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Wed
30
Sep

One block of Illinois Street by B.A. Kennedy will be two-way starting Monday

By Correne Martin

One block of Prairie du Chien traffic on South Illinois Street, from Webster Street to Cass Street, will become two-way, and parking will be prohibited on either side of that stretch of road, thanks to an ordinance approved Tuesday night by the Prairie du Chien Common Council. The change is effective Monday, Oct. 5.

According to Police Chief Chad Abram, the need for this adjustment came to the department’s attention through the common council.

“The aldermen in that district felt something needed to be done to alleviate congested traffic issues in the area of B.A. Kennedy Elementary School,” Abram said. “This is just the simplest solution we could provide for parents driving vehicles dropping off and picking up children at B.A. Kennedy. It’s a difficult area; the school is landlocked and there is no off-street parking. The long-term solution would be to look at creating a parking lot for staff.”

Wed
30
Sep

Public input sought for future of historic Brodtville school


The Brodtville School sits empty among the hills of farmhouses in Wyalusing Township, between Bagley and Patch Grove. At one time, 100 school children filled the one-room facility with the sounds of learning. Today, the town board is seeking public input as they decide what to do with the rundown building. (Photo by Correne Martin)

Taking up a large space within the historic walls of the schoolhouse landmark is this hand-painted fabric banner showing an honor roll of sorts of Patch Grove, Bloomington and Bagley area businesses from yesteryear.

A one-time class schedule for the Brodtville School might bring back fond memories for former schoolchildren.

These old photographs are just begging for people to reminisce near them about the days when the one-room Brodtville School was filled with young learners seated two per desk. Several former students in these photos are still alive today.

By Correne Martin

In 1852, some 163 years ago, a one-room schoolhouse was built on the settlement of Brodtville. Twelve years later, in 1864, the original building sold for $71, and a new 26x40 schoolhouse was constructed for $285 in taxes from the township—which was then Patch Grove Township and is now Wyalusing Township.

These days, when most of the men mentioned in those historical minutes now lie in the graveyard behind the schoolhouse, the future of the 151-year-old deteriorating facility is up in the air.

Wed
30
Sep

Wisconsin River Trail

 

Wisconsin River Trail 

project gets $200,000 grant

By Ted Pennekamp

 

The Wisconsin River Trail Organization (WRTO) has been awarded a $200,000 Knowles Nelson Stewardship Grant to go towards starting construction of the Wisconsin River Trail, which will eventually run from Boscobel to Wauzeka. 

Mon
28
Sep

Slow-no wake

 

Proposed slow-no wake at Campion Boat Landing considered for safety

By Ted Pennekamp

 

The process of possibly implementing a slow-no wake zone at the Campion Boat Landing is continuing. Prairie du Chien City Administrator Aaron Kramer said that the permit application has been sent to the Wisconsin DNR for review and fine tuning. 

Mon
28
Sep

Many elements of old hospital to be reused by local schools, cities


Area schools and city governments have had the opportunity in recent weeks to walk the halls of the former Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital building on Taylor Street in hopes of taking materials and equipment that can be recycled and repurposed. Now, Clayton County Recycling, of Monona, Iowa, will begin demolition of the site this week. They will collaborate with Robinson Brothers Environmental on asbestos abatement.

Removing a light fixture from the former hospital property are (from left) Father James Weighner; Jeff Mink, Crossing Rivers Health maintenance; and Steve Rickleff. (Submitted photo)

By Correne Martin

Demolition of the former Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital facility on Taylor Street is targeted to begin sometime this week, according to Crossing Rivers Health officials. With that on the horizon, nearly every interior element from the old building was recently claimed by area school districts, cities and non-profit organizations free of charge for potential recycling and repurposing. An online auction, which ended Friday, sold commercial kitchen and other large hospital equipment to the general public.

The demolition contract was awarded Friday to Clayton County Recycling, of Monona, Iowa, who can start work as early as Tuesday, Sept. 29.

Mon
28
Sep

Meet historic people on annual tour of six Prairie du Chien cemeteries

It’s now fall, which means it’s time for the very popular event, Visiting Our Ancestors, a tour of Prairie du Chien’s six historic cemeteries, sponsored by the Prairie du Chien Historical Society.

On Saturday, Oct. 3, there will be a guided tour of the six cemeteries, beginning at 1 p.m., at the Fort Crawford Museum, 717 South Beaumont Rd. Participants should gather at the museum, where they will board vans to travel to the cemeteries, beginning with the Old French Cemetery and ending at the Brisbois Cemetery high above on the bluffs. At each cemetery, the costumed host of the tour will give a short history of the burying grounds and then she will introduce the resident.

The French Catholic Cemetery is the oldest cemetery still in existence in the State of Wisconsin and may be the oldest cemetery in the upper Mississippi Valley. Few of the graves are marked but much is known about the people who are buried there beginning in 1816.

Mon
28
Sep

Prairie du Chien making water system improvements

Prairie du Chien’s continued efforts toward improving the municipal infrastructure system will focus on the city’s water system over the next several months. Earlier this year, the city contracted with Municipal Management, Inc., of Madrid, Iowa, to do an extensive survey of the water system to identify any underground leaks. These leaks result in water loss, plus additional operational costs for the water system and, ultimately, the customers. Over 20 leaks were identified, with over half of them being classified as major.

“It appears that many of these leaks may have been caused by the extreme cold weather we experienced two winters ago,” Water Department Manager Larry Gates said. “Additionally, we have an old system, with some of the water services dating back to the 1940s. The water department will make every attempt to repair these water leaks in a timely fashion to decrease the amount of unaccounted water.”

Mon
28
Sep

Millville's Hidden Hamlet Art Fair features quality, handmade work


Founder and organizer Judy Carlson

By Correne Martin

The Hidden Hamlet Art Fair in Millville is a tucked-away treasure that’s brought together the community’s artisans to showcase and sell their handmade creations for 35 years. It attracts more people than reside in the township of 200, as an estimated 300 visitors stop by the art fair each year at the Millville Town Hall on County Highway C (along the Wisconsin River). The event takes place Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 3 and 4, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The art fair will feature a diverse assortment of original woodworking, pottery, rugs, wall hangings, painted antiques, sewing, felting, needlework, dried flowers, plants and more. Also, consumables such as bakery and produce items, honey, maple syrup, candy, lots of pies and even soap will be available for purchase.

Wed
23
Sep

Gays Mills man helps protect species around the world


Robert Horwich shows villagers photos in Assam, India in October 2007.

By Ted Pennekamp

 

A rural Gays Mills man continues to enjoy the rather unusual occupation of traveling the world in an effort to help save many different species and preserve habitat. 

Wed
23
Sep

Pedaling for Pets couple raises over $3,500 for Rivers and Bluffs


Ashley and Brandon Christensen (center) are pictured during their visit to the Northwoods Humane Society in Hayward with shelter employee Kim Molitor (right). Also pictured is Geri Phillips (left), Ashley’s aunt and Pedaling for Pets safety driver. (Submitted photo)

By Correne Martin

On one of the hottest days of the summer, Aug. 16, Ashley and Brandon Christensen left Prairie du Chien to embark upon their 12-day Pedaling for Pets fundraising and awareness adventure. They traversed the state, making stops at animal shelters/humane societies in Viroqua, Sparta, Tomah, Marshfield and Park Falls before returning home and hitting Hayward, Eau Claire and La Crosse along the route.

In that time, they raised over $3,500 for Rivers and Bluffs Animal Shelter; provided eight other shelters with donations of dog and cat food, towels, blankets, litter and toys; and gleaned invaluable information to be used in the construction of RABAS’ future shelter in Prairie du Chien. Personally, the couple also checked the incredible journey off their bucket list.

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