Monday, December 2, 2024

Local-Regional News Dec 2

 One person was injured in a single-vehicle accident in Ellsworth Township yesterday.  According to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, 28-year-old Josehp Jordan of Stillwater, MN was traveling northbound on Hwy 65 when he lost control and entered the ditch.  Jordan was taken to Regions Hospital in St. Paul.


Two people were injured in an UTV accident in Ellsworth Township on Friday.  According to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, 55yr old Lonnie Huppert of Ellsworth was traveling eastbound on Hwy 72, and while attempting to turn onto 530th Street, he lost control and the UTV overturned.  Passenger 27yr old Bret Welty of Ellsworth was med flighted to Regions Hospital, while Huppert was taken to River Falls Area Hospital.


An Osseo man was arrested for OWI after a one-vehicle accident in Unity Township on Thursday.  According to the Trempeleau County Sheriffs Department, 33yr old Daniel Quintor of Osseo was traveling southbound on Hwy D just north of Hotchkiss Road when he went off the roadway, struck a utility pole guide wire, and then went into a pasture before striking a road embankment.  Quintor was taken to the hospital and later arrested for OWI.


 Chippewa Falls Schools may be short, even with their new seven-and-a-half million-dollar tax increase. The school district says it is looking at a million-dollar-plus deficit over the next two years, even after the three-year referendum that passed this year. The school district said their finances only get worse after that. There's no word about possible budget cuts or another tax increase at this point. Some say the state of Wisconsin needs to step up and send more money to local schools, but lawmakers say local schools across the state already get plenty of money and simply need to do a better job of living within their means. 


 A 33-year-old Monroe County man is facing multiple charges in connection with a Thanksgiving night stabbing.  The stabbing happened at a residence in the town of Tomah, about 43 miles east of La Crosse.  Attempted first-degree homicide and disorderly conduct are among the charges against Justin T. Novak of Tomah.  A police department news release on Saturday said the victim is in the hospital, but there's no word on the victim's identity or condition.  Novak is being held in the Monroe County Jail in Sparta.


The battle to drive thousands of crows out of Rochester is underway.  The city estimates that 20-thousand crows spend the winter in Rochester, creating a safety and health hazard in areas where they gather.  The city is working with the Mayo Clinic and the USDA on the problem, with trained personnel using air rifles to kill some of the birds.  They hope to create a sense of danger that will cause the crows to look for another winter home.  The abatement effort will continue through Thursday, mainly between the hours of 3 to 11 p.m.


 Wisconsin's Democratic Party boss is looking to move up. Party chairman Ben Wikler yesterday announced a bid to become the next Democratic National Committee chairman. Wikler said in a video that he wants to unite the Democratic Party, fight, and win. Wikler successfully led the Democratic Party of Wisconsin to a series of wins, including Governor Evers' statewide victory in 2022. He also helped raise millions of dollars for Democratic candidates across the state. There's no word who all he will face in the bid for the DNC's top spot. 


Seeking a serial arsonist in northwest Wisconsin. There were no new suspicious fires reported over the weekend in Sawyer County, where the sheriff's office and Wisconsin Department of Justice state fire marshal's office are seeking the public’s help in identifying a suspect in six fires over a ten day period in the Radisson, Exeland, and Birchwood areas. Sawyer County Sheriff Doug Mrotek last week released surveillance footage of a person near the scene of one fire. Anyone with information that may aid the investigation is urged to contact the tip line established for this investigation at 844-267-0711


An Arizona produce company is recalling whole cucumbers due to possible Salmonella contamination. The recall affects cucumbers sold in over two dozen states and Canada between October 12th and November 26th. It includes all sizes of SunFed cucumbers, which may have been sold in various stores and restaurants. Customers are advised to check their cucumbers at home and dispose of any that are part of the recall for safety.


The Minnesota Court of Appeals is asking state officials for more information about how they determined eligibility for the state's first social equity license lottery.  Several applicants hoping to get one of the licenses sued after their applications were denied by the Office of Cannabis Management.  A district court judge blocked the agency from holding the lottery earlier this week, but pushed the case to the Court of Appeals for further consideration.  A timeline for hearings on the lawsuits has not been announced.


Wisconsin election results are finalized.  Results of the 2024 General Election are now official after Wisconsin Elections Commission Chair Ann Jacobs publicly canvassed them Friday morning. The signing of the canvass statements is the last major step of Wisconsin’s certification process. Results of all state-level and federal contests are now verified, and for most contests, a certificate of election will be issued. In the U.S. Senate and Presidential contests, there are some administrative steps that remain. More information on that can be viewed at the Elections Commission website. Once ready, WEC will post copies of canvass paperwork at the website, including copies of the signed canvass statements and official result totals for state and federal contests.


Senator Amy Klobuchar is happy Congress has passed a reauthorization bill to assure support for Alzheimer's and dementia patients.  The Minnesota Democrat spoke about the bill at a senior living facility in Minneapolis on Wednesday.  Klobuchar says the measure provides money to state and local health departments to help with the early detection and diagnosis of dementia, as well as providing support for unpaid caregivers.  Several state programs have already received funding through the bill, including efforts by the Minnesota Department of Health and the University of Minnesota.


The committee that ran the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee raised over $90 million.  A filing with the Federal Election Commission showed the Milwaukee 2024 Host Committee raised just over $92 million since it began receiving donations in 2022. The filing also revealed the committee has around $3.9 million remaining in the bank. Committee Treasurer Tim Sheehy said the committee still has to pay some final bills, but believes there will be a “couple million dollars remaining,” that will likely be donated back to the community to support education, workforce development, and resources for veterans. Sheehy said the original budget for the RNC was around $65 million but grew due to inflation and increased costs. The convention was held July 15-18 in downtown Milwaukee.


It's another sign of the season in Wisconsin. Lake Trout season begins on Lake Superior on Monday. The DNR says fishermen can head out on both of the lake's trout management areas, though there are different quotas for each. The overall quota, however, is 15 thousand fish this year. The DNR is reminding fishermen that lake trout must be a minimum of 15 inches long, and only one fish over 25 inches may be kept.


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