Courier Press

Rivers and Bluffs Animal Shelter officially broke ground Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 25, on the site of its future shelter on Cliffwood Drive, behind Country Inn and Suites. RABAS board members, volunteers and Top Notch Construction contractors Pete and Paul Langmeier were on site. Pictured (from left) are Paul Langmeier, Joe Kramer, Brandon Christensen, Joan Senn, Donna Heilmann, Randi Kluesner, Randy Paske, Bob Witt, Diane Witt, Mayor Dave Hemmer, City Administrator Aaron Kramer, Jill Cipra, Deb Eades, Tina Osterhaus and Bev Pozega with her golden doodle dog. (Also pictured) Sweetie, Paula Gutzmer’s therapy dog, was among at least a dozen canine companions at the groundbreaking who anxiously await the new shelter for their friends as well. More photos can be found at pdccourier.com or on the Courier Press’ Facebook page. (Photos by Correne Martin)

A 62-year-old Muscoda man and a 52-year-old Steuben man have each been charged in Crawford County Circuit Court with one count of possession of methamphetamine as a party to a crime.

Kim Wardell and Kevin C. Crowley each face up to 3.5 years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine if convicted.

According to the criminal complaint, a Sheriff’s Department deputy stopped a vehicle in the town of Clayton because the driver was not wearing a seatbelt.

A small plastic baggie and a cigarette box containing another plastic baggie were found in the search. Both baggies had a white crystalline substance inside which is consistent with the physical characteristics of meth, the complaint said.

The passenger of the vehicle was Crowley and the driver of the vehicle was Wardell, the complaint said.

A 54-year-old Soldiers Grove man has been charged in Crawford County Circuit Court with one count of possession of methamphetamine and one count of possession of marijuana.

David V. Pugh Sr. faces up to $11,000 in fines and four years imprisonment if convicted of both counts.

According to the criminal complaint, while the Wisconsin DNR and the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department were searching Pugh’s residence for evidence of ginseng harvesting violations, they found evidence of controlled substance violations.

An expanded search warrant was obtained and the residence was searched again. According to the complaint, four glass smoking devices with burned residue were found, along with two styrofoam plates, each containing a white powdery residue which turned out to be meth. Marijuana was also found in the search.

Pugh admitted the meth, marijuana, pipes and paraphernalia were his, the complaint said.

By Correne Martin

The Villa Louis and its staff at the Wisconsin historic site wish to thank all of its friends and neighbors during a special day of free admission for Crawford, Grant, Clayton and Allamakee County residents.  
Sunday, Oct. 30 will be Prairie du Chien Day at the Villa Louis, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This is also an opportunity for local residents who haven’t visited the site since their “elementary school field trip” to become reaquainted with the notable Victorian mansion so many take for granted. It’s a chance to be reminded of the Dousman family history as well as that of the grand estate. The mansion has recently undergone a top-to-bottom documentary restoration that has returned the Dousman home to the splendor of its 1890s heyday, using British arts and crafts interior designs inspired by famed designer William Morris.