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 8th and July 24th 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.
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