Hemmer wins mayor

By Jen Schultz

Dave Hemmer will be the next mayor of Prairie du Chien. Hemmer had 807 votes and Karl Steiner had 633 votes. In a response to his victory, Hemmer said, "I'd like to thank the voters of Prairie du Chien that elected me and all the people that supported me and helped with my campaign. I look forward to working with the council, city staff and all agencies to move the city forward."

High School to  install solar panels

Prairie du Chien High School is going green. Solar panels, which will produce green electricity, are going to be installed east of the football field. This is a joint project with DH Solar, Prairie Solar and Light, Focus on Energy, which is an energy conservation program in the state, Alliant Energy, which is the local electrical supplier, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI), and the Public School System. The neat thing about this project is the local flavor. There is a strong infrastructure in place in the Prairie du Chien area for solar energy, which is an industry that is growing. DH Solar, which is a worldwide leader in tracking solar panel design and construction and is located right here in Prairie du Chien, will provide the equipment. Design has quietly become a major player in the solar industry as the tracker they have developed for their satellite communications receivers are perfect for the solar application. Prairie Solar and Light is located out of Eastman and is a regional leader in installing solar energy systems. Rich Bannon is certified to install these units and will be part of the overseeing of this project. This project got its green roots started last fall when DPI announced a new revenue limit exemption for renewable energy and energy conservation. With major grants from Alliant Energy and Focus on Energy, the school was able to make this project feasible. The initial thought was to locate the panels at the Prairie du Chien Airport in locations that cannot be used for other uses. The plan was well received locally, the city and school were in agreement to work together on the project, but after a number of application steps, the FAA denied the project location due to records from the 1960s detailing what can and cannot be on the airport property. In many ways, the location at the high school is superior anyway as it can afford the possibility for students to use the solar electricity production models for research or other projects. Principal Andy Banasik said that many classes and groups may incorporate some instruction based upon the solar production data and study the installation. Also, it is visible and shows the commitment being made locally to be greener. Some schools that have put the panels in have located them in front of the school to highlight that commitment, but given the lots and obstructions, that does not work at Prairie du Chien High School locations. Ed Gobin from DH Solar will be the project manager and is ready to install the 20 arrays which each have 16 modules which will produce about 5,500 to 6,600 kwhr/year of electricity. This solar installation will give the school approximately 120,000 kw of free energy harvested from sunlight for the next 25 years. The first work will most likely start about mid-April with the drilling of the holes for the concrete bases. As soon as each panel is hooked into the power grid and the sun starts to shine, electricity will begin to flow to reduce the high school power bill.

Unauthorized trail project  at Effigy Mounds may have  damaged archeological site

By Trudy Balcom

An unfinished feature of the popular Yellow River boardwalk trail at Effigy Mounds National Monument may have to be removed. Work on a trail spur that accesses the mounds on the Nazekaw Terrace was halted a year ago when, according to a National Park Service statement, it was discovered that two critical documents had not been completed before the project was undertaken. Both documents require a preliminary review in order to protect public natural and historical resources from damage. The documents, which include an Environmental Impact Statement and a historical and cultural impact statement, called a Section 106 Review, were never submitted to the appropriate state and federal agencies. The National Environmental Policy Act requires federal agencies to complete and file an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for proposed projects on federal lands. By completing an EIS, agencies evaluate whether a proposed project would have a significant negative impact on the surrounding environment. Because of the historically significant archeological features that are present at Effigy Mounds, a Section 106 Review was also required. Such a review requires federal agencies to take into account the effects of a planned project on historic or cultural resources and to allow the National Advisory Council on Historic Preservation time to comment on the proposed project. The fact that a Section 106 Review was not completed is particularly significant because Effigy Mounds was established to protect and preserve the very archeological features that may have been damaged. Effigy Mounds National Monument Superintendent Phyliss Ewing says that the problem was an oversight. "I cannot stress enough that it is the resources that are important here, "Ewing said. The project, which was initiated in the fall of 2008, was abruptly halted a year ago this month. According to Steve Adams, Associate Regional Director for the Midwest Regional office of the national Park Service, visiting staff from Midwest Regional Office in Omaha discovered the gap in documentation while conducting an operations evaluation at the park. "When the team went over there they found a number of [compliance] issues with the National Historic Preservation Act and the National Environmental Policy Act,"Adams explained. "I instantly called the contractor, called the SHPO (State Historic Preservation Office) and the State Archeologist," Ewing said, once she was alerted to the problem. She has also consulted with representatives of Native American tribes affiliated with the site, in order to appraise them of the situation. Adams said that regular procedure for a park that is considering a construction project is to complete a couple of preliminary assessment forms that would have guided park staff through all of the necessary steps and procedures, and would have assured communications with the Midwest Regional office and other agencies that must be consulted for construction projects. It is unclear what steps in this process, if any, were undertaken by staff at Effigy Mounds. "It's pretty unusual for something like this to happen," Adams said. Adams also said that the actions taken at the park are also violations of federal law, but no legal action against the National Park Service has been raised at this point. State Archeologist John Doershuk called the incident "unfortunate." "I was surprised, I thought the Park Service had better control on these type of things,"he said. Doershuk also noted that he had worked with Effigy Mounds staff and particularly Ewing in the past. He felt that she was making a good faith effort to move forward and rectify the situation as much as possible. Ewing spoke highly of her staff and said the responsibility for the problem was hers alone. "There's nobody's fault here but mine,"she said. The Park Service is proposing to remove all or part of the trail structure after an archeological survey and review of the data by Park Service archeologists and the affiliated tribes, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and public comment. Another structure, a maintenance building located on a bluff top in the park's North Unit was also built without proper documentation, and is also currently under review. The Park Service will begin an archeological survey and study of the Nazekaw Terrace mounds site, which is on a ridge overlooking the bottoms of the Yellow River and the Yellow River bridge trail beginning this week, in part to assess whether damage to the resource has occurred. The mounds of the Nazekaw group which is adjacent to the partially constructed trail are between 2,200 and 2,500 years old, according to Park Ranger Merle Frommelt. The trail was intended to open another mound group for handicap accessibility. Visitors could access the trail through the underground tunnel that crosses Highway 76. Because the trail was built to be compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, many piers were auguered into the ground to give the proper grade to the trail. "It gives the visitors who cannot get up the hills something to see,"Ewing explained. The public is invited to comment on the problem and what the future of the uncompleted trail should be. Comments may be submitted directly to Effigy Mounds by visiting or calling (563) 873-3491, or online at parkplanning.nps.gov/parkHome.cfm?parkID=155. Look for a link to this page on the Courier Press web site. Public comment will be accepted through April 30.

Construction on the Nazekaw Terrace boardwalk trail at Effigy Mounds National Monument was halted a year ago when Park Service officials found that it was built without proper legal authorization. The trail is a spur off of the popular Yellow River Boardwalk Trail. Archeological survey work will begin this week to determine if the construction of the trail damaged archeological resources at the site. (Photo by Trudy Balcom)

RTI honored as a 'Wisconsin Company to Watch

River Town Ironworks, Inc. (RTI) has been recognized as one of the 30 2010 "Wisconsin Companies to Watch," an awards program presented by the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Network (WEN) with support from the Wisconsin Department of Commerce and the Division of Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (DEED) at the University of Wisconsin-Extension in association with the Edward Lowe Foundation. RTI will be honored at an awards ceremony during the inaugural Wisconsin Companies to Watch gala on April 13, at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center in Madison. River Town Ironworks, Inc. began its operations in the fall of 2003. It was, and still is a joint effort by Jim Armstrong, Greg Russell and Travis Slama. RTI is best described as a custom metal fabrication and production company. RTI supplies metal fabricated parts and equipment to the asphalt, food packaging, railroad, water treatment, mining, and wood products industries. RTI specializes in all facets of metal fabrication including machining and welding. They also provide equipment design and production engineering consulting services. RTI has built a reputation for quality workmanship within the industries they serve. They also engineer and fabricate consumer products such as yard ornaments, campfire rings, cooking spits, and signs. RTI has customers throughout the United States and Canada. RTI constructed a new 22,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in 2007 as they outgrew the original facility. The new facility allows RTI the ability to perform a complete range of operations in the production cycle as well as increase the size of projects. This was a major turning point for the company. RTI employed 14 people when they moved into the new facility and now it employs about 30 highly-skilled fabricators. "RTI prides itself on the growth it has achieved in the recent years and its ability to claim that the growth and success is attributed to the hard work and dedication of its employees," said James Armstrong, President and General Manager. "I'm pleased that we could join the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Network in recognizing these dynamic, innovative companies," said Commerce Secretary Richard J. Lienenkugel. "I'm confident that we will be watching and benefiting from their achievements in the years to come."

Companies to Watch recognizes companies at the crucial stage of growth where financial potential, concept and management have been established, and attracting talented workers, solid vendor relationships and access to peer learning are key components of future growth," added Gayle Kugler. The Edward Lowe Foundation's studies have shown second-stage companies are the ones who generate jobs and economic growth in their communities. Companies making it the Wisconsin Companies to Watch list are a remarkable group of second-stage companies. Defined as having six to 99 full time equivalent employees and generating $750,000 to $50 million in annual revenue or working capital from investors or grant, these companies form the backbone of Wisconsin's economy. Representing all regions of the state and a diverse rang of industries, companies like RTI are known for their exceptional entrepreneurial leadership, creation of innovation or use of innovation in creative ways, and their sustainable competitive advantage. During 2005-2007, Wisconsin's resident companies averaged more than 33,500 second stage establishments, according to YourEconomy.org, an online resource of the Edward Lowe Foundation. Those second-stage companies employed more than 800,000 workers (that's 36.7 percent of the jobs created by companies headquartered in the state). Winners were selected by judges from the banking, economic development, entrepreneurial and angel communities.

Support for Wisconsin Companies to Watch is generously provided by the Wisconsin SBDC Network, Madison Gas and Electric, Kenosha Area Business Association, Thrive and Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren SC. Additional services are provided by Wisconsin Economic Development Association and BioForward. \

Hoffman Hall survives through 2011

By Jen Schultz

Hoffman Hall¹s future was the topic of a special meeting for the Prairie du Chien City Council on Wednesday, March 31.

Several concerned citizens were in attendance and ten individuals stood before the council to speak about the benefits of Hoffman Hall. After considerable debate the council passed City Administrator Aaron Kramer¹s recommendation to expend $5,000 for a final design proposal from HSR, spend no more than $20,000 on a feasibility study for a capital campaign and to determine the exact utility costs of running Hoffman Hall. Opposing the motion were Aldermen Joe Ruskey, Mary Wayne and Karen Solomon.

Wednesday night¹s meeting was not intended for the council to decide whether to keep Hoffman Hall open or close it for good, but rather to move forward with finding out whether the city could possibly be able to afford the building in the future.

City Administrator Aaron Kramer summed up the meeting by stating ³There are no plans at this point to close Hoffman Hall before 2011.²

Among other business, Mayor Karl Steiner publicly apologized to Officer Maxwell Erickson for comments Steiner had left on Erickson¹s voicemail on February 1. Steiner was ordered to deliver an apology to Erickson by the City Council as part of the Ethics Committee¹s findings. The council also approved a resolution officially reprimanding Mayor Karl Steiner for his role in the Ethics charges.

Several concerned citizens showed up for the discussion on Hoffman Hall¹s future at the City Hall on Wednesday, March 31.

Weather radios to be distributed in Crawford County

By Ted Pennekamp

Roger Martin, Crawford County Emergency Management Director, has announced a new project to distribute NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radios to public gathering places throughout the county at no charge to qualified applicants.

NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio is a network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information directly from a nearby National Weather Service (NWS) office. NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts National Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours-a-day. It also broadcasts alerts of non-weather emergencies such as national security, natural, environmental and public safety such as AMBER Alerts and 911 outages.

Locally, NOAA Weather Radio is transmitted in the Prairie du Chien, La Crosse and Richland Center areas and covers a large portion of Crawford County.

³The goal of the program is two-fold: To place radios throughout the county in public gathering places such as schools, day care facilities, nursing homes, churches, retail businesses, large employers and factories that currently do not have use of a NOAA Weather Radio, and to promote the use of weather radios by the general public,² Martin said. ³We would like to have the radios in place before the onset of the spring storm season.²

³These radios have been proven to be lifesavers,² said Mark Oehler, the secretary of the Local Emergency Planning Committee in Crawford County. Oehler noted that there have been examples around the nation, such as a theater that received a tornado warning via their All-Hazards Weather Radio. The full theater was evacuated and people were able to get home and take shelter. The tornado touched down, blew the roof off the theater and hurled automobiles inside.

Oehler said that there are 100 radios available and the recipients must reside in Crawford County.

The signal for the radios is transmitted from Bloomington, Richland Center or La Crosse. Each radio can be configured so as to receive from the proper transmitter. Also, each radio can be programmed to receive weather information for individual counties. For example, a radio could be programmed to receive weather information for Crawford County only, or for a larger area such as Crawford, Grant and Clayton counties.

The weather information received by these radios is from the National Weather Service in La Crosse.

The weather radios will be distributed by the various fire departments in Crawford County. When an applicant receives a radio, a person from the fire department will deliver it, make sure it is running properly and answer questions.

An online application form can be found at: sites.google.com/site/allhazardsradio; or by calling Crawford County Emergency Management at 608-326-0266.

Mark Oehler shows one of the All-Hazards Weather Radios that are available.

Bloomington man dies in car accident

A 21-year-old Bloomington man was killed in a one-vehicle rollover on April 1 at 7:13 p.m. in Mount Hope Township.

According to the Grant County Sheriff¹s Department, Cord A. Daentl was traveling north on Doc Brooks Road in a 2003 Oldsmobile Alero when he crested a hill and lost control of his vehicle.

Daentl skidded for several hundred feet before crashing into an embankment. Daentl¹s vehicle then rolled two times and he was ejected from the vehicle.

Daentl was transported from the accident scene to Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Speed is considered to be a factor in the accident.

Assisting the Grant County Sheriff¹s Department was the West Grant EMS, the Mount Hope Fire Department, Med Link Air and B&M Auto of Bloomington.