Sam Fristed

Eau Claire

Reporter at WQOW-TV (Eau Claire, WI)

Reporter for Eau Claire's own WQOW News 18. Prior Lake, MN native/UW-River Falls journalism graduate. All tweets are my own unless otherwise indicated.

Articles

Feed My People celebrates new recycling hub with help from Royal Credit Union

5 hours ago | wqow.com | Sam Fristed

EAU CLAIRE (WQOW) - Members of Feed My People Food Bank are going green thanks to the help of a local credit union. The food bank held a dedication ceremony for its new recycling hub at its distribution center with members of Royal Credit Union. Here's how it works: Community members can drop off their plastics into a bin that gets collected by the food bank. Plastic used in daily operations by the food bank will also be added to the bin.
Number of students experiencing homelessness climbs in Eau Claire Area School District

6 hours ago | wqow.com | Sam Fristed

EAU CLAIRE (WQOW) - The number of homeless students across the Badger State are trending up. In Eau Claire, more than 300 students are homeless this year. The number of homeless students in the district is usually around 250, but that figure has gone up in the past few years. It's most prevalent in elementary students. That's a time when brain development is key. Since homelessness can lead to attendance issues, it can lead to problems in the classroom.
Two Eau Claire natives playing in NHL playoffs

1 day ago | wqow.com | Sam Fristed

EAU CLAIRE (WQOW) - The National Hockey League playoffs are under way and Eau Claire is getting representation from two natives who are now competing for the Stanley Cup. Jake McCabe of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ty Emberson of the Edmonton Oilers are two players with Chippewa Valley roots trying to help their teams win a championship. McCabe played high school hockey at Memorial before playing for the Badgers.
Food truck vendors hit Eau Claire's 'The Spot' for business

1 day ago | wqow.com | Sam Fristed

EAU CLAIRE (WQOW) - Eau Claire foodies have a new space to check out to satisfy their cravings. It's called 'The Spot' and it's located on the north side. Nestled off Hastings Way, near the Pinehurst Shopping Center, sits Eau Claire's newest food truck venue. It opened in late last year, but this spring will be its first full season. Every week the space will hold Eau Claire food trucks with different types of cuisines. Styles include American, Chinese, African and Caribbean.
Milwaukee Brewers honor Altoona educator with 'Grand Slam Teacher Award'

2 days ago | wkow.com | Sam Fristed

ALTOONA (WQOW) - Baseball season is in full swing and Tuesday morning Altoona Elementary School welcomed some special guests from Milwaukee. Representatives from the Brewers were in town for a special event that was a homerun. Students and staff at Altoona Elementary School were left in shock when they found out about the unannounced visit. "Walking into the gym was a complete surprise, I had no idea it was coming," said Alayna Deignan, a third-grade teacher.
Milwaukee Brewers honor Altoona educator with 'Grand Slam Teacher Award'

2 days ago | wqow.com | Sam Fristed

ALTOONA (WQOW) - Baseball season is in full swing and Tuesday morning Altoona Elementary School welcomed some special guests from Milwaukee. Representatives from the Brewers were in town for a special event that was a homerun. Students and staff at Altoona Elementary School were left in shock when they found out about the unannounced visit. "Walking into the gym was a complete surprise, I had no idea it was coming," said Alayna Deignan, a third-grade teacher.
Catholic community reacts to Pope Francis' death

3 days ago | wqow.com | Sam Fristed

EAU CLAIRE (WQOW) - As Catholics around the world mourn the death of Pope Francis, the Eau Claire community is doing the same. Father Tom Krieg of St. James the Greater Catholic Church called it a 'sad day' for many Catholics in the Chippewa Valley and globally. He said Pope Francis will be remembered for his wide appeal among followers. Krieg cited His Holiness had a love for immigrants, refugees, victims of war and giving back to the poor.
Eau Claire business helping improve safety with flashing stop sign donation

3 days ago | wqow.com | Sam Fristed

EAU CLAIRE (WQOW) - The Eau Claire City Council is looking to improve the safety of two intersections by installing new signs. For one, a local business is stepping up to help. One of those spaces is the four-way stop of Damon Street and London Road near the business of Rocket Construction. Over the past few months employees have seen multiple crashes in the area. Rocket Construction contacted the city asking them to install flashing stop signs that would increase visibility.
'My heart just sank'; Eau Claire food truck owner heartbroken over theft of equipment

6 days ago | wqow.com | Sam Fristed

EAU CLAIRE (WQOW) - An Eau Claire business owner is reeling after discovering a major piece of equipment was stolen from his food truck. And now he's working on moving forward after the major setback. "Yesterday [Thursday] I came out to look at the trailer and the generator was gone," said Rollin Smoke BBQ Owner Jim Kent. After returning from a trip to Texas this week, he found a surprise that crushed him. "My heart just sunk when I saw that trailer with no generator," he recalled.
UPDATE: Minnesota teenager dies in Polk County crash Tuesday

1 week ago | wqow.com | Sam Fristed

UPDATE: The Polk County Sheriff's Office has identified the person killed in a car crash Tuesday. 18-year-old Marley John Mickelsen of Lino Lakes, Minnesota died at the scene. Authorities said Mickelsen ran a stop sign and hit a pickup truck at the intersection of State Highway 65 and County Hwy F. Two people in the pickup truck were injured. An update on their condition is not available. POLK COUNTY (WOQW) - One person is dead after a car crash in Polk County.