Good morning everyone for WRCO News.
I'm Todd Copernall, 50 degrees and sunny in Richland Center right now.
Forecast says a high of 74.
Today should be a really nice day.
In the news this morning, the Richland County Executive Finance Standing Committee and the Richland County Campus Reconfiguration Committee met in a joint session yesterday to address key decisions surrounding the future
of the Richland Campus property.
During the meeting at the Richland County Courthouse, members convened in a closed session to review a memorandum of understanding regarding the proposed acquisition of campus property alongside the potential sale of a county parcel situated at 1200 US Highway 14 West.
Upon returning to open session, the joint committee voted to direct corporate counsel to incorporate specific revisions into the MOU
prior to submitting the agreement to the city council for further consideration.
In addition to the MOU discussions, the committee's reviewed a comprehensive concept map prepared by Veerbicker Engineering.
The redevelopment framework outlines a diverse range of land uses intended to revitalize the campus area.
The plan allocates approximately 10 acres for single family housing, 13.5 acres for multifamily residential units,
eight acres for a combined governmental and commercial business park, and two acres dedicated specifically to commercial business development.
Additional commercial parcels measuring one acre and .5 acres are designated along Highway 14 and West 6th Street.
Key community assets are also incorporated into the blueprint, including designated properties set aside for transfer to the local school.
school district and the retention of the Simons Recreation Complex site within the development footprint.
The redevelopment is structured to proceed across multiple distinct phases.
Phase 1A focuses on infrastructure enhancements to hive drive through a joint partnership between the city and the Richland School District.
Phase 1B involves the construction of initial street networks, utility infrastructure and approximately 20 single family homes.
subsequent phases two and three will complete the broader road network, facilitate driveway relocations, incorporate potential stormwater management features and undertake bridge reconfiguration along highway 14.
Again, all of these things are in the discussion phase.
None of this is finalized.
Weston High School is gearing up for a landmark celebration as homecoming 2026 marks 70 years of school spirit and community tradition.
The week-long festivities run October 11th through October 17th, offering a dynamic lineup of academic spirit events, athletic competitions, alumni honors, and family-friendly entertainment.
The excitement kicks off Sunday with hallway decorating from 11 a.m.
to 3 p.m., continuing Monday afternoon from 3.30 until 7.30 p.m.
Monday night also features a special paint night hosted by the Student Council.
In the cafeteria, alongside a JV football matchup at Iowa Grant at 5 p.m.
and middle school volleyball at North Crawford.
On Tuesday, official hallway judging takes place at 3.30 followed by varsity volleyball at DeSoto starting at 5.30.
Midweek tradition stays strong Wednesday with high school class float building in the western shop from 8 a.m.
to 10 a.m.
and 6 p.m.
to 8 p.m.
Students and supporters can enjoy Mrs. Kaston's cookout during Float Construction, capped off by a traditional bonfire at dusk.
On Thursday, cross-country runners compete in the cross-country championships, which will be held at Kickapoo at 5 p.m.
while middle school football plays at Royal.
Back at Weston, the FFA hosts a pork feed from 5 until 7 p.m., $6 for students, $10 for adults.
preceding a distinguished alumni plaque presentation at 7 p.m.
and the varsity volleyball pink-out game against Ithaca at 7.15.
Friday brings Maximum Spirit starting with an all-school pep rally from 12.15 p.m.
to 1.45 p.m.
immediately followed by the annual Homecoming Parade from 1.45 p.m.
to 2.30.
Evening activities begin in the cafeteria at 4.45 p.m.
with the Weston Silver Eagle Foundation induction ceremony, followed by live music from five until 5.45 by Jacob, featuring basic basic age, including Weston alumni Jacob McCluskey, Cody Bell and Tucker Arneson.
Fans can enjoy pregame food trucks, bounce houses and face painting before the Silver Eagles take the field against Nassida.
at 6 p.m.
The night concludes at 8 o'clock with the Weston Silver Eagle Foundation Alumni Social at Hill Point Hideaway.
The celebration wraps up Saturday with the back-to-the-nest retired staff social from 1 p.m.
to 5 p.m.
welcoming the entire community to reconnect, followed by the homecoming day as grand march starting at 8 p.m.
The Richland School District has issued an official notice for its upcoming annual meeting for the Transaction of Business scheduled for Wednesday, October 21 at 7 p.m.
The meeting will take place in the Richland Center High School IMC in Richland Center.
District electors and community members are invited to attend and participate in the official proceedings.
A major portion of the evening will focus on the 2026-27 budget hearing.
School officials will present the proposed district budget before formally opening the floor for public discussion and feedback, after which the hearing will be closed.
Following the budget presentation, electors will vote on key resolutions, including the adoption of tax levies for general operations, debt service, and community services.
Additional action items include setting board member salaries, approving expense reimbursements and authorizing the board to manage district property, secure short-term loans if necessary, and schedule next year's annual meeting.
Travelers crossing between Wisconsin and Lansing, Iowa will soon have a direct route across the Mississippi River once again as state transportation officials announced the new Iowa Highway 9 Wisconsin Highway 82 bridge is set to open Friday, November 6th.
The milestone comes months ahead of the original target completion date of spring 2027 driven by efficient construction progress and favorable weather conditions.
The expedited timeline marks significant progress for the multi-year infrastructure effort, which began in late 2023.
Following the demolition of the previous structure in December 2025, commuter and freight traffic relied on a temporary free car ferry service jointly operated by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and the Iowa DOT.
With the ferry handling upwards of 550 vehicles daily during peak summer months, the upcoming opening will restore seamless regional connectivity and substantially reduce travel times for residents and local businesses.
While traffic will resume on the main span in early November, remaining work will continue through the winter and into early 2027.
Work crews will focus on site restoration around the ferry landing sites, removal of Legacy Bridge Pier,
and final deck adjustments.
Department officials noted that minor lane restrictions may occur during the final touch-ups in the spring, but no full closures are anticipated before the entire project wraps up in late spring of 2027.
W-E-A-U-13 News and the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce will host a nonpartisan candidate forum featuring Republican incumbent Representative Derek Van Orden and Democratic challenger Rebecca Cook, October 20th in Eau Claire.
The event represents the first joint forum between the two candidates competing for Wisconsin's third congressional district seat.
during this election cycle, though the organizers noted that the format will be a forum rather than a traditional debate.
Moderated by WEAU, the discussion will center on key issue areas affecting local voters, including affordability, the state of the economy, federal spending, tax policy, health care, and energy.
The event will take place in person with limited seating requiring pre-registration for attendees.
It will also be broadcast live on Channel 13 as well as streamed online.
Inside radio reports, the full political advertising rush has officially arrived, driven by record-setting expenditures as key congressional races heat up nationwide.
According to recent tracking data from ad impact, political ad spending reached $1.58 billion in September.
Nearly doubling August figures and marking a 41% increase compared to the same period in 2022.
Congressional contests continue to be the primary catalyst with more than $1 billion currently reserved for House and Senate races leading up to Election Day.
The Richland Center Fire Department has scheduled its upcoming board meeting for Monday, October 12 starting at 7 p.m.
The meeting will take place in person at the fire station located at 205 East Mill Street in Richland Center.
Key highlights of the session reside in the new business portion of the agenda, where discussions will center on reviewing and potentially approving the proposed 2027 annual budget.
Additionally, the board plans to deliberate on amending section 15 of the fire district contract, considering changes to party payments or call response pay, as well as establishing
including interest charges on overdue fire call invoices and year end account balances.
Before concluding, the meeting will open the floor for citizen input and address any final administrative business.
Today is October 6th.
These are today's vital statistics.
Mary Waslik, 76 of Casanovia, died Wednesday, September 30th at the Sock County Health Care Center in Reedsburg.
A visitation for Mary will be held Friday, October 9th, from 4pm until 7pm at the Casanovia Chapel.
The Farber Funeral Home in Reedsburg is assisting the family.
Mary Waslik.
76 of Casanovia.
Margaret J. Peggy Ryan, 78 of Richland Center, died Sunday, September 27, at Schmidt Woodland Hills following an extended illness.
Services will be held at a later date.
Margaret J. Peggy Ryan, 78 of Richland Center.
Julie Ann
Ripley, 69 of Bear Valley, died Wednesday, September 30th, at Schmitwolden Hills.
Upon Julie's wishes, no formal funeral services will be held.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
The Clary Memorial Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.
Julie Ann Ripley, 69 of Bear Valley.
Victor Edward Jelenick, 75 of Webster City, Iowa, formerly of Richland Center, died Thursday, September 17th.
Private family graveside services were held at the Kelveri Cemetery in Webster City.
Victor Edward Jelenick, 75 of Webster City, Iowa, formerly of Richland Center.
And we have a birth in Margo, Poppy, Blade.
Was born October 1st, parents are Autumn Crary and Thomas Blade of Burnsville, Minnesota.
Local grandparents are Mark and Mary Crary.
Congratulations.
It's Tuesday's Roundup.
Brought to you by Added Touch Floral Inciffs, Julie Karen State Farm, Richland Hospital, Cardinal Glass CG, and by Badgerland Flooring.
And today is Quiz Day.
Hank is handing out the questions and Phil bravely, boldly, and often incorrectly taking the quiz.
Confidence?
Sky High.
Accuracy still under review.
Hanks got the answers, Phil's got the guesses, and somehow, we've got a show.
Play along and see if you can beat Phil, which, statistically speaking, you probably can.
Tuesday's Roundup, where the questions are tough, and Phil makes them tougher.
Good morning, young man.
How you doing good buddy and you?
Oh, yeah, I'm doing well.
Did you get a good night's sleep last night?
I'm pretty well good.
Yeah, pretty well.
Did you get in trouble or anything?
No,
I think I was pretty good to go.
I
guess when I were here late last night.
Yeah,
you were later than I. Yeah.
Yeah, I was here last.
You're kind of surprised to see me when you
went last night.
Yeah.
Yeah.
I was surprised
this morning to what's he doing here?
Oh, well, I
was here by four.
No,
wasn't that early?
Was it?
No, what was it?
420?
420.
People don't realize how early we get here.
But you have to.
Someone from the company once asked me, will anybody be there before seven o'clock?
I said,
yeah.
If I'm not here, Henry will be here.
And if Henry's not here, somebody will be here.
Someone has to open at five.
I don't know how it is at everybody else's station.
It's
not sad.
Get here a little earlier.
So anyway, did you do anything?
Uh, did you do anything outside last night?
Uh, me and the neighbor kid played catch, but
it gets
dark so early anymore.
I know.
And I didn't want to get hit in the face with a football, you know, and affect my career here.
So
I don't think that would hurt it.
Yeah.
No, may help
it might
break my glasses.
I got hit in the face of the night and football came.
Did you get tossed in the ball?
I didn't see it coming.
And now my glasses, I haven't, I haven't fully figured out how to put them evenly yet.
Oh, yeah.
Your head's a little... Yeah, that's what I'm thinking.
Maybe it's my head instead of my glasses.
We'll have to get the level and see if we can...
I appreciate that.
I think it's your ears, maybe.
So are you doing anything tonight?
Yes, absolutely.
Volleyball,
Rich's
Center and River Valley.
Oh, that's always a good one.
It's here.
It's in the center.
Yeah.
Homecoming.
No, next week Riverdale's homecoming is this week.
Riverdale is this week, right?
Do we, are we doing anything for that Phillip?
We're going to the parade.
I think baby, that's the last I heard.
Anyway, are we going to get in trouble in the parade?
Well, I don't know.
I'm, I'm going to be good, but I don't know about you.
I can't speak for you.
Hmm.
Yeah, please don't
control today's quiz day.
But at first your question, if you could swap jobs with anyone in the office for a week, Phillip,
Who would it be and why oh boy, I know
I don't know that I would do that but Tim feed I may be Tim feed because I am you know, even though I've been doing the morning shift here since 1990 36 years.
I'm still a night owl
Yes, you are.
I
would rather stay up
all night and sleep all day.
That's the way I've always been.
Seriously, and that's been ever since you were a little young.
Yeah, yeah.
Young knee.
Young knee.
Right.
So I'd say maybe the night shift.
Okay.
Yeah, not bad.
Tim does a lot of work that people don't know.
He does.
Very much.
And buddy, and you might be from Arkansas if you ever used a cast iron skillet as both cookware and home defense.
Oh boy.
Yeah.
It's tough.
Tough being from Arkansas.
That's right.
Or if you sneak in late, you know, and you're in trouble, cast iron skillet.
If you're sneaking in late at my dad's house, then he's going to be a cast iron skillet.
It's going to be something with iron in it, but it's not a cast iron.
Okay.
Well, I won't do that.
Yeah.
Don't do that.
Right.
All right, buddy.
10 questions on a little bit of anything.
Oh boy.
Yep.
Yep.
So did you study?
No, absolutely perfect.
All right.
Um, you, are you ready?
Sure.
Your name's not on the paper.
It's not marked.
The date's not there.
I think Phillip is still asleep from Saturday night.
No, no,
no, I've come back down to earth.
Have you?
Yeah.
Don't pay.
You deserved it.
Number one, what type of food attracts yellow jackets the most in the late summer and fall?
A, protein sources like raw meat and bugs.
B, sweet foods like soda, juice and fallen fruit.
Or C,
fresh green leaves with brown in them.
Okay.
Okay.
Number two, why do yellow jacket colonies become so honorary and aggressive during August and September?
A, are they building a new underground tunnels?
B, the queen stops laying eggs entirely.
C, the worker insects lose their usual natural food sources and search desperately for sugar.
It's tough.
It's tough being me right number three What happens to most of the yellow jackets colony when winter arrives Philip a the entire colony hibernates together in the nest be all workers and males die and only young fertilized queens survive the winter or See they migrate south to warmer climates like my backyard.
Mmm.
Got it number four.
What was one of the job one of?
What was one job performed by a lector in this, in the, oh my goodness.
Let's try that one again.
Okay.
Number four, what was one job performed by a lector and some American cigar factories?
All right.
Is it a, inspecting tobacco, B, reading aloud to workers, C, testing cigars or D counting finished cigars.
Hmm.
All right number five fiver, which was a real product Philip is Is it an inflatable unicorn horn for cats?
Gravy flavored dental floss are packet sized lawn chair shoes pocket sized lawn chair shoes is it inflatable unicorn for Cats be flavored dental floss or packet sized lawn chair shoes
pocket size launcher.
I'm an idiot.
All right.
All right.
Sorry.
Number six, Wisconsin became the first state to establish what type of statewide system in 1911.
And every day we grown about it.
It's just a, it's just a, just a hint here is a state income tax, B sales tax, C property tax or D gasoline tax.
Number seven, which university is represented by the Green Wave?
I think Wisconsin has played this team before.
The Green Wave.
Here we go.
Is it Tulane, Marshall, North Texas or South Florida?
Which university is represented by the Green Wave?
Is it Tulane, Marshall, North Texas or South Florida?
Number eight, which Wisconsin city is famous for the National Mustard Museum?
Did you know this one?
I think so.
Okay, here we go.
Is it A, Madison, B, Middleton, C, Monroe, or D, Beloit?
A, Madison, B, Middleton, C, Monroe, or D, Beloit?
Number nine.
Apples belong to the same plant family as which
Flower.
We've had this one a couple of months ago.
I think
we did, yeah.
Is it A. Roses.
B. Daisies.
C. Tulips.
Or D. Sunflowers.
Now, we can dial a friend.
We can call Judy and ask her if you want to at Oakwood.
Or you're going to pass.
I'm going with my answer.
OK.
Final answer.
Yep.
All right.
Number 10, which helps a penguin's, what helps a penguin's tongue grip slippery fish?
All right.
I'm a big penguin guy.
I love penguins.
All right.
What helps a penguin's tongue grip slippery fish is a tiny suction cups.
B stiff backwards pointing bristles.
C small teeth or D sticky saliva.
All right.
All right.
Number one, tomatoes are best plenty.
No, that's the extra quiz.
Nevermind.
We'll go with them.
You always got to have an extra.
I suppose.
Yeah.
All right.
Number one, Phillip, what type of food attracts yellow jackets the most in the late summer and fall?
I'm going with the second one.
You said and be sweet foods like soda, juice and fallen fruit.
Nice job.
I was
at the wheels of time on Sunday and it was hard for me to eat my breakfast.
They wanted my syrup.
Yes.
And
the grand babies had cinnamon rolls and we were just getting
they
are.
everywhere bombarded.
Yeah.
Right.
And I got stung two weeks ago on Saturday and it is still very painful.
Ouch.
And it's like on my belt line.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So not good.
I've, I don't know what to do.
It takes off the sharp
edge.
Why do yellow jacket colonies become so on re and aggressive during August and September, Phillip?
I went
with a third
one.
It is worker insects lose their usual, usual natural food sources and search desperately for sugar.
Number three, what happens to most of the L-jacket colony when winter arrives?
Is it A, the colony hibernates together?
B, all workers and males die and only young fertilized queen survive the winter?
Or C, they migrate south to warmer climates?
I would be it is all workers and male died all workers and males die and only young fertilized queen survived the winter three for three baby number four what was one job before by a lector and some american cigar factories is it a inspecting tobacco b reading aloud to workers c testing cigars or d counting finished cigars i went with testing no it's reading aloud want
want want
reading aloud to workers really
Elector.
Elector.
Yeah.
I didn't.
Yeah.
Well, anyway, you know, when some you lose something, what do you, you know, what do you think about that?
And that's, that's like, that's like a free back thing.
You had free tablet with a real guy reading.
So, wow.
And number five.
Yep.
All right.
Which was a real product inflatable unicorn horn for cats gravy flavored dental floss pocket sized lawn chair shoes.
I went with the first one.
It is inflatable unicorn, unicorn horn for cat.
It is the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen.
Number six, Wisconsin became the first state to establish what type of statewide system in 1911.
I went
with the income.
It is the state income tax.
Wisconsin, Wisconsin gave America cheese curds and a state income tax on your welcome for one of those.
Number seven, which university represented is represented by the green wave.
I think it's Tulane.
It is Tulane going away.
The Green Rave sounds like either a powerful football team or something you never should see rolling across the swimming pool.
Yeah, yeah.
Number eight, which Wisconsin city is famous for the National Mustard Museum?
That's gotta be Middleton.
It is Middleton.
Only in Wisconsin can you spend the afternoon looking at mustard and call it a culture.
Too old
to cut the
mustard.
Number nine, apples belong to the same plant family as which flower?
Roses, daisies, tulips, or sunflowers.
Roses.
It is a rose.
Apples are members of the rose family.
Try giving your sweetheart a dozen apples instead of roses.
Yeah, if it doesn't go well, so you can at least make a pie for yourself.
Here are your roses,
sir.
They'd be cheaper to do that, too.
Yeah, well, not a percent.
Yeah.
Number 10, what helps a penguin's tongue grip slippery fish?
Is it tiny, soft, and cuts?
uh, stiff backward pointing bristles, small teeth are sticky Slava tiny suction cups.
Nope.
Oh, stiff backwards pointing bristles.
They're made of keratin.
The same material found in our fingernails built in fish grips.
Meanwhile, I can't pick it.
Keep a pickle from sliding out of my sandwich.
Yeah, I
know it.
Eight, right?
Not bad out of 10.
You know, I've
been averaging
around there seven or eight in the
last few weeks.
So you're still, you're still eligible for sports this week.
I know I can go out for recess.
Yeah.
And you're eligible to continue to come to work, Phillip.
Congratulations.
Thank you
very
much.
I hope everybody out there has a great day and be kind, my friends.
That's Hank Bray.