WAOW: Rep. Van Orden announces $600,000 to assist with new Chippewa County morgue project

CHIPPEWA FALLS (WQOW) - Representative Derrick Van Orden was in Chippewa Falls Monday morning to announce $600,000 of federal funds will be allocated towards a new county morgue.

Van Orden was joined by county leaders including Sheriff Travis Hakes and County Administrator Andy Albarado. The county morgue closed when HSHS and St. Joseph's closed nearly two years ago.

For awhile, they used morgue services in Altoona. Right now, they're using the old morgue at the former St. Joe's after the Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative reopened the building last fall. Now though, they're looking at options for a permanent solution.

"Since HSHS has closed my office has been working to make up the difference between the health care that was provided there all the way through the life cycle of when someone winds up in a morgue. I've been working with the co-op, with the guys in the state house and from the federal level to make sure we can make up the difference," Van Orden explained.

Albarado said the county has set aside $750,000 to cover a future morgue project. That is in addition to the federal amount announced Monday. Remodeling an existing facility or building a new, secure building are two options being considered. There isn't a location and nothing official has been finalized yet.