Local News (archives)
"A Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources burning permit is required for any burning other than cooking food or warming the body when the ground is not snow-covered in areas outside of incorporated cities and villages."
Hurley
School students take part in annual Kick Butts Day "Kick Butts Day is about raising awareness of the thousands of chemicals in each puff of cigarette smoke and the need for elected officials at all levels to step up the fight to reduce smoking and other tobacco use."
Range
Bible Church lists Easter events"On Easter morning, Sunday, April 8, the church is holding an Easter Brunch at 9:30 a.m. Bite-sized fruit, muffins, pastries, juice, coffee, etc. will be served prior to the 10 a.m. worship service celebrating the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ."
"Kristin tells us that a fly was buzzing around the happy couple during the vows portion of the ceremony. The fly eventually landed on Jeremy's forehead, and Jeremy slapped himself on the forehead, Kristin said."
Ziegler,
Clifford go 1 last round in high court fight"The contest is non-partisan, but Ziegler has aligned herself with Republicans and Clifford with Democrats. Third parties have spent unprecedented sums in the race, in part because businesses say the court has hurt the state's economic climate in recent years. Business interests are backing Ziegler..."
Saving
billions of ash trees"But we have the opportunity to change that. Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.) and Rep. David Obey (D-Wis.) - who have demonstrated their leadership and commitment to conserving Wisconsin's natural resources - now chair key congressional committees that determine funding for federal programs."
"Sometimes the truth hurts," Clifford said. "The cornerstone of our justice system is the public confidence in the attorneys and judges who serve it."
"But when it comes to April Fool's Day, sometimes it's hard to sort out exactly what the truth is. In 1960 remains of a very real Viking colony were discovered at L'Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland. That settlement dates to around 1000 A.D."
"In education specialties, the UW came in first in administration/supervision, and first in curriculum/instruction. It ranked second in elementary education, secondary education and educational psychology. The UW came in third in education policy, fifth in counseling/personnel services and seventh in vocational/technical education."
Sen
R. Feingold"The move by U-S Senator Russ Feingold and U-S Representative Tammy Baldwin includes funds for the endangered whooping cranes that researchers are trying to establish as a new migratory flock."
"The provision stated that the Hmong and some other groups are not considered terrorists. It was taken out after Republican Senator Jon Kyl of Arizona raised a procedural objection. Under parts of the U-S-A Patriot Act and the Real I-D Act, the Hmong who fought alongside the Americans against communist forces in Laos are considered terrorists and ineligible for asylum or green cards."
Sen
H. Kohl"Chairman Kohl, an original co-sponsor of the legislation, said, "We are finally saying enough is enough - elder abuse is unacceptable and we are going to act to stop it.""
Rep
D. Obey"Gates said under questioning from House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey of Wisconsin that he was conflicted about the facility, which he said has become a symbol for opponents of U.S. policy in Iraq."
Police
report: Alcohol a factor in fatal crash "Sheriff Bob Bruneau, who furnished a copy of the accident report to the Daily Globe on Thursday, said alcohol was a factor. The report shows Simmons had a blood-alcohol content of .175 at the time of the 4:32 a.m. accident, more than twice the level used to determine intoxication in Wisconsin."
"If they want to take us on, I will fight it," said prosecutor Richard Adams, who earlier recommended the committee spend the money and resolve the issue. "Sometimes common sense has to rule over regulations," Adams said.
Temporary
food assistance available for Mercer area residents "Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank is the region's only "food bank" which annually supplies 2.5 million pounds of donated food to 140 non profit agencies in NE Minnesota (St. Louis, Carlton, Lake, and Cook) and NW Wisconsin (Douglas, Bayfield, Ashland, and Iron) counties as well as approximately 40,000 people in need."
Gender
divide growing in computer science"It should be a hot field now," said Jan Cuny, who runs the National Science Foundation's Broadening Participation in Computing initiative. "So it's kind of surprising that students would be leaving in droves. But they are." The number of students who say they're interested in majoring in computer science has dropped about 60 percent since 2000, Cuny said."
Come
back for less, workers are told"A new plan for layoffs at Circuit City is openly targeting better-paid workers, risking a public backlash by implying that its wages are as subject to discounts as its flat-screen TVs. The electronics retailer, facing larger competitors and falling sales, said Wednesday that it would lay off about 3,400 store workers and replace them with lower-paid new hires as soon as possible.
Tech
college tuition to rise"The Wisconsin Technical College System has approved a 5.8 percent tuition increase for all 16 technical college districts statewide."
"Niels Jakup Mortensen, 11, spotted a black box near his home on Suduroy, the Faeroes’ southernmost island, his mother Anna Jacobsen said. Inside, she said, was a watch that had been buried at the North Pole by Joergen Amundsen, a descendant of Norwegian polar explorer Roald Amundsen."
"Although Krueger didn't name the future competition, it has been widely anticipated that the impending construction of a Wal-Mart SuperCenter on Hwy. 70 west would result in the closure of at least one area grocery store. "Our resources will go into Save More Market Place, which will keep us strong in a changing business environment," Krueger said."
"Charges may be filed against the driver of the vehicle that rolled several times on U.S. 2 in Saxon last Thursday, claiming the life of Cody Southwell, 18, of Ironwood."
"Derek M. Larson, broker/owner of Coldwell Banker Larson Realty in Mercer, Hurley, Park Falls and Phillips, has been named to the company's International President's Elite, with $16 million in 2006 real estate sales."
Wal-Mart
construction expected to begin soon "Senior manager of public affairs Nick Infante of East Lansing said a nine-month construction period is anticipated. Wal-Mart plans to open its doors in Ironwood within the first three months of 2008, he added."
"Sex offenders being held for treatment at a state-run facility are outraged their pay has been slashed to $2 per hour from the minimum wage. Offenders at Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Center argue the state's $6.50 per hour minimum wage - which they earned until last month - should apply to them since they are civilly committed patients and not inmates."
"The state Department of Natural Resources decided Wednesday to continue an aggressive strategy to control chronic wasting disease for at least one more year, even though once again in 2006, hunters killed fewer deer in affected areas than in the prior year."
"The state Department of Natural Resources has reduced the number of areas in southeastern Wisconsin where it wants to take special precautions to protect the Butler's garter snake, a threatened species."
"Thousands more voters than usual are seeking absentee ballots from the Madison city clerk's office as Tuesday's election approaches. This year's spring election falls during spring break for UW-Madison, Edgewood College, Madison Area Technical College, Madison public schools and many suburban school districts."
"The key thing is to educate the public to recycle their bags when shopping," Hulsey said. "Stick a bunch of those plastic bags under your car seat and pull them out when you go to the store so you can reuse them."
"In 1993, only 40 percent of UW students surveyed reported being “extremely satisfied” with their college experience. However, that number jumped to 61 percent in the survey released Wednesday."
“You could hear the noise from the street,” animal control officer Neil Deruyter said. The birds were being kept in unsanitary conditions and were surrendered by their owner, an unidentified man in his 50s who had been collecting them for about five years, authorities said."
Sen
R. Feingold
Feingold,
Baldwin Introduce Crane Conservation Act“My home state of Wisconsin has been a part of truly inspirational efforts to recover cranes and we would all like to see similar success not only domestically but internationally, as well. We need to enhance education and research opportunities for crane conservationists so they can continue their important work to save these magnificent birds.”
Sen
H. Kohl
Gov.
Doyle“When it comes to the issue of choice, it’s time to move beyond the fights, and get to a broader agenda – an agenda of reducing unwanted pregnancies,” Governor Doyle said. “We should be helping people, in a realistic way, to plan a family, and make wise decisions about their health.”
“Wisconsin’s Smart Growth program is a model for the nation,” Governor Doyle said. “It puts local governments and citizens in charge of their future, allowing local decisions to determine the direction that each community takes."
[$24K to Hurley and Montreal. - Bob]
"The Iron County Health Department will offer free cholesterol and glucose screenings at its walk-in clinics in April, in celebration of National Public Health Week."
"To observe National Public Health Week, April 2-9, Zona Wick provided this history of the Iron County Health Department. Wick is director of the department."
"Competition in the cable TV industry is a worthy goal, but proposed legislation meant to encourage it could cut into consumer protection and local programming, lawmakers were told Tuesday."
DNR
seeks statewide ban on deer baiting"The Department of Natural Resources wants to expand the existing ban on baiting and feeding deer from 26 counties in southern Wisconsin to the entire state. Officials said they need the stricter limits to help control the spread of chronic wasting disease, a fatal deer disease first discovered in Wisconsin in 2002."
"The scientists have figured out a way, by using a twisting array of magnetic coils, to increase and retain the energy of the plasma in which fusion takes place."
"Officials from both the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and the Department of Financial Institutions warned during a public hearing earlier in the day that the bill would strip existing protections in state law, such as requiring cable TV providers to restore service within 72 hours and crediting customers for loss of their service, and leave consumers with little legal recourse."
Sen
R. Feingold"While the world’s leaders spout righteous rhetoric but stall from taking robust action, the viral hatred and unspeakable violence that has resulted in the death and displacement of hundreds of thousands of innocent people in Darfur has now spread to infect nearby areas, destabilizing neighboring countries and fueling a downward spiral of conflict and insecurity in the region."
"We will ask the Majority Leader to bring the bill up promptly, so that in 2008 candidates for the Senate will be required to file their campaign finance reports electronically, as candidates for President and the House have done for years."
Gov.
Doyle“Since 2002, Wisconsin has been a national model for providing affordable, comprehensive drug coverage to older citizens through the SeniorCare program,” Governor Doyle said. “It has proven popular, efficient, and cost-effective."
"Due to rapidly rising waters," the Ironwood Public Works Department closed Norrie Park Road from Lime Street to Riverside Drive at 7:30 Monday morning, a common occurrence in the spring. IPSD Director Bob Erspamer cautions drivers that it is not only illegal to bypass a police barricade, but it can also be dangerous to do so."
[Pictures of the 2002 flood are still on line at Community Cam, on WHRY's website. - Bob]
Tree
nurseries fear ash borer's threat to business"The effect could be a double whammy for nursery owners: Ash tree sales could collapse, and homeowners might be hard-pressed to invest in new trees to replace those they've paid to remove."
"Kapanke said documents he gave the Ethics Board show that he formed a foundation last year that receives the payments made by companies and organizations that lobby in the Capitol. That foundation then donates that money to local civic, church and medical groups, he said."
Wisconsin
foreclosure rate above U.S. average"The survey found that Wisconsin had 5.65 percent of its subprime loans in foreclosure at the end of 2006, higher than the national average of 4.53 percent. Of all mortgage loans, the state had 1.42 percent in foreclosure, above than the national average of 1.19 percent but lower than the five-state regional average of 2.38 percent."
Health
center to pick up $200000“Thanks to this grant we got through Sen. Kohl’s office, we were able to remodel this space and make it easier to provide the services that these residents need.”
Obey
endorses Edwards for president"However, Obey said Tuesday in a press release that Edwards has his support because he "talks about tackling the problems that matter most to America's working-class families — things like affordable health care, access to quality education and strengthening retirement security.''
"Investigators believe Garth M. Flaherty, 24, took as many as 1,500 undergarments from apartment complex laundry rooms before he was caught, police Cmdr. Chris Tennant said."
Sen
R. Feingold
“Today marks an important step toward ending the war in Iraq. For the first time, the U.S. Senate will pass binding legislation requiring the President to begin withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq."
"Last week the Committee had the opportunity to hear from the Justice Department’s Inspector General about – as he put it – “the widespread and serious misuse of the FBI’s national security letter authorities.” Today we need to hear straight from the FBI Director how and why this abuse occurred, and why it was not caught earlier."
“I am pleased that a provision included in the supplemental spending bill will fix a glaring problem in immigration law that effectively labeled the Hmong as terrorists. We will forever be indebted to the Hmong who fought alongside and supported the U.S. during the Vietnam War."
Gov.
Doyle“Every day, Boys & Girls Clubs across the state are supporting kids, fostering the right environment for them to learn and grow. Together, we’re working to provide our kids with positive role models, a does of Wisconsin values, and a sense of belonging.”
"The figures have now been vindicated by the government's own advisers. It's time we held our leaders to account for the 650,000 Iraqi dead... Scientists at the UK's Department for International Development thought differently. They concluded that the study's methods were "tried and tested". Indeed, the Hopkins approach would likely lead to an "underestimation of mortality"."
"Voters throughout Iron County will be asked to elect officials in their respective municipalities when they go to the polls on April 3. Some officials chose not to seek re-election, some face opposition and others are running unopposed."
Bands,
choirs score well "Results of the District WSMA Band and Choir festivals held at Hurley High School have been announced."
Official
doubts bug remedies"We're boxed in," she said, less than two weeks after the Journal Sentinel reported on the flaws and failures of ash borer eradication efforts in other states. "Our choices are limited, and a lot of the limitations have to do with how the federal funding is allocated, what the restrictions on it are."
School
choice creeps into race"Jon P. Wilcox, the justice whose retirement made way for the current election, voted that the voucher law was constitutional in a precedent-setting case in 1998. The outcome of this election could have a swing-vote effect on whether the majority of the court would support changing the legal status of the program, if the occasion arose."
"Real ID will give employers another way to intimidate workers who are already being exploited," said Saul Castillo, president of the Worker's Rights Center here in Madison."
"There's a mouse in Bill Exner's house that he says he has captured three times. Each time, the mouse escaped, and the last time the rodent made off with his lower dentures."
Sen
H. Kohl"Necedah National Wildlife Refuge Manager Larry Wargowsky extended his appreciation to Congressman Ron Kind, Congressman David Obey, Senator Herb Kohl, Senator Russ Feingold and the numerous groups and individuals who have supported the refuge over the years."
Rep
D. Obey
"“But most importantly, it helps General Petraeus and our own government by sending a signal to the Iraqi politicians that this Congress is going to play bad cop until they get the message that they must step-up because we aren’t going to run our babysitting service forever.”"
"The briefings will be one hour in length at the times and locations below. The public and members of the media are encouraged to attend...10:15a.m. HURLEY ...Location: Iron County Courthouse ... County Board Room"
Gov.
Doyle“Our state has the ideal resources to be a national model for renewable energy – from agriculture and forestry, to manufacturing and cutting edge innovation."
Father
of Ryan aide signed Troha fee deal"What few knew at the time, however, was that Troha and the aide's father signed a non-compete agreement on Feb. 18, 2005, under which JHT would pay T Group Consulting, a firm solely owned by Troha, two separate annual fees until June 2010 if Congress passed the trucking measure. Just weeks later, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee reported out a huge highway bill with the Troha provision. The bill became law in August, and records show that JHT made two wire transfers totaling more than $107,000 to T Group on Sept. 30, 2005. "
"We know of people who have gone up north five to six hours away to find a driver's license appointment," she said. She said most illegal immigrants don't have access to the online appointment system."
"More than a half-dozen state technology projects are over budget, delayed or canceled because of problems, a Wisconsin State Journal review found."
"Guenther said students should be aware of their constitutional rights if ever questioned by a police officer. “Assert [your] rights and be polite,” Guenther said. “If police abuse your rights, let the lawyers take care of it later.”
"The expansion also could extend coverage to thousands of younger adults. Nationwide, nearly one-third of adults 19 to 29 are uninsured, according to the Commonwealth Fund, a health care think tank. Its analysts noted that period is "a time in life when financial security is perhaps most tenuous."
Sen
H. Kohl"Criticism from Herb Kohl, D-Wis., underscores the hurdles Sirius and XM face in getting their merger approved by federal regulators. Although Congress has no formal role, Sirius chief executive Mel Karmazin, who would head the joint company, has not received a warm reception for the plan at three congressional hearings."
Rep
D. Obey"The measure was crafted by Wisconsin Democratic Congressman David Obey who chairs the House Appropriations Committee. The legislation funds operations in Iraq and Afghanistan through the end of the year. But it also requires combat operations cease before September 2008 _ or earlier if the Iraqi government does not meet certain requirements."
"I recognize that there may sometimes be a need for secrecy in certain national security investigations. But I've now been under a broad gag order for three years, and other NSL recipients have been silenced for even longer. At some point -- a point we passed long ago -- the secrecy itself becomes a threat to our democracy. In the wake of the recent revelations, I believe more strongly than ever that the secrecy surrounding the government's use of the national security letters power is unwarranted and dangerous. I hope that Congress will at last recognize the same thing."
"It has been 2 years since the closing of the Upper Great Lakes Renaissance Festival and now, the Midwest Amateur Renaissance Society, Inc. is happy to announce the opening of the Lake Superior Renaissance Faire."
[Unfortunately, this site requires registration to post there to even read the notice. - Bob]
"The driver in an early Thursday morning single-vehicle accident on U.S. 2 that claimed the life of one Ironwood youth and injured three others has still not been identified."
"By the time we got to County B in Saxon my water had broke," Lisa said. "So I thought I'd start pushing ... just a little bit ... to relieve the pain. Between the top of Birch Hill and the casino, he came out."
County
board will not hold March meeting "The Iron County Board of Supervisors will not meet this month. "There's no business to bring before the board," county clerk Mike Saari said Friday."
"Workshops will cover powers and duties of town officials, the Open Meetings Law, ethics and conflicts of interest, town road maintenance and safety, running effective meetings and budgeting."
St.
Mary's church youth group to present musical "St. Mary's Catholic Church Religious Education Youth will present "What Wondrous Love," a musical drama of the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ Sunday at 12:30 p.m., and April 1, at 2 p.m. at the church, Iron Street and Fifth Ave. S., Hurley."
"Assistance
from the Army included cooperation in seizing the recruiter's computer,
which is Army-issued. The computer was seized to search for evidence of
inappropriate contacts through an Internet chat room, investigators said.
The Army also cooperated by sharing an investigation report of a similar
complaint from a potential Ontonagon recruit several years ago, Erspamer
said."
Median
property tax bill could rise by $94, state report says"Property taxes on a median-valued Wisconsin home would rise by $94 - or 3.4% - in December bills under Gov. Jim Doyle's proposed state budget, according to a report made public Friday by the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau."
Video
bill on fast track"Wisconsin residents would lose their rights to cable television repairs within 72 hours, credit for service interruptions and advance notice of rate increases, under a bill on the fast track in the state Legislature."
"Laws requiring motorists to prove they are in the country legally to get a driver's license will force immigrant workers further underground, make roads more dangerous and inconvenience all drivers, local workers' rights advocates say."
"Jereme Tauer Jr. was born at almost 100 mph as his parents hurtled down U.S. Highway 2 in northernmost Wisconsin in a Dodge Neon. His parents, Jereme and Lisa Tauer of Hurley, managed the birth without a doctor, pain medication or even stopping the car."
"Maybe Jereme Tauer Jr. is afraid of hospitals, or perhaps the baby — who was born in a Dodge Neon Tuesday as his parents sped along U.S. Highway 2 — is just partial to making grand entrances."
Obey
defends bill from critics on left and right"Obey said this bill allows Congress to be the “bad cop” that sends a clear message to Iraqi politicians that the United States military isn’t there to be a “permanent babysitter.” In response to critics on the left who say the bill doesn’t get the troops out soon enough, he cited the pragmatic need for incremental progress."
"The first two cells in the landfill had only a sandy loam liner and no system for collecting leachate, the contaminated liquid that collects at the bottom of a landfill and leaks through anything other than a highly engineered clay and plastic liner. In 1994, after volatile organic compounds showed up in monitoring wells, the county re-capped the first two cells to prevent rainwater infiltration."
Sen
R. Feingold“Our country can never fully repay our veterans for the sacrifices they have made for their country, but we must do all we can to ensure they receive the best medical care possible,” Feingold said. “A new SCI unit is critical for veterans in Wisconsin and throughout the Midwest and its construction is long overdue.”
Rep
D. Obey“This package provides for our troops, Katrina families, homeland security, pandemic flu preparedness, and other unmet funding needs,” said Obey. “But most importantly, it helps General Petraeus and our own government by sending a signal to the Iraqi politicians that this Congress is going to play bad cop until they get the message that they must step-up because we aren’t going to run our babysitting service forever.”
"Seventh District Congressman Dave Obey will host public updates on the federal budget and the war in Iraq throughout the 7th Congressional District between March 30th and April 4th. The briefings will be one hour in length at the times and locations below. The public and members of the media are encouraged to attend."
"Three people were injured in and one young man died as the result of an early Thursday morning single-vehicle rollover accident on U.S. 2 in the Gurney area and two were later airlifted to St. Mary's Hospital in Duluth, Minn."
"The cost to the city has been reduced to about $350,000, said Hurley Fire Chief Darrell Petrusha. The department secured a $50,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture-Rural Development grant, and sold its old second-line fire truck for $126,000."
Effective March 20, all Town of Anderson roads are closed because of conditions caused by the spring thaw.
"Reilly said the university system knows such benefits are a factor in attracting and retaining employees, and he believes they foster a strong economic climate in the state."
"Social(k) allows investors to diversify their portfolios by combining various socially responsible investment options. For example, an employee could invest retirement savings only in companies that have demonstrated a commitment to reduce greenhouse gases, or an employee might specify that none of his money be invested in companies with ties to oppressive governments."
"An innovative reimbursement program funded by Dane County's Clean Air Coalition and the Wisconsin Soybean Program was announced Thursday to reimburse school districts for the cost difference between biodiesel and standard diesel fuel."
Sen
H. Kohl"The MILC is a countercyclical program that serves as a safety net to small and mid-size dairy farmers when milk prices plummet. Kohl says the program provided $414 million to Wisconsin dairy farmers when milk prices dropped to record lows since its implementation in 2002."
Rep
D. Obey"They helped drive the drumbeat that drove almost two-thirds of the people in this chamber to vote for that misbegotten, stupid, ill-advised war that has destroyed our influence over a third of the world. So I make no apology if the moral sensibilities of some people on this floor, or the editorial writers of The Washington Post, are offended because they don't like the specific language contained in our benchmarks or in our timelines."
"Rep. David Obey, D-Wausau, declined to look ahead to what House Democrats might do following a presidential veto. "I'll take it one step at the time,'' he said. "It took three months of getting double hernias to get where we are today.''"
"After ordering Wiehl's microphone cut, O'Reilly added: "I'll scold my own people here 'cause they're not -- she's not telling you the truth. There is a transcript. Every word [White House senior adviser] Karl Rove and anybody else said would be on paper.""
"Michigan anglers are asked not to move live fish between the Great Lakes and inland waters, particularly minnow species, and to use standard disinfection techniques for boats, live wells and other equipment. Citizens are encouraged to report sick fish or fish kills to the local DNR office or on the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr."
"If Barbara Lynn Terry wants to get married Friday morning, she'll have to swear to a judge she's a man. And so will her doctor. Otherwise, Wisconsin's same-sex marriage prohibition will keep Terry - who was born a man, lived as a woman for decades and has undergone treatment for."
Fraud
charges against former Thompson aide dismissed"A federal judge has dismissed all seven influence peddling charges against P. Nicholas Hurtgen - a former investment broker and aide to former Gov. Tommy G. Thompson - in a high-profile Chicago corruption case."
Prison
funding shortfall?"Even with a lawsuit hanging over the state's head, Gov. Jim Doyle's proposed budget falls short of adequately funding mental health services for female inmates at Taycheedah Correctional Institution, says Todd Winstrom, an attorney with Disability Rights Wisconsin."
"Despite horror stories nationally about health care for veterans, two local soldiers who were treated at Walter Reed and Bethesda military hospitals and then transferred to local veterans hospitals for care say they had good treatment."
"The Mansfield EcoQuantum looks like an ordinary commode with a handle that pulls up for a full flush using 1.6 gallons and down for a partial flush using 1 gallon. It cost the homeowners an additional $50."
"The state Department of Natural Resources wants to create 33 earn-a-buck zones this fall, up from 21 last year. The agency also wants to impose earn-a-buck regulations in all chronic wasting disease zones, where hunters were allowed to kill either sex last year."
Sen
R. Feingold“The Child Support Enforcement program helps to make sure that child support payments make it to the children and families who are counting on that financial support,” Feingold said. “The funding for this program should never have been cut in the first place, and by reinstating funding we can act in the best interests of Wisconsin families.”
"Top on the Senator's agenda after Iraq is health care. He plans to introduce major legislation in the near future. Following revelations of deplorable conditions at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, Feingold says more is being done for wounded veterans"
Sen
H. Kohl
"Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI), chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights, said that the merger could be a "real bad deal" for customers, and with this news, we tend to agree."
Rep
D. Obey"There are some people in the political system who think that the best way to win a football game is to sack their own quarterback," he said on the call. "...I don't have the luxury of simply issuing a press release to show how pure I am. I have to actually deliver the goods. And that means I've got to pass something in the House of Representatives, and that ain't easy."
Gov.
Doyle"Sap bags are hanging on the sugar maple trees in the Montreal, Wis., area. Rye began collecting sap just over a week ago, and has collected about 40 gallons thus far this season."
Mercer
Education Foundation to soon award its first scholarship "... the foundation will award a $1,000 scholarship, renewable for up to four years of college to a student who maintains a 3.0 grade point average."
"Current laws banning lewd behavior in public do not apply to breast-feeding. But the bill would clarify the right of mothers to breast-feed in public and private places where they are authorized to be, and it would prevent anyone from interfering with that right, backers say. Those who do could face a fine of $200."
Thompson
moves toward candidacy"Tommy G. Thompson took a major step toward a presidential bid when he said Tuesday that he will formally announce his candidacy in several weeks, kicking off his campaign in Wisconsin and Iowa."
Just
plain juvenile"rotests like Monday's and stunts like secretly videotaping and posting online a hallway confrontation with Wisconsin Democratic Rep. David Obey, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee (and a vocal opponent of the war), don't well serve the cause of U.S. withdrawal from Iraq. No. 1, wrong targets. No. 2, juvenile and, in Monday's case, criminal."
"It's been dubbed the "Frankenstein" veto because of the way the governor stitches together bits and pieces from reams of text to create monstrous law never approved by lawmakers."
"We thought it was a really good idea just because people do not necessarily care or want to vote by mail," said Adam Lang, electronic media chair for the College Democrats. "Hopefully saying 'Vote naked' is amusing enough or interesting enough to get people to vote."
"However, the RIAA needs UW to forward those letters to the students or personnel, since the association has only anonymous IP addresses and no names. UW would have that information, since the letters target people who were allegedly downloading music illegally over a university server."
Obey's
war bill faces challenge, even from Democrats"Democrats have added money to complete various items left unfinished by Republicans when they controlled Congress, said Obey. The $21 billion includes money needed for base closings and realignment, Defense Department healthcare, Gulf Coast rebuilding, flu pandemic preparedness, wildfire containment, low-income heating assistance, and the supplemental children's health program known as S-CHIP."
Doyle
pushes crackdown on noncompliant sex offenders"Gov. Jim Doyle wants to spend $12 million on Global Positioning Systems and polygraphs to track and test noncompliant sex offenders, he told local police Tuesday. Doyle outlined his budget proposal during a visit to the Everest Metro Police Department."
"One company is hoping to secure enough land to eventually sustain a crushing and refining plant for biodiesel — and a consortium of companies and individuals are exploring the possibility of a biomass energy facility in the city's industrial park."
Sen
R. Feingold"It was a grave mistake for Congress to grant the government broad authorities and just keep its fingers crossed that they wouldn’t be misused. We have the obligation, the responsibility, to put appropriate limits on government authorities – limits that allow agents to actively pursue criminals and terrorists, but that also protect the privacy of innocent Americans."
Sen
H. Kohl
Senator
expresses skepticism on Sirius-XM deal - America's Network
"We must view these claims with a healthy degree of skepticism," Kohl was quoted by the report as saying. "Over-the-air radio does not come close to duplicating the impressive array of program offerings of satellite radio."
"A study by Fed economists projected that economic growth would slip toward the 2% range after 2010, about a point lower than the rate of the last decade, largely the result of meager growth in the future labor force, Kohn testified. Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.), chairman of the aging panel, introduced legislation Wednesday that would give employers a tax credit for establishing flexible work schedules that enabled older employees to stay on the job without losing healthcare or pension benefits."
"Four months after the San Diego United States Attorney's office launched an investigation into whether he had accepted bribes from defense contractors, and little more than a month before he pled guilty to those charges, Rep. Duke Cunningham (R-CA) signed on to a letter criticizing U.S. Attorney Carol Lam's "lax" handling of immigration crimes."
Hurley officials
confident new program will tune in better grades"For 10 days next month, students will not only go without TV, but they'll also give up video games, movies and computers."
Personnel committee,
union workers to talk health insurance "The city has changed insurance carriers and the contract with union employees says benefits can't be reduced in the middle of the contract period. The employees and council ironed out a few of the differences in open session, but there were a few questions the council couldn't answer without St. Arnold."
Mercer dumps CESA grant
writer"The Mercer School Board voted 4-0 Monday to eliminate the $12,160 cost of a grant writer from its estimated $189,219 contract with the Cooperative Educational Service Agency for 2007-08."
"The biggest share of the funds would go to an effort to cluster key research institutions around the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center in Wauwatosa, creating a critical mass of engineering and medical research institutions that can generate patents, technology and start-up companies."
Doyle
says Troha a supporter, not an adviser"Gov. Jim Doyle on Monday called now-indicted contributor Dennis Troha a strong supporter but said he was not a political adviser to his re-election campaign last year."
"As part of its aggressive anti-piracy campaign, RIAA president Cary Sherman sent a letter to UW-Madison Chancellor John Wiley and System President Kevin Reilly on Sunday as a "heads-up" that the association will be actively going after illegal online file-trafficking on System campuses including UW-Madison."
"Scholz recommends simply adding up the money you'll be getting monthly from Social Security and, if you're lucky, a pension. Then figure out how much you've accumulated in stocks, bonds, mutual funds and saving accounts, and how much you can draw from that amount each month without depleting your balances until you're about 90."
"University of Wisconsin students could be shelling out $700 more per semester for a College of Engineering degree if a differential tuition plan proposed Sunday night is approved."
Plans
take shape for districts' new charter schools"All of the children will have an individualized learning plan and it will culminate in some kind of a research project in their senior year," Schlichting said. "That's different from regular students, and that's going to be one of the unique features of each of these five different charter schools."
Sen
R. Feingold“While we can’t do anything about the weather, we can make sure that airline passengers are not subjected to the terrible conditions we witnessed last month.”
"I strongly encourage all U.S. government agencies involved in oversight activities in Iraq to work together to aggressively pursue allegations of misuse and to penalize those who use U.S. taxpayer dollars for personal gain."
"Despite these ongoing and well-intentioned efforts, today in Darfur millions remain displaced, and at least 200,000 are dead. Humanitarian space continues to shrink and peacekeepers, aid workers, and human rights actors are increasingly the targets of violent crimes."
Gov.
Doyle"... Governor Jim Doyle today announced that teams of retired law enforcement and sex offender registry experts have tracked down more than 1,350 noncompliant sex offenders since the Governor launched the Sex Offender Apprehension Felony Enforcement (SAFE) initiative in 2005."
The pictures for this collage were taken on March 10th. Starting at 50 degrees in Hurley, pictures were taken east on M28 to the lakeshore near Marquette, the Sceney stretch and across to the eastern end... where, of course, near blizzard conditions turned it too dark and too windy for a video to show much..
Plunge for life: Event
at Lake Michele a fundraiser for Regional Hospice"One of three major fundraiser, the Polar/Penguin Plunge raised more than $12,000 in cash pledges and in-kind donations Sunday at Lake Michele, according to co-chairwoman Kathy Maki of Ironwood. An awards ceremony followed at the Hurley Inn."
Hurley
to offer drivers' education"Total cost of the program is $265. Call the high school office, 561-4900 ext. 206, to request an informational letter and application form."
Easter
egg hunt set for April 7 in Mercer "The Mercer Lions Club will hold an Easter egg hunt Satu