The Dunn County Village of Wheeler has received a $1 million community development block grant for a new water well and existing well improvements. The village was one of 22 communities to split 20-point-seven million dollars for public improvement projects. The grant money will go to low- to moderate-income communities with fewer than 50-thousand people across the state. The state is getting the money from the U-S Department of Housing and Urban Development.
A series of incidents involving the vandalism and harassment over political signs has prompted the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, and the Democratic and Republican Party County Chairs to condemn the behavior. In a letter posted to social media, all three organizations condemned the incidents and the Sherrif's Department said any theft or damage to a political sign or harassment of an individual over a political sign would result in arrest and possible fines of up to $1000.
The Chancellor at UW-River Falls is retiring. In a letter to students and staff, Chancellor Maria Gallo said she felt the time was right for her, her family, and the campus to retire. Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman has named Michael V. Martin as UWRF’s interim chancellor. His appointment will take effect Sept. 7, but Martin will spend time on campus and work with Gallo on transitions before that date. Gallo became Chancellor at UW-River Falls in July of 2021, and her last day will be September 6th.
The man accused of fondling two teenage boys near the Duncan Creek bike path last year will not be going to trial. A judge yesterday found Cody Blassingame not competent enough for trial. He was homeless and hanging-out near the bike path when police say he grabbed two boys and made sexual suggestions. He is being treated at a state hospital, and prosecutors say he likely will be found competent enough for trial sometime in the future.
The benches and picnic tables are back at the park in Eau Claire where the homeless hang-out. The city removed the tables and benches from Wilson Park last week after complaints that homeless people were taking over the park. City crews said they did not plan to return the tables anytime soon. But that didn't last long. Crews started reinstalling the tables and benches this week after complaints from at least two Eau Claire aldermen and some of the city's homeless advocates.
One of Wisconsin's tribes doesn't want to see the Apostle Islands turned into a national park. The Red Cliff Ojibwe this week said they do not want to see the islands in Lake Superior turned into a park. The islands are just off the coast of the Red Cliff reservation, and tribal leaders say they are worried about the possible influx of visitors if the islands are declared a national park. Northwoods Congressman Tom Tiffany is suggesting the islands be turned into a park specifically to draw more tourists to far northern Wisconsin. The tribe says it sent off a list of questions to the congressman but wasn't satisfied with the answers it got back.
Local governments across Wisconsin got their first billion-dollars from the state's shared revenue plan. Governor Tony Evers' office announced the payment yesterday. In all, cities, towns, and counties will get over one-and-a-half billion-dollars from the state. Lawmakers and the governor came to terms on the shared revenue deal last year as a way to help local governments find more money for things like police, fire, and EMS services
A wanted man from Wisconsin who ran away 30 years ago is back in jail. Police in West Des Moines arrested 71-year-old George Hartleroad for not having a reflective light on the back of his bike. It was then that they learned Hartleroad was wanted for running away from a Madison halfway house back in 1995. He's still wanted to this day. Police say Hartleroad told them he'd run away again if let go. Hartleroad did time in Wisconsin for a rape in Chippewa County and was wanted for false imprisonment and having a rifle. Hartleroad has been in the Dane County Jail since early July. State prison officials say they intend to have him serve out the rest of his sentence.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is partnering with local law enforcement agencies for this weekend’s annual ATV/UTV Think Smart Before You Start campaign. DNR Lieutenant Jacob Holsclaw says around 40 local agencies will take part. Holsclaw says the weekend is less about writing tickets, and more about informing people on how they can stay safe while riding. More information, including safety tips, can be found by visiting the DNR's ATV and UTV riding website.
Two members of Wisconsin's Election Commission say they're both worried about outside agitators on Election Day. Both Elections Commission Chair Ann Jacobs and Commission member Don Mills said they are worried that someone will try and stop the vote this November. Jacobs said her biggest worry is that someone will try and shut down voting, or stop the state from certifying the election. She didn't say who she's worried about. Mills said he's worried that campus protestors may try to occupy a polling place in one of Wisconsin's college towns. Both say their fears are unlikely, but say they are worried nonetheless.
The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions's investment scam tracker includes descriptions of frauds or deceptive scams based on previous consumer complaints to DFI. The scam tracker lets you search by a company's name, type of scam, or keyword and includes a list of frequently asked questions. The tool also includes links to additional resources and a list of common investment terms. According to DFI, imposter scams are the most reported and often most difficult to detect. Between January of 2022 and June of 2024 more than $3.5 million in losses were reported to DFI from cryptocurrency fraud and financial grooming.
irect care workers for older adults and people with disabilities in Wisconsin will get pay raises after a more than 250-million-dollar investment from the state. Governor Tony Evers says he's directing the state Department of Health Services to invest in a minimum fee schedule for direct care workers. This will create between a 15- and 40-percent wage increase for the workers, who help almost 57-thousand patients statewide. Minimum rate schedules will start in October.
Several groups are teaming up in Olmsted County to help fight homelessness. The city of Rochester, Olmsted County and eight local organizations have formed a coalition called Any Path Home. The local groups involved include the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota and Three Rivers Community Action. The coalition will share information and resources to help elevate the help they can provide the community. A spokesman says the initiative is just getting started and will work to expand outreach and strengthen the partnership over the next few months.
Minnesota ranks first in the nation for health care according to a new study. The study by WalletHub looks at the number of doctors and clinics, out-of-pocket expenses, cost of premiums, quality of health care, and average Emergency Room wait times. Rhode Island is second, South Dakota third, and Iowa fourth on the list of the best states for health care. Neighboring Wisconsin is 16th.
The winner of the 2025 Wisconsin State Park and Forest vehicle admission sticker design contest has been chosen. The contest accepts entries from high school age students across Wisconsin. Rice Lake High School junior Evan Strand won first place out of about 150 entries. His design will be printed on admission stickers for more than 500-thousand vehicles. The annual state park and forest admission stickers give access to more than 60 state-managed areas and cost 28-dollars for state residents.
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