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Wed
17
May

City awaits acceptance from potential admin

Submitted by admin1 on Wed, 05/17/2017 - 11:49

By Correne Martin

The position of Prairie du Chien city administrator has been offered to Art Osten, contingent upon successful agreement of employment terms and drug test. As of Tuesday night’s regular council meeting, Osten had not yet accepted the position, according to interim administrator Tina Fuller.

The common council met Friday and Saturday for closed session interviews and, late Saturday morning, recommended Osten for the job. According to his LinkedIn profile, Osten has 16 years’ previous experience in municipal administration in Illinois at Indian Head Park, Mount Prospect, Oak Brook, Shorewood and Fox River Grove.

No word has been provided regarding when Osten may accept the offer and, if he does so, when he would begin work in Prairie du Chien.

Fuller has served in the interim since the March 3 departure of six-year administrator Aaron Kramer.

Wed
17
May

Accident results in injuries, arrests

Submitted by admin1 on Wed, 05/17/2017 - 11:45

On May 14, at 12:34 a.m., the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a one-vehicle traffic crash with injuries on Sunny Ridge Road in the township of Haney.

Matthew Jensik, 23, Madison, was operating a 2008 Ford pickup truck on Sunny Ridge Road. Jensik’s vehicle crested a hill and a sharp curve at a high rate of speed. While attempting to negotiate the sharp curve, the vehicle slid sideways, went over an embankment and rolled onto its top. The passengers in the vehicle were identified as Garrett Dunstan, 22, Houghton, Mich., and Brock Riutta, 24, Madison. Dunstan was completely ejected from the vehicle but refused medical treatment. Riutta was partially ejected and was transported by Ocooch Mountain Rescue to Boscobel Health Care for his injuries. The extent of his injuries are unknown at this time.

Wed
17
May

Man arrested for third OWI following accident

Submitted by admin1 on Wed, 05/17/2017 - 11:44

On May 12, at 8:34 p.m., the Crawford County Communications Center received a report of a two-vehicle traffic crash on Highway 18 just east of Upper Bridgeport Road in the township of Bridgeport.

Daniel R. Koeller, 24, Cuba City, was operating a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado and was stopped at a red light in the westbound lane of Highway 18. Troy D. Underhill, 39, Bagley, was westbound on Highway 18 in a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse. Underhill swerved to the right of Koeller’s vehicle to avoid a rear-end collision. Underhill’s vehicle struck a traffic sign, construction barrel, and a portable traffic light before coming to rest. Underhill claimed no injuries from the crash but was arrested for operating while under the influence, third offense. Underhill’s two other passengers fled the scene before law enforcement arrived.

Koeller’s vehicle was not hit in the crash.

Wed
17
May

BNSF grant gets gas masks and ballistic helmets for Crawford County tactical team

Submitted by admin1 on Wed, 05/17/2017 - 11:44

The Crawford County Sheriff’s Department has received a $10,000 grant from BNSF Railroad and the BNSF Foundation.

This award will be used to obtain six ballistic helmets, communications attachments, gas masks and gas mask filters. It will allow both the sheriff’s department and Crawford County Emergency Management to get the proper equipment for their tactical team to be able to incorporate gas into its tools for use. This provides another less lethal option that the county can have on-hand as a resource.

This is the second grant the BNSF Foundation has awarded the sheriff’s department in three years. The first grant was used to obtain taser axon body cameras for all patrol deputies. BNSF Foundation and BNSF Railroad support the initiatives of local law enforcement and have a great working relationship with the department. These relationships help the sheriff’s department be better equipped and most prepared.

Wed
17
May

Prairie du Chien Skate Park is complete and ready to go

Submitted by admin on Wed, 05/17/2017 - 11:34

The new concrete of the addition to the Prairie du Chien Skate Park is easily distinguished. Eight more obstacles have been added and skaters will soon be enjoying the completed park. (Photo by Ted Pennekamp)

By Ted Pennekamp

 

The crew of B&R Concrete Construction of McGregor put in some crack filler and completed the final touches on the new addition to the Prairie du Chien Skate Park Tuesday morning before taking down the caution tape, thus signalling the opening of the new part of the park.

The final phase of the park has now been completed and it makes the Prairie du Chien Skate Park one of the best in the region.

Mon
15
May

PdC Main Street welcomes all on a ‘Journey Through Time’

Submitted by admin1 on Mon, 05/15/2017 - 11:49

A member of the Hole in the Sock Gang tells stories to Journey Through Time guests in downtown Prairie du Chien Saturday. This second annual open house of community historic sites was an attraction for all ages to learn more about times gone by and also celebrate the city’s storied heritage. PdC Main Street planned the activities and the day turned out to be a beautiful one during which to take in the local sites. For more photos, see page 4, visit pdccourier.com or find the Courier Press on Facebook. (Photos by Correne Martin)

Brad Steiner (right), the son of “Lefty” Steiner, had an immeasurable number of visitors walk through the Alaska-Canadian Fur Trading Company building on Beaumont Road—some tourists, some local citizens and many dressed in period attire. Pictured, he talks about a bear hide that’s being stretched and dried inside the building. Though Lefty closed the business in 2012, the building continues to be used by family and friends for relative purposes.

Todd Yeomans (right) stands in the dining room describing his 1885 Queen Anne Victorian home to tourists on the Magical History Home Tour, which was a paid option for Journey Through Time sightseers who wished to take a closer look inside some of the privately-owned historic homes of Prairie du Chien. Yeomans and Sharon Morgan have lived in “The Lawler House” for about 15 years and have refurbished much of its magnificence.

Penelope Moore (left) and Kelly Lenzendorf, granddaughters of Roger and Marlene Dyer, joined in the period activities community-wide Saturday. They volunteered their time to welcome visitors to the Old Rock School on South Marquette Road, which celebrates its 130th anniversary this year. Pictured, they were taking a break at the veterans memorial, drawing and enjoying the sunshine.

John and Carolyn Richard, of the 3rd Iowa Artillery, Dubuque, Iowa, explain to Fort Crawford Museum visitors the history behind the nine-pound Civil War cannon that was restored a few years ago. The cannon also fired Saturday, on the hour, as part of Journey Through Time, an open house of historical Prairie du Chien sites, sponsored by PdC Main Street.

John and Carolyn Richard share details about the simulated rounds used during cannon firing demonstrations. Pictured in the background are fellow artillery men Mike Barks (left) and Mark Schell, awaiting their chance to allow the “old girl to talk again.”
Mon
15
May

Harper’s Slough Project continues, McGregor Lake Project in very early stage

Submitted by admin on Mon, 05/15/2017 - 11:37

Dredging and island restoration has started up again for the Harper’s Slough Project, which is expected to be completed in 2017. (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

By Ted Pennekamp

 

The Harper’s Slough Project is expected to finish up this year, and the McGregor Lake Project is in its infancy stage and it will be a few years before public meetings will be held. 

Mon
15
May

Outdoor activities abundant in Prairie du Chien this spring/summer

Submitted by admin1 on Mon, 05/15/2017 - 11:24

Baseball coordinator and Coach Jeff Graewin helped Bradley Anderson, 5, of Prairie du Chien, line up his hit during parks and rec T-ball last summer. (Courier Press file photo)

By Correne Martin

There is no shortage of engaging outdoor activities this spring and summer in Prairie du Chien.  A multitude of opportunities for children and adults is available through the parks and recreation department, a number of them for free and others for a nominal fee. Community residents and non-residents are welcome to participate.

Registration is necessary for most of the programs and can be done online at http://pdc.recdesk.com/recdeskportal. Or, forms are available inside the activity guide booklets that were sent home locally with students, supplemented in local Courier Press subscriptions or are available at city hall, the library or Hoffman Hall. Registration is needed by May 27.

“The biggest thing that can cancel any of our programs is people not signing up in a timely manner,” Parks and Rec Director Mike Ulrich said. “Registration is important to ensure the programs will happen.”

Mon
15
May

Crime Stoppers seeks tips in theft of rototiller

Submitted by admin1 on Mon, 05/15/2017 - 11:22

On Friday, May 5, the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department was initially notified of the theft of a rototiller from a property located on Norma Avenue in Homesteaders. The theft occurred sometime in April or early May. The tiller was described as a gold colored older model Montgomery Ward front tined tiller.

The Crawford County Crime Stoppers urges anyone having information about this or any other crimes to call 326-8933 or (866) 779-PAYS. Anyone calling with a tip will remain anonymous and a reward of up to $1,000 could be paid for a tip that solves a crime.

Mon
15
May

Community support needed at annual Relay For Life Friday

Submitted by admin1 on Mon, 05/15/2017 - 11:21

The Great River Relay For Life has been held outdoors at the Prairie du Chien High School track and inside at Bluff View School in the past. This year, for the first time, it will take place indoors at Hoffman Hall. Regardless of its location, every year, participants walk laps to symbolize strength in numbers, in support of those battling cancer past and present. (Courier Press file photos)

Notes are written on many of the luminaria at the Great River Relay For Life and express heartfelt messages to or about people’s loved ones who’ve been touched by cancer. The annual relay will take place Friday, May 19, beginning at 5 p.m., at Hoffman Hall.

Calling all local superheroes

By Correne Martin

A cancer survivor is someone who never gives up. He’s courageous and hopeful. She’s positive and admirable. They fight with every ounce of their being.

Whether they’re a four-year survivor or have battled cancer for 40 years, they need the support of those around them in order to have the strength to face the most trying moments.

Once again, the Great River Relay For Life has arrived and area community members have the significant occasion to come together in support and honor of those touched by cancer, past or present.

This year, the annual event has been refashioned slightly. The superhero-themed relay has moved ahead to spring and the location and day/time have changed.

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