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Here are a selection of brief news items from this week’s paper edition, and possibly a few news briefs that didn’t make it in the paper.
WS eighth-grader expelled for drugs
An eighth-grader at West Salem Middle School was expelled after a hearing last week before the West Salem School Board.
In November, the student was caught using a controlled substance and being in possession of medication not prescribed to him or her.
Expulsions are technically in effect until the student reaches age 21, but in this case the student may reapply for re-admission on or after Jan. 5.
Bangor group offers sunshine pins
The Bangor Area Cancer Support Group that put on the recent Sunshine on the Trail event is selling lapel pins as another fundraiser.
The pins depict an elegant gold-plated sun and sell for $5 each. These pins can be worn on a coat, jacket lapel, baseball hat, as a tie tack or for many other uses. The group hopes area residents will support neighbors and friends who are fighting cancer by purchasing a pin, which will serve as a daily reminder of those who are facing a difficult time in their life.
The pins will be available at various Bangor businesses. They also are available by contacting : Deb Gerke (486-4347), Joanne Mashak (486-2635), Julie Linhart (486-4429), Cheri Horstman (486-2147) or Rosemary Hansen (486-2022).
Send-off party for troops planned
The American Legion Post 336 in Onalaska wants soldiers and their families to know help is available for those left behind after the soldiers are deployed. The Onalaska Legion is planning a pre-deployment gathering starting at 5 p.m. Jan. 2 for an evening of fun, food and entertainment for service personnel and their families.
The intent of the pre-mobilization party is to identify who needs to be contacted in an emergency. According to Post Commander Jim Nelson, there are families in this area who might fall through the cracks during emergencies.
The pre-deployment party will be held at the Legion clubhouse at 731 Sand Lake Road.
Red Cross schedules area blood drives
The Scenic Bluffs Chapter of the American Red Cross will hold blood drives at the following times and locations during October. For appointments, call 1-800-448-3543 or register online at www.givebloodgivelife.org.
Jan. 6-8, 7:00 am to noon Tuesday, 10:30 am to 5:30 pm Wednesday and Thursday, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 612 Division St., La Crosse
Jan. 14, 1:30 to 6:30 pm, Bangor High School, 700 10th St.
Jan. 28, 1 to 5 p.m., Holmen American Legion, 419 First Ave. W.
Pay equity is topic at AAUW meeting
The American Association of University Women La Crosse branch will meet Saturday, Jan. 10, at the La Crosse Country Club, 300 Marcou Road, Onalaska.
Guest speaker Deb Hoskins of UW-La Crosse’s Women’s Studies Department, will give a presentation on pay equity.
Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. Brunch is at 10 a.m. with the program to follow at 10:30 a.m.
For reservations, call Jane Wernecke at (608) 534-6330 by Jan. 7.
AAUW is open to anybody with an associate degree or equivalent, a bachelor’s degree or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Undergraduates in two or four year educational institutions may join as students.
For membership information, contact Pat Staupe at 788-7439 or attend the meeting.
Pancake event to support mission trip
First Congregational Church at 2503 Main St., La Crosse, will host a pancake breakfast fundraiser to support a youth mission trip to Appalachia.
Pancakes, eggs, sausage and beverages will be served from 8 to 11 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 11, in the church’s community room. Cost is $6, $4 for ages 6-12 and free for those 5 and younger.
All are welcome.
DOT seeks input on transportation plan
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is seeking public comments on its draft long-range transportation plan, Connections 2030. Public meetings have been scheduled in 10 locations throughout the state.
The La Crosse area meeting will be held on Jan. 8 at UW-La Crosse’s Cartwright Center from 5 to 8 p.m.
WisDOT also welcomes comments and questions via phone at (608) 266-8108, or online at www.wiconnections2030.gov. Comments will be received until Feb. 27.
Connections 2030 is a statewide, multimodal transportation plan that provides a vision for highways, local roads, air, water, rail, bicycle, pedestrian and transit through the year 2030. Its policies and recommendations direct WisDOT’s activities in areas such as preserving transportation infrastructure and services, promoting transportation safety and supporting economic growth.
The plan will guide transportation decisions over the next 20 years. It focuses on the transportation system’s ability to support the preservation of transportation services and infrastructure, safe travel on all modes, mobility for all citizens, security and efficiency in all areas of operation, and economic growth throughout Wisconsin.
Farm event set for Jan. 22-23
The 11th annual Midwest Value Added Agriculture Conference will run Jan. 22-23 at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, Minn.
The theme for this year’s conference is “Farm and Home Added Value: Profiting from Renewable Energy and Regional Food.” The conference brings together farmers and local food advocates to address issues such as farm business management, marketing products and bio-energy options.
Speakers include:
Kate Clancy, Minnesota Institute of Sustainable Agriculture, who will discuss her experiences with value-added food systems in today’s business climate.
Gary Zimmer, Midwestern Bio-Ag, will examine humane and safe food production.
Margaret Adamek, University of Minnesota, a sustainable food systems specialist, will speak on “Relocalizing Our Food Systems.”
Mark Seeley, UM-Extension meteorologist, will address climate effects on Midwestern agriculture.
Pat Walsh, UW-Extension, will speak on “Emerging Carbon Economy.”
Registration fee is $105 for an adult to attend both days. Reduced fees are available for additional members of the same family, students, children and single-day attendance.
For a conference brochure and registration form, log onto www.rivercountryrcd.org or call (507) 281-1959 ext. 4.
Blocks of rooms have been reserved at the Radisson Hotel Rochester, (507) 281-8000, at $95 per night and the Ramada Hotel and Conference Center, 1-800-552-7224, at $89 per night. Mention Midwest Value Added Ag Conference when reserving rooms.
For more information, call Jeff Koster, (507) 281-1959 ext. 4, or e-mail lindsay.raab@rcdnet.net.
Pine View taking 2010 reservations
Pine View Recreation Area Campground at Fort McCoy will be accepting reservations for 2010.
Active and retired military personnel may start booking 2010 reservations Dec. 26. All others may make reservations starting Jan. 2. Call (608) 388-3517 or (800) 531-4703 for reservations.
DOT seeks input on transportation plan
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is seeking public comments on its draft long-range transportation plan, Connections 2030. Public meetings have been scheduled in 10 locations throughout the state.
The La Crosse area meeting will be held on Jan. 8 at UW-La Crosse’s Cartwright Center from 5 to 8 p.m.
WisDOT also welcomes comments and questions via phone at (608) 266-8108, or online at www.wiconnections2030.gov. Comments will be received until Feb. 27.
Connections 2030 is a statewide, multimodal transportation plan that provides a vision for highways, local roads, air, water, rail, bicycle, pedestrian and transit through the year 2030. Its policies and recommendations direct WisDOT’s activities in areas such as preserving transportation infrastructure and services, promoting transportation safety and supporting economic growth.
The plan will guide transportation decisions over the next 20 years. It focuses on the transportation system’s ability to support the preservation of transportation services and infrastructure, safe travel on all modes, mobility for all citizens, security and efficiency in all areas of operation, and economic growth throughout Wisconsin.
Fourth annual Leopold event set for Feb. 27
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire’s Environmental Adventure Center will collaboratively host the fourth annual Aldo Leopold Banquet from 5-10 p.m. Feb. 27, at the Westgate Sportsman Club in Eau Claire.
The banquet’s rustic-themed menu includes a variety of wild game dishes as well as vegetarian options. Cost is $20 per person or $12 for students. The event is limited to 400 and expected to sell out quickly, so early reservations are recommended.
The acclaimed Chris Silver Bluegrass Band will perform, and the pre-dinner program will feature six guest speakers, including Matt Frank, secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; Tex Hawkins, a watershed biologist representing the fish and wildlife refuge in Winona, Minn.; Kenny Salwey, author and star of the Emmy-award-winning film “Mississippi: Tales of the Last River Rat”; and Dr. Sean Hartnett, UW-Eau Claire professor of geography.
Tickets for the Aldo Leopold Banquet are available by calling 1-800-949-UWEC. For more information, contact Dan Langlois at (715) 836-3616 or langlodt@uwec.edu.
DNR candlight ski events start Jan. 3
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will start a series of candlelight hikes and ski trips in state parks Jan. 3 at Blue Mound, Harrington Beach and Mirror Lake state parks. Candlelight events run around the state through the last weekend in February.
Three candlelight events on Jan. 11 and six on Feb. 7 will take place under a nearly full moon.
DNR officials say many parks reported near-record turnout for events last year, which saw heavy snowfall around the state.
The events are generally held on beginning-level ski trails with gently rolling hills. Some parks set up lights on more difficult trails for advanced skiers.
For details, log onto http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/ce/news/candlelight.htm.
Vets award nominees sought
The Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs is seeking nominations for its Veteran Lifetime Achievement Award to be presented at its meeting on Feb. 20 in Madison.
The award recognizes Wisconsin veterans who have compiled a record of exemplary service as a military service member, a veteran and a citizen. The February 2009 award recipient will be selected from among nominations received for veterans residing in counties in southwest Wisconsin, including La Crosse County.
There are up to six annual awards, four regional and two statewide ones. Nominations may be submitted at any time during the year, but no later than the 15th of the month prior to each proposed award.
Completed nominations should be mailed to: Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs Lifetime Achievement Award, Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, 30 W. Mifflin St., P.O. Box 7843, Madison, WI 53707-7843. They also can be faxed to (608) 264-7616.
For nomination forms or more information on the award, log onto at www.wisvets.com/boardaward, or call WDVA at (608) 266-1315.
Honda dealer sets monthly seminars
International Motor-werks at Fourth and Cameron streets in La Crosse will hold a seminar the first Saturday of each month at 1 p.m. on alternative fuel and other fuel efficient vehicles.
Topics include compressed natural gas vehicles and the refueling system available for installation in your home, hybrid vehicles and how they work, neighborhood electric vehicles that run completely on electricity, fuel cell vehicles that use zero gasoline and clean diesel vehicles that are efficient and environmentally friendly.
State offers guide for food marketers
The Wisconsin Local Food Marketing Guide, a new publication for local producers, is now available online and in hard copy.
The guide explains step-by-step how to move products from field to consumer. It covers selling directly to consumers via farmers markets, community supported agriculture, agritourism, on-farm stores, pick-your-own operations and roadside stands and selling through intermediate channels such as restaurants, grocery stores, institutions, and distributors.
The guide also provides information on pricing products, licensing, labeling, regulations, food safety, liability and insurance, and it lists resources to find additional information at the end of each chapter.
Up to five hard copies can be requested from Teresa Cuperus at teresa.cuperus@wi.gov or DATCP-DAD, PO Box 8911, Madison, WI 53708-8911.
The guide is available online also at www.datcp.state.wi.us — search “buy local."
Additional copies may be requested for workshops, classes and conferences for producers in the local foods movement.
Disabled American Veterans need drivers, money for new vans
The Disabled American Veterans is mounting a fundraising drive to replace five aging vans of its statewide fleet used to transport veterans to and from VA medical facilities.
In addition, volunteer drivers are needed for the one van per day transporting veterans back and forth between La Crosse and the Tomah facility for scheduled medical appointments.
Volunteers with a regular driver’s license will need to pass a physical and get tested for tuberculosis. They would also undergo a criminal background check and a driving record check.
The DAV is seeking $100,000 in contributions for their New Van Fund. Checks can be made payable to DAV State Department New Van Fund, and send to DAV Department of Wiscon-sin, 130 Dauphin St., Green Bay, WI 54301.
For more information, to donate or to volunteer as a driver, contact Peggy Anderson at the Tomah VA at (608) 372-3971, ext. 66227.
State urges attention to heating issues
The Department of Administration’s Division of Energy Services and the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin are urging energy customers to contact their local utility if their heat is currently disconnected.
The agencies are also encouraging residents to take advantage of energy-efficiency programs and the state’s low-income bill payment assistance programs to reduce the burden of their utility bills this winter.
Wisconsin law states that consumers cannot be disconnected during the heating moratorium period from Nov. 1 to April 15, if they are connected at the start of the moratorium. Customers who are currently disconnected must make arrangements with their local utility to pay outstanding bills in order to have their service restored.
If a consumer has not made arrangements to pay an outstanding bill, the utility is not required to reconnect the service until payment arrangements have been made.
There is financial assistance available for eligible households who cannot pay their gas or electric bills this winter. The Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program administers low-income and energy assistance programs for the state. WHEAP is part of the state’s comprehensive Home Energy Plus program which also provides assistance with emergency energy needs, emergency furnace repairs, and weatherization and conservation services.
Eligibility is based on income and family size. For example, a family of four that earns $7,743.75 or less in the three months prior to applying for assistance is potentially eligible. For a two-person family the earnings must be $5,133.75 or less. Benefits are based on income levels and energy bills. Consumers do not have to be behind in their energy bill payments to qualify.
For information about WHEAP, including contact information for local energy assistance offices, call 1-866-HEATWIS (1-866-432-8947) or visit www.homeenergyplus.wi.gov.
Tips to conserve energy while staying warm
Worried about winter utility bills? The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin offers the following easy, low-cost steps that can help reduce energy use while staying safe.
Find and repair air drafts from windows and doorways.
Keep heating vents clear of rugs or furniture.
Ensure your furnace has clean air filters.
When doing laundry, use cold water and adjust water levels to fit the load size. Also, clean the lint filter after every dryer load.
Lower water heater temperatures to 115-120 degrees.
Remove window air conditioning units to stop winter drafts from coming through its vents.
Open the drapes or blinds during sunny days to take advantage of solar heat. Close them at night to reduce heat loss.
Turn down the thermostat several degrees when leaving the house for extended periods of time or before going to bed.
Close off rooms of your home that are not used.
Consumers also can help improve energy efficiency in their home by requesting a home energy audit through Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy Program. Focus on Energy consultants visit homes and suggest improvements to significantly lower energy bills, while staying safe and comfortable.
For more information about home energy audits, call Focus on Energy at 1-800-762-7077 or visit www.focusonenergy.org.
For more information about energy conservation, visit the PSC’s Web site at: http://psc.wi.gov/consumerinfo/conservation/indexConservation.htm.
County homeowners get septic repair grants
The state of Wisconsin has awarded seven La Crosse County homeowners $29,975 this year for replacement of their failing private on-site waste septic system.
The participants came from the towns of Hamilton, Holland, Onalaska and Shelby. Awards granted to county residents since 1983 have totaled $469,690.
The purpose of this program is to help property owners make needed corrections to have their existing system replaced so that it does not cause infusion of sewage into the groundwater or allow sewage to come to the surface and thus, be a health hazard to the individuals and their neighbors.
To be eligible for the program, homeowners must have failing systems and replace that system according to state and local plumbing codes. For more information, contact the La Crosse County Health Department at 785-9872.
Duck identification brochure released
“Waterfowlers Know Your Ducks” is the title of a new brochure printed by the La Crosse County Conservation Alliance in partnership with other local conservation organizations and La Crosse Graphics.
The brochure shows the distinguishing characteristics of canvasback and scaup. The reason is because there is no canvasback hunting season this year and the scaup bag limit has been reduced.
The Alliance also converted a VHS video “King of Ducks,” a 16-minute duck identification video, to DVD format.
Both the DVD and brochure are available online at www.Briceprairieconservation.org
Also available at the website is an online version of “Ducks at a Distance,” a waterfowl identification field guide by Bob Hines USFWS.
Paper copies of the brochure also are available.
Senior advocate volunteers needed
The Wisconsin Board on Aging is seeking volunteers to train as advocates for older adults living in La Crosse County nursing homes. For more information, call Karen Price at 789-6366.
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