Local-Regional News March 19

 

The heaviest snow from the current spring storm continues to move south. The National Weather Service says it now appears that areas along the I-90 corridor will see the heaviest snow. Winter weather Advisories are in effect for Pepin and Goodhue Counties, while winter storm warnings continue for Buffalo and Trempealeau Counties. Wabasha County in Southeast MN is still under a Blizzard Warning.

An Eleva woman charged with stealing over $200,000 from a man has been sentenced. Kimberly Wilson was placed on a 10-year deferred acceptance of a guilty plea. If she commits no further crimes, pays over $350,000 in restitution, maintains full employment, and does not handle other people's finances, her charges will be dismissed in 10 years.

A Blair man has been charged with possession of child pornography. According to the Trempealeau County Sheriff's Department, deputies received a tip that child porn files had been sent via Kik on September 1^st to an account in the Blair area. Deputies made contact with 27yr old David Gustavson who admitted he was the sole user of the phone used to save the images. He was arrested and charged with three counts of possession of child pornography and has a court appearance in May.

One person is dead after a deadly crash took place in Barron County. The crash took place yesterday morning 18th Street at 8 half Avenue, south of Barron. Police officials believe that then vehicle was headed South of 18th Street when it went off the road and hit an embankment. The Driver and a back seat passenger were rushed to a local hospital, while a front seat passenger was found dead at the scene. The Wisconsin State Patrol is still investigating the crash.

Senator Tammy Baldwin visited Eau Claire to talk to community members about Medicaid. Baldwin was in the area yesterday morning. Coming off President Donald Trump signing the budget resolution passed by both the senate and the house, Baldwin is concentrating on saving Medicaid. Details are not specifically out on what will be cut, but Baldwin is certain that some cuts to Medicaid and Medicare will be slashed. This is part of Baldwin's "Hands Off Medicaid" which she will be on the eastern part of the state later this week.

The Pepin County Historical Society will have its annual membership meeting and spring education event on Sunday, March 23, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at the Durand-Arkansaw High School Cafeteria. There will be elections for two board members of the Historical Society along with a presentation from Gary Sweeney on the history of the Durand School District from 1857-2011. The meeting and presentation are free and open to the public.

The Eau Claire City Council will vote next week on whether to approve re-zoning for a new housing development. The Creekside project will bring over 100 new homes to a 40-acre plot bordered by Evergreen Terrace and Mischler Road. The friends of Lowes Creek are protesting the development with concerns about density and environmental damage.

The Wisconsin State Assembly approves a bill requiring local sheriffs to seek proof of citizenship from those in their custody who have been arrested for a felony. Republican Speaker Robin Vos says it shouldn't be controversial to ask sheriffs to verify someone is in the country legally and cooperate with ICE. Assembly Minority leader Greta Neubauer called the legislation a "political stunt". Under the bill, sheriffs who fail to comply would put their county at risk of losing up to 15% of their state aid. The legislation now heads to the state Senate. Democratic Governor Tony Evers has said he'd veto the bill.

The prospect of not passing a state budget on time – or at all – concerns Democrats in the Wisconsin Legislature. State Senate Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein said on Tuesday that not passing a budget is unacceptable and reckless. She said Republicans control the Senate and the Assembly would be completely responsible for the delay. Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu explained Republican's thinking. He said they're waiting on some cases before the state Supreme Court to get more clarity on the veto power of the governor. The Republican controlled Joint Finance Committee has scheduled budget listening sessions next month in Kaukauna, West Allis, Hayward and Wausau.

A firearms manufacturer previously based in New Jersey is moving all operations to plants in Wisconsin. Henry Repeating Arms says it'll be based in Rice Lake at a recently expanded headquarters building. It's also moving its manufacturing to two Ladysmith facilities, and is in the process of closing a third facility in Ladysmith. All Henry firearms will be manufactured in Wisconsin once the company is finished moving.

A Green Lake County wildfire has been contained. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says the fire burned between 700 and 800 acres in the White River Marsh State Wildlife Area near Berlin. DNR aircraft spotted the fire late Monday afternoon. Gusty winds fueled the fire, which burned on state and private land. The DNR says the fire was contained Tuesday morning. No injuries have been reported, and no buildings were damaged. Ten local fire departments assisted in suppressing the fire, which remains under investigation.

Elon Musk wants to close a Wisconsin branch of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency announced plans earlier this month to close federal offices across the country. That now includes the BIA office in Ashland. FOX 11 Green Bay reports the Ashland lease is set to be terminated at the end of August. The office employs 40 people working with Wisconsin's 11 federally recognized tribes on issues including real estate management and law enforcement support. Tribal leaders say the proposed closure creates more uncertainty for people seeking to communicate with BIA and could force them to travel further to receive services. The Ashland office is one of 200 BIA locations nationwide slated for closure.

Minnesota is reducing employment services for people with disabilities. The Department of Employment and Economic Development is considering voluntary layoffs and early retirement incentives for employees who provide Vocational Rehabilitation Services. People who work in the industry say clients aren't getting the same quality of services because fewer workers are assigned higher caseloads. Close to 14 thousand Minnesotans with disabilities received services last year through the programs that help people find jobs and get training.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is taking action to root out Medicaid fraud. He joined state lawmakers yesterday who proposed to expand the fraud control unit. The group would grow from 32 to 41. Ellison says that would allow the investigative unit in his office to recover more money from providers who cheat Medicaid, which is the health program for the low-income and the disabled. The legislation would also toughen penalties for Medicaid fraud, including fines of up to 100 thousand dollars for thefts of more than 35 thousand dollars and up to 20 years in prison.

Amazon returns could become a little more challenging for those who rely on Kohl's to drop off items. The retail chain is testing out removing easy Amazon returns services at some stores. Kohl's began accepting Amazon returns in 2017. News outlet Modern Retail confirms those stores testing it out are in Wisconsin, Missouri and Massachusetts.