Wisconsin

Wisconsin Agency Suspends Burn Permits Amid Dry Conditions

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is suspending burning permits in its jurisdictions in 43 counties and mobilizing firefighters as the state heads into an unseasonably warm and dry weekend. The agency regulates burning in 43 of the state’s 72 counties. Department Fire Suppression Specialist Catherine Koele announced Friday that the agency has suspended burning permits…

Essentia Health Expands Vaccine Eligibility in Wisconsin

DULUTH, Minn. – Essentia Health announced on Friday that it is expanding its vaccine efforts to increase accessibility following Gov. Evers’ announcement that anyone aged 16 and older will be eligible for a vaccine starting Monday. Essentia says they are now vaccinating people 16 and older in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota. Appointments can be scheduled through Essentia’s online portal…

Body of 1 of 2 Missing Canoers Recovered From Lake Winnebago

FOND DU LAC, Wis. (AP) — The body of one of the two canoers presumed drowned in Lake Winnebago has been recovered, according to Fond du Lac County sheriff’s officials. Sonar devices used by the sheriff and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources search teams produced an image late Wednesday afternoon that sent divers into the water to investigate. They recovered…

Wisconsin Supreme Court Strikes Down Statewide Mask Mandate

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The Wisconsin Supreme Court has struck down Gov. Tony Evers’ statewide mask mandate, ruling that the Democratic governor exceeded his authority by issuing the order. The 4-3 ruling Wednesday by the conservative-controlled court is the latest legal blow to attempts by Evers to control the coronavirus. It comes after Republicans in the Legislature voted to repeal…

Douglas County Health Officer Breaks Down Vaccine Efforts As Eligibility Expands Next Week

Douglas County Health Officials look to add to the more than 19,000 people in the county who’ve already gotten one dose.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Starting next Monday, Wisconsinites 16 and older will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Now Douglas County Health Officials look to add to the more than 19,000 people in the county who’ve already gotten one dose. “With eligibility opening up to Wisconites next week, especially with the holiday weekend upon us, we need folks to be as diligent…

Authorities Find Body of Missing Odanah Man in River

The body of 32 year old Kevin Rosin was found in The White River around 1:45 Tuesday afternoon.

ASHLAND, Wis.- A missing Odanah man has been found dead after an extensive search by multiple agencies since Friday. The Ashland County Sheriff’s Office says the body of 32-year-old Kevin Rosin was found in The White River around 1:45 Tuesday afternoon. Police K-9s helped to end the search. Rosin went missing after a single-vehicle rollover crash Friday morning south of…

Wisconsin To Open Vaccinations To General Public Monday

  MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin will make everyone in the state who is 16 and older eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations starting next week, Gov. Tony Evers said Tuesday. Evers, a Democrat, announced the change in a tweet. BREAKING: Wisconsin leads the nation in getting available shots in arms, and today we’re announcing everyone 16 and older will be eligible…

More Pharmacy Chains To Offer COVID-19 Vaccine in Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Seven more pharmacy chains are set to offer COVID-19 vaccine shots in Wisconsin, state health officials said Tuesday. The state Department of Health Services announced that seven new chains will receive the vaccine this week as part of the federal retail pharmacy program, including Costco; CVS; Hy-Vee; Good Neighbor and AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation; Health Mart; Medicine…

Superior Firefighters Train For High-Risk Rescues Involving Their Own

The department's new storage facility was filled with fake smoke as part of the drill.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Superior firefighters got some real-world, high-risk training Monday to help rescue one of their own if they were to ever go down during a fire. Fake smoke was pumped into a 5,000-square-foot storage facility behind the new fire station on Tower Avenue. The drill included a two-person team searching through zero visibility for a fellow firefighter in…

Evers Vetoes Legislative Oversight of COVID Funds

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Tony Evers killed a bill Monday that would have given Republican legislators oversight of Wisconsin’s share of billions of dollars in federal COVID-19 relief funds, instead announcing his own plan for distributing the money. Evers, a Democrat, took the unusual step of vetoing the bill during a news conference at a Milwaukee cafe, holding up…

Search Efforts Continue for Missing Odanah Man

ASHLAND, Wis. – Search efforts continue for a 32-year-old Odanah man who allegedly left his vehicle after a rollover crash early Friday morning just south of Ashland. The Ashland County Sheriff’s Office says teams of ground searchers, K9 search crews, and aircraft have been out searching for the man identified as Kevin Rosin. To ensure the safety of community members…

Man Missing After Single-Vehicle Accident in Ashland, Authorities Say

Initial reports indicate that alcohol could have been a factor in the accident and that Rosin may have been disoriented upon exiting, officials said. 

ASHLAND, Wis.- Authorities are on the lookout for a 32-year-old man who allegedly left his vehicle after a rollover crash just south of Ashland. According to the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, early Friday morning the Ashland County Communications Center received a report of single vehicle roll-over accident in the town of Gingles, just south of the City of Ashland. Sheriff’s…

Third COVID-19 Variant Detected in Wisconsin

The variant known as the P.1 is believed to spread more rapidly and easily than the original strain of COVID-19.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The first Wisconsin case of a potentially more severe COVID-19 variant known that originated in Brazil was confirmed Friday by the state Department of Health Services. The variant known as the P.1 is believed to spread more rapidly and easily than the original strain of COVID-19. Wisconsin health officials also said the variant has unique mutations…

City of Superior to Host Traditional 4th of July Festivities

Mayor Jim Paine says, with the recent drop in cases in Douglas County and an increase in vaccinations, they should be able to have all of their events as scheduled. 

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – The city of Superior will have more of a traditional 4th of July this year. Mayor Jim Paine says, with the recent drop in cases in Douglas County and an increase in vaccinations they should be able to have all of their events as scheduled. This includes a fireworks show on Barkers Island. He says, having all…

Third COVID-19 Variant Detected in Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The first Wisconsin case of a potentially more severe COVID-19 variant known that originated in Brazil was confirmed Friday by the state Department of Health Services. The variant known as the P.1 is believed to spread more rapidly and easily than the original strain of COVID-19. Wisconsin health officials also said the variant has unique mutations…

3 Students Cited in Theft of Rare Tree in Wisconsin

(Steve Apps/Wisconsin State Journal via AP) MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Police who were stumped by the theft of a rare pine tree in November from the University of Wisconsin Arboretum said Friday that they have cracked the case. UW-Madison police said three 19-year-old university students stole the tree as part of a “pledge” activity for the former Chi Phi fraternity, which hasn’t…

Minnesota, Wisconsin Health Centers to Receive Millions in Funding to Expand COVID Vaccine Access

DULUTH, Minn. – Health centers in Cook, Duluth, and Grand Marais, Minnesota as well as Iron River, Wisconsin will receive nearly $10 million in funding from the American Rescue Plan. The American Rescue Plan is part of President Biden’s continued efforts to expand access to COVID-19 vaccines and services in underserved communities. According to a recent White House press release,…

Bayfield County Sees Increase in COVID-19 Cases

BAYFIELD COUNTY, Wis. – The Bayfield County Health Department says there has been an increase in COVID-19 cases over the last two weeks despite rising vaccination rates in the community. New cases have been seen particularly in Washburn, Herbster, Iron River, Bayfield, Red Cliff, and Cable with a noticeable increase in children and young adults. The health department says many…

Wisconsin GOP Leaders Praise State’s Vaccination Efforts

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos is calling on the state’s business community to “step up” and return workers to offices around the Fourth of July. Vos and Republican Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu also joined together Wednesday in praising Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ administration for its vaccination efforts. They spoke during a virtual event hosted by…

Low Interest Rates Continue To Fuel Home Sales in Wisconsin

MILWAUKEE (AP) — It’s been another record for home sales in Wisconsin this past month. The latest figures from the Wisconsin Realtors Association found nearly 4,395 homes were sold in February, up 5.5 percent from the same month last year. Marquette University economist David Clark, who produces the monthly reports in conjunction with the WRA, said extremely low mortgage rates…

Booze-To-Go Approved by Wisconsin Senate

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Booze-to-go will be easier to purchase in Wisconsin under a pair of bills passed Tuesday by the state Senate. One would allow bars and restaurants to sell mixed drinks and glasses of wine to go with tamper-evident seals. The Senate approved the bill on a 28-2 vote with no debate. The Assembly passed it next week. It…

Superior Public Library Card Holders Can Now Check Out Free Area Museum Passes

Once checked out, the passes are good for six weeks.  

SUPERIOR, Wis.- In Superior it now pays to have a library card, which will get you free passes to area museums. The library is restarting an initiative from 2019. Library card holders in good standing can get up to four passes to Superior’s different museums: Fairlawn Mansion, the SS Meteor Maritime Museum at Barker’s Island, The Bong Veterans Historical Center,…

Chippewa Tribes Blast Wolf Hunt, Say It Was About Killing

(AP Photo/Dawn Villella, File) MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Chippewa tribal officials in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan are blasting the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for allowing state-licensed wolf hunters to blow past their quota in just four days last month. Hunters killed 216 wolves, nearly double their quota of 119 animals. The Chippewa view the wolf as sacred and oppose…

Evers OKs Dentists To Vaccinate as Millions Become Eligible

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Tony Evers signed a bill that allows dentists to administer COVID-19 vaccinations on Monday, the same day that more than 2 million more people became eligible for shots. The Republican-authored bill allows dentists who complete eight hours of training on vaccine protocols and record-keeping to administer shots. Dentists in neighboring Minnesota and Illinois are already…

Regulators Let Ban on Utility Disconnections Expire

MADISON, Wis. – Tens of thousands of households in Wisconsin could lose utility service after state regulators voted against extending a moratorium on disconnections. It would be the first time in nearly 18 months that utilities could disconnect service to customers who are behind on their bills. The Wisconsin Public Service Commission voted unanimously Thursday to let the moratorium expire…

Suspect in Wisconsin Grocery Warehouse Killings Identified

(Mike De Sisti/Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel via AP) OCONOMOWOC, Wis. (AP) — A law enforcement official says the man suspected of killing two co-workers at a Wisconsin grocery distribution warehouse before fatally shooting himself was a 41-year-old from suburban Milwaukee. Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Nicholas Ollinger identified the suspect Thursday as Fraron Cornelius, of Wauwatosa. Police say the suspect died from…

Wisconsin Judge Charged With Seven Child Pornography Counts

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The state Supreme Court on Wednesday pulled a Wisconsin judge from the bench after he was charged with multiple counts of possession of child pornography. State Department of Justice attorneys filed seven felony counts against Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Brett Blomme. Each count carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison. The charges were filed…

Cocktails to Go Would Be Legal in Wisconsin Under Bill

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Bars and restaurants could sell cocktails and glasses of wine to go under a bill the state Assembly approved Wednesday. The bipartisan measure has been pushed by bar and restaurant owners since the pandemic began as another way for struggling businesses to attract customers. Bars and restaurants also have a higher profit margin on alcohol sales…

Officials: Wisconsin Man Kills 2 Co-Workers, Later Dies

MILWAUKEE (AP) — A worker shot and killed two colleagues at a supermarket distribution center near Milwaukee before crashing his vehicle during a police pursuit and then killing himself, a union official and police said Wednesday. The attacks happened Tuesday night at the Roundy’s distribution center in Oconomowoc, about 30 miles west of Milwaukee, said Thomas Bennett, secretary-treasurer of General…

Wisconsin Judge Arrested, Suspected of Possessing Child Porn

MILWAUKEE (AP) — A Wisconsin judge was arrested Tuesday on tentative charges of possession of child pornography, authorities said. Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Brett Blomme, 38, was apprehended following an investigation into “multiple uploads of child pornography,” the Wisconsin Department of Justice said in a release. A criminal complaint was expected to be filed Wednesday, the DOJ said. The…

Wisconsin Senate Approves Sexual Assault Kit Bills

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Senate overwhelmingly approved a pair of bipartisan bills Tuesday that would establish protocols for collecting and tracking sexual assault evidence kits. The first bill would require health professionals to notify police within 72 hours whenever a sexual assault kit has been collected and police to send kits to the state crime lab within 14 days. The…

Vaccine Eligibility for Next Phase Moved a Week Earlier

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — People age 16 and up with certain preexisting conditions in Wisconsin will be eligible for the coronavirus vaccine starting Monday, a week earlier than previously announced. Last week, the state said people in that eligibility group would be able to get vaccinated starting March 29. But Gov. Tony Evers on Tuesday said vaccinations are proceeding quickly…

State Estimates $1.4 Billion in Relief Funding for Schools

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction estimates the state will receive about $1.4 billion to distribute to schools from the latest federal coronavirus relief package. Precise allocations to each state are still being finalized, but DPI expects this round of funding to be double the amount in relief funds allocated in December. The federal bill allows…

Dentists Could Administer COVID-19 Vaccine Under Bill

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Dentists in Wisconsin could administer the COVID-19 vaccine under a bill the state Legislature is scheduled to pass on Tuesday, a step being taken as the push to increase people for the coronavirus accelerates. It was one of several coronavirus-related proposals up for votes. While it has broad bipartisan support, other Republican-backed measures are opposed by…

Few COVID-19 Vaccine Doses Have Been Wasted in Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Fewer than 2,400 doses of the precious and highly sought-after coronavirus vaccine were wasted or spoiled in Wisconsin through February, with the single largest case happening when an employee did it on purpose. That is according to data that the Wisconsin Department of Health Services provided to The Associated Press. The data shows that through February,…

Evers: Everyone in Wisconsin Will Be Vaccine Eligible May 1

(courtesy: WI Dept of Health Services via AP) MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Gov. Tony Evers says everyone in Wisconsin will be eligible for the coronavirus vaccine on May 1. State health officials said Thursday that everyone in the state would be eligible sometime in May. Hours later, President Joe Biden said he wanted states to make everyone eligible by May…

Wisconsin DHS Announces Next Groups Eligibile for COVID Vaccine

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin is expanding coronavirus vaccine eligibility starting March 29 to anyone 16 or older with common pre-existing health conditions, including being overweight or pregnant, or having high blood pressure, asthma or cancer, officials announced Thursday. The state Department of Health Services released a long list of qualifying conditions to get vaccinated later this month, including cerebrovascular…

Wisconsin to Greatly Broaden COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin plans to greatly expand the number of people eligible for the coronavirus vaccine by about 2 million people, including those with certain pre-existing conditions, as positive cases decline and vaccine availability increases. Gov. Tony Evers and state health officials planned to announce the next eligibility tier on Thursday afternoon. Exactly which pre-existing conditions will qualify,…

Police: 2 Students Threatened To ‘Shoot Up’ Northwestern Middle School

MAPLE, Wis. – Two students are facing serious consequences after authorities say they threatened to “shoot up” Northwestern Middle School. The 12-year-old boys are in the custody of the Douglas County Juvenile Intake. The Sheriff’s Office says authorities were made aware of the threats Tuesday night. The two juveniles were overheard by other students making detailed, specific plans to not…