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We could soon be pulling money FROM the books, FOR the books. The L.E. Phillips Memorial Library in Eau Claire is looking at a 23-million dollar expansion and upgrades to its technology infrastructure.   The library hasn’t had any major renovations since moving into the current building in 1976.  Circulation, technology use, and attendance at events have expanded, with nearly 12-hundred visitors each day.

An Eau Claire woman is facing charges after being accused of child abuse.  Jolene Lokrantz was charged yesterday in Eau Claire County with four counts including mental harm to a child.  The criminal complaint says she would get physical with family members and that she body shamed a teen girl.  The teen victim says Lokrantz would also choke her sometimes when she was on drugs. 

We have an update on a local woman who has been missing. You have likely heard about this or maybe you have seen her on your Facebook feed. She has been found safe.  Erin Vandewiele sent concerning texts to friends before going missing for two months is safe after being found in Denver. Police haven’t given any details about when or where she was found. She moved to Denver in June with Joe Mayer, a man she had been seeing

A drug bust is landing three Madison men in jail.  Police executed search warrants at an apartment and two storage lockers on Tuesday and arrested Louis Boatner Junior, Joseph Glenzer-Morton and Stanley Edwards.  Cops seized almost three pounds of cocaine, eight guns, more than 60-thousand-dollars in cash and two vehicles.  The cocaine seized has a street value more than 125-thousand-dollars.

A 43 year old cold case heats up again in Wisconsin as police in Sturgeon Bay make an arrest.  The criminal complaint alleges that 35 year old Carol Jean Pierce  was murdered by her then-husband, Richard Pierce on or about September 5, 1975. Richard previously told officers that he saw his wife in the morning, then stated that when he returned home that same afternoon, Carol Jean was gone.  The complaint alleges Richard was the last person to see Carol

This winter the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, MN is leading field trips to view bald and golden eagles in the area. Registration is now open. The schedule includes six trips, with half dedicated to bald eagle viewing and half for golden eagle viewing. Bald and golden eagle field trips offer attendees an opportunity to view wild eagles in their natural habitat in and around the Upper Mississippi River valley with expert guides. These trips also teach about the region’s

The United States Postal Service is gearing up to lick the holiday rush by hiring over 400 seasonal employees throughout Minnesota and Western Wisconsin with wages of $17 an hour and up. Seasonal employees will work November 24 through January 4, including Saturday, Sunday and Holidays. They also have future career positions available and urge interested people to get more details online.  CLICK HERE TO ADDRESS THE POSSIBILITY

Governor Walker is hoping a visit from Vice President Mike Pence will give his campaign a boost.  Pence and Walker delivered remarks yesterday at a fundraiser at Precision Pipelin just north of Eau Claire. Their goal was to generate financial and moral support for the state’s Republican Party governor and U.S. Senate races. It’s the first time Pence has been in our area since he was elected VP. On the flip side, protesters were out as well, and gathered just

The coffee was brewing overtime as the Eau Claire City Council tackled some biggies lastnight. Here are notes from the yellow legal pad: The council voted on ordinances last night, including those to curb excessive drinking and drug use, a ban to conversion therapy practices-both passed unanimously, and there was also a vote to bring a historic locomotive back home.  The council passed an amendment to relocate the SOO Line Locomotive 2719.

Officials in Chippewa County are increasing staffing to address a continuing meth epidemic.  The County Administrator calls meth the number one problem in the county. Ten new positions will be added to the county next year, the majority of which will directly address the meth epidemic.