Local-Regional News Sept 30

 

One person is dead after a motorcycle accident in Wabasha County on Friday. According to the Wabasha County Sheriff's Department, 26-year-old  Eric Sanchez of St. Paul was traveling on County Road 11 when he lost control of the motorcycle and crashed. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Two People were injured in a two-vehicle accident on Monday in Wabasha County. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, a 21-year-old St. Charles Woman was driving southbound on County Road 2 when she collided with a vehicle traveling eastbound on Hwy 247 driven by a 60-year-old man from Elgin. Both drivers were injured in the accident, and the victims' names have not been released.

A former Hudson teacher who was charged with several sex crimes has pled guilty. Twenty-five-year-old Madison Bergmann allegedly had an inappropriate relationship with a 5th grader. She was arrested in May 2024 after the principal of River Crest Elementary called Hudson police. Investigators were shown screenshots of texts between Bergmann and the boy. She talked about how much she enjoyed making out with him. Her bag also contained nearly handwritten notes between the two. Nearly 100 more were recovered from her classroom.

Charges are being filed against a young La Crosse man in connection with an injury hit-and-run. The accident happened this past Friday morning in La Crosse with police saying that 18-year-old driver David Resto was speeding when he ran a stop sign, hit another vehicle and continued on from the scene. Two people were left hurt -- one seriously. Resto appeared in court yesterday on charges that include hit-and-run causing great bodily harm.

Congressman Derrick Van Orden was talking about agriculture policy in a Saturday visit to Tomah. The Western Wisconsin Republican spoke about his support of reducing regulations on the industry during a visit to the Bosshard Cranberry Bogs. Van Orden is a member of the House Agriculture Committee.

Minnesota soybean farmers are facing an uncertain future as China shuts out the U.S. from the market. China is not purchasing any of the crop from American farmers right now. According to the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association, Minnesota's 26-thousand soybean farmers send about 60 percent overseas with China as their top buyer. Due to the current trade war, China is buying its soybeans from Brazil and Argentina, instead of the U.S. Local farmers are hoping for a resolution soon as soybeans are the number one agricultural export for Minnesota.

Wisconsin farmers are asking you to eat more potatoes. The Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Grower Association is reminding Wisconsinites to get their potatoes and veggies locally. The state is the third largest producer of potatoes in the country, but most of the spuds are shipped out of state. Spokesperson Dana Rady says when you're buying potatoes in the store, to look for the stamp that says Wisconsin Healthy Grown, to know you're helping out local farmers.

Businesswoman Missy Hughes has launched her campaign for Wisconsin governor. It comes weeks after she resigned from her position as Secretary and CEO of Economic Development in the Evers administration. In her announcement video posted on Monday, she boasts helping create over 95-hundred small businesses on city main streets across Wisconsin. She joins Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez, state Senator Kelda Roys and state Representative Francesca Hong in the list of women vying for the governor's seat next year.

Three Republican lawmakers are introducing a bill that'll legalize medical marijuana in Wisconsin. The bill was introduced by Senator Patrick Testin, Senate President Mary Felzkowski and Representative Patrick Snyder on Monday. If passed, patients will have to get a doctor's diagnosis as well as register with a new state office to get access to medical marijuana. But patients won't be allowed to smoke it. Assembly Republicans tried to pass a similar law last year but did not get support from the Senate.

The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection confirmed a case of bird flu in a Jefferson County farm. The agency's website says there's more than three million birds at the site that is being quarantined. Livestock owners are urged to wash their hands, disinfect equipment and keep new animals separate for 30 days. A control area has also been established to prevent poultry movement.

Proposed legislation would specify the time period for repeat OWI offenders to apply an occupational license. Right now, the Wisconsin DOT may permanently revoke or suspend the driver’s license of anyone who commits four or more of certain traffic offenses or crimes, including operating while intoxicated. Revocation periods vary, and courts may also order suspensions. Suspended or revoked individuals may apply for an occupational license, but there’s a waiting period before eligibility and that can vary depending on the underlying violation. A bill being circulated by Republican lawmakers would allow those whose driving privileges are suspended or revoked to be eligible for an occupational license after the first 180 days of the revocation have elapsed. Those drivers would be required to have a functioning ignition interlock device in their vehicles.

Ridglan Farms in Blue Mounds has refused to settle a 55-thousand dollar civil forfeiture involving hundreds of alleged violations. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection confirmed on Friday that the dog breeder's cases was now going to be referred to the Dane County District Attorney's Office. Ridglan Farms had been facing criticism from lawmakers and animal welfare groups after inspection records were released. The DATCP cited it for over 300 violations, including unsafe enclosures and improper documentation.

A nationally prominent Wisconsin Native American leader has died. The family of Ernie Stevens, Jr confirmed he died suddenly on Friday at age 66. A member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, Stevens rose to national prominence as an advocate for tribal sovereignty and had served as Chairman of the Indian Gaming Association for 25 years, a period which saw total tribal gaming revenue grew from $11 billion to more than $49 billion in 2024. He was reelected to a 13th term in April. Onedia Nation Chairman Tehassi Hill called Stevens “an amazing man” who showed “unwavering support of his family, youth programming, and the pursuit of sovereignty protection.”

More time is again requested again for two people charged a year ago in the death of a three-year-old boy. Elijah Vue’s mother, 32-year-old Katrina Baur and 40-year-old Jesse Vang were back in Manitowoc County Court for a status conference last week. Baur’s attorney said she still needs more time to look through the evidence against her client before moving forward. Vang’s attorney said he’s ready to file motions but still needs more time before starting. Judge Anthony Lambrecht set Bauer’s next status conference for December 1st. Vang won’t return to court until January for a scheduling conference. Both were arrested in February last year after Elijah was first reported missing in Two Rivers and were charged in connection with the boy’s death after his remains were found last September.

Spirit Airlines is ending flights at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Spirit has filed for bankruptcy for the second time in a year as the carrier struggles to compete against bigger airlines. The airline is shutting down services in a dozen other airports across the country. Spirit also plans to furlough more than 18-hundred flight attendants before the end of the year.

Local-Regional News Sept 29

 

Nine people were injured in a two vehicle accident in Trempealeau County on Friday afternoon. According to the Trempealeau County Sheriffs Department, a vehicle traveling eastbound on Hwy 53-93 near Hwy AA crossed the centerline and struck an eastbound vehicle head on. The nine people were transported to local hospitals with non-life threatening injuries.

It appears the Ellsworth School District has fired an Ellsworth Middle School Teacher over social media comments regarding the assassination of Charlie Kirk. In a Facebook Post, Ellsworth Superintendent Brian Nadeau said that the district had investigated a social media post from  a teacher and determined that the post in question did not reflect the mission, values, or beliefs of the Ellsworth School District. He also said while the district supports the right to free speech, that right comes with responsibilities when it affects the learning environment or disrupts the safe, respectful atmosphere the district is committed to maintaining in the schools.  It appears that the teacher in question is  Krista Lesiecki.   Lesiecki has started a go fund me page where she indicated she was let go from the district.

The City of Durand is receiving donations for the Tarrant Park Pool. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the donations are for more amenities at the pool.  The city staff will work over the winter to determine what amenities can be installed at the pool before next summer.

A spokesperson with the Dunn County Sheriff's office says they're looking for two motorcyclists speeding over 130 miles-per-hour. They were seen Friday on I-94. Officials say the bikers took off when police tried to pull them over, with one displaying a fake license plate.

A former local tattoo artist pleads not guilty to sexual assault charges. Forty four year old Christopher Ardoin of Mondovi, Wis. pleaded not guilty to one count of attempt 3rd degree sexual assault, two counts of 3rd degree sexual assault, 5 counts of 4th degree sexual assault, and one count of disorderly conduct. According to the criminal complaint, at various times, officers were contacted by various individuals who claimed to have been sexually assaulted by Ardoin, who was employed as a tattoo artist at Skin Prints on 403 South Farwell Street in Eau Claire and was working at that location during the time of the assaults. A status hearing in the case is scheduled for December 26.

Students and parents from the Cochrane-Fountain City School District attended a rescue demonstration with area first responders and the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Department on Friday. The demonstration show a rescue from an accident and included a landing by a med-flight helicopter. The event was to raise awareness and promote safe driving habits to help prevent impaired and distracted driving accidents.

The D N R is tracking a new invasive species in Wisconsin woods: invasive oyster mushrooms. Research from UW-Madison shows the mushrooms have been spreading quickly through the state after being accidentally introduced to the Midwest in the past several years, probably due to grow-at-home mushroom kits. The spores of the yellow fungus can quickly spread on the wind, and they crowd out native fungal colonies that usually grow on decomposing matter. They grow in distinctive large yellow clusters at the base of dead trees. The D N R says they are edible, but as with any mushroom you forage, be sure you identify it before you eat it.

The Right to Contraception Act is being reintroduced to Wisconsin state legislation, led by Representative Lisa Subeck. The bill protects individuals' rights to contraception and ensures providers can dispense it without legal threats. Subeck called the legislation urgent amid recent attacks on reproductive rights. This follows Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin's announcement it will end abortion services October 1st. A similar bill was introduced federally by Sen. Tammy Baldwin.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is unveiling a 267-million-dollar privately funded facility for its School of Computer, Data, and Information Sciences. Major donations came from John and Tashia Morgridge, including a 140-million-dollar gift along with a 50-million-dollar challenge grant. The building was designed for sustainability and collaboration. It brings several departments together under one roof, including computer science, biostatistics, and high-throughput computing.

Republican candidate Bill Berrien is ending his campaign for Wisconsin governor. This follows reports that Berrien had interacted with sexually explicit accounts online. However, Berrien cites an inability to prioritize policy in today's political climate and says he sees no viable path to the Republican nomination. With Berrien out, Republicans Tom Tiffany and Josh Schoemann remain. Democrats face a crowded field in the race to replace outgoing Governor Tony Evers.

Abortion services are being paused in Wisconsin. A statement from Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin says politically motivated provisions in President Donald Trump's federal budget are forcing a pause in abortion appointments starting October 1 while PPWI works on a solution to providing abortion care in Wisconsin. Three of Planned Parenthood’s 14 Wisconsin clinics, in Madison, Milwaukee and Sheboygan, provide abortions. Planned Parenthood of Illinois is anticipating Wisconsin patients will travel there to obtain abortions. Pro-Life Wisconsin says the new federal law closes existing loopholes that have allowed abortion providers to benefit from Medicaid dollars, calling this a significant win for the pro-life movement.

The state Assembly appears ready to focus on elections. In an unusual Capitol press conference Wednesday, Republican Assistant Majority Leader Scott Krug joined voting rights advocates and Democrat Lee Snodgrass to announce competing bills. Krug said his job the next six weeks is education of everybody who wants to talk about elections, to figure out how to build consensus. A critical issue is getting absentee ballots counted the Monday before Election Day, which Krug said is critical to reassure voters of election integrity. Snodgrass said she isn’t there on the Republican proposal in it's current form. She said municipal clerks feel a lot of the technical aspects are impossible. A Monday count bill passed the Assembly last session, but the new version adds ballot drop box security provisions including 24-hour video surveillance. Dane County Clerk Scott McDonnell says Madison could handle that, because the city's drop boxes are located outside fire stations which are already equipped with cameras. But he said smaller municipalities would find it challenging to stream their location online 24/7. A separate Republican bill would provide grant funding for municipalities to provide the24-hour video surveillance of drop boxes.

The DOJ is suing the Minnesota Secretary of State because he's refused to hand over voter rolls. The lawsuit against Steve Simon was filed on Thursday as the Trump administration seeks personal information of Minnesota voters. Full names, dates of birth, addresses, driver's license numbers and the last four of their socials are examples of the information the government wants. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said every state has a responsibility to ensure that voter registration records are accurate, accessible and secure. Secretary Simon argues there is no basis in law for the DOJ to demand access to such information.

A very special group of Packers fans from Japan get the spotlight in an upcoming documentary. Ty Morse, a producer of "No Packers, No Life", tells Fox 6 he helped the group of very out-of-state Cheeseheads take a trip to Green Bay and Lambeau Field. Morse says he spotted the group by accident when he saw a man wearing a Packers jersey in Tokyo, and broke the language barrier with the magic words of "Go Pack Go!" "No Packers No Life" premieres next month in Waukesha and will air at Marcus theatres.

Local-Regional News September 26

 

The Durand Safety Committee met this week with members of the Durand Rural Fire Department to discuss the creation of a new fire district. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the hope is to have the new district in place by January 1.  If approved the Durand City and Rural Fire Departments would be merged to create the new fire district.

Prison was ordered for a Menomonie man convicted on federal weapons charges. Thirty-four-year-old Demetrius Howard was prohibited from possessing a firearm when one was found in his vehicle during a traffic stop last year in Dunn County. At the time, Howard told the arresting officer that he had found the 40-caliber gun the day before and was planning to throw it into the water. Howard pleaded guilty to the weapons charge in June of this year and has now been sentenced to a term of two-and-a-half years in federal prison.

The Eau Claire City-County Health Department is reporting successful results in their sharps collection effort. Nine sharps disposal boxes are located around the county -- providing places where folks can safely and easily rid themselves of needles and syringes. The program began last year and the department says that more than a thousand pounds of sharps have been disposed of through the effort. The department is considering placing additional disposal boxes around the county.

Charges are being filed against a La Crosse man who police say was involved in a road rage incident earlier this week. In the Monday afternoon incident, 23-year-old Isaac Avery reportedly became upset with another driver who was going the speed limit on Highway 16. The report says that Avery pulled up alongside that other driver and pointed a gun at him and his fiancé. Police stopped Avery in West Salem, found a gun and ammunition inside his vehicle and arrested him on charges including second-degree recklessly endangering safety with a dangerous weapon.

A Rochester woman is pleading not guilty to a disorderly conduct charge over a racist park incident. She is accused of saying racist slurs at an eight-year-old autistic Black child who took a container of applesauce from her bag. The suspect garnered online attention after a witness recorded the aftermath of her confrontation with the boy in late April. An online fundraiser raised more than 800 thousand dollars from people across the country with many donors expressing white nationalist views in the comments and usernames. Leaders of the Rochester branch of the NAACP have called on the Olmsted County Attorney's Office to file further charges against the suspect.

A recall has been issued for a baby food brand sold in Wisconsin. Sprout Organics says contaminated baby food pouches were sold in Walgreens stores between September and December last year. Illnesses related to the recall have not been reported. More information can be found on FDA-dot-gov-slash-safety.

An employee with Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources died while working in Kewaskum on Tuesday. The Washington County Sheriff's Office announced on Thursday that the employee had not returned home that night, adding that his car was found in Fond du Lac County. His body was found in a wooded area around 7:40 p.m. Investigators were also able to confirm that there was a lightning strike around 10:15 a.m. the day the employee's body was found.

Use local firewood this fall to avoid the spread of invasive species. The Department of Natural Resources reminds you that pests like spongy moth, emerald ash borer, and invasive fungi can be on or in firewood. When untreated firewood is transported away from the tree where it was harvested, those pests and fungi can later emerge to attack trees at the new location. The DNR recommends purchasing firewood from a local distributor instead of transporting it from farther away. More information can be found on the DNR's website.

Transferring credits between schools in the University of Wisconsin system could be getting easier. The UW Board of Regents will be reviewing a new policy that would ensure the transfer of all core general education credits between the 13-school system. Officials say the new policy will reduce the amount of time it takes to finish a degree. The board will review the policy this fall and if approved, would go into effect by fall 2026.

Another Democrat has emerged in Wisconsin's race for governor. Former state Representative Brett Hulsey announced on Wednesday that he was launching a campaign. Hulsey previously represented Madison in the Assembly, and also served on the Dane County Board for 14 years. He also ran for governor in 2014 but lost against Mary Burke in the primary.

A Texas-based convenience store chain has the go ahead to build its first Wisconsin location. The City of Oak Creek has given approval for Buc-ee's to build a massive gas station and convenience store along I-94 near Milwaukee. The site is approved for an over 73-thousand square foot facility with numerous pumps and a large retail space. Buc-ee's is hoping to open the location by 2027. A similar plan to build a Buc-ee's in the Madison suburb of DeForest is still in the works but is delayed.

Legislation creating overtime and wage law exemptions for minor league baseball players in Wisconsin advances at the Capitol. The bill would create an exemption to employment law and make minor leaguers salaried workers not eligible for overtime pay. It would apply to about sixty platers for the state’s Major League Baseball affiliates, the Beloit Sky Carp and Appleton’s Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. The bill doesn't apply to independent league teams. If passed, teams would have to track all work-related activities for players and count rehab, any training and time spent at the ballpark or with the team toward overtime requirements. Similar bills have passed in California, Florida, and New York.

A Minnesota woman is accused of taking part in a 14 million dollar autism fraud scheme. Asha Hassan has been charged with wire fraud. The defendant is accused of sending hundreds and thousands of dollars abroad and even bought real estate in Kenya. Hassan's lawyer says his client is cooperating and is expected to plead guilty. Prosecutors say the woman and others defrauded the Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention benefit. Hassan is the owner of Smart Therapy, which was supposed to provide treatment to children with autism. She allegedly hired unqualified people to be behavioral technicians. The defendant allegedly recruited children from the Minneapolis Somali community. If they weren't autistic, Hassan worked to get them qualified for autism services and provided their parents with monthly kickback payments.

Country music star Eric Church is making a stop in St. Paul this winter. The Free the Machine Tour is set for February 7th at Grand Casino Arena, which is formerly known as Xcel Energy Center. The opening act will be Alabama newcomer Ella Langley, who sings the hit song You Look Like You Love Me. Tickets go on sale on October 3th.  

Local-Regional News Sept 25

 

The City of Durand has approved allowing the city administrator to line up financing from local institutions for a project on 6^th Ave East. The project could cost up to $170,000. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says its part of a plan by the city to do these small road projects every year.  The cost of the project will add approximately $114 in tax per $100,000 of valuation.

The Dunn County Board of Supervisors approved additional money in 2024 to begin an accelerated road improvement project, and it paid off in 2025, county officials said. Dustin Binder, Dunn County Highway Commissioner, said his department completed 16.07 miles of Highway improvements in 2025, a 31 percent increase from the 12.28 miles completed in 2024.  Three of the higher profile 2025 projects were a reconstruction project on Highway D from 420th St. to Highway K in Irvington; a reconstruction project on Highway D from Highway 25 to 816th Avenue in Tainter; as well as pavement replacement on Highway BB from Highway 12 to Highway 25. Binder said the County Board will be asked to support improving nearly 17 miles of county roads in 2026.

Riley Costello, Wabasha’s Emergency Management Director and Assistant Public Works Director, won the “Outstanding Performance in Emergency Management” award from the Association of Minnesota Emergency Managers. This was for his work on the recent flood events that took place in Wabasha and for his disaster prevention work for the city. Kristen Tschida, AMEM President, presented the award, with Marlyn Halvorson, 2nd Vice President stating “During the 2024 flood, Riley with the support of the public works department, took on an extensive cleanup of contaminated flood debris, supported emergency by-pass operations on our sewer system, and disinfected all parks from contaminated waters, and helped the city with FEMA Grants and assistance.

An Eau Claire man charged in connection with the death of a Dunn County corrections officer is pleading guilty. Officer Jeff Reynolds was killed in a Christmas Eve 2024 vehicle collision on US 12 near Menomonie. Defendant Mark Sokolowski faced charges including homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle in relation to the incident. Sokolowski pleaded guilty Wednesday and will be sentenced at a later date.

A man who tried to evade Eau Claire Police Wednesday morning by jumping into a lake is in custody today. Officers dispatched to the Do-Dodge-Inn on Menomonie Street were investigating a fight when they say 28-year-old Deaundray Houston ran from the scene and entered Half Moon Lake. Police spotted Houston and took him into custody when he returned to shore. He was arrested on an outstanding warrant.

Prison is being ordered for an Eau Claire man convicted on federal weapons charges. Thirty-seven-year-old Dustin Cullins was on probation last year and prohibited from possessing a firearm when he was found hiding a handgun inside a clothes dryer. Cullins pleaded guilty to charges and was sentenced yesterday to seven years in prison.

A La Crosse County truck driver has pleaded guilty to a 2024 attack against another driver. 60-year-old Paul Stokes pleaded guilty in La Crosse County Court Tuesday to second degree recklessly endangering safety in connection with the attack last October. Police say Stokes was aggressively following the victim and honking repeatedly before the two pulled into a Kwik Trip in West Salem. When the victim confronted Stokes, Stokes pulled a blade and slashed the victim in the neck and chest. Stoked fled, but was caught two days later in Tennessee. He will face up to 10 years in prison at his sentencing in December.

Republican Jessi Ebben is announcing another bid for Congress. Ebben -- who previously ran an unsuccessful bid for the Republican nomination in Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional district in 2022 -- is running for the GOP nod in the state's 7th district. The 7th's current Congressional Representative Tom Tiffany recently announced his candidacy for governor. The 7th Congressional district includes all or part of 20 counties including St. Croix, Chippewa, Barron and Rusk.

Viterbo University is acknowledging receipt of a one-million-dollar gift. The money comes from the family of Nancy Haggerty who graduated from the La Crosse university with a degree in nursing in 1974. The college says the donation will be used to fund scholarship opportunities for nursing students.

At the Capitol, Assembly Republican lawmakers are proposing bills with the goal of alleviating Wisconsin’s affordable housing shortage. It’s hard for young people to purchase homes. Wisconsin Realtors Association President and CEO Tom Larson says the average age of a first-time home buyer is 38. Any legislation that passes the Assembly this session would also need state Senate approval before going to the governor. The Senate has not been on the floor at all this month.

The parent company of We Energies is proposing to restart a shuttered Wisconsin nuclear plant. WEC Energy Group and Utah based EnergySolutions are exploring a reactivation of the Kewaunee Power station that was shut down in 2013. EnergySolutions purchased the property in 2022 to decommission the site, but has since reached out to WEC Energy to build a new generation facility that would be smaller and more efficient than the one built there in the 1970s. The plan would require permitting from the US Department of Energy to start, along with several state agencies. Lawmakers in Madison have already floated the idea of increasing nuclear power in the state, with several bills aimed at exploring the energy option currently in the committee process at the Capitol.

Making up for a lost Sunday at the Wisconsin State Fair. The fair announced its plan Tuesday for exchange of tickets for the 2025 fair’s final day August 10th, cancelled due to flooding at the fairgrounds the night before. In-person exchange of tickets for that Sunday only for 2026 admission tickets will happen November 10th through the 15th at the State Fair Park Ticket Office in West Allis. Fair officials say not all ticket types qualify for the exchange programs. Contact the Ticket Office to find out if your ticket type qualifies.

Governor Tim Walz is calling out President Trump over rising health insurance costs. Minnesotans who buy their own health insurance will pay more out of pocket next year as premiums are expected to jump. Walz is blaming Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress for the allowing health care tax credits to expire. The governor said that next year, national insurance rates are going to be as high as they've been in 15 years. According to the Minnesota Department of Commerce, the largest insurance providers have proposed price increases of 12 to 26-percent.

Local-Regional News Sept 24

 

The Durand City Council is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include discussion and possible action on financing for the 6^th Avenue East Project in 2026, a request for street closures for Brews on the Chippewa on October 11^th and reports from the Mayor and City Department Heads. Tonights meeting begins at 6pm at Durand City Hall and will be live streamed on the WRDN Website.

Buffalo County has hired a part time Economic Development Director. Dave Carlson was hired for the position and will work 10-20 hrs a month. He will be developing an economic plan for the county. Over the next few months he will be reviewing tourism marketing, an affordable housing strategy, and taking an inventory of available buildings in the county. He will also be looking at how the county can promote industrial parks in the county to those wanting to open or expand a business.

Xcel Energy will begin a major dredging and foundation reinforcement project at the Cedar Falls Dam north of Menomonie this week and continuing through November. This work is a critical step in preparing the dam for future construction, including the installation of a coffer dam. As part of the project, crews will deploy 60-foot-by-60-foot barges anchored to the riverbed at the top of the dam to remove sediment that has built up over the past century. The material will be pumped to shore, dewatered and hauled to a disposal site. Increased truck traffic can be expected on Hwy BB, 708^th Avenue and 540^th Street. Following the dredging phase, divers will begin pumping concrete to reinforce the front side of the dam, strengthening it to safely receive the coffer dam structure.

Minor injuries were reported after a one vehicle accident in Trempealeau County on Tuesday. According to the Trempealeau County Sheriff’s Department, a truck was traveling on Tuff Coulee Road at a high rate of speed, and failed to negotiate a sharp curve, struck a guardrail and hit several trees. The vehicle was found abandoned and the occupants came forward later in the day to report only minor injuries as a result of the accident.

Ladysmith City Administrator Alan Christianson and his sister have been arrested on charges in Rusk County. The two are accused of trying to record a closed session of the county board back in August. An investigation of the incident continues.

A defendant charged in connection with a violent incident in La Crosse County is pleading guilty. Prosecutors say that -- in an October 2024 incident in the parking lot of a West Salem Kwik Trip -- Paul Stokes cut the throat and chest of another truck driver. The 60-year-old Stokes pleaded guilty yesterday to a second-degree charge of recklessly endangering safety. He will be sentenced at a later date.

One of three people accused of attacking an elderly man inside his La Crosse home has learned her fate. According to police, an 84-year-old man was beaten inside his 6th Street South residence in November of 2023. The victim was then tied up and locked inside his basement. Defendant Kaylan Cave has pleaded guilty to charges that include intimidating a victim with threats of force and been sentenced this week to three years of probation. The cases of the two other defendants remain pending.

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers was in La Crosse on Tuesday. The governor visited the UW - La Crosse campus and received an update on the Prairie Springs Science Center project. The first of two buildings planned for the center opened seven years ago and the second building is being funded through money allocated with the budget signed by the governor this year. Construction is expected to begin next spring.

The Wisconsin D N R is hoping to get more deer carcass samples to test for chronic wasting disease this hunting season. Herd health specialist Erin Larson says they're targeting areas that only recently tested for C W D. That includes most of the Highway 51 and 29 corridors, and counties on a line from La Crosse to Sheboygan. You find out more and find a local testing site online at D N R dot W I dot Gov, and search for C W D Testing.

Republican Congressman Tom Tiffany has launched a bid to become the next governor of Wisconsin. The 67-year-old has represented the state's seventh congressional district since 2020. His entrance into the race further expands the crowded field of candidates for the open seat in the crucial swing state. According to Tiffany's launch video, "Madison politics may smell like the barn," but he knows "how to clean up the bull" and "deliver results for every Wisconsinite."

Wisconsinites statewide are being asked to turn off their lights tonight. Conservation group Save Our Songbirds says about 21 million birds will be migrating across Wisconsin overnight. A press release from the group says the light disorients migrating birds and may draw them into urban areas. A Lights Out Alert asks residents to turn off all non-essential outdoor lighting between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m tonight.

Ten rural hospitals in Wisconsin are teaming up to improve patient care and reduce costs. A release shared last week says the network hopes to enhance clinical outcomes as well as provide more care for the communities they serve. The network was created by Cibolo Health, which has networks in North Dakota and Minnesota. Some of the participating hospitals include Vernon Health, Black River Health, and St. Croix Health.

An effort by the Trump administration to force states to turn over personal data on food benefit recipients has been blocked by a federal court. Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul says the White House has proven it's not able to protect personal information. Last month a whistleblower in the Department of Government Efficiency told Congress that a DOGE staffer uploaded a live set of Social Security information to an unprotected website, potentially leaking the personal information of 300 million people. The White House and the U S D A were trying to get information like Social Security numbers and the last five addresses of every SNAP recipient in the country. The ruling in California federal court stops that collection while a full hearing is held on the lawsuit.

At the Capitol, proposed legislation calls for a major new investment in biofuels in Wisconsin. State Senator Mary Felzkowski says state funding could facilitate a new plant located in Hayward to produce aviation fuel from woody biomass. During a Monday press conference at the Capitol, Felzkowski said it would be a investment of about $200 million with enterprise tax credits from WEDC and about 150 million in bonding and that bonding will be supported through the forestry account. Felzkowski said the new plant to be built in conjunction with Germany’s Synthea Fuels could bring 350 jobs to the area and over a billion dollars in annual economic development. She said Minnesota and Michigan are also potential locations, so there’s some urgency for Wisconsin to act. Henry Schienenbeck (SHEN-en-beck), Executive Director at Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association, noted forestry remains the number two industry in the state, and Wisconsin is still the nation's leading paper producer. He called the biofuels proposal a win win.

A Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources conservation fund hits a major milestone. The Cherish Wisconsin Outdoors Fund has raised over $3 million since being created by the State Legislature in 2013. The fund provides a permanent source of funding for habitat improvement and ecological restoration across the state at places like state parks, trails, and recreation areas. For every $1 million in the endowment, approximately $50,000 per year is distributed for land stewardship. You can learn more about the fund by visiting the DNR's website.

Minnesota is defying federal COVID vaccine guidance. The State Epidemiologist Dr. Ruth Lynfield issued a standing order Monday that allows pharmacists to give the COVID-19 vaccine without prescriptions to anyone over 12 years old. Until now, pharmacists in Minnesota could only give the latest shots without prescriptions to people 65 and older or anyone with underlying health conditions. This state vaccine policy is an unprecedented break from federal vaccine recommendations. Dr. Lynfield said vaccines are one of the greatest public health achievements in modern medicine.

The La Crosse Public Library is being recognized for programming. The library is receiving the Governor's Archives Award for Archival Innovation for its Dark La Crosse Stories series. The series -- that began as a walking tour and now is the basis for a video and podcast program -- covers topics including local true crime tales. The Governor's Archives Award is presented by the Wisconsin Historical Records Advisory Board and the Wisconsin Historical Society.

Local-Regional News Sept 23

 

One person was injured in a single vehicle accident in Waterville Township on Saturday. According to the Pepin County Sheriff’s Department, 36yr old Travis Baier of Durand was traveling westbound on Hwy X when he lost control of his moped, and was thrown from the moped landing in the roadway. Baier was med-flighted to an Eau Claire Hospital with serious injuries.

The Mondovi City Council is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include discussion of concerns at the Waste Water Treatment Plant and water quality concerns, Buffalo County Economic Development and reports from the mayor and city department heads. Tonights meeting begins at 5:30 at the Marten Center in Mondovi.

The search for a missing Dunn County man has come to a tragic end. Twenty-two-year-old Riley Smith-Tourville was reported missing last Wednesday after last having been seen near his home in the Town of Weston. Smith-Tourville's body was found Sunday. His cause of death has not been reported.

The City of Menomonie is pulling the plug on a deal for the development of a one-point-six-billion-dollar data center. The data center was projected to create as many as a thousand construction jobs during development and 50 to 75 full-time jobs after opening with an additional two- to three-hundred contract workers. Some members of the community had expressed concerns about the facility's use of water as well as noise and light pollution. Mayor Randy Knaack announced at a city council meeting last night that the community will no longer be pursuing the project.

Two sites serving Wisconsin veterans who are homeless are now closed. Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs Assistant Deputy Secretary Joey Hoey explained that the Veterans Housing and Recovery Program sites in Green Bay and Chippewa Falls closed September 12th due to a lack of funding.  The program for homeless veterans remains available at the Wisconsin Veterans Home in Union Grove. Hoey said last week that alternative placements have been found for more than 30 veterans who were housed at the Green Bay and Chippewa Falls sites. Proposed legislation would provide funding for the program, but Hoey said the earliest that the Chippewa Falls location could reopen would be nearly a year from now.

Eau Claire Police are investigating a collision that claimed the life of an 85-year-old man. Raymond Moeller was riding his bicycle in a bike lane on Cameron Street when he was struck by an SUV while making a left-hand turn. The incident happened September 11th and Moeller has recently succumbed to injuries suffered in the crash.

The Menomonie Housing Committee has released its findings on how to solve the city's housing needs. Two out of three proposals have already been adopted by the Menomonie City Council. The first adopted proposal would provide more incentives for tax increment financing projects. The second would ease restrictions for housing developers in the city. Both measures aim to make construction in Menomonie more appealing. The final proposal would reduce the lot size for single-family homes, to allow more units to be built on one plot. If approved, it would be the first major change to lot size regulations since the 1970s.

A Chippewa County man facing charges in a criminal case involving a young victim is pleading no contest. Investigators say that 30-year-old Austin Stonkey sent inappropriate pictures to a young girl via Snapchat -- including one image in which his private parts were visible. Stonkey entered his plea yesterday on a charge of exposing a child to harmful materials, and was sentenced to one year of probation.

New data from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services shows fall-related calls increased by ten-thousand between 2023 and 2024. Emergency medical services responded to 140-thousand falls last year, accounting for more than 20-percent of 911 calls. The Centers for Disease Control says Wisconsin has the highest rate of fall-related deaths in older adults in the nation. That's due to both immediate deaths and long-term health issues related to a fall. To prevent falls, DHS recommends reducing clutter and improving lighting in living spaces.

Downtown Rochester is anticipating an expansive construction plan over the next ten years. The public initiative, called Destination Medical Center, promises to create an international medical hub in southeast Minnesota. A DMC spokesperson said the amount of construction Rochester will go through in the next ten years is what most cities would experience in 100 years. Minnesota lawmakers signed off on the half-a-billion-dollar initiative in 2013 which is supposed to bring in billions in private investment. The DMC has spent much of this year touting its work redevelopment and branding the community as, "America's City for Health."

Republican lawmakers seek to close a legal loophole allowing sale of hemp-derived THC products. Numerous businesses have sprouted in Madison and elsewhere, offering sale of legal hemp-derived THC products like delta-8 and delta-10. Hemp, in the same plant family as marijuana, is not considered a controlled substance if the THC concentration is less than 0.3%. The bill would add hemp to the definition of THC and would specify that only hemp grown for industrial or research purposes qualifies as “industrial hemp.” The authors cite last October’s accidental delta-9 THC oil contamination at a Dane County pizza parlor in which dozens of people sought medical attention as an example of why the law change is needed.

Wisconsin cranberry growers are seeing an above average yield this season. Harvest time has arrived, and the Wisconsin Cranberry Growers Association director Grant Holley tells W X P R it's probably a "B" season. The group estimates 5 point 3 million barrels of berries will be grown this season, which is down from record seasons in recent years. Holley says growers are concerned about tariffs, though. Wisconsin grows roughly half of the world's supply of cranberries, so making sure exports are ready is paramount. Growers will be harvesting through October, and final numbers will be available next month.

The secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Ag, Trade and Consumer Protection is taking on an additional role. Randy Romanski has been named President of the Midwestern Association of State Departments of Agriculture. Romanksi says he looks forward to representing Wisconsin in important policy discussions and collaborating with colleagues across the Midwest. MASDA member meet throughout the year to discuss agricultural policy impacting the region. Romanski will host a MASDA regional meeting in Wisconsin in June of next year, which includes panel discussions and industry tours.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural resources stresses hunters knowing their target the deer bow hunting season. Elk Zone Biologist Christina Kizewski says keep any eye out for elk. Kizewski says elk will typically be much larger than deer and have a different coloration. Kizewski says antlers are another indicator, as elk antlers sweep backwards away from its head towards its rear end, whereas white tail bucks typically have more of a rounded forward curvature to their antlers. More info can be found on the DNR's website.

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is celebrating its one-hundredth homecoming anniversary. Organizers say the theme this year will fall in line with traditions. After twenty years the parade will run back on Water Street, 90's artists like Vanilla Ice and Young MC will be performing. Homecoming starts in the next few weeks. For more information check out the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Alumni webpage.