then I heard this episode of The Journal podcast from the Wall Street Journal: “A Quick Fix For Hair Loss is Making Some Men Sick.” Side effects are no joke. Give it a listen.
That’s all I’ve got for this week. Thanks for reading. If you need to catch up on local news or are looking for more Editor’s Picks, check out the archives at newsshield.substack.com.
—Ryan Urban