Near Record Travel Forecast This WeekendNearly 43 million Americans will start their summers on a high note with
a Memorial Day weekend getaway. This long holiday weekend, marking the
unofficial start of summer vacation season, will see the second-highest travel
volume on record since AAA began tracking holiday travel volumes dating back to
2000, trailing only the bar set in 2005. Overall, an additional 1.5 million
more people will take to the nation’s roads, rails and runways compared with
last year, a 3.6% increase.
Posted by Michael Duncan
Annual Click-it or Ticket Campaign BeginsThe annual click-it or ticket campaign is underway. The Rice Lake Police Department, along with
county law enforcement and the Wisconsin State Patrol are reminding motorists
that wearing a seat belt is the most effective way to protect yourself and
prevent needless tragedies on roads and highways. Wisconsin seat belt use
stands at 89-percent, compared with over 90-percent compliance in Minnesota and
Michigan. The click-it or ticket campaign runs through June 2nd.
Posted May 20, 2019, 9:39 AM by Michael Duncan
Wisconsin Frac Sand Industry Woes Are GrowingAn industry expert says the impending bankruptcy of a major
frac sand mining company signals the financial woes that could cripple more
Wisconsin-based mines due to a nationwide oversupply of sand.Emerge Energy Services entered into a debt restructuring deal
with its lenders last month. The company owns Superior Silica Sands. CEO Rick Shearer says restructuring
negotiations are ongoing. The company may file for bankruptcy if a settlement
isn't struck out of court. An energy
consulting director at analytics firm IHS Markit says up to 75% of Wisconsin
mines that supply oil and gas producers might have to close. Samir Nangia says
the oversupply is due to companies building more mines near oilfields in Texas
and Oklahoma. Other ...
Posted May 20, 2019, 4:51 AM by Michael Duncan
Mississippi River Flooding Impacting ShippingHistoric flooding has left parts of the Mississippi River
closed for business. The river is a
main conduit of shipping everything from agriculture products and construction
material to petroleum and coal. The shipping woes come at a time when farmers
would normally be sending soybeans, corn and other grain from more than a dozen
states in the Mississippi River basin down the river. And fertilizer shipments
that normally travels up the river to communities from St. Louis to St. Paul,
Minnesota, still haven't made it through.
The interruption is hitting an agriculture industry that's already
suffering, including from trade disputes that have helped drive down commodity
prices.
Posted May 20, 2019, 4:49 AM by Michael Duncan
Two Year Anniversary of Prairie Lake TornadoIt was two years ago
this week that a devastating tornado struck the Prairie Lake Estate Mobile Home
Park located between Cameron and Chetek. The tornado killed one man and injured
over 20 others. The tornado was on the
ground for over 80 miles and left a path of destruction causing over
$10-million in damage in Barron county, and millions more in Polk, Rusk and
Price Counties. While the mobile home park has rebuilt and made
improvements, the twisted trees along the tornado path still remind those in
the area of that devastating night two years ago.
Posted May 17, 2019, 4:50 AM by Michael Duncan
Community NewsThrough MayThe American Red Cross has a critical shortage of type O blood and urges eligible donors to give now to help patients facing trauma and other life-threatening situations. As a thank-you for helping replenish the blood supply, all donors who come to give blood or platelets now through June 10 will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email. Donors of all blood types, especially type O, are urged to urged to make an appointment to donate using the Blood Donor App, at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).Additional blood donation opportunities...Cumberland 5/21/2019: 12p-6p American Legion, 1225 Veterans St.Spooner 5/22/2019 ...
Posted by Adam Hutton
