Local-Regional News June 30

 A fire destroys a trailer and garage in the Town of Naples on Sunday morning. According to the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Department, a person driving by the home stopped to get the family out of the home on Pheasant Trail. Mondovi firefighters were able to keep the fire from spreading into the home. The fire destroyed the trailer, including a Ford Model T. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

First responders on Saturday came to the rescue of six people in distress on the Chippewa River. Two people on floating tubes near the Lake Street bridge were aided by members of the Eau Claire Fire Department and -- separately -- a group of four people -- also on floating tubes -- was rescued near the UW-Eau Claire foot bridge. Authorities have said that high water levels on the river have the ability right now to make for hazardous conditions.

Multiple people are recovering from injuries suffered in a large-scale fight that happened early Sunday in Arcadia. Police say a fight involving 20 to 30 people broke out just after 1 a.m. at the Memorial Park Pavilion. Reports say that one person involved was armed with a machete. That individual was later arrested.

Over 135-thousand dollars has been raised for the family of a man killed in a tire explosion in Wabasha County. The Wabasha County Sheriff's Office says personnel were called to Lake City after a tire being worked on exploded last week, killing Joshua Moechnig Jr. The GoFundMe created to support his wife Heather and their four children set out with a goal of 140-thousand dollars.

The Chippewa Valley Regional Airport has seen a 9% increase in passenger traffic so far this year. According to airport officials, the increase can be attributed to United Airlines offering two flights a day to Chicago and Sun Country Airlines offering seasonal flights to vacation destinations like Ft. Myers, FL. The airport has also seen an increase in private planes using the airport.

Crews have begun the demolition of the Zorn Arena, and Brewer Hall on the UW-Eau Claire Campus. The area was originally opened in 1952 and the 84,000 square foot section of campus will be re-developed into a green space with a pedestrian walkway. The demolition and construction of the green space should be completed by September.

Charges are moving forward against a Hudson man accused of killing his wife. Police performing a welfare check at a home on Namekagon Street back in March found the victim dead at the scene. During a preliminary hearing held on Friday, it was determined that charges against 54-year-old Chad Haworth -- including 1st-degree intentional homicide -- would be held over for trial.

Plans to re-open St. Joseph's Hospital in Chippewa Falls are moving forward and ahead of schedule. The Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative agreed to purchase the old facility in March, and had 90 days afterward to decide if they wanted to move forward with the purchase. The co-op members say they will, and have moved the timeline to open the facility in August. The space will be a temporary location until the co-op opens a state of the art hospital in Lake Hallie in 2027.

While Republicans grapple over the state budget, Democrats have been watching from the sidelines. On WISN's 'UpFront,' Milwaukee state Senator LaTonya Johnson says they're firm on voting against the Republican proposals. Johnson says even approval from Governor Tony Evers might not be enough for Senate Democrats who want to ensure a good deal for their constituents. With at least two Senate Republicans signalling no votes, Republican leadership would need Democratic support to get the budget ready by the end of Monday. The J F C met late Friday night to approve some budget items, but much more needs to be completed before it can come to the floor for a vote.

The Olmsted County Sheriff's Office is joining a statewide campaign to crack down on speeders. Drivers can expect to see an increase in law enforcement patrols along Highway 14 throughout the county and southern Minnesota. The campaign will start with the 100 deadliest days on Minnesota roads, Memorial Day through Labor Day.

A federal judge is siding with Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul in a lawsuit over funding for electric vehicle infrastructure. This week, the court issued a temporary ban on cuts for charging station money that were implemented through an executive order issued by President Donald Trump. The five billion dollars to install chargers across the country was included in the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed by Congress. The current court decision states that the president overstepped his authority in taking away expenditures that were already approved by federal lawmakers. Wisconsin is one of more than a dozen states that challenged Trump's executive order.

Wisconsin's Joint Finance Committee is releasing nine-million-dollars for a state-run literacy coaching program. The funding is part of a 50-million-dollar package that was approved in 2023, however, it was delayed. A recent Supreme Court ruling has cleared the way for its release. Remaining funds will return to the general fund if not approved by Monday.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court rules UW Health isn't legally required to bargain with labor unions. Service Employees International Union argued the hospital's employees should be able to bargain, citing the Wisconsin Employment Peace Act. The court unanimously decided UW Health is an excluded employer due to regulations outlined in Wisconsin Act 10. The ruling comes after multiple appeals by SEIU. The union says it will continue to look for other ways to get collective bargaining rights.

The city of Green Bay is selling the home belonging to the man known as "Uncle Fester." 67 year old Stephen Preisler gained renown under the name "Uncle Fester" for his books on how to make various drugs. In July 2023, he was charged with multiple drug manufacturing and delivery counts after items were seized from his home. A court ordered an injunction closing his home, clearing the way for it to be sold. The city is now working with prospective buyers to inspect the site. Given the history of drug use in the home, there will be health precautions in place. Anyone entering the home will be required to wear N95 masks and shoe covers.

We Energies is looking for the utility company's next safe digging "ambassadog." A new pooch will be featured in an online campaign for the 8-1-1 safe digging hotline later this summer. We Energies customers who would like to participate should take photos of their dogs digging or in their favorite place to dig and submit them at we-energies-dot-com by July tenth. The winner for the campaign last year was Idaleen, a one-year-old German shepherd from Hartford.