Courier Press

People take a ‘Journey Through Time’ Saturday

Prairie du Chien was one of 16 Wisconsin communities participating in the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s first-ever Downtown Open House promotion. The purpose of the event called “A Journey Through Time” was to bring tourists and locals to the city to shop, dine, stay and learn, at their own pace, from period-costumed volunteer guides, about 12 historic buildings, churches, museums and interesting sites.

The Prairie du Chien’s Memorial Library capital campaign has announced a new initiative for its $1.5 million goal. Organizers have announced a 100 Families program with a generous matching grant to start this phase of fundraising.

“We are looking for 100 families to sign on and contribute $1,000 over a five-year period. This equates to a monthly contribution of $16.67 over the five-year commitment period. One could choose to make the donation in one lump sum, annually ($200), quarterly ($50), or monthly ($16.67). We believe this is an affordable way to make a tax-deductible contribution in a realistic way for many of our potential donors,” Library Board President Linda Munson said.

Commonwealth Development Corporation, of Fond du Lac, has been allocated $479,231 in tax credits to redevelop the former Saint Mary’s Institute/Wyalusing Academy into apartments.

Lawler School Lofts, as the facility will be named, is a historic adaptive reuse project. The transformation into the 40-apartment complex on the 80,000-square-foot property is anticipated to start in the second half of 2016, according to Kevin McDonell, of Commonwealth.

“Commonwealth was selected to develop the property late last fall and has worked closely with all interested stakeholders to bring the project to fruition while preserving the historic details of the property,” McDonell said.

A 29-year-old Prairie du Chien man has been charged in Crawford County Circuit Court with one count of possession of methamphetamine.

Joshua R. Barrette faces up to 3.5 years in prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted.

According to the criminal complaint, a vehicle was stopped in the city of Prairie du Chien by a police officer because it was traveling without its headlights on at night.

The officer was informed by dispatch that Barrette, who was a passenger in the vehicle, had a warrant for his arrest.

A search of the vehicle revealed four plastic baggies containing a white crystalline substance and three green pills.

Barrette admitted to officers that the baggies contained meth, the complaint said. A chemical field test also revealed the presence of meth, according to the complaint.