Local News
"Erickson, 31, committed suicide on Dec. 19, 2004, in the midst of the double-murder investigation that would later determine Erickson shot and killed O'Connell and Ellison."
"It started in the basement, probably from the hot water heater. "
"Reporter Margaret Levra spotted a robin in her flowering crab tree on Thursday, while she was shoveling snow."
"Kohl, the Wisconsin Democrat who is heading into the home stretch of his third six-year term in the Senate, is regarded as close to unbeatable by many observers and insiders, including, it appears, a significant number of Republicans."
"My son's high school grades went from all A's to all D's. This happened right after he had his wisdom teeth extracted," Meinel fibbed.
"The show, which airs at 7:30 p.m., features footage from Stoughton area residents and the local cable access channel, WSTO, as well as interviews with eyewitnesses and local officials."
"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported through Dec. 17 there were only sporadic cases in Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota and Iowa, and no activity in Illinois."
"An early start didn't bother the Hurley Midgettes, who ran their record to 8-0 with a 52-30 victory over West Salem Thursday morning at the UW-Stout Tournament"
"A "conflict of interest" complaint filed by Richard Kerr, along with "rumors circulating that Kerr had been involved in the break-in into the forestry department" was the catalyst that led to the DCI investigation, according to Hurley Chief of Police Dan Erspamer."
"Iron County officials are again being asked to rate the job performance of county corporation counsel Jodie Bednar-Clemens."
"At its December meeting, the school board directed superintendent Ron Vaughn to prepare paperwork for the state Department of Public Instruction for a referendum in the April election."
Senior menus and government office closings were the topics today. You can also see the same information by clicking on "calendar" in the top menu.
Sen
R. Feingold"I'm committed to help build the Democratic Party in every state, and I look forward to learning more about the concerns of Colorado residents,"
"If you look at the record in the Bush administration since 9/11, it's been power grab after power grab."
"It is fitting they purchased a property owned by Emerson, one of the founders of conservation, then chose to permanently preserve it," Gauger said.
"Wireless 911 calls are already a concern during storms, Tuma said. When Waukesha County was hit with a snowstorm Dec. 1, the communications center in the first six hours received 88 calls, 75 of which were from wireless phones. All the dispatch center could do was answer each call as efficiently as possible, he said."
""We certainly are getting more inquiries with people really starting to feel the shock of the season's heating bills," she said. "The federal energy bill also has sparked interest.""
"The only thing that is regulated is the cable portion. So Charter can charge what it wants for Internet and for phone. They should just say it's a pricing decision. They don't have to justify the rates."
"We all agree you are not going to get rid of 100 percent of the accidents or the fatalities. But we would like to get them down. I think the accident teams will work,"
"The increase in base rates is needed for major electric and natural gas system improvements for Xcel Energy's growing customer base in northwestern Wisconsin and also higher costs for purchased power and fuel."
"Steven Avery was back in trouble, hunters almost declared open season on wild cats and tornadoes ravaged the state's midsection."
(a Yahoo Group)
| A couple Recent Comments on their discussion board... | |
| "It started in Nov. and includes several area civic leaders, former city
officials, teachers, businessmen, and concerned citizens of this and
surrounding communities dedicated to making our area a better place to live. We invite anyone with computer access to log on, become a member (it's free and only takes a minute) to join us with your comments, suggestions, or just to read along. We need people's ideas to thrive, and this forum has been set up to hopefully educate people with alternatives that may be useful and informative to everyone. Please log on and join us today!" |
"Here's my Christmas wish... I have yet to read any commentary from any member OPPOSING city sales tax ("road tax"); FAVORING a city income tax; OPPOSING televised city commission meetings; FAVORING Gogebic County Commissioners health coverage; or OPPOSING a 'trail tax!'" |
Sen
R. Feingold"We do need to reauthorize it, but there are critical provisions that have to protect innocent Americans who have done nothing wrong," Feingold said. "We can do both."
"U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., who four years ago stood alone in the Senate to defend the Bill of Rights, finished this year by scoring a dramatic win in his fight to preserve civil liberties."
"What the President's trying to do is to use scare tactics, trying to make people think that if they stand up for civil liberties that somehow they're not being strong in the fight against terrorism, and that's a false choice."
"We will not tolerate a president who believes that he is the sole decision-maker when it comes to the policies that this country should have in the war against terror and the policies we should have to protect the rights of completely innocent Americans."
Sen
H. Kohl"Kim Cates, of Sen. Herb Kohl's office said, "When I first sat down (to hear about the project), I was overwhelmed ... this is a big idea!""
Rep
D. Obey
"The man described by another top Democrat, U.S. Rep. David Obey, of Wisconsin, as someone "who likes to get things done with virtually no spoken words," has become a regular on the news talk shows."
"Wisconsin stands to lose $52.4 million in federal funding for child support collection efforts over the next five years and nearly $157 million over 10 years, under federal budget legislation approved this week."
"But here's what we propose Feingold do with this newfound attention. Senator, please do parlay this attention into a run for the presidency in 2008."
"But those secret votes - cast out of the public eye, usually after issues have been debated in public meetings - make "the work of government all but invisible," Niess said. The 2003 balloting in favor of firing the two workers came with no public debate and violated the state open meetings law, he ruled."
Christmas!
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Due to the holiday, this site will not be updated until Dec 26th. |
Sen
R. Feingold"Senator Russ Feingold (D-Wisconsin) told the AP that Republicans "tried to play a game of chicken, and they lost the game of chicken." Environmentalists are happy that the Senate didn't buckle to the pressure to finish this Congressional session and adjourn for the holidays.
Sen
H. Kohl"... for Christmas were obvious to any child if not to every senator. ... 41 Democrats (including Wisconsin's elves, er, senators, Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl) to say ... "
Rep
D. Obey"Obey said that the MILC dairy subsidy has been used by Republican leaders to win votes from GOP lawmakers who would otherwise have voted no. "They hold MILC hostage until the Congress agrees to cut Medicare and Medicaid and student loans," he said. "
"Writer Patrick O'Neill ends the year with a third book of poetry. Like O'Neill's earlier books, "Yaps," released in November, is published by March Street Press of Greensboro, N.C. It follows "Root Zone" and "How Winter Comes to the Copper Country." "
""As we head into Saturday, we have a system sliding to our southwest just far enough to keep the heavier precipitation out of the U.P. Temperatures will remain mild, right around freezing, "Mroczka said."
"With two exceptions, in which the full Legislature and governors raised the gas tax, the automatic spring adjustment for inflation increased the gas tax from 16.5 cents in 1985 to the current 29.9 cents per gallon."
"The act became law in early 2004 and was a compromise between the Republican-dominated Legislature and Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle. The law relaxes an array of water and air regulations, and proponents said that air and water quality will not be compromised by the changes."
"The provision, known as Section 602, would allow the Secret Service to create new exclusion zones around so-called "National Special Security Events," such as political conventions or other high-profile public gatherings."
""The big factor the northern districts are facing, really, is demographics," Knapp said. "You have student numbers that are declining very, very rapidly."
It looks like we will be able to link to a posting of WIMI 99.7FM, the Storm's public service announcements. They will also be added to the Calendar for reference. We thank WIMI and WJMS's staff and management for their help.
Sen
R. Feingold"Common sense measures like assisting our returning troops with the transition from military to civilian life, helping family members travel to the bedside of loved ones injured in combat, calling for clarity from the Defense Department on its stop loss policy, and making sure our troops are being provided with the best equipment will help give our men and women in uniform the support they so profoundly deserve.”
"Supporters of that bill need to stop the political gamesmanship and get serious about passing a bill that better protects our rights and freedoms while still giving law enforcement the tools it needs to protect against terrorism."
"Feingold, Levin and Reed said the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 already gives the president power to quickly tap phones, intercept e-mails and seek a warrant after the fact."
Sen
H. Kohl"Wisconsin is home to some of the most innovative businesses in the country, and with their commitment to excellence, they will continue to provide our military with the best supplies for our fighting men and woman,"
"This funding will allow Wisconsin companies to develop new approaches to manufacturing that will contribute to our national defense efforts while adding quality manufacturing jobs,"
"MILC will help thousands of Wisconsin dairy families survive if we have another bout of disastrous prices,"
"Republican leaders appear to be leaning toward Tim Michels as their candidate to challenge Democratic U-S Senator Herb Kohl next year."
"No one from the audience addressed the board during the public comment portion of the meeting. After the session, several disgruntled people asked, "What happened to the public comment?""
"Five of the 15 supervisors have filed non-candidacy papers, including county board chairman Gus Krone, of Hurley's district 2; Patti Paige, Hurley district 4; Clyde Berglund, Montreal, district 6; Thomas Tucker, Pence, district 9; and Carol Matson, Springstead, district 15."
"... Kerr said that on June 24, 2003, Bednar-Clemens represented him at his initial appearance on three separate cases before Madden. She then represented him at his preliminary hearing on these same cases on March 22, 2004, Kerr said."
"Hurley staff member Dan Rye set up a link on cyber bullying on the district's Web site after a committee determined there is a need to educate both students and parents about the Internet."
"Though an investigation is continuing, some wolves in the area had been attracted to a garbage dump and appeared to be less fearful of humans. Thus far authorities said Carnegie's death is thought to be the first documented case in the wild of healthy wolves killing a human in North America since 1900."
"Instead, McFarland police used an outdated printed directory, kept near the current version, and went to the wrong address three times before using an updated directory to find the correct address,"
"Students who make it through the math and science-intensive course work, a semester and summer co-op and summer internships have a nice future waiting for them after graduation,"
"While a new hospital expansion or a plant opening up may receive the largest headlines, expanding small businesses and entrepreneurs with start-up companies also are playing their part to create job growth in Itasca County right along with larger manufacturing businesses."
Sen
R. Feingold"My response is simple: abusing the process and breaking the rules in the past doesn’t justify doing so now. Especially when, knowing it was a mistake, we worked in a bipartisan fashion to reinstate those very rules in 2000. We did this because these rules are designed to protect us all against abuses of power."
"Today is a victory for the American people and the bipartisan group of Senators who have been fighting against efforts to extend the Patriot Act permanently without protecting the rights of law-abiding citizens."
Sen
H. Kohl"The $5 billion in cuts to child support enforcement dollars -- cuts opposed buy a large bipartisan majority in the Senate -- will ultimately hurt children,"
"The MILC program extension was included in the budget reconciliation conference report, which was passed by the Senate today."
"The committee felt we needed to adjust our strategic plan after the survey results are evaluated,"
"But an alliance researcher and a University of Wisconsin-Madison professor said the tax numbers are not surprising and reflect what normally happens as the economy emerges from a recession."
"Wisconsin's high ranking probably has less to do with the quality of its water than its high number of treatment plants and the diligence the state brings to testing. "Wisconsin has 11,400 public water systems," said Lee Bou shon, who directs drinking water programs for the DNR. "That's the second-highest number of systems in the country. Just by sheer numbers, the likelihood of detections goes up."
"My question must be: Why can’t our elected officials pass something that is bi-partisan and reasonable? Why can’t we pass legislation in a form that protects the greater majority of citizens and law enforcement alike?"
Journal Times
"But more important than that, we oppose the concealed-carry bill because it elevates the rights of those who wish to carry handguns and other weapons above the rights of those businesses that do not wish to have firearms on their premises."
Sen
R. Feingold"Sen. Russ Feingold has become a familiar face in the showdown pitting the White House against the Senate over renewal of the USA Patriot Act."
"Why then, Feingold asked, did Stevens also insert language that would reinstate the plain interpretation of Rule 28 upon the bill's passage. If Stevens is not destroying the rule, then such language should not be necessary, he said."
"But the recent revelations regarding domestic spying will make it easier. There are a lot of Americans who share the view of U.S. Senator Russ Feingold, D-Wisconsin, that Bush and Cheney have exceeded their authority."
Sen
H. Kohl"I am proud of the work that Congresswoman Moore and I have done to obtain these federal funds for the Milwaukee area," said Senator Kohl. "Our ability to enhance our high tech manufacturing will help promote economic growth and contribute to creating high wage jobs."
Rep
D. Obey"Representative David Obey of Wisconsin and the top Democrat on the appropriations committee, denounced the Arctic refuge provision as well as another last-minute addition sought by Republican senator and majority leader Bill Frist — a liability protection for vaccine makers that was coupled with a compensation fund."
"The odds are if anything at all is added, it will be one of the table scraps that goes to the poor," Obey said. "Everything is being sacrificed to those tax cuts."
"Twenty families, including 56 children, will be presented with gifts this Christmas through the Hurley School District's "Take Time to Be Kind" effort."
"I have left telephone messages, sent written communications not only to you but other county officials, and have not received any response to those inquiries."
"I want to stress this wasn't just picketing. This was coming to someone's house after dark and yelling in windows. It was clearly meant to put fear in someone, and that's wrong,"
WMTVMadison
"The governor says FEMA is "turning their back on the people of Wisconsin who were affected by the devastating tornadoes of Aug. 18.""
"Even with the First Amendment, direct threats can be regulated. But if I make a statement a fact, like here's someone's home phone number, then what do you do with that?"
Sen
R. Feingold"The President needs to realize that his misguided, Iraq-centric policies are draining our military and intelligence capabilities and are undermining our efforts to combat al Qaeda and its allies."
"They favor a three-month extension of the Patriot Act while new safeguards are built into the bill to curb its most invasive features, including secret warrants allowing the FBI access to a citizen's financial, medical and library records without having to notify the target."
Sen
H. Kohl"The Senate has yet to vote on the package but it was their bill that included the MILC extension going into the conference committee. Senator Herb Kohl, Democrat of Wisconsin praised the House for finally passing the extension,"
Rep
D. Obey"There is something especially outrageous about the willingness of the majority party leadership to allow the Defense Department bill, in a time of war, to be held hostage to totally unrelated special interest items," Obey said.
"The defense bill should be about delivering equipment and support to our troops. Instead, it is being used to deliver a multi-billion bonanza to oil companies,"
"The county is now opting to go with a fixed rate so that the interest rates remain the same over the next 14 years."
"Ron Saari, one of many dedicated White Thunder Riders Snowmobile Club members, has been named the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs' "Groomer of the Year.""
"They threw this at us without really thinking," she said. "They could have made it much simpler."
"These people are on limited or fixed incomes, and for them heat has become an unaffordable luxury,"
"Doctors and hospital officials say they're going public with data they formerly kept private because accountability can speed up change."
"We are asking people to just rethink feeding deer in known elk areas. Elk won't stop visiting feeding sites voluntarily. We really need people's cooperation to protect the herd,"
Ironwood
"As part of it, he called for establishing a separate Conserve School Trust that would receive his Wisconsin summer property, as well as most of his financial assets to establish and operate a school that would teach a traditional curriculum, nature study and outdoor sports."
"... the legislation includes important reforms to "ensure the accuracy and integrity of Wisconsin's justice system."
"There's always a gap between the appreciation and recognition employees want and what they get," said Tom Gloudeman, senior consultant with Howick Associates, a Madison training and development firm. "So any opportunity to show that appreciation is one to take advantage of."
"Those heroes now are in the winter of their lives, but their legacy and memories live on. Here's how a few of them remember the Battle of the Bulge:"
Sen
R. Feingold"Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wisc., believes President Bush is acting more like a sovereign monarch than an elected leader by authorizing the National Security Agency to listen in on Americans' phone calls."
"During his confirmation hearings for Attorney General in January 2005, Sen. Russ Feingold asked Gonzales about this precise issue:
SEN. FEINGOLD: I — Judge Gonzales, let me ask a broader question. I’m asking you whether in general the president has the constitutional authority, does he at least in theory have the authority to authorize violations of the criminal law under duly enacted statutes simply because he’s commander in chief? Does he — does he have that power?"
Sen
H. Kohl"Isn't that enough for the Bucks to make it, particularly with a deep-pocket owner such as Sen. Herb Kohl and millions in shared revenue from national TV contracts? Not in the new world of NBA economics, say Payne and others who follow sports economics."
Rep
D. Obey"People have been scared straight, and between now and Election Day will be one of the purest periods in American life," Rep. Barney Frank, a Massachusetts Democrat, told the Christian Science Monitor. The other sponsors are Reps. David Obey of Wisconsin, David Price of North Carolina and Tom Allen of Maine.
"Rep. David Obey, D-Wis., proposed adding $2 billion for the current need. He and other cold-state Democrats had no chance of prevailing. This year, when the perfect storm has engulfed heating demand, advocates think $4 billion is a realistic figure for LIHEAP appropriation."
"This Congress will be taking away $48 billion from those who need it most in order to provide tax cuts, 50 percent of which will go to the top 1 percent - those who need it the least,"
Sen
R. Feingold"The President's shocking admission that he authorized the National Security Agency to spy on American citizens, without going to a court and in violation of the Constitution and laws passed by Congress, further demonstrates the urgent need for these protections."
"Four years ago, U.S. Senator Russ Feingold distinguished himself as the Senate's premier defender of the Constitution, when he cast the chamber's sole vote against enactment of the Patriot Act."
"I don’t want to hear again from the Attorney General or anyone on this floor that this government has shown it can be trusted to use the power we give it with restraint and care. This shocking revelation ought to send a chill down the spine of every Senator and every American."
"Now add more than two dozen senators to Feingold's side, including the leaders of his party and some of the chamber's most conservative Republicans, and the balance of power shifts."
"On Friday, Feingold's long crusade against the legislation finally culminated in victory, as nearly half the chamber sided with him in blocking an extension of the bill."
Sen
H. Kohl“He was the last of the true populist politicians who took no campaign contributions, spent virtually nothing on his campaigns and shook the hand of almost everyone in the state, whether they supported him or not,”
"Rae Vogeler lives south of Madison in Oregon, and is a long-time peace activist in the region who is running as a Green against Herb Kohl (the incumbent Democratic Senator) in the 2006 elections. She blogs here on her campaign website."
"Democratic Sen. Herb Kohl of Wisconsin joined Feingold's effort Friday. Kohl noted that he supported the original Patriot Act and he favors extending the law. "However," he added, "I cannot support the version of the law before us that is causing such controversy."
Rep
D. Obey"He was 100 percent always on the side of the little guy," said Obey, who served alongside Proxmire in the 1970s and '80s. "He hated government waste, and he hated abuse of power."
"The measure allows gun and bow users as young as 8 to bag everything from bucks to bunnies under the watchful eye of a mentor who must always be within arm's reach of the child. Only one weapon would be allowed between the two hunters."
"It's scary - one in six Americans cannot read the newspaper. In order to compete globally, Americans need to have literacy skills."
"The costume party's 11 hosts face fines of more than $8,000 apiece for 266 violations, most for illegally running a tavern and serving underage drinkers, Officer Carrie Hemming said."
"Why are reservation lakes in the Walker fisheries area stocked more heavily than non-reservation lakes, even though those are subject to netting?"
Sen
R. Feingold"One of the things that was striking on the floor this morning was that our side had a variety of members, from all sides of the political spectrum, while just two Republicans took to the Senate floor to defend this conference report."
"The bipartisan vote this morning to extend debate on the Patriot Act should be a strong signal to the White House that the American people believe that we can fight terrorism while protecting our freedoms."
"Recent stories detailing the cozy relationships between lobbyists and certain Members of Congress are symptoms of deeper problems with lobbying regulation and oversight."
"He was, simply put, a legend in Wisconsin, a man who represented the very best of our state, and who will be remembered as one of the greatest advocates for a better government, and a healthier democracy, to ever serve in this body."
Sen
H. Kohl"... I will not support legislation that does not also protect our civil liberties - legislation that reverses a unanimous agreement the United States Senate reached just weeks ago."
"The recommendations they have made to the conference are just a starting point, and I will continue to seek their input and expertise to advance policies that will benefit our nation's seniors."
(Unfortunately, the pResident set a new first by failing to show up at this meeting and Kohl is too much of a gentleman to mention it. - editor)
"There could be at least five new faces on the Iron County Board of Supervisors in April. Five current supervisors are not seeking re-election. "
"The ethanol bill, AB 15, would require regular-grade gasoline at pumps throughout Wisconsin to contain 10% ethanol, but midgrade and premium gas wouldn't be affected."
"Now largely retired, she was at William Proxmire's side for years during his struggle with Alzheimer's - and never gave up the fight."
"We're seeing convictions of some of the most powerful men in government," he said, calling it "clear evidence there's got to be real change."
"If we continue to graduate young people who don't care about being citizens, who are turned off at the very thought of politics and government, then it won't do us much good to have them know everything there is to know about math and science."
"She stopped at one station to complain, but couldn't get an explanation for the sudden increases. "Have you heard about a hurricane or a flood or a tornado?" she asked."
"It's not necessarily that there aren't jobs. It's about students staying within the (Mid-State) district. The entry-level sales and business type of jobs have been cut back in the immediate area."
"DOT crews will be grinding a third set of rumble strips into southbound Highway 13 in advance of the intersection and install a different style of stop sign which has blinking red lights around the perimeter at the intersection."
Sen
R. Feingold"Debate about the future of the Arctic Refuge is a debate about our failed energy policy and our environmental legacy, not about the funding of our men and women and uniform,"
“I am honored to take a seat on the Senate Intelligence Committee and I look forward to continuing to work on national security issues in this new capacity"
"Whether he was handing out his Golden Fleece Awards to keep government waste in check or casting one of his more than 10,000 roll call votes, William Proxmire always had the people of Wisconsin at the forefront of his mind."
"Clearly, the Senate could use more Feingolds. But that shift will not occur simply by electing Democrats in the half-dozen contests where seats are open or where Republican incumbents are weak."
Sen
H. Kohl"The Senate version of the bill excluded any cuts to the program that enforces child support payments, one of the most successful and cost-effective federal programs currently operating."
"He was a proud gadfly - the conscience of the Senate - reminding his colleagues daily of the dangers of financial misbehavior, the sins of wasteful spending, and the crime of genocide."
Rep
D. Obey"Democratic Representative David Obey (OH'-bee) says Proxmire's election helped make Wisconsin a two-party state after years of Republican domination. Obey served with Proxmire in the 1970s and '80s and said he was always on the side of the little guy."
"Rep. David Obey of Wisconsin, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, said the specific cuts in this bill — along with an expected GOP effort to enact across-the-board reductions in spending before adjourning for the year — reflected GOP "Scrooge-onomics.""
"He died early this morning at a long-term care facility near Baltimore, at the age of 90, after struggling for years with Alzheimer's disease."
"He was best known for the one-man campaign he waged against government waste with his monthly "Golden Fleece Awards," although it won him few friends among liberal Democrats."
"It is unfortunate that a spirit such as this is lost over legal battles. Those who have started controversy have forgotten what the Christmas holiday and what being Christian is all about. My heart goes out to all of those who have encountered controversy this Christmas and to especially students who were used to further political agendas."
"It's something we find with other non-native or exotic species. There are a number of detriments and we don't feel they should become part of landscape in Wisconsin."
Sen
R. Feingold"I am not opposed to reauthorization of the Patriot Act. I supported the bipartisan, compromise reauthorization bill that the Senate passed earlier this year without a single Senator objecting. I believe that bill should become law."
"While the President has now given four speeches in the last couple weeks, the American public, the Iraqi people, and our brave troops still don’t have any clarity about the U.S. military mission in Iraq."
"Special patrols have been conducted by the DNR in the past on certain weekends, but the effort that begins this week will continue through the end of February."
"Supporters could have the two-thirds majority necessary to uphold the veto. Add to the 64 votes those expected from Rep. Mary Williams (R-Medford), who wasn’t present for the vote, and from the person filling the now-vacant 33rd Assembly District seat, and the number would be at the required 66."
"a white Christmas looks to be in the books for sure," said David George, chief meteorologist for WMTV (Ch. 15), adding that no significant warming trend is expected in the next 10 days.
"It's not unusual for snowy owls or other arctic birds to travel here in search of food. Most survive the trip exhausted but in relatively good health. This time, however, the snowy owls that have made it to central Wisconsin are close to death, Gibson said."
Sen
R. Feingold"I am proud to join this bipartisan, dedicated group of advocates in calling for a Patriot Act reauthorization package that makes reasonable changes to the Patriot Act to safeguard Americans’ civil liberties. In other words, a bill like the one the Senate passed by unanimous consent in July."
"The President is spending a lot of time talking about success in Iraq. Unfortunately, he fails to recognize that success in Iraq will not be achieved by a massive and indefinite U.S. military presence."
"Dean Lantta of Hurley-Ironwood and Kathy Tutt of Mercer, both broker associates with Coldwell Banker Larson Realty, have earned membership in the company's International Diamond Society, a level achieved by only the top 16 percent of the more than 120,000 sales associates worldwide in the Coldwell Banker system."
"The plan makes numerous recommendations on how to fix the lakes' most pressing problems, including the proliferation of invasive species, the deterioration of animal habitats, toxic hot spots blamed on pollution and tainted wetlands and tributaries."
"They worried that outstate lawmakers seeking to make up for transportation revenue lost from the tax change could go after public transit funding, which flows from the same gas-tax supported fund that pays for roads."
"In a written statement distributed to the media prior to the rally, the group argued that preventing people from getting a license means that more drivers who have not gone through driver education would be on the roads, as well as more uninsured drivers."
"Oil prices will persist near or above $50 a barrel for years and force a shift to more fuel- efficient cars and alternative fuels, the government said, discarding earlier predictions that oil would drop to around $30 a barrel."
"According to United Health Foundation's 2005 America's Health Rankings, Wisconsin fell from No. 9 to No. 13 from 2004 to 2005."
"Why don't we just remove the entire institution of marriage from civil law? It is a religious institution in which the Constitution clearly prohibits government involvement."
Sen
R. Feingold"President Bush missed a critical opportunity today to signal U.S. support for an autonomous, independent, and self-sustaining Iraqi government by making clear that the U.S. military mission in Iraq is not permanent."
"Countless people across the country from all over the political spectrum, have stood up and made it clear that they refuse to sacrifice their rights and freedoms for vague assertions that doing so will make us safer."
"Krone signed a non-candidacy form on Thursday, Iron County Clerk Mike Saari said. Krone represents district 2 on the 15-member board."
"Plans call for constructing a snowmobile trail that parallels 1.5 miles of Hoyt Road, in the right-of-way portion of the road owned by Kimball, on county forest land, Zinsmaster said."
"The Hurley Fire Department was summoned to a Saturday afternoon rollover accident on U.S. 2 to extricate two people from a vehicle that rolled."
| Three Part Series about the Gile Flowage | |
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New invader reaches
flowage "Premo said that while spiny water fleas eat native plants that are valuable to fish, it's not known what effect the snail might have on the flowage." |
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Flowage governance
unclear "In spite of the fact that the Gile Flowage is maintained for the purpose of regulating water flow to two downstream hydroelectric facilities (at Saxon and the mouth of the Montreal River), FERC has not claimed jurisdiction over the Gile Flowage dam and impoundment." |
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More data available
on flowage "In the last two years, Pence and Carey have been working together to try to learn more about the Gile Flowage," |
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Will
Wal-Mart fill spaces in Monona and Stoughton?"Critics of the controversial retailer say the company provides inadequate health insurance and low wages for its employees; its stores are too big and cause traffic problems; it uses too much overseas manufacturing; and it harms small, locally owned businesses."
"And thus, she and other cat lovers at the meeting launched CATsnip, a trap, neuter and return program for feral and stray cats in Jefferson County."
"The gas tax, indexed to inflation, has gone up every spring since 1985. The increase ensures a consistent, stable source of funding for roads and maintenance, which are often long-term projects. It also helps pay for mass transportation, such as buses and rail."
"... the state Ethics Board is censuring a UW-Madison lobbyist for offering state legislators a special opportunity to buy tickets for the game."
"Dave Budtke was walking through the woods on the second day of gun deer hunting season when he came across an animal carcass. It was a white buck that weighed more than 200 pounds, with a 10-point rack."
Sen
R. Feingold"Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., was the only senator to vote against the Patriot Act when it was first proposed, calling it too broad an invasion of individual rights. Feingold said on Thursday he would filibuster the legislation if necessary - meaning to block it with endless debate."
Rep
D. Obey"No Republican will find it easy to go against their leadership on this, and I want first to demonstrate that we have a majority of Democrats willing to make these changes - whether we're in the majority or minority," says Mr. Obey, who is leading the reform drive.
"And there likely will be no grand Great Lakes restoration plan coming from the Bush administration, at least not one on the scale longed for - if not expected - by the political leaders, conservationists, tribes and scientists Leavitt brought together to participate in the drawn-out regional effort to design a blueprint for Great Lakes restoration."
"The charge, authorized with no public announcement by the state Public Service Commission on the day before Thanksgiving, took effect Dec. 1. It will be billed to every cell phone number each month by every wireless service provider in the state."
"The goal: to find out whether a community offering such a program can improve the quality of health care, change patients' behavior from reliance upon emergency services to use of preventive care, and ultimately cut the overall health-care bill."
"With math and science skills increasingly in demand for traditional blue-collar jobs as well as high-tech positions, they say high schools need to better prepare more students in these areas."
WMTVMadison
"Pharmacies everywhere are seeing longer lines now that a state law designed to shut down meth labs has moved cold medicines behind the counter."
"The Fox TV network consistently airs the trashiest, most anti-family values shows in prime time. This season, six Fox shows, including the cartoons "The Family Guy" and "American Dad," made the Top 10 Worst Shows list of the Parents Television Council."
"But what if they are wrong? What if Wisconsin voters are much more fair and decent than Republicans give them credit for?"
"Their complaints allege that Equitrust Investment Group approved a loan for the applicants, but required they wire a "collateral payment" of about $700 to a Canadian address via MoneyGram."
"U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl, D-Wis., has been watching the demographics with increasing concern. He's crafted legislation that will expand opportunities for older Americans to work longer -- if they choose."
Sen
R. Feingold"Four years ago, when U.S. Senator Russ Feingold stood alone in the Senate to oppose the Bush administration's Patriot Act, he was portrayed as a political fringe dweller whose determination to defend basic liberties was out of touch with the realities of the post-9/11 era. This year, as Feingold leads the fight to block a flawed proposal to reauthorize the Patriot Act, he does so as the voice of a national movement that includes conservatives and liberals, Democrats, Republicans, Greens, Libertarians and independents, and residents of all 50 states and the District of Columbia."
"Finally, we're very excited to have Senator Russ Feingold stopping by our Table for One next week to talk about the Patriot Act and other issues. We hope you'll join the discussion!"
Rep
D. Obey"Among the proposals are that congressional travel would be off limits to lobbyists and that special provisions could not be slipped into conference reports of the House and Senate without a full public vote by the conference committee itself. Price was joined in the proposal by Reps. David Obey of Wisconsin, Barney Frank of Massachusetts and Tom Allen of Maine."
"To expand the deficit by providing super-sized tax cuts for millionaires is fiscally irresponsible," said Rep. David Obey of Wisconsin, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee.
"Premo said that while spiny water fleas eat native plants that are valuable to fish, it's not known what effect the snail might have on the flowage."
"According to Valley of the Kings founder Jill Carnegie, many of the deer carcasses would end up in landfills if it were not for the hearty appetites of the big cats that have come to live out their days at the place devoted to caring for abused, abandoned and injured exotic animals."
"The Wisconsin Legislature is on the brink of passing a bill that would allow people to carry concealed weapons and, if it becomes law, the names of permit holders would be kept secret to the general public."
"We plugged her in with what we had, and the first thing (the expert) asked was, 'Was the body at the base of an oak tree?' And it was. And she said, 'This is what you have: It is pagan, and you may want to try A, B or C," said Cary.
"For Ralph Hamm, it was a "once in a lifetime thing" when he hit and killed a kangaroo with his truck Wednesday. But kangaroos hopping around southern Wisconsin are becoming an annual occurrence."
"Some of the callers were very mean," she said. "Some said, 'You have slapped Christians in the face.' I celebrate Christmas in a traditional Christian way, so that really hurts my feelings."
"Because the issue could be divisive among the students, Gilmore said, the Student Council voted to cancel the contest."
Sen
R. Feingold"We believe that this conference report will not be able to get through the Senate, while the Senate bill would easily pass the House if its leadership would bring it to a vote."
“I will do everything I can, including a filibuster, to stop this Patriot Act conference report, which does not include adequate safeguards to protect our constitutional freedoms."
“I am committed to the effort of building the Democratic Party throughout America and I am particularly pleased to offer this opportunity for the grassroots to make their voice heard,”
Sen
H. Kohl"Today, Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI), ranking Democrat on the Senate’s Special Committee on Aging, picked up a key co-sponsor of a bill he introduced yesterday aimed at expanding opportunities for older Americans and baby boomers to work longer if they so choose."
Rep
D. Obey“The fact is that there’s some sort of Kabuki dance going on in Washington on federal law enforcement,” Obey said. “Each year the president cuts a huge amount out of the budget for state and local law enforcement. Congress then restores some of the money, but each year they leave us $300 million less than what was provided the year before.”
"The four congressmen -- Reps. David Obey of Wisconsin, Barney Frank of Massachusetts, David Price of North Carolina and Tom Allen of Maine -- held a news conference on Monday at the Center for American Progress to introduce their 14-point plan."
"The plan may cost the county an additional $66,000 for its annual contribution, but the overall upfront savings of $116,745 prompted the finance committee to approve the plan Wednesday."
"He owns a couple of small businesses in Madison, but his dream has always been to run a tavern "up north" where hunting and snowmobiling (two of his favorite pastimes) prevail."
"The reason for the increase is that timber companies are selling land, and often, new owners are not hunters and don't want it taking place on their land. In other cases, private land is being leased to small hunting parties for high prices, DNR officials reported."
"His authorization recognizes that women's health should be more important than the political gamesmanship of conservative ideologues,"
"High fuel costs and rising health-care costs were among the concerns raised by locally oriented companies, said Scott Converse, director of technology and innovation programs for the School of Business"
Daily
News
"This is a dangerous and wrongheaded approach. It's likely to pass the Republican-controlled Legislature, since the earlier version won approval. If that happens Doyle should quickly repeat his earlier veto. If the cops think concealed carry is still a bad idea, that's good enough for us. "
Sen
R. Feingold“The President does not understand that his Iraq policies are preventing us from succeeding in our larger campaign against global terrorists -..."
"Iron County residents may see some new faces on the board of supervisors after the April election. Seven newcomers and one former supervisor have expressed an interest in serving on the board. "
""Stay in school," Sherman recommended, adding that there will never be a time with a better payoff for well-trained, highly educated workers."
"Some people still fondly refer to Madison as 50 to 75 square miles "surrounded by reality." These days, I prefer to call our state capital "the home of cotton candy." As in cotton candy legislation."
"The study found fairly low median earnings of about $300 a week, with women and non-English speakers on the lower end of the scale. Still, that's about double what a worker would make in Mexico adjusted for the exchange rate and price levels, Kochhar said."
"Wisconsin has plenty of labs and places to treat patients in a major disease outbreak or bioterrorism attack, but the state lacks a computerized disease-tracking system and enough ventilators, a new report says."
"A southwestern Wisconsin company is moving forward with a $100 million plan to build a state-of-the-art agriculture campus that would house 20,000 beef cattle, an ethanol plant and a greenhouse, while bringing more than 100 jobs to the area."
"Nearly all existing piers and docks will be either exempted from the permitting process or grandfathered in under the proposed rules, except those piers with decks exceeding 200 square feet."
Sen
R. Feingold"Unfortunately, the administration has allowed Iraq to become a testing ground for these deadly devices, and IED know-how and technology is now being proliferated throughout the global network of terrorists that we’re fighting."
"Mother Nature did her part to ensure a successful rally with more than two feet of snow falling in the Ironwood-Hurley area during the past week."
"Beginning Friday, courthouse employees were required to set thermostats in their individual offices at 68 degrees during the day, and drop them to 65 at night."
"Premo conducted the scientific study and will discuss his findings, including the biological, water quality and recreational attributes of the flowage. He will also make recommendations for maintenance and improvements."
"Students at Mercer Junior-Senior High School have been named to the first quarter honor roll for the 2005-06 academic year."
"Each member contributed a birthday item for the box, at a the meeting that centered on respect and community service. The box includes everything needed for a birthday party."
"Marvin and Jan Borth, who donated the 35-foot balsam fir from their Mercer yard to the state, were among guests of honor at the tree lighting in the Capitol rotunda"
"From the standing ovation when Franken walked on stage to enthusiastic applause for popular subjects, the capacity audience of 850 showered adoration on Franken. He has said he is pondering a run for the Senate seat once held by the late Paul Wellstone."
(Incidentally, Hurley liberals can listen to Franken streaming on line at www.airamericaradio.com.)
"The lower burden of proof - "a preponderance of the evidence" - should have been applied to the case, Justice Jon Wilcox wrote for the court, because that is the burden that federal courts and many courts in other states use when considering actions that are based on the same federal civil rights statute."
WMTVMadison
"Allow the citizens of this city and the township to say, 'this is what we think you should consider, city officials," said Buzz Davis, Stoughton Forward, "and they refuse to conduct a hearing."
"Republican leaders in the Legislature, particularly Assembly Speaker John Gard, R-Peshtigo, who is bidding for an open congressional seat, want the measure on the November ballot because they think it will draw socially conservative voters to the polls."
“There is nothing on the books that says it's a crime if you shoot an albino deer, which quite frankly surprised me. It doesn't exist."
Rep
D. Obey"If you got some lobbyist working the system so he gets something slipped in without a vote, or he convinces the leadership to take something out, you might as well hire the lobbyist to be your congressman,"
This same article appears in:
-
Rep. Obey, 3 others propose rules to curb lobbyist influence
The Capital Times -
Price lends hand in push for changes to curb lobbyist influence
WWAY NewsChannel 3 - Wilmington,NC -
House Democrats propose rules changes to curb lobbyist influence
WBAY - Green Bay,WI,USA
"U.S. Rep. David Obey is touring college campuses in the state to warn students about Republican plans to cut a range of domestic programs, from food stamps to college financial aid,..."
"Because Wisconsin gets most of its highway building and maintenance funds from the gas tax, Capitol politicians and road builders have become addicted to it."
"Expected to run $1.2 million in the red by next summer, the school faces possible closure unless administrators show they can stop the financial bleeding."
"I'd prefer to say that you have a greater opportunity to increase your giving rather than say that you're cheap,"
"Think what you will of Lee Shear's decision to pursue bass on just over two inches of ice - at least the Beloit man was prepared."
"Mike Hanson, a spokesman for the Madison Police Department, says law enforcement officers have long wondered why stores carry look-alike fake guns. Especially BB and pellet guns that are almost impossible to distinguish from the real thing."
“I can see how this would make some people in society feel safer, but myself, as a law enforcement officer, it would not make me feel safer knowing there are that many more guns out on the street,”
Sen
R. Feingold“Our brave service members and their families deserve answers about how long they can expect to be in Iraq. The American people deserve a clear plan for concluding our military mission. And the Iraqi people need to know without any doubt that we do not intend to stay in that country indefinitely.
"... the bill further reduces student loan programs by $2.7 billion to offset the cost of aid given to K-12 students displaced by Hurricane Katrina ..."
"I just wanted to give everyone an update on where things stand with efforts to reauthorize the Patriot Act. With the help of many of you over the last couple weeks, not to mention your efforts over the past 4 years, we were able to prevent a bad reauthorization bill from being pushed through earlier this month.
"Gifts presented by representatives of others included an American flag from Congressman Thomas E. Petri, and a certificate of special recognition from Senator Russ Feingold."
"Disenchantment with Clinton could lead to a challenge for the Democrat presidential nomination from Russ Feingold, an anti-war senator, and Mark Warner, the moderate governor of Virginia — a poll last week showed support for her dropping fast."
Sen
H. Kohl"U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., and U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl, D-Wis., secured $1 million in federal funds to aid the next step in the project, according to a release."
"During now Chief Justice John Roberts' confirmation hearings, I urged the Democrats to put aside Roe v. Wade and push Roberts to say what he thought about Bush v. Gore. One senator asked, Herb Kohl of Wisconsin, but let Roberts off the hook because he wanted the judge to say how he'd vote if he were there at the time."
Rep
D. Obey"36-year Democratic incumbent Rep. David Obey over a measure he proposed in June that would have required the Air Force to report to Congress on the steps it was taking to investigate and ameliorate the coercion at the academy in Colorado Springs,"
"The federal Wildlife Refuge Improvement Act of 1997 requires every national refuge to be managed according to their mission to protect fish, wildlife and plants."
"It is a confluence of several forces: a popular push to cut the high price of gas, the political force of the state's road builders and the desire of some lawmakers to protect road projects they consider essential to their districts."
"So far in 2005, new FBI cases of child sexual exploitation on the Internet have increased by more than 2,026 percent since 1996, according to the bureau's Innocent Images National Initiative."
"But by the time James got to melted snow, which he translated as the Eskimo word "wa-ter," readers should have felt a tug on their legs. James also had Eskimo words for fried snow, deep-fried snow and snow sold to Japanese tourists."
"About 23 million people, or 1 in 11, shoplift across the nation, and more than 10 million people have been caught shoplifting in the last five years,..."
"Although many would claim otherwise, the Wisconsin senator has a fighting chance of winning the Democratic nomination and even the White House."
"I don't think it's important if they call it a Christmas tree or a holiday tree. It's not their job. It's our job to spread the word of the Lord."
WMTVMadison
"Some local ski resorts have already seen 20 percent increases in business this November, compared to last November."
"A Waukesha County child and a Trempealeau County senior are the first two confirmed influenza cases among Wisconsin residents this season, according to the state Department of Health and Family Services."
“The oil companies had problems providing answers to some of the most basic questions,” Doyle spokesperson Dan Leistikow said. “The answers were perfectly obvious. The … money went right into their pockets.”
Sen
R. Feingold"This strategy should contain a series of specific objectives and benchmarks that are tied to a public, flexible timetable for meeting those benchmarks, completing our military mission, and withdrawing our troops."
"The large ornament -- a tree with three sticks on it -- was made by one of our fourth graders. It was just a perfect picture of it."
"... the agency wants to drop a $50 permit fee, and it would increase the allowable size of "loading" or "party" platforms attached to some existing docks so owners could avoid future regulation."
"It wasn't the environmental laws that closed the refineries," he said. "It was a business decision to not invest in refineries because a tight market is where they profit more. This is an industry that will charge whatever the market will bear."
Sen
R. Feingold"Logging approximately 130,000 miles in Wisconsin, or the equivalent of five times around the world, Feingold has traveled to virtually every corner of the state to listen to Wisconsinites’ questions and respond to their concerns."
"In his Monday letter to Chief Justice Dorothy Bain, Madden cited "knowledge of the parties" as his reason for recusal."
"Dr. Dean Premo of Whitewater Associates, who conducted the scientific study, will discuss the biological and water quality aspects of the flowage, including how they affect fishing."
"People would not be able to take guns into hospitals, day care centers and youth sporting events under a modified concealed weapons bill adopted Wednesday by a state legislative committee."
"Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager is asking Gov. Jim Doyle's permission to sue the federal Food and Drug Administration for delaying approval of over-the-counter sales of Plan B, the so-called "morning-after pill."
"The cooperative said Meduri failed to provide any evidence of contamination and disposed of one shipment - some 42,000 pounds - without the cooperative's agreement, in violation of Wisconsin law, according to the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Madison."
"Under Wisconsin law, it is prohibited to shoot albino deer or white deer which are entirely white except for the hooves, tarsal glands head or parts of the head."
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