WRCO Afternoon Obituaries

Transcript

WRCO Afternoon Obituaries

News from the Center · Tue Aug 18, 2026

100.9 and 107.7 country and community in Richland Center.

Here's your Daily News Roundup.

For Civic Media News, I'm Connie Feldman.

The conflict with Iran continues to impact prices at the pump here in the U.S.

Civic Media's Melissa Kaye has the story.

Gas prices rose 4.4 cents over the last week, the average on Monday landing at 388 per gallon.

This is 10.3 cents higher than a month ago and $1.06 per gallon higher than this time last year.

The national average has risen 7.7 cents over the last week, averaging $4.02 on Monday.

Gas-buddy officials say prices rose in more states than they fell due to the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries.

These attacks are impacting refined product prices more than crude oil itself.

I'm Melissa

Kaye, Civic Media News.

Officials at GasBuddy say the seasonal transition to cheaper winter blend gasoline could bring some relief in the coming months.

However, these geopolitical tensions could keep upward pressure on the market.

Wisconsin's capital city is among the better places for pets to live.

Finance website Waldhub recently ranked the 100 biggest cities in the U.S.

based on nearly two dozen metrics and ranked them based on pet friendliness.

That includes health and wellness and access to the outdoors.

Madison ranked 47th in the country and received its highest praise in health and outdoor categories.

Milwaukee was ranked much lower in the study, coming in 98th overall.

Wisconsin drivers, students and families are being asked to slow down and stay alert as schools get ready to reopen.

The Wisconsin DOT and the Department of Public Instruction are marking School Transportation Safety Week with daily reminders about crossing guards, bus stops, school zones and pedestrian safety.

Officials say drivers must stop for school buses with red flashing lights and watch closely for children walking or biking.

Madison City Attorney has determined that the Office of the Independent Police Monitor can't access records related to the police shooting death of Cory Ruiz.

The city attorney said the records can't be accessed until the state's investigation is complete.

Ruiz was shot and killed by Madison Police Officer Kyle Batinger Peterson during a struggle with police on July 22.

City Attorney Michael Haas issued a formal legal opinion on August 15th addressing a subpoena the monitor's office sent to Madison Police requesting records from the incident.

Haas said state law gives priority to the outside investigation being conducted by the Department of Justice's Division of Criminal Investigations.

A new poll shows Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley with an early lead in the Wisconsin governor's race.

The Badger Battleground poll of 500, likely November voters, shows the Democrat with 48 percent of the vote, compared to Republican Congressman Tom Tiffany's 44 percent.

The survey also showed Crowley being favored by independents and college grads and having a favorability rating of 43 percent.

Tiffany's favorability rating was 38 percent.

Wisconsin College students could see tuition stay flat for two years under a new proposal from the universities of Wisconsin.

The plan would freeze tuition from 2027 through 2029 if lawmakers provide $190 million for campus operating costs and to cover the cost of the freeze.

Tuition increases would then be capped at inflation for the next two years.

The DNR wants to grow Wisconsin's next generation of hunters by finding people willing to teach and landowners willing to help.

Volunteers can lead lessons on topics like firearm safety, dog training, preparing venison and cooking wild game.

Interested instructors and landowners can contact the DNR Hunting and Shooting Sports program specialist for details.

And that's your state news update.

I'm Connie Feldman for Civic Media News.

Brewers baseball tonight.

Hi, I'm Mike Clemens with sports the Brewers back home taking on the Mariners the crew missing players with injuries outfielder South Felix still on rehab assignment Cooper Pratt and Abner Uribe do back later this month manager Pat Murphy more banged up as a team can be That's just the way it is Jake Bowers everybody here is a professional everybody here understands that you have to do what you have to do for the team You know, it's nothing that

any of us in the room haven't seen before or can't handle.

NFL, Keyshawn Nixon, apparently demoted, for now, means more snaps for the Packers' top pick, Brandon Ceasey, at defensive back.

You know, you trust your keys, trust your alignment, trust the things that, you know, your coaches are telling you to do, and you don't do anything out of the ordinary.

You know, you do what you're supposed to do, and you read what you're supposed to read, and you try to go out there and make the plays that come to you, and it's just kind of how I approach it.

That's

Brandon Ceasey with

sports.

I'm

Mike

Clemens.

We have a chance of scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms today with a high in the upper 70s to near 80 tonight.

An early evening shower or thunderstorm then clearing with a low in the 50s tomorrow.

Mostly sunny with a high in the upper 70s to near 80.

I'm meteorologist Sean Cable.

That's your news roundup for Richland Center from WRCE and WRCO.

Find more news anytime at wrco.com and wrce.fm.

Subscribe to this podcast on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you find your podcasts.

It's Tuesday's Roundup!

Brought to you by added touch Floralinkiffs, Julie Karen State Farm, Richland Hospital, Cardinal Glass CG, and by Badgerland Florine.

And today is Quiz Day!

Hank is handing out the questions and Phil bravely, boldly, and often incorrectly taking the quiz!

Confidence?

Sky High!

Accuracy still under review.

Hanks got the answers, Phil's got the guesses, and somehow

we've

got a show.

Play along and see if you can beat Phil.

Which, statistically speaking, you probably can.

Tuesday's Roundup, where the questions are tough and Phil

makes them tougher.

Move them on.

It's time for the

Roundup.

There

he is.

Nope.

I turned it up to you.

I'm done.

There you go.

How you

doing?

Yeah, good,

good.

Something in my voice blocks.

Yeah, I'm sure it was.

How you

been?

Spending all your life, I think.

Right, I'm doing fine.

Did you do anything fun last night?

Did you mow?

No,

I didn't.

You

didn't

mow?

No.

I'm

waiting till tonight, then I can be like, oh, too bad

it rained.

Too

bad it's raining.

I can't

moan.

Can't do it.

And

then next week you'll be, son, can you come up and bail my order?

That's about right.

Yeah, it's getting.

Anyway, it is thick.

It's, yeah.

So anyway, family all good.

Do you play any John Denver this morning?

Not yet.

No, no, the

day is

young.

The morning's on.

I haven't done too much to, uh,

You know, maybe John Denver.

Why

don't you just play one just out of pure love?

I should.

You know, just maybe it's pure love.

But yeah, but just just to play one just to say, you know what?

Just because I love

you because I did anything

wrong.

Right.

Have you ever thought about that way?

She'd be suspicious.

Yeah.

What's coming my way?

Honey do.

Yeah.

What do you do?

Yeah.

What am I going to find out later?

Yeah, it's tough being you in.

She she got home yesterday, and I there was a few things I should have done.

Oh, did you get in trouble?

Not much.

Did you clean out your glider?

You did do that.

I did get that.

Yep.

Was she happy about that?

I think there were some critiques, but for the most part, did you

just throw your stuff on her side?

No, I thought about it, but I'm sure I thought, you know, I pat on myself with the back.

I thought it was pretty good.

And I thought she would run and jump in my arms, you know, when she saw it, but she didn't.

What did she do?

Oh, she just said, oh, okay, that's good or whatever.

Yeah.

But the, the, uh, there's a couple of things.

I mean, you know,

No, I don't know.

I don't know you got you got your clothes hanging here, right?

So I figure you can stack stuff up to the bottom.

Oh, you

can't do that.

Well, well, you know, get things out of the way.

Yeah, you did that, didn't you?

Well,

I have before.

No, you've did that.

Haven't

you?

No, it's not.

They're not quite up to the close now.

Pretty close.

Oh, well, what can you do?

What do you do?

It's tough being Phil.

I know it is.

I know it is living up to that every day.

Well, here you go.

Here's your question of the day.

You ever been caught checking somebody out?

Well, I don't

know.

This is your whole life.

Whole life, I was going to say, yeah.

Probably.

Probably.

Probably.

Do you ever remember one time?

No, I really don't, to be honest.

So try to be more casual about it, you

know.

I remember one time I got my first pair of progressive lenses, you know, where they get dark and I was walking inside of Walmart and this is

lady in front of me.

And it was dark.

Like when you walk in, it was just, just plain dark.

And I'm going, is she wearing all black?

So, you know, I, cause your, your glasses don't go back quickly.

So I lifted up my glasses, she's sitting there.

You like what you see?

Oh boy.

And I'm going,

I, no, I

don't,

no, I don't, huh?

She didn't, you didn't explain to her that it was, no, I didn't have glasses where the problem.

No, at least that's what you were telling.

Yeah, yeah, you might be from Peerage, Phillip.

If you own coolers more expensive than your microwave, didn't we do that one last week?

Coolers?

Coolers,

yeah.

Oh, yeah, like

a... Yeah, like... Ice

chest.

I think maybe you did.

Well, I have no one.

If you ever sat on your front porch and raided thunder... That's happening.

Yeah, that's a good one.

I was, uh, wasn't that a Jeff Fox worthy about, uh, you've been on the news describing what the tornado sounded like a few times.

You

sound like a train coming in.

Well, today is quiz day.

Have you practiced at all?

No,

I didn't know

what I was

supposed

to study.

Well, it's a, it's a, well, you're going to start out with a little bit of, uh, we're going to start out with some movies and then, um, finish up with, uh, shoes, put it

that way

shoes.

Okay.

Are you ready here?

Hold on, Phil Lip.

All right.

You got the date on there?

I do.

All right, number one.

What was Clint Eastwood's character name on the television western rawhide?

Is it Pete Nolan, Jim Quincy, Rowdy Yates, or Gil Favre?

All right number two why do flamingos often stand on one leg fill?

Well number one is it to help them balance in the wind number two to conserve body heat numbers C to rest after flying or D to attract a mate Yeah, all right, all right number

Three, before alarm clocks became affordable, what job involved waking people before work by tapping on their windows?

Is it A, a morning caller, B, a knocker-upper, C, a window watchman, or D, a don keeper?

Do you ever wonder where these go?

Yeah, I do.

Okay, go ahead.

All right, number four.

Four, what college football team

Program is known as the Salukies Salukies Salukies.

Yes.

Is it Southern Illinois?

Northern Illinois?

Illinois State or Western Illinois?

Is

it Southern Illinois?

Northern Illinois?

Illinois State or Western Illinois?

All right.

All right.

Number five in 1906 when football when football changed the distance required for a first down

to 10 yards.

How many downs did a team get?

Is it two, three, four or five?

Hmm.

All right.

All right.

Number six, six, which was a real product, Phillip.

Oh, boy.

Here

we

go.

Bread slippers, spaghetti flashlight or inflatable homework folder.

All right.

All right.

Got it.

Number seven.

Which food is Wisconsin's official state grain?

Is it corn, barley, wild rice or oats?

Is it corn, barley, wild rice or oats?

Number eight blanchardville had a high school until it closed in 1971 and 1972 its students were included with peccatonica What was the mascot of blanchardville?

Was it the golden eagles the miners the rockets or the hill toppers?

Oh, wasn't any of the four that you just gave me that I thought it was no

would you like to phone a friend

Call somebody down in blanchardville.

I know a couple people down there.

No, so

okay

I can probably call Mr. Thede, he'd probably know it too.

Number nine, she got it.

Here's the eighties trivia.

She's got a plan to get us out of here.

Where did she manage to save a little bit of money at Phillip and the song?

She's got a plan to get us out of here.

Where did she manage to save a little money?

Where did she work?

She's got a plan to get us out of here.

Where did she manage to save a little money?

Alright.

Number 10.

10.

What percentage of people say they usually put the right shoe on first?

No.

Alright.

What percentage of people say they usually put the right shoe on first?

Alright.

Is it 27%?

41%?

53%?

Or 72%?

Okay.

Alright.

Are you ready?

Yeah.

How do you, how do you think you're done?

I knew,

I knew some of them.

Uh-huh.

Yeah.

You knew some of them.

Yeah.

What do you think you got?

I got about six or seven.

Oh, okay.

Six or seven.

All right.

Number one.

That was the rage last year, wasn't it?

Six, six or seven, six, seven.

Yeah.

All right.

What was Clint Eastwood's character name on the television Western Rawhide is that Pete Nolan, Jim Quincy, Rowdy Yates are Gil Favre.

Rowdy Yates.

It is.

Yes.

We

play raw head every morning.

Why do flamingos often stand on one leg?

Is it to help them balance in the wind, to conserve body heat, to rest after flying, or to attract a mate?

It is

to conserve body heat.

Keeping one leg tucked close to the body reduces heat loss and helps the flamingo stay warm.

Before alarm clocks became a

Affordable what job involved waking people for work by tapping on their windows?

Is it a morning collar a knocker upper our window watchman or D a dawn keeper?

I said the first one which

morning

collar.

No,

it's a knocker upper.

What yeah, yeah Madden explaining that career today.

Oh boy.

That's the that was the one that I thought would be the least likely so

Oh, well,

you got

me.

Number four, which college football program is known as the Salukis?

Is it Southern Illinois, Northern Illinois, Illinois State or Western Illinois?

I took a stab in it with Southern.

It

is Southern Illinois Salukis, yes.

Back on track, baby.

A Saluki is a speeding hunting dog, not something you order with fries on a large root beer at a game.

So how do you spell it?

Salukis.

It is S-A-L-U-K-I-S.

Salukis.

All right.

I said it right.

I'm probably, I know, but that's what you're getting at.

I got it.

No, no, no.

I wondered, I don't know that I've ever heard that term before.

Oh, and 1906, when football changed the distance required for the, for a first down to 10 yards, how many downs did a team get?

Is it two, three, four or five?

I went with three.

It is three.

10 yards and three downs.

Apparently fourth down hadn't been invented by the department of stress.

Number six, which is a real

product Philip is it bread slippers uh hold it spaghetti flashlight or inflatable homework folder homework folder no it's not it's bread slippers yep all right all right which food is Wisconsin's official state grain is it corn barley wild rice or oats

corn

it is corn

Back on track, baby.

Number eight, Blanchardville had a high school until it closed in 1971.

In 1972, its students were included with Peccatonica.

What was the mascot of Blanchardville?

Is it the Golden Eagles, the Miners, the Rockets, or the Hilltoppers?

I went with the first one.

It is.

Is there Golden Eagles?

Woo!

I was like, I think it was Blanchardville Bullets, and that's what their hometown team is.

And I was thinking there was maybe some kind of

connection.

I

guess not.

All right, number nine.

Here's the 80s trivia song, right?

Yeah.

She's got a plan to get us out of here.

Where did she manage to save a little money?

Well, she worked at a store, a convenience

store.

That's correct.

It is a convenience store.

You know what song that was?

Bon Jovi, right?

No.

Living on a

prayer?

Uh-uh.

Well, who was that?

I have to, it wasn't Bon Jovi.

Oh, okay.

She's got, she's got a plan to get us out of here.

She's managed to save a little money.

Um,

I got the wrong song then.

I was thinking it was, uh, he's working on the docs and, you know, living on a prayer.

That's what I thought

it was.

No, no, that was another trivia question.

I'm not going to ask you next week now.

Cause the question was, where are they living?

You know, he was working on the docs.

Yeah.

Right.

And so where are they living in?

Where were they living on a prayer?

Living on a prayer.

Yeah.

But this

right here is, uh, she's got a plan to get us out of here.

Uh,

Where did she manage to save a little money?

It was

convenience means I thought I've melded the two songs together, but I still got it right.

Yeah, she did you got it right number 10 what percentage of people

People say they usually put the right shoe on first Philip is it 27 41 53 or 72 I went with 53 I would have to and that is correct

the other

40 the other 47 Pete the other 47% put the left one put the left one on first a small percentage spends five minutes looking for where they left it left the other shoe anyway

left the left

shoe

So if you have two left feet, you know when you're trying to dance I don't know you put the left shoe on first that

would put your right foot in

I've played the hokey pokey walk with Gracie.

Yes, she does.

Yeah.

So how'd you do?

Uh, too, right?

Uh, too, too wrong.

That's not bad.

It's correct.

It's kind of a tough quiz today.

It was, it was.

So I, uh, impressed myself a couple of times there.

And then there were a few that I knew too.

You knew rowdy right

away.

I

knew rowdy right away.

And you put 53% now, which

I knew corn too.

You knew corn.

Yeah.

And the song that I was confused on, but I still got the right answer.

Yeah.

I'll get you the name of that person.

Cause you'll know who it is.

If I sit here long enough, but when you're sitting here thinking about other things, you got a microphone in front of you.

I just can't put

those questions.

These questions here, these 80 questions come from Travis Wirtz down at Wirtz floor and home.

Really?

What, what'd

I ever do to

him?

I don't know.

But he goes, Hey, here's some great trivia.

All right.

So it makes you think

you'd have to work today.

So I had to put the, I had to put them all together.

Oh, I see.

I had a tight fill.

You know how I, you know, how I'm, you know, two thumb typer.

Oh yeah.

They don't have

swipe

on.

You didn't learn home roll back in the day.

They don't, they don't, they don't have swipe on the keyboard yet.

Oh, okay.

Yeah.

That would be awesome if they did for a computer.

Right.

and maybe they do and I just don't know how to probably do anyway my friend I hope you have a good day I hope everybody out there stays kind and if it rains be dry

Good evening, everyone.

For WRCO News, I'm Todd Copernall.

A severe traffic accident on US Highway 14 resulted in life-threatening injuries and a major road closure on Monday afternoon.

According to reports from the Richland County Sheriff's Office, the incident began shortly before 3.40 p.m.

when dispatch received calls regarding a Ford escape driving illegally on the gravel bike trail between Gotham and Twin Bluffs.

The driver of that vehicle, 38-year-old Andres Ixta of Gotham, allegedly exited the trail and failed to stop at the stop sign at the intersection of Highway 14 and Twin Bluffs Drive.

This maneuver led to a violent collision with a milk truck operated by Wesley Nelson, 59 of Dodgeville.

The impact was significant enough to eject Ixta from his vehicle, causing him to sustain severe injuries.

Emergency responders requested UW MedFlight to land at the Richland Hospital, from where Ixta was airlifted to UW Hospital for specialized medical care.

The driver of the milk truck, Mr. Nelson, remained on the scene and cooperated fully with the sheriff's office during the initial stages of the investigation.

The Wisconsin State Patrol was called to the scene to assist local authorities with a commercial vehicle inspection and a formal crash reconstruction to determine the exact mechanics of the collision.

Due to the severity of the crash and the extensive investigation required, Highway 14 remained closed to all traffic for over five hours.

The scene was eventually cleared and the highway reopened at 9.09 p.m.

The Richland Center Fire Department, Richland EMS, and Wegener Auto Service assisted at the scene.

The Richland County Board of Supervisors has announced the last-minute change to the meeting location for its upcoming session this evening.

The meeting scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.

will now take place at the Phoenix Center in Richland Center.

This decision was made to accommodate the significant community interest surrounding the proposed 765 kilovolt transmission line resolution, as the original boardroom might not have provided sufficient space for the expected attendance.

County officials are working to ensure the public remains involved despite the venue change.

While every effort is being made to provide a virtual online option for residents who cannot attend in person, the administration cautions that such an option may not be available due to the logistical challenges of the short notice relocation.

Residents are encouraged to attend in person at the Phoenix Center to stay informed on the transmission line developments and other county business.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services and Grant County Health Department have confirmed two new measles cases in Grant County, escalating the regional total to 36 confirmed and three probable cases.

This highly contagious airborne virus can linger in the environment for up to two hours.

Residents should monitor for symptoms like high fever, cough and a red rash appearing 10 to 21 days after exposure.

If symptoms develop, individuals must isolate and call a provider before seeking care.

The MMR vaccine remains the most effective defense, offering 97% protection after two doses.

Health officials urge everyone to verify their vaccination status via the Wisconsin Immunization Registry or a medical provider.

Children typically receive doses at age one and between ages four and six, while most adults should have at least one dose on record.

For further assistance or to report concerns, Grant County residents can call 211 or contact the local department at health at co.grant.wi.gov.

Monday, September 14th at 1pm, the Richland County ADRC will have a free presentation on Medicare at the Richland Health and Human Services Building.

This presentation will talk about how and when you should sign up.

They break Medicare down into all its parts and let you know what you need to make sure your health needs are covered.

This presentation does require you to sign up in advance as materials will be prepared for all participants.

Please call the ADRC at 608-647-4616.

No later than September 7th to save your spot.

A post primary poll is out in the campaign for Wisconsin Governor.

The bipartisan Badger Battleground Bowl, commissioned by Platform Communications, finds Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley with a narrow early lead over Congressman Tom Tiffany.

The survey of 500 likely voters was conducted through live interviews using a combination of landlines and cell phones, August 12th and 13th, immediately after the partisan primaries.

Crowley leads Tiffany, 48% to 44% statewide, with Tiffany's

more defined than Crowley.

The northern Wisconsin Republican is seen as favorable by 38 percent of voters, unfavorable by 43 percent.

The Milwaukee Democrat is viewed favorably by 43 percent of voters, unfavorably by 26 percent, with 31 percent not yet knowing enough to form an opinion.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has announced that bonus antlerless harvest authorization for the 2026 gun deer season became available starting at 10 a.m.

Monday, August 17th.

Purchases can be made through the Go Wild online portal.

or at official licensed sales locations.

To manage the expected high volume of traffic, an online queuing system was implemented.

Customers entering the Go Wild site between 9.45 and 10.00 a.m.

were randomly assigned a spot and a virtual queue, while those arriving after 10.00 are added to the end of the line in order of arrival.

Hunters are reminded that they must have a valid deer hunting license approval and must identify their specific deer management zone and unit as well as whether they will be hunting on public or private land before completing a purchase.

The sales schedule is organized by zone to streamline the process.

The forest zones, northern and central, led the sales on the 17th, followed by the central farmland zone today and the southern farmland zone tomorrow.

By August 20th, authorizations for all remaining zones will be available for purchase.

Authorizations are sold at a rate of one per person per day.

The cost is set at $12 for Wisconsin residents, $20 for non-residents and

$5 for youth hunters ages 11 and under.

Additionally, beginning this year, all users with existing Goal Wild accounts are required to use their established username and password for login.

New users will be prompted to create these 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.

Today's $50 winners in the Grace Calendar raffle drawing are on Ticket 3392 from Arena, Deb Anderson, and on Ticket 3444, Juanita Persinger from Richland Center.

Vital statistics right after this.

Today is August 18th.

These are today's vital statistics.

Gilbert H. Burmester, 97 of Loganville, died August 12th.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11.30 a.m.

today at the Farber Funeral Home in Reedsburg.

Visitation will also be at the funeral home today from 9.30 until the time of service.

Burial will be in St.

Peter's Cemetery in Loganville with lunch and a follow at Loganville's fire department.

Gilbert

H. Burmester, 97 of Loganville.

Raymond James Ray Bass, 77 of rural Richland County died Monday, August 10th at home.

A celebration of life will be held today at the Pratt Memorial Chapel with military honors to be provided by the Viola American Legion post 447.

A visitation will be held today at the Pratt Memorial Chapel from 4pm until the time of service at 6pm.

memorials and Ray's name can be directed to the Viola Fire Department, Kickapoo Rescue Squad, or Viola American Legion post 447.

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'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.

Isabelle M. Reimer, 91 of Loganville, died Sunday, August 16th at Senior Life Center in Reedsburg.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11.30 a.m.

Friday, August 21st at St.

Peter's Lutheran Church in Loganville.

Internment will be in St.

Peter's Cemetery.

There will be visitation Friday morning from 9.30 a.m.

until 11.15 a.m.

at the church.

In Lua Flowers memorials to St.

Peter's Lutheran Church would be appreciated.

The Farmer Funeral Home is serving the family.

Isabel M. Reimer, 91 of Loganville.

Gary Lee Hagar, 79 of Madison, formerly of Avoka, died Thursday, June 18 at Sage Meadows in Middleton.

A celebration of life will be held Friday, August 21 at 1.30 p.m.

at the Pratt Memorial Chapel.

Visitation will be held Friday, August 21 at the Pratt Memorial Chapel from 12.30 p.m.

until the time of service at 1.30 p.m.

Military rights will be provided.

Gary Lee Hagar, 79 of Madison, formerly of Evoca.

Richard Arlen Olsen, 94 of Evoca, 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 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 Arlen Olson, 94 of Evoca.

Stephen

Garrett Shell, 46 of Irving, Texas, formerly of Ritz-Lenz Center, died Wednesday, July 29.

A visitation will be held at the Pratt Memorial Chapel Saturday, August 22 from 11 a.m.

until 1 p.m.

Military rights will be held at one o'clock.

A celebration of life lunch will follow at Turbos.

A private family burial will be held in the West Fork Cemetery at a later date.

The Pratt funeral and cremation service is assisting the family.

Stephen Garrett Shell, 46 of Irving, Texas, formerly of Richland Center.

Albert Anthony Grell, Jr., 91 of Galtham died Friday, August 14 at home.

Funeral services will be held 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 at the Pratt Memorial Chapel from 12 noon until the time of service at 1 p.m.

Albert Anthony Grell Jr.

91 of Gulfam.

Kevin Hoffman 35 of Richland Center died unexpectedly July 27th in North Carolina.

A celebration of life party will be held August 23 at the Lone Rock Community Center from noon until 4 p.m.

Please wear your favorite Badger or Packer clothing and bring all your happy memories of Kevin to share.

No tears, no sad faces.

Kevin Hoffman, 35 of Richland Center.

Carol Ann Randall, 83 of Mesa, Arizona, formerly of Avoka and Mineral Point,

died May 31st.

A celebration of life is planned for Sunday, August 23rd from 12 noon until 4 p.m.

at the Old Evoca High School in Evoca.

Gorgon Funeral Home in Dodgeville is assisting the family.

Carol Ann Randall, 83 of Mesa, Arizona, formerly of Evoca and Mineral Point.

Good morning everyone.

For WRCO News, I'm Todd Copernall.

69 degrees in Richland Center right now.

The forecast says we'll hit a high of 80.

In the news, a Richland County traffic crash closed both lanes of US Highway 14 east.

The accident occurred at the intersection of County Highway TB and Highway 14.

The Richland County Sheriff's Department was alerted to the accident at 3.40 Monday afternoon.

Highway 14 was closed and traffic was rerouted until after 9 p.m.

last night.

No other details have been officially released at this time.

The Richland County Board of Supervisors has announced the last-minute change to the meeting location for its upcoming session this evening.

The meeting scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.

will now take place at the Phoenix Center in Richland Center.

This decision was made to accommodate the significant community interest surrounding the proposed 765 KV transmission line resolution as the original boardroom might not have provided sufficient space for the expected attendance.

County officials are working to ensure the public remains involved despite the venue change while every effort is being made to provide a virtual online option for residents who cannot attend in person.

The administration cautions that such an option may not be available due to the logistical challenges of the short notice relocation.

Residents are encouraged to attend in person at the Phoenix Center to stay informed on the transmission line developments and other county business.

Again, that meeting begins at 6 p.m.

Help set local students up for success.

The Ithaca Lions Club is stuffing the bus.

This Wednesday, August 19th from 12 noon to 6.30 p.m.

in the Ithaca High School parking lot.

Just look for the big bus they're collecting school supplies, cleaning supplies, and monetary donations to support students and teachers.

Your generosity makes a huge difference.

Stop by tomorrow and help the Ithaca Lions stuff the bus.

The Richland Hospital and Clinics is proud to announce it will host Corn for a Cause Wednesday

From August 26 from 2 to 6 p.m.

the event will take place on Park Street conveniently located outside the hospital's employee entrance and is open to all members of the public who wish to support a vital local cause.

This year's event invites the community to receive fresh sweet corn in exchange for a free-will donation with every dollar raised directly benefiting the greater Richland area cancer elimination.

The corn has been generously donated by local Ithaca area farmers, Mick and Carly Hipsch, who are contributing their harvest to support the mission of providing aid to local individuals and families impacted by cancer.

To ensure a seamless experience for participants, the TR8C Grace team is offering curbside pickup.

Community members can simply drive down Park Street and volunteers will be on hand to deliver the fresh corn directly to their vehicles.

In order to share the bounty with as many people as possible, there is a requested limit of three dozen ears per person.

For those looking for an extra treat, fresh kettle corn will also be available for purchase with all proceeds from these sales going toward grace.

Sarah Stibby, the TRHC Grace Team Lead,

expressed her deep gratitude for the partnership with the HIPPS family.

She noted that while this marks the second year, Mick has donated corn to the hospital.

It's the very first time the event has been expanded to include the general public.

Last year's internal event was a significant success, raising nearly $1,000 from hospital employees alone.

With the invitation now extended to the entire community, the team is optimistic that this year's corn for a cause

will make an even greater impact in the fight against cancer and the support of local families.

The Richland Area Retired Educators Association, R-A-R-E-A, will have its August event Thursday at the Phoenix Center with registration beginning at 9 a.m., followed by breakfast and program at 9.30 a.m.

The program topic will be internet crimes against children, presented by Detective Jason Pilla,

and Lieutenant Lauren Moe of the Richland Center Police Department.

R-A-R-E-A members and their guests need to contact President Barry Rogue here with reservations by today at noon.

Contact Barry by calling 647-6542.

The Richland Center community is preparing for a meaningful afternoon as the city auditorium hosts the Betty Hayes Baxter dedication ceremony August 23rd.

Taking place from 2 p.m.

to 3 30 p.m.

This special gathering will serve as a heartfelt tribute to the enduring life and legacy of Betty Hayes, a figure whose impact continues to resonate through the local arts scene.

Attendees will gather at the historic venue on North Central Avenue to formally dedicate the Betty Hayes Baxter Legacy Stage, marking a new chapter for the local landmark.

Beyond the ceremonial dedication, the event functions as a vital fundraising initiative aimed at ensuring the auditorium remains a premier space for performance and gathering.

All donations collected during the afternoon will be directly allocated to essential stage renovations

providing much-needed upgrades to the venue's infrastructure.

The project will specifically focus on modernizing the rigging systems, replacing the stage curtains, and enhancing the professional lighting to support future productions and maintain the auditorium's vibrant role in the community.

A post-primary poll is out in the campaign for Wisconsin Governor.

The bipartisan Badger Battleground poll commissioned by Platform Communications

finds Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley with a narrow early lead over Congressman Tom Tiffany.

The survey of 500 likely voters was conducted through live interviews using a combination of landlines and cell phones August 12th and 13th immediately after the partisan primaries.

Crowley leads Tiffany 48% to 44% in this poll with Tiffany slightly more defined than Crowley.

The Northern Wisconsin Republican is seen as favorable

by 38 percent of voters, unfavorable by 43 percent.

The Milwaukee Democrat is viewed favorably by 43 percent of voters, unfavorably by 26 percent with 31 percent, not yet knowing enough to form an opinion.

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction has been awarded a significant five-year, $10.5 million federal grant intended to address the urgent special education teacher shortage within the state.

This funding, provided through the U.S.

Department of Education's State Personnel Development Grant Program, will finance the Special Education Teacher Apprenticeship and Induction Retention System in Wisconsin, known as Stairs, Wisconsin.

This statewide initiative is designed to recruit, prepare, and retain specialized educators at a time when the profession faces unprecedented stability challenges.

Addressing the workforce crisis as a primary objective of the grant,

As current data reveals, a critical retention gap where only 43% of special education teachers remain in Wisconsin public schools by their eighth year of service.

To counter this trend, Stairs Wisconsin emphasizes an Earn While You Learn apprenticeship approach by partnering with the Department of Workforce Development and the Wisconsin Improvement Program for Special Education Leadership.

The DPI aims to expand these apprenticeship opportunities

and provide robust induction programs that offer coaching, mentoring, and professional learning for emerging leaders and new educators.

Today's Vital Statistics are sponsored by Krause Monument.

Krause Monument Company designs and produces granite headstones, gravestones, grave markers, monuments, and memorials.

Today is August 18th.

These are today's Vital Statistics.

Raymond James Ray Bass 77 of rural Richland County died Monday August 10th at his home.

A celebration of life will be held today at the Pratt Memorial Chapel with military honors to be provided by the Viola American Legion.

Post 447.

Visitation will be held today at the Pratt Memorial Chapel from 4 p.m.

until the time of service at 6 p.m.

Memorial's in Ray's name can be directed to the Viola Fire Department, Kikapu Rescue Squad, or Viola American Legion Post 447.

The Pratt Funeral Anchormation Service is assisting the family with arrangements.

Ray is survived by his wife Susan, daughter Tina Ray,

Bass Moore, Sons Ricky Bass and Stephen 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 from 12 noon until 2 p.m.

with burial at 2 30 p.m.

in the St.

Killian'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 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 Erlinda Hegg and Dick and Pam Hegg, sisters Harriet Torgerson and Joe Gruber, 15 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, other friends and relatives, Eileen Catherine Hegg-Eberle, 95 of Lone Rock, Isabel

M. Reimer, 91 of Loganville, died Sunday morning, August 16th at the Senior Life Center in Reedsburg.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11.30 a.m.

on Friday, August 21st at St.

Peter's Lutheran Church in Loganville.

Internment will be in St.

Peter's Cemetery.

There will be a visitation Friday morning from 9.30 a.m.

until 11.15 a.m.

at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to St.

Peter's Lutheran Church would be appreciated.

The Farber funeral home is serving the family.

Isabel is survived by three children, Daniel and Cynthia Reimer, Jane and Kurt Mucco, Gary and Pamela Reimer, sister Jean and Steve, Friday, sister-in-law Nancy Reimer, five grandchildren, one step-granddaughter, seven great-grandchildren, many other relatives and friends.

Isabel M. Reimer, 91 of Loganville.

Gary Lee Hagar, 79 of Madison, formerly of Evoca, died Thursday, June 18 at Sage Meadows in Middleton.

A celebration of life will be held Friday, August 21 at 1.30 p.m.

at the Pratt Memorial Chapel.

Visitation will be held Friday, August 21 at the Pratt Memorial Chapel from 12.30 p.m.

until the time of service at 1.30 p.m.

Military rights will be provided.

The Pratt Funeral Acformation Service is assisting the family.

Gary is survived by his siblings, Karen and Bill Dulan, Marsha and Sigurd Chesselston, and Glenn and Rusty Hager.

Gary Lee Hager.

79 of Madison, formerly of Evoca.

Richard Arlen Olson, 94 of Evoca, 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 rights to be conducted by the Evoca 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 mass at 1 p.m.

Memorials may be directed to the Riverdale Food Pantry or a charity of your choice.

The Pratt Funeral Anchormation Service is assisting the family.

Richard is survived 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, nephews, other relatives, and friends, Richard Arlen Olsen, 94 of a Volca.

Stephen Garrett Shell, 46 of Irving, Texas, formerly of Richland Center, died Wednesday, July 29.

A visitation will be held at the Pratt Memorial Chapel Saturday, August 22nd from 11 until 1.

Military rides will be held at 1 p.m.

A celebration of life lunch will follow at Turbos.

A private family burial will be held in the West Fork Cemetery at a later date.

Steven Shell is survived by his parents, Marty and Marie Shell, and Sandra and Alan Madison.

Siblings Jamie Shell, Jeff and Dana Shell, Trish and Bailey Shell, Cody Chris, Ryan and Sarah Madison, Aaron and Abby Madison, Grandmothers Pat Shell and Marilyn Meeker, along with many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, friends and loved ones, Steven Garrett Shell.

46 of Irving, Texas, formerly of Richland Center.

Albert Anthony Grell Jr.

91 of Gotham died Friday, August 14 at home.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, August 23rd 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 23rd 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 is survived by his three children, Mitzi and Paul, Rosazuski, Chip Grell of Gotham and Dawn Eno, sister-in-law Sharon Kramer, six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren.

Albert Anthony Grell Jr., 91, of Gotham.

Kevin Hoffman, 35, of Ritz-Lenz Center, died unexpectedly July 27th in North Carolina.

A celebration of life party will be held August 23 at the Lone Rock Community Center from noon until 4pm.

Please wear your favorite badger or packer clothing and bring all your happy memories of Kevin to share.

No tears, no sad faces.

Kevin is survived by his mother Amy Hoffman and Jim Hine, stepfather Jeff Crook and Tina Dull, his sons Jordan Hoffman and Carter Jocelyn, sisters Shania and Sam Olson, brother Caleb Crook and Allison Sturba, stepbrothers Jeff and Brianna Crook and Josh and Brianna Crook, and Jeremy Crook and Desiree Lins, grandparents Pete and Dolores Way.

Kevin's family would like to remind you that if you or someone you know is struggling and needs someone to talk to, please call 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Kevin Hoffman, 35 of Richland Center.

Carol Ann Randall, 83 of Mesa, Arizona, formerly of Avoca and Mineral Point, died May 31st.

A celebration of life is planned for Sunday, August 23rd from 12 noon until 4 p.m.

at the Old Evoca High School.

Gorgon Funeral Home in Dodgeville is assisting with arrangements.

Carol Ann Randall is survived by her daughter Robin and Dave Dawnbaugh, her son Jason and Terry,

Son-in-law Alan McCarthy, nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, sister Norma and Tom Draves, sister-in-law Pat Bowen, Aunt Marie Raco, many nephews, nieces and cousins.

Carol Ann Randall, 83, of Mesa, Arizona, formerly of a Volca and Mineral Point.

Dennis D.

Diedrich, 84 of Montello, passed away Sunday, August 9.

A family graveside service will be held Friday, August 28 at 12 noon at the Rockbridge Cemetery with military graveside rights provided by the local Military Memorial Honors Unit.

A celebration of life will be held Sunday, August 30.

from 1 p.m.

to 4 p.m.

at the Grey Drake in Portage.

Dennis is survived by his children, Jack Diedrich, Connie Diedrich, Richard Diedrich, Denise Diedrich, Delta, Erickson Diedrich, and Daryl Diedrich.

Siblings Jean, Bull, Thomas and Nancy Moore, Kathy and Tim Geiger, Steven and Helene Moore, David Moore, Michael and Kim Moore,

and Mary and Brian Robison, 10 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, Dennis D. Diedrich, 84 of Montello.

A severe traffic accident on US Highway 14 resulted in life-threatening injuries and a major road closure on Monday afternoon.

According to reports from the Richland County Sheriff's Office, the incident began shortly before 3.40pm when dispatch received calls regarding a Ford escape, driving illegally on the gravel bike trail between Gotham and Twin Bluffs.

The driver of that vehicle, 38-year-old Andres Ixta of Gotham, allegedly exited the trail and failed to stop at the stop sign at the intersection of Highway 14 and Twin Bluffs Drive.

This maneuver led to a violent

collision with a milk truck operated by Wesley Nelson, 59 of Dodgeville.

The impact was significant enough to eject Ixta from his vehicle, causing him to sustain severe injuries.

Emergency responders requested UW MedFlight to land at the Richland Hospital from where Ixta was airlifted to UW Hospital for specialized medical care.

The driver of the milk truck, Mr. Nelson, remained on the scene and cooperated fully with the sheriff's office during the initial stages of the investigation.

The Wisconsin State Patrol was called to the scene to assist local authorities with a commercial vehicle inspection and a formal crash reconstruction to determine the exact mechanics of the collision.

Due to the severity of the crash and the extensive investigation required, Highway 14 remained closed to all traffic for over five hours.

The scene was eventually cleared and the highway reopened at 9.09 p.m.

the Richland Fire Department, Richland EMS, and Wagner Auto Service, assisted at the scene.

The Richland County Board of Supervisors has announced the last-minute change to the meeting location for its upcoming session this evening.

The meeting scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.

will now take place at the Phoenix Center in Richland Center.

This decision was made to accommodate the significant community interest surrounding the proposed 765KV transmission line resolution, as the original boardroom might not have provided sufficient space for the expected attendance.

County officials are working to ensure the public remains involved despite the venue change.

While every effort is being made to provide a virtual online option for residents who cannot attend in person, the administration cautioned that such an option may not be available due to the logistical challenges of the short notice relocation.

Residents are encouraged to attend in person at the Phoenix Center to stay informed on the transmission line developments and other county business.

Help set local students up for success.

The Ithaca Lions Club is stuffing the bus this Wednesday, August 19th from 12 noon until 6.30 p.m.

in the Ithaca High School parking lot.

Just look for the big bus.

They're collecting school supplies, cleaning supplies, and monetary donations to support students and teachers.

Generosity makes a huge difference.

Stop by this Wednesday and help the Ithaca Lions stuff the bus.

Wisconsin Emergency Management and the Department of Administration's Division of Enterprise Technology have opened the grant application period as of August 17 for the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program.

This federal grant assists government agencies that face cybersecurity risks due to outdated or inadequate IT infrastructure.

The funds may be used for various cybersecurity activities

such as purchasing and activating multi-factor authentication, managed detection and response, endpoint detection and response, and extended detection and response.

Eligible entities for this program include a broad range of government organizations such as counties, municipalities, local public authorities, school districts, special districts, interstate districts, councils of government,

regional or interstate government entities.

This funding opportunity represents the third of four planned cycles and holds the distinction of being the final cycle with no cost share requirement.

Subsequent funding cycles will require a 40% cost share.

Applications for this cycle must be submitted by October 30th.

Interested agencies must be able to justify their need for improvements using evidence such as vulnerability scan results, records of past cybersecurity incidents, or relevant audit findings and legal mandates.

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction has been awarded a significant five-year, $10.5 million federal grant intended to address the urgent special education teacher shortage within the state.

This funding, provided through the U.S.

Department of Education's State Personnel Development Grant Program, will finance the Special Education Teacher Apprenticeship and Induction Retention System in Wisconsin, known as Stairs, Wisconsin.

This statewide initiative is designed to recruit, prepare, and retain specialized educators at a time when the profession faces unprecedented stability challenges.

Addressing the workforce crisis is a primary objective of the grant, as current data reveals a critical retention gap where only 43% of special education teachers remain in Wisconsin public schools by their eighth year of service.

To counter this trend, Stairs Wisconsin emphasizes an Earn While You Learn apprenticeship approach.

by partnering with the Department of Workforce Development and the Wisconsin Improvement Program for Special Education Leadership.

The DPI aims to expand these apprenticeship opportunities and provide robust induction programs that offer coaching, mentoring, and professional learning for emerging leaders and new educators.

State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly emphasized the necessity of this investment, noting that the loss of educators directly impacts student success.

Wisconsin continues to face a critical teacher shortage, and nowhere is that challenge more urgent than its special education, Dr. Underly stated.

When we lose educators, it's our students who feel the greatest impact.

Strengthening our schools begins with strengthening the teaching profession, and this grant is a major investment in that effort.

Through these comprehensive support systems, the state intends to ensure that every student has access to well-prepared educators who are equipped to succeed throughout their careers.

U.S.

Senators Ron Johnson and Rand Paul have released a newly obtained email from May of 2021 that highlights internal concerns within federal health agencies regarding COVID-19 vaccine adverse events.

The correspondence, sourced from Dr. Anthony Fauci's government records, features then-acting FDA Commissioner Dr. Janet Woodcock reaching out to top health officials about reports of symptoms that traditional surveillance systems were ill-equipped to detect.

In her message to Dr. Fauci and Francis Collins, Woodcock noted that the reported symptoms did not form a distinctive syndrome and were difficult to quantify through standard laboratory testing.

She expressed a need for a dedicated study, warning that ignoring these festering problems could lead to future unpreparedness.

Despite Dr. Fauci's internal suggestion to involve CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, current records remain unclear as to whether such a consultation ever took place.

of place.

Governor Tony Evers issued a sharp rebuke to President Donald J. Trump and Republicans in Congress following a new report detailing a significant decline in healthcare coverage.

The report highlights that enrollment in the Affordable Care Act

fell by 16% in Wisconsin during 2026, a stark reversal after consecutive years of record-breaking participation.

This downturn was mirrored across the country, with New Mexico being the only state to avoid a deep drop in enrollment.

Nationally, the 12% decline represents nearly 3 million fewer Americans with coverage, including 45,000 residents in Wisconsin.

The governor attributed this decline to the expiration of federal tax credits last December, which had previously lowered the cost of premiums for millions.

According to Governor Evers, the decision by the administration and its congressional allies to let these credits expire was a calculated move to prioritize tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans.

As a result, health care costs have surged, pricing many families out of their plans.

Current projections indicate the crisis will only deepen with the number of uninsured Americans expected to rise to nearly 4 million by 2027.

When it comes to bank and credit card accounts, some consumers have a fear that scammers might try to gain access to their accounts.

Financial institutions are great at contacting account holders when they notice suspicious activity.

But consumers should be aware that there are also bank imposters who report false information about an account.

They even have a new method to communicate with account holders to obtain personal information.

Michelle Reinen is with Wisconsin Department of Agriculture.

trade and consumer protection.

We've talked before that scammers are contacting consumers with claims that there's been suspicious activity on a bank account or a credit card and sometimes these are cold calls, other times there are text messages asking consumers to call with a provided phone number.

But in both cases, the consumer is connected with a scammer who says that they need to verify the consumer's identity.

But now with this new twist,

The scammer is switching the conversation from a traditional phone call to a video call.

So examples being FaceTime for an Apple or an iPhone and Google Meets for the Android phone.

But once that video call begins, the scammer, who's pretending to be that representative for the financial institution, asks the consumer to point the camera at their computer screen while they log into their online account.

or if they don't have a computer to just do a share screen on their cell phone.

And both of these let the scammers see the consumer's private login details and possibly other information in real time, such as answers to a security question or a bank account number.

And the consumers often don't even realize that they're exposing their information during this video call.

If you receive a call about suspicious activity on your account and you're not sure if it is your financial institution, the best thing to do is hang up and contact your bank directly.

If your financial institution thinks that there's suspicious activity or a problem, they're going to ask you to come down to the office if it's local.

And otherwise, they'll say call us back at the number on the back of the card or that you have for us so you can confirm your identity with confidence, not with a phone number that they've given you or on the spot in this real time.

And they certainly will never ask to see a computer screen so they can get.

that private details.

And just remember that urgency and pressure, those are those red flags that something is a scam.

If you suspect you've been a victim of a bank imposter scam, contact DATCAP's Consumer Protection Hotline by phone at 800-422-7128.

Monday, September 14th at 1pm, the Richland County ADRC will have a free presentation on Medicare at the Richland Health and Human Services Building.

This presentation will talk about how and when you should sign up.

They break Medicare down into all its parts and will let you know what you need to know to make sure your health needs are covered.

This presentation

requires you to sign up in advance as materials will be prepared for all participants.

Please call the ADRC at 608-647-4616 no later than September 7th to save your spot.

U.S.

Senators Tammy Baldwin and Richard Blumenthal, joined by 28 Democratic colleagues, have formally demanded that Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

reverse the cancellation of critical health research grants.

These grants, administered by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, were abruptly terminated July 15, impacting approximately 150 researchers across 30 states.

The lawmakers characterize the agency's actions as an outrageous abuse of power that disrupts decades of taxpayer-funded progress aimed at improving patient safety and health care delivery.

In their letter, the lawmakers called for the immediate restoration of full funding to all affected projects and a detailed explanation of the decision-making process behind determinations.

They noted that the agency has only awarded 5% of its available extramural grant funds for the fiscal year, leading to staff layoffs and the discontinuation of programs nationwide.

The senators set a deadline of August 25 for a response insisting that it is the department's responsibility

to ensure that resources are used as intended by law to protect public health and improve patient outcomes.

In a powerful demonstration of community and industry collaboration, agricultural businesses, emergency responders and educators recently converged at BIDIC Incorporated in Livingston.

for a comprehensive safety training event.

The initiative brought together employees from Bittick and Hartung Brothers alongside Southwest Wisconsin Technical College instructors and firefighters from the Livingston-Clifton and Montfort departments.

This hands-on program was meticulously designed to prevent workplace accidents and ensure that all participants are prepared to respond effectively during critical emergencies.

The curriculum focused on high-risk agricultural scenarios, including grain bin safety, confined space entry, lockout and tagout procedures, and the proper use of safety harnesses and fire extinguishers.

The event was the culmination of a two-year dialogue between Teresa Sander, HRN Safety Administrator at BIDIC, and Steve Williamson.

purchasing agent and safety advisor at Hartong Brothers.

Beyond fulfilling mandatory safety requirements, Sander noted that the joint training served as a vital platform for partners to share ideas, learn from diverse perspectives, and expand the professional bonds that define the region's workforce.

A central highlight of the day was a grain rescue demonstration led by Carl Sandry, Southwest Tech's fire service training coordinator.

During the exercise, volunteers' experience being partially engulfed in grain

While firefighters practice rescue techniques using specialized tubes and corn removal equipment, while Sandry acknowledged that grain entrapments are fortunately rare, he emphasized that local preparedness is essential for saving lives before additional resources can arrive.

This collaborative spirit not only strengthens regional safety awareness, but also serves as a model for future partnerships between business, education, and public safety organizations throughout Southwest Wisconsin.

In its latest major philanthropic effort, Alliant Energy and the Alliant Energy Foundation have announced the distribution of more than $708,000 in community grants.

This second cycle of the year benefits a diverse array of causes and nonprofit organizations throughout Iowa and Wisconsin, targeting four key pillars of community well-being, safety and engagement,

hunger and housing, environmental stewardship, and workforce readiness.

A significant portion of the funding exceeding $130,000 was directed toward community safety and engagement.

These grants reached 40 different communities, providing essential support for first responder organizations, including police, fire, and EMS departments.

The funds are earmarked for vital equipment purchases and upgrades.

as well as local events like fairs and festivals that foster stronger community connections.

Addressing basic needs remains a priority with over $210,000 awarded to initiatives focused on hunger and housing.

across 30 communities.

This support bolsters food pantries, meal delivery programs, and outreach efforts.

Furthermore, the grants assist organizations providing transition and permanent housing support, which are critical for maintaining long-term stability for local residents.

Environmental stewardship projects received nearly $90,000 to protect natural habitats and expand green spaces.

Spanning 15 communities, these funds support tree and prairie plantings, wildlife

and the enhancement of local parks and trails.

The foundation also prioritized environmental education and school-based programs to inspire future conservation efforts.

The largest share of the current cycle, totaling more than $255,000, was dedicated to workforce readiness.

These grants and scholarships support educational and skill development programs in 32 communities.

Targeted initiatives include STEM programming, youth agriculture, and library resources like bookmobiles, all designed to prepare the next generation for professional success.

A chaotic scene in the closing hours of the Wisconsin State Fair on Sunday.

Milwaukee TV stations obtained video of a large fight.

On Monday, Wisconsin State Fair officials reported police arrested seven people connected to the incidents.

There were no serious injuries reported to fairgoers, but a member of the Fair security team was injured.

A statement said the incident Sunday evening were isolated to the final hours of the fair and are not representative of the experience our guests enjoyed.

throughout the event.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has announced that bonus antlerless harvest authorizations for the 2026 gun deer season will become available starting 10 a.m.

yesterday.

Purchases can be made through the Go Wild online portal or at official licensed sales locations.

To manage the expected high volume of traffic an online queuing system has been implemented.

customers entering the gold wild site between 9 45 and 10 a.m.

have been randomly assigned spots in a virtual kill those arriving later are added in their order of arrival hunters are reminded they must have a valid deer hunted hunting license approval and must identify

specific tier management zone and unit as well as whether they will be hunting on public or private land before completing a purchase.

The sales schedule is organized by zone to streamline the process.

Forest zones north and central lead the sales followed by central farmland zone and then southern farmland zone August 19th by August 20th.

Authorizations for all remaining zones will be available for purchase.

Authorizations are sold at a rate of one per person per day.

is set at $12 for Wisconsin residents, $20 for non-residents, and $5 for youth hunters ages 11 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 these credentials to access their accounts.

Hunters are encouraged to verify their account information and review the current deer management unit match.

prior to the start of the sales period to ensure a smooth transaction.

Today's vital statistics are sponsored by Krause Monument.

Krause Monument Company designs and produces granite headstones, gravestones, grave markers, monuments, and memorials.

Today is August 18th.

These are today's vital statistics.

Raymond James Ray Bass, 77 of rural Richland County, died Monday, August 10th at his home.

A celebration of life will be held today at the Pratt Memorial Chapel with military honors to be provided by the Viola American Legion post 447.

Visitation will be held from today.

It began at four o'clock at the Pratt Memorial Chapel and will continue until the time of service at 6 p.m.

Memorial's in raised name can be directed to the Viola Fire Department, Kikapu Rescue Squad or Viola American Legion post 447.

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.

in 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.

until 7 p.m.

at St.

John's Catholic Church and again on Thursday from 10 a.m.

until the time of the Mass.

Eileen Catherine Hegg-Eberle, 95 of Lone Rock.

Isabelle M. Reimer, 91 of Loganville, died Sunday morning August 16th at the Senior Life Center in Reedsburg.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11.30 a.m.

Friday, August 21st at St.

Peter's Lutheran Church in Loganville.

Internment will be in the St.

Peter's Cemetery.

There will be a visitation Friday morning from 9.30 a.m.

until 11.15 a.m.

at the church.

Lua Flowers Memorials to St.

Peter's Lutheran Church would be appreciated.

The Farmer funeral home is serving the family.

Isabelle M.

Reimer, 91 of Loganville.

Gary Lee Hagar, 79 of Madison, formerly of a Volca, died Thursday, June 18 at Sage Meadows in Middleton.

A celebration of life will be held Friday, August 21st at 1.30 p.m.

at the Pratt Memorial Chapel.

Visitation will be held

Friday, August 21st, at the Pratt Memorial Chapel from 12.30 p.m.

until the time of service at 1.30 p.m.

Military rights will be provided.

The Pratt Funeral and Cremation Service is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Gary Lee Hagar, 79 of Madison, formerly of a Volca.

Richard Arlin Olson, 94 of Evoca died August 13.

Funeral services will be held Friday, August 21 at 1 p.m.

at St.

Joseph's Catholic Church in Evoca.

Burial will follow in St.

Joseph's Catholic Cemetery with military graveside rights to be conducted by the Evoca 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 Incrimination Service is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Richard Erlen Olson, 94 of AVOCA.

Stephen Garrett Shell, 46 of Irving, Texas, formerly of Rich Lens Center, died Wednesday, July 29.

A visitation will be held at the Pratt Memorial Chapel Saturday, August 22 from 11 o'clock until 1 p.m.

Military rights will be held at 1 p.m.

A celebration of life lunch will follow at Turbos.

A private family burial will be held in the West Fork Cemetery at a later date.

Stephen Garrett Shell, 46 of Irving, Texas, formerly of Richland Center.

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 23rd at the Pratt Memorial Chapel from 12 noon until the time of service at 1 p.m.

The Pratt funeral and cremation service is assisting the family.

Albert Anthony Grell Jr.

91 of Gulfam.

Kevin Hoffman, 35 of Richland Center, died unexpected July 27 in North Carolina.

A celebration of life party will be held August 23 at the Lone Rock Community Center from noon until 4 p.m.

Please wear your favorite Badger or Packer clothing and bring all of your happy memories of Kevin to share.

No tears, no sad faces.

Kevin Hoffman, 35 of Richland Center.

Carol Ann Randall, 83 of Mesa, Arizona, formerly of Avoca and Mineral Point, died May 31st.

A celebration of life is planned for Sunday, August 23rd, from 12 noon until 4 p.m.

at the Old Avoca High School.

Gorgon Funeral Home in Dodgeville is assisting with arrangements.

Carol Ann Randall, 83 of Mesa, Arizona, formerly of Avoca and Mineral Point.

Dennis D. Diedrich, 84 of Montello, passed away Sunday, August 9.

A family graveside service will be held Friday, August 28 at 12 noon at the Rockbridge Cemetery with military graveside rights provided by the local Military Memorial Honors Unit.

A celebration of life will be held Sunday, August 30 from 1 p.m.

to 4 p.m.

at the Gray Drake in Portage.

Dennis D. Diedrich, 84 of Montello.

This concludes today's vital statistics.

Good evening, everyone.

For WRCO News, I'm Todd Copernall.

A severe traffic accident on US Highway 14 resulted in life-threatening injuries and a major road closure on Monday afternoon.

According to reports from the Richland County Sheriff's Office, the incident began shortly before 3.40 p.m.

when dispatch received calls regarding a Ford escape driving illegally on the gravel bike trail between Gotham and Twin Bluffs.

The driver of that vehicle, 38-year-old Andres Ixta of Gotham, allegedly exited the trail and failed to stop at the stop sign at the intersection of Highway 14 and Twin Bluffs Drive.

This maneuver led to a violent collision with a milk truck operated by Wesley Nelson, 59 of Dodgeville.

The impact was significant enough to eject Ixta from his vehicle, causing him to sustain severe injuries.

Emergency responders requested UW MedFlight to land at the Richland Hospital, from where Ixta was airlifted to UW Hospital for specialized medical care.

The driver of the milk truck, Mr. Nelson, remained on the scene and cooperated fully with the sheriff's office during the initial stages of the investigation.

The Wisconsin State Patrol was called to the scene to assist local authorities with a commercial vehicle inspection and a formal crash reconstruction to determine the exact mechanics of the collision.

Due to the severity of the crash and the extensive investigation required, Highway 14 remained closed to all traffic for over five hours.

The scene was eventually cleared and the highway reopened at 9.09 p.m.

The Richland Center Fire Department, Richland EMS, and Wegener Auto Service assisted at the scene.

The Richland County Board of Supervisors has announced the last-minute change to the meeting location for its upcoming session this evening.

The meeting scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.

will now take place at the Phoenix Center in Richland Center.

This decision was made to accommodate the significant community interest surrounding the proposed 765 kilovolt transmission line resolution, as the original boardroom might not have provided sufficient space for the expected attendance.

County officials are working to ensure the public remains involved despite the venue change.

While every effort is being made to provide a virtual online option for residents who cannot attend in person, the administration cautions that such an option may not be available due to the logistical challenges of the short notice relocation.

Residents are encouraged to attend in person at the Phoenix Center to stay informed on the transmission line developments and other county business.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services and Grant County Health Department have confirmed two new measles cases in Grant County, escalating the regional total to 36 confirmed and three probable cases.

This highly contagious airborne virus can linger in the environment for up to two hours.

Residents should monitor for symptoms like high fever, cough and a red rash appearing 10 to 21 days after exposure.

If symptoms develop, individuals must isolate and call a provider before seeking care.

The MMR vaccine remains the most effective defense, offering 97% protection after two doses.

Health officials urge everyone to verify their vaccination status via the Wisconsin Immunization Registry or a medical provider.

Children typically receive doses at age one and between ages four and six, while most adults should have at least one dose on record.

For further assistance or to report concerns, Grant County residents can call 211 or contact the local department at health at co.grant.wi.gov.

Monday, September 14th at 1pm, the Richland County ADRC will have a free presentation on Medicare at the Richland Health and Human Services Building.

This presentation will talk about how and when you should sign up.

They break Medicare down into all its parts and let you know what you need to make sure your health needs are covered.

This presentation does require you to sign up in advance as materials will be prepared for all participants.

Please call the ADRC at 608-647-4616.

No later than September 7th to save your spot.

A post primary poll is out in the campaign for Wisconsin Governor.

The bipartisan Badger Battleground Bowl, commissioned by Platform Communications, finds Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley with a narrow early lead over Congressman Tom Tiffany.

The survey of 500 likely voters was conducted through live interviews using a combination of landlines and cell phones, August 12th and 13th, immediately after the partisan primaries.

Crowley leads Tiffany, 48% to 44% statewide, with Tiffany's

more defined than Crowley.

The northern Wisconsin Republican is seen as favorable by 38 percent of voters, unfavorable by 43 percent.

The Milwaukee Democrat is viewed favorably by 43 percent of voters, unfavorably by 26 percent, with 31 percent not yet knowing enough to form an opinion.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has announced that bonus antlerless harvest authorization for the 2026 gun deer season became available starting at 10 a.m.

Monday, August 17th.

Purchases can be made through the Go Wild online portal.

or at official licensed sales locations.

To manage the expected high volume of traffic, an online queuing system was implemented.

Customers entering the Go Wild site between 9.45 and 10.00 a.m.

were randomly assigned a spot and a virtual queue, while those arriving after 10.00 are added to the end of the line in order of arrival.

Hunters are reminded that they must have a valid deer hunting license approval and must identify their specific deer management zone and unit as well as whether they will be hunting on public or private land before completing a purchase.

The sales schedule is organized by zone to streamline the process.

The forest zones, northern and central, led the sales on the 17th, followed by the central farmland zone today and the southern farmland zone tomorrow.

By August 20th, authorizations for all remaining zones will be available for purchase.

Authorizations are sold at a rate of one per person per day.

The cost is set at $12 for Wisconsin residents, $20 for non-residents and

$5 for youth hunters ages 11 and under.

Additionally, beginning this year, all users with existing Goal Wild accounts are required to use their established username and password for login.

New users will be prompted to create these 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.

Today's $50 winners in the Grace Calendar raffle drawing are on Ticket 3392 from Arena, Deb Anderson, and on Ticket 3444, Juanita Persinger from Richland Center.

Vital statistics right after this.