Local-Regional News April 20

 

Clean up continues after severe weather moved through the area on Friday. A tornado tore through the town of Cream west of Waumandee in Buffalo County, damaging a family home and others surrounding it. Highway 88 was closed for a few hours as authorities worked to keep neighbors who wanted to help safe from downed power lines and other hazards. No injuries were reported. Another tornado was reported near Blair were multiple trees and power lines were down along with damage to two sheds and a camper.

A Wabasha County Resident is unhurt after a tornado struck her home on Friday. 89Yr old Yvonne Kruger was at her home just southeast of Plainview when the tornado struck. She was able to get to the basement in time and while her home was damaged, and her garage and pole shed were completely destroyed she was able to walk away from the storm unhurt.

Pepin County authorities are warning residents of a new scam being sent to residents. There are reports of individuals who have received phone calls and texts claiming they have an unpaid traffic citation and face suspended license and vehicle registration if not paid immediately. This is nothing more than a scam. If you receive a text just delete, do not click on the link, and if you receive a phone call just hang up and do not give out any personal information.

The Pepin County Health Department and Wisconsin DNR are asking the publics help in reporting sightings of sick or dead wildlife. To file a report, visit the Wisconsin DNR Webpage, or call 608-267-0866. Information requested is type and number of animals, where the animals were found and your contact information. To dispose of a wild animal carcass, use gloves or an inverted plastic bag to move it and either bury the carcass on your property or double-bag it in a garbage bag and place it in your trash. Do not handle dead wildlife with your bare hands.

The Wabasha County Board is meeting tomorrow. Items on the agenda include approval of two gambling premise permits, approval of a license to collect, transport and dispose of solid waste and recyclables and reports from county department heads and committees. Tomorrows meeting begins at 9am in the old courthouse annex in Wabasha.

Police in Cornell have arrested a suspect in connection with an armed bank robbery Thursday morning. The robbery happened at Citizens State bank. Local schools were placed in lockdown while police searched for the suspect. He's identified as 40-year-old Kevin Wayne Rasmussen of Woodville. Police called it an isolated incident and there was no threat to the public.

Authorities have released the names of those involved in an officer-involved death in Chippewa Falls. The Wisconsin Department of Justice says Sergeant James Luckey shot and killed 44-year-old Bradley Barnum. The incident happened earlier this month after Barnum fled a vehicle and appeared to brandish a handgun. Investigators later determined the weapon was a B-B pistol. Barnum was pronounced dead at the scene despite life-saving measures. The Division of Criminal Investigation is continuing its review and will submit findings to the Chippewa County district attorney.

The Winona County Sheriff’s Department has identified the body of the person found dead in the Mississippi River near the Trempealeau Dam last Wednesday. Authorities identified the female as 72yr old Patricia Sweningson of Winona. Since March 26, Winona police has been investigating the disappearance of Sweningson. The department has not identified any circumstances of foul play and the case is still under investigation.

Authorities in Worden in Clark County say two children are being treated for injuries they suffered when they were struck by a pickup truck Thursday morning. The Clark County Sheriff's Office says a pickup headed east on CTH N approached two children -- a boy aged seven and a ten-year-old girl -- when the driver was blinded by sunshine. The truck ran the children into a ditch and the driver stopped immediately to help. The children were treated at the scene and taken to Marshfield Hospital The children are listed in serious condition. No tickets have been issued yet.

An increasingly complicated and frustrating sports TV landscape has Senator Tammy Baldwin proposing the “For the Fans” Act: The Wisconsin Democrat says what used to be grabbing the remote and hitting a button or two has turned into a maze of streaming subscriptions, unexpected blackouts, or a sky-high payment, calling it inconsistent and "flat-out confusing for fans.” Baldwin wants to decrease consumer TV costs and make local games easier to access, while ending blackouts for fans with out-of-market subscriptions. Her bill would also require professional leagues to provide a way for fans to watch all games for teams in their state, in Wisconsin's case the Packers, Brewers and Bucks. It would need to pass both chambers of Congress and be signed by President Trump before any fans would be able to see lower costs.

Governor Tony Evers is urging Wisconsin’s congressional delegation to oppose federal limits on state AI laws. In a letter this week, Evers responded to President Donald Trump’s call for a national AI framework that could override state laws, restrict state oversight of AI development, and limit accountability for companies whose technology causes harm. Evers pointed to several bipartisan measures Wisconsin has already enacted, including required disclosures for AI‑generated political ads, expanded prohibitions on virtual child pornography, and a ban on deepfake images used to harass or intimidate. He warned that broad federal preemption could jeopardize those protections and leave states unable to respond to emerging risks.

The U.S. Senate is ending the 20-year mining ban near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. This means mineral leasing on the 225-thousand acres of land in the Superior National Forest is no longer prohibited. Thursday's votes marked a major win for Representative Pete Stauber, who represents the northeastern part of the state and authored the resolution. Only a future bill from Congress could reinstate the mining ban. President Trump is expected to sign the resolution.

The spring turkey hunting season is underway in Wisconsin, and the Department of Natural Resources is reminding hunters to focus on safety. Hunter Education Administrator Renee Thok says to remember the four basic rules of firearm safety — treat every firearm as loaded, always point the muzzle in a safe direction, be sure of your target, and keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot. Thok also reminds hunters that high‑visibility clothing isn’t required during the spring season, which can make camouflaged hunters harder to see. The spring turkey season runs through May 26th.

Minnesota officials are trying to reclaim some of the two-point-five million dollars of grants that passed through a Minneapolis church. The Department of Human Services is suing Zion Baptist Church accusing them of breach of contract and mishandling funds. Pastor Brian Herron says he's puzzled by the state's allegation. He claims the church did the work it was supposed to do and submitted its paperwork for reimbursements under the direction of grant managers. The funds were designated to go to community groups supporting services for mental health, substance abuse and violence prevention.

A Juneau County man sold his second home only to see it destroyed by a tornado two days later. 67-year-old Raymond Hohe  tells the State Journal he sold the home near Elroy on Sunday for 1 point 7 million dollars. It's not just any home, but a 38 hundred square foot residence on 188 acres of land. Hohe actually lives in Elkhorn and used the Elroy area property as a get away. He wasn't there on Tuesday, when it was wiped out by a tornado. Needless to say, the buyer has backed out of the deal. At this time, Hohe is planning to rebuild and actually has a pretty remarkable outlook about the whole situation saying he's glad nobody was hurt and that houses can be rebuilt, but people can't.

Local-Regional News April 17

 

The Dunn County Highway Department is undertaking several roadway and bridge improvement projects during the 2026 construction season, focusing on pavement rehabilitation, drainage improvements and long‑term roadway durability.  Projects include Highways C, D, I, N and Q. several state highway projects will also take place in Dunn County this year, including work on Highway 40 from Elk Mound to Colfax; Highway 25 from I‑94 to Highway D; and Highway 85 from Highway O to the Eau Claire County line. Those projects are managed by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, and detailed schedules are not yet available. 

Wisconsin is expected to see more severe weather today. The National Weather Forecast says heavy rainfall, flooding, and major thunderstorms are possible beginning this afternoon and lasting into the night. The region has been getting hammered all week by rain and strong winds, toppling trees and powerlines and damaging homes. Tornadoes have also been confirmed this week, including in Union Center. Governor Tony Evers issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency.

Mondovi residents are now able to sign up for direct payments of water utility bills. Residents can have their bills paid automatically from their bank accounts on the 20^th of the month after bills are sent out or in 12 equal monthly installments on the 20^th of the month. To sign up for the automatic payments, visit Mondovi City Hall.

The Durand Citywide Cleanup begins tomorrow. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren reminds residents that any yard waste must be placed near the curb so city crews can easily pick up.  The cleanup will continue until May 3^rd.

The Buffalo County Sheriff’s Department will have extra patrols on Hwy 25 and Hwy 35 this Saturday afternoon from 1-9pm. The extra patrols are for an enhanced speed enforcement and looking for any impaired drivers. The department reminds motorists to follow posted speed limits

Tickets are still available for the Durand Improvement Groups 1^st annual spring fling luncheon. The Luncheon will be held April 30th in the Orton Room at the Corral Bar and Riverside grill from 11am-1pm and from 1:30-3:30pm. As part of the luncheon, there will be gift baskets from area businesses that will be given away. Proceeds from the luncheon will be used for bandshell improvements at Memorial Park. Tickets are available at the Riverside Grill.

Area businesses are reporting a new scam via facebook. The scammers are sending private messages to customers of businesses claiming they have not reserved an alumni t-shirt from the business and they need to click the link in the message to reserve a shirt. This is nothing more than a scam and if you receive a message like this, do not click the link, but report it as spam to facebook and delete the message.

A former Monroe County transport officer is being issued a signature bond. David Griffin was accused of grabbing an inmate by his genitals while driving him from the Monroe County Jail back in November. Griffin told investigators the inmate was not being cooperative and was trying to harm himself. A signature bond of 250-dollars was set for him on Thursday. If convicted, he faces up to three-and-a-half-years in prison.

Animal rights activists say they plan to raid a Dane County facility that breeds thousands of beagles to sell for medical and scientific research. Ridgland Farms was previously under investigation after former employees testified about mistreatment of the animals. The facility agreed to give up its license to sell dogs to outside research firms by this July in a settlement with the state. Now the activists say they have more than 17-hundred people signed up for what they're calling a nonviolent operation to take as many dogs as possible this Sunday. More than two dozen people were arrested last month when activists went to the property and took 23 dogs.

The first candidate is entering the 2027 Wisconsin Supreme Court race. Clark County Circuit Court Judge Lyndsey Brunette announced her candidacy for the seat Thursday morning. She's the first candidate to get in the race to replace retiring conservative Justice Annette Ziegler. Brunette previously served as he Democratic Clark County district attorney. The next election will be held April 6th, 2027.

At the Capitol, Republican lawmakers accuse the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction of violating open meetings laws over a four‑day trip to the Wisconsin Dells last year that cost nearly four‑hundred thousand dollars. Representative Amanda Nedweski says the meetings set impactful academic standards without public input. DPI disputes the claim, saying the sessions involved educators and a private vendor — not a quorum of public officials — and that detailed records were later shared with lawmakers. The Adams County district attorney now has twenty days to decide whether to pursue an investigation.

Wisconsin homeowners need to beware of unscrupulous clean up and repair offers following this week’s severe weather. The Department of Ag, Trade and Consumer Protection recommends you avoid door‑to‑door repair crews, often called “storm chasers.” Those crews may offer quick fixes but often deliver poor work—or disappear after taking money up front. DATCP urges consumers to hire established local contractors, get written contracts, and never pay before work is completed. Drivers seeking auto repairs are also advised to document everything and only approve work in writing. More info can be found on DATCP's website.

There’s a new invasive plant you're being asked to watch for this spring. The University of Wisconsin–Madison is warning about invasive fig buttercup spreading across the Upper Midwest. The plant appears briefly in early spring, making now the key time to spot it. Fig buttercup has heart‑shaped leaves and bright yellow flowers. Early identification is important because the window to find it is short. In Wisconsin, fig buttercup has already been found in Dane and Rock counties, as well as Walworth, Waukesha, Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha and Ashland counties.

An effort to impeach Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison is coming to a halt. A resolution designed to set up a process to remove both lawmakers from office failed yesterday in the Minnesota House. The measure failed on an eight-to-eight vote in the House Rules and Administration Committee. If the resolution passed, it would have sent impeachment articles to the House Fraud Committee for more investigation and a possible vote on the House floor. One of the sponsors of the resolution Representative Mike Wiener of Long Prairie alleges the Walz administration ignored several whistleblower reports concerning fraud. Republican legislators also claim Ellison solicited campaign donations from fraud suspects. The attorney general denies the allegation.

A Chicago man accused of stealing from a Wausau area ATM faces similar charges elsewhere. Enhnort Valero is accused of planting an electronic device in the machine that, when activated by an outside device, tricked it in coughing up cash without a corresponding, legitimate transaction. Officers received an alert from the machine about a possible breach last December, and found the 37-year-old in the parking lot of the credit unit with a computer and a stack of 20's in his vehicle. At the time they said they would be looking into similar incidents of ATM Tampering in the area, and earlier this month two new charges were filed in Waupaca County, and more could be coming in Marathon County as well. He remains jailed on a 25 thousand dollar bond, further court action is scheduled for later this month.

Travelers returning to Madison's airport find their cars damaged by hail. Hundreds of cars parked outdoors in the economy lot at Dane County Regional Airport showed significant damage from tennis ball-size hail that fell during Tuesday’s severe storms. The vehicle damage caused was primarily broken windows, dented roofs and water damage. Some of the damaged vehicles won’t even start, and of those that can start, many are undriveable. The amount of total damage to the vehicles could add up to millions of dollars.

Local-Regional News April 16

 

The Durand-Arkansaw School Board has decided to take no action on an invitation from the Cloverbelt Conference to join the conference for all high school sports. At last night’s school board meeting, Superintendent Ryan Nelson told the board that athletic coaches were concerned that Durand-Arkansaw would be one of the smaller schools in the conference and with two private schools in the conference with a larger population pool, the district would be at a disadvantage. Plus the coaches were concerned about losing the natural rivalries with other area schools. Currently, Durand-Arkansaw is part of the Cloverbelt Conference for football only.

The City of Mondovi will have a cybersecurity firm evaluate the city’s cybersecurity. During this weeks council meeting City Administrator Loken told the council there had been attempts to access city computers. Mondovi Mayor Brady Weiss says its a good idea to have the computer system evaluated.  While there have been attempts to access city computers, no residential data has been compromised.

An Illinois man was arrested over the weekend after a high speed pursuit. According to the Dunn County Sheriff’s Department, the Wisconsin State Patrol reported a pursuit of a vehicle westbound on I-94 at speeds reaching 140mph. The Dunn County Sheriff’s Department deployed tire-deflation device in eastern Dunn County. Near mile marker 46 the vehicle lost control and collided with another vehicle and entered the ditch. Deputies arrested 24yr old Hussain Imam of Skokie, Ill and charged him with recklessly endangering safety, eluding officers, and drug charges.

An investigation is underway after the recovery of a body from near the Trempealeau dam on the Mississippi River. The victim -- an adult female -- was found yesterday near one of the dam's gates. There has been no word on her name or cause of death. Her body is heading to the Southeast Minnesota medical Examiner’s Office, which is part of Mayo Clinic in Rochester, for an autopsy.

Two more Western Wisconsin sheriffs are beginning their campaigns for reelection. Dunn County Sheriff Kevin Bygd  and Eau Claire County Sheriff Dave Riewestahl are asking for the support of the voters once again. Each will be on the ballot in their respective primary on August 11th.

Wabasha County Sheriff Rodney Bartsh has announce he will leave office on May 31^st. In a post on the Wabasha County Sheriff’s Department Facebook page, Bartsh said he and his wife felt it was better to retire now instead of waiting until his term is up. He said there are great employees at the department that can fill the vacancies. Chief Deputy Jim Warren is also retiring from the department on April 30^th.

Governor Tony Evers is making sure help is available to Wisconsinites impacted by this week's strong storms. Evers signed an executive order declaring a State of Emergency yesterday, noting this week's severe weather damage and flooding across the state. He said extra emergency personnel will be needed to help with the aftermath of the weather, including improving response times and helping with the recovery process. Evers mentioned some parts of Wisconsin also dealt with evacuations and record rainfall.

There will be no statewide tornado drills on Thursday. Wisconsin Emergency Management cancelled the annual drills in light of recent severe weather that has impacted communities across Wisconsin. There will not be an alternative date for these drills. The decision comes as emergency management, local agencies, and residents are responding and recovering from the recent storms. ReadyWisconsin determined proceeding with the scheduled drills would place additional strain on already stretched resources. You’re encouraged to stay informed about tornado safety, review personal emergency plans, and remain vigilant year-round for potential severe weather and tornadoes. Resources and guidance can be found at https://readywisconsin.wi.gov/tornadoes/.

Wisconsin State Senator is announcing his campaign to seek re-election. Romaine Robert Quinn will begin circulating nomination papers to get on November's election ballot in the coming weeks. If re-elected, he will represent the 23rd District in the Wisconsin State Senate. In a press release, Quinn says "it is an honor serving in the State Senate and I am excited to build on that success to continue serving the rural communities of northern Wisconsin in the next session."

A special session of the Legislature called by Governor Tony Evers to ban partisan gerrymandering will continue this week. The Assembly and Senate gaveled in on Tuesday, but unlike prior special sessions called by the Democratic governor, did not immediately gavel out without taking any action. Instead, both chambers adjourned until Thursday, with Republican leaders issuing statements indicating that discussions were ongoing. In a lengthy response, Evers doubled down on banning partisan gerrymandering in Wisconsin, telling lawmakers “There’s nothing to negotiate because there’s no room for compromise when it comes to making sure Wisconsinites’ voices matter and their votes count.”

A new University of Minnesota study finds no link between fluoride in drinking water and lower IQs in children. Researchers analyzed data from ten thousand Wisconsin high school seniors, spanning nearly seventy years. Lead researcher Professor Rob Warren says IQ scores were the same whether students grew up with fluoridated water, naturally occurring fluoride, or none at all. Warren says earlier studies that raised concern focused on extremely high fluoride exposure levels — not the low amounts used in public drinking water systems.

A UW-Madison researcher allegedly tried to poison a coworker. According to a criminal complaint filed Tuesday in Dane County Court, 41-year-old Makoto Kuroda of Madison felt the coworker had disrespected him and wasn’t following lab rules. During Kuroda’s initial appearance in court, prosecutors say he put lab chemicals into his colleague’s water bottle and shoes. The colleague drank from the water bottle and noticed it had a bad taste, so he spit it out and contacted police. Kuroda reportedly used ChatGPT to help him come up with proper amounts of the chemicals to put in his coworker’s water bottle.

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar is revealing that she has a huge campaign chest in her run for Minnesota governor. It was announced yesterday that the veteran lawmaker raised nearly five million dollars in the first quarter of the fundraising period. She currently has more money than any Republican candidates for governor, despite that she entered the race several months after them. Meanwhile, Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, who won the state GOP's straw poll for governor in February, says she's ready to face Klobuchar and the Democratic money machine this fall. Demuth raised about 226 thousand dollars during the first quarter of the year and has 544 thousand on hand.

The city of Stevens Point is preparing for Trivia weekend – and the economic boost that comes along with it. Mayor Mike Wiza says welcoming players from across the country and around the world for a weekend of competition and camaraderie adds up. Billed as the world’s largest, this year's trivia theme is "the Love Contest." Questions begin Friday at 6 PM and continue all weekend on UW Stevens Point radio station WWSP.

Local-Regional News April 15

 

The Durand-Arkansaw School Board is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include discussion and possible action on new health insurance for staff members, reports from the Superintendent and Building Administrators and the board will go into closed session to discuss the 2026-2027 teacher contracts. Tonights meeting begins at 6pm in the board room at Durand-Arkansaw High School.

The City of Mondovi is going to look into applying for grants for a new pickleball court. During last nights council meeting representatives of the Mondovi Pickleball club told the council there are grants available but the city must apply for them. Mondovi Mayor Brady Weiss the city will look into possible grants.  So far the club has raised approximately $17,000 for the new court.

A Boyceville man is facing charges after a weekend arrest in Dunn County. Deputies responding to a location Sunday evening in the in the Town of Hay River say the suspect had physically assaulted a woman. Dennis Mittelstadt was arrested as the scene on charges that include False Imprisonment Domestic Abuse and Disorderly Conduct- Domestic Abuse.

Durand Firefighters responded to a grass fire near the Alcivia Co-Op fertilizer building last night. A Pepin County Sheriff’s Deputy noticed the blaze behind the building at around 6:30 last night. No one was injured in that fire and residents are reminded that even with the recent rains to never leave any fire unattended.

Republicans face another setback in their fight to keep control of the Wisconsin State Senate. Citing time away from family and other personal reasons, Senator Jesse James has dropped plans to run this fall against Democratic Senator Jeff Smith in western Wisconsin. James was drawn into the 31st state Senate district under new maps after being elected to the 23rd District in 2022. James set up a temporary residence in his new district and announced in October that he planned to run against Smith. He’s now the fifth Senate Republican to leave, and the third from a competitive district. Michele Magadance Skinner, a Republican on the Eau Claire County Board, has already announced she’ll run in James' place. Republicans hold an 18‑to‑15 Senate edge but need to win at least two of four swing seats to keep control.

The President and CEO of the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce is retiring. David Minor's announcement comes after 35-years in the Chamber industry, including the past nine-years in his current roles. In a statement, he said he's "deeply grateful for the trust, support, and friendships that have made this work so meaningful over the years." The Chamber's Board of Directors are searching for the organization's next President and CEO, with the promotion of the position slated to begin on May 15th.

Chippewa County Sheriff Travis Hakes is launching hid bid for reelection. Hakes made the announcement yesterday saying that there is still important work ahead, and that he is asking for the opportunity to continue serving the people of Chippewa County. Voters will choose nominees in the contest during the August 11th primary.

Bond has been set at ten-thousand dollars for a Chippewa Falls man accused of exposing himself to a child. Investigators say that 29-year-old Zachary Flum exposed himself multiple times to a young female victim inside an Eau Claire home -- asking her if he could touch her and asking her to touch him. Flum's next court appearance is scheduled for next week.

Cuts are being considered at the Sparta Area School District after a referendum failed to pass last week. The measure would've included one-point-eight-million-dollars per year for the next three years, compared to the 750-thousand-dollars currently in place. Sparta Superintendent Sam Russ says the school board will have to see if they're going to have to cut co-curricular opportunities. The administration is also considering cuts regarding staffing due to declining enrollment.

Crews in Juneau County are assessing the damage caused by chaotic weather. WMTV reports a tornado was confirmed in Union Center yesterday, along with other severe weather that wreaked havoc on the town. The Juneau County Sheriff's Office asked people to avoid the area, as traffic was making it difficult to access roads and homes. Officials believe at least ten homes were damaged by the storms, and those will be looked at today. Witnesses reported seeing debris around town, but it's unclear how long the tornado was on the ground or how big it was.

Governor Tony Evers wants the Trump administration to release funding to combat invasive carp Despite recent claims that he is working with states to “save the Great Lakes” from invasive carp, President Trump has withheld funds for the critical Brandon Road Invasive Carp Interbasin Project for months. Governor Evers sent a letter urging President Trump to release already-approved federal funding for the project which would help prevent invasive carp from entering the Great Lakes. An agreement reached in the first Trump term allowed $274 million in federal funding and $114 million in state funding to be used for construction of the first of three construction increments for the estimated $1.15 billion project. One project increment has been completed, with three more remaining. The pause in federal funds risks significant delays in the project, according to Evers' letter.

Reports of online child exploitation are surging in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received nearly 20‑thousand CyberTips last year, more than quadruple the number reported just four years earlier. So far this year, investigators have already logged more than 5,700 tips and made over 70 arrests. Officials say sextortion cases continue to surge, with reports already matching all of last year. Attorney General Josh Kaul says the annual ICAC conference, underway through Thursday, helps law enforcement stay ahead of emerging online threats to kids.

It’s time for tornado drills around Wisconsin. For Severe Weather Awareness Week, Wisconsin Emergency Management says drills are scheduled for 1:45 p.m. and again at 6:45 p.m this Thursday. During the drills, weather radios will display a test message if they are turned on, and some communities may test outdoor warning sirens. A live code test of the Emergency Alert System won’t be included, and wireless emergency alerts won’t be sent to phones during the drills. If there’s a real threat of severe weather in Wisconsin on Thursday, the drills will be moved to Friday unless that threat extends into Friday. In that case, the drills will be canceled.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is looking for its next wardens. The DNR will accept applications for its 2027 conservation warden class from April 30th through May 14th. Wardens are sworn state law enforcement officers who protect fish and wildlife, state parks and forests, and serve communities across Wisconsin. About fourteen full‑time wardens will be hired, with training starting in early 2027. No prior law enforcement experience is required. More details are available on the DNR’s warden recruitment webpage.

Minnesota authorities are investigating the ICE arrest of a Hmong American man in St. Paul as a possible kidnapping. In January, ChongLy ''Scott'' Thao was taken from his home without a warrant at gunpoint in just his underwear and a blanket in freezing temperatures. This incident was captured on video as a potential case of kidnapping, burglary and false imprisonment. Ramsey County Attorney Choi said they're trying to determine whether any crimes were committed that they could prosecute under state or federal law.

Bird lovers across Wisconsin are back in competition this week. The Great Wisconsin Birdathon returns Wednesday, raising money and awareness for bird conservation statewide. The two‑month competition runs from April 15 through June 15, with teams, from students to expert birders, challenging themselves to spot as many species as possible and raise donations along the way. Most teams bird for 24 hours, though some spread it over a weekend, a week, or the full event. Organizers hope to raise $130,000 this year, with proceeds supporting habitat creation, research, and education. 

Local-Regional News April 14

The Mondovi City Council is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include discussion and possible action on renewal of the Buffalo County Recycling Center Agreement, and update on the Pedestrian Crossing Lights on North Eau Claire Street, and discussion on cybersecurity issues at city hall. Tonights meeting begins at 5:30 at the Marten Center in Mondovi.

The Durand Police Department is using an AI assistant to generate their police reports. Code Four analyzes body camera footage to write the reports, with officers and supervisors reviewing them for errors. Police Chief Stan Ridgeway says the program has been great for their smaller force, adding they're "saving an officer four, five or six hours depending on how busy their week is." The department is currently using it for free on a trial basis but is looking to add it to the budget for 2027.

While the city of Durand repealed the vacant building ordinance this month, there have been new businesses opening in the downtown. Durand City Administrator Tracy Carlson reminds business owners or those thinking of starting a business that there are some programs available to help.  For more information on either the revolving loan fund or the facade grant program, contact Durand City Hall.

Police in Elk Mound are investigating after individuals reportedly threw an object from a bridge on Friday afternoon -- hitting a passing vehicle below. The incident happened on Interstate 94 at the South Holly Avenue overpass. The suspects are described as older male teens. Anyone with information on the incident is to contact Elk Mound Police.

Severe weather moved through the WRDN Listening area last night. According to the National Weather Service, 3 inch hail was reported near Waumandee, 2.5 inch hail was reported in Lake City, and the Buffalo County Emergency Management reported trees down just north of Alma. The weather should be quieter today with another chance of showers later this week.

Netflix has released its first trailer for its upcoming "Little House on the Prairie" series. The show is adapted from the book series by Laura Ingalls Wilder based on her childhood. It follows her family as they move to rural Minnesota from Pepin County. "Little House on the Prairie" hits Netflix on July 9th.

Gas prices are on the rise this week in Western Wisconsin. Triple-A reports the average price of regular fuel in Western Wisconsin is now three-60 per gallon -- ten-cents more per gallon than they were one week ago. In La Crosse, the average cost of a gallon of regular fuel is three-57 per gallon -- four-cents more per gallon than they were one week ago. The average cost of a gallon of regular fuel in the Badger State is three-78 per gallon.

Investigators are working to learn the cause of a Monday afternoon house fire in Bloomer. According to the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department, firefighters responded to a fire at a home on 210th Avenue went up in flames at around 12:30 p.m. When firefighters arrived they found the home fully engulfed in flames. The home was a total loss. No one was hurt.

Goodhue County Authorities are searching for a missing 14yr old. According to the Sheriff’s Department, Peyton Knudsen was last seen at her grandmothers home in Minneapolis on April 5^th. She was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black running pants and brown boots. Knudsen has connections in Goodhue County and anyone with information on her whereabouts is to contact the Goodhue County Sheriff’s Department.

If you haven't filed your taxes yet, it's time to file for an extension. The I R S allows anyone to fill out a one time extension to file their taxes for any reason. That extension will last until October 15th, to give you time to get your paperwork in order. This has to be done by April 15th, and does not mean an extension to pay your taxes. Make sure to make at least some payment if you owe money, and go online to I R S dot Gov to find free filing options.

A Minnesota faith leader is calling on President Trump to apologize for remarks concerning Pope Leo. Bishop Robert Barron of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester to exception to the president's recent posting on Truth Social that he doesn't want a pope who thinks it's OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon. Barron, who is also on Trump's Religious Liberty Commission, says the commander-in-chief was inappropriate and disrespectful when he also shared an image depicting himself as Jesus Christ on his social media account. Trump also called the pontiff weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy. Bishop Barron is calling on high-ranking Catholics in the Trump administration to meet with Vatican officials for a real dialogue.

Time is running out for Wisconsin utility customers who are behind on their bills to get help. The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin says the annual winter moratorium on utility disconnections ends Wednesday. After that, electric and natural gas customers who haven’t made payment arrangements could face shutoffs. The PSC is encouraging anyone falling behind to contact their utility as soon as possible to set up a payment plan. Customers may also qualify for help through the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program. Applications are available online at energybenefit.wi.gov.

A lab worker at the University of Wisconsin - Madison is in trouble with the law. Police say Makoto Kuroda was arrested last week on charges of recklessly endangering safety for having a chemical in the lab. It's unknown what the chemical was, but police were called when an odor was coming from the facility. The 41-year-old Madison resident was taken into custody and booked into Dane County Jail. Officials called it an isolated incident, adding there' no danger to the public.

A statewide student mental health program in Wisconsin is expanding with a new 600-thousand-dollar grant. The funding supports a school-based initiative helping districts provide counseling and behavioral health services. The program currently serves 21 districts and about 148-thousand students across the state. Officials say the funding helps reduce waitlists and expand access to mental health services.

Wisconsin Native students can now wear traditional tribal regalia at graduation ceremonies. A new law signed by Governor Tony Evers bars public and charter schools from prohibiting tribal regalia for Native students who are tribal members, descendants, or eligible for membership. Some schools already allow students to wear regalia, but there hasn't been statewide clarity in the issue. Tribal leaders say the law is an important step toward respecting cultural identity and inclusion in Wisconsin schools.

It’s Severe Weather Awareness Week, and Wisconsin Emergency Management is reminding residents to be prepared before storms hit. Public Information Officer Katie Rousonelos says it’s important to know your safe spot during a tornado warning — ideally a basement or an interior room away from windows. Apartment residents should head to the lowest level possible. She also recommends having an emergency plan, a way to communicate with family, and an emergency kit with food, water, flashlights, batteries, and items for kids. More preparedness tips are available on the Wisconsin Emergency Management website. 

Local-Regional News April 13

 

The City of Durand has approved a contract with Dahlby Conservation Services to harvest timber on city owned land. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says there are four tracts of land that will be harvested.  The city is paying Dahlby just over $6600 to market the timber for harvesting and the city is hoping to receive between $30,000 -$40,000 in the sale of the harvested timber.

Buffalo County has adopted a new Public Nuisance Property Ordinance. This ordinance provides a structured approach to addressing properties that generate repeated calls for service, criminal activity, or ongoing disturbances that negatively impact surrounding neighborhoods. The goal is to hold property owners accountable while working collaboratively to resolve issues before they escalate. The ordinance outlines that properties may be identified as a nuisance when they are associated with repeated violations, unlawful activity, or behaviors that disrupt public peace. Once identified, property owners will be notified and given the opportunity to correct the issue. Continued violations may result in enforcement actions, including citations and cost recovery measures.

Buffalo County emergency crews participated in a mass casualty training exercise in Alma on Saturday morning. The training scenario simulated a crash between a vehicle and a school bus where the bus rolled over with multiple victims trapped inside. Emergency crews practiced patient triage, vehicle extrication, extrication of patients from a school bus, as well as scene management.

Dunn County officials want 300 people with private wells to have their water tested free for nitrates this summer. County staff will visit each participating property, collect a water sample and bring it to the laboratory for nitrate analysis at no cost to the homeowner. The testing is open to anyone with a well within Dunn County.

A person was killed in an officer-involved shooting Thursday morning in Chippewa Falls. The Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation says just before 11 a.m. on Thursday, police officers were called to a hotel in Chippewa Falls for several subjects wanted by police. When officers arrived, one person fled on foot. During the chase, police said the person brandished what they believed to be a handgun and then jumped over a patio railing. The officer fired their weapon and struck the subject. Aid was rendered but the person died at the scene. No other people or officers were injured. No word if a weapon was recovered. Police told news media there was one person in custody and the investigation was ongoing.

Authorities are confirming the name of the man whose body was pulled Friday morning from the Jump River in Chippewa County. Seventy-eight-year-old Balsam Lake resident Gary Ebensperger went fishing Thursday and his family reported him missing when he failed to return home. He was found in the water the next day.

Prison for an Eau Claire man convicted on federal drug charges. Jason Bloedow was arrested last year as investigators say he was headed back into Wisconsin after having picked up methamphetamine in Minnesota for the purposes of distributing it here. He has been sentenced to ten years in prison.

Charges could be pending after authorities executed a search warrant at a vape shop in St Croix Falls. The Polk County Sheriff's Office, along with the St Croix Valley Drug Taskforce, and St Croix Falls Police Department searched the St Croix Tobacco and Vape on Tuesday. The Taskforce was aware that many products sold in the business weren't in compliance with Wisconsin state law. A trailer load of evidence was seized from the business. Several products that were previously sold at the shop showed levels of THC delta-9 exceeding the allowable limit.

In Northwest Wisconsin, an election decided by a coin flip. Almena is a village of just over 700 residents in Barron County. Last Tuesday’s election had three seats for village trustee, with five candidates on the ballot. As results were tallied, the third and fourth candidates each had 65 votes, a tie. Village clerk-treasurer Kim Bauer said the candidates, Derrick Koehn and incumbent Kathy Rockow were contacted and met for a coin flip. Rockow chose heads. The coin flip was tails, meaning Koehn won. Rockow could call for a recount, but Bauer said no one is challenging the results and the coin flip stands.

Olmsted County officials say they mistakenly overcharged one-point-five million dollars in property taxes. County Administrator Travis Gransee says it was all due to a data entry error that was a human mistake. He added that internal controls have been put in place to prevent similar mishaps. Gransee says the mistake will be rectified his staff will recommend the one-point-five million dollars will be collected and allocated to the 2027 budget.

At the Capitol on Thursday, Universities of Wisconsin System Regents told their side of the story to a state Senate committee following this week’s firing of President Jay Rothman. Regent President Amy Bogost and Regent Timothy Nixon said there was nothing unusual about the process that led to Rothman’s firing, and that he knows that they cannot comment unless Rothman waives his right to confidentiality.

A two-year-old child is dead in Wisconsin after being shot by his four-year-old sibling. Authorities in Fond du Lac County say the four-year-old found a loaded gun in a vehicle Friday morning in the village of Lamartine and it discharged, striking the two-year-old. Investigators say a parent had briefly went inside the home when the shooting happened. First responders attempted lifesaving efforts, but the child died at the scene.

Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt is filing a federal defamation lawsuit over allegations an Illinois woman was detained by ICE. The suit says Sundas "Sunny" Naqvi's claims she was held for around 40 hours in Chicago and Wisconsin are a hoax. Schmidt cites surveillance video, hotel records, and federal data showing Naqvi was staying at a hotel and traveling freely during the alleged incident. The lawsuit also names Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison, who supported Naqvi's claims. Schmidt is seeking one-million-dollars in damages from each defendant.

The Wisconsin DHS is investing 31-million dollars in opioid settlement funds. Health officials made the announcement Thursday, saying the state will get 14-point-five-million dollars from last year and 16-point-five-million dollars this year. DHS says they'll use the money to support prevention programming, reduce overdose deaths, increase access to treatment and invest in recovery services. The state saw a drop in opioid deaths from 2023-to-2024, with the health officials saying they'll continue to invest in helping those in need.

A Cudahy High School teacher is facing felony drug charges. An FBI official says Joshua Beck discovered meth and drug paraphernalia in his home Thursday. Agents had originally raided his home on a child porn search warrant. School officials say he's no longer working at the school. Beck had his initial appearance yesterday and is being held on a five-thousand dollar cash bond.