College scores
Basketball (men): MSU-Mankato 89, Winona State 64
Basketball (women): MSU-Mankato 66, Winona State 48
Minnesota prep
Hockey (boys): Winona Winhawks 6, Black River Falls Tigers 2
Hockey (girls): Northfield Raiders 11, Winona Winhawks 1
Wisconsin prep
Basketball (boys): Galesville-Ettrick-Trempealeau Red Hawks 83, Onalaska Luther Knights 77
Basketball (boys): Arcadia Raiders 63, Westby Norsemen 53
Basketball (boys): Whitehall Norse 70, Blair-Taylor Wildcats 60
Basketball (boys): Alma Center Lincoln Hornets 65, Independence Indees 18
Basketball (girls): Arcadia Raiders 51, Independence Indees 36
Hockey (boys): Winona Winhawks 6, Black River Falls Tigers 2
Riverside hotel plan passes financing hurdle

New role for freight house. The now shabby Jefferson restaurant and pub, out of business since the CoVid crisis, would become an event center across the street from the proposed five-story hotel-apartment structure. Currently the hotel site is an under-used municipal parking lot. Image: Steve Lunde
Deal includes tax breaks that developers sought
WINONA, Minn. – The Winona Port Authority ended years of dickering with developers over a complex financial deal to build a new hotel next to the levee downtown.. The deal, approved unanimously by the Port Authority, includes $4.9 million in tax breaks. The deal remains subject to City Council approval, which is expected. The project is a five-story hotel-apartment building on the city-owned 60 Main parking lot next to the levee behind Second Street. The deal would exempt the project from taxes on the hope it will generate more ennugh new ecomoic acitivity to offset the forgiven taxes.
Earlier: Developers offer peek at riverfront hotel
Earlier: City reclaiming blighted railyard at Levee Park
Earlier: City reclaiming blighted railyard at Levee Park
Earlier: A hotel on the Winona Levee? Still yakking
Earlier: Port to would-be hoteliers: Stop dallying
Sugar Loaf hiker falls in dark; leg injured
WINONA, Minn. – A 40-year-old hiker stumbled in the dark coming off a Sugar Loaf trail and fell about five feet. A companion called 911. Fire Department rescuers took lights up the bluff and found the injured man after an hour. He was carried down and taken to the Winona hospital, apparently, said rescuers, with a broken leg.
Tipster: Woman pulled gun in bar disturbance
WINONA, Minn. – Police began reviewing surveillance video of an East End bar disturbance two nights previous — after an anonymous tip that a woman had pulled a gun. Police had been called to Katie’s Place about 11:30 p.m., Tuesday, but everything had calmed down and nobody mentioned a gun. In reviewing the video, however, police saw a woman pull a small handgun, apparently from a pocket or a purse, and brandish it at man with she was having an exchange of word. At seeing the gun, everybody jumped back — although nobody mentioned this to police at the scene. The woman brandishing the gun was recognized on the video as a person barred from possessing a firearm. Police obtained a search to check the woman and her car and her residence for a gun.

Katie’s Place. This happy shot was early on Halloween at the 1000 East King Street bar, a couple blocks beyond Mankato Avenue.
Tentative Fravel murder trial date: Next fall
WINONA, Minn. – The murder trial of Adam Fravel for the death of Maddi Kingsbury will likely be 10 or 11 months away, it was decided at a procedural hearing. Judge Nancy Buytendorp had the attorneys in court to discuss to timelines. This was decided:
> January 19: Pre-trial motions will be due from Karin Sonneman, the county prosecutor, and Zach Bauer, the attorney for Fravel.
> March19: Penciled in as Fravel’s next court appearance, although these other days are also reserved the court calendar if necessary: March 20 and April 30
.> September: A specific date was left unspecified. Perhaps also in October.
In courtroom
Fravels: Adam’s father, mother, sister and brother.
Kingsburys: Maddi’s father, mother, stepmother and sister.
Pre-season thievery: Snowmobile signs gone
LEWISTON, Minn. – Vandals pulled up 10 snowmobile trail markers that had been planted for winter on the six miles between Lewiston and Bethany. The state Natural Resources Department ordered replacement markers. The cost: $10 each. The theft was reported by the Rollingstone Snowmobile Club.

Why? Investigators were unsure whether the theft was a political statement against noisy snowmobiles, or a perverted home-decorating lark by teen-age boys for their bedrooms, or unadulterated malice and meanness.
Middle School lad’s cigar wasn’t plain ol’ tobacco
WINONA, Minn. – A 12-year-old boy was caught smoking marijuana wrapped like a cigar in a little boys’ room at the Winona Middle School. Police were called. So too his parents. Asked by police where he got the marijuana, the boy said it was just lying on the grass near his home. Curious, he said, he picked it up and continued on to school. He was caught about 9:30 on his first morning break. He was ticketed for smoking on smoking on school property.
U.S. cantaloupe deaths at 4 — 3 in Minnesota
ATLANTA, Georgia. – Three people have died in Minnesota from salmonella linked to Mexico-grown cantaloupe imported through Nogales, Arizona, according to the US. federal health agency. Another 26 have taken ill. Nationwide, according the Centers for Disease Control, 302 people have become ill since mid-November. Neighboring Wisconsin has had 11 cases and Iowa eight. Hospitalization nationally: 129. Deaths: Four. The CDC’s advice: Don’t eat pre-cut cantaloupe.
Earlier: Cantaloupe scare spreads to Kwik Trip
Earlier: Widened alert for bacteria-tainted cantaloupe
Earlier: Cantaloupe recall: Illness tagged to tainted melons
Car smacks power pole; driver slightly injured
CHATFIELD, Minn. – A St. Paul driver suffered minor injuries when her car went into a ditch and struck a power pole on U.S. Highway 30 between Chatfield and Stewartville. Hailey Rose Adamski, 17, was taken 23 miles to to a Rochester hospital to be sure there was nothing serious about her condition, Olmsted County deputies said. The accident was about 7:55 a.m. near 90th Avenue Southeast. Adamski was traveling east toward Chatfield in a 2007 Nissan Maxima. The airbag deployed.
R.I.P.: Eleanore Stockum
WASHINGTON – Eleanore Krage Stockum, 94, a retired English literature professor and author, died in retirement in Washington. She was born and schooled in Houston, Minnesota. She held degrees from the College of St. Teresa and Marquette University. In 1971 she co-authored a book,“Getting Started: A Preface to Writing,” which was published published by Norton. Earlier she was a high school teacher in Minnesota, an editorial assistant for the Catholic Renaissance Society at Marquette, and copy editor for the U.S. Savings and Loan League in Chicago. In 1954 in Germany she was chief of administration in the U.S. Army comptroller section in Nuremberg. She joined the University of Dayton in 1958 and retired in 1993. She championed many causes, including child welfare, animal welfare, civil rights, women’s rights, historic preservation, and the environment.
Detail: Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home

1929-2023
News summary at mid-week: December 13, 2023
ENVIRONMENT: 43,000 gallons of herbicide loose along Mississippi River
RESCUE: Driver trapped in van dangling over Shive Creek
RESCUE: Child safe after bizarre events in Homer, Elba
JUSTICE: Free at last after wrongful murder conviction
CUISINE: Ground Round morphs into kids-oriented pizza place
COMMERCE: Ford dealership to expand Winona acreage
CRIME: Visitation battle ends for Kingsbury-Fravel children
CRIME: A fishing tale: Snoozing late, fishing early, and a piss
CRIME: Huffing-related charges pile up for Winona man
COLLEGES: Accreditors renew WSU nursing endorsements
GOVERNANCE: How they voted: On Biden impeachment process
POLITICS: Key Minnesota Republican sees ”fiscal cliff ahead”
GOVERANCE: Welcome to Minnesota’s new state seal
College scores
Basketball (men): UW-LaCrosse 74, Saint Mary’s 59
Basketball (women): UW-LaCrosse 74, Saint Mary’s 41
Wrestling: UW-LaCrosse 30, UW-Eau Claire 12
Hanukkah is upon us on the Levee

Menorah oils are alive. For the third year a menorah’s oils shine bright on the Winona Levee to celebrate the festive Jewish season Hanukkah. Officiating was Rabbi David Greene of the Rochester-based Chabad of Southern Minnesota. Among a couple dozen people at the ceremony: Mayor Scott Sherman, State Senator Jeremy Miller and State Representative Gene Pelowski.
How they voted: On Biden impeachment process
WASHINGTON – The U.S. House voted 221-212 to proceed with an impeachment inquiry whether President Biden used his position when he was vice president to provide favors for his son Hunter’s businesses. Here is how House members from Minnesota and Wisconsin voted:
To proceed with inquiry
> Tom Emmer, R-Mn6 (north suburbs).
> Brad Finstad, R-Mn1 (south).
> Michelle Fischbach, R-Mn7 (rural west).
> Pete Stauber, R-Mn 8 (Iron Range).
– –
> Scott Fitzgerald, R-Wi5 (Clyman).
> Mike Gallagher, R-Wi8 (Green Bay).
> Glen Grothman, R-Wi6 (Campbellsport).
> Bryan Steil, R-Wi1 (Janesville).
Tom Tiffany, R-Wi7 (Hazelburst).
> Derrick Van Orden, R-Wi3 (Prairie du Chien).
Against
> Angie Craig, D-Mn2 (south suburbs).
> Betty McCollum, D-Mn4 (St. Paul).
> Ilhan Omar, D-Mn5 (Minneapolis).
> Dean Phillips, D-Mn3 (west suburbs).
—
> Gwen Moore, D-Wi4 (Milwaukee): Jeffries.
> Mark Pocan, D-Wi2 (Madison).
Farm accident claims Onalaska Township man
MINDORO, Wis. – A farmer was injured fatally in an accident in the bluffs south of Mindoro. Raymond O. Lee, 78, was found hurt about 4:40 p.m. and flown a LaCrosse hospital, where he died. The accident was at 6964 North Knudsen Road in the Town of Onalaska.
Visitation battle ends for Kingsbury-Fravel children
WINONA, Minn. – Both sets of grandparents have backed off their lawsuits over visitation rights to the children of Madelline Kingsbury, who was murdered in March, and Adam Fravel, who is charged with her murder. The Fravel grandparents withdrew their petition for visitation in early November, court records show. The Kingsbury grandparents had been given the children after Maddi disappeared in March. In September the Fravels claimed they should have at at least visitation rights. The Kingsburys responded tat they didn’t want the Fravels tried to poison the Fravels’ claim for visitation by asking Judge Maty Leahy to bring Adam Fravel, the children’s biological father, to a custody hearing. Leahy said no, that Adam Fravel could not be called to family court.to testify about his own criminal case. Within days, both sets io grandparents withdrew their cases over visitation. The children, 5 and 2 at the time.
Verbatim
Jason Brown, attorney for David and Catherine Kingsbury: “The timing of the Fravels’ request for grandparent visitation was misplaced and lacked sensitivity. The Kingsburys can now focus more attention on helping their grandchildren cope with the loss of their mother and prepare for the pending trial against Adam Fravel.”
Litigation profile
> Maddi Kingsbury, 26, of Winona: Slain mother of children, Elliana, 5, and Noah, 2.
> Adam Fravel, 29, of Winona: Father of children. Accused of murder.
> David and Catherine Kingsbury, of Farmington: Father and stepmother of Maddi Kingsbury.
> Richard and Ann Fravel, of Mabel: Parents of Adam Fravel.
43,000 gallons of herbicide loose along Mississippi River
LEMOILLE, Minn. – Clean-up crews completed containment and recovery of a major chemical spill from a truck wreck that came within 300 feet of the Mississippi River. The accident involved 43,000 gallons of the pesticide glufosinate ammonium. The chemical, in solid form, was in a semi-truck unit that, brakes out, hurtled out of control and gaining speed down steep County Road 3. The fully loaded rig crossed foor lanes of U.S. 14 and rolled onto the Canadian Pacific rail line along the river. Thus was just short of riverside houses across the train tracks on Gull Lane. The driver was extracted from the tractor of the semi unit and taken to a LaCrosse hospital. This was about 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday. The Pickwick Fire Department arrived first. A commercial clean-up company was summoned immediately because of the scope of the spill and the proximity to the river. It was not believed that any herbicide entered the river.

Cleaning up solid herbiicide. At tracks along U.S. Highway 14 at Gull Lane, this within 300 feet of Mississippi River. Image: Pickwick Fire Department
Herbicide profile
Glufosinate ammonium is a synthetic organophosphate glutamine synthetase inhibitor and neurotoxin that is used as a herbicide. Although granular, it is highly soluble and volatile. The product is a white to light yellow crystalline solid with a slightly pungent odor. Exposure occurs by inhalation, direct contact or ingestion is dangerous.
Welcome to Minnesota’s new state seal
ST. PAUL, Minn. – The State Emblems and Redesign Commission settled Ion a new state seal featuring the state bird –the loon. The Commission’s recommendation will go to the Legislature in January for acceptance. There is fine-tuning that doesn’t show in the rendition that was approved. For the final presentation the state motto of yore, the French “L’Etoile du Nord,”” will be replaced by the Lakota phrase “Mni Sota Makoce,” which means “Land Where the Waters Reflect the Clouds.” Also, the loon’s eye will be changed from blank to the bird’s distinguishing ruby. Separately the Commission iso cnsdierig a new state fkag that, unlike the current flag, will not contain the state seal..
Earlier: Minnesota a step nearer to new state seal
Earlier: Earlier: New Minnesota state flag choices: What? No loon?

The Minnesota loon. Since 1961 the loon has been the distinctive Minnesota state bird. Loons are large black and white birds with red eyes. They have wingspans up to five feet and body lengths up to three feet.

Current seal. Bye, bye.
Emergency, fire crews make 51 calls
WINONA, Minn. – The Fire Department reported 34 emergency medical calls plus 17 fire calls in recent days:
> Tuesday, December 12: 9 medical calls plus 1 fire call
> Monday, December 11: 3 medical calls plus 2 fire calls.
> Sunday, December 10: 4: medical calls plus 4 fire calls.
> Saturday, December 9: 2 medical calls plus 1 fire call.
> Friday, December 8: 6 medical calls plus 2 calls.
> Thursday, December 7: 4 medical calls plus 3 fire calls.
> Wednesday, December 6: 6 medical calls plus 4 fire calls.
Earlier: Emergency, fire crews 56 calls
Accreditors renew WSU nursing endorsements
WINONA, Minn. – The undergraduate nursing program at Winona State University has been reaccredited by two organizations. The Commission on College Nursing Education and the state Board of Nursing issued endorsements valid for 10 years. The renewals followed months of extensive reviews and campus visits. Dean Julie Anderson said accreditors were impressed by the recent partnership with Winona Health to launch a simulation lab. Anderson said the dual endorsements allow the college to focus now on curricular revisions to meet emerging health needs. The undergrad ueisg program has 996 majors, roughly 15% of the university’s enrollment.
Among major courses
Community-based care
Geriatrics
High-acuity situations
Hospice
Labor and delivery
Pathiophysiology
Pediatrics
Phathophysiolgy
Psychosociology
Research fundamentals
Surgical princles
R.I.P.: Mary Olson
WINONA, Minn. – Mary A. Olson, 81, of Winona, a graduate of Winona High School. died at Sugar Loaf Senior Living. She valued travel, including two Mississippi River cruises on the American Queen. She was born in Stockton
Detail: Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home

1942-2023
R.I.P.: Keith Tungesvik
WINONA, Minn. — Keith E. Tungesvik, 75, of Winona, who was employed many years in the maintenance department at Winona State University, died at a Mayo hospital in Rochester. He was born in Iowa. He served in the U.S. Army. Friends said he enjoyed simpler things in life, especially visiting with friends.
Detail: Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home

1947-2023
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