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Mon
29
Apr

Tree-mendous outdoor education opportunity for 2019 first grade class

Submitted by admin1 on Mon, 04/29/2019 - 12:40

Crawford County Conservationist Dave Troester shows Ellie Kramer, a Prairie Catholic School first grader, how to spray water from a powerful hose attached to a forester pack. This was just one of the hands-on demonstrations provided at the annual first grade Arbor Day program at the county courthouse lawn Friday. (Photos by Correne Martin)

Retired teacher Mark Pedretti shows B.A. Kennedy Elementary School first graders the cones on a Jack pine tree and explains how they open up, birds eat the seeds and then contribute to beginnings of another tree being planted. Pictured getting a close look are (front to back) Camden Fradette, Will Redman and Jacob Pagenkopf.

The entire group posed for a picture together in celebration of Arbor Day.

Trace Martin and Breanna Perkins helped Tom Nelson open the flag for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mark Pedretti shows the kids an antler shed and talks about how it contains minerals that the squirrels come eat. He said squirrels will often eat the whole thing.

Tom Nelson involves a number of the first graders as the group begins envisioning planting their class' flowering crabapple tree.

A highlight of the event was shooting the forester pack's connecting hose toward a few bottles, simulating how a forester fights local wildfires.

Mrs. Sagedahl helps a few of her students along.

By Correne Martin

Flooding waters didn’t stop the annual first grade Arbor Day program from happening. Instead of learning and planting a tree at the St. Feriole Island Memorial Gardens, the public and private school first graders of Prairie du Chien received “tree-mendous” education Friday, April 27, on the lawn of the Crawford County Courthouse. A flowering crabapple tree will be planted in honor of the 2019 first grade class at Lucky Park when waters recede.

Wed
24
Apr

Workshops to discuss childhood adversity, how kids react, and working through it

Submitted by admin1 on Wed, 04/24/2019 - 14:12

By Correne Martin

On April 30, in Prairie du Chien, there will be three workshop opportunities for the public to examine the effects of adversity on child development and behavior, and how to build resiliency to offset potential adversity. 

Children’s Justice Support Coordinator Peter Daniels, who works in human services for Crawford and Vernon counties, will offer the free, one-hour ACEs (adverse childhood experiences) seminars at 11:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. in room 236 of the Crawford County Administration Building. Daniels works with all the schools in both his assigned counties and can lead teacher trainings, but this is the first occasion available to the general public. 

Wed
24
Apr

Exercise tests emergency responder capabilities

Submitted by admin1 on Wed, 04/24/2019 - 14:10

Rural Bridgeport firefighter Justin Check and Prairie du Chien firemen Steve Rickleff and Jaaren Riebe neutralize “victim” Farshaun Ardestani at the decontamination station set up on Broadway Street Thursday as part of a hazardous spill training exercise. (Photos by Correne Martin)

Rescue workers simulated their role in a disaster response by locating and beginning evaluation of over 20 victims affected by the pseudo anhydrous ammonia leak.

The pseudo chemical leak, aka smoke machines, was simulated during the emergency training exercise thanks to machines and a generator loaned by Southwest Tech and the Prairie du Chien Fire Department. According to Emergency Management Director Jim Hackett, it wasn’t even real smoke but a steam-based, safe alternative.

Prairie du Chien High School student Grace Mullins volunteered to act out fake injuries alongside others from across the region who have an interest in criminal justice, the medical field or simply helping community responders practice their life-saving skills.

By Correne Martin

To test the capabilities of emergency personnel should a hazardous spill occur in the Prairie du Chien area, a full-scale training exercise was conducted Thursday, April 18. The simulation encompassed local fire departments, police, dispatch, EMS, correctional staff and hospitals, according to Jim Hackett, Crawford County Emergency Management director. 

In the center of the city, from Parrish Street north to Broadway Street, west of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad tracks, the scenario simulated was that a railroad car derailed near the correctional institution’s boiler plant and was leaking anhydrous ammonia. Volunteers mimicked 22 people in the neighborhood suffering varying degrees of injuries from exposure to the toxic chemical.

Wed
24
Apr

Prairie Industries is celebrating 25th anniversary

Submitted by admin on Wed, 04/24/2019 - 11:45

Prairie Industries’ CEO and owner Jim Hutchison, President and owner Jeff Panka, Vice President of Operations Tina Stoeffler, and Plant Manager Tom Jazdzewski stand behind the Prairie Industries 25th Anniversary cake. (Photo by Ted Pennekamp)

 

Company continues to evolve and expand

By Ted Pennekamp

 

Prairie Industries is proudly celebrating 25 years in business. The company was established in April 1994 by Jim Hutchison, with a starting workforce of just eight employees. Today, Prairie Industries has grown to a workforce of more than 350 employees.  

Wed
24
Apr

Mississippi expected to exceed major flood stage

Submitted by admin on Wed, 04/24/2019 - 11:07

The dam, built of recycled blacktop, has protected the Crooked Oar Bar and Marina so far. (Photos by Ted Pennekamp)

This homeowner in the 100 block of North Main Street in Prairie du Chien has built a wall of sandbags.

Wisconsin River water flows over County C in Grant County. County C is closed.

Water across Washington Street continues to rise.

 

By Ted Pennekamp

 

As the Mississippi River continues to rise, some Prairie du Chien residents are preparing and bracing for the next crest, which is expected to reach 22.5 feet by Friday.

Mon
22
Apr

Prairie du Chien parks and rec announces Concerts on the River lineup

Submitted by admin1 on Mon, 04/22/2019 - 10:57

The free summer concert series along Prairie du Chien’s riverfront will kick off June 13. 

The Prairie du Chien Parks and Recreation Department, in partnership with presenting sponsors Marine Credit Union, Mediacom and Sleepy Hollow Chevrolet Buick GMC, have announced the return of Concerts on the River for 2019.

Join the crowd each Thursday night from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Lawler Park’s south gazebo, along the banks of the Mississippi River. Bring family and friends, blankets, lawn chairs and snacks, and enjoy a casual evening of entertainment. All concerts are free and open to the public.

This year’s concert schedule is as follows: 

•Thursday, June 13—16 Strings and a Stick

Mon
22
Apr

Man arrested on warrant had meth on him

Submitted by admin1 on Mon, 04/22/2019 - 10:57

On April 6, at 9:40 a.m., Clayton County (Iowa) deputies attempted to serve an arrest warrant at 3210 Osterdock Road. 

Deputies arrested 56-year-old Daniel Trappe, of Colesburg, Iowa, on a Crawford County (Wisconsin) Warrant for failure to appear on a possession of methamphetamine charge. During the arrest, deputies located meth on his person. 

Trappe was transported to the Clayton County Jail, where he was charged with possession of a controlled substance-meth.

Mon
22
Apr

Traffic stop leads to drug bust

Submitted by admin1 on Mon, 04/22/2019 - 10:56

On April 17, the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Unit initiated a traffic stop on a 2000 Ford Explorer in the township of Freeman. The deputy identified the occupants as Corinthian Jones, 36, La Crosse, Joseph White, 54, Onalaska, and Tanner Olson, 25, La Crosse. 

The deputy ultimately searched the vehicle and located a bag belonging to Olson. The bag contained several used and unused hypodermic needles, crystal like substances and a plastic bag with crystal chunk substance, which later tested positive for methamphetamine. Olson was determined to be under the influence of methamphetamine. He was placed under arrest for possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and felony bail jumping. Olson is on bond through Houston County, Minn., for several charges, including drug related charges. 

Mon
22
Apr

Too many hurdles dash hopes for historic Dredge Thompson

Submitted by admin1 on Mon, 04/22/2019 - 10:55

The Dredge William A. Thompson has been moored near the backwaters of the Mississippi near the Prairie du Chien marina since 2012. It was moved April 5, during high water, to its final resting spot behind Blair Dillman’s home on County K. The vessel is pictured here near the Winneshiek Bar. (Photo by Dan Moris)

By Correne Martin

On April 5, the William A. Thompson dredge boat was moved from north of Prairie du Chien to its final resting spot at Blair Dillman’s home along County Highway K. He said the majority of it will be scrapped out this coming winter. Though, the top will be donated to the historical museum in Fountain City, where the dredge sat at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers service base prior to coming to Prairie du Chien on June 13, 2012.

Mon
22
Apr

Hospital lawsuit topic at county board meeting

Submitted by admin on Mon, 04/22/2019 - 10:52

This view from Vineyard Road shows a large “pond” near the Crossing Rivers Health back parking lot. It is yet to be determined whether or not the 2016 reconstruction of a portion of Vineyard Road is causing the pond. (Photo by Ted Pennekamp)

 

By Ted Pennekamp

 

An update was given as to the status of the lawsuit filed by Crossing Rivers Health Hospital of Prairie du Chien against Crawford County and the town of Bridgeport during the county board meeting Tuesday morning, April 16.

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