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A man charged following a stabbing incident at a Tomah group home is pleading guilty.  Investigators say that Jorge Luis Santos-Martinez stabbed someone with a knife in May of 2024 at a group home in Tomah.  He had faced charges including attempted first-degree intentional homicide but pleaded guilty yesterday to a lesser charge of first-degree reckless injury.  Santos-Martinez was then given a ten-year prison sentence.

In Clark County, Neillsville Police say they recovered a firearm and illegal drugs during a Thursday traffic stop.  Driver Michael Strader and passenger James Cooley were pulled over for an equipment violation yesterday in the in the Township of Mentor.  Police say Strader was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia while more drugs including cocaine and a short-barreled shotgun were found in the vehicle.  He was arrested on drug and weapons charges while Cooley was taken

More than four months after the body of 22-year-old Viterbo University graduate student Eliotte Heinz was recovered from the Mississippi River, authorities are releasing results of her autopsy.  Heinz had been missing for nearly four days when her body was found near Brownsville Minnesota.  Newly-released test results say she had a high Blood Alcohol Content and her death has been confirmed as an accidental drowning.

A group of Wisconsin state lawmakers want to see vehicle emissions testing come to an end.  A coalition of 18 state lawmakers wrote a letter to Wisconsin’s congressional delegation requesting the federal government to repeal the requirement that’s been around for four decades.  The group argued the requirement puts an economic burden on drivers and technological advancements have made it unnecessary.  Drivers in seven southeastern Wisconsin counties are required to do this testing, including Milwaukee, Kenosha, Racine, and more.

A specialty school at the University of Wisconsin – Madison is going to go by a new name.  The Board of Regents yesterday approved a proposal to reorganize the School of Computer Data, Information, and Sciences into the College of Computing and Artificial Intelligence.  Planning for the new school is expected to begin immediately and be ready for the next fall semester.  University leaders noted enrollment in Computer Science majors has more than doubled over the past ten years. 

Organizers are announcing the first headliner for next year’s Ashley for the Arts festival in Arcadia.  The three-day music and arts festival takes place each year at Memorial Park and benefits a host of nonprofit organization.  The 2026 festival is set to run August 6th, 7th and 8th and country music performer Jon Pardi has been announced to perform on the main stage on night one.  CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION!

The Sheriff’s Office in Chippewa County will put money towards families dealing with Dementia. Below is the information from Sheriff Hakes: The Chippewa County Sheriff ’s Office applied for the Chippewa Valley Dementia Coalition Community Impact Grant.  We were informed that our grant was chosen as grant recipient!  We have been awarded $2,100 to apply in our pursuit of increasing public safety of those with Dementia.   It is our hope these funds will assist us in researching technology that will

The Christmas tree at the Wisconsin State Capitol has been lit.  Governor Evers’ office says this year’s tree features the theme “The Learning Tree.”  The theme reflects Evers’ declaration of 2025 as the Year of the Kid.  Students were invited to create ornaments recognizing those who support children, from teachers to counselors and mentors.

State environmental officials are announcing a new online tool for well owners to interpret their drinking water lab results.  The Wisconsin DNR launched “Be Well Informed,” allowing users to enter certified lab data and receive a report explaining the findings and next steps.  The project was developed with the UW-Madison Division of Extension, Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, and Department of Health Services.  Additional guidance and instructions for the tool are available through the DNR online resources. CLICK HERE FOR

Green Bay Packers’ quarterback Jordan Love has been named the team’s nominee for the 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.  Team President and CEO Ed Policy praised Love’s leadership and dedication to giving back to the community.  Love founded Hands of 10ve in May 2024, which supports youth sports, mental health awareness, and community-police engagement.  The 27-year-old has previously donated cleats, scholarships, and hosted charitable events in Wisconsin and California.