One person was injured in a single-vehicle accident in Trenton Township on Wednesday. According to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, 17yr Treyton Johnson of Ellsworth was traveling northbound on Hwy 63, when he lost control, entered the ditch, and overturned the vehicle. Johnson was transported to Red Wing Mayo Hospital.
One person was injured in a single-vehicle accident in River Falls Township on Wednesday. According to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, 46-year-old Bradley Spaulding of River Falls was traveling northbound on Hwy 65 when he struck a haybale in the roadway. Spaulding was transported to River Falls Area Hospital.
The City of Durand has completed a purchase of a parcel of property from Xcel Energy. The city approved an offer of $3750 per acre for a four-acre parcel next to the sewer plant. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the land will allow the city to expand the sewer plant. Xcel is in the process of selling the former rail road right away parcels that are still left in the city.
A Pierce County jury determined Thursday that Loren Rawlings was not guilty by reason of insanity after facing charges of possessing child pornography. Rawlings had previously pleaded no contest to two counts and claimed a mental disease or defect. Police discovered nearly 500 illegal images during a search of his home. He will now undergo a psychiatric evaluation, with a future hearing set to decide on possible commitment and its duration.
A Dunn County jury has convicted Andrew Horner of armed robbery with threat of force and carrying a concealed weapon after a three-day trial. Horner was found guilty of a May robbery at a Circle C gas station, where he threatened to kill the clerk with a machete-style knife. Police released surveillance footage, leading to tips from the public that identified Horner as the suspect. He faces over 40 years in prison and will be sentenced on February 7th, 2025.
Home prices in Western Wisconsin continue to increase. The Wisconsin Realtors Association’s latest monthly real estate report says “strong demand” and limited supply have maintained pressure on prices. In October Pepin County had 6 homes sold, Buffalo County 7, Pierce County 21 and Dunn County reported 30 homes sold. The median home price in Western Wisconsin rose 5 percent over the year from $285,500 to $295,000 in October according the report.
Three people were seriously injured in a crash involving a semi-truck and a van on Thursday. Police say the van was heading south on Seymour Cray Boulevard and attempted a left turn onto East Park Avenue when it was struck by a northbound semi. The three injured occupants of the van were taken to the hospital, while the semi driver was unharmed. Northbound traffic on Seymour was closed for over three hours as the Wisconsin State Patrol conducted a crash reconstruction.
Non-profits in the Chippewa Valley are raising concerns as the homeless population grows with colder weather. A recent Point In Time Survey showed a significant increase in homelessness, straining resources. Western Dairyland and Hope Gospel Mission are expanding their Community Haven House to provide daytime shelter, but funds and services remain limited. In Chippewa County, Hope Village's eleven tiny homes are full, with families receiving assistance to secure housing within 140 days. Meanwhile, Eau Claire's Sojourner House faces high demand, leaving some without beds each night. Efforts to address the crisis include plans for more affordable housing by spring.
A man accused of murdering a woman in Western Wisconsin 50 years ago was in court yesterday. Jon Miller is accused of killing Mary Schalis while she was hitchhiking from Minneapolis to Chicago. Prosecutors say she rejected him when he made sexual advances before he murdered her and left her body in rural Dunn County. He's being held on a million-dollar bond and will be in court again early next month.
Wisconsin health officials report a slight increase in vaccination rates for flu and COVID compared to last year, but numbers remain below pre-pandemic levels. Statewide flu vaccinations are at 25-point-8-percent, while Eau Claire County lags significantly at 22-percent, far below the 70-percent target. Public health officials warn of additional outbreaks, including whooping cough, RSV, and walking pneumonia. Vaccines are available through healthcare providers, with limited options for the uninsured at the health department. Officials urge basic preventive measures, including proper hygiene and balanced living, to reduce the spread of illness.
Wisconsin deer hunters have an opportunity to reduce the herd size and help their neighbors. Once again this year, the state has a very large whitetail herd, with the highest numbers in farmland zones. DNR deer ecologist Jeff Pritzl says that can have a downside through property damage, crop damage, or deer-vehicle accidents. Hunters in farmland zones are encouraged to take antlerless deer and to utilize the deer donation program. Pritzl says that can be through the formal program or just personal relationships, to harvest venison for their community and share it. In general, each deer hunting license authorizes a hunter to kill one buck and at least one doe. Where available, hunters may purchase additional antlerless deer permits for $12 each. The gun deer season runs Saturday through December 1st.
Matt Gaetz withdraws his name from consideration for US Attorney . The former Florida congressman made the announcement on Thursday, following Wednesday meetings with Senators and amid bipartisan calls for the release of a House Ethics report on sexual misconduct allegations. Among those calling for that, Wisconsin House Republicans, Representatives Scott Fitzgerald and Derrick Van Orden. Fitzgerald said the report received so much attention that it’s almost inevitable it will leak. Van Orden said the American people and President Trump should have access to all the pertinent information. Van Orden said if the allegations against Gaetz are true he should be charged, and if not, the media owes Gaetz an apology.
A father and son are accused of destroying a controversial mural in Milwaukee. Peter and Zechariah Mehler entered a not-guilty plea in court Wednesday. They're accused of using a hammer and ax in September, damaging the mural depicting a Star of David combined with a swastika. The owner of the building that displayed the mural, Ihsan Atta tells Fox 6 Milwaukee, says the painting brings, “…attention to the genocide that’s taking place against the Palestinian people currently in Gaza." Outside the courtroom, Peter Mehler commented that, “A swastika in any place upsets the Jewish community." The Mehlers could face up to three-and-a-half years in prison if they’re convicted on felony criminal damage to property charges.
Mauston school officials say the district may dissolve if residents don't approve a referendum. The school board approved a measure allowing for dissolution on Monday, after a pair of spending questions failed in the last two elections. Superintendent Joel Heesch says the district will run out of money when the 2026 school year starts. The board is considering cutting all athletics, field trips, clubs and closing an elementary school next year just to stay afloat. Mauston is the largest school district in Juneau County and it's unclear what would happen if the district folds.
Thirteen projects in rural communities across Wisconsin are getting a $24 million boost in funding courtesy of the US Department of Ag. Wisconsin Rural Development Director Julie Lassa says the money comes through the Rural Energy for America Program, which allows farmers and small businesses in rural communities to either install renewable energy systems or it can be used to help replace energy inefficient equipment. Projects getting funding include several solar arrays and grain drying systems, and a dairy manure digester. Since 2021, REAP has invested more than $66 million to projects in Wisconsin since 2021.
State government's projected surplus grows. The Evers administration now projects the state will finish the 2023-25 budget with a $4 billion surplus - more than the $3.5 billion that had been expected. A first look at projected revenues for the 2025-27 state budget shows an additional $644.5 million the first year and just over $382.5 million in the second year, or 2.9% and 1.7%, respectively. The new projections set the stage for more disagreement between the Democratic governor and Republicans who hold a majority in the Legislature over what to do with the surplus.
Wisconsin is one of the states with the highest average credit score. A new report by WalletHub compared US states based on October's TransUnion credit score data. Wisconsin ranked fourth on the list, with Minnesota at the top. Mississippi and Louisiana were at the bottom with the lowest average credit scores.
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