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The seven-day average for COVID-19 infections has dropped to 134 cases a day.  That is also the number of cases reported today by Department of Health Services.  The total number of confirmed cases statewide now stands at more than  611-thousand-200.  There was one new death confirmed, which raises the death toll to nearly seven-thousand-200.

The Wisconsin Senate is approving a bill that would prohibit police from using chokeholds in most situations.  The Senate today voted to ban chokeholds except when police are defending themselves or are in a life-threatening situation.  Other Wisconsin departments have enacted similar policies.  Supporters of the bill say it’s a step towards having a consistent policy statewide, while opponents say there should be a total ban.

June is National Candy Month and it’s no surprise that Americans think chocolate and other candy are an important part of emotional well-being.  The National Confectioners Association says 75-percent of Americans report feeling that a little sugar goes a long way in boosting spirits.  In Wisconsin the confectionery industry employs 58-hundred people who earn 317-million-dollars in wages.  The economic impact of candy sales in Wisconsin is two-billion-dollars.   

On Sunday June 6, 2021, at 11:58 PM the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting a crash with possible ejection on Bechly Road in the Township of Milton.  On arrival it was determined that Jeffrey Jandl was operating a 2000 Chevrolet Express Van tan in color, and he collided head on with the concrete bridge abutment on Bechly Road near Kamrowski Road. Jacob Jandl was a passenger in the vehicle and was complaining of hip and leg

You could get a sunburn within 20-minutes of being outside today if you don’t cover your skin.  The Environmental Protection Agency is giving today’s U-V Index a 9, which puts people at risk for very high exposure to damaging sun rays.  The E-P-A says people should wear sunscreen with at least an S-P-F-30, brimmed hats, long sleeved-shirts, and pants.  They also say it’s best to limit sun exposure all together by seeking shade or staying inside.

A financial website puts Wisconsin in the middle of the pack when it comes to pandemic recovery.  Jill Gonzalez with WalletHub.com says the state still has a ways to go. Jill Gonzalez with Wallet-Hub says Wisconsin ranks in the top 20 because it’s still struggling to recover its COVID health numbers.  She says the state’s economy is recovering well, which helped its rank. Iowa is ranked number one and Nebraska is number two.

A partial solar eclipse will be visible in Eau Claire early tomorrow morning.  The Moon will pass between the Sun and Earth tomorrow at 5:19 a.m.  Its peak visibility in Eau Claire is at 5:23 a.m., and it all ends by 5:45 a.m.  The 26-minute eclipse is not recommended to view without protective glasses.  It also won’t be seen again in Eau Claire until October 2023.

If you are looking to welcome folks to the Valley, Chippewa has options. The Chippewa Falls Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department is looking for volunteers to staff the new welcome center at Irvine Park.  They say anyone interested in speaking with park-goers about history, arts, and animals should email them. Information in the link below. Prospective volunteers must be 16-or older. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO OR TO CONTACT OFFICIALS ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES

At approximately 1:30 am the Wisconsin State Patrol took a report of a semi fire on I-94 just east of Hixton. When the Trooper arrived on scene the driver of the semi had been able to separate the tractor from the trailer, which was loaded with soda cans and now fully engulfed in flames on the right shoulder. Fire crews were able to get the fire extinguished within 30 minutes after arriving on scene. The right lane remained closed, while

We now know names of those involved in that April drive-by shooting in Eau Claire. Officers arrested 20-year-old Lefon Cantrell and  Xavier Luce last Friday. Police say they were involved in the shooting on the city’s south side on April 8th. No one was hurt in the shooting. Both men are facing first-degree reckless endangerment charges, and they were in court yesterday. CLICK HERE TO READ THE ECPD PRESS RELEASE.