Michelle Drew with plaques

Drew bids farewell to News-Review after 7 years of service

After seven years with the Vilas County News-Review, editor Michelle Drew is embarking on a new journey. March 20 was her final day at the newspaper. Drew joined the News-Review as lifestyle editor in March 2017. She was promoted to assistant editor in 2019 and editor in December 2021.

A number of new faces will take the reins upon Drew’s departure, including new associate editors Jacob Heid and Josephine Hinderman.

Valders Journal publisher Brian Thomsen dies at 64

Brian Thomsen, 64, of Valders, died unexpectedly on Sunday, March 24, at Aurora BayCare Medical Center in Green Bay, surrounded by his family.

He grew up helping his grandparents, Fred and Marion Brockman, publishers of the Valders Journal, contributing as a reporter and photographer during high school and college. He assumed the role of editor soon after graduation and eventually became co-owner and publisher, succeeding his grandparents, who founded the newspaper in 1940. Thomsen served on the WNA Board of Directors from 2009 to 2017, serving as president in 2016. 

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Homeless Population Edges Back Up

In the years prior to the pandemic, Wisconsin’s reported homeless population shrank, following changes in programs to serve that population.

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What do to if you have been arrested in Wisconsin

Being arrested is one of the worst things that can happen to someone. It often results in criminal charges, loss of liberty, stress, and financial obligations, amongst many other negative ramifications.

Former Milwaukee journalist Alan Dunn dies at 75

Alan "Al" Craig Dunn, 75, of West Bend, died on March 1, at Froedtert Menomonee Falls Hospital.

Born on August 31, 1948, in Milwaukee to Lee and Sylvia Dunn (Malak), he graduated from Milwaukee Tech High School in 1966. He went on to serve in the United States Air Force and later earned a bachelor's degree from UW-Milwaukee. Dunn worked for the Milwaukee Sentinel as a reporter, and later for the West Bend Daily News.

Former Courier-Wedge editor Debra Claxton dies at 70

Former Wisconsin journalist Debra Claxton, 70, died on Sunday, February 18, in Greeley, Colorado.

Born April 22, 1953, to Robert and Barbara Willson in Manchester, Iowa, she graduated from high school in 1971 and attended Worthington State Junior College. She earned a bachelor's degree in mass communications in 1975 from Mankato State University, where she worked on the school newspaper The Reporter. She moved to Pepin, Wisconsin, in 1994 and began working for the Courier-Wedge in 1997 — first as a reporter and then the editor.

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