(9/1/10) Partners Credit Union of Strum, WI and Fall Creek, WI is consolidating (merging) with Co-op Credit Union of Black River Falls, Melrose and Galesville.  The consolidation will be effective October 1^st, 2010 and has been approved by both boards of directors, the Office of Credit Unions (Wisconsin), and the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA – federal credit union regulator and insurer).  Partners Credit Union members automatically become Co-op Credit Union members on October 1^st.  Once the transition to common data processing and other systems is complete, members of both credit unions will have access to five full-service locations, seven drive-ups in all, in western Wisconsin.  The credit union will serve six counties and parts of three others.  Both credit unions are federally insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund.

(9-1-10)  The annual HARDEES Pigskin Challenge returns to WWIS FM on Thursday September 9th at around 7:30.  WWIS General Manager Bob "Gabby" Gabrielson and WWIS Sports Director Brian B will make their weekly predictions on all of the upcoming weekend's pro football games.  You can fill out a slip at the Black River Falls HARDEES, and if your sheet is selected, you could win great food prizes from HARDEES by outpicking the hosts.  Each contestant will then be put in a drawing box for a grand prize at the end of the season.  Check in here each week for predictions, and standings.  HARDEES Pigskin Challenge airs at 7:30 Friday mornings during the regular season except for weeks which feature Thursday games.

(9-1-10)  School bells are sounding again today as area youngsters head back to classes..  Black River Falls School Superintendant Ron Saari says there are some changes, including new hires.  Meanwhile Blair Taylor Superintendant Dennis Dervetski says his district will have a split opening.  7th thru 12th graders begin classes today, while elementary students will kick off classes tomorrow.  Motorists are reminded by area law enforcement to drive with extra caution in school zones now that school is back in session 

(8-31-10)  La Crosse authorities say a drive-by shooting Sunday night prompted a woman to take her own life a short time later. Police say they found 19-year-old Youa Moua outside her house near the La Crosse bluffs. That was about 35-minutes after a drive-by shooting took place a few miles away. A witness says about a half-dozen bullets were shot at the house, but no one was hurt. A police official said the shootings were domestic-related, but he refused to provide the circumstances. Moua died at a hospital. The La Crosse County medical examiner said she died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest. Both incidents are still under investigation, and the State Crime Lab is looking at the evidence.