Governor Evers has signed a bill that would increase state aid to Wisconsin School Districts. The bill also increases the voucher amount for children attending a private school. Durand-Arkansaw Superintendent Greg Doverspike is concerned about how the funding is less for a public school student than for a private voucher school student. Doverspike has asked state assemblyman Warren Petryk and state senator Jeff Smith about the reasoning behind the funding differences between private and public school students but has not received an answer. In addition, the private school voucher funding would be funded first and the remaining state funding would then be split among the public school districts, which according to Doverspike means Durand-Arkansaw School District receives less aid and taxpayers are paying higher tax rates to make up the difference.
Prices are up for residential real estate in Western Wisconsin despite a significant drop in sales. Data from the Wisconsin Realtors Association shows the median price for a home in Western Wisconsin rose by nearly seven percent between May of 2022 and last month, from two-hundred-70-thousand to around two-hundred-80 thousand. The report also shows a sizeable decline in overall sales during that time period, down by more than 29 percent. Pepin County reported 2 home sales last month, Buffalo 4, Pierce 22, and Dunn 42 homes sold in May. Experts believe higher interest rates and a slowdown in new home construction are contributing to a smaller supply of available properties
Wisconsin 3rd District Congressman Derrick Van Orden Wednesday introduced the 'Warrior Call Day Resolution.' The bill encourages everyone, especially active-duty and retired service members, to contact and connect with veterans struggling with mental health issues. The bill would designate November 12th — the day after Veterans Day — as 'Warrior Call Day.' The goal of the proposed legislation is to raise awareness about the increasing number of veteran suicides. Van Orden will also serve as a co-chair on the military Mental Health Task Force. That organization works with experts to provide resources to military families.
Eau Claire Police are asking for the public's help in finding a runaway juvenile. Police say 14-year-old Coiya Olson was last seen on June 11th and last spoke with her family on June 14th. Police say they have exhausted all leads in finding the teenager. A photo of Olson is available on the Facebook page of the Eau Claire Police Department. Anyone with any information is asked to call Eau Claire Police.
A man is facing charges in connection with a shooting in Tomah earlier this week. Yesterday several charges were filed against 23-year-old Krimzen Perea, including first-degree attempted homicide. Police say early Monday morning, Perea followed a man to the nine-hundred block of East McCoy where he allegedly shot him. The victim then managed to fight Perea for the gun. He was able to get the gun and run to a Super 8 Hotel on Berry Avenue for help. The victim is recovering from the shooting.
A man who was convicted for crashing his vehicle into cars parked at a Rochester restaurant has been sentenced to two years probation. Early last month, Rochester police were called to the parking lot of Rooster's restaurant, where Nicholas Loomis had reportedly crashed into three cars before driving away. Officers were able to catch up with Loomis and pull him over, and he was arrested. His alcohol blood level was found to be over the legal limit. A DWI charge related to the case was dropped as part of Loomis's plea deal.
A Taylor Swift concert will overlap with Minneapolis Pride this weekend, making for a busy time in downtown Minneapolis. The events are expected to draw numerous people into the downtown area, and businesses are preparing for massive crowds. Eric Forsberg, owner of The Devil's Advocate restaurant is bringing in reserve workers to help handle the expected rush. Forsberg says the events are "exactly what Minneapolis has needed for a long time.".
Wisconsin's Republican lawmakers are proposing sizeable income tax cuts. Yesterday, the state budget committee introduced measures to reduce the income tax burden on residents by a total of three-and-a-half-billion dollars. The plan would shift tax brackets, going down from four brackets to three, with all seeing a rate reduction. GOP legislators are also holding their position on the University of Wisconsin System budget; planning to cut funding by 32 million dollars over UW leaders' intended investments in diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
A bill was passed in the state Assembly Wednesday that would streamline Wisconsin’s liquor industry. The proposal would create a new division within the state Department of Revenue to oversee and enforce the state's alcohol laws, affecting licensing, producing, selling, and distribution of beer, wine, and liquor in Wisconsin. The measure would also require wedding barns to get a permit that would allow them to host events six times a year or obtain a liquor license like banquet halls and taverns. State lawmakers like Oshkosh representative Michael Schraa believe wedding barns have been without regulations for too long. The bipartisan measure now goes to the Senate for final approval.
A man in prison for the death of a 10-month-old boy had his request for a reduced sentence turned down Wednesday. Freddy Colon is serving a 15-year sentence after being convicted of neglecting a child and causing death following a 2018 incident at an Oshkosh home. A state appeals court heard Colon’s appeal, arguing the sentencing judge was not aware of details from the plea hearing that Colon was convicted of failing to take action to prevent death, as opposed to actively causing the death. The court said those details did not constitute a new factor in the case that would lead to a lessening of the maximum sentence Colon received.
A small plane crashed in a Waunakee neighborhood Wednesday afternoon. Waunakee (WAH-nuh-key) Police said two people in the plane were taken to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries after the plane crashed into the back of a minivan, another car, and a sign. According to police, the single-engine craft had just left the city’s airport when it lost power and the pilot circled around to look for a safe place to land. No homes were hit or damaged. The minivan was unoccupied at the time of the crash. Police are investigating, as are the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board.
Construction has begun on the Amtrak station near Mitchell International Airport The Milwaukee Airport Rail Station or MARS Project is an improvement at the existing station located on the western edge of the airport property. It will add a west-side platform and pedestrian overpass connecting the existing station to the new platform. It’s one of the few Amtrak stations adjacent to an airport and is a station stop for Amtrak’s Hiawatha Service, which offers seven round trips per day between Chicago Union Station and the downtown Milwaukee Intermodal Station. Construction is scheduled to be completed by June 2025.
An Andover man is going to jail for four days after he was convicted for his part in a huge brawl at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport almost two years ago. Edward Triplett was sentenced in Hennepin County Court on one count of disorderly conduct and fifth-degree assault. Prosecutors say the defendant was involved in a fight at the airport during Thanksgiving weekend in 2021. Triplett was also ordered by the judge to serve 32 hours of community service and pay 378 dollars in fines and fees.
The remains of a World War 2 soldier from Jackson County have been identified and are headed back to Wisconsin. Clinton Koloski was killed in France back in 1945 and his remains weren't positively identified until last September. He'll have a full military burial in Beloit next Friday.
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