Local-Regional News July 24

 

Existing homes median price rose in Western Wisconsin in June. According to the Wisconsin Realtors Association, Pepin County had 7 homes sold in June, Buffalo County 19, Pierce County 33 and Dunn County had 50 homes sold. The Median Price of a home in Western Wisconsin rose 4.6% compared to June of 2025 to $340,000, compared to a 5.9% statewide increase.

Record number of kids are participating in this years Durand Youth Fishing Contest. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says that the event started 30 yrs ago organized by just two people.  The contest is now drawing kids from around Wisconsin and Minnesota and will wrap on on Sunday with an awards picnic at Memorial Park.

An Arcadia man - already out on bond in a 2021 child porn case - is facing new, but similar charges. Thirty-year-old Simon Rose was charged yesterday in Eau Claire County with 14 charges stemming from a child sex abuse material investigation. Authorities acting on a tip began investigating Rose earlier this year and say they found 13 videos and an image of child sexual abuse material on his Snapchat account. Rose had been banned under terms of his release from using the internet for anything but work-related purposes.

The City of Wabasha and the Wabasha Public Library have announced Liesl Knox as the new Library Director. Knox has worked as a librarian with the Wabasha Public Library for six years. Prior to that, she served on the Library Board. She possesses a Master’s of Arts in Human Resource Development from University of St. Thomas and a Bachelor’s degree in communications.

Sexual assault charges are being filed in La Crosse against a candidate for Wisconsin State Assembly. Independent Paul Weber is running in the 95th State Assembly District and is facing allegations that he sexually assaulted one woman back in May and two more in recent weeks. Weber is in custody on two counts of fourth degree sexual assault and a count of second degree sexual assault with an unconscious victim.

A group of Wisconsin voters -- with support by the Wisconsin Democratic Party -- is suing the state elections commission to let them vote again if their preferred candidate drops out of a race. The lawsuit was filed yesterday in Dane County Circuit Court. It asks a judge to force the state elections commission to rescind guidance that says Wisconsin voters cannot request a new ballot if their preferred candidate withdraws from a race. Elections Commission Chair Don Millis has said the panel has no plans to change its guidance it approved earlier this month.

A Rochester woman has been found guilty of disorderly conduct for spouting a racial slur at an autistic child. On Thursday, a jury convicted Shiloh Hendrix on one of two misdemeanor charges after deliberating for more than nine hours. The case stems from an April 2025 confrontation in which Hendrix used a racial slur against an eight-year-old Black autistic child. A judge fined her one-thousand dollars and ordered her to complete 200 hours of community service. Hendrix also received a stayed 90-day jail sentence.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services warns of an increase in invasive ticks that cause serious illnesses. D H S reports an increase in Lone Star ticks this year. The agency has a service where residents can send in ticks to get them identified and so far this year 33 Lone Star ticks have been submitted. There were only six in all of 2025. Lone Star ticks can carry a parasite that causes an allergy to red meat called alpha-gal syndrome. The Department of Natural Resources says Wisconsin winters are still too cold to allow Lone Star ticks to reproduce successfully here.

The US House on Wednesday passed legislation that puts constraints on members of Congress buying stocks. Some Democrats complained it doesn’t include the executive branch. Wisconsin 1st District Congressman Bryan Steil authored the Stop Insider Trading Act and told CNBC that’s a “Goldilocks argument,” and that it's important to tell the American people that members of Congress cannot be day trading stocks and remove even the appearance of impropriety. Thirteen Democrats joined all Republicans in voting for the bill. It would allow members of Congress, spouses and dependent children to hold onto stocks they already own but prevent them from buying new ones. It also requires a public notice be filed with the clerk of the House at least seven days before they sell an existing stock. It’s considered unlikely to pass the US Senate.

The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association is preparing for a leadership change. Communications Director Todd Clark is retiring after 26 years with the WIAA. Clark says one of the biggest challenges of his career was guiding the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic, including the loss of an entire sports season. Clark says the most rewarding part of the job was watching student-athletes learn life lessons through both success and failure and grow into productive adults. Clark officially retires in January. The WIAA has begun a search for his successor.

A Democratic candidate for governor admits having posted to a Twitter account that posted racist and homophobic messages. NBC News reported Wednesday that the account, made in 2010 to promote a social club, had posts that directly referenced Milwaukee County executive David Crowley. Crowley admitted to having posted to the account, but said multiple people had access to the account over the years and he did not make any of the bigoted posts. Quote: "I strongly condemn the language used in these posts from a decade and a half ago." Crowley re-entered the race for Governor last week and was endorsed by Governor Tony Evers.

Republican candidate for governor Mike Lindell is blaming Minnesota officials after registering to vote in the state on Monday. The Republican candidate for governor says he expected the driver's license process to register him automatically. State officials say automatic registration requires proof of citizenship or existing citizenship records. The Secretary of State's office says its voter-registration records were accurate. Records show Lindell registered on Monday after the Minnesota Star Tribune reported he was not registered.

Bipartisan lawmakers are introducing a bill aimed at providing clear regulatory framework for hemp and hemp-derived THC products. The Lawful Hemp Protection Act was introduced today by Minnesota Congresswoman Angie Craig and Kentucky Congressman Andy Barr. It would establish the first comprehensive federal regulatory framework for hemp products, and according to reports from The Hill, Barr's office said the legislation has the White House's approval. The framework will separate industrial hemp from consumable hemp products, and require finished products to undergo testing to ensure that the products comply with synthetic cannabinoid restrictions.

A popular resort was destroyed by a fire in Marquette County this week. The fire on Tuesday afternoon destroyed River's Bend Resort on the Fox River in Montello. Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke and flames pouring from the building, which had passed its inspection just hours earlier in the day. Fire spread through the ceiling and roof area, causing a partial collapse of the structure. No one was inside the building at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported. Firefighters are still investigating the cause.

Local-Regional News July 23

 

The Durand Police Department and Durand-Arkansaw School District have hired a new school resource officer. Durand Police Chief Stan Ridgeway announced that Kenny Schuh was hired as the new SRO at last night's council meeting. Ridgeway says that Schuh was a student teacher at Durand High School.  Schuh’s first day with the department is August 3, and he will be in attendance at National Night Out on August 4^th.

The Buffalo County Highway Department will be working on multiple projects next week. Crews will be paving Hwy I from Hwy D to Center Creek Road next Tuesday, and then paving Hwy AA from Hwy K to Swan Lane on Wednesday of next week. The paving is all dependent on the weather. The road work could cause travel delays and motorists should plan accordingly.

The Wisconsin Conservation Congress will be holding a listening session on environmental issues next Wednesday in Menomonie. The public will be able to share their thoughts on topics including clean water, energy and data centers, and other issues. The listening session will be on July 29 from 6-8pm at the Menomonie Market Food Co-Op.

Firefighters responded Wednesday morning to a blaze at the Menomonie Family Restaurant. The fire was contained to the restaurant's cooking hood ventilation system and no one was hurt. Menomonie Fire Chief Denny Klass later released a statement saying that the fire was 100 percent preventable, that the restaurant has been in violation of building and fire codes for the past several years and that the restaurant failed to follow repeated requests to become compliant.

Prison is being ordered for an Eleva man convicted in his tenth OWI case. Fifty-seven-year-old Shawn Sosinsky was hit with the charge earlier this year in Pierce County. He has now been sentenced to five years in prison, fined $4,861 and had his license revoked for three years.

A Red Wing man now has a jury trial date scheduled in the murder of a 40-year-old woman inside a home. 41Yr old Daryl Nixon is charged with 2^nd degree murder in the death of Andrea Broyld in November of 2024 after police found the body of Broyld in a Putnam Avenue home with multiple gunshot wounds after a standoff with Nixon. Nixon’s trial is set for September 28.

Chippewa County prosecutors say that Sheriff Travis Hakes does not meet the basic credibility standards necessary to continue in his office. District Attorney Wade Newell released a letter saying as much yesterday, signed by himself and all assistant D.A.s in his office. Sheriff Hakes was placed on Chippewa County's Brady list in 2023. That is a list of law enforcement officers whose history of integrity and other credibility concerns must be divulged to defense attorneys, according to standards set by the U.S. Supreme Court. Hakes -- who is running for re-election -- is calling the release of Newell's letter a last-minute political hit.

New income guidelines for free and reduced-price school meals in Wisconsin. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has updated income eligibility limits for free and reduced-price meals served through schools and day care programs. Under the new guidelines, a family of four earning $42,900 a year or less qualifies for free school meals. Families earning up to $61,500 may qualify for reduced-price meals. The changes took effect July 1st and run through June of next year. Applications are available through participating schools and childcare providers, and families can apply at any time during the year.

Prairie Farms announced it will be shutting down its creamery and cheese production facility in Shullsburg. The company sent letters to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Monday and said they're ending operations, leading to layoffs for all employees. The layoffs are permanent and impact both the White Hill Cheese location and Shullsburg Creamery. Some workers will remain on staff while they wind down operations. The date of when the remaining layoffs will take place is unknown.

Wisconsin is easing requirements for nursing instructors. To help address a growing nurse shortage in the state, Governor Tony Evers has approved an emergency rule allowing some registered nurses with bachelor's degrees to teach clinical nursing courses. Previously, instructors needed a master's degree in nursing. State officials say the change will expand the pool of qualified faculty and help train more nurses. Wisconsin hospitals reported nursing vacancy rates of up to 10% in 2023, and the state is projected to need nearly 14,000 additional nurses by 2045.

A fatal fall at Devil's Lake State Park. It happened early Tuesday afternoon along the Devil's Doorway Trail. Witnesses told emergency responders that the man fell about 75 feet before rolling down a hill an additional 75 feet and stopping near a rock field south of Devil’s Doorway. Authorities believe he ventured off the trail, which likely lead to his fall. The recovery took crews about three hours because of the trees, foliage and height of the cliff at the scene.

More people will be able to ride Amtrak’s Hiawatha line this fall. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports Amtrak will be re-adding passenger cars to the service starting this fall. The train lost multiple cars in 2025 when older cars had to be pulled for structural failures. The service is currently running at a capacity of 260 passengers, but will return around 390 passengers once the new cars are put into rotation.

A new Marquette Law School Poll offers insights into what voters think of Democrats running for governor. Poll Director Charles Franklin offered a caveat to results – the poll finished interviews with 430 Democratic primary voters last Wednesday, before Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez dropped out and before Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley re-entered the race. The results, Madison state Representative Francesca Hong polled at 26%, former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes at 15%, Rodriguez at 11%, former Department of Administration Secretary Joel Brennan at 2% and Madison state Senator Kelda Roys at 1%. The poll had a 6.1% margin of error with 45% of those Democrats polled still undecided.

Federal officials are withholding nearly 200-million dollars in Medicaid funding from Minnesota. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Junior says the pause follows a review of claims in 14 high-risk programs. He says Minnesota must provide documents showing the services were legitimate before the money is released. State DHS officials say the federal government has not explained how it calculated the amount. Governor Tim Walz says the action will hurt vulnerable Minnesotans who depend on Medicaid services.

Republican frontrunners in the Minnesota primary election are pulling away while DFL races are getting tighter. A new KSTP/SurveyUSA poll shows Mike Lindell and Michele Tafoya are increasing their leads in their GOP primary races for Minnesota governor and U.S. Senate. Meanwhile, in the DFL Senate primary race between Angie Craig and Peggy Flanagan is too close to call. Meanwhile, in the race for Minnesota Attorney General incumbent Keith Ellison still leads GOP-endorsed Ron Schutz, but his lead is shrinking.

Local-Regional News July 22

 

Charges are being filed against a Minnesota man accused of killing his girlfriend's service dog. According to the report, on July 10th, 21-year-old Quintin Ehlo called the woman to Aghaming Park in Buffalo County saying that the dog -- a German shepherd named Tru -- had died of heat stroke. It was later discovered that the dog had died of blunt-force trauma. Charges against Ehlo include mistreatment of animals causing death.

The Durand City Council is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include approval of the picnic license and open container application for Blues on the Chippewa, reports from the Mayor and Department head and the council will go into closed session to conduct the annual review of the city administrator. Tonights meeting begins at 6pm at Durand City Hall.

The Durand-Arkansaw School District has received a $40,000 pledge to support the new Panther Cub Academy Learning Center from Security Financial Bank. The money will be given out over the next three years to support the learning center. The center is expected to provide early learning opportunities for children and help address the growing shortage of childcare and early learning options in the area.

Family members of students involved in Dunn-St. Croix Conference Sports will now have a new platform for athletic activities. The conference has announced that it will be using the website Bound as the platform. Family members will be able to create a family account on the website. Those that have questions are encouraged to contact their schools activities and athletic directors.

The Dunn County Fair gets underway today. The fair gates open after 3pm today. The fair has a new midway with Badgerland Midways this year. Entertainment on the free stage includes Khris Kroeze on Thursday. There will be races at the Red Cedar Speedway Friday night and the demolition derby is Saturday night. The fair runs through Sunday at the Fairgrounds in Menomonie.

Officials are sharing the name of a man who died last weekend in the Chippewa River. Eau Claire Police responded at around 2:30 a.m. Saturday to reports of a fight on a Galloway Street sidewalk. A man who had fled the scene was later found standing in the river, but -- rather than comply with officers calls for him to come back to shore -- the man -- now identified as 29-year-old Joshua Watson -- went further out into the water. Watson began to struggle in the river and his body was later recovered.

A man charged in connection with a deadly 2024 UTV crash in Monroe County is pleading no contest. Twenty-three-year-old Danielle Fields was a passenger on a UTV that crashed on St. Patrick's Day of that year in the Township of Wells. She died at the scene. The UTV's operator -- Keegan Savor -- has now pleaded no contest to charges of reckless homicide and OWI and been sentenced to 12 months in jail.

Wisconsin's Democratic Party is asking the state elections commission to let primary voters change their ballots if a candidate drops out of the race. Earlier this month, the elections commission approved new guidance that said absentee voters who already mailed in their ballots would not be able to change it. The guidance came days after Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez withdrew from the contest and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley re-entered the race. But Elections Commission Chair Don Millis says the panel has no plans to change its guidance.

The UW System expects to send a record number of Direct Admit offers to Wisconsin high school seniors this fall. The Universities of Wisconsin plans to offer automatic admission to about 40,000 students entering their senior year this August. That's nearly 6,500 more than last year through the Direct Admit Wisconsin program. The initiative, launched in 2024, allows eligible students to be admitted to up to 10 UW campuses without completing a traditional application. Participation has also grown, with 510 high schools taking part this year, up from 467 last year.

Las Vegas-based Allegiant Airlines plans to cut hundreds of Sun Country flights at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. The move is expected at MSP in September. Airline executives say the cuts are taking place due to a pilot staffing shortage.

A plane on its way to E A A AirVenture crashes. The single engine plane on its way to Oshkosh from Colorado crashed in a marsh in Montello Sunday afternoon. The pilot reported mechanical problems and managed to land safely with no injuries. The crash is under investigation.

It's official: Tony Evers is endorsing in the race to succeed him. Governor Evers on Saturday announced he’s backing Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley in the August Democratic primary. This comes after current Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez dropped out of the race amid campaign finance irregularities. Crowley re-entered the race over the weekend and accepted the endorsement at an event in De Pere.

A trifecta of bad behavior behind the wheel. Oregon police pulled the 25-year-old Fitchburg man over just before 8:30 Sunday morning after clocking him at 127 miles per hour in a a 70 mile per hour zone, so nearly 60 miles over the limit. In addition to extreme speeding, police saw him toss a beer can from the vehicle prior to pulling over so he was arrested for an OWI. And he was operating without a license, his third such offense in 3 years.

Rochester is getting more playground equipment without increasing its 300-thousand-dollar budget. On Monday, the City Council approved a 290-thousand-dollar state-supported contract which should save about 25-thousand dollars. The playground will include slides, swings, climbing equipment and accessible rubber surfaces. The 97-hundred-square-foot playground is part of the new 65-million-dollar Rochester Sports and Recreation Complex.

A Minneapolis man is accused of trying to run over a couple at a campground in Washington County. Michael Fritz has been charged with two counts of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon and one count of fleeing a peace officer. The incident happened July 14 at the St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park. The couple that was allegedly targeted were not hurt.

As families start preparing for the new school year, UW Health experts say now is the time to help children get back into a healthy sleep routine. Dr. Casey Freymiller recommends gradually moving bedtimes earlier, about 15 minutes at a time, rather than making a sudden change. She says lack of sleep can lead to grumpiness, emotional outbursts, and difficulty learning. Freymiller also urges families to limit screen time before bed, noting that light from phones, tablets, and TVs can make it harder to fall asleep and stay on a consistent schedule.

Local-Regional News July 21

A motorcyclist is seriously injured after a crash in Buffalo County. The accident happened around 3 p.m. Saturday when the 55-year-old driver lost control while approaching the intersection of Canada Ridge Road. They left the roadway and traveled over a small embankment. The victim sustained life-threatening injuries and was taken to a local area hospital. A preliminary investigation shows that speed and unfamiliarity with the roadway may have been contributing factors in the crash.

Funeral Services today for the Wabasha Firefighters killed on Lake Pepin in a boating accident. Due to the services today, Pembroke Ave and 3^rd Street East will be closed today. Because of limited parking shuttle buses will pick up and drop off people between 9:45 and 1:30 today at the old athletic field across from Wabasha Fresh Market.

The Menomonie City Council has approved a lawn watering ban. The Council approved the ban after the water department reported low water pressure in the system and having to issue a boil water advisory last week. The ban prohibits lawn irrigation with a few exemptions, such as drip irrigation, using watering cans, and newly installed lawns like sod. The ban applies to those that have municipal water sources and will remain in effect until August 18.

A candidate in Minnesota's First Congressional District is postponing today’s town hall meeting in Wabasha County. DFL hopeful Jake Johnson says the town will be engaged in funeral services for the three people who died in a boat crash on Lake Pepin. He released a statement expressing condolences to those who lost loved ones. Johnson added that he will be providing information about the new date and time for the town hall session once has more details.

A Mondovi man has been sentenced to two years probation in a child sexual assault case in Eau Claire County. Austin McGee was charged last year with second degree sexual assault of a child , child enticement and fourth degree sexual assault. On Monday McGee reached a settlement with prosecutors on two modified counts of fourth degree sexual assault and given the probation sentence.

Federal officials will be in Buffalo County next week for disaster assistance. The Federal Emergency Management Agency and Small Business Administration will set up shop at the Buffalo County Courthouse in Alma for in-person help with filing claims following recent severe storms and flooding. The assistance will be available next Monday and Tuesday from 9am-4pm. Officials said residents should file claims with their insurance provider before coming to the courthouse.

Jurors in Sawyer County have come back with a verdict in the trial of a man accused of killing a woman inside her Stone Lake home. Forty-two-year-old Cary Elkin had been shot multiple times with her body discovered by her estranged husband and a friend in April of 2021. Elkin's boyfriend -- Manly McDermott -- has now been found guilty of first-degree intentional homicide. He will be sentenced at a later date.

Officials are sharing the name of a young horse and buggy operator who died after a recent collision. The accident happened this past Friday in the Town of York. The Clark County Sheriff's Office says it appears the operator failed to stop at a stop sign and entered an intersection where the buggy was hit by a pickup truck. The buggy's operator -- 18-year-old Eli Miller -- suffered fatal injuries. No one else was hurt.

A warning about a sophisticated new workers compensation scam. Fraudsters are posing as workers’ compensation agencies and luring their victims into fake online hearings through platforms like Zoom, Teams, and WhatsApp. According to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, the scheme has primarily targeted Spanish-speaking workers, with victims told they've been awarded money but must pay fees to receive it. Legitimate workers compensation hearings are scheduled only through official mailed notices, and all Wisconsin workers’ compensation attorneys must be licensed in the state. Anyone receiving suspicious communications should contact DWD.

Construction begins Monday on a resurfacing project along U.S. 63 in Barron County. The work will stretch from U.S. 8 in Turtle Lake to WIS 48 in Cumberland and includes resurfacing, culvert improvements, guardrail replacement, shoulder rumble strips, and high-friction pavement treatment. U.S. 63 will remain open during construction, but motorists should expect single-lane closures controlled by flaggers and side-road closures. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation expects the project to be completed by mid-November.

A program easing Wisconsin State Park passes purchases is deemed a success. The program lets drivers renewing vehicle registration also sign up for a parks pass. The Department of Transportation says over 23-thousand drivers have already purchased their passes since the program started last month, saving residents time and reducing mailing costs since the vehicle stickers and passes come in the same envelope.

A former manager at the Plover Pizza Hut will serve prison time for sexually assaulting a young employee. Thirty-year-old Kyle Elkins will serve seven years in prison and five years on extended supervision after pleading no contest to a pair of felony counts. He forced himself onto the victim early 2025, in one case pulling a gun and threatening to fire the 17-year-old if she didn't engage. His sentence includes treatment and a stay on the state's sex offender registry.

An iconic WW II submarine is drydocked in Sturgeon Bay. Last week, USS Silversides was towed from her berth at the Great Lakes Naval Memorial and Museum in Muskegon, Michigan to Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay, making the voyage across Lake Michigan in about 20 hours. Comprehensive preservation work on the 80-year-old sub includes hull cleaning, structural inspections and application of advanced protective coatings. This $3.5 million project is the first time the Silversides has been in dry dock in more than 50 years, according to the museum where Silversides has been the centerpiece since 1987. The sub was commissioned just 8 days after the 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and made 14 war patrols in the Pacific.

There's been another ruling against Trump administration funding cuts to states. A federal judge in Boston Friday ruled the Trump administration cannot use a long-overlooked clause in a law to cut grant funds that support programs for law enforcement, environmental protection, food assistance and more. The lawsuit was filed by a coalition of 23 states including Minnesota. The judge ruled that the line used to justify the cuts - that cuts are allowed if a grant "no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities" - does not apply and cannot be used.

President Trump's selection for governor of Minnesota Mike Lindell is not registered to vote. The Minnesota Secretary of State's officer says the owner of MyPillow is not on the state's voter records. The Star Tribune reports that Lindell has an active voter registration in Texas. He does not need to be registered to vote in Minnesota to run for office. Lindell is under scrutiny because his campaign is calling for strict scrutiny of voter rolls and election integrity. The Republican hopeful is running in the August 11th primary against House Speaker Lisa Demuth and retired health executive Kendall Qualls, who won the GOP endorsement in May.

More than 80 new food and beverage items are making their debut at this year's Wisconsin State Fair. Fair Communications Manager Tim McCormick says vendors are once again pushing the envelope with creative offerings, including the Al Pastor Pizza, Bayou Crunch Cup and Sweet Lemonberry Cheese Curds. The fair is also celebrating its 175th anniversary with a special Fair-aschino Cherry Cream Puff, featuring nostalgic flavors of grenadine, ginger ale and maraschino cherries. The Wisconsin State Fair runs August 6th through the 16th. 

Local-Regional News July 20

 

Motorists traveling on Hwy 10-25 just west of Durand are advised to use extra caution in the construction zone just west of the city. Crews are installing a new roundabout at the intersection of Hwy 10 and 25. Due to the construction, lanes are narrowed and have been shifted at the intersection and speed limits are lowered to 45mph. That project is expected to be completed by this fall.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is issuing a public health alert for Beef Grillers raw beef patties produced by Gunderson Food Service in Mondovi. This alert is due to product being misbranded and containing an undeclared allergen.  The product contains milk, a known food allergen which was not declared on the product’s label. The product was sold frozen at Gunderson Food Service’s establishment in Mondovi on or before July 16, 2026. No illnesses have been reported as a result of consuming this product.

The City of Menomonie has lifted all the boil water orders for the city. The City announced that the city’s three water towers are approximately 80% full, and the city expects all three towers to completely refill overnight. Water pressures throughout the city are now within normal operating range. As a precaution, city crews remain on the lookout for possible leaks across the city’s 100 miles of underground water pipes. If residents see flowing water in an odd location, they are asked to contact the city.

The City of Mondovi will be closing North Washington Street to through traffic from Oak Street to Mirror Lake Drive today. The City is doing some road work to North Washington and will need to close the street. Motorists will need to use an alternate route while the work is being completed.

Dunn County Emergency Management is inviting comments and input from residents, businesses, area organizations, and communities regarding the draft Dunn County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan, 2026-2031 and any needed projects to reduce or eliminate hazard risks to residents and property. The public is invited to provide comment as the draft plan is finalized. Comments can be submitted online by July 25. Contact Dunn County Emergency Management for more information or for a copy of the plan.

Authorities say a man fleeing police died early Saturday morning in the Chippewa River. Eau Claire Police responded at around 2:30 a.m. to reports of a fight on a Galloway Street sidewalk. A man who had fled the scene was later found standing in the river, but -- rather than comply with officers calls for him to come back to shore -- the man went further out into the water. The man began to struggle in the river and his body was later recovered.

The Eau Claire City-County Health Department is providing a local update on Cyclospora. Cyclospora is single-celled parasite that infects the small intestine, causing an intestinal illness whose symptoms include explosive diarrhea. The CDC and the FDA are investigating several outbreaks of Cyclosporiasis linked this summer to fresh produce. Local health officials report that they typically identify a couple of cases each year and have seen no increase in cases so far in 2026.

Record numbers for the 30^th annual Durand Youth Fishing Contest. Organizers have announced that 530 youth have been registered for this years contest. The opening kickoff for the contest will be tonight from 5-7pm at Arkansaw Creek Park. The contest will be from Wednesday through Saturday with the picnic and awards ceremony on Sunday afternoon at Memorial Park in Durand.

A plea to keep kids safe on offroad vehicles. While all fatal crashes this year have involved adult operators, youth ATV and UTV participation is on the rise. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is urging families to put safety first. Riders 12 and older born on or after January first, 1988, must complete a state-approved safety course and carry proof of certification. Training is only part of the equation -- parental supervision and proper safety gear are essential. State law requires riders under 18 wear helmets, and all UTV occupants must buckle up. Adult guidance can make the difference between preventing a crash and a tragedy.

Infrastructure work is in full swing at the Wisconsin Capitol this summer. Visitors will find four of the Capitol’s eight entrances, including that on State Street closed, as crews work to replace the decorative concrete surrounding the Capitol. According to the Wisconsin Department of Administration, that concrete has reached the end of its service life, and this work will restore the Capitol’s exterior appearance and support long-term performance along with making significant storm drainage improvements. The project began in May with completion expected in November.

Democratic candidate Sara Rodriguez has dropped out of the race for Wisconsin governor. Rodriguez posted the announcement on social media Friday morning. This news comes after she fired her campaign manager earlier this week after donations were apparently double-counted, and her campaign having "hundreds of thousands of dollars" less than she thought. She discovered the problem when TV stations didn't run her ads due to not being paid. The primary takes place on August 11th.

The presumed Republican nominee for Wisconsin governor has outraised all Democrats combined. But analysis of the most recent campaign finance reports shows just three conservative billionaire donors account for the bulk of the $8.7 million 7th District Congressman Tom Tiffany raised from January 1 through June 30. The Republican Party of Wisconsin received $4 million from Uline shipping supply company owners Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein and $2.5 million from ABC Supply CEO Diane Hendricks which went to Tiffany. Among Democrats, former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes reported raising $841,358 during the period, followed closely by Madison state Representative Francesca Hong’s $708,883, former head of the state Department of Administration Joel Brennan raising $665,627 and Madison state Senator Kelda Roys raising $527,431.

Governor Tony Evers is steering the state fleet toward electric and hybrid vehicles. The Democratic governor says a new Clean Fleet Policy requires state agencies to select alternative-fuel vehicles, including electric and plug-in hybrids, for new fleet purchases unless an exemption is approved. The state operates more than 6,000 vehicles, with only about 14% currently using alternative fuels. The Evers Administration says the policy will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and save taxpayers money over the long term through lower vehicle operating costs.

A former UW Madison researcher accused of trying to poison a co worker has been bound over for trial. 42-year-old Makoto Kuroda is accused of putting lab chemicals into the water bottle and shoes of a colleague this spring. The colleague took a drink from the bottle, noticed it had a bad taste and then spit it out. During a preliminary hearing Thursday, a police officer testified that Kuroda admitted he put chemicals in the water. He was apparently upset that his colleague who had been a friend got a promotion. Kuroda was initially placed on leave from his job at the university's Influenza Research Institute on Madison's West Side. He later resigned.

Minnesota employers added more than 13-thousand jobs in June, marking a third straight month of growth. Education and health services led the increase with 78-hundred new jobs. However, the state's labor force participation rate fell for a seventh straight month as retirements and a shrinking immigrant workforce reduced the number of available workers. Minnesota's unemployment rate remained at four-point-four-percent, which is just above the national rate of four-point-two-percent.

Spent artillery shells are among items seized from a foreclosed home. Kaukauna Police Officers responded to the residence twice this week due to an ongoing dispute between the new owners and a man who was evicted. The new owners told officers that they found gun safes and those artillery shells inside the home. The shells were used and inert, but the previous owner is a convicted felon not allowed to possess the firearms found in the safes. The shells have been turned over to the National Guard for dismantling.

Local-Regional News July 17

 

The City of Durand has announced that there will be free admission to the Tarrant Park Pool starting next week. Because of a donation from Advent Health, starting on Monday, between Noon-5pm and 6-8pm the first 1000 people visiting the pool will receive free admission. Free admission is only for open swim daily. It does not apply to the morning swim times.

The Buffalo County Fair in Affiliation with Pepin County is looking for volunteers for the Saturday Night Track Events. Admission takers for the Demolition Derby along with track event assistants are needed. To volunteer contact the Buffalo County Fair via their facebook page or call 608-863-0381.

The Durand Youth Fishing Contest is in need of volunteers for the community picnic on July 26^th. Volunteers are needed for the registration tables, selling 50-50 raffle tickets along with event set up and tear down. To volunteer, contact the Durand Youth Fishing Contest via their facebook page.

A Mondovi Student is headed to the National High School Finals Rodeo in Lincoln Nebraska. Tysen Poeschel earned a position for team roping and tie down after taking the Reserve Champion Tie Down Roper, and 3^rd place in Team Roping in Wisconsin. The finals are July 19-25 and will be video streamed at the cowboy channel dot com.

No charges will be filed after a deadly deputy shooting in Eau Claire County in May. The Eau Claire County District Attorney's Office has determined that Deputy Joseph Wollum acted in reasonable self-defense. The deputy shot and killed Kelly Whalen after a May 4th traffic crash in the Town of Union. Authorities say Whalen was armed with a knife at the time of the incident.

The City of Eau Claire is updating residents on the city's water usage during this period of hot and dry weather. Officials are reassuring residents that the city's water system continues to meet current demand. The recent stretch of hot weather has significantly increased water use across the area. During this period, the city's Water Treatment Plant has been pumping between 13 and 15 million gallons of water per day, which is around twice the average daily demand. The increase is driven almost entirely by outdoor lawn watering.

The Winona County Sheriff’s Office says a man has been found dead after going missing in Airport Lake Thursday night. The 22yr old man was found after a 40 minute search by authorities. Life saving measures were performed but were unsuccessful. The name of the victim is being withheld and the Winona County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the incident.

The School District of Bloomer is pursuing a capital referendum in November. The school board officially approved the referendum language during its meeting on Wednesday. If approved, the referendum would provide the district with 77-million-dollars to address long-term facility needs. That includes the construction of a new high school with a community performing arts center, maintenance and safety improvements at Bloomer Middle and Elementary Schools and district-wide site, fixture and furnishing upgrades.

A Minnesota woman is heading to trial next week after being accused of using racial slurs against a child. In April 2025, Shiloh Hendrix was seen on video using racist slurs against a Black autistic child at a playground in Rochester. Hendrix has pleaded not guilty to two misdemeanor disorderly conduct charges. Her attorney argues the remarks were protected by the First Amendment, while prosecutors say they amounted to unprotected fighting words. Community leaders say the trial is an opportunity for accountability following several racist incidents in Rochester.

UW Health experts are urging parents to learn more about e-bikes and e-scooters before their kids ride them. Injury prevention specialists say young riders should know traffic laws, wear properly fitted helmets and other safety gear, and use devices that match their size and ability. The warning comes as e-bike crashes involving motor vehicles in Wisconsin have jumped nearly 200 percent since 2022. Doctors call the rise in serious youth injuries a growing crisis and say parents need to be proactive about safety.

Wausau is the latest community to try to get out in front on data centers as alders unanimously approve creating data center specific language in the zoning code. Assistant City Planner Carrie Edmondson says input and lived experience from across the state went into the ordinance. Alders call the language a starting point which could require revisions based on what happens in other communities. The ordinance passed 11-0. In addition to obtaining a conditional use permit It limits data center development to medium or heavy industrial zoning areas and requires any potential data center to be at least 200 feet from residential areas. The city is not fielding proposals for a data center at this time and has not been contacted by a potential developer.

Money from a Wisconsin man who faked his own death is now helping find missing people. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says restitution paid by Ryan Borgwardt is already being put to use. Borgwardt, the Green Lake kayaker who staged his own death and fled the country last year, was ordered to repay the agency for hundreds of hours spent searching for him. The DNR used about $9,000 from that restitution to buy new sonar equipment for underwater searches. Its already been used on four missions and helped locate two missing people. The agency says the technology improves search efforts while reducing risks for public safety divers.

A former Milwaukee police officer who misused the city's Flock Safety cameras will spend 13 months on probation. Josue Ayala pleaded guilty to misconduct in office in June as part of a plea deal. Ayala accessed the city's camera data more than 120 times last year in order to spy on a dating partner and that person's ex. At the time Ayala listed the reasons for access as simply "investigation". This incident and others like it were the impetus for a number of Wisconsin communities dropping their Flock contracts over privacy issues.

Two people die in separate crashes in southern Wisconsin Wednesday. A 13-year-old Amish girl from La Valle died after a truck pulling a trailer rear ended her horse and buggy in Sauk County Wednesday morning. Investigators say an 81 year old Viola man was driving the truck and stayed at the scene and has been cooperating with police. The buggy was equipped with lights and a slow-moving vehicle placard and the girl was also wearing a high-visibility reflective vest. The investigation continues. In Rock County, an ATV operator was killed after they were ejected onto the road and then run over by a truck, also pulling a trailer, Wednesday night. Authorities say the accident remains under investigation but at this time, it doesn't appear any criminal charges will be filed.

The Grandparents Happy Hour bill is now law in Minnesota. Governor Tim Walz signed the legislation this week in Champlin. The measure allows assisted living home and facilities to serve alcoholic beverages to their residents without a retail license. The law is a part of the 2026 omnibus liquor bill that corrects a minor oversight that often kept senior living facilities from offering residents drinks.

Local-Regional News July 16

A boil order is in place in the City of Menomonie. The city issued a Precautionary Boil Water Advisory following a significant loss of pressure within portions of the municipal water system. The loss of pressure was due to high water demand. Residents are advised to boil water used for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, preparing food, making ice and infant formula until further notice.

Wildfire smoke from fires in southern Ontario, Canada and northeast Minnesota has moved into Wisconsin. The Wisconsin DNR has issued an Air Quality Advisory for the entire WRDN listening area due to the unhealthy air quality conditions. Wildfire smoke is said to affect anyone, but people who may notice symptoms sooner include older adults, young children, people who are pregnant, outdoor workers and individuals with heart or lung conditions.

A former Eau Claire North High School teacher accused of sexually assaulting a child is facing more child sex crime charges. Nadia Horn was first charged in March over allegations involving two victims. She now faces new charges after prosecutors say a third victim was identified during a search of her phone. The person was freshman at North High School at the time.

An Eau Claire man is pleading guilty in a child sexual assault case last year. Court records say James Barbey entered a guilty plea to multiple charges, including second-degree sexual assault of a child. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 21st.

One person is dead after a vehicle rear-ended a stopped dump truck in Utica Township on Monday. According to the Winona County Sheriff’s Department, 43yr old Zackary Ford of Winona was traveling on County Road 29 when he rear ended the stopped dump truck that was waiting at a flagman in a construction zone. Ford was unresponsive when first responders arrived and died at the scene.

Tomorrow is the final day to register for the 30^th Annual Durand Youth Fishing Contest. There are three different age categories and 9 different fish categories and fishing will be allowed in all publicly accessible waterways withing 25 miles of Durand City Hall. Youth can register at Ryans Sports Shop or through the Durand Youth Fishing Contest Facebook Page. All participants must be registered by tomorrow. The Contest will be held next Wednesday through Saturday.

Authorities are identifying three family members found dead earlier this month in Rusk County. Deputies were responding to a welfare check on July 9th at a home on Poplar Road in the Township of Hawkins when they located Rocky Griffith and Lona Kelley dead from gunshot wounds. Their son, Chad Griffith, was also found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Investigators believe Chad killed his parents before taking his own life.

The cyclosporiasis outbreak is impacting Wisconsinites. The state Department of Health Services has confirmed at least 43 cases since May, although fewer than 10 were acquired domestically. The stomach illness can cause intense diarrhea and discomfort. Most of the cases in the Badger State have been the result of traveling internationally. Doctors recommend washing your produce, such as lettuce, before consuming to help prevent catching the parasite.

Some scrutiny for the world’s richest man here in Wisconsin. On a 5-1 vote the Wisconsin Elections Commission finds probable cause that Elon Musk broke state law by offering $1 million to people to vote in the 2025 state Supreme Court election. Brown County’s District Attorney is tasked with determining whether to prosecute Musk. The criminal referral stems from two complaints filed against Musk from social media posts just prior to the election in which Susan Crawford defeated Brad Schimel. One offered awards to people at a rally in Green Bay in appreciation of voting. That was taken down and replaced with an offer of two $1 million awards to rally attendees for signing a petition opposing activist judges. Wisconsin’s election bribery law prohibits offering anything valued above $1 to cast a ballot.

Vehicles seized from a convicted fraudster will be sold at auction. Hundreds of power-sports items that once belonged to Stanley Pophal, the Wausau man who stole more than 14 million dollars from 190 investors, will hit the auction block later this month. According to the US Department of Justice the listing includes snowmobiles, motorcycles, dirt bikes, and go-karts, and all proceeds will go towards restitution for the 64-year-old's victims. Apple Auctioneering will handle the sale, which will be conducted online. Those interested in bidding are encouraged to sign up early. Pophal pled guilty to federal money laundering and wire fraud in June, he's scheduled to be sentenced in September.

President Trump is endorsing Mike Lindell for Minnesota governor. The Commander-In Chief announced today that he is backing the MyPillow founder in the GOP primary election next month. President Trump also took a shot at incumbent Governor Tim Walz by calling him one of the worst and incompetent governors in U.S. history. He added that Lindell is one of the most hard-working Patriots. The other two Republican candidates for governor are Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth and retire health care executive Kendall Qualls, who won the state GOP endorsement in May. The election is set for August 11th.

Investigators from the Marathon County Sheriff's office are still looking for leads following the theft of 20 head of cattle valued at 50-thousand dollars. Deputies were called July 8th to Kingdom Haven Farm after the owners said the animals were discovered missing the morning before. Investigators say there were no signs of forced entry at gates, fences or the cattle barn. Authorities believe the suspect backed a livestock trailer into the west side of the barn to load the cattle. The case remains active, with officials saying they plan to canvass the area for possible surveillance footage from nearby homes or businesses.

A vacant Madison landmark will house a company researching nuclear fusion. Realta Fusion has announced the former Oscar Meyer plant on the city’s north side as its new corporate headquarters. The Madison-based group is expanding its research team and needs the space, according to CEO Kieran Furlong. Realta's goal is to create stable nuclear fusion which would be able to generate enormous amounts of power without generating nuclear waste. That goal is still a long way off, but Realta's hope is to generate new prototypes in Madison that get closer to sustainable fusion

We Energies is installing new tracking devices -- on falcon chicks. Peregrine falcons are notoriously hard to track once they leave their nests like the ones installed on power plants across Wisconsin. That's why We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service turned to an emerging technology to band and track the birds. The Blue Morpho system uses solar power to ping cell phone towers and more effectively track the birds, who like to nest high up on cliffs and towers.