June 27, 2007

Eight concrete slabs are curing in the landing parking lot. Prairie du Chien Harbor Commissioner Steve Hendrix said that work will begin on launches three and four (the landing's northernmost launches) sometime this week.

Hendrix explained that the docks at each launch will be moved away and the launching areas dug out, including the current concrete slabs. When the correct grade is achieved, the current slabs will then be placed back into position and the new concrete slabs will be added so as to extend each launch area out 16 feet.

The concrete launches are being extended to eliminate the problem of washout due to the powerloading of boats, which over time has created a hump and a trough that can cause problems.

In addition to extending the launches, the gravel parking lot is being expanded and the roads leading into and out of the landing are being blacktopped.

"The parking lot west of the existing parking lot will be filled in with gravel to bring it to a higher grade to avoid muddy and watery conditions every time it rains," said Hendrix. This gravel parking lot will double the amount of parking spaces, said Hendrix. "Eventually, we want the gravel parking lot to be blacktopped," Hendrix said.

Hendrix also pointed out that the "vehicles-only" parking lot to the north is being made more obvious and accessible and new signs are being put up to show people where the public restroom is located.

Signs are also being installed at the Campion Street Landing (Wastewater Treatment Plant) to show people where the public restroom is located there.

"My expectation is that by the end of July, these projects will be completed," said Hendrix, who noted that Dillman Sand and Gravel submitted the lowest bid and is the general contractor for the Marina Landing project.

Hendrix said that the upgrades to launches three and four will cost $29,000. The blacktopping of the roads in and out of the landing will cost $15,000. There is a $5,000 DNR grant to help pay for the cost of the gravel parking lot. Other than the grant, all costs of the project are being paid for from boat launch fees.

In a variation of the chicken or the egg debate, Prairie du Chien Common Council will have to decide which to do first: wait to see if they have a viable bid for sale of the Prairie Street Fire Station, or hire an architect to draw up plans for expanding and remodeling the main fire station at 720 E. Blackhawk Ave.

At a previous meeting, Council had decided to sell the fire station located on Prairie Street, which had been built so that the city would have access to fire equipment west of the railroad tracks, should they be blocked by a train during an emergency. However, since then an overpass has been built at the north end of the city, and another is planned for the south end. Thus, it was decided to sell that station and add on to the station on Blackhawk to provide room for fire department equipment from the other station and to house the water department, which is currently located in the Well One building behind the fire station.

Another aspect of the issue surfaced at a meeting of the city's Committee of the Whole which followed the regular Common Council meeting June 19.

Councilmembers debated over a proposal to hire an architect to draw up plans for expanding the fire station. Frank Pintz stated he was opposed to any agreement with an architect until the Prairie Street station had been disposed of, and the proposals for that sale will not be reviewed until mid-July. Pintz said he didn't know where the money for the improvements would come from unless the other station is sold. He added that he has talked to fire fighters who feel left out of the discussion about expansion plans. City Administrator Gordon Gallagher said the other side of the problem is that if the station is sold and no plans have been drawn up, there will be a time lag on construction of the addition, with no place to store the equipment from the Prairie Street station. Joe Ruskey added another perspective, stating, "What if we sell the station and find out what we want can't be done. I think we should sign an agreement with an architect."

Becky Hackett worried about what would happen if the city receives no acceptable proposals for the station, and the city had spent the money for an architect. Jaaren Riebe said the Blackhawk station will have to be expanded at some point so the architect's plan would not go unused.

Due to the 4th of July holiday, there will be only one issue of the Courier Press next week, and that will be published on Monday, July 2.

The news deadline for that issue is noon Friday, June 29.

A rural Eastman woman charged with killing her boyfriend pleaded no contest at a plea hearing in Crawford County Circuit Court Thursday morning.

Judge George S. Curry found Mona J. West, 43, guilty of first degree intentional homicide in the Aug. 14 2006 shooting death of Gus D. Brown III, 43, at the couple's mobile home at 29446 Highway 27.

West had phoned her attorney Russell Hanson of Westby to request the plea hearing rather than go through a trial, which had been scheduled for June 25-27.

West's no contest plea was entered as part of a plea agreement between West and District Attorney Tim Baxter, who will recommend that West be eligible for extended supervision after serving 25 years in prison.

A pre-sentence investigation has been ordered and a sentencing hearing is scheduled for Sept. 11 at 1 p.m. Judge Curry has three options in the sentencing of West:

-Life Means Life.

-Eligible for extended supervision after 20 years.

-Eligible for extended supervision at a specific date set by the judge.

West will have to serve a minimum of 20 years in prison. Extended supervision is subject to the rulings of the Parole Board. Extended supervision involves the numerous conditions associated with parole or probation.

West shot Brown, once in the back and once in the head, with her .380 semi-automatic pistol at approximately 11:30 p.m. Aug. 14. West then went to the home of a woman friend in Bagley the morning of Aug. 15 and told the friend that "she had done something terrible, she had shot Gus," according to the criminal complaint.

West called the Grant County Sheriff's Department at approximately 6:30 a.m. Aug. 15 to report the shooting. She later turned herself over to a Crawford County Sheriff's deputy at the Murphy USA gas station located near Wal-Mart in the town of Bridgeport.

Brown's body was found lying face up in a pool of blood in the doorway of a bedroom in the mobile home. A semi-automatic handgun was found next to his head.

West has been housed in the Crawford County Jail on a $500,000 cash bond.

Country Showdown crooners vie for $500 prize

The area's top vocalists will showcase their talents as they compete for a chance to move on to the state level in the second annual Colgate Country Showdown presented by Q94 and SutHill Ford/Dodge on Friday, June 29. As part of a nationwide contest, this marks the first of multiple levels of competition. It begins with local showdowns run by sponsoring radio stations, with the local winner advancing to a state showdown, then hopefully to regionals, then the national finals. The national winner gets $100,000.

This is just the second time Prairie du Chien is hosting the event.

"Last year's show was great," Dan Moris, assistant program director at WQPC/WPRE said." It was a cold, rainy day but about 1,000 people still showed up to watch and have a good time. I remember the minutes before the show, seeing the mob of people walking down Blackhawk Avenue, headed toward the stage. I couldn't believe it."

This year's contestant field has been narrowed down to eight finalists. They will perform live on Blackhawk Avenue between Prairie and Main Streets Friday. The pre-show begins at 7 p.m.

"I really believe that we go above and beyond with this contest," Moris said. "I really like making this into a major event for the area. There are so many talented people here . . .people who are our friends, family, and co-workers. It's great to be able to feature some of these people in such a high-profile way."

An independent panel of judges will score the contestants, using the same form that is used throughout all levels of the competition. Contestants will be judged on: marketability in country music, vocal ability, originality, stage presence/charisma, and talent. The winner of the local competition will receive $500 from Peoples State Bank.

"This year's group are all very talented singers," Moris said. "I really like the mix of this year's contestants. There are a few that go out and perform ïsolo acoustic' on a regular basis. There are a few pure karaoke singers. There are local singers. There's a couple from outside of the immediate area."