Local-Regional News March 9

 The Durand City Council is meeting tonight.  Items on the agenda include discussion and possible action on moving forward with the Tarrant Park Pool Project, and monthly reports from the Mayor and Department Heads.  Tonight's meeting begins at 6:30 at Durand City Hall.

Durand Business owners may have a visit from the new President and Vice President of the Durand Improvement Group today.  Josie Perkavitch and Jordan McMahon will be making the visits today.  Perkavitch says they want to introduce themselves and find out about how businesses want to participate in DIG.  DIG holds a monthly meeting on the 2nd Monday of the month at 6pm at Perks Cafe and is open to the public.

The Wisconsin  DNR is going to be hosting a workday at Maiden Rock State Natural Area to remove some brush encroaching on the native prairies. The workday is from 9am-Noon on Thursday, March 10th. If you would like to volunteer to help keep this land healthy, visit the Wisconsin DNR website or call Dean Edlin at 608-792-3054.

Eau Claire's Mayo Clinic Health System has announced some of the details of their future diagnostic imaging and sports medicine center.   The $11 million Mayo Clinic Health System Diagnostic Imaging and Sports Medicine Center will be 20,000 square feet and will include two X-ray suites, an ultrasound procedure room, and a fixed MRI scanner.   The center will be located at the County Materials Complex and will also include a field house, event center, and a 24-hr fitness and wellness center.  

A Greenwood man is facing prison time after being convicted of child enticement.  46yr old Ricke Doede pleaded no contest to the charges after a 2020 incident where Doede thought he was talking to a 14yr old girl online when in fact it was an undercover police officer.  When Doede was arrested he admitted he was traveling to meet with the girl whom he knew was under the age of 18.    No sentencing date has been announced.

Two men have been charged with 1st degree intentional homicide and 2nd degree recklessy endangering safety in La Crosse County.  25yr old Nelson Brown of Rockford, IL and 35yr old Karvel Freeman of Madison are facing the charges after investigators found Freeman's driver's license at the scene of a shooting in La Crosse on January 8th.    The victim Ernest Knox died of a single gunshot to the chest.  

It’s not a surprise to most Wisconsin drivers that the pump price for gasoline in the state jumped by almost 50 cents last week.  Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is causing worldwide crude oil prices to rapidly go higher – and it’s likely not going to end soon.  GasBuddy-dot-com reports the national average for a gallon of gas broke a 14-year-old record when it hit four dollars, 10-cents a gallon.  Diesel prices jumped by 22-cents in one day last Friday.  GasBuddy says the national average could reach 4-25 to 4-50 a gallon by the end of this week.

Milwaukee County prosecutors will not file fraud charges against two state elections officials. The Milwaukee County District Attorney’s office says it found no evidence that votes were cast illegally on behalf of Wisconsin nursing home residents in the 2020 presidential election. Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling sought the charges in Milwaukee County against Wisconsin Elections Commissioners Ann Jacobs and Mark Thomsen, because that’s where they live. Five of six members of the elections commission voted for emergency rules for voting in long-term care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Racine County D-A also found Schmaling’s accusations insufficient to file charges.

Advocates are pushing Minnesota officials to make free school lunches a permanent thing.  K-S-T-P Television reports the Hunger-Free Schools Campaign says we don’t make kids pay for the bus or textbooks, so basic needs like food should be offered.  The 187-million dollars needed to fund the program is included in Governor Tim Walz’s supplemental budget recommendations.  It’s up to the Minnesota Legislature to give its approval.  Personal stories were shared during a listening session with Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan.

A big fight between the parents of a youth hockey team and some fans resulted in two arrests Saturday night.  W-M-T-V reports police officers responded to a call from the McFarland Community Ice Arena a little before 9:45 p-m.  It isn’t clear what started the fight and police haven’t said how many people were involved.  Parents of players on the Hayward team were involved with teenagers from McFarland.  The two men who were taken into custody were charged with disorderly conduct and physical abuse of a child.

Stoughton city officials are questioning why tornado sirens didn’t sound last weekend when straight-line winds of more than 80 miles an hour were doing damage.  A tornado touched down in the town of Dunkirk.  W-M-T-V reports the Saturday storm did significant damage at a family farm and knocked down powerlines.  Stoughton Mayor Tim Swadley declared a state of emergency Monday morning.  Swadley discussed the sirens with Dane County Emergency Management officials and was scheduled to speak to the National Weather Service later on Monday.

Minnesota House Democrats late Monday said “no” to Republicans’ demand for an immediate vote on a state gas tax holiday to run Memorial Day through Labor Day, saying there’s plenty of time for public hearings. Republican Eric Lucero from Saint Michael called some of the bill’s Democratic sponsors hypocrites because they pushed for a gas tax INCREASE three years ago. But Aurora Democrat Dave Lislegard responded that was when the state had a one-point-six-billion-dollar projected deficit, and roads and bridges were crumbling. Republicans call Democrats’ gas tax holiday an election-year gimmick, saying Minnesotans instead need permanent tax relief.

 University of Wisconsin System President Tommy Thompson made stops at campuses in the system Monday including U-W-Oshkosh.  W-B-A-Y Television reports Thompson is making the circuit during his last month on the job.  The former four-term Wisconsin governor has served as the system’s interim president since July 2020, with his last day set to be March 18th.  While he was in charge the Oshkosh campus launched a comprehensive COVID-19 testing program and eventually put a vaccination plan in place for students, employees, and members of the community.

Sports betting would be legal in Minnesota under legislation unveiled by Democratic Representative Zack Stephenson from Coon Rapids and Republican Pat Garofal from Farmington. Stephenson says the bill includes both brick-and-mortar sports betting at tribal casinos, as well as statewide mobile sports betting operated by the tribes in partnership with commercial operators. Sports betting would not be allowed at Minnesota's two horse tracks, unlike a bill introduced earlier in the state Senate. It appears the ten tribal nations represented by the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association support the plan.

 With nearly a full year of programming under their belt, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is moving full speed ahead into spring full of the Outdoor Skills Webinar program. The D-N-R's Benji Kohn (co-in) says they have nearly 52 weeks’ worth of webinars all available on-demand, with more to come this spring including webinars on sturgeon fishing and archery. He says they’ve also had big interest in foraging, winter camping, and one on gathering maple syrup. You can find details and register at the D-N-R’s website using the keyword “skills.”

Local-Regional News March 8

 Rep. Ron Kind announced that the School District of Alma, School District of Westfield, Student Transit – Eau Claire, Inc., and Norwalk Ontario Wilton School District have been selected as awardees for the EPA’s 2021 Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) School Bus Rebates totaling $160,000. This program provides rebates to reduce harmful emissions from older diesel vehicles.   The 2021 DERA School Bus Rebates will offer funds to public and private fleet owners for the replacement of aging diesel school buses with new buses certified to EPA’s cleanest emission standards. 

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers visited Menomonie on Monday to announce a new program to help Wisconsin homeowners who have experienced financial hardships as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.   The Wisconsin Help for Homeowners program is available to eligible homeowners and will assist with mortgage payments, local property taxes, utilities, legal services, and/or housing counseling.   Qualifications include living in a single-family home, duplex, condo, or factory-built home, and your household income is at or below 100% of the county median. You must also have been financially impacted after January 21, 2020.   For more information, call 1-855-246-6394

Gas prices are climbing fast.   The website GasBuddy says the average price for a gallon of regular in Wisconsin is now $3.86. That’s a whopping 50 cents higher than just a week ago. Last year on March 7th, GasBuddy says regular gas was $2.77 a gallon. Petroleum analyst Patrick De Haan says the energy sector is seeing unprecedented levels of uncertainty.  

The 2022 Youth Tractor and Machinery Safety program is offered by many Extension partners across the state. The program is designed to meet requirements established by the US Department of Labor, pertaining to special provisions made for the employment of youth ages 14-15 on farms not operated by their parents. In addition, Wisconsin Act 455 provides specific provisions for tractor operation by 12-13-year-olds. If you are interested in the program, visit the Extension tractor safety website.   Please contact program partners directly to register. If you have questions, please contact Pepin County Ag Educator Mike Travis at 715-672-5214.

Three Minnesota Republicans are part of a group in the U-S House calling for a hearing on legislation that would return the management of gray wolves to the states.   A February ruling by a California federal judge put the gray wolf back on the federal endangered species list.  G-O-P Representatives Tom Emmer, Michelle Fischbach, and Pete Stauber signed onto a letter  Wisconsin Congressman Tom Tiffany sent to the House Natural Resources Committee.  It says the Managing Predators Act would restore the authority in Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wyoming to state officials to implement their own strategies with regard to the gray wolf.

Minnesota drivers are purchasing more gasoline that contains 15 percent corn-based ethanol.  The 86-point-65-million gallons of E-15 sold in all of 2021 was the highest ever on record.  The Minnesota Department of Commerce reports seven-point-39 million gallons of E-15 was sold in January.   That marked the 12th straight month where sales have exceeded seven million gallons.   The volume sold in January was nearly 20 percent higher than in January of 2021.

Wisconsin's state treasurer is calling on the state's retirement fund to divest its 90 million in Russian assets.   In a letter to the State of Wisconsin Investment Board, Treasurer Sarah Godlewski called on the board to immediately begin identifying any direct Russian holdings and make a plan to divest. In a statement to Wisconsin Public Radio, a spokesperson for the fund said about 90 million dollars, or less than one percent of the state’s 147 billion dollar fund for public retirees, is linked to Russian assets. The fund does not directly hold any Russian stocks or bonds. 

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has ruled that Brown County’s half-percent sales tax is legal.  The tax paid for the new Resch Expo, road and infrastructure improvements, the county jail, museum, libraries, and parks.  Fox-11 reports the court issued its ruling Friday.  The Brown County Taxpayers Association argued the tax is illegal because state law doesn’t allow counties to impose sales taxes in order to fund new spending.  The majority opinion said the ordinance does reduce property taxes by funding projects that normally would have brought on additional financial obligations.

Four lawmakers from northeastern Wisconsin say they want strip searches banned in the state’s schools.  They called those actions cases of “government overreach.”  W-B-A-Y Television reports an incident last January at Suring Public Schools brought attention to the question.  Charges have been filed against the district’s superintendent after six students were forced into a room and told to strip down to their underway.  School officials were looking for vaping devices.  State Representative David Steffen says the issue will likely have to wait until the next legislative session for consideration.

The U-S Ambassador to Luxembourg calls the invasion of Ukraine a “very dangerous time” for eastern Europe.  Former Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett says he is providing American intelligence to Luxembourg officials as the country increases its aid to Ukraine and begins accepting refugees from there.  Barrett says U-S intelligence has accurately predicted what Russia will do next “every single step of the way.”  He says he thought his transition to his new position would be smooth and quiet – but it has been anything but that.

The March 15th deadline to forestall business tax increases in Minnesota is fast approaching, with Republicans and Democrats still in a standoff at the legislature over replenishing the COVID-depleted Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. The Senate has already passed its two-point-seven-billion-dollar measure, and Majority Leader Jeremy Miller says, “if the House took it up on the floor, they’d have strong bipartisan support.” D-F-L leaders have signaled the House would approve one billion dollars, but only if there's a like amount to expand an also-stalled measure that would give COVID bonuses to front-line workers. But Miller says his fellow Republicans would “rather see tax relief to all working Minnesotans,” which is an even more contentious issue.

New sunfish possession limits on 52 Minnesota lakes are aimed at producing bigger fish in the future. Grand Rapids area fisheries supervisor Dave Weitzel says there are now about 225 lakes under size quality management. He says their goal is to have a “diversity of opportunities so anglers can go to some lakes and harvest high numbers of bluegill but also go to these select lakes and have the opportunity for some real large ones.” Weitzel says they tried to have the quality bluegill lakes distributed somewhat equally around the state. Most have five- or ten-fish limits.

The chairman of the governor’s Interagency Council on Homelessness is hoping the “Welcoming Wisconsin Home” report will start a discussion.  Michael Basford says we need to understand that homelessness isn’t normal and it should be regarded as something that can be ended.  The council recommends improving housing access for the homeless and creating a permanent rental assistance program for veterans.  Basford says if all 40 policy recommendations in last week's report are implemented it would end homelessness in Wisconsin.

You could soon see more dogs at some retailers in Wisconsin.   A bill signed into law Friday says businesses cannot ban dogs from establishments that sell pre-packaged food only, and those items make up less than five percent of overall sales. Think of big-box hardware and outdoor gear stores that have some limited offerings of pre-packaged foods.

Local-Regional News March 7

 The Durand-Arkansaw School District is looking at a balanced budget for the 22-23 school year.  Durand-Arkansaw School Superintendent Greg Doverspike says health insurance will play a factor in this year's budget.  The rising cost of fuel and state aid could also affect the budget.  

One person is dead after a semi vs pickup truck accident in Winona County on Saturday.  According to the Minnesota State Patrol, a vehicle traveling southbound on Hwy 61 crossed the median and collided with a northbound semi, causing the semi to tip over and burst into flames.  The victim was a 29yr old man from Winona who was not identified pending notification of family members.  The driver of the semi was not injured.

The city of La Crosse is poised to continue providing bottled water to some residents.  The La Crosse Common Council is expected to vote on a 25-thousand dollar appropriation, to continue covering the costs of bottled water service for some Town of Campbell residents whose wells are contaminated with PFAS originating from La Crosse Regional Airport. The money from a contingency fund follows a previous allocation of 15-thousand dollars. The state Department of Natural Resources and Department of Health Services is spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to provide bottled water for about 1,000 households on French Island.

Three people were injured in a two-vehicle accident on I-94 Westbound at mile marker 97 near Hixton on Tuesday.  According to the Wisconsin State Patrol, a semi was traveling westbound on the interstate when it lost control and overturned across both lanes.  A westbound SUV then struck the overturned semi.  Three people were taken to the hospital with serious injuries.  I-94 was closed for about 4hrs as a result of that accident, which remains under investigation.

Wisconsin Republicans will ask the U-S Supreme Court to consider their challenge to redistricting maps submitted by Democratic Governor Tony Evers.  The State Supreme Court approved those maps last Thursday.  Republican leaders want the state court to put its decision on hold, pending the appeal to be filed today (Monday).  Justice Brian Hagedorn says the Evers maps moved fewer voters to a new district.  The Wisconsin Supreme Court had said it wanted as little change as possible from the existing maps.

The head of the Wisconsin Elections Commission says Mike Gableman’s second preliminary report on the 2020 presidential election is inaccurate and misleading.  W-E-C administrator Megan Wolfe says it is clear more work has to be done educating the public on elections.  Wolfe was interviewed on W-K-O-W Television’s Capital City Sunday.  The Commission has released a response saying many of his claims are entirely false or show a lack of understanding of state statutes.  Last week’s report called for the Elections Commission to be dissolved.

U-S Senators Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin support a bill that would delist the gray wolf as an endangered species. The legislation introduced Friday has bipartisan support. It would return the management of the gray wolf populations to the states. If it is approved and signed by the president, the gray wolf would no longer be considered endangered in the Great Lakes States, including Wisconsin. The Republican Johnson says Wisconsin should have a say in the management of the wolves. The Democrat Baldwin says evidence suggests gray wolf populations have recovered.

If you're looking to donate to charity to help those affected in the way in Ukraine, the Better Business Bureau has some tips. B B B of Wisconsin President Jim Temmer says that for the time being, it's probably best to stick with larger, more established agencies.  Groups like the Red Cross, Doctors without Borders, and UNICEF are all working to provide relief, and the B B B has a list of other large, qualified charities online at Give dot Org.

Skyrocketing prices for oil on the world market aren’t expected to rejuvenate Wisconsin’s frac sand mines.  The Russian invasion of Ukraine has helped price prices up to more than 112 dollars a barrel for West Texas Intermediate crude.  The frac sand mines in this state were active the last time prices were that high in June 2011.  By 2015, the prices had dropped to 50-to-70 dollars a barrel, and energy companies looked for other sources – or went out of business.  Supply chain bottlenecks and a tight labor market will slow any rebound in the Badger State.

A Minnesota company is buying Manitowoc Ice, a maker of commercial ice machines.  W-F-R-V Television reports this week’s announcement puts the value of the transaction at one-point-six-billion dollars.  Pentair says it has an agreement in place.  C-E-O John Stauch says the purchase will be a game-changer for Pentair’s commercial water solutions platform.  Manitowoc Ice has a workforce of 800 people.  It manufactures 200 different models of ice-making machines that are used in a variety of food service and industrial settings.  The deal should be finalized later this year.

 A Wisconsin lawmaker says the investigation of the state’s 2020 presidential election isn’t over just because special investigator Mike Gableman has issued his report.  Republican state Representative Janel Brandtjen says there are still a lot of unanswered questions about just what happened when President Joe Biden won Wisconsin’s 10 electoral votes.  Brandtjen says the mayors of Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Racine, and Kenosha still haven’t testified before her committee – or Gableman.  She maintains that lawmakers need to keep pursuing answers so voters can have confidence in the elections later this year and in 2024.

 The Wisconsin Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee has approved spending 42-million dollars on a new youth prison.  The juvenile facility near Milwaukee will replace the troubled youth prison in Lincoln County.  Dozens of young offenders would be transferred from the Lincoln and Copper Lake Schools located in Irma.  The plan made it through the Wisconsin Assembly and Senate last month on unanimous votes.  An amendment added by the Assembly required approval from the finance committee.  Local approval will also be needed.

 Minnesota won’t do any more business with Russia while it attacks Ukraine.  Governor Tim Walz signed an executive order Friday afternoon condemning Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aggression toward the neighboring country.  Walz says Minnesota stands firmly with Ukraine and he is urging state residents to support Russian neighbors who are “horrified and alarmed” by the actions.  The executive order requires all state agencies to review current contracts and terminate the ones with Russian entities.  There should be no new ones signed.

A bill introduced by Minnesota Congresswoman Angie Craig would ban members of Congress from flying “first class” on taxpayer-funded travel. The measure requires federal lawmakers to fly “coach” between their home state and Washington, D-C. Craig says, “serving your community in Congress is a privilege – but taxpayers should not foot the bill for special privileges or perks.” The Minnesota Democrat calls the measure a “long-overdue” reform.

Local-Regional News March 4

 Covid 19 cases continue to drop at a rapid pace across Western Wisconsin.  As of this week, Pepin, Dunn, and Pierce Counties were considered to have high covid activity, while Buffalo County was at a very high level.  Two weeks ago the entire state was at a critically high level of covid 19 cases.   In the last two weeks, the number of new covid cases has dropped by 39%.

Firefighters from Independence, Arcadia, Blair, Whitehall, and Hale responded to a fire in an apartment building in Independence on Monday.  According to authorities, the fire started around 6:30pm on the upper level of the building and contained two apartments.  There was heavy damage to the two units along with smoke and fire damage to 8 other apartments.   The cause of the fire is under investigation and there were no injuries reported.

A judge in Rusk County has sentenced a Minnesota man who had been accused of causing a fatal A-T-V crash in 2019.  One person was killed and one was seriously injured in the crash involving several all-terrain vehicles in the Town of Richland.  Twenty-nine-year-old Brennon Plaisted of Isanti, Minnesota pleaded guilty to a charge of homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle.  Twenty-eight-year-old Alan Hanson died of the injuries he suffered in the crash.  Plaisted was sentenced to six months in the Rusk County Jail.

 A member of the La Crosse Common Council wants to reverse a decision approving Houska Park as an official campground for the homeless population.  W-K-B-T Television reports the city is currently housing about 100 people at the EconoLodge and District 9 Council Member Chris Woodard says he hopes that agreement can be extended while the weather is still cool.  Woodard says he’s hearing from his constituents who think Houska Park isn’t the best place for the homeless during the summer.  Many say their presence would keep them from using the park.  The city of La Crosse is buying another motel to offer temporary housing but it isn’t known when that deal will be final.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are investigating five consumer complaints nationwide of infant illness related to infant formula products from the Abbott Nutrition facility in Sturgis, Michigan.   The FDA advises consumers not to use recalled Similac, Alimentum, or EleCare (including EleCare Jr.) powdered infant formulas with the codes of 22 through 37 and the code includes K8, SH, or Z2 and the expiration date is April 1st or later.    For more information on the recall, contact Pepin County Health Department or visit the FDA website.

Wisconsin 3rd District Congressman Ron Kind has voted for the bipartisan Honoring our PACT Act. This legislation will broaden the definition of toxic exposure, expand access to comprehensive health care services for potentially as many as 3.5 million veterans exposed to airborne hazards and burn pits, and strengthen benefits for veterans who were exposed to toxic substances during their service.    The act will provide health care for those vets exposed to airborne hazards and burn pits, streamline the VA review process and provide other benefits to veterans exposed to burn pits and Agent Orange.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) and Attorney General Josh Kaul urge all Wisconsin residents who believe they were impacted by the data breach announced by T-Mobile in August 2021 to take appropriate steps to protect their information from identity theft.  Recently, a large subset of the information compromised in the breach was for sale on the dark web—a hidden portion of the Internet where cybercriminals buy, sell, and track personal information. Many individuals have since received alerts through various identity theft protection services informing them that their information was found online in connection with the breach, confirming that impacted individuals are at heightened risk for identity theft.  “DATCP is concerned about the impact of the T-Mobile breach on Wisconsin consumers,” said DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski. “We urge people to take immediate steps to determine whether you have been a victim of ID theft and to take measures to protect your identity.”

The president of the Waukesha Community Fund says more than 500 people have filed claims so far.  Melissa Baxter says the six-million-dollar fund was set up to help the victims of the Waukesha Christmas Parade.  T-M-J-4 reports the money was raised for the 70 people who were injured and the families of the six who were killed when an S-U-V was driven through the crowd in November.  Some of the funds are also going to people who were at the parade and suffered emotional trauma.  First responders are eligible.  Baxter says a committee will make the final decisions on who gets the money.

The entire town board was considering a mass resignation during a meeting Wednesday.  Three clerks for the Town of Worcester have quit over the last 16 months.  Board members said they were considering submitting their resignations over what they call harassment from certain residents.  They say people come into the office feeling they can intimidate, threaten, and cause undue stress to town workers.  They say new clerks try to learn the job while dealing with constant pressure at criticism.  One clerk quit because she said she feared for her safety.  At the end of Wednesday’s meeting, the clerk and one town board member did resign.

U-S Senator Ron Johnson is demanding answers from the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about the effectiveness of mask mandates in schools.  The Wisconsin Republican sent a letter to director Rochelle Walensky Tuesday.  Several recent reports have identified flaws in a study the C-D-C had been basing its recommendations on.  Johnson has requested all documents and communications about that study.  He is the ranking member on the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.  The senator wants clarification of some statements that were made to the subcommittee staff.

Would Russia dare to invade a NATO country? Many Minnesotans are wondering after President Biden clearly outlined the consequences in his State of the Union address. U-of-M political science Associate Professor Kathleen Collins says for now Russian President Vladimir Putin has “bitten off more than he can chew” in Ukraine, but she says it's “certainly conceivable” that long-term his goal is to roll back NATO's borders. Collins says NATO needs to “bolster our defenses which have been far too weak, particularly in the East European countries and the Baltic Republics.” An attack on the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania would draw the United States and western Europe into the war, as the three nations are members of both NATO and the E-U.

FitBit is recalling roughly one million of its smartwatches in the U-S because of concerns they may overheat to the point of causing burn injuries. The company says the faulty Fitbit Ionic model watches were sold between September 2017 and December 2021 at retailers including Best Buy, Kohls, Target, and Amazon. Fitbit has received roughly 115 reports in the U-S and 59 reports internationally of the watches overheating. Anyone who has a Fitbit Ionic smartwatch that is part of this recall should stop using it immediately and contact the company online or by phone for instructions on how to return the device. Impacted watch owners will be issued a 299-dollar refund.

 The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is reminding ice fishermen the time is growing short for them to remove their shelters.  Next Monday is the deadline for the southern two-thirds of the state.  In the north, anglers there have until March 21st.  Fish houses on the Iowa-Minnesota border were already required to be removed.  Saturday is the deadline for the removal of structures on the Minnesota border with North and South Dakota. Any structure left on the lakes after the various deadlines could bring on fines – or the shelters could be confiscated.

A new direct flight from the Twin Cities to north of the border takes off this summer. Air Canada is adding a daily, year-round route between Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and Montreal-Trudeau International Airport on June 2nd. They'll be using a 76-seat CRJ-900 aircraft. It is part of a major network expansion for the airline. Air Canada also operates daily service from M-S-P to Toronto.

Local-Regional News March 3

 Wabasha County will be getting a new sheriff.  In a letter to residents, Sherrif Rodney Bartsh announced his retirement as Sheriff.   In the letter, Sheriff Bartsh said he wanted to put a greater emphasis on his family and thanked his family for the support over the years.  Bartsh has been Wabasha County Sheriff for 20yrs and has been in law enforcement in Wabasha County for 34yrs.  A new Sheriff will be elected this fall.

The Menomonie School District did not fail to provide a student with an appropriate education by not putting in covid 19 protocols to protect the student a judge has ruled.  The Wisconsin Department of Administration's Divison of Hearing announced the decision.  Because the parents of the student and the district reached a written agreement and the district provided additional covid prevention measures for the student's individualized education program the district did not violate any procedures and did not fail to provide the student with free, appropriate education.

The Durand High School Academic Decathlon team finished 2nd in Division 3 at the state competition. Along with the 2nd place finish, two team members won individual awards.  Maya Campbell placed 2nd in the sup quiz and Cailyn Storter won a $625 scholarship for being the highest scorer on the team.

A popular Wisconsin supermarket chain is pulling Russian vodka from its shelves.  Woodman’s says it’s discontinuing the sale of Russian vodka. Many other stores and taverns are dropping their Russian products to protest the invasion of Ukraine. Apparently, gestures like this are largely symbolic. Many Russian brands of vodka are only Russian in name and are actually made in other countries.

Gov. Evers announced Wednesday morning that more than $8 million will be coming to Rice Lake, Altoona, Menomonie, and Eau Claire as part of the Neighborhood Investment Fund grant program.   Menomonie will be receiving a $1.4 million grant to construct a 20-bed homeless shelter facility, while Eau Claire will receive a $2.5 million grant to support two affordable housing projects and the expansion of Sojurner House.  

Residents of a western Wisconsin county are being informed about a convicted sex offender who is moving in.  The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office is notifying the public that 25-year-old Trenton Burnstad will be released from a state corrections facility Thursday and will be moving into a residence in the Township of Wells.  Burnstad was convicted of third-degree sexual assault, exposing a child to harmful materials, and exposing genitals to a child.  The crimes were committed between 2014 and 2016.

The La Crosse man accused of shooting at a police officer is asking for a new judge.  W-K-B-T Television reports 33-year-old Curtis W. Ross is charged with first-degree recklessly endangering safety.  Police say Ross shot toward a La Crosse police squad vehicle while officers were trying to arrest him.  During a Tuesday preliminary hearing, an officer testified Ross turned toward him, extended his right arm, and shot toward him.  The officer wasn't injured.  Ross is being held in the La Crosse County Jail.

The outgoing president of the University of Wisconsin System will be touring each U-W campus before stepping down March 18th.  Former Governor Tommy Thompson has led the statewide system since July 2020 – taking over during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.  U-W-La Crosse Chancellor Joe Gow has praised Thompson’s leadership during the difficult time.  He says Thompson supported the campuses “every step of the way,” giving them the resources they needed for enhanced testing and getting the vaccines to the students.

President Joe Biden says his one-point-two trillion-dollar infrastructure law will pay for the repair and rehabilitation of thousands of bridges.  The president and First Lady Jill Biden touched down in Air Force One a little after noon and traveled to U-W-Superior for an appearance.  The Blatnik Bridge that connects Duluth to Superior is offered as a prime example of work needed and to be soon paid for by the new law.  A group opposing Enbridge’s proposed pipeline upgrade gathered at the Douglas County, Wisconsin courthouse hoping to let the president know of the need to transition away from fossil fuels.

Even though several Wisconsin lawmakers say it wouldn’t be legal to decertify President Joe Biden’s election victory in the state, the Special Counsel’s Office is providing an outline to do it.  W-M-T-V reports lead investigator Mike Gableman told Assembly members Tuesday they should seriously consider taking that step.  An expert on election administration at the University of Wisconsin-Madison says there is “no meaningful legal path” to decertify the results.  Kenneth Mayer calls the suggestion “absolute nonsense.”  Republican legislative leaders have already said they won’t consider taking that kind of action.

A Dane County Judge has ruled against Speaker Robin Vos and Mike Gableman in an open records lawsuit.  Judge Frank Remington says that Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and elections probe leader Mike Gableman purposely withheld records requested by watchdog group American Oversight. That ruling means that Vos and Gableman, and ultimately taxpayers, will be on the hook for legal fees in the case. This is just one of three lawsuits pending against Vos and Gableman. American Oversight wants access to documents in regards to the  Republican investigation of the 2020 presidential election.

 The Waupaca County Sheriff and the District Attorney disagree about the significance of a letter about a recent case.  D-A Veronica Isherwood notified area district attorneys about a captain in the sheriff’s department altering a report and leaving out details that might have helped the defense.  Sheriff Tim Wilz says the situation is being blown out of proportion.  Wilz says it isn’t unusual to correct deputies’ reports and he’s not sure why Isherwood released that information.  He says the case in question is a trespassing offense and the letter makes the change out to be more than it really was.

Harley-Davidson is halting business with Russia.  The Milwaukee-based motorcycle company announced that it has "suspended its business in Russia and all shipments of its bikes to the country." Harley joins an increasing number of American companies curtailing their business in or with Russia, following Vladimir Putin’s violent and unprovoked attack on Ukraine.

The Gopher state won't be following Iowa’s lead by pulling Russian-made liquors from store shelves. Minnesota currently doesn’t have any “state-run” liquor stores or “state-run” wholesale liquor distributors. There are many cities that manage their local municipality, and it is not centralized. There could be bars, restaurants, or liquor stores that make their own decisions on selling alcohol made in Russia.

It's too soon to pick winners in Wisconsin’s August Primary Election. That is from this month's Marquette Law School Poll. Director Charles Franklin says that most respondents weren’t up to speed on the candidates.  That includes races with candidates who have already served as elected officials. The majority of respondents didn't know enough about current Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes or Former Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch to have opinions about them in their upcoming races for Senate or Governor.

 One travel expert says the cost of traveling by air hasn’t been impacted by the increasing cost of jet fuel yet.  Kyle Potter of Minneapolis-based Thrifty-Traveler-dot-com says fuel isn’t the biggest part of the airlines’ formula when they set prices.  Labor costs are number and those labor costs are fairly stable right now.  Potter says another factor is the competition between the airlines.  He expects travel during this month’s spring break season to be pretty close to pre-pandemic years – with airports and flights full.

Local-Regional News March 2

 The City of Durand has reached a payment in lieu of taxes agreement with the Pepin County Housing Authority on property owned by the housing authority.  Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the agreement was necessary as there had been no written agreement in the past.  Milliren says the city will receive about $9800 in the first year.  If the agreement is finalized, the two years where no payments were made,  the Housing Authority and the property management company will make up those back payments over the next 12 months.

As Covid 19 numbers continue to decline in Pepin County and across Wisconsin, school districts are also seeing a drop in numbers.  Durand Arkansaw School Superintendent says positive covid numbers have dropped and the next big hurdle for the district is what happens after spring break.  Many mask and other covid restrictions are being lifted across Wisconsin.

The Durand City and Rural Fire Department have announced the officers for 2022.  Jamey King will remain as chief, 1st assistant chief will be Larry Plummer, while James Sedlmayer was moved up from 2nd Captain to 2nd Assistant Chief.  Matt Gillis is the 1st Captain, while Trevor Weissinger is 2nd Captain.  1st Lieutenant is Travis Drier, 2nd Lieutenant is Chris Bates while Matt Hoyt will be the training officer.

A Buffalo County man is scheduled in court today on a charge of voter fraud in the 2020 election.  According to Buffalo County authorities, 40yr old  Damien Murphy voted at the Dover Town Hall during the 2020 election.  Murphy is a convicted felon and is disqualified from voting.  If convicted, he faces a $10,000 fine and or three and 1/2 yrs in prison.

The state Attorney General’s office is distributing 900-thousand fingerprint identification kits to schools including those here in Western Wisconsin.  The idea is to take them home, so parents can have their children’s fingerprints and some personal information on-hand just in case they ever go missing. Law enforcement officials say the kits are for parents to keep, and are not meant to be sent back to the state. The kits cost a total of about three million dollars.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine boosted fuel prices last week. For the ninth straight week, U.S. fuel prices increased, with gas claiming 7.5 cents to an average of $3.59 per gallon, according to GasBuddy. The national average is up 23.2 cents from a month ago and 87.6 cents per gallon higher than a year ago. The national average price of diesel increased 5.5 cents in the last week and stands at $3.98 per gallon, the highest since March 23, 2014. GasBuddy’s Patrick De Haan says, “The Russian invasion of Ukraine has sparked high-level concern that oil production could eventually be stifled, or even sanctioned, from the world’s second-largest oil producer, leading to less supply as demand grows.” That comes at a time of year when seasonality issues push gasoline prices up by anywhere from 25 to 75 cents by Memorial Day. De Haan says, “it’s looking like a perfect storm,” adding, there is “little to no relief anytime soon.”  Here in Western Wisconsin gas prices have risen to nearly $3.60 a gallon in some locations.

Acting President Tommy Thompson says the UW System stands ready to assist Ukrainian students  In a statement, Thompson says the UW System educates a handful of Ukrainian international students. Thompson says that students, staff, and faculty from both Russia and Ukraine have come together, including last week at UW-Madison, in solidarity against Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. He says counseling centers and other support services at all 13 universities are positioned to help.

The elections investigator hired by Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has urged the Legislature to take a “very hard look” at decertification of the 2020 presidential election results in Wisconsin.  Former state Supreme Court Justice Mike Gableman issued his interim report at the state Capitol today (Tuesday).  Leaders pushed back quickly.  Republican Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke called decertification a “fool’s errand,” adding it’s not legal.  The Democratic chair of the Wisconsin Elections Commission, Ann Jacobs, tweeted that Gableman was promoting a “crazy conspiracy theory.”  Gableman told lawmakers decertifying the results wouldn’t change who the current president is.

 The Interagency Council on Homelessness has released a new list of recommendations for the state.  The Welcoming Wisconsin Home report was issued Monday.  It included recommendations like creating permanent rental assistance for veterans, providing additional support to landlords for repair work, and using targeted support services to increase the state’s housing stability.  Officials say safe, stable housing is the key to ensuring Wisconsin’s continued economic recovery from the pandemic.

 Assembly Democrats are backing a proposal that would create a public health coverage option for individuals and small employers.  The change to BadgerCare would create a new basic health plan for people making 130-to-200-percent of the federal poverty level.  Supporters say the bill would increase access to health care in the state during the pandemic.  The effort to expand BadgerCare started nine years ago and was rejected by then-Governor Scott Walker.

The Minnesota State Patrol stopped 516 vehicles for speeding during a 10-day Highway Enforcement for Aggressive Traffic (HEAT) effort. Troopers also arrested 23 people for driving while impaired and six for outstanding warrants. The HEAT patrols focused on excessive speed enforcement and criminal activity for 10 nights, beginning February 14th, though the patrols were suspended for several nights due to weather. Troopers conducted patrols on roadways around Minneapolis and surrounding areas. Troopers also cited 80 people for driving without a valid license and 22 drivers for violating the hands-free cell phone law.

The Salvation Army, an international aid organization, is in Ukraine serving those in need. Spokesman Dan Furry says the Army has operation centers throughout Ukraine -- including one in the capital city of Kyiv (KEEVE) – where they are busy handing out food, toiletries, and clothing. They are also providing spiritual and emotional care for those that need it. Furry says the best way to get aid to Ukraine is through a monetary donation because there’s a very real chance that food and clothing donations may never reach their intended group. People wanting to donate can visit salvation-army-u-s-a-dot-org.

 The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension reports the state has set a record for new handgun carry permits for a second straight year.  K-S-T-P Television reports more than 106 thousand permits were handed out in 2021 – an increase of more than 10 percent from the year before.  The B-C-A report released Tuesday also lists the number of reported crimes by permit holders was three-thousand-863.  That means about one percent of permit holders committed a crime.  Most of the crimes were D-W-I or traffic offenses.  There are currently just over 387-thousand valid gun carry permits in the state.

 A new weather satellite launched can be traced back to an idea had by a U-W professor decades ago while he was watching a Packers football game.  W-I-S-C Television reports the GOES-T satellite will provide continuous surveillance of the Pacific Ocean and western half of the country.  Since most of Wisconsin’s weather comes from the west the satellite will help with forecasting.  Professor Verner Soumi was watching instant replay during the Packers game when he wondered if the same technology could be applied to the weather.  That was more than 50 years ago.  Scientists and engineers at the University of Wisconsin helped develop the first weather satellites.

Local-Regional News Feb 28

 The Durand-Arkansaw School Board recently approved renewing the contract with Cluster A.  According to Durand-Arkansaw School Superintendent Greg Doverspike, Cluster A is 8 school districts along and close to Hwy 10 that work together on different issues.  Doverspike says one project the group is working on what services are the districts replicating that could be shared. Because of the increase in the use of zoom by some students, it may be possible for students in Durand to take a class offered by another district in Cluster A.

A Colfax man was arrested early Saturday morning on OWI Charges.  According to the Wisconsin State Patrol, troopers pulled over 45yr old John Zachman on Hwy 312 for a speeding violation.  An investigation led to Zachman being arrested for OWI, drugged driving 6th offense, possession of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.  Zachman was taken to a hospital for an evidentiary blood test and then transported to the Eau Claire County Jail.

One person was injured in a single semi crash in Clifton Township on Thursday.  According to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, 41yr old Feisal Axmed of Minneapolis was traveling southbound on Hwy F, lost control, crossed the centerline, and entered the east ditch striking a utility pole.  Axmed was transported to Allina Hospital in Hudson.  That accident remains under investigation.

The Wabasha County Board is meeting on Tuesday.  Items on the agenda include approval of the purchase of a Generator using Covid Immunization Grant Funds, the selection of a Zoning Consultant, and the board will go into closed session to talk with attorneys on potential litigation.  Tomorrow's meeting begins at 9am at the Wabasha County Board Room in Wabasha.

La Crosse police have identified the 27-year-old man whose dead body was found in the Black River Wednesday afternoon.  The department reports Dayton K. Anderson-Teece was found in open water behind a business at about 3:45 p-m.  W-K-B-T Television reports emergency responders were called after a witness saw a single set of footprints on the ice that walked to some open water but no footprints returning to the shore.  Authorities initially thought the dead man could be a man reported missing earlier in the week – Hamud Faal.  That proved not to be the case.

A Minnesota judge has been asked to throw out a confession made by a man after he was arrested in Tomah last year.  K-A-R-E Television reports 40-year-old McKinley Phillips is charged with first-degree murder for allegedly stabbing his wife to death in June.  The couple’s six children were upstairs watching television during the attack.  Phillips was pulled off a Greyhound bus bound for Chicago at about 3:00 a-m.  As he was being returned to Minnesota he allegedly told detectives he attacked his wife when he found a letter sent to her by a former boyfriend.

The Driver of a semi was not injured when he slid off of I-94 Friday.  According to the Wisconsin State Patrol, 29yr old Mahamed Farah Abdilahi of St. Cloud, MN was traveling westbound on I-97, when he slid into the pillar of the eastbound bridge over Hwy 37.  The bridge sustained some minor damage but an inspection indicated it was not structurally damaged.  That accident remains under investigation.

Students in the Flambeau School District have walked out of class to protest the removal of principal Craig Cahoon.  W-E-A-U Television reports the school board voted not to renew Cahoon’s contract last week and he was told to leave school property the next day.  Students claim Cahoon was pushed out in retaliation for cooperating with police during an investigation of District Administrator Erica Schley last year.  Schley and school board President Julie Hauser were charged with felony misconduct over a grade-altering allegation.

A Rochester man entered a guilty plea to setting a trio of fires in St. Paul last year then escaping to Mexico. Court documents reveal Jose Angel Felan Junior set fires at two retail stores and at Gordon Parks High School. After the fires, he left the state and traveled to Mexico. An anonymous tip in February led to his arrest by Mexican police on immigration violations. He was returned to the United States where he entered the guilty plea in U-S District Court.

The state of Wisconsin is receiving 400-million dollars as its part of a settlement of a nationwide opioid case. The money will be used by state and local governments to deal with the impact of the opioid crisis. Wisconsin is one of 52 states and territories involved in the 26-billion-dollar agreement with three drug distributors. Federal officials say the settlement funds will start arriving in the spring.

Some residents in Columbia County aren’t happy about plans for the Langdon Miller Solar Energy Project.  Backers say it means clean energy and economic development for the area around the Town of Courtland.  They hope to have the site up and running by 2024.  Dozens of people opposing the project met Wednesday.  They are putting together a petition to fight it.  Langdon Mills plans to host an open house about the project next Monday at the Cambria fire station.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services reports fewer than one-third of the state’s residents have had booster shots of the COVID-19 vaccine.  Statistics were released Thursday.  D-H-S Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake says the data help her state agency decide where to focus its efforts.  Timberlake says vaccines are crucial in the fight against the virus.  W-M-T-V reports the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene says nearly every test sampled this month has been an Omicron variant.

Democrats who control the Minnesota House passed a bill Thursday night to use one billion dollars of the state’s budget surplus so 667 thousand essential workers could each get 15-hundred-dollar COVID bonuses.  But Glencoe Republican Glenn Gruenhagen called it an exercise in futility since there’s no COVID bonus bill in the Senate. But New Hope Democrat Cedrick Frazier responded that it’s not futile to show Minnesota’s essential workers that someone cares about them. Senate Republicans are instead pushing for permanent tax cuts which they say will help “all” Minnesota workers, not just some.

U-S Customs and Border Protection agents say they found a slot jamming device kit inside a shipment from Hong Kong.  T-M-J-4 reports the electromagnetic pulse slot machine jamming device kit was detected at the Port of Milwaukee earlier this month.  It was seized because it is banned by federal law.  Those devices can be used to disrupt the operation of gambling machines but they can also interfere with radio communications, cell phones, G-P-S devices, and other communications equipment.  The shipment was headed to a resident in Mosinee.  No arrests have been reported.

A local reporter’s investigation is raising questions about where all of the money donated for Waukesha Christmas Parade attack victims is going.   Fox-Six News in Milwaukee reports some of the five-point-seven million-dollars raised for parade victims could go to local non-profits instead. Anita Busch with the group Victims First says people hurt in the attack should get 100-percent of the money. The local United Way, which is seeking some of the money, has a person on the board who will help decide where donations are sent. Busch says that’s a conflict of interest. The United for Waukesha Community Fund is accepting applications for the money until Monday. Then it will send checks in about two weeks.

A Motley mom went viral for a deal she made with her son to stay off social media until he turned 18. And last week, when Sivert Klefsaas celebrated his 18th birthday, his mom, Lorna, wrote him a check for 18-hundred dollars. Klefsaas said she got the idea after hearing on the radio about a 16-for-16 challenge, where a mom was going to pay her daughter 16-hundred dollars to do something when she was 16. She made the bet with her son when he was 12 years old, meaning he’s gone six years without social media. Lorna says he thought it was “an amazingly good deal” and took her up on it. Sivert is a senior at Staples-Motley High School and will play football this fall at the University of Northwestern-St. Paul.