Courier Press

Renee Jean (Horstman) Hampton, 52, Prairie du Chien, died Friday, March 25, at Gundersen Hospital in La Crosse from injuries received in an automobile accident. 

Renee was born June 27, 1963 to Donald Horstman and Mary (Koch) Horstman in Fort Benning, Ga. Renee attended Guttenberg High School. Renee married William (Bill) Hampton on June 27, 2003. Renee had one son from a previous marriage, Philip Reed.

Last Monday, March 28, at 10:43 a.m., the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department was notified of a one-vehicle crash on Benhardt Ridge Road just east of Trout Pond Road in Seneca Township.

Noah Allen, 16, of Seneca, was traveling west on Benhardt Ridge Road in a 2006 Chevrolet Colorado when he lost control while negotiating a curve due to sand and gravel in the roadway. The vehicle went off the road, struck the north side embankment and overturned before coming to a rest on its tires in the road, blocking both lanes of traffic.

Allan’s vehicle sustained severe damage and was towed from the scene. He sustained minor injuries and was transported by family to Vernon Memorial Hospital for treatment.

The Seneca Fire Department and First Responders, Tri-State Ambulance, Seneca Township and Bob’s Towing assisted.

A Prairie du Chien man died Saturday after he was involved in a rollover crash on the Mondell Hill in Bridgeport Township Friday afternoon, according to the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department.

On April 1, at about 4:10 p.m., Merrill McMillin, 83, was driving his 2006 Jeep Liberty south on Highway 27 when he drove off the roadway near Log House Lane, striking the end of a guardrail along the southbound lane, and continued traveling along a steep embankment. The SUV struck the top of a concrete culvert retaining wall, then rolled three times end over end before coming to rest on its wheels in the ditch. McMillin was injured in the crash and transported by Tri-State Ambulance to Crossing Rivers Health.

According to the sheriff’s department, McMillin died the next day in a La Crosse hospital from injuries sustained in the crash.

The Prairie du Chien Memorial Library’s capital campaign has taken another step forward toward raising $1.5 million, thanks to a $50,000 contribution from the George Family Foundation. The project, estimated at $3 million, is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2017. Last year, the city announced a $1.5 million capital campaign to match a $1.5 million contribution to the project by the common council.

“Sometimes, you just have to sit back, when you receive news like this, and realize just how blessed the city of Prairie du Chien and the surrounding area is to have such outstanding philanthropic organizations such as the George Family Foundation,” said City Administrator Aaron Kramer. “Their generous donation has moved us that much closer to our ultimate goal, with groundbreaking approximately one year away. We continue to welcome contributions of any amount to turning this dream into brick, mortar, books and more.”