“With this generous contribution from 3M, and the 3-year, $100,000-per-year commitment made last month by Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital, the momentum for this campaign continues to build,” said Mike Ulrich, Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Prairie du Chien. “We are very grateful for the support from 3M on behalf of all of the patrons who use Hoffman Hall.

“The preservation of and improvements to Hoffman Hall are a key component of the quality of life in Prairie du Chien,” said City Administrator Aaron Kramer. “3M’s contribution to our efforts today further underscores the role that a new and improved Hoffman Hall will play in helping our local businesses attract and retain employees who are seeking a safe community with a number of healthy and diverse options for recreation and entertainment.”

“This is a very exciting day for the Capital Campaign,” said Mayor Dave Hemmer. “The donation from 3M brings us one step, one very large step, closer to our ultimate goal, and, speaking for the supporters of Hoffman Hall, I want to extend a thank you to everyone at 3M for their support.”

Built in 1962 as part of Campion Jesuit High School, Hoffman Hall was purchased by the City of Prairie du Chien in 2000. No major renovations have been made to the building since it was acquired by the City. The campaign goal of $2 million focuses on the urgent needs of the building’s structure and mechanical systems. Although the building is structurally sound, the planned modifications will make the building more energy efficient and sound for future generations.

Hoffman Hall is envisioned as a top-shelf community attraction that will provide recreation, wellness, health and fitness infrastructure and programming to all residents of Southwest Wisconsin and Northeast Iowa. An upgraded and enhanced Hoffman Hall will become home to expanded programming that will elevate community life and achievement in the spheres of recreation, fitness, health, sports, leisure education and the arts.

American Transmission Company LLC is conducting maintenance work on the Y40 – 69kV transmission line from Boscobel to Gran Grae substations in Grant and Crawford counties, which includes work on seven structures and grading to facilitate safe access to those structures. DNR staff determined that the two threatened snail species, the wing snaggletooth (Gastrocopta procera) and cherrystone drop (Hendersonia occulta) are present in the proposed work space and that the proposed project may result in the incidental taking of some snails. However, the Department has concluded that the proposed project will minimize the impacts to the two snail species by adhering to the conservation measures; is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence and recovery of the state population of these snails or the whole plant-animal community of which they are a part; and has benefit to the public health, safety or welfare that justifies the action.

This proposed permit applies only to incidental taking associated with work on the seven poles that contain habitat occupied by two snail species in addition to several other special concern and common snail species. In order to safely operate equipment, grading is needed to access the poles and create a work pad around the poles. A combination of conservation measures to reduce the workspace, grading and excavation spoils, control erosion, restoration and subsequent vegetation management will minimize impacts to the snails and their habitat.

32-year-old David Slabaugh was at Wyalusing Beach in northern Grant County with his family on Friday. After seeing the river’s current cause some of his family drift away from the beach, he entered the water. He went underwater and did not resurface.

The struggling family members, unidentified in the police report, were able to make it back to shore.

Slabaugh’s body was not found until later in the evening. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Thirty-year-old Joseph Willis was spotted traveling recklessly in the stolen van south on Highway 18 at a high speed and without headlamps. He was paced at 80 miles an hour.

Willis sped up as the officer activated his lights and siren. He led a high speed chase for about two miles before crashing his van near the intersection of Highway 18 with Highway 60 at Bridgeport.

Willis was later med-flighted to La Crosse for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash.

The 1995 Chrysler van had been stolen from a residence in Prairie du Chien.

Willis was cited for Operating a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence and Operating Without a Valid Driver’s License.  Charges are being referred to the Crawford County District Attorney for felony Knowingly Fleeing and Officer and Operating Without Owner’s Consent.

The traffic crash is being investigated by the Crawford County Sheriff’s department.

The city has found a number of rummage sale and real estate signs also in violation of the right-of-way restrictions. Ordinance 6.10 reads: “No sign structure may be located in the right of-way”.

Removal of all signs in violation of the ordinance will begin on June 15th.

May 21, 2011 Guest:

About: Allison is the Market Manager for the Prairie Street Farmers Market held in downtown Prairie du Chien. The market features local products grown and produced by local farmers/vendors.

Listen: Click the play button below to listen right now, or you can download the podcast.

Website: prairiestreetfarmersmarket.com

The lift station, located at the west side of Mill Park Drive, has exceeded its service life and contains confined space that makes maintenance difficult and potentially dangerous for village staff. A new duplex submersible pump station is proposed to replace the existing lift station.

The treatment plant is in need of maintenance. The comminutor, a large grinder, is worn out and in need of replacement. The primary and final clarifiers are in need of renovation. Much of the yard piping and valves need repair or replacement.

The Village of De Soto will likely apply for a Clean Water Fund loan to help pay for the construction. The estimated total project cost is $262,300. The average user charge for a typical residential customer is expected to increase from $28 to $35.44 per month.

An environmental assessment has been prepared for this project. The DNR has made a preliminary determination that an environmental impact statement will not be required. While this type of action normally does not involve significant adverse environmental effects, the DNR is soliciting public comments regarding the impacts of the proposal.

Michael Stalsberg, age 16, wasn’t found until over eight hours later, at 7:15am Monday morning. He was alive but had sustained head, neck, and arm injuries as well as hypothermia from spending the night outdoors in near freezing weather.

The accident occurred on Halls Branch Road located about two miles south of Mt. Sterling in Utica Township. Stalsberg’s truck traveled off the road and went over a steep embankment before crashing into a tree. He was trapped in the vehicle and had to be extracted by responders after he was found.

He was taken to Gunderson-Lutheran in LaCrosse by Med-Link Air.

The accident remains under investigation.

The bracelets say “Relieve, Recover, Rebuild” and students in the Southwest Tech Student Nursing Association sold a lot of them to raise support for the victims of the recent Japanese earthquakes and tsunami.

Pictured (L to R) presenting a donation check to the American Red Cross are Southwest Tech students Christen Harris (Richland Center) and Kristin Kazynski (Prairie du Chien); Mary Sue Divine (Livingston) a volunteer for the American Red Cross; Dorie Hopkins-Studnicka, Southwest Tech Nursing Lab Assistant; and students Angie Kaagel (Blue River) and Abbey Cummuta (Prairie du Chien).