Tuesday, July 18, 2023

Local-Regional News July 18

  A man from Red Wing suffered life threatening injuries after colliding with a box truck while on his scooter.   According to the Minnesota State Patrol, it happened Monday morning on Highway 61 near Bench Street in Red Wing.  The box truck was traveling southbound on Highway 61 and 35yr old  David Egan was riding a small scooter in the northbound lane when the two collided.    Egan was taken to Saint Marys Rochester, while the box truck driver was not injured.


Eau Claire County authorities are investigating a woman's death. The Eau Claire County Sheriff's Office has identified a woman who died in the Town of Washington last week as 77-year-old Diane Berthold. Deputies and emergency personnel responding to a residence on Thursday found the woman already dead, and an 81-year-old man in need of emergency medical attention. He was transported to a local hospital. The woman's death is being investigated as suspicious.


The  Powerball jackpot has not been claimed yet but Saturday's Powerball drawing saw a six-figure winning ticket sold in the Chippewa Valley. The Cenex Convenience Store on West River Street in Chippewa Falls sold a one-hundred-thousand-dollar ticket to a mystery winner. Stores receive a six-percent commission from the Wisconsin Lottery for every ticket sold. Wednesday's jackpot is currently estimated at one-billion dollars --  but that could rise as ticket sales surge.


Registration for the 27th Durand Area Youth Fishing tournament ends this Friday.  The tournament will be held July 26 through the 29 in the Durand area.  Registration can be completed online through the Durand Area Youth Fishing Tournament Facebook page or at Ryans Sports Show.  Late Registrations will not be accepted.


The body of a man was found during the search of a retention pond behind Byron’s City Hall Monday.  The Olmsted County Sheriff’s Department was given a tip by a concerned citizen stating they heard a noise in the pond a couple of days ago and suggested someone should check it out.  This tip led investigators to search the pond and the body of a male was found. It has not been revealed how long the body was there or the identity of the person.  Investigators are not sure if foul play was involved.  Authorities are not giving information about what the noise was at this time.


 State Senator Jeff Smith just proposed four bills that he said would help protect Wisconsin's pollinator population. One bill would prohibit the DNR from using harmful insecticides on grounds it maintains. Another would allow cities and municipalities to regulate pesticide use. He's also proposing state government gives preference to native prairie and forage plants that encourage pollination, and the fourth would prohibit plants from being labeled beneficial to pollinators if they've been treated with insecticides.  All four bills will be read in a public hearing. That date has yet to be determined. 


Organizers of this year's Northern Wisconsin State Fair confirm attendance this year set  a new record -- more than 114-thousand people attended the fair in Chippewa Falls.  Last year, the fair generated 174-million dollars for the local economy and officials say the figure will easily be exceeded this year.  Chamber of Commerce officials say the fair provides a big economic impact for the region every year.


Construction on the main parking lots at the Eau Claire County Government Center has begun and is expected to be finished by the end of the month.  The work is focused on parking lots A and B of the government center and will result in the closing of Oxford Avenue between Grand Avenue and Lake Street during construction.  County official say Eau Claire Police will allow parking on the street to the west of the Chippewa River near the center during the day without ticketing.  County officials encourage residents to conduct business virtually while construction is underway. 


Student athletes would have to play on a team that aligns with their biological sex under a bill GOP lawmakers in Madison have reintroduced.  The first version of the bill -- called the Save Women's Sports Act -- failed to pass last year.  Republican State Representative Barbara Dittrich says the bill would prevent women's sports from being lost to biological males.  Democratic lawmakers who oppose the measure say it will only subject trans youth to more bullying and exclusion.     


Minnesota Congresswoman Angie Craig is seeking feedback from constituents about problems receiving mail.  The U.S. representative hopes to get responses before her visit to two south metro post offices on July 21.  Craig is scheduled to make stops at the post offices in Eagan and  Prior Lake.   People living in the 2nd Congressional District can submit their comments online by Wednesday at craig-dot-house-dot-gov-slash-usps.


Now is the time to check kids' vaccine status.  Public health officials say summer is a good time to make sure kids are up to date on all of their vaccines. The State of Wisconsin requires several immunizations for students, including vaccinations for polio, Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella. Talk to your doctor to see what vaccines are needed and to get answers to any questions you may have on the vaccines.


Harley-Davidson anniversary celebrations will become an annual event in Milwaukee.  The motorcycle maker’s CEO, Jochen Zeitz, announced this weekend the four days of concerts, tours and rides will take place every year starting in 2024.  The festivals for the iconic cycles previously happened every five years.  Next year’s Harley gathering will happen July 25th through the 28th.  Harley’s 120th anniversary celebration, which attracted Harley riders from around the globe, wrapped up Sunday in Milwaukee.


A Brown County court heard testimony Thursday on whether Taylor Schabusiness is mentally competent to stand trial.  Independent forensic psychologist Diane Lytton told the court that in her initial meeting with Schabusiness, a chair was thrown at her by Schabusiness.  Lytton also said Schabusiness had “a thing” going on with Jeffery Dahmer for a year, and she also made comments about Johnny Cash overdosing on a train.  The psychologist assessed that Schabusiness doesn’t fully understand the proceedings and can’t participate in her defense.  She’s accused of killing and dismembering a Green Bay man in early 2022. 


Allina Health System is eliminating about 350 jobs because it's facing unprecedented financial pressure. Officials say at the end of last year, Allina had more than 28,500 full and part time employees at it's ten hospitals including Abbott Northwestern in Minneapolis and United Hospital in St. Paul. Allina's financial officer said the non-profit loss 101 million dollars because of high labor costs and an inability to discharge patients to step-down facilities. Officials say most terminated employees are not in care giving roles and they will be offered severance, health benefits and outplacement resources.


A little-known battle of the War of 1812 was remembered in Prairie Du Chien Sunday. The annual re-enactment of the Battle of Prairie Du Chien was staged at Villa Louis Mansion.  The site’s curator and author of a book on the battle, Mary Louise Antoinette, tells WKOW-TV in Madison plenty of people she talks to say they have no idea the battle ever occurred. Antoinette says the goal of the event is to give people a deeper understanding of the war and its impact on Wisconsin.

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