Residents of three SE Wisconsin counties should apply now for FEMA flood aid (UNDATED)
Southeast Wisconsin residents should register now for federal assistance with flood damage. Many Wisconsinites were affected by devastating floods last month. If you live in Milwaukee, Washington or Waukesha counties and your home or property has uninsured damage from the August floods, you may be able to receive money from FEMA to help make repairs or replace the items. Apply now for assistance at disasterassistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362. The deadline to apply is November 12th, 2025, so don’t wait.
Railroad safety in focus this week (UNDATED)
The Wisconsin State Patrol is focusing on railroad safety this week. With nearly 3,900 public at-grade railroad crossings and 3,300 miles of active train tracks in the state, rail safety is essential for everyone. In 2024 in Wisconsin four people were killed and seven injured, and there were 32 railroad grade crossing incidents. An additional five people died, and four were injured trespassing on tracks. September 15 – 21 is See Tracks? Think Train Week, formerly Rail Safety Week. More information is at wisconsindot.gov.
Bear guide banned from hunting for illegally baiting (OCONTO COUNTY)
An Oconto County man banned from hunting after illegally baiting bear. Federal prosecutors say 64-year-old Timothy Collar is a bear hunting guide who commonly planned and guided hunts on federal property in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in northern Oconto County. Prosecutors say when preparing for the 2023 bear hunting season, Collar illegally put multiple oversized plastic bait barrels in several locations. The barrels were placed for the purpose of baiting bear and Collar also damaged natural resources to access the baiting sites. The ban prevents Collar from taking part in this year’s bear hunt and he’s also been fined $3,000.
Five Great Danes dead after being left in van (MADISON)
Five dogs die and a woman is arrested for leaving them in a van for hours over the weekend. The Wisconsin State Journal reports that Madison police were sent to check on the dogs which appeared to be in distress. Police determined that a 68-year-old woman had left seven Great Danes in her van for more than five hours as temperatures rose to 80 degrees. Officers found two of the dogs dead and four were taken to a vet, where three had to be euthanized. The State Journal reports one of the dogs is alive, and the final dog collapsed in the parking lot of the vet and was seized by animal services. The woman faces tentative charges of mistreatment of animals and mistreatment of animals causing death.
DNR wants input on Wildlife Action Plan (UNDATED)
The Department of Natural Resources wants to hear from you on its Wildlife Action Plan. The plan focuses on conservation of rare and declining species and habitats. First published in 2005 and was last updated in 2015, the plan has become a resource to help partners, organizations, and individuals identify and implement actions to keep native plants, animals, and habitats healthy. The updated plan will remain in place until 2035. For more information on the process and to explore the updated plan, visit the DNR’s Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan webpage.