Everyone made it out of a fire at an apartment complex in Durand. Firefighters say they got the call about the fire at about 8 p.m. in the 800 block of 3rd Avenue East on Saturday. Crews from Durand and other Pepin County communities assisted in the fight. Investigators are not saying what caused that fire.
Motorists in Mondovi are reminded that Hwy 10 East is closed this week from Washington Street to Memorial Drive for utility work as part of the construction of the new Kwik Trip. According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, US 10 traffic will be detoured via WIS 37, WIS 85, and US 10 during the work, which is anticipated to take a week to complete. The schedule is dependent on weather and subject to change.
The City of Mondovi is reminding residents there will be a bulk item pick up on Thursday, June 13th. Each residence is allowed up to two items, they must be able to be lifted by hand and not exceed 75lbs. Items must be placed by the curbside by 6am on June 13. No computers or other electronics and for more information contact Mondovi City Hall.
The City of Durand did approve borrowing $1.5 million for various capital projects. At the last council meeting, the council approved a $550,000 loan to help with the 6th Avenue East project and another resolution approving a $1 million loan for the pool project. Both loans are similar to a line of credit that the city can use when needed but until then there is no interest charges. Both loans were with Security Financial Bank.
The task force set up to discuss rural healthcare issues in Western Wisconsin is pausing its efforts. The Eau Claire Chamber announced the pause. The task force was set up after HSHS closed its hospitals in Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls along with its Prevea Clinics in Western Wisconsin. In a statement, the Eau Claire Chamber said the task forces worked with 14 health care providers interested in expanding in Western Wisconsin, supported the Rural Health Innovation Alliance, and worked with HSHS to ensure money contributed to HSHS from Western Wisconsin stays in the area.
Eau Claire's library is now offering a way to connect with public benefits. The L.E. Phillips Library is allowing volunteers with Western Dairyland, Workforce Development, and Lutheran Social Services to work out of the library and sign people up for food stamps and state insurance. David Stanley with Eau Claire County's Department of Human Services says there is a lot of need in Eau Claire, but he says many people don't know where to go. The library hosts the volunteers twice a week, and anyone who qualifies for benefits is welcome to apply. Stanley says the idea started a year ago, and he hopes to see a big impact sometime soon.
Wisconsin's new absentee ballot forms are due in a northern Wisconsin courtroom this week. A judge in Marinette County will hear arguments against the new absentee ballot envelopes that double as both a ballot envelope, and a request for an official absentee ballot. The Wisconsin Elections Commission approved the new envelopes earlier this year, but critics say those envelopes could end-up forcing people to commit voter fraud. Attorney Kevin Scott says using the envelope would have voters falsely certify that the envelope is the same thing as their official request for an absentee ballot, which they are not. The judge in Marinette County issued a temporary restraining order against the ballot envelopes about two weeks ago.
There’s a blueprint to address Wisconsin’s critical housing shortage. With a shortage of 120,000 to 300,000 units, a partnership between the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, Wisconsin Builders Association, and Wisconsin REALTORS® Association has recommendations. Jerry Deschane is the League’s Executive Director. He said local governments can bring a fresh look at zoning and permitting to the table. The coalition’s most recent briefing paper includes reducing minimum lot sizes and widths and adopting a Traditional Neighborhood Development ordinance. Deschane said the goal is to bring every tool to the table and use the one that works best for each community. Every city and village in the state will get a copy of the briefing paper. It's also available as a free download on the League’s website.
The warden at the prison in Waupun is walking away. The Wisconsin State Journal obtained an email from Warden Randall Hepp to workers at the prison that said Hepp is resigning, effective immediately. The prison in Waupun is dealing with a number of problems, including a months-long lockdown and now a federal investigation. There is no indication that Hepp himself is looking at any charges related to the investigation, but several other prison workers have already resigned or been fired because of the probe. Waupun has faced a lack of prison guards for years, and four inmates have died in the prison since June of last year.
Southern Wisconsin has had above-average rainfall for the month of May, while Western Wisconsin is on track for average rainfall. The National Weather Service in Milwaukee says Madison got five and a half inches, and Milwaukee got six and a half. Eau Claire got about three and three-quarters inches. Rain is expected in Wisconsin this next week.
A Sparta man has been arrested for cattle rustling. The Jackson County Sheriff''s Office said this week that about 20-thousand-dollars worth of cattle were being taken in the middle of the night in the county north of Sparta. Authorities have identified 20-year-old Jennings Christenson of Sparta as the suspect. The sheriff's office says the cattle has been recovered and Christenson has been taken to Jackson County Jail.
A woman in Polk County has been convicted for a murder that happened almost forty years ago. Mary Jo Bailey is found guilty of shooting Yvonne Menke while she was leaving her apartment in 1985. The case went cold until it was re-opened in 2021. The County District Attorney says he believes Bailey had a motive and owned the same gun that killed Menke. Eighty-one-year-old Bailey is facing life in prison.
Governor Tony Evers is announcing three new appointees to the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents after one regent refused to step down. Last week, GOP-appointed regent Robert Atwell said he would stay on the board past his term until a successor was appointed and confirmed. "The Daily Cardinal" says on Friday Evers appointed three new regents to fill the vacancies created by the expiration of three GOP-appointed regents whose terms ended on May 1st, including Atwell's.
Authorities say a Minneapolis Police officer who was shot and killed Thursday was ambushed by the suspect. According to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Officer Jamal Mitchell had stopped to help someone he thought had been shot, when the "victim" opened fire on him. During a news conference, Drew Evans with the BCA says Mitchell was killed while "running towards danger." The shooter was then killed by another officer, who suffered a non-life threatening gunshot wound.
It's Bike Week in Wisconsin. This year's theme for Wisconsin Bike Week is "Bikes Mean Business," and the Wisconsin Bike Fed, who organizes the event, is encouraging state residents to support local bike shops this week and other businesses that "provide bike accessibility, amenities and discounts." Wisconsin Bike Week has been recognized by proclamation by Governor Evers, and is supported by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. A schedule of Bike Week events can be found on the Wisconsin Bike Fed's online event calendar.
The Wisconsin driver's license is being called the world's "best ID card." The Wisconsin Department of Transportation announced Friday that the state's Real ID over-21 driver's license has received the Élan Award of Excellence from the International Card Manufacturers Association. WisDOT says Wisconsin was the first state to use a unique security element found on the ID card, which also has distinctive artistic features.
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