Local-Regional News April 9

 

The City of Durand has passed an ordinance to allow ATV/UTV’s to use the Hwy 10 Bridge to cross the Chippewa River. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says its hoped the bridge will be open for ATV traffic by July. Before the Bridge is open to ATV/UTV traffic, the Town of Waubeek and Pepin County must also pass ordinances allowing the use of the bridge.

One person was injured in a single vehicle accident in River Falls Township on Saturday. According to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, 38yr old Jacob Figi of River Falls was traveling eastbound on 770^th Ave, when he lost control and went into the ditch. Figi was taken to Regions Hospital in St. Paul.

A former Glenwood City School District Superintendent is facing jail time. This comes after a forensic audit showed the district reimbursed Timothy Johnson 75-thousand dollars for graduate courses he claimed to have completed, despite never have completing the courses. Johnson was also accused of placing over 300-thousand dollars of district funds into investments not compliant of Wisconsin statutes. The judge ordered him to serve three years in prison and three years of extended supervision during his sentencing Tuesday.

A former Durand-Arkansaw Student has been named the new head coach for The University of Wisconsin-Stout women's basketball program. Director of Athletics Erin Sullivan announced the hiring of Sam Clayton for the role. Clayton is the 10th head coach in program history. Sullivan said Clayton's "commitment to building relationships, developing student-athletes, and leading with purpose will have a meaningful impact on our program." Clayton said the position means "a great deal to me, not only because of the tradition and potential of the team, but also because it brings me closer to home." Clayton was a player for Durand-Arkansaw Girls Basketball from 2006-2009.

The new Police Chief in the City of Whitehall is introducing himself. In a post on Facebook, Eduardo Hernandez said he began his career in law enforcement in 2015 with the Arcadia Police Department as a part-time patrolman. He was then hired as a full-time deputy for the Trempealeau County Sheriff's Office in 2016. Hernandez says he looks forward to serving the City of Whitehall with dedication, professionalism, and commitment.

Work is underway on the replacement of the Bainbridge pedestrian bridge over I-90 in La Crosse County. The Bainbridge bridge is one of three I-90 bridges being rehabbed over the course of the summer. The bridge is currently closed for pedestrians and drivers can expect single lane closures along I-90. Construction on these bridges is expected to be completed by August 31st.

A Birchwood man is being sentenced to prison after his involvement in a child pornography case. Authorities reviewed multiple Snapchat messages between Tyler Sprague and another person, with the messages being sexual in nature. Investigators later found files of child pornography on his cell phone and laptop. Sprague was sentenced to ten years of prison and five years of extended supervision.

The Chippewa Valley Homebuilder’s Foundation awarded $8,000 worth of tools to schools across western Wisconsin. Durand-Arkansaw, Elk Mound, and Mondovi were among the 15 schools receiving the tools. The tools can be replacements for old, outdated equipment, or they can be something brand new. Organizers say every program they help has different needs. Over 2,200 students are expected to be impacted by donations this coming school year.

A Minnesota DNR officer is recovering after falling from a deer stand last week. According to the Minnesota DNR, officer Annette Schlag was removing a deer stand in the Whitewater Wildlife Management Area near Plainview last week when she fell 20 feet. Schlag was able to reach rescuers, and the Minnesota Air Rescue Team airlifted Schlag from the scene.

Questions remain after the firing of Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman. Business group leaders and lawmakers say the move by the UW Board of Regents is difficult to understand. Rachel Ver Velde with Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce says the Regents praised Rothman’s performance, then dismissed him anyway. Republican lawmakers are now seeking answers. State Senator Rob Hutton says unconfirmed Regents will be questioned at a hearing today, calling the decision disruptive to the system. In an interview airing Sunday on WISN’s UpFront, Rothman says he won’t fight the decision, but still doesn’t know why he was fired.

Wisconsin US Senator Tammy Baldwin wants to know why the mail is so slow. Baldwin has written a letter to the Postmaster General with questions about long-term delays and staffing shortages at post offices across Wisconsin. Week long delays have been reported in Madison and Brown Deer, in the Milwaukee area. Baldwin says the delays affect local businesses, newspapers and Wisconsin families who rely on the Postal Service for prescriptions, bills and voting. The Madison Democrat expressed her frustration on the matter as she has reached out to the US Postal Service before about mail delivery issues.

Tracking spending the race for Wisconsin Supreme Court. The Brennan Center for Justice spending tracker showed total spending on television ads of just under $3.6 million. The bulk - $2,932,549 - by the campaign of liberal Appeals Court Judge and former Democratic state lawmaker Chris Taylor, who won 60% of the vote. Conservative Judge Maria Lazar spent $332,072, outside groups spent a total of $329,003 on TV ads across both campaigns. Those amounts are dwarfed by last year’s record setting Supreme Court race, in which total spending by the campaigns and outside groups – including Elon Musk - exceeded $100,300,000.

Recognition for workplace safety in Wisconsin. Wisconsin Safety Council announced winners of the organization’s 32nd annual Workplace Safety Awards this week. Sponsored by the Department of Workforce Development and M3 Insurance, they honor employers that demonstrate a commitment to workplace safety. The awards were distributed based on company size in three categories: Manufacturing; Agriculture, Transportation, Utilities & Other; and Construction. The Hydrite Chemical Co. of La Crosse was the only Western Wisconsin Business recognized.

There are new regulations for Wisconsin's general inland fishing season which opens in less than a month. The Department of Natural Resources says the 2026–27 general inland fishing season opens statewide May 2nd. The DNR is reminding anglers to review new regulations before heading out. Among the changes: inland trout season opened April fourth and runs through October 15th, the muskie season now opens statewide May second, and a catch‑and‑release sturgeon season starts June sixth on select waters. Anyone sixteen and older needs a fishing license, available through the DNR’s Go Wild system. More info can be found on the DNR's website.

Wisconsin families are living in a state with below average health care for kids. That's according to a new study by finance website WalletHub, which ranked all states and Washington, D.C. based on healthy kids and keeping them that way. The study used several key factors, including the number of pediatricians in each state and kids in excellent health. Wisconsin was ranked 32nd overall, but ranked in the top ten in two of the major categories. Those were the kids' nutrition and obesity, and oral health categories.

Brad Paisley is performing at the 2026 Minnesota State Fair. The three-time Grammy winner will take the stage on September 3rd. He will perform alongside special guest Avery Anna. This year's Grandstand act will also feature TLC, Salt-N-Pepa, Rod Stewart and more.

Local-Regional News April 8

 

Patrick Milliren has been re-elected as Mayor of Durand. Unofficial results from yesterday’s election show Milliren defeating challenger Herb Schneider 331-221. Durand City Council members Hooker, Kavanaugh and Weisenbeck were all unopposed and re-elected to the council. The city had mailed 53 absentee ballots, and 44 of those were returned.

The Durand City Council is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include discussion and possible action on amending Ordinance 535 which would allow ATV/UTV use of the Hwy 10 Bridge, repeal of the vacant building ordinance and approval of an agreement for timber sales with Dahlby Conservation Services. Tonights meeting begins at 6pm at Durand City Hall.

Among other races settled by voters on election day in Western Wisconsin was the contest for Eau Claire City Council president. Former District 3 representative Jeremy Gragert prevailed in that contest over Scott Rogers. In some of the other regional contests, voters in the Fall Creek School District and Eleva-Strum School District passed referendums. Matthew Crowe defeated incumbent Randy Knaack and will become Menomonie's next mayor.

Wisconsin voters on Tuesday selected Democratic-backed Chris Taylor to serve on the state Supreme Court. Unofficial results show Taylor beat her opponent Maria Lazar by 20 percentage points. In claiming victory, Taylor said that her win shows Wisconsin voters believe people should be at the center of government and the priority of the judiciary.

The Chippewa County Highway Department is notifying property owners and the public that agricultural activities and encroachments within county highway right-of-way areas are prohibited under Wisconsin law. Agricultural activities that were observed in the right of way in 2025 include plowing, cultivating, planting and the placement of crops, fences, equipment, or other materials. Those activities can obstruct drainage systems, hinder roadside visibility and compromise roadway safety. The highway department is asking for voluntary compliance to avoid the need for enforcement measures.

Wabasha County has announced a partnership with CredibleMind, expanding access to convenient and confidential mental wellbeing resources for community members. The partnership will offer digital content for county employees, health care providers and community organizations engagement and personalized mental health resources for all residents in Wabasha County. The resources will be available 24-7.

The Minnesota National Guard has been activated to provide emergency assistance in Winona County after a cyber attack . According to authorities, the attack happened on Monday and has impaired the county’s ability to deliver emergency and municipal services. The guard is providing cyber protection support to continue municipal operations. County officials have been working with with Minnesota Information Technology Services, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the League of Minnesota Cities, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and external cybersecurity experts.

Authorities are investigating after the recent discovery of a body in Rusk County. Stevens Point resident Jade Olson was found dead last Friday in a wooded area just north of Ladysmith. His vehicle was parked nearby. There has been no word on Olson's cause of death.

The president of Wisconsin's public university system is being expelled. The Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents voted last night to fire Jay Rothman following roughly 20 minutes of private discussion. A press release said Rothman's tenure will end immediately, and vice president of university relations Chris Patton will take over in the interim. Rothman was hired to the role in 2022, and previously served as CEO for a Milwaukee law firm. Regents are now tasked with finding a permanent successor to lead Wisconsin's 13-university system.

New data tracks losses in the teaching profession in Wisconsin. A report from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction shows just fifty‑two percent of new teachers are still in K-12 public school classrooms by their eighth year. Retention is even lower among special education teachers, at just forty‑three percent. The report also finds nearly thirty percent of newly trained educators never enter Wisconsin classrooms. State Superintendent Jill Underly says pay remains a key issue, noting mid‑career teacher compensation is more than twenty percent lower than in 2010, after inflation. Underly warns without stronger state investment, Wisconsin’s educator shortage will continue to grow.

The number of those filing for unemployment for the first time are increasing across Wisconsin. That's according to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Labor, which shows that for the week ending March 28th, there were more than 44-hundred first time filings in the state. That is more than 800-more filings compared to the week before. Nationally, the number of filings decreased compared to the week prior.

Hospital costs in Wisconsin are rising far faster than family paychecks, according to a new report. Analysis from the University of Wisconsin’s Center for Research on the Wisconsin Economy finds hospital service costs have climbed nearly three times faster than the state’s median household income. The report also shows Wisconsin hospitals charge the fourth‑highest prices in the nation for family health insurance premiums. Researchers say greater price transparency could play a key role in slowing the growth of healthcare costs for patients.

Former Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan is losing another fight in court. A motion to overturn her conviction for obstructing federal immigration agents was denied by a judge yesterday. Dugan's legal team tried to claim what happened could be considered "part of a judge's job," but the judge rejected that, adding he made the same note in a motion to dismiss the case. A jury convicted Dugan of felony obstruction in December for helping a man in her courtroom evade an immigration arrest. Jurors cleared her of a separate misdemeanor charge tied to concealing someone from discovery and arrest.

A judge is siding with the Trump administration and is allowing it to withhold Medicaid funds from Minnesota. The state was requesting a judge to prevent the administration from withholding a quarter-billion dollars in Medicaid funding. However, the judge ruled on Monday that Minnesota hasn't shown the administration broke the law. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison argues that this is part of President Trump's reckoning and retribution against the state. Vice President J.D. Vance said the funds will be reinstated once Minnesota complies with a corrective action plan.

Wisconsin ranks among the top states for remote work. That's according to a new report from Wallethub. Electricity costs and access to broadband internet are credited with making putting Wisconsin at the 28th best place to work remotely. The state ranked fifth in having the most cyber crime per capita. Iowa ranked at the bottom of all the states for working from home.

Local-Regional News April 7

Crews began removing trees along Madison Street yesterday as the Madison Street Reconstruction project began. Durand City Administrator Tracy Carleson says the project will last through the summer. Crews also began blocking the intersections along Madison Street and will begin the staging of construction equipment for the project. The City of Durand has a webpage on its website with updates on the project.

Sexual assault and child abuse charges are being filed against an Eau Claire man in Buffalo County. Investigators say that 38-year-old Kyle Dean Vaughn abused three young people between December of 2017 and April of 2023 in Mondovi. Vaughn is in custody and is being held on a $25,000 cash bond and has a court appearance scheduled for tomorrow. If convicted of all the charges, Vaughn faces over 30yrs in prison.

Authorities are sharing more details in the shooting of a man in the Township of Washington this past Friday. Dakotah Blackcoon was shot at around 3 a.m. at a location on Mall Drive and sustained non life-threatening injuries. The suspect has been identified as Cameron Blackcoon -- the victim's son. Cameron Blackcoon was arrested following the incident.

A Whitehall man is facing charges in Jackson and Trempealeau counties. Seth Day is accused in a March 7th shooting incident in the Village of Taylor in which police say he was riding a skateboard and firing shots that damaged two vehicles. Meanwhile, in Trempealeau County, he faces half-a-dozen counts of bail-jumping.

A suspect accused of making threats against a St. Croix County church has now been charged. Leaders with the Faith Community Church in Hudson contacted authorities last Wednesday morning with word that the church had received a bomb threat. A subsequent search by police found no signs of an explosive device. Bryant Camp later surrendered to police in connection with the incident. Camp has now been charged with making terrorist threats and causing a bomb scare.

The search continues in the Mississippi River for an elderly woman who was last seen in Winona. The Winona County Sheriff's Office says 72-year-old Patricia Sweningson went missing in mid-March. Search crews surveyed the river on Saturday and they were not successful. Sweningson is described as five-foot six woman weighing 110 pounds. Anyone that knows her whereabouts is urged to contact the Winona Police.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has announced nearly $50 million in grants were awarded through the first round of Agricultural Roads Improvement Program (ARIP) funding that was a result of bipartisan budget negotiations and approved by the governor in the 2025-27 Biennial Budget. Here in Western Wisconsin, the Town of Naples in Buffalo County received a $389,000 grant to improve Gonty Road, the Town of Spring Brook received a $954,000 grant to improve 810^th Street, and the Town of Arcadia in Trempealeau County received a $2.3 Million grant to improve River Valley Road. The funding is focused on improving local rural roads used by farmers and producers to transport agricultural and forestry products that support Wisconsin’s more than $116 billion agricultural industry statewide.

As the annual winter moratorium on utility disconnections ends on April 15^th. Xcel Energy is reminding qualified customers that help is available through the company’s new Residential Arrears Assistance Program and other payment assistance options. Customers who remain past due after April 15 and do not have payment arrangements in place may be at risk of disconnection. Xcel Energy customers who need help paying their bills should call 1-800-895-4999, and customer representatives will help set up payment arrangements and refer them to the appropriate agencies to determine if they’re eligible for assistance.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is reminding you to be bear aware as black bears emerge from their winter dens. As warmer weather draws more people outdoors, the DNR says bear sightings and encounters increase across the state. Black bears, especially active in spring, are often drawn to neighborhoods by food smells. Officials urge people to secure trash, remove bird feeders, bring pet food inside, and clean grills. If you encounter a bear, stay calm, make loud noises, and give it a clear escape route. The DNR says prevention is the best protection against black bear encounters. More info can be found on the DNR's website.

PFAS funding is released as Governor Tony Evers signs a pair of bills. Following months of negotiations with Republican lawmakers, Evers on Monday signed the bills to facilitate release of $125 million from the PFAS Trust Fund to combat “forever chemicals” contamination statewide. The bipartisan Assembly Bill 130 and Assembly Bill 131 passed the state Senate unanimously last month. The $125 million was allocated as part of the 2023-24 state budget, but Evers vetoed the legislation, calling it "not good enough." The bills he signed will allocate some $80 million from the trust fund to a community grant program, and amend the state’s Spills Law so fire departments, farmers, landowners, and some business owners, will not be held liable for PFAS contamination they didn’t cause.

An 8-year-old Wisconsin girl who was the subject of an AMBER Alert over the weekend was found safe in Nebraska. The alert was posted Saturday after police in Wautoma learned that Betty Lentz had taken daughter Irene Lentz to meet 44-year-old Joseph Nicpon. Nicpon was released from prison on supervised release late last month after being convicted of child incest in 2017. Police said Nicpon is prohibited from having contact with Betty and Irene. After the Wisconsin Department of Corrections was notified that Nicpon removed his GPS tracking bracelet in Adams County, the Nebraska State Patrol located all three on Saturday afternoon near Omaha. Nicpon was taken into custody without incident, and Betty Lentz was taken into custody for questioning by Wisconsin authorities.

The hiring of an officer by a police department in Washington County is under scrutiny. The Kewaskum Village Board filed charges through its Police and Fire Commission against police Chief Thomas Bishop and Lieutenant Bryan Frank. That's after an investigation found what the board called negligence in the hiring of Officer Jeremy Haske, who was previously fired from the Juneau County Sheriff’s Office in 2010 over several allegations including mishandling evidence and fabricating information. The board’s investigation questions the vetting procedures in the hiring of Haske, who is currently on paid administrative leave. The Police and Fire Commission will next decide if any disciplinary action will be taken against Bishop and Frank

Governor Tony Evers is starting the process of issuing the state’s first commutations in more than 25 years. Evers announced Friday he’s creating a new advisory board to review cases and recommend sentence reductions. Unlike pardons issued for people who’ve already completed their sentences, commutations can shorten prison or supervision time. While Evers has granted a record-breaking 2,000 pardons, no commutations have occurred since 2001, when then Governor Tommy Thompson granted seven. Evers says the move is aimed at improving public safety, reducing repeat offenses, and easing overcrowded prisons. He’s also prioritizing people sentenced as minors, including those serving life sentences. Certain crimes, including sexual offenses and child abuse, will not be eligible.

A Wisconsin anti-ICE activist accused of interrupting an Easter service at a St. Paul church is no longer facing charges. Four misdemeanor counts were dismissed against Emily Heather Phillips, including committing offensive, noisy or obscene behavior and disturbing a religious service at the church. She was set free today after spending the night in jail. Phillips defense attorney said her client was on public property across the street from Cities Church yesterday while she was with several other protestors. The lawyer added that Phillips was using a blow horn and speaker before she was arrested.

As spring arrives, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is reminding people to keep their distance from young wild animals. Officials say animals that appear abandoned are often being cared for by a parent nearby. Interacting with them — or leaving human scent — can put them at risk by attracting predators or causing parents not to return. The DNR says well‑intentioned rescues often do more harm than good and remind you it’s illegal to rehabilitate wildlife without a license. More tips can be found on the DNR’s website. 

Local-Regional News April 6

 

The Madison Street reconstruction project begins today. Crews will begin removing trees and performing other work. Durand City Administrator Tracy Carleson says the city will have a webpage on the city website to provide the public updates on the project. The project is expected to be completed by this fall.

With the upcoming changes to the school day for Durand-Arkansaw middle and high school students District Superintendent Ryan Nelson says the biggest changes will be at the end of the day. The school board approved changing the middle-high school day to 8am-3:06pm for the upcoming school year.

The Wabasha Port Authority, City, State, Keller-Baartman Properties LLC, of Red Wing, and community partners gathered Thursday to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Alleghany apartments, a new 50-unit market rate property in downtown Wabasha. The project fills a gap for needed housing in the city, particularly residential rental that is new construction. The apartment building will be a four-story building, with studios, one, two, and three-bedroom units, an exercise room, a community room, and 38 underground parking stalls. Project completion is planned for February 2027.

Wisconsinites will be heading to the polls tomorrow for the spring election. The main statewide race this spring is for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, where Chris Taylor is taking on Maria Lazar. Locally there is a race for Mayor in the City of Durand between incumbant Patrick Milliren and Challenger Herb Schneider. More than 280-thousand Wisconsinites had already returned their ballots as of Friday afternoon.

Compeer Financial is warning customers of a current fraud attempt. On April 2, 2026, clients reported receiving phone calls that appeared to be from Compeer Financial. The caller identified themselves as a member of the Compeer Financial team and claimed they were verifying a transaction. In some situations, clients receive follow-up text messages.  Compeer says they do not ask clients to click on a link to confirm usernames, passwords, account numbers, transactions or Social Security numbers.  If someone claiming to be from Compeer Financial asks you to share personal information or financial details by phone, please hang up and call our Contact Center using the phone number at compeer.com/contact.

One person is in custody after a shooting in Eau Claire County. Local hospital staff contacted authorities regarding an adult who came in with a single gunshot wound just after 3 a.m. Friday. Eau Claire police say it's believed the incident occurred in the Town of Washington. The Sheriff's Office was contacted to continue investigating with the help of Eau Claire police. One person has been taken into custody, with the charges unknown at this time.

Drivers who regularly travel Highway 53 may notice some changes starting today. Crews will be starting work on a project to replace the Otter Creek Bridge. That effort will require the highway to be cut down to just one lane for possibly up to two months.

Wisconsin's most popular state park is getting bigger. Dave Hanson with Wisconsin State parks says 100 new acres of land at Devil's Lake State Park could help alleviate some of the crowds during the summer. "The trails can be really busy and in some cases overcrowded. So one of the goals through this master planning process is to be able to add some additional trails and trail systems to the park." The new property is in the north east corner of the park, which is mostly undeveloped at this point. Hanson says one standout feature will be a fantastic thirty-mile view from the high point of the new land. Hanson says actual development of the new property will depend on public input.

Olmsted County Sheriff's Office Captain Macey Tesmer is stepping down. She announced Thursday that she is retiring after serving nearly three decades in law enforcement. Tesmer joined the sheriff's office in 1997 as a detention deputy. She then served as a field training officer, training deputy, sergeant and was promoted to captain in 2010. Tesmer will leave office on April 17.

Wisconsin is joining a multi-state lawsuit against the Trump administration over an executive order affecting voting. The order would create voter eligibility lists and restrict mail-in ballots for people not included. The White House says the move is meant to prevent non-citizens from voting. Attorney General Josh Kaul says such cases are rare and current systems ensure election integrity. Kaul joined 22 other attorneys general and a governor in asking a court to block the policy, arguing that election authority belongs to the states.

Governor Evers is vetoing two bills that would eliminate state income taxes on tips and overtime pay. Evers says the measures would create unequal treatment among workers and rely on temporary tax policy instead of long-term relief. The proposals would have allowed deductions of up to 12-thousand-500-dollars in overtime pay and 25-thousand-dollars in tips. Researchers say the changes could have helped hundreds of thousands of workers. Similar legislation could be proposed as Evers' term nears its end.

Universities of Wisconsin System Jay Rothman says he’s not leaving. As first reported by the Associated Press on Thursday, Rothman has been told by the Board of Regents to either resign or be fired. In a March 26 letter to the Regents, Rothman said he’s been given no reason for the ultimatum and has no intention of stepping down. “I do not believe my resignation at this time is in the best interests of either the Universities of Wisconsin or the state of Wisconsin.” Rothman also sent a letter to Regent President Amy Bogost, who said “the Board is responsible for the leadership of the Universities of Wisconsin and is having discussions about its future.” She said the board does not comment on personnel matters.

There will be no trial for a discrimination lawsuit against the University of Wisconsin - Madison. Lawyers for former assistant professor Ahmed Mahmoud and the university told a judge a settlement was reached to avoid a trial, which was scheduled to begin this week. Mahmoud filed the lawsuit two years ago claiming he was discriminated against when he wasn't given tenure by the university, where he started working in 2017. His accusations were based on his ethnicity, with Mahmoud being Egyptian, Arab, and Muslim.  

Local-Regional News April 3

 

The Dunn County Sheriff’s Office has been notified by several people that they have received phone calls from someone claiming to be from the Dunn County Sheriff’s Office, Jail Division asking for money for family members that are currently in jail. It appears the scammers are using the current jail roster to target family members. The Sheriffs Department reminds everyone that the jail will never call family members or friends of inmates to ask for money to pay for special programs or special housing. If you have any concerns about a call allegedly coming from the jail you are to hang up and call the jail back.

One person was injured in a two vehicle accident in Trimbelle Township on Tuesday. According to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, 57yr old Bruce Rix of Stillwater, MN was traveling westbound on Hwy 10 when he was struck by a vehicle driven by 68yr old Porter Thoms of Menomonie who was also traveling westbound on Hwy 10. 44yr old Cheryl Lawson of Maryville, TN, who was a passenger in Thoms’ vehicle was taken to River Falls Area Hospital.

A Comstock man charged in connection with a fire that destroyed an adult entertainment club in Elk Mound will not be going to prison. Colton Jansen faced arson charges stemming from the January 2025 fire at Shooters Showgirls. Jansen was found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect earlier this year. He has now been ordered to undergo 15 years of mental health treatment.

The Durand Fire Department is reminding city of Durand residents and property owners that the fire protection fee on water bills is not used for funding of Fire Department operations. The fee is used to support the municipal water system, fire hydrants and upsizing the water mains to provide fire protection to all properties in the city of Durand. The fire fee was included on water bills by the City last year.

Dunn County residents will have the chance to recycle old electronics for free. The county has partnered with Dynamic Lifecycle Innovations to offer free electronics recycling on May 7^th from 10am-6pm at the Dunn County Fairgrounds Small Animal Building. Household electronics, kitchen appliances and outdoor electronics will be accepted. Contact Dunn County Solid Waste for more information.

A jury trial is being ordered for Alvin Taylor. Taylor is the Eau Claire County man who previously admitted to the killings of four people between the years of 1985 and 1987 -- having said that he did so after receiving messages through the radio and television. In 1988, Taylor was found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect and he has been confined to treatment facilities ever since -- but now is asking to be released. No date has been set for the jury trial.

A Chippewa Falls man accused of sexually assaulting minors is taking a plea deal. Prosecutors say that 21-year-old Keegan Peterson victimized two children under the age of 13 between May 2021 and June 2023. Peterson was charged in December with repeated sexual assault of a child. He has pleaded no contest to amended charges and been sentenced to sixty days behind bars plus two years of probation.

Anyone who uses a private well can get their drinking water tested for nitrate, bacteria, and more at a discounted price at the Eau Claire County Health Department this April. You don’t need to live in Eau Claire County to have your water tested and the department has two different options available to private well owners. Those wanting a test are encouraged to pick up a water sample kit and return it to the Eau Claire County Health Department between April 13-23rd.

A bill to legalize online sports betting in Wisconsin is now awaiting action from Governor Tony Evers. The legislation would expand Wisconsin’s definition of a bet to allow online sports wagering. It would also let the governor renegotiate gaming compacts with tribal nations, as long as betting servers remain on tribal land. Last month, eight of Wisconsin’s eleven federally recognized tribes signed a letter supporting the bill, though the Menominee Indian Tribe, Oneida Nation and Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa did not sign on. Governor Evers says he wants all tribes included in the discussion. He has until next Thursday to sign the bill or veto it.

If you still haven't turned in your absentee ballot for the Spring Election, don't put it in the mail. The Wisconsin Elections Commission on Wednesday reminded voters that a ballot mailed on Thursday might not make it to your clerk's office in time to be counted next Tuesday. Instead, they recommend you take it to a ballot drop off point like a valid drop box or an early election site. In person early voting is available until Sunday in many municipalities. Find out more by logging on to My Vote dot W I dot Gov.

We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service want to raise residential electric bills again. The parent company of the utilities submitted its request to the Public Service Commission on Wednesday. Average residential bills for both companies would go up about 20 dollars per month by 2028. Much of the increase comes to pay for conversion from coal to cleaner energy systems, and an overall expansion to power proposed data centers. WEC Energy Group says it will shield residential customers from paying for power to data centers. The Public Service Commission would have to sign off on the rate hikes for them to go into effect.

Clean Wisconsin is suing the Trump administration over the rollback of pollution limits for coal plants. The suit targets the repeal of Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, which Clean Wisconsin says cut mercury pollution by more than 90 percent since 2015 and reduced risks of cancer, heart and lung disease. The lawsuit also challenges reduced emissions monitoring. In Wisconsin, mercury contamination has led to fish consumption advisories on more than 100 inland waters and both Great Lakes.

A Rochester woman is going to prison for her part in the federal Feeding Our Future fraud case. Zamzam Jama was sentenced yesterday to six months behind bars and one year on supervised release. The defendant pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering in February. She also has to pay over 491-thousand dollars in restitution. Prosecutors say Jama used a check of more than 31 thousand dollars to a auto dealership to buy a vehicle in August 2021. In October of that year, she also used a check worth 80 thousand dollars to put on a home in Rosemount. Jama has been ordered to surrender to the U.S. Marshal by June 2nd to begin her sentence.

Third-party candidate Mike Newcome is dropping out of the governor's race. The Forward Independence Party says his campaign is ending after Operation Metro Surge derailed his bid. Newcome is a Lake Elmo businessman who pitched himself as a middle-of-the-road candidate. He failed to meet his fundraising goal of 500-thousand dollars and only raised about half that sum. Newcome is the second candidate to leave the 2026 race for governor over the fallout of Operation Metro Surge.

April is National Donate Life Month, and UW Health is encouraging people to consider becoming organ, eye, and tissue donors. Doctors say most people are eligible, as age and medical history are no longer major barriers in many cases. There are roughly 1,500 people in Wisconsin currently waiting for an organ transplant, most of them in need of a kidney. UW Health also urges people to talk with loved ones about their wishes, saying those conversations can ease decisions during medical emergencies. More information is available on UW Health’s website.