RIVER SAFETY CEREMONY

THERE’S STILL SNOW ON THE GROUND AND ICE ON THE RIVER, AS THERE WAS TWO WEEKS AGO WHEN A LA CROSSE COLLEGE STUDENT DROWNED IN THE MISSISSIPPI.

BUT FAIRLY MILD WEATHER ON SUNDAY BROUGHT OUT DOZENS OF PEOPLE IN RIVERSIDE PARK, TO REMEMBER YOUNG MEN WHO HAVE DROWNED IN RECENT YEARS, AND TO OFFER NEW IDEAS FOR RIVERFRONT SAFETY.

THE CEREMONY WAS ORGANIZED BY A GROUP OF PEOPLE INCLUDING PAULA HOMP, WHOSE BROTHER DROWNED IN THE RIVER IN 1986.

PAULA IS ALSO PUTTING TOGETHER A COMMITTEE OF COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS, TO COME UP WITH IDEAS FOR REDUCING BINGE DRINKING AND MAKING DOWNTOWN SAFER.