Courier Press

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Wed
13
Jul

Motorcyclist escapes injury

A motorcycle rider escaped serious injury in a crash last week in Glen Haven Township.

According to the Grant County Sheriff’s Department, on Sunday, July 3, at about 4:45 p.m., Robert Liverant, 57, of Racine, was traveling south on County VV on his 1995 Honda motorcycle when he failed to negotiate a corner and left the roadway. He was located by Wyalusing State Park Ranger Chad Breuer, who called in the accident.

Liverant was transported to the hospital for non-life threatening injuries, according to authorities. He was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

Wed
13
Jul

Third offense OWI the result of boat landing crash

A two-vehicle crash in the Glen Haven boat landing resulted in an arrest for third offense operating while intoxicated as well as other charges for a Potosi man July 5.

Just after 4:30 p.m. that Tuesday, the Grant County Sheriff’s Department took a report about the crash. The investigation determined that Jeremy Kedley, 37, ran into a boat that was being trailered in the parking lot. Kedley was arrested for OWI third offense, according to authorities. There were no injuries. Kedley was transported to the Grant County Jail.

Kedley was also issued citations for no insurance and open intoxicants in a motor vehicle, according to the sheriff’s department.

Wed
13
Jul

Police say suspect spit in officer’s mouth

The Prairie du Chien Police Department said officers responded Saturday, July 2, to a report of a hit-and-run crash on the 700 block of North Main Street. Officers got detailed information about the suspect vehicle, including the license plate number, the direction of travel and a description of the driver.

Officers working traffic safety in the area spotted the vehicle at the intersection of South Main Street and West Wisconsin Street. According to the report, the driver was also committing several traffic violations that endangered other drivers. Officers tried to stop the vehicle, but the driver continued west on the Highway 18 bridge toward Iowa, nearly hitting several other vehicles on the road. He also nearly struck the bridge, police said.

The driver eventually pulled into the Sturgeon Slough wayside and stopped, according to the report.

Wed
13
Jul

Man dies after falling into Mississippi

An Iowa man has died after being pulled from the Mississippi River just south of Clayton.

Charles Petersen, 60, of Dysart, Iowa, was a passenger on a boat operated by his wife, Deborah Petersen, 54, when he fell into the river from the rear of the boat at about 7:30 p.m. Monday, July 11.

Charles Petersen was not wearing a life jacket when he fell in and two other passengers in the boat threw him a life jacket before entering the water themselves to try to assist him. They were able to get him back to the boat, but were unable to get back on board the vessel.

A rescue boat from the Garnavillo Fire Department responded to the scene and emergency personnel were able to get Charles Petersen loaded on their boat and back to shore where he was assisted by Garnavillo paramedics. He was transported by ambulance to Guttenberg Municipal Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Wed
13
Jul

Name of man who allegedly led three-county car chase released


Mark Alan Smith, 50, of La Crosse, led law enforcement officers on a three-county chase before he was finally roadblocked by policemen south of De Soto. (Vernon County Sheriff’s Department photos)

The name of the man arrested following a three-county car chase Sunday has been released by area law enforcement.

According to Vernon County Sheriff John Spears, Mark Alan Smith, 50, of La Crosse, was booked into the La Crosse County Jail but will also face additional charges in Vernon and Crawford Counties.

The chase began following a call to a home on State Street in La Crosse. Smith, the driver and lone occupant of a black Ford Expedition, told law enforcement he was suicidal and repeatedly told officers “I want to kill myself.”

The pursuit, mainly on State Highway 35, entered Vernon County and eventually Crawford County, before it ended with Smith’s arrest just south of De Soto. Pursuing officers from all three counties, reported speeds of 70 to 80 mph. Allamakee County, Iowa, was also notified of the pursuit, in case Smith had attempted to enter Iowa.

Wed
13
Jul

Local business support, YouTube videos help teens start aquaponic farming


Friends and co-workers Hunter Boone (left), a junior at MFL MarMac, and Andrew Horner, a junior at Prairie du Chien, started a small aquaponic system, with a simple YouTube education and some assistance from their employer, Kemble’s Greenhouse. (Photo by Correne Martin)

By Correne Martin

Two local high schoolers have put their YouTube education to the test on a hand-built aquaponic farming system.

Both employees at Kemble’s Greenhouse in Prairie du Chien, Andrew Horner and Hunter Boone, both juniors at PdC and MFL MarMac, respectively, constructed a small arrangement of vegetable and herb plants in a symbiotic environment with 15 tiny bluegills. They started in mid-June and their project is maturing nicely.

Wendy Wachter, Kemble’s owner and the boys’ mentor, allowed them space for their aquaponic structure behind her greenhouse and encouraged them to follow their interests. Of course, she has the resources to help them along their way too. Jim Frey Fish Hatchery, of West Union, Iowa, also worked with the pair to provide their bluegills.

Wed
13
Jul

Local pillar businesses eagerly await Crazy Days tradition


Last year's Crazy Days lived up to its name, bringing hundreds to the downtown area. (Courier Press file photo)

By Caitlin Bittner

It’s July and summer retail sales are almost at their peak, which means, Prairie du Chien’s annual Crazy Days event isn’t far away.

The sales, which are set to kick off on Wednesday, July 20, have been a staple of the downtown for many years. Lou Davis, owner of the Pickett Fence, reminisced about the scale of the event. “I vividly remember the barricades on Blackhawk Avenue,” said Davis.

“Crazy Days was a big thing. They even had food vendors. It was so festive,” added Davis. “It’s still all about going to hunt for the best bargain. It’s a great promotion. People can get high quality things for low prices.”

Wed
13
Jul

Group wants to keep another rural school from vanishing


Fritz Bradley, Franklin Gilkes, Chuck Stagman and Joe Stagman are the four men leading the Brodtville School Preservation group, which hopes to raise funds toward the restoration of the rural school. (Photo by Correne Martin)

Perhaps the most fascinating piece of history inside the old Brodtville schoolhouse is an enormous, hand-painted, fabric banner that spans over half the one room’s width and all of its height. The banner shows an honor roll of sorts of Patch Grove, Bloomington and Bagley area businesses from yesteryear. The Brodtville School Preservation members would love to know the banner’s origin and artist if area citizens would hold the key to that information. (Photo by Correne Martin)

By Correne Martin

Last fall, the town of Wyalusing was looking at the future of the old Brodtville schoolhouse on County Highway P. The township considered tearing it down, as taxpayer dollars were being spent to maintain the rarely-used, historical building, with what was thought to be a decrepit foundation.

But a newly-formed organization, Brodtville School Preservation Inc., stepped in and requested the town deed them the 152-year-old building. And that is what happened. The town will continue to maintain the land and adjacent cemetery, but since the $1 transfer of ownership between the two entities, the new organization has taken over restoration of the one-room schoolhouse—a once traditional monument that’s all but vanished in rural America.

Wed
13
Jul

The chance of a lifetime: Local ball players make Team USA Junior roster


Peyton Hall (left) and Brogan Potter, both Prairie du Chien High School graduates, along with Bryce DuCharme, of Hudson (not pictured) will play on the Team USA Junior Men’s Fastpitch team at the World Championship this summer. (Photo by Caitlin Bittner)

By Caitlin Bittner

Two Prairie du Chien boys have the chance of a lifetime to play on the Team USA Junior Men’s Fastpitch team at the World Championship this summer. Both Peyton Hall and Brogan Potter, graduates of Prairie du Chien High School, have been playing softball for quite a while.

“I’ve had a bat in my hand ever since I can remember,” said Hall, who added that softball was a fun pastime for him and his dad. Hall first heard of the team from a rival ballplayer, who told him to try out for the team.

“Peyton was first, then I tried out,” said Potter.

Now, the two of them, along with Bryce DuCharme of Hudson, are the three players from Wisconsin on a roster of 19 players.

Wed
13
Jul

Dow gains Gold


Mel Dow and his son Tyler hold the team trophy Tyler helped the United States Cadet Team win at the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru on July 3. Tyler is also sporting his gold medal. (Photo courtesy of Mel Dow)

 

Former Prairie du Chien Youth 

Program wrestler wins gold at Pan Am Games

By Ted Pennekamp

 

A former Prairie du Chien athlete has had a great summer of wrestling. Tyler Dow, 16, won the gold medal at the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru on July 3 in the 152-pound weight class. 

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