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Charges Filed in Stabbing, Arson

By Morgan McCarthy | May 29, 2026

Charges are being filed against a woman who Buffalo City authorities say stabbed a man this past weekend.  Officers were dispatched to the victim’s home on Saturday where they found the man wounded inside and trying to put out fires that the suspect had reportedly also started.  Tonia Schwanke faces charges including arson.

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Former Bank Manager Convicted, Sentenced

By Morgan McCarthy | May 29, 2026

The former manager of a Juneau County bank is being sentenced to prison after being convicted on theft charges.  Prosecutors say that Sandra Campfield stole more than 350-thousand dollars from customer accounts and more than 40-thousand dollars directly from the vault.  Campfield has pleaded guilty to embezzlement by a bank employee and been sentenced to 21 months in prison.  She has also been ordered to pay restitution and a fifty-thousand dollar fine.  

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Traffic Stop Leads to Drug Charges

By Morgan McCarthy | May 29, 2026

A Merrillan man is facing drug charges after a recent traffic stop in Buffalo County.  Richard Madsen was stopped late last Wednesday night on Highway 12 in the Town of Alma with officers having recognized his vehicle as having been involved with previous drug cases.  Inside the vehicle, police say they found five grams of fentanyl.  Madsen is charged with possession of fentanyl and cocaine with intent to deliver.

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Toney Enters Race for WI AG

By Morgan McCarthy | May 29, 2026

Republican Eric Toney is entering the race for Wisconsin Attorney General.  Toney submitted nomination documents yesterday in order to appear on the November ballot.  He will challenge the current AG, Democrat Josh Kaul, after losing the election to him in 2022.  Toney is currently the Fond Du Lac district attorney.

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Book it, “Bubble Cups”, and Beyond!

By Morgan McCarthy | May 29, 2026

Pizza Hut is bringing back a dining experience familiar to many 80’s babies nationwide. Over 150 locations owned by Yum! Brands are being remodeled to reflect the chain’s 1990’s dining room aesthetic. This includes the painted lamps, red cups, and checkered tablecloths once on display at essentially all the old “red roof” locations. The retro dining rooms are coming to a handful of Wisconsin Pizza Huts, including those in Rice Lake, Black River Falls, Platteville, and Abbotsford.

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DATCP to Survey for Spongy Moth in 36 Counties

By Morgan McCarthy | May 28, 2026

 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

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Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Charges

By Morgan McCarthy | May 28, 2026

A 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.

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Lightning Strike Cause of House Fire

By Morgan McCarthy | May 28, 2026

Crews 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.

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AI Could Help Detect Fires

By Morgan McCarthy | May 27, 2026

AI 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.

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DATCAP Shines Light on Utility Bill Scam

By Morgan McCarthy | May 27, 2026

The 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

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