Local News (archives)
Wal-Mart
project moves forward"As the 156,000 square-foot Wal-Mart Super Center takes shape, contractors continue to work on their tight schedule before the snow flies. On Friday, Ken Parker, who is project manager for the building, said the project will be completed by the end of January."
"People are sick of 'crossfire' politics," Stanton said. "They want thoughtful but spirited engagement." Corvino agrees, adding that "one of the most important things we do is to help set a tone of civility, even while presenting two very different views. We try to show by example how to talk about contentious issues in a productive, respective manner."
"Some of my fellow carnivores, who have shared their thoughts with me on this, suggested what the board really meant was he should find some other beef. Or eat crow... Dave, for his part, denies telling the kids to keep secrets, and says he was trying to teach them to speak for themselves instead of parroting him."
"A mother stunned to find a number of expensive electronic devices in her son's room called police, who later arrested the teen on theft charges. According to a police report, the mother checked with the friends whom the 16-year-old claimed gave him the items. The friends knew nothing about the devices."
Lawmakers,
finish the job"When they failed to get a deal by Friday, they put property taxpayers at risk of an increase that could total $199 for an average home. A property tax increase can still be avoided. But as of today, it is an imminent threat. All because lawmakers continue to put partisan interests above the public interest, further delaying agreement."
Sen
H. Kohl
"No one concerned with antitrust policy should stand idly by if industry consolidation jeopardizes the vital privacy interests of our citizens so essential to our democracy," said Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wisc.), chairman of the antitrust subcommittee."
Rep
D. Obey
Obey
Encouraged by USDA Action Against Fish Killing Virus -
Wisconsin Ag Connection"Wisconsin Congressman Dave Obey says he welcomes the U.S. Department of Agriculture's announcement that it is making $1.5 million in contingency funding available to help states control the spread of Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia, an Ebola-like virus that is killing fish of all types in the Great Lakes."
This link takes you to video of the Goldenaires rendition of "Touch Me Babe" featuring the bass drums. Note that to the right you will see a list of other Goldenaire videos. This is a large download and people on dialup connections will want to go to a friend's house to view it.
Retiring
Iron County highway commissioner reversed department budget deficit"Iron County Highway Commissioner Bob Peterson is officially retiring today and assistant highway commissioner Mike Bausch is taking over the top spot at an annual salary of $53,000. Bausch was appointed one month ago. He has been training under Peterson since then."
Saxon
Harbor panel to disband at year's end"Talking about the 43 percent increase in the 2008 harbor budget, Challis noted there'll be a $20,000 line item to be used for dredging at the mouth of Oronto Creek and dock replacement on the north lagoon."
Hurley
area walking, biking trail no longer just a dream"Construction of the $29,000 path began this week under the direction of Iron Belt contractor Angelo Luppino Inc. The paved path will extend a mile from Hurley to the Cary Park, where outdoor enthusiasts can walk a path around the park, as well."
Community
education adds tai chi"Following tai chi, Wisla will teach a meditation sampler class on techniques of meditating from various cultures and traditions. This will apply to mental focusing, stress management, self improvement and utilizing meditation in daily living."
Leaders
yield on budget items"Lawmakers dickering over the state budget said Thursday that they were making concessions that would raise the cigarette tax but eliminate proposals to create a new tax on hospitals and double a fee on people who sell their homes."
"Fond du Lac County Executive Allen Buechel said someone has stolen toilet paper repeatedly from the men's public bathrooms throughout the Fond du Lac City County Government Center since around June."
Builder
had several bridge deals in region"The builder of the McCleary Bridge was awarded more than $45 million in state contracts in the last five years, though records show the contract for the 1,572-foot bridge connecting Wausau and Rib Mountain was by far the largest."
Forest
Service to harvest 55 acres near Washburn "The salvage harvest of the 55 acres is labeled the "Valhalla View” project, but is part of the Forest Service's "Sunken Moose" project. The intent with both is to shift the area from one that is predominantly oak to more of a mix of oak and white pine, which was one of the first species to go during the heyday of logging in the late 19th and early 20th centuries."
Sen
R. Feingold
"I am disappointed that we are about to begin the 2008 fiscal year without having enacted any of the appropriations bills for that year. I am even more disappointed that we voted on a continuing resolution that provides tens of billions of dollars to continue the misguided war in Iraq but does not include any language to bring that war to a close."
Sen
H. Kohl"No one concerned with antitrust policy should stand idly by if industry consolidation jeopardizes the vital privacy interests of our citizens so essential to our democracy," said Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wisc.), chairman of the antitrust subcommittee."
Gov.
Doyle"I’m pleased to see the innovation of Wisconsin agri-businesses is leveraging federal dollars that will help meet the demands of our economy – from advancing economic development and creating new jobs, to taking steps toward energy independence."
"How dare Rush Limbaugh label anyone who has served in the military as a quote, 'phony soldier,' unquote? How dare he say that his views on Iraq formed in the comfort of his radio studio are legitimate while the views of those whose opinions were forged on the battlefield are not?"
"The point here is that for Limbaugh, Boehner and other war supporters, the lives of the troops simply aren't part of the equation in any meaningful sense, and once in a while, this dirty secret slips out."
County
gearing up for fifth annual Pumpkin Run"Highlighting this year's Pumpkin Run will once again be the ATV parade through downtown Hurley that's scheduled for Oct. 5 at 6 p.m. The line up route will be available at registration, chamber officials said."
Food
pantry open Monday"The pantry is stocked with warm clothing and shoes for adults, as well as a good selection of food. Donated clothing will be given away to help area residents keep warm this winter."
Traverse
City: State, tribes reach deal on Indian fishing, hunting rights
"Avoiding such nastiness was a primary motive as five tribes negotiated a tentative agreement with the state to regulate how their members hunt, fish and gather plants on lands and waters making up about 37 percent of Michigan."
Panel
seeks more data on Ziegler finances"The panel is reviewing what punishment, if any, Ziegler should receive for handling cases as a Washington County circuit judge involving West Bend Savings Bank, where her husband is a bank director."
Republicans
agree to cigarette tax hike, budget talks continue"Cigarette taxes would go up, but new taxes on hospitals and a doubling of a fee paid be sellers of homes would be dropped, under proposals Republicans and Democrats are considering to help break a 12-week budget logjam."
Secret
budget negotiations entering third day draw criticism"But when agreement couldn't be reached, Doyle called top lawmakers to work it out behind the closed doors of the governor's residence in Maple Bluff. Those involved have agreed not to divulge what is being talked about, what agreements are in the works, or what issues have been resolved."
Sen
H. Kohl"The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation has thanked Senator Herb Kohl for supporting Senate passage of legislation that would improve locks and dams on the Mississippi and Illinois rivers--which is essential to the transportation of farm products."
Rep
D. Obey"The President is asking us to spend about $200 billion - every dollar of that borrowed - in order to finance the supplemental for the war in Iraq, and yet he's objecting to the fact that in the House passed bills we tried to take about one-tenth of that amount and use it for crucial investments in our country's future."
"At a time when we should be looking for ways to resolve our differences, it serves no one's interest, least of all the country's," added Obey, "for the president to try to manufacture a disagreement when there is none."
I have rigged a page on which to present brief, unedited statements from the candidates in the contested Ironwood City Council election. Those running are invited to contact me at 715-561-2559 or by email at lemon@wegoweb.net. Friends of candidates are invited to pass this invitation along. It would be nice to have them all together where they can be compared.
"The Bush Administration had not planned to win in Iraq, but simply to keep a war running so Bush could run around and play “war president.” That is as devastating a criticism as any general has made of a president since the days of Douglas MacArthur."
Public
nuisance ordinance to streamline clean-up process"Town and city officials have been plagued with junk cars and dilapidated buildings, as well as many other nuisance issues throughout the county for some time."
"An accident must be reported immediately if there's damage of $1,000 or more to any one person's property, anyone was injured or killed, if there's damage of $200 or more to government property (signs, guard rails, etc.), or there's damage of $1,000 or more to a government vehicle," Bruneau said.
Mercer:
Library fund-raiser Oct. 5"Local cooks will share their best hors d'oeuvres from 4:30 to 7 p.m. The festivities include more than 40 silent auction items and raffle book baskets. Auction items include a turned wood bowl, bear table, cottage and snowmobile rentals, golf, cedar chest and paintings."
Reading
gap is nation's worst"The average reading ability for fourth- and eighth-grade black students in Wisconsin is the lowest of any state, and the reading achievement gap between black students and white students in Wisconsin continues to be the worst in the nation."
Panel
will expand probe of state Supreme Court judge"They said they will examine loans she and her husband received from the bank, and dozens of additional cases involving the financial institution where her husband serves on the board of directors."
UW
says it's not crying wolf, major cuts could be on the way"The result could be thousands of classes cut in the spring semester and forced layoffs of staff members. Cuts could also mean capping enrollment in some majors, including the top five majors at UW-Madison, political science, biology, English, history and psychology."
"The University of Wisconsin remained on high alert late Tuesday night as police continued to search for an armed man on campus who said he wished to commit suicide or be killed by police."
"Merrill is at about 55 percent of its color change and should reach its peak in two weeks, according to the Wisconsin Department of Tourism... For a complete fall color report, visit www.travelwisconsin.com.
"Doug Sauter, who coaches the Oklahoma City Blazers of the Central Hockey League, was at the fair Saturday attending the Centennial Expo’s Draft Horse Show when he saw a Belgian horse break free from its reins. That caused a chain reaction that spooked other horses, he said Monday. He bit the ear of one of the spooked horses to stop it from stampeding."
Sen
R. Feingold
"We are a richer nation in every sense because of those contributions, and because of what they represent – a country that draws strength from its great diversity."
Rep
D. Obey
FIGHT
OVER CHILDREN'S HEALTHCARE PROGRAM SHOWS PRESIDENT’S WARPED BUDGET
PRIORITIES"The same President who wants to borrow $50 billion to give another round of tax cuts to folks who make over a million bucks a year, the same President who wants to spend another $150 billion on Iraq, is saying now that we can’t afford to invest less than one fifth that amount to provide decent health care for ten million American kids."
"When you strip away the fog, all the President has proposed is a blueprint to get us back, six months from now, to the same place we were in Iraq six months ago as far as troop levels are concerned,"
Wolf
woes: Woman encouraged by support from state, federal officials"Three people installed flags surrounding the entire pasture, Georgia Piilola said. "Three guys spent two hours flagging the pasture," she said. She said the plan is to install strobe lights and motion sensor lights to try to protect the horses at night."
Calls
about ACT in northern Wisconsin not legitimate"The caller claims to represent the ACT organization, indicating that without the credit card numbers, the students in the household will not be able to register for the ACT and related scholarships."
GM
strike hits Janesville"The job action - which some observers speculate will be brief - idled GM's sprawling factory in Janesville, which employs about 2,600 hourly and 200 salaried workers. It also put this city on watch, because the high-paying plant is a key cog in the local economy."
"We urge you to continue pressing the Thai government to provide better living conditions for these detainees, and to ultimately bring about a swift resolution to this ongoing problem."
"I'm going to give those back because I truly feel that I did not defend my nation and I did not help with the Global War on Terrorism," said Gaines, who lives in Madison. "If anything, this conflict has bred more terrorism in the Middle East."
News
Digest
"According to Healthy Waters, Strong Economy: The Benefits of Restoring the Great Lakes Ecosystem (16 pages, PDF), efforts to improve the health of the Great Lakes will produce economic gains that are worth almost twice as much as the cost of those efforts."
Sen
R. Feingold"The senators want the State Department to continue seeking protection and assistance for the detainees in Nong Khai."
Response
to NSL Abuses"We all agree that going after suspected terrorists needs to be a top priority, but we shouldn’t violate the privacy of law-abiding Americans. The FBI's abuse of its national security letter authorities uncovered by the Department of Justice Inspector General was disappointing and disturbing."
Gov.
DoyleMarcel Marceau, the famous French mime, recently died at age 84. Instead of a minute of silence, celebrate his life by watching this clip of his performance in Mel Brooks' film, "Silent Movie."
"Trust us, after following crazies like Frank Lasee, you can be a state lawmaker when you grow up. At least you'll likely outdo Lasee by being a rational, thinking being."
Salolampi
attendees share experiences at Little Finland"A Finnish language village near Bemidji, Minn., Salolampi "immerses" its students in the language for one- and two-week sessions during the summer. Students have to spend almost the entire session speaking only Finnish while at the village."
Volunteers
restoring legacy of the ice oval"The three-day Snowmobile Olympus scheduled to return to the Gogebic County Fairgrounds Jan. 4-6, along with Pro-Vintage Sno Pro Series racing, is the kick-off to a 10-day Sled Fest event that will include events throughout the Gogebic Range."
Jauch
not confident Wisconsin budget stalemate will end soon"Today's Assembly political sideshow is nothing more than a waste of time and an unfortunate distraction to sincere efforts to find real compromise in the state budget."
Midgets
finish off Range sweep"Hurley is now the mythical champions of the Gogebic Range. They have defeated Ironwood, Bessemer and Wakefield-Marenisco-Watersmeet, a feat they've accomplished three times out of the last five years."
Pretty
powerful in pink"I think that's just wrong," Goessner, of Oconomowoc, half-joked about the five pink guns now on display in the store. But he said pink is OK with him - if not for him - as long as the guns aren't treated like toys. "I want them interested in it," Goessner said of his daughters and hunting "but it's got to be the right way."
Doyle,
legislative leaders begin budget talks"The key players said at the beginning of the meeting that they were optimistic a deal could be done by the end of the week."
Janesville
GM workers walk out at strike deadline (with photos)"I just want it to be short," Hamilton said. "We want a contract. Nobody wants to be on strike." Hamilton said it was his first strike in seven years at the plant, but his father had walked the picket line many times during his 30-year career with GM."
An
unhealthy budget process"Thus, whenever something needs to be done, legislators attempt to wedge a response into the biennial budget. As a result, the process of developing the budget becomes unwieldy and frequently dysfunctional -- as has happened this year."
State
drops health plan“We offer a proposal that is not everything we want, [and] we realize the need to build consensus and reduce conflict,” Jauch said in a statement Friday. “In an effort to do our job … and address critical needs in health care, compromise is necessary.”
"We have ways of locating where there is an issue on the line, and they finally isolated it in a swampy area. They saw a beaver lodge and found out that a beaver had cut the cable," said CenturyTel representative Kim Valiquette. "They were joking that the beaver was trying to install his own phone line and wanted high speed Internet. It's sort of funny, but it really isn't because we don't want our customers’ service interrupted."
Sen
R. Feingold
"But now it appears that the Senator from Nevada has actually identified himself as the objector of the bill so we know what is going on here. I believe that the new provision under the new law is the reason that this individual identified himself."
"After a decade of government and independent reports calling for reforming the Corps, and pointing out stunning flaws in Corps projects and project studies, and after the tragic failures of New Orleans’ levees during Hurricane Katrina, the American people deserve meaningful reforms to ensure that the projects the Corps builds are safe, appropriate, environmentally responsible, and fiscally sound."
Sen
H. Kohl
"But Kohl, who chairs the Senate Special Committee on Aging, is concerned that the effort is not sufficiently coordinated and that some seniors could wake up in February 2009 without access to critical weather and emergency information."
Rep
D. Obey"After the 2006 elections, Representative David Obey, Democrat of Wisconsin and the House Appropriations Committee chairman, vowed to cut earmarks by half in the House draft of this year's budget bills. That has mostly happened, say budget analysts: There are thousands fewer in the House bills than there were under the Republicans."
Gov.
Doyle“Last month we were put to the test by the tragic floods that hit southern Wisconsin. Fortunately, Wisconsin’s response showed that we are ready when emergency strikes. Our first responders performed exceptionally, acting courageously and swiftly to aid citizens across the state.”
City
Refuses Our Group, Hearing Impaired, Clear Audio -
About_Ironwood"They are required to provide media with clean audio-- direct from the City's feed -- if it is available. If they refuse they are in further violation of the OMA. This charge will be added to the existing complaint already submitted to the Attorney General's office and the Michigan State Police post in Wakefield."
Before
MoveOn's "General Betray Us," there was Limbaugh's "Senator Betrayus"
- Media Matters"By the way, we had a caller call, couldn't stay on the air, got a new name for Senator Hagel in Nebraska, we got General Petraeus and we got Senator Betrayus, new name for Senator Hagel."
"On "Grand Dreams," Patritto sings 10 original songs, accompanying herself on piano or keyboard. The CD includes a cover of Willie Nelson's "Crazy," with Dave Morehouse on acoustic guitar and Patritto on keys/synthesizer."
Doyle,
top lawmakers to meet to resolve budget impasse"Doyle wouldn't give specifics, but he reiterated that he would only support a budget that includes his health care insurance plan to cover 98 percent of the state's residents -- including all children -- does not cut higher education and has a strong medical assistance program."
Woman
charged with endangering baby released on signature bond "The charges stem from a Sept. 15 incident in Hurley in which Hurley Police Officer Dan Thomas found Herman inside a Silver Street tavern with her baby. According to the complaint, Herman was "seated at the bar, with her head on the bar." The bartender was holding "a very small baby" in her arms, the complaint said."
"According to the report, HPD Sgt. Chris Colassaco observed the two as they pulled the garbage cans from a pole at the Silver Street-Second Avenue intersection. Colassaco then made the arrests. Persons' preliminary breath test registered .17 and Benson, .19, the report said."
"The two-vehicle mishap occurred on Cloverland Drive, about 400 feet from the Lake Street intersection. William Peter Hansen Jr., 48, of Sunset Road, Ironwood, took his eyes off the highway, watching a skunk with a jar on its head on the side of the roadway."
Pall
of hypocrisy hangs over Lasee"Brown County court records show that Lasee, a strict social and fiscal conservative, had an out-of-wedlock child a few years ago and waged a legal battle with the mother over child support."
Democrats
offer to drop health plan"First, Senate Democrats offered to drop their universal health care plan if Assembly Republicans go along with tax increases on cigarettes and hospitals, and transfer $175 million from the Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund to expand health care coverage."
"But each day that legislators delay implementing a responsible budget, they make it harder for local government to plan, collect and allocate resources and deliver essential services over the long term."
State
initiatives aim to help uninsured patients with HIV"The estimated $1.4 million in savings could then be invested to provide HIV-positive patients with medical, dental and mental health care, said Cheryl Thiede, the agency's associate director of social services in northern and western Wisconsin."
DNR
details plans for disposing of dredged material "After opposition was raised to dumping the material at a sand and gravel pit on Sanborn Avenue, DNR and other officials decided to dispose of the material at the city's now-closed demolition landfill at the end of Woodbury Lane."
Sen
R. Feingold"But I was pleased that the amendment included a binding start and end date to the redeployment of our troops from Iraq, something I first proposed over a year ago. It is disappointing that the Senate once again failed to act on the will of the American people and end the President’s disastrous Iraq policy."
Proctor
Dixon Hile Robison M.D."Proctor grew up in Indiana, was a graduate of Indiana University School of Law and worked as a lawyer for 34 years. He was veteran of the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam."
[Good bye, friend. - Bob]
School
officials assessing damaged windows "When the roof was replaced recently, eaves were added to the building, but for nearly 15 years there were no eaves. That resulted in moisture running down the side of the building, causing infiltration problems, including the damaged windows."
High-school
testing scam reported"The man said he received a phone call from an Asian female asking for either a credit card or bank account number, the report said. The woman said the information was necessary if the man's son plans to receive any scholarships."
Three
Northwoods school districts to receive federal funds to improve math,
science skills"Grants were directed to partnerships that include high-need school districts based on mathematics and science achievement on statewide tests, poverty and population density. School districts that have a school or schools identified for improvement under federal requirements and districts with small student populations that partner together to serve a minimum of 1,800 to 2,500 students received priority."
"The cheese was sold under the name "Queso Cincho de Guerrero" in multiple stores in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Texas, according to importer MCP Inc., which has its headquarters in Monroe, Wis."
State
superintendent says Sept. 28 deadline for budget is 'real'"Burmaster said Thursday that the Sept. 28 deadline is "real." That is the latest that new figures for aid to schools can be received by the state Department of Public Instruction in order for them to be analyzed and prepared for certification."
Hundreds
of students protest Halliburton recruiters at UW-Madison"University rules said protesters could not chant or shout, so they sang instead. "I said, 'From high to low, Halliburton's got to go,'" the crowd sang over and over. Protesters accused Halliburton, whose former subsidiary is a major military contractor, of making billions of dollars off the Iraq war."
Senate
rejects Feingold troop-withdrawal plan"Our top national security priority should be going after al-Qaida and its affiliates. They are waging a global campaign. The war in Iraq is not making us safer. It is making us more vulnerable. It is playing into the hands of our enemies," Feingold said.
Hearing
on area code draws no public interest "There was no citizen participation at a hearing near Ashland Wednesday organized by the Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) concerning upcoming changes in the 715 telephone area code."
"According to police, a 23-year-old man wearing a Batgirl costume was driving the car when officers pulled it over for not having the headlights on last Thursday night."
[Although usually I get these from the Wassau paper, this one resulted from an Olberman item. - Bob]
Sen
R. Feingold
"A vote against Feingold-Reid was a vote to continue the President’s disastrous Iraq policy. Every day that the Congress fails to act, our brave troops remain in harm’s way, and our national security continues to be undermined.”
Sen
H. Kohl""Little is being done to address the unique needs of seniors," Kohl said today at a Senate hearing on the transition. The senator added that some electronics retailers are practicing "misleading sales tactics" by telling consumers they must get an expensive new Digital TV to continue watching television on the transition date."
Gov.
Doyle“I am pleased that we are able to build upon the success of the WISER Choice program and continue to improve access to recovery, treatment and prevention of substance abuse services.”
Wake
Up Walmart issues TV Ad"Amid the rampant recalls of unsafe Chinese exports, WakeUpWalMart.com released a new report and a new ad exposing Wal-Mart's cozy relationship with China."
Resident
leads push for walking-biking trail to school"School district administrator Chris Patritto said a walking trail to the school had been considered six or seven years ago, but the project never advanced beyond the talking stage. He said a trail could be built along Range View Drive, noting there are many students who walk to school and many adults who walk for exercise."
Jauch
not confident Wisconsin budget stalemate will end soon"Today's Assembly political sideshow is nothing more than a waste of time and an unfortunate distraction to sincere efforts to find real compromise in the state budget. While the Assembly proposal is a marked improvement from their original education budget, it nonetheless demonstrates a defiance of a legislative process that requires cooperation from both parties,"
Assembly
breaks up budget"In a sign that legislators have grown restless waiting for a new state budget, the Assembly on Tuesday overwhelmingly passed a bill that would fund two of the most expensive programs - public schools and local governments."
Doyle
talks with leaders as state budget stalemate continues"After meeting separately with the Republican leader of the Assembly and the Democratic leader of the Senate, Doyle said "there's still some very, very big differences" between the two parties. "Now it's time for the compromises to be made," Doyle said."
Evoking
Vietnam clash, UW-Madison students to protest Halliburton visit"On Thursday, students plan to carry signs reading "Curly, off campus!" as they protest a recruiting visit by a company they see as a villain in the war in Iraq: Halliburton Co. Protesters plan to disrupt the company's visit to an engineering career fair by discouraging students from talking to its representatives."
"The stop is the first in a tour of the eleven schools in the Big Ten Conference to find models for Playboy’s “Girls of the Big 10” pictorial, which will appear in the May 2008 issue."
"Frank told Moscow police he was driving near downtown early Saturday while a man and woman were having sex in the rear of the vehicle. According to a probable cause affidavit, he said the movement caused the SUV to become “tippy” and he lost control of it."
Assembly
passes spending bills, but Senate balks "I'm extremely disappointed that they would waste time issuing political ultimatums rather than spending the day working with Senate conferees to identify solutions," Jauch, a member of the Joint Committee on Finance, said in a conference call with reporters Tuesday."
Sen
R. Feingold"Congress must fix the Protect America Act to address the fundamental flaws in that new law: the lack of meaningful court involvement, the lack of privacy protections for the communications of law-abiding Americans, and inadequate congressional and administrative oversight."
on
Republicans Blocking the Restoration of Habeas Corpus“It is deeply disappointing that a minority of the Senate once again blocked efforts to restore the writ of Habeas Corpus."
Feingold
Continues to Push Congress to Use its Power to End the Open-Ended Mission in
Iraq“Now, the President, and some members here in Congress, still want to keep a large number of our brave troops bogged down in Iraq indefinitely, while al Qaeda continues to strengthen and regenerate itself in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region. The American people are as determined as ever to end this disastrous war. If Congress fails to end this mistake, it won’t be because we don’t have the power -- it will be because we don’t have the will.”
Gov.
DoyleSchool
board still in dark over state funding"About a month away from the school district's annual meeting, the Hurley School Board has no idea how much aid the state legislature will budget for education. "I suggest people get in touch with our legislators and urge them to pass the state budget," school board president Joe Simonich said Monday."
DNR
gives green light to tentative agreement involving Fisher Lake parcel""It's A-OK with the department, as long as the six-acre Fisher Lake parcel remains in forest crop," Jeff Barkley from the DNR's Division of Forest Management told the Daily Globe. The agreement allows for reciprocal easements to and over a six-acre parcel on Fisher Lake, along with a $110,000 payment to Edelstein."
Hurley
mayor honored "Most mayors have the goal of improving their community when they take office, but few have the opportunity to make dramatic improvements that will transform their community for decades to come. Such is the case with Hurley Mayor Joe Pinardi, who is working with the city council and staff on a four-year project to improve the sewer and water system and provide road construction for a 60-block area," the MSA tribute to the mayor said."
Three
join Coldwell Banker-Larson Realty"Larson Realty is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and has offices in Park Falls, Phillips and Mercer, in addition to its Hurley location."
Fewer
bridges in state deficient"Auditors reported Monday that since their initial report, the number of structurally defi cient bridges in the state has dropped. In 2002, 7.6% of the roughly 4,900 state-owned bridges were considered structurally deficient. In 2006, that rate had dropped to 4.3%, they said."
Public
commenting on proposed ATV trails"Some see the trails as a loud nuisance that could harm the environment; others see them as an economic boon that would fill the void left by snowmobilers whose machines have remained in sheds during the last few warm winters."
Assembly
OKs school, local aids; Senate unlikely to take them up"Senate Majority Leader Judy Robson, D-Beloit, wants to negotiate the entire budget so the whole package can pass at the same time and be signed into law by Doyle. The budget was due July 1. But in Wisconsin, state government continues operating at the same level of funding as the previous year until a new spending plan is enacted."
"The original measure passed the Demcoratic-controlled Senate in May on a 26-7 vote. It would require a hospital to give rape victims information about emergency contraception, tell them they have the option of using it and give it to them upon request."
"Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison, said after this morning's 6-4 vote that an amendment tacked on to the bill by Gundrum "guts and nullifies the legislation, allowing rape victims to be further traumatized at the emergency room by not receiving appropriate health care and resulting in more unintended pregnancies which could result in abortions.""
"It seemed like a good idea at first, and we actually looked and found a home large enough for the three of us. Still, when it came to a final decision, we realized that although our personalities were compatible, our goals and expectations were not."
"Animal expert Jack Hanna and an 11-month-old flamingo became trapped while trying to squeeze through an airport security turnstile. It took firefighters to get the flamingo out."
"Puppies should come with a health guarantee," says local dog trainer Carol Lofquist, who frequently encounters dogs from mills in her work, particularly when they develop signs of fear or aggression. "Their eyes and hips should be certified, for example, if those are recognized problems with that breed. You should be able to take the dog back if there are health issues and, if they say no, that's a big red flag."
Sen
R. Feingold
Feingold
Seeks to Bring Teachers to the Table During Debate on the NCLB
Reauthorization“Since NCLB’s enactment five years ago, I have received invaluable feedback from Wisconsin’s educators, administrators, and parents regarding the effect NCLB is having in Wisconsin’s classrooms,” Feingold said. “This advisory committee will provide nationwide feedback and will allow Congress to hear about NCLB directly from those who deal with the law and its consequences on a daily basis.”
Gov.
Doyle- Because of interest in the Ironwood City Council election, I will be putting together a single page with statements by the candidates. If you know anyone running in that race, please have them send me something at lemon@wegoweb.net.
- In response to people who get their national news elsewhere, I will tend toward listing press releases only from Feingold, Kohl, and Obey... resorting to, at most, a single article from out-of-state newspapers when nothing else is available.
Keystone
Bridge gets more noticeable"Visitors having trouble finding the Keystone Bridge will receive a little help. It's now one of 23 stops on the Western Upper Peninsula's Heritage Trail. "
County
to hold public hearing on proposed nuisance ordinance "Under the proposed ordinance, town and city officials will be responsible for noting possible violations within their respective municipalities. The Iron County Sheriff's Department will be in charge of enforcing the ordinance, including issuing and serving of notices and citations."
Welcome
center bins for travelers only"Iron County residents should use the Iron County Recycling Site on Bernard Street in Hurley. Hours are between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday."
Weeklong
library celebration "Mercer Public Library's 10th Year Anniversary Celebration will begin Monday, Oct. 1 and continue through Friday, Oct. 5 with the following events at the library:"
"Wisconsin has the highest rates in the nation for high school student and underage drinking. Forty-nine percent of high school students drink, while 39 percent of those under 21 do. About 2,100 Wisconsin residents die annually from accidents or diseases related to alcohol or drug use, and almost $190 million in public funds are spent on related hospitalizations and treatment."
"Wisconsin has a very serious set of problems related to alcohol use," said Paul Moberg, a senior scientist in population health sciences at UW-Madison and the lead researcher for the report. "And this has been going on for a long time."
Software
slowdown"Instead, to save energy and reduce heat, they 're putting multiple cores on the same chip -- the equivalent of several computers on the same slice of silicon. The cores run slower but are more energy-efficient, and are designed to break up big chores and work on the separate pieces simultaneously."
"Frankly, heavier trucks have been the main culprit in tearing up the concrete and blacktop that is put down at a million-plus dollars a mile and cracking those bridge beds that need be rebuilt for tens of millions more. According to a U.S. government study, one 40-ton truck does as much damage to a road as 9,600 cars. Trucks that are permitted to carry loads of up to 50 tons cause even more."
Sen
R. FeingoldFeingold,
Leahy Introduce Bill to Reform NCLB"“The federal government’s one-size-fits-all education policy under No Child Left Behind is the wrong approach,” said Feingold, who is seeking changes to the education law based on the feedback he has received from educators,"
On
Michael Mukasey's Nomination to be the Next Attorney General“To that end, Judge Mukasey must demonstrate that his first loyalty will be to the rule of law, not to the President. In particular I will be interested in his views on executive power and the need to protect the rights of law-abiding Americans while fighting al Qaeda and its affiliates aggressively."
Sen
H. Kohl"During this process, it is essential that he show that he can be independent of the White House and that he will be able to restore credibility to the Justice Department."
on
the President's Address on the Petraeus Report"The draw down will, in effect, bring us back to where we started. The American people, myself included, are frustrated with the lack of political progress in Iraq and want to see the Administration begin to end our commitment there."
Gov.
DoyleJudge
prods attorneys to move forward in vehicular homicide case"Alan Michael Simmons, 20, who has been in jail since April on 10 felonies stemming from the March 22 vehicular death of Cody Southwell, 18, of Ironwood, will have to wait 60 days longer to find out what direction his case will take."
Public
encouraged to observe Wolf Awareness Week"Each year in honor of Wolf Awareness Week, Oct. 14 through 20, Timber Wolf Alliance distributes national and regional wolf posters to schools, libraries, nature centers and individuals. These posters celebrate the return of this native species to some of its historical habitat."
Mandatory
arbitration not always fair fight"They filed a complaint with the state's consumer protection office but couldn't appeal the association's decision because it was decided under binding arbitration."