Area Halloween events for kids and teens

Friday, Oct. 23 Spooner - 3-6 p.m. - Boo HaHa at the Washburn County Fairgrounds. A fun, safe night of trick or treating from Lakeland Family Resources. Booths will be set up and decorated …

Students of the Week - October 21, 2026

Tucker, Mogel outline differences on schools, healthcare and rural priorities at Luck forum

(L to R): Keith Mogel and Duke Tucker participated in a debate, run by the students at Luck High School, on the evening of Monday, Oct. 19.

LUCK – Rural school funding, deteriorating roads and rising health insurance costs dominated a student-led candidate forum in Luck, where Republican state Rep. Duke Tucker and Democratic challenger …

More Local News

Osceola bridge closure set to begin next week

OSCEOLA – The State Hwy. 243 bridge over the St. Croix River will close next week, cutting off the crossing between Osceola and Minnesota’s Franconia Township until fall 2027. The Minnesota …

Polk County Bookings

Polk County Sheriff’s Department booked the following people the week of Oct. 12 to Oct. 19.

Burnett County Bookings, Circuit Court, and Warrants

Burnett County Sheriff’s Department bookings the week of Oct. 12; Burnett County Circuit Court criminal and traffic dispositions charges for the report date of Oct. 13; Burnett County Circuit Court warrants for the report date of Oct. 13.

Polk-Burnett’s Operation Round Up awards $18,845 to community programs

NORTHWEST WISCONSIN – Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative’s Operation Round Up awarded $18,845 to 16 local nonprofits in October to support local schools and parks, children and families, the arts …

(L to R): Karen, Jessica, Craig, and Teri Swanberg, along with Karina Brass, Gregg Brass, Kristen Swanberg, and Alan Swanberg, gather in front of the barn at the Swanberg Family Farm in Frederic, marking the occasion with a family portrait.

Polk County farm recognized as Century Farm

FREDERIC – The Swanberg Family Farm in West Sweden has been in the family since 1926 and was recognized this year as a Century Farm at a breakfast during the Wisconsin State Fair. Craig Swanberg, …

See more local news stories

Read our E-edition

Leader • October 21, 2026

View this issue

Browse other issues

Find Us on Facebook

Facebook

Eleven-player Football Roundup

The Grantsburg football team earned a fifth consecutive conference title as it enters the postseason.

GRANTSBURG – With yet another title, the Grantsburg football team is the team of the 20s. The Pirates capped their fifth consecutive Lakeland title season by defeating Ladysmith 42-0 on …

St. Croix Falls finished the Heart O’ North season with an undefeated conference record and the title.

Saints secure title

ST. CROIX FALLS – The St. Croix Falls volleyball team ended the regular season with a six-match win streak, a 9-0 mark in the Heart O’ North and the conference title. The Saints wrapped the …

The Webster volleyball team went undefeated in conference play and claimed the Lakeland West title.

Webster wins conference

WEBSTER – With an unblemished 7-0 record in the Lakeland West and a 30-3 overall record, the Webster volleyball team carries a conference title into the postseason. The Tigers capped the …

Area girls account for five of cross country top 10

WEBSTER – Area runners accounted for five top-10 spots in the Lakeland Conference finale for girls cross country on Oct. 13. Webster, Frederic/Luck and Grantsburg each had at least one top-10 …

Pirate runners top Lakeland finale

WEBSTER – By putting all five of its scored runners in the top 12, the Grantsburg boys cross country team claimed the crown in the Lakeland Conference finale Oct. 13. The Pirates had four …

Muller, Lindquist top 10 in HON Championship

CABLE – Ava Muller and Harper Lindquist each provided a top-10 finish for their given team in the Heart O’ North Championships for girls cross country Oct. 13. Muller finished fifth overall …

More sports news.

Trinity Lutheran holds annual Harvest Fest

FALUN – Trinity Lutheran Church held its annual fall Harvest Fest on Friday afternoon, Oct. 16, filling the church’s lower floor with a variety of fall treats, activities, games, and prize …

St. Croix Sculpture Club meets at WHAT Art School

ST. CROIX FALLS – WHAT Art School hosted their Tuesday night St. Croix Sculpture Club on Oct. 20 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The studio space was filled with laughter and soft music, and pungent with …

Party for a Lifetime holds Bucks & Bags Bingo fundraiser in Luck

LUCK – Party for a Lifetime held its Bucks & Bags Bingo fundraiser on Sunday, Oct. 18, at Bon Ton Bar and Grill in Luck. This was the first time a business in Luck hosted an event for the …

Lois Joy Hofmann

Lois Joy Hofmann—visionary business leader, intrepid world explorer, and beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend—passed away peacefully on Oct. 17, 2026, at …

Jon Clark

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our dad, Jon Clark, on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, at the age of 77. Jon was born on Jan. 11, 1949, in Amery, Wisconsin, to Stanley “Bud” …

Vinita Hazel Essen

Vinita Hazel Essen (Hawkins), age 86, of Osceola, Wisconsin, passed away Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, at her residence at Willow Ridge Healthcare in Amery, Wisconsin. Vinita was born on Sept. 21, …

David John Kromrey

David John Kromrey, age 85, of Balsam Lake, Wisconsin, passed away Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, at United Pioneer Home in Luck, Wisconsin. David “Dave” was born Dec. 27, 1940, in Osceola, …

Elizabeth “Betty” (Lundgren) Stavrou

Elizabeth “Betty” (Lundgren) Stavrou died on Oct. 3, 2026, at home surrounded by her family. Elizabeth was born Sept. 21, 1943, in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, to Oscar and Vera Lundgren, the …

See more obituaries