Good evening, everyone.
For WRCO News, I'm Todd Copernall.
Alert cancellation and update a statewide missing endangered person alert for a five-year-old Atlas M. Kleiser and his mother.
Carrie S. Murphy has been canceled after both were located and confirmed safe.
Authorities had originally issued the alert following a custody dispute in Juneau County.
According to the Juneau County Sheriff's Office,
Atlas was reported missing after Kerry failed to comply with the court-ordered custody exchange at the new Lisbon Police Department yesterday.
Law enforcement responded to a residence in Russ County last night where she had fled with the child before deputies arrived.
Authorities have identified the construction worker killed in a hit-and-run incident in Madison, Thursday, September 24.
Peter J. Crook.
65 of Bear Valley was struck by a vehicle at approximately 112 p.m.
while working on Flaum Road.
Emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene.
According to preliminary police reports, two vehicles appeared to be racing prior to the collision.
Both vehicles initially fled the area following the crash.
Both drivers have since come forward and have been interviewed by Madison Police.
The crash remains under active investigation.
Funeral services for Mr. Crook were held today at 10.30 a.m.
at St.
Luke's Catholic Church in Plain.
George Paul, accused of killing his wife in Salk County, has been found competent and will stand trial.
Paul faces multiple charges related to a deadly shooting in Baraboo last May.
Multiple witnesses reported seeing a man
pull a woman from a vehicle and shoot her.
The woman, Susan Paul, died from her injuries.
The man then drove to the Sock Prairie Police Department and fired multiple shots into the front door.
George Paul will appear in court, October 15th.
At the most recent meeting of the Richland County Board, the primary item of discussion was the draft 2027 Richland County budget presented by Director of Finance,
Liana Pick.
After a brief discussion among the board, supervisor Kramer moved to approve the budget for publication, which was seconded by supervisor Welty and carried unanimously via voice vote.
The board subsequently addressed resolution number 26-59, which authorizes the sheriff's office to apply for and accept a public safety answering point grant from the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs
Office of Emergency Communications for 2027.
Following a reading by the deputy clerk, the resolution was adopted.
The grant will provide key funding for equipment upgrades and advanced training required for the implementation of next-generation 911 services across the county.
The Wisconsin Department of Administration has officially opened applications for the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program, as the state prepares for the upcoming heating season.
Department Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld highlighted the importance of the program, encouraging residents in need of help with their energy bills to apply promptly to secure support before colder weather arrives.
State officials estimate that approximately 170,000 households will receive financial aid through the program this season.
Program benefits are paid directly to energy utilities and fuel suppliers to help offset home heating and power expenses.
Qualification for the program is determined by household size, total income, and overall energy costs, with eligibility capped at households earning 60% or less of the state median income level.
For example, a single person household can qualify with an annual income up to $39,864.
while a family of four can earn up to $76,661 annually.
In addition to regular bill relief, the program offers year-round crisis assistance, emergency furnace and water heater repairs, and home weatherization services based on individual household needs.
Wisconsin residents interested in applying can submit their applications online through the state's Energy Benefit Portal.
Applications are also accepted by phone or mail through local energy assistance agencies, which can be located by calling the toll-free hotline at 866-HEAT-WIS.
866-HEAT-WIS.
Badger Honor Flight will launch its 68th mission Saturday, October 3, taking off from Dane County Regional Airport in Madison to carry 86 veterans from South Central Wisconsin on a chartered, day-long VIP trip to Washington, D.C.
The flight will honor veterans whose service spans from the Korean War through the Global War on Terrorism.
giving them the opportunity to visit the national memorials built in recognition of their service and sacrifice.
The flight roster includes two Korean War veterans, three who served in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars, 71 Vietnam War-era veterans, two spanning Vietnam through Lebanon and Grenada, six serving from Vietnam through Desert Storm, one spanning Vietnam through the global war on terrorism,
and one who served during the Lebanon and Grenada conflicts.
Activities began early at the Dane County Regional Airport main terminal ground floor with a public welcome and send-off scheduled for 5 a.m.
Following a full day touring memorials across the nation's capital, the veterans will return for a community welcome home celebration at 8.30 p.m.
As a 100% volunteer-run organization and Wisconsin Hub of the National Honor Flight Network, Badger Honor Flight operates each mission at an approximate cost of $145,000 funded through community support, donor generosity, media partnerships, and volunteer dedication.
96 cents of every dollar raised directly supports Flight Day activities.
Since its inaugural flight on April 17, 2010, the organization has flown more than 5,800 veterans and its upcoming November 7 flight will mark a major milestone with the inclusion of its 6,000th veteran.
Badger Honor Flight is currently actively recruiting veterans for flights in 2026 and 2027.
New performance figures from the 2025-26 school year indicate that Wisconsin students are making steady headway in core academic areas.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, proficiency rates in English language arts and reading experienced slight increases across most grade levels and demographic groups.
Mathematics performance showed progress among middle and high school students, though elementary grade results dipped slightly compared to the prior year.
State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly commended the progress while emphasizing the ongoing need for dedicated support and expanded resources for educators and students alike.
To build on these gains, the department is actively crafting comprehensive statewide literacy and mathematics frameworks
alongside the new Wisconsin Portrait of a Graduate Initiative, aiming to ensure every student acquires the foundational knowledge and skills required for future success.
The Friendship Quilters Guild of the Greater Richland Center Area is set to host its annual quilt show this autumn, offering community members a weekend filled with textile artistry, history, and craftsmanship.
The event will take place Saturday, October 3rd from 10 a.m.
to 4 p.m.
and Sunday, October 4th from 10 a.m.
to 3 p.m.
Attendees can find the display in the second floor activities room at Schmidt Woodland Hills in Richland Center.
This year's show features a wide range of quilts and quilted items.
created by Guild members highlighting the featured quilter, Marsha Wachuda of Boschamel.
Wachuda has been crafting quilts since 1981 and expanded into professional long-term quilting in 2003.
Her showcase will feature an assortment of quilts, quilted creations, fabric crocheted baskets, and intricate embroideries.
A special highlight of the weekend is the bed-turning presentation titled Stories of Quilts, where individual quilts are held up and presented alongside the stories behind them.
These presentations will occur Saturday at 11 a.m.
and 2 p.m.
with an additional presentation on Sunday at 2 p.m.
Throughout the event, visitors will also have the opportunity to purchase handmade quilted items crafted by Guild members.
Admission is free and the event is open to the public.
Reedsburg Area Medical Center has once again been recognized as one of the top healthcare employers in the country, securing impressive rankings at the 2026 Modern Health Care's Best Places to Work event, September 16th.
Marking its sixth time receiving a ranking on the prestigious list, our AMC climbed to 35th place overall
an improvement from its 38th place position last year.
In addition to the main award, RMC earned top distinctions in two specialty categories.
placing fourth for the Healthiest Organization Award and third for the Community Award.
The Healthiest Award celebrates health care organizations that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to supporting employee wellness and encouraging a healthy work-life balance.
Meanwhile, the Community Award highlights institutions that show exceptional dedication to public service and community engagement.
Human Resources Director Ryan Bowen emphasized that these awards carry special significance because they directly reflect the experiences, voices, and dedication of our AMC's staff.
He noted that these honors highlight our AMC's vibrant workplace culture, strong wellness initiatives, and commitment to serving the surrounding community.
Richland County Health and Human Services has announced new grant funding.
available to combat the ongoing opioid epidemic.
The funds are aimed at supporting local initiatives focused on prevention, treatment and recovery services across the community.
Non-profit organizations, businesses, schools and local government agencies located within and serving Richland County and its residents are eligible to apply.
Interested parties must complete and submit an application to Director Stephanie Ronfelt by 4.30 p.m.
October 22.
Applicants must attend the Health and Community Services Committee meeting November 5 at 10.30 a.m.
for application review.
Final approval will be conducted by the Richland County Board of Supervisors in December.
Complete details and application materials are accessible on the county website.
The Vernon Crawford Chapter of the Wisconsin Farmers Union will hold a candidate town hall and harvest dinner Friday, October 9.
from 5 until 8 p.m.
at the Gays Mills Community Commerce Center.
The nonpartisan informational forum brings together candidates running for Wisconsin's third congressional district, 17th Senate District, 49th Assembly District, and 96th Assembly District to discuss key agricultural and rural policy issues.
Doors open at 4.45 p.m.
with the evening commencing at 5 o'clock with a local harvest dinner catered by maybe-latelies restaurant.
Dinner tickets are available for $10 for Wisconsin Farmers Union members and $40 for non-members.
While attendees can purchase tickets at the door or register in advance, space remains limited.
Following the dinner, the Town Hall program will run from 6 o'clock until 8 p.m., providing candidates an opportunity to present their platforms and address questions from both the Vernon Crawford Farmers Union and audience members.
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