BANTA (Barron Area Nordic Trail Association)

03/27/2026

It's that time of year again. We need to pull in the lights. We are going to be doing it at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday morning to take advantage of the frozen ground. we should be able to do it in 1.5 hrs. Tyler

03/16/2026

Where was this snow on December 15????? With the forecast of 40 on Wednesday and 50 on Friday, there isn't any sense grooming what would have made an excellent base 3 months ago.
If we could just get a few thousand folks to fill chest freezers with snow from their yard today and deliver it to the trails next December, we could get a jump start on winter 26-27

03/15/2026

Interesting snow totals possible…

03/13/2026

After a Few Meager Years… March Has Returned as the Best Skiing Month !!

MAJOR STORM APPROACHING BARRON COUNTY

BARRON COUNTY currently faces significant uncertainty regarding projected snowfall totals. Forecast models from the National Weather Service indicate a wide range of potential accumulation—from approximately 8 inches to as much as 24 inches—with total snowfall amounts increasing as the storm gets closer.

At this time, the storm system expected to impact Barron County beginning Saturday night and continuing through Monday has been classified as a “Major Impact” winter event. This designation indicates a high likelihood of significant disruptions to normal daily activities. Travel conditions may become extremely hazardous or potentially impossible. Additionally, the storm's severity could lead to widespread service disruptions and infrastructure closures throughout the area.

From Saturday evening to Sunday evening, travel is not recommended and residents are strongly advised to avoid travel whenever possible.

Residents and visitors should closely monitor official updates and begin making preparations now for severe winter conditions.

Stay safe,

Mike Judy, Director
Office of Emergency Management
Barron County Sheriff's Department
[email protected]

03/08/2026

Rice Lake Girls’ 🏀 Back2BackTrips2State 🏀

03/05/2026

The Winter Olympics might have ended a few weeks ago, but the golds haven’t stopped rolling in for Team USA.

03/03/2026

This is the same mindset that I employed @ Birkie this year… but a different outcome… 😆!!

American cross-country skier Gus Schumacher writes of his experience at the Milan Cortina Olympics, winning a rare medal for the U.S. men.

02/25/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Barron County Expands Life-Saving Access Through Text-to-911

Barron County is excited to announce the launch of Text-to-911 service through the Barron County 911 Center—introducing a powerful new way for residents and visitors to reach emergency help when it matters most.

Originated in late 2022, the project represents an investment of approximately $70,000 in enhanced public safety infrastructure. The initiative was made possible through an 80% grant from the Wisconsin Division of Emergency Management, Office of Emergency Communications, with a 20% local match funded by Barron County. This state–local partnership underscores a shared commitment to modernizing emergency communications and strengthening community protection.

Text-to-911 enables individuals to send a text message directly to 911 when they cannot safely make a voice call. To use the service, simply text 911 with your emergency. A trained emergency dispatcher will respond by text, gather critical information, provide instructions, and deploy the appropriate emergency responders—just as they would during a traditional phone call.

This capability is critical in situations where speaking could increase danger or is not physically possible, including:
o Kidnapping or abduction situations
o Domestic violence incidents
o Home burglary or intruder scenarios
o Medical emergencies such as severe allergic reactions
o Any circumstance where silence is necessary for personal safety

It's important to remember that calling 911 remains the fastest and most preferred method to reach 911, when it is safe to do so. Text-to-911 provides a vital and life-saving alternative when voice communication is not an option. As always, we encourage people to - call if you can, text if you can't.

With the launch of Text-to-911, Barron County continues to elevate the level of safety, accessibility, and responsiveness available to the community. Investing in advanced emergency communication tools reflects the County’s ongoing commitment to supporting first responders and protecting every resident and visitor.

For additional information about Text-to-911 or other emergency services, please contact the Barron County 911 Center or visit the Barron County website.

Mike Judy, Director
Office of Emergency Management
Barron County Sheriff's Department
[email protected]

02/22/2026

❄️ WI and MN Contributed Significantly to the Winter Olympics, & That Makes Sense! ❄️