Local News

Three railroad cars owned by Avalon Grain, of Madison, derailed and a fourth was damaged near the Campion Boat Landing in Prairie du Chien Sunday, Aug. 30, between 5 and 6 p.m. The train was headed to Mexico and carrying around 4,000 bushels of corn per car. According to a local grain authority, the current going rate for corn is $3.60 per bushel­—meaning a potential loss of more than $50,000 in corn alone. The train was traveling on Wisconsin & Southern Railroad track, about to switch to Burlington Northern Santa Fe track, at the time of the derailment. A witness said there were about a dozen people who saw the cars fall over as the train was moving at a relatively slow speed. “The noise was deafening. It was kinda scary. Everybody got away from the tracks,” said the witness, who did not want to be identified. The derailment caused a big hole next to the tracks.

By Correne Martin

A suspect is being investigated in relation to four cases of counterfeit bills presented at Crawford County businesses over the last couple months, according to Sheriff Dale McCullick.

Fake $100, $20 and $10 bills were used to purchase goods at The Port, Tractor Supply and Piggly Wiggly, all in Bridgeport Township. Also, a customer attempted to use an imitation bill at Casey’s General Store, in Prairie du Chien Township, but the clerk caught it before it was accepted.

‘These were smaller than normal size bills and the color was off,” McCullick said, noting that they were likely made via a home computer and printer.

In these four cases, the businesses that accepted the bills may be out the money in the long run. McCullick said the sheriff’s department sends them into the U.S. Secret Service and the businesses aren’t always reimbursed.

On Saturday, Sept. 5, the McGregor-Marquette Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its annual Labor Day parade. This year’s theme is once again “Circus, Circus” in celebration of the upcoming 150th birthday of John Ringling, co-founder of the Ringling Bros., and later co-owner of the Barnum & Bailey Circus. The parade steps off at 11 a.m., beginning near St. Mary’s in McGregor and continuing north on Main Street.

“Come line up on Main Street for the fun, stay for the Hole in the Sock Gang’s theatrical performance in front of Uncle Sam’s at 1 p.m., enjoy lunch at one of many eateries, enjoy a historical boat tour and get in some shopping while in town. There is plenty of fun and activities for everyone,” Chamber of Commerce Director Carolyn Gallagher said.

A United Expressline trailer was stolen from the area of the 400 block of South Main Street and the Highway 18 Bypass in Prairie du Chien sometime between 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 23 and 6:15 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 24. The trailer is black and gray with hail damage and no license plate. It is large enough to hold a full-size car. At the time of the crime, the trailer was full of construction tools, valued at around $19,000, that have the contractor’s initials, “RS,” engraved on them. Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at (866) 779-7297.

The trailer was reportedly seen on the bypass heading south out of Prairie du Chien around the times above. The Prairie du Chien Police Department is asking anyone who had a video camera recording traffic, or saw this trailer, to contact them via Crimestoppers.