Local-Regional News: 2025

Monday, August 11, 2025

Local-Regional News August 11

The Wisconsin Army National Guard welcomed home more than 250 Soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 128th Infantry Regiment, on Saturday at the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport. The unit, based in Eau Claire, recently returned from a nearly year-long deployment to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of operations in support of Operation Spartan Shield. While headquartered at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, the battalion also supported follow-on missions in several other countries across the region.

The Wuethrich Family/Grassland Dairy Center of Excellence at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls will now be able to produce even more dairy foods, thanks to the donation of a milk-hauling truck by a regional automotive dealer, Cernohous Chevrolet of Prescott. The Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD will haul a milk tank filled to its 8,600-pound capacity from Mann Valley Farm to the dairy pilot plant on campus, tripling the plant’s daily production capacity. “The truck will make a significant impact, allowing us to operate more efficiently and take advantage of our production center’s full capabilities,” said Rueben Nilsson, plant manager. The ability to expand production is important as the dairy pilot plant seeks to increase wholesale distribution of cheese and ice cream, Nilsson said. Those products, marketed under the Falcon Creamery name, are being sold at more and more regional locations.

The Universities of Wisconsin System is paying $265,000 to settle a discrimination lawsuit. UW-Eau Claire employee Rochelle Hoffman filed a federal lawsuit back in 2023, claiming she was demoted from her diversity position because she is white. She alleged the chancellor at the time, Jim Schmidt, and the UW Board of Regents subjected her to a ‘racially hostile and abusive work environment.’ Hoffman and the UW settled the lawsuit in July.

Three Eau Claire men are facing nearly 20 charges following a Thursday morning drug bust in the 500-block of Chippewa Street in Eau Claire. According to Eau Claire Police officers observed high traffic in and out of the 500 block of Chippewa Street. From there, they decided to surveil the suspected house. During their investigation, traffic stops on cars leaving the house resulted in finding illegal drugs. When officers searched the house, they found several pounds of marijuana and THC products, ketamine, cocaine, and MDMA. They also found a handgun and a business ledger. Dillon Linn and Antonio Cantu were charged with maintaining a drug trafficking place, felon in possession of a firearm, and intent to deliver drugs like marijuana and cocaine. Vincent Archuleta was charged with two possession misdemeanors.

A Menomonie Man was not injured in a plane crash in Nebraska yesterday. According to Nebraska Authorities Issac Weix of Menomonie left the Norfork, NE Regional Airport and was at 5,000 feet when his aircraft experienced engine trouble. Weix attempted to return to the airport but was unable to make it back and landed the plane in a soybean field just east of Norfork, NE. The FAA is investigating the cause of the engine failure.

The Buffalo County Sheriff’s Department and the City of Alma are asking the public to please use the posted detour through the city of Alma when traveling on Hwy 35 or Hwy E. Both roads are currently closed and detours are in place. Commercial trucks, those pulling campers or any form of trailer are advised to use the detour for Truck traffic as the semis and those with trailers will not be able to navigate the street options in Alma. Motorists with passenger cars and passenger trucks can use the detour in the city and visit the local businesses.

Construction on Highway 93 in Eau Claire County is set to finish ahead of schedule. The highway, which has been closed since mid-May, will reopen Monday, Aug. 11. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation announced the reopening and noted that there will still be some lane closures for final paving but travelers will be able to pass through. Work was being done from Cedar Road to the Trempealeau County line.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture has issued a public health alert for a Western
Wisconsin Meat Locker. The department issued the alert for Cured and Smoked Teriyaki Beef produced by Holmen Locker & Meat Market in Holmen. This alert is due to the product being misbranded and containing undeclared allergens. The product contains soy and wheat, known food allergens which were not declared on the product’s label. The product was sold at Holmen Locker & Meat Market on or before August 1, 2025. No illnesses have been reported as a result of consuming this product. Anyone with signs or symptoms of a foodborne illness or allergic reactions should contact their doctor. Consumers who have this product can discard it.

A Black River Falls teen is being identified as the person who died following a crash in Jackson County. The accident happened just before 6:30 Wednesday morning in Franklin. Authorities say that 19-year-old Aurora Olson suffered fatal injuries when they lost control of their vehicle on a curve and rolled over on County Road C. No one else was hurt.

Governor Evers is signing legislation granting advanced practice registered nurses independent practice authority. The new 2025 Wisconsin Act 17 allows nurse practitioners and midwives to practice independently after supervised training. The bipartisan deal has medical groups neutral and nursing organizations, including the Wisconsin Nurses Association, celebrating. Under the law, healthcare access is expected to improve, especially in rural and underserved communities.

NASA astronaut and former Milwaukee native Jim Lovell is dead at age 97. The commander of NASA's Apollo 13 mission died on Thursday in Lake Forest, Illinois. Lovell helped lead the Apollo 13 mission's return to Earth after the spacecraft's oxygen tank exploded. Tributes have poured in from Wisconsin organizations like the Experimental Aircraft Association in Oshkosh, reflecting the state's strong connection to his legacy. Lovell attended Juneau High School and carried a Milwaukee Boy Scout patch into space on Apollo 8.

The former clerk of the rural Marathon County Town of Bergen pleads guilty to stealing thousands of dollars in public funds. Gloriann Doyle pled guilty to stealing public funds, forgery, and misconduct in public office on Thursday, with five additional counts then dismissed as part of the deal. The 65-year-old used her position as the Clerk to writer herself a handful of checks, totaling more than one hundred thousand dollars, saying she had fallen behind on bills including her mortgage. She now faces more than 35 years in prison at sentencing, which will be scheduled for this fall. The most serious charge against her carries a maximum sentence of 12 and a half years.

A northern Wisconsin tribe will have to stop barricading roads to private homes on its reservation. Federal judge William Conley ruled this week that the Lac du Flambeau tribe did not have justification to prevent residents of a number of homes from using 4 roads. Those blockades started in 2023 after the original easements to those properties expired, and the tribe wanted the town of Lac du Flambeau to pay for their upkeep. Judge Conley ruled that the roads are currently listed as public roads under federal funding programs and the 20 million dollar fee the tribe was demanding was exorbitant. Tribal leaders say they're weighing their future options, while the homeowners and the town expressed relief in statements to the media. Republican State Senator Mary Felzkowski of Tomahawk praised the ruling, and said the Lac du Flambeau tribe was "immature" in its dealings with the town and state.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is doubling down on his decision to do away with the Housing Stabilization program. The agency was started in 2020 and has recently faced allegations of fraud. Walz says shutting down the HSS program instead of repairing it is because the problem is too widespread. The governor added that the state is reviewing all Medicaid-involved programs for possible fraud. Walz adds that his message to fraudsters is that when they are caught, they're going to prison

The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association is launching a new foundation. The WIAA Foundation is to be an organization aimed at advancing Wisconsin high school athletics through charitable support. Executive Director Stephanie Hauser says this represents a significant milestone in the WIAA’s commitment to Wisconsin's high school athletes. The foundation will focus on three areas, athletic programs, risk minimization the development of officials for athletic events. Wisconsin's high school athletic community features more than 510 schools and 185,000 student-athletes.

Friday, August 8, 2025

Local-Regional News August 8

Lake City Police are asking the public’s help in locating a missing teen. According to the Lake City Police Department, 17-year-old Kameron Collier was last seen by his family on Tuesday night at his home on South 6^th Street. He was wearing a black hoodie with a Hello Kitty design on it, black pants and white high-top shoes with red drawings on them. He also has a tattoo of a bleeding heart on one of his ankles. Collier has medical conditions and requires daily medication. He does not own a vehicle or have a drivers license. If anyone has any information on Collier they are to contact Lake City Police.

Five veterans are now in the Purple Heart Hall of Honor following Wednesday's ceremony. The Madison VA honored veterans for their sacrifice and service to the United States during wartime. The Purple Heart is awarded to military personnel who are wounded or killed while serving in action. Its designated day lands on August 7th.

Members of Wisconsin's Task Force 1 are back home after helping with flood-related search efforts in Texas. Twenty-one-members of Wisconsin’s Urban Search and Rescue Task Force spent two weeks in Central Texas assisting recovery efforts following catastrophic flooding. Two teams left in early July to search for missing people with the first team consisting of five people and three canines. More help was needed, so Wisconsin sent another sixteen personnel. Task Force K9s are trained to bark if human remains were found. Task force members helped with water search in areas along the Guadalupe River, including the Canyon Lake Area.

A Madison-based provider of tests for cancer prevention is cutting a portion of its workforce. Exact Sciences is eliminating about 200 positions in Wisconsin. 80 of those jobs are based at the company's Madison headquarters and another 120 remote workers around Wisconsin will be let go. The company employs 7,200 people and says the layoffs are connected to a reorganization of support functions to better meet growing demand. Those losing their jobs can apply for nearly 250 open roles elsewhere in the company.

Lawmakers from four states including Wisconsin are demanding accountability for Canadian wildfire smoke. Governor Tony Evers says he’d welcome dialog on a solution if it's productive. Republican state Representative Calvin Callahan of Tomahawk joined legislators from Iowa, Minnesota and North Dakota in a letter to the US Environmental Protection Agency calling for “real consequences” if Canada fails to get wildfires under control, as well an investigation into Canadian fire management practices. Wisconsin has seen more than 20 days of poor air quality this summer due to the wildfire smoke.

The mother of a teen involved in last year’s school shooting in Madison is dead. The Wisconsin State Journal reports Mellissa Rupnow was found dead inside a Janesville home last Friday. Rupnow was the mother of 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow who opened fire inside of Abundant Life Christian School December 16th, 2024, killing a fellow student and a teacher before turning the gun on herself. Janesville Police say it appears that Mellissa died by suicide but have not commented further because of an ongoing investigation. Her ex-husband Jeffrey Rupnow is facing multiple charges for allegedly letting Natalie have access to the weapons used in the shooting.

A missing American climate journalist and former UW - Madison alum is found alive in Norway According to multiple media reports, Alec Luhn was found just north of the Buarbreen , which is an arm of a large glacier that is part of Folgefonna National Park. Luhn was in Norway with his wife to see family and was last seen Thursday, when he left for a four-day solo trip in the national park. According to a Norwegian newspaper, Luhn suffered a foot injury. The glacier Luhn was found near is described as the third largest icecap in Norway. Luhn was born in Stoughton and graduated from UW - Madison in 2010.

The man accused of shooting two Minnesota legislators and their families is pleading not guilty in federal court in Minneapolis. Vance Boelter is charged with killing state Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, as well as shooting and wounding Representative john Hoffman and his wife. Two of the defendant's federal charges carry the possibility of the death penalty. No trial date has been set.

University of Minnesota service workers are taking steps to stage a walkout. Teamsters Local 320 has filed an intent to strike with the university. The employees affected include those who clean buildings, maintain the grounds, service dorms, and prepare food. The union is seeking a pay increase for workers since their contract expired in June.

Thursday, August 7, 2025

Local-Regional News Aug 7

Two Western Wisconsin State Fair Exhibitors sold their animals at last nights Governor’s Auction at the State Fair. Logan Bennett of Durand sold his Reserve Gran Champion Market Barrow for $15,000 while Josie Lorentz of Woodville sold her Grand Champion Steer for $35,000. The Wisconsin State Fair Continues through Sunday, and the Pierce County Fair gets underway today and also runs through Sunday in Ellsworth.

A Downtown Durand Business is planning on re-opening. The Rooster Tali Bar and Grill closed after a fire in February. In a social media post, the business announced that after months of planning and other challenges, the renovations to rebuild the business are underway. The business thanks the community for its patience and support while they make the necessary renovations to re-open in the future.

The Buffalo County Sheriffs Department is advising motorists that Hwy E in the City of Alma from Main Steet to 2^nd Street is closed due to a collapse of a retaining wall. Motorists are advised to use Cedar Street to Access 2^nd Street in Alma. Currently Hwy E will remain colosed until the retaining wall is repaired.

Over 110-million dollars have been approved for building projects across Wisconsin. Governor Tony Evers announced Wednesday that the State Building Commission approved the projects. One seeks to improve sidewalk infrastructure at the State Capitol, while another will improve UW-Stout’s Robert S. Swanson Library and Learning Center. Evers stressed the importance of investing in Wisconsin's future in the announcement.

Authorities are releasing the name of an Eau Claire County Jail inmate who died at the facility this week. Authorities found 39-year-old Robert Manning-Harris dead on Monday. His cause of death remains undetermined. Autopsy results have shown no evidence of trauma.

The Eau Claire Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department's 2025 Doggie Swim Fest is just around the corner. Registrations are being accepted now from dog owners who want to allow their pets to take a dip in the Fairfax Pool before it is drained for the season. The cost is fifteen dollars per dog. More details on the August 24th event can be found at eauclairewi-dot-gov. The City of Durand is also considering allowing dogs to go for a swim at the end of the day on August 24^th at the Tarrant Park Pool.

Winona Firefighters responded to a building fire near Winona Middle School yesterday. According to fire officials, the building was a workshop used for ISD 861 and suffered moderate fire, smoke and water damage. The building was unoccupied and no injuries were reported. The cause of that fire is still under investigation.

Applications are now being accepted to fill a vacancy on the Chippewa Falls City Council. Folks interested in filling the opening for District Four Alderperson must live in the district. The positions opened after Council member Scott Sullivan resigned two weeks ago. Letters of application can be emailed to bgivens-at-chippewafalls-wi-dot-gov and must be received by August 31st. District Five Council Person Heather Martell has also announced she is resigning from the council.

More than 460 high schools including Alma, Durand-Arkansaw, Mondovi, Plum City and Pepin Schools are part of the Direct Admit Wisconsin program. Under the Universities of Wisconsin System program, qualified high school students from participating high schools are automatically admitted to up to ten UW schools without ever having to submit an application. Students must choose to participate in the program and are admitted based on their grades and coursework after completion of the junior year. They must meet all admissions requirements, enroll for their senior year of high school, and stay on track to graduate. In total, Direct Admit Wisconsin delivered more than 33,500 admission offers to high school seniors from 467 high schools.

Olmsted County drivers will pay an increased fee for their vehicles next year. The county will double its wheelage tax from ten dollars to 20 bucks. The tax is applied to the purchase of vehicle tabs and helps pay for road projects and improvements. Only the tax applied to the tabs will go up, not the actual cost of the tabs.

A former Green Bay Packer is convicted of running a dogfighting operation. The U.S. Department of Justice announced Monday that a federal jury in Oklahoma convicted LeShon Johnson on six felony counts for “possessing, selling, transporting, and delivering animals to be used in fighting ventures.” The 54-year-old Johnson surrendered 190 dogs as part of the verdict, which is the largest number ever seized from a single person in a federal dogfighting case. Johnson, a Packers running back in the mid-1990’s, faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count.

Governor Tony Evers has announced a 100-million-dollar tax credit for an upcoming pharmaceutical development. Eli Lilly and Company announced last year it had acquired a manufacturing plant in Kenosha County previously owned by Nexus Pharmaceuticals. The company will receive credits depending on it meeting capital investment goals and job creation targets. The expansion plans to add 750 jobs to the facility.

A new study highlights a need for more housing in Central Wisconsin. The 2025 Regional Housing Study from Wausau-based Centergy, Inc. prepared in partnership with the North Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission provides an in-depth analysis of housing conditions and future needs across Adams, Lincoln, Marathon, Portage, and Wood Counties. The study finds a pressing need for housing priced within reach of working households, units renting between $900–$1,499 and homes priced between $200,000–$299,999. It also outlines how rising construction costs, limited new housing supply, and a competitive market are making it increasingly difficult for employers to attract and retain talent to the region.

There are new security changes at Minnesota's State Capitol, days after a man was arrested for trespassing there while naked. Starting today, there will be two entrances instead of three for the public to enter the state building. The two entrances will also have more Capitol Security officers assigned there. Access to the Capitol from the Minnesota Senate building ramp will only be for key cardholders. The regular business hours of the Capitol will stay 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday to Friday.

The new owner of "Deep Thought,” the boat abandoned on a Milwaukee beach last year, is the man who towed it off the beach. Jeff Piller of All City Towing won the boat for just over 25-hundred dollars as bidding closed on Tuesday. Piller says he and his staff just couldn't bear to get rid of it. The boat is covered in street art and murals and Piller says he will try to preserve parts of it as an art piece. His winning bid is far less than the 20-thousand dollars the county was hoping to get to recoup the costs of the boat's removal.

Wednesday, August 6, 2025

Local-Regional News Aug 6

One man is in custody after a manhunt in Wabasha County yesterday. According to the Wabasha and Olmsead County Sheriff’s Departments, the incident began yesterday morning after deputies responded to a suspicious vehicle with a man slumped over the steering wheel near Elgin. When deputies arrived, the man fled and ended up hitting another car in Wabasha County on County Road 25. The man then fled the scene, broke into a nearby building and fled into a cornfield. He was later arrested. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the suspect was identified as Drew Douglas Wiskow Davis.

The City of Menomonie has approved annexing over 300 acres of land between 605^th and 690^th Avenue in the Town of Red Cedar for a possible new data center. Balloonist LLC filed the request for the annexation and rezoning. The city still has to approve the final plans for the proposed data center and if approved, construction could begin as early as 2027.

The Buffalo County Highway Department will begin construction on Hwy BB today. The project will be from Hwy 10 south to the Naples Town Hall and will include culvert replacement, widening and milling operations. Hwy BB will remain open to traffic, but motorists should expect delays.

The Tarrant Park Pool will be closed for a few days this month. The City of Durand announced the pool will be closed this Friday from 6-9pm and all day on Saturday. The pool will also be closed from 6-9pm on August 21^st and 22^nd. The final day of the pool being open for the season is scheduled to be August 24.

One person was hospitalized following an apartment fire. The Eau Claire Fire Department says a tenant found smoke and fire in her kitchen when they arrived. Crews found heavy smoke coming from a third floor apartment and initiated an evacuation. One cat was found unharmed and another person living there was treated at the scene before being transported to the hospital. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The apartment fire broke out at a property on South Barstow Street and caused an estimated 40 thousand dollars in damage.

A date is being set for groundbreaking ceremonies on a new hospital in Chippewa Falls. Aspirus Chippewa Falls Hospital is to be developed across the street from Fire Station #1 on Chippewa Crossing Boulevard and will be a 35-thousand-square-foot facility with an emergency department and clinic. The groundbreaking ceremony is set for August 14th.

Governor Tony Evers was in western Wisconsin on Tuesday talking about healthcare. The governor visited the Chippewa Valley Free Clinic where he talked discussed his concerns about the impacts the recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill will have on Badger State residents. The governor says that an estimated 270-thousand people living in Wisconsin stand to lose their health care coverage.

Authorities are reporting the passing of a woman who was recently involved in a St. Croix County collision. The St. Croix County Sheriff's Office says a pickup truck and a semi hit head-on July 25th on County Trunk Highway G in Erin Prairie. According to the report, the vehicles hit when the driver of the pickup truck went left of center and into the path of the semi. The pickup truck's driver, 42-year-old Ashlie Rosen, died on Friday. The driver of the semi survived the crash with non life-threatening injuries.

Celebrating one year of the state's Home Energy Rebate programs. Wisconsin received $149 million under the Biden era Inflation Reduction Act for the Home Efficiency Rebate and Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate Programs. The programs are administered by the state Public Service Commission. Governor Tony Evers says more than $2 million in rebates have been distributed, helping Wisconsin families make home upgrades and keep more money in their pockets. Just under $75 million went to the HEAR program providing discounts for installing energy efficient appliances. Another $75 million went towards the HOMES program for whole-home efficiency improvements.

A Wisconsin man was sentenced to 29 months in prison for possessing precursors to chemical weapons. James Morgan entered a guilty plea earlier this year after the FBI executed a search warrant on his storage unit and found the chemicals. His messages described a plan to take out approximately 20 government agents using large amounts of chlorine. Morgan was a chemistry student at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and described himself as a weapon designer.

Another batch of inactive Wisconsin voters have been pulled from the voting rolls. The Wisconsin Elections Commission says 192-thousand voters were removed as part of an ongoing maintenance of the rolls. Administrator Meagan Wolfe says anyone who hasn't voted in four years will be removed to ensure that the list of voters is accurate in each voting district. Wisconsin has at-the-polls registration, so if your name has been pulled from the list, and you've forgotten to register, you can still cast a ballot on election day.

Some Wisconsin members of Congress want to make sure airlines continue to have two pilots in the cockpit. In separate letters to Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, 45 U.S. Senators and more than 150 House members are urging him to oppose efforts to examine and test out proposals for having a single pilot operate commercial passenger flights. Current U.S. policy dictates no airline can operate an airplane “with less than the minimum flight crew,” of “two pilots,” and the lawmakers said that ought to remain the standard. Wisconsin House Republican Tony Wied, House Democrats Gwenn Moore and Mark Pocan, and Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin all signed the letters. Duffy, a former Wisconsin congressman, has not commented on the issue since being appointed secretary.

Harley-Davidson has a new leader. The Milwaukee based motorcycle maker announced Monday that Artie Starrs will be its next president and chief executive officer. Starrs previously served as CEO of Topgolf Callaway Brands. Prior to that, he held leadership roles with Pizza Hut. Starrs will begin his new duties in October succeeding Jochen Zeitz (YO-ken ZITES), who is retiring. Harley-Davidson is struggling to attract young customers amid declining demand for its large motorcycles.

Milwaukee will host another convention of Republicans. This time, it’s the Young Republican National Convention in August of 2027. The gathering put together by the Young Republican National Federation is expected to draw 1,200 attendees and generate about $1 million in economic activity for the region. Last summer, Milwaukee hosted the 2024 Republican National Convention, which brought in over $300 million of business impact. Wisconsin has been a key state in deciding the most recent presidential elections.

A bear with a plastic jar stuck on its head was freed over the weekend in northwestern Wisconsin. According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the 70-pound, 2-year-old sow was first spotted with the jar on her head on July 26, and she traveled more than 50 miles for about a week while in that predicament. She was spotted in Sawyer, Bayfield and Douglas counties. After over a week of monitoring and trapping efforts, reports of the bear over the weekend indicated she was likely returning to the area where first spotted. On Sunday near Cable in Sawyer County, a trained wildlife professional was able to safely dart the bear with an immobilization drug so the jar could be removed. The sow did not have any injuries and has been relocated to a safe wooded area to recover.

Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Local-Regional News August 5

Tonight is National Night Out. Its a chance for the public to meet area law enforcement, EMS, and fire personnel, and learn about other services offered by our communities. In Durand National Night out will begin at 5pm at the Bauer Built Sports Complex. A free Dinner will also be served, and there will be a demonstration with K-9 Jack on the baseball field. National Night out will also be held from 4:30-8pm at the Alma School with the Buffalo County Sheriffs Department. In Wabasha, National Night out will be from 4-7pm at the Criminal Justice Center in Wabasha.

ALCIVIA’s Board of Directors has announced that Jim Dell has resigned from his role as President and Chief Executive Officer. Rodney Balvitsch, previously Chief Operating Officer, has been appointed interim CEO, effective immediately. Balvitsch lives in Mondovi and served as COO since 2020, and more than 25 years in the cooperative system. Throughout his tenure, Rodney has led operational improvements, and strengthening membership and employee relationships.

An inmate at the Eau Claire County Jail has been found dead in his cell. Sheriff Dave Riewestahl says the 39-year-old man was unresponsive when he was discovered in his cell this morning. An outside sheriff's office will conduct an investigation into his death along with the Eau Claire County Medical Examiner.

Eau Claire Police are warning residents of a telephone scam. According to police, folks are receiving contacts from someone posing as a member of law enforcement and telling the call recipient that someone they know will be taken to jail if a payment is not made -- usually by cryptocurrency or Bitcoin. The would-be victim is told that they are not speak to anyone about the call because that would be a violation of a gag order. Police say these calls are scams and that if someone receives such a contact -- and they have concerns about its legitimacy -- they should -- in fact -- reach out to police.

The La Crosse Fire Department is sharing details about a busy day experienced by first responders last week. On Thursday at 4:19 p.m., crews were dispatched to Riverside Park with reports that someone had leapt into the Mississippi River. Rescuers quickly got into the water and located that person. Eighteen minutes after that call came in, another came in reporting someone was in distress in the water near the 7th Street Boat Landing. That person was also rescued.

The Eau Claire City-County Health Department is advising of the presence of harmful algae at Lake Altoona Beach. For now authorities are saying to avoid water activities in the area. They specifically say not to swim, touch or swallow water that is anywhere near the algae.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is asking residents to watch out for spongy moths. The worm-like bug is known to cause drought and defoliation. Anyone seeing signs of decline in their trees should email a report to spongy moth-at-wisconsin-dot-gov. Spongy moth outbreaks usually last two to three years, and happen every ten to twelve years.

Congressman Tom Tiffany says he'll be decided on a bid for governor within the next 30 to 60 days. He's been hinting at a campaign recently, but told CBS 58 he'll be sure of his decision before September ends. Tiffany says it'll depend on whether or not he wants to stay in Congress. Three people have launched formal campaigns including lieutenant governor Sara Rodriguez.

Vaccinations rates have held steady for children attending Wisconsin schools. The Department of Health Services says more than 84-percent of students met minimum requirements for immunizations for the 2024-2025 school year. However, the Centers for Disease Control says Wisconsin kindergarteners are behind other states when it comes to being protected against illnesses that can be prevented through vaccines.

Law enforcement in Wisconsin will focus on traffic safety near school buses this month. The Department of Transportation says more than six-hundred crashes in Wisconsin involve school buses annually. The department encourages drivers to watch for children while school buses are stopped, and reminds them it's illegal to pass while a bus is stopped with flashing red or amber lights or when it's stop sign is extended.

An abandoned boat that captured the imagination of Milwaukeeans is not capturing much interest in the auction market. Milwaukee County hoped the auction would recoup $20,000 of the removal costs for the vessel known as "Deep Thought". But Milwaukee County Supervisor Sheldon Wasserman tells Fox 6 bids have fallen far short of expectations, with the top bid so far being $1,125. The boat got plenty of attention as it sat along the shore of Lake Michigan for months. The county paid a towing crew to remove it in May, with donations covering $30,000 of the cost. Wasserman says taxpayers will have to foot the bill for the rest if bids remain low. The auction closes on Tuesday.

Minnesota is on a top ten list that involves deadly falls of people aged 65 and older. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention rates the state with the second-highest rate behind Wisconsin. The study shows deadly falls are twice the national average and rising. Close to 142 Minnesota seniors per one hundred thousand died from injuries after a fall in 2021. In Wisconsin, the count was just under 177. State health leaders and aging advocates say the increasing death toll is taking place while the senior population is growing. One official says the remedy is to increase the budget for prevention efforts.

A death investigation is underway after a Rochester man was reportedly hit by a car while lying in the road. Police say officers were dispatched Sunday morning to Salem Road Southwest for an accident with injuries. First responders attempted life-saving efforts. However, the 38-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene.

A Green Bay Packers great is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Five-time Pro Bowler Sterling Sharpe was inducted to the Hall on Saturday in Canton, Ohio. Sharpe earned first-team All-Pro honors three times in his seven seasons as a wide receiver for the Green and Gold. He led the NFL three times in receptions and two times in receiving touchdowns. A neck injury forced Sharpe to retire at the age of 29. His brother, All-Pro tight end Shannon Sharpe, was inducted into the Hall in 2011. The two are the first brothers to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Monday, August 4, 2025

Local-Regional News August 4

One person was attacked in the woods behind the Durand City Hall over the weekend. The victim was stabbed in the hand. According to Durand Police, all of the subjects involved were juveniles and there was no threat to the public. The names of those involved are not being released and the investigation into the incident is ongoing.

A bill circulating at the Capitol could restore funding for a program that assists homeless Wisconsin veterans. The Department of Veterans Affairs operates the Veterans Housing and Recovery Program at sites in Union Grove, Chippewa Falls and Green Bay, with the latter two slated to close next month. The legislation provides $1.9 million to maintain the program at those sites. Eau Claire area Democrat Jeff Smith is the bill’s state Senate author. Interviewed at the Buffalo County Fair, Smith said it’s up to Republican leaders whether the facilities survive, by scheduling a public hearing and allowing the bill to be voted on if lawmakers return to the Capitol for a floor period next month. The needed funding didn’t make it into the state budget, with Republican co-chairs on the finance committee saying Democratic Governor Tony Evers didn’t make it a priority during negotiations. The Veterans Housing and Recovery Program provides transitional housing and support services to homeless veterans and veterans who are at risk of becoming homeless.

On Tuesday, the Wabasha City Council will consider approving a 12-month moratorium on short term rental housing in Wabasha. This will mean that there will be no new AirBnBs or VRBOs allowed in the City of Wabasha while the City seeks additional time to study and evaluate the impact of short term rental through the City. Public comments on the proposed moratorium can be made during the public hearing at the meeting. The moratorium is being considered after discussion at the July meeting on a growing concentration of Air BnBs and VRBOs in a residential neighborhoods.

One person was injured in a two vehicle accident in the Town of Ettrick on Friday. According to the Trempealeau County Sheriffs Department, a vehicle traveling northbound on Hwy I crossed the center line while navigating a curve colliding with a southbound vehicle. The driver of the northbound vehicle was taken to the hospital via ambulance. The names of the drivers were not released.

Authorities in Trempealeau County are asking for the public’s help in a recent theft of signs in the township of Dodge. So far this year signs for Pine Creek Ridge Road, Schmickle Valley Road, Galewski Road an ATV Route Sign and a bump ahead warning sign. Anyone with information on the suspects or where the signs might be are asked to call the Trempealeau County Sheriff’s Department.

Wisconsin State Patrol reports a woman was caught driving while impaired Sunday in Dunn County. The driver 27-year-old Tyrioon Johnson from Indiana -- reportedly had three minors in the vehicle with her when she was stopped on I-94. Those minors were released into the custody of a family member while the driver was booked into the Dunn County Jail.

An Altoona man accused of attempted sexual assault appeared in court Friday. Police say they responded to a 911 call from the victim on Wednesday, saying a person staying on their property assaulted them before stealing their car. Police located suspect 38-year-old Roy Hoff and the vehicle later the same day. He'll be back in court on August 12, and is currently being held on a 200-thousand-dollar bond.

Some people might be getting an extra shot this fall when they come in for their usual vaccinations. UW-Health immunization director Dr. Jim Conway says a vaccine against a common type of cold called R S V is now available. R S V can be deadly to newborns the same way whooping cough is. Dr. Conway says COVID and flu shots should also be ready in time for the holiday season so people can be protected before heading out to family gatherings.

Health officials say the first case of the measles is confirmed this year in Oconto County. One case was confirmed through lab testing and eight others are likely to also have measles based on exposure and symptoms. All are linked to travels outside of Wisconsin and were exposed by a common source. No public exposures are identified and risks to the public are low.

Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Susan Crawford is officially starting her ten-year term on the state's highest court. She was sworn in to the Wisconsin Supreme Court Friday following her April victory over Brad Schimel. The investiture marked Chief Justice Ann Walsh Bradley's retirement after three decades of service. Her win preserves the court's four-to-three liberal majority. Crawford previously represented Planned Parenthood and teachers challenging Act 10.

State Representative Calvin Callahan is calling for consequences against Canada. Callahan said in a release the country refuses to get its forest fires under control. Canada's fires have caused hazy skies and hazardous air for Wisconsin and Illinois residents, prompting officials to issue a statewide air quality advisory. Attendees of the Wisconsin State Fair told CBS 58 they've had teary eyes and troubled breathing credited to the wildfire smoke.

An Appleton manufacturer received citations from the U.S. Department of Labor over alleged exposure to hazardous conditions. Three investigations handled by OSHA found that Progressive Converting Incorporated wasn't guarding machinery properly, nor did they train employees involved with maintenance work. The company was cited for multiple violations whose proposed penalties amount to over 280-thousand dollars. Investigations began after an employee suffered two fingertip amputations.

Over 70 Wisconsin hospitals got a shoutout from the American Heart Association. A press release says the hospitals were highlighted for following up-to-date information regarding cardiovascular care. They're credited with improving outcomes for patients suffering from heart disease and strokes. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.

The stereotypical stories about firefighters rescuing animals usually involve cats and trees. It was a different tale Tuesday morning in La Crosse when first responders came to the rescue of a pet iguana. The La Crosse Fire Department reports the animal and its owner were catching some sun outside when the human fell asleep and the iguana climbed 45 feet up into a tree. Firefighters brought in an aerial leader and were able to bring the lizard down to safety.