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Mon
05
Mar

Local woman’s life saved by good Samaritans


Donna Teynor had a tragic experience Sept. 15, 2017, when she crashed her 1971 three-wheeled Cushman Truckster. Police Chief Chad Abram was one of several good Samaritans who was there immediately after the crash, and utilized life-saving measures to assure Donna’s didn’t lose her right leg or her life. (Photo by Correne Martin)

By Correne Martin

Donna Teynor is still alive, and she still has her right leg, because the finest Samaritans showed up at the right place and time, Sept. 15, 2017.

It was a seasonal fall day on St. Feriole Island. Donna had been at the county building in Prairie, tending to flowers, as she does for many of the area’s beautiful parks. She was driving her 1971 three-wheeled Cushman Truckster west on Washington Street toward the city’s Memorial Gardens. She attempted to make a left-hand turn toward the Moore building and, as she rounded the corner, the steering wheel snapped hard to the left.

Mon
05
Mar

Pedretti credits ‘home base’ for hall of fame nod


Mark Pedretti enters his 27th season coaching Blackhawk baseball this spring. He was recently inducted into the Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame. (Courier file photo)

By Correne Martin

 

Prairie du Chien varsity baseball coach Mark Pedretti has never wavered from his philosophy: “Give me nine kids who wanna play ball and we’ll win more than we lose.”

That conviction has been proven over 26 seasons by the coach’s 393 career victories, 18 conference championships, nine regional championships, four state-tournament berths and one state championship. 

Now he can add Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association (WBCA) Hall of Fame inductee to that list of accomplishments. 

If you ask Pedretti though, his success and hall of fame nod, in particular, are attributed to more than just his own strategies, skills and love for the game.

Wed
28
Feb

In-town bus stop moved due to behavior

A bus stop in the city of Prairie du Chien has been moved by the school district due to behavior that did not adhere to the school’s rules of conduct, according to a public letter written by Superintendent Robert Smudde, dated Feb. 26.

The Prairie du Chien Area School District was informed earlier this year that there were continued concerns with both behavior and parking at the in-town bus stop no. 2, on the corner of Perry Street and Beaumont Road (in front of the child care center). Efforts to address and correct the issues were made but the behavior did not improve, so the district has chosen to move stop no. 2, effective Monday, March 5, to the corner of Court Street and Beaumont Road, in front of the police station. 

Wed
28
Feb

Area man charged with meth possession, obstructing an officer

A 36-year-old McGregor, Iowa, man has been charged in Crawford County Circuit Court with one count of possession of methamphetamine, one count of obstructing an officer and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jesse M. Colsch faces up to $20,500 in fines and four years and four months of imprisonment if convicted of all counts.

According to the criminal complaint, a Prairie du Chien police officer made a traffic stop on a vehicle being driven by Colsch. When officers asked Colsch to get out of the vehicle so they could deploy the K-9 unit for a search, Colsch refused, rolled up the windows and locked the doors, the complaint said.

Other officers arrived with an unlock tool, and when they began working on the door, Colsch exited, according to the complaint.

Wed
28
Feb

Man charged with sixth OWI with a controlled substance

A 39-year-old Gays Mills man has been charged in Crawford County Circuit Court with one count of operating with a restricted controlled substance in his blood (sixth offense), one count of possession of marijuana, one count of possession of drug paraphernalia, one count of operating a motor vehicle while revoked and one count of failure to install an ignition interlock device. 

Robert M. Dolezal Jr. faces up to five years and one month of confinement and $13,600 in fines if convicted of all counts.

According to the criminal complaint, Dolezal’s vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation in the town of Clayton. Dolezal admitted to the deputy that he had been drinking, the complaint said. There were several cans of beer on the inside of the vehicle and in the front seat. Dolezal also admitted to having smoked marijuana about two hours prior to the stop, the complaint said.

Wed
28
Feb

Man charged with seventh OWI

A 62-year-old Viroqua man has been charged in Crawford County Circuit Court with one count of operating while intoxicated (seventh offense) and one count of operating a motor vehicle while revoked.

Brian A. Bolstad faces up to 25 years in prison and $52,500 in fines if convicted of both counts and all penalty enhancers are imposed.

According to the criminal complaint, the vehicle Bolstad was driving was stopped by a Wisconsin State Trooper for going over the centerline in the village of Gays Mills.

The trooper noted a strong odor of intoxicants coming from the vehicle and that Bolstad’s eyes were bloodshot and glassy, according to the complaint. 

Wed
28
Feb

Creative quilt and candy shop ‘sewing’ strong after 20 years


The Pickett Fence Owner Lou Davis, along with her family, employees and customers, is celebrating 20 years in business, the past 12 of which have been in downtown Prairie du Chien. (Photo by Correne Martin)

Lou Davis hand picks a customer’s delight from the chocolate candy case. (Submitted photo)

By Correne Martin

After 20 years in the sewing, quilting and crafting business, The Pickett Fence is still “sewing” strong in the heart of downtown Prairie du Chien.

The Pickett Fence has changed its product line completely from the days of offering mostly crafts, giftwares and florals in Commerce Court Mall in 1998, to becoming a Creative Sewing Center, selling Janome sewing machines, running a candy shop and teaching an average of 120 new quilters each year in its historic building on the corner of Blackhawk and Beaumont. 

“It’s really been a blessing to be in this location. We really love it here and I hope we can keep going,” smiled Lou Davis, owner. “We’ve always looked for ways to provide for new customers and expand our business.”

Wed
28
Feb

June start planned for North Michigan Street construction

By Correne Martin

There’s going to be plenty of road construction happening in Prairie du Chien this summer. While the Marquette Road reconstruction will be the most visible to motorists, North Michigan Street is set to undergo a major overhaul as well, beginning in June. 

The Prairie du Chien Common Council accepted the low bid, at its Tuesday night meeting, from H. James & Sons, of Fennimore, awarding the company the Michigan Street reconstruction contract, at the price of $1,340,401.25. 

Wed
28
Feb

Wauzeka-Steuben School opens discussion on potential referendum


Interim District Administrator Gary Albrecht addressed about 50 members of the Wauzeka-Steuben School District community Monday night regarding building repair needs, facility and education plans, and a possible referendum come November. (Photos by Correne Martin)

Kevin Hickman, of J.P. Cullen, said he’s worked with 44 K-12 school districts in southern Wisconsin, seven of which are in the midst of referendums right now.

By Correne Martin

The Wauzeka-Steuben School District is considering a referendum, possibly as soon as November, to achieve facility repairs and some prospective renovation in spite of a declining general fund and stagnant enrollment.

At the first of potentially many community meetings Monday night, residents and stakeholders learned about issues affecting the 1950s building (Hornets’ Nest gym was built in 1991). 

Wed
28
Feb

Crawford County Tourism


Visitors to Crawford County can have a blast at the myriad of numerous attractions, events and outdoor activities throughout the county each year. Above is the War of 1812 battle fought in Prairie du Chien each July. (Courier Press file photo)

 

Tourism has huge economic impact on Crawford County

By Ted Pennekamp

 

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