Friday News Roundup

Good morning, everyone, for WRCO News.

I'm Todd Copernall, 52 degrees in Richland Center right now, headed to a high of 73 in the news this morning.

An ethics complaint has officially been filed with the Wisconsin Ethics Commission against Representative Derek Van Orden.

The filing alleges that Van Orden published an AI-generated graphic featuring opponent Rebecca Cook without including a mandatory disclosure.

marking a direct violation of Wisconsin campaign ethics regulations.

The complaint comes weeks after legal counsel for Cook sent a formal cease and desist letter on September 30th.

That notice warned against the continued dissemination of defamatory AI deepfakes and signaled that further violations would result in formal legal action to address the misconduct.

In a public statement, Cook criticized Van Orden for resorting to deceptive media rather than addressing key local issues such as farm protection, small business support, and AI data center expansion.

The complaint was formally submitted by Eau Claire resident Cassandra Butzler.

The Simon's Recreation Complex is welcoming the community to an open house

featuring free admission all weekend long.

Visitors will have full access to the complexes amenities, including the swimming pool, hot tub, sauna, racquet ball courts, gymnasium fitness studio, and cardio and weight equipment rooms.

The event offers a great opportunity for community members to tour the facility, take a swim, get in a workout and see everything new at Simons.

The open house is scheduled for tomorrow from 8am to 12.30pm and Sunday from 1pm to 4.30pm.

The facility will host a variety of special activities throughout the weekend.

Attendees can take advantage of membership specials, enjoy free popcorn and enterprise drawings for chances to win gift certificates to local businesses, Simon's memberships, and a charcoal grill.

Additionally, Saturday morning features the second Pump Confest run walk, starting at 9am, which includes chip timed 5k and 10k runs, as well as a 1.5 mile walk.

Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, the combined state chamber of Commerce and Manufacturers Association, has awarded Representative Tony Kurtz its Working for Wisconsin Award.

The award recognizes state legislators who demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting policies that advance economic growth, job creation, and a competitive business climate in the state.

Representative Kurtz was specifically honored for his support of pro-growth initiatives during the 2025-26 legislative session.

The Working for Wisconsin Award is determined by individual voting records on pro-growth policies and reforms, regardless of political affiliation, with recipients required to score at least 70 percent on the WMC legislative scorecard.

WMC President and CEO Kurt R. Bauer commended the award recipients for championing policies that encourage investment and innovation.

WMC Executive Vice President of Government Relations Scott Manley also praised Representative Kurtz's leadership in improving Wisconsin's economy.

Representative Kurtz officially received the award on September 18th at Seats Incorporated in Reedsburg.

The Wisconsin Realtors Association released its September 2026 real estate report, revealing that rising mortgage rates over the past 12 months have led to a decline in home sales and a moderation in price growth.

The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate reached 6.86% in September, marking the highest rate since January of 2025.

Consequently, existing home sales dropped by 2.4% compared to September of last year, while statewide median home prices experienced a modest

1.5% increase to $342,000.

From an economic perspective, WRA consultant Dave Clark highlighted recent monetary policy decisions, including the Federal Reserve's 25 basis point increase to the short-term federal funds rate.

He indicated that while immediate rate hikes are unlikely, subsequent rate adjustments remain contingent on core inflation trends.

Key market statistics from the report show mixed

trends across the state.

Although new home listings dropped 5.1 percent over the last 12 months, overall total listings increased by 3.8 percent.

On a year-to-date basis, overall sales for the first nine months of 2026 rose 2.8 percent over the same period in 2025.

Median house prices were up 6 percent to $346,500.

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development released non-seasonally adjusted local employment estimates for September, showing widespread declines in unemployment rates across all of Wisconsin's metropolitan statistical areas, major cities, and counties.

According to figures derived from U.S.

Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates, preliminary unemployment rates fell in all 13 of the state's metropolitan areas during September.

Over-the-year comparison, however, showed increased unemployment rates across all 13 metro regions.

In municipal areas, unemployment rates dropped over the month.

In all 35 of Wisconsin's largest cities, Sheboygan stood out as the sole municipality to experience a decrease in its unemployment rate over the year, while 29 cities recorded higher rates and five remained unchanged compared to September 2025.

At the county level, every one of Wisconsin's 72 counties registered a lower unemployment rate in September relative to August.

Over the past 12 months, four counties achieved lower unemployment, 61 counties saw rate increases, seven counties held steady.

A drug take-back day will be held tomorrow from 10 until 2 at the Richland Center Police Station.

Partners for prevention and the Richland Center Police Department encourage community members to gather unused or expired prescription medications and bring them to the event.

No appointment is necessary if you are unable to attend permanent drop boxes are available year round at the Richland Center Police Department in the City Municipal Building, the Community Pharmacy at the Richland Hospital, and the Richland County Sheriff's Department Center Pharmacy and the Viola Village Hall.

The Village Board of Spring Green is scheduled to convene for its regular meeting Wednesday, October 28th at 7 p.m.

The meeting will take place at the Spring Green Village office and can be attended either in person or virtually via Zoom.

The Board will address ongoing business under old business.

Trustees will discuss and potentially take action on an update regarding the property abatement

at 433 West Madison Street as well as the 2027 preliminary budget figures.

The new business segment features several key administrative matters and agreements, including the approval of routine disbursements.

Board members will consider a municipal materials management agreement between Republic Services and the Village of Spring-Green, alongside a temporary access road agreement with Northern Natural Gas Company.

Additionally, the board will consider an appointment to the library board.

Prior to concluding the meeting, an opportunity for general public comment will be offered before the board convenes into closed session pursuant to state statute.

The closed session will focus on conferring with legal counsel regarding strategy for litigation concerning the abatement of the property at 433 West Madison Street.

The board will subsequently reconvene into open session for potential discussion and action related to the legal guidance received.

Today is October 23rd.

These are today's vital statistics.

Diane Baumkamp, 85 of Muscaday, died Sunday, October 11th.

Graveside services will be held today at 1 p.m.

at St.

John's Catholic Cemetery.

The Pratt Funeral Anchoring Mason Service is assisting the family with their arrangements.

Diane Baumkamp, 85 of Muscaday.

Martin C. Smiley Fortune, 84 of Viola, died Saturday, October 17, at Vernon Manor in Verrocco.

A funeral service for Smiley will be held at 11 a.m.

Saturday, October 24th at the Viola United Methodist Church.

Visitation will be held today from 4 until 7 p.m.

at the Viola Methodist Church.

Additional visitation will be held tomorrow at the church from 10 a.m.

until the time of service.

A luncheon will immediately follow the service at the Viola Community Center.

Smiley will be laid to rest at a later date at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery.

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 tomorrow, from 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.

The family asked that memorials be directed in Connie's memory to continue the movement to end Alzheimer's.

The Clary Memorial Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Connie Jean Mackelry, 77, formerly of Richland Center.

Robert James

Bob Gorsuch, 79 of Boscobel, died June 8th.

A committal service with military honors will be held tomorrow at 2 p.m.

at the Blue River Cemetery.

Following the graveside service, a celebration of life reception will be held from 3 p.m.

until 7 p.m.

at the American Banquet Facility in Bosqueville.

Family and friends are invited to attend both the service and the reception to share memories and honor Bob's life.

Robert James Bob Gorsuch, 79 of Bosqueville.

Caitlin Elizabeth Fleishauer, 41 of Spring-Green and Muscaday, died Sunday, October 18.

Funeral services will be held Monday 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.

The Pratt Funeral and Cremation Service is assisting the family with their arrangements.

Caitlin Elizabeth Fleishauer, 41 of Spring Green and Muscaday.

John Jack Bauer, 88 of Richland Center, died Monday, October 19 at the Richland Hospital.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m.

at St.

Mary's Catholic Church in Richland Center.

Burial will follow in St.

Mary's Catholic Cemetery with military graveside rights to be provided by the local Military Memorial Honors Unit.

Visitation will be held Tuesday at St.

Mary's Catholic Church from 9 a.m.

until the time of Mass at 11.

The family suggests memorials in Jack's name be directed to Richland County EMS or the Richland Center Police Department, Canine Unit.

The Pratt Funeral Encrymation Service is assisting the family.

Jack Bauer, 88, of Richland Center.

Thomas J. Tommy Nalapinsky, 92, of Muscaday, died Wednesday, October 21st at Dove Health Care, Infor.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, October 28th at 11 a.m.

at the Pratt Funeral Home in Muscaday with burial to follow in the St.

John's Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation will be held Wednesday at the Pratt Funeral Home in Muscaday from 10 a.m.

until the time of service at 11.

Thomas J. Tommy Nalapinsky, 92 of Muscaday.

James Robert Jim Allbaugh of Shawno, Wisconsin, formerly of Richland Center, died Thursday, October 15th.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, October 31st at Hope Church of Shawno, beginning with coffee, donuts, and visitation from 9 a.m.

until noon.

The celebration of life will begin at noon, followed by a light luncheon.

Everyone is welcome.

Swedberg Funeral Home and Hope Church, both of Shawno, are assisting the family.

James Robert Jim Albaugh of Shawno, Wisconsin, formerly of Richland Center.

Betty Lanham, 74 of Muscaday, died Sunday, October 11th, at the Richland Hospital.

Per Betty's request, no services will be held.

The Pratt Funeral Antrimation Service is assisting with the arrangements.

Betty Lanham, 74 of Muscaday.

And in birth news from the Richland Hospital, a daughter, Clarissa Somari, born to Maria Aranda and Samuel Sanchez.

Congratulations!

Friday's roundup.

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

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

And twice as unpredictable.

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

And medium heat.

That's just a bad choice.

And don't miss the word of the day.

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

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

It's

time for

the roundup.

Hey, what's going?

How you doing

young man?

Yeah doing well.

Yeah Richland Center advances you and I thought that would be a more competitive contest last night.

You could see that.

You could see

signs of

it.

But Kudos to them.

So yeah, because they're in kind of a bigger conference or play bigger schools.

I'm not banging on Richland Center.

It's just that they're playing.

Yeah.

Kudos to Richland Center volleyball girls.

Nice job.

Right.

Yeah.

Nice one.

It'll be a nice

match with River Valley.

River Valley's got a great year going.

Yes, they

do.

Only, I

think five, five or six losses, five for the year, I think.

It's impressive.

Yeah.

Very

incredible.

Yeah.

So it should be fun Saturday night.

You bet.

Yeah.

But before, before we get there, young man.

Look at this.

Got my yelp jersey.

Yelp jersey.

Yes, you do.

Number 19 for the brewer.

Number 19.

I wore number 19 on my high school jersey.

Really?

Yep.

And I, I, it was kind of by accident, but all of a sudden I realized, Hey, I've got Robin Yelts number.

And it wasn't that I was, you know, anything like Yelp.

I was like the 19th player off the bench.

Oh yeah.

So you had the, the last Jersey.

Exactly.

I remember our jerseys.

Okay.

Our jerseys, when we were in high school, um, the bigger they were,

the larger the number oh I see sure sure so if you were number two you're like a I had I squeezed in a number 17 17 yeah so yeah it was it was one of those things that I could never have a small number because Henry wasn't that small really okay you weren't you were number 19 number 19 in high school like for baseball so anyway football it was 50 and tonight

We're at Ithaca.

Yeah, that's right.

High school football playoffs.

Yeah.

So yeah, I was looking forward to that Ithaca taken on Waterloo.

Ithaca Weston.

Yes, Ithaca Weston.

I gotta keep, I gotta say that.

So I'm sorry about that to my Weston.

I've gotten really, really used to saying it.

And then the other night.

the two schools

play volleyball.

It was tough to not say one or the other.

I'm getting used to it.

Yeah, good for you.

Any plans for the weekend?

Lots of plans, you know, football.

You're going to be pat.

Doing a few

things.

And yeah, right.

I kind of jokingly said to the administrators, and I knew that would go to first base.

I'm like, Hey, why don't you guys move the volleyball a little earlier, like four o'clock or something?

Because what time the Brewers play tomorrow?

Seven.

So, uh, and

the

Badger is the same thing.

I jokingly said that to one of the chats.

I'm on and they're like, yeah, right.

College football, you know, too

much

money, prime time TV.

They are going to, it's too much money.

No, the, the box.

Nobody really is fired up about.

So they moved

to

three today.

Kudos to them.

Kudos to

the box.

Yeah.

100%.

Plus it probably helps traffic a little bit Milwaukee too.

But, but, you know what?

Kudos to the box though.

Seriously.

Right.

What other team would do that?

Just to say, you know what?

This is awesome.

It's our home opener.

100%.

So, and yeah, they'd rather have it be at night.

I'm

sure.

Oh, I guarantee it.

Cause you know, the Brewers would do that for the, for the bucks.

I

would think so.

Yeah.

100.

I think that's really neat.

So,

but

just

gonna be great.

You know, the fact that they're there, somebody asked me if I was nervous and I said, no, you know, I just wanted to beat the Dodgers and this is gravy.

Really?

You know, I mean, I want them to win.

Um, I don't think I can wait another 44 years because I'll be a hundred and six, you know, the next time

you'll

be up there.

You know,

but we're so old, Phil, that we can laugh, cough and sneeze and pee all at the same time.

You

know what?

It takes talent, but it does, you know, we've, you know, we've aged, uh, rightfully.

Anyway, your question of the day.

What is something you're willing to drive an hour to get?

Oh boy.

You can't say records.

Oh man, I don't know.

You know, something you're, we used to have a.

A worker at WRC will drive an hour to go to Taco Bell.

Seriously.

When

there wasn't one here, you know, he'd get his paycheck and go, you know, whatever.

Um, you know, sometimes no, no disrespect to, uh,

you know, the movies we have here, but once in a while, you know, there's a movie that I want to see

that's

not, that's not maybe mainstream, you know, it's more of a, like a biopic from a music artist or something.

I saw the Elvis, the epic of his concert that they found, the unearthed it.

And

I went to see that.

So I would say a movie that I can't see here locally.

You know what I would drive an hour for?

You're going to laugh at this.

Pork rinds.

No, no, no, no.

Coffee, ice cream.

coffee ice cream.

Have you ever had coffee ice cream?

I don't think so.

Oh my goodness.

Where do you

drive an hour to go get that?

It's usually in a like, you can only get it like in a little court thing.

So it depends that you have to look online to get it.

Okay.

So usually across.

Uh

huh.

So you ever had coffee ice cream?

I don't recall that I have.

Oh, it's so good.

Ah,

interesting.

Oh, I don't want to change my answer, but you can change it.

Okay.

Hardies.

I went to the doctor on, uh, what day did I go?

Was it Tuesday?

Anyway.

And, uh, up in, up in Minnesota, and I drove by this hearties and it's like, I missed it.

Oh man.

What am I going

to do?

It's

just like

that

I was thinking, you know what?

I'll get it on the way back.

Right.

Speaking of food, you better get your ice-pea here.

Oh, here we go.

You might be from Peerage.

If your local grocery store, Phillip, has signs on the store that says, beer, liquor, and fireworks.

Yeah?

I'm sure that's probably the case.

And you think it's OK?

Yes.

Your daily dilemma.

Someone catches you talking to yourself, Phillip.

Do you stop or go ahead and introduce them?

Have you met my manager?

There you

go.

Would you introduce them?

Probably.

I would too.

Have you met Plum Peaboo?

He's right here.

I love it.

I love it.

Yeah, because I would do it.

Yeah.

Oh, yeah.

Especially if they come up.

Who are you talking to?

Oh, here you go.

All right.

Here we go.

Crispy cheeseburger rolls, also known as Skeeter's Deep Fried Drive-Thru Replacement.

So here's the thing.

Make this a night before and at 3.30, just get up to heat it.

It's early in the morning and welcome to my kitchen where the drive-thru is closed but poor decisions are still being served.

This morning we're making crispy cheeseburger rolls.

It's everything you love about a cheeseburger wrapped in a tortilla because the hamburger buns had turned into a science project.

Here's your ingredients, okay?

You know what?

For the ingredients, I'm just gonna, it's online.

I'm gonna let you go online because there's

There's a lot of ingredients.

There's a lot of ingredients.

So if you just go online, or if you want to call the station, I can email it to you, but this is a very, very good recipe.

Really?

Yeah.

But we're going to start out with a ground of beef.

You're going to need a ground of a ground of beef, a pound of a pound of beef.

Okay.

Yeah.

My phone.

All right.

Here's for the assembly.

You're going to take nine medium floor flour tortillas, one and a half cups of shredded cheese mozzarella, dill pickle slices, drained and oil for the shallow frying pan.

Okay.

Here we go.

make your fancy sauce mix all your sauce ingredients together including the whisk chester sauce oh did i say that way you know that wasn't bad not for me that's close war war chester sire something like that stick it in the refrigerator while you cook all right so that's the restaurant sauce there put it in a little plastic cup and i'll gladly pay extra 75 cents for it that's good brown the beef heat one tablespoon oil a large skillet over medium heat add the diced onions cooked

until softened.

Add the ground beef and break it into parts.

As it cooks, stir the fresh garlic during the last minute.

Drain the excess grease.

Break up that meat really good.

We're making cheeseburger rolls, not hiding meatloaf in a blanket.

Get it cheesy.

Stir in the tomato paste, salt, pepper, garlic, smoked paprika, and onion powder.

Add a half cup of water and simmer until the liquid has mostly cooked away.

Stir in three cheese slices until melted.

and remove from heat, let the filling cool slightly before rolling and then, and then thick it, not soupy.

I

don't want it soupy.

You know, a liquidy tortilla at 4.50 in the morning is how a man ends up eating supper over the

sink.

Wrap them rascals, divide the beef mixture into among the nine medium tortillas, add drain pickle slices, added cheese, fold the slices inward and then thinly roll like a breeder.

Keep the breeder and then feeling modest enough that the tortilla closes securely than think it's think of it as tucking a cheeseburger into bed, except this was about to have a considerably rougher night.

Make them crispy at a thin layer of oil to the skillet over medium heat.

Carefully place them rolls steam or seam side down cook, cook in batches, turning that, turning with, with tongs until golden and crisp on all sides.

Lower the heat.

If there's, if they are too brown too quickly,

don't crowd the skillet this ain't cousin this ain't cousin squeezing into grandma's couch for the family picture just transfer the paper towel lined oh what you doing take him out of the pan put him on a paper towel lined so you have a crispy basically a hamburger in a tortilla

in a tortilla

oh so this then there's a sauce thing that I have online okay it's and you're gonna dip them into this sauce it's unreal

So

Hank's dipping sauce.

Yeah.

You could say that it's crispy, cheeseburger rolls.

All the joy of a drive-thru without, without a speaker asking you to repeat yourself three times.

Yeah, exactly.

So it's really, really good, but, but there's a ton of ingredients and you usually have them already in your kitchen.

Oh, I see.

Okay.

Yeah.

So now when you're eating that, do you wear a shirt?

Because I don't wear nothing.

Well, that's, I mean,

You mean no shirt?

No shirt.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Winnie can clean

on your chest.

So no shirt, no shoes, no service.

Don't apply in Skeeter's kitchen.

Oh, I bet.

No shirt, no shoes.

Come on in.

Yeah.

It's

time for

what do we have for you,

Phillip?

I don't

know.

It's time for poor old grandpa Phil's attic logic sponsored by

Salt Weedle Store in downtown Casanova since 1946.

Hello to Salt Weedle Store.

Some of our best friends

up there.

You know

what, good people.

Absolutely.

Grandpa Phil's logic, heard at my mother's knee or some other joint, barking up the wrong tree.

How many times have you

heard that?

That boy's barking up the wrong

tree.

And I still hear that.

Pursuing the incorrect

person or pass

is the

definition.

Yeah.

All right.

So what do you think?

I don't

know.

Boy, that's, it's tough.

I'm

just glad I could bark.

Told my dad that one time.

He went, no, no, just don't talk back to dad when he's telling you the logics of life.

Yeah, that's true.

You shouldn't anyway.

No, no, no.

Jim, I tell you, we should have just raised chickens.

Well, another of mom's logic was, uh, Jim.

When I get that one raised, I'm going to sit with my feet up in the

air.

Oh, yes.

And she did.

Oh, yeah.

I think she did.

Yeah.

Were you the youngest?

Oh, yeah.

Yeah.

When Sue was in school, we never got these phone calls from the school.

What do you do?

I don't know, but I tell you what, what about the word of the day?

What are the word of the week?

What do you got?

Let me see if I can find it, Phil.

Oh.

I thought you just had the top of your head.

Oh yeah, I do this.

Here's a word of the week sponsored by Oakwood Fruit Farm, thanks to Judy and the gang up there.

E-Road.

E-Road?

E-Road.

Yeah, it's a noun and a verb.

A male person on a thing that moved him around physically.

Huh?

Here we go.

E-Road.

Old Man Wilkins is losing it, dude.

E-Road that dang pig all the way to town.

Oh yes.

Hank Bray.

Have a great day and be kind.

Go Brewers.

A legendary Hank

Bray.

Good evening everyone for WRCO News.

I'm Todd Copernall.

The fourth annual pumpkin fest will be held tomorrow in Richland Center.

The theme for this year's event is pumpkins in the jungle.

Eve Brull, a student at St.

Mary's and creator of this year's theme name, tells how she thought of the idea.

I like a lot of animals in the jungle, so I thought it would be a good idea.

The day will begin with the Pumpkin Fest run and walk at Simon's Recreation Complex.

Suzanne Anderson is the creator and key organizer of Pumpkin Fest.

We've got the Pumpkin Run, of course.

We've got the 5K, the 10K, and the One Mile Fun Run.

That's at 9 o'clock in the morning on Saturday.

Mike Hardy and Kyle Ewing have designed some really great courses.

They've got some world-class timing systems, so if you're a good runner, you need to know it's going to be timed and you're going to have your official time.

It starts at Simons, ends at Simons.

There's awards and prizes.

We encourage costumes.

There's a costume prize and prizes for categories in age and first, second, and third, I believe, with awards and medals and things like that.

Later in the day, Pumpkin Fest activities will be held from 1 until 5 o'clock on the Richland County Courthouse lawn.

During Pumpkin Fest activities, there will be games, food vendors, a bake sale, judging results, and Pumpkin's galore.

There will also be a special presentation featuring ZooZort, a live animal educational program from 1 until 2 o'clock.

In the evening, Quail Run Golf Course will be holding a pumpkin fest event.

Emma with Quail Run Golf Course has actually joined us this year with a night golf activity.

So that is going to be Saturday night.

You need to call her to pre-register and then four o'clock you register and pay and then golfing begins at five thirty and I guess it's a complete 18 hole golf with costumes and decorate your golf cart and it's going to be a lot of fun.

So definitely do that.

They're new this year.

Judging for the best overall Halloween costume, the best group and team costumes and

And the best decorated cart will be at 5 o'clock.

The cost to golf is $50 per person and $200 per team.

Be a part of Pumpkin Fest tomorrow in Richland Center.

The River Valley players will be performing Neil Simon's comedy farce Rumors tonight at 7 o'clock, tomorrow at 1 o'clock and 7 o'clock and Sunday at 1 o'clock at the Guard Theater in Spring Green.

Ari Paulak talks about the play.

It's from the late 80s.

I think it actually premiered in 89 or 90 on Broadway.

From what I understand, Simon decided that he wanted to try his hand at writing a farce.

So this play has a lot of your classic hallmarks of farce.

People going in and out of doors, a mistaken identity, secrets being kept from each other, different lies stacking on top of each other.

There's a lot of chaotic hilarity.

Actor Dan Heming, who plays a tax guy named Lenny Ganz, discusses the dialogue used in the play.

The dialogue is very crisp.

It's very quick.

Basically, the audience, when the curtain opens after at this initial kind of tense situation where it's like, what's happening in this, in this living room?

What's happening upstairs?

Once the dialogue starts, it's just a train ride.

And you are grabbed on like somebody grabbed that mailbag on the train and they're just, they're just going at breakneck speed.

And I don't think we slow down.

Well, at intermission, we slow down because we've eaten, but then it gets picks right back up again.

And again, all of these characters are

trying to either figure out what happened or like Ari said, or trying to keep things from other people from figuring out what happened until they can figure out what happened.

And then the worst thing that could possibly happen is for the police to come, which is in fact, what happens towards the second half of the show.

Tickets to see rumors are $18 each and can be purchased online at rivervalleyplayers.org.

You can also purchase tickets at North Earth Crystals and Gifts in Spring Green.

More information about River Valley players' production of Neil Simon's rumors can be found on their Facebook page.

If you have a private well in Richland County, there is an effort underway to truly understand what's in your water

and how safe it is.

Logan Goulette is a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin.

Logan is currently studying groundwater quality around the state.

I came in to study water quality, mainly research arsenic, which is a problem in Wisconsin as well, but basically my advisor and I also inputted some grants to do community type work and

I've been doing that over the last couple years and it's a little more rewarding than just strict research, I think.

But yeah, generally my interests are just kind of stuff that's bad for people and how it moves in water systems, specifically groundwater.

Arsenic is a persistent problem in some parts of Wisconsin.

If you've ever heard the term fools gold, oftentimes that is the culprit.

Some people

maybe more or less familiar, but in counties like Winnebago, Atigami, there's this well-known arsenic problem, and some people are basically unlucky where their well intersects with these rocks, and there's this shiny gold mineral called pyrite.

Looks like these little cubes, also called fool's gold, and inside that mineral, sometimes there's a lot of arsenic, and if you're well,

intersects into like a really unlucky spot.

The water mixes with those minerals, dissolves them, and you could end up with some really

nasty water.

Logan heard an interview on WRCO with the Richland Resilience Group, which got him interested in Richland County.

Logan has been testing private wells in the area over the last year.

So Athena and I connected with this group called the Richland Resilience Group.

which I listened to a radio show of yours kind of interviewing them a while back.

And they're a group of community people who are interested in water and just interested in helping Richland County be resilient to natural disasters and just natural resources and stuff like that.

So we connected with them and we kind of made this program where my lab offers free well testing to

Richland County well owners, private well owners specifically.

And over the past year, I've actually been traveling out pretty much every weekend during the spring and fall.

And I would go and sample people's water from like a hose on the side of their house.

And we've actually made a map of groundwater quality throughout Richland County.

And we get people reports and it's just like a free comprehensive well test.

We test for stuff like arsenic, nitrate, lead, lots of heavy metals.

And then I also tested for bacteria like E. coli back then.

Free well testing is available to Richland County residents.

Here's how to get your free test kit and results.

We hope to

just give people a free well test and then also to allow general Richland County people to kind of look at a map and get an idea of what the local groundwater quality is like.

So first of all, how do people get the test kits if they'd like them?

Yes.

So what we're planning to do is from October 26th to October 30th, the Richland County Land Conservation is going to host all our test kits.

So there's a couple cool people there, Connie and Corey, and basically you can go to the Richland County Courthouse on the first floor.

and just walk into land conservation office, ask for a test kit, and receive one.

And for anybody who doesn't know, let me see if I have the address.

That's the Richland County Courthouse, first floor, 181 West Seminary Street, and they're open 830 to four o'clock.

And you mentioned you'd be retrieving those samples, and how do they get them back to you?

Yeah.

So people can come October 26th to the 30th and grab kits.

And then what we're asking is that people basically collect their water and return it on the same day.

Now, because we're testing water, it's very sensitive to basically light and air.

If we think about where your well water is coming from, it's sometimes hundreds of feet below ground.

And we want to try to understand what's going on.

below ground, chemistry-wise.

So if you take a sample and get it to me as soon as possible and keep it cold, that basically makes sure that all the nitrate tests are as accurate as possible.

So we ask that people collect their sample on November 2nd and then come and return it to me at the Richland Center Community Center.

I'm going to be basically posted there with a truck from like 9 a.m.

to 8 p.m.

on November 2nd, just collecting sample kits.

Free water testing in Richland County with Logan Goulette.

Kits are available for free October 26th through the 30th.

Collect and return your water sample November 2nd.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has earned national recognition for its online information tool.

The Wisconsin DOT has received a 2026 Government Experience Award from the Center for Digital Government for its new

Online Projects Hub.

The website serves as a one-stop source for highway and bridge project information across the state.

Users can search interactive maps and access details on nearly 600 transportation projects from planning through construction.

According to WISDOT, the platform improves transparency and public access to information.

And it's expected to become the agency's primary project information resource beginning next year.

And I'll leave you with this.

The eyes of Wisconsin sports fans are on Milwaukee tonight.

It's game one of the 2026 World Series between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays at American Family Field, marking the Brew Crew's return to the fall classic for the first time since 1982, when the then American League Brewers lost to the St.

Louis Cardinals in seven games.

The Rays won the American League penned in 2008 and 2020, but fell short in

World Series both years.

This is the first World Series pitting two teams against one another who have never won it since 1980 when the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Kansas City Royals.

This year's series also features two of Major League Baseball's lower payroll clubs and if it goes seven games it will end on Halloween.

Vital statistics right after this.

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 October 23rd.

These are today's vital statistics.

Martin C. Smiley-Fortune, 84 of Viola, died Saturday, October 17th at Vernon Manor in Verroqua.

A funeral service for Smiley will be held at 11 a.m.

Saturday at the Viola United Methodist Church.

Visitation will be held today 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 the time of service, a luncheon will immediately follow the service at the Viola Community Center.

Smiley will be laid to rest at a later date at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery.

Connie Jean McElrie, 77, formerly of Richland Center, died Sunday, October 4th.

A funeral mass will be held Saturday, October 24th 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 mass.

The family asks that memorials be directed in Connie's memory to continue the movement to end Alzheimer's.

The Clarique Memorial Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Connie Jean McElrie, 77, formerly of Richland Center.

Robert James Bob Gorsuch, 79, of Boscobel, died June 8.

A committal service with military honors will be held Saturday, October 24, at 2 p.m.

at the Blue River Cemetery.

Following the graveside service, a celebration of life reception will be held from 3 p.m.

to 7 p.m.

at the American In banquet facility

In Boscobel, family and friends are invited to attend both the service and the reception to share memories and honor Bob's life.

Robert James Bob Gorsuch, 79 of Boscobel.

Caitlin Elizabeth Fleishauer, 41 of Spring Green and Muscaday, died Sunday, October 18.

Funeral services will be held Monday, October 26th 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.

The Pratt funeral and cremation service is assisting the family with their arrangements.

fly shower, 41, of Spring Green and Muscaday.

John Jack Bauer, 88 of Richland Center, died Monday, October 19th at the Richland Hospital.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, October 27th at 11 a.m.

at St.

Mary's Catholic Church.

Burial will follow in St.

Mary's Catholic Cemetery with military graveside rights to be provided by the local Military Memorial Honors Unit.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, October 27 at St.

Mary's Catholic Church from 9 a.m.

until the time of Mass at 11.

Jack Bauer, 88 of Richland Center.

Thomas J.

Tommy Nalapinsky, 92 of Muscaday, died Wednesday, October 21 at Dove Health Care in Fenimore.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, October 28 at 10 a.m.

at the Pratt Funeral Home in Muscaday with burial to follow in the St.

John's Catholic Cemetery.

The Pratt Funeral and Cremation Service is assisting the family with their arrangements.

Thomas J.

Tommy Nalapinsky, 92 of Muscaday.

James Robert Jim Allbaugh of Shawnaw, Wisconsin, formerly of Rich Len Center, died Thursday, October 15th.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, October 31st at Hope Church of Shawnaw, beginning with coffee, donuts, and visitation.

from 9 a.m.

until noon.

The celebration of life will begin at noon, followed by a light luncheon.

Everyone is welcome.

Swedberg Funeral Home and Hope Church, both of Shawno, are assisting the family with the arrangements.

James Robert Jim Allbaugh of Shawno, Wisconsin, formerly of Richland Center.

Kimberly

Kim Ann Fry, 55 of Richland Center, died Tuesday, October 20 at UW Hospital in Madison.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, October 31 at 11 a.m.

at Clary Memorial Funeral Home, with visitation beginning at 9 a.m.

and continuing until the time of service.

Burial will follow at the Basswood Cemetery.

Kimberly Kim

Ann Fry, 55 of Richland Center.

Lois Ruth Moe Anderson Erson, 88 of Richland Center, died October 22nd.

Memorial Services are pending.

The Pratt funeral and cremation service is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Lois Ruth Moe Anderson Erson, 88.

of Richland Center.

And in birth news from the Richland Hospital, a daughter, Clarissa Samari, was born to Maria Aranda and Samuel Sanchez.

Congratulations!

This concludes today's vital statistics.

Today's vital statistics are sponsored by Crowsie Monument.

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

Today is October 23rd.

These are today's vital statistics.

Martin C. Smiley, fortune.

84 of Viola died Saturday, October 17th at Vernon Manor.

in Varroqua.

A funeral service for Smiley will be held at 11 a.m.

Saturday at the Viola United Methodist Church.

Visitation will be held today 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 the time of service.

A luncheon will immediately follow the service at the Viola Community Center.

Smiley will be laid to rest at a later date at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery.

In memory of Smiley, donations are appreciated for an upcoming kidney surgery for his great-granddaughter.

Donations may be made to her savings account at the Lafarge State Bank.

She is surviving on one-third of her kidney.

The Vasatag Larson Funeral Home and Crematory in Verroqua is serving the family.

Martin C. Smiley, fortune, 84 of Viola.

Connie Jean.

McElrie, 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 mass.

The family asks that memorials be directed in Connie's memory to continue the movement to end Alzheimer's.

The Clary Memorial Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Connie is survived by her children, Tracy, McElrie, Emily and Jason Willoughby and Joel and Laura McElrie.

Six grandchildren, her brother Thomas and Nancy Hawks, one niece and one nephew.

Connie Jean.

McElroy, 77, formerly of Richland Center.

Robert James Bob Gorsuch, 79 of Boscobel, died June 8th.

A committal service with military honors will be held tomorrow at

2 p.m.

at the Blue River Cemetery.

Following the graveside service, a celebration of life reception will be held from 3 p.m.

until 7 p.m.

at the American Inn-Bankwood facility in Bosquebell.

Family and friends are invited to attend both the service and the reception to share memories and honor Bob's life.

Bob is survived by his wife, Deborah, and their three sons, Casey, James, and Chris.

Robert, James, Bob, Gorsuch.

79 of Bosquebell.

Caitlyn Elizabeth Fleishauer, 41 of Spring Green and Muscaday, died Sunday, October 18th.

Funeral services will be held Monday, October 26th at 11 a.m.

at St.

John the Baptist Catholic Church

in Muscaday.

Visitation will be held Sunday October 25th at St.

John's Gym from 12 noon until 3 p.m.

and again Monday October 26th from 10 a.m.

until the procession to the church at 1045.

Memorials in Kate's name can be directed to Muscaday EMS 701 North Wisconsin Avenue, PO Box 323, Muscaday, Wisconsin 53573, or your local Humane Society.

The Pratt Funeral and Cremation Service is assisting the family with their arrangements.

Caitlin Elizabeth Fleishauer, 41 of Spring Green,

and Muscaday.

John Jack Bauer, 88 of Richland Center, died Monday, October 19 at the Richland Hospital.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, October 27 at 11 a.m.

at St.

Mary's Catholic Church in Richland Center.

Burial will follow in St.

Mary's Catholic Cemetery with military graveside rights to be provided by the local Military Memorial Honors Unit.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, October 27th at St.

Mary's Catholic Church from 9 a.m.

until the time of Mass at 11.

The family suggests memorials in Jack's name be directed to Richland County EMS or the Richland Center Police Department canine unit.

The Pratt funeral and cremation service is assisting the family with their arrangements.

Jack is survived by his sister Audrey Pletzer, brother Tom Bauer, sister-in-law Donna Bauer, brothers-in-law Dallas Johnson, Stanley and Mary Anderson, Jerry King and Donald Flickinger.

nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.

Jack Bauer, 88, of Rich Lent Center.

Thomas J. Tommy Nelapinsky, 92, of Muscaday, died Wednesday, October 21, at Dove Healthcare in Fenimore.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday.

October 28th at 10 a.m.

at the Pratt Funeral Home in Muscaday with burial to follow in the St.

John's Catholic Cemetery.

The Pratt Funeral Encrymation Service is assisting the family with their arrangements.

Tommy is survived by his sister, Betty Asim of Madison, one niece and two nephews.

Thomas J. Tommy Nelopinski, 92 of Muscaday.

James Robert Jim Olbaugh of Shawno, Wisconsin, formerly of Richland Center, died Thursday, October 15th.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, October 31st at Hope Church of Shawno, beginning with coffee, donuts, and visitation from 9 a.m.

until noon.

The celebration of life will begin at noon, followed by a light luncheon.

Everyone is welcome.

Swedberg Funeral Home and Hope Church, both of Shawno, are assisting the family with the arrangements.

Jim is survived by his wife Mary, sons Todd Albaugh and Mike and Emily Ulysses, daughter Heather and Michael Galoy, sisters Peggy Albaugh and Mary Albaugh, two grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, countless wrestlers, runners, assistant coaches, and friends.

James Robert Jim Albaugh

of Shawnaw, Wisconsin, formerly of Richland Center.

Anderson Erson, 88 of Richland Center, died October 22nd.

Memorial services are pending.

The Pratt funeral and cremation service is assisting the family with arrangements.

Survivors include her sisters Rachel Jackson and Eleanor Moe.

Brother Curtis and Mary Moe.

Daughters Anne and Scott Fisher, Joy and Dave Coyne and Carrie and Bill Pink.

Stepchildren

Chris Erson, Eric and Dee Dee Erson, and Christy Erson, 10 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Lois Ruth Mo Anderson Erson, 88, of Richland Center.

And in birth news from the Richland Hospital, a daughter, Clarissa Samari, born to Maria

Aranda and Samuel Sanchez.

Congratulations!

Welcome back to the news at noon.

The fourth annual pumpkin festival will be held tomorrow in Richland Center.

The theme for this year's event is Pumpkins in the Jungle.

Eve Brull, a student at St.

Mary's and creator of this year's theme name, tells how she thought of the idea.

I like a lot of animals in the jungle, so I thought it would be a good idea.

I love that.

The day will begin with the Pumpkin Fest run walk at Simon's Recreation Complex.

Suzanne Anderson is the creator and key organizer of Pumpkin Fest.

We've got the Pumpkin Run, of course.

We've got the 5k, the 10k, and the One Mile Fun Run.

That's at 9 o'clock in the morning on Saturday.

Mike Hardy and Kyle Ewing have designed some really great courses.

They've got some world-class timing systems.

So if you're a good runner, you need to know it's going to be timed and you're going to have your official time.

It starts at Simons, ends at Simons.

There's awards and prizes.

We encourage costumes.

There's a costume prize and prizes for categories in age and for second and third, I believe, with awards and medals and things like that.

Later in the day, Pumpkin Fest activities will be held from 1 until 5 on the Richland County Courthouse lawn.

During Pumpkin Fest activities, there will be games, food vendors, a bake sale, judging results, and Pumpkin's galore.

There will also be a special presentation featuring ZooZort, a live animal educational program from 1 until 2.

In the evening, Quail Run Golf Course will be holding a Pumpkin Fest event.

Emma with Quail Run Golf Course has actually joined us this year with a night golf activity.

So that is going to be Saturday night.

You need to call her to pre-register and then four o'clock you register and pay and then golfing begins at 5.30 and I guess it's a complete 18-hole golf with costumes and decorate your golf cart and it's going to be a lot of fun.

So definitely do that.

They're new this year.

Judging for the best overall Halloween costume, the best group and team costumes, and the best decorated cart will be at 5 o'clock.

The cost to golf is $50 per person or $200 per team.

Be a part of Pump Confess tomorrow in Richland Center.

The River Valley players will be performing Neil Sliman's comedy, Fars Rumors, tonight at 7 o'clock, tomorrow on Sunday, I'm sorry, at 1 and 7.

Alright, let me read that back.

Bad text.

The River Valley players will be performing Neil Simon's comedy Farce Rumors tonight at seven, tomorrow at one and seven, and Sunday at one o'clock at the Guard Theater in Spring, Green.

Director Erie Pollock talks about the play.

It's from the late 80s.

I think it actually premiered in 89 or 90 on Broadway from what I understand Simon decided that he wanted to try his hand at writing a farce And so this play has a lot of your classic hallmarks of farce people going in and out of doors and a stake in identity Secrets being kept from each other different lies stacking on top of each other.

There's a lot of chaotic hilarity

Actor Dan Heming who plays it

Tax guy named Lenny Ganz discusses the dialogue used in the play.

The dialogue is very crisp.

It's very quick.

basically the audience when the curtain opens after at this initial kind of tense situation where it's like, what's happening in this, in this living room?

What's happening upstairs?

Once the dialogue starts, it's just a train ride.

And you are grabbed on like somebody grabbed that mailbag on the train and they're just, they're just going at breakneck speed.

And I don't think we slow down.

Well, at intermission, we slow down because we've eaten, but then it gets picks right back up again.

And again, all of these characters are trying to either figure out what happened

or like Ari said, or trying to keep things from other people from figuring out what happened until they can figure out what happened.

And then the worst thing that could possibly happen is for the police to come, which is in fact what happens towards the second half

of the show.

Earth crystals and gifts in Spring-Green.

More information about River Valley players' production of Neil Simon's rumors can be found on their Facebook page.

An ethics complaint has officially been filed with the Wisconsin Ethics Commission against Representative Derrick Van Orden.

The filing alleges that Van Orden published an AI-generated graphic featuring opponent Rebecca Cook without including a mandatory disclosure marking a direct violation of Wisconsin Campaign Ethics Regulations.

The complaint comes weeks after legal counsel for Cook sent a formal cease and desist letter September 30th.

That notice warned against the continued

dissemination of defamatory AI deepfakes and signaled that further violations would result in formal legal action to address the misconduct.

In a public statement, Cook criticized Van Orden for resorting to deceptive media rather than addressing key local issues such as farm protection, small business support, and AI data center expansion.

The complaint was formally submitted by Eau Claire resident Cassandra Butzler.

The Richland County Executive and Finance Standing Committee will convene Monday at 5 p.m.

in the Richland County boardroom.

The meeting will offer options for both in-person and virtual attendance with access details available on the county website.

The committee is set to address key local matters including a discussion and potential action on Richland County's role in the public service commission process regarding the proposed 765 kilovolt transmission line, as well as Richland

contract rates.

Additionally, members will consider establishing consistent reporting mechanisms to the board from county department heads and discuss a memorandum of understanding between Richland County and the Richland School District regarding the campus gymnasium.

Updates and reports from the county administrator and the county board chair are also scheduled on the agenda.

The Village Board of Spring Green is scheduled to convene for its regular meeting Wednesday, October 28th at 7 p.m.

The meeting will take place at the Spring Green Village Office.

can be attended either in person or virtually via Zoom.

The Board will address ongoing business.

Under old business, trustees will discuss and potentially take action on an update regarding the property abatement at 433 West Madison Street as well as the 2027 preliminary budget figures.

The new business segment features several key administrative matters and agreements, including the approval

of routine disbursements.

Board members will consider a municipal materials management agreement between Republic Services and the Village of Spring Green alongside a temporary access road agreement with Northern Natural Gas Company.

Additionally, the Board will consider an appointment to the Library Board.

Prior to concluding the meeting, an opportunity for general public comment will be offered before the Board convenes into closed session pursuant to state statute.

The closed session will focus on conferring with legal counsel regarding strategy for litigation concerning the abatement of the property at 433 West Madison Street.

The Board will subsequently reconvene into open session for potential discussion and action related to the legal guidance received.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, DATCAP, has announced that a deer farm in Taylor County has tested positive for chronic wasting disease.

The diagnosis was confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa, after testing samples taken from a three-year-old buck at the property.

Following the positive results, state officials immediately placed the facility

under quarantine.

Field staff and veterinarians from DatCap and the U.S.

Department of Agriculture are conducting a joint

Epidemological investigation to track potential exposure pathways, monitor herd health, and contain any further risk of transmission.

Chronic wasting disease is an incurable, fatal neurological disorder that affects members of the deer family, including elk, moose, and whitetail deer.

The condition is driven by misfolded infectious proteins or prions, which damage brain tissue over time.

DATCAP maintains strict registration, testing, and movement.

restrictions across Wisconsin's surveyed farms to limit the spread of infectious diseases.

Governor Tony Evers announced that the Wisconsin State Building Commission has approved approximately $254 million in funding for key state-owned facility projects.

This allocation targets critical infrastructure updates, campus enhancements, and modernizations across multiple Wisconsin counties, reflecting an ongoing effort to invest in the state's educational and community resources.

A major highlight of the approved package is a public-private partnership at the University of Wisconsin-Madison to construct two modern residence halls.

Built on state land, this private development will offer around 1,690 student beds and a 400-seat dining facility, addressing long-standing campus-houting shortages and reducing reliance on temporary accommodations by the fall of 2029.

Significant improvements are also slated for state care and defense facilities.

The Winnebago Mental Health Institute will receive utility and service tunnel updates to ensure secure infrastructure for the Wisconsin Resource Center.