Raymond T. Rivard, Adams Publishing Group LLC Journalist Profile

Articles

Sheriff Waak praises staff, provides first quarter drug stats

1 week ago | theameryfreepress.com | Raymond T. Rivard

Praising the dedication of his staff, Polk County Sheriff Brent Waak told members of the Public Safety/Public Works Committee, “I can tell you our staff gets out and goes after it.
Libraries push toward pre-COVID numbers

2 weeks ago | baldwin-bulletin.com | Raymond T. Rivard

Libraries are dying. The internet, online accessibility, and social media are killing them. kAmx? a_ J62CD[ ?@3@5J H:== 36 C625:?8 AC:?E65 >2E6C:2=D]k^Am kAm|2?J 92G6 6IAC6DD65 E92E D6?E:>6?E[ 2?5 H9:=6 :E’D ECF6 >2?J H2=< 2C@F?5 H:E9 E96:C 9625D :? E96:C A9@?6D 2?5 D@4:2= >65:2 4@?E:?F6D E@ :?7:=EC2E6 @FC 52:=J =:G6D[ E96 ?@E:@? E92E =:3C2C:6D 2C6 5J:?8 :D ?@E ECF6]k^AmkAmyFDE 2D< |@?:42 {2'@=5]k^AmkAm%96 uC:52J |6>@C:2= {:3C2CJ s:C64E@C :? }6H #:49>@?5[ 2 =6256C H:E9:?
Public hearing on Xcel solar energy system to be scheduled mid- to late-April

2 weeks ago | theameryfreepress.com | Raymond T. Rivard

St. Croix County in talks with utility in drafting JDAThe Ten Mile Creek Solar Project being proposed for construction in central St. Croix County, with approval from the Public Service Commission, will most likely be approved and built within the next couple of years. With that reality facing local municipalities and the county, negotiations on the drafting of a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) with Xcel Energy are under way.
Polk County slows hiring efforts for now

3 weeks ago | theameryfreepress.com | Raymond T. Rivard

Open positions will be filled as neededUnderstanding that there is a significant potential for losses in funding from state and federal sources, Polk County Administrator Emil “Moe” Norby announced at last week’s county board meeting that the county has paused all hiring efforts at this time to see how funding shakes out in the coming weeks and months.
Public hearing on Xcel solar energy system to be scheduled mid- to late-April

3 weeks ago | baldwin-bulletin.com | Raymond T. Rivard

The Ten Mile Creek Solar Project, which is being proposed for construction in central St. Croix County and approved by the Public Service Commission, will most likely be approved and built within the next couple of years. With that reality facing local municipalities and the county, negotiations on drafting a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) with Xcel Energy are underway. kA 4=2DDlQAbQmkDA2? 4=2DDlQDaQmx?
Five-year Polk County draft library plan approved by county board

3 weeks ago | theameryfreepress.com | Raymond T. Rivard

General Government will consider revisions at April meeting and send on to full county board for approvalThe Polk County Board of Supervisors has approved the 2025-29 Library Plan that looks similar to the past five-year plan, with the exception of some “cleanup” language, including the addition of two words – “whose location” - to the plan.
Amos, Smestad face off in General Election for county judge

3 weeks ago | baldwin-bulletin.com | Raymond T. Rivard

Two St. Croix County attorneys will be on the Tuesday, April 1, General Election ballot. The pair announced their intent to run for the St. Croix County Branch II seat, which longtime Circuit Court Judge Edward F. Vlack III has vacated. St. Croix County Corporation Counsel Heather Amos and St. Croix County Deputy District Attorney Brian Smestad survived the February primary election. kAm'=24<[ 2AA@:?E65 :? a__`[ 2??@F?465 :? a_ab 96 H@F=5 C6E:C6 H96? 9:D E6C> 6IA:C6D :?
Five-year Polk County draft library plan approved by county board

3 weeks ago | osceolasun.com | Raymond T. Rivard

General Government will consider revisions at April meeting and send on to full county board for approvalThe Polk County Board of Supervisors has approved the 2025-29 Library Plan that looks similar to the past five-year plan, with the exception of some “cleanup” language, including the addition of two words – “whose location” - to the plan.
St. Croix County Peer Support Specialists help in ways others can’t

1 month ago | baldwin-bulletin.com | Raymond T. Rivard

If not for ARPA, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Sophie Hansen, and Kyle VanBlaircom would not be making a difference in the lives of dozens of St. Croix County residents. That’s because the two certified peer specialists assigned to the county would never have had a chance without the funding.
Polk County continues to encourage immunizations

1 month ago | osceolasun.com | Raymond T. Rivard

Nearly 700 students across the county are not vaccinated, but have waivers to allow them to attend schoolBased on a projected scenario, if Polk County were to be hit by a measles outbreak at a school of 500 students, nearly 70 students could be automatically locked out of school and their parents or guardians could be barred from going to work, all while the uncertainty of controlling a disease that has been easily managed for decades comes into question.