Courier Press

By Ted Pennekamp

Twenty-one people, including Ferryville, Crawford County, Public Service Commission of Wisconsin and CenturyTel officials, were on hand for a presentation about the Seneca-Ferryville Broadband Internet Project Monday afternoon at the Ferryville Village Hall.

By Correne Martin

Prairie du Chien High School students were urged to pledge to keep their eyes on the road, not on their smartphones, when behind the wheel, as part of an “It Can Wait” campaign presented Monday morning. Nearly 350 students learned about the dangers of smartphone/cell phone activities while driving and that they can—and should—wait until they’re finished driving. The assembly was part of a series of high school events AT&T, AAA and the Wisconsin State Patrol are holding to drive home the dangers of distracted driving and encouraging kids to take the pledge.

“We’ve visited 99 schools since 2010,” noted Jessica Erickson, of AT&T.

By Correne Martin

Crossing Rivers Health Child Care is offering an alternative, non-traditional choice of education for 3-5 year olds in the Prairie du Chien area this fall. Its new Montessori program is based on self-directed activity, hands-on learning of practical skills and collaborative play. The unorthodox approach also emphasizes learning through all five senses.

“Every child is recognized as individual and unique. Through Montessori, they can enjoy freedom within limits. It’s very different from preschool where every kid does the same thing,” said Mari Beth Valley, Crossing Rivers child care director. “Expectations at school are so much more than they used to be. This model lines up more with the Wisconsin early learning standards. It helps prepare them for school and sets them up to be successful.”

One child was airlifted and four others taken to the hospital after the Amish buggy they were riding in was hit by a pickup truck on Mt. Zion Hill in Scott Township Friday morning, March 18, according to the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department. The driver who reportedly hit the buggy is expected to be charged with innattentive driving.

Authorities said that, around 9:30 a.m. Friday, James Gobin, 86, of Fennimore, was driving a 1998 GMC truck north in the slow lane of U.S. Highway 61 when he struck the back end of a horse-drawn buggy. The buggy, which was also headed north in the slow lane, was driven by an 11-year-old Mt. Zion boy and equipped with a slow-moving vehicle sign as well as hazard and turn lights. The young driver was headed to school with five passengers, ages 6 to 11, all from Mt. Zion.

According to the sheriff’s department, the buggy sustained heavy damage from the collision and three of the passengers were thrown onto the roadway.