Many schools across Wisconsin will be getting less money from the state in the new school year. The state's Department of Public Instruction released its state aid estimates for the next school year yesterday. DPI says 57 percent of schools will see more money, while 30 percent of schools will see less. Here in Western Wisconsin, Plum City will see a drop in aid to $1.9 million down from $2.2 million last year. Durand-Arkansaw will see an increase of 7.1% in aid to $7.8, Mondovi an 11% increase to $8.5 million, Elmwood will see an increase of $49,000 to $2.56 million while Pepin will receive an increase in state aid to $838,000.
4 people were injured in a single-vehicle accident in the town of Montana on Sunday. According to the Buffalo County Sheriff's Department, the vehicle was traveling southbound on Montana Ridge Road when it entered the west ditch, struck a driveway, and rolled over. 19yr old Nicole Majerous of Littleton and a 17yr old from Littleton CO, along with 19yr old Breah Golden and an 11yr old both from Arcadia were injured and taken to the hospital.
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers was in Durand on Friday visiting the Weiss Family Farm as part of his tour of the state during June Dairy Month. One topic that was brought up was driver's licenses for immigrant employees of the farm. Currently, immigrant labor is not allowed to get a driver's license. Evers says that the ability to obtain a driver's license was removed from state law a few years ago. Water quality issues was another topic that was discussed during the visit.
Governor Evers continues to demand that Wisconsin lawmakers change their tune on PFAS money. The governor was in Eau Claire yesterday to once again pressure lawmakers into releasing 125 million-dollars that has been set aside for PFAS cleanup. Lawmakers say the money is ready to go, but also say the governor vetoed the plan to spend that money. Republicans say they want to clean up Wisconsin's water, while the governor simply wants more power to sue people over PFAS contamination. The governor yesterday said someone has to be held accountable for the forever chemicals that continue to be found in the state's water supply.
There is a new data center in Western Wisconsin. The Metered, LLC hosted a ribbon cutting at its new location in Ellsworth on June 24. The data center supports leading-edge technology such as AI, data analytics, cryptocurrency mining, and virtual reality. The Metered is already 70% full on its first center and is in the planning stages for additional buildings here in Western Wisconsin.
The merger between United Way St. Croix Valley and Dunn County United Way is complete. Effective July 1st, 2024, the two nonprofit organizations have joined forces under the name "United Way St. Croix and Red Cedar Valleys". This strategic union aims to consolidate its strengths and enhance its collective impact on the region. United Way St. Croix and Red Cedar Valleys will extend its outreach across Burnett, Dunn, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, and St. Croix counties. By pooling resources and expertise, the merged entity seeks to better address local challenges and foster sustainable solutions for community development.
Parents in Chippewa Falls won't hear about every threat to their kids' schools. The city's school's board last night approved a new threat policy. It lays out the steps the school will take when there is a threat to a local school, including whether and how to tell parents. The policy says the superintendent will take into account the nature of the threat, the danger of the threat, any school security measures that are already in place, and the 'benefits' of telling parents and the rest of the Chippewa Falls community. The new rules are in response to a threat from October of last year when a student was caught with a threatening journal, but parents weren't told until after the story leaked online.
Three of the six people who died in a house fire in Juneau County are children. Investigators yesterday said an early Sunday morning fire in Necedah killed Pastor Steve Witte and five other members of his family. Two people who were inside the home managed to make it out, but the others weren't so lucky. Firefighters say the fire appears to be accidental, but they are not saying just what started the fire. There is a GoFundMe set-up for the pastor's family.
One suspect is left in critical condition after an officer-involved shooting in Wisconsin. The Adams County Sheriff's Office says a deputy responded to a call about a woman driving under the influence of narcotics Saturday afternoon. About an hour later, the car was located. The deputy says the driver led them on a chase, and eventually fired at them. Fire was returned by deputies, hitting the driver. The suspect got medical attention on the scene and was taken to a hospital in critical condition. Involved law enforcement officers are on administrative leave, under department policy.
An investigation into a mushroom-based product manufacturer is underway by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. The department says Diamond Shruumz [shrooms] brand products, including chocolate bars, cones, and gummies, may be causing severe illnesses. The brand makes its product with a proprietary blend of mushrooms and was available for purchase both online and at retailers. Retailers are advised not to sell or distribute the products until further direction is given by the FDA.
A woman has died following a single-vehicle crash in Goodhue County. The crash happened Friday night on Highway 60 near Zumbrota. The Minnesota State Patrol says 35-year-old Samantha Johnson of Kenyon died when her vehicle hit a deer. A male passenger was not injured in the crash.
A former youth pastor is facing child sex assault charges for alleged crimes more than two decades ago. James Lane was a youth pastor at Faith Reformed Church in Wisconsin Rapids when he allegedly assaulted the victim between September 2002 and December 2003. Lane reportedly told investigators he had an inappropriate relationship with a girl in the youth group. The victim has since reported the assault through the Clergy and Faith Leader Abuse Initiative.
Law enforcement agencies from eleven states will help at the Milwaukee Republican National Convention. Officers from 25 departments as far away as Florida and Nevada will be at the convention. That doesn't include the officers coming into Milwaukee from across Wisconsin. The City of Milwaukee requested four-thousand dorm rooms and nearby schools be available to give them a place to stay. The City says rooms at Concordia, Wisconsin Lutheran, Whitewater, State Fair Park, and UW-Madison have been approved.
Wisconsin's largest business group says the Supreme Court delivered a victory for businesses in the state. Wisconsin Manufacturing & Commerce on Friday said the decision that struck down the Chevron doctrine means businesses will now be free from overly harsh federal regulation. WMC's Kurt Bauer says the decision from the high court will return the power to elected representatives, and take it away from unaccountable bureaucrats. Bauer said rolling back red tape and overly burdensome regulations could save the average Wisconsin business owner over 10 thousand-dollars in red-tape related costs.
A southern Minnesota city is being praised for being one of the safest and most affordable in the U.S. The recent study by GO-Banking-Rates-dot-com ranked Rochester fifth overall based on data from the U.S. Census and the FBI. The city's monthly cost of living was estimated to be just over 41-hundred dollars a month, with an average monthly mortgage cost of just under two-thousand dollars. That compares favorably to the rest of the top ten, with only two cities having a lower monthly cost of living.
The Brewers are not yet saying just what happened to one of their escalators that broke while people were riding it on Saturday. The team says 11 people were hurt when one of the escalators that goes from the Terrace Level to the Loge Level broke, and started moving very quickly. Six were taken to the hospital. People on the escalator say it started to shake, then it sped up like a roller coaster. The Brewers are not saying just what went wrong, or when the escalator may be back in service.
Steer clear of people offering cheap fixes for flood damage. Advice from Bao Vang from the Better Business Bureau, who says criminals are out there looking to run off with your money. She said to beware of quick fixes and big promises that they do not intend to keep. While not all may be criminals, traveling contractors might not be licensed for your area. If you do need to get flood repairs to your home, contact a local, trusted contractor. Find out more online at BBB.org.
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