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The U.S. Department of Education awarded A $2.5 million grant to Chippewa Valley Technical College as the lead institution on an open textbook pilot project in which all 16 Wisconsin technical colleges will take part. Over the four-year grant period, faculty from the four partnering technical colleges will create and review open educational resources, including open textbooks, for WTCS nursing programs across the state. The grant will help alleviate rising textbook costs.

Multiple counties in west central Wisconsin are bracing for yet another winter storm.  Snow is expected to move through the area starting around six o’clock tomorrow morning and continue throughout the day on Wednesday.  A winter storm warning will go into effect at that time for Eau Claire, Barron, Chippewa, Polk, and Rusk Counties.  About three to seven inches of snow is expected in those areas. 

Two men are in custody after a drug investigation in Eau Claire County.  You may have seen this while you were watching morning news, as WEAU reports Charles Page and Mark Scoville both 55, were charged yesterday with possessing narcotic drugs and maintaining a drug trafficking place.  They were both arrested last Friday.  A criminal complaint says a search of their houses in Fairchild and Eau Claire turned up meth, marijuana, prescription drugs, and traces of heroin.  Police also say

Barron native and runner up on NBC’s The Voice Chris Kroeze has another concert performance scheduled.  It was announced yesterday that Kroeze is scheduled to perform on the Green Bay Packers Tailgate Tour on April 11th at the New Richmond Airport Main Hanger.  Tickets to the show go on sale this Friday. 

Senator Bernie Sanders is throwing his hat back in the ring, announcing his 2020 presidential bid.  The Vermont independent broke the news in an interview airing this morning on Vermont Public Radio.  It’s the second attempt at winning the White House for the 77 year old who said today “We began the political revolution in the 2016 campaign, and now it’s time to move that revolution forward.”

Eau Claire’s spring primary election is today.  Twelve people are vying for five seats on the City Council, making the primary necessary.  Today’s results will decide the ten who will make the April ballot.  No other elections or issues are being decided in this primary. 

Eau Claire elementary and middle schools will meet Thursday to make up for cancellations due to inclement weather.  The school board voted yesterday to hold elementary and middle school classes on what would have been a conference day.  All schools will be in session on February 25th and June 7th as makeup days.  Board members are still deciding how to make up the remaining missed time for high schoolers. 

The possibility of a virtual charter school is being discussed by the Eau Claire School Board.  A presentation about the proposal was made yesterday at the board’s meeting.  The online program would allow students to learn from a teacher from a remote location.  Proponents say the program would bring more options to students.  The board will vote March 4th on whether to move forward with research.   A finished program would not be put before the board until early next spring. 

Eau Claire County’s Sheriff is expressing concerns about Governor Tony Evers’ proposal to legalize medical marijuana and to decriminalize possession of small amounts of the drug.  Sheriff Ron Cramer says he’s not against medical marijuana as long as it’s regulated by the medical community.  Evers’ plan places regulation authority under the Departments of Health Services and Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection.  

Wisconsin’s lieutenant governor says people need to have access to opportunity.  Mandela Barnes made the remarks during the annual Eau Claire Area Economic Development luncheon at Florian Gardens yesterday afternoon.  Barnes was the keynote speaker and said businesses must collaborate for communities to thrive.  The luncheon included members from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Royal Credit Union, and Market and Johnson.