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Dec. 4, 2002

Eastman family loses home, belongings to early morning fire
In the early morning hours of Tuesday, Dec. 3, Greg Ready of rural Eastman woke to the smell of smoke and proceeded to wake his family and get them out of the house. Immediately after they exited the home it burst into flames and they couldn't retrieve any of their belongings. They drove to his father's home in the village of Eastman to call 911 at 2:42 a.m. Upon the firefighter's arrival to the home, located on Kramer Lane, the first floor of the home was engulfed in flames and it was spreading to the second floor. "The firemen did a great job in stopping the fire at that point but the house is a total loss, as well as the belongings," said Eastman Fire Chief Roger Martin. Greg and Jolene Ready, along with their four children, Austin, 6, Dylan, 5, Lora, 3, and Joseph, 2, were treated and released at Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital for smoke inhalation. The American Red Cross was called to assist the family. The cause of the fire is under investigation. They did burn wood and the most intense burning was around the chimney on both floors. The Ready family was partially insured. Greg's father, Alvin Ready, owned the home. The Eastman Fire Department was assisted by the Seneca Fire Department, Rural Bridgeport and Prairie du Chien Fire Department, the Crawford County Sheriff's Department and the Eastman First Responders. Prairie du Chien Fire Chief Mark Hoppenjan assisted with the origin investigation the next morning. The fire department remained on scene until 7:30 a.m.

Larry & the Carpettes to appear on WI public radio
Saturday night Prairie du Chien's own Larry and the Carpettes, along with other organizers of the New Year's Eve Carp Drop, will appear on Wisconsin Public Radio's Higher Ground, this Saturday night. The program airs from 6 to 8 p.m. The second annual Droppin' of the Carp will take place on New Year's Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2002.

Bob's Bar, serving up good times since 1958 Whatever you call it, tavern, pub, saloon or bar, the local watering hole has long been a staple of societies throughout the world. A meeting place where one can sit in a relaxed atmosphere and enjoy discussions of world, national or local politics, technological breakthroughs, sports, tall tales of hunting and fishing and rich embellishments on a host of interesting topics. Bob's Bar, 229 E. Blackhawk Avenue in Prairie du Chien, which has served as such a social enclave for nearly 45 years, is the establishment to be featured in this installment in our continuing series on longtime Prairie du Chien businesses. "The building has been a tavern since the end of Prohibition in 1933," said owner Bob Kuchenbecker, who bought the bar in 1958 from Paul Rodenkirch, who was the owner for 17 years. Bob recalled that the bar has undergone a few changes since 1958. In 1964, the old long straight bar was replaced by one that has a horseshoe shapeÓat one end. The men's bathroom was made bigger and extra square-footage was added to the back portion of the tavern in about 1985. The ceiling was also redone. "Time sure goes by fast,Ó" said Bob, who recalled that many of his clientele came from Iowa in the early years because Iowa had 3.2 bars (which only served beer with lower than normal alcohol content) in the 60s and 70s. While many of his customers still reside in Iowa, Bob says most of them are local folks these days. During Bob's earlier years in business, most of the bars in Prairie du Chien featured live entertainment every weekend. Bob recalled that a popular rock and roll band, The Ramrods, performed at Bob's on a regular basis in the 60s and 70s. Bob said that a reunion of musical performers at Bob's drew a huge crowd a few years ago. While Bob's no longer has live music every weekend, Bob noted with pride that The Back Home Boys gave their first public performance at Bob's Bar about five years ago. Bob noted that his clientele have always been of mixed ages who blend well together, although in his 45 years of business, Bob has served the parents and now the sons and daughters of many of his customers. "I don't think I've been around long enough for the grandkids yet," he said. Busy times at the bar have changed over the years too. "I used to have them waiting at the door in the morning," said Bob. "Now it starts getting busier after 2 p.m." Many of Bob's customers enjoy a good game of cards and Bob's sponsors several sports teams as well. "We sponsored a fast-pitch softball team for years that was one of the best in the area," he said. Bob's also sponsors some of the best dart players in the area and his six teams are usually in contention every year. Bob's also features one of the top women's pool teams, a men's pool team and a bowling team. Bob's has a basement full of trophies and have always been very supportive of all of the teams. Another special feature at Bob's is The Bulletin Board, which is very interesting to read, displaying imagination, creativity and humor concerning celebrities as well as local personalities. Celebrities who used to frequent Bob's include former Milwaukee Bucks and current Dallas Mavericks coach Don Nelson, a former Boston Celtics player who used to hold basketball camps at Campion High School. Joe Robbie, who owned the Miami Dolphins, also would unwind at Bob's from time to time. In addition to his customers, Bob credits the success of Bob's Bar to the employees. Bob works at the bar part-time now. His son Todd, who has worked at Bob's since 1992, now shoulders most of the load. Bob's wife Ann is also a stalwart and Peggy Fischer bartends part-time.

Council approves plans for 2nd New Year Carp Drop
A enthusiastic Tom Nelson of the Droppin' of the Carp Committee appeared before the Prairie du Chien Common Council Tuesday night. "Much to our excitement we are back again - because our first event was so successful," Nelson said. The theme for the second drop is "Getting Lucky II- 2002." (Lucky is the name of the carp which will be dropped.) The council approved closing Blackhawk Avenue from Main to Fourth Street, from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. on New Year's Eve. The council also learned that a Spring Green artist, Florence Bird, is interested in establishing a Mississippi River Sculpture Park on St. Feriole Island. Historical figures would be cast in bronze and be slightly larger than life. Bird estimates each sculpture would cost up to $70,000, but she is not seeking any type of funding from the city. She is applying for humanities grants, other grants and requesting funds from Native American Tribes. The council approved the concept of a sculpture park and the artist will further discuss theme development with the St. Feriole Island Re-Use Committee in the future. In other business, the council approved setting a Feb. 4 public hearing on vacating of Block 2 of King's Acre. The council also tabled several items, including committee reports on outdoor wood burning units and the dog barking ordinance.

Dec. 2, 2002

Council approves $8.8 million city budget
The Prairie du Chien Common council approved the 2003 city budget in the amount of $8.8 million during a special meeting last Tuesday night. The owner of a $75,000 home in the city will see about a $64 increase in the amount of taxes paid under the new budget. The city estimates there will be $4,401,063 in revenues in 2003. The city receives revenues from the state for licenses, permits, fines forfeitures and intergovernmental charges for services. When the revenues and expenditures are calculated, the 2003 total levy is $6.9 million with the city's share being $1.657 million. The total approved budget of $8.8 million includes $2.3 million for the Prairie du Chien School District and the vocation technical college funds of $425,905. The net mil rate for 2003 is 31.18. The lottery tax credit is up slightly this year over last, at $81.37. The tax credit was $80.73 last year, and $65.24 the previous year. When calculated with garbage pick up fees and the lottery tax credit, the owner of a $75,000 home (assessed value, not fair market value) will pay $2,349.26 for taxes in 2003. The assessed value of property in the city of Prairie du Chien is $212,410,000 compared to $209,785,000 in 2002. City Administrator Gary Koch said the city was able to refinance some debt service earlier this year, which helped save the city money. Items which were removed from the budget included not replacing a police department investigator who will be retiring, keeping the street department at eight employees instead of replacing an employee who retired last year, and they gained concessions with union employees on health insurance. New items which were added to the budget included $6,500 local share for the potential downtown renovation project, new computers and software for several departments, $8,000 for clerical work at the police department, a new shelter at Cecil Smith park, funds for hanger improvements at the airport, some new equipment at city parks, and a three percent raise for most fulltime city employees.

A busy week for local firefighters
Three family members were treated and released for smoke inhalation at the mobile home fire at Selch's Trailer Court. The smoke from the McGregor fire could be seen for miles. Firefighters working the holding tank at the fire at Bud's Repair were kept busy last Monday.
Family loses home
Monday, Nov. 25, 2002 was a busy day for local firefighters, the start of a busy week. At 11:57 a.m. the Prairie du Chien Fire Department was dispatched to a reported house fire at 1515 S 10th St. When firefighters arrived on scene they found the mobile home owned be Steven and Tracy Kramer fully involved in fire. The fire was brought under control in about half hour. Steven, Tracy and their two children, ages 11 months and 5 years, were checked for smoke inhalation by Prairie du Chien EMS and all but Steven were taken to Prairie Memorial Hospital where they were treated and released. The home was severely damaged by the fire. The Red Cross was called and is helping the family with their short term needs. The fire was caused by a juvenile playing with a lighter. Firefighters were on that scene until 2:27 p.m., at which time they were called for mutual aide by the Mar-Mac Fire Department. They assisted Mar-Mac with a pumper and several firefighters in controlling the fire at Bud's Repair. They assisted them until about 4:13 p.m. Strange coincidence Fifteen years ago last week, a mobile home located on that same lot at Selch's Trailer Court was destroyed by fire. The trailer was owned by Jeff Bowar. Other fires... The Prairie du Chien Fire Department was called out six additional times last week, from Friday evening to Sunday evening. On Friday, at about 5:40 p.m. the fire department was called to the home of Maria Wolford, 618 S. State St. for smoke in the house. When they arrived on scene they found the house full of smoke. They found there had been a fire in the basement that had died out from lack of oxygen. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. They were on scene until 9:35 p.m. There were no injuries however, the family's dog died. On Saturday, at about 6:39 a.m. the Prairie du Chien Police Department notified Chief Mark Hoppenjan of a fire that had occurred some time during the night but was out and cold. The fire was in a semi tractor owned by Randall French of Prairie du Chien and parked in the lot of Krachey's BP (south). After investigating the fire it has been determined the fire had been intentionally set and is currently under investigation. If anyone has any information about this arson please call the police department or Crime Stoppers. At 12:40 a.m. on Sunday, Prairie du Chien firefighters were called to 3M building 49 for an automatic fire alarm. While they were enroute to the scene they were notified by 3M security that it was a false alarm. On Sunday at 1:50 p.m., they were notified of a chimney fire at the home of Clem Mezera, 411 N. Michigan St. Firefighters knocked the fire out of the chimney and checked the home for any fire that may have extended into the home. Firefighters were on scene until 3:15 p.m. The chimney was a total loss and there was minor smoke damage to the home. At 9:44 p.m. on Sunday, they were notified of smoke in the hallways of Memorial Hospital. After a complete search of the Hospital they found the smoke coming from a drive coupler that had failed on part of the heating system. There was not actually a fire just rubber rubbing against rubber which caused the smoke which was picked up by the air handlers and sent throughout the building. They were on scene until 10:32 p.m. There were no injuries. Fire Chief Mark Hoppenjan commented on the hospital call, "I would like everyone to know the Staff of Memorial hospital did an excellent job prior to and after the fire departments arrival protecting the patients from the hazards. They had all of the fire doors as well as all of the room doors closed to stop the potential spread of the fire. They were also ready to move any or all patents to a safer area if needed." He added, "Thank you for your dedication to safety."