Local-Regional News July 31

 Two people were injured in a motorcycle accident in Pepin County on Monday.  According to the Pepin County Sheriff's Department, 29yr old Alexander Page of rural Mondovi was traveling east on Hwy R when he lost control on a curve at the intersection of Hwy BB and left the roadway.  Page along with 28yr old Megan Page of rural Mondovi were both ejected from the motorcycle and struck a utility pole and guy wire. Both suffered serious injuries as Megan was taken to an Eau Clarie hospital, while Alexander was med-flighted to Mayo Clinic.  Alcohol and speed are believed to have played a factor in the accident.

Dunn Energy Cooperative has been approved for an $18 million Rural Development Electric Infrastructure Loan.  Jesse Singerhouse, CEO of Dunn Energy says the loan will be used to upgrade services to 800 members in its service area. The Coop plans to use the money over the next 4yrs.  USDA Undersecretary for Rural Development Dr. Bazil Gooden was at the Coop yesterday to announce the approval of the loan.

Residents along North Eau Claire Street in Mondovi are still waiting for the snow fence to be replaced on the top of the retaining wall.  While the Mondovi City Council approved a replacement fence, it still hasn't been installed due to a dispute between the city and the contractor.  It was hoped that the new fence would have been installed by the end of July.

The man convicted of killing a young man on the Apple River in northwestern Wisconsin two years ago will learn his fate today. A judge will sentence Nicolae Miu for first-degree reckless homicide. A jury convicted Miu back in April of killing one person and slashing four others. Miu claimed self-defense at the time. The reckless homicide charge carries a 60 year sentence. 

Kamala Harris is coming to western Wisconsin with her running mate next week. But we don't know where, we don't know when, and we still do not know who she will be bringing. Harris' campaign yesterday said Wisconsin will be part of her swing-state swing next week. There is speculation that Minnesota's governor could be her VP pick, but insiders continue to say it could also be Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, or Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. 

 The drive-thru polling stations are back in Eau Claire. The city opened in-person voting for the August primary yesterday. That means people can begin voting in the Democratic race for Congress in western Wisconsin, as well as vote on the two constitutional amendments that are on the ballot. Eau Claire's drive-thru polls, which you can find in the city hall parking lot, are open on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. until August 9th. 

Police departments across Wisconsin, including the State Patrol, are planning to be out in force for what they are calling a 'speed enforcement day.' That means a '24-hour, high-visibility enforcement effort' that includes state, county, and local law enforcement agencies. The State Patrol says the idea is to remind drivers of the need to be safe on the road. But troopers and officers will be out writing tickets today as well. 

The US Senate passes landmark legislation to protect kids online.  Support for the pair of bills was bipartisan and overwhelming, with Wisconsin Democrat Tammy Baldwin and Republican Ron Johnson joining 89 other senators in sending the measures to the House. The legislation would force online platforms to take “reasonable” steps to prevent harm to children such as bullying, drug addiction, and sexual exploitation, and would expand existing federal privacy protections to include those 16 years old and younger. Both bills have bipartisan support in the House.

The Packers say the space for Green Bay's NFL Draft will be twice the size of Detroit's. Team officials met with locals in Green Bay last night to talk about the plans for next year's draft. The Packers say the footprint for the draft will center in Lambeau, and will be larger than the footprint for Detroit's draft earlier this year in downtown Detroit. The Packers say they've set aside eight million-dollars for draft preparations, and say they don't expect to make much money off the draft. The city of Green Bay, on the other hand, is expecting a 20 million-dollar economic boost and a statewide impact of up to 94 million-dollars. 

The deadline to apply for bobcat and fisher hunting and trapper permits is this week. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says the trapping and hunting permit applications are due on Thursday the first. People who are interested can apply through the Wisconsin Go Wild license portal or in person at any license sales location. A random drawing will decide who gets the permits in mid-August. More information is on the Wisconsin DNR website.

Waterfowl populations in Wisconsin are stable. The state Department of Natural Resources says the breeding duck population is estimated at about 502-thousand birds. That's a nearly four-percent decrease from last year but is above the long-term average. Both wood duck and Canada goose populations are similar to last year's numbers and higher than the long-term average. More specific data is available on the Wisconsin Wildlife Reports website. Spring waterfowl breeding surveys have been conducted every year for more than two decades. 

Wisconsin sales tax revenues have recorded one of their biggest year-to-year drops since the pandemic.   According to the Wisconsin Policy Forum sales tax revenue dropped 2.3% in March compared to March of 2023. Slowing sales tax growth and even declines were seen in key sectors like retail, food service, wholesale trade, and manufacturing. Even though inflation has slowed, it’s still well above where it was throughout the 2010s, making the recent slowing of sales tax revenue more notable according to the report. WPF Policy Researcher Mark Sommerhauser says in some of Wisconsin’s bigger counties, the impact of remote work and generational pivots toward online shopping could be driving declines in sales tax revenue. Almost half of the sectors that report sales taxes saw a decline in the first half of this year.

The action plan for the Wisconsin Task Force on Workforce and Artificial Intelligence is finalized. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers says the task force's goal was to improve Wisconsin workers' AI skills and connect them with employers. The plan is to develop more flexible training and credentialing processes and to incentivize industry adoption of AI tools to create competitive, high-quality jobs. The task force was established in August of last year.

Wisconsin ranks 11th in the country when it comes to crop and meat exports.  A progress report from the Wisconsin Department of Ag, Trade and Consumer shows the state has improved in the ranking, up from 13th in 2021. A bipartisan initiative led to the creation of The Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports in 2021 when state legislators learned of declining agricultural exports. State Senator Joan Ballweg says the initiative has done a great job of promoting Wisconsin and hopes the state can soon break into the top 10. Alongside DATCP and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, the export initiative works with businesses and state officials with a goal to increase ag exports by 25 percent by 2026.

The largest pickleball court in Wisconsin is now open in western Wisconsin. Leaders in Lake Hallie cut the ribbon on the new 12-court pickleball complex at Gower Park. The new court is also the second largest in the Midwest, coming-in behind a complex in the Minneapolis suburbs. The courts cost about 300-thousand dollars, and the Chippewa Valley Pickleball Club will now maintain them. There are plans to add bleachers and restrooms, but that likely won't come til after this year's pickleball season. 

Local-Regional News July 30

 A Menomonie man is headed to prison for decades for the sexual assault of a little girl. A judge in Pepin County yesterday sentenced Pedro Perez-Garcia to 25 years in prison. Prosecutors say an 11-year-old girl told police that Perez-Garcia assaulted her several times, starting when she was about six years old. His lawyers say they have new evidence in the case and are asking for a new trial. 

A Colfax man has reached a plea deal after being accused of raping a woman.  Russell Anderson was charged with second and third-degree sexual assault after authorities said he locked a woman in a camper.  She was able to text relatives and they called authorities who arrived on the scene after Anderson had raped her.  In Dunn County Court, Anderson pleaded no contest to disorderly conduct and received a 30 day jail sentence and one year of probation.  He also entered into a deferred agreement of a guilty plea on a count of third-degree sexual assault.  If he does not commit any new crimes in two years and has no contact with the victim the charges will be dismissed.

The Buffalo County Sheriff's Department will have enhanced speed enforcement this weekend.  The department will have extra patrols on Hwy 37 and Hwy 10 on Friday and Saturday from 7pm-3am.  The extra enforcement is being paid for by a Traffic Safety Grant that the department has received. 

The Buffalo County Sheriff's Department has received a $20,000 donation from the owner of Buffalo County Outfitters.  The donation will fund the purchase of new rescue tools including advanced GPS devices, thermal imaging cameras, specialized communication gear, K9 equipment, and other essential equipment.  These resources will help improve the Sheriff's Department's efforts during search and rescue missions, particularly in challenging terrains and adverse weather conditions. 

A Minnesota man faces drug charges after being pulled over with a significant amount of marijuana in his car. Trempealeau County Deputies pulled Danny Renold of New Hope, MN over on Saturday for speeding on I-94. A drug dog alerted on his vehicle, and officers allegedly found 30 pounds of pot inside, along with some meth. The man has not been formally charged but has been referred on numerous felonies.

Candidate for Minnesota's Second Congressional District seat Joe Teirab is getting a prestigious honor. The National Republican Congressional Committee added him to its 2024 Young Guns leadership program.  The list will help Teirab to get more access to fundraising, communications, and online strategy.  He will be the only challenger to face Democratic incumbent Angie Craig in November.  Recently GOP hopeful attorney Tayler Rahm ended his campaign to work as former President Donald Trump's senior adviser in Minnesota.  National Republicans have looked at Congresswoman Craig as one of the most vulnerable Democrats in Congress this year.  She won her reelection bid in 2020 by a narrow margin against GOP opponent Tyler Kistner.

We're going to get a snapshot of the mental health of Wisconsin's school kids today. The state's Department of Public Instruction will release its Youth Mental Health Data update. DPIU has been tracking the mental health of students for years. Many kids in Wisconsin say they are anxious or nervous, and those feelings got worse during the coronavirus outbreak. Wisconsin's state superintendent says there is a real need to provide more mental health services in the state's schools. 

A statewide outbreak of whooping cough has Wisconsin health departments concerned. The Department of Health Services reports there have been 226 cases of the disease so far this year, and state immunization director Dr. Stephanie Schaur tells the Journal Sentinel that's a significant increase over last year. While most of the infections have been in teens, nine of those cases were in infants under 1 year old. Babies that young cannot be immunized and the disease is much rougher on them, sometimes fatally so. D H S recommends everyone check to see if they're immunized, and if not, schedule an immunization with your doctor.

There won't be any changes to absentee voting in Wisconsin. A Door County judge yesterday dismissed a lawsuit that claimed the current absentee voting process breaks Wisconsin's election laws. The suit alleged that voters have to include a physical copy of their absentee ballot request in their absentee ballot envelope. Wisconsin's Elections Commission said the ballot itself is proof of a request, and urged the judge to reject the lawsuit because there is not enough time to change the entire absentee voting process at this point. Today is the first day of absentee voting for the August primary. 

A hiker is recovering after falling in Sugar Loaf Park in Winona.  First responders were called to the park Sunday afternoon after the fall from the 85-foot-tall rock was reported.  The hiker was treated at the scene and then taken to the hospital with serious injuries.  The Winona Fire Department did not say what may have caused the fall.

A state committee is studying potential regulation for Artificial Intelligence in Wisconsin. Committee Chair, state Senator Julian Bradley, says he hopes the committee’s work can help alleviate peoples’ fears about AI. The goal is to ensure that AI is used in the right ways so that we're not harming consumers or protecting data. The committee will hold hearings around the state in order to establish “guardrails” for lawmakers to consider when drafting policy.

The group looking for solutions to Wisconsin's sandhill crane population is heading into the wild this week. The Legislative Study Committee on Sandhill Cranes will tour the Horicon Marsh on Thursday. The group is trying to come-up with recommendations about what to do with the birds. Farmers and some homeowners complain that the birds are a nuisance, but environmentalists don't want to see Wisconsin add a hunting season. The tour is one of the group's first acts. They're not expected to have anything for lawmakers to consider until after the new year. 

Residents in southern Minnesota will soon get a new area code.  The rollout of area code 924 will start on August 30.  The change affects new phone lines in the 507 area code region, which includes Mankato, Worthington, and Rochester. and several other communities in southern Minnesota.

Researchers have discovered the site of an 1893 shipwreck in Lake Michigan.  The Margaret A. Muir, a 130-foot, three masted schooner built in 1872, was found under just 50 feet of Lake Michigan water off the coast of Northeast Wisconsin. The ship was lost to a fierce gale in September of 1893, and sank only a few miles off the entrance to the Algoma Harbor. It went undetected for more than a century despite hundreds of boats passing over it each fishing season. The Wisconsin Underwater Archeology Association is now working to nominate the site for the National Register of Historic Places.

The Minnesota State Fair will ban birthing cows and newborn calves from the Miracle of Birth Center due to the risk of bird flu.  State agricultural industry officials say the move is out of precaution as the virus continues to spread to the dairy cattle industry.  The exhibit will continue to showcase dairy cow-calf pairs, but the calves will be weaned and the cows will be dry.  In Minnesota, H5N1 infections have been reported among nine dairy herds since June.   The most recent was reported on July 17 in Stearns County.

Local-Regional News July 29

One person is dead after a tractor accident in the Town of Ettrick on Saturday.  According to the Trempealeau County Sheriff's Department a Mondovi, man was traveling northbound on Hwy S with several other tractors when the driver reached down, the tractor got too close to the ditch and overturned, pinning the man under the tractor.  Firefighters were able to get the tractor partially winched off the driver, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The City of Mondovi is looking at making some changes to the Mirror Lake Dam spillway.  Mondovi Mayor Brady Weiss says it's something that has been of concern for many years.  The city is looking at putting in a concrete trench in the spillway and also making some changes to Mill Street.

A Minnesota man is in custody after a Trempealeau County Sheriff's deputy found 30 pounds of marijuana in his car.  The sheriff's office says a deputy stopped and arrested Danny Reynold of New Hope, Minnesota.  The traffic stop occurred at around 2 a.m. Saturday on I-94 in the Town of Sumner.   Officers also found a pound of meth and some other drug-related items. Reynold is now in jail, and looking at several felony drug charges. 

Blues on the Chippewa begins on Thursday at Riverside Park in Durand.  Because of the new location, River Drive and parts of 1st Avenue will be closed. Open containers will also be allowed on Main Street and River Drive in the downtown area.

Three people are recovering after a weekend rollover in Eau Claire County. Deputies say the crash happened Friday evening in the Town of Lincoln. The sheriff's office says two of the three people inside the vehicle were ejected during the crash. Investigators say they believe that both alcohol and speed played a role in the crash. 

An Eau Claire Deputy City Attorney is now a county judge. Governor Tony Evers appointed Douglas Hoffer to the Eau Claire County Circuit Court Branch Two-seat, which was left open by Judge Michael Schumacher.  The former judge resigned in May. Hoffer's last day at the City Attorney's Office will be August 16th, and his term as judge will end next July.  Hoffer lives in Eau Claire with his family and graduated from Marquette University Law School. 

A woman with dementia is safe after being reported missing in Red Wing.  The search for Elena Popa began Friday after she disappeared from her home.  She was considered at risk due to the severity of her condition.  A social media update posted yesterday by the Red Wing Police Department said Popa had been located but did not share any details about where she was found or her medical condition.

Wisconsin's governor has now pardoned more than 12-hundred people. Governor Evers added to that tally on Friday when he issued 153 new pardons. Most of the people on the list of new pardons were convicted of smaller or drug crimes decades ago, and the governor's office says they have all proven that they learned the errors of their ways. Evers has pardoned the most people in Wisconsin history since he became governor six years ago.

 Some libraries and public buildings in Wisconsin are bound to be left out. The state's Department of Administration on Friday said it received 100 applications for some of the 300 million-dollars in Flexible Facility Program money. The cash is supposed to help local governments connect their libraries or other public buildings. The money is some of the last of Wisconsin's coronavirus stimulus cash, and needs to be earmarked by October of this year. That's when the DOA says local governments can expect to see if they made the cut. 

Wisconsin is being infested by tree-killing beetles.  The state Department of Natural Resources confirmed on Friday that the emerald ash borer has been detected in Burnett County, meaning the infestation has now spread to all 72 counties.  The pest is called an emerald ash borer because the green beetle bores its way into ash trees, eventually killing the trees.  The department says the insect is expected to kill 99 percent of Wisconsin's white, black, and green ash trees.  

Text messages informing people they owe money from using E-ZPass lanes are fake and are not coming from the Minnesota Department of Transportation.  MnDOT spokeswoman Anne Meyer says it is a scam.  Officials say hundreds of people have called their offices that oversee the express lanes to inquire about the charge.  The phony messages, some coming from a 613 area code, started arriving on cell phones earlier this week.

A task force appointed by Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers recommends continued investment in high-speed broadband.  Evers says access to reliable high-speed internet is a necessity, not a luxury. Recommendations include efficiently deploying federal broadband funds while sustaining the progress already made toward digital equity. The task force also recommends improving coordination with Tribal Nations and local communities and ensuring access through either federal or state action. Since 2019, the Evers administration has allocated more than $345 million in state and federal funds to expand high-speed internet, including the state’s largest-ever investment in broadband expansion.

The U.S. Secretary of Transportation will visit Wisconsin next week. Pete Buttigieg has scheduled stops in the Green Bay area and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan on Tuesday, and the Milwaukee area on Wednesday. Officials say the secretary will visit those areas with Great Lakes ports that are key to the regional economy. It’s part of a Midwest tour by Buttigieg which a release says will "highlight how investments made possible by President Biden's Investing in America agenda are strengthening rural communities, revitalizing domestic manufacturing, and supporting our national economy."

Army Air Force Staff Sergeant Ralph H. Bode was a tail gunner onboard a B-24H "Liberator", and was lost when his aircraft was shot down while on a bombing mission over Kassel, Germany. In 1951, investigators located the crashed aircraft, scattered bits of clothing, and the bones of multiple service members believed to belong to those on Bode's plane. Last December scientists were able to identify Bode's remains by using anthropological analysis. Army Air Force Sergeant Jack Hohlfield was captured by Japanese forces in 1942 and was one of thousands of American and Filipino troops forced into doing the 65-mile Bataan Death March. He was then held at a POW camp and records show he died in December of 1942 but wasn't accounted for until May of this year, 84 years after his death.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is offering a discount on Endangered Resources license plates.  The DNR is celebrating 30 years of Endangered Resources plates, offering a $25 rebate for new purchases now through the end of the year. Sales of the plates have played a critical role in funding DNR conservation work for hundreds of plant and wildlife species listed as endangered, threatened or of special concern. Endangered Species plate sales have also funded creation and upkeep of Wisconsin’s extensive system of State Natural Areas, preserving native ecosystems and special geological features. Visit the DNR website for more information, or to purchase a plate.

Local-Regional News July 26

 Pepin County has received a $2.1 million dollar grant through the Agricultural Roads Improvement Program.    The grant is for a reconstruction project of Hwy R and will cover approximately 90 percent of the cost of the project.   The Town of Maxville has received a $405,000 grant to reconstruct North Spring Creek Road.  Both grants are part of the Agricultural Roads Improvement Program that was established in 2023.

A bit of a delay in the reconstruction of 6th Avenue East in Durand.  Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the delay was requested by the city as the school parking lot is still being reconstructed and the city didn't want damage to the new road.   Milliren says the project should be done by August 15th even with the delay.

We have more information on the barn fire in Pepin County early Thursday morning.  According to the Sheriff's Department, the fire happened at N6833 Fall Creek Road.  Deputies found a large part of the barn fully engulfed and starting to collapse.  Deputies and the property owner entered the barn and were able to free most of the cattle from the building.  Several dairy cows were injured and one was killed.  Firefighters from Durand, Rock Creek, and Mondovi battled the blaze.

Most roads in Eau Claire County are open for ATV and UTV use. The County Sheriff's Office says unless a road sign specifically says no ATVs are allowed on the road, it should be open for use. The utility vehicles must stay as far to the right of the roadway as possible, and follow speed limits ot 35 miles per hour, unless the marked speed limit is slower. A map of eligible roadways is available on the Eau Claire County Sheriff's Facebook page.

 A pair of city council members in Eau Claire say they are 'appalled' at the decision to remove the park benches and picnic tables from the local park where Eau Claire's homeless stay. Andrew Werthmann and Kate Felton said yesterday that they wanted to know what the plan was going forward. Eau Claire sent city crews to Wilson Park this week to remove the benches and tables as a way to deal with the growing number of homeless who are living in the park. City park crews say the homeless were getting aggressive, and leaving needles all over the place. Werthmann says it's not enough just to remove the benches. He says that doesn't solve Eau Claire's homeless issues. He wants to know what the city is going to do to get the homeless a place to stay. 

Democratic US Senator Tammy Baldwin wants to prevent sudden hospital closures like the ones in Western Wisconsin.  Baldwin introduced the H S H S Act on Thursday, which requires large hospitals to notify federal agencies of a pending closure at least 90 days beforehand. During that time, hospitals would be required to continue care for patients. The US Health and Human Services Department would also require closing hospitals to file plans on how to resume care for their patients once the closure takes place. Baldwin is currently running for a third term against likely Republican nominee, businessman Eric Hovde.

The remains of a soldier from Trempealeau who died at a POW camp after surviving the Bataan Death March during World War II are positively identified after nearly 82 years.   The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) said that U.S. Army Air Forces Sgt. Jack H. Hohlfield, 29, was identified on May 29, 2024.   He was a member of the 24th Pursuit Group and was captured following the surrender of the Bataan Peninsula.  His remains will be returned and buried in La Crosse at a later date.

New ads are coming to let voters know about the constitutional amendments on next month's ballot. The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty and IRG Action are launching a new ad campaign to make sure voters know what the amendments will do. The two amendments would give Wisconsin lawmakers some say over how billions of dollars in federal money is spent going forward. Republican lawmakers adopted the amendments after Governor Tony Evers refused to give them any say in how he spent over four billion-dollars in COVID Monday. WILL's Rick Esenberg said it's not about politics, but about making sure one person doesn't have unlimited power in Wisconsin. 

They're getting bat boxes in La Crosse. The Wisconsin DNR and the La Crosse Parks Department are teaming up to add bat boxes in Pettibone Park. The boxes are a natural fit for bats because it gives them a tight space to sleep, but the boxes are also necessary after recent floods pushed the bats out from their usual home under the bridge at the park. The DNR says the new boxes should have enough room for anywhere from 100 to 200 bats. 

Wisconsin's public schools are among the best in the nation according to one new report. The folks at WalletHub are out with a new ranking of the best and worst school systems in the country, and Wisconsin's public schools come in at number five. The study looked at things like graduation rates, test scores, and student-to-teacher ratios. WalletHub gave Wisconsin high marks for math scores and SAT test scores. Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland, and New Jersey are the only schools ranked higher than Wisconsin. Arizona, Oklahoma, and New Mexico are the worst public school systems in the country according to the study. 

A driver is under arrest in Madison after children were seen waving in distress from the back of a camper. Wisconsin State Patrol says calls started coming in Wednesday afternoon, with one witness reporting the children were asking them to call 9-1-1. The driver eventually exited the interstate and drove toward Madison when troopers found the camper. Deputies say 57-year-old Kenneth Thompson from Illinois was arrested after showing signs of impairment when they pulled him over. He's in the Sauk County Jail, and the charges are unknown.

The city of Rochester is doing away with public comments on its social media pages.  The city stopped allowing comments yesterday after seeing an increase in "harmful content and negative interactions."  A city spokesperson said the negative comments run counter to efforts to support and foster a welcoming and inclusive community.  Mayor Kim Norton also turned off public comments on her social media pages yesterday.  

US Senator Tammy Baldwin introduces legislation to lower prescription drug costs. The Wisconsin Democrat is in the midst of a competitive reelection campaign against developer Eric Hovde, the likely winner of the August Republican primary. Baldwin says the Capping Prescription Costs Act would require annual out-of-pocket prescription drug cost caps of $2,000 for individuals and $4,000 for families with private health insurance. The measure would extend the out-of-pocket cost seniors on Medicare will see in 2025 from the Inflation Reduction Act to the commercial health care market. Baldwin voted for the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, which included a cap on insulin prices.

Kohl’s employees have been ordered to return to the retailer's Menomonee Falls headquarters. The Journal Sentinel reports all corporate employees who live within 30 miles will be required to show up in person Monday through Thursday, beginning in mid-October. That will put an end to flexible and remote work arrangements in place since the pandemic. CEO Tom Kingsbury announced the policy change to Kohl’s employees in a Thursday memo, saying the decision was made "in service of greater collaboration." In May Kohl’s posted a loss and missed Wall Street’s revenue expectations for the first quarter of this year and lowered its forecast for the full year.

Local-Regional News July 25

 One person is dead after a motorcycle vs pickup truck accident in the Town of Buffalo on Sunday.  According to the Buffalo County Sheriff's Department,  a 41yr old male was traveling Gin Mill Lane and crossed into the opposite lane of traffic on a blind curve and struck the pickup truck head-on.  The driver of the motorcycle was killed in the accident, while the driver of the pickup was not injured.  That accident remains under investigation.

The Tarrant Park Pool construction continues to progress.  Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says crews are now digging out the bowl of the pool.  Crews will also start constructing the walls of the bathhouse starting in the next few weeks.

Governor Tony Evers was in Elk Mound at the Myers Brothers Grain facility to announce a $450,000 Agriculture Road Improvement grant for the town of Elk Mound to update 970th Street that runs in front of the grain facility.   Evers says not only is the road important for agriculture but the road is used by students at Elk Mound Schools. The project is expected to be completed in the summer of 2025.

The company that built an add-on to the Mondovi Wastewater Treatment Plant is in financial trouble.  During this week's Mondovi City Council Meeting, Mayor Weiss told the council the company known as Clear-As notified the city that they are dissolving.  Mayor Weiss says the add-on was intended to reduce phosphorus in the Buffalo River. The add-on from Clear-As has not been working properly since it was installed, but Weiss says the rest of the plant continues to operate normally.

Eau Claire has removed the benches and picnic tables from one local park because of the homeless. Police officers accompanied crews yesterday as they took the benches and tables out of Wilson Park. The city's Billie Hufford says they sent the police because the homeless in the park have harassed park crews for months, even making it tough to mow. There have also been complaints about aggressive homeless people bothering anyone who wants to use the park. Things got so bad, that Eau Claire canceled plans to install a new fountain in the park last summer. Hufford said there are no plans to return the benches or picnic tables anytime soon. 

Wisconsin may get its first national park designation. The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands will hear proposed legislation to make the Apostle Islands a national park. Currently, the islands, located in far Northwestern Wisconsin, are a national lake shore. State Seventh District Congressman, Tom Tiffany, introduced the legislation to make them a national park. The Apostle Islands have been a national lakeshore since 1970.

Thousands of high schoolers across Wisconsin are getting into college next week, even if they didn't apply. The University of Wisconsin said it will send out the first of its direct admissions letters to incoming high school seniors next week. Ten of the UW's 13 campuses are now automatically enrolling qualified high school students in an attempt to boost their numbers. UW President Jay Rothman says 'tens of thousand' of kids will get a letter next week. Every UW campus except Madison, UW-La Crosse, and UW-Eau Claire is participating in the direct admissions program. Students who want to go to those schools will have to apply on their own. 

Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources is going to end its ban on carrying a gun near the water. The DNR agreed to repeal its 1999 rule that stopped anyone from carrying a gun near a lake, river, or stream as part of a settlement with the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty. The DNR approved the gun ban after first banning fishermen from using their guns to help catch large fish like muskies or sturgeon. But WILL said the gun ban infringed on the Second Amendment. It will take some time to repeal the rule. The decision to end the ban on guns, however, does not do anything to the law that bans fishermen from using guns to catch fish. 

The coming week is going to feel like a tropical heatwave in Wisconsin. The National Weather Service says temperatures will be up near ninety with high humidity starting on Sunday. NWS says the warm and humid airflow is coming from the Gulf of Mexico area, with crops adding additional moisture to the air. Breezy conditions aren't expected.

A reminder to ride an ATV or UTV safely.   The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources points out that 20 people died from ATV or UTV crashes so far this year, adding that 95% of fatal crash victims from last year weren’t wearing a helmet. The agency urges operators and riders of the vehicles to wear safety equipment. They also make clear that those born in or after 1988 must complete an ATV and UTV safety certification course to drive on public ATV and UTV trails and areas in Wisconsin. More information on riding recreational vehicles safely is available on the DNR website.

A Wisconsin man is charged with fleeing the country to avoid prison for his role in the attack on the US Capitol   Federal authorities allege Paul Kovacik fled to Ireland to avoid a sentence for joining a mob of supporters of former President Trump in the attack. Kovacik is charged with defying a court order to surrender and serve three months for participating in the January 6th 2021 riot. He was arrested last month after he voluntarily returned to the US and is currently serving his sentence. A conviction on the new charge could lead to more prison time. Kovacik called himself a “political prisoner” when investigators questioned him after his arrest last month at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport

The Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles revokes three car dealer licenses for fraud. According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, the D-M-V revoked the licenses of Columbia County auto dealers A-1 Alpha Motors, Signature Auto Group, and V-I-P Autos for rolling back odometers on vehicles sold to customers, falsifying title documents when selling vehicles, and selling vehicles directly to retail customers. The D-M-V determined through an investigation that all three dealers had violated state law, and the department immediately revoked each license. People can file a complaint against a dealer by visiting the D-M-V website.

More than 400 nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other clinicians in northern Minnesota and Wisconsin at their Essentia Health clinics and hospitals are now unionized.  The Minnesota Nurses Association announced that the group voted overwhelmingly to join its union.  Essentia is appealing a decision by the National Labor Relations Board that allowed the vote because it believes the group is too scattered to be represented collectively.  Some employees accuse the health system of forcing them to care for more patients with less time and resources.

 Valleyfair will hold its long-delayed Fourth of July fireworks show at the end of next month.  The Shakopee amusement park was forced to cancel the July 4th event due to flooding.  The park announced yesterday that the show will now happen on August 31st as part of Corn Fest.  The fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9 p.m.

Local-Regional News July 24

 The Durand Fun Fest Committee is in need of a new chairperson.  In a social media post yesterday, the committee said that a new committee chairperson and parade coordinator were needed.  Without a committee chairperson, Fun Fest will not be held next year.  Those interested in either position are asked to reach out to the Durand Improvement Group or message Fun Fest on their facebook page.

The Durand City Council is meeting tonight.  Items on the agenda include a zoning request from Katie Hartung to operate an electric bike rental business from her home,  discussion and possible action on special street closures for Blues on the Chippewa, and reports from the Mayor, City Administrator, and Department Heads.  Tonight's meeting begins at 6:30 at Durand City Hall.

The City of Mondovi is looking at all options in regard to the design and construction of the North Eau Claire Street Project.  Mondovi Mayor Brady Weiss says the city is dissatisfied with how the street was engineered and other damages to public property.  The city is working with its legal council on possible legal actions against the engineering firm for the project.

A Western Wisconsin Lawmaker is responding to the Wisconsin DNR's claim that the department is short on money to stock trout here in Western Wisconsin.  In a statement released yesterday,  92nd Assemblyman Treig Pronschinske said that between the amount allotted to spend last year along with money the DNR was allowed to transfer from the Forestry Account and an increase in license fees, the DNR should have over $100 million available to spend on trout stocking.  Pronschinske also said he is displeased with the lack of warning from the DNR to the fish and wildlife clubs on the trout stocking issue.

There's been another plea in the 2022 murder of Christopher Conner in Eau Claire.  Xavier Thompson pleaded no contest on Monday to recklessly endangering safety charges. In exchange, prosecutors dropped homicide charges. Thompson is the third person to plead guilty in the case. Eau Claire Police say five people were involved in Conner's death back in 2022.  Thompson will be sentenced in October.  Two other suspects remain in jail awaiting either a trial or a plea deal of their own. 

The woman who nearly stabbed her boyfriend to death last Christmas Eve has pleaded guilty. Laura Feala pleaded guilty in Chippewa County court yesterday to an attempted homicide charge.  Prosecutors dropped a handful of other charges in the case.  Police say Feala barged-in on her boyfriend in the shower at their home in Lake Hallie last Christmas Eve and stabbed him several times. He was covered in blood when police arrived. She's due to be sentenced in October. 

There's a warning about a dengue fever outbreak in Eau Claire. The city/county health department issued the warning yesterday. Public health managers say 12 people in the area have come down with dengue fever since the beginning of the year. Dengue fever is spread by mosquitoes, and the mosquitoes in Wisconsin do not carry it. All 12 of the people who've been sick with dengue fever came from areas in the tropics where dengue fever is common. There's no worry about the fever spreading in Eau Claire. People cannot give dengue fever to other people. 

A new report says public schools in Wisconsin are spending more per-student than just a few years ago. The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty yesterday said the latest numbers from Wisconsin's Department of Public Instruction show when adjusted for inflation, public schools are spending nearly one-thousand-dollars more per student than a decade ago. The group says the numbers pop the myth that somehow Wisconsin is underfunding its classrooms. DPI's numbers show schools are spending less than they were during the height of the coronavirus when Wisconsin had billions of extra dollars to spend. The latest report shows Wisconsin schools are spending an average of just under 18 thousand-dollars per student.

Capital investments in Wisconsin broke records during the 2024 fiscal year. Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Secretary and CEO, Missy Hughes, says more than two-point-four-billion dollars was invested during the 2024 fiscal year. Projects include the Kikkoman Foods 800-million-dollar expansion in Walworth, the Purina pet food plant expansion in Jefferson, and A.Y. McDonald's new brass casting plant in Dickeyville. The previous capital investment record was set in 2019 with one-point-eight billion dollars. 

Wisconsin's governor is doing a victory lap over the latest paycheck numbers. Governor Tony Evers Monday said numbers from the federal government show Wisconsin led the nation in hourly earnings growth. His office says figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that Wisconsin workers saw their earnings go-up seven-point-nine-percent, six-point-four-percent, four-point-four-percent, and six-point-two-percent, respectively, for February, March, April, and May compared to last year. The average hourly-earning ranged from 31-dollars and 63-cents in Eau Claire to just under 35-dollars an-hour in the Milwaukee area. But those are just the average-hourly-earnings. Wisconsin's median salary last year was just over 47 thousand-dollars a year. And any hourly-wage-growth is, of course, offset by other price increases in gas, grocery, and home prices. 

UW - Madison police warn about a scam targeting incoming freshmen.    It advertises tickets to a night party called "Wisco FreshMan Invasion" supposedly taking place around the time of move-in and orientation for incoming freshmen. The address listed on the flyer is that of the Wisconsin School of Business. Any back-to-school events sponsored by UW - Madison will be marketed to current students and will come from specific departments. UWPD asks parents to share the warning with their students and cautions they shouldn't buy tickets from an unknown source.

The Wisconsin Department of Corrections says operations are back to normal at two troubled prisons. The D O C reported on Monday that in-person visitations are back at Waupun Correctional and that residents at Green Bay Correctional will be getting more recreation time. This is after months of lockdowns at both facilities. There were four deaths at Waupun during the lockdown, and the lockdowns at G B C I prompted calls to close the facility because of its age and condition.

The Wisconsin D M V wants to make sure you have your photo ID ready to vote this fall.   New guidelines to update, renew or get your photo ID are now available from the D M V website. That includes having proof of citizenship, proof of residence, and other required documents. If you aren't sure where to find those papers, the D M V will help you out. You can find that list, and sign up for a time to apply for a license online at Wisconsin D O T dot Gov.

President Biden's sudden exit from the 2024 presidential race shouldn't have much of an effect on the Minnesota ballot.  Secretary of State Steve Simon says the major political parties have until August 26th to finalize their nominees for president and vice president.  Democrats will finish with their national convention in Chicago on August 22nd, giving them a few days to complete the required paperwork for their eventual nominee.  Simon is reminding voters that today is the last day to register in advance to vote in the August 13th primary.

Local-Regional News July 23

 Western Wisconsin's Republican congressman doesn't want Kamala Harris to wait to maybe become president, he wants her to act now. Congressman Derrick Van Orden yesterday said Harris should invoke the 25th Amendment, and remove President Biden from office. Van Orden wrote Harris a letter yesterday, laying out the case that President Biden is no longer of 'sound mind and body.' Van Orden added that he believes the United States is in danger as long as President Biden remains in office. He said he 'takes no pleasure' in asking for the 25th Amendment, but said he feels it must be done. 

The Mondovi City Council is meeting tonight.  Items on the agenda include a discussion of creating an ordinance on trespassing, a discussion of establishing a goose hunt within city limits, and reports from the mayor and department heads.  Tonight's meeting begins at 5:30 at the Marten Center in Mondovi.

A Red Wing nursing home taken over by the state late last year has closed its doors.  The Minnesota Department of Health took over Bay View Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in December after multiple complaints.  The state began a thorough examination of the facility's operation and ultimately decided there was no way to pay for the extensive repairs needed to make the building safe for residents.  The impending closure was announced in May and officials spent the last few months helping the 50 residents find new places to live. 

 An Eau Claire woman is not going to prison after helping hide her boyfriend following a 2022 murder in the city. A judge yesterday gave Paige Reiter two years of probation instead. She pleaded no contest to charges that she helped her boyfriend, Kemone Golden, by sending him money while he was hiding from the police. Golden is one of four people charged in the 2022 shooting death of Christopher Connell in Eau Claire. Golden has yet to go to trial or accept a plea deal in the case.

A new bike trail that connects the Dunn County Judicial Center and Government Center along Highways 12 and 29 is now open in Menomonie. The half-mile extension of the trail follows Stokke Parkway to the north where it connects to the existing trail system. It completes a looping trial around Lake Menomin.  Last November, the Menomonie City Council approved a cost-sharing agreement with the county to fund one-half of the estimated $250,000 project using American Rescue Plan Act funding. It was approved by the Dunn County board in 2022.

There won't be a trial for one of the suspects in last year's armed home invasion in Barron. Prosecutors say Ryan Charpentier pleaded guilty on Friday to being party to armed robbery in exchange for having four other charges dropped. Charpentier is one of two people charged with last December's home invasion where a 70-year-old man was tied up, threatened, and eventually robbed of 13 thousand dollars, jewelry, and some guns. He's due to be sentenced in October. 

Eau Claire County's beaches are finally open. Several beaches opened this week, after a rainy start to the summer. One of those beaches is at Lake Altoona. Michele Skinner of the Lake Altoona District Board says they haven't seen any blue-green algae so far this summer. The hope is that the lake's Aquathrusters are working. You can always find information about the county's beaches online, and you can find out more about water quality at the county's health department website. 

Two people are dead after a plane went down near the EAA AirVenture site near Oshkosh. The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office says the small plane went down into a farm field about two miles south of Oshkosh, just inside of the Town of Nekimi. Deputies say the plane burst into flames after hitting the ground. There's no word on where the plane is from, or what it was doing just before it went down.

 Wisconsin is among the top ten states with the best school systems in the country. A new Wallet-Hub study looked at state education systems based on pupil-to-teacher ratios, dropout rates, and average standardized test scores. Wisconsin's system was ranked fifth best in the nation, fifth for highest math test scores, and is tied for fourth for median S-A-T scores. Massachusetts and Connecticut are ranked best, while Oklahoma and New Mexico are ranked last.

The days of dry Badger games are over. The University of Wisconsin yesterday announced that it will sell beer at Camp Randall Stadium this year. Wisconsin was one of the last hold-outs that didn't sell beer at its football games. Now, Northwestern and Nebraska are the only two Big Ten teams that don't. UW-Madison's chancellor says beer sales will be just a part of the fan experience at Camp Randall. The university has not yet said just how much beer will go for. The school is also silent on how many different wine and seltzer options it will offer this season as well. 

A major Wisconsin employer announces temporary layoffs.   Fond du Lac-based Mercury Marine will lay off 1700 workers to make production adjustments. The layoffs will happen a week at a time for a total of up to eight weeks now through the end of the year and will impact most hourly employees. The announcement comes after Mercury permanently laid off 300 workers last month. The workforce adjustments are due to less consumer demand for Mercury Marine's products.

A woman accused of retail theft was apprehended because she lost her wallet.  It happened at Madison’s East Towne Mall last week when a 20-year-old woman allegedly pushed a shopping cart full of merchandise out of a store without paying. The woman dropped her wallet, which loss prevention employees picked up. When the woman returned for her wallet, she began to throw items off store displays as she demanded her wallet be returned to her. The woman was arrested for felony retail theft and disorderly conduct.

A new social media scam is using a bait-and-switch approach to fool users into clicking on harmful links. Marathon County Sheriff’s Detective Bradley Tatro says it starts with a post that seems well-intentioned, like a missing person or animal. Tatro says scammers are looking to install malware on a device or entice users to provide personal data. These suspicious posts will often have their comments turned off to encourage sharing. He also says to be suspicious of any post in a local group that comes from a new account or one with very few followers.

A Minnesota woman is accused of marketing a sham microcurrent therapy device nationwide that she said could treat any disease, but it burned or injured people who used it.  Tammy Wadsworth of Stockton, MN has been charged by a federal grand jury with mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering.  Prosecutors say the defendant conducted a long-running scheme that cheated franchisees out of one million dollars.  Wadsworth is free on a personal recognizance bond and is expected back in court on July 31.

Get rid of standing water in your yard. That's the message from UW Extension entomologist PJ Liesch, who says it doesn't take much to give mosquitos a place to reproduce. Things like kids' toys, a low-lying spot in a tarp, or a clogged gutter that holds water could be a breeding site for mosquitoes. Even something as small as a soda bottle cap could be enough water for some species. If you've got a bird bath, be sure to change the water regularly and get a pump to keep it circulating.

 It was a very special National Ice Cream Day for one Chippewa Falls ice cream shop. Olson's Ice Cream in Chippewa Falls turned 80-years-old on Sunday. The shop celebrated with a festival, including an ice cream eating contest. Co-owner Jeremy Hunt says they just wanted to thank the people in the Chippewa Valley for helping them stay open all these years. Olson's original location along North Bridge Street is still open to this day.

Local-Regional News June 22

The Democrats who are running for Congress in western Wisconsin have nothing but praise for President Biden after he announced yesterday that he will not be running for re-election any longer. Eric Wilson said this is now an opportunity for Democrats to focus on beating former President Trump come November. State Rep. Katrina Shankland called Biden's decision "deeply patriotic," and said voters should thank President Biden for a lot of things. Rebecca Cooke said while she is grateful for the president's decades of service, she said she's more focused on the race in western Wisconsin.

Two people were injured in a semi vs vehicle accident in the Town of Trempealeau on Wednesday.  According to the Trempealeau County Sheriffs Department, Leonard Mound was traveling westbound on Hwy 54 and was stopped to make a left turn when his vehicle was rear-ended by a westbound semi driven by Ayden Broszeit.  Mound and his passenger Dixie Feiten were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The Pepin County Senior Council will be holding a meeting tomorrow to elect members to the Board of Directors.  There are three incumbents that are nominated for another 3yr term inclding Zita Stewart, Carole Orne, and Bonnie Bock.  The meeting begins tomorrow morning at 10:30 at the Riverview Community and Senior Center in Durand.

School districts across the state are in a wait-and-see mode to see how the unconstitutional declaration of ACT 10 will affect their budgets.  Durand-Arkansaw School Superintendent Ryan Nelson says the district will need to be prepared for any changes.  Act 10 prevented teacher unions from negotiating for higher wages above the rate of inflation and was declared unconstitutional by the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

A wet June puts Wisconsin’s drought in the rear-view mirror. It wasn’t the wettest June on record, but the Wisconsin Climatology Office reports most locations received at least six inches of rainfall with a statewide average of just under seven inches. That’s 48 percent or just over two-and-quarter inches more than normal, making it the sixth wettest June going back to 1895. And while all that ran following a very wet May crushed the drought, it also meant lots of flooding and storm damage. Rain fell frequently and intensely last month. Some places in northwest and south-central Wisconsin had four- to six-inches more than normal.  

We could get some more answers about the rules for absentee voting in Wisconsin by the end of the day. The legislature's Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules will meet this morning to talk about the rules for absentee voting, as well as the rules for ballot challenges. Lawmakers are looking at the mandate from the Wisconsin Elections Commission for one set of rules for absentee voters this year. Absentee voting will be a focus this fall with both new absentee ballot witness envelopes and ballot drop boxes back in use. 

We're now waiting for the answers. Governor Evers' artificial intelligence task force will hold its final meeting today. The governor's task force is focusing on how AI can and will change Wisconsin's workforce, and the jobs that will need to be filled in the future. The governor's task force is one of two AI task forces in Wisconsin. The other is through the legislature and focuses on the dangers that can arise from artificial intelligence. 

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources joined the search for a missing man in the bay of Green Bay over the weekend. It's now been more than a week since Billy Salnik's boat capsized on his way from Green Island to Oconto. Searchers found the boat and his two children in the water last Monday. The kids were dead. Salnik's family says they believe he's gone as well. The Door County Sheriff's Office says it is looking to find Salnik's body. 

Attorney General Josh Kaul announced a settlement with Wisconsin Whey Protein Inc. requiring it to pay $350-thousand. The settlement is in relation to Wisconsin's wastewater and stormwater law violations from the corporation's operation of a cheese and whey plant in Darlington, Wisconsin. The settlement was approved by the Lafayette County Circuit Court on July 11th. The state alleged that Wisconsin Whey Protein Inc. did not properly operate and maintain its wastewater treatment facility, resulting in multiple spills of untreated wastewater, some of which entered nearby waterways. The state also alleged that Wisconsin Whey Protein Inc. did not timely obtain the stormwater permit coverage required for its construction and industrial operations. 

 

A fire Friday Evening destroyed a shed, barn, and farming equipment at an agricultural research station used by UW-Madison on the city's far west side.  The fire was reported at 6:23 p.m. at the West Madison Agricultural Research Station at 8502 Mineral Point Road.  That facility is used by UW-Madison's College of Agricultural Life Sciences.  The fire briefly forced authorities to shut down Mineral Point Road between South Junction and South Pleasant View Road as firefighters worked to extinguish the flames. No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is unknown, but foul play is not suspected at this time. 

Wisconsin congressman Mark Pocan wants President Joe Biden to drop out of the race. Pocan joined fellow House Democrats Chuy Garcia of Illinois, Mark Veasey of Texas, and Jared Huffman of California in a direct public message to the President. They wrote, “we must face the reality that widespread public concerns about your age and fitness are jeopardizing what should be a winning campaign.” The House Democrats are the latest group calling on Biden to withdraw from the presidential campaign over concerns about his fitness. It also makes Pocan the first Wisconsin Democrat to call on Biden to step aside.

Several people were injured in a crash involving a school bus in Racine County Thursday.  Ten children and one adult were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries following a noon-hour collision with a minivan. The bus was carrying 51 people to a summer camp event. No one in the minivan was hurt. Some of the uninjured children were taken from the scene by another bus, and others were picked up by their parents. The Racine County Sheriff's Office is investigating.

Governor Tony Evers orders flags half-staff for a former Wisconsin National Guard adjutant general.  State and national flags will be flown at half-staff Sunday in honor of Major General Jerald David Slack, who died in May at age 78. Slack’s decades of service with the Wisconsin Air National Guard began in 1961. His government career included work as a civil engineer with the State Highway Commission, followed by positions with the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Administration. Slack was appointed as Wisconsin's adjutant general by former Governor Tommy Thompson in 1989. He was inducted into the Wisconsin Air National Guard Hall of Fame in 2019.

Minneapolis is out of the running to host the Sundance Film Festival in 2027.  The city had touted its vibrant arts and entertainment scene, diverse cultural heritage, and passionate film community aS a reason to hold the famous festival.  However, Minneapolis wasn't among the six finalists released today.  They are Atlanta, Georgia, Boulder, Colorado, Cincinnati, Ohio, Louisville, Kentucky, Park City, Utah and Santa Fe, New Mexico.

 A 66-year-old tradition of local kids offering Packers players a ride to practice on their bikes has turned into a huge celebration full of green and gold decorated bikes and hopeful young Packers fans. The tradition is now called the American Family Insurance Dream Drive. If you're interested in heading to Lambeau with your bicycle here's what you need to know: as of now there's no formal sign-up process for a player to ride a fan's bike.  Kids must simply arrive outside the Lambeau Field locker room on the east side of the stadium with their bikes and hope to get picked. Young Packers fans are invited to each open practice day to offer players a ride on their bikes from Lambeau to Nitschke Field.  

Local-Regional News July 19

 The Durand Arkansaw School District has a new principal for Caddie Woodlawn Elementary.  The board approved Taylor Semingson.  Durand-Arkansaw Superintendent Ryan Nelson says Semingson will be a good fit at Caddie Woodlawn.  Semingson began his new duties this week.

The Dunn County Sheriff's Department has released the name of the victim in the accident on Wednesday.  77yr old Wayne Myers was killed when he did not stop at a stop sign at the intersection of 710th Street and 240th Avenue and was struck by an eastbound semi.  The semi-driver was not injured in that accident.

A western Wisconsin teacher is heading to prison for having sex with one of his students. A judge yesterday sentenced Brandon Fuhrman to two years in prison, and 15 years on the sex offender registry for having sex with one of his students when he taught in the Ellsworth School District. Fuhrman was 23 at the time. The student was 17. He pleaded guilty in the case earlier this year. 

A former Monroe County deputy is facing sexual assault charges in a case out of La Crosse County. Prosecutors filed charges against  29-year-old Aaron Yang last month, he was in court to answer those charges yesterday.  He's accused of having sex with a then-16-year-old last year. The victim told investigators he asked her to babysit his daughter at his apartment in La Crosse. La Crosse Police started investigating the case in May, he was arrested in June, and he resigned from the Monroe County Sheriff's Office two weeks after his arrest. The sheriff in Monroe County says they've launched an investigation of their own. 

 Eau Claire's parks department wants to hear your thoughts about future parks in the city. The parks department says they are looking to plan out for the next five years or so, and they want to know what people in Eau Claire think. In addition to asking about future wants, the survey asks people what they think of the current offerings at the parks department. You can find the survey, and give your answers, online. 

The Mississippi in Prairie du Chien is now low enough to start to clean-up. The river flooded earlier this week because of all the recent rains, but emergency managers say the river is now at about 15-and-a-half feet, and dropping. That's low enough to remove sandbags and start to clean-up the flood damage. The city is asking people to put their flood debris on the curb. The city is asking people to dump the sand from their sandbags into the totes at the collection area behind the radio station on North Prairie Street. The dropping river levels also mean the recreation areas near Prairie du Chien are now back open. 

The Olmsted County Board of Commissioners appointed Pete Giesen as the interim Olmsted County administrator.  As the new interim county administrator, Geisen will make recommendations to the county board, implement county policies, provide leadership to the Olmsted County government organization, and ensure the effective delivery of county services.  Since 2017, Giesen has served as deputy county administrator of the Internal Services division and will officially begin serving in this role on July 29. Heidi Welsch, the current county administrator, announced her resignation from the seat on July 9.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice is getting some more four-legged help. Attorney General Josh Kaul announces "Bo", a black lab, will be joining the DOJ as a new Accelerant Detection Canine. Bo will assist special agents and other investigators across the state in detecting accelerants in and around fire scenes. Bo joins "Tutty" as the second accelerant detection canine and will be assigned to the State Fire Marshal's Office. Bo comes from the "Puppies Behind Bars" program, which employs incarcerated individuals to train service dogs. Bo went through training at the ATF National Canine Division and was later paired with a DCI handler.

Elijah Vue's mom is now set to plead guilty at the end of the month. Katrina Bauer was due to plead guilty yesterday, but her attorneys asked for a delay. They say there are still some things that need to be worked-out. Bauer is only facing neglect charges in her son's disappearance. Three-year-old Elijah has been missing since February, and no one is saying what happened to him. Bauer says she left the little boy with her boyfriend. That boyfriend, Jesse Vang, is also facing neglect charges in the boy's disappearance. 

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is looking for volunteers to teach hunting safety classes across the state. The DNR says the classes will focus on safe, responsible, and ethical hunting practices. More than 20-thousand people have volunteered as instructors since the program began in 1967. The DNR says there has been a 95-percent decrease in unsafe hunting-related events since the program started. People interested in volunteering can contact their local DNR outdoor skills trainer.

The Department of Natural Resources is investigating a pair of fish kills in southern Wisconsin. The two kills were on the Buffalo Lake watershed and the Yahara River. Initial reports from Buffalo Lake show a very low oxygen level in the water, which can lead to fish deaths. That can be caused by runoff from farms and swamps, often following the sorts of heavy rain the area has seen recently. Biologists are still investigating the incident on the Yahara.

Wisconsin Athletics reveals details and renderings for what it calls “innovative” Kohl Center premium seating options. The reduction of the ice sheet will create 200 additional seats. Amenities included with the new seating options are a full-service bar, premium food and non-alcoholic beverages, and access to a new premium club space. UW Athletic Director Chris McIntosh says they're adding to the legacy of one of the top venues in college athletics with the renovations. Some longtime season ticket holders are not happy – saying they’re being displaced.

The National Transportation Safety Board has released its final report on a hot air balloon crash in Rochester.  The crash made national headlines in March when the balloon made explosive contact with power lines near Highway 63 South.  The basket separated from the top half of the balloon, leaving the pilot and two passengers with minor injuries.  The NTSB report blames the crash on "failure to maintain clearance from power lines while landing in a field."  

The Minnesota Historical Society is organizing a special scavenger hunt in honor of the state's 175th birthday.  The group has put together a contest offering points for completed tasks at locations around the state.  Prizes are awarded for reaching certain targets, with a prize drawing for those that get the most points.  More information about the tasks and the contest rules is available on the society's website.

Guinness is crediting a Minnesota bus driver with a new world record.  Ninety-four-year-old Jim Oppegard has been certified by the organization as the world's oldest bus driver.  Oppegard works for Maple Grove-based Northstar Bus Lines and drives special needs children to and from school.  Oppegard worked as a bus driver for 20 years before retiring, then resumed driving after finding he was bored.  He says he likes being busy and the money he makes from driving helps him support his daughter's Christian ministry in Africa.

Local-Regional News July 18

 One person is dead after a semi-truck vs SUV accident in Spring Brook Township on Wednesday.  According to the Dunn County Sheriff's Department, a loaded log truck was traveling eastbound on 240th Aveune, and the SUV was traveling southbound on 710th Street.  The SUV did not stop for the stop sign at the intersection of 240th Avenue and was struck by the semi.  The 77yr old driver of the SUV was pronounced dead at the scene by the Dunn County Medical Examiners Office.  The driver of the semi was not hurt.  The name of the deceased driver is not being released at this time.

The Durand Arkansaw School District will make some changes to the co-curricular code of conduct for middle and high school students.  Last night the board approved separating the policy for middle school and high school students.  Changes include a student would be academically ineligible if they have a single F grade, and 4th quarter grades would determine eligibility for fall sports and activities.  Another change would also be that mid-term grades would also be a checkpoint for eligibility.

The City of Mondovi has been notified of a mailing that has been mailed out to people stating it was from the Mondovi City Council asking for donations to the Police Association.  This is NOT affiliated with the Mondovi Police Department.  Please be cautious when sending donations in the mail.  If you suspect a scam, please notify the police department or bring the mailing to City Hall.

One person was injured in a single-vehicle accident in Rock Elm Township on Monday.  According to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, 18yr old Mason Zimmerman of Spring Valley was traveling northbound on 110th Street when he went through a stop sign and struck a tree.  Zimmerman was transported to Western Wisconsin Health in Baldwin.

A man from Eau Claire was found guilty of wire fraud in federal court. Robert Carter was accused of stealing more than 510-thousand dollars in a fraud scheme that lasted years. The U-S Department of Justice Western District of Wisconsin says Carter provided false documents and gave false information to companies that lease and sell semi trucks in order to obtain property. He later used that property for his own business, Carter Transportation Group. Carter faces 20 years in prison each for two charges. His hearing is scheduled for October.

 Another hospital is suing the city of Eau Claire over its property tax bill. Marshfield Clinic this week filed a lawsuit that challenges its million-dollar tax bill. Marshfield says it is exempt from property taxes because it is a hospital, and it is a 'benevolent facility devoted to the care of the sick, injured or disabled.' The Mayo Clinic Health System filed a similar lawsuit against Eau Claire last month, claiming almost the exact same thing. Eau Claire's defense there is that the hospital portion of the hospitals are exempt, but the office space, parking lots, and other pieces of the hospital's property are not. 

 A former northwestern Wisconsin police officer is headed to prison for a deadly drunk driving crash in Eau Claire. A judge yesterday sentenced Gregory Swanson to five years in prison, and another five years of parole for the deadly wreck back in July of 2022. Investigators say Swanson smashed into the back of an Eau Claire man's car after he broke down along the side of the road in Superior. The man died immediately, his infant son died a few days later. Swanson pleaded guilty in the case back in April. 

There won't be any charges from the dust-up between an RNC protester and western Wisconsin's Republican congressman. The Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office yesterday said it won't be filing charges against activist Nour Jaghama. She was arrested Tuesday after Congressman Derrick Van Orden said she assaulted him. Van Orden called it political violence. Code Pink, the group Jaghama belongs to, said it was Van Orden who pushed his way past her and into line. Prosecutors say they watched the body camera footage of what happened, and said they didn't see any 'violation of Wisconsin law.

Wisconsin's governor is joining the lawsuit that seeks to declare a right to abortion in the state. Governor Tony Evers yesterday said he and the state's attorney general are supporting the case from Planned Parenthood that asks the liberal-majority Wisconsin Supreme Court to find a right to abortion in the state's constitution. Evers says he promised voters that he would fight to restore the Roe decision, and says he is making good on that promise. The governor is already supporting the lawsuit from Planned Parenthood to strike down Wisconsin's 1849 law that all-but bans abortions in the state. The state supreme court is also hearing that case, though arguments have not yet been scheduled. 

Add this to the list of RNC incidents. Commanders yesterday say a fighter jet had to escort a small plane out of the restricted space above the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. There's no indication that the plane was a threat, but it was in restricted air space. NORAD says an F-35 intercepted the plane about 3:30 yesterday, and escorted it out of the no-fly zone. Logs show the pilot was flying from Indiana to Oshkosh. 

This one shouldn't surprise anyone: Most people in Wisconsin want to keep their gas-powered cars. The state's largest business group, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce is out with a new poll that says 59-percent of people in the state opposed a gas-powered car ban. The poll says 22-percent of people support the idea, and another 19-percent aren't sure.  No one has introduced a plan to stop gas powered engines in Wisconsin yet.  But Republicans at the Wisconsin Capitol are worried enough that it may happen, that they've already tried to pass a ban on gas-powered car bans. That idea, however, hasn't made it past Governor Evers yet.

Wisconsin is among the states with the least financial distress. A new WalletHub report looked at credit scores, the number of deferred payments, and bankruptcy filings between March 2023 and March 2024. Wisconsin was ranked the fifth least financially distressed state and was also in the top five states with the highest change in the average credit score. New Hampshire and Iowa were at first and second for least distress, while Michigan, Texas, and Nevada were the three most financially distressed states. 

The American soldier who jumped the border into North Korea is reportedly in plea negotiations with the Army. Travis King, who is from Racine, ran into North Korea last July. He was due to be sent back to the states to be disciplined for a fight in South Korea. King spent almost three months in North Korea. He was due in a military court in Texas for a preliminary hearing yesterday, but military prosecutors say that's been delayed because of the plea talks. King is facing several charges, including desertion. 

A federal appeals court is ruling that Minnesota's ban on 18 to 20-year-olds carrying handguns publicly is unconstitutional.  The Eighth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals made the decision yesterday. This ruling takes place three years after three gun-rights groups and three young adults sued Minnesota's public safety commissioner and the sheriffs of Douglas, Millie Lacs, and Washington counties.  Adults younger than 21 in the state will soon be able to apply for permits to carry handguns in public.

An investigation is underway after the driver of an Excel Energy truck slammed into a Minneapolis business.  It happened this afternoon at the Supply Studio, an art store on East Hennepin Avenue.  The driver wasn't seriously hurt, and no one inside the building was injured.  It's unclear what caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle.

Green Bay may be small, but the Packers aren't poor. The Packers yesterday said they turned a 60-million-dollar profit for the last year. While that is not a small amount of money, CEO Mark Murphy says net profits were down about 12-percent. Almost all of that drop, however, can be blamed on higher player salaries and the depreciation costs at Lambeau Field. The Packers got 402-million-dollars from the NFL's revenue sharing agreement, and another 251-million from local revenues. Murphy says the team remains in a strong financial position.

Local-Regional News July 17

 A Red Wing man is confessing to killing his infant son.  Hunter McCutchen agreed yesterday to plead guilty to second-degree murder in connection to the baby's death in May 2023.  The plea deal calls for first-degree murder and other lesser charges to be dropped and for  McCutchen to receive a 40-year prison term.  An X-ray of the baby's chest showed broken ribs and a broken collarbone.  McCutchen later admitted to hurting the infant.

Music in the park is tonight in Durand.  Kris Krose will perform on stage and there will be a touch a truck event on Madison Street.  Durand Police Chief Stan Ridgeway says Durand Police will also have some vehicles there. Tonight Music in the Park begins at 6pm at Memorial Park in Durand.

The Durand-Arkansaw School Board is meeting tonight.  Items on the agenda include discussion and action on the seclusion and restraint policy, coaching handbook revisions, and co-curricular code of conduct revisions.  Tonight's meeting begins at 6pm in the board room at Durand-Arkansaw High School.

One person is dead after a two-vehicle accident in the town of Arcadia on Tuesday.  According to the Trempealeau County Sheriff's Department, a northbound vehicle on Hwy 93 collided head-on with a southbound vehicle.  The driver of the southbound vehicle died from injuries at the scene, while the northbound vehicle driver was taken to the hospital for evaluation.  The crash is still under investigation.

The Wabasha County Fair begins today.  Poultry and Rabbit Judging is this afternoon and tonight a new autocross event will be held in the Grandstands.  Other events include a Bull Riding event on Friday and a demo derby on Saturday.  The Wabasha County Fair runs through Saturday at the fairgrounds in Wabasha.

We now know the name of the Chippewa County prisoner who died after being rushed to the hospital.  Chippewa County Sheriff Travis Hakes said Shauna Dommer was taken to the hospital, where she later died.  Hakes says Dommer was brought to the county jail on July 2nd, but was rushed to the hospital on July 4th.  She was placed on life support on July 10th, and the coroner says she died on Sunday.  Dommer was facing bail jumping and drug charges in Eau Claire County.  Her autopsy was scheduled for yesterday in the Twin Cities. 

It was a bit smaller of a crowd at the Northern Wisconsin State Fair this year.  Fair managers yesterday said about 110-thousand people walked through the fair's gates this year.  Manager Rusty Volk says that's about 10-percent less than last year. Volk blames the heat and the economy for the smaller crowd. Volk did say that the Leinenkugel Main Stage and the Northwestern Bank Grandstand brought out pretty good crowds for this year's concerts. 

The manhunt for a suspect wanted in both Madison and Eau Claire has ended in Indiana. The U.S. Marshals yesterday said they arrested Jerome Jacobs, Jr. in Gary, Indiana.  He's wanted in connection to a shooting in Madison.  Police in Eau Claire were the last to spot him in Wisconsin, but they say he had some help in escaping.  Madison Police say Jacobs fired nearly 20 shots at the home of the mother of his children back in June. One person was hit in the forehead. The Marshals say Jacobs will be brought back to Madison to face charges. 

Western Wisconsin's congressman says he was assaulted at Milwaukee's Republican National Convention. Congressman Derrick Van Orden took to X yesterday afternoon to say a protester with the group Code Pink assaulted him while he was standing in line at the RNC. Code Pink almost immediately said Van Orden was the one who bumped into who they called a 'visibly Palestinian' woman. Van Orden said no matter the severity of the violence, political violence is not acceptable. Van Orden went on to say that he wants the protester 'prosecuted to the greatest extent of the law.'

The search continues for the father of the two boys found dead in Green Bay this week. The sheriff in Brown County says no one has seen Bill Salnik since Saturday. The Coast Guard found his sailboat in the bay of Green Bay over the weekend. It had overturned. Salnik's two children, ages three and five, were found dead. The Coast Guard said Salnik was on his way from Green Island to Oconto. Searchers say there is still a chance that Salnik is alive. 

Wisconsin employers who hire veterans are able to apply for the Vets Ready Employer Initiative. The state Department of Workforce Development says the initiative recognizes employers who hire and retain veterans and help connect them with the community. The recognition is meant to attract more veteran talent to the businesses. Applications will be accepted through this Friday, July 19.

A charter fishing boat exploded in Two Rivers over the weekend. Firefighters responded late Saturday morning to find the boat engulfed in flames and heavy black smoke in the Two Rivers harbor. The Coast Guard secured the boat to the sea wall so flames could be extinguished from shore. Several people had to swim to shore following the blast and fire but no injuries were reported. What caused the explosion is under investigation.

A small plane overturned in West Bend over the weekend. It happened Saturday morning when a single prop Cessna flipped while landing at West Bend Municipal Airport. Police and fire personnel found four people aboard the plane. None were injured and the National Transportation Safety Board and FAA are investigating.

Minnesota Governor Walz says a recent ranking shows Minnesota is investing in areas that keep the state's economy strong.  CNBC released its annual "Top States for Business" list last week, ranking Minnesota sixth overall.  The list was created by ranking states on 128 metrics in ten broad categories.  Minnesota placed fifth in infrastructure and fourth in quality of life, while the state's worst ranking was 35th in cost of doing business.  In a statement, the governor said investing in job training, workforce development, child care, and broadband access has made Minnesota very attractive to many businesses and industries.

Senator Amy Klobuchar says Minnesota's newest veterans home is a dream come true for many Minnesotans.  Klobuchar visited the state veterans home in Preston yesterday, touring the facility and speaking to staff and patients.  The home was dedicated last month and currently serves 22 veterans.  The facility's director of nursing says the eventual goal is to have more than 50 patients living at the facility.

The Mayo Clinic's Rochester location is again being listed as one of the best hospitals in the United States.  U.S. News & World Report released its annual hospital rankings yesterday and put the Minnesota location on its honor roll of the top 20 U.S. hospitals.  The Rochester location was also ranked in the top five in four specialty treatment categories -- cancer, neurology, orthopedics and cardiology.

Local-Regional News July 16

 A Durand man has been sentenced to 5yrs in prison for Drunk Driving in Eau Claire County.  Douglas Van Buskirk was pulled over for OWI 10th offense in 2021 after an Eau Claire Convenience Store Clerk called the police to report a man very intoxicated purchasing alcohol.  Authorities found Van Buskirk at another convenience store and a breathalyzer test put his alcohol level at .115.  Van Buskirk pleaded no contest to OWI 10th offense on Monday.

Menomonie is ready to allow ATVs and UTVs on city streets. The city council last night approved the plan to let people drive their TVs in town. Mayor Randy Knaack says it makes sense to allow people to drive their ATV or UTV to one of the area's trails, as opposed to load it on a trailer every time you want to go out. The ordinance should be finalized next month, which means it will likely be October before riders can legally take to the streets. 

There aren't a lot of details about the death of a woman who was a prisoner in the Chippewa County Jail. The woman was taken from the jail to the hospital on July 4th, was put on life support a few days later, and according to the coroner died on Sunday. No one is saying who the woman is, what she was in jail for, or just why she was taken to the hospital. Sheriff Hakes says the woman was no longer his responsibility after jailers took her to the hospital. The coroner's office says the woman will have an autopsy later today in the Twin Cities. 

 The first of four suspects in a 2022 murder in Eau Claire has accepted a plea deal. Michael Purnell yesterday agreed to a no-contest plea for the shooting death of Christopher Connell. Purnell's deal saw prosecutors agree to drop first-degree murder charges in exchange for new charges of being party to felony murder. Investigators say Purnell is one of four people involved in the murder. The other three suspects have yet to go to trial or accept pleas of their own. 

  Private well users in southeastern Minnesota can apply for free kits that they can use to test their water for a variety of hazards.  The TAP-IN Safe Water Drinking Program is run by water conservation districts in the region and funded by the Minnesota Department of Health.  Water tested through the program will be analyzed and some well owners may be eligible for financial assistance to help repair problems or drill new wells.  Homeowners and renters with private wells in Olmsted, Goodhue, Wabasha, and Winona counties are eligible for the program.

A Winona auto parts manufacturing plant is closing.  According to the Minnesota Employment and Economic Development State Rapid Response Team, BCS Access Business System U.S. will be laying off nearly 117 hourly and salaried employees from its facility in Winona.  The layoffs and closing of the plant will begin on July 26.

A UW-La Crosse faculty committee recommends firing former chancellor Joe Gow.  The committee recommends Gow be fired from his tenured teaching position. In December, Gow was fired as chancellor by the UW Board of Regents after he and his wife were found to be making online porn videos. In a report, the committee says Gow’s most serious misconduct was his response to the discovery of the videos and his firing as chancellor. The report states Gow exploited his role as a La Crosse faculty member to generate more views and revenue from his pornographic content. Gow has called the report and its findings insubstantial to terminating him as faculty. The firing recommendation now goes to new UW–La Crosse Chancellor James Beeby, who will decide whether to forward it to the full Board of Regents.

There is a new snapshot of the fundraising advantage that Wisconsin Democrats continue to have. The Wisconsin State Senate Democratic Committee yesterday said it raised nearly three million-dollars in the latest fundraising period. The Dems say the Committee to Elect Republican Senators raised just under one million-dollars in the same amount of time. Senate Democratic Leader Dianne Hesslebein said the fundraising haul shows that Democrats are 'running real and aggressive campaigns across Wisconsin.' This fall will be the first elections for state lawmakers under Wisconsin's new, Democrat-friendly election maps. 

Minnesota Governor Walz will be leading a trade mission to Europe later this year.  The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development says the trip to Ireland and the Netherlands will happen in November.  Nearly three dozen Minnesota businesses and organizations in fields such as medical technology and food and agriculture will be part of the trip.  The governor says the trip will be an excellent chance to create new business opportunities in Europe.

Mosquitos are out in force this summer thanks to continued heavy rains, but you can beat the bugs with some simple tips. UW Extension entomologist PJ Liesch (Leech) says reducing the amount of skin you have exposed is one of the safest bets. If you're at home, try to stay in a screened area, or if you're on your deck, bring some fans outside. Mosquitoes have a hard time maneuvering in the breeze. If you are going to wear bug repellant, make sure it's tested by the E P A for safety and follow the instructions.

Wisconsin coastal communities are getting almost one-point-three million dollars in grant money. The Wisconsin Department of Administration Coastal Management Program says 31 grants will go toward economic development and protecting natural resources on the Great Lakes. Recipients were recommended by a governor-appointed citizen advisory group. 

A sailboat belonging to a missing man and his two children was found in the waters of Green Bay. It was found just south of Chambers Island Monday morning. A search began over the weekend for 32-year-old Bill Salnik of Little Suamico and his two children, ages 5 and 3, after they went sailing Saturday. The U.S. Coast Guard towed the vessel to Fish Creek and will provide more updates when appropriate. No word yet regarding the whereabouts of Salnik and his children.

Democratic Governor Tony Evers is asking the US Secret Service to ban guns in a wider area around this week’s Republican National Convention.  The request follows the weekend assassination attempt at a rally for Former President Donald Trump. State law restricts local gun bans, and people will only be checked for weapons inside a security zone around Fiserv Forum. Evers says expanding the weapon checks will keep people safer in the outer security zone where many rallies and protests are planned.

A fire shuts down a portion of a popular Southwest Wisconsin attraction. Officials at the House on the Rock say a fire started there Friday morning in the Orchestra Bandwagon in the Upper Circus area of the venue. The fire was reportedly contained by area fire crews before guests entered the area. The Circus Portion of the house is one of three sections of the venue. The other two sections are part of the Highlight Experience, which remains open. The areas of the attraction affected by the fire will be assessed by professionals and reopened at a yet-to-be-determined date.

Spam is unveiling a brand new flavor.  Minnesota-based Hormel Foods say the new offering is called Korean BBQ.  They describe it as "sweet yet spicy."  The new flavor becomes the 12th permanent variety of SPAM, which is manufactured in Austin.  The latest labor is available online and at Walmart.

Before you sign a contract to get solar power at your home, do some homework. Wisconsin Consumer Protection director Michelle Reinen says some companies have been making wild claims about the benefits of solar power, like getting rid of utility bills entirely. Reinen says you should always do some research on a company before you sign anything. Make sure any government rebates or deals the company says you're eligible for still exist, and check with the B B B if you need to find some reviews.

Local-Regional News July 15

 The Chippewa Valley is just inside the storm line today. The National Weather Service says folks from Eau Clare down to Milwaukee have a slight chance of severe weather. The threat is high winds and thunderstorms. Forecasters say they don't expect any tornadoes. Highs today in Eau Claire will be in the mid-80s, and the cool-off for the rest of the week once the line of storms moves through. 

As the new Durand City Administrator settles into the position, economic development is one issue at the top of the list.  Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren said when he met with Administrator Carlson, economic development was the first issue they discussed. The mayor also said affordable housing was another issue the two discussed.

The City of Mondovi will add some new playground equipment to its area parks.  Mondovi Mayor Brady Weiss says the city applied for some grants last year and were approved.  That equipment should be installed at the area parks in the next year.

The Northern Wisconsin State Fair is in the books for 2024. The fair wrapped-up its last day yesterday. There's no word on just how many people walked through the gates this year, but fair organizers say they saw a steady crowd. The heat and storms this year did play a role, however. Fair manager Rusty Volk says the team will take a day or so to recover, then get right back to work planning next year's fair. 

Motorists in Wabasha County are reminded that County Hwy 27 will be closed starting today for a culvert replacement about a quarter mile east of 215th Avenue.   Crews hope to have the work completed in two days.  Drivers will need to use alternate routes such as Minnesota Highway 74, Winona County Highway 30, Wabasha County Road 8, or Wabasha County Highway 14.

 UW-Eau Claire is partnering with the Defense Department on a new kind of paint. The university said last week that it is working with a company from Oak Creek, Wisconsin on a new kind of paint that better will stand-up to rust. Professor Diedra Gerlach is leading the university's team, but she says some students will help with the project as well. There is funding involved, but no one is saying just how much will be coming to the university. 

There's a new place to drop off expired or unwanted medications in Eau Claire.  The 24-hour medication drop-off box is in the lobby of the Eau Claire Jail.  It'll accept prescription medications and patches, over-the-counter medications, and even pet medications.  The Health Department says it's important to dispose of medications that are lying around in case children or pets find them and misuse them.  The drop box is free to use.

Wisconsin's 77th Alice in Dairyland is on the job. Oconomowoc native Halei Heinzel will spend the next year promoting farms, farmers, cheese and everything agriculture. She says she got her start in agriculture in high school and was a member of the Future Farmers of America. That turned into a life sciences communications degree at UW-Madison. Alice in Dairyland is a one-year ambassadorship position with the State Ag Department, and Heinzel will be giving speeches at schools and doing interviews with the media.

 Guns will not be allowed inside Fiserv Forum or other buildings where RNC events are set to take place, or in the hard perimeter, around the convention, where credentials are required for entry.  Most guns, however, will not be banned in the area immediately outside the RNC perimeter, known as the security footprint, because the city is prevented by state law from enacting such a ban.  Wisconsin law prohibits the city of Milwaukee, and all local governments "from prohibiting the possession or carrying of legal firearms." 

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources encourages private well owners to test their drinking water amid heavy rain and flooding.  Flood water and runoff contain bacteria and other contaminants which can affect private water supplies and spread waterborne illness. Well, owners who experience flooding or see changes to their water should assume their well is contaminated. They should stop drinking the water and find an alternative source, clean their well, and sample the well before resuming water consumption. The DNR says even without signs of flooding, a well can be contaminated. More information can be found by visiting the DNR's website.

The whooping cough count in Fond du Lac County is now up to 15. The county's health department yesterday said this is the first time since 2011 that there's been even one case of the whooping cough in the county. All of the cases are among teenagers, but the health department isn't saying much else about just who is sick. The symptoms include sneezing, coughing, runny nose, and a low-grade fever. Public health managers say washing your hands is always the best way to prevent the spread of whooping cough. Doctors are asking parents to be on the lookout for other kids who may be sick. 

Minnesota U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar says her doctor discovered a small white spot called a calcification during a recent check-up that was removed during an outpatient procedure.  She also posted on social media that she again is cancer-free but will undergo a few days of radiation as a precaution.  Klobuchar, who is seeking re-election this fall, has advocated the benefits of routine screenings and exams.  The DFL senator was first diagnosed with stage-one breast cancer in March of 2021.  Klobuchar followed with a successful lumpectomy and a round of radiation treatment.

A Twin Cities airport is at the top of a new ranking of the best airports in the U.S.  Travel + Leisure named Minneapolis-St. Paul International is the best airport in America in a ranking released this week.  Airports were rated on criteria like access, security, check-in procedures, amenities, and design.  Readers of the magazine gave MSP a slightly higher rating than Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport, with Palm Beach International Airport finishing third.

 A fireball that was seen streaking through the sky on Thursday night stirred up theories from Dane County residents on social media. After much speculation, the fireball was confirmed to be a meteor by the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences Department. While determined to be a meteor The International Meteor Organization did classify it as a fireball, because of the meteor's brightness. The meteor is believed to have exploded in the sky without leaving any remnants. Recordings are available from the UW-Madison AOSS online to view for free. 

A legendary name in Wisconsin dining will briefly disappear. The last remaining Big Boy restaurant in the state, located in Sussex, will close Sunday. A statement from its owners says that's due to needing the kitchen space to handle the volume from the attached GOAT Bar and Grill. For decades, Marc’s Big Boy, owned by Milwaukee’s Marcus Corporation, had over 60 restaurants in four Midwest states including several in the Milwaukee area. The Big Boy name will make its return to a restaurant in Wisconsin Dells this fall under new ownership.