Local-Regional News Aug 24

 

As a result of a state audit of the Durand-Arkansaw Food Service program, the district will be implementing a new policy when it comes to those students with a negative balance. Durand Arkansaw School Superintendent Ryan Nelson says the new policy is meant to clear up any confusion for families and the district.  Nelson says the district is in a tough spot, recognizing the economic balance between families of students and the school districts food service program.

An arrest warrant has been issued for an Eau Claire man wanted for sexually assaulting a child. Fifty-three-year-old Allen "David" Ossman is wanted in Dunn County for the repeated sexual assault of a child. Ossman has denied the accusations.

Three people are recovering after becoming stranded in fast-moving water while tubing. Fire crews were dispatched around 9:09 p.m. Friday to the river. The fire department said all three were conscious, alert and talking when they arrived. The three were evaluated by medics and declined transportation to a hospital. The department reported no injuries or fatalities. Officials are recommending people to wear a life jacket, evaluate river currents before entering the water while tubing or swimming.

A Dane County judge declines to take a Wisconsin state senate candidate off the November ballot. Judge Jacob Frost on Thursday ruled there was not enough evidence to prove that Eau Claire County Board member Michele Magadance Skinner was not a Wisconsin resident. The State Senate Democratic Committee challenged the Republican’s residency after voting records showed Skinner had voted in both Wisconsin and Georgia in 2021. Skinner said she had been bouncing between Wisconsin and Georgia at the time, trying to decide which place she would ride out the COVID pandemic. The ruling keeps Skinner on the general election in November. If she had been removed, Republicans would have had to scramble to replace her by next Tuesday.

Renovations are coming to the jail in La Crosse County. The La Crosse County Board approved a one-point-three-million dollar project to upgrade its facility. The money will go towards the design and construction of additional special-needs unit, improving housing for incarcerated women and addressing mental health and safety concerns. The jail was last expanded in 2010 and currently houses 137 people.

An Alma Center Lincoln High School senior is dead following an injury suffered during Thursday night's football game. Superintendent Drew Semingson sent a message to Lincoln families Saturday to confirm the news. Semingson said Adam Massman was injured during the game and received medical care from personnel who were at the game before he was taken to a hospital. The district learned Saturday afternoon that he had died from the injury. The school plans to have additional counseling support for students beginning at noon Monday and throughout the day Tuesday as students return to school.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is giving an update on the state's measles cases. In Iowa County, there are four new confirmed cases. Meanwhile, in Lafayette County there is one new confirmed case and four probable cases. There are now a total of 41 confirmed and seven probable cases associated with the outbreak. Symptoms of measles include a runny nose, high fever, tiredness, and cough, among other things.

Federal health officials are planning a national alert system for missing people with autism. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the initiative on Friday during a visit to Rochester. The plan will draw from Rochester and Olmsted County programs, using wearable trackers and regular contact between first responders and families. Autism advocates say such alerts could prevent drownings, which accounted for more than nine out of ten wandering-related deaths in 2024. Kennedy says officials will visit communities nationwide to develop training standards and best practices.

The city of Chetek is deactivating its social media accounts. On a Facebook post made Friday morning, the city said "due to recent threats against City employees, the City of Chetek will be deactivating its social media accounts within 24 hours of this posting.' The deactivation means that livestreams of City meetings will not be shown during any period of its deactivation. It's unclear if this is a permanent or temporary move.

The budget for the Universities of Wisconsin is getting the green light. The Board of Regents approved the proposal Thursday, which includes a tuition freeze for the next two years. That's as long as the state invests 190-million dollars in support of the freeze and other operating needs. Then, there would be only increases based on inflation for the two years after that. State lawmakers have to approve of the investment before the tuition freeze can take effect. The budget's three promises include keeping the college system affordable, expanding the state's workforce and access to healthcare.

It's getting harder for prospective college students to get into the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The Journal Sentinel reports the school had its lowest acceptance rate ever recorded in 2025, when just 41 percent of applicants were accepted. That's down from 57 percent in 2009. This as a law was signed two years ago guaranteeing students who are in the top five percent of their high school class a spot at UW-Madison, if they want it. One official told the Sentinel there's no secret formula for getting into the school, as they look at all aspects of a particular student.

Governor Tony Evers is pushing back against proposed federal changes to Head Start. Evers has sent a letter to federal health officials urging them to scrap a Trump Administration proposal that would roll back Head Start program standards. The governor says the plan would eliminate requirements covering class sizes, services for children with disabilities, educational quality, and child safety. Evers argues the changes would weaken a program that serves about 700,000 children nationwide. In Wisconsin, Head Start and Early Head Start programs served more than 12,000 children and families last year.

Three U.S lawmakers from Minnesota are urging President Trump to approve the state's request to a major disaster declaration to help residents recover from July floods. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith along with Congressman Brad Finstad sent a letter to the White House. They claim the water damage impacted Fillmore, Houston and Mower counties from July 2 through July 8. The legislators say help from the Trump administration will speed up the recovery effort. The letter indicates damage assessments show that the threshold has been met for federal assistance.

Wisconsin health officials want your input on fighting the opioid crisis. The Department of Health Services is asking residents to complete an online survey about how opioid settlement money should be spent. DHS Substance Use Initiatives Director Michelle Haese says community voices are critical because people with firsthand experience can help identify the greatest needs. The survey is available on the Department of Health Services website through September 30th.

Local-Regional News Aug 21

 

Two people were injured in a two vehicle accident just west of Durand on Wednesday. According to the Pepin County Sheriff’s Department, 66yr old Joseph Wald of Menomonie was traveling eastbound on Hwy 10, when a westbound vehicle driven by a 16yr male from Arkansaw, attempted to turn left onto Hwy P causing the vehicles to collided. Wald was med flighted to Mayo Eau Claire, while his passenger, 66yr old Rebecca Issacs of Menomonie was transported to Advent Health in Durand. After an investigation, Wald was arrested on Operating While Intoxicated, 6 Offense, and Operating After Revocation.

The Durand Arkansaw School Board has approved a new policy regarding staff communication with students. Staff will not be allowed to use personal cell phones to contact students. Superintendent Ryan Nelson says the new policy tightens up the current ways staff communicates with students. State law is requiring school districts to come up with new policies regarding cell phone use among students and staff.

The city of Menomonie is receiving a one-million-dollar grant to help build a new city well. Governor Tony Evers announced the funding, which came from the Community Development Block Grant program. It comes after Menomonie's water system faced challenges this summer, including the city water towers nearly running out.

The Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents approved two major University of Wisconsin-River Falls capital project requests. The projects are included in the capital budget request which will be delivered to the state Department of Administration for consideration by the governor and legislature as part of the 2027-2029 biennial budget. The request includes construction funding for a new 48,000 Square Foot Plant Science Discovery Center to replace the aging greenhouse facility and planning and design funding for the renewal of the Agricultural Sciences Complex. Together, the projects represent UW-River Falls top capital budget priority.

The Eau Claire City-County Health Department is reporting cases of whooping cough. The cases include children and adults in the area. The health department says whooping cough can be treated with antibiotics. They also encourage residents to get the whooping cough vaccine.

Another UW-System campus joins the Direct Admit program. UW-Eau Claire has joined the program that allows eligible graduating high school students directly into UW-System universities without having to go through an application process. The hope is to help bolster enrollment at the Universities. Enrollment has been flat across the system, but was up at nine of the 13 Universities in 2025. Eau Claire, Madison and La Crosse did not join the program at its inception in 2024.

Chippewa Falls officials are revealing three finalists for the city administrator position. The City Council selected Rebeca Glewen, Cassandra Hiller, and Dana Schoening as candidates. Interviews are tentatively scheduled for September 8th.

The Town of Shelby is considering removing fluoride from its municipal water. Community members and health experts discussed the topic during public comment session yesterday held by the town's Sanitary District Commission. The commission didn't vote on the matter.

Drought conditions continue to expand across Western Wisconsin. According to the latest drought monitor moderate drought conditions are being reported in Pepin, Buffalo, Dunn and Eau Claire Counties, while severe drought conditions are being reported in the western 2/3rds of Pierce County. While some rain fell overnight, dry conditions are expected into the weekend and next week.

State health officials are linking a foodborne illness outbreak to Minnesota-grown alfalfa sprouts. At least 23 Minnesotans have contracted E. coli or salmonella, with two hospitalized. Wisconsin has identified another 18 cases and no deaths are linked to the outbreak. The affected sprouts were sold under the Everything Sprouts and Calco brands at grocery stores and restaurants. State health officials are urging consumers to discard products from both brands while the investigation continues.

Law enforcement is stepping up efforts to keep impaired drivers off the road. The annual "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign runs now through September 7th, with State Patrol and local agencies increasing enforcement statewide. Officials say nearly 7,000 crashes involving alcohol or drugs have been reported in Wisconsin this year, accounting for about one-third of all traffic deaths. Drivers are urged to plan ahead with a designated driver or rideshare. Authorities also remind the public to call 911 if they spot a suspected impaired driver.

A former sheriff’s deputy faces charges for misusing Flock Safety cameras. Frank McGrath faces two counts of misconduct in public office. Prosecutors allege an internal Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office audit showed McGrath using the automated camera system to track a co-worker in fall of 2025. Those findings were forwarded to other Racine County deputies for an investigation. McGrath resigned in December after being put on administrative leave and faces up to 7 years in prison if convicted on both charges. The Sheriff’s Office has announced new policies requiring personnel to document Flock use and reasoning for it, reducing data retention from 30 to 7 days and requiring additional training.

Scammers have been convincing Wisconsinites to hand over their savings in gold bars at an alarming rate. Lisa Schiller with the Better Business Bureau of Wisconsin says this is a grooming scam where crooks make it seem as if they are the only people the victim can trust. In one case, the victim was strung along for three months while the scammers bled them dry of their entire life savings. Original reporting put losses at around 3 million dollars, but the F B I says 13 victims have now lost a combined 5 point 3 million dollars in Wisconsin alone.

Post primary polling and a debate in the race for Wisconsin governor. Marquette University Law School will release results of its first statewide survey after Wisconsin’s primary elections on Wednesday, August 26. Democrat Milwaukee County Executive Daivid Crowley faces Republican 7th District Congressman Tom Tiffany in the race to succeed two-term Democratic Governor Tony Evers. The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association debate is scheduled for Friday, October 9th at 7 p.m. hosted by Milwaukee PBS with radio and television stations from across Wisconsin participating in production.

Minnesota governor candidate Mike Lindell says he will pay for a Republican primary recount. Lisa Demuth defeated Lindell by more than 45-thousand votes. Lindell must submit an official request and cover the estimated 825-thousand-dollar cost by Monday. However, the Secretary of State's Office says it has not received a request. Lindell alleges unverified electronic reporting irregularities and wants every ballot counted by hand.

The Department of Natural Resources is sweetening the deal for meat processors that take donated deer. The D N R announced Wednesday it will increase the payouts it offers for each deer that's handled by a processor to 125 dollars per deer, or 135 per deer if C W D testing is required. That's up from the previous 100 per deer the agency was offering before. Since the program's inception in 2000, hunters have donated over 100-thousand deer, which is over 4 million pounds of venison sent to local food banks. You can find a local store to donate to online at DNR dot WI dot Gov. 

Local-Regional News Aug 20

 

One person is dead and another injured after a one vehicle accident in Martell Township on Sunday. According to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, a vehicle was traveling westbound on Hwy 29, when the vehicle crossed Hwy 63 and struck a tree. The vehicle started on fire. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, while passenger, 30yr old Jhulissa Sarango Minga of Hudson was taken to River Falls area hospital. The driver of the vehicle has not been identified.

The Durand-Arkansaw School Board has approved a new policy on the use of cell phones by Middle and High School Students. Durand-Arkansaw Superintendent Ryan Nelson says the new policy is following a new state law on the use of cell phones by students.

Shortly after the new flock cameras were installed in Pepin County earlier this summer, 2 of the three were vandalized. Pepin County Sheriff Joel Wener says both the cameras on Hwy 10 were vandalized. The cameras have since been reinstalled and now have additional cameras on the to monitor the area around them to prevent vandalism.

The renovation project of the Band Shell at Memorial Park is beginning. During last nights Music in the Park, Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren announced to the crowd that site work around the band shell will begin later this month, with the hope of having the project done in time for next years fun fest. The fundraising effort for the project does continue and for more information contact Durand City Hall.

No one was injured in a garage fire in Fountain City on Wednesday. According to the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Department, firefighters from Fountain City, Waumandee and Winona responded to the fire at W800 Hwy 95 in the City of Fountain City. Firefighters were able to keep the fire contained to the garage and no one was in the home at the time of the blaze. A dump truck inside the garage sustained extensive damage and is believed to be the cause of the fire.

Lake City residents will notice more truck traffic around Cross Street today and paving operations will begin today. The city announced that Monarch Paving will pave Cross street today and tomorrow from Hwy 63, to West Lakewood Avenue. There will be travel and parking restrictions during the paving operation.

An Eau Claire man is pleading guilty to sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. Ray Jackson entered a guilty plea to second-degree sexual assault of a child and child enticement. Authorities say Jackson lured the girl into a portable toilet near the Forest Street Community Garden in May 2024 before sexually assaulting her. A sentencing hearing is set for January 19th of next year.

Bond is set for two men charged in a shooting in La Crosse. Police say Joseph Bechtel and Brandon Stansell followed a car full of teens on Monday night to one of the teen's homes. Bechtel pulled a gun and the weapon fired when the teen's parents tried to take it from him. No injuries were reported. Bechtel is being held on a one-thousand dollar cash bond, while Stansell is being held on a 25-hundred dollar signature bond.

A new Oxbow Park campground is opening near Rochester on September 1st. The site includes 42 electric campsites and four heated cabins. Amenities include electricity, water hookups and Wi-Fi. Campsites cost 35 dollars nightly, while cabins cost 75 dollars. The three-million-dollar campground replaces a lower site that repeatedly flooded in 2019.

Watch out for fake products on websites like Walmart and Amazon. Lisa Schiller with the Better Business Bureau of Wisconsin says items listed on those sites can be from third parties, who simply pay to get an item listed. "Always look out for the too good to be true prices." Poorly worded or misspelled item listings could be a sign of a scammer, as can AI generated pictures and text. If you hit purchase on that item, the fake company or item might simply vanish a few days later and you'll never get a delivery. Be sure to dispute the purchase with the retailer, so you're not out the money you spent.

A new ordinance proposed to the Winnebago County Board is looking to stop the expansion of license plate reader cameras in the county. The ordinance asks the board to pass a law that would reduce law enforcement's access to the cameras. The proposal says the cameras would only be allowed for parking enforcement, access to controlled areas and weigh stations, with data being deleted after 90-days. Winnebago County Sheriff John Matz wants to keep his departments 15 Flock cameras, adding the tech has helped track down carjackers, child exploitation suspects and more. The proposal is set to be reviewed by the Winnebago County Board's Judicial and Safety Committee.

Epic Systems wants to use AI to predict your future health. The Verona-based maker of the MyChart health records system wants to use millions of patients’ medical data and let AI handle possible diagnosis. That announcement was part of Tuesday's annual User Group Meeting at Epic. Epic officials say using their own AI system will help keep patients and doctors from using Claude or ChatGPT, which are not secure for medical information.

A polling company shuts down after fabricating results leading up to Wisconsin’s primary election. A poll by Median Strategies claimed Madison Democrat Francesca Hong had a 23-point lead over Democrat David Crowley of Milwaukee who ended up winning by just over 3-thousand votes. It turns out the poll by Median Strategies was bogus and created as a social experiment. It kind of fell flat in Wisconsin as most media here didn't use those numbers that actually were pretty close to the legitimate polls. Median Strategies however has created a fuss in LA's upcoming mayoral run-off, predicting a big win for Incumbent Karen Bass which the Bass campaign posted on their website. It's since been removed.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is taking legal action to bring an ICE agent accused in a shooting in Minneapolis back to the state. The lawsuit is connected to the extradition of Christian Castro, who was charged in Minneapolis during Operation Metro Surge. The defendant is charged with second-degree assault and falsely reporting a crime linked to the January 14th shooting that injured Julio Sosa-Celis. Castro remains behind bars in Texas on a 200 thousand dollar bond.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is reminding people to keep young wildlife wild. DNR Captive Wildlife Health Specialist Jenna Fastner says it's common for young animals to be alone while parents are nearby, so seeing one by itself doesn't mean it's orphaned. Fastner says people should avoid touching or approaching young wildlife, since human interaction can harm the animal and even attract predators. If you're concerned, observe from a distance and contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for advice.

Local-Regional News Aug 19

 

The Pepin County Sheriff’s Department has installed three flock cameras in the county. Pepin County Sheriff Joel Wener says a private donation of $10,000 for the next three years paid for the installation of the cameras. While the donation for the cameras was private, Wener says the department did notify the Pepin County Law Enforcement Committee about the cameras.  During last months law enforcement committee meeting some members of the public asked the committee to void the contract with Flock. Wener said he believes the committee will be having more discussions on the cameras at future meetings.

The Durand-Arkansaw School Board is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include a public hearing on a waiver to start school before September 1^st, 2027, consideration of the Library Lease with the city of Durand, and reports from the superintendent and building administrators. Tonights meeting begins at 6pm in the board room at Durand-Arkansaw High School.

The Tarrant Park Pool in Durand closes on Sunday. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says with school starting, staffing becomes an issue.  Those that have extra card punches for the pool can donate them to other families to use before the pool closes on Sunday.

The Mondovi City Council is looking at finishing some landscaping at Mirror Lake Park. Mondovi Mayor Brady Weiss says the landscaping would be around the new Nancy Polzer Pavallion.  The city hopes to get that completed either this fall or next spring.

The Buffalo County Sheriff’s Department is reporting a phone scam. Yesterday, the department received reports of residents receiving calls from an individual claiming to be a member of the department. The department wants to remind residents the department will never ask you for sensitive personal or financial information. If you receive a call or believe you are a target of this scam, you are to call the sheriff’s department directly at 608-685-4433 to verify whether a deputy or dispatch is attempting to contact you.

An Altoona man is free on bond, but facing charges including child porn possession and invasion of privacy. Police sat that 33-year-old Adam Price was found to be in possession of child sex abuse materials and that he also recorded people on video without their consent as they used the bathroom in his home. Reports say Price has admitted to the allegations.

Charges filed against a suspect accused of making threats against a St. Croix County church are being dropped. The Faith Community Church in Hudson received a hoax bomb threat back in April. Bryant Camp was subsequently charged with making terrorist threats and causing a bomb scare. Prosecutors have agreed to drop the charges down the line if Camp continues psychiatric treatment.

Two men are in custody after a Monday night shooting incident in La Crosse. Police say a group of men in a vehicle followed teens in a car with complaints about how the young people were driving. The teens drove to the home of one of their parents and the suspects followed. At the home, two of the men got out of their car and argued with a parent. There was a struggle over a firearm that was in the possession of one of the suspects and the weapon went off. No one was hit. Joseph Bechtel and Brandon Stansell were arrested for recklessly endangering safety.

In La Crosse County on Monday, ground was broken on a new commercial dive training center. The J.F. Brennan Company facility in the Village of French Island will be a first-of-its-kind center and will feature a 25-foot-tall dive tank in addition to space for classroom instruction. Students will learns skills needed for underwater construction, welding, inspection and more.

More cases are being confirmed in the southwestern Wisconsin measles outbreak. The Grant County Health Department says two new cases have been linked to dozens of others in Lafayette and Iowa counties, bringing the number of cases in the area to 36. There are also three probable cases that officials are looking into. Public health leaders are working to identify others who may have been infected from exposure, although no exposure sites have been listed as of yet.

The Wisconsin State Patrol is calling for school bus safety as students prepare to head back to class. State troopers say there were 655 crashes involving school buses across the Badger State last year, an increase from the year before. On top of that, there were more than 13-hundred traffic convictions for drivers who failed to stop for a school bus. A state patrol official told WMTV-15 many drivers are thinking where they need to go, instead of where they are, like a school zone.

Madison's city attorney has determined that the Office of the Independent Police Monitor can't access records related to the police shooting death of Corey Ruiz. The city attorney said the records can't be accessed until the state's investigation is complete. Ruiz was shot and killed by Madison Police Officer Kile Baitinger-Peterson during a struggle with police on July 22nd. City Attorney Michael Haas issued a formal legal opinion on August 15th addressing a subpoena the monitor's office sent to MPD requesting records from the incident. Haas said state law gives priority to the outside investigation being conducted by the Department of Justice's Division of Criminal Investigations.

A bipartisan US House bill could address an immigration status backlog. Eastern Wisconsin Congressman Glenn Grothman and California’s Lou Correa have introduced the PERM Backlog Reduction Act, which they say will reduce costly delays in the Department of Labor's Program Electronic Review Management system. Employers use the PERM system to obtain permanent labor certifications required for certain permanent employment-based immigration petitions. Rep. Grothman explained, “The PERM Backlog Reduction Act provides employers with an optional, self-funded way to receive timely decisions while giving the Department of Labor the resources it needs to reduce backlogs and modernize the system.” More details on the PERM Backlog Reduction Act can be found at Grothman.House.gov.

A vandalized Flock camera hampers investigators in a Lincoln County hit-and-run crash . An unidentified man was hospitalized after being hit by a southbound vehicle along County Road K outside Merrill early Sunday morning. Officers say they were able to collect some evidence at the scene, but won't get any help from a nearby FLOCK camera- it was recently vandalized and not in service at the time of the incident. They're looking for a larger vehicle, possibly a pickup, that has a damaged passenger side rear-view mirror.

A federal judge is rejecting the Trump administration's demand for Minnesota voter data. Judge Katherine Menendez dismissed the Justice Department's lawsuit on Monday. The department sought an unredacted voter list containing birth dates and partial Social Security numbers. Menendez ruled the Civil Rights Act and Help America Vote Act do not authorize the demand. The Justice Department disagrees with the ruling and says it is assessing its next steps.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is looking for volunteers to teach hunting skills across the state. The DNR says becoming a volunteer instructor offers a chance to shape the future of hunting in Wisconsin, gain hands-on teaching experience and work with DNR staff. Volunteer opportunities are available statewide for instructors of all experience levels. Volunteer opportunities include Outdoor Skills programs, which teach specific skills like shooting basics, processing deer, dog training and cooking wild game. The Learn to Hunt Program allows volunteers to host educational mentored hunts outside of the normal hunting season.

Local-Regional News Aug 18

 

A Durand man was arrested last month in connection with vandalism to flag displays in the city. 32Yr old Austin Novak of Durand was arrested on July 31^st after the Pepin County Sheriff’s Department received reports of a man tearing down America Flags from multiple locations in the City of Durand. According to the criminal complaint officers talked with a witness who saw a man tearing down a flag at the Dairy Queen and was able to get a picture of the man on their phone. The witness also said the man ripped the mini flags at the corner of Hwy 10-85. Dairy Queen also submitted surveillance footage of the man tearing down the flag. Officers also found two broken flag poles and torn flags on Main Street near 3^rd and 4^th Ave East. After an investigation, officers located Novak at his apartment on Main Street. Novak said he was just “expressing himself” and was arrested. He has been charged with 2 counts of Criminal Damage To Property and one county of Disorderly Conduct. He is currently released on a $350 cash bond and will have his next court appearance on September 15^th.

As the City of Durand prepares for the 2027 budget, heath insurance costs may be higher. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the city was notified health insurance costs could rise between 12-15%.  The city will begin working on the next budget starting in September and October.

The Dunn County Sheriff’s Department is reporting a phone scam involving the families of inmates at the Dunn County Jail. The caller identifies themselves as a Dunn County Correctional Officer or Deputy and they request funds for either a cash bond or electronic monitoring so the family member can be released. This is a scam. The sheriff’s department believes the scammers are using data from outside websites to obtain incarcerated individuals information. If you receive a call like this, hang up and do not give out any personal information.

The City of Menomonie is extending its irrigation ban until the end of October. The ban was first put into place last month when the city's water supply began running low. The supply has been replenished, but leaders want to make sure they don't invite the previous problem to return. The ban applies to automatic sprinkler systems and not to resident who water their lawns and gardens manually.

Motorists in Buffalo County are reminded that Hwy B from Hwy 37 to Hwy 88 is closed to all traffic for a re-construction project. The reconstruction is expected to continue through the rest of the summer. The highway department will also begin seal coating projects on parts of Hwy C, F, X, XX and Z from Aug 24-26^th. Motorists should plan accordingly and expect possible delays during that seal coating.

Buffalo County Residents that haven't applied for aid after this April's floods, you still have a little time. Wisconsin Emergency Management spokesperson Katie Rousonelos (ROO so nel OUS) says FEMA will close their application process at the end of August. Officials from either organization will look over your application and may send someone to inspect any damage if it hasn't been repaired already. If that's the case, make sure you have receipts to show what work was done. You can apply online at Disaster Assistance dot Gov. Over 60 million dollars has been distributed to Wisconsin businesses and residents so far.

Gas prices are trending higher this week in Western Wisconsin. Triple-A reports the average price of regular fuel in Western Wisconsin was now three-95 per gallon -- 13 cents-per-gallon higher than the price one week ago. The average cost of a gallon of regular fuel in the State of Wisconsin is now three-89 per gallon -- five cents more than it was last week.

The Universities of Wisconsin are pledging a four-year tuition freeze for the 2027 thru 2029 school years. The pledge is contingent on the state agreeing to invest 190-million dollars to support the cost of the proposal. The Universities of Wisconsin system includes 13 public universities across the state.

More than a dozen Minnesota communities are rethinking their use of Flock cameras. Cameras have been vandalized in at least seven communities. Sherburne County, North Branch, Winona and Duluth are the latest to end or suspend their programs. Five other jurisdictions previously ended or paused their use of the technology. Officials cite costs, possible abuse, state-law compliance and concerns about public trust.

Data center debate continues in Wisconsin Rapids where Mayor Matt Zacher (zacker) says city staff are working on a 12-month moratorium on new developments. However that won't stop an application from PNK Industries for a 150 megawatt hyperscale data center. "We don't want the city getting sued if at all possible, so we have to figure out the best way forward.” Zacher says he’s trying to be as front-facing as possible through his weekly chats at the city library, which have at times turned heated. The La Crosse City council last week approved a temporary block on any data centers entering the community, joining a growing list of local governments hitting the pause button. AI data center developments also look to be a major issue in the race for governor.

Tech company Oracle abruptly drops its legal challenge to data center utility rate changes. The company filed a complaint in June after the Wisconsin Public Service Commission approved a plan requiring data centers to post cash or property as assurance each month they are in service if their bond rating drops below an A minus. The company argued that could cost Oracle over 100 million dollars a year. But on Monday, Oracle dropped the complaint with little statement. S and P Global Ratings, a business credit agency, has rated Oracle at a B B B minus, its lowest rating for any company it recommends investment in.

Doctors are raising concerns about new childhood vaccine recommendations from the Trump administration. UW Health Immunization Program Medical Director Dr. Jim Conway says the changes could create confusion for parents heading into the school year and add to declining trust in public health. He says families should rely on healthcare providers and established medical organizations for vaccine information, rather than social media. Last week, President Trump signed an executive order recommending the M-M-R vaccine be given as three separate shots.

Watch out for fake AI images and videos online. Lisa Schiller with the Better Business Bureau of Wisconsin says criminals are increasingly using AI technology to confuse victims. Scammers have been using AI to mimic loved ones over the phone to creating entirely phony products online and even selling fake timeshares to people. The number of scams reported to the BBB jumped by 238 compared to last year, with victims losing on average over 55-hundred dollars. Schiller says, as always, keep a skeptical mind when people start asking you for money over the phone or social media.

Bonus antlerless deer tags are on sale for the fall hunt in Wisconsin. Tags are available through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Go Wild system. Sales are staggered by management zone during the first three days, with all remaining authorizations available statewide beginning August 20th. Hunters logging into Go Wild will be randomly assigned a place in a virtual queue. Hunters should know their deer management unit and whether they'll hunt on public or private land before purchasing. Bonus tags cost $12 for residents and are available until sold out.

Wisconsin's capital city is among the better places for pets to live. Finance website WalletHub recently ranked the 100 biggest cities in the U.S. based on nearly two dozen metrics and ranked them based on pet friendliness. That includes health and wellness and access to the outdoors. Madison ranked 47th in the country and received its highest praise in the health and outdoor categories. Milwaukee was ranked much lower in the study, coming in at 98th overall.

Local-Regional News Aug 17

 

The Durand Fire District has received a grant to upgrade their radios. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren, who attended the last meeting of the District says the grant is an 80-20 grant.  Milliren informed the city council of the grant during the Mayor’s report at last weeks council meeting.

The Mondovi City Council has approved the purchase of some predator decoys to help control the geese. Mondovi Mayor Brady Weiss says the decoys are similar to some decoys he is currently using.  The city has also approved a goose hunt in the city in September.

Alma residents could see higher water rates. The City of Alma has applied with the Wisconsin Public Services Commission to raise water rates by nearly 104%. The two part proposal would have a rate increase to cover the cost of water plant equipment and increased operating costs since the last rate increase in 2017. The city would also like to have fire protection removed from property taxes and put on water bills. A public hearing on the proposal will be held September 2^nd at 2pm via zoom and written comments can be submitted at the Public Services Commission website.

In Dunn County, traffic came to a stop for a time Saturday on I-94 when a trailer came unhinged from a semi-cab. The driver was heading eastbound when -- around 2 p.m. -- the trailer detached, rolled across a median and came to a stop on its side on westbound 94. Traffic was stopped for two hours while crews removed the trailer. No one was hurt.

A suspect is in custody following a Friday home invasion in Chippewa County. Bloomer Police say video shows a suspect entering a home through a broken glass door and carrying a scoped long rifle. Residents of the home escaped the scene. The suspect was arrested Saturday in Rusk County.

More questions have emerged about a state Senate candidate in western Wisconsin. Voting records show Michele Magadance Skinner has voted in both Wisconsin and Georgia in recent years. She's a Republican Eau Claire County supervisor who is challenging incumbent Democrat Jeff Smith in the 31st state Senate District. The State Journal reports online voting records showed Skinner voted absentee in Wisconsin in the November 2020 election and 2 weeks later, she registered to vote in Georgia using her family's lake house as her address and voted in a high stakes federal run off election for US Senate in Georgia in January of 2021. Skinner last year also reportedly claimed primary residence in both Wisconsin and Georgia.

The City of Red Wing has opened a new bike trail. The trail runs from He Mni Can-Barn Bluff and Colville Park. The new segment of the Riverfront Tail has been worked on for the last 10yrs and was funded by private donations and federal grants. A grand opening for the new trail is planed in the next few months.

Pace International is turning tariff refunds into bonuses for its employees. The company received 120-thousand dollars for tariffs the U.S. Supreme Court ruled illegal. Pace gave one-thousand-dollar bonuses to most of its 100 employees on July 22nd. New hires also received bonuses, although the company did not disclose their amounts. Company leaders say employees earned the money by helping Pace adapt to changes in its technology business.

A new poll shows Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley with an early lead in the Wisconsin governor's race. The Badger Battleground Poll of 500 likely November voters shows the Democrat with 48 percent of the vote, compared to Republican Congressman Tom Tiffany's 44 percent. The survey also showed Crowley being favored by Independents and college grads and having a favorability rating of 43 percent. Tiffany's favorability rating was 38 percent.

Wisconsin is receiving more than 140-million-dollars in federal funding for rail improvements. The state DOT will receive the funds to overhaul up to 41 Charger locomotives serving Amtrak routes in the Midwest and Pacific Northwest. Amtrak's Hiawatha line between Milwaukee and Chicago will also receive new trainsets to help meet growing demand. The award comes as part of a nearly five-and-a-half-billion-dollar federal investment aimed at improving rail safety, upgrading infrastructure, and reducing delays nationwide.

Over 160-thousand dollars in fake checks were used at businesses in Dane County. Police said a father-son duo were caught using them to buy luxury cars at a Madison dealership. Police released a photo of what one of the checks looked like and are encouraging businesses who received similar checks to call the MPD non-emergency line. Employees at Trust N Ride Auto Sales & Repairs reported the situation to police last month after the suspects tried to buy their third BMW in three days using checks. Officers arrested a 33-year-old man and his 18-year-old son.

Drought conditions continue this week across Minnesota and Wisconsin. The latest update from the U.S. Drought Monitor released on Thursday shows that more than 90 percent of Wisconsin and 88-percent of Minnesota is seeing some type of drought conditions. Most of Western Wisconsin is experiencing moderate drought conditions, while Northwest Wisconsin and Eastern and northeastern portions of Minnesota are seeing the worst conditions, where severe drought is present.

Too many recreational vehicle users are not heeding the message when it comes to safety. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources off-highway vehicle administrator Lieutenant Jacob Holsclaw says that includes using seatbelts and wearing helmets for UTV riders. Failure to use helmets and seatbelts are the primary causes of Wisconsin’s worst in the nation 29 fatal ATV/UTV incidents so far in 2026. Records show 13 fatalities involved ATVs and 16 involved UTVs, with the top three types of fatal crashes being rollovers, collision with a motor vehicle and ejections.

More land added to Wisconsin's most popular state park. The Natural Resources Board unanimously approved addition of 37 acres of land to Devil's Lake State Park. The new addition is the one of the last sections of private land still inside the park borders. The addition will allow the state to create public access to the park through Tower Road on the east side of the property.

Madison's Capitol Square joins other must-see Wisconsin attractions The Wisconsin State Capitol and Capitol Square are named a "Wonder of Wisconsin" by Travel Wisconsin and Governor Tony Evers. The designation highlights both the historic Capitol building and the surrounding square, home to popular events like the Dane County Farmers' Market, Concerts on the Square, and Taste of Madison. The Capitol's architecture, history, and panoramic views make it a standout attraction. The Capitol joins 11 other Wisconsin landmarks on the Wonders of Wisconsin list, including Devil's Lake, the Apostle Islands, and Lambeau Field.

Local-Regional News Aug 14

 

The Durand City Council approved a resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of $549,000 in Sewer and Water Revenue Bonds. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the money is coming from the State of Wisconsin Clean Water program.  The water filtration plant project should be completed by this fall.

The City of Mondovi will be allowing goose hunting within the city limits again this fall. Mondovi Mayor Brady Weiss says the hunt is an effective way to control the goose population in the city.  Hunters must be licensed and follow all WI hunting regulations. Hunters also need to register with the city at city hall.

The Plum City School District is looking at expanding its Little Blues Program. The program currently offers care for kids 2 ½ to 13yrs old before and after school. The program is considering expanding to offer services to children younger than 2/12 yrs old. The School District is asking for the community to fill out a survey to determine the need for care and what ages. Plum City School District residents can find the survey at the Plum City School District Facebook Page.

The Buffalo-Pepin County ADRC is once again offering a Stepping On Class. The 7 week class helps elderly adults avoid falls and stay independent. Studies show that the class can reduce falls by 31 percent. The class will start on October 6^th at Emplify Health in Mondovi. Call the Buffalo-Pepin County ADRC at 866-578-2372 or visit their facebook page to register.

The City of Menomonie is considering extending the lawn watering ban in the city. Currently the city has a ban in place until August 18 due to the low water levels the city water system is facing. A proposal to extend that ban until October 31^st.   The Menomonie City Council is expected to discuss the proposal on Monday.

One person was injured in a motocycle vs car accident in Wanamingo Township on Wednesday. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, 35yr old Phillip Carl Breidall of Goodhue was traveling southbound on Hwy 57 when a northbound vehicle turned onto the Hwy 52 ramp and the two vehicles collided. Breidall was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital with life-threatening injuries. The other driver was not hurt.

The City of Eau Claire's City Council approved new ordinances during Tuesday's meeting. The city council approved a proposed ordinance that modernizes their compositing rules, expanding safe opportunities for residential and community compositing, and divert organic waste from local landfills. It's set to take effect on January 1st. Meanwhile, the council also approved a one-point-three-million dollar construction contract for the next round of Carson Park upgrades. The plans includes construction of a new bathroom and retail space behind the first base bleachers, with work expected to begin in a couple of weeks and finished before the start of next season.

La Crosse Common Council is approving an 18-month moratorium on the development of data centers in the city. Such centers have generated concerns regarding things like energy demands, economic and health impacts and safety. La Crosse County approved a similar moratorium in June.

More measles cases are being confirmed in southwestern Wisconsin. The Department of Health Services says there are now 15 confirmed cases in Iowa and Lafayette counties, while there are also six probable cases. This after there were just two cases as of Tuesday, and officials believe there are more active cases in the community. No hospitalizations have been reported so far with this outbreak, and no exposure locations have been mentioned.

A Wisconsin Rapids lawmaker wants to know what caused a delay in voting results in Milwaukee. Election officials say results were delayed because of some missing USB sticks, with five of the nine flash drives needing to be re-downloaded because of human error. More specifically, it was described as the wrong button being pressed. State Rep. Scott Krug called for further explanation of the matter, saying he plans to ask for a detailed report from election leaders in Milwaukee.

The last dogs at Ridglan Farms are now out of the facility. Big Dog Ranch Rescue says the final 155 dogs were released from Blue Mounds, most of which being puppies believed to be just a few months old. This departure marks the end of a mission by rescue groups to have all dogs leave Ridglan Farms, a mission that began back in April. Big Dog Ranch Rescue mentioned it has rescued more than 21-hundred beagles from the facility to date.

AI-powered scams are surging in Wisconsin and costing victims far more money. The Better Business Bureau reports that from January through July, reports of AI-related scams jumped 238% compared to the same period last year. The average loss climbed from about $778 to more than $5500. The BBB says scammers are using AI tools like voice cloning, deepfake videos and fake investment platforms to appear legitimate. Officials urge consumers to verify claims independently and avoid sharing personal or financial information with unexpected contacts.

One person is dead and others are injured after a two-vehicle crash in Wood County. Authorities received a report of the incident Wednesday night. An initial investigation shows a vehicle traveling at a high speed didn't stop at a stop sign and hit a pickup truck that was hauling a horse trailer. The driver of the car, 16-year-old Jacob Stoflet, suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead Thursday. The three occupants from the pickup truck were taken to the hospital, and the incident is under investigation.

Post-primary questions about Wisconsin’s premier political poll. Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley narrowly defeated high-polling Francesca Hong in Tuesday night's Democratic primary for governor. Marquette Poll Director Charles Franklin says they correctly placed Hong's support at around 39 percent, while the 34 percent of undecideds in the final poll prior to Election Day broke strongly for Crowley. Franklin also points to unprecedented turnout for a primary. More than 790-thousand Democrats cast a ballot, eclipsing the 640-thousand in the 2024 US Senate primary.

The Interstate 94 project in Milwaukee may not be finished until 2035. That's according to a new report from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, which noted the relocations of utilities could cause the project to be delayed by two years. The Journal Sentinel reports there's also a new cost estimate for the project that climbs above one-point-seven-billion dollars, a nearly four percent increase from February's estimate. DOT officials noted the delay is not certain and several factors play into the project timeline.

The Wisconsin State Fair's Blue Ribbon Livestock Auction raised more than $405,000 this year. The auction supports young exhibitors and youth programs across the state. Foundation President Jenny Gehl says the excitement at the event is unlike anything else. The auction featured 38 animals and generated funding for scholarships, youth grants, and exhibitor recognition programs.