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Only two people are facing charges for drunk driving after celebrating New Year’s Eve.  Eau Claire Police say they arrested only two at the end of 2018, half as many as the last day of 2017.  There were extra officers on duty as the new year began.  Still, officers say they see about the same amount of people driving under the influence on a normal weekend in Eau Claire.  And on that note, now that 2019 is here, and that

Parents are grateful for a healthy baby girl that happened to be the first born in Eau Claire in 2019.  Magdalena Ortiz was born at 4:28 a.m. at Marshfield Medical Center.  She wasn’t expected until January 11th, but ended up being the first baby born in the new year for the area.  The second to be born in Eau Claire in 2019 was Penelope Brinkman, at Mayo Clinic Health System at 12:52 p.m. 

Health experts are recommending folks lay off of booze for the month of January as a means of kicking off the New Year.  British researchers say a new study shows that more than half of people who abstain from alcohol in January reported losing weight, sleeping better, and having more energy.  Eight out of ten said they felt more in control of their drinking and that taking time off made them think about their relationship with alcohol. 

Snow totals are adding up in several areas in northern and central Wisconsin.  White Creek measured nearly seven inches of snow yesterday with Mauston and Union Center both over six inches.  Farther south, Mount Sterling, Portage, Reedsburg and DeSoto all checked in with four-and-a-half inches.  Madison measured about four inches of New Year’s Eve snow.  

A snow plow driver is recovering from minor injuries after his truck slipped off the road and into some trees in Cross Plains.  Driving conditions were so tough in some areas last evening that the plow clearing Barlow Road slid off the road and overturned.  Cranes lifted the plow from the wooded roadside area today. 

Snow and icy conditions are being blamed for a deadly crash in Fond du Lac County.  Police say Rose Larson of Brandon was killed, along with her dog, when she lost control of her car yesterday and crossed into oncoming traffic on Highway 26.  The accident happened shortly after noon.  The driver of the other vehicle was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. 

Wishing you all the best in 2019! Here we go….2019? Yeeeeah….we got this. HAPPY NEW YEAR from the 715 Newsroom

2019 is here, and that could mean harsher penalties for drivers convicted of OWI for the first time.   Wisconsin Governor-elect Tony Evers has said he’s open to the stricter penalties, and he has some support from the law enforcement community.  Right now, a first-time OWI is considered a civil offense, not a criminal one.  It already carries hefty fines and the possibility of losing your license, but leaders hope making the offense criminal could discourage repeat offenders. 

People in a rural Wisconsin county are split over a proposed solar farm.  A Chicago developer named Invenergy wants to cover 27-hundred acres in Iowa County with solar panels.  The proposed Badger Hollow Solar Farm could power more than 70-thousand homes.  Some residents support the plan, saying it has a financial benefit for farmers who own land where the solar panels will be placed, in addition to solar power being environmentally friendly.  Critics say they’re concerned the panels will take up valuable

A 27 year old woman was arrested in Sawyer County after a stabbing early Wednesday morning. Jasmine Carrillo was arrested for felony first degree reckless injury after a man was taken to the hospital. The 27 year old victim had multiple stab wounds-including to his head, shoulder, back, chest and his calf. His name is being withheld as the investigation into what happened is still ungoing.