Good morning, everyone.
For WRCO News, I'm Todd Copernall, 38 sunny degrees in Richland Center right now, headed to a high of 70.
In the news this morning, Bowman Drive will be closed to westbound traffic, beginning Thursday tomorrow for at least a week.
Eastbound traffic will be able to use Bowman Drive.
You'll drive down from Walsh's head down
You'll have to come out on County RC and loop around to Highway 80.
You won't be able to come back the other direction, but eastbound traffic will remain open.
Please be aware the concrete median being installed between the new lanes on US 14 needs at least five days of concrete cure time without traffic on it to achieve desired strengths.
Barrels and cones will be removed when the concrete median is ready for traffic.
Please stay off the new concrete as always.
The DOT appreciates your understanding and cooperation and they look forward to completing the entire project next month.
The Richland County Board meeting convened last night.
A major focal point of the meeting involved the proposed 765 kilovolt Becky transmission line.
The chair reported that Richland County is collaborating with eight surrounding counties in a joint coalition to address the project.
Mid-continent grid solutions has applied to the Wisconsin Public Service Commission for public utility status, a designation that would grant them eminent domain authority.
Attorney Phillips outlined the PSC's two-step regulatory process, which consists of evaluating a certificate of authority for utility status, followed by a certificate of public convenience and necessity, covering route selection.
location and timing.
The Coalition of Impacted Counties plans a unified intervention in the Certificate of Authority proceedings to assert shared regional concerns with the Wisconsin Counties Association evaluating whether to formally intervene on behalf of all nine affected counties.
However, local response efforts face pressure due to a shortened intervention window as the PSC reduced the standard 60-day period to just 14 days.
setting an October 29th deadline.
Phillips emphasized that formal party intervention carries significantly more weight than public comment before the PSC, assuring the Board that Richland County's interests will be represented either through the WCA or through partnering counties.
Because PSC proceedings constitute contested litigation, Phillips advised discussing strategy details in closed session and noted that recent letters from state legislators requesting public hearings are unlikely to extend the strict intervention timeline.
He confirmed that public utility status primarily serves to facilitate property acquisition via condemnation, though he cautioned that denying mid-continent grid solutions utility status would not guarantee stopping the line as other established utilities could potentially take over the project.
Legal and intergovernmental issues were also addressed regarding a dispute over Veterans Graves reimbursement.
Attorney Evertz explained that the city of Richland Center filed a writ of mandamus against the county after submitting its reimbursement claims two weeks past the deadline.
Richland County moved to quash the writ, citing strict compliance with the statutory September 1 deadline.
Board members discussed the financial scope of the matter,
pointing out that while the county budgeted $8,000 for veterans' graves across the entire county, the city requested over $17,000 in reimbursement, with Supervisor Frank noting the budgetary discrepancy and board members clarifying that the underlying statute applies only to older veterans' graves.
The clerk reiterated that his office maintains a strict policy of following statutory rules and deadlines
to guarantee equitable treatment across all political subdivisions.
Despite the pending litigation, board leadership reported that ongoing dialogue with the Richland Center Mayor and Council President remains cooperative and constructive.
During the public comment period, several residents voiced urgent concerns regarding the transmission line project, multiple citizens called on the board to directly intervene in the PSC docket to oppose midcontinent grid solutions application.
Commenters highlighted environmental and health risks, including heavy water usage during hydro excavation, human and livestock risks associated with electromagnetic fields,
potential long-term medical and legal liabilities, and irreversible ecological damage outlined by a retired ecologist.
Former County Board Member Rod Perry was recognized following his resignation due to health issues, and residents urged that the official minutes reflect his service while publicly thanking Interim Ambulance Director Barb Scott.
A resident made a strong plea to prioritize funding for the local staffed ambulance service, citing its vital life safety role and notable recent operational improvements.
Additionally, an online commenter expressed concern about relying solely on outside associations urging Richland County to take direct local leadership in legal proceedings.
In business actions, the Board approved appointments to key committees, including a new slate of members for the Local Emergency Planning Commission to resolve recurring quorum issues, as well as appointing David Scribbins to the Board of Adjustments to fill a long-standing vacancy.
Turning to fiscal matters, the Board opened and closed the public hearing on the proposed 2027 budget,
with no public remarks registered, subsequently adopting the 2027 county budget and tax levy with adjustments to the debt levy to reflect current borrowing totals.
In capital financing actions, the board awarded the competitive sale of $3.5 million in tax-exempt general obligation promissory notes, alongside $2 million in taxable short-term general obligation promissory notes, scheduled for repayment by March 1, 2027.
Land use actions included approving a parcel rezoning in Westford Township to allow a landowner's son to build a home adopting a revised short-term rental ordinance that aligns with state licensing and transfers permitting to zoning and updating the floodplain protection ordinance per DNR mandates to incorporate new maps, dam studies, and updated rules regarding non-conforming structures.
Finally, the Board enacted several administrative personnel and operational measures.
They adopted a standalone hiring policy, introducing a formal permission to post-requirement and structured exit interviews.
approved a new collective bargaining agreement with SEIU represented EMS employees covering updated wage and benefit provisions and reviewed Council's advice to fund EMS within levy limits to mitigate legal risks surrounding countywide EMS taxation.
On facility and equipment management, the board authorized utilizing Pine Valley's Capital Improvement funds to settle its remaining roof project balance, effectively freeing roughly $300,000 annually for the county budget.
They also approved a $224,000 plow truck body build for the highway department using 2026 budgeted equipment funds.
updating the county recycling ordinance to match current DNR definitions and state statutory formatting, and formally assigned the Public Works Committee to oversee designated capital facility improvement projects and associated expenditures.
Long meeting last night, folks.
Richland County Health and Human Services alongside the Wisconsin Department of Health Services has officially confirmed a case of measles within Richland County.
Public health authorities are actively conducting contact tracing to identify and directly notify individuals who may have been exposed to the virus.
Measles is an extremely contagious airborne disease that can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person coughs or sneezes.
It carries the risk of severe health complications, including pneumonia, brain damage and deafness, and can be fatal in severe cases.
Those who are unvaccinated or unsure of their immunization status face the highest risk.
Residents experiencing potential symptoms are instructed to stay home and call their health care provider prior to visiting a clinic to prevent further transmission.
Health officials emphasize that the most effective protection against the disease is the measles, mumps, and rubella or MMR vaccine.
Two doses are recommended for children with the first administered between 12 and 15 months and the second between four and six years of age.
Adults without proven immunity are advised to receive at least one dose, while individuals born before 1957 are generally considered immune.
Additional updates regarding the ongoing investigation are being published on the Wisconsin Department of Health Services webpage and the Richland County website.
The Muscaday Police Department and local community are mourning the unexpected loss of Officer Caitlin Kate Fleishauer, who passed away Sunday, October 18th.
Officer Fleishauer dedicated 12 years of faithful service to the department, protecting and serving the Muscaday community throughout her distinguished career in law enforcement.
Shortly after 1 p.m.
October 18th, Muscaday police officers were dispatched to an address on East Catherine Street following reports of an unresponsive
individual in an indoor heated pool.
Upon arrival, the responding officer located officer fly shower and determined that she was deceased.
Police Chief Bill Shram was immediately notified and requested the assistance of the Grant County Sheriff's Office to conduct a thorough death investigation.
Following a preliminary investigation and subsequent autopsy, authorities have indicated that the manner of death appears to be an accidental drowning.
Chief Shram expressed profound sorrow on behalf of the entire department, calling on community members to keep Officer Flyshower's family, loved ones, and fellow officers in their thoughts and prayers during this extreme
painfull time.
Today is October 21st.
These are today's vital statistics.
Diane Baumkamp, 85 of Muscaday, died Sunday, October 11th.
Graveside services will be held Friday at 1 p.m.
at St.
John's Catholic Cemetery.
The Pratt Funeral Anchormation Service is assisting the family.
Diane Baumkamp, 85 of Muscaday.
Martin C. Smiley Fortune, 84 of Viola died Saturday, October 17 at Vernon Manor in Verroqua.
A funeral service for Smiley will be held at 11 a.m.
Saturday, October 24 at the Viola United Methodist Church.
Visitation will be held Friday from 4 until 7 p.m.
at the Viola United Methodist Church.
Additional visitation will be held Saturday at the church from 10 a.m.
until time of service, a lunch
will immediately follow the service at the Viola Community Center.
Martin C. Smiley Fortune, 84 of Viola.
Connie Jean Mackelry, 77, formerly of Richland Center, died Sunday, October 4th.
A funeral mass will be held Saturday at 11 a.m.
at St.
Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Richland Center with visitation from 10 a.m.
until the time of mass at 11.
Friends and family are invited to join the family for a time of gathering and a meal immediately following the mass.
Connie Jean Mackelry, 77, formerly of Richland Center.
Law enforcement authorities are asking for the public's help in locating Jesse Jansky, formerly of Richland Center, and Avoka, who went missing April 17, 2025, in Taylor County.
Jansky had recently moved to the village of Old Gemma, Wisconsin, just two weeks prior to his disappearance, to live with his girlfriend.
According to a family member, the couple went out to a nearby bar that evening and got into an argument on the drive home.
Yanski exited the vehicle to take a walk and cool off, leaving both his phone and wallet inside the car.
Multiple witnesses reported seeing Yanski walking along Highway 13 later that evening.
A call to authorities also reported a man matching his description at the Highway 13 wayside near Westboro.
No one has heard from him since.
The family has decided to hold a celebration of life.
Saturday, October 24th at 1 p.m.
at the Village of Avoka Municipal Building in Avoka.
Bring fun stories and a snack to share.
Refreshments will be provided.
This is a casual affair and if you have Jurassic Park attire, please feel free to wear it.
Jesse James Jansky.
Born March 6th, 1993.
Katelyn Elizabeth Fleishauer, 41 of Spring Green and Muscaday, died Sunday, October 18.
Funeral services will be held Monday, October 26 at 11 a.m.
at St.
John, the Baptist Catholic Church in Muscaday.
Visitation will be held Sunday at St.
John's Gym from 12 noon until 3 p.m.
and again Monday from 10 a.m.
until the procession to the church at 10.45.
Katelyn Elizabeth Fleishauer.
41 of Spring Green and Muskenay.
Michael Allen Winstrup, 85 of Richland Center, died Friday, October 16th, after a short battle with cancer.
The Pratt Funeral Anchormation Service is assisting the family.
Memorials may be made to a charity of your choice.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Michael Allen Winstrup, 85 of Richland Center and
from the Richland Hospital, two birth announcements, the first one, a son, Amias Dionisio Vazquez, born to Skyla Vazquez and Waylon Henry Fosterling, born to Hailey and Jacob Fosterling.
Congratulations!
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 Henko 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... Oh, collide!
it's time for the roundup
stop
that
I made it to work today
there is Hank yeah thanks for showing up today did you
not get my request yesterday apparently
no I didn't
But we'll talk about that
later.
One phone call and says, don't come back.
I don't know what that meant.
Hmm.
Interesting.
Yeah.
Well, we got by without you.
Yeah.
Okay.
Well, I'm out of here then.
No, no,
no.
What do
we do without you?
Well, there's a lot.
Wait a minute.
Well, you told me have a good day and I went home.
Oh, is that
what it
was?
Yeah.
Okay.
I got to start choosing my word.
Yeah.
Please.
Anyway, how was your evening?
Good.
Yeah, volleyball last night.
Yeah.
Advances.
Yep.
So tomorrow, more rounds.
Yes Friday first round football football
boy.
It's a busy
time.
It is a busy time for you.
Yeah.
Volleyball Tuesday Thursday Saturday football Friday
and we'll
see
Friday night Brewers play.
Yeah.
Saturday Brewers play Sunday Sunday the Packers play.
No, it's Sunday the Packers.
Yep.
And
I think it's the second game.
It's
a 3 3 30 game or
whatever.
But but interesting Brewers story to hear about the fact that they were
allowing those people that bought
tickets.
Isn't
that neat?
It is, but now there's a little bit of a controversy because I don't think all the seating is that good, but I'm thinking, well, at least you got a seat, right?
Right.
But yeah, $1,000 ticket back in 2015.
President Rich Lessinger says the team made mistakes in its internal communications on the logistics of fulfilling the request.
So some of them might be the Bob Euker seats or whatever, but at least you're in the building.
Yeah, well, it's well worth the investment.
I would think so.
It would have been.
I was thinking if you're going to buy tickets for us one Saturday.
I don't know if I have enough.
Like clout enough.
Do you think
we have enough petty cash?
No, I don't think we do
I don't think we do either
Yep, I think you're better off just to like sit out in your driveway and listen to it Well, you know and imagine you're tailgating and you're at the Brewer game.
Hey, how you doing?
You
know, yeah, listen to it.
You know save the money That's
what I would say.
Yeah, me too.
I I think our sports like when they get because this is the Super Bowl for
Yeah.
All right.
So like all these games like the Super Bowl, it's so high class that it's not affordable for common folk.
All right.
We talked about it yesterday.
You can fly to Tampa Bay and see the game with airfare and everything cheaper than you can see it in Milwaukee, which is kind of sad, really.
Yes, it is.
You
know, it's.
And why is that?
Well, it's not all the brewers fault.
Some of it is.
I mean, they're charging their season ticket holders big bucks too.
But
these little bots that bought all, you know, I don't know how it all works, but you know, the secondary market and things like that.
But because they've not been in it for 44 years, there's this big want need Tampa Bay's been in it more recently.
Right.
You
know.
So anyway, what are the odds maker given?
Well,
brewers are slight favorites.
Okay.
Yeah.
Brewers are slight.
Of course, the so-called know it also whatever saying brewers and six.
Okay.
I was saying brewers and three.
Well, that's impossible.
I wish.
Yeah, right.
Exactly.
So anyway, the rays are kind of built like the brewers though.
Right.
They're similar.
I think it's going to be.
It's going to be a dandy.
It could be epic.
It could be 100%.
It's definitely going to be the October classic.
You bet.
So anyway, your question of the day, what is your worst habit, Phillip?
Where do I start?
Just one.
Why should we call June?
Yes.
Phone a friend.
Probably.
What would she say?
If June says, if June call, we call June, what would she say that your worst habit would be?
Probably being messy.
Is
this messy?
Countess?
Yeah.
I mean,
but
are they
a certain area?
Well, there's any area that I'm in, you know,
okay.
That's probably it.
Yeah,
the
goofy gink that I
am.
Yeah, the goofy gink that's worked pretty old.
Yeah,
right.
Jim, we should have just raised chickens.
We had the Hallmark or she had the Hallmark channel on the other night.
And, you know, you can always tell who the skunk boyfriend is
that,
uh, you know, he's not real.
They have one in every.
Yeah.
And then she's going to find her true love, right?
And they're going to fall in love in a week, you know, as they always do.
But, um, nonetheless, I said,
I said, boy, there, that guy's a goofy gink.
And she said, well, maybe you're a goofy gink.
And I said, well, you married me, you know,
that's right.
Don't don't laugh.
Don't laugh at her choices because I'm one of them.
You might be from Arkansas.
Philip, if no kennel will take your dog.
Oh, boy.
Yes.
Wouldn't that be something?
It's tough.
Yeah.
Well, you trained the dog, I guess.
Yeah.
Well, the dog trained me.
The goofy ginks.
Yeah.
Your daily dilemma, Philip.
Your dog steals your spot on the couch.
Do you move him or sit on the floor like the homeowner you are?
No, no,
no, I'm moving.
Do
you
do moving?
Oh, yeah Well, we don't have a dog anymore, but Annie the cat's just as bad.
Do you move her?
Sure I do.
Okay.
She'll wind up on
my lap though.
You think so?
Oh, yeah, she
does usually.
Okay Okay, um This is oh, it's Wednesday, so we have time for
Uh, things that make the older generation feel better.
Yes.
Yes.
There are lots of them every, every day.
First thing in the morning for me is finding a pen that writes
immediately.
Yeah.
Here's one that I also picked out a package of good ink pens.
Oh, you and I just, you know, those bold ones, which we're not using
again.
I know you got to get the bold ones.
See, they didn't have to push so hard,
but we're, you, you have them.
I bought,
Box after box of bold pins and you're now with they walk they have legs.
No, they don't feel you lose them
Well, I walk in the other room lay it down and then I go get another pen and then I lay it down in another room and that's how I kind of plant them I'm like Johnny Penn seed or something.
Yeah, everybody has a good pin, but Phil.
Yeah
Oh Well, yeah Well for me always is taking a really good afternoon now.
Okay.
Yeah, that's something to look for.
Yes
Uh-huh.
In my advanced age.
What about a weather station with indoor and outdoor temperatures?
Right.
So that, absolutely.
I use mine every morning.
Sure.
Yeah.
It's long-sleeve weather today.
Right.
Is that one of those you're becoming
your parents?
Yes.
You could use
for the ad.
Yeah.
Yeah.
What's the weather going to be, Jim?
Yeah, exactly.
Jim, we should have raised chickens.
One more.
Do
you have another
one?
I do.
You know, and this time of year, when you start to get your jacket, uh, you know, maybe haven't used it for a while, finding gloves in both
parts.
Yes.
And the actually ones, the right hand and left hand.
I've got so many left handed gloves and no right handed because I think what happens is I take them off to like put in gas and then I put it on top of the car or whatever.
Yeah.
Exactly.
Hey.
So I've got lots of left-handed gloves.
They don't fit well on your right hand, but if that's all you got, that's what
you got.
I remember us boys, when we needed gloves, we used old pairs of socks just to put mittens on.
Did you ever did that?
No, I don't think so.
Sock, sock puppets.
Sock puppets, yeah.
You put two or three on your hands.
Oh yeah, used to do that.
And what about, Phillip, having absolutely no plans for the weekend?
Oh, that's a nice one.
Those are nice.
Yeah, those are the best kind of weekends.
Generally, that doesn't happen.
I mean, at least one of the days usually you have something
going on.
Yeah, but sometimes it's just nice not to, like for me, oh, I don't have a football game today.
I don't have a baseball game today or no basketball tournament.
I really enjoy those weekends.
Like Saturday.
Yeah.
This past week we had a pretty good weekend.
Yeah.
I didn't have too many plans.
And Wisconsin lost and Arkansas won.
It was a great weekend for me.
Hey,
hey, hey, watch it now.
Watch it.
Well, you know my two favorite team.
I know,
I know.
All right.
So the dilemma is done.
Here is your rapid fire question.
All right.
Are you ready?
Which vegetable looks like it's hiding something?
That's a tough
one.
Yeah.
Which vegetable is always hiding something?
Sheepers.
I don't know.
I think celery.
Oh.
It's like, what are you going to, you know, bite into me?
Am I going to be green?
Am I going to be?
Oh, good point.
Too crispy.
Right.
Too soggy.
I like celery where it's, where it's not crisp.
It's just, right.
Celery
in a soup
is good.
Yes.
But just to eat it.
Oh, I love celery.
Do you really?
Oh, oh my God.
I mean,
it's all right.
You know, especially
it's a, it's a zero calorie.
Ants on a log or something.
Yeah.
Whatever.
It's a zero calorie food.
Yeah.
That's what they say.
So,
but
I
usually dip it in peanut butter.
I have my own jar of peanut butter.
Peanut butter is all right on there.
Yeah.
I
don't like what it's kind of stringy and you got to like, you know,
Here's one, which food is too much
work for too little
reward?
That's a good question.
Maybe pistachios or, you know, like, mm, I love south of the shell peanuts too.
Sometimes you work hard and that's all I get.
See, I think homemade pizza love pizza.
I have 100%, but that's why you just go get one at the Phoenix center.
Oh, homemade pizza.
There's a lot of work goes into it.
There is a lot of work.
Yeah.
Or, uh,
My dad loves to make peanut brittle after all the work he goes in is just like, oh yeah, it's gone.
It's like peanut brittle.
Oh, homemade peanut bread.
Yeah.
What, what belongs in a sandwich, but never gets invited.
That's a weird question.
Yeah.
So what, what belongs on a sandwich, but never gets invited.
I don't know.
That's a tough one.
You got me.
Yeah.
Unless it's a condiment, like, uh, I don't know.
Mustard or something
like
that.
I like mustard.
What food could you identify blindfolded?
Can't say malo cups.
That's one of the food groups.
Malo cups.
Well, you have fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat, and then malo cups.
Sure.
Sure.
Yeah.
Something you could smell, you know.
What food could you identify blindfolded?
Popcorn.
Okay.
Yeah.
Yeah.
What would, what would your signature sandwich be called?
Oh,
that's
right.
Um, the big fill or the pill, you know, the fill ham, fill ham sandwich.
Oh, the fill hams.
What would it be on that?
Well, I would, you'd have provolone cheese.
Maybe a tomato and some mayonnaise and voila.
The fill.
Maybe a little lettuce.
Maybe a little
lettuce.
Yeah.
And a some later.
Tomato.
All right, the word hang
on.
Let's see.
What do we have for you today?
Oh my goodness
D bunk debunk debunk cherry I've never seen that word in my life
You've taken part in it before though.
I believe
debauchery debauchery
debauchery debauchery yeah there you go and what does it mean felt
excessive indulgence in drinking or other pleasures debauchery
debauchery yeah i don't debauchery a lot of things now debauchery i didn't know that back in
about uh... nineteen ninety that might have fit old hang gray
but you think so maybe
i
don't know
i didn't know you back then
all right everest is the highest is it
Everest is the planet's highest mountain.
Hanco or truth, though?
No, it's not.
It's not.
You're exactly right.
Mount Fuji.
Uh, the she here.
I mean, Hawaii's monarchy is much taller at 33,000 feet.
Really?
Yeah.
Okay.
So it's a, it's, it's a mere 13,796 of, of the mountain is above the sea.
Wow.
Isn't that crazy?
It's amazing.
You knew off the top of your head.
I've got one more here, Phillip.
The tall, the farthest, the fastest glacier moves 41,339 feet every year.
That's 12,600 miles.
Does it really?
I'm asking.
I don't think so.
No, it's true.
Yeah, it's true.
The glacier is a thick sheet of ice that forms over thousands of years.
Um, it's Jacob, uh, off Jacob, Sean's
a Bree and Greenland at 41,339 feet per year.
It's over 12, over 12.
That moves
a lot more than I thought
it would.
Yeah, it moves faster than we do.
Sure.
It moves, it gets a lot more exercise than you and I do.
Yeah, no
kidding.
But anyway, my friend, I hope you have a good day.
My friend and be kind.
That's ain't brave.