Local-Regional News Jan 31

The lack of snow cover is leading to increasing drought conditions. The latest drought monitor shows abnormally dry conditions in Buffalo, Trempealeau, Pepin, Eau Claire and Eastern Pierce Counties, while Dunn County has moderate drought conditions. There is a chance of snow over the weekend.

A Western Wisconsin man is facing up to 40yrs in prison after being arrested on drug charges. According to the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department, 61yr old Leroy McNamara was arrested and charged with distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on July 8^th and July 24^th of last year. The charges against McNamara are the result of an investigation conducted by the West Central Drug Task Force and the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department.

A change in Medicaid reimbursement rates by the state of Wisconsin has significantly improved the financial picture for The Neighbors of Dunn County, the county-operated nursing home in Menomonie.  Administrator Carmen Meyer told the County Board of Supervisors recently that the facility would have an operating budget surplus of $1.2 million for 2024, after two years of budget shortfalls. Additionally, Meyer said, “the next five years are all projected to be in the black.” The good news about The Neighbors of Dunn County’s finances comes as an increasing number of publicly owned nursing homes and similar facilities are either being sold to for-profit companies or are closing.  In Wisconsin, just 14 percent of nursing homes are publicly owned, with for-profits owning 54 percent and non-profits owning 32 percent. 

Students at Caddie Woodlawn Elementary School will be participating in the upcoming Kids Heart Challenge event. The event gives students an opportunity to engage in heart-healthy activities and learning experiences while raising funds for the American Heart Association. The Caddie Woodlawn Physical Education Program is looking for donations from area businesses and residents to help sponsor the event. For more information contact Caddie Woodlawn School.

An Eau Claire man that was charged with stabbing someone last year was given probation as part of a plea deal. Altherelle Robbins was found guilty of an amended charge of aggravated battery, but he was originally charged with recklessly endangering safety with a dangerous weapon. According to a criminal complaint, the 23-year-old stabbed a man after a fight with another person at a home on Boardwalk Circle last January. Robbins was sentenced to three years probation and must complete an alcohol and drug assessment and domestic violence assessment.

Local municipalities are preparing funding for a major construction project in the Chippewa Valley. Chippewa County is getting plans ready to pledge more funding for the 1st phase of the County Highway T project. It's located near the new Eau Claire Event District and Country jam grounds. The project will expand the Highway T corridor to four lanes, rather than two, between 33rd Avenue and 17th Avenue. Due to the location, the project is a joint effort between Chippewa and Eau Claire counties, the City of Eau Claire, and the towns of Wheaton and Union. The estimated total cost of the 1st phase is estimated to be around five-million-dollars. Construction is scheduled to start in 2027.

A LGBTQ-Plus group in Chippewa Valley is sharing their concerns over President Donald Trump issuing an executive order that rolls back protections for transgender people. Trump recently shared his support for ending support for gender affirming care and preventing transgender people from joining the military. Kayla Johnson, an employee at the Chippewa Valley LQBTQ+ Center in Eau Claire, said visitors are nervous about stricter laws being implemented in the future. She said people in the LGBTQ-Plus community could face increased stress and mental health issues if more orders are signed. Johnson added that the center will continue to support them.

Olmsted County will soon be looking for a new county attorney. Mark Ostrem announced yesterday that he plans to retire at the end of March. Ostrem was first elected to the position in 2006 and has been re-elected four times. Because his term lasts through the beginning of 2027, the Olmsted County Board will pick his replacement.

One of the students who was critically injured in the shooting at Madison's Abundant Life Christian School is now recovering at home. Officials with UW Health say the young person was discharged from the hospital yesterday. They have been receiving care since December 16th, when a 15-year-old shot eight people in the building, including a 14-year-old and a teacher who died. A total of five students and another teacher were hospitalized following the incident and most of them have since been released. Only one of the students remains in the hospital now. Doctors say they are in good condition.

There were several wildfires around southern Wisconsin on Wednesday. Agencies in Columbia, Dane, and Dodge counties fought the fires. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office posted a warning that dry conditions and high winds caused the fires, and urged residents to stop all burning. The lack of snow this winter has led to extremely dry vegetation which increases the risk of wildfires. Though the Department of Natural Resources has all of southern Wisconsin in the moderate zone for fire danger, Emergency Management in Dodge County issued a high fire danger alert Tuesday.

The Goodyear Blimp celebrates its 100th birthday in 2025. To mark the occasion, the tire maker announced Wednesday that two of the airships will be a part of the 2025 EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. A release says the blimps will take part in flying activities during afternoon and night air shows, and one will be parked near the EAA Aviation Museum during the duration of the event. Goodyear has sent the blimps to the Oshkosh gathering for over 50 years. The 72nd fly-in convention is scheduled for July 21st through the 27th at Wittman Regional Airport.

A Republican authored bill would allow Wisconsin school teachers to carry firearms. Waukesha State Representative Scott Allen says the bill would give school boards and districts more options to better protect their students. Under the bill local school boards would voluntarily choose to create their own concealed carry policy for school staff. Similar legislation was authored by Allen in April of 2023, but no action was taken by the time the legislature adjourned in April of 2024. Current state law forbids firearms from being on school property.

Another tech company is announcing plans for an AI data center in Wisconsin. One day after Microsoft announced they have acquired 240 acres of land near Kenosha for a center, the city of Wisconsin Rapids has announced that Digital Power Optimization is planning a 200 million dollar high performance AI Center. Mayor Matt Zacher tells WAOW TV in Wausau it's an exciting development that could bring more industries along with it at the site formerly occupied by the Verso paper mill, which shut down five years ago. It's unclear how many jobs the DPO project will bring, though developers say it should be online next year.

Caucus leaders in the Minnesota House seem less optimistic about ending their current disagreement and getting back to work. Republican House leader Lisa Demuth says she didn't meet with DFL leader Melissa Hortman yesterday and has no immediate plans to do so. DFL lawmakers have boycotted the chamber since the start of the session, preventing the House from considering any bills. Republicans have criticized the DFL for failing to show up to represent their constituents. Republicans currently have a one-seat advantage in the House, but that Is expected to change when a special election is held for an open seat later this year.

Voting for MnDOT's annual "Name a Snowplow" competition is now open. The DOT says it received more than 73-hundred submissions just last month. That list has been narrowed down to 50 finalists, including Blizzard Buster, Brrrtha, Snow Big Deal, Joe Plower, and more. The top eight names will be chosen, one per district. 

Local-Regional News Jan 30

 A Pepin County man has been charged with possession of child pornography. According to the Pepin County Sheriff’s Department, investigators with the department along with assistance from the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, and the Mid-States Organized Crimes Information Center (MOCIC) has completed an extensive investigation that has resulted in criminal charges against 62yr Steven P. Eidem, from rural Durand, WI. He has been charged with 10 counts of child pornography.

Blair-Taylor and Whitehall firefighters responded to a fire at the Dollar General Store on Wednesday morning. According to authorities, the manager of the store heard a crash and saw smoke when opening the store. Firefighters says the cause of the fire is unknown but no foul play is suspected. The building has moderate damage and the merchandise inside was a total loss.

Wabasha County said Wednesday that the west and south parking lane of the Grant Boulevard Bridge will be closed due to the condition of the timber piles supporting it. The county described the timber piles as “deteriorating” and that it plans to replace the bridge as soon as possible.

School officials in Eau Claire are outlining their protocols when it comes to government agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In a letter to families and staff, Superintendent Mike Johnson outlined the guidelines as changes have been made to immigration policies at the federal level. He said if an administrative ICE warrant was presented, the district isn't obligated to let them conduct that warrant on school grounds, adding that it's a different case if the warrant is judicial. The letter comes as recent Executive Orders removed schools and other community locations as "sensitive areas" or "protected areas."

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has authorized emergency assistance for Olmsted County after severe thunderstorms and flooding last summer. Olmsted and Dakota Counties are receiving assistance to help cover the damage to public infrastructure caused by severe flooding between June 16 and July 4. “I’m grateful for Minnesota’s emergency management team for coordinating closely with counties to assess damage and help communities recover from severe weather events,” said Governor Walz

A Chippewa Falls man is being charged for allegedly distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl, among other crimes. According to the indictment, Jason Barnard allegedly distributed 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and that he had over 500 grams of that and over 40 grams of fentanyl in his possession that he also intended to distribute. If he's convicted of the first charge, involving 50 grams or more of meth or fentanyl, he could face between five to 40 years in prison. If convicted of the charge involving 500 grams of meth, he could face between ten years to life in prison. The charges against the 39-year-old come after an investigation by the West Central Drug Task Force, Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

A Chippewa Falls woman is being charged with a felony after she was recorded taking out a knife and waving it at another woman during a domestic dispute. On Tuesday, Mary Foley was charged with recklessly endangering safety, and disorderly conduct via use of a dangerous weapon. According to a criminal complaint, officers arrived at a home for a call of domestic abuse and the victim said the argument with Foley led to her grabbing a knife and swiping it at her. The victim grabbed her phone to record the incident and showed it to police. Foley will return to court on February 11th.

A group of experts says a painting bought at a Minnesota yard sale several years ago may be the work of Vincent van Gogh. Art-News-dot-com reported yesterday that a panel of about 20 experts examined the painting, comparing it to other works by van Gogh and testing the canvas and paint. They now believe the painting was created between 1889 and 1890 while the famous artist was staying at a mental institution in France. The painting was bought for about 50 dollars at the yard sale, but the experts say it could be worth as much as 15-million.

New projections show Wisconsin’s state surplus now stands at $4.3 billion. The Legislative Fiscal Bureau projects the state will now finish the 2023-25 budget with that surplus. It projects tax revenues to be $894.3 million higher than what the Evers administration had expected in November, mainly due to revised estimates for sales tax collections through midyear. The LFB attributes the increased revenues to new forecasts that incorporate President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs, which are “expected to increase inflation and nominal consumer spending.” The Republican co-chairs of the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee, Senator Howard Marklein and Representative Mark Born, say Governor Evers has refused to support meaningful tax relief, and they remain committed to returning the surplus to taxpayers.

Wisconsin Democrats react to President Trump’s pause on federal grants and loans. Congressman Mark Pocan calls the order “blatantly unconstitutional” and says it will have a “devastating impact” on communities. Congresswoman Gwen Moore said the president “doesn’t care about hardworking families and children in need.” Senator Tammy Baldwin said it will “hurt Wisconsin families and businesses.” Attorney General Josh Kaul and Governor Tony Evers have signed on to a multi-state lawsuit seeking to block implementation of the freeze, which a federal judge has temporarily blocked. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday that the administration was trying to be “good stewards” of public money by making sure that there was “no more funding for transgenderism and wokeness.”

Wisconsin business leaders support updating the U.S. guest worker program. The same Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce survey which found support for tariffs on China also has respondents overwhelmingly supporting expanded guest worker visas. Ninety-six percent support increasing the current 85,000-person cap on H-1B visas, which allow foreign workers with specialized skills to work in the U.S. There’s also strong support for creating new visa options for high-demand workers to address Wisconsin’s labor shortage. WMC president/CEO Kurt Bauer said demographic trends show Wisconsin needs workers, and foreign workers must be part of the solution, or the state will lose jobs and the economic activity that goes with them.

Another private college in Wisconsin is grappling with financial troubles. Administrators at St. Norbert College in DePere revealed at a Tuesday night town hall meeting they’re considering "reimagining" four majors and eliminating 13 others. Students in the fields of study affected would be able to finish their degrees. The college says the possible trimming of majors is simply a recommendation to shore up its finances. A final decision could come by March or April. The cuts would also impact St. Norbert’s faculty. The school says affected instructors would be given 10 months' notice or paid the equivalent severance.

A 66-year-old Portage County man is in jail - accused of a 12th OWI. Police say Eugene Volk was drunk and driving outside of his allowed hours when they pulled him over on January 18th. Volk initially refused to stop, then pulled into a residential driveway and told officers there was no probable cause to stop him. Volk reportedly admitted to having one drink before driving. A search of his vehicle turned up three beer cans. The 66-year-old, whose first OWI offense came in 1990, refused to take a field sobriety test. Officers then took him into custody. A judge set his bond at $8,500 on Monday. His next court appearance is February 3rd.

Minnesota health officials say starting next month milk from state cow farms will be tested for bird flu. Milk haulers already collect samples for routine testing while loading tankers at dairy farms. Some of the raw milk samples will go to the Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Lab for H5N1 tests. State officials have not reported a human case of bird flu.

The Freemasons of Wisconsin are raising money for the Wisconsin State Patrol with a gala. It's happening on Saturday, February 8th at the Eau Claire Masonic Ballroom in downtown Eau Claire. Bryce Fransway, the District Two Deputy of Wisconsin Freemasonry, said the Freemasons are raising money to supply the Wisconsin State Patrol with "Emergency Jump Bags." They'll include a Fire Suppression Tool and one AED defibrillator. More information about the gala can be found on Eventbrite under the title "Masonic Acts of Kindness Gala Fundraiser."

Local-Regional News Jan 29

 An Arcadia man is accused of hitting a state trooper with his car before leading officers on a high-speed chase. According to the Trempealeau County Sheriff’s Office, an Arcadia police officer and a Wisconsin State Patrol trooper responded to a report of a man yelling at people in Arcadia at the intersection of Blaschko Avenue and Sobotta Street just after 5 p.m. Tuesday. Deputies said that 47yr old Michael Peterson would not comply with officers orders and hit a Wisconsin State Trooper with his car. Peterson then drove southbound on Highway 93 for about 15 miles, reaching speeds of 100 miles per hour. He eventually crashed into a power pole at the Four Corners Bar & Grill in Centerville. Peterson was arrested and is now charged with Reckless Endangering Safety, Battery to a Law Enforcement Officer, and Fleeing an Officer.

Durand-Arkansaw School District Administrators are working on the budget for the 2025-26 school year. Durand-Arkansaw School Superintendent Ryan Nelson says the budget will be dependent on what happens with state funding.  Nelson says if there in an increase in funding the district would like to add some additional staff to help with student mental health.

The Dunn County Highway Department is announcing weight restrictions on a bridge near Tainter Lake. A recent inspection of the Bridge on Hwy BB found some of the steel members of the bridge have deteriorated and that a 20 ton gross vehicle weight limit is needed. All loads greater than 20 tons will need to use an alternate route. The bridge will be monitored annually for any additional restrictions and will be evaluated for potential replacement in the future.

ICE is NOT raiding Eau Claire schools despite rumors circulating on social media. That's according to Teri Piper Thompson, the communications manager for the Eau Claire School District. On Tuesday, a social media post claimed ICE raided Putnam Heights Elementary School. People in the comments also said there was a raid at DeLong Middle School, but Thompson said this is false information and hasn't happened. The rumors come after ICE confirmed almost 12-hundred undocumented migrants were arrested on Monday.

Senator Tammy Baldwin is discussing issues concerning the region. In a virtual Western Wisconsin town hall event on Monday, Baldwin answered questions about affordable housing in the region and talked about her plans for bipartisan work in the upcoming session. She said reauthorization of the farm bill is overdue and she sees "many opportunities to team up with republicans in agricultural states to pass certain provisions of the farm bill and advance rural development policy." Baldwin also hopes to work on bipartisan legislation to support tax dollars in the U.S. going towards American workers and small businesses instead of overseas.

The UW-Eau Claire honors program is being upgraded to the honors college. The honors program, which will now be called the Mark Stephen Cosby Honors College, is available now for students. Director Dr Heather Fielding said students of all majors are welcome to join to improve their studies. She said there are new resources for students and scholarships that honor students can apply for. Fielding says this is also a great opportunity for students to reach their full potential in achieving their goals both before and after college.

A Wisconsin State Patrol trooper is credited with saving a bald eagle's life. Trooper Digre found the injured bird on Interstate 90 in La Crosse County. WSP says the bird had been hit by a car and was sitting in the road. Trooper Digre took the eagle to a nearby rehabilitation facility, where it's getting treatment.

A former Wisconsin congressman is confirmed as the U.S. Transportation Secretary. Sean Duffy was approved to lead the Transportation Department by the Senate today. He was confirmed in a bipartisan vote of 77 to 22. Duffy has said he'll focus on addressing the national air traffic controller shortage and continuing to investigate Tesla's self-driving technology. Duffy was a representative for Northwestern Wisconsin's 7th congressional district for five terms.

Wisconsin is one of more than 20 states that are filing lawsuits over President Trump's federal funding freeze. Governor Tony Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul announced litigation yesterday which is aimed at preventing Trump's policy from being implemented. The president has ordered a spending freeze on many grants and aid packages being paid out to states and nonprofit groups. This does not include direct payments that support individuals, like Social Security, Medicare, SNAP benefits, and rental assistance, according to a White House spokesperson. A federal judge has temporarily blocked the freeze, at least through this coming Monday.

Microsoft’s plans for southeast Wisconsin are growing. The tech giant joined the State of Wisconsin Monday in announcing the acquisition of 240 acres of land in the City of Kenosha. The property just off I-94 was already rezoned for the potential construction of a new data center. Kenosha mayor David Bogdala (bahg-DA-la) tells Fox 6 Milwaukee the move is a definite plus for the city. Microsoft is already heavily invested in a data center project in the Racine County village of Mount Pleasant.

Republicans in the Wisconsin Legislature look to give schools the authority to ban phones and other electronic devices in classrooms. The measure introduced earlier this month would require local school districts to create their own policies banning the devices during instructional time with exceptions for electronics used for educational and emergency. Some schools in the state have instituted phone bans but have had to back off them after students and parents backlash. Bans of this sort introduced by both Democrats and Republicans have been signed into law in least eight other states nationwide.

Wisconsin lawmakers are looking into legislation that would make tips exempt from state income taxes. A draft bill has been passed around in Madison and could be formally introduced next month. The tax-free tips plan would be similar to a federal proposal that has been discussed by President Trump.

The report from the Wisconsin Cancer Collaborative says declining smoking rates, effective tobacco control policies and regulations, earlier diagnosis, and improved treatments are responsible for the decline. In Wisconsin, lung cancer deaths still outnumbered all prostate, breast, and colon cancer deaths combined. The five-year relative survival rate for lung cancer in Wisconsin is 29.4%. In Wisconsin, the majority of people with lung cancer are between the ages of 70-79.

Minnesota's attorney general has settled another lawsuit challenging the high price drug companies charge for insulin. Attorney General Keith Ellison announced yesterday that Novo Nordisk has agreed to cap the cost of insulin for insured and uninsured patients for the next five years. Patients will pay no more than 35 dollars a month with a prescription. Some lower-income Minnesotans will qualify for free insulin under the settlement. Ellison also reached similar settlements with Eli Lilly and Sanofi last year.

A popular ice fishing event is making a return after being cancelled last year. The Jig's Up event was called because of the mild winter so the ice on Lake Wissota was too thin and dangerous. Now that it's back,the organizer Sheryl Poirier is expecting over one-thousand people to attend the event at Lake Wissota Lions Club. The Jig's Up is happening Saturday, February 8th.

Local-Regional News Jan 28

 The Dunn County Board has decided to sell the former transfer station that the county used until December 31, 2020. The board is offering the 10 acre property just west of Menomonie on Hwy 29 via sealed bid. The Facilities Committee will review the bids and recommend to the County Board which bid to accept. The property includes two buildings one 12,900 square feet and a second building of 1,200 square feet. The property has been vacant since the end of the county’s garbage and recycling collection in 2021. The board is also looking at selling another piece of land on Hwy 29 in Menomonie that a developer has expressed an interest in for housing and a child care facility.

The Durand City Council has approved a contract with Dahlby Conservation Services for forestry management in the city. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says there are two areas in the city the company will work on near the bridge and water tower.  The City has approximately 166 acres of forest.

The Principle of Durand-Arkansaw Middle School has been nominated for a statewide award. Principle Sara Sabelko was nominated for the Herb Kohl Principle of Leadership Award which recognizes leadership by a public school principle. Durand-Arkansaw Superintendent Ryan Nelson says Sabelko has worked hard to lead the middle school forward.  Sabelko was nominated for the award by the teaching staff at the middle school.

The owner of a consulting firm is suing Chippewa County and several of its employees. David Carlson and Carlson Consultants LLC claims he's suffered over two-million-dollars in losses since the firm lost a contract with the county. In the lawsuit, Carlson alleges a breach of contract, interference in his business, violation of due process, defamation, and racial discrimination. Carlson consultants entered a purchase of agreement with the Western Regional Recovery and Wellness Consortium in 2021. In 2024, they issued a letter of termination citing "missing and falsified certification documentation" and didn't allow the consulting agency an opportunity to fix it, which was part of their agreement. Chippewa County Administrator Randy Scholz says he can't comment on the lawsuit at this time. Carlson is asking for compensatory damages for economic losses, emotional distress and reputational harm.

New details are being released in the homicide that happened on the north side of Eau Claire over the weekend. According to the Eau Claire Police Department, the incident took place near Western Avenue and La Verne Street just after 2 a.m. on Saturday. Now, both the suspect and victim are being named. Twenty-one-year-old Andre Simmons was shot several times and died at the scene despite live saving attempts from paramedics and officers. Eighteen-year-old Dumarion Stogner was arrested at the scene and charged with intentional homicide. ECPD is still investigating the incident.

One person is dead after a single-vehicle crash in Chippewa County. According to a press release from the Chippewa County Sheriff's Office, it happened on Saturday just before 5 a.m. in the Town of Lafayette. After an investigation, authorities determined that the car went off the roadway and traveled about 200 feet before crashing into a tree. They believe the driver died due to their injuries from the crash. The driver, 73-year-old Barry Lancette, was pronounced dead at the scene.

A Baldwin woman is charged with attempted homicide after a stabbing Sunday.  According to the Baldwin Police Department, they were called to an incident on Cedar St. around 7:30 Sunday night.  There, they found a man who was stabbed. He is in stable condition. Vivian Garley, 22, was charged Monday with attempted homicide, reckless injury, aggravated battery, violating a no contact order, and disorderly conduct. All those charges carry a domestic abuse modifier. She is being held on a $50,000 cash bond.

A former chancellor at UW-La Crosse who was fired for making explicit videos with his wife is now suing the university in federal court. In the litigation, attorneys for Joe Gow claim his termination was a violation of his constitutional rights. They say he has a First Amendment right to speak as a private citizen and that is what the videos amounted to. Gow was the UW-La Crosse chancellor for roughly 16 years before his firing in 2023.

UW Health is reporting respiratory illness levels in Wisconsin are on the rise. Dr. Dan Shirley says they're seeing a high number of influenza, COVID, and respiratory syncytial virus.    As of last week, there were 40 hospitalizations for influenza at UW Hospital in Madison, its highest number in three years.

The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions Secretary is stepping down next month. Cheryll Olson-Collins is retiring February 3rd after being appointed secretary in January 2022. Olson-Collins will be succeeded by Wendy Baumann, who has served as president and chief visionary officer of the Wisconsin Women's Business Initiatives Corporation since 1994.

Wisconsin home sales rose nearly five percent last year, but there continues to be an affordability problem. Wisconsin Realtors Association economist Dave Clark said prices have been going up a robust rate due to factors including tight supply and pretty strong demand for houses. The Realtors report prices increased nearly nine percent, with a median price of $310,000 last year, but much higher than that in both the Milwaukee and Madison areas. While that makes for a market favorable to sellers, Clark said there’s one caveat - homeowners looking to sell and then buy another home will be buying at premium prices as well.

Several ice rescues around Wisconsin over the weekend. On Pewaukee Lake in Waukesha County Saturday, a 61-year-old man whose UTV went through the ice was pulled from the lake by a dive team after nearly 40 minutes in the water. He later died at a hospital. The other weekend ice rescues included two on Big Muskego Lake in Waukesha County, a Saturday rescue of three men whose UTV fell through the ice on Wind Lake in Racine County, and another in which a UTV carrying two men plunged into the water Saturday on Lake Winnebago in the Town of Black Wolf.

The Madison School District reaffirms its commitment to prohibit immigration enforcement officers from entering schools and talking with students. The Wisconsin State Journal reports Madison Metropolitan School District Board President Nichelle Nichols said the district stands by a 2017 resolution that prevents federal immigration enforcement from entering schools, interviewing students or accessing student information in most cases. It also says district employees should not ask about, record or share students’ immigration status. Nichols said the board publicly reaffirmed its support for all students during a meeting Monday.

A Thorp business operator is now a Wisconsin Master Cheese Maker. Marieke Penterman, founder of Marieke Gouda, was recently awarded the designation. Earning the title is no simple task, requiring a minimum of ten years of cheese making experience plus three years of testing, interviews, and inspections. Penterman, a native of the Netherlands, is just the fourth woman ever to be granted the Wisconsin Master Cheese Maker honor.

Local-Regional News Jan 27

 The City of Durand is exploring implementing a room tax. The tax would be levied at the hotel and any AirBNB’s in the city. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says a majority of the revenue must be used to promote tourism and that the city is required to form a tourism commission to determine how best to spend the revenue.  Its estimated the room tax could generate $42000 in revenue annually.

Buffalo County is asking for the public’s input on road bans in the county. The Highway Department will hold an information meeting on February 5^th to discuss the efforts of the county to balance the need of maintaining county roads while supporting the needs of the local economy. That meeting will begin at 8:30am in the county board room on February 5^th.

A Red Wing man was arrested for OWI after a single vehicle accident in Pierce County. According to the Wisconsin State Patrol, the accident happened near Hwy W and Hwy 63 on Friday night. After talking with 33yr old Alberto Soria, troopers determined he showed signs of impairment. Soria refused to exit the vehicle and a field sobriety test. He was arrested and taken to the hospital after a warrant was obtained to conduct a blood test. He was arrested for OWI 4^th offense.

Everyone is safe after a house fire on the west side of Eau Claire on Sunday morning. According to the Eau Claire Fire Department, crews were called to a house on Kohlhepp Road at around 10 a.m. for a fire in the basement of the home. Everyone inside had evacuated before the fire department arrived and the flames were quickly put out. The basement was damaged but no one was hurt. The residents are being located and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Eau Claire police are investigating a homicide on the north side of Eau Claire. The Eau Claire Police Department said the incident happened early Saturday morning at a house on Western Avenue. Police were called just after 2 a.m. about a shooting. When they arrived, they tried to save the victims life but they were unsuccessful. A suspect is in custody. Police say this is an isolated incident and there are no other suspects. Details on the victim and suspect's name haven't been released.

A former Chippewa Falls man who was convicted of sexually touching an eight-year-old girl is being sentenced to 15 years in prison. Anthony Brown was living on Island Street in Chippewa Falls when he was charged for attempted sexual assault of a child under 13-years-old. According to the criminal complaint, a twelve-year-old girl told authorities that Brown had crawled into her bed and tried to touch her when she was in second grade in 2018. Brown, who was a friend of her father, had been living with the victim and her family at the time.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department has announced that no charges will be filed in a death investigation from last summer. On June 30^th, deputies responded to a home in the Town of Adams after it a person in the home was dead. Deputies found 34yr old Christopher Danielson dead from an apparent gunshot wound. An investigation found that no one else was involved in Danielson’s death.

The state Supreme Court says the Minnesota House cannot conduct any business unless 68 members are present in the chamber. The decision handed down Friday means actions taken by Republicans since the start of the current session will be set aside as legally invalid. DFL members have boycotted the chamber since the start of the session because Republicans refused to honor a power-sharing agreement reached after last year's election. Republicans have 67 seats, giving them a one-seat majority until a special election is held for a currently open House seat.

A ruling on Act 10 remains paused. Former Republican Governor Scott Walker’s signature 2011 law drastically reduced the collective bargaining ability of state public sector unions. Dane County Circuit Court Judge Jacob Frost ruled in December that portions of the law are unconstitutional and unenforceable. Frost later issued a temporary pause and on Thursday granted the Legislature’s motion for a stay pending an appeal. The case will very likely come before the state Supreme Court.

Milwaukee Public Schools is ordered to provide school resource officers in its schools next month. The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty sued MPS to reinstate the officers in its school buildings as required by state law. Thursday morning, Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge David Borowski directed the district to comply with the law, ruling that 25 school resource officers will be required to be in place by February 17th. If MPS fails to have the officers in schools that day, the district will have to face the court later that day to explain their non-adherence to the law.

The world’s best speed skaters will be in Wisconsin this weekend. The Petit National Ice Center in West Allis will host the International Skating Union World Cup from January 31st to February 2nd. The facility, which is one of only two indoor venues in the U.S. qualified to host an ISU-sanctioned Long Track event, has long served as the center of speed skating in America. Over 200 of the fastest speed skaters in the world will be on hand for the Olympic level competition. It’s the first time in 20 years that the Petit Center has hosted the ISU World Cup.

The popular Buc-ee's travel center is coming to the City of Oak Creek. Oak Creek Mayor Dan Bukiewicz says grand opening is planned for 2027 and it'll be the first for the state. It'll be located on the southwest corner of I-94 and Elm Road. The site is over 73-thousand square feet, has 120 gas pumps, E-V charging and has a reputation for the cleanest bathrooms in America. Rezoning discussions for this project are on the City Plan Commission for next Tuesday.

Target is the latest big company to end its diversity, equity and inclusion prorgams. The Minneapolis-based retalier announced the decision in a memo to employees on Friday. According to CNBC, the memo cited the importance of "staying in step" with the evolving landscape to help drive growth and serve its millions of customers. With the move, Target joins companies like Walmart, Meta and McDonald's in dropping DEI-related pledges and goals.

Loud booms and ground shaking are being reported out of downtown Madison. They are called Ice quakes. It happens when large pieces of ice freezes on top of the water on the lake and starts to move. It then creates these large cracks which is where the sound and vibrations are coming from. Experts say there should be no worries about the event causing any excessive damages like an earthquake would.

Local-Regional News Jan 24

The Durand City Council has approved moving forward with an organized farmers Market. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the goal is to get people to come into town. The Market would be held on Mondays at Memorial Park, and vendors wanting to sell at the market would be charged a fee by the city to help promote the market.

The man who helped his son hide four bodies in rural Dunn County has been sentenced. Darren Osborne, who was found guilty of four counts of being party to hiding a corpse, was sentenced on Thursday morning to 16 years in prison with 8 years of extended supervision. In 2021, a farmer discovered the victims' bodies in a cornfield north of Wheeler.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice is sharing more information about the man who was shot and killed by law enforcement in Chippewa Falls. On December 21st, 2024, 49-year-old Matthew Luke fired shots at law enforcement, which led members of the Eau Claire Regional SWAT Team to fire their weapons. Luke was hit and pronounced at the scene. The Chippewa County Sheriff's office had originally been called for a domestic abuse incident and Luke ran from the scene. He led police on a car chase and eventually crashed before shooting at a Chippewa County Sheriff's squad car. According to a press release the Department of Criminal Investigations is still reviewing evidence and will turn their findings over to the Chippewa County DA when they're done.

Some big changes could be happening at the Indian Motel in Chippewa Falls. The non-profit Hope Village is looking to buy the landmark motel and convert it into 27 affordable, single occupancy living spaces. The organization's goal is to prevent homelessness in the community with this project. Hope Village has secured over two-point-six-million-dollars in funds thanks to state grants. The next step is a public comment in front of city council and then the city will need to approve a permit for the remodel. That's scheduled for February 4th. If everything goes as expected, remodeling will begin this summer.

Chippewa Valley Technical College is offering free dental care for kids in February. During the "Give Kids a Smile" event, the college will provide free cleanings, x-rays, fluoride, dental sealants, fillings and extractions. The clinic will be open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, February 7th at the Health Education Center on Clairemont Avenue in Eau Claire. Registration is required and there are limited spots available.

The advocacy group, Jonah, is helping the homeless in Eau Claire access resources. On Thursday morning, the group put on a "Connect" event, where they were offering food and winter gear through vendors across the Chippewa Valley. There were also parole officers for people to check in with and members of the register of deeds so people could get birth certificates and valid IDs. Jeanne Semb, the Housing Services Program Manager at Jonah, said these events are important because all these services are available on the spot and the homeless don't have to travel across town.

The Senate Commerce Committee has unanimously voted to advance the former Wisconsin 7th Congressional District representative to run the Department of Transportation. Panel Chair Texas Senator Ted Cruz says Duffy will work with both sides of the aisle to improve the country's infrastructure and address the challenges that arise in the years ahead. During his confirmation hearing last week, Duffy said he will focus on aviation and highway safety, and working on gaining back public trust in Boeing. The procedural vote passed by a count of 28-0, and the full body of the U.S. Senate still needs to vote on Duffy's confirmation.

Wisconsin volunteers with the American Red Cross are carrying on their aid efforts in southern California. The new Hughes fire took off in Los Angeles County earlier this week and burned more than ten-thousand acres in just two days. Audrey Erdmann is one of eight Wisconsin residents who travelled to California to help displaced people back on January tenth. She now says she is extending her stay. Another Wisconsin aid worker also just arrived in L.A. on Wednesday.

A woman accused of causing a southern Minnesota buggy crash that killed two children is likely to be tried in June. A settlement conference for Samantha Petersen was held yesterday in Fillmore County. No agreement on a possible plea was reached yesterday. Petersen is facing more than a dozen charges for the 2023 crash, including criminal vehicular homicide. Petersen's sister Sarah is also facing charges for allegedly trying to cover up her identical twin's role in the crash. A settlement conference in that case is set for next month.

Republican lawmakers are introducing legislation that would reverse new Department of Public Instruction state testing benchmarks. Those changes, announced last fall, included lowering the threshold for what is considered proficient and changing terms used to describe student performance. DPI started using "meeting expectations” rather than calling students “proficient,” while dropping use of “basic” and “below basic.” State Superintendent Jill Underly has said the new standards illustrate what students should know at a given grade level. The Republican bill would reset report card standards to levels set in 2019-2020, align grades 3-8 with national standards, and restore high school testing standards to levels set in the 2021-2022 school year. It would also require DPI to use the terms “below basic,” “basic,” “proficient” and “advanced” for pupil performance assessments.

A Milwaukee family is suing Kia America over the death of a loved one. Forty-seven-year-old Marquis Hacket died in January of 2023 after teen ran a red light in a stolen Kia and hit his car. Hacket's family is now filing a civil lawsuit against Kia, arguing that they cut corners and were aware of manufactured vehicles with "subpar security measures," which the family says allowed the teen to steal the vehicle. Hacket's family is seeking monetary damages from Kia.

Wisconsinites heading south to help Houston dig out of a freak snowstorm. Milwaukee-area snow removal company Weber Landscaping sent sixteen men and eight trucks on a 20-hour trip to Texas Sunday morning to help the Gulf Coast community clear three to five inches of snow. In addition to bringing down the trucks and skid loaders to remove the snow for several Houston businesses, the Wisconsinites also had to bring their own salt and fuel. The snow also impacted the Milwaukee Bucks, whose Wednesday game against the New Orleans Pelicans was postponed after about a foot of snow covered the Big Easy.

New numbers show chronic wasting disease is substantially reducing the survival probability of white-tailed deer in Wisconsin. The Department of Natural Resources says it studied deer populations in northern Iowa, Dane and Grant counties starting in 2016. The DNR says CWD is suppressing deer population growth in Wisconsin, and could lead to population declines in areas where more female deer have the disease. More information about the study is available on DNR-dot-Wisconsin-dot-gov.

Minnesota's largest police association is suing the state Board of Peace Officers Standards and Training. The suit filed by the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association claims the defendants illegally released the identities of 257 undercover officers, which put them and their families in jeopardy. Minnesota law classifies the personnel data of undercover officers as private. The officer's names and birth dates were given to an independent journalist. The data was also provided to a Chicago-based nonprofit database that shows police employment history. That data has since been removed.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is reminding car owners to keep an eye on their tire pressure as winter continues. Officials say the air pressure in a tire can go down by one pound per square inch for every ten degrees in falling outdoor temperature. Underinflated tires can lead to improper wear, reduced traction, and more flats, according to officials 

Local-Regional News January 23

The City of Durand is submitting the Water Rate Case study to the Wisconsin Public Service Commission for consideration of a water rate increase for Durand residents. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the PSC will review the study and if they agree new water rates could take effect in the fall.  The study recommended water rates to increase 63% due to the need for the city to replace the Water Filtration Plant that is starting to fail and projected costs for the water utility over the next 10 years. This would be the first increase in water rates for the city of Durand in 7yrs.

A Dunn County woman has been arrested for OWI 5^th offense. According to the Wisconsin State Patrol, troopers pulled over 40yr old Catherine McQuality of Wheeler on Wednesday afternoon on Hwy 64 for a speeding violation. The trooper noticed signs of impairment and conducted a field sobriety test on McQuality. She was arrested and charged with OWI, operating after revocation, failure to install an ignition interlock devices, open intoxicants and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Local banks want to warn consumers about QR code scams. Rochley Gross, Fraud Analyst with Forward Bank said people may think a QR code is valid since it's at a bank but there are scammers who will place their own stickers over them. She said scammers are going to continue to find ways to get past preventative measures that protect peoples' accounts but there are tons of training programs for staff members at banks. While the banks do their part, consumers can help by not clicking on things you don't recognize. Other ways include never giving your information to people you don't trust and reaching out to your banker if you think you're being scammed.

A new report shows that about one-third of kids in rural Wisconsin get their healthcare covered through the BadgerCare system. The statistic is part of a nationwide study from the Center for Children and Families at Georgetown University. Researchers used census data to analyze rural Medicaid enrollment across the country. Roughly one-and-a-half-million total Wisconsin residents are on BadgerCare.

The Chippewa Falls City Council is moving forward on several big projects following a Tuesday night meeting. That includes building a new hospital by Aspirus. The facility will be 54-thousand-square-feet, with twelve inpatient beds, 18 exam rooms, and two procedure rooms. The Conditional Use Permit for the hospital will go before the Planning Commission on February 10th. The council will also listen to the second reading for Hope VIllage's request to turn the Indian Motel into efficiency apartments. Finally, a second reading for Lutheran Social Services' request to reopen the former L.E. Phillips Libertas Center will happen in two weeks. The organization wants to operate the facility under its own name to address the need for services related to substance use disorder treatment.

Officials at the Irvine Park Zoo are looking at options for large animal exhibits. This comes after the passing of Lulu, a white tiger. Parks and Recreations Director John Jimenez said the vision has "hit fast forward" with the tiger's passing and they really want to address three of the zoo's exhibits. That includes the two large exhibits that hold bears and hyenas and the tiger exhibit. Jimenez said the officials are thinking about remodeling the landscape to create a more open environment for the animals. Other large animal exhibits for the future are also on the discussion table. As for the tiger exhibit, Jimenez said the zoo is looking at bringing an animal that is more native to the Americas.

Eau Claire County is giving Western Wisconsin residents the opportunity to fight food waste with a sale on compost bins. Bins will cost 33-dollars and stainless steel kitchen pails are 25-dollars for Eau Claire County residents. Anyone who isn't an Eau Claire County resident can still purchase bins at full price for 68-dollars. Buyers can pick up their bin on May 2nd at the Eau Claire County Expo Center. More information can be found on RecyclingConnection.org

An Eau Claire man who tried to join the Russian army while on probation for his role in the January 6th, 2021 insurrection is being pardoned. Kevin Loftus was living in Eau Claire when he drover to Washington, D.C. for the "Stop the Steal" rally. He was sentenced to three years of probation after pleading guilty to parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol Building but he was pardoned with President Trump's executive order. Loftus was recently sentenced to six months in prison for violating his probation while trying to board a place out of the country. He was also later arrested in Iowa and told the FBI he was going to Russia and planning on joining their military to fight against Ukraine.

A woman charged in connection with a deadly buggy crash in Fillmore County is due in court today. A settlement conference for Samantha Petersen will be held this afternoon in Preston, though attorneys say no final agreement has been reached. Investigators say Petersen was behind the wheel when a vehicle struck an Amish buggy in September of 2023, killing two children and injuring two others. She's facing 17 criminal charges, including criminal vehicular homicide.

The Defense POW / MIA Account Agency says Columbus native Lt. Col. Donald Downing was accounted for last month, almost 50 years after he was reported killed in action. Downing served in Vietnam with the 557th Tactical Fighter Squadron in September of 1967 and during a nighttime reconnaissance mission one of his fellow pilots witnessed a large fireball and Downing stopped responding to radio calls. Search and rescue efforts were unsuccessful, and the Air Force reported Downing as Killed in Action in April of 1978. The DPAA says Downing's family was recently briefed about his identification and a funeral will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

Republican state lawmakers plan to introduce legislation allowing motorists to purchase a special, blackout license plate. The proposal, co-authored by Grafton Representative Paul Melotik and Mosinee Senator Cory Tomczyk, could also provide a new source of revenue for the state's transportation fund used to support roads and bridges infrastructure projects. Blackout plates have been popular in neighboring states, with Iowa generating more than $30 million from an all-black license plate since launching it in 2019. Minnesota started selling a blackout license plate just over a year ago and issued more than 270,000 plates generating roughly $7.8 million in revenue. The plates would cost $25 more than standard license plates and would come with a $25 annual renewal fee.

The man accused of setting fire to an Eastern Wisconsin Representative's office over the TikTok ban is held on a 500-thousand dollar bond. Caiden Stachowicz, a 19-year-old from Menasha [[ meh-NASH-uh ]], is facing four charges including arson. Investigators say he admitted to setting fire to Congressman Glenn Grothmen's  Office because he voted yes to the TikTok ban. A judge set Stachowicz's bond at a hearing this morning. He's due back in court by the end of the month.

Madison is one of the best cities for people working in STEM. A new WalletHub report compared 100 large metro cities based on metrics like job openings for new STEM grads and median wage growth. Madison ranks seventh best, with Austin and Boston at number one and two. Milwaukee is about halfway down the list at 53.

Minnesotans are showing more enthusiasm for ice fishing this winter. The state Department of Natural Resources says over 56-thousand ice fishing licenses were sold between Thanksgiving and January 13th of this year. That's the highest number since the 2015-2016 ice fishing season. The increase could indicate a rebound for fishing license sales in the state, which have been dropping since 2020.

Patience is the key for clearing icy windshields. That’s the word from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. A social media post from the agency is discouraging travelers from using a current internet hack suggesting that hot water be poured on the windshield to quickly de-ice it. WisDOT says that could crack the windshield’s glass, and recommends turning on the defrosters, waiting for the car to warm up, then using a scraper to remove ice and snow.