The resurfacing project on Hwy 35 from Stockholm to the Pierce County Line will begin on Monday. Crews will be milling down and replacing the top layer of pavement, install rumble strips on the center line, cleaning culverts and resetting the end walls, and replace guard rails. During the project Hwy 35 will be reduced to one lane so motorists should expect traffic delays. That project is expected to be completed in November.
The Buffalo County Highway Department has announced that Hwy E between Hwy 35 and Second Street in the City of Alma is now open. The Highway had been closed earlier this month after a failure of the retaining wall. The Highway Department also announced that Hwy C will be closed between Hwy 95 and Konkel Valley Road Monday through Wednesday of next week for a repaving project.
Pepin County Health Officer Heidi Stewart has been appointed to the State Interoperability Council. The council works to develop strategies and guidelines for statewide communication interoperability between public safety departments. Stewart was appointed by Governor Evers.
The Durand-Arkansaw School Board has approved joining an organization made up of other districts in Western Wisconsin for area school board members. Durand-Arkansaw Superintendent Ryan Nelson says the group will help train new leaders for the school boards. There is no cost to the district and members will include those districts part of the Dunn-St. Croix Conference and other local districts.
Red Wing Firefighters responded to an incident of multiple individuals needing medical attention on Wednesday. According to Red Wing Fire, crews were called to the 400 block of Learning lane and found an office building had been evacuated and that nine people needed medical attention. Firefighters conducted a search of the building and requested the regional hazardous materials team to search for any hazardous materials. No materials were found and the building was deemed safe. Of the nine needing medical attention, three were transported to Mayo Red Wing and six others were treated at the scene.
Eau Claire County Board members are approving the hiring of a new staff member for the Eau Claire Department of Human Services' 180 Program. The effort operates inside the Juvenile Detention Center and provides treatment services for teenagers. The cost of the additional staffer is being covered by a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Justice.
The Barron Police Chief is asking for help after the off-duty death of one of his officers. Chief Joseph Vierkandt announced the death of Officer Ben Smith this morning. Smith started with the department in January 2024, and had previously worked for the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. The Chief is asking for help from the County Sheriff's Office to make sure there aren't any law enforcement disruptions as his department mourns Smith. Smith's death is still under investigation.
An Elba woman who's accused of trying to kill her neighbor will have her next court date in October. Sixty-four-year-old Ava Kock is charged with second-degree attempted murder and assault. She appeared in a Winona courtroom yesterday where she was informed of her rights. Court documents show Kock allegedly shot at her neighbor who was sitting in a car. The victim was not seriously injured.
Kwik Trip has settled a worker's disability complaint for $35,000. A former employee filed the complaint with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 2022. According to the EEOC's investigation, the employee was hired full-time in 2021, and in 2022 submitted a "reasonable accommodation request" to modify her work schedule and duties. EEOC concluded that Kwik Trip intended to accommodate the employee's medical restrictions but misinterpreted the request and reduced her full-time schedule to nine hours a week, forcing her to resign. Under the agreement, the employee will receive $35,000 in back pay and compensatory damages.
A former Minnesota state trooper's criminal vehicular homicide trial could still be moved out of Olmsted County. A judge denied Shane Roper's motion to dismiss eight of nine charges filed against him in May. The defendant faces several serious charges, including manslaughter and criminal vehicular homicide. Roper was involved in a crash outside the Apache Mall in 2024 that took the life of 18-year-old Olivia Flores. The defense team is requesting a new hearing date in October. The current date is set for August 27th.
Another candidate has entered the race for the governor's seat. Ryan Strnad is factory worker and former beer vendor at American Family Field. He's also the founder of lobbying group Drinks in the Seats. He told Channel 12 he'll be different compared to other elected officials in the state. Strnad is the second democrat to join the race for governor. It comes as Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski launched her run for lieutenant governor Wednesday.
Dane County officials are seeking to remove dogs from Ridglan Farms with a new resolution. County supervisors introduced resolution 119 to urge the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to remove animals from the breeding facility as Ridglan Farms deals with state investigations. Earlier this year a Dane County judge appointed a special prosecutor to look into claims of animal cruelty at the facility. Ridglan Farms breeds beagles and other animals for medical research. The University of Wisconsin-Madison was recently named as one of their customers.
Milwaukee Public Schools receive some long-withheld state funding. MPS announced Wednesday that the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction has released $16 million in state aid to the district tied to the 2022-23 school year. DPI held back the funds after MPS failed to meet a series of deadlines for required financial reporting to the state. MPS expects DPI to release another $25 million in state aid dating back to the 2023-24 school year in the coming weeks. MPS says it has taken steps to meet all future financial reporting deadlines.
Western Wisconsin may be home to an underrated city according to one publication. USA Today is ranking Eau Claire at number two in their list of hidden gems that should be explored. The article says the city is vibrant, especially for music lovers. Cities were judged based on the number of restaurants, museums, landmarks, safety and cleanliness.
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