Local-Regional News April 20

While the safer-at-home home order has been extended until May 26^th, some activities could be resuming. According to Pepin County Health Officer Heidi Stewart, a request from the Durand-Arkansaw School District to allow the track to be used at the Bauer Built Sports Complex should be allowed when the new order goes into effect.  Stewart also said it is also hoped that beaches could be opened up as long as the social distancing practices are followed.

The City of Durand has sold the old ambulance to the Ellsworth Ambulance Service. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the city worked out a payment arrangement with Ellsworth and the ambulance should be delivered soon.  The sale price of the ambulance was $77,000.

The Wabasha County Board of Commissioners is meeting on Tuesday. Items on the agenda include a discussion and possible action on closing the Wabasha County Jail, approval of the project agreement between Wabasha County and the State of Minnesota, and discussion and possible action on a Local Option Abatement for 2020 property taxes. That meeting begins at 9am Tuesday Morning at the Wabasha county Court House.

More organizations in Western Wisconsin are stepping up to help local dairy farmers and food pantries during the covid-19 outbreak. The Dunn County Dairy Promotion Committee is looking to “Keep It Cool” with local Dunn County food pantries. Many food pantries are lacking storage space for the increased demands on milk, cheese, butter and yogurt. Committee members and Blue Northern Distributing are looking to “fill the fridge” at Stepping Stones Food Pantry in Menomonie and other local pantries by supplying gallons of fresh milk and dairy products weekly. The Committee is challenging the community to rally together in efforts to provide dairy product donations to local pantries and share surplus product with people who are facing food insecurities. Dunn County Dairy Promotion made the difficult decision in March to cancel the annual Dairy Breakfast typically held to celebrate June Dairy Month and local dairy farmers. These donation efforts along with additional pop-up events this summer will highlight the efforts of Dunn County dairy farmers and encourage the community to support local agriculture.

The Pierce County Dairy Breakfast has been canceled due to the covid-19 pandemic. In a facebook post, the committee announced the decision to cancel the event that was to be held June 20^th. Mann Valley dairy has offered to host the Dairy Breakfast next year.

The Durand Youth Fishing Tournament has organized a small town proud campaign. The Tournament is encouraging community members to show their Panther Pride by purchasing a small town proud yard sign for $10. The funds raised will be used to support the Durand Youth Fishing Contest. You can order a sign by visiting the Durand Youth Fishing Tournament Facebook Page.

A Western Wisconsin Grocery Store Chain is working with Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery to help the Cooperative's Dairy Farmers. In a social media post, Nilssen's announced they would work with the Cooperative to purchase 3150lbs of cheese curds and would offer two promotions to its customers at their 6 stores. Earlier this month, Ellsworth Cooperative Cremery announced it needed to reduce its milk intake by 100,000 lbs per day due to the decreased demand for dairy products from restaurants due to the covid-19 pandemic.

Eau Claire police say two men are being held in Illinois for the fatal shooting last month of Edwin Garcia-Smith.  A third man is still being sought. Joe Moya and Juan Olivarez, both 27, are in the Cook County, Illinois Jail pending extradition.  Those two and Ian Kearns have all been charged with first-degree intentional homicide.  Garcia-Smith suffered three gunshot wounds to his back March 20th.  Fingerprints on a gun recovered at the scene were traced to Kearns.  Investigators say the victim was selling large quantities of marijuana the day he was shot to death.

Fire crews with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources spent hours Saturday fighting a wildfire in the Necedah Wildlife Refuge.  Officials say 234 acres were burned in Juneau County.  After the flames consumed upland grass and some timber, things slowed down when they reached some wet ground in the state-protected marsh.  Debris burning is being blamed for starting the fire.  Four or five structures were threatened at one time, but no damage was done and no injuries were reported.  Fire crews stayed on the scene Sunday checking for hot spots. Meanwhile, Durand Firefighters responded to an unattended fire at n7457 Hwy MM on Sunday, no word on damage or injuries.

The Altoona School District has announced the three finalists for the Superintendent position. They are Dr. Joshua Isaacson, the superintendent for the De Soto School District in Missouri for the past four years; Erik Wright, superintendent for the Elk Mound Area School District for the past four years ; and Dr. Heidi Taylor-Eliopolous, superintendent for the Chippewa Falls Area Unified school district for the last five years. A final interview will be conducted today and then one person will be selected.

Police in Rochester are investigating what they call a suspicious death.  Officers were called to an apartment Thursday for the report of a dead body.  Investigators say they found a man who apparently suffered physical trauma before his death.  The 41-year-old victim lived in the apartment building.  His name wasn't released.

Wisconsin Republicans are planning to file lawsuits over Governor Evers' extended safer-at-home order that runs until May 26th.  Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says his goal is to have a legal strategy in place for this week.  Vos said,"we’re angry, we’re frustrated and we are trying to push back in every way that we can, to make sure that we actually succeed.“  Senator Alberta Darling of River Hills said, "we are going to the Supreme Court."  Governor Evers says "no one wants to reopen our economy as much as I do, but the bottom line is that our businesses, our workers and us as consumers can't be confident if we are not confident about our safety and health."  Health officials say the restrictions in place have saved lives and resulted in far fewer cases of the deadly virus than the state would have experienced otherwise.

The University of Wisconsin System plans to furlough 588 administrative employees one day each month through June 2021 to save about three-million dollars.  This cost-cutting measure is in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Chancellors of U-W campuses will make their own financial decisions on furloughing employees.  UW-Madison is bracing for the largest hit which is estimated at 100-million dollars.  U-W System President Ray Cross said, "this is a painful but necessary reality."  An email from Cross indicates the furloughs will begin in May.  He also cautioned that additional action may be needed.

There is another bad sign for the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee.  The 2020 Host Committee laid off half of its staff Thursday.  That committee is in charge of finding volunteers and laying the groundwork for the convention currently scheduled for August.  No one is saying what the move means for the chances the convention and 50 thousand visitors will still be coming.  The layoffs are the latest blow to hopes the huge event will still be held in Milwaukee.

Minnesota's Cold Weather Rule was set to expire this week.  It offers energy and heat protection to families during the winter months.  Xcel Energy spokesman John Marshall says they are extending the protection during the COVID-19 outbreak.  He says they're open to working on arrangements and "really want to make sure people have the energy they need to power their homes and keep their families safe."  Customers who are struggling to pay their bills can set up a budget-friendly payment arrangement.  The Minnesota Department of Commerce and Public Utilities Commission urged utilities to extend protections during the peacetime emergency.

 The Bureau of Indian Affairs has approved the Ho-Chunk Nation’s application to build a casino in Beloit, meaning all that’s needed to start building is the governor’s signature.  Governor Evers has expressed his support in the past for the project which promises 15 hundred jobs.  That proposal has been held at the federal level since November 2018.  City Manager Lori Curtis Luther says the B-I-A approval is news the Wisconsin city "has waited many years to receive."

 Bail is set at five-million dollars cash for the Stratford man accused in the stabbing deaths of two brothers in Marathon County.  Twenty-two-year-old Brandon Noll is charged with two counts of first-degree intentional homicide, two counts of driving a vehicle without the owner's consent and fleeing an officer.  Prosecutors say Noll fatally stabbed Michael and William Stone in the Town of Cleveland home they all lived in.  Noll told investigators he'd been planning the attack and wanted to know what it was it was like kill somebody.  His next court hearing is May 6th.

Minnesota Governor Walz relaxed some COVID-19 restrictions allowing golf courses, bait shops, outdoor shooting ranges, and some boating operations to re-open Saturday.  The governor urges Minnesotans not to "travel up north and crowd rural hospital situations...but get to where you can distance, get to a course nearby you, get out to a lake, get to a park where you can follow those measures."  He says courses will be disinfecting golf carts and is encouraging single riders unless it's a family.  Some outdoor activities remain closed including campgrounds, recreation equipment and guided fishing trips.

Local-Regional News April 17

Governor Tony Evers direct the Department of Health Services to extend the safer-at-home order until May 26^th. Pepin County Health Officer Heidi Stewart says testing capacity, contact tracing and enough PPE Equipment available are needed before the order could be lifted.  There are some changes to the order that do allow golf courses, and greenhouses to open under certain conditions.

While hospitals in Eau Claire are laying off or furloughing staff, Advent Health in Durand is keeping all its staff in place. Angela Jacobson, Director of Nursing and Emergency Preparedness at Advent Health says the hospital has been planning for weeks to find ways to keep the staff working.  Both clinics are also open normal business hours. If you need to see your provider, you are reminded to call ahead. Advent Health also has tele-medicine services available.

With the safer-at-home order extended until May 26^th, schools will be closed for the rest of the academic year. Durand-Arkansaw School Superintendent Greg Doverspike says that the District will keep the virtual learning going for awhile.  Doverspike said that as long as the district is conducting the virtual learning classes, the food distribution to students will continue.

A Bald Eagle was rescued by a Pepin County Sheriffs Deputies on Wednesday. The Sheriffs Department posted the rescue from Pepin County Deputies Schwennsen and Kavanaugh after they responded to a report of an injured Bald Eagle along Hwy 10. They were able to safely capture the injured eagle that was unable to fly and transport it to meet a volunteer from the University of MN Raptor Center. The mature adult eagle was believed to have been struck by a vehicle. The Sheriffs Department says eagles being struck by vehicles is becoming a common occurrence in Pepin County. No word on the condition of the eagle.

Republican leaders in the Wisconsin Legislature say they will respond to the extension of the governor’s Safer at Home order after they consider their options.  Assembly Republicans say their phones have been “ringing off the hook” since Governor Evers announced he was ordering people to stay at home as a way to battle the coronavirus pandemic through May 26th.  Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke wrote in a joint statement:  “While everyone shares the goal of protecting public health, the governor’s order goes too far.”  Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald says extending the order another month without a plan for reopening the state is “simply unacceptable.”

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services says it could be next week before anyone who contracted the coronavirus on Election Day would begin to show symptoms.  Before the April 7th spring elections, D-H-S Secretary Andrea Palm had warned that in-person voting would lead to more coronavirus cases – and that would lead to more Wisconsin deaths from the virus.

A Missouri rancher has been bound over for trial on charges he killed two Wisconsin brothers.  Twenty-five-year-old Garland Nelson made an appearance in Caldwell County District Court Thursday.  Prosecutors say 35-year-old Nicholas and 24-year-old Justin Diemel went to Nelson’s farm to collect 250 thousand dollars he owed them last year.  Nelson is accused of killing the two and burning their bodies, then burying the remains on his property.  He made his court appearance by video after having a preliminary hearing delayed several times.

A Dunn County woman is going to prison after being convicted of seven charges including two counts of sexual assault of a child. Dunn County Judge James Peterson sentenced Michelle Englin to 44yrs in prison. In March of 2019, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children tipped off police about accounts associated with Wayne Englin that contained child porn. After an investigation they found incidents of child sexual assault and abuse. Wayne Englin is serving a 50yrs sentence.

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Minnesota Governor Tim Walz joined the governors of Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky in announcing that they will work in close coordination to reopen the economy in the Midwest region.  The governors say they will examine at least four factors related to COVID-19 when determining it's best to re-open the economy.  The factors are sustaining control of the rate of new infections and hospitalizations, enhanced ability to test and trace the virus, sufficient health care capacity to handle a resurgence,  and best practices for social distancing in the workplace.  A stay-at-home order is currently in place in Minnesota through May 4th.

A Webster woman facing homicide charges made a virtual court appearance in Burnett County Court Wednesday.  Tara Appleton is accused of causing a man’s death last month.  Police were called to the home where she lived with Preston Decorah March 30th.  Decorah was found lying in the driveway with a head injury.  He died the next day.  Appleton is charged with reckless homicide, homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle and hit-and-run involving death.

Truax Field in Madison has been chosen by the U-S Air Force as one of the new homes for its cutting-edge F-35A fighter jets.  Wisconsin Adjutant General Paul Knapp calls the decision great for the 115th Fighter Wing based at Truax.  Madison city leaders had adamantly opposed the idea despite its projected 100-million-dollar boost to the economy in Great Madison.  The new jets will begin arriving at Truax Field in three years.  A 900-page environmental impact statement had to be completed before a choice was made between Madison and Montgomery, Alabama.

The Department of Public Instruction will start sending about five-and-a-quarter-million dollars in aid to Wisconsin school districts starting May 1st.  The money is to be used to help the districts with the transition to distance learning – where students learn at home.  It is being taken from the Common School Fund and comes in addition to another 38-million-dollar disbursement from that fund.  All of the state funding is coming in reaction to the coronavirus pandemic which has shut down all classroom learning.

 An expensive computer system designed to streamline enrollment for Medicaid and MinnesotaCare has experienced so many errors it has cost the state 76 billion dollars.  That figure represents federal funding Minnesota has missed out on due to data errors.  An audit released Wednesday says the state needs to do a better job of preventing those errors and monitoring who has access to sensitive information.  Problems with the computer system have forced county caseworkers to manually review 37 percent of 624-thousand cases over a 15-month period.

 The dairy cases at the grocery store will soon look a little different.  Arden Hills-based Land-O-Lakes announced a redesign of its iconic logo which will not include the image of a Native American woman that has been a part of their labels for decades.  The company says that the new packaging will include the phrase "Farmer-Owned" in order to showcase its history as a brand founded and owned by farmers.  C-E-O Beth Ford did not cite cultural sensitivity as the motivation for the change in packaging.  Land-O-Lakes will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year.

The dairy industry is struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic and there's a push to get help from the federal government.  Minnesota Milk Producers Association executive president Lucas Sjostrum says they pitched a program called the Dairy CORE program - CORE stands for coronavirus recovery.  He says it would essentially give producers a direct payment because different parts of the country want different things.  The immediate payment would be based on March milk production.  Sjostrum is hoping the federal government will use money from the COVID stimulus bill and said "every day that goes by with no action makes the problem worse for the farmer."  Sjostrum says House Ag Committee Chairman Collin Peterson and the American Dairy Coalition have endorsed the program.

Wisconsin’s strip clubs are asking to get some of the federal stimulus. Lawyers for establishments in Milwaukee and Middleton are suing the U-S Small Business Administration to try to get some of the 350-billion dollars available through the Paycheck Protection Plan. The clubs' owners say dancers need paychecks too. The P-P-P excludes so-called gentlemen's clubs from getting stimulus help

Local-Regional News April 16

Wabasha County may be closing their jail. WRDN learned of the possible jail closing after receiving a message that the Facebook group Wabasha helping Wabasha was discussing the jail closing. WRDN sent an email to Wabasha County Administrator Brian Buhmann asking about the situation, and in a reply he responded “Scheduled for April 21, 2020, the Wabasha County Commissioners will have on the Board Agenda a discussion/Action item pertaining to a possible closure of our Wabasha County Jail.” That board meeting is set to begin at 9am in Wabasha.

The school lunch delivery program for the Durand-Arkansaw School District is very popular. At last nights board meeting it was announced that 533 kids in the district are receiving two meals a day on weekdays. Durand-Arkansaw School Superintendent Greg Doverspike says that from the feedback he has received, parents appreciate the meals.  It was announced that Con-Agri of Menomonie donated two pallets of pudding to the school district that will be included in upcoming meals.

Public Health Officials across Wisconsin are discussing the possible end to the safer-at-home order from Governor Evers. Pepin County Health Officer Heidi Stewart says the debate is should the order be ended on a specific date or should it be ended when certain conditions are met.  Stewart says she understands the hardship the order is causing on residents and believes that a staggered reopening may have to be considered. Meanwhile in Michigan and Kentucky, protests were held yesterday in support of ending the orders in those states and restarting the economy.

The City of Durand will be holding the spring clean up earlier this year. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the clean up will begin the last week of April.  The spring clean up will run from April 27 through May 11^th. If you have any questions you are to call City Hall.

Todays scheduled Tornado Drill will be a bit different than in past years. The National Weather Service and Wisconsin Emergency Management decided they did not want to confuse or conflict messaging with what is going on with the Covid-19 outbreak. Pepin, Dunn and Eau Clarie Counties will not activate the weather sirens this afternoon, while Pierce County will activate their weather sirens at 1:45 and at 6:45 today.

A Milwaukee area pork processor is shutting down production due to COVID-19 . The Patrick Cudahy/Smithfield plant at 1 Sweet Applewood Lane will be closing for two weeks after a "small number of employees" tested positive for COVID-19. Smithfield Foods announced closure of the Cudahy plant and a plant in Martin City Missouri beginning this week. The Missouri plant is closed indefinitely, according to a news release, which said both facilities are in close proximity to urban areas in which community spread of COVID-19 has been prevalent.

Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul says he’s working to make sure you get to keep your stimulus check.  Kaul joined two dozen other attorneys general in asking Congress to make sure coronavirus stimulus checks are protected from wage garnishments and other types of collections.  Kaul says people need the money to make ends meet.  He says the checks shouldn’t end up in the hands of debt collectors.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services says FoodShare recipient benefits will be increase.  Extra money is coming to the 215 thousand people enrolled in the program.  The state is hiking the amount of money per month to help families deal with the coronavirus pandemic.  A family of four will receive up to 646 dollars-a-month for groceries under the new guidelines.

A former chairman of the Democratic National Committee is suggesting the party consider creative alternatives to holding its national convention in Milwaukee.  Former Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe says he believes it’s “very unlikely” there will be a convention in Wisconsin next August.  McAuliffe says that’s just an opinion, but he cites a difficult environment for Democrats as they try to raise the needed money to hold the event.  Presumptive Democratic candidate Joe Biden has already suggested the 2020 convention might need to be done virtually because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Minnesota-based HealthPartners is using an ultraviolent decontamination process to disinfect and reuse N-95 respirators.  There is a global shortage of surgical masks due to the coronavirus pandemic.   Doctor Greg Siwek (SIGH'-wick) says typically those masks would be thrown away after use because they have been difficult to clean, but this new method uses U-V light technology to clean the masks and allow them to be reused multiple times by the same health care worker.  Siwek says the disinfection process was tested by 3-M- and will likely be enacted at some local hospitals as soon as this week.

 Wisconsin health officials say they are seeing evidence of “flattening the curve” as the battle against COVID-19 progresses, but they warn about any rollback of restrictions.  Monday included the smallest daily increase in new cases in nearly three weeks.  Medical College of Wisconsin C-E-O Doctor John Raymond says the state currently ranks in the top 10 for its results.  Raymond says we need to see five benchmarks before returning to normal – sustained reduction in cases for two weeks, making tests available for everyone with symptoms, having the ability to treat all patients at a hospital without crisis standards, having adequate personal protective equipment for health care workers, and developing the ability to contact trace cases in real-time.

The coronavirus pandemic is apparently pushing more Wisconsin farmers into bankruptcy.  Three dozen farmers in the state have filed Chapter 12 bankruptcy since the first of the year.  There were 57 such filings all of last year.  Dairy farmers were already struggling with depressed milk prices before the virus shut down restaurants, schools and dried up even more markets for dairy products.  Fewer people are driving, so there is a depressed demand for corn to make the fuel additive ethanol.  Congress has taken steps to make it easier to file for Chapter 12 protection, making more farmers eligible.

Despite COVID-19, Minnesota lawmakers will be back at the Minnesota Capitol more often as they address not only issues relating to the pandemic but also items temporarily on hold.  Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka said, "I would say I think it's time for the Minnesota Senate to get back to work as normal, but frankly it's a new normal."  Gazelka says it's critical to get Minnesotans' livelihoods back on track, plus tighten state government's belt for an expected budget deficit.  Gazelka says Senate lawmakers are also talking about assistance for Mayo Clinic and the U-of-M.  House Democratic leaders are discussing  housing assistance and making the November election a fully mail-in ballot in Minnesota.

The Better Business Bureau of Wisconsin is warning Facebook users about the quizzes found on the social media giant’s pages.  The B-B-B says many of those questions could give hackers a hint about what your passwords might be.  They could then reset the passwords and take control of your information.  The B-B-B says not all Facebook or online quizzes are scams, but plenty of them are.

Minneapolis-St.Paul International Airport and Sun Country Airlines will receive part of a 25-billion-dollar bailout for the airline industry.  M-S-P is getting 125-million from the CARES Act to cover operational costs.  As part of the deal, Sun Country committed to four weekly flights to Orlando, Fort Myers, Phoenix and Las Vegas.  Each of the ten airlines who are part of the deal are expected to pay back 30-percent of what they receive.

Social distancing didn't stop the birthday celebration for Minnesota's oldest resident Tuesday in New Ulm.  Erna Zahn turned 112  at Oak Hills Living Center and there was a parade of vehicles outside her room that included six police cars with their lights flashing.  Family, friends and community members held "Happy Birthday" signs for Erna as she waved and blew them kisses.    Erna requested a slice of apple pie with a piece of sharp cheddar cheese for her birthday treat.  She was born April 14, 1908, and lived in her own apartment until she was 109.

Local-Regional News April 15

Because of 22 individuals and businesses in the Durand and Mondovi areas, six additional school districts will be receiving cheese curds in their lunches. The Feed Us Dairy Cheese Curd Project will provide  Mondovi, Gilmanton, CFC, Pepin, Alma, and Plum City School districts with Ellsworth Co-Op Creamery cheese curds for their student lunches over the next 6 weeks. The six districts join the Durand-Arkansaw School District where businesses and citizens have purchased cheese curds for the district for the rest of the school year to give to their students and at the same time help struggling local dairy farmers. Starting next week The Feed Us Dairy Cheese Curd Project will deliver cheese curds to the residents of The Homeplace of Mondovi and American Lutheran Homes in Mondovi and to the Mondovi Food Pantry, and other Buffalo County Food Pantries. On Monday, the Pepin County Tavern League announced they were purchasing 200 gallons of milk to give to area families on Friday starting at 3pm on Main Street between 3^rd and 4^th Avenue West in Durand.

Dunn County prosecutors have charged the Boyceville E-M-S Chief with fraudulent data alteration and misdemeanor theft.  Chief Matthew Feeny and Captain Tessa Feeney were both placed on administrative leave last December while an investigation into missing funds was conducted.  Investigators say a credit card for the Boyceville Ambulance Board was used to buy clothing and other items online, plus conduct transactions at a local bar.  Feeney told those investigators the ambulance service didn’t have any credit card policies when he took over, but he put one into place which required personal purchases to be paid back.  He reportedly admitted using the card to buy personal items.

The Durand Arkansaw School Board is meeting tonight via zoom. Items on the agenda include the swearing in of the elected board of education members, action on contracts with Market and Johnson and Auth consulting for renovations in the Middle School and High School, and an update on the Covid-19 plan for the district. Tonights meeting begins at 6pm on zoom.

No one was injured in a garage fire on Saturday in the city of Fountain City. According to the Buffalo County Sheriffs Department, the fire was reported at W747 Walnut Street in Fountain City at 11:27pm. Firefighters found the garage fully engulfed in flames and firefighters from Fountain City, Tri Community, Alma and Waumandee Fire Departments worked to get the fire under control. The homeowners told authorities they were awakened by the fire and had not been in the garage for hours. The garage was a total loss.

Minnesota House Republicans were unsuccessful in efforts to lift Governor Tim Walz's stay-at-home order and re-open bars and restaurants.  G-O-P Representative Steve Drazkowski of Mazeppa argued, "in our efforts to save lives, we are killing livelihoods.  In just the past few weeks, the governor has ordered businesses closed and shut people up inside their homes, and our economy has been smoked." House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler said, "we are doing better than every other state in controlling this disease because we are listening to public health professionals and we, as average citizens and as legislators, are supporting their recommendations.

State Representative Warren Petryk  issued the following statement following the Assembly passing bipartisan legislation to address the coronavirus response bill: “This is a difficult time right now for people throughout the state. To help address these challenging times the Assembly voted today to give our state more resources and flexibility to help in this fight. This bipartisan legislation will bring more federal dollars to Wisconsin to help increase medical care, provide loans to small business, and aid to our farmers.  In addition, the bill repeals the unemployment insurance one week waiting period to help those out of work.” Petryk hopes the Wisconsin Senate will quickly pass the bill.

On Monday, the Wisconsin Board on Aging and Long Term Care had issued an order prohibiting family members from making a window visit to their loved one during the safer-at-home order. Pepin County Health Officer Heidi Stewart says because some of those making the visits took advantage and did not practice social distancing.  After a backlash from the public, Governor Tony Evers rescinded the order.

Mayo Clinic Health System facilities are requiring both patients and visitors to wear face masks.  The health system put the requirement into effect Monday.  The masks can be homemade or cloth, but they must be worn at all times while a person is on any Mayo property.  You should bring your own so supplies can be conserved for front-line medical personnel.  However, if you don’t bring one, it will be provided.

"Stunning" is what the head of the Department of Employment and Economic Development calls the number of Minnesotans applying for unemployment.  DEED Commissioner Steve Grove says nearly 452-thousand workers have filed claims during the COVID-19 pandemic - compared to 219-thousand-625 in all of 2019.  That represents 14-and-a-half percent of the state's workforce.  Grove says those are real people "who have families to take care of and bills to pay and rent or mortgages to pay." 

The country’s two largest rivers – both in the Midwest – top the list of the most-endangered waterways.  The Washington, D-C-based conservation group American Rivers released its report Tuesday.  The Upper Mississippi River in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois and Missouri was the most-endangered.  The Lower Missouri River in Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri was second.  Increasingly severe flooding caused by climate change was cited, along with poor river management.  The National Weather Service is warning the risk of flooding on the Mississippi is very high through May.  The Menominee River in Michigan and Wisconsin is almost among the top-10 most-endangered waterways.

 Wisconsin’s governor says it could be at least a month before he begins rolling back the Safer at Home social distancing orders.  Governor Tony Evers tells a Twin Cities television station that even then it won’t be like just “flipping a switch.”  The Democrat says he wants to see more testing, more tracking of the sick, and more available protective gear before he starts thinking about reopening businesses.  Right now, the stay-at-home and school closure orders are set to expire a week from Friday.

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Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers is awaiting the response to his application to FEMA before starting work on a second care facility for COVID-19 patients.  The state is trying to get ready for a potential surge in the number of cases.  Evers submitted the application for a backup care facility to avoid seeing Wisconsin’s health care system in the southern part of the state be overwhelmed.  The governor says he hopes it won’t be needed.  The U-S Army Corps of Engineers is working with the state to expand existing medical infrastructure in anticipation of new coronavirus cases.

Staying at home seems to be working and the numbers suggest Wisconsin is flattening the curve.  Fewer people are testing positive for coronavirus.  The Wisconsin Department of Health Services reported the smallest one-day increase in cases Monday since the outbreak started last month.  The state has recorded 155 deaths and more than 34 hundred cases.  Governor Tony Evers says it’s too soon to start talking about when he hopes to re-open the state for business.

 The Mayo Clinic is expanding the availability of a new test designed to detect an immune response to the coronavirus.  Mayo began the blood antibody tests last week that signal if a patient has recovered from COVID-19.  The test is now being made available to more health care organizations and Mayo is working with state and federal officials to prioritize access to frontline health care workers.  Governor Tim Walz said the testing will help identify people who are no longer at risk of spreading the virus.  Mayo labs currently have the capacity to run about eight-thousand test per day.  The University of Minnesota is starting testing this week at M Health Fairview’s Bethesda Hospital in St. Paul.

The Trump reelection campaign has filed suit against a Wisconsin television station for running a commercial the campaign says is false. The commercial paid-for by a Democratic super-PAC is a combination of audio clips of the president downplaying the threat of the coronavirus. The campaign says those comments are spliced together in a misleading way and the lawsuit was filed Monday. The targeted station, W-J-F-W in Rhinelander, has declined to comment. Priorities U-S-A Chairman Guy Cecil says the ad includes the president’s own words and he is trying to bully the television station so it will quit running an ad that is critical of him.

The first lawsuit is filed in connection with last week's coronavirus-marred elections in Wisconsin. A group of 14 Milwaukee-area residents filed a class action lawsuit Monday in U.S. District Court in Madison. The suit seeks a partial re-vote of last week's election, which saw long lines at polling places in Milwaukee and Green Bay. The suit names Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald as defendants, along with the state individually, the Legislature and the Wisconsin Elections Commission. The goal is not a new election but an "order to count the votes of all those who were disenfranchised April 7," the plaintiffs' attorneys say in a news release.

Madison police say a burglary must have climbed up into the ceiling and crawled into a store before stealing cash and cigarettes.  The crook set off an alarm at about 2:30 a-m Saturday.  Investigators think he dropped from the ceiling at the Tobacco Deals store in Madison, grabbed the money and smokes, and then took off.  A police dog was used to search for the suspect, but wasn’t able to find him.

Local-Regional News April 14

The votes in last weeks spring election were counted yesterday. Bill Yingst defeated Donna Juleff to be re-elected to the Durand-Arkansaw School Board. In Mondovi, Tyler Moy and Brandon Bee were both elected to the Mondovi School board and in Elk Mound, Patrick Rhude, Mark Cedarblade and Michael Jenson Jr were elected to the Elk Mound School Board. In Plum City, Lisa Delong was elected to the school board over Katie George. Voters also approved the $48 million dollar referendum for CVTC by a 62-38% margin.

There were a few contested races for the Buffalo County Board yesterday. In District 3, Steve Nelson defeated Lou Ann Roby while John Sendelbach won over Jeanne Franz. In the Town of Nelson, Kevin Theismann was elected Village Trustee over Michael McNallen, meanwhile for Plum City Village Trustee, Peggy Gilles defeated Kent Gilles by one vote.

Advent Health of Durand now has a drive through testing station. Angela Jacobson of Advent Health says you can sign up online at Advent Health dot com.  The website will ask a series of questions to determine if you need a covid-19 test and if you do, it will give you a choice in scheduling a test.

The first batch of cheese curds for students of the Durand-Arkansaw School District were delivered Monday. Steve Bechel of Eau Galle Cheese says the amount of support shown by the community has been outstanding.  MH Smith Insurance, Prime Realty of Durand, Maxville Truck and Repair along with First Choice Dairy teamed up to donate 150lbs of cheese curds to the school district each week for the rest of the school year.

The Pepin County Tavern League has purchased 200 gallons of milk to distribute to area families in need. Charlene Dock, Secretary-Treasurer of the Tavern League says members wanted to help out the local dairy farmers during the covid-19 pandemic. The milk will be distributed on Friday at 3pm on Main Street between 3^rd and 4^th avenue west. All families in Durand and the surrounding communities are welcome to get some milk.

Governor Evers Safer-at-home order is scheduled to end on April 24^th. Pepin County Health Officer Heidi Stewart says that while some things be lifted, the new normal is going to be different than it was before the pandemic.  Stewart says while there are indications that a peak may have been reached, there needs to be a lower number of new infections per day, and the virus is not going away anytime soon. Social distancing practices will still be needed to prevent another spike in the disease.

Eau Claire is one of the Wisconsin communities that set a record for snowfall on Easter Sunday.  The National Weather Service reports seven-point-three inches demolished the 58-year-old record for April 12th.  That was seven inches.  The all-time record for snowfall on an Easter Sunday five-and-a-half inches in 1929.

 Authorities in Barron County say a welfare check late last week led to gunshots and a standoff.  Fifty-five-year-old Thomas Levasseur of Woodville is being held in the county jail on a recommended charge of armed while intoxicated.  Teams from several agencies couldn’t get Levasseur to answer the phone, so an armored vehicle was used to make an approach.  Deputies say he eventually came out the front door with a gun in his hand.  After a brief negotiation, he put the gun down and was arrested.

To ensure that the Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Buffalo & Pepin Counties can maintain continuity of operations and the safety of everyone, access to the ADRC has been limited to “by appointment only”.  If community members have any needs, we ask that they please conduct business via phone, email, fax, or mail to the maximum extent possible. If you have a need to meet with a specific staff member or department, we ask that you please call ahead to make an appointment. All individuals entering the building will be subject to screening to protect the health and safety of all employees and visitors. ADRC contact number is: 1-866-578-2372. The ADRC also has a new facebook page which can be found by searching for ADRC of Buffalo & Pepin Counties. Click like and follow us for daily updates and information to local resources as well as our contact information.

The F-D-A is giving Minnesota-based HealthPartners a fast-track for testing of a drug aimed at combating the coronavirus.  The study will include up to 60 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Doctor Charles Bruen  says the hope is that the drug will be an effective way to prevent or help tamp down that severe inflammation, to help minimize the long-term lung damage that a patient may have.    Doctor Bruen says if effective, the drug could potentially reduce the need for a ventilator in some patients--and could even save lives.

While Wisconsin drivers have been staying at home, gas prices have been in free-fall.  Some drivers may be shocked the next time they check the pump price.  Triple-A Wisconsin reports the average price last week was a dollar-35 a gallon, 90 cents lower than last month.  Drivers in Madison are paying a dollar-33, while here in Western Wisconsin the average price is 1.29, while the price is one-11 in Appleton and one-19 in Green Bay.  The state’s highest average price is a dollar-76 in Superior.

 Veterans will be able to dial in to a toll-free telephone town hall meeting Tuesday afternoon for veterans.  Doctor Paul Lawrence, the under-secretary for benefits at the Department of Veterans Affairs will be the host.  He is expected to tell vets about new and existing benefits which are available, like the Blue Water Navy Program.  Efforts to fight veterans’ suicides will also be discussed and vets who dial in will be able to ask questions.  The meeting will start at 4:00 p-m Tuesday, April 14th.
[Call-in number:  844-227-7557]

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz says he's "deeply concerned" that dozens of COVID-19 illnesses have shut down Smithfield Foods plant in Sioux Falls.  That facility is a major processor of pork coming from Minnesota and other states.  Walz said, "they are shut down because of what can happen if you don't get the social distancing and you don't get things right."  He'd like to see all employees tested at these food-producing plants.  Walz says he's constantly talking to Minnesota-based major manufacturers such as General Mills, Cargill and Land O' Lakes.

 Officials say the Viking Mississippi will cruise the Mississippi River between St. Paul and New Orleans starting in August 2022.  An official statement was released late last week.  The vessel is being constructed in Louisiana right now, but bookings will be open to the general public starting Wednesday.  The Viking Mississippi will have 193 staterooms on five decks, with an infinity pool and several onboard restaurants.  Cruises of eight and 15 days will be offered at prices starting just below 46 hundred dollars.

 Workers at Madison’s Meriter Hospital say their employer should take care of them like they are taking care of their patients during the coronavirus pandemic.  Hundreds of the hospital’s employees have signed a petition which demands paid sick leave and hazard pay.  It also calls for action to be taken by elected officials to deal with the shortage of personal protective equipment.

A Republican candidate for the U-S Senate from Minnesota is objecting to the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.  Jason Lewis wants restrictions on businesses to be reduced.  Lewis says he would have reopened Minnesota businesses to all but the most vulnerable by April 1st.  He says schools should open again by the middle of this month.  Lewis will be running against Democratic incumbent U-S Senator Tina Smith in November.

Minnesota driver’s education classes are being moved online.  The Department of Public Safety is allowing driving schools to use teleconferences and other methods of distance learning to replace classroom instruction for new drivers.  The online instruction will end when the governor’s stay-at-home order is lifted.  For now, behind-the-wheel training is on hold.

An online survey of three thousand people working from home finds Wisconsin workers are drinking on the job.  Thirty-two percent of those surveyed say they’ve consumed alcohol during work hours.  Thirty-two percent is same as the national rate of people drinking on the job.  The drink of choice appears to be beer, 38 percent, followed by cocktails, wine and straight spirits.  Officials at Alcohol-dot-org say men went for beer while women chose cocktails.

Local-Regional News April 13

One person is dead and two others injured after a two vehicle accident south of Arcadia on Friday. According to the Trempealeau County Sheriff's Department, 18yr old Amya Meyer of Altoona was traveling southbound on Hwy 93, crossed the centerline and stuck a Right-Way Shuttle Bus traveling northbound on Hwy 93 head on. The driver of the bus 43yr old Jason Galewaski along with a passenger were taken to the hospital while Meyer was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Wabash County Sheriffs Department is investigating the shooting of a horse in Mazeppa. Deputies were called to a rural address on Thursday afternoon and found the horse had been killed by a single gunshot to the head. The horse had been checked on at 7:30pm on April 8^th and was alive. The reporting party discovered the horse lying in the field. The Sheriff's Department is asking the public to come forward with any and all information about the case. Anyone with information is to call the sheriff's department at 651-565-3361.

Due to the Covid-19 Safer-at-home order from Governor Evers, Tarrant park will be closed until further notice. Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says that the park, swimming pool and the playgrounds at Tarrant and Memorial Parks are also closed until further notice.

A Third positive case of Covid-19 has been reported in Buffalo County. According to the Buffalo County Health Department, an individual in their 40's was exposed to a known Covid-19 case and contracted the disease. The individual is currently recovering at home. The Health department is following up with individuals know to have had close contact with the person and providing guidance for symptom monitoring and quarantine.

An Iowa man will be on probation for two years for stabbing a Chippewa County co-worker with a utility knife.  Thirty-two-year-old Anthony Avila was sentenced this week after entering a guilty plea.  Avila admitted he stabbed the victim at a hotel last October.  He pleaded guilty to a charge of substantial battery in January.  Authorities say they were able to track him down and take him into custody with the help of a Chippewa Falls police dog.

State Senator Carla Nelson of Rochester says negotiations are under way on state financial relief for Mayo Clinic.  The Minnesota-based health care system announced pay cuts for 20-thousand workers and an expected three-billion-dollar loss by year's end due to COVID-19.  Nelson says Mayo is not only the state's largest employer, "it is the employer that is on the front lines of tackling this coronavirus, so it's absolutely essential that they be able to continue with that mission."  Nelson says there are "very feasible things that the state can do immediately" when lawmakers return to the State Capitol on Tuesday.

 Nearly 20 business associations in Wisconsin are calling on the governor to start creating a transition plan for businesses once his Safer at Home order is lifted April 24th.  Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce President and C-E-O Kurt Bauer says he understands the economy won’t go back to normal at first, but he believes there should be a strategic and planned approach in place.  W-M-C is monitoring nations like Taiwan and South Korea to see how they do it.  Apparently, right now, no states have any plans in place to transition businesses once the coronavirus pandemic slows down.

More than 95-percent of the people in Wisconsin infected with the coronavirus are expected to get better on their own in a matter of weeks. The Department of Health Services says COVID-19 is a serious threat to only a very small percentage of the people who get it. More than 31-thousand Wisconsinites have been tested, and given a clean bill of health.

 A vote could come from the Minnesota Legislature as early as Tuesday on a deal to create an emergency assistance program for Minnesotans who can't afford insulin. Drug manufacturers would provide the insulin through the program, but would not be charged a fee, a key component Democrats were pushing for. There is no sunset date built into the emergency program. Lawmakers announced an agreement on the program late last week.

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development says the state’s unemployment rate could reach 27 percent.  The report released Thursday blames the coronavirus pandemic for the startling projection.  The state agency says more than 48-thousand private businesses in Wisconsin are closed – or could be soon.  That could drive up the unemployment rate to record levels.  Just before the outbreak Wisconsin’s jobless rate was at three-and-a-half percent.

Republican leaders plan to hold a special session of the Wisconsin Legislature this week to pass a coronarivus relief bill.  The special session would begin Tuesday as a virtual meeting.  Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said, "this legislation will allow Wisconsin to capture millions of federal dollars in addition to the two-billion dollars in coronavirus funding that will aid Wisconsin’s response to the COVID-19 crisis."  Vos and Fitzgerald say they continue to work Democrats on the bill.  It is still being determined which day each chamber will hold a session.  Governor Tony Evers threatened to veto a package that had been negotiated because it gave the Joint Finance Committee the ability to make cuts to the state budget.

The United States Postal Service says it is now investigating potential issues with absentee ballots in Wisconsin's spring primary.  The action comes after U-S Senators Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson demanded answers from the Inspector General about reports of absentee ballots that were not delivered to voters in late March and the discovery of ballots from Appleton and Oshkosh at a U-S-P-S processing center.  Postal Service spokesman David Partenheimer said that they "have been made aware of potential issues with absentee ballots in Wisconsin and are currently conducting an investigation into the claims."  The results from Tuesday's election during the statewide safer-at-home order are scheduled to be released Monday at 4 p-m.

While some Wisconsin Dairy farmers have to dispose of excess milk, some grocery stores have been limiting the purchase of dairy products. Wisconsin Agriculture Secretary Designee Randy Romanski says while there was some limiting, that is coming to an end.  Romanski encourages consumers to let the department of agriculture know if a store is limiting purchase of dairy products.

 Wisconsin’s contentious presidential primary election is far from finished.  Almost two thousand local clerks still have to guard the ballots until Monday afternoon – when the counting process can start.  Normally, the count starts when the polls close, but a judge ordered absentee ballots will be given the extra time to arrive in the mail.  Those clerks have placed the ballots they have in sealed bags, located them in safes, closets and offices, and have done the same thing with voting machines that have the electronic records inside.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation says 371 road construction projects across the state will go during the COVID-19 pandemic.  WisDOT Secretary-designee Craig Thompson said, "our well-being and our economy depend on a safe highway system, and this work will be vital to our recovery efforts now and in the future.”  Work is already underway on more than 65 projects.  WisDOT says it is working with staff and contractors to follow the latest guidance from public health officials to prevent the spread of coronavirus.  The decreased traffic in Wisconsin allows more flexibility for some projects, lane restrictions cause less impact to the public and safety zones can be expanded.

Local-Regional News April 10

The Pepin County Dairy Promotions Committee in conjunction with the Durand Food Bank held a special milk distribution yesterday. The committee had purchased 100 gallons of milk for the event, but realized early on they needed more and purchased another 64 gallons.  Committee Vice President Kyle Danzinger says giving people access to dairy products will be a focus of the committee going forward.

Sheriff Departments across Wisconsin will be receiving some much needed hand sanitizer thanks to the Pepin County Sheriff's Department along with the Badger State Sheriff's Association and the La Crosse Distilling Company. Pepin County Sheriff Joel Wener contacted the company and was able to secure 7-55 gallon barrels of hand sanitizer. Wener says when put the word out that he had this sanitizer, he heard back from 45 departments.  The sanitizer will be distributed to those departments with the help of the Badger State Sheriff's Association. Wener says the sanitizer is needed for squad cars, employees, prisoners and even jail cells.

The food distribution for Durand-Arkansaw School District Students is growing. Durand-Arkansaw School Superintendent Greg Doverspike says the program has over 500 students. Starting Monday, the students will be receiving Eau Galle Cheese curds in their lunches. Doverspike says when he was approached by Mr. Schneider about the idea, he thought it was a great idea.  MH Smith Insurance, Prime Realty, Maxville Truck and Repair and First Choice Dairy Supply committed to purchasing 150lbs of cheese curds per week for the rest of the school year.

An Eau Claire County man is in trouble with the law again over the way he handles his guns.  Investigators with the sheriff’s office say Jason Moessner almost hit his neighbor when he fired his pistol toward that house.  Second-degree recklessly endangering safety charges were filed against Moessner this week.  He was arrested once before when police said he fired a shot during the Winterfest Games on Lake Altoona in 2018.

The Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will only perform three tasks until the coronavirus pandemic is over. The Department of Transportation essentially closed all D-M-V offices in Wisconsin Wednesday. People who need a commercial driver's license, a voter I-D, or are new to Wisconsin and need a driver’s license can still get them, but by appointment only. All other in-person visits to the D-M-V are being put on hold.

Viterbo University in La Crosse will open its residence halls to health care workers next week.  With students attending classes online, the campus is mostly empty now.  Vice President of Student Affairs Rick Trietely says the school has received requests from three organizations for housing for health care workers and first responders who haven’t been infected.  Two floors of Bonaventure Hall will be opened April 14th and, if needed, up to six floors of the building could be made available.

Minnesota-based Xcel Energy is donating an additional 192-thousand surgical masks, including over four-thousand N-95 masks, in the eight states it serves. The utility announced this week that it plans to give more than 20-million dollars in corporate giving, including COVID-19 relief efforts.  The masks will go to healthcare workers and other first responders. Xcel also donated 40-thousand masks last week in Minnesota

A Republican state lawmaker says a contentious provision in the COVD-19 relief package probably will not be in the final bill. State Senator Dan Feyen  says it would allow the Joint Finance Committee to cut state spending and support to schools.   Governor Tony Evers this week said he'd veto the whole package if that piece was in it. One piece both sides seem in agreement on is waiving the one-week waiting period for unemployment benefits.

 Wisconsin’s two U-S senators are demanding answers about reports of missing absentee ballots for last Tuesday’s election.  Republican Ron Johnson and Democrat Tammy Baldwin sent a letter to the Inspector General for the U-S Postal Service Thursday.  They want an official investigation into the reports of irregularities.  Three tubs filled with absentee ballots from Appleton and Oshkosh were reportedly found at the Milwaukee U-S-P-S processing center.  Although the numbers aren’t specific, many people say they requested an absentee ballot well before the deadline – and never got one.

Doctors in the state are reminding Minnesotans to pay attention to all aspects of their health during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Doctor Keith Stetler of the Minnesota Medical Association says don’t disregard other health conditions or concerns - "if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, or other acute or chronic conditions, don’t ignore them."  He says people with serious health concerns should not be afraid to seek care or go to an emergency room if needed.  The M-M-A supports the extended stay-at-home order - and encourages people to keep exercising while maintaining a six-foot buffer.

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It looks like Governor Tony Evers will allow Wisconsin churches to offer drive-up Good Friday and Easter Sunday services.  Evers released clarification today on options for religious gatherings and services under the safer-at-home order.  He said churches can hold services in parking lots with congregants staying in cars to avoid person-to-person contact, streaming online and gathering  of fewer than ten people in each room.  The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty asked Evers to clarify and restrain local government officials who are using the order to ban drive-up religious services.  Churches and religious entities are considered "essential" under the safer-at-home order.

One of Wisconsin's largest health care providers is sending workers home amid the COVID 19 outbreak Marshfield Clinic Health System giving workers deemed "not involved in the preparation for the anticipated surge of COVID-19 patients" a furlough, due to a decrease in the number of patients they have seen and the cancellation of many non-emergency appointments and elective procedures. Some facilities have also altered their hours of operation, leading to lower patient counts as well. If the situation changes, all furloughed workers will be recalled. ML WSAU

 A Burnett County woman faces charges of reckless homicide in the suspected hit-and-run death of a 27-year-old man.  Tara Appleton is accused of being the driver in the case.  An autopsy revealed Preston Decorah died of a head injury which would be consistent with a fall from a moving vehicle.  Appleton is scheduled to return to court next week.  The 31-year-old woman is charged with first- and second-degree reckless homicide, homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle and hit-and-run involving death.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is investigating what may be a rash of several dog poisonings in the state’s Northwoods area.  The latest pet to die under questionable circumstances, a German Shepherd, died April 1st.  The owners had walked their dog on public land in Forest County before it got sick.  Wardens say several domestic dog deaths have been reported in Forest, Marinette and Florence counties.  Other animals that had been poisoned have survived.  Lab tests on the German Shepherd are pending, but veterinarians believe poisoning was the potential cause of death in that case.

The Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety says even though state roads are almost empty these days, there’s still danger.  Despite the low volume of traffic, apparently some drivers are using the wide-open road to speed – and that’s why the 24 fatal crashes recorded in Minnesota over the last three weeks are actually double the number during the same period last year.  The Minnesota State Patrol is reporting a surge in drivers going too fast.  Twenty-eight people died in crashes since March 16th.  That compares to 13 last year during the same period, or 15 in 2018, or 17 in 2017.

The Easter Bunny will be making an early stop in the Village of Elmwood on Saturday. The Elmwood Community Club and Elmwood Fire Department will be driving the Easter Bunny on every street in the village starting at 1pm. He will not be able to give any hugs or take any pictures, but will wave to those kids looking out their windows or standing in their yard. Remember to practice your social distancing and do not come into the road when the Easter Bunny drives by.