Local-Regional News August 29

The City of Durand has approved an agreement with the Arkansaw Sanitary  District to allow the district to send its wastewater to the Durand Wastewater Treatment Plant.  Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says Durand will charge the Sanitary District like any other customer. Arkansaw will be responsible for building the sewer line to Durand.  The new line will need to be in place by 2029.

The City of Mondovi approved renewing the $1.5 million Promissory Note with the Bank of Alma.  Mondovi Mayor Brady Weiss says the money is planned to be used to make improvements to Washington Street from Hwy 10 to Hwy 37. The City Council did not set a date for that project to begin.

Another chance for severe weather in the WRDN listening area today.  Clouds will be on the increase throughout out the day as a cold front approaches from the west.  A line of storms is expected to develop in West-Central Minnesota this afternoon and move east into Wisconsin this evening.    Damaging winds and large hail are the primary threat.  Quite and cooler weather is expected for the Labor Day Holiday Weekend.

Whooping cough is making its way through Chippewa County. The Eau Claire City-County Health Department says several cases have been identified in the county. The illness can cause coughing that lasts weeks or months. Whooping cough is on the rise this year in Wisconsin statewide -- more than 275 confirmed cases of the highly contagious illness are reported so far this year compared to 51 last year. 

 Eau Claire's city council unanimously voted to support limitations on federal campaign spending. The council approved an advisory resolution supporting a constitutional amendment that would reverse the Citizen's United Supreme Court ruling. The 2010 decision ruled that companies have no limit to how much they spend on campaigns. The resolution doesn't change any laws but represents support for the constitutional amendment.

The cameras on the stop-and-go lights in Altoona are working. Police in the city say their flock cameras have helped make more than 20 arrests this year. Altoona has 11 cameras posted at various lights throughout the city, but mainly on the roads leading in-and-out of town. Officer Jacob Henning says the cameras are most helpful in catching out of town, or out of state criminals. That includes one arrest of two people from Minneapolis who were stealing things in both Altoona and Eau Claire.

A Winona man has pled not guilty to first-degree attempted intentional homicide charges in connection to the shooting at George's Lounge in Fountain City.  40yr old Damien Winn made the plea yesterday in Buffalo County Court.   Authorities allege that Winn shot the man in the abdomen in the parking lot of George's Lounge on March 30 and then fled.  His next court appearance is Sept 18.

A Minnesota state trooper will be in court today to face charges related to a deadly crash in Rochester.  Trooper Shane Roper was charged with manslaughter following the May crash that killed 18-year-old Olivia Flores.  Investigators say Roper was traveling over 80 miles an hour without his emergency lights on at the time of the crash.  Information released by the State Patrol also showed Roper had four previous crashes while on duty.

Most people in Wisconsin have so-called forever chemicals in their blood, but UW researchers say they don't know if they are causing any health problems. A new study from the University of Wisconsin says a majority of the people who volunteered for the study have traces of PFAS chemicals in their system. The report says older, higher-income, white men have the highest levels. As for where they got the chemicals, researchers say in most cases the people with PFAS said they ate fish they caught or microwave popcorn. There are worries that PFAS chemicals can cause all manner of health problems, but the UW team says it could not find a definitive link in its study. 

 Wisconsin is seeing more money coming to the state. The latest report from the state's Department of Revenue says tax collections for fiscal year 2024 jumped by over one percent. Meaning there's an extra 275 million dollars for the state. The DOR says the numbers aren't finalized, and that won't happen til October. The state is also not saying just why tax collections jumped, or where the extra money may be spent. 

A judge has upheld a partial veto from Governor Tony Evers that modified school funding.   Dane County Judge Stephen Ehlke ruled Tuesday that the bills Governor Evers used his partial veto on were budget and appropriations bills and thus subject to the partial veto. That means the Governor can strike out parts of sentences and string together different plans. In this case, Evers turned a bill that would have increased funding on school literacy into a general spending increase for the Department of Public Instruction, while also cutting grants for school vouchers and private schools. The judge also ruled that the legislature's joint finance committee still had the right to decide how to distribute the original 50 million dollars in literacy funding.

The recall effort against Assembly Speaker Robin Vos is dead, again. Yesterday, the Wisconsin Supreme Court rejected the attempt to revive the case by skipping it directly to the high court. The justices didn't offer any explanation. A group of conservatives twice targeted Vos for recall because they didn't like how he handled the 2020 election. They failed to collect enough valid signatures in Vos' old district, and then didn't get enough valid signatures in his new legislative district. The recall appeal can move forward, but it likely won't be decided until after Election Day in November, and would likely be moot after that.  

The Minnesota Republican Party is backing GOP congressional candidate Joe Teirab despite the local party's reluctance.  State Republican Chairman David Hann released a statement today saying they fully back the party representative for incumbent Angie Craig's seat.  Second Congressional District Republicans pushed back a decision on whether to endorse Teirab after he won the GOP primary two weeks ago.  He was not backed by the local party, which endorsed candidate Tayler Rahm, who suspended his campaign to work as former President Trump's senior adviser in Minnesota. The Second Congressional District Republicans were scheduled to decide yesterday whether to formally back the candidate but tabled the vote.

A surge in COVID-19 in Wisconsin to start the school year. Wastewater monitoring data from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services shows the concentration of the virus is at its highest since this past February. Twelve municipalities around the state showed COVID levels considered “very high” with “significant increases” in six of them. Updated quarantine guidelines from the CDC state that those infected with the virus should stay home 24 hours after a fever has resolved without using fever-reducing medications

Wardens want you to be safe on the water this Labor Day Weekend.  The Department of Natural Resources reminds everyone to stay sober and wear their flotation devices. Not wearing a preserver is one of the leading causes of death on the water. There have already been 13 boating related deaths this year, and 9 of those weren't wearing life preservers. You should also keep an eye on the weather forecast, and be sure people know where you're heading.

Corn mazes around Wisconsin celebrate the coming of the NFL Draft. A collaboration between the 2025 Draft Local Organizing Committee and several family farms will salute the agricultural history of Wisconsin and bring attention to the April event in Green Bay. With the kickoff of the NFL regular season nearing, corn mazes with football-themed designs will open throughout September in Ripon, Chilton, Stevens Point and Bonduel. The draft is expected to draw a quarter-million fans and nearly a hundred million dollars of revenue to Wisconsin. 

Local-Regional News Aug 28

 The Durand City Council is meeting tonight.  Items on the agenda include discussion and possible action on the purchase of a new copier, a CSM for property on auth Street, and reports from the mayor and department heads.  Tonight's meeting begins at 6:30 at Durand City Hall.

The Mondovi City Council is looking at reviewing the ordinance fees and fines for camping at Tourist Park after discovering there are no fines listed in the ordinance.    Mondovi Mayor Brady Weiss says the city needs to have the legal right to fine those who break the ordinance rules.  The review was started after some people were camping down at Tourist Park for over 7 days and not paying the camping fee, both of which violate the city ordinance.

A man charged with 1st Degree Reckless Homicide in the shooting death of Kyle Dahl in May was in court on Monday.  Authorities alleged that Todd Gieck shot Dahl during a road rage incident on Hwy 53 just outside of Ettrick on May 15.  An evidentiary hearing was held in Trempealeau County Court on Monday.  Gieck's next court date is a status conference on October 16th.

 

Ground is broken on a new affordable housing complex in Chippewa Falls. Hope Village is planning to build three complexes, offering six two- and three-bedroom units each. The non-profit is working on plans for five duplexes. The more than 25 units will be built throughout the Chippewa Valley, and some will be complete as soon as next April. The two-million-dollar project is funded through community donations and grants.

The Boys and Girls Club in Chippewa Falls is officially open. The club cut the ribbon on its newly expanded building yesterday. The new center has bigger rec rooms, a new teen room, and added more space for activities. There are also new bathrooms and a new elevator, CEO Jeff Jaeger says the new building will help them meet kids where they're at.' The new building has been in the works since last year. 

 A former Eau Claire daycare worker who admitted to slamming a baby down by the arm, and kicking him in the face is not headed to prison. In fact, 32-year-old Mercedes Bergeron can avoid prison altogether as part of her plea deal. She pleaded guilty yesterday to a single count of child abuse but accepted a deferred prosecution agreement. That means if she doesn't commit any other crimes, the case will be wiped away in two years. 

A western Wisconsin airman who was a World-War-Two prisoner of war has been laid to rest in Onalaska. More than 100 people turned out for Sergeant Jack H. Hohlfeld's funeral earlier this week. He was in the Army Air Corps, and was captured in the Philippines in 1942. He died in a Japanese P-O-W camp. His remains were found and identified back in May. He was originally from Trempealeau, but was laid to rest in his family's hometown of Onalaska. Some of those family members said they thought Hohlfeld would never come home.

New details regarding alleged harassment of members of a Wisconsin Amish community by high school students. According to the Sauk County Sheriff's Office, the harassment that took place earlier this month included blowing air horns and shining lights outside of Amish homes, ringing doorbells and knocking on windows during the night. Nine students in the School District of Reedsburg were involved. It’s not clear if all of them were football players, but Reedsburg Area High School canceled its first two varsity football games of the season. A statement from the school district said it is disappointed to learn of the allegations, and that not all of the players on the team were involved. 

Wisconsin's study committee on A.I. is taking a look at healthcare this week. The committee will hear from UW Health, the dean of UW-Oshkosh's School of Nursing, and Rogers Behavioral Health at a hearing tomorrow. The Study Committee is looking at possible regulations for A.I. The governor's task force on A.I. looked into how artificial intelligence will change the state's workforce. The committee issued a report that didn't have many specifics, or suggestions for future state laws. 

A dental program for children in Wisconsin is renewed for the 25th year. The Department of Health Services says the Seal-A-Smile program brings preventive dental services directly to schools across the state. Last year, more than 86-thousand students got free dental sealants, which D-H-S says prevents most cavities. The department says students with dental pain from cavities or other oral health issues are three times more likely to miss school. More information is available on D-H-S-dot-Wisconsin-dot-gov.

A northwoods community is asking for state and federal help to negotiate road access with tribal officials. The Lac Du Flambeau Tribe and the town of Lac Du Flambeau have been in discussions for over a year after the tribe cut off public access to roads on their reservation that lead to private homes. Tribal leaders have demanded the town pay easements that have been neglected for over a decade. The town held a meeting last week with elected officials, while it tries to broker a 1 point 8 million dollar deal with the tribe that would secure easements for 50 years. The tribe is asking for 10 million dollars.

A former candidate for Minnesota governor has had his lawsuit against Life Time Fitness dismissed by the state Court of Appeals.  Hugh McTavish sued the company after the fitness center terminated his membership in 2022.  McTavish refused to remove political flyers he placed on cars in the Life Time parking lot, claiming the company was trying to violate his right to free speech.  A lower court dismissed the case and McTavish appealed.  The Court of Appeals noted that private businesses have a right to restrict political speech on their property and that McTavish was given the opportunity to remove the flyers before his membership was revoked.

 Both Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy and Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein will be on the Wisconsin ballot in November. The state Elections Commission decided this afternoon the two will join nominees Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. Kennedy dropped out of the race last Friday and asked the W-E-C not to put him on the ballot.  The Commission says a candidate can't withdraw their name after filing to be on the ballot and added him on a five-to-one vote. Stein was added after the Democratic National Committee unsuccessfully tried to get the Green Party blocked from the state's ballot. The Wisconsin Supreme Court denied that request.

State officials announce a new plan for tax credits that fund low-to moderate-income housing in Wisconsin.  Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Authority say the Qualified Allocation Plan includes changes to use the federal and state tax credits effectively and to reach as many communities as possible. That includes redefining categories that promote resource distribution, modifications to the competitive and non-competitive application process, and updating and revising scoring categories to respond to the current state of the housing market. According to the governor, WHEDA awarded $69 million in federal and state tax credits during the 2023-24 period to create more than 2,900 affordable housing units.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources wants to help develop a new generation of tree care professionals.  The agency is offering up to 500-thousand dollars to eligible non-profit and educational groups, local governments, Tribal nations and professional associations.  The funding can be used for educational programs and activities to help develop a skilled workforce dedicated to urban and community tree care.  Applications for the funding will be accepted until October 8th.

Local-Regional News Aug 27

  Most of the people in Eau Claire who lost power because of last night's storms have their lights back on. Xcel Energy reported as of 4 a.m. today that just under 700 people were without power. At its worst, there were thousands of people in the dark after a line of strong stems cut across western Wisconsin. The good news is that the rain and storms brought cooler air with them. Highs today in the Chippewa Valley are expected to be in the low 80s.

A Fountain City man has been arrested on child pornography charges.  According to the Buffalo County Sheriff's Department, deputies executed a search warrant at the home of 37yr old Staniel Neverdahl and he admitted to downloading and viewing numerous photos and videos of child pornography.  He was arrested on charges of possession of child pornography and is being held in the Buffalo County Jail on a cash bond of $10,000. 

The Mondovi City Council is meeting tonight.  Items on the agenda include discussion and possible action on a $1.5 million promissory note with the Bank of Alma for TIF 2 project expiring September 1st,  review of Tourist Park Campground Ordinance Fines and Violations, and reports from the Mayor and Department heads.  Tonight's meeting begins at 5:30 at the Marten Center in Mondovi.

The Durand Handy Mart is closing.  The company announced yesterday on social media that it would close the Durand Location this Saturday.  A few years ago, Handy Mart closed a 2nd location in Durand after removing the gas pumps.  Earlier this summer, Subway Corporate closed the Subway location inside the Handy Mart.  The company still has locations in Nelson and Wabasha. 

A Menomonie man has been arrested on Child Sexual Assault charges.  According to Dunn County Authorities,  30yr old Ronnie Pichler gave a 12yr old girl alcohol and the girl fell asleep and woke up with Pichler next to her.  The assault sopped when the victim's mom entered the room and saw what was happening.  Pichler was arrested Monday and charged with sexual assault of a child under the age of 13 and is being held in the Dunn County Jail on a $15000 bond and will be in court next week.

 A pair of western Wisconsin lifeguards are being hailed as heroes. Henry Meek and Bella Rowan say their training took over when they saw a boy under the water at the Hoffman Aquatic Center last week. They pulled the boy out, and Rowan started CPR. The boy came-to just as paramedics arrived. Pool managers say they are extremely proud of the two, and say the situation shows just how important it is to have lifeguards.  

With the Labor Day Holiday weekend coming up, area law enforcement are reminding drivers to drive sober or get pulled over.  Area law enforcement will be participating the program again with the goal to get those that are not sober off area roads.  There will be extra patrols now through the  end of the Labor Day Holiday Weekend.

The Minnesota Court of Appeals has overturned the conviction of a Rochester man who threatened to kill people on social media.  Kyle Ketterling was arrested in 2022 after making threats to kill members of the "deep state" earlier that spring.  He was convicted on three charges, but only his conviction under the threats of violence law was reviewed by the Court of Appeals.  A three-judge panel ruled yesterday that Ketterling's post was not a true threat because no one was specifically targeted.  The court also ruled that Ketterling's language was "disturbing" but was ultimately political speech protected by the First Amendment.

Wisconsin's governor wants to update the rules for PFAS contamination in the state's drinking water. Governor Tony Evers and the Department of Natural Resources introduced an update for the state's clean water standards this month. The update brings Wisconsin in line with the federal rules for PFAS, plus adds three new chemicals to the list of PFAS chemicals that would be regulated. Wisconsin lawmakers approved PFAS rules back in 2022, but there continues to be a battle at the statehouse over how best to deal with PFAS contamination across the state. Yesterday, the governor accused Republican lawmakers of doing nothing.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court will not keep the Green Party off the ballot this November. The court yesterday rejected a request from the Democratic National Committee to block the Green Party. Democrats said the Greens couldn't run Jill Stein for president because the party doesn't have any elected officials in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty said the court's decision stops Democrats from disenfranchising thousands of voters in the state. But the Green Party is not guaranteed a spot on the Wisconsin ballot. The state's Elections Commission will meet later this morning to decide who makes the November ballot. The Commission kept the Greens off the ballot four years ago. 

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A sunflower maze in Eau Claire County will be open this weekend to raise money for local families. Jaquish Farms is also hosting tractor rides and tours. The farm will be only be open next Saturday and Sunday, since sunflowers are only in bloom for a short time. All proceeds will go to Joshua's Camp, an organization that pays for retreats for the families of children battling cancer.  

Wisconsin gas prices are the lowest of the summer as the Labor Day weekend approaches. Gas prices are down, driven by a drop in global oil prices last month. The Triple AAA gas price tracker showed an average of just under $3.23 a gallon in Wisconsin on Monday. That compares with a national average of $3.35 a gallon. Prices varied quite a bit around the state, with a gallon going for a little over three dollars in some locations in the Chippewa Valley to an average of nearly $3.60 in Ozaukee County.

Nine juveniles from the Reedsburg area are accused of harassing members of the Amish community.   They’ve been cited for disorderly conduct following an investigation by the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies made contact with a suspect vehicle while conducting extra patrols in the rural Reedsburg area earlier this month due to multiple reports of harassment of members of the Amish community. No information on what the juveniles did specifically has been released, but Sheriff Chip Meister confirms this is related to the Reedsburg Area High School football team. The team's first two games of the season were canceled due to conduct by some players.

The Wisconsin Department of Health updates its vaccine requirements for the new school year.  The updates align the definition of a "substantial outbreak" for both schools and childcare centers with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Changes for the 2024-25 school year include the requirement of a meningitis vaccine in seventh grade and a booster dose at twelfth grade, and students must be diagnosed by a qualified health provider to be exempt from a required chickenpox vaccine. Some vaccine requirements for students entering grades kindergarten through seventh grade include four doses of the polio vaccine, three doses of hepatitis B, and two doses of measles, mumps, and rubella. More information is available at the DHS website.

 Wisconsin is going to get a share of 25-million dollars from the National Parks Service to save some of the state's historical places. The Park Service last week said Wisconsin will be getting grants to preserve the Baggage Horse Barn at the Ringling Brothers Circus Winter Headquarters in Baraboo, the National Soldiers Home Governor's Mansion and Chapel in Milwaukee, and the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Wauwatosa. The Parks Service says all three are 'nationally significant sites.

The 2026 and 2029 National Horseshoe Pitchers Association World Championships are coming to central Wisconsin. Visit Wausau Executive Director Tim White says he'll start working with local partners right away, and that big events coming to one community help all of the surrounding communities. The 2026 games will be held in Weston and run from mid to late July.

Local-Regional News Aug 26

 It is going to be a dangerously hot day in Eau Claire and the Chippewa Valley today. The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for the entire area that runs from 1 p.m. til 8 p.m tonight. Forecasters say highs will be in the mid-90s, but the heat will make it feel closer to 100 degrees. A round of thunderstorms tonight should cool things off. The Chippewa Valley will go from highs in the 90s today, to the 80s tomorrow, and into the 70s by Friday. 

The Pepin County board has approved Michelle Weiss as the interim Administrative Coordinator and Finance Director.  Weiss is taking over for Pamala Hansen who resigned from the position earlier this month.   The County Board has hired an outside firm to do a search for a permanent Administrative Coordinator.

The Buffalo and Pepin County Sheriff's Department continue to look at combining jails.  During this months administrative meeting, Sheriff Wener asked for request for proposal information on options to study the possible Pepin-Buffalo County Jail and Justice Center.  The first part of the study would not have any costs involved.  Both departments are wanting to explore the possibilities now for future needs.

While Dunn and Eau Clarie Counties have Narcan Machines available for the public, could Pepin County be in line for a machine.  During the Durand City Council meeting that topic was brougt up and Councilman Roesler who is also Chief Deputy with Pepin County told the council memebers that there are grants available for Pepin County to get a machine, but the big question is where could the machine be located?  Roesler said the machine needs to be in a private area for those using it.

 There could soon be charges for Glenwood City's former school superintendent. A recent audit of former Glenwood City Schools superintendent Tim Johnson shows he took nearly 300-thousand dollars in reimbursements and educational stipends for classes he never took. Johnson is accused of enrolling at Viterbo University, and then failing to finish his classes. He resigned from Glenwood Schools last year. Johnson is also accused of taking money he wasn't entitled to by claiming to be Glenwood's special education director, even though he didn't have any of the required qualifications. The current superintendent at Glenwood Schools says there aren't any charges now, but he says he expects charges to be filed soon. 

Former President Trump will be holding a town hall in La Crosse on Thursday.  Trump's campaign announced the town hall will be held at the La Crosse Center.  Doors will open at 3 p.m. and the town hall is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.  This will mark the former president's first visit to Wisconsin since last month's Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

The Wisconsin Grocers Association is pushing back on claims of price gouging from VP Kamala Harris. The Grocers released an open letter last week saying inflation, not grocery stores, is to blame for the high prices that people are paying. The letter says the inflation from the COVID outbreak is now 'baked-in' to the price on the shelf. The grocers say local grocery stores work on razor-thin margins, and the idea that they are gouging customers is nothing but campaign rhetoric. 

The remains of a man who went missing after his boat capsized in the Bay of Green Bay last month have finally been found. The Marinette County Sheriff's Office said they found Billy Salnik's body on Green Island over the weekend. Salnik and his two children died when their boat overturned in the bay last month. The Coast Guard found his kids' bodies, as well as his boat, but they couldn't find him. His family says the news of his remains is devastating. They are planning a memorial for him. 

The city of Rochester is ready to start making improvements to its existing wastewater treatment plant.  The city broke on the 91-million-dollar project on Friday.  The upgrade will allow the city to meet current and future standards for removing chemicals such as phosphorus, which is known to contribute to algae bloom formation.  The upgrades should be finished early in 2027.

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A Wisconsin man is facing charges for transporting more than 15 pounds of cocaine and methamphetamine. Nebraska State Patrol says a trooper tried to pull over the suspect, identified as Deante House from La Crosse, last night. House sped away from the attempted stop and a chase began. NSP says the chase ended when the suspect rear-ended a semi-truck. The semi driver wasn't injured. Once House is released from the hospital for non-life threatening injuries, he will be taken to jail on multiple charges.    

West Nile Virus is detected in Rock County mosquitos. Public Health says it's the first time the virus has been detected since mosquito surveillance started in early July. No human cases have been reported in Rock County so far this year, but cases in humans and animals have been found in other parts of Wisconsin. WNV spreads when a mosquito feeds on an infected bird and then bites an animal or human. Most people with the virus won't get sick, but those who do have symptoms like fever, headache, body aches, rashes, and fatigue.

An Oshkosh man gets jail time for his role in a boat crash on the Fox River. 53-year-old Jason Lindemann was sentenced Thursday to five months in jail and three years of probation in connection with the 2022 crash. A jury found Lindemann guilty this past June of several counts including recklessly endangering safety and failing to provide aid. 44 people were on board the paddlewheel cruise boat Lindeman crashed into. The paddleboat was severely damaged.

A huge financial error for a Milwaukee area school district. The Wauwatosa School District is starting the new school year $4 million in the hole. The chief financial officer for the district, Scott Ecker, says his predecessor’s budget was poorly built. The district was planning to spend down more than 9 million of reserves to cover funding the state wasn’t providing. The district’s treasurer says nefarious spending didn’t cause the error. Ecker says the district is considering short term borrowing from the state, and budget cuts could also be coming. The news comes as a $16 million operational referendum is on the ballot for Wauwatosa voters this fall.

A student pilot made a successful emergency landing in south central Wisconsin Tuesday. The Columbia County Sheriff's Office says the pilot was making a solo flight when the aircraft began to have engine problems. The sheriff’s office said in a statement the pilot “was skilled in their landing” of the plane on a roadway in Columbus Township. There was no property damage nor injuries from the incident. The plane's owner made arrangements to remove the plane from the roadway.

The Minnesota State Fair has set another record.  Officials say the  Great Minnesota Get-Together drew nearly 140-thousand people for opening day on Thursday.  That's around 55-hundred more visitors than the previous opening day record set in 2019.  Thursday's numbers far outstripped the previous year, when just over 106-thousand opening day visitors attended. 

Local-Regional News Aug 23

Xcel Energy is looking to sell the old railroad right of way parcels in the city of Durand.  Many of the parcels are odd shaped and very small.  Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the city would be interested in the part of the right of way that goes past the wastewater treatment plant. As for the bike trail north of the city that would be a county project to purchase the right of way.

Two big summer projects for the Durand-Arkansaw School District are nearly completed.  The parking lot with two new entrances has been completed and there have been some repairs to the entrance of the high school.  Durand-Arkansaw School Superintendent Ryan Nelson says the repairs addresed some foundation issues. New railings and carpeting are expected to be installed at the new entrance in the coming weeks. 

Don't be surprised to see more converted garages, tiny homes, or garden apartments in Dunn County. County leaders this week voted to ease the rules for 'accessory dwelling units.' County Manager Kristin Korpela says the people of Dunn County said in a recent survey that they want more types of housing. The idea is to allow people to convert or add on to their existing properties to meet the demand for places to live. There are some limits. The 'accessory dwelling unit' must be smaller than the main house, it must be hooked up to a sewer line, and there can only be one per property. 

The Town of Washington wants to become a village to protect itself from being swallowed. The town filed the paperwork with the state this week to incorporate part of the town as a village. The change would allow Washington to set its boundaries, better control its land, and fend off annexation attempts. The town and village would operate 'separately but together.' The change would mean that the new village of Washington would send kids to Eau Claire Schools, while kids in the Town of Washington would go to Altoona, Eau Claire, or Fall Creek schools. 

A man is heading to prison for killing his roommate at a state mental health facility. A judge in Taylor County yesterday sentenced Cory Carlson to life behind bars for his roommate's death back in January of this year. Investigators say Carlson strangled the man in their room at the Almost Home Again facility in Gilman, Carlson told investigators that he was hearing voices, and does not remember what happened. He pleaded guilty to first-degree homicide charges earlier this year. 

A board that oversees Minnesota teachers has revoked the teaching licenses of a former high school principal.  The Professional Educator and Licensing Standards Board ruled against Grant Klennert on Tuesday.  Klennert was charged with criminal sexual assault in 2022 and entered a guilty plea earlier this year.  The charges were related to sexual assaults committed when Klennert was a juvenile.  Klennert was employed by the Hayfield school district for 16 years, including seven years as principal of Hayfield High School.

UW regents are on-board with the plan to ask for nearly a billion-dollars more for the university over the next two years. Regents yesterday approved President Jay Rothman's 855 million-dollar budget request. He says the UW needs the money to continue to pay employees more. They're due for an eight percent raise over the next two years. But he also wants to use the money to pay tuition for students from families making under 55 thousand-dollars a year. Republican lawmakers say they're willing to give the university some of that money, but not without reforms and budget cuts first. 

Two major Canadian railways that serve Wisconsin have stopped operations during a labor dispute. Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Kansas City Southern locked out union workers this week ahead of a possible strike by the Teamsters. Management claims the move prevents a later strike by the Union during the busier fall shipping season. The Teamsters say the freight carriers have refused to improve work conditions for employees or offer more sick days. 9000 workers are affected, along with wide swaths of the agriculture, manufacturing, and industrial sectors.

Wisconsin's Elections Commission says RFK Jr. could be on the ballot in November, even if he drops-out this week. The commission has not yet decided if Robert Kennedy Jr. will appear on the ballot, but if he does, there is no getting off. A Commission spokesman yesterday said Wisconsin doesn't have a drop-out law that would allow candidates to remove themselves from the ballot. Kennedy filed the paperwork to get on the ballot in the state earlier this month. He's scheduled a news conference for today that has many people speculating he is going to drop out of the race. 

Oshkosh Defense continues to pile-up defense contracts. The company announced yesterday that it had landed a one-and-a-half billion-dollar contract to build trucks for the Army. The new deal covers another order of the Family of Heavy Tactical Vehicles that Oshkosh has been building for years. Oshkosh, of course, landed a 30 billion-dollar deal back in 2015 to make the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, which is the U.S. military's replacement for the Humvee. Other countries, including Israel and Ukraine are also buying those trucks from Oshkosh as well. 

The Wisconsin Supreme Court could decide who won a state wrestling title back in 2019. The high court Wednesday said it will hear arguments in the case of Hayden Halter who won the state title in 2019, then had it taken away by a court, only to have it reinstated by another court. The Supreme Court says it will decide if the WIAA is a "state actor," and will decide if Halter's family has the right to sue over a decision made by a high school wrestling ref. Halter was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct during a conference title match in 2019. Those penalties came with a suspension, and that should have kept him out of the state tournament. His family sued and got a judge to issue a restraining order against that suspension. Halter then went on to win the state wrestling title at 120 pounds.

A new report by Insurify reveals that car insurance rates in Minnesota have increased by 55 percent this year, the highest in the nation. The average comprehensive insurance plan in Minnesota now costs over two-thousand dollars, up from fifteen-hundred last June, with further increases expected. The rise in rates is attributed to factors such as severe weather, particularly hailstorms, which have led to more expensive repairs and increased claims. While Minnesotans may see steady rate increases in the future, the state's insurance rates still rank 19th in the nation. 

A new invasive species is spreading across Wisconsin. The Department of Natural Resources says eastern Asia’s elm zigzag sawfly was first detected in the U.S. three years ago and was first seen in the state on July 4th in Portage County. The insect, named for the zigzag pattern its caterpillars chew in elm leaves, has now spread to 17 counties statewide. The DNR says the pests only cause minor or cosmetic damage to elm trees, but could lead to possible defoliation. Their presence is usually not a cause for alarm, but careful monitoring is recommended.

North Star Honor Flight is preparing to take off in 2025.  The organization is part of the National Honor Flight Network which provides trips for veterans to the national monuments in Washington, D.C.  North Star plans to offer a flight in the spring for an all-expense paid day trip to the nation's capital to visit the World War Two, Korean and Vietnam War memorials.  Terminally ill veterans and veterans in southeast Minnesota and northern Iowa qualify.  Wheelchairs and medical supervision are provided.  More information is available NorthStarHonorFlight.org. 

Local-Regional News Aug 22

 A Durand man has been charged with four felony sex crimes.  According to the Pepin County Sheriff's Department, on February 27th Durand School Resource Officer Bonnerup contacted the sheriff's department about two female students who had reported to Bonnerup that they had accepted a friend request from a Snapchat profile and had been sent unsolicited sexual images.   After an investigation and execution of search warrants, it was determined the account belonged to 22yr old Zachry Weber.   He has been charged with causing a child under the age of 13 to view or listen to sexual activity,  and three counts of soliciting intimate representation from a minor.  Weber was employed by the Durand-Arkansaw School District at the time of the incident but is no longer employed by the district.  He will be in Pepin County Court on September 3.

Property values in the Durand-Arkansaw School District are on the rise.  Durand-Arkansaw School Superintendent Ryan Nelson says the rise in values in the district exceeded the state average. Because of the rise in property values, Nelson says the property tax mill rate should drop for the upcoming school year.

A Western Wisconsin man is charged with homicide after a U-T-V crash that killed one passenger.  Bradley Holz from Arkansaw is charged for the lethal crash from June of 2023.  Holz is accused of driving one of five U-T-Vs that traveled down County Highway Z, which was closed off for construction at the time.  Officials believe he hit a pile of gravel and the vehicle overturned, killing Jessica Bignell.  Deputies say they could smell alcohol on his breath when they responded to the crash.  Holz will be in court on August 26.

The Pepin County Sheriff's Department has announced the release of a convicted sex offender back into the community.  31yr old Zachary McDonnell is scheduled to be released from prison on September 3rd and live on Curtis Road in Arkansaw.  He was found guilty in 2014 of 1st Degree Sexual Assault of a Child, Child Enticement and Possession of Methamphetamine in Pepin County.  McDonnell's release requires him to wear a GPS location monitoring device,  and have regular contact with his probation/parole agent.

The United Way in Dunn and St. Croix counties are merging. The two groups yesterday announced their plans to come together. Executive Director Steve McCarthy says together, the two will now serve six counties in northwestern Wisconsin. McCarthy says the goal of the United Way is the same as it always has been. The combined United Way effort will also have a new headquarters in Menomonie. McCarthy said the focus now is to raise money for their annual campaign. 

Students at one UW school are getting a friendly reminder about the rules before they head-out this weekend. Police in Menomonie, where UW-Stout is located, are going door-to-door this week to talk with students about the laws for underage drinking, using a fake ID, noise, and other ordinance violations that could get them into trouble. Police even have a one-page piece of paper with the laws, the fines, and some helpful pictures to remind students of what to expect. The city's Kaitlin Ingle says the idea is to warn students ahead of time, and hopefully avoid some of the problems that come with back-to-school. 

A Winona County judge has decided on the location and date for the murder trial of Adam Fravel.  Fravel was arrested and charged with murder after Madeline Kingsbury was found dead in a field in Fillmore County last year.  Court documents filed yesterday set the trial date for October 7th at the Blue Earth County Justice Center in Mankato.  Fravel's lawyers were granted a venue change after claiming pre-trial publicity would keep Fravel from getting a fair trial in Winona County.

Some taxpayers in Wisconsin will be able to file their federal taxes for free next year. The Department of Revenue yesterday said Wisconsin is now a member of the IRS' Direct File program. That means people filing simple tax returns can do so for free. The offer comes with a lot of exemptions, including people who have gig jobs, alimony, or are living off their pensions. You can find out if you qualify at the IRS' website. 

The Mayo Clinic is reporting an increase in quarterly revenue.  An unaudited financial report posted Monday shows the healthcare organization took in just over five-billion dollars during the second quarter, an increase of 12-percent over the same quarter last year.  Expenses grew by just over nine-percent to four-point-five-billion dollars.  Quarterly operating income increased by nearly 50-percent to 449-million dollars.  Officials credited the impressive revenue growth to the "sustained commitment of Mayo Clinic's exceptional staff." 

First responders, school bus drivers and parents are all urging drivers to use extra caution as students start back to class over the next two weeks.  One of the biggest threats to kids is drivers not paying attention to them crossing the streets and not observing the laws regarding stopping for school buses.  In many school districts cameras have been installed in the stop-arms on the buses to catch those drivers who steer around a bus picking up or dropping off kids.

One person is in the hospital after an officer-involved shooting in central Wisconsin.  Wisconsin Rapids Police say they responded to a call about domestic violence just after midnight yesterday.  The suspect shot at officers after leading a chase from the scene and ran away when their car was disabled by police.  The subject hid on a nearby roof and shot at police once they were found with a drone.  Officers returned fire and hit them.  The suspect is in the hospital, and responding officers are on leave while an investigation continues.    

Sauk County is looking to pause refugee resettlements. The county board talked about a plan that would stop Jewish Social Services, and other groups, from moving people into the area. JSS says it's resettled hundreds of people this year, but only one family is living near Sauk County. The rest are in Dane County. Sauk County leaders say they want to make sure they don't get stuck with any costs from having immigrant families placed in their communities. The resolution that was up for a vote last night specifically cited the costs to schools and social service programs. Sauk County is one of a handful of communities that support a proposed state law that would require social service agencies to get the okay from everyone in a community before sending families there. 

The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management has some work to do before issuing Minnesota's first recreational business licenses.  Just over 18-hundred social equity applicants submitted their license applications by the August 12th deadline.  According to the OCM, only 282 licenses will be issued from the first round of applicants.  Some Minnesota residents have voiced concerns that over half of the remaining applications were filed by people living outside the state.  An agency spokesperson says the focus on social equity applicants should help keep out-of-state companies from taking licenses away from deserving Minnesotans.

Officials at the Minnesota state fair are reminding fairgoers there are changes to some protocols regarding livestock.  The fair announced last month that there would be no live calves being born at the Miracle of Birth Center.  That's because of concerns about the H5N1 virus also known as bird flu.  Proof that dairy cows coming onto the fairgrounds have been tested will be required.  The State Fair veterinarian will be on-site to examine any dairy cattle showing symptoms.  

A squad car collided with several other cars…on purpose.  The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post they entered one of their old patrol cars in a demolition derby at last weekend’s Kenosha County Fair in Wilmot. The post says the deputy behind the wheel brought home the checkered flag, though he thought some of the hits to his vehicle felt personal. The smashed-up squad car has since been donated to Wilmot Union High School. Students there will repair it for future demolition derbies.

Local-Regional News Aug 21

 The Pepin County Board is meeting tonight.  Items on the agenda include discussion and possible action on hiring Public Administration Associates to search for a new Administrative Coordinator, approving Michelle Weiss as the interim Administrative Coordinator, and establishing a fund for recreation and youth education using proceeds from the sale of the old fairground property.  Tonight's meeting begins at 7 in the board room at the Government Center in Durand.

The Durand-Arksansaw School Board is meeting tonight.  Items on the agenda include action on a strategic planning initiative with Joe Schroeder Consulting along with reports from the superintendent and building administrators.  Tonights meeting begins at 6 in the board room at Durand-Arkansaw High School.

A Menomonie man who pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography is going to prison.  Joseph Ellis was sentenced to 8yrs in prison and fined $3114 Tuesday by Dunn County Judge Luke Wagner.  According to authorities, they found hundreds of images of child pornography on his electronic devices last year after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

There will be a goose hunt in Mondovi again this year.  The Mondovi City Council approved the hunt that will follow the state hunting season.  Hunters will have to have all state hunting licenses and stamps and will have to register first with the city.  The hunt is designed to help control the goose population around Mirror Lake.

The Durand City Council has approved moving forward with a water rate and water service study with the Wisconsin Public Service Commission.  Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says water rates are controlled by the Public Service Commission. That study should start in the next month or so.

Two new outdoor trails will be finished soon in Eau Claire. A 600-thousand dollar paved trail between Folsom and Madison Streets will connect to a trail that leads to Eau Claire's High Bridge. That trail qualified for a state grant, so the City of Eau Claire only paid 120-thousand dollars. It's scheduled to be open to the public in mid-September. The second trail is by the Galloway Flats development. It'll be finished in the next couple weeks after 200 feet of pavement is laid under the River Prairie Bridge. 

 There are new charges for a child sex suspect in Chippewa County. Prosecutors this week filed sexual assault charges against 44-year-old Scott Detlaff. Investigators say he abused a now 15-year-old boy over a number of years. Detlaff was already facing child pornography charges, though it's not clear if the cases involve the same victim. The sheriff's office says Detlaff admitted to the child porn images but is denying the sexual assault. 

There's a report of at least one rabid bat in western Wisconsin. Polk County's Public Health Department yesterday said it tested the bat after there was an 'encounter' with a human. The bat is the first rabid bat in Polk County in a decade. The fear is that rabid bats can spread rabies, but those cases are rare. Public health managers with the state say it's been almost 15 years since a bat bit someone and gave them rabies. 

Two Rivers police haven't given up on finding the missing three-year-old Vue. Captain Andrew Raatz says the investigation looks different now compared to six months ago. He also warns of misinformation and scams being spread online. Vue was reported missing February 20th and still has not been found. Jesse Vang and Elijah's mother Katrina Baur face charges of felony child neglect, and Baur is also accused of obstructing police.

UW Regents are being asked this week to sign off on the university's barely one billion-dollar budget request for the next two years. Regents will meet in Madison starting tomorrow, and the 855 million-dollar budget request from president Jay Rothman is on their agenda. Rothman said on Monday that the UW System needs millions-of-dollars more to be a competitive school. He says Wisconsin ranks at the bottom of the list nationally when it comes to state funding. But his 855 million-dollar request would be a 65 percent increase in state funding in just two years. State taxpayers are currently sending one-point-three billion dollars to the UW. 

A man in Clark County is found guilty of sexually assaulting four young girls. Seventy-year-old Joseph Pierce, a Senior from Owen was charged in 2021 with abusing the girls for years, starting in 2017. A jury found him guilty on eight charges, including repeated sexual assault of a child and enticement. A sentencing date hasn't been set yet. 

More charges have been filed against a former elementary teacher in Hudson.   Twenty-four-year-old Madison Bergmann, who taught fifth grade at River Crest Elementary School, is accused of sexting and making out with a boy in her class.  Authorities have now added a slew of additional charges against her.  They include child enticement, sexual misconduct by school staff, and use of a computer to facilitate a child sex crime. Bergmann resigned after the allegations came to light.

Harley-Davidson says it is done with DEI.  In a Monday statement posted to ‘X’, the Milwaukee based motorcycle manufacturer said it has had no "DEI function" since April of this year, has no hiring quotas, and no longer has supplier diversity goals. Harley said it will no longer participate in Human Rights Campaign scoring and will strike "socially motivated content" from employee training materials. Harley’s statement is the result of a campaign by a conservative activist and follows similar moves by Tractor Supply and John Deere. In its own statement, Human Rights Campaign said decisions to cut DEI send a clear signal to workers that their employees don’t care about equality in the workplace.

Making sure the coming school year is safe. Trish Kilpin from the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Office of School Safety said in Oconomowoc Monday one of the most effective tools schools have to curb violent activity is the state’s confidential Speak Up Speak Out Hotline. Kilpin said that her agency knows in most school shootings, a peer knew about an offender’s plan to attack. She added that tips on the hotline have led police to investigate hundreds of reports about potential school attacks and students with weapons. $2 million of funding needed for the hotline will last until September of next year. Kilpin says her office will request long-term funding in the next budget cycle.

The Department of Natural Resources unveils a new tool to help monitor water quality. The Wisconsin Water Explorer is a web-based tool that can help residents address concerns about the quality of water in their local lakes or rivers. The tool makes scientific data analysis accessible to the public and provides insights into current conditions and trends through graphs, maps and automated reports. It also includes an updated version of the Wisconsin Lake Modeling Suite to help people analyze whether a lake adheres to water quality standards and identify likely sources of pollution. The Wisconsin Water Explorer tool can be found by visiting the DNR's website.

The Mayo Clinic is celebrating a milestone in the construction of its new proton beam facility in Rochester.  Staff members signed the building's final steel beam before it was hoisted into place yesterday.  The Mayo Clinic says the demand for proton beam therapy to treat cancer is growing and the new building will help meet some of that demand.  The new facility should open in the spring of 2026.