Local News

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Wed
09
Dec

UW-Platteville hopes to continue its impact by building greater relationships


UW-Platteville Chancellor Dennis Shields paid a visit to the Courier Press and other media and businesses in the Prairie du Chien area recently, to discuss workforce development, the university’s economic impact and its budget outlook.

Courier Press Editor and UW-Platteville alumna Correne Martin interviews Chancellor Shields during his recent tour of Prairie du Chien.

By Correne Martin

With 8,000 undergraduate students—60 to 70 percent of whom will stay in Wisconsin as post-collegiates, particularly in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields—the University of Wisconsin-Platteville serves an essential role in cultivating the state’s future workforce.

Among the university’s current undergrads, 60 hail from Crawford County, 501 from Grant County and eight from Clayton County. The number of present alumni in those counties include 373 in Crawford, 3,359 in Grant and 45 in Clayton. Representing Prairie du Chien alone, 33 individuals are enrolled in classes at this time and almost 200 people are alumni of UW-Platteville.

Wed
09
Dec

Family Resource Center provides immeasurable support


Amanda Nagel, parent educator at the Crossing Rivers Health Family Resource Center, proudly showcases one of the car seats as well as the wide variety of developmental and educational toys that parents, grandparents and other patrons can check out there. (Photo by Correne Martin)

By Correne Martin

Helping families be the best they can be for little or no cost, the Crossing Rivers Health-Family Resource Center is one of Prairie du Chien’s best kept secrets. Family Resource Center services are available to everyone, regardless of income, status or location.

The Family Resource Center opened 25 years ago in downtown Prairie du Chien with a grant from the Children’s Trust Fund. It has since operated as a service of Crossing Rivers Health. For some time, its office was in the basement of Crossing Rivers Health Daycare Center (formerly Wee Care) and, in 2001, it moved to its current home at 800 East Taylor Street. In July of 2011, the Children’s Trust Fund grant system was restructured and the grant was unable to be maintained. At that time, Crossing Rivers Health began fully supporting the Family Resource Center, allowing the services to continue and the community needs to be met.

Mon
07
Dec

Ritter's Fish Market


Jeff and Sue Ritter stand behind a display in their new Ritter’s Fish Market store.

 

Ritter’s Fish Market opens new store

By Ted Pennekamp

 

Ritter’s Fish Market, at the corner of County N and Highway 27 between Prairie du Chien and Eastman, has recently opened its new store. 

Mon
07
Dec

Pattison Sand sued by grain company

Contamination from a fire last year inside the Pattison Sand Company mine in Clayton, Iowa cost a neighboring company more than $500,000, according to a federal lawsuit filed Monday in U.S. District Court for Northern Iowa.

The lawsuit was brought by Consolidated Grain and Barge Company and claims that smoke and soot from the July 10, 2014 fire spread from the mine onto its property and tainted grain, salt, fertilizer and other products.

Following the fire, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration ordered the mine and Consolidated Grain’s property to be evacuated due to concerns about air quality, the lawsuit said.

The Louisiana-based shipping company also hired experts to assess damage and make sure the company’s facilities were safe for employees and the storing of products. The company also paid extra charges due to disrupted shipments, the lawsuit claims.

Mon
07
Dec

Iowa man arrested for fifth OWI

On Wednesday, Nov. 25 at approximately 10:15 p.m., the Prairie du Chien Police Department noticed a vehicle operating on the wrong side of the road on South Dousman Street near East Crawford Street.  
A traffic stop was initiated and the driver stopped the vehicle. However, the driver then fled on foot. The driver was apprehended a short distance later on foot.

The driver, Ben A. Jones, 32, of New Albin, Iowa, was arrested for suspicion of operating while under the influence (fifth offense), possession of THC and possession of drug paraphernalia.  

Jones was placed at the Crawford County Jail and charges are being pursued through the District Attorney’s Office.

Mon
07
Dec

Student medflighted after incident at Prairie du Chien High School

By Correne Martin

A 16-year-old boy was medflighted to Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse after he reportedly jumped from the Prairie du Chien High School roof Wednesday morning, Dec. 2, according to the PdC Police Department.

“We were called to assist EMS at the high school,” Police Chief Chad Abram said. “He was treated at the scene by Tri-State Ambulance and later sent by MedLink Air to La Crosse.”

Abram wasn’t aware of the boy’s condition on Thursday.

The chief noted that when officers arrived on scene, they did not speak to the boy, as the primary emergency was medical attention at that point.

Mon
07
Dec

3 middle schoolers found with marijuana

By Correne Martin

Three middle school boys were caught in possession of marijuana at Bluff View Intermediate School Tuesday, Dec. 1, according to the Prairie du Chien Police Department.

“Principal Aaron Amundson called us Tuesday morning because the school had found marijuana on some students,” Police Chief Chad Abram stated. “Upon arrival, we learned 11-, 12-, and 13-year-old boys were in possession of a small amount of marijuana. All three have been referred to juvenile services for possession of THC.”

Abram thought the drugs were found “on their persons.” He said he didn’t believe the three were relatives.

“This is the first drug-related call we’ve had at Bluff View in a long time,” he added.

Mon
07
Dec

Prairie du Chien Police Department fundraising for K9


Tony Pallotta, of Working K9, Toronto, Canada, showcases the young Belgian malinois puppy that has been earmarked for the Prairie du Chien Police Department. Officer Casey Cox will receive pictures and videos of the young K9 as he grows and trains to become an officer of the law. Once he’s at least one year old, the K9 and Officer Cox can go through one week of training together. (Submitted photo)

The Cabela’s Campfire Committee has provided the Prairie du Chien Police Department a kickstart to its campaign for a new K9 unit. This initial amount will allow the down payment to be made on the K9, while the goal is to raise $70,000 toward the full purchase, training and perpetual care of the dog. Pictured, last week, the Campfire Committee presented the check to the police department: (front row, from left) Jim Hunt, Sona Ellis, Holly Gilberts, Marissa Clark, Kay DeLanzo, Deborah Green, Meriam Walter; (back row) Brendan Devine Meyer, K9 Handler Casey Cox, Sergeant Kyle Teynor and Chief Chad Abram. (Photo by Correne Martin)

The Prairie du Chien Police Department received a kick start last week toward its fundraising efforts for a K9. Chief of Police Chad Abram, Sergeant Kyle Teynor, and Officer Casey Cox received a check for $2,791.66 from the Cabela’s Campfire Committee to begin the implementation of a K9 unit for the department.

The Campfire Committee and employees of Cabela’s, along with police department employees, have raised funds over the last 12 months to support this donation.

“Community partnerships like these are the corner stones for embedding trust and enforcement relationships within the community in which we serve,” Abram said.

Wed
02
Dec

Get real for Christmas, buy a Wisconsin grown tree


Dusted with snow, these real Christmas trees are cut and ready to be taken to their new home for the holidays, decorated and enjoyed. (Photo by Correne Martin)

Whether you buy it at a farm or in a tree lot, buying a real Christmas tree is good for Wisconsin’s economy and environment.

“Having a real Christmas tree is a better environmental option because they are a recyclable and renewable resource,” said Casey Langan, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation spokesman. “Most tree farms plant two to three trees for every one that is cut and after the holidays the trees don’t end up in a landfill like artificial trees eventually do.”

With more than 600,000 evergreens harvested each fall, according to the most recent agricultural census, Wisconsin is fifth in the nation in the number of trees cut and acres (more than 23,000) in production.
Cheryl Nicholson, executive secretary of the Wisconsin Christmas Tree Producers Association, said there are plenty of trees this year.

Wed
02
Dec

Local attorney announces candidacy for county circuit court judge

Lynn M. Rider has announced her candidacy for circuit court judge of Crawford County. The presiding judge, James P. Czajkowski, has announced he will not be seeking re-election for another term. The general election will be held in April and, if elected, Attorney Rider would take office Aug. 1, 2016.

Rider first came to Prairie du Chien in 1984 to serve as a law clerk while she was a law student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Upon graduation from law school in 1985, she became an associate at the law firm of Czajkowski and Brady. She was elected district attorney and served one term. Thereafter, she became a partner with Attorney James P. Czajkowski. She has remained at Czajkowski Higgins & Rider, S.C. since, currently practicing with Lara Czajkowski Higgins and Amanda Tisdale.

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