Today is August 15th.
Good morning, everyone, for WRCO News.
I'm Todd Compranol, 68 degrees under cloudy skies in Richland Center right now.
Forecast says the high today will be 80.
In the news, the 23rd annual Walk with Grace was held in Crosscobb Park in Richland Center last night.
Even though rain dampened the pavement, the mood of the crowd stayed warm as it was announced Grace has collected
$348,690.46 so far this year.
Phil Knee reminded those in attendance any funds collected through the end of August will count toward this year's total.
Two $1,000 winners were drawn late in the evening in the Grace Raffle.
The big winners were Gail Volstad and Rhonda Merish, both of Richland Center.
Residents of Boscobel are invited to the second harvest mobile food distribution
Tuesday, August 18.
The event will be held in the ICC Catholic Church parking lot, beginning at 9.30 a.m.
and continuing until all the food has been distributed.
This program is open to everyone and no questions will be asked of those attending.
The only information required from participants is the total number of individuals living in their household.
For those interested in the specific items being offered, the menu will be made available late on Monday.
August 17th.
Be a part of history during the moving of the historic Hoover Hobo Hotel today from 9 a.m.
until 2 p.m.
in Waniwok.
The moving of the structure, which dates back to the 1800s, is a part of the Hobo Hotel Restoration.
The hotel was originally constructed to help feed and house hobos who rode on trains that passed through the community.
Today's event will get underway with the farmers market.
At around 10 o'clock, a crew of 50 to 60 people will move the structure 150 yards from Washington Street and Highway FF to the permanent site along the 400 bike trail.
The event will also feature music, a hobo zone featuring kids activities, food stands and more.
The event is sponsored by the Waniwok Area Lions Club, Waniwok Chamber of Commerce and the Waniwok Development Corporation.
On the morning of Friday, August 14th, emergency crews responded to a rollover accident involving a pickup truck and a livestock trailer on Northbound U.S.
Highway 151.
The Iowa County Sheriff's Office reported that the incident occurred shortly after 7 a.m.
near exit 40 in the Mineral Point area.
According to the investigation, the crash was caused when a 22-year-old male from Oklahoma
fell asleep while driving of 2022 Ford F-250.
The vehicle drifted into the median before crossing back over the northbound lanes and rolling over.
Both the truck and the trailer eventually came to rest off the roadway.
Three people were inside the vehicle when the rollover occurred.
All occupants were fortunate to escape with either minor or no injuries and none required transportation by ambulance to a hospital.
A single horse being transported in the trailer also survived the crash with only minor injuries.
A large animal veterinarian was called to the scene to provide assistance for the animal.
The driver has been issued citations for inattentive driving and child restraint violations.
The Iowa County Sheriff's Office was assisted at the scene by the Mineral Point Police Department, Fire Department, and EMS, as well as Dodgeville EMS.
The Richland Hospital and Clinics recently hosted its third Nursing Competency Day, a comprehensive clinical education event designed to further elevate the standard of care provided to the community.
By bringing together nursing staff for intensive hands-on training, the initiative focused on sharpening clinical skills and implementing advanced protocols aimed at enhancing patient safety, streamlining the discharge process, and reducing preventable hospital readmissions.
Transforming the hospital into a dynamic learning environment, the training sessions were conducted within both conference facilities and select inpatient rooms.
This approach allowed med-surge and intensive care units, cert nurses, to engage with realistic healthcare scenarios, applying best practices in the very spaces where they provide daily patient care.
The curriculum covered a broad range of critical topics, including sophisticated stroke scale assessments, congestive heart failure management, diabetes education, and complex procedures such as blood transfusion administration and chest tube management.
The day's success was driven by a multidisciplinary team of clinical leaders and instructors, including Alex Marshall, Lexi Stanek, Kelly Herbert, Amanda Sensenig, Erika Huckstable, Scott Abbott, and Rachel Frut.
Their expertise provided staff with the high-level guidance necessary to master evolving clinical standards.
Rachel Fruit, who serves as ICU Director, Hospitalist Lead and Social Services Director, emphasized that the program is an investment in both the staff and the community, ensuring that patients receive the most effective and compassionate care possible.
This commitment to continuous education aligns with the hospital's recent national accolades.
The Richland Hospital and Clinics was recently honored by the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association with the Rural Stroke Gold and the 2026 Stroke Gold Plus Achievement Awards.
By incorporating stroke-focused education into Nursing Competency Day, the organization continues to uphold the rigorous, evidence-based standards of the Get With the Guidelines program.
ultimately improving survival rates and long-term outcomes for rural patients.
A three-vehicle collision at the intersection of US Highway 61 and County Highway X resulted in several injuries and significant vehicle damage on Wednesday, August 12.
Sheriff Dale McCulloch reports that the incident began when Heather Alexander, 46 of soldiers' grove, was traveling westbound on County Highway X
in a 2015 Dodge Durango.
As Alexander attempted to cross Highway 61, her vehicle struck the driver's side of a southbound, 2018 Dodge Promaster Cargo Van, driven by Jesse Johnson, 36, of Onalaska.
The force of the impact caused Johnson's van to overturn and veer into the northbound lane of Highway 61.
There, it collided with the 2023 Ford F-150 operated by 73-year-old Michael Schnobeylin of Moline, Illinois.
The van ultimately came to rest on its passenger side in a nearby ditch.
Medical personnel transported Schnobeylin and his four passengers to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
Johnson and a passenger in the cargo van also sustained minor injuries during the rollover.
Alexander and her passenger were reported to be uninjured.
Two of the involved vehicles sustained heavy damage and required towing from the scene.
The Crawford County Sheriff's Office was assisted at the scene by the Soldiers Grove Fire Department, North Crawford Rescue, Oakooch Mountain Rescue, and the Crawford County Highway Department.
The Wisconsin Department of Revenue has released its Equalized Values report as of January 1st, revealing that the state's total equalized value has reached a historic milestone of $1.057 trillion.
This figure represents a robust 8% increase over the previous year, highlighting a period of significant appreciation and development across the Badger state.
The total growth for the year amounted to $74.6 billion,
a surge fueled by gains in every property class.
Residential and commercial sectors emerged as the primary sources of this upward trend.
A deeper look at the data
shows that the majority of this growth, approximately $56.55 billion, was driven by market value increases as demand remained strong.
Additionally, new construction played a vital role, contributing $16.43 billion to the state's expanding tax base.
While growth was observed statewide,
certain regions saw particularly dramatic shifts.
Buffalo County led the state with the highest growth rate at 16.4%.
It was followed closely by Green Lake County, which saw an increase of 15.37%, and Rusk County, which recorded a 15.29% rise in equalized value.
These figures underscore a dynamic real estate market and a steady pace of investment throughout Wisconsin.
Good afternoon, everyone.
For WRCO News, I'm Todd Copernall.
The 23rd annual Walk with Grace was held in Croskow Park and Richland Center last night.
Even though rain dampened the pavement, the mood of the crowd stayed warm as it was announced Grace has collected $348,690.46 so far this year.
Phil Nieve reminded those in attendance any funds collected through the end of August will count toward this year's total.
Two $1,000 winners were drawn late in the evening in the Grace Raffle.
The big winners were Gale Volstead and Rhonda Marish, both of Richland Center.
The reading of the luminaries, while the glow from the rows of lighted memorials shown across the surface of the many puddles fit the spirit of the evening.
Symbols of resilience, hope, and support on an evening when conditions refused to cooperate served as a perfect metaphor for the very purpose of grace.
Congratulations and thank you to everyone involved in another very strong year.
Residents of Bosquebell are invited to the second Harvest mobile food distribution on Tuesday, August 18th.
The event will be held in the ICC Catholic Church parking lot beginning at 9.30 a.m.
and continuing until all of the food has been distributed.
This program is open to everyone and no questions will be asked of those attending.
The only information required from participants is the total number of individuals living in their household.
For those interested in the specific items being offered, the menu will be made available late on Monday, August 17th.
The Riverdale FFA alumni will be sponsoring an event tomorrow night that everyone in attendance will enjoy.
Callie Coe, an egg teacher, and the FFA advisor for Riverdale.
We are going to be hosting a Dairyland donkey baseball show in Muscaday at the JC Park on August 16th, starting at 6pm.
And it is a family show.
A lot of laughs.
We're going to have four teams, hopefully, with the Riverdale staff being a team.
our Riverdale FFA chapter.
They have to be 16 and older.
So our juniors and seniors in FFA are going to participate on a team as well.
And then we're also going to have an FFA alumni team and they will be pitted against each other in a kind of a four team format as of now.
Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the gate.
Concession stands will be available with food and refreshments throughout the evening.
Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and your biggest chairs for an evening pack with last friendly competition and community spirit.
Be sure to attend and bring the whole family to Dairyland Donkey Baseball tomorrow night at six o'clock at J.C.
Park in Muscaday.
The Richland Center High School Theater Department will be holding a trivia night and silent auction tonight at the Phoenix Center in Richland Center.
Registration will be held from six to six thirty and trivia gets underway at seven o'clock.
Teams of up to eight people can participate.
Entry fee is $10 per person.
During the evening, there will be a silent auction.
All money raised from the event will help the RCHS Theater Department fund their upcoming musical production.
AJ Clone is a member of the theater department.
Drama club, right?
Yup, so all proceeds are going straight into putting on Mamma Mia this November for the music department.
Everything's done by students, so all the help we can get would be amazing.
All are welcome to be a part of the Richland Center High School Theater Department's Trivia Night and Silent Auction tonight at the Phoenix Center and Richland Center starting at 6 o'clock.
The Friends of the Lower Wisconsin Riverway invites everyone to participate in their upcoming potluck and paddle events Saturday, August 22nd.
This gathering offers a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway while enjoying a day on the water with fellow river enthusiasts.
The event starts at 10.45 a.m.
at Wintergreen where guests will set up their potluck dishes.
At 11.30 a.m., the program will commence with a series of presentations, including remarks from Flo President Tim Zum, an overview from the Wintergreen Project by Jen Philippiak of the Driflus Area Land Conservancy and a discussion on riverway history led by Mark Cupp of the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Board.
The agenda also features a commemorative ceremony for the Wisconsin Heights battle site with Dave Justin and Dr. Patrick Young, followed by a talk on muscles that's M-U-S-S-E-L-S and drought.
The program will conclude with the presentation of the Riverway Champion Awards.
After cleanup at 1 p.m., the group will head to the Highway 14 launch for a paddle starting around 2 p.m.
For those who prefer not to paddle, there are opportunities to help with shuttling or to assist by capturing photos and videos from the bridge.
On the morning of Friday, August 14th, emergency crews responded to a rollover accident involving a pickup truck and a livestock trailer.
a northbound U.S.
Highway 151.
The Iowa County Sheriff's Office reported that the incident occurred shortly after 7 a.m.
near exit 40 in the Mineral Point area.
According to the investigation, the crash was caused when a 22-year-old male from Oklahoma
fell asleep while driving a 2022 Ford F-250.
The vehicle drifted into the median before crossing back over the northbound lanes and rolling over.
Both the truck and the trailer eventually came to rest off the roadway.
Three people were inside the vehicle when the rollover occurred.
All occupants were fortunate to escape with either minor or no injuries.
and non-required transportation by ambulance to a hospital.
A single horse being transported in the trailer also survived the crash with only minor injuries.
A large animal veterinarian was called to the scene to provide assistance for the animal.
The driver has been issued citations for inattentive driving and child restraint violations.
The Iowa County Sheriff's Office was assisted at the scene by the Mineral Point Police Department, Fire Department and EMS, as well as Dodgeville EMS.
A three-vehicle collision at the intersection of U.S.
Highway 61 and County Highway Acts resulted in several injuries and significant vehicle damage on Wednesday, August 12.
Sheriff Dale McCulloch reports that the incident began when Heather Alexander, 46, of Soldiers Grove,
was traveling westbound on County Highway X in a 2015 Dodge Durango.
As Alexander attempted to cross US Highway 61, her vehicle struck the driver's side of a southbound 2018 Dodge Promaster Cargo Van, driven by Jesse Johnson, 36 of Onalaska.
The force of the impact caused Johnson's van to overturn and veer into the northbound lane of US-61.
There it collided with a 2023 Ford F-150 operated by 73-year-old Michael Schnoblin of Moline, Illinois.
The van ultimately came to rest on his passenger side in a nearby ditch.
Medical personnel transported Schnoble and and his four passengers to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
Johnson and a passenger in the cargo van also sustained minor injuries during the rollover.
Alexander and her passenger were reported to be uninjured.
Two of the involved vehicles sustained heavy damage and required towing from the scene.
The Crawford County Sheriff's Office was assisted at the scene by the Soldiers Grove Fire Department, North Crawford Rescue, O'Cooch Mountain Rescue, and the Crawford County Highway Department.
U.S.
Senator Tammy Baldwin has taken a decisive stand against what she describes as the Trump administration's attempts to obscure the human cost of the ongoing conflict in Iran.
Alongside her colleagues, Baldwin introduced the honoring the sacrifices of our Troops in War Act of 2026.
A legislative effort designed to halt the recategorization of combat casualties and ensure that service members receive the recognition and benefits they have earned through their sacrifice.
The introduction of this bill follows reports that the Pentagon has moved recent casualties, including four deaths and over 200 injuries, into categories outside of Operation Epic Fury.
Senator Baldwin argues that these bureaucratic maneuvers are intended to downplay the severity of the war and evade accountability to the American public.
She has been vocal in her criticism, stating that the administration is attempting to pull the wall over the American people's eyes regarding a conflict she views as a reckless war of choice.
Central to the legislation are measures that would ban the Secretary of Defense from hiding the true toll of the war.
The act prohibits the arbitrary redesignation of ongoing contingency operations when forces remain mobilized against the same enemy.
Furthermore, it seeks to prevent the manipulation of casualty records and mandates the restoration of records for Iran-related operations dating back to February, 2026.
This includes a requirement to note
notify the next of kin about any such corrections to the official record.
Beyond record keeping, the bill addresses the tangible impact on those serving in the conflict.
It specifically bans the modification of eligibility for deployment related benefits based on false redesignations of contingency operations.
By retroactively restoring benefits for both armed service members and civilian personnel supporting Iran related operations, the legislation aims to provide
the respect and financial security Baldwin asserts these heroes deserve.
This push for accountability comes as Baldwin continues to highlight cases of inadequate care for injured troops, including Wisconsinites, who face delays in screening and treatment for traumatic brain injuries.
Today is August 15th.
These are today's vital statistics.
James R. Jim Hansel, 97 of the town of Henrietta, died June 30th at home.
A celebration of life will be held today at Mick Memorial Park in Hub City.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m.
until noon.
A memorial service will follow.
There will be a time of Uker playing and karaoke following the service in tribute to Jim.
burial will be in St.
Patrick's Cemetery in Melantha Creek.
Memorials may be directed to Mick Memorial Park.
James R. Jim Hansel, 97 of the town of Henrietta.
Paul J. Roberts, 54 of Soldiers Grove, died unexpectedly July 20th in La Crosse from complications during heart surgery.
A celebration of life will be held today at Community of Christ Church in Soldiers Grove at 12 noon.
A visitation will be held from 10 a.m.
until the time of service.
Roth Family Cremation Center and Funeral Services is assisting the family.
Paul J. Roberts 54 of Soldiers Grove
Irma M. Hansen Miller, 91 of Blue River, died Thursday, August 6 at Schmidt-Woodland Hills after a short illness.
Funeral services will be held Monday, August 17 at 11 a.m.
at the Pratt Memorial Chapel with burial to follow in the Basswood Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Monday, August 17 at the Pratt Memorial Chapel from 9 a.m.
until the time of service at 11.
The Pratt Funeral and Cremation Service is assisting the family with their arrangements.
Irma M. Hansen Miller, 91 of Blue River.
Gilbert H. Burmester, 97 of Loganville, died August 12.
Funeral services for Gilbert Burmester will be conducted at 11.30 a.m.
Tuesday, August 18 at the Farber Funeral Home in Reedsburg.
Visitation will be at the funeral home on Tuesday at 9.30 until the time of service.
Burial will be in St.
Peter's Cemetery in Loganville and luncheon to follow at Loganville's fire department.
Gilbert Burmester, 97 of Loganville.
Raymond James Ray Bass, 77 of rural Richland County died Monday, August 10th at his home.
A celebration of life will be held at 6 p.m.
Tuesday, August 18 at the Pratt Memorial Chapel with military honors to be provided by the Viola American Legion post 447.
A visitation will be held Tuesday, August 18 at the Pratt Memorial Chapel from 4 p.m.
until the time of service at 6.
Memorials in Ray's name can be directed to the Viola Fire Department, Kickapoo Rescue Squad, or Viola American Legion post 447.
The Pratt Funeral Anchormation Service is assisting the family with arrangements.
Raymond James Ray Bass, 77 of rural Richland County.
Eileen Catherine Hegg Emberley, 95 of Lone Rock died August 8th in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
A funeral mass will be held Thursday, August 20th at 11 a.m.
at St.
John's Catholic Church in Spring Green, immediately followed by a luncheon at the Wisconsin Riverside Resort from 12 p.m.
until 2 p.m.
with burial at 2.30 p.m.
at the St.
Gillian's Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 19th from 4 p.m.
until 7 p.m.
at St.
John's Catholic Church and again Thursday from 10 a.m.
until the time of the Mass.
Eileen Catherine Hegg Eberle, 95, of Lone Rock.
Richard Arlin Olsen, 94, of Avoka, died August 13.
Funeral services will be held Friday, August 21, at 1 p.m.
at St.
Joseph's Catholic Church in Avoka.
Barrio will follow in St.
Joseph's Catholic Cemetery with military graveside rites to be conducted by the Avoka American Legion.
post 335.
Visitation will be held at St.
Joseph's Catholic Church Friday, August 21st from 10 a.m.
until the time of the Mass at 1 p.m.
Memorials may be directed to the Riverdale Food Pantry or a charity of your choice.
The Pratt Funeral Antrimation Service is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Richard Arlen Olson, 94 of AVOCA.
Albert Anthony Grell Jr.
91 of Gotham died Friday, August 14 at his home.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, August 23 at 1 p.m.
at the Pratt Memorial Chapel.
Burial will follow at the Bear Valley Cemetery with military rights to be provided by the local Military Memorial Honors Unit.
Visitation will be held Sunday, August 23 at the Pratt Memorial Chapel.
from 12 noon until the time of service at 1 p.m.
The Pratt Funeral Anchormation Service is assisting the family.
Albert Anthony Grell Jr., 91 of Gotham.
Amber Brown, 51, formerly of Reedsburg, died Thursday, August 13th.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society in Amber's memory.
Farber Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Amber Brown, 51, formerly of Reedsburg.
This concludes today's vital statistics.
I'm Phil Knee with news.
On Friday morning, emergency crews responded to a rollover accident involving a pickup truck and a livestock trailer on Northbound US 151.
The Iowa County Sheriff's Office reported that the incident occurred shortly after 7 a.m.
near exit 40 in the mineral point area.
According to the investigation, the crash was caused when a 22-year-old male from Oklahoma fell asleep while driving a 2022 Ford F-250.
The vehicle drifted into the median before crossing
back over the northbound lanes and rolling over.
Both the truck and the trailer eventually came to arrest off the roadway.
Three people were inside the vehicle when the rollover occurred.
All occupants were fortunate to escape with either minor or no injuries and none required transportation by ambulance to a hospital.
The driver has been issued citations for inattentive driving and child restraint violations.
The Iowa County Sheriff's Office was assisted at the scene by the Mineral Point Police Department, Fire Department, and
as well as Dodgeville EMS.
A three-vehicle collision at the intersection of US Highway 161 and County Highway X resulted in several injuries and significant damage on Wednesday, Sheriff Dale McCulloch reports.
The incident began when Heather Alexander, 46 of Soldiers Grove, was traveling westbound on County Highway X in a 2015 Dodge Durango as Alexander attempted a cross US Highway 61.
Her vehicle struck the driver's
side of a southbound 2018 Dodge Promaster cargo van driven by Jesse Johnson of Onalaska.
The force of the impact caused Johnson's van to overturn and veer into the northbound lane of US Highway 61.
There it collided with a 2023 Ford F-150 operated by 73-year-old Michael Schoenbalen of Moline, Illinois.
The van ultimately came to a rest on its passenger side in a nearby ditch.
Medical personnel transported snow
and his four passengers to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
Johnson and a passenger in the cargo van also sustained minor injuries.
Alexander and her passenger were reported to be uninjured.
Two of the involved vehicles sustained heavy damage and required towing from the scene.
The Crawford County Sheriff's Office was assisted at the scene by the Soldiers Grove Fire Department, North Crawford Rescue, Okuch Mountain Rescue, and the Crawford County Highway Department.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has announced that bonus antlerless harvest authorizations for the 2026 gun deer season will become available starting at 10 a.m.
on Monday.
Purchases can be made through the Go Wild online portal or at official licensed sales locations.
to manage the expected high volume of traffic and online the quelling system will be implemented.
Customers entering the Go Wild site between 9.45 and 10 a.m.
will be randomly assigned a spot in a virtual queue while those arriving after 10 a.m.
will be added to the end of the line in order of arrival.
The cost is set at $12 for Wisconsin residents, $20 for non-residents, and $5 for youth hunters HS11 and under.
Additionally, beginning this year, all users with existing Go Wild accounts are required to use their established username and password for login.
New users will be prompted to create those credentials to access their accounts.
Hunters are encouraged to verify their account information and review the current deer management unit maps prior to the start of the sales period to ensure a smooth transaction.
The Russell Center High School Theater Department will be holding a trivia night and silent auction tonight at the Phoenix Center in Richland Center.
Registration will be held from 6 until 6.30.
Trivia will get underway at 7.
Teams of up to 8 people can take part.
Entry fee is $10 per person.
Also during the evening there will be a silent auction.
All money raised from the event will help the RCHS Theater Department fund their upcoming musical production.
AJ Clone is a member of the Theater Department.
Drama Club,
right?
Yup, so all proceeds are going straight into putting on Mamma Mia this November for the music department.
Everything's done by students, so all the help we can get would be amazing.
All are welcome to be a part of the Richland Center High School Theater Department's Trivia Night and Silent Auction tonight at the Phoenix Center in Richland Center starting at 6 o'clock.
There was a young man named Peter
Greenwood who was very athletic in high school and he was having some pain.
And they diagnosed it eventually as cancer.
And so they ended up having to do a partial amputation, try to get rid of the cancer.
And so he was hoping that he could remain active and get an athletic prosthetic leg.
And this is around the time where the Gulf War made prosthetics much more popular.
And they were much more plentiful down the road than they were back then.
So this was a $45,000 question.
And so we managed to do enough to raise enough money to do that.
There was a variety of little fundraisers around the community.
And then the day in the park, which was the first year we did it, and we made enough money to get him his leg.
And then we had money left over and we talked with the family and they decided that this should go on and pay it forward.
So we've been able to do it
ever since.
Since 2005, Fort Pete's Sake has raised over $1,600,000 and helped to change the lives of over 125 River Valley area residents.
Funds raised at this year's Day in the Park event will help 2026 recipients, Troy Vanderheiden and the family of the late Steve Hilston.
Day in the Park will feature a wide variety of activities.
We've got activities to rum walk, pickleball, bike ride, so that all starts between eight and nine o'clock in the morning.
There's going to be bands from 11 o'clock until seven, a mixture of jazz and folk and things.
So pretty mellow, very family friendly.
We've got a silent auction with some incredible stuff in it.
You can go to our website and check all of that out for PeteSake.com.
All are welcome to a town for Pete's sake, day in the park tomorrow from eight until seven at Spring Green Municipal Park.
The Riverdale FFA alumni will be sponsoring an event tomorrow night that everyone in attendance will enjoy watching.
Callie Cole and Ag teacher and FFA advisor for Riverdale.
We are going to be hosting a Darryl and donkey baseball show in Muscaday at the JC Park on August 16th starting at 6 p.m.
And it is a family show a lot of laughs and we're going to have four teams Hopefully with the Riverdale staff being a team our Riverdale FFA chapter have to be 16 and older So our juniors and seniors and FFA are going to participate on a team as well And then we're also going to have an FFA alumni team
and they will be pitted against each other in a kind of a four team format as of now.
Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the gate.
Concession stands will be available with food and refreshments throughout the evening.
Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and your biggest chairs for an evening pack with laughs, friendly competition, and community spirit.
Be sure to attend and bring the whole family to Dairyland Donkey Baseball tomorrow night at 6 at JC Park in Muscatay.
A walk with Grace Motorcycle Ride will be held tomorrow.
vehicles will leave honkers outside of Muscatay at noon and drive to Rockton for chicken.
Following the chicken dinner, participants will return to Muscatay and enjoy cake and ice cream at Sportsman's Lounge.
Everyone is welcome to take part in all vehicles are welcome.
Cost is a $10 donation, which will help benefit greater Richland area cancer elimination.
For more information, contact Tom Hendricks at 608-739-4321.
The 23rd annual walk with Grace was held last night at Cross Capac, even though the rain dampened the pavement.
The mood of the crowd stayed warm as it was announced.
Grace has collected $348,690.46.
A reminder that any funds collected through the end of August will count toward this year's total.
Two $1,000 winners were drawn late in the evening in the Grace Raffle.
The big winners were Gail Valstead and Rhonda Marish, both of
Richland Center.
Congratulations to them.
By the way, today's winners of $100 each in the Walk With Grace calendar raffle are Dennis Kataravik of Hillsboro on ticket number 828 and Heather Boyer of Richland Center on ticket number 138.
and residents of basketball are invited to the second harvest mobile food distribution on Tuesday the event will be held in the ICC Catholic Church parking lot beginning at 9 30 continuing until the food has been distributed the program is open to everyone and no questions will be asked of those attending the only information required from participants is the total number of individuals living in their household for those interested in the specific items being offered the menu will be available late on Monday
Here are today's vital statistics.
Irma M. Hansen Miller, 91 of Blue River, died on Thursday August 6th at Schmidt-Wooden Hills after a short illness.
Funeral services will be held on Monday at 11 a.m.
at the Pratt Memorial Chapel with burial to follow in the Basswood Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Monday at the Pratt Memorial Chapel from 9 a.m.
until the service time at 11.
The Pratt Funeral and Cremation Service is assisting the family with their arrangements for Irma M. Hansen Miller, 91 of Blue River.
Gilbert H. Burmester, 97 of Loganville, died August 12.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11.30 on Tuesday at the Farber Funeral Home in Reedsburg.
Visitation will also be at the funeral home on Tuesday at 9.30 until the time of service.
Barry will be in St.
Peter's Cemetery in Loganville and luncheon to follow at Loganville's fire department.
Gilbert H. Burmester, 97
of Loganville.
Raymond James Ray Bass, 77 of Earl Richland County, died Monday August 10th at his home.
A celebration of life will be held at 6 p.m.
on Tuesday at the Pratt Memorial Chapel with military honors to be provided by the Viola American Legion Post 447.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday at the Pratt Memorial Chapel from 4 p.m.
until the service time at 6 p.m.
Memorials in Ray's name can be directed to the Viola Fire Department, Kickapoo Rescue Squad, or Viola American Legion Post for 47.
The Pratt Funeral and Cremation Service is assisting a family with arrangements for Raymond James Ray Bass, 77 of rural Richland County.
Eileen Catherine Haig-Eberle.
95 of Lone Rock died August 8th in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
A funeral mass will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m.
at St.
John's Catholic Church in Spring-Green, immediately followed by a luncheon at the Wisconsin Riverside Resort in Spring-Green from noon until 2, with burial at 2.30 in the St.
Killian's Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 4 until 7 at St.
John's Catholic Church and again on Thursday from 10 a.m.
until the time of the mass.
Catherine Hague, Eberle, 95 of Lone Rock.
Richard Arlen Olson, 94 of Evoka, died August 13.
Funeral services will be held Friday at 1 p.m.
at St.
Joseph's Catholic Church in Evoka.
Burial will follow in St.
Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, with military graveside rights to be conducted by the Evoka American Legion Post 335.
Visitation will be held at St.
Joseph's Catholic Church Friday from 10 a.m.
until the time of the Mass at 1 p.m.
Memorials may be directed to Riverdale Food Pantry or a charity of your choice.
The Pratt Funeral and Cremation Service is assisting the family with their arrangements.
For Richard Arlen Olson, 94 of Avoka.
Albert Anthony Grell, Jr., 91 of Gotham, died on Friday at his home.
Funeral services will be held on Sunday at 1 p.m.
at the Pratt Memorial Chapel.
Burial will follow at the Bear Valley Cemetery, with military rights to be provided by the Local Military Memorial Honors Unit.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 23 at the Pratt Memorial Chapel from noon until the service time at 1.
The Pratt Funeral and Cremation Service is assisting the family with their arrangements for Albert Anthony Grell Jr.
91 of Gotham.
And Amber Brown, 51, formerly of Reedsburg, died Thursday.
In Louis Flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society in Amber's memory.
Farber Funeral Home is assisting the family of Amber Brown, 51.
formerly of Reedsburg.
Today is August 15th.
These are today's vital statistics.
Irma M. Hansen Miller, 91 of Blue River, died Thursday, August 6th at Schmidt Woodland Hills after a short illness.
Funeral services will be held Monday, August 17th at 11am at the Pratt Memorial Chapel with burial to follow in the Basswood Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Monday, August 17 at the Pratt Memorial Chapel from 9 a.m.
until the time of service at 11.
Irma is survived by her husband, Donald, children, Timothy, Mark and Valerie, Daniel and Brian, and Doug, three grandchildren, three great-grandchildren.
Irma M. Hansen Miller, 91 of Blue River.
Gilbert H. Burmester, 97 of Loganville, died August 12.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11.30 a.m.
Tuesday, August 18 at the Farber Funeral Home in Reedsburg.
Visitation will also be at the funeral home on Tuesday at 9.30 until the time of service.
Barrio will be in St.
Peter's Cemetery in Loganville and launching to follow at Loganville's fire department.
Gilbert is survived by his stepdaughters, Judy Prince, Sharon and Robert Bishop, and Donna and Lowell Upperman.
Many step-grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, many other relatives and friends.
Gilbert H. Burmester, 97 of Loganville.
Raymond James Ray Bass 77 of rural Richland County died Monday August 10th at his home.
A celebration of life will be held at 6 p.m.
Tuesday August 18th at the Pratt Memorial Chapel with military honors to be provided by the Viola American Legion post 447.
A visitation will be held Tuesday August 18th at the Pratt Memorial Chapel from 4 p.m.
until the time of service at 6 p.m.
Memorials in Ray's name can be directed to the Viola Fire Department, Kikapu Rescue Squad, or Viola American Legion post 447.
The Pratt Funeral Anchorimation Service is assisting the family with arrangements.
Ray is survived by his wife Susan, daughter Tina Ray Bass Moore, sons Ricky Bass, Steven and Kelly Bass, many other relatives and friends.
Raymond James Ray Bass, 77 of rural Richland County.
Eileen Catherine Hegg Eberle, 95 of Lone Rock, died August 8th in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
A funeral mass will be held Thursday, August 20th at 11 a.m.
at St.
John's Catholic Church in Spring Green, immediately followed by a luncheon at the Wisconsin Riverside Resort in Spring Green from 12 noon until 2 p.m.
with burial at 2.30 p.m.
in the St.
Killian Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 19th from 4 p.m.
to 7 p.m.
at St.
John's Catholic Church and again on Thursday from 10 a.m.
until the time of Mass.
Eileen is survived by five children, Luanne and Steve Greenhack, Randall and Darla Christian Eberle, Joellen Frawley and partner Jim, Diane Lombardo and Angela and Joe Droll.
Brothers Clarence and Herlinda Hagg and Dick and Pam Hagg, sisters Harriet Torgerson and Joe Gruber, 15 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends, Eileen Catherine Hagg-Eberle, 95 of Lone Rock.
Richard Arlen Olson, 94 of Avoka, died August 13.
Funeral services will be held Friday, August 21, at 1 p.m.
at St.
Joseph's Catholic Church in Evoca.
Barrio will follow in St.
Joseph's Catholic Cemetery with military graveside rites to be conducted by the Evoca American Legion post 335.
Visitation will be held at St.
Joseph's Catholic Church Friday, August 21, from 10 a.m.
until the time of Mass at 1 p.m.
Memorials may be directed to the Riverdale Food Pantry or a charity of your choice.
Richard is survived by and will be deeply missed by his six children, Debbie and Jim Patch, David and Terry Olson, Tom and Laurie Olson, Laurie and Mike Pink, Terry and Russell Zing Olson and Steve Olson.
Brother Dwayne and Karen Olson, Sister Joan and Danny Crows, Sister-in-law Mildred Olson, Brother-in-law Gary Putman, 14 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends, Richard Arlen Olson, 94 of a Volca.
Albert Anthony Grell Jr., 91 of Gotham, died Friday, August 14 at his home.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, August 23 at 1 p.m.
at the Pratt Memorial Chapel.
Burial will follow at the Bear Valley Cemetery with military rights to be provided by the Local Military Memorial Honors Unit.
Visitation will be held Sunday, August 23 at the Pratt Memorial Chapel from 12 noon until the time of service at 1 p.m.
Albert is survived by his three children, Mitzi and Paul, Rasa Zuzki, Chip Grell of Gotham, and Dawn Eno.
Sister-in-law Sharon Kramer, six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren.
Albert Anthony Grell, Jr., 91 of Gotham.
Amber Brown, 51, formerly of Reedsburg, died Thursday, August 13th.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society in Amber's memory.
Farber Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Amber is survived by her former husband, Todd Brown.
Brother, Drago and Rita Stittleburg.
Children, Alex and Mandy Brown.
Connor Brown and Brad Saunders.
Macy Brown and Erin Custopoulos.
Mia Brown and Mason Meeseburg.
Shelby Brown and James Brown.
Three grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and friends.
Amber Brown, 51, formerly.
of Reedsburg.
This concludes today's Vital Statistics.
Good afternoon, everyone.
For WRCO News, I'm Todd Copernall.
The 23rd annual Walk with Grace was held in Croskow Park and Richland Center last night.
Even though rain dampened the pavement, the mood of the crowd stayed warm as it was announced Grace has collected $348,690.46 so far this year.
Phil Nieve reminded those in attendance any funds collected through the end of August will count toward this year's total.
Two $1,000 winners were drawn late in the evening in the Grace Raffle.
The big winners were Gale Volstead and Rhonda Marish, both of Richland Center.
The reading of the luminaries, while the glow from the rows of lighted memorials shown across the surface of the many puddles fit the spirit of the evening.
Symbols of resilience, hope, and support on an evening when conditions refused to cooperate served as a perfect metaphor for the very purpose of grace.
Congratulations and thank you to everyone involved in another very strong year.
Residents of Bosquebell are invited to the second Harvest mobile food distribution on Tuesday, August 18th.
The event will be held in the ICC Catholic Church parking lot beginning at 9.30 a.m.
and continuing until all of the food has been distributed.
This program is open to everyone and no questions will be asked of those attending.
The only information required from participants is the total number of individuals living in their household.
For those interested in the specific items being offered, the menu will be made available late on Monday, August 17th.
The Riverdale FFA alumni will be sponsoring an event tomorrow night that everyone in attendance will enjoy.
Callie Coe, an egg teacher, and the FFA advisor for Riverdale.
We are going to be hosting a Dairyland donkey baseball show in Muscaday at the JC Park on August 16th, starting at 6pm.
And it is a family show.
A lot of laughs.
We're going to have four teams, hopefully, with the Riverdale staff being a team.
our Riverdale FFA chapter.
They have to be 16 and older.
So our juniors and seniors in FFA are going to participate on a team as well.
And then we're also going to have an FFA alumni team and they will be pitted against each other in a kind of a four team format as of now.
Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the gate.
Concession stands will be available with food and refreshments throughout the evening.
Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and your biggest chairs for an evening pack with last friendly competition and community spirit.
Be sure to attend and bring the whole family to Dairyland Donkey Baseball tomorrow night at six o'clock at J.C.
Park in Muscaday.
The Richland Center High School Theater Department will be holding a trivia night and silent auction tonight at the Phoenix Center in Richland Center.
Registration will be held from six to six thirty and trivia gets underway at seven o'clock.
Teams of up to eight people can participate.
Entry fee is $10 per person.
During the evening, there will be a silent auction.
All money raised from the event will help the RCHS Theater Department fund their upcoming musical production.
AJ Clone is a member of the theater department.
Drama club, right?
Yup, so all proceeds are going straight into putting on Mamma Mia this November for the music department.
Everything's done by students, so all the help we can get would be amazing.
All are welcome to be a part of the Richland Center High School Theater Department's Trivia Night and Silent Auction tonight at the Phoenix Center and Richland Center starting at 6 o'clock.
The Friends of the Lower Wisconsin Riverway invites everyone to participate in their upcoming potluck and paddle events Saturday, August 22nd.
This gathering offers a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway while enjoying a day on the water with fellow river enthusiasts.
The event starts at 10.45 a.m.
at Wintergreen where guests will set up their potluck dishes.
At 11.30 a.m., the program will commence with a series of presentations, including remarks from Flo President Tim Zum, an overview from the Wintergreen Project by Jen Philippiak of the Driflus Area Land Conservancy and a discussion on riverway history led by Mark Cupp of the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Board.
The agenda also features a commemorative ceremony for the Wisconsin Heights battle site with Dave Justin and Dr. Patrick Young, followed by a talk on muscles that's M-U-S-S-E-L-S and drought.
The program will conclude with the presentation of the Riverway Champion Awards.
After cleanup at 1 p.m., the group will head to the Highway 14 launch for a paddle starting around 2 p.m.
For those who prefer not to paddle, there are opportunities to help with shuttling or to assist by capturing photos and videos from the bridge.
On the morning of Friday, August 14th, emergency crews responded to a rollover accident involving a pickup truck and a livestock trailer.
a northbound U.S.
Highway 151.
The Iowa County Sheriff's Office reported that the incident occurred shortly after 7 a.m.
near exit 40 in the Mineral Point area.
According to the investigation, the crash was caused when a 22-year-old male from Oklahoma
fell asleep while driving a 2022 Ford F-250.
The vehicle drifted into the median before crossing back over the northbound lanes and rolling over.
Both the truck and the trailer eventually came to rest off the roadway.
Three people were inside the vehicle when the rollover occurred.
All occupants were fortunate to escape with either minor or no injuries.
and non-required transportation by ambulance to a hospital.
A single horse being transported in the trailer also survived the crash with only minor injuries.
A large animal veterinarian was called to the scene to provide assistance for the animal.
The driver has been issued citations for inattentive driving and child restraint violations.
The Iowa County Sheriff's Office was assisted at the scene by the Mineral Point Police Department, Fire Department and EMS, as well as Dodgeville EMS.
A three-vehicle collision at the intersection of U.S.
Highway 61 and County Highway Acts resulted in several injuries and significant vehicle damage on Wednesday, August 12.
Sheriff Dale McCulloch reports that the incident began when Heather Alexander, 46, of Soldiers Grove,
was traveling westbound on County Highway X in a 2015 Dodge Durango.
As Alexander attempted to cross US Highway 61, her vehicle struck the driver's side of a southbound 2018 Dodge Promaster Cargo Van, driven by Jesse Johnson, 36 of Onalaska.
The force of the impact caused Johnson's van to overturn and veer into the northbound lane of US-61.
There it collided with a 2023 Ford F-150 operated by 73-year-old Michael Schnoblin of Moline, Illinois.
The van ultimately came to rest on his passenger side in a nearby ditch.
Medical personnel transported Schnoble and and his four passengers to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
Johnson and a passenger in the cargo van also sustained minor injuries during the rollover.
Alexander and her passenger were reported to be uninjured.
Two of the involved vehicles sustained heavy damage and required towing from the scene.
The Crawford County Sheriff's Office was assisted at the scene by the Soldiers Grove Fire Department, North Crawford Rescue, O'Cooch Mountain Rescue, and the Crawford County Highway Department.
U.S.
Senator Tammy Baldwin has taken a decisive stand against what she describes as the Trump administration's attempts to obscure the human cost of the ongoing conflict in Iran.
Alongside her colleagues, Baldwin introduced the honoring the sacrifices of our Troops in War Act of 2026.
A legislative effort designed to halt the recategorization of combat casualties and ensure that service members receive the recognition and benefits they have earned through their sacrifice.
The introduction of this bill follows reports that the Pentagon has moved recent casualties, including four deaths and over 200 injuries, into categories outside of Operation Epic Fury.
Senator Baldwin argues that these bureaucratic maneuvers are intended to downplay the severity of the war and evade accountability to the American public.
She has been vocal in her criticism, stating that the administration is attempting to pull the wall over the American people's eyes regarding a conflict she views as a reckless war of choice.
Central to the legislation are measures that would ban the Secretary of Defense from hiding the true toll of the war.
The act prohibits the arbitrary redesignation of ongoing contingency operations when forces remain mobilized against the same enemy.
Furthermore, it seeks to prevent the manipulation of casualty records and mandates the restoration of records for Iran-related operations dating back to February, 2026.
This includes a requirement to note
notify the next of kin about any such corrections to the official record.
Beyond record keeping, the bill addresses the tangible impact on those serving in the conflict.
It specifically bans the modification of eligibility for deployment related benefits based on false redesignations of contingency operations.
By retroactively restoring benefits for both armed service members and civilian personnel supporting Iran related operations, the legislation aims to provide
the respect and financial security Baldwin asserts these heroes deserve.
This push for accountability comes as Baldwin continues to highlight cases of inadequate care for injured troops, including Wisconsinites, who face delays in screening and treatment for traumatic brain injuries.