Local-Regional News July 13

 Only minor injuries were reported after a two-vehicle accident in the city of Alma on Friday.  According to the Buffalo County Sheriff's Department, 57yr old James Revels of Reedsburg was traveling northbound on Hwy 35 when he attempted to make a left turn into a wayside when the boat he was towing was struck by a northbound vehicle driven by 26yrold Stephanie Reinhardt of Nelson.  Both Revels and Reinhardt were evaluated by EMS but neither was transported to the hospital. 

The Dunn County Sheriff's Department has released the name of the person killed as a result of a motorcycle accident in  Lucas Township Friday.  Kevin Edgemon of Boyceville died at an Eau Claire Hospital on Saturday.  Edgemon was traveling westbound on Hwy 12 Friday when he struck a deer and was ejected from the motorcycle.

The Mondovi City Council is meeting tonight.  Items on the agenda include approving the certified survey maps for Canal Street and for lot 1 of East Main Street.  Discussion and approval of hiring a Recycling Center Tenant and Cleaning Position and an update on the algae removal at Mirror Lake.  Tonight's meeting begins at 6:30 at the Marten Center in Mondovi.

The Buffalo County Sheriff's Department is asking for the public's help in a construction fraud case.  La Crosse Sheriff's Deputies arrested two men after they offered to provide construction services for $400 and then charged the victim $7000.  An investigation has indicated the two men may have also defrauded residents in Buffalo County.  If you believe you have been of a victim of their fraud, you are to contact the Buffalo County Sheriff's Department.

The City of Eau Claire Water Department has announced that four city wells have PFAS levels that exceed safety levels.  Department officials say the four wells are 8, 15, 19, and 23 and all located west of the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport.  All four wells have been turned off.  The Water Department will work with the Department of Natural Resources to identify the source of the PFAS that affected the wells and ensure other wells are not contaminated in the future.

 

A lot of people are wondering whether State Representative John Thompson was living in Minnesota or in Wisconsin when he was elected to the Minnesota House last November.   The question came up after Thompson was stopped in Saint Paul for driving a vehicle with no front license plates and presented a Wisconsin driver's license to the officer.   Thompson doesn't have a Minnesota driver's license, and his driving privileges were revoked in Minnesota at the time because of a child support issue.  The Pioneer Press reports Thompson has had a valid Wisconsin driver's license since 2000 and most recently renewed it in November 2020 -- the same month as the election.    Thompson said in a statement Monday night, "I live and work in St. Paul, and have for many years."

The Walz Administration is applauding a better-than-expected Minnesota economic forecast.  The latest report from the Minnesota Office of Management and Budget shows general fund revenues for the fiscal year that ended June 30th totaled more than 26-point-five-eight-billion dollars.  That's two-point-six-eight-billion dollars -  or 11-point-two percent - more than the February budget forecast.  Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan said in a statement, "while we are still recovering from the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, today’s strong revenue report reflects what happens when we make meaningful investments to help those who were hit hardest."

State officials are warning people who are behind on their taxes about fake letters from scammers. State consumer protection administrator Lara Sutherlin says scammers are targeting people who have court cases for tax issues with threatening letters.  Sutherlin reminds people that the Department of Revenue will never send you a letter to call someone and hand money over the phone. Always use trusted numbers and contact information when you're dealing with the state. 

Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos is still thinking of tax cuts while the state has 550 million dollars in the bank.  Vos and his Republican colleagues just pushed through one of the biggest tax reductions in state history.  They wanted to put the rest of the money in the so-called Rainy Day Fund – something like a savings account.  Instead, Democratic Governor Tony Evers used his partial veto to put the money into the general fund – more like a checking account.  Evers wants to use it for education and “other issues.”  Vos says Wisconsin schools are already getting enough funding through the just-completed budget and billions in federal COVID-19 relief from Washington.

Authorities in Hastings report the discovery of a body inside a burning building Saturday morning.  Fire crews were dispatched to the Jaycee Park boat landing.  When emergency responders arrived, they found a small wooden building that was fully involved.  When the flames were brought under control, a dead body was found.  Hastings police are working the case with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the State Fire Marshal, and the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office.  The victim hasn’t been identified.

Schools looking to state government for guidance about wearing face masks this fall are hearing only silence. No recommendations have been offered by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services or the Department of Public Instruction. Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said vaccinated students and teachers won’t have to wear masks. Many Wisconsin school districts have already made announcements that mask-wearing will be optional when classes resume. Other districts have made no decisions yet.

 The Wisconsin Department of Health Services reports just over 22 thousand doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were administered last week.  The state’s vaccination numbers continue to get smaller.  State officials say last week’s 22 thousand doses are the lowest total administered since the state began offering the vaccine in mid-December.  The largest number of vaccines administered were 428 thousand doses in one week in early April.  State officials say just over half of Wisconsin’s population has received at least one dose.

The co-author of legislation aimed at re-opening the Verso paper mill in Wisconsin Rapids says he is “stunned” by the governor’s veto.  Republican State Representative James Edming says the mill was a major moneymaker and a way of life for the region.  Timber Professional Cooperative President Dennis Schoeneck says the decision “literally affects everyone in the state.”  The legislation would have funded 65 million dollars in loans to help a new cooperative buy the Verso mill and a second one.  The funding source for the loans resulted in a partisan showdown – and Evers’ decision to veto the bill.

Stillwater's Lumberjack Days festival has been canceled for the second year in a row. The festival usually takes place over several days in late July. Organizers say they were not able to secure enough sponsorship funding to get the festival ready in time after Minnesota announced the end of its remaining COVID-19 restriction back in May. Organizers plan on holding the festival again in 2022.

Bird experts are recommending steps to take to help contain a mystery illness that’s killing some songbirds. The Audubon Society of Madison suggests people take their bird feeders down. No one knows exactly what is making songbirds sick across the country. There are a few reports of sick or dead birds in Wisconsin.

Local-Regional News July 12

 Durand teen has been charged with multiple counts of first-degree sexual assault of a child and attempted first-degree sexual assault of a child.  17yr old Michael R Wulff was charged on Friday in Pepin County Court after a 10yr old girl told her teacher of the assaults.  The girl said the assaults started in May and Wulff hurt her.   Judge Thomas Clark ordered a $5,000 signature bond for Wulff and he is due back in court on August 24th.  If convicted, Wulff faces 150yrs in prison.

Expect heavier traffic in Downtown Durand this week.  Prospect Street at 3rd avenue east is closed starting today for the 3rd Avenue East project.  Crews will be replacing 2 water main tie-ins, sanitary sewer tie in and storm sewer tie-in.  The detour will be Hwy 10 to Main Street, to 3rd Avenue West then back to Prospect street to continue south on Hwy 25.  The detour is reversed for those heading north on Prospect Street.  The closure is expected to remain in place until late Thursday.

One person is dead after a motorcycle accident in Lucas Township on Friday.  According to the Dunn County Sheriff's Department, an unidentified male was traveling westbound on Hwy 12 near 250th street when he struck a deer and was ejected from the motorcycle.  The male suffered life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to an Eau Claire Hospital, where he died of his injuries on Saturday.  The name of the driver has not been released pending notification of the family.

One person was killed in a motorcycle vs deer accident in Hale Township on Saturday.  According to the Trempealeau County Sheriff's Department, 55yr old Michael Sanding of La Crosse was traveling southbound on Hwy E, struck a deer.  Sanding lost control of the motorcycle and overturned it.  Sanding was pronounced dead at the scene.  

Eau Claire County’s embattled district attorney is resigning.  The governor’s office is investigating Gary King for alleged sexual harassment; he’s also accused of being intoxicated at work. In a letter to Governor Evers sent Friday, King writes the charges against him and the toll of working long hours, create a difficult work environment. King writes he’s getting professional help to address his health, while at the same time he "takes great issue" with the allegations against him. King’s resignation is effective August 14.

An Eau Claire woman has been arrested for OWI first offense with children in the vehicle.  According to the Wisconsin State Patrol, troopers stopped 27yr old Florencia Lopez Cruz for a speed violation on Clairemont Ave in Eau Claire early Sunday morning.  The trooper detected an odor of an intoxicant coming from Cruz and she failed a field sobriety test and was arrested.  Passengers in the vehicle included a 16yr old, 15yr old and 1yr old.  

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin says broadband expansion remains critical, for rural Wisconsin.  Baldwin was recently in Wausau for a roundtable discussion with local leaders on the proposed broadband expansion proposed in the current federal infrastructure plan.

The Minnesota Department of Health is investigating Legionnaires' diseases cases linked to a hotel in Albert Lea.  Investigators confirmed two cases in people who were at the Ramada by Wyndham Albert Lea and spent time in the pool/hot tub area in late June.  One person has been treated and released and the other remains hospitalized.  State health officials are warning anyone who stayed at the hotel at that time to seek medical care if they are ill.  The disease is spread by inhaling the fine spray from water sources containing Legionella bacteria.  The pool area is closed for guests and M-D-H staff are working with the hotel on cleaning and decontamination.

Attorney General Josh Kaul is officially running for his office in 2022.   Kaul announced his candidacy on Saturday, after spending several months raising money for the effort. Kaul touted his efforts to eliminate the sexual assault kit backlog and fight opioid manufacturers and drug companies during a small ceremony in Madison. A pair of Republican candidates are already in the running, UW-Madison law professor Ryan Owens and Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney.

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has used his veto pen to kill a pair of Republican bills.  The Democrat state leader announced Friday he had vetoed legislation that would delay redrawing political boundaries.  Evers says the delay was too long to wait for new maps based on the 2020 U-S Census.  He says it would result in skewed maps that don’t reflect current demographics.  He also vetoed a measure that would prohibit Wisconsin police from enforcing any future gun laws.  Evers says that law would have been unconstitutional because it would trump federal law.

A Catholic priest asked to resign by the Diocese of La Crosse has been removed as St. James the Less Church pastor. Bishop William Callahan requested that Father James Altman step down in May after making public comments that many considered controversial. Father Altman was accused of using anti-Black and LGBTQ-plus rhetoric, saying all Democrats are "Godless hypocrites going to hell" and spreading misinformation about COVID-19 and vaccines. Altman has since raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for a legal defense fund. The Diocese of La Crosse says it will be working over the next weeks to arrange for the ongoing pastoral care of the parishioners of St. James the Less Parish.

 A North Dakota woman is looking at charges for driving 137 miles per hour as she tried to speed away from police near La Crosse.  An officer in the town of Campbell initially clocked Amy Torres driving 119 miles per hour along Interstate 90.  When he tried to pull her over, she sped up to 137.  Police say Torres ran out of gas on the bridge over the Mississippi River.  She told the police she was scared and lost.  Torres is facing charges for the chase and tickets for the speeding.  She's also charged with misdemeanor drug possession.

Dentists in Wisconsin say the two-year state budget signed by Governor Tony Evers is the first significant investment in oral health in two decades. Wisconsin Dental Association president Doctor Paula Crum of Green Bay thanked the governor and legislators for including "monumental" increases in dental Medicaid reimbursement rates. Crum says expanding access to oral health is, and should remain a bipartisan priority. She says W-D-A member dentists sent more than 500 messages to state lawmakers urging them to support increased Medicaid reimbursement.

U-W Board of Regents president Edmund Manydeeds the third has named a 19-member search and screen committee to help find the next president.  President Tommy Thompson has been serving in an interim role since last July following the retirement of President Ray Cross.  Regent vice president Karen Walsh will chair the search and screen committee.  The committee is expected to convene in August to review search procedures and begin the national search.  The committee will schedule listening sessions at U-W System’s 13 universities in September.  A special Regent committee to review finalists will be appointed later in the fall.

The C-D-C announced Friday that vaccinated teachers and students in Minnesota and other states don't need to wear masks inside school buildings. The shift comes after a growing national vaccination campaign in which children as young as 12 are eligible to get shots, as well as a general decline in recent months in COVID hospitalizations and deaths. The guidance generally leaves it to local officials to figure out how to ensure the unvaccinated are using precautions while letting those who are fully protected go mask-free.

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation says it’s engaged in site-selection talks with both Foxconn and the electric car maker Fisker. Foxconn announced a partnership with Fisker in February, Foxconn’s Mount Pleasant campus is said to be one of the choices to build electric cars in the United States. After failing to meet its original hiring goals, Foxconn and the state struck a scaled-back tax incentive agreement in April.

Local-Regional News July 9

 One person is dead after a vehicle crashed into two parked cars in Fountain City on Wednesday.  According to the Buffalo County Sheriff's Department, 45yr old Jodi King of Cloquet, MN was traveling northbound on Hwy 35 when she crossed the centerline, accelerated, and struck two parked vehicles before coming to rest in the southbound lane.  King became pulseless and stopped breathing and first responders administered live-saving measures but were unsuccessful.  That accident remains under investigation.

A regional mental health center will move forward in Western Wisconsin.  As part of the state budget, $15 million will be used to expand beds for mental health issues at Sacred Heart in Eau Claire and St. Joseph's Hospital in Chippewa Falls.  The beds are currently needed; the only options are in Oshkosh or the Mendota Mental Health Institute in Madison.

Non-profit organizations in Dunn County have until August 2nd to apply for grants from the Community Foundation of Dunn County.  Nonprofits with the arts, culture, health, education and other civic initiatives are eligible to apply for the grants.  Grant application details can be found on the Community Foundation of Dunn County's website, or call 715-231-0344.

The La Crosse County Executive Committee has given its approval to a resolution asking a study committee to consider the creation of a new board to oversee law enforcement agencies.  Discussion of a civilian oversight panel has been going on for some time.  Only one member of the executive committee voted no.  Supervisor Andrea Richmond says there’s no need for a county panel.  She says La Crosse already has a Police and Fire Commission – and it has had to deal with very few public complaints over the last few years.

A La Crosse Man has been arrested on arson charges in connection with a house fire on Wednesday.  Authorities arrested 44yr old Patrick Pedretti after investigators determined the fire had been intentionally set.  Pedretti had told investigators he may have lit a candle and it tipped over causing the blaze, but it's believed that Pedretti was upset the home had been condemned.  There were no injuries in the blaze and Pedretti is due back in court on Monday.

The state Supreme Court says state regulators can impose operating conditions on farms and consider high-capacity wells’ cumulative environmental impacts when weighing whether to grant permits.   The rulings Thursday mark a major win for conservationists and clarify that the Department of Natural Resources has broad authority to protect Wisconsin’s waters.   Environmental groups had sued the DNR seeking stricter regulation of water pollution from farms and large-scale water withdrawals from high-capacity wells.  Industry groups including the Dairy Business Association and GOP legislators had argued a 2011 state law limiting state agencies’ regulatory powers trumped the DNR’s broad authority to protect state waters.

The state is expected to receive more than 65-million dollars from a multi-state settlement with opioid manufacturer Purdue Pharma and the family which owns it.  Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul says the four-point-three-billion-dollar, nine-year settlement with Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family will help to prevent people from becoming addicted to opioids and help others get into treatment and recovery programs.  Wisconsin is one of 15 states that reached an agreement with the maker of OxyContin.  Kaul says he anticipates a judge will accept the proposed bankruptcy plan.

 The state of Minnesota is joining a nationwide effort to crackdown on unlicensed contractors.  Charlie Durenberger with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry says the issue is widespread.  Durenberger said, "we don’t' know whether these individuals or businesses have the qualifications and the experience and the knowledge and the understanding of how to operate a business and how to perform good construction in Minnesota."  He says licensed contractors are required to take a state exam and carry insurance, all things that help ensure quality work and protect consumers if something goes wrong.

Under-represented students in the University of Wisconsin System are eligible for a million dollars in scholarship money.  System President Tommy Thompson says almost 300 students will share the extra funding.  Thompson says the scholarships will range in value from a thousand dollars to nine thousand.  The scholarship will consider the student’s financial need, time spent volunteering for community service, and give extra credence to those who have overcome adversity.

 The Wisconsin Department of Corrections reports in-person visits have resumed at the state’s prison.  They had been stopped by the coronavirus pandemic.  Corrections officials say the change was made because COVID-19 infections are now trending downward in Wisconsin.  There are no active positive cases of the virus in any prison and 66 percent of the prison population has been fully vaccinated.  Visitors are being urged to schedule their in-person visits at least two days in advance.

Wisconsin families should be seeing an average income tax cut of 800 dollars under a new state budget signed today by Governor Tony Evers. Evers says he's used his veto powers to target those tax cuts to families across the state.   Some vetoes in the budget include policy decisions like requiring drug tests for unemployment insurance, a measure that allows companies to get state funding for blood donations from their employees, and a cut to the lieutenant governor's security budget. 

A bill that would designate Colby cheese as the state cheese got a hearing in the state Assembly on Wednesday. The bill's author, Representative Donna Rozar of Marshfield, says Colby is a uniquely Wisconsin invention and deserves recognition.  Rozar says there's been some pushback from some dairy producers who worry that picking a state cheese would show favoritism in the market. A previous attempt to make Colby the state cheese failed last session.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz says he's been appointed by President Joe Biden to serve as a co-chair of the Council of Governors.  Ohio Republican Governor Mike DeWine is the other co-chair.  The Council consists of ten bipartisan governors and is responsible for advising the secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security and the White House Homeland Security Council on matters related to the National Guard and civil support missions.  Governor Walz served nearly 25 years in the Army National Guard.  Walz achieved the rank of Command Sergeant Major and was the highest-ranking enlisted service member ever to serve in Congress.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says it is taking longer than expected to update its wolf management plan.  The current one was worked up 20 years ago.  The D-N-R says it won’t consider holding a wolf hunting or trapping season before next year.  That’s because the plan being put together likely won’t be finished before March.  The last wolf hunting season in Minnesota was held seven years ago.

Local-Regional News July 8

 The 25th annual Durand Youth Fishing Contest will be held July 28-31 in the Durand Area.  As part of the contest, an educational night will be held on July 26th at the Arkansaw Creek Park Shelter.  Sara Sabelko with the Youth Fishing Contest says the DNR will have a presentation and equipment will be available for children.  Registration is underway for the contest and is free.  Visit the Durand Youth Fishing Contest Facebook Page for more information.

The Wabasha American Legion will once again be holding its flags of honor event July 29-August 2 throughout Wabasha.  Wabasha American Legion Commander Catherine Gallenberger says the display will have 750 flags.  If you have someone you would like to honor, call Gallenberger at 651-564-1666 by July 17th.

 La Crosse County prosecutors have filed second-degree reckless homicide charges against a 35-year-old man in the fatal incident last month at Houska Park.  Investigators accused David A. Pearson of stabbing a man to death during a fight on June 28th.  Several witnesses told authorities about the fight between Pearson and 33-year-old Cameron Baker.  Pearson was arrested the next day and made his initial court appearance Wednesday.  He has three more court appearances scheduled today (Thursday), next week, and in September on charges connected to a separate case.

 Minnesota Congressman Jim Hagedorn is announcing today (Wednesday) a reoccurrence of his cancer.  Hagedorn was diagnosed with stage four kidney cancer on February 15th, 2019, and has received continued care and immunotherapy at the Mayo Clinic.  After recently visiting Mayo and undergoing several tests, Hagedorn’s doctors confirmed that his cancer has resurfaced.  Despite the diagnosis, Hagedorn says he will "continue to fight for America and serve the people of Minnesota’s First Congressional District with the highest level of energy and enthusiasm."

Wisconsin-based Kohl’s is offering bonuses to its hourly employees if they stay on the job through the holidays.  Those workers can get up to 400 dollars if they don’t leave when things get even busier.  Kohl’s C-E-O Michelle Gass calls the bonuses a way to say “thank you” to the loyal workers.  The extra money is also a way to keep employees on the job during what is proving to be a very tight labor market in Wisconsin and across the U-S.

Governor Tony Evers says the Wisconsin Emergency Rental Assistance program will now include the cost of internet for qualifying households.  The program has already provided more than 38-million dollars to nearly 11-thousand families in the state.  Evers said the past year and a half has underscored the fact that access to affordable high-speed internet is a necessity.  The governor says this additional resource... "should go a long way toward helping folks remain connected, make ends meet, and bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic."  To qualify, one or more people in a household have to be receiving unemployment benefits, a reduction in income, or experienced other financial hardship due to the pandemic.

The Minnesota State Fair is highlighting scholarship opportunities for students interested in the farming industry.   Fair spokeswoman Daniel Dullinger says over the years they have awarded more than 500-thousand dollars through the fair's programs.  She encourages rural youth and those in enrolled in 2021-2022 agriculture programs to apply for the 20 one-thousand-dollars scholarships they're awarding.   Applications are due for the State Fair and Christiansen Family Farm scholarships by August 2nd.

Some Wisconsin National Guard troops are being sent to the border with Mexico by the Biden Administration.   The 125 troops from Prairie Du Chien and Richland will be taking part in continuing efforts on the border, The deployments are set to extend through next year and are being deployed on federal orders and not by Governor Evers. The Biden administration says the deployment is not about law enforcement. 

Rochester police are searching for a man suspected of attacking several women with a machete Wednesday at an apartment building.   Officers say the tenant was holding a small gathering when accused the women of stealing some items.  They became afraid and were leaving when the man chase them with a machete.  One of the women was cut on the arm and another suffered a leg injury.  They were taken to the hospital for treatment.  A third woman had a small cut to her back.  Investigators say another man choked one of the women and was later arrested.

One justice on the Wisconsin Supreme Court says some of her fellow jurists don’t want to answer substantive legal questions.  The comment from conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley came in a ruling about Racine’s public health order closing its schools.  Bradley wrote that the court’s unwillingness to answer bigger questions is making it “feckless” and leaving people without clear guidance about what Wisconsin law means – and who will enforce those laws.

Wisconsin transportation officials are discussing how to spend this state’s portion of the president’s infrastructure package.  The latest infrastructure report card gave the Badger State a C-grade.  D-O-T Secretary Designee Craig Thompson says that’s a fair rating and while work has been done to improve things, the state has a lot of work to do.  Biden’s package includes nearly a trillion dollars in federal funding.  It’s aimed at improving local roads and bridges, public transportation, water systems, and broadband internet service.

The University of Wisconsin System budget being considered now reportedly includes no tuition hikes for resident undergraduate students.  A tuition freeze in effect since 2013 has been lifted, meaning the Board of Regents could have raised tuition.  The board is scheduled to vote on the budget during a Thursday meeting.  As it stands now, that proposed budget doesn’t include an increase.  The cost of living on campus would go up only one percent under the plan being considered.

 Funded with an additional 167 million dollars from the federal government, the Minnesota Department of Commerce is now accepting applications for the Energy Assistance Program.  About 340 thousand households in the state have past-due utility bills totaling about 140 million dollars.  Any Minnesota residents needing help with those utility bills are being urged to sign up as soon as possible.  Households could qualify to receive up to 16 hundred dollars to pay their energy bills – and some could get another 12 hundred to pay for past-due bills.

Officials in Green Bay say they don’t know how long it will take to fix the Mason Street Bridge.  Drivers are being asked to avoid the bridge due to a mechanical issue.  The bridge itself is stuck in the “up” position.  Green Bay police are asking drivers to use the Walnut or Main Street bridges as alternative routes.  The Leo Frigo Bridge or the Highway 172 Bridge are also possibilities.

Local-Regional News July 7

 Five people were injured when a vehicle struck two motorcycles in the township of Nelson on Saturday.  According to the Buffalo County Sheriff's Department, 52yr old Richard Allemann of Cochrane was traveling on Hwy 35, fell asleep, drifted across the centerline, and struck two motorcycles driven by 30yr old Andrew Petrenko of Fox Lake, IL, and 28yr old Jonathan Bradey of Ingleside, IL.   Brady and his passenger 24yr old Marissa Grant of Antioch, IL was med flighted to Mayo Rochester with substantial injuries, while Petrenko, Allemann, and his passenger 25yr old Andrew Allemann of Cochrane all had minor injuries.

  

Two people were injured in a motorcycle vs truck accident in Oak Grove Township on Monday.  According to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, 65yr old Steven Gray of Richfield, MN was traveling southbound on Hwy 35 when he struck a pickup truck that was making a U-turn on Hwy 35 driven by 43yr old Timothly Lesso of Minneapolis.  Both Gray and 61yr old Susan Kropfield of Burnsville, MN was taken to Regions Hospital in St. Paul.

Two people were injured in a motorcycle accident on Hwy 35 in Maiden Rock Township on Saturday.  According to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, 50yr old Joseph Steinbruckner and passenger 50yr old Rochelle Steinbruckner of St. Paul Park, MN was traveling northbound on Hwy 35 when they struck a deer causing the motorcycle to skid before coming to rest in the road.  Both were taken to Mayo Hospital in Red Wing.

Representatives of Countryside-Landmark Cooperative held a media webinar to introduce the new name of the Co-Op.  The new name of the co-op is Alciva.  President and CEO Jim Dell says the name represents the commitment of employees of both co-ops to work together.  The combined co-ops will have 833 employees, serving 25,000 members in North West, West, Central and Southcentral WI, along with portions of MN, IA, IL.  

An Osseo man has been charged with possession of child pornography in Trempealeau County Court.  40yr old Levi Robb was charged yesterday after he was arrested on June 10th during an investigation into a child sexual assault.  Investigators found Robb's cell phone which contained images and videos of suspected child sexual abuse material.    Robb's next court appearance is on Friday.

Governor Tony Evers says the bill he signed into law this week will speed up the disbursement of settlement money the state gets from opioid manufacturers.  Every Democrat in the Legislature opposed the new law except one.  The state will have to work with counties on separate lawsuits which have been filed with opioid manufacturers and distributors.  It requires that 30 percent of any settlement funds go to the state, while 70 percent goes to local governments.  A news conference announcing the signing was held Tuesday in Waukesha.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says a suspect in a fatal shooting in northern Wisconsin could be in Minnesota.   A first-degree intentional homicide warrant has been issued for Christopher Terrell Anderson - also known as D-J Bravo.  The B-C-A say two vehicles that Anderson was believed to be driving were located in St. Paul.    Anderson is accused of killing Hannah R. Miller of Rhinelander last Wednesday.   Investigators say they share a child. Anyone with information about Anderson should call 9-1-1 or the Oneida County Sheriff's Office in Wisconsin.

 Minnesota law enforcement made 376 D-W-I arrests over the Fourth of July holiday weekend.  That's 16 more than last year.  There will be stepped-up enforcement on Minnesota roads through the end of the month.  State Patrol Lieutenant Gordon Shank says "more people are out and about in the summer, but we want to make sure drivers are focusing on job number-one when behind the wheel and that's driving safely."  Authorities are looking for impaired drivers and speeders.

A defense attorney for teenager Kyle Rittenhouse wants the judge to let him argue that one of the three men his client shot last August was a sex offender.  Kenosha County prosecutors have charged Rittenhouse with killing Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber during the protests last summer.  Rittenhouse has argued he fired in self-defense.  His attorney wants to be allowed to argue Rosenbaum was convicted of having sex with a minor in Arizona in 2002, making him a convicted felon.  The theory would be that Rosenbaum was trying to steal the gun held by Rittenhouse because he couldn’t legally possess one.

Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison report the state’s wolf population has dropped by as much as one-third this year.  Researchers say about 100 wolves were killed – in addition to the 218 taken during the hunting season in February.  Many of the deaths are blamed on poaching.  The scientists say their findings indicate it would be risky to have another wolf hunt this fall, although state officials are still planning for one.

The American Red Cross is now facing an emergency blood shortage following a difficult Fourth of July week for donations.  Minnesota Red Cross spokeswoman Sue Thesenga says right now blood donations are currently being distributed to hospitals faster than the donations are coming in, and we really need people to come out and help us reverse this.  Thesenga says they have issued an urgent call for eligible donors of all blood types, especially type "O".

We should know by Friday whether Governor Tony Evers will sign the state budget or veto all of it - or portions of the spending plan.  Evers said during a stop in Milwaukee today (Tuesday), "we're going to be spending just about every waking moment over the next couple days figuring out what our position will be on that. So stay tuned."  The 87-billion-dollar budget crafted by Republicans includes three billion in tax cuts.  Evers called "inadequate" the 128-million dollars in new funding for K-12 schools over the next two years.  G-O-P leaders say more state money isn't needed for schools because of federal aid sent to Wisconsin.

 Minnesota frontline workers are being told to apply for 250 million dollars of pandemic bonus pay.  Requests have already been filed by grocery store workers, food service staff, nurses, and educators.  A special legislative session will be held in September to determine who qualifies.  The amount of the bonus will depend on how many recipients are chosen.  If state lawmakers and the governor put 250 thousand workers on the eligibility list, each of those would get a thousand dollars.

A Wisconsin man has apparently started his own review of the 2020 election in the state.  The Journal-Sentinel is reporting Peter Bernegger has reviewed ballots in Verona, Westport, and other communities.  An online editorial posted in his name questioned the reliability of Wisconsin elections.  He claimed the vote was “rigged” because several people showed up at the polls and were told they had already voted – when they hadn’t.  Bernegger sued Door County Clerk Jill Lau two months ago as he tried to access election documents there.  No ruling has been issued in that case.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is asking residents to keep an eye out for dead or sick birds.  State scientists are monitoring a mystery illness that has been killing or sickening birds from Virginia to Indiana.  State officials are asking anyone who sees sick or dead birds to call their local conservation office.  The symptoms of the mystery sickness include crusty eyes and tremors.  D-N-R officials say there have already been a few reports of that illness in Wisconsin.

 Organizers are canceling the 2021 Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival in Superior next month.  The executive committee determined there wasn't enough time to successfully plan for the August 27th and 28th event.  Superior Rotary Club 40 president Charlie Johnson said, "we typically begin recruiting in January to give teams enough time to fundraise for our charitable partner, 23rd Veteran."  Each dragon boat teams consists of up to 20 people.  The Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival has raised more than one-point-three million dollars for charitable organizations in the Twin Ports.

Local-Regional News July 5

 The Buffalo County Sherrif's Department is reminding residents that ATVs and UTV's are not allowed at this time on all county roads with the exception of the City of Mondovi Streets.     Several UTV's have been stopped on county roads.  While the county did pass an ordinance allowing ATVs and UTV's on county roads, the signs have not been posted so it has not gone into effect.  The Sherrif's Department will notify residents when the ban is officially lifted.

A Nelson teenager was injured in a one-vehicle accident in the town of Belvidere on Friday.  According to the Buffalo County Sheriff's Department, the teen was traveling southbound on Hwy 35 when he fell asleep, lost control, rolled, and ended up in a cornfield.  The driver was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

The General Manager of Ntec has been inducted into the Wisconsin State Telecommunications Hall of Fame.  Christy Beger was induced during the WSTA's 111th annual convention last month.  Berger began her career as the office manager at Ntec and was promoted to Assistant Manager in 2001 and in 2002 was named General Manager and Executive Vice President.  She has served as the WSTA President in 2019 and is the 45th member of the WSTA Hall of Fame.  Last year she received the WSTA Lifetime Achievement Award and is the only recipient of both awards in the association's 111yr history.

The Wabasha County Board is meeting tomorrow.  Items on the agenda include discussion and possible action to set the appraised value on tax-forfeited land, approve the ground pool fee and approve an agreement with MN Dot and Wabasha County.  Tomorrow's meeting begins at 9am at the Wabasha County Courthouse.

 Police in La Crosse is identifying the victim found dead in Houska Park.  Officers say 33-year-old Cameron Baker was severely injured late Monday night and died a short time later.  David A. Pearson, Junior was arrested for first-degree reckless homicide and felony bail jumping.  He's jailed on a half-million dollars bond.  Investigators have not released Baker's cause of death.  Pearson's next court appearance is July 7th.

The delta variant of COVID-19 is likely to become the dominant strain in Wisconsin soon.  D-H-S Chief Medical Officer Doctor Ryan Westergaard says getting vaccinated is critical.  Westergaard said, "any given exposure, any time that a person is around someone who has an infection with the delta variant, and they're not vaccinated, the risk that they'll get infected from that person is higher than it's ever been."  He says the delta version spread more easily than other strains.

A bipartisan proposal in the U.S. House would ban the farming of mink fur in the United States in an effort to stem possible mutations of the coronavirus.   That’s something researchers have said can be accelerated when the virus spreads among animals. The bill introduced this week is an effort from two House members — Connecticut Democrat Rosa DeLauro and South Carolina Republican Nancy Mace.  It would prohibit the import, export, transport, sale or purchase of mink in the United States.  Researchers say the spread of COVID-19 among animals could speed up the number of mutations in the virus before it potentially jumps back to people.

Minnesota's law enforcement lobbying groups are suing the state over a new law that governs when officers can legally use deadly force.  The new law says to prove self-defense, an officer must specifically show how they perceived the threat that they would be greatly harmed or killed.  The lawsuit argues that although the Constitution guarantees that no one in a criminal trial can be compelled to testify against themselves, the legislature passed a law that requires a police officer to forfeit that constitutional right in order to mount an affirmative defense.  The groups are suing after they were unable to convince the legislature to push back a deadline for training officers in those new requirements.

Waukesha has been given permission to withdraw more than eight million gallons of water from Lake Michigan each day.  The go-ahead comes after a long review process under the Great Lakes Compact.  The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announced final approval for the plan Thursday.  The withdrawal is expected to start in 2023.  Waukesha needs the water because city wells have become contaminated with radium.

The next step for the so-called “Mill Bill” is for Governor Tony Evers to sign it.  The legislation passed the Wisconsin Senate this week.  It would use federal COVID-19 relief funding to provide loans for the purchase of two pulp mills in the state that have closed in the last year.  The measure would allow the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to make a loan of 50 million dollars for the purchase of the Verso Mill in Wisconsin Rapids and a loan of 15 million for the purchase of the Flambeau River Papers mill in Park Falls.  The money for the loans would come from funding Wisconsin receives through the American Rescue Plan Act.

Governor Evers appears ready to veto parts of the new state budget.   Evers told reporters Thursday he hadn’t seen the full budget yet and needs to review it. The governor did say that he wants to see what may need to be changed. After changes by lawmakers, the budget spends 87-and-a-half billion dollars, which is far less than what Evers proposed in his original document.

Thousands of workers are getting a bump in pay,  in Minneapolis and St. Louis.  A one-dollar an hour raise went into effect Friday for workers making minimum wage.  St. Paul workers at large businesses will now be making 12-dollars, 50-cents an hour and those at small businesses will make 11 dollars an hour.  In Minneapolis, workers at large businesses will see their pay increase to 14-25 an hour.  At small businesses, the minimum jumps to 12-50 an hour.  Both cities are moving toward a minimum of 15 dollars an hour.  The next increase for those workers is coming in July of 2022.

Governor Evers has vetoed a Republican bill that sought to restrict the state's election laws. Assembly Bill 173 would have prohibited local governments from taking private grants or donations in order to operate an election or a recount and would have prevented outside groups from assisting in recounts or elections. The bill is one of a series of election bills passed by the Legislature. Evers' office says he's requested that all of them be sent to his desk for approval or veto, but that 173 was the only one that's been sent so far.

 A Burlington history teacher has been reassigned after being present at the January 6th riot at the U-S Capitol.  Initially, teacher Jeff Taff was suspended after parents complained about his comments concerning the riot.  The Burlington School District says its investigation determined that Taff didn’t take part in the violence that day and didn’t break any district rules.  Instead of teaching U-S history this fall, he will teach world history and a social studies class. The district hasn’t offered a specific explanation for the switch in assignments at Burlington High School.

A Wisconsin native is helping the rescue efforts at the Miami condo collapse.  Erin Silber now works at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in Tampa, but she is from Eagle River.  For the last five years, she has been a volunteer with Children’s Disaster Services.  It works with the Red Cross handling displaced children who are trying to cope with tragedy.  Silber has been in Florida for about 10 years.  She has helped children at tragedies like the Pulse Nightclub shooting, California wildfires, and Louisiana flooding.

Local-Regional News July 2

 Two people were injured in a two-vehicle accident in Arcadia Township on Wednesday.  According to the Trempealeau County Sheriff's Department, a Silver Monte Carlo was turning southbound on Hwy 93 from Norway Valley Road and failed to yield to a vehicle traveling northbound on Hwy 93.  The two drivers were transported to area hospitals with serious injuries.  The driver of the Monte Carlo was suspected of operating while intoxicated.  The names of the drivers have not been released.

Ashley Furniture has reached an agreement with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in connecting with the death of an employee.  The company will pay just over $19000 in fines over three safety violations in return for the dismissal of two others.  OSHA accused Ashely Furniture of not making sure employees completely shut down machines before working on them.  Last December, an Ashley worker was killed when hit by a large moving board.

Boaters on Lake Pepin this weekend are reminded to be on the lookout for blue-green algae.  Because of the warm, dry weather in June reports of the algae are being reported on Lake Pepin.  Ingesting water with blue-green algae can cause health problems for kids and especially pets.    Avoid shallow areas of water that are looking like pea soup and it will have a distinct odor.

A federal grand jury has indicted two La Crosse men – one on child pornography charges and the other for drug sales and possession.  Forty-two-year-old Thomas J. Hook could be sentenced to 15-to-30 years in federal prison if he is found guilty.  Prosecutors say he used a cell phone to produce videos of a minor engaged in sexually explicit activity last summer.  Sixty-three-year-old Steven S. McCurdy is accused of selling drugs between November of last year and March.  When he was arrested authorities say he had at least 50 grams of meth in his possession.

A Minnesota man accused of stabbing his wife to death is awaiting extradition from the Monroe County Jail.  Authorities in Minnesota say 39-year-old McKinley Phillips killed his wife Friday in a jealous rage.  The couple’s six children were in the Minnesota home at the time, but they weren’t harmed.  Phillips was taken off a Greyhound bus in Sparta the next day.  He faces a charge of second-degree intentional murder when he returns to Washington County, Minnesota.  Officials in Minnesota say they expect him to make a court appearance later this week.

The Department of Natural Resources is reminding people to keep things safe and sane out on the water for the 4th of July weekend. D N R Boating Administrator Darren Kuhn reminds people to always wear their life jackets while out on the lake, and don't just have them in the boat waiting in case you go into the water.

 Republican legislative leaders are urging the governor to sign the state budget bill passed this week.  For the first time in 14 years, the two-year spending plan got bipartisan support.  Seven Democrats joined Republicans voting for it.  Governor Tony Evers told a crowd in Green Bay he is “looking forward” to spending time going through it.  When he officially gets the budget he will have six days to sign it, make changes, or veto it.  Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says members of the Joint Finance Committee worked hard to minimize opportunities for Evers to make changes.

 A Waukesha County judge has granted conditional release to the teenager who stabbed a classmate to please the fictional “Slender Man.”  A jury concluded Annisa Weir was mentally ill when she and another girl stabbed the victim in 2017.  Payton Leutner survived.  Judge Michael Bohren gave the state 60 days to come up with a plan for Weir’s release from the Winnebago Mental Health Institute in Oshkosh.  The 19-year-old could go home after the September 10th hearing.  During Thursday’s hearing in Waukesha County Court Weir told the judge she is no longer a threat to anyone.

Wisconsin Farmers Union President Darren Von Ruden briefly spoke with President Joe Biden Tuesday, during Biden’s visit to Wisconsin. Von Ruden says the conversation lasted about a minute and focused on agriculture antitrust issues.  Von Ruden says while he was disappointed the Presidents visit was not on a farm, it is good to see the government working together.  While the event was originally planned to focus on agriculture, it was changed at the last minute to focus on the infrastructure bill.  

The Pepin County FSA is looking for farmers in Waterville and Waubeek townships to serve on the FSA County Committee for Local Administrative Area 2.  County FSA members administer farm programs of the FSA and keep producers informed of FSA Programs.  Nomination forms are available at the USDA Service Center in Durand and are due by August 2.

A Dane County circuit judge has ruled in favor of three Wisconsin media outlets and the Associated Press.  The group had filed a lawsuit seeking records on the sexual harassment allegations against former state Representative Staush Gruszynski, a Democrat from Green Bay.  The suit was filed in March of last year after a request for those records was refused.  Judge Juan B. Colas ruled Wednesday unredacted versions of the documents must be handed over within five days.  Leaders in the Assembly could ask an appeals court to put that ruling on hold pending a review.

Senator Amy Klobuchar is cosponsoring legislation to expand the availability and incentivize the use of biofuels.  Klobuchar and Iowa Republican Joni Ernst announced a package of bipartisan bills Wednesday.  Klobuchar says diversifying the fuel supply, introducing higher blends of biofuels to the market, and making sure retailers have the right equipment to take advantage of these blends will promote clean energy and support rural economies.  The Minnesota Democrat says the legislation makes cleaner fuels more accessible - benefiting both the economy and the environment.

New drivers in Wisconsin are going to have to take road tests after all.  The State Legislature quietly reinstated the driving test requirement this week. The Department of Transportation eliminated the road test during the coronavirus outbreak and was asking to make the change permanent. Lawmakers are now ordering driving tests resume. It’s not clear just when first-time drivers will start taking road tests again. 

Legislation meant to address excessive use of force by police is headed to Governor Tony Evers The bill passed the state Senate on Wednesday. It would create a statewide use-of-force standard and require police officers to report or intervene when they see a violation of that standard. The bill was amended last week by Assembly Republicans to delay implementation until 2022 and delete a requirement that officers must intervene if they "reasonably should have observed" excessive force by another. The legislation was developed by a bipartisan Assembly task force. Critics have said police organizations had too much influence on the task force. 

A bill to require students in Wisconsin public schools to learn cursive writing has stalled in the state Senate.  The measure passed the Assembly more than a year ago.  A group of lawmakers is pushing the idea of requiring all Wisconsin students to learn cursive before the fifth grade.  District 14 Senator Joan Ballweg is a former teacher who thinks cursive writing “gives great value to students.”  Many school districts have done away with it, but the Madison Metropolitan School District teaches cursive to students in the second and third grades.  The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction doesn’t require it but does recommend cursive writing for schools.

The Minnesota Department of Health is partnering with Sun Country Airlines on a new incentive for the COVID-19 vaccine.    Minnesotans who get a shot at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Terminal 2 will be entered into a drawing for a 500-dollar travel voucher.  There will be a weekly drawing at M-S-P Airport for five weeks from July 1st through August 7th.    You have to be age 18 or older for a chance to win.  No boarding pass is required and free one-hour parking vouchers are available