Local-Regional News March 20

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic and current local state of emergency, the Pepin County Government Center and Highway Facility Buildings are limiting access until further notice, except to individuals with an appointment. You may call the applicable department or 672-7242 to request an appointment if deemed absolutely necessary. Any visitors will be screened to evaluate if its reasonably safe to schedule the appointment and enter the building. The county is encouraging all business to be done by telephone or any documents that can be mailed, faxed or emailed.

Pierce County Board Chairman Jeff Holst signed a state of emergency proclamation due to the covid-19 pandemic yesterday. The proclamation will enable the county to take necessary actions to protect the health, safety, protection and welfare of persons and property in Pierce County. There will be changes to the County Board's rules to allow the board to allow board members to attend board meetings remotely during the emergency. Ratification of this proclamation is expected at the next county board meeting.

The moratorium on large livestock facilities in Pepin County is set to expire. The Land Conservation Committee declined to extend the moratorium. Pepin County Board Chairman Steve Anderson says the county's legal council recommended not to extend the moratorium for a second time.  The moratorium is set to expire on March 31.

Eau Claire County, Chippewa County and Dunn County has a confirmed case of the coronavirus. All three counties learned of the positive tests on Thursday. According to the Dunn County Health Department, they believe the infected person picked up the disease while traveling. That person is now in quarantine. “We are in contact with this individual to monitor their symptoms and ensure they are receiving support to be able to isolate at home,” said KT Gallagher, Dunn County Health Department director.

An Eau Clare business says the 112 workers who are losing their jobs in mid-May have already been informed.  Hutchinson Technology Incorporated has notified the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development about the reduction.  It’s scheduled to occur on May 16th.  H-T-I currently has 550 employees at its Eau Claire location.

Wisconsin lawmakers say they plan to return to the Capitol to deal with the coronavirus outbreak.  Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald canceled next week’s floor session Wednesday.  Fitzgerald says senators were worried about exposure to the virus – but he also says he and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos are talking about the possibility of a special session to deal with the virus.  The two Republicans are reportedly working with Governor Tony Evers on a coronavirus aid package, although no details have been offered while they talk.

A 25-year-old volunteer at the Eau Claire Children’s Theater admits he sent a mostly nude photo of a man to a teenage boy.  The mother says she found the picture of a naked man with an emoji covering his private parts on her 13-year-old son’s phone.  Police say Jason Lecheler told them he “sometimes forgets about people’s ages” and he doesn’t know why he sent the photo.  Although no formal charges have been announced, Lecheler has had his teaching license pulled by the state Department of Public Instruction.  Another volunteer at the children’s theater served jail time 12 years ago after admitting he had sexually assaulted underage girls.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting this year’s spring flood season won’t be as severe or prolonged as it was in 2019.  Minnesota may not escape some problems, though.  The government meteorologists are expecting major to moderate flooding in 23 states, including Minnesota.  They say the potential for major flooding is greater along the Red River, the James River and parts of the Upper Mississippi River.  That’s due, at least in part, to heavier-than-normal rainfall in those watershed areas over the last three months.

A convicted double-murderer has been given a life sentence in Olmsted County.  Glenn Johnson was found guilty of the charges earlier this week.  Johnson will have no chance at parole and will serve the time in the Minnesota Correctional Facility in St. Cloud.  He was convicted two years to the day after stabbing 57-year-old Philip Hicks and 45-year-old Eric Flemmings to death  The attack happened inside the Salvation Army Castleview Apartments where the three men lived.

The Wisconsin Elections Commission reports absentee ballot requests for next month’s presidential primary are setting records for the state.  So far, more than 315 thousand requests have been processed, shattering the previous record of 249 thousand set four years ago.  Local clerks confirm they are processing more requests than at any point in Wisconsin state history for a spring election.  The deadline for registered voters to ask for an absentee ballot for the April 7th primary is April 2nd.  All ballots have to be returned to the clerk’s office by 8:00 p-m on Election Day.

There's been a major spike in unemployment claims due to the coronavirus. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that the state saw 29,400 new claims this week. That figure is pulled from federal labor data. 14 thousand of those claims came on Wednesday alone. The claims come as responses to COVID-19 have sent people home from work, and shuttered the dine in sections of bars, restaurants and meeting spaces.

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A student in a northernmost Wisconsin county is testing positive for the coronavirus. The Bayfield County Health Department says a high school student was recently in an area where community spread is occurring. The student has presented symptoms and is in self-quarantine. The patient will be monitored daily by the health department.

Harley Davidson is closing its Milwaukee factory because of the coronavirus. Harley temporarily suspending production Wednesday. A worker in Menomonee Falls tested positive. Harley is asking headquarters employees to work from home if they can. No one is saying when the company will start making its iconic motorcycles again.

Door County officials are asking us to stay away during the coronavirus outbreak. Door County is one of the state’s most popular tourist destinations. The locals say if the number of people traveling there is reduced for the next 30 days, it could help slow the spread of the virus. Currently, there are no confirmed cases of coronavirus in Door County. Emergency management officials are asking resorts in the county to cancel existing reservations and to not accept new ones.

Wisconsin State Parks and Trails will remain open to the public. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources continues to receive the most up-to-date information and will adjust operations as conditions change. The will continue to monitor on-the-ground circumstances each day to determine if park closures become necessary. Visit the Wisconsin DNR website for more information.

 A United States Postal Service spokesperson for Minnesota says the C-D-C, the World Health Organization, and the Surgeon General have all indicated that there is currently no evidence that coronavirus can be spread through the mail. Nicol Hill says the Postal Service in Minnesota is closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and so far has experienced only minor impacts on its deliveries. Hill says you may see some delays in mail and packages destined to China as well as from China, as well as to and from European countries subject to restricted passenger airline travel. She says U-S-P-S taking all reasonable measures to minimize the impact on customers.

 A Duluth distillery is one of several nationwide to use its alcohol to make and then give away hand sanitizer.  Vikre Distillery starting giving the product away Monday to people who need it during the coronavirus pandemic.  Vikre is telling them to bring their own bottles to be filled with a sprayable 70-percent alcohol solution and it will be given to them free of charge.

The demand is there so the Georgia Pacific paper plant in Green Bay is working around the clock to make toilet paper.  That product has become one of the most sought-after items in the country.  The plant is working 24-7 to meet the demand.  Since the coronavirus outbreak first hit the news, customers across the U-S have been emptying store shelves of all the toilet paper that is available.  A company spokesman points out the Green Bay plant usually operates 24-7.

Local-Regional News March 19

Two people were injured in a three vehicle accident Tuesday in Trenton Township. According to the Pierce County Sheriffs Department, 60yr old John Albarado of Bay City was traveling northbound on Hwy 63 and was stopped for a turning vehicle while another northbound vehicle driven by 19yr old Yongsheng Chen of Black River Falls was slowing down when Chen was struck from behind by a 3^rd northbound vehicle driven by 33yr old Melissa Hoikka of Zumbrota, MN. A passenger in Chens Vehicle and Hoikka were both transported to River Falls Area Hospital with undetermined injuries.

Officials have released the name of the 21-year-old Colfax woman involved in a fatal crash Wednesday. Tina Mae Agema was killed Wednesday morning when she crashed into a tree in rural Dunn County. According to the Wisconsin State Patrol, the crash happened before 5:30 a.m. Wednesday at the intersection of County Road W and County Road S near Colfax.

When troopers and deputies arrived at the crash site they found Agema dead.

The Pepin and Dunn County Boards both declared states of emergency in regard to the Covid-19 outbreak. Pepin County Board Chairmen Steve Anderson says the declaration will allow the county to apply for possible federal funds to help with expenses surrounding the outbreak.  Everyone wanting to attend the meeting last night was screened before being allowed into the meeting.

Pepin County is asking residents to limit their visits to the Government Center. If at all possible residents are asked to conduct business via phone, email, fax or mail if possible. If you need to meet with a specific staff member or department, your asked to call ahead and make an appointment. Everyone entering the building will be subject to screening to protect the health and safety of all employees and visitors.

The Buffalo County Sheriffs Department is warning residents of possible scams surrounding the Covid19 outbreak. Sheriff Schmidtknect reminds residents to not give out any personal information should someone contact you by phone or email regarding Covid19. If you are in doubt, you are welcome to contact the sheriffs department to determine if the call or request is legitimate.

The governor’s ban on large gatherings is even affecting funerals in some cases.  The owner of a funeral home in Chippewa Falls is suspending all services and others are leaving the decision to the families and churches.  Horan Funeral Home owner Mike Horan says funerals usually draw 75-to-100 people and many of those attending are elderly, putting them in the at-risk population for Covid-19.  Governor Tony Evers extended the ban to gatherings of more than 10 people Tuesday.

Some banks in the Eau Claire area report they are seeing their customers withdrawing money because they are worried about the coronavirus pandemic.  The head of one credit union says people carrying large amounts of cash are at greater risk than those who just leave their money in the bank.  When the cash is in your pocket it is no longer insured.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends electronic payments because they reduce the potential to spread the virus by handling paper money.

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is targeting $5 million dollars in grant programs to small businesses that suffer losses related to the Covid19 outbreak. The WDEC Board of Directors approved the program which will be known as Small Business 20/20 and will provide grants of up to $20,000 to targeted businesses with no more than 20 employees to cover rent and meet payroll expenses including paid sick leave and other leave due to the outbreak. For more information, contact the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.

 All Department of Motor Vehicle service centers in Wisconsin will be closed tomorrow (Friday) so they can be deep-cleaned and reconfigured.  State officials say the changes are being made to maximize social distancing during the coronavirus outbreak.  When those offices reopen the following Monday they won’t be offering some services, including driver’s license and C-D-L renewals.  D-M-V officials say all licenses and C-D-L’s set to expire will have an automatic 60-day extension.  In-person services are being limited while the virus continues to make people sick.

The Minnesota Republican Party has decided to cancel some upcoming local conventions due to the coronavirus pandemic.  Chairperson Jennifer Carnahan says the party’s executive committee made the decision Tuesday to follow recommendations from public health officials.  The Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party announced it was taking similar steps Tuesday.  A Wednesday news release from the G-O-P said nothing about any potential changes to the planned Republican State Convention at the Rochester Mayor Clinic Center May 15th and 16th.

U-S Senator Tina Smith is pushing the State Department to implement plans to get information and help to Minnesotans trapped abroad so they can get home.  The Minnesota Democrat sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Tuesday saying she had been in contact with several constituents who are trapped.  She mentioned that countries like Peru and Morocco have closed their borders, giving them no access to commercial flights or other modes of transportation.  Other countries are expected to follow suit.

The Wisconsin Department of Public Health says most patients with coronavirus will recover.  The state has tested more than one thousand people.  Doctor Ryan Westergaard with the D-H-S says most of the patients who are sick with the virus will recover fully.  Westergaard says doctors and hospitals are prepared to treat the virus, but there is a limit to the number of available hospital beds.  Wisconsin has 90 confirmed cases of coronavirus and they are located in 11 of the state’s 72 counties.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is hopeful that things won't come to the point where Minnesota has to implement a statewide curfew to try to control the spread of COVID-19. Walz says testing is important because it gives the state a snapshot of what's happening. He says they are going to find out through the testing how widespread the coronavirus is and whether or not it has the potential to overrun and swamp the health care system. He says that is the thing that they want to avoid, and what will determine how they proceed.

Even as the nation continues to work to stop the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, the Red Cross is looking for your blood donations. Red Cross spokeswoman Laura McGuire says that blood donations are safe, both for donors and recipients.  McGuire says that their blood levels are low due to closures of schools and colleges. If you are looking to give blood, head to Red Cross Blood dot org to find a location or schedule a donation.

Big-box retailer of electronic products Best Buy says it is encountering a strong demand for devices which make it easier to work at home.  The Richfield-based company says it is selling a lot of keyboards, monitors, webcams and laptops.  Workers for Minneapolis-based Target were told Monday they should start working at home until at least the end of April.  Best Buy is apparently selling a lot of refrigerators and freezers – because people are stockpiling food and other supplies.

The Minnesota Grocers Association (MGA) is reminding everyone of some things to be aware of as grocery stores change hours during the coronavirus outbreak. M-G-A President Jamie Pfuhl  is urging shoppers at the beginning of the day to give some time and extra consideration for neighbors in need. He says that includes the elderly, healthcare workers and first responders. Pfuhl says some people face bigger challenges in this time than others and it is important to remember that. Pfuhl says the change in hours will allow stores to do a little bit deeper cleaning and sanitizing. The association is also reminding customers to remain calm and prioritize your most immediate needs, as overbuying can prevent others from providing for their family.

Miller Park employees missing paychecks due to the coronavirus outbreak are getting some help. The Brewers are pledged one-million dollars to help employees who won’t be working because of the coronavirus. All 30 Major League teams are making the same million-dollar promise. Baseball season was supposed to start next week. Baseball now says the season now might not start until May.

Local-Regional News March 18

As more restrictions go into place across the State of Wisconsin in response to the Covid-19 Virus, Pepin County Health Officer Heidi Stewart says there are still no reported cases here in Pepin County as of early this morning.  Stewart says she is working with the health officers in Buffalo, Wabasha and Dunn and none of those officers have reported to her any cases. A positive case was reported in Pierce County last week.

The Trempealeau County Sheriff’s Office reports four people are hospitalized with injuries they suffered when their horse-drawn buggy was hit from behind by a vehicle.  The victims are expected to recover.  Deputies say the accident happened Sunday night shortly before 11:00 p-m and it is being blamed on an inattentive driver.  No names have been released.  The accident happened on U-S Highway 53 near the Township of Pigeon.

Today is the final day that parents and students at the Durand-Arkansaw School District can clean out lockers. Parents will be able to come to the school buildings from 8am-3:30 pm. Starting today, the district will begin meal delivery of breakfast and lunch. This will be free and available to any child under 18 that lives in the student's home. Todays delivery will be from 2-3pm. Parents that would like to have meals delivered are to contact the school district. Per Governors Ever's new executive order, schools across Wisconsin will be closed until further notice or when the public health emergency ends. Meanwhile, Mondovi schools are closed today. Parents are encourage to visit the school to pick up their elementary school students education packets while middle and high school students should have the academics through their assigned Chromebooks. The Mondovi school district is also providing school meals starting Monday. District students outside of a two mile radius may have meals delivered, while those within the two mile radius may pick up.

Ntec has announced that their annual meeting scheduled for March 31^st is cancelled. The Co-Op decided to cancel the meeting in following the CDC Guidelines. The Annual Report will be mailed to members on request. Ntec is also temporarily closing access to the lobby effective today. Customers are asked to utilize the outside payment drop box. Customers with questions can call Ntec.

The Pepin Farm Management Club's Spring Tour for March 31^st has been cancelled. The Club's Board of Directors made the decision yesterday in following the CDC's guidelines and the new order from the State of Wisconsin prohibiting gatherings of 10 people or more.

The Altoona School Board has voted to terminate the contract of superintendent Dan Peggs immediately.  Peggs was arrested last month and charged with sex trafficking of a minor and producing child pornography in federal court.  He entered a not guilty plea and is scheduled to go on trial next October.  Interim superintendent Ron Walsh says the board based its decision on two key reasons – Peggs is no longer able to perform his duties as superintendent and an internal investigation found evidence a crime was likely committed by the former district leader.

As of this morning, The Pepin County Board is still meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include a resolution to adopt the Pepin County Emergency Response Plan, a budget modification to the capital project fund for the Highway Shop project and a decision on the April Board Reorganization meeting.  Tonight's meeting is scheduled to start at 7pm at the Government Center.

A town in Chippewa County is contesting the placement of a convicted sex offender.  An injunction hearing was held Monday to discuss the restraining order being sought by Chippewa County and the town of Sampson.  Local officials are suing the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, arguing convicted sex offender Jeffery Neubecker should be returned to Kenosha County – the place he had lived when he was sentenced for the offense.  Chippewa County Sheriff Jim Kowalczyk says that is the way offender placement is traditionally handled.

Testimony from a St. Paul police detective has led a Wisconsin appeals court to award a new trial to a Somali man convicted of firing shots at people in another car.  Ahmed Farah Hirsi was found guilty of attempted homicide and recklessly endangering safety for his role in the 2014 incident in Hudson.  He’s serving a 35-year sentence.  The appeals court based its ruling on the testimony of detective Tracy Henry who told the court Somalis don’t trust police and they tend to “fabricate” events.  Hirsi’s attorney argued that labeling a group of people as liars violated legal rules prohibiting one witness from commenting about the truthfulness of another’s testimony.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has signed a 200-million-dollar emergency funding bill to help health care and long-term care facilities during the coronavirus pandemic.  Walz signed the bill Tuesday.  The package places 50 million into the public health response contingency account and 150 million will be dedicated to creating a health care response fund.  The governor’s office says if any money remains after February 1st of next year, it will be returned to the state’s general fund.  Under the provisions of the bill, private health care providers receiving grants will have to provide Covid-19 screening, testing and treatment free of charge to uninsured patients.

Wisconsin voters are being reminded that today (Wednesday) is the mail-in and online deadline for registering to cast ballots in the April 7th presidential primary.  The Wisconsin Elections Commission and all state elections officials are urging voters to request absentee ballots for the primary.  You have to be registered to request the absentee ballot.  If you don’t meet the deadline, you can still register in-person at your local municipal clerk’s office.  The commission reports the number of requests for absentee ballots has already swept past the numbers from the last three spring elections – about 64 thousand of them since last Friday.

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At least two hospitals in western Wisconsin are offering drive-thru coronavirus testing. Mayo Clinic and Gundersen Health System in La Crosse are using drive-thru windows to test people at no cost. The drive-thru method is believed to be the safest way to test for COVID-19. Gundersen will also test for influenza for a fee. Mayo says an Eau Claire drive-thru is in the works, but it does not have an opening date.

The Wisconsin state Senate will not be on the floor next week. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said he is postponing the March 24 floor period "out of an abundance of caution" for senators and their families during the coronavirus pandemic. Fitzgerald said he and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos plan to call an extraordinary session of the Legislature sometime in spring. Next week was the final general business day for the legislative session. Fitzgerald said coronavirus is a public health issue that should be taken seriously.

Twenty-nine cruise ship passengers from Wisconsin have returned home after docking in California last week, following 14 days in quarantine.  Two others remained in quarantine in Texas and Wisconsin state officials are working with the U-S Department of Health and Human Services to bring seven other passengers back from California.  More than 35-hundred people were on the Grand Princess which had set sail for Hawaii February 21st.  The Wisconsinites got a welcome-home packet which included a letter from Governor Tony Evers, information about their 14 days of quarantine, and how to contact their local health department if they have questions.

 Troopers with the Wisconsin State Patrol are helping deliver coronavirus test kits as well as samples to be tested. Officials today say troopers across the state are available in case hospital couriers become overwhelmed with demand. The State Hygiene Lab in Madison is one of a number of labs now accepting coronavirus samples for testing.

The former town clerk for Long Lake, in Florence County, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for stealing more than 210-thousand dollars. That figure is more than five times the original amount 39-year-old Megan Wilder had been accused of taking. Investigators say Wilder used town credit cards for her personal use, including two truck payments, clothes for her kids, craft supplies and other items. When the criminal complaint was first filed last August it estimated that she had stolen almost 43 thousand dollars. Wilder was hired in December 2016 and resigned last August.

 The Mall of America announced today that it is closing temporarily starting at 5 p-m today. The closure will last until March 31st. Mall officials say the health, safety and well-being of tenants, guests and team members is their top priority. Meanwhile Minnesota Parks and trails across the state are expected to remain open, even as facilities close and activities are canceled. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources canceled some public meetings and regular naturalist programs yesterday. The agency has also changed its operations for state parks and recreation areas across Minnesota.

Local-Regional News March 16

The City of Durand is taking steps to limit the spread of Covid-19. In a statement released yesterday, the city announced that City Hall would remain open, but activities will be limited to only necessary business. The city is asking residents to use the outside payment box for utility payments or pay online at the city's website. For the upcoming election, the city reports an increase for absentee ballot requests. You may make a request online at myvote.wi.gov and the city will mail out your ballot. Meanwhile the Durand Police Department is encouraging officers to take telephone reports of specific calls that are non-violent or not in progress. Officers may request you email statements or other paperwork to complete a complaint. The police department will also continue to respond to 911 calls and immediate needs for public assistance and continue patrols through the city.

Today is locker clean out day at the Mondovi School District. Parents are reminded to drop off and pick up their children at door #29, which is the elementary office door. Kids in 4k through 2^nd grad should be check out with a staff member. Students will be taking their supplies home today so the district can sanitize the building during the extended break. Students will be receiving chromebooks on Wedensday and assignments will be sent through Google Classroom, Google Docs and in packets for those that do not have internet service. Parents needing school meals for their children should complete the survey on the Infinite Campus Parent Portal.

The Durand-Arkansaw School District is adjusting its schedule for this week. Superintendent Greg Doverspike says today will be an e-learning day, and parents were encouraged to keep their children at home, but the school was open for those that could not stay home today. There will be no classes whatsoever after today, and then the e-learning classes will begin next week. Along with the classes, Monday the district will begin to deliver lunches to students and families that have requested them.   Doverspike says the lunch menu is going to be very limited due to the current situation. As for tonights school board meeting, that will still be held tonight at 6pm at the Durand Board Room at Durand high school

While residents across Western Wisconsin and the United States hunker down due to the Covid-19 pandemic, many are wondering what they should do if they contract the disease. Pepin County Health Officer Heidi Stewart says the good news is that most people who contract it will be able to manage it at home.  Stewart says that the Health Department and the patients primary care provider will also determine if the person can manage the disease at home or need to be hospitalized.

Many businesses are changing they way they do business. SFB-Security Financial bank announced that until at least April 6th, the lobby's at all locations would be closed. While the lobby will be closed, the drive up will continue to operate along with online banking. For those needing personal banking services, staff will be on hand to help customers, but they will have to call ahead and make an appointment.

Congressman Ron Kind is canceling all of his public meetings and town hall gatherings for the immediate future.  The Wisconsin Democrat says the meetings will be held online or by teleconference.  Kind is also closing his Washington, D-C office to visitors.  He says he will leave his Eau Claire office open, for now.

The Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department has identified the two people killed when a U-T-V fell through the ice as 74-year-old John Custer and 39-year-old Jennifer Custer.  The incident happened Sunday shortly before 5:00 P-M on the Chippewa River in the Township of Lake Holcombe.  Chippewa Falls E-M-S and its dive team found the two victims inside the enclosed U-T-V on the bottom of the river.  They were taken to a hospital but doctors weren’t able to save their lives.

 A large-scale netting operation on the Upper Mississippi River will be conducted after more than 50 invasive carp were found.  The discovery was made last week by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources near La Crosse and Trempealeau.  State biologists identified 39 silver and 11 grass crap near La Crosse – and one silver carp caught farther upstream.  Scientists say it’s the biggest concentration of the invasion carp which has been detected so far upstream.  It’s thought the fish migrated north when dam gates were opened last summer to release floodwaters.

The City of La Crosse is asking residents to avoid Mormon Coulee Road and Broadview after a sewage leak. Officials say a pressurized pipe carrying untreated sewage broke and pushed sewage to the surface Sunday morning. Construction crews will begin repairs this morning and temporary lane closures are in place until the main repair is finished. The city is asking drivers to avoid the area though delays are expected until further notice.

Wisconsin residents don’t have to worry about having their electricity shut down during the coronavirus outbreak. The Public Service Commission has ordered state utilities to halt all disconnections. The winter disconnection moratorium has been extended past the normal April 15th deadline. Utilities are being told to make a reasonable effort to reconnect any customer whose service has been interrupted.

Wisconsin election officials are encouraging more absentee voting to help combat the coronavirus outbreak.  Something as simple as having voters bring their own ballpoint pen to the polls next month is being considered.  It’s part of the effort to protect voters when they cast ballots.  Milwaukee’s mayor is hoping younger people will volunteer to work at those polling places because the retired people who usually man the polls are more vulnerable to the virus.

 Classes won’t be held in Wisconsin schools when kids would rather be out swimming or playing sports.  The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is waiving state-mandated hour requirements for school districts.  The D-P-I says it is also pursuing a waiver request to the U-S Department of Education so school districts won’t have to make up the class time missed due to the coronavirus.  State education leaders say they will work with the Legislature and governor to suspend state testing requirements this spring.

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 The Minnesota Public Defenders’ Office is pushing for the release of jail inmates during the coronavirus outbreak.  The plea comes after courts announced late last week what several types of cases will be postponed.  The federal court system in the state has announced all criminal and civil trials will be suspended between March 23rd and April 27th.

 Rhinelander’s city administrator is on paid administrative leave after being charged with felony misconduct in office.  The action against Dan Guild was taken by the city council during a closed special session Friday.  If convicted, Guild could go to prison for up to three-and-a-half years.  He will be on leave until March 30th – and that is when he is scheduled to make an appearance in Oneida County Court for a preliminary hearing.  City leaders will reconvene after the heard to discuss how to proceed.

Just because kids are not in school doesn’t mean they are not getting a school lunch. Most school districts in Wisconsin are offering free lunches to students. Each school is different, but most lunches will be distributed either in a drive-thru at the school... or some kind of grab-and-go arrangement. Families are urged to check their own district's website for details.

With the coronavirus comes coronavirus scams. The Wisconsin Division of Consumer Protection says it's getting calls from people who’ve gotten e-mails from scam artists trying to take advantage. The most common scam tries to steal your personal information. Consumer Protection also says there are phony websites that purport to have a cure for the virus, and a number of phony charities have popped-up as well. Consumer Protection officials say if you get an unsolicited e-mail about the coronavirus, just delete it.

Delta Airlines is suspending flights between Minnesota and the European cities of Amsterdam and Paris. The move was made on Friday. Americans can still fly to Europe, but can only return through 13 designated airports, and MSP wasn't on the list despite Delta lobbying the government to make it one. Delta is reducing its flights by 40 percent following the drop in demand that has ensued following the coronavirus scare.

You'll have a little bit longer to catch muskies in WIsconsin this year, thanks to changes in fishing regulations. The Department of Natural Resources will be extending open season on muskies to the end of the year, or first ice. Fisheries Management specialist Meredith Penthorn says Michigan has decided to open up their season a little earlier, but Wisconsin has not.  You can get a copy of the complete regulations wherever you buy your license, or online at D N R dot W I dot Gov.

 For years, the Freeport water power has offered a friendly smile for travelers along Interstate 94.  That water tower is now 100 years old and is showing its age.  Local officials think it was cost about 75-thousand dollars to preserve it.  A GoFundMe page is active under the name “Save the Smile.”  A study 17 years ago found lead and chromium-based paint on the tower and city officials say it is also rusting.  If the cost is too prohibitive, local officials say they will have to “have a talk,” but nobody has said the water tower should come down.

Local-regional News March 16

With Wisconsin Schools ordered closed starting Wednesday, the staff at the Durand-Arkansaw School Distirct is working to set up distance learning for the students. Durand-Arkansaw School Superintendent Greg Doverspike says there will be distance learning for 3^rd through 12th grades.  According to Doverspike, the district is also working on ways to get school lunches to those students that need them.

The city of Mondovi is working on preparation for a possible covid-19 outbreak. On Friday members of the business community, emergency management, emergency services and the health care community met to discuss plans of action. Mondovi Mayor Brady Weiss says the meeting is part of a proactive approach.   Weiss on Friday issued a declaration of instruction for Mondovi residents regarding the Covi-19 outbreak that include washing hands, staying home if your sick, avoid large crowds and events and more. Also Weiss has appointed Doctor Rick Stoughton as the City's Chief Public Health Officer. That appointment will be discussed and ratified at the next Common Council meeting.

The Pepin County Health Department on Sunday is notifying residents the hospital and clinics in Durand are screening all people entering the hospital employees,visitors and patients. If you need to be seen, if at all possible call ahead and as always if going to the emergency room limit the amount of people you bring with to reduce exposure. Also the Department is asking people to avoid visitation at the hospital and long term care facilities to protect those most vulnerable and health care workers.

Altoona School District Superintendent Daniel Peggs will stand trial on federal child pornography and sex trafficking a minor charges this fall.  Prosecutors say Peggs enticed a teenager into taking part in prostitution between October of 2015 and May of 2016, and also took videos of the same girl engaging in sexual activities.  Peggs has pleaded not guilty to the federal charges.  A judge Friday set his trial for October 19th in Madison.  He is currently under house arrest in Oregon.  The Altoona School Board is calling on Peggs to resign and appointed Ron Walsh as interim superintendent.

Prosecutors and family members of the four people killed by Colten Treu say they wish he had received a harsher sentence.  The Chippewa County judge sentenced Treu to 54 years in prison Wednesday.  The father of one of the girl scouts who was killed says he wanted to see Treu given a life sentence.  Twenty-six people spoke at the hearing asking the judge to impose the strictest sentence possible under the law.  Judge James Isaacson sentenced him to 11 years in prison for each of the four victims – nine-year-old Jayna Kelley, 10-year-old Autumn Helgeson, 10-year-old Haylee Hickles and Haylee’s mother, Sara Schneider.

 A passenger in the pickup that struck and killed three Girl Scouts and one of their mothers is facing charges in Chippewa County.  Twenty-three-year-old John Stender of Holcombe was charged today (Friday) with harboring/aiding a felony-falsifying information and intentionally abusing a hazardous substance.  Prosecutors say Stender was in the truck with Colten Treu in November of 2018 when he hit five people who were cleaning a highway ditch in Lake Hallie.  Treu was sentenced to 54 years in prison this week.  The criminal complaint says Stender remembers seeing one person being struck by Treua and then he hit his head and lost consciousness.  His next court date in April 7th.

The Minnesota D-N-R is reporting the first known case of chronic wasting disease in Dakota County.  A wild deer was reported by a resident near Farmington, and tests found that the deer was positive for C-W-D.  The deer was located about 100 miles away from the state’s primary area of chronic wasting disease activity near Preston.  Officials credited an informed citizen for calling the D-N-R to have the deer removed.

Triple-A says the drop in Wisconsin gasoline prices is a side-effect of lesser demand due to the coronavirus outbreak.  GasBuddy calls this the most significant drop in oil prices since the 1990s.  The average price for a gallon of gas in Wisconsin is two dollars, 19 cents -  but GasBuddy reports Kwik Trip locations in north-central parts of the state are at a buck-99.

Basketball star Karl-Anthony Towns announced Sunday he would donate $100,000 to Mayo Clinic to enhance their ability to detect COVID-19. Officials at the clinic say the donation from the Timberwolves big man is expected to increase Mayo's testing capacity from 200 tests per day to one-thousand tests per-day in the weeks ahead. Mayo announced late last week they finished development on a COVID-19 test and submitted it to the F-D-A for review and emergency use authorization.

After hours of negotiation between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the White House, the U-S House of Representatives gave its overwhelming support to an eight-billion-dollar coronavirus relief package Saturday.  The final vote was 363-to-40.  President Donald Trump has indicated he will sign the bill into law, but it hasn’t been scheduled for a vote in the U-S Senate yet.  Four members of the Wisconsin Congressional delegation voted against the measure – Republicans Bryan Steil, James Sensenbrenner, Mike Gallagher and Glenn Grothman.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is conducting an immediate response to the capture of 51 invasive carp on the Mississippi River.  The invasive carp were caught by two commercial fishing operators near La Crosse and Trempealeau, Wisconsin, during routine spring netting last weekend.  There were 39 silver carp and 11 grass carp just south of La Crosse and one silver carp caught about 20 miles upstream.  No breeding populations have been detected in Minnesota waters to date.  The D-N-R is working with U-S Fish and Wildlife Service, the U-S Geological Survey, the Wisconsin D-N-R and commercial fishing operators to conduct large-scale netting,  studies of the captured carp and increased monitoring.

A Rochester woman has reached a plea agreement for her role in a September 2018 shooting death.  Thirty-five-year-old Kielah Parsons entered an Alford plea to aiding an offender - accomplice after the fact in the killing of 38-year-old Brandon Arndt.  The deal calls for the dismissal of second-degree murder charges.  Prosecutors say Parsons was with 28-year-old Malcom Woods when he fatally shot Arndt at the front door of his mobile home.  Woods was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life.  Trial for a third defendant is in June.

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin is directing water, electric and natural gas utilities to cease disconnecting residential service for nonpayment until the state public health emergency has been lifted.  The P-S-C also said utilities must make reasonable attempts to reconnect service to an occupied dwelling that has been disconnected.  This comes after Governor Tony Evers declared a public health emergency to enhance the state’s response to COVID-19.  Wisconsin is currently under a winter moratorium on disconnections of water, electric, and natural gas service when used for home heating.  The moratorium runs until April 15th and would typically allow for disconnections for nonpayment to resume.  That moratorium would be extended for all service until the public health emergency is lifted.

Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul has announced a settlement with the merging cell phone companies T-Mobile and Sprint.  The dead means customers in this state should be able to keep at least a part of their phone plans.  In addition to continuing T-Mobile plans for at least two years, the agreement requires the new combined company to provide low-cost plans and low-cost internet access to Wisconsin’s lower-income families.  Kaul was one of several attorneys general who tried to stop the merger, but a judge ruled against the effort.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is urging Minnesotans to be careful of scams that exploit people's concerns about coronavirus.  Ellison says beware of scammers setting up websites to sell bogus products like fake COVID-19 vaccine, and using fake e-mails, texts, social media posts to deceptively solicit donations for victims.  He says e-mail scammers are also impersonating government agencies like the C-D-C, trying to get people's personal information.  He recommends not clicking on links from unknown sources and getting updated information directly from the source like the Minnesota Department of Health.  Anyone with concerns should call the A-G's office.

Information about the 2020 U-S Census is arriving in mailboxes across Wisconsin. Every ten years, the census determines the official population of the nation. It also dictates how many congressional representatives each state will get, and how federal funding for things like infrastructure and schools gets distributed. The census is required by the Constitution and responses are required by law.

Local-Regional News March 13

The City of Durand has passed a resolution supporting an application with the Department of Transportation that would allow the use of ATVs/UTVs on the Hwy 10 Bridge. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the resolution was needed as the DOT could not just approve the use of the bridge. If approved, ATV's and UTV's would not be using the sidewalk over the bridge but the side lane on the roadway.

The Mondovi City Council has passed a new ordinance regarding after hours sale of alcohol. It was discovered that there was no ordinance on after hours sale. The new ordinance would fine both bartenders and bar owners for selling alcohol after hours. Those with multiple violations run the risk of having their bartenders or liquor licenses suspended or even revoked.

Members of the Menomonie School Board have been discussing possible policies for using clean energy over the next 30 years.  The topic was part of the agenda at a meeting earlier this week.  A group of conservation voters has presented a goal for local governments to commit to 100 percent clean energy use by the year 2050.  Board member Jim Swanson has been drafting a plan on how to reach that goal.  The board will review it at the March 23rd meeting.

The National Weather Service reports the flood risk in the La Crosse area is above normal for this spring, but flooding isn’t certain.  The government meteorologists say the snow-melt has been an “ideal to slow runoff.”  How much precipitation falls in the next few weeks will be a major factor in determining how the flooding threat develops.  Hydrologist John Wetenkamp says locations that normally experience flooding should be preparing right now.  The U-S Army Corps of Engineers says it is well-stocked with resources if the need arises.

 Mayo Clinic is now offering possible COVID-19 patients a new option to be tested - a drive-through sample collection process.  Other health care providers have also implemented the so-called drive-through option.  Patients who meet criteria for testing are directed to the Mayo Family Clinic Northwest.  Staff will collect the specimens and send them to the Minnesota Department of Health for analysis.  This process reduces the need for other critically constrained resources.  Patients are required to have a phone screening first to determine if testing is appropriate.

 Mayo Clinic is promoting a new test it developed that can detect the new coronavirus.   Officials say the test for the virus that causes COVID-19 has been fully validated and data from it will be submitted to the Food and Drug Administration for review and emergency use authorization.  Mayo hopes the test can ease some of the burden on the C-D-C and state public health labs.   It could provide faster test results  - possibly within 24 hours.   Mayo Clinic says it is working closely with the Minnesota Department of Health.

The Minnesota Supreme Court has upheld a county’s ban on the mining and processing of silica sand.  Minnesota Sands L-L-C had challenged Winona County’s ban, arguing it was unconstitutional.  The Supreme Court affirmed a 2018 appeals court ruling against the company.  Wednesday’s vote was by a four-to-three count.  Silica sand is used in the oil and gas industry for hydraulic fracturing.  Winona County officials enacted the ban in 2016 based on concerns about the impact on the environment and public health.

About 30 National Guard soldiers and airmen from the state have been mobilized to bring 37 Wisconsinites on-board a cruise ship back home.  The Wisconsin residents will be self-quarantined when they return.  They were stuck on the Grand Princess, currently docked in Oakland Harbor, due to the coronavirus outbreak.  Brigadier General Joane Mathews says it’s not a security mission and the soldiers are simply providing the manpower and drivers needed to help the Wisconsin Department of Health Services get the people back to the state.  The National Guard drivers will then self-monitor for 14 days after the mission.

 The U-S Coast Guard says a group of people and ice shanties were on a big ice floe which drifted award from Sherwood Point Thursday afternoon.  Rescue crews had to bring the 10 people back from the Bay of Green Bay using an ice breaker, two helicopters, an iceboat, and an air-boat.  The Sturgeon Bay Coast Guard station says there were two additional rescues in the same area at about the same time, but local first responders were able to help those people.  Warmer-than-normal temperatures and high winds recently have increased the risk of ice breaking away.

Governor Tony Evers says hand shakes and hugs - and large group events - are on hold for him

With "social distancing" a new reality in the face of COVID-19 Coronavirus, Evers says "Wisconsin nice" is going to have a different look in the future. DHS is recommending that all non-essential gatherings of 250 or more people be cancelled or postponed statewide to help protect Wisconsinites from the spread of COVID-19, particularly those who are most vulnerable to infection and severe disease.

Tours and visits to the Wisconsin State Capitol are being cancelled to protect the health of the public and staff from the potential spread of COVID-19.  Officials plan to contact groups scheduled for tours over the next two to three weeks.  Other operations within the State Capitol building will go on.   The Department of Administration will continue reviewing strategies to limit the spread of coronavirus.

Emergency response and preparedness for the developing coronavirus pandemic is the focus of a revised budget proposal unveiled today by Governor Tim Walz (Thursday).  The governor wants the "rainy day" fund at full strength in case of economic downturn and wants a large amount of the surplus -- one-point-two-billion dollars -- left uncommitted.  Walz predicts developing needs because of coronavirus.  He said, "I don't think it is probably out of the realm that hospitals will be coming to the legislature in coming days and asking for upwards of a hundred-million dollars for COVID responses."  Because of the rapidly-changing situation, Walz is also urging lawmakers to fund emergency needs and a "robust" bonding bill and then end the legislative session early.

The Wisconsin Election Commission is reporting at least two cases of voter fraud. Commissioners Wednesday sent the cases to prosecutors in Vilas and Oneida counties. In the Vilas county case, the Commission says someone voted twice on Election Day in 2016. The Oneida County case accuses a voter of intentionally registering to vote in the wrong community, then voting in 2017. The Commission also flagged 43 cases where it looks like people voted in Wisconsin and another state.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has been asked to overturn an appeals court ruling on the voter purge.  The conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty asked the high court to expedite its consideration of the case so it could be resolved before the November presidential election.  The appeals court ruling stopped the purging of more than 200 thousand people from Wisconsin voter rolls.  Democrats have fought to effort, saying it was intended to make it harder for their voters to cast ballots.  Wisconsin is one of several states which are critical to President Trump’s reelection effort.

Authorities in southern Minnesota say they are looking for a man who’s suspected of impersonating a deputy.  The Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office has been told about two incidents last weekend.  One man reported he was parked in a lot near I-35 in Ellendale when an older S-U-V with a large exhaust pulled up next to him.  The person is the vehicle identified himself as a deputy from Iowa, but he left before local deputies arrived.  An hour-and-a-half later, the same S-U-V was spotted with emergency lights flashing and a car pulled to the side of the road.  No injuries were reported.

Local-Regional News March 12

The Durand City Council passed a resolution on opening the pool at Tarrant Park for 2020. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says there are parameters regarding the operating of the pool including spending no more than $10000 on expenses beyond the typical annual maintenance.  Other parameters include having enough life guard staff hired by May 15, and if the city cannot maintain minimum water quality standards, the pool will then be closed.

The Mondovi City Council has decided to look at alternative options for security cameras for city parks. At this weeks council meeting, members were concerned that the cameras should be installed, especially with all of the improvements at Mirror Lake, but the cost of $11,000 was deemed to be too expensive. The council is wanting to explore other options for the cameras before moving forward with that project.

A public hearing will be held in Mondovi on April 14^th. The meeting is being called to get the public's input on a new mission statement for the city. The statement is needed for certain grant opportunities. A copy of the draft statement is available at Mondovi City Hall. That meeting will be held at 6:30pm, April 14^th at Mondovi City Hall.

UW Stout has announced that in-person classes are being canceled from March 23-April 5. The University says that while classes will continue it will not be in person but through on-line. The University also has canceled events with attendance over 50 from March 15 through April 15^th. A decision on classes moving forward will be done sometime after April 5. In person classes have also been canceled at UW-La Crosse while at UW-Eau Claire, face to face classes will continue but attendance policies are being suspended.

The Chippewa County man convicted in a hit-and-run crash that killed three Girls Scout and one of their mothers will spend 54 years in prison.  Colten Treu was sentenced today (Wednesday) to 54 years of confinement and 45 years of extended supervision.  Treu admitted to huffing aerosol before he struck and killed ten-year-old Haylee Hickle, 32-year-old Sara Jo Schneider, nine-year-old Jayne Kelly, and ten-year-old Autumn Helgeson in November of 2018.  Treu apologized to the victims' families in court saying, "I'm sorry for the pain and suffering...you have every right to hate me."  Twenty-eight people gave victim impact statements in support of the Girls Scouts and Schneider.

 The University of Minnesota was hoping to set attendance records when it hosts the 2020 N-C-A-A Wrestling Championships next week.  That was before N-C-A-A President Mark Emmert announced that fans will not be allowed into any championship events this month due to coronavirus.  That includes Division I wrestling March 19th through 21st at U-S Bank Stadium - home of the Minnesota Vikings.   It's the first time the event is being held in a football stadium and the Gopher athletic department said: "attendance records were expected to be set."  College staff and families of wrestlers will only be allowed in the stadium to watch the tournament.

The Minnesota Department of Health is reporting a fourth and fifth case of COVID-19 in the state and both appear related to international travel.  M-D-H spokeswoman Kris Ehresmann says the fourth presumptive case is a resident in their 50's in Olmsted County who experienced symptoms at work.  The fifth case involves a Ramsey County resident in their 30's.  Ehresmann says that person had no community contacts, only household contacts.  She says the Anoka County patient remains in critical condition and apparently had no underlying medical conditions.  The other two cases are in Carver and Ramsey County.

Clark County officials from the health department, law enforcement agencies and school districts discussed underage drinking at a town hall meeting Tuesday night.  Numbers from a Youth Risk Behavior Study found more than one-fourth of Clark County high school students said they drank alcohol at least once in the last 30 days.  Nineteen percent of seventh and eighth graders made the same admission.  Those leaders discussed possible ways to improve the situation.  Similar meetings took place in other Wisconsin counties.

 University of Wisconsin-Madison is suspending in-person classes for at least three weeks.  U-W today requested that around 78-hundred students move out of Madison residence halls when spring break begins at the end of this week, and to stay off campus at least through April 10th.  All campus events with more than 50 people, including those sponsored outside of Dane County, are canceled.  Limited exceptions may be granted by deans or vice chancellors.  Campus will remain open and all faculty and staff should continue their regular work schedules unless advised otherwise by their supervisor.  U-W Madison said on Twitter, "Our health partners tell us that now is the best time to act in ways that slow the spread."  UW-Green Bay also announced today that it will not hold in-person classes between March 23rd and March 28th.  Classes will be "taught via alternative" delivery methods

 An Oneida County judge has released the Rhinelander city administrator on a signature bond.  Prosecutors are moving forward on a misconduct case against Dan Guild.  It’s connected to an open records request from a local newspaper concerning the firing of a former public works director for the city.  Guild made a court appearance Tuesday and he is scheduled to return to that courtroom before the end of the month.

A coalition of ag groups will be at the Capitol today (Thursday), as they hope to convince the state Senate to approve a package of bills to aid Wisconsin farmers and processors. Rebekah Sweeney is with the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association.   The bills were approved by the Assembly last month. The state Senate plans to meet just once more later this month, before ending its session for the year.

Nine out of 10 students in the Wisconsin Class of 2019 completed their high school education in four years.  The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction reports that continues an upward swing.  The graduation rate was 88-point-six percent in 2017, 89-point-six percent in 2018 and now 90 percent.  The report from State Superintendent Carolyn Stanford Taylor’s office finds improvements among the smaller subgroups of students – like blacks, Hispanics and those learning to speak English.