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Mon
23
Feb

Marijuana, LSD and ecstasy found in drug bust, two arrested

Submitted by admin on Mon, 02/23/2015 - 11:29

The Crawford County Sheriff’s Office Investigators obtained and executed a narcotics-related search warrant at two separate residences, 137 and 141 Cedar Street in the village of Gays Mills, on Feb. 19, around 2:30 p.m.

The search warrant was the result of a lengthy investigation into the illegal possession and sale of narcotics at the residences. The occupants were Thomas Coleman, 50, and Rebecca Anderson, 42, (141 Cedar St.); Gerald Anderson III, 20, and Thomas Holtz, 21, (137 Cedar St.).

The search of the two residences uncovered numerous items associated with the suspected illegal sale and possession of narcotics. Subsequent to the search, Gerald Anderson III and Thomas Holtz were arrested and face possible charges including possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, possession of LSD, and possession of ecstasy.

The investigation remains open and additional charges may be brought against more individuals.

Mon
23
Feb

American Queen will make long-awaited, daylong stop in Prairie du Chien

Submitted by admin on Mon, 02/23/2015 - 11:28

By Correne Martin

The largest steamboat ever built, the grand American Queen will stop in Prairie du Chien on Wednesday, Aug. 12, as its passengers spend a full day touring the city’s historical attractions.

The Prairie du Chien Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Coordinator Patti Wacker have been working with Shore Excursions of America for the past two years to bring the American Queen to town. It’s been 20 years since it last stopped in Prairie du Chien.

The elegant steamboat will carry a potential 426 passengers, from lands as far away as California and Australia, up and down the Mississippi River from St. Louis to St. Paul. The paddlewheel boat will dock in Prairie du Chien at 8 a.m. and leave around 4 p.m. While here, the visitors will take group tours of the community and its most magnificent and memorable tourist destinations.

Mon
23
Feb

Plow drivers aim to keep streets clear and safe

Submitted by admin on Mon, 02/23/2015 - 11:27

By Correne Martin

This winter’s lack of precipitation has surely been a welcome aspect by the snowplow drivers as well as many residents of the region. Nevertheless, the age-old grievance that plows block driveways and reload sidewalks with snow after the shoveling is done is one that drivers and city personnel in Prairie du Chien hear nearly every time white flakes fly.

The truth is, plow operators are not out there launching snow onto driveways and sidewalks maliciously. Prairie du Chien Co-Manager of Public Works Terry Meyer recently explained the city’s snow plowing process and expressed that the drivers’ number one goal is to keep the streets clear and safe.

Mon
23
Feb

PdC native creates virtual video of downtown Prairie du Chien in 1960s

Submitted by admin on Mon, 02/23/2015 - 11:25

By Correne Martin

You can take the man out of Prairie du Chien, but you can’t take the Prairie du Chien out of the man. Mike Sutton fits that description perfectly. Though he’s lived in Texas since 1979, his devotion to his hometown has remained strong. In fact, the community served as the inspiration behind a virtual project he spent all of 2014 producing.

Currently an Arlington, Texas, resident, Mike is a Prairie du Chien High School and UW-Eau Claire graduate. With a background in information technology and computers, he worked in defense for Lockheed Martin for much of his career before retiring last year.

Wed
18
Feb

PdC city council opposes limitations on residential accessory structures

Submitted by admin on Wed, 02/18/2015 - 11:35

The Prairie du Chien Common Council has had several attempts at bat with an ordinance that would limit height and size for residential accessory structures, such as garages and sheds, within the city. After tabling the issue a couple of times and sending it back to the plan commission for review, the council reconsidered it Tuesday night and ultimately denied it. Eight Aldermen Mark Thein, Todd Myers, Sharon Boylen, Karen Solomon, Kyle Kozelka, Nate Gilberts, Mike Jones and Ken Fleshner were all opposed to the proposed maximum height limit of 20 feet and maximum size limit of 1,000 square feet.

Also during the council’s regular monthly meeting Tuesday night, the group:

•reviewed final plans and bid authorization for the North Ohio Street reconstruction project, which is scheduled to begin later this spring.

Wed
18
Feb

Flood mitigation project gets go-ahead

Submitted by admin on Wed, 02/18/2015 - 11:34

By Correne Martin

More than a year and a half after the June 2013 storm that caused flooding and property damage in the city of Prairie du Chien, the common council has approved a preliminary flood mitigation project at the base of the Highway 27 watershed. The Wisconsin DNR has awarded the city a municipal flood control grant for $463,050 toward the project, to which the city must provide a match of about $255,000. The city’s cost share will be funded via a state trust fund loan, payable at about $18,000-$20,000 per year for 15 to 20 years.

Wed
18
Feb

Enjoy live raptors, nature discussions and more Feb. 27-28

Submitted by admin on Wed, 02/18/2015 - 11:33

Luke Hart, of the Macbride Raptor Project at the University of Iowa, presented a live hawk and owl program at the 2014 Bald Eagle Appreciation Days event in Prairie du Chien.

Professional photographs by Harold Schaefer, of Fennimore, were quite popular with event-goers at last year’s event. (Courier Press file photos)

The annual Prairie du Chien Bald Eagle Appreciation Days, Feb. 27 and 28, offers a free weekend of educational entertainment for raptor lovers of all ages and interests.

Not only is the weekend a good one for excellent viewing of eagles locally, but the programming on Friday and Saturday is sure to thrill audiences with live bird and reptile demonstrations, life-sized bald eagle mounts and nest displays, nature activities for kids, as well as several informative talks about the eagles and other raptors of the Upper Mississippi River.

Two Friday night presentations kick off the weekend. At 6 p.m., Author/Photographer Ty Smedes will discuss “Iowa’s Bald Eagles” at Country Inn and Suites. At 7 p.m., at the AmericInn, Brenda Kelly, WDNR’s Mississippi River wildlife biologist, will share information about the “Waterfowl of the Mighty Mississippi River.”

Wed
18
Feb

A lot of interest brewing in Driftless Brewing Company, Soldiers Grove

Submitted by admin on Wed, 02/18/2015 - 11:31

Michael Varnes-Epstein, Scott Noe, Cynthia Olmstead and Christopher Balistreri enjoy a moment at their Driftless Brewing Company in Soldiers Grove.

By Ted Pennekamp

 

Something new and distinguished is brewing in a former grocery store in Soldiers Grove. 

Indeed, with labels such as Kick-Axe Pale Ale, Dirt Brown Ale, Metamorphosis, Solar Town Stout, Rolling Ground IPA and The Local Buzz, the Driftless Brewing Company is making quite a name for itself with its alive, unfiltered and unpasteurized beer.

Mon
16
Feb

Construction underway at rail loadout site

Submitted by admin on Mon, 02/16/2015 - 12:11

Rough grading and foundation digging have begun at the Wisconsin & Southern Railroad rail loadout site along the Highway 18 Bypass in Prairie du Chien. The construction marks the onset of a new seven-track switchyard and $1 million building to enclose much of the current outdoor operations. Shown here, heavy equipment operators work on the south end of the property. (Photo by Correne Martin)

Brush currently sits piled on the north end of the WSOR property.

By Correne Martin

Wisconsin and Southern Railroad has begun changing the landscape of its rail loadout site along the Highway 18 Bypass in Prairie du Chien. According to Tim Karp, director of business development with WSOR, rough grading as well as foundation digging have taken place to prepare the location for a seven-track switchyard and a 6,000-square-foot, 94-foot-high, $1 million building that will enclose much of the current outdoor operations.

“If all things go well, we’re looking at late-May to mid-June for a completion date. Of course, a lot is dependent on the weather,” Karp said. He also noted that the public won’t begin seeing the structure take shape for at least one more month.

“[The new construction] will provide a lot more efficiency for us and it will also free up our main line so we can serve all of our Prairie du Chien area customers better,” he pointed out.

Mon
16
Feb

Love blooms via local floral shops on Valentine’s Day

Submitted by admin on Mon, 02/16/2015 - 12:08

Shelly Zinkle, co-owner of Zinkle’s Piggly Wiggly & Blooming Basket, stands surrounded by floral bouquets she and her staff created Thursday, Feb. 12, to be sold the next day. The Blooming Basket delivered about 150 to 200 orders locally on Friday and expected around the same number on Saturday. (Photos by Correne Martin)

For Valentine’s Day, Dan Shimala, of Prairie du Chien, special ordered a large clear vase with a dozen long-stemmed roses—each a different color—for his wife

Pictured in the walk-in cooler at Kemble’s Greenhouse are local residents’ Valentine’s Day orders for Friday afternoon.

A display of red and pink valentine's flowers fill the display cooler at Kemble's.

By Correne Martin

Sweet messages of love are spread every Valentine’s Day in various ways. Some choose sentimental cards, tried-and-true chocolates, a romantic dinner, or special homemade gifts. But, flowers may be the most beautiful way to express one’s endearment to another.

On Friday, Feb. 13, two local floral shops, Kemble’s Greenhouse and Zinkle’s Piggly Wiggly & Blooming Basket, were abuzz with the excitement of flower orders, florists arranging bouquets and delivery vehicles packed with blossoms of vibrant reds, pinks, peaches and violets.

“The phone was ringing off the hook, starting around 7 this morning. Our delivery workers are already on their second run,” Kemble’s Owner Wendy Wachter said around 10:30 a.m. Friday. “It’s much smoother this year, with Valentine’s Day falling on Saturday, so we’ve had a lot of business deliveries today and more of the personal ones will go Saturday.”

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