WRCO Evening Obituaries

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.

Madison Police are looking for suspects accused of attempting to burglarize a woman's home over the weekend.

The police department explained yesterday the victim found two men in her bathroom and was able to scare them off by throwing her cane at them.

The two suspects were allegedly going through medicine bottles when she found them, but they ran off before police arrived.

It's unclear if they got away with anything, but the woman was not hurt during the incident.

The Wisconsin DOT wants to hear from the public about their Americans with Disabilities Act transition plan.

The plan highlights efforts to improve accessibility on Wisconsin's transportation system.

It also aims to find the specific barriers within their facilities and transportation infrastructure.

People can submit comments through an online comment form on WisDOT's website until September 17th.

One person is injured after being shot in the foot in Madison.

Madison Police responded Friday afternoon to reports of the shooting.

When police arrived, the suspect had already run away.

Officers determined the victim had been shot in the bathroom.

They were taken to the hospital and are expected to recover.

The incident remains under investigation.

A kangaroo is on the loose in Columbia County after escaping from a trailer.

It happened Sunday morning near Portage when four kangaroos were being transferred between vehicles.

The Wisconsin State Patrol says two of the animals were hit by vehicles and didn't survive while a third was recovered by the owners.

The fourth kangaroo ran off near Wisconsin 78 and Interstate 39 and is still unaccounted for.

Troopers requested Wisconsinites not pull over on the side of the road to look for the missing animal.

Wisconsin is receiving high marks as one of the most enjoyable states.

Finance website Wallet Hub recently ranked the most fund states in America based on several key factors.

The states were judged on the price of movie tickets, access to national parks, nightlife, and more.

The Badger state was ranked 16th overall, in case you were wondering, California had the highest score and ranked first.

A Wisconsin prosecutor has declined to charge Elon Musk after a dispute over a million-dollar giveaway during last year's state Supreme Court campaign.

La Crosse County District Attorney Tim Grunke says the evidence did not show that anyone received money for voting or agreeing to vote.

Musk first said the rally was for people who had voted, then clarified that people had to sign a petition opposing activist judges to attend.

The State Elections Commission referred the case after the rally in Green Bay and the original prosecutors stepped aside because of a conflict of interest.

Attorney General Josh Call has joined a multi-state lawsuit over federal grant rules that affect public safety programs in Wisconsin.

The challenge focuses on about $6 million in potential state funding for law enforcement and juvenile justice.

The Trump administration is requiring states to cooperate with Homeland Security immigration enforcement in order to receive the grants.

Call calls that an abuse of power, while the administration has not been quoted in the lawsuit materials provided.

Wisconsin Republicans have nearly twice as much campaign money as Democrats as the November midterms get closer.

GOP party committees have brought in $43 million, while Democratic committees have raised $22.2 million, according to recent campaign finance filings.

Much of the Republican total comes from three major donors, Richard and Elizabeth E. Lyne and Diane Hendricks.

Democrats say more money may come in now that their governor's primary is over.

Republicans say their fundraising lead shows the party is united and ready to compete.

A popular country music star is welcoming UW-Madison students back to school in style.

The Wisconsin Union announced Kane Brown will be performing a free concert for students on Saturday, September 5th, just days after classes begin on campus.

Students can get their free ticket online, while non-students can stream the concert on Amazon Live.

And that's your state news update.

I'm Connie Feldman for Civic Media News.

A lesson learned.

Hi, I'm Mike Clemens with sports, baseball, the Brewers and Mets go at it again tonight at Citibank Field in Queens, New York.

The Brewers losing in a close one and extra innings to the Mets last night, three to two.

Manager Pat Murphy pulled Cooper Pratt out of the game when he failed to take second base after a hit to right field in the fifth inning.

I know who this kid is.

He's a great kid.

It's not laziness, but you got to have your head in the game because these games like today comes down to Lindor's great catch or an error.

throw or whatever.

So you've got to be locked in if you're going to play at

this level.

NFL, the Arizona Cardinals in Green Bay to face the Packers in a joint practice session before Friday night's final preseason game, tight end Tucker Kraft getting more playing time each day.

Is he any closer to getting a new contract?

It's good to see him out there.

I mean, you know, he's worked his tail off as far as the contract goes.

It doesn't have any really effect on that.

Um, and then no rub.

It's there.

That's the Packers GM, Brian Goodekinst with sports.

I'm Mike Clemens.

Mostly sunny today with a high in the low 80s here this afternoon.

Tonight it will be mostly clear with temps dropping into the upper 50s to low 60s.

Tomorrow another sunny, beautiful, less humid day with a high in the low 80s.

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.

Today is August 26.

These are today's vital statistics.

David D. Dave Ault, 84 of Plain, died at home Sunday, August 23 after a long battle with cancer.

A funeral mass will be held Friday, August 28 at 11 a.m.

at St.

Luke's Catholic Church in Plain with burial in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be held Thursday, August 27 from 4 p.m.

until 7 p.m.

at St.

Luke's Catholic Church and again on Friday from 10 a.m.

until the time of Mass.

David D. Dave Ault, 84 of Plain.

Tracy Ann Atkinson, 65 of Boscobel, died Saturday, August 22 following a brief illness.

A visitation for Tracy will be held from 4 p.m.

until 7 p.m.

Friday August 28th at Backroads Methodist Church in Bosquebell.

A memorial service will be held at noon Saturday August 29th at the church.

An additional time of visitation will be held at the church Saturday from 10 a.m.

until the time of service.

Burial will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Backroads Methodist Church are appreciated to continue the work Tracy was so passionate about.

The family requests that bright colors are worn at her services.

Tracy Ann Atkinson, 65, of Boscobel.

Philip David Roberts, 77 of Arena, died August 15.

Funeral services will be held Friday, August 28th at 11 a.m.

at the Spring Green Community Church.

Visitation will be held Thursday, August 27th at the church from 4 p.m.

to 7 p.m.

and again Friday from 10 a.m.

until the time of service at 11.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St.

Croix Hospice of Platteville or the Hoden Center in Mineral Point.

The Richardson-Stefford Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Phillip David Roberts 77 of Arena Shawna Alexander 71 of Richland Center died suddenly Monday August 17th at the Richland Hospital.

Funeral services will be held Friday August 28th 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.

Shauna Alexander, 71 of Richland Center.

Dennis D. Diedrich, 84 of Montello, died Sunday, August 9th.

A family graveside service will be held Friday, August 28th 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.

Victoria Ann Vicki Sutton, 81 of Robinson, Illinois, formerly of Richland Center, died June 14th following a brief illness.

A celebration of life will be held at the American Legion Post 13 in Richland Center Saturday, August 29th from noon until 4 p.m.

A lunch will be served.

Victoria E. Sutton, 81 of Robinson, Illinois, formerly of Richland Center.

Today's vital statistics are sponsored by Crowsie Monument.

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

Today is August 26th.

These are today's vital statistics.

David D. Dave Ault, 84, of Plain Died at Home, Sunday, August 23rd, after a long battle with cancer.

A funeral mass will be held Friday, August 28th at 11 a.m.

at St.

Luke's Catholic Church in Plain with burial in the Church Cemetery.

Visitation will be held Thursday, August 27th from 4 p.m.

until 7 p.m.

at St.

Luke's Catholic Church and again Friday from 10 a.m.

until the time of mass.

David D. Dave Ault, 84 of Plain.

Tracy Ann Atkinson, 65 of Boscobel, died Saturday, August 22 following a brief illness.

Visitation for Tracy will be held from 4 p.m.

until 7 p.m.

Friday, August 28 at Backroads Methodist Church in Boscobel.

A memorial service will be held at noon Saturday, August 29 at the church.

An additional time of visitation will be held at the church Saturday from 10 a.m.

until the time of service.

Barrio will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Backroads Methodist Church are appreciated.

To continue the work, Tracy was so passionate about.

The family requests that bright colors are worn at her services.

Tracy Ann Atkinson, 65 of Boscabill.

Philip David Roberts, 77 of Arena, died August 15.

Funeral services will be held Friday, August 28th at 11 a.m.

at the Spring Green Community Church.

Visitation will be held Thursday, August 27th at the church from 4 p.m.

until 7 p.m.

and again Friday from 10 a.m.

until the time of service at 11.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St.

Croix Hospice of Platteville or the Holden Center in Mineral Point.

The Richardson Stafford Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Phillip David Roberts, 77 of Arena.

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

Funeral services will be held Friday, August 28th at 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.

Shauna Alexander, 71 of Richland Center.

Dennis D. Diedrich, 84 of Montello, died Sunday, August 9th.

A family graveside service will be held Friday, August 28th 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.

until 4 p.m.

at the Gray Drake in Portage.

Dennis D. Diedrich, 84, of Montello.

Victoria Ann Vicki Sutton, 81, of Robinson, Illinois, formerly of Richland Center, died June 14th following a brief illness.

A celebration of life will be held at the American Legion Post 13 in Richland Center Saturday, August 29th from noon until 4 p.m.

A lunch will be served.

Victoria Vicki Sutton 81 of Robinson, Illinois, formerly of Richland Center.

This concludes today's vital statistics.

It's the Midweek Roundup.

Wednesday's Roundup brought to you by Richland Hospital, Cardinal Glass EG, Badgerland Flooring, and by Julie Kieran State Farm.

Today, it's Hanco or Facto.

Hank's got the questions, and Phil, he's got the final say on whether it's fact or something cooked up over a cup of bad coffee.

Confidence?

Absolutely.

Accuracy?

That's where things get adventurous.

Play along and see if you can out-guess Phil, because the truth is out there, and Phil is doing his best to find it.

Wednesday's roundup, where factos, Hankos, and Phil, all collide.

It's time for the roundup.

There he is.

How you doing young man?

What's going on brother?

I try not to get in too much trouble the more I know the less the less I tell people.

Is that right?

That's a good point.

I'm kind of confused.

Beautiful morning.

Oh, isn't it rain?

I did not get zero

drops.

Yeah.

It kind of woke me out of my beauty sleep as you can tell.

That's been happening for about 10, 15

years.

47 hundredth year of the studio.

I didn't get

any.

And it was just a brief, like probably 15 minutes span.

It was done.

Really?

Well, good rain.

Yeah.

So anyway, they're working on the road again today.

Yeah, I see that.

Yeah.

You hear it too, don't you?

It's a little home in the background.

Once in a while, right?

A little

vibration going

on, crushing out there, but yeah, they're going to start laying down cement in some areas.

And

they're, they're started this morning.

Yeah.

So, but down there, you know, where they've been, where they're not replaced in the whole road where they're just, it's all full of water.

Every, every hole.

Oh, sure.

Yeah.

Oh, well, there's no drain because they've taken the road out and it just sets.

Since it's right there.

Yeah, you anything fun last night?

I'm trying to think what I did not much No, kind of picked on a couple of grandbabies.

Did you

yeah?

It was about it you get them revved up and send them home and I don't feel him from candy give him give him some some mints, you know

Boy, yeah,

yeah.

Yeah.

Do I like the mints?

Yeah.

Yeah, Kamari.

Oh Kamari likes the mints Yeah, cuz he's what two and a half and he kind of talks

A little bit like Forrest Gump sometimes or you know, but but he kind of stretches out every word, but Gramp on me I'm in Fair enough.

All right.

Sure.

We got it.

We got you got you covered So good

for you.

So your question of the day Philip.

Have you ever practiced kissing in a mirror?

I'm sure I did.

That's where I got my first kiss

And you've had 50 years of bad luck.

What can you do?

What can you do?

Well, you might be from Arkansas, Phillip.

If you think lawn chairs belong permanently in truck beds.

How many times have you seen

that?

You know, not for a long time.

I was talking to somebody the other day about that.

That used to be a lot more commonplace.

Don't think it's legal.

I don't even know.

No, I don't think so.

I don't think

you're supposed to, but it used to be all that was

like,

Hey, that's how you got point A to point B. You know,

when I was a little guy, dad used to take us places and when we were good.

I don't remember going anywhere.

Huh.

That's

interesting.

Well, anyway, the old seat belt, the old arm seat belt, you know, we'd be all three standing up in the seat and we'd go around a corner or something and put his whole hand over here.

Like that's going to stop us dad.

But, you know, seatbelts and stuff, it wasn't... No, no, it wasn't.

You didn't have to have them.

You didn't have to have them.

Right.

Yeah, so... My wife... I remember buying a truck one time that didn't have seatbelts.

Must have been

an old one.

It was an old one,

yeah.

Yeah.

Pre, like, 72

or something.

72.

That was a 70... In 1971, it was a little yellow bomb of a truck.

Right.

I think, and I'm going by memory, but I believe they weren't...

Seat belts weren't required for all of the seats until like the late 80s.

I'm sure.

I'm sure.

I

think

that they started with the front, you know, and then they, but anyway, but yeah, my wife, June, when their family took a vacation back in the day and they're all little, she tells about one laying in the window,

bed in the back of the car,

one laying on the floor and

you know, whatever.

Do you remember when cars didn't have time or clocks at all?

Right.

Well, if they did, they didn't work.

Right.

It was like a some sort of add on that usually didn't work.

I remember going down the road and if we didn't have, you know, if we didn't have the time or something, we, we had this piece of paper that says, time please.

Time please.

Oh boy.

Yeah.

Anyway, that's the only thing we threw up when we were going down the road and threw up.

I mean, Oh.

Throw you know threw up a sign.

I wish that was the only thing that we You know, it's tough tough growing up Bill.

Yeah, I know here's your Here are your rapid fire questions for the day.

Oh boy.

Go to gas nation snack Peanuts.

Oh, yeah, is it the honey roasted ones?

Is that right or is that they're

good?

But you know the other time you went with me to a game you turn me on

to oh, yes those

Pecan pralines

you love them don't yeah

well I do and those are again the kind you know if you're driving you want to stay alert I always have to chew on something well you can put one of those pralines in there and you can you can suck on it for about three miles you

know so there you go bag will last you till sexton absolutely all right your favorite smell new moon hey new moon hey yeah mine is the smell of fall

oh

All right, so I know people go, well, what's the smell?

To me, the smell of fall is a wood stove burning in the distance, you know, like a how, you know, like a wood.

It's just that with the little brisk of a cool, fresh air.

Oh, nothing better than

that.

I think about it with a Friday night football

and start to get a little dew on the grass.

Yeah.

Yeah.

And sometimes, and I remember, uh, cigarette smoke being a huge popular event at the football games.

No lie.

Hopefully not the players.

No, well, not at my, not in my day, but believe this or not, when I started high school, okay, they had a smokers box for high school students.

Do you remember that

the

smokers area?

Oh, yes.

Yes.

Wow.

I had a smokers area for, for high school students.

Must have been a different time there

in the

period.

I don't, I mean, I go back to the seventies.

I remember, but I do remember fans like at football games, you know, when I was younger.

Right.

That was, it was all right to smoke on school grounds.

Yeah.

I'll never forget those seniors smoking out there in the smoke pit.

Yeah.

That's like, that's weird.

Oh, yeah.

No, well, one thing you won't share fries, pecans, rollins, oranges, canis key, canis key.

That's kind of bad.

Yeah.

Right.

Guilty pleasure song.

something by the Partridge family.

Is

it really?

Oh yeah, I've said that for a long time.

David Cassidy and because and it's not that the music is so good, but it takes me back to being about eight, nine, 10 years old and watching them, you know, and hearing the records and still feel like that when I hear one of their songs, it just kind of takes me back.

So

there you go.

Weirdest thing in your car.

I don't know.

That could be any number of things.

Weirdest thing in your car.

They've got to be something in there that's weird.

It's all practical

stuff.

They're not counting the mice.

Though there aren't any mice, I don't think.

I

got all mine

out.

I got

rid of those, right.

But I have, I have a heater,

you know,

like

a

small, I don't know if that's, you know, but.

it's going to be here before we know it.

I just carry this stuff all the time.

I've got a heater, I've got a fan, I've got a light, like a

goose,

because you need all those things when you go to games.

Yeah.

Different times.

When I first saw you with a goose neck, I was going, what is the light for?

Yeah.

And then I went with you and it's like, even in gyms, sometimes they're dark up there and you can't read and that little light is.

It's perfect.

It doesn't distract anything.

I didn't take it with me last week to the baseball game in arena.

Did you need

it?

Yes.

I thought, you know, because the field lights aren't

enough

sometimes and you're off in the shadow and you're trying to see.

Yeah, I'm surprised you didn't take that.

No, I

forgot it.

No, no, that's first for you.

Sharks existed before trees did.

True or false?

Or hanko or facto?

I think so.

I think they did.

That's true.

Yeah.

Yeah, sharks predate trees, ancient sea predators of ancient seas.

Yeah, so elephants can't swim.

Henko or facto?

I think they can swim.

Yeah, elephants can swim.

Yes, they can.

actually pretty good swimmers.

I'm thinking they can.

Yeah.

And just never get their trunk sweat.

How long have you been waiting for that?

Oh, I just made that one up on the fly.

That's good.

I didn't even make Monday though.

You're

here all week.

Yeah.

Right.

You know, a cattle can swim.

You know, yes

they can.

A little known fact.

Yes they can.

They don't

like to, but they will

if they have to.

They will.

And you only need one cow to go across.

Everything everybody else will follow.

Right.

Usually within

20 to 25 feet of where that first cattle went.

It's funny.

Sometimes they walk on their back legs and then they, they paddle their big front feet, you know, or

who's kind of like Henry does.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Well, it's a peerage dog

paddle.

Yeah.

Yeah.

All right.

Drummer Beatles drummer, Ringo was born as Frederick.

No, Richard.

Are you sure?

Well, I don't know.

I've

born Richard Starchy.

He became a famously lovable Ringo star.

Yeah.

Richard Starkey,

unless

Frederick was his first name, but I don't think so.

I don't think he was here.

I think it was Richard as Richard, Richard Starkey.

Yeah.

A day on Pluto is shorter than a human lifespan.

Hmm.

A day on Pluto.

I think that's true.

It is true.

Pluto rates, Pluto rotates every four.

Point six Earth days will short shorter than many like many lifespans.

Isn't that crazy?

But you're talking

about the

cartoon character?

He's still alive, but Pluto got demoted to a dwarf planet.

So what's even a planet though?

Well, I think they've kind of rescinded that a little bit I think they've gone back and I think it's probably

a little guy

reinstated as a small planet in our solar system.

Well, um

Let's see here Russia is larger than Pluto in surface area

True.

Uh, is it Hanco or true?

Give me again.

Russia is larger than Pluto in surface area, surface area.

Yes.

Yes.

I say that's right.

It is.

It is.

It's a Pluto is, uh, around 10 million, 506, 10 million, 556,333 miles.

Russia's better than that.

That's crazy.

That is man.

That's nuts.

Hmm.

That's a, that's a

factor.

Hanco.

Yeah.

Lots of fact today.

Yeah, I'm trying.

It's hard to find some truth.

It's hard to find truth with me, Phil.

Walt Disney was chronologically or sorry.

What is that word?

Cryogenically

cryo cry.

I was on that cryogenically frozen.

Well, that was that that is an urban legend at the I remember hearing that when I was a kid, you know They're gonna they're gonna thaw him out when they find a cure for whatever he had, but I think that's not true.

I think it's a It's Hanko.

He was cremated.

Yeah, yeah, right Yeah, the Beatles performed their last live concert on a rooftop.

Yes, that's true.

You know where Apple studio

You're right on this,

aren't

you?

Yep January of 1969

The first video ever uploaded to YouTube was of cats.

Yes, that's true.

It is.

It was actually a zoo featuring a trip to the zoo with kitties.

How

many

cat videos since then?

Oh my goodness.

All the cute cat stuff.

Annie, have you ever uploaded a video with Annie?

I should.

Annie's got several just unique traits.

And one of them is she lays flat on her back in the middle of the floor with all four legs.

extended and she does that all the time.

Sleeps like that.

Vikings were horned helmets into battle.

Minnesota?

I'm going to say that's not true.

The image came from opera costumes in 1800s.

Actual Viking helmets were horn free.

Didn't come from Oprah.

No, opera.

My goodness.

Oh, anyway, what else do you have?

Speaking of which, uh, we have

hanked

on phonics.

Hanked on.

Hanked on fine.

He's on something.

That's

for sure.

Hanked on phonics.

Here we go.

Let's see my word of the day.

Uh,

about how about this one?

There we go.

Oh, I think I got that one.

Ms.

Chevious.

Oh, is that right?

Uh, Ms.

Chevious.

Uh, it's.

correct, correct pronunciation is mischievous mischievous mischievous.

But we often, we often do say mischievous.

So what, but, but mischievous is how you're

supposed to say.

Yeah.

That's Phil was mischievous all

day.

Yeah.

Yeah.

He was in the air chair.

That's right.

That, that kid, I could have crowned

it.

I could have.

I hear one more.

I snail can sleep for three years, Phillip.

Three years.

A snail can sleep up for three years.

Must be a radio announcer.

You know, could be.

I'm going to say that's true.

It is true.

Wow.

Yeah.

During drought, snails, hibernate and sealed shells sleeping for years.

What a dream.

It must be.

I tell you what, all right.

Some people have all the luck and some people just have

snails.

And today is make your own luck day.

That's one of the things to celebrate.

Well, enjoy your day, young man.

And thank you very much.

Have a great day.

Be kind, my friend.

That's

right.

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 26th.

These are today's vital statistics.

David D. Dave Ault, 84 of Plain, died at home Sunday, August 23rd, after a long battle with cancer.

A funeral mass will be held Friday, August 28th at 11 a.m.

at St.

Luke's Catholic Church in Plain with burial in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be held Thursday, August 27th from 4 p.m.

until 7 p.m.

at St.

Luke's Catholic Church and again Friday from 10 a.m.

until the time of mass.

Dave is survived by his children Gret and Tammy Ault, Jackie and John Jewel, Mark and Lori Ault, Tim Ault,

and Shelley and Tim Haritz, brother-in-law Tom Otter, sister-in-law Paula Bray, eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, David D. Dave Ault, 84 of Plain.

Tracy Ann Atkinson, 65 of Boscobel, died Saturday, August 22, following a brief illness.

A visitation for Tracy will be held from 4 p.m.

until 7 p.m.

Friday, August 28 at Backroads Methodist Church in Bosquebell.

A memorial service will be held at noon Saturday, August 29 at the church.

An additional time of visitation will be held at the church Saturday from 10 a.m.

until the time of service.

burial will take place at a later date, and Lua Flowers donations to Backroads Methodist Church are appreciated to continue the work Tracy was so passionate about.

The family requests that bright colors are worn at her services.

Tracy is survived by her husband Russ Atkinson, children JT and Andrea Atkinson, Nicole and Noah Baumeister, Allison and Lawrence Bay, and Casey and Kennedy Atkinson, parents Al and Judy Tremel, siblings Thomas Tremel, Terry and David Sanborn, Karen and Bert Hicks, Gary Tremel and Tricia Tremel.

eight grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Tracy Ann Atkinson, 65, of Bosquebell.

Philip David Roberts, 77, of Arena, died August 15.

Funeral services will be held Friday August 28th at 11 a.m.

at the Spring Green Community Church.

Visitation will be held Thursday August 27th at the church from 4 p.m.

until 7 p.m.

and again Friday from 10 a.m.

until the time of service at 11.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St.

Croix Hospice of Platteville or the Hoden Center in Mineral Point.

The Richardson Stafford funeral home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Phillip is survived by his wife Linda, son Fred and Shannon, daughter Erica and Sean, five grandchildren, siblings Stan and Nancy Roberts, Steve and Bridget Roberts, brother-in-law Carl and Rose Peterson, sister-in-law Joan, brothers-in-law Don Creasy, Roger Creasy,

Bruce and Betty Creasy, as well as many nephews and nieces.

Philip David Roberts, 77 of Arena.

Shawna Alexander, 71 of Richland Center, died suddenly Monday, August 17 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.

Burial will follow in the Bloom City Cemetery.

Shawna is survived by her husband, John Alexander, her children, Elizabeth Alexander, Michelle Alexander, Courtney and Michael Richards,

Joshua Alexander and Cassidy and Adam Ray, brothers Rex and Sharon Philpott, Brett and Brian Philpott, Travis and Kelly Philpott, nine grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, Shawna Alexander, 71 of Ritzland Center.

Dennis D. Diedrich, 84 of Montello, died Sunday, August 9th.

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

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

until 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, Stephen 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.

Victoria Ann Vicki Sutton, 81 of Robinson, Illinois, formerly of Richland Center, died June 14th following a brief illness.

A celebration of life will be held at American Legion Post 13 in Richland Center, Saturday, August 29th from noon until 4 p.m., a lunch will be served.

Vicky is survived by her husband Jean, daughters Tammy and Rich, Lukavitz, Tony and Eric Rariden, stepson Todd Prouty, stepdaughter Tasha and Dave Whittington Wysniewski, brothers-in-law Felix and Ulta Sutton,

Galen and Donna Sutton, Sterling and Kathy Sutton, sister-in-law Sheila and Mike Bradford, nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, many other nieces, nephews and friends, Victoria Vicki Sutton, 81 of Robinson, Illinois, formerly of Richland Center.

We've got a Highway 14 East construction update from Project Manager Brad Schultz.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation and their contractors will begin permanent concrete paving operations today at the Bowman Drive intersection.

Mainline paving of the eastbound lanes will continue east to the County O intersection with the anticipation of completing mainline paving operations by Saturday.

All newly installed concrete will need three to four days of cure time for the new concrete pavement to achieve its desired strength.

All intersections and driveways will be opened as soon as the new concrete meets its strength specifications and is ready for traffic.

Business access will remain open to all businesses within the work zone, with either a shared driveway with neighboring businesses or a partial driveway constructed in halves.

Everyone working on the project appreciates your cooperation and understanding during these inconvenient times, as it will lead to a long-lasting project everyone in the community can be proud of.

United States Senator Tammy Baldwin was in Richland Center yesterday for a tour of the Richland Hospital, after which she met with several members of the staff and the hospital board for a roundtable discussion regarding rural health care.

During the discussion Baldwin expressed the next major reform in healthcare will likely be addressing the impact of middlemen in the pharmaceutical industry.

Baldwin stated these companies state a price for a drug, but then no one pays that price.

It's this discount and that rebate and on and on.

Both the senator and multiple TRHC staff members expressed frustration not only with the costs associated with the current system, but also the unnecessary

delays that seem to do nothing but waste the time of everyone involved when the focus should be on delivering the best outcomes for the people seeking medical care.

Baldwin shared from her personal history explaining how a childhood illness she had

had made it difficult to find health insurance because for years insurance companies were allowed to deny coverage to those with what was then called a pre-existing condition.

Citing the change that change as an example of major reform Baldwin said they can't do that anymore.

Baldwin expanded on that point adding she was

quote, proud to be the author of the amendment that made it possible for children to stay on their parents insurance until age 26.

Looking to the future and the need for significant reform in the health care system once again, Baldwin said, it has to get done.

But that doesn't mean they're going to make it easy.

The Richland County Natural Resources Standing Committee is set to meet Monday, August 31st at 9.30 a.m.

in the county boardroom.

This upcoming session follows a period of intense public opposition and significant community interest regarding the proposed BECI 765 kilovol transmission line project.

Recent local meetings, including a county board session that had to be moved

to a larger venue to accommodate the crowd have underscored the deep concerns residents hold regarding environmental impacts.

property loss and transparency.

Central to the committee's agenda is the ongoing debate over the high voltage line.

Members will consider a formal resolution opposing the 765 kilovolt transmission line and discuss the technical requirement of mapping these lines as a GIS layer.

This action follows previous efforts by the County Board to request additional information from developers as residents in the driftless area continue to organize legal and community

coalition's against the project.

In addition to the transmission line discussions, the committee will handle several other essential county matters.

The agenda includes reviewing multiple zoning petitions for rezoning and parcel splits across various county locations.

The committee is also scheduled to discuss and potentially approve a short-term rental ordinance for a future public hearing alongside updates to zoning rules concerning junk properties and the keeping of chickens.

Departmental reports from the Zoning Administrator, County Conservationist, UW Extension and Real Property Lister will also be presented.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice has announced a landmark $17.1 billion multi-state settlement with meta platforms incorporated, marking the largest state consumer protection settlement involving a single company since the big tobacco agreements of the 1990s.

Wisconsin is set to receive between $219 million and $313 million from this agreement, which resolves claims brought by

47 states, the District of Columbia, and multiple territories.

These jurisdictions had alleged that META intentionally designed platforms like Instagram with addictive features, exposed young users to mental health risks, and misled the public regarding platform safety.

As part of the settlement, META is required to implement significant safety measures on Instagram and Facebook.

These include strict daily time limits for children featuring mandatory pauses after 15 minutes of continuous use and at the 60 and 90 minute marks to break up scrolling.

The company must also establish nighttime blocks between midnight and 6 a.m.

and limit access during school hours by eliminating push notifications on weekdays from 8 a.m.

until 3 p.m.

during the school year.

Furthermore, the agreement mandates robust age assurance measures, enhanced parental controls, and stricter content safeguards against bullying, eating disorders, and self-harm.

MetaMust also limit features linked to poor mental health, such as certain beauty filters and visible like counts.

The implementation of these changes will be assessed by an independent auditor and a committee of settling states.

This settlement follows a nearly five-year bipartisan investigation that began in 2021 when attorneys general nationwide scrutinized Meta's promotion of platforms to youth despite known harms.

The investigation revealed that Meta internally documented mental health harms while failing to warn parents.

This agreement effectively resolves those cases along with claims related to Meta's sharing of

of non-public user information with third parties like Cambridge Analytica prior to the 2016 election.

The settlement remains subject to final court approval.

New research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reveals that speeding has become a deeply normalized behavior among modern motorists.

Many drivers no longer view the posted speed limit as a definitive boundary with a significant number considering it acceptable to travel at least 10 miles per hour over the limit.

This shift in attitude is further evidenced by the fact that nearly half of drivers believe keeping up the flow of traffic

is safer than strictly obeying the law and three in ten motorists feel that virtually no one actually drives at the speed limit anymore.

However, these perceptions carry grave risks.

Speeding was a contributing factor in approximately 30% of traffic fatalities in 2024, prompting safety experts to warn that crashes are unaffected by social norms and that higher speeds drastically reduce a driver's reaction time.

The motivations behind speeding vary, but they often stem from a desire to navigate around slower vehicles, reach a destination more quickly, or avoid impeding the flow of traffic.

Compounding the issue is a widespread belief that law enforcement typically does not intervene until a vehicle is traveling 10 to 12 miles per hour above the limit.

While the threat of a citation remains the most effective incentive for slowing down, followed by the desire to avoid a crash or respond to hazardous weather, drivers are increasingly resistant to measures that remove their personal control.

For instance, while automated speed cameras and increased police presence in high-risk areas receive broad support,

Fewer than half of drivers favor physical interventions like speed bumps in their neighborhoods and most prefer simple warning alerts over technology that actively limits a vehicle's speed.

To navigate roads where speeding is common, safety organizations recommend that drivers prioritize visibility road conditions and the space surrounding their vehicle rather than attempting to match the pace of the fastest traffic.

When surrounded by speeding vehicles, the safest course of action is to stay in the right lane, maintain a steady and predictable speed, and increase following distances.

Ultimately road safety is not about conforming to the behaviors of others, but about ensuring every driver has the necessary time to identify problems and react effectively to avoid a collision.

Monday morning, a routine drive-through Liberty Township turned into a scene of devastation, following a collision between a passenger vehicle and a farm tractor.

At 11.09 a.m., emergency dispatchers notified to Grant County Sheriff's Office of a severe crash on County Highway E, situated near the intersection of Scenic Road.

The incident involved an 89-year-old rural Livingston man, Melvin Mechak, and 63-year-old Jeffrey Vesperman of Fenimore.

According to initial reports from deputies at the scene, Mechak was traveling eastbound in a 2022 Buick Envision when his vehicle struck the rear of Vesperman's tractor, which was also heading east.

The force of the impact was so significant that Vesperman was thrown from the tractor.

Following the collision, the tractor veered into the North Ditch where Mechak's SUV came to arrest while Mechak's SUV came to arrest in the South Ditch.

The gravity of the situation prompted an immediate and massive multi-agency response, bringing together first responders from Lancaster, EMS, and Fire, Southwest Health EMS, Fenimore EMS, and the Stitzer Fire Department.

Due to the critical nature of Vesperman's injuries, UW MedFlight was summoned directly to the crash site.

Southwest Health EMS personnel worked to stabilize Vesperman before transporting him to the waiting helicopter.

He was subsequently flown to UW Hospital in Madison.

However, despite the efforts of medical staff, he later died from the injuries sustained in the crash.

Mishak was assessed by responders on site and was later taken to a hospital by a private party for further evaluation.

The Aging ADRC Advisory Committee convened August 5th to discuss a range of community initiatives and program updates impacting Richland County.

David Scribbins called the meeting to order, which included reports on significant local contributions and upcoming safety partnerships.

A notable highlight from citizen comments included the Red Cross collecting 928 units of blood in the Southwest Chapter,

with Ritzland Center leading the efforts for July.

Additionally, a new collaboration between the Ritzland Center Fire Department and the Red Cross was announced to provide smoke detector education and incentives for blood donors.

Discussions focused heavily on transportation and funding sustainability.

Roxanne Klubertans Gerber provided updates on the ongoing contract negotiations with MTM, noting that the new agreement will address insurance requirements and shift to a payment model based on loaded miles.

To ensure cost coverage under the new structure, contracted rates will be adjusted higher than previous inclusive rates.

To further committee understanding, Roxanne also presented a detailed overview of ADRC funding sources, explaining how Medicaid reimbursement is secured through meticulous time reporting in the peer place program.

Looking ahead, the committee is preparing for revisions to the three-year aging plan specifically regarding nutrition program goals.

Recent outreach efforts have seen ADRC personnel engaging with legislators and participating in community events like National Night Out.

Program success was evident in the consistent attendance at the Rise and Dine program and the development of new initiatives such as the Harmony of Hope

As the fiscal year progresses, all programs currently remain under budget, allowing for future considerations such as the purchase of a new nutrition vehicle and potential grant applications to address caregiver shortages.

United States Senators Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin and Cory Booker from New Jersey are calling on the Federal Trade Commission to launch a rigorous investigation into Cisco's proposed $29.1 billion acquisition of Jetro Restaurant Depot.

The lawmakers expressed deep concern that the merger could lead to unprecedented consolidation within the nation's food distribution network, ultimately stifling competition and inflating

costs for both independent restaurants and everyday consumers.

In a formal letter addressed to FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson, the senators highlighted the precarious economic position of small dining establishments.

They argued that a dominant monopoly in food distribution would grant Cisco the power to raise prices at will.

Because most independent restaurants operate on thin profit margins of just 3-5%, any increase in supply costs would likely be passed on to diners, or in the worst cases, forced closures and trigger local layoffs.

A central point of contention is the threat to restaurant depots' unique

cash and carry model.

Unlike traditional distributors that require contracts and minimum orders, JETRO's model allows small businesses and farmers to compare prices without the burden of delivery fees.

The senators warned that removing this alternative would eliminate a vital competitive check that currently helps maintain lower cost options for caterers and small scale producers.

This push for federal intervention mirrors the FT

EC's 2015 decision to block Cisco's attempted purchase of U.S.

foods.

In that instance, the commission concluded that such a merger would significantly reduce competition and harm service levels for the public.

With menu prices already up more than 34% since 2020, the senators maintain that further vertical integration in the food space is a risk the economy cannot afford.

Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services have launched the Wisconsin Injury and Violence Prevention Strategic Plan, the state's first comprehensive framework, in over a decade.

This five-year roadmap unifies public health agencies and community partners to systematically reduce violence and preventable injuries statewide.

Developed through extensive stakeholder collaboration, the plan focuses on five critical priority areas, reducing child male treatment, intimate partner assault, intentional.

firearm injuries, unintentional drug overdoses, and self-harm or suicide.

By targeting these specific challenges, the state aims to address the root causes of trauma and fatalities affecting Wisconsin families.

The initiative builds on encouraging safety trends, including a 19% decrease in homicides and a 25% drop in firearm-related homicides since 2022.

Johnson has notably outperformed national trends in reducing overall firearm deaths, providing a strong foundation for the new strategic goals.

To support these efforts, the Evers administration has invested $15 million in grants for local nonprofits, schools, and law enforcement, alongside the establishment of the Statewide Office of Violence Prevention.

Through these sustained investments and key community partnerships, Wisconsin is working to cultivate resilient communities where every resident can live safely.

The Wisconsin State Journal reports the request is part of the department's 2027 budget proposal to get tasers, new tasers, for the Madison Police Department.

This was submitted before last month's deadly shooting of Cory Ruiz.

Officers unsuccessfully deployed older versions of the less-than-lethal devices in an attempt to subdue Ruiz.

He was then shot and killed by Officer Keel Baderger Peterson.

The request will be included in Madison's capital budget, which goes before the Common Council, for debate next month.

La Crosse County District Attorney Tim Greenkey declines to file criminal charges against billionaire

Elon Musk on allegations he illegally influenced Wisconsin's 2025 Supreme Court election.

Complaints brought by voters in Milwaukee and Green Bay were referred, were referred by the Wisconsin Elections Commission to Grinke, who doesn't believe a jury would convict Musk.

The complaints referenced social media posts promising million-dollar giveaways tied to a campaign event for conservative candidate Brad Schimmel.

Grinke says an initial post poorly worded and ambiguous was poorly worded and ambiguous while a second apparently recognized the potential violation and corrected it.

He also notes that no one received anything of value in exchange for voting.

The Vernon County Sheriff's Office led by Sheriff Roy Torgerson handled a wide array of incidents

during the week ending August 22, ranging from traffic-related medical emergencies to disorderly conduct and arrest for firearms violations.

The week began with a unique call when deputies assisted a resident on Morningstar Road in the town of Union, where a large herd of sheep was reported to be damaging crops.

That same day, law enforcement investigated a trespassing report from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway in Genoa.

where individuals were seen fishing from the tracks, though they had departed before deputies arrived.

Midweek activities were marked by a high-stakes traffic stop and a hit-and-run investigation involving a horse-drawn buggy.

On August 18, deputies and varroquate police intercepted a motorist on US Highway 14 after reports of erratic driving in Reedstown.

The driver was found to be suffering from a medical event and was promptly transported for care.

Later that day, authorities investigated a collision in the town of Greenwood between a brown vehicle and a buggy.

While the buggy was properly equipped with safety lights and signs, it was struck after the horse became spooked.

The driver of the vehicle fled the scene and the investigation remains ongoing.

The latter half of the week saw several arrests and responses to community disturbances.

In Viola, deputies addressed a group of teenagers tampering with apartment doors on Gold Macro Way, while in Reedstown, a male suspect reportedly disrupted a public meeting before fleeing.

Criminal investigations were also launched in the town of Kickapoo following a reported burglary at a business on Riley Road.

The week concluded with significant enforcement actions, including the arrest of a woman on Spring Cooley Road for operating a firearm while intoxicated and a domestic incident on Monroe Street in Westby that resulted in a male suspect being taken into custody for battery and disorderly conduct.

The Crawford County Fair will be held tomorrow through Sunday at the Crawford County Fair grounds in Gays Mills.

Tomorrow the midway opens at 3 o'clock and the challenge to the champion's bull ride begins at 7.

Friday features live music by Buck Hallow at 3.30 and the Tri-State Truck and Tractor Pole at 6.30.

Saturday's events include an antique tractor pole at 10, Monty Berger and Country Gold at 3.30 and the demolition derby will be held at 7 o'clock.

On Sunday morning there will be a car show at 10 o'clock and the class of 62 band performs at one o'clock.

All weekend there will be exhibitors, arts and crafts, photography, food and more.

More information and a full list of events can be found at the fair website CrawfordCountyWisconsinFair.com.

We have two new winners today in the Grace Calendar raffle drawing.

They are

$50 winners today, ticket number 1766, Tom Geffings of Richland Center, and also ticket number 2277, Megan Glassbrunner from Madison.

Congratulations to both of you.

Good evening, everyone, for WRCO News.

I'm Todd Copernall.

In a press release issued today, Richland County Board Chair Kerry Severson stated, Richland County ad hoc EMS District Formation Committee invites the community to a town hall.

Tuesday, September 29th at 6 p.m.

This event will be held at the American Legion, located at 900 Flag Park Drive in Richland Center.

This will be an interactive discussion between the committee and the community to talk about emergency medical services in Richland County.

This will be an opportunity for the community to learn what steps the county has taken related to emergency medical services and what that means for you as a resident of Richland County.

We look forward to seeing you there again.

The ad hoc EMS district formation committee from Richland County will be holding a town hall meeting

Tuesday, September 29 at 6 p.m.

at the American Legion in Ritz-Lenz Center.

W-R-C-O News also received a report today of a road improvement project scheduled for next year on Highway 14 East.

This project will span 11.45 miles, beginning 0.1 miles east of Highway 58 and continuing to the Sock County line.

And in that stretch of Highway 14, the intent is to improve the pavement, widen the shoulders, and improve the intersection at Gotham by widening that intersection.

There will not

be around about in Gotham again next year at some point the dates are not set yet.

Highway 14 east from 0.1 miles east of highway 58 to the sock county line 11.45 miles will have pavement improvement, widening of the shoulders and an improvement by widening the intersection at Gotham there will not be around about in Gotham.

The annual autumn fest celebration will be held this weekend at Blue River.

The event will get underway Friday evening.

Justin Degenhardt is an organizer of Autumn Fast.

Friday night, our men's fast pitch tournament starts.

That's a staple.

Been at Autumn Fast for 40-some years.

I believe the first game starts at 6, and then we have our Euker tournament in the park starts at 7, and then our water fights under the lights.

Fireman water fights starts at 7 also.

The fast-pitch tournament will be held all weekend.

On Saturday, friends of Blue River will sponsor two presentations at the community building starting at 10 o'clock.

At 11, the third annual Chase On Smoke competition will get underway.

Miranda and Jason from Chase On Smoke talk about the competition.

For the competition, we do have 22 teams competing.

We have a people's choice where people can bring in non-perishable foods or $10 and you get to participate.

and vote on your favorite barbecue.

They have appetizers and things they offer.

So that's a new thing we added this year for our third year.

And all that money goes to Blue River Fire Department, as well as we also do a rocket stove toss, where we have a six inch rocket stove, which is one of our staple products.

And

you got to just throw bean bags, see

if they can get it into the rock.

So they buy, buy bags and then they win the stove.

I think

last year was like 10 bucks, gives you five throws or something

like that.

Also on Saturday, there will be a beanbag tourney at one o'clock, a blacktop tractor pull at two, a scavenger hunt for all ages at five o'clock, and high mileage will be performing beginning at eight p.m.

Sunday will feature a full slate of events.

Justin Degenhardt has a rundown of the schedule.

We'll start off our chicken barbecue.

That'll serve at 11, but at nine of Monty Burger and his cowboy church in the park.

And then at two, we have our parade, rain or shine.

This year's parade theme is red, white and blue honoring our hometown veterans.

One o'clock is lineup.

And if there is any veterans out there that would like to be part of that because we don't have a single parade marshal this year, it's the veterans.

So the parade marshals, the veterans are all going to be in the front of the parade.

They're going to be the marshals of the parade.

If anybody wants to come, we've got a couple of people, movers, wagons to put them on while pull them through the parade.

And that was kind of our whole theme there.

Following Sunday's parade, there will be a sawdust money hunt, a kitty tractor pole and kids water fights.

The event will be capped off with music performed by JR.

brink duo from three o'clock until six.

There will be food and beverages all weekend.

Please no carry-ins.

Enjoy the weekend by attending Autumn Fest this Friday through Sunday in Blue River.

All proceeds from the event will go to the Blue River Fire and Rescue Squad.

The Scenic Hills National Wild Turkey Federation will be holding their Guns N Bingo event Friday at the Phoenix Center in Richland Center.

Scenic Hills NWTF President Derek Goblin talks about the event.

Doors open at five, dinners at six thirty.

We'll have a nice meal that's included with your dinner ticket.

Most people have bought in advance but we do have plenty of seats available so please stop on down at the Phoenix Center.

At five o'clock, you can buy your tickets at the door.

They are $80 apiece.

That includes the good dinner there.

And then if you are interested, we do have a sponsorship table that's $1,200 that gets you eight seats and your own raffle with that table.

The meal will feature delicious items that those who purchase a ticket will enjoy.

Fos McCauley is a member of Scenic Hills NWTF

and an organizer of the event.

Beef and turkey,

the potatoes, vegetable, bread.

It's the full meal.

It's not just a partial.

It's full meal.

Come hungry.

The $80 single event ticket includes the meal along with four complimentary rounds of bingo.

The $1,200 sponsor table purchase includes 32 rounds.