Latest news with #ChippewaCounty
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Yahoo
Rural CF man sentenced to prison for fifth drunk-driving offense
CHIPPEWA FALLS — A rural Chippewa Falls man who drove his car into a ditch in February 2022 was sentenced to serve 18 months in prison for his fifth drunk-driving offense. Robert A. Ratajczyk, 62, 8043 Highway 124, was convicted by a Chippewa County jury last Thursday of OWI-fifth offense. It was a one-day trial, and the jury returned with its verdict just 70 minutes after they left the courtroom to begin deliberations. Judge Steve Gibbs then sentenced Ratajczyk on Tuesday, ordering him to serve the 18-month prison sentence, followed by 18 months of extended supervision. While on extended supervision, Ratajczyk cannot consume alcohol, enter taverns, or drive. Ratajczyk must pay $1,704 in court costs and fines, and his driver's license was suspended for three years. He was given credit for two days already served. He also is eligible for a substance abuse program. According to the criminal complaint, a Wisconsin State Patrol trooper assisted at the scene of a one-vehicle crash on Feb. 9, 2022, on Highway S in the town of Eagle Point. The officer noted that roads were dry and free of ice. A wrecker had pulled the vehicle from the ditch as the officer was arriving. The officer spoke to the driver, Ratajczyk, and the officer observed signs of alcohol use. Ratajczyk failed field sobriety tests, and he tested for a .123 blood-alcohol level. He was arrested and taken to an area hospital. Court records show Ratajczyk was convicted of his fourth drunk-driving offense after a 2009 arrest in Eau Claire County.
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Chippewa County home listings asked for less money in May - see the current median price here
The median home in Chippewa County listed for $249,450 in May, down 3.9% from the previous month's $259,500, an analysis of data from shows. Compared to May 2024, the median home list price decreased 10.6% from $278,975. The statistics in this article only pertain to houses listed for sale in Chippewa County, not houses that were sold. Information on your local housing market, along with other useful community data, is available at Chippewa County's median home was 1,440 square feet, listed at $162 per square foot. The price per square foot of homes for sale is down 4.3% from May 2024. Listings in Chippewa County moved steadily, at a median 45 days listed compared to the May national median of 51 days on the market. In the previous month, homes had a median of 49 days on the market. Around 44 homes were newly listed on the market in May, an 8.3% decrease from 48 new listings in May 2024. The median home prices issued by may exclude many, or even most, of a market's homes. The price and volume represent only single-family homes, condominiums or townhomes. They include existing homes, but exclude most new construction as well as pending and contingent sales. Across the Sault Ste. Marie metro area, median home prices fell to $249,900, slightly lower than a month earlier. The median home had 1,436 square feet, at a list price of $161 per square foot. In Michigan, median home prices were $299,900, a slight increase from April. The median Michigan home listed for sale had 1,618 square feet, with a price of $184 per square foot. Throughout the United States, the median home price was $440,000, a slight increase from the month prior. The median American home for sale was listed at 1,840 square feet, with a price of $234 per square foot. The median home list price used in this report represents the midway point of all the houses or units listed over the given period of time. Experts say the median offers a more accurate view of what's happening in a market than the average list price, which would mean taking the sum of all listing prices then dividing by the number of homes sold. The average can be skewed by one particularly low or high price. The USA TODAY Network is publishing localized versions of this story on its news sites across the country, generated with data from Please leave any feedback or corrections for this story here. This story was written by Ozge Terzioglu. Our News Automation and AI team would like to hear from you. Take this survey and share your thoughts with us. This article originally appeared on The Sault News: Chippewa County home listings asked for less money in May - see the current median price here
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tourism up in Chippewa County, across the state
CHIPPEWA FALLS — Tourism in the Chippewa Valley, and across the state, saw an increase in the past year, according to the Wisconsin Department of Tourism. The state agency released its 2024 economic impact data Tuesday, showing Chippewa County tourism climbed by nearly 5%, which contributed to Wisconsin's third consecutive record-breaking year. 'Chippewa County's $193 million tourism impact and the 4.9% increase over last year's record highlight the area's growing appeal as a destination,' said Sue Leonard, Chippewa Falls Area Chamber of Commerce tourism director. 'It's clear that more and more people are discovering what we've always known: this is a special place. Visitors are drawn by our natural beauty, our lively festivals and events, and most of all, the warm welcome they get from our communities.' Eau Claire County also announced it had its third straight year of growth in tourism revenue. The county generated a record $461 million, an increase of 0.6% increase over last year's $459 million. 'The continued growth in tourism spending reflects the incredible momentum we are seeing in Eau Claire County as a must-visit destination,' said Kenzi Havlicek, Visit Eau Claire executive director. 'This progress would not be possible without the collaborative spirit of our community and business partners who help create such a wonderful place to visit. From our thriving arts scene and rich cultural offerings to the scenic beauty of our outdoor spaces, Eau Claire continues to draw thousands of visitors who are discovering all that makes this region so special.' Statewide, all-time high visitation drove Wisconsin tourism's record-breaking $25.8 billion in total economic impact last year. The 2024 economic impact surpassed the previous Wisconsin record of $25 billion from 2023. Locally, Chippewa County also surpassed the previous record of $184 million set in 2023. The boost in visitation, economic contributions from all corners of Wisconsin including Chippewa County, and strategic investments in tourism promotion drove the state's historic year for tourism, Leonard said. 'Our packed calendar of events in 2024, from Wisconsin Farm Technology Days and the Harley Owners Group Rally to the State Dartball Tournament and all kinds of sports tournaments, kept our communities busy,' Leonard said in a press release Tuesday. 'But it's not just about big events. What really makes Chippewa County stand out is the dedication of our tourism partners and the community as a whole. Together, we've created a destination that's vibrant, welcoming, and affordable for everyone.' Leonard noted that the chamber has worked on a social media campaign that stresses the variety of activities available locally, from outdoors options to tours of local breweries and wineries. Wisconsin tourism welcomed 114.4 million visits in 2024, beating the previous record from 2019 by more than a million, and growing the number of part- and full-time jobs the industry supports to 182,000, the press release states. Locally, Chippewa County tourism supported 1,440 jobs (a 2.7% increase from 2023) and generated $11.6 million in state and local tax revenue. At the state level, tourism generated $1.7 billion in state and local tax revenue. Without this revenue, each Wisconsin household would pay an additional $678 to maintain the current level of government services. 'Last year, Wisconsin tourism brought in more money, welcomed more visitors and generated more revenue for state and local governments than any other year,' said Wisconsin Department of Tourism Secretary Anne Sayers. 'Tourism in all corners fueled this hat-trick of records for an accomplishment the entire state can celebrate. The impact of the visitor economy is felt statewide. Tourism sustains livelihoods and local businesses, uplifts communities and powers Wisconsin's economy.'
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Some sun and rain: See Chippewa County's weekly forecast here
Chippewa County can expect some rain and some sun this week, with temperatures forecast in a range of 64 to 66 degrees, according to data from AccuWeather. You can search for more information on hourly, daily, monthly weather forecasts and current air quality conditions for your location here. Here's a breakdown of the weekly forecast for Chippewa County: Tuesday is forecast to have a high of 64 degrees with a low of 51 degrees and partly cloudy at night. Expect the daytime temperature to feel five degrees hotter at 69 degrees. There will be light rain during the day, with less than an inch of rain expected. Throughout the day, wind will be blowing south at 8.1 miles per hour. Tuesday's forecast high is below average for this time of year. The 30-year average maximum temperature for June 10 is 71 degrees. This internationally agreed-upon average represents climate data from 1991-2020 and is recalculated every 10 years. The forecast low is three degrees hotter than the established normal of 48 degrees for this time of year. Historically, this day is usually a bit wet, with an average 0.1 inches of precipitation. Chippewa County saw a record-breaking temperature high for June 10 in 1959 at 89 degrees. On this day in 1980, a record low of 28 degrees was set. Precipitation hit a record of 1.53 inches for June 10 in 2020. Wednesday is forecast to have a high of 65 degrees with a low of 48 degrees and clear at night. Expect the daytime temperature to feel five degrees hotter at 70 degrees. Throughout the day, wind will be blowing south at 11.5 miles per hour. Wednesday's forecast high is below average for this time of year. The 30-year average maximum temperature for June 11 is 72 degrees. The forecast low is one degree cooler than the established normal of 49 degrees for this time of year. Historically, this day is usually a bit wet, with an average 0.1 inches of precipitation. Chippewa County saw a record-breaking temperature high for June 11 in 2012 at 87 degrees. On this day in 1980, a record low of 31 degrees was set. Thursday is forecast to have a high of 65 degrees with a low of 46 degrees and partly cloudy at night. Expect the daytime temperature to feel two degrees hotter at 67 degrees. Throughout the day, wind will be blowing northwest at 9.2 miles per hour. Thursday's forecast high is below average for this time of year. The 30-year average maximum temperature for June 12 is 72 degrees. The forecast low is three degrees cooler than the established normal of 49 degrees for this time of year. Historically, this day is usually a bit wet, with an average 0.1 inches of precipitation. Chippewa County saw a record-breaking temperature high for June 12 in 1949 at 90 degrees. On this day in 1947, a record low of 34 degrees was set. Friday is forecast to have a high of 64 degrees with a low of 48 degrees and mainly cloudy at night. Expect the daytime temperature to feel one degree cooler at 63 degrees. Throughout the day, wind will be blowing east-southeast at 6.9 miles per hour. Friday's forecast high is below average for this time of year. The 30-year average maximum temperature for June 13 is 72 degrees. The forecast low is one degree cooler than the established normal of 49 degrees for this time of year. Historically, this day is usually a bit wet, with an average 0.1 inches of precipitation. Chippewa County saw a record-breaking temperature high for June 13 in 1956 at 90 degrees. On this day in 1968, a record low of 36 degrees was set. In Michigan, daily weather forecasts can be unreliable at times due to the volatile nature of lake effect — cold air passing over warm water that causes extreme low or high temperatures — and lack of weather-measuring coverage in the state, according to Dr. Jeffrey Andresen, the State Climatologist for Michigan. The USA TODAY Network is publishing localized versions of this story on its news sites across Michigan, generated with data from AccuWeather. Please leave any feedback or corrections for this story here. This story was written by Ozge Terzioglu. Our News Automation and AI team would like to hear from you. Take this survey and share your thoughts with us. This article originally appeared on The Sault News: Some sun and rain: See Chippewa County's weekly forecast here June 10-13, 2025
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
CF Chief Douglas seeks funding for street cameras
CHIPPEWA FALLS — The city of Chippewa Falls is once again looking at purchasing street cameras that can read license plates that are credited with solving a myriad of crimes, from locating stolen cars to halting kidnappings. Chippewa Falls Police Chief Ryan Douglas has requested the city purchase several new 'Flock' cameras that can record license plates as vehicles go through the city. 'There are no Flock cameras installed in Chippewa County right now,' Douglas told the city's public safety committee. 'It's a camera that faces the road and takes pictures of the road.' Former Police Chief Matt Kelm requested the city purchase the Flock cameras two years ago, but it didn't pass at that time. The Flock cameras 'are somewhat unique in that they not only detect a license plate number, but the software can also detect type of vehicle, color, unique characteristics, etc.,' Kelm wrote in his fall 2023 budget request. 'Vehicles entered into a wanted list, based upon their involvement in reported criminal acts, that are detected by the (cameras) will cause a real-time alert to be sent to officers that a vehicle for which law enforcement is looking for drove by one of the cameras within the city.' Roughly 5,000 communities in 42 states are using the Flock cameras, the company states on its website. Douglas said he is hopeful of getting six to 10 of the cameras that would be placed along major transportation corridors in city limits. 'We would be connected to this nationwide system,' he told the committee. 'The technology has been there for several years. I do think we are behind the curve in not having this technology in our area.' Douglas said Rice Lake, Menomonie and Eau Claire all have these cameras. Flock cameras have been credited with the arrest of Jose E. Dominguez-Garcia, who killed his pregnant ex-girlfriend and left her body in a suitcase in the town of Wheaton in July 2020. Dominguez-Garcia was arrested in a suburb of Kansas City, Mo., in November 2023 after a Flock camera recognized he was driving a stolen vehicle. Dominguez-Garcia was sentenced last month to serve 25 years in prison. That arrest took place months after Kelm had requested the city obtain the cameras. 'It goes into a nationwide database,' he said. 'We've had crimes and missing persons located out of state.' The council members on the committee asked Douglas to set up a meeting with the Flock sales team so they can learn more about how the equipment works, but also to ask questions about how privacy matters are handled. 'I'm torn because I hate the idea of living in '1984,'' said Councilwoman Heather Martell. 'But if they are nationwide, how would we handle The Freedom of Information Act?' Douglas said they are still working on creating a policy for sharing data collected by the cameras. Mayor Jason Hiess said he also is concerned about privacy. Councilman Scott Sullivan said his vehicle was stolen when he lived in Colorado Springs, Colo., and he quickly reported it. Because that city had Flock cameras, the car was located within an hour and was returned to Sullivan. Douglas said he will contact Flock officials and have them come to a future committee meeting to discuss the proposal. Preparing for the fair With the Northern Wisconsin State Fair now just a month away, Douglas said his department has ramped up plans for added security. Douglas said they have increased from having two officers at the fair to six. Also, the fair has its own private security on the grounds. 'We're able to staff it by ourselves right now,' Douglas said. It is common for officers at the fairgrounds to use bicycles, allowing them to get quickly across the fair. Douglas said they did have an officer injured at the fairgrounds last year.
