Local News (archives)
Doyle
backs gay benefits"Doyle has already proposed in his budget extending health benefits to the domestic partners of all state and University of Wisconsin System employees."
Midwest
head rips AirTran offer"The chief executive of Midwest Airlines, which is the target of a hostile takeover bid by AirTran Airways, said he fears that if his company is joined with the low-cost carrier it would lose its charm."
""We've got another crazy storm coming," said Weather Central meteorologist Brian Olson. "Thursday night will be a mess." That mess will just add to the angst and frustration for residents and municipal crews still trying to get rid of last weekend's blizzard that dumped over 15 inches of heavy snow onto Madison and the region."
"Rutgers Professor Tim Vercellotti told the Times that in states where voters were required to sign their names or show an identifying document, blacks were 5.7 percent less likely to vote than in states where voters simply had to say their names. For Hispanics, the impact was closer to 10 percent. Those figures compared to a 2.7 percent combined rate for all races."
“People don’t expect police officers not to tell the truth,” Wray said at Tuesday’s press conference. “It’s constitutionally allowed under certain circumstances. What we’re trying to do here is outline those rare circumstances in which this would be allowed.”
"Winslow said the sediment contamination is a bit different, because it has some overlap chemically with the coal tar from the gas plants, along with creosote and other chemicals used in wood treatment during the area's timber heyday."
"Department of Transportation officials were told Tuesday that the area needs the U.S. Highway 2 intersection with State Highway 13 made safer, even with the rumble strips and stop sign installed in recent years. While the DOT has a study underway, Mary McPhetridge, executive director of the Ashland Chamber of Commerce, said the study's recommendations would need to be implemented"
"A Minocqua Police Department squad car ran over the spiked board, puncturing three tires. The DNR suspended ranger John Brandenburg for three days without pay. After the incident, Brandenburg told police he had been given permission to place the board on the trail by Tim Miller, the DNR's northern region's parks and recreation program manager."
Sen
H. Kohl"Republicans and Democrats alike are desperately searching for a way out that leaves behind a stable Iraq and allows the men and women in our military -- who have done a magnificent job and been stretched to the breaking point -- to come home."
Gov.
Doyle"Exports to Canada, Wisconsin’s largest international market, grew by 4 percent to $5.4 billion. Mexico continued as Wisconsin’s second largest export market, as exports grew 39 percent to $1.9 billion. China took third place with a 29 percent increase to $870.3 million, and Japan ranked fourth with a 6 percent increase to $738.8 million. The United Kingdom took fifth place with a 6 percent increase to $686.5 million."
“It's a good thing if a Wisconsin company finds a strong partner in Japan or China, or creates jobs in Wisconsin through exports or sales operations in these countries.”
"As Secretary Scocos heads to Iraq, he – and all the members of our Armed Forces and their families – can have confidence that we’ll continue to ensure we have the best state veterans and military family programs anywhere in the nation.”
"In accepting Ramme's no contest plea to a charge of driving with a blood-alcohol content of .08 or more, second offense, Iron County Judge Patrick Madden also ordered Ramme, 54, to serve 10 days in jail and revoked Ramme's driving privileges for 12 months."
"Vaughn has accepted a position as superintendent at the Dodgeland School District in Juneau, Wis. He will start there July 1."
"Despite the appeals of Gov. Jim Doyle and other officials from both major parties, Wisconsin faces an "uphill battle" to continue the popular SeniorCare program that helps senior citizens pay for their prescriptions, U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) warned Monday."
"Challenger still has its original keel, built in 1906, and much of the equipment from the early 1900s. There's an old crank-operated telephone system, still in use, that would work even if the ship's electrical system failed."
"Now, there's a rail comeback, boosted by globalization and just-in-time delivery. Trucks can't carry all the goods across America. Freight rail moves large shipments at a lower cost. And short lines provide vital connections."
"Scientists say there's a reason why your back may feel a little more sore after shoveling the recent snow off of your driveway - it's much heavier than the snow we usually get. And it's all because of about one inch of water mixed in with the nearly 15 inches of snowfall Madison received this weekend."
Sen
R. Feingold"I will not vote for anything that the President could read as an authorization for continuing with a large military campaign in Iraq."
“Congress should fund this important program so more schools and communities across the country are prepared if tragedy strikes,”
"I think a woman can win this thing. I think a black person can win this thing," Feingold said. Then, with a laugh, "I think a Jewish person could've even won this thing."
“They don’t listen to anything,” Feingold continued. “I mean, everybody thinks this (recent troop) escalation was a bad idea.”
Sen
H. Kohl"The increase in the FDA's budget request does not appear to adequately address the rapidly growing backlog of applications waiting approval at your agency," Kohl said. "Unfortunately, approving an additional 50 applications next year won't make a serious dent in the backlog, not to mention that the agency's 2014 goal sounds like too little, too late. We can do better than that."
"La Crosse war protesters who were arrested five months ago for refusing to leave Sen. Herb Kohl’s La Crosse office until they could meet with the senator finally got their wish Friday."
"Eighteen percent of our state's farmers do not have any health insurance at all. Forty-three percent have only catastrophic health coverage, high premiums, high deductibles, and not much in the way of plan provisions,"
Iron County agenda a
brief one"There are no "items of concern" in Iron County government at this time, and so Tuesday's Iron County Board of Supervisors' agenda is brief."
Planning, Zoning
Committee to meet tonight "The City of Hurley's Planning and Zoning Committee will meet tonight to discuss a request to abandon portions of Eighth Avenue North, Seventh Avenue North and Flanagan Street."
Thrills,
spills on Copper Peak "Coming down can be an experience with locked-up brakes and plenty of momentum, he said. Robiadek agreed, although his sled was rolling down. "That one was just going like a barrel down that hill," he said."
AP classes face
scrutiny in audit"Pressured by colleges and universities with similar stories, the College Board is launching its first major oversight effort of the popular courses this year. By fall, the organization responsible for the AP program and its associated tests expects to have reviewed detailed descriptions of what's being taught in about 120,000 courses throughout the world bearing the AP label."
"He's a devoted advocate for high-speed, broadband Internet, which he likes to call "one of the most legally addictive products in the world - one that changes people's lives for the better." Wittwer wants TDS to offer more than e-mail - including video e-mail - and Web sites over the Internet. He's begun an experiment to provide video entertainment via broadband, too."
"It was a busy weekend at Glass Nickel Pizza - in fact, it was the busiest of the year ... Delivery people may have had trouble getting the pizzas to their destinations, but the storm made for two days of booming business. "It made the Super Bowl look like nothing," she said."
Class still in session after more than 20 inches of snow"Even with most of the campus buried under the heavy snow, Amy Fisher of UW Communications said students should plan on business as usual. “As of right now, the campus will be open and classes will be held — it’s extremely rare that we would close,” Fisher said. “I’d be really surprised if [classes] were cancelled.”"
Three
war protesters arrested in Wausau"They were members of a group led by former Green Party congressional candidate Mike Miles, who met with an Obey representative this afternoon to urge Obey to more vigorously oppose the war in Iraq. The three were arrested after refusing to leave Obey's U.S. Bank Building office at Fifth and Jefferson streets, saying they wanted to speak to Obey directly, Lt. Ben Bliven of the Wausau Police Department said."
Sen
R. Feingold“I will continue to work with Governor Doyle and the Wisconsin congressional delegation in pressuring the Administration to grant a waiver extension for the SeniorCare program. Earlier this month, I told HHS Secretary Leavitt directly that it makes no sense for the Administration to propose cutting a program like SeniorCare, which is more popular and less expensive than the Administration’s flawed alternative Medicare Part D. The Administration should do what makes sense and approve the extension of SeniorCare.”
“I am pleased to introduce this legislation that will help bring much-needed relief to the millions of uninsured and underinsured Americans who are suffering from the rising costs of medical care in this country.”
“While Congress has created some effective programs to tackle the shortage of affordable housing, it has not provided the funding to support these programs. A real investment in safe, affordable housing can serve as the foundation for improving the lives and communities of hundreds of thousands of Americans.”
Gov.
Doyle“SeniorCare saves money for taxpayers and meets a critical need for affordable prescription drug coverage for Wisconsin seniors. Time is running short and we really need your assistance in saving Wisconsin’s highly successful SeniorCare program."
"It’s not only an investment in our students. It’s an investment in our economy. We’ll train more nurses and teachers in Oshkosh, more engineers in Platteville, and more biologists in Green Bay. "
"But his dog jumped between the two and was quickly snatched up in the bear's jaw, he said. "If not for the dog, I wouldn't be standing here," Schindler said."
"The National Weather Service posted a blizzard warning for the area through 6 p.m. today, with a forecast of 12 to 16 inches of snow accompanied by wind gusts up to 40 mph.
"Madison police, Dane County Sheriff's Office and Wisconsin State Patrol officials reported numerous other minor accidents that forced them to call in extra officers to work overtime. "We're just running from slide-off to slide-off," said Dane County Sgt. Jeff Heil."
"Another 2 to 4 inches of new snow was possible overnight Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. The new snow is expected to be wet and heavy, possibly mixed with freezing rain."
"Bowl for Kids 2007, a fund-raiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Western U.P., includes teams from Beacon Ambulance, Ironwood Public Safety Department and the Gogebic County Sheriff's Department."
"Evan Zeppos, a spokesman for the casino project, said Troha told the Menominee tribe that "other obligations made it impossible" for him to put in the extra time and money it would take to see the project to completion."
"According to Erin Roth, executive director of the Wisconsin Petroleum Council, there's plenty of blame to go around: the price of crude oil hitting $61 a barrel; state and federal taxes that add 51 cents to every gallon purchased; the belated but brutal arrival of winter weather; the decision by oil-producing nations to reduce production; and the annual drop in production at refineries."
"Tschida returned more than 50 Arctic Cat snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles and is switching to boats instead. The returns cost him about $7,000, but that's a far cry from the $250,000 loss he figured he'd take by the time he discounted them enough to sell."
"Although the government has approved meat and milk from cloned animals while it conducts further studies, Dean Foods Co. of Dallas said Thursday that its customers and consumers don't want milk from cloned animals. The $10 billion company owns Land O'Lakes and Horizon Organic, among dozens of other brands."
"The phone number for Scheiderer isn't a Wisconsin one, but belongs to a PR firm called CRC (Creative Response Concepts) Public Relations headquartered in Alexandria, Va. And who is CRC Public Relations? Hold onto your hat. It's the same public relations outfit that did a lot of the dirty work for the so-called Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, the sinister organization that sought to destroy John Kerry's military record."
Roar
returns: Copper Peak Hill Climb to be contested for first time since 2003
"Snowmobiles are plenty powerful enough to drive straight up Chippewa Hill at Copper Peak, said Don Flint, a Copper Peak board member. The challenge when drivers have to navigate up the 600-foot hill with a 37 percent grade with the twists and turns of a slalom ski race, dodging gates. Very few make it up, Flint said."
Hurley
K-12 school to host adult education classes "Adult education classes in Spanish for business or travel, responsible beverage server and first aid will be held at the Hurley K-12 School in the coming weeks."
"The Mercer Veteran's Memorial Committee is organizing a new event in conjunction with the Mercer Fourth of July festivities. "Run for the Veterans" is a 5K run-walk and volunteers for the event are being sought."
"Four of the six lost files were never found. Two others, including the one involving the phone call, were anonymously mailed to the Social Security office in early December, authorities said. Documents from the seven other files also were sent anonymously to the agency's Milwaukee office in separate packages in early December."
Thompson
says Iowa win is crucial"Former Gov. Tommy G. Thompson said Thursday that his bid for the White House will stall unless he can win Iowa next year - and that to win he needs to raise $2.5 million and shake hands with just about every available voter."
"From a reliability standpoint, Wisconsin is in good shape. We've turned the corner" since the late 1990s, when power shortages were considered a real possibility, Ebert said. Since 1997, Wisconsin has added natural gas-fueled power plants providing another 4,500 megawatts of electricity and regulators have approved 1,300 miles of high-voltage transmission lines, nearly 2,000 megawatts of coal-fired power plants and 400 megawatts of wind generation."
Tommy:
I don't want to be VP"Thompson said he and his advisers have laid the groundwork for his political campaign and are now starting to raise money. He figures they'll need $2.5 million to be viable in Iowa. They'll be working toward the straw poll of Iowa Republicans in August, and if they win that, they'll consider launching a full bid, he said."
Group
plans war protest at Obey's office"A group led by former Green Party congressional candidate Mike Miles plans to meet at U.S. Rep. Dave Obey’s Wausau office Monday to urge Obey to more vigorously oppose the war in Iraq."
Sen
R. Feingold“I am troubled by reports today of Somalis fleeing rocket attacks between the Transitional Federal Government and insurgents, as well as reports of efforts by the TFG to suppress media accounts of the fighting."
Gov.
Doyle"To continue increasing our trade and exports, we must continue building and upgrading our infrastructure. Improving the Port of Milwaukee will help bring more revenue for Milwaukee – benefiting the entire state.”
“The summer droughts were hard for a lot of Wisconsin farm families, particularly in Northwest Wisconsin. Agriculture is the backbone of our state’s economy, so I am pleased to be able to provide some assistance to these families.”
""Fires that burn into wetlands this year will become very difficult to extinguish if the dry organic soils ignite and burn below the ground line. Standing vegetation is still suffering significant moisture stress from the last growing season."
Meeting
set for Copper Peak climb competitors "Only 30 drivers will be allowed to run because of time constraints. The drivers who did not meet the pre-registration deadline but would like to compete are asked to be at the meeting, in the event of some last-minute driver cancellations."
"Presidential hopeful Tommy G. Thompson did not set the world on fire late last year - at least not with respect to cold hard cash. His Forward America political action committee, launched Oct. 25, took in $3,500 from four donors and had spent $841 on operating expenses by year's end."
"Earlier in the season, a property owner closed off a portion of the access trail that crossed his land. That trail extends from Trail 77 to the businesses on the west side of town."
"Pam Baeseman was one of 10 people listed as contacts on a letter last August alleging "major harassment activity" at Mercer School over the previous two years. The letter, mailed to district residents, listed these examples of harassment: "Repeated exposure of genitalia, vandalism, students' back sandpapered, intimidation, destruction of personal property, sexual harassment, bullying of students, including special needs children, and verbal abuse." "
"Both youngsters and adults will long remember Anjanette Bauer's contributions to Iron County. As an Americorps VISTA volunteer, she worked with hundreds of Iron County youngsters in the past three years, using innovative techniques in challenging them to learn."
"The Lalich funds will offset the cost of admission to three museums and the Hancock Observatory. The money raised by the club will be used for breakfasts and dinners. Students will be responsible for paying for their own lunches, according to Natalie Patritto, Spanish Club advisor. About 40 to 45 students will participate. They'll stay at the Holiday Inn-Chicago."
"A bill could bring Wisconsin an estimated $12 million in federal funding over five years to help expand the reach of 211 call centers statewide. The centers provide callers with free information and referrals to health and social services for issues such as mental health, child care, crisis intervention, drug abuse, and food and shelter needs.
"Department of Natural Resources biologist Todd Naas told the group that DNR surveys showed every unit in the area except Unit Seven, the Bad River Indian Reservation, was above goals. One unit, Unit 78 on Madeline Island, at 31 deer per square mile, was over twice the goal of 15 deer per square mile."
Sen
H. Kohl"This upgrade at Zablocki will bring cutting-edge medical technologies to Wisconsin's veterans, and I'm pleased that the VA has signaled that this important project is now moving forward,""
"Every poll out there indicates that the American people do not support escalating our involvement in Iraq, and the president . . intends to do that,"
"On Monday, Governor Jim Doyle, Senator Herb Kohl and the Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives unveiled a cooperative health care program for Wisconsin farmers. WFC president and CEO, Bill Oemichen says Farmers Health Cooperative of Wisconsin (FHCW) is open to farmers, their families, employees and anyone who directly serves agriculture. “So the veterinarian, the feed supply mill, the milk hauler, all those individuals will be eligible to participate.”"
Gov.
Doyle"Hip resurfacing involves the removal of less bone from the hip joint and for young, more active patients with healthy bones, results in better range of motion and less risk of dislocation than traditional total hip replacement."
"While Doyle pledges two-thirds state funding for school districts, Hurley has been receiving under 60 percent and that will remain the same, according to Patritto. Doyle's budget does not include an anticipated sparsity aid for school districts that are spread out, like Hurley, Patritto said. "I was really hoping for the sparsity aid," he said."
"Fire department members were surprised to find a new truck costing about $160,000 to $170,000. Fire department members visited the Rosenbauer company and told the council it had a good production facility. The truck from Rosenbauer would be equipped with high pressure pumps preferred by small town departments,..."
"Just days before the Kettle Moraine School District's superintendent embarked this month on discussions preparing residents for $1.2 million in program cutbacks, a letter went out to some of those same residents. Signed by a group called the Kettle Moraine Field Project Committee, the letter sought $460,000 in funding the installation of artificial turf for the football field."
"Our goal for turnout is about 10 percent," Ohlsen said. "With the Madison mayoral race, there's some interest, but it's not a very high-profile election."
"A report released today is calling for Wisconsin to update its existing campaign finance laws and take steps to regulate so-called "issue ads" funded by shadowy groups."
"The feeling of shame washed over me as scene after scene played out of government officials giving information that now proves to be untrue. The shame comes from knowing that so many questions needed to be asked and never were and that those put in the positions to do that very thing essentially wore signs on their backs that said, "Walk all over us, Dubya.""
"With nearly 500,000 deer killed, the 2006 deer-hunting season recorded the third highest harvest in Wisconsin history, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources."
Sen
R. Feingold"... would create two fact-finding commissions to study the internments and other restrictions imposed on some European Americans during World War II, and the government policies limiting the ability of Jewish refugees to come to the United States. Although the U.S. government has formally studied and recognized the mistreatment of Japanese Americans during World War II, no similar endeavor has been undertaken with regard to these other groups."
Gov.
Doyle
State
puts off action on utilities"Twelve Wisconsin utilities continue to supply water containing unacceptable levels of potentially cancer-causing radium, but the state is holding off on referring those violators to prosecutors."
New
co-op to provide insurance to farmers"More than three years after state officials passed legislation designed to help lower health- care costs for agriculture producers, a health insurance cooperative has been established to cover individual Wisconsin farmers as one group."
UW
prof's research shows how kids learn by playing certain video games"And that's a good thing, because education needs some transforming, argues David Williamson Shaffer, UW associate professor of learning science, in his new book, "How Computer Games Help Children Learn." He says that in a post-industrial world where a premium will be placed on innovative thinking, the traditional methods of classroom education developed during the Industrial Revolution won't be as valuable."
La
Crosse proposes tuition increase"Heyer said additional revenue from UW-La Crosse’s tuition increases would support its plan to “invest in quality” and would allow enrollment to increase by 750 Wisconsin students and 250 out-of-state students."
Wisconsin
Supreme Court candidate information"Voters in Tuesday's primary election will choose from three candidates for one vacancy on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The two candidates with the most votes will face each other in the April 3 general election."
Sen
R. Feingold"The amendment is based on a bill co-sponsored by New Hampshire Senator John Sununu and Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold. It was approved unanimously this week by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. The amendment requires federal agencies to report to Congress every year. The agencies would have to tell Congress how their analysis of records such as phone calls and credit card transactions affects the privacy of ordinary citizens."
Sen
H. Kohl"Farmers, their families, farm employees and those who own or work for agriculture-related businesses will be eligible to enroll in one of six health insurance plans with coverage starting April 1. "
Gov.
Doyle“These are hardworking families, and they need relief. Today, we’re building on our efforts to provide health care for all citizens, and keep our farm families the foundation of strength our state relies on to grow.”
"Noting the town board is doing it for the safety and welfare of the people, Soine said, "All other roads in town are closed and violators will be ticketed. Anyone off the route will be ticketed." Soine said Iron Belt residents may use the streets in town to access the snowmobile trail, but the streets are closed to non-residents."
"Informational meetings on the 2006 deer season and 2007 population estimates are scheduled Monday in Mercer and Tuesday in Ashland."
"The Business Program of the Indianhead Community Action Agency has funds available to provide small loans to prospective business owners in Iron and Ashland counties."
World Day of Prayer
service to be held March"On Friday, March 2 the Mercer United Methodist Women will host the 39th World Day of Prayer service at 1 p.m. All are welcome. Refreshments will follow in fellowship hall."
[On the calendar HERE. - Bob]
State scraps
computer project"The suspension of the federally funded EnABLES project comes in the midst of an audit of state information technology projects and less than a year after the University of Wisconsin System abandoned a payroll system that had cost $26 million."
"Under this scenario, Wisconsin once again has its mid-February date all to itself (as it did in 2004), meaning that for six or seven days it becomes the exclusive venue of the 2008 campaign. All the remaining candidates and the national political media descend on the state, whose primary is now strategically sandwiched between two multistate "Super Tuesdays,""
Nothing but lame excuses"Thanks to Doyle's crazy vetoes, the argument goes, Wisconsin schools received hundreds of millions of dollars the Legislature refused to authorize. OK. But that means another governor could someday cut the schools off at the knees using the same technique. The ends don't justify the means."
Diocese prepares for priest shortage"The Roman Catholic Diocese of La Crosse is considering a plan that would reduce the number of parishes by more than half to deal with a priest shortage predicted for the next 20 years."
Aspirus is developing plans for Woodruff clinic"While the deal is not finalized, Aspirus has purchased land next to the U.S. Post Office on Hwy. 47 and has obtained preliminary approval to build a 15,000-square-foot clinic that would employ 24 medical professionals and support staff."
Sen
R. Feingold
Wisconsin Rapids
Man to Finally Get Korean War Purple Heart - WSAW - Wausau,WI""I called Russ Feingold's office and told him the trouble i'd been having and even then it took quite a while." Despite the trouble, Feingold's office was able to secure the long-awaited purple heart."
"During the first week of this month, in a 24-hour period better suited for "Twilight Zone" reruns, the administration proudly presented its budget for fiscal year 2008 and touted it as the first step towards a balanced budget by 2012 — yet it provides no funding for the Iraq War past 2009. I'm not sure how we're supposed to react to this with straight faces, seeing that Mr. Bush wants to increase our military presence in Iraq by some 21,000 soldiers, but refuses to even listen to any questions about a timetable for troop withdrawal. "
Rep
D. Obey"I think you've got a lot of explaining to do," Rep. David R. Obey (D-Wisconsin) told Rice at a hearing of the House Appropriations subcommittee on state and foreign operations. "A huge majority of the funds in the supplemental are for military, not political or economic or reconstructive, purposes."
"The Sunday event will have all the bells and whistles of a Hollywood premiere from a red carpet entrance to live music with a U.P. flavor by Ray Kamalay of Lansing. The film evening also features the short film "Ski Bum in Yooperland" and a reception with traditional Upper Peninsula foods -- including pasty from Joe's Pasty Shop, which is in the "Holm" film as well."
"The losers overall would be hospitals in affluent, suburban communities such as Waukesha, Brookfield and Mequon. The winners would be hospitals near poor neighborhoods, such as Aurora Sinai Medical Center and Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare-St. Joseph, both in Milwaukee."
"Unite Here also distributed flyers at a St. Mary's-sponsored Heart Week event earlier this month and sent postcards to patients, employees, donors, and potential donors encouraging them to contact the hospital, according to the lawsuit. The union also placed an advertisement in the Wisconsin State Journal, which appeared on Thursday, urging St. Mary's president, Dr. Frank Byrne, to "take action" on Superior Health Linens."
"To keep consumers from feeling the tax increase at the gas pump, the governor intends to forbid oil companies from raising prices to cover the new tax. He pledged to throw oil executives in jail for six months if they violated the prohibition."
"Comments from Wisconsin legislators on the Iraq war resolution were compiled by Kate Raiford of The Capital Times/Medill News Service."
"Nationally, sales declined by 10.1 percent in the fourth quarter compared with the same period a year ago. The national median price -- the point where half sell for more and half sell for less -- fell to $219,300, down 2.7 percent from the fourth quarter of 2005."
"The ordinance's 57-word definition of nudity, for instance, would have your average 15-year-old boy rolling on the ground in a seizure of laughter. But all fun aside, this 11-page ordinance - with its more than 500 lines of legalese and interesting words to look up in the dictionary - is giving planning and zoning officials a collective headache."
Sen
R. Feingold"People participating in activities like motorcycling, skiing, snowmobiling and other outdoor activities should not be put at risk because of a health insurance loophole. This bipartisan legislation will offer outdoor recreation lovers the protection they deserve."
Rep
D. Obey"David Obey, D-Wausau, urged colleagues to set a rough target period to “re-position” troops out of Iraq. He said the Bush policy has done so much damage, there’s no good way for us to get out whether it’s now or in five years."
Copper
Peak"The gates will open at 7:00 a.m. CST.
Competition begins at 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CST
Tickets: Adults: $10.00, Students: $5.00 (Age 6 to 14), Free: Age 5 and Under"
[Anybody who can get me handicapped parking privileges so I can take pictures for a collage would be greatly appreciated. - Bob]
Local musicians, Johnny Trash and Jimmy Lee, will be appearing at Nora's Red Carpet Lounge on Saturday, Feb 17th. The music linked to above is played by somebody else and has nothing to do with their appearance. Samples of their music have been available on previous days.
"Charges stem from a fight that occurred behind a Hurley bar during the early-morning hours of July 2. Grulkowski allegedly slammed the head of another man against a wall, causing substantial injury."
"Vaughn said Thursday that he will announce his resignation at the Feb. 26 meeting of the Mercer School Board and ask the board to release him from his contract."
"An oil pipeline spill on Feb. 2 in Rusk County - one of the largest such accidents of its kind in state history - has been found to have contaminated the local water table, officials confirmed Thursday. The accident is one of two resulting in the release of at least 176,000 gallons of Canadian crude oil in northern Wisconsin since the beginning of the year."
" To date, authorities have confirmed that one of the five state victims ate peanut butter. Nationwide, 85% of the 288 infected people reported they ate peanut butter, providing the statistical link cited by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The outbreak in 39 states dates to August."
"So my next call was to Dick Guyot, the carpenter who put the Capitol dome on the lake for years and was trying to get other replicas out there for what he dubbed "Ice-perience, Madison's model city." Guyot, who says his Capitol sank a few years back, still has a whale off Few Street, but he says the pod of Orcas belongs to "very secretive" musician and artist Tim Browning."
"Air America was launched in 2004 and has lost money ever since. Its most prominent personality was the comedian and author Al Franken, who left the network on Wednesday to run for nomination to a U.S. Senate seat from Minnesota."
“Today, we announced the introduction legislation to combat global warming –– the solution is similar to [a California law] signed by Gov. Schwarzenegger,” Black said. “The bill is almost identical to the California law.”
Obey
to speak Monday at UWMC"The veteran congressman hopes to continue to increase the award amount in the next budget, but not at the expense of other education programs as Bush’s proposed budget does, Brachman said. Obey also will talk about issues ranging from health care to the war in Iraq. The briefing is open to the public."
Sen
R. Feingold"So the question becomes, with a President unable or unwilling to fix a flawed policy that is jeopardizing our national security and military readiness, what should we in Congress do about our country’s involvement in this disastrous war? Do we do nothing, and hope that the President will put things right, when he has shown time and time again that he is incapable of doing so?"
Gov.
Doyle"In the coming months, I’m confident my budget will be attacked by oil companies, tobacco companies and other special interests that didn’t do as well under my budget as they hoped. But I won’t make any apologies for putting the interests of hardworking Wisconsin families first."
"There's no legal way to get from the regular snowmobile trail (Trail 77) to the downtown (Iron Belt) businesses," said Iron County Forest Administrator Gary Glonek ... "The county helped him through signing and fencing (to close the trail), but the signs and fencing disappeared," he said.
Shift
change? Iron County deputies might spend more time on the road on weekends"For the past several months, deputies have been seeking an agreement that will change its current Wisconsin Professional Police Association contract with the county to allow for eight-hour shifts during the week, and 12-hour shifts on weekends."
Well
test exceeds expectations"We're right where we need to be there," city council board of public works chairman Don Richards said Tuesday. On Monday the well was pumping 170 gallons per minute, he said."
"Highline does subcontract work in partnership with area and national businesses and does its own prime manufacturing of products. The work provides income, training and work experience for Highline's employees."
"Doyle and his supporters, including the Nature Conservancy, believe that more money is needed for the stewardship program because values for forest and recreation land are rising. They also say the need is greater today to purchase and protect land as timber companies sell off holdings that could restrict public use."
"Asian carp have been on the loose since escaping Southern hatcheries in the 1970s and are now the dominant species in many stretches of river within the Mississippi basin, but the voracious filter feeders evidently have yet to make the jump into the Great Lakes basin and the $4.5 billion fishing industry it sustains."
Budget
plan brings state jobs to square one"The budget proposes that by June 2009, there would be 68,085 jobs in state government including the UW System and UW Hospital and Clinics in Madison - seven fewer than when Doyle took office in January 2003."
"Doyle's budget, unveiled to lawmakers Tuesday night, would require child molesters and sexually violent offenders to wear global positioning bracelets only while they're on supervised release or parole. That's a significant step back from the law Doyle, a Democrat, signed in May to set up GPS tracking until the offender died or was too feeble to pose a threat."
Bill
would require state to cut emissions"Black said today that the bill mirrors one signed into law in November in California in requiring carbon dioxide emissions to be reduced to 1990 levels by 2020. A number of other states also are following the California model."
Sen
R. FeingoldFeingold
Part of Senate Coalition Calling for Improvements
to NCLB Testing Mandates"Time and again, I have heard from Wisconsinites who have serious concerns with the way NCLB is being implemented," Feingold said. “We must ensure that this law meets the needs of the students it was intended to serve.”
“I was honored to welcome President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf back to the Senate during her visit to the United States. She is a remarkable person and exactly the type of leader Liberia needs as it continues its recovery from years of conflict and bloodshed."
"This bill would help those communities that have been hit hard by job losses, and also do not have enough health professionals to keep their communities healthy."
Sen
H. KohlBILL
TO STOP RX DRUG 'PAYOFF' SETTLEMENTS"Our solution is very simple: make these anti-consumer patent settlements illegal. It will end this practice that is seriously impeding generic drug competition -- competition that could save consumers, literally, billions of dollars in health care costs."
KOHL
HONORED FOR EDUCATION ADVOCACY BY WISCONSIN PTA"I have made it one of my highest priorities to support programs that help all kids grow up to be successful in life because, too often, those with the smallest voices get overlooked in Congress," Kohl said. "I am truly grateful for this recognition from our state's PTA."
Rep
D. Obey"“Well, I for one am tired of those who have been consistently wrong about this war lecturing those of us who have been right from the start. I’m tired of the manipulation of intelligence by this Administration. I’m tired of the stubbornness of an administration that didn't have a clue about the Middle East realities when they got us into this mess, and don't have a clue now about how to get us out."
"In a 6-4 vote on Tuesday night, the Kansas state board of education deleted language from teaching guidelines that challenged the validity of evolutionary theory, and approved new phrasing in line with mainstream science. It was seen as a victory for a coalition of moderate Republicans and Democrats, science educators and parents who had fought for two years to overturn the earlier guidelines."
Single
easement could hold up Hurley's sewer-water project"The city requires 168 easements for the project, but only one involves a change in the location of sewer-water lines. The city hasn't reached an agreement with Richard Soetebier, of 612 Second Avenue North, on acquiring the easement."
Copper
Peak Snowmobile Hill Climb still on for Feb. 24"The hill climb is one of the biggest single-day snowmobile events in the Midwest and draws thousands of fans. VIP parking at the bottom of the bluff is on a first come basis for $40. Regular parking is $5. Gates open at 7 a.m. Gate admission is $10 for adults and $5 for ages 6-14."
"A new challenge now faces Wisconsin, and the nation," said Paul Delong, administrator of the DNR's Division of Forestry. "Who will be the next stewards of the state's forests? Will it be the children of current landowners? And will these offspring maintain the same commitment to the land as their parents?"
Doyle
seeks tax, fee boosts"Gov. Jim Doyle on Tuesday traded targeted tax increases - on smokers, hospitals and oil companies - for more health care and stable funding for the state's transportation system."
"Wisconsin Right to Life wanted the court to issue a preliminary injunction lifting the state rules while it considers the group's lawsuit that calls the limits unconstitutional. But U.S. District Judge John C. Shabaz declined to do so, saying the group had not shown that judicial candidates would speak out on issues if the rules weren't in place. Shabaz said most judicial candidates stay tight-lipped because they want to preserve the impartiality of the judiciary."
"Wisconsin Right to Life had asked for a temporary order lifting the rules so it could quiz candidates before the Feb. 20 primary and April 3 general elections... The group argued that in 2006, most candidates responding to its survey refused to answer the questions, citing the rules, which are enforced by the Wisconsin Supreme Court."
"My column on the Kinyon letters wasn't even in print yet - the column gets posted early on madison.com - when a reader in the United Kingdom contacted me by e-mail with a suggestion on how to reach Kinyon. A minute or two later, we were chatting on the phone."
Doyle
announces $225 million plan for higher education