Latest news with #ChippewaFalls
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Chippewa County reports tobacco sales violations
CHIPPEWA FALLS — After having no violations last year, the Chippewa County Department of Public Health reports there were 'multiple violations' of area businesses selling tobacco and nicotine products to minors in 2025 during compliance checks. By federal law, sales to minors under the age of 21 are barred. Retailers are required to check IDs and deny sales to anyone under that age, regardless of state or local laws. 'The WI Wins program, a state-supported initiative that began in 2003 and has been active in Chippewa County since 2009, helps communities prevent the sale of tobacco and nicotine products to underage individuals,' a press release Thursday reads. 'The program coordinates investigations using trained youth participants, in partnership with law enforcement, to ensure compliance with state and federal laws. Until this year, Chippewa County had not experienced multiple youth tobacco sales violations since 2018.' However, the press release doesn't indicate how many violations were recorded, or at which businesses sold products to minors. 'This increase in illegal sales is alarming,' said Grace VanDerhei, Drug Free Communities Project Coordinator. 'We've seen firsthand how effective retailer compliance can be — especially last year, when there were no sales to minors. This year's uptick is a reminder that consistent education and vigilance are essential.' Youth tobacco use is one of the most preventable causes of addiction and long-term health problems, the press release states. Nearly 90% of adult smokers started before age 18, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Early nicotine exposure can disrupt brain development, increasing the risk of addiction and making it harder to quit. Teens are especially at risk — nicotine can affect memory, learning, and impulse control, and early use is linked to future substance use. With rising access to e-cigarettes and flavored products, underage tobacco use remains a serious public health concern in Wisconsin and nationwide. 'Preventing underage sales isn't just about following the law—it's about standing up for the next generation,' VanDerhei said. 'Together, we can ensure our kids grow up free from addiction and full of opportunity.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Felon charged with break-in, possession of gun
CHIPPEWA FALLS — A felon accused of break-ins and possession of a gun has been charged. Aaron C. Braden, 36, no address listed, was charged Wednesday in Chippewa County Court with two counts of burglary, four counts of theft, possession of a firearm by a felon, carrying a concealed knife, two counts of entry into a construction building, criminal damage to property, and two counts of bail jumping. Judge James Isaacson set a $10,000 cash bond and a return date for July 1. If Braden posts bond, he cannot possess a weapon and cannot have any contact with the victims in the case. According to the criminal complaint, a woman in the town of Eagle Point called police on May 23 when she saw an unknown man entering a shed on her property. A nearby neighbor reported a gun and fishing pole were taken. Police eventually tracked Braden down in a hay field and arrested him. He initially denied taking the gun, but it was later located in the field. Online court records show that Braden was convicted of a felony-level charge of possession of meth in Chippewa County Court in 2020, as well as in Clark County Court in 2018. He also was convicted of a felony-level charge of manufacturing and delivery of marijuana in 2008 in Chippewa County Court. While no address was listed for this criminal complaint, Braden was living in a home in Cornell in February when he was charged with a misdemeanor for obstructing an officer.
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.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Superior man sentenced for high-speed chase
CHIPPEWA FALLS — A Superior man accused of leading police on a high-speed chase on Highway 29 with speeds reaching 137 mph has been convicted, but will avoid serving any time in jail. Matthew D. Plesko, 20, was charged in December in Chippewa County Court with one count of fleeing or eluding an officer. He also was cited for under-age drinking and speeding on an expressway in excess of 35 mph. On Tuesday, Plesko pleaded guilty to fleeing or eluding, as well as disorderly conduct. However, Judge Benjamin Lane didn't accept the plea on the felony-level fleeing charge. Instead, Lane placed Plesko on probation for one year and ordered him to pay $463 in court costs. Plesko must complete 40 hours of community service and submit a DNA sample. Plesko also was ordered to take a driver's safety course. While on probation, Plesko cannot consume alcohol or drugs. According to the criminal complaint, a Wisconsin State Trooper observed Plesko driving westbound on Highway 29 in the town of Edson at 113 mph on Dec. 14, according to the radar in her squad car. That area is posted at 65 mph. 'The vehicle continued westbound on Hwy 29, accelerating to speeds of 100 mph to 137 mph,' the criminal complaint reads. '(The officer) noted the other traffic traveling on Hwy 29 pulled over to the right shoulder as she approached, However, the suspect vehicle continued westbound and refused to pull over. After attempting to stop the vehicle for 19 miles with emergency lights and siren on, the vehicle finally pulled over to the median side shoulder and parked around mile post 77.' Plesko got out of the car but dove back in as it started to roll over. 'When instructed to exit the vehicle, Plesko showed his hands and exited. Officers searched Plesko's vehicle and located one bottle of beer, three bottles of champagne, and one bottle of vodka,' the complaint reads. Plesko admitted to officers the alcohol belonged to him but he had not consumed any drugs or alcohol. 'He stated that he did not pull over for 19 miles because he did not see (the trooper) and claimed he pulled over when he saw her. (The) trooper explained all other vehicles on Hwy 29 pulled over and she saw him looking at her in his mirrors. Plesko continued to state that he did not see (her).' Plesko had no other criminal record in Wisconsin, a state database showed.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Victim in Lake Wissota crash identified
CHIPPEWA FALLS — Authorities have released the name of the woman who died in a watercraft accident on Lake Wissota. Chippewa County Sheriff Travis Hakes identified the victim as Elle Jo Kramschuster, 24. He did not give a town of residence. The primary investigation is being led by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Details remain few, though it is known that the incident took place when two jet skis collided on May 23. Officials have said the incident should remind those enjoying Wisconsin waterways this summer to be vigilant and exercise caution while out.
