Local-Regional News July 1

 

The Durand-Arkansaw School Districts new Early Learning Center is completed. Superintendent Ryan Nelson says the center will be opening later this month.  The District will be having a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new center today at 5.

As the Madison Street project continues in Downtown Durand residents may notice crews building bump-outs onto the street. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says those bump-outs will lead to some one-way streets from Madison to Main Street.  3^rd Avenue West will remain two-way after the project is completed.

One person is in custody following a deadly crash on Interstate-90 near Eau Claire. Officials responded to the single-vehicle accident Monday night after a pickup truck drifted off the roadway before it vaulted and came to rest in the median. Officers observed signs of impairment and continued investigating. The passenger died due to her injuries. The driver, Cyrus Muehlberg, was arrested, and the crash remains under investigation.

The City of Chippewa Falls is continuing their search for a City Administrator. Mayor Jason Hiess says there's "no offers of employment" that are being extended to the interviewed candidates for the positions so far. The Chippewa Falls City Council unanimously approved funding for the position at their meeting in December 2025. There hasn't been a city administrator since 2009.

A water quality advisory is being issued for Half Moon Beach. The Eau Claire City-County Health Department says the beach's water is testing positive for elevated bacteria levels. Folks are being advised that the water could make them sick or cause skin rashes.

In Barron County, bond has been set at half-a-million dollars for a man accused of trying to hire a killer. Prosecutors say Tyler Crotteau was incarcerated at the county jail when he tried to hire a fellow inmate to kill the mother of his child. The man he reportedly tried to hire informed jail officials and Crotteau later confessed. He is charged with solicitation to commit first degree murder.

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development announced a new grant initiative intended to fund projects to address healthcare workforce challenges in Wisconsin’s rural communities. According to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce development, the program is called the Workforce Innovation Grant: Healthcare Employment, Access, and Rural Transformation, and it will make up to $150 million available over the next four years for projects aimed at strengthening the healthcare workforce in rural and semi-rural parts of the state. Nonprofit and government organizations can apply for awards ranging from $500,000 to $10 million, as long as they’re partnering with regional workforce groups and proposing what DWD describes as innovative, long-term solutions.

County Road 34 near Byron could soon be in line for a major reconstruction, as Olmsted County engineers begin planning a project aimed at improving safety and drainage. Olmsted County estimates more than 2,500 motorists travel County Road 34 each day. Over the last five years, the county said the road has seen about a dozen crashes, with road conditions and visibility listed among the top concerns. Final design plans and permitting are not expected to be submitted until 2027, with construction currently scheduled to begin in 2028.

The state’s Child Care Bridge Payments program for providers expires this week, and Wisconsin Early Childhood Association Executive Director Ruth Schmidt says families and policy makers will need to make decisions, with families have a more difficult time finding care for their pre-K children. Schmidt says the end of the bridge payment will exacerbate a shortage of qualified early childhood educators in Wisconsin. She believes state lawmakers ought to consider some sort of a public investment and acknowledge that the entire state relies on there being a healthy system of child care. The Bridge Payments program was established when the earlier Child Care Counts pandemic-era stabilization program was set to expire about a year ago but is now ending with nothing to replace it.

A contractor is chosen to replace a vital bridge linking Duluth and Superior. The Minnesota and Wisconsin transportation departments last week announced a joint $930 million bid by Ames Construction and Kraemer North America was the apparent best-value to replace the Blatnik Bridge. Built in 1961, the Blatnick carries an average of 33,000 vehicles a day on I-535 and US Highway 53 across the St. Louis River. The states and Ames-Kraemer Joint Venture II now have up to 60 days before the contract is awarded. The project is estimated to be completed in six years with full closure of the bridge expected to begin early next year. A $1.06 billion federal grant is helping pay for the project. Wisconsin and Minnesota both have also earmarked $400 million.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court will hear two lawsuits that seek to have the state’s congressional maps redrawn. Oral arguments are scheduled for September 16 for the justices to hear appeals. Plaintiffs have appealed to the Supreme Court after both cases were heard and rejected by three-judge panels last year, in a process allowed by a 2011 law passed by Republicans in the Wisconsin Legislature. One case alleges the current maps discriminate against Democrats who hold just two of Wisconsin’s eight seats in the US House. The other claims district boundaries violate the state Constitution’s guarantees of equal protection. The court will have a 5-2 liberal majority in August when Justice Chris Taylor is sworn in. Rulings in favor of the plaintiffs could send the cases back to circuit court.

Appleton police are still defending the use of Flock Safety cameras even as the city continues to plan their removal. Police Chief Polly Olson says the company's automated license plate readers helped police solve a vandalism spree last week that damaged several local businesses. She calls it a "force multiplier" for the department that enhances officers' ability to solve crimes. Mayor Jake Woodford says that despite that, "concerns about the integrity of Flock's underlying system have eroded our trust." The city is expected to stop paying for the service and have the cameras removed in July.

Minnesota is one of four states accused of refusing to provide the federal government with data on SNAP applicants. The Department of Justice is also suing three other states that include Kentucky, Michigan and Pennsylvania. The DOJ alleges that the USDA requested the last five years of SNAP applicant data from several states last year. After dozens honored the request, federal officials claimed the USDA requested the data again from the four states in May 2026. The Trump administration claims that SNAP is losing billions of dollars due to fraud, waste and abuse.

Local-Regional News June 30

The City of Durand is receiving a state grant because of the creation of the fire district. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says its part of a program to encourage local governments to combine services and save money.  The City and Rural Fire Departments merged into the Durand Fire District at the beginning of this year.

The Mondovi Thrift Store is in need of help. The store is looking for volunteers and for board members. Mondovi Mayor Brady Weiss says that the store is under some financial stress and could use some help.  For more information on the open board position or to make a donation visit Mondovi City Hall or the Thrift Store.

We now know the name of a motorcycle rider who died after a Friday crash in Dunn County. Authorities say that 51-year-old Jeremy Snitker of Prairie Farm collided with a semi truck on County Road K in the Town of New Haven. Snitker was taken to a Minnesota hospital where he later died. The driver of the semi was unhurt.

The Trempealeau County Sheriff’s Department is warning families of inmates of a scam. The department has received multiple reports of scammers calling family members claiming their member has been released or can be released to a halfway house if the family sends money. The department believes that the scammers are using the publicly available roster to target the family. The public is reminded that the Sheriff’s Department or Jail staff will never call demanding money over the phone. If you receive a call like this, do not give out any information and hang up can contact local authorities.

In Barron County, charges are being filed against a man accused of trying to hire a killer. Prosecutors say Rice Lake resident Tyler Crotteau was locked up in the county jail when he tried to hire a fellow inmate to kill the mother of his child. The man he reportedly tried to hire informed jail officials and Crotteau subsequently confessed. He was charged yesterday with solicitation to commit first degree murder.

Gas prices continue to decline in most parts of Western Wisconsin. Triple-A reports the average price of regular fuel in Eau Claire is now three-56 per gallon -- 13-cents lower than the price one week ago. In La Crosse, the average cost of a gallon of regular fuel is three-67 per gallon -- unchanged from the price last week. The average cost of a gallon of regular fuel in the State of Wisconsin is now three-65 per gallon.

Governor Tony Evers was in Altoona Monday as part of his annual Pothole Patrol tour. Evers visits a number of communities every summer to drop in on road crews and lend a hand to the work of filling those potholes. Evers reminds drivers to slow down and be aware of crews taking care of neighborhood roadways.

Waukesha County is the wealthiest county in the Badger State. That's according to a ranking compiled by financial tech company SmartAsset, which looked at items such as investment income, property value and median income. Waukesha County led the way in Wisconsin overall, and was also the top dog for median income and median home value. Rounding out the top five were Ozaukee, St. Croix, Washington and Dane counties.

Nearly two dozen buildings on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus are temporarily closing due to air conditioning issues. Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Robert Cramer said a broken chilled water line significantly reduced the university's ability to cool certain buildings down. Crews are working to install about 30 temporary chillers across campus until a permanent line can be installed, which is expected to take at least a month. University leaders say campus will stay open for classes and work, with some buildings set to have an increase in temperature to ensure other facilities are prioritized.

For the second time this year, some absentee voters in Green Bay have been sent a second ballot. The city on Sunday announced that some residents in select wards of the city have been mailed a second ballot by accident. This is the second election this year that the clerk's office has erroneously mailed double ballots, the first time being the April elections. It's unclear how many extra ballots were mailed out but city hall will be sending a second letter to those who got two to only return one ballot.

A jury trial is scheduled next spring for the father of Madison's Abundant Life School shooter. Dane County prosecutors say 44-year-old Jeffrey Rupnow (RUPP-now) gave a dangerous weapon to a person under 18 resulting in deaths and contributed to the delinquency of a minor. The December 2024 school shooting at the east side Madison school left a student and teacher dead. Rupnow's 15-year-old daughter then shot and killed herself. Jury selection is set to begin March 8th, with the trial beginning the following day and lasting nine days.

Minnesota Congresswoman Angie Craig is getting a major endorsement in her race for U.S. Senate. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey announced that he is supporting the U.S. Representative in her effort to replace retiring Senator Tina Smith. He recently released a statement claiming that Angie is relentless and she's a fighter for justice. Craig previously gained the endorsement of St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her. Opponent and DFL-endorsed Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan has earned the support of incumbent Tina Smith, Caongresswoman Ilhan Omar and Attorney General Keith Ellison. The primary election is set for August 11th.

E-bike and e-scooter crash injuries are rising dramatically. Injuries involving collisions between e-bikes and motor vehicles in Wisconsin have increased by 171% over the last four years, according to recently released statewide data from the Dane County Traffic Safety Commission. And injuries from crashes between e-scooters and motor vehicles have increased by 240% over the same period. A significant portion of those crashes involve children and teenagers, often due to unsafe riding practices. High speed and lack of helmets can lead to severe injuries. Experts urge parents to educate children on traffic laws and ensure they use proper safety gear 

Local-Regional News June 29

 

A motorcycle rider is dead after a Friday crash in Dunn County. Authorities say the rider collided with a semi truck on County Road K in the Town of New Haven. That person was taken to Regions Hospital where they later died. The crash occurred while both the semi truck and motorcycle were negotiating a curve on Hwy K. The driver of the semi was unhurt.

Get ready for extremely hot temperatures across Wisconsin this week. The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat warning for the southern half of the state through at least Tuesday including the entire WRDN Listening Area. Heat indexes are expected to reach over 100 degrees today . Meteorologists remind you to stay hydrated if you have to be outside, take breaks if working in the heat, and to never leave pets or children in cars even for a few minutes.

Construction on Hwy 10 from the Pepin-Buffalo County Line to Hwy A in Mondovi will begin today. Crews will be replacing the pavement surface and overlay the roadway with asphalt. The work includes cleaing and repairing or replacing culvert pipes and cleaning ditches. Hwy 10 will remain open to traffic but there will be single lane closures controlled by flagging operations. The project is scheduled to be completed in August. The cost of the project is approximately $3.5 million.

The city of Durand has received $10,000 for snow removal costs from the spring snowstorm. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the money came from a state disaster declaration.

A new rideshare service is coming to Mondovi. American Phoenix Transportation Services will provide transportation to Eau Claire two times a week. Mondovi Mayor Brady Weiss believes the service is needed.  The company hopes to begin that service in July.

Wisconsin State Patrol is reporting the recent arrest of an Osseo man on OWI charges. Fifty-one-year-old James Lusk was stopped for a moving violation when officers say he showed signs of impairment. This was Lusk's seventh time being arrested for OWI.

Officials say a pilot has died in a plane crash at the Winona Airport. The 74-year-old pilot, Wayne Ledebuhr of Winona, was the only person on board when the aircraft went down on Thursday night. First responders attempted life-saving measures, but he died at the scene. Federal officials say the aircraft crashed while trying to land around 8 p.m. The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are investigating.

Prison for a Rice Lake man convicted of sex crimes involving a child victim. Investigators say that Jonathan Scheel sexually assaulted a 12-year-old child multiple times. Scheel pleaded guilty earlier this year to a charge of second-degree sexual assault of a child and was sentenced Friday to eight years in prison.

Wisconsin leaders are restarting efforts to bring Amtrak service to the capital city. Governor Tony Evers and the Department of Transportation explained yesterday a grant application was submitted to expand the Amtrak line to include service to Dane County and others. The proposal would see the twice-daily Hiawatha line from Chicago to Milwaukee go to Madison, Watertown, and Pewaukee. The Evers administration believes a successful move forward would create dozens of permanent jobs and have a positive impact on the Badger State economy.

Dane County prosecutors are expected to charge 51 more animal rights activists in connection with protests and rescues at the Ridglan Farms beagle breeding facility. Court officials say the charges are expected to be filed next week. Four activists already face charges tied to the March rescue of 22 beagles. Ridglan Farms is set to surrender its breeding license on July 1st under an agreement to avoid animal cruelty charges. The company also plans to release the remaining dogs to rescue organizations by August and permanently close its breeding and experimentation operations.

State wildlife officials say conflicts involving gray wolves, livestock, and pets are declining. The Department of Natural Resources paid about 200-thousand-dollars in damage claims this year, almost 100-thousand-dollars less than in 2024. Officials say complaints and verified wolf conflicts are down across the board. The DNR credits predator-proof fencing with helping protect livestock from wolf attacks. This comes as two federal bills seeking to remove gray wolves from the Endangered Species List remain pending.

Rochester is receiving 500-thousand dollars from the Environmental Protection Agency to assess polluted sites downtown. KTTC reports that the money comes through the EPA's Brownfields grant program. The program helps cities evaluate and clean up contaminated properties for possible redevelopment. The grant will fund assessments at sites including the former Mr. Muffler property, the former Rochester City Mill and the Silver Lake Power Plant. City officials say identifying environmental concerns can reduce risk for future developers, investors and city projects.

Students at UW-Madison are losing robot delivery service. Starship Technologies says delivery robot operations are going to stop in Madison and at other colleges around the country. Officials noted they are shifting their focus to hot food delivery and grocery chains in cities across the U.S. and Europe. UW-Madison students have had access to the robot delivery service during each school year since 2019.

Wisconsin is in the middle of the road when it comes to patriotism. A recent WalletHub survey recently ranked the 50 most Patriotic states in the country based on military and civic engagement. The finance website looked at items such as the number of military enlistees and veterans and how many people voted in the 2024 election. The Badger State was ranked 25th in the survey, but was listed at 15th in the civic engagement category. In case you were wondering, Virginia was ranked as the most patriotic state.

Local-Regional News June 26

Buffalo County Sheriff Michael Osmond is resigning. Osmond released a statement on social media yesterday saying that he has accepted another position in law enforcement. His last day as Buffalo County sheriff will be July 12th. Chief Deputy Jake Laehn will take over for Osmond until Governor Evers make a decision on a replacement either via appointment or special election.

The Durand City Council approved a $124,000 change order in the Madison street project to replace a failing manhole and sewer line on 5^th Avenue West between Madison and Main Street. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the discovery of the failing sewer line prevented a bigger problem. The city will be adjusting the water quality loans to help cover the cost of the replacement sewer and water lines on 5^th Ave West.

An Eau Claire man has been arrested on a Buffalo County warrant for possession of child pornography. According to the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Department, investigators received information that child sexual abuse materials were being shared at a residence in Mondovi where 51yr old Justin Johnson had been living at for a time. After a search warrant, investigators found child porn materials on Johnson’s electronic devices. He was arrested and taken to the Buffalo County Jail.

A Lake City woman is facing multiple assault charges after a stabbing incident. According to Lake City Police, officer responded to a call of a man who had claimed to have cut himself while washing dishes. Witness said that the victim and 49yr old Katie Miles had been arguing before the incident became physical. Miles had a blood alcohol content of .235 and was arrested and charged with first and second degree assault and domestic assault.

A Western Wisconsin Food Bank is receiving a grant. The West Cap Food Pantry in Boyceville, received a 25 thousand dollar grant through Hunger Task Force to help the pantry obtain local food items. The pantry is focused on dairy and meat items due to rising grocery prices. Boyceville is considered a food desert as it has no grocery store.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice is sharing bodycam video of an officer-involved fatal shooting in Chippewa Falls. The released video from the morning of April 9th shows Chippewa Falls police officers approaching a van when 44-year-old suspect Bradley Barnum -- begins to run. Barnum -- who appeared to be armed -- refused commands to drop his weapon and was fatally shot by Sergeant James Luckey. The weapon Barnum had been carrying was later revealed to have been a BB gun. Luckey was later cleared of any wrongdoing with his actions that day deemed as reasonable acts of self-defense.

Probation for a defendant convicted on charges following a deadly accident. In the incident from November of last year, La Crosse investigators say that Hayden Holinbeck had been drinking before he got behind the wheel of an SUV with his friend on the hood. Holinbeck drove and hit the brakes -- ejecting his friend from the front of the vehicle and leaving him with injuries that proved fatal. Holinbeck pleaded no contest to a charge of intoxicated use of a vehicle and was sentenced yesterday to four years of probation.

Officials say one person is dead after a plane crash at the Winona airport. Emergency dispatchers received a call about the crash at around 8:00 p.m. on Thursday. Authorities say an ultralight plane was found wrecked next to the runway. Life-saving efforts were performed on the 74-year-old pilot, but he died at the scene. The FAA and NTSB are investigating the crash.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture has announced that lactating dairy cattle from Wisconsin will no longer be required to test for highly pathogenic avian influenza prior to interstate movement. Wisconsin currently meet criteria for unaffected state status for HPAI through ongoing surveillance and testing of milk through the USDA National Milk Testing Strategy. The state also removed a state order requiring HPAI testing on state cows prior to attending a fair or exhibitions in Wisconsin. Only cows coming from states that do not have unaffected state status have to be tested.

Tech firm Oracle is suing Wisconsin’s Public Service Commission. The lawsuit filed in Ozaukee County Court comes as Oracle and We Energies want the PSC to reconsider credit rating requirements for data center developers. A “very large customer” rate approved by the PSC in April requires We Energies to exclusively bill data centers for new generation needed to serve them. And it requires developers with credit ratings below A- to post financial guarantees to reduce the risk of shifting costs if a data center developer experiences financial setbacks. Oracle’s current rating is BBB, and its subsidiary involved in a data center project in Port Washington would need to provide cash deposits or letters of credit exceeding $100 million annually to receive service from We Energies.

A plea deal in connection with sexual abuse means no jail time for a former school principal. 43-year-old Jennifer Ploeger pleaded no contest in Dane County Court on Thursday to one count of failure to report child abuse. Two counts were dismissed. Investigators determined that Ploeger failed to properly report two separate incidents of sex abuse at Sun Prairie West High School, one of which resulted in the conviction of former dean Robert Gilkey-Meisegier  on federal sexual assault charges. Ploeger’s deferred prosecution agreement means the charge will be dismissed if she completes the program.

A Friendship man convicted of shooting at deputies during a traffic stop has been sentenced to prison. Investigators say in 2024, Melvin Cornelius called 9-1-1 and said he was on meth and driving in Big Flats. During a pursuit, Cornelius stopped, got out and fired his gun at officers. He pleaded no contest to attempted first-degree intentional homicide during a plea in March. Cornelius was sentenced to 28-years in prison and five years of extended supervision.

Ridglan Farms has pleaded no contest to a manure pit violation. This comes after they were ticketed for constructing a manure pit without a permit back in April, days after more than one-thousand people met and attempted to break in. The company was fined a total of 452-dollars and 50-cents and has already provided the money to the court. Earlier this month, Ridglan Farms revealed that the remaining dogs at their location will be transferred out to rescue groups by the end of August.

Several candidates endorsed at their party conventions for Minnesota governor and U.S. Senate are trailing in the polls. The Republican-endorsed candidate for Senate, former Navy SEAL Adam Schwarze, is in third place in a KSTP/SurveyUSA poll. He trails Michele Taforya and Royce White. In the GOP race for the nomination for governor, endorsed candidate Kendall Qualls, trails Mike Lindell and House Speaker Lisa Demuth. Meanwhile, in the DFL U.S. Senate race, Congresswoman Angie Craig intentionally missed the DFL convention endorsing process and it was won by Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. However, Craig leads Flanagan 41 percent to 36 percent.

It's "goat season" in Madison parks. Between May and September, Madison's Parks Division borrows about 80 goats from local herders. The animals are set to graze their way through 2 rotations at 4 parks in the city. Officials tell Madison Magazine that when the goats have a shift, the herders drive them to a park, where a low-voltage electric fence will be set up to keep them in a designated area. The city first turned to goats for "prescribed grazing” back in 2020 as a way of controlling woody invasive species. 

Local-Regional News June 25

 

With the resignation of Officer Bonnerup and Officer Tulip on military duty, the Durand Police Department is short staffed. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says its why the council approved an agreement with the Pepin County Sheriff’s Department for services in July and August.  The council has also authorized the city administrator to looking into paid on call time and authorize overtime for the Durand Officers so all shifts are covered in July.

The Mondovi City Council has approved the purchase of a new fire truck. Mondovi Mayor Brady Weiss says the new truck will have larger water capacities and enhanced seating for firefighters.   The new truck will replace a 40yr old truck that has a top speed of 40mph. Because of manufacturing backlogs it will take 4yrs for the truck to be built.

Motorists in Buffalo County can expect delays as crews will be doing shoulder work on Hwy 54 between the stoplights and Winona Bridge today. The Buffalo County Highway Department is also working on portions of Hwy I and Hwy AA as highway crews will be working on improvement projects to both roads. Motorists are asked to be patient with the work crews and to slow down in work zones.

Wabasha County has an interim Chief Deputy Sheriff. At this months county board meeting, supervisors approved the appointment of Jason Bade as the interim Chief Deputy. Bade succeeds Curt Struwe who was appointed Sheriff on June 1^st after longtime Sheriff Rodney Bartsh retired on May 31^st. Bade is also running for the sheriff’s position in the fall election.

A home improvement contractor is pleading not guilty to theft charges in Eau Claire County. Reports say that Anthony Brooks accepted payment to begin work in April of 2024 and -- four months later -- the work had still not begun. Brooks entered his pleas yesterday on charges including twelves counts of Theft by Contractor.

A Boston man is receiving a Carnegie Medal for rescuing a driver from the Mississippi River in southeastern Minnesota. The Minnesota Star Tribune reports 33-year-old Dustin Colson Leaning helped save Joseph Krische near the Dresbach rest area along I-90 last year. Officials say Krische had passed out behind the wheel and crashed his pickup into the river. Colson Leaning swam to the truck, pulled Krische out and helped him reach land safely. The Carnegie Hero Fund is also awarding Colson Leaning 75-hundred dollars.

Some Wisconsinites are finding it hard to believe ballots were counted accurately during the last election. A survey done by the Tarrance group showed three in ten residents have little or no confidence those ballots were accurately counted in 2024, noting the time it takes to get the ballots tallied. The poll also found 71 percent of Republicans believe those working in polling places need to be monitored. The results come just weeks before Wisconsin is scheduled to hold its primary election on August 11th.

Appleton public safety leaders are looking to end its use of automated license plate cameras. The move would go beyond ending the city's contract with Flock safety cameras and end working with all companies that make the cameras. The proposal would also remove access to any cameras in the city unless approved by both the common council and the police department.

Nobody is hurt after a massive barn fire at a Washington County dairy farm. At least a dozen fire departments were called to the blaze yesterday at Guttmann Dairy Farm near West Bend, officials saying the two-story structure was likely a total loss. Hay stored inside the barn burned for hours as crews worked to contain the blaze and protect nearby cows. It's unclear what started the fire, but investigators believe it has something to do with an electrical panel located right outside of the structure. Total damage is estimated to be over one-million dollars.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz says the Trump administration is targeting Minnesota. He's now filing 16 Freedom of Information Act requests with federal agencies. Walz is seeking records, communications and writings. The governor's action comes a day after U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz blocked six grand jury subpoenas that the Trump administration served against several Minnesota officials, including Governor Walz. The federal judge ruled that using grand jury proceedings to pressure political opponents into taking official action is a blatantly unlawful and unethical use of the grand jury process.

A man accused of serial burglary in northern Wisconsin has been arrested in Fond Du Lac County. Deputies arrested 50-year-old Toby Mullins of Rib Lake this week. Mullins is suspected in a series of burglaries across the state, including in Iron, Sawyer, Price, Taylor, Ashland and Winnebago Counties. Deputies in Iron County say Mullins was breaking into cabins during the offseason and stealing property.

The Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District reminds you – the label on “flushable wipes” is misleading. A photo posted to the district’s Facebook page serves as graphic evidence that unlike toilet paper, wipes don't break down in the pipes. They can build up and create clogs causing sewage backups in homes, damage to equipment, and requiring staff to manually remove them. Wipes of any kind even the so-called "flushable" ones, belong in the trash.

Remember that Wisconsin earned the title of America's Dairyland as we near the end of June Dairy Month. 78th Alice in Dairyland Sarah Hagenow says Wisconsin cheese has won over 76-hundred awards, and some types are still only being made in Wisconsin. When put on the spot, Hagenow says her favorite cheese is Wisconsin aged cheddar. Or maybe gouda. Or mozzarella. She says it's hard to pick with the 600 kinds of cheese made here in Wisconsin.

Local-Regional News June 24

 

A western Wisconsin man is accused of repeated sexual assaults of a child. Charges against 35-year-old Christopher Jensen of Menomonie are filed in Pepin County, where the alleged assaults occurred. Jensen is charged with four felonies including repeated sexual assault of a child, child enticement and possession of child pornography. According to a criminal complaint the victim was 13 years old when the abuse began. The victim told police Jensen recorded one of the assaults on his phone. Jensen has been released on a $20,000 cash bond and is due back in court next month.

The Durand City Council is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include discussion and possible action on a $124,000 change order in the Madison Street Project to replace the manhole and sewer line on 5^th Ave West between Madison and Main Street, discussion on staffing issues with Durand Police and talking with the Pepin County Sheriff’s Department for assistance and reports from the Mayor and Department Heads. Tonights meeting begins at 6pm at Durand City Hall and will be live streamed on the WRDN website.

The Durand-Arkansaw School Board is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include discussion and possible action on the 2026-27 Preliminary Budget, renewal of property, casuality, workers compensation and cyber security insurance and reports from the district and building administrators. Tonights meeting begins at 6pm in the board room at Durand-Arkansaw High School.

The City of Mondovi has approved donating $1000 to the Buffalo County Humane Association and target those funds to assist in the trapping and removal of feral cats in the city. Mondovi Mayor Brady Weiss says the Humane Association will target problem areas in the city. Council member Schultz questioned the $1000 amount as too little to address the problem, as it would only cover trapping 12-14 cats.

Xcel Energy has filed a proposal that would force large electric users like data centers to pay for all the electric grid upgrades themselves. In a filing with the Wisconsin Public Service Commission, the company is proposing a Large Load Tariff, would apply to any new customer or significant load expansion of 100 megawatts (MW) or greater. If approved, the tariff would require those customers to cover 100% of the costs required to serve them and not pass the costs onto other customers.

After a review of county facilities, Eau Claire County is considering possibly selling or development of the Eau Claire County Expo Center. An advisory committee is being formed to look at the center to determine if its in the best interest in the county to continue to operate the center as a public-private partnership or sell it. The advisory committee will be made up of members of the public and organizations that use the center.

The verdict is in for a defendant charged in connection with the killing of an Altoona man. The body of 79-year-old Dennis Schattie was found in the river near Rockford Illinois in April of 2022. Investigators believe Schattie was killed in Eau Claire. Brandon Gaston was convicted in Eau Claire County yesterday of being a party to the crime of first-degree intentional homicide and hiding a corpse. Gaston's former girlfriend -- Tracey Clark -- pleaded no contest to a charge of reckless homicide in the case last year.

A woman facing child abuse charges in Trempealeau County has now heard the court's verdict. Unlicensed daycare provider Maegan Valley was found guilty yesterday of charges including child abuse-recklessly causing great harm and neglecting a child where the consequence is great harm. The case involved a one-year-old child who was taken to a hospital in 2024 with second and third degree burns covering nearly a quarter of his body.

A Chippewa Falls man is facing drug charges in La Crosse. Thirty-nine-year-old Star Yang was arrested Monday night after police say they found him with fentanyl and cocaine inside his vehicle. Yang appeared in court yesterday where a bond was set at ten-thousand dollars.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court strikes down a challenge against the Menominee Tribe adding property to the reservation's trust. In a 4 to 3 decision Tuesday, the court upheld a dismissal of a lawsuit from the Legend Lake Property Owners Association that attempted to stop a tribal member from buying properties on Legend Lake in Menominee County and handing them back to the tribe. Liberal justices on the court ruled that a 1970s law re-establishing federal recognition for the Menominee Tribe and establishing its sovereign status means landowners' covenants do not apply. The move allows roughly 40 properties on the lake to once again return to tribal regulation, after similar rulings at the federal level.

It's a return of an unhealthy sight on Wisconsin lakes: blue-green algae. Recent sunny days following heavy rains have bloomed algae across southern Wisconsin, including on Madison's Lake Monona. The D N R says fertilizer and other runoffs can prompt the blooms of single cell plants, and winds easily move the resulting slime into piles on the shore. Some of that algae can be toxic, so just keep out of the water if you see it and keep pets out of the water as well to prevent serious illness.

Minnesota health insurers are seeking a double-digit rate increase for 2027. Medica is asking for an average increase of about 13 percent on individual MNsure plans. While HealthPartners is seeking a 12-percent increase and Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Minnesota is seeking a ten-percent increase. Regulators haven't approved the proposed increases, but final rates are expected by October 1st. About 125-thousand people bought coverage through MNsure as of last month.

Watch out for "free trials" you sign up for online. Lisa Schiller with Better Business Bureau of Wisconsin says you should be wary when a "free" trial requires you to pay anything upfront. In most cases, the company will have asked you to pay for shipping and handling, or to keep a credit card on file in case you want to keep the service. Be sure to read the fine print when you sign up, and mark down when you need to cancel that trial before you have to pay. Also be sure to keep track of any recurring subscriptions you do have, and regularly check your credit card or bank statements for irregularities.

The Madison School District has a new cell phone policy on the books. By law, all Wisconsin school districts must create rules surrounding student phone use by July 1st. On Monday night, the Madison school board, in a 5-2 vote, approved a bell-to-bell ban which covers phones, Smartwatches, Airpods and tablets. In grades K through 8, devices must be put away all day. For high schoolers, they have an exception to use devices during lunch - otherwise the items must also be stored for the day, including between classes, which was something supported by a number of parents and teachers.

A “stinky flower” is ready to bloom in Milwaukee. A corpse flower named Penelope is expected to bloom inside the Tropical Dome at Milwaukee’s Mitchell Park Domes at any hour today or Wednesday according to the Milwaukee Domes Alliance. The timing is not exact. Penelope's last bloom took place two years ago and once the bloom opens it lasts 24 to 48 hours. It releases a strong odor as part of the blooming process, which gives the corpse flower its name. Updates on Penelope’s progress are expected to be posted on the Milwaukee Domes Alliance Facebook page.

Local-Regional News June 23

 

Arson charges are being filed against a Buffalo City man accused of setting fire to his own home. Fifty-eight-year-old Jeffry Kostner reportedly set fire to the porch of the West 6th Street home on Sunday but refused to evacuate -- telling authorities that he himself was responsible for the blaze. The fire was confined to a three-season screened porch on the west side of the home. Firefighters from the Tri Community Fire Department extinguished the blaze before it spread further. Kostner had a blood alcohol content of .177 at the time. No injuries were reported.

The Mondovi City Council is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include approval of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Annual Report, presentations from Mondovi Fire Department, and organizers of Oktoberfest along with reports from the mayor and department heads. Tonights meeting begins at 5:30 at the Marten Center in Mondovi.

A storage building for the highway department is being proposed in Dunn County. This building comes with an estimated cost of $17.5 million. County Manager Dan Dunbar said cramped and outdated storage conditions at the current facility at 3303 U.S. 12 in Menomonie are hazardous for Highway Department employees and complicate operations. Limited indoor storage capacity forces equipment, materials and vehicles into tight quarters, increasing the likelihood of accidents. The proposal calls for constructing a new 72,000‑square‑foot, semi‑heated equipment storage building that would house roughly 70 pieces of highway equipment now stored outdoors. The plan also includes a 2,900‑square‑foot automatic wash bay designed to accommodate larger trucks. Additional exterior covered storage would be added, and the existing cold-storage building would be repurposed for the Sheriff’s Department. Planning for the project would be in 2027 with construction in 2028.

The Emplify Health Clinic in Mondovi celebrated the installation of a new solar array for the clinic yesterday. Ariel Brophy, project manager for Emplify Health says the new array will cover just over 100 percent of the clinic’s electric needs. She says the clinic will save approximately $14,000 annually in electric costs.

A man accused of secretly placing a recording device inside a bathroom at the Menomonie medical office where he worked is now also facing charges in Eau Claire County. Medical Assistant Meng Vang has been facing 30 felony charges in Dunn County -- but now faces additional charges with prosecutors saying they found images secretly recorded by the defendant at a ReforMedicine office in Eau Claire. Vang is scheduled to appear in court on the new charges tomorrow.

A Dunn County man is being identified as the person who died in a recent St. Croix County vehicle crash. The accident happened Sunday morning in Hudson. Authorities say that 63-year-old Downing resident Dennis Swenby was driving a pickup truck that went over an embankment. He died at the scene.

Gas prices continue to fall in Western Wisconsin. Triple-A reports the average price of regular fuel in Western Wisconsin is now three-67 per gallon -- 19-cents less than the price one week ago. In La Crosse, the average cost of a gallon of regular fuel is three-67 per gallon -- 14-cents less versus the price last week. The average cost of a gallon of regular fuel in the Badger State is three-71 per gallon.

A Lake City kindergarten teacher has been recognized for her work educating students about agriculture. Lake City Public Schools said Monday that Bluff View Elementary teacher Marie Kruse is the recipient of the 2026 Outstanding Teacher Award from Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom. Kruse has participated in the Midwest Dairy Adopt-a-Calf program and organized a Farm Machinery Parade to help launch Bluff View Elementary’s agriculture-themed “I Love to Read” Month.

A Democrat running to be the next governor of Wisconsin is dropping out of the race. Missy Hughes was in Madison yesterday where she suspended her campaign and endorsed Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez for the post. Hughes's decision comes after she placed last in a straw poll of candidates at the Wisconsin Democratic Party convention. She was considered the most moderate Democrat in the field. Hughes also called on other Democrats to back out of the race and throw their support behind Rodriguez.

Governor Tony Evers is asking the U.S. Small Business Administration to declare a Rapid Disaster Declaration for Wisconsin communities affected by severe storms and flooding. Evers is requesting for Marathon, Wupaca, Rock and Vernon Counties to be eligible for disaster assistance based on damage assessments from federal, state and local agencies. If approved, federal disaster loans from the SBA will be available for people and businesses in those four counties. In a statement, Evers said he's continuing to "urge the president and the federal government to meet this moment and get Wisconsinites and our communities the support they need and deserve."

A Reedsburg man has been sentenced after violating parole. David Davis was originally convicted of being party to a 1991 homicide and sentenced to life in prison, but was released on parole in 2020. He pleaded guilty in March to possessing firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon. Judge William M. Conley says Davis obstructed justice because he initially tried to have someone else claim the guns belonged to them. He's been sentenced to eight years in federal prison as a result.

One person is dead after a one-vehicle crash in St. Croix County. Officials received a call around 8 a.m. Sunday for the accident on the 700 block of Badlands Road in Houston. Deputies found the vehicle down a wooded embankment, with the driver, later identified as Dennis Swenby trapped inside. Authorities say the car was traveling west when it crossed over the centerline and entered the south ditch. Swenby was pronounced dead at the scene, and the incident remains under investigation.

Wisconsin childcare advocates warn of a looming funding crisis. A report from the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association analyzes the impact of pandemic-era stabilization funding coming to an end by July. Executive Director Ruth Schmidt says the bottom line from providers is the need for dedicated state funding, and she expects the childcare issue will play out in real time in this year’s campaigns for governor and the legislature.

A federal judge is dismissing six grand jury subpoenas against Minnesota state and local government office, which include Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. Justice Patrick Schiltz Ruled that the subpoenas were retaliatory and unlawful. He added that the action was designed to coerce Minnesota officials into cooperating with ICE agents after those officials sued to block Operation Metro Surge. Subpoenas were also served to the Minnesota attorney general, Ramsey County's Board of Commissioners and Hennepin County's Board of Commissioners.

The Special Olympics USA Games kick off today in the Twin Cities. The four-day event is expected to attract 100 thousand visitors. Competitions will take place at the University of Minnesota Rast Bank campus and the National Sports Center in Blaine. Several sports include basketball, competitive cheer, gymnastics, swimming softball and track and field. The games are free and open to the public.