The Durand Safety Committee is working on some changes to the winter parking ordinance. The old ordinance said no parking unless the street is plowed to the curb line, and that was causing confusion for residents when the city plowed one side of the street. Durand Police Chief Stan Ridgeway says the new ordinance would state that both sides of the street need to be plowed first before parking would be allowed. If the safety committee passes the changes they would be sent to the full city council on November 17th.
A River Falls man has been accused of child sexual assault in Dunn County. According to authorities, Derek Johnson assaulted the victim 3-4yrs ago in Boyceville, and that Johnson threatened the victim that he would do the same to her sister if she said anything. His next court appearance is November 30th and if convicted, he faces 60yrs in prison.
Jury selection was completed Monday for a Barron County murder trial. Andrew Brunette of Rice Lake is charged with first-degree intentional homicide for the shooting death of another man in September of last year. Investigators say Brunette’s estranged wife was living with Garrett Macone in Chetek when Brunette walked through an unlocked door, found Macone asleep, and shot him twice in the head. Barron County officials expect the trial to last all week.
The Pepin County Sheriff's Department is once again holding the Christmas for Kids Campaign to help those families in need this holiday season. At the Sheriff's Department, there is a Christmas tree with tags of children in need. Sheriff Joel Wener says they are asking residents to come to the Department, pick a tag, and purchase that child's requests. Monetary donations are also accepted, and if you have any questions visit the Pepin County Sheriff's Department, Facebook Page.
An Augusta man accused of trying to bribe an alleged victim of sexual assault has settled his case. Corey Bauch was facing a charge of intimidation of a victim. He was accused of offering money to one of two women who say they were sexually assaulted by his father. Elvin Bauch is scheduled to go on trial in Eau Claire County Court next January. His son pleaded no contest to a reduced charge Monday.
Minneapolis police have firmly rejected the charter amendment aimed at defunding the city’s police department. With all 136 precincts reporting, more than 80-thousand voters said no and fewer than 63-thousand supported the idea. That means a Department of Public Safety won’t be created to replace the Minneapolis Police Department. Supporters of the amendment had said a complete overhaul of policing was needed to stop police violence. Fifty-six percent of the voters who cast ballots disagreed.
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett has testified at his Senate confirmation hearing. Barrett testified by video before the U-S Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He is President Joe Biden’s nominee to become the country’s ambassador to Luxembourg. The next step for his nomination – if the committee gives its okay – would be a vote by the full Senate. No timeline has been established, but it’s possible that could take place before the chamber wraps up its work for the year by December 10th. If he is confirmed, a primary could be held on February 15th and the new mayor would be chosen on April 5th during the regularly scheduled spring elections.
The Department of Natural Resources tweets that pumpkins are great compost material. The department says about 20-percent of what goes to a landfill is food scraps and old vegetables like pumpkins which could be composted. The D-N-R says by composting, you can get rid of your jack-o-lantern, and help save some landfill space.
Xcel Energy is announcing plans to be a net-zero energy company by 2050. Xcel just announced plans to build the largest solar project in Minnesota history seven months ago. President and C-E-O Bob Frenzel say Monday’s announcement is an important evolution in the utility’s clean energy leadership. The company recently requested a rate increase of 20 percent while industry experts are warning of a potentially significant increase in heating costs this winter. Xcel says it has reduced carbon emissions by more than 40 million tons since 2005.
Dane County’s face covering mandate is being extended to November 27th, but public health officials say it will expire then. The mandate was set to end Friday. Public Health Madison and Dane County say there are no plans to institute another mandate when it ends. Decreasing case rates, increasing vaccination rates and the expansion of eligibility for booster doses are factors in the decision. The expected approval of vaccines for kids between the ages of five and 11 also was a factor in the decision to let the mandate expire later this month. Public health officials say their main goal has been to protect those most vulnerable to the virus.
Increased demand and supply chain disruptions are being blamed for a shortage of ammunition experienced by Wisconsin gun dealers. Some stores report empty shelves disappointing customers. They say when they do get a delivery, the ammunition is quickly bought up and the shelves are bare again. The National Shooting Sports Foundation estimates almost eight-and-a-half million people bought their first gun last year. According to the F-B-I, federal background checks jumped 40 percent – even higher in Wisconsin where the state Department of Justice reports background checks for handgun purchases were up by 174 percent in 2020.
A Green Bay area lawmaker wants to get rid of a special tax district devoted to the upkeep of Lambeau Field. State Representative David Steffen of Howard says the district hasn't performed a mission-critical function since 2015 and still collects taxes through ticket sales and other sources. The district has not collected a sales tax in Brown County since 2015. The plan would shift all obligations and responsibilities under the Lambeau Field lease to the City of Green Bay.
The former executive director of the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild will be the state's new tourism director. Governor Tim Walz appointed Lauren Bennett McGinty as director of Explore Minnesota effective November 15th. Former director John Edman retired after leading Explore Minnesota for 21 years. Governor Walz says McGinty will bring her expertise in marketing to engage our residents and attract new visitors and talent to our state. McGinty says she's honored to take on the new role as the tourism industry continues to work its way out of the pandemic.
A northern Wisconsin man who went missing in September has been found safe. Authorities issued a Silver Alert for 69-year-old Anthony Scott Nicely when he first went missing from a nursing home in Price County. Nicely had been placed there due to a medical condition, but he was seen leaving the facility with Virginia Nicely. Authorities said the man was believed to have dementia or another cognitive impairment. State officials say he was found Monday. There have been no indications about where he has been or whether charges could be filed.
A poll being conducted this month will determine the formal name for a section of trails in Eau Claire. The trails in the downtown area go across the Eau Claire and Chippewa rivers and are often known as “the loop.” They include three bridges that connect Haymarket Plaza to the rest of the area. Voters have five choices – Bridgelight Mile, Confluence Loop, Confluence Mile, Eau Claire Riverwalk, and Three Bridges River Trail. Voting ends November 30th and the winning name will be announced four days later during the Haymarket Holiday.
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