Yesterday in La Crosse

A hunting season on cats? The fur flew, 13 years ago

Published

6 years ago

November 20, 2018

In 2005, a La Crosse area man was asking the Wisconsin DNR for permission to shoot stray cats, if they could be defined as an “unprotected species.” Mark Smith’s plan would be put to the state Conservation Congress in April…where every county in Wisconsin would weigh in on changes to DNR policy. Smith argued that free-roaming feral cats are an invasive species, and they kill neighborhood birds. A group called “Alley Cat Allies” protested the plan, and a pet supply store owner started a website called Don’t-Shoot-the-Cat-dot-com.

Fourteen people ran for mayor of La Crosse in early 2005, when John Medinger decided to retire as mayor. The candidate getting the most votes in the February primary was businessman and former council member Deak Swanson. Coming in a close second was city council president Mark Johnsrud…edging out Neil Duresky for a spot on the April ballot.

New TV shows making their debut that year included “Dancing with the Stars”…”Deal or No Deal”…”Grey’s Anatomy”…and “Criminal Minds.” Thirteen years ago, 2005, yesterday in La Crosse.

Brad Williams

A native of Prairie du Chien, Brad graduated from UW - La Crosse and has worked in radio news for more than 30 years, mostly in the La Crosse area. He regularly covers local courts and city and county government. Brad produces the features "Yesterday in La Crosse" and "What's Buried on Brad's Desk." He also writes the website "Triviazoids," which finds odd connections between events that happen on a certain date, and he writes and performs with the local comedy group Heart of La Crosse. Brad been featured on several national TV programs because of his memory skills.