Local-Regional News May 18

 

The City of Durand will spend just over $100,000 to make some needed repairs to the waste water treatment plant. The city will be using money that was deposited over 20yrs ago into the Local Government Savings Account program. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the money was deposited for sewer projects.  The city hopes to have the repairs done by the fall.

The City of Mondovi would prefer the four corners intersection in downtown be re-constructed during the Hwy 10 reconstruction project. The WI Department of Transportation is considering reconstructing the intersection during the Hwy 37 project. Mondovi Mayor Brady Weiss says the city would prefer to keep the intersection open during the Hwy 37 project.  Hwy 37 south of the four corners is to be reconstructed in 2027 and the Hwy 10 project to start in 2030.

Two people were hospitalized after a Friday night head-on collision in Trempealeau County. The accident happened shortly before 10 p.m. on State Road 121 and involved a car and a minivan. Authorities say the car was traveling eastbound in a westbound lane when it hit the SUV. Both drivers were injured. The injuries suffered by the driver of the car are described as serious.

The United States Postal Service released the Bald Eagle: Hatchling to Adult Forever stamps during a ceremony at the National Eagle Center amphitheater on Thursday. Illustrated by wildlife artist David Sibley, the five unique designs depict the eagle from its time as a hatchling to adulthood.

A facility that offers services to those impacted by homelessness in Eau Claire is receiving funding through a newly-announced grant. The Day Resource Center began operations last December in the city's downtown area and offers showers, laundry machines and other services to those in need. The facility is receiving 600-thousand dollars through the Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council and the One Better Way Campaign.

In La Crosse County, an August 7th sentencing date has been set for Josie Dikeman. Dikeman was convicted Friday in the 2023 death of her boyfriend's six-year-old son A.J. Jurors convicted the defendant on charges including 1st-Degree Reckless Homicide, Chronic Neglect of a Child resulting in death and Physical Abuse of a Child.

A Western Wisconsin school official is still employed after pleading guilty to embezzling nearly 200-thousand dollars from her previous school district. Danielle Mittermeier pled guilty to stealing from the Alma Center-Humbird-Merrillan School District after she was charged in January. The Cadott Community School District placed her on administrative leave when they were made aware of the indictment, but still works for them as of today. If convicted, she faces up to ten-years in prison and a 250-thousand dollar fine.

ATV and UTV riders need to get certified before hitting the trails. Anyone 12 or older, born after January first, 1988, must complete a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources approved safety course and carry proof while riding on public trails and some private lands. Many ATV/UTV crashes involve riders who never took a class. Safety courses, available online or in person focus on preventing accidents and building real-world skills. New rules also require seatbelts in UTVs and ban towing people on trails. More info can be found on the DNR's website.

A brown bat in Adams County has tested positive for rabies. Health officials are urging local citizens to make sure pets are vaccinated and to report suspicious animal behaviors to the health department. Rabies can be fatal if left untreated. The last rabies case in Adams County was reported in 2010.

The Madison V-A Hospital is receiving millions of dollars for infrastructure improvements and modernization projects. The Department of Veterans Affairs says the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital will receive more than eight-and-a-half million dollars in funding. This comes as part of a nationwide V-A investment to modernize health care facilities. Planned upgrades include ambulatory care, sterile processing, air handling, security, and energy improvements. Hospital leaders say the funding will keep the facility safe, efficient, and equipped to provide high-quality care for veterans.

Wisconsin's largest school districts ask state lawmakers to reconsider the $1.8 billion budget surplus allocation plan they rejected Wednesday. The proposal brokered by Democratic Governor Tony Evers and Republican legislative leaders would have provided over $600 million for funding of schools and special education programs. WISN-TV in Milwaukee reports that a Thursday statement from the school districts of Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha, Green Bay and Madison warned of immediate consequences due to the bill's failure. Milwaukee Public Schools Superintendent Brenda Cassellius told the station that special education costs that aren’t reimbursed by the state are taken from her district's general fund. MPS is currently in the midst of a $46 million budget deficit.

The McFarland Police Department is no longer moving forward with the purchase of automated license plate reader technology. ALPR, also known as flock cameras, allow the automated detection of license plates to help law enforcement identify stolen cars, as well as identify missing or endangered persons. Officials say the removal of the cameras will provide police with less data. The department is exploring alternative uses for the unspent funds put aside for the cameras.

A suspect is in custody following a deadly shooting in Rochester. The crime happened Thursday in the 900 block of 41st Street Northwest. Officers arrived at the scene and found 31-year-old Carlton Gardner with a gunshot wound near an apartment building. The man died later in the evening. Police say Derrel Williams was arrested and he faces homicide charges. Rochester authorities say the details of what led to the shooting are under investigation.

Wisconsin once again leads the nation when it comes to safely getting rid of unused prescription drugs. The Wisconsin Department of Justice says more than fifty-seven thousand pounds of unwanted prescriptions were collected during the spring Drug Take Back Day. That’s the tenth straight time Wisconsin has led the country. Attorney General Josh Kaul credits strong community participation and partnerships statewide. Since 2010, Wisconsin has collected nearly one-point-five million pounds of medications. There are more than five hundred permanent drop boxes available year-round across the state.