Local-Regional News Oct 29

 Durand residents should begin to see activity at the old Pepin County Highway Shop for the new Kwik Trip.  Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the company plans on tearing down the old buildings starting in November.  Kwik Trip is hoping to have the new location open on December 1st of 2022.

Some good news for the Durand Arkansaw School District.  The number of students enrolled in the district surpassed the 1000 mark this year.  Durand Arkansaw School District Superintendent Greg Doverspike says it's the first time in his 10yrs as superintendent that enrollment has passed the 1000 mark.  Doverspike believes the district has an opportunity to grow further with more families moving to the area because of the quality of life, lower cost of living, and high-speed internet.

Halloween is this Sunday and motorists are advised to be on the lookout for children trick or treating Sunday Evening.  Durand Police Chief Stan Ridgeway says there will be officers on duty making sure traffic laws are followed.  Motorists are also reminded that Main Street in Downtown Durand will be closed Saturday from 2-6pm for the 4th annual Trunk or Treat.  Trick or Treat Hours are 5-7pm Sunday in Durand, Elk Mound, Ellsworth and Mondovi, and from  4:30-7pm in Elmwood.

A Black River Falls man has been arrested in Trempealeau County on drug and weapons charges.  According to the Trempealeau County Sheriff's Department, deputies pulled over 31yr old Jacob Wesson after a traffic violation in the City of Galesville.  During the stop, K-9 officer Luke alerted officers to the presence of drugs in the vehicle.  A search revealed  74 grams of suspected methamphetamine along with suspected heroin, other drug paraphernalia, and a firearm.  Wesson is a convicted felon and is not to possess any firearms and was arrested.

A Mondovi man has been found guilty in Buffalo County Court of Repeated Sexual Assault of a child.  46yr old Rex Bigger was accused of sexually assaulting the girl numerous times between 2011 and 2013.  She came forward last year.   Bigger will be sentenced on February 14th in Buffalo County Court.

An Olmsted County judge says a Rochester man is competent to stand trial for the killing of his pregnant girlfriend and her two-year-old daughter.  A competency exam was ordered for 31-year-old Renard Carter in August.  He had requested to withdraw his guilty pleas at that time.  Carter is facing three counts of second-degree murder in the September  2020 deaths of 23-year-old Kiona Foote, Miyona Miller, and the unborn child.  He was arrested in South Carolina on the same day Rochester police found the victims dead in their apartment.  Carter remains jailed on five-million dollars bail.

Wisconsin Republicans' redistricting plan was the focus of a lengthy public hearing Thursday at the State Capitol. The maps are largely based on current legislative and congressional districts drawn by the G-O-P following the 2010 Census. They will likely ensure that Republicans retain majorities in both the Wisconsin Senate and Assembly. Many people called for non-partisan maps and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos argued Democrats don’t hold more seats in the state Legislature because they are "out of touch with their communities." Governor Tony Evers has already said he’ll veto the maps, which will send the redistricting issue to the courts.

The family of a missing northwest Wisconsin woman is offering a ten-thousand-dollar reward for information that brings her home. Thirty-three-year-old Ashley Miller Carson of Grantsburg was last seen near Hinckley, Minnesota on September 23rd and her car was found abandoned nearby. The Burnett County Sheriff’s Office said that Carlson may be endangered. Anyone with information about Carlson is asked to contact the Pine County Sheriff's Office in Minnesota. Anonymous tips can be made by calling 218-241-0341.

Minnesotans who don't show up for their driver's exam road test will have to pay a 20-dollar "no show" fee when they get their license.  The new policy starts Monday.  Driver and Vehicle Services Director Pong Xiong  says this year from July through September, almost 16 percent missed their appointments -- six-thousand road tests that other Minnesotans could have taken.  Xiong says the whole goal for this effort is really to make sure that we can administer as many exams as possible.  Those who can't make it to their road test should cancel at least 24 hours in advance to avoid the fee.

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The former owner of a financial advisory company in Altoona is facing federal fraud charges.  The U-S Attorney's Office says 31-year-old Michael Shillin of Eau Claire was indicted Wednesday on nine counts of wire fraud and one count of bank fraud.  Federal prosecutors say Shillin lied about buying stocks for clients and sold them insurance policies that he made a commission off.  Shillin is also accused of defrauding a bank by obtaining two loans totaling 462-thousand dollars using fraudulent collateral.  A conviction on each wire fraud charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and the bank fraud charge could result in a 30-year sentence

 

A Madison paramedic accused of assaulting a woman in an ambulance in May of 2019 is found not guilty.  A Dane County jury acquitted 39-year-old Tim Ovadal on second-and four-degree assault charges Wednesday.  The Janesville woman who was being transported to Stoughton Hospital claimed Ovadal removed an E-K-G sticker from her chest, massage her breast, and exposed himself.  Jurors watched onboard video of the ambulance ride twice and it showed Ovadal doing nothing improper.  Defense attorneys noted that the patient had a blood alcohol level of point-three-seven at the time and her information was not reliable.

A bill passed by the Wisconsin Assembly would allow pharmacists in the state to administer oral contraception.  Republican Representative Joel Kitchens of Sturgeon Bay said "what this bill does really is it gives women more choices, it decreases unplanned pregnancies and by doing so decreases abortions. And it saves tax dollars and reduces generational poverty.”  The measure passed Wednesday on a strong bipartisan vote and would likely be signed by Governor Tony Evers is it passes the state Senate.

Dakota County authorities are investigating after three people were found dead in a Farmington home.  Officers called to do a welfare check discovered the three adults dead Wednesday night.  Investigators say a man was taken into custody.  Farmington Police Chief Gary Rutherford said it was not a random incident and they're not looking for any other suspects. No names have been released.

COVID bonuses for Minnesota's front-line workers could be delayed until next year after a special panel couldn't break its deadlock and sent two competing proposals to the legislature.  D-F-L Representative Cedrick Frazier of New Hope says Republicans' plan" excludes tens of thousands of workers, some of our lowest-wage workers, some of the workers that had the highest spread of COVID."  The G-O-P argues with only 250 million dollars allotted, to have a "meaningful" bonus, only nurses, first responders, corrections officers, long-term care workers, and hospice providers should be eligible.  Republican Senator Karin Housley of Stillwater says every week we drag this out is another week that these front-line workers are not getting their money.

State lawmakers say the first draft of a proposal to help restart idled paper mills in Wisconsin Rapids and Park Falls is being finalized.  Representatives Jeffrey Mursau of Crivitz and Scott Krug of Nekoosa have a new plan they say would help get those plants back online, bring back hundreds of jobs to those communities, and help out the trucking and logging industries.  Governor Tony Evers shot down a proposal over the summer that would have used federal stimulus funds for a short-term loan to allow a Northwoods cooperative to purchase the mill.

Local-Regional News Oct 28

 The preliminary assessment of property owners on Drier Street and Laneville Avenue will move forward.  After a public hearing and a debate on whether or not the assessment should move forward, the Durand City Council Spilt and voted 2 yes, 2 no and 2 abstaining to not move forward with the assessment.  Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren broke the three-way tie with a no vote, meaning the assessment is moving forward.  Milliren says the city needs to have a way to finance projects. Voting to not move forward with the assessment were councilmembers Gillis and Roesler, voting to move forward were councilmembers Hartung and Scofield, and Councilmembers Hooker and Schneider both abstained.

The City of Mondovi is beginning to plan for the reconstruction of North Eau Claire Street from Downtown to the edge of town.  The City has received a $1 million CDBG Grant which means residents will not be assessed for the project.  However, according to Mondovi Mayor Brady Weiss, the city is going to work with property owners to have them replace laterals to the main sewer and water lines, something that is not covered in the project.  It is hoped the project can begin in May of next year.

The Durand-Arkansaw School Board has approved the budget and tax levy for the 2021-2022 school year.    The district will have a total tax levy of just over $4.9 million dollars, which is a 1.38% increase over 2020.  However, the mill rate is dropping from $8.14 to $7.75  and property values in the district rose 6.46% over the last year to an equalized value of $639 million.    The budget for the school year is once again balanced at just over $12 million.

Bond is set at 100-thousand dollars for a Chippewa Falls woman accused of stabbing her husband. Police say Ashley Dietrich stabbed her husband in the chest with an eight-inch kitchen knife on October 15th. Dietrich initially told investigators that she was cutting herself when her husband tried to take the knife away and was accidentally stabbed. She was found unconscious in bed and appeared to have overdosed on medication. Prosecutors say a note found at the scene indicates the incident may have been an attempted murder-suicide. No word on her husband's current condition. Dietrich has another court hearing Tuesday.

A U-S Post Office in Eau Claire has some damage after being hit by a vehicle Tuesday afternoon. Police say a man in the parking lot thought he had put the car in reverse, but it was actually in drive. He stepped on the gas and crashed into the building. The damage included some broken glass. Officers say no one was hurt.

A Chippewa Falls man is going to federal prison for dealing methamphetamine in western Wisconsin.  The U-S Attorney's Office says 36-year-old Justin Barnard was sentenced to six years for possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of meth.  Dunn County authorities found more than 74 grams of the drug in Barnard's fanny pack during a traffic stop last November.  Deputies said he appeared to be under the influence and also had packaging materials and a scale in his mini-van.  Barnard is already serving a two-year sentence for an Eau Claire County conviction.

Governor Tony Evers is expected to veto several anti-abortion bills passed by the Wisconsin Senate and Assembly.  Democratic Minority Leader Gordon Hintz said, "Republicans know these extreme bills won’t become law. And they know most Wisconsinites support access to safe and legal abortion.”  Speaker Robin Vos says everybody in our caucus is proud to be pro-life and added, "just because a bill is errantly vetoed by the governor in a previous session doesn’t mean we won’t bring the topic up.”  One measure prohibits the state from certifying abortion providers under Medicaid.  Two others ban abortions based on sex or race and require doctors to provide expectant parents information about congenital conditions.

The University of Wisconsin System plans to follow the Biden administration’s executive order on COVID-19 vaccinations.  It requires federal contractors to comply with the vaccine mandate.  UW System President Tommy said the system “cannot afford to jeopardize millions of dollars in federal contracts, which are integral to academic and research missions.”  A majority of U-W campuses have already reached a 70 percent vaccination rate among students.  UW-Madison has a student vaccination rate of over 90 percent.

 The perennial debate over allowing wine and beer sales at grocery stores in Minnesota is back on at the State Capitol.  Jeff Bagniewski the owner of Jeff's Little Stores in Rochester, told lawmakers his three-two beer sales declined as product availability dwindles, eliminating choices for customers.  He said he doesn't want to miss out on being part of Minnesota's local beer boom.  But Tony Chesak with the Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association responds when he stopped at a Kwik Trip in Iowa, he saw no local beers on the shelves.  Chesak warns big-box operations will drive local liquor stores out of business and reduce product selection for Minnesotans.

 The sentence is five years in prison for a Rochester man convicted of trafficking heroin.  Forty-three-year-old Sean Alexander pleaded guilty to third-degree drug sales in an agreement with prosecutors.  Alexander was arrested after a traffic stop last February on Interstate 90.  Deputies say Alexander was caught with nearly an ounce of heroin or fentanyl during a search at the Olmsted County jail.  Authorities seized another 39 grams of heroin and T-H-C wax from his home and another vehicle.  He had a previous conviction for selling drugs in Hennepin County.

 Milwaukee County Clerk George Christenson is accusing someone of lying about his office’s participation in the recent audit of the November 2020 election. Christenson said claims that his office didn’t allow state auditors to view and analyze ballots are simply not true. He did not say if he’s speaking about Republican lawmakers or the auditors. The Legislative Audit Bureau said in its report that it was told it would not be able to handle the ballots from Milwaukee County. Christenson says he provided auditors with everything they asked for. That audit found dozens of problems with last year’s vote or with local election managers who didn’t follow the state’s election laws.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says the taxpayer-funded review of the 2020 vote could stretch into next year – and he points a finger at Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul.  Vos hired former state Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman to oversee the partisan probe and says he’ll sign-off on additional subpoenas if Gableman says they’re needed.

U-S Senator Ron Johnson is co-sponsoring a bill that would prevent essential workers from losing their job for not getting the COVID-19 vaccine.  President Biden has proposed a federal vaccine mandate for companies with more than a hundred employees.   Johnson says we are already suffering severe worker shortages and vaccine mandates will increase these shortages and degrade our health care system.  The Wisconsin Republican added, "no one should be pressured, coerced, or fear reprisal for refusing treatment, especially essential workers.”

It's unclear if a fresh influx of pandemic stimulus funding will be enough to help shore up Wisconsin's timber industry. Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association director Henry Schienebeck (SHIN-eh-beck) tells WXPR in Rhinelander that business has left Wisconsin due to mill closures and production downturns.   Shienebeck says many people have left the lumber industry altogether, mirroring employment shifts in other industries like retail and tourism.

 Preliminary numbers show Wisconsin hunters harvested just over 38-hundred bears during the 2021 black bear season.  That is a decrease from the more than 43-hundred taken last year and similar to the 2018 and 2019 harvests.  D-N-R large carnivore specialist Randy Johnson says this fall marked the first season using new harvest zones as outlined in the black bear management plan.  He says those zones better reflect the bear population distribution across the state and allow a more fine-tuned approach to management.  Officials say harvested bear data is critical to tracking bear population trends and ensuring the population remains healthy.

Wisconsin agricultural groups are applauding the unanimous Assembly passage of a bill that uses five million dollars to increase the state's exports. The goal of the legislation is to boost exports of dairy, meat, and other products by 25 percent in the next five years. Bill author, Representative Tony Kurtz of Wonewoc, said there’s a tremendous growth opportunity for Wisconsin farmers and for all of the wonderful products that our farmers make, everything from ginseng to cranberries to potatoes, to bovine genetics. Dairy Business Association president says this is an investment not only in our dairy farmers and processors but our rural communities as well. Wisconsin exported three-point-three-billion dollars' worth of ag and food products in 2020.

Local-Regional News Oct 27

 The City of Mondovi will have properties re-assessed over the next year.  Mondovi Mayor Brady Weiss says it's a standard reassessment to stay in compliance with state law.  The cost of the reassessment to the city will be approximately $45,000.

State Representative Warren Petryk announced that Pierce County Sheriff, Nancy Hove, is the 2021 First Responder of the Year Award for the 93rd Assembly District.  “Throughout her 14 years of service, Nancy has continuously demonstrated an outstanding dedication to serving and prioritizing the needs, well-being, and safety of all Pierce County residents,” said Representative Petryk. “Her commitment to the Pierce County community has remained incredibly strong in the face of adversity”.  In the fall of 2020, Hove was diagnosed with a brain tumor and continued to serve as Sheriff of Pierce County.  The First Responder of the Year award was created in 2019 to recognize the courageous individuals that serve communities across Wisconsin during emergency situations. 

Two public hearings will be part of tonight's Durand City Council meeting.  The hearings will be on the special assessment for property owners as part of the construction on Laneville Road and the second meeting is on the redistricting of the City of Durand that was recently approved by the Pepin County Board.  The council will also hear reports from the Mayor, City Administrator, and department heads.  Tonight's meeting begins at 6:30 at Durand City Hall and will be live-streamed on the WRDN YouTube Channel.

Jurors in Marathon County are convicting a Chippewa Falls woman in the 2006 murder of her husband in Hull. They deliberated for about four hours Tuesday before finding Cindy Schulz Juedes guilty of fatally shooting Ken Juedes. She now faces a mandatory life sentence with only the possibility of parole to be discussed at a later date. Prosecutors said Schulz Juedes had shown little remorse since the shooting, had profited from a financial windfall involving land and life insurance money, and told inconsistent stories in interviews. Her sentencing hearing hasn't been scheduled.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice says a man tased by officers in Altoona on October 8th did not survive. Eau Claire police say 43-year-old Demetrio Jackson died in the hospital last Friday. Investigators said Jackson was acting strangely and causing damage while standing on a vehicle. He reportedly resisted arrest and an officer said they used a Taser on him to stabilize the situation. Jackson was taken to the hospital in critical condition. The D-O-J said provisional autopsy results show the cause of death doesn’t appear to be from traumatic injuries and is still pending laboratory analysis at this time. The D-C-I is leading the investigation and will send its reports to the Eau Claire County District Attorney's office.

 A family from northwest Wisconsin is reportedly among the missionaries kidnapped in Haiti. W-C-C-O T-V reports the family of four is from the Ladysmith area in Rusk County. They were part of a group of 17 with Ohio-based Christian Aid Ministries on a trip to a Haitian orphanage. W-C-C-O has been asked not to identify the family because it could put them in greater danger than they already are in. The leader of the gang believed to be holding the group was seen in a recent video saying they’ll be killed if his demands are not met.

A bill introduced in the Wisconsin Senate would expand access to telehealth coverage in the state. Senators Chris Larson of Milwaukee and Jimmy Anderson of Fitchburg are sponsoring the Telehealth Parity Act. Larson says in-person health care is not as accessible as it could be due to a lack of providers or specialists nearby, transportation, the COVID-19 pandemic or limited hours that don't match people's work schedules. The legislation would require insurance companies in Wisconsin to cover virtual medical services, in the same manner, they would if the services were provided in person. A recent survey finds 94-percent of insurers expanded telehealth coverage in 2020 during the pandemic, but only 47-percent plan to continue those services.

Wisconsin agricultural groups are applauding the unanimous Assembly passage of a bill that uses five million dollars to increase the state's exports. The goal of the legislation is to boost exports of dairy, meat and other products by 25 percent in the next five years. Bill author, Representative Tony Kurtz of Wonewoc, said there’s a tremendous growth opportunity for Wisconsin farmers and for all of the wonderful products that our farmers make, everything from ginseng to cranberries to potatoes, to bovine genetics. Dairy Business Association president says this is an investment not only in our dairy farmers and processors but our rural communities as well. Wisconsin exported three-point-three-billion dollars' worth of ag and food products in 2020.

Police in La Crosse are looking for the thieves who stole thousands of feet of electrical cable from the city's Christmas light display.  Organizers of the Rotary Lights Project said someone cut the cable at the light display in Riverside Park.  They will likely look to sell the copper wire inside the cables.  La Crosse Police say they have alerted all scrap metal dealers in the area.  The Rotary Club says it could cost ten thousand dollars to replace the stolen cables.

Xcel Energy is asking Minnesota regulators to approve a 21 percent electric rate increase over three years -- more than half of it in 2022 -- with a big part of it going for transmission lines to connect to renewable sources.  It's estimated that residential customers would see an average monthly increase of 15- to 21-dollars.  Xcel is asking the Public Utilities Commission to okay a nine-point-four-percent interim rate increase, which would take effect in January while the agency considers the utility's larger request.

Attorneys for Kyle Rittenhouse will be allowed to call a use of force expert during his trial for fatally shooting two protesters in Kenosha. Circuit Judge Bruce Schroeder ruled Monday that John Black can be an expert witness next month. Black has claimed Rittenhouse killed Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber in self-defense. The judge will also allow video from a witness showing police officers thanking armed civilians and giving Rittenhouse and others water before the shootings. Jury selection is scheduled to start Monday in the 18-year-old's trial.

A suspect is in custody after a police situation at Neenah High School. Authorities were notified of a potential gun threat outside the school just before 1:00 p-m Monday. The high school and two elementary schools were locked downs as a precaution. Officers say the 17-year-old suspect was arrested less than an hour later in Appleton and the lockdowns were lifted. The Neenah Joint School District says the suspect does not attend the high school. No gun was found on school property and investigators say the threat was made toward a specific student.

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development is now accepting proposals from qualified non-profit organizations and government entities seeking capital investment funding grants.  DEED Commissioner Steve Grove says there is 18-million dollars available to help communities to take on infrastructure and buildings projects similar o what a bonding program would look like.  Grove says the maximum you can apply for is a one-and-a-half-million-dollar grant.

A police dog in northwest Wisconsin is retiring after eight years with the Sawyer County Sheriff's Department.  There was a community retirement party this week for Trace the K-9 officer.  Trace’s handler, Nick Al-Moghrabi, said It's been a wild ride, it's been the best job in law enforcement I've had."  Trace is side by side with Nick on all assignments from drug detection and patrol to apprehension, tracking, and building clearing.  He is also part of the deputy's family when he's not on duty.

Local-Regional News Oct 26

 The Mondovi City Council is meeting tonight.  Items on the agenda include the first review of the 2022 property tax levy and budget, discussion and possible action to recreate a section of the City of Mondovi Municipal code to comply with current city practices and or state law, and discussion and possible action on the 2022 annual budget operating loan for short term borrowing.  Tonight's meeting begins at 6:30 at the Marten Center.

A Western Wisconsin internet provider is receiving a large state grant from the Public Service Commission to expand broadband internet.  24-7 Telcom applied for more than $13 million and got about $10.5 million covering 11 expansion projects in Dunn, Eau Claire, and Chippewa Counties.  The 11 projects will provide high-speed internet to 2929 homes and 154 businesses.  The grants are funded through the American Rescue Plan Act.

Wisconsin pump prices have gone up a total of 12 cents this month. So far this year, the state average has increased a total of $1.01 per gallon since January 1. Wisconsin drivers are now paying $1.20 per gallon more than this time last year, and 69 cents more than this time in 2019.  Average gas prices here in Western Wisconsin are averaging from 3.19 to 3.23 a gallon, compared to $1.94 a gallon a year ago.  Gas prices have been dragged higher by skyrocketing crude oil prices," said Nick Jarmusz, director of public affairs for AAA.  The price of US (WTI) crude oil has climbed 76% this year; going from $47 per barrel in January to nearly $84/b last week

Young children in Wisconsin's K-12 schools would get additional literacy testing, under a bill passed by the state Senate on Monday  Republican state Senator Kathy Bernier of Chippewa Falls, one of the bill's authors, said additional testing for students between 4K and 2nd grade will help improve reading proficiency.   The bill, opposed by education officials in part because it's not fully funded to cover additional costs, passed 20-12 on Monday. The state Assembly takes it up on Tuesday. It's not clear whether Governor Tony Evers will veto it.v

Wisconsin's coronavirus hospitalizations are under one thousand for the first time in months. The state's Hospital Association yesterday said there are 972 people in the hospital with the virus. That's down by over 100 people in just the last week alone. The Hospital Association says there are 310 people in the I-C-U with the virus.

Minnesota has surpassed a grim milestone as more than 400 people died on Minnesota roads since January 1st. The state reported its 401st death over the weekend. That is the earliest the state reached 400 traffic fatalities since 2007. Last year at this time, 322 people had been killed on Minnesota roads. The first 401 traffic fatalities include 62 motorcyclists, 46 pedestrians and seven bicyclists. 130 of this year's crashes were speed-related, 104 alcohol-related deaths and 18 involved distracted drivers.

Two people who died in a northern Wisconsin plane crash were brother and sister.  The two victims of that crash are 29-year-old Aaron Mika and his 21-year-old sister Aleah. The two crashed their plane into the side of a house in the town of Marengo on Saturday afternoon. Ashland County deputies are investigating the cause of the crash alongside the F-A-A and the N-T-S-B.

The state Senate’s election committee will investigate what Republican leaders call the “careless administration of election law” by the Wisconsin  Elections Commission. They'll also look at the refusal by elections officials in the City of Madison to provide documents and ballots to the Legislative Audit Bureau, which released the results of its audit last week. Madison and Milwaukee County offered the auditors copies and said they were following guidance by the U.S. Department of Justice to protect election materials. Senate Republican Leaders say audit findings make it clear that further information, and changes at the Elections Commission, are needed.

The COVID-19 pandemic appears to be making other health conditions even worse.  Doctor Sandra Kamnetz at U-W Health says an increase in people seeking treatment is leading to longer waits at health care facilities statewide.  Doctor Kamnetz said, "people are sicker because one they've delayed their care. They've not gone into the office to be seen. I think they're also more stressed, less active."  She encourages everyone to see their physician for in-person visits including cancer screenings.  Kamnetz says things like depression, weight loss, smoking cessation, and alcohol abuse can be addressed through telehealth.  A U-W School of Medicine and Public Health Survey finds preventative care appointments were the most likely to be canceled since July of 2020.

 Litchfield-based Sparboe Farms will donate more than a million eggs -- 90-thousand dozen -- to Minnesota nonprofits in the fight against hunger.  The move resolves a lawsuit by Attorney General Keith Ellison alleging the company price-gouged at the start of the pandemic.  Ellison says despite executive orders, Sparboe tripled its egg prices in March of 2020 and was unable to point to increased costs.  Officials at Sparboe were not immediately reachable for comment.  But marketing director Britta McGuire said earlier that Sparboe has not, and never will, engage in such practices.  She said the company sells eggs to wholesalers under long-term contracts using a market-based pricing formula.

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Everyone is okay after an American Airlines plane had to make an emergency landing at the Dane County airport. The American Airlines flight from New York to Los Angeles was not supposed to stop in Madison. The pilot made an emergency landing because of smoke in the cabin. Everyone was evacuated and is okay. American Airlines says the plane will stay in Madison until it can be inspected and is safe to fly. Passengers say it was scary, but are glad to be okay.

 A proposed fall sandhill crane hunt is drawing the ire of conservation groups. The concerned groups say that a proposed hunt is a poor idea if the intended reason is to prevent damage to crops. Ann Lacy with the Crane Foundation says that hunt will do little to prevent damages to crops in the spring. Lacy says that there are already 100-percent effective, non-lethal methods of preventing crane and other bird damage to corn using seed treatments. The D-N-R says cranes caused less than a million dollars of damage to the state's more than two-billion-dollar corn harvest in Wisconsin.

Do your homework before hiring a snowplow contractor this winter. The Better Business Bureau of Wisconsin says it’s recommended that you get at least three estimates before hiring. Those estimates should include all costs up from to avoid any surprise expenses and reputable contractors seldom require all the money upfront. The payments are generally split into two or three installments. The Better Business Bureau provides background information, complaint history, and resolution to complaints at b-b-b(dot)org.

The state’s free tax assistance programs need volunteers. Wisconsin Department of Revenue Secretary Peter Barca says they will provide training so volunteers do not need financial expertise. Volunteers helped file 28-thousand electronic returns during the last tax season. Those interested can start the process of volunteering at revenue-(dot)-w-i-(dot)-gov.

A collision between a pickup and a semi-truck in rural Olmsted County left a teen hurt over the weekend. It happened Saturday morning near Marion. The Minnesota State Patrol says 19-year-old Ryan Williams of La Crescent was southbound on Highway 52 near I-90 when he collided with a semi, also in the southbound lanes. Williams was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the truck was not hurt.

Culver's usually sells about 30 cheeseburgers-an-hour, but the company says it sold 94 of its Curderburgers per hour earlier this month. Culver's yesterday said, in all, they sold 136-thousand Curderburgers on National Cheese Curd Day. Many stores sold out before lunch. Culver's originally advertised the burger, which featured a huge golden-fried cheese curd on top, as an April Fool's prank, but made it a one-day reality after fans begged for it.

Local-Regional News Oct 25

 One person is dead and two others injured in a two-vehicle accident near Chippewa Falls Sunday afternoon.  According to the Wisconsin State Patrol, an 85yr old female from Chippewa Falls was traveling southbound on Hwy 178 when her vehicle was struck head-on by a northbound vehicle that had failed to negotiate a curve.  She was pronounced dead at the scene while the two people in the northbound vehicle were transported to Mayo Eau Claire.  That accident remains under investigation by the Wisconsin State Patrol.

The Buffalo County Sheriff's Department is reminding hunters that use an ATV or UTV that the towns of Modena, Dover, Alma, Lincoln, Montana, Waumandee, and Glencoe all opted out of having town roads as ATV routes.  This means that ATV's-UTV's can only travel on county roads in those townships.  Trails are open until December 1st from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset and the maximum speed limit is 35mph.  Hunters are also reminded that there is no ATV/UTV travel allowed on state highways.

A Hayward man was arrested for operating under the influence, 3rd offense Saturday in Dunn County.  According to the Wisconsin State Patrol, 31yr old David Boswell was pulled over by troopers for deviation from a designated traffic lane.  Boswell showed signs of impairment and admitted to using illegal narcotics.  There was also a 2yr old child in the vehicle.  Boswell was arrested and taken to the Dunn County Jail charged with operating under the influence 3rd offense with a minor in the vehicle, operating while revoked, carrying a concealed weapon, child safety seat violation, and misdemeanor bail jumping.

A western Wisconsin man faces more than a dozen charges for an incident that left two Sparta police officers injured.  Police say they were responding to a report of a combative subject last Friday night when 25-year-old Anthony Cox tried to grab an officer's weapon and threatened to shoot them.  The altercation left one officer with minor injuries and a second officer was treated at a hospital.  Cox has his next court hearing on November 22nd in Monroe County.

The D-N-R is conducting a second round of invasive carp removal in the Mississippi River in southwestern Wisconsin today. The carp will be removed from the area known as Pool 8 by using the so-called Modified Unified Method which combines netting and herding techniques to drive invasive carp to a small containment area for removal. In April the technique resulted in the capture of 34 silver carp. The goal is to remove existing carp in the pool, curb the potential for invasive carp reproduction and prevent their establishment in Minnesota and Wisconsin waters.

Attorney General Josh Kaul is asking a Dane County judge to stop former Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman from enforcing subpoenas in the G-O-P election investigation.  Kaul filed a request for a restraining order Thursday, saying Gableman's special counsel issued subpoenas to elections officials as part of "an unlawful investigation focused on debunked theories about the November 2020 election."  Gableman subpoenaed the mayors of Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Racine, and Kenosha along with the Wisconsin Elections Commission administrator.

A chronic wasting disease bill sponsored by Congressman Ron Kind unanimously passed the House Agriculture Committee Thursday.  The Wisconsin Democrat is working with Pennsylvania Republican Glenn Thompson on legislation aimed at researching and managing the disease most often found in deer.  C-W-D also affects elk, moose, and caribou and is always fatal.  Kind calls himself an “avid hunter”  and says it is important to maintain a healthy deer herd in Wisconsin.  So far, chronic wasting disease has been confirmed in 25 of the 50 states.

The Minnesota  Department of Agriculture is urging farmers to be extra cautious when applying anhydrous ammonia to their fields after this year's harvest. Officials say anhydrous can burn eyes, lungs, and skin. Accidents have proven dangerous and even deadly. Officials remind farmers to slow down, wear protective equipment and always have at least five gallons of safety water nearby when applying anhydrous. Additional safety tips can be found at m-d-a(dot)state(dot)m-n(dot)u-s, keyword "anhydrous ammonia."

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 Hy-Vee has issued a consumer advisory on a nationwide onion recall. Hy-Vee says it was recently notified by its supplier Capitol City Fruit that in August the grocer had received a shipment of onions that are part of the recall. The potentially impacted onions would have been sold at Hy-Vee stores between August 13th and September 1st, 2021. The only affected products sold at Hy-Vee stores were three-pound bags of yellow onions. Hy-Vee says out of an abundance of caution you should discard any affected product or return the product to your local Hy-Vee store for a full refund.

A Minneapolis police officer is facing charges for crashing his S-U-V into another vehicle and killing the driver while chasing a stolen car.  The Hennepin County Attorney's Office says Officer Brian Cummings is facing second-degree manslaughter and criminal vehicular homicide in the death of 40-year-old Leneal Frazier of St. Paul.  Investigators say Officer Cummings was going nearly 80 miles per hour when he slammed into Frazier's Jeep on July 6th.  The pursuit continued for 20 blocks through north Minneapolis and Cummings followed the suspect vehicle through stop signs and red lights.  Prosecutor Mike Freeman said Cummings' action deviated from his oath and his negligence caused the death of Frazier.  The victim was the uncle of the 17-year-old girl who recorded the police killing of George Floyd.

Republican leaders released their maps of new legislative and congressional seats on Wednesday, and have said they’ll vote on those next month. In a statement, the Democratic governor said “it’s unconscionable and insulting to the people of this state, frankly, that Republicans think they can pass another set of gerrymandered maps modeled after the same gerrymandered ones we've had for a decade.” It’s the latest indication that redistricting will eventually end up in court. Legal actions on the issue are pending, before both a panel of federal judges and the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

 A Dane County judge says the way the Wisconsin D-N-R applied the state's wolf hunt law is unconstitutional.  Circuit Court Judge Jacob Frost is putting the wolf hunting season on hold and ordering the D-N-R to set up a quota of zero animals until it complies with its own rules.  Frost says the agency needs to develop a wolf management plan and implement rules to regulate the hunt.  The season is scheduled to open on November 6th.  Wisconsin hunters killed 218 wolves in less than 72 hours during the February hunt, which was nearly double the quota.  A D-N-R spokesperson said the agency is reviewing the ruling.

Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Secretary Emilie Amundson says she is putting together a proposal for a study committee that would examine the child care and early education needs in the state.  Amundson talked about the proposal during a visit to the Parenting Place in La Crosse.  She says increasing childcare in Wisconsin is a way to get people back to work.  Amundson told listeners she comes to the Coulee Region “to listen and to learn.”  She says that area of Wisconsin has been “incredibly innovative” and at the forefront of solving many challenges.

A report from the Legislative Audit Bureau found voting machines to be accurate, and no widespread fraud in Wisconsin’s 2020 presidential election. But it also makes multiple recommendations regarding state elections laws and procedures. Green Bay Republican state Senator Rob Cowles said in a tweet “despite concerns with statewide elections procedures, this audit showed us that the election was largely safe and secure.” Cowles, who co-chairs the committee which oversees the Audit Bureau, added that the audit clearly shows the need to make changes to those laws and procedures. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said the audit “proves why further investigation is necessary.”

The State of Wisconsin plans to use a one-million-dollar federal grant to chart a path toward electric vehicle adoption in the state.  State officials say they submitted the proposal focused on planning for electric vehicle charging stations, electric vehicle manufacturing supply chain opportunities, and end-use demand to accelerate the electrification of the transportation sector.  Department of Transportation Secretary Craig Thompson said if Wisconsin is going to remain competitive, we need to develop the infrastructure to make and fuel electric vehicles, and this grant will help us do just that.

Local-Regional News Oct 22

 The Mondovi School Board made no changes to the current covid-19 protocols for the district at this week's board meeting.  Board members however discussed the possibility of notifying Buffalo County Health that the district would no longer be in charge of contact tracing.   Board members decided to keep the current protocols in place for the time being but would discuss changes at the next meeting on November 10th.

The Wisconsin Building Commission has voted to release $15 million for the expansion of mental health treatment beds at HSHS Sacred Heart in Eau Claire and St. Joseph's Hospital in Chippewa Falls.  Currently, there are 29 inpatient behavioral health beds at the two locations and this will allow 22 additional beds to be added.  33 of the beds will be designated for adults at Sacred Heart, and 18 for adolescents at St. Joseph's.    Construction should begin sometime next year.

A driver from Augusta who fled a traffic stop last weekend has been arrested.  An officer tried to stop the vehicle driven by 30-year-old David L. Schick of Augusta on Sunday just after 10:00 p-m.  Even though he was given audible and visual signals to pull over, police say Schick sped away, ignoring stop signs and speed limits.  When he finally stopped, officers say he refused to exit his vehicle for a long time.  Schick made a court appearance Monday.  Authorities are recommending charges of fleeing an officer, possession of meth, possession of drug paraphernalia, and several other violations.

Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, along with Congresswoman Angie Craig, are asking the U-S Postal Service to issue a stamp commemorating the upcoming 100-year anniversary of the invention of water skiing on Lake Pepin at Lake City.  Senator Smith says with more than 10-thousand lakes and Minnesotans' great love of the outdoors, it's no wonder Ralph Samuelson invented water skiing on Lake Pepin on July 2nd, 1922.  Earlier this year, Lake City Mayor Mark Nichols and several residents submitted a proposal to the Postal Service’s Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee.

UW-Eau Claire has announced the university has received a $10 million donation, the largest donation in the university's history.   The money will be used in the public phase of the foundation's Sustaining Human Innovation capital campaign, which aims to invest in sustainable, renewable investments in Blugold people, programs, and facilities.  The donation comes from an anonymous member of the UW-Eau Claire Foundation board of directors.

Tomorrow (Saturday) is National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.   More than 270 local law enforcement agencies across Wisconsin will be taking part on Saturday. Find a location near you, and a list of acceptable items, online at dose of reality w-i-dot-gov. State residents turned in over 60-thousand pounds of medications during a drug take-back day this past April.

The Department of Natural Resources is receiving recent reports of bull elk sightings in southwestern and southeastern Wisconsin.  D-N-R officials say young bulls leaving their home range is natural behavior during the fall breeding season.  These bulls are some of the first seen southern counties in more than a hundred years.  Wildlife supervisor Scott Roepke said local deer hunters aren't used to keeping any eye out for elk, so they should make sure they’ve got a white-tail in their sights before taking a shot this season.  Elk were driven out of Wisconsin in the 1880s, but efforts to restore the population in the Black River Falls area began in 2015.

Wisconsin's unemployment rate remains at three-point-nine percent for the sixth month in a row.  The Department of Workforce Development reports the state lost 100 private-sector jobs in September and total non-farm jobs remained the same as August.  D-W-D Secretary-designee Amy Pechacek said, "although jobs remained relatively flat over the month, Wisconsin did see an increase in our labor force participation rate, and employment grew by 56-hundred over the month."  The number of unemployed Wisconsinites declined by 12-hundred last month.  The national jobless rate was four-point-eight percent in September.

Minnesota’s unemployment rate dropped one-tenth to three-point-seven percent in September.  Department of Employment and Economic Commissioner Steve Grove says more unemployed Minnesotans moved into the workforce last month.  Grove says we knew that coming into fall with kids going back to school and dynamics changing we expected to see or hoped to see the growth in unemployment and jobs.  He hopes it's the beginning of a trend.  Minnesota lost 416-thousand 300 jobs from February through April 2020 and has since gained back 70 percent of the total jobs lost.

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction reports the latest statewide test scores are trending lower.  Public school students did worse on reading, math, science, and social studies when they took last year’s standardized tests.  Officials say math proficiency was down to 39 percent, social studies to 49 percent, and science proficiency dropped to 52 percent.  Fewer students took the tests this time.  The D-P-I reports 13 percent of all students opted out during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Almost half the students in Milwaukee and Madison opted out.

Wisconsinites have begun making their travel plans for the holiday season. According to a new AAA Travel survey, 41% of Wisconsin residents book their holiday trips by the end of October. In Q4, 30% of Wisconsin travelers will go to a city/major metro destination, 20% will vacation at a beach destination, and 16% will go to a resort.  “Time is of the essence for people who plan to take a flight this holiday season,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “As we get closer to the holidays, airfares often rise as availability shrinks. We recommend you book by Halloween, for the best chance of finding the flight you want at a favorable rate.”

The Eau Claire County Sheriff’s Office says the local D-H-S isn’t cooperating fully with its financial investigation.  The County Department of Human Services reported a one-point-one-million-dollar error in its 2019 budget.  That kicked off the investigation in May of last year.  Sheriff Ron Cramer served warrants to D-H-S managers this week.  The sheriff says his deputies have been met with denials and delays as they look into finances at the department.

The new legislative and congressional district maps are still expected to be decided in the courts.  Republican leaders released their plans for redistricting Wednesday.  They say votes to pass the redrawn political maps will be taken early next month.  Democrats argue the maps released Wednesday are so gerrymandered they will have to be redrawn from scratch.  Republicans are backing a lawsuit before the conservative-led Wisconsin Supreme Court, while Democrats have filed a federal lawsuit.  Democratic Governor Tony Evers isn’t likely to sign off on the Republican maps – meaning a court will have to decide on the final boundaries.

Minnesota officials are looking for a convicted sex offender who’s apparently on the run.  Fifty-six-year-old Daryl B. Quagon removed his G-P-S monitor after traveling to Stone Lake.  The Minnesota Department of Corrections reports Quagon was convicted of second-degree criminal sexual conduct in 2000 and domestic assault two years ago.  He had been recently released but was required to wear the tracking bracelet.

The Wisconsin Corn Growers is in favor of a plan for a fall sandhill crane hunt in Wisconsin. The group cites crop damage to farmers as a reason for the hunts. DNR wildlife damage specialist Brad Koele says juvenile cranes like to pick at seedling corn in the spring.   Wisconsin's total silage corn harvest in 20-20 was worth over 2 billion dollars with another 50 million dollars in sweet corn harvested. That bill was authored by Republicans and backed by the conservative hunting organization Hunter Nation which recently forced last winter's wolf hunt.

 Supply chain problems are resulting in some empty store shelves around the country and in Minnesota.   Jamie Pfuhl with the Minnesota Grocer's Association says it's reminiscent of how things were at the beginning of the pandemic.  She says everyone's a little fatigued and frustrated and when you go in the store and see those empty shelves it's a natural reflex to say, "oh no not again" and to get a little anxious.   Pfuhl is urging customers not to take out their frustrations on employees.  She's urging patience and says the supply problem may take some time to fix--especially with the busy holiday season rapidly approaching.

Plymouth and Lakeville, Minnesota – two pretty fine places to live.  Those communities are ranked by the website WalletHub among the country’s best small cities to live in.  Researchers say they considered affordability, economic health, education and health, quality of life, and safety for their rankings.  Plymouth was 39th and Lakeville came in at 42nd.  Both earned high marks for affordability.  Eden Prairie and Savage finished just outside the top 50 small cities. The top Wisconsin Small City?  Menomonie Falls ranked at 83rd.

Local-Regional News Oct 21

 Last night,  the Pepin County Board of Supervisors sent amendments to the ATV/UTV Ordinance back to the Highway Committee.  The amendments to the ordinance would open all county roads to ATV-UTV's and allow children aged 12-15 who have taken and passed an ATV certification course to drive on the roads under the supervision of parents.  The measure had to be sent back to the committee for revisions so it would comply with state law.

The Mondovi School Board passed the 2021-2022 school budget.  The budget will see a lower mill rate of $10.03 down from $10.41 from last year as property valuations have increased in the district.  The general fund 10 balance for the year will have an approximately $230,000 deficit.  The board also passed a resolution to authorize temporary borrowing in the amount not to exceed $1.4 million for operational expenses.

One person was injured in a two-vehicle accident involving a police squad in the Village of Trempealeau on Monday.  According to Trempealeau police, an officer with the department was driving a marked squad car and failed to yield the right of way at a stop sign at the intersection of 3rd and Fremont.  One person was injured in the accident and the officer was ticketed for failure to yield.  

A Chetek real estate agent, who is already in the Barron County Jail for selling meth, has been charged again – for the same crime.  Fifty-seven-year-old Quinlan Thomas was arrested for being part of a meth distribution ring four years ago when he was the owner of Chetek Realty.  He was sentenced to probation Tuesday for possession of the drug and drug paraphernalia.  Thomas was handed a one-year sentence last August for a similar charge.

A bill passed Wednesday by the GOP-controlled Wisconsin Senate would allow businesses to schedule employees under age 16 to work later hours.  Kids would be able to work until 11 p-m on weekends and during the summer and 9:30 on weeknights.  Democrat Bob Wirch of Kenosha says it sends the wrong message to children and parents.  Wirch warns there's going to be curfew violations if kids under 16 work until 11 o'clock at night.  The bill is also opposed by Wisconsin labor organizations.  No word on when the Assembly will vote on it.

Minnesota health officials say a recent multi-state salmonella outbreak included 23 Minnesotans.   The Minnesota Department of Health reports they fell ill between August 8th and September 18th and four needed hospitalization.  There were no deaths.  The age of the Minnesota cases ranged from seven to 77.   Investigators believe contaminated onions distributed from a growing region in Mexico were the source of the outbreak.

U-W police say a Madison man they arrested on the campus Tuesday was carrying 13 thousand dollars in counterfeit money in his backpack.  Twenty-six-year-old Ishmael Riley spent the fake cash at least three times.  When one employee challenged him, Riley reportedly became argumentative with a pair of scissors in his hand and threatened staff members.  Investigators with U-W-P-D used security cameras to identify him and take Riley into custody.  The case has been referred to the U-S Secret Service.  The suspect has no connection to U-W-Madison.

Senator Ron Johnson is holding up a US Attorney nomination because he's not getting his questions about the January 6th insurrection answered.   Senator Johnson announced on Wednesday that he's holding up a Senate confirmation vote on the US Attorney position for Washington DC because the Department of Justice hasn't adequately answered his questions about people arrested in the wake of the insurrection at the US Capitol. Johnson says those arrested are being treated worse than people arrested in the summer protests in 2020 in the wake of the George Floyd murder. The US Attorney for Washington DC is expected to be handling many of the cases against the January 6th rioters, as well as a possible contempt case against Trump associate Steve Bannon.

A package of anti-abortion bills approved Wednesday by Senate Republicans will most likely be vetoed by Governor Tony Evers.  One of the measures would prohibit abortion providers from participating in Medicaid except in cases of sexual assault, incest or if the woman's life is in danger.  G-O-P Senator Duey Stroebel of Saukville says the bills are aimed at protecting human life and ensuring that taxpayer dollars do not subsidize abortion clinics.  Democratic Senator Kelda Roys of Madison said the Senate passed yet another round of "extreme anti-choice bills aimed at exerting further control of people's bodies and reducing reproductive options."

A warning from protesters that an emergency valve would be opened led Enbridge Energy to shut down its Line 5 Tuesday.  That pipeline section moves about 23 million gallons of oil and natural gas liquids each day between Superior and Sarnia, Ontario – passing through portions of northern Michigan and Wisconsin.  The protesters were inside a fenced area in Tuscola County in Michigan’s “thumb.”  It isn’t known if protesters followed through on the threat, but there have been no reports of a discharge.

Milwaukee police now say three-year-old Major Harris hasn’t been seen since October 9th. That’s a full week longer than police first said. Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffery Norman is asking for the public’s help with finding the child. Police found Major’s mother dead last week, and the man who may have killed her has killed himself. Major’s father is Carlton Harris, Junior, who says he simply wants his son back. Investigators say they found blood in the S-U-V that belongs to Major’s mother, but they’re not saying whose blood it is. 

The vice president of the Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association says the COVID-19 pandemic has made the state’s truck driver shortage even worse.  Dan Johnson says the problem has actually been going on for 10 years and maybe even longer.  Johnson says the trucking workforce is “graying,” with many older drivers retiring and not enough young people entering the field.  At the same time, there has been an increase in the amount of freight that is being moved.  Johnson says Wisconsin trucking firms have improved compensation packages in an effort to attract and retain drivers.

When the Verso paper mill in Wisconsin Rapids closed last year, it had a ripple effect on the logging industry in the region.  Professional loggers say they are dealing with the most challenging times the timber industry has ever faced.  Mills – like Verso – that bought pulp have closed and that has created an oversupply sending prices lower.  Wisconsin Public Radio reports many loggers who have worked in the industry for years have been forced to pick up side jobs in construction or related fields.  The Verso paper mill was bought last month, but the buyer may decide to liquidate it.  Verso had been a major buyer of timber for decades.

An environmental advocacy group filed a lawsuit Tuesday against Natural Resources Board chair Frederick Prehn, in an effort to access text messages as a part of a records request.   Midwest Environmental Advocates attorney Rob Lee. The suit filed in Dane County Circuit Court requests that Prehn turn over text messages sent and received about his term on the board. Prehn has remained on the board which sets policy for the DNR, respite his term having expired in May.     

A Madison protestor is found not guilty in the attack on a state senator.  A jury Tuesday acquitted Kerida O’Reilly on all charges related to the attack on Milwaukee state Senator Tim Carpenter at the State Capitol last summer. Police say she led the crowd that beat and kicked Carpenter after he took a photo of the riot at the Capitol square. The jury deliberated for about three hours. Samantha Hamer was also charged in the attack on Carpenter. She pleaded to a lesser charge.

The Wisconsin State Fair Board has announced Shari Black as the interim C-E-O and Executive Director.  Black takes over at the end of this month.  A committee is being formed to conduct a search for the next permanent C-E-O and Executive Director.  Black has worked in the fair industry for 20 years and served as the Waukesha County Fair’s executive director for more than 15 years.  She came on board at the Wisconsin State Fair in 2016 as senior director of event services.

Local-Regional News Oct 20

 Three people were injured in a multi-vehicle accident in Oak Grove Township on Saturday.  According to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, 59yr old James Schwan of Houlton, WI was traveling eastbound on Hwy 10 and was stopped while waiting for a car in front of him to turn left onto Hwy QQ .  Schwan was sideswiped by another eastbound vehicle driven by 22yr old Abenezer Bekele of Farmington MN as he tried to avoid the two stopped vehicles.   Bekele's vehicle struck a westbound vehicle driven by 35yr old Trista Duffy of Prescott and overturned in the north ditch and started on fire.    Bekele had to be extricated from his vehicle and was med-flighted to Regions Hospital.  Duffy and a five-year-old passenger were transported to Regions hospital, while Schwan was uninjured.

The Wisconsin Public Service Commission has awarded a grant to Pierce-Pepin Cooperative Services to expand broadband internet in Western Wisconsin.  The nine projects the Co-Op submitted were approved for the grants and will cover 460 miles of broadband reaching nearly 2,400 homes and businesses in Pierce and St. Croix Counties.    Pierce-Pepin worked with the Pierce County Economic Development Corporation, the towns of River Falls, Oak Grove, Trimbelle, and Ellsworth to bring fiber internet.  The projects will begin in 2022 and are to be completed by the spring of 2023.

The Pepin County Board is meeting tonight.  Items on the agenda include discussion and possible action on amendments to the Pepin County ATV/UTV Routes,  county aid to the Town of Pepin for Bridges and Culverts, and discussion of a temporary suspension of November Annual Meeting Requirements.  Tonight's meeting begins at 7pm at the board room of the Government Center in Durand and will be available via zoom at the county website.

U.S. Reps. Ron Kind (D-WI) and Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) introduced a bipartisan bill to research and manage the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD), a contagious, neurological disease affecting cervids – deer, elk, and moose – that is always fatal.     There is no known cure for CWD and it’s unclear how the disease is transmitted. As of August 2021, CWD has been confirmed in 25 states, and there are serious concerns that the disease will continue to spread to herds across the country. The Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act will support state and tribal efforts to develop and implement management strategies as well as fund research into methods to better detect and prevent CWD.   

The Pepin County Sheriff's Department   K-9 unit is in the running to win a $5,000 grant. It’s an annual contest from Aftermath, a biohazard removal company.    Visit the aftermath website and go to the midwest region and do a search for the Pepin County Sheriff's Department.  Grant funds will be provided to the winner of the competition by Aftermath Cares, which awards funds to support K9s annually. According to Aftermath’s website, you can vote once per device every 24 hours from now through Tuesday, Oct. 26. The winners will be announced on Thursday, Oct. 28.

A 53-year-old Eau Claire man has entered a guilty plea for his role in the U-S Capitol breach on January 6th.  Kevin Loftus appeared by video in a federal courtroom in Washington, D-C Tuesday.  Loftus reached a plea agreement with federal prosecutors on charges of parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.  The misdemeanor conviction includes a sentence of up to six months in prison, but his plea deal doesn’t include a recommendation.  Loftus will be sentenced on January 31st.

Henry Repeating Arms is planning to expand its operations in Ladysmith.  The firearms manufacturer will add an 84-thousand square-foot building on a 13-acre plot of land.  Officials with the gunmaker say that expansion will result in 100 jobs to be added over the next three years.  The new property will mean Henry Repeating Arms has 350-thousand square feet of manufacturing space with more than 600 employees.  The company says more expansion in the future is possible.  It makes more than 200 models of rifles and shotguns.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos defends his decision to not release documents from an ongoing partisan investigation into Wisconsin’s 2020 presidential election.    The Republican leader ordered the taxpayer-funded probe and hired former conservative state Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman to conduct it. Vos has been ordered by a Dane County judge to release records requested by a liberal group, American Oversight, under the state’s open records law. Vos told Wisconsin Public Radio on Tuesday that he wants to wait to release the documents to avoid giving liberals an "advantage." Vos also said he believes the election was “tainted” but that President Joe Biden won.

Viroqua police have decided to remove a “Thin Blue Line” symbol from a new patrol car.  Mayor Karen Mischel says the move was made after concerns were raised by people living in the community.  The emblem of a black-and-white American flag with a blue line is associated with the support of police officers.  In a highly charged political time, it means something else to others.  Mischel says it has been co-opted and is now used in many racist and inappropriate ways.  Discussions between the mayor, Police Chief Rick Niedfeldt, and Viroqua’s Diversity Board led to the removal.

The long M-E-A weekend is one of the busiest times of the year at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.  Spokesman Jeff Lea says they expect to see a doubling of passenger traffic on some days this week compared to 2020.  Lea says Thursday will likely be the airport's busiest day.   He's urging air travelers this week to arrive two hours in advance of a domestic flight or three hours ahead of an international flight.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection says the death of a horse in Crawford County is the first confirmed case of West Nile Virus in a horse in more than two years.  The nine-year-old Belgian-Standardbred gelding was unvaccinated for the virus.  Horse owners have been asked to look out for the symptoms in their animals.  The D-A-T-C-P urges them to consider getting their horses vaccinated.

Afghan refugees living at Fort McCoy have been informed about the rules of travel, where they will be resettled, and their point of contact when they get there.  Pre-departure briefings were held at the military base last Thursday as part of Operations Allies Welcome.  Fort McCoy officials say transportation, temporary housing, medical screening, and general support is being provided for at least 50 thousand refugees nationwide.

An investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Justice has confirmed a Madison police officer was shot by a fellow officer last week.  Police were trying to take an armed man into custody at the time.  The Department of Criminal Investigation says it is still reviewing the evidence.  Originally, police said the officer was wounded by an armed 19-year-old Fitchburg man who was trying to evade arrest.  The D-C-I says a loaded gun was pointed at officers, but it was Madison Police Officer Keith Brown who fired the shot that wounded his colleague.  The wounded office is recovering at home following hospital treatment.

A legislator attacked during riots in Madison last summer testifies he thought he was going to die.   Milwaukee state senator Tim Carpenter told jurors in Kerida O'Reilly’s trial Monday that he was sucker-punched, then swarmed. Carpenter suffered a concussion and a broken nose. Police say O'Reilly and another woman led the attack on Carpenter because he was taking pictures. O'Reilly's lawyers say no one can prove she was the one who punched Carpenter. She’s expected to testify in her own defense Tuesday. 

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan are running for another term next year. Walz released a re-election video Tuesday morning saying, '" during the unprecedented challenges of the last two years, I’ve seen Minnesotans from all walks of life come together in order to fight the virus, save lives and get our state on the path to recovery. We’re not done yet, but Peggy and I are excited to continue that fight with you." The Democratic governor has been under fire from Republicans for business and school closures and mask mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic. The list of candidates seeking the G-O-P nomination for governor includes Senators Paul Gazelka and Michelle Benson and former Senator Scott Jensen.

State consumer protection officials say they've been seeing fewer and fewer credit card skimming devices while inspecting gas station pumps. State Weights and Measures director Joe Smith says increased awareness and better security tools have helped thwart criminals.   Smith says there are ways to protect yourself if you're really worried about your card being copied, such as prepaying inside or looking for those tamper-resistant seals. 

The Racine Badger driver-less shuttle has been introduced.  It is a fully autonomous, all-electric, zero-emission shuttle operating in the city’s downtown area.  Officials say it’s really more of a computer than a car.  Wisconsin Transportation Secretary Craig Thompson says it shows the future is now.  He and other officials attended a Monday kickoff event in Racine.  Officials say a complicated system of geo-mapping, numerous censors, cameras, and algorithms help the van drive itself.  Mayor Cory Mason says Racine wants to become a laboratory for experimentation on this emerging technology.

Local-Regional News Oct 19

 Two people were injured in a two-vehicle accident in Martell Township on Friday.  According to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, 19yr old Trevor Tuenge of Elmwood was traveling eastbound on Hwy 29 when he failed to stop for a stop sign at Hwy 63  and collided with a southbound vehicle driven by 53yr old Michele Goblirsch of Hudson.  Both drivers were transported to Western Wisconsin Health Hospital in Baldwin.

The City of Durand is planning on applying for a 90-10 road grant from the state of Wisconsin.  Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the city had two possible projects that would be suitable for the grant on Hardy Street and Madison Street from 2nd Avenue East to 8th Avenue West.  After some discussion, Milliren says the council decided to apply for the Madison Street project.  If the city is awarded the grant, it would have 4yrs to complete the project.

Sexual assault of child charges was dismissed against a Mondovi man.  Eau Claire County prosecutors asked the court to dismiss the charges against 73yr old Roger Sahs.  A woman told authorities that Sahs had sexually assaulted her multiple times when she was 7yrs old.  Sahs was a teacher in the Eau Claire Schol District from 1973 to 2003 and a substitute teacher last year.  The Eau Claire County District Attorneys Office says the charges could be re-filed in the future.  

The search for a missing Wisconsin toddler is in its fifth day.  Three-year-old Major Harris was last seen on Thursday, the same day his mother, Mallery Meuzenberger of Onalaska, was found dead on Milwaukee’s north side. Sunday afternoon, the boy’s father, Jaheem Clark, who was wanted for questioning, shot himself to death as Milwaukee police closed in on him. As of Tuesday morning, little Major was still the subject of a statewide Amber Alert. His pictures are online. Police are turning to the public for tips.

 Wisconsin is ending the fiscal year with a massive surplus in revenue. A boost in tax collections spurred by pandemic stimulus funding has put the state's general fund balance to over two-point-five billion dollars. State Administration Secretary Joel Brennan says that also pushes the state's rainy day fund to over one-point-seven billion dollars. Brennan says tax collections were up 11 percent over estimates, helping spur that growth in the funds.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is launching a campaign to promote seat belt use and cut down on distracted driving. Wis-DOT is working to reduce the number of traffic deaths in the state. A spokesperson says unbuckled drivers and passengers made up 44 percent of last year’s traffic deaths. District driving was blamed for nine thousand crashes that left 31 people dead. This is the fifth year for the “Buckle Up, Phone Down” initiative which was originated in Missouri.

 Racine police say officers were responding to reports of people being loud and driving recklessly Sunday night.  When they arrived, they heard shots being fired and the officers jumped out of their squad cars and started administering first aid to six victims.  All are expected to recover.  Witnesses at the location say the people there were holding a vigil for a man shot and killed a year ago.  People living nearby tell reporters for W-I-S-N Television they heard at least 30 gunshots and they called the area a “war zone.”  The names and ages of Sunday’s shooting victims haven’t been released.  No arrests have been announced.

Minnesota officials say 86 percent of Minnesota's public schools have applied for grants to set up COVID testing programs.  In late September, fewer than half of schools had applied for the grants, and Governor Tim Walz extended the application deadline and embarked on a campaign to increase participation.  Walz also asked the legislature to require COVID vaccination and testing for teachers and school staff.   Senate Republican Majority Leader Jeremy Miller said in response  "the growing list of requests from Governor Walz is not productive" toward the legislature approving COVID bonuses for front-line workers -- the initial objective of a planned special session

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Public schools in Wisconsin are losing students. The Department of Public Instruction’s enrollment figures released Friday, show a half-a-percent drop in the number of students. That’s far less than last year’s three-percent drop but larger than the decline in enrollment from before the COVID-19 pandemic began. Some of the decline is due to the fact that there are simply fewer school-aged kids in Wisconsin. But private and charter school enrollment in Wisconsin is climbing. Some school districts, like Milwaukee and Madison, have lost thousands of students over the past two years. 

The Natural Resources Board is expected to vote on whether to hire outside attorneys to represent the board in a pair of lawsuits aimed at blocking next month’s wolf hunt.  Several wildlife advocacy groups banded together to file the suit in state court two months ago, then six Native American tribes filed a federal lawsuit last month.  The Wisconsin Justice Department represents the board in both suits, but board members are worried by a lack of communication.

The first F-16 every stationed at Truax Field in Madison has left as the Wisconsin National Guard preps for the next generation of fighters to be based there.  A Facebook post showed the jet bearing number 252, saying it first touched down at Truax more than 28 years ago.  The Guard is upgrading from the fourth-generation aircraft to the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II.  The new jets should start arriving in 2023 and there will eventually be 18 at the base.  Supporters say keeping the 115th Fighter Wing at Truax will mean 100 million dollars for the Madison-area economy. Opponents had argued the noise generated by the planes would have a negative effect on the community.

Members of the Minnesota Nurses Association say they want holiday pay and better benefits.  Union members started a three-day strike outside Allina WestHealth in Plymouth Sunday.  They say they stayed the course during the COVID-19 pandemic and now the company is “refusing to make the necessary movement toward a fair contract.  The nurses say Allina admits it’s not about money and they accused the company of saying the current contract is “good enough.”  The first strike in five years was authorized by a vote on October 6th.

Fitchburg’s new police chief has taken the oath of office.  Alfonso Morales takes the Fitchburg position after his departure from Milwaukee.  Morales was sworn in last Friday.  He says he has a lot of work to get done – including connecting with the community.  He formally takes over today (Monday).  Morales reached a settlement with the Fire and Police Commission in Milwaukee after he was improperly demoted for the way he handled the protests following the death of George Floyd.

 Sixteen of the 17 people who have died in accidents on Minnesota’s waterways weren’t wearing life jackets.  The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is saying 2021 is the deadliest boating season in 16 years for this state.  Officials say the pandemic caused a spike in interest in outdoor activities, but, with more first-time boaters, accidents have also increased.  The D-N-R says 30 percent of boating-related deaths happen during the cold water periods of spring and fall.  Even though air temperatures have remained about normal in the first month of fall, the water temperatures have dropped below 70 degrees – and that’s the threshold for classifying water as cold.

Local-Regional News October 18

 Property owners on Laneville Road will have a chance to talk with Durand City Council members on the possible special assessment of those properties for the Laneville project.  Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says 65 property owners are affected.  That special meeting will be held on October 27th starting at 6:30pm.

There’s a new bill to get tougher on catalytic converter theft in Wisconsin.   State Representative Clint Moses would require scrap-metal dealers in Wisconsin to ask for proof of ownership and keep records on all catalytic converters that come into their shops. Catalytic converters are popular among thieves because of the expensive metals inside. Moses says Minnesota recently passed a similar law, and thefts there dropped. He says it appears that once catalytic converter thefts dropped in Minnesota, they increased in Wisconsin.

The managing editor of a journalism website is suing the La Crosse Police Department.  Peter Cameron of The Badger Project says his open records request was wrongly denied.  Cameron was trying to access copies of public records concerning a police officer who resigned two-and-a-half years ago.  His attorney filed the complaint in La Crosse County Circuit Court on September 30th.  The department cited “internal disciplinary” as the official reason it denied his request.  His attorney points out that the Wisconsin Court of Appeals has ruled that internal disciplinary records can’t be withheld completely from open records requests.

A La Crosse doctor is accused of inappropriately touching a ten-year-old girl under her clothes.  Mayo Clinic Health System pediatrician Joseph Poterucha appeared in court Friday on one count of first-degree child sexual assault-sexual contact with a child under 13.  Prosecutors say additional victims are being interviewed and there could be more charges filed against Poterucha.  The criminal complaint says he has denied the allegations.  Poterucha was jailed on 25-thousand dollars cash bond.  Mayo Clinic Health System has placed him on administrative leave.

Middle school students in the Wisconsin Dells School District say they started receiving social media messages last Thursday evening saying they were on a “hit list.”  Police say their investigation determined there was no real threat.  Officers worked overnight to identify the juvenile suspect, interviewed them, then took the person into custody.  Wisconsin Dells police say the threats turned out to be a joke.  No names have been released.  Additional officials were on the school campus Friday morning to make sure everyone was safe.

 Former President Donald Trump is calling on a former congressman from Wisconsin to run for governor.  Trump released a statement Saturday saying he is working hard to get Sean Duffy to run for Wisconsin’s top elective office.  There has been no indication Duffy is even considering a campaign for the job – and it is significant that Trump is backing him rather than former Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch.  Duffy and his wife sold their Wausau home last month and list a home in New Jersey as their current residence.  He has been a strong Trump supporter.  He represented Wisconsin’s Seventh Congressional District from 2010 until he resigned in 2019.

The death toll on Minnesota roads in 2021 is nearing 400. The Department of Public Safety says the state is on pace for the most fatal crashes since 2007. D-P-S scheduled a Monday press conference to highlight dangerous driving habits that are contributing to the increased deaths. The 384 traffic fatalities so far this year is a 23 percent increase over the same time last year. The state is on pace for 475 traffic-related deaths, nearing the 510 deaths in 2007.

 Concerns over shortages and long wait times for products could ramp up the holiday shopping season early. The Better Business Bureau says scammers are ready to take advantage, particularly online. A recent study found 35-percent of scams reported so far this year were online purchase scams. The B-B-B reports 75-percent of the people who report online shopping scams lose money and the largest demographic targeted by online scams are people ages 18-years-old to 24-years-old.

Wisconsin’s school board leaders are again asking parents to be civil.  The Wisconsin Association of School Boards is out with a letter asking parents for civility when speaking with their local school leaders. The association says it’s okay to feel strongly about an issue, but that threats and violence are over the line. This is the second time in two months that the school boards association has asked parents to watch how they interact with school officials.

A student at Sparta’s Meadowview Middle School has served her second suspension for not complying with the district’s mask mandate.  Her parents say they aren’t against the mask policy, but they are pro-choice.  Misty and Eric Morales say their daughter has asthma and wearing a mask causes issues for her health and safety.  Misty Morales says she is working with the school to find a compromise.  If her daughter is handed a one-day suspension three more times, she will be expelled.

Authorities in Clark County are asking homeowners in Owen to check their security cameras for footage of a home invasion suspect.  A woman says she woke up at 1:30 a-m Thursday to find a man going through her dresser.  She says the intruder tried to suffocate her with a pillow but stopped when her daughter came into the room.  He took off running.  No names have been released and investigators haven’t reported any serious injuries to the victim.  The Clark County Sheriff’s Office is hoping a surveillance camera on a nearby home may have caught the suspect coming or going.

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin is awarding nearly 100-million dollars in broadband grants to 83 projects across the state.  The federal funding will expand broadband internet to more than 28-thousand homes and just under 15-hundred businesses in 40 counties and three tribal lands.  Governor Tony Evers said, "expanding reliable, high-speed internet access remains a top priority for our state and we continue to move quickly to get federal funding allocated so construction on these projects can begin as soon as possible.”  The P-S-C received 242 applications requesting more than 440-million dollars

 Republican lawmakers are trying again to let Wisconsin parents choose their kids’ schools based on coronavirus rules.  State Representative Barb Dittrich of Oconomowoc says her bill would let parents open-enroll their students if their local district requires masks or COVID vaccinations.  It also lets parents transfer their kids if their local schools do not require masks or vaccinations.  Dittrich says the idea is to let parents choose the school with which they’re most comfortable.

The Minnesota National Guard is gearing up to support the state's COVID-19 action plan this week.  Seventy-five soldiers and airmen will head to community testing sites today across Greater Minnesota.  Adjutant General Shawn Manke said the Guard has helped with public health activities since March of 2020 and is prepared to do so again.  The service members will be split into seven teams assisting with management, performing administrative tasks, and administering COVID tests.  Governor Tim Walz says the National Guard is also on alert to provide staffing support at long-term care facilities facing worker shortages.

Crushed once by COVID-19, Milwaukee may be ready to give it another try for a major political convention.  Just weeks after Mayor Tom Barrett told the Democratic National Committee that the city wanted another shot at that party’s big event, Milwaukee may file a proposal for the Republican National Convention in 2024.  Wisconsin’s largest city was supposed to host tens of thousands of Democrats last year, but the convention went virtual due to the pandemic – costing the local economy millions of dollars.  Local officials are currently going over the R-N-C’s request for proposal.  If they want to apply, the deadline is December 1st.

Local-Regional News October 15

 Eleven of 16 Pepin County private wells recently sampled by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection contained nitrate concentrations exceeding the groundwater standard of 10 mg/L nitrate-nitrogen. Water containing 10 mg/L (10 ppm) or more nitrate-N is deemed unsafe for human consumption, with pregnant women and infants most vulnerable. In addition to nitrates, one well tested high for imidacloprid, a commonly used pesticide.   Heidi Stewart, Pepin County Director of Public Health, recommends that all homeowners have their drinking water wells sampled annually for nitrates.  Well sampling kits can be obtained from the Pepin County Department of Land Conservation and Planning. Owners whose wells exceed drinking water standards for nitrates or pesticides should immediately seek an alternative water supply or water treatment.

The Durand City Council voted 5-1 to move forward and purchase a new police squad to replace the squad driven by the School Resource Officer.  Chief Ridgeway told council members that the current squad was in need of repairs exceeding $5000.  Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the city was able to use money from other parts of the budget to pay for the new squad.  The purchase price of the squad was just over $35,000.

The University of Wisconsin System announced today that UW-River Falls has attained a 70 percent vaccination rate among students.  “This is quite an accomplishment for the students of UW-River Falls and a sign of the hard work and commitment of the university’s staff and administration,” said System President Tommy Thompson. “Our vaccination campaign is working.”    UW-Eau Claire, UW-La Crosse, UW-Milwaukee, UW Oshkosh, UW-Stout, and UW-Whitewater have already reached the 70 percent threshold. UW-Madison, which is running its own vaccination campaign, has a student vaccination rate of over 90 percent.

The Menomonie Police Department is looking for help in identifying two unidentified men dressed in all white involved in three quick-change schemes over the weekend.   According to Menomonie Police, in three transactions in the City of Menomonie, the men made small purchases then confused the cashier with making change for $100 bills. Authorities say that they were driving a white dodge challenger with two black stripes down each side of the car.   If you have any information related to the incidents, you are to contact the Menomonie Police Department

Election officials in Wisconsin’s five biggest cities say they are working to provide documents instead of coming to Madison for interviews today.  The documents are part of former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman’s investigation of last November’s election.  Gableman issued subpoenas earlier this month, but he has since said officials who cooperate won’t have to testify.  Initially, those interviews were going to be conducted today.  Mayors from those cities – Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Kenosha, and Racine – have also been subpoenaed and are scheduled for interviews on October 22nd.  Gableman has been back-and-forth on whether they will have to show up.

Wisconsin wildlife officials are reminding deer hunters to know their target before they shoot this fall.   Archery and crossbow deer seasons are underway, and the Department of Natural Resources is urging hunters to know the difference between elk and white-tailed deer. Antlerless elk are often mistaken for large does, and young bull elk can look a lot like large white-tail bucks. Hunters who take an elk without a tag may be fined or have their hunting license revoked.

More students are graduating from the University of Wisconsin in Madison.  U-W Madison reports six- and four-year graduation rates at record highs.  Freshmen who entered in 2015 had a six-year graduation rate of just over 89-percent.  For students who entered as new freshmen in 2017, the graduation rate reached nearly 79-percent.  And for a third straight year, the average time for the most recent graduates to get their bachelor’s degrees was a little less than four years.

Attorneys for ex-Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor are asking a judge for leniency -- about three-and-a-half years in prison --  when he's re-sentenced next week.  That after the Minnesota Supreme Court overturned Noor's third-degree murder conviction in the 2017 shooting death of Justine Damond,  leaving his second-degree manslaughter conviction in place.  Defense lawyers claim Noor has been a model prisoner, working as a janitor before becoming a clerk who helps admit new arrivals.  They say he has also attended or led religious services while in prison.

The winner has been crowned in this year's Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin competition. After more than 200,000 votes cast over multiple rounds, the 140 Ton Navy Crane from Broadwind Heavy Fabrications in Manitowoc was declared the coolest. Nearly 70,000 votes were cast in the final round of the contest. Other finalists included: Caterpillar Global Mining in South Milwaukee, Mercury Marine in Fond du Lac, and Kwik Trip in La Crosse. Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce and Johnson Financial Group have partnered on the competition for the past six years.

A Grant County Village is receiving a $750,000 grant from USDA Rural Development's Water and Waste Disposal Grant Program.    The money will be used to provide additional financing for the village of Tennyson water system project. The original project included a water tower, improvements to the water utilities well house, and water main replacements on two streets. This project is needed due to the new water tower being installed as the water system pressure is about 30 psi higher resulting in numerous water main breaks due to faulty pipes across the system. A majority of the breaks occurred under a state highway right-of-way where the pipe was installed in the 1950s-1960s. The additional funds will be used to replace this section of pipe so it can meet the increased pressure of the system. 

Authorities are searching for three home invaders who broke into a Rochester home Tuesday night.  Two brothers, ages 12 and 14, were in the apartment alone at the time.  The boys say the armed men who broke in at the Village Green apartments were carrying two handguns and a crowbar.  They say a man claiming to be their dad’s friend knocked on the door at about 10:30 p-m.  He and two others pushed their way inside, demanding cash, and searching the apartment for things to steal.  The boys weren’t injured and no names have been released.

A former Appleton middle school teacher has admitted he had an inappropriate online relationship with a student.  Forty-seven-year-old Brian Dimmer is scheduled to be sentenced in January after pleading no contest to causing a child age 13-to-18 to view sexual activity.  Dimmer was accused of sending sexually explicit messages to an eighth-grade student, asking for explicit photos, and exposing himself during their video chats.  He taught at Wilson Middle School and served as a coach at Appleton West High School until he resigned.

 A federal lawsuit has been filed against former Wauwatosa police officer Joseph Mensah, the city, and its police chief.  The suit accused the police department of promoting racism and violating Jay Anderson Junior’s civil rights was filed Wednesday morning in Milwaukee.  Anderson was intoxicated and sleeping in his car in Madison Park five years ago.  The suit alleges Mensah didn’t call for backup, didn’t turn on his emergency lights, and failed to activate his dash camera before ordering Anderson to wake up and show him his hands.  Mensah says he saw a gun on the passenger seat and he shot Anderson when he lunged for it.  Anderson’s family argues the fatal shooting wasn’t justified.

A Minnesota state lawmaker is accusing the D-N-R of launching a war on deer farmers.  Republican Representative Tim Miller of Prinsburg opposes the ban on importing or moving farmed deer within Minnesota to control the spread of chronic wasting disease.  Miller contends the D-N-R is targeting deer farms, but doing nothing to address the situation in the wild where deer are "free to roam and... can cause all sorts of problems."  D-N-R Commissioner Sarah Strommen said the agency is "committed to doing everything we can to reduce the continued risk of C-W-D transmission in Minnesota, including from farmed deer to Minnesota’s wild whitetails.”

Start your Christmas shopping now, that's the message heading into this holiday season.  John Hauslauden with the Minnesota Truckers Association says worker shortages continue to drive transportation supply chain issues.  He says it's a systemic problem that's been with us for years and it's just really growing worse.  Hauslauden says Minnesota is short more than 31-hundred truck drivers and the state is going to need 61-thousand drivers over the next five years.  The Biden Administration announced that it would work with the private sector to start providing incentives to increase trucking, docks, and warehouse hours in an effort to move things through the system more quickly.

Local-Regional News October 14

 The Tarrant Park Pool was the topic of discussion during a closed session at last night's Durand City Council Meeting.  Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the Swim Club is working with some major donors and they would like a specific plan from the city.  The City has pledged $500,000 to the project along with a $275000 pledge from the Durand-Arkansaw School District.

There’s a third Democrat running for Congress in Wisconsin's 3rd District next year. Rebecca Cooke of Eau Claire serves on the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and is a small business owner. Cooke joins state Senator Brad Pfaff of Onalaska and Brett Knudsen of Holmen in the race for the Democratic nomination. They hope to succeed in retiring Congressman Ron Kind. Republican candidate Derrick Van Orden is running again after a narrow loss to Kind in 2020.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice D-C-I is investigating a fatal shooting during a Chippewa County traffic stop last week.  Investigators say 30-year-old Lance Stelzer was operating a moped in the Town of Goetz when he was pulled over.  The situation escalated on October 8th shortly after 7:00 p-m when Stelzer and Sergeant Martin Folczyk started fighting.  The sergeant shot the man after Stelzer sprayed him with an unidentified substance.  Stelzer was rushed to a nearby hospital, but he died before he got there.  Sergeant Folczyk is on administrative leave while the Division of Criminal Investigation examines the case.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture and the Chippewa County Health Department is reporting a horse has tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis.  This is the first case of EEE reported in Chippewa County and is caused by the bite of infected mosquitos.  No EEE cases in humans have been reported in Wisconsin this year.  There were two human cases last year.  

Minnesota State Representative John Thompson has to serve one year of probation and pay a 100-dollar fine for driving with a suspended license in July.   He was sentenced Wednesday for the traffic stop where Thompson showed a Wisconsin driver's license and accused the St. Paul police officer of racial profiling.   He has also been under fire for past domestic violence accusations.   Thompson was removed from the Minnesota House D-F-L caucus and now serves as an independent.  He has refused calls by Governor Walz and other prominent Democrats to resign his seat.

The city of Eau Claire has shut down seven of its 16 water wells after tests found levels of PFAS (PEE foss) contamination exceeding recommended guidelines.  PFAS are sometimes called “forever chemicals” and have been linked to liver damage, decreased fertility, obesity, cancer, and other health challenges.  The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says it is working on a plan to contain the chemicals.  Wisconsin Public Radio reports Eau Claire is pumping five million gallons of water per day from three of the wells to keep the contamination from moving to city wells not yet affected.

The U-S Drug Enforcement Agency is warning that two out of every five fake prescription pills contain a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl.  Federal agents are reporting a big jump in the availability of those pills.  Authorities in Wausau report 10 people have died this year alone due to a suspected overdose.  Wausau Police Captain Ben Graham tells W-S-A-W Television news a lethal dose of fentanyl is only two milligrams.  Graham says the combination of fentanyl and heroin is causing an increase in overdoses.

 U-S Senator Tina Smith says she wants answers from the U-S Postal Service about its recent changes to first-class mail services that lead to longer delivery times and increased costs.  The Minnesota Democrat says people depend on the postal service to fill their prescriptions, to pay their bills, to vote, to pay their taxes, and this is especially a big deal in rural communities, tribal communities or for people who are isolated at home. Smith says that she understands the post office's "desire to overcome budget shortfalls" but adds that the new standards will result in the slowest mail delivery that we've seen in 50 years.

The disagreement over who Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers allows attending his press briefings could wind up before the country’s high court. The John K. MacIver Institute for Public Policy filed a lawsuit two years ago claiming its reporters’ freedom of the press and equal access were being denied. Now, that conservative think tank and former Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker are asking the U-S Supreme Court to hear the challenge. Last year, a judge ruled MacIver can still report on Evers without attending press briefings and being on the governor’s email list. 

A 41-year-old Waunakee woman will be charged with first-degree reckless homicide for a wrong-way crash on Interstate 94 earlier this month.  Monroe County prosecutors are also charging Carrie J. Herbst with three counts of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle.  Three people were injured on October 3rd when she exited the interstate near Warrens, then drove up the exit ramp and traveled west in the eastbound lanes for about a mile before hitting a second vehicle head-on.  One of the injured people in the vehicle she hit died later.

A federal grand jury has indicted a Georgia man for threatening Kenosha County elected officials and law enforcement authorities.  The threats were made last year during the unrest following the police shooting of Jacob Blake.  Minjie Cao of Alpharetta, Georgia was arrested last week.  He has been indicted on three counts of a threat to injure.  His emailed threats were directed at Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth, Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian, and a third period identified only by the initials “D-M.”  The 26-year-old Cao made a federal court appearance in Georgia last week.  He will be arraigned by video and have a virtual plea hearing next week in a Milwaukee federal court.

Just over fourteen and a half percent of Wisconsin kids ages 10 to 17 is obese, giving Wisconsin a ranking of 27 among the 50 states and D.C., in the annual State of Childhood Obesity report from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The foundation’s Jamie Bussel (bah-SELL) says the pandemic has led to more sedentary lifestyles.  The study suggests solutions that include making universal school meals permanent and broadening federal programs like WIC and others which are designed to pull families from poverty. 

The Minnesota D-N-R is requesting more than 13-million dollars for programs to address the impacts of drought in Minnesota.  The agency proposes three million dollars for municipal, tribal, and other water systems -- to repair leaky pipes, meters, hydrants, and treatment plants, plus install more water-efficient equipment.  The D-N-R also wants five-and-a-half million dollars to re-plant public and private forests where seedlings were irrecoverably damaged by drought, plus four-and-a-half million dollars in grants for community shade trees.  Commissioner Sarah Strommen says the measures will "conserve water and preserve our precious tree cover."

One item that's tangled up in the stalemate at the Minnesota Legislature over COVID worker bonuses, is ten million dollars in drought relief for farmers that Governor Tim Walz is asking lawmakers to approve.  State Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen says the situation has eased somewhat, but 50 percent of Minnesota is still in "severe" drought and 20 percent remains in the "extreme" category. Petersen says a lot of damage was done in August and in July. The Walz administration proposes five million dollars for what it calls "rapid response" grants to farmers, plus an additional five million in zero-interest loans.

The U-W System is celebrating 50 years of educating Wisconsin students.  President Tommy Thompson says the system is Wisconsin’s greatest asset – other than its people.  He points out that millions have been educated and that improves “the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities.”  Governor Patrick J. Lucey signed legislation creating the U-W System on October 12th, 1971.  Thompson says the various campuses educate about 165 thousand students every year, with 37 thousand of them graduating to quality careers.