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A recent drug bust involved multiple agencies and has local connections. The following is information released from Chippewa County Sheriff Travis Hakes:  A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting  in Madison, returned the following indictments: LAS VEGAS MAN CHARGED WITH COCAINE TRAFFICKING AND  ILLEGAL FIREARMS POSSESSION   Enrique Rodriquez possessed over 5 kilograms of cocaine   Enrique Rodriguez, 41, Las Vegas, Nevada, is charged with distributing cocaine,  possessing cocaine intended for distribution, possessing a firearm as a felon,

A Chippewa Falls woman is being charged with a felony after she was recorded taking out a knife and waving it at another woman during a domestic dispute.  On Tuesday, Mary Foley was charged with recklessly endangering safety, and disorderly conduct via use of a dangerous weapon.  According to a criminal complaint, officers arrived at a home for a call of domestic abuse and the victim said the argument with Foley led to her grabbing a knife and swiping it

Local agriculture producers are being encouraged to attend the Chippewa Valley Ag Conference next month.  The event will feature a keynote address and several breakout sessions on topics significant for agricultural operations in the area.  Those include tax planning topics, dairy market updates, and calf nutrition.  The conference is taking place on February 20th at Florian Gardens in Eau Claire from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  Tickets are available on Eventbrite under the title “2025 Chippewa Valley Ag Conference.” CLICK

A beloved Wisconsin beer maker is again offering tours at their original facility.  The operators of New Glarus Brewing Company made the announcement earlier this month, saying their first brewery is open to visiting guests for the first time since 2007.  New Glarus Brewing was founded in 1993 and makes several beer varieties, including the popular Spotted Cow Ale.

A Trempealeau County man is accused of hitting a state trooper with his car.  Wisconsin State Patrol says troopers responded to reports of a man yelling at people in Arcadia yesterday afternoon.  When they arrived, 47-year-old Michael Peterson was in his car.  Officers say he didn’t comply with officer demands, and tried to drive away from the area.  That’s when he hit a trooper.  The 100-mile-an-hour police chase ended when Peterson crashed into a power pole in Centerville.  He was

Wisconsin is getting low grades when it comes to tobacco use and prevention.  The American Lung Association’s State of Tobacco Control report gives Wisconsin two F’s and two D’s for efforts to reduce tobacco use.  The state’s highest grade is a B for the strength of its smoke-free workplace laws.  The report notes that Wisconsin should prioritize maintaining its clean indoor air law.  Tobacco use is currently the leading cause of death in the state.

Wisconsin students are performing at or above the national average.  The Department of Public Instruction says the Nation’s Report Card shows eighth graders testing third-highest in math nationwide.  Reading scores are about on par with the rest of the country.  The national assessment is released every other year, using tests given to fourth and eighth graders to track student achievement.

“I was really drawn to the atmosphere of it. All the people there were so nice to work with, and they were very team-oriented,” During her four years at Ellsworth High School, Kallie Beissel played sports and participated in forensics. She also took advantage of transcripted credits through Chippewa Valley Technical College. Those 36 credits from CVTC and Northwood Technical College have put Beissel on track to graduate from UW-River Falls in 2026 with a degree in Business Administration –

A routine bridge inspection has led Dunn County highway officials to reduce to 20 tons the weight allowed on the County Highway BB/Tainter Lake bridge in Cedar Falls. “We inspect our bridges every year or every other year,” said Dustin Binder, Highway Commissioner.  “A recent inspection was performed on bridge structure B17-951 and concluded that certain steel members of the bridge have deteriorated to a point that warrants the implementation of a 20-ton gross vehicle weight load posting of this

Wisconsin is one of more than 20 states that are filing lawsuits over President Trump’s federal funding freeze.  Governor Tony Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul announced litigation yesterday which is aimed at preventing Trump’s policy from being implemented.  The president has ordered a spending freeze on many grants and aid packages being paid out to states and nonprofit groups.  This does not include direct payments that support individuals, like Social Security, Medicare, SNAP benefits, and rental assistance, according to