Local News ... (Archives)
31 Jan
Sen
R. Jauch
"State Senator Bob Jauch (D-Poplar) announced today that Mercer School student Jessica Barnes has been chosen to participate in the 2008 Senate Scholar Program. Elite high school juniors and seniors from around the state of Wisconsin will be participating in a week-long, intensive program at the State Capitol in February."
Whitecap
to add second golf course"County clerk Mike Saari said there's a good chance the WDNR will remove the property from the forest crop designation "because it is for better use of the land." Whitecap Mountain Recreation President Dave Lundberg hopes to begin construction on an 18-hole golf course between Whitecap Mountain and Wis. 122 in April, with completion planned for the 2008-09 season."
Two
northern Wisconsin schools to receive awards of excellence
"The middle schools had to score within the top 10 percent of all schools in reading and mathematics on state tests. They also had to show significant gains in reading and math scores."
Bitter
cold to ease grip on Range"Temperatures in the mid- to upper 20s will continue through the weekend, with the warming trend holding to Monday, said Robin Turner, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Negaunee Township, who added that this is a La Nina year. La Nina, also known as "a cold episode," is characterized by unusually cold ocean temperatures in the east-central Pacific Ocean."
Cold
snap brings snow, wind"The peak wind gust reported in the Upper Peninsula was 69 mph in Sault Ste. Marie... U.S. 2 and U.S. 51 in Iron County were reported as ice-covered and hazardous Wednesday afternoon by the Wisconsin State Patrol. Blizzard conditions were reported elsewhere in the Upper Peninsula."
Statewide
smoking ban near dead end""I guess we're back to square one," said Sen. Roger Breske (D-Eland), who noted that a meeting of Senate leaders and anti-smoking groups in the Capitol failed to produce any compromise ready for a Senate vote."
Reform
tax system, expert says"Aggressive tax avoidance by large, sophisticated multistate companies is a serious and growing problem," said Mazerov, who is a senior fellow at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a liberal think tank in Washington. "Unfortunately, Wisconsin remains something of a laggard among the states in addressing it."
[Sen. Jauch issued a previously posted press release on this that can be found here.- Bob]
"Butler has reported to the state Government Accountability Board that he raised just over $192,000 in the last six months of 2007. That is on top of $155,000 he had on hand before that. Minus expenses, Butler has $216,000."
"The suspension of Carolyn Kelly, director of the special assignments bureau and also the state fire marshal, is the second high-level personnel move in the state Division of Criminal Investigation this month... Van Hollen said he wasn't aware of any criminal probe involving Kelly and wouldn't say if the suspension was related to the state's investigation of the October murders of six young people in Crandon by an off-duty Forest County sheriff's deputy, and the deputy's subsequent suicide."
"We
have had a steady growth in the number of veterans we have been serving over
the last several years, so we ended up with space and parking issues at the
hospital," said John Rohrer, managed care director for the Veterans
Hospital."
Dems
release stimulus plan"State Senate Democrats announced Wednesday their plan to rev up Wisconsin’s troubled economic outlook, including $50 million for highways and $5 million a year for technical colleges."
"One logical next step would be to add a Friday route over to Duluth for weekend travels, which Pufall said could really help Northland College students heading home.
Another possibility would be a route to the Hurley and Ironwood area, left absent after Greyhound canceled its service from Ironwood to Duluth in January 2007."
Fish
hatcheries researching native lake herring potential "With implications broader than the consumer market, federal agencies such as the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission have also expressed an interest in the research as a way to potentially replenish lake herring numbers in Lakes Michigan and Huron and other Great Lakes, Fischer said. He noted that, because herring numbers are strong in Lake Superior, it doesn't really need a herring restoration program."
“The changes sought in this legislation will put the park on equal footing with other national parks and help the park bring to life the vibrant history of Michigan’s Copper Country,” Sen. Carl Levin, who introduced the bill, said in a prepared statement Wednesday.
Sen
R. Feingold
“When I talk to law enforcement officials all over Wisconsin about what the federal government can do to help them better protect Wisconsin communities, supporting COPS and Byrne grants is at the top of the list,”
Renewable
Energy“These tax incentives are a great way to invest in the creation of green jobs – jobs that invest in renewable energy, get people working to improve energy efficiency, and help bring down the skyrocketing energy costs burdening so many American families.” According to industry estimates, more than 100,000 Americans could be put to work in 2008 with clean energy production tax credits."
Sen
H. Kohl"Many of us are concerned about the Administration's abandonment of our state and local law enforcement officials. These cuts have a real impact on our communities' ability to fight crime. We're talking about losing prosecutors, and shutting down drug task forces and prevention and treatment programs around the state,"
"The other at-large delegate backing Edwards is U.S. Rep. Dave Obey, D-Wausa. A spokesman for Obey said the congressman was traveling Wednesday and he had not spoken with him about it."
Gov.
Doyle“One of my top priorities is to help move industries, companies, and communities forward, and create good-paying jobs for our citizens,"
Scholarship
to be Awarded - Jim Peterson
"I would like to take this opportunity to inform the readers that
Superior SnoCross Inc. will be giving out a Scholarship to a student
or students from Gogebic and or Iron County, that plans on
attending Gogebic Community College. This is our way of giving a
little something back to the communities for helping to bring SnoCross
racing to Ironwood."
Montel
Williams Loses Job after Defending Troops on Fox News"A former Marine and Naval officer, Montel lectured the stunned hosts on the stupidity of spending air time on the death of Heath Ledger, rather than covering the war in Iraq. It was a spectacle rarely seen on live cable television, as Montel exposed and condemned both tabloid "news" shows and much of American culture for what they have each become: shallow and greedy."
30 Jan
Gary
ShermanSherman
Bill Receives Yes Vote in Joint Finance Committee"Rep. Gary Sherman (D-Port Wing) announced that his legislation, AB77, that alters the manner in which the school levy and lottery property tax credits are distributed to municipalities, today passed the Joint Finance Committee by a vote of 16-0. The legislation previously passed the Ways and Means Committee by a vote of 13-0."
NOTICE
OF MEETING"The Iron County Board of Supervisors will meet on Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 6:00 PM at the Courthouse in Hurley, Wisconsin. The meeting is open to the public per Chapter 19, Sub Chapter V, Wisconsin Statutes."
"Firemen were at the scene within five minutes, but by the time they arrived, the fire had already spread from the chimney to the structure... Ahonen praised the Saxon-Gurney,
Oma
and Ironwood Township fire departments for their assistance at the fire,
which was brought under control by 1:53 a.m."
Benefit for fire victims
"Lydia Patritto will perform a benefit concert on Feb. 6 to raise funds for
Kimball fire victims Rick, Mary and Cole Koski and Keegan Miller. The
concert begins at 7 p.m. at the Hurley K-12 School auditorium. Donations for
the Koskis will be accepted."
Judge
finds man insane in arsons
"Bayfield County Circuit Court Judge John P. Anderson will determine on
Friday how long Henrik-Jan Veenendaal will be committed to a mental
institution, according to court records."
"It didn't matter that the state, not taxpayers, miscalculated the refunds. By law, the government can collect 1% interest each month on money it is owed. Jim Rosenmerkel of Waukesha didn't think that was fair. "Why would you punish honest taxpayers when the state makes the mistake?" he asked."
Real ID
headache
"About 800,000 Wisconsinites will have to renew their driver's licenses
early if they want to use them to board airplanes under a federal
anti-terrorism law requiring more secure IDs, according to the state
Department of Transportation."
Edwards'
exit from presidential race changes dynamic in Wisconsin"The other 18 are at-large and can support any candidate they chose. Two of those delegates have said they would support Edwards... U.S. Rep. Dave Obey was the other Edwards backer. Obey could not be reached for comment.
Wisconsin
sues firm over telemarketing, advertising violations"Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen says the company called homes several times a day for weeks at a time and hung up when customers asked for caller identification. He says some of those customers were on the state's Do-Not-Call registry."
"It is similar to other actions previously taken by anti-government and anti-tax individuals who have previously been convicted of criminal slander of title. Hoel, as have others, filed a trademark claim on his name with the secretary of state's office in Minnesota. When Wisconsin officials began investigating him for back taxes and would letters to he or his employers to get information, he would respond by saying they had violated the trademark by using his name. He would also claim that they owed him money for doing so."
Union
to install new brew shop"According to Carl Korz, assistant director of food service for the Union, a committee formed for the project sent out surveys “to find out what students were looking for in a coffeehouse.” About 3,000 responses concluded that students preferred a coffeehouse providing organic and fair trade coffee, a comfortable environment and a thorough training process for its employees."
Rapids
mill in line for ethanol plant"Department of Energy officials announced Tuesday that the company would get $30 million, part of $114 million that will be made available to build small-scale biorefineries at four locations throughout the country. The funds are part of an initiative to reduce U.S. oil consumption."
WEAUWisconsin
Rapids Mill Receives Grant"That means up to $30 million in federal funds will be available to help Newpage and its partners construct and operate a thermal gasification and gas-to-liquids plant at the Wisconsin Rapids mill. The goal is to convert wood wastes to renewable diesel fuel."
Ashland
approves ATV use in city "The proposed routes for east-west travel are Third Street West and Eighth Street West, with Prentice Avenue and 14th Avenue West as the north-south routes. East of Bay City Creek, the routes would be 11th Avenue East, which turns into County Highway A, and Sixth Street East. There is no direct access to the lake east of Prentice Avenue, but Mayor Ed Monroe said if a suitable route is brought forward, it could be added on later."
"The Pugsley's most imposing feature is its tires, which are taller and wider than a regular mountain bike's and have car tire-like tread. They act like snowshoes, distributing the bike's weight to keep it riding on top of snow that's up to six inches thick, Ledin said. He has a spot on the purple frame for a small bike pump, which he uses to beef up the tires' air pressure if he's going to ride on a denser surface like pavement."
Sen
R. Feingold“The U.S. Senate is also now on record in support of an independent and transparent review of the entire electoral process and its outcome. I hope President Bush joins us in calling on Kenya’s political leaders to refrain from igniting violence and remain engaged in the U.N.-led international effort to bring peace to a troubled nation.”
State
receives extra energy assistance funds - Dunn County News -
Menomonie,WI“While LIHEAP continues to go under-funded, many low-income people in Wisconsin are paying the price,” Feingold said. “With home heating costs steadily increasing each year, we need to ensure that families are safe and warm in the often harsh Wisconsin winters.”
Gov.
Doyle“One of my top priorities is to help move industries, companies, and communities forward, and create good-paying jobs for our citizens," said Governor Doyle. “I’m pleased that Sargento has chosen to again expand in Wisconsin, and that we could assist the company in bringing new jobs to Sheboygan County and retaining jobs statewide.”
Northstar
Electronics Is State of the Art"There's nothing easy about being in business in Ironwood, and it's not for any one reason. I think the major thing is to get into people's heads that you are willing to stand behind them if they have a problem. So many times nowadays, retailers walk away from the customer when they have a problem."
"The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification announced Ray Klepal of ServiceMaster of Lakeside in the Ashland and Ironwood areas has qualified by education and examination as a certified carpet cleaning technician."
No
rest for the winter-weary"The seemingly nonstop bouts of snow and bitter cold, not to mention the tornadoes, already provide ample fodder for "you think this is bad" stories, and more material is approaching fast. The National Weather Service forecast warns of floods, gales, rain, thunderstorms, snow, near-blizzard conditions and brutal wind chills. That just covers tonight."
Report
has teeth"Wisconsin residents swear they've seen the big cats for years, bounding across roads and running through woods. Most reports come from northern Wisconsin, but people have said they've spotted cougars in Waukesha County and on the border of Ozaukee and Washington counties, according to the state Department of Natural Resources."
Court
hopefuls to debate on Internet"The debate is thought to be the first of its kind in a Wisconsin political race, said Kyle Duerstein, the journalism student who is hosting the program. Listeners will be able to hear the candidates debate and call in with questions. It will be the first forum featuring both candidates, who are vying in the nonpartisan April 1 election for a 10-year term on the court."
Feingold
gave right response"In his final State of the Union address, President Bush unfortunately continued to advocate positions and policies that have been harmful to our nation. He once again attempted to bully Congress into giving broad powers to the executive branch far beyond what is necessary to protect the country from terrorists. Congress must stand up to these tactics and pass a law that allows our intelligence community to go after al-Qaida and other threats to our national security while protecting the rights and freedoms of law-abiding Americans,"
Legislators
call for more aid when tuition goes up"Two Madison state representatives announced a plan Monday afternoon to match financial aid dollar-for-dollar for tuition increases at UW System and state technical schools. Rep. Spencer Black and Rep. Joe Parisi said the plan would essentially freeze tuition for students who receive financial aid."
Senator
John Edwards event tonight at UWSP"The house party at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point will be held tonight, Tuesday, Jan. 29, at 6 p.m. in the Laird Room of the Dreyfus University Center. The event will offer a chance for supporters of Edwards and others interested in the upcoming primary. Edwards himself will speak to supporters on a conference call. "
ATV
test draws mixed views along proposed trails "Opinions along the proposed route were more divided than the city council, which approved ATV use for two months during the Jan. 15 Committee of the Whole meeting.
Ben Blazek, whose family lives at the corner of Prentice Avenue and Third Street East, another proposed east-west route, said Ashland is a tourist "roadblock" for ATV travel.
"I think it could really help the economy," he said. "You could have people going out to the (Bad River) casino and all the way to Superior.""
Sen
R. Feingold
in
Response to the President's State of the Union Address“Perhaps most troubling was the President’s steadfast commitment to an Iraq policy that has led to the deaths of nearly 4,000 American troops, continues to cost this country billions of dollars per month, and fails to make us safer in the global fight against al Qaeda and its affiliates."
On
Stopping the Flawed FISA Bill from Being Jammed Through the Senate"We all agree that FISA needs to be updated so our government can go after the foreign communications of suspected terrorists. But we must not provide overly broad and unnecessary powers that infringe on the rights and privacy of law-abiding Americans, especially to an administration that has proven it cannot be trusted."
Feingold
Calls for Increase in Food Stamp Benefits to Help Stimulate
Economy“The economic trouble our nation is facing is weighing heavily on the minds of many Americans, particularly low-income Americans,” Feingold said. “By boosting Food Stamp benefits, we are creating a win-win situation – helping Americans who need assistance the most and are likely to be adversely impacted by a downturn, while giving the economy a boost.”
Gov.
Doyle
Governor
Doyle Launches BadgerCare Plus"Health care in Wisconsin should be a birthright, not a ticket to bankruptcy. BadgerCare Plus is simple and will provide health care coverage that our children deserve at a price families can afford. This is an historic moment in Wisconsin history.”
28 Jan
Sen
R. Jauch
"On Wednesday, January 30th from 7:00 to 7:30 a.m., State Senator Bob Jauch (D-Poplar) will be a guest on Wisconsin Public Radio with Joy Cardin to discuss tax fairness."
The Saxon Harbor Boating Club has a web site which, although dating back to the fall of 2006, is new to me. It would be nice if people who notice that I lack a link, would inform me at lemon@wegoweb.net. I would appreciate it. - Bob
"Two men have been charged with first-degree reckless homicide in the beating of a Union Grove man outside a Lac du Flambeau tavern. Brian Dale Cross, 26, and Clinton T. Graveen, 23, both of Lac du Flambeau, were charged Friday in Vilas County Circuit Court in the Tuesday death of John S. Kintop, 37, after the beating outside of Club 47."
Lots
of unanswered questions about future of Wisconsin's economy
"The shortfall could be $400 million or more. Deep spending cuts may be needed. But no one's saying yet what they might be. State jobs might have to be held open. But for now, layoffs aren't being discussed."
Few
complaints against doctors result in discipline "Wisconsin Medical Examining Board records show that only 213 of the 2,400 complaints filed about physicians in the state from 2002 and 2006 resulted in some kind of discipline, according to a newspaper's analysis."
"Despite his record, Huffman managed to get hired at three other facilities. Patients at two of them accused him of sexual misconduct. His license was revoked effective Feb. 28, 2002 - 11 years after his first documented sexual assault of a patient."
"Mandatory exchange of information with the board could serve as a safeguard for hospitals, too, said Bruce Wilson, a Mequon cardiologist. In some cases, the medical board could achieve greater objectivity than hospital officials, who subconsciously might take economic or competitive factors into consideration, he said."
Medical
College of Wis. urged to stop using live pigs in labs"Cowley said it was the "only opportunity that students will have in their medical education to experience the cardiovascular function of a large animal with similar responses as humans before they begin clinical work with patients." This is the first year the Medical College is to use pigs instead of dogs in its introductory physiology laboratory, a course designed for first-year medical students. Thirty-six pigs are to be opened, examined and killed at the end of February."
Secondhand
smoke debate continues"Al Tedeschi, owner of the Villa Tap on Madison's north side, said he was initially staunchly opposed to the city's smoking ban which went into effect 2 1/2 years ago. He watched as some of his fellow bar owners went out of business and added more food at his bar to stay competitive, he said. He fully supports a statewide ban to "get everyone on the same playing field," Tedeschi said."
"Projections for tax collections over the past few years have consistently shown an annual increase of 3 percent, even with the rate of inflation. This rate slowed to 0.8 percent during the latter half of 2007."
Sen
R. Feingold
“The crisis in Kenya must be resolved peacefully, and the current internationally brokered negotiation is an important first step,” Feingold said. “It is also important that there is an independent and transparent review of the entire electoral process and its outcome."
Gov.
Doyle
Grow
Wisconsin – The Next Steps: A Strategy to Foster Innovation and Strengthen
the Economy“Our changing world and difficult national economy bring new challenges, and new opportunities to grow Wisconsin,” Governor Doyle said. “Not only must we seize this opportunity – Wisconsin can lead the way."
"First, those who don’t want to nominate Hillary Clinton because they don’t want to return to the nastiness of the 1990s — a sizable group, at least in the punditocracy — are deluding themselves. Any Democrat who makes it to the White House can expect the same treatment: an unending procession of wild charges and fake scandals, dutifully given credence by major media organizations that somehow can’t bring themselves to declare the accusations unequivocally false (at least not on Page 1)."
26&27 Jan
St.
Ann's plans centennial celebration"St. Ann Catholic Parish in Saxon will celebrate the 100th anniversary of its church on July 26, with a special Mass at 4 p.m. celebrated by the Most Rev. Peter Christensen, bishop of Superior."
Arson
pleas accepted in Bayfield County"Veenendaal admitted to setting 18 fires that caused about $1 million in damage. Vacant homes, vehicles, boats, three dump trucks and the former Ondossagon School were hit by the fires."
Minnesota
company to make wood pellet fuel in Bayfield County "The plant will employ 18 full-time workers and run 24 hours a day, said Tink Birchem, president and CEO of Valley Forest Wood Products in Mountain Iron, Minn., and Mountain Timber Wood Products, which will operate the new facility. She estimated as many as 90 additional positions would be indirectly created in local industries such as transportation, distribution and retail."
"The ugly, bewhiskered fish is naturally curious, so sturgeon anglers will dunk just about anything in the frigid waters of Lake Winnebago to beckon their prehistoric prey. And underneath the thick ice under the boots of anglers in their shanties, decked out with sofas, beer-filled coolers and barbecues, thousands of sturgeon are searching for a snack. Which is where Don Ecker and his woodworking tools come in."
Lax
oversight favors doctors over patients"Degnan's family didn't know that one of the state's largest malpractice insurers had dropped Frazin because there were so many claims against him. They didn't know that Frazin had been accused several times of operating on the wrong part of patients' spines, or that people were left disabled after he claimed surgical equipment malfunctioned."
Doyle
promises not to raise taxes to cover projected shortfall"But in a meeting with the Wisconsin State Journal editorial board, the Democratic governor declined to name any spending cuts, saying the situation was "pretty hypothetical" and it was too early to know what the shortfall might be. "We've got through $3.2 billion without raising taxes," Doyle said, referring to the budget shortfall when he took office in 2003. "So we can get through a tenth of that without doing it." "
Records:
Veterans home never tracked ex-official's spending" A former state employee under investigation for embezzlement received $300 every month for more than 20 years to buy supplies but never accounted for his purchases, records show. Rich Calcut, former public information officer for the Wisconsin Veterans Home at King, cashed the monthly checks covered by private donations to buy prizes for games and supplies for special events."
"You may have a great opportunity to see in person, and possibly shake the hand of, the next president of the United States, " said Mike Tate, a Milwaukee-based Democratic political consultant... Regardless, they say that in the two weeks leading up to the Wisconsin primary, state voters will likely field automated phone calls from the remaining candidates and their surrogates, receive direct mailings, view television ads and get invited to candidate events."
A
warning on illegal immigrants"A stepped-up federal crackdown on incarcerated illegal immigrants could swamp Dane County 's court system, a Madison lawyer is warning... But recent fears in the Hispanic community that even a short jail sentence could mean deportation have led more illegal immigrants charged with crimes such as drunken driving to opt for a lengthy trial, Delyea said."
Wisconsin
and the recession"The Bush recession is a national reality, not a Wisconsin phenomenon. So those who would try to blame Gov. Jim Doyle's policies for slowing growth in the Badger State are either economic illiterates or Republican partisans seeking to score cheap points -- or both."
Gingrich
forecasts Wisconsin’s role"“What none of them have done yet and what they need to work at is, like Reagan, develop a broad visionary speech that allows people to understand what they would do, that brings people together in a way to say ‘I got it,’” Gingrich said."
Doyle seeks health 'fairness'"The governor renewed his call for the creation of a pool that could help reduce health insurance premium costs and spread risk over larger groups. He made the pitch during a visit to PDM Solar in Wausau. Doyle estimates such a plan could benefit 800,000 people in Wisconsin working in businesses with 50 or fewer employees. An estimated 123,000 people in the state are without health insurance, according to the Department of Health and Family Services."
Herald
Ellsworth,WI
Up
& running; Area residents love to snowmobile"“Back in the 1970s, it used to take us a day to go from Ellsworth to River Falls,” Al said. Now, Wally said, they can get to Hurley, located near the Upper Peninsula border, in about a day. “The State of Wisconsin is beginning to bring trails together from county to county,” Wally added."
Dave
Obey Speaks on Hot Topics - WJFW-TV - Rhinelander,WI"Congressman Dave Obey touched on many issues today at the Oneida County Courthouse. When it comes to the war, Obey says he's frustrated with President Bush and the decision to veto his bill which would get the troops out of Iraq.
But he says the war isn't his only frustration."
Sen
R. FeingoldSays
candidates should not be afriaid to take on FISA - Dane101 -
Madison,WI"The case is fairly straightforward to make to people. We just want to make sure procedures are in place so that if you are doing absolutely nothing wrong, the government can't run around and hear everything you have to say and want to say to your kids and everything you put in an email."
25 Jan
"According towakefield a
proposed resolution for authorization to submit a grant application to
improve Schomberg County Park, grant funds are available through the
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources ATV program to construct an ATV
campground and connector trail to Camp 7 Road. Once approved, forest
administrator Joe Vairus will hire a consultant to design the camp, trail,
bridge and other amenities, said county trail coordinator Tara Stuhr."Area
jobless rates worsen"Iron County's December jobless rate was 8.4 percent, compared with 8 percent in November and 9.2 percent in December 2006. The county's unemployment rate continues to rank second-highest in the state, according to the latest figures from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development."
"About 1,750 homes and businesses in and around Hayward were without heat in subzero cold Thursday because of a natural gas malfunction, authorities said."
Doyle
touts small business health pool, economic development "Doyle instead used his hour-long speech to talk about the variety of economic development proposals targeting the state's small businesses, agricultural community and manufacturing sector."
Funding
deal reached for virtual schools"Lehman said he had dropped his plan to cut per-pupil funding for online students to $3,000, or about in half. He said school district officials who run online schools had convinced him that $5,845 per pupil is justified and added, "We're not trying to strangle them.""
"Problems in the national economy are being felt in smaller-than-expected growth in income and sales tax collections, which in turn will mean cuts to the two-year state budget passed after much wrangling between Doyle and the divided Legislature."
Possible
cougar sighting could be historic"A game warden and a biologist, Doug Fendry, tracked the footprints for more than a mile before quitting. But they took photographs and captured samples of urine and blood that was sent Thursday to a laboratory in Montana for DNA testing. The blood might have come from an injured paw. The photographs of the paw prints were e-mailed to biologists in the West who said they appeared to be from a female or young male cougar."
Doyle
health insurance plan praised"But the up to $100 million plan, called BadgerChoice, hinges on getting insurance companies to charge everyone the same rate regardless of their risk factors or past medical claims. That could have the negative side effect of discouraging healthy individuals from buying insurance, leaving a pool of sicker, costlier consumers, critics said."
Group
offers plan for state to reduce greenhouse gases"Released Thursday, A Blueprint for Action: Policy Options to Reduce Wisconsin's Contribution to Global Warming, outlines 13 steps the state should take to address what it says "poses a serious threat to Wisconsin's future well-being and prosperity." The environmental group said the steps, in tandem with policies already being pursued, would cut the state's emissions of carbon dioxide 30 percent below projected levels by 2020."
Harley-Davidson
4Q profit skids 26.3 pct on weak U.S. sales"Consumer confidence is low, and housing and credit issues persist," he told analysts on a conference call. "All this adds up to a weak retail sales environment for major discretionary purchases, including our motorcycles." Its shares fell 5 percent in midmorning trading Friday after rising that much earlier in the session."
Obey:
Stimulus plan falls short for poor"Rep. Dave Obey said an economic stimulus deal between President Bush and House leaders "is good as far as it goes," but added it would still leave many low-income people struggling with higher energy bills and unemployed workers without extra financial aid if a weak economy means a longer job search."
Lawmakers
find some agreement in Doyle's agenda"Democrats said issues such as reforming health care and seeing to it that insurers pay for services badly needed by autistic children are essential. Republicans, meanwhile, spoke positively of the governor's economic development proposals and call for an increased focus on renewable energy, which they said can be achieved with targeted tax credits."
Obey
says stimulus plan does not go far enough "So far, (Bush) has refused to provide an extension to unemployment insurance, he has resisted providing anything more on food stamps or low-income heating assistance, he's resisted providing anything to help the states through Medicaid so they don't have to knock people off the health care rolls, and he's also resisted providing the rebate to 40 million Americans who make so little money that they don't pay income taxes,"
New
$7.5 million wood pellet fuel facility planned near Ino "A Mountain Iron, Minn. company announced Thursday that a $7.5 million wood pellet fuel producing company to be known as "Superior Wood Products LLC" is to be built in Bayfield County near Ino, about 14 miles west of Ashland. The new facility will produce some 100,000 tons of premium wood pellets annually at the site of the former Forest Fuels operation. Forest Fuels, which also manufactured wood pellet fuel, has been out of business for a number of years."
"The really big snowman - who has no name - has returned to downtown Minocqua after a 10-year absence. Standing 30 feet tall and wearing a black stovepipe hat several times too small for its cylindrical head, the snowman looks out onto the southbound lanes of Hwy. 51 with unblinking blue eyes, appearing content with its black pipe."
Sen
R. Feingold
"If the Republicans succeed in cutting off debate on Monday, the Senate won't even get to vote on the amendment Senator Dodd and I want to offer to deny retroactive immunity to telecom companies that allegedly cooperated with the administration's illegal wiretapping program."
"The Judiciary Committee bill contains a number of important changes to improve court oversight of these broad new executive branch authorities, and to protect the privacy of law-abiding Americans. The Intelligence Committee bill, on the other hand, leaves it up to the executive branch to police itself – an approach that has all too often proven to be a bad idea."
Congress
Needs to See Secret Court Orders, Feingold Argues - Wired
News"If the FISA court makes a significant interpretation of law I think Congress should know about it, and congress can't know to pass further legislation without knowing how the court interprets the law,"
"I think that package ought to contain an extension of unemployment insurance. I think it should also contain a significant increase in Medicaid funding, so that states don’t have to knock people off healthcare rolls as their own budgets get squeezed by the recession.”
24 Jan
Youth
retreat "St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hurley will hold an area-wide Youth Retreat on Saturday beginning at 3 p.m. The event was previously scheduled to take place at St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church but has since been moved to the church in Hurley."
Kangas
concerts resume Sunday"The Nick Kangas Memorial Children's Concert Series resumes in the new year with a performance on Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Hurley Coffee Company. The series features young vocal and instrumental music students of Amanda Geary and Jody DeCarlo-Schneider."
Montreal:
Aimone to remain on city council"So many people from Gile and east Montreal (ward 2) asked me why I was resigning, I told them and heard, 'We do not want you to go,' so I decided I was going to stay," Aimone said Wednesday."
Doyle
pushes tax incentives, warns of spending cuts"In his sixth "state of the state" message, the Democratic governor proposed a tax-break package that aides said would cost up to $15 million by mid-2009 - and may not pass a Legislature scheduled to adjourn in March. He also said he is afraid that lagging tax collections could force emergency spending cuts."
"Skyrocketing health care costs are paralyzing our economy," Doyle said in his annual "state of the state" address in Madison. "And across the country small businesses, their employees and their families are shouldering the worst of the problem."
"Saying challenging days ahead will require "deep cuts and hard sacrifices," Gov. Jim Doyle outlined a plan Wednesday of targeted tax breaks and a new health insurance pool for small businesses to blunt effects of a national economic downturn."
State
of the state: Doyle proposes tax cuts to soften economic blows"Make no mistake, challenging days are ahead," Doyle told lawmakers from both houses of the Legislature, members of the Supreme Court, and other elected officials. "Our nation finds itself at a time of great uncertainty. America's economy is in deep turmoil. In just the last few days, markets around the world have plummeted and talk in Washington has turned from recovery to recession," he said.
Sen
R. FeingoldSix
shots left - Guardian Unlimited - UK"Russ Feingold, the Democratic senator from Wisconsin who has faithfully pushed for civil liberties protections since his first stand against the Patriot Act, has just released six amendments that he wants voted on before the seemingly inevitable capitulation to White House priorities -- I mean, before the final legislation is voted on."
Rep
D. Obey
"Public hearings will be held in Superior, Ashland, Hurley and Park Falls Thursday about the war in Iraq and the federal budget by Congressman Dave Obey. Catherine Hannula reports. The meetings will start with an overview of the war and budget by the Democratic Congressman. Douglas County Board member Bob Browne will be there. “Just to thank him for all of the things that he’s done for Northern Wisconsin."
23 Jan
School
officials keep an eye on market"The school board is considering investment options for its $1 million Lalich fund, currently being managed by the Edward Jones firm of Ironwood. Seven companies are vying to handle the investment account. The school board is limited as to how it can invest and spend the money given to the district by the late Joseph Lalich, an alumnus of the school."
Pinardi,
Little Finland, Whitecap, Silver Express feted at banquet "The Hurley chamber chose Mayor Joseph Pinardi as citizen of the year. Little Finland was named organization of the year. Whitecap Mountain Ski Resort was chosen as business of the year. Silver Express, Hurley High School's musical show group was selected as youth organization of the year."
Results
show accident victim was intoxicated"Idstein died when his snowmobile collided nearly head-on with a machine driven by Zebulun Lillard, of Ohio, in the early morning hours about three miles south of Hurley in the Town of Oma. Lillard suffered broken vertebrae in his back and nerve damage in a shoulder. He is recovering at home. "
Residents
may need to contact sanitation"Mercer residents who let their water run during the cold spell should contact Mercer Sanitary District 1. Residents of the sanitary district who have had problems in the past with freezing water lines are advised to run water at a stream of no more than a pencil as a precautionary measure."
Doyle
will focus on economy, health care in State of the State""The national economic downturn is going to have consequences for us in Wisconsin," Canter said Tuesday. It's too early to know what the exact impact will be, but the governor will talk about what he believes can be done to ensure long-term economic growth, Canter said."
"Lawton announced the thriller "Blue World" will spend its $2.5 million budget in Milwaukee. "The Violinist," a $1 million film about Arab-Israeli immigrants, will film entirely in Green Bay, primarily on the campus of either the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay or St. Norbert College, Lawton said. The announcements were made just a few weeks after the new incentives took effect. The incentives give 25% investment tax credits to Wisconsin-based productions and 15% income tax credits to related businesses."
Poll
finds support for lakes compact"The expected legislation is being watched closely by area communities, particularly in Waukesha County, and manufacturers that might want access to Great Lakes water in the future but fear it could not be accomplished because the compact would be too restrictive or burdensome."
"The boy was home sick in September when he found his mother either asleep or passed out on the couch, according to a criminal complaint filed in La Crosse County Circuit Court. The boy told police he found a prescription bottle on his mother's stomach that contained eight to 10 plastic bags filled with a white powder. He said he called his father, but his mother woke before he could call police."
DNR
hunting for cougar"Our likelihood of seeing it again is very remote," said DNR wildlife supervisor Doug Fendry, calling in from the field today as he searched for more cougar tracks in the snow. "The cougar is a very secretive animal."
Wisconsin regulators approve new rules for fishing tournaments
"Fishing tournament organizers will have to buy permits beginning in 2009
under new rules state wildlife officials have approved. Permits would
cost $25 to $200 depending on the tournament's size, format, location and
prizes."
Two
movies coming to state, no word on Public Enemies "We still don’t know if Johnny Depp is coming to Wisconsin, but a bunch of actors you probably haven’t heard of will be. Independent movies about immigrants and a priest who falls for a porn star will be the first productions in the state since lucrative state tax credits for the film industry took effect, Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton, chairwoman of the state arts board, said Tuesday."
Sen
R. FeingoldOversight
of the Justice for All Act"I am very pleased to see this Committee once again address the need to improve the tools for seeking the truth in our criminal justice system. In addition, members of Congress know all too well that we must follow up on the implementation of legislation we pass when it appears that our intent is being thwarted."
Sen
H. Kohl
KOHL
OUTLINES PRIORITIES FOR 2008 SESSION OF CONGRESS"With the presidential election season in full swing, a fierce partisan air in Washington and a divided executive and legislative branch, it will take more determination than ever to reach across the aisle to get things done for the American people," Kohl said. "The best ideas aren't the exclusive property of one party or the other, but a result of many minds working with our country's best interest at heart. I look forward to a busy and productive session in the Senate."
Gov.
Doyle"Grow Wisconsin – The Next Steps will prepare Wisconsin’s traditional industries to compete in the global economy with efficiency and innovation. It will also promote a high-end vision and enable existing businesses and entrepreneurs to seize new opportunities in expanding markets. Grow Wisconsin – The Next Steps will move the state forward to invest in education, reform regulations to make government more responsive and create and maintain a competitive business climate."
False
Pretenses"President George W. Bush and seven of his administration's top officials, including Vice President Dick Cheney, National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, made at least 935 false statements in the two years following September 11, 2001, about the national security threat posed by Saddam Hussein's Iraq."
[TPM adds. "You can relive every moment of the war hype on the site by watching videos, going over every false statement, and more." = Bob]
22 Jan
The minutes of the following meetings of the Hurley K-12 School District have been posted:
Sen
R. Jauch
“Mr. Mazarov is a nationally respected authority on the techniques used by multi-state, multi-national corporations to avoid paying their fair share of taxes owed to states, and along with the work he has done and the integrity of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, he will provide an anchor to the forthright discussion we need to have on corporate tax practices and tax inequity,”
School
receives $100K donation"An anonymous $100,000 donation to the Hurley Education Foundation will allow the Hurley K-12 School to add a second distance learning lab. District administrator Chris Patritto told the school board on Monday the distance lab will cost $48,000 and an additional 25 computer smart boards also will be purchased with the $100,000, plus another HEF donation of $15,000 that was received."
Police
correct identification mistake"Sharon Ahola, 58, of Mercer, drove her vehicle into the ditch at that intersection and Patricia Ahola's name erroneously appeared on the report."
Watercolor
class "In the first two classes, students will paint a lake scene. Supplies for the first two classes will be provided by the instructor for $20. Students should bring paint brushes. The class fee is $40.82 or $4 for senior citizens."
Proposal
limits tax reviews"In exchange for the new procedures, the bill would stop circuit courts from reopening the case completely if a taxpayer or community objected to the board's finding. Instead, the court could consider only whether the proper procedures were followed or look at information that became available after the board met. Now, the law allows the court to reopen the case completely."
"Preliminary state Department of Revenue totals show the personal and corporate income tax and the sales tax brought in $5.13 billion from July through December, an increase of only 0.8% over the same period in 2006."
Lawmakers
consider repeal of Wisconsin's abortion ban"State lawmakers are reviving an attempt to repeal Wisconsin's 158-year-old ban on abortions -- which they fear would be enforced if Roe v. Wade is overturned. Wisconsin is one of only four states with laws still on the books making abortions illegal. But Wisconsin Planned Parenthood political director Chris Taylor says Wisconsin is the only state whose law includes penalties for the women seeking an abortion."
Rights
under federal laws eroded, legislator says"Rep. Cory Mason, D-Racine, said today that he is seeking co-sponsors for the bill, which would expressly grant the workers protections accorded under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act and anti-age discrimination laws. Mason said that over the past decade, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the federal protections do not extend to state employees unless states pass laws explicitly saying that they do."
21 Jan
AGENDA
-- Regular School Board Meeting- Hurley School District
5503 W Range View Drive, Hurley, WI 54534 - 5:00 p.m. Monday, January 21, 2008
- Held in the Hurley High School IMC
[Missing copies of the previous agendas and minutes have been posted HERE. - Bob]
Wood
burning, carving"Suzanne Vittone will teach wood burning and carving on Tuesdays beginning Feb. 5 through March 11 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Hurley K-12 School."