Local-Regional News May 26

 

A Durand man has been arrested following a vehicle pursuit early Saturday morning. According to the Pepin County Sheriff’s Department, deputies observed a vehicle, driven by 28yr old Issac Phillips driving without headlights on. Phillips fled when emergency lights were activated and speeds through the city reached up to 55mph. The pursuit ended when Phillips crashed into a tree. He was taken to Advent Health in Durand and then booked into the Pepin County Jail on charges of fleeing an officer and Operating while intoxicated 5^th offense.

The Durand-Arkansaw School District’s Early Learning Center is close to completion. Durand-Arkansaw Superintendent Ryan Nelson says the district will be moving into the new center in June and opening in July.  Nelson reported to the school board, 115 children are signed up for the center in July.

The Pepin County Highway Department will be spraying a herbicide along county roadways this year. The department has used the herbicide along guardrails in years past. Pepin County Highway Commissioner Chris Bates says by using the herbicides it could reduce the number of mowing operations by the county and help fight invasive species.  Those with questions on the herbicides are encouraged to contact the Pepin County Highway Department.

The Mondovi City Council is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include discussion on the Hwy 10 project engineering, and reports from the mayor and department heads. Tonights meeting begins at 5:30 at the Marten Center in Mondovi.

Boaters along the Mississippi River near Wabasha are reminded of the no wake zone. The City of Washsha has a no wake zone from the upper Parkside Marina rock point downriver to Bailey Avenue, just below the National Eagle Center. Markers were placed last week on the Minnesota side of the river. The no wake zone is in effect through the end of the Labor Day Weekend.

Eau Claire Police are continuing to investigate a Friday night homicide. Police received a call that night at around 8 p.m. from someone saying they had just killed an individual at Half Moon Lake Apartments near Carson Park. Officers found a body at the scene and took one person into custody.

Many Western Wisconsin drivers are seeing a drop in prices at the gas pump this week. Triple-A reports the average price of regular fuel in Western Wisconsin is now four-21 per gallon -- eight-cents lower than the price one week ago. In La Crosse, the average cost of a gallon of regular fuel is four-24 per gallon -- 19-cents less compared to one week ago. The average cost of a gallon of regular fuel in the Badger State is four-37 per gallon.

Charges are being filed against a Chippewa Falls man who was pulled over near Lake Hallie. Billy Oldenburg was stopped for speeding on Highway 53 and then reportedly failed field sobriety tests. Oldenburg was charged with suspicion of operating while intoxicated -- his sixth time facing the charge.

There’s a new online tool aimed at improving road safety across Wisconsin communities. The “Community Maps” platform from UW–Madison tracks all police-reported crashes statewide, with data going back more than two decades. Associate Director Andi Bill says the goal is to give everyone, from local officials to everyday residents, easy access to safety data for streets, intersections, and neighborhoods. The maps are updated nightly and can help identify dangerous areas and guide improvements. You can explore the resource online at the UW Traffic Operations and Safety Lab website.

Members of the Wisconsin State Senate say Governor Tony Evers and Republican leaders never discussed a proposed surplus spending deal with their members. Beloit Democrat Mark Spreitzer speaking on WISN's UPFRONT. Spreitzer says what Democrats saw was a bill that had too many Republican earmarks and could have put a hole in the budget for next year. Meanwhile Delafield Republican Chris Kapenga said he had no idea the deal was being made until a flyer urging him to vote on the deal made its way to his district. Kapenga says outgoing Governor Tony Evers, Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos are to blame for rushing the vote. The proposal died in the Senate after no Democrats and three Republicans voted against it.

An FDA report says no child deaths have been definitively linked to Covid vaccines. The analysis comes almost six months after former FDA vaccine chief Dr. Vinay Prasad said, without evidence, that the agency identified at least ten previously unreported child deaths tied to the vaccines. Prasad's claims were used to propose changes to how the FDA reviews vaccines. He left the agency in April after facing criticism over delays and rejections involving several treatments for rare diseases. The FDA's analysis came up in a letter Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson sent this month to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. regarding transparency around Covid vaccine safety.

A couple of philanthropists are making a major contribution to a renovation project at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. John and Tashia Morgridge, alumni of the school, have pledged to provide more than 85-million dollars to support efforts to update Science Hall. The building has been around since the late 1800s, and there are plans to renovate the building at a cost of more than 163-million dollars. The project will keep the historic nature of the building but bring it up to modern standards. The couple is no stranger to helping out the Madison campus, previously contributing 140-million toward the new College of Computing and Artificial Intelligence building.

A judge is allowing the criminal case to move forward against the father of the Abundant Life Christian School shooter. Court records show Jeffrey Rupnow's request to dismiss the case was denied this week. Rupnow is charged with selling dangerous weapons to a person under 18 and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Prosecutors say Rupnow bought the two guns recovered after his daughter Natalie opened fire at the Madison school in December 2024 and killed two people. Investigators allege Rupnow failed to secure the weapons in his gun safe. Rupnow is scheduled for another hearing in late June.

Authorities in southern Minnesota are on the lookout for a woman suspected of bank fraud. The Blue Earth County Sheriff's office has released images from several banks of the suspect between May 7th and 13th. The woman allegedly presented other people's personal identification to take money from existing equity lines of credit. She has withdrawn a total of 30-thousand dollars. The banks are located in Waldorf, St. Peter, Eagle Lake, Hutchinson and Rochester.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is accepting artwork for its annual bird stamp contests. Submissions can be entered for the annual Wild Turkey, Pheasant, and Waterfowl Stamp Design Contests. Winning designs will appear on the 2027 stamp collection. Entries must be submitted or postmarked by August 1st, with judging set for August 22nd at the Waterfowl Hunters Expo in Oshkosh. Officials say the contest not only highlights local talent but also supports conservation as stamp sales generate hundreds of thousands of dollars each year for habitat restoration, education, and wildlife management across the state. 

Local-News May 25

Summer swimming lessons at Tarrant Park in Durand will have 260 students this year. This is the first year the lessons were organized by the Durand-Arkansaw School District instead of the City of Durand. Durand-Arkansaw Superintendent Ryan Nelson says the idea to have the district run the lessons came from conversations with the city.  The swimming lessons will be in June and July.

Motorists who use Dorwins Mill Road between Hwy 10 and 85 will need to use an alternate route this summer as crews replace a bridge over Baier Creek. Pepin County Highway Administrator Chris Bates says the county helped the Town of Durand get funding for the replacement of the bridge.  That project should be completed by the end of July.

Farmers Market vouchers for seniors in Buffalo and Pepin County will be available on June 1^st. The $25 vouchers are for those 60yrs and older to obtain fresh fruits and vegetables sold at farmers markets. There is some income restrictions and vouchers will be available on a first come first served basis. Contact Buffalo-Pepin County ADRC for more information.

One person was injured when their vehicle crashed into a home in Burnside Township. According to the Trempealeau County Sheriffs Department, a vehicle traveling eastbound on Hwy X failed to negotiate a curve, left the roadway, went into the ditch and struck a home. The driver of the vehicle was trapped and had to be extricated from the vehicle and med-flighted to Mayo Eau Claire. Speed and alcohol are believed to be contributing factors to the accident. The name of the driver was not released.

La Crosse Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey is addressing concerns around public safety in the city's parks and downtown area. He warned residents that negative behavior will not be tolerated and encouraged positive use of public safety. Washington-Spivey noted there will be an increased presence of Neighborhood Resource Officers in and around the parks. The announcement comes after Burns and Cameron Parks were closed last September following safety issues. City officials added that both sheltered and unsheltered individuals have contributed to safety issues.

A new scam is targeting apartment hunters with fake application fees. The Wisconsin Division of Trade and Consumer Protection say scammers pose as landlords and direct people to pay to fill out a fake application before they could "even tour the property." Officials say future renters should verify the listing by looking at rental companies' official websites, satellite or street-view maps and look up property records. The FTC says between 2020 and 2025, 65-million dollars was lost to rental scams, with young renters hit the hardest.

Governor Tony Evers has formally requested a federal disaster declaration in response to severe April storms and destructive flooding. A Wisconsin Emergency Management and FEMA joint preliminary damage assessment determined more than $27 million in damages. Evers request to President Donald Truump includes FEMA Individual Assistance in 19 counties and the Onedia Nation, and Public Assistance in 14 counties and the Oneida Nation, as well as FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to help reduce the impact of future disasters statewide. In a press release, Evers noted that the latest request for federal support comes as the Trump has yet to justify denial of Public Assistance following severe weather and flooding which caused over $27 million in damage across the state last summer. Evers also cited reports indicating that it’s harder for Democratic-led states to get disaster funding under the Trump Administration than Republican-led states, with FEMA rejecting disaster aid for Democratic-led states at the highest rate in its history.

Home prices in Wisconsin are continuing to rise. A report from the Wisconsin Realtors Association shows the median price of homes increased six-point-three percent year over year in April, with a typical home costing 340-thousand dollars. Home sales were still up seven-point-four percent during the same time period due to a slightly lower mortgage rate. Here in Western Wisconsin, Dunn County had 34 homes sold, Pierce County 19, Buffalo and Pepin County had 7 homes sold. The median price of a home in Western Wisconsin was $313,000. Experts say available housing needs to increase 62-percent to reach a balanced market.

Analysis finds last week's failed surplus deal would've sent Wisconsin's budget into the red. A memo from the Legislature’s Fiscal Bureau shows the proposed deal — brokered by Governor Tony Evers and Republican leaders — would have added roughly three‑and‑a‑half billion dollars in spending over four years. Combined with existing commitments, the state would have faced an estimated $2.95 billion deficit, assuming no changes in revenue. The $1.8 billion package included tax rebate checks, more general state aid for schools, increased special education funding, and eliminating income tax on overtime and tips. The deal collapsed in the Senate last week, with Democrats — and some Republicans — warning it cost too much. Policy analysts say the impact would have made the next budget significantly tougher to balance, though not impossible. Backers argue rising tax revenues could have offset the hit.

Some Wisconsin high school students could see a change in their spring ACT scores. The Wisconsin State Journal reports that ACT found a scoring problem affecting students who took the online exam during school-day testing. The company began pulling affected scores May 13th and plans to reissue updated results by June second. Officials say scores will either stay the same or increase slightly — but won’t go down. State Superintendent Jill Underly says the test still plays a key role in college admissions and school accountability.

New federal funding will assist Wisconsin communities to replace lead water service lines. Wisconsin will receive $94.3 million through the EPA’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, a result of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed by Congress in 2021. It’s part of a larger $2.9 billion initiative by the Trump Administration and EPA to address approximately 4 million lead service lines across the country. Lead is a neurotoxin that is especially harmful to children. Roughly half of the funding for Wisconsin will be allocated to disadvantaged communities as grants or principal forgiveness loans. As of 2023, EPA projected there are more than 343,000 lead service lines in the state.

A new effort to protect a historic Wisconsin natural resource. Wild rice is known as manoomin by the Ojibwe people who harvest on northern Wisconsin waterways. Governor Tony Evers has appointed 24 people to the Wild Rice Stewardship Council, which he established through an Executive Order on Indigenous Peoples' Day last October. The group is charged with preserving wild rice stewardship and supporting Tribal treaty rights. Council members include representatives from Wisconsin’s 11 federally recognized Tribes, the DNR, DATCP, the Office of Environmental Justice and Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission. The executive order designates the first week of September as "Wild Rice Week" to raise awareness for and appreciation of wild rice.

There will likely be no hunting season for sharp-tailed grouse this year. The Wisconsin State Journal reports a Department of Natural Resources report shows a 22 percent decline in the grouse population over last year. Last year was the first hunt for the grouse since 2010, with a total of five birds harvested. Wildlife experts say poor weather and an unsuccessful nesting season are likely to blame. Fish and game services across the Midwest are reporting a decline in sharp-tailed grouse in general.

The Wisconsin State Fair is adding a new attraction to mark its 175th year. The America 250 Wheel will debut in the Midwest during this summer's fair in West Allis. The 230-foot portable observation wheel will give riders a view from above while featuring a theme tied to U.S. history and national parks.

Local-Regional News May 22

 

A special day today as its graduation for the Durand-Arkansaw High School. Durand-Arkansaw Superintendent Ryan Nelson says the district is proud of the students crossing the stage tonight.  Graduation begins at 7pm in the gym at Durand-Arkansaw High School. The graduation will also be live-streamed on the Durand-Arkansaw YouTube Channel, the WRDN website, and on Ntec Channel 99.

One person was injured after a semi accident in Trimbelle Township on May 13^th. According to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, 72yr old Ronald Anderson of Mondovi was traveling eastbound on Hwy 10 hauling a load of straw bales when he lost control of the semi, struck a guardrail, and the semi overturned. Anderson was taken to Red Wing Hospital.

Motorists in Buffalo City are reminded that the speed limit on River Road in the city has been reduced to 25mph. The new speed limit signs were posted yesterday. Buffalo City leaders are reminding motorists to slow down, stay alert and keep the community safe.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice is sharing more details about a deadly officer-involved shooting in Eau Claire County. Sheriff's deputies were responding to a three-vehicle accident May 4th in the Town of Union when one person involved in the accident ran from the scene. Deputy Joseph Wollum pursued the suspect -- later identified as Kelly Whalen. When Wollum caught up with Whalen, the DOJ says the suspect pulled a knife on him and the officer fatally shot them. The incident remains under investigation.

Home prices in Wisconsin are continuing to rise. A report from the Wisconsin Realtors Association shows the median price of homes increased six-point-three percent year over year in April, with a typical home costing 340-thousand dollars. Home sales were still up seven-point-four percent during the same time period due to a slightly lower mortgage rate. Here in Western Wisconsin, Dunn County had 34 homes sold, Pierce County 19, Buffalo and Pepin County had 7 homes sold. The median price of a home in Western Wisconsin was $313,000. Experts say available housing needs to increase 62-percent to reach a balanced market.

Federal authorities arrested a Mexican citizen in Barron County who was wanted in Mexico in connection to a homicide case. Investigators say 32-year-old Alejandra Sanchez-Cuaquehua was living in the area after illegally reentering the United States following a previous removal. Authorities say she is now in ICE custody and is expected to be returned to Mexico to face murder charges.

A pair of Vernon County businesses are receiving grant funding through the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance. Hidden Springs Creamery and Nordic Creamery -- both in Westby -- are among ten small and medium Midwest dairy businesses just announced as grant recipients. Hidden Springs -- a sheep dairy and producer of artisan cheese -- will receive funding to help support education and training as part of efforts to launch new products. Nordic Creamery will receiving funding that will -- in part -- help them to develop a new cheese made from goat and sheep milk.

A federal judge dismissed a U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit seeking access to Wisconsin's full voter registration list. The ruling blocks the release of unredacted voter information, including Social Security and driver's license numbers. Supporters say the decision protects voter privacy, while Republicans say the review was needed to help verify voter rolls. The DOJ has 60 days to appeal.

A safety reminder for the Memorial Day weekend—whether you’re on the road or on the water. The Wisconsin State Patrol says distracted driving and speeding are leading causes of summer crashes. Drivers are urged to put the phone down, follow posted speed limits, and slow down in construction zones. Troopers also remind motorists to move over—or slow down—for roadside emergencies. If you’re heading out on the water, the DNR says make sure you have a properly fitting life jacket for everyone on board, and brush up on boating safety before the season begins. For more tips, visit 511 dot WI dot gov or the DNR website.

Wisconsin is joining 24 other states in suing the Trump administration over student loan limits for nursing students. The administration imposed new limits on federal student loans for graduation programs, letting a short list of professional degrees, like medicine and law, borrow more. The new rules exclude nursing, physical therapy and nurse anesthesia programs. Critics say it will price students out of advance practice roles and worsen the healthcare worker shortage. The Trump administration has argued most programs still fit under the caps, with the change meaning to pressure schools to lower tuition.

Another Wisconsin community pushes back against data center development. During a Tuesday night listening session in the Village of Wrightstown outside Green Bay, most residents opposed the idea of a data center, citing noise, water usage, loss of farmland and power consumption. People in attendance at Tuesday’s discussion also said they think the village isn’t being fully transparent. Community members believe Cloverleaf Infrastructure is eyeing land behind Wrightstown High School, but village leaders says there are no proposals on the table, and that the meeting was a response to rumors on social media. The village also plans to hold two more open house listening sessions on May 26 and May 31.

Worker deaths in Wisconsin have decreased slightly over the last three years, but remain above the national average. That’s according to the AFL-CIO’s annual Death on the Job report cited by Wisconsin’s construction news source The Daily Reporter. The union federation report uses U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data which shows 109 workers died on the job in Wisconsin in 2024 with Black and Latino workers dying at a higher rate than the national average. The latest figure is lower than the 112 deaths in 2023 and 125 in 2022. The AFL-CIO also argues it would take the 30 OSHA inspectors assigned to Wisconsin roughly 131 years to inspect every workplace in the state.

New study finds more than half of Wisconsin's deer ticks carry Lyme disease bacteria. Researchers at the Marshfield Clinic found 51% of deer ticks tested were infected with the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. Staff Scientist Dr. Alexandra Linz says while that number is higher than expected, it does not mean your risk of getting sick after a bite is the same. She says the actual risk is much lower. Experts recommend avoiding tall grass and brush, wearing long clothing, and using repellents. They also say do a full tick check and shower after spending time outdoors.

An ICE agent's attorney says the agent will turn himself in over charges from Operation Metro Surge. On Wednesday, St. Paul criminal defense attorney Ryan Pacyga filed a certificate of representation for Gregory Donnell Morgan Junior. A Hennepin County Attorney charged Morgan with two felony counts of second-degree assault on April 16th. Pacyga confirmed to the Minnesota Star Tribune that he is representing Morgan and that they are cooperating with the investigation. This was the first criminal charge to be levied against a federal agent for their actions during Operation Metro Surge.

Three Wisconsin cities rank among the safest in America. The personal finance site SmartAsset assessed data from multiple federal agencies on natural disaster risk, traffic fatality data, and property and violent crime rates for over 300 cities with populations between 65,000 and 250,000. The study released Tuesday ranked Waukesha the eighth safest city in the country, with Appleton placing tenth and Eau Claire right behind in eleventh place. The report named the Denver suburb of Bloomfield, Colorado as the safest city in the nation.

Local-Regional News May 21

 

The City of Durand is continuing to move forward in developing a comprehensive plan, and is still encouraging everyone to fill out a community survey as part of the plan. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the survey will be open until the end of June and is open to everyone.  That survey can be found at the City of Durand website or paper copies are available at Durand City Hall.

Last night at the Durand-Arkansaw School Board meeting, the board approved the 2026-27 student accident insurance plan with rates remaining unchanged. The insurance is secondary insurance for students that have some type of sports or activity injury at school. The board also adjusted the price of breakfast at Caddie Woodlawn Elementary after a mistake was found last month. The breakfast price for 2026-27 will go from $1.75 to $2.00 instead of the $2.25 that was passed last month.

The Pepin County Human Services and Sheriff’s Department has received a grant for crisis intervention training to the county. The grant follows a successful collaboration with Buffalo County to bring the training to the area in 2025. The training educates the public and community response efforts for mental health in the county. The training will be held in August.

With the Memorial Day Holiday weekend approaching, Xcel Energy is reminding the public to stay out of restricted areas at the Cedar Falls Hydro facility near Menomonie. According to Xcel, there has been an increase in trespassing incidents in active construction zones at the facility. Increased signage and barriers to the restricted areas have been installed and local law enforcement has also been notified. The construction is a multi-year modernization project at the dam.

A bus carrying students of the Eau Claire School District was involved in an accident Wednesday afternoon. Students were on their way home when the bus was rear-ended on McKinley Road. No one was hurt.

A Trempealeau County day care owner has been convicted on charges of physical abuse of a child. Ashley Hove was performing daycare work at a home in the Village of Eleva when a child was injured in April of last year. A doctor's report said that the child's injuries were caused by some kind of physical violence. Hove has pleaded no contest to the abuse charges this week and will be sentenced at a later date.

Holiday campers at Kruger Campground Park in Wabasha County are advised to be on the lookout for a black bear. The Wabasha County Sheriff’s Department says the bear has been sighted at the park numerous times. Campers are reminded to keep their food secure, clean up all food waste and trash and put in secure location, and keep pets and children nearby. If you encounter a bear, back away slowly, and make loud noises from a safe distance. Never attempt to run from a bear.

The search for a 36-year-old Ladysmith resident missing since last summer has come to an end. Officials confirm that human remains found in a wounded area of Rusk County on May 8th are those of Seth Miller. Foul play is not suspected in Miller's death.

Low water levels on the Mississippi River are leading to changes in service on the Lansing Ferry. Operators of the ferry -- connecting Crawford County, Wisconsin with Lansing, Iowa -- are now limiting the number of vehicles the boat can carry due to safety concerns. Normally, the ferry carries as many as twelve vehicles per trip but that number is being cut to a capacity of nine while river levels are low.

Minnetonka-based company Cargill is locking out over 17-hundred union workers from their Colorado plant. This comes as Cargill and Teamsters workers at a beef slaughterhouse are at an impasse amid contract negotiations. The employees, who are not getting paid, say Cargill is refusing to provide adequate raises after months of bargaining. The beef plant has skidded to a standstill during a time when consumer complaints about high beef prices are growing. Union members overwhelmingly voted against Cargill's latest proposal.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture will be spraying for Spongy moth today in Trempealeau County. Residents may see low flying yellow planes spraying a product called Foray 48B that contains a naturally occurring soil bacteria.   Spongy moth caterpillars cannot digest Btk, so they die soon after they eat the leaves. Btk is not toxic to people, bees, pets, or other animals, and is approved for use in certified organic food production. It will break down in sunlight within a few days after application. People who have allergies may wish to stay indoors or leave the area until treatment is done. The yellow planes are loud and will fly low, just above the tree canopy, which may frighten pets or livestock. Those with animals may use their discretion to reduce stress by keeping them indoors or monitoring their behavior during aerial treatments.

A Mineral Point man driving an Amish buggy was killed in a Tuesday afternoon crash in Lafayette County. The sheriff’s office says the buggy was struck from behind by a pickup truck driven by a 36-year-old Dodgeville man on State Highway 23 in the town of Willow Springs. The driver of the buggy identified as 56-year-old Joseph Z. Glick died at the scene. The horse pulling the buggy had to be euthanized from injuries sustained from the crash. The driver of the pickup wasn’t hurt. The sheriff’s office says the crash is still under investigation.

A recent hack on school data service Canvas is a good reminder to take information security seriously. Wisconsin Consumer Protection director Mike Domke says companies should be training their employees on how to prevent breaches, but understand that it can happen to anyone. Domke says every company should have a recovery system in place in case of a data breach. If you need help putting one together, contact DATCP online at D A T C P dot W I dot Gov.

Former Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle is endorsing Judge Pedro Colón for the Wisconsin Supreme Court. According to a press release from Colón's campaign, Doyle appointed Judge Colón to the Milwaukee County Circuit Court in 2010. Doyle says the Judge "comes uniquely qualified to face the challenges that will undoubtedly come before this Supreme Court in the next decade." He also said Colón is a "dedicated public servant who deeply cares about the people of our state."

Milwaukee Police say a second officer is under investigation for possible misuse of Flock license plate readers. No formal charges have been filed, but department officials said during a Fire and Police Commission meeting earlier this month that the officer is on full suspension pending the outcome of the investigation. Earlier this year, prosecutors charged former Milwaukee police officer Josue Ayala with using the system to track an ex-girlfriend. Ayala was charged with a misdemeanor count of attempted misconduct in public office and resigned from the department. Milwaukee Police say changes have been made regarding the system, and Flock Safety said the technology has audit trails to hold officers accountable.

The Green Bay City Council is approving a conditional use permit for a new type of homeless shelter in downtown. The permit allows Safe Haven Hope Center to run a small, highly supervised transitional home at 315 South Jefferson. The home would be limited to 19-residents and 26-people total at any time, with at least one staff member for every ten residents. There will also be a zero-tolerance policy for drugs and alcohol. Those running the shelter has to provide a status update in six months to the council so any concerns can be addressed.

Two Wisconsin breweries earn international recognition. Appleton’s Vault 202 Brewery & Taproom was awarded a silver medal at the 2026 World Beer Cup last month in Philadelphia. The brewery took the prize in the Italian-Style Pilsner category for a beer they call “Now That’s a Sandwich.” The taste of the brew made with Italian-grown malt and a blend of Michigan- and German-grown hops is described as having a bright orange zest and subtle hop spice flavors. Vintage Brewing of Sauk City also earned silver for a Belgian-Style Dubbel beer they entered named “Dedication”. The competition evaluated over eight thousand beers from more than 50 countries.

Local-Regional News May 20

 

The Durand-Arkansaw School Board is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include discussion and possible action on the summer school course offerings, 2026-27 breakfast prices for Caddie Woodlawn Elementary and reports from the District and Building Administrators. Tonights meeting begins at 6pm in the board room at Durand-Arkansaw High School.

The Dunn County Board is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include discussion and possible action on a resolution to authorize the issuance of $12.3 million in General Obligation Promissory Notes, a resolution adopting the 2027-2031 capital improvement plan and a resolution to create a petition to request a change to the FCC television Market Area from Minneapolis-St. Paul to La Crosse-Eau Claire. Tonights meeting begins at 7pm at the Dunn County Government Center.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture will be spraying for Spongy moth today in Pepin County. Residents may see low flying yellow planes spraying a product called Foray 48B that contains a naturally occurring soil bacteria. Spongy moth caterpillars cannot digest Btk, so they die soon after they eat the leaves. Btk is not toxic to people, bees, pets, or other animals, and is approved for use in certified organic food production. It will break down in sunlight within a few days after application. People who have allergies may wish to stay indoors or leave the area until treatment is done. The yellow planes are loud and will fly low, just above the tree canopy, which may frighten pets or livestock. Those with animals may use their discretion to reduce stress by keeping them indoors or monitoring their behavior during aerial treatments.

An officer involved in the deadly shooting of a suspect in Chippewa Falls is being cleared of any wrongdoing. Chippewa Falls Police Department Sergeant James Luckey was pursuing a suspect on foot on the morning of April 9th when authorities say that individual -- 44-year-old Bradley Barnum -- appeared to pull a gun on the officer. Luckey opened fire -- hitting Barnum -- who later was revealed to have been carrying a BB gun. Barnum died at the scene. Chippewa County District Attorney Wade Newell said in a statement released yesterday that Luckey's actions that day were reasonable acts of self-defense.

The Barron County Sheriff's Office is investigating the death of a three-year-old child in a recent accident. Authorities says the child was fatally injured in a skid steer accident in New Auburn this past Saturday. No other details have been released.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is seeking public input on the Western Coulees and Ridges Draft Regional Master Plan and Environmental Analysis, which describes proposed future resource and public use management of DNR properties within the Western Coulees and Ridges Ecological Landscape. The Western Coulees and Ridges region includes the entire WRDN Listening Area. The plan includes maintenance and enhancement of upland and lowland hardwood forest trees including oak, protection and enhancement of trout streams and protection and restoration of native prairies. The complete plan can be found on the DNR Website. Comments are due by June 10.

The City of Lake City is now requiring food trucks to register with the city. The free registration will allow the city to track what mobile food trucks are in town and to make sure truck owners are following all state health regulations. Food truck owners will need to visit the Lake City Clerks office to fill out the form, provide proof of insurance and proof of their Minnesota Department of Health License. Registration will be valid for one year from June 1st-May 31^st.

The Wabasha County Board recently approved Curt Strewe as the interim Sheriff. Strewe will be taking over for Sheriff Rodney Bartsh who announced he would retire in 2026 and not seek re-election after 24yrs as Sheriff. Strewe takes over on May 31^st,

More details are emerging from a La Crosse stabbing incident that happened this past Friday night. Twenty-eight-year-old Ivan Canchola-Garcia is charged with attempted 1st-degree intentional homicide in the incident that took place outside of a home on 16th Street South. According to reports, the victim was the mother of the suspect's eleven-month-old daughter and was holding the child during the attack. The woman is expected to survive her injuries and the child was not hurt.

Wisconsin leaders are making investments to improve telecommunication access in the state. Governor Evers announced one-point-seven-million dollars in grant funding yesterday. The money will help eligible residents get discounted phone and internet service and provide telecommunications access for rural areas and individuals with disabilities. The money for the grants is coming from the state's Universal Service Fund.

A Manitowoc County judge denies the request of the defendants in the death of 3-year-old Elijah Vue to move their trial. Elijah’s mother Katrina Baur and her boyfriend Jesse Vang face multiple charges for the boy's disappearance and death in 2024. Monday, a request from Vang to either move the trial or pick a jury from outside Manitowoc County was dismissed. Vang’s attorney claimed that multiple online comments that he described as concerning and outrageous aren’t supportive of a fair trial for his client, but Judge Anthony Lambrecht said the media coverage has focused on the facts in the case and has not been inflammatory. The judge also denied Vang’s request to have the jury sequestered. A conference to review the trial schedule for both Vang and Baur will be held next month.

The Wisconsin League of Women Voters wants the state to create a uniform system on how to correct absentee ballots. The League filed a lawsuit in Dane County against the Wisconsin Elections Commission over the way the Commission allows local clerks to use their discretion in "curing" faulty ballots. The League argues that giving local clerks the choice on how to deal with ballots removes due process from voters who may not get timely information that their ballot is not being counted, or why. Right now, W E C allows clerks to notify voters to come fix their ballot, to mail the ballots back, or simply reject the ballot without telling the voter. Republicans in the state Assembly passed a bill this session that would have included rules on curing ballots among other changes, but the bill never made it to the floor of the Senate.

A Minneapolis man is accused of selling fentanyl that caused a deadly overdose in Marion Township a couple of months ago. Olmsted County Sheriff's investigators say Charles Webster Sr. has been charged with third-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter and first-degree sale of a controlled substance. Deputies were sent to residence on March 13th for a call about a man who was not breathing. The individual died and it was determined to be due to a fentanyl overdose. Authorities say Webster sold the victim the deadly dose.

The Hennepin County Attorney's Office is issuing a nationwide arrest warrant for an ICE agent. Christian Castro was charged with four counts of second-degree assault with a deadly weapon and one count of falsely reporting a crime. Castro allegedly shot Venezuelan immigrant Julio Sosa-Celis in north Minneapolis during Operation Metro Surge in January. Sosa-Celis and his roommate, Alfredo Alejandro Aljorna, were initially charged with assaulting a federal officer. The charges were later dropped when video evidence directly contradicted the story given by federal officers.

A pair of Wisconsin students are heading to Washington, D.C. for the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Kromrey Middle School's Arnav Vempati earned a spot in the national competition after finishing second in the Badger State Spelling Bee. He is reportedly the first student from the Middleton-Cross Plains School District to take part in the event. Vempati will be joined by Ethan Robert, an eighth grader from New Berlin Eisenhower, who won March's state competition. The National Spelling Bee starts next Tuesday at DAR Constitution Hall, near the White House.

Local-Regional News May 19

 

The Durand Fire Department has a new tender truck. The truck can carry 3500 gallons of water. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says that the fire department will keep the old tender in service after a donation from the Durand Fire Relief Association.  The new tender truck is now in service with the department.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is proposing to reconstruct Hwy 10 through Mondovi over a two year period. Mondovi Mayor Brady Weiss believes it would be better for the city if the project were done in sections, but in the same construction year.  Hwy 10 is scheduled to be replaced starting in 2030.

Many Western Wisconsin drivers are continuing to experience high prices at the gas pump. Triple-A reports the average price of regular fuel in Western Wisconsin is now four-29 per gallon -- 19-cents higher than the price one week ago. In La Crosse, the average cost of a gallon of regular fuel is four-43 per gallon -- 21-cents higher compared to one week ago. The average cost of a gallon of regular fuel in the State of Wisconsin is four-52 per gallon.

A former North High School teacher is facing allegations that they created inappropriate AI images featuring fellow staffers. Benjamin Gilbert resigned from Eau Claire Area Schools earlier this month and no other details about those images have been made available. No criminal charges have been filed in the matter.

A Cadott woman has been sentenced after stealing from several local groups. Nicole Ruhe was the treasurer for multiple organizations including the Boy Scouts of America Troop, the Cadott Basketball Association and the Cadott Community Association. She admitted to taking and using money between 2021 and 2024 from two of the three organizations and not returning it. The judge ordered Ruhe to 60 days of jail with Huber and three years of probation. She must also pay nearly ten-thousand dollars in restitution and have no contact with the community organizations.

The suspect in a La Crosse stabbing incident is now in custody. A female victim was found wounded Friday night -- shortly before 11:30 p.m. -- at a location on 16th Street South. Police say that 28-year-old Ivan Canchola-Garcia has since been arrested in the State of Indiana and charged with attempted 1st-degree intentional homicide.

The Pepin County Sheriffs Department is joining the Wisconsin State Patrol is participating in the nationwide Click It or Ticket campaign for the rest of this month. The effort is meant to remind drivers of the importance of using seat belts headed into Memorial Day and the summer travel season. The Sheriff’s Department will have increased patrols, while the State Patrol will be conducting aerial traffic enforcement in various counties this week and patrols will be increased this weekend. Wisconsin DOT reports over 75-hundred crashes in the state last year involved motorists and passengers who were not wearing seat belts. Those wrecks resulted in nearly 150 deaths and close to 19-hundred injuries, according to transportation officials.

A reminder that a data breach can happen to anyone, even your kids. Wisconsin Consumer Protection director Mike Domke says school data software provider Canvas got hacked earlier this month. Domke says a good idea for parents is to put a credit freeze on their students, if they already have a credit history. That way any information that was released by the hackers can't be easily used to take out loans in their name. You should also change any passwords you used to access Canvas, and keep a close eye on your online accounts in case someone tries to use that information to access other sites.

A lawsuit challenging the legality of ICE detainers must remain under the jurisdiction of the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The ruling rejected an attempt by five county sheriffs to move the case to federal court. The lawsuit contends that honoring an ICE detainer constitutes an arrest. Wisconsin law enforcement doesn't have the authority to make arrests based solely on ICE's civil administrative warrants. The ACLU previously alleged ICE sends detainers for people with no criminal records and people who have charges pending in Wisconsin courts.

A bipartisan deal to spend one-point-eight billion dollars of Wisconsin’s budget surplus has fallen apart—just days after it was unveiled by Governor Tony Evers and Republican leaders. The plan included property tax relief, rebate checks, and increased funding for K-12 schools—but failed in the Senate, with all Democrats and three Republicans voting no. U-W La Crosse Political Science Professor Anthony Chergosky says broader Democratic support may have made a difference. Chergosky also points to mixed signals from Republicans and widespread Democratic opposition—even with Evers backing the plan. Chergosky says the collapse highlights deep divisions within both parties—and could become a key talking point on the campaign trail ahead of November’s elections.

Wisconsin launches a plan to eliminate viral hepatitis. It’s a statewide effort by Wisconsin Department of Health Services to eliminate hepatitis A, B, and C by 2030, along with a new public dashboard to track progress. The focus will be on expanding testing, vaccination, and treatment, especially for those most at risk. About 47,000 Wisconsinites are living with chronic hepatitis C. While hepatitis A and B can be prevented with vaccines, hepatitis C can now be cured in just a few months. Health leaders are urging residents to get vaccinated and talk with their health care provider about testing.

The state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection has named Anastasia Poull of Port Washington as the 79th Alice in Dairyland. She’ll spend the next year serving as the state’s top agricultural ambassador, promoting Wisconsin’s farm industry through marketing and outreach. Poull holds three degrees from South Dakota State University and says she’s eager to connect consumers with the people behind the products. She was selected during finals in Marathon County and will begin her duties July 6th, succeeding outgoing Alice Sarah Hagenow.

Fire crews are battling multiple wildfires across northern Minnesota. Strong winds and dry conditions fueled the fires over the weekend as some areas were forced to evacuate. Governor Tim Walz declared a peacetime emergency and mobilized the National Guard to Crow Wing County to assist with a 12-hundred-acre wildfire. Meanwhile, residents between Two Harbors and Castle Danger were evacuated as flames moved through wooded areas filled with homes. More than 150 firefighters from Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Canada responded to the weekend's blazes.

The so-called "beer that made Milwaukee famous" is being retired. Pabst Brewing is ending production of Schlitz after 177 years of existence. Schlitz was once America's largest brewer after being founded in 1849, and was bought by Pabst in 1999. The company gave permission to Wisconsin Brewing Company to brew an 80-barrel batch of Schlitz next Saturday in Verona, using specifications from a 1948 recipe. Pre-orders for the final batch can be made that day and will be available next month.  

Local-Regional News May 18

 

The City of Durand will spend just over $100,000 to make some needed repairs to the waste water treatment plant. The city will be using money that was deposited over 20yrs ago into the Local Government Savings Account program. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the money was deposited for sewer projects.  The city hopes to have the repairs done by the fall.

The City of Mondovi would prefer the four corners intersection in downtown be re-constructed during the Hwy 10 reconstruction project. The WI Department of Transportation is considering reconstructing the intersection during the Hwy 37 project. Mondovi Mayor Brady Weiss says the city would prefer to keep the intersection open during the Hwy 37 project.  Hwy 37 south of the four corners is to be reconstructed in 2027 and the Hwy 10 project to start in 2030.

Two people were hospitalized after a Friday night head-on collision in Trempealeau County. The accident happened shortly before 10 p.m. on State Road 121 and involved a car and a minivan. Authorities say the car was traveling eastbound in a westbound lane when it hit the SUV. Both drivers were injured. The injuries suffered by the driver of the car are described as serious.

The United States Postal Service released the Bald Eagle: Hatchling to Adult Forever stamps during a ceremony at the National Eagle Center amphitheater on Thursday. Illustrated by wildlife artist David Sibley, the five unique designs depict the eagle from its time as a hatchling to adulthood.

A facility that offers services to those impacted by homelessness in Eau Claire is receiving funding through a newly-announced grant. The Day Resource Center began operations last December in the city's downtown area and offers showers, laundry machines and other services to those in need. The facility is receiving 600-thousand dollars through the Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council and the One Better Way Campaign.

In La Crosse County, an August 7th sentencing date has been set for Josie Dikeman. Dikeman was convicted Friday in the 2023 death of her boyfriend's six-year-old son A.J. Jurors convicted the defendant on charges including 1st-Degree Reckless Homicide, Chronic Neglect of a Child resulting in death and Physical Abuse of a Child.

A Western Wisconsin school official is still employed after pleading guilty to embezzling nearly 200-thousand dollars from her previous school district. Danielle Mittermeier pled guilty to stealing from the Alma Center-Humbird-Merrillan School District after she was charged in January. The Cadott Community School District placed her on administrative leave when they were made aware of the indictment, but still works for them as of today. If convicted, she faces up to ten-years in prison and a 250-thousand dollar fine.

ATV and UTV riders need to get certified before hitting the trails. Anyone 12 or older, born after January first, 1988, must complete a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources approved safety course and carry proof while riding on public trails and some private lands. Many ATV/UTV crashes involve riders who never took a class. Safety courses, available online or in person focus on preventing accidents and building real-world skills. New rules also require seatbelts in UTVs and ban towing people on trails. More info can be found on the DNR's website.

A brown bat in Adams County has tested positive for rabies. Health officials are urging local citizens to make sure pets are vaccinated and to report suspicious animal behaviors to the health department. Rabies can be fatal if left untreated. The last rabies case in Adams County was reported in 2010.

The Madison V-A Hospital is receiving millions of dollars for infrastructure improvements and modernization projects. The Department of Veterans Affairs says the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital will receive more than eight-and-a-half million dollars in funding. This comes as part of a nationwide V-A investment to modernize health care facilities. Planned upgrades include ambulatory care, sterile processing, air handling, security, and energy improvements. Hospital leaders say the funding will keep the facility safe, efficient, and equipped to provide high-quality care for veterans.

Wisconsin's largest school districts ask state lawmakers to reconsider the $1.8 billion budget surplus allocation plan they rejected Wednesday. The proposal brokered by Democratic Governor Tony Evers and Republican legislative leaders would have provided over $600 million for funding of schools and special education programs. WISN-TV in Milwaukee reports that a Thursday statement from the school districts of Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha, Green Bay and Madison warned of immediate consequences due to the bill's failure. Milwaukee Public Schools Superintendent Brenda Cassellius told the station that special education costs that aren’t reimbursed by the state are taken from her district's general fund. MPS is currently in the midst of a $46 million budget deficit.

The McFarland Police Department is no longer moving forward with the purchase of automated license plate reader technology. ALPR, also known as flock cameras, allow the automated detection of license plates to help law enforcement identify stolen cars, as well as identify missing or endangered persons. Officials say the removal of the cameras will provide police with less data. The department is exploring alternative uses for the unspent funds put aside for the cameras.

A suspect is in custody following a deadly shooting in Rochester. The crime happened Thursday in the 900 block of 41st Street Northwest. Officers arrived at the scene and found 31-year-old Carlton Gardner with a gunshot wound near an apartment building. The man died later in the evening. Police say Derrel Williams was arrested and he faces homicide charges. Rochester authorities say the details of what led to the shooting are under investigation.

Wisconsin once again leads the nation when it comes to safely getting rid of unused prescription drugs. The Wisconsin Department of Justice says more than fifty-seven thousand pounds of unwanted prescriptions were collected during the spring Drug Take Back Day. That’s the tenth straight time Wisconsin has led the country. Attorney General Josh Kaul credits strong community participation and partnerships statewide. Since 2010, Wisconsin has collected nearly one-point-five million pounds of medications. There are more than five hundred permanent drop boxes available year-round across the state.