Local-Regional News March 19

Two people were injured in a three vehicle accident Tuesday in Trenton Township. According to the Pierce County Sheriffs Department, 60yr old John Albarado of Bay City was traveling northbound on Hwy 63 and was stopped for a turning vehicle while another northbound vehicle driven by 19yr old Yongsheng Chen of Black River Falls was slowing down when Chen was struck from behind by a 3^rd northbound vehicle driven by 33yr old Melissa Hoikka of Zumbrota, MN. A passenger in Chens Vehicle and Hoikka were both transported to River Falls Area Hospital with undetermined injuries.

Officials have released the name of the 21-year-old Colfax woman involved in a fatal crash Wednesday. Tina Mae Agema was killed Wednesday morning when she crashed into a tree in rural Dunn County. According to the Wisconsin State Patrol, the crash happened before 5:30 a.m. Wednesday at the intersection of County Road W and County Road S near Colfax.

When troopers and deputies arrived at the crash site they found Agema dead.

The Pepin and Dunn County Boards both declared states of emergency in regard to the Covid-19 outbreak. Pepin County Board Chairmen Steve Anderson says the declaration will allow the county to apply for possible federal funds to help with expenses surrounding the outbreak.  Everyone wanting to attend the meeting last night was screened before being allowed into the meeting.

Pepin County is asking residents to limit their visits to the Government Center. If at all possible residents are asked to conduct business via phone, email, fax or mail if possible. If you need to meet with a specific staff member or department, your asked to call ahead and make an appointment. Everyone entering the building will be subject to screening to protect the health and safety of all employees and visitors.

The Buffalo County Sheriffs Department is warning residents of possible scams surrounding the Covid19 outbreak. Sheriff Schmidtknect reminds residents to not give out any personal information should someone contact you by phone or email regarding Covid19. If you are in doubt, you are welcome to contact the sheriffs department to determine if the call or request is legitimate.

The governor’s ban on large gatherings is even affecting funerals in some cases.  The owner of a funeral home in Chippewa Falls is suspending all services and others are leaving the decision to the families and churches.  Horan Funeral Home owner Mike Horan says funerals usually draw 75-to-100 people and many of those attending are elderly, putting them in the at-risk population for Covid-19.  Governor Tony Evers extended the ban to gatherings of more than 10 people Tuesday.

Some banks in the Eau Claire area report they are seeing their customers withdrawing money because they are worried about the coronavirus pandemic.  The head of one credit union says people carrying large amounts of cash are at greater risk than those who just leave their money in the bank.  When the cash is in your pocket it is no longer insured.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends electronic payments because they reduce the potential to spread the virus by handling paper money.

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is targeting $5 million dollars in grant programs to small businesses that suffer losses related to the Covid19 outbreak. The WDEC Board of Directors approved the program which will be known as Small Business 20/20 and will provide grants of up to $20,000 to targeted businesses with no more than 20 employees to cover rent and meet payroll expenses including paid sick leave and other leave due to the outbreak. For more information, contact the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.

 All Department of Motor Vehicle service centers in Wisconsin will be closed tomorrow (Friday) so they can be deep-cleaned and reconfigured.  State officials say the changes are being made to maximize social distancing during the coronavirus outbreak.  When those offices reopen the following Monday they won’t be offering some services, including driver’s license and C-D-L renewals.  D-M-V officials say all licenses and C-D-L’s set to expire will have an automatic 60-day extension.  In-person services are being limited while the virus continues to make people sick.

The Minnesota Republican Party has decided to cancel some upcoming local conventions due to the coronavirus pandemic.  Chairperson Jennifer Carnahan says the party’s executive committee made the decision Tuesday to follow recommendations from public health officials.  The Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party announced it was taking similar steps Tuesday.  A Wednesday news release from the G-O-P said nothing about any potential changes to the planned Republican State Convention at the Rochester Mayor Clinic Center May 15th and 16th.

U-S Senator Tina Smith is pushing the State Department to implement plans to get information and help to Minnesotans trapped abroad so they can get home.  The Minnesota Democrat sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Tuesday saying she had been in contact with several constituents who are trapped.  She mentioned that countries like Peru and Morocco have closed their borders, giving them no access to commercial flights or other modes of transportation.  Other countries are expected to follow suit.

The Wisconsin Department of Public Health says most patients with coronavirus will recover.  The state has tested more than one thousand people.  Doctor Ryan Westergaard with the D-H-S says most of the patients who are sick with the virus will recover fully.  Westergaard says doctors and hospitals are prepared to treat the virus, but there is a limit to the number of available hospital beds.  Wisconsin has 90 confirmed cases of coronavirus and they are located in 11 of the state’s 72 counties.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is hopeful that things won't come to the point where Minnesota has to implement a statewide curfew to try to control the spread of COVID-19. Walz says testing is important because it gives the state a snapshot of what's happening. He says they are going to find out through the testing how widespread the coronavirus is and whether or not it has the potential to overrun and swamp the health care system. He says that is the thing that they want to avoid, and what will determine how they proceed.

Even as the nation continues to work to stop the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, the Red Cross is looking for your blood donations. Red Cross spokeswoman Laura McGuire says that blood donations are safe, both for donors and recipients.  McGuire says that their blood levels are low due to closures of schools and colleges. If you are looking to give blood, head to Red Cross Blood dot org to find a location or schedule a donation.

Big-box retailer of electronic products Best Buy says it is encountering a strong demand for devices which make it easier to work at home.  The Richfield-based company says it is selling a lot of keyboards, monitors, webcams and laptops.  Workers for Minneapolis-based Target were told Monday they should start working at home until at least the end of April.  Best Buy is apparently selling a lot of refrigerators and freezers – because people are stockpiling food and other supplies.

The Minnesota Grocers Association (MGA) is reminding everyone of some things to be aware of as grocery stores change hours during the coronavirus outbreak. M-G-A President Jamie Pfuhl  is urging shoppers at the beginning of the day to give some time and extra consideration for neighbors in need. He says that includes the elderly, healthcare workers and first responders. Pfuhl says some people face bigger challenges in this time than others and it is important to remember that. Pfuhl says the change in hours will allow stores to do a little bit deeper cleaning and sanitizing. The association is also reminding customers to remain calm and prioritize your most immediate needs, as overbuying can prevent others from providing for their family.

Miller Park employees missing paychecks due to the coronavirus outbreak are getting some help. The Brewers are pledged one-million dollars to help employees who won’t be working because of the coronavirus. All 30 Major League teams are making the same million-dollar promise. Baseball season was supposed to start next week. Baseball now says the season now might not start until May.