Wisconsin prep
Basketball (boys): Osseo-Fairchild Thunder 63, Cochrane-Fountain City Pirates 34
Basketball (boys): Onalaska Luther Knights 79, Arcadia Raiders 63
Basketball (boys): Whitehall Norse 68, Blair-Taylor Wildcats 44
Basketball (boys): West Salem Panthers 75, Galesville Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau Red Hawks 42
Basketball (girls): Arcadia Raiders 65, Westby Norsemen 48
Mayor vetoes Rochester mega-sports complex
ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayor Kim Norton vetoed the City Council’s award of a $53 million contract to build Phase One of a sports and recreation complex. Norton said the Far Southeast site is too far from downtown hotels and restaurants to boost tourism. Tourism was the original talking point of promoters for new taxes to finance the project, the mayor said. The seven-member City Council could override Norton’s veto with five votes.
Earlier: Builder chosen for Rochester athletic complex
Man transferred to Winona for cop-killing threats
WINONA, Minn. — Deputies brought a man to the Winona jail from LaCrosse, where he was reported to have told hospital nurses that he had a gun and was prepared to go to Winona and shoot up police. Nurses said he also talked about killing neighbors, although it was unclear whether that would be in Winona or LaCrosse. He also was suicidal, the nurses said. Tydon Wesley Scott, age 26 was booked at the Winona jail about 7:40 p.m. Originally he was held in LaCrosse where nurses said he had shared his ideations in what seemed a manic state.
Scott. Wisconsin to Minnesota extradition was quick: Three days. Charge: Violent threats.
New Walz agency on easing gun violence
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Governor Tim Walz issued documents to establish a State Safety Council to generate data to guide legislators on curbing gun violence. The Council is the governor’s Plan B in response to the slaying of two children and injuring of two dozen others at a Minneapolis church and school in August. After the tragedy Walz asked legislators to ban assault-style weapons and large-capacity magazines. Opposition from Republicans in the evenly divided Legislature dead-ended the ban plan.
Rocky road ahead on Minnesota gun reform
Earlier: GOP slams Walz but willing to talk gun control
Earlier: Status report on Minnesota gun laws
Western Winona County barn fire caught early
SARATOGA, Minn. — Police who were first to arrive at a small barn fire used hand-held extinguishers to put out the fire. This was about 1:25 p.m. in the 28000 block of State Highway 74 between Saratoga and St. Charles. There were no injuries.No animals were lost. Firefighters ventilated the barn. The fire was blamed on a light fixture that ignited straw.
Homicide alleged in LaCrosse house fire
LACROSSE, Wis. — A Genoa man was arrested and booked for homicide and arson in a November house fire that killed a pregnant LaCrosse woman. Matthew Sierra, age 38, was arrested at a Genoa address 20 miles downriver. Police said Pickett had been in litigation over child support for a son. In October he had been ordered to pay one-third of the boy’s day care plus karate class expenses.
Earlier: Woman dies in LaCrosse duplex
Sierra. Faces two charges of intentional homicide, also arson.
Alternate-side parking tally at 1,133
WINONA, Minn. – Police contInued issuing citations overnight for violations of the city’s winter ordinance for alternate-side parking. The running tally:
> December 16: 43
> Earlier in December: 349 of which 45 were tagged and towed
> November totals: 731
Preparing Winona’s ice park for all who dare
Blufftop hydrants have flooded the municipal Ice Park for the annual cascading glory. The usual opening is around December 31, but with the recent cold the crews believe the bluffs may be ready nearer Christmas. Image: Kevin O’Reilly
Minnesota prep
Basketball (boys): Lewiston-Altura Cardinals 94, Kenyon-Wanamingo Knights 71
Basketball (girls): Plainview-Elgin-Millville Bulldogs 70, Winona Winhawks 32
Wisconsin prep
Basketball (boys): Galesville Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau Red Hawks 66, LaCrescent-Hokah Lancers 60
Basketball (girls): Cochrane-Fountain City Pirates 45, Osseo-Fairchild Thunder 24
Basketball (girls): Eau Claire Immanuel Lancers 54, Independence Indees 44
Chanuka joy in the cold at Sobieski Lodge
Symbolizes religious freedom and divine providence. Marking the beginning of the eight-day Jewish festival of lights in Winona with a visit by the magical Dreidl Man and gifts for children. There were potato latkes, donuts, and the lighting of a menorah outside. Images: Andy Frank
Kids and fire trucks
Firefighters parked a truck utside No fire emergency. Just part of the celebration. Maybe also a precaution because of the oversize menorah candles. The kids loved it.
Winona teacher bids for state Senate
WINONA, Minn. — A teacher at Hope Lutheran High School, Cherie Johnson, announced a soft launch — no hoopla — for the Minnesota State Senate seat from District 26. She will seek the Republican nomination. So far there are no other GOP candidates. Among Democrats there is only one announced candidate, Michael Todd of Goodview. The District 26 seat is being vacated by Republican Jeremy Miller of Winona, who served four terms. District 26 has roughly 85,0000 people, mostly in Fillmore, Houston and Winona counties. In announcing her candidacy, Johnson avoided contentious policy commitments. “I am ready for the next step in my journey of service with a focus on delivering results that matter in your everyday life,” Johnson said. “To forge a brighter path ahead for our beautiful state, we start with proven policies that will make life more affordable and reducing the tax burden for hardworking Minnesotans, deliver academic excellence in our classrooms for all children.” She did pick up on an emerging Minnesota Republican theme for 2026 “to put a stop to the theft of taxpayer dollars that should be going toward critical services.”
Johnson. At Hope High School, enrollment 50, she advises the student newspaper.
Johnson profile
She has lived in Winona 13 years with her husband Ben, a Winona native. They have been licensed foster parents. She has served on various boards, mentored church youth groups, and volunteered with animal welfare organizations.. She has written for the Nexis Family Health blog on fostering, particularly about trauma and healing. She has never held elected office
Verbatim
Johnson: “I love Minnesota and all of our neighbors who call this state home. I’m thrilled about the opportunity to run and serve them in the State Senate. Our parks, small businesses, farming communities, and lively towns make District 26 a great place to live and raise a family. I want this to be a place where we can afford to raise our families, where generations stay, and where farms and small businesses can thrive. There has been one common theme throughout my work – provide a helping hand to those who need it and stand up for what is right, even when it’s not popular. \After providing a stable home for children in the foster care system, educating kids in the classroom, and engaging in our community, I have first-hand experience with the struggles that many Minnesota families face.”
Notable journalism
“Eva Herscowitz (Minnesota Star Tribune, December 14, 2025: ‘At Nearly Half a Billion Dollars, Water Park Is Just the Beginning of Mall of America’s Transformation”
Steve Karnowski (Associated Press, December 11, 2025): “MyPillow Founder and Trump Supporter Mike Lindell Says He’s Running for Minnesota Governor in 2026”
Bruce Murphy (Urban Milwaukee (June 1, 2017): “Hendriks; Home Is Reassessed”
Political newcomer pursues Miller state Senate seat
WINONA, Minn. – A former downtown promotion director for the Winna Chamber of Commerce, Michael Todd, declared his candidacy for the Minnesota Senate. Todd, age 30, is a Democrat. He seeks the Senate District 26 seat being vacated by Republican Jeremy Miller after 16 years. Todd made his announcement at an event attended mostly by small business owners. He spoke abiut “kitchen-table issues” —the rising cost of living, access to rural healthcare, and the housing challenges. “This campaign is about meeting people where they are and taking their concerns,” he said.
Todd. First bid for public office. At gathering to announce candidacy.
Todd profile
He grew up in suburban Goodview. He graduated from Winona High School and the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh. He is the former director of the Winona Main Street Program and has volunteered with local non-profits. Professionally Todd has worked the in marketing and communications for a local community bank. In March he started his own business.
Senate District 26. Spans Winona County except St. Charles and some townships; most of Houston County, all of Filmore County; and eastern Mower County.
Stewartville shooter himself a former wrestler
STEWARTVILLE, Minn. — The shooter who fired a rifle at a Stewartville High School wrestler, critically wounding him, was himself a former member of the school wrestling team. Sheriff Kevin Torgeson released the name: 19-year-old Logan Moyer. The sheriff said Moyer was graduated from Stewartville High last rear. There was no immediate release of information about a motive. Moyer shot the victim as the wrestling team was boarding a bus for a tournament trip. It was definitely a targeted shooting, police said. Moyer then shot himself fatally in the commotion. The sheriff said he wouldn’t release the name of the victim because the boy is legally a juvenile. The victim remains in guarded condition at a Rochester hospital after surgery.
Earlier: Stewartville readies post-trauma student aid
Earlier: Sheriff holds back names in school shooting
Earlier: Athlete shot at Stewartville school; suicide follows
Alternate-side parking tally at 1,070
WINONA, Minn. – Police issued 43 citations overnight for violations of the city’s winter ordinance for alternate-side parking. The running tally:
> December 14: 43
> December 12 and 13: Officers on other priorities
> December 11: 37, of which 17 were tagged and towed
> December 10: 28 tagged and towed
> December 9: Officers on other priorities:
> December 8: 74
> December 7: 68
> December 4, 5 and 6: Officers on other priorities
> December 3: 8
> December 2: 43
>December 1: 28
> November totals: 731
Earlier: Ahead: Hyper-enforcement of parking regs
Sustainable injures in Lewiston car crash
LEWISTON, Minn. — A Winona drover was injured and taken to the Winna hospital after a collision at the Kwik Trip intersection in Lewiston. Injuries to Melanie Anne Hawley, 52, were non-life threatening, first-responders said. The accident was about 6:45 a.m. Hawley was traveling west toward Rochester in a 2019 Buick Encore. The other driver, age 16, was crossing traffic to turn onto County Road 25 in a 2023 Mercedes C-Class. Her name and hometown were withheld by the State Patrol as a minor. She was unhurt.
Notable journalism
Jay Gabler (Duluth News Tribune, December 11, 2025): “Lynx Brothers Move Into Lake Superior Zoo”
Michael Horne (Urban Milwaukee, May 17, 2016): “Hendricks Not Paying Property Taxes”
Kristoffer Tigue (Minnesota Star Tribune, December 14, 2025): “Scientists Warn Federal Funding Cuts Could Undermine Walleye Recovery in Minnesota”
College scores
Basketball (men): Southwest Minnesota State 76, Winona State 56
Basketball (men): Winona State 84, Southwest Minnesota State 78
Qualls, Demuth lead GOP candidates for governor
MEDINA, Minn. — Former healthcare executive Kendall Qualls and state House Speaker Lisa Demuth lead a crowded Republican can field for governor. This was according to a non-binding preference poll at a weekend meeting of the state GOP Central Committee. Alex Plechash, state party chair, called the poll “a snapshot of where engaged party leaders stand.” So far there has been no meaningful challenger among Democrats to incumbent Democratic Governor Walz. The GOP ranking:
> Qualls: 93
> Demuth: 90
> Lindell: 49
> Madel: 41
> Parrish: 19
> Robbins: 13
> Jensen: 8
> Undecided: 8
> Knight: 7
> Johnson: 4
> Abstain: 2
> Kohler: 1
Pickup off road; Red Wing man injured
RED WING, Minn. — A Red Wing man driving a pickup truck was injured when he lost control and left the roadway. David William Bade, age 57, was taken to Red Wing Hospital with sustainable injures. The accident was about 8:30 p.m. on U.S. Highway 61 six miles downriver from Red Wing near the road to Wacouta Beach. He northbound toward Red Wing in a 2014 Ford F150.
minus-10 Fahrenheit on the back deck
Chlly bees. The thermometer on this East Burns Valley deck showed minus-10 overnight. Wind chills in nearby Winona were at minus-26. Warming is ahead, perhaps mid-30s by Tuesday, says the National Weather Service. Image: Andy Frank
How police tamed Lake City shooting suspect
LAKE CITY, Minn. — As police were subduing a Lake City man after a shooting last week, he asked officers to shoot him. This detail is included in a criminal complaint against William Charles Piar, age 81. The complaint alleges attempted murder. The take-down, as described in the complaint:
> Police responded to gunfire near the Lake City Subway restaurant on North Lakeshore Drive. just before 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
> A Lake City police officer and Wabasha County sheriff’s deputy approached Piar’s home behind the Subway.Piar was standing in a yard between his home and the Subway building, his right in a coat pocket
> The officers repeatedly ordered Piar to show his hands.
> The officers, who had prior contact with Piar. tried to de-escalate the situation. Piar persisted not to show his right hand.
> Other police arrived at the scene and established a perimeter.
> The original Lake City officer returned his squad and grabbed his less-than-lethal shotgun that fires beanbag rounds. With Piar still refusing to show both hands, the officer fired a bean=bag round, which struck Piar.
> Piar reacted by taking his right hand from his pocket and revealing a dark handgun. Police again commanded Piar to drop the firearm and he again refused.
> The officer continued firing bean-bag rounds at Piar, who stayed on his feet and at one point asked officers to shoot him. Piar eventually went to the ground when a beanbag hit him in the side.
> Piar was taken bleeding an to the Lake City hospital to be checked over, then transferred to the Goodhue County Jail 20 miles away in Red Wing.
While Piar, first was being subdued, officers learned that another man had been shot in an apartment in the Subway building. They found the victim with several wounds, at least one in his abdomen. The criminal complaint identifies the victim only as “D.” His wife and children were in the apartment, according to the complaint. Officers treated the “D’ until paramedics arrived. The wounds appeared life-threatening. Customers in the Subway shop provided statements to investigators. The complaint said that Piar and “D” had property disputes for several years. Other sources said that removing a tree was an issue. Meanwhile, “D” remained a fourth day in a Rochester hospital’s critical care unit a fourth day. His condition was listed as “critical but stable.”
Earlier: Bail at $2 million in Lake City shooting
Stewartville readies post-trauma student aid
STEWARTVILLE, Wis. — The Stewartville school counseling staff and teachers have been summoned to a 7:30 a.m. meeting Monday for help dealing with last week’s shooting of a high school wrestler at the school. Classes will start later than usual, said Superintendent Belinda Selfors. Olmsted County Sheriff Kevin Torgeson plans a mid-morning news conference for a public update on the investigation.
Earlier: Sheriff holds back names in school shooting
Earlier: Athlete shot at Stewartville school; suicide follows
Charmant changes hands: Its future?
LACROSSE, Wis. — The ritz of LaCrosse hotels, the Charmant has been purchased for an undisclosed sum by building supply tycoon Diane Hendricks. The sale showed up in property transaction records. At $2.2 billion Henricks is widely considered the wealthiest woman in Wisconsin. Her fortune is from ABC Roofing, a Beloit-based building supply company. Henricks and her late husband built the company from scratch. Henricks is known mostly as a major contributor to right-wing causes. She put $14.9 million into Donald Trump’s presidential campaigns, including huge cash fusions into a dirty tricks project against Trump campaign rival Hillary Clintin. Henricks gave $50,000 to former Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker while pushing for state anti-labor legisation.
Earlier: Top-tier LaCrosse hotel for sale
Yes. Donald Trump will have a room if he overnights in LaCrosse.
Henricks. Now a LaCrosse hotelier. Age 78.
ABC natonal headquaters. In Beloit. No, the roof doesn’t leak.
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