Latest news with #EAUCLAIRE
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Juneteenth reaches 25 years in the Chippewa Valley
EAU CLAIRE — It is a landmark Berlye Middleton is proud of, as Eau Claire's Juneteenth celebration reaches its silver anniversary. '25 years — that says something for our community,' said Middleton in a recent interview with the Leader-Telegram. 'It's a big check in terms of equity, inclusiveness, fairness and not [towards] attempts to revise the past.' And that is just what Juneteenth acknowledges: the ending of a dark part of our nation's history, and the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation that freed millions of African-Americans who were previously enslaved for hundreds of years in the United States. Former president Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law in 2021, federally recognizing the holiday. Middleton is the president of Uniting Bridges of Eau Claire, the host organization of the Juneteenth event taking place next week in Carson Park. He pointed out that Eau Claire was an early pioneer in advocating for the importance of the holiday. 'Our community recognized it even before the state recognized it, and long before the federal government realized it was important,' said Middleton. He noted there has been a shift in the national discourse surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). With federal initiatives aimed at curtailing or abolishing those efforts, individuals already harboring negative views towards DEI have begun to cast doubts on the qualifications of those who benefit from these programs, specifically questioning their suitability for various employment positions. 'They just ignore a person's qualifications,' said Middleton. 'They think: that person is black and I see that as why that person was hired. It's so ridiculous now, but it's a reality. In some people's minds, it has always been that way with them.' But Middleton also noted that this has not reduced, for example, sponsors and exhibitors at the event that have been a part of the Eau Claire Juneteenth event. 'They've annually been a part of Juneteenth and continue to do so in spite of other regressive types of policies that have come forth in the last year.' At this year's event there will once again be speakers, music, games, and even an event earlier in the day at the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library. The event, scheduled in the Youth Program Room (Room 123) in the library on June 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., will also feature interactive activities, snacks, music, and hands-on crafts while the significance of the holiday is discussed. Middleton also clarified that the event is open to all, dispelling a misconception that occurred in the last few years. He has learned that people coming to the event have soon left upon seeing only Democratic members of government in prior events. Those people came to the conclusion that the event is only open to those who subscribe to certain political beliefs, and he said that this is not the case. Middleton said that the good news is that there will be a Republican Party table at the event, thanks to Michele Skinner (R-Altoona), who made her intention to participate clear after learning that she and others are — and have been — welcome to attend. 'This is an event for everyone, regardless of your ideology,' he said. '[Republicans] are a part of the community. We don't like when people make us invisible and we don't want to do that to them.' Middleton said that there is still a long way to go, and has concerns that a backslide in progress could occur, meaning losing years of progress in getting citizens of color onto a level playing field. 'Things are still not equal; they are not equitable,' he said. 'Instead of becoming a continued force of world progress, we are on the precipice of our nation, our state and our community becoming the worst of our past and becoming a model of aggression that should never be duplicated, replicated or any other way repeated.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
F-35 flyover joins air show
EAU CLAIRE — The Chippewa Valley Air Show has announced a new flyover involving the Wisconsin Air National Guard. The Madison-based 115th Fighter Wing will fly two F-35 Lightning II fighters over the show on Saturday. Among the most advanced fighters anywhere, the F-35 is a supersonic plane with advanced stealth features and a unique profile. It is flown by the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, along with several allied nations. The announcement of the F-35 visit adds to a show that already includes the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels and the Air Force's F-16 Viper demonstration team. the show takes place June 28 and 29.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Man sentenced in card theft case
EAU CLAIRE — An Illinois man pleaded no contest Tuesday to a charge of theft of movable property valued between $10,000 and $100,000 in an unusual case. The property? An extensive set of collectible cards. Daniel Monarrez, 33, was one of two people charged in the case. The court dismissed the charges against his co-defendant, Rosario Pillado, at the prosecution's request. Monarrez attended his sentencing by video link from the Racine Correctional Institution. The plea was the result of an agreement between the prosecution and defense, according to court records. Monarrez received an 18-month prison sentence with 18 months' extended supervision, but those were stayed. He will spend two years on probation after completion of his sentence in a Trempealeau County robbery case. A stayed sentence means the prison term will not be imposed if Monarrez completes probation without further incidents. The details of the latter case aren't well documented on the state's court database. Monarrez pleaded no contest to robbery with threat of force, theft of movable property and carrying a concealed weapon in 2024. But the online file is vague about what that sentence was. It says only that the state, defense and defendant made statements, then 'Defendant sentenced.' The Wisconsin Department of Corrections' inmate locator shows a little more, listing Monarrez's maximum discharge date as April 2030. That's six years after the conviction, which means Monarrez received less than the 15-year maximum sentence the charge could have carried. The case against Monarrez began last year after a woman contacted police to say a set of cards she inherited from her grandfather had been stolen and that she suspected Pillado and Monarrez. According to the criminal complaint, she sold a similar set of Pokemon cards for $10,000 and bought a car with the money. When Pillado asked how she could afford the cards, she mentioned the sale. Pillado didn't forget about the comment. He made repeated comments about the woman 'sitting on' a lot of money with the remaining collection. He and Monarrez visited later, and asked multiple times about whether her apartment had video surveillance. Pillado persuaded the woman to drive him to Arcadia while Monarrez stayed behind to take a shower. Monarrez arrived in Arcadia about 45 minutes later. The woman returned home and found the collection missing, along with an unknown number of baseball cards from her grandfather's collection. Finding the Pokemon collection required the thief to search. The woman told police she had moved it because she didn't trust the men based on their behavior. Last month the court heard that a witness needed for the case had stopped communicating and was removed from the planned witness list. That update also included the defense specifically telling the judge negotiations for a settlement were continuing.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Sun Country will continue CVRA flights in 2026
EAU CLAIRE — Sun Country will continue to operate out of Chippewa Valley Regional Airport with flights to Fort Myers, Fla. Sun Country previously supplied the primary passenger service from the airport under the Essential Air Service program. When the company's contract ended, the airport and the federal government shifted to SkyWest, which has daily flights to Chicago. A key part of Sun Country's operations was the offering of seasonal flights directly to warm-weather destinations. When it lost the bid to continue as the primary carrier in the Chippewa Valley, Sun Country announced it would continue flights to Fort Myers this spring as a test to see whether the route would be profitable without the federal subsidy. Apparently it was. 'We're thrilled Sun Country will continue offering this valuable nonstop service to Fort Myers,' said Airport Director Charity Zich in a release announcing the continuation. 'This is truly a community success story — made possible by the ongoing support of our passengers, local businesses, and regional partners who recognize the importance of maintaining and growing air service options in our region.' The flights will continue to be seasonal, taking place between Jan. 30 and April 6, 2026. Tickets are on sale and reservations can be made through Sun Country.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Putnam Heights students fundraise for PE equipment at student Fun Run
EAU CLAIRE — During Putnam Heights Elementary School's first ever fun run, students were able to see how doing laps around the school can turn into a fundraiser. Ben Wieker, physical education teacher at Putnam Heights Elementary, said a warm-up run has been a big addition to their school's physical education classes this year. 'Running has been a big part of my life growing up a cross-country and track runner — and some marathon stuff too — and it is just a passion I wanted to share with my students,' he said. 'I started doing three or four minute jogs at every gym class from kindergarten up through fifth grade which we have done most of the year, and we just wanted a culminating activity to enjoy the weather out here and make a little bit of a fundraiser on the side to hopefully purchase some roller blades and add some helmets next year.' Their fundraiser aims for $8,000 to cover the costs of PE items and storage. The event which took place throughout the whole day on Friday involved nearly all grades, with Wieker estimating that at least 400 of the school's 450 students would take part in the run. Each lap around the school was approximately half a mile. Students could try for as many laps as they wanted during a 30 minute period, with the fundraiser encouraging kids to do as many laps as they could. 'We pushed out some messaging to our families to share with grandparents, parents, and neighbors if they like,' Wieker said. 'They have two choices if they want to participate: they could do a pledged amount per lap that they run, as we are tracking the laps today; or they could do a set amount. But no barriers; all students could participate whether they fundraised or not.' Wieker said a big philosophy of his is to not focus on competition as much, but rather expose kids to all the different sports and activities. But there was a little encouragement to those willing to go above and beyond. All the grades also had opportunities to plant a pie in Wieker's face after running. 'That is one of my motivating pieces,' he said. 'Part of our jog every day during gym is that if you can complete a four [or five] minute jog ... then you get a tally, and I have been tracking that for the whole school year for all of our students. Each class has a winner from Thursday, which was our last day of tallies. Each of those kids will pie me in the face and an extra motivation of our fun run out on the course is that the leader for most laps run today is also going to get to pie me.' With grades running throughout the day, Wieker said his hope is that students get to see the fun and the atmosphere that can come with running. 'You have the Eau Claire Marathon, the 5k and the half, as just one of many events in the local area. Running can be an approachable thing for all people of all ages, body types and abilities. You just need a pair of shoes and a place to go.'
