The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating Tuesday night’s fatal plane crash in Sauk County. The NTSB identifies the aircraft in which five adults and one child died as a single engine six seat Piper PA-46. Preliminary information has the plane at 24,000 feet when the pilot reported icing, requesting and receiving approval to descend from air traffic control. The aircraft entered a right descending turn that increased in rate until communications and data tracking were lost. Investigators will document the scene and examine the aircraft which will be recovered to a secure facility for further evaluation. NTSB investigations involve three primary areas: the pilot, the aircraft and the operating environment.
Durand Property owners should be receiving their new property assessments in the mail this week. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the re-assessments were required by state law. Those wanting to question their reassessments will have a chance to do so later this month and next month; contact Durand City Hall for dates and times of review meetings.
The Mondovi Bulk item pick up is tomorrow. Each residence is allowed two that can be lifted by hand and not exceed 50lbs. Acceptable items include furniture, mattresses and boxsprings. Unacceptable items include tires, computers, hide-a beds, or sofa-recliners. Items must be curbside by 6am tomorrow. For more information contact Mondovi City Hall.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court says it will hear an appeal on the competency of Shane Helmbrecht. Helmbrecht is charged with intentional homicide in the fatal shooting of his Eau Claire neighbor Jenn Ward in 2016. Helmbrecht had previously been found incompetent to stand trial but was ruled as competent in 2024. His attorneys are challenging that decision.
A man accused of injuring a co-worker with a reciprocating saw Wednesday morning in Holmen is now in custody. Investigators say Mario Sandoval intentionally hurt the victim while the two working a roofing project at Viking Elementary School in Holmen. Police say Sandoval fled the scene but was later arrested. The victim's injuries are described as non life-threatening.
The CPKC Holiday Train is returning to our area on December 12. The lighted train featuring music will be stopping in Wabasha at Bruegger Park from 5:45-6:15pm and in Red Wing at Bay Point Park from 7:15-7:45pm. Those attending are encouraged to bring food items for area food pantrys.
The final round of voting gets underway Thursday for the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin. Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce and BMO announce the 4800XPC Electric Rope Shovel engineered for high-production open-pit mining by Komatsu of Milwaukee, the Gravely ZT HD STEALTH 60 zero turn mover by Ariens Company of Brillion, CliC Smart Privacy Glass by Cardinal IG of Tomah and the M157 Small Arms Fire Control for the SIG Sauer M7 rifle by Vortex of Barneveld as finalist in the competition showcasing Wisconsin’s $73.8 billion manufacturing industry. Individuals can vote starting at 8:00 AM Thursday once per day, per email address, until 12:00pm on October 27. The product with the most votes will be crowned the 2026 Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin at WMC’s Business Day event in Madison that same day.
Last month’s plane crash involving a candidate for governor was due to pilot error. That preliminary finding from the National Transportation Safety Board investigation into loss of power on the aircraft carrying 7th District Congressman Tom Tiffany and pilot Leonard Boltz on September 12. The NTSB report found that loss of power was “due to (Boltz’s) delay in switching fuel tanks and not turning on the electric fuel boost pump,” after a full day of flying. The two men swam to shore after Bolz made an emergency water landing in Lake Wausau that evening, both suffering minor injuries. According to the report Boltz had flown earlier from Antigo to La Crosse for a Tiffany campaign event on a full fuel tank and did not refuel before returning to Wausau.
The Wisconsin Elections Commission is pushing back on concerns about possible federal interference in next month's election. Administrator Meagan Wolfe says state and federal laws prohibit voter intimidation, and there have been no indications of anything outside normal election procedures. Wolfe says Wisconsin is accustomed to election observers because of its battleground state status, and local clerks are trained to protect voters' rights while managing outside observers. She says polling places are prepared for unexpected situations and no unusual problems are expected on Election Day.
Leaders from communities across southern Wisconsin rallied at the Capitol on Tuesday in opposition to proposed high capacity transmission lines. Viroqua (VER-oh-kwa) mayor Krista Browne says the MariBell and BECI lines are a threat to the landscape. Viroqua is one of 69 communities that have passed measures opposing the project. Dairyland Cooperative, one of the groups behind the proposed lines, says people should participate in any formal application process once they petition the Public Service Commission.
The Wisconsin DNR notifies Enbridge of alleged violations on its line 5 reroute. The DNR on Tuesday issued a formal notice of violation in a letter to Enbridge concerning its project to construct a new 41-mile stretch of pipeline in Ashland and Iron counties. The letter alleges violations from March 30 through September 21 including an August 25 gas leak in the Town of Saxon that released over 1.3 million gallons of natural gas liquids into the air. The agency’s environmental enforcement specialist wrote that Enbridge “caused significant air pollution and did not use good operating practices nor take reasonable precautions to prevent the release from occurring.” In a statement, Enbridge spokesperson Juli Kellner said the company is reviewing the notice of alleged violation and has worked closely with the DNR through the permitting process and construction project as well as the response to the line strike incident near Saxon.
More information could soon be released in the case against Packers running back Josh Jacobs. The Hobart-Lawrence Police Department has been handing open records requests in the case after a Brown County judge last month ruled he would not seal the evidence. Jacobs pleaded no contest in September to misdemeanor battery and criminal damage to property in connection with an incident at his home involving his girlfriend. Hobart-Lawrence Police have received records requests from media outlets, and are holding the release of that information pending notification and review by the victim and Jacobs.
Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon is getting ready for the possibility that the Trump administration will interfere at the polls on Election Day. The Democrat recently mentioned that he's very concerned about election security. The Department of Justice sent close to 20 election monitors to polling places in Hennepin and Ramsey counties for the primary. Weeks later, the DOJ announced an investigation showed that there was illegal voting in Minnesota last spring. Ten residents were indicted. Simon's office is working with election administrators in all 87 counties to make sure they're ready. The incumbent secretary of state is seeking a fourth term on Election Day. Simon faces Republican Tad Jude, Libertarian Chip Tangen, and Green Party candidate Seth Kuhl-Stennes.
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