Local News

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Mon
08
Jun

Explosion at Universal Forest Products, no injuries


Numerous local emergency personnel responded to the scene of a small explosion at Universal Forest Products in Prairie du Chien last Thursday morning. No one was injured but it was reported that the explosion occurred when a spark ignited outside the plant in the bag house, where sawdust is collected. (Photo by Correne Martin)

By Correne Martin

A small explosion and fire occurred at Universal Forest Products on Lessard Street in Prairie du Chien just before 11 a.m. Thursday, June 4. All plant employees were accounted for and no injuries were reported.

The cause is yet undetermined, but the explosion happened when a spark ignited outside the plant in the bag house, where sawdust is collected. The building shook, one employee said, but no one was immediately near the site of the flash when it occurred. According to Prairie du Chien Fire Chief Harry Remz, there was minimal damage but a lot of smoke. Employees were evacuated from the plant for about an hour but resumed work by the afternoon. About a half-dozen fire trucks, the  Prairie du Chien Police Department, Tri-State Ambulance and a local electric company responded to the scene.

Wed
03
Jun

Wauzeka-Steuben grads get diplomas


Class of 2015 Valedictorian Kelsey Kapinus adjusts her mortarboard during graduation festivities in Wauzeka. (Submitted photos)

Prior to the pomp and circumstance of the Wauzeka-Steuben graduation ceremony Saturday, May 30, Jaci Bedtka and Brittany Sautter, like their classmates, were filled with a mix of emotions.

Graduating Wauzeka-Steuben seniors Kyler Mohr, Kelsey Kapinus, Turner Krachey, Brady Krachey and Kelsey Stickley take a moment away from all of the graduation commotion Saturday to pose together for the camera.

Amber Boylen and Drew Mezera

Brady Krachey and Turner Krachey
Wed
03
Jun

Crawford County Dairy Breakfast is June 13


The Crawford County Dairy Breakfast will be held on the Jelinek Farm Saturday, June 13. Brothers Chad and Grant are pictured on the farm. (Photo submitted)

The Jelinek family welcomes you to the 2015 Crawford County Dairy Breakfast “On the Farm,” Saturday, June 13, at 55374 County Rd. E, Eastman, just south of Seneca, at the intersection of State Highway 27 and County Road E. This marks the 34th year of the Crawford County Dairy Breakfast.

The Jelinek farm was founded by Dennis and Cindy Jelinek (Chad and Grant’s parents) in 1980 and consisted of 231 acres and a 50-cow milking herd in a stanchion barn.

Jelinek Farms LLC is currently owned and operated by Chad, Amy and Grant Jelinek, who purchased the farm in 2011. Chad and Amy have three children, Laine, 9, Zoey, 8 and Ali, 5. Grant Jelinek and Sarah Benoy have a daughter Kinsley, 3.

Wed
03
Jun

City RDA to buy Parker’s Repair for more library parking

By Correne Martin

The redevelopment authority (RDA) for the city of Prairie du Chien met prior to the council meeting Tuesday night and approved, after closed session, an offer to purchase property at 128 S. Beaumont Rd., commonly known as Parker’s Repair, for the purpose of creating a municipal parking lot serving the needs of the Prairie du Chien Public Library.

The $95,700 offer, of which one-half of the payment will occur in 2015 and the other half in 2016, is contingent on all environmental issues involving the property being satisfied to the requirements of the RDA. City staff have also been directed to begin a blight determination for the property.

According to Dave Parker, who has run his repair shop there since 1983, one of the gas pumps that was located in front of the facility years ago leaked. He said any problems associated with that have been remediated, but that has to be confirmed by state officials prior to finalizing the sale.

Wed
03
Jun

Mary Jo Cody crowned 2015 Crawford County Dairy Princess


Posing together at the Crawford County Dairy Kick-Off Banquet May 31 are (front row, from left) 2015 Little Miss Squirt Lindsey Nolan, 2014 Little Miss Squirt Grace Zinkle; (back row) 2014 Dairy Princess Autumn Moret, 2015 Dairy Princess Mary Cody, 2015 Dairy Princess Attendant Amari McCarthy, and 2014 Dairy Princess Attendant Brooke Moret. (Submitted photo)

By Addison Mumm

Mary Jo Cody, 16, the daughter of Bryan and Martha Cody, rural Seneca, was named Crawford County Dairy Princess, Sunday, May 31, at Eastman UMC Fellowship Hall.

About 100 people came out for the Crawford County Dairy Kick-Off Banquet, where Cody was crowned. She will serve as Crawford County’s 59th Dairy Princess.

The Cody family owns and operates a 450-acre dairy farm with a 35-cow herd. Mary will be a junior at North Crawford High School this fall and plans to pursue a veterinary degree at UW-River Falls. She is excited about her princess title and the responsibilities it entails.

Unlike many of her fellow princess candidates, Cody lives and works on her family’s dairy farm daily. With no hired help, Cody and her brother, Matt, tend the calves, milk the cattle and complete tractor work.

Wed
03
Jun

St. Feriole Island Improvement Fund could utilize tariffs for revenue

By Correne Martin

A St. Feriole Island Improvement Fund is being created by the city of Prairie du Chien, with plans for revenue to come from an increase in the island tariffs. A new tariff agreement is also being drafted. The Prairie du Chien Common Council approved moving forward with these actions during its regular meeting Tuesday night. A second and final reading of the proposals will be up for council approval on June 16.

Under the proposal, the tariff would be increased 100 percent over the next five years, in annual increments of 20 percent, with the majority of the new revenue going to the island improvement fund. After 2020, half of the new revenue would go into the fund and the other half would be placed in the city’s general fund.

Wed
03
Jun

St. Mary's Academy Murals


Standing in front of an exhibit about St. Mary’s Academy at the Fort Crawford Museum in Prairie du Chien are Terry Meyer of the city of Prairie du Chien, donors to the conservation of the murals Mark and Kati Wanek Forsythe, Prairie du Chien Historical Society President Mary Elise Antoine, donor Sally Kaber White, donor Mary Beth Specht of Clinicare, Inc., and conservator David Spangler. (Photo by Ted Pennekamp)

 

Historic murals to be restored

By Ted Pennekamp

 

In 2015, through the generosity of several people, funds were donated for the conservation of several murals which had been displayed in the former Wyalusing Academy, 601 S. Beaumont Road, Prairie du Chien. The murals will now be restored by painting conservator David Spangler of De Soto.  

Mon
01
Jun

Seneca grads turn tassels, set sight on bright futures


As the ceremony ended on Friday night, Seneca’s Class of 2015 threw their hats into the air. (Photos submitted)

On Friday, May 29, the Seneca High School seniors took their final steps as high school students. Paige Forde (left) moves Morgan Payne's tassel to the other side as the Seneca Graduation ceremony concludes.

Graduate, Sarah Shepard shares a moment with her mom during graduation.

With big smiles and eyes facing the future, Seneca graduates, Dani Boland and Tristain Sparks, march down the aisle.

This year's graduating class includes (front row, from left) Sarah Shepard, Morgan Payne, Michaela Chambers, Morgan Wall, Taylor Redman, Paige Forde, Dani Boland, Katie Baker; (back row) Eric Konichek, Jordnan Gardener, Nathan Withey, Tyler George, Tristain Sparks, Jake Whiteaker, Adam Aspenson, Jeffery Driskill, Caleb Anderson.

Graduate, Taylor Redman, gives the valedictorian speech.
Mon
01
Jun

Grand opening Saturday at new Crossing Rivers


One of the beautiful features of the new Crossing Rivers Health medical center is a stained glass window in the non-denominational meditation room. A stained glass window is the centerpiece of the room, helping to create a calming space for family and visitors to retreat or find peace. The custom glass was created by The Vinery Stained Glass Studio of Madison. (Submitted photo)

Area residents are invited to attend the grand opening of the new Crossing Rivers Health medical center in Prairie du Chien on Saturday, June 6. A ribbon cutting is scheduled at 8:45 a.m. and an open house from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The new two-story, 137,000-square-foot facility is located at 37868 Highway 18, across from the Prairie du Chien Municipal Airport.

Tours will give visitors the opportunity to see the significant enhancements over the current hospital facility at key locations: private inpatient rooms each with a bathroom and shower, emergency department with ambulance garage and dedicated helipad, surgery, obstetrics, medical imaging with new in-house MRI and CT scanner, rehabilitation, homecare and HME retail store.

Mon
01
Jun

Prairie du Chien is ‘Queen’less


Top Notch works on the remodel of Dairy Queen. (Photo by Addison Mumm)

By Addison Mumm

No need to worry, the PdC Dairy Queen is just getting a new look! Dairy Queen on Marquette Road closed Tuesday, May 26, but hopes to reopen its doors around Father’s Day.

The remodel will include new furniture, new bathrooms, new dining room and more space for equipment to accommodate new menu items. Some new items include a warm Apple Tart a la Mode, Fudge Filled Cookie a la Mode, Triple Chocolate Brownie a la Mode, Chicken Bacon Ranch Bake, Turkey BLT Bake, Chicken Mozzarella Sandwich on focaccia bread, Bacon BBQ Snack Melt, Buffalo Chicken Snack Melt and more.

Don’t worry, Prairie du Chien will see the Jurassic Smash Blizzard when the upgrades are finished at Dairy Queen.

“Thanks to everyone for their business and we look forward to seeing you soon,” said PdC Dairy Queen owner Cindy Sinram.

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