Local-Regional News March 30

 

A Federal Grant program to provide a community shelter that can also be used for school and community events is back. In 2024 the Durand-Arkansaw School District began the process of applying for a FEMA Grant to build a new community shelter. The grant program was ended in 2025, but according to Durand-Arkansaw School Superintendent Ryan Nelson, the program has been restarted. Nelson says the district will explore its options on pursuing the grant.  The FEMA grant if approved, would pay for nearly all of the construction costs for the community shelter/fieldhouse.

Another local sheriff’s department will have an app soon. The Pierce County Sheriff’s Department has announced the departments app will be available soon. The app will provide users with news updates, announcements and other information. The Department hopes to have the new app online in the coming weeks.

One firefighter received minor injuries during a house fire in Eau Claire last night. According to Eau Claire Fire, firefighters responded to the blaze on Nimitz Street and found fire coming from the back of the home. The occupants of the home were able to evacuate prior to firefighters arriving. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Charges are being filed against an Eau Claire man busted Saturday evening in Jackson County. Sixty-year-old Jeffrey Andrews was pulled over in his Dodge pickup truck when Wisconsin State Patrol say they observed his driving showing signs of impairment. Andrews was taken into custody on a charge of operating a motor vehicle under the influence -- 4th offense.

The Pepin County Humane Society is giving dog owners an opportunity to have their pet micro chipped. A free microchip clinic will be held on April 18^th at the Upper Pavilion at Tarrant Park. All dogs must be leashed and muzzled if appropriate. A doggie Easter egg hunt will follow the clinic.

Wisconsin Foodshare recipients will eventually be prohibited from buying soda and candy with those benefits. It’s unclear how soon those new restrictions will be in place for the more than 365,000 Wisconsin households that receive Foodshare. In addition to that “junk food” prohibition, legislation that Democratic Governor Tony Evers recently signed into law increases state funding for food assistance through the federally funded SNAP program. The bill which passed the Legislature with bipartisan support provides $72 million for administrative and staff costs in the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. An agency spokesperson said the first implementation step is that DHS must develop a waiver subject to approval by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. DHS is also working to fill the newly funded positions as quickly as possible.

Three months after launching, Wisconsin’s new Film Office is already pitching the state as a competitive place to shoot movies and television. Director Veronica Pope says new tax incentives help level the playing field, offering productions up to one million dollars in credits, with five million available statewide each year. Pope says Wisconsin’s diverse landscapes, culture, and creative workforce are major draws — and production money staying here also boosts local economies and tourism. More information is available through Travel Wisconsin.

A Wisconsin conservative think tank says it will sue the state if a bill to allow online sports betting is signed into law. Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty deputy counsel Lucas Weber tells WISN's UPFRONT a plan to allow tribal casinos to handle the bets doesn't get around the fact that the state constitution prohibits the legislature from allowing gambling. The bill will change the legal definition of 'a bet' to allow for the apps to collect wagers, something that Weber says is still unconstitutional.

Changes to the state bar exam could expand access to legal services in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has issued an order approving the changes, including adoption of the Uniform Bar Examination and a new process for transferring qualifying scores from other states.. Starting in July, applicants who earn a qualifying score of two‑sixty or higher may apply for admission without retaking the exam. Chief Justice Jill Karofsky says the move addresses challenges in recruiting and retaining attorneys, while maintaining professional standards. All applicants will still be required to complete Wisconsin‑specific legal education.

State officials are reviewing new evidence in a child labor case involving a Burger King franchise operator. The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development says Cave Enterprises is accused of more than 16-hundred violations affecting nearly 14-hundred young workers. Officials say they are reviewing materials submitted by the company and have not set a timeline for a decision on legal action. Public records show similar labor violation allegations tied to the company in Illinois. Cave Enterprises has been ordered to pay 237-thousand-dollars over the accusations.

One state lawmaker is pushing for safety changes after a deadly crash in Lac La Belle. Representative Barbara Dittrich is calling on WisDOT to lower the speed limit from 55 to 35 miles per hour at Highway 67 and McMahon Road. This comes after ten-year-old Jack Oudenhoven was killed when a northbound driver hit the vehicle he was in while waiting to turn. Officials say speed is a major concern at the intersection, despite good visibility. The crash remains under investigation with no charges filed.

A proposal to rename parts of County Highway K after Charlie Kirk is no longer being considered. The county's executive committee to send two resolutions that would rename it after Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA who was shot and killed last fall. Even though the proposal advanced, committee members said they wouldn't recommend its approval due to opposition from the public. County officials also said the cost of renaming it would be too expensive, costing about 50-thousand dollars.

A man has been extradited back to Wisconsin after allegedly fatally stabbing his grandmother. Authorities say 36-year-old Randy Jenks was booked into the Waushara County Jail after being tracked down in Utah. Investigators say Jenks admitted to family members that he killed 75-year-old Patricia Mae Glenn in her home before fleeing the state. Jenks is charged with first-degree intentional homicide and is scheduled to appear in court next month.

The escaped Necedah farm kangaroo has been found safe after running away. Kangaroo Chesney was reported missing Wednesday and was last seen wearing jean diapers. A farm representative says the marsupial was spooked by a dog. Yesterday, Chesney was seen hopping near some power lines. The Juneau County Sheriff's Office says they spotted him using thermal drones. 

Local-Regional News March 27

 

The Durand-Arkansaw and Mondovi School Districts have been contacted by the Cloverbelt Conference to move to the Cloverbelt for all sports. Durand-Arkansaw Superintendent Ryan Nelson says coaches at the school are hesitant to make that move.  Currently Durand-Arkansaw is part of the Cloverbelt for football only.

Mondovi Residents are reminded that Bulk Item Pick Up day will be on April 10^th. Each residence is allowed up to two items that can be lifted by hand and not exceed 50lbs. Items like furniture, mattresses and box springs are acceptable. E-waste, hide a beds or sofa recliners are not accepted. For a complete list of acceptable items, contact Mondovi City Hall.

Dunn County Extension is asking for book donations. Dunn County Human Development and Relationships Educator, Luisa Gerasimo, is working with the Dunn County Play Group and local public libraries in Menomonie and Colfax to stock bins in all county laundromats. The books are for families to read while waiting for the laundry to be done but are also there to adopt and take home. If you have books you wish to donate, feel free to drop them off at the Extension Office in the Dunn County Government Center, Suite 216. The office is normally open M-F from 8:00 AM to 4:30 pm.

Another scam to report this time in Western Wisconsin. The FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center is reporting that a phishing scam impersonating city and county officials is showing up. The scammer send an email related to planning, zoning, or permits. The emails look official and are asking for immediate payment via wire transfer to move a project forward. If you receive one of these emails, do not click on any of the links and contact the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center.

More details are emerging after the arrest this week of an Eau Claire special education teacher. Twenty-two-year-old Nadia Horn is a North High School staffer and was arrested Wednesday on accusations that she sexually assaulted a child. Police now say they know of multiple victims and that each is a student of North High School. The school district has suspended Horn without pay pending legal resolution of the matter.

In Washington, Congressman Derrick Van Orden is co-sponsoring a bill aimed at improving access to mental health and addiction services for the nation's farmers and ranchers. The Wisconsin Republican is joining with Democratic Congressman Joe Neguse of Colorado this week in introducing the Agriculture Access to Addiction and Mental Healthcare Act. Van Orden says the legislation takes an important step toward understanding the gaps in access to mental health and addiction care for agriculture communities.

Eau Claire Police are announcing the release of a sex offender from prison. 54Yr old Scott Olson was released on March 20^th and was returned to Eau Claire. Olson was convicted of 2^nd and 3^rd Degree sexual assault in Eau Claire County between 1991 and 1993. He is currently living at the Motel 6 on Craig road and is under supervision by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections.

A La Crosse man is found competent after crashing into a Kwik Trip gas pump in December. According to authorities, Andrew Hermes crashed into the gas pumps at Kwik Trip on George Street in La Crosse. Police say moments before, they spotted the car speeding at 80 miles an hour on Lang Drive. He is charged with attempting to flee or elude an officer, two counts of misdemeanor bail jumping, and one count of 1st degree recklessly endangering safety. Hermes claimed the car was “hacked into” and that “El Chapo” was after him. On Wednesday a La Crosse County Judge found Hermes competent to stand trial on the charges.

Charges filed against the owner of an Onalaska bar have been dismissed. Fargo Hillman is the owner of Nutbush City Limits and faces accusations in La Crosse County that he had secretly placed a video camera inside a woman's bedroom. The camera was discovered in November of last year with Hillman then charged with invasion of privacy using a surveillance device. That charge was dismissed last week after a resolution was reached between all parties involved.

A reminder from the head of the Wisconsin Election Commission: don't bet on the spring election. In a Tuesday post on Twitter, W E C chairman Ann Jacobs reminds voters that it is illegal to make a bet or wager on any election in which they've cast a ballot. A number of online platforms take bets for these sorts of things, but Jacobs urges us all to "save our money for playing euchre." In-person early voting for the April election is now open.

Wisconsin motorists can expect a busy 2026 construction season. There are more than 400 highway projects planned according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Transportation Secretary Kristina Boardman says safety remains the top priority for crews and drivers alike. Projects will improve safety, modernize infrastructure, and support economic growth in every county. Motorists are reminded to slow down, avoid distractions, use the zipper merge, and be patient in work zones. Drivers can check traffic conditions anytime at 511 Wisconsin. More information on projects can be found on the WisDOT website.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court is upholding a 12-year-old boy's sexual assault conviction. The boy was charged with fourth-degree sexual assault in 2023 after touching another boy at his middle school. He was out of class and questioned by police, saying he hit the classmate but "did it by accident." Though he wasn't read his Miranda rights, the ruling says the State "proved all the elements" of the charges even without his statements.

The Denmark School District is investigating a potential data security incident. The district said it impacted district systems in February. According to the U.S. Department of Education, school districts across the country are experiencing an average of five cyber incidents per week. DSD said the investigation remains ongoing and they're working to determine the scope of any impact to data for students, employees and the community.

A physician who lost a whistleblower lawsuit against the Mayo Clinic is planning to file a motion for a new trial. Doctor Michael Joyner sued the medical facility in November of 2023. He claimed that Mayo Clinic officials retaliated against him for comments made in a number of interviews. The institution won the lawsuit last month and Dr. Joyner has been asked to pay 250-thousand dollars. Now the plaintiff wants a new trial on or before March 30th but is seeking an extension to file documents in support of his motion and to extend the date for the hearing on the motion.

A rabbi and his son are sentenced for vandalizing a controversial Milwaukee mural. The mural on an east side building that Peter and Zechariah Mehler destroyed in 2024 depicted a Star of David combined with a swastika. Peter Mehler was fined $50 after pleading no contest to misdemeanor criminal damage to property. Zechariah Mehler pleaded guilty to the same count in December and was ordered to serve 25 hours of community service. The two were also ordered to pay $1,000 in restitution to the building’s owner, Ihsan Atta, who said the mural was meant to bring attention to the war in Gaza.

Willie Nelson is back in Wisconsin this summer. Tickets go on sale Friday for the Grammy Winning singer’s show at Alpine Valley Music Theatre in East Troy August 21st. Nelson's touring Outlaw Music Festival will include Lukas Nelson, the Avett Brothers, Stephen Wilson Jr. and Sierra Hull. Nelson, who turns 93 on April 29, was last in Wisconsin two years ago for concerts in Madison and Milwaukee.

Local-Regional News March 26

 

Firefighters from Waumandee and 8 other departments including Durand and Mondovi responded to a barn fire at S1174 Myren Road in the town of Modena yesterday. According to the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Department, when the first firefighters arrived they found the barn fully engulfed in flames and had partially collapsed. Several animals were killed by the fire but no other injuries were reported. The cause of that fire is still under investigation.

No one was injured in a shed fire in the town of Washington yesterday. According to Township Fire, when firefighters arrived on the scene they found a fire throughout a 20’X20’ metal shed and attached carport. The heat of the fire was beginning to impact a house. Firefighters were able to cool the house and extinguish the fire. The shed was a total loss and the house had some minor damage. The cause of that fire is under investigation.

The Durand-Arkansaw School Board has approved changing the Middle School High School Day for next year. The day will now be from 8am-3:06pm Monday through Friday. Durand Arkansaw School Superintendent Ryan Nelson says the change is to maximize the intervention time for students.  Because of the change, Middle-High School Students will board buses first at the end of the day and then the busses will pick up the Elementary School Students.

Charges are being filed against an Eau Claire special education teacher accused of sexual abuse. Twenty-two-year-old Nadia Horn is a North High School staffer and was arrested Wednesday. She faces charges including sexual assault of a child by a school staff person.

Authorities are charging a Barron County man who allegedly sexually assaulted a child on multiple occasions. The victim tells police that 22-year-old Chetek resident Brandon Nelson began sexually assaulting her when she was eight-years-old and that the crimes continued for years. According to the victim's story, Nelson would have been 15- or 16-years old when he began victimizing her and 19 when the assaults stopped.

A defendant charged following a stabbing incident in Lake Hallie is accepting a plea deal with prosecutors. Police responding to a 41st Avenue home on July 11th of last year found a man who had been stabbed five times. Orestes Kouris of Eau Claire was later located near the Lake Hallie Golf Course and arrested. Kouris faced charges including attempted 1st-degree intentional homicide. As part of a deal with prosecutors, he pleaded guilty this week to charges of child abuse by use of a dangerous weapon and first degree recklessly endangering safety. Sentencing has been scheduled for July.

A Cadott woman who authorities say stole thousands of dollars from a pair of organizations is changing her not guilty plea. Nicole Ruhe was the treasurer on accounts for the Boy Scouts and for the Cadott Basketball Association. Ruhe was accused of pocketing more than four thousand dollars from the scouts and more than 51-hundred dollars from Cadott Basketball. She has pleaded no contest to a theft charge and will be sentenced at a later date.

A debate between the two candidates for Wisconsin Supreme Court is being postponed. Chris Taylor and Maria Lazar were scheduled to debate at Marquette Law School last night, but Taylor's campaign said physicians recommended the judge visit a hospital after waking up feeling sick. Her campaign mentioned they look forward to rescheduling the debate for a later date. Judge Taylor's condition wasn't mentioned, but said more information will come out when available. The winner of the Supreme Court election will replace Justice Rebecca Bradley.

A new Marquette Poll finds increased voter engagement in the April 7 Wisconsin Supreme Court election. Appeals Court Judge Chris Taylor leads Waukesha County Judge Maria Lazar 23% to 17% among registered voters, but 53% remain undecided. More voters are thinking about the matchup between the conservative Lazar and liberal Taylor, but over 60% of poll respondents report they haven't heard enough about either candidate to form a solid opinion. Democrats heavily favor Taylor while Republicans back Lazar. The survey was conducted March 11-18, 2026, interviewing 850 Wisconsin registered voters, with a margin of error of +/-4.4 percentage points. For likely voters, the sample size is 597 with a margin of error of +/-5.3 percentage points.

Wisconsin is joining a lawsuit against the Trump administration over new conditions tied to U.S. Department of Agriculture funding. Attorney General Josh Kaul is leading the suit alongside AGs from California, Illinois and Massachusetts. The suit claims the USDA is unlawfully requiring states to agree to new rules related to immigration, diversity, and gender identity. The attorneys general say those conditions are unrelated to the funding itself. Kaul says the changes put billions of dollars at risk, including money for SNAP, WIC, school lunches, and food assistance programs serving hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites.

Harley-Davidson is laying off part of its workforce. A company spokesperson confirmed on Monday that some employees have been notified of a reduction in force that is impacting Harley’s global workforce, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The company did not detail the scale or geographic distribution of job cuts. In addition to its Milwaukee headquarters, Harley-Davidson has manufacturing plants in Menomonee Falls and Tomahawk, and a product development center in Wauwatosa with other facilities in the U.S. and internationally. Harley-Davidson reported profits of $339 million in 2025, down 26% from the previous year. The company also recently said it owed $67 million in Trump administration tariffs and is predicting tariffs will cost $75 to $105 million in 2026.

The driver of a charter tour bus that crashed in Green Bay on Sunday hasn’t had a valid driver's license in nine years. A Tuesday update by police confirmed that 41 people were injured in the crash, with two in critical condition. According to WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee, the Illinois Secretary of State's office confirmed that 37-year-old Ghebry Figueroa had his driver's license and commercial driver's license revoked in 2017. The station also found that the U.S. Department of Transportation's website states that the company Figueroa claims to own, Lucky Charters and Tours LLC of Wheeling, Illinois, had its bodily injury and property damage insurance canceled last October. Federal law requires the company to have that insurance to operate a charter bus.

The Vikings hope the 2028 NFL Draft will be held in Minneapolis. The team and the Minnesota Sports and Events submitted a bid to the NFL earlier this month. Vikings officials say they have been trying to bring the draft to the Twin Cities since 2019. The bid would feature U.S Bank Stadium as the anchor of the draft weekend along with events at the Mall of America and the Viking Lakes development near the team's headquarters. An announcement could come within the next several weeks. This year's NFL Draft will be held in Pittsburgh.

What does an expert in sleep call a good night’s sleep? UW-Madison Institute of Sleep and Consciousness assistant director Stephanie Jones says the answer to that question is formed through a consistent sleep schedule. Jones acknowledges that sleep schedules can vary among individuals, but she equates a balanced sleep schedule with balanced nutrition and exercise for your health.

Local-Regional News March 25

Pierce County Residents can expect traffic detours due to the reconstruction of Hwy 65 north of Ellsworth starting next week. Traffic will be detoured via Highways 10, 63, 29, and 35 as the Wisconsin DOT reconstructs Hwy 65 and replaces 2 culverts over Goose Creek and the Kinnickinnic River. That project is expected to last through most of the summer.

The reconstruction of Madison Street in Durand is expected to begin on April 6^th. The City will keep the public updated on the progress of the project weekly on the City of Durand Website. The scheduled work is subject to change due to weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances. That project is expected to be completed by this fall.

In Chippewa County, all members of the Bloomer High School baseball team survived a Tuesday night crash involving their travel bus. The Chippewa County Sheriff's Office says the bus's driver suffered a medical incident while driving on Highway 53 near Tilden. The bus went off the roadway into a ditch and then struck a sign. No injuries were reported. There has been no word on the condition of the bus driver.

Early in-person voting is now open in Durand and across Wisconsin. In-person absentee voting is available in Durand Monday through Thursday from 9-3 and Fridays from 9-11 at Durand City Hall. In person early voting in Durand is available through April 3^rd. The top statewide race on the spring ballot is the State Supreme Court race between liberal judge Chris Taylor and conservative judge Maria Lazar. Local municipalities will have races for school boards and city and town alders. There are also over 70 local school district funding referendum questions. Find early voting availability in your area online at My Vote dot W I dot Gov or by calling your clerk's office.

The City of Wabasha has closed part of the dog park. The large dog section of the park has been closed for the next 2 months as city crews plant new grass in the area. The closure is to allow the new grass to take hold and grow. The other section of the dog park will remain open.

Prison time for a man who was the subject of a brief manhunt in Eau Claire back in May of last year. Authorities say that Leo Lacey pulled a firearm on another individual at the Smokeclaire Tobacco shop. The incident was reported to police and a search for the suspect began. Lacey was arrested a day later. Lacey has been sentenced to five years and four months in federal prison after being convicted on weapons charges while still facing charges in Eau Claire County.

A former funeral director is pleading guilty to charges in St. Croix County. Benjamin Hanson had worked for a funeral home that handled arrangements for 92-year-old Minnesota resident Alyce Peterson back in 2001. Her skull was found by Boy Scouts in the town of St. Joseph in 2002 eventually leading to charges last year against Hanson. He has now pleaded guilty to a charge of hiding a corpse and will be sentenced at a later date.

Charges are being filed against a man arrested in La Crosse this week. Police say they witnessed 42-year-old Andrew Austin taking part in a drug deal on Monday. Austin was later taken into custody after officers stopped him and found more than twelve grams in his vehicle. Police say they later found suspected fentanyl in his underwear when he was searched at the La Crosse County Jail.

Minnesota is suing the Trump administration for withholding evidence. The lawsuit alleges the government refused to share evidence in the cases of federal agents shooting Twin Cities' residents. This includes the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti as well as the shooting of Julio Sosa-Celis. The lawsuit claims this is being done to shield the agents from the consequences of their actions. This is the latest legal maneuver by Minnesota officials to hold federal agents accountable for their actions in the state this winter.

Governor Tony Evers is signing a new bill into law that aims to ease overcrowding in hospitals. The "Next of Kin" bill will let immediate family members approve transfers from hospitals to rehab centers for incapacitated patients without getting court-appointment guardianship. Officials with Emplify Health by Gunderson say they've been wanting for this bill to pass because it would help ease crowd issues at hospitals. Officials say the bill passing is helping the hospital's goal of caring for the entire community.

New state grants are intended to prevent violence in Wisconsin. Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Office of Violence Prevention on Monday announced nearly $15 million in grants will be awarded to help prevent crime and violence. According to a press release, the new program saw overwhelming interest with some 460 applications. Due to the high level of interest an additional $5 million in federal funding was added to $10 million in state funding to expand the grants. School districts, law enforcement agencies, nonprofits, firearm dealers, and government agencies in five categories will receive 73 separate grants ranging from approximately $5,000 to a maximum of $1.5 million. A list of recipients is available on the Office of Violence Prevention webpage.

The trial of a man accused of election fraud and identity theft began in Racine County Court Monday. The Wisconsin Department of Justice charged Harry Wait in 2022 after he allegedly used other people's identities to request absentee ballots in the names of Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Racine Mayor Cory Mason. Prosecutors say Wait knowingly broke the law. His defense attorney Joseph Bugni argues Wait was exposing flaws in the voting system, claiming that Wait contacted Vos, Mason and the Racine County district attorney and sheriff after requesting the ballots. Both Vos and Mason were among the witnesses that testified Monday.

No one is injured after a fire at a Rock County solar farm burned through about ten acres of grass. Lakeside Fire and Rescue arrived just after 12:30 p.m. Monday to North Rock Solar Farm and found grass burning underneath the solar panels. LFR said the location of the fire and strong winds prompted them to call for backup. Crews fought the fire for about two hours and got it under control to keep it from spreading. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Minnesota residents are facing sticker shock over the renewal of car tags. If your car is less than five years old, you might even see tab prices go up year over year. The new formula means the average driver paid 178 dollars in registration taxes this year, a 20 percent increase. However, the state says tabs for older cars are going down, and that many Minnesota drivers will pay less. A bill to roll back these changes has been approved by the GOP-controlled House, but it has stalled in the state Senate.

Three Wisconsin cities are in the running for being "Strongest Town" in America. The competition by the foundation, "Strong Towns," started with 16 locations and is now down to the Final Four, which includes West Allis, Sheboygan, and Madison. The last city isn't far away in Chicago. The foundation says the 2026 contest is "about progress, not perfection," adding these towns "embody that spirit." Voting for the Final Four ends this Friday evening. 

Local-Regional News March 24

 

Authorities are identifying an Eau Claire man as the person who died following a weekend motorcycle crash in Buffalo County. The accident happened shortly before 4:30 p.m. on Highway 37 in the Township of Modena. The Buffalo County Sheriff's Office says that 73-year-old Andrew Mellor went off the roadway and into a tree. He died at the scene.

The Mondovi City Council is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include an update on the Pedestrian Crossing Lights on North Eau Claire Street, and reports from the Mayor and department heads. The council will also go into closed session to consider employment for a Law Enforcement Position and Public Works Operator. Tonights meeting begins at 5:30 at the Marten Center in Mondovi.

Criminal charges are being filed against the daughter of Wisconsin State Senator Jesse James. James represents the state's 23rd Senate district -- a district that includes Barron, Clark, Price, Rusk, & Taylor Counties and portions of Chippewa, Dunn and Marathon Counties. James' 31-year-old daughter -- Elizabeth Johnson -- is accused of stealing funds from the senator's campaign.

The Dunn County Sheriff’s Department has a new app. The app will allow the Sheriff’s Department to connect with Dunn County residents and visitors via smartphone when needed. The app will provide addiction and substance abuse resources, mental health resources along with news and updates from the agency. The app is free and available in the Apple Store and Google Play by searching Dunn County Sheriff, WI.

Many Western Wisconsin motorists are continuing to see a rise in prices as the gas pump. Triple-A reports the average price of regular fuel in Western Wisconsin is now three-40 per gallon -- 13-cents more per gallon from one week ago. In La Crosse, the average cost of a gallon of regular fuel is three-38 per gallon -- 19 cents more per gallon from a week ago. The average cost of a gallon of regular fuel in the State of Wisconsin is three-66 per gallon.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation will begin construction of upgrading the sidewalk on sections of Highways 93, 312 and US 12 in Eau Claire County. The $2.9 million contract will reconstruct non ADA compliant curb ramps on Hwy 93 in the Town of Washington, Hwy 312 in Eau Claire and Hwy 12 in Altoona. That project will begin on March 30^th.

Chippewa County is set to receive federal funding to help cover the cost of a new morgue. Congressman Derrick Van Orden made that announcement yesterday while speaking at the Chippewa County Courthouse. Six-hundred-thousand dollars in federal funding has been allocated for the project. A location for the new morgue has not yet been determined.

Dunn County 4-H members will participate in a cross-generational project and interview residents of the Neighbors of Dunn County Nursing Home to learn their stories. The idea was developed by Kathy Asper a retired public health educator. The 4-H members will attend a workshop to learn interviewing skills and come up with questions for the Nursing Home residents. After the interviews will share what they learned with the public during a Generation Celebration Day at the Nursing Home on April 28. Dunn County 4-H members interested in the program should register by April 6^th.

Today is National Agriculture Day, and Wisconsin agriculture leaders are highlighting the importance of local producers. The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection says programs like Something Special from Wisconsin and Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin help connect farmers with consumers. Secretary Randy Romanski says producers are facing challenges, including rising costs, market access, and international trade disruptions. Despite that, Wisconsin remains a major ag exporter—shipping nearly three billion dollars in food, forestry, and agricultural products last year.

Microsoft will stop using nondisclosure agreements with local governments during early data center development. The company announced last week it’s moving away from NDAs, which it previously used to protect sensitive business information. NDAs are common in early development, and several Wisconsin communities, including Beaver Dam, Kenosha, Janesville, and Menomonie, have signed them for potential data center projects, according to Wisconsin Watch. Microsoft says it’s now working to identify and end any active agreements. A proposed state bill to ban those NDAs failed to advance in the Legislature before the end of the session last week.

If you’re travelling to the Milwaukee Brewers’ season opener, you’re asked to allow for extra time to get to American Family Field. The ballpark is in the middle of the I-94 East-West freeway reconstruction project. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation tells Fox 6 Milwaukee that traffic patterns around the stadium could delay thousands of fans heading to Thursday’s opener against the Chicago White Sox. The Brewers say they’re hiring three sheriff's deputy crews and a tow truck to clear disabled vehicles from the freeway to help keep traffic moving.

Governor Tony Evers on Friday issued vetoes on four bills that sought to limit rulemaking by state agencies. Republican lawmakers introduced the "Red Tape Reset" package with support from conservative legal advocacy group Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty. The bills were a response to recent state Supreme Court decisions that limit lawmakers’ ability to oversee rulemaking, including blocking rules indefinitely. In his veto message for one bill, Evers said it would result in “inaction, delays and gridlock.” Senator Julian Bradley, who advocated the bills, said they sought to make it “easier to build a home, start a business, or simply get ahead.” Bradley said Evers “chose to stand in the way of that progress.” Evers issued 15 vetoes Friday and signed 12 bills into law.

Before you hire someone to landscape that freshly thawed lawn, make sure you're getting what you pay for. Wisconsin Consumer Protection division director Michael Domke says it's important to ask around your friends and neighbors to get recommendations. That way you can find someone who knows your local area and the type of care your lawn might need. Make sure to get several estimates as well to find a good deal, and be wary of anyone who drives up out of the blue to offer yard care services.

Federal authorities are dropping charges against one of the defendants accused of barging into a church to protest the immigration crackdown in Minnesota. The demonstration happened in January at Cities Church in St. Paul. Charges against Heather Lewis were dismissed with prejudice, which means the government cannot charge her again. A lawyer representing the defendant says the government dropped the charges after his client proved that she did not attend the January 18th protest. Activists had targeted the church because top ICE official, David Easterwood, serves as a pastor there.

Last year’s runner up is this year’s champion in the Badger State Spelling Bee. The State Journal reports 13-year-old Rice Lake Middle School eight-grader Ethan Robert clinched the win in the bee’s 14th round Saturday at Madison College, correctly spelling the insect name “katydid,” and the champion word “analphabet,” someone who doesn’t know the alphabet. He’ll joint Arnav Vempati, an eighth grader at Kromrey Elementary School in Middleton at the Scripps National Spelling Bee, May 26-28 in Washington, D.C.