Local-Regional News Aug 14

 

The Durand City Council approved a resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of $549,000 in Sewer and Water Revenue Bonds. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the money is coming from the State of Wisconsin Clean Water program.  The water filtration plant project should be completed by this fall.

The City of Mondovi will be allowing goose hunting within the city limits again this fall. Mondovi Mayor Brady Weiss says the hunt is an effective way to control the goose population in the city.  Hunters must be licensed and follow all WI hunting regulations. Hunters also need to register with the city at city hall.

The Plum City School District is looking at expanding its Little Blues Program. The program currently offers care for kids 2 ½ to 13yrs old before and after school. The program is considering expanding to offer services to children younger than 2/12 yrs old. The School District is asking for the community to fill out a survey to determine the need for care and what ages. Plum City School District residents can find the survey at the Plum City School District Facebook Page.

The Buffalo-Pepin County ADRC is once again offering a Stepping On Class. The 7 week class helps elderly adults avoid falls and stay independent. Studies show that the class can reduce falls by 31 percent. The class will start on October 6^th at Emplify Health in Mondovi. Call the Buffalo-Pepin County ADRC at 866-578-2372 or visit their facebook page to register.

The City of Menomonie is considering extending the lawn watering ban in the city. Currently the city has a ban in place until August 18 due to the low water levels the city water system is facing. A proposal to extend that ban until October 31^st.   The Menomonie City Council is expected to discuss the proposal on Monday.

One person was injured in a motocycle vs car accident in Wanamingo Township on Wednesday. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, 35yr old Phillip Carl Breidall of Goodhue was traveling southbound on Hwy 57 when a northbound vehicle turned onto the Hwy 52 ramp and the two vehicles collided. Breidall was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital with life-threatening injuries. The other driver was not hurt.

The City of Eau Claire's City Council approved new ordinances during Tuesday's meeting. The city council approved a proposed ordinance that modernizes their compositing rules, expanding safe opportunities for residential and community compositing, and divert organic waste from local landfills. It's set to take effect on January 1st. Meanwhile, the council also approved a one-point-three-million dollar construction contract for the next round of Carson Park upgrades. The plans includes construction of a new bathroom and retail space behind the first base bleachers, with work expected to begin in a couple of weeks and finished before the start of next season.

La Crosse Common Council is approving an 18-month moratorium on the development of data centers in the city. Such centers have generated concerns regarding things like energy demands, economic and health impacts and safety. La Crosse County approved a similar moratorium in June.

More measles cases are being confirmed in southwestern Wisconsin. The Department of Health Services says there are now 15 confirmed cases in Iowa and Lafayette counties, while there are also six probable cases. This after there were just two cases as of Tuesday, and officials believe there are more active cases in the community. No hospitalizations have been reported so far with this outbreak, and no exposure locations have been mentioned.

A Wisconsin Rapids lawmaker wants to know what caused a delay in voting results in Milwaukee. Election officials say results were delayed because of some missing USB sticks, with five of the nine flash drives needing to be re-downloaded because of human error. More specifically, it was described as the wrong button being pressed. State Rep. Scott Krug called for further explanation of the matter, saying he plans to ask for a detailed report from election leaders in Milwaukee.

The last dogs at Ridglan Farms are now out of the facility. Big Dog Ranch Rescue says the final 155 dogs were released from Blue Mounds, most of which being puppies believed to be just a few months old. This departure marks the end of a mission by rescue groups to have all dogs leave Ridglan Farms, a mission that began back in April. Big Dog Ranch Rescue mentioned it has rescued more than 21-hundred beagles from the facility to date.

AI-powered scams are surging in Wisconsin and costing victims far more money. The Better Business Bureau reports that from January through July, reports of AI-related scams jumped 238% compared to the same period last year. The average loss climbed from about $778 to more than $5500. The BBB says scammers are using AI tools like voice cloning, deepfake videos and fake investment platforms to appear legitimate. Officials urge consumers to verify claims independently and avoid sharing personal or financial information with unexpected contacts.

One person is dead and others are injured after a two-vehicle crash in Wood County. Authorities received a report of the incident Wednesday night. An initial investigation shows a vehicle traveling at a high speed didn't stop at a stop sign and hit a pickup truck that was hauling a horse trailer. The driver of the car, 16-year-old Jacob Stoflet, suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead Thursday. The three occupants from the pickup truck were taken to the hospital, and the incident is under investigation.

Post-primary questions about Wisconsin’s premier political poll. Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley narrowly defeated high-polling Francesca Hong in Tuesday night's Democratic primary for governor. Marquette Poll Director Charles Franklin says they correctly placed Hong's support at around 39 percent, while the 34 percent of undecideds in the final poll prior to Election Day broke strongly for Crowley. Franklin also points to unprecedented turnout for a primary. More than 790-thousand Democrats cast a ballot, eclipsing the 640-thousand in the 2024 US Senate primary.

The Interstate 94 project in Milwaukee may not be finished until 2035. That's according to a new report from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, which noted the relocations of utilities could cause the project to be delayed by two years. The Journal Sentinel reports there's also a new cost estimate for the project that climbs above one-point-seven-billion dollars, a nearly four percent increase from February's estimate. DOT officials noted the delay is not certain and several factors play into the project timeline.

The Wisconsin State Fair's Blue Ribbon Livestock Auction raised more than $405,000 this year. The auction supports young exhibitors and youth programs across the state. Foundation President Jenny Gehl says the excitement at the event is unlike anything else. The auction featured 38 animals and generated funding for scholarships, youth grants, and exhibitor recognition programs.

Local-Regional News Aug 13

The City of Durand has approved a new revised lease with the Durand-Arkansaw School District. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the revised lease is due to the library using less space.  The new lease will keep the rent at $21,500 a year for the next three years with no increase in the rent.

Area Firefighters, EMS, Police, Healthcare workers, and others are participating in Crisis Intervention Training in Durand today. Shannon Grendzinski, Master Level Service Coordinator for Pepin County Human Services, says the training is an evidence-based training to assist those responding to someone experiencing a mental health crisis.   Grendzinski hopes to have the training on a bi-annual basis.

The four corners in Downtown Mondovi is currently a four-way stop; could that change to a controlled intersection? Mondovi Mayor Brady Weiss says with the upcoming Hwy 37 and Hwy 10 projects, that has been discussed with the State of Wisconsin.  So far, the DOT has no plans to install traffic lights at that intersection.

A man convicted in a 2024 fatal shooting in Trempealeau County is learning his fate. Investigators say that Whitehall resident Todd Gieck shot the victim -- Ettrick resident Kyle Dahl -- along Highway 53 in the Town of Gale. Dahl was found in his crashed vehicle and later died at a local hospital. Gieck was found guilty earlier this year on charges including reckless homicide and has been sentenced to 40 years in prison.

One person is dead after a Wednesday morning collision in St. Croix County. The accident involving two pickup trucks and happened shortly after 7 a.m. on I-94. Authorities say the driver of a Chevy Silverado hit a Chevy Colorado, forcing both off the road. The Colorado struck a number of trees and its driver died at the scene. The accident is under investigation.

Prison time for a Tomah man convicted on charges stemming from a 2023 overdose death. Monroe County prosecutors say Nicholas Hage sold meth and fentanyl to a man who later suffered a fatal overdose. Hage pleaded no contest to a charge of reckless homicide for delivering drugs and has been sentenced to eight years in prison.

Winona police are declining to replace the eight Flock cameras that were cut down or stolen. The department says the technology contributed to growing community concerns about trust in policing. The cameras disappeared from four locations between July 29th and August 1st. Police say the system helped solve crimes and locate people in crisis, with no known instances of misuse. The theft investigation continues and police say future technology decisions will include public input.

The UW System could make new investments to boost Wisconsin's workforce and business growth. The Tech for Tomorrow and Accelerate Wisconsin initiatives are part of the Universities of Wisconsin proposed 2027-29 budget. The plan would help create 300,000 career-ready workers, upskill one million employees, and support the launch of 2,500 new businesses over the next decade. Leaders say the proposals would speed new technologies from campus research labs to the marketplace while helping entrepreneurs expand their businesses. The UW Board of Regents is expected to vote on the full budget proposal next week.

Lightning strikes are the culprit for several fires in southern Wisconsin. Strong storms hit on Tuesday morning. In Dane County, lightning sparked a fire at a home in the town of Oregon, causing 400 thousand dollars in damage. Later in the morning, a residence in Fitchburg, which borders Madison's south side, was hit, resulting in a fire that displaced residents. Southwest of Madison, 3 fires were reported in Iowa County, in the Dodgeville and Hollandale areas, with 2 of them confirmed to have started from a lightning strike. No injuries have been reported.

Construction crews are set to break ground on a new senior and veteran housing complex in Rhinelander Wednesday. The development will include 48 apartment homes, including six units reserved for veteran residents. Project backers say it'll help fill a gap in housing options for older adults in the area. The estimated cost is approximately ten-point-six-million dollars. The complex is estimated to be completed by the fall of next years, and applications won't be accepted until the project is near completion.

Three people including a young child are dead after an incident at a Minnesota in-home daycare. Hopkins Police Chief Brent Johnson said two adults and the child were found dead at the scene. The two adults are believed to be the owners of the daycare and the parents of the child who was killed. The adult male is believed to have been the suspect in the incident. It happened yesterday morning at a daycare in Hopkins, just outside of Minneapolis. Other children were inside the daycare and were safely reunited with their families. Police said there is no further threat to the community.

FEMA teams are on scene in the Fox Valley. Federal Emergency Management Agency personnel will work to verify damage from last month's E F 3 tornado that left a trail of destruction through Menasha, Appleton and other areas in the Fox Cities. Governor Tony Evers requested aid from FEMA last week, and once this initial survey is complete, there will be a clearer indication on how much federal assistance might be coming.

Wisconsin has the second highest “brain drain” of adult college graduates leaving for other states, according to a new report from the Wisconsin Policy Forum. Almost 60% of Wisconsin-born adults in their 30s and now living in another state have a bachelor's or advanced degree, compared to only about 45% of those born in a different state and now living in Wisconsin. That gap is the second highest among the 50 states, behind only North Dokota.

One study is revealing the top states to live in. WalletHub based its ranking of all 50 states on 51 key metrics, including health care and location, income, and homeownership rates. Idaho took the top spot for its low real estate tax rate and highest median income growth in the country. New Jersey took the second spot for its location to economic hubs and highly rated healthcare while Wisconsin made up the top three for its affordable housing. Massachusetts and New Hampshire round out the top five on the list. 

Local-Regional News Aug 12

 

A November rematch is set in Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District. Rebecca Cooke’s win in the Democratic primary means she’ll face Representative Derrick Van Orden in the general election. It’s Cooke's third attempt at the seat. She lost in the 2022 Democratic primary and then to Van Orden in the 2024 general election. The small small business owner and nonprofit leader defeated former Eau Claire City Council president Emily Berge.

The Durand City Council is meeting tonight. Items on the Agenda include discussion and possible action on an updated library lease with the Durand-Arkansaw School District, a resolution to authorize the issuance and sale of up to $549,000 in Sewer and Water System Revenue Bonds, and reports from the Mayor and Department Heads. Tonights meeting begins at 6pm at Durand City Hall.

Sheriff Eric Koxlein won the republican primary race for Trempleau County Sheriff and will be the presumptive winner of the general election as no Democrat ran in the race. Meanwhile in Chippewa County, Travis Hakes defeated Mark Hollister in the republican primary for sheriff and because no Democrat is running in November Hakes is the presumptive winner of the general election.

The City of Mondovi will review a request from the Buffalo County Trail Riders Association to expand the operating hours for ATV’s and UTV’s in the city. Mondovi Mayor Brady Weiss says the group would like to see the hours expanded to 24 hours a day in the city. The Trail Riders Association is also planning on asking the Buffalo County Board to expand operating hours in the county to 24-7.

A woman and her adult son were arrested in Eau Claire this week after an overnight standoff with police. According to reports, 57-year-old Kari Nittmann and 33-year-old Zane Nittmann threatened a young boy who rode past their home on an e-bike and sicced a dog on the child. Police responded to the scene and engaged in a standoff with the two that ended when they reportedly tried to sneak out the back of the home and drive away. Police disabled the vehicle and arrested them.

An Eau Claire man is facing charges after a recent arrest in an undercover sex sting operation. Authorities in Trempealeau County say that 19-year-old Joseph Farris connected online with an undercover officer who was posing as an underage boy and arranged to meet him for sex. Farris was arrested last week when he showed up for a meet-up last week in Osseo. He is charged with using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime.

A deadly crash that happened back in May on I-94 in Monroe County is resulting in charges for a Warrens woman. Investigators say that 21-year-old motorist Lacey Georgeson was speeding when she rear-ended a pickup truck. Both vehicles went off the interstate and the driver of the pickup suffered fatal injuries. Georgeson now faces charges that include homicide by intoxicated use of vehicle.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Iowa County Health Department, and Lafayette County Health Department report the third and fourth cases of measles confirmed in Wisconsin so far in 2026, in residents of Iowa and Lafayette counties. According to DHS neither case is related to any previously confirmed cases and both are believed to have been exposed in Wisconsin, suggesting there may be additional measles cases in communities that have not yet been identified. The investigation is ongoing and public health officials are working to identify and notify people who may have been exposed to the virus. Measles is highly contagious and can cause serious health complications. There’s more information on the DHS website.

Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan is defeating Representative Angie Craig in the Democratic Senate primary. Flanagan ran as an unabashed progressive who criticized corporate influence in politics to defeat the better-funded moderate Craig. Flanagan supports Medicare for All and refused corporate PAC money. Flanagan will face Republican nominee Michele Tafoya in November.

Wisconsin insurance regulators are urging consumers to do their homework before signing up for alternative health coverage plans. Sarah Smith with the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance says many of those plans are not comprehensive health insurance and may offer only limited benefits. She advises shoppers to carefully review coverage, exclusions, and benefits before enrolling. Regulators also warn consumers to avoid unsolicited online offers and scammers, and to use the official federal marketplace at Healthcare.gov when shopping for coverage.

A woman was arrested on a flight that diverted to Milwaukee this weekend. The United Airlines flight from Tampa to Chicago had to divert to Milwaukee Mitchell Airport due to bad weather Sunday night. W I S N TV reports deputies were called to the plane because a woman was threatening to leave the parked plane while it was on the runway. The 44-year-old woman was taken off the plane in handcuffs and cited for disorderly conduct. United says it provided reimbursements for everyone on board and got them on the next flight to Chicago on Monday.

A Madison Airbnb owner accused of planting secret cameras on his properties takes a plea deal in his case. Online court records show 43-year-old Patrick Sias pleaded no contest on Monday to 8 charges of invasion of privacy. Sias was accused of installing peephole cameras in the bathrooms of a rental property, which had their own charging ports and storage devices. The cameras were discovered by a group of women attending a bachelorette party in July of 2025. The plea means he accepts the charges without admitting guilt. He'll face up to 3 years in prison on the most serious charges.

Avoid ash trees when putting up tree stands this season. As hunters start scouting for the fall deer season, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says dead and dying ash trees can be dangerous places for tree stands. Officials say emerald ash borer infestations have now been confirmed in all 72 counties, weakening trees and making them more likely to snap or drop large branches. Hunters are urged to use other tree species, wear a full-body safety harness and stay alert around ash trees, especially on windy days.

Wisconsin Consumer Protection is tracking price-gouging in wake of the Fox Cities tornado. Governor Tony Evers last week said the state will be vigorously enforcing the price-gouging laws, after reports that prices for goods and services had spiked following the tornado that tore through Menasha. Wisconsin defines price gouging as raising the price by more than 15 percent following a disaster. Anyone with concerns over pricing should contact DATCP at D A T C P dot WI dot Gov, or by calling 800-422-7128.

Watch out for shady reviews online. Lisa Schiller with the Better Business Bureau says it's easy to post an online review, but there's definitely signs it might be phony. "If a reviewer has a very common or a generic name, you know, like John Smith or, you know, Anne Doe, something like that, you've spotted a red flag." Other things to look out for is a large number of reviews all made at the same time, or reviews that repeat words or phrases from other reviews. If you're seeing a lot of bots in the comments, it's a sign to find another item. 

Local-Regional News Aug 11

 

The Mondovi City Council is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include discussion and possible action on ATV/UTV operating hours within the city limits, goose control on Mirror Lake, and the council will go into closed session to confer with legal counsel on possible litigation the city may become involved in. Tonights meeting begins at 5:30 at Mondovi City Hall.

Elmwood residents could see an increase in water rates. The Village has submitted a proposal to the Public Service Commission to raise water rates by 36% to help the water utility keep pace with increasing capital investment and operating costs. The increase would increase an average water bill by $8.51. If the rate increase is approved by the PSC, it would take effect in early 2027.

One person has been arrested after an undercover operation in Trempealeau County. According to the Trempealeau County Sheriffs Department, Operation Osseo Traveler focused on identifying individuals who used online platforms to arrange sexual encounters with children. Investigators posed as minors in online conversations and those who took steps toward meeting a child for sexual purposes were arrested. The name of the person arrested has not been released. The operation was done in conjunction with the Wisconsin Department of Justice and the Oneida County Sheriff’s Department.

A Blair woman is in custody after a rollover crash in Trempealeau County. Crews were called just before 5 p.m. Saturday in the Town of Preston. Investigators say 20-year-old Cassandra Sagero was speeding when she drove off the road and into a ditch, causing the vehicle to roll over. She was arrested on suspicion of OWI and resisting an officer.

Gas prices are falling in Western Wisconsin. Triple-A reports the average price of regular fuel in Eau Claire this week is now three-82 per gallon -- down nine-cents-per-gallon from just one week ago. The average cost of a gallon of regular fuel in the Badger State is now three-84 per gallon -- a drop of eleven-cents per gallon from the price seven days prior.

The Buffalo County Health and Human Services Department is announcing registration is now open for a no-cost laptop event on September 15. The event, organized by Techquity Wisconsin and the Great Rivers United Way will offer no-cost laptops, and how to guides to individuals and families in need. The event will be held at the Alma Library and registration is required. For more information contact the Buffalo County Health and Human Services Department.

An animal rescue is reporting results of a weekend surrender event. J and R Aquatic Animal Rescue took in exotic pets that folks felt they were no longer able to care for at a weekend event in Cadott. Thirty animals were turned in at the Cadott Community Library and are now receiving proper care.

Wisconsin voters head to the polls today to cast ballots in primary elections. Voters will be choosing nominees for governor, congress and statewide offices. Many counties will be choosing nominees for sheriff and will be deciding other contests, as well. Polling hours today are 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.

A major investment to train more health care workers in Wisconsin. Universities of Wisconsin Interim President Renée Wachter unveiled a plan to train 35,000 new health care professionals over the next decade. The proposed Healthy Wisconsin plan is the first major piece of the UW System's 2026-27 budget request and would invest $90 million across the state's 13 public universities. Wachter says the goal is to strengthen the health care workforce pipeline and improve access to care statewide as providers face ongoing staffing shortages.

Brookfield police are explaining why officers stopped the wrong vehicle at gunpoint after a Flock camera flagged it in connection with a Milwaukee homicide. The stop happened on I-94 in Waukesha County before officers contacted Milwaukee police. MPD says staff failed to remove a wanted vehicle alert from the system, leaving it active after the vehicle and occupants were no longer needed. Brookfield Police Chief Christopher Garcia says his officers acted consistently with the information available at the time.

The last beagles will be leaving a Dane County research farm this week. Blue Mounds-based Ridglan Farms will be transferring the last 155 animals on its property to Big Dog Rescue Ranch this week, which will effectively shut down the facility. Ridglan has been a target of animal rights groups for decades for the medical and chemical testing performed on the beagles in the facility and the breeding programs on site. The facility gave up its license to operate voluntarily this summer rather than face felony animal abuse charges.

PETA is asking federal regulators to investigate two incidents involving monkeys at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The animal rights group sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture alleging one monkey required a forearm amputation after being attacked through an adjacent food opening. PETA says another monkey suffered severe oral injuries after workers left interlocking doors unsecured, allowing neighboring animals to fight. The group says the USDA has cited the university for eight animal welfare violations since 2024. UW-Madison says it complies with federal inspections, reports incidents, and corrects problems.

A Neillsville man is in custody after causing a disturbance at a local car dealership. Officials say David Schutz entered Gross Motors around 9 a.m. Monday and began threatening and spitting at employees. Staff asked him to leave, but he refused. Police learned Schutz had worked at the dealership for a short time in 2017 before he was fired. He was arrested for disorderly conduct and trespassing.

Minnesota-based Target is being affected by a major recall related to salmonella contamination. Taylor Farms is recalling food items containing jalapenos. It comes after the California-based company pulled lettuce linked to the ongoing cyclospora outbreak. Taylor Farms said the recalled products include salsas and guacamole, sold at major outlets including Target and Walmart. The products can be returned to stores for a full refund.

Do what you can to limit the amount of data you're handing out to businesses and services. UW-Madison information researcher Dorothea Salo says given the amount of data breaches that happen regularly now it's wise to be skeptical of what info a company wants from you. "You can ask, why do you need this information?" Keep a robust ad blocker on your computer and devices, since bad online ads are the number one source of malware on the internet. Salo says it's also a great idea to freeze your credit as soon as possible and keep it frozen until you need to take out a loan or complete a major purchase.

Local-Regional News Aug 10

 

The Buffalo County Sheriff’s Department is reporting the release of a registered sex offender back into the community. In 2008, David Hawkinson was convicted in Buffalo and Pepin County of Repeated 1^st Degree Sexual Assault of a Child. Hawkinson will be released from prison on August 18 and will be listed as homeless. He will have lifetime GPS monitoring and supervision due to his sex offense. Currently, the WI Department of Corrections is working on a pending relocation to a different county in which Hawkinson will reside.

Buffalo County has a new sheriff. Governor Tony Evers announced the appointment of Jake Laehn to fill the vacancy left with the resignation of former Sheriff Michael Osmond. Laehn -- a 15-year veteran of the department -- will fill the remainder of Osmond's term, which is set to expire in January of 2027.

A Pepin County non-profit has been awarded a $500 grant from the Pierce Pepin Cares Program. Bridge to Hope will use the money to support direct advocacy services, community outreach, and resource navigation for Pepin County residents, including crisis intervention, legal advocacy, and housing resource referrals. The Pierce Pepin Cares program is a program where members of Pierce Pepin Cooperative round up their monthly energy bills to support local non-profits and other organizations.

In La Crosse County, prison for Josie Dikeman. Dikeman was convicted in May of the 2023 death of her boyfriend's six-year-old son, A.J. Jurors convicted the defendant on charges including First-Degree Reckless Homicide, Chronic Neglect of a Child Resulting in Death, and Physical Abuse of a Child. Dikeman was sentenced Friday to a term of 27 years in prison.

Final preparations are underway for this week's Pierce County Fair in Ellsworth. The fair will feature the traditional carnival, livestock shows and commercial exhibits. A light up the sky drone show is Thursday, Tractor Pull Friday night, and music from Half Shebang, and Brad Boice. The fair runs Thursday through Sunday in Ellsworth.

Sex crimes charges are being filed against a former janitor for the Coulee Christian School District. Twenty-two-year-old Davin Keeney is accused of engaging in sexual activity with a juvenile. Charges include grooming of a child for sexual activity and sexual assault of a child by a person who works or volunteers with children.

Voters around the Badger State will be heading to the polls tomorrow for the Wisconsin primary election. Arguably the biggest item for voters to decide will be who represents the Democrats in the race for governor. State Rep. Francesca Hong had a commanding lead in a Marquette University poll last month, while Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley recently received an endorsement from Governor Tony Evers. Polls will be open from seven in the morning until eight at night.

More and more working families are turning to food benefits and food pantries for their meals, and that can make eating healthy harder. UW Extension Food Health scientist Dr. Beth Olsen says it's not just that fresh foods can be more expensive, it's hard finding the time to actually cook. If you have a freezer and a slow cooker, consider making a large stew or meal and freezing away servings for the rest of the week. Most of all, says Olsen, don't fret over missing the time to cook and just having something to eat.

A UW-Madison lab employee has pleaded not guilty after being accused of trying to poison his coworker. Makoto Kuroda appeared Thursday in Dane County Court for his arraignment. The not guilty plea was entered for charges of second-degree recklessly endangering safety and tampering with products to cause harm. A pre-trial conference is scheduled for September 25th.

An inmate who escaped from the Juneau County Jail was arrested in Minnesota. The JCSO had reported that Steven Garner didn't return back to the jail last week after an authorized work release. The agency announced Friday that authorities arrested Garner in Winona, Minnesota and is being held on charges there. He's set to be transferred back to Juneau County.

A new federal law reveals hazing incidents on UW campuses. UW-Madison recently posted detailed descriptions of nine hazing incidents involving Greek organizations between 2021 and 2025. Reported hazing included forced pushups, eating raw onions and performing to children's music. The Stop Campus Hazing Act requires universities to publicly disclose hazing violations and update reports twice a year. UW-Green Bay and UW-Whitewater also reported incidents. UW-Madison has reported no cases of hazing so far this year.

A former Thiensville police officer is facing a fine for the mistreatment of animals earlier this year. Richard McCormick resigned from the department after shooting two dogs in April, leaving one dead. This week, the district attorney decided against a criminal charge and issued a civil forfeiture instead, meaning McCormick could be fined up to 500-dollars. He's scheduled to be in court in October. The shooting wasn't reported until June by the Journal Sentinel when three women found the wounded dog and took care of him.

A lucky save for a Horicon woman who nearly got caught in a phone scam. Fox 6 Milwaukee reports Horicon police had to assist an elderly woman who was being harassed by phone scammers claiming her computer was hacked and she needed to pay them 1000 dollars in Apple Pay cards to get it fixed. The woman misheard the scammers and instead bought Applebee's gift cards instead. When she tried to give them to the scammers, they hung up on her. Fox 6 helped the woman's family get a complete refund on the gift cards.

The Minnesota State Fair is considered the top fair in the country. USA Today reports that they came to the conclusion based on factors like high attendance, massiveness, and enormous economic impact. Wisconsin finished second, while Iowa and Illinois ranked seventh and eighth. The Great Minnesota Get-Together runs August 27th through September 7th this year.

Local-Regional News Aug 7

 

Expect increased traffic and people in Durand over the next few days. Blues on the Chippewa is underway in Durand. The music began last night at Veterans Memorial Park in Durand and continues today. Along with the music a craft show is also being held. Blue on the Chippewa runs through Saturday.

The Village of Elmwood has a new website. The site includes meeting agendas, ordinances, village news and more. The village will be continuing to add more features to the site over the coming weeks. The new website is at vi dot elmwood dot wi dot gov.

Governor Tony Evers is ordering the American flag to be flown at half-staff next Monday. They'll be lowered to honor Eau Claire Fire Department firefighter Bryce A. Jungbluth, who passed away at 27 while on duty following a sudden medical emergency. Evers said his passing "leaves behind a void in the lives of all who had the privilege of working and serving alongside him." The flags will be lowered from sunrise to sunset on August 10th.

A woman is hospitalized in critical condition after a loose camper top struck the windshield of an SUV she was riding on Highway 14 in Dover Township. The incident happened last night near 19th Avenue Southeast. A Ford F-650 truck was towing another vehicle with a camper top attached to it. The camper broke free and hit the windshield of a 2017 Ford Escape. The passenger, a 42-year-old Lewiston woman, was taken to St. Mary's Hospital with life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Escape suffered minor injuries. The driver of the truck was not hurt.

Oxbow Park is taking reservations for a new campground. Olmsted County says the rural Byron site has water hookups, 42 electric campsites and four camper cabins. The cabins can accommodate up to six people and include both heating and air conditioning for year-round use. The county is moving the campground to higher ground because repeated river flooding damaged the existing location. Most of the former campsites will be restored as native prairie or open space.

In La Crosse County, sentencing is scheduled today for Josie Dikeman. Dikeman was convicted in May in the 2023 death of her boyfriend's six-year-old son, A.J. Jurors convicted the defendant on charges including First-Degree Reckless Homicide, Chronic Neglect of a Child Resulting in Death and Physical Abuse of a Child.

A new fact sheet from the Wisconsin Office of Children's Mental Health highlights the link between youth vaping and mental health concerns. Director Linda Hall says about one-third of high school students report vaping, often because of curiosity or stress. But Hall says the nicotine-packed devices can actually create a cycle of dependence and anxiety. She notes a single vape can contain nicotine equivalent to hundreds of cigarettes. The fact sheet and resources for parents are available on the OCMH website.

If a TikTok account or social media influencer is trying to get you to change your diet, be careful. UW Extension Food Health scientist Dr. Beth Olsen says many influencers are just trying to sell you a meal plan or supplement. Before you make any major changes to your diet or take a supplement, consult your doctor to make sure you aren't going to be doing damage to yourself. Olsen says going it alone carries the risk of cutting out something you may need in your diet or doing serious harm without realizing it.

Final fundraising reports are in ahead of next week’s primary election for Wisconsin governor. Campaign finance documents submitted to the state show that between July 1 and July 27, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley raised around $776,000, while state Representative Francesca Hong raised nearly $339,000. Donations to Crowley’s campaign included $20,000 from current Democratic Governor Tony Evers, who endorsed Crowley when he re-entered the race after earlier dropping out. In the primary campaign’s waning days, both Crowley and Hong reported more than $400,000 in their campaign accounts. Two other Democrats, state Senator Kelda Roys and former Evers cabinet member Joel Brennan raised about $126,000 and $145,000 respectively during the July reporting period. The combined fundraising by the four Democrats was eclipsed by the more than $4.6 million raised by Republican Congressman Tom Tiffany. The bulk of Tiffany’s total was transfers from the Republican Party of Wisconsin, which received $5 million from Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein. Fellow Republican megadonor Dianne Hendricks has also contributed millions to Tiffany by way of the state party.

SSM Health is again appealing a ruling that ratified a nurse’s union at St Mary's in Madison. St. Louis based SSM asked the National Labor Relations Board to review claims it made regarding the June vote by nurses to form a union. SSM states that the NLRB dismissed its claims that 83 votes may have been cast improperly without conducting a proper investigation. Even if those votes are tossed out, it would not overturn the ratification. St. Mary’s nurses are seeking better hours, compensation, and more staff to provide patient care.

The American Red Cross is reaching out directly to Fox Cities residents affected by last week's tornado. Northeast Wisconsin Chapter Director Rebecca Rockhill says people in the impact zone can expect a text message. It's not spam - it's the how the agency can start to get in touch with people requiring assistance. The EF-3 tornado with winds up to 140 miles per hour left a trail of damage across Neenah, Appleton and Fox Crossing. The Red Cross emergency shelter facility moved from Christ of the Rock Church to Appleton North High School this week. Another resource center for tornado victims is opening in Menasha to provide assistance with housing, finances, mental health, food, and essential needs.

A Wisconsin company will work with a top global shipbuilder to modernize the industry. South Korean’s HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering plans to turn the Fraser Shipyards in Superior into a model for renovating the US shipbuilding industry. Much of that capacity moved overseas over the last 30 years, and Fraser Industries wants to see that work return to the US. No formal agreement is in place yet, but HD Korea and Fraser are hoping to have a partnership in place by this fall after signing a memorandum of understanding in Washington, DC last month.

The Wisconsin State Fair is open. Doors opened at 10 am Thursday for the fair's 175th anniversary. If you're heading out to the fairgrounds in West Allis, be aware that all bags are being searched on the way in and that restrictions on the number of bags you can have are lifted. You can find a full listing of events at the fair online at W I State Fair dot Com. Visitors to the Cream Puff bakery in The Dairy Building will find that it now bears the name of Tony Evers in honor of governor’s long-time support of the Wisconsin State Fair and State Fair Park

Local-Regional News Aug 6

 

A Pierce County couple is facing charges in the death of their three-week-old child. The child was found unresponsive March 14th and was later pronounced dead. Twenty-three-year-old Jessie Lee Kittelson told police she used methamphetamine throughout her pregnancy, that she breastfed the child and had used the drug as recently as three days before his death. The child's father, 26-year-old Taylor Jae Olson, has admitted to acquiring the drugs for Kittelson. The baby died of methamphetamine toxicity and the parents are charged with reckless homicide.

A new phone scam in Pierce County. The Pierce County Sheriffs Department is reporting of someone claiming to be Investigator Ryan Miller from the River Falls Police Department calling citizens and asking them to return his call about personal matters that need to be discussed. If you receive this message, do not call back on the phone number left for you. If you believe someone from River Falls Police needs to speak with you, make sure you look up the number yourself and call that one instead.

Buffalo County has a new alerting system. The county has changed to a new alert provider from Regroup software. The software will allow Buffalo County Emergency Management to send information directly to residents in case of severe weather , or other emergencies. The old alert system will expire at the end of August. Visit the Buffalo County Emergency Management webpage to sign up for the new system.

Chippewa County prosecutors' case against Carson Peters-Berger will not be going to trial. Peters-Berger is charged in the 2022 killing of 10-year-old Lily Peters. The D.A.'s office announced Wednesday that a resolution hearing will be held August 26th -- heading off a jury trial that had been scheduled to begin in November. Prosecutors have given no indication as to what the resolution will look like.

A Chippewa Falls man charged with reckless homicide after a deadly accident on Lake Wissota is pleading not guilty. Two jet skis collided on the lake on the night of May 23, 2025, resulting in the death of 24-year-old Elle Jo Kramschuster. Kramschuster had been a passenger on Bruce Sanborn's jet ski. Sanborn is one of two men charged in the case and entered his plea on Wednesday.

A Monroe County man charged in the attempted killing of his wife is pleading not guilty. The incident happened in Sparta back in April. The victim says she told police her husband, Randal Cunitz, tried to strangle her and provided authorities with an audio recording of the attack. Cunitz pleaded not guilty yesterday to charges including attempted first-degree intentional homicide.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says chronic wasting disease was found in deer near Stillwater. A landowner found a doe that was emaciated, lethargic and unafraid of people. The deer later died on July 16th, and laboratory testing confirmed the disease this week. The DNR is planning its response, which could include feeding bans and increased hunting opportunities. The always-fatal neurological disease causes lethargy and weight loss, but no human cases have been documented.

Wisconsin may soon delay payments for losses caused by wolves. The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board has approved work on an emergency rule that would delay livestock and hunting dog wolf depredation payments because funding could run short by next summer. According to the Department of Natural Resources, claims from farmers and hunters would be held until the end of the fiscal year, with the goal of paying them in full. Officials cite rising costs and a long-running deficit in the agency's Fish and Wildlife Account. The board is expected to consider the final rule later this month.

A legal challenge to Wisconsin's new online sports betting law. The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty has filed a lawsuit challenging the new online sports betting law. The conservative group argues lawmakers exceeded their constitutional authority by legalizing mobile sports wagers placed in Wisconsin and processed on tribal land. The suit, filed on behalf of two taxpayer groups, seeks to block Democratic Governor Tony Evers from implementing tribal gaming compacts through the law’s provisions. Supporters say the law will generate increased revenue for Wisconsin's tribal nations, critics call it an unconstitutional expansion of gambling.

Wisconsin doctors are urging state lawmakers to create a BadgerCare public option as healthcare costs continue to rise. Supporters say the proposal would expand affordable coverage for families and small businesses. Family physician Doctor Kristen Dall-Winther says patients who lose health insurance often delay care until medical problems become more serious and expensive. Healthcare workers also note Wisconsin is one of just ten states that has not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.

Work on Wisconsin's first Buc-ee's travel center is underway. The 73-thousand square foot facility in Oak Creek is expected to have 120 gas pumps and bring even more jobs to the area. Crews have been laying the groundwork to prepare for utilities, while vertical construction is expected to begin before the new year. Officials had hoped to open the travel center sometime next year, but a sewer project nearby delayed construction, and now the project could be completed by early 2028.

A Rochester woman is accused of slashing another woman's tires and then threatening her with a box cutter. Police say the road rage incident happened Sunday on Highway 14 near West Circle Drive Northwest. Keara McGee has been charged with terroristic threats and assault. The other driver told detectives that a car sped around her and keep her from changing lanes, then braked in front of her. McGee allegedly got out of the vehicle with a box cutter and slashed two of the victim's tires. The defendant then held the sharp object near the woman's neck. McGee was released from custody and is expected back in court on September 1st.

The U.S. Senate is giving Minnesota's hemp-derived THC industry a one-month reprieve. Senators advanced a short-term spending bill that would delay new restrictions from November 11th until December 11th. The restrictions would ban many THC drinks, gummies and CBD products containing more than zero-point-four milligrams of THC. Senator Amy Klobuchar and Representative Angie Craig are proposing federal regulations instead of an outright ban. Final Senate approval is expected later this week, giving advocates more time to pursue a longer extension.

This year's Golden Sporkie goes to the Birria Flamin' Bombs from the Fiesta Grill and Cantina. The fried balls are filed with birria, onion, cilantro and cheese. This year's Drinkie award went to the Tilt-a-Spritz from the Old Fashioned Sipper Club. It's made with grapefruit and lime with ginger beer. The State Fair opens Thursday morning in West Allis.