Local-Regional News Sept 11

 Adam Accola has been named the first joint director of economic development in Dunn County.The position was created earlier this year by the county, City of Menomonie and University of Wisconsin-Stout. Support also was provided by the Dunn County Economic Development Corporation, Greater Menomonie Development Corporation and the Stout Technology and Business Park. The six entities signed a memorandum of agreement to provide funding. Accola has been a manager and administrator at the Coven, formerly CoLab, for five years in Eau Claire, a co-working space that supports start-up businesses and entrepreneurs.  Accola will initially focus on the retention and expansion of current businesses, new business development, including start-ups Fostering the development of new housing and business attraction.

The Durand City Council is meeting tonight.  Items on the agenda include discussion and possible action on election worker pay, a new city website, and a proposal from Ehler's for the PSC water rate study.  There will also be reports from the mayor and city department heads.  Tonight's meeting begins at 6:30 at Durand City Hall.

The murder case of Lily Peters will remain in adult court.  An appeals court made the ruling today.  A 16-year-old boy, identified only as C.P-B, is accused of killing Peters back in April of 2022.  He was only 14 at the time.  The defense requested for the case to be moved to juvenile court, but a circuit court judge denied the motion.  The boy's attorneys appealed, and in a 22-page decision, the appeals court upheld the decision.  It said moving the case to juvenile court would discredit the seriousness of the offense. 

Western Wisconsin's congressman wants answers about an illegal immigrant who was wanted out of Madison, and is now charged with a crime in Prairie du Chien. Congressman Derrick Van Orden this week joined Northwoods Congressman Tom Tiffany in a letter to Dane County's sheriff about his non-cooperation program, and the case of Alejandro Jose Coronel Zarate. He's accused of sexual assault in Prairie du Chien, but was also wanted out of Dane County on a similar crime. Van Orden says Zarate is a wanted gang member, and asked the sheriff if the Prairie du Chien crime could have been prevented. Dane County has long had a policy of not turning illegal immigrants over to immigration authorities. 

A person was hurt after falling off a rope swing into the Chippewa River and striking the rocks below the Mt. Simon Cliffs in Eau Claire.  According to the Eau Claire Fire Department, firefighters responded to the cliffs and found one person in the river, pulled the person out of the river, and began life-saving measures.  The person was taken to the hospital and their condition is unknown. 

The Buffalo-Pepin ADRC will be holding a workshop on establishing your final affairs on October 16 in Alma.  Attendees will learn communication skills to use with family members, practical advice from local legal professionals, and connect with community resources.  The event is free and registration is limited.  Call the Buffalo-Pepin ADRC for more information.

Security Financial Bank is warning customers and residents of a text and email scam.  SFB says the messages are text or email and appear to be coming from the bank using scare tactics and asking for personal information so the scammer can commit identity theft.  Not sure if a message is genuine, the bank is encouraging residents to call the bank first before giving out any information.

 The Sonnentag is open. UW-Eau Claire held a grand opening for its new athletic center last night. Students got their first real look at the new facility. Teams will no longer have to leave campus for practice, and the brand new center has more than enough space for other campus activities. Crews began work on the new center back in April of 2022. 

The rules for in-person absentee voting in Wisconsin could be changing. The Wisconsin Supreme Court heard arguments yesterday in the case involving Racine's mobile voting van from back in 2022.  A Racine judge has already declared the van illegal, but voting rights groups say there shouldn't be any restrictions on how and where people in Wisconsin can vote. Opponents of the van say the state's election laws are clear, and do not allow for a van to criss-cross a town and pick-up ballots. The liberal-majority court is not saying when it will make its decision. 

Essentia Health will no longer accept Medicare Advantage plans offered by UnitedHealthcare and Humana.  The healthcare organization announced yesterday that it will no longer be an in-network provider for the plans provided by those two companies.  Essential officials say the companies are denying coverage for too many patients and requiring excessive prior authorizations.  The decision will take effect on January 1st.

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Flags will fly at half-staff across Wisconsin on Wednesday in recognition of 9/11.  Tomorrow is also the State Day of Service and Remembrance.  Nearly three-thousand people lost their lives in the terror attacks on September 11th, 2001.  Governor Evers is encouraging folks, not only to lower their flags, but to engage with their neighborhoods and communities, perform acts of kindness, and take the time to reflect on the significance of the day.

A suspect is in custody after a chase on Interstate 90 in Winona County.  A state trooper spotted a stolen vehicle heading west on I-90 Monday morning.  The driver refused to stop, forcing authorities to use stop sticks to deflate the vehicle's tires.  The suspect refused to get out of the vehicle until a pepper ball was deployed.  Forty-four-year-old Matthew Davis of La Crescent was arrested and faces charges including fleeing from police and driving without a license.

The Minnesota Court of Appeals has rejected a man's request to overturn his conviction because a support dog was allowed in court.  Jairo Fernandez Sorto was convicted of first-degree criminal sexual conduct in Stearns County last year.  The judge in the case allowed the 15-year-old victim to have a support dog in the courtroom over the objections of the suspect, who was later sentenced to 30 years in jail.  Fernandez Sorto appealed, saying the court abused its discretion in allowing the dog into the courtroom.  The Court of Appeals dismissed the case yesterday, saying the judge did nothing wrong by allowing the dog in court.

A Green Bay Packer great shares his experience with addiction.   Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre visited Madison's Tellurian Behavioral Health on Monday to share his struggles with alcohol and pain pills. Favre told WKOW he once thought he could take pain pills forever and believed he didn't have a drinking problem because he didn't drink every day. Favre said sharing his story of addiction shows that anyone can overcome their struggles.

At a roundtable discussion in Milwaukee Monday, members of the Biden administration introduced finalized federal rules requiring private health insurers to cover mental health and substance abuse services similarly to physical health services. National Alliance on Mental Illness Wisconsin executive director Mary Kay Battaglias says this would improve access.  The new rules won’t go into effect right away, and insurers could sue to stop them. Critics say they’ll lead to higher insurance premiums.

More than ten goats escaped from a Madison conservation park and were corralled by night police -- only to escape again the next morning.  MPD says it responded to a call Saturday night about the escaped goats, which were in the Acewood Conservatory to help control invasive plant species.  The goats were returned safely, but found outside of a Kwik Trip on Buckeye Road yesterday morning after another escape. No goat injuries are reported.

Local-Regional News Sept 10

 Representatives of law enforcement and the Democratic and Republican County Parties in Pepin County, have issued a statment condemning any acts of vandalism, theft, or harassment related to political signage.  The statement urges all residents to respect the private property of others and to engage in civil discourse as we approach the upcoming elections. Differences in political opinions should be discussed respectfully and peacefully.  The Pepin County Sheriff's Department says any vandalism to political signs will not be tolerated and Stealing political signs or causing damage to a political sign is a crime. Pepin County ordinance violations for theft carry a fine of $263.50 and intentionally causing damage to the property of another carries a fine of $389.50.

One person is dead after a drowning on Sunday at Kinnickinnic State Park in Clifton Township.  According to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department,  66yr old Keith Taylor of Cottage Grove, MN dove off of a diving board of a parked pontoon boat and did not resurface.  Family and friends were quickly able to recover Taylor's body and start life-saving measures which continued after first responders arrived but those efforts were unsuccessful.

One person is dead and another injured after a two-vehicle motorcycle accident in Rock Elm Township on Saturday.  According to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, 54yr old David Rea from Rosemount, MN was traveling westbound on Hwy 72 when he struck a westbound motorcycle driven by 48yr old Shawn Stuttgen of Eagan, MN.  Rea was pronounced dead at the scene, while Stuttgen was med-flighted to Mayo Hospital in Eau Claire.

The Mondovi City Council is meeting tonight.  Items on the agenda include a discussion on a DNR Urban Forestry Grant and reports from the mayor and department heads.  Tonight's meeting begins at 5:30 at the Marten Center in Mondovi.

 No one is hurt following a house fire in Eau Claire.  The blaze broke out yesterday at a home on East Grand Avenue.  Two cats were rescued from the house and the fire caused around 75-thousand-dollars worth of damage.  Investigators haven't shared what caused the blaze.  

The Chippewa Valley Regional Airport is receiving $1,000,000 to reconstruct the existing taxi lanes pavement that has reached the end of its useful life.  The funding comes from a Federal Aviation Administration program that provides grants for the planning and development of public-use airports and improvements related to enhancing airport safety, capacity, security, and environmental concerns.

Next year's Ride Across Wisconsin will start in Eau Claire.  Typically the bike ride starts in La Crosse and ends in the Milwaukee area.  The event's Facebook page says the first day will start with a victory lap around the Eau Claire and Chippewa rivers to celebrate the event's tenth anniversary.  More than 750 bikers participated in the 2024 ride.  Next year's Ride Across Wisconsin will start on July 12th.

 Minnesota is launching a new campaign designed to bring new businesses to the state.  The "Star of the North" campaign is a joint venture between Explore Minnesota and the state Department of Employment and Economic Development.  The nationwide campaign promotes Minnesota's strong business environment as well as its quality of life.  The campaign will run through June of next year.

Lake City Schools have received a $50,000 grant to fund a new staff position called the ‘Social Emotional Support Coach.’ School staff says the new roll will support social and emotional learning for elementary students.  The program is designed for preschool students, ages three and four.  The creation of the ‘Social Emotional Support Coach’ will also include a new curriculum. The community educational director says the lessons are both group based and catered to student individual needs.

 Bowhunters in Rochester will have the chance to hunt for deer in several of the city's parks.  The Rochester Parks and Recreation Department has been coordinating the bow hunt since 2022 as part of an effort to control the deer population.  The hunt has brought in more than 70 deer in the last two years.  Parks and trails will remain open during the hunt, with signs marking where hunting is happening.  The bow hunt kicks off on Saturday.

Wisconsin deer hunters should consider testing their deer for Chronic Wasting Disease. Erin Larson is Deer Herd Health Specialist with the Wisconsin DNR. CWD testing remains a priority for the agency, with sampling available statewide. DNR has priority areas that agency staff are especially interested in receiving samples from to help further understand disease levels and distribution. Whether to consume deer that test positive is a personal choice, but Larson notes agencies that specialize in human health, like the CDC or the World Health Organization don't recommend consuming a deer that tests positive from CWD. Larson says hunters are also asked to report any sick or dead deer they encounter. Find out more on the DNR website - DNR.WISCONSIN.GOV

One person is dead after a truck crashed into an apartment in northwest Wisconsin.  Burnett County deputies say a truck drove through the wall of an apartment Friday morning and killed a resident inside. The driver of the vehicle was taken for questioning and treatment. The case is under investigation and neither the victim nor the driver have been named.

Forty-two people in Wisconsin are sick after eating eggs linked to a Wisconsin farm, in the midst of a multi-state Salmonella outbreak.  The Centers for Disease Control says 65 people in nine states have been infected with the Salmonella strain. The recall includes all eggs in containers labeled with Milo's Poultry Farms or Tony's Fresh Market, regardless of expiration date or type of egg.  The eggs were sold through distributors and retailers based in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan.

During the 2024 Clark County Fair in Neillsville, Anna Kayhart exhibited the Grand Champion Dairy Market Steer. The morning of the animal market sale, a member of the Clark County agricultural community, Jeremy and Bethany Oberholtzer experienced the tragedy of a barn fire on the morning of Saturday, August 10. The fire destroyed their milking barn and milkhouse. When it came time to sell her Grand Champion Dairy Steer in the final lot of the auction, the Oberholtzer family was still weighing heavily on her mind. The auctioneer announced that Kayhart decided all proceeds from the sale of her animal would be donated to the Oberholtzer family to help with the expense of cleaning up after the fire and rebuilding their dairy facilities. Anna’s 1,408-pound steer was purchased by Lynn Dairy Inc. in Granton, Wisconsin, and sold for $15.75 per pound, raising more than $22,000 for the Oberholtzer family.

The Minnesota State Patrol has confirmed that a state trooper involved in a deadly crash in Rochester earlier this year has lost his job.  Shane Roper was notified of his termination last Tuesday.  Roper had been put on leave following the May crash that killed Owatonna's Oliva Flores and injured several others.  Roper pled not guilty to multiple charges during a hearing last month, including manslaughter and criminal vehicular homicide.

 Minnesotans will only have one state constitutional amendment to vote on during the November election.  Voters are being asked to decide whether lottery proceeds will keep being used to fund environmental projects in the state.  Forty-percent of the state lottery's net proceeds currently go to a trust fund that is used on projects that protect and promote conservation and outdoor activity.  A "no" vote in November would end the split between money going to the general fund and money going to environmental causes.  Early voting in Minnesota begins September 20th.

 A Minnesota cat will soon be heading home after being found nearly 15-hundred miles from home.  Finn the cat was reported missing by his owner in Middle River in early July.  He was found late last month in an industrial area in Monroe, Washington.  The woman who found him says Finn's microchip allowed her to immediately find and contact his owner.  The cat's owner is working with the woman who found him to arrange a flight so Finn can return home. 

Local-Regional News Sept 9

 Temperatures are expected to be hotter than normal in September as warm weather returns this week here in Western Wisconsin.  Highs will be in the mid-to-upper 80s throughout the week, between five and 15 degrees higher than normal for early-to-mid September.  The high temperatures are below record highs for September, which are in the high 90s. 

Two people were injured in a motorcycle accident in Oak Grove Township last Tuesday.  According to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, 60yr old David Mattsson of Bloomington, MN was traveling northbound on Hwy 35, when he lost control of the motorcycle and crashed.  Mattsson and his passenger Beth Mattsson were taken to Regions Hospital.

Dunn County Farmers can pick up new slow-moving vehicle signs next week.  The free signs are being distributed free to farmers through a partnership with the National Farm Medicine Center and Dunn County Emergency Management.  Three types of signs will be available, flexible adhesive, sturdy plastic, and a metal version.  Limit two per person and farmers can pick up the free signs on September 16th and September 25th from 10-2 at the Dunn County Emergency Management office. 

A public meeting on the proposed expansion of Hwy T in Eau Claire and Chippewa Counties will be held on Wednesday from 5-7pm at the Country Jam Site.   It is proposed to expand Hwy T to 4 lanes from Alpine Road and 33rd Avenue.  Representatives from Eau Claire County, Chippewa County, City of Eau Claire, Town of Union and Town of Wheaton will be there to answer questions. 

A man is charged with sexually assaulting a girl in Eau Claire County. Brodi Markham is facing two felony charges for assaulting a six-year-old when he was 19. Prosecutors say the victim's mother got a message from Markham in August admitting to inappropriately touching her daughter in early 2023. He reportedly said he thinks he did it because he has a split personality and was smoking meth. Markham could get up to 100 years in prison and will be in court for a preliminary hearing next Tuesday.

A Rochester man suspected of killing his sister in Wisconsin last month has died after being stopped by police in Winona.  Investigators say 59-year-old Scott Jenkins was stopped Friday night on Interstate 90 and was told to exit his vehicle.  When Jenkins didn't move, officers approached the vehicle and found Jenkins dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot.  Multiple agencies had been searching for Jenkins following the August 29th shooting death of his sister in Eau Claire.  The investigation into both cases is continuing.

 A 16-year-old is dead following a crash in the Town of Hillsboro.  The crash happened yesterday morning on County Road WW northwest of Highway 33 when a pickup truck driven by a 17-year-old boy lost control, went off the road, and rolled over several times.  The 16-year-old was ejected from the vehicle.  Both teens were sent to the hospital, where the 16-year-old was pronounced dead.  Investigators believe speed, alcohol, and vehicle equipment appear to be contributing factors in the crash.

An investigation is underway following a deadly motorcycle crash near Hudson.  Authorities say a motorcycle and vehicle collided yesterday morning on I-94 in St. Croix County.  The 19-year-old riding the motorcycle was found dead at the scene.  His name hasn't been released.

The Diocese of Winona-Rochester has completed a nearly two-year project to build a new pastoral center in Rochester.  A ceremony was held yesterday to bless and open the eight-million-dollar building on Jeremiah Lane.  The building includes office space for diocese leadership, Catholic Charities and schools run by the diocese.  Diocese leaders say the new building is more centrally located and easier to reach than its previous location in Winona.

An employee at a Rochester health facility has been terminated after an investigation by the Minnesota Department of Health.  The agency began investigating after a complaint against Aviva River Bend Memory Care.  A belt was used to hold a patient in a wheelchair because an unlicensed caregiver thought she might fall.  Another staff member removed the belt and moved the patient to a recliner after a family member complained.  The Department of Health substantiated the complaint and issued a correction order late last month.

Milo's Poultry Farms is issuing a recall for all of its eggs following a Salmonella outbreak in Wisconsin.  The eggs are labeled with "Milo's Poultry Farms" or "Tony's Fresh Market," and they also include all cage-free and organic eggs.  The Wisconsin Department of Health Services says 42 cases of Salmonella have been reported in the Badger State.  In addition to Wisconsin, the eggs were sold in Illinois and Michigan.  Milo's Poultry Farms is located in Bonudel in Shawano County, about 30 miles northwest of Green Bay.

Madison Police are investigating an incident that led to shots fired by police officers.  MPD says officers responded to a call late Friday night about a group of people in a West Gilman Street parking lot.  Officers fired shots after they encountered someone with a gun.  Police say they don't believe anyone was hit by gunfire.  One person is under arrest, but there's no word on what charges.

Minnesota is ordering two utility companies to remove dozens of discarded wind turbine blades from an industrial park in Mower County.  The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission ordered Xcel Energy to work with NextEra Energy Resource to begin removing the blades by October 5th.  More than 100 blades were discarded by NextEra during a replacement project in 2020.  Xcel now owns the project and is also being held responsible.  The PUC has told the companies that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency will take action if the blades aren't removed by the end of this year.

A Seattle woman accused of dropping off 120 thousand dollars for a juror in the Minneapolis Feeding Our Future trial is pleading guilty to federal charges.  Laden Ali was charged in June after she was accused of offering money to a juror to vote to acquit the defendants.  She now faces a possible sentence of close to five to six years in prison in a plea deal.  Ali also agreed to forfeit any cash from the scheme and pay a fine of up to 200-thousand dollars.  A sentencing hearing has yet to be scheduled.

UW-Eau Claire's new event center is celebrating its grand opening with a week of events starting on Monday. The Sonnentag will be the largest indoor event venue in northwest Wisconsin and cost the university 122-million dollars. Events include open houses, the facility's first intercollegiate athletics competition, and a first responders and community day on September 11th.  A ribbon cutting will be held on Thursday.

Local-Regional News Sept 6

Multiple car break-ins are being reported in the Village of Colfax, northwest of Eau Claire.  The Dunn County Sheriff's Office says the break-ins happened between three and four Thursday morning.  The department is asking for residents to check their cars for missing items and to check any security systems for suspicious people or vehicles.  Anyone who notices anything amiss can contact the Sheriff's Office or Dunn County Crime Stoppers.

The City of Durand is waiting word from the Wisconsin DNR on a low interest loan to replace the water filter plant at the water tower.  Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says this is a project that needs to be done to keep city water at state standards. It is hoped that the project can be completed before the end of the year.

Police in Eau Claire say they've arrested a local for a string of break-ins near the UW-Eau Claire campus last spring. Officers arrested Domanick Abrams, from Eau Claire, and his girlfriend Racquel Krueger, from Altoona. Prosecutors filed charges against the two yesterday. Police say they are responsible for at least nine burglaries in the Randall Park area that happened in May and June. In addition to stealing things, police say the pair stole a debit card and credit card and racked-up thousands of dollars in charges. Investigators say Abrams told them that college kids should know better than to leave their doors unlocked. 

The candidates who are running for Congress in western Wisconsin say they want to debate, they just haven't agreed on when and where. Both Republican Congressman Derrick Van Orden and Democratic challenger Rebecca Cooke say they want to answer questions about their race. Neither have set a date. The lack of a debate is now becoming one of the issues in the campaign. Van Orden is on the Democrats' list of targets this year. Cooke is running after getting a surprise win during the primary last month. 

Xcel Energy has filed an application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) for a new high-voltage transmission line that will bring renewable energy to customers in Wisconsin, improve long-term reliability, and help manage the energy grid as it evolves.  The Western Wisconsin Transmission Connection is a proposed new 345-kilovolt transmission line that, if approved by the PSCW, will begin near Blair, Wis., connect to existing infrastructure near Eau Claire, and then connect to existing transmission lines to the north and east. Xcel Energy has proposed two route options for the PSCW to review.

Department of Natural Resources wardens urge use of safety equipment on ATVs and UTVs. DNR Major April Dombrowski says 26 people have died this year while riding recreational vehicles. Most of them were not wearing seatbelts or helmets when they died. Dombrowski says ATV/UTV drivers and passengers need to be sober, wear helmets, and know how to ride safely before getting in that seat.  Over the weekend, 3 people were injured when an UTV overturned in Pierce County.

A Minnesota man will get four years of probation for threatening to shoot up the Chippewa County Courthouse.  Harley Alcala was accused of making terroristic threats in May 2023 after posting about shooting at the courthouse on Facebook prior to a scheduled court date.  Alcala pleaded guilty Thursday to felony bail jumping and making threats, and also pleaded guilty to making threats in a second case.  He must also get a mental health evaluation and remain sober as part of his probation.

 Cameras will not be allowed in the courtroom during Adam Fravel's upcoming trial.  A Winona County judge ruled yesterday that cameras will not be allowed during the October trial in Mankato because Madeline Kingsbury's family has requested privacy.  Some media access will be allowed, with reporters sitting in the courtroom or a media center nearby.  Fravel's murder trial will be held in Mankato beginning October 7th.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation is reminding Minnesotans about the rules regarding political signs near streets and highways.  State law prohibits the placement of political signs along the highway right-of-way, including driving lanes, shoulders, ditches and intersections.  Displays of flags and other signs on bridges over traffic are also prohibited.  Signs cannot be placed on private property without the owner's consent.  State law also prohibits placing advertising on utility poles, trees and shrubs as well as painting or drawing on rocks and other natural features.

A new driver's education grant program is launching across the state.   Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation say the program aims to reduce barriers for low-income students to take driver education courses and become licensed drivers. The program covers a driving school's fees for thirty hours of classroom time, six hours of observation, and six hours of behind-the-wheel driver training. The program is being funded by $6 million set aside in the governor's 2023-25 biennial budget. Funds will be made available to eligible applicants on a first come, first serve basis.

Madison police make an arrest at the zoo.  A 26-year-old woman is banned from Madison’s Henry Vilas Zoo after a Wednesday incident in which she allegedly attempted to climb over railings into animal enclosures. She did get into the donkey exhibit and attempted to take photos there according to Madison police. When she was asked to leave she became upset and allegedly battered zoo staff.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is asking people to report several kinds of species if they're seen on roadways. The DNR says it wants reports of frogs, salamanders, lizards, or snakes that are crossing Wisconsin roads during the late summer and early fall. The species, collectively known as herptiles, are more likely to migrate between breeding areas and hibernation areas this time of year. Reports of these sightings will help researchers and conservationists understand where populations are living.

UW-Madison Police say they are investigating the pro-Palestinian graffiti at the Hagenah Fountain and other parts of the Library Mall. Police are not saying who is responsible for the vandalism, or just what the graffiti says, but there are reports that it has pro-Palestinian messages. Officers first discovered the graffiti about 3 a.m. yesterday morning. The university says it is looking to see if yesterday's graffiti is connected to similar messages at Witte Hall last week. 

The Minnesota Department of Revenue says nearly three-quarters of the e-bike rebates issued earlier this summer have been redeemed.  Applicants who received a rebate certificate in July have until Tuesday to use them.  Unused rebates will be handed out next month to those who applied but weren't selected during the first round.  Another round of e-bike discounts will be issued next year.

Hormel is teaming up with General Mills to create a new twist on breakfast.  The Austin-based meat company announced this week that it plans to sell Cinnamon Toast Crunch Bacon beginning September 16th.  The product will combine the cinnamon coating from Cinnamon Toast Crunch with Hormel's Black Label Bacon.  The product will be sold at selected Walmart and Kroger stores. 

Local-Regional News Sept 5

 A bike trail in the Chippewa Valley could soon become publicly owned. The more than six-mile-long Chippewa River State Trail runs through Dunn and Pepin Counties and is currently owned by Xcel Energy. The counties have reportedly wanted to purchase the land for years, but weren't able to afford it. A non-profit recently secured state DNR funding, which would pay for half of the appraised value of the land. The utility, Pepin, and Dunn Counties are working to finalize a sale.

Four people were injured in a single-vehicle crash in  Martell Township on Sunday.  According to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, 31yr old Adam Raschka of Baldwin was traveling northbound on 530th Street when he lost control of the UTV and overturned.  Raschka and three passengers, 34yr old Kimber Raschka, 65yr old Perry Camodeca and a 5yr old were taken to Western Wisconsin Health in Baldwin.

Police in Chippewa Falls says a middle schooler grabbed the wrong backpack, and accidentally brought a gun to school yesterday. The gun was unloaded, in a case, and no one was hurt. Officers at Chippewa Falls Middle School say the student accidentally grabbed their parents' backpack yesterday morning. Superintendent Jeff Holmes says the mistake is a good reminder for parents to be extra vigilant with their guns, and with their kids' things.

A home in Elk Mound is a total loss after a fire yesterday.  According to authorities, firefighters from Elk Mound, Menomonie and Colfax responded to the blaze on Juniper Avenue in Elk Mound on Wednesday afternoon and found flames coming from the roof and garage. Two people and multiple pets were inside and were alerted to the fire with the Elk Mound Police Chief kicked in the door of the home.  Everyone got out of the home safely and no injuries were reported. The cause of that fire is still under investigation.

The Princeton Valley Park is open for kids. Eau Claire's parks managers say there are still some finishing touches to be taken care of before the park officially opens, but kids are more than welcome to go to the playground. Eau Claire spent 200-thousand-dollars upgrading the park, and it even has a wheelchair accessible merry-go-round. The parks department says the finishing touches should be finished soon. 

 A couple in Red Wing have pleaded guilty to child torture. This comes after their four children were found locked in cages in their home. The children, ages three to nine, were discovered in August 2022. They were confined in makeshift cages for up to 13-hours at a time. All charges except for child torture have been dismissed, with sentencing scheduled for December 13th, 2024. The case has been described as severe abuse, exceeding typical definitions of physical and emotional harm. 

Olmsted County police officers will be getting new body cameras and tasers under a new contract approved Tuesday.  The county's Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the nearly three-point-four-million-dollar deal to provide cameras for officers and their vehicles.  The contract also includes nearly 200 stun guns as well as automatic license plate readers for squad cars.  State public safety funding will cover about a third of the contract's cost.

The City of Durand is asking for the publics input on  a regular season farmers market.  The city posted on its Facebook page a request for public input on having the market from June through September.   The survey not only asks what day or days would be best, but the best time and what residents would like to see sold at the market.  If you need a paper copy of the survey, visit Durand City Hall.

Governor Tony Evers is kicking off another school year with his annual Back-To-School tour. The former State Superintendent of Public Instruction says having someone with the background he has is important in his role as governor. Evers says he hopes a number of school districts across the state across the state can get local referendums passed, because some of them need money just so they can keep the doors open. Wisconsin voters in February and April cast ballots for 103 school district referenda, approving 62 of them.

Wisconsinites with a lot of pine cones on their land may be in luck. The DNR says it wants help collecting red and white pine cones for its reforestation program. A DNR official says early September is the prime time to collect pine cones. Nurseries will pay 125-dollars per bushel of red pine cones and sixty dollars for white pine cones. A bushel is about eight pounds, and the department says an experienced collector can pick a bushel in about three hours.

The latest report on conditions at Wisconsin’s youth prisons shows improvement. The 28-page document shows Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake Schools are meeting most of their court-ordered requirements to improve, including limiting the use of restraints and eliminating strip searches. However, staff at the facilities fear for their safety. In June, a teenager attacked two staff members at Lincoln Hills, killing one of them, counselor Corey Proulx. The latest assessment comes as the state plans to close both youth prisons and build a new facility in Milwaukee they hope to open by 2026.

The latest push for legal marijuana in Wisconsin is coming from the state's tribes. The Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association and the Wisconsin Tribal Task Force on Cannabis yesterday announced plans for a public education push to try and get marijuana legalized in the state. The new Wisconsin Wellness program aims to get medical marijuana legalized in Wisconsin. The Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association' Rob Pero says marijuana is a "historically and culturally appreciated plant medicine," and it should be available to the people of Wisconsin.  Wisconsin is one of the few remaining states in the Midwest that doesn't allow for either medical or recreational marijuana.  Some Republicans at the State Capitol have said they are open to a medical marijuana program, but Governor Evers says he'd rather just fully legalize it for everyone. 

September is College Savings Month in Wisconsin. Governor Tony Evers made that proclamation Tuesday. A release from the governor said higher education plays a critical role in recruiting, retaining and training talented workers for the state’s economic well-being. Evers added that a college education should be affordable and accessible for all who choose to pursue it. The two college savings plans Wisconsin offers are Edvest 529 and Tomorrow's Scholar.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is suing in Dane County Court to have his name off Wisconsin’s presidential ballot.  The Wisconsin Elections Commission voted five to one last week to put Kennedy on the ballot, even though he's withdrawn his nomination. Lawyers for Kennedy argue state law creates a different standard for third-party candidates because Democrats and Republicans have until 5pm on the first Tuesday in September ahead of an election to certify their presidential nominee. There's no similar provision for independents and the suit seeks a stay of the Commission's ruling and an order barring WEC from placing Kennedy's name on the ballot.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is warning more than five thousand retailers and distributors to stop selling unauthorized flavored tobacco products.  The merchandise includes flavored e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches that have not been approved for sale by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.  Ellison says the sale of these products violates state law.  Some of them have candy, fruit, or dessert flavors that may be attractive to minors.  Ellison says several law enforcement agencies formed a task force to investigate and prosecute the sale and distribution of illegal e-cigarettes under federal law.

Local-Regional News Sept 4

 Expect traffic delays today in Durand as crews seal coat Prospect Street from Hwy 10 to just south of Durand.  Crews will sweeping then applying the seal coat and gravel throughout the day today.  The sealcoating is expected to be completed today or tomorrow but Prospect Street might be down to one lane of traffic at times.

The Madison Street Construction Project has been pushed back to 2026.  Durand Mayor Patrick Milliren says the city is looking at changing the project to reduce the costs.  The city was not eligible for a community development block grant.  The project is approximately $1 million over budget.

Registration is now underway for the Buffalo-Pepin County ADRC Stepping on Workshop.  The 7 week workshop uses researched and proven strategies to help reduce falls by 31%.  According to ADRC, One in four people age 65 and older has a fall each year.  The workshop begins on September 18 at 1pm at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Pepin.  Call the Buffalo-Pepin ADRC for more information and to register for the program.

Eau Claire Police say they are still looking for the suspect in last week's murder on Gilbert Avenue. Officers found 56-year-old Michelle Jenkins shot to death in a home last Thursday. Police say they went there to check and see if she was okay, but they are not saying who placed the call for a welfare check. Investigators also do not say anything about a suspect or motive in the case. 

There's a new way to get around downtown Eau Claire. Bird dropped off the first of its electric scooters yesterday. A handful of the new scooters can be found parked in designated zones along Water Street. Eventually, Bird hopes to have about 300 scooters in Eau Claire. You need an app to use them, and the city says they cannot be driven on sidewalks, or just left anywhere. The scooters are also available for us at UW-Eau Claire. Bird says they'll be available til the first plowable snow of the season. 

Classes start today at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire campus. Students celebrated the return to campus Monday by participating in the Tour De Rec. The event included a run up campus hill, bean bag tournaments, and booths from student organizations and clubs.

Western Wisconsin Packer fans will need to stream Friday's Packer game. The NFL yesterday said the Packers game in Brazil will be available exclusively on Peacock. People who live in the 'home TV markets' for the Packers, Green Bay and Milwaukee, will be able to watch the game on their NBC station. But the rest of the state will need to tune-in online. The Packers kick-off from Sao Paulo, Brazil at 7:15 Friday night. 

A hearing is set on revoking the tenure of former UW - La Crosse Chancellor Joe Gow.  Gow will fight to keep his tenure in front of the UW Board of Regents' personnel committee later this month. The committee will then draft a recommendation for the full Board of Regents to consider. Universities of Wisconsin officials are looking to revoke Gow's tenure over pornographic videos he and his wife made and posted online. In July, UW - La Crosse's faculty committee unanimously recommended Gow have his tenure revoked and be fired. Revoking Gow's tenure would strip him of pension fund, and he'd lose his teaching position in the communications department. Gow was fired as UW - La Crosse's chancellor last December. 

A judge has found the illegal immigrant charged with killing two children in Abbotsford unfit for trial. A Clark County judge yesterday said Victor Gomez Acosta is not competent enough for trial. He's accused of killing his two children, stabbing his wife, and then stabbing himself back on July 5th. Investigators say he stabbed the girls dozens of times. Police originally said Gomez Acosta told them that a crazy person did the stabbing. Gomez Acosta will spend at least the next year in a state mental hospital, to see if doctors can get him well enough to face a trial. 

Wisconsin's governor says he's not sure about the state's new test scores that lower the bar for students. Governor Tony Evers yesterday refused to say the new test scores which, among other things, sets the state's proficient level at a 19 on the ACT, and ends the terms basic and below basic on elementary school reading tests. Evers says high standards help all school kids, and said he would not have lowered the standards when he was state superintendent. The current state superintendent says the changes better reflect where Wisconsin school kids are. 

Bear hunting season opens today in Wisconsin. The Department of Natural Resources says the bear population covers more than half of the state, mostly in northern and central Wisconsin forests. Samples provided by hunters play a role in black bear research -- the DNR says harvested bears help monitor the health of future populations. Right now, there are about 26-thousand bears statewide. The season goes until October eighth.

A man is under arrest, accused of killing UW-Whitewater gymnast Kara [[CARE-uh]] Welsh near campus. Police say 23-year-old Chad T. Richards knew the victim and shot her after an argument on Friday. He was booked at the Walworth County Jail and charged on suspicion of homicide. Welsh, a 21-year-old NCAA title holder from Illinois, was studying management at the university.  

A man driving a stolen pickup attempted to pick up his friend from the local police department after she was arrested for a drug-related DWI. The truck, which had incorrect plates and was reported stolen, led officers on a high-speed chase after they attempted to arrest him. During the pursuit, an officer was injured. The chase ended with a PIT maneuver by a South St. Paul officer. The driver, who had multiple outstanding warrants, is now in custody at Dakota County Jail facing new charges in addition to his existing warrants.

A zoo in southern Minnesota is asking for help feeding animals who eat fish.  The Zollman Zoo in Olmsted County says it's running out of frozen fish and is asking anyone with some extra in their freezer to consider donating it.  The zoo will accept any kind of fish, and would prefer fillets to help feed animals that can't eat a whole fish.  More information on donating is available on the zoo's Facebook page.

Minnesota has been named the fourth-best state to live in according to the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings. The evaluation, which considered factors such as healthcare, crime, and education, highlighted Minnesota's low uninsured rate and strong economic indicators, including a median household income of around 80-thousand dollars. The state also boasts a robust presence of Fortune 500 companies and a relatively low crime rate. Wisconsin ranked 17th in the survey while Utah was ranked first.

U W Stevens Point is touting its E Sports Team. UWSP Chancellor Thomas Gibson says the E Sports industry has become something that institutions like his can't ignore, because if they don't provide the opportunity another school will. The U W S P E-Sports club competes regionally in five different games including League of Legends and Fortnite.

Local-Regional News Sept 3

A three-car crash in Buffalo County sent two people to the hospital on Saturday.  According to the Buffalo County Sheriff's Department, 67yr old Keith Koenig of Alma was traveling southbound on Hwy 35 near Beach Harbor Road when he was rear-ended by a vehicle driven by 50yr old Jeremy Hulberg of Durand.  Koening's vehicle traveled into the northbound lane of Hwy 35 and struck a northbound vehicle driven by 19yr old Grace Kennedy of Le Roy, MN.  Both Koening and Kennedy were med-flighted to the hospital while Hulberg refused transport.  That accident remains under investigation.  Hwy 35 was closed for about 4hrs due to the accident.

Two people were injured in a motorcycle accident in Milton Township on Saturday.  According to the Buffalo County Sheriffs Department, 57yr old James Lejk of Winona was traveling northbound on Hwy 35 and was turning right onto Hwy 88 when he lost control of the motorcycle and crashed.  Lejk and 55yr old Robin Lejk were transported to the hospital with minor injuries.

Add two more tornadoes to Wisconsin's tally for 2024. The National Weather Service late last week confirmed two tornadoes in western Wisconsin from last week's storms. The first tornado was an EF-0, and touched down about three miles west of Beldenville in Pierce County. The second tornado touched down near I-94, close to Wilson in eastern St. Croix County. It was also an EF-0. Forecasters say there were some downed trees and other minor damage from the tornadoes. There were no injuries.   

 We are waiting for an update on a Thursday murder in Eau Claire. Officers say they found  56-year-old Michelle Jenkins Thursday night in a home near downtown. She'd been shot several times.  No one is saying just when she was shot, or why. Eau Claire Police say they were called for a welfare check. There's also no word on a suspect in the case. 

You can continue to swim at Eau Claire's beaches, but the health department says you are on your own. The city/county health department said over the weekend that it is ending its beach water testing program for the year. That means no more tests for bacteria and/or blue green algae. As of the last test, on Friday, all seven of Eau Claire County's beaches passed their tests with flying colors. 

One person was arrested over the weekend after a shooting in La Crosse.  According to La Crosse Police, officers responded to a shots fired call in the 200 block of George Street on Sunday afternoon.  Investigators believe that an altercation happened between three people and one person was shot in the incident.   On Monday, 34-year-old Ryder Ott turned himself in and was charged with attempted 1st-degree intentional homicide and possession of a firearm by a felon.  He is currently being held in the La Crosse County Jail.  The victim is currently hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

Adam Fravel will be back in court in Winona County today.  Lawyers are expected to argue several motions today, including one that would not allow witnesses to be in the courtroom during Fravel's trial.  Fravel is accused of killing Madeline Kingsbury, a woman who disappeared from Winona last year and was found dead weeks later in Fillmore County.  Fravel's trial will be held in Mankato next month. 

President Biden is set to travel to western Wisconsin. The White House yesterday confirmed that the president will be making a campaign stop in Westby, near La Crosse on Thursday. It is Biden's first Wisconsin visit since he dropped out of the race about a month ago. It's the second presidential visit to the La Crosse area in two weeks. Former President Trump was in La Crosse last week to host a town hall meeting. 

Wisconsin lawmakers will hear from farmers this week as they continue to try and figure out what to do about the state's sandhill cranes. The Legislative Study Committee on Sandhill Cranes will meet at the Capitol tomorrow. The head of Wisconsin Corn Growers Association will be one of the people testifying in front of the committee. The hope is to come up with a strategy for lawmakers to vote on sometime next year. 

Northern Wisconsin's wild rice crop harvest is below average this year.  The Department of Natural Resources says a mild winter last year and heavy storms in mid-June appear to have set back wild rice production this year in the northern part of the state. Wild rice harvesting is open to all Wisconsin residents and provides an opportunity to forage a highly nutritious food source unique to the upper Midwest. The decline in wild rice production has been a notable trend over recent decades. Scientists cite the impacts of climate change as a widespread stressor on the wild rice population. Wild rice maturity typically ranges from late August through mid-September across the state and varies by waterbody and rice bed.

There is a plan to possibly spin-off UW-Madison. The Legislative Study Committee looking into the university on Friday listened to a proposal to move UW-Madison out of the UW System. The idea, supporters say, is to allow UW-Madison to continue to grow and do what it does best while trying to find a solution for the other UW schools. Some committee members say UW-Madison has needs and challenges that none of the other UW schools have. This is not the first time this has been pitched. Former Governor Scott Walker suggested the same typing, but ultimately couldn't find enough support for it. 

A Madison man is heading to prison for lying about a PPP loan. A judge on Friday sentenced 36-year-old Eric Upchurch to over two years in prison. Prosecutors say he forged tax documents to steal 400-thousand-dollars in Paycheck Protection loans. He told the federal government he had several employees in his various businesses, but he never employed anyone but himself. The prosecution said Upchurch laundered some of the ill-gotten money by buying Bitcoin. 

A Rochester man is dead following a motorcycle crash in Fillmore County.  The Minnesota State Patrol says 81-year-old Noel Alan Ludke was riding east on Highway 30 on Saturday when his bike left the road and crashed into a ditch.  He died from injuries received in the crash, which is still being investigated.

 Bear hunters in Wisconsin are applauding the new audit of Wisconsin's fish and wildlife fund. State lawmakers ordered the audit last week. The idea, they say, is to make sure that the money Wisconsin's hunters and fishermen pay for hunting and fishing licenses is being used to pay for hunting and fishing programs. The Bear Hunters' Carl Schoettel says outdoorsmen want transparency and accountability if something is wrong. 

 More than 400 cases of salmonella across the country have been linked to backyard poultry.  The CDC reported last week that more than a hundred people have been hospitalized.  Texas and Missouri have the most cases, followed by Minnesota, Washington, Michigan, and Oklahoma.  Nearly 70 percent of those who got sick said they had contact with backyard poultry.  Salmonella is a bacteria that can lead to diarrhea, fever, and stomach pain.

 A guild that oversees more than a dozen public charter schools in Minnesota has ordered the closure of an Olmsted County high school.  The guild announced this week that Rosa Parks Charter High School near Rochester will close on October 10th.  The decision came several months after the guild received complaints about the school, including poor staffing and violations of policy.  The school must now come up with a closure plan and work with affected families to transfer students to new schools.

A Minnesota native has earned a gold medal in swimming at the Paralympics in Paris.  Mallory Weggemann won the women's 200-meter individual relay medley final over the weekend.  She also won gold in the same event at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021.  It was also her first medal since becoming a mom nearly a year-and-a-half ago.  The Eagan native will be in the pool again on Thursday to compete in the 50-meter freestyle.