Another member of Pepin County Extension is retiring. Ag Agent Mike Travis has announced he will retire from Extension this month. Travis has worked on many farmer-led groups including the farmers for health watershed group and is hoping to continue working with them as a volunteer. Travis' last day with extension will be Friday, December 16th.
The Durand-Arkansaw School District is in search of a new district auditor. During last month's school board meeting, members were informed that Bauman and Associates had decided to end during school district auditing and would only complete the audit for this year and then exit the business. The company was in the first year of a three-year contract with the district. The district is now working on finding a replacement auditing company.
Area law enforcement and fire departments are reminding residents to keep fire hydrants clear from ice and snow. Residents that have a fire hydrant on their property or near their home are encouraged to remove snow from a wide enough area, at least three feet around the fire hydrant. Residents are also encouraged to clear a path from the hydrant to the street for easy access in case there is a fire.
Wisconsin's largest farm group is supporting the sale of raw milk. During the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting, delegates approved a resolution supporting the sale of raw milk from farms that meet Grad A requirements and Raw Milk Institute Standards. Supports of the resolution say it would be a safe direct to consumers from farm marketing opportunities for farmers and that 26 other states including Minnesota have raw milk sales. Opponents were concerned about safety and standards and pointed to the 2014 incident where nearly 40 Durand High School Football Players and football staff were sickened from raw milk that was served during a team dinner contaminated with Campylobacter.
Most Wisconsin drivers are paying less than the national average for a gallon of gas. The national average pump price for a gallon of gas dropped 14 cents in the past week to $3.40 - 39 cents less than a month ago and 5 cents more than a year ago, according to AAA. Monday’s statewide average in Wisconsin was even lower, at just over $3 a gallon, but there’s a wide range in prices. Motorists in Ashland and Bayfield Counties are paying $3.41 a gallon. Here is Western Wisconsin, the average price is $2.95 to as low as 2.65.
The Minnesota Board of Pharmacy is suing THC edibles manufacturers and retailers for allegedly violating the state's cannabis laws. The agency announced its lawsuit against Northland Vapor Moorhead, Northland Vapor Bemidj, and Wonky Confections today. In court documents, the board accuses the three companies of selling edibles that have "50 times the allowable levels" of THC. The companies are also accused of selling edibles that are shaped like products marketed to children.
One of Madison's lawmakers is once again pushing for more state money for local governments. State Senator Melissa Agard used the Democrats' weekly radio address last week to push for more shared revenue. The state sends about a billion-dollars to local governments across the state, but it's been about a billion-dollars for years now. Agard, and many other Democrats, say local governments are struggling because they are not getting more support from the State Capitol. The Republicans who control the legislature say local governments can always raise local taxes if they need more.
With state government projecting a record budget surplus, local elected officials are hoping for an increase in shared revenues from the Republican-controlled legislature. Wausau Mayor says she remains "cautiously optimistic." Rosenberg says one of the issues both sides must work through is an understanding of how city budgets work. The state surplus is projected to hit $6.6 billion for 2022-23. Governor Tony Evers has said increasing shared revenue will be a key component of his proposed state budget.
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A church in Cambridge is turning guns into garden tools. The Oakland-Cambridge Presbyterian Church hosted a gun-buyback event over the weekend called Guns to Gardens. All the unwanted guns brought to the event are being dismantled and turned into garden tools by local blacksmiths. The pastor says the event is the church's response to mass shootings in the U.S., and "a way of turning our thoughts and prayers into action."
The Mall of America and the family of a boy who was seriously hurt when he was thrown from a third-floor balcony are reaching a settlement. Attorneys representing the youngster are confirming that a confidential deal has been reached this morning. The boy suffered several injuries after Emmanuel Aranda threw him off the balcony near the RainForest Cafe in April 2019. The suspect is serving 19 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to first-degree premeditated attempted murder.
Madison police are searching for a suspect, wielding a small axe. Early Sunday morning at a Motel 6 on the East Side, Madison police say a 54-year-old man was hit in the head by a suspect with a small axe. The suspect initially grabbed the man and demanded his wallet and then followed him to the motel where he attacked the guy. The victim was hospitalized but is expected to be ok. No arrests have been made.
Menomonee Falls state representative Janel Brandtjen says she’s running for the Wisconsin state senate. Brandtjen was voted out of the Assembly GOP caucus after Republicans in the chamber said they lost trust in her after she pushed election conspiracy theories. Brandtjen is one of three Republicans running to serve the final two years of the term of retired Senator Albert Darling. Brandtjen, who is chair of the Assembly elections committee, led calls to decertify former President Donald Trump's 2020 loss in Wisconsin. She has had her differences with Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and other party leaders.
AARP is reporting that few Minnesota seniors are taking advantage of driving classes that could reduce their insurance rates and improve their safety. AARP offers the Smart Driver classes weekly as a way to help ensure that seniors are safe on the roads. Minnesota has more than one-point-five million licensed drivers 55 and older, but only a quarter have taken a class. National Older Driver Safety Awareness Week begins today.
It's that time of year again in Minnesota. The Department of Transportation is bringing back its "Name a Snowplow" contest for a third year. Residents are invited to submit a name suggestion through December 16th, and eight winners will be announced in January. Past winners include The Big Leplowski, Edward Blizzardhands, Scoop Dogg, Control Salt Delete, and Ope, and Just Gonna Plow Right Past Ya.
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