Submitted by Scott Knudson, Sheriff, St. Croix County Sheriff Office

HAMMOND, WI – On January 17, 2024, at about 9:26 p.m., the St. Croix County Emergency Communication Center received a call reporting a two-vehicle collision in the 1600 block of County Road TT, in the Town of Hammond, Wisconsin.

Upon arrival, deputies found a 2013 Volkswagen Passat in the roadway with significant front-end damage, and a 2021 Toyota 4Runner in the ditch. The Toyota 4Runner was traveling eastbound on County Road TT, while the Volkswagen was traveling westbound when the collision took place.

The driver of the 4Runner was a 60-year-old male from New Richmond, Wisconsin, and his passenger, a 54-year-old male from Hammond, Wisconsin were both treated at the scene and released. Both were wearing seatbelts.

All three occupants of the Volkswagen were transported by ambulance to Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota. The driver of the Volkswagen, a 21-year-old male from Hammond, Wisconsin, and a second passenger, a 34-year-old male from Bruce, Wisconsin, suffered injuries. The third passenger, seated in the back seat, was Isaiah K. Barnes, age 26, from Hudson, Wisconsin. Barnes suffered life-threatening injuries and was pronounced deceased at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota. None of the occupants of the Volkswagen were wearing seatbelts.

The initial investigation indicates alcohol may have played a role in the crash.

The St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office received assistance from Hammond Police, United Fire Hammond, United Fire Baldwin, Roberts Fire / Rescue, and Baldwin EMS.

This incident marks the first fatality recorded by St. Croix County in 2024.

The crash remains under investigation by the St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office.

TOWN OF GILMAN, WI – The Town of Gilman held their January Board Meeting on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at the Gilman Town Hall. All members were present, minus Chairman Verges. In his absence, Supervisor Mike Traynor conducted the meeting.

Following the call to order and Pledge of Allegiance, the minutes of the December meeting were unanimously approved.

Next, the bills to be paid were approved with one addition for Pax Construction for shop repairs, and to Wedam for help with tree clean up and removal earlier this year. During the Treasurer’s report, it was noted that the town is still waiting for the reimbursement of their L-RIP (Local Road Improvement Program)  funds of approximately $500,000 towards the cost associated with the 750th Ave. project. When received, these funds will be immediately applied to the BCPL Loan that the town acquired to fund a portion of the project in early 2023.

To read this and other premium articles in their entirety, pickup the January 18, 2024 issue of the Sun-Argus newspaper. Click to subscribe for convenient delivery by mail, or call (715) 778-4990. Single issues are also available at area newsstands and our office in Spring Valley, WI.

Submitted by Ryma Lindquist, Community Relations Director, Western Wisconsin Health

BALDWIN, WI – Western Wisconsin Health (WWH), Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Eilidh Pederson is pleased to announce the promotion of Shonda Helgeson to Chief Nursing Officer. “Shonda’s focus on quality care, with a patient centered approach is exactly the mindset we need for this role. Shonda does an excellent job at bringing out the best with all the staff with whom she works.” said WWH, CEO Eilidh Pederson.

Shonda Helgeson started her nursing career in high school and as a nursing assistant at Western Wisconsin Health in 2005. She went on to receive her Associate Degree in Nursing at Chippewa Valley Technical College in 2007 followed by her Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree in 2013 from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. She is currently enrolled in the Master of Science in Healthcare Administration graduate program at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Shonda has worked in a variety of hospital nursing units, as a primary care RN and unit manager, including Obstetrics, Med/Surg and the Emergency Department. Shonda loves the variety nursing offers.

For the past 14 months Shonda served as the Director of Nursing at WWH. “I am excited to lead the nursing and ancillary services departments while living the organization’s mission, vision, and values,” Shonda stated in a recent WWH staff meeting.

Shonda’s family includes her husband, Dustin, and children Brynnlee, Baylee, and Blaine. Shonda and husband were both raised locally and are actively involved in the community. They enjoy time outside, traveling, various sporting events for their kids and UTV riding.

Western Wisconsin Health is honored to have Shonda serve as an executive within WWH’s leadership team. Helgeson’s promotion comes on the heels of the departure of Chief Clinical Officer, Kyler Hunter, who moved out of the area.

Western Wisconsin Health building a healthier tomorrow, together.

TOWN OF CADY, WI – On a rolling hill just outside of the Spring Valley, lives Shirley Hampton. At 94 (95 next month), she still lives on the same 80-acre family farm she grew up on her entire life. With eight brothers and sisters, there was never a dull moment and there was plenty of work to do on the family dairy farm to keep the siblings busy.

Shirley recalls her childhood on the farm, “All of us kids could ride horses, we drove tractors, and my two older sisters could milk by hand, before we had electricity and milkers.”

The original house on the family farm burned during the Great Depression years. With materials and money hard to come by, the first year the family spent the winter in the grainary, and the next winter, in the newly built basement of the house while the upper part was being finished. Shirley still lives in the house that was rebuilt following the fire.

To read this and other premium articles in their entirety, pickup the January 18, 2024 issue of the Sun-Argus newspaper. Click to subscribe for convenient delivery by mail, or call (715) 778-4990. Single issues are also available at area newsstands and our office in Spring Valley, WI.