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A certificate program at University of Wisconsin-Madison seeks to fill gaps in the mental healthcare shortage.  The Wisconsin Department of Health Services says over half of people who need mental health services in Wisconsin don’t receive them.  This problem is reportedly even more pronounced in rural areas of the state.  So, in an effort to combat the issue, UW is offering an 18-month capstone program for licensed nurses with masters degrees.  Most of the program’s clinical rotations happen in areas outside of Madison, which really

Governor Tony Evers’ proposed budget is being mostly met with applause from Madison and other municipalities.  Yesterday, Madison Mayor Paul Soglin said “for the first time in eight years, we welcome a state budget.”  The parts of the budget that are being cheered the most are the ideas of more state aid and potentially more funding for transit.  Jerry Deschane, the executive director of the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, says it’s “truly a pro-local government budget.”  However, it’s unclear if

A  former La Crosse Catholic school administrator is getting prison time for sexual assault.  On Wednesday, 60-year-old Steven Smolek was sentenced to nine-months in jail for sexually assaulting a 16-year-old in 2015.  The teen victim said Smolek sent him nude pictures on a social networking app.  Then he invited the victim over to his Mosinee apartment for pizza and a movie, where the assault happened.  La Crosse police say this isn’t the only instance of Smolek engaging in conversations with

A sex offender is scheduled to be released and living in Wheeler. The public is notified of a sex offender scheduled to be released in Wheeler. Prior to March 9, 2019 Ellis will be residing at N11311 570th Street, Wheeler. Upon release, Ellis will be places on intensive supervision and GPS. NOTE: A public hearing regarding the release of Scott M. Ellis along with Jamie L. Stephenson, previously released to the same address under the Chapter 980 Sexually Violent Person

The City of Eau Claire is pleased to announce that Ms. Leah Ness has been appointed to the position of Deputy City Engineer for the City of Eau Claire effective March 4, 2019. Ms. Ness has over five years of progressive experience working in the Engineering Department, where she has held the position of Transportation Engineer since September, 2013. Prior to working for the City of Eau Claire, Ms. Ness worked for ten years as a Traffic Engineer with Ayres

A possible school shooting was averted by police. It was just before 12:20 on Friday, March 1st when the Mashfield Police Department learned of a 14 year old juvenile who may have been in possession of a handgun. The mother witnessed her son placing the handgun in a backpack while “Facetiming” with him while he was with a 16 year old friend. This information was immediately shared with Wood County Dispatch and the decision was made by officers to place

It may be frigid outside, but plans for the summer’s Tall Ships Festival in Green Bay continue. Organizers say today the ‘Picton Castle’ is the latest addition to join the fleet of ships for the festival July 26th through the 28th.  Nine historic ships from around the world will dock at Leicht Memorial Park.  Tickets for the festival go on sale March 15th. 

The average price for a gallon of regular gas in Wisconsin is up a nickel from a week ago.  Triple-A says the cost statewide today is two-dollars-and-38-cents, while the national average is two-42-a-gallon.  The lowest prices are posted in Appleton and Fond du Lac at two-28.  Drivers in Eau Claire are paying the most at the pump at two-51 for regular.

With the expectation of more snow today and continued clean-up plow and haul operations, a new Snow Event has been declared and will go into effect at 12-midnight Saturday, 3/2/19 and will end at 5 p.m. on 3/4/19.    The current Snow Event continues to be in effect.  Temporary No Parking signs are being used in some neighborhoods to assist in the clean-up operations.  These temporary signs supersede Alternate Side Parking rules and other posted parking signs. Alternate Side Parking

February is officially over and multiple cities in west central Wisconsin saw record-breaking snowfall.  La Crosse saw 31-point-one inches of snow, barely beating the previous February record set in 1959.  In Eau Claire, 53-point-seven inches of snow fell, destroying the previous record by over 28 inches.  It’s also been bitterly cold.  La Crosse got below zero nine times and only got to 40 degrees once.