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We now have an update on a case involving human remains. Following last week’s arrest and charging of Randall Q. Merrick of Rochester, Minnesota in relation to the disappearance of Beth Johnson, remains were found in Blaine, Minnesota and identified as Beth Johnson. Randall Q. Merrick of Rochester Minnesota was charged with first degree intentional homicide, domestic abuse, and hiding a corpse.

 The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is issuing guidelines for the safe return of students and staff to in-person classes.  The DPI released the guidelines today as part of the Education Forward program.  Officials say schools may have to reduce class size, or have students attend class in shifts and districts need to be ready to navigate a fluid situation that is dictated by the coronavirus.  The Education Committee in the State Assembly will discuss the reopening plan this week. CLICK HERE

The deadline for applying for the “We’re All In” small business grants is fast approaching.  Applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. tomorrow night.  The grant is designed to help small businesses get back on their feet during the coronavirus crisis.  The program will provide 25-hundred-dollar grants to 30-thousand Wisconsin small businesses and information is available on the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation website AND YOU CAN CLICK HERE TO GET MORE INFORMATION.

Chippewa County Department of Public Health continues to follow the COVID-19 situation as it develops. Below are updated cases counts and testing numbers.   Chippewa County Change Since 6/19/2020 Confirmed Cases 70 +4 Released from Isolation* 61 +1 Negative Test Results 4,164 +123 Deaths 0 +0 For more information, visit Chippewa County Public Health’s webpage or contact the Health Department at covid@co.chippewa.wi.us or 715-726-7900.

The Eau Claire City-County Health Department is confirming the first death of an Eau Claire County resident related to complications of COVID-19. As of today, Eau Claire County is reporting 161 confirmed cases of Covid-19. There will be a media breifing today at 3:30 and you can CLICK HERE for more information.

Pepin County farmers held a successful event this weekend. It might not have looked like breakfasts of the past, but the annual dairy promotion breakfast served around 2,400 people Saturday morning. The breakfast kit included milk, pancake mix, butter, sausage, and yogurt.  A spokesperson for the Dairy Promotion Council said the event helps locals learn about where their food comes from and gives them information about how dairy is processed and delivered to the store.

Noah’s Ark Waterpark is reopening at the Wisconsin Dells. The park typically opens over Memorial Day Weekend, but this year the opening was delayed to Saturday, June 20th due to the coronavirus pandemic. Park staff said guests are required to wear a mask when they enter the park, and staff will always wear a mask. Guests will also be required to maintain six-feet of social distance. 

What will school look like in the fall? Although nobody has a crystal ball, we do now have a document. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction today issued Education Forward, which is a guidance document for Wisconsin district and school leaders to use as they plan for a safe, efficient, and equitable return to school for the 2020-21 school year amid the COVID-19 pandemic. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

There’s a slight rise in Wisconsin’s latest coronavirus numbers. The state’s Department of Health Services yesterday reported 280 positive tests and over six thousand negative tests. The daily positive-test-rate is up above four-and-a-half percent. DHS did not report any new deaths yesterday. Overall, Wisconsin has seen nearly 25 thousand positive cases since March, and almost a half-million negative cases.

Eau Claire schools are finding a silver lining in the coronavirus outbreak. School leaders on Friday said they expect to see a four million-dollar surplus by the end of the year. The extra money comes from the savings from not having school since March. That includes a lot of money saved by not running the district’s school buses. There is some thought about using some of the surplus to buy things like iPads to help kids learn from home.