Local News

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin was in Prairie du Chien Tuesday touring the St. Feriole Island river wall with city and county officials and discussing her legislation to boost waterfront revitalization efforts. The Waterfront Community Revitalization and Resiliency Act would support community efforts to make the most of water resources by attracting water-dependent industries and investments that leverage water sustainably, revitalizing neighborhoods, and enhancing recreation and tourism.

Three railroad cars owned by Avalon Grain, of Madison, derailed and a fourth was damaged near the Campion Boat Landing in Prairie du Chien Sunday, Aug. 30, between 5 and 6 p.m. The train was headed to Mexico and carrying around 4,000 bushels of corn per car. According to a local grain authority, the current going rate for corn is $3.60 per bushel­—meaning a potential loss of more than $50,000 in corn alone. The train was traveling on Wisconsin & Southern Railroad track, about to switch to Burlington Northern Santa Fe track, at the time of the derailment. A witness said there were about a dozen people who saw the cars fall over as the train was moving at a relatively slow speed. “The noise was deafening. It was kinda scary. Everybody got away from the tracks,” said the witness, who did not want to be identified. The derailment caused a big hole next to the tracks.

By Correne Martin

A suspect is being investigated in relation to four cases of counterfeit bills presented at Crawford County businesses over the last couple months, according to Sheriff Dale McCullick.

Fake $100, $20 and $10 bills were used to purchase goods at The Port, Tractor Supply and Piggly Wiggly, all in Bridgeport Township. Also, a customer attempted to use an imitation bill at Casey’s General Store, in Prairie du Chien Township, but the clerk caught it before it was accepted.

‘These were smaller than normal size bills and the color was off,” McCullick said, noting that they were likely made via a home computer and printer.

In these four cases, the businesses that accepted the bills may be out the money in the long run. McCullick said the sheriff’s department sends them into the U.S. Secret Service and the businesses aren’t always reimbursed.

On Saturday, Sept. 5, the McGregor-Marquette Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its annual Labor Day parade. This year’s theme is once again “Circus, Circus” in celebration of the upcoming 150th birthday of John Ringling, co-founder of the Ringling Bros., and later co-owner of the Barnum & Bailey Circus. The parade steps off at 11 a.m., beginning near St. Mary’s in McGregor and continuing north on Main Street.

“Come line up on Main Street for the fun, stay for the Hole in the Sock Gang’s theatrical performance in front of Uncle Sam’s at 1 p.m., enjoy lunch at one of many eateries, enjoy a historical boat tour and get in some shopping while in town. There is plenty of fun and activities for everyone,” Chamber of Commerce Director Carolyn Gallagher said.