The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) will be setting approximately 6,700 traps for the detection of spongy moth (Lymantria dispar) in 2026. The traps will be placed in 36 counties in western and central Wisconsin from mid-May through early July. Trap locations are determined according to a grid- and data-based system. Most traps will be set along public roadside rights-of-way, but some may need to be set on private property when there is evidence of a new spongy
Read MoreA man who Eau Claire County prosecutors say was part of a fentanyl distribution network is pleading guilty to charges. Olaguer Renteria was charged along with five other people in 2024 as part of the network. He has pleaded guilty to being a party to manufacturing or delivering THC.
Read MoreCrews say a lightning strike was the cause of a Tuesday morning house fire in Chippewa County. A residence on South Birch Street in the Village of Cadott took the hit. All residents were able to evacuate without injury.
Read MoreAI wildfire detection cameras may come to Eau Claire County. Xcel Energy is considering the installation between Eau Claire and Osseo to spot smoke earlier and help first responders arrive faster. The camera would scan the area in a 360-view every minute, flagging any smoke that’s then analyzed by a human analyst. If approved, officials believe this technology could provide crews with a critical head start, allowing them to spot wildfires before they spread.
Read MoreThe Wisconsin DATCP is warning people about a new twist in a utility bill scam. Scammers have been calling people over the past month claiming they have unpaid utility bills and demanding immediate payment. The new element now involves sending victims a barcode by text or email, leading them to scan it at a local retailer to make the payment. The DATCP says the payment is going into the scammer’s cryptocurrency wallet. Officials say customers should visit the website or
Read MoreThe Green Bay Packers running back has been arrested following a disturbance complaint. The Hobart-Lawrence Police Department were called Saturday to the complaint involving Josh Jacobs. He was taken into custody Tuesday on multiple charges, including strangulation and suffocation assault. Jacobs is expected to make an appearance in court Wednesday. The investigation is ongoing.
Read MoreThe Stevens Point Common Council is approving a bid to build a new City Hall. The approval follows more than a year of meetings and discussions on the project’s site, size and design. Mayor Mike Wiza said the construction bid came in well under the anticipated budget, which is set for approximately 13-million dollars. The new facility will be built on the former site of the Weber Tackle Company. Groundbreaking is expected in early June, with completion slated for July
Read MoreWisconsin is one of the best states for disaster preparedness, according to a national study. Eva Basinger has more.
Read MoreNick & Alisha Arvold and their partner Marilyn Fanetti owners of Cobble & Vine, invite the community to join them as they officially open their new wedding and event venue with a ribbon cutting ceremony on June 12 at 2:00 PM. Cobble & Vine is the result of a shared vision years in the making. After over a decade in the wedding industry, Nick and Alisha took a leap to create a space centered around connection, experience, and bringing people together. What was
Read MoreAt 41 years old, Chukwunonso Offiah (known as Chuk) knows firsthand what perseverance looks like. A recent respiratory therapy student at Chippewa Valley Technical College’s River Falls campus, Offiah graduated on May 22, marking the culmination of a journey that began long before he entered the classroom. Originally from Nigeria, he moved to the United States in 2016 with a goal of building a future in health care. “I have always wanted to be in the medical field,” Offiah said.
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