Local-Regional News Sept 9

 

One person was injured in a motorcycle accident in River Falls Township on Sunday. According to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, 41yr old Christopher Chavers of Ellsworth was traveling northbound on 950^th Street when he lost control on a curve. Chavers was taken to Regions Hospital in St. Paul.

One person was injured in a single vehicle accident in Trenton Township on Friday. According to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, 67yr old James Stringfellow of Richfield, MN was traveling northbound on Hwy 63, when he lost control and entered the ditch. Stringfellow was transported to Mayo Red Wing Hospital.

City of Mondovi crews will be repairing a water main break today. The break will affect water for residents on Oak Street, Milomere Drive and Jefferson Street. The water will be off until approximately 3pm, and motorists are also advised to avoid the area today while crews repair the water main.

The Mondovi City Council is meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include discussion of outdoor light standards in the city, reports from the mayor and department heads and the council will go into closed session to discuss and consider a notice of claim filed by Connie Spickler. Tonights meeting begins at 5:30 in the council chambers at Mondovi City Hall.

Charges are being filed against a Cadott Village man who was involved in an injury vehicle collision on Sunday in Chippewa County. The accident occurred near 250th Street and County Road O with Wisconsin State Patrol saying that 47-year-old motorist Mark Dominguez showed signs of impairment at the scene. Dominguez was taken into custody on a charge of operating a motor vehicle under the influence with a child under the age of 16 inside the vehicle.

Veteran Minnesota State Senator Jeremy Miller will not run for reelection next year. The legislator from Winona announced yesterday that he's stepping down to spend more time with his family and grow his business. Miller says he won't rule out any possible political campaigns in the future. He was 26 years old when he was first elected in 2010.

One person is dead following a Monday morning vehicle crash in Jackson County. The accident happened shortly after 1 a.m. on State Highway 71 near the line with Monroe County. Authorities say the driver lost control near Cabin Avenue and hit a ditch and then a tree. They died at the scene.

Health care groups are opposing a proposed law that could reopen up Wisconsin bars to smoking. A group including UW-Health, the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association say Assembly Bill 211 creates large loopholes to allow smoking in nearly any bar. The bill would allow smoking inside of "tobacco bars" and allow the use of cigars, pipe tobacco and brown cigarettes indoors. Current law defines a tobacco bar as any bar that gets 15 percent of its revenue from tobacco sales and it had to be established before the 2009 indoor smoking ban passed. The bill's language would allow any current tavern to qualify so long as they purchase a tobacco sales license. The State Assembly could take up the bill on the floor this week. A companion bill in the State Senate has not made it to committee for discussion.

Wisconsin has submitted a final proposal for federal broadband internet funding. Governor Tony Evers and the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin have submitted the proposal, with the hopes of expanding high-speed internet access across the state. If approved, the governor's office says the funding could expand access to high-speed internet to more than 170,000 homes and businesses across Wisconsin. Evers says despite the Trump administration's attempt to delay the funding; his office and the PSC have been able to keep the program on track. Since 2019, Evers' administration has allocated more than $345 million in state and federal funds to expand high-speed internet.

An incident involving a gun at a Sheboygan business on Friday leaves three injured and a suspect in custody. When officers responded to the disturbance at a home health care business, they quickly identified a 65-year-old suspect inside the business who was arrested without incident. A 56-year-old man and two-year-old girl were injured from the gunfire. They were hospitalized and are expected to recover. The third victim suffered minor injuries not associated with the gunfire and was treated on the scene. Police say they recovered the gun involved and confirmed that the victims and suspect knew each other.

Two members of the Marquette University men’s lacrosse team were killed in a crash on Friday evening. 19-year-old Scott Michaud (mih-SHOWD) and 20-year-old Noah Snyder died at the scene after a vehicle they were in was hit by another vehicle less than a mile west of the Marquette campus in downtown Milwaukee. Four others in the struck vehicle were hurt but are expected to recover. The 41-year-old driver of the striking vehicle was arrested. All home athletic events at the Marquette campus were canceled this weekend to allow the campus community to grieve the deaths.

Be careful with your season tickets and don't let scammers get control of them. Wisconsin Consumer Protection is reminding people to keep their tickets secure after multiple reports of tickets being copied or stolen. As many sports teams have gone to digital ticketing, it's important to follow the usual rules of password safety. Keep those passwords private and make them difficult for a computer to guess by making them longer phrases that are easy for you to remember. If your team offers it, be sure to set up multifactor authentication, like requiring a text message or phone call if you are trying to access your account. If you have actual physical tickets, be sure not to post a picture of it online before the game.

One girl who was injured during the Annunciation Catholic Church shooting last month is out of the hospital. Lydia Kaiser underwent two brain surgeries after shielding a younger student. The first surgery removed bullet fragments and the second relieved swelling. Kaiser is reportedly walking and talking, although she still requires another operation to replace the skull segment previously removed. She is the last of the shooting's victims to be discharged from Children's Minnesota.

Close to 14 hundred service workers at the University of Minnesota are preparing to stage a walkout. Teamsters Local 320 employees voted down the last offer from university leaders. The university's final offer included a three percent raise in the first year of the deal and a two percent hike in the second. The union has been seeking a three-point-five percent increase in both years of the contract. There are reports that a strike is planned to begin tonight at the Crookston and Morris campuses and tomorrow at the Twin Cities, Duluth, and satellite locations.

There are special opportunities this month to connect job seekers and employers September is National Workforce Development month and Wisconsin’s Department of Workforce Development invites job seekers and employers to explore services offered by the Job Center of Wisconsin. On Wednesdays this month, you can access specialized services including career navigators and business services professionals who can connect you to the right job or talent. Events will also include employment and training specialists who know what local job demands are. More information on "Workforce Wednesdays" can be found on the DWD website.

Local-Regional News Sept 8

 

The City of Durand continues to review this year’s pool season. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says so far it appears the city was within the operating budget for the pool.  The city hopes to have final attendance numbers to announce at the first council meeting this month.

The Durand-Arkansaw Middle/High School Band is raising money to purchase two new tubas. The current tubas were manufactured in the 1970’s and are in need of replacement. Durand-Arkansaw Music Director Andrew Smits says the instruments will cost approximately $7000 each. While not cheap, Smits says the new instruments will provide a better opportunity for students.  To make a donation visit the Durand-Arkansaw School District Facebook Page or you can also drop off a donation at the Middle-High School Office.

The new Athletic-Activities Director for the Durand-Arkansaw School District is settling into the position. Archie Scherbinow says one of his goals is to provide students everything they need to become successful adults.  Sherbinow has been in the district since July.

The Pepin County Sheriff’s Department is reminding motorists to stop when school buses have their red lights flashing. The department responded to two school bus passing violations last week. Not only do you have to stop when the red lights are flashing and stop arm extended, but be on the lookout for children crossing the road.

Charges are being filed against a former Green Bay Packers quarterback following a recent incident at an Eau Claire bar. According to reports, Donald Majkowski got into a fight with a fellow customer and choked a bartender at Brother's Bar on Water Street. Majkowski says that -- in the August 29th incident -- he had been jumped by someone who was jealous of his career in the NFL. Majkowski was cited for disorderly conduct.

Scammers are continuing to target elderly people with a scam that involves younger family members. It's called the Grandparent Scam, and Wisconsin Consumer Protection director Michelle Reinen says it can be effective on people who don't know it's coming. Someone claiming to be a grandchild or a loved one will claim that person is in trouble and needs money quickly. A common part of the scam is to try and convince the victim to keep the money transfer secret from the rest of the family. Be sure to let your elderly relatives know about this tactic, and set up code phrases or words to make sure that someone is who they say they are.

Federal health officials say a salmonella outbreak linked to certain home delivery meals from Metabolic Meals has sickened over a dozen people and hospitalized seven in ten states. The meals were made and delivered by the Metabolic Meals company during the week of July 28th. The CDC said last Friday that some of those sickened were in Wisconsin. Metabolic Meals' website says it is a home delivery meal subscription service focused on macro-friendly meals. The CDC said Metabolic Meals is working with investigators and has reached out to customers directly who purchased the affected meal types to inform them of the outbreak.

With kids back in school, Wisconsin parents need to be doing their best to make sure germs aren't being spread and they aren't getting sick. UW Health Kids Dr. Casey Freymiller (fry-miller) says washing hands is the most important kids can do. Freymiller says you should also be teaching your kids to properly cover their coughs and sneezes to help stop the spread of germs. Freymiller says healthykids.org is a great resource for parents to visit to get more information.

Wisconsin is joining a coalition with the goal of increasing EV ownership. Governor Tony Evers, who co-chairs the U.S. Climate Alliance, says Wisconsin and Hawaii will join 11 other states in the Affordable Clean Cars Coalition. It’s working on policies to make electric vehicles more affordable, expand EV charging infrastructure, and support U.S. automotive manufacturing jobs. Evers says it needs to be easier, not more difficult, for Wisconsinites to own electric vehicles. Wisconsin joined the Alliance in 2019 as one of Evers’ first official acts as governor. The Alliance, a bipartisan group of 24 governors, is committed to achieving the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement to combat climate change.

PFAs prompt new advisories on fish and game consumption in northern Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Department of Health Services announced the new advisories for the Town of Stella in Oneida County, due to PFAS contamination. A "Do Not Eat" advisory includes all fish species in the Moen Chain of Lakes, Sunset Lake, Starks Creek, and Snowden Lake. Elevated levels of PFOS, a type of PFAS, were found in fish tissues. For deer, new guidance advises consuming only one meal per month from deer harvested within a 5-mile radius of Stella's town hall. Liver from deer in this area should not be eaten due to significant PFAS levels. A consumption advisory was also issued for mallards and wood ducks harvested on Green Bay due to the contamination of PFAS.

At the Capitol, Democrats introduce bills to roll back Scott Walker era labor laws. The “Build A Stronger Wisconsin” package would restore the prevailing wage, repeal the so-called “Right-to-Work” law, reinstate the ability to use project labor agreements, and address worker misclassification. While Democrats said all this would be popular with voters, the bills are unlikely to get hearings in the Republican controlled legislature.

A bill introduced in Wisconsin would prevent testing facilities from immediately euthanizing cats and dogs. If approved, cats and dogs used for testing must be up for adoption for at least three weeks before being euthanized. One beagle breeder based in Blue Mounds, Ridglan Farms is facing up to 55-thousand-dollars in fines after hundreds of animal cruelty violations.

A Minnesota man is now enjoying his freedom after serving 27 years for a murder he didn't commit. Bryan Hooper was sentenced to life in prison in 1998 for the murder of a 77-year-old woman who was found dead in the closet of her Minneapolis apartment. In July, the star witness who helped convict Hooper recanted her testimony and confessed that she was the one responsible for the woman's death. On Thursday morning, Hooper, who is now 54 years old, was released from the Stillwater Correctional Facility in Minnesota to be with his son and daughter.

Interest in Wisconsin bear hunting reaches record numbers. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says more than 32,000 people applied for just over 13,000 available bear licenses for this hunting season, which started Wednesday and runs through October 7th. Another 114,000 people purchased a preference point to improve their chances of drawing a license in a future lottery. Those totals set a new record for bear hunting applications in the state. The DNR says Wisconsin has a bear population of around 24,000, and that number is growing. More information on, and regulations for, bear hunting can be found on the DNR website. 

Local-Regional News Sept 5

 

Prpoperty owners in Durand will have their property re-assed starting this fall. What does that mean for your property tax? According to Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren, since the city operates under levy limits, taxes may not change much.  The city-wide reassessment should be completed by the end of next year.

The Durand American Legion Post 181 helped the Durand-Arkansaw School District in replacing the flags at the Middle-High School and Caddie Woodlawn Elementary School. Durand-Arkansaw Superintendent Ryan Nelson says the Legion donated 3 flags total.

Dunn County has completed its administrative transition with new County Manager Dan Dunbar appointing Jenalee Nutter as Assistant County Manager. Nutter said she will continue to serve as the county’s Human Resources Director, assuming a dual leadership role within the organization.  Nutter has served as Dunn County’s Human Resources Director since 2022, having joined the county in 2017.  She graduated from UW-Stout in 2014. 

The City of Menomonie and Dunn County are sponsoring two Clean Sweep Hazardous Waste Recycling events in September to allow residents to dispose of household hazardous waste safely and conveniently. The City of Menomonie event will be from 2 to 6 p.m., Thursday, September 25, at the Menomonie Community Services Shop, 621 11th Ave West.  The event is open to residents of the City of Menomonie, Town of Menomonie and Town of Red Cedar and costs $10 per vehicle (cash or check only). The Dunn County event will be from 8 a.m. to noon on Friday, September 26, at the Dunn County Fairgrounds, Small Animal Building, The event is open to all Dunn County residents and costs $10 per vehicle (cash or check only). For a full list of accepted and non-accepted items and details about both events, please visit the City of Menomonie’s website 

The Wisconsin court of appeals has denied 27-year-old Ezra McCandless a new trial in the 2018 death of an Eau Claire man. In 2019, McCandless was found guilty of First-Degree Intentional Homicide after 3 hours of deliberation. McCandless had claimed self-defense in the homicide. On the appeal, she raised numerous legal issues that she claims entitled her to a new trial and the court rejected each of her claims in a 46-page long decision. McCandless is currently serving a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 50 years for the death of Alex Woodworth.

An Eau Claire man facing charges of child sexual assault is pleading not guilty. Eighty-two-year-old Robert Karstensen appeared in Eau Claire County court yesterday. Karstensen and his neighbor are accused of sexually assaulting several victims over the course of multiple years.

Eau Claire Police are investigating a Monday incident at the former Sacred Heart Hospital. Video shows a man entering the building with his face shielded from view. Officers responding to the scene report finding a door that had been opened by force. There has been no confirmation on anything being stolen.

In La Crosse, city officials are ordering the temporary closures of the Burns and Cameron Parks. The closures are effective immediately and due to what Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey says is the behavior of sheltered and unsheltered individuals. The mayor says there are concerns about the safety and integrity of those public spaces that include the selling of drugs, drug use, violence and other inappropriate conduct. Plans are being made to address those issues.

Senator Tammy Baldwin and Representative Tony Wied want more Wisconsinites to have access to Packers games. The legislators introduced the "Go Pack Go Act" on Thursday. The act would require satellite and cable providers to give subscribers access to local programming from Wisconsin's television stations. More than 400-thousand residents live in counties assigned to out-of-state markets, meaning they end up with broadcasts featuring Lions or Vikings games.

The Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds will host the first-ever installment of a new foodie event this weekend. BBQ Fest will feature multiple vendors, a backyard grilling competition, live music and more fun for the family. The event takes place on Saturday and runs from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. with more details available at nwsfa-dot-com.

Recent inspections at Ridglan Farms found more than 300 violations. Newly released documents say the farm was cited for 308 counts of mistreating dogs and three counts of failing to perform mandatory health checks. The dog breeder in Blue Mounds is now facing more than 55-thousand dollars in fines and fees as part of a civil forfeiture. Ridglan Farms can agree to the civil forfeiture and resolve the violations. Their other option is to decline and take the case to Dane County Circuit Court.

Wisconsin has joined yet another lawsuit against the Trump administration, this one over Wisconsinites' Medicaid data. Attorney General Josh Kaul says Wisconsin has joined a multistate lawsuit to block the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Homeland Security from using or sharing state Medicaid data for purposes unrelated to health care. The coalition is attempting to block the federal government from using the data for the purposes of immigration enforcement or population surveillance. In Wisconsin, Medicaid covers approximately 1.26 million people. Nearly half of those are children, and over a quarter of a million are seniors and people with disabilities.

A former Hudson, Wisconsin, school teacher accused of sexual misconduct with a grade school boy is facing new allegations. Abigail Faust has been charged with third-degree criminal sexual conduct. The 25-year-old was recently arrested after she was accused of several acts of sexual conduct with another teen in the Twin Cities while she was his nanny. Faust remains behind bars without bail and is expected back in court on October 9th in Wisconsin.

In interviews with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and WisPoltics, Representative Sylvia Ortiz Velez said she’s left the caucus after months of conflict, and an accusation that she would use a firearm against a colleague. Ortiz Velez called the allegation that she’d use an AR-15 “laughable” and that she doesn’t own such a weapon. She was also apparently banned from the Capitol, however Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said her status was “inappropriately revoked” and no members are currently barred from the building.

A farm in the village of Howard will be losing land it uses for strawberry farming. Sunny Hill Farm has been leasing land from the village to farm strawberries for the past 35 years. But the village has decided to sell the land to an assisted living facility. One farmer tells Fox 11 that the land has some of the best soil to plant strawberries in.

Minnesota home buyers are canceling sales at a higher rate. Canceled purchase deals are at their highest rate in nearly a decade. In July, about ten-percent of Minnesota pending home sales fell through while the national trend is around 15-percent. Working-class buyers are more sensitive to today's record prices and higher mortgage rates, making their deals much riskier. Despite the rising supply of starter homes for sale, demand is struggling to keep up financially.

A fallen elephant at the Milwaukee County Zoo is helped to get back on her feet. Tuesday morning, the 43-year-old pachyderm named Ruth fell during an "aggressive" encounter with a herdmate. After the Milwaukee Fire Department's Heavy Urban Rescue Team responded with a contracted crane to lift Ruth, zoo staff used a front-end loader to help the elephant stand up again. Zoo veterinary staff will continue to monitor Ruth’s health. The three elephants in the Milwaukee County Zoo's herd are all considered geriatric, with the median life expectancy for a female elephant in human care estimated at just over 39 years. 

Local-Regional News Sept 4

 

The Alma, Durand-Arkansaw, El Mound and 16 other Wisconsin school districts are splitting almost one-million-dollars for new technical equipment. The funding comes from the Department of Workforce Development. Alma received a $10,000 grant, while Durand-Arkansaw and Elk Mound both received $100,000. The money will give the schools equipment for projects including welding, carpentry, and bioengineering programs. The department says more than 42-hundred students across the state will benefit.

The City of Durand is preparing once again to reconstruct Madison Street in the Downtown. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the city hopes to put the project out for bids in November.  The city is planning on using a combination of financing from the TIF District, and grants to pay for the project.

The Lake City Public Works Department will be doing the annual chlorination of the water system in Lake City starting on Monday. Lake City residents may experience discolored water at times, and the department advises them to let the water run for a few minutes to flush their faucets. Those that have fish tanks should not use the water while the chlorination is being done. The chlorine should clear the system by September 22nnd.

The Wabasha-Kellogg School District announced it will begin its school year on Tuesday. The school year was initially scheduled to begin on Tuesday, Sep. 2, however, a widespread mold issue caused the school year to be delayed while the building was cleaned the mold was removed. An open house will be underway on Monday, from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Bond is being set at 250 thousand dollars for a woman charged in a deadly shooting in Eau Claire. The incident happened Saturday afternoon at a home on Sunset Drive. Police say 29-year-old Dakota Bilderback fatally shot her children's father -- 37-year-old Michael Lee. Lee was found dead at the scene. Bilderback is charged with first-degree intentional homicide.

Ten years in prison is the sentence being ordered for an Eau Claire man convicted on federal drug charges. Forty-eight-year-old John Soung pleaded guilty in June to a charge of possession of methamphetamine intended for distribution. Soung's prison sentence is to be followed by five years of supervised release.

Chippewa County was the scene of a deadly motorcycle crash on Sunday. The accident happened at approximately 1:45 p.m. in the town of Lafayette. Authorities say a vehicle turned in front of a motorcycle on County Highway K and that two people were thrown from the bike in the collision. The motorcycle's operator -- 25-year-old Ramsey Stevens of La Crosse -- died at the scene.

The City of La Crosse is filing suit against three companies claiming that they have artificially inflated the price of fire trucks. The city says that a standard truck that cost around half-a-million dollars around fifteen years ago now costs around a million dollars and that truck manufacturers have manipulated the market to increase those costs. The city has filed suit in federal court and is asking for a jury trial.

An Eau Claire man is accused of his fourth OWI. Wisconsin State Patrol says the man was stopped after driving almost 20 miles-per-hour over the speed limit. Troopers say the driver, Thomas Jones Jr., was showing signs of intoxication. He was taken to the hospital for a mandatory blood draw, and was then booked at the Jefferson County Jail. Jones Jr. is facing multiple charges.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is offering a new tool to track measles infections. The agency launched a dashboard sharing updates on measles cases in Wisconsin on Tuesday. Data on the dashboard will include case counts, vaccination status, hospitalizations and deaths. A new case of measles was confirmed in Oconto County yesterday, bringing the total to 24.

A former trooper with the Wisconsin State Patrol is facing charges. Michael Klingenberg is being charged with ten counts of possessing child sex abuse material. Investigators received a tip in March alleging Klingenberg had a file containing the material. He was arrested last week and taken to Marathon County Jail. Klingenberg is also facing separate misdemeanor charges of sexual assault and disorderly conduct.

Despite a fall in overdose deaths in recent years, Wisconsin still has plenty of work to do to combat the opioid epidemic in Wisconsin. UW Health Dr. Randall Brown says a number of things need to be done avoid overdoses going back up. Brown says increased access to information and tools to prevent overdoses have been big factors in reducing overdose deaths. Overdose deaths in Wisconsin dropped almost 35% between March of 2024 and 2025, which equates to about 600 fewer deaths.

A State Senate committee Wednesday will hear public testimony on legislation that combats sextortion. "Bradyn's Law", named in memory of 15-year-old Bradyn Bohn of Kronenwetter, who died by suicide on March 5 after falling victim to sextortion, would make sextortion a standalone crime in Wisconsin. Sextortion is a form of child sexual exploitation that involves threatening or blackmailing children, often after tricking them into sending them nude or sexual images. Scammers then threaten to go public with the photos if a victim doesn't comply with their demads. Under the bill, perpetrators of sextortion could be charged with a Class B felony if the victim commits suicide, which would allow for imprisonment up to 60 years. The bill was unanimously passed in the Assembly earlier this year.

A plea to Wisconsin legislators to increase the minimum wage. Tuesday, several service workers spoke at the State Capitol, all in favor of raising Wisconsin’s minimum wage from $7.25 to $20 an hour. One of them, Troy Brewer, who is a cook at Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum, said “A $7.25 minimum wage is absurd in this day and age. It’s the floor, not even the ceiling.” Last year, 25 states raised their minimum wage, while Wisconsin is one of 20 states that adheres to the federal rate set in 2009. Opponents say raising the minimum wage will hurt employers and lead to the elimination of jobs.

A new study says Madison is one of the best cities to retire in. The report by WalletHub compares more than 180 cities based on metrics like health care quality, affordability, access to recreational activities, and tax-friendliness for retirees. Madison ranks ninth-best, with Orlando, Florida, and Scottsdale, Arizona, at the top of the list. Minneapolis stands at third. The study puts California cities San Bernadino and Stockton at the bottom.

Local-Regional News Sept 3

 

City of Durand Crews and Global Pools are winterizing the new Tarrant Park Pool. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says Global will also help with the restart of the pool next summer.  Final attendance numbers should be available at the next city council meeting.

Property values in the Durand-Arkansaw School District have reached an all-time high. Durand-Arkansaw School Superintendent Ryan Nelson says values have reached the $1 billion mark. Those values may increase even more after the city of Durand’s city-wide reassessment is completed next year.

Wabasha County authorities are investigating a suspicious death on Saturday. According to the Wabasha County Sheriff’s Department, deputies were called to Mac’s Park Place Campground in Mazeppa on Saturday evening. Upon arrival, deputies found 63yr old Barbara McBride-Law of Lakeville, MN, deceased in a camper without obvious injury or trauma. Authorities are awaiting autopsy results for a final determination of death.

Authorities are sharing the names of the victim and suspect in a deadly weekend shooting in Eau Claire. The incident happened Saturday afternoon at a home on Sunset Drive. Police say 37-year-old Michael Lee was found dead at the scene, and that 29-year-old Dakota Bilderback has been arrested and charged on suspicion of second-degree intentional homicide.

A Western Wisconsin man charged in an officer-involved shooting in Eau Claire is accepting a plea deal. Thomas Burback had previously pled not guilty to four charges -- including intentionally pointing a gun at law enforcement. Burback was shot on May 25th of 2024 when an officer responding to a disturbance call says the defendant pointed a handgun at them. Burback has now pleaded no contest to charges including failure to comply with an officer's attempt to take a person into custody. He will be sentenced at a later date.

State Senator Jeff Smith sent a letter Senator Chris Kapenga yesterday urging him to hold a hearing in the Senate Committee on Licensing, Regulatory Reform, State and Federal Affairs on Senate Bill 385 that would restore funding to the Veterans Housing and Recovery Program, which would allow the facilities at Klein Hall in Chippewa Falls and another in Green Bay to remain open. Both facilities are set to close at the end of September after the Joint Finance Committee did not include the funding in the new budget. The bill has 40 co-authors in the Senate and Assembly.

A duplex was severely damaged in a fire Tuesday night in Eau Claire. According to the Eau Claire Fire Department, firefighters were called to the duplex at 4154 Mary Place on Tuesday night and found flames coming from the back of the residence. Firefighters contained the fire to the one unit, but the duplex sustained nearly $550,000 in damage. The cause of that fire is under investigation.

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office reports they pulled an intoxicated driver over Sunday evening who had children in the vehicle. Officers responded to a location in Merrillan where a witness said that kids were inside a parked vehicle screaming while their parent was in a nearby bar. By the time officers arrived on scene, the vehicle was gone, though it was later pulled over on Highway 12 with reports noting it was being driven in an erratic manner. The driver -- who had two children in the backseat -- reportedly admitted to having been drinking. They were arrested on an OWI charge.

A newly released study finds flooding like that in southeast Wisconsin last month has been rising steadily in the state. The Wisconsin Policy Forum found Wisconsin has seen a dramatic increase in damage caused by flooding following heavy rains over the past 45 years. Researcher Tyler Byrnes says the state can expect to see floods to continue happening with at least the same frequency, if not more frequency as the climate continues to warm and as we continue to urbanize. The study concludes that while local governments can expand infrastructure to handle increasing rainfall, fees that fund that construction would have to rise to cover the growing costs.

Those flying commercially will notice new changes to TSA security like being allowed to keep your shoes on. University of Illinois Computer Science Professor Sheldon Jacobson says changes are made by assessing every layer of an airport security system. Jacobson says changes TSA has made to security, like letting people keep their shoes on, have helped people move through airports faster without compromising safety. Facial recognition could also be a game changer when it comes to improving airport security efficiency.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is planning to call a special legislative session to address gun laws. He's making the move after the recent deadly shooting last week at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis. Two children were killed, and dozens were wounded on Wednesday. Governor Walz didn't get into specifics, but he plans to release a proposal for legislators to consider in the coming days. It's likely to focus on types of weapons, red-flag reporters, mental health, and safe storage.

Wisconsin Congressman Scott Fitzgerald says he approves sending federal agents to Chicago to curb crime, but not Milwaukee. Speaking on WISN's UPFRONT, the Oconomowoc Republican says Milwaukee has a better track record on violent crime than Chicago. Fitzgerald says there could be 10th Amendment issues with a military deployment to Milwaukee, and that Congress would have to engage in oversight if that happens. Vice President J D Vance floated sending federal agents and troops to cities including Milwaukee during a stop in La Crosse last week.

The Diocese of Winona-Rochester continues to mourn the death of one of its spiritual leaders. Bishop Bernard Harrington passed away on Saturday. The 82-year-old was ordained in 1959 and served in several capacities, including pastor, superintendent of Catholic Schools, and Rector of Sacred Heart Major Seminary. Funeral arrangements are pending

The Eau Claire City Attorney's Office is seeking applicants for a paid internship position. The city says the post would be right for someone interested in municipal law who has a desire to serve the public interest. A full job description and application information can be found at eauclairewi-dot-gov/jobs.

Local-Regional News Sept 2

 

The Durand-Arkansaw School Board has approved the fall 2025 Dual Credit Requests. Durand-Arkansaw School Superintendent Ryan Nelson says the program helps students get college credits while still in high school.  The cost of the program is approximately $90,000.

Two people were injured in a two-vehicle accident in Ellsworth Township on Saturday. According to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, 74yr old Gary Sukowatey of Ellsworth was traveling eastbound on 480^th Avenue when he collided with a go-kart traveling southbound that was operated by a 10yr old juvenile male from Ellsworth who was attempting to cross 480^th Avenue. Sukowatey was taken to River Falls Area Hospital, while the juvenile was taken to Mayo Hospital in Red Wing.

One person was injured in a two-vehicle accident in Martell Township on Saturday. According to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, 72yr old John Lund of Birchwood, MN was traveling westbound on Hwy N when he collided with a vehicle traveling northbound on Hwy 63 driven by 35yr old Robert McQuire of Winona. Lund was taken to Western Wisconsin Health in Baldwin.

A suspect is in custody following a deadly Saturday afternoon shooting in Eau Claire. The incident happened around 2 p.m. at a location on Sunset Drive. Police say a man was found dead at the scene. Officers have a woman in custody, but have released few other details.

After a significant discovery of common mold spores throughout its building last week, Wabasha-Kellogg Public Schools delayed the start of its school year. Superintendent Nels Onstad says the building is being cleaned, but he could not give a timeline as to when it would reopen. The district is working with a professional company for mold remediation, and district families will be notified of how the school year will proceed.

University of Wisconsin students begin fall classes this week. Classes at the La Crosse, Platteville, and River Falls campuses start today. Classes at the Eau Claire, Stout, and Superior campuses start Wednesday.

Sportsmen in Western Wisconsin and across the state are taking note of the start of a number of hunting seasons. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says the hunting season for mourning doves, snipe, and rail began on Monday. The days also marked the opening of the Early Canada Goose season. Bear hunting season begins tomorrow.

The former chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse will be featured in a documentary airing today. TMZ's documentary named "The War Over OnlyFans" features Joe Gow and his wife Carmen Wilson. Gow was removed after it was discovered that he and Wilson were producing pornographic content together. The documentary will air on FOX.

The Buffalo County Highway Department will be chip sealing Hwy 35 from the intersection of Hwy O to the southern end of Alma next Wednesday and Thursday. Along with the chip sealing, the road will be repainted. Motorists should expect delays while traveling that section of roadway as Hwy 35 will be reduced to one lane of traffic.

The City of Durand has hired SEH out of Eau Claire to develop a long-range plan for the city. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the company will begin work in January and will need input from the public.  Milliren says the city hopes the plan is completed by January of 2027.

New vape regulations in Wisconsin are now in effect. As of today, any electronic vaping device not listed on the Department of Revenue's Electronic Vaping Device Directory is illegal to sell in the state. There are 216 products listed in the directory. Retailers selling illegal vapes are subject to a thousand-dollar fine per day, per device.

Health officials are reporting more cases of measles in Oconto County. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services updated its dashboard to show 23 cases as of Friday. It's an increase of nine since last week's update. All 23 people are reportedly unvaccinated. Two people have been hospitalized. The first nine cases were reported early August after individuals were exposed during out-of-state travel.

Federal health officials have cut back a long-standing program that tracks foodborne illness in the U.S. The CDC said the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network, known as FoodNet, will now require state health departments to track only two pathogens, salmonella and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. The change affects ten states participating in FoodNet, a joint federal-state system established in 1995 that tracks foodborne infections in the U.S. FoodNet sites include health departments in Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon, Tennessee and some counties in California and New York. Before the change, health departments were also required to track campylobacter, cyclospora, listeria, shigella, vibrio and yersinia.

Dane County health officials have reported the county's first case of West Nile Virus in 2025. It's the fourth human case in Wisconsin this year. Public Health Madison and Dane County said Thursday that the highest risk for the illness happens in August and September. Officials recommend wearing long, loose fitting clothing to prevent bites, and advise getting rid of standing water to prevent mosquito pools.

Current State Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Bradley is not running for her seat next spring. The conservative justice announced Friday she won't seek a second 10 year-term in office. Bradley is currently one of three conservatives on the court, which now holds a liberal majority. In a statement, Bradley says the court is now shifting towards political activism, and instead she will seek to rebuild conservative movements outside the court. If that seat is not held by conservatives, the court will move to a long term liberal majority.

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development announces grants to help train skilled workers. The Wisconsin Fast Forward grants support innovative local and regional solutions to help employers meet workforce needs in their areas. DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek says any business interested in increasing their pool of skilled workers should apply regardless of company size or industry sector. Funding will go towards reimbursing the costs of customized occupational training for unemployed, underemployed, and existing workers.