haugen school future hangs in the balance

PTA questions projected savings, district spending and past boundary changes; community calls for five-year plan to preserve Rice Lake district's last rural elementary school

READ THE STORY

[ OCT. 12 / BARRON COUNTY HEADLINES ]

headlines

[ OCT. 12 / BARRON COUNTY HEADLINES ]

New Regulations, Permit Fees for County Shooting Ranges

The Barron County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved changes to its parks and recreation ordinance Monday, Oct. 19.

[ 11:45 AM / TECH BUREAU / INNOVATION ]

Technological Breakthrough in Renewable Grid Systems

Welcome to the Barron County Free Press where our news coverage will be always local and always free... Check back soon for local headlines.

Your Brand Story Could Be Featured Here

[ OCT. 20 / BARRON COUNTY HEADLINES ]

New Commercial District Plans Unveiled for Metro North

Welcome to the Barron County Free Press where our news coverage will be always local and always free... Check back soon for local headlines.

[ 02:20 PM / REGIONAL OFFICE / ARCHITECTURE ]

Urban Revitalization Project Wins Excellence Award

Welcome to the Barron County Free Press where our news coverage will be always local and always free... Check back soon for local headlines.

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commerce

[ oct. 12 / barron county commerce ]

Barron County Commerce: Putting the Spotlight on Local Business

From longtime family-owned businesses to new entrepreneurs opening their doors, Barron County has no shortage of business stories worth telling.

[ oct. 12 / barron county commerce ]

Celebrating Local Business With Our Weekly Commerce Coverage

Discover new businesses, expansions, local entrepreneurs, career achievements, and the people helping drive Barron County's economy forward.

Your Brand Story Could Be Featured Here

[ 04:50 PM / BUSINESS HUB / REAL ESTATE ]

New Commercial District Plans Unveiled for Metro North

The city planning committee released blueprints for a multi-use hub that will revitalize the northern suburbs with retail and residential spaces.

[ 02:20 PM / REGIONAL OFFICE / ARCHITECTURE ]

Urban Revitalization Project Wins Excellence Award

The ambitious 'Green Corridor' initiative in the metropolitan center was honored today for its innovative approach to integrating public transit with pedestrian-first ecological spaces.

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community

[ 09:30 AM / INTERNATIONAL / ECONOMY ]

Global Economic Summit Announces New Trade Protocols for 2027

World leaders gathered in Geneva this morning to sign a landmark agreement aimed at streamlining digital trade and reducing trans-continental tariffs.

[ oct. 12 / Places you should know ]

Cameron Community Center Offers Space for Gathering and Other Acitivites

The Cameron Community Center offers area residents a welcoming place to gather, socialize, participate in activities and host special events...

Your Brand Story Could Be Featured Here

[ oct. 16 / community news ]

Rice Lake School Board Reviews Financials, Benefits...

The Rice Lake Area School District is continuing to examine its financial outlook as declining enrollment, rising operating costs...

[ oct. 16 / community news ]

Declining Enrollment Could Bring Changes to Rice Lake Schools

Declining student enrollment could lead to staffing reductions, changes in school configurations and adjustments to educational programs.

crime & courts

[ oct. 12 / crime & courts ]

Barron County Crime & Courts section coming soon

Follow local law enforcement activity, court proceedings, criminal complaints, and public safety developments with our regular Crime & Courts coverage.

[ oct. 12 / crime & courts ]

Police and Sheriff Reports to be Part of Our Weekly Coverage

Follow local law enforcement activity, court proceedings, criminal complaints, and public safety developments with our regular Crime & Courts coverage.

Your Brand Story Could Be Featured Here

[ 04:50 PM / BUSINESS HUB / REAL ESTATE ]

New Commercial District Plans Unveiled for Metro North

The city planning committee released blueprints for a multi-use hub that will revitalize the northern suburbs with retail and residential spaces.

[ 02:20 PM / REGIONAL OFFICE / ARCHITECTURE ]

Urban Revitalization Project Wins Excellence Award

The ambitious 'Green Corridor' initiative in the metropolitan center was honored today for its innovative approach to integrating public transit with pedestrian-first ecological spaces.

editorials

Local News in a Digital World_edited.jpg

[ oct. 12 / for what it's worth ]

Why the Barron County Free Press and Why Start A Newspaper Today?

At a time when newspapers across the country are shrinking, consolidating, cutting publication days or disappearing altogether, why would anyone decide that now is the time to start one?

[ oct. 14 / for what it's worth ]

State of Local News 2026: Why Barron County Isn't A News Desert

170 newspapers closed or merged across the country in the past year. That’s more than three a week, up from 136 the year before.

Your Brand Story Could Be Featured Here

[ 04:50 PM / BUSINESS HUB / REAL ESTATE ]

New Commercial District Plans Unveiled for Metro North

The city planning committee released blueprints for a multi-use hub that will revitalize the northern suburbs with retail and residential spaces.

[ 02:20 PM / REGIONAL OFFICE / ARCHITECTURE ]

Urban Revitalization Project Wins Excellence Award

The ambitious 'Green Corridor' initiative in the metropolitan center was honored today for its innovative approach to integrating public transit with pedestrian-first ecological spaces.

homes & land

White Modern Isometric Candidate Experience Blog Banner.png

[ oct. 14 / realtor of the week ]

Realtor of the Week: Kortney Nanstad Finds Her Calling in Helping Others

For Kortney, real estate is about much more than buying and selling houses. It's about helping people navigate some of life's biggest decisions...

[ 11:45 AM / TECH BUREAU / INNOVATION ]

Technological Breakthrough in Renewable Grid Systems

Engineers at the Innovation Hub have successfully tested a new superconducting relay system that promises grid stability.

Your Brand Story Could Be Featured Here

[ 04:50 PM / BUSINESS HUB / REAL ESTATE ]

New Commercial District Plans Unveiled for Metro North

The city planning committee released blueprints for a multi-use hub that will revitalize the northern suburbs with retail and residential spaces.

[ 02:20 PM / REGIONAL OFFICE / ARCHITECTURE ]

Urban Revitalization Project Wins Excellence Award

The ambitious 'Green Corridor' initiative in the metropolitan center was honored today for its innovative approach to integrating public transit with pedestrian-first ecological spaces.

SPORTS

BASKETBALL / VARSITY

Central High Clinches Regional Title in Final Seconds

A buzzer-beater from the three-point line sealed a historic victory for the Lions, securing their spot in the state championships next month.

oct. 14 / youth sports

outh Deer Hunt 2026: Share Your Photos and First-Buck Stories

The 2026 Wisconsin youth deer hunt has wrapped up, and we’d like to hear how it went for young hunters in Barron County.

Did your child get a first buck?

RUNNING / COMMUNITY

Annual City Marathon to Close Downtown Streets This Sunday

Over five thousand runners are expected to participate in the city's largest athletic event, promoting health and local business tourism.