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Mon
10
Sep

City of Prairie du Chien assessed property value rises 21.75 percent

Submitted by admin1 on Mon, 09/10/2018 - 11:19

By Correne Martin

Accurate Appraisal recently released the results of a property tax assessment performed across the city of Prairie du Chien. The overall community change, for both the residential and commercial sectors, since the last valuation shows an increase of 21.75 percent to assessed value.

City residential property assessment totals jumped from $170,594,500 to $211,528,400—up 23.99 percent. Commercial assessment totals went from $103,360,200 to $122,000,000—an increase of 18.03 percent. In total, assessed value grew from $273,954,700 to $333,528,400, which equals the 21.75 increase. 

Mon
10
Sep

PdC public schools to receive $92,733 toward safety upgrades

Submitted by admin1 on Mon, 09/10/2018 - 11:17

The Prairie du Chien Area School District is receiving $92,733 to use toward school safety modifications. According to an Aug. 16 announcement from the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) School Safety Grant program, Prairie is one of 60 recipients sharing $2,559,666 from the final allocation awarded during the DOJ’s first round funding through the program. 

“A very large portion of the grant is going to be for interior locking door locks for classrooms,” stated Bob Smudde Prairie du Chien Public Schools district administrator. “Other things include buzz-in security systems at each building, upgraded video recording systems at all three buildings, increased cameras at each site, and installation of panic buttons in each of the school offices.”

Mon
10
Sep

PdC Fire donates equipment overseas

Submitted by admin1 on Mon, 09/10/2018 - 11:16

Prairie du Chien Fire Chief Jeff Boughton stands with volunteers Bradford and Joanne Martin, from the Wisconsin Nicaragua Partners of the Americas, and beside some of the turnout gear the fire department donated to the organization.

Nineteen air packs, along with 11 air pack masks and 38 air bottles were donated to the fire departments in Nicaragua from the Prairie du Chien Fire Department. Even though Americans have to replace such gear every 10-15 years, overseas rescue crews aren’t held to the same standards as the U.S. This is a good alternative to simply throwing these supplies away. (Photos by Correne Martin)

The Prairie du Chien Fire Department recently donated outdated and expired firefighting equipment to fire departments in Nicaragua, through the Wisconsin Nicaragua Partners of the Americas. 

Fire Chief Jeff Boughton explained that fire departments in the United States are required to follow national standards in regard to personal protective equipment. These standards require that all structural turnout gear be replaced every 10 years, and SCBA (air pack) bottles that are composite (carbon) be replaced every 15 years. 

Mon
10
Sep

Hundreds attend open house at PdC’s Lawler School Lofts

Submitted by admin on Mon, 09/10/2018 - 11:09

This is just one small group out of the hundreds who toured three apartments during an open house at Lawler School Lofts Saturday afternoon in Prairie du Chien.

 

By Ted Pennekamp

 

Hundreds of people toured three nearly completed apartments during an open house Saturday afternoon at Lawler School Lofts, 601 S. Beaumont Road, Prairie du Chien. 

Thu
06
Sep

Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers to near flood stage; Turkey River flooding in Iowa

Submitted by admin on Thu, 09/06/2018 - 12:14

 

Both the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers near Prairie du Chien are predicted to be near flood stage by Sept. 11 or Sept. 12. 

Due to recent heavy rains in northern Wisconsin and Minnesota, the Mississippi River has been rising. According to the National Weather Service, the river was at 11.84 feet at 11 a.m. on Sept. 5 at the McGregor gauge. It is predicted to crest at 14.2 feet on Sept. 12. Flood stage is 16 feet at McGregor.

The Wisconsin River was at 5.23 feet at 11 a.m. on Sept. 5 at Muscoda. It is expected to reach 8.7 feet by Sept. 11. Flood stage is 9 feet.

Wed
05
Sep

Shilling seeks input on ‘Dark Store’ tax loophole

Submitted by admin1 on Wed, 09/05/2018 - 13:29

***CANCELED***

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER. IT WILL BE RESCHEDULED AT A LATER DATE.

 

As communities grapple with a rise in costly corporate tax loopholes, Sen. Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse) announced she will be hosting an informational town hall meeting at the Crawford County Administration Building in Prairie du Chien, Thursday, Sept. 6, from 3:30 to 5 p.m.

Wed
05
Sep

Neighbors help neighbors in Crawford, Vernon counties with flood relief concert

Submitted by admin1 on Wed, 09/05/2018 - 13:26

A group of community members of the Driftless area are coming together to put on a Flood Relief Benefit Concert at the Historic Temple Theatre in Viroqua on Friday, Sept. 7, at 6 p.m. This benefit is an effort to raise money to support the immediate needs of those affected by the recent record-breaking floods that devastated many communities in Vernon and Crawford counties. While the flood waters may recede, many families are dealing with great loss and remain displaced for an unforeseeable time in the future. 100 percent of the money raised at the event will go to the communities affected by the floods.

Wed
05
Sep

Horses, history come together at Carriage Classic competition

Submitted by admin1 on Wed, 09/05/2018 - 13:23

The 38th annual Villa Louis Carriage Classic will be this weekend in Prairie du Chien. This is Michael Rider’s 20th year at the helm of organizing the largest pleasure driving show in the country. (Photo by Correne Martin)

By Correne Martin

A little known fact about the Villa Louis Carriage Classic in Prairie du Chien is that it’s actually run by a 501c3 foundation on the Wisconsin Historical Society’s Villa Louis grounds. Competitors come from all over the U.S.—and even Canada, in the past—to partake in the horse-drawn carriage competition, which is the perfect outdoors activity for anyone with a love of history or horses to attend. 

This will be Michael Rider 20th year organizing the classic, which is sanctioned by the American Driving Society. It is scheduled Sept. 7-9, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. 

Wed
05
Sep

Emergency landing made in Eastman ball field when townsman flips on lights

Submitted by admin1 on Wed, 09/05/2018 - 13:22

A private helicopter was having difficulty flying in foggy conditions Monday night, Sept. 3. Thanks to the quick thinking of community member, Butch Colson, who thought to turn on the Eastman ball field lights, the pilot landed the aircraft safely. (Photo by Correne Martin)

By Correne Martin

A private helicopter carrying a pilot and two passengers made an emergency, yet safe, landing on the ball field in Eastman, late Monday around 8:30 p.m.

Community members were alarmed to hear the low-flying helicopter seemingly searching for a place to land, as heavy fog made flying conditions difficult in the area. According to fire chief Tim Sprosty and village employee Jon Payne, it was the quick thinking of one community member, Butch Colson, who thought to flip on the ballpark lights, that resulted in a happy ending for all on board and for local first responders, who were glad this was not a rescue situation but only an unforgettable memory.

Wed
05
Sep

Kickapoo River flood punishes Crawford County, communities stand together

Submitted by admin1 on Wed, 09/05/2018 - 12:36

Jeff Lehman and Michelle Detman live at the intersection of Sand Hill Road and West River Road in Bell Center, where the Kickapoo River blew the minds of local residents with a record-breaking surge last week. Lehman said the river had risen to the bridge in the distance the morning of Aug. 29, but by 6 p.m., he had to take his boat to pick up Detman and bring her home. (Photos by Correne Martin)

A raging Kickapoo River made County S impassable near Bell Center Aug. 29.

The Kickapoo River came up to the bottom of the Highway 179 bridge outside of Steuben.

Highway 171 into Gays Mills was a devastating site to see Aug. 29. It’s said to have crested at 22.15 feet—even higher than the previous record in 2008 of 20.44 feet.

Emily McAlister, Trent Mallat and Dylan Mallat check out the flood waters close to Steuben.

Trent Mallat, of Eastman, stands staring at the water over the road on Highway 179, between the bridge and Kickapoo Valley Road near Steuben.

All sorts of debris was and will be found down stream after this disaster.

A calm yet curious cow checks out the saturated ground near the Plum Creek Road canoe landing.

The Plum Creek Road bridge in Wauzeka Township had river and creek waters nearing its tipping point. At the canoe landing down the road, the river came over its banks and covered the roadway pavement.

A man was rescued from his vehicle by swift water rescue team members on Highway 131 Wednesday, Aug. 29. The man had driven into flood waters. (Photo by Dennis Pelock)

Erik CaPaul, of Waunakee, brings his drone back along a flooded West Citron Road, outside of Steuben, Aug. 29, while his mom, Sue Porter, of Madison, looks. After hearing the high water reports, the two came to the area to check on a cabin they just took ownership of about three weeks ago.

The swollen Kickapoo River could be seen at its peak in the valleys below Klema Lane in Eastman Township.

Walker Hollow, between Eastman and Steuben, was covered with muddy flood waters last week. Pictured is the Beers farm.

By Correne Martin

Jeff Lehman and Michelle Detman were crossing the newly flowing river just beneath their house on Wednesday night, Aug. 29, about 6 p.m. They only moved into their rural Gays Mills home less than six months prior and had little idea something this major could happen in their own backyard. 

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