Friday News Roundup

Transcript

Friday News Roundup

News from the Center · Fri Aug 21, 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.

A child is dead after being hit by a car in Taylor County.

Authorities received a report of the incident earlier this week in the town of Aurora.

An investigation shows a vehicle traveling northbound hit the eight-year-old when they stepped into the road to check the mailbox.

The child was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver and other people in the car were not injured.

Green Bay's longest serving mayor has taken another run at it.

In a news conference earlier this week, former Mayor Jim Schmidt announced plans to run in the April 2027 election.

Schmidt previously served as Green Bay Mayor from 2003 to 2019.

Schmidt says he plans to fight homelessness in the city, make home ownership easier, cut red tape for development and improve education.

Current Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich says he hasn't yet decided if he will seek a third term.

A new ordinance proposed to the Winnebago County Board is looking to stop the expansion of license plate reader cameras in the county.

The ordinance asks the Board to pass a law that would reduce law enforcement's access to the cameras.

The proposal says the cameras would only be allowed for parking enforcement, access to controlled areas and weigh stations, with data being deleted after 90 days.

Winnebago County Sheriff John Motz wants to keep his department's 15-flot cameras, adding the tech has helped track down carjackers, child exploitation suspects, and more.

The proposal is set to be reviewed by the Winnebago County Board's Judicial and Safety Committee.

The Appleton Common Council has voted to allow a rally for women's rights to proceed next week.

The decision comes after the organizers missed the deadline to apply for a permit.

The event is hosted by Appleton Area Now, a group focused on women's rights and eliminating discrimination.

Several city departments had already signed off on the event, with council members voting to grant a waiver and allow it to move forward.

It's set to take place at Houdini Plaza next Wednesday at 4.30 in the afternoon.

The National Weather Service confirms a tornado touched down near Milwaukee earlier this week.

The EF-0 tornado's path was about a half-mile long, and peak winds reached 80 miles an hour.

Strong, straight-line winds did cause much of the damage across the region during Tuesday's severe weather outbreak.

A large tree fell onto a pizza place on Milwaukee's west side, forcing the business to close until further notice.

Power outages continued for a couple of days, mostly in Milwaukee and Waukesha counties.

A number of law enforcement agencies in Western Wisconsin are warning residents of an ongoing phone scam.

According to a press release, from the Dunn, Trimpello, and Buffalo County Sheriff's offices, residents have been receiving calls from scammers who claim to be members of law enforcement agencies, requesting money to have a family member released from jail.

Law enforcement authorities are advising residents not to provide any personal information and hang up if they receive a call like that.

Then, contact the agency directly to verify the claims.

The Green Bay Common Council has approved a $750,000 grant match for the Shipyard Redevelopment Project.

It comes after the EPA awarded the city an extra $2.15 million in grant funding for the project.

The total received is now at more than $7 million.

The project aims to turn the vacated Brownfield into a destination of recreation and tourism, including a floating dock, fishing pier, a lawn for concerts,

dog park, a playground, a splash pad, and a commercial plaza.

The next phase of the project is scheduled to be completed by 2027.

The City of Wausau's Plan Commission has approved a conditional use permit for an assisted living facility in downtown Wausau.

The facility would complement Grant Place, a 70-story, 55-and-old apartment complex being built on the former Grable site.

The facility will have 25 units and be built at 151 Macindoe Street.

And that's your state news update.

I'm Connie Feldman.

for Civic Media News.

Her baseball this afternoon.

Hi, I'm Mike Clemens with sports where the Brewers have a late afternoon start against the Atlanta Braves.

Jacob Mizorowski on the mound from Milwaukee.

The crew with a seven to four win over the Mariners yesterday to take that series two games to one.

NFL Packers tonight in Denver against the Broncos.

GM Brian Goodkin says he's excited to see running back Marshawn Lloyd off to a good start this camp after two years of injuries.

You know, when players miss time, that's tough.

That's tough on these guys or young guys.

and they want to be out there so badly.

When they get out there and they're playing football, they're usually at their happiest.

He's doing a great job with his opportunities.

I think he's got a chance to help us this year.

In Madison, Mike Tressel asked where the Badgers defense has improved this year.

You know, I feel really good about the front four in terms of depth.

I think we can really keep them fresh, which is critical.

I mean, it's great to be bigger and stronger and longer and all that stuff.

But if you're tired up there, you know, fatigue makes cowards of us all.

That's Badgers defensive coordinator Mike Tressel with Sports on Mike Clemens.

Mostly cloudy today with a chance of a shower or thunder shower are high in the upper 70s to near 80 here this afternoon tonight Becoming partly cloudy.

We're gonna drop into the mid to upper 50s and then tomorrow Mostly sunny with a high in the upper 70s.

I'm meteorologist Sean Cable

That's your news roundup for Richland Center from WRCE and WRCO find more news anytime at WRCO comm and WRCE FM

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

Friday's roundup.

Brought to you by Richland Hospital, Badgerland, Florine, Cardinal Glass CG, Crystal Clean Storage, and Reedsburg Farmers Cooperative.

Join Hank and Phil for Friday laughter bigger than a raccoon and a snack aisle.

And twice as unpredictable.

We've got cooking with Hank, where recipes are more of a suggestion and the smoke alarm is basically a sous chef.

And medium heat.

That's just a bad choice.

And don't miss the word of the day.

Freshly invented on the spot by Hank with zero approval process.

Wrap up your week with chaos and just enough nonsense to make Monday nervous.

How you doing young man?

Not bad there, brother.

Did you have a good night?

I did.

Good game in Arena?

Yeah, it was a good

game.

Congratulations to them.

They just, and they gave us a hat.

They gave you a hat to put on the Hall of Fame

there.

Yep, the WRCO hat wall.

I've started, I'm putting up my first board today.

The hat wall.

The hat wall?

Yeah.

Well, maybe if they win the night league championship in a couple of weeks, we'll have a monograph it.

Yeah.

Yeah, maybe.

As long as we're keeping Nick's name off there, we'll be alright.

Okay.

Yeah, they were.

They were cutting you down last night for not showing up.

Yeah.

Yeah.

I told him, you know, he said, he's a baby.

He said, he's tired.

He's, he's got to get up early.

And they said, what about you?

I said, no comment.

You know, was John

John there?

Did he give me a bad time?

Hank, you know, he gets up about seven o'clock, you know, and, but that's all right.

Got to get your beauty sleep.

Thanks buddy.

It still doesn't work.

It doesn't work.

Hey, well, all right, buddy.

What is one of your biggest turn offs?

No.

Just in life.

I mean, just, oh boy.

You know, just, just in life, what was, you know,

and mine has to do with people.

Yeah.

Mine would be that too.

People that, uh, you know, I shouldn't say snub you, but you know, maybe

don't.

That's, I think that you're and I both.

I just, it bothers me deeply that you can walk by a person and say good morning.

Right.

Yeah.

And just like,

I'm going to take Todd.

I mean, I had to tell him three times today.

I don't

know.

That's the way it is, but that's the way it goes.

I mean, actually I had to go movie's chair.

So,

uh, yeah, but no, I, I feel you there.

That's, that's true.

You know, we just need to all, uh, and it was really tough during COVID when you couldn't see people's reactions and smiles and you could see eyes.

That was about

it.

Unless if you didn't have any sunglasses on

a

lot of people did that true.

So a lot of people did that.

So.

Anyway, you might be from Arkansas, Phil, or maybe Peeridge from this one.

If you ever heard somebody, if you ever heard somebody say, hold my sweet tea and watch this.

I'm sure you've done that.

Sweet tea or moonshine.

Now you're pretty good at making sweet tea.

I love sweet

tea.

I can't believe you've never used that as a recipe.

A sweet

tea?

Right, right.

Because that would be a legitimate one that people might want to copy.

It's pretty good.

Yeah.

I boil the calories out of it.

Is that what you do?

No, not really, but it's a good excuse to boil it.

Oh, it's real easy.

So if you're making a gallon, I put eight teabags in it.

Eight teabags?

Eight of the small teabags.

Write this down, folks.

All

right, and let it boil.

Okay.

And then I put my cup of sugar or whatever you taste right into that boiling water.

Okay, stir it up.

Yep.

And then you take the tea bags out, but you want to strain the tea bags because that's where most of your tea flavor come from because it hasn't.

Of course.

So you want to strain them in cold water as many times as you can and then dump the tea in and enjoy.

Right.

It is really

good.

Hmm.

So.

Hank

Gray's sweet tea recipe.

It don't get much better than that

Phil.

No it don't.

So let's see here.

The earliest Pelican fossil on record field is a 30 million year old skull that was found in the, whoa, something that deposits of France.

What is it?

I'm sure I can't say.

Yeah.

Let's go here.

Oh

boy.

Yeah.

What?

I don't really know.

I don't even know how to say it.

And I've been to France, but I've never seen that.

Ollie, go.

Ghosting.

Yeah, there you go.

Hey, that's close.

That word blunder out.

I'll give you credit for trying.

Hope John Hank,

baby.

I didn't even try it.

I'm glad you tried it.

Hanked on phonics,

yes.

Another, that's a free word for the day.

Alegosine.

Alegosine, maybe, yeah.

Someone will let us know.

Yeah, right.

So anyway, are you ready for the recipe?

Yeah, yeah.

It's a quick recipe, but it is good.

All right, all

right.

Let me, let me get

my

pen so I can take notes.

Nacho cheese tortilla chips.

Just imagine this, all right.

Here's what you need, buddy.

You need nacho cheese tortilla chips, a pound of hamburger, two cups of shredded cheese, or however much your heart can handle, basically your stomach

at

that moment.

Sour cream, chopped onions, diced maters, and a baking sheet or oven safe pan.

All right.

Gotta get the maters in there.

Gotta

get the maters.

Here we go.

Here's your instructions.

Preheat the oven to 375.

This gives you enough time to wonder why you're making nachos at 211 in the morning.

Oh, that's good.

Cause if we get our oven up to 385, the smoke alarm will go off on the heat.

Oh, it will.

Yeah.

Is that a good thing?

Well, I, it's good to know the smoke alarm works, but it's bad at two 30 the morning to wake up June.

Like you're in there.

I mean, you're probably waking her up all the time with how hot you are running around the house, you

know,

right?

Right.

Right.

Where were we?

I don't know.

Oh yeah, two 11 in the morning, buddy.

Oh

yeah,

a two 11.

So it actually,

yeah.

So it does, it just goes off for heat.

Yes.

I didn't know that.

Yeah.

It's probably not the best located.

It's in the kitchen, right above the oven.

No, not right above it, but it's in the kitchen.

So yeah, I didn't know that.

That's kind of cool though.

Yeah.

Maybe I should invest.

Yeah.

All right.

Brown and hamburger and skillet until it's fully cooked and with no pink remating drain the grease unless you're trying to make these nachos load bearing.

Spread a generous layer of nacho cheese tortilla chips across the baking sheet.

All right.

So you can even have him mound it up.

You know what I mean?

So that way you actually have a dip.

So this is anyway,

you don't

crush them.

Oh, no, no, no.

Yeah, you could.

You're going to have to eat them with a knife and a fork.

Okay.

So spread them across the baking sheet.

Any chips eaten during this step is considered a cooks inspection fill.

So you're allowed to eat a couple out of the bag.

That's good.

Sample it, make sure it's

good.

Sprinkle the cooked hamburger evenly over the chips.

Try to hit every chip, but don't lose sleep over it.

You've already handled that part.

Oh, yeah.

Yeah,

yeah.

Yeah.

Do you use plastic gloves when you're doing this in a hair net?

Yes, Phil, I do always in my kitchen.

You know what I mean?

Yeah, no, no, I don't feel.

The dogs do, but I don't.

Do you wash your hands?

We're gonna sprinkle that cooked hamburger

I'm just you know, you know, if you ever open up a restaurant, I'm looking out for you.

You know, so right

I'm actually kind of a clean guy.

I really am.

Oh sure.

So anyway All right All right, how many showers a day do you take how many showers a day one I'll average a two to three a day.

Really?

Yes.

Wow.

Yes

Just letting you know.

Well, that's good to know.

You know, your sales guy sweat a lot.

Yeah, you ain't

kidding.

Sometimes you do.

All right, it's hard to catch up.

All right, we're all right.

Should I start over?

No, no, I don't think so.

This recipe

has gone wicked.

Cover everything with shredded cheese.

If you still clearly see the hamburger you haven't added enough cheese.

Bake for eight for only eight to ten minutes.

You don't want any more than that because you'll burn the chips.

Oh Okay, okay, that's not good, but uh-huh, but that's why you have the oven preheated and it will it shouldn't melt that cheese and the hamburger and stuff Bake for eight to ten minutes or until the cheese is melted bubbly and holding everything together better than your life, you know to 11 in the

morning

Carefully remove the pan from the oven.

It's hot and explaining and not your related injury at the emergency room would be embarrassing.

True.

So this at this time you can add whatever your toppings are, such as chopped onions, dice maters or big, big spoonfuls of sour cream, whatever you want.

So basically you have a big taco salad there.

Eat them directly from the pan.

All right.

Yes.

While standing over the kitchen sink, fewer dishes mean fewer witnesses.

yeah there you have it quick and a little fattening hillbilly oven nachos the perfect meal when it's too late for supper and way too early to admit it's for breakfast

yeah there you go it's kind of a snack kind of a half meal right yeah

it's really good

right it's real it does sound good I like to take

a

Jar of salsa.

Mm-hmm.

Just dump it over something like

that.

Yeah, that would be good.

Now.

Do you like the mild stuff?

I always have mild.

So is it chunky or is it salsa?

I like chunky.

Yeah, I like the

chunky too.

Salsa, you just get too much at the end.

You do.

I like it.

I mean, sometimes we've made it at our house as well.

Chop up tomatoes and a little cilantro and that's

that's good stuff too.

Yeah, there's a jar of hot sauce in the fridge.

It's like, what was that song, light young fire?

Yeah.

Yeah.

Come on baby, light my fire.

Yeah, but it's really good.

Yeah.

Yeah.

So

anyway, there you

have it.

Well, something to make this weekend.

Huh?

Yeah.

Um,

we have to, would you make that?

I would probably make that.

I think that I could, that's not above my abilities in the kitchen.

I think I could do it.

You think June would appreciate you cooking

her dinner like that.

I don't know if she'd eat it.

Um, she might, she might try it.

Yeah.

If it, it's, um,

You could use turkey.

She would want me to use the blue corn chips probably.

Probably.

You could use any corn chips.

But it's the nacho in them, the flavoring.

But you could also add, well, you could add nacho flavoring as well to those chips.

To your chips.

Sometimes if I don't have chips, I have nacho flavoring put in sour cream.

Oh.

It's really good.

Yeah, I bet that

would be good.

All right.

So just for the corn tortilla dips.

What do we got for you today, buddy?

Oh, I think we have some

logic.

Really?

It's time for poor old grandpa Phil's attic logic sponsored by Salt Weedle's Store in downtown Casanova since 1946.

Worth the trip.

I know, John's

got a

lot of logic for you there.

It's worth the trip, though.

What a store.

Absolutely.

Today, scarce as hen's teeth.

Scarce as hens teeth.

There

you are.

Okay.

Did your mother ever use that

one?

Yeah,

I think she did.

Okay.

Scarce as hens teeth.

Yeah, I never saw a hen with teeth, so I guess that explains.

Yes.

And what does it mean?

Well, extremely rare, I'm guessing.

You

know what?

We got one right here, Phil Nee, ladies and gentlemen.

Exactly.

He's scarce as hen teeth, but he's not work brittle.

He is work brittle.

That means

he works.

No work brittle means you don't work.

Well, he ain't real work brittle Jim He scares that is that working as scarce as hens Yes Oh And and I thought she always thought her son was you know, I think she thought I should be royalty Because she'd say I should have crowned you

You know, why is that?

I should have crowned

you.

Oh, she should pop you on the

head.

Maybe well, I don't know I never I don't know if she ever got that far But is that what that means?

Yeah, that's right or she would say boy that kid was being a captain So I'm not sure if the captain needed a crown You know Jim that kid was being a captain.

I

have to look

that up.

I should I should have crowned him.

Can you write that down?

Oh Well, what can you do you goofy goofy gink?

Hey

Two, one man prepare

pants.

We're combining all of our logics from the last several weeks with

Pat Riley.

Yeah.

Well, yeah, him too.

Big dink.

Yeah,

there you

go.

Oh, I tell you what, what a joy Pat Riley is.

So anyway, yeah, what was it the one time he said to me?

I know he comes out.

I don't know.

It was like 106.

I said, Hey, a pad.

I said, you know, last you can make it.

At least I'm here.

Yeah.

I looked around for the other empire.

I said, I understand.

So I did that by

myself.

Good point.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Right.

Well, I always being, you know, broadcast in the games, I always, I need a line.

Yes.

I need to get on the air.

They don't understand.

Yeah.

The game starts at one, but I'm probably on the air about at least 10 to 100% and I can't get the lineup while I'm on the air.

So, so I would go over about quarter two and I'd say, you have the lineup.

Oh, I said, yeah, it's not 12.59.

Cheapers.

Nothing like, well, there was, it's always, in hometown, it's always the same thing.

Well, I got a guy coming.

He had

a, he had a bachelor party last night.

He won't be here.

One o'clock.

We hope.

Oh, oh yes.

One more.

Word of the day, buddy.

What do you got?

Dandelion.

Dandelion.

You ain't a kid.

And that cheater runs faster than Dandelion.

That cheater runs faster than the lion.

Oh, I got it.

I got it.

All right.

I thought he

said

daddy lion.

I got it.

All right.

That's Hank Bray.

Good morning everyone for double your CEO news.

I'm Todd Copernall 69 cloudy degrees in Richland Center right now headed today to a high of 82 in the news a prairie to sack man is behind bars following an investigation into internet crimes against children.

The Salk County Sheriff's Office says detectives arrested 75 year old Dennis Raulke on Thursday.

Officials say the arrest stems from a search warrant executed in early February at a residence on Roll Road.

Investigators seized computers and other electronic devices which were then sent for forensic analysis.

According to the Sheriff's Office, that analysis led to charges of possession of prohibited material.

Roque was booked into the Sock County Jail and is currently awaiting an initial court appearance.

Captain Matt Birch says the department remains committed to pursuing cases involving the exploitation of children and encourages anyone with information on criminal activity to contact local law enforcement or the Salk County Crime Stopper's tip line.

Ed Shitwood states, the milk into cheese drive begins tomorrow, runs through labor day.

This is a fundraiser to deliver cheese to five different food pantries throughout the year.

Donations of any size are gladly accepted or $170 buys 1000 pounds of milk.

which makes 100 pounds of cheese.

100% of the money raised goes to the cause.

Please make checks payable to MIC as in milk into cheese.

Send those to 16025 Eddie's Lane.

Blue River 53518.

There will be a hayride later this year.

WRCO will provide details as soon as they are available.

Pre-register for this weekend's Murder Mystery Weekend tonight at the 1921 AD Lounge located at the AD German Warehouse 300 South Church Street.

Registration runs from 5 to 7 p.m.

Wisconsin's labor market showed resilience in July as the unemployment rate remained stable at 3.3 percent, according to the latest preliminary estimates from the U.S.

Bureau of Labor Statistics.

This figure remains notably stronger than the national unemployment rate of 4.1%.

The state reported a total of 3,036,800 employed residents, marking an increase of 6,600 over the month and 26,500 over the year.

Additionally, the labor force participation rate held steady at 64.5%, continuing to outperform the national rate of 61.4%,

by 3.1 percentage points.

Total non-farm jobs in Wisconsin reached 3,042,900, reflecting a monthly gain of 1,200 jobs.

Yesterday, the Wisconsin State Patrol Tomah Post arrested 57-year-old George Lee Payne of West Salem following a traffic stop at the intersection of Highway 27 and Snyder Road in Crawford County.

The incident occurred shortly after 3 p.m.

when a Wisconsin state trooper initiated the stop and subsequently requested field sobriety tests.

While Mr. Payne refused to participate in the physical tests, a preliminary breath test indicated a blood alcohol concentration of .292, more than three times the legal limit.

Governor Tony Evers recently announced the allocation of more than $19.7 million in community development block grant CDBG public facilities funding to support critical infrastructure improvements across 20 Wisconsin communities.

These grants are intended to bolster local projects that residents rely on daily, such as repairing roads, upgrading drainage systems, and ensuring the integrity of water and sewer networks.

By investing in these essential services, the state aims to enhance the quality of life and safety for individuals in low to moderate-income areas, particularly in smaller towns and cities with populations under 50,000.

However, the future of this long-standing program is now in jeopardy due to President Trump's proposed federal fiscal year 2027 budget.

The administration's fiscal plan calls for the complete elimination of the CDBG program, a move that would halt federal support for local community development and housing efforts nationwide.

Governor Evers has expressed strong opposition to these proposed cuts, characterizing them as an attempt to undermine the ability of local governments to address their most pressing infrastructure and housing needs.

In response, the governor has urged Wisconsin's congressional delegation to take bipartisan action to protect the program and ensure that this vital funding remains a permanent fixture in the next federal budget.

The Wisconsin real estate landscape demonstrated significant momentum in July, marking the second consecutive month of healthy growth in home sales.

According to the latest data, existing home sales surged by 8.1%

Compared to the previous year, a trend that has placed considerable upward pressure on property values across the state.

This increased activity pushed the statewide median home price to $360,000, representing a 6.8% rise over July of last year.

Amy Curler, the 2026 Chair of the Board of Directors for the Wisconsin Realtors Association, characterized the current season as a solid summer for housing.

She noted that the combined performance of June and July represents the strongest first two months of peak summer sales since 2022, a notable feat given the higher mortgage rate environment that began a few years ago.

This statewide strength is reflected in year-to-date figures as well,

with sales up 4.9% and median prices increasing 6.2% for the first seven months of the year.

The Richland Center Park Board has scheduled its next official meeting for Monday, August 24th.

The session will begin at 5 p.m.

and will take place in the Community Center meeting room.

One of the primary highlights of the evening's agenda involves forward-looking financial discussions, specifically focusing on the fee projections

for the 2027 calendar year.

Additionally, the board will conduct its routine fiscal oversight by reviewing and moving for the approval of the monthly bills, ensuring that the department's expenditures remain transparent and accounted for.

The meeting will also feature a series of comprehensive monthly reports providing updates on various facets of the park system.

Attendees can expect detailed insights into the current budget status as well as administrative updates from the Recreation Director and the Woodman Senior Center Coordinator.

The session will conclude with a report from the Park Board President, offering a broad perspective on current projects and the general direction of the city's parks and recreation initiatives.

The Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents has officially approved its operating budget request for the 2027 through 2029 biennium, a proposal built upon three fundamental commitments to the people of Wisconsin.

This strategic plan aims to ensure that every resident has access to an affordable, high-quality UW education while simultaneously focusing on building the state's workforce and fostering the next generation of businesses.

Furthermore, the budget seeks to advance life-saving medical discoveries and improve health care access across the entire state.

At the heart of the proposal is a four-year tuition pledge designed to provide financial predictability for students and families.

Under this plan, the Board would freeze tuition for the 2027 through 2029 biennium, provided the state invests $190 million to cover the costs of the freeze and maintain educational quality.

In the years following, any tuition increases would be capped at the rate of inflation.

This pledge is complemented by the Wisconsin Work and Learn Initiative, a last-dollar aid program specifically for students from families earning less than the state median income in exchange for a work commitment.

Today is August 21st.

These are today's vital statistics.

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

Funeral services will be conducted today at 1130 at St.

Peter's Lutheran Church in Loganville.

internment will be in St.

Peter's Cemetery.

There will be visitation today from 9.30 a.m.

until 11.15 a.m.

at the church.

In Louis Flowers Memorial's St.

Peter's Lutheran Church would be appreciated.

The Farber Funeral Home is serving the family.

Isabel 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 today at 1.30 p.m.

at the Pratt Memorial Chapel.

Visitation will be held at the Pratt Memorial Chapel from 12.30 until the time of service at 1.30.

Military rights will be provided.

The Pratt funeral and cremation service is assisting the family.

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

Richard Arlen Olson, 94 of Evoca, died August 13.

Funeral services will be held today 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 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 Arlen Olson, 94 of Avoka.

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

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 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 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 and cremation service is assisting the family.

Albert Anthony, Grell Jr.

91 of Gotham.

Kevin Hoffman, 35 of Richland Center, died unexpectedly 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 your happy memories of Kevin to share.

no tears, no sad faces.

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 Avoka and Mineral Point, died May 31st.

A celebration of life is planned for Sunday, August 23rd, from 12 noon until 4 pm at the Old Avoca High School.

Gorgon Funeral Home in Dodgeville is assisting with the arrangements.

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

Edward L. Nadegal, Jr.

89 of Blue River died August 17th at SSM Health St.

Mary's Hospital in Madison.

Funeral services will be held Monday, August 24th at 12 noon at the Pratt Memorial Chapel.

Burial will follow at the Czech National Cemetery with military graveside rights divided by the local Military Memorial Honors Unit.

Visitation will be held Monday, August 24th at the Pratt Memorial Chapel from 10 a.m.

until the time of service at 12 noon.

The Pratt Funeral Anchormation Service is assisting the family.

Edward L. Nautical, Jr.

89 of Blue River.

Dennis D. Diedrich, 84 of Montello, died 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 30th from 1 p.m.

to 4 p.m.

at the Grey Drake in Portage.

Dennis D. Diedrich, 84 of Montello.

Shawna Alexander, 71 of Richland Center, died suddenly Monday, August 17th at the Richland Hospital.

Funeral services will be held Friday, August 28 at 12 noon at the Clary Memorial Funeral Home in Richland Center with visitation from 10 a.m.

until the time of service with burial to follow in the Bloom City Cemetery.

Shawna Alexander, 71 of Richland Center and in birth news from the Richland Hospital congratulations to parents Casey Brown,

And Jacob Brown on the birth of their son, welcome to the world, Maximus Brown.

Good morning everyone for double your CEO news.

I'm Todd Copernall 69 cloudy degrees in Richland Center right now headed today to a high of 82 in the news a prairie to sack man is behind bars following an investigation into internet crimes against children.

The Salk County Sheriff's Office says detectives arrested 75 year old Dennis Raulke on Thursday.

Officials say the arrest stems from a search warrant executed in early February at a residence on Roll Road.

Investigators seized computers and other electronic devices which were then sent for forensic analysis.

According to the Sheriff's Office, that analysis led to charges of possession of prohibited material.

Roque was booked into the Sock County Jail and is currently awaiting an initial court appearance.

Captain Matt Birch says the department remains committed to pursuing cases involving the exploitation of children and encourages anyone with information on criminal activity to contact local law enforcement or the Salk County Crime Stopper's tip line.

Ed Shitwood states, the milk into cheese drive begins tomorrow, runs through labor day.

This is a fundraiser to deliver cheese to five different food pantries throughout the year.

Donations of any size are gladly accepted or $170 buys 1000 pounds of milk.

which makes 100 pounds of cheese.

100% of the money raised goes to the cause.

Please make checks payable to MIC as in milk into cheese.

Send those to 16025 Eddie's Lane.

Blue River 53518.

There will be a hayride later this year.

WRCO will provide details as soon as they are available.

Pre-register for this weekend's Murder Mystery Weekend tonight at the 1921 AD Lounge located at the AD German Warehouse 300 South Church Street.

Registration runs from 5 to 7 p.m.

Wisconsin's labor market showed resilience in July as the unemployment rate remained stable at 3.3 percent, according to the latest preliminary estimates from the U.S.

Bureau of Labor Statistics.

This figure remains notably stronger than the national unemployment rate of 4.1%.

The state reported a total of 3,036,800 employed residents, marking an increase of 6,600 over the month and 26,500 over the year.

Additionally, the labor force participation rate held steady at 64.5%, continuing to outperform the national rate of 61.4%,

by 3.1 percentage points.

Total non-farm jobs in Wisconsin reached 3,042,900, reflecting a monthly gain of 1,200 jobs.

Yesterday, the Wisconsin State Patrol Tomah Post arrested 57-year-old George Lee Payne of West Salem following a traffic stop at the intersection of Highway 27 and Snyder Road in Crawford County.

The incident occurred shortly after 3 p.m.

when a Wisconsin state trooper initiated the stop and subsequently requested field sobriety tests.

While Mr. Payne refused to participate in the physical tests, a preliminary breath test indicated a blood alcohol concentration of .292, more than three times the legal limit.

Governor Tony Evers recently announced the allocation of more than $19.7 million in community development block grant CDBG public facilities funding to support critical infrastructure improvements across 20 Wisconsin communities.

These grants are intended to bolster local projects that residents rely on daily, such as repairing roads, upgrading drainage systems, and ensuring the integrity of water and sewer networks.

By investing in these essential services, the state aims to enhance the quality of life and safety for individuals in low to moderate-income areas, particularly in smaller towns and cities with populations under 50,000.

However, the future of this long-standing program is now in jeopardy due to President Trump's proposed federal fiscal year 2027 budget.

The administration's fiscal plan calls for the complete elimination of the CDBG program, a move that would halt federal support for local community development and housing efforts nationwide.

Governor Evers has expressed strong opposition to these proposed cuts, characterizing them as an attempt to undermine the ability of local governments to address their most pressing infrastructure and housing needs.

In response, the governor has urged Wisconsin's congressional delegation to take bipartisan action to protect the program and ensure that this vital funding remains a permanent fixture in the next federal budget.

The Wisconsin real estate landscape demonstrated significant momentum in July, marking the second consecutive month of healthy growth in home sales.

According to the latest data, existing home sales surged by 8.1%

Compared to the previous year, a trend that has placed considerable upward pressure on property values across the state.

This increased activity pushed the statewide median home price to $360,000, representing a 6.8% rise over July of last year.

Amy Curler, the 2026 Chair of the Board of Directors for the Wisconsin Realtors Association, characterized the current season as a solid summer for housing.

She noted that the combined performance of June and July represents the strongest first two months of peak summer sales since 2022, a notable feat given the higher mortgage rate environment that began a few years ago.

This statewide strength is reflected in year-to-date figures as well,

with sales up 4.9% and median prices increasing 6.2% for the first seven months of the year.

The Richland Center Park Board has scheduled its next official meeting for Monday, August 24th.

The session will begin at 5 p.m.

and will take place in the Community Center meeting room.

One of the primary highlights of the evening's agenda involves forward-looking financial discussions, specifically focusing on the fee projections

for the 2027 calendar year.

Additionally, the board will conduct its routine fiscal oversight by reviewing and moving for the approval of the monthly bills, ensuring that the department's expenditures remain transparent and accounted for.

The meeting will also feature a series of comprehensive monthly reports providing updates on various facets of the park system.

Attendees can expect detailed insights into the current budget status as well as administrative updates from the Recreation Director and the Woodman Senior Center Coordinator.

The session will conclude with a report from the Park Board President, offering a broad perspective on current projects and the general direction of the city's parks and recreation initiatives.

The Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents has officially approved its operating budget request for the 2027 through 2029 biennium, a proposal built upon three fundamental commitments to the people of Wisconsin.

This strategic plan aims to ensure that every resident has access to an affordable, high-quality UW education while simultaneously focusing on building the state's workforce and fostering the next generation of businesses.

Furthermore, the budget seeks to advance life-saving medical discoveries and improve health care access across the entire state.

At the heart of the proposal is a four-year tuition pledge designed to provide financial predictability for students and families.

Under this plan, the Board would freeze tuition for the 2027 through 2029 biennium, provided the state invests $190 million to cover the costs of the freeze and maintain educational quality.

In the years following, any tuition increases would be capped at the rate of inflation.

This pledge is complemented by the Wisconsin Work and Learn Initiative, a last-dollar aid program specifically for students from families earning less than the state median income in exchange for a work commitment.