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Wed
20
Feb

1st grade writers develop independence


First grade writing partners Charlie Copsey and Kaylie Kronberg worked diligently and excitedly on their books about candy and cats, respectively, Feb. 14. (Photos by Correne Martin)

Caycen Erickson wrote his informative chapter book about sharks, while his writing partner Briar Smith taught readers about dogs with her title. Each shared their book’s favorite pages.

First graders in Ms. Kelssi Copus’ class talked with their teacher about the different chapters in a book about Grandad Bluff in La Crosse.

Volunteer grandparent Evelyn Dow visited her grandson’s first grade class last week to help during writing time. She worked with Aubrey Fish on her non-fiction book about brownies.

'PAW'SING TO READ Feeling on top of the world for getting time to read with one of B.A. Kennedy School’s regular visitors, therapy dog Spencer, first grader Hayden Cejka practiced his reading skills with a book he personally chose for his sweet friend. The dog’s owner, Gerry Downey also listened, helped Hayden with his words and worked to keep her comfy and relaxed mini golden doodle awake. (Photo by Correne Martin)

By Correne Martin

Once upon a time, the first grade students at B.A. Kennedy Elementary School put their young minds to work, placed their pens to paper, and started writing and illustrating their little hearts out. 

These first graders embody the spirit of the Lucy Calkins writing program, a method of writing instruction the school district has embraced for grade levels K-6. The process— which will start in seventh and eighth grades next year—focuses on fostering lifelong writers by coaching students to write for a variety of audiences and purposes. The youth write about their own lives, write consistently and develop independence as writers, according to the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project (readingandwritingproject.org).

Wed
20
Feb

County adopts new hazard mitigation plan

 

By Ted Pennekamp

 

The Crawford County Board approved of adopting the Crawford County Multi-Hazards Mitigation Plan for 2019-2023 at its regular meeting Tuesday morning.

Mon
18
Feb

Experience bald eagle’s mystique at appreciation days

By Correne Martin

Our national bird, the bald eagle, will be celebrated Feb. 22-23, at Bald Eagle Appreciation Days in Prairie du Chien, sponsored by the city’s tourism council. A few events are scheduled for Friday night at Country Inn and Suites; then on Saturday, a full day of programs will take place at Hoffman Hall. All activities are open to the public and most are free. 

At Country Inn and Suites, starting Friday at 6:30 p.m., nature photographer Ty Smedes will present “Bald Eagles, Hawks and Owls of the Upper Midwest.” At 7:30, a feature of Neil Rettig’s award-winning cinematography, will be shared by local birding professional Dennis Kirshbaum. 

Mon
18
Feb

Gays Mills man injured in Feb. 12 car versus semi accident

On Tuesday, Feb. 12, at 5:23 p.m., the Crawford County Dispatch Center was notified of a car versus semi crash on US Highway 61, north of Mt. Zion.

Aaron Fortney, 49, Gays Mills, was driving a 1998 Buick LesSabre north on Highway 61 delivering mail. He went to make a left turn onto Hope Lane when his vehicle crashed with a 2007 Peterbilt semi that was passing on the left.

Fortney sustained back and neck injuries and was transported to Vernon Memorial Hospital.

The semi driver Trevor Lee Sansburn, 29, Lake Park, Minn., escaped injury.

Both vehicles sustained disabling damage and were towed from the scene

Mon
18
Feb

Man, 55, arrested for 9th OWI following hit and run

On Feb. 9, at 2:41 p.m., the Crawford County Communications Center received a report of a hit and run traffic crash at the stop sign on Homesteader Avenue at State Highway 35, in the township of Prairie du Chien.

An officer with the Prairie du Chien Police Department arrived on scene and determined the suspect vehicle rear-ended a 2019 Toyota Corolla, operated by Jeffrey A. Sharp, 51, Onalaska. Sharp informed the officer the suspect vehicle left the scene traveling northbound on State Highway 35. Sharp was able to read the license plate information of the suspect vehicle and provide it to the officer on scene. It was determined the suspect vehicle, a 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor SUV, was registered to Margaret L. Haas, 54, Wauzeka. 

Wed
13
Feb

K-9 Rico gives demonstration


After starting to bite, Rico was commanded to let off. But then, he went back to business, taking the “criminal” to the ground.

Officer Casey Cox and K-9 Rico represented the Prairie du Chien Police Department at the Feb. 9 Pet Expo at Nelson True Value. Rico showed the audience how he would chase and bite a criminal under his handler’s commands. Volunteer Bob Witt wore the bite suit for the demonstration. Cox explained additional details about Rico, his training, his skills and duties, associated expenses and characteristics of the K-9. For more about Rico, find the Prairie du Chien Police K9 Unit on Facebook. The annual Pet Expo featured a pet parade, demonstrations and more. Event-goers learned about the Rivers and Bluffs Animal Shelter and adopting cats and dogs through the organization, along with how they can volunteer or otherwise assist. People also had the opportunity to shop pet sales specials at True Value. (Photos by Correne Martin)

Wed
13
Feb

New hotel development to offer Mississippi waterfront views


The Waterfront Hotel has taken quick shape over the past month on Main Street in Prairie du Chien. Just Wednesday, passers-by could see the entry corridor taking shape. It will be three stories with 58 rooms and hopefully be open by late July/early August. Since this sign was erected, some modifications have been made to the design. (Photo by Correne Martin)

By Correne Martin

There’s a new hotel development in downtown Prairie du Chien. Brian and Brittany (Sheckler) Nichols are spearheading the project, called the Waterfront Hotel, fittingly because it overlooks the Mississippi River from its location on Main Street. Despite the awful winter the city has had, construction is moving along and hopes are for it to open in late July or early August, pending weather, Brian said.

Wed
13
Feb

There’s a Crush for everyone


Some of the members of the Gay Straight Alliance gathered this Valentine’s week to build excitement about their Crush pop fundraiser, a special way for friends, secret crushes and loved ones to express their feelings for other students. Pictured (from left) are Sophia Valley, Madison White, Ava Longstreth, Maci Dalton, Shayla Trautsch, MiKayla Thomas, Katrina Rodenberg and Amy Foster. (Photo by Correne Martin)

By Correne Martin

Having a crush is a big deal for anyone in high school, especially around Valentine’s Day. The Gay Straight Alliance at Prairie du Chien High School is making sure students have the proper means to spread the love, in a cheeky way, to their friends, secret crushes or special sweethearts. 

The organization sponsored a first-of-its-kind Crush pop fundraiser over the past week as something fun to do for Valentine’s Day, simply to increase awareness about the group and to advocate for diversity and inclusion. The premise is that, from orange to grape to strawberry, there’s a crush for everyone. 

Wed
13
Feb

PdC school year extended to June 6

 

By Ted Pennekamp

 

The Prairie du Chien School District school year will be extended to June 6 this year in a measure to make up for snow days passed unanimously by the Prairie du Chien School Board at its regular meeting Monday night.

Mon
11
Feb

Slide-off results in citations

On Feb. 8, at approximately 2 a.m., Trevor Ferguson, 26, of Bloomington, was driving his 2009 Hyundai, south on Highway 35 in Patch Grove Township. Ferguson was negotiating a curve and lost control and drove across both lanes of Highway 35, before coming to rest in the opposite ditch. At 5 a.m., the Grant County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a vehicle in the ditch on Highway 35, near Kansas Road.

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