Ranting & Raving

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Ranting & Raving

hottest local topics of discussion

Poll Questions in this Category

Best Employer

For the fourth year in a row, PESI has been named the area’s No. 1 employer. The professional development and continuing education business has been serving folks since 1979...

Best Local Business Advocate

For seven years in a row, PESI’s Mike Conner and Royal Credit Union’s Brandon Riechers have held this category’s No. 1 and No. 2 slots. Notably, both PESI and...

Best Networking Group or Event

For the fourth year in a row, Polka Dot Powerhouse has been voted the area’s No. 1 networking group! A global organization, the Eau Claire chapter is very active (it has...

Best Project in Progress or Completed in the Last Year

Some development projects seem to take forever (we’re looking at you, Eau Claire Transit Center), so we are often pleasantly surprised when they reach — or at least...

Best Shop Pet

When visiting a local business, there are few things more delightful than discovering a shop pet. First place winners...

Best Teacher / Professor

If children are the future, then public school teachers are the key to ensuring we’re in good hands. Social...

Best Thing

“Best Thing” is the most open-ended question in this poll, and over the years its winners have given a...

Best Use of Taxpayer Dollars Last Year

Chippewa Vallians demand their tax dollars support the things they believe in, and can agree that supporting our public...

Best Volunteer Opportunity

If you have a heart for helping others, then check out these amazing volunteer opportunities! Feed My People Food Bank...

Biggest Thing We Should Make Happen Soon

For the dreamers among us, these three should happen soon. Affordable Housing, with skyrocketing home values and even...

Favorite Local Celebrity

You know her, and you likely grew up watching her — a hip hip hooray for Judy Clark, the Chippewa Valley’s...

Favorite Local Nonprofit

Nonprofits weave a tapestry of support for their communities, providing threads of hope for people and animals alike...

Most Bizarre Local News Story

In the past year, Chippewa Vallians had their fair share of good and bad happenings in the news. The year 2025, much...

Most Disappointing Thing in the Past Year

It seems the greatest disappointment for voters across the Chippewa Valley falls on the shoulders of our local and...

Most Memorable Happening in the Past Year

The most memorable event of the past year was when the Cowboys willingly gave the Packers their best player, Micah...

Most Overrated Thing in or About the Valley in the Past Year

Locals who live along or the bustling streets of Barstow or Farwell are complaining about downtown Eau Claire parking...

Most Underrated Thing in or About the Valley in the Past Year

Coming in as the No. 1 most underrated thing of the past year are local artists. You know ‘em, you love ‘em...

Things the Chippewa Valley Has Been Bad At in the Past Year

Welp, on a bit of a bummer note, readers continue to say the Chippewa Valley has been pretty bad about creating...

Things the Chippewa Valley is Good At

When you live in the Chippewa Valley you don’t have to go far from home to find locally-grown, fresh produce;...

Your Favorite Local Elected Official

Chippewa County Sheriff Travis Hakes is well-liked by many of the county’s residents and always wears a smile. In...

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Ranting & Raving

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