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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.

Wed
02
Dec

Man accused of attempted murder appears in court

By Pat McTaggart

Brandon James Thoma, 25, of Pella, Iowa, was in the Clayton County Courthouse in Elkader, Iowa, for a hearing for an initial appearance on the charge of attempt to commit murder. Judge John Bauercamper informed Thoma, who has applied for a court appointed attorney, that his request will be forwarded to the Dubuque Public Defender’s Office.

Thoma is accused of breaking into a residence and assaulting the victim with the intent of murder. According to the complaint, Thoma first used pepper spray on the victim, followed by punching and kicking. He then threw the victim down the basement stairs, kicked the victim’s head and then used a shovel on the victim’s neck to try to cut off oxygen going to the brain.

Wed
02
Dec

Electrical transformer company plans to locate in Prairie du Chien

By Correne Martin

A new industrial company that manufactures, repairs, and recycles electrical transformers will likely take root soon in Prairie du Chien’s North Gateway Business Park. Solomon Corporation, based in Solomon, Kan., plans to open and operate its fifth regional location at the business park’s spec building, owned by Bill Adamany, during the first quarter of 2016.

The city council approved offering an incentive package to Solomon Corporation following closed session at its Tuesday night meeting. The terms are: 1) The city will provide a loan of $571,125, at 0 percent interest, to the company for a term of 15 years, with monthly payments of $3,173, beginning Jan. 1, 2017, and the Solomon Corporation shall provide a mortgage on its property in Prairie du Chien as collateral for the loan; and 2) the city will sell the company two adjacent acres in the business park at a price of $100 per acre. The council approved these terms unanimously.

Wed
02
Dec

Initiative underway for Prairie du Chien to become dementia-friendly community


Becky DeBuhr, an outreach specialist with the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin, gave a “Train the Trainer” presentation Nov. 17 to Prairie du Chien area business and organization representatives interested in making the community more dementia-friendly. (Photo by Correne Martin)

A recent “Train the Trainer” event focused on community stakeholders who will approach local businesses and organizations to provide awareness on Alzheimer’s and other diseases that cause dementia. (Submitted photo)

By Correne Martin

Prairie du Chien has set out on a grassroots initiative to become a dementia-friendly community (DFC), the first in Crawford County. Through a task force led by the Aging and Disability Resource Center, the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin, community and business members, a “Train the Trainer” presentation kicked off this endeavor Nov. 17 at the Crawford County Administration Building, where about 25 local leaders were educated about how to recognize and address someone who may be struggling with memory challenges.

“Our goal is to help this community support this initiative and shift away from the end-stage vision we all have (of those dealing with dementia), because 70 percent of these people are living and functioning in our communities in the early stages of such diseases,” explained Becky DeBuhr, an outreach specialist with the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin, who presented the training materials.

Wed
02
Dec

Prairie girls hoops


Prairie du Chien’s Kelsey Achenbach goes up for a shot along the right baseline. (Photos by Ted Pennekamp)

Lindsey Welter eyes a three-pointer against Crestwood Tuesday night.

Kelly Check gains control and gets ready to go up for a shot down low.

Prairie du Chien and Crestwood players battle for a loose ball near the Prairie basket.

 

Crestwood 

tops Prairie girls

Crestwood defeated host Prairie du Chien 52-41 in nonconference girls basketball action Tuesday night. 

Prairie du Chien sustained its first loss of the season and fell to 2-1.

The Lady Blackhawks will next host Southwest Wisconsin Conference rival Lancaster on Dec. 3.

Wed
02
Dec

Fund-raising for Sculpture Park


This maquette of Aunt Marianne LaBuche provides a good vision for the life-size bronze statue that is anticipated for the Mississippi River Sculpture Park. (Photo by Randy Paske)

 

Social media fundraiser being done for latest 

Sculpture Park statue

By Ted Pennekamp

 

The Mississippi River Sculpture Park Board is in the midst of a major fundraising effort in order to get a new sculpture for the park. 

Mon
30
Nov

Public long-range planning sessions scheduled in the River Ridge School District

The River Ridge School District has scheduled five public input sessions to receive input for development of a long-range plan for the district. Dates, times and locations are as follows:

•Wednesday, Dec. 2—Patch Grove school building, multi-purpose room, 6 p.m.

•Tuesday, Dec. 8—Ma’s Bakery, Bloomington, 8 to 9 a.m.

•Wednesday, Dec. 9—Mount Hope Fire Station, 11 a.m. to noon

•Wednesday, Dec. 9—Patch Grove school building, multi-purpose room, 7 p.m. or immediately following the regular meeting of the River Ridge School Board

•Thursday, Dec. 10—Bagley Hotel, 8 to 9 a.m.

One or more school board members may be in attendance at these meetings.

Mon
30
Nov

Register for Dec. 5 Wake Up Santa

Santa has been so busy planning for the upcoming holiday season that he has been caught napping on the job! Rivers and Bluffs Animal Shelter invites all children to Wake up Santa on Saturday, Dec. 5 in the community room of Prairie du Chien City Hall. Santa will be awakened promptly at 8:30 a.m. Kids are welcome to bring noisemakers to get the job done. Doors will open at 8 a.m. Children will wait quietly behind the closed doors of the community room until the countdown at 8:30. A pancake and sausage breakfast will follow and will be served until 10 a.m.

Admission includes an all-you-can-eat breakfast, a personalized visit with Santa, Santa games including Santa bingo, pin the nose on Rudolph and Santa says. Children can also “make and take” an ornament for their Christmas tree in Santa’s Workshop. New this year, Tristan the magician will entertain the children as they wait their turn to visit with Santa. Children 3 and under are free.

Mon
30
Nov

LED lighting program to save city of Prairie du Chien money

By Correne Martin

The city of Prairie du Chien started an exterior LED lighting program in 2013 with goals of becoming more energy efficient and saving money. These days, the program is about 95 percent complete, according to Co-Manager of Public Works Terry Meyer.  

“This fall, we did from Main Street west on Blackhawk Avenue, including Water Street, all of the (Highway 18) bypass and all of the city-owned lights on St. Feriole Island,” Meyer noted. “We have a couple parking lots to go yet and some small miscellaneous lights, like the ones in front of city hall, but that’s all we have left.”

LED bulbs draw less power, cost less per year in energy and maintenance, and last up to 50,000 hours, which is much longer than a typical incandescent, Meyer pointed out. The upfront cost of LEDs is higher, yet payback takes roughly three years, he said, and then the city begins saving money.

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