A former 15-year veteran of reporting local news for western Wisconsin TV and radio stations, Salina Heller also volunteers in community theater, helps organize the Chippewa Valley Air Show, and is kept busy by her daughter’s elementary school PTA meetings. She is a UW-Eau Claire alum.
Salina Heller
Latest from Salina Heller
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It’s not just you—Wisconsin skipped fall this year. Here’s why.
“More often than not, traditional fall and spring just don’t materialize for very long,” WEAU-TV Chief Meteorologist Darren Maier explained. “In the more than 12 years I’ve been in Wisconsin, we’ve seen more mild-to-warm falls than cold by about a two-thirds ratio,” Maier told us. “Conversely, our springs have gone the other way—more cold than…
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Chemist by day, carver by night: The delicious double life of a Madison fruit artist
Eder Valle starts his day in a white lab coat, working as a pharmaceutical drug-testing scientist. At night, he changes into a white apron for a night job all his own. Valle, 38, is the proud owner of Artesan Fruit, a local “fruit art” company (a la Edible Arrangements.) [optin-monster-inline slug=”zxww9kiqknpweb5ngggu”] “With both chemistry and…
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5 ways you can help humanitarian efforts in Israel and Gaza from Wisconsin
Saturday morning, Jewish people and Palestinians across Wisconsin woke up to the frightening news of unprecedented attacks on Israel by Hamas. Some people have still not heard from family members or friends there. Others live in fear for their homeland. Thousands have been killed and injured. Hospitals are overwhelmed, and more than 100,000 people are…
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Gross! 6 Bugs and Spiders in Wisconsin That Give Us the Creeps
Halloween is on the way and there’s nothing more spine-chilling than creepy-crawlies—and Wisconsin is home to some disgusting creatures. While mosquitoes are our foe and tend to ruin summer fun in Wisconsin, there are plenty of other villains here, too…even the most poisonous spiders lurking outside. Assassin Bug Yikes! Assassin bugs do exactly what their…
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Banned Book Reading Recs: Wisconsin Bookstore Owners Share Their Favorites
Wisconsin is home to 50 independent bookstores. For them, Banned Books Week is more than just a celebration of the right to read–it’s a reminder of the challenges book lovers face. As Republicans continue to challenge the books offered by local libraries, neighborhood schools, and small booksellers, we talked to three local bookstore owners–from Menomonie,…
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Banned Book Backlash: How Wisconsin Libraries Are Fighting to Keep All Books on Shelves
In Altoona, staff members at the public library are working to set up a display for Banned Book Week. “It’s kind of sad we even have a ‘Banned Book Week’ in this country,” Library Associate Kim Butnick told UpNorthNews. “It’s important to remember that every book isn’t for everyone. And that’s okay—just don’t tell others…
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3 Reasons Wisconsin’s Renee Halvorson Wright Should Win the Heart of ‘The Golden Bachelor’
While Wright has lived a lot of life in her first 67 years, the Middleton resident is ready to write her next chapter, starting with a stint on ABC’s dating show spinoff. Renee Halvorson Wright is one of 22 ladies between ages 60 and 75 competing for the heart of 71-year-old Indiana-native Gerry Turner on…
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Cranberry Crazies Pack Warrens for the Tiny Town’s Giant Fest
The annual Cranberry Fest isn’t only about the 1,200 vendor booths, three days of shopping, and hundreds of cran-filled foods. It’s the 140,000 visitors that make the event what it is. “I’ve told my family that no one can get married, give birth, or die that weekend because I will put them on ice and…
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Go Big or Go(urd) Home: Giant Pumpkin Growers Compete for Wisconsin’s Top Prize
Every year, growers from across the state enter their colossal pumpkins in Altoona’s Ginormous Pumpkin Festival, hoping to have grown the heaviest. Fond du Lac’s Tom Montsma took home the top prize and set the state record at last year’s Altoona Ginormous Pumpkin Fest. So, what did his giant gourd weigh? A whopping 2,046 pounds!…
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The Reason Behind Wisconsin’s Referee Shortage? Unruly Spectators.
Games are being rescheduled, postponed, and even canceled because there aren’t enough officials available, and the WIAA is pointing to parents as the problem. On a typical Thursday or Friday night, Matt Atkinson of Eau Claire can be found on a football field or basketball court. Now starting his 24th year as an official for…
