Local-Regional News Feb 20

 

The City of Durand currently has over $500,000 available in the economic development loan fund. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the fund is to help with job creation in the city. Since itsinception over 30yrs ago, 50 businesses in Durand have taken advantage of the program, including Durand Broadcasting. Those interested in starting or expanding a business are encouraged to contact Durand City Hall about the program.

Dunn County Transit recently reported that 2025 ridership on the Community Route was the highest in history.  Facilities, Parks and Transit Director Austin Witt recently presented the 2025 Transit Annual Report to the Dunn County Board, which included the Community Route amassing 20,660 rides in 2025. That is a 29 percent increase over 2024 and 73 percent above the 10-year average.  The Community Route is Dunn County Transit’s fixed-route bus service in Menomonie. It operates on an hourly loop connecting key destinations such as UW–Stout, downtown, grocery stores, medical facilities and major employers.

Lake City, Minnesota, is declaring Taylor Heise Day. Yesterday, the US Women's Hockey Team defeated Canada two to one in overtime to win the gold medal. On the day of the gold medal game, Lake City declared it "Taylor Heise Day." Heise is a native of Lake City, Minnesota. Heise was credited for the assist on the game-winning, overtime goal that was scored by her teammate Megan Keller.

Township Fire responded to 140 calls in the month of January. Fire officials are worried that the number of calls will continue to increase once the weather warms up in the spring. While the department is currently has approximately 120 volunteers, the increase in calls and long response times could risk volunteer burnout.

The Buffalo-Pepin County ADRC will be holding homestead tax clinics in March. The Clinics will be held March 9^th and 11^th in Mondovi, Cochrane, Alma and Nelson. The homestead tax credit is available to Wisconsin Residents 18yrs and older who paid property taxes or rent in 2025 and have an income less than $24,680. For more information on the workshops, contact Buffalo-Pepin ADRC.

Charges are being filed against a La Crosse County man accused of possessing child pornography. Reports say that child sex abuse material was found on the cell phone of 40-year-old William Clark III [[ The Third ]] last month. If found guilty, Clark could receive a prison sentence of up to 20 years.

An Eau Claire man who recently pleaded guilty to charges in a car theft case is now facing new charges. Ethan Beebe was one of four people charged in 2024 in connection with a series of car thefts. He pleaded guilty to charges earlier this month and is now free on bond while awaiting sentencing. Since entering that guilty plea, Beebe has been charged in an incident in which he is accused of punching a child on Valentine's Day.

First time filings for unemployment are decreasing across Wisconsin. That's according to the U.S. Department of Labor, which says for the week ending February 14th, there were 39-hundred first time filings in the state. That number is about 900 less filings than the week prior. Nationally, there was a decrease in the number of initial filings for the week.

Democratic Governor Tony Evers is urging the Trump Administration to reverse its plan to dramatically increase U‑S beef imports from Argentina. In a new letter to the White House, Evers warns the move threatens American farmers and ranchers, especially in Wisconsin, where livestock and meat generate 34 billion dollars and support more than 43‑thousand jobs. The administration recently approved a four‑fold increase in Argentine beef imports, jumping from 20‑thousand to 80‑thousand metric tons. This also follows major industry disruptions, including Cargill’s plan to close its Milwaukee meat‑processing facility, impacting more than 200 workers.

Wisconsin’s population growth has slowed over the last year. As of July 2025, the state had just under 6 million residents, up about fifteen‑thousand from 2024, a growth rate cut nearly in half from the previous year. The slowdown mirrors a national trend tied to a major drop in international migration. Wisconsin saw a more than 60 percent decrease in migrants arriving from other countries in 2025, falling from over 19‑thousand the year before to just seventy‑two hundred, the lowest since 2020.

Tony Evers says Wisconsin should commit to renewable energy – and explore nuclear power options. In his State of the State address Tuesday night, the Democratic governor said nuclear energy represents the largest source of clean power in the nation and is a safe, reliable, carbon-free option to power homes and businesses. The state will partner with UW-Madison's Department of Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics to study future creation of nuclear reactors. In addition, the state plans to purchase certificates representing 225,000 megawatt hours of renewable energy from Wisconsin utility companies every year for the next two decades. That's enough energy to power half a million homes.

Governor Tony Evers is expected to veto a bill which would allow doctors to be sued by people injured from receiving gender affirming care as minors. During heated debate in the state Assembly (last week), Republicans argued it will protect children, while Democrats characterized it as an attack on trans people. The Democratic governor has supported the trans community throughout his time in office and is on record as opposing the legislation, which passed both chambers without Democratic support.

Wisconsin has seen a rise in reported sextortion cases against teens. The Wisconsin Department of Justice says there have already been over 100 sextortion cases reported this year. Special agent Jesse Crowe tells the Journal Sentinel that number only counts tips pulled from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children tipline and not cases reported by Wisconsin law enforcement. Sextortion targets teens, pressuring them into handing over money or sexually explicit pictures by threatening to expose them to peers or parents. A new state law making sextortion a crime was quickly passed by the Legislature last year after two victims died by suicide due to sextortion threats.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources needs volunteer campground hosts for the 2026 season. Hosts help greet campers, share park information and pitch in with light maintenance, all while staying on‑site for a one‑ to two‑month period. The DNR is also seeking equestrian campground hosts at several popular riding destinations, including the Kettle Moraine units, Wildcat Mountain State Park and Governor Knowles State Forest. Openings run from May through November, and volunteers typically work just a few hours a day. Anyone interested can apply through the DNR’s Volunteer Opportunities webpage.

The path to the Apostle Islands Ice is gone after the recent snowstorm. After the winter storm tore up most of Lake Superior's ice on Wednesday, the caves are closing for the season. The ice caves opened Monday for the first time in eleven years, only to be closed the next day because of the winter storm. The National Weather Service in Duluth says sustained subzero temperatures are crucial for forming strong ice miles from shore. Thousands were lucky enough to visit the spectacle on the one day it has been available in over a decade.

Local-Regional News Feb 19

 

One person was injured in a vehicle vs bicycle accident in Gilman Township on Tuesday. According to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, 32yr old Cody Nord of New Richmond was traveling southbound on Hwy B when he collided with a 15yr old male from Baldwin who was riding a bicycle southbound on Hwy B. The juvenile was transported to Western Wisconsin Health in Baldwin.

One person was injured in a two vehicle accident February 12 in Trenton Township. According to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, 42yr old Ryan Miller of River Falls was traveling southbound on Hwy 63 when he collided with a northbound vehicle driven by 17yr old Diane Dosdall of Hagar City. Miller was taken to Mayo Hospital in Red Wing.

Buffalo County is looking for a new highway commissioner. In a social media post, the county is searching for a new commissioner lead the planning, construction and maintenance of Buffalo County’s transportation infrastructure Application deadline is March 4^th.

The City of Mondovi is reminding residents to not flush any wipes, even if they are labeled as “flushable”. The wipes do not break down like toilet paper and can cause sewer line blockages resulting in basement sewer backups and damage to the city’s wastewater system. Residents are reminded to dispose of the wipes in the trash.

A man accused in a Lake City shooting appeared in Goodhue court Wednesday. Willim Piar, 81, is charged with attempted first- and second-degree murder and various assault charges after a shooting incident near the Lake City Subway in early December. Wednesday’s appearance was an omnibus hearing to address pre-trial matters, he returns to court in April.

A man accused in a Winona neighborhood shooting was found competent to stand trial Wednesday. Jonathan Payton, 40, appeared for a review hearing Wednesday and is accused of endangering safety and the reckless discharge of a firearm in connection with firing off a gun in a Winona neighborhood in November. He will be back in court in March.

Governor Tony Evers was in Eau Claire on Wednesday. The governor visited Eau Claire North High School where he talked about his priorities for his remaining time in office. Evers focused his remarks on affordability matters as they relate to working families, on public health resources and on state funding for public schools.

The Chippewa County Sheriff's Office is warning residents about an ongoing scam. Authorities say residents are receiving phone calls from scammers, who claim family members need bailed out of jail or that they have a warrant for missing jury duty. The scammers then ask for payment over the phone. The sheriff's office reminds residents that it will never call residents and ask for payments over the phone.

A group of local leaders are heading to Madison to speak on issues impacting the Chippewa Valley. The 32nd annual Chippewa Valley Rally is taking place today in Madison. Over 100 business and community leaders from the Chippewa Valley, from Dunn, Chippewa, Eau Claire counties will be talking with legislators about what is important to the area and how the area economy is affected by the actions of state government.

U.S. Marshals have arrested a fugitive from La Crosse. Antwan King Sr. was scheduled to appear in court to answer drug-related offenses stemming from a July 2024 traffic stop but failed to show up. A warrant was issued for his arrest. He was taken into custody on Tuesday.

Former Marathon County GOP Chairman Kevin Hermening is running for Congress. Hermening launched his campaign yesterday for the GOP nomination in Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District. The district -- that includes all or part of more than two dozen counties -- is currently represented by Republican Tom Tiffany who is now running for governor.

In Wood County, charges are being filed against a man who police say stolen an ambulance on Tuesday. According to the report, got into the vehicle's driver's seat and took off while paramedics were treating a patient in the back. Police eventually brought the vehicle to a stop with the use of tire-deflation devices. No one was hurt.

A Wisconsin Olympian is going for his third gold medal today. Kewaskum's Jordan Stolz will compete in the 15-hundred meter race of speed skating in Milan this morning, and is the favorite to win the race. The 21-year-old already has gold medals in the 500 and one-thousand meter races, and set Olympic records in both contests. Stolz will also be competing in the mass start speed skating event on Saturday, giving him a chance to leave Italy with four gold medals.

A merger between two Midwest banking companies is complete. Nicolet Bankshares, the Green Bay-based bank holding company of Nicolet National Bank, announced Tuesday its merger with Midwest One Financial Group headquartered in Iowa City has been finalized. The merger will have over 50 Midwest One locations in western Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota and Denver, Colorado transitioning to the Nicolet brand and digital banking platform by August of this year. Nicolet National Bank has branches in Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, and Iowa. The merger will add around $6 billion to Nicolet’s total assets.

A company is withdrawing its plans to expand a mining project into the Mississippi River. Amrize Midwest informed Cottage Grove on February 12th that it would be withdrawing its proposal to change the mine on Grey Cloud Island. The Nelson Mine Backwaters Project was going to move mining operations into the Mississippi River riverbed and increase the height of mining equipment. However, after public backlash and a legal challenge, the company won't be following through with the plan. The general manager of Amrize's Twin Cities operations said it was a "financially driven decision" and had nothing to do with the lawsuit.

Eighty percent of Wisconsin's lakes and rivers meet water quality standards. While most waters remain in good condition, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says 92 water bodies or segments are now classified as impaired, meaning each will need a restoration plan to improve habitat, recreation, or fish consumption safety. The DNR is asking for public comment on its latest water quality lists, which track which lakes and rivers are healthy, improving, or falling behind. About 100 new pollutant listings are also being proposed this cycle, many on waters already marked as impaired. The most common new concerns: high phosphorus levels, E. coli, and PFOS contamination.

A man is being found not guilty of murdering his father in Wisconsin Rapids. On Halloween of last year, 56-year-old Randall Harris Senior was found dead from multiple gunshot wounds inside a home on Eleventh Street South and another man was found outside of the home suffering from severe head injuries. Officials had charged 34-year-old Randall Harris Junior with first degree charges of intentional homicide and recklessly endangering safety. A jury has found Harris Junior not guilty on all charges.

Assembly Republicans say they’re still negotiating with Governor Tony Evers on a plan for property tax relief and school funding. Majority Leader Tyler August says the Republican proposal meets many of the governor’s earlier requests, and he hopes Evers is serious about getting something done rather than playing political games. The Republican plan includes rebate checks for taxpayers, 500 million dollars for the school levy tax credit, and 200 million dollars for special education reimbursement. Governor Evers says he won’t sign the package as written, arguing it doesn’t provide enough K–12 funding.

Local-Regional News Feb 18

 

The Durand-Arkansaw School Board is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include discussion and possible action on a proposal on redemption of certain bonds from June of 2016, a budget amendment to the 2025-2026 budget, and an update on the January student count. Tonights meeting begins at 6pm in the Board Room at Durand-Arkansaw High School.

The Dunn County Board is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include discussion and possible action on season weight restrictions on county highways and long term funding for county highways, along with reports from department heads. Tonights meeting begins at 7pm at the Dunn County Government Center.

The City of Durand has approved a contractor for the Water Filtration Project. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says Wabash from Winona was the low bidder for the project.  It is hoped to have that project completed sometime this summer.

Menomonie voters have narrowed the field down to two. Voters on Tuesday chose candidates for April's mayoral election. The top vote-getters -- incumbent mayor Randy Knaack and city council member Matthew Crowe will ask for folks' support in the general election scheduled for April 7th.

ICE agents in Eau Claire County on Tuesday took four people into custody. According to reports, the agent went to a construction site in an effort to apprehend an individual accused of recently assaulting a law enforcement officer. One person was taken into custody at the construction site while three others ran and barricaded themselves inside a residential garage. Those three later surrendered after a pepperball was deployed.

Lake City Residents are raising money for the family of Richard Arruda who was killed in a house fire in Lake City on Sunday. A 16yr old girls is currently in the hospital recovering from burns in the blaze. A Go Fund Me campaign has been set up to raise $12,000 to help Arruda’s widow, the burn victim and rebuilding after the fire. The Minnesota fire marshal continues to investigate the cause of that Sunday fire.

A teenage defendant is pleading guilty to charges in Chippewa County. In an October 2025 incident, 17-year-old Landen Sarauer says he was trying to break into a Lafayette Express Mart during overnight hours in order to steal vapes that he was planning to sell at school. Sarauer failed to gain entry into the store. Video shows him fleeing the scene after breaking the glass on the store's entry door. Sarauer has pleaded guilty to a charge of criminal damage to property and been sentenced to two days in jail.

A man injured in a Clark County vehicle accident last month has died. Authorities say that Eric Evenstad was driving his pickup westbound on State Highway 29 when he lost control, spun into eastbound traffic and was hit by a dump truck. Evenstad died this past Saturday. The dump truck driver survived the accident with non life-threatening injuries.

Governor Tony Evers is calling on Wisconsin lawmakers to keep working, not campaign. The governor gave his eighth and final State of the State address to the Legislature last night, imploring Republicans to focus on priorities rather than November's election. Evers said the Legislature may "rather hit the road and take the rest of the year off," but asked they stick around until the work is finished. The two-term governor also spoke about bipartisan accomplishments during his time in office, and hopes to continue that during his final year in office. That includes tax relief and resources for K through 12 education.

Construction on the UW Athletic Hall of Fame's new location will start in the spring. That's the word from Athletic Director Chris McIntosh who made the announcement Friday. The new location will sit outside the Kohl Center on Frances Street and provide year-round access for Badger fans. Construction should be finished in the early fall, in time for the 2026 enshrinement.

A proposal to provide condoms in Juneau County draws attention from a pro-life group. Public Health Director Tina Burch says a resolution to purchase a public health vending machine is on tonight’s Juneau County Board of Supervisors agenda. The health department received grant funding from global non-profit Vital Strategies to purchase the machine for Necedah. In addition to condoms it would dispense items including NARCAN, Fentanyl Test Strips, hygiene kits and first aid kits, the same products as current machines located in Elroy and Wonewoc. In a press release, Pro-Life Wisconsin Juneau County cites concerns including the ability of minor children capable of pushing buttons to access condoms.

A luxury ship that sank in Lake Michigan over 150 years ago is located. The Steamer Lac La Belle was carrying 53 passengers as well as crew and cargo from Michigan to Wisconsin when it sank in October 1872. Many passengers escaped on lifeboats but eight people died. After searching for for 60 years, maritime researcher Paul Ehorn recently discovered the capsized vessel 20 miles offshore, between Racine and Kenosha. Ehorn tells Fox 6 Milwaukee the sunken ship will stay at the bottom of the lake, saying that raising the ship would cost millions of dollars. Maritime historians believe over 200 ships are still missing in Lake Michigan.

Republican leaders in the state legislature propose using some of the state's projected $2.5 billion surplus for rebate checks and property tax relief. WisPolitics reports that the proposal, sent to Democratic Governor Tony Evers Monday by Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, includes $1,000 rebate checks for married joint filers and $500 checks for individuals, a half-billion dollars for the school levy tax credit, and $200 million for special education reimbursement. The governor's office said it still must review the proposal.

Gas prices across Wisconsin remain well below the national average this week. Triple A says the current cost per gallon averages at two-dollars and 57-cents in the state. Meanwhile, the national average has risen slightly, to two-dollars and 92-cents per gallon.

Wisconsin is recognizing the people who make your children's walk to school safe this week. It's Crossing Guard Appreciation week. State superintendent of schools Dr. Jill Underly says it's important to recognize the hard work crossing guards play in the school day. That includes being the first friendly face kids often see at schools, making sure children learn safety around roads, and for the dedication they show to be out in all conditions providing safety to students.

Local-Regional News Feb 17

 

More arrests are being made in connection with a Buffalo County drug investigation. One person was arrested last month after the discovery of 220 grams of methamphetamine and 165 grams of suspected heroin at a home in Fountain City. 36Yr old Danielle Hauser was arrested and charged with a list of drug offenses. The Buffalo County Sheriff's Office announced yesterday that 35yr old Cassandra Schlegel Wuench of La Crosse and 33yr old Taheed Warren of Fountain City have now also been taken into custody.

One person is dead and another injured after a house fire Sunday morning in Lake City. According to Lake City Fire, firefighters responded to the call Sunday morning on North Washington Street and found the home fully engulfed. A young female was rescued from the burning home while 45yr old Richard Arruda was found dead inside the home. Firefighters from Wabasha and Zumbro Falls also responded to the blaze. Crews were on scene for about 7hours and the Minnesota Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of that fire.

The Dunn County Sheriff’s Department has identified the suspect involved in the throwing of water bottles and other objects at vehicles driving on Hwy 25 in the Menomonie area. In a social media post the department says it has been receiving reports of vehicles being struck by the objects over the last several months. The department says it has identified the vehicle involved and a suspect. If anyone has had something thrown at them while traveling on Hwy 25, they are to contact the Dunn County Sheriff’s Department.

Voters in Menomonie are heading to the polls today for the spring primary election. Todays election will narrow the mayoral race to the top two candidates for the April Spring Election. Grady Richartz and Matthew Crow are running against incumbent Randy Knaack for mayor. Polls are open until 8pm this evening.

The City of Durand is looking for staff for the Tarrant Park Pool for the 2026 season. The city is looking for lifeguards, swimming instructors and bath house staff. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says while the city has always had teenagers apply for positions, anyone over the age of 14 is welcome to apply for positions, especially the bath house staff. Applications are available at Durand City Hall.

Congressman Derrick Van Orden was in Eau Claire County on Monday -- announcing federal funding for a water system project in Altoona. The two-point-two-five-million-dollars in funding will go towards the development of a service line providing clean water to Hillcrest Estates mobile home residents. More than 170 mobile home lots will be reached by the line.

A veteran sheriff's deputy is entering the race for Winona County Sheriff. John Hazelton's announcement comes after Goodview Mayor Ben Klinger said he wants to succeed Sheriff Ron Ganrude, who will not seek another term. Hazelton is running on a Stronger Together platform, which focuses on transparency and community partnership. He has selected Paul McKay as his running mate and Chief Deputy.

The National Park Service is seeking final input on its plan for the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. Officials are seeking public feedback on proposed changes that will guide the future of the St. Croix and Namekagon rivers. Once the plan is finalized, any regulatory changes would require separate public processes and steps to enact. The final draft is a 146-page plan that addresses topics such as camping reservations, boat speeds and many other issues. Comments will be accepted until February 21st.

Dissent among Republican state legislators could delay passage of tax cut plans. Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu says his caucus doesn't agree with Assembly tax relief proposals which could leave Governor Tony Evers' 400 year school funding veto in place. LeMaheiu says Speaker Robin Vos intends to adjourn the Assembly on Thursday, leaving little time to reach an agreement on taxes. Vos says Senate Republicans are welcome to provide ideas, but he's lukewarm to the idea of one time payments out of the state surplus, preferring property tax relief.

A northern Wisconsin tribe responds to comments made by Congressman Tom Tiffany. During a hearing in Washington last week, the 7th District Republican and candidate for governor asked Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa for charging the Town of Lac du Flambeau hundreds of thousands of dollars to use roads crossing reservation land. Last year a federal judge ruled in favor of the Town of Lac du Flambeau and the roads were reopened. In his remarks to Bondi, Tiffany called the tribe “perpetrators” of “extortion,” and said homeowners had been “trapped” by the tribes’ actions. In its statement, the Lac Du Flambeau Band said the dispute arose because the town failed for decades to secure rights-of-way through tribal trust land, and that at no time did the tribe “trap” homeowners or prevent them from receiving emergency services.

White House border czar Tom Homan says one-thousand federal agents have already left Minnesota. This comes after Homan announced last week that the Trump administration was winding down Operation Metro Surge. In an interview with CBS's "Face the Nation" on Sunday, Homan applauded what he called additional coordination with Minnesota authorities. As most federal agents depart, small teams will remain on the ground to support ongoing initiatives. During CNN's State of the Union program on Sunday, Homan said ICE took a lot of bad people off the streets.

The Red Cross is urging Wisconsinites to get CPR and first aid certified,. Southwest Wisconsin Chapter Executive Director Kyle Kriegl says more than 300,000 people experience cardiac events outside a hospital each year in the U.S., and having someone nearby who knows what to do can save a life. He says training is available online, in‑person, or in blended formats—and courses are regularly updated to include skills like CPR, AED use, and the Heimlich maneuver. More information is available at RedCross.org.

Another case of measles in Wisconsin. An investigation by the state Department of Health Services and Public Health Madison Dane County confirmed the case in an out-of-state traveler who stayed in the Madison Holiday Inn Express on High Crossing Boulevard from midnight Friday ‘til 12:30 that afternoon. DHS is working to identify and notify people who may have been exposed at the hotel.

Applications are open for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' Great Waters Photo Contest and Writing Project. Winning photos and writing will be featured in the next Wisconsin’s Great Waters Calendar. The contest celebrates how people connect with Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, and the Mississippi River. Photos can be entered in four categories: People, Cultural and Historical Features, Natural Features, and Wildlife. Writers can submit short essays, stories, poems, or descriptions of stewardship projects focused on Wisconsin’s Great Waters. Full rules and entry instructions are available on the DNR’s Great Waters Photo Contest webpage.

Local-Regional News Feb 16

No one was injured in a gas explosion in the town of Union last Tuesday. According to Township Fire, crews were dispatched to a fire on Anderson Road. Deputies on the scene advised there was no visible fire in the home but the kitchen was smokey and all occupants had evacuated. Firefighters determined a gas explosion had taken place and they ventilated the home and had the gas turned off. The home suffered minor damage. The source of the gas leak is still under investigation.

Compeer Financial is warning customers of scammer sending fake emails looking like they have come from Compeer. In the scheme, Compeer clients are sent an email using valid employee names and a fraudulent domain name. In this instance, the email domain was imitated by adding an ‘s’ to the end of our domain name. The email received then included modified copies of our wiring instructions. The fraudulent email address are cornpeer.com and cornpeers.com which can look similar to the legitimate website at first glance. If you have a question or concern regarding any communications you receive from Compeer you are advised to call your Compeer representative directly.

The City of Durand is working on establishing daily pool admission rates for the upcoming summer. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the city intends to have a full swim season this summer.

Milliren

The city hopes to have this admission rates set in the coming months.

ATV’s and UTV’s could be allowed to use the Hwy 10 Bridge soon. Last week the Assembly passed Assembly Bill 329 which would remove the 1000 foot limit for crossing bridges on highways. The bill now heads to Governer Ever’s desk for his approval.

Altoona Police are investigating after the Republican Party of Eau Claire County's headquarters was vandalized over the weekend. The building was egged and a message was spray-painted on the windows sometime between Friday night and Saturday morning. No arrests have been made.

The City of Wabasha is seeking applicants for the 2026 season at the Wabasha City Pool.  Positions available:  Lifeguards, Water Safety Instructors (WSI), and Front Desk Attendants.  Lifeguards must meet minimum age requirements and possess or obtain through provided training courses the American Red Cross Lifeguard/First Aid/CPR certifications. WSI Instructors must meet minimum age requirements and possess or obtain through provided training courses for certification.  Front desk attendants must be of legal age. Application deadline is March 15.

The Goodhue County Sheriffs Department is warning residents of scam calls from individuals posing as law enforcement and claiming residents have missed jury duty and in one case used a local Judge’s name to make the call sound legitimate. The department reminds residents they deputies will never call demanding payment over the phone. If you receive one of these calls you are to just hang up.

The Apostle Island caves are opening for the first time in over a decade. On Saturday, the National Park Service announced it is reopening the ice caves starting today. Visitors will have to walk about two to six miles across frozen Lake Superior from the Meyers Beach parking lot to reach the caves. For safety measures, the ice shelf must extend miles from the shore so it can protect the area's lake ice from the open-water waves. Admission fees will cost five dollars per person.

A judge is clearing the way for the moving of an oil pipeline in northern Wisconsin. Friday, the administrative law judge upheld state DNR permits that allow for the Enbridge Line 5 project to be rerouted. The Bad River Band opposed the project saying it would threaten the tribe's way of life and impact their water quality. The judge wrote in her ruling the Band failed to present evidence that would happen. Enbridge's Line 5 pipeline carries around 23-million gallons daily from Superior to Sarnia, Ontario.

Clark County authorities say they broke up a major drug ring last week, resulting in the arrest of four suspects and the seizure of several different drugs, including methamphetamines. One of the suspects -- 60-year-old Roy Pyka-- faces several charges, including manufacturing and distributing methamphetamines. The other three suspects were not identified.

The La Crosse City Council has voted down a proposal to add the position of city administrator to the city staff. The vote was close -- seven-to-six -- but the proposal needed a two-thirds majority to pass. After several hours of debate, most council members decided they needed more information, so the proposal was defeated..

The Mayo Clinic came out as victors after they were sued for retaliation. An Olmsted County jury ruled yesterday that the Rochester medical facility did not breach its anti-retaliation policy against Dr. Michael Joyner. The plaintiff filed a suit in 2023 claiming the clinic retaliated against him for comments he made during interviews. One conversation with the New York Times concerning transgender athletes. The other interview was with CNN when he criticized the National Institutes of Health on how they handled plasma to treat COVID-19. Mayo officials say Dr. Joyner had a previous disciplinary history before his civil suit started in November 2023.

UW-Madison is requiring students to share their vaccination status. An email from the school said students must upload their vaccination history by March 12th. The requirement is due to a recent confirmed case of measles on campus. UW wants students to also provide their immunity status for other diseases including mumps, rubella, tetanus and diphtheria. The university stresses that students are not being required to be vaccinated, but those who don't provide the information could be put on a registration hold.

US Senator Tammy Baldwin joined fellow Democrats Thursday to block passage of a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security. Baldwin says ICE has run roughshod on US residents for far too long and needs to follow the same procedures as other law enforcement agencies. "Just like local law enforcement, ICE should be required to have a judicial warrant before entering and searching homes and businesses, not a blank check to violate the Fourth Amendment." Baldwin says Republicans and the Trump Administration need to actually negotiate and offer real regulations on ICE before Democrats will be willing to sign a deal.

Eau Claire area ice rinks have been a popular place to visit this winter. The Eau Claire Parks and Recreation Division reports more than 46-hundred people have visited the area's four ice rinks so far this season. Officials say the rinks have been open for a total of 33 days this season -- which they say is a normal amount of time and has made for a great year so far. The season ends March first. 

Local-Regional News February 13

 

The preliminary utility work in the Madison Street Project is underway. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says We Energies is now working on moving the gas lines.  The main part of the Madison Street reconstruction project is expected to start in April.

No one was injured in a house fire in Menomonie on Thursday. According to Menomonie Fire, crews when crews arrived to the home the found it engulfed in flames. The fire collapsed the roof and created a gas leak. Xcel Energy was called to shut off the line. The cause of that fire is still under investigation.

Winter weather has created a nationwide blood shortage after storms forced the American Red Cross to cancel drives across the country. The Southwest Wisconsin chapter says the need for blood is especially critical for accident victims, medical emergencies, and surgeries. Executive director Kyle Kriegl reminds donors that giving blood is simple—just stay hydrated, eat a good meal, and get a full night’s rest. He adds that donations are sent wherever the need is greatest, and the Red Cross app will even tell you where your blood ends up helping patients. There will be an upcoming Blood Drive at the Durand United Methodist Church on March 1^st from Noon-6pm. Visit red cross blood dot org to schedule an appointment.

An Eau Claire man, missing since January has been found dead. The Eau Claire County Sheriff’s Department said that Kenneth Lewis’ body was found in a wooded area on Wednesday. Lewis was last seen on January 13^th and his vehicle was found on January 16 near Augusta. An autopsy has been scheduled to determine the cause of his death.

Winona County has provided residents with an update on the recent ransomware attack that has affect the county’s computer network. The county administrator is warning residents that certain county services may face delays while systems are offline. Officials investigating the incident are being assisted by cybersecurity and data forensics experts, while also working with federal law enforcement. It is unknown at this time if any personal information of residents was impacted.

First time filings for unemployment are decreasing across Wisconsin. That's according to the U.S. Department of Labor, which says for the week ending February 7th, there were more than 49-hundred first time filings in the state. That number is more than 18-hundred filings less than the week prior. Nationally, there was a decrease in the number of initial filings for the week.

The Twins are planning to use beer as a lure to draw fans to some of their home games this season at Target Field. The team will offer two-dollar beers before weekend home games all season long. Fans will be able to buy the low-cost brew before the first pitch of every Friday and Saturday home game. Meanwhile, season ticket holders will be able to get two-dollar pregame beers before every home game throughout the season. Twins have another offer on Friday nights. It's a pregame happy hour deal with two-dollar beers, hot dogs and snacks. Also, new this year is free ice cream for kids 12 and under on Sundays.

Changes to the federal SNAP program could soon impact thousands of Wisconsinites who rely on FoodShare benefits. A coalition of organizations across Wisconsin could be unable to meet new federal requirements without an additional 69 million dollars in support for FoodShare. Rebekah Sweeney is with the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association says the state could face federal penalties. Coalition members argue that funding is critical to protecting Wisconsin families’ access to food assistance. The additional funding would require bipartisan support in the Wisconsin Legislature.

A measure defining "grooming" as a crime in Wisconsin is awaiting the governor's signature. The state Senate passed the bill yesterday with bipartisan support, following last month's overwhelming approval by the Assembly. The legislation makes it illegal to engage in a pattern of behavior intended to condition or entice a child for sexual purposes. State lawmakers say the measure was prompted by gaps in state law exposed in a former Kenosha teacher case. Governor Tony Evers is expected to sign the measure.

The University of Wisconsin - Madison is bringing on a new leader later this year. The school announced Dr. Eric Wilcots as the interim chancellor effective May 17th. Wilcots has been with UW-Madison since 1995 and is currently the dean of the College of Letters and Science. He has also been a deputy dean associate dean for research. Wilcots is taking over for Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin, who is leaving to become the president of Columbia University.

Legislation regulating wakesurfing on Wisconsin lakes is on the fast track at the Capitol. Introduced on Monday, Assembly Bill 1033 was advanced to the floor for a Thursday vote after an hours long public hearing on Wednesday. In a social media post, Wisconsin Wildlife Federation Executive Director Cody Kamrowski called it “totally inadequate,” and urged people to call their Assembly representatives and tell them not to support the measure. A coalition of nearly 90 groups representing a variety of stakeholders contend the bill endangers lake health with insufficient restrictions on wakesurfing and other enhanced-wake activities. The groups support proposed legislation from State Senators Rachael Cabral-Guevara and Andre Jacque and Representative Nate Gustafson to establish responsible regulation and protect Wisconsin’s lakes from “wake-enhanced boating.”

The company that owns Kraft and Oscar Meyer is no longer planning to break up. Kraft Heinz announced last year that it was planning to split off some of its brands into separate companies for sale, but worsening economic conditions have made that impossible. Kraft Heinz has been seeing reduced sales both from a struggling food sector grappling with inflation, but also from consumers looking for healthier options. The company's CEO says they'll be working on marketing themselves to more people and business development. The company has a number of Kraft and Oscar Meyer facilities in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin lawmakers are advancing a bill that would overhaul eligibility for race based higher education programs. The Republican-authored bill prohibits using race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or religion to determine eligibility, replacing them with a broader “disadvantaged” category based on economic or personal hardship. An Assembly committee approved the bill on a six‑to‑five vote Tuesday. If it becomes law, the changes would affect minority‑focused loans, grants, and enrollment programs across the UW System, technical colleges, and several private institutions. It needs to pass in the Republican controlled Assembly and Senate before heading to Democratic Governor Tony Evers’ desk.

As Valentine's Day is quickly approaching, Wisconsin is being ranked as one of the best states for singles. That's according to a new WalletHub study, which ranked which states are the best and worst for singles based off of factors such as the number of single adults in the state, the economics of those who are single, and the number of restaurants, attractions, and nightlife options which can be used for dates. Wisconsin ranked as the sixth best state for singles, scoring its best marks in the categories of dating opportunities, romance, and fun. West Virginia ranked as the worst state for singles, while Florida, New York and Texas took the top spots.

A judge is blocking the Trump administration from freezing funds for Minnesota child and family services. On Friday, a preliminary injunction was granted to pause any attempts to freeze funding. The U.S. Administration for Children and Families froze all funds for Minnesota and four other states following fraud allegations. On Wednesday, the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families said they were grateful for the decision that protects childcare and other essential services.

Wisconsin saw a jump in unidentified flying objects reports in 2025. The National UFO Reporting Center listed 74 reports of UFOs in Wisconsin last year for a 48% increase. Sightings range from a fast-moving star that disappeared suddenly and was marked as a potential satellite to a triangle of lights that appeared as large as a city block. The National UFO Reporting Center is one of multiple databases that tracks the self-reported observations of UFOs. The center, which is a private, non-profit organization founded in 1974, listed 50 reports of UFOs in Wisconsin in 2024.