Local News

The community is invited to attend the culinary experience of the year, as the Prairie du Chien Area Chamber of Commerce presents the Best of the Region on Thursday, April 9, from 5 to 8 p.m., at The Barn Restaurant in Prairie du Chien.

Spend the evening sampling culinary selections from southwest Wisconsin and northeast Iowa. Let your taste buds encounter the finest in wine, beer, cheese, and cuisine from the finest restaurants around the region. Producers of locally-grown food have been invited to educate and provide you with an opportunity to sample items that have been grown throughout the area.

Enjoy musical styles and talents from several local high school instrumental and vocal groups.

Fine art, folk art, photography, jewelry, fiber arts, stained glass, stone, woods and primitive décor are just a few items showcased throughout the evening.

By Correne Martin

The taxpayers of the River Ridge School District will decide, in an April 7 referendum, where the district is headed and how it’s going to get there. On the spring ballot, voters will be asked to approve a $9.9 million facility referendum that would create one PreK-12 campus at the Patch Grove site. Doing so would include remodeling and renovation projects, ADA modifications, HVAC replacement, a gym addition, a safe and secure entrance as well as other improvements and upgrades.

Since the unsuccessful, $13 million Nov. 4 referendum, the school board has downsized its budget by $3.1 million. It is no longer asking for the track and football field to be relocated to Patch Grove; they will remain in Bloomington. It is no longer including the parking lot and ag shop additions either. The secure entrance/office addition has been reduced by 1,000 square feet also.

By Correne Martin

Three years ago, Brian Austin set out to fulfill the sweet dreams of his late father, who always had a deep yearning for Brian to produce maple syrup. The first jar of his creation, aptly labeled Dad’s Dream, was capped in 2013, seven years after Brian’s dad passed away. He made only one gallon that first year of production.

“I just started talking to people at farmers markets and reading up on how to do it,” Brian said, noting that his dad’s desires stemmed from growing up on his father’s sugarbush farm in northern Vermont, where the family patriarch made maple syrup too. Now, Brian is quite proud that the Austin family tradition has come full circle. And he’s pleased with the results of his growing operation as well.

During the winter storm of Sunday through Monday morning, there were numerous slideoffs and temporary road closures due to semis blocking the road. The following are reportable accidents that occurred during the winter weather event.

On Sunday, March 22, at 1:51 p.m., the Crawford County sheriff’s department was notified of a two-vehicle crash on Highway 27 near the intersection of Nolan Road in the township of Prairie du Chien.

Norman Hare, 48, of Viroqua, was traveling northbound on Highway 27 in a 2004 Toyota Corolla when he lost control of his vehicle due to the snow and slush on the roadway. Hare crossed the center line into the southbound lane and struck a trailer being pulled by a 2006 Ford F150 operated by Stephen Stormer, 70, of Madison. Stormer had two passengers in his vehicle, Jacob Stormer, 37, of Stoughton, and Robert Noethe, 52, of Blue Mounds.