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Mon
07
Aug

Boy’s family wishes to grieve privately after pool incident

Submitted by admin on Mon, 08/07/2017 - 12:56

The water and grounds at the Charles Wacouta Aquatic Park were still and quiet Thursday after lifeguards discovered and pulled an unconscious 4-year-old boy from the pool. Staff hoped the pool would re-open Monday, Aug. 7. (Photo by Correne Martin)

By Correne Martin

 

A 4-year-old boy pulled from the Prairie du Chien public swimming pool unconscious Wednesday night, Aug. 2, died Friday at a La Crosse hospital, according to local officials.

Authorities have not released the boy’s name. A family friend who contacted the Courier Press recognized that most of the community knew the boy’s name and that plenty of circumstantial speculation has since spread on social media. However, she requested the public heed the family’s wishes to grieve privately. 

“They’re going through hell right now,” she said.

Prairie du Chien Police Chief Chad Abram said the police department continues seeking facts about the scenario. 

Mon
07
Aug

Scenic airplane rides canceled, city and company can’t compromise

Submitted by admin on Mon, 08/07/2017 - 12:53

By Correne Martin

 

Scenic and public airplane rides provided by Walter Aviation, of Independence, Iowa, at the Prairie du Chien Municipal Airport, were canceled within days of the scheduled offerings last weekend because the company did not agree to a special flying service operator agreement. The contract, which included fees of $1,000, was presented by the city’s airport commission and Aviation Concessions Inc. (ACI), the facility’s operator. 

In a Courier Press letter to the editor written by Walter Aviation President Jonathan Walter, he said, “Unfortunately, Walter Aviation will not be there this weekend, nor this coming fall.” 

Mon
07
Aug

Bloomington’s Ballantine Mansion rescued and restored by Udelhofen

Submitted by admin on Mon, 08/07/2017 - 12:51

Pictured below is the formal dining room and parlor of the mansion. Time appropriate furniture was purchased by Udelhofen to go along with items that were found in the house. Above is James Ballantine’s office, which was the focus area of his own private bank. Today, it houses many novels that were found in the home, along with Ballantine’s original safe.

The Ballantine Mansion is pictured prior to Rick Udelhofen’s work to restore it. (Submitted photo)

By Rachel Mergen

 

When Rick Udelhofen was 16, he met one of the loves of his life, the Ballantine Mansion. Udelhofen, originally from Lancaster, and his friend snuck into the house, like many mischievous kids in the village of Bloomington did at some point while it was vacant. Instead of simply leaving without any souvenirs though, Udelhofen took home an appreciation and adoration for the old, supposedly haunted house. 

He noted about his original experience running around the house, “The house was like crack cocaine. I had to have it.”

Wed
02
Aug

Antiques find their way to local homes through Mt. Hope store

Submitted by admin on Wed, 08/02/2017 - 12:15

Cindy Wachter opened the store Memorial Day weekend, following her passion for antiques and her dream of having the building be a store again.

Inside the store, there are a variety of items for sale that will interest people of all ages. (Photos by Rachel Mergen)

By Rachel Mergen

 

“It was important for me to have it as a store again,” Cindy Wachter, owner of Mount Hope Mercantile, stated about the building her antique shop occupies. The store opened Memorial Day weekend and calls the same location home that the Lansing Store once did years before. 

The building, which also once housed a bar and a sewing shop, was constructed in 1865. 

After losing her job of 17 years, Wachter’s husband pushed her to open her antiques to the community, and she recognized the importance of having the old structure return to its store roots. She stated that she had always loved antiques and wanted to be able to bring them to the local community. 

Wed
02
Aug

Ag classes important to rural students, teachers in high demand

Submitted by admin on Wed, 08/02/2017 - 12:10

By Rachel Mergen

 

“Agriculture classes are more than just teaching, they include actual life experiences,” Amber Patterson, River Ridge alumna, stated. Patterson was a highly active member of the River Ridge FFA chapter, and is now studying at UW-River Falls to become an agriculture teacher.

Agriculture instructors are in great demand at the moment. At the end of the last school year, both River Ridge and Wauzeka-Steuben’s agriculture teachers departed from the districts. Agriculture and FFA are large parts of the rural schools, with 45 students participating to some degree on average each year at Wauzeka-Steuben and approximately 60 percent of the River Ridge High School student population taking part.

Wed
02
Aug

State park hosts Smokey Bear’s 73rd birthday party

Submitted by admin on Wed, 08/02/2017 - 12:07

Attendees of the 2016 birthday bash enjoyed learning the story of Smokey Bear and posing for pictures with him. (Photos by Randy Paske)

By Rachel Mergen

 

“I don’t know what it is about Smokey, but kids gravitate toward him,” Bruce Klang, president of the Friends of the Wyalusing State Park organization, exclaimed. On Saturday, Aug. 5, children and their families will be able to take part in Smokey Bear’s 73rd birthday bash at the state park. 

Smokey’s birthday has been celebrated at the park every year since 2014. This year, there will be a parade starting at 6 p.m. led by the iconic bear, followed by a social that will include Smokey Bear stories, cake and small presents for the children. The annual celebration will be wonderful for the entire family, because even older generations are able to  recognize the symbol from their own youth.

Wed
02
Aug

Wauzeka-Steuben Baseball Grandstand

Submitted by admin on Wed, 08/02/2017 - 09:10

At the high school baseball field for the ground-breaking ceremony for the new grandstand and press box are: SkillsUSA advisor Brad Gillitzer, Zachary Martin, Gabe Martin, Ethano Karnopp, Nathaniel Martin, Bradly Karnopp, Nick Benish, Riley Hooker, Kaleb Marx, Nate Benish, Braden Folbrecht, Jayden Berger, Isaac Byrne, and Head baseball coach Ben Dums. (Photo by Ted Pennekamp)

 

Wauzeka-Steuben baseball 

field to get grandstand, press box

By Ted Pennekamp

 

The Wauzeka-Steuben High School baseball field will have a new and better look next season.

Mon
31
Jul

Justin Moore and RaeLynn among country performers coming to the area

Submitted by admin on Mon, 07/31/2017 - 14:59

By Rachel Mergen

 

“Is there anything other than country?” Justin Moore, the “Somebody Else Will” country singer preparing to throw the party of the year at Country on the River, joked. He, along with many other acts, including RaeLynn, Darius Rucker, Randy Houser and the Eli Young Band, hope attendees of the annual festival are ready to experience some revelry Thursday, Aug. 3 to Saturday, Aug. 5, in Prairie du Chien.

After originally planning to become a baseball player and a vet, Justin Moore and RaeLynn, respectively, have become two of the most recognizable acts in country music. Both have faced their own struggles in following their dreams, though.

Mon
31
Jul

Crossing Rivers colleagues remember CFO as man of high character

Submitted by admin on Mon, 07/31/2017 - 14:56

Dave Breitbach was the CFO of Crossing Rivers Health for 22 years until his untimely death as a result of a motorcycle crash in late June. (Submitted photo)

By Correne Martin

 

In his profession, Dave Breitbach was the chief financial officer of Crossing Rivers Health for 22 years. Apart from such a staid title, Dave was so much more as a human being.

He wasn’t the kind of person who could be summed up in just a few words. If that were the case, the 60-year-old McGregor, Iowa, resident, who died as a result of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident June 29, would be remembered as a family and business man of high integrity and knowledge, with a great sense of humor and joyful spirit, who had the ability to mentor confidently and lead with empowerment. 

Mon
31
Jul

Well Testing Kits Being Used

Submitted by admin on Mon, 07/31/2017 - 10:26

 

Well testing kits 

provided by county 

have been popular

By Ted Pennekamp

 

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