The Durand Fire Department's new ladder truck has arrived. The department picked up the new 110-foot ladder truck yesterday and had it on display for National Night Out. Durand Fire Chief Jamie King says the new truck will be useful in town and in rural areas. Firefighters will spend the next few weeks training to be certified to use the truck and King hopes to have the new truck in service by the end of August.
A Dunn County man has been found guilty of child sexual assault. Daniel Sims was found guilty by a Dunn County Jury for assaulting a child back in 2016. Sims is already serving time for assaulting a woman several times and will also go on trial again in November on charges of assaulting a different child.
All eyes will be on Eau Claire today, and both presidential campaigns come to town. Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance will speak to a Republican gathering this afternoon, while at almost the same time Kamala Harris and her new VP pick will speak to a crowd of Democrats. Both are campaigning, again, in a part of western Wisconsin that could help tip the balance in the state. Wisconsin is considered one of the key swing states in the race for the White House. A new poll for that race here in the state is due out later today.
There is a warning about overdoses from Barron County. The sheriff's office yesterday said authorities had to use Narcan three times on Monday and Tuesday to revive people from ODs. The sheriff is blaming a bad batch of drugs, likely laced with fentanyl. Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald says all three OD victims were found in public places, even though they were all found in different places. The sheriff says Narcan doses are available for free at the county's public health department, and other counties have drug testing strips available as well.
Someone in Lake Hallie is stealing cars. Police in the city say they've gotten calls about six stolen cars recently. Detective Tim Bowman says they've recovered four, but the other two are missing. Of the cars that police have recovered, money and other things inside the car were all cleaned out. Bowman says they have some suspects in mind, but he says it's best for everyone to lock their cars going forward.
Back-to-school shopping doesn't need to strain your wallet. Better Business Bureau of Wisconsin president Jim Temmer says you should make sure you actually need to buy things on your child's list of supplies. You might have some things like cleaning supplies, napkins, and other basic stationery on hand from last year. Be on the lookout for discounts or coupons, and shop early to make sure you can find good prices on items, rather than having to settle for what's left closer to the start of school.
Students in Rochester will face new restrictions on cell phone use when they return to school this fall. The district school board approved new rules this week that require elementary students to keep their phones in their locker, backpack or cubby throughout the school day. Middle school students also must keep their phones in their lockers and not bring them into classrooms. School district officials say the new policies are designed to improve students' performance in class while also enhancing their mental health.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is confirming the appearance of a new invasive species that attacks elm trees. The agency says elm zigzag sawflies have been found on the Twins Cities campus of the University of Minnesota. The insect is native to Asia and was first found in the U.S. in 2021. It was named because of the distinctive zig-zag pattern it leaves on elm leaves. The insect can be harmful to elm trees, though the Department of Agriculture says the full impact is still unknown due to the short time it's been present in the U.S.
Wisconsin got a visit yesterday from U-S Attorney General Merrick Garland. He visited the U-S Attorney General's Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, U-S Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad, and law enforcement workers. Garland says an anti-violent crime strategy is deployed in Wisconsin to arrest felons and prevent violent drug trafficking. He also noted the national violent crime rate was one of the lowest in the past fifty years last year, including the largest drop in homicides.
Sharp-tailed grouse hunting will be closed this year in Wisconsin, despite an increase in population. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says conservation groups and biologists have concerns about the long-term viability for grouse. The species has been recovering since an all time-low population in 2021. This year will be the sixth closed season in a row.
Dodge County's sheriff says the latest inmate to die at the prison in Waupun likely killed themself. The sheriff's office is leading the investigation into the inmate's death. Waupun's mayor is identifying the inmate as 57-year-old Christopher McDonald. He was serving a life sentence for a double murder back in 1992, and the mayor says he was found hanging in his cell. McDonald is the fifth inmate to die at the prison in Waupun since June of last year. One of those deaths has been ruled a homicide, and nine former prison employees, including the former warden, are facing charges in that case.
Wisconsin’s entire U.S. House Delegation sent a letter to the director of the Air National Guard to permanently house a new KC-46A Pegasus tanker at Milwaukee’s 128th Air Refueling Wing. It would replace another plane that’s over 60 years old. Wisconsin First District Congressman Bryan Steil says the 128th is the ideal location for the aircraft. The 128th is one of 15 locations around the country looking to house the tanker plane.
The suicide rate in Minnesota is on the decline. The state Department of Health reports that last year 815 people took their lives. That number is down from 860 in 2022. Suicide rates remain higher in parts of Greater Minnesota than in the Twin Cities. Health experts say poor access to mental health care is a factor in the increase.
The 2024 Minnesota State Fair will feature 63 new drinks, including hard seltzers, slushies, mixed drinks, and beers. Some highlights include the Agua Fresca Hard Slushie from Indeed Brewing, the Apple Pie Hazy Cider from Wild State Cider, and the Attack of the Quack! from Surly Brewing. With a wide range of flavors and options, fairgoers can enjoy refreshing beverages from various local breweries and cideries. Remember to drink responsibly and savor the unique offerings at this year's fair.
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