Episodes
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Exit interview with Carl Cooley — Oct. 12, 2021
Carl and Ryan discuss the good old days, memorable stories and the state of local news as Carl transitions from print to radio. This is the last episode of The News Bell before Carl and Ryan take a break from podcasting. Carl is moving on to a full-time gig in radio, but is still helping us out...
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Dallas Oktoberfest, well testing, and Wheeler signs off — Oct. 1, 2021
—Dallas’ Oktoberfest is this Saturday with beer, brats, weiner dog races and more. —Barron County will be offering free groundwater well testing as part of a county-wide study. —And The Fox 99’s Arnie Wheeler signs off for the final time this week. If you like the show, please help us spread the...
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Charges in quadruple homicide case and COVID-19 in kids — Sept. 23, 2021
—Two men are charged in connection to the killing of four people left in a cornfield near Ridgeland; —And children are now the most infected age group in the latest wave of COVID-19 cases in Barron County; Plus more of the latest local news. If you like the show, please help us spread the word....
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Quadruple homicide and renewing the fight against meth — Sept. 15, 2021
—Police are hunting for suspects after four people were found dead in a vehicle abandoned near Ridgeland; —Barron County is renewing efforts to fight methamphetamine use in the community, with help from new programs; Plus much more of the latest local news. Thanks for listening to the News Bell,...
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Population shifts, broadband funding, and a camping sex offender — Sept. 8, 2021
—The latest Census data shows some population swings throughout Barron County; —Mosaic Technologies is getting $2.6 million in federal funds to strengthen broadband; —And the county considers what to do about a sex offender camping in county forest land. If you like the show, please help us…
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Labor Day weekend and fall festival previews — Sept. 3, 2021
We’re mixing up the order this week, starting with a rundown of upcoming events, including a few local Labor Day weekend festivals. Plus some headlines, ad of the week and an important announcement. If you like the show, please help us spread the word. Tell your friends, your family, your...
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Fatal bee stings, crowded lakes and trails, and a 108-year-old diploma — Aug. 25, 2021
--The death of a 33-year-old Almena man are a reminder of the danger of bee stings; --Crowded lakes and trails keep recreational officers busy this summer; --And a man completes his quest to return a 108-year-old diploma to the original owner’s family. Plus much more of the latest local news. If...
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Mikana shooting report and mask resistance as COVID makes a comeback — Aug. 20, 2021
--The Barron County District Attorney says there are no charges for a deputy involved in a recent shooting. --And mask recommendations are being met with resistance as COVID-19 cases climb; --Plus much more of the latest local news. Thanks for listening. If you like the podcast, please help us...
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Fatal crash charges, Canton Park plans and some Prairie Lake history — Aug. 11, 2021
The latest local news: --One man was killed and another is facing charges following a crash near Dallas last week; --The little village of Canton is working on some big park improvements; --And a family shares a bit of history of how a Prairie Lake landmark got its name. Thanks for listening. If...
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Bednarek wins silver, solar power is on and catalytic converters are being stolen — Aug. 5, 2021
Stories for the week of August 4, 2021. --Rice Lake native Kenny Bednarek sprints to an olympic medal --Two expansive solar arrays in Barron and Rice Lake are now producing power --Fourteen catalytic converters were stolen from a Chetek business last month. Plus much more of the latest local news...
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Sex offender restrictions, animal cruelty cases and adoptee reunited with mother — July 29, 2021
—Barron enacts extra restrictions on sex offenders; —Information is sought in a couple recent cases of animal cruelty; —And a woman was reunited with her birth mother and relatives 56 years after her adoption. Plus much more of the latest local news. If you like the podcast, please help us spread...
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Barron vet lab gets $10M, Rolling Oaks wants a liquor license, Chetek fire district reorganized — July 22, 2021
—10 million dollars in the state budget is a huge boost to a veterinary diagnostic lab in Barron; —Barron’s Golf Course is again asking the city for a liquor license; —And the Chetek Fire Department’s board will be reorganized Sponsored by Charter Bank, The News Bell podcast is a production of…
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Rifle range regulations and the state budget — July 16, 2021
This week on News Bell, presented by Charter Bank: —County officials are looking to lower the decibels at a rifle range; —And two local legislators, a Democrat and a Republican, vote in favor of the state budget; The News Bell is a production of Bell Press Inc. Hosted by Ryan Urban and Carl Cooley.
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School state aid, Liberty Fest and the Fair — July 8, 2021
State education aid estimates present a mixed bag to local school districts, plus highlights from Liberty Fest and a look ahead to the county fair and a few other events too. If you like the podcast, help us spread the word. Tell your friends, family, co-workers, and come on back next week for...
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Old building demolished, playground christened, and more festival previews — July 1, 2021
—A 120-year old building was demolished in Barron, but a number of new developments have taken a big step forward; —A new playground, in the shape of a pirate ship, was built in Sand Creek; —And we look ahead to Chetek Liberty Fest and the rest of this summer’s fun local festivals and events. If...
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New COVID-19 deaths, state track and a threatening bear — June 23, 2021
—COVID-19 is continuing to claim lives in Barron County —An impressive contingent of area track and field athletes are headed to the state meet. —And a black bear that wandered close to a woman in Rice Lake was shot and wounded on Sunday. If you like the podcast, please help us spread the word....
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Rescue Plan funding for local gov. and Cumberland construction projects — June 17 , 2021
Episode #15 of The News Bell, presented by Charter Bank. This week's stories: Local governments are applying for their share of the American Rescue Plan Act funding from the federal government. And two big construction projects are well underway in Cumberland (Ardisam and Cumberland Healthcare)....
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Herbst homicide sentencing and potential Chetek dam improvements — June 10, 2021
This week on The News Bell, presented by Charter Bank: —A Minnesota man is sentenced to 7-plus years in prison for the murder of his father, whose remains were discovered in Barron County. —A Chetek man has been ordered to stay away from an elementary school after allegedly saying he wanted to...
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Interview with Rep. Dave Armstrong, 75th District — June 2, 2021
Dave Armstrong, 75th District Rep. and director of Barron County Economic Development Corporation, joins the podcast to discuss the state’s budget process, federal aid for schools, a vaccine privacy bill, efforts to fill workforce shortages and more. Plus, Carl covers the week’s headlines and...
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SWAT training, masks in schools, and meth bust — May 27, 2021
--SWAT teams train at a local scout camp for an active shooter scenario; --The Chetek-Weyerhaeuser community debates continued masking in schools --And 11 people have been charged in a far-reaching drug conspiracy case in Rusk County. The News Bell, presented by Charter Bank, is a production of...
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Summer festivals preview — May 19, 2021
Carl and Ryan talk about Barron County Dairy Breakfast, Camerama, Aquafest and many more upcoming summertime events. Plus, another reversal on a Turtle Lake area event barn rezoning and a look at COVID-19's impact on the county death rate. The News Bell is a production of Bell Press, Inc. Hosted…
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Interview with Jeff French, county administrator — May 13, 2021
Jeff French joins us to discuss the new highway department project, housing, COVID-19 and other goings-on in Barron County. Plus, more of this week's headlines on The News Bell, presented by Charter Bank. The News Bell is a production of Bell Press, Inc. Hosted by Carl Cooley and Ryan Urban.
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Chetek standoff, frac sand settlement, highway shop, demo farm — May 6, 2021
--A fake bomb threat and a six-hour standoff in Chetek ended with the arrest of one man. --A successful appeal from a frac sand company means they will get back hundreds of thousands dollars in property taxes. --Officials broke ground for the new county highway shop. --And county committees have...
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Vaccine supply exceeds demand, barn zoning debate and a new addition to The Alert — April 28, 2021
This week's top stories: --Covid vaccine supply is outpacing demand and health officials are encouraging anyone who wants a vaccine, to get one. --A county zoning issue stands in the way of a new wedding barn in rural Turtle Lake. --The Alert is welcoming a new ad rep to the newspaper’s staff.…
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Ambulance service controversy, recount results, and state budget wrangling — April 22, 2021
Claims of unprofessional behavior have been leveled against the Chetek Ambulance Service director, which the director refutes; A close vote on the Barron school referendum is put to a recount; And Legislators are gathering public input on the next state budget. Plus, much more of the latest local...
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City/Kwik Trip projects delayed, a shooting in Rusk County, and vaccine clinic open
This week’s stories: Progress is slowing on a new Barron Kwik Trip after the city re-evaluates its plans; A father allegedly shot his son in Rusk County last week; and a community vaccination clinic is coming to Rice Lake. Plus, The Chetek Alert gets a cold-blooded visitor and much more of the...
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Spring Election snafus, Rescue Plan funding, and a Remarkable Woman Award — April 8, 2021
Barron County is looking for ways to spend 8 million dollars in federal pandemic relief funds; Barron’s school referendum passes narrowly in the Spring Election; and a Barron County Sheriff’s Department detective receives a Remarkable honor. The News Bell is a production of Bell Press, Inc.…
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Spring Election, PPP loans and vaccine eligibility, March 31, 2021
School issues and some local races headline the ballot on April 6th; The deadline has been extended for the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program; and COVID-19 vaccine eligibility is opening up to everyone age 16 and over. And many more of this week's headlines. Episode #4. The News Bell is a...
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Barron biz expansions, rising lumber prices, fatal buggy crash charges, and a school board race — March 24, 2021
There are a number of new developments in the Barron business community; Lumber prices have gone through the roof; Charges have been filed in a fatal vehicle vs. buggy crash; And there’s a race for seats on the Chetek-Weyerhaeuser School Board. The News Bell is a production of Bell Press, Inc....
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Murder plea, unmasked juror and new Cameron businesses, March 17, 2021
Episode #2: A guilty plea is entered in a murder case that began with the discovery of bones in Barron County; A man responding to jury duty ends up with charges of his own for refusing to wear a mask; Chetek is getting a new wastewater treatment plant; And there have been a lot of recent changes...
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News Bell: Vaccination, referendum and conference realignment — March 10, 2021
A community vaccine clinic was held in Barron on March 5; Barron Area School District is talking about two funding referendums; And Bloomer is moving sports conferences next fall. Hosts Carl Cooley and Ryan Urban are local news journalists, and have been for several years now in Barron County....
About this show
A weekly podcast about the latest local news in Barron, Chetek and throughout northwestern Wisconsin.
Hosted by
Bell Press Inc.
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