FORMER DA FACES DRUG CHARGES

A former Clark County district attorney faces three drug-related
charges following an investigation that started with a traffic stop in
Illinois, according to court records.

Gene Radcliffe, 55, of Neillsville, was charged in Clark County
Circuit Court with felony manufacture and delivery of marijuana and
two misdemeanors, possession of marijuana and possession of drug
paraphernalia.

His attorney, Tom Harnisch, declined comment Thursday.

Radcliffe was elected district attorney in 1977 and ran unsuccessfully
for the state Assembly in 1979.

Jackson County District Attorney Gerald Fox is serving as special
prosecutor in the case against Radcliffe. Fox said a hearing is set
for April 18 on whether Radcliffe is competent to proceed after
Radcliffe checked into a mental hospital for evaluation.

Police in Washington County, Ill., stopped Radcliffe for a traffic
violation and found a gun, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and
hydroponics supplies in his car, according to court records.