Most of the people in Eau Claire who lost power because of last night's storms have their lights back on. Xcel Energy reported as of 4 a.m. today that just under 700 people were without power. At its worst, there were thousands of people in the dark after a line of strong stems cut across western Wisconsin. The good news is that the rain and storms brought cooler air with them. Highs today in the Chippewa Valley are expected to be in the low 80s.
A Fountain City man has been arrested on child pornography charges. According to the Buffalo County Sheriff's Department, deputies executed a search warrant at the home of 37yr old Staniel Neverdahl and he admitted to downloading and viewing numerous photos and videos of child pornography. He was arrested on charges of possession of child pornography and is being held in the Buffalo County Jail on a cash bond of $10,000.
The Mondovi City Council is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include discussion and possible action on a $1.5 million promissory note with the Bank of Alma for TIF 2 project expiring September 1st, review of Tourist Park Campground Ordinance Fines and Violations, and reports from the Mayor and Department heads. Tonight's meeting begins at 5:30 at the Marten Center in Mondovi.
The Durand Handy Mart is closing. The company announced yesterday on social media that it would close the Durand Location this Saturday. A few years ago, Handy Mart closed a 2nd location in Durand after removing the gas pumps. Earlier this summer, Subway Corporate closed the Subway location inside the Handy Mart. The company still has locations in Nelson and Wabasha.
A Menomonie man has been arrested on Child Sexual Assault charges. According to Dunn County Authorities, 30yr old Ronnie Pichler gave a 12yr old girl alcohol and the girl fell asleep and woke up with Pichler next to her. The assault sopped when the victim's mom entered the room and saw what was happening. Pichler was arrested Monday and charged with sexual assault of a child under the age of 13 and is being held in the Dunn County Jail on a $15000 bond and will be in court next week.
A pair of western Wisconsin lifeguards are being hailed as heroes. Henry Meek and Bella Rowan say their training took over when they saw a boy under the water at the Hoffman Aquatic Center last week. They pulled the boy out, and Rowan started CPR. The boy came-to just as paramedics arrived. Pool managers say they are extremely proud of the two, and say the situation shows just how important it is to have lifeguards.
With the Labor Day Holiday weekend coming up, area law enforcement are reminding drivers to drive sober or get pulled over. Area law enforcement will be participating the program again with the goal to get those that are not sober off area roads. There will be extra patrols now through the end of the Labor Day Holiday Weekend.
The Minnesota Court of Appeals has overturned the conviction of a Rochester man who threatened to kill people on social media. Kyle Ketterling was arrested in 2022 after making threats to kill members of the "deep state" earlier that spring. He was convicted on three charges, but only his conviction under the threats of violence law was reviewed by the Court of Appeals. A three-judge panel ruled yesterday that Ketterling's post was not a true threat because no one was specifically targeted. The court also ruled that Ketterling's language was "disturbing" but was ultimately political speech protected by the First Amendment.
Wisconsin's governor wants to update the rules for PFAS contamination in the state's drinking water. Governor Tony Evers and the Department of Natural Resources introduced an update for the state's clean water standards this month. The update brings Wisconsin in line with the federal rules for PFAS, plus adds three new chemicals to the list of PFAS chemicals that would be regulated. Wisconsin lawmakers approved PFAS rules back in 2022, but there continues to be a battle at the statehouse over how best to deal with PFAS contamination across the state. Yesterday, the governor accused Republican lawmakers of doing nothing.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court will not keep the Green Party off the ballot this November. The court yesterday rejected a request from the Democratic National Committee to block the Green Party. Democrats said the Greens couldn't run Jill Stein for president because the party doesn't have any elected officials in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty said the court's decision stops Democrats from disenfranchising thousands of voters in the state. But the Green Party is not guaranteed a spot on the Wisconsin ballot. The state's Elections Commission will meet later this morning to decide who makes the November ballot. The Commission kept the Greens off the ballot four years ago.
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A sunflower maze in Eau Claire County will be open this weekend to raise money for local families. Jaquish Farms is also hosting tractor rides and tours. The farm will be only be open next Saturday and Sunday, since sunflowers are only in bloom for a short time. All proceeds will go to Joshua's Camp, an organization that pays for retreats for the families of children battling cancer.
Wisconsin gas prices are the lowest of the summer as the Labor Day weekend approaches. Gas prices are down, driven by a drop in global oil prices last month. The Triple AAA gas price tracker showed an average of just under $3.23 a gallon in Wisconsin on Monday. That compares with a national average of $3.35 a gallon. Prices varied quite a bit around the state, with a gallon going for a little over three dollars in some locations in the Chippewa Valley to an average of nearly $3.60 in Ozaukee County.
Nine juveniles from the Reedsburg area are accused of harassing members of the Amish community. They’ve been cited for disorderly conduct following an investigation by the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies made contact with a suspect vehicle while conducting extra patrols in the rural Reedsburg area earlier this month due to multiple reports of harassment of members of the Amish community. No information on what the juveniles did specifically has been released, but Sheriff Chip Meister confirms this is related to the Reedsburg Area High School football team. The team's first two games of the season were canceled due to conduct by some players.
The Wisconsin Department of Health updates its vaccine requirements for the new school year. The updates align the definition of a "substantial outbreak" for both schools and childcare centers with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Changes for the 2024-25 school year include the requirement of a meningitis vaccine in seventh grade and a booster dose at twelfth grade, and students must be diagnosed by a qualified health provider to be exempt from a required chickenpox vaccine. Some vaccine requirements for students entering grades kindergarten through seventh grade include four doses of the polio vaccine, three doses of hepatitis B, and two doses of measles, mumps, and rubella. More information is available at the DHS website.
Wisconsin is going to get a share of 25-million dollars from the National Parks Service to save some of the state's historical places. The Park Service last week said Wisconsin will be getting grants to preserve the Baggage Horse Barn at the Ringling Brothers Circus Winter Headquarters in Baraboo, the National Soldiers Home Governor's Mansion and Chapel in Milwaukee, and the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Wauwatosa. The Parks Service says all three are 'nationally significant sites.
The 2026 and 2029 National Horseshoe Pitchers Association World Championships are coming to central Wisconsin. Visit Wausau Executive Director Tim White says he'll start working with local partners right away, and that big events coming to one community help all of the surrounding communities. The 2026 games will be held in Weston and run from mid to late July.
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