Local-Regional News Sept 12

 

The city of Durand is changing the way they develop the city budget. In the past each committee would review city department budgets first and then send them to the full council. According to Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren, this year the city will have its departments submit a budget to the entire council during a committee meeting as a whole.  That meeting is set for October 29 at 4pm at Durand City Hall.

Dunn County residents want to know who exactly is trying to build a billion-dollar data center. The City of Menomonie has already annexed and rezoned over 300 acres of farmland for the project despite not being sure exactly what would be moving in. The project developer is a Delaware based shell company named Balloonist, and Menomonie city council member Sydney Brennan says Balloonist claims to be working for one of the five major American tech firms. Opponents of the plan fear for increased water usage and pollution from the site, and higher electrical bills for residents. Members of the city council have said the city has not yet approved any plans or permits for the proposed plant.

Two people were injured in a motorcycle vs car accident in Pepin Township on Thursday Morning. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, 79yr old Donald Evanson of Minnesota City and 58yr old Eric Schwarz of Brooklyn Park were both traveling southbound on Hwy 61 when they collided at the intersection of Hwy 61 and Wabasha County Road 77. Schwarz and passenger 62yr old Suan Schwarz of Brooklyn Park were both injured and take to St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester.

The Wisconsin Public Service Commission held a public hearing yesterday on a proposed rate increase from Xcel Energy. The company is proposing an 11.8% increase in electric rates and a 12.7% increase in natural gas rates for 2026. The proposal is for two years, and is followed by more increases in 2027, bringing the total increased percentages to 18.9% for electricity and 14.2% for natural gas in 2027. Xcel says the increases are needed to replace its aging infrastructure and investing in its carbon free initiatives. A decision from the Public Service Commission on the rate increase request is expected later this year.

Chippewa Falls Police are asking folks to keep an eye out for a missing teenager. Fourteen-year-old Brooklyn Henry was reported missing from her Chippewa Falls home early yesterday. The Memorial High School student is described as a Black female who was last known to be wearing a black poncho-style shirt and red & white pajama pants. Anyone with information on Brooklyn's whereabouts is asked to contact police.

Health officials in La Crosse and St. Croix Counties are reporting their first human cases this year of West Nile virus. The La Crosse County Health Department yesterday reported confirmation of one such case and the St. Croix County Public Health Department reported three. Health officials remind folks that the virus is not spread from person to person -- but only by being bitten by an infected mosquito.

An Ohio-made cheese sold in Wisconsin is being recalled. The Middlefield Original Cheese Co-op announced on September 5th that some products sold between July 7th and August 14th may be contaminated with listeria. Some of the products affected include gouda, mozzarella, provolone and yellow cheddar. Listeria symptoms include fever, headaches, nausea and diarrhea.

The White House has approved Wisconsin flood relief funding. President Donald Trump announced the 29 point 8 million dollars on his social media platform Thursday afternoon. Trump praised Wisconsin and said he was happy to back the state which elected him in "2016, 2020, and 2024," although former President Joe Biden won the state in the 2020 presidential election. Governor Tony Evers did not receive notification of the funding according to his office, instead the notification went to Republican US Senator Ron Johnson. Current estimates of damage are at 33 million dollars but could go higher as FEMA teams continue their assessment this week. The most damage occurred in the Milwaukee metro area and southeastern Wisconsin. Milwaukee County officials said homeowners may be reimbursed for costs associated with flood damage, and the county will be able to seek reimbursement for public damage.

Marshfield Clinics is expanding care at a Lake Hallie facility. The Clinic says a 200-thousand-foot addition is coming at the Lake Hallie Center to offer family medicine, pediatrics, and OBGYN services. Mobile CT and MRI services will also be available. That project is expected to be finished by 2027. An urgent care was also moved from Marshfield Medical Center-Eau Claire to Marshfield Clinic Oakwood Center, giving MMC-Eau Claire more time to focus on emergency services and shortening wait times.

More layoffs announced for a Fox Cities based airline in the process of a possible sale. Air Wisconsin announces another round of layoffs. According to a notice filed with the Department of Workforce Development, 127-workers at the airline's Greenville headquarters will be laid off--while another 114 at the Milwaukee hub will be let go. The announcement comes amid negotiations between Premier Shuttle Holdings and Harbor Diversified--Air Wisconsin's current owner--to take over the company. All existing Air Wisconsin employees have been notified of an impending workforce reduction plan.

As the seasons change from summer to fall, reptiles and amphibians are more likely to be spotted on Wisconsin roadways. The Department of Natural Resources is asking people to report when they see animals like frogs, salamanders, lizards, or snakes on roadways in the coming weeks. The reports will help the department track the seasonal movements of the animals, most of which are endangered or of special concern. Photos and other information about animals seen on roadways will be accepted on DNR-dot-Wisconsin-dot-gov.

Scammers are working harder to prevent you from realizing you're being scammed. Wisconsin Consumer Protection director Michelle Reinen says more phone scams are using the same technology used in automated customer service. That includes chat bots in text messages or on websites, and automated voice systems in phone calls. Reinen says you have to be careful with unsolicited calls, even ones that claim to be coming from trusted sources. Always verify who you're talking to, and never hand over personal information or banking info over the phone or via text messages.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is reportedly leaning toward running for a third term. The Star Tribune reports that he has told people close to him that he's seeking reelection. Sources say Walz will make an announcement next week. He is now making his intentions known to major donors and Democratic activists. If reelected, Walz will become the first Minnesota governor to serve three straight four-year terms.

An eleventh wonder of Wisconsin has been named. Governor Tony Evers announced on Wednesday that Lambeau Field in Green Bay would join the list of Wisconsin's premier destinations. Earlier this year the stadium hosted the NFL Draft, an event that drew over 600-thousand visitors. The Wonders of Wisconsin program was launched in 2023, with the goal of uplifting and honoring some of Wisconsin's man-made and natural monuments. The stadium joining the list including the Apostle Islands, the Milwaukee Art Museum and Devil's Lake.

Local-Regional News Sept 11

 

The new Tarrant Park Pool had good attendance this year even though it was open for only 6 weeks.. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the city was expecting 3500 people to use the pool but nearly 3800 used the pool this year.  Meanwhile, 177 attended the swimming lessons this summer. The city spend about $10,000 to help operate the pool this year.

The city of Mondovi is considering adding some lighting standards to it nuisance ordinance. At this weeks city council meeting the members agreed to have the city administrator look into possible lighting ordinances after receiving complaints from area residents about neighbors having flood lights on throughout the night and the flood lights are pointing at homes. The council hopes to review any possible ordinances at the next council meeting on Sept 23.

The Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association  honored Wabasha-Kellog Elementary as the 2025-2026 Minnesota School of Excellence. The award is only given to a select group of schools that committed one to two years of research and self-reflection to improve their schools. According to MESPA, some of the criteria involved in considering the award included Wabasha-Kellogg’s mental health support, early childhood education, and community generosity. This is the first time the district has received this honor.

A Byron scientist and former school board member is running again for the Minnesota House District 24A seat next year. Heather Hunter lost the 2024 election to incumbent Duane Quam. She believes rural communities deserve leadership that listens, solves problems, and puts people first. Representative Quam will be running for reelection. The seat represents Dodge and Olmsted counties and parts of Rochester.

Leaders in the Eau Claire Area School District are considering the consolidation of elementary schools. Superintendent Mike Johnson says that almost a quarter of elementary school seats are currently unoccupied. Among the ideas being considered is the consolidation of Flynn and Roosevelt Elementary Schools, allowing the building left empty to be repurposed.

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley is spending time in Western Wisconsin as he begins his campaign for governor. The Democrat announced his candidacy on Tuesday and made an appearance yesterday in La Crosse. During his appearance, Crowley talked about Wisconsin families, saying that people don't have to go into debt just to send their kids to daycare and that family-sustaining jobs can be created in every corner of Wisconsin.

State lawmakers want Wisconsin's "Move Over" law expanded to include disabled vehicles on the roadside. AAA Wisconsin Director of Public Affairs Nick Jarmusz says 83% of Wisconsin motorists say that they always move over or slow down when they see the flashing lights of emergency vehicle, but only 49% say that they do so for disabled vehicles. Bill co-author Hubertus Republican Representative Jim Piwowarczyk says as the law currently stands, it doesn't protect ordinary motorists. Current state law requires drivers to slow down or move over when approaching a stopped emergency, utility, or highway maintenance vehicle on the side of the road. Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois have all adopted expansions to their "Move Over" laws.

The WI Department of Agriculture has proposed new fees for Animal Markets, Truckers and Dealers under ATCP 12. The money is used for the Departments handling of animal health and traceability, and also meat safety for consumers. The fees could increase as much as 1700% for some animal markets. The Department says it needs the money to continue the programs, while those opposed say the new fee structure would hurt farmers and consumers and destroy the supply chain. Since 2009 the programs have been funded by industry fees and state money, but the department didn’t ask for money from the state in the new budget. Public hearings on the proposed fees will be on September 11, 16 and 17^th in Madison and comments can be submitted by October 15^th.

A package of bills introduce by Assembly Republicans would encourage school districts across Wisconsin to consolidate as enrollment numbers decline. Pleasant Prairie Representative Amanda Nedweski says consolidating can offer more opportunities to students. Nedweski's bill would offer financial incentives to districts if they voluntarily consolidate. Assembly Republicans introduced a number of education focused legislation at the Capitol Tuesday. Other bills introduced include one addressing dual enrollment and another that could create a teacher's Bill of Rights.

Many people will need to get a prescription before getting this year's COVID vaccine. The US Food and Drug Administration rescinded a previous order that allowed anyone to get the shot. Agency director and vaccine skeptic Robert F Kennedy Junior removed vaccine recommendations for healthy children and pregnant women. Currently, the elderly and those with an existing condition that could cause complications from COVID are eligible for the shot. Everyone else may need to consult their doctor. Depending on your insurance coverage, you might also have to pay out of pocket this year. Governor Tony Evers's administration, in conjunction with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, supports vaccination access through several programs covering routine childhood and adult immunizations, as well as the current COVID-19 and flu vaccines.

A new report from the Department of Justice says sexual extortion reports are up in Wisconsin. Data shows that the Wisconsin Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received about 400 tips related to sextortion this year. That number is nearly twice the amount of reports received last year. Anyone who believes they've fallen for a sextortion scheme should report it to speakup-dot-W-I-DOJ-dot-gov.

Wisconsinites vaccinate more than most other states. A new report from WalletHub compares all 50 states and Washington D.C. based on the rate of children, teens, adults, and elderly people vaccinated against various diseases. Wisconsin ranks 9th for having the most people vaccinated, with Massachusetts and New Hampshire at the top of the list. Mississippi and Nevada are the least vaccinated.

The Green Bay Area Public School District unveiled its first-ever Hall of Fame class on Tuesday. Eight district alumni were chosen out of 50 nominees for the inaugural class. Among the honored is Earl "Curly" Lambeau who graduated from Green Bay East High School in 1917. Superintendent Vicki Baker says she hopes students are inspired by the Hall of Fame. An induction ceremony will take place on October 11th. 

Local-Regional News Sept 10

 

The Durand City Council is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include an update on the 2025 swimming pool season, an update on the 2026 budget process, and reports from the mayor and city department heads. The Council will also go into closed session to discuss the creation of the Durand Fire District. Tonight's meeting begins at 6pm at Durand City Hall and will be video-streamed on our website.

Enrollment at UW-Stout is on the rise. Enrollment for the fall semester, which began Sept. 3, is estimated at 7,047 students, a 2% increase over fall 2024. The figure put UW-Stout in the top five for overall growth among its 12 peers in the Universities of Wisconsin, according to preliminary numbers based on Day One enrollment. UW-Stout’s enrollment growth for the 2025-26 academic year is among the strongest of the state’s 13 public universities, with overall enrollment rising and the freshmen headcount growing by more than 6% .

After a week-long delay, Wabasha-Kellogg Public Schools began its 2025-2026 school year Tuesday morning. The school system was supposed to open its doors last Tuesday, September 2. However, on Aug. 27, a letter was sent out to parents stating that mold had been found in some of the elementary classrooms. The building was cleaned and the mold removed which caused the delay in the start of the school year.

The Eau Claire Fire Department reports they had a busy night Monday night -- responding to a pair of fires. The first happened at a detached garage on the city's north side. That fire was able to be contained and no injuries were reported. The second fire happened at a home on the city's west side and required one person to be treated for smoke inhalation. There has been no word on the cause of either fire.

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers was in the western portion of the Badger State on Tuesday. Governor Evers is visiting schools around the state as kids head back to classes and that tour included a stop yesterday at Chippewa Falls Middle School. During the stop, Evers addressed the growing talk of vaccine mandates for students who attend public schools. Evers says that there are no changes coming to mandates for Wisconsin families.

Xcel Energy is launching a new initiative aimed at helping income-qualified customers improve their home energy efficiency and reduce their energy bills. Beginning this month, Xcel Energy is offering free home energy assessments to qualified customers. The assessments are conducted by trained contractors using specialized equipment such as blower doors and infrared cameras, which are designed to uncover air leaks, insulation gaps and assess combustion safety. A home energy assessment can be a crucial step in identifying the sources of uncomfortable drafts, high energy bills and potential health or safety concerns. Visit the Xcel Energy Home Assessment website to schedule an assessment.

In La Crosse County, a measure is moving forward that would reduce the financial penalties for those found to be in possession of marijuana. Under the proposal, fines that now potentially cost folks hundreds of dollars would instead cost them just one dollar. The proposal passes the county's Judiciary and Law Committee Tuesday by a vote of four to one, and will be considered next week by the full county board.

In La Crosse, fencing has now been installed to keep people out of Burns and Cameron Parks. The city closed the parks last week due to what Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey says is the behavior of sheltered and unsheltered individuals. Fencing went up yesterday. The mayor says there are concerns about the safety and integrity of those public spaces that include the selling of drugs, drug use, violence and other inappropriate conduct. Plans are being made to address those issues.

The Wisconsin D M V warns potential used car buyers about flood damaged vehicles. That comes as people in southeast Wisconsin look to get rid of cars that were caught in record flooding this summer. Buyers should be watching out for tell tale signs of water damage: musty smells, water stains, mud in places it shouldn't be, and corrosion of electrical components. As always, be sure to not only inspect a vehicle yourself before buying it, but have a mechanic do an inspection as well. Any flooded vehicle must be disclosed before purchase, and may already have a salvage title attached to it. If in doubt, use a service like Carfax or Autocheck to research the vehicle's history.

A state brewing company is dealing with allegations of providing unsafe workspaces. The Wisconsin Supreme Court heard arguments from the attorneys of a man who died from mesothelioma. Gerald Lorbiecki was exposed to asbestos while working as an independent contractor at Pabst's bottling facility in the 1970s. His family carried on his case against the company after he died, and is now asking judges to decide whether or not Pabst can be held liable for his death.

A poll shows medical debt collection lawsuits against Minnesota patients are at a five-year high. The Pew Research Center said lawsuits for overall consumer debt is rising. Other debt lawsuits such as auto loans and credit cards are also increasing across the country. However, the state has some protections in place. The Minnesota Debt Fairness Act doesn't allow medical debts to be reported to credit bureaus and limits wage-garnishing. Those facing lawsuits could potentially negotiate the debt to a lower price.

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley enters the 2026 race for Wisconsin governor. Crowley announced his candidacy through a YouTube video Tuesday morning. The 39-year-old says his background and experience make him uniquely prepared to succeed Democratic Governor Tony Evers. Crowley’s prime opponent on the Democrat side is Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez. Crowley would be the state's first Black governor if elected, while Rodriguez would be the first woman governor. Two Republicans have already declared their candidacy, and several others from both parties may enter the race before next August’s primaries.

The federal trial in Arkansas for a man accused of kidnapping a pregnant Wisconsin teenager has been delayed until January. WBAY reports that online court records show a jury trial for 40-year-old Gary Day has been rescheduled for January 20 in Little Rock. Day pleaded not guilty to multiple federal felony charges there after he and the now 17-year-old girl from Beaver Dam were found at a truck stop in Nebraska earlier this year. Day has a criminal record in Arkansas, and he cut off a GPS monitor before traveling to Wisconsin in February. He faces four felony counts of child enticement and abduction in Dodge County Court.

A woman who crashed into a Rochester city building is found competent to stand trial. Megan Swanston has been charged with first-degree assault, second-degree assault, felony fleeing, and DWI. Police say in April, the defendant had a confrontation with a man she was living with. Swanston reportedly held two knives to the man's neck before she rammed a vehicle into the building. She is reportedly due back in court on October 28th.

A new map features a statewide route connecting restaurants and supper clubs serving Wisconsin's best prime rib. The Wisconsin Beef Council is calling the route the 2025 Prime Rib Trail. The guide includes hidden gems in small towns and popular joints for both residents and travelers. The current map is available on BeefTips-dot-com, and submissions are being accepted for the 2026 Prime Rib Trail.

Local-Regional News Sept 9

 

One person was injured in a motorcycle accident in River Falls Township on Sunday. According to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, 41yr old Christopher Chavers of Ellsworth was traveling northbound on 950^th Street when he lost control on a curve. Chavers was taken to Regions Hospital in St. Paul.

One person was injured in a single vehicle accident in Trenton Township on Friday. According to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, 67yr old James Stringfellow of Richfield, MN was traveling northbound on Hwy 63, when he lost control and entered the ditch. Stringfellow was transported to Mayo Red Wing Hospital.

City of Mondovi crews will be repairing a water main break today. The break will affect water for residents on Oak Street, Milomere Drive and Jefferson Street. The water will be off until approximately 3pm, and motorists are also advised to avoid the area today while crews repair the water main.

The Mondovi City Council is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include discussion of outdoor light standards in the city, reports from the mayor and department heads and the council will go into closed session to discuss and consider a notice of claim filed by Connie Spickler. Tonights meeting begins at 5:30 in the council chambers at Mondovi City Hall.

Charges are being filed against a Cadott Village man who was involved in an injury vehicle collision on Sunday in Chippewa County. The accident occurred near 250th Street and County Road O with Wisconsin State Patrol saying that 47-year-old motorist Mark Dominguez showed signs of impairment at the scene. Dominguez was taken into custody on a charge of operating a motor vehicle under the influence with a child under the age of 16 inside the vehicle.

Veteran Minnesota State Senator Jeremy Miller will not run for reelection next year. The legislator from Winona announced yesterday that he's stepping down to spend more time with his family and grow his business. Miller says he won't rule out any possible political campaigns in the future. He was 26 years old when he was first elected in 2010.

One person is dead following a Monday morning vehicle crash in Jackson County. The accident happened shortly after 1 a.m. on State Highway 71 near the line with Monroe County. Authorities say the driver lost control near Cabin Avenue and hit a ditch and then a tree. They died at the scene.

Health care groups are opposing a proposed law that could reopen up Wisconsin bars to smoking. A group including UW-Health, the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association say Assembly Bill 211 creates large loopholes to allow smoking in nearly any bar. The bill would allow smoking inside of "tobacco bars" and allow the use of cigars, pipe tobacco and brown cigarettes indoors. Current law defines a tobacco bar as any bar that gets 15 percent of its revenue from tobacco sales and it had to be established before the 2009 indoor smoking ban passed. The bill's language would allow any current tavern to qualify so long as they purchase a tobacco sales license. The State Assembly could take up the bill on the floor this week. A companion bill in the State Senate has not made it to committee for discussion.

Wisconsin has submitted a final proposal for federal broadband internet funding. Governor Tony Evers and the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin have submitted the proposal, with the hopes of expanding high-speed internet access across the state. If approved, the governor's office says the funding could expand access to high-speed internet to more than 170,000 homes and businesses across Wisconsin. Evers says despite the Trump administration's attempt to delay the funding; his office and the PSC have been able to keep the program on track. Since 2019, Evers' administration has allocated more than $345 million in state and federal funds to expand high-speed internet.

An incident involving a gun at a Sheboygan business on Friday leaves three injured and a suspect in custody. When officers responded to the disturbance at a home health care business, they quickly identified a 65-year-old suspect inside the business who was arrested without incident. A 56-year-old man and two-year-old girl were injured from the gunfire. They were hospitalized and are expected to recover. The third victim suffered minor injuries not associated with the gunfire and was treated on the scene. Police say they recovered the gun involved and confirmed that the victims and suspect knew each other.

Two members of the Marquette University men’s lacrosse team were killed in a crash on Friday evening. 19-year-old Scott Michaud (mih-SHOWD) and 20-year-old Noah Snyder died at the scene after a vehicle they were in was hit by another vehicle less than a mile west of the Marquette campus in downtown Milwaukee. Four others in the struck vehicle were hurt but are expected to recover. The 41-year-old driver of the striking vehicle was arrested. All home athletic events at the Marquette campus were canceled this weekend to allow the campus community to grieve the deaths.

Be careful with your season tickets and don't let scammers get control of them. Wisconsin Consumer Protection is reminding people to keep their tickets secure after multiple reports of tickets being copied or stolen. As many sports teams have gone to digital ticketing, it's important to follow the usual rules of password safety. Keep those passwords private and make them difficult for a computer to guess by making them longer phrases that are easy for you to remember. If your team offers it, be sure to set up multifactor authentication, like requiring a text message or phone call if you are trying to access your account. If you have actual physical tickets, be sure not to post a picture of it online before the game.

One girl who was injured during the Annunciation Catholic Church shooting last month is out of the hospital. Lydia Kaiser underwent two brain surgeries after shielding a younger student. The first surgery removed bullet fragments and the second relieved swelling. Kaiser is reportedly walking and talking, although she still requires another operation to replace the skull segment previously removed. She is the last of the shooting's victims to be discharged from Children's Minnesota.

Close to 14 hundred service workers at the University of Minnesota are preparing to stage a walkout. Teamsters Local 320 employees voted down the last offer from university leaders. The university's final offer included a three percent raise in the first year of the deal and a two percent hike in the second. The union has been seeking a three-point-five percent increase in both years of the contract. There are reports that a strike is planned to begin tonight at the Crookston and Morris campuses and tomorrow at the Twin Cities, Duluth, and satellite locations.

There are special opportunities this month to connect job seekers and employers September is National Workforce Development month and Wisconsin’s Department of Workforce Development invites job seekers and employers to explore services offered by the Job Center of Wisconsin. On Wednesdays this month, you can access specialized services including career navigators and business services professionals who can connect you to the right job or talent. Events will also include employment and training specialists who know what local job demands are. More information on "Workforce Wednesdays" can be found on the DWD website.

Local-Regional News Sept 8

 

The City of Durand continues to review this year’s pool season. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says so far it appears the city was within the operating budget for the pool.  The city hopes to have final attendance numbers to announce at the first council meeting this month.

The Durand-Arkansaw Middle/High School Band is raising money to purchase two new tubas. The current tubas were manufactured in the 1970’s and are in need of replacement. Durand-Arkansaw Music Director Andrew Smits says the instruments will cost approximately $7000 each. While not cheap, Smits says the new instruments will provide a better opportunity for students.  To make a donation visit the Durand-Arkansaw School District Facebook Page or you can also drop off a donation at the Middle-High School Office.

The new Athletic-Activities Director for the Durand-Arkansaw School District is settling into the position. Archie Scherbinow says one of his goals is to provide students everything they need to become successful adults.  Sherbinow has been in the district since July.

The Pepin County Sheriff’s Department is reminding motorists to stop when school buses have their red lights flashing. The department responded to two school bus passing violations last week. Not only do you have to stop when the red lights are flashing and stop arm extended, but be on the lookout for children crossing the road.

Charges are being filed against a former Green Bay Packers quarterback following a recent incident at an Eau Claire bar. According to reports, Donald Majkowski got into a fight with a fellow customer and choked a bartender at Brother's Bar on Water Street. Majkowski says that -- in the August 29th incident -- he had been jumped by someone who was jealous of his career in the NFL. Majkowski was cited for disorderly conduct.

Scammers are continuing to target elderly people with a scam that involves younger family members. It's called the Grandparent Scam, and Wisconsin Consumer Protection director Michelle Reinen says it can be effective on people who don't know it's coming. Someone claiming to be a grandchild or a loved one will claim that person is in trouble and needs money quickly. A common part of the scam is to try and convince the victim to keep the money transfer secret from the rest of the family. Be sure to let your elderly relatives know about this tactic, and set up code phrases or words to make sure that someone is who they say they are.

Federal health officials say a salmonella outbreak linked to certain home delivery meals from Metabolic Meals has sickened over a dozen people and hospitalized seven in ten states. The meals were made and delivered by the Metabolic Meals company during the week of July 28th. The CDC said last Friday that some of those sickened were in Wisconsin. Metabolic Meals' website says it is a home delivery meal subscription service focused on macro-friendly meals. The CDC said Metabolic Meals is working with investigators and has reached out to customers directly who purchased the affected meal types to inform them of the outbreak.

With kids back in school, Wisconsin parents need to be doing their best to make sure germs aren't being spread and they aren't getting sick. UW Health Kids Dr. Casey Freymiller (fry-miller) says washing hands is the most important kids can do. Freymiller says you should also be teaching your kids to properly cover their coughs and sneezes to help stop the spread of germs. Freymiller says healthykids.org is a great resource for parents to visit to get more information.

Wisconsin is joining a coalition with the goal of increasing EV ownership. Governor Tony Evers, who co-chairs the U.S. Climate Alliance, says Wisconsin and Hawaii will join 11 other states in the Affordable Clean Cars Coalition. It’s working on policies to make electric vehicles more affordable, expand EV charging infrastructure, and support U.S. automotive manufacturing jobs. Evers says it needs to be easier, not more difficult, for Wisconsinites to own electric vehicles. Wisconsin joined the Alliance in 2019 as one of Evers’ first official acts as governor. The Alliance, a bipartisan group of 24 governors, is committed to achieving the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement to combat climate change.

PFAs prompt new advisories on fish and game consumption in northern Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Department of Health Services announced the new advisories for the Town of Stella in Oneida County, due to PFAS contamination. A "Do Not Eat" advisory includes all fish species in the Moen Chain of Lakes, Sunset Lake, Starks Creek, and Snowden Lake. Elevated levels of PFOS, a type of PFAS, were found in fish tissues. For deer, new guidance advises consuming only one meal per month from deer harvested within a 5-mile radius of Stella's town hall. Liver from deer in this area should not be eaten due to significant PFAS levels. A consumption advisory was also issued for mallards and wood ducks harvested on Green Bay due to the contamination of PFAS.

At the Capitol, Democrats introduce bills to roll back Scott Walker era labor laws. The “Build A Stronger Wisconsin” package would restore the prevailing wage, repeal the so-called “Right-to-Work” law, reinstate the ability to use project labor agreements, and address worker misclassification. While Democrats said all this would be popular with voters, the bills are unlikely to get hearings in the Republican controlled legislature.

A bill introduced in Wisconsin would prevent testing facilities from immediately euthanizing cats and dogs. If approved, cats and dogs used for testing must be up for adoption for at least three weeks before being euthanized. One beagle breeder based in Blue Mounds, Ridglan Farms is facing up to 55-thousand-dollars in fines after hundreds of animal cruelty violations.

A Minnesota man is now enjoying his freedom after serving 27 years for a murder he didn't commit. Bryan Hooper was sentenced to life in prison in 1998 for the murder of a 77-year-old woman who was found dead in the closet of her Minneapolis apartment. In July, the star witness who helped convict Hooper recanted her testimony and confessed that she was the one responsible for the woman's death. On Thursday morning, Hooper, who is now 54 years old, was released from the Stillwater Correctional Facility in Minnesota to be with his son and daughter.

Interest in Wisconsin bear hunting reaches record numbers. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says more than 32,000 people applied for just over 13,000 available bear licenses for this hunting season, which started Wednesday and runs through October 7th. Another 114,000 people purchased a preference point to improve their chances of drawing a license in a future lottery. Those totals set a new record for bear hunting applications in the state. The DNR says Wisconsin has a bear population of around 24,000, and that number is growing. More information on, and regulations for, bear hunting can be found on the DNR website. 

Local-Regional News Sept 5

 

Prpoperty owners in Durand will have their property re-assed starting this fall. What does that mean for your property tax? According to Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren, since the city operates under levy limits, taxes may not change much.  The city-wide reassessment should be completed by the end of next year.

The Durand American Legion Post 181 helped the Durand-Arkansaw School District in replacing the flags at the Middle-High School and Caddie Woodlawn Elementary School. Durand-Arkansaw Superintendent Ryan Nelson says the Legion donated 3 flags total.

Dunn County has completed its administrative transition with new County Manager Dan Dunbar appointing Jenalee Nutter as Assistant County Manager. Nutter said she will continue to serve as the county’s Human Resources Director, assuming a dual leadership role within the organization.  Nutter has served as Dunn County’s Human Resources Director since 2022, having joined the county in 2017.  She graduated from UW-Stout in 2014. 

The City of Menomonie and Dunn County are sponsoring two Clean Sweep Hazardous Waste Recycling events in September to allow residents to dispose of household hazardous waste safely and conveniently. The City of Menomonie event will be from 2 to 6 p.m., Thursday, September 25, at the Menomonie Community Services Shop, 621 11th Ave West.  The event is open to residents of the City of Menomonie, Town of Menomonie and Town of Red Cedar and costs $10 per vehicle (cash or check only). The Dunn County event will be from 8 a.m. to noon on Friday, September 26, at the Dunn County Fairgrounds, Small Animal Building, The event is open to all Dunn County residents and costs $10 per vehicle (cash or check only). For a full list of accepted and non-accepted items and details about both events, please visit the City of Menomonie’s website 

The Wisconsin court of appeals has denied 27-year-old Ezra McCandless a new trial in the 2018 death of an Eau Claire man. In 2019, McCandless was found guilty of First-Degree Intentional Homicide after 3 hours of deliberation. McCandless had claimed self-defense in the homicide. On the appeal, she raised numerous legal issues that she claims entitled her to a new trial and the court rejected each of her claims in a 46-page long decision. McCandless is currently serving a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 50 years for the death of Alex Woodworth.

An Eau Claire man facing charges of child sexual assault is pleading not guilty. Eighty-two-year-old Robert Karstensen appeared in Eau Claire County court yesterday. Karstensen and his neighbor are accused of sexually assaulting several victims over the course of multiple years.

Eau Claire Police are investigating a Monday incident at the former Sacred Heart Hospital. Video shows a man entering the building with his face shielded from view. Officers responding to the scene report finding a door that had been opened by force. There has been no confirmation on anything being stolen.

In La Crosse, city officials are ordering the temporary closures of the Burns and Cameron Parks. The closures are effective immediately and due to what Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey says is the behavior of sheltered and unsheltered individuals. The mayor says there are concerns about the safety and integrity of those public spaces that include the selling of drugs, drug use, violence and other inappropriate conduct. Plans are being made to address those issues.

Senator Tammy Baldwin and Representative Tony Wied want more Wisconsinites to have access to Packers games. The legislators introduced the "Go Pack Go Act" on Thursday. The act would require satellite and cable providers to give subscribers access to local programming from Wisconsin's television stations. More than 400-thousand residents live in counties assigned to out-of-state markets, meaning they end up with broadcasts featuring Lions or Vikings games.

The Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds will host the first-ever installment of a new foodie event this weekend. BBQ Fest will feature multiple vendors, a backyard grilling competition, live music and more fun for the family. The event takes place on Saturday and runs from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. with more details available at nwsfa-dot-com.

Recent inspections at Ridglan Farms found more than 300 violations. Newly released documents say the farm was cited for 308 counts of mistreating dogs and three counts of failing to perform mandatory health checks. The dog breeder in Blue Mounds is now facing more than 55-thousand dollars in fines and fees as part of a civil forfeiture. Ridglan Farms can agree to the civil forfeiture and resolve the violations. Their other option is to decline and take the case to Dane County Circuit Court.

Wisconsin has joined yet another lawsuit against the Trump administration, this one over Wisconsinites' Medicaid data. Attorney General Josh Kaul says Wisconsin has joined a multistate lawsuit to block the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Homeland Security from using or sharing state Medicaid data for purposes unrelated to health care. The coalition is attempting to block the federal government from using the data for the purposes of immigration enforcement or population surveillance. In Wisconsin, Medicaid covers approximately 1.26 million people. Nearly half of those are children, and over a quarter of a million are seniors and people with disabilities.

A former Hudson, Wisconsin, school teacher accused of sexual misconduct with a grade school boy is facing new allegations. Abigail Faust has been charged with third-degree criminal sexual conduct. The 25-year-old was recently arrested after she was accused of several acts of sexual conduct with another teen in the Twin Cities while she was his nanny. Faust remains behind bars without bail and is expected back in court on October 9th in Wisconsin.

In interviews with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and WisPoltics, Representative Sylvia Ortiz Velez said she’s left the caucus after months of conflict, and an accusation that she would use a firearm against a colleague. Ortiz Velez called the allegation that she’d use an AR-15 “laughable” and that she doesn’t own such a weapon. She was also apparently banned from the Capitol, however Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said her status was “inappropriately revoked” and no members are currently barred from the building.

A farm in the village of Howard will be losing land it uses for strawberry farming. Sunny Hill Farm has been leasing land from the village to farm strawberries for the past 35 years. But the village has decided to sell the land to an assisted living facility. One farmer tells Fox 11 that the land has some of the best soil to plant strawberries in.

Minnesota home buyers are canceling sales at a higher rate. Canceled purchase deals are at their highest rate in nearly a decade. In July, about ten-percent of Minnesota pending home sales fell through while the national trend is around 15-percent. Working-class buyers are more sensitive to today's record prices and higher mortgage rates, making their deals much riskier. Despite the rising supply of starter homes for sale, demand is struggling to keep up financially.

A fallen elephant at the Milwaukee County Zoo is helped to get back on her feet. Tuesday morning, the 43-year-old pachyderm named Ruth fell during an "aggressive" encounter with a herdmate. After the Milwaukee Fire Department's Heavy Urban Rescue Team responded with a contracted crane to lift Ruth, zoo staff used a front-end loader to help the elephant stand up again. Zoo veterinary staff will continue to monitor Ruth’s health. The three elephants in the Milwaukee County Zoo's herd are all considered geriatric, with the median life expectancy for a female elephant in human care estimated at just over 39 years.