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Mon
16
Jul

War of 1812 reenactment ties history to PdC

Submitted by admin1 on Mon, 07/16/2018 - 12:13

The British forces fired their three-pound cannon at Fort Shelby during the War of 1812 Battle of Prairie du Chien reenactment in 2017. The community is invited to attend the reenactment battles and other festivities this weekend at the Villa Louis. (Courier Press file photo)

This painting, attributed to Peter Rindisbacher, shows the abandonment of Fort McKay by the British at the close of the War of 1812.

Although Prairie du Chien belonged to the United States after the American Revolution, its pioneer residents were tied by trade, tradition and family to the French-British community at Mackinac and to the St. Lawrence River ports.

During the War of 1812, Gov. William Clark of Missouri recognized the strategic importance of Prairie du Chien’s location, and sent about 150 soldiers to build a fort here. When it was dedicated June 19, 1814, the American flag was raised for the first time over a Wisconsin fort.

Pro-British residents alerted the British at Mackinac and a force of 150 militia and 400 Indians was quickly sent to Prairie du Chien. Fort Shelby was surrendered on July 20 and was renamed Fort McKay by the British.

Mon
16
Jul

Winneshiek County suspect arrested in PdC

Submitted by admin1 on Mon, 07/16/2018 - 12:12

Authorities reported that a “dangerous” man accused of a brutal assault in Winneshiek County, Iowa, Thursday, July 12, was arrested Friday in Prairie du Chien.

The Prairie du Chien Police Department located Dalton Adam, 18, at a local residence and he was arrested without incident, according Police Chief Chad Abram. Items of bloody clothing were also taken by authorities and sent to Winneshiek County authorities for their investigation. 

The Winneshiek County department reported that Adam was arrested on warrants charging felony willful injury causing serious injury and that his bond amount is $50,000. Adam will be held in Crawford County Jail pending extradition. 

Mon
16
Jul

Prison program fills need at Couleecap while focusing on good inmate behavior

Submitted by admin1 on Mon, 07/16/2018 - 12:11

By Correne Martin

An earned release program (ERP) at the local prison is giving minimum security inmates positive behavioral reinforcement while also sustaining the needs of Couleecap in Prairie du Chien. 

Once a week, three inmates from the Prairie du Chien Correctional Institution (PDCCI) are released to Couleecap for three hours to perform volunteer labor, accomplishing work such as sorting and pricing clothing, testing electronics, sorting games and puzzles, putting away food pantry groceries, folding bags and otherwise performing innumerable other jobs. This is all under the supervision of PDCCI’s Sgt. Tanner, alongside the regular Couleecap and Bargain Boutique workers and community volunteers.

Mon
16
Jul

Crossing Rivers partners with area agencies in wake of announcement

Submitted by admin1 on Mon, 07/16/2018 - 12:11

“We’ve made great progress since the announcement a few weeks ago regarding the strategic discontinuation and restructuring of a number of our services,” said Bill Sexton, Chief Executive Officer at Crossing Rivers Health. 

Sexton said the organization is eager to share more information with the community and its collaborative partners. Administration would also like to extend its sincere gratitude to all who have come forward in support since the announcement.

Wed
11
Jul

Community opinions welcomed by Gundersen Clinic and Healthy Roots

Submitted by admin on Wed, 07/11/2018 - 13:46

By Rachel Mergen

 

Gundersen Clinic in Prairie du Chien is currently working with Crawford County Healthy Roots to determine the main needs in the community. The two groups are collaborating to look at the homeless population of the area, which is present to the surprise of many, according to Gundersen Regional Manager Crystal Goltz. The project is in the early stages of development, as it is important to determine if it is the necessary subject to be putting resources toward at this time. 

These two organizations are welcoming community opinions and believe community involvement is the only way to create successful programs an opportunities.

Wed
11
Jul

Smoking Gun Showdown making singing dreams a reality

Submitted by admin on Wed, 07/11/2018 - 13:43

Pictured above are the members of Smoking Gun Showdown. In the picture below, Leigh Vorwald (left) is shown performing with fellow lead singer April Bouzek. (Photos by KG Photography)

By Rachel Mergen

 

The union of Leigh Vorwald and April Bouzek into one duo was a unique decision. After competing against each other for years in singing competitions, the two powerhouse vocalists realized there was only one perfect answer: they had to join forces to be a band that could get everyone on their feet dancing. In 2015, the Prairie du Chien area women did so, with the help of musicians David Borys, Jeff Goettel, Jeff Gaunitz and Jeff Hanson. Together, they became Smoking Gun Showdown. 

Bouzek started her love of singing at 3-years-old, performing on many telethons in her youth and simply growing her career from there. Her family embraced her singing skills, often watching her belt out tunes in the living room.

Wed
11
Jul

Double trouble times 2

Submitted by admin on Wed, 07/11/2018 - 13:37

Pictured are the Trappe family's two sets of twins. (Photos by Missy Trappe)

By Rachel Mergen

 

Most couples feel fear when they think about having twins with their first pregnancy, with the thought of that first child being overwhelming enough. Nathan and Missy Trappe, of Monona, Iowa, had a response defined by excitement when they learned the news. Their first two beautiful daughters were born six years ago, named Kinley and Trinly.

The second pregnancy they were overjoyed to welcome another pair of twin girls, Emerie and Kelbie, to their growing family.

One more addition came later, an opportunity for the four girls  to be “mother hens,” according to Missy, when a baby boy, Braycn came along. He is now 18-months-old. 

Wed
11
Jul

Publicly planted trees a growing opportunity in PdC

Submitted by admin1 on Wed, 07/11/2018 - 12:24

Members of the Cabela’s wellness team planted nine trees along the north end bike trail on St. Feriole Island this spring. Pictured (from left) are Chad Everson, Nick Coffield, Tiffany Pettera, Daisha Beaty, Cathie Nelson and Tom Nelson. (Photo by Rachel Mergen)

By Correne Martin

For years, people have had the opportunity to plant trees in public areas around Prairie du Chien, through a special city garden program. But 2018 has proven to be a more extraordinary year of tree planting enthusiasm for different purposes, such as wellness, personal recognition, trees in honor and in memory of loved ones. 

These additions to city green space are not only a good way to pay tribute to someone or something, but they are also a benefit to those who live and breathe the very air the trees provide.

Wed
11
Jul

Tour PdC gardens in support of library updates, set for July 14

Submitted by admin1 on Wed, 07/11/2018 - 12:12

Sixty varieties of day lilies planted by Gary and Kathy Koch provide blooms all summer at just one of the six private gardens featured on Saturday’s library benefit garden tour from 1 to 4 p.m. in Prairie du Chien. (Submitted photo)

The Friends of the Prairie du Chien Public Library are excited to present a Garden Walk on Saturday, July 14, from 1 to 4 p.m., featuring two community gardens and six private-home gardens throughout the city.

This fundraiser will support the library’s capital campaign to completely update, renovate and expand the existing facility scheduled to reopen this fall.

Tickets are a small fee paid by cash or check only, and will be available at the first stop, the perennial garden at the Travel Wisconsin Welcome Center, 211 S. Main St., by the US Highway 18 bridge to Iowa. Note that strollers will not be allowed in the private gardens.

Wed
11
Jul

Motorcyclist airlifted after crash

Submitted by admin1 on Wed, 07/11/2018 - 12:11

A motorcyclist was airlifted for treatment of his injuries after crashing his Harley Davidson into a trailer pulled by a tractor on Highway 61, July 6, according to the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department.

At 9:37 p.m. Friday, the Crawford County Communications Center received a report of a motorcycle crash with injuries on Highway 61 at the intersection of Coalburn Road, in the township of Scott.

Kenneth Mohr, 72, of Blue River, was operating a 2007 Harley southbound on the highway. Brent Childs, 53, of Boscobel, was driving an Allis Chalmers WD45 tractor with a wagon hooked to the back of it. Childs attempted to cross 61 from Coalburn Road to Cadoma Road, but he entered the highway in front of Mohr. Mohr struck the right side of the trailer and was ejected from the motorcycle. He was not wearing a helmet in the crash. 

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