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An Eau Claire man charged with sexually assaulting an eight-year-old girl is going to prison.  Reports say Glenn Germaney entered an Alford plea yesterday to amended charges of fourth-degree sexual assault of a child and pleaded guilty to bail jumping in a separate case.  Germaney is accused of assaulting the girl for over a year while he watched her at an Altoona apartment in 2015 and 2016.  He was sentenced to nine years in jail followed by two years of

Wisconsin is the third worst state for juvenile arrests.  That’s according to data from home security company Frontpoint.  A report says more than eleven-hundred kids were arrested in Wisconsin for theft-related crimes in 2017.  That’s the third most out of any state in the country. 

Help is on the way for 17 counties across the state of Wisconsin after July’s severe thunderstorms.  Parts of west-central and northwest Wisconsin are under a federal disaster declaration following last month’s storms.  Governor Tony Evers announced yesterday 17 counties are under the declaration including Barron, Clark, La Crosse, Menominee, Monroe, Oneida, Polk, Rusk, and Vernon, among others.  The disaster declaration covers public assistance and certain non-profit organizations. 

The man accused of threatening to shoot-up the local Menards distribution center will likely stay in jail for a little longer.  An Eau Claire County judge yesterday refused to change Kevin Pinkham’s 10-thousand-dollar cash bond.  Prosecutors say he threatened to kill his co-workers earlier this month.  Police say they found journals and a cache of weapons at his home.  Pinkham is due back in court for his arraignment on September 10th.  PHOTO CREDIT: WEAU 13 NEWS

The Eau Claire dad who told police he punished his children by making them stand still and stare at the walls for weeks at a time will be staring at bars for 6 years. A judge yesterday sentenced Juan Castro to six years in prison and then six years of probation.  Castro pleaded guilty to three counts of causing mental harm to a child back in June.  He told the judge yesterday that he has a problem with both alcohol

Prosecutors say a La Crosse police officer acted in self-defense when he shot a suspect earlier this month.  The district attorney yesterday said Officer Dustin Darling was justified in shooting suspect Allen Kruk.  Police say Kruk shot Darling in the chest during a domestic violence call, Darling returned fire and hit Kruk.  Darling’s bullet proof vest saved his life, while Kruk is still in the hospital because of his wounds. 

There’s another push at the Wisconsin Capitol to raise the age to buy cigarettes and vape pens.  Several lawmakers yesterday introduced the latest Tobacco 21 plan for the state.  Advocates say raising the age to buy tobacco and vape products to 21-years-old will keep many young people from ever starting to smoke in the first place.  Eighteen states and nearly 500 cities across the country have already adopted Tobacco 21 laws.  

Get your dogs vaccinated against rabies.  That’s the advice from La Crosse’s health department.  The city yesterday announced that it will fine dog owners who do not vaccinate their animals after a dog bite.  Health Department Director Jen Rombalski says the idea is to get people to be proactive, and get their dogs their shots every year.  Rombalski says La Crosse doesn’t want to make money from the 100 dollar fines, they just want dog owners to be responsible.  

Citizen Action in Eau Claire invites the community to join a vigil commemorating all victims of gun violence.  The Northwest Citizen Action Organizing Cooperative is joining guest speakers Representative Jodi Emerson, Eau Claire School Board President Eric Torres, and community members directly impacted by gun violence in a vigil this Wednesday evening, August 28th at 7:30. The gathering is intended to remember the victims, support survivors, and take action to address the epidemic of gun violence.  The event will be

Eight University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire faculty and staff members were recognized for excellence during the university’s academic year opening meeting today, Aug. 27. Chancellor James Schmidt presented 2019 excellence awards to: Dr. Norah Airth-Kindree, associate professor of nursing. Jack Connell, facilities maintenance specialist-advanced. Dr. Mary Beth Leibham, professor of psychology. Dr. Ling Liu, associate professor of accounting and finance. Cheryl Lochner-Wright, senior study abroad coordinator. Dr. Jennifer Muehlenkamp, professor of psychology. John Reichert, academic advisor, Advising, Retention and Career Center.