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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 Sheriff¹s Office was notified by the Grant County Sheriff¹s 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 Sheriff¹s 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 Sassi¹s 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 Sassi¹s 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 Sheriff¹s Office was notified by the Grant County Sheriff¹s 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 Sheriff¹s 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 Sassi¹s 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 Sassi¹s 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 Walgreen¹s 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 Rider¹s 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 committee¹s 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 Dick¹s Supermarket, Go America, Smart Buyer and Kozelka¹s 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 animal¹s 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. Don¹t 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 today¹s 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.