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.