Thursday, July 13, 2023

Local-Regional News July 13

 Two suspects are in custody following an investigation into gunshots in Menomonie. According to the Menomonie Police Department, Tuesday evening, Police received a report that a citizen heard about six gunshots in the area of 541 South Broadway.  Menomonie Police say officers searched the area and found empty shell casings in the alleyway behind 541 South Broadway. Bullet holes were found in two different unoccupied vehicles. Following an investigation, two suspects were taken into custody.   According to Police, they believe this to be an isolated incident, and do not believe anyone was targeted. They say there is no further danger to the community.


The Village of Pepin is asking for public input on the future use of the property that was acquired at 207 Lake Street.  The village is seeking possibilities regarding the best way to add public value to the location consistent with the long-term interest of village residents.  Any comments or ideas should be submitted to the Village Clerk July 31st.  For more information contact the Pepin Village Clerk.


The final step has been taken to establish a workgroup in Dunn County to address the pressing issue of a lack of adequate housing throughout the county.  The county Planning, Resource and Development Committee voted in May to establish the work group and asked County Manager Kris Korpela to nominate members. County Board Chair Kelly McCullough has approved the formation of the group and the committee has approved the members.  Top housing concerns for homeowners were the cost of buying a home (54 percent) and property taxes (36 percent). Some 65 percent of respondents said there is a need for smaller single-family starter homes, and 29 percent said there is a need for housing for senior citizens. Korpela said the intent of the workgroup is to create a plan and work for its implementation to address the concerns raised in the housing study. The group will report monthly to the county planning committee.


The head of the Eau Claire County Board is out following the investigation into millions of dollars in misspending at the county's Department of Human Services. The county board last night voted to remove Chairman Nick Smiar. County supervisors say someone has to be held accountable for the three-million dollars that were misspent or taken from the county's DHS department. Investigators say Smiar knew about the misspending and theft but never told anyone. No one has been charged in the case, and Smiar earlier this week said it is time to put the investigation in the past. County leaders may not be done, they're expected to meet again to possibly remove the county's administrator as well.


The strike at Leinenkugel's is getting political. Democrats in Chippewa County are calling for a solidarity boycott of Leinenkugel's beer. Just over 40 Teamsters at the plant in Chippewa Falls walked off the job this week, yesterday the county Democratic Party asked members not to buy Leinenkugel's beer or anything else made by Molson Coors until the strike is settled. Molson Coors owns Leinenkugel's, plus Coors, Miller, Blue Moon, and more. The brewery says it's offered the striking workers a competitive new contract.


 Wisconsin's school safety tip line is now accepting texts. Attorney General Josh Kaul yesterday announced a new text line. Kaul says allowing students, teachers, and parents to text-in tips is just another tool to keep schools in Wisconsin safe. The new text line comes after Kaul said last month he may have to close the tip line entirely. Kaul said if lawmakers didn't add two-million dollars to the state budget, he'd have to all-but close his Office of School Safety and the tip line. Yesterday, Kaul said that remains a possibility.


A proposal to allow Wisconsin pharmacists to directly prescribe birth control got its first hearing on Wednesday. State Representative Joel Kitchens says someone seeking birth control would have to fill out a simple questionnaire.   Kitchens says allowing women to have reproductive choices will not only reduce abortions, it will improve outcomes for children by ensuring that pregnancies are planned.


The Army Corps of Engineers is getting help from the Wisconsin and the Iowa Departments of Natural Resources to protect Effigy Mounds National Monument. Corps' project manager Kim Warshaw says the goal is to prevent damage from major floods along the Mississippi River. The mounds date back to the first millennium and were built by over a dozen Native American tribes.


More information is coming out about a teen who suffered fatal injuries at a Florence County sawmill.  The sheriff’s office there says on June 29th, 16-year-old boy Michael Schuls was trying to remove a jam in a wood stacking machine at Florence Hardwoods.  The conveyor belt Schuls was standing on while trying to unjam the machine moved, which led the boy to become pinned in the machine.  Schuls’ injuries led to his death two days later in a Milwaukee hospital.  Authorities say after viewing surveillance video that Schuls failed to push the machine's safety shut-off button prior to getting on the conveyor belt, leading to the incident.


TSA says more people are bringing guns to the airport in Wisconsin this year. Agents yesterday said they've found 18 guns in bags at airports across the state so far this year.  That's up from 12 at this point last year. TSA says there's no indication that anyone was planning to use any of the guns, most people say they simply forgot they had a gun in their bag.  Travelers caught with a gun face a fine of up to 15 thousand dollars, and will likely be flagged for extra screening in the future.


The town of Rib Mountain will become a village.  Unofficial results showed 92 percent of the 13 hundred votes cast Tuesday were in favor of incorporation. Town Administrator Gaylene Rhoden says it makes sense to create a lasting community image as a village because of their thriving business districts. The results now move on to the state Department of Administration for certification. Once that's complete, voters will return to the polls in the next two months to elect a Village President and Trustees- Rhoden says more information about that election will be released when it's available.


Police officers whose gunfire killed a Mequon man in a May 17th incident will not be criminally charged.  After police responded to the report of a man shooting at a neighbor who was mowing his lawn, 86-year-old Pietro La Licata barricaded himself in his home before he shot at police, who then returned fire and killed La Licata.  According to Ozaukee County District Attorney Adam Gerol, police records show officers had been called to La Licata’s home 27 times dating back to the 1980’s.  La Licata was known by Mequon Police to have mental and cognitive issues and had several guns in his home.  Gerol issued his decision not to file charges on the officers Tuesday, saying their actions were justified.


The Northwestern University football team won’t be training in Kenosha anymore.  The school said pre-season practices for the team at UW-Parkside will end following an alleged hazing scandal that has cost head coach Pat Fitzgerald his job.  Northwestern has held practices at what was commonly known as “Camp Kenosha” since the 1990’s.  The university originally placed Fitzgerald on suspension without pay following an investigation of the hazing practices.  Allegations from a former football player published in the Northwestern school newspaper detailed sexual abuse as a part of the hazing that supposedly started at Camp Kenosha.  


The pride of Pewaukee is headed to the cereal aisle of your local grocery store. Wheaties this week said it will feature JJ and TJ Watt on the front of its new boxes. The third Watt brother Derek will be on the back of the box. This is the first time that Wheaties has featured brothers on the box together. JJ Watt, who played his high school football at Pewaukee before playing for the Badgers and then in the NFL, said it's an honor to be among the lineup of athletes featured on the front of a Wheaties box.


Get ready for an array of new foods at the Wisconsin State Fair.  Every year, vendors at the State Fair seem to want to outdo each other on new offerings, and this year there are some very unique items. You can try out a deep fried dill pickle donut, cotton candy lemonade: and no that's not two items, that's lemonade with cotton candy on top. There's beer cheese stuffed pretzels served like a lava cake, and maybe have a Wisconsin quesadilla: That's cheese curds, brats, peppers and more cheese. Over 100 new foods and drinks will be on the menu when the fair starts next month at State Fair Park in West Allis. 

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