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This season it seems we got an instant Winter Wonderland! The snow is here and for this week’s Friday Feel good we clear a path to a story that is sure to warm your heart.  A nine-year-old boy in Iowa named Colton Holmes took time to shovel snow from around a fire hydrant near his house last week.  And it paid off the very next day when there was a house fire on the same block. Colton and a firefighter talk about

A Tennessee man accused of sexually assaulting a Holcombe teenager is pleading no contest to charges.  Investigators say that — in 2022 — Trevor Blackburn drove to Wisconsin and kidnapped the then-15-year-old girl from her home. Blackburn pleaded no contest this week to charges of kidnapping and 1st degree child sexual assault.  He will be sentenced at a later date.

A La Crosse-area resident is pleading no contest to sexual assault charges.  Seventeen-year-old Jonah Larson is considered a crocheting phenom whose skills once earned him an appearance on Good Morning America.  On Thursday, he pleaded no contest to a charge of second-degree sexual assault of a child.  He is being allowed to enter a diversion program which — if he completes it successfully — will knock a conviction off of his record.

The Wisconsin State Patrol wants people to be safe on the state’s roadways this holiday season.  The patrol is launching their “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign — an effort get impaired drivers off the roads.  The patrol is stepping up education and enforcement of impaired driving laws through New Year’s Day.

Winner are being revealed for this year’s Sustainable Eau Claire Awards.  The awards recognize individuals, businesses, and organizations that are committed to creating a more sustainable Eau Claire.  Community beautification stalwart Mari Jackson is being recognized as this year’s Outstanding Individual.  The Riverflow Refillery home goods store is being recognized as Outstanding Business and Prairie Partners of Eau Claire is being celebrated as Outstanding Organization. CLICK HERE FOR COVERAGE WITH WEAU 13 NEWS.

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville is adding programs for students looking to get into the cannabis field.  The school announced this week the launch of six new Cannabis Career Certificate programs in partnership with Green Flower, a cannabis education leader.  This includes areas such as cultivation, retail, and product development.  All except one of the programs is 16 weeks long, with the other one being half that length.  All of the programs will be online and will begin January 13th.

The cost of Kevin McCallister’s grocery run in “Home Alone” is raising questions about the present-day cost of goods. The fictional eight-year-old, played by actor Macaulay Culkin, spent 19-dollars-and-83-cents on a haul that included milk, orange juice, white bread, frozen dinners, detergent, paper goods and even toy soldiers. However, USA Today conducted calculations with current store prices and found that the cart would total about 53-dollars-and-95-cents, marking a 167 percent increase over 35 years. The sticker shock reflects a broader

An escaped inmate from Columbia County is back in custody after being captured in Tomah.  Authorities say Matthew William Mahoney was identified following a tip from Columbia County officials.  Mahoney was found this morning near a Walmart and initially gave a false name when encountered by law enforcement.  Tomah police are recommending charges against Mahoney, including identity theft and obstructing an officer.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has announced the first pediatric deaths of the new respiratory virus season.  Officials say one child died from COVID-19, and another from influenza.  DHS is urging vaccinations for everyone aged six months and older.  Health leaders strongly encourage high-risk groups, including young children, older adults, people with chronic conditions, and pregnant people to get immunized.

The St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office announces a significant update in a cold case that began over 23 years ago. On October 21, 2002, human remains consisting of a decomposed skull were discovered at the Fred C. Anderson Boy Scout Camp in Somerset Township, rural St. Croix County, Wisconsin.  For almost two decades, Sheriff’s Office investigators followed up on numerous investigative leads and scientific techniques to identify the remains. In February 2021, the St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office teamed with