Latest news with #ChippewaCounty
Yahoo
5 days ago
- 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
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Meet the Class of 2025's top students from around Chippewa County
CHIPPEWA COUNTY — With the school year soon coming to a close, the Class of 2025 is getting ready for commencement. As part of their end-of-year celebrations, many schools in Chippewa County recognize the top students of their graduating class. The Sault Evening News reached out to Sault, Pickford and Rudyard high schools to get to know this year's top students. Here's what they said: Brian Li, son of Jun Li and Karen Guan, is the 2025 valedictorian for Sault Area High School. He is graduating with a GPA of 4.1056. Over the course of his high school career, Li was active in a number of different school organizations and clubs, including the National Honor Society, Business Professionals of America, Students United, Youth Advisory Council and varsity golf. Li has been accepted into Harvard University, where he will be studying economics and math. "I'd like to thank my family and friends for their endless support," said Li as a final message to his fellow graduates. John "Jack" Marsh is the top student for Pickford's Class of 2025. Marsh, son of Frank and Sharon Marsh, is graduating with a GPA of 3.99. During his time at Pickford, Marsh took part in a number of groups, including the National Honor Society, table top club, the local quiz bowl team and varsity track and field. Marsh will be attending North Central Michigan College, where he is signed up for the Fast Track heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration program. As a message to his fellow graduates, Marsh said, "Never stop trying to do better, never stop improving yourself, never stop learning new things and always find time to help others." Subscribe: Get unlimited access to our coverage The valedictorian for Rudyard's Class of 2025 is Jeremiah Clark, son of Jessica and JR Clark. Clark will be graduating with a 4.039 GPA. While in school, Clark took part in band, soccer, cross country, swimming, track and field and was a member of the National Honor Society. Clark wants to become a band director or music teacher, which is why he will be studying instrumental music education at Western Michigan University. "Thank you all for the time we have been able to spend together. I am excited to learn about all of your future endeavors. Good luck and have fun," Clark said in a message to his fellow graduates. Ethan Hoolsema is Rudyard's 2025 salutatorian. Hoolsema, son of Justin and Natalie Hoolsema, will graduate with a GPA of 3.952 While he was a student at Rudyard, Hoolsema was involved in football, basketball, track and field and was a member of the school's cribbage club. After graduation, Hoolsema plans to study mechanical engineering at Dordt University while he competes in track and field. — Contact Brendan Wiesner: BWiesner@ This article originally appeared on The Sault News: Meet the Class of 2025's top students from Chippewa County high schools
