Body of man missing from McGregor believed to have been found near river
On July 4 at about 3:05 p.m., the Clayton County Sheriffıs Office was
notified by the Grant County Sheriffıs Office that they had responded to a call
where a boater had discovered a body. The body was found on an island on the
Iowa side of the Mississippi River just south of Wyalusing Beach. The Clayton
County Sheriffıs Office responded to the scene. With the assistance of the Iowa
Division of Criminal Investigation, Mar-Mac Police, McGregor Fire Department,
and the Wisconsin DNR, the body was recovered. The body has been transported to
the Iowa State Medical Examiner for identification. MarMac Police Chief Randall
Grady said that it is his personal belief that the body is that of Ralph Sassi,
who was last seen in McGregor on June 15. Sassi was reported as a missing person
on June 23. Grady cautioned, however, that investigators will not know for
certain if the body is that of Sassi until dental records can be matched, which
is expected to take two to three days. If dental record results prove
inconclusive, DNA testing may be undertaken. DNA might be able to be matched up
to that on the hairbrushes and toothbrushes taken from Sassiıs home. This could
take up to two weeks. When asked if foul play is suspected, Grady said that the
body showed no signs of trauma. Further information will be released when it is
available. Carol Stripe (Ralph Sassiıs girlfriend) and Steve Sassi (a son of
Ralph) have both been notified that a body has been recovered that may be that
of Ralph Sassi.On July 4 at about 3:05 p.m., the Clayton County Sheriffıs
Office was notified by the Grant County Sheriffıs Office that they had
responded to a call where a boater had discovered a body. The body was found on
an island on the Iowa side of the Mississippi River just south of Wyalusing
Beach. The Clayton County Sheriffıs Office responded to the scene. With the
assistance of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Mar-Mac Police,
McGregor Fire Department, and the Wisconsin DNR, the body was recovered. The
body has been transported to the Iowa State Medical Examiner for identification.
MarMac Police Chief Randall Grady said that it is his personal belief that the
body is that of Ralph Sassi, who was last seen in McGregor on June 15. Sassi was
reported as a missing person on June 23. Grady cautioned, however, that
investigators will not know for certain if the body is that of Sassi until
dental records can be matched, which is expected to take two to three days. If
dental record results prove inconclusive, DNA testing may be undertaken. DNA
might be able to be matched up to that on the hairbrushes and toothbrushes taken
from Sassiıs home. This could take up to two weeks. When asked if foul play is
suspected, Grady said that the body showed no signs of trauma. Further
information will be released when it is available. Carol Stripe (Ralph Sassiıs
girlfriend) and Steve Sassi (a son of Ralph) have both been notified that a body
has been recovered that may be that of Ralph Sassi.
Council approves vacating alley for downtown development
The Prairie du Chien Common Council approved vacating alleys in area of the
southwest corner of the intersection of Marquette Road and Blackhawk Avenue for
potential development for a Walgreenıs Store. Although there was some
opposition, the council unanimously approved vacating the alleys, contingent
upon the development actually taking place. The council approved the borrowing
of $350,000 (tax exempt) from F&M Bank at 3.75 percent, which was less
expensive that borrowing from the state trust fund. They also borrowed $77,500
at 6.05 percent from Peoples State Bank for the taxable portion of the capital
improvement plan. Improvements include street projects, ³seed money² for
downtown improvements, a new roof for the Old Rock School and money for the Ft.
Crawford Hotel project. The council approved the resignation of Sgt. Jim Rider
of the Prairie du Chien Police Department. It was decided later in the meeting,
following closed session, to replace Riderıs position with that of a patrol
officer. Lara Czajkowski-Higgins was appointed by the mayor to the Police and
Fire Commission. John Rybarczyk was appointed city forester, which is a
volunteer position. Appointments to the City Railroad committee were made, and
the committeeıs mission was discussed. The committee, which is made up of city
and county official and citizens, will oversee all railroad issues in the city,
including but not limited to the Haydn Street crossing. A $15,800 bid from
Kautman Painting for the exterior portion of the Old Rock School was approved.
McHugh Excavating and Plumbing of Onalaska was approved as the low bidder
($17,925) for storm sewer work in the city, including the alley off of Haydn
Street behind the former AW Thompson building and at the cul de sac off of
Fowler Street. Following a closed session, it was decided to make a final offer
to ALLTEL to allow them to erect a cell tower with a lease of $1,500 per month.
The council also approved a mediator suggestion in a case involving Kent Stark
and his dogs. A complaint had been issued, and the mediator recommended that the
dog or dogs be kept in a fenced area rather than having them removed from the
property. The city attorney concurred.
Big weekend coming up in Prairie du Chien area Rodeo kicks off Friday
The PRCA rodeo will be part of the St. Feriole Island festivities when it kicks
off Friday at 7 p.m. and continues at the same time Saturday. Advance tickets,
which are $10 for adults and $7 for children over five years old, are available
at Dickıs Supermarket, Go America, Smart Buyer and Kozelkaıs Western Wear. At
the gate, adult tickets are $12 and children are $8. Kids under five are
admitted free. This year, the rodeo includes two Tommy Lucia-trained
attractions, including "Whiplash," a cowboy-dressed monkey who rides a
Border Collie. When Whiplash rides into the arena astride his Border Collie
mount, decked out in his finest cowboy duds and custom-made saddle, the audience
is assured of a fun, fast paced and incredibly unique performance. With the aid
of Lucia and his highly trained sheep dog imported from Scotland, Whiplash
rounds up a herd of sheep. Another attraction is a super horse that Lucia
created. It is an act of fast paced comedy and excitement which reveals the
animalıs handicap from birth: a swayed back. Despite this physical challenge,
³In His Glory² performs dances and difficult maneuvers that would challenge
any horse. Tommy Lucia has spent over 30 years in the entertainment field,
performing at rodeos, horse shows, circuses and fairs. His acts have been
featured in commercials, television shows, movies and command performances
before international celebrities and royalty. Donıt adjust your eyes: This is a
monkey dressed up like a cowboy riding a dog and will be at the PRCA rodeo this
weekend. Jamboree all day Saturday and Sunday The 2004 Town and Country Jamboree
will also be on the island this weekend. The event begins on Saturday and goes
from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., then it starts back up again on Sunday from 10 a.m. to
8 p.m. Saturday bands include: Back to Country Band, Country Roads, Sounds of
Nashville, Country Express, The Buck Hollow Band, Western Kings, Back Home Boys
and Junior Brown. Sunday bands feature: Tim & The Floppy Cowboys, Miss Vicki
Lynn & Just Us-N-Country, Just By Chance and Colt 45.
Fireworks begin at 10 p.m. Saturday The Prairie du Chien Area Chamber of
Commerce Fireworks will be shot off at 10 p.m. on Saturday, from the sand beach
on the riverfront; the same place they were last year. Watch the magnificent
display, provided by Platte River Fireworks, where large trees will not obstruct
the view. The rodeo grounds area was a great vantage point last year. Observe
the marker and barricade designations, which keep people a safe distance from
the launch site. Lions Club members will be on Blackhawk Ave. and Washington St.
bridges to accept donations to help with fireworks costs and assist worthwhile
projects their club sponsors. Donations may also be dropped off at the Chamber
Office prior to the event. NOTICE TO BOATERS - On July 10, from dusk until the
close of the fireworks presentation (approximately 10:30 p.m.), no boats will be
allowed in the East Channel of the Mississippi River off the shore of Prairie du
Chien in a rectangular shaped area described as: ·southern boundary line - from
the north end of Lawler Park to the western shoreline of the East Channel;
·eastern boundary line - from the north end of Lawler Park north to Villa Louis
Boat Landing; ·northern boundary line - from Villa Louis Boat Landing west 600
yards into the East Channel; ·western boundary line - from the west end of the
southern boundary line north to the west end of the northern boundary line. This
designated area is considered a "Fireworks Fallout Area & Safety
Zone" and will be closed for public safety reasons.
Ridge and Valley Rally this Saturday in Seneca The 11th annual Ride
and Valley Rally will be held this Saturday, July 10. The parade starts at 11
a.m. A smoked pork chop dinner will be served from noon to 2 p.m., there will be
food and beer stands on grounds and there will be kids games for all ages. There
will be a horseshoe tournament, an antique tractor pull, softball tournament and
a volleyball tournament. Everyone is welcome to dance to the music of the Wayne
Brose from 8 p.m. to midnight. For more information on the parade, tournaments
and the tractor pull, see the ad in todayıs paper.
Prairie du Chien man charged in stabbing of twin brother
A 22-year-old Prairie du Chien man was charged July 6 in Crawford County Circuit
Court with the stabbing of his twin brother during an altercation June 30.
Patrick Ian Hogan faces up to four years and three months in prison and $20,000
in fines if convicted of one count of injury by the negligent use of a dangerous
weapon and one count of battery. According to the criminal complaint, on June 30
at approximately 2:15 a.m., the Prairie du Chien Police Department received a
call of a disturbance at 611 North Michigan St. Upon arrival, two officers were
met by Callie Hogan who was covered with blood and had her left hand and arm
wrapped in a towel. Callie Hogan, 25, is the wife of Patrick Hogan. Callie Hogan
told the officers that Patrick Hogan and his twin brother Sean M. Hogan had just
returned from downtown Prairie du Chien when Patrick and Sean got into a verbal
altercation that then escalated into a physical fight, according to the
complaint. Callie Hogan said that she was a short distance away when she heard
Sean say that he had just been stabbed, the complaint said. Callie told officers
that her husband Patrick had a knife and that when she reached for it her left
ring finger was cut, the complaint said. Callie Hogan said that Patrick Hogan
then punched her in the mouth and fled on foot, according to the complaint. One
officer went into the residence and Sean Hogan came out. Sean walked toward the
officer holding his side and after a short distance collapsed. The officer
called for emergency services, the complaint said. Sean Hogan was transported to
Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital and subsequently transferred to Lutheran
Hospital in La Crosse via Med-Flight with no less than two stab wounds-one in
the upper chest area and the other in the midsection. The condition of Sean
Hogan was unavailable.
