Due to a lack of WSI Certified Lifeguards, the city of Durand will have fewer swimming lessons this summer. The City is conducting a poll of parents on what levels of lessons the city should offer. Durand Mayor Patrick Miliren says the city will take the results of the poll to determine what swimming lessons will be offered. There is a link to the poll on the city's Facebook page and the city will view the results on May 21st.
One person was injured in a one-vehicle accident Monday in Spring Lake Township. According to the Pierce County Sheriffs Department, 61yr old Douglas Anderson of River Falls was traveling on Hwy B when his dump truck left the roadway, struck an embankment, and overturned. Anderson was transported to River Falls Area Hospital with undetermined injuries.
Kids ages 12 to 15 are now welcome to walk into the Dunn County Health Department's vaccine clinic at UW- Stout to get the Pfizer vaccine. Children will need a parent or guardian for consent. The clinic runs from 1p.m. until 6p.m. in the multipurpose room at the university's sports and fitness center on 13th avenue. Parking will be available in lots 4 and 29. Pepin County Health Department will also begin to offer the Pfizer vaccine to children 12-15 next week.
High-speed internet via SpaceX Starlink low orbit satellite technology is coming to some rural homes and businesses in southeastern Eau Claire County. Participants will be asked to fill out a weekly survey to gauge service and reliability over the year-long period covered by the grant. SpaceX plans to launch additional satellites, which Hayden says should improve service.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is warning residents about the dangers of persistent drought conditions in most of the state. A half-dozen wildfires were reported Thursday in northern and central parts of Wisconsin. Dry conditions are also reported in western Wisconsin. People are being asked to avoid burning and burn permits have been suspended in many counties. Most of Pepin and Buffalo Counties are listed as in "moderate drought ” conditions according to a map released by Drought Monitor Thursday.
The statewide mask mandate is ending today in Minnesota. Governor Tim Walz says he'll sign an executive order this morning allowing fully vaccinated Minnesotans to go without face coverings in most indoor settings. The move comes after the C-D-C released updated guidance on masks. Walz said, "once you are fully vaccinated you are protected. You can confidently return to the people you love and things that you miss – all without a mask." The governor says this is possible because vaccines have proven to be effective. People who have not received the COVID vaccine are strongly encouraged to continuing wearing masks indoors. Minnesota businesses and local governments can put their own rules in place. Masks will still be required in schools, hospitals and prisons, and on public transit and airplanes.
Attempted homicide charges have been filed against a 36-year-old Jackson County man accused of shooting at his wife. Prosecutors say a woman called 9-1-1 last week saying her husband shot at her and she managed to leave, but a young child was still in the home in the Town of Manchester. When Jackson County Sheriff’s deputies arrived they were met by Johnathan Heller. He was carrying the child and announcing he was unarmed. He handed the toddler off to the deputies and put his hands behind his back. When deputies met the victim at a nearby gas station, they saw holes in the vehicle she was driving. In addition to attempted homicide, Heller is also charged with recklessly endangering safety, disorderly conduct, and other counts.
A 10-million-dollar emergency fund for Wisconsin veterans' homes will be part of the two-year state budget the Legislature votes on this summer. Those homes could use the fund for emergencies like a pandemic or a natural disaster. The Republican-backed plan received unanimous approval Thursday. It has to be signed into law by Governor Tony Evers before it goes into effect. The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs will control the fund. It is in charge of three veterans' homes where about one thousand veterans live.
A veteran Minnesota Department of Corrections sergeant has lost his job after being videotaped during a clash with protesters last month. Sergeant Paul Gorder was placed on leave after the video circulated on social media showing him and his wife shouting at protesters outside the home of Washington County Attorney Pete Orput. The protesters showed up after Orput was appointed as special prosecutor for the case against former Brooklyn Center police officer Kim Potter. Gorder lives near Orput and he and his wife were heard shouting obscenities at the activists. At one point, Gorder’s wife used a racial slur. She has apparently lost her job, too.
Wisconsin’s governor says a smaller stimulus payment will have an impact on the expansion of broadband service to rural areas. Governor Tony Evers says the reduction “hurts” and could impact what can be done in various areas. The state still plans to spend 620-million dollars on small business recovery, children’s mental health services, and tourism grants. The state was expecting to receive three-point-two-billion dollars from the federal government but was notified earlier this week it will get two-and-a-half billion instead. Many rural areas of the Badger State still lack high-speed internet service.
Voters with disabilities are telling lawmakers they should reconsider changing Wisconsin election laws. They say two bills passed Tuesday in the state Senate put people with disabilities at a disadvantage. The first bill would prohibit any non-family members or legal guardians from returning a completed absentee ballot for another person. The second bill would stop election officials from filling out missing voter information or making corrections to absentee ballot certificates. Both bills still have to make it through the Assembly and be signed by Governor Evers before becoming law. Evers is expected to veto them.
Tribal leaders are telling Wisconsin lawmakers that Native Americans are struggling with increased drug abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lac du Flambeau President John Johnson Senior says drugs have claimed those who are most vulnerable. Johnson says more illegal drugs are being brought into the Northwoods area of Wisconsin. Johnson gave the annual State of the Tribes address to Assembly members Tuesday afternoon.
Key players are admitting the Minnesota Legislature probably will not finish its work by next Monday's midnight deadline. Governor Tim Walz said, "I think as a minimum, certainly by Monday we should have a clear understanding of where our principles are around the budget." Senate Republican Majority Leader Paul Gazelka says "It's the policy issues that could make it go longer." The D-F-L is calling for significant police reform while the G-O-P is demanding Walz relinquish his COVID emergency powers. House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler says they also have to determine how to use billions of dollars in federal COVID aid.
Corn planting across Minnesota is barely off last year’s pace and well ahead of normal. The latest U-S-D-A crop report shows 85 percent of the state’s corn acres are planted. That compares to 87 percent a year ago, and the five-year average of 53 percent. For soybeans, planting advanced to 65 percent, five days faster than last year and nearly two weeks faster than average. Spring wheat is 97 percent planted, while oats and barley are at 89 percent. Sugar beet planting is essentially complete, and 74 percent of Minnesota’s potato crop is in.
This year's batch of peregrine falcon chicks have been hatching at power plants across Wisconsin, and the people have named one of those chicks after Dr. Anthony Fauci. WE Energies spokesperson Allison Trouy says this year's naming theme was to honor those who helped us through the COVID-19 pandemic. Trouy says 13 chicks will be hatching this year if all goes well. That brings the total number of falcon chicks hatched to 423 since the mid-90s.
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