Ashley Furniture Industries ranked 375 on Forbes recently released list of America’s Best Large Employers, which included 500 companies total.

Ashley Furniture Industries Inc. is headquartered in Arcadia, Wis.
Ashley, based in Arcadia and with facilities in Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin, is the world’s largest manufacturer of furniture.
Its designation of a best large employer was determined via an annual survey, conducted by Forbes and Statista, of over 50,000 American employees working for companies with over 1,000 employees nationwide. Awards were given to 500 each midsize and large employers.
“We are honored to be recognized once again as one of America’s Best Large Employers,” said Todd Wanek, president and CEO. “Ashley is a family company with multi-generational employees and leaders. As a company, we work together to continuously improve and strive to be the best furniture company, which would not be possible without all of our employees.”
Ashley, a family-owned company, has over 35,000 employees worldwide.
“We are committed to providing a best-in-class employee experience -- especially during the pandemic,” says Danna Szwed, executive vice president of human resources. “Our top priority is the health and safety of our team members, our customers and the communities in which we work and live. During this trying time, this recognition means even more to our organization as it comes directly from the great people who make our company great – our employees.”
Job opportunities at Ashley locations are viewable at http://jobs.ashleyfurniture.com/.
Igloo fun

Silvia Reich, 8, and her brother Eli, 10, head into their backyard igloo at their home in the Town of Shelby. The siblings built the igloo in January and have been playing in it ever since.
Igloo fun

Silvia Reich, 8, spends time in the igloo she and her brother, Eli, 10, built in the backyard of their home in the town of Shelby, by making a pile of snow and hallowing it out. “It’s always warmer in here than outside,” said Reich.
February 18: High school gymnastics

West Salem's Sydney Hammes
February 18: High school gymnastics

Westby's Eva Augenstein
Clearing the way

Workers with Midwest Roll-off of Onalaska remove chunks of trampled snow from a sidewalk on Adams Street Tuesday. The company is contracted by the city to remove snow from unshoveled sidewalks if they remain coved for too long after a storm.
February 16: Logan vs West Salem

West Salem's Sawyer Hougom, right, Logan's Nathaniel Powell
February 16: Logan vs West Salem

Logan's Keenan Hass, left, and Dario Mitjans, West Salem's Carson Koepnick
February 16: Logan vs West Salem

West Salem's CJ McConkey, right, Logan's Jack McHugh-Sake
February 16: Logan vs West Salem

West Salem's Jack Hehli, center, Logan's Nathaniel Powell, left, and Keenan Hass
Mayoral primary

Voters cast their ballots for the mayoral primary at the South Side Neighborhood Center.
Mayoral primary

Bob Treu submits his ballot Tuesday at the South Side Neighborhood Center.
February 15: WIARA Ski & Snowboard Championships

Aquinas-Onalaska-West Salem's Greta Griffith skis at the WIARA Ski & Snowboard Championships at Mt. La Crosse.
February 15: WIARA Ski & Snowboard Championships

Central-Logan's Julia Poelma
February 15: WIARA Ski & Snowboard Championships

Aquinas-Onalaska-West Salem's Caroline Kleven
February 15: WIARA Ski & Snowboard Championships

Aquinas-Onalaska-West Salem's Lizzy Wintheiser
WIARA Ski & Snowboard Championships

Skiers cover the hill during inspecion before the boys super-G g Sunday at the WIARA Ski & Snowboard Championships at Mt. La Crosse.
WIARA Ski & Snowboard Championships

Aquinas-Onalaska-West Salem's Elsa Benson skis Monday in the girls giant slalom at the WIARA Ski & Snowboard Championships at Mt. La Crosse. Benson was the top overall local girls finisher and took third place in girls slalom.
WIARA Ski & Snowboard Championships

Spectators surround the finishing coral
WIARA Ski & Snowboard Championships

Aquinas-Onalaska-West Salem's Charlie Ruprecht
WIARA Ski & Snowboard Championships

Central-Logan's Luke Stimac
Cashton middle school FFA members

Group photo of the Cashton middle school FFA members, from left to right:
Front: Ethan Hooker, Brady Wells, Jace Gierczak, Marshal Dunnum, Brianna Anderson, Avery McDaniel and Cameron Olson.
Middle: Brooke Brueggen, Isabel Korn, McKenna Hall, Alexa Kabat, Evelyn Weber, Jack Christenson, Landon Mlsna, Emery Klinkner and Darren Lusk.
Back: Drew Butzler, Sarah Schroeder, Marlee Schroeder, Rachel Boisen, Katie Leis, Max Christenson, Trent Gretebeck, Audrey Weber and Karsyn Brueggen.
West Salem FFA

A group photo (not including all members) of the West Salem FFA during the FFA National Convention in November of 2019.
Cashton high school FFA members

Group photo of the Cashton high school FFA members, from left to right:
Front: Zack Flick, Megan Culpitt, Paige Olson, Dylan Kaduc, Keona Mickelson, Bonita Hanley, Reba Flock, Stephanie Brueggen and Alyssa Carpenter.
Middle: Zach Hirschfield, James Hundt, Esden Schroeder, Emma Leis, Hailey Brownell, Darci Erickson, Emma Schlesner, Larissa Ripley and Advisor Kori Blank.
Back: Colin O'Neil, Henry Brueggen, Austin Culpitt, Jacob Huntzicker, Adelynn Hyatt, Annie Schreier and Izzi Mason.
De Soto FFA Members

2020-2021 De Soto FFA Members: Alex Scoville, Keith Kunert, Lilli Runice, Jenna Gianoli, Andrew Thompson, Josh Boardman, Bryce Grelle, Elissa Moser, Grace Morrison, Jed Curti, Harley Schams, Abrianna Miehe, Sophia Obert, Kenzy Kreuzer, Jordan Young, Tanner Pedretti, Haevyn Kuhnke, Madalen Jacobson, Jake Kurszewski, Matthew Kumlin, Cadence Thompson, Madison Kumlin, Amanda Moser, Evan Curti, Val Osthoff, Aiden Brosinski, Riley Tower, Ely Wa Kiluba, April Haakenson, McKenzie Moser, Desirae Steiber, Camryn Venner, Jimmy Dammon, Gracyn Beck, Jaden Perry, Evan Pedretti, Nevaeh Sanders, Chrysta Miller, Sonny Boardman, Addisyn Trussoni, Nathan Woodhouse, Jazmine Jones, Cecilia Vento, Makendra Hutson, Leyna Sonnenfeld, Chelsea Pedretti, Shawnna Haakenson, Lillian Zink, Mallorie Berra, Sascha Doll, Tyson Young, Hazel Skarlupka, Jackson Trussoni, Austin DeFlorian, Finn Wrobel, Bryce Schultz.
Layo Mendoza

Blair-Taylor High School senior Layo Mendoza has been nominated by the school for the Extra Effort award for his efforts to determine and accept his gender identity.
Leinenkugel's Brewery

Poll Workers

Poll workers at the Chippewa Falls Public Library were on the front lines of the democratic process Tuesday during the Spring Primary Superintendent of Public Instruction election.
Warriors Display at WSU

A display of the various accomplishments of the Winona State Warriors.
Island City Brewing Co.

Island City Brewing Co., pictured here in early February.
McDonell girls basketball at Northwood 2-18-21

McDonell's Marley Hughes shoots a 3-pointer against Northwood on Thursday evening in Minong.
McDonell girls basketball at Northwood 2-18-21

Sydney Flanagan (20)
McDonell girls basketball at Northwood 2-18-21

McDonell's Abigail Petranovich battles for a rebounds with Northwood's Emme Golembiewski on Feb. 18 in Minong.
McDonell girls basketball at Northwood 2-18-21

Anna Geissler (22)
Photos: Aquinas GBB vs Northwestern

Aquinas girls basketball coach Dave Donarski questions a call during Thursday's WIAA Division 3 sectional semifinal against Northwestern at the Reinhart Athletic Complex. The Blugolds beat the Tigers 63-38.
Photos: Aquinas GBB vs Northwestern

Aquinas senior Fiona O'Flaherty (12) goes up for a shot during Thursday's WIAA Division 3 sectional semifinal at the Reinhart Athletic Complex. The Blugolds defeated the Northwestern Tigers 63-38.
Photos: Aquinas GBB vs Northwestern

Aquinas junior Jacy Weisbrod (24) goes up for a 3-point shot over Northwestern's Gracie Altman (21) during Thursday night's WIAA Division 3 sectional semifinal at the Reinhart Athletic Complex.
Photos: Aquinas GBB vs Northwestern

Aquinas sophomore Macy Donarski (2) dribbles the basketball up the court as Northwestern's Brynn Erickson (5) defends during Thursday night's WIAA Division 3 sectional semifinal at the Reinhart Athletic Complex.
Photos: C-FC GBB vs Blair-Taylor

Blair-Taylor's Lindsay Steien (12) dribbles the basketball against Cochrane-Fountain City during Saturday's WIAA division 4 regional championship.
Photos: C-FC GBB vs Blair-Taylor

Blair-Taylor's fans cheer during Saturday's WIAA division 4 regional championship.
Photos: C-FC GBB vs Blair-Taylor

Blair-Taylor's Abby Thompson (3) dribbles the basketball against Cochrane-Fountain City during Saturday's WIAA division 4 regional championship.
Off to the Woods

ROTC cadets in the Northern Warfare Challenge take off from the parking lot at Grandad Bluff.
Grandad Bluff

ROTC cadets pose for a photo at sunrise.
Emily Pyrek can be reached at emily.pyrek@lee.net.