Local News (archives)
Investigation
continues in burglary of Bear Trap Inn"The Bear Trap was broken into on the night of June 20, the June 21 complaint said. With money reported missing, the thief entered through a back window, the complaint added. It's been unofficially reported that Don's Bar in Saxon was also broken into on June 20."
County
board OKs land transactions "Four land transactions were approved by the Iron County Board at a 25-minute meeting Thursday. The board sold lots 9 and 10 in Richardson's second addition in Mercer to the Town of Mercer for $1."
Woman
severely injured in ATV crash"With the helicopter unable to land at the scene, Beacon Ambulance transported the victims to GVH, where the helicopter was able to land, the report said. The police escorted the ambulance to the hospital. One of the victims was then airlifted to St. Mary's in Duluth, while the 12-year-old girl was treated for a broken wrist and released, Petrusha said."
Ironwood:
City cleared in cleanfill dump site complaint "Dumping continues at all sites, and the city is taking the necessary steps to better document those dumpings, according to city manager Scott Erickson."
[This is the other side of Penokee Closed By D.E.Q., posted on 28 June. - Bob]
The mayor, speaking Thursday at The Brookings Institution, admonished the lawmakers and policymakers gathered to deep-six the stereotype, one he finds unattractive (especially compared to "Sun Belt") and self-defeating as the Midwest transitions to a new economy amid fierce, global competition.
Doyle,
Democrats diverge on health plan"Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle on Friday distanced himself from the universal health care plan that Senate Democrats added to their state budget, saying he will instead push for his plan to expand the BadgerCare program."
"The butterflies are harmless but some people still feel threatened when they see a swarm or unusual-looking insects, entomologists said. "People shouldn't automatically jump to the conclusion that something they're not used to seeing is something bad," said Beth Goeppinger, a Bong State Recreation Area naturalist."
"After all, it was Gaylord Nelson who talked about limiting immigration, not just illegal immigration, when he said, "But in this country, it's phony to say I'm for the environment but not for limiting immigration.' It's just a fact that we can't take all the people who want to come here. And you don't have to be a racist to realize that."
Obey
proposes clean-campaign election fund"Obey and eight other House Democrats have introduced a bill they say would allow the general public to check off $2 contributions on their federal tax returns to contribute to a campaign fund for general election races of House candidates. A fee of one-tenth of 1 percent levied on companies with profits of $10 million or more would supplement the fund. The money would be divvied up to incumbents and challengers based on formulas."
New
city contract goes with trends"The contract for members of Local 728-A that was approved by the city council earlier this month came about suddenly after a meeting with a union representative about insurance changes."
"Mayor Joe Pinardi said it's not a new license. Wiedbrauk will pay $500 for the license and will also be responsible for paying for the cost of Thursday's special session. There were no other items on the agenda."
County
could eliminate 'wait list' for home, long-term care"A statewide initiative to regionalize family care is under way, and Iron County could now eliminate its "wait list" for those in need of a home or community-based long-term care within two years through the consortium."
Boat
landing evidence of Mercer Lake Association's effort "The lake association will hold its annual meeting Saturday at 9 a.m. at the Mercer Community Center. The meeting is open to the public. Association members will discuss efforts under way to improve the lake, its fishery, public access and safe navigation."
"Iron County's unemployment rate for May stood at 7.1 percent, down substantially from 10.7 percent in April, but still the second highest in Wisconsin."
"The Gile Post Office will be restored to a full-service facility, with a postmaster appointed by Oct. 1, according to U.S. Postal officials."
GOP
lawmakers huddle on budget details"Huebsch refused to make public any recommendations of the individual work groups. He said public disclosure would limit the "free and open" debate needed to consider spending options. Only the final package of changes will be made public and given to Assembly Democrats one day before debate starts, Huebsch said."
Democratic
state convention attracts no presidential candidates"But the presumed front-runners for the Democratic presidential nomination, Sens. Hillary Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois, passed on the opportunity to address the state's Democratic base."
"... Hewett said the virus probably spread into the Mississippi. Cedar Lake connects to both the Mississippi and St. Croix rivers. The DNR announced in December 2002 that tests of fish taken from the rivers revealed antibodies for the virus, suggesting the fish had come into contact with the virus."
"Home grocery delivery services are making a comeback, aided by the Internet and a personal touch. Two new companies, one independent and one franchise, have opened recently in Madison providing personal shopping services primarily for customers needing -- or wanting -- to avoid the grocery store."
"Here, iPhone envy could linger for the next few years, possibly longer. Apple and AT&T, which took over Cingular, have an exclusive, multiyear agreement to bundle the iPhone with AT&T's cell phone service plans, said Mark Siegel, an AT&T spokesman. AT&T's network, however, covers eastern Wisconsin and the Madison area, and not much further in Wisconsin."
Odd:
Wal-Mart plasma TV for $4.88"While Wal-Mart is known for dropping its prices, one West Monroe man took the ad campaign seriously when he dropped the price of a plasma television from $984 to $4.88."
Gov.
Doyle
"The Department has indicated that an investigation was done on the Ayer Street and Penokee dumpsites. Although this cannot be fully confirmed by the DEQ at this time, the dumpsite was closed as a result of their investigation."
[Pictures from About_Ironwood at Pic 1 and Pic 2 - Bob]
"Lautenschlager, now an attorney in private practice, called the decision an "assault on the public records laws" that means that "only a select few can have meaningful input" into what may be introduced in the Legislature, pass both Assembly and Senate and become law."
Health
plan guarantees teacher benefits"Sen. Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton), author of the plan, said it would be unfair to reduce teachers' health benefits with a salary cap in place. Teachers would be covered under the state health plan, but school districts would have to make up the balance of benefits, to current levels, he said."
Kohl's
pulls Daisy Fuentes clothing over sweatshop allegations"The National Labor Committee, a New York-based workers rights group, issued a report after learning of complaints by workers at the Fribo factory in rural Santa Maria Cauque de Sacatepequez, Guatemala."
"The 27-foot-long, 11-foot-tall hot dog on wheels was in a construction zone on Interstate 10 in downtown Tucson Wednesday morning, slowing traffic. Officer Korey Lankow caught up to it and ran its YUMMY license plate to make sure it was street legal. YUMMY came back as stolen."
Feingold
won't ignore Cheney claim"If Cheney's attempt to classify the vice president as a legislator -- in order to avoid requirements that his office comply with requirements of the National Archives' charting of the classification and declassification of important documents -- were to be accepted, Feingold says, "I would have to go back and reconsider some of my answers on the quizzes when I was in elementary school. I would worry about my third-grade test results if I somehow got it wrong when I expressed this bizarre notion that the vice president was a member of the executive branch."
"He had his facts all wrong," Chernow said. "If you look at Texas, the rates have not gone down." "The attitude he had was We're not going to listen to you. We've already made our mind up. We don't care who we step on.' "
"Wisconsin ranked eighth in the nation last year in revenue from Indian gaming facilities with 11 tribes bringing in $1.2 billion, according to a report released Thursday."
Land
deal adds 5,900 acres to Brule River State Forest"The Brule River deal is only part of a sweeping land-buy package the board approved at its meeting in Oconomowoc. The move ensures about 10,700 acres throughout Wisconsin will be protected from development and open to hunting, fishing and recreation."
Sen
R. Feingold"The test of whether an ad is permissible is whether it is "susceptible of no reasonable interpretation other than as an appeal to vote for or against a specific candidate," the court said. A loophole that large could encourage special-interest groups to wage advertising campaigns for the upcoming presidential primaries that they may not have contemplated before the ruling."
"Cheney flunked out of Yale, never got near a law school and has, throughout his long career of public self-service displayed a disregard for the Constitution unequaled in American politics."
Sen
H. Kohl"I'm disappointed that partisan divide has prevented us from completing our work on the immigration reform bill."
"The Wisconsin Methamphetamine Initiative and CLEAR teams have done a great job finding and eradicating hundreds of meth labs across Wisconsin, but they can do more if we give them the resources to expand their operations."
"And today, the Senate Special Committee on Aging, which is led by Senator Herb Kohl, Democrat of Wisconsin, will hold the first of a series of hearings on the issue, which could lead to legislative proposals to restrict and require disclosure of payments and gifts to doctors from drug companies nationwide."
"The Combination Class B beer and liquor license will be acted on first, followed by the adult entertainment license request. If the council chooses to grant the liquor license, it will be the 34th one approved in the city this year."
Democrats
advance state budget"Flexing political muscle they lacked for four years, Democrats on Tuesday pushed through the Senate a budget with historic tax increases, a $15.2 billion universal health care plan and a broader role for state government in the lives of every Wisconsin resident."
State
to add 10,000 acres to far-flung natural areas"I think that the range of the projects here shows the amazing reach of the stewardship fund and how it affects people across the state,"
University
will build bioenergy fuel lab"UW-Madison will build a $100 million facility to support a new federal research center for developing alternative fuel sources, with half of the money coming from state taxpayers, officials said Tuesday."
Feingold
puts positive spin on Supreme Court decision"Yes, of course, says Feingold, "I think the court was wrong to say that these kinds of ads could be done. I think it was a wrong decision, and that it may be abused significantly. (But) they certainly did not overturn McCain-Feingold.""
"Some fret that lawmakers will play to the camera and inject more drama into the otherwise routine process of governing. Others fear that the legislative process will seem so haphazard as to drive lawmakers' approval ratings into the ground."
Google
to help non-profits raise awareness"Already, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum has been using Google Earth to call attention to atrocities in the Darfur region of Sudan. When users scan over Darfur, they see icons of flames representing destroyed villages and of tents for refugee camps. Clicking on one opens a window with details and links on how to help."
Sen
R. Feingold"After a year and a half of stonewalling by the Administration, the Judiciary Committee is finally taking appropriate action by issuing subpoenas for information that will tell us how and why high-ranking officials authorized this illegal program. The bipartisan support for issuing these subpoenas demonstrates that both Democrats and Republicans are fed up with the misleading statements from the Attorney General and the Administration about this illegal program."
"Those protocol changes also reversed the presumption against seeking the federal death penalty in a local jurisdiction that had already chosen to outlaw capital punishment, and instead stated that a lack of “appropriate punishment” in the local jurisdiction should be a factor in deciding whether to bring a federal capital case."
Sen
H. Kohl"The commission's hard work is a true public service resulting in a process that is impartial and above the fray. I look forward to working with this impressive group."
Gov.
DoyleGovernor
Doyle Announces Stewardship Purchases Across the State“The Stewardship fund not only protects thousands of acres of land across the state, it protects who we are in Wisconsin,” Governor Doyle said. “From the bluffs of La Crosse to the forests of the north to the more urban setting of Big Muskego Lake, these purchases will serve the needs of all citizens throughout the state. "
Bill
O’Reilly Hoisted On His Own Petard By 16 Year Old"As for what it’s like being the kid who put a hurting on Bill O’Reilly, Lange says he is getting “a couple hundred Facebook requests a day” and letters from college professors, “just asking me to consider their schools when I apply to college.”"
[Why is this pinhead the only talk radio in the Hurley area (except for right wing extremist Newt Gingrich's editorial comment that has been added at WJMS) when the county is heavily Democratic? Shouldn't we complain to Frede? - Bob]
Motion
hearing set for July 16 on Fisher Lake land deal"Iron County wants Edelstein to deed over his portion of the Haven by the Falls parcel on Lake of the Falls in exchange for his initial investment of $90,000. The Iron County Circuit Court hearing is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m."
State
declines comment in Bednar-Clemens probe "Sen. Jauch's office, in addition to writing correspondence over the past year, recently made phone contact with the DOJ to find out the status of this case," Kanninen said. "We got the same answer as Mr. DeRosso. It's still under investigation, and we're getting closer."
$15.2
billion plan for universal health care kindles support, ire"The state's business trade groups spoke against the plan - and the payroll tax that would fund it. But some independent business owners and operators told lawmakers it would work well for them and their employees."
"Today we have a historic opportunity to give our businesses, our families, our farmers, what they've been asking for for years. ... What they have been asking for are the same health care benefits as their state legislators," said Senate Majority Leader Judy Robson, D-Beloit."
Energy
secretary announces $375 million for bioenergy centers"University of Wisconsin-Madison said it would use the $125 million grant over five years, the largest formal grant in school history, to establish the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center in Madison. The lab will be a partnership with Michigan State University, the University of Florida and scientists from other laboratories."
"The newest challenge to a Depression-era state law designed to protect owners of small gas stations from unfair competition has been filed in Dane County Circuit Court by a national libertarian law firm."
"For Paul Philp, a professor of petroleum and environmental geochemistry at the University of Oklahoma, the gas is valuable on its own. “We’re going to begin fingerprinting the gasoline and compare it to modern day gasolines,” he said."
Sen
R. Feingold
Kohl,
Feingold, Baldwin Praise Grant to University of Wisconsin-Madison for
Bioenergy Research Center“This is an exciting moment for the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the state as they lead research into the promising next generation of biofuels, such as cellulosic ethanol, that will foster increased national security, support our local communities, and protect our environment,”
Sen
H. Kohl
KOHL
LAUDS SELECTION OF UW-MADISON FOR NEW BIOENERGY RESEARCH CENTER"... it solidifies our state and our flagship University's position at the head of the burgeoning renewable fuels industry. As we wean our way off oil, gas, and coal energy sources, we know that more and more Americans will turn to biofuels to heat their homes and fuel their cars -- biofuels developed and produced in Wisconsin,"
Rep
D. Obey
OBEY
RE-INTRODUCES PLAN TO TAKE PRIVATE MONEY OUT OF POLITICS“We have reached a point where private money is swamping the political process and destroying public confidence in our government. The problem with politics is more fundamental than meals or trips with lobbyists,”
HOUSE
PASSES RECORD INCREASE IN FUNDING FOR VETERANS HEALTHCARE“This bill provides the largest increase in funding for veterans in the VA’s seventy-seven year history. It follows the increased funding we provided for veterans in this year’s budget, and clearly shows that we’ve made the needs of our servicemen and women our top priority,”
Gov.
Doyle“This Center will be the centerpiece of our state’s efforts to lead the country toward energy independence. And just like the Institutes for Discovery, this will be an economic engine that will translate new discoveries into high-paying jobs.”
Presidential
scholars present Bush with letter urging a ban on torture"President Bush was presented with a letter Monday signed by 50 high school seniors in the Presidential Scholars program urging a halt to "violations of the human rights" of terror suspects held by the United States."
"In January, Hurley K-12 School second-graders and their teachers, Patti Bertagnoli and Michelle Santini, formed a running and fitness club called the Mighty Monarchs."
"The Manitowish Waters Chamber of Commerce will hold an Independence Day celebration on Wednesday, July 4, featuring a full day of activities at the Manitowish Waters Community Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., a downtown parade at 1 p.m., the Skiing Skeeters water ski show at 7:30 p.m. and fireworks at dusk."
"The 11th annual "Just Tri It" Triathlon will be held Saturday at 9 a.m. at the North Lakeland Discovery Center in Manitowish Waters. Each year, the triathlon has grown in popularity, drawing over 200 participants from the beginner to the experienced tri-athlete. The course consists of a 300-yard swim, a 10-kilometer mountain bike and a 5-kilometer trail run."
Senators
push universal health care"The plan stands little chance of becoming law this year because Republicans who control the Assembly do not support the idea. But Senate Majority Leader Judy Robson (D-Beloit) said it was important to include the proposal in the budget because the cost of health care is such a pressing issue - one she contends Republicans haven't been willing to address with real solutions."
Poll:
Wisconsin residents happy with themselves _ not the nation"Only three out of 10 people in Wisconsin are satisfied with the way things are going in the U.S. or Bush's job performance, according to the latest Badger Poll from the University of Wisconsin Survey Center."
Court
kills key parts of Feingold law "Jay Heck, executive director of the reform group Common Cause in Wisconsin, said the ruling opens the gates to so-called "issue ads" that look and sound like regular campaign ads but don't tell viewers to vote for or against a candidate. In many cases, including the Right to Life case, such messages are funded with corporate money, which is otherwise banned under the McCain-Feingold law and Wisconsin state law."
"Several hundred people laced up Sunday morning for a two-mile charity race in which suds were the refresher of choice. Competitors in the 19th annual Beer Belly Two might not be considered athletes, but they know how to have a good time."
DNR
optimistic fish virus not widespread‘‘We all kind of felt like, when it was announced that is was in Lake Winnebago that if it was in Winnebago it could be all over the state,’’ he said. ‘‘And while we certainly aren’t ruling out the possibility that it’s in some waters out there, it’s not widespread.’’
Sen
R. Feingold
Statement
of U.S. Senator Russ Feingold on the Supreme Court's Decision in Wisconsin
Right to Life v. FEC"Unfortunately, the test that the Court sets out for challenges to the law by those who wish to run specific ads -- whether the ads in question are the “functional equivalent of express advocacy” and are “susceptible of no reasonable interpretation other than as an appeal to vote for or against a specific candidate” -- seems susceptible to easy manipulation by groups intent on spending corporate and union money to influence elections."
Sen
H. KohlKohl
examining drug industry practices - MSN Money"It is estimated that drug companies spend $19 billion a year on doctors in lecture and conference fees, research grants, trips, meals, drug samples and more, according to a statement from the senator's office. Panel members will discuss how pharmaceutical companies influence physican prescribing patterns and the self-imposed guidelines of accepting and giving gifts and fees."
Rep
D. Obey"Democrats are predictably skeptical of the party's recent "spend wisely" hosannas. "It's a miracle," says Wisconsin Rep. David Obey, sarcastically. "It's a St. Paul conversion on the road to Damascus.""
Gov.
Doyle
Governor
Doyle Touts Bio-Initiative to Achieve Energy Independence“Our state has the farms, the fields, the forests, and the factories to reduce our reliance on foreign fossil fuels, protect our environment, and add new growth to our economy. With innovative businesses and strong partnerships like Clear Horizons working together with the Crave Brothers’ farm, Wisconsin is poised to lead the country to energy independence.”
Webcasters to Go Silent in Protest of Royalty Rate Increase -
SaveNetRadio Coalition"Many webcasters are planning to shut off access to their streams entirely,
while other webcasters plan to replace their music streams with long periods of
silence (or static or ocean sounds or similar) interspersed with occasional brief
public service announcements on the subject."
Super-rare
warbler is nesting in Wisconsin"This is the first time nests have been found outside Michigan since the 1940s, when nests were discovered in Ontario. Female Kirtland's warblers have also been observed near the nests, another first for Wisconsin."
Democrats
push health care"Saying the state's health-care system is in a crisis that demands radical action, Senate Democrats will begin Monday to advance a plan to mandate that every person in the state have the same coverage that lawmakers have."
DNR
optimistic fish virus not widespread"But the state Department of Natural Resources is requesting to make permanent rules aimed at containing the virus, which is deadly to fish but not to humans."
"About two weeks ago, a bird watcher in central Wisconsin reported seeing a nest, indicating that a breeding pair now calls the state home. Since then, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said two more nests have been found."
""The lobbying dollar is what counts," Linzmeyer said. "Insurance companies don't have those huge glass buildings because they aren't making money." Lohman puts it this way: "The health care industry, hospitals, HMOs, doctors and pharmaceutical corporations spend about $1.4 million a year in Wisconsin buying non-action in Madison by the Legislature." "
Sen
R. Feingold"Feingold and Obama are urging several Senate leaders, who will play important roles in the bill’s fate as the Senate prepares to negotiate the final bill with the House of Representatives, to include several key provisions that passed the Senate but were left out of the House version of the bill."
"In the coming weeks, Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Representative John Conyers (D-MI) are expected to introduce the End Racial Profiling Act of 2007 (ERPA), which will prohibit federal law enforcement agencies from engaging in racial profiling and encourage states to adopt the same type of ban on the practice."
Sen
H. Kohl"The legislation, S. 1640, introduced Monday by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), and cosponsored by Senators Herb Kohl (D-Wis.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and John Cornyn (R-Tex.), would close this loophole by clarifying current vessel hull design protection laws with a clear definition of a hull and deck in the judicial process. If enacted into law, the measure would stop companies that “splash” a competitor’s protected hull, only make changes to the deck, and then escape violating copyright laws."
Rep
D. Obey"The House speaker, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat of California, and the Appropriations Committee chairman, Rep. David Obey, a Democrat of Wisconsin, have issued an edict cutting the amount of money devoted to earmarks in half."
"Obey denied all earmarks when passing a wrap-up spending bill earlier this year... Republicans are especially feeling the pinch. Now that they're in the minority, they only get about 40 percent of the money for projects rather than the 60 percent they enjoyed when controlling Congress. The fact that earmarks are being cut in half doubles the pinch.
For
sale: One ranger station, used"Iron County is still looking for a buyer for the Upson Ranger Station. Iron County Board Chairman Dennis DeRosso recently told the finance committee the county had only received one bid on the property, $51,000. "
Summer
projects in full swing"The Mercer School Board on Monday approved two major maintenance projects, set a special meeting to discuss one and delayed a fourth due to a lack of funds."
"On Friday, July 20, a replica of the Nina will open for tours in Bayfield. The ship will be docked at Bayfield City Dock Marina, until her departure Monday, July 23. While in port, the public is invited to visit the ship for a walk-aboard, self-guided tour daily."
"Employees at McDonald's Restaurant were surprised Friday morning when a guy riding a tractor pulled up to the drive-through lane seeking an order of food. "They said it was the first tractor they served at the new restaurant," said Jim Clement, of Saxon, Wis."
Thompson
keeps race at slow pace""I think a lot of us are hoping the best for Tommy and are wishing him well but are just sort of watching the field to see how it materializes," says U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan of Janesville, who has been personally wooed by several GOP candidates, from former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney to the Kansas senator Ryan once worked for, Sam Brownback."
"Preliminary hearings have been scheduled for a 50-year-old man who crashed his mo-ped in an alleged alcohol-related incident, and for the 20-year-old whose vehicle struck the prone man as he lay injured on the roadway."
Liberals
scare wits out of GOP"Faced with the prospect that the presidency will fall to the Democrats in 2008 as Congress did in 2006, the RNC is scared to the point of delusion. How delusional? This week, the RNC appeared to be more worried about the annual Take Back America conference than about global warming or the collapse of international regard for the United States."
Eco-friendly
artist studio pla..."Since Washburn dubbed itself an eco-municipality, city representatives have considered creating demonstration projects to show Washburn's commitment to sustainability. The Woodwards may rise to the challenge, as they have a long-term goal of "going all solar" at the property, Jesse Woodward said. "It'd be nice to have a place where people can look at it and say, 'Oh, that's how you do it,'" he said."
Students
ready for camp session"Thirty adult volunteers will assist Hurley K-12 school students at the annual summer camp set for next week at the North Lakeland Discovery Center in Manitowish Waters. Also, 26 high school students have been trained as camp staffers for the Tuesday through Friday gathering."
Report
reviewing deaths of 17 whooping cranes recommends safeguards"The report by the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership suggested keeping the endangered birds in open pens as much as possible, moving facilities to high ground or relocating some juvenile cranes during their winters in Florida to avoid another catastrophic loss."
Berg:
What a difference 100 years makes"How many 8th grade students today could calculate interest on an 8 percent note for $900, running for two years, two months and six days without using a calculator? Discuss the writings of Thomas Jefferson? Give a brief account of the colleges, printing and religion in the colonies prior to the American Revolution?"
Rules
lock some off the airwaves"The signal may be weak, but low-power FM has the potential of making our communities stronger," Terry said. "This is extremely important for noncommercial groups like schools, churches and neighborhoods."
Wisconsin,
Minnesota settle tuition dispute"Their pact means that starting in the fall of 2008, Wisconsin students attending higher-priced University of Minnesota schools will see a bigger number on their bills — but the state will kick in the difference in the form of a “tuition reciprocity supplement.”"
"As they attempted to subdue him in a campground area at the Country USA festival, his pants came off and he fled into another part of the campground. Officers pursued the pants-less man and arrested him after again using the Taser."
Sen
R. FeingoldFeingold
Questions Adminstration's Continued Support of NCLB“NCLB has hamstrung state and local decision-making by establishing a federal accountability system that measures and punishes our students and our schools based on, among other things, annual high-stakes standardized testing,” Feingold said. “This is the wrong approach, and the groundswell of opposition to the NCLB – from parents, educators, and administrators alike – shows just how flawed it is.”
“This funding will help teachers in Wisconsin develop new methods for teaching American history. A good understanding of our country’s history can help our children become more involved, informed citizens.”
Gov.
Doyle“This agreement ensures that as our students pursue higher education, they will have many quality schools from which to choose.”
Dobson
Cellular steps up"The "hot button" phone system will allow Iron County Sheriff's Department dispatchers to transfer 911 cellular calls from the Ironwood area to Negaunee with the push of a button ... Officials from both Gogebic and Iron counties have been attempting to resolve the issue for almost eight months."
Committee
vote good news for Midwest Forest Products "The new bill would extend the 40-ton weight limit 20 miles west from Ashland on U.S. 2 to Midwest Forest Products in Bayfield County. "Losing the mill would be a disaster in an already depressed economy," State Rep. Sherman, D-Port Wing, told the Assembly Forestry Committee."
"The public will have the opportunity to view a working dairy farm in operation Saturday at the Thewis Valley Farm during the annual Chequamegon Dairy Day. Most of the events will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m."
"A day after the Green Bay City Council passed a controversial ordinance barring businesses that get city licenses, contracts or grants from hiring illegal immigrants, the Mayor's Hispanic Advisory Council announced Wednesday that it's severing ties to the mayor's office."
"Statewide, Wisconsin law enforcement officers issued 8,116 safety belt citations and 246 child passenger restraint citations.
Poll
finds majority approve of Doyle's job as governor"Just 45 percent said he was doing an excellent or good job. The Democratic governor's ratings are improved from their lowest point in June 2006, just five months before he won re-election. At that time 57 percent rated him as either fair or poor and 37 percent said his job performance was excellent or good."
Environmentalists
plan lawsuit over ballast discharges"The National Wildlife Federation and seven other groups consider oceangoing freighters a leading source of exotics such as the zebra mussel and a recently discovered virus responsible for fish kills in several of the lakes. They said the lawsuit would be filed in federal court after a required 60-day waiting period. It will seek an order barring the ships from discharging ballast water into the lakes unless they get federal or state permits and install sterilization equipment."
"A woman who swerved to avoid hitting the reptile as it crawled across the northbound lanes of the Garden State Parkway Tuesday afternoon lost control of her car, crashed through a guardrail and tumbled down an embankment before the car flipped over onto its roof."
"Farming may not be as prominent in Bayfield County as it once was, but those who continue to earn a living from the soil in this country still know well how tough a life it can be. They recognize all too well that despite the occasion of tragedy, there are still cows to be milked, still hay to be mowed, chopped and stored. When one farmer experiences ill fortune, it is their way to close ranks, to help out where they can."
Sen
R. FeingoldFeingold,
Obama Push for Strongest Ethics and Lobbying Reform Bill Possible“Without provisions like a strong lobbyist gift ban, and tough restrictions on privately funded travel and corporate jet flights, the bill won’t do enough to change the status quo in Washington.”
Feingold
Calls on Levin, Jack Reed to Drop Opposition to Feingold-Reid“I’m pleased that Senator Levin and Senator Jack Reed have finally come to the conclusion that a timetable for redeployment with a hard deadline is what we need to safely redeploy our troops from Iraq,”
Gov.
DoyleHurley
eyes athletic code changes"If a student receives one F under the new code, he or she will be given two weeks to bring up the grade. The student, in effect, would be on probation and would be ineligible for play if no improvement occurred in the two-week period."
School
board OKs teacher contract""This percentage increase must cover their benefit and salary increase. If their benefit package increases more than the 3.8 percent, then salaries go down," he explained to the school board."
"There will be a charge of $2 per bag, with bags up to 35 gallons accepted. The $2 vouchers can be purchased at Stoffel's Country Store, the Iron County Community Credit Union and Town and Country."
"A parade will take place at noon with the lineup at the fair graunds at 11 a.m. After the parade, food, kids' games, raffles and horseshoes will take place at the Iron County Fair Grounds."
"The Peoples Choice Show will be located between Second and Third Avenues on Silver Street in Hurley. After dusk, around 8:15 p.m., a parade featuring classic cars and trucks, along with various cycles, will parade from Hurley to Ironwood and back."
"The 4-year-old son of Cyndi and Tony Erspamer of Pine Lake was bitten by a large musky Friday at the lake. Turns out he's just fine, but he would like someone to get "that darn fish out of my lake!""
Extension
Education Committee to meet"The Iron County Extension Education Committee will meet Thursday, June 28 at 10 a.m. at the North Lakeland Discovery Center, Manitowish Waters."
News
analysis: Huebsch's hard line on budget is risky"Huebsch's comments pleased Republican loyalists, but could create difficulties down the line as Democrats and Republicans try to reach a compromise budget. If a budget doesn't pass, Huebsch runs the risk of being seen as putting government in gridlock. If he eventually agrees to a budget that allows taxes to go up, he could be viewed as breaking a promise."
Bill
would tell vets about health risks"If passed, the bill would make Wisconsin one of a handful of states with similar legislation, according to its author, Rep. Tom Nelson, D-Kaukauna. Nelson said the proposal would help avoid long delays -- like the ones that occurred after the Vietnam War -- in notifying soldiers of health hazards. "I don't want us to repeat the mistakes of the past and that's why I want (Wisconsin) to get ahead of the curve on this," Nelson said."
"Corn height was reported at a record average height of 23 inches, ahead of last year's 14 inches and the 5-year average of 11 inches. However, corn in dry areas and on lighter soils was showing some stress, farmers said."
"Before sentencing, Rice apologized for his role in the corporate scandal that wiped out thousands of jobs, more than $60 billion in market value and more than $2 billion in pension plans. "I'm sorry. I wasn't raised that way and I'm ashamed of that," he said, his voice breaking with emotion. "I'm committed to turning my life around.""
Sen
R. FeingoldFeingold
Leads Effort to Ensure Access to Health Care for Vulnerable Citizens"Since the DRA’s enactment, health care coverage is being delayed or denied for hundreds of thousands of Americans, including many children, who are eligible for Medicaid, but lack the documentation required to enroll in the program. Rural, Native American, and inner-city communities are among the groups most affected by the documentation requirements."
"Last year, the Senate unanimously passed virtually identical legislation offered by Feingold and former Senator Jim Jeffords (I-VT) as part of the Defense Authorization bill but the language was stripped in conference."
Gov.
Doyle"In some areas, the park took on the look of late November as the 1 1/2 -inch moths stripped trees of virtually all their leaves. Wasteful eaters, they often chomp on leaves but don't eat them."
"After rising in recent years, Lyme disease cases in the state began to level off last year, with 1,477. There were 1,459 cases reported in Wisconsin in 2005, state health officials say. Still, residents should take precautions when outdoors to avoid tick bites and promptly remove any bugs they find on themselves or their pets, they say."
"The court's ruling means social service agencies will have to do more to find jobs for participants and place those who are unsuccessful into taxpayer-funded employment, said Pat DeLessio, a lawyer for Legal Action of Wisconsin, which represented the women."
"When the clock strikes midnight on June 30 and there's no new state budget, prisoners won't be set free, highway repairs will continue and state patrol officers will still be looking for speeders. There will be no government shutdown."
"Demand is so strong that he'd like to expand. But he says an arcane federal law that prohibits him from selling his state-inspected meats outside of Wisconsin hinders his livelihood and that of other similar-sized sausage-makers. "Federal people understand big operations ... They don't do retail well. The state understands what we have to do to survive," he said, adding that he believes the state's inspection is more intense but provides more flexibility."
"Kim Mayorga was confused when her 2-year-old started making funny faces and pushing away the apple juice he had ordered at Applebee’s. The explanation came when she opened the lid of the sippy cup and was hit by the smell of tequila and Triple Sec."
Sen
H. Kohl"Our amendment will, for the first time, establish clearly and plainly that when a group of competing oil producers like the OPEC nations act together to restrict supply or set prices, they are violating U.S. law,"
Gov.
Doyle“Republicans in this state cannot simply pay lip service to relieving our country’s dependence on foreign oil, and then turn their backs on Wisconsin’s farmers, manufacturers, researchers, and entrepreneurs who have the skills and the resources to make it happen,”
Western
U.P. runners sought for Mackinac Bridge run "Mackinac Bridge Labor Day Run lottery entrants include runners from 68 of Michigan's 83 counties. Several U.P. counties are not yet represented. The registration deadline is 5 p.m. on June 28."
"The TitanCard, the letter said, could double as a debit and ATM card if the student opened an account with U.S. Bank. Attached was a bank application. What the university did not say was that U.S. Bank pays the university a cut of its revenue in exchange for the exclusive right to target students through campus IDs."
DNR
closes state park to prevent spread of invasive insect"We hope closing the park will stop caterpillars from hitchhiking on vehicles and trailers and unknowingly being transported to areas where there is no infestation, potentially causing problems for our campers at their homes next summer,"
Cell
users should help"Consequently, a 70-year-old widow who will probably never give up her land line phone is paying into the fund while the 20-year-old techie with his latest bells-and-whistles cell phone isn't. That's not fair."
Investigation
Uncovers ‘Extensive Destruction’ Of RNC Emails, Violations Of Records Act"House investigators have learned that the Bush administration’s use of Republican National Committee email accounts is far greater than previously disclosed — 140,216 emails sent or received by Karl Rove alone — and that the