Local-Regional News July 31

 

One person was injured in a two vehicle accident in the Village of Spring Valley on Tuesday. According to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, 46yr old Nicholas Johnson of Spring Valley was traveling northbound on Van Buren Road when he collided with a vehicle driven by 52yr old Chad Hoyt of Spring Valley that was traveling eastbound on Hwy B. Hoyt was taken to Mayo Hospital in Spring Valley.

One person was injured when a motorcycle struck a deer in River Falls Township last Thursday. According to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, 48yr old Donald Long of New Richmond was traveling southbound on Hwy W when he struck the deer. Long was taken to Regions Hospital in St. Paul.

Expect additional traffic starting today as it's day one of Blues on The Chippewa in Durand. The event is being held at Riverside Park in Durand. First Avenue and Second Avenue West are both closed from Main Street to River Street. Blues on the Chippewa continues through Saturday.

The Pierce County Sheriffs Department is announcing the death of K9 officer Odin. K9 Odin came to the department from the Czech Republic and was trained with Deputy Donny Knutson for 12 weeks, serving with the department for over 6 years. K-9 Odin helped deputies locate illegal drugs, found murder weapons, and tracked some of Pierce County’s most violent criminals. He retired in July of 2021.

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), Dunn Economic Development is launching the Dunn County Small Business Development Grant. The $250,000 grant, awarded by WEDC, is designed to provide direct financial assistance and vital technical support to small businesses and startups across Dunn County, with a special focus on strengthening rural and underserved areas. The program offers up to $10,000 per eligible business through a combination of tailored support mechanisms. The application for the Dunn County Small Business Development Grant is not yet open but will be available by September 15, 2025.

Wisconsin 3^rd District Congressman Derrick Van Orden has announced that President Trump has signed Van Orden’s VA Home Loan Program Reform Act. This legislation establishes a permanent partial claims program within the VA Home Loan Program, bringing VA in line with other federal agencies that lend money for homes. Veterans will be permitted to have the same programs non-veterans have available to them through FHA loans, allowing veterans who have fallen behind on their mortgages to receive federal assistance.

The Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors unanimously confirmed Jon Johnson as the new County Administrator. Johnson is the current Highway Commissioner and will begin the transition to Administrator over the next month. He is set to take over as County Administrator on September 8.

Olmsted County broke ground on a new building on the fairgrounds in Graham Park yesterday. The new 80,000 square foot exhibition center will host year round activities and community celebrations along with being used for the fair. The new center is expected to be completed by 2027.

Today is Dairy Queen’s Miracle Treat Day. Every Blizzard sold today, $1 will be donated to the Childrens Miracle Network. Here in Western Wisconsin, the money will be going to Gunderson Hospital in La Crosse to help provide funding for life saving treatments and essential services for Children in need. Last year nearly $25,000 was raised.

Eau Claire Police are reporting the arrest of a suspect in connection with an attempted sexual assault. Authorities put out word early yesterday of their search for Roy Gene Hoff Jr. who they say had been traveling in a stolen vehicle. Details of the accusations against Hoff have not been shared.

Sentencing is being ordered for a Chippewa Falls man convicted on federal drug charges. Thirty-nine-year-old Jason Bernard pleaded guilty in May to charges of possession of 500 grams or more of methamphetamine intended for distribution. He was sentenced this week to serve ten years in prison.

A La Crosse man is pleading no contest to charges filed in connection with the shooting death of his stepfather. Sixty-one-year-old Brady Fredrickson died after being shot at a Farnam Street home in January of last year. Forty-three-year-old Alan Fry has pleaded no contest by reason of mental disease or defect to a second-degree charge of intentional homicide. He has been committed to a state mental health facility for a period of 35 years.

Charges are being filed following a deadly UTV accident in Clark County. Investigators say that 56-year-old Jay Sawasky was operating the vehicle while intoxicated this past Sunday when he hit an electrical pole in Dewhurt. A female passenger on the UTV was killed. Sawasky is charged with homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle.

Several organizations across Wisconsin will be receiving funding for small businesses. Governor Tony Evers announced Tuesday that over one-point-five million dollars in funding would be granted to ten organizations. Leaders with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation say the investments will give communities the tools to create communities people want to live in. The Urban League of Greater Madison and the Ashland Area Development Corporation are among the recipients.

Remaining funds raised to support the 2024 Republican National Convention are going to Wisconsin non-profits. The convention was hosted in Milwaukee last July. The Host Committee says more than five-million-dollars will benefit youth, veterans, and shelters. Organizations receiving money include Big Brothers Big Sisters, Wisconsin Veterans Network, and the Milwaukee County War Memorial.

The State of Wisconsin is distributing more than 315-thousand-dollars to increase the state's exports. The Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection says the money will go to seven projects focused on expanding dairy, meat, and crop exports. The University of Wisconsin-River Falls will get more than 41-thousand to study the effects of tariffs on US dairy exports, and the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association will get almost 63-thousand to improve its consulting services and reduce shipping costs.

Lawmakers are reintroducing a bill aimed at cracking down on dairy labels. The "Dairy Pride Act" would require the Food and Drug Administration to enforce rules reserving terms like milk, cheese and yogurt for dairy products coming from animals. Producers of alternative milk products would have 90 days to comply with new labeling standards if passed. The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association and the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation are among the bill's supporters.

No Wisconsin farms have tested positive in the latest outbreak of avian influenza. According to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, the USDA reports one case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a Pennsylvania poultry flock, and three cases in livestock in California, all within the last 30 days. No Wisconsin farms have tested positive, and DATCP offers support to improve and maintain biosecurity at farms and dairy processors. Find out more and see the state's milk testing results online at D A T C P dot W I dot Gov.

There's an active recall on vodka seltzers mislabeled as non-alcoholic energy drinks, some of which were sent to Wisconsin retailers. The US Food and Drug Administration says the some of the cans included in High Noon variety packs are mislabeled as Celsius energy drinks. That means alcoholic products are in cans labeled as non-alcoholic. The 12-packs were shipped between July 21 and 23. The FDA says no illnesses have been reported as part of the recall.

St. Paul is entering a second day of a cyber attack. The city is under a state of emergency after officials shut down their digital infrastructure. St. Paul leaders first spotted the problem on Friday when the WI-FI went out at City Hall, libraries, and recreation centers. Mayor Melvin Carter says the 911 and other emergency response systems were still working. He has also hired a pair of firms to help handle the cleanup operation and is cooperating with the FBI. Governor Tim Walz called in the National Guard yesterday, which has a cyber protection unit. There is no word on whether residents' personal data is at risk.

The winners of the 2025 Wisconsin State Fair's and awards are announced, one day before the fair opens. The competitions look at unique food and drink options available to fairgoers. The goes to City for its Butter French Toast . The Rock n' Roll Beer Garden's Purple Rain drink won this year's , a competition for non-alcoholic beverages. The fair will run until August 10.

Local-Regional News July 30

 

Parents of children in the Durand-Arkansaw School District will be able to enroll their children in a before- or after-school club. The club would be held at Caddie Woodlawn Elementary School. Durand-Arkansaw Superintendent Ryan Nelson says the club is the result of a district survey.  For more registration information, contact the Durand-Arkansaw School District.

The Madison Street reconstruction project in the City of Durand appears to be a go. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the city hopes to start the bidding process this fall.  Along with the reworked financing, the city also made changes to the project to lower the costs.

The Whitehall Police Department is informing the public of a sex offender that is set to be released to live in Trempealeau County. 34-year-old Osei J Owusu is set to be released from prison on Aug. 12, 2025, on his sentence for possessing a firearm as an out of state felon. Whitehall police say his previous convictions also include two prior Minnesota convictions for 3rd degree criminal sexual conduct. Owusu is set to live in Whitehall, and will be under supervision of the Wisconsin Department of Corrections.

A new billboard in La Crosse appears to campaign against a Republican lawmaker running for reelection. The Democratic Party of Wisconsin put up a billboard displaying a tweet by Representative Derrick Van Orden. The now-deleted post exclaims "Yes!" in response to another post writing about how millions of Americans will lose health care, school meals and food assistance. Democratic Party chair Devin Remiker tells WMTV he wants Wisconsinites in the 3rd congressional district to see who they voted for. Van Orden says the post was mistakenly published.

A man is facing charges that he sexually assaulted a teenager in the parking lot of a La Crosse Home Depot store. Twenty-one-year-old Felipe Rodes was a supervisor at the Midwest Drive store and is accused of victimizing the 17-year-old store employee last Thursday. The victim says that Rodes offered to take her to McDonald's on her break but that when they returned to the Home Depot, Rodes attacked her. Charges against the defendant include second-degree sexual assault.

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers is continuing what is being billed as his Ice Cream Town Hall tour of the state. Evers -- who visited La Crosse on Tuesday -- is using the occasion of National Ice Cream Month to visit various communities across Wisconsin to hear the concerns of leaders and residents. The governor announced last week that he will not be seeking another term in office but says he wants to hear from folks on what issues they think he should focus on during the closing year of his administration.

The State of Wisconsin is suing the US Department of Agriculture over requests for SNAP beneficiaries' sensitive data. State Attorney General Josh Kaul says the USDA was asking for social security numbers, addresses, and other personal information that belongs to those who receive SNAP benefits. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins says getting the information would help the department ensure only eligible people would get SNAP benefits. Kaul says the request violates federal privacy laws and constitutional rights. Wisconsin joins 21 other states and Washington D.C. in the lawsuit.

One less potential candidate for Wisconsin governor. WisPolitics reports that a source close to Democratic Wisconsin Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski says she's ruled out a run for governor but is seriously considering a bid for lieutenant governor and will decide in the coming weeks. Governor Tony Evers announced last week that he won’t seek a third term. Godlewski was elected state Treasurer in 2019 and was appointed by Evers to the Secretary's position in 2023 after Doug La Follette stepped down. Godlewski dropped out of the campaign for U.S. Senate in 2022 before endorsing then Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes, at which point her term as treasurer was expiring. Barnes went on to lose to Senator Ron Johnson.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is reportedly leaving the National Governors Association. Reports say the former Democratic vice presidential candidate and Kansas Governor Laura Kelly would both leave the organization. The decision is said to be due to frustrations with how the group has responded to the Trump administration. Walz reportedly is separating from the NGA and stopping payments to the group next year while he reassesses his membership. The NGA is a group that brings together chief executives of all 50 states to work toward bipartisan policy solutions.

UW - Madison extension is winding down its FoodWise programming amid federal funding cuts. That follows passage of President Donald Trump's Big Beautiful Bill, which eliminated funding for the National Education and Obesity Prevention Grant Program. FoodWise is one of Wisconsin's six SNAP-Ed implementing programs. It works with local organizations like schools and food pantries to provide nutrition education to those with limited incomes. UW - Madison extension said the FoodWise program reaches over 133,000 people and some employees will be laid off because of the ending of the program. The funding cuts go into effect on Sept. 30.

UnitedHealth Group officials plan to drop some Medicare Advantage health plans that cover over 600 thousand people. The move by the health insurance giant comes as it tries to repair its finances. The business may also leave portions of the Obamacare market next year. United Health officials told investors today that it is making better efforts to lower increasing medical expenses. The Medicare Advantage reduction will affect health plans where seniors have a wide range of care providers.

AirVenture 2025 is one for the record books. That assessment came from E-A-A Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Jack Pelton. Attendance at this year's event totaled 704-thousand visitors. Pelton says that's in spite of some bad weather days, and that has him hopeful for AirVenture 2026. Pelton also says more aircraft flew in for this year's AirVenture. That includes over 25-hundred show planes including vintage aircraft and home builts. There were also 361 warbirds, which was an increase from 2024.

It's time to get adventurous with the annual nominees for best new foods at the Wisconsin State Fair. The fair is back with its Sporkie Awards for flavorful foods. This year's nominees include a breakfast bratwurst with blueberry preserves and a pancake bun, brat rangoons, a Korean-inspired gochujang smash burger, and Mexican street corn pizza. If that's not enough, you can also get dessert with the Hunka Hunka Fat Elvis Donut Ice Cream Sandwich, or churros with s'mores toppings. The State Fair opens Thursday and runs through August 10th at State Fair Park in West Allis. Find out more at W I State Fair dot com. 

Local-Regional News July 29

 

The clean up continues today after severe storms moved through Western Wisconsin. Trees were reported down across the entire area after storms with 70mph winds moved through late last night. Thousands were without power for most of the night while crews repaired downed power lines. No injuries were reported, and cooler weather is now expected for the rest of the week.

Authorities are offering more details on a weekend boat explosion in Prescott. The incident happened Saturday at the Miss Croix Yacht Harbor. Wisconsin DNR reports the boat was at the fuel dock where its operator unsuccessfully tried to start its engine twice. On the third try, the engine exploded throwing eleven people into the Mississippi River. No serious injuries were reported.

Riverside Park in Durand now has power thanks to a donation from Blues on the Chippewa. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the underground power will be available for other future events.  Blues on the Chippewa is Thursday through Saturday at Riverside Park.

The Durand-Arkansaw School District continues the design phase of the new early learning childcare center with Durand Builders. Durand-Arkansaw Superintendent Ryan Nelson says the district hopes to break ground on the center this fall.  The new center is expected to be open by the fall of 2026.

Another text scam to report. Wabasha Police are reporting incidents of residents receiving a text claiming the person has an outstanding traffic ticket in Minnesota. The text claims that if not paid the ticket will be reported to the DMV and the person would lose driving privileges and vehicle registration will be suspended. This is nothing more than a scam and if you receive this text just block the number and delete the text.

Eau Claire Police are investigating after a pickup truck was recovered from the Chippewa River. Authorities were contacted yesterday by a fisherman reporting that they had spotted a vehicle submerged near the Riverview Boat Landing. The truck was found to be unoccupied and police are now working to find its owner.

A nationwide arrest warrant has been issued for a former Hudson coach accused of sexually assaulting a student.  Chase Wayne Madison, 39, was charged Friday with child enticement, sexual assault of a child by a person who works with children, and exposing a child to harmful material. According to authorities, Madison was the head strength and conditioning coach for Hudson High School from 2017-2019. He worked for Catalyst Sports Medicine, which was contracted to provide strength and conditioning coaches to the Hudson School District. A 23-year-old woman recently came forward and told authorities she had a sexual relationship with Madison when she was 16 years old. She said she was a student athlete, and Madison was her coach who helped rehab her after an injury. She told police she became pregnant and later miscarried. 

The case against a La Crosse man charged in the stabbing death of his roommate is moving forward. Investigators say that John Stumlin killed Daniel Riordan and hid the body. Stumlin was arrested last summer and has been receiving treatment at the Mendota Mental Health Institute. A judge on Monday ruled that the defendant is now competent to stand trial and assist in his own defense. Stumlin's next hearing is scheduled for August 20th.

In Clark County, police say a suspect is confessing to a number of recent thefts. Neillsville Police were contacted on July 22nd by residents reporting that someone had gained entry to their unlocked vehicles and stole items from inside. Twenty-four-year-old Branden King has since been arrested and is being held in the Clark County Jail as prosecutors consider possible charges.

The West Nile Virus is detected in a Wisconsin resident for the first time this year. The Department of Health Services says the case was found in a Barron County resident, and mosquitoes gathered in Milwaukee and Lafayette Counties have also tested positive. The virus is spread to humans, birds, and other animals through bites from infected mosquitoes. It is not spread from person to person.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is no longer setting traps to capture the bear that attacked a Barron County woman. Karen Frye was attacked in her backyard in Comstock about three weeks ago. The 69-year-old was taken to a hospital and is recovering. The DNR says it's released several unrelated bears from traps, but hasn't spotted the bear involved or her cub since it started setting traps around the victim's property. The department says it'll still monitoring the area.

A federal judge has denied Optum Rx's motion to dismiss a Wisconsin family's lawsuit. The Schmidtknects [shmit-nekts] say their son Cole died from an asthma attack after inhaler prices rose from 65 dollars to 500 dollars. They allege that OptumRx didn't give Cole a 30 days notice about the price jump. The case will now proceed.

If you're in the market for a car, be careful with finding one online. Wisconsin Better Business Bureau spokeswoman Lisa Schiller says you should never buy a car sight unseen. Take a test drive, look under the hood, and make sure the car actually exists. That includes getting that car independently inspected, especially if it's coming from a private sale rather than a dealership. Schiller says it's also worth it to shop around and make sure the price you're paying is reasonable, and check for discounts from competitors.

A man having an apparent mental health episode was found in the Senate Chamber at the Minnesota Capitol naked on Friday night. A memo sent to Minnesota lawmakers by the Minnesota House of Representatives Sergeant at Arms, confirmed the news. The man was found naked in the Senate Chamber making statements that he believed he was the governor. Security took the man to Regions Hospital for evaluation, with the man coming back to the Capitol grounds two more times Saturday, finally being arrested. Authorities say he is being held in connection with a warrant in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin has some of the best health care in the nation. A new report by WalletHub compares states based on metrics like average monthly insurance premiums, the number of physicians, and the percentage of insured residents. Wisconsin health care ranks ninth-best, with New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Minnesota at the top of the list. The study shows Mississippi and Alaska have the worst health care.

A “fish story” that’s hard to believe, but true. Albert Cutler of Oconomowoc says he and his family were driving home from church Sunday morning when a fish grasped by a bald eagle flying over Cutler’s truck near Okauchee Lake fell from the eagle’s talons. Cutler says he then heard a thud and found when he got home that a 15-inch largemouth bass was lodged in one of the truck’s fog lamps. The unexpected catch was pulled from the truck with a hockey stick and is in a bag in the family’s refrigerator because Cutler says he doesn’t know what to do with it. 

Local-Regional News July 28

 

The Monday Farmers Market in Durand will remain at Memorial Park for the summer. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says he felt it would be better to look at next year to possibly move the farmers market up to Tarrant Park.  The suggestion to move the market up to Tarrant Park was brought up as some of the venders are concerned about the lack of traffic at Memorial Park.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is investigating after a boat exploded Saturday in Prescott. The incident happened at the Miss Croix Yacht Harbor fuel dock and threw a number of people from the vessel into the water. No serious injuries have been reported.

People’s Energy Cooperative in Southeastern MN is warning its members of a scam. One of its members saw an individual dressed as an Xcel Energy employee checking the meter on his property. The individual told the homeowner that they had 20 minutes to pay the bill or be disconnected and gave the homeowner a number to call. Once the member called the number, they were told Xcel Energy was “taking over” PEC service territory, and all members must pay their outstanding bills immediately. PEC stressed that it and Xcel Energy serve their respective consumers as separate entities and are not merging service. PEC added that if you find yourself in a situation such as this, to do as this member did, and ask potential scammers to leave your property. The Cooperative said it does not accept payment information over the phone and will not disconnect service without prior notice.

The Durand-Arkansaw School District is updating its website. Superintendent Ryan Nelson says the updates are to make the site easier to use for staff and community members.  The site should be fully updated by the beginning of the new school year.

Student researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire have been awarded with a grant. Mayo Clinic Health Systems and the university's Research and Innovation Council awarded them with 82-thousand dollars for their vibrating glove project. The gloves are used to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease through vibrations in the fingertips. The grant will help the team make more gloves for testing throughout this next school year.

La Crosse Police are confirming that preliminary autopsy results show no evidence of criminal conduct in the death of Eliotte Heinz. An investigation remains ongoing, with final autopsy results not expected for several months. The body of 22-year-old Heinz was found earlier this week in the Mississippi River, more than ten miles downstream from her last known whereabouts. She was last seen on surveillance footage walking about a block away from the river.

Minnesota State Patrol authorities are investigating after an elderly woman was struck and killed by two vehicles near Winona. Officials say the 72-year-old woman crashed into a ditch Friday and stepped out on the road on Highway 61 and County Road 7. The woman was struck by a pick-up truck and was hit a short time after by another vehicle. The driver of the pick-up stopped at the scene, but there is no word about the driver of the second vehicle.

A Somerset man is being identified as the person killed in a weekend motorcycle crash in St. Croix County. Thirty-four-year-old David Decker was riding on County Trunk Highway H Saturday morning when he went off the roadway, hit a ditch and flipped multiple times. Decker died at the scene.

Wisconsin's former leader will not be a candidate in the 2026 election for governor. Scott Walker announced in a video Sunday that he would not be running. He says he would back a common-sense conservative. It comes after Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez launched her campaign late last week.

There could be a crowded field of Democrats hoping to succeed Governor Tony Evers. Evers' decision not to seek reelection presents opportunities for political advancement to other Democrats. Attorney General Josh Kaul, former Democratic Party of Wisconsin chair Ben Wikler, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes and Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski have all been mentioned as potential candidates or indicated an interest in running. Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez has already announced she is running for Governor. Two Republicans are already running; Washington County Executive Josh Schoeman and corporate CEO and former Navy SEAL Bill Berrien. Other Republicans could also enter the race.

Representative Shelia Stubbs is reintroducing a bill to create a task force on missing and murdered African American women and girls in Wisconsin. The move responds to alarming state data showing Black women are 20 times more likely to be murdered than white women. The task force will investigate causes of this violence, improve data collection, and support victims' families. Seventeen members would serve on the task force, including lawmakers, law enforcement officials, a county coroner, and advocacy group representatives.

The father of the Abundant Life School shooter in Madison has been bound over to stand trial. 42-year-old Jeffrey Rupnow is charged with contributing to the delinquency of a child and two counts of providing a dangerous weapon to a person under 18. Rupnow was in court Thursday for a preliminary hearing. It was December 16th of last year when his 15-year-old daughter shot and killed a teacher and fellow student at Abundant Life, before killing herself. Rupnow bought the gun for his daughter that she used in the shooting. His lawyer calls Rupnow's actions "normal", saying approximately half of all households have guns. Prosecutors pointed to a text Rupnow sent days before the shooting, voicing concerns his daughter would shoot him had he locked the gun safe, however, he authorities say he also told his daughter the combination to the safe was his social security number, backwards.

Dakota County authorities say two drivers accused of racing and causing back-to-back deadly crashes were traveling over 110 miles per hour in Eagan. The incident happened late at night on June 14th. Melody Little and Jordan Wieland were charged yesterday with two counts each of third-degree murder and two counts of criminal vehicular homicide. Wieland is not in custody. Prosecutors are seeking a bail of 300 thousand dollar for Little because she's been convicted three times for speeding since 2020.

Minnesota legislators are taking action to protect fellow lawmakers. A Senate DFL spokesperson says the chamber will cover the cost of enhanced home security to members who request it. The home service will be paid for from the existing Minnesota Senate budget. A similar request will cover House members with funds from the House budget. The cost is expected to be 45 hundred dollars per member. The move comes after the shooting deaths of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and the shootings of Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette.

Ed Policy is officially President and CEO of the Green Bay Packers. He was elected unanimously by the board during the annual shareholders meeting. Policy takes over for Mark Murphy, who retired after 17 years, upon turning 70. He has more than a decade of leadership with the franchise as General Counsel and Chief Operating Officer. Coach Matt LaFleur, GM Brian Gutekunst, and Russ Ball will keep their roles and report to Policy, with no immediate contract changes planned.

A new throwback look for the Green Bay Packers. The team introduced their 1923 Classic Uniform Thursday. It will be used during a yet-to-be-determined game at Lambeau Field this season and includes navy blue jerseys with dark gold numbers, tan pants, navy socks, and a hand-painted helmet that resembles a leather helmet used in the early days of the NFL. The look is inspired by the uniform the team wore in 1923, which was the Packers’ first season as a publicly owned corporation. 

Local-Regional News July 25

 

The City of Durand will be selling the parking lot at 2^nd Avenue West and Madison Street. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the lot will be sold by sealed bid.  The minimum bid is $10,000 and bids are due by August 12 and will be opened on August 13.

The City of Mondovi will be removing some large Maple trees on Cottage Street. During this weeks council meeting the council approved removing the trees on the city right of way, as they have become an issue for the foundation of a home. The homeowner had received a quote of $2350 to remove the two trees, but the council is wanting other bids before moving forward.

The Mondovi Fire Department has received a donation of emergency drinking water from Anheuser-Busch to help keep its firefighters hydrated during wildfire response efforts this season. The donation, made in partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), will provide critical hydration to first responders working long hours in extreme conditions. Mondovi Fire Department serves a population of approximately 3,500 residents spread across 250 square miles in the City of Mondovi and six surrounding townships in northeast Buffalo County, southwest Eau Claire County, and eastern Pepin County.

The City of Wabasha is looking at the future needs of its ambulance station and City Hall and the possibility of a future joint city hall, ambulance, police building. The current ambulance building is inadequate for the security, privacy, and operational needs of the service. City Hall has a number of deferred maintenance items. The City completed a feasibility study and it concluded that sharing facilities between the police, ambulance, and city hall was an opportunity to improve efficiency and reduce costs, enhance public services. The study also noted that the ambulance services building needs must be addressed in the near future, to ensure the long-term sustainability of the service. The City is asking residents to fill out a survey on what they would like to see built. That survey is on the city of Wabasha Website.

Wisconsin's June home sales are up for the first time in four years. The Wisconsin Realtors Association says sales rose more than eight-percent from the same time last year. In Western Wisconsin, Pepin County had 9 homes sold, Buffalo 10, Pierce 24, and Dunn County had 71 homes sold in June. Association representatives say most home sale closings take place during the month of June. The June report also shows that affordability has been on the rise over the past year.

The town of Washington's petition to incorporate into a village is now approved. The Eau Claire County Circuit Court approved the petition Wednesday. Their next step is to get an approval from the Wisconsin Department of Administration, before incorporation plans are sent to referendum. If Washington becomes a village, they'll have to provide services like police and fire. Residents showed support for the petition following annexations by neighboring towns.

A Cadott woman is pleading not guilty to accusations that she stole thousands of dollars from a pair of organizations. Nicole Ruhe was the treasurer on accounts for the Boy Scouts and for the Cadott Basketball Association. The Boy Scouts say that more than four thousand dollars is missing and Cadott Basketball is missing more than 51-hundred dollars. Ruhe is charged with two counts of theft from a business setting.

Republican lawmakers want to cap tuition increases for the Universities of Wisconsin. Representative David Murphy and senator Andre Jacque say they want raises to match the rate of inflation. The university system saw a five percent increase on tuition for all its schools except UW-Green Bay. The Board of Regents has been increasing prices after a tuition freeze ended in 2023.

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers says he won't seek re-election next year. In a video posted on X, Evers said he's not trying for a third term so can spend more time with family. However, the Democrat did predict he would win if he did run. Evers said for five decades, his family sacrifiied to give him the gift of service and he now owes it to them to focus on all the things they love doing together. The move will likely begin the start of a wide open race in the battleground state.

Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin has introduced two bills to help new homeowners and families. One bill wants to help first-time homeowners with a refundable tax credit. Another bill would cap childcare expenses at 15 dollars a day for a typical family. The third bill prohibits corporate price gouging. Baldwin says her bills would lower some of the biggest expenses for Wisconsinites.

Twenty-three people have died in fatal UTV and ATV crashes so far this year in Wisconsin. The Department of Natural Resources says only five of those people were wearing seat belts, which is required by law for anyone in a UTV. Forty people total died in ATV and UTV crashes last year. More information about how to sign up for safety classes is available on the DNR website.

UnitedHealth Group officials say they're cooperating with a federal investigation into its Medicare business. The Eden Prairie-based health care giant is doing an about-face from when it called the U.S Justice Department probe irresponsible in May. UnitedHealth Group's Medicare Advantage business is being questioned about its use of Medicare diagnosis data to boost payments by billions of dollars. The company is still fighting a whistleblower lawsuit filed in 2011 by an insider who made similar allegations.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is not revealing his plans for the 2026 election until after the state fair wraps up. Walz said he plans to make his announcement after Labor Day, adding that the assassination of Representative Melissa Hortman led to personal reflection. The governor has hinted he will be running again in recent months, saying in April he was raising the resources to run for re-election.

The Green Bay Packers are announcing a league-high in national revenue sharing north of 433-million-dollars. This comes a year after national revenue topped 400-million-dollars per team for the first time. The Packers saw an increase of just under ten-percent in total revenue, with operational profits rising over 39-percent. It's part of a league-wide surge, with each of the 32 NFL teams now splitting more than 13-billion-dollars from national media deals. Local revenue also increased, thanks in part to an extra home game.

Local-Regional News July 24

 

The City of Durand announced a free admission Fridays at the Tarrant Park Pool. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says an anonymous donor made the free admission possible. During the open swim in the afternoon, the first 100 people will receive free admission and the first 50 people during the evening swim from 6-9pm will also receive free admission on Fridays through the end of the swimming season.

The City of Mondovi is looking at expanding the areas allowed for the hunting of geese in the fall. During this weeks council meeting the council approved expanding the area for hunting as long as it will be safe for residents. The city will allow goose hunting during the Wisconsin early goose season. Hunters will have to register with the city before going out on the hunt. For more information contact Mondovi City Hall.

Dunn Economic Development has announced its role in a statewide initiative to secure a federal Historically Underutilized Business Zone designation for Dunn County. As part of a formal petition submitted by Governor Tony Evers to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), this designation would unlock critical resources for local small businesses, helping them compete for federal contracts and bringing significant investment into the community. The SBA’s HUBZone program is designed to fuel small business growth in historically underutilized business zones by providing preferential access to federal contracting opportunities. If approved by the SBA, the designation would remain in effect through at least July 2028, providing a window for Dunn County businesses to compete in the federal marketplace.

The Goodhue County Sheriff's Office is releasing the identity of a Rochester man who drowned in the Mississippi River. The body of Ronald Highet was recovered on Sunday. Witnesses say he was wading in the water with a 12-year-old girl before they were both swept away by a current. The girl was safely rescued from the river, but Highet went under the water and never surfaced.

Authorities are sharing the name of the person killed in a Saturday vehicle collision in Eau Claire. Seventy-eight-year-old Fall Creek resident Dale Soltwisch died after a two-vehicle crash on Highway 12 in Lincoln. Thirty-eight-year-old Eau Claire resident James Jones has since been charged in Soltwisch's death.

Eau Claire County is launching a new program for folks seeking help with their recovery goals. The Eau Claire County Deflection Program is a voluntary program through which eligible individuals seeking assistance are matched with peer support services. More details on the initiative can be found at eauclairecounty-dot-gov.

The Dunn County Fair is underway in Menomonie. This year's fun includes carnival rides, live music, truck and tractor pulls 4-H and FFA exhibits and more. The fair runs through Sunday with more info available at dunncountyfair-dot-org.

A missing graduate student in Wisconsin has been found dead. Officials said the body of 22-year-old Eliotte Heinz was found in the Mississippi River on Wednesday. She had been missing since Sunday when she was last seen walking in La Crosse. Her body was discovered more than 12 miles from where she was last seen. Police are still investigating her death and are waiting for the results of an autopsy. Heinz was a student at Viterbo University.

New highway signs in Lac du Flambeau won't just be in English. Signs unveiled Wednesday revealed an extra line with the tribe's name in the Ojibwe language It's a collaboration between the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. Tribal members tell WSAW they're really proud of the signs and hope they bring back some of the culture previously taken from them.

Despite the Dunn County Highway Department posting a load limit of 20 tons on the Hwy BB Red Cedar Bridge in Cedar Falls loaded semi trucks continue to use the bridge. According to the Highway Department the loaded semi’s pose a risk to the structural integrity of the bridge. The county is working with the Dunn County Sheriff’s Department and Wisconsin State Patrol to increase enforcement of the load limit and to have alternate routes available to avoid the bridge.

Wisconsin is giving 110-million-dollars to child care providers over the next year. The funding was approved as part of the 2025-2027 biennial state budget. Providers will be able to use the money to pay their staff and keep their businesses open. Applications for the funding will open Saturday, July 26 and will remain open until Sunday, August 3. Payments to approved providers will start in mid-August.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy was at EAA Airventure in Oshkosh on Tuesday, where he said the recently passed “big beautiful bill” includes $12.5 billion for modernization of the FAA’s air traffic control system. Duffy said that will include updating the FAA's telecom system and replacing aging radar. Duffy, a former Wisconsin congressman also serving as interim director of NASA, says it will take some time to complete all the work – but it will get done, or President Donald Trump "will fire me." Duffy also announced a new FAA rule that removes what he called outdated regulations that have impeded innovation and safety in the recreational Light Sport aviation sector.

The chairman of Wisconsin’s Oneida Nation is speaking out on President Donald Trump’s call for the NFL Washington Commanders and MLB Cleveland Guardians to return to their previous team names. The Commanders used to go by Redskins, a term Chairman Tehassi Hill said has connections to race wars. Hill said the former team name "harkens back to the early days of the colonists paying money for scalps," and remains a negative term for Native Americans. Trump called for the team names to revert on his Truth Social platform, and even threatened to halt a stadium deal that would bring the Commanders back to the former RFK Stadium site in Washington D.C. if they fail to revert. He’s also calling for the Guardians to revert to the Cleveland Indians.

New duties and tariffs on overseas purchases may hamper your online buying. Lisa Schiller with the Wisconsin Better Business Bureau says it is buyer beware with overseas shopping right now, and that if you need refunds or relief from a US agency, you might be out of luck. Criminals have also been sending out phony messages saying you may owe duties on a package. If you're expecting a delivery, check with the seller or delivery service directly before paying a fee.

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are looking into the effectiveness of nicotine pouches. One research director says the pouches could serve as healthier option for people who smoke. The group wants to recruit 300 smokers who don't plan to quit for a four week study. They'll be asked to use pouches for four weeks and will be compensated for their time.

More turkeys were harvested during this year's spring season than last year's. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says almost 50-thousand-300 birds were registered, a 14-percent increase. The spring turkey season started with a two-day youth hunt on April 12 and ended in late May. Applications for next year's hunt are due December 10 on GoWild-dot-WI-gov.

An abandoned boat off Milwaukee's lake front will be auctioned off. Milwaukee County's Parks Department launched the auction Tuesday, and its highest bid sits at eleven-hundred dollars. It'll be sold as is, and the buyer is responsible for its transportation and removal. The boat, named "Deep Thought," sat abandoned in the lake until May when officials pulled it out.