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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.  

Wisconsin’s death toll from the flu is growing.  Doctors at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin yesterday confirmed that a child who had not gotten a flu shot died from the flu.  Doctors say 17 adults have also passed away from the flu so far this season.  Public health managers with the state say your best bet to not get sick is still to get a flu shot. 

Wisconsin search teams have recovered the body of the second victim of a semi crash in the Wisconsin Dells.  Crews used cranes that lifted the semi tractor trailer 110 feet out of Mirror Lake and onto a bridge yesterday.  The semi slid off I-39-90 and over the bridge guard rail early yesterday morning.  The driver’s body was recovered inside the truck’s cab yesterday and the body of a woman was recovered this afternoon. 

The Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office has new information on how the fire that destroyed former Wisconsin Senator Kathleen Vinehout’s house started.  Officials say Vinehout and her husband left a fire burning in the fire place before going to bed Friday night.  The house later caught on fire and was noticed just after one o’clock the next morning but the Vinehouts were able to get out safely.  A fundraising page for the family has been set up by Eau Claire City