Local-Regional News November 13

 This week is Winter Weather Awareness Week, but our weather will feel more like spring.  The National Weather Service says warmer than normal and dry conditions are expected this week with no precipitation likely.   It will be windy at times this week with southerly winds bringing in the warmer weather.  Temperatures are expected to rise into the upper 50's and low 60's for most of the week before a cold front moves in for Friday and into the weekend

A Whitehall man has been found guilty of homicide by intoxicated driving.  A Jackson County Jury found Donald Ames Guilty in connection of a Christmas night 2018 crash that killed 23yr old Tyler Pientok of Whitehall.  Investigators say Ames failed to make a turn and his truck hit a power poll and rolled.  Pientok was a passenger in the truck.  Ames now faces a maximum of 40yrs in prison.

Habitat for Humanity marked Veterans Day with a tour of homes for homeless vets. Volunteers are getting ready to turn the Grace Lutheran school near the courthouse into an apartment complex for Eau Claire's homeless veterans/ On Saturday, Habitat offered a tour of the school and showed off the plans. The plan is for there to be 11 apartments in the former school, and Habitat will turn the school's basement into a community center. 

Police are investigating after a person drove through a gate and onto the tarmac at La Crosse's airport. It happened Saturday afternoon. Police say the person sped through a locked gate, then drove to a private jet and climbed on board. There was a flight crew on the plane, but they got off. La Crosse Police rushed to the airport and blocked the plane with a tactical vehicle. Officers eventually arrested the driver and they were taken to jail. Prosecutors have not said anything about the charges yet. 

A teenager is in handcuffs for trying to use a knife during a fight at a high school in Rochester.  Police say Wednesday, around 2:45 p.m., a school resource officer was called to break up a fight between multiple students.  Investigators say a 15-year-old boy threatened students and a teacher with a knife.  The boy is facing multiple felony charges for the incident.  He is in the Anoka County Juvenile Detention Center

The top Republican in the Wisconsin Assembly says there won't be a new UW engineering building until there's a deal on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Speaker Robin Vos last week said he appreciates the University of Wisconsin's pledge to spend 32 million dollars on in-demand math, science, and engineering degrees, but he wants more. Vos withheld 32 million from the school in the spat over DEI, and then blocked a round of pay raises for UW employees because of the same thing. UW President Jay Rothman says the engineering building is necessary to keep UW-Madison competitive with other top universities. 

There are not yet enough votes for the Brewers' ballpark in the State Senate. Senators are set to vote tomorrow on the plan which would spend about 500 million-dollars in taxpayer money on American Family Field and keep the Brewers in Milwaukee til 2050. But there are not yet 17 'Yes' votes. No one is saying just how many votes there are, but Republican senators say it's not enough. A number of Republicans don't like the idea of having taxpayers pay for the ballpark, while many statehouse Democrats want to see a new 'Beer District' development included in the plan. 

The DNR is reminding hunters about the rules for riding an ATV during the upcoming deer season. The Department of Natural Resources says it remains illegal to shoot from an ATV, even if it is parked. The DNR says hunters must also unload their guns and bows while they are carrying them on an ATV. Bow season has already begun for Wisconsin deer hunters. Deer season begins on Saturday. 

Minnesota Democrat Angie Craig is explaining why she voted to censure Michigan Representative Rashida Tlaib over her comments on the Israel-Hamas war.  Craig says she joined the 21 other Democrats who voted in favor of censuring their colleague because she "continues to promote disinformation."  Earlier this week, the Detroit Democrat became just the 26th person to be censured in the history of the U.S. House for her criticism of the Israeli government and comments in support of Palestinians.  Tlaib is the only Palestinian member of the U.S. House of Representatives. 

Muslim leaders in Wisconsin are making it clear that their votes are on the line.  Muslim leaders and the Wisconsin Coalition for Justice in Palestine yesterday told the president that they will not vote for him unless there is a ceasefire in Gaza. The groups are promising to hashtag-AbandonBiden if the president does not act. The war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas is now more than a month old, and Muslim leaders say Palestinian civilians are bearing the brunt of the fighting. 

UW-Madison students say a rock was thrown at them after a vigil to support Israel on Tuesday.  Madison Police report the students say the rock was thrown at them from a State Street building after the vigil. The group added that they were harassed with "profane and hateful language."  UW-Madison leaders responded to the incident, with Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin saying “Antisemitism has no place in our community.”  UW Campus police are working with Madison Police as the investigation of the matter continues.

An unconventional treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is being proposed at the Capitol.  A bipartisan group of four lawmakers are seeking co-sponsors for a plan to create a psilocybin pilot program through the Universities of Wisconsin, for veterans diagnosed with PTSD. According to the sponsorship memo, psilocybin - commonly referred to as “magic mushrooms” - has shown immense promise in providing relief to those suffering from various mental health conditions, including PTSD.   Active members of law enforcement would not be eligible. According to the lawmakers, Texas, Washington and Maryland have passed similar bills. 

The main terminal of MSP Airport will undergo a 242-million-dollar overhaul.  The renovation of six of seven concourses at Terminal 1 is scheduled to be completed by late 2025.  The upgrades include new flooring and carpeting, brighter LED lighting, and more power outlets near gate seating.  The Metropolitan Airports Commission CEO Brian Ryks hopes the adjustments will create an exceptional airport experience for passengers.  It's the largest interior renovation project at MSP since 1962.  

The love of the Packers is strong in Altoona. Two families from Altoona have been chosen as part of this year's 2023 Fan Choice Awards. The Johnson sisters were chosen as Proudest Packers Kids for their sign at Family Night that offered to trade their youngest sister for a Lambeau Leap. While Camden Lorentz and his son won for Best Gameday Fit for their Hawaiian-themed Packer outfit earlier this year. Both families are getting a pair of tickets to the Packers final game this year against the Bears.

Local-Regional News November 10

 Veterans Day is tomorrow and area school districts will be honoring veterans today.  The Durand-Arkansas School District will be holding a Veterans Day Ceremony at Durand-Arkansaw High School starting at 2:45 this afternoon.  Veterans are also invited to the Veterans Chili and Ice Cream Social tomorrow from 1-3pm at the Red House of Hope's Retreat Center on Hwy O in Mondovi.  Durand City Hall is Closed today for Veteran's Day.

A former city employee in Red Wing is being accused of stealing more than 30-thousand dollars from the city.  Investigators say Kaleen Gustafson used her position in the city's financial department to forge signatures and manipulate vendor accounts to pay money to her photography business.  Gustafson would later tell investigators that she didn't know why she stole the money from the city.  She's due in court on November 22nd.

The Environmental Protection Agency wants Minnesota to take action to address nitrate contamination in drinking water in the southeastern part of the state.  The E-P-A says more than nine-thousand residents are at risk in the Southeast Karst Region, which includes Dodge, Fillmore, Olmsted, Goodhue, Wabasha and three other counties.  The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says the area's geology makes it vulnerable to contamination by agricultural runoff, wastewater, and faulty septic systems.  The E-P-A has given the state a month to develop a plan to identify areas affected by the contaminated water and provide alternatives to those impacted.  

There are charges for an Onalaska man who police say was peeping in the bathroom of the local JCPenney. Deputies arrested Todd Erickson on October 25th after getting a tip that someone was using a phone to record over the wall in a bathroom stall. Investigators say they found a similar video from the Blain's Farm and Fleet in Onalaska. Erickson is now facing two counts of Invasion of Privacy in La Crosse County.

A Tomah man is headed to federal prison for pretending to be a disabled veteran. A judge yesterday sentenced 46-year-old Jonathan Walker to up to 15 months in prison for claiming to be a disabled veteran to land contracts with the Department of Defense for his heating and air conditioning business. That includes a pair of contracts at Fort McCoy worth two million-dollars. Prosecutors say Walker claimed to be a service-disabled veteran despite never serving in the military. 

Another successful Drug Take Back Day in Wisconsin.  Wisconsin ranked number one throughout the nation for the most prescription medications collected during the fall drug takeback. According to the Wisconsin Department of Justice, more than 53 thousand pounds of unwanted medications were collected. Wisconsin has collected more than 1 point 2 million pounds of unwanted medications since drug takeback began in 2010 under the leadership of the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration. The DEA holds two drug take-back days a year, one in the spring and one in the fall.

 Lawmakers in Wisconsin are introducing a bill to allow residents with terminal illnesses to request medication that would end their lives. People over 18 and of sound mind with less than six months to live would be eligible to voluntarily end their life through the Death With Dignity law. State Senator Dianne Hesselbein, says death in dignity laws have been passed in other states and Washington DC, and believes they are working well. She says the co-sponsorship period is still open for the bill. 

Wisconsin's governor says he will sign at least one of the election reforms okayed by Republican lawmakers yesterday. Governor Evers yesterday said he will sign the plan that allows local election clerks to count absentee ballots on the Monday before Election Day. The plan is one of several election proposals that Republicans in the State Assembly approved. The others include new rules for indefinitely confined voters, a plan to send text messages to people who vote with absentee ballots, and three election-related constitutional amendments. The governor doesn't have to sign those, voters will decide on two of those amendments next year. 

A missing Minnesota man has been found dead in Wascott, Wisconsin.  Earlier today, police announced the body of 26-year-old Ryan Busch was pulled from a lake in Douglas County.  He and another Minnesota resident were both reported missing after family members found their canoe capsized over Halloween weekend.  Crews are still looking for any sign of 27-year-old Andrew DeRock.  

There is a search in far northern Wisconsin for a Tennessee man who's been missing for weeks. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is looking for 37-year-old Philip Johnson. He's been missing since October 18th, and deputies fear he may be in the Brule River State Forest. The sheriff's office says they found Johnson's car abandoned not far from the park, which is near Lake Superior. Both the sheriff's office and the DNR have used dog teams to search through the woods.

The Department of Natural Resources wants hunters and hikers to report bear dens. The effort is part of the Department's annual bear population survey. Biologists are pairing the locations of those dens to go along with reports of bears feeding on human food and leftovers. They're hoping to find out if that has any connection with survival rates on bear cubs. All you have to do is record where that den is, take a picture if you can, and submit it online.   Visit the Wisconsin DNR website for more information.

 Xcel Energy is planning layoffs that will affect dozens of employees in Minnesota.  The utility announced yesterday that it plans to lay off two-percent of its non-bargaining workforce, which will affect a total of 150 employees.  Sixty of those employees are based in Minnesota, though the utility did not specify which locations in the state will be affected.  Xcel blamed the layoffs on financial issues including inflation and supply chain problems.

 A former employee of the City of Rochester is facing charges after a camera was found inside a staff bathroom last month.  Sixty-six-year-old Todd Lund was a part-time employee at the Rochester Public Library when the camera was found on October 6th.  Investigators say Lund put the camera in the staff bathroom about two hours before it was found.  Lund has been charged with interfering with privacy and has been terminated from his position with the library.

At the Capitol, a bill to have the Department of Natural Resources set a wolf population number had a committee hearing on Wednesday. The state's wolf population is estimated at 1,000 by the agency, a number state Senator Rob Stafsholt of New Richmond called debatable. The wolf management plan adopted last month by the Natural Resources Board over the objections of hunting and agriculture groups does not include a population goal. The legislation from Republican lawmakers also doesn't include a specific number of wolves, but would leave that up to the DNR.    

Minnesota's attorney general has reached a settlement with a California company accused of misrepresenting its student debt relief services.  A-G Keith Ellison announced the agreement with Network 46 yesterday.  Ellison had accused the company of illegally collecting fees to enroll people in free debt relief programs and telling clients it could forgive federal student loans.  The company will be required to make refunds to clients in Minnesota.

After being open for only three days last year, an annual Wisconsin wintertime attraction looks to outlast Mother Nature.  The popular Ice Castles will be returning to Lake Geneva this year, but with a new, more weather-resistant winter experience called Winter Realms.  The creators of the attraction say they’re looking to use innovation to keep their display of unique ice and snow creations intact in the face of changing climate patterns.  The exhibit is projected to open in late December at the Geneva National Resort, depending on the weather. Tickets will go on sale December 6th.

Local-Regional News November 9

 There will be football this Friday at the Bauer Built sports complex as Bangor will play Edgar in the WIAA Football Playoffs.  Durand Arkansaw School Superintendent Greg Doverspike says hosting the game provides some economic impact to the city. This is the 2nd year in a row that the district has hosted as a neutral site for a football playoff game.

EPA Administrator Michael Regan was in Eau Claire yesterday visiting Huntsinger Farms.  Regan learned about the investments Huntsinger Farms has made to help with sustainability that was made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act.  The administrator also held a roundtable discussion on sustainable agriculture and the importance of working with the next generation of farmers.

Eau Claire Schools say they're having trouble keeping up with kids' mental health needs. The district's Christi Watkinson says the National Association of School Psychologists recommends one school psychologist for every 500 students. Watkinson says they are seeing more kids with mental health needs, and are trying their best to keep up with the demands in the city's schools. 

 A search is ongoing for a stolen dock in Chippewa County. The sheriff's office says someone stole a five-foot by 15-foot section of the dock at Pine Point County Park in Holcombe sometime earlier this week. Investigators say someone would have needed some heavy equipment to get the dock out of the water, and out of the park. Investigators are asking anyone who may have seen something to please step-up and say something. 

Senator Tammy Baldwin announced that Eleva is one of five Wisconsin villages to receive Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants under the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  Eleva is getting a $641,000 loan and a $124,000 grant to build a new water treatment plant.  The current plant is more than 70 years old.  Village leaders will also use the money to connect a water main to well #2 since well #1 is the only source of water in the community at the moment.  Construction is expected to be completed in the summer or fall of 2024.

The latest enrollment snapshot at the Universities of Wisconsin is a good one. The school yesterday released its 10-day enrollment numbers for this fall, and enrollment is up. The university says there are 17 hundred more students throughout the university system. That's a one-point-one percent increase. It is also the first time in a decade that enrollment has climbed. There are now just over 162 thousand students enrolled at a UW school. The university says enrollment is up at 10 of the state's 13 four-year campuses, but the school did not say which campuses saw fewer students. The UW says branch campus enrollment is down, again, this year. 

The latest Marquette Law School Poll gives President Biden a slight lead over former President  Donald Trump in Wisconsin.  But the poll also shows Biden trailing Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley.  The poll, which was released yesterday, gives the current president a 50-48 lead over the former president.  Pollsters, however, say President Biden trails Ron DeSantis in Wisconsin 50-48, and trails Haley 53-44.  The Marquette Poll shows that both Biden and Trump remain unpopular in the state, with Biden having just a 42-percent favorability rating, and Trump having just a 37-percent favorability rating. 

The addition of a non-Brewer game ticket tax and a lot less money from the state is still not enough to win over some Republicans on the Brewer ballpark funding deal.  A Senate committee yesterday okayed the non-game tax, and said the state will now pay less than 400-million dollars for its share of American Family Field.  State Senator Julian Bradley says the tweaks are better, but he says the state is still paying too much.  State Senator Steve Nass says taxpayers across Wisconsin are being set up to lose on the ballpark.  The top Republican in the Wisconsin Senate wants to vote on the ballpark plan next week. 

Former President Donald Trump will not be kept off Minnesota's Republican primary ballot next year.  The Minnesota Supreme Court announced yesterday that it was dismissing a challenge to Trump's place on the ballot based on the 14th Amendment's "insurrection clause."  The clause says that U.S. officials who take an oath to uphold the Constitution are banned from future office if they "engaged in insurrection."  The court ruled that there is no law in place in Minnesota that stops a major political party from nominating someone who is ineligible to hold office.  An appeal of the ruling is possible, and the court said the challengers can also try again if Trump wins the GOP nomination.

Assembly Republicans approved a measure on Tuesday that would penalize Universities of Wisconsin colleges for violating free speech. Pleasant Prairie Representative Amanda Nedweski said censorship of conservative voices has caused enrollment to go down. But Eau Claire Democrat Jodi Emerson said the bill would silence opposing views, and have a chilling effect on any counter protests on campuses. Under the bill, any campus that violates free speech twice in five years will get their tuition frozen. Governor Tony Evers is unlikely to sign the bill if it passes the Senate. 

The State Assembly has unanimously passed a bill to ensure student journalists won't have their speech restricted in school media. Greenville Republican David Murphy said the bill would protect students whose politics differ from those of the administration. Madison Democrat Sheila Stubbs said it's vital to nurture student journalists to speak their minds. The bill will also apply to high schools and technical colleges.

A Le Valle man gets five years of probation after a scam that cost Amazon 370-thousand dollars in losses. Christian Wink ordered and returned items to Amazon three-and-a-half thousand times between 2017 and 2020 - but sent back cheaper items than the ones he said he would be returning once he got the refund. He also says he did not pay taxes on any of the money. Instead of prison time, Wink will get probation since he had a history of mental illness, especially at the time of the crimes.

 New details are coming out in the case of a Minnesota pharmacist accused of poisoning his wife to death.  Connor Fitzgerald Bowman is facing a second-degree murder charge for allegedly killing his wife, Betty Jo, in August.  Search warrant applications reveal that several of Betty Jo's close friends believe Connor poisoned her.  One friend claimed Betty Jo was planning on divorcing Connor after discovering that he was having an affair and hiding a large amount of debt.  Another friend said she tasted a smoothie Connor made Betty Jo ten days before her death and joked that it tasted bitter and he might be trying to poison her.  Betty Jo allegedly agreed and threw the smoothie out.  Connor's next court appearance is scheduled for January 16th.  

Frustration with Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell’s decision to leave the team has led to vandalism.   A spray-painted profanity was found on the sign for the Little League baseball field in Whitefish Bay known as Craig Counsell Park Tuesday.  The vandalism came in the wake of the news of Counsell’s move to become the new manager of the Brewers' biggest rival, the Chicago Cubs.  Counsell, who attended Whitefish Bay High School and played at the park, which was dedicated to him in 2012, has deep ties to the Whitefish Bay community.  No arrests have been made in connection with the defacing of the sign.

The latest album by country music star Garth Brooks features a song about Minnesota.  The "Time Traveler" album released yesterday includes a song called "St. Paul/Minneapolis" that is supposedly a true story.  The lyrics describe a happy encounter with a stranger following a performance in the Twin Cities.  Brooks told Billboard magazine that he would love to run into the woman again because of the "easy feeling" she inspired in him.  "Time Traveler" is available as part of a boxed set that is being sold at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's.

Local-Regional News Nov 8

 The City of Mondovi continues to work through issues with the North Eau Claire Street Project.  Mondovi Mayor Brady Weiss says, while there are issues all is not bad with the project. The city hopes to receive the audit of the project in the next few months.

Voters in the Wabasha Kellog School District have approved a referendum to authorize the district to spend $16 million to update and replace current building infrastructure, improve career and technical education labs, renovate existing high school science rooms, construct a secure main entrance, update rest rooms, renovate classrooms and media center.  Voters approved the question by a 62-38 percent margin.

 

A pair of teenagers from Florida are looking at charges in connection with a string of weekend thefts in Eau Claire and Altoona. Prosecutors yesterday charged 18-year-old Demitrius Major and 17-year-old Kawan Robinson with breaking into at least a dozen cars, and then leading police on a high-speed chase. The two were reportedly in the black Ranger Rover that Eau Claire Police spent the weekend looking for. Police were also looking for a white minivan in connection to the case, but didn't find it. A judge set Robinson's bond at 25 thousand-dollars, and set Major's bond at 100 thousand-dollars. 

 The latest candidate for county board in Eau Claire isn't out of school yet. UW-Eau Claire junior Matthew Lehner yesterday said he's running for the District 22 seat. Lehner ran for another county board seat last April, but lost. He is a third-year political science student and the president of the UW-Eau Claire College Democrats. 

 Some homeowners in southeastern Minnesota are now eligible to apply for money to help reduce exposure to lead poisoning in older homes.  The Minnesota Department of Health will administer a three-point-eight million dollar grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  Homes built before 1978 are eligible for the program, though owner-occupied homes must have a pregnant person or a child under six-years-old living or regularly visiting.  Applications will be accepted from  Goodhue,  Olmsted, Winona and Wabasha counties.  More information about applying is available on the Department of Health's website.

The Goodhue County Board of Commissioners approved a contractual agreement on Tuesday — a step closer for the city of Goodhue to receiving law enforcement services throughout 2024 from the the Goodhue County Sheriff’s Office.  Goodhue’s entire city-operated police department resigned in August. Later that month, the Goodhue County Sheriff’s Office started providing policing services to the city on a temporary contract which is good through the end of this year.  If approved by the city of Goodhue, the 2024 contractual agreement will include six hours of daily policing services from January 1 to December 31.  The city would pay $118,880 to the county for the coverage.

Republicans at the Wisconsin Capitol are pushing to end race-based aid programs at the University of Wisconsin. The State Assembly voted yesterday to move to a need-based system for aid instead. State Representative Nik Rettinger says it's morally wrong to base financial aid on skin color. Rettinger says a recent Supreme Court decision struck down race-based programs at colleges and universities. But the UW says that decision applied to admissions, not financial aid programs. 

 Wisconsin voters will get two questions about election integrity next fall. The State Assembly yesterday approved proposed amendments that would clarify that only US citizens 18 and older can vote in the state, and would ban the use of so-called Zuckerbucks in Wisconsin elections. State reps approved a third question as well, it would enshrine voter ID into the state constitution, but that has to be voted on again next year before it can go to voters. State Senator Mary Felzkowski says all three questions are not about Republicans or Democrats. She says they are about restoring confidence in Wisconsin's electoral process. 

Wisconsin's Assembly Speaker says there's not enough support to move ahead with the impeachment of the state's election's chief.  Speaker Robin Vos told reporters yesterday that lawmakers at the Capitol do not want to impeach Meagan Wolfe.  He said they are 'nowhere near consensus' on the idea.  Some Republicans want to impeach Wolfe for how she handled the 2020 election, and how she's responded to lawmakers ever since.  Vos says he wants to focus on the 2024 election, and not look back to what happened in 2020.            

Almost one million chickens are dead at a commercial egg farm in Wright County after being infected by avian influenza.  The Minnesota Board of Animal Health says they did tests on October 31st after they suspected an outbreak of H5N1.  About 940 thousand chickens were killed after testing positive for the virus on November 3rd.  Minnesota officials say they are cooperating with federal partners to give more surveillance and testing in the region.  

  

The Rochester City Council is moving forward with crafting an ordinance that will ban daytime camping on public property.  The council voted 4-2 in favor of having the city attorney create such a measure yesterday.  The proposal would make it a misdemeanor to camp in city parks or other public land.  Opponents say the city doesn't have enough shelter beds to give the homeless an alternative to camping in public areas.  A police spokesperson says the proposal would be a last resort reserved for those who refuse to look for help finding shelter.

The Wisconsin state Senate has approved three elections-related constitutional amendments All three passed on party-line votes in the Republican-controlled chamber on Tuesday. One, dubbed the “Zuckerbucks” amendment, would prohibit private funding for elections like that provided by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg in 2020. The others would stipulate that only U.S. citizens may vote in state and local elections and place Wisconsin’s existing voter photo ID law into the constitution. If they pass the Assembly, the Zuckerbucks and photo ID amendments would go to voters statewide in the April election. 

Another amendment to the American Family Field improvements bill is being offered Republican Senator Dan Feyen of Fond du Lac said his amendment is aimed at building enough Senate support to pass the bill already approved in the Assembly. A $36.1 million reduction in the state contribution would be covered through a ticket tax on non-Brewers events. The Brewers would pay an additional $10 million, for a total of $150.7 million. The commitment from Milwaukee County and the city would remain at $135 million over the life of the deal, which would run through 2050. The overall price tag would be $661.5 million, a reduction from the Assembly package of $687.2 million.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is joining a lawsuit accusing a data company of conspiring with meat processors to raise meat prices.  He announced yesterday that the state is a part of a suit against Agri Stats.  Other states involved are California, North Carolina, and Tennessee.  Agri Stats officials call the allegations baseless and they will vigorously defend itself.

 A busload of football equipment will soon be leaving North Mankato and heading to Mexico.  Caswell Sports is donating used football equipment to be used by kids in Yucatan.  About 300 pairs of pants, 100 helmets and 50 sets of shoulder pads will be making the trip along with a few donated footballs.  It's part of a partnership between the city and Crossview Covenant Church that's previously sent sports equipment to the Mexican state.

Local-Regional News Nov 7

 The Durand Fun Fest Committee met with residents last night to discuss the future of Fun Fest.  The discussion centered around where to hold the event in 2024 due to the loss of the vacant lot next to Memorial Park and the reconstruction of Madison Street.  Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren was in attendance and said the city would help in any way and that while Madison Street wouldn't be paved, it still could be used.   The committee felt it was important to keep events together and to keep Fun Fest in the Downtown area to support the local businesses.   The committee decided to look at reconfiguring Memorial Park so the carnival could be in the park with the refreshment tent on Madison Street.  The committee is also in need of volunteers and will be looking at different ways to recruit volunteers.  If you would like to volunteer, visit the Fun Fest Website or Facebook Page.  The next committee meeting is December 4th at 5:45 in the Community Room at Durand City Hall.

Each year, the Durand-Arkansaw School District explores purchasing natural gas early in the season to help save on heating costs.  Durand-Arkansaw Superintendent Greg Doverspike says it is like people who purchase LP in the summer.  Market analysts are expecting lower natural gas prices this winter heating season.

The City of Mondovi is looking at moving the water hydrant that was placed in Mirror Lake Park to help the Garden Club.  Mondovi Mayor Brady Weiss says the club is making a new display and the hydrant may be in the wrong location.  If possible, the city will have to the water line moved so the hydrant can be moved to a new location.

UW-Stout made the 2023 Best for Vets list, one of 325 in the country announced Monday, Nov. 6, by Military Times.   UW-Stout ranked first among public universities or colleges in Wisconsin. Six of the 13 Universities of Wisconsin schools made the list. Overall, UW-Stout was 24th in the Midwest and 151st among the 325 schools that qualified.  UW-Stout has 236 veterans and current military students.

There are charges for a New Richmond man for a deadly crash last February. Prosecutors yesterday filed homicide charges against 20-year-old Isaiah Moody. The Polk County Sheriff's Office says Moody killed 18-year-old Masen Powell from Spring Valley when he crossed the centerline on Highway 65 near Alden. Investigators say Moody told them he smoked pot the day of the crash. Deputies say he was going about 115 miles-per-hour just before the crash. 

 Wisconsin's lieutenant governor says she's impressed by the tiny home community for Chippewa Falls' homeless. Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez said projects like Hope Village can be a tool for other communities that are struggling to deal with their homeless population. Rodriguez says it's important to spread the word about what's going on in Chippewa Falls. Hope Village is billed as an option for people who don't have any other housing options. 

The plan to guarantee seats at UW schools to top-performing Wisconsin students is up for a vote at the Capitol today. The proposal would automatically give a spot at any University of Wisconsin school, including UW Madison, to kids who either graduate in the top five percent of their class or score in the top five percent on the ACT in Wisconsin. The goal, supporters say, is to keep Wisconsin's best and brightest in the state. There is some pushback, including from the university, which isn't sold on the idea of guaranteeing spots to anyone. 

An Olmsted County deputy is facing charges for allegedly trying to get a child to perform a sex act.  Corporal Mathew Adamson was arrested last week after contacting an undercover Rochester Police Department officer posing as a 13-year-old girl.  He was arrested after he drove to a specified location to meet with the undercover officer.  He's charged with third-degree criminal sexual conduct and several other felonies and has been placed on administrative leave by the sheriff's office.

Three officers will not face charges for the death of a man in Barron County this October. The Rice Lake Police Department says the officers acted in self-defense. The department says the three officers were approached by a man with a knife after he injured one person and attempted to harm another. They say it was reasonable to believe he would harm the officers and wasn't dropping the weapon. 

Commissioners in Olmsted County are ready to hear comments about their proposal to ban the public use of cannabis.  Commissioners are planning a public hearing today to get more input about the measure.  The new ordinance would restrict cannabis smoking in public areas, especially where children might be exposed to it.  The measure would not include restrictions on public consumption of cannabis edibles, though officials say it might be addressed at a later date.  A final decision on the proposal may be delayed if commissioners decide to make changes based on public comments

The Universities of Wisconsin System are asking for 32-million dollars to make up for money being cut by the state legislature.  UW says the money will be used to increase engineering, nursing, data science, business, and finance student development, adding at least 9,300 graduates in five years. Republican lawmakers cut the universities budget by the same amount in June, the amount they said UW would spend on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. The proposal will go the Board of Regents Thursday. 

Minnesotans are being encouraged to explore adoption as a way to provide good homes to children in need.  The 26th annual Circus of the Heart event was held Saturday at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in St. Paul.  The event celebrated families from around the state that have embraced adoption and kinship care while providing information about exploring the adoption of children who are under state care.   State officials say a thousand children were adopted from foster care last year, and more than 500 are still waiting to find permanent homes.  More information is available online at foster-adopt-M-N-dot-org.

The Wisconsin Senate will vote on its election constitutional amendments this week. The three amendments would make it clear that only US citizens 18-years-old and older can vote, would enshrine voter ID in the state constitution, and would ban the use of outside money like the Zuckerbucks in future elections. Republicans say all three are needed to protect elections in the state. By proposing them as constitutional amendments, the legislature is cutting the governor out of the process. All three amendments will, however, go to the voters. 

Chetek Police are raising money to send the families of officers Emily Breidenbach and Hunter Scheel to Washington, D.C. for the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. The two were gunned down during a traffic stop back in April. Now, the police department is partnering with The Pine Lodge Shops to sell Christmas ornaments to raise money for the trip. There is also The Light the Way donation drive going-on. That allows people to donate one dollar to get a paper blue light. The goal there is to raise 50 thousand-dollars. 

Local-Regional News Nov 6

The future of Durand Fun Fest will be discussed at a meeting tonight at Durand City Hall.  Mike Norby of Fun Fest says the committee is running out of volunteers and more people are needed to keep Fun Fest Going. The upcoming reconstruction of Madison Street is another issue that needs to be discussed. Tonight's meeting begins at 5:45pm in the Community Room at Durand City Hall and the public is encouraged to attend.

The City of Durand is looking at a 15% increase in health insurance costs for employees.  Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the health insurance costs are the last thing the city needs to complete the budget.  The increase is approximately $11000.

The Wabasha County Board is meeting tomorrow.  Items on the agenda include discussion and possible action on the appointment of two commissioners to the Canvas Board, approval fo the MN CCC maintenance and support agreement for CamaUSA and authorization to purchase a new snow plow truck.  Tomorrow's meeting begins at 9am in the board room at the Wabasha County Government Center.

Wabasha-Kellogg school leaders are asking for an additional $16.2 million from district taxpayers.   That question includes proposed projects in six areas: updates and replacements to current building infrastructure and systems, improvements to the present career and technical education labs, renovations to the existing high school science rooms, construction of a secure main building entrance, updates to restrooms, and renovations to high school classrooms and the school’s media center. These projects would result in an additional $94 on the tax roll for the owner of a $150,000 home.  Voters will find a single referendum question on Tuesday’s ballot.

Police in Altoona continue to look for a white van suspected of being part of a theft ring. Officers yesterday put out an APB for both a black Range Rover and a white Chrysler minivan. Both were suspected of being tied to a series of thefts in the Chippewa Valley. Police found the Range Rover, and arrested the people inside. As of yesterday afternoon, police were still looking for the white van. 

The City of Zumbrota is implementing a pay increase for police officers.  The City Council approved an agreement with the police union that bumps hourly pay for patrol officers to a minimum of 29-dollars an hour on November 12th.  That will grow to more than 30-dollars an hour in January.  The mayor says the increases will not affect the city's budget because one position has been cut from the police force to free money for the raises.

Most of Wisconsin's private wells have some PFAS chemicals in them, but only a few have enough to worry about. The state's Department of Natural Resources on Friday released the report on private well testing. The DNR says while seven in ten wells have some PFAS contamination, only one-in-100 has contamination above the state's current health guidelines. The DNR also says PFAS contamination is limited to certain areas, meaning a lot of people in Wisconsin don't have to worry about their drinking water. You can find the full report at the DNR's website

 A number of Democratic lawmakers are going to push for free lunch for all at the Wisconsin Capitol. The Healthy School Meals for All Wisconsin Coalition will hold a news conference today to introduce a plan that would expand Wisconsin's free lunch program. Right now, qualifying kids get either free or reduced-price lunches. The coalition wants to expand that so that all kids in the state can get a free lunch at school. The federal government provided free lunches for all kids during the coronavirus emergency, but the end of that order meant the end of the free lunch-for-all all program. 

Wisconsin lawmakers are introducing a new bill to expand the state's safe haven law.  The proposed bill says a parent can remain anonymous when surrendering their newborn.  Baby boxes would be used to keep the parent's identity a secret - these boxes are electronically monitored and call 9-1-1 when a baby is placed inside.  A fire station or hospital will have the child within minutes.  Currently, law says a parent must give their newborn to a 'safe haven' official in person.  The new bill hasn't passed yet, but has gotten bipartisan support from Wisconsin lawmakers

There is movement in the push to impeach Wisconsin's elections chief. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos yesterday assigned the articles of impeachment against Elections Commission administrator Meagan Wolfe to a statehouse committee. Some Republicans want to impeach Wolfe for how she handled the 2020 election, and how she has responded to questions from lawmakers ever since. A handful of state representatives introduced the articles back in September, but that sat untouched. Vos' decision to move them forward comes just days after a Republican-backed group launched a series of ads threatening to recall Vos if he didn't act. Vos' spokesperson said the impeachment articles will get a hearing, just like any other bill. 

Republican lawmakers are quick to jump on Governor Evers latest round of coronavirus spending. The governor yesterday said he is spending 36 million-dollars in leftover stimulus cash on five projects, including a new soccer stadium in Milwaukee, a new sports complex in Janesville, and an expansion at Green Bay's National Railroad Museum. Republican state Rep. Gae Magnafici said the governor sat on those coronavirus dollars for three years while families struggled, and is now spending them on a wishlist of sports stadiums. She says the governor's priorities are 'misplaced.'

 New legislation is aimed at addressing prison conditions in the state.  The State Department of Corrections says there is a just over 32-percent vacancy rate for employees at state prisons, leading to months-long lockdowns.  Introduced laws include requirements that inmates get hot showers, weekly in-person visits and opportunities for recreation.  Temperature control and accessible views of the outside for several hours daily are other proposed requirements.  The proposal doesn't say how requirements will be met without more guards or staff.

The Wisconsin Department of Revenue is looking for people to staff its free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs.  The Revenue Department is looking specifically for reception greeters, people to help with document intake, and income tax preparers, although everyone is welcome to volunteer.  No prior experience in accounting or finance is needed and volunteers will receive formal training to help people with tax preparation services.  Applications are online at revenue.wi.gov.

A Sauk County veteran received the U.S. military's oldest award Friday.  Almost 20 years after she was injured in combat during the Iraq War, Rebecca Letscher was presented with the Purple Heart.  U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin and Letscher's family presented the award to her.  She has been out of the military for 13 years and said Friday morning's recognition bought a lot of emotion for her family and veterans.  Letscher also will be honored at the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor in New Windsor, New York.

Local-Regional News Nov 3

 During a special meeting of the Durand City Council last night, the council passed a motion to increase funding for the Tarrant Park Pool from $725,000 to $1 million.  Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says with the extra city money and a significant donation from Bauer Built there is now enough money to build a basic pool.  Durand Builders had a low bid for the basic pool.  The Durand Swim Club and the City are still hoping to raise an additional $400,000 to add all of the amenities for the pool.  If the city signs the construction contract in December, construction of the new pool will begin in 2024 with an opening in 2025.

At the Capitol, the legislation would help establish regional mental health crisis centers. 29th Representative Clint Moses said putting people in crisis in a squad car for a drive to Winnebago Mental Health Institute near Oshkosh is not good.  Ten million dollars has already been budgeted for the crisis centers, which would allow voluntary or emergency detention for up to five days without patients having to be transported to Winnebago.   

A judge in Olmsted County is denying a request to lower the bond of a former Mayor Clinic doctor accused of murdering his wife.  Connor Fitzgerald Bowman was arrested for second-degree murder last month after an investigation into the death of his wife Betty.  Investigators believe Bowman poisoned his wife using a drug commonly used to treat gout.  Bowman's lawyer asked for the bond to be lowered to 300-thousand dollars yesterday, but the judge overseeing the case refused citing concern for public safety and the possibility that Bowman could be a flight risk.  His next court hearing is scheduled for January.

A 58-year-old western Wisconsin man trapped inside a grain bin died Tuesday.  The Barron County Sheriff’s Office says the accident happened just south of Barron.   After the man was pulled from the bin, he died at the scene despite life-saving measures.  The sheriff’s office didn’t release the victim’s name, nor did they say how the man became stuck in the grain bin. 

The lawyer for the missing murder suspect from Eau Claire is leaving the case. Attorney Michael Cohen yesterday told the judge that he hasn't heard from Shane Helmbrecht, and said Helmbrecht has run out of money. Helmbrecht has been missing since he left a halfway house in Tomah back in September. He was last seen in New Mexico. A judge in Eau Claire has ordered Helmbrecht to come back to the state and issued a warrant for his arrest. When, or if he comes back, Helmbrecht will likely be assigned a court-appointed attorney. 

Prosecutors in Chippewa Falls are moving ahead with charges against a man who they say tried to have sex with a 15-year-old. The DA's office says 39-year-old Brian Anderson reached out to someone online who he thought was a teenage girl and asked her for sex. Anderson says the whole thing was a scam aimed at extorting money from him. Prosecutors say Anderson told the person he was 'okay' with having sex with a 15-year-old. He's been charged with using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime.

 An elderly former teacher from Tomah is headed to prison for ten-years for the abuse of a teenage boy at a private school. A judge this week sentenced 74-year-old Anne Nelson-Koch to a decade behind bars. Investigators say she repeatedly sexually abused a 14-year-old boy in the basement of a Tomah private school during the 2016-2017 school year. Following her prison term, she will spend 15 years on probation. 

If Wisconsin's deer harvest numbers are down this year, blame the snow. The DNR yesterday said deer numbers could be down for the 2023 hunting seasons. Deer specialist Jeff Pritzl says he'd be surprised if hunters had the same luck as they did last year. He says Wisconsin usually has snow on the ground for hunting season, and that makes it much easier to track them. Last year, hunters bagged 203 thousand deer. That's eight percent above the state's five-year average. 

The State Assembly's elections committee had a hearing Thursday on a bill to protect poll workers. The measure would increase protections for election workers and polling places. Rock County Clerk Lisa Tollefson said she appreciates the offer of security.   But Tollefson said other parts of the bill need work, including prohibiting the release of poll worker information. She said some of that information is public record and available in other ways.

Wisconsin could get 229-million dollars to help fund more than 319-thousand children in daycares.  The funding is part of an emergency request to Congress by the Biden Administration after pandemic daycare funding ended.  Biden is proposing 16-billion-dollars to help daycares pay staff and keep costs lower for parents.  80-percent of daycare centers in the U-S received the pandemic funding, which ended September 30th.  The Wisconsin Legislature rejected a special session called by Governor Tony Evers in September.  After that, Evers announced 170-million dollars in emergency funding to help lower childcare costs.

Wednesday marked the start of the statewide energy moratorium that ensures heat stays on for every home in Wisconsin.   From now until April 15, state law prevents utility companies from disconnecting at homes that fall behind on their bills.   Chris Ouellette with Xcel Energy encourages everyone to pay as much as they can but said bills tend to spike in the winter. Customers who are struggling should reach out to their utility to make payment arrangements.  Ouellette also said to be extra vigilant about scam calls in the wintertime. Xcel will never call you and demand money to keep your power on.

Democrats at the Wisconsin Capitol are trying to get a new abortion law in place ahead of the case heading to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Madison State Representative Francesca Hong and Madison State Senator Kelda Roys yesterday introduced what they are calling the Reproductive Freedom Act. It would roll back Wisconsin's near-total ban on abortions, as well as end the requirement that abortion providers be able to admit patients to hospitals if need be, and require that pregnancy resources centers in the state also tell women about abortions. Hong says the idea is to get politicians out of the way for women. None of the plans are expected to pass the Republican-controlled legislature. The Wisconsin Supreme Court will likely decide about Wisconsin's abortion law going forward.

Add this to the list of places Jimmy Hoffa is buried. A team of cold case experts is out with a report that says Hoffa is buried in the parking lot of the Milwaukee Brewers' ballpark. The group, The Case Breakers, says Hoffa's body is buried where third base used to be at County Stadium. That is currently under the parking lot at American Family Field. The theory is that Hoffa's body was dug-up, and moved to the parking lot when the new stadium was built in 1996. The Case Breakers say they used a tip written on an Ace of spades from a former corrupt cop to connect the dots. Hoffa has been missing since 1975, and there have been dozens of theories about what happened to his body.

Amtrak’s Hiawatha service between Milwaukee and Chicago has a new fare schedule, and new cars   A variable ticket pricing system replaces the $25 ticket with a sliding $19 to $31 fare? based on demand and advance purchase. According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, it provides lower-cost tickets during off-peak times while capping the maximum fare at $31 each way. Also according to DOT, in partnership with Illinois, Amtrak has added newly delivered railcars on Hiawatha trains with features including wider aisles, more accessibility, improved Wi-Fi, quieter interiors, and smoother rides.

Governor Tony Evers announces he’s investing $36 million in building projects around Wisconsin.  The projects were excluded from the 2023-25 Capital Budget by Republican legislators. Evers said Thursday the projects will support over 400 jobs and nearly $68 million in economic activity,  with funding through the American Rescue Plan Act. About $15 million will go toward the Janesville Sports and Convention Center. The governor said that will generate an estimated $13 million in community economic impact and provide a regional venue. The other projects are located in Milwaukee Green Bay and Door County

A study from UW-Madison says raking your autumn leaves for disposal might not be the best way to care for your yard.  Professor Paul Koch says mowing those leaves in place as mulch could keep your yard greener in the spring.  He says that leaving leaf piles on the curb could contribute to unnecessary runoff into the storm drains from rotting plant matter.