Gays Mills Flood Pictures  g  Soldiers Grove Flood Pictures  g   Steuben flood pictures on this link

Click here for NOAA Mississippi River Stage information

Link to LEGALS

CONTACT US for picture reproduction of photos in our paper...reasonable prices!

Possible strike discussed at PdC teacher's meeting
A strike by teachers who are members of Wisconsin's largest teachers' union remains a distinct possibility for the 2002-2003 school year. Stan Johnson, president of the Wisconsin Education Association Council, told about 50 teachers assembled at the Prairie du Chien City Hall Monday morning that ballots will be sent out in October asking the 92,000 members of WEAC if they would be willing to undertake job actions, up to and including a strike. Pending the results of those October WEAC ballots, along with the results of the Wisconsin Gubernatorial race, job actions up to and including a strike may result if the state's QEO (qualified economic offer) law is not repealed, Johnson said. Prairie du Chien is one of 238 school districts in the state whose teachers do not have a contract. This past May the Prairie du Chien School Board voted 3-2 to approve the implementation of a QEO, which gives the teachers no legal recourse to object to their total compensation increase of 3.8 percent. Of the 3.8 percent raise, at least 2.1 percent must be in salary, but due to the state's $1.1 billion budget deficit, revenue caps and an expected 35 percent increase in health insurance, the base salary of most teachers has dropped. On average, the base pay of each teacher in the Prairie du Chien District, has dropped $220. One teacher at Monday's meeting in City Hall said her pay dropped $550, another's dropped about $1,000 and a third said her salary dropped about $2,000. In addition, many teachers who had completed all the requirements and were in line to receive their regular "step pay raises," won't receive those raises. Next school year, the state's budget deficit has been projected at about $1.4 billion and with it, many of the same problems are expected to continue. "Something's going to have to be done with the deficit. Every educational dollar is a political dollar," said Johnson as he explained that Wisconsin Attorney General Jim Doyle is WEAC's recommended choice for governor. "We need a pro-public education, pro healthcare governor." Doyle has said that he would consider a repeal of the QEO law, which has been in effect since 1993, as has the revenue cap on general state aids and local property taxes that a school district can raise. "Enough is enough," Johnson said of the QEO law. "We don't have a bargaining law, we have a begging law. It's time for it to go. We need to go back to free collective bargaining, with a right to strike and sit at the table as equals." Since the QEO has been in effect, property tax relief for school purposes has steadily gone down. But, Johnson counters, "Other entities continue to raise their tax rates a little bit." Johnson also pointed out that teachers are the only faction of public employees that have a QEO-type law and restriction in the name of property tax relief. "Property tax relief has been on our shoulders," he said. Many teachers in attendance said that they resented the fact that while Prairie du Chien administrators received double-digit raises, the teachers' base salaries dropped in the name of tax relief. Johnson said that while WEAC recommends Doyle for governor, the union will support the winner of the Democratic Primary. If Doyle or another democrat were to become governor, Johnson said the union will wait to see if the proposed state budget contains language concerning the repeal of the QEO law. If it does not, Johnson said that WEAC representatives would meet to decide what the union will do, including a possible strike. If a non-democratic candidate were elected governor, Johnson said that WEAC representatives would meet the week after the election to decide what action to take. Teacher strikes have been illegal in Wisconsin since 1972, but Johnson has said in the past and reiterated Monday morning that union members are going to have to make up their minds about fighting state laws that he says crimp union bargaining power and stunt teacher pay. Proponents of the QEO and revenue caps say that they are necessary in order to keep down property taxes. Opponents such as WEAC, however, say that the law is strangling education. School boards were designed to run their districts as local entities, but Johnson said that the State Legislature, in effect, has become the state school board. The combined effect of revenue caps, QEO and health insurance increases on teacher salaries has, in recent years, begun to keep "the best and brightest" from choosing teaching as a career, Johnson said in noting that there is a teacher shortage. Johnson said that many districts have a shortage, including Milwaukee, which is facing a shortage of 300-400 teachers. "They're beginning to hire people off the street who have no certification," he said. Every child deserves a great school, said Johnson, pointing out that the state's students have been first or second in the nation in SAT and ACT test scores each year for the last 12 years. And while teachers have played a paramount role in students' achievements, Johnson said he feels that if the current situation with teacher salaries and shortages persists, those achievements may dwindle. "You do an important job, you should be respected for that job," he said.

Crime victims rights case against sheriff dismissed
A complaint brought before the Wisconsin Crime Victims Rights Board (CVRB) against Sheriff Robert Ostrander, the sheriff's department and the county was recently dismissed. The case was brought by Nancy Housel, a county resident. The CVRB conducted a two-day evidentiary hearing on June 18 and 19. They found that Housel failed to meet her burden of proof that her rights as a crime victim were violated, and therefore dismissed the complaint. However, "the clear and convincing evidence at the hearing also established numerous deficiencies in the deparment's policies and procedures regarding victims rights." They added, "in a disturbing number of instances, the department's deputies simply failed to investigate Housel's complaints..." "Ostrander testified at the hearing that he has no training in victim rights, and does not know whether any of his officers have training in the area of victim rights. The CVRB considers this a serious deficiency in the department's policies and procedures, and will issue a separate report and recommendation to address the issues," the report said. Ostrander said in a phone interview that he had talked to a lot of other sheriffs in the state and many of them were not even aware that the CVRB existed. "We won the case," said Ostrander. "We did out jobs. Housel is just trying to tarnish my reputation." He noted that the CVRB is a newer state agency, and this was only the second case they have heard. The CVRB report reads as follows: Administration & standard operating procedure * The sheriff should make sure his employees are aware of the "chain of command'' and ensure adequate supervision of those employees. * The sheriff should set a positive tone in his office for dealing with victims. * The Crawford County Sheriff's Department should develop a procedure for staff to identify themselves when dealing with the public (ex. last names, badge numbers) to ensure proper supervision and resolution of complaints. *  The department should institute a briefing procedure. Officers and staff reporting for duty should have a better understanding of incidents that occurred prior to the beginning of their shift and the follow-up that has occurred or is required. *The department should develop a more effective method to log calls and responses and develop a written citizen complaint policy, as required by law. The complaint form should be distinct from the incident report form. *The department's staff should be instructed not to seek advice from a defense attorney on investigations regarding his/her clients. Legal advice on criminal procedure and investigations should come from the DA's office, not Corporation Counsel's office. *The department needs to develop and distribute the Victim Information form, as required by law. Training * The staff of the Crawford County Sheriff's Department should secure training about victim/witness rights as defined in Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 950. This type of instruction should be ongoing and incorporated into regular staff training sessions and it should be mandatory for new hires. This training should explain the special status that victims have within the criminal justice system, how victims can exercise their rights and the responsibilities of law enforcement to help victims exercise their rights. * The staff of the department should secure training about how to communicate effectively with victims and witnesses, how to communicate effectively with co-workers, techniques for investigating allegations of shooting and proper arrest procedure with non-complaint parties. The report reads, "Sheriff Ostrander should consider the resources available to him and his staff through the state Training and Standards division." Recommendations for the County Board *The County Board should adopt a directive to allow complaints from citizens to be heard. * The County Board should review the appointment of Corporation Counsel who also represents criminal defendants (when the Sheriff's Department is the investigating agency). Specific written policy is needed to ensure that Corporation Counsel does not represent those clients. *The County Board should seek legal advice on criminal procedure and investigations from the District Attorney's office, not Corporation Counsel. Housel says she has filed for a rehearing with the CVRB about the charges being dropped. She wants those responsible held accountable. "I want justice and I want the truth to come out," she said. The Crime Victims Rights Board was created in 1997. The 5-member board, which is a unit of the Department of Justice, may review complaints made regarding the rights of a crime victim. The board may issue a private or public reprimand against a public officer or agency which violates a crime victim's rights, refer violations to the judicial commission, bring civil action or issue reports and recommendations. Wisconsin law directs law enforcement, prosecutors, judges and other criminal justice official to inform victims of their rights and how to exercise those rights. Phone calls made to the corporation counsel on Tuesday afternoon were not returned in time for deadline.

Local volunteer making a difference for Boston youth 
For a small group of young people, coming to Boston means dedicating a year of service through volunteer work with the city's early literacy campaign, ReadBoston. This February Laurel Bowers, age 20, from Wauzeka became one of 24 AmeriCorps-VISTA (Volunteer in Service to America) members helping to further ReadBoston's mission. Since she began her term of service, Laurel, a 2000 Wauzeka-Steuben graduate, has been working to set up reading programs in the Boston Public Schools. She works in five different elementary schools motivating students to read at home for 20 minutes a day, four times or more per week. In addition, Laurel helps to organize the schools' new parent/teacher conferences with a literacy focus. VISTA members spend their year in at-risk neighborhoods around the city, helping ReadBoston and other community-based organizations strengthen their capacity to teach children to read and to engage the family in their child's literacy development. "The children here have so much to deal with, I really don't know how they do it," says Laurel. " Younger school children just love to have you come and read to them. It really is fun. Some of the older children can be very difficult." She added, "Now that I have spent some time here, I don't know how they [the teachers] do it. Most of the schools that I work with don't have a library, the books are old, and worn out. Half of the schools I work with Spanish/English bilingual, and the standards are changing for bilingual education, which is putting more stress on the teachers. Basically, teaching in the Boston Public System is probably one of the hardest things to do." Even though she has her volunteer work has not convinced her to go into teaching, she says her favorite part of the job is the kids. "They really need all the help they can get. Plus they are always really excited to see you, which just makes your day." "Boston's children benefit immeasurably because of the generosity of VISTA members," said Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino. "Whether it's helping set up parent/teacher conferences, or modeling small group reading, VISTA members are constantly giving their time and energy to assist in our communities. I applaud their dedication and vision." Today, nearly 6,000 AmeriCorps-VISTA members serve in hundreds of nonprofit organizations and public agencies throughout the country-working to fight illiteracy, improve health services, create businesses, increase housing opportunities or bridge the digital divide. The federal grant allows ReadBoston to place 24 AmeriCorps-VISTA members either in the ReadBoston offices, or in community organizations to help further ReadBoston's mission. "As it came time to declare a major at UW-Whitewater, I decided to spend a year volunteering in the field of education to see if it is a good match for me," said Laurel. "It's been a great experience to work in the Boston Public Schools. The first read aloud I did in a kindergarten class, I paused to ask a question and all these little hands shot up trying to get me to call on them. It's great to see that I'm getting them excited to learn." Laurel targets elementary school-age children because until third grade a child learns to read; after the third grade a child reads to learn. Laurel, who says she had spent longer than a week in a major city before moving to Boston, says she really likes it there. "Boston has so much history, and overall is a very beautiful city. Another great part of Boston is the transportation systems, which are some of the best in the country. If you don't have a car here, it's still almost easier." She does miss going to a local store and running into people she knows. She is the daughter of Mike and Janna Bowers.

2002 Crawford County Fair Wednesday, Aug. 21 to Sunday, Aug. 25
Special Events
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21
5 p.m. - Carnival opens (Specials on rides ) Thursday, August 22
4 p.m. - Carnival opens
7:30 p.m. - Daily Raffle Drawing
Friday, August 23
1 p.m. - Carnival opens
2 to 5 p.m. - Carnival special: Wristbands
7 p.m. - Badger State Tractor Pull
7:30 p.m. - Daily Raffle Drawing
9 p.m. to Close - Carnival special: 2 for 1
Saturday, August 24
1 p.m. - Carnival opens
2:30 p.m. - Action Auto Promotion Demo Derby
Noon - Mechanical Bull Rides
7:30 p.m. - Daily Raffle Drawing
7:30 p.m. - Action Auto Promotion Demo Derby
Sunday, August 25
Noon - Carnival opens
1 to 4 p.m. - Carnival special: Wristbands
1 p.m. - Daily Raffle Drawing
1:30 p.m. - Grand Prize Raffle Drawing
1:30 p.m. - C.C. Bull Riding and Barrel Racing

Free Entertainment
Friday, August 23
10 a.m. - History, Heritage, and Agriculture
11 a.m. - Perennials, with Master Gardener Donna Teynor Noon - Farmer Bud Dairy Show
1 p.m. - Basic Water Gardens, Master Gardener Donna Teynor
2:30 p.m. - 4-H Demonstrations
Saturday, August 24
First and Goal Fun Station - Start time to be announced
10 a.m.- Perennials, with Master Gardener Donna Teynor
11 a.m.- Ta-Da the Clown Noon - Basic Water Gardens, with Master Gardener Donna Teynor
12:45 p.m. - Meat Animal Auction
1 p.m.- Ta-Da the Clown
Sunday, August 25
9 a.m.- Ecumenical Services
11 a.m.- Ta-Da the Clown
11:30 - 4-H Centennial Parade followed by cake reception
12:30 p.m. - Kiddie Tractor Pull 1 p.m.- Ta-Da the Clown

2002 Judging Schedule
Thursday, August 22
5 p.m. Poultry & Rabbits, Booths, Younger Youth, Flowers and House Plants, Plant and Soil Science, Woodworking, Clothing, Younger Youth, Foods & Nutrition, Natural & Mechanical Science, Computers
7 p.m. Swine
Friday, August 23
9 a.m. Sheep followed by Goats Cultural Arts, Family Living, Home Furnishings, Knitting and Crocheting, Photography
9:30 a.m. Dairy - All Showmanship, Colored Breeds
11:30 a.m. Beef Noon Farmer Bud Dairy Show Saturday, August 24
9:30 a.m. Holstein Sunday, August 25
10:30 a.m. Exotic Domestic Animals
Noon Cats, followed by Small Animals
2:30 p.m. Dogs

THE FAIR CLOSES 5 PM SUNDAY.

For more information contact: Crawford County Extension Office 111 West Dunn St. Prairie du Chien, WI 53821 Phone: (608) 326-0223 Fax: (608) 326-0226 email: info@thefamilyfair.com 

Eastman native Sister Laurette Sprosty busy with missionary work in Zimbabwe
Sister Laurette Sprosty had an open house at St. Wenceslaus in Eastman on Aug. 11 to celebrate her return from Zimbabwe. She returns every three to four years to take a break from her duties as a missionary. Sprosty first went to the decolonized country of Zimbabwe in 1983 after their government requested trained secondary teachers from English-speaking countries. Sprosty became interested in educating the less fortunate when she heard stories at her parish in Eastman about sisters who had taught in China. She joined the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, who annually came to St. Wenceslaus for summer bible school/catechism classes to share their stories. "Little did I know that their joy and compassion for others would lead me to join them in religious community. I too would become an educator and give many years of service in Wisconsin and later went to Africa to serve the youth of Zimbabwe," she says. The first subject Sprosty taught in Zimbabwe was African History. "After independence was granted in 1980, black Zimbabweans were allowed to get a secondary education. Youth by the thousands and of all ages responded," Sprosty recalls. "Volunteers worked side-by-side in those early years with untrained teachers and teachers in training." She taught to a group ranging from 13 to 36 years old. There were no desks or chairs, and one book for five students. She taught in a bush (rural council) school for three years. She was then asked to work in teacher training and staff development. Zimbabwe is a landlocked country bordering on north-central South Africa. It has a population of 13 million with about 13 language groups. Zimbabwe gained outright independence from Great Britain in 1980. Since there are many cultural and language groups in African countries, each chooses an official, common language, usually the language of the former colonizers or Swahili. Because the area Sprosty is in was colonized by the British, English is the official language and the medium of instruction from grade four onwards. Sprosty will return to Zimbabwe in October. She will be working in a new field with a Maryknoll Sister from Washington State, a literacy program for orphans eight to 12 years old who have never attended school. They are orphans because of the AIDS epidemic. They are often taken in by caretakers who do not have the resources to properly feed them, let alone educate them. "The Mavambo Centre struggles to give the children one balanced meal a day," she says. The school never has an enrollment over 48. They have an intensive literacy program that allows a student to "graduate" to a formal school after one to three years, depending on the child's development. New pupils are taken in as others move on to formal schools. Sprosty said that Zimbabwe is a beautiful country, but it has come under troubled times over the past two years. Nearly half the population is starving because of famine brought on by a drought and an unplanned land settlement program. Landless people have been resettled on commercial lands without know-how, capital and social structures. Unemployment is also 65 percent and one out of four people have HIV or AIDS. There are an estimated 600,000 to 800,000 orphans in Zimbabwe due to the AIDS epidemic. Most of the children do not carry the disease though, because they die by age two if they have it. The population does not have a strong government to turn to either, Sprosty said. Corruption is a serious problem in high places and legal justice is diminishing. She says one of the things she enjoys the most about Zimbabwe is that the people are socio-centric. The person always comes before business. When she is in Zimbabwe she misses her friends and relatives in Wisconsin and Iowa, and the green, moist environment and open spaces of Wisconsin. Sprosty is the daughter of the late Rose Mischel and Lawrence Sprosty, who had a farm on Wall Ridge, rural Eastman.

PdC Police Department assists with major methamphetamine bust in Iowa
A news release from the U.S. Department of Justice Northern District of Iowa simply mentions at the bottom that the Prairie du Chien Police Department helped investigate a case. But according to one of the detectives involved, a simple investigation it was not. Detective Larry A. Cuff of the Prairie du Chien Police Department says the investigation started in April of 2001 while he was investigating a theft from a convenience store in town. He saw the store was selling ephedrine, and he asked if they sold much of it. When the clerk replied yes, that they had customers who came in on a regular basis, sometimes several times a week to buy the bottles of ephedrine which contain 60 pills, Cuff became very interested. Ephedrine is a drug which is in most cold medications, and it is also sold over the counter as an "energy booster." It is also a main ingredient in the making of methamphetamine. Methamphetamine (also known as meth, crank, crystal, ice, chalk, go-fast, cristy, quartz, glass and speed) is a powerful, illegally-produced central nervous system stimulant. Cuff talked with the convenience store manager to see if they would help cooperate with the investigation, and the police department received the store's full cooperation. The Prairie du Chien Police Department worked with officials from the Wisconsin Department of Narcotics Enforcement (DNE) to set up video cameras to record the activities of anyone purchasing ephedrine. Clerks also wrote down the license plates of those purchasing large amounts or coming in regularly for it. A large number of the license plates were traced to the Oelwein, Iowa area. They checked with other law enforcement agencies, but the names of those purchasing the ephedrine were not well known. They got a break in the case just a couple of weeks later, when one of their suspects was arrested for shoplifting at WalMart. He was caught with items used to make meth, such as tubing and lantern fuel. When they contacted the Iowa Department of Narcotic Enforcement with the name of the Oelwein man picked up for shoplifting, they knew his name too, since they were already investigating him. The Prairie du Chien Police Department continued working on the case, along with the Wisconsin and Iowa DNEs, sheriff's department in the Iowa counties of Allamakee, Benton, Clayton, Fayette and Buchanan, the Iowa police departments of Independence, Oelwein and Decorah, and the Three River Anti-Drug Task Force. After several months of surveillance and investigation by the many departments, four Iowa men were arrested. Steve Euans, 45, and Frank Boleyn, 48, were charged with conspiracy to distribute, possess with intent to distribute, and manufacture 50 grams or more of pure methamphetamine. Kirk Bennett, 43, and William Randy Euans, 47, were charged with conspiracy to possess pseudoephedrine pills intending and having reasonable cause to believe the pills would be used to manufacture meth. Last month, approximately 15 months after the investigation began, the men pled guilty to the charges against them, partially because of the amount of evidence against them. S. Euans and Boleyn face 10 years to life in prison without parole. W. Euans and Bennett face up to 20 years in prison without the possibility of parole. Cuff said the men may have been selling meth in this area. "Without the assistance of the store manager and the clerks this operation never could have happened. That's what made this case," said Cuff. "It goes to show what can happen when we all work together." Cuff worked on the case with Detective Jerry Ostrander of the Prairie du Chien Police Department.