The Blues on the Chippewa may be moving from Memorial Park. At last week's council meeting, the council discussed a proposal from organizers that would move the event down to Riverside Park between the boat landing and the veteran's memorial. The main stage would be in the boat landing, while the food trucks would be parked in front of the city shop and the craft vendors would be on the walkway. The council will have to approve the proposal.
St. Joe's in Chippewa Falls is closing earlier than first expected. Originally, HSHS said the hospital would close in April, but a letter sent out last week said St. Joe's will now close on March 22nd. HSHS and Prevea announced this month that they are closing all of their hospitals and clinics in the Chippewa Valley. The closing means patients at St. Joseph's will need to find new doctors as of mid-March.
Elected officials in western Wisconsin are still coming to terms with the departure of a major healthcare employer. State Senator Jeff Smith says of particular concern are mental health services offered at Sacred Heart in Eau Claire. HSHS Health System announced last week it will close its hospitals in Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls, and Prevea clinics in the Chippewa Valley. More than 1200 HSHS and Prevea employees will be impacted by the closures, most of which will be completed by mid-April.
A man wanted for opening fraudulent bank accounts in Menomonie and cashing fake checks has been arrested in Jackson County. Authorities accuse 31yr old Michael Anderson of using a fake Georgia Drivers license to open up the accounts earlier this month and then cashing checks at four branches of the Citizens State Bank in Hudson, Roberts, Woodville, and Elmwood and at two branches of Dairy State Bank in Menomonie and Downsville. On Thursday, the man tried to cash a fake check in Black River Falls. Instead, he was arrested by officers with the Black River Falls Police Department. He is currently being held in the Dunn County Jail.
A Cadott man who was hurt in a snowmobile crash earlier this month has died. Mark Sibbers was hurt when he crashed his snowmobile along a public trail near Mauston. His friends over the weekend said Sibbers died from his injuries. Another man from Chippewa County also died in that wreck. The Department of Natural Resources and the Juneau County Sheriff's Office are investigating.
Republican lawmakers plan to introduce a measure that would create a statewide referendum on the new Minnesota flag. Wabasha County state Senator Steve Drazkowski says he will sponsor the measure when the legislature resumes on February 12th. Several local governments have passed resolutions condemning the new flag and seal designs that go into use on May 11th. Some have criticized the cost of replacing current emblems on uniforms and official documents, while others feel the state is erasing history. Governor Walz responded to the criticism yesterday, telling WCCO-TV that he plans to be "building roads, bridges, and water treatment plants" while Republicans focus on the flag and seal.
You can pay your Wisconsin income taxes starting today. The Department of Revenue says tax filing season begins today. Once again the state is suggesting that people file online. The Department of Revenue says the WisTax system is the fastest way to get a refund. You can also track the status of your refund online. People in Wisconsin have til April to get their taxes filed.
A proposed lemon law for agricultural equipment has a public hearing tomorrow at the Capitol. State Senator Andre Jacque drafted the bill in response to farmers who’ve repeatedly had to return machinery for warranty work. The DePere Republican says other states including Illinois and Minnesota already have a similar law. Wisconsin has had a vehicle lemon law since the 1980’s.
Lawmakers at the Wisconsin Capitol are looking to ban ranked-choice voting in the state. An Assembly committee tomorrow will take up the plan to add a constitutional amendment that would prohibit ranked choice voting in the state. Supporters say ranked-choice voting would give other candidates and other parties a better shot. Critics say ranked-choice voting is confusing and often leaves voters without a clear winner on Election Day.
A new analysis by the Legislative Fiscal Bureau breaks down how much people would save in tax breaks by the newly proposed Republican plan. In total, the bill would see 75-percent of tax cuts go to the top 20-percent. The largest breaks percentage-wise come to anyone making between one hundred and two hundred thousand dollars. Anyone making less than 50-thousand will receive less than 700 dollars off their taxes. Democratic Governor Tony Evers said he is open to tax cuts on WKOW earlier this month but has not commented on the current proposed bill.
More than 266-thousand Wisconsinites are enrolled in state health coverage for 2024 -- a record-breaking number. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services says This is a 20-percent increase from the 2023 open enrollment period. Though the open enrollment period is over, individuals with large life changes such as marriage, having a baby, or sudden health coverage loss, may be able to enroll through the year. Tribal members and families can enroll in coverage at any time on the Wisconsin marketplace.
Republicans in Wisconsin are moving ahead with a 14-week abortion ban, despite pro-life opposition and a promised veto from the governor. The State Assembly yesterday approved a plan that would ask voters in April if they'd like to end abortions at 14 weeks, as opposed to the 20 weeks allowed under current law. A number of pro-life groups yesterday blasted the plan. They would rather see if Wisconsin's supreme court will uphold the state's pre-Roe law that bans almost all abortions in the state. Governor Evers promised to veto the plan. He says he won't sign any law that limits a woman's right to choose.
The Speak Up, Speak Out Tipline has received its 10-thousandth caller. The Wisconsin Department of Justice Office of School Safety announced that since the inception of the line in September of 20-20 there have now been 10-thousand calls to report concerns of wellness and safety. The call line has received about 200 concerns of planned school attacks, over 200 reports of guns or weapons, and over 350 related to suicide threats.
A possible cyber security incident was detected in Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin systems on Wednesday. The cooperative says it was found quickly, and all systems with internet access were shut down to be safe. This caused some services, like MyChart and telephones, to be unavailable for a length of time. The Cooperative says some services may still be affected while an investigation continues. Updates will be posted on its social media pages.
Eau Claire ice skating rinks are closing, just six days after opening. Eau Claire's Parks, Recreation, and Forestry department says outdoor skating rinks and warming shelters closed on Friday. Warm temperatures expected through February are to blame for cutting the skating season short.
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