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Police in Vernon County are investigating the mysterious death of a woman.  The Vernon County Sheriff’s Office says 47-year-old Hillsboro resident Tammy Johnson was found dead early last Friday morning.  No criminal activity is suspected but the case is still under investigation. 

Several streets in Eau Claire are closed due to a water main break.  According to the city’s community service department, the break occurred on Menomonie Street just after five o’clock this morning.  Menomonie is closed between Ferry Street and Mount Washington Avenue and access to those roads is also impacted.  People are advised to avoid the area. 

Homeless shelter hours are being extended in Eau Claire due to the frigid temperatures.  Multiple shelters across the city including Positive Avenues and Sojourner House are opening earlier and staying open later so homeless people don’t have to be out in the cold as much.  The temperature this morning nearly got down to negative 30 in Eau Claire and wind chills were around negative 50.  Temperatures aren’t expected to get back above zero until sometime Friday. 

Bitter cold with extreme, dangerous wind chill is taking hold in western Wisconsin.  Sub-zero high temperatures will continue through tomorrow with lows dipping close to minus 30 overnight, not including the wind chills.  Health officials are warning of the dangers of frostbite on exposed skin, which can set in within five minutes at current wind chill values.  Postal delivery operations are suspended today in Western Wisconsin because of expected deteriorating conditions related to the Polar Vortex.  There will be no mail pick up

The case is being dropped against an Eau Claire woman accused of letting men sexually assault two children for drugs and money.  The state moved to dismiss the case against Michelle Mayer after an alleged victim admitted to using marijuana Monday night and concern was expressed for the victim’s state of mind.  The case was dismissed with prejudice, meaning it can’t be presented again. 

Assembly Democrats are withdrawing from a lawsuit over redistricting.  The move leaves a group of liberal voters to continue the litigation.  Pulling out of the case is allowing Assembly Democrats to avoid turning over documents and answering detailed questions to back claims that election maps should be redrawn.  States must draw new legislative and congressional districts every ten years to account for population changes.  

A Facebook fundraising campaign is responsible for raising thousands for an organization that works with the homeless.  Eau Claire’s Acting City Council President Andrew Werthmann started Emergency Relief for Eau Claire Homeless in the Cold, with all money raised going to Chippewa Valley Street Ministry.  The organization began in June 2012 and provides supplies, clothing, and hotel rooms for those in need.  The extreme cold has volunteers going out earlier than usual and adding an extra night of assistance this

We now know the name of the man killed in an accident. It was just after 9:30 Tuesday morning when the Wisconsin State Patrol was requested by Jackson County Sheriff’s Department to respond to a single vehicle crash on Interstate 94 at milepost 128 in the gore area. Upon arrival, it was discovered the lone occupant and driver, a 46-year-old Keith Bonds from Kentucky was deceased. The initial investigation indicated the vehicle was traveling westbound on Interstate 94 near exit

The postal service is stamping out delivery because of the Polar Vortex. Retail operations at local offices will be available, but may be limited. There will be no collection mail pick up from businesses or collection boxes. Additionally, there will be residential or commercial package pick-up services.

Governor Tony Evers is adding two Dane County Supervisors to his team.  Jenni Dye and Jeff Pirtl both stepped down from their county jobs to accept positions with the new administration.  Dye is the governor’s new policy director and Pirtl is the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Children and Families.  A spring general election is scheduled for April 2nd to fill the two supervisors’ seats.