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Love isn’t the only thing in the air on this Valentine’s Day.  Consumer advocates warn that romance scams are soaring.  The Federal Trade Commission reports hoaxes shot up to more than 21-thousand last year, compared to just under 17-thousand in 2017.  Losses went from 88-million dollars in 2017 to 143-million last year.  The median loss to a romance scam last year was 26-hundred dollars. The FTC says that’s seven times more than any other type of consumer fraud.  Romance scammers

The Eau Claire School Board is set to discuss make-up days for cancellations due to inclement weather.  Board members will discuss proposals to schedule make-up days on February 22nd, 25th, and June 7th.  The Board may also consider options such as lengthening each school day or extending the school year past June 6th. 

Pop-up pantries in Eau Claire are helping those in need this winter.  Feed May People Food Bank is sponsoring the pantries, including one inside Banbury Building number two on Wisconsin Street.  Groceries and produce have been available to those affect by the government shutdown and the tough winter.  Extra funding has made the pantries possible. 

The community of Milwaukee is celebrating the life of fallen police officer Matthew Rittner.  Funeral services for Rittner were held yesterday at Oak Creek Assembly of God.  Rittner is the third officer to be killed in the line of duty in Milwaukee in the last eight months.  Thousands came to the service and participated in a procession to remember and honor Rittner. 

A proposed tax cut bill is facing a possible veto by Wisconsin’s Governor Tony Evers.  The Senate passed a GOP version of the tax cut yesterday, with all Republicans voting yes and all Democrats voting no.  The Assembly signed off on the measure Tuesday, so the plan now goes to the governor who opposes the deal. 

The University of Wisconsin athletic department is seeking approval for an-eleven percent increase in its 2019-2020 budget.  The Athletic Board’s Finance, Facilities, and Operations voted unanimously yesterday to move forward with a request for a nearly 160-million dollar budget to the full board on Friday.  The budget represents a nearly 55-million dollar increase from the department’s budget five years ago. 

UW-Eau Claire’s annual spring career conference is giving students a chance to meet with potential employers.  Employers from Wisconsin, Minnesota, and across the nation were available yesterday to talk to students about full-time positions and internship opportunities.  More than 100 employers attended the event. 

Governor Tony Evers is announcing two additional water quality initiatives.  Evers says his administration is committed to making 2019 the year of clean drinking water in the state.  His proposed budget will allocate two-million-dollars for the Well Compensation Grant Program.  The program provides funding to reconstruct or treat contaminated private water supplies that serve a residence or provide water to livestock. 

Jayme Closs and her family are thanking the community in Wisconsin and around the country for their cards, letters, gifts and prayers.  A statement released today says the many kind words have been a source of great comfort to Jayme.  She was kidnapped in mid-October from her Barron home and spent nearly three months as a prisoner of Jake Patterson.  Patterson kidnapped the 13-year-old after killing her parents.  She managed to escape 88 days later and Patterson was caught and remains in

The city of Eau Claire is putting temporary towing rules into place.  The city is now towing vehicles that aren’t complying with alternate side parking rules.  Officials have also put up temporary no parking signs in some areas where plows haven’t been able to pass through.  Police say they will try to contact owners of vehicles before towing them.