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 31st 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 3rd and 4th 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 15th.
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 24-26th. 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.
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