Wisconsin

Northland Fallen Soldier Honored with Memorial Garden at Dairyland Outdoor Veterans Retreat

Sgt. Chad Allen, a marine, was just in his 20s when he was killed on a tour in Iraq in 2007.

DAIRYLAND, Wis.- Local veterans, friends and family, and others in the small rural Wisconsin town of Dairyland gathered at the Dairyland Outdoor Veterans Retreat and campground to pay a special tribute to one of their own young men killed in action in Iraq. “After 13 years, his memory still grows stronger and stronger,” said Brandon Allen, there recognizing his brother’s…

Severe Storms Batter Superior with Downed Trees, Damaged Homes

Two homeowners awoke to find a giant tree toppled onto their rental property.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Many homeowners in Superior awoke Saturday morning to see their lawns and property battered with branches and trees due to Friday night’s storms. “The storms we’ve had earlier this year haven’t been as severe,” said Battalion Chief Bob Zimmerman of the Superior Fire Department. “When you start to rank it with regard to severe storms, we saw the…

Douglas County Dept. Of Public Health Face Challenges When Trying To Conduct Contact Tracing

"One of the biggest challenges is incorrect phone numbers, voicemails that are full, so you can't leave a message," said Kathy Ronchi, health officer for Douglas County Department of Public Health.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – If you receive a phone call from an unfamiliar number, health officials at the Douglas Department of Public Health as you may not want to ignore it. The phone call could be the one informing you may have been exposed to COVID-19. Contact tracing is a key method health experts use to help contain the spread of…

Wiaa Signs off on Pandemic Overhaul for High School Sports

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The body that governs Wisconsin high school sports has approved a major overhaul to season structures heading into the new school year as the coronavirus pandemic spreads. The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association’s board on Friday unanimously approved a host of changes, including freezing officials’ classifications, lifting sanctions for leaving a conference, allowing athletes to play for…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Friday, August 14

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 63,723 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Friday morning and 8 new deaths bringing the death total to 1,693 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 1,219,816 tests have been completed to date. There are 56,659 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 5,783 patients have required hospitalization…

Trump Plans Campaign Stops Monday in Minnesota, Wisconsin

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — President Donald Trump’s campaign on Friday announced details of his visits on Monday to Minnesota and Wisconsin. The campaign says Trump will highlight “Joe Biden’s failures on jobs and the economy” during his two airport events. Trump will stop at North Star Aviation in Mankato, Minnesota, at 2 p.m. Monday, followed by Basler Flight Service in Oshkosh,…

Superior Home Damaged in Thursday Fire

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Superior Fire Department says a house sustained about $17,500 in damages from a fire that broke out Thursday afternoon. Fire crews responded to reports of a house fire at 2002 Hammond Avenue around 12:48 p.m. When crews arrived on the scene they found smoke coming from the rear of the home. All occupants were able to…

Coon Rapids Man Dies in Sawyer County Semi-Tractor Trailer Crash

SAWYER COUNTY, Wis. – The Sawyer County Sheriff’s Department says a Coon Rapids man died on Wednesday in a single-vehicle accident in the Town of Draper. Authorities say Sawyer County Dispatch received a call about a semi-tractor trailer crash around 10:22 a.m. on State Highway 70 east of Loretta/Draper. When deputies arrived on the scene an eyewitness to the crash…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Thursday, August 13

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 62,993 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Thursday morning and 7 new deaths bringing the death total to 1,685 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 1,203,559 tests have been completed to date. There are 56,346 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 5,742 patients have required hospitalization…

Rep. Tom Tiffany Visits Superior, UWS

SUPERIOR, Wis.– Wisconsin State Representative Tom Tiffany is getting ready for November’s general election. Earlier today, he made a visit to UW-Superior to meet with university officials. The District 7 representative talked to the UWS administration about the challenges of educating students during the pandemic. Tiffany also met with other businesses around Superior. In his short time in congress, Tiffany…

Carnegie Library Looking For Tenants Before Starting Construction

SUPERIOR, Wis. – After being bought nearly two years ago by a North Carolina-based architectural company, the Carnegie Library in superior is a step closer to starting construction. The plan for the historic landmark is to turn it into a co-working space. There has been a growing need for commercial space in Superior, which has helped expand the plans for…

Uw-Madison Chancellor: ‘We’re in a Real Financial Crisis’

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank delivered a sobering message Wednesday about the state’s flagship campus as the fall semester looms, saying “we’re in a real financial crisis” due to the coronavirus pandemic. How bad the crisis will depend on several factors, Blank said in an online presentation at the Rotary Club of Madison. Those include…

1 of 2 Girls Convicted in Slender Man Stabbing Loses Appeal

(Michael Sears/Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel via AP, Pool, File) MADISON, Wis. (AP) — One of two Wisconsin girls who repeatedly stabbed a classmate because she believed a fictional horror character named Slender Man would attack her family if she didn’t kill the girl has lost an appeal. Morgan Geyser was 12 at the time of the attack in 2014. Geyser pleaded guilty…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Wednesday, August 12

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 62,303 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Wednesday morning and 12 new deaths bringing the death total to 1,678 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 1,188,288 tests have been completed to date. There are 55,855 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 5,711 patients have required hospitalization…

Evers, Baldwin Among Wisconsin Speakers at Democratic Convention

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Tony Evers and U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin are among the Wisconsin officeholders who will speak during next week’s Democratic National Convention, which will be based out of Milwaukee. The four-day event to formally nominate Joe Biden as the Democratic candidate for president has been scaled back to a nearly all virtual event due to the…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Tuesday, August 11

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 61,839 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Tuesday morning and 6 new deaths bringing the death total to 1,666 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 1,177,935 tests have been completed to date. There are 55,151 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 5,661 patients have required hospitalization…

Virtual Roundtable Gives Insight On Joe Biden’s Plans For Manufacturing Industry

DULUTH, Minn. – Democratic Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tammy Baldwin for Minnesota and Wisconsin hosted a virtual roundtable discussion to speak on presidential candidate Joe Biden’s “Build Back Better” initiative. It is a plan to help revitalize manufacturing in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and across the nation. In the discussion, both senators explained how this is Biden’s effort to create millions of new…

Safety Protocols Put In Place For Primary Elections

DULUTH, Minn. – In the midst of the uncertain times of the pandemic, the primary elections in Minnesota and Wisconsin must carry on. On Tuesday, voters will be heading to the polls for these elections. Duluth city officials are spreading the word on what to look out for as this year’s primary might look a little different. The city has…

Authorities Search for Missing 3-Year-Old Near Winter

(courtesy: Facebook/Sawyer County Sheriff) WINTER, Wis.-The Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a missing 3-year-old in Winter. Authorities say Abby Koch, 3, went missing around 6:45 p.m. Sunday when she likely followed the family dog into the woods. She was last seen wearing a black shirt with a flower on it and was barefoot. She is described as being…

Wisconsin Voters Request 900K Absentee Ballots for Primary

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin voters have requested more than 900,000 absentee ballots for Tuesday’s primary, more than seven times what they requested in the August primary in 2018, according to data state elections officials released Monday. The sheer volume of applications is another sign of the coronavirus pandemic’s impact as voters try to avoid infection at the polls. According…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Monday, August 10

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 61,516 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Monday morning and 3 new deaths bringing the death total to 1,660 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 1,172,118 tests have been completed to date. There are 54,364 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 5,606 patients have required hospitalization…

Pattison State Park Trails Busy During First Weekend Open After 2018 Flood Damage

Visitors from as far as Utah came to check out the waterfalls along the newly renovated trails.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Hikers, families and nature lovers wasted no time getting back to Pattison State Park over the weekend as it reopened after two years, after flood waters tore through the trails on Father’s Day 2018. “Very, very excited not only to be on the trails but to be outside, to be around people,” said David Zander, a Minneapolis native…

Man’s Body Recovered From Lake Namakogon

A man’s body was recovered late Saturday night from Lake Namakagon after jumping off of a pontoon boat. The accident was reported around 7 p.m. when the man could not be located after jumping into the water to go swimming. Private boats in the area conducted a search before boats from the Bayfield County Sheriff’s Office, the Wisconsin DNR, Namakagon…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Friday, August 7

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 59,185 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Friday morning and 4 new deaths bringing the death total to 1,640 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 1,121,299 tests have been completed to date. There are 51,940 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 5,458 patients have required hospitalization…

Evers Gives UW $32 Million to Prepare for Students’ Return

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Tony Evers divvied out about $32 million in federal aid Thursday to University of Wisconsin System schools to cover coronavirus tests and personal protective equipment when students return to campuses next month. The money will come from the coronavirus relief bill that Congress passed in May. UW-Madison will receive about $8 million. The other 12…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Thursday, August 6

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 58,640 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Thursday morning and 7 new deaths bringing the death total to 1,636 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 1,105,094 tests have been completed to date. There are 51,604 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 5,421 patients have required hospitalization…

Wisconsin Water Park Closes for Season After COVID Confirmed

LAKE DELTON, Wis. (AP) — A popular Wisconsin Dells attraction will remain closed for the rest of the season after two employees tested positive for the coronavirus. Noah’s Ark Waterpark announced Wednesday that it has decided to keep the park closed for the rest of the 2020 season. Noah’s Ark says the health of its guests, employees, and the Wisconsin Dells community…

Bucktales Cantina & Grill Expands Menu to Include Keto Option

Cooking Connection: Pollo Keto at Bucktales Cantina & Grill

SUPERIOR, Wis. – This week’s Cooking Connection takes us to Bucktales Cantina and Grill located south of Superior along Highway 35. Owner Dee Morales specializes in whipping up authentic Mexican dishes, but the cantina also offers a wide variety of other foods such as burgers, gyros, appetizers and more. In this week’s segment, Morales prepares his newest item on the…

Essentia Health Bills Approximately 1,000 Uninsured Patients For COVID-19 Tests

DULUTH, Minn. — A representative with Essentia Health in Duluth has admitted that the health care provider charged approximately 1,000 uninsured patients for COVID-19 tests, which are free under the federal CARES Act. The issue came to light after one patient told FOX21 he received a $171 bill for his COVID-19 test in July. That patient, Superior resident Nick Dalbec,…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Wednesday, August 5

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 57,779 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Wednesday morning and 9 new deaths bringing the death total to 1,629 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 1,090,303 tests have been completed to date. There are 51,223 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 5,373 patients have required hospitalization…

Goodwill in Superior Closed Temporarily due to Employee Testing Positive for Coronavirus

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Superior Goodwill location announced on Wednesday that it will be temporarily closed due to an employee testing positive for COVID-19. The store says employees may have been exposed to the virus and are being required to self-quarantine for the recommended 14 days. Due to the temporary closure, the store says it will not be accepting donations…

Ashland County Reports First COVID-19 Death, Gov. Evers Provides Statewide Update

More than 960 Wisconsinites have died of COVID-19, 56,000 have tested positive since pandemic began

ASHLAND COUNTY, Wis. – Ashland County reported its first COVID-19 related death Tuesday. As of August 4th, the virus has killed more than 960 people across Wisconsin, and more than 56,000 have tested positive since the pandemic started. “We were in a pretty good place a few months ago, but we’ve hit some serious setbacks, folks, and we will continue…

Evers: No Plan to Close Schools, Will let Locals Decide

(courtesy: WI Dept of Health Services via AP) MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Tony Evers says he has no secret plans to ban in-person instruction for Wisconsin’s K-12 students this fall. Republican lawmakers are worried that Evers is planning to order schools to close their doors and offer online instruction only, as the coronavirus pandemic rages on. But the governor…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Tuesday, August 4

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 57,162 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Tuesday morning and 4 new deaths bringing the death total to 1,620 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 1,078,695 tests have been completed to date. There are 50,426 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 5,346 patients have required hospitalization…

Wisconsin’s Democratic Governor Endorses Biden for President

(courtesy: WI Dept of Health Services via AP) MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Democratic Gov. Tony Evers is endorsing Joe Biden for president. The move announced Monday comes after Evers declined to endorse anyone in the primary and just two weeks before the start of the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee. Biden has promised to make the trip to Milwaukee…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Monday, August 3

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 56,560 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Monday morning and 2 new deaths bringing the death total to 1,616 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 1,070,925 tests have been completed to date. There are 49,565 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 5,298 patients have required hospitalization…

Pro-Police, ‘Reconstruct Police’ Groups Both Protest Outside Superior Government Center

The two protests converged to speak out on what they see as two very different sides of a police badge. 

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Signs and flags, conversations and tensions filled the grounds of the Government Center as a group in support of Superior Police, and a group pushing to restructure their local law enforcement protested in the same space. “We believe that there’s a lot within SPD that needs to be changed,” said Waylon J of the Expose the Gap group….

Wisconsin Mask Mandate Now in Effect

Wisconsinites are mandated to wear the masks indoors or face a potential $200 penalty.

ASHLAND, Wis. – Wisconsin Governor Tony Ever’s statewide mandatory mask order began on Saturday. The order requires people over five years old to wear masks in indoor spaces. Wisconsinites are mandated to wear the masks indoors or face a potential $200 penalty. Ashland’s city council voted not to rule on a mask mandate this week, but per Gov. Evers’ order,…

WITC Unveils New Fire Truck for More Accurate Real-World Training

The new fire truck is being used for training and driver operations in the fire services program and for drivers in the CDL program to get the feel of driving a different type of rig. 

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Student firefighters at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College in Superior have just started training on a new fire truck to practice for more complex and challenging emergencies that life as a firefighter could throw their way. Costing about $250,000, the new truck sports a modern pressure control system, which instructors say helps in transporting water over longer distances in…

14 Positive COVID-19 Cases Linked to Camp Eagle Ridge in Mellen

ASHLAND COUNTY, Wis. – Ashland County Public Health officials say they are currently investigating after 14 people associated with Camp Eagle Ridge in Mellen have now tested positive for COVID-19. “Ashland County Public Health is working with Camp Eagle Ridge leadership and staff to conduct an investigation to contain the virus,” said Elizabeth Szot, Health Officer. “Camp Eagle Ridge leadership…

Washburn County Sheriff Won’t Enforce Governor’s Mask Mandate

WASHBURN COUNTY, Wis. – Washburn County Sheriff Dennis Stuart said on Thursday that he would not be enforcing the governor’s mask mandate calling it a violation of the first amendment of the constitution. In a Facebook post today Sheriff Stuart said Governor Tony Ever’s order goes against his deputies’ sworn oath to the constitution. He says to prohibit public gatherings…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Friday, July 31

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 54,463 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Friday morning and 6 new deaths bringing the death total to 1,600 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 1,024,916 tests have been completed to date. There are 47,289 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 5,155 patients have required hospitalization…

Brewers Home Opener Postponed Due to COVID-19

MILWAUKEE, Wis. – The Milwaukee Brewers home opener has been postponed due to reported positive COVID-19  tests with the St. Louis Cardinals. The Brewers released a statement on their website Friday about the postponement writing: “The following game is postponed. The health and safety of our fans, players, employees and game-day staff is our top priority. We fully support the…

Evers Orders Masks Statewide as Coronavirus Cases Spike

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers on Thursday issued a statewide mask mandate amid a spike in coronavirus cases, setting up a conflict with Republican legislative leaders who oppose such a requirement and successfully sued earlier to kill a “safer at home” order. The Democrat Evers declared a new public health emergency, after his initial one expired in…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Thursday, July 30

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 53,692 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Thursday morning and 5 new deaths bringing the death total to 1,594 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 1,007,882 tests have been completed to date. There are 46,965 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 5,112 patients have required hospitalization…

Reopening Of Attractions Brings Hope For Douglas County Tourism

SUPERIOR, Wis. – More local attractions in Douglas County are beginning to reopen with precautions in place. This may be building more confidence in the future of the tourism industry. Tourism contributes a significant amount of revenue for Douglas County. Reopening attractions is another way of bringing back hope to an industry being hit hard by the global pandemic. The…

Free Drive-Thru COVID-19 Testing in Superior After Weekend of Two Large Public Events

Douglas County officials say despite safety precautions at Bowfest and Head of the Lakes Fair, testing should be done in the virus incubation period.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- After a weekend of two large public events in Superior, Douglas County Health Officials and the Wisconsin National Guard teamed up to administer free drive-thru COVID-19 tests Wednesday at Superior Middle School. 500 coronavirus tests were available in the parking lot of the Middle School. Douglas County Health Officials say before the site even began testing, 75 cars…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Wednesday, July 29

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 52,947 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Wednesday morning and 9 new deaths bringing the death total to 1,589 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 993,091 tests have been completed to date. There are 46,636 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 5,077 patients have required hospitalization…