Local News

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Mon
21
Dec

Governor makes community stop, tours Villa Louis


Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker was in Prairie du Chien Thursday, Dec. 17, mainly for a round-table event he labeled a “community stop” at city hall, where 35 people, by invite only, provided Walker their input regarding the immediate needs as well as the long-term goals of the state. Those participating included retirees, educators, high school students and professionals from the manufacturing, agriculture and tourism industries, in particular. “We are planning 100 of these across the state next year, many in the rural areas,” Gov. Walker stated. While the community stop was the main focus of his visit, he started his day off with an exclusive tour of the Villa Louis Historic Site. He is pictured above with Site Director Susan Caya-Slusser, who greeted him on the front walkway, as the beautiful Dousman Office Building stands decorated for the holidays behind them. Also on Thursday, Walker had lunch at Coaches Restaurant with his staff as well as members of the media. (Photos by Correne Martin)

Gov. Walker visits with Susan Caya-Slusser, of the Villa Louis, and Dr. Ellsworth Brom, director of the Wisconsin Historical Society, inside the billiard room on the first floor of the Dousman Office Building on the Villa Louis grounds Thursday. He was given a grand tour and educated about the history of the historic mansion, its adjoining property and the people who made it so significant.

Walker and Caya-Slusser, standing in the Villa's second floor hallway, take a look at the Christmas crafts that the Dousman family would have likely created in much simpler times when there was no TV or technology for entertainment. Playing music, reading and constructing crafts were among the activities in which the children typically indulged.

Susan Witters, program assistant at the Villa Louis Historic Site, presented Scott Walker with a basket of “Something Special from Wisconsin,” homemade jelly and Dilly Beans from Ferryville’s Austin’s Rush Creek Farms. Walker also enjoyed a fresh-baked treat inside the Villa Louis kitchen Thursday: a Victorian traditional two-spice cake with hand whipped cream, baked and presented personally by Ethan Kilbey, a senior at Prairie du Chien High School.
Wed
16
Dec

Mayor may face challenger, 2 council members file non-candidacy papers

The spring 2016 election will be here before we know it and, at that time, the Prairie du Chien Common Council looks to be shaken up some.

Mayor Dave Hemmer, a three-term incumbent, will face a challenger this time around as John Chaffee has filed a declaration of candidacy and campaign registration form.

Also, the third district and fifth district have no one running at this time unless someone from the public steps forward to file nomination papers. Kyle Kozelka, who came on the council in 2011, has resigned his seat in the third district, effective Dec. 31. Though the council has decided to seek interested individuals for possible appointment, the seat will be on the April ballot regardless. In the fifth district, Jean Titlbach has decided not to run for re-election. She has held her position since 2008.

Wed
16
Dec

Pet ruffed grouse frequents area farm


Wauzeka farmer Mike Mullikin talks to his pet ruffed grouse, who he’s named Henry, in the field recently. The grouse naturally feeds and shelters on the Mullikin property and comes and goes for weeks at a time, but he always returns. For a video of the two friends interacting, visit the Courier Press’ Facebook page. (Photos by Correne Martin)

The detail and depth of color in this ruffed grouse’s feathers make him quite the sight to admire in nature.

Mike Mullikin reaches out for his pet, Henry the grouse.

By Correne Martin

In the late 1970s and early ‘80s, it wasn’t uncommon to see 50 or 60 ruffed grouse a day in this region. But now, no matter who you talk to, they aren’t seeing anywhere near that many of the small game bird locally. In fact, some might venture to say they’re pretty rare in these parts.

The ruffed grouse population has declined about 90 percent over the past few decades. The reason for fewer numbers in the area is a declining habitat base due to forests simply growing older, according to Scott Walter, regional wildlife biologist of the Ruffed Grouse Society.

Wed
16
Dec

SafeRide retains some funds from city of PdC

By Correne Martin

Strong community support of SafeRide has outweighed a previous city of Prairie du Chien proposal to eliminate funding for the program. During Tuesday night’s meeting of the common council, a new recommendation to allocate $5,000 from the city’s 2016 contingency fund (which has over $100,000) toward SafeRide for the next year was approved unanimously. The amount is less than the original $7,500 presented in the budget; however, more funds could be provided later in 2016 if ridership continues to grow.

Wed
16
Dec

Crawford County Board


On hand for the Crawford County Community Fund grant awards were, front row, from left: David Robertson (village of De Soto); Tamera Kepler (village of Soldiers Grove); and Jeanne Rutter and Sherry Quamme (Crawford County Tourism). Standing: Sharon Murphy (Crawford County Community Fund Board Chair); Eric Frydenlund (retiring Crawford County Community Fund Board member); Cheryl Mader (Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin Board member); and Miriam Simons (village of Gays Mills – Swimming Pool). (Photo by Barb Daus)

 

Crawford County’s 

delinquent tax properties up to date

County Community Fund awards four grants

By Ted Pennekamp

 

Wed
16
Dec

Wyalusing Academy property re-zoning

 

Planning Commission to 

recommend re-zoning of 

former Wyalusing Academy property

By Ted Pennekamp

 

Tue
15
Dec

Man charged with taking remains from Effigy Mounds

 

Local man charged with 

removing Native American 

remains from Effigy Mounds

A long-retired National Park Service official at Effigy Mounds National Monument is expected to make a plea at his arraignment on Dec. 16 involving a charge of removing ancient Native American remains from the museum he managed at Effigy Mounds. 

Mon
14
Dec

Man charged with taking remains from Effigy Mounds

A long-retired National Park Service official at Effigy Mounds National Monument is expected to make a plea at his arraignment on Dec. 16 to removing ancient Native American remains from the museum he managed at Effigy Mounds. 

Former Effigy Mounds Superintendent Thomas Munson, 76, of Prairie du Chien, allegedly kept the remains for 22 years.

Munson was charged on Dec. 8 with embezzlement of government property following a long investigation. Munson is expected to plead guilty in the federal courthouse in Cedar Rapids, Iowa as part of a plea agreement.

Mon
14
Dec

Wyalusing Academy


Steps are being taken to have the former Wyalusing Academy building developed into a 40-unit apartment complex. (Courier Press file photo)

 

Wyalusing Academy may become apartment building

By Ted Pennekamp

 

Steps are underway to have the main building on the former Wyalusing Academy property developed into a 40-unit apartment building.

Mon
14
Dec

Driver hits parked police car, receives numerous citations

An alleged drunken driver was arrested and charged after he hit a parked police car in Lansing, Iowa, but was pulled over in Crawford County.

According to the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department, on Saturday, Dec. 12, at 11:52 p.m., Tyler R. Collier, 22, of Rubicon, was operating a 2005 GMC Sierra in the city of Lansing, when he struck a parked Lansing Police Department squad car. Collier continued driving until the Lansing officer was able to make traffic stop on the vehicle on Highway 82, a few hundred feet into Crawford County. The Crawford County Sheriff’s Department was asked to take over the traffic stop due to the fact that they were now in Crawford County.

Collier was arrested and transported to the Crawford County Jail for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant. Collier was also charged with operating after suspension.

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