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Wed
11
Jul

Publicly planted trees a growing opportunity in PdC


Members of the Cabela’s wellness team planted nine trees along the north end bike trail on St. Feriole Island this spring. Pictured (from left) are Chad Everson, Nick Coffield, Tiffany Pettera, Daisha Beaty, Cathie Nelson and Tom Nelson. (Photo by Rachel Mergen)

By Correne Martin

For years, people have had the opportunity to plant trees in public areas around Prairie du Chien, through a special city garden program. But 2018 has proven to be a more extraordinary year of tree planting enthusiasm for different purposes, such as wellness, personal recognition, trees in honor and in memory of loved ones. 

These additions to city green space are not only a good way to pay tribute to someone or something, but they are also a benefit to those who live and breathe the very air the trees provide.

Wed
11
Jul

Tour PdC gardens in support of library updates, set for July 14


Sixty varieties of day lilies planted by Gary and Kathy Koch provide blooms all summer at just one of the six private gardens featured on Saturday’s library benefit garden tour from 1 to 4 p.m. in Prairie du Chien. (Submitted photo)

The Friends of the Prairie du Chien Public Library are excited to present a Garden Walk on Saturday, July 14, from 1 to 4 p.m., featuring two community gardens and six private-home gardens throughout the city.

This fundraiser will support the library’s capital campaign to completely update, renovate and expand the existing facility scheduled to reopen this fall.

Tickets are a small fee paid by cash or check only, and will be available at the first stop, the perennial garden at the Travel Wisconsin Welcome Center, 211 S. Main St., by the US Highway 18 bridge to Iowa. Note that strollers will not be allowed in the private gardens.

Wed
11
Jul

Motorcyclist airlifted after crash

A motorcyclist was airlifted for treatment of his injuries after crashing his Harley Davidson into a trailer pulled by a tractor on Highway 61, July 6, according to the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department.

At 9:37 p.m. Friday, the Crawford County Communications Center received a report of a motorcycle crash with injuries on Highway 61 at the intersection of Coalburn Road, in the township of Scott.

Kenneth Mohr, 72, of Blue River, was operating a 2007 Harley southbound on the highway. Brent Childs, 53, of Boscobel, was driving an Allis Chalmers WD45 tractor with a wagon hooked to the back of it. Childs attempted to cross 61 from Coalburn Road to Cadoma Road, but he entered the highway in front of Mohr. Mohr struck the right side of the trailer and was ejected from the motorcycle. He was not wearing a helmet in the crash. 

Wed
11
Jul

Large carnivore specialist says ‘black panther’ is a case of mistaken identity


This photograph was taken with a smartphone from about 75 yards on the Larry Stluka farm, by Stluka's neighbor. Stluka believes this is a male adult black panther. Though, Scott Walter, a large carnivore specialist with the DNR, said he firmly believes it's a house cat, for several reasons, but mainly because there has never been a documented wild melanistic black panther in the U.S. (Photos by Austin Mezera)

By Correne Martin

Local farmer Larry Stluka believes he’s seen a black panther on his property outside Prairie du Chien off Highway 27. The Courier Press was the first to report his experiences, as well as those of his family, in two recent articles. Many readers from around the community and on social media have weighed in with opinions—particularly after seeing two photos Stluka provided—about what animal might be preying on Stluka’s livestock.

On Tuesday, within 24 hours of the second Courier article being published, Scott Walter, a DNR large carnivore specialist from Viroqua, reviewed the photos of the animal and contacted the newspaper to share his professional opinion. 

Mon
09
Jul

Business owner impresses with hunting skills, stories of world travel


Pictured is Dave Zirbel with one of his trophies that fills his home near Gays Mills. (Photo by Rachel Mergen)

Pictured above is Zirbel on his hunt in Kyrgyzstan. For this hunt, he found himself with trophies of Hume Argali and Mid–Asian Ibex. (Photo by Profihunt)

By Rachel Mergen

 

Sixteen-thousand feet above the world, looking across the surrounding peaks, is unimaginable to most, but Gays Mills resident Dave Zirbel has experienced that dream while following his passion of international hunting. Kyrgyzstan’s mountations were just one of the many destinations some the construction business owner has visited during his frequent trips around the country and world. 

Zirbel started by simply raising cattle, but soon moved into the field of construction. He and his wife own the business Hidden Valley Builders, Inc., which specializes in insulating concrete form.

Mon
09
Jul

Veteran travels with grandson on honor flight


Veteran Bob Granzow and his grandson Zach Granzow are pictured above. Zach was Bob’s guardian for an honor flight earlier this year to Washington D.C. (Photo by Rachel Mergen)

By Rachel Mergen

 

Bob Granzow made his country—especially his grandson Zach years later—proud and grateful when he served as active duty in the Korean War from 1951 to 1955, and in the reserves from 1955 to 1959, as a Navy radio technician. He did not choose the service for himself, instead being sent by his father so his older brother wouldn’t be forced to go instead, but Bob recognized it was his duty to serve and protect his country. 

Mon
09
Jul

Local man says black panther getting more dangerous


This photograph was taken with a smart phone from about 75 yards on the Larry Stluka farm. The animal appears to be quite muscular in the upper body.

This is another photo of the same animal. It looks like a black cat with a long tail. It is hard to estimate the size of the cat from the photo. It also appears as though the front left leg is a stump. Larry Stluka says this is a male adult black panther. (Photos by Austin Mezera)

By Ted Pennekamp

There have been some new developments in the case of the black panther reported to have been seen by some rural Prairie du Chien residents.

The panther (also known as a cougar) has killed several pigs, a calf and probably a Boston terrier, said Larry Stluka, who lives about four miles north of Prairie du Chien along Highway 27. It has also damaged a cow and two other dogs according to Larry.

Mon
09
Jul

Eastman parade a community celebration


The Eastman Fourth of July parade outfitted the town's Main Street with plenty of red, white and blue—from the adorable to the eccentric. (Photos by Correne Martin)

Princess Leia and Chewbacca even braved the heat to represent Kramer Real Estate.

Junior Fair Ambassador Michaela Cauffman tossed candy too.

This goat, belonging to Steve and Melissa DuCharme, was a real parade hit. (Photos by Correne Martin)

Alex McNerney and his Eastman Little League teammates joined in the tradition of riding through the parade prior to their big game against Seneca.

Justin Check and his family always participate by driving their Minneapolis Molines through town.

The Prairie du Chien High School marching band provided some patriotic tunes.

Water guns and super soakers were welcomed by many as temperatures in Eastman reached over 100 degrees, with the heat index, July 4.

Instead of candy, water was a much appreciated treat along the parade route.

Members of the Falling Rock Walleye Club tossed out candy and solicited new members.
Mon
09
Jul

Prairie du Chien man killed in accident

On July 6, at 12:09 a.m., the Crawford County Communications Center received multiple 911 calls reporting a one-vehicle traffic crash on County Road K just north of The Barn Restaurant in the township of Prairie du Chien.

A 2007 Ford Mustang was northbound on County Road K when the driver, Craig T. Looney, 34, Prairie du Chien, lost control, went down an embankment and struck a tree on the east side of the road. Looney was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger in the vehicle, Ashtyn A. Miles, 23, Prairie du Chien, was transported to Crossing Rivers Health then airlifted to Gundersen Lutheran in La Crosse. She remains in stable condition. 

Mon
09
Jul

Car hits sand pile in construction zone and goes into hay field

On July 3, at 9:38 p.m., the Crawford County Communications Center received a report of a crash on Highway 27 about one-tenth of a mile north of Gran Grae Road in Prairie du Chien Township. 

Matthew Wojciechowski, 33, Wauzeka, was operating a 2011 Chevy Impala southbound on Highway 27. This section of highway is closed due to road construction. Wojciechowski stated he was travelling southbound at highway speeds of 55 to 60 mph when he hit a sand pile in the southbound lane. Wojciechowski’s vehicle continued over the embankment on the east side of the highway before coming to rest in a hay field. 

Wojciechowski claimed no injuries from the crash. Wojciechowski will be cited for unreasonable and imprudent speed in a construction zone and not wearing a seatbelt. 

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