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For some reason there are a lot fewer pre-k kids in Wisconsin classrooms this fall. The Department of Public Instruction released enrollment numbers yesterday, and enrollment is down statewide by about three percent. The biggest drop is among four and five-years-olds. DPI says there are smaller declines in older kids as well. Private and charter school enrollment is up, overall. There are almost 820 thousand public school students in Wisconsin.

Some former Shopko workers will be getting one last check from the company. A judge in Nebraska yesterday approved a three million-dollar settlement that will pay nearly four thousand Shopko workers severance. The company promised thousands of workers severance pay if they worked till the end, but later reversed on that promise after Shopko closed. Any employee who received a “severance memorandum” and worked till Shopko’s last day is eligible to receive some of the settlement money.

Chippewa County Department of Public Health, with support from the Wisconsin National Guard, will be hosting several free drive-through and walk-up style COVID-19 testing events. Estella Town Hall—Cornell 22111 270th StreetCornell, WI 54732 Oct 20, 2020 & Nov 17,11 AM – 7 PM Northern WI Fair Grounds 225 Edward St. Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 Nov 5, 2020 & Dec 1, 11 AM – 7 PM Community members do not need to be experiencing symptoms to be tested. However, it is strongly encouraged

A deadly accident in Chippewa County is believed to be caused by speed.   It was just before 9 on Thursday morning when The Sheriff’s office received a report of a one vehicle crash with injuries. Upon the arrival of first responders the operator/lone occupant, 21 year old Rachel Brewer from Waupaca, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Based upon the initial investigation it appears that the vehicle was traveling westbound when the operator of the vehicle lost control and

The state’s COVID-19 numbers continue to surge.  Health officials reported three-thousand-747 new cases today, breaking the one-day record set on Tuesday.  Hospitalizations have also been at a daily high this week topping one-thousand yesterday.  Officials have opened a field hospital outside of Milwaukee to deal with the rising numbers of COVID cases.

Wisconsin’s unemployment rate dropped nearly a point from the rate in September.  The Department of Workforce Development said today the state added nearly 14-thousand private-sector jobs last month.  The jobless rate was six-point-three-percent in August and five-point-four-percent last month.

The search is on for the killer of a man found at Devil’s Lake State Park.  The name of the victim has not yet been released, but his body was discovered yesterday on the grotto’s trail.  The description of the suspect is a man about five-foot-ten to six-feet tall, wearing a dark head covering.  Anyone who may have seen something suspicious at the park between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Wednesday is urge to contact Sauk County CrimeStoppers.

The Eau Claire Police Department is warning the public of a sex offender scheduled to be released in our area. 51-year-old John W. Christ will be released on October 20th under supervision by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections and living on the 100 Randall Street in Eau Claire. Previous convictions inclue 3rd Degree Sexual Assault in Chippewa County in December of 1991 and 2nd Degree Sexual Assault in 1994.

Chippewa County health officials say they’re changing the way contact tracing for COVID-19 is done. Health Director Angela Weideman said yesterday the county will no longer contact people who had potential exposure to coronavirus, and rather only contacting people who they consider high-risk. High risk people include students and teachers, bar and restaurant staff and patrons, health care workers, day care workers, and anyone living together in the same house. 

A study at the University of Wisconsin-Madison shows the material and the fit of a mask determine how effective it is. An engineering professor says the disposable, surgical-style masks are the most effective because they filter the droplets released when people breathe out. He says a well-fitting cloth mask is also effective, but they aren’t as good at protecting people from breathing in outside particles. The study finds that while masks help prevent the spread of COVID-19, physical distancing is the