Local-Regional News March 3

 

The Dunn County Sheriff's Office is entering into an agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The deal will allow select deputies to serve federal detainers on individuals who are already in custody at the Dunn County Jail on local criminal charges. The deal does not grant deputies authority to enforce federal immigration laws or to participate in immigration enforcement activities such as arresting individuals based solely on suspected immigration status.

A candidate is throwing his hat in the ring to be Wabasha County’s next top cop.  Jason Bade announced his run for sheriff on Monday. Bade has been with Wabasha County Sheriff’s Office for 24 years, and has 29yrs experience in law enforcement. Sheriff Rodney Bartsh announced his retirement last week.

Three Durand-Arkansaw High School Students have advanced after a regional competition. SkillsUSA Wisconsin held the competition last Thursday and Friday in Menomonie. Ian Afdahl took first place in the Cabinetmaking category, while Brody Bechel, Korbin Bechel and Sam Bergeson took Second Place for Welding Fabrication. All three will now move on to the 53^rd annual Wisconsin SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference in Madison April 7-8^th. Founded in 1973, Wisconsin SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers, and industry representatives working together to ensure America has the skilled workforce needed to stay competitive.

The Dunn County Highway Department is implementing seasonal weight restrictions starting on Thursday. The restrictions are put in place during the spring thaw to help prevent roadways from damage caused by heavier loads traveling over them. Gross vehicle weight of 5 tons per axel with a maximum gross vehicle weight of 25 tons will be in effect. Once the ground has dried out, the restrictions will be lifted. Visit the Dunn County Website for a list of roads under the restrictions.

A Tennessee man convicted of kidnapping and assaulting a Holcombe teenager is learning his fate. Investigators say that -- in 2022 -- Trevor Blackburn drove to Wisconsin and kidnapped the then-15-year-old girl from her home. Blackburn pleaded no contest to charges of kidnapping and first-degree child sexual assault. He was sentenced yesterday to 30 years in prison.

Prison for a former Monroe County mental health nurse who engaged in sexual activity with a patient under her care. Melissa Knutson claimed in 2022 that she was raped by the patient, but did not report it due to fears of retaliation. She now acknowledges that was not the case. She has been convicted of charges including Misconduct in Public Office and Obstructing an Officer and been sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Administrators in the School District of La Crosse are broke ground Monday at the site of what will be a new elementary school. The ceremony took place at the former site of the Hogan Administrative Center. The new school will begin welcoming students in August of next year.

The cost to fill up at the pump has risen 23.2 cents per gallon over the last week here in Wisconsin and gas prices have also risen all across the country. That’s according to GasBuddy. Experts are saying it’s all due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The average price per gallon is still 4.8 cents lower than the average here in Wisconsin a year ago.

Members of the Wisconsin National Guard are playing a role in U.S. strikes on Iran. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, told reporters yesterday National Guard units are showing the "value of America's reserve forces," including Wisconsin's troops "operating in Kuwait and Iraq." A Wisconsin National Guard spokesperson confirmed it is deployed to the Middle East, but didn't provide any specifics.

The 62nd annual Eau Claire Farm Show begins today. The event at the Chippewa Valley Expo Center features more than 150 agricultural business vendors showcasing the latest products and equipment. Parking and admission are free for the event. The show runs through tomorrow.

The former principal at Sun Prairie West High School pleads not guilty for failing to report child abuse. Jennifer Ploeger appeared in Dane County Court Monday. She's charged with three misdemeanor counts for allegedly failing to report child abuse. As part of her conditions, she’s barred from contacting the school district or any child victims named in the complaint. Her case stems from the investigation that followed the arrest of former dean of students Robert Gilkey‑Meisegeier, who faces multiple charges related to child exploitation and recently pleaded guilty to federal child pornography charges. Ploeger was given a $500 signature bond and is due back in court on March 26.

Wisconsin drivers are being warned to watch out for a surge in phishing scams during National Consumer Protection Week. The Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles says scammers are posing as the DMV trying to trick people into clicking fake links or paying bogus “unpaid toll” or “DMV fee” charges. The DMV reminds residents Wisconsin has no tolls and they will never send urgent demands for money. They’re encouraging drivers to enroll in eNotify for alerts about any changes to their account. The DMV has also added new identity‑verification tools, comparing a customer’s selfie to the photo on file to reduce fraud.

A group of Democrats in the Wisconsin Legislature want to legalize assisted suicide for terminally ill adults. WTMJ radio obtained a co-sponsorship memo circulated by six Democrats in the Senate and Assembly. The proposed bill would let patients with less than six months to live request life‑ending medication. It would require a written request signed by the terminally ill patient and witnessed by at least one other person who can attest to the patient’s mental capacities and prove they are not being coerced. Providers could opt out but would be required to document requests and transfer medical records to a new provider if a terminally ill person chooses. Co‑sponsors have until March 5 to sign on. Similar measures have failed to advance in the Legislature, most recently in 2024.

Another successful year for the Wisconsin Department of Veteran Affair's Valentines for Veterans Program. The DVA says this year's program brought in more than 40‑thousand handmade valentines from across the country, and even Canada and Germany. Secretary James Bond says the response shows how strongly people still value veterans’ service. DVA staff and board members delivered the cards to residents at the state’s Veterans Homes and the Veterans Housing and Recovery Program in Union Grove. Each veteran got a gift bag filled with handmade cards from schools, scout troops, community groups, and individuals saying “thank you.”

Rochester Mayor Kim Norton will not run for a third term. The city's first female mayor says she plans to focus on family and travel. Norton is credited with gaining 100 million dollars in investments, improving city infrastructure and parks. She previously served on the Rochester school board and in the Minnesota House of Representatives.

A big hockey fan is buying the "X" from the Xcel Energy Center Rooftop Sign for 21 thousand dollars. The proceeds will benefit the Minnesota Wild Foundation, which supports youth hockey in the state. The single letter is about eight feet tall and eight feet wide. Despite its sitting atop the building for 25 years, it's in good condition.

Local-Regional News March 2

 

Police arrest a man who is accused of killing a woman in her camper at Wabasha County Campground. The 69-year-old suspect, Stanley Alan Munstermann, was arrested and charged with two counts of second-degree murder and one count of first-degree manslaughter. Munstermann's charges are in connection with the death of 66-year-old Barbara McBride-Law of Lakeville. She was found dead in her camper in southeastern Minnesota in August at Mac's Park Place in Mazeppa near Lake Zumbro.

The Mondovi Fire Department is reminding residents that the spring fire season is hear. The Department along with the Waumandee-Montana-Lincoln Fire Department responded to a wildfire over the weekend. The fire burned over a half acre. The dry conditions and strong winds present a recipe for potential large fires. No one was injured in the blaze.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is asking for public comment on planned repairs to two bridges on Highway 79 in Dunn County. The bridges are located in the Town of Tiffany and the Village of Boyceville. Both structures — one spanning the South Fork Hay River and one spanning Tiffany Creek — were built in the 1940s and 1950s and are showing signs of deterioration. The project will include replacing the bridge decks, repairing concrete and laying new asphalt. A public meeting is scheduled for tomorrow starting at 4:30 at the Boyceville Village Hall.

The Independence School Board President is facing charges after a January 22^nd incident at Colby Pharmacy in Whitehall. According to authorities, 58yr old Joe Bragger is charged with threats to injure, telephone harassment and disorderly conduct after the pharmacy and Mayo Clinic refused to pre-authorize a prescription. The felony charges carry a maximum of 6yr in prison and a $10,000 fine. An initial court appearance is set for March 17.

Aspirus Health says its new hospital in the Chippewa Valley is on pace for completion by September. The new facility in Chippewa Falls will be across the street from Fire Station #1 on Chippewa Crossing Boulevard. The hospital will feature an emergency department along with ten treatment rooms and ten inpatient beds.

Wisconsin DNR says they are collecting water samples for analysis after a manure spill in Trempealeau County. The spill was discovered Monday -- coming from farm fields into the Town of Gale and impacting a pair of Beaver Creek tributaries. Dead fish have been spotted in the water. Officials have not said when results on the water samples will be available.

A duplex fire in the 2100 block of Julie Avenue in Sparta killed one person and displaced another Saturday evening. According to the Sparta Area Fire District, the fire was reported around 6:48 p.m. When Chief Mike Arnold arrived, the front of the structure was fully engulfed with heavy fire. During a search of the home on person was found inside. Paramedics performed life-saving efforts, but they were unsuccessful. The home on the other side of the duplex sustained fire and smoke damage. The cause of that fire is under investigation.

More witnesses are testifying as the homicide trial of Zachary Fritz continues. Fritz is accused of killing his wife in June 2024 and claims he was mentally ill at the time. A clinical psychiatrist testified he evaluated Fritz three times and believes he did not lack substantial capacity to conform his conduct to the law. The psychiatrist also said Fritz appeared mentally stable for years, despite the defense noting other experts diagnosed him with bipolar one disorder. Fritz's trial is set to continue on March 9th.

Wisconsin is part of a group of ten states reaching a 100-million dollar settlement agreement with Walmart. The retailer was the subject of a multi-state lawsuit alleging that customers and drivers who took part in the company's Spark Driver Program were deceived. The suit alleged that drivers who worked through the company's home delivery program were misled on how much they would be paid and that customers were led to believe that 100-percent of tips would be passed on to delivery drivers when that wasn't always so.

Work to reconstruct WIS 35 in La Crosse is set to continue Monday. WisDOT said construction is taking place between the La Crosse/Vernon County line and Sunnyside Drive in La Crosse. Improvements include culvert replacements and bridge deck replacement of the Mormon Creek bridge. Drivers can expect to come across flagging operations and single lane closures with temporary traffic signals during box culvert replacement. Access to businesses and residences will be provided and maintained during construction.

State aid is on the way to prevent flooding around Wisconsin. Governor Tony Evers announced Thursday that the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs will provide $2.0 million in Pre-Disaster Flood Resilience Grants to 15 communities impacted by flooding in past years. The grant program created by Evers in 2024 helps implement strategies like reconnecting streams and floodplains and mitigating erosion hazards to prevent frequent flooding. Wisconsin Emergency Management administers the program and received 21 grant applications totaling over $2.6 million.

$250,000 in grant funding will help bolster Wisconsin's commercial driver workforce. The money comes through the state’s Commercial Driver Training Grant program and will help about 190 trainees earn their CDL—supporting high‑demand jobs like school bus, truck, and delivery drivers. The program, administered by the Department of Workforce Development, reimburses up to half of training costs and was renewed in the latest state budget through 2027. DWD leaders say the grants help meet ongoing demand, with more than 500 CDL‑required positions currently posted statewide.

A Central Wisconsin paper mill’s workforce is being downsized. Ahlstrom says after careful consideration and discussions, they will close the pulp mill at their Mosinee facility and idle their M2 and M3 machines, a move that could cost up to 200 jobs at the mill- which has been in use since the early 19 hundreds. Officials said the move does not reflect the quality of work from the facility, and they will be working with the impacted employees through the transition. Ahlstrom does plant to upgrade the two remaining lines at the facility, creating a more "agile and sustainable" mill for the future. The company's mill in the Fox Valley is not impacted.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is announcing changes to the 2026 elk hunting season. The DNR says the state will move to one continuous season from mid-October to mid-December. The Central Elk Management Zone quota rises to six bull and six antlerless elk. The Northern Zone quota is eight bull elk pending tribal declaration. Applications open March 1st and close at the end of May with more licenses available in parts of the state. Hunters can apply for one bull and one antlerless license.

Ice shanty's will need to be removed within the next few weeks. A natural resources representative says portable ones are still o.k. as long as they're removed when not in use. As the weather warms up -- ice becomes thin and will not be able to support the structures. For more details visit their website.