For decades, volunteers like Mike Wald have spent their weekends working on a major project -- bringing a historic steam engine back to life at Wisconsin’s Mid-Continent Railway Museum.

The post A Wisconsin steam engine will soon run again, completely rebuilt by volunteers appeared first on WPR.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Most of the 29 people killed in ATV/UTV crashes so far this year had never completed an off-highway vehicle safety course, according to the latest data from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

And DNR officials say that 15 of those who died were over the age of 60 — meaning they were among those who are not required to take safety courses under state law.

DNR data shows most of the people killed in off-highway vehicle incidents were not wearing seat belts or helmets, and frequently alcohol was a factor in the crashes. Those are all aspects the state’s safety courses try to explain to riders.

Jacob Holsclaw, the DNR’s off-highway vehicle administrator, said that’s a notable trend and one the state is starting to look at.

“Many of the crashes could be prevented simply by adopting a safety code of conduct,” Holsclaw said. The DNR offers tips and class information on its ATV/UTV page. 

The DNR recommends all operators to take a safety class, no matter their age.

The data for 2026 shows most people killed in ATV/UTV incidents were born before Jan. 1, 1988.

“What we’re seeing is a majority of the folks involved in these fatal or serious injury crashes were born before that date,” Holsclaw said. “So the class would have been optional.”

Under the law, riders over 38 are not required to take courses.

Only five people killed in OHV incidents were younger than 38, according to state data.

Three UTV/ATV operators were confirmed by state officials to be safety-certified at the time of the crash, according to DNR’s data for 2026. 

There are still five cases with unclear safety certification, but the DNR said their status is pending at this time.

Randy Harden, the president of the Wisconsin ATV/UTV Association, said his group has been working with the DNR to improve safety in the state’s riding population.

He says it’s often difficult to get older Wisconsinites to take protective gear seriously.

“That’s our challenge,” he said. “How do we keep communicating effectively to get the message over?”

Only three women died in UTV/ATV incidents this year. Two were over 65; the youngest was 40. All three women died on public roadways in Wisconsin.

Most of the fatalities were men, with a total of 25. The oldest was 83. One child died at 10 years old. 

And while 29 deaths this year were directly tied to crashes that happened this year, DNR officials said an additional OHV-connected fatality occured when a person died this year from injuries in a crash that occurred years ago, Holsclaw said. The medical examiner listed that death as a result of an ATV crash.

The top three kinds of fatal crashes were: rollovers, with 15 crashes; motor vehicle collisions with six; and people being ejected from the vehicle in four crashes, according to DNR data.

Harden says many riders mislead themselves into thinking they’re safe enough to ride in a machine without a helmet.

In reality, Harden says the vehicle doesn’t have air bags and riders have a real risk of being thrown out of the vehicle in a crash. 

“Even if you have your seat belt on, then your noggin is taking a beating in that roll cage,” he said. 

It’s not clear how many fatalities reflected in 2026 crash report data had alcohol in their system — but Holsclaw said it’s common in many OHV crashes.

As of Aug. 14, the DNR webpage for crash reports shows, out of 29 fatalities, 21 incidents where the BAC level is listed as “Pending.”

“It can take months for us to get alcohol or drug results back, and so that’s why we leave those open until we get that confirmation,” he said. 

But, Holsclaw said in a typical year, the department finds alcohol is a factor in between 40% and 50% of fatal crashes.

“That’s a pretty big percentage,” he said.

Five fatal crashes were confirmed to have involved alcohol, according to the DNR data. 

For comparison, Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources says that state has had only seven fatal crashes so far this year. In 2025, MDNR recorded 22.

This story was originally published by WPR.

More than half of people killed this year in Wisconsin off-road vehicle crashes were over 60 is a post from Wisconsin Watch, a non-profit investigative news site covering Wisconsin since 2009. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

Two school districts in rural Wisconsin are facing a tough choice — consolidate and improve opportunities and finances — or stay separate and risk going it alone.

The post 2 rural school districts could consolidate as leaders feel the rest of the state is watching appeared first on WPR.

Most of the 29 people killed in ATV/UTV crashes so far had never completed an off-highway vehicle safety course, according to the latest data from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

The post More than half of people dead this year in Wisconsin off-road vehicle crashes were over 60 appeared first on WPR.

Jeffrey Peterson, who previously filed a discrimination complaint with the state, was put on leave in 2023 and later, the district declined to renew his contract.

The post Longtime Wisconsin educator in federal lawsuit claims he was fired for being gay appeared first on WPR.

Michael Alfonso on His 2026 Campaign for Congress and Trump Michael Alfonso offers thanks to his supporters and to President Donald Trump. Transcript Michaael Alfonso: A special thank you to […]

The post Michael Alfonso on his 2026 campaign for Congress and Trump appeared first on WPR.

In a year that has seen bruising primaries that split Democratic constituencies in Maine, Michigan and elsewhere, Wisconsin's Democrats made clear on the day after the primary was decided by a razor-thin margin that they don't intend to carry those divisions forward.

The post Wisconsin Democrats preach unity as Hong endorses Crowley appeared first on WPR.

The Trump-endorsed son-in-law of U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy will be the Republican candidate in Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District.

The post Duffy son-in-law Michael Alfonso wins bruising GOP primary in 7th Congressional District appeared first on WPR.

Local government leaders say they have limited tools to prevent data center developments that face increasing opposition from the public.

The post As data center debate roars in Wisconsin Rapids, mayor says lack of state rules harms cities appeared first on WPR.

The mill, which opened in 1894, was Wisconsin Rapids' largest employer and its identity for more than a century. It closed amid the pandemic in 2020 after years of decreasing demand for the specialty glossy magazine paper it produced.

The post Wisconsin Rapids’ historic paper mill site could become a data center. Residents aren’t happy. appeared first on WPR.

Students heading to Stevens Point Area Senior High this fall will have a new option for classes: programming robots by using AI tools.

The post Stevens Point offers new high school classes focused on AI ethics appeared first on WPR.

A parasitic disease that causes intense intestinal distress has now infected 160 people in Wisconsin, according to the state Department of Health Services. 

The post Wisconsin now has 160 cases of parasitic stomach illness as cases grow nationwide appeared first on WPR.

A new poll finds state Rep. Francesca Hong with a commanding lead in the Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor.

The post Ahead of Democratic debate, poll finds Francesca Hong up in primary for governor appeared first on WPR.

The Wisconsin Department of Revenue confirmed to WPR that it had issued a notice of a brewer’s permit revocation for two Minocqua Brewing Company locations. The business has locations in Minocqua and in Madison. 

The post State revokes brewing license for liberal provocateur Kirk Bangstad appeared first on WPR.

Officials in western Wisconsin are set to release new zoning requirements for a proposed data center project, after a public outcry about the secrecy and development of the 320-acre facility in Menomonie.

The post After public outcry, Menomonie will release draft guidelines for data center project appeared first on WPR.

In only about a month, more than 23,400 Wisconsin state park passes have sold through a new program allowing residents to purchase the stickers while renewing their annual vehicle registration.

The post DNR says park pass sales up 20 percent, thanks to program for renewing registrations at the same time appeared first on WPR.

As smoke blankets most of Wisconsin, air quality has turned hazardous in many areas of the state. Air experts with the DNR are advising everyone to stay indoors and wear masks outside.

The post Wisconsin DNR records worst smoke levels on record, advises staying inside appeared first on WPR.

The three Democratic candidates for Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District in a primary debate Tuesday all stressed the need to hold the Trump administration accountable -- while two of the three stressed the need to work with Republicans on national issues.

The post Northwoods Democrats promise to stand up to Trump in primary debate appeared first on WPR.

Twenty steers were stolen last week from a Marathon County farm, and now farmers, feed stores and auction houses are asking for help finding the cows.

The post 20 cows stolen in Marathon County, farming community asks for help finding them appeared first on WPR.

Many people in southern Wisconsin are still without power three days after a serious and sudden storm resulted in extensive damage, downed power lines and the deaths of three children.

The post Children who died in Geneva Lake storm were 10, 7, 6 appeared first on WPR.